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A KNOCK on the door. |
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FRED GRIDGE, in shorts and an open bathrobe, approaches, handgun at the ready. |
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He peaks through the eyehole. Pockets the gun and opens the door.
FRED Detective.
Jack walks in.
FRED (CONT'D) I am surprised and dismayed to see you at my place of residence.
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Fred sulks back into the living room. He paces nervously, constantly.
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JACK I'm here in an official capacity. |
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FRED Ah, so I won't even ask you about my safe box... |
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JACK You got much bigger problems. |
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FRED How'ya figure? |
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JACK Greta Glade turned up dead in a vacant lot off Flower. |
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A knowing pause...
FRED Who? |
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JACK Your cocktail waitress. Spends more time in your bed than your wife. |
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FRED Watch it... |
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JACK I can't keep this off you Fred. Once they check her employment...
FRED Well maybe "they" shouldn't be checking...
JACK This was sloppy. You should'a consulted...
FRED Really? Then what? You gonna tell me how to handle my business?
JACK You pay me to keep you clean.
FRED I pay you to clean up after me. |
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AVA walks into the room in a bathing suit and cover up.
AVA Mr. MacMurray, to what do we owe the pleasure?
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They all know of Ava and Jack’s relationship, but they all feign ignorance. It's easier. |
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JACK Ms Blundt. |
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FRED (correcting) Mrs. Gridge. |
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AVA Don't be so possessive Fredrick. |
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Fred seethes. |
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JACK Just had some business to discuss with your husband. |
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AVA Business involving a dead girl in a vacant lot? (beat) Was it that pretty Greta girl? With that wonderfully curled brunette hair? She had quite the smile. |
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JACK That's the one.
She's exposed herself. Gleefully. Jack switches his attention to her, bracketed between the spouses. |
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AVA What a shame. Whatever do you think happened to put her there? |
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JACK Got crushed between a rock and a hard place. |
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FRED (eyeing Jack) An unfortunate place to be. (beat) Come by the garage tonight. We'll find a way to accommodate you and 'assuage' your concerns. |
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JACK I can't. I got a job for another client. |
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AVA That seems to come up a lot... |
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FRED You don't really have a say in this MacMurray. |
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JACK I need to take care of some things. I'll be by later. |
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FRED Don't keep me up waiting.
Fred retreats deeper into the house. |
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AVA I'll escort the Detective to the door. (sotto) You need to get scarce. Quick.
JACK (shrugs it off) Where'm I gonna go? What about you. |
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AVA I'll be fine. I only fear time and age.
JACK Both of which could be running out quick.
AVA I doubt it. But you...
She points at a TRAIN TICKET sitting on a table.
AVA (CONT'D) Take that ticket. And leave. Get on the first train you can and don't look back. (beat) You'll always be able to find me on the screen. |
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JACK (V.O.) She was right. The cozy nest I was building under Fred's nose was about to come crashing down on my head. And this was it. My only way out. |
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JACK Goodbye Ava.
AVA Goodbye Darling.
She kisses Jack on the cheek as he walks out the door. |
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JACK Goodbye Ava.
AVA Goodbye Darling.
She kisses Jack on the cheek as he walks out the door. |
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