Writing the Photoplay Part 41

Diaphragm in:

[Footnote 58: Purposely uncompleted to give suspense strength to hold over into next--slowing--episode.]

136--Blinker's apartment.

Man caring for Blinker, somewhat burned. Sad and downcast.

Man admits Oldport. Lawyer listens to story.

137--Hospital entry.

Bill comes out, discharged--head bandaged. He takes a card out of pocket--looks and puts back. He does not know what to do, then decides, and goes off.[59]

[Footnote 59: Observe how girl's fate is withheld till disposition of less important characters is shown.]

138--Ella's room.

Florence in bed. Ella attending. Bill knocks, is admitted.

139--Blinker's apartment.

Oldport sees Blinker is able to talk business. He a.s.sumes quizzical air, says:

_Cut-in leader--_

"MAYBE I CAN KEEP YOU HERE LONG ENOUGH TO TAKE UP THAT DEFERRED MATTER--"

Blinker wearily a.s.sents. Oldport begins:

_Cut-in leader--_

"YOUR FATHER INTENDED THAT THE PARLORS OF CERTAIN BUILDINGS SHOULD BE USED BY THE GIRL-TENANTS AS PLACES WHEREIN TO ENTERTAIN THEIR MALE CALLERS."

Blinker gives start of surprise--query--agony--cries out:

_Cut-in leader--_

"'BRICKDUST ROW,' FOR A MILLION!"

Oldport smiles:

_Cut-in leader--_

"I BELIEVE THE GIRLS HAVE SOME SUCH NICKNAME FOR IT. WHAT SHALL I DO?"

Horrible! Blinker in spasm of anguish:

_Cut-in leader--_

"BURN IT! RAZE IT! DO WHAT YOU LIKE--BUT I TELL YOU--IT'S TOO LATE, MAN--IT'S TOO LATE!--"

He flings away.

140--Ella's room.

Bill chatting with Ella. Seems to have good feeling for her--devouring hot-cake she has made as he talks with Florence, who is sitting up. He takes out card, says:

_Cut-in leader--_

"THAT GUY YOU WAS WID--IS HE ON THE SQUARE?--HE AST ME TO CALL ON HIM--"

Florence suddenly recalls all that has happened. She turns her face away, unable to control tears of despondency.

141--Blinker's apartment.

Oldport goes. Blinker "chases" his man, sits in bad mood, sour and lovelorn by turns.

142--Ella's room.

Bill dismayed--demands what he has said. Florence sits up--controls herself. Says, gently:

_Cut-in leader--_

"HE--HE ISN'T GOING TO--SEE ME ANY MORE--I GUESS."

Bill is all anger--"Why?" She tells him:

_Cut-in leader--_

"I DON'T THINK--OUR--WAYS OF LIVING--"

She breaks down.

143--Close-up of Bill.

"The son of a brat!"--so he has chucked "Little Sis" has he, the rich piker? Well, Bill can see about that! Of course he thinks the worst of Blinker.

144--Wider-angle view.

Bill rises and tiptoes out. Florence weeping softly with Ella comforting--rough yet tender.

145--Blinker's apartment.

Man admits Bill and is dismissed. Blinker hearty--then sees Bill's anger. Rises. Big scene where Bill denounces him, saying:

_Cut-in leader--_

"YOU GOT TO BE SQUARE WITH THAT KID!"