Scandal Sheet (1985) - full transcript
The publisher of a celebrity gossip tabloid sets out to destroy an aging actor, whose career is foundering and who is also facing a battle with alcoholism.
[music playing]
Your wife's in
the office, Ben.
He'll be out in
a couple minutes.
[clacking]
Let me just finish
paying the ransom
and we'll blow this pop stand.
[shutter snapping]
[shutter snapping]
SIMON: Hey, Ben?
Smile.
[shutter snapping]
Oh, come on.
Don't you guys got
anything better to do?
How about a drink?
What'd you say?
How about a drink, movie star?
Ben--
What'd you say?
SIMON: I invited you to
go for a drink with me.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
We got a fighter!
Hey, hey!
No, no, no.
Ben!
[shutter snapping]
[interposing voices]
Ben!
Ben!
[laughing]
You people are unbelievable!
You're scum, you know that?
You're scum!
Just get in the car, please.
Please.
Key.
OK, start-- start the car.
Stay.
Let's go, Ben.
Please.
Mr. Rowan, let's see
those pearly whites.
[engine revving]
Ben, no!
No, Ben.
The brake!
Ben.
[screeching]
[shutter snapping]
You get it?
- I got everything.
- Uh-huh.
Do you get him hitting me?
Everything.
Now, listen.
I'm not going to use
this in the story,
but I need it for my files.
Give me your name.
Milton Watley.
OK, Milton.
Do you know Ben
Rowan, the movie star?
Yes.
How well do you know him?
About from the time
he came into Brighthouse
here, I took care of him.
Would you say you
were a friend of his?
Yeah.
He's a nice man, I like him.
Listen carefully
and answer what I ask.
Are you a friend of Ben Rowan?
- Yes.
OK.
I hear that he's a drunk.
He wouldn't be here
Brighthouse otherwise.
That's who here, alcoholics.
So then you agree,
he is a drunk.
Absolutely.
Now so there's no question
who we're talking about.
Ben Rowan the movie star, right?
You're his friend and
you say he's a drunk.
That's what I'm telling
you as his friend.
Ben Rowan, the movie
star, is a drunk.
We got that sucker cold.
[music playing]
I thought you called
yourself a psychic.
Now you listen to
me, Hotstetter,
I got my rump on the line.
I need 20 story ideas
by half past five,
I've only got 14 so far.
What do you mean you
don't have any emanations?
Get one!
Fly you to Monaco?
Are you crazy?
What do I care where she died?
Listen, Hotstetter,
she was an American
before she was a princess.
Well I don't need
her Monacan aura.
You mean the sand doesn't
remember her in Malibu?
[buzzing]
I'll call you back.
Get on this.
[ringing]
I want you to
take a look at this.
This is the front page that
increased our circulation
over 500,000 just this week.
But take another look
at it because this
is what our paper is all about.
When you live a life where you
have to account for every penny
that you spend, where your
husband comes home at night he
falls asleep looking at
television because he's
tired and because--
well, because he hasn't
anything to talk about,
then your life is gray.
Your life is made of straw.
You want color, you
want excitement,
you want to go to far off
places where only the rich go
and where the famous
of the world live.
You hunger and you
thirst for the true lives
of the glamorous.
Not your uncle Phil
or aunt Beatrice
because you know
everything there
is to know about their
lives, and what they do
doesn't thrill
you or excite you.
It doesn't make
your life richer.
So you go into a supermarket,
and after you buy your orange
and you steak, which you need
because your belly is empty,
you stand before the rack where
the tabloids are because it's
your whole life that is empty.
Now you can have a choice of
any one of the publications
on that rack, but you want value
for your money and this page
has got that value.
This is the page
that wins the war.
This page pleases me.
Good work, Simon.
That's all for now.
Thank you.
You know, Rowan and North are
making a new picture together.
Really?
Yes.
A $25 million budget.
You have anybody inside?
Not yet.
Let me know when you do.
[whooshing]
INTERCOM: This will be your
final call for international--
[interposing voices]
How are you?
[inaudible]
Ta-dah!
[singing]
Come on, now.
Over here, honey!
You're short, sweetheart.
Don't ever forget
that, sweetheart.
[shutter snapping]
Milady, the limousine waits.
Let's go eat, all right?
- I can't.
- What do you mean you can't?
Oh, come on.
You still on a diet?
Diet?
I don't want to hear about
no stinking diet, Helen.
I am not on a diet.
I have exactly eight
minutes to get to gate 112
and catch my flight to New York.
Helen, we were supposed
to have two hours together.
I know, but everything
changed in Hong Kong.
It's my deadline.
I have to make this connection.
[shutter snapping]
- It's not fair.
I know.
If she's not going
to eat with us,
let's just get her to the gate
on time and get rid of her.
Don't ever touch a star, Helen.
Here, these are for you.
[interposing voices]
HELEN: Bangkok was sunny,
but I almost got shot.
You're joking.
No.
I tried to sneak a
couple of pictures.
The subject matter took offense.
Well, what'd you do?
- I got the hell out of there.
- Yeah.
[shutter snapping]
It's going to
be a nice article.
And it's going to
be a very nice book.
Hey!
All right!
- I got a commitment.
- Oh, great.
Yeah.
And I can play you when
they make the picture.
Well, I thought Meryl Streep.
Uh, who's going to play the
guy who tried to shoot you?
You know, I've always wanted
to work with Meryl Streep.
- I love Meryl Streep.
- Isn't she wonderful?
Thank you.
What are you two doing?
[shutter snapping]
We're making a
modest little picture.
Yeah.
We've fooled them again.
Will they never learn?
With a budget of $25 million.
$25-- a modest little movie?
What's it about?
Sex.
[shutter snapping]
With your own husband?
Yeah.
It takes some of the fun out of
it, but, uh, the pay is good.
Thank you, darling.
Too kind.
Next, please.
Helen Grant.
Mhm.
[shutter snapping]
Maybe she can't find it
and you'll have to stay.
Oh, great.
Why don't you stay?
I know, I know.
You can't stay.
Well, look.
Thank you.
[gasping]
Oh.
Have a nice flight.
We're-- we're-- we're
boarding right now.
[laughing]
They're very close
personal friends of mine.
Did you see who that was?
[dripping]
[ringing]
Simon.
This is it.
I think you're
going to like them.
Nico?
Good stuff.
[interposing voices]
[ringing]
This is the really
interesting story.
The best for last.
I mean, it's got elements
like she's up for murder now.
But in the beginning, she
had a very even disposition.
I mean, she was really sweet.
She weighed 609 pounds
exactly to start with.
[inaudible] taken out.
Up there on the platform,
you know, in the carnival.
She was very sweet, but
she couldn't get a date.
So she sent for this diet.
She lost over 300
pounds in 18 months.
I mean, her whole
metabolism changed.
She lost pound after pound
and she can could anything.
You know, the carnival
fired her so she
enrolled in a secretarial school
to learn typing and shorthand.
By this time, she
weighs only 180 pounds
and she gets a crush on the guy
sitting next to her in class.
Naturally, you guessed,
it he can't see her for--
Chicken fat.
--dust.
One day, she takes her
courage in her hands,
she passes him a note.
If he would like to go
to the movies with her,
she'll pay for both of them.
He sends her back a note.
Sorry, I don't date fatties.
At this moment, all she
weighs is 181 pounds.
Skin and bones.
Something broke inside of her.
She went out, she got
a gun, she came back,
she shot him right in
the shorthand class.
I mean, she killed him.
It all came out at the trial.
And how do you
intend to handle it?
I saw--
How about diet turns
ex-fattie into killer?
I don't need your help.
I see it as a biography with
a week's sample diet in a box.
I like his idea better.
Work on it.
Don't you get to call byline?
You get rat poison.
Very competitive woman.
OK.
Platte Took these at the
airport this afternoon.
The one on the right
is Helen Grant.
I had research run a
quick background on her.
She was North's
roommate in college.
Obviously still very close.
Yes, all three of them.
It's even better
than just two women.
And she writes.
It's made to order.
[clattering]
Welcome home, [inaudible].
Oh, thank you.
Call me Helen, please.
Is everything calm?
Oh.
Troy's in bed, all is well.
I made a cab wait for you.
Oh, thank you.
Don't really relish looking
for a taxi in this neighborhood
so late at night.
Here.
Oh no, no, no.
You mustn't pay me.
Nannies will bill you, you know.
This is just for
you, from me to you.
And this is for the taxi.
Thank you.
Messages are by the
phone, mail's on the table
right there, and I
think that's about it.
Good night.
Good night.
I'd just like to tell you,
Troy was a wonderful baby,
and he's becoming
a fine young man.
You have a lot to be proud of.
I am proud.
Thank you.
Good night.
Well be careful now.
Oh, don't worry.
I will.
[clicking]
I'm home.
I was waiting for you.
I know.
[ringing]
Hello?
Hello?
Mrs. Helen Grant?
Speaking.
HAROLD (ON PHONE): My
name is Harold Fallen.
I am the publisher
of "Inside World."
Yes?
Are you familiar
with "Inside World?"
I know what it is.
We'd like you to come to
work for us, Mrs. Grant.
Oh, I'm afraid
I'm not interested.
HAROLD (ON PHONE): We can
offer you $65,000 a year,
plus expenses to start.
And a generous allowance
to cover the cost
of moving to the west coast.
No thank you.
Thanks a lot, but no thank you.
May I ask why not?
I told you, I know
what you paper is.
Good night.
[ringing]
Hello?
Mrs. Grant, I'm prepared
to go to $70,000 a year
on your starting salary, and
I'll go $5,000 on top of that
at the end of the first year.
The answer is still no.
Please don't call
again, I'm going to bed.
Good night.
[clack]
I guess we'll
just have to make
her an offer she can't refuse.
Oh, hi!
WOMAN: Hey, Helen!
You're back.
Yeah, like a bad penny.
[ringing]
MAN: Hey, Grant, how
was southeast Asia?
You'll just have
to read my article.
[ringing]
STANLEY: Helen.
Hi, Stanley.
Welcome.
Oh, thanks.
How's the flight?
Oh, long.
How's, uh-- how's the article?
I don't know, you tell me.
You want some coffee?
Nah.
I've got some good news,
and I've got some bad news.
The good news is,
we'll run the article.
The bad news is, next year.
What was all the
bull about a deadline?
Things change.
I've got a
commitment on a book.
Well, not until the
article's in print.
I've got a $5,000
advance riding on it.
Well I'm not going to turn
the copyright back to you
before I print the article.
I need money now.
We bought the article
and you were paid for it.
That's spent.
It's always spent before
you get it and you know it.
Listen, hun, I
got my own problems.
We left a new deal
with Norman Mailer
for 100,000 words, five
parts, 20,000 words an issue.
Now I need the room.
I can't hold Mailer
back, I can't get you in.
Who do I send my landlord to?
You or Norman?
If you have an idea
for another article,
I'll let you have
$500 in advance.
Really nice
seeing you, Stanley.
Thanks.
Thanks a lot.
[ringing]
[honking]
Hey.
How's the other guy?
They're both fine.
Oh.
That's a beaut.
MAN: Get moving.
We got a clean up on aisle four!
How was your day?
Not too great.
They're not going to run
the article until next year.
Are you going to tell
me what happened?
A couple of guys
wanted my lunch.
Did they get it?
Yeah.
Why didn't you just give it
to them in the first place?
Better if you make
them hassle for it.
If they have to hassle you ever
time, they'll leave you alone.
They don't like it if
they have to work for it.
They might as well get a job.
Whatever happened to the
good old American work ethic?
You know what we're having
for dinner tonight, don't you?
Tacos?
Tacos.
Is the stove fixed?
WOMAN: Do you want
me to ring that up?
Oh, no.
Sorry.
That'll be $9.72.
Ouch.
[clattering]
I was going to get a new
stove out of that book.
Stove and a refrigerator.
[ringing]
Hello?
Mrs. Grant?
This is Harold Fallen again.
Mr. Fallen, you keep
wasting my time like this,
I'm going to send you a bill.
I'm always willing to pay
for the cost of business,
and it's clear we can't
do this on the telephone.
On the phone or off.
When do you want to
fly out here and talk
to me for a couple of hours?
What?
HAROLD (ON PHONE): You tell
me how much it will cost me
and when you would
come, and I'll
have a messenger
at your door in 15
minutes with the money
and a first class
round trip plane ticket.
What do you want me for?
Ah, that's what I want
to talk to you about.
Just tell me what
your time is worth.
$2,500.
Done.
I want to be there by
tomorrow morning and back here
by tomorrow night.
HAROLD (ON PHONE): That's fine.
No strings.
I warn you right now,
I'm going to say no.
You don't even know
what I have to offer you.
HELEN (ON PHONE):
Whatever it is.
HAROLD (ON PHONE):
I'll see you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow.
[interposing voices]
Mrs. Grant.
Hello, Mr. Fallen.
I'm so glad you
were able to come.
Please.
Here, let me have your coat.
Oh, thank you.
[ringing]
Can I get you anything?
No.
Well, it's very
difficult to imagine
what people are like until
you meet them, isn't it?
Where do you
find privacy here?
Oh, I don't mind being seen.
Oh, I need my hiding places.
Tell me, why don't
you like my paper?
Mrs. Grant, this is
the time for frankness.
I don't like your
paper, Mr. Fallen, Fall
because it's garbage.
Well, garbage is a harsh word.
Can we compromise?
How about vulgar?
Well, it's also vulgar.
What do you want to hire me for?
I run a tabloid and I
compete with other tabloids.
Now you may not
believe this, but I can
do that without good writers.
Well how do you know
what kind of writer I am?
Well I'm semi-illiterate.
I read other publications
besides my own.
I picked up a copy
of Lifestyle, and I
read your bag lady article.
I liked it.
You write well.
Thank you, Mr. Fallen.
That's very flattering.
Now, can we get to the point?
What this is about
is exciting work,
a comfortable lifestyle
in a pleasant climate,
and $80,000 a year.
That's a lot of money.
I like to think I
pay my people well.
And when you're on
assignment, we pay all expenses.
And that includes a
company credit card
so you never have to lay
out any of your own cash.
Mr. Fallen, you've
got the wrong person.
Why?
Are you unkind to little
children and small animals?
Have you ever been
to Santa Barbara?
We sell four and a
half million copies
of Inside World every week.
HELEN: That doesn't
change what it is.
Well, the world doesn't belong
just to college graduates.
I put out a newspaper for
people who never went to Yale
or Harvard or Caltech,
who never had the chance
to go to any college.
And they happen to be the
majority in this country.
Now the fact that they buy
their newspaper, my newspaper,
in the supermarket doesn't make
them any the less important.
Mm, the new elite.
Mrs. Grant, you're a star.
How would like to put up
money that your bag lady never
bought a copy of "Lifestyle" and
read what you wrote about it?
But if you wrote the
same article for me
and I published it in "Inside
World," she would have read it.
You can give odds on that.
But maybe that's not
important to you.
What's this?
Trust me.
Humor me.
Wow.
You could live here.
You mean this
goes with the job?
No, but you can
rent it if you like.
It's available.
Do you own it?
I picked up the key from
the real estate agent.
You're trying to seduce me.
I want to make it possible
for you to work for me.
What's bothering you?
I'm annoyed with myself.
I find your offer
very attractive.
Then What are you afraid of?
The money's great, I'm just
not the kind of lady who can
laugh all the way to the bank.
I'd like to be able
to look at myself
in the mirror in the morning.
Well, you can have both.
Oh, come on.
If I work for you, when's the
next time I write a true word?
Are you going to tell me
I'm jumping at shadows?
You're the one who does the
writing, I just sit at my desk
and wait for you
to bring it to me.
Why do I find it so
hard to believe you?
My name is Harold
Fallen, I'm the publisher
of "Inside World."
This is June the 9th, 1984.
If Mrs. Grant should agree
to sign a contract with us,
it will be part
of that agreement
that in carrying out her
assignments for "Inside World,"
she will write only the
truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth.
She will not be required
to withhold or distort
information of any kind.
And if she does so, would
mean the dissolution
of this contract.
But if she carries out the terms
of this agreement and writes
nothing but the truth, this
contract cannot be revoked
or canceled before it's term.
[click]
$80,000 a year?
That's right.
Moving expenses?
HAROLD: Of course.
What are the
schools like here?
I'm told that we have some
of the best in the country.
Would you like to send your
son to a private school?
I'll help you find a good one.
I'd need a housekeeper.
We'll get you a housekeeper.
But her salary comes out of
your pocket, you understand.
Do you know how to drive a car?
Yes.
We'll rent you a company car.
Why not?
I want Ben in the picture
as much as you do, but facts.
I'm trying to deal with facts.
How about this fact?
I won't do it without him.
I'm not going to
put him in the picture
without insurance on him.
You can get insurance on him.
If I want to pay
$800,000 for it.
What happens to us if he
goes on a binge for a week?
He is not drinking.
He is off the sauce.
We are talking
about production costs
of $200,000 a day, Meg,
whether we shoot that day
or we just sit around waiting
for somebody to sober up.
He's sober, and
he's staying sober.
OK.
OK.
You want me to accept that?
I accept it.
Let's talk about Ben's health.
You want to talk about
the health of his liver?
You want to talk about
the health of his heart?
I'm sorry to be this blunt.
What do I do if he drops dead
three weeks into shooting?
Three weeks is $4 million.
Do I just eat it?
You want to take a look
at his medical report?
I won't do it without him.
We can make the
picture without Ben, Meg.
I can get the money, but we
can't make it without you.
It's not bankable without you.
Then don't do it.
Meg.
Who in his right
mind is going to pay
a premium of $800,000 for Ben?
I will.
I'll pay.
You can take it
out of my salary.
That solve your problems?
It does if you
put it in writing.
What do you think I'm up
here doing with you, Paul?
Playing games?
You think I'm
playing games with you?
I'll do any damn
thing you want.
OK.
[buzz]
Paul?
This is between you and me.
Ben's not to know, and
neither is the street.
He's not going to find
out anything for me.
Andrea, head this
confidential, three copies.
Today's date, to
whom it may concern.
I hereby agree to assign all
or any part of the salary
due me for my services on the
motion picture now titled "Adam
loves Annie" as
required in payment
of the premium for
completion insurance
in connection with the services
of Mr. Ben Rowan on that film.
The signature is
from Mrs. North.
Put my signature
on it as a witness
and your own signature
as the second witness.
All copies back to me.
Do you want to have your
lawyer take a look at it first?
Is it satisfactory to you?
It does everything
I want it to do.
Then it's fine with me.
Ben?
Ben?
Ben?
That next step is the one
you have to look out for.
Yeah, I've noticed.
What are you doing?
Just trying to see
where the world goes to.
[sighing]
Hey, is this for me?
Probably.
Yeah?
Did you have a good day?
Medium rare.
Looks like you had
an interesting day.
You're looking at the
Ben Rowan memorial highway.
In memory of what?
Whiskey I have known.
That's a lot of bottles.
Enough to last a year.
Maybe more.
Where'd they all come from?
You just call up
the liquor store,
and you say send
over some booze,
and they say how
much do you want.
And you say, what'd I
get from you last year?
That's how much I want.
A long year last year.
Just your regular 365 days.
It's not even a leap year.
Does it scare you?
It scares the hell out of me.
Want to see your present?
[rustling]
Don't do that.
A box!
Now I get to
take this one out.
Our picture.
Yeah.
Us.
Do you?
Want to see how much?
Mhm.
[ringing]
Hello?
Mrs. Grant, good morning.
I have an assignment for you.
HELEN (ON PHONE): Now?
Right now, I'm afraid.
A helicopter is picking up
two boys, Siamese twins--
Mr. Fallen, I'm in
the middle of moving in.
Everything is in the
middle of everything else.
No, guys, not there.
I beg your pardon?
Mr. Fallen, the house is
a mess, my son is in school.
You're asking me to have
him come home to a new house
with me not there.
Well, that's what you
have a housekeeper for.
Hey, yo, guys!
No!
No, no, no!
Back, no.
I want this around.
Mrs. Skye?
Mrs. Skye, could you
please put things in order?
Surely.
Thank you.
Why don't we move that
parallel to the terrace doors,
facing in?
[whirring]
[interposing voices]
I'm [inaudible], let's go!
Follow me!
[interposing voices]
Out of the way, please.
Excuse me.
Please get out of the way.
Thank you.
[inaudible],, you
got to save them.
What do you think
I'm trying to do, Jed?
You've got to save
the both of them.
Jed, we're not going
to save the both of them.
I told you, all the
chance we got if we
could just save one of them.
Let the doctor alone.
Let him do what he has to.
[sighing]
Lord have mercy.
Come on, let's get
them to the hospital.
You save the both of them.
You hear me?
[interposing voices]
For your, uh, ambulance
pick up records in the story.
Each boy's got his own
heart, and each breathes
with his own lungs, but
they share one liver,
one spleen, and
one set of kidneys,
all located in Arthur's body.
And Arthur is just about dead.
[whirring]
[screeching]
Come on!
We're in a hurry!
OK.
Just chuck it in the back.
Did they separate them?
Both dead.
They got them apart and then
the second one died, too.
NICO: On the operating table.
HELEN: Aw.
That's too bad.
SIMON: Yeah, it was
building up to a nice story.
HELEN: Where are we going?
SIMON: To get the
picture in the box.
HELEN: What's a
picture in a box?
NICO: In the coffin.
SIMON: Last look
at the departed.
Shoot him in the box, put the
picture on the front page.
NICO: Just like "The
Enquirer" did when Elvis died.
SIMON: It's a tradition now.
OK, we'll back here at
the car when you finish
interviewing the parents.
When?
When what?
You mean you want me to
interview the parents now?
Yeah.
What do you think I
brought you out here for?
No way.
I thought that's what
you're good at, interviews.
For God's sake, give them
a minute to their own grief.
Oh, no.
You get them when their
defenses are down.
That's when you get blood.
I don't work like that.
Listen, when you're
with me you take my orders
and you carry them out.
Or what?
I get court martialed and shot?
You get paid for work.
You don't do your
work, you're a thief.
[shutter snapping]
I want to do it
all the way around.
Just go.
Just leave this to me, will you?
NICO: We're not getting
the two of them together.
SIMON: So try evening it out.
Look at that close-up.
Let's get that close-up.
Are you out of frame?
NICO: No.
No, you're out frame but
there's more [inaudible]..
[shutter snapping]
Mister and Missus Bell, I'd
like to ask you a few questions
about your children.
We're not just in the mood
to talk to reporters right now.
You have to understand
that, can't you?
We just took a terrible loss.
Don't you want people
to know how you feel?
Those that have
children of their own
will know how we feel.
Right.
And those are the people
that need you the most.
I mean, how do
they feel worrying
about their own children?
You've been through this.
What about them?
Maybe he's right, honey.
I just feel so low right now.
Talk to this young woman.
She'll tell your
story to the world.
I'll wait for you outside.
I don't want to intrude
on these people's grief.
Mrs. Bell, I have a son
and I am so very, very sorry.
Now, why don't you just
tell me about the boys?
Just tell me anything.
[beeping]
Do you like it, Mr. Fallen?
I'm disappointed, Simon.
It's a good picture.
You've given me a picture
of two boys in two coffins.
Now what does this have
to do with Siamese twins?
Well that's the
way they are now.
Are you telling me
we don't have a story?
No, Mr. Fallen, but we
have to deal with reality.
They were separated by surgery.
Then unseparate them.
We took the wrong picture.
[banging]
That ought to wake them up.
That's the idea, isn't it?
Evening, Mr. Bell.
What's the matter?
We're all sleeping.
It's the middle of the night.
What do you want?
I want to help you, and I want
to help those boys of yours.
My boys are dead.
What are you talking about?
Well, I don't want to see
them put into the ground
in those pine boxes.
They deserve better.
How would you like to see
them in a bronze coffin?
They'll lay just
as quiet in pine.
I am going to get you the
best coffin you ever saw,
and I'd like to give you and
your wife some money besides.
What do you want
to give me money for?
I want you to sign a paper.
What kind of paper?
Well, it's a release.
MR. BELL: To do what?
To photograph your boys.
Well you took
photographs before
and I didn't sign no paper.
I know, but this
is an exclusive.
Here, read it.
Well, I don't,
uh, have my glasses.
Uh, why don't you read it to me?
I hereby grant you the
publication, "Inside World,"
all rights to
publish, from this day
forward to the end of the
universe, the photographs to--
Mister, you got to
get god to sign that.
SIMON: Do you want $1,000?
Come around in the
daylight like honest people.
What's the world coming to?
You can't even give
money away anymore.
Are we going to go home now?
Not McKey.
He'll think of something else.
Oh, I'm sure he will.
[engine revving]
Is this the most
luxurious one you have?
What are you looking for,
a coffin or a condominium?
[chuckling]
Uh, this one.
[shutter snapping]
What was it?
$500?
That's right, $500.
$300, $500.
$500, that's pretty steep.
[shutter snapping]
[clinking]
HAROLD: Good
morning, Mrs. Grant.
Did I startle you?
Uh, no.
I didn't think anyone was here.
Well, your housekeeper was
kind enough to let me wait.
She had to take
your son to school.
I didn't see her car.
HAROLD: My chauffeur
dropped me off.
He'll be back shortly.
Uh, coffee?
Oh, yeah.
Black, please.
I had a chance to talk with
your son while I was waiting.
He was telling me how
well he's doing in school.
He always has.
He's my bright boy.
HELEN: That's beautiful.
Little housewarming gift.
I hope you'd like it.
Thank you.
That's good.
Oh, I'm so tired.
I can imagine.
That was a hard assignment.
I feel drained.
I just want to crawl
into bed and go to sleep.
You've earned it, but let
me lift your day a little.
I want to congratulate
you on your work.
I like your words,
it's a good article.
I was going to call you,
but then I thought, no, I'll
come and tell her in person.
Thank you.
And I have your
next assignment.
Not today, though.
No, religiously.
But I think you're going to
like this, change of pace.
You're going to
cover a movie for us.
The minute I open
my eyes, you got me.
And it has big stars.
Ben Rowan, Meg North.
Did you know that Meg
was my roommate in college?
Really?
Well that's a bonus.
Well I know Ben, too.
Better and better.
I think I better pass
on this assignment.
Did you say pass?
Well I feel a little certain
conflict of interest here.
I don't understand.
I wouldn't do
anything to hurt them.
Well how can you hurt them?
You're going to write the story.
I'm sure you can find
something else for me.
Yes I can, but
I'm not going to.
This is your assignment.
I don't want it.
Now what are you afraid of?
I know them well.
I'm very fond of them.
I don't think I
could be objective.
I appreciate your concern, but
you're a professional writer.
I have faith in
your objectivity.
And if I still say no?
Mrs. Grant, you're not a
freelance writer anymore,
you're a member of my staff.
You don't have any choice
in your assignment.
[honking]
I'm told this has Ben
Rowan's comeback movie.
Write a comeback story.
[inaudible] !
She's here!
[doorbell ringing]
Ring!
Knock, knock knock,
knock, knock!
Oh!
That's the most ridiculous
thing I ever heard.
Heard?
Maybe a flop.
No, maybe a gable.
What?
- What?
What?
What?
What?
What?
What?
What?
[laughing]
Well, take that
cigar [inaudible]
and I'm gonna kiss you.
[inaudible],, Ben Rowan
is the [inaudible]..
Make me a star, Ben.
[inaudible].
Hey, time out.
Stop enjoying it so much, Ben.
Darling, would you
put these in a vase?
Thank you.
Lords and mercy, my
husband and my best friend.
Oh, right.
He's so cute.
Enough of this love making.
Now we drink.
We don't drink anymore.
No.
I, uh, don't drink anymore.
We don't drink.
This house doesn't drink.
OK.
You got a diet something?
Sure do.
Diet something this way.
I'll pick this
up when I leave.
Don't worry about it,
it's not a big deal.
Oh, you sure could
have fooled me.
What's it all about, Alfie?
They picked me up on the
street a couple of months ago,
about 10 days drunk.
Well, don't stop now.
Well, I don't really
remember a lot about it.
I woke up in the hospital.
Meg on one side of the bed,
the doctor on the other.
Meg just looked at me.
The doctor said hey, Ben,
don't you want to live?
Actually, I didn't.
Ben.
I, uh, couldn't get over
not be a big star anymore.
But you're making a picture.
Well that's now.
We're talking about
four months ago.
You never saw my Meg like that.
She wasn't eating,
she wasn't sleeping.
Just cheekbones and eyes.
I knew it was about
me, but I didn't know
what the hell to do about it.
I wanted to do something nice.
Another car, another
fur coat, another what.
Finally, I just, uh,
asked her what she wanted.
She said she wanted me.
I wasn't worth $0.3, you know?
But that's-- that
what she wanted, me.
So I did what I could.
I promised her I'd try
not to die carelessly.
So, uh, this house
doesn't drink anymore.
Well OK.
[inaudible],, let
me take those, OK?
Thanks.
Oh.
Let me help you.
Why didn't you tell me?
Tell you what?
I filled her in
on the back story.
You never said a word.
I ran out of words.
I would have been here.
It's history.
Come on, let's
change the subject.
To friends.
Amen.
Amen.
So, uh, what are you
doing in Los Angeles?
What am I doing
in Los Angeles?
Ah, yes.
I am writing an article
on your picture.
BEN: You're what?
- Mhm.
That's fabulous.
How did you ever talk
"Lifestyle" into that?
Well actually, I'm not
doing it for "Lifestyle."
I don't work for
"Lifestyle" anymore.
And you talk about people
not telling you things?
What happened?
They give you a hard time
about the drug article?
I'm so glad we're
all sitting down
because I think this is going
to come as a very big surprise.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am
living in Santa Barbara.
- Helen!
- Hey!
I took a job with
"Inside World."
You what?
I took a job with "Insi--
Hello?
How the hell
could you do that?
They made me an offer
I couldn't refuse.
Don't be smart.
Hey.
Are you out of your mind?
Do you know that rag is?
Do you know what
they do to people?
Do you know what
they'll make you do?
It's not going to
make me do anything.
I'm a big girl.
You're a damn fool.
Another country heard from?
I want her out of this house.
Ben.
BEN: Get her out of here!
- Ben!
BEN: Get her out of here!
- Ben!
You stay right here.
What are you doing?
I don't want
her in this house.
What are you talking about?
That's not a
stranger, it's Helen!
BEN: I don't want her here!
All right, all right.
Calm down, let's talk.
I want her out of my house!
That's melodrama.
You think that's melodrama?
Then how's this?
If she doesn't get out, I will.
You think I'm kidding?
No, I believe you.
I think you have to leave.
Is that Ben or
is that you, too?
That's both of us.
What the hell's
the matter with you?
Why do you think they hired
you and put you on our picture
except to use your
friendship with us?
Forget it.
Why would I want to stay in
a house that would have me
for a guest in the first place?
Helen!
Helen!
Hel--
Is he going to get past this?
I don't think so.
You know Ben.
Once he thinks something,
he won't let go.
He's just-- what's going
to happen to you and me?
I have to choose now,
Ben or you, you or Ben.
It can't be both.
It has to be Ben.
Just quit there, that's all.
Get another job.
Oh, that's easy for you.
That is so casual.
There's your house,
there's your Rolls.
Upstairs, your jewels
and your fur coats.
Above it all, not me.
I don't have a Rolls Royce,
or jewels, or a fur coat.
I am not above anything.
I have a living to make, I
have a child to take care of.
I worry that there's food on the
table, and clothes on his back,
and a school for him to go
to where he will be safe.
I don't find it
as easy as you do
to think about
throwing away a job
that pays me $80,000 a year.
Right.
"Inside World's"
$80,000 isn't so dirty
if it's for a good cause.
Oh, don't you
holier than thou me.
When's the last time you made a
movie with all your clothes on?
Oh, boy.
Yeah.
Mr. Fallen, I have
something very good.
Hotstetter, the psychic, had
a dream about Grace Kelly.
He dreamed she was on the
beach at Malibu with somebody,
she was definitely
not by herself.
I put an ad in classified.
If you saw Grace Kelly in the
last 48 hours, call me collect.
[buzzing]
SIMON (ON PHONE): Mr. Fallen?
- Yes,
SIMON (ON PHONE): I
thought Grant was supposed
to report to me here today.
You mean she didn't come in?
SIMON (ON PHONE): No.
Thank you.
WOMAN (ON PHONE):
Yes, Mr. Fallen?
Put me through to Mrs.
Grant's house, please?
WOMAN (ON PHONE): Yes, sir.
This is the answer
we got on the ad.
MAN (ON RECORDING): You
say you saw Grace Kelly?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING): Yes.
MAN (ON RECORDING):
Where did you see her?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING): At Malibu,
I was walking on the beach.
MAN (ON RECORDING):
When was this?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING): In
the middle of the night.
MAN (ON RECORDING): You
were walking on the beach--
[buzz]
--in the middle of the night?
WOMAN (ON PHONE): I
have Mrs. Grant's house.
MRS. SKYE: Hello?
Hello?
Good morning, Mrs. Skye.
Is Mrs. Grant there?
- No, she isn't.
HAROLD (ON PHONE):
Can you talk freely?
Yes.
The boy's in school.
When was the last
time you saw her?
This morning.
She left early.
She just kissed the
boy goodbye and left.
I don't know where she went.
Well if she calls
again or she comes home,
please call me immediately.
And it's not necessary for her
to know that you're calling me.
I'm always
discreet, Mr. Fallen.
- And you know I appreciate it.
- Oh, yes.
You're a very generous man.
MAN (ON RECORDING): You
were walking on the beach
in the middle of the night?
How long ago was that?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING):
Three nights ago.
MAN (ON RECORDING):
What happened then?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING): Well I
said to her, Princess Grace?
And she said, yes?
And I said, what are
you doing here, Grace?
You died in Monaco in that car.
And she said, I felt a
longing to see America again.
The headline is Princess
Grace still haunts
the American land she loved.
Use it.
Operator, I want to
make a call to New York,
charge it to my home
phone in Santa Barbara.
[beep]
This is Stanley Clark.
HELEN (ON PHONE): Stan,
this is Helen Grant.
Yeah?
I forgive you.
You what?
You-- you forgive me?
You forgive me for what?
Don't you remember
what you did?
Don't try to lay some
kind of guilt trip on me.
What you did, you did.
Not me.
I want to come back.
Stan?
Nobody wants you here.
OK, look, I made a mistake.
You bet your boots you did.
People make mistakes.
STAN (ON PHONE): And sometimes
they don't get forgiven.
Now don't kid yourself,
Grant, it's not just me.
There isn't a decent magazine
in this town that will pick
anybody up from "Inside World."
You're stuck in
your cesspool, pal.
WOMAN (ON PHONE):
Mr. Fallen, do you
want to talk Mrs. Skye on four?
Yes, Mrs. Skye?
MRS. SKYE (ON PHONE): I haven't
heard from Mrs. Grant directly,
Mr. Fallen, but I did get
a call from the operator
a couple minutes ago.
Mrs. Grant made a
telephone call to New York
and charged it here.
Thank you.
JIM (ON PHONE): Hello, research?
Jim speaking.
Mrs. Grant just
made a long distance
telephone call to New
York, and she charged it
to her home phone number.
Would you find out who
she made that call to?
JIM (ON PHONE): Yes, sir.
Now I want you
to listen to this.
Mrs. Hart.
This is about the
UFO kidnapping we
did the story on last February.
One moment, please.
[beeping]
Thank you.
Hello, I'm Ms. Hummle.
May I help you?
Well, just for the heck
of it I was wondering,
how much is this jacket?
Oh, this is our
special sale today.
It's $3,500.
Would you like to try it on?
Sure.
Oh.
It's darling on you.
Suppose I don't have
the cash to pay for it.
Oh, we'll be glad
to take your check.
See, I can't wear a coat
like this, but you can.
[inaudible]
[laughing]
It's wonderful!
Well, I don't suppose
I need it right now.
Oh, sometimes the
important thing is to have
something what we don't need.
Isn't that the truth?
[laughing]
I have a company credit card.
Do you take those?
The woman is pregnant.
They claim they were married
on a spaceship by the aliens.
Their bishop says they're
lying, he says the child
will be born out of wedlock.
I would like to tie
this whole thing up
in a headline that says
something like Bishop
decides spaceship
baby illegitimate.
WOMAN (ON PHONE):
Mr. Fallen, will
you speak to a Ms.
Hummle of the Hamburg
fur shop in Beverly Hills?
It's about a credit
card, she says.
Put her through.
Go right ahead.
Well, what is the problem?
All they have to
do is get married.
The problem is the bishop
doesn't want to marry them.
Well, let them
find somebody else.
They're a very devout couple.
They don't want to get
married outside their church.
And what is it
she wishes to buy?
We're talking about a
mint jacket at $3,500.
MRS. HART: That's the
problem, you don't understand.
WOMAN: Under a
Supreme Court ruling--
One moment, please.
WOMAN: --the question
of legitimacy--
Hold it.
Hold it.
Are we committed to this?
Yes.
Didn't we run a positive
article on their kidnapping?
We certainly did, yes.
Then they're as good
as married, aren't they?
But there's a legal question
as to whether an alien has
the power to perform a marriage.
That's what the
bishop is challenging.
Talk to your people, tell
them to sue the bishop.
Dereliction of duty,
defamation of character.
And Seymour, get them a lawyer.
I'm sorry to have
kept you waiting.
Would you like to talk
to Mrs. Grant yourself?
HAROLD (ON PHONE): No, no.
That won't be necessary.
You do approve of the use
of the credit card, then?
HAROLD (ON PHONE):
We have no problem.
Thank you.
Any further questions?
No.
[buzz]
Yes, Andrea?
I'm going to
take my lunch now.
Is that all right?
PAUL (ON PHONE): That's fine.
- OK.
Bye bye.
I can get it for you.
When?
As soon as I can run
off a copy without anyone
getting suspicious.
$300, right?
$500.
$350.
You want to fool
around, forget it.
$500, in advance.
Keep cool.
[blows kiss]
You got it.
Call you at the
number you gave
me as I have the copy run off.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
How can I help you?
ANDREA (ON PHONE): I
want to talk to Simon.
Um, he's on another call.
Can he call you back?
I'm in a hurry.
Tell him-- tell
him this message.
Tell him that his copy of
the insurance agreement
is ready, but not
to come himself.
My boss might recognize him.
Tell him to send somebody else.
Your name, please?
Don't worry about that.
He'll know.
3:30 tomorrow.
No, that will be fine.
[inaudible]
Yes, thanks for the message.
No, I have it now.
Thank you.
I'm Helen Grant.
I'm Essie Marlow.
- Hi.
- New coat?
- Just.
- I like it.
- Yeah.
- Hey, I got a job for you.
You can pick this up for me.
Get a messenger.
Do you want to get
in a fight with me
when you come in here at
2:00 in the afternoon?
You just walk in the door,
nothing on your mind.
Thank you for the apology.
Thank you for the explanation.
Come on, I'm not asking you
to do anything out of line.
I'm not a messenger girl.
Hardly.
Not on your salary.
Why?
Do you think I'm overpaid?
My dear woman, I'm sure that
they can't pay you enough.
I mourn for you.
My eyes fill with tears,
my heart cracks for you.
Please, don't
bleed on the floor.
OK?
Listen, do you want to
go to the mat on this?
Do you want to get
into a killing war?
How about we call
Fallen on the phone,
bring him in as a referee?
Huh?
I'm sure he'd appreciate it.
I know he's got
nothing better to do.
Essie, get Fallen on the phone.
Essie, don't.
Here's the address.
Right now.
Right?
Do I get to keep the tip?
Um, excuse me?
Yes?
Do you have
something for Simon?
Thank you.
Andrea, this clause
calls for a notifi--
are you looking for me?
She's in the wrong office.
Well I'm sorry I bothered you.
Do we rescind
this notification?
Hi.
Excuse me.
Could you do me a favor?
Ahem.
The envelope, please?
What's the matter?
Don't you trust me?
Hey!
Hey.
Hey!
You check this out?
Check what out?
Here!
Give me that.
Hey, what are you doing?
Give me my purse.
Give me that!
What did you do
with that letter?
What letter?
What did you do
with that letter?
[inaudible].
Give me my coat!
Will you give me this coat?
Who in the hell do
you think you are?
[buzzing]
Yes?
We have a little trouble.
HAROLD (ON PHONE):
I'm listening.
I used Grant to pick up
a copy of the agreement
between North and Brown.
She brought me back
an empty envelope,
one sheet of blank paper.
Was the envelope
empty when she got it?
Well, I checked
with Brown's secretary
and she swears on
her mother that there
was a copying agreement in
it when she turned it over.
Well, this is annoying.
I'm working on a
front page now, but I
don't see how we can use this
story without documentation.
The secretary's worried that
Grant's going to turn her in
and she'd lose her job.
She's afraid to make a copy now.
I'd have to twist her arm.
What happens if they
decide to take it public?
Suppose they call a
general press conference
and turned it over to the
media from their point of view.
Then we'd lose control
of the situation,
and I'm sitting here
with a dead front page.
I'd like to see dead Grant.
Never break the pieces, Simon.
Not until you're sure you
don't need them any longer.
I think what we
have to do now is
to find some way to pit the
parties against one another.
I mean, some way to be sure
that the Rowans don't trust her,
no matter what Mrs.
Grant tells them.
SIMON (ON PHONE): [inaudible].
Well thanks, Simon.
Thanks for calling me.
[ringing]
BEN (ON PHONE): Composing room.
Benny, this is Mr. Fallen.
I need one copy of
a new front page.
Come up to my office and
I'll tell you what I need.
BEN (ON PHONE): Right away, sir.
WOMAN (ON PHONE):
Yes, Mr. Fallen?
I want a motorcycle messenger to
take something to Los Angeles.
[doorbell ringing]
Well hi, Mr. Rowan.
Hey.
Please sign here.
Sure.
- Thank you.
- OK.
Thank you.
- Sure like your pictures.
Who was it, baby?
Something by--
Mom!
I knew I heard your car!
Why aren't you asleep?
What's happening?
What's going on?
Mom, Ben is dead.
What?
It was on television.
Mr. Rowan had a heart attack.
We were watching the news.
It was on the news.
HELEN: You all right?
Yeah, I guess.
Are you gonna be home now?
Yeah, I'm here.
We were scared something
happened to you, too.
It's OK.
I'm here, baby.
It's OK.
Mr. Fallen's waiting for you.
Here.
Blow your nose.
Better?
Where is he?
He asked to sit by the pool.
I have to talk to Mr. Fallen.
OK?
Is this bad for us?
What do you mean?
Do we have to go
back to New York?
Back to New York?
Why?
Because Ben's dead.
What's that got
to do with New York?
Well, Mrs. Skye said you
were working on a story
about his movie, him and Meg.
How do you know
what I'm working on?
From Mr. Fallen.
When he called here--
when he was looking
for you this afternoon.
I said I didn't
know where you were,
he said you were supposed
to be in Hollywood
on the story about Mr.
Rowan's movie and his wife.
We'll talk about New York.
Mom?
Hm?
I want to stay here.
Now you go to bed.
I'll be back in a minute.
OK.
Wait for me, Troy.
You've made a lot of trouble.
I was trying to
protect my friends.
We sent you to
pick up a document.
I tore it up.
The important thing is
that you withheld it from us.
You could say that.
Our agreement stipulates
that any attempt on your part
to withhold information
automatically
triggers the dissolution
of that contract.
That's true, isn't it?
Yes.
Then we no longer
have a contract.
You broke it.
What are you going to do now?
I'll find another job.
I understand you
called "Lifestyle" today,
and they won't take you back.
Well, there are
other magazines.
You know where
you're going to live?
No.
HAROLD: You'll have to take
your boy out of school now,
won't you?
Yes, I will.
And that $3,500 that you
charged to buy that coat?
We'll have to settle that
now that you're leaving us.
Do you have the money?
No.
When will you be
able to pay it back?
Look, McKey tore my coat.
And you tore up the letter.
What do you want, Mr. Fallen?
I want not to
have to fire you.
In exchange for what?
I want two things.
First, I want to know
that you want the job.
And then I want your loyalty.
I took you on faith
the first time.
Now I want proof.
I want Ben Rowan's picture.
Ben Rowan is dead.
Yes, I know.
I think that's Meg North.
It is!
It's her!
Meg!
[interposing voices]
How did you get in here?
I told the guard
I was your sister.
What do you want?
I want you to trust me.
What are you
really doing here?
I need your trust
and your friendship.
Be my friend again.
Meg-- Meg, this is
what I'm doing here.
They want me take Ben's
picture for the front page.
I was up all night trying
to think it through.
Don't turn me away.
I don't have
anywhere else to go.
Get out of here.
I don't want to
take this picture.
Get out before I have the
guard called and throw you out.
Who are you talking to?
It's me, Helen.
Oh yes, you do.
You've known me for
a long, long time.
On our sophomore year when
you had sleepless nights,
when you were trying to think it
through, and I was up with you
every night because
I was your friend.
I was your friend then,
and I'm your friend now.
Not my friend.
HELEN: His friend.
- Not his friend!
We three loved each other.
We're past that.
HELEN: Then let's
turn it around.
Be my friend again.
Please.
What did I do?
I do took a job
you told me not to.
But what did I do?
What did you do?
After you killed him?
What are you talking about?
You're a whore.
What are you talking about?
I saw the story you wrote.
I don't know what
you're talking about,
I never wrote any story.
I had to put up my
salary to get Ben a job,
Meg North tells
college roommate.
No, no, no.
I never wrote that!
I swear by Ben!
Guard!
Guards!
So be it.
I'm a whore.
[shutter snapping]
I guess I want
the job after all.
[engine turning over]
[music playing]
Your wife's in
the office, Ben.
He'll be out in
a couple minutes.
[clacking]
Let me just finish
paying the ransom
and we'll blow this pop stand.
[shutter snapping]
[shutter snapping]
SIMON: Hey, Ben?
Smile.
[shutter snapping]
Oh, come on.
Don't you guys got
anything better to do?
How about a drink?
What'd you say?
How about a drink, movie star?
Ben--
What'd you say?
SIMON: I invited you to
go for a drink with me.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
We got a fighter!
Hey, hey!
No, no, no.
Ben!
[shutter snapping]
[interposing voices]
Ben!
Ben!
[laughing]
You people are unbelievable!
You're scum, you know that?
You're scum!
Just get in the car, please.
Please.
Key.
OK, start-- start the car.
Stay.
Let's go, Ben.
Please.
Mr. Rowan, let's see
those pearly whites.
[engine revving]
Ben, no!
No, Ben.
The brake!
Ben.
[screeching]
[shutter snapping]
You get it?
- I got everything.
- Uh-huh.
Do you get him hitting me?
Everything.
Now, listen.
I'm not going to use
this in the story,
but I need it for my files.
Give me your name.
Milton Watley.
OK, Milton.
Do you know Ben
Rowan, the movie star?
Yes.
How well do you know him?
About from the time
he came into Brighthouse
here, I took care of him.
Would you say you
were a friend of his?
Yeah.
He's a nice man, I like him.
Listen carefully
and answer what I ask.
Are you a friend of Ben Rowan?
- Yes.
OK.
I hear that he's a drunk.
He wouldn't be here
Brighthouse otherwise.
That's who here, alcoholics.
So then you agree,
he is a drunk.
Absolutely.
Now so there's no question
who we're talking about.
Ben Rowan the movie star, right?
You're his friend and
you say he's a drunk.
That's what I'm telling
you as his friend.
Ben Rowan, the movie
star, is a drunk.
We got that sucker cold.
[music playing]
I thought you called
yourself a psychic.
Now you listen to
me, Hotstetter,
I got my rump on the line.
I need 20 story ideas
by half past five,
I've only got 14 so far.
What do you mean you
don't have any emanations?
Get one!
Fly you to Monaco?
Are you crazy?
What do I care where she died?
Listen, Hotstetter,
she was an American
before she was a princess.
Well I don't need
her Monacan aura.
You mean the sand doesn't
remember her in Malibu?
[buzzing]
I'll call you back.
Get on this.
[ringing]
I want you to
take a look at this.
This is the front page that
increased our circulation
over 500,000 just this week.
But take another look
at it because this
is what our paper is all about.
When you live a life where you
have to account for every penny
that you spend, where your
husband comes home at night he
falls asleep looking at
television because he's
tired and because--
well, because he hasn't
anything to talk about,
then your life is gray.
Your life is made of straw.
You want color, you
want excitement,
you want to go to far off
places where only the rich go
and where the famous
of the world live.
You hunger and you
thirst for the true lives
of the glamorous.
Not your uncle Phil
or aunt Beatrice
because you know
everything there
is to know about their
lives, and what they do
doesn't thrill
you or excite you.
It doesn't make
your life richer.
So you go into a supermarket,
and after you buy your orange
and you steak, which you need
because your belly is empty,
you stand before the rack where
the tabloids are because it's
your whole life that is empty.
Now you can have a choice of
any one of the publications
on that rack, but you want value
for your money and this page
has got that value.
This is the page
that wins the war.
This page pleases me.
Good work, Simon.
That's all for now.
Thank you.
You know, Rowan and North are
making a new picture together.
Really?
Yes.
A $25 million budget.
You have anybody inside?
Not yet.
Let me know when you do.
[whooshing]
INTERCOM: This will be your
final call for international--
[interposing voices]
How are you?
[inaudible]
Ta-dah!
[singing]
Come on, now.
Over here, honey!
You're short, sweetheart.
Don't ever forget
that, sweetheart.
[shutter snapping]
Milady, the limousine waits.
Let's go eat, all right?
- I can't.
- What do you mean you can't?
Oh, come on.
You still on a diet?
Diet?
I don't want to hear about
no stinking diet, Helen.
I am not on a diet.
I have exactly eight
minutes to get to gate 112
and catch my flight to New York.
Helen, we were supposed
to have two hours together.
I know, but everything
changed in Hong Kong.
It's my deadline.
I have to make this connection.
[shutter snapping]
- It's not fair.
I know.
If she's not going
to eat with us,
let's just get her to the gate
on time and get rid of her.
Don't ever touch a star, Helen.
Here, these are for you.
[interposing voices]
HELEN: Bangkok was sunny,
but I almost got shot.
You're joking.
No.
I tried to sneak a
couple of pictures.
The subject matter took offense.
Well, what'd you do?
- I got the hell out of there.
- Yeah.
[shutter snapping]
It's going to
be a nice article.
And it's going to
be a very nice book.
Hey!
All right!
- I got a commitment.
- Oh, great.
Yeah.
And I can play you when
they make the picture.
Well, I thought Meryl Streep.
Uh, who's going to play the
guy who tried to shoot you?
You know, I've always wanted
to work with Meryl Streep.
- I love Meryl Streep.
- Isn't she wonderful?
Thank you.
What are you two doing?
[shutter snapping]
We're making a
modest little picture.
Yeah.
We've fooled them again.
Will they never learn?
With a budget of $25 million.
$25-- a modest little movie?
What's it about?
Sex.
[shutter snapping]
With your own husband?
Yeah.
It takes some of the fun out of
it, but, uh, the pay is good.
Thank you, darling.
Too kind.
Next, please.
Helen Grant.
Mhm.
[shutter snapping]
Maybe she can't find it
and you'll have to stay.
Oh, great.
Why don't you stay?
I know, I know.
You can't stay.
Well, look.
Thank you.
[gasping]
Oh.
Have a nice flight.
We're-- we're-- we're
boarding right now.
[laughing]
They're very close
personal friends of mine.
Did you see who that was?
[dripping]
[ringing]
Simon.
This is it.
I think you're
going to like them.
Nico?
Good stuff.
[interposing voices]
[ringing]
This is the really
interesting story.
The best for last.
I mean, it's got elements
like she's up for murder now.
But in the beginning, she
had a very even disposition.
I mean, she was really sweet.
She weighed 609 pounds
exactly to start with.
[inaudible] taken out.
Up there on the platform,
you know, in the carnival.
She was very sweet, but
she couldn't get a date.
So she sent for this diet.
She lost over 300
pounds in 18 months.
I mean, her whole
metabolism changed.
She lost pound after pound
and she can could anything.
You know, the carnival
fired her so she
enrolled in a secretarial school
to learn typing and shorthand.
By this time, she
weighs only 180 pounds
and she gets a crush on the guy
sitting next to her in class.
Naturally, you guessed,
it he can't see her for--
Chicken fat.
--dust.
One day, she takes her
courage in her hands,
she passes him a note.
If he would like to go
to the movies with her,
she'll pay for both of them.
He sends her back a note.
Sorry, I don't date fatties.
At this moment, all she
weighs is 181 pounds.
Skin and bones.
Something broke inside of her.
She went out, she got
a gun, she came back,
she shot him right in
the shorthand class.
I mean, she killed him.
It all came out at the trial.
And how do you
intend to handle it?
I saw--
How about diet turns
ex-fattie into killer?
I don't need your help.
I see it as a biography with
a week's sample diet in a box.
I like his idea better.
Work on it.
Don't you get to call byline?
You get rat poison.
Very competitive woman.
OK.
Platte Took these at the
airport this afternoon.
The one on the right
is Helen Grant.
I had research run a
quick background on her.
She was North's
roommate in college.
Obviously still very close.
Yes, all three of them.
It's even better
than just two women.
And she writes.
It's made to order.
[clattering]
Welcome home, [inaudible].
Oh, thank you.
Call me Helen, please.
Is everything calm?
Oh.
Troy's in bed, all is well.
I made a cab wait for you.
Oh, thank you.
Don't really relish looking
for a taxi in this neighborhood
so late at night.
Here.
Oh no, no, no.
You mustn't pay me.
Nannies will bill you, you know.
This is just for
you, from me to you.
And this is for the taxi.
Thank you.
Messages are by the
phone, mail's on the table
right there, and I
think that's about it.
Good night.
Good night.
I'd just like to tell you,
Troy was a wonderful baby,
and he's becoming
a fine young man.
You have a lot to be proud of.
I am proud.
Thank you.
Good night.
Well be careful now.
Oh, don't worry.
I will.
[clicking]
I'm home.
I was waiting for you.
I know.
[ringing]
Hello?
Hello?
Mrs. Helen Grant?
Speaking.
HAROLD (ON PHONE): My
name is Harold Fallen.
I am the publisher
of "Inside World."
Yes?
Are you familiar
with "Inside World?"
I know what it is.
We'd like you to come to
work for us, Mrs. Grant.
Oh, I'm afraid
I'm not interested.
HAROLD (ON PHONE): We can
offer you $65,000 a year,
plus expenses to start.
And a generous allowance
to cover the cost
of moving to the west coast.
No thank you.
Thanks a lot, but no thank you.
May I ask why not?
I told you, I know
what you paper is.
Good night.
[ringing]
Hello?
Mrs. Grant, I'm prepared
to go to $70,000 a year
on your starting salary, and
I'll go $5,000 on top of that
at the end of the first year.
The answer is still no.
Please don't call
again, I'm going to bed.
Good night.
[clack]
I guess we'll
just have to make
her an offer she can't refuse.
Oh, hi!
WOMAN: Hey, Helen!
You're back.
Yeah, like a bad penny.
[ringing]
MAN: Hey, Grant, how
was southeast Asia?
You'll just have
to read my article.
[ringing]
STANLEY: Helen.
Hi, Stanley.
Welcome.
Oh, thanks.
How's the flight?
Oh, long.
How's, uh-- how's the article?
I don't know, you tell me.
You want some coffee?
Nah.
I've got some good news,
and I've got some bad news.
The good news is,
we'll run the article.
The bad news is, next year.
What was all the
bull about a deadline?
Things change.
I've got a
commitment on a book.
Well, not until the
article's in print.
I've got a $5,000
advance riding on it.
Well I'm not going to turn
the copyright back to you
before I print the article.
I need money now.
We bought the article
and you were paid for it.
That's spent.
It's always spent before
you get it and you know it.
Listen, hun, I
got my own problems.
We left a new deal
with Norman Mailer
for 100,000 words, five
parts, 20,000 words an issue.
Now I need the room.
I can't hold Mailer
back, I can't get you in.
Who do I send my landlord to?
You or Norman?
If you have an idea
for another article,
I'll let you have
$500 in advance.
Really nice
seeing you, Stanley.
Thanks.
Thanks a lot.
[ringing]
[honking]
Hey.
How's the other guy?
They're both fine.
Oh.
That's a beaut.
MAN: Get moving.
We got a clean up on aisle four!
How was your day?
Not too great.
They're not going to run
the article until next year.
Are you going to tell
me what happened?
A couple of guys
wanted my lunch.
Did they get it?
Yeah.
Why didn't you just give it
to them in the first place?
Better if you make
them hassle for it.
If they have to hassle you ever
time, they'll leave you alone.
They don't like it if
they have to work for it.
They might as well get a job.
Whatever happened to the
good old American work ethic?
You know what we're having
for dinner tonight, don't you?
Tacos?
Tacos.
Is the stove fixed?
WOMAN: Do you want
me to ring that up?
Oh, no.
Sorry.
That'll be $9.72.
Ouch.
[clattering]
I was going to get a new
stove out of that book.
Stove and a refrigerator.
[ringing]
Hello?
Mrs. Grant?
This is Harold Fallen again.
Mr. Fallen, you keep
wasting my time like this,
I'm going to send you a bill.
I'm always willing to pay
for the cost of business,
and it's clear we can't
do this on the telephone.
On the phone or off.
When do you want to
fly out here and talk
to me for a couple of hours?
What?
HAROLD (ON PHONE): You tell
me how much it will cost me
and when you would
come, and I'll
have a messenger
at your door in 15
minutes with the money
and a first class
round trip plane ticket.
What do you want me for?
Ah, that's what I want
to talk to you about.
Just tell me what
your time is worth.
$2,500.
Done.
I want to be there by
tomorrow morning and back here
by tomorrow night.
HAROLD (ON PHONE): That's fine.
No strings.
I warn you right now,
I'm going to say no.
You don't even know
what I have to offer you.
HELEN (ON PHONE):
Whatever it is.
HAROLD (ON PHONE):
I'll see you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow.
[interposing voices]
Mrs. Grant.
Hello, Mr. Fallen.
I'm so glad you
were able to come.
Please.
Here, let me have your coat.
Oh, thank you.
[ringing]
Can I get you anything?
No.
Well, it's very
difficult to imagine
what people are like until
you meet them, isn't it?
Where do you
find privacy here?
Oh, I don't mind being seen.
Oh, I need my hiding places.
Tell me, why don't
you like my paper?
Mrs. Grant, this is
the time for frankness.
I don't like your
paper, Mr. Fallen, Fall
because it's garbage.
Well, garbage is a harsh word.
Can we compromise?
How about vulgar?
Well, it's also vulgar.
What do you want to hire me for?
I run a tabloid and I
compete with other tabloids.
Now you may not
believe this, but I can
do that without good writers.
Well how do you know
what kind of writer I am?
Well I'm semi-illiterate.
I read other publications
besides my own.
I picked up a copy
of Lifestyle, and I
read your bag lady article.
I liked it.
You write well.
Thank you, Mr. Fallen.
That's very flattering.
Now, can we get to the point?
What this is about
is exciting work,
a comfortable lifestyle
in a pleasant climate,
and $80,000 a year.
That's a lot of money.
I like to think I
pay my people well.
And when you're on
assignment, we pay all expenses.
And that includes a
company credit card
so you never have to lay
out any of your own cash.
Mr. Fallen, you've
got the wrong person.
Why?
Are you unkind to little
children and small animals?
Have you ever been
to Santa Barbara?
We sell four and a
half million copies
of Inside World every week.
HELEN: That doesn't
change what it is.
Well, the world doesn't belong
just to college graduates.
I put out a newspaper for
people who never went to Yale
or Harvard or Caltech,
who never had the chance
to go to any college.
And they happen to be the
majority in this country.
Now the fact that they buy
their newspaper, my newspaper,
in the supermarket doesn't make
them any the less important.
Mm, the new elite.
Mrs. Grant, you're a star.
How would like to put up
money that your bag lady never
bought a copy of "Lifestyle" and
read what you wrote about it?
But if you wrote the
same article for me
and I published it in "Inside
World," she would have read it.
You can give odds on that.
But maybe that's not
important to you.
What's this?
Trust me.
Humor me.
Wow.
You could live here.
You mean this
goes with the job?
No, but you can
rent it if you like.
It's available.
Do you own it?
I picked up the key from
the real estate agent.
You're trying to seduce me.
I want to make it possible
for you to work for me.
What's bothering you?
I'm annoyed with myself.
I find your offer
very attractive.
Then What are you afraid of?
The money's great, I'm just
not the kind of lady who can
laugh all the way to the bank.
I'd like to be able
to look at myself
in the mirror in the morning.
Well, you can have both.
Oh, come on.
If I work for you, when's the
next time I write a true word?
Are you going to tell me
I'm jumping at shadows?
You're the one who does the
writing, I just sit at my desk
and wait for you
to bring it to me.
Why do I find it so
hard to believe you?
My name is Harold
Fallen, I'm the publisher
of "Inside World."
This is June the 9th, 1984.
If Mrs. Grant should agree
to sign a contract with us,
it will be part
of that agreement
that in carrying out her
assignments for "Inside World,"
she will write only the
truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth.
She will not be required
to withhold or distort
information of any kind.
And if she does so, would
mean the dissolution
of this contract.
But if she carries out the terms
of this agreement and writes
nothing but the truth, this
contract cannot be revoked
or canceled before it's term.
[click]
$80,000 a year?
That's right.
Moving expenses?
HAROLD: Of course.
What are the
schools like here?
I'm told that we have some
of the best in the country.
Would you like to send your
son to a private school?
I'll help you find a good one.
I'd need a housekeeper.
We'll get you a housekeeper.
But her salary comes out of
your pocket, you understand.
Do you know how to drive a car?
Yes.
We'll rent you a company car.
Why not?
I want Ben in the picture
as much as you do, but facts.
I'm trying to deal with facts.
How about this fact?
I won't do it without him.
I'm not going to
put him in the picture
without insurance on him.
You can get insurance on him.
If I want to pay
$800,000 for it.
What happens to us if he
goes on a binge for a week?
He is not drinking.
He is off the sauce.
We are talking
about production costs
of $200,000 a day, Meg,
whether we shoot that day
or we just sit around waiting
for somebody to sober up.
He's sober, and
he's staying sober.
OK.
OK.
You want me to accept that?
I accept it.
Let's talk about Ben's health.
You want to talk about
the health of his liver?
You want to talk about
the health of his heart?
I'm sorry to be this blunt.
What do I do if he drops dead
three weeks into shooting?
Three weeks is $4 million.
Do I just eat it?
You want to take a look
at his medical report?
I won't do it without him.
We can make the
picture without Ben, Meg.
I can get the money, but we
can't make it without you.
It's not bankable without you.
Then don't do it.
Meg.
Who in his right
mind is going to pay
a premium of $800,000 for Ben?
I will.
I'll pay.
You can take it
out of my salary.
That solve your problems?
It does if you
put it in writing.
What do you think I'm up
here doing with you, Paul?
Playing games?
You think I'm
playing games with you?
I'll do any damn
thing you want.
OK.
[buzz]
Paul?
This is between you and me.
Ben's not to know, and
neither is the street.
He's not going to find
out anything for me.
Andrea, head this
confidential, three copies.
Today's date, to
whom it may concern.
I hereby agree to assign all
or any part of the salary
due me for my services on the
motion picture now titled "Adam
loves Annie" as
required in payment
of the premium for
completion insurance
in connection with the services
of Mr. Ben Rowan on that film.
The signature is
from Mrs. North.
Put my signature
on it as a witness
and your own signature
as the second witness.
All copies back to me.
Do you want to have your
lawyer take a look at it first?
Is it satisfactory to you?
It does everything
I want it to do.
Then it's fine with me.
Ben?
Ben?
Ben?
That next step is the one
you have to look out for.
Yeah, I've noticed.
What are you doing?
Just trying to see
where the world goes to.
[sighing]
Hey, is this for me?
Probably.
Yeah?
Did you have a good day?
Medium rare.
Looks like you had
an interesting day.
You're looking at the
Ben Rowan memorial highway.
In memory of what?
Whiskey I have known.
That's a lot of bottles.
Enough to last a year.
Maybe more.
Where'd they all come from?
You just call up
the liquor store,
and you say send
over some booze,
and they say how
much do you want.
And you say, what'd I
get from you last year?
That's how much I want.
A long year last year.
Just your regular 365 days.
It's not even a leap year.
Does it scare you?
It scares the hell out of me.
Want to see your present?
[rustling]
Don't do that.
A box!
Now I get to
take this one out.
Our picture.
Yeah.
Us.
Do you?
Want to see how much?
Mhm.
[ringing]
Hello?
Mrs. Grant, good morning.
I have an assignment for you.
HELEN (ON PHONE): Now?
Right now, I'm afraid.
A helicopter is picking up
two boys, Siamese twins--
Mr. Fallen, I'm in
the middle of moving in.
Everything is in the
middle of everything else.
No, guys, not there.
I beg your pardon?
Mr. Fallen, the house is
a mess, my son is in school.
You're asking me to have
him come home to a new house
with me not there.
Well, that's what you
have a housekeeper for.
Hey, yo, guys!
No!
No, no, no!
Back, no.
I want this around.
Mrs. Skye?
Mrs. Skye, could you
please put things in order?
Surely.
Thank you.
Why don't we move that
parallel to the terrace doors,
facing in?
[whirring]
[interposing voices]
I'm [inaudible], let's go!
Follow me!
[interposing voices]
Out of the way, please.
Excuse me.
Please get out of the way.
Thank you.
[inaudible],, you
got to save them.
What do you think
I'm trying to do, Jed?
You've got to save
the both of them.
Jed, we're not going
to save the both of them.
I told you, all the
chance we got if we
could just save one of them.
Let the doctor alone.
Let him do what he has to.
[sighing]
Lord have mercy.
Come on, let's get
them to the hospital.
You save the both of them.
You hear me?
[interposing voices]
For your, uh, ambulance
pick up records in the story.
Each boy's got his own
heart, and each breathes
with his own lungs, but
they share one liver,
one spleen, and
one set of kidneys,
all located in Arthur's body.
And Arthur is just about dead.
[whirring]
[screeching]
Come on!
We're in a hurry!
OK.
Just chuck it in the back.
Did they separate them?
Both dead.
They got them apart and then
the second one died, too.
NICO: On the operating table.
HELEN: Aw.
That's too bad.
SIMON: Yeah, it was
building up to a nice story.
HELEN: Where are we going?
SIMON: To get the
picture in the box.
HELEN: What's a
picture in a box?
NICO: In the coffin.
SIMON: Last look
at the departed.
Shoot him in the box, put the
picture on the front page.
NICO: Just like "The
Enquirer" did when Elvis died.
SIMON: It's a tradition now.
OK, we'll back here at
the car when you finish
interviewing the parents.
When?
When what?
You mean you want me to
interview the parents now?
Yeah.
What do you think I
brought you out here for?
No way.
I thought that's what
you're good at, interviews.
For God's sake, give them
a minute to their own grief.
Oh, no.
You get them when their
defenses are down.
That's when you get blood.
I don't work like that.
Listen, when you're
with me you take my orders
and you carry them out.
Or what?
I get court martialed and shot?
You get paid for work.
You don't do your
work, you're a thief.
[shutter snapping]
I want to do it
all the way around.
Just go.
Just leave this to me, will you?
NICO: We're not getting
the two of them together.
SIMON: So try evening it out.
Look at that close-up.
Let's get that close-up.
Are you out of frame?
NICO: No.
No, you're out frame but
there's more [inaudible]..
[shutter snapping]
Mister and Missus Bell, I'd
like to ask you a few questions
about your children.
We're not just in the mood
to talk to reporters right now.
You have to understand
that, can't you?
We just took a terrible loss.
Don't you want people
to know how you feel?
Those that have
children of their own
will know how we feel.
Right.
And those are the people
that need you the most.
I mean, how do
they feel worrying
about their own children?
You've been through this.
What about them?
Maybe he's right, honey.
I just feel so low right now.
Talk to this young woman.
She'll tell your
story to the world.
I'll wait for you outside.
I don't want to intrude
on these people's grief.
Mrs. Bell, I have a son
and I am so very, very sorry.
Now, why don't you just
tell me about the boys?
Just tell me anything.
[beeping]
Do you like it, Mr. Fallen?
I'm disappointed, Simon.
It's a good picture.
You've given me a picture
of two boys in two coffins.
Now what does this have
to do with Siamese twins?
Well that's the
way they are now.
Are you telling me
we don't have a story?
No, Mr. Fallen, but we
have to deal with reality.
They were separated by surgery.
Then unseparate them.
We took the wrong picture.
[banging]
That ought to wake them up.
That's the idea, isn't it?
Evening, Mr. Bell.
What's the matter?
We're all sleeping.
It's the middle of the night.
What do you want?
I want to help you, and I want
to help those boys of yours.
My boys are dead.
What are you talking about?
Well, I don't want to see
them put into the ground
in those pine boxes.
They deserve better.
How would you like to see
them in a bronze coffin?
They'll lay just
as quiet in pine.
I am going to get you the
best coffin you ever saw,
and I'd like to give you and
your wife some money besides.
What do you want
to give me money for?
I want you to sign a paper.
What kind of paper?
Well, it's a release.
MR. BELL: To do what?
To photograph your boys.
Well you took
photographs before
and I didn't sign no paper.
I know, but this
is an exclusive.
Here, read it.
Well, I don't,
uh, have my glasses.
Uh, why don't you read it to me?
I hereby grant you the
publication, "Inside World,"
all rights to
publish, from this day
forward to the end of the
universe, the photographs to--
Mister, you got to
get god to sign that.
SIMON: Do you want $1,000?
Come around in the
daylight like honest people.
What's the world coming to?
You can't even give
money away anymore.
Are we going to go home now?
Not McKey.
He'll think of something else.
Oh, I'm sure he will.
[engine revving]
Is this the most
luxurious one you have?
What are you looking for,
a coffin or a condominium?
[chuckling]
Uh, this one.
[shutter snapping]
What was it?
$500?
That's right, $500.
$300, $500.
$500, that's pretty steep.
[shutter snapping]
[clinking]
HAROLD: Good
morning, Mrs. Grant.
Did I startle you?
Uh, no.
I didn't think anyone was here.
Well, your housekeeper was
kind enough to let me wait.
She had to take
your son to school.
I didn't see her car.
HAROLD: My chauffeur
dropped me off.
He'll be back shortly.
Uh, coffee?
Oh, yeah.
Black, please.
I had a chance to talk with
your son while I was waiting.
He was telling me how
well he's doing in school.
He always has.
He's my bright boy.
HELEN: That's beautiful.
Little housewarming gift.
I hope you'd like it.
Thank you.
That's good.
Oh, I'm so tired.
I can imagine.
That was a hard assignment.
I feel drained.
I just want to crawl
into bed and go to sleep.
You've earned it, but let
me lift your day a little.
I want to congratulate
you on your work.
I like your words,
it's a good article.
I was going to call you,
but then I thought, no, I'll
come and tell her in person.
Thank you.
And I have your
next assignment.
Not today, though.
No, religiously.
But I think you're going to
like this, change of pace.
You're going to
cover a movie for us.
The minute I open
my eyes, you got me.
And it has big stars.
Ben Rowan, Meg North.
Did you know that Meg
was my roommate in college?
Really?
Well that's a bonus.
Well I know Ben, too.
Better and better.
I think I better pass
on this assignment.
Did you say pass?
Well I feel a little certain
conflict of interest here.
I don't understand.
I wouldn't do
anything to hurt them.
Well how can you hurt them?
You're going to write the story.
I'm sure you can find
something else for me.
Yes I can, but
I'm not going to.
This is your assignment.
I don't want it.
Now what are you afraid of?
I know them well.
I'm very fond of them.
I don't think I
could be objective.
I appreciate your concern, but
you're a professional writer.
I have faith in
your objectivity.
And if I still say no?
Mrs. Grant, you're not a
freelance writer anymore,
you're a member of my staff.
You don't have any choice
in your assignment.
[honking]
I'm told this has Ben
Rowan's comeback movie.
Write a comeback story.
[inaudible] !
She's here!
[doorbell ringing]
Ring!
Knock, knock knock,
knock, knock!
Oh!
That's the most ridiculous
thing I ever heard.
Heard?
Maybe a flop.
No, maybe a gable.
What?
- What?
What?
What?
What?
What?
What?
What?
[laughing]
Well, take that
cigar [inaudible]
and I'm gonna kiss you.
[inaudible],, Ben Rowan
is the [inaudible]..
Make me a star, Ben.
[inaudible].
Hey, time out.
Stop enjoying it so much, Ben.
Darling, would you
put these in a vase?
Thank you.
Lords and mercy, my
husband and my best friend.
Oh, right.
He's so cute.
Enough of this love making.
Now we drink.
We don't drink anymore.
No.
I, uh, don't drink anymore.
We don't drink.
This house doesn't drink.
OK.
You got a diet something?
Sure do.
Diet something this way.
I'll pick this
up when I leave.
Don't worry about it,
it's not a big deal.
Oh, you sure could
have fooled me.
What's it all about, Alfie?
They picked me up on the
street a couple of months ago,
about 10 days drunk.
Well, don't stop now.
Well, I don't really
remember a lot about it.
I woke up in the hospital.
Meg on one side of the bed,
the doctor on the other.
Meg just looked at me.
The doctor said hey, Ben,
don't you want to live?
Actually, I didn't.
Ben.
I, uh, couldn't get over
not be a big star anymore.
But you're making a picture.
Well that's now.
We're talking about
four months ago.
You never saw my Meg like that.
She wasn't eating,
she wasn't sleeping.
Just cheekbones and eyes.
I knew it was about
me, but I didn't know
what the hell to do about it.
I wanted to do something nice.
Another car, another
fur coat, another what.
Finally, I just, uh,
asked her what she wanted.
She said she wanted me.
I wasn't worth $0.3, you know?
But that's-- that
what she wanted, me.
So I did what I could.
I promised her I'd try
not to die carelessly.
So, uh, this house
doesn't drink anymore.
Well OK.
[inaudible],, let
me take those, OK?
Thanks.
Oh.
Let me help you.
Why didn't you tell me?
Tell you what?
I filled her in
on the back story.
You never said a word.
I ran out of words.
I would have been here.
It's history.
Come on, let's
change the subject.
To friends.
Amen.
Amen.
So, uh, what are you
doing in Los Angeles?
What am I doing
in Los Angeles?
Ah, yes.
I am writing an article
on your picture.
BEN: You're what?
- Mhm.
That's fabulous.
How did you ever talk
"Lifestyle" into that?
Well actually, I'm not
doing it for "Lifestyle."
I don't work for
"Lifestyle" anymore.
And you talk about people
not telling you things?
What happened?
They give you a hard time
about the drug article?
I'm so glad we're
all sitting down
because I think this is going
to come as a very big surprise.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am
living in Santa Barbara.
- Helen!
- Hey!
I took a job with
"Inside World."
You what?
I took a job with "Insi--
Hello?
How the hell
could you do that?
They made me an offer
I couldn't refuse.
Don't be smart.
Hey.
Are you out of your mind?
Do you know that rag is?
Do you know what
they do to people?
Do you know what
they'll make you do?
It's not going to
make me do anything.
I'm a big girl.
You're a damn fool.
Another country heard from?
I want her out of this house.
Ben.
BEN: Get her out of here!
- Ben!
BEN: Get her out of here!
- Ben!
You stay right here.
What are you doing?
I don't want
her in this house.
What are you talking about?
That's not a
stranger, it's Helen!
BEN: I don't want her here!
All right, all right.
Calm down, let's talk.
I want her out of my house!
That's melodrama.
You think that's melodrama?
Then how's this?
If she doesn't get out, I will.
You think I'm kidding?
No, I believe you.
I think you have to leave.
Is that Ben or
is that you, too?
That's both of us.
What the hell's
the matter with you?
Why do you think they hired
you and put you on our picture
except to use your
friendship with us?
Forget it.
Why would I want to stay in
a house that would have me
for a guest in the first place?
Helen!
Helen!
Hel--
Is he going to get past this?
I don't think so.
You know Ben.
Once he thinks something,
he won't let go.
He's just-- what's going
to happen to you and me?
I have to choose now,
Ben or you, you or Ben.
It can't be both.
It has to be Ben.
Just quit there, that's all.
Get another job.
Oh, that's easy for you.
That is so casual.
There's your house,
there's your Rolls.
Upstairs, your jewels
and your fur coats.
Above it all, not me.
I don't have a Rolls Royce,
or jewels, or a fur coat.
I am not above anything.
I have a living to make, I
have a child to take care of.
I worry that there's food on the
table, and clothes on his back,
and a school for him to go
to where he will be safe.
I don't find it
as easy as you do
to think about
throwing away a job
that pays me $80,000 a year.
Right.
"Inside World's"
$80,000 isn't so dirty
if it's for a good cause.
Oh, don't you
holier than thou me.
When's the last time you made a
movie with all your clothes on?
Oh, boy.
Yeah.
Mr. Fallen, I have
something very good.
Hotstetter, the psychic, had
a dream about Grace Kelly.
He dreamed she was on the
beach at Malibu with somebody,
she was definitely
not by herself.
I put an ad in classified.
If you saw Grace Kelly in the
last 48 hours, call me collect.
[buzzing]
SIMON (ON PHONE): Mr. Fallen?
- Yes,
SIMON (ON PHONE): I
thought Grant was supposed
to report to me here today.
You mean she didn't come in?
SIMON (ON PHONE): No.
Thank you.
WOMAN (ON PHONE):
Yes, Mr. Fallen?
Put me through to Mrs.
Grant's house, please?
WOMAN (ON PHONE): Yes, sir.
This is the answer
we got on the ad.
MAN (ON RECORDING): You
say you saw Grace Kelly?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING): Yes.
MAN (ON RECORDING):
Where did you see her?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING): At Malibu,
I was walking on the beach.
MAN (ON RECORDING):
When was this?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING): In
the middle of the night.
MAN (ON RECORDING): You
were walking on the beach--
[buzz]
--in the middle of the night?
WOMAN (ON PHONE): I
have Mrs. Grant's house.
MRS. SKYE: Hello?
Hello?
Good morning, Mrs. Skye.
Is Mrs. Grant there?
- No, she isn't.
HAROLD (ON PHONE):
Can you talk freely?
Yes.
The boy's in school.
When was the last
time you saw her?
This morning.
She left early.
She just kissed the
boy goodbye and left.
I don't know where she went.
Well if she calls
again or she comes home,
please call me immediately.
And it's not necessary for her
to know that you're calling me.
I'm always
discreet, Mr. Fallen.
- And you know I appreciate it.
- Oh, yes.
You're a very generous man.
MAN (ON RECORDING): You
were walking on the beach
in the middle of the night?
How long ago was that?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING):
Three nights ago.
MAN (ON RECORDING):
What happened then?
WOMAN (ON RECORDING): Well I
said to her, Princess Grace?
And she said, yes?
And I said, what are
you doing here, Grace?
You died in Monaco in that car.
And she said, I felt a
longing to see America again.
The headline is Princess
Grace still haunts
the American land she loved.
Use it.
Operator, I want to
make a call to New York,
charge it to my home
phone in Santa Barbara.
[beep]
This is Stanley Clark.
HELEN (ON PHONE): Stan,
this is Helen Grant.
Yeah?
I forgive you.
You what?
You-- you forgive me?
You forgive me for what?
Don't you remember
what you did?
Don't try to lay some
kind of guilt trip on me.
What you did, you did.
Not me.
I want to come back.
Stan?
Nobody wants you here.
OK, look, I made a mistake.
You bet your boots you did.
People make mistakes.
STAN (ON PHONE): And sometimes
they don't get forgiven.
Now don't kid yourself,
Grant, it's not just me.
There isn't a decent magazine
in this town that will pick
anybody up from "Inside World."
You're stuck in
your cesspool, pal.
WOMAN (ON PHONE):
Mr. Fallen, do you
want to talk Mrs. Skye on four?
Yes, Mrs. Skye?
MRS. SKYE (ON PHONE): I haven't
heard from Mrs. Grant directly,
Mr. Fallen, but I did get
a call from the operator
a couple minutes ago.
Mrs. Grant made a
telephone call to New York
and charged it here.
Thank you.
JIM (ON PHONE): Hello, research?
Jim speaking.
Mrs. Grant just
made a long distance
telephone call to New
York, and she charged it
to her home phone number.
Would you find out who
she made that call to?
JIM (ON PHONE): Yes, sir.
Now I want you
to listen to this.
Mrs. Hart.
This is about the
UFO kidnapping we
did the story on last February.
One moment, please.
[beeping]
Thank you.
Hello, I'm Ms. Hummle.
May I help you?
Well, just for the heck
of it I was wondering,
how much is this jacket?
Oh, this is our
special sale today.
It's $3,500.
Would you like to try it on?
Sure.
Oh.
It's darling on you.
Suppose I don't have
the cash to pay for it.
Oh, we'll be glad
to take your check.
See, I can't wear a coat
like this, but you can.
[inaudible]
[laughing]
It's wonderful!
Well, I don't suppose
I need it right now.
Oh, sometimes the
important thing is to have
something what we don't need.
Isn't that the truth?
[laughing]
I have a company credit card.
Do you take those?
The woman is pregnant.
They claim they were married
on a spaceship by the aliens.
Their bishop says they're
lying, he says the child
will be born out of wedlock.
I would like to tie
this whole thing up
in a headline that says
something like Bishop
decides spaceship
baby illegitimate.
WOMAN (ON PHONE):
Mr. Fallen, will
you speak to a Ms.
Hummle of the Hamburg
fur shop in Beverly Hills?
It's about a credit
card, she says.
Put her through.
Go right ahead.
Well, what is the problem?
All they have to
do is get married.
The problem is the bishop
doesn't want to marry them.
Well, let them
find somebody else.
They're a very devout couple.
They don't want to get
married outside their church.
And what is it
she wishes to buy?
We're talking about a
mint jacket at $3,500.
MRS. HART: That's the
problem, you don't understand.
WOMAN: Under a
Supreme Court ruling--
One moment, please.
WOMAN: --the question
of legitimacy--
Hold it.
Hold it.
Are we committed to this?
Yes.
Didn't we run a positive
article on their kidnapping?
We certainly did, yes.
Then they're as good
as married, aren't they?
But there's a legal question
as to whether an alien has
the power to perform a marriage.
That's what the
bishop is challenging.
Talk to your people, tell
them to sue the bishop.
Dereliction of duty,
defamation of character.
And Seymour, get them a lawyer.
I'm sorry to have
kept you waiting.
Would you like to talk
to Mrs. Grant yourself?
HAROLD (ON PHONE): No, no.
That won't be necessary.
You do approve of the use
of the credit card, then?
HAROLD (ON PHONE):
We have no problem.
Thank you.
Any further questions?
No.
[buzz]
Yes, Andrea?
I'm going to
take my lunch now.
Is that all right?
PAUL (ON PHONE): That's fine.
- OK.
Bye bye.
I can get it for you.
When?
As soon as I can run
off a copy without anyone
getting suspicious.
$300, right?
$500.
$350.
You want to fool
around, forget it.
$500, in advance.
Keep cool.
[blows kiss]
You got it.
Call you at the
number you gave
me as I have the copy run off.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
How can I help you?
ANDREA (ON PHONE): I
want to talk to Simon.
Um, he's on another call.
Can he call you back?
I'm in a hurry.
Tell him-- tell
him this message.
Tell him that his copy of
the insurance agreement
is ready, but not
to come himself.
My boss might recognize him.
Tell him to send somebody else.
Your name, please?
Don't worry about that.
He'll know.
3:30 tomorrow.
No, that will be fine.
[inaudible]
Yes, thanks for the message.
No, I have it now.
Thank you.
I'm Helen Grant.
I'm Essie Marlow.
- Hi.
- New coat?
- Just.
- I like it.
- Yeah.
- Hey, I got a job for you.
You can pick this up for me.
Get a messenger.
Do you want to get
in a fight with me
when you come in here at
2:00 in the afternoon?
You just walk in the door,
nothing on your mind.
Thank you for the apology.
Thank you for the explanation.
Come on, I'm not asking you
to do anything out of line.
I'm not a messenger girl.
Hardly.
Not on your salary.
Why?
Do you think I'm overpaid?
My dear woman, I'm sure that
they can't pay you enough.
I mourn for you.
My eyes fill with tears,
my heart cracks for you.
Please, don't
bleed on the floor.
OK?
Listen, do you want to
go to the mat on this?
Do you want to get
into a killing war?
How about we call
Fallen on the phone,
bring him in as a referee?
Huh?
I'm sure he'd appreciate it.
I know he's got
nothing better to do.
Essie, get Fallen on the phone.
Essie, don't.
Here's the address.
Right now.
Right?
Do I get to keep the tip?
Um, excuse me?
Yes?
Do you have
something for Simon?
Thank you.
Andrea, this clause
calls for a notifi--
are you looking for me?
She's in the wrong office.
Well I'm sorry I bothered you.
Do we rescind
this notification?
Hi.
Excuse me.
Could you do me a favor?
Ahem.
The envelope, please?
What's the matter?
Don't you trust me?
Hey!
Hey.
Hey!
You check this out?
Check what out?
Here!
Give me that.
Hey, what are you doing?
Give me my purse.
Give me that!
What did you do
with that letter?
What letter?
What did you do
with that letter?
[inaudible].
Give me my coat!
Will you give me this coat?
Who in the hell do
you think you are?
[buzzing]
Yes?
We have a little trouble.
HAROLD (ON PHONE):
I'm listening.
I used Grant to pick up
a copy of the agreement
between North and Brown.
She brought me back
an empty envelope,
one sheet of blank paper.
Was the envelope
empty when she got it?
Well, I checked
with Brown's secretary
and she swears on
her mother that there
was a copying agreement in
it when she turned it over.
Well, this is annoying.
I'm working on a
front page now, but I
don't see how we can use this
story without documentation.
The secretary's worried that
Grant's going to turn her in
and she'd lose her job.
She's afraid to make a copy now.
I'd have to twist her arm.
What happens if they
decide to take it public?
Suppose they call a
general press conference
and turned it over to the
media from their point of view.
Then we'd lose control
of the situation,
and I'm sitting here
with a dead front page.
I'd like to see dead Grant.
Never break the pieces, Simon.
Not until you're sure you
don't need them any longer.
I think what we
have to do now is
to find some way to pit the
parties against one another.
I mean, some way to be sure
that the Rowans don't trust her,
no matter what Mrs.
Grant tells them.
SIMON (ON PHONE): [inaudible].
Well thanks, Simon.
Thanks for calling me.
[ringing]
BEN (ON PHONE): Composing room.
Benny, this is Mr. Fallen.
I need one copy of
a new front page.
Come up to my office and
I'll tell you what I need.
BEN (ON PHONE): Right away, sir.
WOMAN (ON PHONE):
Yes, Mr. Fallen?
I want a motorcycle messenger to
take something to Los Angeles.
[doorbell ringing]
Well hi, Mr. Rowan.
Hey.
Please sign here.
Sure.
- Thank you.
- OK.
Thank you.
- Sure like your pictures.
Who was it, baby?
Something by--
Mom!
I knew I heard your car!
Why aren't you asleep?
What's happening?
What's going on?
Mom, Ben is dead.
What?
It was on television.
Mr. Rowan had a heart attack.
We were watching the news.
It was on the news.
HELEN: You all right?
Yeah, I guess.
Are you gonna be home now?
Yeah, I'm here.
We were scared something
happened to you, too.
It's OK.
I'm here, baby.
It's OK.
Mr. Fallen's waiting for you.
Here.
Blow your nose.
Better?
Where is he?
He asked to sit by the pool.
I have to talk to Mr. Fallen.
OK?
Is this bad for us?
What do you mean?
Do we have to go
back to New York?
Back to New York?
Why?
Because Ben's dead.
What's that got
to do with New York?
Well, Mrs. Skye said you
were working on a story
about his movie, him and Meg.
How do you know
what I'm working on?
From Mr. Fallen.
When he called here--
when he was looking
for you this afternoon.
I said I didn't
know where you were,
he said you were supposed
to be in Hollywood
on the story about Mr.
Rowan's movie and his wife.
We'll talk about New York.
Mom?
Hm?
I want to stay here.
Now you go to bed.
I'll be back in a minute.
OK.
Wait for me, Troy.
You've made a lot of trouble.
I was trying to
protect my friends.
We sent you to
pick up a document.
I tore it up.
The important thing is
that you withheld it from us.
You could say that.
Our agreement stipulates
that any attempt on your part
to withhold information
automatically
triggers the dissolution
of that contract.
That's true, isn't it?
Yes.
Then we no longer
have a contract.
You broke it.
What are you going to do now?
I'll find another job.
I understand you
called "Lifestyle" today,
and they won't take you back.
Well, there are
other magazines.
You know where
you're going to live?
No.
HAROLD: You'll have to take
your boy out of school now,
won't you?
Yes, I will.
And that $3,500 that you
charged to buy that coat?
We'll have to settle that
now that you're leaving us.
Do you have the money?
No.
When will you be
able to pay it back?
Look, McKey tore my coat.
And you tore up the letter.
What do you want, Mr. Fallen?
I want not to
have to fire you.
In exchange for what?
I want two things.
First, I want to know
that you want the job.
And then I want your loyalty.
I took you on faith
the first time.
Now I want proof.
I want Ben Rowan's picture.
Ben Rowan is dead.
Yes, I know.
I think that's Meg North.
It is!
It's her!
Meg!
[interposing voices]
How did you get in here?
I told the guard
I was your sister.
What do you want?
I want you to trust me.
What are you
really doing here?
I need your trust
and your friendship.
Be my friend again.
Meg-- Meg, this is
what I'm doing here.
They want me take Ben's
picture for the front page.
I was up all night trying
to think it through.
Don't turn me away.
I don't have
anywhere else to go.
Get out of here.
I don't want to
take this picture.
Get out before I have the
guard called and throw you out.
Who are you talking to?
It's me, Helen.
Oh yes, you do.
You've known me for
a long, long time.
On our sophomore year when
you had sleepless nights,
when you were trying to think it
through, and I was up with you
every night because
I was your friend.
I was your friend then,
and I'm your friend now.
Not my friend.
HELEN: His friend.
- Not his friend!
We three loved each other.
We're past that.
HELEN: Then let's
turn it around.
Be my friend again.
Please.
What did I do?
I do took a job
you told me not to.
But what did I do?
What did you do?
After you killed him?
What are you talking about?
You're a whore.
What are you talking about?
I saw the story you wrote.
I don't know what
you're talking about,
I never wrote any story.
I had to put up my
salary to get Ben a job,
Meg North tells
college roommate.
No, no, no.
I never wrote that!
I swear by Ben!
Guard!
Guards!
So be it.
I'm a whore.
[shutter snapping]
I guess I want
the job after all.
[engine turning over]
[music playing]