New Genetti 1-26 With Big Skips

8/8/2019 New Genetti 1-26 With Big Skips

1/29

Screenplay


2/29

INT. TENEMENT APARTMENT/ FRONT ROOM - DAY

TITLE CARD:

BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY 1905

A steel bathtub sits in the middle of the room, full ofwater. Genie MANSON (25, fiery) wrapped in a thin robe,stands poised to slide into the water.

Her toe touches the water. She doesnt flinch; her eyeswiden a bit.

GENIE(whispers)

Cold as ice...

And the camera pulls back to show that she is beingwatched by two men.

On the left, wearing a bowler tipped forward and holding acigar, is SECONDO GENETTI (28, tough). He is short butwell-built; it wouldnt surprise you to learn hed been aboxer. He leans forward.

SECONDOYou want to be an actress? Show methat water is just right...

He turns to the man on his right, PRIMO (33, stout), hisolder brother. Primo, on a stool, is peering through a tubeattached to a wooden box. The box looks handmade. A whirring

can be heard from inside the box; Primos hands keep movinghere and there, keeping the whirring steady. At the frontend of the box is a gleaming, polished tube- its a lens,this is a movie camera, and these men are making a movie.

CLOSE UP: THE LENS

which is beautiful and bulky. It was engraved with the words"PROPERTY OF EDISON MOVING PICTURES CO.", but alterationshave cut the words in half.

POV: THROUGH THE LENS

Genie slowly gliding into the water, the almost-sheer robe,her long, auburn hair and the position of her body almostbut not quite revealing her lush curves.

SECONDO(O.S.)

Dont show your bubbies...

(CONTINUED)


3/29

CONTINUED: 2.

Genie carefully, carefully enters the water; she makes itlook warm...

BACK TO SCENE

Secondo looks at Primo, who nods- she kept them covered andthey can use the shot.

SECONDOGood, Genie. Good work.

He raises his voice to call through the door next to Genie.

SECONDOJamie! Now!

The camera cranks, Genie reclines, her hair falling back,and the men wait.

And wait, for another beat. The camera keeps cranking.

Primos face grows tight, he curses softly in Italian.

SECONDOJamie! Enter!

Primos cursing gets louder as the men watch the door.

SECONDOJamie!!

The door flies open and JAMIE ELLSWORTH (34, ham) bursts in,face white with powder and looking every bit the horny evillandlord. He stands over Genie, leering down into thebubbles over her and pointing at her charms-

JAMIELate with the rent and here yousit- youre in hot water now,missy!

Genie pretends to scream and thrashes about. Jamie is aboutto grab her wrist and pull when, with a rush, the clackingof the camera turns to a higher pitch. Primo groans withanger and pounds his fist on the wall. Jamie looks at themen, chagrined.

SECONDO(to Jamie)

What took you so long?

JAMIEIve been out in the hall a longtime. Had a lot of coffee; I waszipping-up.

(CONTINUED)


4/29

CONTINUED: 3.

Primo stands and lifts the camera off its stand.

PRIMO(to Secondo)

Last roll! DAMMIT!

EXT. BAYONNE/STREET - DAY

Its morning. A wagon, pulled by four horses, clops throughthe streets. The benches lining the back hold a dozen burly,menacing thugs, holding baseball bats and ax handles. Thedriver flicks the reins as the man next to him stands up. Hebraces himself and turns to face the thugs.

This is EUGENE CORTLAND (40, mean). His eyes glower, his jawtightens and the only thing darker than his mustache is hiscold, black heart. He is the leader of the thugs for theirwork today, and the worst bitchs bastard in the Tri-State

Area.

CORTLANDThese bastard Dagos have given usthe slip three times...I have hadto sit and listen to Mister Edisonhimself ask me why I failed. Was itthat they were too smart? No, Isaid, Mister Edison- theyre justDagos. He asked me, were they hardto find? No, sir, I said- I cansmell a wop from a mile away, withtheir garlic and wine. And then he

asked me- maybe its the men youhired.

To a man, the thugs look up at his words- they are thinking:Mister Thomas Alva Edison? Questioning my abilities?

Cortland gazes at them in the silence.

CORTLANDAnd I said...no. I said you werebully-boys with hearts like lionsand fists of steel. I said Icouldnt find better men to poundDagos into dirt. I said I wouldntfail him again.

The men nod at this, their honor restored.

CORTLANDNow, you know who goes where andwhat to do. I want the Eye-tees.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


5/29

CONTINUED: 4.

CORTLAND (contd)Lead them to me, carry them to me,scoop them up in a shitbag and dragthem to me- but bring me thoseDagos and get me that Goddamnedlens!

The men nod as the horses quicken their pace.

INT. TENEMENT APARTMENT BUILDING/HALLWAY- DAY

Secondo smokes as he listens to Jamie apologize.

JAMIEYou know Im a professional. Itsjust, on stage, you have all thesepeople around, you can hear yourcues. With this business-

SECONDOI yelled. Three times. Now, weredown to less than three minutes. Westill have to shoot the old lady,we have to dress up like cops andchase you, we have all that.Listen, okay?

JAMIESorry, I-

SECONDO

I understand. But if we dont havea story, a joke, something to giveLaubacher, he doesnt pay us, Icant pay you and we all suffer.

Jamie nods as Secondo taps the door next to him.

PRIMO(O.S.)

Minuto.

Genie walks by. The cameras not running, so if herbubbies are showing, its no big deal. She stops to puther finger in Jamies face.

GENIE(to Jamie)

Ive got one dry wrap left. Unlessyoure going shopping, lets get itthis time, right?

(to Secondo)

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


6/29

CONTINUED: 5.

GENIE (contd)Did the scream look right?

Secondo smiles and nods as Genie takes his cigar and puffsat it.

SECONDOMaybe, more eyes next time? Bigger.

Genie nods as Primo calls from the other side of the door.

PRIMO(O.S.)

Pronto.

EXT. TENEMENT APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

Cortland directs his men off the wagon, some up the front

stairs, others around back. His right-hand-man, LEARY (23,gigantic) stops. He has a thick Irish accent.

LEARYWhat about the woman and the Mick?

CORTLANDThe actors? Who cares, give them athump and toss them out. Its thedagos we want, boys!

He rears back his head and roars:

CORTLANDIF IT SMELLS LIKE GARLIC, KICK ITIN THE HEAD AND BRING IT TO ME!

(to himself)...foreign bastards...

The men stream past him into the building.

INT. TENEMENT APARTMENT/ FRONT ROOM - DAY

Genie prepares herself for another slide into the tub.

Primo filming again, Secondo leaning forward. He turns tothe door-

SECONDOJamie?

(CONTINUED)


7/29

CONTINUED: 6.

JAMIE(O.S.)

Ready!

Secondo nods to Genie, who performs her ballet again, therobe falling just so, her body turned just so-

and then the sound of running stomping booted feet comesfrom the stairs.

Secondo looks at Primo, who looks back, their eyes wide withshock.

In the tub, Genie looks scared.

PRIMOEdison?

SECONDOProbably cops...This is a bad

neighbor-

from behind them, in the room where Jamie waits, the soundof a door being kicked down can be heard.

JAMIE(O.S.)

What is the meaning of this?!

CORTLAND(O.S.)

We want the Dagos!

At the sound of Cortlands voice, the brothers fly: Secondograbs coats, hats and a valise while Primo carefully butforcefully pulls the lens from his camera-body.

JAMIE(O.S.)

What Dagos?

CORTLAND(O.S.)

Thank you, sir...for GIVING ME ANEXCUSE!

The sound of a good head-thumping can be heard as thebrothers dash for the door. Genie looks after them, stillnaked, still in the tub.

GENIEWhat should I DO?!

Secondo pauses.

(CONTINUED)


8/29

CONTINUED: 7.

SECONDOStay in the water.

And the brothers are gone!

INT. TENEMENT/HALLWAY - DAY

Primo and Secondo run down the hallway. They get to a windowand look down-

Three thugs stand at the bottom of the fire-escape, waitingwith clubs.

The brothers run to try another way out.

INT. APARTMENT/HALLWAY OUTSIDE SITTING ROOM - DAY

Cortland steps over a bleeding and prostrate Jamie to thedoor. He pounds on it with his fist.

CORTLANDThe games over, wogs! Open thisdoor and Ill let you keep yourteeth for eating prison mush!

He pounds again- no response.

He steps back and nods to a thug, who steps forward with abattering ram.

INT. TENEMENT/HALLWAY - DAY

Primo looks down from another window and shakes his head athis brother.

PRIMOToo high, too high!

SECONDONo, its okay-

(pointing out the way)there to there to there to theground-

Primo clutches the lens in his pocket. Secondo puts his handover it, too.

SECONDOIf they catch us, they get thelens. He gets your work. He wins.

(CONTINUED)


9/29

CONTINUED: 8.

Primo looks down again, then where his brother was pointing.

PRIMOTo where?

INT. APARTMENT/SITTING ROOM - DAY

The battering ram cleaves the door with a resounding crashand Cortland steps through to find:

Genie, trying very hard to arrange the bubbles and maintainher modesty. Cortland grins and stands over her, swinginghis now-bloody hickory. He leers at ehr and looks back athis men crowding the doorway-

CORTLAND-and thats why I tell you boys tostay away from actresses- one stepaway from the brothel.

GENIELeave a poor woman alone!

CORTLANDTell me what I want to know, beforeI let my dogs loose!

Cortland pounds his fist on the wall in frustration.

CORTLANDWhere are they?!

EXT. BROWNSTONE ROWHOUSE/BACK - DAY

Secondo is on the ground already, looking around and tryingto spot Primo as he climbs down the side of the building.

Primo falls the last ten feet, landing on his brother anddriving them both to the ground.

Secondo shakes his head, stands and helps his brother up,muttering comforting words in Italian. He dusts Primo off asPrimo checks the lens- nothing looks broken- and tucks it

away. He looks up and-

BAM! Leary, the giant thug, bashes Primo in the face with anaxe-handle. Blood goes flying and Primo staggers as Learysteps in for another swing.

Secondo steps in and Learys hickory slashes back into hischest, knocking the wind out of him. Leary looks at him,then turns back to Primo, axe-handle cocked.

(CONTINUED)


10/29

CONTINUED: 9.

LEARYDirty Eye-tie bastard! Steal fromMister Edison, will ya?!

He gives Primo another blow to the head, then another, andPrimo is barely standing, bleeding- this is going to kill

him-

but Secondo is up! He turns Leary by the arm and trades apunch to Learys face for a blow to his arm. Leary shoutsfor help-

LEARYMister Cortland! The bastards are-

and Secondo steps into him, with a punch that comes from thehot, liquid core of the very Earth and it lays that Mickflat.

Secondo rushes over to Primo. Primo looks like Hell- hesbleeding from the ears, a bad sign. He picks Primo up tocarry him-

but now Learys up.

And hes got a gun.

His bullet hits Primo. Secondo roars and rushes Leary. Hedrives Leary to the ground and jumps on top of him.

Secondo smashes the Irishmans head back and back and backagain into the pavement...until he stops, for he can see

that Leary is dead.

He climbs off the dead man, grabs his brother and runs.

EXT. BROWNSTONE ROWHOUSE/FRONT - DAY

Cortland and his men stream down a hallway, cruising likesharks for prey. They hear the gunshot, turn as one and rushtoward the front of the building.

EXT. BROWNSTONE ROWHOUSE/BACK - DAY

Another group of Cortlands thugs find Learys body- theystop, look around, then keep running.


11/29

10.

EXT. BROWNSTONE ROWHOUSE/FRONT - DAY

Secondo carries the barely-conscious Primo down an alley andout to the street. He looks for a way to run as he tries toreassure his bleeding brother.

SECONDOA doctor, a few days in bed, youregonna-

And at the other end of the building, he sees Cortlandhimself. Worse, the bastard has spotted them!

Cortland sees them, sees how bedraggled they are, and grins.

He shouts as Secondo trots away with his brother:

SECONDOOnly a few places a rat can hide!

Looks like-

From the alley, one of the thugs shouts to Cortland:

THUGMister Cortland! They killed Leary!The dagos killed Leary!

Cortland starts at this...then his eyes narrow as he watchesthe Italians escape. He reaches behind him and pulls fromhis coat a long, black Navy Colt revolver. He cocks it. Hecrouches and extends his arm to brace the heavy beast. Hefires-

and the window next to Secondo explodes. The thugs in thealley dive for cover, not wanting to be hit by flying lead.

Cortland curses- a milk-wagon is coming onto the street,dumb bastard- and steadies for another shot. He fires-

and another window goes to diamonds, this time right next toSecondos head.

Secondo pulls even with the milk-wagon, its drivergoggle-eyed in shock, and heads for it.

MILK-WAGON DRIVERNo, no, no! That fellas shootin-

Secondo tosses his brother into the wagon, steps up next tothe driver and lays him out with one punch. Secondo shovesthe driver out and grabs the reins. He whips the horses intoa full run, milk-bottles flying into the street andshattering everywhere.


12/29

11.

Cortland fires again, but Secondo steers the wagon around acorner, out of aim, out of sight.

INT. LAUBACHERS ARCADIA (MOVIE THEATER) - DAY

Secondo carries bleeding and mostly unconscious Primo intothe building, past the shocked ticket-taker, past the usher,down the aisle toward the screen. His forcing past the doorslets light in, ruining the movie; several rough-lookingpatrons turn to protest, but they shut up and scatter whenthey see whats coming.

Secondo comes to a door behind the screen- he raises hisshoe, kicks- and the door goes flying.

INT. LAUBACHERS ARCADIA/OFFICE - DAY

LAUBACHER (50ish, bearded) is sitting at his desk,unprepared for this intrusion. DAN (10, kid) is in thecorner, shining a long row of shoes.

LAUBACHERWhat the hell are you doing?

Secondo looks around, settles Primo into a chair carefully,then moves to cradle his big brothers head. He looks atLaubacher.

LAUBACHERWhat happ-

SECONDOWe were shooting thatbathtub-and-landlord scene youwanted. Edisons men found us. Theychased us, we fought- I think Ikilled one of the dogs.

LAUBACHERWell, you cant come here!

SECONDOI gave you three reels last week.You owe me sixty dollars. Ill takefifty, cash, now. We have to go.

LAUBACHERI, the- those reels havent beenchecked yet-

(CONTINUED)


13/29

CONTINUED: 12.

SECONDO-Theyll be perfect, you know it,we do good work. Fifty, now. Rightnow.

Laubacher thinks.

LAUBACHERIll give you a hundred- but I wantthat lens your brother fixed-up.

Secondo shakes his head, but Laubacher reaches into hispocket and pulls out- a hundred-dollar bill. It just hangsthere in his hand as Secondo looks at it.

He looks from the money to his brothers face, bloodied andswollen. Secondo gently wipes some blood away, then moveshis hand to the pocket where the lens is hidden. He liftsthe flap- Primos hand slides down to cover the pocket.

Secondo murmurs softly, soothingly in Italian and tries tomove his brothers hand. Primo pushes down and rouseshimself enough to shake his head and cry out in anger.

Laubacher watches and nods.

LAUBACHERKeep trying; hell weaken soonenough. Just wait.

And those words do it: Secondo stands up and moves in onLaubacher.

SECONDOWait for what? To sell my brotherspride? To you?

Laubacher is afraid, he reaches behind him, grabs a whiskeybottle, raises it high-

But Secondo just shakes his head, steps inside the arc ofLaubachers swing and with a short uppercut to the jaw, helays the theater owner out flat.

Dan, the kid in the corner, watches as Secondo leans forward

to pluck the hundred from Laubachers fingers, as Secondowhispers to the unconscious man:

SECONDOYou dont understand- its family.

Secondo rises, sees the boy, shrugs. He hefts his brotherupright and walks him to the door. Primos legs are moving alittle now. Secondo addresses the boy as he passes.

(CONTINUED)


14/29

CONTINUED: 13.

SECONDOTell your boss: thanks for theloan.

Dan looks at his fallen boss, then at the receding back ofSecondo as he leaves.

DANWhat should I do?

SECONDO(O.S.)

You can kick him and blame it onme!

The boy smiles, rushes over and does just that. Coinsscatter and the boy claps and gathers them.

EXT. BAYONNE/STREET - DAY

Secondo walks/drags his brother along the street. Peoplelook at the two of them as they pass and draw away fromthem; Secondo steps it up. He looks up the street- two cops,with their backs turned, but cops nonetheless- and Secondoturns and pushes through the doors he is passing.

INT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

Secondo settles his brother onto a bench so it looks likehes napping.

Once this is done, Secondos face falls. He looks desperate,hunted, wringing his hands. His eyes dart as he thinks-

and then his eyes focus. He is looking at a poster.

On the right, it shows the dark, crowded streets of NewYork, dark faces scurrying through rain. On the left,sunlight brightens the faces of a happy family. The fathersmiles and holds up an orange as big as a melon while hiswife and child laugh, happy to be alive on this day, in thisplace.

Beneath them, marked with city names like stars, is theroute from New York to Los Angeles.

Secondos eyes trace that route, that long long line- is itlong enough?

Secondo pats his brothers shoulder and heads for the ticketcounter.


15/29

14.

INT. EDISONS OFFICE - NIGHT

Its not just an office: picture a huge, open space, thesize of a basketball court. Off at one end, far off in thedistance, a figure can be seen in the light of a desk-lamp,going over paperwork. Its Edison himself, gray-haired and

scowling.

At this end of the room, Cortland sits on a stool, nervous.His eyes keep flicking from the far-off Edison to WELLER(45, serious), who paces in front of Cortland.

WELLERYoure looking for them...

Cortland nods.

WELLERBut this is the second time youve

lost them. The secondtime.

CORTLANDThese things, you understand-

WELLERMister Edison doesnt have tounderstand. Frankly, Mister Edisonthinks he should fire you and findsomeone who can bring these thievesto justice.

Cortland looks askance and turns to Edison for a clue- is

this true?

WELLERHowever, the death of this OToole

CORTLANDLeary, it was Leary-

WELLERYes, of course. A great loss, Imsure.

(sympathetic smirk)In any case, I told him to give youanother chance.

Weller leans in.

WELLERBut understand- the thieves, theway they keep getting away- itmakes Mister Edison angry. They

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


16/29

CONTINUED: 15.

WELLER (contd)stole from him- shouldnt they bepunished?

Cortland nods, rapt.

WELLERCertain situations have arisen.Mister Edison wants to make a pointof this, wants to make an exampleof them. Too many rats nibbling atthe cheese and hes tired of it.

Weller turns, and both men peer across the room at thesilent Edison, lost in thought.

Weller turns back to Cortland, utterly serious.

WELLER

And, theres the matter of thelens...typical of foreigners.Mister Edisons first prototype andsome, some...gypsies, or the nextworst thing, steal it.

He peers across the room at The Great Man- how dare theysteal from him and run away?

WELLERFind them. Bring them to me, here,to face justice and youll...youllbe back in Mister Edisons good

graces. Dont find them? Miss themagain?...and its best that youcome back here at all.

Suddenly, across the room, Edison turns to address them. Hestands and fairly yells across the room:

EDISONTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH! Findthem, find the thieves and bringthem to me! Prove that you are madeof better stock, that I didnt makea mistake considering youboth...Americans!

He sits, goes back to work as if nothing had happened.

Weller turns to Cortland.

(CONTINUED)


17/29

CONTINUED: 16.

WELLERNeed I say more?

Cortland nods.

CORTLAND

I want them, too. For personalreasons. Leary was my man.

Weller sighs.

WELLERHe was Mister Edisons man. We areall...Mister Edisons men.

INT. TRAIN CAR - NIGHT

Primo awakes with a groan, rubbing his head. He winces and

turns his head to see Secondo smiling in the gloom.

PRIMOA train?

SECONDOHow does your head feel?

Primo thinks for a beat.

PRIMOIf I dont move my head, I wontthrow up.

Secondo looks around before looking back at his brother.

SECONDOYouve been sleeping for threedays. I got scared near Chicago,almost took you off to a hospital.Weve got three more days.

PRIMOWhere are we going?

SECONDOCalifornia.

Primo winces while he thinks.

PRIMOWhy?

(CONTINUED)


18/29

CONTINUED: 17.

SECONDOWe embarrassed Edison. I took whatwas his and you, you- out-thoughthim; he could never forgive that.Until now, he could ignore us, playwith us like a mouse. Now? We

killed one of his men; we might aswell have taken his balls.

Primo mulls this over.

PRIMOIts not my fault. You know whathappened- the lens said change melike this, change me like that,and it got better. Its not myfault-

Talking hurts his head and he lays back. Secondo shushes

him, rubbing his side.

SECONDOWell be in Los Angeles in threedays.

PRIMOTo do what?

SECONDOI dont know. You dont want towork on a farm, you dont want towork with stones like Papa, I dont

want to box and we cant makepictures any more.

He shakes his head and grins ruefully.

SECONDOI dont know...the place is namedafter angels, so maybe itll bealright.

EXT. BARBERSHOP, NEW YOR CITY - DAY

Weller is getting a shave. Cortland perches nervously on astool.

WELLERNo one?

(CONTINUED)


19/29

CONTINUED: 18.

CORTLANDThey beat a German, owner of one ofthose nickle theaters. They took ahundred dollars off of him and,well, sir, no ones seen themsince.

Weller closes his eyes, lets the razor scrape away.

WELLEROrdinarily, Id congratulate you.Good, Id tell you, you chasedthem away. Mister Edison, though,sees it diferently.

Cortland fidgets.

WELLERMister Edison has taken a special

interest in these fellows. Hesdeveloped a real hunger for them.They didnt just steal from him.They took his idea and... theymocked him, mocked this man wholights our nights and keeps uswarm.

Wellers eyes open- they pin Cortland to his stool likespikes.

WELLERYou wish to continue being employed

by Mister Edison? You enjoy livingin the light of his genius?

CORTLANDYes, yes of course-

WELLERThen find them, Cortland. It keepshim awake at night, it eats at himlike a fever. Give Mister Edisonrelief from his anguish and theloss of his idea. Bring theforeigners to him and youll be inglory.


20/29

19.

INT. TRAIN/DINING CAR - DAY

The train is stopped, taking on coal. The train station signsays OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

Secondo balances coffee cups, rolls, a plate of bacon andeggs and other sundries as he turns from the cashier. He

starts back to his seat, but stops when he hears shoutingfrom outside.

He bends and peers out the window. Two women are running tothe train. In front and weighed-down with books and bags isGENIE MARSH (26, perky), a petite redhead who right now hassteam pouring from her ears. Said steam is probably causedby MISSUS MARSH (42, loud), her mother, who is chasing Geniewhile lecturing her at the top of her lungs.

MISSUS MARSHNo! I FORBID YOU TO GO! You dontknow what youre doing!

Genie keeps moving, even carrying all that weight.

GENIEGo home, Mother! I can take care ofmyself.

MISSUS MARSHIs that why youre getting on atrain? A train to where, you dontknow?!

GENIEI am not marrying that man-

MISSUS MARSHYoure twenty-six! Youre aschool-teacher! Who else wouldmarry you!?

This makes Genie set her jaw as she reaches the train. Sheglances at Secondo who is watching all this, then beginstossing her bags onto the train.

The train starts moving. Genie sees it and begins to run.

Secondo puts down the dishes and goes to the door.

Genie jumps for the handrails to get onto the train. Shemisses. She tries again, misses, the train is getting away,she tries-

-and Secondo reaches down, grabs her wrist and pulls thelittle lady onto the step.

(CONTINUED)


21/29

CONTINUED: 20.

back on the platform, Genies mother wails after her:

MISSUS MARSHYOU WONT SURVIVE A WEEK!

GENIE

killer line!

Genie almost tumbles out of the doorway as she leans out.Secondo grabs her by the waist, saving her life! andsettling her back in a safe position.

Genie, shocked at being grabbed, turns and SLAPS HIM, thenruns off to the next car, sobbing.

Secondo looks after her, rubbing his face.

INT. LAUBACHERS ARCADIA/OFFICE - DAY

Cortland is standing over Laubacher. Laubachers shoes havebeen removed. His feet are being held aloft by two thugs andCortland is using a short whip on the bare soles ofLaubachers feet. Laubacher screams in pain and gasps forair. Laubachers helper, Dan, is pinned to the wall byanother thug who watches the beating and smiles.

LAUBACHERI dont know them! Im not Italian,Im German, why would I know them?!

CORTLAND

You did business with them-

Three quicks slices for each foot; Laubacher almost passesout.

LAUBACHERBusiness! Business, thats all!

CORTLANDDid they have the lens?

Laubacher nods hurriedly.

LAUBACHERI tried to buy it- I knew youdwant it, youd pay for it. I tried!

Cortland nods to the thugs to drop Laubachers feet.Laubacher scurries into the corner as Cortland strolls tothe window.

(CONTINUED)


22/29

CONTINUED: 21.

CORTLAND(quietly)

If I am to redeem myself, I mustfind the Dagos. Otherwise, well,Im out. Out of Mister Edisonsemploy, out of his good graces, outof the...off the path to success.

He turns to Laubacher, his face almost sad.

CORTLANDI think you know something. Something that could help me. In oneminute, if you dont stop me bytelling me what you know, I amgoing to say good-bye to the limitsof human behavior. I am going tounleash my own cold judgment uponyou. If God cannot forgive me forwhat I am about to do, I must

remember that Mister Edison wouldwant nothing less.

Laubacher is terrified.

Cortland bends down to him, into his face.

CORTLANDTell...me...

DANThey got on a train!

All turn to face him.

CORTLANDHow do you know-

DANAfter they left, I...found somemoney. I went outside to buy somefood...and I saw them go into thetrain station. Thats all I know.

Cortland waves the whip at Dan.

CORTLANDYoure lying to save your boss-

DANI could give a good damn if youkill him- but if you burn thisplace down around him, Ive gotnowhere to sleep...

(CONTINUED)


23/29

CONTINUED: 22.

They look at each other. After a beat, Cortland grins.

CORTLANDWhen you get to be of size, boy,come and see me. I might have workfor such a fellow.

He turns to his thugs.

CORTLANDCheck the trains, the ticketsellers, the cleaners- two Dagos,one bleeding and the other carryinghim; someone saw them.

He studies Laubacher, cowering on the floor.

CORTLAND(to thugs)

Find every scrap of film thatMister Edison didnt make. Burn itin the street; a lesson forpatent-breakers, word will spread.

The thugs get busy.


Secondo is looking out the window at the night, the passingcountry, the rare light in the distance, when he seessomeone behind him reflected in the window.

He turns; its Genie, bundled into what was called atravelling dress. She smiles tentatively.

GENIEI, uh...first, of course, I wantedto say thank you. If you hadntstepped in, I would have never evengotten on the train. And then,looking back, you were only tryingto help me, save me, really- itsjust that its quite shocking tohave a mans hands on you, ifyoure a young woman and youarent-

She peers at him.

GENIEDo you understand...English?

(CONTINUED)


24/29

CONTINUED: 23.

SECONDOI did what my mother would havewanted me to do- help a lady. I didit for her. You probably did whatyour mother would want you to do-so, our mothers are even.

GENIEVery well. In any case...Thank you.

She walks away. He calls after her.

SECONDOMiss.

She turns and waits.

SECONDOI havent slept in a few days. My

brother...had an accident and Ivebeen worried about him. Worriedabout everything. Im sorry I wasso rude.

Genie nods, then steps closer.

GENIEWhat kind of accident?


Genie examines Primos wounds as Secondo holds a lamp.

SECONDOHow do you know what to look for?

GENIEBefore I decided to become ateacher, I tried nursing.

She turns Primos head and motions Secondo to bring the lampcloser.

GENIEGood, there...the pay was about thesame, but the uniform seemed moredignified...Then a little boy diedin my arms, and I thought, well,teaching has its benefits, too.

(CONTINUED)


25/29

CONTINUED: 24.

SECONDOYoure a teacher.

Primo moans as she turns his head again.

GENIE

Not any more.

SECONDOYou dont like teaching?

GENIEI love teaching. Its the studentsI hate. Youre trying to teach themthe stories they need to grow upon- and theyre busy trying to spitpaper or set each others shoes onfire.

She sits back.

GENIEIts blood, and there was a lot ofit. But theres no cranial fluid-so his brain should be alright. Hemay have some hearing problems, hemight have some blurry vision, butthe swellings normal.

They sit in the dark for a beat together.

SECONDO

Youre going to Los Angeles?

Genie nods.

SECONDOWhat will you do when you getthere?

GENIEI have no idea. The train companyis selling those cheap tickets, butone-way only. I guess they dontwant to take a chance on uswandering back.

SECONDOWhy did you leave?

Genie considers telling him, then turns the tables.

(CONTINUED)


26/29

CONTINUED: 25.

GENIEWhy did you leave?

Secondo considers how to explain.

SECONDO

There was an argument about...acertain property, a certain method-

GENIEYoure criminals.

Secondo shakes his head.

GENIEDid you break any laws?

Secondo has to consider this Genie looks away and nods.

GENIEDoesnt matter. Were going to aplace where the past doesnt exist.Sounds like a good place to start.

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE -- AFTERNOON

The men at the construction site are lined-up to get paid.Beno steps forward to the Boss, smiling. The Boss shakes hishead.

BOSS

Nope. All you did was complain allday- get out and dont come back.Beno is confused; he looks at Timo,who is behind him. Timo murmurs tohim in Italian and steps forward.

TIMOYes, sir. Hes very sorry. Itsjust the way he works. He did agood job- could you pay him for theday?

BOSSYou know this spic?

TIMOHes Italian; hes my brother. Hesa very good-

(CONTINUED)


27/29

CONTINUED: 26.

BOSSAh, youre dagos. I thought he wasMexican. Forgive me, I thought hewas just a stupid Mexican. The Bossstands up, fists balled.

BOSSBut the only thing worse than aMexican is a filthy dago. Both ofyou! On your way! Timo is keepinghis cool.

TIMOYes, sir. But we did work the wholeday. Thats four dollars each formasons. Well just take-

BOSSYoull take nothing! Your work was

crap and all he did was complain-couldnt even do it in English!

TIMOWere both experienced masons, sir.Our father was a mason, and hetaught us to do things right. TheBoss leans in, spitting as he yellsat Timo.

BOSSIts not my fault yer father was afilthy wop with lazy sons! Timo

shakes his head and speaks quietly.

TIMOPay us, and well go... The Bossroars a curse and takes a swing atTimo. Timo is shorter and lighterthan the Boss, but he swings back-and hes good. The Boss sees theblood gushing from his own nose andwades in again as the workers inline step back. They form a circleas the Boss and Timo fight. One ofthe workers shouts in Spanish andholds up his money. Hes takingbets. Beno scoops up his pay andhis brothers off the table andhands it to the bet-taker.

BENOMi fratello! The Mexican nods asthe fight continues. The Boss has

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


28/29

CONTINUED: 27.

BENO (contd)size and strength- he bloodiesTimos mouth with a lucky haymaker-but Timo is just too skilled afighter. The Boss ends upknocked-out as Timo staggers to hisbrother. Beno holds his brother and

murmurs soothingly as he wipes awaythe blood. The bet-taker stoops andhands Beno his winnings; Beno grinsand waves the bills in Timos face.The bet-taker speaks to them inSpanish.

TIMOWhat? Another Mexican steps forwardto translate.

TRANSLATORHe says, he wants to know, can you

do it again? Timo rolls his eyes ashe is helped away by his brother.

INT. SALLYS -- NIGHT

Genie smiles and sashays around the room, threading her waypast groping cowboys and clerks. She is wearing a silkcorset that pushes up, out and over, as well as bloomersthat just beg to be spanked. The feathers in her hair andthe red of her lips have every mans gaze following her. OneCOWPOKE reels her in and sits her on his knee. He is drunkas hell and horny as all-get-out. He touches Genies face

with his finger.

COWPOKEYou look just like my mother...

Genie stands and presses the swell of her breasts againstthe old fellows back.

GENIEYour mother ever do...this?

The cowpoke almost swoons, his eyes closing. He turns andgrabs at Genie, feverish.

COWPOKEIll give you...anything you want!Anything! Just spend some timewith-

Genie pouts and touches his lips with her finger-tip.

(CONTINUED)


29/29

CONTINUED: 28.

GENIEId like that...but Ive got thecurse, yknow?

She leans in to whisper, offering him a look at her bosomsin doing so.

GENIE(whispering)

But my sisters upstairs, and shelooks just like me-

COWPOKEJust like you?

GENIEWelllll...were half-sisters,really-

(whispering)

...She got the naughty half...

The cowpoke gets up (a bit stiffly) and heads for thestairs. Genie watches him go and heads for a CLERICAL TYPE(20s) at another table. She settles into the shocked youngmans lap and tips his glass of beer to his lips. Their eyesmeet- hes under her sway.

GENIESo...tell me about your sisters.

Documents

New Genetti 1-26 With Big Skips