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Someone knocks, then pushes through the ajar front door. Greta cautiously enters.
GRETA Mr. Gridge? Fred?
She walks further in. |
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A READING LAMP snaps on. Ava sits in a chair in the dark.
AVA Fred's not here, little one. |
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GRETA Ms Blundt. |
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AVA What brings you so far away from the flock? |
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GRETA I'm sorry. Mr. Gridge told me to come pick up my paycheck. |
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AVA Of course he did. Why would he pay you at work when he could compensate you more thoroughly at home. |
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GRETA Ms Blundt, please don't get the wrong impression... |
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AVA You think you are a very talented actress. You think you vanish into your role, that you can seduce any audience with your innocence. But you can't. You're young, and naive, and it shows. |
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GRETA I'm sorry I'm not as worldly as you. That I don't have your years of experience. |
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AVA Fred doesn't care much for the dramatic arts. He misses the nuances of a performance like yours. He falls for the illusion.
She reveals the gun in her hand.
AVA (CONT'D) That's what my years of experience have given me. There's nothing for you in this household, little one. |
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GRETA You think so poorly of your husband. |
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AVA He's earned it. |
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GRETA I agree. (beat) I don't see what you gain by getting rid of me. I'm not a threat. In fact I can make your life considerably easier. |
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AVA Do tell. |
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GRETA What does the world love more than an underdog? A fallen star freed from the tyrannical ex-husband who cheated on her with a younger - more vivacious - girl. It would be the start of a glorious comeback... |
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AVA (holding all the cards) I don't need a comeback. |
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Billy enters the front door.
BILLY Ms Blundt? |
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AVA Billy, so good of you to stop by. |
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| Billy is unsure of how to play it. | |||
AVA (CONT'D) Care for a glass of wine? |
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BILLY Just dropping off your car. |
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GRETA Billy... |
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BILLY You shoulda skipped town. You shouldn't be here. |
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AVA Ms. Glade was just telling me she still has value. I'm not convinced. What do you think, Billy? |
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BILLY I think Mr. Gridge is a better man on your side than against you. |
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AVA Which would leave Ms. Glade on the other side... |
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GRETA I got a plan. It'll set us all up. |
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AVA Do I look like I need to be "set up?" |
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GRETA You can always do better. (beat) Your husband. Stole some sovereign bonds, they've been in his deposit box for the past six months. He can't sell them in the U.S. market 'cuz they're not... fully, legal. (beat) I know some people. We can hit the bank, just a normal robbery, but we lift the bonds. He won't report 'um missing. |
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AVA And what value do I bring to this? |
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GRETA You have a gun pointed at me. Which makes you a 50% shareholder in this enterprise. |
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AVA (V.O.) The desperate bargains of a piglet penned in its own filth, awaiting the slaughter. Fascinating to watch and admittedly tempting. |
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Ava gestures at the door.
AVA 55/45 split. For the woman with the gun. Billy, would you mind driving Ms Glade home. Ava retires into the house. |
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BILLY Let's go.
He leads Greta to the door. |
He points at a TRAIN TICKET sitting on a table.
BILLY (CONT'D) Take that ticket. And get gone.
GRETA I can't. Not alone. (beat) Come with me.
She grabs his arm, they leave together.
GRETA (V.O.) All I'd wanted was to take them down, put them in their place. But doing that was just putting me in my grave. I was never gonna get what I wanted. But I got what I need.
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Greta walks out of the house, followed by Billy.
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BILLY (V.O.) Opportunities aren't rare. They happen all the time. Problem is, we're too stupid to notice most of them.
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AVA The fundamental flaw in your plan - and I give you credit, it is sound - is that I simply don't like you. |
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| BLAM! She fires, Greta crumples to the ground. | |||
AVA (CONT'D) Billy, be a doll and do something with the body.
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