The Woman on the Beach Page #5

Sometimes fight.

And I'd fall asleep in your arms.

And when I opened my eyes in the morning there...

...you'd be standing with my breakfast tray.

I was so proud of you.

The great Tod Butler, fiery American painter...

...who approached his canvases like a prizefighter.

I was young then, Tod.

Are you so old now?

I might as well be.

Peggy, did it ever occur to you

that to me you'll always be young, beautiful?

No matter how old you grow.

I'll always remember you as you were the last day I saw you.

Young!

Beautiful!

Bright!

Exciting!

No one who can see can say that to you.

Peg, you're so beautiful!

So beautiful outside. So rotten inside.

You're no angel.

No, I guess we're two of a kind.

That's why we're so right for each other.

Tod, I've got a boat for this afternoon.

Would you like to go fishing with me?

Yes.

I'll be delighted.

We'll go now.

You've got tackle of your own, Scott?

If you haven't, I've got plenty.

You've got bait, I presume.

It's blowing outside.

You've certainly picked a fine day for it.

Fish probably won't fight at all. Well, let's go.

Tod! Scott!

Scott!

Tod! Tod!

Chief Wernecke?

This is Peggy Butler.

My husband...

Lieutenant Burnett and my husband...

No, you know we don't have any boats on this station!

Hold on a minute, please.

Mrs. Butler, I'll see what I can do.

Give me the Geddes boatyard. 85.

Hello, Eve? Otto.

The Lieutenant and Tod Butler have gone on some kind of a crazy fishing trip.

Yeah, I don't know what it's all about but there might be some trouble.

Why'd you invite me on this trip?

You know it's no day for fishing.

Because I've got something to sell!

Why did you come?

- Because it's time for a showdown.

This is the perfect spot for it.

What's on your mind?

Tod, I can't stand the way you treat Peggy any longer.

You make a slave out of her!

You beat her, you mistreat her...

...And someday you're gonna kill her.

- Are you finished?

- Yes!

Let me explain a few things about Peggy.

You've got to set Peggy free! I love her.

I don't intend to set her free.

Then you won't go back to shore!

I'll see that neither one of us get back to shore.

That's all right. You won't give her up?

Certainly not!

Scott!

Scott!

Scott!

Scott!

Chief, I have a little packing to do. I'll be in the office if you need me.

All right, sir. I wonder what's holding up the Missus?

Hi, Eve. Just get here?

- Hi, Jimmie.

Yes, I just got here.

- How about the next dance, Eve?

You tried to kill me!

The boy doesn't matter. It's you who sent him to do it!

But I licked you. I licked you both!

I didn't want it to happen. I tried to stop him!

You tried to stop him when you thought it was too late. When you thought I was finished.

- That isn't true!

- Don't try to get away!

I can sense every move you make, I can sense you like an animal.

- Tod if you don't believe me...

- My eyes don't see...

But I have hands, ears and a nose!

I can even smell your hate. I like that.

It's not much different from your love.

- It is love!

- Yes it is! For whom?

For Tod Butler who kept you with him in the dark?

Or for that pretty lieutenant who offered you the sun? And the moon!

- Tod, please listen...

- I've listened to you enough.

I've listened to you tiptoeing into the dark...

And sighing in your sleep.

You think I need eyes to tell me you want to get rid of me?

You murderous little sneak!

- Tod!

No! You want to be free?

You get away when I choose to let you go.

And I'm not ready yet. Not quite!

Tod, what are you doing?

I'm gonna set Peggy free!

I love her!

He loves you.

What does he know about loving a woman like you? Nothing!

Scott?

I heard you were going away.

But it seems stupid not to say goodbye.

I followed you here because I didn't think I'd get the chance.

I had to finish some packing.

Then...

...then you really are going.

Yes.

I finally realised you're sick.

I don't believe I am anymore.

Just...

...ridiculous!

Well, if you know what's the matter, then why are you running away?

I'm not running away, I'm just going.

It's too late for anything else.

I feel kind of silly too, you know.

A lot's been going on around here that

everybody knew about but me.

How do you like my dress?

Eve...

Burnett speaking.

Well, speak!

You're in danger? What kind of danger?

All right.

All right. I'll be right over.

- Was that...

- That was Peggy and I'm going.

Now get this through your thick little skull:

I've got to go.

I've got to find out about

myself once and for all.

- What's wrong, Peggy?

- Scott, I had to call you for help.

Tod's wild, he's insane!

- What do you want me to do?

He's got some crazy idea!

I don't know what, but I'm afraid.

You've got to stop him,

you've got to do something.

The paintings!

Tod!

Tod!

Tod! What are you doing?

I'm burning my bridges, my friend.

What are you doing?

- Peggy!

- Let me go!

Can't you see what he's doing? Let go!

I tried to save the paintings!

Let me go, I tell you! Let me go!

Why, Tod?

I had to do it.

Those paintings meant everything to me.

But they became an obsession.

They had to be destroyed.

Now I'm free.

I've new work to do.

I've things to say.

Many things.

And Peggy's free.

I clung to her as I did to the paintings.

To the past.

I made her live in it with me.

I had no right to do that.

Peggy!

Take me to the car, Peg.

You can drive me to New York and

then you can do as you please.

Tod!

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes