Capote Page #2

from Monroeville, Alabama, NELLE HARPER LEE (yes, that Harper

Lee), is reading. She looks up, deadpan -

NELLE:

I figured you'd missed it.

Nelle is a year younger than Truman, dowdy in dress, but

smart, tough, sensible. Truman smiles.

TRUMAN:

God I'm glad you agreed to come.

TRUMAN:

You're the only one I know with the

qualifications to be both a

research assistant and personal

bodyguard.

(then, noticing)

Oh, Nelle, you poor thing.

He tries to spruce up her limp silk scarf.

NELLE:

Off. Truman. Off.

(holds his hands)

I'm happy to see you too, but I can

still whip your behind.

TWO BLACK PORTERS enter, one with an enormous TRUNK

(Truman's), the other with a sensible SUITCASE (Nelle's).

PORTER #1

(reading tags)

Mr. Truman Capote, Miss '~elle

Harper Lee. Where would you like

these, sir?

TRUMAN:

That one up there and that one on

the floor.

He tips them.

NELLE:

What all did you bring?

PORTER #2

Thank you greatly, sir. It's an

honor to have you with us. If you

don't mind my saying, your last

book was even better than the firstTRUMAN

You're sweet.

PORTER #2

Just when you think they've gotten

as good as they can get.

TRUMAN:

Thank you. You're very kind.

PORTER #I

(to Nelle)

Ma'am.

The PORTERS leave. Nelle is stunned. Truman fiddles with

the trunk locks, his back to Nelle. Silence, then:

NELLE:

You're pathetic.

Truman doesn't answer.

Green

NELLE (cont ' d)

You're pathetic.

TRUMAN:

What?

NELLE:

You paid them to say that.

Truman won't look at her. She whacks him.

NELLE (cont ' d)

You paid them to say that!

TRUMAN:

(squealing)

How'd you know? How did you know?!

NELLE:

"Just when you think they've gotten

as good as they can get."

TRUMAN:

You think that was too much?

( laughter )

I thought that was a good line.

More laughter. More smacking of Truman. Then it is quiet.

NELLE:

Pathetic.

9A INT . TRUMAN AND HARPER LEE ' 8 CABIN, TRAIN - MORNING 9A

Nelle's awake, but still in her bunk, looking out the window

at the Kansas plains. Truman's dressing, watching her.

CUT TO:

10 OMIT 10

11 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY 11 *

TRAVELING SHOTS of harvested FIELDS, grazing LIVESTOCK,

solitary FARMHOUSES.

The TRAIN chugs across the Kansas flatlands.

SHOTS of SIGNS outside Garden City: "World's Largest Free

Swimpool" and "Howdy, Stranger! Welcome to Garden City. A

Friendly Place. "

12 EXT. GARDEN CITY RENT-A-CAR - DAY 12 *

Truman and Nelle rent a car. People stare.

13 I/E. RENTAL CAR - DAY 13 *

Nelle drives past the main square, Truman in the passenger

seat. Truman looks at a photo in THE GARDEN CITY TELEGRAM.

TRUMAN:

Alvin Dewey, Kansas Bureau of

Investigation. KBI.

Rate this script:4.0 / 1 vote