The Birds Page #4

getting into his car at the curb.

CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE

looking after the car at the curb.

CLOSE SHOT - THE LICENSE PLATE CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE

seeing the plate, giving a brief, determined, angry nod. She

begins to repeat the numbers to herself as she turns.

FULL SHOT - MELANIE

as she comes up the steps again and walks toward the counter.

MED. SHOT - MELANIE - MRS. MACGRUDER'S P.O.V.

as she comes up to the counter.

MELANIE:

Have you got a pencil?

MRS. MACGRUDER

What? Oh, yes, certainly.

As Melanie begins writing:

MRS. MACGRUDER

They said the myna bird would be

here later this afternoon. If you'd

care to come back...

MELANIE:

No, you'd better send him. May I use

your phone?

MRS. MACGRUDER

(bewildered by

everything)

Yes, certainly.

(she puts phone on

counter)

MELANIE:

(as she dials)

Do you have any lovebirds?

MRS. MACGRUDER

No, not in the shop. But I can order

them for you.

MELANIE:

How soon?

MRS. MACGRUDER

Well... well, how soon would you

want them?

MELANIE:

Immediately.

(into phone)

Is this the Daily News? Melanie

Daniels. Would you get me the city

desk, please?

MRS. MACGRUDER

I might be able to have them by

tomorrow morning. Would that be all

right?

MELANIE:

(with an edged anger)

That would be just fine.

(into phone)

Hello, Charlie, this is Melanie. I

want you to do a favor for me.

(pause)

No, this is a small one.

(pause)

Pressure you? Why, Charlie darling,

would I try to pressure you? Will

you call the Department of Motor

Vehicles for me and find out who

owns this license plate? DKQ dash

one seven six.

(pause)

Yes, a California plate.

(pause)

No, I'll stop up there in a little

while. Is daddy in his office?

(pause)

Oh. No, no, I don't want to break in

on a meeting. Just tell him I'll see

him later. Thank you, Charlie.

(she hangs up)

CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE ICY DETERMINATION ON HER FACE.

MELANIE:

Now. What time tomorrow morning?

FADE IN:

FULL SHOT - MELANIE'S SPORTS CAR

pulling up in front of Mitch's building, the top down. She

glances up at the address, gets out of the car, comes around

to the other side, and opens the door.

CLOSE SHOT - THE LOVEBIRDS

in a cage as Melanie reaches for them.

MED. SHOT - MELANIE

turning from the car and going into the building. She pauses

in the lobby, studies the names alongside the bell buttons.

CLOSE SHOT - HER GLOVED HAND

running down the list of names slowly. It stops.

INSERT - THE CARD

her finger beside it.

BRENNER, M. 3B

CLOSE SHOT - HER GLOVED HAND the forefinger extended as she

runs it down over every bell button in one column, and then

does the same for the next column.

MED. SHOT - MELANIE

as she turns from the bells to the inner door of the lobby,

grabbing the knob. A BUZZ SOUNDS. She opens the door.

Rate this script:2.5 / 13 votes