The Grifters Page #2

MYRA:

But they must be! They cut glass!

JEWELER:

(wry)

Glass will cut glass, Mrs. Langtry.

Do you know where it was purchased?

INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

An expensive hotel room, with a sunstruck day beyond the

windows. Myra, naked, a few years younger, sits cross-legged

on the bed and laughs at COLE "FARMER" LANGLEY, 55, stringy

bodied, who stands naked, his back to us, hands on hips,

presenting himself to Myra. She reaches forward, hand hidden

by his body as she lifts something that was hanging on

something at the front of him. She brings back the bracelet,

looks at it, is delighted, puts it on, and then leans forward

again toward the unmoving Cole, her head hidden by his body.

INT. JEWELER'S OFFICE - DAY

MYRA:

It was a gift. It isn't worth

anything at all?

JEWELER:

(warm, encouraging)

Why, of course it is. I can offer

you -- well, five hundred dollars.

Myra expected -- and needed -- a lot more. She's worried,

tense, but stuck. She nods.

MYRA:

All right.

JEWELER:

(rising)

I'll get you a check.

He leaves the room. Myra grimaces, in almost physical pain.

INT. SECOND BAR - DAY

Another crowded lunchtime bar. A big beefy BARTENDER moves

quickly, carrying a draft beer.

AN ANGLE on Roy, in position, finger holding bill down, as

the bartender arrives, puts down the beer, reaches for the

bill, stops, stares at the bill.

TWO SHOT, the bartender and Roy, as the bartender gives Roy a

very cold look. He knows, and Roy knows he knows. Roy tries

an innocent smile, which doesn't work. Roy moves.

CU, the ten dollar bill, as Roy grabs it, but the bartender

simultaneously grabs Roy's wrist.

AN ANGLE on Roy and the bartender as Roy tries to pull away

and the bartender holds him with his left hand while reaching

under the bar with his right. He comes up with a sawed-off

baseball bat. Roy, seeing it, throws his free arm up to

protect his head, but the bartender pushes the blunt end of

the bat straight across the bar at a downward angle and hard

into Roy's solar plexus, driving the air out of him and

propelling him back away from the bar, leaving the ten. The

nearest CUSTOMERS on both sides become aware that something

happened, but nothing follows and they're already involved in

conversations. The bartender scoops up the ten as he puts the

bat away under the bar.

AN ANGLE on Roy, arms folded across his torso, staring in

shock toward the bar, where the space he filled has already

been closed in by other bodies. Nearly retching, he stumbles

toward the door.

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