The Leopard Man Page #3

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The CAMERA MOVES BACK and we see the wide pool at the base of

the fountain. In this pool we see Clo-Clo reflected, as she

dances.

The CAMERA PANS to take in the actual dancer and we see Clo

Clo whirling and turning in a tight circle. She is

illuminated by several baby spots concealed at the base

of the fountain, and this light makes a nimbus of light

around her. It is a sort of superaura which washes out the

background haze, leaving the dancer clear-cut and sharp in

the midst of this superaura.

As Clo-Clo's dance widens in movement, taking her to the edge

of the light nimbus, we can see her, the tables and the

patrons of El Pueblo.

The El Pueblo cafe is the smartest night club in this small

New Mexican resort town. The main dining room is in the

patio. Here are tables mantled in snowy tablecloths,

glittering candlelight and sparkling glassware. On the porch

is an open space for the performers and the orchestra on one

side On the other side is a bar.

Tonight, El Pueblo is crowded. Waiters, dressed in rather

formal costumes with black trousers and short, white coats,

scurry between the tables. A good portion of -the patrons are

in evening clothes.

Clo�Clo dances. The rhythmic rattle of her castanets beat out

above the orchestra.

Clo-Clo is New Mexican. Like the broncos of her native state,

she is all fine, proud, pure Spanish blood. It has suffered a

change in the high clear air of New Mexico. In her dance,

too, we see the more primeval strain of the Indian twisted

among the finer threads of Spanish rhythm.

She dances. In the pool we see the heavy flutter and turn of

her skirt. Her neck, her bosom, her arms, bend and sway and

turn and pulse with the bloodbeat of the castanets. She is

just entering a graceful turn of the dance, the castanets

beginning a glissade, when suddenly she stops dead, the click

of the castanets cutting off abruptly.

REVERSE SHOT - the doorway leading into the El Pueblo. Framed

in this doorway is Kiki, slim and tall in a black gown with

black gloves, and in her outstretched hand is a black leash

which links her to the leopard. Behind her the doorway is hot

with light so that we see her dramatic outline, a silhouette

against luminosity.

MED. LONG SHOT - the cafe. A buzz of amazement sounds from

the crowd. There is a flutter of astonishment and timidity.

CLOSEUP of Clo�Clo.

MED. CLOSE SHOT of Kiki. Behind her in the doorway Jerry

Manning's face appears. It is obvious that Kiki, despite her

dramatic pose, is surreptitiously nervous.

JERRY:

(sotto voce)

Don't stand here, Kiki. You're on

stage. They're looking at you.

Kiki moves majestically forward.

MED. LONG SHOT � a table near the dance space. Kiki, the

leopard moving before her, threads her way between two

tables, the patrons drawing away from her black escort as she

passes. A waiter, carefully holding the chair between him and

the leopard, makes a place for her at an empty table.

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