Writing the Photoplay Part 32

A blind man is selling pencils. Ella and Florence come on.

Florence pauses, fishes coin from her purse and buys a pencil. Then, as Ella keeps right on, turning corner, Florence smiles gently and pauses again.

7--Street corner--close-up of hands.

Florence gently slips the purchased pencil back into hand of blind man, allowing her hand to rest commiseratingly on his arm an instant.

8--Wider view of street corner.

Ella turns to see what is keeping Florence, who is hurrying away to avoid the man's "Bless you, and the Saints protect you!"[43]

[Footnote 43: Three scenes contain "human touch." Note the "close-up"

as differing from "bust" used later on.]

_Leader--_

"BRICKDUST ROW," WITH ITS DREARY MONOTONY AND CRUMBLING DECAY, IS A PLACE TO SIGH OVER--NOT TO LIVE IN.[44]

[Footnote 44: O. Henry's atmosphere.]

9--Long view of street with typical tenements.

Showing the dreary atmosphere of the place as Florence and Ella come along street and pause at a doorway.

10--Closer view doorway.

Emphasis of atmosphere. Ella unlatching door as Florence touches side-rail of low stoop and looks downcast, shuddering a bit. They go in.

11--Lower hall of tenement.

A worn whisk-broom hangs on wall. There is a comedy touch as Ella and Florence come in, and the latter notices the whisk-broom.

12--Bust view. Wall.

Showing whisk-broom.

13--Wider view of hall.

Ella laughs, and says:

_Cut-in leader--_

"THE FIRST TIME YOU START OUT FROM THIS DUST-FACTORY YOU'LL KNOW WHY THAT'S THERE!"

Florence is dubious about liking the place, but follows Ella up the rickety, dust-laden stairway.

14--Ella's tiny but neat room--window on fire-escape.

Ella brings Florence in. Ella throws out hands in gesture of "Here it is--not much, I'll admit." Florence exclaims in rea.s.suring affectation of delight and says she will take Ella's offer.

Diaphragm out.

_Leader--_

WE NOTE ONE BLINKER--ALEXANDER BLINKER--OWNING TENEMENTS GALORE, AND LEADING A GENERALLY USELESS LIFE BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP THAT WAY.

15--Oldport's legal office. Close-up at door.

Diaphragm in to a close view of Blinker, introducing him in a very unpleasing humor, evidently sour about something.[45]

[Footnote 45: We are handling O. Henry's incident now, and must use his leader-material, so the next situation must be broken into various "close-up" views to prevent having too long a scene and too irksome a run of spoken matter in one scene.]

16--Oldport's office--wider view.

Showing Oldport looking quizzically at the fuming Blinker as the latter advances, saying:

_Cut-in leader--_

"IF I _MUST_ SIGN THOSE DISGUSTING LEASES, LET US GET IT OVER. I HAVE A GOLF TOURNAMENT ON--"

He advances and slumps pettishly into a chair by desk.

17--Close-up of Oldport.

Oldport looks around at Blinker, with an expression showing more pity than annoyance.

18--Close-up of Blinker.

Blinker makes a gesture of impatience and s.h.i.+fts in his chair.

19--Ella's room. A few touches indicating the refining influence of Florence.

Ella is getting ready to go out. Florence questions. Ella says, "I got an afternoon date." Then she vents her annoyance at the owner of the buildings by saying:

_Cut-in-leader--_

"THE DUB THAT OWNS THIS DUST-BIN IS SO MEAN THAT HE RENTS THE PARLORS--SO US GIRLS HAS GOT TO MEET OUR GENTLEMEN FRIENDS SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE--WE CAN'T ENTERTAIN IN OUR ROOMS, CAN WE?"

Florence shakes her head, and refuses an invitation to accompany Ella, who goes out.[46]

[Footnote 46: Contrast to Blinker; also forecasts by a.s.sociation of ideas the coming together of characters; hints at plot.]

20--Oldport's office.

Blinker signing papers. Finis.h.i.+ng, he rises. Oldport lays a restraining hand on his arm, taking another paper. Blinker shudders in distaste, as Oldport turns and says:

_Cut-in leader--_

"THERE IS A MATTER CONCERNING THE RENTING OF THE PARLORS IN ONE OF YOUR BUILDINGS--YOUR FATHER HAD INTENDED TO REMODEL THEM, SO--"