The Great Gatsby Page #6

At the landing, half way up the steps, the man takes a drinkfrom a waiter’s tray and hands it to Nick...

34.

MAN:

I’m afraid I’m not a very goodhost, old sport... I’m Gatsby.

CLOSE ON:
Nick - his face drops.

NICK:

(muttering apologies)

Oh.. I’m very sorry-- I... I’ve had

so much to drink...

The delirious opening chords of Tostoff’s “History” coincide

with a gorgeous explosion of fireworks in the night sky!

GATSBY:

(apologetically)

I thought you knew, old sport.

Gatsby smiles a dazzling smile; sound fades to a serene hum.

NICK (V.O.)

His smile was one of those rare

smiles that you may come acrossfour or five times in life. It

seemed to understand you and

believe in you just as you wouldlike to be understood and believed

in.

All at once the bubble bursts, a silver-haired, fifty-ish manin an immaculate tail-suit, (HERZOG) leans into Gatsby.

HERZOG:

Excuse me sir; Chicago on the wire.

Gatsby nods, but before he departs he smiles at Nick.

GATSBY:

I’m trying out my new hydroplane inthe morning. Want to go with me,

old sport?

Nick shakes himself from his reverie.

NICK:

What time?

GATSBY:

Any time that suits you.

Gatsby turns, and catches for the first time, Jordan.

GATSBY (CONT’D)

Lovely to see you Miss Baker.

35.

He kisses her lightly on the hand.

GATSBY (CONT’D)

(to Nick)

If you need anything, just ask forit, old sport. I will rejoin youlater... Excuse me.

As Nick watches Gatsby walk away, he whispers with amazement.

NICK:

I expected him to be...

JORDAN:

Old and fat?

NICK:

Well, yes; young men don’t just

drift coolly out of nowhere and buya palace on Long Island.

JORDAN:

He told me once he was an Oxford

man. However, I don't believe it...

NICK:

Why not?

JORDAN:

I don’t know... I just don’t

believe he went there...

Jordan is interrupted by a voice.

HERZOG:

I beg your pardon...

She and Nick jump to find Herzog suddenly beside them.

HERZOG (CONT’D)

Miss Baker; Mr. Gatsby would liketo speak to you... Alone.

JORDAN:

(surprised)

Me?

HERZOG:

Yes, madame.

As Vladimir Tostoff’s erotic, ominous chords build, Jordan

crosses the now empty dance floor toward the silhouette ofGatsby in the library window...

36.

Nick, unsettled, watches her go...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. GATSBY’S CASTLE - MAPROOM - LATER

Alarmingly drunk girls sprawl at the feet of the grand piano.

Klipspringer plays, a weeping woman attempts to slur along,

and as a dejected Nick passes them toward the front stairs,

the library door opens, and Jordan emerges alone...

Seeing Nick, she rushes to him...

JORDAN:

Nick! Nick! I've just heard the

most shocking thing; it all makes

sense...

Teddy and the other East Eggers accost Jordan.

TEDDY:

Where have you been!? The car’s

waiting!

Jordan is dragged out the door... Nick, on tenterhooksfollows, as Jordan calls back...

JORDAN:

Simply amazing! It all makes sense.

It all makes sense...

EXT. GATSBY’S CASTLE - NIGHT

The night has devolved into drunken mayhem as cars jam thedriveway and intoxicated guests search for their vehicles.

Nick chases Jordan down the marble stairs.

NICK:

What makes sense...?

JORDAN:

Everything... But here I am

tantalizing you...

The East Eggers and Jordan pile into their limousine. Jordan,

a mysterious smile as she leans out the window.

JORDAN (CONT’D)

And I swore I wouldn’t tell.

37.

NICK:

But...

JORDAN:

Nick. I’m sorry, I swore I wouldn’t

tell.

The car takes off and Nick is left staring; mystified...

A voice startles him.

GATSBY:

Sorry to keep her from you, oldsport. Don't forget; we're going upin the hydroplane tomorrow morning.

Herzog appears behind Gatsby.

HERZOG:

Philadelphia on the phone, sir.

Gatsby nods, then smiles that intoxicating smile.

GATSBY:

Good night, old sport...

NICK:

Good night. Thank you.

Gatsby nods warmly, and turns inside.

As Nick walks away he is confronted by a bizarre scene: a big

crowd gathers around a COUPÉ, resting on its side in a ditch.

SUDDENLY! Owl Eyes pops from the wreck. He leers drunkenly...

OWL EYES:

Whazza matter!? We run outta gas!?

The beep of a horn catches Nick’s attention. Jordan, leaningout of the window of her car as it sweeps away, calls to him.

JORDAN:

Come and see me... We’ll have tea!

I’m in the phone-book!

Nick waves, smiles, and cuts across the lawn.

CLOSE ON:
Nick. As he reaches the stone-pass separating his

yard from Gatsby’s, he stops; a familiar feeling...

38.

INT. GATSBY’S CASTLE - TOWER - CONTINUOUS

High up in the window, the shadowy figure of Gatsby stands,

phone pressed to his ear, watching Nick. After a moment, heraises his hand in formal farewell.

NICK (V.O)

We rode in the hydroplane... And Iattended two more of his parties,

even made use of his beach. But I

soon realized that I knew

absolutely nothing about Gatsby atall, until...

INT. NICK’S BUNGALOW - MORNING

Nick is eating breakfast, studying bonds, when his glass oforange juice begins to rattle and shake.

Puzzled, Nick hurries to the window...

EXT. NICK’S BUNGALOW - CONTINUOUS

Gatsby’s yellow Duesenberg hurtles up Nick’s drive and skids

to a stop.

Nick emerges to his porch.

Gatsby leaps out!

GATSBY:

Its pretty isn’t it, old sport...?

Haven’t you seen it before? Its alla custom job. Supercharged engine.

Get dressed... We’re having lunch!

SLAM CUT TO:

I/E. GATSBY’S CAR - LONG ISLAND COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

The Duesenberg whips and winds along a tree-lined road...

Gatsby, beyond nervous, drives with reckless intensity.

GATSBY:

Ah... well... Ah... Look here, old

sport... What's your opinion of me,

anyhow?

NICK:

My... opinion?

39.

GATSBY:

Yes, yes, your opinion!

Gatsby yanks the wheel; Nick hangs on for dear life!

GATSBY (CONT’D)

I don't want you to get the wrongimpression from all those bizarreaccusations you must be hearing. Apack of lies I assure you. You’ve

heard the stories...?

NICK:

Well-

GATSBY:

I’ll tell you God’s truth. God’s

truth about myself!

(raises right hand)

I am the son of some very wealthypeople from the Middle-West; sadly,

all dead now... I was brought up inAmerica, but educated at Oxford;

because all my ancestors have beeneducated there for many years. Yousee, it’s a... a family tradition.

As Gatsby’s speech continues at breakneck speed... Nick’s

V.O. fades up.

NICK (V.O.)

The way he spoke... No wonderpeople thought he was lying...

GATSBY:

After that I lived like a youngPrince in all the capitals ofEurope!

NICK:

Europe?

Barrelling around a blind turn, Gatsby wrenches at the wheeland maniacally overtakes a truck laden with farmhands...

GATSBY:

Yes, Europe! Paris; Venice; Rome;

Vienna, Zurich, Helsinki...

Collecting jewels, chiefly rubies,

hunting big game, painting, alittle, things for myself mostly,

and trying to forget something verysad that happened to me long ago...

40.

PAN UP:
The Duesenberg rockets forth; in the far distance thelush green countryside cedes to the lifeless Valley of Ashes.

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