In a Lonely Place

Dix Steele! How are you?

- Don't you remember me?

- No, I'm sorry. I can't say that I do.

You wrote the last picture I did

at Columbia.

I never see pictures I write.

You. Stop bothering my wife!

You shouldn't have done it. No matter

how much money that pig's got.

- Pull over!

- What's wrong with right here?

- Evening, Mr. Steele.

- Hi, Dave.

- I'll put her right up front.

- Okay.

- Can I have your autograph?

- Who am I?

- I don't know.

- Don't bother, he's nobody.

She's right.

Dix! We'd about given you up.

- Hi, Mel.

- Where've you been?

- Come on. Buy us a drink.

- He's somebody.

Lloyd Barnes, big director. Made all

his money before the income tax.

- We've been calling for three days.

- You know me...

...if I don't answer the third ring,

I'm not home.

- Hello, Dix. Lloyd.

- Hi, Max.

Honey, let me have that book I left

here for Mr. Steele.

I'm almost finished.

Say " I like it, " and you go on

salary tomorrow.

Then I like it.

I think it'll make a dreamy picture.

An epic.

- What do you call an epic?

- A picture that's real long...

- ...and has lots of things going on.

- Could we have some matches?

Here you are. Mr. Steele, could I keep

the book till you come out?

I only have a few pages to go.

- Sure, take your time.

- Thanks.

- Good evening, Mr. Steele.

- Evening.

- Remember, she's your audience.

- Say that again...

...l'll get another agent.

How are you, Charlie?

- Let's sit at the other end.

- What's wrong with right here?

- How are you, noble prince?

- Right well, thespian. Greg?

Gin and tonic.

What do you fellows want?

- A stinger.

- Glass of milk.

And a brandy for Mr. Waterman.

- Are you dining here or browsing?

- How's everything, Paul?

Just like show business,

there is no business. Ex cuse me.

- Who's producing this?

- Bert Brody. Lloyd's directing.

You've got to work. You've

been out of circulation too long.

I need money,

you need the 10 percent.

For me, you don't have to go to work.

I've got my apartment, car, ulcers.

- Gasoline doesn't cost much.

- I won't do something I don't like.

- Dix, how many times must I tell you--?

- lt's just another picture.

Can you really be choosy? You haven't

had a hit since before the war.

Everybody makes flops ex cept you.

You've remade the same picture...

...for 20 years.

You're a popcorn salesman.

That's right. So are you.

The difference is, I don't fight it.

- One day I'll write something good.

- Althea Bruce will do it.

- Althea Bruce--

- You just have to follow the book.

- Remind me to buy you a new tie.

- Hi, kiddies!

What a picture I made!

Just back from the preview.

- Pasadena's out of its mind about it.

- Hello, Junior.

- No one walked out!

- Don't you shake hands with an actor?

You call this an actor?

He hasn't remembered a line

for 10 years.

Made your father- in- law

a couple of million.

- Pop made a star out of a drunkard.

- That is a menace.

Movie idol of the Roaring '20s.

Look at him.

Gazing into his crystal ball!

You have set the son- in- law business

back 50 years.

- That's a dirty thing to-

- Stop! Hey, stop, Dix!

What's the matter with you?

Quiet down!

There goes Dix again.

- I'm leaving.

- Mel, take Charlie home, will you?

Come on.

Maybe I'd better stay.

No.

- You will read that book tonight?

- Yes, yes.

I'll drop by and wake you up in

the morning. Around 10.

Make it about 11 .

He had it coming, but next time will

you please do it in the parking lot?

- I'll have some ham and eggs.

- I shall select the eggs personally.

Sit here and take it easy.

Dix on Steele!

- Hello, Fran. How are you?

- Between pictures.

Last night I couldn't sleep.

So, what did I do?

- Called up a lot of people.

- Just you. Where were you?

- Home.

- Don't you like to talk anymore?

- Not to people who have my number.

- Why don't you come over?

- I've got to read a book.

- Remember how I used to read to you?

Since then, I've learned to read

by myself.

That's all. Do you look down on all

women or just the ones you know?

I was pretty nice to you.

No, not to me. But you were

pretty nice. I'll call you.

Thanks for letting me read it.

- What's your name?

- Mildred. Mildred Atkinson.

- Where do you live?

- ln Inglewood, with my aunt.

- You got a car?

- No, I usually catch the bus.

- I'll drive you home.

- Thank you, but I have a date.

- Well, break it.

- I can't.

Besides, it's my policy

never to go out with customers.

I didn't mean I was

going to take you out.

- I was going to take you home.

- I have a date.

My home.

Mr. Steele.

You can help me. I've gotta read

this book tonight and I'm tired.

- Maybe you could tell it to me.

- ls that what you had in mind?

You make me feel real important.

Just think. When I go to see

Alathea Bruce with Aunt Cora...

...I can say I told the story to the

screenwriter. Let me call my date.

Maybe I can still

catch him at home.

There's no sacrifice too great

for a chance at immortality.

Yes, sir.

My, what a pretty place!

Sort of hacienda- like.

Ex cuse me.

Neighbour of yours?

No, I never saw her before.

I'll be right with you.

Make yourself at home.

It must be wonderful to be a writer.

Thrilling.

- Make yourself a drink.

- I don't drink.

Before I worked at Paul's, I used to

think actors made up their own lines.

When they get to be big stars

they usually do.

Rate this script:5.0 / 4 votes