As Good as It Gets Page #3

SIMON:

Yes. It's not a subtle point

you're making.

MELVIN:

Okay, then.

Melvin enters his apartment and slams the door shut.

SIMON:

So the theory of confrontations is

that now he'll think twice before

messing with me?

Frank smiles affectionately. Simon turns serious.

SIMON:

He's genuinely upsetting, isn't

he?

FRANK:

Won't worry about it. You go

ahead.

Frank waits till Simon EXITS SCENE and then knocks loudly

on Melvin's door. There is a sharp change in his demeanor.

MELVIN (O.S.)

Oh, I'm pissed!! Now I am really

pissed!!!

Frank waits patiently as Melvin jerks his door back open.

Frank immediately grabs Melvin by his shirt and jerks him

forward... Melvin is scared. Operating on survival mode.

MELVIN:

No touch. No touch. No touch.

FRANK:

You may think you can intimidate

the whole world with your

attitude, but I grew up in Hell.

My grandmother had more attitude.

You don't intimidate me.

MELVIN:

(calling)

Police! Police! F***ing crooked

police... doughnut-munching morons

help me!

(to Frank)

Assault and battery and you're

black.

FRANK:

Shhhh now. I like Simon. I like

him enough to batter you

unrecognizable if you verbally

abuse him or so much as touch his

dog again. Meanwhile, I'll try

and think how you can make this up

to him.

(suddenly loud)

I hate doing this. I'm an art

dealer.

(beat)

Have a nice day. Party!

He tosses Melvin back and walks out. Melvin straightens

his shirt as he steps out into the hall. Frank smiles as

he re-enters the other apartment. Melvin appears

impressed.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET NEAR CAROL'S RESTAURANT - DAY

A crowded and dirty street and here comes Melvin. His

walk is brisk -- an animal wanting to pass through the

danger without giving off the scent of its mounting fear.

At times he places his palms together and extends his

arms cutting a path through people. We will be very

pointed in the fact that he avoids stepping on cracks.

CLOSER ON MELVIN

His eyes focused on the terrain.

INT. CAROL'S RESTAURANT - DAY

ANGLE ON WAITRESS

CAROL CONNELLY talks with another MOTHER -- a customer.

You would not guess it, but her working hours tend to be

the most carefree time of the day. She is telling a

story about her son for the umpteenth time.

CAROL:

(to the Mother's

little girl)

Look at you, you're all better.

MOTHER:

It's that new medication.

CAROL:

You know all my son's stuff,

right?

The Mother nods too sympathetically that she does, but

Carol interrupts her.

CAROL:

No, no, no, I got a date tonight.

I'm walking out the door this

morning and he says to me, 'Mom,

I promise not to get one of my

fevers or coughs during your

date.'

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