gc #A-32354
NIGHT GALLERY
"THEY'RE TEARING DOWN TIM RILEY'S BAR"
FADE IN
1 INT. OFFICE SUITE - DAY 1
A series of cubicles: semi-glassed walls, a Secretary at her
desk in front of each. At the far end is a Switchboard Opera-
tor, plugging and unplugging, announcing metallically,
"Pritkin's Plastic Products" over and over again as each call
comes in. Camera pans down the line of secretarial desks
until we're at a vantage point near the President's office.
Mr. Pritkin emerges - white-haired, paternal-looking, but
obviously an all-business dynamo. Pausing by his own secre-
tary's desk, he looks across at the secretary in front of an
office which reads, on its door, "Randolph Lane - Director of
Sales." The door to this office is open. Above it we see
a clock. The time is 3:00. Miss Alcott, Lane's secretary,
looks tense and nervous - conscious of the time, conscious
of the President standing there, and especially conscious of
the fact that he's aware of both the time and her boss'
absence.
2 FAVORING THE ADJACENT OFFICE 2
On its door the legend: "Harvey Doane - Assistant Sales
Director." Doane comes out - a windstorm in mod: Edwardian
jacket, wide tie, carefully nurtured sideburns - a walking
picture of the eager young man on his way up. He looks first
at the clock, then at the open door to Lane's empty office,
finally at Miss Alcott. Obviously aware of Pritkin's proxi-
mity, he asks in a stage whisper:
DOANE
Randy not back yet?
3 CLOSE SHOT - PRITKIN 3
Listening with interest.
4 TWO SHOT - DOANE AND MISS ALCOTT 4
MISS ALCOTT
(a forced smile)
He had...several meetings outside.
DOANE
(transparent humor)
With several outside martinis?
CONTINUED
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jl #A-32354 2
4 CONTINUED 4
He gives Miss Alcott an extravagant wink. At this point,
Pritkin walks into shot, joining them.
PRITKIN
When's he due back, Miss Alcott?
I have to talk to him about the
Carstair order.
DOANE
(quickly)
I'm right on top of that myself,
Mr. Pritkin. I can give you any
information you need, sir.
PRITKIN
I thought Lane was handling that.
Miss Alcott opens her mouth to speak, but Doane is swifter.
DOANE
I've pretty much taken it over,
Mr. Pritkin. Got a full report
on my desk. Just give me a minute,
sir, and I'll get it.
He turns, exiting hurriedly into his office. Pritkin stands
looking down at Miss Alcott, who averts her eyes, busies her-
self, arranging her desk. In a softer tone, Pritkin asks:
PRITKIN
Where is he, Miss Alcott?
MISS ALCOTT
He...aah...he mentioned some meet-
ings outside, Mr. Pritkin ---
PRITKIN
I've no doubt. Most of his business
of late seems to be outside.
(beat; turns away)
Tell him I want to see him when he
gets back.
5 MISS ALCOTT'S POINT OF VIEW 5
As Pritkin heads for his office. Doane comes out of his
office, a sheaf of papers in his hand.
DOANE
I've got the Carstair material
right here, sir.
CONTINUED
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jl #A-32354 3
5 CONTINUED 5
PRITKIN
Bring it into my office.
6 CLOSEUP - MISS ALCOTT 6
MISS ALCOTT
Mr. Pritkin ---
7 TWO SHOT - PRITKIN AND DOANE 7
Pritkin turns at the door to his office. Doane fidgets,
impatient to get on with it.
8 MISS ALCOTT 8
MISS ALCOTT
(soft, nervous
voice)
Today is Mr. Lane's twenty-fifth
anniversary.
9 FULL SHOT - THE SCENE 9
PRITKIN
His anniversary? The man's been
a widower for five years ---
MISS ALCOTT
Twenty-five years with the Company.
PRITKIN
I wasn't aware of that.
MISS ALCOTT
Well, I only broach it, sir, be-
cause -- well, because maybe some-
one in the firm took him to lunch
or something. Just a little cele-
bration....
Pritkin nods, but the nod conveys nothing. He goes into
his office, Doane trailing eagerly after him. Miss Alcott
troubledly watches the door close, sits gnawing her lip,
then rises abruptly, exiting into Lane's private office.
10 INT. LANE'S OFFICE - DAY 10
Closing the door, Miss Alcott goes to the desk, picks up a
phone, dials a number, waits anxiously, then, into phone:
CONTINUED
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