Uncut Gems Page #18

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AUCTIONEER:

Sold to you! Thank you so much, sir.

The audience gives a round of applause. It’s a full house. Thegeneral public and registered bidders sit with paddles andbooks in neat rows. The sides of the room are flanked with

manned telephones, the back by cameras.

Seated in the middle are GOOEY and AARON. AARON stares at KG

who sits with his BODYGUARDS and his MANAGER [female, white,

mid 30’s] a few rows ahead.

HOWARD watches them from a seat across the aisle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

We move on now, ladies and gentlemen,

to lot number 38.

The system moves on to the next item. Images of the Opalappear on the big screen.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

We have a sale room notice. I’m

required to inform you all...

(reads from paper)

...that this fine 600 carat preciousblack opal from the Welo mines inEthiopia is now being offered to youwith a revised estimate of 155 to 200

thousand dollars. Under normal

circumstances we would pull such anitem, but we do feel that the gem isstill a unique specimen with greatcollector’s value.

A MODEL in a formal dress walks on stage holding the opal on apillowed cushion. She places it on the show mantle. KG feelsits presence, takes notice.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

As you can see this rough stone hasbeen windowed on either side,

revealing its full spectrum, adazzling array of color in the classicpin- fire pattern.

(MORE)

116.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

There seem to be a few recorded

totches on the backside and cuttingneeds to be precise if cutting isindeed the intention of the buyer. Andwith that, ladies and gentlemen, weshall start the bidding now at 40,000dollars.

KG immediately raises his paddle. HOWARD looks pleased.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

We have 40 thousand. Pleasure to see

you, sir. Do I see 50?

MALE BIDDER 189 in the back raises his paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

50 to the gentleman in the back.

Pleasure to see you too, sir.

KG raises her paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

Ok, 60. A new place. 60 thousand

against you, sir-

MALE BIDDER 189 raises his paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

(looking to KG)

70 thousand now against you-

KG:

(impatiently)

ONE HUNDRED GRAND!

AUCTIONEER:

(excited)

One. Hundred. Thousand. Dollars. A

big, bold, giant leap for a big, bold,

giant leaper.

(to MALE BIDDER)

It’s no longer yours, sir. It’s your

move.

The MALE BIDDER shakes his head.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

Are you sure, sir? I will even break

an increment and ask you to consider

105, sir?

117.

HOWARD notices ARNO and PHIL enter the room and positionthemselves in the back. HOWARD nods to ARNO. ARNO makes no

response.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

Are you sure?... Positive?

MALE BIDDER shakes his head firmly.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

A defiant nod! Okay, it’s 110 to theroom then. A hundred and ten thousand?

Anyone?

A pause. GOOEY looks over to HOWARD, HOWARD gives him a nod tostart up. GOOEY raises his paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

(to GOOEY)

We have 110 thousand. Nice to see youagain, sir.

(to KG)

110 back against you now. Will I see120?

KG raises his paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

120!

(to GOOEY)

Let’s try one more, sir.

GOOEY raises his paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

130! Let’s try 140?

KG raises his paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

140, great-

GOOEY raises paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

150! Do I see-

KG raises his paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

160! A nice advance.

(to GOOEY)

It’s no longer yours, sir. Do we takeit to 170?

118.

ARNO whispers something to PHIL. GOOEY looks to HOWARD,

pauses, and raises his paddle.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

170 now! Do we say 180?

A long pause. KG’S MANAGER whispers to KG. He whispers back.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

180 to counter, sir?

KG continues to consult with his MANAGER. She clearly protestsKG’s further bidding, KG does his best to assuage her. Heraises his paddle, clearly against her wishes.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

180! Bid back against you, sir. Do Isee 190?

After the brief pause, GOOEY pauses, looks to HOWARD, whourges him to continue bidding. GOOEY raises his paddle, bidsagain. He’s clearly agitated.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

190. Thank you sir.

(to KG)

Against you... 190 thousand... Can youmove this up any higher?

A pause. KG shakes his head. GOOEY looks panicked.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

Are you sure, sir? We need to movethis along. Do I hear 200 thousand?

KG shakes his head again. He’s out.

HOWARD is shocked. GOOEY looks upset, but tries to hide it.

ARNO stares at HOWARD in disbelief.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

200 to the room? 200? Last chance.

Fair warning....

The AUCTIONEER slams his gavel down.

AUCTIONEER (CONT’D)

Sold to you, sir, for one hundred andninety thousand dollars!

Applause spreads through the room. GOOEY reluctantly respondsto it with a crisp wave.

119.

INT. ADLEY’S AUCTION HOUSE - LOBBY - AFTER

HOWARD waits anxiously by the reception area near the elevatorbays. He sends a fake smile to the RECEPTIONIST. GOOEY exitsan elevator, holding an Adley’s box (containing the opal).

HOWARD:

Gooey! I’m so sorry-

GOOEY:

(seething)

Shhhh!

(to Receptionist)

Thank you.

After a beat, and some distance from the RECEPTIONIST, GOOEY

turns to HOWARD.

GOOEY (CONT’D)

That’s a 190 grand, Howard!

HOWARD:

I know. I know, it’s just temporary.

GOOEY looks up, realizes he’s walking in the wrong direction.

GOOEY:

God dammit, this is 49th. He’s on

48th.

GOOEY turns around. HOWARD follows him into a revolving door.

EXT. ADLEY’S AUCTION HOUSE - 49TH ST - AFTER

HOWARD and GOOEY exit the building. They head to the curbwhere AARON waits with ARNO, PHIL and NICO.

GOOEY:

Didn’t I tell you that was going tohappen!??! Huh?

HOWARD:

Yeah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

GOOEY:

Ok, so now what!?!

HOWARD:

I told you, once the money clears intomy account I’ll wire it right back toyou. It’ll be like it never happened.

120.

GOOEY:

Including Adley’s 20%?

HOWARD:

That comes out of my pocket,

naturally.

GOOEY:

That’s nearly 38 grand, Howard!

HOWARD:

So I’m gonna need a couple weeks onthat, but it’ll be done.

GOEEY approaches the group.

GOOEY:

(without stopping)

Aaron let’s go.

ARNO:

Nice to see you, Gooey.

AARON:

You missed it, I got another pic-

GOOEY:

NOW!

GOOEY rushes towards a white Rolls Royce parked curbside.

AARON follows. A chauffeur awaits them with the car door open.

HOWARD:

Gooey, let me get the opal.

GOOEY:

What? What for?

HOWARD:

So I can still sell it.

GOOEY hands HOWARD the box in disgust and climbs into the car.

HOWARD (CONT’D)

Aw, come on, Gooey. Don’t be mad!

A pause. HOWARD waits for the chauffeur to get into thedriver’s seat.

HOWARD (CONT’D)

(to chauffeur)

Hurry up! He’s gotta wait for you forafter all that!??! C’mon!

(quietly, to ARNO)

(MORE)

121.

HOWARD (CONT’D)

I know... I know... Wait for them to

leave and then we’ll talk, gimme aminute.

The car drives off.

ARNO:

What the f*** was that?

HOWARD:

That was a mistake. I f***ed up. Iadmit it. But hang on. Just hit pausefor one second.

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