The Artist Page #7

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that Peppy had scribbled down for him. He looks at it, moves closer to the telephone, hesitates, looks at the paper again, then puts the scrap of paper back in the drawer without making the call.

57 INT. PEPPY'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY 57

Peppy awakes in bed with a start. She doesn't know what has woken her up. She looks around, looks at the phone, seems perplexed. Then a man's arm invites her to lie back down; she does.

(56) Still at his desk, George gets up and goes to the

window. He seems lost in thought.

58 INT. GEORGE'S STUDIO SET - JUNGLE DECOR - DAY 58

An extract from "Tears of Love" in which we see George, holding the young woman in his arms, take part in a cliché-d African dance with shields, spears and all the African accoutrements

attributed by Westerners at the time. George and the complacently watching the dance, when George says to woman.

Title card:
Let's go back, Norma. They've never seen woman before and I don't want to take any risks.

59 INT. MOVIE THEATER - "TEARS OF LOVE" SCREENING - DAY

woman are

the young

a white

59

There's hardly anyone in the theater. The people that are there look bored more than anything. At the back smoking a cigarette, George takes the failure on the chin.

22.

One couple gets to their feet and leaves the theater. As the man reaches George, he recognizes him and casts him a glance that seems to say "goodness old chap this one's not up to much..." George doesn't know what to say in reply.

60 EXT. MOVIE THEATERS - LOS ANGELES - DAY

Outside, George comes out still smoking

sidewalk, people are cheerfully waiting

up the line and comes to a movie house that's playing the "Beauty Spot" talking movie. A huge poster depicts Peppy and the people in the line seem excited and delighted to be going to see the film. It's visibly a success. George takes it on the

his cigarette. On the

in line. George walks

60

chin.

61 INT. GEORGE'S CAR (DRIVING) - LOS ANGELES STREETS - DAY 61

Inside the car, behind the implacable chauffeur, George is talking to himself, as though he's re-running the story in his head and searching for what he might have done better, or differently.

62 INT. GEORGE & DORIS' HOUSE - DAY 62

Once home, he finds a photo of himself on the floor. It has been defaced with a scribbled moustache, spectacles and a big nose. There's a note to him scribbled on the back. We read it at the same time as him.

It's over, George. You've got a fortnight to collect your souvenirs together and get out of the house.

Doris

P.S.:
You should go see Beauty Spot, it's incredible.

George takes it on the chin and leaves, revealing behind him the portrait of himself wearing a tuxedo, smiling and waving.

63 INT. MOVIE THEATER - "TEARS OF LOVE" SCREENING - DAY 63

As for Peppy, she's in the theater, watching Tears of love. She's with a handsome young man who seems bored.

64 EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 64

George is wearing shorts and an explorer's hat. He is sinking in sinking sand. The young woman is screaming and the dog barking.

23.

The Africans are panicking but there's nothing anyone can do. George stops struggling, and looks deep into the eyes of the young woman. He says gently:

Title card:
Farewell, Norma. I never loved you...

It's obvious he's only saying that so that she can forget him and move on with her life, but it doesn't wash and the young woman weeps all the more, terribly moved by this last sacrifice on his part.

(63) In the balcony, Peppy is speechless and her face

impassive.

(64) On screen, George and the young women exchange a last glance as George's face gradually sinks into the sand.

(63) Next to Peppy, the young man sits watching her. She sees sad.

(64) On screen, George has disappeared into the mire. Only one hand stays in the air for several seconds more in a tortured pose, that of a dying man trying to hold on to the wind.

(63) Peppy's companion seems to find the film far too long and doesn't understand why they haven't already left.

(64) The hand has disappeared. The young woman is in a state of shock, rigid with a look of horror on her face. She is no doubt about to be put to certain death. The dog turns round and walks off with head and tail lowered...

The End appears on the screen.

(63) Peppy seems moved. She is shaking her head from side to side.

65 EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET - PICTURE OF GEORGE - EVENING 65

Evening has fallen on the town. It's raining. On the ground lies an old page from a newspaper that bears a picture of George. A man's feet trample the picture.

66 INT. GEORGE

George is

drunk, he

raindrops

his face.

stupor as

67 EXT. GEORGE

& DORIS' HOUSE - NIGHT 66

at home. Two bottles are apparent and, obviously

is staring out the window. The projection of sliding down the window look like tears running down And Jack's face too. George is pulled out of his

he hears something.

24.

& DORIS' HOUSE - TOP STEP - NIGHT 67

He opens the door. It's Peppy. She immediately notices that George is drunk. Her smile tenses a little.

Title card:
I wanted to talk, I...

George looks at her. She continues.

Title card:
I saw Tears of Love.

George nods, and answers.

Title card:
And so you've come to get your money back?

She smiles stiffly, not knowing how to react. He continues. Title card: Too much face-pulling?

She stops smiling because it's not funny at all. It's bitter, even. There's an embarrassed silence. Softly, she tries to explain.

Title card:
About last night...

She stops because George is not looking at her anymore. He's watching the arrival of the young, smiling, handsome and wholesome man who is with Peppy. George bears a melancholy smile.

Title card:
You're right. Make way for youth...

The young man shakes George's hand. He's obviously a nice lad, and very polite.

Title card:
I'm so happy to meet you. My Dad just loves you.

He says it very nicely, with no ulterior motive, but George is cut to the quick. The comment wounds him and Peppy notices. She cuts short the meeting by smiling and upping the cheerfulness stakes, as though to kid George she hasn't noticed any embarrassment or perceived anything that might have shocked or hurt him during their encounter.

Title card:
OK! Well, we'll be off now. I'll call you soon. Bye!

George smiles politely. She leaves, taking the handsome jock with her. George watches them leave. As does his dog, who sits with his head and ears hanging low as though very disappointed. George watches Peppy walking away, then steps forwards and sits down on the steps leading up to the house.

25.

As she gets into the car, Peppy seems surly, unhappy even, for the first time. She turns her back on her companion.

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