The King of Comedy Page #5

PUPKIN:

(to the handkerchief)

Thanks, Jerry.

The CAMERA MOVES IN for a CLOSE-UP of PUPKIN in a kind of daze.

FADE TO:

4INT:
SARDI'S RESTAURANT - DAY

PUPKIN and LANGFORD stand at the edge of the foyer, waiting

for the Maitre d' to seat them. VINCENT, the owner, spots

them and hurries over.

VINCENT:

I'm sorry, Mr. Langford. (To PUPKIN,

angrily) How did you get in?

LANGFORD:

That's alright, Vincent. Mr. Pupkin's a

friend of mine.

VINCENT:

(puzzled)

Oh, I see.

PUPKIN:

That's alright. Now if you'd be good enough

to find us a nice table.

PUPKIN pushes a five dollar bill into VINCENT's hand.

VINCENT:

Certainly. This way, please.

VINCENT leads PUPKIN and LANGFORD to the "bullpen," a

select spot in a corner of the restaurant.

VINCENT:

Here you are. Enjoy your lunch, gentlemen.

LANGFORD:

Is Eddie here today, Vincent?

VINCENT:

I'll send him over.

A WAITER arrives and hands them the menu.

WAITER:

Our specialty today is Rizzofino Dolce Acqua

a la Marinara con Spezi. Very good.

PUPKIN:

Sounds like a new opera.

LANGFORD:

Fine. What comes with it?

WAITER:

Me.

The three laugh.

PUPKIN:

Fine. For two.

WAITER:

Very good.

The WAITER leaves.

PUPKIN:

You look tired, Jerry.

LANGFORD:

It shows, does it? It's all these problems

with the show. That and the custody suit.

PUPKIN:

I was sorry to read about that, Jerry.

Charlene never should have gotten the

kids. If there's anything I can do.

LANGFORD:

I appreciate it, Rube. Just talking about

it a little with you helps.

Eddie arrives. He is a small, slightly-bald man with

greying hair and a goatee. He wears a foulard under an

open-necked shirt. He carries a long sketch pad. He

immediately sets up a small easel and starts sketching.

PUPKIN:

Hasn't Eddie already done you?

LANGFORD:

Never mind. You were saying ...

PUPKIN:

Well, I've been giving a lot of thought

to your situation, Jerry, ever since I

saw you starting to lose ground in the

ratings. And I think I know what the

problem is. Too many of the same faces.

LANGFORD:

Yeah?

PUPKIN:

Sure, people are getting tired of these

people who live off game shows and talk

shows and can't really do anything. They've

seen 'em and heard 'em till they can't

stand it anymore.

LANGFORD:

You know, maybe you're right, Rube.

PUPKIN:

I'm sure I am. When a show runs out of

surprises, it loses its audience.

A YOUNG GIRL stands before PUPKIN and LANGFORD. She hands

PUPKIN her autograph book.

PUPKIN:

What's your name, dear?

GIRL:

Dolores.

PUPKIN:

(writing)

To Dolores, who sensed greatness.

Rupert Pupkin.

GIRL:

(reading it)

Thanks, Mr. Pupkin.

The GIRL leaves.

PUPKIN:

You see what I mean? What you need on the

show is some unknown quantity, some brilliant

talent making his television debut. Imagine

the suspense. Who is this young guy? How

will he do with the eyes of all America on

him? Something like that has got to help.

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