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Part 15
JOE Take it out of my salary, fifty bucks a week.
Don't think I won't!
Hey, what gives? Have we had a better offer?
Irving... I, I don't know just how to tell you this, but--.
Wait till I sit down
Well, in regard to the story that goes with these: there is no story.
(pausing) W-why not?
(walking away to pour another drink) I mean not as far as I'm concerned.
(he looks at Joe and, understanding, pauses for a moment) Er, well, the er, pictures came out pretty well. You wanna have a look at 'em?
Huh?
How about a blow-up from a negative that size, huh?
(laughing) Yeah.
Ha, that's her first cigarette, huh?
Oh yeah, at Rocca's.
Hey, the Mouth of Truth.
Oh, you wanna know the caption I had in mind, there? 'Barber cuts in'--huh?
(taking another from the bed) Well, here's the one I figured would be the key shot for the whole layout:
'The Wall Where Wishes Come True', hmm?
Joe, that's good. Lead off with that then follow up on the wishes?
Yeah.
(he picks up another one) I dug that up out of a file: 'Princess Inspects Police'.
Yeah, but--.
(handing him the next one, of Ann in custody after the scooter ride) 'Police Inspects Princess'. Huh?
How about that?
Yeah.
Pretty good, pretty good.
(Wow!)
Is that a shot?
(What a picture!)
Is that a shot, Joe? 'Body Guard Gets Body Blow'!
Yeah. No, no, how 'bout this: 'Crowned Head'--huh?
Oh, I get it-- That-- Joe, you got-- (Joe face loses its humour and Irving's enthusiasm fades.) She's fair game, Joe. It's always open season on princesses.
You must be out of your mind!
Yeah, I know but, er, look I can't prevent you from selling the pictures if you want to. You'll get a good price for 'em.
Yeah!
You going to the interview?
You goin'?
Yeah. Well, it's an assignment, isn't it?
Yeah.
I'll see you. (Joe stands and watches him leave.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (The huge Embassy hall. The floor teams with journalists and photographers, milling around. Joe and Irving enter, standing at the entrance.)
(looking up at the incredible ornation in the building) It ain't much, but it's home. (They walk into the crowd. A man approaches at the front of the room, on top of the landing and walks to right of the ornate chair sat in the centre. Several steps lead up to the landing from the floor and are carpeted down the centre. Standing motionless at the top of the steps the man claps twice, loudly.)
Ladies and Gentlemen: please approach. (The crowd moves forward, pressing to the front behind the rope that marks the boundary. Joe and Irving move to the front, towards the right side of the gathering. The Master of Ceremonies approaches from the back also, walking to the other side of the first man, standing still. The Master of Ceremonies announces, in Italian, "Her Royal Highness", then again in English. He then stands sideways and waits.) (In a moment, the Princess emerges accompanied by the Ambassador, the Countess, the General, and many others behind. Joe smiles slightly as she approaches. Princess Ann stands in front of the chair.)
Your Royal Highness: the ladies and gentlemen of the Press
(Princess Ann turns to the gathering, raising and lowering her head in acknowledgement to them. As she looks over them her eyes fall on Joe and she starts just slightly, her expression hardening a little. She looks down as the Ambassador motions to the chair with his hand. She sits back gracefully, looking back up at Joe. They exchange looks. Ann turns her head, nodding to the Master of Ceremonies.)
(he bows, then turns to the group) Ladies and Gentlemen: Her Royal Highness will now answer your questions.
(standing in the crowd of journalists; speaking slowly, formally) I believe at the outset, Your Highness, that I should express the pleasure of all of us at your recovery from the recent illness.
Thank you.
(speaking from the crowd) Does Your Highness believe that Federation would be a possible solution to Europe's economic problems?
I am in favour of any measure which would lead to closer cooperation in Europe.
And what, in the opinion of Your Highness, is the outlook for Friendship Among Nations?
I have every faith in it-- (pausing; turning to look at Joe) as I have faith in relations between people
May I say (speaking from my own press service) we believe that Your Highness's faith will not be unjustified.
(looking at Joe; smiling very slightly to him) I am so glad to hear you say it.
Which of the cities visited did Your Highness enjoy the most? (Ann pauses as she looks at Joe.)
(quietly, prompting her) Each in its own way...
Each in its own way was...unforgettable. It would be difficult to-- (she stops, then her face softens.) Rome; by all means, Rome.
I will cherish my visit here, in memory, as long as I live.
Despite your indisposition, Your Highness?
(turning to the correspondent) Despite that.
Photographs may now be taken. (The photographers swarm out from both sides from under the rope, jostling before the steps as they photograph her. Princess Ann stands up for them, stepping forward.) (As the photographers finish, Irving steps up, smiling to Ann as he holds his small cigaretter lighter camera. He bends forward, looking into it, as Ann smiles at him from above. Her expression turns to astonishment when she realises what is it that he is using as a camera. Irving smiles at her and Ann looks over at Joe who also smiles back. The last of the photographers retreats behind the rope. Irving rejoins Joe behind the rope.)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much.
(to the Ambassador, who is slightly taken aback) I would now like to meet some of the ladies and gentlemen of the Press. (Ann walks down the steps, stopping as the Countess and the General walk down to accompany her. When they stop, she continues, walking down the steps and to the left of the gathering, smiling as she walks to up to the journalists.)
*, Chicago Daily News.
(as she shakes his hand) I'm so happy to see you, Mr. *.
Thank you. (Princess Ann walks walks along to meet the next one.)
European Correspondent
* de La Switch*
Deutsche Press *.
(shaking his hand) *.
*, Le Figaro*
(curtsies) *, * Amsterdam.
(shaking her hand) *
Correspondent. Jacques *, *.
(shaking his hand) Enchanter. (Irving looks a Joe, shifting nervously as she comes closer.)
*, *
*, *.
(smiling as he kisses her hand) Incontada.
*, New York Herald Tribune.
Good afternoon
Good afternoon.
Irving Radovich, C.R. Photo Service.
How do you do?
(reaching into his pocket, then giving her the envelope) Er, may I present Your Highness with some commemorative photos of your visit to Rome?
(she takes the envelope, opening it, and removing one of the photos slightly to see. It is the one of her hitting the man with the guitar. She suppresses her amusement) Thank you so very much
(as she walks across to him) Joe Bradley, American News Service.
(she shakes his hand and he smiles back, Ann with more suppressed emotion) So happy, Mr. Bradley.
*, *
Steven Hausen, The London Exchange Telegraph.
(shaking his hand) Good afternoon.
*, * Press
(Reaching the last of the front-row journalists, Ann turns and walks slowly up the steps. The press gathering applauds her warmly as she reaches the top, her back to them. Slowly, she turns to face them, smiling broadly to the the gathering as she looks over them. Inevitably, her eyes fall to Joe. He smiles back, then her expression grows sorrowful. She manages another slight smile then turns away from them, and walks slowly and gracefully towards the exit. The officials step aside for her to pass and then file after her through the door.) (As she leaves, Joe watches her solemnly, the press turning to leave also. Before turning to go himself, Irving looks to Joe, but seeing his gaze unmoved walks away with the rest of them.) (The press, bustling and chattering behind him leave Joe alone, standing at the rope, looking at the empty spot where the Princess was last.) (Finally, Joe turns slowly to leave as the crowd disappears out of the entrance to the building. Alone but for the guards lining the room he walks slowly to the exit; hands in pockets, leaving the stage behind him; the huge room silent except for his slow footsteps.) (Stopping near the entrance, he pauses for a moment to look down the long hall back at the empty stage. Then, he turns and walks away.)
with and Art Directors HAL Edited by
Roman Holiday, Transcribed by Graham (hepburn@unforgettable.com) |
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