Sweet Smell of Success Page #28

HUNSECKER:

There is some emotion in his face as he looks towards the

girl. More gently, he moves forward past CAMERA...

SUSAN:

Sensing the approach of Hunsecker behind her, she moves away

again; she is still crying, but is trying to recover.

Presently Hunsecker approaches her again. He speaks very

gently, soothingly, comforting...

HUNSECKER:

(softly)

You in a mood, Susie, to run over

to Milgrim's later and buy a few

new frocks?

SUSAN:

(a small voice)

No. I'm going home.

Hunsecker again tries to come nearer to her.

HUNSECKER:

Want Sidney to drive you over?

Ignoring the shake of her head, he calls to Sidney.

HUNSECKER:

Drive Susie home.

HUNSECKER:

Again we see some emotion in his face as he studies the girl.

His eyes flick towards the stage behind him where Sidney

stands watching. He moves gently forward and then speaks in

a quiet voice which reveals how desperately he needs her

reassurance:

HUNSECKER:

Susie...I...I'd have to take it

very much amiss if you ever saw

that boy again.

SUSAN:

After a pause, she turns towards him; she looks him straight

in the face.

SUSAN:

(levelly)

I'll never see him again.

RESUME HUNSECKER

He seems to take this as a gesture of forgiveness from her.

Now he touches her. His need for her is apparent; he tries

to reach her, tries to find an excuse to embrace her. She

submits to this very passively.

SUSAN:

A VERY CLOSE SHOT. We see the effort with which she is

controlling herself.

RESUME TWO SHOT:

Satisfied with this crumb of affection from his sister,

Hunsecker lets her go. Susan moves away, still avoiding his

eyes. Then she goes off towards the steps down into the

auditorium. Sidney looks at Hunsecker, then after Susan and

follows her.

RESUME HUNSECKER

He goes back to Mary and the script. He instructs her:

HUNSECKER:

Call Van Cleve. Tell him he was

right. Tell him I said the Dallas

boys are not worthy of his club.

Poring over the typewritten pages, he senses Mary's eyes on

him. He speaks to her quietly without raising his head and

there is still an undertone of feeling in his voice:

HUNSECKER:

(without looking up)

Mary...for Susie's own good...don't

give her misplaced sympathy...

Mary says nothing. Hunsecker gathers his papers and with a

visible effort to resume his public personality turns

towards the machinery of the television broadcast in

background.

INT. TV THEATRE FOYER

Susan crosses towards the doors out onto the street. Sidney

comes behind her, watchful as he overtakes her near the

doors. He goes past her to open the door for her.

SIDNEY:

I'll get you a cab...

Susan stops dead.

SUSAN:

(coldly)

Get away from me.

She goes out into the street. Beyond, we see a crushing cab.

Hesitating, Sidney adds:

SIDNEY:

J.J. asked me to drive you over

and -

But Susan has already moved out of shot, hurrying across the

sidewalk to hail the taxi.

RESUME SIDNEY:

Uncertain what to do, whether to follow her or not, he moves

after her.

SUSAN:

She has already opened the door of the taxi. She turns to

see Sidney come up behind her. As he enters SHOT, she

repeats:

SUSAN:

I told you to leave! I don't know

if Steve'll ever talk to me again

and I'm ready to blame it all on you!

She starts to get into the cab...

SIDNEY:

Alert, he moves to detain her (anxious to know exactly the

extent of her suspicion.)

SIDNEY:

Susie...!

ANOTHER ANGLE:

As Sidney steps up, he grasps at the door of the taxi,

trying to hold it open, but Susan pulls it shut, catching

his fingers in the door. Sidney steps back in pain...

TAXI:

It drives off down Sixth Avenue.

SIDNEY:

Nursing the injury to his hand, he looks after the

disappearing taxi. As he recovers from the pain, his

expression slowly changes to one of thoughtful appraisal.

(Susan's suspicions maybe of less importance than some other

considerations.)

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. TWENTY ONE CLUB WASHROOM - NIGHT

Hunsecker and Sidney are washing in adjoining basins. Coat

off, the former is in one of his punitive moods of silence.

Sidney, despite his throbbing, bandaged finger, is feeling

satisfied and self-confident. He hums quietly. Hunsecker

throws him annoyed side-glances, but Sidney refuses to

"catch on". The following dialogue is spaced between the

washing, the drying and hair-combing.

HUNSECKER:

So that's what "integrity" looks

like. Well, I'm always willing to

learn...

(later)

How is that slob, D'Angelo, your

uncle?

Sidney no longer hums; after a moment, he answers.

SIDNEY:

My mother's side--her brother.

That reminds me, J.J., Susie looks

run down. She can stand a vacation

and so can you. People say, "Oh,

the great J.J., he's made of

iron!", but you can use a rest, guy.

Sidney's cheerfulness annoys Hunsecker.

HUNSECKER:

What are you so chipper about? If

I put a cross on every one of your

mistakes, you'd look like a

graveyard!

SIDNEY:

(smiling)

But not for anything I did today...

HUNSECKER:

Sidney, I know human nature. Susie

lied to me - she'll see that boy

again.

Hunsecker moves out of shot.

SIDNEY:

You're right, J.J. - she won't give

him up, but it doesn't matter.

Because the real "money ball" is

the boy, not Susan. And if --

Hearing the sound of the door, Sidney turns sharply. CAMERA

MOVES to discover that Hunsecker has gone out. Sidney,

quickly, finishing the brushing of his hair, follows...

INT. DINING ROOM - "21" CLUB

Two waiters are fussing over Hunsecker's table at which

places are already set for Sidney and Hunsecker. Matre d'

hands him an envelope as he passes.

MATRE D'

Mr. Hunsecker this was to be

delivered to you personally -

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