8mm Page #3

AMY:

You're not using the same guy who

tried to fix it?

WELLES:

I'm not using him again for

anything. He was worthless.

(eating)

You have bridge here Saturday?

AMY:

Betty's out of town so we're playing

next week.

Welles nods, eating. He watches Amy feed Cindy. The PHONE

starts RINGING. Welles goes to answer it.

WELLES:

(into PHONE)

Hello. Yes... could you hold on a

minute...?

Welles hands the phone to Amy, pats Cindy's head as he heads

downstairs, through the LIVING ROOM...

INT. WELLES' HOUSE, OFFICE -- NIGHT

Welles enters his well kept OFFICE, turns on a light at the

desk. The room is filled with FILE CABINETS and shelves of

BOOKS, hundreds of PHONE BOOKS and a COPY MACHINE. Welles

picks up the phone and cups the receiver.

WELLES:

(shouts upstairs)

Okay, I've got it.

(into phone)

Hello... sorry, I was switching

phones. It's a pleasure to make

your acquaintance, Mrs. Christian.

(listens)

Yes. Yes, I understand... tomorrow

evening should be fine...

Welles listens, clears space on his desk, taking notes.

EXT. CHRISTIAN COMPOUND -- DUSK

A huge OLD WORLD MANSION is situated at the center of acres

of Pennsylvania forest and vast gardens. Welles' car heads

down a long tree lined drive, to the dark mansion.

INT. CHRISTIAN HOUSE, HALLWAY -- NIGHT

Welles follows a BUTLER down a long hall.

INT. CHRISTIAN HOUSE, LIBRARY -- NIGHT

The butler shows Welles in, shuts the door.

Towering SHELVES of BOOKS are serviced by ladders. Far

across the room, an old, sad woman, MRS. CHRISTIAN, sits

waiting with a tall, thin, sinister ghoul of a LAWYER.

MRS CHRISTIAN:

Mister Welles. You're very prompt.

WELLES:

I try to be.

Welles crosses towards them. It takes a while.

MRS CHRISTIAN:

I appreciate your coming on such

short notice.

Mrs. Christian holds out her hand and Welles takes it.

MRS CHRISTIAN:

This is Mister Longdale, my late

husband's attorney.

Welles shakes Longdale's limp hand, looking him over.

WELLES:

Uh huh, pleasure.

MRS CHRISTIAN:

Apparently Mr. Longdale has

something he feels he simply must

say before you and I speak.

LONGDALE:

Yes, I do have something to say. I

insisted on being here as soon as I

heard Mrs. Christian contacted you.

WELLES:

I'm listening.

LONGDALE:

As Mr. Christian's attorney and one

of the executors of his estate, it

concerns me that a meeting of this

sort should take place without my

being asked to attend.

WELLES:

Of what sort?

LONGDALE:

You are a private investigator?

WELLES:

That's right.

LONGDALE:

Well, whatever reasons Mrs.

Christian has for engaging the

services of a private investigator,

I should certainly be a party to.

But, since she feels differently, I

can only go on the record as having

expressed my adamant disapproval.

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