Scripts: Strangers on a Train (18/Oct/1950) - part 7
DISSOLVE TO: LONG SHOT FOREST HILL STADIUM Grouped. A game is in progress. MED. SHOT A TERRACE NEAR THE MAIN STADIUM (PROCESS) where people get refreshments. There are various table with umbrellas. MED. SHOT AT ONE OF TABLE (PROCESS) Anne and Guy are seated at the table. ANNE ...And he said that if the police found your lighter there, that's all they'd need -- something to prove you were at the scene of the murder. GUY (grimly) That big lie about my wanting him to get it back means he's going to put my lighter on that island! ANNE (urgently) Guy, you'll have to get there before he does. You won't have time to play, You'd better tell them. (she nods her head in the direction of the center court) GUY Darling, if that loudspeaker announces that I'm not going to play, Hennessy bound to be suspicious He'd keep me from ever getting near Metcalf. ANNE Then I'll go. GUY (quickly) No, darling. (he puts his hand on hers and speaks firmly, with concern for her safety as well as for his own situation) You stay right here and help me give Hennessy the slip after the match. ANNE But, Guy, that'll be too late! GUY (getting a thought) Didn't Bruno say that I wanted him together there one night after dark? ANNE Yes. GUY Well, that's what's in his mind now. He's not going to expose himself in broad daylight, If I can finish off this match in three sets, I'll still get there in time. REYNOLDS, Guy's opponent, enters scene behind Guy's chair. REYNOLDS We're on in a few minutes, Guy. (to Anne) How are you, Miss Morton. Anne acknowledges his greeting with a nod. GUY Okay, Tim. Be right with you. Reynolds leaves Anne and Guy rise, and as they walk toward the stadium, we can see Guy start to speak to Anne in a whisper. ENTRANCE TO COVERED STAND ALREADY SHOT Hennessy and Hammond are standing by. HAMMOND Well, if Turley said to pick him up for questioning, let's pick him up! HENNESSY Let him have his game first, Hammond. HAMMOND (sourly) This is the first time I ever waited for a murder suspect to play tennis before I pulled him in. When the boys it headquarters heir about this they'll send me orchids. Guy and Anne come into the scene just as the players from the previous match emerge. They pass through, nodding to Hennessy. HENNESSY Good luck, Guy. Guy is so preoccupied with his grim doesn't nod to Hennessy until Anne nudges him. INSIDE THE STAND MED. SHOT Anne is reluctant to leave Guy who must now join his opponent, Reynolds. GUY You got it straight? (ANNE nods) Just make sure Barbara has everything ready as soon as the third set starts. He goes on to the court, and Anna goes to her box. MED. SHOT Anne joins Barbara in the box. She starts to whisper something to her. LONG SHOT Guy and Reynolds complete their warm-up as the umpire announces that Guy is to serve. The game starts. EXT. ANTONY HOME A taxi is at the front door. Bruno is descending the steps. He gets into the cab, which moves off. FOREST HILLS MED. SHOT ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH (PROCESS) Over the shoulder of the announcer WE SEE the game in progress through the window of his booth. ANNOUNCER --It looks like an interesting match with Haines constantly charging the net -- not like Haines at all -- to press so early in the game... MED. SHOT TEN COURT Guy and his opponent, Reynolds, in play. Guy scores a point. CLOSEUP THE UMPIRE He announces game to Haines. MED. LONG SHOT We see the two men change ends and come toward the Umpiri's chair. Reynolds stops to take a drink of water. Guy, with an impatient glance at him, moves over to the passing line and waits, the CAMERA going with him. EXT. WASHINGTON STREET A taxicab is seen coming along. MED. SHOT INSIDE CAB (PROCESS) Bruno is sitting with in unlighted cigarette in his mouth. CAMERA MOVES IN until he is in big CLOSEUP. His eyes look down. There is the SOUND of a click, then, Guy's lighter comes up into the picture held against the cigarette. LAP DISSOLVE TO: FADE IN LONG SHOT FOREST HILLS STADIUM Grouped. A game is in progress. MED. SHOT A terrace where people get refreshments. There are various tables with umbrellas. MED. SHOT AT ONE OF TABLE (PROCESS) Guy is seated. He has his rackets with him and is waiting his turn to start his match. An official is talking to him but Guy keeps looking around as if expecting someone. OFFICIAL Well, at least there'd be a trip to Australia, if you made it. GUY (absently) We'll know more about that by the end of the week... (his face brightens as he sees Anne) Anne hurries in, nods briefly to the official who has started to leave, and sits down. OFFICIAL They're close to the finish, Guy GUY Be right there. (turns to Anne) I was afraid you wouldn't get here. Wish me luck, darling. He makes a move as if to follow official toward the stadium, but Anne puts hand on his arm. ANNE (quickly and urgently) Guy, listen to me, If I sound all mixed up I can't help it. I -- I'm scared. GUY What about? ANNE That's just it. I don't know. It's Bruno. I talked to him, Guy -- Guy stares at her, takes a quick look toward the stadium, then gives Anne his full attention. ANNE He acted peculiar -- as if he could put the murder right in your lap, and not involve himself at all. GUY (shaking his head) He'd drag himself into it, -- and Bruno loves Bruno. I'm all right so long as he thinks I have an alibi for that night. (noticing the stricken look on Anne is face) He knows? Anne nods slowly. GUY (grimly) Then he'll think of something. He said he would. ANNE Guy, has he anything that the police could trace to you -- (quoting Bruno) Any little thing. GUY My cigarette lighter. He said once he could have left it on the islands as evidence (a pause) But he wouldn't do that. Not in broad day light. ANNE (trying to think) But he's going somewhere, Guy. He told his mother -- GUY (tensely) Metcalf -- did he say Metcalf? ANNE No, -- I don't think so. Oh, why can't I remember -- he said such crazy things! GUY (tensely) Try to think, Anne! VOICE (OFFSCENE) Guy Haines! -- Reynolds! While Anne is frantically trying to remember, Guy turns toward, the stadium and gives a signal of "Be right there." ANNE Something about the moon -- he said he had an appointment with the moon. Guy's shoulders droop with disappointment. GUY That's no help. But I can't take any chances. I've got to get that lighter -- somehow. REYNOLDS, Guy's opponent, ENTERS SCENE behind Guy's chair. REYNOLDS Okay, Guy. We're on. He walks away. Anne and Guy rise, following him. GUY I'll have to default. ANNE And have Hennessy and that other one right at your heels? Guy's expression says she's right, as they walk toward the stadium. ENTRANCE TO COVERED STAND Hennessy and Hammond, the two detectives, are standing by. HAMMOND First time I ever waited for a killer to play tennis before I nabbed him! (MORE) HAMMOND (CONT'D) When the boys at headquarters hear about this they'll send me an orchid! HENNESSY We got our orders. We take him in -- after the match. Guy and Anne come INTO THE SCENE just as the players from the previous match emerge. They pass through, nodding to Hennessy. HENNESSY (a little sadly) Good luck, Guy! Guy gives him a thank-you nod. Hammond rolls his eyes in disgust at Hennessy's politeness. INSIDE THE STAND MED. SHOT Anne is about to turn to her box but she is reluctant to leave Guy, who must now join his opponent, Reynolds. As their eyes hold, in mutual helplessness, Guy suddenly stares at her with realization. GUY The moon! You said he had an appointment -- Anne looks puzzled as Guy looks up at the sun, then at his watch. GUY Then he is going to Metcalf. But he has to wait until it gets dark -- (with frantic haste, he thinks quickly, then murmurs to Anne) Listen, Anne, as soon as the third set starts, tell Barbara -- MED. CLOSE SHOT REYNOLDS waiting at the bottom of steps to the stand. Guy joins his opponent, and Anne goes to her box. Guy and Reynolds move onto the court amid the rounds of applause that greet them. MEDIUM SHOT ANNE JOINS BARBARA In the box. She starts to whisper something to her. LONG SHOT Guy and Reynolds complete their warm-up as the umpire announces that Guy is to serve. The game starts. EXT. ANTONY HOME A taxi is at the front door. Bruno is descending the steps. He gets into the cab, which moves off. FOREST HILLS MED. SHOT ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH Over the shoulder of the announcer WE SEE the game in progress through the window of his booth. ANNOUNCER It looks like an interesting match -- with Haines out to blast Reynolds into a fast fight, -- not like Haines at all -- to press so early in the game... MED. SHOT THE COURT Guy and his opponent, Reynolds, in play. Guy scores a point. CLOSEUP THE UMPIRE He announces game to Haines. MED. LONG SHOT We see the two men change ends and come toward the Umpire's chair. Reynolds stops to take a drink of Water. Guy, with an impatient glance it him, moves over to the passing line and waits, the CAMERA going with him. EXT. WASHINGTON STREET A taxicab is seen coming along. MED. SHOT INSIDE TAXI CAB Bruno is sitting with an unlighted cigarette in his mouth. CAMERA MOVES IN until he is in big CLOSEUP. His eyes look down. There is the SOUND of a click, then Guy's lighter comes up into the picture held against the cigarette. LAP DISSOLVE TO: INT. ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH FOREST HILL The announcer is broadcasting the progress of the match and we learn from him that this first set is nearly finished. LONG SHOT THE COURT Guy and Reynolds in play. MED. SHOT Anne and Barbara sitting in their box watching the play anxiously. MED. SHOT At the entrance to the covered stand. The two detectives Hennessy and Hammond, are watching. Hammond is bored by this game. HAMMOND Stupid game. You'd never get me into them short pants. I'd feel naked. HENNESSY (his eyes intent on the game) You'd feel naked in an Eskimo suit -- if you weren't wearing your badge. MED. SHOT Guy playing hard but holding his own. MED. SHOT Reynolds, his opponent, playing back. LONG SHOT The big crowd watching. MED. SHOT Guy scores point over Reynolds. MED. SHOT There is general applause from the crowd in the covered stand as we HEAR the Umpire's announcement. UMPIRE'S VOICE (O.S.) Mr. Haines wins the first set. EXT. UNION STATION WASHINGTON D.C. We see Bruno get out of a cab and pass into the depot. LONG SHOT FOREST HILLS The game in process. MED. SHOT A nearer view of the game. CLOSE SHOT GUY IN PLAY volleying with Reynolds. CLOSE SHOT Reynolds playing the covered stand people are concentrating. MED. SHOT Guy misses a point and the game. He and Reynolds make for the Umpire's chair. We HEAR the Umpire announce. UMPIRE'S VOICE Game to Mr. Reynolds. Games are two all...Second set. INT. UNION STATION WASHINGTON, D.C. Bruno is casually waiting for the train. He stands near a news-stand reading a paper. INSERT: We see that the paper is open at the sports page. There is a picture of Guy among other tennis players. WITH A DISSOLVE the whole character of this page changes with the exception of Guy's picture, which becomes surrounded with large type, announcing the arrest of Guy Haines for the murder of his wife Miriam. A sub-heading tells of Guy's cigarette lighter found at the scene of the crime. All this DISSOLVES AWAY and the page becomes once more the sports section. CLOSEUP Bruno looks up with satisfaction. LONG SHOT FOREST HILLS The crowd watching. MED. SHOT Guy and Reynolds in play. MED. SHOT Guy playing hard. MED. SHOT Reynolds playing back. CLOSEUP The Umpire watching the game. Suddenly he announces: UMPIRE Game to Mr. Reynolds. Games are three all... second set. INT. CLUB CAR ON TRAIN Bruno is now seated in his accustomed place in the club car. His gloved fingers are quietly toying with Guy's lighter. A passenger next to him asks: PASSENGER May I have a light, please? Bruno looks at him for a moment and then at the lighter. With great deliberation he puts the lighter away in his pocket and takes out book-matches. Lighting a match, he holds it to his fellow passenger's cigarette. LONG SHOT FOREST HILLS The game as seen from under the covered stand. MED. SHOT Anne and Barbara very tense. CLOSEUP GUY about to serve, looks anxiously across the court. CLOSEUP THE CLOCK CLOSEUP GUY as he serves. CLOSEUP REYNOLDS returns. CLOSEUP BALL hits the net. CLOSEUP UMPIRE announces. UMPIRE Second set to Haines. Haines leads two sets to love. There is a round of applause. We see the heads of the two players reach the Umpire's chair. Guy, very anxious still, as he wipes his neck with a towel. INT. COVERED STAND CLOSE SHOT ANNE BARBARA Anne is speaking. ANNE If he wins this next set -- you'd better have everything ready. (takes bill from her purse and hands it to Barbara) Here -- give the driver this ten dollars. BARBARA (puzzled) I wish understood what this is all about! ANNE (urgently) You don't have to understand, just do it. And for heaven's sake, act natural. Barbara nods and goes along. ENTRANCE TO COVERED STAND Barbara smiles winningly at Hennessy as she goes through. Her interpretation of "acting natural" is exaggerated and rather comical. Hammond's eyes narrow as he looks after her suspiciously. LONG SHOT The game in progress. Guy starts the next set. He serves. MED. SHOT Reynolds returns. MED. SHOT Guy volleys. MED. SHOT Reynolds puts the ball in the air. CLOSE SHOT Guy smashes. CLOSE SHOT The ball hits the net. CLOSEUP UMPIRE UMPIRE Love fifteen. LONG SHOT THE CROWD We HEAR the smash of the ball and the voice of the Umpire. UMPIRE'S VOICE (O.S.) Love thirty. CLOSEUP ANNE looking very worried. Again the call of the Umpire. UMPIRE'S VOICE (O.S.) Double fault. Love forty. INT. THE ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH The announcer telling his listeners that Guy Haines seems to be a little reckless. ANNOUNCER -- Haines hasn't let up his terrific pace for an instant, smashing every (MORE) ANNOUNCER (CONT'D) ball with a recklessness we've never seen in his playing. It's beginning to look as if he doesn't care whether he wins or loses because he's in a hurry - an awfully big hurry --- LAP DISSOLVE TO: EXT. METCALF STATION We see Bruno alight from the train. He makes his way in the direction of the town. MED. SHOT METCALF STATION As Bruno comes toward us, he stands on the sidewalk and then takes the lighter from his pocket once more. At this moment a hurrying passenger on his way to the depot accidentally jogs Bruno's elbow. The lighter flies from his hand. CLOSE SHOT We see it fall through the bars of a grating by the sidewalk. CLOSEUP BRUNO looks down in dismay. FOREST HILLS MED. SHOT The game in progress. Guy and his opponent playing hard. Guy misses a point. We HEAR the Umpire's call. UMPIRE'S VOICE (O.S) Game to Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds leads five games to three in the third set. EXT. METCALF STATION Bruno is leading a porter toward the grating, pulling him by the arm. They reach the drain. BRUNO Down there -- my -- my cigarette -- (catches himself -- not wanting to say "cigarette lighter") case. It's very valuable. PORTER (peering down) Down here? BRUNO You've got to get this grating up right away. Two passersby enter. FIRST PASSERBY What's the trouble? BRUNO (yelling) Can't we do something...! (to passerby) I dropped my cigarette case. PORTER (looking down) Mightn't be any good, mister. Probably gone down the storm drain. BRUNO (horrified) Storm drain? FIRST PASSERBY On the other hand, it might have lodged on the edge. SECOND PASSERBY Don't they have a trap down there -- like under a sink? BRUNO (excited) Don't just stand here -- do something! PORTER (calmly) Guess we could phone the city engineer, all right. (MORE) PORTER (CONT'D) Worst he could do would be to tell me to take a running jump and -- (Bruno grabs his arm. Porter shakes Bruno off) Relax, mister. BRUNO I don't want to relax. He goes on his knees and forces his arm down the drain. INT. THE ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH FOREST HILLS ANNOUNCER (with great excitement) This is more than a tennis game, ladies and gentlemen -- it's a desperate fight with Guy Haines playing as if his life depended on it! MED. SHOT Guy is volleying. MED. SHOT Reynolds lobs. CLOSEUP Guy smashes. CLOSE SHOT Reynolds lobs again. CLOSE SHOT Guy smashes. CLOSE SHOT Reynolds misses and the ball hits inside the line. CLOSEUP The Umpire calling. UMPIRE Game to Mr. Haines. Mr. Reynolds leads five games to four...third set. EXT. METCALF STATION MED. SHOT A few more passersby have stopped to watch Bruno, whose arm is pushed through the grating. CLOSEUP Bruno's face -- straining. CLOSEUP Under the grating Bruno's hand is groping. His fingers are a long way from the lighter. LONG SHOT FOREST HILLS with the game in progress. MED. SHOT EXT. CLUB A taxi has pulled up. Barbara gets out. CLOSE SHOT She takes the ten dollar bill from her purse and passes it to the driver. She gives a final look inside the cab. CLOSEUP On the seat are Guy's everyday pants, laid out. MED. SHOT Barbara hurries out of the picture toward the club. LONG SHOT The crowd watching. CLOSEUP The tense face of Anne. CLOSEUP The Umpire is somewhat impressed. INT. THE ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH CLOSEUP The announcer is telling his listeners that the score is now six-five in favor of Haines. That he has pulled up wonderfully and only needs one more game to win the match. EXT. COVERED STAND ENTRANCE Barbara, very nervous but trying to "act natural", passes Hennessy and Hammond. Hammond's eyes again follow her, but Hennessy is intent on the game. MED. SHOT FEATURING BOX As Barbara joins Anne, she gives her a surreptitious signal by ringing her thumb and forefinger, indicating everything is set. CLOSE SHOT Guy now playing hard. CLOSEUP His racket smashing at the ball. CLOSEUP Reynolds and his racket hitting the ball back. CLOSEUP THE UMPIRE CALLING UMPIRE Advantages, Mr. Haines. CLOSEUP Guy serving. CLOSEUP His ball hitting the racket. CLOSEUP The ball in the net. CLOSEUP A second ball hitting the net. The Umpire's voice calling: UMPIRE'S VOICE (O.S) Duece! EXT. METCALF STATION A LOW SHOT ON Bruno bent over the grating and the onlookers behind him. BIG HEAD CLOSEUP BRUNO straining and panicky. CLOSEUP Under the grating, Bruno's fingers get near the lighter, and in their groping, they knock the lighter off the ledge, onto the ledge below. CLOSEUP Bruno's horror-stricken face. FOREST HILLS MED. SHOT Guy still playing. CLOSE SHOT Barbara standing with Hennessy, watching. We HEAR the score. UMPIRE'S VOICE (O.S) Advantage, Mr. Reynolds. CLOSEUP ANNE unable to bear the suspense. She glances O.S. MED. SHOT The waiting cab. CLOSE SHOT Guy and Reynolds in play. UMPIRE'S VOICE (O.S) Score is deuce. CLOSE SHOT Reynolds serves. CLOSE SHOT Guy volleys. He waits for the return ball. He misses it. UMPIRE'S VOICE (O.S) Advantage, Mr. Reynolds. EXT. METCALF STATION ANGLE SHOOTING THROUGH the grating at CLOSEUP BRUNO'S HEAD AND SHOULDERS staining. CLOSEUP Under the grating, Bruno's fingers go lower and lower, straining to reach the lighter, which is still a few inches out of reach. FOREST HILLS MED. SHOT Guy is volleying with Reynolds. INT. ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH He is very excited. ANNOUNCER -- Haines hasn't let up for a moment. If he wins this set, he wins the whole match! CLOSEUP ANNE AND BARBARA in their box. They are extremely tense. MED. SHOT Guy slams hard a shot that wins him the game. LONG SHOT CROWD applauding and shouting. CLOSE SHOT ANNE AND BARBARA At an urgent signal from Anne, Barbara hurries out as if she knew what she had to do. LONG SHOT Guy shakes hands with his opponent, and then hurries across to Anne in the stand. He leans over the front of the box. While congratulating him outwardly, she whispers something to him. He leaves his racket with her and hurries away. MED. SHOT STAND ENTRANCE A block of people leaving cut off Hennessy's view. Barbara tries desperately to keep his attention off Guy. BARBARA (breathlessly) Isn't it wonderful, Mr. Hennessy? He won! It calls for a celebration. Anne says you must have dinner with us. Just the family, and you, and Guy. HENNESSY (awkwardly) Sorry I can't make it. Business. BARBARA But Guy is your business. You'll be with him, won't you? HENNESSY (a little grimly) Yeah -- I'll be with Guy. MED. SHOT Guy moving along the front of the stand making for another exit. CLOSE SHOT Barbara takes it for granted that Hennessy will accept her invitation. BARBARA Guy says you love steak -- rare, Medium, or well-done? HENNESSY I sure wish I could -- SEMI CLOSEUP Hammond is looking off. He calls into the stand. HAMMOND Hennessy! He points off toward Guy. MED. SHOT Guy is hurrying toward the public entrance of the stand. SEMI CLOSEUP Hennessy and Hammond move off, leaving a dismayed Barbara. SEMI LONG SHOT Guy hurrying under the stand toward the waiting cab. MED. SHOT The two men hurrying after him. EXT. CLUB Guy goes to the waiting cab and gets in. The cab moves off. MED. SHOT The two men hurry out of the club and stand helplessly looking after the departing cab. They hurry out of the picture. CLOSE SHOT We see them grab another car. It is a chauffeur-driven limousine. Hammond jumps in front and seats himself beside the driver. Hennessy hops in the back. The car moves off.
...continue to part 8