[quote]R18: The crime is solved satisfactorily for the police, and he's a rich widower.
Um, no, babe - he's not. He will keep nothing.
(Life-and-death fight between Tom and Philip; Christine and Guido break in upon them.)
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: Hey, you guys, knock it off! God, you... Jesus Christ, look at this place!
𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩: Oh... actually, we've been having a little difference of opinion... (exhales slowly)...
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: Yeah, we've all gotten a little squirrelly on this trip, but don't you think you're carrying it a little too far?
𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩: ...about the "Last of Sheila" project. But it's all straightened out now. What are you doing on board?
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: I'm trying to sleep. Well, not exactly. Well, Guido took over for Vittorio, and asked me to keep him company. So we went into Clinton's room to listen to the stereo, and instead of getting mood music, we get you two guys yakking on the intercom. Tch. Now, 𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑎 𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑎. I mean, um... dictate it tomorrow when you can get a secretary, you know. He killed her, she killed him.
𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩: Oh, that's a good idea but, uh... we're agreed on the basics, wouldn't you say, Tom? Uh, now that the 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑠 are known, we've begun to see this as a big, big project. There are gigantic themes here, worthy of Dostoyevsky. There's innocence... guilt... hatred... loyalty. Lee's ambitions for Tom were such that we, as survivors, feel bound to tell Sheila's story in 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔.
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: Big budget, huh?
𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩: I feel, uh, 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛 should cover it.
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: Well, Alice's price just went up. Tom, nobody can write it better than you. Who handles you again?
𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩: Oh well, uh, actually... I'm keen on having the first draft done by a complete outsider; someone who will bring a naïveté to our little inbred circle. Of course Tom will be needed as technical advisor, and just before shooting, for a few...
𝐓𝐨𝐦: Rewrites.
𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩: Rewrites, exactly. Well, I think I'll turn in. I'm almost dead on my feet. So much to do tomorrow. And still a few pages to type tonight. Sealed letter to my solicitor. Protecting the copyright sort of thing. In these perilous times, one can't be too careful. Coming, Christine?
(Dialogue continues offscreen. Camera slowly draws in on Tom, looking defeated and miserable.)
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: Mmm. Honey, let me hit you with a couple names. Yul Brynner as Clinton. Paul and Joanne as Tom and Lee. I don't know, I hope it's got enough content for them.
(end credit music begins)
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: (offscreen) Who have I got for Alice? Oh, I know, Carly Simon! I mean, the soundtrack album alone will pay for her clothes. Now, now, don't scream. Virna Lisi. No, darling, as me!
(typewriter clacking)
