The script: the first 29 pages (not formatted)
EXT. INDUSTRIAL SECTION OF TOWN - DAY
Thick black smoke from an old factory pours into the otherwise clean sky.
INT. H & B TIRES - FACTORY - DAY
Sunlight reflects off the polluted air as loud gears grind. Large outdated machinery slowly moves a product through the conveyor belt. A H & B Tire pops out at the other end.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
A funeral ends. A crowd disperses into a large line of limousines. Two camps have emerged on the different sides of the grave. On one side, DICK WINSTON, president of H & B Tires, early sixties, handsome, rugged and dressed in a tailor made suit, holds up exceptionally well considering that his wife, Maggie had passed. The remaining few offer their condolences. CHARLIE, sixties, trustee of Maggie’s estate, approaches Dick.
CHARLIE If there is anything that I can do?
DICK Charlie, my oldest and dearest
friend.
The two embrace. Next in line is ZACK, twenties with a young boy’s charm. Not recognizing the young man, Dick stares at the stranger. Zack pumps Dick with an enthusiastic handshake.
ZACK
Zack, I work at your company.
DICK Of course you do.
On the other side of the grave, stands SKIPPY, forties, stocky and just weird looking. Others give their condolences to him for the loss of Maggie, his mother. Dick glances over as BRUCE GREENWOOD, fifties, with stress written across the lines on his forehead, approaches Dick.
GREENWOOD H & B is in solid hands during
your time of despair.
After shaking hands, Dick approaches Skippy and offers his hand.
In the background, RITA, early thirties, sexiness not camouflaged through her corporate suit, observes. Defiantly, Skippy rebuts the advance.
DICK My condolences.
SKIPPY
You’ve been dodging me. We must
talk now.
DICK
Your mother isn’t even cold yet.
SKIPPY
When?
DICK
Tomorrow. One o’clock. My office.
SKIPPY It’s settled.
DICK
Okay.
SKIPPY Because I settled it.
DICK If you say so.
SKIPPY I just did.
EXT. DICK’S MANSION - SHORTLY AFTER
Aerial view establishes lifestyle of the rich and famous.
INT. DICK’S MANSION - DEN - CONTINUOUS
A wake for close friends and family. The overflow migrates into the den. Rita admires a painting of Maggie and Dick.
SKIPPY
She deserved better than Dick.
RITA
You must be Skippy.
SKIPPY And who may you be?
2.
RITA Rita, I handled some of your
mother’s legal affairs. Mostly charities.
Skippy sniffing like a dog.
SKIPPY
Just my olfactory senses. I
recognize that perfume.
RITA Thank you.
SKIPPY
Of course, my mother’s favorite.
INT. DICK’S MASION - FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS Dick mingles as Greenwood catches up.
DICK
We’ll talk business tomorrow.
GREENWOOD I don’t like putting off what I can
do now. I can do now. That’s my motto.
DICK You have my ear.
GREENWOOD
I insist that you take time off.
You need time to grieve. After thirty years at H & B, lets just say that I know the place better than the back of my hand. The back of my hand.
Not listening to Greenwood, Dick overhears Skippy who is mocking him.
SKIPPY My mother will turn over in her
grave when the quarterly reports are released.
Trying to ignore Skippy’s remarks, Dick looks back at Greenwood.
3.
GREENWOOD If anyone gets out of hand, I’ll
just crack the whip with more vigor.
Even louder than before.
SKIPPY I would give one of my degrees to
Dick if I thought it do any good.
Dick continues to ignore Greenwood as he attempts to listen to Skippy.
GREENWOOD I long overdue rest will do you
good.
For everyone in the room to hear.
SKIPPY And now he thinks that his new tire
the “Supreme” can compete with real tire companies.
As Greenwood continues to talk shop, Dick sees a father slapping a child’s hand for grabbing too much candy off a nearby table.
GREENWOOD They’ll be no slaking going on in
your absence. Efficiency is my middle name. My middle name.
Dick shoots over to Skippy. Greenwood continues to talk.
GREENWOOD (continuing)
No one will even realize that you’re gone.
DICK Cut the malarkey.
Dick grabs Skippy by the arm.
SKIPPY
Please, not in front of the family.
DICK
You are not my family.
4.
SKIPPY
Take your hands off me.
DICK That’s all that I’m going to take
in my home.
SKIPPY
You better check the deed. This
house is owned by my mother’s trust. Like everything else that you think you own.
Causing a sight, they both walk into the hallway. Greenwood awkwardly stands by himself.
INT. DICK’S MANSION - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
In a large empty hallway, Zack studies a H & B Tire brochure on the “Supreme” tire.
DICK I’ll try and refrain myself on this
solace occasion.
SKIPPY You meant that you would refrain
yourself because you want to provide SOLACE to me on this SADDENED occasion.
DICK
You and your ten dollar words.
SKIPPY If you don’t mind, I have to use
the little boys room.
After Skippy walks into the bathroom and locks the door, Dick locks the old fashion door from the outside and walks away. Down the hallway, Zack reads that the new “Supreme” tire has fifty percent deeper treads then the leading competition
which Dick.
significantly increases traction. Zack approaches
ZACK
Mr. Winston, I just wanted to
congratulate you on your latest creation, the “Supreme” tire.
(MORE)
5.
ZACK(cont'd)
It’s just amazing that it has fifty percent deeper treads then the leading competion which significantly increases traction.
DICK You must be one of our boys in
research and development.
Dick puts his arm around Zack’s shoulder.
DICK (continuing)
Let me give you the tour of the house.
As they leave, Skippy tries to open the door.
EXT. SUICIDE CLIFF - EARLY MORNING
Dick climbs the small but steep hill as the sun comes up.
INT. COUNTRY CLUB - NEXT MORNING
Quick clips of Dick hitting tennis balls as a machine shoots them at him, hitting golf balls into a net, running laps around the indoor track by himself and swimming laps in the pool by himself.
INT. COUNTRY CLUB - OUTDOOR RESTAURANT - SOON AFTER
Dick leisurely eats his lunch as the waiter brings him the Wall Street Journal.
WAITER
Sorry your paper is late.
Dick quickly scans the headlines of the front page and finishes his meal. As Dick walks away, the waiter catches up to him with the paper.
WAITER (continuing)
You forgot your newspaper.
DICK
Thank you, but I read it already.
6.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - ENTRANCE - SOON AFTER
Dick drives his Cadillac away which displays the bold printed H & B Tires on his car.
EXT. ROADWAY - SOON AFTER
Dick gets out of his car to change a flat tire. CHIP, young, clean cut, seventeen year old pulls up in his tow truck and pulls onto the shoulder. On Chip’s dashboard is the current issue of “Racing Magazine.”
CHIP Hey mister, you got a flat?
Dick waives the tow truck away as he fixes the flat.
INT. H & B TIRES OFFICE - SAME MORNING
Greenwood runs a tight ship as he inspects the decks. As he moves throughout the floor, so does the employees in an attempt to avoid his wrath. He waives the secretaries away from the water cooler like flies. A young executive gives Greenwood a report.
GREENWOOD Haven’t you learned anything in the
two days you’ve been here? Greenwood throws it in the trash.
EXT. H & B TIRES’ PARKING LOT
Late for work, Zack hurries on foot through the parking lot as he talks on his cell phone.
ZACK
I know that I’m four hours late. A
traffic jam. I had to fix a flat tire. Greenwood’s looking for me? I’ll be right there.
Dick pulls his car in the presidential parking space in front of the entrance to the building. Zack runs past Dick into the building. Grease covers Dick from changing the tire.
7.
INT. H & B TIRES - LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
Zack gets on the elevator and sees Dick heading towards him. Afraid that he’ll be busted for being late, Zack frantically pushes the “close” button on the elevator. Dick scrambles to get into the elevator before the door closes. Zack starts pushing the “open” button after Dick had already made it safely in.
DICK Thank you.
The doors close.
INT. H & B TIRES - ELEVATOR Dick all business.
DICK (looks at watch)
A little late to be returning from lunch?
ZACK
It’s actually last week’s lunch.
I’m a little behind. Dick looks Zack up and down.
DICK
You do look a little thin.
Zack notices grease on Dick’s suit and removes it with a handkerchief.
ZACK As president you should know that
even though you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, you can judge a man by the suit that he wears.
DICK Zack, right?
ZACK
I have some great ideas for H & B.
DICK
You know the chain of command.
Everything goes through Greenwood.
8.
INT. H & B TIRES - OFFICE - CONTINUOUS Greenwood waits for Dick at the elevator.
Dick and Zack laugh as the elevator door opens. They both abruptly stop as they see Greenwood.
GRENWOOD (defensively)
What?
Dick and Zack walk way from Greenwood as he quickly walks behind them to keep pace.
GREENWOOD (continuing)
I’ve been looking all over for you.
Dick stops and turns around. Greenwood notices grease all over Dick.
GREENWOOD (continuing)
What happened to you?
DICK Didn’t you ever hear of changing
your own flat?
GREENWOOD
We have a service for that.
DICK
A real man changes his own tires.
Jumping into the conversation.
ZACK (bragging)
I’ve torn up my triple A card years ago.
Greenwood fires a look that could kill for talking out of place. Greenwood gives Zack a large envelope.
GREENWOOD (to Zack)
I see that you’ve changed no tires today.
(authoritative)
Take this down to the mail room
a.s.a.p.
9.
Trying to hide his embarrassment from Dick that he is just a mail boy.
ZACK
I just happened to be going there.
As Zack walks away, Dick walks towards his office as Greenwood follows.
GREENWOOD It’s about that memo that I sent to
you.
DICK And which memo out of the thousands
that you send me would that be?
GREENWOOD The memo about the bloated
inventory of spare donut tires that we have.
Dick stops in his tracks at the entrance of his office. Greenwood has violated his pet peeve.
DICK They’re called fifth tires at H &
B.
GREENWOOD
I’m sorry, fifth tires. With the
weak sales forecast, I might have make a temporary labor adjustment. A temporary adjustment.
DICK Why don’t you just call it what it
is. A layoff.
GREENWOOD
It’s a layoff. You’re right, a
layoff.
DICK
We don’t have layoffs at H & B. My
father never stood for one. Neither will I.
GREENWOOD What do you want me to do?
10.
DICK Details aren't my job, they’re
yours.
Dick walks away from Greenwood into his office.
INT. H & B TIRES - DICK’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Dick walks in as Skippy sits in Dick’s leather reclining chair behind Dick’s desk.
SKIPPY You’re tardy.
DICK
Yes, it’s two thirty.
Skippy swings around in the chair to face Dick.
SKIPPY Two thirty one.
DICK You’re in my chair.
Skippy works the calculator.
SKIPPY That makes you one hour and thirty
one minutes late.
DICK
That’s the president’s chair.
SKIPPY
It feels rather comfy. I could
really satisfy my desires by running my mother’s company.
DICK You haven’t worked one day in your
life.
SKIPPY You know that I use to be a camp
counselor at camp Wachahoolee.
Dick moves behind his desk and dumps Skippy out of the chair. Skippy moves away to avoid an altercation but regains his composure.
11.
SKIPPY (continuing)
Just like you locked me out last night, I’m going to reciprocate.
Skippy throws legal papers at Dick.
SKIPPY (continuing)
You better read the fine print. I know that my team of attorneys have. The relevant sections are highlighted. Pack up your bags because you’re through.
As Skippy leaves, he turns around.
SKIPPY (continuing)
The furniture can stay. Dick sees Zack standing at the door.
DICK Zack, come on in.
Zack moves behind the wet bar located in the far corner. Zack sees the bottles of Scotch on the bar with an ice bucket.
ZACK
You must be a Scotch man. On the
rocks.
Zack starts pouring a glass.
DICK Good guess.
ZACK
No guess. A real man’s drink. A
man of leadership.
DICK I call it the executive decision
maker.
Zack brings over two glasses and hands one to Dick.
DICK (continuing)
What you overheard with Skippy? (MORE)
12.
DICK(cont'd)
A man knows when to keep things among friends and I consider you a friend.
They toast their drinks.
INT. H & B TIRES - ZACK’S CUBICAL - DAY
Zack hangs out with other employees while the letter that was suppose to be delivered acts as a coaster for Zack’s spilled coffee. Greenwood jokes run rampant.
INT. H & B TIRES OFFICE - EARLY EVENING
All employees leave as if a bell went off. Zack makes the mistake of walking past Greenwood’s office as he slaves over a mound of paperwork.
GREENWOOD
You never delivered that envelope.
Next time, you’re fired.
Zack leaves Greenwood in the deserted building as he continues to work.
INT. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE - DAY
In a large conference room, Dick listens to his lawyers. ROBERT FLEMMING, forties, senior partner runs the show.
FLEMMING
Mr. Winston, I’m sorry to inform
you that you do not own H & B Tires.
DICK
There must be mistake. I’m the
president and the CEO.
FLEMMING Your wife put all of her assets
into a trust to benefit future generations.
DICK Not for that idiot step son of
mine?
13.
FLEMMING
I wouldn’t under estimate Skippy.
With his triple Ph.D., He’s certainly a force to be reckoned with.
Dick appears to be hit with a bomb.
FLEMMING The trust states, and I’ll read it
verbatim, “after eight consecutive losses, the current president shall be removed by the trustee.”
DICK
It’s all legalese to me.
FLEMMING It means that H & B has already
lost money in the last seven quarters. One more loss and your out.
All the attorneys get up and start leaving the room. Dick grabs TOM SIMPSON, sixties.
DICK Tom, we’ve know each other for
years, can we talk turkey?
TOM
Dick, these guys are the best.
DICK I know what the egg heads say,
what’s your take? Man to man.
TOM I would attempt to have a sit down
with your step son, after all, you two are family.
DICK But what’s the bottom line?
EXT. LAW OFFICES - SHORTLY AFTER Dick exits and is approached by Rita.
RITA
Dick Winston, I’m Rita. I would
like to talk to you.
14.
EXT. PARK - SHORTLY AFTER
The two stroll across the park.
RITA I’m not suppose to contradict the
partners, but felt compelled to speak. As an expert in trusts, there is almost always a legal way to change the trust terms. I’d like to give it a shot.
Rita hands Dick her business card and looks at Dick’s tie.
RITA (continuing)
I really like the colors.
DICK
Maggie bought it for me.
RITA
Well Maggie had great taste.
Rita straightens Dick’s tie and leaves. Dick smiles.
EXT. PARK -DAY
Dick sits on a park bench looking at his watch. In the background, children play and enjoy the sunny day. Dressed in a trench coat and dark cheap sunglasses, Skippy cautiously approaches Dick. Before sitting down, Skippy looks around to make sure he wasn’t followed.
DICK Will you sit down.
SKIPPY Did you come by yourself as
directed?
DICK
You look like a dam fool.
SKIPPY No accountants, no lawyers, just
you and me. Mano a mano.
15.
DICK Last time I heard that you were
looking for an increase in your allowance.
SKIPPY You throwing that at me again? I
was an adolecnce.
DICK
It was last month.
SKIPPY
Enough of this small talk. I’ve
seen the preliminary numbers. There’s no way you’re going to turn a profit this quarter. Against my better judgement, my attorneys suggest that I offer you a modest retirement package so you step down quietly.
Skippy hands Dick his proposal.
DICK
I don’t do anything quietly. I’ll
step down in the tradition of my father.
SKIPPY Father-in-law.
Dick remembers with fondness.
DICK Every employee attended the
retirement party to pay their respects to a great leader and great family man.
Skippy rips the proposal from Dick and starts crossing out one of the clauses.
SKIPPY When you put it that way, you get
no retirement party. You don’t deserve one. The devastation that you caused H & B has been horrific.
Skippy gets up, throws the papers at Dick and walks away and steps in a large puddle of water.
16.
INT. H & B TIRES - DICK’S OFFICE - DAY
Greenwood stands almost at attention as Dick fires accusations at him.
DICK You know that I don’t micro manage
this place, but do I have to find out from Skippy that we’re losing money? Why am I out of the loop?
GREENWOOD Dick, you have to start reading my
memos.
DICK
Don’t pass the buck here.
GREENWOOD There’s no way we can turn a profit
this quarter. I’ve been suggesting to liquidate the excess fifth ties as salvage and try to turn a profit within two to three quarters.
DICK If I told you once, I’ve told you a
million times, that Ford is going to buy them, lock, stock and barrel. Then we’ll have our profit.
GREENWOOD
I need a signed contract.
DICK You just don’t understand how
business works.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - GOLF COURSE - DAY
Dick and MITCH PERRY, forties and slick wears a “FORD” baseball cap walk onto the green.
DICK I’m having some problems with my
people. I need a signed contract on our fifth tire deal.
MITCH Fifth tire?
17.
DICK Spare donut tire.
Mitch causally makes his shot while discussing business.
MITCH
There’s been some glitches.
Trying to also act casual as he lines up his put.
DICK Nothing that can’t be ironed out?
Dick makes a great shot which falls inches of
MITCH More like red tape.
Dick walks over to the cup and begins to make
DICK How much red tape are we talking
about?
MITCH
A lot. There’s no deal.
Dick misses a easy shot.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - GOLF COURSE - SOON AFTER Riding on a golf cart, Dick continues.
DICK We had a deal.
MITCH It was a proposal.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - GOLF COURSE - SOON AFTER
Dick and Mitch continue their game on another
DICK
You told me it was my lucky day.
MITCH Of course I did, you made a thirty
foot put.
the cup.
is next shot.
hole.
18.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - GOLF COURSE - SOON AFTER
Riding on a golf cart, they head back to the clubhouse.
DICK
I remember like it was yesterday.
We played 18 holes, had cocktails and we firmly shook hands.
MITCH
I don’t remember a firm handshake.
DICK
It was like a steal clamp.
INT. COUNTRY CLUB - CLUBHOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON Both have their belongings packed and ready to go.
DICK It was a firm, legally binding, in
God we trust, God bless America, corporate handshake.
MITCH
What a minute. I remember shaking
hands with you in the parking lot as we left. Beside it not being on the green, it wasn’t even on the golf course.
Mitch walks away.
INT. COUNTRY CLUB - INDOOR BAR - NIGHT
Dick drinks by himself. He takes out Rita’s business card.
INT. COUNTRY CLUB - OUTDOOR RESTURANT - NEXT DAY
Dick skims the headlines on the Wall Street Journal as Rita walks up to the table. The waiter brings a second chair as Rita sits down.
DICK Thank you for meeting me here on
such a short notice. I’m the type of guy that tuffs it out. Keeps it in the family. I don’t go to outsiders.
19.
RITA
I understand completely. There’s
nothing wrong with a second legal opinion.
DICK
Clear your schedule. Money is no
object.
RITA I do have a personal commitment
that will take me out of the country.
DICK (ignoring response)
I expect that you’ll work on no other case. In fact, I’ll set up an office near mine.
RITA I don’t think that the partners
would go for that.
DICK They’ll do anything to keep their
number one client happy.
RITA
Number one client? Yes, of course.
Dick picks up the menu and starts reading.
EXT. H & B TIRES - OFFICE - DAY
Greenwood throws an envelope onto Zack’s large pile of mail to be delivered.
GREENWOOD
Make sure that Mr. Winston gets it
today. Today.
Zack opens the envelope and sees two tickets to the auto show.
INT. AUTO SHOW - LATER THAT DAY
Dick and Zack check out the new cars. None have H & B tires on them.
20.
ZACK I feel a little guilty about not
being at work.
DICK
Don’t worry about the mail. It’s
not like we’re the U.S. Post Office.
ZACK
That’s a good one Dick.
DICK I appreciate the heads up on this
year’s show. Greenwood apparently dropped the ball on this.
ZACK It’s not my place but, inside the
office is one thing, but Greenwood has no idea what’s going on in the world.
DICK
He’s a company man. Been there
longer than anyone, including myself.
ZACK
Don’t get me wrong. He can manage.
But look at the cars. Do you see any of them with our tires on them?
They both walk up to the “Stealth”, the hottest race car at the show.
ZACK
200,000 dollar sticker price.
DICK H & B Tires should be on a baby
like this.
ZACK
Great idea. Our next “Supreme”
tire commercial will have a “Stealth” in it. If you can’t afford a “Stealth”, you can feel like you’re driving one.
21.
DICK I don’t understand why Greenwood
doesn’t come up with these types of ideas.
INT. H & B TIRES - OFFICE - DAY
Dick and Zack pass each other as Zack carries a box of Rita’s belongings.
DICK I see that you met Rita?
ZACK
Nice lady. I’m trying to find out
if she has any younger sisters.
INT. H & B TIRES - RITA’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Zack brings boxes of law books into Rita’s office as Rita unpacks her belongings.
RITA I don’t want to take you from your
job.
Rita puts a picture of Curt Covain on her desk.
RITA (continuing)
Now I feel at home.
ZACK Boyfriend?
RITA Curt Covain.
ZACK Isn’t that the rock guy that
committed suicide?
RITA
He’s not just some rock guy. And
he didn’t commit suicide. He was murdered.
ZACK Well I think that Britney Spears is
pretty hot, but I don’t have her picture on my desk.
22.
office?
No. Rita loosens up.
ZACK
RITA Her poster won’t fit in your
RITA If I run into the Britney Spears
type, I’ll keep you in mind.
ZACK I guess that I should get the rest
of your boxes. Zack starts walking out.
RITA
ZACK
Zack?
Yea?
If you expect to get anywhere, I wouldn’t be comparing anyone to Curt Covain.
Zack smiles, nods his head and walks out.
INT. H & B TIRES - OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Dick talks to Greenwood in the hallway outside of Rita’s office.
GREENWOOD So did you get that deal made with
Ford?
DICK Of course I did.
GREENWOOD I’ll call Ford to have them
overnight the written contract.
RITA (flirting)
23.
DICK
Don’t do that. I mean that it’s
not written yet. It was a handshake at the country club.
GREENWOOD On the golf course?
DICK Well it wasn’t made on the asphalt
parking lot.
Dick walks away into Rita’s office.
INT. H & B TIRES - RITA’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Rita continues to unpack her belongings as Dick enters.
DICK Getting settled in?
Dick notices the Curt Covain picture as he fiddles with it.
RITA Yes Mr. Winston.
DICK Call me Dick.
Dick can’t take his eyes of Curt Covain.
RITA That’s Curt Covain.
DICK If there is anything I can get for
you, Greenwood will take care of it.
INT. H & B TIRES - DICK’S OFFICE - LATER IN THE DAY
Dick fixes himself a drink as Greenwood sits in a chair in front of Dick’s desk.
DICK I think that you should take care
of that kid Zack. GREENWOOD
Zack?
24.
DICK The kid that I was talking to the
other day.
GREENWOOD Not that slacker?
DICK He’s an ambitious kid with great
ides. A real dreamer.
GREENWOOD I almost fired him.
DICK And those suits.
GREENWOOD He’s buffaloing you.
DICK You can’t judge a book by it’s
cover. You can judge a man by the suit that he wears.
Dick observes Greenwood’s ill fitted plaid sports coat.
GREENWOOD
I do not recommend. Not recommend.
Greenwood notices his own sports coat.
INT. H & B TIRES - OFFICE
An uninthused Greenwood walks with Zack
GREENWOOD Your new responsibilities include
delivering the mail, helping the staff with menial tasks and being generally what is known as a gofer.
ZACK
Sounds a lot like my old job.
GREENWOOD You are an assistant junior
executive. Here is your new office.
The cubical is exactly the space that Zack already occupies.
25.
INT. CHARLIE’S OFFICE - DAY
Charlie blows dust off numerous boxes which appeared to have been stored in someone’s musty basement.
CHARLIE As trustee of Maggie’s trust, I’m
required by law to keep all records and documents. Maggie’s trust is a little more complex than just that document that Skippy gave you.
Charlie points to stacks of boxes.
CHARLIE The original trust was set up while
Maggie’s father was still alive. You can go through the files here or at your office.
Charlie leaves as Rita goes through the files
RITA I’ll work all weekend to get a jump
on it.
DICK
You’ll do no such thing. It’s a
holiday weekend. Certainly you’ll be with your family.
RITA My grandmother raised me since I
was a little girl. Since she passed, I don’t have a family.
DICK You can spend the holiday at my
place. Everyone in my company is like family.
Rita places her hand on top of Dick’s hand.
EXT. CHARLIE’S OFFICE - LATER THAT DAY
with Dick.
Zack moves the boxes from Charlie’s office as he talks with Rita.
26.
RITA So Dick grew up very poor and
worked his way up to the top. I really admire that.
ZACK
I really admire that about Dick.
RITA
And without a formal education.
ZACK
Much like me. I’m working hard to
follow in his footsteps.
RITA You were poor?
ZACK
That’s why I never went to college.
RITA I would have never would have
guessed with the suits that you wear.
ZACK My family grew up so poor that we
had to buy day old newspapers. I don’t live in a mansion like Dick, but my family would love to have you over for the holidays. We play football on the lawn. We’re the poor version of the Kennedys.
Rita puts her arm on Zack’s shoulder.
RITA That’s so sweet.
Dick makes a loud fake cough which breaks up the moment.
EXT. DICK’S MANSION - BACKYARD - MORNING Dick and Rita stroll.
RITA I’ve been searching through all
those boxes. You will have to ask Skippy for more time.
27.
DICK
Enough of business. I want to show
you something.
Rita and Dick walk through a magnificent flower garden.
DICK (continuing)
I’m told that their are thousands of varieties from over fifty different countries.
RITA You don’t seem like the type of guy
that would care about such things.
DICK
You got me. I just admire beauty.
He stairs at Rita while she is mesmerized by the flowers.
RITA A masulant man such as yourself
with a sensitive side. Dick Winston, you certainly surprise me.
Rita fixes Dick’s hair as they continue to walk.
RITA When I was growing up, I didn’t
even know that such beauty existed. That’s why I have an ambition to help needy children around the world realize that there is beautiful as bright and colorful as these flowers. Every child on this planet is as magnificent as these gifts from nature.
Unaffected by Rita’s emotions.
DICK I can really use a cold glass of
lemon aid.
EXT. ZOO - DAY
Dick waits on a bench in front of the monkey cage. Skippy arrives with trench coat and cheap sunglasses. Skippy looks around to make sure that no one was following.
28.
DICK My people are still looking over
the paper work.
SKIPPY Using an expression in gaming
parlance, I just upped the ante. Under the provisions of the trust, if you get removed from H & B, you will lose everything. You’ll end up with what you had before you met my mother, nothing.
Skippy gets up and is ready to leave.
DICK What makes you think that you run
things better than me?
SKIPPY
Better than I. I have a triple
Ph.D., Three masters, two bachelors and a law degree.
Skippy counts on his fingers.
DICK
And a partridge in a pair tree.
SKIPPY That’s nine more degrees than you
have.
DICK Anymore and you’ll be counting on
your toes like those monkeys. Skippy nodding his head in disappointment.
SKIPPY Dick, comparing a Rhodes Scholar to
a primate.
Skippy steps into a pile of slime as he leaves.
EXT. LARGE PARK - DAY
A large balloon festival spreads throughout the park. Dick stands behind the “H & B TIRES” balloon as media’s camera flashes light up the area.
29.
RITA I really need the background
information on your family history today. We must get back to business.
DICK That’s why I asked you to meet me
here. This is business. We may not have a blimp, but we do own a balloon.
(to media)
Okay boys, thanks for showing up.
The media leaves.
RITA
I’m sorry I was so abrupt. But I
really need that information today.
DICK We’ll get down to business after we
do one thing. You have to join me for a ride.
RITA A ride? I don’t think that I
could.
DICK I’ve been riding in this thing for
years. I insist.
EXT. BALLOON - SHORTLY AFTER
The balloon is in the air. Rita’s apprehension diminishes as she looks over the edge.
RITA Intimidating.