FADE IN:
INT. ANTEROOM CLOSE SHOT SWITCHBOARD

Two telephone operators sit at switchboard busy plugging in

and out answering calls.

1ST OPERATOR

This is the Morning Post... The City

Room? Just a moment, I'll connect

you.

(plugs in call)

2ND OPERATOR

Morning Post... Sports Department?

Just a moment --

(plugs in call)

CAMERA PULLS BACK to disclose the rest of the anteroom. To

Camera left are the elevators -- at back wall directly behind

switchboard are chairs and a table for visitors. Next to

switchboard are stairs leading downward to the next floor. A

waist-high iron grill with a gate in it separates the

switchboard from the anteroom, a similar grill separating it

again from the city room which stretches on beyond

switchboard. At a table in the switchboard enclosure sits an

office boy, about fifteen, doing a crossword puzzle. The big

clock on the back wall shows that it is nearly one o'clock.

CLOSE SHOT OFFICE BOY

as he bends over paper. We catch a glimpse of the squares of

a crossword puzzle.

MED. SHOT

as a reporter comes out of the City Room, clanging gate to

behind him. The office boy looks up.

OFFICE BOY:

What's a seven-letter word for --?

REPORTER:

Don't ask me! If I knew any seven-

letter words, I'd be something better

than a reporter!

He catches a glimpse of the far elevator going down.

REPORTER:

Hey! Down! Down!

MED. SHOT ELEVATORS

as reporter runs in to the closed elevator door and pounds

on it. It comes back, the door opens, and he gets in. The

door closes, as elevator goes down. The near elevator comes

up and discharges Hildy Johnson and Bruce Baldwin. Bruce

carries an umbrella and wears a raincoat.

MED. CLOSE SHOT TABLE

office boy looking over his puzzle as Hildy and Bruce come

into the scene.

HILDY:

(with a smile)

Hello, Skinny. Remember me?

OFFICE BOY:

(looks up; then a

glowing smile)

Hildy Johnson!

CLOSE SHOT SWITCHBOARD

Hildy approaches the switchboard.

HILDY:

(to operator)

Hello, Maisie.

The first operator looks up.

MAISIE:

Hello -- Hildy! You coming back?

HILDY:

No, just visiting. Tell me, is the

lord of the universe in today?

MAISIE:

He is -- and in a very bad humor. I

think somebody stole one of his crown

jewels. Shall I announce you?

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