THE BRUTALIST
Written by
Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold
FINAL SHOOTING DRAFT
MARCH 12, 2023
A black and white montage of architectural elements; a flurry
of shapes, curves, angles, and shadows.
INSERT TITLE:
OVERTURE
CUE: The sonic boom of a ship's hull impacting against the
waves; each redundant crash gives way to a romantic
orchestral swell...
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM IN VAS COUNTY - MORNING LIGHT
1 1
NOTE: Ocean waves fight the diegetic audio for duration of
scene.
CLOSE ON -
A haunted and brutalized young woman, ZSOFIA, is isolated in
the frame. A vast European landscape can be viewed through
the casement windows behind her.
BORDER OFFICER (O.S.)
(Hungarian)
Your escort is right outside. She
tells us that you are her niece.
Are you her niece? Is she your
aunt? Where is your mother? Is she
alive? Do you know? Do you
understand me when I speak? Do you
prefer English or Czech?
No response.
BORDER OFFICER (CONT'D)
If you are from Budapest as the
lady says, may you please state the
name and street number of your
former place of residence for the
record? There's a pen and piece of
paper in front of you... If you
prefer not to speak to us, we
suggest you write it down along
with your family name, and we will
take it upon ourselves to try and
confirm this. Do you remember that
address?
No response.
BORDER OFFICER (CONT'D)
Is it possible the woman outside is
not related to you at all, but
simply an ally you made along the
way who is trying to help you? You
bear little resemblance to one
another. We will not punish her for
trying to help an innocent young
woman. We want to help you get
home. Your true home. What is your
true home? Help us to help you get
home.
CUE: DIEGETIC AUDIO FADES OUT...
2.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
(Hungarian)
Laszlo, I am alive. Attila tells me
that you, too, are alive and en
route to him from Bremerhaven.
Rejoice!
CUE: Violins shriek.
CROSS DISSOLVE:
INT. SHIP - LOWER DECK - DUSK
2 2
It's dark but slowly our eyes adjust like a developing
photograph hung to dry from a chemical bath.
A SERIES OF ANGLES -
Guided by the ocean's current beneath them; slumbering men,
women, and children rock back and forth in their bunk beds.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
(Hungarian)
I cried out in ecstasy to have news
of you. Zsofia is with me though
she is frail, strange and quite
ill. We anxiously await our being
repatriated, but recently she has
not been herself which has, in
turn, roused unnecessary suspicions
with local officials.
CLOSE, ULTRA-BOWED LENS ON -
LASZLO TOTH, malnourished with a badly broken nose. He has
the face of an emigrant.
A door opens off-screen and light pours in. Several bodies
wipe the frame. A fellow HUNGARIAN REFUGEE shakes LASZLO by
his shoulder. LASZLO slaps his hand in response, shooting
upwards violently.
HUNGARIAN REFUGEE
(Hungarian)
Documents...
LASZLO regains composure, wipes sleep from his eye. The light
blooming from off-screen is transcendent.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
(Hungarian)
Fortunately, a few Soviet boys have
taken a liking to us. They pity
your poor niece especially who has
grown fuller, even lovelier, since
you last set eyes on her. These
lonesome young servicemen are
ostensibly entranced by such a
radiant creature's commitment to
absolute silence.
3.
LASZLO searches for his things in a panic. He looks to the
man off-screen.
LASZLO
(Hungarian)
WHERE ARE MY THINGS?
HUNGARIAN REFUGEE (O.S.)
(Hungarian)
WHAT?
LASZLO
(Hungarian)
IT IS NOT AMUSING TO ME! WHERE IS
MY LUGGAGE?!
LASZLO pushes the man off-screen who breaks into a fit of
laughter.
HUNGARIAN REFUGEE
(Hungarian)
Oh, stop it! Don't look at me that
way, old man! It's tucked there
under the mattress!
LASZLO ducks down to find a large canvas bag and pulls it
out.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
(Hungarian)
The Soviets have helped us relocate
to a nearby shelter for displaced
persons near Vas. They encourage us
to "enjoy our freedoms," but I am
reminded of Goethe; "None are more
hopelessly enslaved than those who
falsely believe themselves free!" I
make no mistake, we are not yet
free.
HUNGARIAN REFUGEE
(Hungarian)
Hurry Laszlo, or we'll be last in
the queue.
LASZLO and the refugee fight their way through the crowded
space towards the increasingly overwhelming sunlight,
throwing off our camera's white balance.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
(Hungarian)
You, like myself, must be
envisioning so many terribly awful,
awful things but it is better that
your thoughts not get the best of
you.
INT. SHIP - STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
3 3
They squeeze through a narrow doorway and up three flights of
stairs.
4.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
It is neither better, nor worse
than you might imagine. I have kept
myself mostly to myself. More
importantly, I have defended Zsofia
from unwanted advances.
The ferocious energy builds to a crescendo.
EXT. SHIP DECK - CONTINUOUS
4 4
The two men reach the top of the stairwell to the upper deck
where dozens of immigrants take their place.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
Below is the address I am told for
mail in Vas. Please write to me at
once when you have received this.
The camera whip-pans over and up to the Statue of Liberty at
a peculiar LOW-ANGLE.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
(Hungarian)
I am certain now that there is
nothing left for us here. Go to
America and I will follow you.
LASZLO and the man beside him squeeze each other by the arm.
ERZSEBET (V.O.
Faithfully, Erzsebet.
CUE: Strings and tympany reach a climax.
INSERT TITLE:
PART ONE
THE ENIGMA OF ARRIVAL
1947-1952
INT. HIAS CENTER BASEMENT - NIGHT
5 5
TWO HIAS REPRESENTATIVES (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)
wearing unassuming dark coats and hats address a room crowded
with Jewish emigre wearing numbered cards around their necks.
One representative speaks in English, the other translates
simultaneously over the speech in Yiddish.
5.
HIAS REPRESENTATIVE HIAS REPRESENTATIVE 2
(English) (Yiddish)
-for those of you who do not -for those of you who do not
speak English, please engage speak English, please engage
myself or any of my myself or any of my
colleagues located at the colleagues located at the
back so we may inform you back so we may inform you
about our orientation and about our orientation and
language programs which are language programs which are
provided in this very room - provided in this room - 425
425 Lafayette - remember that Lafayette - remember that
address. Additionally, address. Additionally,
classes and daily meetings classes and daily meetings
are held where many of you are held where many of you
will be staying tonight over will be staying tonight over
at the Hotel Marseilles at the Hotel Marseilles
located on 103rd and located on 103rd and
Broadway. Broadway.
It's difficult to discern LASZLO amongst the other faces in
the crowd.
HIAS REPRESENTATIVE (CONT'D) HIAS REPRESENTATIVE 2 (CONT'D)
(English) (Yiddish)
And for those of you of which And for those of you of which
none of the aforementioned none of that applies and who
details apply and who are are immediately departing for
immediately departing for other destinations in the
other destinations in the morning, please see us about
morning, please see me about a $25 travel-aid.
your $25 travel-aid.
One HIAS REPRESENTATIVE holds up and demonstrates a travel
voucher.
HIAS REPRESENTATIVE (CONT'D)
These vouchers are redeemable for
both trains and participating bus
services.
CUE: Mournful solo piano plays over all of the following
until otherwise noted.
EXT. NYC EAST RIVER DOCKS - NIGHT
6 6
LONG LENS ON -
A foghorn blows over a slow pan across a few girls talking
amongst themselves while vying for some local business.
INT. BROTHEL - LATER
7 7
A woman performs intense oral sex on the HUNGARIAN REFUGEE
who leans against an armoir in the background. In the
foreground, a PROSTITUTE knelt on the floor tries to arouse
LASZLO, though his penis remains flaccid in her grip.
6.
PROSTITUTE
Don't you think I'm beautiful?
LASZLO appears stoic, uncomfortable, or perhaps somewhat
conflicted.
LASZLO
I do-
PROSTITUTE
Which parts of me do you find most
beautiful? Is there a part of me
you would especially like to touch
or look at?
LASZLO
-all parts.
PROSTITUTE
(affects seduction)
Stop it. I don't find all the parts
of you beautiful. There are some
parts of you which I like very
much.
HUNGARIAN REFUGEE (O.S.)
Fuck her!
LASZLO's girl is annoyed at his friend's outburst.
PROSTITUTE
Can you tell your friend to be
polite?
LASZLO shouts back in Hungarian.
LASZLO
(Hungarian)
Keep your mouth shut.
PROSTITUTE
Which parts do you find ugly?
She's moved to LASZLO's neck to try kissing him romantically.
Still, no response.
PROSTITUTE (CONT'D)
My breasts?
LASZLO
No, they are beautiful.
PROSTITUTE
My legs? Are they too thin?
LASZLO struggles to find the correct adjective in English.
LASZLO
You are- well-proportioned.
He squeezes her thighs below frame.
7.
PROSTITUTE
Well-proportioned? Well, I think
that just made my day.
She presses harder now against him.
PROSTITUTE (CONT'D)
My arse; is that what you like? You
think it's beautiful?
LASZLO
Very... It's the space above your
brow for me which is the problem-
She stops, taken aback.
PROSTITUTE
What?
LASZLO
That's something I do not like.
PROSTITUTE
(without affect)
Your face is ugly.
LASZLO
(despondent)
I know it is.
INT. BROTHEL HALLWAY - LATER
8 8
The MADAME waits for LASZLO as he exits the room.
MADAME
We have boys if you prefer.
Brothers with dark skin but
handsome. We can call for them.
LASZLO
No, thank you.
MADAME
Stay awhile. We have a movie on
tonight.
LASZLO
Excuse me?
MADAME
We have a special movie on the
projector downstairs. Comes free of
charge with a glass of champagne.
INT. BROTHEL BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER
9 9
A gramophone blasts classical music which fights the still
persistent non-diegetic solo piano.
8.
LASZLO enters a makeshift home cinema holding a glass of
champagne where some silent pornography (circa 1930) is being
projected.
EXT. CHINATOWN - DAWN
10 10
LONG LENS ON -
LASZLO and the HUNGARIAN REFUGEE run for their lives to catch
a departing bus. The two drunks bang on its door and the bus
stops. They embrace each other like brothers and LASZLO steps
on-board leaving his friend behind him.
EXT. BUS - DAY
11 11
CUE: Stravinsky continues.
ULTRA-WIDE LOW ANGLE ON -
Asphalt rushes at us. The midday gloom hangs heavy.
A SERIES OF ANGLES ON -
- A sign reads, "WELCOME TO PHILADELPHIA - Enjoy Our Past,
Experience Our Future!"
- driving view of Philadelphia City Hall (constructed 1901)
- driving view of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (constructed
1928)
- driving view of the first International style skyscraper,
the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society building (constructed
1932)
- driving view of Pennsylvania Station, 30th Street
(constructed 1933)
INT. BUS - LATER
12 12
LASZLO rests his head against the frosted window.
LASZLO'S VIEW FROM BUS WINDOW -
A heavy snow comes down on LASZLO's cousin, ATTILA, who
stands amongst a group of on-lookers awaiting visitors
expectedly.
EXT. BUS / DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA - MOMENTS LATER
13 13
ATTILA holds his blood relative in an intense embrace.
ATTILA
Cousin.
9.
LASZLO
Cousin.
ATTILA
Erzsebet is alive.
LASZLO's knees buckle, deeply moved.
LASZLO
What did you say?
ATTILA switches to Hungarian.
ATTILA
(Hungarian)
I have a letter from her - your
Erzsebet is alive and she is with
little Zsofia.
LASZLO lets out a deep emotional wail and holds his blood
relative tight in his arms.
INT. FURNITURE SHOWROOM - LATER
14 14
TRACK WITH -
ATTILA and his young American wife, AUDREY, show LASZLO
around the shop. ATTILA rambles nervously.
ATTILA
It's a combination of things. Most
popular is the cabinetry which we
do ourselves, custom-to-order. The
lamps too. Some pieces we've found
and restored. Audrey does the
displays.
LASZLO nods, still visibly moved by the news of his wife. Not
betraying much enthusiasm, he turns to AUDREY.
LASZLO
He speaks like an American from the
television now-
AUDREY
(demure, posh, defiant)
Well, we don't have a television
but he's been here since before I
was born and still doesn't sound
like any American I've ever met.
ATTILA
Eight years ago, we tried opening
something similar in Manhattan but
we lasted just two months.
AUDREY
We couldn't compete with the name
brands.
10.
ATTILA
Newlyweds come in with an issue of
Better Homes and Gardens and say,
"We'd like that table next to the
perfume ad."
He exhales demonstratively.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
We'd say to them, "well, we can
make you something like that." And
they say, "no sir, we want exactly
that!" Turns out that we don't like
New York at all. No charm, right
Audrey?
She nods.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
Every little urchin you come across
- seller, buyer, delivery boy - is
running a hustle.
ATTILA arrives at a door at the back, and sorts through a
ring of keys without looking at LASZLO.
AUDREY
I'm from Connecticut myself. Do you
know it?
Before LASZLO can respond...
ATTILA
Audrey, of course he doesn't know
it. He just got here.
ATTILA opens the door and flips on a light. The bedroom set-
up is makeshift and austere.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
I cleared out some space for you in
the back. Audrey made you a bed.
There's just the cot and the lamp
for now but feel free to take
anything you want from the
showroom.
LASZLO
That's all I need.
Anxious and embarrassed, ATTILA continues on yammering.
ATTILA
For the employee restroom, you just
exit the front door, and walk
around back where I parked the car.
There's a staircase there, it takes
you up to our apartment. If you
need anything just knock.
The three of them don't bother stepping inside so ATTILA
shuts the door and leads them around the shop's interior
perimeter.
11.
AUDREY
You know, we know somebody, who can
take a look at your nose.
LASZLO
I thought- maybe no one would
notice.
LASZLO smiles a little, having tried to make a joke with
almost no inflection.
AUDREY
What happened, if you don't mind my
asking?
ATTILA shoots her a look. LASZLO struggles a bit with the
language speaking slowly, methodically.
LASZLO
(anecdotal)
I jumped from a rail car. A few
moments later there was a loud
cracking sound so I thought I had
been shot in the head- but I had
merely run into the branch of a
tree. No one was running after me.
AUDREY and ATTILA aren't sure how to respond.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
I take something for the pain but I
would like to have it looked at.
Thank you.
AUDREY
I'll give Kenneth a call.
ATTILA puts his arm around LASZLO and guides him away from
AUDREY to an office area in the showroom's back corner.
ATTILA
Come and take a seat at my desk.
ATTILA takes the boss' chair. LASZLO sits across from him
like it's a job interview.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
Is it smaller than you expected?
LASZLO
What?
ATTILA
The shop.
LASZLO
No, not at all. I had no
expectation.
LASZLO analyzes ATTILA's business cards which read: MILLER &
SONS.
12.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Who is Miller?
ATTILA
I am Miller.
LASZLO
You are Molnar.
ATTILA
Not anymore.
LASZLO
No Miller, No Sons.
ATTILA
(shrugs)
Folks here like a family business-
ATTILA offers LASZLO a cigarette.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
So, what do you think?
LASZLO
Of the furniture?
ATTILA
Well, I meant of everything so far -
Philadelphia - but sure the pieces
on the floor also...
LASZLO
(blunt)
They are not so beautiful.
ATTILA looks a little hurt but saves face.
ATTILA
That's what you're here for,
Maestro.
ATTILA lights his cigarette.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
Next month, I can put you on the
payroll. You're welcome to eat with
us upstairs on Sundays.
LASZLO
You and your wife have done quite
enough.
ATTILA
Don't mention it.
LASZLO
No, I do mention- thank you,
Attila.
13.
LASZLO motions to AUDREY.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
(Yiddish)
Gentile? (Goy?)
ATTILA nods.
ATTILA
She's Catholic.
Corrects himself.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
We are Catholic.
INT. FURNITURE SHOWROOM - BACKROOM - NIGHT
15 15
CLOSE ON -
Under the glow of lamp light, ERZSEBET's letter in Hungarian
reads...
Laszlo, I am alive. Attila tells me that you, too, are alive
and en route to him from Bremerhaven. Rejoice! I cried out in
ecstasy to have news of you...
The note trembles in LASZLO's withering hands. Off-screen, he
can be heard again weeping. He strokes the text lovingly and
murmurs its text to himself. He sets the note down and begins
sketching the first lines of an architectural drawing.
LASZLO
(murmurs)
Erzsebet...
CUE: Solo piano concludes.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. OLD CITY CHURCH SOUP KITCHEN - MORNING
16 16
A new season has arrived. Pigeons are everywhere and rain
drizzles down on a long queue of impoverished families
waiting on line for food. We pan across to LASZLO who stands
solo amongst the families in line. His nose has healed
somewhat.
A man in uniform stands ahead of LASZLO playing "I Spy" with
his little boy. He will come to be known later as GORDON.
GORDON
It's your turn now, William.
The boy, WILLIAM, has his eyes locked on LASZLO.
WILLIAM
I spy- with my eye- something-
blue.
14.
GORDON turns around and regards LASZLO.
GORDON
Is it this gentleman's coat?
LASZLO
He is clever- there is some blue in
it.
LASZLO grins in acknowledgement. A volunteer shouts out...
VOLUNTEER (O.S.)
Kitchen's closed, folks! Get back
early tomorrow.
The crowd hollers with disappointment.
GORDON
Wait, hold on! I got a kid here!
The disgruntled VOLUNTEER shouts back.
VOLUNTEER
We're fresh out! Come see me early
tomorrow and I'll make sure he gets
a plate.
LASZLO joins in.
LASZLO
(shouts)
You must have a slice of bread-
he's only a little boy!
VOLUNTEER
How many more times do you all want
me to say it?! There's nothing left
here!
GORDON regards LASZLO.
GORDON
Thank you-
LASZLO
Will he be all right-?
GORDON
There's somewhere else we can try
tonight.
LASZLO
Let him sleep tomorrow. I can be
here early to- hold a place.
INT. ABOVE GROUND TROLLEY - LATER
17 17
LASZLO holds a leather strap for balance in a packed tram
car. He regards a woman's purse in front of him. After a
moment, she exits.
15.
LASZLO shifts around as a new group of pedestrians come
aboard. Two well-dressed businessmen enter and stand to his
left. The train begins to move. With each sharp turn, the
passengers lean with the train.
LASZLO's left hand enters the business man's coat pocket but
quickly recedes with nothing in its grasp. His expression is
grave, debased. He makes a decision and slowly re-positions
himself to the other side of the two men.
LASZLO
Excuse me.
He waits for the tram to make another sharp turn, and as it
does....
LASZLO's right hand enters the businessman's coat pocket. He
quickly pulls it back with something in his grip.
LASZLO hesitates to look down and see the fruit of his labor.
CLOSE ON -
He opens his hand to reveal a soiled tissue.
INT. THE CONGREGATION MIKVEH ISRAEL - LATER
18 18
LASZLO sits for a service, a kippah atop his crown.
CHAZZAN (O.S.)
(Hebrew)
We will hallow and adore You as the
sweet words of the assembly of the
holy Seraphim who thrice repeat
"holy" unto You, as it is written
by Your prophet: And they call one
to another and Say...
LASZLO
(Hebrew)
Holy, holy, holy is the L-rd of
hosts; the whole earth is full of
His glory.
INT. THE CONGREGATION MIKVEH ISRAEL - LATER
19 19
LONG LENS ON -
LASZLO approaches RABBI ZUNZ in a greeting processional.
LASZLO
Boker tov. Rabbi Zunz-?
RABBI ZUNZ
Yes?
16.
LASZLO
(discreet)
My niece and wife- I have learned
the two are stuck at the Austrian
boundary-
RABBI ZUNZ understands.
RABBI ZUNZ
Wait not many minutes for me and we
can speak after. Mikveh Israel can
try and help but from here it is
very difficult, as you know-
LASZLO nods graciously and extends a hand in thanks.
INT./ EXT. WORKSHOP/ FOUNDRY - DAY
20 20
A SERIES OF ANGLES ON -
LASZLO's meticulous process as he constructs a chaise lounge
and 2 tubular metal Bauhaus style chairs.
- Sparks illuminate LASZLO's face as he presides over two men
welding a few pieces of metal together in a garage. ATTILA
assists them.
- LASZLO feverishly pencils a drawing.
- Pan up an elegant S-shaped plank of soft wood.
- Inside, with the precision of a tailor, LASZLO measures a
strip of leather for the chair back.
- ATTILA pulls the leather down, and the two stand back to
observe the object which appears somehow incomplete.
- Pan across other masterful drawings which are carelessly
strewn about.
The flow of work and ideas for a wide variety of different
objects appears infinite.
EXT. FURNITURE SHOWROOM - LATER
21 21
AUDREY observes LASZLO's two finished chairs and a functional
utilitarian shelving unit in the shop front display. She
paces back and forth on the sidewalk.
AUDREY
Well, I'm not sure what to do with
them is all.
She bites her lip.
AUDREY (CONT'D)
What do you think I should pair
them with?
17.
LASZLO
Leave it-
AUDREY
How?
LASZLO
Leave it like that.
AUDREY reaches a conclusion.
AUDREY
They look like tricycles.
LASZLO looks a little puzzled.
LASZLO
What's that?
AUDREY
A bike for kids.
EXT. EMPLOYEE RESTROOM - MORNING
22 22
LASZLO shaves himself with a straight blade. As he does, he
charmingly practices an embellished American accent in the
mirror.
LASZLO
(emphasizing his R's)
Peter Piper picked a peck of
pickled peppers. Did Peter Piper
pick a peck of pickled peppers? If
Peter Piper picked a peck of
pickled peppers, where's the peck
of pickled peppers Peter Piper
picked?
EXT. FURNITURE SHOWROOM - MOMENTS LATER
23 23
LASZLO exits the bathroom with a towel around his neck and WE
TRACK with him down the sidewalk. When he reaches the front
of the building, as he rounds the corner, he bumps into
ATTILA who grabs him by the arm.
ATTILA
Get over here.
We follow behind them urgently...
ATTILA (CONT'D)
We have an important customer
inside; furnished him a two-story
office space downtown on the cheap
last year. He's interested in us
doing some built-in work at a
residence.
18.
INT. FURNITURE SHOWROOM - MOMENTS LATER
24 24
HARRY LEE VAN BUREN, 30s, handsome, smokes in an office chair
towards the back of the shop. ATTILA hurries back to his
desk. LASZLO, still holding a razor blade, follows behind
him.
ATTILA
Mr. Van Buren, this is my cousin,
Laszlo.
LASZLO nods.
HARRY LEE
Please - that's what people call my
father. Call me Harry.
ATTILA
(to LASZLO)
Harry would like some shelving
units installed over at his
family's property in Doylestown.
HARRY addresses the blade in LASZLO's hand.
HARRY LEE
Sorry to interrupt.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
I hoped someone might follow me out
there to take a look at my father's
study. My sister and I'd like to
surprise him by turning it into a
proper library.
LASZLO
How do you mean?
HARRY LEE
-place is in complete disarray; a
whole mess of books and paperwork
so I guess we'd just like some tall
shelves and cabinetry installed?
Maybe make him a ladder with little
wheels on it, you know, like you'd
see in a real library? He's a
voracious reader.
ATTILA
We can make you something like
that. Let me have Audrey come down
to keep an eye on the place. I'll
pull the van around.
HARRY LEE
Fantastic.
EXT. COUNTY ROADS - LATER
25 25
ULTRA-WIDE LOW ANGLE ON -
Asphalt rushes at us. The road bends and curves.
19.
EXT. ATTILA'S BEDFORD VAN - CONTINUOUS
26 26
In the front windshield's reflection we view HARRY LEE's
sports car as it speeds with thrilling abandon down the local
county roads.
ATTILA
They've got something like nine
hundred acres out here, I'm not
kidding. A few buildings downtown
too- one of them's a department
store.
LASZLO
They pay you well?
ATTILA
On the last job, they paid okay.
They took on a lot of pieces
though. Kept adding to the order.
Even at a discount, it adds up...
ATTILA references HARRY LEE's sports car.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
His old man got flush adapting
production techniques to expedite
the manufacturing of cargo ships
during the war.
ATTILA struggles to keep up in his van.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
(shouting at the window)
Christ, is this guy trying to shake
us? Does he think he's in a drag
race? Come on, already!
EXT. VAN BUREN GATES - LATER
27 27
HARRY LEE opens a gate and waves them past.
HARRY LEE
(shouts)
Stay left until you see the main
house. You can park wherever you'd
like.
ATTILA turns his clumsy green Bedford through the front
gates.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - MOMENTS LATER
28 28
ANGLE ON -
The view of the striking estate framed by a tree-lined
driveway.
CUE: The score is ominous and it hums.
20.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - FOYER - MOMENTS LATER
29 29
We are tight on LASZLO as he moves through the house. He's
led by his cousin and HARRY LEE. LASZLO takes note of various
modernist sculptures on pedestals around the entryway.
HARRY LEE
I do appreciate you coming out here
on such short notice, gentlemen.
Father's away only until next
Friday so I was anxious to pin this
down.
ATTILA
It's no inconvenience for us,
chief.
They turn a corner and ATTILA shoots a glance at LASZLO.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
It's your lucky day too cause my
cousin here is a licensed
architect, and a specialist in
renovations... He's even designed a
library before, back at home. I
mean, a whole city library.
HARRY LEE
What city is that?
LASZLO speaks...
LASZLO
Budapest.
HARRY LEE
(cheerful)
I see. Never been.
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - MOMENTS LATER
30 30
HARRY LEE pushes a door open to reveal a dark, octagonal-
shaped study framed by heavy curtains drawn to cover the
floor-to-ceiling windows.
Only a small shaft of light is allowed in through the corbel
glass dome above. Hardbound books are stacked on and
scattered across Van Buren's desk, floor space, and the
existing two meter high bookshelves.
HARRY LEE pulls a curtain aside flooding the room with light.
Particulate floats all around him.
HARRY LEE
Don't mind the mess.
LASZLO and ATTILA observe the space.
21.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
I'm thinking... Shelves up to the
ceiling, and some good reading
lamps. Perhaps some wall fixtures
that extend? Father always keeps
the curtains drawn.
LASZLO
-to protect the books from the
sunlight. We are south-facing here.
HARRY LEE
Sure.
ATTILA
What's your budget?
HARRY LEE
What's your estimate?
LASZLO
Depends on the materials.
HARRY LEE
Well, make it of reasonable
quality. Maybe a nice place for him
to sit and read, as well? A good
chair or bench for him against the
window?
LASZLO regards the stained-glass dome above. There is an ugly
diagonal crack across it.
LASZLO
Would you like us to replace that?
HARRY LEE
If there's time, why not? A branch
fell on it during that nasty storm
last summer; a tropical depression
they called it.
HARRY LEE stops to think, arrives at a number...
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
Keep it below six or seven hundred
dollars, can you? My sister and I
are splitting it. I don't want any
unexpected add-ons.
ATTILA masks his enthusiasm.
ATTILA
Don't worry, we'll come in on-
budget. You want this all done by
next Friday, you said?
HARRY LEE
Thursday night, preferably. I can't
be here during the week but the
staff can let you in, and if
anything comes up, have them ring
me at the office.
22.
LASZLO
(firm)
To be finished on Thursday, we need
extra hands. Including materials
and glass, eight hundred dollars.
INT. ATTILA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
31 31
CUE: Dinah Shore's "Buttons and Bows" plays on the
gramophone.
LASZLO sits at a small kitchen table backed up against the
wall. The overhead lamp makes a dark shadow across his face.
He watches ATTILA who is wildly drunk, dancing with his tipsy
wife, AUDREY. He convincingly mouths the lyrics to "Buttons
and Bows" which makes AUDREY laugh.
ATTILA
Dance with us! Come on! Cut a rug.
LASZLO
No, thank you.
ATTILA pulls open his sweaty collar, grabs an apron, wrapping
it around his waist like a dress and continues mouthing
Dinah's lyrics.
ATTILA
Don't be a spoiled-sport!
LASZLO
(smiles)
I'm not sure what that is but no
thank you.
CUE: The track comes to an end.
ATTILA
(to Audrey)
Flip it for the other side-
ATTILA catches his breath.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
You should have seen him talking up
the price today! I was ready to
settle at 450.
LASZLO
I wasn't doing that. I was just
telling him how much it will cost.
To AUDREY...
ATTILA
I thought he was about to blow it
for us!
To LASZLO...
23.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
I did! I honestly did! I thought
you were going to completely blow
it but you held your ground. That's
what makes you a professional.
LASZLO appears embarrassed.
LASZLO
Hopefully, it's not only that-
ATTILA turns to AUDREY, playfully turning the screws on her.
ATTILA
You know, Laszlo's bride was a goy,
too, when they met, but she
converted for him-
AUDREY rolls her eyes.
AUDREY
I should put a muzzle on you.
A new track comes on.
AUDREY (CONT'D)
Oh! This is my favorite.
ATTILA
Dance with her, Laszlo!
AUDREY looks a little embarrassed.
AUDREY
He doesn't want to.
ATTILA
(drunk and antagonizing)
Don't keep her waiting, cousin.
It's her favorite song.
ATTILA's tone has darkened the atmosphere. LASZLO finally
stands and approaches AUDREY.
HANDHELD ON -
LASZLO takes AUDREY by the waist and they sway back and
forth. There's a palpable erotic tension.
AUDREY
You're awfully skinny, aren't you?
LASZLO nods, still swaying rhythmically.
ATTILA
See! It's like riding a bike.
ATTILA wraps his arms around them both and the three sway and
sway.
24.
AUDREY longs for LASZLO.
INT. ATTILA'S APARTMENT - LATER
32 32
ATTILA's passed out on the bed.
The bathroom door is open. LASZLO is hunched over the bathtub
pissing into it. He sweats profusely.
A NEW ANGLE reveals AUDREY smoking a cigarette watching him.
AUDREY
(deadpan)
You missed the toilet.
LASZLO finishes and stumbles out.
LASZLO
What-
AUDREY
(murmurs)
Better than the carpet, I suppose.
BEAT.
AUDREY (CONT'D)
When do you expect your wife might
join you, Mr. Toth-? There isn't
room for two in that storage space,
I'll tell you.
LASZLO
I wish I knew, Audrey. Thank you
for the dinner.
An awkward beat passes between them.
AUDREY
Attila's shown me some magazine
pictures of the projects you did at
your firm. You're not what I
expected from what I read about
you.
He leans against the door frame, practically trying to crawl
out.
LASZLO
I'm not what I expected-
AUDREY
I'm sure you could get a job, a
better job, at a firm here.
LASZLO
I then-
25.
He breathes.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
-would be working- for someone.
AUDREY
Better than sleeping in a storage
closet.
LONG BEAT. LASZLO understands.
LASZLO
I'll look for somewhere else to
stay. Thank you again for the
dinner.
LASZLO opens the door and exits.
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - DAY
33 33
ATTILA and LASZLO remove the existing Art Deco shelving units
from their place.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - DUSK
34 34
Next to a two meter tall pile of debris, ATTILA and LASZLO
craft new units for installation.
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - EVENING
35 35
A SERIES OF ANGLES -
The room is empty. The walls are stripped. The curtains are
gone. Alone, LASZLO sweeps the floor clean with a broom. He
stops at the center and regards the space.
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - NEW DAY
36 36
BIRDS-EYE VIEW ON-
LASZLO stands at the center of the room. He is surrounded by
a few HIRED MEN (one is recognizable from the Old City Church
Soup Kitchen, GORDON). Each of them are supporting a large
plywood plate.
LASZLO
One - two - three!
The men simultaneously lift the plates, standing them up to
completely enclose the room in an octagonal shape. At the
central point of action, it mimics a flower blooming.
The windows now sealed in darkness, save for the sole shaft
of light let through the stained-glass dome above.
CLOSE ON -
26.
The rouge tinted light illuminates LASZLO's expression as he
gazes up at it.
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - NEW DAY
37 37
LASZLO speaks to GORDON and ATTILA.
LASZLO
Set each panel to 45°.
GORDON mimics LASZLO's instruction.
GORDON
Like this?
LASZLO
Yes, that's right. That looks
right, doesn't it? The books shall
fan outwards, you see?
LASZLO demonstrates with his hands passionately.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Like so.
ATTILA
All in the same direction?
LASZLO
The long panels, yes. The shelves
themselves, however, can vary in
height to accommodate the larger
volumes our client had been
stacking on the floor.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE ROOF - DAY
38 38
HANDHELD ON -
LASZLO, ATTILA, GORDON, and the other hired hands work on the
Victorian gabled roof above Van Buren's study. Amongst a
cobweb of ropes and a makeshift pulley system, the men pull
the rope taut, painstakingly lifting the detached glass dome
from the roof of the study with a short crane arm.
LASZLO directs GORDON who, in turn, directs the rest of the
group.
LASZLO
Slowly, Gordon. One steady
movement.
GORDON
(shouts)
Slowly, boys!
The men operate the pulley system successfully lifting the
dome head from its place.
27.
LASZLO
(mutters)
Left, Gordon. Left. And steady.
GORDON
(shouts)
All right, good! Now left. (Beat)
To the left!
One man manually pushes the base of the crane arm employing
excessive strength, and it suddenly swings out too fast,
hovering over the driveway.
GROUP
Hey, christ, watch out!
The group overcorrect the crane's movement causing the dome
frame to swing back, gaining velocity, in their direction.
The dome hits the corner gutter hard, knocking out one large
panel from its frame.
ANGLE ON -
It shatters in the driveway below.
BACK TO -
LASZLO
No!
LASZLO scrambles across the shingled roof towards the dome
which is stuck at an awkward tilt on the southeast corner of
the mansion.
GORDON
(shouts)
I said to be careful, goddammit!
LASZLO
(shouts re: crane arm)
Get a hold of that thing!
The group is frozen, spooked. ATTILA calls out...
ATTILA
Everyone all right down there?
HIRED MAN
(defensive)
-the glass was already broken.
ANGLE ON -
LASZLO crawls on all fours to the very edge of the roof where
the dome frame is stuck.
ATTILA
(shouts)
CAREFUL, LASZLO!
LASZLO tries to dislodge the heavy dome frame which grinds
against the guttering.
28.
LASZLO begins to kick at it over and over again. Its an
increasingly reckless gesture. Finally, after three kicks, he
successfully dislodges the dome from the gutter which causes
it to CRASH to the ground. He breathes heavy-
LASZLO
We have a piece of gutter to
replace now, as well!
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - DAY
39 39
STRAIGHT UP ON -
The men outside replace the stained-glass with a flat, clear
circular disk. The image recalls a solar eclipse.
BIRDS-EYE VIEW -
An intense spherical shaft of light illuminates the center of
the room. The bookshelves are now complete, remarkable for
their geometry. There is no furniture in the room apart from
a visually-arresting chaise lounge which LASZLO pushes into
the very midpoint of sunlight.
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - DUSK
40 40
LASZLO and ATTILA pull protective linens from the painted
wall of shelves. Half the room is now filled with Van Buren's
collection of precious tomes. Several modern lamps on
scissored extenders poke out in various directions.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - SAME TIME
41 41
GORDON picks up fragments of stained-glass from the driveway.
The massive dome frame is plunked down beside him.
After some time, the headlights of an automobile blind GORDON
from off-screen as he looks up...
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - MOMENTS LATER
42 42
The esteemed and handsome, HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN SR.,
enters the room in a miserly fury. ATTILA and LASZLO stand
frozen, initially dumbfounded by the intrusion.
VAN BUREN
What's this? What is all this? Who
has authorized you to come into my
home and tear everything apart?
ATTILA blinks.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Who the hell are you?
ATTILA
Uh... Excuse us, sir. This was all
supposed to be a surprise.
(MORE)
29.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
Your son, Harry, told us not to
expect you until tomorrow-
VAN BUREN
(shouting)
It is a Goddamned surprise! My
mother, an ailing woman, is sitting
outside on the driveway too
frightened to come inside!
ATTILA
We are sorry to have frightened
her.
VAN BUREN
-we brought her here for some peace
and respite only to discover a
strange Negro man roaming around
our property.
ATTILA
Sir, your son asked us here to redo
your study into a library.
VAN BUREN
A library?
VAN BUREN looks around.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
The room- it's gutted.
ATTILA
We were just putting everything
back in its place.
VAN BUREN
You've turned it all inside out.
How the hell do you know its proper
place?
LASZLO finally interjects...
LASZLO
We have taken excellent care of
your things, Mr. Van Buren.
VAN BUREN turns to LASZLO with a daring expression, provoked
by his calm.
VAN BUREN
And who the hell are you?
LASZLO
Laszlo Toth-
ATTILA
Laszlo is a licensed architect. He
supervised the renovation. And I-
I've done business with your son
before. I have a furniture shop,
Miller and Son's, down in
Kensington.
30.
VAN BUREN stares, fixated on LASZLO. The two have an
immediate, adversarial connection.
LASZLO
May I show you around the space,
sir? Our work lamps aren't doing
the work we've done here any
justice.
VAN BUREN
Your Negro is waiting for you
outside the gates so I suggest you
pack your things up and leave. I'll
confirm all this with my son in the
morning. My mother is sick! She
needs to be let inside to sleep.
LASZLO
We are finished. That's quite all
right.
CUE: A low rumble overtakes the soundtrack.
CROSS DISSOLVE:
INT. FURNITURE SHOWROOM - BACKROOM - MORNING
43 43
LASZLO snores in a deep sleep, physically exhausted. After a
few moments, ATTILA shakes LASZLO awake.
ATTILA
Wake up.
LASZLO jolts up in fearful defense, but quickly re-gathers
himself.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
That's a hell of a way to greet the
day.
ATTILA lights a cigarette on the edge of his cot.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
Harry Lee called.
LASZLO sits up against the wall, trying to maintain some
dignity though caught off-guard.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
He says he won't pay.
LASZLO
For the materials?
ATTILA
(calm)
He says we damaged the property and
I'm lucky if he doesn't take me to
court.
31.
LASZLO doesn't respond. ATTILA remains calm but his voice
quivers with emotion.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
You've got nothing to say to that?
What are you going to do about it?
ATTILA speaks for a moment in Hungarian.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
(Hungarian)
I take you into my home. Into my
place of business, Laszlo, and this
is how you thank me?
LASZLO is again silent.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
You run my clients out the door?
You make a pass at my wife? She
told me! Of course, she told me.
What did you expect?
Silence.
ATTILA (CONT'D)
Hell, what did I expect? You
couldn't keep your hands to
yourself even when we were kids.
Listen up, I won't tell Erzsi this
time. I know you've been through a
lot. That's what I told Audrey,
too. I'm not going to hurt you, but
I can't help you anymore either,
got it?
LASZLO breathes, defiant.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. OLD CITY CHURCH - MORNING
44 44
Winter has come again. The bell tolls. HOLD, HOLD...
LASZLO (V.O.)
(in HUNGARIAN)
ERZSEBET,
I CAN BE REACHED BY MAIL AT A NEW
ADDRESS... I WAIT FOR YOU. I WAIT
AND WAIT. DO YOU NEED MONEY? WHAT
DO YOU NEED?
YOURS, LASZLO.
INT. OLD CITY CHURCH - SAME
45 45
HOMELESS MEN sweep the floor of the shelter.
32.
INT. OLD CITY CHURCH BASEMENT - SAME
46 46
The muffled ring of the bell... Homeless families in bunks
begin to rise from their beds.
ANGLE ON -
LASZLO wakes in a bunk clutching a duffle bag that contains
his few possessions. His beard has grown out.
ANGLE ON -
GORDON and his son sleep through the ruckus in the bunk
across from LASZLO.
LASZLO
Gordon-
GORDON stirs awake.
INT. OLD CITY CHURCH BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER
47 47
GORDON is now dressed in functional garments for the day's
work. He gently tries to wake his little boy who wants to
sleep some more.
GORDON
(whispers)
We got to go. I let you sleep in.
Time to get up.
A NUN approaches GORDON.
NUN
Has Mr. Toth already gone? I'd like
a word.
INT. OLD CITY CHURCH BASEMENT LAVATORIES - MOMENTS LATER
48 48
STEADICAM ON -
GORDON moves down the hallway and shoulders open the bathroom
door.
GORDON
Laszlo!
The door opens to reveal LASZLO fiddling to stuff a syringe
and some barbiturate powder back in its pouch.
LASZLO
It's for my injury.
GORDON blinks.
GORDON
Sister Elizabeth is asking for you.
33.
LASZLO
I will be right there.
GORDON nods to the junk.
GORDON
Do me a favor and hold off on that
until we punch out.
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - MORNING
49 49
On a second-story high beam, LASZLO spots GORDON, pulling his
safety leash taut as GORDON leans to wrench several bolts
below frame. GORDON laughs wildly...
LASZLO
She asked me for my- participation.
GORDON
Like what? They want you to help
out-
LASZLO
I already help- out. She wants me
to attend the service on Sundays;
collect donations.
GORDON looks back at him, takes a break.
GORDON
And what did you say to her?
LASZLO
I said that I would think about it.
GORDON
That seems fair, no?
LASZLO shrugs.
LASZLO
I go to- somewhere else.
GORDON leans down again.
GORDON
Why not ask for a place to stay
wherever it is that you do go!?
LASZLO
I do not permit my people from home
to see me as a beggar. Never.
GORDON playfully sings, in retort.
34.
GORDON
(sings)
A rose must remain with the sun and
the rain Or its lovely promise
won't come true
To Each His Own, To Each His Own
And my own is you-
CUE: To Each His Own by Eddy Howard overtakes the soundtrack.
LASZLO laughs.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Give me a few inches.
LASZLO cautiously releases six inches of rope. As he does, he
notices an conspicuous black Cadillac Towncar approaching the
yard.
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - MOMENTS LATER
50 50
LASZLO shovels aggregate into a cement mixer. GORDON enters
from off-screen.
GORDON
(casual)
There's a son of a bitch here to
see you.
LASZLO furrows his brow and looks beyond GORDON to see
HARRISON VAN BUREN SR. on approach from some distance.
VAN BUREN
Laszlo Toth! Is that you?!
VAN BUREN appears overjoyed, ecstatic. LASZLO courteously
stands to receive him, stoic.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I've been looking for you!
LASZLO shares a dubious glance with GORDON.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
No wonder you couldn't be found!
You've grown a beard!
LASZLO blinks.
LASZLO
What can I do for you, sir?
VAN BUREN catches his breath in the cold.
VAN BUREN
I'd like to take you for lunch.
LASZLO
We don't break for another 2 hours.
35.
VAN BUREN
Point out your manager. Let me
educate him.
INT. DINER - AFTERNOON
51 51
A waitress pours coffee for the two of them and exits. VAN
BUREN pulls out an edition of LOOK Magazine placing it in
front of LASZLO.
VAN BUREN
Have you seen that?
LASZLO squints, shakes his head.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Well, I can assure you that
everyone else has... Flip to page
19.
LASZLO handles the magazine like a foreign object.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Where did you study?
LASZLO
(mutters)
Bauhaus in Dessau.
VAN BUREN
Bauhaus! How marvelous.
ULTRA-CLOSE ON -
A two-page spread on "HARRISON LEE VAN BUREN - THE FORWARD-
THINKER."
The large black and white photograph depicts VAN BUREN seated
in LASZLO's chaise lounge illuminated by the spherical window
above him.
A second smaller image depicts VAN BUREN standing against the
unusual, conceptual shelving units; books fan out around him.
VAN BUREN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Read the caption below the
photographs.
The caption reads: "Here, Mr. Van Buren is pictured in his
striking, modern at-home-library; entirely suitable for the
forward-thinking man."
CAMERA PANS TO NEXT BLOCK OF TEXT -
"He established the Van Buren Shipyards, which built Liberty
ships during World War II, after which he formed Van Buren
Aluminum and Van Buren Steel.
Van Buren is involved in various large-scale construction
projects such as civic centers and dams, and is invested in
real estate around the globe."
36.
BACK TO -
VAN BUREN who sips his coffee.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
So, what do you think?
LASZLO
Looks good.
VAN BUREN
Damn right, it does! Why didn't you
defend yourself when I came after
you all like a bat out of hell? I
am ashamed of my behavior! I called
that American cousin of yours-
Corrects him.
LASZLO
Attila.
VAN BUREN
Yes, that's right. First, I
apologized then lauded him with
praise, however, he quite honorably
redirected me to you!
VAN BUREN wags a finger at LASZLO.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I've since done my homework...
VAN BUREN pulls out an open folder and places it in front of
LASZLO.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
These are yours, yes?
LASZLO leafs through the images in the folder and nods.
LASZLO
Yes.
VAN BUREN
All of them?
LASZLO
Yes.
LASZLO begins to tear up, emotional.
VAN BUREN
I'm sorry, have I upset you?
LASZLO
No. May I keep these?
VAN BUREN
Of course you may.
37.
LASZLO
I didn't realize these images were
still available, much less of any
consequence...
VAN BUREN
They are very artistic.
LASZLO
Better in the real life.
VAN BUREN
You could have elaborated a bit
more on your background! You didn't
do yourself any favors back there.
LASZLO
It was difficult to interject
amidst all the shouting-
VAN BUREN smiles.
VAN BUREN
I am ashamed. Really, I am. I acted
a fool. My mother was dying - and
it's not an excuse - but she died
that very weekend at the house.
LASZLO
I am sorry to hear-
VAN BUREN
Tell me - why is an accomplished
foreign architect working
construction in Philadelphia of all
places? What is that you're working
on anyway? A bowling alley?!
LASZLO chooses his words carefully.
LASZLO
The Reich- rejected myself and my
colleagues for our type of work for
it was deemed not Germanic in-
character.
LASZLO exhales, gravely.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
I don't wish to be rude but I only
have time for the coffee. You were
unprepared for what you saw. That
is understandable. I am glad you've
come to appreciate it.
VAN BUREN
I don't just appreciate it Mr.
Toth; I cherish it.
VAN BUREN ignores LASZLO's wish to leave.
38.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
(waxes)
I hate surprises. My fatheaded son
should have known better, but
listen, I haven't come here to
boast or to grieve, I've come to
pay you the monies you are owed.
VAN BUREN hands him an envelope for dramatic effect.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
For what it's worth, it was not my
suggestion that you and partners
should not be paid. I only found
out about all that after the fact.
LASZLO
We damaged some guttering which we
planned to replace. There was a
misunderstanding.
VAN BUREN
Enough of that. Take the money.
LASZLO
(nods)
Thank you.
VAN BUREN
I'd stash that in your
undergarments or inside of a shoe.
LASZLO takes the envelope and starts to slide out of the
booth but VAN BUREN takes his hand.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I'd like you to come and see it...
In the daylight.
LASZLO
I've seen it.
VAN BUREN
I'd like you to come and enjoy it,
rather.
LASZLO
All right.
VAN BUREN
Wonderful. I can send a car for you
on Sunday morning if you aren't too
busy. Write me down your address?
LASZLO writes it down.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I've found our conversation
persuasive and intellectually
stimulating.
LASZLO looks at him, incredulous.
39.
INT. JAZZ BAR - NIGHT
52 52
ULTRA-BOWED LENS ON-
GORDON and LASZLO cheer on a raucous set. Their features are
wild and exaggerated like a George Grosz drawing.
INT. JAZZ BAR BATHROOM - LATER
53 53
SFX: Someone pounds on the door outside.
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW ON -
LASZLO and GORDON prep a spoon and dropper.
LASZLO
(shouts)
-going to be some minutes!
LASZLO, already very intoxicated...
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Have we been in here long?
GORDON
They can wait...
GORDON puts a leather pouch in his mouth and lets it unroll
to his chest.
GORDON (CONT'D)
(through gritted teeth)
Pull that out.
LASZLO pulls out an antiquated looking syringe.
LASZLO
Jesus, Gordon.
The coconspirators laugh, having a great time. GORDON spits
the pouch from his mouth and LASZLO extends the spoon to
GORDON.
INT. JAZZ BAR - LATER
54 54
CUE: The live music plays in ultra slow-motion.
LONG LENS ON -
The two of them are now accompanied by some attractive
looking strangers. A woman kisses at LASZLO's neck but he
tries to focus on the music.
WE PAN DOWN to see GORDON blatantly fingering his new
girlfriend who sits on a bar stool.
40.
BAR MANAGER (O.S.)
(shouting)
HEY! HEY! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!
LASZLO and GORDON are slow to respond.
BAR MANAGER (CONT'D)
(shouting)
Get the hell out or I'll beat the
shit out of you two.
LASZLO comically vomits on himself where he stands.
BAR MANAGER (CONT'D)
OH, HOLY HELL. I'm gonna kill that
son of a bitch!
EXT. JAZZ BAR - MOMENTS LATER
55 55
The BAR MANAGER and a bouncer beat the hell out of LASZLO who
laughs madly. STEAM RISES from the sewer grates.
ANGLE ON -
The crack of LASZLO's nose re-breaking.
LASZLO
My nose! Damn it.
EXT. OLD CITY CHURCH - MORNING
56 56
LASZLO exits, his face battered and nose swollen. He lights a
cigarette then after a beat, notices VAN BUREN's Town Car
parked on the corner with the motor running.
INT. AUTOMOBILE - LATER
57 57
CLOSE ON -
LASZLO sits in the backseat of the Towncar taking in the
fresh country air through an open window. He tries to pull
himself together.
DRIVER (O.S.)
There's a pressed shirt and jacket
hanging to your left, Mr. Toth.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE DINING ROOM - LATER
58 58
A Christmas party is in full-swing. LASZLO is shown into a
dining area where a group of thirty aristocrats have gathered
for pre-luncheon cocktails by one end of the table.
VAN BUREN
Ah! There you are! The man of the
hour!
41.
LASZLO's smashed face peers out of an oversized penguin suit.
VAN BUREN approaches him, concerned.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
(hushed)
What's happened to your face?
LASZLO
Fell off a beam.
VAN BUREN's son, HARRY LEE, comes up behind his father.
HARRY LEE
Everyone's famished.
VAN BUREN
Harry, you remember each other,
don't you?
HARRY LEE
I do, yes. Good afternoon.
LASZLO nods. HARRY LEE's sister, MAGGIE LEE, comes up behind
her brother.
MAGGIE LEE
Daddy, the kitchen's asking if we
could please go ahead and take our
seats.
VAN BUREN
This is Harry's twin sister,
Maggie.
MAGGIE LEE
Hello, Mr. Toth. We love the
library.
LASZLO
Thank you.
VAN BUREN
(to the crowd)
All right, everyone, let's eat.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE DINING ROOM - LATER
59 59
LASZLO, who looks a mess, sits in a corner chair between a
middle-aged couple, MICHAEL and MICHELLE HOFFMAN, and VAN
BUREN who now sits at the head of the table. VAN BUREN
brags...
VAN BUREN
He won't tout his own
accomplishments but Mr. Toth's work
is celebrated throughout much of
Western and Central Europe. There
have been many features about him
in the architecture journals if you
follow that sort of thing.
42.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
What was your focus?
LASZLO eats somewhat ravenously.
LASZLO
Theaters, synagogues- Restorations.
Some, quite unusual.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
Are you married, Mr. Toth?
LASZLO stops eating. It pains him to speak of it.
LASZLO
Yes, but my wife, she- she is still
in Europe.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
Why is that?
LASZLO
We were separated. Forcibly.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
Where is it you come from, if you
don't mind my asking? I can't place
the accent.
LASZLO
The city of Budapest.
MICHAEL asides, explaining to his wife...
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
Ravaged during the war- just
terrible.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
Oh my, what was it like, the war?
We hear some stories here that make
one's toes curl.
LASZLO
I would not know where to begin,
Mrs. Hoffman.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
Do you plan on returning to Europe?
LASZLO
She tries to come now, here, to
join me- but the situation is
difficult.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
With Roosevelt gone now that should
make things easier.
43.
LASZLO
He is gone, but everyone is still
frightened that people like me are
a threat to your national defense-
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
When you say `people,' you mean
Jews? We're Jewish.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
(explains dryly)
Michelle converted.
LASZLO asides...
LASZLO
As did my Erzsebet. It required a
great deal of commitment and study,
and yet, few at home recognized her
for it.
LASZLO japes.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
A pity the National Socialists
couldn't see it their way.
LASZLO shrugs off the trauma, as he returns to the track of
their dinner conversation.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
But not only Jewish. Foreign
people. I was fortunate to depart
from Bremerhaven when I did.
Truman's order facilitated the
transfer of my group. Others were
not so lucky.
VAN BUREN finally joins in the conversation.
VAN BUREN
That sounds very painful, Laszlo.
We are terribly sorry for you.
Michael is my friend and attorney-
in that order.
He turns to MICHAEL.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Michael, is this a process your
firm might help to expedite?
MICHAEL turns to LASZLO.
LASZLO
I'm afraid that it's not so simple.
My wife cannot leave my niece
behind because she is young,
motherless, and very sick.
44.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
It's just the two of them? I'd be
glad to make an inquiry on your
behalf. You know, there's something
called The Displaced Persons Act
that's recently gone into effect.
It will allow some 200,000 European
persons admission for permanent
residence. You can read about it in
the paper now.
VAN BUREN
He won't boast but Michael's firm
represents the office of the Vice
President.
LASZLO
-president?
VAN BUREN
Of the United States!
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
Come see me in our Philadelphia
office on Monday.
MICHAEL reaches into his pocket and hands LASZLO a business
card.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN (CONT'D)
Telephone this line, and my
assistant can arrange. She'll tell
you what we'll need you both to
provide.
MICHELLE places her hand on LASZLO's.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
Michael can help you.
MICHAEL nods, empathetic.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
(Hebrew)
Bevakasha.
A SERVER pours wine in VAN BUREN's glass.
VAN BUREN
(to SERVER)
We'll take coffee in the study.
INT. FOYER / STUDY - EARLY EVENING
60 60
CUE: The score broods then gives way to an elegiac piano
theme.
ULTRA-WIDE ANGLE ON -
The light is extraordinarily beautiful. It looks like a Saul
Leiter picture.
45.
The aristocrats all chat amongst themselves sipping coffees
and cognac.
NEW ANGLE ON -
LASZLO and VAN BUREN are deep in-conversation sitting in two
chairs the main foyer whiles guests observe the library
nearby.
VAN BUREN
(longing, drunk lucidity)
I was married once and she gave me
two beautiful children.
Nevertheless, my mother Margaret
and the twins demanded my attention-
every minute of my scarce personal
time. Things became awkward between
my ex-wife and Margaret so we
separated amicably...
VAN BUREN lights a cigar. He might be drunk.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Margaret raised me on her own in
Rochester. Just the two of us. Her
parents had disowned her for "a
child out of wedlock," so she was
my only real family, other than the
twins later on in life, of
course...
VAN BUREN speaks rhythmically, hypnotically.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I'll tell you, shortly before they
died, my mother's parents - I
hesitate to call them my
grandparents - they reached out to
Margaret and me after reading an
article on the reported success of
my first company.
VAN BUREN asides...
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
In actual fact, we weren't doing
all that well at the time and would
soon shutter our doors, but this
was not yet public knowledge.
VAN BUREN takes a sip of his drink.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
-you might have concluded from our
prior interactions, I am blunt, not
hyperbolic or particularly
sentimental, but my mother was
defenseless to their chumminess.
She argued that `they could very
well be sick or dying," and perhaps
"they really needed the money..." I
didn't like seeing Margaret, an
ordinarily pragmatic person,
reduced to such bromidic
assumptions but I agreed to meet
them in-person;
(MORE)
46.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
in part, to appease her, as well as
to satisfy the curiosities of my
lineage.
A PARTY GUEST comes over and interjects...
PARTY GUEST
It's very clever, isn't it? The way
the space seems to envelop you.
VAN BUREN
I think so, yes.
PARTY GUEST
It reminds me of a short story I
read about a never-ending library,
a labyrinth. Are you working on
anything at present, Mr. Toth?
LASZLO
A bowling alley.
The PARTY GUEST furrows his brow.
VAN BUREN
Pardon me, but I was just in the
middle of telling our friend a
story.
PARTY GUEST
Oh, not at all. Excuse me.
The PARTY GUEST moves on.
LASZLO
You agreed to see them?
VAN BUREN nods.
VAN BUREN
We exchanged pleasantries over the
telephone and I offered to visit
them at their modest apartment
residence in a neighboring town.
VAN BUREN asides...
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I laughed to realize they'd been so
nearby all those years!
Back to the body of the story...
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
On the drive over, I had time to
think and finally arrived at a
figure I felt comfortable offering
the two of them - seeing that they
were, whether I liked it or not,
our only living relatives...
(MORE)
47.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I was received hospitably so I
swiftly moved to explain that I had
made them out a cheque for the
amount of $25,000. When I handed it
over, they appeared relieved but
perhaps a little disappointed at
the figure. They were courteous and
thanked me, all the same.
VAN BUREN pauses for effect.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I was quite uncomfortable but
before hurrying off I asked them a
question; "what will you do with
all that money?" They rambled on
about miracles or some such thing.
For a moment, everything in their
immediate line of view seemed
solvable, achievable! They would
finally be all right. What a
thoughtful grandson I was!
VAN BUREN smiles.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Upon departure, before I had
reached the edge of their front
lawn, the two of them ran out after
me shouting! - "You've forgotten
your signature, Harrison!"
VAN BUREN exhales demonstratively.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I summoned the courage to be frank
and speak to them as adults. I had
not forgotten, I said, but was
ultimately not compelled to sign
due to the blunder of their
response! If only they'd been sick
or dying as my mother had
previously suggested, how glad I
would have been to ease their
troubles - but they appeared
perfectly healthy to me!
VAN BUREN sighs.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
They took it as such a shock that
for a moment I thought that that
might kill them right there on the
front lawn - but the two just wept
and came apart like beggars... It
was all much more disturbing than
I'd imagined it in my head so on
the condition that they let
Margaret alone from then on, I
struck them a separate cheque for
the amount of $500 and signed.
BEAT.
48.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
That is how much I loved my mother,
Mr. Toth. We did things for each
other!
LASZLO
(deadpan)
What could they expect after the
way they had treated you both.
VAN BUREN
Yes, yes, that's exactly how I see
it.
LASZLO blinks.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
So, answer me one question; why
architecture?
LASZLO
Is it a test?
VAN BUREN
Not at all.
LASZLO smiles through the pain of his broken nose.
LASZLO
(matter-of-fact)
Nothing can be of its own
explanation is there a better
description of a cube than that of
its construction? You know, some
years ago, in March, a stranger
knocked at the classroom door of
the university where I frequently
lectured. At once, all that was
familiar and important to us was
gone. We were too well-known at
home. I thought my reputation might
help to protect us but- it was the
opposite. There was no way to
remain anonymous; nowhere for my
family to go.
LASZLO sighs and changes course.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
There was a war on, and yet it is
my understanding that many of the
sites of my projects have survived
and are still there in the city.
He smiles again and continues, choosing his words carefully.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
When the terrible recollections of
what happened in Europe have ceased
to humiliate us, I expect them to
serve instead as a political
stimulus, sparking the upheavals
that so frequently occur in the
cycles of peoplehood.
(MORE)
49.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
I already anticipate a communal
rhetoric of anger and fear; a whole
river of such frivolities may flow
un-dammed, but my buildings were
devised to endure such erosion of
the Danube's shoreline.
VAN BUREN is intoxicated by LASZLO's response.
VAN BUREN
What a poetic reply! You must have
been a beloved professor! I've said
it before but I do find our
conversations intellectually
stimulating.
WE PAN UP with VAN BUREN as he rises from his chair to
address the room.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Everyone, take your brandy and join
me outside! I have a fantastic
surprise.
EXT. FOREST TRAIL/ VISTA - TWILIGHT
61 61
WIDE ON -
Ghostly silhouettes march across a footbridge near the
estate.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
Where in the hell are you taking
us, Harrison?! It's freezing out
here.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
(laughs)
Try doing this in heels, Michael!
VAN BUREN
Don't be impatient! It isn't far.
ULTRA-WIDE ON -
They march on for some time up a hillside, murmuring amongst
themselves.
NEW ANGLE ON -
The path finally opens to a majestic clearing. A large pond
reflects moonlight and the hillside hovering above it.
VAN BUREN stops, and turns to his guests. He catches his
breath. He is visibly intoxicated.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
As you all know, these last years
have been especially hard on Harry,
Maggie, and myself.
50.
ANGLE ON -
HARRY and MAGGIE give each other a squeeze, a little
embarrassed.
MAGGIE LEE
Daddy, it's very cold out here.
Shouldn't we go back inside?
BACK TO -
VAN BUREN stumbles but regains composure.
VAN BUREN
Quiet for a moment, Maggie... I
brought you all here this evening,
not to glance over my shoulder
towards the past, but to invite you
to look forward with me towards the
future!
He points...
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
On the other side of that hill is
Doylestown. It is on this site near
our own family plot that we plan to
build a center for the community in
honor of Margaret Lee Van Buren!
HARRY LEE looks distressed at the announcement.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
Oh Harrison! How lovely!
The aristocrats clap a little. VAN BUREN continues...
VAN BUREN
This shall be a sacred enough space
that her soul might inhabit it! A
place for gathering, learning, and
reflection-
He places his hand on LASZLO's shoulder.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
-and Mr. Toth, I want you to build
this for her, something boundless,
something new.
LASZLO blinks.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
It's a shock to you I see! I'm
delighted! I thought you might see
it coming!
LASZLO
No-
VAN BUREN throws his arm around him and starts walking him
back in the direction they came.
51.
VAN BUREN
It is no coincidence that fate
brought us together on the eve of
my mother's death! I am good at
reading the signs.
LASZLO
I- I am not sure of what the
commission entails, sir.
VAN BUREN
We can discuss the details at home.
You'll be well-compensated and
provided a place here on the
property to stay and work. Residing
here will allow you the time and
space to properly conceive of it.
Your family, should they arrive,
are welcome here, too. What do you
say?
LASZLO
I would like to draw something and
present it to you.
VAN BUREN
(changes gears)
You'd prefer to win the commission?
Fine, then do that. It's cold.
Let's return inside.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE FOYER - NIGHT
62 62
A grandfather clock ticks. The guests have gone. LASZLO waits
on a bench under a lamp near the front door. HARRY LEE and
MAGGIE LEE can be heard having a hushed argument somewhere in
the house.
LASZLO
(calls through the house)
Excuse me!
No response.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
I wonder if someone can take me to
the train station before it gets
too late!
HARRY LEE (O.S.)
(shouts back)
Just a moment please!
A SERVANT enters the foyer with the dirtied table cloth from
lunch. LASZLO approaches her in the hallway.
LASZLO
Excuse me, sorry. A driver brought
me here. I don't recall his name-
She doesn't speak English.
52.
SERVANT
Sorry, sorry-
LASZLO
I need to get back. Can someone
possibly contact the man who
brought me here this afternoon?
SERVANT
Just a minute please...
HARRY LEE enters from behind.
HARRY LEE
Mr. Toth, I'm sorry to have kept
you waiting.
LASZLO turns to HARRY LEE.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
Harrison's gone to bed but he
wishes you a good night.
Beat.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
Listen, I am terribly sorry for my
father's theatrics. It must have
caught you off-guard-
LASZLO
(nervous)
That's all right...
HARRY LEE
He often makes decisions without
consulting the rest of us.
LASZLO
I did not take any of it- to heart-
HARRY LEE
Oh, but you should. You should, you
see. My father would like us to
hire you.
It begins to set in for LASZLO that the offer might be
sincere.
LASZLO
(rambles)
-but I have no infrastructure here.
HARRY LEE
That's why he's asked me to oversee
and assist you in this endeavor.
LASZLO
I have no idea of the parameters.
53.
HARRY LEE
Once I have distilled the essence
of father's outburst I will try and
make some economic sense of it.
MAGGIE LEE enters.
MAGGIE LEE
We've quite a full house this
evening so I took the liberty of
making up a place for you in the
guest house. We can have your
things sent for in the morning.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
63 63
SFX: Knock, knock, knock.
ANGLE ON -
The view of the estate from the guest house window.
NEW ANGLE ON -
LASZLO wakes in a new environment, fully clothed atop some
freshly ironed linens. Next to him, are all of his
belongings, fetched and delivered whilst he slept. He quickly
sorts through his bag to find his sketchbook.
SFX: Another round of rapping at the door...
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - BEDROOM - LATER
64 64
A SERVANT mutters something in the hallway then LASZLO cracks
the door to HARRISON's sleeping chambers.
LASZLO (O.S.)
You rang for me, sir?
VAN BUREN (O.S.)
Come in, Laszlo! I've had a vision!
LASZLO enters with sketches in-hand.
LASZLO
I have some sketches, also-
something I have been working on
which might be applicable here, if
you care to look-
A NEW ANGLE reveals VAN BUREN, still in bed, an absolute
wreck. He wears a sleep mask over his eyes.
VAN BUREN
Stop! Stop! In a moment! My eyes
are bleary! Take a seat!
54.
VAN BUREN sits up in bed and pushes the sleep mask up to his
forehead. He then drops something into a glass of water
causing it to fizz.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Pardon my appearance, I'll call for
breakfast. I have some carpenters
in the forehead causing a terrible
ringing in my ears so you must bear
with me-
LASZLO sits in a chair next to the bed.
LASZLO
I can come back-
VAN BUREN
Shh. Shh. Before I lose it. Dreams
slip away.
LASZLO laughs.
LASZLO
Yes, I know.
VAN BUREN speaks methodically.
VAN BUREN
Doylestown is beautiful but not a
cultural place, you know?
LASZLO
Sure.
VAN BUREN
But it could be. If there were an
auditorium, it could host a theater
festival.
LASZLO
Sure.
VAN BUREN
In the off-season, of course, the
local students could access it.
LASZLO
Yes.
VAN BUREN
And what do you think of a
gymnasium? I practiced wrestling as
a teenager and I have fond memories
of my mother accompanying me to
matches in the neighboring towns.
LASZLO
Perhaps a swimming pool?
VAN BUREN shuts this down.
55.
VAN BUREN
I can't swim.
LASZLO remains poker-faced.
LASZLO
And perhaps it's too expensive-
VAN BUREN pats LASZLO's chest affectionately.
VAN BUREN
(shudders)
Don't talk to me about money.
INT. HARRY LEE'S PHILADELPHIA OFFICE - DAY
65 65
MICHAEL HOFFMAN sits next to HARRY LEE red-lining a contract.
HARRY LEE
Don't talk to him about money. I've
spoken to our friends at the Bucks
County Mayor's office who are warm
to accessing local and state
funding opportunities, on behalf of
our project, if we are willing to
designate a "specific and
meaningful" component of the center
for Christian congregation.
LASZLO
It's a community center for all
people. What do they want? A prayer
room?
HARRY LEE
I am under the impression they are
expecting something more specific
and meaningful than that for their
earmark. This, and pending their
approval of the overall proposal,
of course.
LASZLO laughs a bit then realizes HARRY LEE is serious about
this casual new addition.
LASZLO
An auditorium, a gymnasium, a
library-
HARRY LEE
(corrects)
Father described it as more of a
reading room for the public...
LASZLO doubles down.
LASZLO
-a library, and a chapel? It's four
builds, not one.
56.
HARRY LEE
It's ambitious. Thought you'd like
that... I've put in a call to our
frequent contractor, Leslie
Woodrow. We first worked with
Leslie as one of our Ship
Engineering Officers but he's
supervised several important
construction projects for us since-
including these offices. My father
is allocating a sum of 850,000
dollars for this project which to
me seems very reasonable, if not
exorbitant. If Leslie agrees to
come on-board, I'll have him start
a budget for us right away.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
This allocation of 850,000 is
inclusive of fees for yourself and
Leslie... Also, we've gone ahead
and made arrangements to start
securing you a license here in
Pennsylvania-
CUE: Mournful solo piano reprises over the following
sequence.
EXT. COUNTRY ROADS - AFTERNOON
66 66
LONG LENS ON -
LASZLO rides a bicycle into town.
LASZLO (V.O.)
(in HUNGARIAN)
Erzsebet,
I have become acquainted with an
influential American attorney who
says he can help you and Zsofia
with your situation.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - NIGHT
67 67
CLOSE ON -
LASZLO writes a letter to his wife.
LASZLO (V.O.)
Is there somewhere we might find a
photograph of you and Zsofia
pictured together?
EXT. DOYLESTOWN - AFTERNOON
68 68
LASZLO view as he would observe the community from his
bicycle.
- SCHOOL CHILDREN exit a YELLOW BUS in ULTRA SLOW-MOTION.
57.
- A small family gather for a wedding photo outside of a
local church; St. Anthony's.
- Some teens play American football in a local park in ULTRA
SLOW-MOTION.
LASZLO (V.O.)
Anything linking her to you? I have
reached out to colleagues who
sometimes attended parties at the
house. I am waiting on return.
EXT. VISTA - DUSK
69 69
The sunrise... LASZLO peacefully sketches the hillside as he
snacks on a healthful breakfast.
EXT. VISTA - MORNING
70 70
LASZLO walks the landscape's perimeter counting each click as
he pushes along a Surveyor's Wheel. GORDON takes notes beside
him.
LASZLO (V.O.)
Whomever comes to mind, write to
them and explain its urgency.
Anything tying she to you, and you
to me, can be of great assistance
to Mr. Hoffman. I have enclosed a
list of items and information
requested by his office. Please
fill out what you can of these
documents and return these
originals to me at once.
LASZLO
194, 195, 196, 197, 198....
LASZLO (V.O.)
Here: some good fortune may have
fallen upon me. In an unexpected
turn of events I have been offered
an intriguing opportunity; a second
chance.
LASZLO
204, 205, 206, 207...
LASZLO (V.O.)
I can feel you nearer to me now
than ever before.
LASZLO
213, 214, 215.
LASZLO looks out over Doylestown.
LASZLO (V.O.)
Your love, Laszlo
58.
He begins a new calculation and begins to step off in a new
direction.
LASZLO
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,...
INT. VAN BUREN GUEST HOUSE / DRAWING ROOM - DAY
71 71
SFX: A bell chimes three times.
CLOSE ON -
"Margaret Lee Van Buren Center for Activity and Creation" is
scribbled crudely at the top of the coal sketch. The semi-
abstract drawing gives little indication of what the
recreation center will actually look like when fully-
realized. The illustration is more akin to a Jerry Hopper
lithograph than a traditional architectural drawing.
LASZLO removes the sheet of paper to reveal another modular
section of the structure, then a third, and fourth.
INT. VAN BUREN GUEST HOUSE / DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT
72 72
The living room has been transformed into a makeshift office
space. By the window stands a drawing table adjusted to
LASZLO's height. Paper, wooden blocks, and other materials
are strewn about the room. The shades are removed from the
standing lamps for better luminance.
LASZLO stands hunched over the dining room table constructing
a detailed architectural model.
A SERIES OF ANGLES -
- The model: A trapezoidal structure, the centerpiece, sits
atop the small hill overlooking the lake and a miniature of
Doylestown on the other side.
- A cluster of buildings; sloping and irregular triangles
surround the trapezoid; together they form a perfect
rectangle.
- The sharp points of the model rooftops protrude out and up
towards the sky.
- LASZLO carefully finishes by placing a small bell tower
made of bent copper parallel to the model's main structure.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE FOYER - DAY
73 73
LASZLO and two servants awkwardly navigate the large-scale
model across the estate's horizon line.
59.
INT. VAN BUREN'S STUDY - LATER
74 74
LASZLO stands at the center of VAN BUREN's study
demonstrating his finished model which takes up much of the
room. HARRY LEE, MAGGIE LEE and LESLIE WOODROW (heavy-set and
above-average in height) all observe, fascinated.
VAN BUREN sits behind them all getting a haircut leafing
through pages and pages of LASZLO's drawings.
LASZLO
The total area is 648 Square
Meters, including a sizable
condensate system for harvesting
rainwater for the boilers below
grade.
LASZLO points, gathers himself.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Narrow openings at the top, as you
see here and here, are skylights
that can also be viewed as
demarcations of units of space on
either side of the entrance hall.
Each unit is convertible and multi-
functional with removable panels
that hinge open and close. When
these rooms are combined they
support a total occupancy of 500
persons on each side. Bespoke
systems for seating and storage
allow for conference, gymnasium,
auditorium. These rooms of more
standard size are pre-cast
concrete. The chapel at the heart
of the building, however, is a
perfect sphere, like a grain silo,
so we'd cast on-site.
LASZLO stammers nervously.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
The main tower from the ground is
20 meters tall-
VAN BUREN swats his BARBER's hand away, annoyed.
VAN BUREN
I can't see!
HARRY clears his father's vantage point.
60.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Harry, what do you think about the
gymnasium off to the side like
that? I had imagined it
differently.
HARRY LEE
It all looks like an army barracks.
Everyone waits for VAN BUREN's reaction with bated breath.
VAN BUREN
Perhaps that's because you never
enlisted, Harry. I think it's all a
great surprise. Carry on, Laszlo.
LASZLO appears a bit insecure. He moves now to a different
model that demonstrates the chapel's interior.
LASZLO
The Chapel's interior is more
generous in its expression; the
vernacular concrete contrasted by
an altarpiece of marble from the
mountains of Carrara will serve as
the institute's centerpiece.
LASZLO gestures to the next model.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
And see, let me demonstrate...
Morning, midday, dusk.
ULTRA CLOSE ON -
LASZLO turns on a small flashlight and holds it at a high
angle close to the model through three entry points of light,
MAGGIE LEE, HARRY LEE and VAN BUREN lean down to look inside.
The light forms a pattern on the floor.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
As the sun moves, east to west...
Located at the base of the towers,
wooden beams unite to form a symbol
of the cross upon the altarpiece.
MAGGIE LEE
Oh, how wonderful! The town is sure
to be over the moon when they see
you've kept faith and values at the
forefront of your design.
61.
VAN BUREN
Extraordinary. Your grandmother
loved marble. Maggie will you call
for some coffee?
MAGGIE LEE
I think it's beautiful, Mr. Toth.
She exits. VAN BUREN looks at HARRY LEE.
LESLIE points at the towers on the right and left.
LESLIE WOODROW
(scoffs)
What's the height of those things?
Six or seven meters also? And did I
understand you correctly? 108
meters of surface area for the
facade?! That's eleven square feet,
If we can afford these materials at
all, Mr. Van Buren, Sylacauga
Marble ships out of Talladega
County and that might be possible
if I manage to swing some favors
but I can't make any promises.
LASZLO
Afford these materials? The
concrete is sturdy and cheap.
LESLIE speaks frankly.
LESLIE WOODROW
The concrete- it's not very
attractive. Perhaps you'd like to
split the difference on materials?
LASZLO
Fortunately, the building's
aesthetic is not yours to resolve,
Mr. Woodrow. And Sylacauga marble
is white like a sheet of paper;
it's nothing. What I have here is
blue and grey with softer veining.
VAN BUREN
I prefer the Italian, I think. It's
more suitable, no?
LESLIE WOODROW
I have to do some research but-
62.
LASZLO
I know someone talented, an Italian
mason whom I have commissioned
before.
LESLIE is visibly frustrated.
VAN BUREN
There's one detail before I forget;
the name. I'd like to place it
somewhere more visible. What do you
think?
LASZLO nods, lights a cigarette. MAGGIE LEE enters again
followed by two maids with trays of coffee.
MAGGIE LEE
(to the maids)
On the table over there.
MAGGIE LEE hands her father a cup and turns to LASZLO.
MAGGIE LEE (CONT'D)
Sugar?
LASZLO
Black.
LESLIE's eyes widen.
LESLIE WOODROW
Sir, is this really what you
imagined? Am I missing something?
When Harry called, he described
this to me as a personal project.
If this is what we ultimately
settle on, something of this scale,
the timeline would need to be
considerably adjusted.
VAN BUREN
I'd rather be alive at 18% than
dead at the prime rate, Leslie.
VAN BUREN winks at LESLIE.
LASZLO
We will not exceed our allocation.
VAN BUREN
Harry, where are we in our
discussions with the Mayor's
office?
63.
HARRY LEE
They are waiting on us.
VAN BUREN
Push things along and see where we
land with them.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - MORNING
75 75
SFX: BANG, BANG, BANG at the door.
LASZLO and GORDON lie in the same bed, strung out. A needle
is still stuck in LASZLO's arm. He unties his arm and rips
out the needle causing his arm to bleed all over the bed.
LASZLO
Shit.
SFX: BANG, BANG, BANG, again.
LASZLO shoots up in a panic. He looks over at GORDON.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Get up.
LASZLO pulls off a pillow case and wraps it around his elbow.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
(shouts)
Coming!
EXT. GUEST HOUSE DOOR - MOMENTS LATER
76 76
LESLIE stands there impatient. After a beat, LASZLO opens the
door.
LASZLO
Morning Leslie.
LESLIE WOODROW
Don't tell me you're just now
getting up?
LASZLO
Two minutes, and I am ready.
LESLIE WOODROW
I'll give you three if you use it
to rinse off.
LASZLO
Three.
LESLIE WOODROW
Let me inside so I can get the
model on the truck.
64.
INT. MAYOR KINNEY'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON
77 77
LASZLO, LESLIE, and GORDON clumsily carry in the oversized
model before MAYOR KINNEY, HARRY LEE and a group of other
LOCAL OFFICIALS.
HARRY LEE
The Mayor hasn't got all day,
Leslie.
MAYOR KINNEY
We're fine, Harry! Will your father
be joining us, as well?
Turns to MAYOR KINNEY...
HARRY LEE
He's overseas on business but he
sends his regards. This is a
project he's very passionate about,
and a priority for us. He asked if
he could telephone you to talk
through it all tomorrow - at your
convenience, of course?
MAYOR KINNEY
Well, sure, Sylvia in my office can
set for just about any time
tomorrow afternoon.
HARRY LEE
It will have to be in the morning
due to the time difference.
MAYOR KINNEY
(sycophantic)
Morning then is fine- just fine.
HARRY LEE and LESLIE are doing most of the talking, trying to
cover for LASZLO and GORDON's bad state.
HARRY LEE
They only need two minutes to set
this all up.
LESLIE WOODROW
We'll get this set down and start
right away for ya.
The three men set the model on the table and it sadly bends
down over the sides.
LESLIE WOODROW (CONT'D)
You got a stool or something they
can use to extend?
MAYOR KINNEY
No.
LESLIE WOODROW
All right, then we'll go ahead and
get started.
65.
A small figurine falls from the base of the model. LASZLO
bends to the ground, sweating and catching his breath.
LASZLO
Apologies...
He puts the figurine back in place, uncharacteristically
loose-limbed.
MAYOR KINNEY
(re: model)
This is- different.
HARRY LEE
Very modern, yes.
MAYOR KINNEY
All right, well, walk us through
what you have in mind.
LASZLO exhales, pulls himself together.
INT. TOWN HALL - EVENING
78 78
LASZLO, in formal dress, makes a speech in front of a
scattered audience. Forty or so townspeople are in
attendance.
LASZLO
Construction phase alone will
create upwards of eighty local
jobs. Carpenters, painters- upwards
of one hundred and fifty upon
completion, at which point, the
facilities will need to be
permanently staffed.
A TOWNSPERSON interjects...
TOWNSPERSON (O.S.)
(calls out)
When are you going to answer the
questions in the box?
LASZLO pauses, thinks, chooses his words carefully so as not
to offend. He spots VAN BUREN in the crowd. VAN BUREN nods,
encouragingly.
LASZLO
Yes, I- I would like also to
address some of the written
concerns and comments which were
submitted to us anonymously ahead
of tonight's discussion; questions
probing my personal background,
heritage, and ideological
persuasion, if you will.
LASZLO clears his throat.
66.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
As a foreign person and newcomer to
Doylestown, I have observed your
community with a great interest.
Your town is not dissimilar to the
one where I myself was raised. Your
Christian church, not so different
from the temple of my youth. I see
your St. Anthony's decaying facade.
Your school's gymnasium too slight
for the size of its student body. I
see a community in need and this is
my only persuasion of relevance...
Mr. Van Buren, a generous patron
and practicing Protestant, and I-
will build a place where you will
be drawn to congregate and inspired
to worship. You may rest assured
that we will honor the traditions
of Doylestown long established
before I ever set foot here.
LASZLO pours himself a glass of water, takes a deliberate
sip.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
I am determined to know and draw
from your history and kneel upon
its shoulders. Where does the
structural fabric of a building
appear with greater clarity than in
the buildings of one's forefathers?
To know and understand its nature,
I have analyzed the purposes for
which we build. I have examined
every function which appears and
determined its character. I have
made its character the basis for my
conception. I see the spiritual and
intellectual environment of your
town; The Margaret Lee Van Buren
Center for Creation and Activity,
will be its manifestation; a new
landmark. A landmark which
proclaims not only "I am new," but,
"I am part of the new whole."
A SECOND TOWNSPERSON speaks up...
TOWNSPERSON 2
Excuse me, Mr...?
LASZLO
Toth.
TOWNSPERSON 2
Mr. Toth, none of us here are
familiar with this type of model.
Can you take us through your plans
for the Recreation Center in
Layman's terms? And yes; we are all
keen to see what you have in mind
for the chapel, especially.
LASZLO
I've had discussions with your
Father Graham which informed for me
the floor plan...
67.
LASZLO looks at GORDON and LESLIE.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Can you pass me the flashlight?
GORDON has it at the ready. LASZLO moves the piece of model
to an overhead projector and demonstrates.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Here, we have the chapel interior.
A space suitable for 115 persons.
At dawn...
LASZLO shines the flashlight through the southeast facing
glass which casts a long Sign of the Cross onto the stark
marble altar piece.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
At sunset...
LASZLO shines a light down through the slits lined with
copper creating an enchanting glow. The audience is audibly
impressed.
PUSH IN ON VAN BUREN who is situated in the very back of the
room like a proud parent.
CUE: The score booms and swells... Tympany patterns.
79 79
EXT. LUMBER YARD/ STEEL MANUFACTURER/ MARBLE QUARRY - VARIOUS
TIMES OF DAY
Materials for the construction of the The Margaret Lee Van
Buren Center for Creation and Activity are prepared around
the globe.
A SERIES OF ANGLES -
- Over dramatic vistas, the sun sets.
- Steel is fabricated.
- Wood is cut and piled.
- Concrete is mixed.
- Chunks of marble are crudely sawn off in titanic fragments.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
(in HUNGARIAN)
Laszlo! It has taken some months to
obtain the items which Mr. Hoffman
requested since receiving your
letter. I was at first at a loss
but suddenly thought to contact our
upstairs neighbor in Buda, Mrs.
Horvath! She was able to provide me
with several family photographs
that clearly picture you, myself,
and Zsofia with her mother on our
wedding day!
(MORE)
68.
ERZSEBET (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The poor dear thought us dead all
these years so had kept them on her
mantle in memoriam. Zsofia could
have only been thirteen years of
age at the time but her face and
expression are unmistakable. I have
included all but one in case this
letter does not reach you. I will
keep it near my breast, our family
tree against my heart. Laszlo, does
this mean we might meet again soon?
Yours,
Erzsebet
The final image in the montage is a photograph of LASZLO and
ERZSEBET's wedding day. Their entire family is present. They
look beautiful and happy, frozen in time.
FADE IN TITLE:
INTERMISSION
5:00 - 0:00
A yearning, nostalgic piece for piano plays over the
photograph as a timer counts down from five minutes.
INSERT TITLE
OVER BLACK:
PART TWO
THE HARD CORE OF BEAUTY
1953-1960
EXT. 30TH STREET STATION PLATFORM - MORNING
80 80
LASZLO, MICHAEL and MICHELLE HOFFMAN, and MAGGIE LEE wait
with flowers and balloons at the end of the platform.
LASZLO is visibly nervous. He's dressed up and shaved clean.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
Right or left?
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
On the right.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
Could they have walked past us?
69.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
My associate in New York confirmed
they made it on.
MAGGIE LEE
(points)
There at the end, some passengers
are still coming off.
LASZLO
I see Zsofia.
He shouts and starts to move. We track left.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
(shouting)
Zsofia!
MEDIUM ON -
TWO PASSENGERS awkwardly lift ERZSEBET's wheelchair down and
over the train steps.
PASSENGER
You got her?
The PASSENGER on the left nods.
ERZSEBET
Thank you, gentlemen. We'll send
someone for the luggage. Thank you.
LASZLO (O.S.)
(shouting from some
distance)
Zsofia!
CLOSE ON -
ZSOFIA, a transcendent beauty, scans the platform and begins
pushing ERZSEBET in a wheelchair along the platform.
WE TRACK RIGHT with ERZSEBET in profile who begins to cry at
the sound of LASZLO's voice. She's older than the wedding
photo seen prior. Her face is agonized and gaunt but her
expression betrays some optimism.
TRACK LEFT with LASZLO as his brow furrows with concern. THE
CAMERA CONTINUES TO SWING LEFT with LASZLO until they share
the frame. He bends to his wife.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
(Hungarian)
What's happened?
ERZSEBET smiles through her tears.
ERZSEBET
(Hungarian)
I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
70.
LASZLO
(Hungarian)
What happened?
ERZSEBET
(Hungarian)
It might not be permanent-
LASZLO
(Hungarian)
Someone hurt you?
She cries, shakes her head.
ERZSEBET
(Hungarian)
It's osteoporosis from the famine-
He embraces her madly, kisses her, weeps.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
(cries)
I can dye my hair. I know it's
ugly.
LASZLO
Shh.
ERZSEBET
(Hungarian)
Where's Attila?
He switches to English.
LASZLO
I didn't want him to be
disappointed if for any reason you
were delayed.
He looks up at ZSOFIA and bounces up to embrace her.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
(Hungarian)
Zsofia, dear.
He reverts again to English.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Welcome to America.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - DINING ROOM - LATER
81 81
LASZLO, MICHAEL and MICHELLE HOFFMAN, MAGGIE LEE, and HARRY
LEE all take their seats around VAN BUREN who settles at the
head of the table. ERZSEBET and ZSOFIA hold court. Everyone
appears rightfully enchanted.
VAN BUREN
How wonderful it is to finally make
your acquaintance!
(MORE)
71.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I admit there was a period of time
when we thought he had made you up!
Isn't it fascinating to meet the
significant others of great artists
and thinkers?
ERZSEBET
Thank you for taking care of my
Laszlo.
VAN BUREN
As persons of unique privilege, I
have always thought that it is our
duty to nurture the defining
talents of our epoch. I possess no
such talent whatsoever! Truth be
told, I am terribly emulous of
individuals like him.
ERZSEBET
That mustn't be true, Mr. Van
Buren. It seems you've done quite
all right for yourself.
HARRY LEE
Father is digging for compliments.
Don't indulge him.
Beat.
ERZSEBET
The property is beautiful.
MAGGIE LEE
Isn't it?
VAN BUREN
Erzsebet- pardon me, am I
pronouncing that correctly?
ERZSEBET
Oh, that's fine, just fine. Feel
free to call me Elizabeth if you
prefer it.
VAN BUREN
Your English is impressive.
ERZSEBET
Thank you. I attended University in
England!
VAN BUREN
Where?
ERZSEBET
Oxford to study English. I returned
home for Communications.
VAN BUREN
Did you do anything with it?
72.
ERZSEBET
Oh yes. I wrote for a popular
national paper at home; Magyar
Nemzet.
VAN BUREN
A journalist?
HARRY LEE
Cultural?
ERZSEBET
Foreign affairs.
ERZSEBET turns to LASZLO.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Haven't you told them anything
about me?
ERZSEBET sees that LASZLO doesn't appreciate the joke.
CLOSE ON -
She squeezes LASZLO's hand.
BACK TO -
VAN BUREN
Perhaps you can help your poor
husband to sound less like he
shines shoes for a wage.
She smiles but doesn't like the joke.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
(to LASZLO)
How long have you been here now?
Four or five years, Laszlo?! No
more excuses.
VAN BUREN flips a small coin at LASZLO which LASZLO dodges.
VAN BUREN laughs.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
All right, I got carried away! Pass
that back to me, will you?
LASZLO passes it back. VAN BUREN holds it up demonstratively.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
A penny saved...
HARRY LEE addresses ZSOFIA.
HARRY LEE
Sofia, is it?
LASZLO
(corrects)
Zsofia.
73.
HARRY LEE
(pointedly)
Zs-ofia... Are you planning for
school?
No response. A palpable awkwardness washes over the room.
ERZSEBET finally interjects...
ERZSEBET
She is, yes, but we haven't
explored her options.
HARRY LEE
Does she understand English?
ERZSEBET
Oh yes. She understands very well.
ERZSEBET chooses not to elaborate. They eat in silence.
VAN BUREN
(smiles)
"The woman behind the man."
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - FOYER - LATER
82 82
LASZLO pushes ERZSEBET to the front door. As they are about
to leave, VAN BUREN halts their exit.
VAN BUREN
Laszlo, may I have a word?
ZSOFIA takes over for LASZLO and pushes ERZSEBET out the
door. The two men meet at the room's most central point.
LASZLO
Yes, sir?
VAN BUREN
On Leslie's recommendation, we
shared your plans with another
architect. Just to get a second
opinion - for safety reasons, as
well.
LASZLO
Who?
VAN BUREN
Someone we worked with on the
department store downtown. I forget
his name.
VAN BUREN passes him a file.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Listen, they're just little
adjustments, here and there. Places
they thought we could save a penny.
74.
LASZLO
Leslie is a bastard.
VAN BUREN
He is. That's what we pay him for.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - HALLWAY/ ZSOFIA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
83 83
LASZLO takes ZSOFIA down a corridor and opens the door
revealing a rather childish arrangement he's made on the bed.
LASZLO
(Hungarian)
I'm sorry. I remembered you as a
little girl.
ZSOFIA touches his face and shoulder to comfort him and steps
inside.
LASZLO references a small framed picture of a woman.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
(Hungarian)
Look at your mother. My sister was
beautiful, wasn't she? Even while
she was ill, she was so beautiful.
ZSOFIA nods.
INT. GUEST HOUSE CORRIDOR - LATER
84 84
LASZLO rolls ERZSEBET down the hall to their room. Inside, he
can heard struggling to lift her into bed.
LASZLO (O.S.)
1, 2, 3-
She laughs adoringly.
INT. GUEST HOUSE BEDROOM - LATER
85 85
ERZSEBET and LASZLO lie catatonic in bed. It's very dark.
ERZSEBET
(Hungarian)
Are you angry?
Silence.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Laszlo, are you angry with me?
He replies in English, petulant.
75.
LASZLO
If you'd like to start a row with
me, I might as well work out my
English-
She replies in English.
ERZSEBET
Stop it. Your English is perfectly
all right. It was an unimaginative
joke he made about you shining
shoes.
LASZLO
Tomorrow, I'll take you to see
someone. A specialist.
ERZSEBET
Don't be angry with me.
LASZLO sulks..
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Do you not want to be with me
anymore?
LASZLO
Stop this nonsense.
ERZSEBET
Do you think I look older?
LASZLO
We are older.
ERZSEBET
Can't you say anything kind to me?
LASZLO
I love you, you cow.
ERZSEBET smiles and kisses him.
ERZSEBET
(Hungarian, whispers)
You can touch me.
LASZLO
I don't want to hurt you-
physically.
ERZSEBET
You won't... I had dreams- every
night, I dreamt I was with you.
She touches him under the sheets.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
I know what you've done, Laszlo,
and it's all right...
76.
LASZLO
What are you talking about?
ERZSEBET
(whispers)
Laszlo, I know. I know. I know
everything. You see, I became sick.
Very sick. I could hardly breathe.
I yearned to be with you and it
made me sick. I almost died.
Between life and death, I began
having fantasies about you but I
realized they were not fantasies at
all, but visions! I was with you.
All the time I was with you.
She licks her palm, jerks him off, whispers in his ear.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Laszlo, I know what you've done.
I'm not jealous because I was with
you the all the time. I know
everything that has happened to
you, and I am here now and I will
never leave you.
LASZLO breaks down. His voice cracks in heaving sobs.
LASZLO
Oh god! MY LOVE. MY LOVE! I CANNOT
BEAR IT!
ERZSEBET
You can. Shh... You can. We have a
new life. A new language. We can
start again.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - CORRIDOR/ BATHROOM - MORNING
86 86
LASZLO walks down the corridor and opens the door to discover
ZSOFIA guiding ERZSEBET's knee to her chest who lies nude in
the tub wearing a hair net. They both flush with
embarrassment at the sight of LASZLO. ERZSEBET laughs as she
tries to cover up.
LASZLO
Sorry.
He quickly steps back the way he came.
ERZSEBET (O.S.)
Maggie Lee lent me some hair
product!
INT. GUEST HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
87 87
LASZLO takes a coffee in his kitchenette reviewing VAN
BUREN's file. He furrows his brow.
77.
ERZSEBET (O.S.)
(calls out)
Laszlo, are you there?
He regards ZSOFIA exercising her aunt in the bathtub through
the door ajar.
LASZLO
(calls back)
I am.
ERZSEBET (O.S.)
(calls out)
The model is beautiful, darling! So
beautiful.
LASZLO regards the model.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
We're taking a bus into the city
this afternoon to visit Attila. The
stop is very nearby! Would you like
to come?
LASZLO
I have something this afternoon.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - BATHROOM - SAME
88 88
ERZSEBET smiles at ZSOFIA, full of joy.
ERZSEBET
I've missed him. Just hearing him
mill about in the other room.
It's...
ERZSEBET searches for the right word.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Fantastic.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - LOUNGE - LATER
89 89
VAN BUREN observes the front yard from the quietude of his
private quarters. He watches...
LONG LENS ON -
ZSOFIA and ERZSEBET explore the property. ZSOFIA pushes
ERZSEBET's wheelchair through the estate's hedge maze.
ERZSEBET says something to make ZSOFIA crack a smile.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - DRIVEWAY - LATER
90 90
WE TRACK RIGHT with ZSOFIA and ERZSEBET who have put on
something more formal for their outing into town. ZSOFIA
pushes ERZSEBET at a steady clip.
78.
ERZSEBET
Perhaps we should see about some
language classes this afternoon?
You could take the bus in on your
own...
ZSOFIA hardly reacts.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
I am positive it is the last place
you would like to be but it's good
for you and I can brief the
instructor or whomever about your
situation. Listening to me babble
on will only get you so far.
After some time, VAN BUREN's town car pulls up beside them.
He rolls the window down...
VAN BUREN
Where are you two headed?
ERZSEBET
We're going into town.
VAN BUREN
Which town is that? We've got
several nearby, you know!
ERZSEBET laughs pleasantly.
ERZSEBET
Philadelphia. To visit family.
VAN BUREN
Ah, yes. The American cousin! The
city then! Us, as well.
ERZSEBET corrects herself.
ERZSEBET
Yes, the city.
VAN BUREN
(to ZSOFIA)
Well, don't just stand there. Let
us give you and your Auntie a lift.
VAN BUREN opens the door to the backseat and steps out to
help move ERZSEBET inside.
INT. AUTOMOBILE - MOMENTS LATER
91 91
VAN BUREN sits in the passenger side front seat. The two
ladies sit in the back.
VAN BUREN
I have a friend in New York, a
newspaper man. He's always on the
lookout for new talent. Shall I
mention you to him?
79.
ERZSEBET
Well, yes, of course. That is very
kind of you, Mr. Van Buren.
ERZSEBET thinks, hesitates, then...
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Would that mean I would have to
work out of New York?
VAN BUREN
In the beginning, perhaps... But
you haven't got the job yet so
let's not get ahead of ourselves.
ERZSEBET
No, no, of course not. I did not
mean it to be presumptuous!
The road is rough and the engine, loud.
VAN BUREN
What's that?
ERZSEBET
(shouts to be heard)
I did not mean it to be
presumptuous!
VAN BUREN accepts her acknowledgement and moves on.
VAN BUREN
In any event, you could commute
there with me at the start. I'm
there Monday to Friday.
ERZSEBET
Well, sure, that could be fine. I'd
have to speak with Laszlo though.
VAN BUREN
When we break ground, he will have
his hands full, I can assure you!
VAN BUREN's intent is enigmatic.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I enjoy showing friends around
Manhattan. You mustn't have seen
much on your way in.
ERZSEBET
The Penn Station Terminal was very
nice.
VAN BUREN
-a pity that it's become so full of
tramps hassling women and children
with their arms outstretched. They
line up and extend from the walls
as if integral to its very
foundation like-
80.
He searches for the apt metaphor.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
-like a haunted wall mural!
ERZSEBET
Ah, perhaps that is why I felt so
at home. I'm a former bag lady
myself who does also enjoy the work
of the Dutch masters.
VAN BUREN
`Earthly Delights!' You pictured it
just as I meant it. Clever, clever.
ERZSEBET looks at her niece with some trepidation about the
conversation then digs deeper.
ERZSEBET
"Integral to its foundation." You
sound like my husband. Although a
mural's decorative; nothing to do
with the foundation.
The jab doesn't seem to land. No response from VAN BUREN.
They ride in silence for a moment. It's unclear whether or
not he's taken offense.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Where did you get your passion for
architecture?
VAN BUREN
Oh, we've done buildings before but
I'd hardly call them artistic. I
suppose it was because the cellar
was full.
ERZSEBET
Pardon?
VAN BUREN
I collect books, butterflies, and
such. Above all though, Portuguese
Madeira. I take it every night
after supper.
He turns to her.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I did the maths and if I were to
uncork a bottle seven days a week
for the next thirty years - the
maximum of my life expectancy - I
shouldn't need more than ten
thousand altogether. So once the
cellar was full, it was time I set
about in a new direction. Out of
the cellar and into the sky.
ERZSEBET
If you drink a bottle of Madeira
every day, I shouldn't think you'd
last thirty years.
81.
VAN BUREN
I always keep good company.
ERZSEBET senses VAN BUREN asserting himself, flirting with
her.
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - TRAILERS - DAY
92 92
WE TRACK FAST RIGHT with LASZLO who trembles with anger.
INT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - OFFICE TRAILER - CONTINUOUS
93 93
LASZLO enters the trailer where LESLIE WOODROW is on a
telephone call. LASZLO throws the file at LESLIE's head...
LESLIE WOODROW
I'm going to have to call you back.
LESLIE hangs up the phone.
LASZLO
How dare you.
LESLIE WOODROW
How dare I what?
LASZLO's accent is embellished when he is angry.
LASZLO
You go behind the back- and have
them meet with another goddamned
designer! Who in the hell is James
T. Simpson? You're trying to get me
sacked!
LESLIE WOODROW
I didn't tell him to meet with
anyone. Of course, I didn't. You
think I feel like working with you
hating my guts for the next two
godforsaken years?
LASZLO blinks.
LESLIE WOODROW (CONT'D)
Jim Simpson is a smart guy. He
doesn't want to interfere at all.
LASZLO taps the document with his index finger.
LASZLO
I'm not making these changes.
LESLIE WOODROW
I'm afraid it's not up to you. The
casts are already finished. We put
in that order over a month ago.
This is the first time you're
hearing about it?
82.
LASZLO
No one told me a damned thing.
LESLIE WOODROW
Harrison said he would talk it over
with you. I'm sorry you found out
this way. I really am.
LASZLO sits down and starts re-drawing the plans in a fever.
He makes new connections, new corridors, new ideas, with a
few strokes of a pen then slams it down in front of LESLIE.
LASZLO
There. It's mine again. He cuts
three meters from the top, I add it
to the bottom!
LESLIE WOODROW
We can't afford all this! I'm
already over-budget this quarter!
LASZLO
Use what you need to of my fee.
LESLIE tries to reason with him.
LESLIE WOODROW
What's the difference between forty
and fifty feet, anyway?! The
ceilings are still plenty high!
LASZLO
Get it approved, Leslie.
LESLIE WOODROW
We have a walk-thru next week and
Jim is supposed to be there. Just
hear him out. You can state your
case to Harrison and Harry Lee. I
won't open my mouth, I swear it.
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - TRENCHES - MORNING
94 94
It's raining cats and dogs. Thunder, lightning, wind.
ULTRA-WIDE ANGLE TRACKING SHOT -
SEVEN MEN; LASZLO, VAN BUREN, HARRY LEE, LESLIE WOODROW,
MAYOR KINNEY, MICHAEL HOFFMAN, and JIM SIMPSON stand in the
newly dug out foundation; a corridor of dirt reminiscent of
the First War trenches.
They all hold out large canvas umbrellas to shield themselves
from the torrential downpour.
LASZLO
For the cantilevered floors- we
plan to use upside-down T-shaped
beams integrated into concrete
slabs down here.
(MORE)
83.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
This will form both the ceiling of
the space below and provide
resistance against compression...
MAYOR KINNEY tries to make sense of the blueprints.
MAYOR KINNEY
Which corridor are we in now?
LESLIE nervously tries to explain...
LESLIE WOODROW
We're below ground here. It's a
sort of- passageway between the
main unit and the three mid-sized
modular units to the south and
southeast.
JIM SIMPSON reviews LASZLO's new plans...
JIM SIMPSON
I don't see how any of this
acknowledges my proposed cuts. We
are just spinning our wheels out
here. I took ten feet off the
height of these damned things and
now we are 30 feet underground?! I
mean, what is- what are all these
new connections between facilities?
LASZLO
A better idea.
JIM SIMPSON
What are they for? You put all
these together and you've added on
a quarter mile or so of tunnel to
carve out on top of everything
else!
LASZLO keeps his cool. He speaks to be heard but never shouts
explaining himself to the group.
LASZLO
We excavate the entire diameter of
the tunnel system using a- full-
face method.
JIM SIMPSON
For what?! Why can't people just
walk themselves directly across the
courtyard?!
LASZLO
Something inside for the people to
discover.
LASZLO is starting to get as worked up as we have ever seen
him.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
And so it is one building and not
four! For its harmony. You said it
before, Mr. Van Buren!
(MORE)
84.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
You expected it to be one building,
and now it is!
VAN BUREN nods, uncomfortable. JIM SIMPSON scoffs.
JIM SIMPSON
I'll tell you- we are not going
back inside until you look us in
the eye and you tell us where you
are willing to compromise?!
LASZLO seethes but remains calm.
LASZLO
Jim, tell us again what you've
built?
JIM SIMPSON
I'll tell you about what I've
built, whatever-the-hell-your-name-
is! A shopping center in New Hope,
a hotel in Stamford Connecticut-
LESLIE INTERJECTS...
LESLIE WOODROW
Now Jim, let me remind everyone
that Laszlo has offered to
personally off-set these costs-
JIM SIMPSON
You brought me in here to tell you
what it is that you do not need!
You don't need this guy!
JIM SIMPSON points at LASZLO, accusingly.
JIM SIMPSON (CONT'D)
This whole thing is just- bizarre,
Leslie!
LESLIE WOODROW
I really think you two might see
eye-to-eye if you just spent a
little more time getting to know
each other. Honestly.
JIM throws his papers up in the air.
LASZLO
Jim. Listen to me.
JIM SIMPSON
I'm listening.
LASZLO
Everything we see that is ugly-
stupid, cruel, and ugly. Everything
is your fault.
Taking a moment to fully digest the severity of LASZLO's
sentiment, JIM SIMPSON replies with a violent push causing
LASZLO to slip and fall in the mud.
85.
VAN BUREN
Jim, you stop that right now!
JIM SIMPSON appears embarrassed.
JIM SIMPSON
I'm sorry-
VAN BUREN
Think it's time for you to head
home, Jim. Thanks for your insight.
JIM SIMPSON walks away. VAN BUREN extends a hand to LASZLO.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I trust you. I trust you, all
right?
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - MOMENTS LATER
95 95
MAYOR KINNEY walks ahead of the group with VAN BUREN.
MAYOR KINNEY
Are you sure about this guy? I know
Jim lost his temper but he had a
few points back there, didn't he?
My office is fielding complaints
about the plans for this place on a
daily basis, more or less! Jim's a
Protestant! Gives folks peace of
mind. People are worried it's going
to ruin the hillside, Harrison.
VAN BUREN
We'll do something. A little event
for the community. Get them on-
side.
VAN BUREN's expression doesn't betray his intent.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
And Jim will stay on.
MAYOR KINNEY furrows his brow.
MAYOR KINNEY
Does Jim know that? I think he
thinks he's fired.
VAN BUREN
I'll have Leslie telephone him
tomorrow, and Jim can advise from
afar.
VAN BUREN gestures to LASZLO behind them.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
It's better for morale this way,
you see?
86.
EXT. VISTA - AFTERNOON
96 96
The sun is shining. A small crowd has gathered for a ribbon
cutting ceremony. VAN BUREN, HARRY LEE, and LASZLO pose for a
photograph with MAYOR KINNEY. Following a round of pictures,
VAN BUREN calls out...
VAN BUREN
Girls! Girls! Come in for a
picture!
ERZSEBET, ZSOFIA, MAGGIE LEE enter from the side and gather
around the core group. ERZSEBET tugs at LASZLO's blazer and
he obliges by kneeling down to her chair. She whispers in his
ear...
ERZSEBET
(Hungarian, whispers)
I'm proud of you. Make love to me
tonight.
VAN BUREN holds up a shovel demonstratively.
VAN BUREN
All right everyone! On three...
EVERYONE
O-ne! T-wo!
Everyone but ZSOFIA smiles.
VAN BUREN
And...
He pulls the shovel back.
EVERYONE
Three!
The shovel breaks the earth.
EXT. VISTA - WATERING HOLE - DUSK
97 97
CLOSE HANDHELD ON -
The sun is setting. Several party guests are swimming. It's
exactly like a Renoir. Sun-drenched ZSOFIA bathes sensually
in the pond, her skin tightens with goosebumps. HARRY LEE
swims up to greet her.
HARRY LEE
(cheerful)
Rub-a-dub, three maids in a tub.
And who do you think were there?
The butcher, the baker, the
candlestick-maker-
He takes some water in his mouth and spits it out.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
Invigorating, isn't it?
87.
NEW ANGLE ON -
By the shore, ERZSEBET lies on a towel near LASZLO, VAN
BUREN, and MAGGIE LEE. All of them laugh madly; a joyous
scene.
ERZSEBET
(hysterical)
Did you ever manage to find the
place?
MAGGIE LEE
After driving around for hours in
the dark looking for this damned
camouflaged mailbox-
MAGGIE LEE laughs in anticipation of the punchline as she
recounts the story.
MAGGIE LEE (CONT'D) VAN BUREN
-we walked in the door, and (interjects)
the table had just been It was well after ten o'clock-
cleared for dessert!
ERZSEBET
-and then what?!
MAGGIE LEE
I noticed something a little funny
about the other dinner guests.
ERZSEBET
How so?!
MAGGIE LEE
They just all looked a bit pale in
the face, I reckon...
Even LASZLO can't help but grin now.
ERZSEBET
OH NO!
VAN BUREN
Maggie, you're exaggerating.
MAGGIE LEE
I AM NOT, I swear it! They looked
exactly like that popular painting,
you know the one-?
MAGGIE LEE imitates Edvard Munch's `The Scream' causing
another fit of laughter.
ERZSEBET
Stop it! I can't breathe.
88.
MAGGIE LEE
Daddy kept apologizing to our
hostess-
VAN BUREN
For context, her husband is among
Van Buren Steel's most important
private clients.
MAGGIE LEE
Daddy tried to explain everything
that had made us late as she
prepared for us what appeared to be
a delightful looking little trifle!
ERZSEBET
Was it awful?
MAGGIE LEE
I kid you not; cow tallow and fruit
pie!
ERZSEBET
(laughs)
NO!
MAGGIE LEE
-and poor daddy has such a sweet
tooth! I didn't know how to warn
him in front of everyone before he
took a bite this big!
MAGGIE demonstrates the enormous slice with her index
fingers.
ERZSEBET
(to VAN BUREN)
NO!
VAN BUREN
Indeed.
MAGGIE LEE
He began gagging like a house cat!
She imitates a house cat gagging on a fur ball.
MAGGIE LEE (CONT'D)
And all he could say to explain
was...
MAGGIE LEE holds herself together for the finale.
MAGGIE LEE (CONT'D)
`Dear... I am allergic.' to which
our concerned hostess replied, `
allergic to what?!', and he says...
VAN BUREN buries his face in hands.
MAGGIE LEE (CONT'D)
`TO THAT. I am very allergic to
whatever THAT is.'
89.
Everyone howls.
EXT. VISTA - LATER
98 98
LONG LENS ON -
ZSOFIA and HARRY LEE come up from the water and stand beside
VAN BUREN, MAGGIE LEE, and ERZSEBET who is now situated back
in her wheelchair.
NEW ANGLE ON -
LASZLO regards them but stands talking with GORDON and
GORDON's son, WILLIAM (significantly older than when we last
saw him). The three of them observe a small construction crew
that carry futons above their heads which implies they'll be
sleeping on-site.
WILLIAM points.
WILLIAM
Is that your crew?
GORDON
They'll sleep here.
WILLIAM
It's a lot of them. (Beat) What's
that thing over there?
GORDON
On the left?
WILLIAM nods.
GORDON (CONT'D)
That's a motor grader. We used to
do it with horses. Makes a flat
surface to pour on.
LASZLO
We can take you down there in the
morning if you are curious.
GORDON squeezes his son.
GORDON
What do you say we get you in one
of them machines?
HARRY LEE (O.S.)
Big day, Mr. Toth!
HARRY LEE approaches the scene.
LASZLO
Yes.
90.
HARRY LEE, drunk but not sloppy, puts an arm around LASZLO
and WE TRACK with them as they walk off.
HARRY LEE
Leslie mentioned during our meeting
last week with Jim that you're
putting your fee back into the
project. That seems a bit
irresponsible given your situation,
doesn't it? Will it even last you
to the end of your commitment?
LASZLO is silent, then...
LASZLO
I will figure something out.
HARRY LEE
Have you discussed it with your
wife?
LASZLO
She will be supportive.
HARRY LEE
Suit yourself but I wouldn't do it,
and I know Leslie certainly
wouldn't do it, so I didn't want
you to think you'd be setting any
sort of precedent.
LASZLO
I expect nothing from either of
you.
BEAT.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
How does that work exactly? The
company paying themselves to
finance?
HARRY LEE
Do you not think I deserve to be
paid for the time and energy I
devote to this project?
The question hangs in the air as they come to a stop.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
Might I make a suggestion?
LASZLO
You may.
HARRY LEE
Your niece has made several of our
guests very uncomfortable. Perhaps
you should have a talk with her.
LASZLO
About what?
91.
HARRY LEE
Don't get me wrong. She's very
lovely to look at and as much as we
all dream of having a bird that
keeps her trap shut, it comes off
like a rude affectation. I've tried
to connect, make conversation. It
goes nowhere.
LASZLO doesn't respond.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
Oh, I see. It must run in the
family.
No response.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
I would like us to be friends...
LASZLO
This is not- friendly, Harry.
HARRY LEE lets go, exasperated.
HARRY LEE
I didn't say I'd like to slip my
prick into her. Forget it! I've had
too much to drink. I need a nap.
HARRY LEE begins to walk off and turns around to share a
final sentiment.
HARRY LEE (CONT'D)
(venomous)
We tolerate you.
EXT. VISTA - MOMENTS LATER
99 99
LASZLO approaches ERZSEBET, ZSOFIA, and VAN BUREN.
LASZLO
It's time for us to go.
VAN BUREN
You don't want to join us for
dinner at the house?
LASZLO
We start early tomorrow. Thanks for
the event.
VAN BUREN
(to ERZSEBET)
Does he ever take a rest?
ERZSEBET
Never. Good night, Mr. Van Buren.
LASZLO turns ERZSEBET in her chair and WE TRACK with them
back towards the main property. ZSOFIA follows...
92.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
What's the rush?
LASZLO
We can talk at the house.
ERZSEBET
Can you slow down?
LASZLO
(matter-of-fact)
I am forfeiting the remainder of my
fee due to some expenses
unforeseen.
ERZSEBET
So, that's what the son kept
alluding to.
LASZLO
Yes. He's a snake.
LASZLO regards ZSOFIA just next to him.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
(Hungarian)
Don't go near him Zsofia.
ZSOFIA nods, appreciative of her uncle's sentiment.
ERZSEBET
All right, so what will that mean
for us?
LASZLO
I will figure something out.
ERZSEBET
We will figure something out. I
suppose we can make due on my
salary.
LASZLO
-your salary?
ERZSEBET's tone is playful though her voice does quiver with
some concern.
ERZSEBET
Mr. Van Buren's helped me with a
job interview in New York City. I'm
sure once they meet me, they won't
be able to resist me.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - NIGHT
100 100
LASZLO, ERZSEBET, ZSOFIA, GORDON, and WILLIAM sit for a
peasant's supper that ERZSEBET's prepared for them.
93.
GORDON
Thank you for the supper, Mrs.
Toth.
ERZSEBET
I thought we might have our own
little party to celebrate all of
your hard work. You've come so far,
the both of you.
GORDON
Oh, it's not mine really.
ERZSEBET
(pointedly)
That's not what Laszlo tells me. He
says he couldn't have done it
without you.
LASZLO looks a little embarrassed at the affection he's
expressed in private for his colleague and friend.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Do you have a misses at home,
Gordon?
GORDON
(mournful)
William's mother, Augusta, passed
away in `43- she got sick and died
of a damned tooth infection of all
things.
ERZSEBET directs her attention to WILLIAM.
ERZSEBET
I am very sorry to hear that, and I
am terribly sorry for your loss.
GORDON
He's all right. He was too young
then to remember much, and I was
gone training two years in Arizona
before they shipped us all off to
Naples, Italy; 92nd Infantry
Division. They wouldn't let me back
home all that time, not once.
Augusta's sister looked after him
until I got back. Kept me alive
though, knowing he was waiting for
me.
GORDON puts a hand on his teenage son's back.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Kept me good and alive, thank
goodness.
ERZSEBET blurts out.
ERZSEBET
Zsofia's mother passed.
ZSOFIA, previously emotive, turns to stone.
94.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Losing a mother- it's an
unfathomable loss, you see. To lose
one's birth mother is to lose the
very foundation on which we stand.
ERZSEBET turns to WILLIAM...
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
The mind may not know its loss but
the heart does.
WILLIAM finally speaks for himself.
WILLIAM
I remember her.
GORDON
That's because I've told you so
much about her. You were too small.
WILLIAM is defiant.
WILLIAM
No, I remember Augusta. I just
wanted to make it easier on you.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER
101 101
ERZSEBET smokes leafing through her husband's drawings. After
some time, LASZLO enters from behind her...
LASZLO
What are you doing?
She doesn't turn around to regard him. She keeps observing
what's in front of her.
ERZSEBET
Oh, I'm just looking at you.
LASZLO smiles, kisses the back of her neck.
LASZLO
What do you think?
ERZSEBET
It's unusual. Even for you.
LASZLO
You think so?
ERZSEBET
Many rooms are quite small. The
ceilings are high...
LASZLO
Yes. Inside, you must look upwards.
95.
ERZSEBET
So, which part of it are we paying
for?
LASZLO
The height of the ceilings. The
glass above.
EXT. VISTA - DAY
102 102
VARIOUS ANGLES OF MEN AT WORK. The vista has transformed into
an active construction site on a grand scale. LASZLO and
GORDON supervise as their crew lays the rest of the concrete
foundation.
INT. THE CONGREGATION MIKVEH ISRAEL - MIKVEH
LASZLO, ERZSEBET, ZSOFIA, and MICHAEL & MICHELLE HOFFMAN file
into a corridor towards the basement that's been set up for a
makeshift service at Yom Kippur. ERZSEBET laughs a bit at the
banal functionality of their surroundings.
ERZSEBET
The service is in here?
MICHELLE HOFFMAN nods.
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
(clarifies)
For the overflow.
ERZSEBET
Because of the holiday?
MICHELLE HOFFMAN
The community is growing.
INT. THE CONGREGATION MIKVEH ISRAEL - LATER
LASZLO and MICHAEL HOFFMAN wear Talith reciting the Viddui,
rhythmically pounding their chests in accordance with the
prayer.
LASZLO AND MICHAEL
(chanting in Hebrew)
We have stolen, slandered, sinned...
We were wicked, malicious, have
taken, and lied
We've been evil and given harmful
advice...
LASZLO hits his chest with considerable force.
EXT. TRAIN DEPOT - MORNING
105 105
Crew men load monolithic slabs of pre-cast concrete onto a
flat bed train car.
96.
MEN
Careful, careful!
EXT. MEADOW - RAILROAD - EVENING
106 106
CUE: The score imitates the Hebrew Cantillation. It swells,
magnificent.
LASZLO (O.S.)
(chanting in Hebrew)
We have deceived, mocked-
ULTRA-WIDE ON -
In the distance, a long train, made small by the landscape.
Peace and beauty.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Rebelled, against god, against
others,
We are spiteful.
ANGLE ON -
The tracks rush at us on a wide-angle lens.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
We have turned away,
Deliberately.
BACK TO ULTRA-WIDE -
The train derails and explosions appear in the smoke from the
steam engine... The event is catastrophic but we are so far
away that it hardly makes a sound.
INT. GUEST HOUSE BEDROOM - NIGHT
107 107
ERZSEBET wakes up in bed wailing. LASZLO is alert, terrified.
LASZLO
What's happening?!
ERZSEBET
It's too much!
LASZLO
What's too much?!
She lets out another primal scream.
ERZSEBET
The pain is too much. I need
Zsofia! She has my medication.
LASZLO stumbles out of bed and exits. ERZSEBET writhes in the
sheets.
97.
INT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - OFFICE TRAILER - DAY
108 108
LASZLO, HARRY LEE, VAN BUREN, and two ENGINEERS are huddled
into the back of a makeshift office space on the lot. LESLIE
WOODROW holds a telephone to his ear...
LESLIE WOODROW
I have everyone here with me now,
yes.
Beat.
LESLIE WOODROW (CONT'D)
I see. Well, please let us know if
there is anything at all we can do.
We are terribly sorry for the news.
Beat.
LESLIE WOODROW (CONT'D)
On tenterhooks at this end so give
me a ring here when you have
something.
LESLIE hangs up the phone.
LESLIE WOODROW (CONT'D)
A big section came undone, he
couldn't tell me which one for
certain, and it took seven freight
cars along with it.
VAN BUREN slams his hands on the desk.
VAN BUREN
(shouts)
How the hell did you find these
people, Leslie?!
HARRY LEE
Transpo company is our own, Dad-
VAN BUREN
WHAT?!
HARRY LEE
We sent our own guys to Charleston.
LESLIE WOODROW
The rail cars were ours too... It
was cheaper given all the back and
forth. It's well over a hundred
shipments, Harrison.
VAN BUREN
You don't utter another goddamned
word to the rail company until
Michael can advise.
LESLIE WOODROW
I'm hoping to have more answers for
you soon, sir.
98.
LASZLO
How far is it? Can we see what can
be salvaged?
LESLIE WOODROW
The accident put two brakemen in
the hospital. It's a real mess out
there.
VAN BUREN
Send their families flowers for
Christ's sake-
Beat.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Wait. Don't. Looks guilty.
HARRY LEE
I'll call Michael.
HARRY LEE exits.
LESLIE WOODROW
What would you like me to do in the
meantime?
VAN BUREN
With what?
LESLIE WOODROW
Our crew.
VAN BUREN
Let them go.
LASZLO looks sick.
LASZLO
Sir, you can't-
VAN BUREN
I CAN! YES! YES, I CAN!
VAN BUREN paces furiously.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
People are going to write about
this! I'm staring down the barrel
of the next two years of my
goddamned life, Mr. Toth! What if
one of them dies? What if both of
them die? Who's going to pay for
it? Are you going to pay for it?!
LESLIE WOODROW
Laszlo, in the interest of
transparency, before I came to
retrieve you, I had already advised
Mr. Van Buren to cut his losses-
99.
VAN BUREN
Shut up, Leslie.
LESLIE swallows, humiliated. VAN BUREN exhales.
LASZLO
Sir, please.
VAN BUREN
Don't beg. It's unbecoming. You're
welcome to stay here until you've
found your footing elsewhere. I
have a mess to clean up.
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - MOMENTS LATER
109 109
We track left fast with LASZLO and GORDON across the
landscape.
LASZLO
I'm sorry, Gordon.
GORDON
Don't apologize to me.
LASZLO
I can give you some money while you
look for something.
GORDON
I'll be fine.
LASZLO
(affirmative)
You have a kid. I'll give you
something and you'll take it.
LASZLO stops in his tracks and looks at GORDON.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
You got any hop on you?
GORDON looks grave.
GORDON
None at all. I'm off it.
LASZLO
Good, good. That's good to hear.
INT. GUEST HOUSE - LATER
110 110
LASZLO smashes the model in a terrible fury. ERZSEBET
observes her husband's tantrum, unmoved.
ERZSEBET
You're making me a mess to clean
up.
100.
He continues on...
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
(shouts)
STOP IT! You're acting like a
child.
LASZLO
It's over.
ERZSEBET
You have to march over there right
now and get him excited again. Keep
him engaged. You know how these
rich fellows are. For him, it's
like refurbishing a kitchen.
LASZLO
Two people are in the hospital.
ERZSEBET
That's not your fault-
LASZLO
Darling, it's over.
Silence.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY'S MIDTOWN EAST (MURRAY HILL) - DAY
111 111
VIEW FROM THE EAST RIVER TOWARDS THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE
SURROUNDING NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE.
CROSS DISSOLVE:
INT. MIDTOWN EAST STREET LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
WE PAN off sliding glass doors as MICHAEL HOFFMAN enters the
lobby of the office building.
INT. RUDOLPH HEYWOOD & ASSOCIATES LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER
113 113
MICHAEL HOFFMAN approaches the firm's RECEPTIONIST.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
Looking for Rudolph Heywood and
Associates.
RECEPTIONIST
Beg your pardon, sir, but who is it
that you're looking for?
MICHAEL HOFFMAN
Laszlo. Toth. He draws there.
101.
She reviews a form in front of her.
RECEPTIONIST
Could I ask you to spell that? Oh,
yes- I see him. Draftsmen are right
upstairs.
114 INT. RUDOLPH HEYWOOD & ASSOCIATES DRAWING ROOM - MOMENTS 114
LATER
WE STEADICAM up the stairs and across the space with MICHAEL
HOFFMAN past thirty or so men with hair cut close to the
scalp and short neckties all hunched over desks and easels.
PUSH IN ON LASZLO, who has aged and further decayed somewhat.
He smokes a pipe at a drawing board. A green desk lamp
highlights an inscrutable expression.
There's visible bruising, track marks, where his sleeves are
rolled up.
INT. LASZLO AND ERZSEBET'S TENEMENT - KITCHEN - NIGHT
115 115
ERZSEBET and LASZLO sit across from ZSOFIA and her husband,
BINYAMIN, an orthodox Jewish man. ZSOFIA is five months
pregnant and speaking again.
ZSOFIA
(soft-spoken)
We have some news.
LASZLO
As do I.
ERZSEBET
Oh, how exciting. What is it
Laszlo?
LASZLO
Please. Zsofia, go ahead.
ZSOFIA
We are making Aliyah.
ERZSEBET looks a little heartbroken.
ERZSEBET
What?
ZSOFIA
We are going to Jerusalem.
ERZSEBET
Yes, I heard you.
ZSOFIA
Binyamin has family there.
102.
BINYAMIN
My older brothers relocated with
their families in 1950. They became
citizens.
ERZSEBET nods, considers this.
ERZSEBET
Life is difficult there. Have you
thought this through?
ZSOFIA
It is our obligation.
LASZLO
To whom?
ZSOFIA
Our repatriation is our liberation.
LASZLO swats at the air, starting to get worked up.
LASZLO
Where will you live? Where will you
work?
BINYAMIN
We can stay with my brother's
family when we first arrive.
ERZSEBET silences LASZLO by resting her hand on his.
ERZSEBET
I was planning to help with the
baby.
BINYAMIN
My brother's wife can help, also.
ZSOFIA
I am Jewish. My child is Jewish.
It's time for us to go home.
ERZSEBET snaps.
ERZSEBET
Does it somehow make us less Jewish
that we are here?
Silence.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Oh, I see, perhaps Binyamin did not
recognize me to begin with-
ZSOFIA
He does.
Beat.
103.
ERZSEBET
I'm sorry.
ZSOFIA
No, I am sorry.
ERZSEBET
No, it's wonderful news and we
reacted badly out of self-interest.
We are simply...
ERZSEBET's voice cracks and she begins to cry.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
-going to miss you.
ZSOFIA
Well, we would like you to come.
ERZSEBET wipes her tears away trying to pull herself
together.
ERZSEBET
Dear, we have jobs here.
ZSOFIA
You can have a better job in
Israel.
ERZSEBET
I like my job!
ZSOFIA
A woman's column. It's beneath you.
ERZSEBET
I write for a paper and I'm paid
for it! How many women my age could
make the same claim?
There's a heavy silence.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
(deadpan)
What's your news, Laszlo?
LASZLO
Harrison's asked me back.
ERZSEBET looks up at him.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Michael came by the office today.
Insurance monies came through. They
plan to forego the library to
compensate for legal expenses but
they want to complete the project.
ERZSEBET
What about your job here at
Heywood?
104.
Silence.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
You throw everything up in the air,
just like that?
ERZSEBET sulks.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
I don't like that man.
LASZLO
You scarcely knew him.
ERZSEBET
He dropped you as quickly as he
took you on.
Beat.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
You've already said yes, I take it?
No response.
LASZLO
He's in Roma on business and would
like me to join him to review
marbles for the altarpiece in
Carrara.
ERZSEBET
See! I told you that for him it's
like doing a kitchen!
ERZSEBET is embarrassed by their public dispute.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Everyone is leaving me.
ZSOFIA
No, it isn't true.
ERZSEBET
Isn't it?
ZSOFIA
No. Uncle Laszlo is leaving you
only a short time.
LASZLO
Some days.
ZSOFIA
And I will visit and so will you.
We will find a way.
LASZLO
I can arrange to have you dropped
and picked up at the newspaper
while I'm gone.
105.
ERZSEBET
It's not just this trip. You'll be
at Doylestown again now... I'll be
fine on my own.
LASZLO
I will make arrangements.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BEDROOM - NIGHT
116 116
ERZSEBET holds on to LASZLO for dear life.
ERZSEBET
Promise you won't let it drive you
mad.
LASZLO
I promise.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BATHROOM - MORNING
117 117
In a small toiletry pouch with his shaving kit, LASZLO pulls
out a small syringe and spoon. He makes an internal decision
and dismantles the syringe, making it less recognizable at a
glance. He tucks it back in the pouch for safe-keeping and
places it in his luggage.
ERZSEBET (O.S.)
It's time to go! You'll be late!
CROSS DISSOLVE:
EXT. CARRARA TOWN SQUARE - CAFE - DAY
118 118
A perfect portrait of VAN BUREN in a white suit.
ANGLE ON -
LASZLO and VAN BUREN sip coffees and smoke at an outdoor
table, the sunlight is brilliant and white hot.
VAN BUREN
I must say, Mr. Toth, you look a
mess. I'd expect your Elizabeth to
be taking better care of you.
LASZLO
The years have been difficult.
VAN BUREN
For us all! For us all!
VAN BUREN regards his watch.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Where in the hell is he?
106.
LASZLO
I am sure he will be along any
minute.
Beat.
VAN BUREN
This is why I never do business
with Italians. They are the spics
of Europe.
LASZLO points.
LASZLO
That's him.
ANGLE ON -
A middle-aged man, ORAZIO, on approach. He waves
enthusiastically at LASZLO.
ORAZIO
(calls out)
Ciao amico Laz-o!
ORAZIO reaches him and embraces him.
LASZLO
Nice to see you.
He kisses LASZLO and extends his hand to VAN BUREN. ORAZIO is
missing two fingers on his right hand so he offers him his
left.
ORAZIO
Orazio, a pleasure to meet you. I
will take a quick coffee and we
will go.
VAN BUREN nods. ORAZIO heads inside the cafe.
VAN BUREN
What happened to his hand?
LASZLO
Dangerous work-
EXT. CARRARA MARBLE QUARRY - LATER
119 119
Dramatic skies frame a sea of white marble. Shapes that
resemble small pueblos without entrances emerge from the
rock. Channeling machines pillage the earth, excavating
marble, Venato, Arabescato, and Cardoso stone. The air
whistles. The sun bears down.
HANDHELD ON -
VAN BUREN, ORAZIO and LASZLO walk across the massive lower
flatbed of the quarry. Colossal blocks of stone encircle
them.
107.
ORAZIO
You are tough, Mr. Laz-o, you know?
Not so many people I see anymore
from before the war.
VAN BUREN
I've worn the wrong shoes for this
trek. May, I take your arm Laszlo?
LASZLO takes VAN BUREN by the arm, steadying him.
ORAZIO
Step where I step and you'll be all
right.
ORAZIO leads them further and further.
ORAZIO (CONT'D)
I'm not surprised to see you
though! Some people; you just knew
somehow they would be all right.
You are stubborn! I am stubborn
too. I am so stubborn, I never
leave it here! I traveled only once
in twenty years to Giulino, Azzano
to beat the corpse of Mussolini
with my own hands. Those of us
here, my colleagues, we are
anarchisti, the resistance. No one
knows the quarries like us. We led
members of the Esercito Nazionale
Repubblicano into the caves here,
captured them, dropped stones on
them.
They come upon a beautiful alcove of dark stone.
ORAZIO (CONT'D)
Here we are... It's beautiful, no?
The channeling will be done here in
one month. If you like it, we can
have it fixed and ready for you in
April.
VAN BUREN is once again enchanted. He walks all around it,
presses his cheek to it. It's sensual, fetishistic.
VAN BUREN
It's beautiful. Exactly as you
described, Laszlo.
ORAZIO
If you like, I tell the boys and we
bring it to my atelier when the
stone is cut.
LASZLO
We like it.
INT. ORAZIO'S ATELIER - NIGHT
120 120
CUE: Mina's "You are my destiny.' The lively music blasts
through the space, an echo chamber.
108.
Surrounded by magnificent classical and modernistic
sculptures in various stages of completion, a group of local
artisans and masons drink copious amounts of digestivo at the
back of the atelier and dance together. Everyone sings along
in improper English.
EVERYONE
(sings)
You are my destiny
you are that's what to me
You are my happiness
That's what you are
You have my sweet caress
You share my loneliness
You're more than life to me
That's what you are
Heaven and heaven alone
Can take your love from me....
ANGLE ON -
An entranced VAN BUREN observes LASZLO from the shadows.
LONG LENS ON -
LASZLO dances with girls and boys, exhilarated. He sings!
LASZLO
(sings)
'Cause I'd be a fool
To ever leave you dear
And a fool I'd never be
You are my destiny
You share my reverie
You're more than life to me
That's what you are.
LASZLO abruptly excuses himself from his dance partner and
walks away from the group.
ANGLE ON -
VAN BUREN follows LASZLO with his eyes.
INT. ORAZIO'S ATELIER - LATER
121 121
VAN BUREN walks past a row of statues, looking for the
toilet. He hears LASZLO breathing heavy and moves to
investigate.
VAN BUREN
(calls out)
Mr. T-oth, it's time we return to
our quarters. Orazio has kindly
offered us a place to sleep for the
night.
VAN BUREN turns to discover LASZLO slouched against a wide
marble column in a terrible state, an unspooled pouch of hop
gear in his lap... His eyes have rolled back in his head.
He's barely responsive.
109.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
What have you done to yourself?
VAN BUREN slides his back down the column and sits next to
him displaying a casual air.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
It's a shame seeing how your people
treat themselves. If you resent
your persecution, why then do you
make of yourself such an easy
target?
LASZLO cannot respond.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
If you act as a loafer living off
handouts, a societal leech, how can
you rightfully expect a different
result? You have so much potential
and yet you squander it.
LASZLO starts to vomit and VAN BUREN moves in behind him,
pats him on the back.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Get it out. Get it out, my friend.
Below frame, VAN BUREN fusses with his belt. LASZLO gags and
coughs.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
It's all right, my boy. Get it out.
VAN BUREN systematically pulls down LASZLO's pants below
frame. He spits, and thrusts.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
(whispers, slurs)
Who do you think you are? You think
you're special? You think you float
directly above everyone you
encounter because you are
beautiful? Because you are
educated?
LONG LENS ON -
LASZLO's face is pressed against the ground. He's too strung
out to defend himself. His eyes widen in terror.
VAN BUREN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
You're a tramp. Shh. You're a lady
of the night.
The assault is brief but clear.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. CARRARA MARBLE QUARRY - DAY
122 122
White heat. The searing image is overexposed by two stops.
110.
HANDHELD ON -
LASZLO walks and stumbles behind his abuser who ascends the
quarry trail ahead of him. Never turning to face him, VAN
BUREN recounts...
VAN BUREN
(calls out)
You were in quite a state last
night. Orazio carried you to bed!
VAN BUREN hums Mina's "You are my destiny.'
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
It's a 4 hour train to the airport
in Fiumicino so you have time for a
rest. I hope your stomach isn't too
sensitive on aeroplanes!
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - KITCHEN - DAY
123 123
CLOSE ON -
ERZSEBET composes a letter to her niece in an elegant script.
A few banknotes sit in a pile to the side.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
My dearest Zsofia!
Mazel tov! She is so beautiful -
your spitting image!
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAY
124 124
ULTRA-FAST MOTION -
Back in Doylestown, much time has passed. The site is active,
abuzz again.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
Don't be mad but your Uncle Laszlo
insisted I enclose a few banknotes
for you and Binyamin. We hope he
won't be offended, and that it's
not too difficult to change these
into the local currency.
VARIOUS ANGLES ON -
- Cargo is unloaded.
- A cement mixer turns fresh concrete.
- Cement floors are polished.
- Grids of scaffolding are erected.
- Tarps are pulled over church pews in the rain.
- A large clock inside the institute ticks towards noon.
111.
- A SLOW TILT and PAN across a cement dome.
INT. INSTITUTE STAIRWELL - CONSTRUCTION SITE - DUSK
125 125
SFX: DIEGETIC AUDIO IS MUTE.
WE STEADICAM with LASZLO and his nemesis, JIM SIMPSON, older
now, marching up a staircase through the action on-site.
LASZLO and JIM SIMPSON feverishly argue but ERZSEBET's voice-
over drowns out all diegetic audio.
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
Here: I am so alone. Perhaps more
alone than I have ever been. Your
uncle has closed a door to me. The
man I married is inside but the
lock's combination, I cannot
decipher...
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - DUSK
126 126
STEADICAM ON -
LASZLO walks with a lamp closely observing the freshly laid
concrete for the cistern
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
He no longer attends synagogue.
When I ask him why, he will not
reply. Perhaps his own narcissism
will no longer allow him a
relationship with our community.
LASZLO ascends a staircase and arrives out of the darkness to
a picturesque sky to find...
ERZSEBET (V.O.)
Tell me how you are. How you really
are. All our love and warmth to the
three of you.
Erzsebet
WE PAN to an exposed staircase on the horizon that leads to
nowhere.
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAY
127 127
LASZLO stands with a small group of employees explaining a
nuanced architectural detail.
LASZLO
You see this, above us?
There's a four inch gap between flats allowing sunlight to
seep through above them.
112.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Measure the same distance of three
or perhaps four inches between
flats, and place each modular
section apart by that same
distance.
The CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR interjects...
CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR
This isn't supposed to stay like
this though. We just set it here
for approximate placement.
LASZLO obsessively explains...
LASZLO
I know it's not supposed to stay
like this but keep it like this- I
like it like this.
CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR
What do we do with those gaps?
LASZLO
We insert a thick sheet of glass
between them to let the light in
from above- give me some time to
think about it and I come back to
you.
LASZLO sees something in the distance which catches his
attention.
ANGLE ON -
ERZSEBET visits the site. GORDON, visibly older, pushes the
chair.
LONG LENS ON -
A YOUNG EMPLOYEE does pull ups on some scaffolding that's set
up around the base of the clock tower. The other young men
above him count down.
CONSTRUCTION CREW
(cheering him on)
Twenty! Nineteen! Eighteen!
Seventeen.
LASZLO comes upon them.
LASZLO
(shouts)
YOU ALL STOP THAT RIGHT NOW. WHAT'S
YOUR NAME? Are you trying to pull
the thing down and get them all
killed?!
The YOUNG EMPLOYEE's response is inaudible.
113.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Your childish show-boating puts
everyone else here at risk! Are you
thick?! Are you lame?! You report
to the subcontractor. You tell him
that you've been let go.
A concerned ERZSEBET observes her husband shouting at the
YOUNG EMPLOYEE. She looks up at Gordon.
ERZSEBET
Gordon, can you get him to stop
shouting at everyone?
LONG LENS ON -
The YOUNG EMPLOYEE starts to walk off, seemingly mutters
something under his breath. An infuriated LASZLO runs after
the boy and kicks his behind. The gesture is equal parts
absurd and harrowing.
GORDON intervenes...
GORDON
What's the problem here?
LASZLO
It's already taken care of.
GORDON
You kicked that boy.
LASZLO
Stay out of it, Gordon.
GORDON
What's wrong with you?
LASZLO
(shouts)
Stay out of it, I said, or you can
go with him!
GORDON
(affirmative)
You shout at me again and you'll be
sorry.
LASZLO considers this, swallows, then doubles down...
LASZLO
(shouts)
You too! Get out of here.
LASZLO marches toward ERZSEBET leaving GORDON behind him.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
(calls out)
Let's go home.
ERZSEBET
I only just arrived!
114.
JIM SIMPSON enters the frame, on a mission, approaching
LASZLO with a stack of paperwork.
JIM SIMPSON
Mr. Toth, you and I need to talk
through these May/June cost
reports.
LASZLO throws a hand up in the air to block out the nuisance.
LASZLO
Not today, Jim!
JIM SIMPSON
You can't just walk away every time
I step into a room, Mr. Toth!
LASZLO is maniacally defiant.
LASZLO
Honey, have I introduced you to Jim
Simpson? Jim is the boss' lap dog
and Architectural Consultant
Extraordinaire! He designed a hotel
in Stamford.
ERZSEBET
Laszlo, that's enough!
LASZLO
There must be an unpaid parking
meter around here somewhere, Jimmy!
Be vigilant! Keep your eyes peeled!
INT. AUTOMOBILE - EVENING
128 128
LASZLO and ERZSEBET are en route back to Manhattan. There is
a palpable tension between them. LASZLO breaks the silence.
LASZLO
(cold)
What is it?
ERZSEBET
It was unnecessary how you treated
that boy is all.
LASZLO
Their safety is my priority.
ERZSEBET
(despondent)
And Gordon, don't even get me
started.
ERZSEBET thinks, continues...
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
It is not what you said to that
young man, it is how.
115.
LASZLO
Would you like us to wait around
another few years for another
lawsuit to resolve itself? I am
SICK of it. Do you hear me?!
Beat.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
I finish THIS or WE are finished.
ERZSEBET shouts.
ERZSEBET
Speak for yourself! I am NOT
finished. Living with you is
impossible. You've become a selfish
old bastard right before my very
eyes!
LASZLO
Don't say something you'll regret
in the morning.
ERZSEBET hits him hard causing the car to swerve.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
You want to kill us?
ERZSEBET
I'd get out of the car and march
all the way back to Manhattan if I
could, you egotistic scoundrel.
There is NO REASON for me to be
here. I am here for you! I could do
my ridiculous job ANYWHERE! Do you
think I went to university to write
about lipsticks! Shame on you.
LASZLO
WE CAME BECAUSE IT WAS OUR ONLY
OPTION! Attila was here-
ERZSEBET
WHO YOU REFUSE TO SEE!
LASZLO
Ask him about that. Did he tell you
that he kicked me to the street
like a dog?
She is silent.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
His bitch wife accused me of making
a pass at her.
ERZSEBET
You would never do that.
LASZLO
I did NOT do that.
116.
ERZSEBET
Why would she say such a thing?
LASZLO
Because they do not want us here.
ERZSEBET
Of course Attila wants us here.
LASZLO
Not Attila.
ERZSEBET
Who do you mean?
LASZLO
The people here, they do not want
us here. Audrey, Attila's Catholic
wife DOES NOT WANT US HERE. We are
nothing. Worse than nothing.
ERZSEBET weeps.
ERZSEBET
You poor man. My poor husband.
What's been robbed of you-
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BEDROOM - NIGHT
129 129
ERZSEBET howls in pain, a recurring night terror.
ERZSEBET
(cries out)
Zsofia!
LASZLO tries to calm her.
LASZLO
She's gone, darling. She isn't
here. You must calm yourself.
You've worked yourself up is all.
ERZSEBET
I am in pain. I am close to death.
LASZLO
You are not. I am so sorry I upset
you.
ERZSEBET weeps trembles. It's like an exorcism.
ERZSEBET
Get me my pills, it's too much.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
130 130
HANDHELD ON -
117.
The energy is frantic. She's wailing in the other room. He
rifles through the medicine cabinet, opens her pill box. A
half a pill drops out of an otherwise empty bottle.
LASZLO
(calls out)
There is only a pill, cut in
halves! Do you keep some in your
purse?
She cries out again in pain.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
131 131
LASZLO enters.
LASZLO
There is only half. Do you keep
more in your purse?
ERZSEBET shakes her head.
ERZSEBET
(weeps)
What will I do? The pain won't stop
coming.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
132 132
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW ON -
LASZLO re-enters. He pulls down his toiletry pouch from the
top of the medicine cabinet. He pulls out a spoon and
dropper.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
133 133
ERZSEBET writhes on the bed. LASZLO enters.
LASZLO
I found something.
She can't respond. He sits beside her and prepares a vein.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
It's what they gave me on the boat
for my broken face-
He makes the injection.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Shh. You'll feel better soon, just
listen to my voice, dear.
A trance-like calm comes over her. He then prepares himself a
dose.
CROSS DISSOLVE:
118.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BEDROOM - MORNING
134 134
LASZLO lies in his wife's arms like a child. The light is
beautiful. He looks up at her. She's like an angel.
ERZSEBET
(whispers)
Do you have more?
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - KITCHEN - LATER
135 135
LASZLO closes the blinds to keep out the harsh afternoon
sunlight.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BEDROOM - LATER
136 136
The room is very dark. The two of them make love. A cock, an
elbow, an arched back. An intense, physical dream.
LASZLO
(Hungarian)
I love you.
ERZSEBET
Keep going. Harder.
Score for Piano gives the sequence warmth, a strange feeling.
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BEDROOM - LATER
137 137
She's completely out of it, moans.
ERZSEBET
Toilet-
LASZLO stands starts to scoop her in his arms.
JUMP CUT TO:
138 138
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
He clumsily finishes placing her on the toilet seat.
LASZLO
I'll wait outside. Tell me when you
need me.
JUMP CUT TO:
INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
139 139
LASZLO leans against the wall. After a moment...
119.
LASZLO
Darling, have you finished?
No response. After a beat, he knocks...
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Can I come in?
He opens the door... ERZSEBET is foaming at the mouth.
HARD CUT TO:
EXT. MANHATTAN HOSPITAL - NIGHT
140 140
LASZLO runs carrying his wife like a rag doll.
LASZLO
HELP! Someone help me! My wife is
dying!
A smoking nurse rushes to his aid.
LASZLO (CONT'D)
Please help her, she's dying.
NURSE
She's breathing.
In his current state, he's like a child mourning a parental
loss.
LASZLO
I know my wife. She is dying.
NURSE
(calls out to someone off-
screen)
Get us a wheelchair, a gurney,
anything!
He reverts to Hungarian, weeps.
LASZLO
(Hungarian)
I am sorry.
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAWN
141 141
The Marble Altarpiece is unwrapped by CREWMEN from Shibari-
style knots and canvas. After some time, ERZSEBET's voice
fades in over the transcendent image.
ERZSEBET (O.S.)
(weak)
Last night, I met God and he
granted me permission to call him
by his name. It is not the first
time we have met.
120.
BEAT.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
What did you do to me, my Laszlo?
SILENCE.
LASZLO (O.S.)
(holds back tears)
It was an accident.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAWN
142 142
Fans swing on their hinges. The space is a long corridor fit
with 12 beds. ERZSEBET is alive but exhausted.
ERZSEBET
Do you remember everything you
confessed to me at home in our bed?
LASZLO shakes his head, ashamed.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
You needn't be ashamed, my darling.
The harm done unto us were done
only to our physical bodies.
She smiles, laughs.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
You were right. This place is
rotten. The landscape. The food we
eat. This whole country is rotten.
She strokes his hand.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
I'm going to Israel to be with
Zsofia and her child. I want to
become the grandmother to her that
she will, otherwise, never
encounter.
LASZLO cries.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
Come home with me.
LASZLO
I will follow you until I die.
HOLD ON LASZLO... Softer, more beautiful than ever.
CROSS DISSOLVE:
121.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - GATES - EVENING
143 143
ERZSEBET arrives by a Philadelphia Taxi Service. The main
gates are closed so ERZSEBET must go on foot. Her driver
steps out and helps her arrange herself with a walker.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - DRIVEWAY - MOMENTS LATER
144 144
HANDHELD ON-
ERZSEBET breathes hard, audibly grievous, makes her way up to
the front door with her walker at a fairly steady clip.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - FOYER - LATER
145 145
NOTE: The following sequence is in one unbroken take until
otherwise noted.
ERZSEBET waits in the hallway, she dabs her forehead with her
handkerchief exhausted from the walk. After a moment, MAGGIE
LEE enters to welcome her.
MAGGIE LEE
Mrs. Toth! How lovely to see you!
Do you need a hand?
ERZSEBET
I'm all right, thank you.
MAGGIE LEE
Is Mr. Toth here, as well?
ERZSEBET
Just me, I'm afraid.
MAGGIE LEE
To what do we owe the pleasure?
ERZSEBET
Is your father in?
MAGGIE LEE
We were just sitting down to
dinner.
ERZSEBET
No trouble at all. I'm happy to
wait until you're all finished.
MAGGIE LEE furrows her brow.
MAGGIE LEE
Don't be silly! I'll have the
kitchen fix you a plate.
ERZSEBET
You're kind, Maggie, thank you.
122.
MAGGIE LEE
Right this way.
ERZSEBET turns and follows MAGGIE LEE ten meters to the
dining room where she finds...
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
146 146
VAN BUREN and HARRY LEE are seated at the table. A few
UNRECOGNIZABLE ASSOCIATES are present, as well. They all rise
to greet her.
ERZSEBET
Please sit.
HARRY LEE
Mrs. Toth, you're up on your feet!
VAN BUREN regards her.
VAN BUREN
Where is Laszlo?
ERZSEBET
He's caught a flu. He's recovering
at home.
HARRY LEE
That explains it! Jim Simpson
mentioned he hadn't been on-site
since last Friday.
VAN BUREN
Shame.
ERZSEBET
(cold)
Yes. A terrible shame.
HARRY LEE
It's going around. Please, sit
down.
ERZSEBET refuses to sit.
ERZSEBET
I'm fine to stand.
HARRY LEE
Fine to stand? Is something wrong,
Mrs. Toth?
ERZSEBET
Yes, something is wrong.
The blood runs cold.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
I've come tonight to tell you
something that is going to be very
difficult to hear.
123.
VAN BUREN shoots a look at her.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
And for you people too. I don't
know you but it will be difficult
for you to hear.
HARRY LEE
If this is a professional matter
then perhaps you and I should talk
in the other room.
HARRY stands.
ERZSEBET
(calm, resolute)
Your father is a rapist.
HARRY LEE
Excuse me - whatever this is
supposed to be, I don't like it.
I'm calling your husband to come
and fetch you.
ERZSEBET
Your father is an evil rapist.
MAGGIE LEE believes her. HARRY rushes her.
MAGGIE LEE
Don't push her, Harry!
VAN BUREN is silent.
ERZSEBET
Look at him. He cannot say
anything.
MAGGIE LEE
Daddy, has something happened
between you and Mrs. Toth?
ERZSEBET
It wasn't me-
HARRY LEE
(shouts)
That's enough. You come in here
making vague, laughable
accusations! I want you out of our
house this instant.
ERZSEBET
Tell them what you did to my
husband. Tell them what you did.
MAGGIE covers her face, horrified by the accusation.
VAN BUREN
Your husband is sick. He is an
alcoholic and a drug addict. I
don't know why he wishes to hurt
me, humiliate me.
(MORE)
124.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
I have offered him nothing but
kindness. He's a sick, senile old
dog and when dogs get sick, they
often bite the hand that's fed them
before someone mercifully puts them
down.
VAN BUREN stands.
VAN BUREN (CONT'D)
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've
withstood enough abuse for one
evening. You can tell your husband
he's off the payroll now and
forever, as well.
ERZSEBET explodes.
ERZSEBET
I WILL NOT EXCUSE YOU!
HARRY starts violently dragging her out of the room.
MAGGIE LEE
(shouts)
Stop it, Harry!
ERZSEBET
YOU ARE NOT EXCUSED, HARRISON VAN
BUREN!
HARRY muscles her all the way to the foyer.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - FOYER - LATER
147 147
He drags her all the way to the front door where she falls.
MAGGIE LEE (O.S.)
(shouts)
Stop it, Harry!
ERZSEBET
SHAME! SHAME ON YOU!
MAGGIE LEE screams from off-screen and comes running to
ERZSEBET's aid.
ERZSEBET (CONT'D)
I'm fine, Maggie. I'm fine. Can you
help me to my car? A taxi's waiting
for me at the front.
HARRY LEE opens the door and sets her walker outside.
HARRY LEE
You never come back here, you crazy
woman.
MAGGIE gets ERZSEBET to her feet. They stumble to the front
door and exit. HARRY LEE exhales, paces back and forth, then
walks back to the dining room. The camera follows...
125.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
148 148
The guests are standing to leave.
HARRY LEE
I am so sorry for the bizarre
interruption.
GUEST
It's all right, Harry. We'll leave.
HARRY LEE
Don't leave yet. Please.
GUEST
Your father's gone to bed.
He turns on his shoe.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - FOYER - CONTINUOUS
149 149
HARRY LEE walks back again the way he came.
HARRY LEE
(shouts)
Father! It's over now. She's gone!
HARRY LEE turns a corner-
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
150 150
-and moves up the stairwell.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
151 151
He walks down the hallway to his father's bedroom at the end
of the hall. He opens his father's door. The room is empty...
He turns back the way he came then stops at his father's
study. It's empty, as well.
HARRY LEE
(shouts)
Dad!
He opens every door on the floor. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
MAGGIE LEE (O.S.)
Is he not upstairs?
HARRY LEE
(shouts)
Where the hell has he gone? Call
for him outside.
126.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
152 152
He starts back down the stairs, increasingly panicked.
INT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - FOYER - CONTINUOUS
153 153
He crosses to the front door and exits to the driveway.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - DRIVEWAY
154 154
He calls out with increasing desperation for his father.
HARRY LEE
(shouts)
DAD!
MAGGIE LEE (O.S.)
DADDY?! Can you hear us?!
NOTE: End of continuous take.
EXT. VAN BUREN ESTATE - FOREST - DAWN
155 155
ULTRA-WIDE ON -
Snow falls on a search team made up of LOCAL VOLUNTEERS; each
individual spread 10 meters apart combs the area for any sign
of VAN BUREN.
LOCAL VOLUNTEERS
HARRISON!
EXT. VISTA - CONSTRUCTION SITE - DUSK
156 156
The austere beauty of LASZLO's design is revealed through the
following series of angles...
- TRACK RIGHT with the volunteers as they move across the
site navigating these modern ruins.
EXT. INSTITUTE CORRIDORS - SAME
157 157
VARIOUS SHOTS -
The search party use flashlights to investigate the
institute...
INT. CISTERN - SAME
158 158
WE TRACK BEHIND a group of volunteers as they walk the
perimeter of the RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM below grade.
127.
LOCAL VOLUNTEERS
HARRISON!
INT. CHAPEL - SAME
159 159
WE PUSH IN ON a single volunteer as she walks past the marble
altarpiece. It's a thing of extraordinary beauty.
VOLUNTEER (O.S.)
We've got something down here!
The sun forms a sign of the cross as LASZLO so frequently
demonstrated in his model, and WE TILT UP to snow falling
from above which has blown in from outside.
INSERT TITLE:
160 160
EPILOGUE
THE FIRST ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE
VENICE, ITALY 1980
FADE IN:
EXT. VENICE, ITALY - EVENING
161 161
A SERIES OF ANGLES establish the city of Venice in the
evening.
INT. GIARDINI - ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE - NIGHT
162 162
A lavish Opening Night Gala event is in full swing. A small
crowd is gathering around the Giardini's Israeli Pavilion.
INT. CENTRAL PAVILION - MAIN GALLERY - SAME
163 163
WE TRACK LEFT with a middle-aged woman (ZSOFIA) pushing an
elderly man (LASZLO) in a wheelchair. They pass row after row
of ornate architectural models.
ZSOFIA
They look beautiful like this,
don't you think?
LASZLO nods, too frail to speak.
INT. CENTRAL PAVILION - SOUTH GALLERY - MOMENTS LATER
164 164
LASZLO puts his hand up to stop ZSOFIA from exiting the room.
He observes a projection of a macro-tour of his model work
playing large on the gallery wall.
128.
ZSOFIA
The director would like to speak
with you before the ceremony. We
should go.
INT. ISRAELI PAVILION - LATER
165 165
ZSOFIA cries through her speech.
ZSOFIA
My uncle is, above all, a
principled artist. His lifelong
ambition was not only to define an
epoch but to transcend all time.
She smiles.
ZSOFIA (CONT'D)
In his memoirs, he described his
designs as machines with no
superfluous parts, that at their
best, at his best, possessed an
immoveable core; a "Hard Core of
Beauty."
ANGLE ON -
A variety of models for both unrealized and actualized
projects. The floor is littered with his life's work.
ZSOFIA (CONT'D)
A way of directing their
inhabitant's perception to the
world as it is. The inherent laws
of concrete things such as
mountains and rock define them.
They indicate nothing. They tell
nothing. They simply are.
BACK TO -
ZSOFIA changes course.
ZSOFIA (CONT'D)
Born in 1911 in a small fishing
village in Austria-Hungary, Laszlo
Toth looked out upon the Adriatic
Sea. He was a boy with eyes wide
open, full of yearning. New borders
would eventually rip this expanse
of sea away from him but never did
he cease to try and fill its void.
ZSOFIA refers to her notes.
ZSOFIA (CONT'D)
Forty years later, he survived the
camps at Buchenwald, as did his
late wife, and myself, in Dachau.
His first American masterpiece, the
Van Buren institute outside of
Philadelphia, remained unfinished
until 1973.
(MORE)
129.
ZSOFIA (CONT'D)
The building referenced his time at
Buchenwald as well as the deeply
felt absence of his wife, my Aunt
Erzsebet.
ANGLE ON -
Architectural models of Buchenwald, Dachau, and the Van Buren
institute, side-by-side. The Biennale exhibit display their
similarities and differences.
ZSOFIA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
For this project, he re-imagined
the camp's claustrophobic interior
cells with precisely the same
dimensions as his own place of
imprisonment, save for one
electrifying exception; when
visitors looked 20 meters upwards,
the dramatic heights of the glass
above them invited free thought;
freedom of identity. He further re-
imagined Buchenwald and his wife's
venue of imprisonment in Dachau on
the same grounds, connected by a
myriad of corridors-
PUSH IN ON ZSOFIA -
ZSOFIA (CONT'D)
-re-writing their history and
transcending space and time so that
he and Erzsebet would never be
apart again.
ZSOFIA concludes by looking directly at her uncle in the main
row...
ZSOFIA (CONT'D)
(smiles and weeps)
Uncle, you and Aunt Erzsebet once
spoke for me, I speak for you now,
and I am honored.
Her voice cracks with heartbreak.
ZSOFIA (CONT'D)
"Don't let anyone fool you, Zsofia"
he would say to me as a struggling
young mother during our first years
in Jerusalem, "no matter what the
others try and sell you, it is the
destination, not the journey."
HOLD ON LASZLO, a man at the end of his life at the beginning
of a new epoch.
|
