Sweet Smell of Success Page #3

RESUME SIDNEY:

Sally is watching him, unhappy on his behalf.

SIDNEY:

(to phone)

Now, wait a minute, Joe. When I

saw J.J. last night he said...

But Robard has cut off. Sidney hangs up. A silence. Sally

tries to be comforting.

SALLY:

I wish I could help in some way,

Sidney.

SIDNEY:

(aggressively)

Help me with two minutes of silence!

Sally, hurt, says nothing. Presently, he adds:

SIDNEY:

Go home, Sally. It's late...

SALLY:

I hate to see you like this --

Sidney, with another mercurial change of manner, begins some

sarcastic clowning.

SIDNEY:

(horsing around)

Yes, but as a new subscriber you're

under no obligation to take more

than three books. And if you mail

the enclosed card within ten days --

SALLY:

(pleadingly)

Sidney, I know you by now. Don't

do a dance with me...

SIDNEY:

(still clowning)

You mean you don't want the extra

free gift of a colorful giant map

of the world???

SALLY:

(distressed)

Sidney, please, dear, if you feel

nervous...

Sidney is abruptly savage.

SIDNEY:

(with cruelty)

So what'll you do if I feel nervous?

You'll open your meaty, sympathetic

arms...?

SALLY:

(breaking down)

Sid...you got me so...I don't know

what...

She is crying. Sidney feels uncomfortable. Not too

generously, he relents:

SIDNEY:

You ought to be used to me by now.

SALLY:

(pathetically)

I'm used to you...

SIDNEY:

(with a touch of bitterness)

No. You think I'm a hero. I'm no

hero. I'm nice to people where it

pays me to be. I gotta do it too

much on the outside, so don't

expect me to kow-tow in my own

office. I'm in a bind right now

with Hunsecker so --

(grimly)

Every dog has his day!

(going)

Lock up and leave the key.

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