Vertigo Page #21

During this, a party of diners enters, is greeted by the

captain, and is led across the room toward an empty table

near Judy and Scottie. We go with them winding among the

tables. As we get very close to Scottie, he looks up and

becomes rigid, and stares. A woman has just gone by him to

take seat at the neighboring table. Her hair is blonde and

is done exactly as was Madeleine's; from the rear she could

easily be Madeleine. But then she turns and sits down,

glancing at Scottie as she does, and we see that it is not

Madeleine. A moment, then Scottie looks away. Judy is staring

at him anxiously. It is her first defeat and her first

victory:
defeat, in that although he is with her he is still

searching; victory, in that she is sure, now, that he does

not think she is Madeleine.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. JUDY'S HOTEL - (NIGHT)

Scottie's car drives up and comes to a stop. He gets out,

comes around and opens the other door and helps Judy out.

They stand there for a moment, then start for the front door.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. JUDY HOTEL, UPSTAIRS CORRIDOR - (NIGHT)

Judy opens her door, flicks the light switch, and turns to

Scottie in the doorway.

JUDY:

Thank you again. Good-night.

SCOTTIE:

Can I see you tomorrow?

JUDY:

Tomorrow night? Well --

SCOTTIE:

Tomorrow morning.

JUDY:

Tomorrow m -- but I have to go to

work. I've got a job.

SCOTTIE:

Don't go.

JUDY:

(Smiling)

And what will I live on? My oil wells

in Texas?

SCOTTIE:

I'll take care of you.

JUDY:

(Flatly)

Oh, Well, thank very much. But no

thanks.

SCOTTIE:

No, Judy, you don't understand.

JUDY:

Oh, I understand, all right. I've

been understanding since I was

seventeen. And the next step is, as

long as you're going to see me

tomorrow, why don't you stay the

night.

SCOTTIE:

No.

JUDY:

No? Then what?

SCOTTIE:

I just want to see you as much as I

can!

JUDY:

As friends? We'd just see a lot of

each other as friends, and you'd

"take care of me"?

SCOTTIE:

Yes.

JUDY:

Why?

(No answer)

Because I remind you of someone?

(No answer)

That's not very complimentary.

(Pause)

And nothing would... happen...

SCOTTIE:

No.

JUDY:

That's not very complimentary, either.

She turns away and wanders into the room toward the window.

She sits down in the chair to think it over, looking straight

ahead, in profile to Scottie and to the window. Scottie stares

at her, then suddenly reaches out and snaps off the light.

JUDY:

(Frightened)

Listen, what'd you do that for?!?!

She starts to rise.

SCOTTIE:

(Quickly)

No, Judy, I'm not going to move!

Please! Stay in the chair!

JUDY:

Why?!

SCOTTIE:

Please! And don't look at me.

She subsides in the chair, and obeys, looking straight ahead

again, holding very still, apprehensive. The only light in

the room is from the street lamp outside, and it silhouettes

Judy in profile, robbing her of hair-color, robbing her of

makeup, and Scottie stares across at her, unsure, wishing he

could persuade himself.

SCOTTIE:

(Softly)

Will you, Judy?

JUDY:

(Slowly, anxiously)

I suppose I could phone the store in

the morning, and say I'm sick.

Another pause.

SCOTTIE:

(Gently)

Good night, Judy.

He goes out, closing the door. Judy sits still, staring

straight ahead. She raises a hand slowly and rubs the side

of her face.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GOLDEN GATE PARK - (DAY)

It is a bright, sunny day. On a lovely green slope, young

couples are stretched out making love. We see a pretty young

girl sitting, and her young man lying on the grass at right

angles with his head on her lap. She is playing with his

hair. She bends down and kisses him.

The CAMERA MOVES ON, searching for Scottie and Judy, and

comes upon another couple in a close embrace. The CAMERA

MOVES ON and discovers Scottie and Judy strolling along the

path at the foot of the slope. Judy is looking at the loving

couples with wistful envy. Scottie is admiring the scenery

in other direction. He holds a bag of popcorn. Judy looks

up at him with gentle longing. He glances down at her and

smiles companionably, and offers her the popcorn. She takes

some and smiles back as well as she can.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DANCE FLOOR, FAIRMONT HOTEL - (NIGHT)

The lighting in the room is low, the orchestra is playing

"Isn't It Romantic", there are many couples on the floor,

dancing romantically. It's romantic as hell. We find Scottie

and Judy dancing, nicely, but rather sedately. Judy looks up

at him once in a while, wishing she could get a bit closer,

although he is not by any means keeping her at a distance.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. POST STREET, OUTSIDE GUMPS - (DAY)

There is a flower stand - known to all San Franciscans -- at

the curb opposite the main entrance to Gumps, and Scottie

and Judy have stopped there to pick a flower for her to wear.

It is a bright, fresh morning. There is a display of corsages,

made up, ready to wear. The Vendor stands beside them as

they pick and choose. They seem quite happy.

JUDY:

I like that one.

SCOTTIE:

No, there. There's a good one. Do

you like that?

JUDY:

Yes --

The one Scottie has pointed out is remarkably like the nosegay

in the portrait, though smaller and not an exact copy.

SCOTTIE:

We'll take that one.

VENDOR:

Very nice. And fresh. I just made it

up.

He pins the nosegay on Judy.

VENDOR:

That'll be a dollar four. Scottie

pays him

JUDY:

It's beautiful.

SCOTTIE:

Okay. Now we're going to buy you

some clothes.

JUDY:

Honest?

He has started her across the middle of the street in the

midst of traffic, and they have to run.

SCOTTIE:

There's Ransohoff's. Nothing but the

best. Come on.

JUDY:

(Happy and breathless)

But Scottie, you don't have to!

SCOTTIE:

I want to! Come on!

They go dodging across the street.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. RANSOHOFF'S - (DAY)

A spacious room on the second floor. Judy and Scottie are

being waited on by a middle-aged saleswoman. A girl Assistant

stands nearby. Draped about on neighboring chairs are several

suits. Scottie looks tense. His jaw is set. Judy looks at

him wonderingly. A model enters wearing a grey tweed suit,

and parades before them.

SCOTTIE:

No, that's not it. Nothing like it.

SALESWOMAN:

But you said grey, sir.

SCOTTIE:

Not tweed -- it's a smoother material,

with a larger collar and belted.

(Indicates with hands)

He puts his hands to his waist.

JUDY:

But I like that one, Scottie.

SCOTTIE:

No, it's not right.

SALESWOMAN:

(Cheerfully)

The gentleman seems to know what he

wants.

(To the model)

All right. Well, we'll find it.

She goes and whispers to the Assistant, during the following,

and the Assistant follows the model out.

JUDY:

(Slightly apprehensive)

Scottie, what are you doing?

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