"NURSE BETTY" -- by John C. Richards & James Flamberg
NURSE BETTY
Screenplay by John C. Richards & James Flamberg
Story by John C. Richards
Shooting Script (FINAL)
3/9/99
FADE IN:
1 INT. OPERATING ROOM - DAY 1
A tense surgery in progress. Meters flicker, instruments
flash in the bright overhead light. In the midst of it all
stands DR. DAVID RAVELL, 35. The master of his domain.
Ravell leans forward so a NURSE can mop the sweat from his
brow as he completes a last, delicate procedure. His co
workers sigh collectively with relief.
DAVID
(to Asst. Surgeon)
Close her up, will you?
2 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY 2
Dr. Ravell comes out of surgery, clearly exhausted. Without
his surgical mask he is ruggedly handsome. TWO NURSES
follow, attending him like a fighter fresh from the ring:
CHLOE, 25, Raven-haired and striking, and JASMINE, 24, an
exotic mix of African-American and Asian.
BLAKE DANIELS, 58, the silver-haired Chief Surgeon, rushes up
the corridor. On his heels is DR. LONNIE WALSH, 33. Lonnie
is also conspicuously handsome, but he'll always be second to
David. In everything.
The look on Blake's face stops David in his tracks.
BLAKE
There's been a train crash near Santa
Barbara. They're flying an aortal trauma
here now. How can I ask you this,
David...
David rubs his eyes. Thinks about it.
DAVID
I can do it, Blake.
His bravery isn't lost on the two nurses, although Chloe
exchanges a quick, covert glance with Lonnie.
CHLOE
Is he crazy, Jasmine? He's been on his
feet for fourteen hours.
JASMINE
Chloe, it's been this way since Leslie
died. Losing himself in his work, poor
thing...
2.
YOUNGER MAN'S
VOICE
(O.S.)
... I'll give you something to lose
yourself in...
OLDER MAN'S VOICE
(O.S.)
Excuse me, miss?
PULL BACK TO REVEAL: WE ARE LOOKING AT A TELEVISION SCREEN
BEHIND THE COUNTER OF A SMALL-TOWN DINER.
INSERT: FAIR OAKS, KANSAS
3 INT. TIP TOP DINER - DAY 3
Quaint, Midwestern eatery. Knick-knacks and photos abound.
The booths and counter are packed with LOCALS. A family
dining section off in one corner.
TWO GUYS sitting at the counter in team jackets. The older
of the two holds up his empty coffee cup. But his WAITRESS,
standing a couple seats down from him, doesn't move. She's
completely absorbed in watching the soap opera that plays on
two battered, fuzzy TV sets.
BETTY SIZEMORE, 30, has a wholesome attractiveness that
competes with a bit too much makeup and a cheesy white
waitress uniform. TWO OTHER WAITRESSES attend to customers
behind her.
The younger of the two guys is involved in the soap opera.
But the older one, still wants coffee. He gestures toward
Betty.
OLDER MAN
Miss?
Betty leans forward, grabs the coffee pot and moves in front
of him. Without taking her eyes from the TV, she pours the
java, which somehow lands in his cup without spilling a drop.
OLDER MAN
(cont'd)
Very impressive. That is very...
(turning to others)
Did anybody see that?
The LOCAL GUYS around him don't even bother to look up. Of
course, they've seen it before. Betty smiles.
3.
OLDER MAN
(cont'd)
Thank you. Could I bother you for a
little more...?
Before he can even finish, Betty is topping him off with
milk.
BETTY
Skim, right?
(tears open an Equal)
And half a pack, if I remember correct...
The older gentleman's mouth works a bit but nothing comes
out. He is flabbergasted by her attention to detail. She
looks at the younger man, who is still following the show and
gobbling down a huge bacon burger.
BETTY (cont'd)
You know, you're never too young to start
on a lean meat substitute...
(BEAT)
You wanna try some turkey bacon on that?
YOUNGER MAN
You want a tip when I'm through?
BETTY
It's your body...
Betty turns back to change pots. The older man watches her
intently as the younger of the two mumbles to himself.
YOUNGER MAN
(to himself)
That's right, so why don't you get up off
it...
OLDER MAN
Wesley...
(to Betty)
I've told him the same thing. Thanks for
the suggestion.
BETTY
No problem.
Betty flashes the men a winning smile and moves off, one eye
always on the TV as she approaches two local types.
SHERIFF ELDEN BALLARD, 32, a short, tightly wound little man,
sitting at his own booth. Ballard is spit and polish all the
way: creases in his shirt, a glossy shine on his shoes.
Badge proudly displayed. He sits with
4.
ROY OSTREY, 31, a gangly, bookish local reporter. Betty
drops five ketchup packets and four mayonnaise packets on the
table for him. Another smile.
ROY
Hi, Betty. You're looking good...
BETTY
Thanks, Roy, you're sweet... a big liar,
but sweet. I liked your editorial this
morning...
ROY
Oh, appreciate it. I was trying to, ahh,
give a sense of history to...
BALLARD
(interrupting)
Yeah, it was great. Really put the whole
idea of "church bake sales" in
perspective...
ROY
You know, Elden, some people actually
read more than just the Classifieds...
BALLARD
Why don't you go back to doing something
you're good at... like that Lonelyhearts
column?
(chuckles to himself)
I'll take a refill there, Betty...
His cup is full before he can even finish the sentence.
BETTY
Hey, Sheriff. How's everything?
BALLARD
Oh, you know, the usual... keeping the
world safe.
BETTY
... I meant your food.
BALLARD
Oh, right... 's fine. Thanks.
ROY
I thought you said the eggs weren't...
BALLARD
It's fine. Mind your own meal...
5.
ROY
You should get the order you want.
BALLARD
And you should keep your nose out of
another man's omelette...
(to Betty)
It's no big deal, Betty.
BETTY
There's yolks in there, huh? It's no
prob'... gotta keep you on track.
Betty grabs Ballard's plate without another word, gives him a
reassuring rub on the shoulders and moves off. He smiles
appreciatively after her, then turns on Roy.
BALLARD
Why you always gotta embarrass me? I
been eating lunch with you since grade
school and you always gotta embarrass me!
ROY
They're just eggs, Elden, how
embarrassing can eggs be?
BALLARD
... plenty
ROY
Who eats eggs for lunch, anyhow?
BALLARD
Mind your own business. You just said
that shit so you could look at her a
little longer, anyway...
Still carrying Ballard's plate, she returns to the counter.
BETTY
Come on, guys, I told you it's egg whites
only for the Sheriff...
(quietly)
... I put him in that 'zone' thing.
COOK #1
Well, it better be a pretty good size
zone if he's in it...
Betty and the cooks share a quick laugh. They move to change
his order while Betty glances up at the TV.
6.
4 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - RETURN TO TV SCREEN 4
Lonnie catches up to Blake in the corridor.
LONNIE
Blake, I can handle that transplant!
BLAKE
We need someone with the right kind of
experience, Lonnie.
LONNIE
Even if he's falling asleep on his feet?
BLAKE
Lonnie, it's a complex procedure. Why
don't you observe?
LONNIE
I'm not some snot-nosed resident fresh
out of medical school, Blake.
BLAKE
No, you're not. You're a good doctor,
Lonnie, but you're not David Ravell.
I've made my decision. Now, if you'll
excuse me ...
Blake exits. The camera moves in to hold on a CLOSEUP of
Lonnie's face as he simmers in anger. Music soars.
5 INT. TIP TOP DINER - DAY 5
Plates of food are piling up on the shelf in front of the
COOKS. One of them turns the TV off by remote.
BETTY
Hey! We were watching that!
COOK #1
The other girls've got orders up... we're
not one 'a them goddamn Nelson families,
y'know.
Betty snatches up several plates to help out. Ballard's food
appears with A CLATTER of porcelain.
BETTY
It's "Nielson"...
COOK #1
Yeah, well, we ain't one 'a them,
neither.
7.
(BEAT)
Go on now...
DARLENE
When you gonna get those things fixed,
anyhow?
COOK #1
When you all quit watching 'em for a
living...
Frustrated, Betty delivers several plates and drops them at
tables where the people know her by name. She moves off
toward FOUR LOCAL GUYS in a booth jangling their empty cups.
Betty weaves her way over to them and pours refills. When a
hand strays around to touch her ass, she pushes it away with
her foot and keeps right on pouring. Absently, Betty takes a
look around the restaurant. The other waitresses are gone
and no one is behind the grill. Alarmed, she pushes through
the double doors into the kitchen.
6 INT. TIP TOP DINER - KITCHEN - SAME TIME 6
THREE WAITRESSES, along with the DISHWASHER and TWO COOKS are
standing in a row waiting for her.
BETTY
... alright, I get it, no more TV.
Sorry.
No one moves, then DARLENE leads them in a huge SURPRISE!
They produce a life-size cardboard cut-out of Dr. David
Ravell, who looks dashing in his green hospital scrubs.
Betty backs up in disbelief.
BETTY (cont'd)
Oh my gosh, this is so embarrassing!
Where did you ever find this?
DARLENE
On the goddamn internet, where else?
BETTY
You're joking...
WAITRESS #1
... nope, got him at "T.V. Hunks with
Sweet Little Asses.Com."
WAITRESS #2
Seventy-five dollars...
COOK #1
... Seventy-eight fifty.
(everyone looks at him)
8.
Well, I paid for the damn thing, I oughta
know.
WAITRESS #2
C'mon, Betty! Pose with him!
Betty laughs and puts her arm around the cardboard man. A
flash photo is taken. A cupcake with a single candle is
placed in her hands.
DARLENE
One candle... uh-oh, you're getting up
there! Doesn't David like 'em young?
BETTY
I'm over the hill, what can I say?
Darlene gives Betty an envelope with cash showing.
WAITRESS #1
A little something for those nursing
classes you've been wanting to take...
DARLENE
... but keep putting off thanks to a
certain husband we won't mention...
BETTY
Oh, guys, you didn't have to do that!
DARLENE
So how you gonna celebrate? Del takin'
you into Wichita for a big fancy dinner?
The others laugh; they know better. So does Betty.
BETTY
Yeah, Dairy Queen, maybe... Oh, I should
probably call him. Thanks, you guys...
COOK #1
Alright, alright, come on... I'm not
running no bed & breakfast, we got
customers. Let's go...
Smiling, Betty grabs a wall phone as the others mingle about.
7 INT. SIZEMORE MOTORS - DEL'S OFFICE - DAY 7
The trailer/office of a small-time car dealership. As the
PHONE RINGS, the CAMERA PANS across pictures of DEL SIZEMORE,
35, dressed as Napoleon, Caesar and Abe Lincoln, arms raised
in a high-energy sales pitch.
9.
The PHONE RINGS again. We see a framed certificate of
achievement from General Motors, dated 1986.
After the THIRD RING an ANSWERING MACHINE clicks on. It's
loud.
ANSWERING MACHINE
(Del's voice)
Hello there! You've reached Sizemore
Motors, home of the best selection of
used General Motors cars in the Big
Springs - Fair Oaks area. We can't come
to the phone right now 'cause we're out
making a sale, so leave us a message;
better yet, come on down and steal one 'a
these beauties right out from under us!
Coffee's always on!
BETTY (V.O.)
Hi Del, it's me. I guess you're busy.
8 INT. SIZEMORE MOTORS - TRAILER/OFFICE - DAY 8
Del's very busy. He's on the rented sofa in the trailer's
lounge, screwing his secretary, JOYCE. But as he rocks the
couch, he's listening to Betty's message.
BETTY (V.O.)
I know you want the Oldsmobile back
tonight, so... I was wondering if I could
take one of the new Buicks.
Del pulls out and lurches across the room. He reaches for
the desk phone but misses, spilling down onto the carpet. He
gathers himself and his pants up in disgust, pawing around
the desktop until he finds the phone.
BETTY (V.O.)
(CONT'D)
So, call me when you--
DEL
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hang on a second
there, baby. Why do you need one of the
new Buicks?
BETTY (V.O.)
Oh, you're there. You sound out of
breath.
DEL
I ran back in to get the phone.
10.
The answering machine is on, so their VOICES are BOOMING. The
phone cord is stretched across the trailer as he tries to get
back to Joyce. He motions for her to join him but she
remains where she is, fuming.
BETTY (V.O.)
I don't need one, but it's kind of a
special night, and--
DEL
What's so special about it?
LONG PAUSE. Joyce looks at Del, incredulous. Then pissed off.
He signals to hold on.
BETTY (V.O.)
Sue Ann's taking me out and I thought it
might be fun to go in a nice car...
Joyce wriggles to a sitting position and begins to pull up
her panties. Del shoots her a look that says 'I'm not
finished yet!' They pantomime frantically back and forth
until Joyce throws him the finger and SLAMS out the door.
BETTY (V.O)
(CONT'D)
What was that?
DEL
Nothing... it's, ahh, busy here. Look,
you don't need a LeSabre to go out with
Sue Ann. Take the blue Corsica. I'll
see you when I get home.
He throws the phone onto the cradle, then bangs on a window
to get Joyce's attention as she fires up a smoke.
DEL (CONT'D)
(through the pane)
Shit! Joyce, open the damn gate, will
you?!
As Del zips up his pants Joyce trudges across the lot to
bring in the "Closed For Lunch" sign and open the gate. Del
silently studies the much nicer car lot next door for a
moment. He takes in the banners, the signs, etc.
DEL (cont'd)
... that's what we need, some goddamn
flags.
11.
9 INT. OFFICE/TRAILER - LATER 9
Betty enters the office. Joyce is on the phone. She looks
up, irritated, and says something under her breath to the
caller.
JOYCE
Uhh, no, we haven't picked a date yet...
well, once he dumps her we will.
(to Betty)
He's out pricing banners... I don't
expect him back.
BETTY
"Banners?"
JOYCE
You know, flags and shit... he said "for
a livelier look" or something.
Betty nods and swaps her car keys for a set Joyce gives her.
JOYCE (cont'd)
'S too bad about the LeSabres... they're
a really sweet ride.
As Joyce prattles on, Betty notices the Buick LeSabre keys on
a rack behind her. She sidles around Joyce, deftly removes a
set from the hook and drops them in her purse. She smiles
and starts to wave goodbye as Joyce puts her call on hold.
JOYCE (cont'd)
Need something else?
BETTY
No, I was just... How you doing?
JOYCE
Great. Good. Content...
BETTY
Oh. How come?
JOYCE
I dunno. Job satisfaction, I guess...
(BEAT)
How's things at the Tip Top?
BETTY
They're fine... you miss it?
JOYCE
You must be joking.
12.
BETTY
Hmm.
(BEAT)
So, Del get that car he sold you up and
running yet?
JOYCE
Oh, yeah, he's got things up and running,
alright...
BETTY
'Kay, good. Bye, then...
JOYCE
Uh-huh.
(back to phone)
Anyway, I'm thinking Easter, 'cause I
just fucking love pastels.
She whispers, then laughs loudly as Betty leaves.
10 EXT. SIZEMORE MOTORS - DAY 10
The cardboard doctor is standing next to Betty's Olds. She
thinks about leaving him, but picks him up and tosses him
into a blue Corsica. He lands with his face against the
passenger window.
She stands for a moment by the Corsica, dangling the LeSabre
keys before her eyes. Suddenly, she jumps inside the
Chevrolet and slams the door.
11 EXT. SIZEMORE MOTORS/TRAILER PARK - DAY 11
The blue Corsica leaves the parking lot and pulls onto the
street. The car makes an abrupt turn into a trailer park
directly behind the car lot and glides to a halt behind a row
of battered airstreams.
Betty gets outs of the Chevy and looks back: the handsome
face of Doctor David Ravell is staring at her from the car.
BETTY
Oh, Christ, what am I gonna do with you?
She goes back to pick him up, then starts off.
12 EXT. TRAILER PARK - SAME TIME 12
A row of cheap trailers on both sides of a crumbling
driveway. Betty appears with her cardboard man tucked under
one arm and then disappears behind a pickup truck.
13.
13 EXT. SIZEMORE MOTORS - SAME TIME 13
She tosses the cardboard "David" over a concrete slab wall,
climbs over herself and walks straight to the LeSabres. Her
key opens the last one - maroon. She puts the doctor on the
passenger seat, gets in the car and inhales the new car
smell.
Joyce can be seen inside the trailer, still talking on the
phone. She misses the whole scene as she works on her nails.
BETTY
We deserve this.
14 INT. LESABRE - DRIVING - DAY 14
Betty has the car at 75 m.p.h., on the rural Kansas roads,
wheat fields for miles on both sides of her. The RADIO is
blasting Bonnie Raitt and she's singing along.
She sees her speed and punches the accelerator ... 80 m.p.h.
... 85 ... 90 m.p.h. She turns the radio up louder.
When she approaches a sign saying "You are leaving Kansas"
Betty suddenly becomes self-conscious. She eases up on the
gas ... slows down ... does a U-turn and heads back toward
Fair Oaks. She glances wistfully in her rear view mirror at
the billboard that quickly fades into the distance.
15 EXT. BETTY'S NEIGHBORHOOD - LATER 15
Betty enters a modest residential neighborhood and pulls into
a driveway. She parks in a detached garage and looks over at
the cardboard David. There's no way he's going in the house.
She puts him in the trunk and closes the garage door.
16 EXT. SUE ANN'S HOUSE - SAME TIME 16
She walks several houses down. On her way to the door we
hear a DOG BARKING, CHILDREN and GENERAL COMMOTION from
inside. SUE ANN ROGERS answers Betty's knock. Her hair is
matted with sweat as she struggles with CHILDREN, ages 4, 3
and 6 months. Suddenly, Sue Ann is hit by an errant rubber
ball.
SUE ANN
Hey, darling... oww! Sorry, got my own
little Gulf War going on here.
Betty takes the baby as Sue Ann pulls a videotape from a
shelf. It's all one move; they do this every day.
14.
BETTY
Did you watch it yet?
SUE ANN
Sure did. I'll tell you, if that man was
any better looking it'd be a crime 'a
some sort...
BETTY
Yep. Hey, I got a surprise for tonight.
We're going to the Starlite in style!
SUE ANN
Oh, Betty--
BETTY
I'll give you a hint. If you scrunch up
your eyes a bit it looks just like a
Jaguar...
SUE ANN
Honey, I'm really sorry, I was gonna call
you about tonight. Larry's got a lodge
meeting. There's no way I can get a
sitter this fast.
BETTY
(disappointed)
No... what about your sister?
SUE ANN
I can't ask her again-- Nathan, stop it!
Jesse, don't take that, hit back!-- I
feel terrible, hon.
After a beat ...
BETTY
It's all right.
SUE ANN
You sure? Maybe next week we could...
BETTY
Uh-huh. No, we'll do it later. 'S only
a birthday, right? I'll have another one
next year...
Betty forces a smile, kisses the baby and hands it back to
Sue Ann, who hands her the videotape.
SUE ANN
Aahhh...
(BEAT)
So what color is it?
15.
BETTY
What?
SUE ANN
The LeSabre!
BETTY
Maroon.
(BEAT)
I stole it.
SUE ANN
What?
BETTY
He wasn't going to let us use it, so I
just took it.
SUE ANN
Oh, I wish we could just get in it and
drive, and drive, and drive!
BETTY
Yeah, me too.
SUE ANN
Sorry, hon. Happy Birthday...
BETTY
I gotta go make dinner.
Betty throws her a look as Sue Ann closes the door. Betty
turns around, frustrated. She starts yanking her apron off
as she crosses the street.
17 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DAY 17
A low-end ranch. A worn-out sofa and loveseat form an 'L'
that dominates the living room. Romance novels line a small
bookcase. SIX CANARIES in cages chatter away in the kitchen.
Del sits at the dining room table, agitated. He is presently
attacking a pork chop, baked beans and a loaf of Wonderbread.
All we hear is A FORK CLICKING and BIRDS CHIRPING. Betty
stands at the breakfast counter, barefoot, still in her
uniform and quietly eating a salad.
BETTY
Sure you don't want any salad?
DEL
No, I do not want any goddamn... what was
all that shit on the phone about the new
Buicks?
16.
BETTY
I told you. Sue Ann was gonna take me
out tonight, but...
DEL
She's not comfortable in a Corsica? 'S
got air and leather...
BETTY
I took the blue Corsica, Del. Relax.
DEL
All right, then. Actually, I'm glad
you're going out. I got something going
on tonight. Some serious clients, with
real potential.
Del BELCHES, smiles, then CLUCKS at the birds nearby.
BETTY
... like the water purifiers?
DEL
What?
BETTY
Or the vitamins? Or the...?
Del almost comes out of his chair, pointing his finger at
her.
DEL
Hey, the FDA screwed me on that when they
changed the law, and you know it!
(BEAT)
Anyway, 'least I try shit, still got some
dreams left... you're a goddamn waitress,
what do you got?
BETTY
I got you, Del...
DEL
... well, then you ain't got much.
BETTY
Oh, I know.
(BEAT)
So, who're these clients?
DEL
Couple 'a guys in from outta town. They
want to see the new LeSabres.
Betty hides her reaction.
17.
DEL (cont'd)
And I don't need Sue Ann's fat ass around
to fuck it up...
BETTY
Just knock it off, 'kay? Anyhow, they're
97's, they're not even new.
DEL
They're new to us...
Truce for a moment. Del plucks a copy of Soap Opera Guide
from Betty's purse while absently taking a bite from Betty's
cupcake. He narrowly misses the candle.
DEL (cont'd)
Jesus... you know these actors are mainly
models, which are mainly fags. They've
done studies. The rest're assholes. But
you know what bugs me most about these
soaps?
She silently mimics him as he says...
DEL (cont'd)
It's people with no lives watching other
people's fake lives.
BETTY
Yeah, I guess there's nothing like
watching those tenpins fall, huh, Del?
DEL
That is a skill!
Del lurches to his feet and crosses to the bird cages as the
canaries CHIRP and SING EXCITEDLY at his approach.
DEL (cont'd)
Daddy's here, babies... daddy's here.
(to Betty)
Be back later... clean up.
He exits. She collects his dirty dishes, puts them in the
sink and starts to wash them. Then she stops.
BETTY
What the hell am I doing?
She drops the dishes with a clatter, pours herself a glass of
wine, lights the candle on her deflowered cupcake and opens
the one card on the table.
CLOSE ON
18.
a traditional greeting from her grandparents. Red hearts and
lace. A color photo of them enclosed.
Betty smiles at this. After moment, she quietly sings a
quick refrain of "Happy Birthday" to herself.
18 INT. LONNIE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT (ON TV SCREEN) 18
Standing wrapped only in a towel, Lonnie speaks into the
phone.
LONNIE
Tell me something good, Sugar.
19 INT. CHLOE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT (ON TV SCREEN) 19
The beautiful nurse Chloe is curled up seductively on her
sofa with her phone in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
CHLOE
We're all set. I told him my car's in
the shop. He said he'd be happy to give
me a ride home.
LONNIE
(V.O.)
You're beautiful.
CHLOE
Tell me something I don't know...
Betty hits FAST FORWARD. Characters flit on and off the
screen at top speed until David Ravell appears.
20 INT. WOODED ROADSIDE - NIGHT (ON TV SCREEN) 20
Chloe's magnificent legs are folded into the seat of David's
560 SL. She struggles with her seatbelt, so he helps her.
She makes sure their hands touch.
CHLOE
Thanks for pulling over, David... I can't
go that fast without taking a breather.
DAVID
Sorry... it's nice to see what this
little beauty can do, though. I guess,
somehow, all that speed helps me forget
the past...
19.
CHLOE
I'm sure it does...
(touching the seats)
Mmm, leather. How far do they recline?
David smiles, a little uncomfortable.
CHLOE (cont'd)
Listen, David, I know I've said it
before, but I want to tell you again how
sorry I am about your wife.
(BEAT)
It must make you scared to get close to
someone again.
She puts her hand over his on the gear shift. A moment.
Finally, he has to move her fingers to start the car.
CHLOE (cont'd)
Let's not go... not yet.
BETTY sits on an old couch in the den and watches, eyes glued
to the screen. Suddenly, she hears the sound of TIRES ON
GRAVEL. HEADLIGHTS sweep across the window.
BETTY
Damn!
She hits PAUSE and crosses to look out.
21 EXT. BETTY'S HOUSE - NIGHT 21
Del gets out of a black Lincoln Town Car, followed by CHARLIE
and WESLEY - the guys in the team jackets from the diner.
Charlie is 63 years old. He wears a dress shirt, slacks and
docksiders. The suburban father look.
Wesley is 28. He's in jeans, T-shirt and white Reeboks. Clean
cut; the kid who used to mow your parents' lawn.
Betty quickly snaps out the light and closes the door until
it is open only a crack.
22 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - NIGHT 22
Del swaggers into the house. The two men follow politely.
DEL
... you can have the best damn running
backs in the world, somebody's still
gotta block for 'em.
20.
CHARLIE
You're a hundred percent right. They
rely on what's-his-name's arm too much...
Del stops and looks around, deflated by the mess.
The den is only a short flight of steps from the living room
and the kitchen. Betty has a clean view of both from where
she sits on the couch.
23 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DEN - NIGHT 23
She hears Del come in, but doesn't take her eyes off the TV
screen.
DEL (O.S.)
My apologies, gentlemen. I asked my wife
to straighten this shit up before she
went out.
23A INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 23A
Del crosses to an old stereo and puts on an LP. He smiles as
the music overtakes the room. Charlie and Wesley stand
nearby, appreciating the quaintness of the surroundings.
DEL
Now, what can I get you gentlemen to
drink?
Del crosses to the cupboard. Charlie and Wesley stand
leisurely in the living room.
CHARLIE
Bourbon, little water, thank you.
WESLEY
Beer, please.
DEL
You got it.
Wesley looks at a wedding portrait of Del and Betty.
WESLEY
Hey... you got a fine one right here!
CHARLIE
Wesley...
(to Del)
Your wife's a very lovely woman. Have I
seen her before?
21.
DEL
If you ate at the Tip Top you did.
CHARLIE
Oh, yes, with the coffee...
DEL
Yep, Betty pours a pretty mean cup.
Del reaches into the fridge and produces a Miller for Wesley,
then mixes two drinks and walks into the dining room and
Charlie and Wesley follow to the table and sit down.
CHARLIE
I like this. I like doing business in
the home. It's cozy...
(noticing the card and cupcake)
Who's birthday?
DEL
Ahh... my wife's.
WESLEY
What'd you get her?
DEL
Huh? Oh, umm, a car.
(BEAT)
So, to a successful transaction...
They raise their glasses and drink. Del tosses back his
drink in one gulp.
24 INT. DAVID'S CAR - WOODED ROADSIDE - (ON TV SCREEN) 24
Chloe is on top of David, kissing him on the mouth as he
resists. He finally has to push her away forcibly, and we
hear a TEARING SOUND. Chloe's blouse has been ripped.
DAVID
I'm sorry, Chloe.
She starts to cry. David reaches out to comfort her.
DAVID (cont'd)
It's not that I don't find you
attractive. I'm just not ready...
David looks up to find her lips on his. In spite of himself,
he gives in to the warmth of her kiss and responds hungrily.
Betty is mesmerized.
22.
25 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT 25
The men have retired into the dining room, sitting or
standing around a worn wooded table. Charlie and Wesley are
just finishing their drinks.
DEL
All right gentlemen, let's get down to
it. I need to know if you're for real.
CHARLIE
If we're for real?
DEL
You don't exactly look like drug dealers.
WESLEY
Isn't that the point?
DEL
Yeah, well, I don't have time to screw
around. I got buyers in Dallas, Houston
and Vegas who are ready to snap this
stuff up.
CHARLIE
We appreciate that. But you just poured
me a drink, I'd like to enjoy your
hospitality for a few minutes.
DEL
Fine. You got five...
CHARLIE
It's a nice place you got here. Real
comfortable. Sweet little town, Fair
Oaks. You like it here?
DEL
(laughs)
Are you kidding me? What's to like?
WESLEY
Seems like a nice place.
DEL
It is, if you like idiots...
CHARLIE
What do you mean?
DEL
It's a small town, man. I never should
have left Omaha. People here think
23.
small. They act small. They're a bunch
of dumb fucks.
WESLEY
Really?
DEL
You better believe it.
CHARLIE
Could you give us an example?
DEL
Of what?
CHARLIE
I'm asking you for an example of one of
these dumb fucks being a dumb fuck.
DEL
I don't follow...
CHARLIE
You're not a dumb fuck, are you, Del?
DEL
(warily)
No...
CHARLIE
I didn't think so. So, give me an
example of a stupid person doing a stupid
thing. Not being stupid, you're equipped
to recognize it.
DEL
Are we gonna do business here, or not?
WESLEY
Relax, we brought the cash.
CHARLIE
I'm just curious. Can't you give me an
example?
DEL
(annoyed)
All right ... lemme see ... okay, new
Burger King opens up. These assholes get
excited and start lining up. Like it's
some five star restaurant. The place is
mobbed. Right?
24.
CHARLIE
Hmmmm. "Five Stars," huh?
(BEAT)
Is that stupid, Wesley?
WESLEY
No, that's ignorant. They just don't
know any better.
CHARLIE
That's what I thought.
(to Del)
You better give me another example.
DEL
This is bullshit, can we get down to
business here, please?
Off a look from Charlie, Wesley produces a pistol and gently
nudges the barrel into Del's ear.
DEL (CONT'D)
Jesus Christ!
WESLEY
He's waiting...
DEL
Okay, uh... the, umm, Injuns're stupid.
WESLEY
"Injuns?"
CHARLIE
You did not just say "Injuns," Del.
DEL
The Indians, Injuns, whatever. They're
always drunk and doing stupid things.
CHARLIE
Like what?
DEL
Driving their cars into trees... puking
on the sidewalk... stupid shit!
CHARLIE
Let's see... around here that would be
Kiowa, Kickapoo or Osage, if I'm not
mistaken.
DEL
I... I don't know...
25.
CHARLIE
Well, my idea of stupid is very different
from yours.
(BEAT)
So here's how this is gonna work. Would
you take your socks off, please?
DEL
My socks?
WESLEY
You heard the man.
Del slowly takes his shoes and socks off. He's sweating,
trembling.
CHARLIE
I'm gonna talk to you and when I'm
finished, you can answer. But I don't
like being interrupted. Now roll them
into a ball...
Del does it.
DEL
Oh, Jesus, please... Please, God.
CHARLIE
... and put them in your mouth.
At a sharp look from Charlie, Del obediently stuffs the socks
into his mouth and starts to cry. Wesley produces a roll of
duct tape and fastens Del's hands to the back of his chair.
26 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DEN - NIGHT 26
Betty is glued to the TV, oblivious to the men. Chloe and
David are still talking in his car. She continues to cry.
DAVID
(V.O.)
You're wonderful, Chloe, you are... But I
just know there's something special out
there for me.
27 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT 27
CHARLIE
Now I'm gonna tell you what stupid is.
Stupid is taking something that doesn't
belong to you. Right Wesley?
26.
WESLEY
That's right.
CHARLIE
Stupid is trying to sell it to other
people who are, by their very nature,
untrustworthy.
WESLEY
That is so right.
CHARLIE
Stupid is calling people in Kansas City
who are affiliated with the rightful
owners of the thing you stole, and trying
to sell it to them. Right Wesley?
WESLEY
Now, that's really stupid.
CHARLIE
So you see, we have totally different
ideas of what's stupid and what's not.
Don't we?
Del nods; crying, sweating.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Good. Now we're getting somewhere. You
agree that you were stupid?
Del nods again. Wesley collects Charlie's glass and mixes
him another drink. He gets a beer for himself and stands
behind Del. Charlie sips his drink slowly, savoring it.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
You know, a hundred and fifty years ago
you'd have been scalped for that remark
about Native Americans. Right here where
your house is - you'd have been scalped.
WESLEY
Hell of a way to die.
CHARLIE
It wasn't always fatal, Wesley. We could
scalp Del right now, and he'd be plenty
alive to tell us how it feels.
Del's eyes get huge.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
It's pretty simple, too.
(BEAT)
27.
First you take a knife and just draw a
mark right across the hairline.
Wesley produces a long knife and traces a line across the
very top of Del's forehead. Trickles of blood wind their way
down his brow. Del is MOANING and PANTING through his socks.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Hold still, Del, we're just talking
here...
(pointing to a spot)
Then you grab a big handful of hair and
pull as you cut. It's amazing how easily
the scalp comes off.
WESLEY
A mark, huh?
Wesley takes a jab at Del's forehead with his knife, leaving
a small cut.
Del starts twitching, rocking back and forth as Wesley grabs
a fistful of his hair.
WESLEY (cont'd)
Shut the fuck up! I bleed more than that
when I shave...
Del stops moving. He breathes furiously through his nostrils.
CHARLIE
Now. I want to know the particulars of
your stupid act: how you got what
doesn't belong to you, who helped you get
it, and of course, where it is now.
Charlie pulls the socks out of Del's mouth. Del splutters,
gasping for air.
DEL
It's in the Buick! I swear to God it's
all there!
28 INT. BLAKE DANIELS' OFFICE - DAY (ON TV SCREEN) 28
David enters. Blake nods to him grimly.
DAVID
You wanted to see me, Blake?
BLAKE
I wish I could say I had good news.
(off David's look)
David, I'll get right to the point.
Chloe Jensen has filed charges of sexual
28.
assault against you.
(BEAT)
You can continue to practice at L.A.
County, but I'm afraid I have to revoke
your privileges here at Loma Vista until
this is resolved.
HOLD on David's shocked expression ... MUSIC UP AS
DEL (O.S.)
PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!
Betty's not sure what Del said, but the panic in his voice
got through. She hits PAUSE and takes a look.
29 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT 29
Del is facing her, tiny rivulets of blood running into his
terrified eyes. Wesley stands at his shoulder, still holding
a handful of his hair, still poised with the knife.
DEL
I got it from a truck driver named Duane
Cooley, out of Amarillo. He brings my
cars down from Detroit. But I haven't
touched it, I swear to you... Please!
Please! Please!
Annoyed, Charlie stuffs the socks back in Del's mouth.
Betty stares. Her gaze shifts from Del to Wesley, drawn by
Wesley's demonic expression.
CHARLIE
Consider yourself lucky. Luckier than
those 'Injuns' you have such contempt
for.
Wesley stares at the top of Del's head. Betty stares at
Wesley. Charlie walks into the kitchen for another drink.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
I'll tell you, if anyone got a raw deal
it's the American Indian. This country
has a black mark on its soul for what was
done to them.
Wesley's nostrils flare. Betty leans forward.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
I'm all for them owning casinos, getting
rich off the white man's greed. It's a
beautiful piece of irony, isn't it,
Wesley?
29.
WESLEY
IT SURE IS!!
And with a long SCREAM, Wesley rips Del's scalp from his
head. It makes a sickening sound like fabric tearing. For a
long moment, there is only silence. An eerie silence.
Suddenly, Del SCREAMS into his socks and thrashes in his
seat, blood pouring down his head on all sides.
Somehow, he manages to get to his feet, the chair still taped
to him, and begins smashing into whatever is near. Blood
flies and curios shatter as Del thunders through the room. A
dying bull, only messier. It's quite a show.
CHARLIE
JESUS CHRIST!!!
Wesley steps back, staring at the dripping scalp in his hand,
as if wondering how it got there. Betty is transfixed,
horrified.
Charlie re-enters. The two men look at each other over Del's
MUFFLED SCREAMS as he plows headlong into wooden paneling, a
china cabinet, and finally, back toward them near the
breakfast counter. Del bashes blindly into it.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
(to Wesley)
What the fuck is the matter with you?!
Wesley is practically foaming at the mouth, still rushing on
what he did. Charlie draws a silenced pistol and mercifully
SHOOTS Del through the head. The big man stops suddenly,
blinks once or twice, topples over.
30 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DEN - NIGHT 30
Betty points her remote at the dining room and clicks it, as
if trying to make the image disappear. Finally, she gives
up, slowly turning away from the carnage and aims at the TV.
"A Reason to Love" pauses on the face of David Ravell and
Betty sits in absolute silence.
31 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT 31
Charlie quickly begins to hide their tracks, producing a
plastic baggie and collecting the beer cans and his own
glass. He also wipes down the fridge as Wesley watches.
CHARLIE
Are you out of your mind? You scalped
him!
30.
WESLEY
You told me how to do it!
CHARLIE
That was to get him to talk!
(BEAT)
Get rid of that thing, will you?
Wesley crosses to the garbage can, steps on the lever. He
looks at the scalp one more time before dropping it in.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
This is great - just great! Now we don't
know where the goddamn stuff is.
WESLEY
He told us it's in the Buick.
CHARLIE
We don't know which Buick, do we?
WESLEY
Well, why'd you shoot him?
CHARLIE
I had to shoot him! It was the only
decent thing to do.
They exit the house.
CHARLIE (O.S.) (cont'd)
This is very unprofessional, Wesley.
32 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DEN - NIGHT 32
Betty is still in the family room, staring at the TV. She
pushes 'play' again and David Ravell begins to speak.
33 EXT. SUE ANN'S HOUSE - STREET - LATER 33
Sue Ann comes out of her house, balancing a homemade cake in
front of her. The candles give off an unearthly glow as she
picks her way up the Sizemore's gravel drive.
34 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DEN - SAME TIME 34
Betty is catatonic, staring at the frozen image of David
Ravell on her TV. Downstairs, Sue Ann comes in.
31.
SUE ANN
(O.S.)
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to
you! Happy Birthday, dear--
A terrified SCREAM as the cake lands unceremoniously on the
entryway.
ON BETTY
As she hits 'Play':
DAVID
... you're wonderful, Chloe, you are...
But I just know there's something special
out there for me.
35 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - FOYER - LATER THAT NIGHT 35
Roy enters the foyer and looks around, carrying a pad and pen
in hand. He hears VOICES from the kitchen, sees FLASHBULBS
going off. He sneaks down the hall when A VOICE stops him.
DEPUTY
Hang on there, Roy. Nobody comes in.
ROY
Elden called me. He wants to, ahh, make
a statement for the paper...
The deputy nods him through and Roy moves off toward the
sewing room where he has spotted Betty.
36 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - SEWING ROOM - SAME TIME 36
Betty is packing an overnight bag on her bed when Roy enters
and quietly closes the door behind him. She is working with
a purpose, almost like a different person from the woman we
first met. Still bright and cheerful, but with a willful
glint in her eye. Determined.
ROY
Hey, Betty. Are you okay?
BETTY
I'm great, good, content.
(stopping)
What happened to your arm, Roy?
ROY
Oh, nothing, it's fine. I just need to
keep it wrapped for a few...
32.
BETTY
Make sure it's elevated...
ROY
Uh-huh.
BETTY
You want me to make you a sling? It's no
problem...
Betty starts whipping a T-shirt into place but stops
abruptly. She turns curiously to Roy.
BETTY (cont'd)
What're you doing here, Roy?
ROY
Well, I was worried about you and I
wanted to make sure you were alright...
and I guess I was sort of hoping I could
ask you about what happened...
BETTY
Oh, that... Sure, I saw the whole thing.
It was disgusting!
ROY
My God... did you get a look at who did
it?
BETTY
Yes.
ROY
You did? Was it anyone that you...?
BETTY
It was Chloe...
Sheriff Ballard enters the house, surveys the scene of the
crime where one deputy wipes blood off his boot with a paper
towel, and erupts when he sees Roy.
BALLARD
Hey, you guys wanna try not stepping
directly in the evidence, please?
(to Roy)
Ostrey, you and your goddamn police
scanner! I leave for ten minutes and...
Betty, I'm sorry about this.
He motions to a female officer.
33.
BALLARD (cont'd)
Why don't you take her down to the
station? We'll be along in a bit...
She leads Betty out the kitchen door.
BETTY
'Night, guys...
37 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT 37
As Ballard leads Roy into the next room...
BALLARD
Okay, let's go... I got nothing for the
record yet.
ROY
Oww! My arm, careful!
BALLARD
Ahh, what'd you do now... fall off your
bike again?
ROY
No, it's nothing, I... my piranha just
mauled me a little when I layed their
food out.
BALLARD
Good God...they're meat eaters, Roy, just
drop the shit in there!
ROY
I can't...they prefer a more formal
presentation. I don't usually go so close
to the surface, but I was...
BALLARD
...you are so goddamn weird.
(BEAT)
Oh, and by the way, get the hell outta
here!
ROY
No, Elden, I need to...
BALLARD
You need to get yourself gone from my
crime scene. And leave Betty alone,
she's...
34.
ROY
She knows who killed Del. Elden, she
said it was a woman.
BALLARD
It wasn't a woman.
ROY
Yes it was. Betty saw the whole thing!
Your killer's name is Chloe...
BALLARD
I'm tellin' you it wasn't no woman, Roy!
38 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 38
Ballard drags Roy into the living room, where he sees Del.
He has been turned upright and is being carefully examined.
ROY
Jesus...
BALLARD
You think a woman did that?!
Roy runs into the kitchen, covering his mouth.
39 INT. BETTY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT 39
Ballard and his cronies delight in watching Roy struggle with
the dry heaves. Roy runs to the kitchen sink, almost loses
it, then wipes his mouth with a paper towel.
BALLARD
Kinda' looks like a burnt out roman
candle, don't he?
(BEAT)
Del must've sold a lemon to the wrong
Indian, and got paid back the old
fashioned way. Them Kickapoos get pretty
mean when they drink...
Roy sees Del's scalp in the garbage can as he goes to drop
his crumpled towel inside.
ROY
So, you think you're gonna find his scalp
hanging in some tepee?
BALLARD
They no longer live in tepees, Mr.
College Graduate.
35.
ROY
Did you send anyone out there?
BALLARD
You bet I did. I got a squad car on the
way to the reservation right now.
ROY
Bad idea ...
BALLARD
You just go write your little story, Roy.
I'll handle the police work...
ROY
You better handle what's in this garbage
can first.
40 EXT. SIZEMORE MOTORS - NIGHT 40
Every car on the lot has its trunk open and spare tire on the
ground behind it. Charlie and Wesley are at the last car.
WESLEY
I still don't understand how you knew Del
was telling the truth.
CHARLIE
I saw his soul Wesley. He was face to
face with his God, and no one lies in
that situation. But your Geronimo act
rattled me, and I abandoned my instincts.
(BEAT)
Never abandon you instincts.
WESLEY
I didn't. You gave me a look!
CHARLIE
What 'look'?
WESLEY
That one look you got! I thought you
were done, so I took him out...
CHARLIE
I wasn't done, I was just sick of hearing
him whine. And you didn't take him out,
you scalped him. Christ, I almost puked,
did I tell you that?
WESLEY
Well, why'd you have to tell that Indian
story?
36.
CHARLIE
What the hell does that mean? If I'd
told a Ty Cobb story would you have
clubbed him to death with a bat?
Wesley is stung. Charlie slams the last trunk in disgust.
The rest remain where they are; open.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
It's not here. Let's go.
WESLEY
You just gonna leave these cars sitting
here like this?
CHARLIE
Why not, it'll confuse 'em... gotta do
something, now that you fucked it up.
WESLEY
I wanted to make a statement.
CHARLIE
Let me tell you something. In our
business you can't put food on the table
if your phone doesn't ring. The guys who
get the calls are good - not flashy, just
good. They get in, they get out. Nobody
knows a goddamn thing. Understand?
Boom, boom, boom. Three in the head and
you know they're dead.
WESLEY
... that's a good motto.
CHARLIE
Fine, I'll get you a bumpersticker, but
you better start believing it! It's the
only statement you need to make.
41 INT. POLICE STATION / OBSERVATION ROOM - NIGHT 41
Betty is questioned in a holding room by a POLICE OFFICER and
a DOCTOR. Ballard and Roy watch through a window.
DOCTOR
And did your husband know these people?
BETTY
Sort of...but he ignored them.
DOCTOR
And how did that make you feel, Betty?
37.
BETTY
I felt all cold inside. And angry.
Ballard looks both ways to make sure he won't be overheard.
BALLARD
I questioned Joyce about all this...
ROY
Yeah?
BALLARD
Seems she was pretty familiar with 'ol
Del. On a regular basis, if you get my
drift...
ROY
... and half the other guys in this town.
Including you, I believe...
BALLARD
Junior year!
ROY
Anyway, so what?
BALLARD
So? ... Suppose Betty found out about
them?
ROY
You said a woman couldn't have done it.
BALLARD
A woman can write a check.
ROY
So you're saying Betty Sizemore - our
Betty Sizemore--who you were in swing
choir with--has now hired somebody to
scalp her husband in her own kitchen
while she watched? You're amazing.
BALLARD
'S just a theory...just 'cause I'm
thinking it don't mean I like it.
The doctor comes out of the holding room.
BALLARD (cont'd)
How is she?
38.
DOCTOR
She's in a kind of shock. I see all the
signs of a post-traumatic reaction with
possible dissociative symptoms.
BALLARD
Could I have that in American?
DOCTOR
It's a type of altered state...it allows
a traumatized person to continue
functioning.
BALLARD
So she did witness it?
ROY
Oh, you're sharp as a tack, Elden.
BALLARD
That's it! YOU'RE GONE!
He spins Roy around and marches him toward the door, one arm
bent behind his back.
ROY
Oww, the arm, the arm!
BALLARD
You just don't know when to quit, Roy!
You were jealous of me when I got hall
monitor in seventh grade, and you're
still jealous now!!!
ROY
One question, Doctor, please! (outside
the door) You can't do this! I'm the
press, I have rights!!
BALLARD
That's right, you have the right to
remain silent.
Ballard pushes Roy out the door. As he returns, Roy reappears
behind him, leaning in to listen. Ballard doesn't see him.
BALLARD (cont'd)
Sorry you had to see that. You were
saying?
DOCTOR
I was saying that it seems probable that
she witnessed the murder, but her memory
of it is gone, at least for the time
being. I also think you ought to have her
39.
stay with someone tonight.
(BEAT)
Any idea who Chloe or Lonnie are?
BALLARD
No... Friends from the diner maybe?
DOCTOR
Well, you should find out. She keeps
talking about them...
Ballard nods, sure he's got a clue here. He looks in at Betty
again, just as she begins repacking her travel bag. He
frowns at this, his suspicions fueled all the more.
42 EXT. SUE ANN'S HOUSE - NIGHT 42
A police car pulls up to Sue Ann's house. Betty gets out,
carrying her overnight bag. Sue Ann appears, embraces her
and leads her inside.
43 INT. SUE ANN'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - LATER 43
Betty lies down in a bright red race car bed. Sue Ann tucks
her in and turns out the light.
SUE ANN
Let me know if you need anything, okay?
BETTY
Are you and Larry happy?
SUE ANN
Oh, I dunno... enough, I s'pose.
BETTY
Then you should treasure that... you
gotta hold on to whatever you got that's
any good, even if it's only a little bit.
SUE ANN
All you been through... I ever tell you
what a good friend you are?
BETTY
All the time...
SUE ANN
Well, you are.
After a beat...
40.
BETTY
Something bad happened to Del and me,
didn't it?
SUE ANN
Yeah, hon. Real bad. You just get some
sleep, everything's gonna be fine.
BETTY
Sue Ann, I'm sorry about all this, but I
just know there's something special out
there for me...
Sue Ann looks down at her friend, troubled. She strokes
Betty's hair gently and kisses her. After she leaves, Betty
lies awake, staring at the ceiling. A mobile dangles
overhead.
LATER
The Mickey Mouse clock on the wall reads 3:30. Beneath it,
Betty is sitting up in bed, wide awake.
44 INT. SUE ANN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 44
Betty comes down the stairs without a sound. She finds a pen
and paper near the phone and writes a note.
INSERT: Dear Del:
This is the hardest thing I've ever done and I can't
even face you. But I need to be honest. We haven't
been happy for a long time. You always say people
need their space, and now you'll have some. I'm
sorry.
Betty
She takes off her wedding band and puts it on the table.
45 EXT. BETTY'S HOUSE/GARAGE - NIGHT 45
Betty raises the garage door, tosses her overnight bag and
birthday money envelope into the LeSabre, and gets in.
She drives through Fair Oaks, past the town limits. She
keeps on driving until her car recedes into the moonlit
prairie horizon.
41.
46 EXT./INT. LESABRE - DRIVING - NIGHT 46
She comes to a sudden halt in front of the "You are Leaving
Kansas" billboard. She stares hard at it through the
windshield. Suddenly, she hits the gas and bolts off along
the Oklahoma blacktop. She never looks back.
47 INT. BETTY'S LESABRE - THE NEXT DAY 47
Betty yawns, looks at her watch and increases her speed.
When she sees a sign for a MOTEL ahead, she pulls off the
highway.
48 EXT. TRUCK STOP/MOTEL - DAY 48
She parks at a truck stop/restaurant/motel complex, hops out
and runs to the motel office window.
49 INT. TRUCK STOP - MOTEL ROOM - DAY 49
Betty enters her room, immediately turns on the TV, and plops
down on the bed.
VOICE (V.O.)
And now we return to "A Reason to Love."
50 EXT. TRUCK STOP/MOTEL PARKING LOT - SAME TIME 50
A crowded truck stop in the Texas flatlands. THREE TRUCK
DRIVERS in jeans, flannel shirts and denim jackets walk
across the parking lot.
One is an old, grizzled veteran with a salt-and-pepper
stubble and a greasy CAT cap on his head. It's CHARLIE.
Next to him is DUANE, a burly young driver in fancy cowboy
boots. Flanking Duane is WESLEY.
WESLEY
So you got Asian women?
DUANE
(Southern accent)
Sure, I got Asian. Got black, white, any
color you like, video and magazine. Got
fat chicks and animals too, if you want
'em. They're extra...
CHARLIE
Mmmm. Well, it was a piece of luck
running into you, Duane. I thought I was
42.
gonna have to take Wesley out and hose
him down. All he talks about is those
Japanese gals.
WESLEY
I like 'em small. When you're inside a
little Asian chick, it's like your dick
is the axle that holds her body together.
DUANE
That's nicely put. You outta get
yourself to Thailand...
They reach Duane's truck, an empty car-carrier with Michigan
plates, and climb up into the cab.
51 INT. DUANE'S TRUCK - DAY 51
Two Confederate flags criss-cross over Duane's CB unit. On
the dashboard is a Rebel flag pin, a bumper sticker that says
"The South Will Rise Again" and a dozen country music tapes.
Duane gets in the sleeper cab, where stacks of porno tapes
and magazines reach the ceiling. Wesley takes the driver's
seat, Charlie, the passenger seat.
CHARLIE
What part of Dixie are you from, Duane?
DUANE
Georgia. In case I didn't tell you, it's
cash only, gentlemen.
WESLEY
We can live with that.
CHARLIE
I'm a Yankee, myself. Massachusetts.
Duane passes two videos to Wesley.
DUANE
Here's Ghengis Kunt and The Demilitarized
Zone. Get it?
(laughs)
They're Korean, so they're pretty hot.
CHARLIE
You know, it's interesting. The South
lost the Civil War, but they still seem
to get all the glory.
DUANE
Huh?
43.
CHARLIE
Jeb Stuart, Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson
Davis - they're all losers in my book.
Charlie smiles. Duane stops digging through the videotapes.
DUANE
The fuck you talking about?
CHARLIE
Even Robert E. Lee was a loser.
DUANE
(to Wesley)
He goin' crazy on us, or what?
CHARLIE
Did you know the most brutal, inhumane
prison of the entire war was in Georgia?
DUANE
Really. And where was that, old man?
CHARLIE
Andersonville.
(BEAT)
They did horrible things to men there...
52 INT. CHLOE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - (ON TV SCREEN) 52
Chloe is curled up on her white leather sofa, cowering as
Lonnie hovers over her accusingly.
LONNIE
I think you better tell me what's going
on here, Chloe.
CHLOE
I just feel... funny about what we did.
LONNIE
(laughs)
You feel guilty? Let me remind you of
something, sweetheart. You're in this up
to those fabulous eyes of yours.
Understand?
The camera holds on her face for a melodramatic beat ...
Chloe's trapped, and she knows it.
PULL BACK to reveal Betty lying on the bed in her motel room,
out cold.
44.
53 INT. DUANE'S TRUCK - LATER 53
The flag poles over the CB unit are bare. Duane is in the
sleeper cab, his forearms bound to his thighs with duct tape.
A telltale piece of Confederate red fabric hangs out of his
mouth. There is a purplish bruise on his forehead. He's
quiet, but glowering at his captors.
CHARLIE
... So, at a rest stop outside Logansport
you noticed that two guys were slipping
something extra in one of your cars, and
you decided to see what it was. Then you
figured you'd take this valuable
commodity and go into business yourself,
even though it didn't belong to you. But
you needed a crackerjack salesman to move
it, so you made the biggest mistake of
your short life and chose Del. Sound
right so far?
Duane nods.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Del's dead, by the way. I sent him to
the Great Beyond.
WESLEY
Actually, I scalped him, and then you
killed him.
Duane narrows his eyes in disbelief.
CHARLIE
Exactly.
(BEAT)
Now, the one thing I don't get is that we
checked all the Buicks on that lot. Four
'97 LeSabres and nothing in 'em.
Duane smiles mockingly.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Ohhh ... There weren't four, were there?
Charlie reaches up above the visor and pulls down a rumpled
manifest. He leafs through it.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
There were five, damn it! I should have
known!! Goddamn...
(BEAT)
So, what happened to the fifth car?
45.
Duane shrugs his shoulders.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
You know you're going to die, don't you,
Duane?
(Duane nods)
And you really don't know where that
other LeSabre is, do you?
Duane shakes his head. Charlie sighs, resigned.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
He's telling the truth. He doesn't know.
WESLEY
Should I kill him now?
CHARLIE
Wait. Any last words, General Lee?
Duane nods emphatically. Wesley pulls the Confederate flags
out of his mouth.
DUANE
Suck my dick, you Yankee piece of shit.
He spits in Wesley's face. Charlie has to restrain Wesley.
CHARLIE
God, I admire that. Ya see that, Wesley?
That's why they get all the glory.
Charlie climbs down from the big rig and heads across the
parking lot. The Town Car is parked near the adjacent motel,
just a few spaces away from Betty's LeSabre.
With a furious calm Wesley wipes his face, then takes out a
can of lighter fluid, sets it on the dash and looks at Duane.
WESLEY
...why'd you spit on me?
54 EXT. TRUCK STOP/MOTEL PARKING LOT - DUSK 54
Charlie pulls the Town Car alongside Duane's rig and drums
the steering wheel impatiently. It begins to rain. There
are flashes of LIGHTNING in the distance.
CHARLIE
Come on, Wesley, three shots.
A FLASH OF ORANGE FLAME ignites inside Duane's cab. Charlie
sighs. Finally, THREE DULL THUDS reverberate from inside.
Wesley climbs down clutching a videotape and gets in the car.
46.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
What the hell was that, another
statement?
WESLEY
Well, no one ever spit in my face before.
Especially some cracker fuck.
CHARLIE
You have to rise above it. The
professionals rise above that kind of
thing...
As they drive away FLAMES are beginning to dance inside the
cab.
55 INT. TRUCK STOP/MOTEL ROOM - EVENING 55
The FLICKERING LIGHT of the TV screen is the only light.
Betty lies asleep on the bed. The NEWS comes on and she
starts to stir as ...
NEWSCASTER
... small town of Fair Oaks ... has left
people shaken ... owner-manager of
Sizemore Motors ...
Betty sits up. On the TV screen is a shot of Del as Julius
Caesar from one of his commercials.
NEWSCASTER
(cont'd)
... police are still investigating.
She blinks at the screen, confused, as the next story comes
on. Betty reaches for the phone.
56 INT. POLICE STATION - EVENING 56
Ballard is doing paperwork. Roy is asleep on a nearby bench.
A DEPUTY picks up a ringing phone and hands it to Ballard.
DEPUTY
Sheriff, it's Betty Sizemore, on two!
BALLARD
SHHH!... (Whispering) BETTY? WHERE ARE
YOU?
47.
57 INT. TRUCK STOP/MOTEL ROOM - ON BETTY 57
BETTY
I'm in a motel. Has something happened
to Del? Did he do something stupid?
BALLARD (V.O.)
BETTY, I NEED TO TALK TO YOU...IN PERSON!
WHERE'RE YOU AT?
BETTY
IF THIS IS ABOUT DEL, FORGET IT! I'M NOT
COMING BACK!
BALLARD (V.O.)
GODAMMIT, BETTY! ... WHO'S CHLOE?
BETTY
I'M THROUGH TALKING NOW! GOODBYE!
She hangs up. HEADLIGHTS sweep across the curtains, startling
her.
58 INT. BETTY'S LESABRE - MOVING - DAY 58
Betty crosses the border from Texas into New Mexico. She
grips the wheel intently, driving for all she's worth.
59 OMIT 59
60 EXT. FAIR OAKS TRAILER PARK - LATE AFTERNOON 60
Betty's blue Corsica sits surrounded by yellow police tape.
Half a dozen COPS mill around. To one side are several
REPORTERS and PHOTOGRAPHERS, Roy included. A FEW RESIDENTS
mill around in the background.
A stack of pictures of Betty sit on a makeshift table.
REPORTER #1
Who witnessed Ms. Sizemore driving here?
BALLARD
The Assistant Manager, Mr. Wylie.
REPORTER #2
But he couldn't identify the male
passenger?
48.
BALLARD
Only to say he was wearing green.
ROY
What if the killers didn't see her? You
published her picture - you're gonna get
her killed!
BALLARD
No, we're bringing the community into the
effort to find her.
ROY
You're lying!
BALLARD
I spoke to Betty Sizemore yesterday.
(the reporters hush)
That's right. There's no doubt in my
mind, folks... she's on the run. Whether
or not she's mixed up in all this remains
to be seen...
ROY
That's bullshit, Sheriff! You think
she's a suspect!
BALLARD
I'd like to apologize for our local boy.
He's been in love with Betty since the
fifth grade, y'see. He means well, but
he's in over his head on this.
61 INT. TIP TOP DINER - NEXT MORNING 61
CLOSE SHOT of a headline in the Wichita Eagle: "EYE WITNESS
TO BRUTAL MURDER MISSING" over a picture of Betty. Charlie is
one of MANY CUSTOMERS reading a copy. Wesley is plowing
through a stack of pancakes.
WESLEY
So how do we know that car's still in
Fair Oaks?
CHARLIE
We don't. But a '97 Le Sabre'll be easy
to find if it's here, town this size...
(BEAT)
He said he gave his wife some car as a
gift, remember?
Charlie turns the page for emphasis and studies Betty's
features.
49.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
This is bad, Wesley. Very, very bad.
Wesley happily adds three strips of bacon brought by A
WAITRESS, who wears a button with the word "Missing" over
Betty's face.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
... extremely bad.
Wesley finally looks up, directly at the picture of Betty.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Did you hear what I said?
Wesley nods, his mouth stuffed with food.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Maybe you don't appreciate the gravity of
this situation. It's bad enough that we
don't have what we came here for. It's
worse that we don't know where it is. And
now this.
(points at the headline)
This was supposed to be my last job. I
already put the deposit down on my boat.
(BEAT)
How can you eat at a time like this? I
get nauseous just watching you...
WESLEY
I can eat because I know we didn't kidnap
that woman. I can eat because they
aren't looking for us. And I can eat
'cause I'm fucking hungry...
(off Charlie's look)
... relax. She's gonna end up on a milk
carton and that's about it.
CHARLIE
I hope you're right...
WESLEY
... I know I am. Let's just do what we
gotta do here, and get the fuck gone.
They sit for a moment in silence. Wesley swallowing without
chewing and Charlie studying Betty's photo.
CHARLIE
She got out of town awfully fast. And
wasn't she quiet in that house? I think
most women would have screamed, don't
you? I know they would've...
(BEAT)
50.
We could be dealing with a cunning,
ruthless woman...
62 INT./EXT. SUE ANN'S HOUSE - DAY 62
Sue Ann opens her front door to find Wesley standing before
her. It's a new Wesley: glasses, conservative suit, and a
convincingly humble manner.
WESLEY
Mrs. Rogers? I'm Dwight Campbell, with
Neighborly Life Insurance. I'm looking
for Betty Sizemore.
SUE ANN
I wish I could help you, but I can't.
Wesley is hit by a flying action figure. He doesn't flinch.
Kids run by.
WESLEY
Aren't they precious?
(BEAT)
Ma'am, she has a substantial death
benefit coming to her from the tragic
loss of her husband. Does she have any
relatives in the area?
SUE ANN
No.
(BEAT)
Well, her grandparents are down in
Oklahoma, but that's it...
WESLEY
I see. And are you in touch with Mrs.
Sizemore?
SUE ANN
No. But I'm taping her show every day so
she can watch it when she comes back.
WESLEY
Her show?
SUE ANN
"A Reason to Love."
Wesley's eyes light up. He can't help himself.
WESLEY
I see.
(BEAT)
Did Chloe testify?
51.
SUE ANN
(reassuring)
I don't think she will. She's a slut, but
I just don't think she's that mean.
Jasmine'll bring her around...
WESLEY
Jasmine... Do you have yesterday's show
on tape, by any chance?
Sue Ann holds the door open, smiling, and Wesley enters.
63 INT. TIP TOP DINER - KANSAS - DAY 63
Charlie nurses a cup of coffee at the counter while talking
to Darlene. His Federal Marshall's badge rests on the
counter. Shehands him two photos of Betty taken at her
birthday celebration. In one she's holding the cardboard
David Ravell. The other, a closeup shot.
CHARLIE
... and how long did she work here?
DARLENE
Oh, five years, give or take.
CHARLIE
Hmm... you two in high school together?
DARLENE
Aren't you a sweetheart... no, not quite.
Anyway, she's been with us awhile.
CHARLIE
But she wanted more out of life, right?
DARLENE
No... she just wanted something outta
life. Anything. And with Del, she
wasn't getting nothing. That's her
husband, Del. I'm sorry about what
happened and all, but that's the way I
feel about all of this...
CHARLIE
I see.
(holding up photos)
May I?
DARLENE
If it helps bring her back, be my
guest...
52.
CHARLIE
Thank you for your cooperation.
(BEAT)
Just one more thing... did she ever talk
about getting rich?
DARLENE
... who doesn't?
Darlene tries to smile and returns to the kitchen. Charlie
studies the snapshots, comparing them.
64 INT. APARTMENT/BEDROOM - DAY 64
Wesley is in bed on top of Joyce, humping her slowly.
WESLEY
... and what kind of car does she drive?
JOYCE
Well, she wanted a LeSabre, but Del made
her use that blue Corsica...
(BEAT)
So, is this what you boys'd call 'pumping
me for information?'
Joyce GIGGLES as Wesley stops moving.
WESLEY
Did you say LeSabre?
JOYCE
Look, she didn't kill Del over no car if
that's what you're thinking.
WESLEY
But she could have taken one, right?
With her knees, Joyce prods him into humping her again.
JOYCE
Maybe, but I don't think she had the
nerve. I know her. And I'm a pretty good
judge of character...
Joyce reaches for a cigarette on the nightstand and takes a
deep drag. Wesley closes his eyes and turns away, offended.
WESLEY
... yeah, I can see that.
53.
65 EXT. DESERT ROAD - WILLIAMS, ARIZONA - DAY 65
Betty drives along a lonely stretch of highway that slowly
reveals a desert town in the distance.
66 INT. CANYON RANCH BAR - DAY 66
Big ol' place. Lots of wood and red leather. Betty rushes
in as the clock on the wall reads 2:58. The Town Drunk,
MERLE, is alone at the bar watching "Bass Masters" on a huge
TV screen. In front of him is a remote control. A FEW
OTHERS at tables.
Betty sidles up to the bar and sits down. She looks at
Merle, at the clock, at the remote.
BETTY
Would you mind very much if I changed the
channel at three o'clock?
MERLE
Yes.
He BURPS, then finally looks at her with bleary eyes.
BETTY
Please? It's very important to me. "A
Reason to Love" comes on at three around
here.
He ignores her. Betty puts her wallet on the bar.
BETTY (cont'd)
I'll give you money.
Merle SLAMS his hand down on the bar, scaring her.
MERLE
ARE YOU DEAF?!!
It's 3:01. ELLEN DRABER, 40's, appears behind the bar, looks
at the clock and takes the remote from Merle. She changes
the channel to "A Reason to Love" as the opening titles end.
Betty can't believe it. Merle smiles at her wickedly.
MERLE (cont'd)
Please keep it down, it's time for "A
Reason to Love..."
54.
BETTY
That's real funny. Why don't you have
another drink?
ELLEN
What's the matter here?
BETTY
I begged him to let me put that on!
ELLEN
He's a prick. Merle?... You're a prick.
MERLE grunts in reply. Ellen turns back to Betty.
ELLEN (CONT'D)
So you're into "Reason," too? Finally,
someone civilized! I'm Ellen, what can I
get you?
BETTY
Hi, I'm Betty. I'll take a Miller, if
you got it...
67 INT. CHLOE'S APARTMENT - DAY (ON TV SCREEN) 67
Chloe paces in front of her white sofa, a matching white
telephone in her hand. She looks worried.
ELLEN (O.S.)
What's that bitch up to now?
We hear the BEEP TONE of an answering machine.
CHLOE
Lonnie? It's Chloe. We need to talk ...
I don't think I can go through with this.
She hangs up. The camera stays on her for a melodramatic
beat of introspection as we GO TO COMMERCIAL.
68 INT. CANYON RANCH BAR - RETURN TO BAR 68
BETTY
Do you have a phone?
Ellen swings a phone up onto the bar.
ELLEN
If it's long distance you can leave me a
buck when you're done.
Betty dials ...
55.
BETTY
Sue Ann? It's Betty. I just wanted to
let you know I'm okay ... Huh? I'm at
the Canyon Ranch Bar in ...
(looks at Ellen)
MERLE
Phoenix...
ELLEN
Shut up, Merle... Williams.
BETTY
Williams, Arizona. About halfway there,
I guess.
69 INT. SUE ANN'S HOUSE - DAY 69
Sue Ann is in her kitchen, ignoring the pleas of all three
children.
SUE ANN
Halfway where? You've gotta come home.
We've been worried sick about you. Are
you alright?
BETTY (V.O.)
Sue Ann, I thought you of all people
would back me up on this, you know what
Del's like. How did he take my note?
SUE ANN
Betty, honey, listen to me. A man came
by from Mutual Life Insurance. He says
you've got money comin' to you from Del's
policy.
(BEAT)
Del's life insurance policy-- Are you
with me?
BETTY (V.O.)
What are you talking about?
70 INT. CANYON RANCH BAR - DAY 70
"A REASON TO LOVE" comes back on the TV.
BETTY
Tell Del I'm sorry. I left so quick, but
I need to do this.
SUE ANN (V.O.)
Do what?
56.
BETTY
I gotta go.
SUE ANN (V.O.)
Betty! Listen to me! Del is ...
Betty hangs up.
71 INT. COCKTAIL LOUNGE - NIGHT (ON TV SCREEN) 71
David is at a bar staring into his drink. Lonnie is with him.
LONNIE
How you holding up, amigo?
DAVID
I just wish I knew why she's doing it.
LONNIE
Yeah. Women are an unsolved mystery.
ELLEN (O.S.)
If that little weasel ever walked in here
I wouldn't serve him.
BETTY (O.S.)
I'd slap his face.
ELLEN (O.S.)
I'd kick him in the nuts, if I thought he
had any.
DISSOLVE TO:
72 INT. CANYON RANCH BAR - LATER 72
There are two empty beer bottles in front of Betty. The THEME
MUSIC and CLOSING CREDITS of "A Reason to Love" are playing.
Betty pushes the phone back across the bar.
ELLEN
Where you headed, Betty?
BETTY
Los Angeles, California.
ELLEN
And you called your friend, and she's
telling you not to go?
(Betty nods)
When I went to Europe my friends told me
I was crazy.
57.
BETTY
Europe? The Europe?
(laughs)
This is my first time out of Kansas.
ELLEN
I should call you Dorothy.
(BEAT)
When I left here I went straight to
Italy. Everybody told me not to go. But
I wanted to go to Rome ever since I saw
Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday," and
goddamnit, I went.
BETTY
Did you love it?
ELLEN
Sure I loved it! It was great.
Ellen rinses a few glasses as she talks to Betty.
ELLEN (CONT'D)
Let me tell you something. I got groped
by these Tunisian guys who thought I was
a slut for wearing shorts, it was hotter
than stink the whole time, and I got some
kind of weird gum disease from the water.
Plus, it ended my marriage--
BETTY
That's horrible!
ELLEN
No, he was a toad. Even more of a toad
than Merle... I just wear the ring to
keep the flies away. Rome was the best
thing I ever did, because I DID IT! And
I swear to you, it changed me. I've been
to Rome, Italy! I sat every morning at
the Cafe Sistina and had my cappuccino,
and watched the pilgrims walk to mass,
and no one can ever take that away from
me.
Betty leans across the bar conspiratorially. She looks at
Merle to make sure he won't hear her.
BETTY
I left my husband two days ago.
ELLEN
Really?
58.
BETTY
I'm getting back with my ex-fianc. He
proposed to me right around here, so I
guess this is just sort of a sentimental
stop...
ELLEN
Wait, I thought you said you'd never been
outta Kansas...
BETTY
Oh. I mean, except for that.
(BEAT)
Yep. I'm trading in a car dealer for a
heart specialist, so that's pretty
good...
ELLEN
Nice move. Cedars Sinai?
BETTY
No. Loma Vista.
ELLEN
(laughs)
I s'pose his name's David Ravell.
BETTY
(truly shocked)
How did you know?
ELLEN
What's his real name?
BETTY
Dr. David Ravell.
ELLEN
You mean... George McCord, the actor?
BETTY
No, I mean David Ravell. He's a surgeon.
Ellen looks at Betty.
ELLEN
Yeah, I know, we just watched him
together, remember? Up there on the TV.
(off Betty's earnest look)
Good God Almighty ... You're serious.
I've heard about people like you.
Ellen whistles, wipes the bar down to buy a few seconds.
Merle looks over at Betty, then catches Ellen's eye.
59.
ELLEN (CONT'D)
Piss off, Merle.
(to Betty)
So how you gonna find him, Betty?
BETTY
I'll go to the Hospital.
ELLEN
What if you can't find him? What if you
get out there, and nothing's the way you
thought it was gonna be?
BETTY
Like Rome?
ELLEN
Worse.
BETTY
You made out alright.
ELLEN
Yeah, but at least I knew Rome was gonna
be there when I arrived...
Ellen walks to the end of the bar and starts rinsing glasses.
After a beat, Betty gets up and moves down close to her.
BETTY
Ellen, this is the biggest thing I've
ever done, but I've gotta do it.
ELLEN
You take care of yourself then, Betty,
and don't let anybody stop you...
BETTY
To tell you the truth, I can't believe
I've made it this far. It may not be
Europe, but I just know there's something
special out there for me...
Ellen looks into Betty's eyes - sees the innocence, the hope
and enthusiasm - and has to look away. Betty takes it as her
cue to leave. She smiles, puts two dollars on the bar near
the phone and leaves. Ellen stands perfectly still, watching
the door.
MERLE
What planet is she from?
60.
73 INT. BETTY'S LESABRE - GRAND CANYON - MOVING - DAY 73
Betty approaches the GRAND CANYON, driving slowly along the
South Rim, searching for a specific spot. Finally, she pulls
over abruptly. This is it. We can tell by the joy in her
expression.
74 EXT. GRAND CANYON - DAY 74
Betty walks to the rail and gazes out at the canyon. Turning
her head slowly, as if expecting it, she sees DAVID RAVELL
leaning on the rail about twenty feet away, clutching a
bouquet of roses.
Betty starts toward him... he starts toward her... A magic
moment... Shattered when a black sedan appears, inching its
way along. She freezes. David vanishes, and ...
An ELDERLY MAN helps his wife out of the car and snaps her
picture in front of the canyon. Betty moves away.
75 INT. LINCOLN TOWN CAR - KANSAS - MOVING - NIGHT 75
Charlie and Wesley drive across Kansas farm country.
CHARLIE
So she gets rid of the asshole and is set
for life in the same day.
WESLEY
You think so? Joyce says she's timid.
CHARLIE
Joyce was screwing Del.
WESLEY
... among others.
CHARLIE
I'd say that about torches her
credibility, wouldn't you?
WESLEY
Yeah, well, if the wife's trying to sell
it she'll fuck up. She's an amateur,
just like Del was.
The CAR PHONE RINGS. Charlie answers.
61.
CHARLIE
Maybe...
(into phone)
Yes?
SUE ANN (V.O.)
Is this Neighborly Life Insurance?
CHARLIE
Sorry, you've got the wrong number.
He hangs up.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
No, I see Betty as a Midwestern Stoic
type. Ice water in her veins. A clear
thinker. Probably a Swede or a Finn.
WESLEY
A 'Finn?' What is a Finn?
CHARLIE
You should read more. Listen to me. I
think this woman was waiting for a chance
to do this, and we gave it to her. She
kept to herself for years, living with a
pompous asshole. Then she sees her
opportunity, and BOOM! - she leaves that
little mudpatch in the dust. These
heartlanders can't figure it out, 'cause
that's not their sweet little Betty.
Hah! We've been tracking her for, what,
three days and I already understand her
better'n most the people in that shitty
little burg.
Charlie pulls out the close-up photo and studies it.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Betty, Betty, Betty...
WESLEY
So what the fuck's a Finn?
CHARLIE
Oh, for Chrissakes. It just means the
kind of person who can eat shit for a
long time without complaining, then cut
their momma's throat and go dancing the
same night.
WESLEY
Like... us?
62.
CHARLIE
No,... like a worthy adversary, Wesley.
Like a very worthy adversary.
76 OMIT 76
76A INT. ROY'S APARTMENT - DAY 76A
Roy approaches his fish tank cautiously. He leans down and
looks at the piranha as a TV commercial ends and "A Reason to
Love" comes on.
He then returns to his computer, struggling to find the right
words and to type them with only one hand. He types a
little, stares at the screen, then deletes an entire sentence
one character at a time, hammering on the 'Delete' key. He
glances up at the television as the words 'Chloe' and
'Lonnie' are repeated.
77 INT. POLICE STATION - BALLARD'S OFFICE - THE NEXT DAY 77
Roy and Sue Ann go straight to Ballard's office, where they
find him at his desk eating lunch out of tupperware
containers. He wears a napkin tucked into his shirt-top.
BALLARD
What the hell do you want?... Hey, Sue
Ann, what's up?
ROY
We think we know where Betty is.
BALLARD
Ah, shit... Do I have to hear this now?
SUE ANN
What's with the tupperware, Elden, did
Meredith run outta baggies?
BALLARD
No reason to get a plate dirty.
ROY
I see you're sticking to the diet Betty
put you on...
BALLARD
Worry about your own goddamn lunch!
ROY
(excited; to Sue Ann)
Tell him what you told me.
63.
SUE ANN
Betty is a big, big fan of the soap
opera, "A Reason to Love." Look...
She tosses a copy of "Soap Opera Digest" on the desk. Ballard
ignores it and keeps eating.
BALLARD
Why do I need to see this? Did he ask
you to...?
ROY
Listen! I saw 'Chloe' and 'Lonnie' on
T.V. They're television characters.
SUE ANN
Betty's in love with Dr. David Ravell,
from the show. What if she's out in Los
Angeles looking for him? The actor, I
mean...
BALLARD
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
ROY
Yeah? Well, she called Sue Ann yesterday
from Arizona.
BALLARD
She said she was in Arizona, did she?
ROY & SUE ANN
Yes!!
BALLARD
You people are even more stupid than I
thought. The woman's on the run and
she's gonna just phone in her location?
SUE ANN
Come on, Elden, she's not on the run.
Couldn't you at least call the Los
Angeles Police Department?
ROY
You gotta do that much.
BALLARD
Hey, I'm the law. I don't gotta do
nothing...
64.
78 EXT. FARMHOUSE - OKLAHOMA - DAY 78
The Lincoln pulls into the dusty, overgrown driveway and
front yard of a derelict farm.
79 INT. FARMHOUSE / KITCHEN - DAY 79
The remains of pie and coffee on the table, Charlie and
Wesley kick back with JERROLD BLAINE and his wife ELIZABETH,
both in their 80's. Photos of Betty at various ages lie
scattered in front of them.
Charlie holds up a picture of a young Betty in ballerina
costume posing at the barre. He studies it intently.
ELIZABETH
This is Betty at twelve.
CHARLIE
Very graceful. Perfect form.
ELIZABETH
Betty was a lovely child.
JERROLD
And she always had such spirit! But,
after her mother died...
WESLEY
Would you say she was ambitious?
JERROLD
Oh, there's no tellin' what that girl
could've accomplished, and she never had
it easy. Never really had a childhood...
caring for her father, going to school.
Charlie admires a photo of Betty, around 18 years old. He
continues to rummage through a box of collectibles, pocketing
a small child's diary when it is convenient.
CHARLIE
Wise beyond her years, I'm sure, and such
poise, too.
(quietly)
Very, very impressive...
WESLEY
Well, then, did you ever get any
indication that she wanted to leave her
husband?
65.
ELIZABETH
I don't like talking bad about the dead,
but now that he's gone I can tell you she
put up with things in that marriage I
wouldn't have. And yes, she, of all
people, was the one who defended him.
And that's why what that sheriff said
makes me so angry.
CHARLIE
What do you mean?
ELIZABETH
If anyone had paid to have that husband
of hers killed, it would have been me.
CHARLIE
(taking her hand)
Mrs. Blaine? I can tell you right now,
without a doubt, that your granddaughter
is alive, and did not kill Del Sizemore.
JERROLD
You've got to be missing a piece of your
soul to kill someone. That's not our
Betty...
WESLEY
(defensive)
... why do you think you have to be
missing a piece of your soul to kill
somebody?
JERROLD
Because it ain't natural, young man.
WESLEY
What are you talking about? Killing's
totally natural. It's dying that isn't
natural...
CHARLIE
(covering)
My partner's still young, Mr. Blaine, and
he loves his job.
(laughs)
He'd like to kill all the criminals
himself!
(BEAT)
Now, if Betty was running from someone,
where do you think she'd go?
80-82 OMIT 80-82
66.
83 INT. BETTY'S LESABRE/ EXT. COUNTY USC HOSPITAL - MOVING -83
AFTERNOON
Betty drives through Boyle Heights - East L.A., holding a map
and checking street signs. She is wearing a brand new
Nurse's uniform. Up ahead, she sees the hillside complex of
L.A. County/USC Hospital. Hurriedly, she pulls over and
checks herself in the visor mirror. She is underwhelmed.
BETTY
God... I still look like a waitress.
84 INT. HOSPITAL - CHIEF NURSE'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON 84
The CHIEF NURSE, a large, dynamic woman in her 50's, faces
Betty across her desk.
CHIEF NURSE
Of course, I don't know every doctor who
works here...
BETTY
Dr. Ravell's the finest surgeon on the
staff. You must know him. He's
incredibly handsome, gentle, considerate.
He's being sued for sexual assault right
now, but--
(Off Chief Nurse's look)
It's not true. He was set up.
CHIEF NURSE
Well, I certainly would have heard about
that.
BETTY
Of course, he's only here two days a
week. He's also on staff over at Loma
Vista.
CHIEF NURSE
... I don't think I know that hospital.
BETTY
It's in a very pretty area that gets a
lot of sun, has palm trees out front,
mountains in the background...
CHIEF NURSE
Really? You've just described all of
Southern California.
The Chief Nurse looks at Betty for a moment, then stands
abruptly, signaling the end of the interview.
67.
CHIEF NURSE
(cont'd)
Well, I'm sorry, but I can't even
consider you without references or a
resume. And frankly, I don't know how
you could have forgotten them.
85 INT. HOSPITAL / HALLWAY - LATER 85
On her way down the hall Betty passes a patient's room when
the sound of A PERSON MOANING stops her. She can't help but
go inside. A TV plays commercials.
AN OLDER WOMAN lies in bed, alone and staring at the ceiling.
Betty looks around and notices several arrangements of
flowers on a deserted nightstand. She brings them over to
the older woman's bedside, positions them, then gently
strokes her head.
BETTY
There... you rest now.
The woman's eyes flutter. She is disoriented at first, then
calms as she adjusts to the comforting sight of Betty. Betty
takes her hand.
OLDER WOMAN
Who... who're you?
BETTY
I'm... I'm Nurse Betty.
The woman smiles serenely at this and begins to drift off.
Betty checks her monitors as the opening credits of "A Reason
to Love" begin to play.
She glances up at the doorway at the same moment and sees Dr.
David Ravell standing at the entrance. He checks the chart
on the door, smiles warmly at Betty and then moves off. In a
flash, Betty is up and after him.
The THEME MUSIC is her private soundtrack as she checks out
every man in surgical scrubs, looking for David Ravell.
Then... She sees him. In all his glory at the end of a
corridor walking away from her. Betty gives chase. She
gains steadily on him, her heart racing. As they near
Emergency the NOISE LEVEL picks up.
He stops at the nurses' station. Betty closes the gap. She
starts to run.
BETTY (CONT'D)
DAVID!!!
68.
He turns to face her ... It's not David Ravell.
BETTY (cont'd)
Sorry, I thought you were someone else.
(BEAT)
Do you know Dr. David Ravell?
The man shakes his head. Betty keeps going, looking around:
it's incredible - the size, the activity, the intensity.
86 INT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - SAME TIME 86
DOZENS OF PATIENTS lie on gurneys awaiting treatment in a
holding area. It's still more intense at the entrance:
VOICES talking back and forth urgently, POLICE OFFICERS,
CIVILIANS, DOCTORS AND NURSES converging.
87 EXT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY AREA - LATE AFTERNOON 87
FIVE AMBULANCES unload patients at the same time. At that
moment a group of TWENTY JAPANESE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS
reaches the E.R. portion of their tour.
A WHITE MERCEDES tears up the ramp and SCREECHES to a stop.
A YOUNG MAN in gang colors is pushed out, bleeding heavily.
A DOCTOR runs at the Mercedes to head it off, yelling
indignantly. The car plows right into him and takes off.
Another ambulance crests the ramp, lights flashing. The
Mercedes SLAMS into it head-on. NURSES AND DOCTORS run into
the parking lot. A GANGBANGER gets out of the Mercedes, dazed
and wobbly. He pulls a pistol. Everyone dives for cover.
The Mercedes driver is unconscious. The driver of the smashed
up ambulance is slumped over the wheel. The rear doors fly
open, and a young Hispanic woman, ROSA HERRERA, leaps out.
ROSA
SOMEBODY HELP US! PLEASE, SOMEBODY!
Doctors and nurses work on patients and try to get to the
injured doctor, but the kid with the gun keeps them away.
SECURITY GUARDS draw their guns and scream at him to drop it.
ROSA (cont'd)
WHY ISN'T ANYBODY HELPING US?!!
(to gunman in Spanish)
Hey, you little shit! If I had a gun I'd
shoot you right now!
The loading area is jammed with panicked people. Doctors and
nurses creep out of the hospital on all fours, trying to stay
69.
low. No one is getting to Rosa, whose frantic eyes find
Betty. They look right at each other.
ROSA (cont'd)
What are you standing there for?!
Betty walks toward her calmly, indifferent to the danger as
Rosa pulls the gurney out of the ambulance herself. A
PARAMEDIC lies unconscious inside.
ROSA (cont'd)
You gotta help him, he's hurt bad!!
On the gurney is a YOUNG MAN with a chest wound, nearly dead
from blood loss. A DOCTOR appears and quickly examines him
while keeping one eye on the gunman. He looks up at Betty.
DOCTOR #1
Forget it! He doesn't have a chance.
Help us over here.
The doctor takes off. Rosa looks at Betty, crying.
ROSA
Please!
Betty hesitates, then checks his pulse - he has none. She
peels back the bandages over a huge chest wound.
ROSA (CONT'D)
Danny, it's gonna be all right!
Betty looks at Rosa again; looks around for help - there's no
one. She plunges her fingers into the wound.
ROSA (cont'd)
(panic)
What are you doing?
BETTY
He has no heartbeat!
ROSA
You're hurting him!!
BETTY
I'm massaging his heart. I saw it done
once.
ROSA
ARE YOU CRAZY?!! STOP IT!!!
BETTY
LISTEN TO ME! IF I DON'T DO THIS, HE'S
DEAD!
70.
She keeps working on him. We hear a GUNSHOT, and the kid
with the pistol falls to the pavement. The loading area
immediately fills with DOCTORS, NURSES and COPS.
BETTY (CONT'D)
All right, we're moving him inside! Give
me a hand!
Rosa is shocked into motion. Together they wheel Danny toward
the entrance. A DOCTOR and TWO NURSES come out to take over.
Betty, her white uniform now covered in blood, steps aside.
88 INT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY ROOM - LATER 88
The DOCTOR tries to calm Rosa and keep her from entering the
treatment area.
ROSA
Is he gonna live?
DOCTOR
He's got a chance. Thanks to what that
nurse did.
They exit together as AN ADMINISTRATOR and several Japanese
officials approach. The Chief Nurse hovers nearby.
ADMINISTRATOR
(to Chief Nurse)
Harriet? Who is that remarkable nurse?
CHIEF NURSE
That's Betty Sagamore. I hired her
today.
89 INT. CHEAP HOTEL - NIGHT 89
SEVERAL LOW LIFES are hanging out in the lobby. When Betty
comes in with a bag of groceries they look up, ready to
hassle her as she approaches the DESK CLERK.
BETTY
May I have my key, please?
She puts the bag on the counter, revealing that the front of
her white uniform is covered with blood. She smiles at the
low lifes, stopping them in their tracks.
90 INT./EXT. MOTEL ROOM - HOUSTON, TEXAS - DAY 90
The Town Car's looking a little muddy around the rims.
Charlie and Wesley look tired as they wait in a seedy motel
71.
room. Charlie sits near a window, reading diary entries
aloud. Wesley kicks back on the bed, fast-forwarding through
"Genghis Kunt" and talking back to the screen.
WESLEY
Thas' it, thas' it... conquer that bitch.
(BEAT)
What time're they coming?
CHARLIE
It's not an exact science, Wesley. He
said they'll be here... My Houston
contact has always been very reliable.
WESLEY
And then we're gonna do her right here.
Right?
CHARLIE
You're always so coarse... "Do her right
here." Let's just see what happens,
okay?
(reading)
"I wish that I could find a way; To speak
my thoughts on Mother's Day. There are
no words that quite express; My gratitude
or happiness. A pleasant smile perhaps a
kiss; I would not fail to give her this.
I'd make her glad the whole day through;
By sayin' 'Mother', I love you!' P.S. I
wish I could say this to my mother's
face, but I can't anymore."
Wesley rolls his eyes and turns up the volume. Finally a car
pulls up outside and Charlie snaps the book closed. He makes
a quick attempt to arrange himself and motions to Wesley, who
turns off the tape.
A WOMAN with greasy blonde hair and skinny legs shown off by
a short skirt comes in with another MAN. Charlie looks her
over disgustedly as his face falls.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Who are you?!
(to the man)
What the... Who the hell is this?
MAN #1
Easy, Charlie! She's exactly who you
said you were looking for.
CHARLIE
Wait, wait a minute. We have a major
miscommunication here. This not Betty.
This is not even close to Betty...
72.
WOMAN
What the fuck're you talking about? My
name's Betty...
CHARLIE
Then I'm sorry... Wrong Betty.
WESLEY
Let's get out of here. We got another
long drive ahead of us.
(BEAT)
... the fuck where I do not know, but I
know it's gonna be long.
CHARLIE
(gathering his things)
Betty would never dress like that. She's
not some trailer park slut!
WOMAN
Fuck you!
CHARLIE
And she doesn't have a sewer for a
mouth...
WESLEY
Okay, thank you, goodbye... Keep in
touch...
CHARLIE
... She's got class, and poise. Lots of
poise...
The man looks at Charlie, then at Wesley, who shrugs in reply
as he steers them out the door.
WESLEY
Will you ease off on the 'poise' shit,
you're spooking me here...
91 INT. HOSPITAL - CHIEF NURSE'S OFFICE - DAY 91
The Chief Nurse sits behind her desk. Betty faces her like a
student in the principal's office, now dressed in her white
waitress uniform. She hopes no one notices.
CHIEF NURSE
What you did yesterday was reckless at
best. You are not an employee of this
hospital! If that boy dies I don't even
want to think of the lawsuit that'll
follow. Are we communicating here?
73.
BETTY
Yes, ma'am.
CHIEF NURSE
Good. I'm prepared to offer you a job.
You can help out in the pharmacy until
your California certification and
references arrive, but you are not to
touch anyone. Is that totally clear?
(Betty nods)
Fine...
The Chief Nurse gets up, and Betty follows suit.
CHIEF NURSE
(cont'd)
You can start tomorrow. And don't say a
word about this to anyone.
(studying Betty's uniform)
Is that issue?
BETTY
Umm... yes. Back home.
CHIEF NURSE
Alright. Oh, and one more thing about
what you did yesterday... Well done.
92 INT. HOSPITAL - INTENSIVE CARE UNIT - DAY 92
Danny Herrera is in bed unconscious. Rosa and her MOTHER are
keeping vigil when Betty enters. Rosa jumps to her feet.
ROSA
Hey, it's Supernurse! Betty, right?
Rosa hugs her and tells her mother in Spanish who Betty is.
ROSA (cont'd)
My mother doesn't speak English.
Sra. Herrera smiles at Betty and starts to cry. As she steps
forward, Rosa stands aside. The short, stocky woman envelops
Betty in a bearhug.
MOTHER
No podremos olvidar lo que hizo ayer.
ROSA
(translating)
We can't forget what you did yesterday
... How can my family ever repay you?
74.
BETTY
Tell her I was just--
MOTHER
Yo s que es su empleo, pero...
ROSA
She doesn't care if it was just your
job... Danny would be dead now but for
you.
Sra. Herrera kisses Betty's hands and smiles through her
tears. Then she motions to Rosa to take her place as she
goes to Danny's bedside. Betty picks up Danny's chart and
reads it.
ROSA (cont'd)
You don't sound like you're from here.
BETTY
I'm not. I just drove in from Kansas.
ROSA
So why'd you come to L.A.?
BETTY
I came for love. My fianc is here.
MOTHER
Bravo! Mi hija no hace nada para amor...
ROSA
You're making me look bad... My mother
says I wouldn't move across the street
for love.
BETTY
It's something I had to do. For David.
ROSA
'David.' That's your guy. So, you
staying with him?
THE ICU NURSE enters and adjusts the bank of machines
feeding, medicating and monitoring Danny. Betty watches with
interest.
BETTY
No... I don't really know where he is
yet. I'm at a hotel around the corner.
ROSA
Man, that is love.
75.
MOTHER
Ella debe quedar contigo.
ROSA
What? Ahh, Mom says you should stay with
me... Okay, yeah, why not?
Betty looks at Sra. Herrera curiously.
ROSA (CONT'D)
You can go get your stuff right now. I'll
walk you down.
BETTY
No, that's not, I couldn't...
ROSA
Listen, when someone does the kind of
thing you did, you gotta do something in
return. So, you stay with me until you
find your David and live happily ever
after. Okay?
Rosa follows Betty out the door.
93 EXT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 93
Betty and Rosa make their way up the stairs of a Silverlake
apartment house.
At the sound of SCREECHING TIRES they both look down as a
black Lincoln Town Car drives by. Betty shudders.
ROSA
You okay? This neighborhood, you get
used to it...
She nods. Rosa continues to talk as they climb the many
stairs that lead to her door.
ROSA (cont'd)
I got this apartment with a guy.
BETTY
The one you were telling me about?
ROSA
No, this one was worse...I had to have
the place sprayed when he left. Twice...
He was two guys before the last one--not
counting a little office thing in there,
which I'm trusting you with, 'cause if it
gets out, I'm on the street...
76.
94 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - SAME TIME 94
The place is neat. As well furnished as a legal assistant's
salary will allow. The living room is dominated by a large
glass tank filled with tropical fish. Betty checks out the
space.
BETTY
It's lovely...I really like your
aquarium.
ROSA
Yeah, well, at least fish don't use your
razor or pee on the seat...
BETTY
Hmmm. Sounds like you've had a pretty
tough go of it with men...
ROSA
Oh, I dunno...but just once I wish I'd
run into a guy who noticed the Koi before
my tits.
Betty smiles, a little embarrassed.
ROSA (cont'd)
...come on, I'll show you your room.
95 EXT. TEXAS HIGHWAY - THE NEXT DAY 95
The black Lincoln Town Car is parked on a lonely stretch of
prairie highway. Wesley sits in the passenger seat with the
door open. The RADIO is on. Charlie is on his cell phone
nearby.
CHARLIE
(into phone)
No, we don't know where she is... I
understand... No, we'll find her...
(BEAT)
I understand.
He hangs up and looks out at the horizon, where huge black
storm clouds are gathering. Then he walks slowly to the hood
of the car, staring at the ground in front of his feet.
WESLEY
What'd they say? Can we go back to
Detroit?
Charlie rests his hands gently on the hood, as if considering
buying the car. Wesley's MUSIC BANGS from the radio.
77.
CHARLIE
They said find it. Find her, find it.
Finish the job you were paid to do.
WESLEY
Half.
CHARLIE
What?
WESLEY
They paid us half. They still owe us
half...
CHARLIE
(disappointed)
There it is again. That lousy attitude
that got us here in the first place.
That "make a statement," do an end zone
dance, shake your ass and sue everybody
in sight attitude that's dragging this
whole country down the drain.
(BEAT)
They don't owe us shit, Wesley! WHEN YOU
FINISH THE JOB, YOU GET PAID!! WE
HAVEN'T FINISHED THE GODDAMN JOB!!
Charlie POUNDS on the hood of the car, scaring Wesley.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
That woman could be in any one of four
states. Four big states where the deer
and the antelope play, Wesley! We're not
in Rhode Island!
WESLEY
I know that.
CHARLIE
AND TURN THAT FUCKING MUSIC OFF!
Wesley switches it off. Charlie turns his back to the car
and addresses the angry clouds on the horizon.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Do I deserve this? In the twilight of my
career, do I deserve this? I don't think
so! I've always tried to do what's
right. I never took out anybody who
didn't have it coming. I'm a
professional!
(BEAT)
AND WHERE THE FUCK AM I? I'M IN
PURGATORY!
78.
WESLEY
Worse... you're in Texas.
CHARLIE
Well, I should be in FLORIDA now! If
Carl hadn't gone in to get those stones
removed, you wouldn't be here and I'd be
on my way to the Keys. On my boat,
RELAXING WITH A GLASS OF PORT!! Re-ti
red!
The first raindrops begin to fall.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
I'm very tired, Wesley! I've worked
hard, and the work should be over, but
IT'S NOT! This job is just beginning.
(he turns around)
GET IN THE CAR!
Wesley is in the car, but he's too scared to tell Charlie,
whose eyes are blazing. Charlie silently walks around to the
driver's side and gets in. He and Wesley stare at each other
over a photo of Betty, which is between them on the dash.
Charlie starts the engine and snatches up the picture.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
What're you thinking, girl? What's going
on in that pretty little mind of yours?
Huh? You can tell me...
He paws at the picture, imploringly. He mutters to himself.
Wesley shakes his head and stares out.
96 INT. HOSPITAL - PHARMACY - DAY 96
Betty sits in an office along with a CLERK who taps away at a
computer keyboard while she studies a printed list of names.
BETTY
I can't find Loma Vista Hospital...
CLERK
I never heard of Loma Vista Hospital.
BETTY
I don't believe this! You're the second
person here who's told me that. That's
like Ford saying they never heard of GM!
CLERK
Try another county...
79.
He exits.
97 INT. LAW FIRM - LATER 97
Rosa is on the phone at her desk in a law office.
BETTY (V.O.)
Hey, Rosa...it's Betty. How do you get to
this town called 'Tustin?' It's in Orange
County...
ROSA
Tustin? Take the Hollywood Freeway to
the Five...
BETTY (V.O.)
The Five?
ROSA
Just look for the really crowded road and
follow that.
BETTY (V.O.)
Okay...oh, umm, would you mind if I
borrowed some clothes?
ROSA
Huh? Sure, look in my closet, take any
dress you want!
(BEAT)
We're still on for tonight, right?
98 INT. EXAMINING ROOM - LATER 98
Betty stands in a sexy pink dress, trying to decide if she
should put on a hospital gown and waits, tensing each time
she hears a voice from the hallway. Finally, the DOORKNOB
BEGINS TO TURN.
A man's hand and the bottom of a white sleeve appear. The
door swings open and a silver-haired, bespectacled DOCTOR in
his mid-60's enters. The nametag on his white coat reads
"DAVID RAVELL, M.D."
99 INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT 99
Tasteful jazz, plenty of red leather booths. Betty winds her
way through a PACKED CROWD, passing out small white cards.
Rosa spots her and goes over to meet her.
80.
ROSA
You made it! Hey, that looks great on
you. 'S classy... (BEAT) So, how'd it go
today? You find him?
BETTY
Ummm...no, no. Different 'Ravell.'
Rosa starts to lead her to the bar.
BETTY (cont'd)
You know, the more I think about it, this
really isn't David's kind of place.
ROSA
What are you talking about? This bar is
packed with professional people!
(BEAT)
Everybody says if you're going to get
married, this is the spot to meet
someone... Luckily, I'm currently off
men, so I've got the luxury of not giving
a shit.
BETTY
I know what you mean, I recently had some
trouble with a man, a different man...and
David's still getting over Leslie.
(off Rosa's look)
His wife.
ROSA
He has a wife?!
BETTY
Had. She died in a car accident last
year. She was decapitated.
ROSA
God, that's awful!
BETTY
It may not have been an accident. They
never did find her head...
ROSA
Her 'head'?! You're making this up...
BETTY
No, no! Well, see, she was having an
affair with a Russian diplomat who I
believe was mixed up with the Mafia...
81.
ROSA
Jesus, I thought my love life was
crazy...
LATER
Rosa and Betty are sitting in a booth, talking over drinks.
The place is a little quieter now.
ROSA (cont'd)
... so, we'll hit the library first and
fan out from there. They've got all the
L.A. phone books, plus medical
directories...
(BEAT)
We're not gonna let him hide from you any
more, okay? I'm making this my personal
mission.
BETTY
David isn't hiding from me, I left him
standing at the altar six years ago and
now I'm...
ROSA
Fuck the details, they're always to
blame... Look, too many of these guys
duck out on us, especially after they
become doctors or lawyers. I see it at
my company all day long! So I'm just
gonna make sure you get your, you know,
fairy tale ending or whatever...
(BEAT)
One of us should.
BETTY
Rosa, I can't believe you're doing all
this for me...thank you.
Rosa glances over to see Betty pass a business card to A
WAITER who checks on them. When he is safely gone, Rosa
touches Betty on the sleeve.
ROSA
Hey, how 'bout a card for me? What is
that?
(takes one, reads)
"Please call if you have any information
on David Ravell." This is my phone
number! How many of these have you given
out?
BETTY
How many men have I talked to?
82.
ROSA
Jesus! They're all gonna be calling me!
BETTY
You said in L.A., anything goes.
ROSA
I was talking about what you could wear!
100 EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - THE NEXT DAY 100
The Town Car's parked on a barren stretch of desert highway,
white smoke billowing from the hood. Half a mile ahead
Charlie and Wesley are walking in the sweltering heat.
They're in their shirtsleeves, drenched in sweat as the sun
beats down on them.
CHARLIE
See, in a LeSabre Betty's probably
getting twenty-two, maybe twenty-five
miles to the gallon, where we're topping
out at fifteen.
(BEAT)
She's probably all cool and fresh, and
comfortable in that nice air-conditioned
car right now.
Wesley wipes the sweat from his eyes and trudges on in
silence. Charlie takes out a photo of Betty and speaks to it.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
You don't look comfortable here. That's
'cause you don't like being the center of
attention, do you? Nah. You're like me.
WESLEY
What the hell's the matter with you?
Wesley grabs the photo, tears it in half and tosses it. Then
he starts walking. Charlie is stunned for a moment, but
recovers quickly. He finds the pieces and stuffs them in his
pocket, then catches up to Wesley.
CHARLIE
That was a really shitty thing to do.
WESLEY
I'm sick of looking at her mother-fucking
face.
A beat... they walk for a moment.
83.
CHARLIE
Don't talk like that. She's my last one,
Wesley, my final target.
(to photo)
Don't you realize your special, that you
represent something?
This is too much. Wesley explodes.
WESLEY
What? What does she represent?! What
could some cornbread white bitch from
Kansas who's dragging our sorry asses up
and down the Louisiana Purchase possibly
mean to you?!! I'd just love to know...
CHARLIE
I dunno... something.
(BEAT)
Why is she doing this to me? Why?...
WESLEY
I don't know, but when we find her she's
gonna die for it.
101-102 MOVED 101-102
102A INT. ROADSIDE GARAGE - LATE AFTERNOON 102A
The Lincoln Town Car is raised up high on the hydraulic jack.
Wesley is at a pay phone out front.
WESLEY
Can you describe her to me?... Okay...
Yeah, that sounds like her... Thanks.
He hangs up and goes into the garage, where he addresses the
Town Car above him.
WESLEY (cont'd)
They found her in Vegas.
No answer.
WESLEY (cont'd)
Perfect match on the description.
ON CHARLIE
Lying across the front seat taping the reassembled photo of
Betty to the dash. Charlie's beginning to come apart. His
hair is uncombed and his clothes are wrinkled. His eyes have
a thousand-yard stare.
84.
WESLEY (O.S.)
(CONT'D)
Sounds like she's with the buyer Del
lined up.
Charlie pulls himself up on the door and looks down.
CHARLIE
How'd they describe her?
WESLEY
You know, blonde, thin, whatever...
CHARLIE
Not so fast! Slower... 'blonde, thin',
yes... Did they say she had style? A
kind of grace or anything?
Wesley rolls his eyes, then goes straight to the levers
controlling the hydraulic jack.
WESLEY
(to mechanic)
How do I get this fucking thing down?
MECHANIC
I wouldn't if I were you. He got pretty
upset when I tried it...
103 INT. LAW OFFICE - A DIFFERENT DAY 103
MERCEDES LOPEZ, early 40's, impeccably dressed, enters her
office loaded down with a bulging briefcase and a stack of
files under her arms.
(The entire scene is in Spanish.)
MERCEDES
What do you think my father would do if I
told him I didn't want to be a lawyer
anymore?
ROSA
Probably the same thing my mom would do
if I got engaged... have a heart attack.
MERCEDES
So how's it going with your new roomie?
What's her name?
ROSA
Betty. It's O.K. except I'm worn out.
We spent all weekend looking for her
85.
doctor-boy. How can a big time heart guy
leave no trace of himself?
MERCEDES
So tell her to settle for the old one in
Orange County.
ROSA
She's gonna have to 'cause I'm out of
ideas.
MERCEDES
Maybe we're suing him for malpractice.
What's his name again?
ROSA
David Ravell.
MERCEDES
God, that sounds so familiar. Ravell,
Ravell... where's he out of?
ROSA
I'm not sure now. She said he used to be
over at Loma Vista. I never heard of it.
MERCEDES
Loma Vista?
(laughs)
You mean like the guy on "A Reason to
Love?"
104 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - LATER 104
Rosa enters, tosses her purse on the table and goes straight
to the VCR. Written in magic marker on a video is "A Reason
to Love, Apr. 23." The tape Sue Ann gave to Betty.
She pops it in and turns it on. The OPENING TITLES start ...
The characters appear ... one is an impossibly handsome man
over the title "DOCTOR DAVID RAVELL."
105 INT. HOSPITAL PHARMACY - LATER STILL 105
Betty working at a desk in the pharmacy. The same clerk as
before busies himself at another counter. Rosa appears at
the glass partition and raps urgently on it.
ROSA
Guess who I saw today.
BETTY
Who?
86.
ROSA
Doctor David Ravell.
BETTY
What? Where was he?!
ROSA
ON TELEVISION!!
(off Betty's puzzled look)
Cut the shit, will you!
A BEAT. Rosa SLAMS the videotape down on the counter.
ROSA (CONT'D)
Either you're making a fool out of me
because you get off on it, or you got
serious problems. Which one is it?!
BETTY
I have no idea what you're talking about.
ROSA
I'M TALKING ABOUT DAVID RAVELL!!
BETTY
Shhh! I heard you the first time.
ROSA
(suddenly calm)
I spent my weekend looking for someone
who does - not - exist. I should have
been here at the hospital with my
brother, but I was with you.
BETTY
If you didn't want to do it, you should
have said so! Is this about gas money?
ROSA
IT'S NOT ABOUT GAS MONEY!!
(BEAT)
You have a thing for an actor on a stupid
white soap opera, and we searched all
over town for his character! Not the
actor - whose name is George, by the way.
His character!
Rosa stands over Betty, fuming.
BETTY
Are you having a nervous breakdown?
Rosa SCREAMS and smacks her hand on the glass as Betty
watches. SEVERAL PEOPLE in a nearby lounge look up. Rosa
stares at them until they look away.
87.
BETTY (cont'd)
Why'd you help me in the first place?
ROSA
I helped you because I'm an idiot! Ask
my mother, I love it when people take
advantage of me! I TRUSTED YOU!! I
THOUGHT HE WAS REAL!
BETTY
HE IS REAL!!
Betty tries to return to her work but Rosa confronts her
loudly. The nearby VISITORS and STAFF pretend to be busy.
ROSA
You need help, Betty! Even if this is
your idea of a joke, you need SERIOUS
HELP!!
(walking away - to herself)
Necesitas un mdico! Pront simo!
ON BETTY
fuming in her humiliation. After a moment, Rosa reappears at
the window.
ROSA (cont'd)
I'm not going back on our arrangement. My
word is good, and my family owes you. But
I think it's best for both of us if you
get your own place as soon as you can.
BETTY
Fine.
106 OMIT (NOW 102A) 106
106A EXT. SIZEMORE MOTORS - KANSAS - NIGHT 106A
Roy and Joyce approach the door to the trailer/office. She
takes out her key, then stops. It's been padlocked and barred
with yellow police tape, as is the whole lot. Roy pulls hard
on the lock, then starts looking around.
JOYCE
You're wastin' your time, Roy.
ROY
Look Joyce, I need your key to the files,
not advice, okay? This is a complex
case.
88.
Roy works on opening a side window.
JOYCE
Nothin' complex about it. Del's dead,
Betty's gone. She's probably dead, too.
ROY
You'd like that wouldn't you? You've
hated Betty since you were in Pep Squad
together...
JOYCE
No... before that.
ROY
Ahh, I hate this town! Places like this
just make you small...
(BEAT)
I should have never come back here after
college.
JOYCE
Blah - blah - blah... Hurry up, will ya,
I got a date tonight...
Roy forces the glass open and starts to squirm through the
window as Joyce watches.
JOYCE (cont'd)
I don't know what you think you'll find,
anyway.
ROY (O.S.)
Names, a phone number, something...
(BEAT)
Listen, Ballard told me that the guy who
brought the missing car down from Detroit
was murdered, but do you see him doing
anything about it? If Ballard wasn't
such a stubborn ass, I wouldn't have to
be breaking in here...
The color drains from Joyce's face.
JOYCE
What did you say?
ROY (O.S.)
The driver was killed. I think there's a
connection--
JOYCE
(starting to cry)
No, about... Are you talking about Duane
Cooley?
89.
ROY (O.S.)
Yeah. Why, you know him?
JOYCE
(crying)
Know him? We were gonna get married! He
was gonna leave his wife for me!
Fuck!!...
Joyce begins to sob at the side of the trailer as Roy
shimmies through the window frame.
Suddenly, Ballard is there, weapon cocked and placed roughly
into Roy's privates. Joyce backs away.
BALLARD
I know you don't use them, but if you
wanna keep 'em you'll back out of there
slowly...
106B INT. SQUADCAR - MOVING - NIGHT 106B
Roy is in the rear of the car, handcuffed to the screen
dividing the front seat from the back. Ballard is driving.
ROY
Come on, Elden, think about it. The
driver, all them trunks standing open
like that... something's going on here!
BALLARD
I know that...
ROY
Well, do something, then, damnit!
BALLARD
You watch your mouth when you're in a
goddamn county vehicle... You don't think
I see what's going on? Del, now this
Cooley fella, both of 'em mixed up with
Joyce... 'S not no conspiracy, not some
episode off the X-Files... 's just a
crime of passion, plain and simple.
Betty's on some kind'a pre-minstral
rampage, that's what is going on here.
A moment of silence as they drive.
ROY
Oww... Did you have to make these things
so tight?
90.
BALLARD
No, I didn't have to.
He grins at Roy in the rearview mirror.
107 INT. LAW FIRM - ANOTHER DAY 107
Mercedes Lopez arrives at the office and stops at Rosa's
desk.
(The entire scene is in Spanish)
MERCEDES
Hey... Is Betty still trying to find that
soap opera guy?
ROSA
Oh, yeah... Man, I'd love to find that
actor just to see the look on her face,
watch her bubble burst in mid-air.
Mercedes hands her two tickets to a benefit.
MERCEDES
Here's your needle... He's supposed to
make an appearance here tonight.
108 INT. BETTY'S BEDROOM - LATER 108
Betty's lying on her bed reading "Modern Nurse". The L.A.
Times Classifieds are open on the bed. Rosa looks in.
BETTY
Don't worry, I'm looking... just taking a
tiny break.
ROSA
This is crazy. I come home, you go to
your room. You go in the kitchen, I go
to my room. It's stupid.
Betty nods in agreement.
ROSA (cont'd)
So what do you say? Can we be friends?
BETTY
...okay.
Rosa smiles and starts looking at the tickets in her hand.
BETTY (cont'd)
What are those for?
91.
ROSA
Oh, it's a charity dinner. The money
goes to a good cause, but I don't have
anybody to go with...
BETTY
Umm...
Rosa exits for a moment, then reappears in the doorway.
ROSA
...you hungry at all?
109 INT. LINCOLN TOWN CAR - MOVING - LATE AFTERNOON 109
The car is covered in dust and mud from the road. It's worse
inside: food wrappers, empty bottles, pieces of clothing,
filthy windows. They've been living in it.
Wesley's driving now. Charlie's almost unrecognizable: a six
day beard, uncombed greasy hair, bloodshot eyes, rumpled
clothes and an exhausted, faraway look. The photo of Betty
faces him, taped to the glove box. He is reading from the
diary, which he clutches like the Bible.
They roar along a desert highway, passing a sign that says
"Grand Canyon, This Exit. 74 Miles." Charlie looks up,
marking his place.
CHARLIE
We should go.
WESLEY
We don't have time to look at a hole in
the ground. We can make Vegas in four
hours. This one's got to be her.
CHARLIE
It's a very moving experience, trust me.
WESLEY
No.
CHARLIE
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the
World.
WESLEY
No... be dark before we get there. You
wanna see the Grand Canyon at night?
CHARLIE
What difference does it make? She wasn't
in Kansas City, or Houston, or Dallas. We
92.
went to every goddamn place Del mentioned
and no Betty. So what the hell makes you
think she's in Vegas? You think she's
waiting for us with tassles on her
titties? Vegas is too crass for Betty.
WESLEY
I said, 'No.' N-O.
Charlie turns to a passage and reads aloud.
CHARLIE
"When I grow up I'm going to become a
nurse or a veterinarian. I always want
to help people and value all life, be it
animal, plant or mineral..."
(to Wesley)
Does that sound like a goddamn showgirl
to you?
WESLEY
Do you hear yourself right now...? Like
a fucking madman...
Wesley drives on stoically. The Exit comes and goes.
CHARLIE
Every American should see the Grand
Canyon. Are you an American?
WESLEY
Yes, I am and we're not going. Act
professional.
Charlie stares at him, hate rising from just below the
surface. He draws a nickel-plated pistol and points it at
Wesley's head. Wesley looks at it and keeps on driving.
Charlie knows this isn't the way to handle it. He lowers the
pistol.
CHARLIE
If you don't take the next turn for the
canyon, I'm blowing my goddamn brains all
over this car.
He puts the pistol in his mouth and cocks it. Wesley looks
over, not so sure this time.
LONG SHOT of the black Town Car as the turn signal comes on,
and it eases onto a lonely dirt road. Their headlights pick
out a sign that says: "Grand Canyon Fire Trail. Forestry
Personnel Only."
93.
110 EXT. BEVERLY HILTON - EVENING 110
Rosa and Betty approach the hotel entrance. Ahead of them a
black Lincoln Town Car pulls up. Headlights glint on the
chrome, hitting Betty in the eye. She freezes, and Rosa bumps
into her.
ROSA
Sorry.
Betty stares at the car, unable to remember what it should
mean. Then a MAN in a tuxedo gets out. Betty moves on.
111 INT. BEVERLY HILTON - LOBBY - EVENING 111
A sign on an easel reads "Save the Children." Betty and Rosa
present their tickets at the door to a ballroom.
Several times there is a stir near the entrance and a
scattering of flashbulbs. Rosa scans the crowd.
BETTY
Looking for someone?
ROSA
You never know who you'll see.
Rosa keeps looking. Finally, GEORGE McCORD - the actor who
plays DAVID RAVELL - enters.
He comes in with LYLA BRANCH, late 40's, and TWO OTHER MEN.
Several women approach George, some starry-eyed, for quick,
polite greetings. He's doing his job of being a soap star.
Rosa waits for an opening, then puts her hands on Betty's
shoulders and points her at George.
ROSA (cont'd)
Look who's here!
Betty's jaw drops. She freezes.
ROSA (cont'd)
What are you waiting for? Talk to him!
You came fifteen hundred miles for this.
Rosa prods her, then Betty makes her way unsteadily toward
George. When she's a few feet away he looks up.
He can't help but notice her - she's beautiful. She's also
looking right into his eyes. The conversation stops as he
does a double take in Betty's direction.
94.
GEORGE
Do I know you from...?
His friends watch as George studies her face.
BETTY
...of course you do.
(hurt)
You don't remember me?
GEORGE
I take it I should. I'm sorry.
BETTY
We were engaged.
LYLA
Oh good, another one...
George's friends look at each other. A few heads turn.
GEORGE
I beg your pardon?
BETTY
But I'm the one who's sorry. Letting you
go was the biggest mistake of my life.
(to his friends)
We were thirteen days away from getting
married and ... I just got scared. It's a
mistake I've had to live with for six
years. But it's behind me now...
(to George)
And I hope you can put it behind you.
I've missed you... David.
George sighs with relief. His friends smile. The tension
evaporates. They can handle a fanatical fan.
GEORGE
That's very kind of you.
BETTY
The day I left you I just drove and
drove. I drove all day and all that
night, and I didn't go anywhere. I just
kept driving. I stopped at a little
country church, and the pastor let me in,
and I sat--
LYLA
... in the very first pew, where we would
have sat on our wedding day.
95.
Betty looks at her. So does George.
LYLA (cont'd)
I can't believe I remembered that,
although I suppose I should. I wrote
it...
(to Betty)
But that was seven years ago, and you're
quoting it verbatim. I'm flattered... I
think. Or frightened. What's your
name?
BETTY
Betty Sizemore. What do you mean you
wrote it?
LYLA
I'm Lyla Branch. I'm the Producer.
They shake hands. ACROSS THE ROOM Rosa watches expectantly.
LYLA (cont'd)
Alright, I admit it, you had me there.
You're better than most of them,
anyway...do you have a headshot?
GEORGE
No, wait...what happened next, Betty?
LYLA
Are you sure you want to encourage this?
(BEAT)
No, you're right, let's have some fun.
So, what did happened next, "Betty"?
BETTY
Well, David moved out here and started
his residency. Then he met Leslie--
LYLA
No, no, no. We know all that. What
happened with you?
BETTY
I married a car salesman.
The friends laugh. Rosa watches, confused. So is Betty.
FRIEND #1
You were dumped for a car salesman,
George!
BETTY
Why are you calling him George?
96.
FRIEND #2
Yeah - David - tell us about this car
salesman.
George likes the challenge. This party isn't so boring after
all.
GEORGE
Oh, you mean Fred.
BETTY
No, Del.
GEORGE
Right, Del. Del was one hot salesman.
Of cars. He could talk anyone into
anything.
BETTY
You knew Del?!
GEORGE
Honey, I didn't want to tell you at the
time, but Del and I go way back. We went
to school together. In fact, he saved my
life. Two more minutes in that icy water
and I would have drowned. But Del jumped
in and grabbed me. We fell out of touch
eventually, but I still owe him one.
BETTY
He never told me anything about...that's
unbelievable!
LYLA
Funny, that's just what I was thinking...
GEORGE
I can't tell you how much it hurts me to
hear that you married him.
His friends snicker. Rosa stares. Betty is oblivious to
everything but George.
BETTY
I'm so sorry. Life makes us do awful
things sometimes.
She's ready to cry. Which only inspires him all the more.
GEORGE
I tried to tell myself it was for the
best, that there was a reason behind it.
But... Del?
97.
BETTY
There was no plan! I was just young and
stupid and scared!
GEORGE
You never gave us a chance...
BETTY
I know that. I can't tell you how many
times I've said that to myself in those
exact words.
Betty wipes her tears away as they flow freely now. George
doesn't like seeing her cry; he tries to say something but
his friends interrupt.
GEORGE
Hey, don't... come on, I was just...
you're not really crying, are you?... I
was just playing along...
FRIEND #1
Now, look what you've done, George.
BETTY
Why do they keep calling you George?
GEORGE
I don't know. Why do you keep calling me
George?
LYLA
Listen - David - It's getting late.
George hesitates; Lyla sees it.
GEORGE
(to Betty)
Right, uhh...I feel terrible about this,
we have a prior engagement at another
party.
(BEAT)
But... I'd be honored if you'd come.
LYLA
Yeah, bring your friend along. I'm sure
you got a lot of catching up to do...
Rosa watches, stunned, as Betty waves to her as she leaves
arm-in-arm with the man of her dreams.
98.
112 EXT. GRAND CANYON - NIGHT 112
The Town Car is parked near one of the viewing stops at the
rim. Charlie stands in the darkness, but Wesley stays in the
car.
CHARLIE
You don't know what you're missing,
asshole.
Charlie walks toward the canyon rim. Suddenly, Betty appears
in the headlights standing at the rail - her back to Charlie -
with a bouquet of flowers.
ON WESLEY
Just as he closes his eyes to rest, the CAR PHONE RINGS.
WESLEY
Yeah?
SUE ANN (V.O.)
Mr. Campbell?
WESLEY
Huh?
SUE ANN (V.O.)
Is this Neighborly Life Insurance?
WESLEY
(recovering)
Oh, umm, yes, this is Dwight Campbell.
SUE ANN (V.O.)
It's Sue Ann Rogers, Betty Sizemore's
friend? I heard from her.
ON CHARLIE
walking toward the rail. As he nears her, they kiss.
Suddenly, REPEATED BLASTS from the car horn.
The image of Betty shudders, then blurs, then fades away
entirely. Charlie rubs at his eyes tiredly, then slowly
trudges back toward the car.
Charlie returns and gets into the car. Silence. Wesley
stares at him.
WESLEY
... you have a good time? You make a
little wish?
99.
Silence from Charlie.
WESLEY (cont'd)
Well, guess what? I found Betty... where
she's been, anyway.
CHARLIE
Where? Where is she?
WESLEY
I'm not telling.
CHARLIE
What?
WESLEY
I'm not telling 'til you straighten up.
You been acting like fucking Jerry Lewis
on me and this shit's gotta stop or you
can forget about your Betty... I mean it.
A slow transformation comes over Charlie.
CHARLIE
Wesley, I'm fine... just tell me where
she is.
113 EXT. BEVERLY HILTON - NIGHT 113
George, Betty, Lyla and the two friends are waiting outside
the hotel for their cars.
FRIEND #2
I bought a car from Del, too. He sold me
a lemon.
LYLA
Really? I put a hundred and thirty
thousand miles on mine.
BETTY
Huh. I had no idea our little lot was so
popular...
FRIEND #1
I never bought a car from Del. But I
loved him. In my own way.
GEORGE
I guess we all did. (to Betty) You know,
I didn't marry Leslie because I loved
her. I married her to forget you...
100.
BETTY
Oh, David...I'm sorry I caused you that
much pain.
A black jeep 4x4 pulls up and ERIC AUGUSTINO, the actor who
plays LONNIE, gets out.
BETTY (cont'd)
Oh my God! What's Lonnie doing here?
GEORGE
You're late, Eric.
ERIC
I know. Why are you guys leaving?
LYLA
We did our twenty minutes.
Before Eric can take another step Betty SLAPS him across the
face. FLASHBULBS go off as PHOTOGRAPHERS capture the moment.
BETTY
You bastard! How can you even show your
face around here? Do you think we're not
onto you?
ERIC
Who the hell is this?
GEORGE
Sorry. She thinks you're someone else.
George hustles Betty to his car as photographers continue to
shoot.
BETTY
I know exactly who you are!
114 EXT. CANYON RANCH BAR - NIGHT 114
The Lincoln Town Car rumbles into the dusty parking lot and
parks.
CHARLIE
This doesn't look like the kind of place
Betty would go to.
WESLEY
Maybe she had to use the bathroom. She
pees, doesn't she?!...
Wesley tears the photo of Betty from the glove box.
101.
CHARLIE
Be careful with that!
Charlie takes it back and gingerly secures the tape.
115 INT. CANYON RANCH BAR - NIGHT 115
Merle is at the bar, drunk, the only customer on a slow
night. Ellen drops two coasters in front of Charlie and
Wesley as they sit down.
ELLEN
What can I get you?
WESLEY
We're Federal Marshals, ma'am.
Ellen looks dubiously at their unshaven faces and rumpled
clothes.
CHARLIE
We're looking for this young lady.
He slides the photo of Betty across the bar. Ellen's gaze
drops to the picture for a second, and Charlie sees what he
was looking for - a flicker of recognition. He allows
himself a satisfied grin.
Wesley shows Ellen his badge as Merle checks out the photo.
ELLEN
I haven't seen her.
MERLE
Sure you have! That's ...
ELLEN
Shut up, Merle.
Charlie continues to grin at Ellen ...
WESLEY
Ma'am, if you've seen this woman--
MERLE
Betty! That's her name - Betty.
Charlie takes the photo and puts it back in his pocket.
ELLEN
I never saw that woman before, and
neither has Merle. He drinks too much.
And don't try to tell me you're cops. I
102.
was married to a cop for nine years, and
you're not cops. Now get out of here.
Wesley steps behind Merle, takes a handful of his hair and
SLAMS his head into the popcorn machine on the bar. Merle
staggers away, stunned. Wesley removes the tin popcorn scoop
from a nearby hook.
Ellen reaches for something under the bar, but Charlie's
faster. He pins her arm with one hand.
CHARLIE
You haven't been very forthcoming with
us.
They watch Wesley follow Merle at a slow walk around the pool
table, CLOBBERING him over the head about every five steps
with the popcorn scoop.
Merle wobbles with every shot, but won't go down. They begin
a torturous second lap around the table, punctuated by the
CLANG of the scoop against Merle's head.
CHARLIE
What's your name, dear?
ELLEN
Ellen.
CHARLIE
That's a nice name.
After one more CLANGING shot Merle staggers, then falls.
Wesley walks over to Charlie and Ellen, drawing his knife.
WESLEY
That's a really nice name...
116 INT. GEORGE'S RANGE ROVER - MOVING - LATER - NIGHT 116
George and Betty are alone.
BETTY
Lyla's very nice.
GEORGE
Yes, she is.
BETTY
She told me I was charming and
relentless, and would go far in this
town. And she said that unlike the other
charming, relentless people she knew, she
liked me.
103.
GEORGE
She's a good person to know.
(BEAT)
So where did you study again?
BETTY
Carleton School of Nursing. Two
semesters, but Del made me give it up...
GEORGE
Alright, okay... I think you broke the
record for staying in character about
three hours ago.
BETTY
You told me that two hours ago.
He pulls up in front of Rosa's apartment and parks.
BETTY (cont'd)
I haven't been this happy since I was
twelve years old.
GEORGE
What happened when you were twelve?
BETTY
For Mother's Day, I used all my allowance
that I'd been saving to take my mother to
Kansas City. We got our nails done and
had lunch at "Skies," a restaurant at the
top of a building from where you can see
the whole city. It was the last outing
we took together. She died the following
year.
GEORGE
Wow ... You just gave me goosebumps, you
know that? You make it all sound so
real. Great improv...
BETTY
I just want everything to be perfect
between us.
GEORGE
I know. Listen, we need to take a time
out here. Can we talk seriously for a
minute?
BETTY
Of course.
104.
GEORGE
At last! I know how much you want this.
You're gifted and extremely determined,
but ... it's not up to me.
BETTY
I know. It's up to us.
Betty leans over and kisses George - so deeply that he's too
surprised to react. She pulls away abruptly and gets out.
BETTY (cont'd)
I love you, David. And I want to see you
tomorrow, and the next day, and the next
day.
Still surprised, and now a little intrigued, he watches her
go inside.
117 INT. ROSA'S KITCHEN - NIGHT 117
Betty comes in and pours a drink from the fridge. Rosa
appears in a nightshirt behind her, framed in the doorway.
ROSA
Were you with him this whole time?
BETTY
Oh, God! You scared me! Yes...
ROSA
You still in love?
Betty nods.
ROSA
Does he know you think he's real?
BETTY
He is real.
ROSA
Uh-huh... So, what'd you talk about?
BETTY
Oh, my gosh, everything! My trip out
here, what we've both been doing, you
know...
ROSA
No, I'm not sure I could begin to
imagine... So, where'd you go?
105.
BETTY
To a party in the Hollywood Hills.
ROSA
Was it a huge place? With a view of the
whole world?
BETTY
Yes. I'd never been in a place like that
before.
ROSA
I have, lots of times. My mother used to
clean them. I used to piss in their
pools.
Rosa gets up and starts for her bedroom. She stops.
ROSA (cont'd)
This isn't fair, you know. Do you always
get what you want?
BETTY
No, almost never.
ROSA
But, you're in love with someone who
doesn't exist. You come here, you meet
this guy, who should laugh in your face,
and instead you leave with him!
(BEAT)
Betty, you are one-of-a-kind...
Rosa goes into her bedroom and closes the door. Betty smiles
and nods, sipping at her drink as she retires to her room.
118 OMIT (NOW 120A) 118
119 INT. POLICE STATION - JAIL CELL - THE NEXT DAY 119
From his cell Roy Ostrey hears a door open, then the sound of
approaching footsteps. It's Ballard.
ROY
Elden, let me out of here. Now! This is
ridiculous, I need medical attention!
BALLARD
That's a nice name for what you need...
106.
ROY
Come on, I have to get this dressing
off...it itches! And what about my fish?
Who is taking care of them?
Ballard doesn't say anything. He's very grim, subdued. Roy
has never seen him like this.
BALLARD
Just shut up a second and listen... That,
uh... that bar in Arizona? Where you
said Betty was?
ROY
What about it?
BALLARD
Any idea where it is?
ROY
Little place called "Williams," why?
BALLARD
I just got something off the wire. The
woman who owns it was murdered last
night.
(BEAT)
Now, I'm not saying I agree with you or
nothing, but... what else do you know?
ROY
I know plenty.
120 EXT. LYLA'S HOUSE - DAY 120
Palatial, spartan. Lyla is sitting in the inner court of her
Lloyd Wright home with George at one knee.
GEORGE
She makes me stretch! I got inside my
character last night like I haven't done
in six years on "Reason". It was a
totally rejuvenating experience.
LYLA
I know, George, I was there. I'm not
denying that she's good.
GEORGE
She's even taken a job as a nurse!
(BEAT)
David Ravell's getting boring, Lyla.
107.
LYLA
We know that...
GEORGE
Can I have an evil twin?
LYLA
No, George, we've already done that with
Lonnie. The blind one last year,
remember?
GEORGE
Oh, of course. Who can forget the Emmy?
(BEAT)
Then let me bring Betty to the set and
see what happens.
LYLA
I don't know, George...
GEORGE
I'll tell the cast ahead of time. What do
you say?
LYLA
I'll think about it.
GEORGE
It'll be like live television! Let's
live on the edge a little. You and I can
break the mold here!
LYLA
I said I'll think about it.
GEORGE
Fine, but promise me one thing. If we
use her, I want to direct those episodes.
She's my discovery.
LYLA
Actually, she was my discovery... just
like you.
GEORGE
Hmm?
LYLA
"Would you like ground pepper on that
salad, Ms. Branch?" Remember?
GEORGE
... yeah.
108.
120A EXT. L.A. FREEWAY - NIGHT 120A
The black Lincoln Town car hurdles along the 10 Freeway, a
revitalized Charlie back at the wheel. Surrounded by
traffic, the lights of the city in the distance, the two men
push on toward their new destination.
121 EXT. HOLLYWOOD MOTEL - THE NEXT DAY 121
The black Lincoln Town Car - now washed and gleaming - is
parked in front of a modest motel.
122 INT. HOLLYWOOD MOTEL / BATHROOM - DAY 122
Charlie looks like a new man - showered, clear-eyed and
energized - he's at the sink shaving as Wesley watches from
his seat on the edge of the bathtub.
CHARLIE
So you believed the bartender. Why?
WESLEY
Well... I think I saw her soul.
CHARLIE
That's good. You're learning. But let
me tell you why I know she was lying.
(BEAT)
First off, Betty would never fall for a
soap star. It's beneath her.
WESLEY
I dunno, that lady sounded pretty sure...
CHARLIE
No, no, Betty came here strictly for
business, 'cause it's the biggest market
for what she's selling. I should have
known it all along. I'm kicking myself
as I shave here. So, first thing we...
WESLEY
Wait, wait, wait a minute... that doesn't
make sense.
CHARLIE
What doesn't?
WESLEY
You gimme this bullshit Psychic Friends
theory, you believe that dumbshit
trucker, you believe this woman...
109.
CHARLIE
I never said that I believed...
WESLEY
No, you believed her, we drove all the
way to L.A. so that means you trusted her
that much... so why's the rest of her
story suddenly so kooky? Huh?
CHARLIE
'Cause I just don't buy it. Call it
instinct. Call it 35 years of
professional know-how...
WESLEY
I call it 'nutty' as my shit after I eat
Almond Roca...
CHARLIE
You need to remember who you're talking
to...
WESLEY
I need to get my goddamn head examined.
(BEAT)
You can't rule something out on a whim.
Or because she's cute. I've been
following your whims all across the U.S.
of A. and now I'm tired! Me!
CHARLIE
Wesley...
WESLEY
"It's beneath her..." She's a mother
fucking housewife... nothing's beneath
her!
Wesley stands up for emphasis, pointing a finger in Charlie's
personal space. Charlie reacts at this, throwing his razor
into the sink and turning on Wesley.
CHARLIE
Boy, you need to get outta my face...
now! You got a feeling, then you do what
you gotta do, but don't you ever try to
tell me my job. Not ever.
It's a standoff. Wesley blinks first. He stalks off and out
of sight. In a moment, he returns.
WESLEY
Fine. Just fine... I'll go check some
shit on my own then. And don't call me
'boy...'
110.
He turns and slams into the door frame. He glares at
Charlie, then exits. When the front door BANGS SHUT allows
himself to go back to his shaving.
123 EXT. STUDIO BUILDINGS - DAY 123
Map in hand, Wesley stand near A GUARD and discreetly asks
questions.
WESLEY
... what kinda car's Jasmine drive?
GUARD
Ahh, Mercedes, I think. Black.
WESLEY
Yeah? The sport utility?
GUARD
Uh-huh.
WESLEY
Damn, that's sweet...
(BEAT)
She really that good-looking in person?
GUARD
Better.
WESLEY
Oh fuck...
Wesley looks around covertly, then produces a fifty.
WESLEY (cont'd)
Hey, can you sneak me on the lot?
GUARD
Sure.
Wesley smiles and wanders off, headed toward a series of
studio buildings in the distance. The guard watches him go.
GUARD (cont'd)
... it's Sunday, I can sneak anybody on
the lot.
124 INT. HOLLYWOOD MOTEL ROOM - DAY 124
Charlie toys with matches from the Canyon Ranch Bar. Working
off a list of names and phone numbers from his Zaurus, he
makes calls from his room.
111.
CHARLIE
Betty Sizemore, she's got ten kilos...
Blonde hair, a great figure... sort of a
whole Doris Day thing going on. That's
what I said-- Doris Day. You could see
her working at the U.N., or something.
'The U.N.' "United Nations." Forget
it...
(BEAT)
Nobody like that? You're sure? Yeah,
Detroit by way of Kansas... Alright, let
me know if you hear anything, okay?
He hangs up. Deletes another one off the list and looks out
the window. Checks the now well-worn photo of Betty. He's
starting to doubt himself.
125 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT / BATHROOM - EVENING 125
Rosa stands in the doorway as Betty, wearing one of Rosa's
hotter outfits, puts on her makeup.
BETTY
Are you sure I can borrow this?
ROSA
No, please. Go ahead, it's your
funeral...
BETTY
Rosa...
ROSA
Well, what if this guy's just playing
with you? What if he's lying about who
he is?
BETTY
You should have a little faith in people.
ROSA
Does he ever talk about medicine? His
patients, the hospital?
BETTY
All the time. It's always "Loma Vista"
this, "Loma Vista" that.
The DOORBELL RINGS. Rosa goes to the front door and looks
through the peephole, then opens the door. George McCord,
flowers in hand, gives his best leading man smile.
112.
GEORGE
You must be Rosa. I've heard so much
about you... I'm George McCord.
ROSA
Not as much as I've heard about you.
She's a very nice girl and you better not
hurt her.
GEORGE
What?
Betty appears.
BETTY
Rosa, so you've met David?
ROSA
Sure did! And a funny thing, Betty, he
introduced himself to me as George!
BETTY
Oh, he does that.
(hugging him)
It's this silly game he plays. Half the
people who know him call him George.
126 EXT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 126
GEORGE
I don't think your friend likes me.
BETTY
She's a little jealous, I think. And
confused when it comes to men...
(BEAT)
So where are we going?
GEORGE
Well, first I thought Patina, and then
the Ivy, but then I thought of somewhere
a little more romantic. Like my place.
127 INT. GEORGE'S HOUSE - NIGHT 127
Modern glass and steel structure in the hills. Austere.
Betty and George sit on the sofa with the lights low and SOFT
MUSIC playing.
GEORGE
God, I haven't felt like this since I was
with Stella Adler in New York. You're
so...real.
113.
He leans forward slowly to kiss her, but Betty pulls back.
BETTY
You never mentioned a 'Stella' to me.
GEORGE
Didn't I?
BETTY
No, I would have remembered that name.
The only Stella I ever knew was a parrot.
(BEAT)
Was this before Leslie? Before us?...
George takes her face in his hands and looks at her.
GEORGE
I've never met anyone like you, Betty.
BETTY
I know, that's why we were meant to be
together...
GEORGE
No, I mean your dedication scares me...
BETTY
It's easy to be dedicated, when you care
about something...
GEORGE
Yeah, I felt that way, too, when I first
started, but now... the hours, the
repetition... it's not all glamour and
mall openings anymore. Maybe I should've
listened to my people and tried to make
the crossover to nights earlier, I don't
know...
(BEAT)
...I just hope it's not too late for me.
God! Listen to me, "Me, me, me." It's so
easy to get caught up in the whole ego
cycle of this business and make it all
about yourself. Stop, right? That's it,
no more about me tonight, I promise...
Let's talk about you...what do you think
about me? I'm kidding... Seriously,
Betty, I'm doing all the talking here...
BETTY
...but I love listening to you, so that's
okay...
114.
GEORGE
Thanks. But I'd like to hear what you're
feeling...
BETTY
Well, I just feel that life'll be much
sweeter for you now with me around. I
promise...
GEORGE
You know, I almost believe that... you're
like a warm breeze that's suddenly blown
into my life...
(laughs)
I said that to Leslie, once, at her
funeral, remember?...
BETTY
I remember. You said it to her, but it
was meant for me, wasn't it?
GEORGE
Yes... maybe it was.
She kisses him deeply, then allows herself to fall back on
the sofa, pulling George down on top of her and kissing him
passionately.
128 INT. HOLLYWOOD MOTEL - THE NEXT DAY 128
Wesley hands Charlie a newspaper folded open to the
Entertainment section, where there is a picture of Betty
slapping the actor Eric Augustino. George is in b.g.
WESLEY
...so I'm standing there, minding my own
business on Hollywood Blvd., checking out
Gladys Knight's star-thing there, I look
up at this little souvenir shop dude,
Chinese dude, reading a paper... and who
do I see?
(holding up paper)
That's Lonnie. He's the show's Main
Prick. And that is definitely Betty.
Now, that ain't no coincidence...
(BEAT)
I found out where they shoot it, and
where the dressing rooms are.
Charlie studies the photo, troubled by something.
CHARLIE
Who's this?
115.
WESLEY
A doctor on the show... why?
Charlie thinks about it, then reaches into his pocket and
takes out the photo of Betty with the cardboard David. As he
compares the photos, Wesley peeks over his shoulder.
WESLEY (cont'd)
What in the...
(simmering)
What the hell is this? You've been
holding out on me. All this fucking
time!
CHARLIE
It just didn't fit her profile...
WESLEY
Fuck the profile! That's the same guy!!
CHARLIE
She can't be here because of a... a soap
opera. Not a soap opera. That'd make
her...
WESLEY
... crazy! No shit, Shaft!! And you
ain't far behind...
CHARLIE
... but she's, no, Betty's smarter than
that. She wouldn't be here for a...
WESLEY
I do not know how the fuck you lasted an
hour in this job! Dragging our asses
around with the answer to our prayers in
your motherfucking jacket... a picture of
that cunt right next to the...
Charlie cuts Wesley short by grabbing his shirt and pulling
him close.
CHARLIE
Don't Don't you talk about Betty like
that. I don't care who she ends up
being, you never use that word again.
Got it?
WESLEY
Man, you have got to get some therapy.
CHARLIE
I said 'got it?'
116.
WESLEY
... yeah, I got it.
(struggling)
Come on, you're stretching out my vest...
CHARLIE
You made your point...
(drops him)
I was wrong.
He carefully folds the paper, pockets the photo and
straightens his clothing. He straps on his holster and
checks his weapon for emphasis.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Now, get yourself ready.
129 INT. MOTEL BATHROOM - DAY 129
Wesley gathering his gear through the open door. Charlie
stands looking at himself in the mirror. Touches at the gray
in his hair. As an afterthought, he tosses on a splash of
cologne.
130 OMIT 130
131 INT. SOUNDSTAGE - DAY 131
George leads Betty past several standing sets and into the
'operating room' as CREW MEMBERS buzz around. Betty walks
with her eyes closed and holding George's hand.
GEORGE
Just a little further... come on...
George stops and puts both hands over Betty's eyes. He looks
about expectantly and then uncovers them with a flourish.
GEORGE (cont'd)
Surprise!
Betty stares, slowly trying to take in her new surroundings.
It looks like Loma Vista, but something is different. Odd.
Cameras, lights, etc. - all the apparatus of a TV show - are
in plain sight... And very disorienting.
BETTY
Oh my gosh...I didn't know I was going to
meet your friends today...I dressed a
little casual.
117.
He leads her to a taped mark on the floor as CAST MEMBERS
appear, including JASMINE and BLAKE DANIELS.
GEORGE
That's cute...listen, you got the part,
and I'm directing. You've only got four
lines today, so I thought I'd just spring
it on you. No blocking or anything, just
stand near the nurse's station... we're
gonna do a quick walk-through. Alright?
He kisses her cheek and walks off toward the waiting Lyla
before she can respond.
VOICE (O.S.)
Quiet on the set!
GEORGE
Traffic was terrible...
LYLA
No, that's fine, we've only got seventy
pages to shoot...take your time.
A STAGE MANAGER hands Betty a set of sides and an on-set
COSTUMER tries to fit her.
BETTY
Excuse me. What are you doing?
STAGE MANAGER
We'll get you into hair and make-up after
this, just put this on...
The other actors take their positions. Lyla watches from
behind the cameras as David readies himself. Chloe enters the
set with Kleenex tucked into the neck of her costume.
CHLOE
(to Betty)
Hi. I hear you're great. Good luck...
BETTY
What are you doing here? David...
GEORGE
Your lines'll are in the script, but you
can ad lib.
BETTY
Ad lib?
118.
GEORGE
In fact, I want you to ad lib, that's the
magic I'm after. I wanna give a whole
new feel to the show.
She's sliding toward a complete meltdown.
VOICE
Slate it!
George steps back behind the cameras. Betty's still frozen
to her spot, overwhelmed.
GEORGE
Just do what you've been doing. Watch
the scene and on your cue take off from
there.
VOICE
5-4-3-2...
Chloe and Blake run through their lines lifelessly, then stop
when they get to Betty's cue. Their faces loom around her
menacingly. Staring. The lights are impossibly bright.
People begin to shuffle and stare at one another. Lyla clears
her throat as George bounds on stage, still smiling.
GEORGE
Betty?
CHLOE
Are you all right?
BLAKE
(to Chloe)
I think you stepped on my first line...
CHLOE
... I was talking to her.
(to Betty)
Do you need anything...?
She's freezing up. George approaches her.
GEORGE
Betty, I thought this would be the best
way. You know, throw you into it...
LYLA
What the hell's going on?
GEORGE
If you need a minute, that's okay. But I
thought you'd want to--
119.
BETTY
David, I don't... Can we talk privately
for a second?
GEORGE
Stop calling me David. We're on set, for
Christ's sake, you don't have to call me
David here.
As he pulls away Betty grabs his arm.
BETTY
Why are you doing this to me?
GEORGE
Why am I doing this to you? Isn't this
what you wanted?
Lyla approaches.
LYLA
Is there a problem, George?
GEORGE
No! No problem, there is no...
(to Betty, sotto)
What is the problem? Just do that...
thing... you do! Come on! You drove me
nuts with this for three days, now do it!
George steps back behind the cameras as if nothing's wrong.
Betty still hasn't moved. She's shaking with fear. The cast
and crew members find it hard to look at her.
LYLA
All right, everybody! That's ten
minutes!
GEORGE
No! Let me try this!
JASMINE
(storming off)
This is bullshit!
LYLA
Forget it, George. It was a gamble, it
didn't work. Nice try.
GEORGE
Let me try this, goddamnit! SHE'S BEEN
DOING IT ALL WEEK, SHE CAN DO IT NOW!
LYLA
I SAID FORGET IT!
120.
George throws down his script and rushes up to Betty, who
reaches out to him. He brushes her hands away.
GEORGE
Well, I don't know what you had in mind,
but I hope you're happy. I put myself on
the line for you, my reputation, and
you're making me look like an idiot.
BETTY
What do you mean? What did I do to
you...
GEORGE
Who put you up to this? Did my ex-wife
ask you to...?
BETTY
David, please--
GEORGE
STOP CALLING ME THAT! MY NAME IS NOT
DAVID, AND IF YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW THE
DIFFERENCE, YOU'RE MORE FUCKED UP THAN I
THOUGHT YOU WERE!
Betty begins to cry.
STAGEHAND
Leave her alone, George!
GEORGE
SHUT THE FUCK UP!! You're a fucking grip,
go grip something!!!
(to Betty)
And you're not an actress, you're nothing
but a soap opera groupie, aren't you?
YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO! DO YOU??
Well, why don't you get a fucking life,
and stop ruining mine!
Betty stands dead still as George continues to berate her.
ALL SOUND slowly starts to drop out, then comes back abruptly
with a RUSH. Suddenly a light snaps on for her and she
stares at him.
BETTY
I'm sorry...Oh my gosh, are you George
McCord?!
GEORGE
...What? What did you call me?
121.
BETTY
George...McCord. You're my favorite actor
on...
LYLA
She called you 'George,' George.
BETTY
...did I win some contest?
GEORGE
But I'm David... I mean, I'm not David,
but she thinks I am! You heard her...
(looking around the group)
Stop staring at me... I'm not crazy, she
is!
BETTY
Why are you screaming at me? I mean,
what am I... why am I here? I don't...
GEORGE
You're doing this now? After all the..
are you sick? Are you going to kill me
now?
BETTY
No, I... I'll leave. Forgive me if I
caused you all any trouble... I just, I
don't know how I...
(to George)
... I'm sorry.
George watches Betty walk off the set. The cast and crew try
to pretend this scene didn't happen, except for Lyla, who
burns a hole into George's back. Their eyes meet.
GEORGE
What?!
132 OMIT 132
133 INT. TV STUDIOS / RECEPTION AREA - DAY 133
George McCord, wearing sunglasses and still angry, strides
into the lobby. Charlie and Wesley stand quickly and take
out their badges as he approaches.
GEORGE
What can I do for you, gentlemen?
122.
CHARLIE
How do you do, Mr. McCord. We're trying
to locate a deranged fan of yours,... a
Ms. Betty...
GEORGE
Deranged. That would be the right word.
Wesley takes out the photo of Betty.
GEORGE (cont'd)
That won't be necessary. She's staying
with a Rosa something... Hernandez,
Herrera. I know it's an 'H' sound... in
Silverlake.
CHARLIE
Thanks so much. You must get bothered by
this kind of thing a lot.
GEORGE
More than you know. Is there anything
else?
CHARLIE
No, that should be more than--
GEORGE
Good.
George turns to leave.
WESLEY
Actually, there is one more thing.
George stops. Wesley is suddenly shy, hesitant.
WESLEY (cont'd)
It's just... well... I watch the show
too, and you being Dr. Ravell and all, I
thought you could maybe get Jasmine to
come out here.
GEORGE
You thought wrong.
George pulls away. Wesley grabs his sleeve.
WESLEY
It's just for an autograph. It's not for
me...
GEORGE
It never is.
123.
George wrenches free of Wesley's grip and takes off.
Wesley is furious. He catches George in two strides, spins
him around and SLAPS him across the face. George's glasses
go skittering across the floor. PEOPLE stare.
WESLEY
You need to learn some manners, friend...
reach out to your goddamn fan base a
little more.
Charlie pulls Wesley away. George is frozen to the spot,
humiliated, a pink handprint emerging on his cheek.
WESLEY (cont'd)
... and I saw your movie-of-the-week. It
sucked dick!
134 EXT. HOLLYWOOD BLVD. - DAY 134
Betty walks aimlessly along a busy street. She moves without
direction, in a daze until a glint of bright light hits her,
causing her to turn. She is staring at a black Lincoln
sitting in a car lot, sunlight dancing off its chrome. She
shudders involuntarily at it. Suddenly, she hears a familiar
voice.
DEL (O.S.)
What the hell are you doing here?
It's Del. He's in a pastel version of his usual shirt,
slacks, and tie.
DEL (cont'd)
Well, are you gonna answer me? What'd
you come here for?
BETTY
I came for love...
DEL
You're not on that soap opera thing
again, are you? 'Cause you know what
that is?
BETTY
It's people with no lives watching other
people's fake lives.
DEL
That's right. So, if you know it, why
are you in trouble?
124.
BETTY
I don't know.
DEL
You sure don't. Who do you think you are
coming to Hollywood, anyway? You should
remember where you came from. And who you
really are.
Del looks up at the sun for a moment, shading his eye from
it.
DEL (cont'd)
I gotta run. Got some serious clients to
meet, with real potential.
(BEAT)
Goddamn, it's hot!
He wipes the sweat from his brow. Betty looks at his
handkerchief and sees that it's soaked in blood. Then back
at his face, now obscured by blood pouring down from his
head.
She stares, horrified, and in that moment Del becomes... a
MAN, staring back at her as he wipes the sweat from his brow.
MAN
Who are you talking to? Are you crazy?
Betty backs away and melts into the flow of PEDESTRIANS.
135 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - LATER 135
Rosa comes home from work and tosses her purse and jacket on
the chair. No Betty in her room.
ROSA
Bet-ty!? Did the pizza guy show up yet?
She emerges from Rosa's bedroom with toiletries and moves to
an open suitcase in her room. She barely acknowledges Rosa.
ROSA (cont'd)
Are you all right?
(no answer)
What happened?
(BEAT)
He dumped you, didn't he? I KNEW IT WHEN
I MET HIM!! He's a loser, like the rest
of them. Mother-fucker!
Rosa now notices Betty packing.
125.
ROSA (cont'd)
What are you doing?
BETTY
I'm going back to... I need to... I don't
know.
Rosa tries to stop Betty for a moment to talk. Betty grabs a
pile of Rosa's clothes and heads for her room.
BETTY (cont'd)
... this is your sweater, right?
ROSA
Where are you going?
BETTY
I have to leave now.
She tries to put Betty's suitcase away.
ROSA
What? No, I'm not gonna let you just run
out of here... You need to talk about
what's going on...
BETTY
You think I'm crazy, Rosa, but you don't
know the half of it. My husband was,
ahh...
ROSA
Your husband?!
BETTY
Yes, I had a husband and he was killed
two weeks ago in my kitchen. I was right
there...
Rosa stops.
ROSA
Jesus!... What are you saying?
They stare at each other for a beat.
ROSA (cont'd)
What?! That you had something to do with
it?
BETTY
I don't know. I'm just starting to
remember it now. I don't...
126.
ROSA
Yeah, but your running away isn't going
to help you with all this...
BETTY
There was blood everywhere, Rosa. I saw
it, I think I watched the whole thing
happen... Oh my God...
ROSA
Okay, okay, look, ummm... Let's just talk
a little first and you'll feel better, I
promise.
The doorbell rings.
ROSA (cont'd)
That's our pizza... You can't go yet.
136 EXT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - DAY 136
Charlie watches Betty undress from a nearby fire escape. He
stares at the object of his desperate search with relief and
some fascination.
Betty's movements are unhurried, mindless. Charlie stares,
mesmerized, until she steps into the shower.
137 EXT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - STREET - SAME TIME 137
Wesley gently nudges open the trunk to Betty's LeSabre. The
cardboard cut-out of David Ravell pops out at him.
WESLEY
Whoa! What the fuck're you doing here?
He breaks it over his knee and throws it in the gutter, then
quickly removes the wing nut holding the spare tire. He
removes the tire, then raises the panel on the floor of the
trunk as Charlie joins him.
WESLEY (cont'd)
It's all here. It hasn't been touched.
The bottom of the trunk is lined with brown paper-wrapped
bricks of cocaine. Charlie stares at it, shaking his head.
WESLEY (cont'd)
You were right. Del wasn't lying.
CHARLIE
Well, you were right about what that
bartender said.
127.
Wesley looks at him. He appreciates the compliment.
WESLEY
But you were right first. You gotta
follow your instincts.
Charlie takes a long look at Wesley and smiles proudly.
CHARLIE
What do your instincts tell you to do
now, kid?
WESLEY
Leave. Take this shit back to Detroit
and get the rest of our money.
CHARLIE
We could do that. I could be on my way
to Florida, and you could go to Thailand
and fuck your brains out.
WESLEY
...but that's not what we're gonna do, is
it?
CHARLIE
No... if we don't finish this job, how
are we gonna look at ourselves in the
mirror? This is it for me, Wesley, she's
the last one. My instinct says I gotta
see this through with her, and if there's
one thing I've tried to teach you here--
WESLEY
It's to follow my instincts. And my
instincts say get the fuck out of Dodge.
CHARLIE
No, I said to follow 'my' instincts.
Now, we go up there and conclude our
business. Case closed.
Charlie walks off. Wesley closes the trunk up and prepares
to follow him.
WESLEY
... oh, that's fucking democratic.
138 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT / HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER 138
At the sound of the BUZZER Rosa goes to the door. She looks
through the peephole and sees Charlie holding up a badge.
128.
CHARLIE
I'm Detective Jefferson--
ROSA
Oh... Did Betty call you?
Charlie nods. Rosa opens the door, and he enters with
Wesley.
ROSA
She's got problems, but she's no killer.
I hope you guys can straighten this
out...
Charlie and Wesley exchange a puzzled look.
CHARLIE
We'll do what we can. Where is she?
ROSA
Bet-ty!
(to the men)
Please, go easy on her. She's had a
really rough day.
Betty appears. She recognizes the men instantly and freezes.
Charlie's eyes wander over her... slowly. Wesley notices.
ROSA (cont'd)
These guys are here to help you, Betty.
BETTY
I don't think so.
(BEAT)
Rosa, I didn't kill Del... they did.
Wesley produces a pistol, sitting Rosa forcibly on the sofa
and tapes her mouth and hands. Charlie walks over to Betty.
CHARLIE
We meet again.
He moves closer to her... almost whispers. Wesley steps in
and quickly tapes her hands. Charlie stops him.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Not her mouth...
(to Betty)
I've spent many long hours in a car with
your face staring back at me. I've seen
it painted on the horizon.
WESLEY
(to Charlie)
What's wrong with you?
129.
A KNOCK at the door ruins Charlie's moment.
ROSA
That's our pizza.
Wesley hustles Rosa out of the room.
CHARLIE
Get rid of them. You understand?
Betty nods, scared, and looks through the peephole. She
stares with disbelief at ROY OSTREY. He KNOCKS again. She
opens the door a crack.
ROY
Betty! Boy, am I glad to see you!
BETTY
Roy! What are you doing here?
ROY
You're in serious danger!
BETTY
Ahh, look, right now's not very...
ROY
I woulda' been here sooner, but Ballard
put me in jail. He still thinks you had
Del scalped.
BALLARD
I never said that! Open the door, Betty.
BALLARD shoves Roy aside; Charlie's getting edgy ...
BETTY
Sheriff, I don't...
BALLARD
C'mon, Betty, open up! I got some
questions for you about...
ROY
Have you checked the trunk of that car
you're driving, Betty? I think there
might be...
BETTY
It's not really a good time, guys...
BALLARD
Don't give me that. I've come two
thousand miles for this!
130.
Charlie has been listening quietly on the other side of the
door and finally snaps.
CHARLIE
Two thousand miles? That's nothing!
He flings the door open, sticks a pistol in Ballard's face
and yanks them both inside.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Hah! You probably flew! I've crossed
the river Styx looking for her, pal! I
travelled the fucking country to be here!
Charlie slams the door and frisks them, taking a gun and
handcuffs from Ballard. Wesley returns with Rosa.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
(to Betty)
Who are these idiots?
BETTY
This is Roy Ostrey, he's a reporter. And
this is Sheriff Ballard. We all went to
Fair Oaks High together...
CHARLIE
Oh, this is wonderful...
Wesley takes over. He sits Rosa down on the sofa, then
pushes Betty down next to her and beckons to Roy.
WESLEY
Come here.
He breaks Roy's nose with his pistol. Roy crumples to the
floor, holding his face. Betty starts to scream, but Charlie
puts his hand over her mouth.
Wesley tapes Roy's hands together, then beckons to Ballard.
WESLEY (cont'd)
Your turn.
Ballard drops to his knees in a prayer-like position near the
aquarium.
BALLARD
I got two kids and a dog...
Wesley grabs his shirtfront and slams him to the floor, then
with a foot on his neck, he loops Ballard's arms around one
leg of the steel aquarium stand and handcuffs him.
131.
Charlie does nothing but stare at Betty, his eyes locked with
hers. Wesley sees it.
WESLEY
Act professional, remember?
Charlie pulls her to her feet.
WESLEY (cont'd)
What are you doing?
Charlie leads Betty out of the room.
WESLEY (cont'd)
No way! This is not professional!
139 INT. BEDROOM - SAME TIME 139
Silence. Then Charlie takes out a knife and cuts the tape
from Betty's wrists, touching her hair. Gently. He leaves
her standing in the corner while he sits on the edge of the
bed.
BETTY
... I s'pose you did that so I could take
my sweater off or something.
CHARLIE
No, just stand there... lemme look at you
a minute.
She does. Charlie stares intently at her.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Do you know who I am?
BETTY
... I... I know what you are.
CHARLIE
Do you know why I'm here?
BETTY
I've got a pretty good idea. You're here
to kill me, so kill me. You want me to
be afraid, but I'm not. I don't care who
you are, or why you two killed my
husband...
Charlie studies her, then sets his gun down on the bed.
CHARLIE
You really... didn't have anything to do
with what Del was doing, did you?
132.
BETTY
I have no idea what he was mixed up in...
it was always something.
CHARLIE
So you weren't involved with him in his
pathetic attempt to diversify?
(off her blank look)
Were you mixed up in the drugs, Betty?
BETTY
Drugs? God, no! I'm totally against
drugs.
CHARLIE
Damn, life is strange. I had you figured
for this cold-blooded, calculating bitch--
Not that I didn't admire you for it.
Charlie slowly folds his knife and pockets it.
BETTY
... well, if you're not going to slit my
throat, why'd you come up here?
CHARLIE
... to see you.
140 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME 140
Wesley stands over Ballard, about to tape his mouth. Rosa and
Roy are sitting in chairs opposite them, their mouths and
wrists already taped.
BALLARD
You killed that bartender in Arizona and
the trucker in Texas, didn't you?
WESLEY
How did you find Betty?
BALLARD
I just put it all together. I knew David,
Lonnie and Chloe were from that show.
Roy starts freaking out, trying to talk through the tape.
BALLARD (cont'd)
Betty thinks they're real people. It
sounded crazy, but it was worth a shot.
Roy is apoplectic...
133.
WESLEY
What do you want?!
Wesley tears his tape off.
ROY
That's a lie! I figured it out! I've
been trying to tell this dumbass--
BALLARD
Fuck you, Roy Ostrey!
ROY
--small-time, pissant, Barney Fife--
WESLEY
SHUT UP! Shut the fuck up, both of you,
before I kill you!
ROY
I'm the one who watched the show...I
was...
WESLEY
Did Chloe crack?
ROY
Totally. She came apart like a house of
cards. They dropped the charges...
WESLEY
Goddamn... how 'bout Jasmine?
ROY
She's a lesbian.
Wesley immediately pulls his gun and points it at Roy's head.
WESLEY
You lie, motherfucker...
ROY
I swear to God!
Rosa STAMPS her feet, drawing Wesley's attention. She tries
to talk through the duct tape; gestures for him to come to
her.
WESLEY
What?! You scream, you die.
He yanks the tape off. Rosa winces.
ROSA
I have a tape of today's show.
134.
141 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - SAME TIME 141
Betty is sitting on the bed. Charlie leans against the wall,
facing her. He has trouble starting this.
CHARLIE
... I never meet people like you. I'm a
garbageman of the human conditon. I deal
with trash, mostly, people willing to
trade any part of themselves for a few
more minutes of their rotten lives. But
you... you're different.
BETTY
I am?
CHARLIE
Sure. You could probably have any thing
you wanted... somebody as beautiful and
stylish as yourself, and you don't even
realize it.
Betty looks curiously over at Charlie.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
I'm appreciably older than you, but my
health is good. I take care of myself,
and I got some money socked away. You'd
never have to work agin, that's for sure.
I'd treat you like a queen.
BETTY
Umm, I don't think that...
CHARLIE
Wait. Let me get this out.
(clears his throat)
I like the symphony, walks in the rain,
sunsets, animals and children. I read
passionately, and I like to discuss
things. I'm basically conservative, but
flexible. I've been involved in the
death of thirty-two people, but I can
live with that because the world is
lighter by thirty-two pieces of shit,
excuse my language.
BETTY
"Thirty-two?"
CHARLIE
Well, thirty-three, but I'm not counting
Del, on account of you... so, what do you
think?
135.
(BEAT)
You probably feel I'm flattering myself
to see us together.
BETTY
I don't feel that, no. I just....I'm not
really who you think I am.
CHARLIE
No one is, honey. Here, listen to
this... "If who I am and who I hope to
be should meet one day, I know they will
be friends." Now that's beautiful.
Betty is stunned.
BETTY
I wrote that when I was twelve... where'd
you get that?!
CHARLIE
(he pulls out the diary)
I know. I borrowed it from your
grandparents because I... I... it doesn't
matter. Don't worry, they're fine...
(he gives the diary back)
Look, I used to feel that same way, said
practically those same words, sitting at
night in a foxhole in Korea...
(BEAT)
I've chased you across the country,
Betty, and I come to find out we're a lot
more alike than you'd think.
BETTY
I thought you were a garbageman of
humanity, or something.
CHARLIE
Yes, but I'd sort of like to put that
behind me now...
142 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME 142
Wesley is engrossed in watching "A Reason to Love." Behind
him, Ballard quietly walks his feet up the wall until he's
completely upside down. He rubs one foot against the other
until one pantleg is above his cowboy boot. Rosa and Roy
watch.
He finally lifts the boot off. It falls soundlessly onto his
chest. A small pistol is revealed, holstered above his ankle.
He works the holster open using the edge of the fishtank.
136.
Roy and Rosa COUGH LOUDLY at the same time to cover the
noise. Wesley glares at them.
Ballard gets the pistol free. But it falls into the fishtank.
The air goes out of Roy's sails. Ballard has fucked up again.
On screen, Chloe and Jasmine kiss and embrace. Wesley reacts
as if he was slapped.
WESLEY
... goddamn!
Wesley immediately runs the sequence back to view it again.
Ballard KICKS the wall of the fishtank with his cowboy boot.
Roy and Rosa cover the sound again with COUGHING. Wesley
pauses the T.V. and looks around.
WESLEY (cont'd)
What's your problem?
Ballard KICKS at the tank again. But he can't break the
glass. Roy can't take it any more. He launches himself at the
tank, grabs it by the rim and pulls it down on top of
himself. A torrent of water, fish, plants and gravel pours
down upon him.
WESLEY (cont'd)
You stupid piece of fuck!
He leaps at Roy and starts kicking him savagely. Rosa throws
herself onto Wesley's back, knocking him to the floor.
Ballard paws through the muck, scattering fish and gravel
everywhere. He spots a glint of metal in the sand.
Wesley struggles out from under Rosa. Just as he gets free,
Ballard FIRES, hitting him TWICE into his chest. Wesley
stares in disbelief at the blood rushing out of him. Then at
Ballard, as if trying to link the two.
He slumps to the floor and opens his mouth to scream ...
WESLEY (cont'd)
D-A-A-A-D-D-D-Y-Y-!!!!
Charlie opens the bedroom door.
CHARLIE
Wesley??!
Charlie sees Wesley turn to him as Ballard FIRES again.
Wesley's face explodes. The flying lead drives Charlie back
to the bedroom.
Crawling through the muck, Roy notices a fish flopping
helplessly on the carpet inches from his face.
137.
ROY
Those're Japanese koi!
ROSA
Yes! How'd you know that?
ROY
You gotta get 'em in water right away!
BALLARD
We're in a shootout, Roy! Shut up about
the damn fish!
ROY
YOU shut up!
(to Rosa)
They're beautiful, but get them some
water.
He gently hands her the fish, then picks up Wesley's nearby
gun. Rosa nods; she's amazed that he knew what it was. She
looks at Roy in a slightly different way before crawling away
toward the kitchen.
143-144 OMIT (NOW IN 141, 142) 143-144
145 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - SAME TIME 145
Charlie FIRES back from the doorway.
CHARLIE
Oh, Christ, they shot my boy!
Enraged, he empties his pistol at the living room. Ballard
and Roy return fire, and Charlie ducks back in.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
(reloading)
How the hell did this happen? I'm in a
goddamn shoot-out! Wesley? What the
fuck happened out there?!
He opens the door, and a bullet slams into the doorjamb near
his head. He ducks back in.
Charlie sags against the wall, looking toward Betty.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
That's my son! My son is dead!
BETTY
I'm sorry.
138.
CHARLIE
You're sorry? YOU'RE THE REASON WE'RE
HERE!
BETTY
WAIT A SECOND! I AM NOT THE REASON
YOU'RE HERE! I WAS MINDING MY OWN
BUSINESS, LIVING A PERFECTLY BORING LIFE
UNTIL YOU CAME ALONG!
Charlie fights back his grief.
BETTY (cont'd)
What do you want from me?
Charlie can't handle the moment. He breaks for the door,
and BLASTS away. This time he's nicked in the shoulder. He
stumbles back, losing his balance. His gun falls and slides
right into Betty's hand. Equally surprised they stare at one
another.
Charlie slumps over in his defeat as Betty holds a shaky
pistol on him.
CHARLIE
Oh shit...
146 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME 146
Rosa crawls to a flower vase and dumps a second koi into the
water inside. Roy and Ballard crouch behind the open
archway, using the hanging beads as protection.
BALLARD
(checks his gun)
We need ammo... Go check his jacket, I'll
cover you.
ROY
I'm not going out there! Let's wait for
the real police...
BALLARD
You gotta go, we're pinned down!
ROSA
So why can't we just sneak outside? Huh?
BALLARD
Lady, you don't just run away from
crime... besides, Betty's in there.
139.
ROY
(checking)
You wanna see if he has more shells, go
ahead. I say we wait...
BALLARD
No, no, no... you don't know shit about
procedure! You don't send your best...
ROY
I've got the working gun, Elden, me! You
wasted all your bullets so you crawl out
there.
Ballard stares at him in disbelief, then back at the closed
bedroom door. Ballard starts off on his belly.
BALLARD
Goddammit...
146A OMIT 146A
147 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - SAME TIME 147
A LONG BEAT passes. POLICE SIRENS wail in the distance.
Betty moves close to Charlie to look at his shoulder. He
watches her intently.
CHARLIE
If we went out that window right now we'd
have a chance...
BETTY
I better go check on them.
CHARLIE
Wait, Betty... you still haven't answered
me.
BETTY
This is really awkward...
The SIRENS are coming closer. He waves her off.
CHARLIE
Ahh, it's too late, anyway. It's too
late.
(BEAT)
Listen, I could shoot my way out, maybe
take one of them with me... If you'd
gimme my gun back.
140.
BETTY
I'd rather not...
CHARLIE
Betty, I don't wanna shrivel up alone in
some stinking prison. No way. I've got
some professional pride. And I don't
want anybody else to get the credit for
taking me out.
BETTY
...what're you saying?
CHARLIE
When a Roman general knew a battle was
lost, he'd throw himself on his sword.
Charlie fumbles in his pocket, then pulls out the photo of
Betty with the cardboard David Ravell.
CHARLIE (cont'd)
Did... did you really come here because
you love this guy?
BETTY
Yes... Not the actor, though, the doctor.
I think.
Charlie's sinks slowly to the floor.
CHARLIE
So all this...really was because of that
soap opera? My son is dead because you
came out here to be with that doctor? A
fake doctor?
BETTY
I wouldn't have put it quite that way,
but...
CHARLIE
Wesley didn't even want to come up here.
He warned me, but I insisted...
(BEAT)
I have to ask you, Betty...are you crazy?
BETTY
I don't think I am.
Charlie remains sitting pensively for a long beat.
CHARLIE
I want you to listen to me, Betty.
People don't lie when they're about to
die.
141.
(BEAT)
You don't need that doctor. You don't
need that actor. You don't need any man.
It's not the forties, honey. You don't
need anybody. You've got yourself... and
that's more than most people can say.
Charlie reaches out slowly and takes the gun from Betty. She
doesn't fight him. He kisses her hand and steps into the
bathroom and closes the door. A single GUNBLAST sends a
shiver through Betty.
148 INT. LYLA'S HOUSE - NIGHT 148
TV Newscast
CLOSE SHOT of an ANCHORMAN.
ANCHORMAN
In a story that police say is bizarre,
even for Hollywood, a father-son team of
killers tracked a Kansas soap opera fan
halfway across the country, only to find
themselves the victims in a final, bloody
confrontation...
The Anchorman continues as the CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal
Lyla and George watching television in a plush living room.
LYLA
This story is beyond belief, which is
perfect for us. It's free advertising
and it's gonna run for months.
GEORGE
I don't think she can do it. You saw
what happened.
LYLA
You fucked it up. Who wouldn't freeze in
those circumstances? And I don't care
what her problems are. She wouldn't be
the first one in that cast with problems.
We have nothing to lose by making her an
offer.
GEORGE
What about me? Don't you wanna know how
I feel about it? I'm the one who...
LYLA
Why would I give a shit how you feel. And
I got news for you. I loved your 'icy
water' idea the other day... I'm toying
142.
with the idea of killing David Ravell off
in a boating accident.
GEORGE
That's not a bad idea. How many episodes
before he comes back?
Lyla shakes her head "no."
GEORGE (cont'd)
Jesus, don't do that! If it gets around
that you fired me, I'll never land a
pilot.
LYLA
Then do as you're told. Get her back.
149 INT. TIP TOP DINER - DAY 149
George and Betty sit across from one another in a booth.
Betty listens patiently. Her former co-workers try to remain
busy but can't help gawking.
GEORGE
I'm sorry for what I did. It was
inexcusable. I'm sorry for the things I
said, and for not respecting you, and for
all the stupid things that...
Darlene approaches, puts a piece of paper on the table.
DARLENE
When you have a minute...
GEORGE
Look, I don't really like the whole idea
of autographs, and I'm kind of in the
middle of...
DARLENE
Don't flatter yourself. It's the check.
She walks off.
GEORGE
Oh. Of course... sorry.
BETTY
(grabbing it up)
My treat. You were saying... something
about how stupid you've been?
143.
GEORGE
Right... I was. I was an idiot, plain
and simple, and I hope you can find it in
your heart to forgive me. How's that?
BETTY
Kinda like you'd been saying it since you
got on the plane...
GEORGE
I have... did it sound that bad?
BETTY
Mmm-hmm. Listen, I forgive you, Mr.
McCord...
GEORGE
George...
BETTY
... George. I do.
(BEAT)
My best friend once said if you were any
handsomer it would be a crime...
GEORGE
Thanks...
BETTY
... it's too bad you're such an asshole.
'S the only thing that Del was ever right
about.
George winces... accepts it.
GEORGE
No, that's... okay. Fair enough.
(BEAT)
So, now that we've sort of settled the
'asshole' thing, is there any chance
you'll come back to the show? At all?
150 INT. TV DINER - DAY 150
Dr. David Ravell sits with Nurse Betty in a diner, catching a
bite to eat before going back on shift. They smile at one
another over their meals.
BETTY
... there's always a chance, David.
DAVID
Right. But will there be a tomorrow, and
the next day, and the next?
144.
BETTY
(whispering to him)
Doctor, if you were any handsomer it'd be
a crime...
DAVID
I guess that means you're free tonight.
Of course, it's up to you...
BETTY
No, it's up to us. I love you, David.
And I want to see you tomorrow, and the
next day, and the next day...
(they kiss)
151 INT. TIP TOP DINER - DAY 151
Darlene, the other waitresses, the cooks and assorted
customers gather at the counter to watch Betty on television.
Sheriff Ballard beams from a nearby stool.
152 INT. SUE ANN'S HOUSE - DAY 152
The kids are out of control, but Sue Ann's oblivious. She
leaps from her chair.
SUE ANN
That's my best friend!
153 INT. ROSA'S APARTMENT - DAY 153
Roy, Rosa, Danny and Sra. Herrera watch Betty lean across the
table, take David's face in her hands and move into a
romantic kiss.
On the sofa, Rosa takes Roy's hand in hers.
POSTSCRIPT:
Rosa Herrera received 11 phone calls off the
business cards Betty handed out. But she fell
in love with Roy Ostrey, married him and moved
to Kansas.
154 EXT. CAFE SISTINA - ROME - DAY 154
Betty watches the pilgrims on their way to St. Peter's as she
sips a cup of coffee. HER WAITER stands nearby with one eye
on a TV set that broadcasts "A Reason to Love" in Italian.
145.
BETTY
Could I get some service here, please?
Without looking, the waiter approaches, tops off her cup and
moves back to watching the show. Betty smiles knowingly at
this, takes a sip and settles back in her seat. Slowly, the
world passes by.
POSTSCRIPT:
Betty Sizemore appeared in 63 episodes of "A
Reason to Love." She is using her earnings to pay
for a nursing degree and is currently on vacation in
Europe. The Europe.
FADE OUT:
THE END
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