Wonder Boys Page #2

CRABTREE:

I was explaining to Antonia how a book comes

to be published. What you do as a writer, what

I do as an editor...

GRADY:

I sweat blood for five years and he checks for

spelling.

MISS SLOVIAK:

(indicating Crabtree)

That's exactly what he said.

CRABTREE:

We know each other pretty well.

(to Grady)

So where's Emily?

GRADY:

Emily?

CRABTREE:

Your wife.

GRADY:

Oh. We're picking her up. Downtown.

CRABTREE:

Perfect. Well then, shall we?

GRADY nods, but lingers briefly--studying the

architecture of Miss Sloviak's ankles as she CLICKS off in

her spike heels, arm in arm with Crabtree.

7INT. BAGGAGE CAROUSEL - AIRPORT - MOMENTS LATER

GRADY and Crabtree watch suitcases tumble as Miss Sloviak

sits across the way, inspecting her face in a compact.

CRABTREE:

Do you know how many times I've boarded an

airplane praying someone like her would sit

down beside me? Particularly while I'm on my

way to Pittsburgh.

GRADY:

Lay off Pittsburgh. It's one of the great

cities.

CRABTREE:

If it can produce a Miss Sloviak you'll get no

argument from me.

GRADY:

She's a transvestite.

CRABTREE:

You're stoned.

GRADY:

She's still a transvestite.

CRABTREE:

Mm.

GRADY:

Isn't she?

Crabtree ignores Grady's question, smiling placidly as he

watches the carousel spin.

CRABTREE:

So how's the book?

GRADY stiffens. He had been expecting this, but not so

soon. He tries to act casual.

GRADY:

It's fine. It's done. Basically. I'm just sort

of. ..tinkering with it.

CRABTREE:

Great. I was hoping I could get a look at it

sometime this weekend. Think that might be

possible?

GRADY:

I don't know. I'm sort of at a critical. . .

juncture .

CRABTREE:

I thought you were tinkering.

GRADY:

I just mean. . .

CRABTREE:

Forget I asked. I don't want to pressure you,

Tripp. But...

(pointedly)

...I get pressure. Know what I mean?

GRADY ponders this, troubled by it. Suddenly, Crabtree's

face brightens again.

CRABTREE:

Ah. ..well now. What do you suppose that would

be?

GRADY turns, watches an immense PONY HIDE CASE drop onto

the carousel.

GRADY:

That would be a tuba.

8INT. GRADY'S CAR - MOVING - LATE AFTERNOON 8

As the Galaxie emerges from a TUNNEL, GRADY watches the

great city of Pittsburgh reveal itself in the distance,

then glances in the rearview mirror.

GRADY:

That perfume you're wearing, Antonia. It

wouldn't happen to be Cristaile, would it?

MISS SLOVIAK:

Why yes. How did you know?

GRADY:

Lucky guess.

CRABTREE:

You didn't actually purchase this car, did

you. Trip??

GRADY:

It was Jerry Nathan's. He owed me money.

CRABTREE:

He owes God money. You know, he queered

himself for good with Esquire.

GRADY takes a joint from the ashtray, snaps a Scripto

butane.

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