The Producers Page #16

CAMERA CLOSES IN ON FOREMAN. HE RISES.

FOREMAN:

We have, your honor.

JUDGE:

(off camera)

How does the jury find?

FOREMAN:

We find the defendants incredibly

guilty.

CUT TO JUDGE.

JUDGE:

Will the defendants please rise and

approach the bench.

CUT TO BIALYSTOCK, BLOOM AND LIEBKIND. THEY STRUGGLE TO

THEIR FEET AND HOBBLE TO THE JUDGE'S BENCH.

JUDGE:

Do the defendants have anything to

say in their behalf before the

court pronounces sentence?

BLOOM:

I would like to say a word, sir,

not on my behalf, but in behalf of

my partner, Max Bialystock.

JUDGE:

Proceed.

BLOOM:

Thank you, your honor. Max

Bialystock is a very selfish man.

BIALYSTOCK:

(whispers to Bloom)

Don't help me.

BLOOM:

He's a liar and a cheat and a

scoundrel. He's taken money from

little old ladies. He's talked

people into doing things they never

would have dreamed of. Especially

me. But who has he really hurt?

(MORE)

95.

BLOOM (CONT'D)

Who are the victims? Not me, I had

the most exciting adventure of my

life. And what about the little

old ladies? What would their lives

have been without Max Bialystock?

He made them feel wanted and young

and attractive again.

LITTLE OLD LADIES

(off camera, ad-lib)

"Oh, Max, Max, I love you Max."

"Let him go, let him go."

"Don't take my Bialy."

JUDGE:

(rapping gavel)

Order. Order.

BIALYSTOCK:

And may I humbly add, your honor,

that we have learned our lesson and

we'll never do it again.

JUDGE:

I will take that into consideration.

The defendants shall serve not more

than five and not less than two

years in the State Penitentiary.

(he pounds gavel)

DISSOLVE THROUGH TO SIGN ON STONE WALL. SIGN READS: STATE

PENITENTIARY.

DISSOLVE THROUGH TO PRISON YARD. DETACHMENTS OF PRISONERS,

LED BY GUARDS, MARCH PAST CAMERA.

DISSOLVE THROUGH TO EXTERIOR OF PRISON BUILDING MARKED:

PRISON LAUNDRY. MUCH NOISE AND STEAM.

CAMERA PANS TO ANOTHER BUILDING MARKED: MACHINE SHOP. LOUD

METALLIC CACOPHONY EMANATES FROM INSIDE.

CAMERA CONTINUES ITS JOURNEY. IT COMES TO REST ON PRISON

AUDITORIUM. TINKLE OF PIANO IS HEARD FROM INSIDE.

CAMERA MOVES THROUGH CLOSED DOORS TO INTERIOR. WE SEE A

LONG LINE OF PRISONERS (20). FOR SOME REASON THEY ARE ALL

HOLDING MONEY IN THEIR HANDS. LINE ENDS AT A DESK. SEATED

AT THE DESK, IN A GREY, PRISON UNIFORM, IS NUMBER: 979345,

FORMERLY KNOWN TO US AS LEO BLOOM. BESIDE THE TABLE IS A

LARGE DISPLAY BOARD READING:

96.

WORLD PREMIERE:

979344 and 979345

PRESENT:

"PRISONERS OF LOVE"

STARRING 778629 and

CO-STARRING 440123

INVEST NOW!!!! HUGE PROFITS GUARANTEED!!!

A PRISONER HANDS BLOOM MONEY. BLOOM COUNTS IT AND PUTS IT

INTO TIN BOX. HE HANDS PRISONER A RECEIPT.

BLOOM:

Twenty-five dollars. Here's your

receipt. You now own 28% of

"Prisoners of Love."

CAMERA PANS TO STAGE. THE STAGE IS FILLED WITH A LINE OF

CONVICT "CHORUS GIRLS." THEIR TROUSERS ROLLED UP ABOVE

THEIR KNEES, SHOWING AN ASSORTMENT OF INTERESTING HAIRY LEGS.

AT THE PIANO, KNOCKING OUT THE LIVELY RHYTHM, IS FRANZ

LIEBKIND AND HIS EVER POPULAR GERMAN HELMET.

ON STAGE DIRECTING THE REHEARSAL IS THE INDOMITABLE MAX

BIALYSTOCK.

BIALYSTOCK:

(waving his cane and

shouting at the top

of his lungs)

Higher, you animals, higher! We

open Saturday night! Kick! Kick!

Two-three-kick-turn! Two-three-

kick-turn! Okay, let's hear it!

THE PRISONERS BREAK INTO SONG.

PRISONERS:

(singing)

"We're prisoners of love, etc."

MUSIC SWELLS TO CRESCENDO.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO ENCOMPASS THE ENTIRE STAGE AS

"THE END"

AND SUBSEQUENT TECHNICAL CREDITS APPEAR ON THE SCREEN.

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