The King of Comedy Page #12

CATHY LONG:

Well, I'm sorry you feel that way,

Mr. Pupkin. But I'm afraid there's

nothing that can be done about that.

PUPKIN:

No ... No ... I'm afraid I'll have

to disagree with you again.

CATHY LONG:

(with strained politeness)

That's your privilege, Mr. Pupkin.

Now, if you'll excuse me, please, I

have some things to do. I'm sorry

the news isn't better.

CATHY LONG turns to go.

PUPKIN:

Miss Long?

CATHY LONG turns back.

PUPKIN:

When are you expecting Jerry in?

CATHY LONG:

He won't be in until very late this

afternoon.

PUPKIN:

That's fine. Thank you.

CATHY LONG stares at PUPKIN for a moment, glances at the

RECEPTIONIST and then goes. PUPKIN takes a seat in the

reception area. He smiles once more at the RECEPTIONIST.

The RECEPTIONIST drops her eyes. A few beats go by. CATHY

LONG passes by the entranceway and glances at PUPKIN.

PUPKIN continues sitting there.

RECEPTIONIST:

Is there anyone else you would

like to see?

PUPKIN:

That's alright. I'm happy just

waiting.

A few beats pass in silence.

RECEPTIONIST:

Well, would you mind waiting outside,

please, Mr. Pupkin? This is a reception

area, not a waiting room.

PUPKIN:

I understand.

PUPKIN remains seated. A few more moments pass. Several

OFFICE PERSONNEL pass by the entranceway and glance at

PUPKIN. After a few more beats, a large, plainly-dressed

MAN in his mid-fifties emerges from the back offices. He

goes over to PUPKIN, who stands.

OFFICIAL:

Mr. Pupkin? I'm Raymond Wirtz, in

charge of security for the Langford

organization.

WIRTZ puts his arm on PUPKIN's shoulder and, as the

following dialogue unfolds leads him out the door, down

the corridor and into the elevator.

WIRTZ:

Now I think you understand that we

have certain rules here that are

essential to the smooth functioning

of our operation.

PUPKIN:

Sure. Sure.

WIRTZ:

And that without these rules, we really

wouldn't be able to function at our

best. You follow my point?

PUPKIN nods.

WIRTZ:

Now one of these rules is that only

authorized personnel and those having

official business with our organization

are permitted on our premises. And

that's why I'm asking you, Mr. Pupkin,

to cooperate with us.

They have reached the elevator and WIRTZ has pushed the

button.

PUPKIN:

You want me to leave the building.

WIRTZ:

That's right. It's nothing personal,

Mr. Pupkin. Just doing my job.

The elevator arrives. WIRTZ signals with his head that

PUPKIN should enter. PUPKIN gets in.

WIRTZ:

Have a pleasant day.

CUT TO:

55EXT:
STREET OUTSIDE THE LANGFORD BUILDING - DAY

PUPKIN comes out and takes up a position outside the door,

preparing to wait for LANGFORD. MARSHA sees him and comes

over to him.

MARSHA:

Well, did you give it to him?

PUPKIN:

(out of a daze)

Huh?

MARSHA:

Did you get my letter to him?

PUPKIN:

He's not in there.

MARSHA:

Look, if you don't want to give it

him, okay. I'll get somebody

else. But don't try to con me.

PUPKIN:

I told you I'd try and I will. I'm

going to wait for him right here.

MARSHA:

Give me the envelope, huh?

PUPKIN:

Sure, but ...

MARSHA:

I saw him go in myself!

PUPKIN:

Who?

MARSHA:

Jerry!

PUPKIN:

But they said he wasn't in.

MARSHA:

Just give me the envelope.

PUPKIN:

When did he go in?

MARSHA:

Ten minutes ago! That's when.

PUPKIN:

You sure?

MARSHA:

Look, I saw him my ...

PUPKIN:

And he hasn't come out?

MARSHA:

I've been standing right here. Now

how about it?

PUPKIN turns and goes back into the building. MARSHA yells

after him.

MARSHA:

I'm staying right here!

CUT TO:

56INT:
RECEPTION AREA OF THE JERRY LANGFORD OFFICES

PUPKIN enters briskly and goes up to the RECEPTIONIST.

PUPKIN:

(with authority)

Tell Jerry Langford I'm here, please.

RECEPTIONIST:

I'm sorry, sir. Mr. Langford's not in.

PUPKIN:

I happen to know he is. So would you

please tell him I'm here.

RECEPTIONIST:

I'm sorry. He's not in.

PUPKIN:

You're putting your job on the line,

lady.

The RECEPTIONIST starts making a call inside. PUPKIN

glances at her and walks right in to the inner corridors.

He starts peering into the open doors of the offices that

line the corridor. The whole place is like a gigantic

maze. OFFICE PERSONNEL pass by him, taking no notice of

him. He continues wandering around desperately, completely

lost. A few beat later, he spots WIRTZ leading a pair of

SECURITY GUARDS. PUPKIN keeps peering into offices quickly

as he flees. The GUARDS and WIRTZ finally catch up to

PUPKIN at the steno pool and, after a brief chase around

the pool, they catch PUPKIN and subdue him. They start

dragging him out past the eyes of the OFFICE PERSONNEL.

PUPKIN:

(calling as he is dragged)

Jerry! Jerry! (to WIRTZ) You're

going the have a hell of a lot of

explaining to do! (calling) Jerry!

WIRTZ:

You had your warning, Mr. Krupkin.

PUPKIN:

Jerry! Help me. Jerry!

CUT TO:

A CLOSE-UP of PUPKIN as he is dragged out.

PUPKIN:

(screaming)

Jerry!

CUT TO:

57EXT:
LANGFORD BUILDING LOBBY AND EXIT - DAY

WE WATCH the SECURITY GUARDS and WIRTZ pitch PUPKIN out

into the street.

WIRTZ:

If we see your face again, Mr. Pupkin,

we'll call the police.

PUPKIN:

Start looking for a new job!

MARSHA comes straight up to PUPKIN who is brushing himself

off. His eyes are glazed and distant.

MARSHA:

Well?

PUPKIN:

Huh?

MARSHA:

Does he have it?

PUPKIN:

(abstractedly)

Don't worry. I'll get it to him.

MARSHA:

Yeah? When?

There is a pause.

PUPKIN:

This weekend. He asked me to go out

there, to his house.

CUT TO:

58THE BAR-RESTAURANT WHERE RITA WORKS - DAY

PUPKIN enters the bar-restaurant. Through the window WE

SEE him talking to RITA. He is voluble, animated. She

looks skeptical, with a wry smile on her face. Finally WE

WATCH him extract an answer from her. She shrugs, smiles

and says yes. He comes walking out the door, his hounded

expression softened by a smile.

CUT TO:

59INT:
THE FITTING AREA OF A MEN'S STORE - DAY

WE WATCH PUPKIN getting fitted in a new suit, attended by

a SALESMAN and a TAILOR.

CUT TO:

60INT:
LUGGAGE SHOP - DAY

WE WATCH PUPKIN buy a suitcase.

CUT TO:

61INT:
CARTIER'S JEWELERS - DAY

WE WATCH PUPKIN perusing the beautiful diamond, sapphire,

and emerald rings and we take a few moments to PAN OVER

these beautiful jewels as he sees them. Finally, he picks

out a splendid ring with a single, middle-sized sapphire

and hands a surprised SALESLADY the money in cash.

CUT TO:

62INT:
SUBURBAN TRAIN - DAY

PUPKIN and RITA are seated side by side. Since it is

Saturday morning, the train is sparsely populated. A

CONDUCTOR has just finished taking PUPKIN's tickets. RITA

is edgy. PUPKIN is strangely calm and a little remote.

He is wearing his new suit.

RITA:

What are we going to do?

PUPKIN:

(patiently)

Look, I told you, I've got some work

to discuss with him. That's all.

RITA:

But what about me?

PUPKIN:

You're with me.

RITA:

That's fine, but while you two are

talking, what am I going to do?

PUPKIN:

You can chat with the other guests.

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