Simone Page #2

HAL:

No... I cannot accept it. If

something like this can happen.

What...

(struggling to find the

words)

What is it for?

NICOLA:

(smiles through her pain)

-- Why are we here? Is that what

you're asking, Jack?... Why are we

here? No why. Just here.

Nicola dies peacefully.

INT. SCREENING ROOM - STUDIO - DAY

VIKTOR sits with leading man HAL, THREE EXECUTIVES and studio

head ELAINE CHRISTIAN, watching a rough assembly of the film.

It ends with a close up of NICOLA ANDERS.

The lights go up. The image of Nicola fades off the screen.

EXECUTIVE 1

She's good. You can hardly tell

she's reading off a teleprompter.

VIKTOR:

(ignoring him)

I've analyzed the footage. We've

got almost everything we need in

the can. If we rework the script,

we can finish the film without her.

EXECUTIVE 2

(forceful shake of the

head)

According to the writ her attorneys

filed at noon today. They'll sue

if the film is released with Nicola

in a single frame.

VIKTOR:

(more anxious)

So we'll re-cast.

HAL:

Nicola Anders is the only actress

who can play that role.

VIKTOR:

(incredulous)

It's a re-make, Hal. Anders is not

bigger than this picture.

Elaine finally speaks up.

ELAINE:

Of course she is. No other name is

going to sign on now and risk

offending her.

VIKTOR:

We don't need a name. We'll cast

an unknown.

HAL:

I won't play opposite an unknown.

ELAINE:

We can't sell an unknown. Nicola's

soured on the project and we have

to accept that. If we ever want to

be in the Nicola Anders business

again, we have to cut our losses

and shelve the picture.

The executives, leading man and director nod sagely.

VIKTOR:

(aghast)

No! You will not give in to that

blackmailing b*tch!

ELAINE:

(a wince, addressing

everyone but Viktor)

Excuse us.

Elaine ushers Viktor out of the screening room.

EXT. STUDIO LOT - DAY

ELAINE and VIKTOR talk in the shadow of an enormous

soundstage. They speak more freely in each other's company.

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