Rough Diamonds Page #5

Banners and streamers wishing Marie a happy birthday decorate the

grounds. Partygoers soak in the blazing Florida sun, sip at nonalcoholic

punch, and stare out gratefully across the thin stretch

of water that separates them from the riff-raff on the mainland...

Marie sits away from it all, lost in thought, as Jenny, in cutoffs

and a bikini top, sidles up beside her.

.

JENNY:

What's the matter, sweetie, pissed that

one judge only gave you a 9.7?

Marie forces a smile.

MARIE:

Nah. I'm cool.

JENNY:

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt, babe.

You got diamonds on the mind.

JAY (O.S.)

Have either of you seen my video camera?

Marie looks round to her stepfather, shakes her head, bringing a

bemused look to Jay's face.

JAY:

I had it at the dive meet, I'm sure...

He shrugs, picks up a crystal glass, hits a fork sharply against

it, drawing the attention of the assembled partygoers...

JAY:

Ladies, Gentlemen, friends, raise a glass

to Marie, on her eighteenth birthday.

Everyone raises their fine crystal.

"Wild Things 3" 03/22/2004 11.

JAY:

She's become every inch of the woman her

Mother hoped she'd be. Wherever she is

now, Julie's looking down and smiling.

Tears well in Marie's eyes...

JAY:

And that's why, on your eighteenth

birthday, Marie, I know your mother

wanted you to have...

He notices, out of the corner of his eyes, two well-dressed MEN

standing at the entrance to his house. Whoever they are, Jay's

instantly unnerved. He stumbles over his words...

JAY:

... she wanted you to have... a wonderful

birthday party surrounded by all your

friends.

He glances back toward the house, watching the two men enter...

JAY:

Please excuse me.

... and hurries after them. Marie is left dumbfounded. So close,

but so far...

MARIE:

Jay! What about my present?

She chases after him...

INT. CLIFFORD MANSION HALLWAY - DAY

Marie makes her way down the sleek white corridors inside the

opulent Clifford Mansion, past framed family photos, of Jay, Marie

and the late Julie...

MARIE:

Jay?

He's nowhere to be found. Frustrated, Marie finds herself alone in

the kitchen. She angrily selects a bottle of Champagne, pops the

cork. Before she can swig any alcohol she hears raised voices.

JAY (O.S.)

It simply can't be done...

Marie tentatively edges out of the kitchen, back into the hallway,

and down towards Jay's study...

"Wild Things 3" 03/22/2004 12.

JAY (O.S.) (CONT'D)

In all construction there's delays.

Marie sidles up to the door jam, peaks through the crack. What she

sees makes the blood run cold in her veins...

An imposing Cuban businessman, MR. BARAJAS, stands threateningly

over a visibly frightened Jay. Another man, CICATRIZ, dressed in

designer silks, stands menacingly in the corner, clearly the brawn

of this little operation.

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