The Libertine Page #5

NICK:

The issue is a non starter.

MAURICE:

You'll have to pay for her. My bankrecords are being looked at. I can

pay you back.

Nicolas opens the door and walks into the

LIVING ROOM:

Maurice follows.

30.

MAURICE (CONT'D)

Good news, family. Father's case is

looking better.

Nicolas looks at Maurice like, "what are you talking about?"

EDITH:

In just that time?

MAURICE:

The maid is a hussy, lying b*tch,

and she's going to crack.

JAQUELINEThat the legal term?

MAURICE:

Nick, is that the legal term?

Nicolas starts packing up.

NICK:

(to Edith)

Any news with the Euro Post?

EDITH:

Stick to the trial.

NICK:

All I'm saying is Denmar andAssociates has a corporate division.

We'd love to pitch you.

EDITH:

My husband and I believe a healthymarriage rests on separate friendsand separate lawyers. Especiallywhen a lawyer can't control hisclient.

JAQUELINEDo you know how proud I used to beto introduce myself?

MAURICE:

(to Nick)

I like that you can't control me.

JAQUELINELunel-Caspi. That's all I had to

say when I entered a room, and Iowned the floor. Now, I avoid it.

I just say Jaqueline.

31.

MAURICE:

I thought most young people introducedthemselves by first name.

JAQUELINEI am branded with your last name.

And that name is sh*t. And you havefucked me just as surely as AmaParker.

MAURICE:

I don't look at it that way.

JAQUELINEThe truth is never how you see things.

Jaqueline leaves.

NICK:

Keep the bagels.

Nicolas leaves.

EDITH:

I have to go to a meeting.

MAURICE:

What about?

EDITH:

I'm buying some stupid food channel.

MAURICE:

They'll wait. Sit with me.

EDITH:

Pass.

MAURICE:

I'll be in your room.

Edith sits next to him.

EDITH:

What?

MAURICE:

I'm a good father.

EDITH:

It all depends on where you put thebar.

32.

MAURICE:

I haven't slept with any of herfriends.

EDITH:

There's an achievement.

MAURICE:

I hit on Mary, but she rejected me.

Edith gets up to leave.

MAURICE (CONT'D)

You see, I can take no. I wouldn't

force myself on someone.

EDITH:

You're a pillar of virtue.

MAURICE:

If I can't convince my family, howcan I convince anyone?

Edith's face become a little pitying.

MAURICE (CONT'D)

What is that look?

EDITH:

What look?

MAURICE:

Is that pity? Is that what pitylooks like on your face?

EDITH:

I suppose a little.

Maurice stands.

MAURICE:

Don't f***ing pity me. I am Maurice

f***ing Lunel-Caspi. Head of the

French f***ing National Assembly.

One of the most powerful f***ing menin the world. And a champion andcrusader for the downtrodden.

EDITH:

I like how you just tacked that on.

MAURICE:

I'm also a fantastic f***ing dinnerhost, and I'm going to invite thatinside trader to dinner.

33.

EDITH:

I hope you cook for them.

MAURICE:

We'll f***ing order take-out. It's

New York.

Maurice marches to the PHONE and picks it up. Dials.

MAURICE (CONT'D)

(into phone)

Hello, Marcus?... Can you connectme with Ken Birke's

apartment?...Thanks...Hello, is thisKen?... It's Maurice Lunel-Caspifrom upstairs?... You knew we were

in the same building?... Well, I'mglad you follow the news...Look, doyou have a wife?... Her name's Nina,

that's great. My wife's name isEdith. Seeing as we're both brothersin ankle monitors, I'd like to inviteyou and Nina over for dinnertonight...eight o'clock...Becauseany earlier is boorish...Then itwill have to be tomorrow...Okay, seeyou tomorrow at eight.

Maurice triumphantly looks toward Edith, only to discovershe's already left.

Maurice flops onto the couch. He looks around, seeming bored.

He gets up and walks into the second bedroom.

INT. KITCHEN - MORNING

Maurice, looking like he just woke up, stumbles in wearinghis robe and slippers. He opens the cabinet and takes outsome CEREAL.

He opens the fridge and takes out some MILK. He sniffs the

milk, decides it's good enough, and pours it on his cereal.

He takes a bite, then picks up the bowl and walks whileeating, leaving the milk out.

He passes through the

LIVING ROOM:

Then opens the front door.

INT. BRANDILL TOWERS - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Maurice sees Justin and addresses him with a mouth full of

cereal.

34.

MAURICE:

(muffled)

Is my paper here yet?

JUSTIN:

Excuse me.

MAURICE:

My paper?

Justin nods at the PAPER, but doesn't do anything. Neither

does Maurice. Justin kicks it to Maurice. Maurice kicks it

back.

Justin begrudgingly lifts it up. Maurice sees that his hands

are full, opens his legs and grabs the paper between histhighs.

Maurice pivots and shuffles inside while clutching the paperbetween his legs.

INT. MAURICE'S APARTMENT - FRONT HALL - CONTINUOUS

Maurice kicks the door closed, then opens his legs and dropsthe paper. Maurice puts the bowl on the floor, picks up thepaper, and walks into the

LIVING ROOM:

Where he opens the paper and looks at the front page. He

becomes excited and bangs on Edith's door.

MAURICE:

Edith. Edith. We made the front

page.

A SLEEPY GROAN comes from behind the door.

MAURICE (CONT'D)

Come out and see it.

EDITH (O.S.)

Go away.

MAURICE:

I'm opening the door.

Maurice opens the door.

EDITH:

Go away!

Maurice closes the door. He gets his scissors and cuts outthe article. He tapes it to his collage.

35.

The article reads, "National Assembly discusses impeachingGLC."

Maurice exits to his bedroom then returns carrying his laptop.

He sits facing the collage and opens the laptop. He turns

on the computer. He presses some buttons, creating the soundof a SKYPE DIAL.

FRENCH WOMAN(From Laptop)

Bonjour.

MAURICE:

(French with subtitles)

Is Mr. Bonnay available?

FRENCH WOMAN (From Laptop)

(French with subtitles)

I'm sorry he's out.

MAURICE:

(French with subtitles)

Have him call me. It's about an

amendment to the housing bill.

Maurice closes the laptop. He opens it again. Maurice closes

the laptop and exits.

INT. SECOND BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Maurice tosses his laptop onto the bed then drops his robeand gets under the covers. Maurice opens his laptop in bed.

On the screen, Maurice opens up a SEX CHAT window. A STRIPPER

greats him.

STRIPPER:

Well, hello, handsome.

MAURICE:

Dance for me.

The stripper starts dancing. Maurice watches the screen as

his eyes flutter in and out of sleep.

LATER:

Maurice wakes from a nap. He rolls over and sees his laptop.

The stripper sits in the chat window watching Maurice sleep.

STRIPPER:

Dream about me?

MAURICE:

How long was I out?

36.

STRIPPER:

Only four hours.

MAURICE:

Jesus. AmEx will love that one.

Maurice closes the chat window and gets out of bed. He putson his robe and slippers.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Maurice walks in and sees Edith reviewing SPREADSHEETS onthe couch.

EDITH:

I just needed a change of scenery.

I'm not talking to you.

MAURICE:

Excluding that sentence, I assume.

Edith keeps reading.

MAURICE (CONT'D)

I've always wanted you to be a betterlistener.

Edith says nothing.

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