Sweet Smell of Success Page #25

HUNSECKER:

But it's too late. I got him back

the job...

SIDNEY:

(impatiently)

No, that's the point - he won't

accept your favor! The manager

yes, but not the boy.

A pause. Hunsecker renumerates.

HUNSECKER:

Well he's got her in a tizzy, I'll

tell you that!

SIDNEY:

Sure, he steams her up - wants her

to stand on her own two feet and

all that jazz!

HUNSECKER:

And who's feet is she on now?

SIDNEY:

Presumably yours...

(a hasty addition)

That's according to St. Dallas.

HUNSECKER:

What's this boy got that Susie likes?

SIDNEY:

Integrity - acute, like indigestion.

HUNSECKER:

What does that mean - integrity?

SIDNEY:

(repeating as before)

A pocket fulla firecrackers -

looking for a match!

(grinning)

It's a new wrinkle to tell the

truth... I never thought I'd make a

killing on some guy's "integrity".

Hunsecker gives him certain slow begrudging admiration:

HUNSECKER:

Full of beans, ain't you? But you

know that you'll stand or fall by

what you're doing now...

SIDNEY:

(grins; confidently)

Calculated risk. Only we happen to

know, J.J., that you like me. I'm

your star pupil -- I reflect back

to you your own talent.

Hunsecker permits himself a faint smile. Burton is

approaching with script in hand.

HUNSECKER:

I wouldn't like to take a bite of

you; you're a cookie full of arsenic.

Sidney smirks. He turns away and goes off towards the

auditorium in the background.

EXT. TV STATION - DAY

Frank D'Angelo pays a taxi out of which he and Steve have

just emerged. Frank turns towards the boy, resuming a

conversation as they stroll across the sidewalk towards the

entrance of the theatre.

STEVE:

(depressed)

I still think he's responsible for

the smear.

D'ANGELO

Not that I'm convinced, but you'll

never prove it in a million years.

(gently)

Steve, you'll do what you want, but

it can't hurt; he offers you an

olive branch - so today like olives!

STEVE:

I guess you're right, but -

Steve completes the sentence with a slow shake of the head;

compromise is a gesture which he finds very difficult.

D'ANGELO

D'Angelo studies the boy with a paternal affection.

D'ANGELO

Steve, sometimes it's better not to

look at your own honesty; but to

look the other man in the face.

Not because you're my meal ticket -

which you are - but because I like

you and the boys, please take my

advice:
we -

D'Angelo stops, halted by an expression which he sees in

Steve's face.

STEVE:

He is looking through the glass doors of the TV Theatre, no

longer listening to D'Angelo's words; his face has hardened

in anger.

INT. TV THEATRE FOYER

From Steve's viewpoint. Sidney has come out of the curtained

entrance to the auditorium. CAMERA PULLS BACK to include

Steve in foreground. With a movement that suggests his

annoyance at discovering Sidney present, Steve jerks open

the glass door and moves in.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Susan is waiting in the foyer. She is standing in a position

where she has not been able to see Steve until he enters;

now she moves forward to greet him. As soon as she is near

him, she speaks in a quiet, urgent manner:

SUSAN:

(in an undertone)

Steve, before we go in - I'd like

to...

But she, too, is halted as Steve lays a hand on her arm.

Seeing his look over her shoulder, she turns...

SIDNEY:

He is already strolling forward to join them. CAMERA PANS

with him to include Susie, Steve and D'Angelo.

SIDNEY:

Hey, Susie - This is a real

surprise -- not one but three.

J.J.'s just finishing up his

rehearsal.

STAGE:

Hunsecker comes forward to the front of the stage looking

towards...

STEVE, SUSAN, D'ANGELO AND SIDNEY

In the group that comes down the aisle of the empty theatre.

RESUME HUNSECKER

He studies them, then calls out:

HUNSECKER:

Looks like a wedding.

REVERSE ANGLE:

Hunsecker back to CAMERA in foreground; he begins to whistle

The Wedding March to the rhythm of Steve and Susan's walk.

STEVE:

He breaks the rhythm of his stride, his face rigid.

RESUME HUNSECKER

He descends to meet them; his manner is full of welcome.

REVERSE ANGLE:

Susan nervously makes the introduction - Steve is nervous;

D'Angelo hangs behind warily; Sidney is in background.

SUSAN:

Steve, you remember my brother...

STEVE & HUNSECKER

(together)

Of course.

Steve shakes the hand that the smiling Hunsecker gives.

HUNSECKER:

Well, son, looks like you went out

and bought yourself a packet of

trouble...

STEVE:

You've been very kind about it, Mr.

Hunsecker.

HUNSECKER:

Give Susie credit for that. I took

her word that there was nothing to

the smear. Matter of fact, I'll

have my say about smears on the

show today. That's why I'd like

YOUR personal assurance, too.

STEVE:

(quietly)

Mr. Hunsecker, there's nothing to

that smear. You have my sincere

word...

HUNSECKER:

(nodding judicially)

I'll by that, son. Now, you owe ME

a favor.

(pausing; to Susan)

Be good to my kid sister...

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