"THE GRADUATE" Screenplay by Buck Henry Prod. No. 20055 FINAL DRAFT March 29, 1967 EXT. AMPHITHEATRE - DAY - SHOT - HELICOPTER'S POV Moving through clouds. The clouds separate and, far below, we can see a giant outdoor amphitheatre. There is no SOUND but the WIND. As we move closer to the amphitheatre, we can hear SNATCHES OF WORDS and PHRASES as though from a public address system. EXT. AMPHITHEATRE - PODIUM - DAY - SHOT OF BEN in cap and gown, standing in front of a microphone. The WIND is BLOWING. He has to hold on to the papers from which he is reading. EXT. AMPHITHEATRE - SHOT OF AUDIENCE - DAY Thousands of expressionless STUDENTS are sitting there. EXT. AMPHITHEATRE - SHOT OF PODIUM - DAY BEN -- and today it is right that we should ask ourselves the one most important question: What is the purpose of these years, the purpose for all this demanding work, the purpose for the sacrifices made those who love us? Were there NOT a purpose, then all of these past years of struggle, of fierce competition and of uncompromising ambition would be meaningless. But, of course, there is a purpose and I must tell it to you. I ask you to remember this purpose always and I pledge that I shall endeavor to carry it with me forever. SHOT - AMPHITHEATRE AUDIENCE - DAY staring at him impassively. INTERCUT BETWEEN SHOTS of impassive students, seated, watching; of Ben standing alone on the huge amphitheatre stage; of CLOSEUPS of Ben speaking; of loudspeakers; of wind-blown papers on the podium. EXT. PODIUM OF AMPHITHEATRE - DAY BEN The purpose, my fellow graduates -- the purpose is -- He stops, trying to think of the word. CLOSEUP - BEN He begins to sweat. SHOT - AMPHITHEATRE AUDIENCE watching. SHOT - PODIUM of AMPHITHEATRE Ben's hands searching through the pages of his speech. The pages begin to blow away in the wind. SHOT - AMPHITHEATRE AUDIENCE - DAY staring. SHOT - PODIUM OF AMPHITHEATRE - DAY BEN -- there is a reason, my friends, and the reason is -- CLOSEUP - BEN He is in a panic. He looks up from his papers at the audience. SHOT - AMPHITHEATRE - DAY The audience is gone. SHOT - PODIUM OF AMPHITHEATRE - DAY BEN -- the reason is -- the purpose is -- SOUND of the WIND becoming the ROAR of an AIRCRAFT coming at us through the air. SHOT - AMPHITHEATRE - DAY Huge and empty. SOUND of AIRCRAFT. CAPTAIN'S VOICE Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin our descent into Los Angeles -- SOUND of a SONIC BOOM. CUT TO: INT. PLANE - CLOSEUP - BEN - NIGHT His eyes open suddenly. CAPTAIN'S VOICE The sound you have just heard is the landing gear locking into place. The Los Angeles weather is clear and the temperature is a pleasant 72. We do not expect any traffic delay and will make our four hour and eighteen minute flight plan smack on the nose. We enjoyed having you on board and look forward to seeing you again in the near future. SHOT PULL BACK SLOWLY from a CLOSEUP of a television screen with snow on it to reveal a long row of television sets along the ceiling of the aircraft. There is snow on all of them. REVERSE ANGLE PULL BACK from the CLOSEUP of Ben to reveal a row of passengers staring straight ahead, their headsets on. Ben turns and looks out the window. EXT. LOS ANGELES - FROM THE AIR - NIGHT Los Angeles, at night, its lights stretching endlessly in every direction. SOUND - MUZAC and the STEWARDESS' LANDING SPEECH. START OF MAIN TITLES UNDER TITLES: STEWARDESS' VOICE Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your seat belts in preparation for the landing and observe the no smoking sign. After we land, you will notice an increase in the sound level as the thrust of the engines is reversed to help reduce forward speed. INT. AIRPORT - MOVING SIDEWALK - NIGHT Ben and the other passengers on the automatic sidewalk. MAN'S VOICE Your attention, please! American Airlines Flight Number 4, 21 Club service, non-stop to New York is now leaving from Gate Number 40. All aboard, please. INT. BEN'S ROOM - NIGHT - CLOSEUP - BEN His eyes are open and he is trying to remember something. There are the SOUNDS of many people TALKING and LAUGHING in other rooms. A RADIO nearby PLAYS MUSIC. After a while, there is the SOUND of a DOOR OPENING. The SOUNDS of the people TALKING are lower. MRS. TERHUNE'S voice can be heard among them. MRS. TERHUNE'S VOICE -- associate editor of the college newspaper in his junior year -- managing editor in his senior year -- The SOUND of the DOOR CLOSING. Mrs. Terhune's VOICE and the VOICES of the other guests FADE DOWN. Mrs. Terhune's VOICE can be HEARD with varying clarity through the remainder of the sequence. After a few moments, there is the SOUND of a LIGHT SWITCH being SNAPPED and light, as though from an overhead fixture, falls across BEN's face. He does not move. After a few moments, there is the SOUND of the RADIO being SNAPPED OFF. MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE What's the matter? Ben's mouth opens a little bit and closes again. MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE The guests are all downstairs, Ben. They're all waiting to see you. BEN Look, Dad - could you explain to them that I have to be alone for a while? MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE These are all our good friends, Ben. Most of them have known you since -- well -- practically since you were born. Ben has not moved. Now the bed on which he is lying moves as though someone has sat down upon it next to him. MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE What is it, Ben? The CAMERA BEGINS TO PULL BACK SLOWLY. BEN I'm just -- MR. BRADDOCK -- worried? BEN Well -- MR. BRADDOCK About what? BEN I guess -- about my future. MR. BRADDOCK What about it? BEN I don't know. I want it to be -- MR. BRADDOCK To be what? BEN (quietly) Different. As Ben says this, the door to the bedroom opens and MRS. BRADDOCK looks in. MRS. BRADDOCK Is anything wrong? MR. BRADDOCK No! No -- we're just on our way downstairs! Mr. Braddock gets off the bed and goes to a chair and picks up Ben's jacket which is lying across it. MRS. BRADDOCK The Carlsons' are here. MR. BRADDOCK (to Mrs. Braddock) They are? (to Ben) Come on. Mr. Braddock puts the jacket on Ben. MRS. BRADDOCK They came all the way from Tarzana. MR. BRADDOCK It's a wonderful thing to have so many devoted friends. They move out of the door, Mr. Braddock steering Ben. INT. HALLS AND STAIRWAY - NIGHT PHIL and MIMI CARLSON are coming up the stairs as the Braddocks are moving down. MR. CARLSON Hey -- there's our award winning scholar. MRS. CARLSON We're all very proud of you, Ben. BEN Thank you, Mrs. Carlson. MR. CARLSON Is that the new car out there? The little red Wop job? MR. BRADDOCK That's Ben's graduation present. MR. CARLSON (putting his arm across Ben's shoulder) Won't have much trouble picking them up in that, will you? BEN Sir? MR. CARLSON The girls. The chicks. The -- the teeny boppers. MRS. CARLSON I think Ben has gotten beyond the teeny bopper stage -- haven't you, Ben? Mrs. Carlson gives Ben a broad wink. Ben tries to smile and return the wink politely. BEN Yes, ma'am. They reach the hall at the bottom of the stairs. BEN Excuse me -- I think I'd just like to check something on the car for a minute -- Ben moves to the front door and opens it. MR. LOOMIS steps into the house and grabs Ben's hand. MR. LOOMIS Here's the track star himself. How are you, track star? BEN Just fine, Mr. Loomis. Mr. Loomis closes the door and pushes Ben back down the hall. MR. LOOMIS I want to get a drink and then I want to hear all about that thing you won. That Hopperman award. BEN Helpingham. MR. LOOMIS Helpingham! Right! Now you wait right here. Mr. Loomis turns and goes into the dining room. Ben moves back to the stairway as THREE LADIES come out of the living room. One lady takes Ben's right hand, another lady his left, the third fingers the front of his jacket. LADY 1 Ben -- we're all so proud of you. LADY 2 Proud, proud, proud, proud, proud. LADY 3 What are you going to do now? BEN I was going to go upstairs for a minute -- LADY 3 No -- I meant with your future. LADY 2 With your life. BEN Well -- that's a little hard to say -- MR. MCQUIRE appears behind Ben. MR. MCQUIRE Ben! BEN (to the ladies) Excuse me. (he turns around) Mr. McQuire. MR. MCQUIRE (overwhelmed with pride) Ben. BEN Mr. McQuire. Mr. McQuire takes Ben's arm and steers him down the hall toward the back of the house and out through the back door. EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA - NIGHT The pool is eerily lit. There are FOUR PEOPLE standing and TALKING, drinks in their hands, at the back of the yard. MR. MCQUIRE Ben -- I just want to say one word to you -- just one word -- BEN Yes, sir. MR. MCQUIRE Are you listening? BEN Yes I am. MR. MCQUIRE (gravely) Plastics. They look at each other for a moment. BEN Exactly how do you mean? MR. MCQUIRE There is a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it? BEN Yes, I will. MR. MCQUIRE Okay. Enough said. That's a deal. Mr. McQuire turns and walks back into the house. The people at the other end of the yard look toward Ben. WOMAN #1 Here he is now. Here's Ben. BEN Excuse me just a minute -- Ben goes into the house through the back door. EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA - NIGHT We can see through the windows of the house, Ben making his way through people trying to stop him and speak to him as he goes through rooms, up the stairs and to his room. SOUND of a door SLAMMING. INT. / EXT. BEN'S ROOM - NIGHT Ben stands with his back against the door. The SOUNDS of the PARTY downstairs and, as Ben walks across the room to a window, the SOUND of the WIND. SHOT - LONG SHOT (Location) Over Ben to pool area and people below. SOUND of the door OPENING. Ben turns. MRS. ROBINSON enters the room. MRS. ROBINSON Oh. I guess this isn't the bathroom, is it? BEN It's down the hall. They stand for a moment, looking at each other. MRS. ROBINSON How are you, Benjamin? BEN Fine, thank you. The bathroom is down at the end of the hall. Mrs. Robinson moves into the room and sits on the edge of the bed. BEN Look, Mrs. Robinson, I don't mean to be rude but -- Mrs. Robinson takes a cigarette from her purse and lights it. MRS. ROBINSON Is there an ashtray in here? BEN No. MRS. ROBINSON Oh -- I forgot. The track star doesn't smoke. She blows out the match and puts it down carefully on the bedspread. Ben picks up a wastebasket, walks over to the bed, picks up the match and puts it in the wastebasket. MRS. ROBINSON Is it a girl? BEN Is what a girl? MRS. ROBINSON Whatever it is you're upset about. BEN Oh -- no. I'm just sort of disturbed about things. MRS. ROBINSON In general. BEN That's right. There is a long pause. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin, I want to ask you something. BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON Will you take me home? BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON My husband took the car. Will you drive me home? Ben reaches into his pocket and hands Mrs. Robinson a set of car keys. BEN Here -- you take it. Mrs. Robinson looks at him. BEN Do you know how to work a foreign shift? Mrs. Robinson shakes her head. BEN You don't? MRS. ROBINSON No. (there is a pause) BEN Let's go. She throws the keys to him. He catches them. CUT TO: EXT. BRADDOCK HOUSE - NIGHT SHOOTING THROUGH THE OPEN FRONT DOOR. Mr. Braddock is talking to the Terhunes at the door. Ben and Mrs. Robinson come down the hall. BEN Dad -- Mrs. Robinson needs a ride home. I'll be right back. Mr. Braddock pats Ben on the shoulder. Mrs. Robinson is walking ahead through the front door. MRS. ROBINSON (as she passes the camera) Wonderful party. CUT TO: EXT. ROBINSON HOUSE - NIGHT The car comes to a stop in the Robinson driveway. They sit for a moment. MRS. ROBINSON Thank you. BEN Right. She doesn't move. Ben gets out and goes around to her side and opens the door. MRS. ROBINSON Will you come in, please? BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON I want you to come in till I get the lights on. BEN What for? MRS. ROBINSON Because I don't feel safe until I get the lights on. They move to the door. She takes out her key and opens the door. INT. ROBINSON HALL AND SUNROOM - NIGHT MRS. ROBINSON Would you mind walking ahead of me to the sun porch. I feel funny about coming into a dark house. BEN But it's light in there now. MRS. ROBINSON Please. Ben turns and walks down the hall. They enter sunroom. MRS. ROBINSON What do you drink? Bourbon? BEN Look -- I drove you home. I was glad to do it. But I have some things on my mind. Can you understand that? She nods. BEN All right then. MRS. ROBINSON What do you drink? He looks at her. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin -- I'm sorry to be this way, but I don't want to be alone in this house. BEN Why not? MRS. ROBINSON Please wait till my husband gets home. BEN When is he coming back? MRS. ROBINSON I don't know. She pours herself a drink. MRS. ROBINSON Drink? BEN No. She hands him a drink. There is a pause. BEN Are you always this much afraid of being alone? MRS. ROBINSON Yes. BEN Well, why can't you just lock the doors and go to bed? MRS. ROBINSON I'm very neurotic. She turns on the phonograph. SOUND of PHONOGRAPH. MRS. ROBINSON May I ask you a question? Ben looks at her. MRS. ROBINSON What do you think of me? BEN What do you mean? MRS. ROBINSON You've known me nearly all of your life. You must have formed some opinion. BEN Well -- I've always thought that you were a very -- nice -- person. MRS. ROBINSON Did you know I was an alcoholic? BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON Did you know that? BEN Look -- I think I should be going -- MRS. ROBINSON Sit down, Benjamin. BEN Mrs. Robinson -- if you don't mind my saying so -- this conversation is getting a little strange. Now I'm sure that Mr. Robinson will be here any minute and -- MRS. ROBINSON No. BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON My husband will be back quite late. They look at each other. Ben is half standing. MRS. ROBINSON He should be gone for several hours. She takes a step toward him. He puts his hand up and retreats around the other side of the chair. BEN Oh my God. MRS. ROBINSON Pardon? BEN Oh no, Mrs. Robinson, oh no. MRS. ROBINSON What's wrong? BEN Mrs. Robinson, you didn't -- I mean you didn't expect -- MRS. ROBINSON What? BEN I mean -- you didn't really think that I would do something like that. MRS. ROBINSON Like what? BEN What do you think? MRS. ROBINSON Well I don't know. BEN For God's sake, Mrs. Robinson, here we are, you've got me into your house. You give me a drink. You put on music, now you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won't be home for hours. MRS. ROBINSON So? BEN Mrs. Robinson -- you are trying to seduce me. There is a pause. She looks at him. BEN (weaker) Aren't you? MRS. ROBINSON Why no. I hadn't thought of it. I feel rather flattered that you -- BEN Mrs. Robinson, will you forgive me for what I just said? MRS. ROBINSON It's all right. BEN It's not all right, it's the worst thing I've ever said to anyone. MRS. ROBINSON Sit down. BEN Please forgive me. Because I like you. I don't think of you that way. But I'm mixed up. MRS. ROBINSON All right. Now finish your drink. BEN Mrs. Robinson, it makes me sick that I said that to you. MRS. ROBINSON We'll forget it right now. Finish your drink. BEN What is wrong with me? MRS. ROBINSON Have you ever seen Elaine's portrait? BEN Her portrait? MRS. ROBINSON Yes. BEN No. MRS. ROBINSON We had it done last Christmas. Would you like to see it? BEN Very much. We move with Mrs. Robinson and Ben out of the sunroom, into the hall, up the stairs and along the hall to the doorway to Elaine's room. INT. ELAINE'S ROOM - NIGHT Ben moves into the room and looks up at the portrait. BEN Elaine certainly is an attractive girl, isn't she? In the b.g. Mrs. Robinson watches him. BEN (looking at the portrait) I don't remember her as having brown eyes. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin? BEN Yes? MRS. ROBINSON Will you unzip my dress? He steps back. MRS. ROBINSON I think I'll go to bed. BEN Oh. Well, goodnight. MRS. ROBINSON Won't you unzip my dress? BEN I'd rather not, Mrs. Robinson. MRS. ROBINSON If you still think I'm trying to seduce you -- BEN No, I don't. But I just feel a little funny. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin -- you've known me all your life. BEN I know that. But I'm -- MRS. ROBINSON Come on. She turns her back. MRS. ROBINSON It's hard for me to reach. Ben reaches forward and pulls the zipper down. MRS. ROBINSON Thank you. BEN Right. Ben walks toward the door. MRS. ROBINSON What are you so scared of? BEN I'm not scared, Mrs. Robinson. MRS. ROBINSON Then why do you keep running away? BEN Because you're going to bed. I don't think I should be up here. Mrs. Robinson lets her dress fall to the floor. MRS. ROBINSON Haven't you ever seen anybody in a slip before? BEN Yes, I have -- He looks up at the portrait of Elaine. BEN But I just -- Look -- what if Mr. Robinson walked in right now? MRS. ROBINSON What if he did? BEN Well, it would look pretty funny, wouldn't it? MRS. ROBINSON Don't you think he trusts us together? BEN Of course he does. But he might get the wrong idea. Anyone might. MRS. ROBINSON I don't see why. I'm twice as old as you are. How could anyone think -- BEN But they would! Don't you see? MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin -- I'm not trying to seduce you. I wish you'd -- BEN I know that. But please, Mrs. Robinson. This is difficult for me. MRS. ROBINSON Why is it? BEN Because I am confused about things. I can't tell what I'm imagining. I can't tell what's real. I can't -- MRS. ROBINSON Would you like me to seduce you? BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON Is that what you're trying to tell me? BEN I'm going home now. I apologize for what I said. I hope you can forget it. But I'm going home right now. Benjamin walks out of the door and down the hall. The CAMERA PUSHES with him to the door. We see the entire stairway and part of the downstairs hall. Ben gets to the stairs and starts down. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE BENJAMIN? BEN Yes. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Will you bring up my purse before you go? BEN I have to go now. I'm sorry. Mrs. Robinson walks into the hall. Her back is to us. She is holding her dress in front of her. MRS. ROBINSON I really don't want to put this on again. Won't you bring it up? BEN Where is it? MRS. ROBINSON On that chair in the hall. She walks out of the shot. BEN Mrs. Robinson? MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE I'm in the bathroom. BEN Well here's the purse. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Could you bring it up? BEN Well I'll hand it to you. Ben starts back up the stairs. BEN Come to the railing and I'll hand it up. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Benjamin -- I am getting pretty tired of all this suspicion. Now if you won't do me a simple favor I don't know what. Ben appears as he slowly climbs the stairs. BEN I'm putting it on the top step. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE For God's sake, Benjamin, will you stop acting that way and bring me the purse? Ben gets to the top of the stairs, and starts slowly down the hall. BEN I'm putting it here by the door. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Will you bring it in to me? BEN I'd rather not. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE All right. Put it in the room where we were. BEN Right. INT. ELAINE'S ROOM - NIGHT Ben walks quickly into Elaine's room, crosses to the bed and puts the purse down. As he starts to turn back, he looks up at Elaine's portrait. There is a movement reflected in the glass of the portrait. He turns quickly. Mrs. Robinson, naked, is shutting the door to the bedroom behind her. BEN Oh God. She smiles. BEN Let me out. She turns the lock on the door. MRS. ROBINSON Don't be nervous. BEN Get away from that door. MRS. ROBINSON I want to say something first. BEN Jesus Christ! MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin -- I want you to know I'm available to you. If you won't sleep with me this time -- BEN Oh my God. MRS. ROBINSON If you won't sleep with me this time, Benjamin, I want you to know you can call me up any time you want and we'll make some kind of arrangement. BEN Let me out! MRS. ROBINSON Do you understand what I said? BEN Yes. Yes. Let me out! MRS. ROBINSON Because I find you very attractive and any time -- There is the SOUND of a CAR in the driveway outside. Ben leaps at the door, pushes Mrs. Robinson aside, struggles with the door, gets the door open, runs into the hall and down the stairs. INT. SUNROOM - NIGHT Ben rushes into the sunroom and sits down. SOUND of FOOTSTEPS on the driveway outside. Ben jumps up, gets the glass he had been drinking from and sits down again. SOUND of the front door OPENING and CLOSING. MR. ROBINSON'S VOICE Is that Ben's car in front? BEN (jumping up) Yes, sir! FOOTSTEPS approach the sunroom. MR. ROBINSON enters. BEN I drove -- I drove Mrs. Robinson home. She wanted me to drive her home so I -- I drove her home. MR. ROBINSON Swell. I appreciate it. BEN She's upstairs. She wanted me to wait down here till you got home. MR. ROBINSON Standing guard over the old castle, are you? BEN Yes, sir. Mr. Robinson reaches for Ben's glass. MR. ROBINSON Here. It looks like you need a refill. BEN Oh no. MR. ROBINSON What? BEN I've got to go. MR. ROBINSON Is anything wrong? You look a little shaken up. BEN No. No -- I'm just -- I'm just a little worried about my future. I'm a little upset about my future. Mr. Robinson takes the glass from him. MR. ROBINSON Come on. Let's have a nightcap together. Mr. Robinson turns his back to Ben to mix the drinks. Ben takes several deep breaths, straightens his tie and checks to see if his fly is okay. Mr. Robinson turns and brings him the drink. BEN Thank you very much, sir. MR. ROBINSON Ben -- how old are you now? BEN Twenty. I'll be twenty-one next week. MR. ROBINSON (taking out a cigarette) That's a hell of a good age to be. BEN Thank you. MR. ROBINSON I wish I was that age again. Because, Ben -- BEN Sir? MR. ROBINSON You'll never be young again. BEN I know. MR. ROBINSON Ben, can I say something to you? BEN What? MR. ROBINSON How long have we known each other now? Ben shakes his head. MR. ROBINSON How long have you and I known each other? How long have your Dad and I been partners? BEN Quite a while. MR. ROBINSON I've watched you grow up, Ben. BEN Yes, sir. MR. ROBINSON In many ways I feel as though you were my own son. BEN Thank you. MR. ROBINSON So I hope you won't mind my giving you a friendly piece of advice. BEN I'd like to hear it. MR. ROBINSON Ben -- I think -- I think you ought to be taking it a little easier right now than you seem to. Ben nods. MR. ROBINSON Sow a few wild oats. Take things as they come. Have a good time with the girls and so forth. Mrs. Robinson enters the room. She is now wearing the dress she wore earlier. Ben starts to get up. MRS. ROBINSON Don't get up. Ben sits. MR. ROBINSON I was just telling Ben here he ought to sow a few wild oats. Have a good time while he can. You think that's sound advice? Mrs. Robinson nods. MRS. ROBINSON Yes, I do. BEN I've got to go. He stands. Mr. Robinson stands up with him. MR. ROBINSON You have yourself a few flings this summer. I bet you're quite a ladies' man. BEN Oh no. MR. ROBINSON What? You look like the kind of guy that has to fight them off. (to Mrs. Robinson) Doesn't he look to you like the kind of guy who has to fight them off? MRS. ROBINSON Yes, he does. They start out of the sunroom. INT. ROBINSON HALL - NIGHT MR. ROBINSON Oh say -- Elaine gets down from Berkeley on Saturday. BEN Oh yes. MR. ROBINSON Ben -- I want you to give her a call. BEN I will. MR. ROBINSON Great. Mr. Robinson opens the front door and Ben goes out. EXT. ROBINSON HOUSE - NIGHT SHOOTING OVER THE CAR toward the house. Ben comes toward the car. Mrs. Robinson appears in the doorway; the light behind her makes it difficult to see her face. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin? BEN Yes. MRS. ROBINSON Thank you for taking me home. Ben nods. MRS. ROBINSON I'll see you soon, I hope. Ben continues to walk toward us. MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE Ladies and gentlemen -- your attention, please -- for this afternoon's feature attraction. CUT TO: EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA - DAY The sun shines brightly. Standing and sitting around the pool are Mr. and Mrs. Braddock, their friends MR. and MRS. ARNOLD, and the Arnold children, PETER and LOUISE, who are eight or nine. Watching from across the fence on one side of the house: the young girl from next door and her boy friend. Across the fence on the other side of the house: a quartet of adults, formally dressed as though for a cocktail party, holding drinks and watching. One of them holds a baby. The Braddocks, the Arnolds and their children are dressed in California Contemporary Sport Style: the adults in styles infinitely too young for them, the children in styles infinitely too old for them. Mr. Braddock stands alone at the end of the pool near the house. The others are grouped, more or less, at the other end. Mr. Braddock is hamming it up. MR. BRADDOCK Hey, over there -- I mean you! Your attention please! Mr. Braddock has moved over by one of the windows of the house, the window into the kitchen. He speaks quickly -- in a fake sotto voce -- towards the window. MR. BRADDOCK Are you ready in there, feature attraction? BEN'S VOICE Could I speak to you for a second, Dad? But Mr. Braddock has already moved away from the window and is readdressing his audience. MR. BRADDOCK -- what was I saying? MRS. ARNOLD Feature attraction. MR. BRADDOCK Right. Hey -- I'm glad to see you're paying attention. A feature attraction that will be one of the most astounding events ever to take place in this particular backyard. They all laugh and some applaud. MR. BRADDOCK Now I'm going to ask for a big round of applause to bring this boy out here -- wait a minute -- let me amend that -- to bring this young man out here -- because today he is twenty- one-years-old -- MR. ARNOLD (his hands like a megaphone) Let's get on with the show! MR. BRADDOCK Just hang on a minute because I have a few words to say -- MR. ARNOLD You always do. They laugh; Mrs. Arnold makes a face at Mr. Arnold as he grinningly acknowledges the reponse to his snappy comeback. BEN'S VOICE Dad -- could we just talk about this for a second? MR. BRADDOCK Twenty-one-years-old, ladies and gentlemen; four of those years spent accomplishing some rather extraordinary things at one of our nation's leading seats of learning -- MR. ARNOLD Bring him out! PETER AND LOUISE On with the show! On with the show! MR. BRADDOCK (to the window) I can't hold them much longer, Ben. You better get out here. BEN'S VOICE I'd like to discuss this. MR. BRADDOCK (to his audience) This boy -- I'm sorry -- this young man -- is soon to continue his education as a Frank Halpingham Award Scholar -- but before he does -- Mr. Braddock darts back to the window. MR. BRADDOCK -- before he does -- (to the window) You're disappointing them, Ben. You're disappointing them. BEN'S VOICE Dad -- can you listen -- MR. BRADDOCK (meaning it) I'll give you ten seconds. (back to the people) He is going to give us a practical demonstration of what I feel safe in saying is a pretty exciting birthday present -- and it better work or I'm out over two hundred bucks -- so let's hear it for -- Mr. Braddock moves to the screen door and pushes it open. It slams against the wall inside. MR. BRADDOCK -- Benjamin Braddock! INT. BRADDOCK BREAKFAST KITCHEN - SHOT DOWN THE HALL - DAY At the back of the hall, inside the house, stands Ben, dressed in a full length skin diver's wet suit, flippers on his feet, the oxygen tank strapped to his back, the mask pushed up his forehead, the air hose dangling. He holds a spear gun in his hand. The people applaud. EXT BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA - DAY SHOT - FROM BEN'S POV The people in the backyard. His father stands just outside the screen door. MR. BRADDOCK Folks -- this remarkable young man is going to perform for you some spectacular and amazing feats of daring in water that is over six feet deep -- Ben's arms come into view and pull the mask down. We are now looking through the mask as we MOVE FORWARD down the hall. Everything is slightly distorted through the glass. Ben's hand comes up again with the breathing apparatus in it. SOUND: the rhythmic PUMPING of air, obliterating the SOUND of the people around the pool who seem to be applauding and chattering noiselessly. We MOVE out of the door and toward the pool. Mr. Braddock is running back and forth, clapping his hands and delivering his now soundless pitch. We MOVE DOWN the steps and into the shallow end of the pool. Mr. Braddock is moving along the side of the pool, motioning toward us to come down to the deep end. He joins Mr. Arnold at the far end of the pool. They both begin to motion us toward them. We get to the deep end of the pool. Mr. Braddock signals us with his hand to go under. He kneels down by the edge of the pool and reaches out with his hand and pushes us under. He has a big smile. We SURFACE again and PAN AROUND for a last look. The figures, through the slightly distorted glass of the mask of Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Braddock, watching and smiling; the neighbors on each side of the house, looking over their fences and laughing and pointing; Mr. Arnold nodding encouragement and talking; Mr. Braddock on his knees, smiling and trying to reach out far enough to push us under. We GO UNDER and SINK to the bottom of the pool. EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA - DAY OVERHEAD SHOT (HELICOPTER POV) Looking down on the pool, on Ben's black suited body at the bottom and the people standing around the pool, looking down into it. PULL UP AND UP AND UP Until there are thirty houses below us, with its owners, swimming, playing, eating, cooking, reading, dancing, sunbathing, constructing and gardening around thirty pools. SOUND of Ben's BREATHING APPARATUS, fading into the SOUND of the WIND. Hold for a few seconds, then: SOUND of a dime DROPPING into a pay phone and DIALING. DISSOLVE TO: INT. TAFT HOTEL LOBBY - NIGHT - CLOSEUP - BEN In a phone booth. The booth is in the entrance area of the hotel between the lobby and the driveway. Ben holds the receiver to his ear. SOUND of PHONE RINGING. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Hello. BEN Mrs. Robinson -- I don't quite know how to put this -- MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Benjamin? BEN Look -- I was thinking about that time after the party -- MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Where are you? BEN -- and I was wondering if I could buy you a drink or something -- MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Where are you? BEN Uh -- The Taft Hotel. MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Did you get a room? BEN No. Now I know it's pretty late and if you'd rather -- MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE Give me an hour. BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON'S VOICE I'll be there in an hour. SOUND of her HANGING UP. Ben hangs up slowly. He stands up in the booth, looks around, moves about uncomfortably for a few moments, removes his jacket and carrying it folded across his arm in front of him, leaves the phone booth and crosses to the doors that lead to the main lobby. As he is about to go in, the doors open and a group of VERY OLD PEOPLE start coming out, filling the doorway and moving very slowly, muttering to each other and helping each other out of the door and down the steps. Ben holds one of the doors open for them and stands politely to one side. As they get through, Ben starts to move inside. At that moment, A DOZEN YOUNG PEOPLE, dressed as though for a high school dance, push him to one side and move past him into the lobby. He moves back against the other door, holding it open and allowing them to go in first. He smiles politely and they pay no attention to him at all. He follows them into the lobby. They move toward the front desk and he moves with them. One of the boys at the front of the group leans in and says something to the CLERK behind the desk. The clerk points across the lobby and says something to him. There are the SOUNDS of an orchestra PLAYING somewhere. The group of young people passes by the desk and Ben moves in behind them. He pauses at the desk and looks apprehensively at the hundreds of pigeon holes against the wall with the room numbers painted under them and the keys dangling suggestively. ROOM CLERK Can I help you, sir! BEN What? Oh -- no -- I'm just -- He points vaguely in the direction of the other young people. ROOM CLERK Are you here for an affair, sir? Terror and disbelief start in Ben's eyes. He looks helplessly at the clerk. BEN What? ROOM CLERK The Singleman party, sir? BEN Oh -- yes. The Singleman party. ROOM CLERK It's in the main ballroom. BEN Ahh -- thank you. Ben backs off and turns and starts across the lobby. He puts on his jacket as he goes. He gets to the entrance to the main ballroom. He pauses at the door, looks in. What he sees: People dancing, talking, sitting, etc. He turns back toward the lobby. He stops. What he sees: The room clerk across the lobby watching him. Ben flashes a huge smile and points in toward the ballroom as though to express his joy at finding the Singleman affair inside, then turns back and enters the ballroom. INT. BALLROOM - NIGHT As Ben steps inside. VOICE Hello. Ben turns. Four people stand in a row. Official greeters, they are: A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN, AN OLDER MAN, AN ELDERLY LADY AND A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD BOY, dressed formally and they are smiling with great determination. BEN Hello. It is the older lady who has said hello. MRS. SINGLEMAN You must be one of the Porters. She grasps Ben's hand and shakes it. BEN No -- actually I'm not -- MRS. SINGLEMAN I'd like you to know my sister, Miss DeWitte -- MISS DEWITTE, who, from the looks of things, always has been and always will be, Miss DeWitte, takes Ben's hand. MISS DEWITTE How do you do? BEN How do you do, Miss DeWitte? MRS. SINGLEMAN -- and my husband, Mr. Singleman -- Ben finds himself shaking the twelve-year-old boy's hand. BEN (apologetically) Oh -- sorry -- JEFFREY SINGLEMAN Fine, thank you. MRS. SINGLEMAN That's Jeffrey, of course. Ben switches to Mr. Singleman's hand. BEN Of course. MR. SINGLEMAN I didn't get your name, sir. BEN Benjamin Braddock, sir. Mrs. Singleman looks at the seating list she has been holding. MRS. SINGLEMAN Braddock -- Braddock? BEN Yes, but I'm afraid -- MRS. SINGLEMAN I'll find your table in a moment. Braddock. Not Braniff? We have a Braniff. BEN No -- actually I'm just looking for a friend. MRS. SINGLEMAN I'm afraid I don't understand. BEN (backing off) I'm not with your party -- I'm sorry. MRS. SINGLEMAN Hey -- I don't get it. Ben is backing out. MISS DEWITTE I've enjoyed meeting you, Mr. Braniff. MRS. SINGLEMAN Angela -- please! Ben backs out of the ballroom. INT. HOTEL LOBBY - NIGHT Ben crosses the lobby, passing PEOPLE going in and out of the hotel. He stops at the entrance of the Veranda Room: INT. VERANDA ROOM - NIGHT This is a large room with a bar and many tables along the windows that look out over the hotel grounds. It is quite dark and cool inside and there are no more than a dozen people seated around. The CAMERA STAYS at the door as Ben walks into the room and crosses to the far end where he sits down at the table by the window. PUSH IN toward Ben as he sits there. MUZAK is playing. CUT TO: ANGLE ON BEN sitting smoking. CUT TO: NEW ANGLE ON BEN sitting. CUT TO: NEW ANGLE ON BEN sitting drinking. CUT TO: ANGLE ON BEN In the door to the lobby in the b.g. is Mrs. Robinson. She pauses, looks into the room, sees Ben and starts toward him. Ben is looking out the window. He does not see her approach. MRS. ROBINSON Hello, Benjamin. BEN Oh. Hello. Hello. He rises quickly. MRS. ROBINSON May I sit down? BEN Of course. He pulls out a chair, for her. MRS. ROBINSON Thank you. They sit down. MRS. ROBINSON How are you? BEN Very well. Thank you. Ben tries to smile then looks out the window, then down at the center of the table. MRS. ROBINSON May I have a drink? BEN A drink? Of course. Ben looks toward a passing WAITER and raises his hand. The waiter pays no attention. Ben looks back at Mrs. Robinson apologetically. BEN He didn't see me. MRS. ROBINSON Waiter! For a moment, the noise in the room seems to recede. The waiter stops in his tracks, turns toward them. The waiter moves to their table. The noise in the room comes back. The waiter looks at Mrs. Robinson. MRS. ROBINSON I will have a martini. WAITER NO. 1 Yes, madam. The waiter moves away. Ben watches him go. MRS. ROBINSON You don't have to be so nervous, you know. BEN Nervous. Well, I am a bit nervous. I mean it's -- it's pretty hard to be suave when you're -- He shakes his head. MRS. ROBINSON Did you get us a room? BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON Have you gotten us a room yet? BEN I haven't. No. MRS. ROBINSON Do you want to? BEN Well -- I don't. I mean I could. Or we could just talk. MRS. ROBINSON Do you want me to get it? BEN You? Oh no. No. I'll get it. MRS. ROBINSON Do you want to get it now? BEN Now? MRS. ROBINSON Yes. BEN Well -- I don't know. MRS. ROBINSON Why don't you get it. BEN Why don't I get it? Well -- I will then. (he stands up) If you'll excuse me. Ben walks out of the Veranda Room and into the lobby. INT. HOTEL LOBBY - NIGHT Ben walks to the front desk and stands there. ROOM CLERK Yes sir? BEN A room. I'd like a room, please. ROOM CLERK A single room or a double room? BEN A single. Just for myself, please. ROOM CLERK Will you sign the register, please? He pushes the card and a pen toward Ben. Ben writes his name on the card and then stares at it for a moment, crumples it up and fills out a second card. ROOM CLERK Is anything wrong, sir? BEN What? No. Nothing. ROOM CLERK (taking a key from behind the counter) Do you have any luggage, Mister -- (looks at registration card) Gladstone? BEN Luggage? Yes. Yes. I do. ROOM CLERK Where is it? BEN What? ROOM CLERK Where is your luggage? BEN Well it's in the car. It's out in the car. ROOM CLERK Very good, sir. I'll have a porter bring it in. BEN Oh no. ROOM CLERK Sir? BEN I mean I'd -- I'd rather not go to the trouble of bringing it all in. I just have a toothbrush. I can get it myself. If that's all right. ROOM CLERK Of course. Ben reaches for the key. ROOM CLERK I'll have a porter show you the room. BEN Oh. Well actually, I'd just as soon find it myself. I just have the toothbrush to carry up and I think I can manage it myself. ROOM CLERK Whatever you say, sir. He hands Ben the key. BEN Thank you. INT. VERANDA ROOM - NIGHT Mrs. Robinson sits, patiently and calmly. Her face betrays absolutely nothing as she stares ahead of her and sips her martini. WAITER NO. 1 Mrs. Robinson. She looks up. A waiter is standing next to the table with a telephone. MRS. ROBINSON Yes? The waiter plugs the phone into the wall socket next to the table and hands her the receiver. MRS. ROBINSON Thank you. The waiter nods and leaves. MRS. ROBINSON (into phone) Hello. BEN'S VOICE Mrs. Robinson? MRS. ROBINSON Yes? BEN'S VOICE It's Benjamin. MRS. ROBINSON Yes? BEN'S VOICE Benjamin Braddock. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin -- where are you? BEN'S VOICE Can you look through the glass. Mrs. Robinson turns in her chair and looks through the glass into the lobby. INT. LOBBY - PHONE BOOTH - NIGHT - WHAT SHE SEES Ben is in the phone booth in the lobby no more than twenty feet away. BEN'S VOICE Can you see me now? MRS. ROBINSON Yes, I can. INT. LOBBY PHONE BOOTH Over Ben's shoulder, we can see his face reflected in the glass door and, through it, Mrs. Robinson sitting in the Veranda Room. INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION BEN I got a single room. MRS. ROBINSON That's fine. BEN But there's one thing. The desk clerk seemed to be a little bit suspicious. I mean -- I don't know what their policy is -- but -- MRS. ROBINSON Well -- do you want to go up first? BEN Yes -- I think that would be good. MRS. ROBINSON I'll be up in five minutes. BEN Well -- goodbye then -- MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin. BEN Yes? MRS. ROBINSON Isn't there something you want to tell me? BEN To tell you? MRS. ROBINSON Yes. BEN Well -- I want you to know how much I appreciate this -- really -- MRS. ROBINSON The number. BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON The room number, Benjamin. I think you ought to tell me that. BEN Oh? You're absolutely right. Absolutely. It's 512. MRS. ROBINSON Thank you. BEN You're welcome. Well -- I'll see you later, Mrs. Robinson. He hangs up. INT. LOBBY - PHONE BOOTH - SHOT - BEN He leaves the phone booth and walks back into the main lobby. INT. HOTEL LOBBY - NIGHT As he passes the desk, on his way to the elevator, he starts to pat his breast pocket. BEN I've got it. The desk clerk looks up. BEN I say I've got it. CLERK Sir? BEN The toothbrush. I got it all right. CLERK Very good, sir. BEN Yes. Well -- goodnight. CLERK Goodnight, sir. Ben walks out of shot. INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT Ben leaves elevator, walks down corridor to hotel room and opens door. INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Ben closes the door behind him and leans with his back against it for a few moments looking at the room. The only light is that coming in the window. Ben turns on the light switch on the wall near the door. The room blazes with the light from three lamps and an overhead fixture. He turns the switch off. He crosses to the bathroom. Ben steps in and turns on the light. INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Ben steps out, moves to the window. We see the pool area through the window. Ben closes the blinds. There is a KNOCK on the door. Ben crosses to the door and opens it. Mrs. Robinson moves to the bureau and puts her purse and gloves on it. She looks at herself in the mirror for a moment then turns slowly, looking at the room, finally ending on Ben's face. She steps toward him. MRS. ROBINSON Well? He clears his throat and then he kisses her. BEN Well. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin. BEN Yes? MRS. ROBINSON I'll get undressed now. Is that all right? BEN Sure. Shall I -- I mean shall I just stand here? I mean -- I don't know what you want me to do. MRS. ROBINSON Why don't you watch? BEN Oh -- sure. Thank you. She takes off her jacket. MRS. ROBINSON Will you bring me a hanger? BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON A hanger. Ben opens the closet door. BEN Oh -- yes. Wood? MRS. ROBINSON What? BEN Wood or wire? They have both. MRS. ROBINSON Either one will be fine. BEN Okay. He brings her a hanger. She puts her jacket on it. MRS. ROBINSON Will you help me with this, please? She turns her back. BEN Certainly. He undoes the zipper at her neck. MRS. ROBINSON Thank you. BEN You're welcome. She turns and looks at him. He backs away. MRS. ROBINSON Would this be easier for you in the dark? BEN Mrs. Robinson -- I can't do this. MRS. ROBINSON You what? BEN This is all terribly wrong. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin -- do you find me undesirable? BEN Oh no, Mrs. Robinson. I think -- I think you're the most attractive of all my parents' friends. I just don't think we could possibly -- MRS. ROBINSON Are you afraid of me? BEN No -- but look -- maybe we could do something else together, Mrs. Robinson -- would you like to go to a movie. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin, is this your first time? BEN Is this -- what? MRS. ROBINSON It is, isn't it? It is your first time. BEN That's a laugh, Mrs. Robinson. That's really a laugh. Ha ha. MRS. ROBINSON You can admit that, can't you? BEN Are you kidding? MRS. ROBINSON It's nothing to be ashamed of -- BEN Wait a minute! MRS. ROBINSON On your first time -- BEN Who said it was my first time? MRS. ROBINSON That you're afraid -- BEN Wait a minute. MRS. ROBINSON -- of bring -- inadequate -- I mean just because you happen to be inadequate in one way -- BEN INADEQUATE! LONG pause. MRS. ROBINSON -- starting to dress. BEN Don't move. He slams the bathroom door shut. The light in the room disappears. FADE OUT: FADE IN: EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA - DAY The midsummer sun beats down on the Braddock swimming pool and on Ben who lies on a rubber raft in the middle of the pool. Ben wears dark glasses, is deeply tanned, and holds a beer can in one hand. SOUNDS: teenagers YELLING and swimming in nearby pools; a radio PLAYING rock and roll; a television set TUNED to a ball game. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSER SHOT - BEN drifting. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSER ANGLE ON BEN drifting. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE SHOT - BEN SOUND of the back door CLOSING. Ben opens his eyes and moves his head slightly. WHAT HE SEES Mr. Braddock is passionately stoking a barbeque fire. Mrs. Braddock is going toward him from the house, carrying some ominously large thing wrapped in tinfoil. SHOT - BEN He rolls off the raft and swims to the end of the pool. He climbs out, walks to the back door, takes his shirt from a chair and starts to put it on as he opens the back door and goes through. INT. SPECIAL SET - TAFT HOTEL ROOM Ben has just shut the door to the bathroom behind him. He is wearing his shirt, buttoned, and no trousers. PAN WITH BEN as he walks across the room past Mrs. Robinson who is standing in front of the bureau taking off her bracelet and watch. He moves to a chair and sits. He picks up a cigarette from an ashtray on a table next to the chair. Mrs. Robinson moves in to Ben, kneels in front of him and starts to unbutton his shirt. He takes the cigarette out of his mouth. INT. SPECIAL SET - BRADDOCK DEN AND DINING ROOM - NIGHT SHOT - NEW ANGLE We now see behind Ben the door that leads from the Braddock den, in which Ben is sitting. In the dining room, Mr. and Mrs. Braddock are sitting, having their dinner, looking through the doorways toward Ben. Ben stands, crosses back to the door to the den and shuts it. INT. BRADDOCK DEN - NIGHT - REVERSE On Ben's back as he returns to the chair and sits. A television set, facing the chair, is on. Ben picks up a can of beer and drinks from it. An animated cartoon is playing on the television set. Ben watches it. REVERSE Ben's face, watching. PUSH IN to CLOSEUP of his face. REVERSE CLOSEUP of television set and cartoon. REVERSE Ben watching. REVERSE CLOSEUP test pattern. CUT TO: INT. TAFT HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT CLOSEUP Ben watching. PULL BACK and we are in the Taft Hotel Room. Ben is sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard, watching the television set which is on a stand facing the bed. SOUND of the HUM of the test pattern. PULL BACK to a WIDE SHOT of the room, lit only by the light from the television set. Mrs. Robinson walks into the shot, half dressed. She passes between Ben and the television set and goes out of frame. Ben continues to stare at the set. SOUND of a ZIPPER being pulled up. Mrs. Robinson appears again and passes the other way. SOUND of BRACELETS being put on. Mrs. Robinson passes back the other way again. SOUND of CLOTHING being put on and a PURSE being snapped closed. Mrs. Robinson, now fully dressed and carrying her purse, passes through again and, without looking at Ben, goes to the door of the hotel room, opens it and exits. INT. BENS' ROOM - CLOSEUP - BEN - DAY SOUND of DOOR closing. Follow Ben as he gets up and moves to the windows of what is now his BEDROOM in the Braddock house. He opens the closed blinds over the window. The sun is bright outside. His bathing suit is on the window sill. He takes the suit and puts it on. He moves to the bedroom door, opens it and goes out. EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA - DAY We see Mrs. Braddock in the kitchen. Ben comes through the back door, moves to the pool and dives in. The raft floats in the center of the pool. SHOT - UNDERWATER Ben swims toward us the length of the pool. SHOT - AT THE WATERLINE Ben surfaces and, in one movement, pulls himself up on the raft and -- CUT TO: INT. TAFT HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT -- lands on top of Mrs. Robinson on the bed. He stays on top of her for a moment. MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE Ben -- what are you doing? Ben turns toward us and looks. CUT TO: EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA - DAY SHOT - POV OF BEN ON RAFT Mr. Braddock standing by the side of the pool. The sun is behind him. BEN'S VOICE Well -- I would say that I'm just drifting. CUT TO: SHOT - BEN ON RAFT BEN -- here -- in the pool. MR. BRADDOCK Why? BEN Well -- it's very comfortable -- just to drift here. MR. BRADDOCK Have you thought about graduate school? BEN No. MR. BRADDOCK Would you mind telling me then -- what were those four years of college for? What was the point of all that hard work? BEN You got me. MR. BRADDOCK (trying unsuccessfully to control himself) Now listen, Ben. I think it's a very good thing that a young man -- after he's done some very good work -- should have a chance to relax and enjoy himself, and lie around, and drink beer and so on. But after a few weeks I believe that person would want to take some stock in himself and his situation and start to think about getting off his ass. Mrs. Braddock steps in beside Mr. Braddock. MRS. BRADDOCK The Robinson's are here. Mr. Robinson steps in beside the others. They blot out the sun. MR. ROBINSON Hi, Ben. What are you doing with yourself these days? BEN Oh -- not too much. Taking it easy. MR. ROBINSON That's what I'd do if I could. Nothing wrong with that. Hey Ben, Elaine's coming down from Berkeley soon. I want you to call her up this time. BEN I will. MR. ROBINSON Because I just think you two would hit it off real well together. Mrs. Robinson steps in beside them. (A long pause) MRS. BRADDOCK Say hello to Mrs. Robinson, Benjamin. SHOT - BEN BEN Hello, Mrs. Robinson. MRS. ROBINSON Hello, Benjamin. DISSOLVE TO: INT. BEN'S ROOM - NIGHT Ben, halfway dressed to go out, in slacks, shirt and tie, sits in a chair. The door opens and Mrs. Braddock enters. MRS. BRADDOCK Can I talk to you a minute? BEN Sure. MRS. BRADDOCK Benjamin? I'm going to ask you something but you don't have to tell me if you don't want. BEN What? MRS. BRADDOCK Well I'm going to ask you what you do when you go off at night. BEN When I go off? MRS. BRADDOCK You don't have to tell me if you don't want. BEN No, I do. I want to tell you. There is a pause. BEN I drive around. MRS. BRADDOCK What else? BEN Nothing else. MRS. BRADDOCK Well you don't drive around from midnight until noon the next day, Benjamin. BEN Oh, no. MRS. BRADDOCK Then what do you do? Do you meet someone? BEN Meet someone? She nods. BEN Why did you say that? MRS. BRADDOCK Well this is your business, Benjamin. (she starts toward the door) If you -- BEN No wait. Wait. She stops. BEN I don't meet anyone, mother, but why did you say that? MRS. BRADDOCK Benjamin, I'm not going to pry into your affairs, but I'd rather you didn't say anything at all than be dishonest. Goodnight, Benjamin. BEN Well, wait. She looks at him. BEN You think I'm being dishonest? She nods. BEN Well why do you -- why do you think that? MRS. BRADDOCK Because I know you don't drive around for twelve hours. BEN Oh. Well, I don't. Shall I tell you what I do? MRS. BRADDOCK Not if you don't want to. BEN I do. MRS. BRADDOCK But I don't want you to make up something. BEN I'm not. But I'm -- I'm not very proud of what I do. I usually get kind of drunk. I usually drive over to Los Angeles and go to some bars and get kind of drunk. Then I take a hotel room. So I won't have to drive home on the freeway. I mean it kind of scares me to drive home after -- MRS. BRADDOCK Goodnight, Benjamin. BEN You believe me, don't you? MRS. BRADDOCK No. BEN You don't? She shakes her head. BEN But I want you to. Please. Please will you believe me. SHOT - MRS. BRADDOCK MRS. BRADDOCK (she exits) Goodnight. BEN'S VOICE Wait a minute. CUT TO: INT. TAFT HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT - SHOT - BEN Mrs. Robinson's hands are undoing his necktie. Ben is dressed as in previous scene, plus a jacket. BEN Wait a minute. (he pushes her hand away) Sit down a minute. Mrs. Robinson looks at him and raises her eyebrows. BEN Will you please sit down a minute. Mrs. Robinson walks to the bed and sits. She reaches down to take off a shoe. BEN Will you leave that shoe on for a minute. Please. She straightens up. BEN Now -- do you think we could say a few words to each other first this time? MRS. ROBINSON If you want. BEN Good. I mean are we dead or something? MRS. ROBINSON Well I just don't think we have much to say to each other. BEN All we ever do is come up here and throw off the clothes and leap into bed together. MRS. ROBINSON Are you tired of it? BEN I'm not. No. But do you think we could liven it up with a few words now and then? MRS. ROBINSON Well what do you want to talk about? BEN Anything. Anything at all. MRS. ROBINSON Do you want to tell me about some of your college experiences? BEN Oh my God. MRS. ROBINSON Well? BEN Mrs. Robinson. If that's the best we can do let's just get the goddamn clothes off and -- She reaches for her shoe. BEN Leave it on! Now we are going to do this thing. We are going to have a conversation. Think of another topic. MRS. ROBINSON How about art. BEN Art. That's a good subject. You start it off. MRS. ROBINSON You start it off. I don't know anything about it. BEN Oh. MRS. ROBINSON Don't you? BEN Yes I do. I know quite a bit about it. MRS. ROBINSON Go ahead then. BEN Art. Well what do you want to know about it. She shrugs. BEN Are you interested more in modern art or more in classical art. MRS. ROBINSON Neither. BEN You're not interested in art? MRS. ROBINSON No. BEN Then why do you want to talk about it? MRS. ROBINSON I don't. Ben nods and looks at the rug. MRS. ROBINSON Can I take off my clothes now? BEN No. Think of another topic. Tell me what you did today. MRS. ROBINSON Do you really want me to? BEN Yes I do. MRS. ROBINSON I got up. Ben starts shaking his head. MRS. ROBINSON Do you want to hear it or not? BEN Yes. But you might try and spice it up with a little originality. MRS. ROBINSON I got up. I ate breakfast and went shopping. During the afternoon I read a novel. BEN What one. MRS. ROBINSON What? BEN What novel did you read. MRS. ROBINSON I don't remember. Ben nods. MRS. ROBINSON Then I fixed supper for my husband and waited until -- BEN There! MRS. ROBINSON What? BEN Your husband! Mrs. Robinson! There's something we could have a conversation about. MRS. ROBINSON Him? BEN I mean everything. I don't know anything about how you -- how you work this. I don't know how you get out of the house at night. I don't know the risk involved. MRS. ROBINSON There isn't any. BEN There's no risk? She shakes her head. BEN How do you get out of the house? MRS. ROBINSON I walk out. BEN You walk right out the door. She nods. BEN What do you say to him? MRS. ROBINSON He's asleep. BEN Always? MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin, this isn't a very interesting topic. BEN Please. Now tell me. How do you know he won't wake up sometime and follow you. MRS. ROBINSON Because he takes sleeping pills. He takes three sleeping pills every night at ten o'clock. BEN But what about the noise from the car. What if -- MRS. ROBINSON The driveway's on my side of the house. BEN (smiling) We're talking. MRS. ROBINSON What? BEN We're talking, Mrs. Robinson. We're talking. MRS. ROBINSON Calm down, Benjamin. BEN Now let's keep going here. MRS. ROBINSON Can I undress and talk at the same time? BEN Right. MRS. ROBINSON Thank you. BEN Now. You say the driveway's on your side of the house. So I guess you don't sleep in the same room. MRS. ROBINSON We don't. BEN So you don't -- I mean I don't like to seem like I'm prying but I guess you don't sleep together or anything. MRS. ROBINSON No we don't. BEN Well how long has this been going on. MRS. ROBINSON (looking at the ceiling for a moment) About five years. BEN Oh no. Are you kidding me? MRS. ROBINSON No. BEN You have not slept with your husband for five years? MRS. ROBINSON Now and then. He gets drunk a few times a year. BEN How many times a year. MRS. ROBINSON On New Year's Eve. Sometimes on his birthday. BEN Man, is this interesting. MRS. ROBINSON Is it? BEN So you don't love him. You wouldn't say you -- MRS. ROBINSON We've talked enough, Benjamin. BEN Wait a minute. So you wouldn't say you loved him. MRS. ROBINSON Not exactly. BEN But you don't hate him. MRS. ROBINSON No, Benjamin. I don't hate him. Unhook my blouse. BEN (unhooking her blouse) Well how do you feel about him, then? MRS. ROBINSON I don't. BEN Well that's kind of a bad situation then, isn't it? MRS. ROBINSON Is it? BEN I mean it doesn't sound like it could be much worse. If you hated him at least you'd hate him. She nods and takes off her blouse. BEN Well you loved him once, I assume. When you first knew him. MRS. ROBINSON No. BEN What? MRS. ROBINSON I never did, Benjamin. Now let's -- BEN Well, wait a minute. You married him. She nods. BEN Why did you do that? MRS. ROBINSON (taking off her stockings) See if you can guess. BEN Well I can't. MRS. ROBINSON Think real hard, Benjamin. BEN I can't see why you did, unless... you didn't have to marry him or anything, did you? MRS. ROBINSON Don't tell Elaine. BEN Oh no. You had to marry him because you got pregnant? MRS. ROBINSON Are you shocked? BEN Well I never thought of you and Mr. Robinson as the kind of people who... MRS. ROBINSON All right. Now let's get to bed. BEN Wait a minute. Wait a minute. So how did it happen? MRS. ROBINSON What? BEN I mean do you feel like telling me what were the circumstances? MRS. ROBINSON Not particularly. BEN Was he a law student at the time? She nods. BEN And you were a student also. MRS. ROBINSON Yes. BEN At college. MRS. ROBINSON Yes. BEN What was your major? MRS. ROBINSON Why are you asking me all this? BEN Because I'm interested, Mrs. Robinson. Now what was your major subject at college? MRS. ROBINSON Art. BEN Art? She nods. BEN But I thought you -- I guess you kind of lost interest in it over the years then. MRS. ROBINSON Kind of. BEN Well how did it happen? MRS. ROBINSON How do you think. BEN I mean did he take you up to his room with him? Did you go to a hotel? MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin, what does it possibly matter? BEN I'm curious. MRS. ROBINSON We'd go to his car. BEN Oh no. In the car you did it? MRS. ROBINSON I don't think we were the first. Ben thinks for a moment. BEN What kind of car was it? MRS. ROBINSON What? BEN Do you remember the make of the car? MRS. ROBINSON Oh my God. BEN Really. I want to know. MRS. ROBINSON It was a Ford, Benjamin. BEN (jumping up) A Ford! A Ford! Goddamnit, a Ford! That's great! MRS. ROBINSON That's enough. BEN So old Elaine Robinson got started in a Ford. There is a pause. MRS. ROBINSON Don't talk about Elaine. BEN Don't talk about Elaine? MRS. ROBINSON No. BEN Why not? MRS. ROBINSON Because I don't want you to. She walks to the bed. BEN Well why don't you? She pulls the bedspread down. Ben begins to remove his jacket. BEN I wish you'd tell me. MRS. ROBINSON There's nothing to tell. BEN Well why is she a big taboo subject all of a sudden? Mrs. Robinson uncovers one of the pillows. BEN Well -- I guess I'll have to ask her out on a date and find out what's -- MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin, don't you ever take that girl out. Ben looks at her. MRS. ROBINSON Do you understand that? BEN Well look. I have no intention of taking her out. MRS. ROBINSON Good. BEN I was just kidding around. MRS. ROBINSON Good. BEN But why shouldn't I? MRS. ROBINSON I have my reasons. BEN Then let's hear them. MRS. ROBINSON No. BEN Let's hear your reasons, Mrs. Robinson. Because I think I know what they are. She pulls the covers down. BEN I'm not good enough for her to associate with, am I? I'm not good enough to even talk about her, am I? MRS. ROBINSON Let's drop it. BEN We're not dropping it. Now that's the reason, isn't it? I'm a dirty degenerate, aren't I? I'm not fit to -- MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin? BEN I'm good enough for you but I'm too slimy to associate with your daughter. That's it, isn't it? ISN'T IT? MRS. ROBINSON Yes. BEN You go to hell. You go straight to hell, Mrs. Robinson. Do you think I'm proud of myself? Do you think I'm proud of this? MRS. ROBINSON I wouldn't know. BEN Well, I'm not. MRS. ROBINSON You're not. BEN No sir. I am not proud that I spend my time with a broken-down alcoholic! MRS. ROBINSON I see. BEN And if you think I come here for any reason besides pure boredom, then you're all wrong. She nods. BEN Because -- Mrs. Robinson this is the sickest, most perverted thing that ever happened to me. And you do what you want but I'm getting the hell out. MRS. ROBINSON Are you? BEN You're goddamn right I am. He starts putting on his shirt. She sits on the edge of the bed and watches him. MRS. ROBINSON That's how you feel about me. He nods. MRS. ROBINSON That I'm a sick and disgusting person. BEN Now don't start this. MRS. ROBINSON What? BEN Don't start acting hurt. MRS. ROBINSON Don't you expect me to be a little hurt? BEN Mrs. Robinson, you stand there and tell me I'm not good enough for your daughter. MRS. ROBINSON Did I say that? BEN Of course you did. She shakes her head. MRS. ROBINSON Benjamin, I want to apologize to you if that's the impression you got. BEN Well two minutes ago you told me I wasn't good enough for your daughter. Now you say you're sorry I got that impression. MRS. ROBINSON I didn't mean it. I don't think you'd be right for each other. But I would never say you weren't as good a person as she is. BEN You wouldn't. MRS. ROBINSON Of course I wouldn't. Mrs. Robinson walks to the closet. BEN What are you doing? MRS. ROBINSON Well it's pretty obvious you don't want me around any more. BEN Well look -- I was kind of upset there. I'm sorry I said those things. MRS. ROBINSON If that's how you feel -- BEN But it's not. MRS. ROBINSON (smiling at him) That's all right. I think I can understand why I'm disgusting to you. BEN Oh no. Look