NOBLE ROT - REEL TWO

REEL TWO

INT. HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT

Bellboy is hanging up Johnny's garment bag.
Christine is walking around, admiring the large room.

CHRISTINE
This is a beautiful room.

Johnny nods in agreement, modest.

BELLBOY
(to Johnny)
Something smaller should open up tomorrow.

Christine hears him and looks at Johnny.

JOHNNY
No, this is fine ... this will be fine. I was just worried
that it wouldn't be ... cozy ... sometimes if a room is
too big it isn't ... like ... cozy ... you know what I mean?

BELLBOY
Should I tell the desk that you want to keep this room then?

JOHNNY
Yes, sure. This is fine. I'll keep this one.

Christine pulls back the curtains, looking out at the
fire escape and nearby buildings. Johnny waits until
she turns around in his direction, wanting to be sure
Christine sees him give the Bellboy a ten dollar tip.

BELLBOY
Thanks a lot.

Johnny nods modestly. Bellboy leaves.

INT. VAN - NIGHT

Kasten opens door and sticks his head in.

KASTEN
They're in 401. A corner suite.

HENRIETTA
Great. Now we can play cat and mouse.

KASTEN
Henrietta, let me bust in there and
show you how to handle this thing.

HENRIETTA
I understand your frustration. But catching
them with the goods accomplishes nothing.
My job is to prove intent to defraud.

Borker is in the back of the van, talking on the phone.

BORKER
(to Henrietta)
The F.B.I. has nothing on Glorioso. But California reports two
arrests for disturbing the peace, one for disorderly conduct and
two assault charges -- but no convictions. He sounds smooth.

INT. JOHNNY'S HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT

Johnny takes the wine case and carefullyopens it,
checking on the bottles. He slowly takes off the
t-shirt which is wrapped around one of the bottles.

CHRISTINE
So that's the precious wine.

JOHNNY
This is it alright. You're looking at the
future gold medal winner Chardonnais.
(he holds out bottle at arm's length)
It's one of the finest wines to ever come out of California.

Johnny rolls the bottle up in the t-shirt again and puts it back in case.

CHRISTINE
Aren't you going to offer me some?

JOHNNY
I wish I could, but these bottles are for the contest.

CHRISTINE
Didn't you bring any extra bottles with you?

JOHNNY
Actually, two of them are extras. They're called
"safetimes", in case something happens to the others.

CHRISTINE
(flirting)
Don't you think something is happening here?

JOHNNY
I mean if like the judge drops a bottle, or if one should ...

CHRISTINE
(cutting him off)
I know what you mean.
And you know what I mean.

She picks up a bottle. Johnny takes it
from her hand, putting it back in the case.

JOHNNY
Really ... I've got to be very careful. If anything should ...

CHRISTINE
(offended)
I didn't think you were the cautious type. You really surprise
me. I thought you were going to be a wild man like Roy, and
here you are worried that something might happen to your two
extra bottles. I'm surprised you took the risk to fly on an airplane.

JOHNNY
You know, I don't know what it is with you ...

CHRISTINE
Maybe if you loosened up a little you would find out.

JOHNNY
You think I'm chicken to open one of these bottles of wine, don't ya?

CHRISTINE
Yes, I do.

Johnny takes a Swiss army knife out of his pocket, pulls out the
corkscrew portion, and starts to screw it into cork, looking straight
at Christine all the time. Macho. She stares back, coolly enjoying
her dare. Johnny pulls the cork out. POP! He starts taking paper
sanitary wrappers out of two glasses which are on table.

CHRISTINE
(abruptly shifting moods)
I wish we had some wine glasses. I hate
to drink wine out of bathroom glasses.

JOHNNY
(handing her a glass)
So, where's this old boyfriend of yours now?

CHRISTINE
He wasn't exactly a boyfriend. I just went
out with him for a while one summer.
(sipping wine)
This is good.

JOHNNY
Thanks. So, this guy, he really turned you on, huh?

CHRISTINE
I lost respect for him after a while. We really didn't
have much in common. All he could talk about was cars.

JOHNNY
But he really fulfilled you, huh? Isn't that what you said?

CHRISTINE
Is that what I said? I don't think I said that.

JOHNNY
Yeah, you said that. Downstairs.
That's what you told me. When we were in the lobby.

CHRISTINE
I think maybe you misunderstood me.

JOHNNY
Maybe it wasn't "fulfilled", but it was something like that. Like
he was the only one who really got you off, something like that.

CHRISTINE
(taking sip of wine)
This is really very good. It's delicious.

JOHNNY
Thanks.

CHRISTINE
And your family makes this themselves?

JOHNNY
Right. What kind of car did he drive, do you remember?

CHRISTINE
You don't mind if I made a phone call, do you?

JOHNNY
No, sure, go ahead. It's not to Bangkok or someplace like that, is it?

CHRISTINE
(smiling)
No.

She walks over to phone. Sitting on bed as she begins to dial.
She hesistates, stopping after only dialing a few numbers.

CHRISTINE
It's kind of private.

JOHNNY
(joking)
What do you want me to do, go in the bathroom?

CHRISTINE
Would you mind? Just for a few minutes.

JOHNNY
I can't believe this.

CHRISTINE
Please?

Johnny reluctantly gets up and walks towards the bathroom.

JOHNNY
I'm comin' out in exactly three minutes. If you're still
on the phone -- and it's still "private" -- tough!!

CHRISTINE
Thanks. I knew you'd understand.

Johnny walks into the bathroom slowly.
He closes the door behind him as he enters.

Christine gets up and walks to the bathroom
door, talking to Johnny through the closed door.

CHRISTINE
Turn on the shower.

JOHNNY
What?

CHRISTINE
Turn on the shower.

JOHNNY
Why?

CHRISTINE
So you won't be able to hear me
when I'm talking on the phone.

JOHNNY
You've got to be kidding.

CHRISTINE
Please! I'll make it up to you.

We hear Johnny turn on the shower in the bathroom.

SFX: SHOWER SOUNDS.

Christine walks over to the window and opens it. She
then calmly picks up her coat and purse, as well as John's
wine case, and climbs out the window, down the fire escape.

SFX OF SHOWER continue as we HOLD on SHOT of lifeless room.

EXT. GATES EXTATE - LONG ISLAND - NIGHT

A huge 19th century barn has been converted into a luxurious home.
Moonlight reveals willow trees and rolling pastures which surround it.

A taxi drives down the circular drive, stopping in front of the door.
Christine pays the driver and walks toward the house. She is
weary and unkempt. Before entering she peers through a window.
Inside, a small party is in progress. The sight of it depresses her.

INT. GATES HOUSE - NIGHT

Modern originals hang on the walls. Thick Persian carpets cover
the floors and dozens of bird cages hang from the ceiling. The
discreet taste of the furnishings is matched by the decorum of
PARTY GUESTS -- old, established money. All attractive, all well
dressed, most in designer jeans, La Coste sweaters wrapped
(as usual) around the neck, look like they all could be related.

Christine enters carrying the wine case, and tries to head
straight for stairs leading up to the bedrooms. However, a
LADY GUEST, curious and fashionable, accosts her in the foyer.

LADY GUEST
We've been wondering what happened to you. You
look like you've been through a fire sale at Bloomingdales.

CHRISTINE
Something like that. You look lovely, Betsy.

A MALE GUEST, slightly drunk and over-friendly, kisses her cheek.

MALE GUEST
Here's the gorgeous hostess now. Mr.
Gates' most extraordinary investment.

Christine steps up the stairs but he
hangs onto her, unwilling to let her go.

CHRISTINE
My stock will soon be valueless unless I get
my face repaired. Give a girl a break, huh?

She pats him on the cheek, firmly removes his hands and scurries upstairs.

ALFRED, the chauffeur, sees Christine enter.
He carries a tray of drinks into the living room.

Alfred, early forties, wears a three-piece tan suit. He
is tall, balding, once muscular, now a bit overweight.

INT. GATES' KITCHEN - NIGHT

Guests watch STEVEN GATES, their host, prepare a complicated
Chinese meal. He's assisted by a COOK who chops and cleans up
after him. At 55, Gates is physically fit, charming and confident.
He exudes high energy but there is a trace of elegant cruelty to him.

GATES
Black mushrooms, the authentic kind, are as rare as emeralds.
A man in Chinatown flies them in from the mainland for me.

He stirs a plate of sliced black mushrooms into one
of three woks on burners. BRUSTER, a Wall Street
broker, rigid and ordinary looking, sidles near Gates.

BRUSTER
Did you hear that Wienstein got dumped?

GATES
"Stabbed in the back" would be more accurate.

Gates turns the final preparations over to the cook, then washes his
hands at a sink. Bruster follows and whispers confidentially to Gates.

BRUSTER
I hear that the merger is on now for sure.

GATES
I know. Have your bank buy me in for two
thousand shares before the merger's announced.

BRUSTER
Steven, your entire operation is overextended. You've
borrowed against everything. You have notes totalling
nearly six million due in the next three months alone.

GATES
If you want to deny me the loan, just say so.

BRUSTER
You misunderstand me. I'm only trying to tell you that you're
playing too close to the edge. You could lose everything.

GATES
Thanks for the advice.

He pats Bruster's face condescendingly and heads out of the
kitchen. Alfred approaches Gates to whisper something to him.

INT. A BEDROOM - NIGHT

Christine steps from a shower, dries off and puts on a robe.
She hurries into the bedroom to get ready. She furiously
brushes her hair and applies makeup. But her energy
dies. Exhausted, she sinks into a chair, holds her head.

SFX: KNOCK on door.

Gates enters, kisses her on the cheek.

GATES
I was worried about you.

CHRISTINE
I can't believe you invited people for dinner.

GATES
The appearance of normalcy will come
in very handy if things get complicated.

Christine slides open a wall closet, revealing an enormous wardrobe of
dresses. She fingers through them and selects a black cocktail dress.

GATES
So, we've still got them breathing down our necks?

CHRISTINE
I didn't spot the one who was on the plane until I got off in San
Francisco. I tried calling in between flights to let you know, but I
didn't get an answer. I thought you were supposed to wait for the call.

GATES
Was it the short one?

CHRISTINE
No, it was a new one. Kind of creepy looking. I actually
had to climb down a fire escape to get away. I left them
sniffing at the door of that poor jerk from California.

GATES
I'm surprised they're still at it.

CHRISTINE
What does Alex have to say? He must know why they're still around.

GATES
I haven't been able to get him alone yet. Bruster's had
him cornered all evening. Talking about me no doubt.

CHRISTINE
I'm afraid tomorrow they'll come sniffing back to us. What'll we do then?

GATES
If you were clever enough to lose them tonight, you and I
together will be clever enough to keep them diverted tomorrow.

CHRISTINE
Don't forget my little wine maker. We can use
him to put up a few smoke screens. How do I look?

GATES
Beautiful. You should never wear anything but black.

They walk out the door, headed downstairs.

CHRISTINE
I told Alex that when we get to the Bahamas, I want a whole new
wardrobe. I want colors! Reds and blues and purples and greens!

CUT TO:

INT. MUSIC ROOM - GATES HOUSE - NIGHT

MARVIN HAMLISCH is playing the piano. About ten of the
guests stand around the room including ALEX TISDALE, 70,
in good shape -- a man who resembles Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Tisdale stands in the back of the room. Gates approaches
him. They pretend to listen to the music as they converse.

GATES
I thought the investigation was supposed to be completed.
Someone is still trailing Christine. What's going on?

ALEX
Bad news -- Henrietta is a loose cannon -- she took a leave
of absence. She tried to talk the chairman of the board into
postponing the check and extending the investigation for another
week -- but he wouldn't -- I saw to that. I reminded him that
you've been our client for over twenty years. And I told him I
have no suspicion whatsoever of fraud, regardless of Henrietta's
report. I never thought she'd want to pursue the investigation
on her own. It looks to me like she's convinced you're involved.

GATES
She smells the loot.

ALEX
Aside from that, everything is going as planned. We'll have the
check in two days -- we've got to get the diamonds by then, too.

GATES
One way or another Christine's got to go up
to Maine and make that pick-up tomorrow.

ALEX
We'll just have to move ahead and try to
throw them as many curves as we can.

An ELDERLY WOMAN approaches.
They change their conversation.

GATES
Marvin is terrific, isn't he?

ALEX
Wonderful.

ELDERLY WOMAN
(turning to them)
He wrote "The Sting", you know.

INT. JOHNNY'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Johnny is in bed sleeping. The room looks as it did the night
before -- dirty ashtrays, half-filled glasses of wine and empty bottles.

SFX: PHONE RING.

Johnny fumbles for the phone, picking up after the THIRD
RING. Christine's voice can be heard through the receiver:

CHRISTINE
(v.o.)
Good morning.

JOHNNY
(mumbling)
Good morning.

CHRISTINE
(v.o.)
Did you sleep well?

JOHNNY
Who is this?

CHRISTINE
(v.o.)
I'm sorry I had to leave so suddenly
last night. I think I owe you an apology.

JOHNNY
Yeah, thanks.

He hangs up phone, rolls over. PHONE RINGS
again -- almost immediately. He picks up receiver,
not saying anything. Christine starts talking.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
Why don't you at least give me a chance to explain?

JOHNNY
I guess I'm not your type, right?

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
I was having a wonderful time last night. The reason I had to leave
had nothing to do with you. I'll explain it all to you this afternoon.

JOHNNY
Sorry, I'm busy.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
Too busy to get back your wine?

Johnny sits up, looking around room for his wine case.
Not seeing it, he gets out of bed, first looking for it
in the closet and then under the bed. It isn't there.
He sits on the bed, picking up the receiver.

JOHNNY
(trying to be calm)
Did you take my wine?

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
It was the only way I knew I'd ever get
to see you again. Do you have a pencil?

JOHNNY
Yeah.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
Take the Midtown Tunnel to the Long Island Expressway ...

JOHNNY
What good is a pencil going to do me? I need a car.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
Rent one.

JOHNNY
What do you think, money grows on trees?
This trip is costing a fortune already.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
I'm sure there are inexpensive cars you
can rent. You don't have to get a Mercedes.

JOHNNY
Oh, that's fine then. No problem. I think I'll just
rent a Delorian. That should save me some money.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
Do you want these directions or don't you.

JOHNNY
I just want my wine.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
(stern)
Do you have a pencil and paper?

JOHNNY
Yeah, I'm surprised you didn't steal that too.

Johnny reaches for a pad and pencil. Writing
down the directions Christine gives him.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
When you rent your car, ask them how to get to the
Midtown tunnel. From there you get on the Long Island
expressway. Make a right at Riverhead. Then follow the
signs to the Shelter Island ferry. When you get off the ferry ...

V.O. CONTINUES OVER NEXT SHOT.

INT. FERRYBOAT - DAY

Johnny is sitting behind the wheel of cheap
rental car on the deck of the ferryboat.

EXT. FERRYBOAT - DAY

As he drives off the ferry away from the
dock, we see the brown van following him.

CHRISTINE
(V.O.)
... you'll see a sign marked Beacon Road. Take it about
six miles to White Cross Road. The club is about a mile
down the road on the right. I'll be in bungalow five.

CUT TO:

EXT. WHITE CROSS CLUB - DAY

The White Cross Club is a restricted club-hotel with
sweeping lawns and an imposing Victorian main lodge.
Looks like the Maidstone Club in South Hampton.

Johnny parks his car in the parking lot and approaches
the lodge. We see the van coming up the long driveway.

INT. THE LOBBY - DAY

Johnny enters the spacious, elegant lobby.

He is wearing an open-collared shirt and sports jacket and
seems satisfied as he checks out his reflection in the glass
wall which separates the lobby from the patio. He sees a
sign which says "bungalow" and walks in that direction.

EXT. COURTYARD - WHITE CROSS CLUB - DAY

A swimming pool and jacuzzi sit in the center of a large outdoor
patio. Bungalows line one side, a wing of the club, the other.

Johnny walks along the row of bungalows, stopping
and knocking on the door of bungalow number five.
Christine hollers out to him from the pool area:

CHRISTINE
Johnny! Over here!

She is sitting on a lounge chair wearing a bikini.
Johnny walks over. There are very few people around.

JOHNNY
Where's my wine?

CHRISTINE
Is that any way to greet a lady? Not even a hello?

JOHNNY
Hello. Where's my wine?

CHRISTINE
You're upset. Your feelings are hurt, aren't they?

JOHNNY
I don't care about my feelings. I
just care about my wine. Where is it?

CHRISTINE
In the bungalow.

Johnny starts walking fast towards the bungalow.

CHRISTINE
(hollering after him)
There's some trunks I got for you in there, too. I don't
know why, but I thought maybe you wouldn't mind
sticking around for awhile and having some fun.

INT. BUNGALOW - DAY

Johnny bursts into bungalow, looking around frantically
for his wine. He spots the case against a wall. He runs
over and quickly opens it, laying the case on the bed.
The bottles are all there. He's relieved. Looking around
the room, he seems some of Christine's clothes hanging
in the closet. Her suitcase is opened, half-unpacked. The
swimming trunks are laid out on the bed next to a folded,
blue terry cloth robe. Johnny picks up the trunks to feel
the material, never having seen cheap, paper-like, throw-
away swimming trunks before. It rips like newspaper.

EXT. WHITE CROSS CLUB - DAY

Kasten sits on the fender of the van. He looks sour
and stale from the long night before. Borker taps on
window and waves for Kasten to come into the van.

BORKER
(through windshield of van)
Kasten, come in in here for a minute.

INT. VAN - DAY

Kasten enters the van, squeezing between the
two front seats to the compartment in the rear.

KASTEN
What's up?

Henrietta and Borker are sitting in the rear
of the van. Henrietta fights to hold back tears.

BORKER
We're going to have to call this operation off.

HENRIETTA
I'm sorry. I already told Borker -- I can pay both
of you for today, but that's the end of the line.

BORKER
It's too bad. I think we're real close to nailing these
people. This Glorioso guy is the key. I'll bet he's the fence.

KASTEN
(to Henrietta)
Why are you quitting now? Is your company nuts or what?

HENRIETTA
I don't know what's going on. I couldn't believe it when
they ordered me to stop the investigation. I'm certain
Gates arranged to have the diamonds lost. That's why I
took a leave of absence and decided to pursue it on my own.
But now the company is threatening to fire me if I don't stop.
That's what you get for trying to save them ten million dollars.

KASTEN
Somebody in your company must be in on it.

HENRIETTA
No, but they might as well be. The executive in charge of the
Gates account is a pathetic old fool. He's afraid of losing a
client. He can't spot fraud going on right under his nose.

Henrietta almost starts to cry. Kasten puts his arm
around her and pulls her close. She doesn't resist him.

BORKER
(to Kasten)
I told her not to worry about losing a lousy job when
there are ten million bucks of diamonds at stake.

KASTEN
(to Henrietta)
Forget the lousy company and start thinking about yourself. If
you're so sure he's got the diamonds, why don't we go get them for
ourselves? Listen, you were smart enough to want to hire some
muscle. Now, I'll apply some muscle to the facts. Are we agreed?

Henrietta nods in agreement, wiping her tears.

BORKER
Okay, now we're in business.

EXT. POOL AREA - WHITE CROSS CLUB

Johnny comes walking out of the bungalow wearing the
bathrobe and stiff, paper trunks. He looks around for
Christine -- she isn't sitting in the lounge chair anymore.

For a minute he thinsk she may have split again. Then he
sees her -- she is in the jacuzzi, smiling at him. She's been
watching him the whole time. Johnny walks over to the jacuzzi.

CHRISTINE
I'm sorry about the trunks. If I had thought of it beforehand,
I would have stopped at a store and bought you a pair.

JOHNNY
That's okay. I kind of like them.

CHRISTINE
Why don't you come on it?

JOHNNY
I don't think so. These things can be dangerous.

Christine starts laughing.

JOHNNY
No, I'm serious. A lot of people drown in them. I should
know, we have a lot of these in California. They were
invented out there. What happens is, people get so relaxed
they fall asleep in them. They drown without even waking up.

CHRISTINE
(smiling)
Doesn't sound like a bad way to go.

JOHNNY
(getting in jacuzzi)
Yeah, beats choking to death on a fish bone.

CHRISTINE
I owe you an apology. I'm sorry I disappeared like
that. I know it must have made you feel terrible.

JOHNNY
That's okay now, but you really shouldn't do those things to people.

CHRISTINE
I thought it would be better for your
sake if I left. I was in a terrible panic.

Alfred, Gates' butler, enters the bungalow. Christine can see
him, but Johnny can't because he's facing the other way.

JOHNNY
A simple thanks and goodnight would have been fine.

CHRISTINE
I'm in a bit of trouble. I got concerned for your safety.

JOHNNY
What? Your husband? You married, right? That's all I need.

CHRISTINE
No, I'm not married. But I recently ended a long
and bloody relationship. The man thinks I left
him for someone else. He's having me followed.

JOHNNY
Sounds like soap opera stuff to me.

We see Alfred leaving bungalow carrying
Christine's suitcase and Johnny's wine case.

CHRISTINE
About a year ago, he gave me a diamond necklace worth
a small fortune. It was stolen two months ago. I was
afraid to tell him. Now that I've left him, he wants it back.

JOHNNY
Tell him you lost it, what's he gonna do?

CHRISTINE
He's quite intense about getting what he wants.
(Christine gets out of jacuzzi,
walking over to turn up steam)
You don't mind if I turn up the steam, do you? I like it steamy.

JOHNNY
No, I don't care. Why didn't you tell me the truth last night?

CHRISTINE
(getting back to jacuzzi)
You probably wouldn't have believed me.
Besides, I'm sure you've got your own problems.

JOHNNY
Yeah, that's for sure. The wine business isn't all popsicles
and roses either. It wouldn't be bad though if it wasn't
for the stinkin' French. They're such cutthroats --
but people will be wising up to them soon enough.

CHRISTINE
Isn't French wine supposed to be the best.

JOHNNY
That's bullshit. That's pure bullshit. Everyone is under
the impression their wine is so great because they keep
telling everyone it's so great. They think eating snails
and horses is great, too. That's where they're at.

The steam is getting heavier.

JOHNNY
They'd be eating their snails with bratwurst if it wasn't
for us. All their fancy French wine would be German
wine today if we didn't save their ass in World War Two.

Johnny can hardly see Christine across from him in the jacuzzi.

CHRISTINE
Maybe you've got a point there.

JOHNNY
And then they have the nerve to impose tariffs so that
we can't sell our wine in their lousy country. You know
why? Because it's better. And they know it. And it's
getting better every year. They're chickenshit to compete.

The steam is so thick it's as though they were in a
dense fog. Johnny cannot even see Christine now.

JOHNNY
Why do you think they're trying to buy
up all the wine property in California?

CHRISTINE
They are?

JOHNNY
You're darn right they are. And I'll tell you why.
It's because half of their country is built on manure.
The cows don't even want to graze on it anymore. First
their hooves get infected, then it spreads through their
whole system, and the meat ends up tasting terrible.
That's why they have all those sauces. To cover it up.

INT. GATES' SUITE - WHITE CROSS CLUB - DAY

From the suite above the lobby, Steven Gates
can view both the parking lot and jacuzzi.

Looking out the rear window, he can see the
cloud of steam coming from the jacuzzi.

Christine can be seen walking away from the jacuzzi.
It appears as though she is walking out of a cloud.
She heads in the opposite direction of her room.

EXT. THE JACUZZI - DAY

Johnny babbles on, not realizing that she has left.

JOHNNY
I was in France once. When I was in college. We had
to wait forever for rides. They won't pick you up. Once
we were in this restaurant -- nobody even spoke English
there -- so we had to take our chances and just point at
stuff on the menu hoping we'd get a hamburger or some-
thing like that. And they gave me this crap -- I couldn't
figure out what it was. It was like a piece of fat with
a bone in the middle and it had kind of like these little
hairs sticking out of it. I tried to find out what it was and
finally ended up finding out from the Frog waiter that
it was some kind of beef. So I drew a picture of a cow
and I motioned for him to point out what part of the cow
it was from. And he drew a circle -- around the head.
It's sickening, isn't it? Christine? Isn't it sickening?

He gets no response.

JOHNNY
Christine? ... Christine?

He tries to wave away some of the steam, looking for her.

JOHNNY
Christine, are you there?

Suddenly the thought comes into his mind that she may have drowned.

JOHNNY
(out loud)
Oh, my God!

He frantically starts diving for her. Staying under the
water for quite awhile on his first dive, coming up for a
quick gulp of air, and diving again. On his second ascent he
stands in the jacuzzi, confident that she is not somewhere at
the bottom, but realizing that she's left again. He climbs out,
grabs his robe, and walks fast, angry, towards the bungalow.

INT. GATES' ROOM - WHITE CROSS CLUB - DAY

Gates and a still-bikini-clad Christine look down,
watching Johnny stomping towards the room.

CHRISTINE
He's really a nice kid. I feel kind
of sorry for him as a matter of fact.

GATES
Don't tell me you're falling for that bumbler.

CHRISTINE
Come off it, Steven. I'm just expressing a little kindly
sentiment. Even you must have a little bit of that in you.

GATES
People with kindly sentiment end up being
people like that. Nice guys. No thanks.

INT. BUNGALOW SIX - DAY

Johnny is sitting on the edge of the bed, bent over,
holding his head in his hands. Aside from his clothes,
which are still hanging in the closet, the room is empty.
Christine's clothes, suitcase, and his wine case are empty.

JOHNNY
(rocking back and forth)
Why? Why is she doing this to me?
Where's my wine? Oh, man ... shit.

INT. JOHNNY'S RENTAL CAR -
WHITE CROSS PARKING LOT - DAY

Kasten and Borker are sitting in Johnny's rented car. Borker
is looking at the rental papers, the glove compartment is open.

BORKER
It's rented under the same name.

KASTEN
Why don't you cover things here.
I'll keep an eye on the bungalow.

INT. GATES' ROOM - WHITE CROSS CLUB - DAY

Gates and Christine look out front window. They are
watching Borker and Kasten down below in Johnny's car.
They see Kasten get out of car and walk towards lobby.

CHRISTINE
I guess Alex wasn't successful in trying to put more
pressure on that bitch and her goons to back off.

GATES
That's not like Alex. Christine, I know how terribly close
you and Alex are, but I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't
tell you that I'm beginning to feel a little uneasy about him.

CHRISTINE
Steven, Alex wouldn't double cross us in a million years.
You think too much. You're getting over-anxious. Maybe
you better jump in that jacuzzi before we leave, it felt great.

EXT. BUNGALOW FIVE - DAY

Johnny walks out of bungalow towards lobby. He is
dressed, carrying the soggy, paper swimming trunks.
Kasten lurks near the patio, keeping an eye on Johnny.

INT. LOBBY - DAY

Johnny walks angrily into the lobby, looking around for Christine.
He notices Kasten watching him. He walks up to desk.

JOHNNY
(to MAN behind desk)
Did you see a lady go by carrying a large briefcase?

MAN
No, I'm sorry, I didn't.

JOHNNY
Where's the manager?

MAN
I am the manager.

Johnny throws the wet trunks in his face.

JOHNNY
Here, manage this.

EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY

Johnny walks out the door and across the parking lot towards his car.
Kasten follows him out the door. Johnny notices he is being followed,
picking up his pace. As he gets near the car he notices that someone is in it.
Borker opens door and gets out as he approaches. Johnny looks behind him
to see Kasten approaching fast, holding a gun in his hand. Johnny runs,
dodging in and out between the cars in the lot, Kasten running after him.

KASTEN
(to Borker)
You stay with the car, Borker.

Johnny runs around the far side of the building and hides
behind shrubs. Kasten runs by, not seeing him. Johnny sneaks
back around to front of building. He sees Borker standing guard
by the car. Johnny hides behind a large shrub directly in front
of the building. He notices Kasten walking on the far side of the
lot, having run around the entire complex. A MAN driving a '66
silver, 427 fuel-injected Corvette Stingray fastback pulls up to the
entrance of club. Man gets out of driver's seat and walks around
to open car for woman. He sees Johnny standing there, thinking
he's the parking lot attendant. He holds keys in the air, getting
Johnny's attention. Kasten spots him at the same time.

MAN
(handing Johnny the keys)
We won't be too long.

Johnny takes keys and gets in car, hitting the gas, peeling
out the drive. Man and woman stare in amazement.
Kasten runs towards van, waving to Borker to do the same.

Johnny takes a right turn at the end of the drive, heading for the
main road. The VAN SCREECHES off in pursuit, Kasten at the wheel.

INT. GATES' ROOM - DAY

Gates and Christine look down at the scene below.

CHRISTINE
What do you think they'll do to him if they catch him?

GATES
I think those fellows just might be capable of doing
anything. It seems to be desperation time, my dear.

SFX: KNOCK ON DOOR.

Gates walks to door, not opening it.

GATES
Alfred?

ALFRED
It's me, sir.

Gates opens door. Alfred enters.

He hands Christine a small canvas bag. She unzips it and
takes out a dress, walking into the bathroom to slip it on.

ALFRED
Everything is all set. Everything else
is in the car. The plane is waiting.

GATES
We've got to move fast in case they come back here.

Christine comes out of bathroom wearing a dress.

CHRISTINE
I'm ready.

INT. CORVETTE - DAY

Johnny sees the van behind him in his rearview mirror as he
speeds down the main road towards the ferry. He steps on the
gas to pull away from Kasten. The road grows narrow and curvy.

EXT. SHELTER ISLAND ROAD - DAY

Johnny barely misses an approaching car which swerves and HONKS
its HORN. Kasten slams on the brakes to avoid the oncoming car.

Johnny disappears around another curve
and makes a sudden turn onto a dirt road.

INT. VAN - DAY

An expert driver, Kasten races around the curve.
Borker rides beside him. Henrietta rides in the
back, hanging on as well as she can. Borker spots
Johnny's car bumping down the dirt road.

BORKER
Back up! There he goes!

Kasten slams on the brakes, spinning the car around in the
opposite direction. Henrietta is thrown to the opposite side
of the van, her shoulder slamming against the side.

BORKER
(to Henrietta)
Are you alright?

HENRIETTA
(frightened)
I want to go back to Manhattan.

KASTEN
Shut up!

INT. CORVETTE - DAY

Johnny is stunned when the dirt road stops at the entrance
of a campground. He turns around and starts heading in
the direction he came from, pedal floored, Corvette aimed
straight towards the van. Kasten swerves out of the way as
Johnny speeds back to the main road in a Banzai! manner.

EXT. SHELTER ISLAND ROAD - DAY

Johnny speeds down the main road to the ferry, the van not far
behind. As Johnny approaches the dock the ferry is just leaving,
about twenty feet from land and picking up speed. Johnny slams
his foot on the gas pedal and screams as the Corvette flies into the
air. The car lands with a bounce on all four wheels on the ferry.

EXT. FERRY - DAY

Johnny casually opens the door and gets out of the
car. He takes out a cigarette and lights it, exhaling as
he leans on the car, looking back smugly at Kasten,
Borker, and a shook-up Henrietta, who stand next
to their van on the dack, watching him sail away.

EXT. PRIVATE AIRPORT -DAY

The limo pulls up to expensive, four-seater chartered plane.
The pilot is inside the plane and the engines are running.

Gates, Christine and Alfred get out of the limo. Alfred starts putting the
suitcase in the plane. Then holds up John's wine case for Gates to see.

ALFRED
What do you want me to do with this, sir?

CHRISTINE
(to Alfred)
Why did you take that? You weren't supposed to take his wine.

Alfred looks at Gates for Gates to give her the explanation.

GATES
If those clowns catch him and he has his wine, they may think he
really is a vintner from California. We've got to keep them guessing.

CHRISTINE
Steven, haven't we messed up that poor man's life enough?

GATES
What's that supposed to mean?

CHRISTINE
Only that I wish you'd leave him alone from now on.

GATES
Don't worry -- I won't involve your young
friend anymore. He's served his purpose.

CHRISTINE
(to Gates)
Can't we have it sent to his hotel?
It's very important to him.

GATES
Absolutely not. Much too risky.
(to Alfred)
Put it in the plane.
(to Christine)
Take it to Maine with you. After all,
we are going to have reason to celebrate.

CHRISTINE
Where are your bags, Steven?

GATES
I'm not going to Maine, Christine. With those idiots still on our
tail, I think it's better for me to stay here to take some of their
attention. After all, we can't let that Glorioso fellow do all our work.

CHRISTINE
Maybe I won't be able to pull off the pickup alone.

GATES
You've managed quite admirably so far. Alex and I are both
quite impressed. You have no reason to doubt yourself ow.

CHRISTINE
(flattered)
Frankly, I'm surprised you trust me that much.
(smiling)
Knowing you as well as I do.

GATES
Sometimes I even surprise myself.

CHRISTINE
How can you be so sure I won't take
the diamonds and go to Brazil?

GATES
I can't be sure. But Alex and I
are certainly hoping you won't.

CHRISTINE
(kissing him on cheek)
I won't let you down.

GATES
I know you won't.

Christine gets in plane. Gates and Alfred get back in
limo. Plane begins taxi to runway as limo drives away.