Shine Page #4

Rosen

Hello.

It's SUZIE.

SUZIE:

Hello.

Rosen

Who are you?

INT/EXT. HELFOYY HOUSE. BACKYARD - DAY

Peter looks across.

SUZIE - (O.S.)

Daddy, there's someone here.

Rosen appears at the back door.

Rosen

I hope I'm not interupting '

Peter stands in the doorway looking down at him, resenting

the intrusion.

Rosen

Ben Rosen. I was one of the judges.

Peter doesn't accept the proffered handshae. He motions

SUZIE in.

Peter

(to Rosen)

Yes?

Rosen

You left before all the prizes were announced.

David appears behind Peter.

Rosen

You were very good this afternoon, David.

David

Thank you.

Peter

He can play better.

Rosen

Maybe he was a little too good. Some people don't like

that. We gave him a special prize for his courage.

Peter takes the envelope from Rosen and peels it open.

Margaret starts playing the piano in the background.

Rosen

It was a very difficult piece you chose, David.

David

Daddy chose it.

Rosen notices RACHEL sneak a look out the window at him.

Rosen

Even great pianists think twice before tackling the

Polonbaise.

David's eyes light up as Peter takes a pound note from the

envelope.

Peter

A prize for losing!

He pockets the money.

Rosen

I wouldn't call him a loser.

Peter

(in Yiddish, to Margaret)

Stop, that is enough!

She stops playing.

Rosen

(in Yiddish)

She plays well too.

The Yiddish catches Peter out.

Peter

(disdainful)

They all play.

Rosen

I'm quite sure David could win lots of competitions with the

right tuition.

He offers a business card showing his qualifications.

Peter

I teach him.

Rosen

You've obviously done well.

Peter

Yes - and no one taught me; no music teachers Mr. Rosen.

Rosen

Of course, it's just that a few bad habits can sometimes

mean the difference between winning or losing.

He knows which strings to pull.

If you'd like to think about it.

He hands Peter the card. Peter holds his look and closes

the door on him.

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE HELFGOTT HOUSE - NIGHT

The house is in darkness

INT. HELFOTT HOUSE - NIGHT

In the bedroom Peter wakes to the sound of the piano

filtering through from the living area.

He walks down the hallway, drawn by the sparse, haunting

music which is familiar: Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto.

Entering the living area he sees David playing the piano in

near darkness. David struggles to get his small fingers

across the keys, faltering to a stop '

Peter

Rachmaninov?

David

It's beautiful.

Peter sits beside his son.

Peter

You taught yourself?

David

From the record.

Peter

The record?

David

You always play it.

Peter smiles.

Peter

It is very difficult, the hardest piece in the world, David.

David

Will you teach me?

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