Sunset Boulevard Page #4

DISSOLVE TO:

A-11 SHELDRAKE'S OFFICE

It is in the style of a Paramount executive's office --

mahogany, leather, and a little chintz. On the

walls are some large framed photographs of Paramount

stars, with dedications to Mr. Sheldrake. Also a

couple of framed critics' awards certificates, and an

Oscar on a bookshelf. A shooting schedule chart is

thumb-tacked into a large bulletin board. There are

piles or scripts, a few pipes and, somewhere in the

background, some set models.

Start on Sheldrake. He is about 45. Behind his wor-

ried face there hides a coated tongue. He is en-

gaged in changing the stained rilter cigarette in

his Zeus holder.

SHELDRAKE:

All right, Gillis. You've got

five minutes. What's your story

about?

GILLIS:

It's about a ball player, a rookie

shortstop that's batting 347. The

poor kid was once mixed up in a hold-

up. But he's trying to go straight --

except there's a bunch of gamblers

who won't let him.

SHELDRAKE:

So they tell the kid to throw the

World Series, or else, huh?

GILLIS:

More or less. Only for the end

I've got a gimmick that's real good.

A secretary enters, carrying a glass or milk.

She opens a drawer and takes out a bottle of pills for

Sheldrake.

SHELDRAKE:

Got a title?

GILLIS:

Bases Loaded. There's a 4O-page

outline.

SHELDRAKE:

(To the secretary)

Get the Readers' Department and

see what they have on Bases Loaded.

The secretary exits. Sheldrake takes a pill and

washes it down with some milk.

GILLIS:

They're pretty hot about it

over at Twentieth, but I

think Zanuck's all wet. Can

you see Ty Power as a

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