Sweet Smell of Success Page #22

SIDNEY:

You know, Sally, sometimes I get

the impression you think you live

in Star-Bright Park. This is life,

kid - get used to it!

Sidney comes to the phone on her desk. He dials. Then he

glances swiftly at Sally and, carrying the phone, walks into

the bedroom, dragging the long cord behind him.

INT. BEDROOM

When the phone comes alive, Sidney pushes the bedroom door

shut. The gesture is as casual as he can contrive to make

it. Keeping his voice fairly low so that it cannot be heard

in the other room, he says:

SIDNEY:

(to phone)

Nikko, is Mr. Hunsecker there?

This is Mr. Falco. Well, have him

call me as soon as he can. It's

important.

He sets the phone down on the bedside table, looks at it

thoughtfully before he goes back to the bedroom door, opens

it and goes back into the office.

INT. OFFICE

Sidney stands on the threshold, studying Sally. His manner

is now more sympathetic as he asks:

SIDNEY:

Did you send my folks in Philly the

check...?

SALLY:

Yes.

Leaving the bedroom door open, Sidney comes up to her,

watches her shrewdly, cautiously.

SIDNEY:

(softly)

I put a lotta trust in you,

Chickie...

SALLY:

(low-voiced)

I know you do, Sidney.

SIDNEY:

Don't judge a situation where you

don't know what's involved...

Sally is putting paper in the typewriter, trying to hold her

head up.

SALLY:

I'm not judging...

Sidney comes closer to her. He puts his hand on the nape of

her neck, carrassing her. Under his touch, the girl is

unhappy, and yet at the same time, responsive. Sidney still

has power over her but she is disturbed by feelings of shame.

Feeling her relaxed, Sidney bends and kisses her on the side

of the throat with more than negligence, for something about

her always excites him; his aggression tune in with her

submissiveness.

SALLY:

(pathetically)

I swear, Sidney, I can't help it -

sometimes I wonder what I see in

you...

SIDNEY:

(murmuring)

That's no way to talk...

SALLY:

Or what you see in me, for that

matter...

SIDNEY:

Stay down town tonight. Maybe

we'll take in a show, etc.

SALLY:

If you want me to -

The phone in the bedroom rings. Sidney, reacting sharply,

forgets his advances to Sally as he turns towards the bedroom.

SIDNEY:

(exhilarated)

You see? Hunsecker's gotta phone ME!

He goes into the bedroom, closing the door as he goes.

Sally looks at the closed door.

INT. BEDROOM

Sidney has picked up the phone.

SIDNEY:

(calmly)

Hello, J.J....I presume you saw the

Elwell smear.

(smiling)

No, no medals - not yet. Oh, it's

worse than that - Aunty Van Cleve

is firing them...from the horse's

mouth... They were just here - in a

panic...

INT. HUNSECKER'S PENTHOUSE - THE STUDY - DAY

Hunsecker wears a dressing gown as he sits at his breakfast

table. Behind him are the big glass windows to the terrace

overlooking the Manhattan skyline. The papers are at

Hunsecker's elbow; his manner is crisp and cold:

HUNSECKER:

Who was just there?

(then)

You'll be the death of me. Sidalee!

Why? Didn't you just tell me that

they've already traced this smear

to you? All they have to do now is

to put two and two together and I'm

a chicken in a pot!

RESUME SIDNEY'S APARTMENT

Sidney smiles confidently, answers calmly:

SIDNEY:

J.J., peace on earth, good will to

men - it's working out just the way

I planned. Yeah, I guarantee this

bomb will pop right on schedule,

but you have to play your part -

you be a Saint and let me be the

Devil. But I wanna talk to you

first...

RESUME HUNSECKER'S PENTHOUSE

Hunsecker pauses, eyes full of cold voltage.

HUNSECKER:

Don't come here. Susie is up and

about.

(listening)

He called her? You'd better see me

at the TV - three o'clock.

He bangs down the phone, tense thought in his manner.

INT. SIDNEY'S APARTMENT

Sally is busy with her typing again, but in a depressed mood

when Sidney comes out of the bedroom to put the phone down

on her desk again. He seems satisfied with himself, smug.

Sally watches him for a moment. Then:

SALLY:

What are you going to do?

Sidney prepares to leave the apartment. His tone is full of

confidence, self-assertive. (For once Sidney is certain

that he is smarter, more cunning than even Hunsecker).

SIDNEY:

(the wise one)

Chickie, a lotta people think

they're smart. You watch. They're

dumb:
they'll do the work for me!

Just watch.

Sidney makes for the door, goes out.

INT. CIGAR STAND - LOBBY

Susan buys paper - DOLLY with her - toward elevator - she

gets in.

INT. HUNSECKER'S LIVING ROOM

J.J. has not moved; he is thoughtful and morose. Nikko, the

Japanese butler, comes in to remove the breakfast table.

HUNSECKER:

The table can wait. No calls. I

have to think about my TV show.

NIKKO:

Pleased to do. I will come back

later.

HUNSECKER:

(abruptly)

Did you put the bread out on the

terrace for the birds?

NIKKO:

Yes, but they don't come no more

this time of year.

Smiling, Nikko leaves. Hunsecker picks up a pencil and

makes a note on a pad, about birds no doubt. Abruptly he

looks up, calling:

HUNSECKER:

Susie! Come in a minute, dear...

She has been trying to pass unnoticed to her room. She

comes forward to him; her manner is serious and wary. His

act is one of a tasteful Mammy singer, but he is watchful,

too.

HUNSECKER:

Susie, you're very much in my

thoughts today.

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