The Stunt Man Page #21

NINA:

...It was so unnecessary...For

Christ's sake, I'm no shrinking

violet...I've had my ass pinched

black and blue by account execs for

not showing enough enthusiasm for

Vitalis. But this from Eli...it was

so pointless...sadistic...

CAMERON:

(reading)

..."Open All windows slowly to keep

pressure from caving in the roof,

should an unexpected skid achieve

aquatic consequences..." That's

kind of witty.

NINA:

- 112

(still in her own world)

...Could've handled it later on. It

doesn't look so raunchy after it's

cut...Maybe I'd of got them

stoned...something...but for Eli to

trap them like that...

CAMERON:

(eyes on the book)

Beautiful...There's a second school

of thought that says the first

school is all wet. It says, "Keep

the windows rolled up tight and wait

for the air bubble."

NINA:

Say it was an accident...benefit of

the doubt. But then to use me that

way...like a gadget...Why would Eli

do that? He's not a cruel man...

CAMERON:

(not looking up)

He's not a cruel man. He's a crazy

man. A maniac.

NINA:

What?

CAMERON:

(reading)

"The water pressure at two hundred

feet can crush a man into the size

of an egg." He wants to get that on

film....so he's gonna kill me.

NINA:

(jumping out of bed)

What in God's name are you babbling

about?!

CAMERON:

It's a rotten shame about your folks

and your naked ass, but dying always

scared me a little, okay?

NINA:

- 113

...and you are beginning to scare

me. You're talking like a wild

man!...

CAMERON:

Did you know that Eli almost

strangled a man because he stopped

the camera when Burt got killed?!

NINA:

What is going on in that head of

yours?! You take the word of

some...malcontent...technician!

CAMERON:

...I saw the bruises!

NINA:

...And I saw Eli that night when he

had to tell Burt's brother on the

phone...I saw the tears.

CAMERON:

She saw the tears! Did you ask him

what he was crying about?! 'Cause

you can bet your sweet tits, it

wasn't over Burt. He was crying

over losing his f***ing shot!

To keep from exploding, Nina opens her luggage and furiously starts

repacking.

NINA:

Didn't they give I.Q. tests in the

army? What did you get...minus

twelve? Haven't you figured out yet

why he's working himself to death?

What his film is all about? He's

trying to tell people not to kill

each other!

CAMERON:

And you know what? You want the

shock of your life...? I understand

what the son-of-a-b*tch is saying,

and he may be right...which makes me

what? Minus twelve, the dumb

schmuck with a gun. That doesn't

change the fact that he's crazy. If

he had his way, there wouldn't be a

soldier left alive by morning. But

- 114

all he's got on hand is me. I don't

know if he is doing it consciously,

but it's a hell of an idea. If he

can really get it on film, a genuine

dumb f*** grunt cashing in, before

your very eyes, I mean the real

McCoy...that's gotta help his

picture...Then he's killed two birds

with one stone. It's got a nice

logic. Trouble is, both birds are

me.

Against her instincts, Nina is emotionally affected by what Cameron

says.

NINA:

Stop it...sweetheart...I'd die if

anything happened to you.

The TELEPHONE RINGS. Her head whips to look at it. It continues

ringing, but she doesn't move.

NINA:

It's my father...I won't talk to

him...You're all driving me

crazy...I won't talk to him.!

Cameron calmly picks up the phone.

CAMERON:

Hi...hello?

NINA:

(whispering)

Tell them I'm not here. Tell them

anything. Tell them I'm working.

CAMERON:

(glancing at Nina)

Okay, Chuck. I'll meet you in an

hour.

(he hangs up)

For me. Amazing how they keep

secrets around here.

He walks over to the still-stricken Nina and tenderly embraces her.

She leans against him, the trembling subsiding.

CAMERON:

What if I told you I wasn't going to

do the stunt?

- 115

NINA:

I'd say fine.

CAMERON:

And what if I told you I was gonna

get out of here tonight...and that I

want you to come with me?

NINA:

(upset and confused)

But there's just one more day of

shooting...

CAMERON:

What if I can't wait?

NINA:

I...I have two more scenes...

CAMERON:

That's a shame.

NINA:

...I could meet you...

When he doesn't answer, Nina resorts to her last defense, irrational

anger.

NINA (CONT'D)

...Look, don't do the stunt! If you

believe Eli's a killer, call the

police...Why are you doing this to

me? That's all I need right now,

with all I've been through!...For

you to give me now-or-never

ultimatums and tell me my director

is insane!...

By now she is stalking about the room throwing things from one

suitcase to another as Cameron silently watches her.

- 116

169 INT. GARAGE - LATE NIGHT - LOW ANGLE ON THE BLACK DUESENBERG

Which stands alone like Moby Dick awaiting its victim. Chuck and

Cameron appear from behind the car, stalking it like it were the

Sunday Special on a used car lot, Chuck the "hearty" salesman,

Cameron the reluctant customer.

CHUCK:

Look at this mother...I'll bet these

guys could build an Arabian out of a

jackass.

CAMERON:

Why not? You built a stunt man out

of one.

CHUCK:

Stunt man? Three days and you've

already grown those big brass balls?

Jump up and down and let me hear 'em

clang, and then do me a favor and

leave 'em home for this gag.

(yanks open the door)

There's just enough room in that

Duesenberg for a normal guy...who

thinks!

(Cameron slides in)

Show me how long you can hold your

breath.

Cameron inhales deeply and Chuck clicks his stopwatch.

- 117

CHUCK:

Now, look around. Whaddya see?...No

roll bar in the roof. That's

because the roof caving in really

looks gassy on film. You got your

protection in the back of the

seat...steel sheeting. If the roof

goes too far, you get your goddamn

head down quick! You listening to

me?!...Nod Your head.

(slapping Cameron on

back)

You got good lungs.

(buckles Cameron's

seatbelt)

You got no shoulder harness because

it would show on camera. So when

you hit the water, you brace

yourself against the steering wheel.

It's reinforced. You couldn't break

it loose with dynamite...you gettin'

light-headed yet?

Cameron shakes his head, "No."

CHUCK:

Keep your hands off the doors...

You're leaving through the window.

You lower them slowly as you sink to

equalize the pressure. What are you

waitin' for? I'm not gonna be down

there holding your hand.

(Cameron lowering

windows)

Slower. When you hit bottom, the

windows are open and you're gonna

make like a minnow. But first, a

little fresh air wouldn't hurt. You

reach down under the seat and, what

do you know, a respirator...Make

like you're reaching for it.

There'll be one there tomorrow.

Cameron reaches for the non-existent respirator.

CHUCK (CONT'D)

No, keep your face forward, the

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