Sweet Smell of Success Page #8

SIDNEY:

No more you don't! What is this -

You're showing off for her? They're

supposed to hear you in Korea?

WELDON:

(smirking to the girl)

He's intuitive - he knows he's

getting fired!

SIDNEY:

If you're funny, James, I'm a

pretzel! Drop dead!

Weldon, shepherded by the girl, is already on his way across

the sidewalk.

WELDON:

It was nice knowing you, Sidney.

Not cheap - but nice. Happy

unemployment insurance.

INT. TWENTY ONE CLUB - NIGHT

Sidney, entering the Club, threads his way through the

crowded foyer, coming up to CAMERA near the foot of the

staircase. There he meets a Captain who turns to him.

CAPTAIN:

How are you tonight, Mr. Falco?

SIDNEY:

(nodding towards the restaurant)

Is "he" inside?

CAPTAIN:

But of course...

SIDNEY:

Alone or surrounded?

CAPTAIN:

A Senator, an Agent and Something -

With - Long - Red - Hair.

Sidney moves past CAMERA, coming a couple of paces towards

the door to the restaurant. He pauses.

REVERSE ANGLE:

From Sidney's viewpoint. Shooting through the doorway into

the restaurant, we can see the group at the table.

(Hunsecker's back is turned to us.) CAMERA PULLS BACK to

include Sidney in foreground. He decides not to go into

restaurant and turns away out of shot.

INT. LOUNGE

Sidney comes round the corner from the foyer and walks

through the lounge to the door into the alcove where the

phone booths are, CAMERA PANNING.

PHONE BOOTHS:

Sidney moves briskly past the girl at the switchboard,

instructing her:

SIDNEY:

Honey, get me Mr. Hunsecker.

The girl reaches for a book of phone numbers, then remembers:

OPERATOR:

He's right inside, Mr. Falco.

SIDNEY:

(from inside the booth)

So it isn't Long Distance.

As the girl, shrugging, puts through the call, CAMERA moves

closer to Sidney in the booth. He hears the connection

made, speaks at once.

SIDNEY:

(to phone)

J.J.? It's me --

We are close enough to the instrument to hear the sound of a

voice on the other end. Though the words are not

distinguishable, it is quite clear that the speaker is not

talking to the phone. Sidney seems to relax, as if this is

something that happens often. He waits, studying his

manicured fingertips...

Presently Sidney hears the voice on the other end become

clearer. It asks: "Yes?" CAMERA moves closer as Sidney says:

SIDNEY:

J.J., it's Sidney. Can you come

outside for one minute?

Hunsecker's voice, filtered through the sound of the

telephone, is sharp and tiny; but the words are now very

clear.

HUNSECKER (O.S.)

Can I come out? No.

SIDNEY:

(tensely)

I have to talk to you, alone, J.J.,

that's why.

HUNSECKER (O.S.)

You had something to do for me -

you didn't do it.

SIDNEY:

Can I come in for a minute?

HUNSECKER (O.S.)

No. You're dead, son - get yourself

buried!

There is a click as Hunsecker hangs up. Sidney, more

slowly, also hangs up. Brooding, he comes out of the booth.

INT. TWENTY ONE CLUB - LOUNGE

Sidney comes out of the door to the phone booths, walks

through the lounge to the hallway. He turns towards the

dining room.

INT. HALLWAY

Sidney comes to the door into the dining room, CAMERA

tracking with him. Here he pauses, looking towards...

HUNSECKER:

From Sidney's viewpoint. Hunsecker is seated at a table

which is cleverly his habitual position. We see him only in

semi-back view, a broad and powerful back. He is listening

to a man who has paused at his table, stooping over Hunsecker

to whisper in his ear. As the columnist listens, his hands

play with an omni-present pad and pencil which lie on the

dinner table amongst an assortment of envelopes, mimeographed

sheets and a telephone. Beyond Hunsecker and the man

talking to him are the SENATOR, the AGENT, and an attractive,

if fatuous GIRL.

HUNSECKER:

I'll check it in the morning, Low -

thanks.

The man leaves; Hunsecker is scribbling a note on the pad.

Meanwhile the Senator whispers something to the girl, who

giggles softly.

REVERSE ANGLE:

Sidney comes across to the table, nervous but deliberate.

CAMERA PULLS BACK to include Hunsecker in foreground.

Sidney, without accosting him, stands a few feet from the

columnist's elbow and deliberately lights a cigarette.

Hunsecker, barely turning his head, sees him. We have heard

of Hunsecker as a monster, but he is evidently in a mild

phase of his metabolism, for he seems gentle, sad and quiet,

as he turns his gaze casually to the Senator, totally

ignoring the young man who stands behind him.

HUNSECKER:

(softly)

Harvey, I often wish I were dead

and wore a hearing aid...with a

simple flick of a switch I could

shut out the greedy murmur of

little men...

SIDNEY:

A close shot. Sidney shows no reaction to this insult. He

steps in closer, an Indian fixity in his face.

SIDNEY:

J.J., I need your ear for two

minutes...

REVERSE ANGLE:

Shooting across Sidney, onto Hunsecker. J.J. turns - but

not to Sidney. He raises his hand in a small gesture which

summons a passing Captain, who steps into picture at Sidney's

elbow.

HUNSECKER:

Mac! I don't want this man at my

table...

SIDNEY:

(quickly but quietly interrupting)

I have a message from your sister.

The Captain is already there. But now Hunsecker's eyes have

switched to Sidney's face. For the briefest of moments,

nothing happens. Then Hunsecker, seeming to relax and

ignoring the Captain whom he has summoned, turns back to

casual conversation with the Senator as if nothing had

happened.

HUNSECKER:

Forgive me, Harvey. We were

interrupted before -

In foreground, Sidney turns to the Captain with a carved

smile, indicating that Hunsecker's change of topic is to be

interpreted as sanction for Sidney to remain. The Captain,

not entirely convinced, retreats. Sidney finds himself a

chair, places it and takes a seat which is near enough to

the table to establish his presence. During this:

Rate this script:3.0 / 3 votes