The Stunt Man Page #9

GABE:

I know a weary guy who's driving to

Cape Long to dance and booze all

night...

RAYMOND:

- 45

(camping, takes Gabe's

hand)

I know a weary gay who's going with

him!

They mince off (the fag act all the more amusing because of

Raymond's strictly masculine looks). Eli shouts after them.

ELI:

So long as you're back in ninety

minutes. It's a work night for some

of us.

(loftily)

...Those who give a sh*t.

Raymond "gathers" Nina along the way, wrapping his arm about her

shoulders -- Cameron watching silently. Then, charging from across

the dining room like a tanker steaming in their wake, comes a

gushing, overwrought, blue-rinsed MATRON.

MATRON:

Miss Franklin! Miss Franklin! Your

'Feminique Spray' commercial is on

TV. My God, it's simply heavenly!

INT. CAMERON'S HOTEL ROOM - CLOSE ON DRESSER - NIGHT

Drawers are slamming open and shut as Cameron hurriedly stuffs his

few belongings into his pockets.

WIDER ANGLE:

It's a mean little bedroom, with Sam's clothes, typewriter, etc., in

evidence. Seeing Sam's wallet, Cameron pulls a wad of money from

it, at the same time accidentally knocking Sam's false teeth off the

dresser. He hesitates, then stuffs back all the bills but a twenty.

He strides to Sam's closet, pulls out shirt and slacks, stuffs them

in a cloth beach bag, also belonging to Sam and starts out the door.

Then he stops, gets on his hands and knees, looking for the false

teeth, which he finally finds. Now, annoyed at himself for being a

"nice guy," he throws them carelessly on the dresser and quickly

exits.

- 46

74A

75

76

EXT. HOTEL - LATER THAT NIGHT

As Cameron moves down the steps, the returning company STATION WAGON

pulls to a stop in the driveway. Nina, Raymond and a few others

emerge from the car. Cameron turns away so as not to be seen as

they pass him on the steps heading for the entrance.

DENISE:

Bet they're looking for that nut who

killed all those campers in Montana...

RAYMOND:

(drunk)

...Too many campers, weed 'em out!

...Imagine, sitting an hour at a

roadblock.

NINA:

We should have waited, it wouldn't

have been an hour.

They've entered the hotel. Cameron continues to the bottom of the

stairs, hesitates, looking back at Nina.

CAMERON'S POV

Silhouetted through the etched glass doors (on the other side of

"The Looking Glass") he sees the lithe, gay, exquisitely beautiful

figure of Nina -- light sparkling from the cut glass dances about

her face -- a hauntingly romantic image.

ANGLE ON CAMERON

He watches for a moment with hopeless longing. Finally, turning

from her, he looks about at the dark water and deserted boardwalk.

There come some of Eli's crew, laughing, joking, cutting a swatch

through the stillness, pushing their heavy brutes toward some nearby

spot to light a night shot. There's the CHURCH TOWER. He stares at

it, wavering in his resolve to leave, wondering what would happen

if...

NINA'S VOICE

What next? Do you rescue the maiden

from the tower?

She has come up behind him, unnoticed. He turns, startled, and

there she stands.

- 47

CAMERON:

(smiles)

Hi.

For a moment they search each other's eyes -- for intentions. Then

she glances at the tower.

NINA:

Yes. It does look pretty high.

(with concern)

Are you worried about tomorrow?

Cameron's mind is racing over all the things he'd like to say so she

would know him instantly. But his answer is simple and sounds

sincere.

CAMERON:

Not much. I guess if there were any

real danger, Eli wouldn't let me do

it, would he?

NINA:

(quickly, reassuring)

No. I'm sure it's safe.

CAMERON:

(abruptly, with a boyish

grin)

Good. Then you jump.

NINA:

(laughing)

Okay.

She understands the slightly jealous rebuke for her blind faith in

Eli. Her laughing answer hangs like a challenge.

CAMERON:

Well, come on.

NINA:

(willing, but flustered)

What, right now?

For a moment he weighs it: whether to "run" or stay. Then acts on

his decision. Starting to laugh, he takes her hand and pulls her

toward the tower. She holds back, struggling playfully.

- 48

NINA (CONT'D)

Wait, I'm afraid of heights! What

if I freeze up?

CAMERON:

(pulling her along)

Don't worry, I'll give you a push.

Isn't that what a pal's for?

INT. BELL TOWER - NIGHT

It is crowded with bells, a small walkway and railing surrounded

them. The city lights are seen beyond. Below are the sheds where

crewmen are preparing the next day's shooting. Just beyond is the

overwhelming silhouette of the huge CRANE. Nina and Cameron reach

the top of the stairs winded and laughing, as they rush to the

railing and lean over. Nina gasps, clutching Cameron in genuine

fright.

NINA:

(gasps)

Oh, my God! It's terrifying! You

can't jump from this...you'll get

killed! It's crazy!...

CAMERON:

(laughing)

...It's not that bad. It looks

worse at night... Chuck says it's

like robbing a candy store.

NINA:

(getting angry)

Now stop that! ...I'm going back.

She whirls to go. He stops her, taking her by the shoulders.

CAMERON:

...What's wrong?

Her concern for him has turned to anger, like a mother slapping her

child for running in the street.

NINA:

It's just dumb...to strut around

trying to talk brave...

His arm still restrains her. She takes hold of it, then suddenly

softens with a look of slight surprise.

NINA (CONT'D)

- 49

Oh...you are scared...aren't you?

CAMERON:

(seriously)

Not really.

NINA:

Yes. You are...You're trembling.

After a moment, he answers quietly.

CAMERON:

So are you...and you're not even

gonna jump.

It's true. She is trembling and so is he -- not from fear. He

slowly draws her toward him, her mouth reaching up to his. And then

they are devouring each other. Abruptly, they're illuminated by a

fierce blast of white light. They separate and stare, blinking in

shock and confusion.

ELI (V.O.)

Okay, hit two and three.

They are pinned in the crossbeams of two more giant arcs. Quickly

she yanks him down with her out of sight behind the railing.

EXT. CHURCHYARD - ELI AND CREW - NIGHT

Eli is lounging in the bucket suspended from the crane. Beside him

Gabe adjusts one of the giant brutes.

GABE:

(business as usual)

I could kill this brute and fill

with juniors. You'd get a halo

around the tower.

ELI:

(struggling to resist)

Got no time...it's an establishing

shot...two seconds on the screen.

(giving in)

...You got six minutes.

Gabe smiles, scurries off. Eli glances at the tower, grins, having

toyed with them long enough, he yells.

79

80

81

- 50

ELI:

Hey! While you're up there, be

useful. We're lighting. Stand up

and look towards the sea so you're

in profile!

CLOSER ANGLE ON TOWER - NIGHT

As Nina's arm raises into view with the middle finger extended.

NINA (V.O.)

(hollering)

Light this, Eli!!!

EXT. CHURCHYARD - BENEATH THE TOWER - NIGHT

The church door swings open. Nina and Cameron emerge, covering

their embarrassment with bravado. Nina is prattling as though to a

tour guide.

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