The Player Page #7

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in the gas chamber anyway.

Then he finds that the husband

is alive.

That he faked his death.

The D.A. Breaks into the prison,

runs down death row...

...but he gets there too late.

The gas pellets have been dropped.

She's dead.

I tell you,

there's not a dry eye in the house.

She's dead?

She's dead. She's dead

because that's the reality.

The innocent die.

- Who's the D.A.?

- No one.

No one?

No stars on this project.

We're going out on a limb on one.

Like unknown stage actors...

...or maybe somebody English

like what's-his-name.

- Why?

- Why?

This story is too damned important to

risk being overwhelmed by personality.

That's fine for action pictures,

but this is special.

We want real people.

We don't want people coming

with any preconceived notions.

- We want 'em to see a district attorney.

- Bruce Willis.

Not Bruce Willis or Kevin Costner.

This is an innocent woman

fighting for her life.

- Julia Roberts.

- If we can get her.

We can!

If I'm perfectly honest,

this isn't even an American film.

- It's not?

- No. There are no stars.

No pat happy endings,

no Schwarzenegger, no stickups...

...no terrorists.

This is a tough story, a tragedy

in which an innocent woman dies.

Why? Because that happens!

Habeas Corpus.

That's what we're calling it.

'Produce the Corpse. ' What do you say?

- That pitch was more than 25 words.

- But it's brilliant! What's the verdict?

- Mr. Mill, for you.

- Who gave this to you?

- I received it at the front desk.

- What is it?

It's from the person I was meeting.

He's not coming.

Do we have a shot?

It's an intriguing idea.

Give me a call at the studio tomorrow.

There's a scene in Throne of Blood

that has exactly the texture...

- Tom, just say thank you.

- She has to die! No Hollywood ending.

Tom, say thank you!

F***! You f***ing dog-sh*t writer!

You f***ing tried to kill me!

Oh, God, you gave me such a scare!

What are you doing here?

You gave me such a fright.

Come in.

Come on in.

What's the matter?

You look terrible.

What's up?

Sit down.

I'll get you a drink.

Something happened.

- Is it too late?

- No, it's not too late.

I don't even know what time it is.

What's wrong?

- What are you painting? Is that me?

- Yes, it's you.

See?

Do you have snakes in Iceland?

Snakes? No, I don't think so.

Are you afraid of snakes?

I don't know.

I've never come close to a real one.

They scare the sh*t out of me.

Have another.

I don't usually drink.

Something happened tonight.

Yes, but...

...there's something else

I have to tell you.

This isn't easy for me.

Yes?

How about if I just get on

with my work...

...and you talk to me

when you feel like it, okay?

I came very close

to dying tonight.

All I could think about

was you.

I don't even know you...

...but you came into my mind.

I couldn't think of anything else.

Remember that first night

we spoke on the phone?

I was outside these windows

watching you and...

It was so exciting.

So new.

Strange.

I can't get you out of my mind.

Are you making love to me?

Yes, I guess I am.

I guess I am.

I want to make love to you.

It's too soon.

It's too soon, isn't it?

It's so strange

how things happen.

David was here...

...then he left.

You arrived.

Maybe it's just the timing,

but I feel like...

I would go anywhere with you...

...if you asked.

But we mustn't hurry things.

We can't hurry things...

...any more than we can stop them.

I think you better go now.

I think I'm going to cry now.

You better go quick.

I'm sorry.

No, no, don't be sorry.

Just go home...

...and get some sleep.

Call me...

...tomorrow.

Invite me on a proper date.

I'd like that.

Jan? Jan!

Get me Larry Levy on the phone.

- I don't think he's on the lot.

- Try his car.

- Isn't he at Fox?

- He used to be. Not anymore.

I pitched him something

a few months ago. He hated it.

- That Griffin?

- Yeah.

Larry, Tom Oakley and Andy Civella

are here. I wouldn't bother you...

...but you should hear their idea now.

- Hi, guys

- Hi, Larry.

The voice you'll hear has an English

accent. Tom Oakley. I'm Andy Civella.

Hi, Andy. I know Tom.

How are you?

Very well, Larry.

And yourself?

Fine. What's your story?

We open outside San Quentin.

It's night.

It's raining.

A limousine enters through the gate,

past demonstrators...

...holding a candlelight vigil.

The candles flicker under umbrellas

glowing like Japanese lanterns.

A lone demonstrator, a black woman,

steps in front of the limousine.

Her eyes connect

with the lone passenger.

It's a devastating moment.

Incredibly potent.

No stars. No Schwarzenegger.

No pat Hollywood endings.

No car chases.

This is an American tragedy...

...in which an innocent woman dies.

Because that happens.

That's reality.

Take me off the speaker phone.

I don't know. It's a really hot story.

But what is this bullshit, no stars?

Let me give you a little tip.

Levison came to power on two movies.

He made $300 million

with no stars in them.

He will love this idea.

It'll remind him of his youth.

His motto used to be

'No stars, just talent. '

- Has anyone else heard this?

- I don't think so.

Make a deal now.

Tomorrow may be too late.

Can we get ahold of Levison?

Yeah, I'll get Levison.

When can you be back?

After my AA meeting.

I didn't realize

you had a drinking problem.

I don't really, but that's where all the

deals are being made these days. See ya.

Tom, that was a hell of a pitch.

Good work.

I think you sold Larry.

Great! When will we hear?

Go home, put some champagne on ice.

I'll give you an answer by tonight.

Jan, come here.

You move in mysterious ways,

but I like it.

Did Levy understand? No stars.

Yes, he was particularly attracted

to that notion.

- No Hollywood ending?

- No Hollywood ending.

They looked happy.

They have a completely f***ed-up idea

that has no second act.

If I hadn't heard it myself,

I never would've believed it.

Larry Levy liked it

because he's a dickbrain.

Levy will sell the idea

to Levison.

Then I will let Levison have

the brilliant idea...

...of letting Larry

take over the project from me.

You will?

Levison can't wait

to get in bed with Levy.

This piece-of-sh*t idea

will blow up in both their faces.

And then I will step in

and save the day.

Yes!

Three points.

Great shot!

She's receiving the last rites.

The D.A. Discovers that the husband

faked his own death.

She's innocent. He races to

the penitentiary, but it's too late.

The pellets have dropped.

She's dead.

He helped kill the woman he loved.

- Who are the stars?

- No stars, just talent.

No stars?

What the f*** kind of ending

do you call that? It's depressing.

Depressing? Terms of Endearment,

Love Story, Steel Magnolias?

E.T. Grossed $319 million

worldwide...

...and there wasn't a dry eye

in the house.

- Depressing? I don't think so.

- Yeah, but...

Normally I'd agree with you, but this

is an entirely different kind of deal.

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