Big Eyes Page #4

MAN'S VOICE

Monet? "Monet"?! Whew -- that's a

hell of a compliment. Though, if I

may respectfully disagree, I'm more in

the tradition of Pissarro.

Margaret looks up, distracted. She resumes her work.

MAN'S VOICE

C'mon, get closer. Closer! Look at

that sunlight coming through the

mottled leaves. That's a bold yellow!

Curious, Margaret casually peers over...

HER POV:

Holding court in another booth is WALTER KEANE, 40. Walter is

astonishing:
Hugely confident. Charming. Waggishly

handsome. And dressed like an "Artist" -- striped turtleneck,

with hands full of brushes.

Walter's stall is filled with oils of Paris street scenes. He

casually flirts with TWO YOUNG COEDS. They admire a painting.

WALTER:

You wanna touch it? Do it! I lay it

on thick -- you're not gonna break it!

(UNWAVERING)

I poured myself into that painting.

It's thirty-five dollars.

7.

Walter glances over -- and notices Margaret watching him.

Shy, she quickly turns away, back to her portrait.

Walter smiles rakishly. He's found a new interest.

WALTER:

Excuse me, Ladies.

WIDE:

Walter strides up to Margaret. She peers nervously... trying

to ignore him. She sketches faster. Shading...

Walter watches. Admiring... and discreetly smelling her hair.

Margaret pays no attention. Done, she blows into a can of Fix-

It. Poosh! A fine mist sprays, setting the portrait.

Without fanfare, she humbly turns the picture.

MARGARET:

All finished.

Her customers gape, impressed. She smiles. The guy counts

out four quarters, then happily leaves.

MARGARET AND WALTER

are left together. An unspoken frisson, until --

WALTER:

You're better than spare change. You

shouldn't sell yourself so cheap.

MARGARET:

I'm just glad they liked it.

WALTER:

Ahhh! You're past that point! Your

heart is in your work...

He leans in, too close. Margaret shivers. Breathing faster.

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