"THE PRODUCERS" by Mel Brooks Final Draft March, 1967 INT. DAY. HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF MAX BIALYSTOCK'S OFFICE. CLOSE-UP OF LITTLE OLD LADY. She blows a kiss and waves good- bye. CUT TO CLOSE-UP OF MAX BIALYSTOCK. He responds with similar gestures. CAMERA PULLS BACK TO FULL SHOT. Legend on frosted glass of Bialystock's office door reads: MAX BIALYSTOCK - THEATRICAL PRODUCER Little old lady begins to descend stairway. She stops, turns, blows another kiss and once more waves goodbye. Bialystock graciously answers in kind. BIALYSTOCK Don't forget the checkee. Can't produce playees without checkees. LITTLE OLD LADY You can count on me-o, you dirty young man. CAMERA BACK TO BIALYSTOCK'S FACE FROZEN IN A LITTLE GOODBYE SMILE. The little old lady's footsteps. Begin to fade. Bialystock's face quickly resumes its normal expression -- Despair and disgust. He then reaches into his vest pocket, pulls out an old-fashioned, pocket watch and earnestly consults its face. CAMERA STAYS WITH HIM AS HE RUSHES INTO HIS OFFICE. Bialystock moves with a quick shuffling gait to his desk. From the top of it he picks up a framed photograph. CAMERA INSERT: CLOSE-UP OF PHOTOGRAPH. It is face of little old lady who has just left. CAMERA BACK TO BIALYSTOCK. He opens desk drawer. It is filled with tagged keys. He picks up a key. CAMERA INSERT: tag on key reads: Investors file. CAMERA BACK TO BIALYSTOCK. With photograph in hand, he moves across his office to a large, double-doored cabinet. He unlocks cabinet. CAMERA SHOWS CABINET INTERIOR FILLED WITH HUNDREDS OF SIMILARLY FRAMED PHOTOGRAPHS OF LITTLE OLD LADIES. CAMERA BACK TO BIALYSTOCK. He places photograph in its proper niche and begins to look through the faces. CAMERA SLOWLY PANS ROWS OF PHOTOGRAPHS, BIALYSTOCK'S P.O.V. BIALYSTOCK (Voice Over) "Hold me, touch me', 'hold me, touch me', 'hold me, touch me', where is 'hold me, touch me'? Ahhh... here we are. 'Hold me, touch me.'" CAMERA STOPS PANNING AND REMAINS ON ONE OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS. Bialystock's hand moves into the frame and picks up photograph. CAMERA MOVES IN TO CLOSE-UP OF PHOTOGRAPH. DISSOLVE THROUGH TO MATCHING CLOSE-UP OF SAME FACE WE HAVE JUST SEEN IN PHOTOGRAPH. CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL LITTLE OLD LADY IN REAR SEAT OF LIMOUSINE. EXTERIOR. DAY. CAMERA KEEPS MOVING BACK TO EXTERIOR OF LIMO AS IT MOVES ALONG THROUGH NEW YORK'S THEATRICAL DISTRICT. LONG SHOT. 45Th street. Same limousine pulls up in front of one of the theatres that line the block. MEDIUM SHOT. Chauffeur briskly hops out, and smartly opens rear door. The little old lady emerges. She lowers her veil and furtively ducks into the building entrance. INT. MEDIUM SHOT. DILAPIDATED THEATRE OFFICE BUILDING. The little old lady enters. She raises her veil, chuckles gleefully, and begins to ascend the stairs. MEDIUM SHOT. Upon reaching the landing, she spots the first little old lady coming down. She quickly drops her veil. The first little old lady discreetly hides her face with her purse as they pass each other on the landing. DISSOLVE TO FOURTH FLOOR LANDING. The little old lady makes her way to the top. She hangs onto the banister for support as she catches her breath. She raises her veil, reaches into her purse, takes out a small flacon of perfume and sprays delicately behind both ears. Thoroughly composed, she approaches Bialystock's door. She raps on the door three times in quick succession, waits a moment, raps twice and then three times again. Suddenly the door is flung open. MEDIUM SHOT. MAX BIALYSTOCK BIALYSTOCK (leering) Darling! MEDIUM SHOT OVER BIALYSTOCK'S SHOULDER. LITTLE OLD LADY. LITTLE OLD LADY (passionately) Hold me, touch me. CUT TO TWO SHOT. Bialystock clutches the little old lady in a passionate embrace. BIALYSTOCK Devil woman. Freeze action. SUPER-IMPOSE FIRST CREDIT: ZERO MOSTEL. Resume action. The little old lady giggles joyously and then slips from Bialystock's grasp, darts into the office and ducks behind the couch. She pops her head up. LITTLE OLD LADY Finder's keepers. Freeze action. SUPER-IMPOSE: TITLE OF FILM Resume action. BIALYSTOCK Here I come, ready or not. Bialystock leaps through the air towards the couch. Freeze-action. CREDIT. Resume action. Bialystock lands badly. He writhes in pain. Little old lady coquettishly crawls to him. LITTLE OLD LADY What's the matter? Papa no want to play with baby? BIALYSTOCK Ohhhhhh. Freeze-action. CREDIT. Resume action. Bialystock reaches out for her. She eludes him, darts into a chair, crosses her leg seductively, raises her skirt just above her knee revealing a golden rose and garter. Freeze-action. CREDIT. Resume action. Bialystock struggles to his feet. BIALYSTOCK Come to Papa. Come to Papa do. Little old lady leaps out of her chair and poses, coyly. LITTLE OLD LADY To the victor go the spoils. Bialystock starts for her. She rushes around a chair and ducks behind it. Bialystock tiptoes on to chair and peeks over it. BIALYSTOCK I'm gonna get you. Freeze-action. CREDIT. Resume action. Cut to little old lady wedged between desk and back of chair. She straightens her legs and sends the chair hurtling across the room. CLOSE-UP OF BIALYSTOCK'S FACE: TERROR. Freeze-action. CREDIT. Resume action. Bialystock crashes into radiator. BIALYSTOCK Ohhhhhhhh. Cut to little old lady. She is lying phone on the desk, preening herself and purring. LITTLE OLD LADY Meeow. Meeow. I wonder where Old Tom is tonight? Meeow. Bialystock, with great will, pushes the hate out of his face and replaces it with sweetness. BIALYSTOCK Rowrrr. Bialystock glides in tom-cat fashion over to his preening pussy-cat. Freeze-action. CREDIT. Resume action. Bialystock finishes crossing to desk, puts his face down near hers and softly mews into her ear. She suddenly lets out a fierce howl as she rebuffs him with a savage swipe of her "paw". Bialystock grabs his stricken face with both hands and shrieks. BIALYSTOCK Aieeeeyiyiyiyiyi, CLOSE-UP OF BIALYSTOCK'S PAIN-RIDDEN FEATURES. Stop action. CREDIT. Resume action. Bialystock falls into the chair moaning. She hops on to his lap. From his breast pocket she takes a handkerchief and tenderly dabs his cheek with it. LITTLE OLD LADY Oh, Bialy, Bialy, darling, did I hurt you? Freeze-action. CREDIT. Resume action. BIALYSTOCK My hand. My hand. I can't turn my hand. (he turns his hand) There is a rapping at the door. We hear it, they don't. LITTLE OLD LADY (taking his hand) Don't worry. I'll kiss it and make it well. (she smothers his hand with kissers) BIALYSTOCK (trying to rescue his hand) Enough. It's better. Please, Lambchop, it's better. Stop. You're hurting it again. Cut to door. It opens. Leo Bloom enters. BLOOM (his forward motion arrested by the unbelievable scene) How do you do. I mean... Excuse me... I mean... BIALYSTOCK You mean ooops, don't you? Say ooops and get out. BLOOM I'll wait in the hall... BIALYSTOCK Oooooooops! BLOOM (backing out of door) Ooooooops. Little old lady hops off Bialystock's lap and goes to door. LITTLE OLD LADY I can't abide a peeping Tom. There's one in the apartment just opposite my bedroom window. I swear that man NEVER takes his field glasses off me for a minute. She locks door and starts back toward Bialystock. LITTLE OLD LADY Feeling better? Bialystock nods his head in assent. LITTLE OLD LADY Good. Let's fool around. Now, I'll be the innocent little milk maid and you'll be the naughty stable boy. (she goes into her act) Oh, this milk is so heavy. I'll never reach the house. Help. Will someone help me? BIALYSTOCK (stopping her) Wait. Wait. We can't play today. I have too many appointments. LITTLE OLD LADY (crushed) We can't play today? BIALYSTOCK Thursday. Thursday. We'll play Thursday. We'll play the Contessa and the chauffeur. LITTLE OLD LADY Oh, the best one. BIALYSTOCK (trying to steer her towards the door) Until Thursday, then, Contessa Mio. LITTLE OLD LADY (she sits on the sofa) Oh, Bialy, please, just a little. Just a little. BIALYSTOCK (harassed) All right. All right. He squats down in front of her in chauffeur fashion, his hands on the wheel. LITTLE OLD LADY So, the Count hired you this morning, Rudolfo... Watch the road... Watch the road. BIALYSTOCK I can't take my eyes off you. How can I drive when you drive me mad. Mad. LITTLE OLD LADY (she squeals with delight) Rudolfo, you dirty pig! Pull over. BIALYSTOCK (upright) Good. That's enough. We'll do the rest on Thursday. (he reaches down and helps her off the couch) That's a good girl. (leading her to the door) It's always such fun to see you. Bialystock opens the door and ushers her out onto the landing. CUT TO HALLWAY. FAR SHOT. Revealing Bloom waiting outside. We see him. They do not. Bloom, very embarrassed, hugs the wall trying to make himself less conspicuous. MEDIUM SHOT. Bialystock and the old lady in front of Bialystock's door. BIALYSTOCK Until Thursday, then, you bawdy wench. He slaps her on the rump. LITTLE OLD LADY Oooh. I love it. Hold me, touch me. CUT TO BLOOM IN SHADOWS, AGHAST. BACK TO MEDIUM SHOT LITTLE OLD LADY AND BIALYSTOCK. BIALYSTOCK Thursday. I'll see you Thursday. LITTLE OLD LADY And we'll finish playing the Contessa and Rudolfo. BIALYSTOCK Good. Yes. Thursday. LITTLE OLD LADY And after that we'll play the Abduction and cruel rape of Lucretia... And I'll play Lucretia. CUT TO BLOOM IN SHADOWS. It is all too much for him. He looks the other way. Suddenly his eyes widen in surprise, as he discovers another man hiding in the next doorway. The man puts a finger to his lips indicating silence. There is no place left for Bloom to look. He looks to heaven. BACK TO LITTLE OLD LADY AND BIALYSTOCK. LITTLE OLD LADY Oh, Thursday. Will Thursday ever come? BIALYSTOCK (to himself) Like clockwork. She starts to descend. LITTLE OLD LADY I shall count the minutes. BIALYSTOCK Goodbye, my angel... My angel! (calling after her) Hey, touch me... wait! Hey, uh... Lucretia, Lucretia! We hear a mounting clatter of footsteps as the little old lady flies back up the stairs. LITTLE OLD LADY (eagerly) Yes??? BIALYSTOCK Oh, Angelcake, you forgot to give me the check. Can't produce a play without money, ha, ha, ha. CUT TO BLOOM. Once more he steals a glance at the stranger hidden in the second doorway. Once again the man gestures for him to be silent. CUT BACK TO BIALYSTOCK AND THE OLD LADY. LITTLE OLD LADY (opening her handbag and reaching inside) Of course, the check, I had it with me all the time. She takes out the check and hands it to him. LITTLE OLD LADY I don't know what's happening to me. I must be getting old. Bialystock takes check and reads it. LITTLE OLD LADY Is it all right? I made it out to cash. You didn't tell me the name of the play. BIALYSTOCK Oh, it's fine. Fine. Good. Good. Bye. Bye. LITTLE OLD LADY Til Thursday, my Darling, I shall count the minutes. She starts to descend. LITTLE OLD LADY (descending) Ta. Ta. BIALYSTOCK (waving check at her) Ta. Ta. The man, who has been lurking in the second doorway, suddenly springs into action. He darts forward and quickly takes the check out of Bialystock's hand. THE MAN (LANDLORD) He who signs a lease, must pay rent. He shoves the check into his pocket and starts down the stairs. LANDLORD That's the law. BIALYSTOCK Murderer! Thief! How can you take the last penny out of a man's pocket? LANDLORD (turns back, shrugs) I have to... I'm a landlord! BIALYSTOCK (shouting to heaven) Oh Lord, hear my plea. Destroy him. He maketh a blight on the land. CUT TO LANDLORD ON THE WAY DOWN. LANDLORD (to the Lord) Don't pay attention. He's crazy. CUT BACK TO BIALYSTOCK. He turns to re-enter his office. BIALYSTOCK (biting his knuckle) Nnnnn. That hurt. (he sighs) I'll have to make another call. He starts in and stops. He notices Bloom. BIALYSTOCK (to Bloom, quietly) Have you been there all this time? Bloom nods. BIALYSTOCK And did you see and hear everything? Bloom nods. BIALYSTOCK Then what do you have to say for yourself? BLOOM Uh... uh... ooooooops? BIALYSTOCK (shouts) Who are you? What do you want? Why are you loitering in my hallway? Speak, dummy, speak! Why don't you speak? BLOOM Scared. Can't talk. BIALYSTOCK All right. Get a hold of yourself. Take a deep breath, let it out slowly and tell me who you are. BLOOM (breathes deeply. Words tumble from his mouth as he exhales) I'm Leo Bloom, I'm an accountant, I'm from Whitehall and Marks, I was sent here to do your books and I'm terribly sorry I caught you with the old lady. (he has run out of breath) BIALYSTOCK "Caught you with the old lady." Come in, Mr. Tact. CUT TO OFFICE. They enter. Bloom enters timorously. He doesn't know quite where to go. He looks to Bialystock for guidance. Bialystock studies Bloom curiously from head to toe. BIALYSTOCK So you're an accountant, eh? BLOOM (timidly) Yes sir. BIALYSTOCK Then account for yourself! Do you believe in God? Do you believe in gold? Why are you looking up old lady's dresses? Bit of a pervert, eh? Bloom, who has been quaking under the assault, reaches into his pocket and takes out the tattered corner of an old blue baby blanket. He twists the blue blanket nervously in his hands. BLOOM Sir, I... BIALYSTOCK Never mind. Never mind. Do the books. They're in that desk over there. Top drawer. Bloom dutifully goes to desk. Opens top drawer and begins removing books. BIALYSTOCK How dare you condemn me without knowing all the facts. BLOOM But sir, I'm not condem... BIALYSTOCK Shut up. I'm having a rhetorical conversation. (to himself) How humiliating. Max Bialystock. Max Bialystock. Bialystock suddenly wheels and shouts at Bloom. BIALYSTOCK You know who I used to be? Max Bialystock! The King of Broadway! Six shows running at once. Lunch at Delmonico's. Two hundred dollar suits. Look at me. Look at me now! I'm wearing a cardboard belt! He rips the belt off and holds it in the air. BIALYSTOCK I used to have thousands of investors begging, pleading, to put their money into a Max Bialystock production. He picks up the picture on desk ('hold me, touch me') takes it over to open cabinet filled with similar pictures. BIALYSTOCK Look at my investors now. Voila! (gestures at pictures) Hundreds of little old ladies stopping off at Max Bialystock's office to grab a last thrill on the way to the cemetery. He puts picture back in its place. Looks toward Bloom. CUT TO BLOOM. He is obviously touched by the great man's dilemma. CUT TO BIALYSTOCK. BIALYSTOCK You have exactly ten seconds to change that disgusting look of pity into one of enormous respect. One... Two... CUT TO BLOOM. He is really trying to change his expression. CUT TO BIALYSTOCK. BIALYSTOCK Do the books! Do the books! CUT TO BLOOM. He is greatly relieved. BLOOM (sighing) Yes, sir. Thank you. He plunges into his work. CUT TO BIALYSTOCK. He goes to window, looks out. BIALYSTOCK (to himself) Window's so filthy, can't tell if it's day or night out there. He wipes window with his cuff. Looks at window. No good. Looks at his grimy cuff. Grimaces. From his desk he takes the remains of a cardboard container of coffee and sloshes it against the window. He wipes with his tie. He looks over his shoulder at Bloom to see if he is watching. Bloom is watching. Their eyes meet. Bloom's eyes retreat. Bialystock victoriously turns away and looks out the window down into the street. CAMERA: SHOT OF STREET. BIALYSTOCK'S POINT OF VIEW. A white Rolls Royce slowly makes its way up the block. BIALYSTOCK (voice over as camera follows Rolls) Look at that. A white Rolls Royce. That's it baby, when you got it, flaunt it. BLOOM (off screen) Koff, koff... ahem, ahem... harrumph... BIALYSTOCK I assume you are making those cartoon noises to attract my attention. Am I correct in my assumption, you fish- faced enemy of the people? Bloom is wounded. BIALYSTOCK I have hurt your feelings. Bloom nods. BIALYSTOCK Good, what is it? BLOOM Sir, may I speak to you for a minute? BIALYSTOCK (looking at his watch) Go! You have fifty-eight seconds. BLOOM Well, sir, it seems... BIALYSTOCK (interrupting) You have forty-eight seconds left. Hurry. Hurry. BLOOM (speedily) In looking at your books, I've discovered that... BIALYSTOCK (interrupting) Twenty-eight seconds, hurry, hurry, you're using up your time. In his anxiety, Bloom unconsciously reaches into his pocket takes out the old blue blanket and nervously strokes his cheek with it. BLOOM Mr. Bialystock, I cannot function under these conditions. Bialystock curiously eyes the blanket. BLOOM You're making me extremely nervous. BIALYSTOCK What is that? A handkerchief? Bloom quickly begins to put away his blue blanket. BLOOM It's nothing... nothing. Quick as a flash, Bialystock reaches over and snatches it out of Bloom's hand. BIALYSTOCK If it's nothing, why can't I see it? Bloom leaps up in hot pursuit of his blanket. BLOOM (shrieking in panic) My blanket. Give me my blue blanket. Bialystock, taken aback, hurriedly gives the blanket back to Bloom. BIALYSTOCK Here, don't panic. BLOOM (clutching his blanket) I'm sorry... I don't like people touching my blue blanket. It's not important. It's a minor compulsion. I can deal with it if I want to. It's just that I've had it ever since I was a baby and... and... I find it very comforting. He kisses it and shoves it into his pocket. BIALYSTOCK (to himself) They come here. They all come here. How do they find me? BLOOM (recovering his dignity) Mr. Bialystock... BIALYSTOCK Yes, Prince Mishkin, what can we do for you? BLOOM This is hardly a time for levity. I've discovered a serious error here in the accounts of your last play. Bialystock moves around the desk to examine the ledger. BIALYSTOCK Where? What? BLOOM According to the backer's list you raised $60,000. But the show you produced only cost fifty-eight thousand. There's two thousand dollars unaccounted for. BIALYSTOCK I went to a Turkish bath, who cares? The show was a flop. What difference does it make? BLOOM It makes a great deal of difference. That's fraud. If they found out, you could go to prison. BIALYSTOCK Why should they find out? It's only two thousand dollars, Bloom, do me a favor, move a few decimal points around. You can do it. You're an accountant. The word 'count' is part of your title. BLOOM (aghast) But that's cheating! BIALYSTOCK It's not cheating... It's charity. Bloom, look at me... look at me! I'm drowning. Other men sail through life. Bialystock has struck a reef. Bloom, I'm going under. I am being sunk by a society that demands success, when all I can offer is failure. Bloom, I'm reaching out to you. Don't send me to jail. Help! Help! During Bialystock's last speech, Bloom unconsciously reaches into his pocket, takes out the blue blanket and rubs it across his cheek. BLOOM Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. BIALYSTOCK (faintly) Help! BLOOM All right. I'll do it. I'll do it. BIALYSTOCK Thank you, Bloom. I knew I could con you. BLOOM Oh, it's all right... wha? BIALYSTOCK Nothing. Nothing. Do it. Do it. BLOOM (pouring over the accounts) Now let's see, two thousand dollars. That isn't much. I'm sure I can hide it somewhere. After all, the department of internal revenue isn't interested in a show that flopped. BIALYSTOCK Yes. Right. Good thinking. You figure it out. I'm tired. I'm gonna take a little nap. (crossing to couch) Wake me if there's a fire. He hurls himself down onto the couch. CAMERA MOVES IN TO TIGHT SHOT OF BLOOM. BLOOM Now let's see, if we add these figures, we get... CAMERA MOVES INTO CLOSE-UP OF BLOOM'S FINGER SWIFTLY MOVING DOWN LONG COLUMN OF FIGURES. He comes to the end and immediately writhes total below. BACK TO TIGHT SHOT OF BLOOM. He compares pages. BLOOM (musing to himself) Heh, heh, heh, amazing. It's absolutely amazing. But under the right circumstances, a producer could make more money with a flop than he could with a hit. QUICK CUT TO BIALYSTOCK'S SLEEPING FACE. His eyes pop open. CUT BACK TO BLOOM. BLOOM Yes. Yes. It's quite possible. If he were certain the show would fail, a man could make a fortune. CUT TO BIALYSTOCK. By now he is halfway across the room. His whole being tingling with alertness. He moves to Bloom's desk and hovers over him, waiting expectantly for more information. But Bloom is lost in his work, unaware that Bialystock is hanging on his every word. BIALYSTOCK Yes??? Bloom looks up. He is startled to see Bialystock's face so close to his own. BLOOM (at a loss) Yes, what? BIALYSTOCK What you were saying. Keep talking. BLOOM What was I saying? BIALYSTOCK You were saying that under the right circumstances, a producer could make more money with a flop than he could with a hit. BLOOM (smiling) Yes, it's quite possible. BIALYSTOCK You keep saying that, but you don't tell me how. How could a producer make more money with a flop than with a hit? Bloom, slightly exasperated, puts his pencil down and faces Bialystock. He speaks to Bialystock as a teacher would a student. BLOOM It's simply a matter of creative accounting. Let us assume, just for the moment, that you are a dishonest man. BIALYSTOCK Assume away! BLOOM Well, it's very easy. You simply raise more money than you really need. BIALYSTOCK What do you mean? BLOOM You've done it yourself, only you did it on a very small scale. BIALYSTOCK What did I do? BLOOM You raised two thousand more than you needed to produce your last play. BIALYSTOCK So what? What did it get me? I'm wearing a cardboard belt. BLOOM Ahhhhhh! But that's where you made your error. You didn't go all the way. You see, if you were really a bold criminal, you could have raised a million. BIALYSTOCK But the play only cost $60,000 to produce. BLOOM Exactly. And how long did it run? BIALYSTOCK One night. BLOOM See? You could have raised a million dollars, put on a sixty thousand dollar flop and kept the rest. BIALYSTOCK But what if the play was a hit? BLOOM Oh, you'd go to jail. If the play were a hit, you'd have to pay off the backers, and with so many backers there could never be enough profits to go around, get it? BIALYSTOCK Aha, aha, aha, aha, aha, aha!! So, in order for the scheme to work, we'd have to find a sure fire flop. BLOOM What scheme? BIALYSTOCK What scheme? Your scheme, you bloody little genius. BLOOM Oh, no. No. No. I meant no scheme. I merely posed a little, academic accounting theory. It's just a thought. BIALYSTOCK Bloom, worlds are turned on such thoughts! Bialystock starts moving in on Bloom. BIALYSTOCK Don't you see, Bloom. Darling, Bloom, glorious Bloom, it's so simple. Step one: We find the worst play in the world -- a sure flop. Step two: I raise a million dollars -- there's a lot of little old ladies in this world. Step three: You go back to work on the books. Phoney lists of backers -- one for the government, one for us. You can do it, Bloom, you're a wizard. Step four: We open on Broadway and before you can say 'step five' we close on Broadway. Step six: We take our million dollars and fly to Rio de Janiero. Bialystock grabs Bloom in his arms and begins to lead him in a wild tango around the room. BIALYSTOCK (sings) "Ah, Rio, Rio by the seao, meo, myo, meo... " BLOOM (afraid of the scheme, afraid of the dance, afraid of Bialystock) Mr. Bialystock. No. Wait. Please. You're holding me too tight. I'm an honest man. You don't understand. BIALYSTOCK (leading Bloom as he talks) No, Bloom, you don't understand. This is fate, this is destiny. There's no avoiding it. At this point, Bialystock sweeps Bloom into an elaborate dip. BLOOM (the back of his head practically touching the floor) Mr. Bialystock, not more than five minutes ago, against my better judgment, I doctored your books. That, sir, is the ultimate extent of my criminal life. Bialystock raises his fists to the heavens in despair. Bloom, experiencing a definite lack of support, goes crashing to the floor. BIALYSTOCK OOOOOHH! OOOOOHH! OOOOOHH! OOOOOHH! I WANT THAT MONEY! CAMERA ON BLOOM AS HE LIES STRICKEN ON THE FLOOR. BLOOM (to himself) Oh, I fell on my keys. (he shifts slightly to make himself more comfortable) I've got to get out of here. BIALYSTOCK (angrily hovering over Bloom) You miserable, cowardly, wretched little caterpillar. Don't you ever want to become a butterfly? Don't you want to spread your wings and flap your way to glory? Bialystock flaps his arms like a huge predatory bird. BLOOM (his eyes widened in terror) You're going to jump on me. Bialystock stares at him incredulously. BLOOM You're going to jump on me. I know you're going to jump on me -- like Nero jumped on Poppea. BIALYSTOCK (nonplussed) What??? BLOOM (by now he is shrieking) Poppea. She was his wife. And she was unfaithful to him. So he got mad and he jumped on her. Up and down, up and down, until he squashed her like a bug. Please don't jump on me. BIALYSTOCK (shouting and jumping up and down next to Bloom) I'm not going to jump on you! BLOOM (rolling away in terror) Aaaaaaaaaa! BIALYSTOCK (hoisting Bloom to his feet) Will you get a hold on yourself. BLOOM (up on his feet and running for cover) Don't touch me! Don't touch me! He runs to a corner of the room. Trapped! He turns. BIALYSTOCK What are you afraid of? I'm not going to hurt you! What's the matter with you? BLOOM I'm hysterical. I'm having hysterics. I'm hysterical. I can't stop. When I get like this, I can't stop. I'm hysterical. Bialystock rushes to the desk. Picks up a carafe of water and shoshes its contents into Bloom's face. BLOOM I'm wet! I'm wet! I'm hysterical and I'm wet! Bialystock in a desperate move to stop Bloom's hysterics, slaps him across the face. BLOOM (holding his face) I'm in pain! And I'm wet! And I'm still hysterical! Bialystock raises his hand again. BLOOM No! No! Don't hit. It doesn't help. It only increases my sense of danger. BIALYSTOCK What can I do? What can I do? You're getting me hysterical. BLOOM Go away from me. You frighten me. (he indicates the sofa) Sit over there. Bialystock sits on the sofa. BIALYSTOCK (exasperated) Okay. I'm way over here. Is that better? BLOOM It's a little better, but you still look angry. BIALYSTOCK How's this? (he smiles sweetly) BLOOM Good. Good. That's nice. That's very nice. I think I'm coming out of it now. Yes. Yes. I'm definitely coming out of it. Thank you for smiling. It helped a great deal. BIALYSTOCK (for want of something sensible) Well, you know what they say, "Smile and the world smiles with you." Heh, heh. (to himself) The man should be in a straight jacket. (to Bloom) Feeling better? BLOOM Much, thank you. But I am a little lightheaded. Maybe I should eat something. Hysterics have a way of severely depleting one's blood sugar, you know. BIALYSTOCK They certainly do. They certainly do. Come, let me take you to lunch. BLOOM That's very kind of you, Mr. Bialystock, but I... BIALYSTOCK (interrupting) Nonsense, nonsense, my dear boy. I lowered your blood sugar, but least I could do is raise it a little. Bloom looks at him suspiciously. BIALYSTOCK And I promise you faithfully, I won't discuss that silly scheme to make a million dollars anymore. Bialystock dons his cape and "belasco" hat. From a rack he selects a gold-topped walking stick. He goes to door, opens it, and with a grand flourish, motions Bloom to precede him. BIALYSTOCK Avanti! Bloom graciously complies. They exit. CUT TO EXTERIOR. ENTRANCE OF BIALYSTOCK'S OFFICE BUILDING. The door opens. It is held by Bialystock. Bloom exits building into street. BLOOM (to Bialystock, who is holding door) Thank you. BIALYSTOCK Je vous empris. They turn up 45th street and head toward broadway. Bialystock reaches into his pocket and counts his money. He looks worried. Suddenly his face brightens. We see what Bialystock sees. CUT TO MURRAY THE BLINDMAN WORKING 45TH STREET. CAMERA BACK TO BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM. Bialystock drops a step behind, quickly takes off his hat and flings it through the air. BIALYSTOCK (pointing to his hat) My hat. BLOOM I'll get it. He races after it. Bialystock detours slightly toward Murray the Blindman, who wears a large cardboard sign with the legend: "Murray the Blindman. You can see. I can't. Give!" Inscribed on it. Bialystock reaches down into his cup and grabs a fist full of coins. BIALYSTOCK Murray, I'm going to lunch. I took two dollars. MURRAY THE BLINDMAN Okay, Bialy, that makes six eighty you owe me. BIALYSTOCK I know. Don't worry. You'll get it. You'll get it. MURRAY THE BLINDMAN (tapping his way along) Well, don't forget about it. I need it. Nobody understands. I'm competing with giants. The Greater New York Fund. The March of Dimes. The Community Chest. They're driving me out of business. Bloom comes dashing back with hat in hand. BLOOM (out of breath) I got it, Mr. Bialystock. He proffers hat to Bialystock. Bialystock takes it. BIALYSTOCK Thank you, Leo. And call me Max. You know, I don't let everybody call me Max. It's only people I really like. BLOOM (trying it on) Okay... Max! And you can call me Leo. BIALYSTOCK I already have. Come on. BLOOM Oh. BIALYSTOCK Where would you like to eat? BLOOM Well, Max, I don't know, Max. What do you think, Max? Bialystock quietly winces at the surfeit of max. BIALYSTOCK Let me see... it's such a beautiful day. Why waste it indoors. I've got it! Let's go to Coney Island! We'll lunch at the sea shore. BLOOM Coney Island?? BIALYSTOCK What's the matter, Leo? Don't you like Coney Island? BLOOM I... I love it. I haven't been there since I was a kid. But it's nearly two o'clock. I really should be getting back to Whitehall and Marks. BIALYSTOCK Nonsense! As far as Whitehall and Marks are concerned, you're working with Bialystock, right? BLOOM Right. BIALYSTOCK Then stick with Bialystock! SWISH PAN CUT TO CONEY ISLAND. FAR SHOT OF BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM AMIDST THE CROWD AT A CUSTARD STAND. CAMERA ZOOMS IN. TWO SHOT. BIALYSTOCK (to Custard Man) We'll have another round. CUSTARD MAN What kind now, sports? BIALYSTOCK What kind now, Leo? BLOOM (he's loosening up) I don't know. Let's see. We've had chocolate, vanilla, banana - let's go green. BIALYSTOCK (to Custard Man) Two pistachios, my good man. CUSTARD MAN I'm not your good man, I happen to own this establishment. (he turns to fill the order) BIALYSTOCK Everybody's a big shot. (turns to Bloom) Well, Leo, are you having a good time? BLOOM I don't know. I think so. I feel very strange. BIALYSTOCK Maybe you're happy. BLOOM Yes. That's it. Happy. Well, whatta ya think of that. Happy. QUICK DISSOLVE TO BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM ON THE WHIP (A CONEY ISLAND RIDE). They are tightly squeezed into one of the moving seats. They are between "whips". BLOOM (licking his pistachio custard. He is ecstatic) I love it. I love it. Get set. We're coming to another turn. BIALYSTOCK (working, relentlessly working on Bloom) Bloom, it can always be like this. Life can be beautiful. Let me show you. Stick with... They hit the turn. BIALYSTOCK Bialysto-o-o-o-ckk. QUICK DISSOLVE TO BARKER SELLING TICKETS IN FRONT OF TUNNEL OF LOVE. MEDIUM SHOT OF EXIT. A little boat comes out. In it are a man and a woman embracing. It is followed by another. In it there is a sailor kissing a girl. Boat number three comes out. In it are Bialystock and Bloom. CLOSE IN TO A TIGHT TWO SHOT. Bloom is mesmerized. Bialystock speaks in a soft, enchanting tone. BIALYSTOCK Money is honey. Money is honey. Money can put soft things next to your skin. Silk... satin... women. CLOSE-UP OF BLOOM'S EYES. They widen on the word "women." QUICK DISSOLVE TO PARACHUTE JUMP. Bialystock and Bloom are seated in a little gondola that swings beneath a huge parachute. They are buckling themselves in. BLOOM But if we're caught, we'll go to prison. BIALYSTOCK (sensing victory, he marshals his forces for the final assault) You think you're not in prison now? Living in a grey little room. Going to a grey little job. Leading a grey little life. BLOOM You're right. You're absolutely right. I'm a nothing. I spend my life counting other people's money -- people I'm smarter than, better than. Where's my share? Where's Leo Bloom's share? I want, I want, I want, I want everything I've ever seen in the movies! The parachute begins to ascend. We follow. BLOOM (coming out of it) Hey, we're going up. BIALYSTOCK You bet your boots, Leo. It's Bialystock and Bloom -- on the rise. Upward and onward. Say, you'll join me. Nothing can stop us. Bialystock offers his hand to Bloom. BLOOM (shouting at the top of his lungs) I'll do it! By God, I'll do it! Bloom grabs Bialystock's hand and shakes it firmly. BIALYSTOCK This is where we belong, Leo. On top of the world. Top of the world! They hit the top. The parachute is released, they quickly plummet down. BIALYSTOCK Oiiiiiii!!! BLOOM Ohhhhhhhh!!! Bialystock and Bloom drop out of frame. SLOW DISSOLVE TO BIALYSTOCK'S OFFICE. NIGHT. OVERHEAD SHOT. Bialystock and Bloom are bathed in a small pool of concentrated light. They are down to their shirt sleeves. They are feverishly reading play manuscripts. All about them are strewn coffee containers, some empty, some half-filled. There is a huge pile of discarded scripts on the floor. CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF LEO BLOOM AS HE READS SCRIPT. He looks up, pushes his glasses back and massages the bridge of his nose. BLOOM Max, let's call it a night. It's two in the morning. I don't know what I'm reading anymore. PULL BACK TO TWO SHOT. BIALYSTOCK Read, read. We've got to find the worst play ever written. Bialystock turns his attention to a new script. He cracks it open and begins reading. BIALYSTOCK Hmmnn. "Gregor Samsa awoke one morning to find he had been transformed into a giant cock-a-roach." In a rage Bialystock flings The manuscript onto the pile of discards as he bellows: BIALYSTOCK It's good!!! CAMERA MOVES UP AND WE DISSOLVE THROUGH TO MEDIUM SHOT OF OFFICE. Bialystock and Bloom are thoroughly disheveled and badly in need of a shave. BLOOM (mumbling to himself as he reads) Wait a minute, I've read this part. I'm reading plays I read this morning. He gets up, stretches, goes to window and raises shade. Sunlight floods the room. He reels back as though struck. BLOOM Good lord, it's morning. Let's face it, we'll never find it. (he turns to face Bialystock) Max, tomorrow's another day. Today's another day. BIALYSTOCK (off-camera. Crazy little voice) We'll never find it, eh? We'll never find it, eh? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. CUT TO BIALYSTOCK. He is standing. At his feet lies a script. He dances around it, his arms folded across his chest. BIALYSTOCK (as he does an insane little jig around the script) You can't smell it when it's under your nose. You can't see it when it's right before your eyes. You can't feel it when it's in your hand, when it's in your pocket. CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT. BLOOM Max, what is it? What are you doing? What's happening? BIALYSTOCK I'll tell you what's happening. We've struck gold. Not fool's gold, but real gold. The mother lode. The mother lode. The mother of them all. BLOOM (brightening) You found a flop! BIALYSTOCK A flop, ha! That's putting it mildly. A disaster! A catastrophe! An outrage! A guaranteed-to-close- in-one-night beauty! He bends down, picks up the script and shakes it in Bloom's face. BIALYSTOCK This is freedom from want forever. This is a house in the country. This is a Rolls Royce and a Bentley. This is wine, women and song and women. Bloom snatches the script from his hands and reads aloud the title. CUT TO CLOSE-UP. TITLE OF SCRIPT. BLOOM (voice over) "SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER, A Gay Romp with Adolph and Eva in Berchtesgarten." Fantastic! BACK TO TWO SHOT. BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM. BIALYSTOCK It's practically a love letter to Hitler! BLOOM (ecstatic) It won't run a week! BIALYSTOCK Run a week? Are you kidding? This play has got to close in the first act. BLOOM Who wrote it? CUT TO AUTHOR'S NAME ON THE MANUSCRIPT: By FRANZ LIEBKIND. DISSOLVE THROUGH AUTHOR'S NAME TO BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM, SHAVED AND DAPPER, WALKING DOWN STREET IN A RUN-DOWN TENEMENT NEIGHBORHOOD. BLOOM Here it is -- 415. They march up stoop to number 415. Their motion is arrested by a querulous command issued in phlegmatic tones by the Superintendent of the building (a woman in her late forties) who is leaning out of her window which is adjacent to the stoop. SUPER Who do you want? BLOOM (taken aback) I beg your pardon? SUPER Who do you want? No one gets in the building unless I know who they want... I'm the concierge. My husband used to be the concierge. He's dead. Now I'm the concierge. BIALYSTOCK (imperiously) We are seeking Mr. Franz Liebkind. SUPER Oh, the kraut. He's on the top floor. Apartment twenty-three. BLOOM Thank you. They start into the building. SUPER But you won't find him there. He's up on the roof with his birds. He keeps birds. Dirty, disgusting, filthy, lice-ridden birds. You used to be able to sit out on the stoop like a person. Not anymore. No sir. Birds! You get my drift? BLOOM We... uh... get your drift. Thank you, Madam. SUPER I'm not a madam. I'm a concierge. Bialystock and Bloom enter the building. CUT TO FRANZ LIEBKIND. He is in his early forties. He is wearing, as always, a german helmet. He crouches beside a huge pigeon coop. In his left hand he tenderly holds a pigeon. In his right, a small photo of Adolph Hitler. He shows the picture to the bird. He moves it back and forth until he is sure the bird is focused on it properly. LIEBKIND (to pigeon) Hilda, look... look good... Hilda, you're not looking. Hilda, if he lives, I know you will find him. He kisses the bird and tosses it skyward. CUT TO ROOF DOOR. Bialystock and Bloom enter onto the roof. They look for Liebkind. He is not on that side of roof. They walk around to other side. As soon as they turn the corner, they spot Liebkind crouched near the coop. BLOOM (quietly to Bialystock) He's wearing a German helmet. BIALYSTOCK (in a fierce whisper) Shhh. Don't say anything to offend him. We need that play. (cups his hands to his mouth and calls up to the coop) Franz Liebkind? Liebkind is not aware of their presence until he hears his name called. Startled, he quickly flips Hitler's picture under his helmet. LIEBKIND (he speaks with a German accent) I vas never a member of the Nazi party. I am not responsible. I only followed orders. Who are you? BIALYSTOCK Mr. Liebkind, wait. You don't understand. LIEBKIND Vhy do you persecute me? My papers are in order. I love my country. (he sings) "Oh, beautiful for spacious skies, For amber vaves of grain." BIALYSTOCK Mr. Liebkind, wait... LIEBKIND (singing) "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy... BIALYSTOCK (interrupting) Mr. Liebkind, relax, relax, we're not from the government. We came here to talk to you about your play. LIEBKIND My play? You mean, "Springtime For..." you know who? BIALYSTOCK Yes. LIEBKIND Vat about it? BIALYSTOCK We loved it. We thought it was a masterpiece. That's why we're here. We want to produce it on Broadway. LIEBKIND You're not, as you Americans say, dragging my leg, are you? BLOOM No, not at all sir, we're quite serious. We want to produce your play. (he reaches into his attache case and displays a legal looking document) I have the contracts right here. LIEBKIND (looking up) Oh joy of joys! Oh, dream of dreams! I can't believe it. (he turns to the pigeons) Birds, birds, do you hear? Otto, Bertz, Heintz, Hans, Wolfgang, do you hear? Ve are going to clear the Fuhrer's name. Fly, fly, spread the words. He opens the cages and sets the birds free. LIEBKIND (singing at the top of his lungs) "Deutchland, Deutchland, uber alles, Uber alles in der velt." Bialystock and Bloom look at each other in alarm. LIEBKIND (singing for all he's worth) "Deutchland, Deutchland..." BLOOM (shouting) Mr. Liebkind, Mr. Liebkind. Liebkind stops singing. LIEBKIND Vat? BLOOM People can hear you. LIEBKIND OH. (he sings) "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy, Yankee Doodle is my..." Listen, this is not place to talk. Come! We go to my flat. An occasion like this calls for Schnapps. DISSOLVE TO FRANZ LIEBKIND'S APARTMENT. Liebkind has just finished pouring three glasses of schnapps. He puts the bottle on a tray. LIEBKIND (as he hands glasses to Bialystock and Bloom) Mr. Bloom, Mr. Bialystock. Gentleman, with your permission, I would like to propose a toast to the greatest man that ever lived. Let us say his name quietly to ourselves. The walls have ears. CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF FRANZ LIEBKIND. LIEBKIND (a fervent whisper) Adolph Hitler. (he downs drink) CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF BLOOM. BLOOM (whisper) Sigmund Freud. (he downs drink) CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF BIALYSTOCK. BIALYSTOCK (whisper) Max Bialystock. (he downs drink) BACK TO SCENE. LIEBKIND I vas vit him a great deal, you know. BIALYSTOCK With whom? LIEBKIND (astonished by the question) Vit the Fuhrer, of course. He liked me. Out of all the household staff at Berchtesgarten, I vas his favorite. I vas the only one allowed into his chambers at bedtime. BIALYSTOCK No kidding? LIEBKIND Oh, sure. I used to take him his hot milk and his opium. Achhh, those were the days. Vat good times ve had. Dinner parties vit lovely ladies and gentlemen, singing und dancing. You know, not many people knew about it, but the Fuhrer vas a terrific dancer. BIALYSTOCK Really, I never dreamed... LIEBKIND (flies into an indignant rage) That's because you were taken in by that verdampter Allied propaganda. Such filthy lies. But nobody said a bad vord about Winston Churchill, did they? Oh no, Vin Vit Vinnie! (he gestures V for victory) Churchill, vit his cigars and his brandy and his rotten paintings. Couldn't even say Nazi. He would say Narzis, Narzis. Ve vere not Narzies, ve vere Nazis. But let me tell this, and you're getting it straight from the horse, Hitler vas better looking than Churchill, he vas a better dresser than Churchill, had more hair, told funnier jokes, and could dance the pants off Churchill! BIALYSTOCK (swinging along) That's exactly why we want to do this play. To show the world the true Hitler, the Hitler you knew, the Hitler you loved, the Hitler with a song in his heart. (to Bloom) Leo, quick, the contract. Bloom quickly whips the contract out of his pocket, produces a pen, hands them to Bialystock. Bialystock spreads the contract out on the table before Liebkind. BIALYSTOCK Here, sign here, Franz Liebkind. And make your dream a reality. He hands Liebkind the pen. Liebkind refuses it. LIEBKIND Wait. No. How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you vill present this play in the manner and spirit in vhich it vas conceived? BIALYSTOCK We swear it! LIEBKIND Not good enough... Vould you be villing to take the Siegfried oath? BIALYSTOCK Yes. We would! INSERT: CLOSE-UP BLOOM. He looks worried. LIEBKIND Good. I will make the preparations. Liebkind leaves the room. BLOOM (anxious whisper) Max, I don't want to take any Siegfried Oath. I don't know what it is, but I don't want to take it. We might end up in the German Army. BIALYSTOCK Shut up, you idiot. He's a harmless nut. Play along with him. It's almost in the bag. Liebkind enters. He is laden down with all sorts of ritualistic paraphernalia. Liebkind places all the stuff on the table. Without a word to them, he goes to phonograph. In a few seconds we hear the opening strains of Wagner's "Ride Of The Valkyries." As the music booms louder, Liebkind addresses them. LIEBKIND Please to don your helmets. From the table they take classic Wagnerian helmets (with horns) and place them on their heads. LIEBKIND Please to light your candles. They each take a huge white candle from the table and light it. Liebkind flicks the light switch. Now they are in the dark except for the glow of their candles. LIEBKIND Please repeat after me. I solemnly swear... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM I solemnly swear... LIEBKIND By the sacred memory... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM By the sacred memory... LIEBKIND Of Siegfried... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM Of Siegfried... LIEBKIND Wagner... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM Wagner... LIEBKIND Nietzche... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM Nietzche... LIEBKIND Bismark... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM Bismark... LIEBKIND Hindenburg... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM Hindenburg... LIEBKIND The Graf Spee... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM The Graf Spee... LIEBKIND The Blue Max... BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM The Blue Max... LIEBKIND And last, but not least, Adolph... you know who. BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM And last, but not least, Adolph... you know who. LIEBKIND (saluting) Heil you know who! BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM (spiritlessly saluting) Heil you know who! LIEBKIND Good. Good. Now ve sign the contract. BIALYSTOCK Good. Good. (he hands Liebkind the pen) LIEBKIND No. No. Not in ink. We'll desecrate the oath. It must be done in blood. CUT TO BLOOM'S FACE. It is a silent oi. LIEBKIND Fingers, please. Bialystock and Bloom extend their forefingers and look the other way. Liebkind pricks them with the sacred safety pin, and squeezes a few drops of blood from each into the sacred vessel (a jar cover). He does the same with his own finger. LIEBKIND Ve vill sign vit this sacred qvill taken from the last chicken I served at Berchtesgarten. Liebkind signs. "The Ride Of The Valkyries" reaches its zenith. It echoes through the room as we fade out. FADE IN ON BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM AS THEY WALK UP STREET AWAY FROM TENEMENT. It is late afternoon. They are both wearing swastika arm bands. BIALYSTOCK (triumphantly whacking the contract with the back of his hand) There it is... in red and white! "Springtime For Hitler," signed, sealed and delivered. (he notices Bloom's dour expression) What's the matter with you? BLOOM Look, I'm just not wearing this arm band. I don't care how big the deal is. BIALYSTOCK (placating him) Okay, take it off, take it off. They take off their arm bands and toss them into a litter basket. Bialystock spots a passing taxi. He whistles. It stops. BIALYSTOCK (to cab driver as he opens door) The Blue Gypsy. BLOOM (about to enter cab with Bialystock) Why are we going to the Blue Gypsy?! BIALYSTOCK (stopping Bloom from entering cab) We are not going to The Blue Gypsy. I am going to The Blue Gypsy. Bialystock gets into cab and slams the door. He continues speaking to Bloom through the window. BIALYSTOCK I have a rendez-vous with a lady of some means. You see dear Bloom, phase one is complete, the play is ours. We are now entering phase two -- the raising of the money. In the days to come, you will see very little of me, for Bialystock is launching himself into little-old-lady-land. (to cab driver) Avanti! The cab speeds away. SWISH PAN CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF LITTLE OLD LADY #3. In her hand she holds a bubbling glass of champagne. She raises it to Bialystock. PULL BACK TO TWO SHOT OF BIALYSTOCK AND LITTLE OLD LADY. They are seated in a corner booth of a little Viennese cafe. LITTLE OLD LADY #3 Here's to the success of your new play. Bialystock raises his glass. BIALYSTOCK Our play, my love. He gallantly intertwines his arms in hers in a lover's toast. It is hard to drink with arms entwined, especially if one of the arms is attached to a little old lady. The toast is a fiasco, Bialystock getting most of the champagne over his vest and trousers. LITTLE OLD LADY #3 Oh, I'm sorry, Bialy, did I wet you? BIALYSTOCK Think nothing of it, my dear. A mere trifle. A mere trifle. Did you bring your checkbook? LITTLE OLD LADY #3 It's right here in my purse and I made it out just as you told me -- to cash. That's a funny name for a play. BIALYSTOCK Think nothing of it. She snaps open her little beaded purse, takes out the check and begins to hand it to Bialystock. At this moment, we are assaulted by the passionate sound of a crying violin. CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL A VIOLINIST IN GYPSY ATTIRE CLOSING IN ON THE TABLE. The little old lady is delighted by the violinist and unfortunately for Bialystock stops the passage of the check as her attention is diverted. Bialystock cautiously reaches out to snatch the check but each time that he does, a turn in the music makes the little old lady clutch her heart. Bialystock is very unhappy. He quietly brings his foot from beneath the table and places it directly over the foot of the violinist. CUT TO CLOSE-UP OF BIALYSTOCK'S FOOT POISED OVER VIOLINIST'S FOOT. Bialystock proceeds to crush violinist's foot. CUT TO VIOLINIST'S FACE. Somehow it conveys to us all the misery and pain of the human condition. With eyes crossed by grief, he limps to another table. Bialystock quickly reaches out and snatches the check. SWISH PAN CUT TO HANSOM CAB THREADING ITS WAY THROUGH CENTRAL PARK. NIGHT. CUT TO INTERIOR OF CAB. Bialystock is cozily ensconced with Little old lady #4. BIALYSTOCK (taking check from old lady) Thank you, my dear. LITTLE OLD LADY #4 Oh, Bialy, Bialy, tell me again. Tell me again. BIALYSTOCK Edna, I swear on my life, you don't look a day over sixty-five. SWISH PAN CUT TO CITY TRAFFIC. DAY. A taxi fills the screen. As it moves out of frame, we discover Bialystock and little old lady #5 astride a red and white honda motor scooter. As they roar past the camera, Bialystock shouts. BIALYSTOCK Clear the road! Clear the road! LITTLE OLD LADY #5 (clutching Bialystock fiercely) Go, Bialy, baby, go! SWISH PAN CUT TO POSH PARK AVENUE APARTMENT. NIGHT. A private concern is in progress. A thin, consumptive-looking young man fingers his way through a chopin nocturne. CAMERA SLOWLY PANS THE ROOM. Seated in a semi-circle around the piano on various pieces of delicate empire furniture is an austere group of elderly dignified patrons of the arts. Suddenly an old lady's shriek rends the air. Everyone's head turns. LITTLE OLD LADY #6 (slightly flustered) Go on with the concert! Go on with the concert! It's nothing. Nothing. Bialystock stares straight ahead. LITTLE OLD LADY #6 (to Bialystock, smiling) You dirty man. SWISH PAN CUT TO NEW YORK STREET. Old fashioned limousine pulls into view. The window shades are drawn. As it passes, we detect strange sounds emanating from the interior. LITTLE OLD LADY #7 (off camera) Tee hee, ha ha ha, ho ho, ooo, ooo, teehee hee. BIALYSTOCK (off camera, simultaneously) Heh, heh, heh. Hah, hah, hah. The car drives out of frame. SWISH PAN CUT TO SCULPTOR'S ATELIER. DAY. An ancient little old lady wearing a sculptor's smock is feebly chipping away with chisel and hammer at a huge square block of marble. She makes not a scratch on it. CAMERA DOLLIES BACK TO REVEAL BIALYSTOCK, HER SUBJECT, STANDING NUDE, EXCEPT FOR LOIN CLOTH, HOLDING UP AN ENORMOUS GLOBE. He is obviously atlas. LITTLE OLD LADY #8 (stepping back to admire her work) Well, Bialy, how's it coming? BIALYSTOCK It's beautiful, Alma, beautiful. (to the heavens) Oi. SWISH PAN CUT TO LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. Bialystock, dressed as a turkish slave, is asleep on the sofa. The room has been done in a byzantine decor. The strains of Scheherazade softly fill the room. Suddenly a whip comes flashing into the frame and whacks against the torso of the sleeping Bialystock. SHOT WIDENS TO REVEAL 'HOLD ME, TOUCH ME' WIELDING THE WHIP. She is dressed in an 'Aarabian Nights' costume. HOLD ME, TOUCH ME Dance! Dance, slave! Bialystock is up in a flash and into a quick turkish time step so as to avoid the deadly lash. BIALYSTOCK How's this? HOLD ME, TOUCH ME Faster, faster, you dog. Excite me, delight me. Hold me, touch me. CUT TO CLOSE-UP OF BIALYSTOCK'S FACE AS HE DANCES. BIALYSTOCK (murmuring to himself) Money is honey, money is honey. DISSOLVE TO BIALYSTOCK'S OFFICE. NIGHT. Bialystock is seated at the desk. On one side of him is a large stack of signed investor contracts. On the other an equally large pile of unsigned ones. Bialystock signs furiously, as Bloom feeds the contracts to him. BLOOM (handing Bialystock contract) Mrs. Sarah Catheart. She owns 50% of the profits. Bialystock dutifully signs. Bloom takes another and places it before Bialystock. BLOOM Mrs. Eleanor Biddlecombe. She also owns 50% of the profits. Bialystock signs. Bloom puts the next one down. BLOOM Mrs. Virginia Resnick. She also owns 50% of the profits. Bialystock signs. Bloom takes another. BLOOM Mrs. Alma Wentworth. She owns 100% of the profits. Bialystock signs. Then looks up at Bloom. BIALYSTOCK Leo, what if this play is a hit? BLOOM Then the Department of Justice owns 100% of Bialystock and Bloom. BIALYSTOCK (Bloom's thought makes him unhappy) OI. I'm depressed. Leo, do me a favor. Open the safe. I want to see the money. Leo, humoring him, spins the combination dial on safe and opens it. CUT TO INSIDE OF SAFE. It is jammed full of neatly stacked piles of money. CUT TO BIALYSTOCK ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES IN FRONT OF SAFE. BIALYSTOCK (to himself. Inhales deeply) That's better. Bialystock takes out a stack of neatly folded bills. He smells it, kisses it and puts it in his pocket. BLOOM What are you doing? BIALYSTOCK I'm going to buy a toy. I worked very, very hard and I think I deserve a toy. BLOOM (quizzically) A toy? DISSOLVE TO CLOSE-UP, FACE OF A GORGEOUS BLONDE, ULLA. DOLLY BACK TO REVEAL THE REST OF HER. She is incredibly well- endowed. CUT TO BIALYSTOCK AND BLOOM. Their eyes glued to her form. BLOOM That's a toy? BIALYSTOCK Yes. She's an adult, educational toy made in Sweden for children over fifty. Bloom stares at him. BIALYSTOCK Stop looking at me like that. She's not an indulgence. She happens to be our new receptionist. She goes with our new surroundings. QUICKLY PAN POSH NEW WALL-PAPER, FURNISHINGS, ETC. BIALYSTOCK Ulla, I'd like you to meet my partner and associate, Mr. Leo Bloom. ULLA Got dag pa dig. BLOOM How do you do. (to Bialystock) Have you gone mad? A receptionist that can't speak English. What will people say? BIALYSTOCK They'll say, "Oooh, wah, wah, wah, ooh, ooh." BLOOM What is she gonna do here? BIALYSTOCK I'll show you. Ulla, go to work. ULLA Ya, sur. Ulla goes to phonograph and places needle on record. The driving sound of a twist fills the room. Ulla sensuously twists, vibrates, frugs, watusis and rocks her body in time with music. BIALYSTOCK See, it helps the day go by. Ulla, okay. Okay. Ulla stops, goes to phonograph and takes needle off. BIALYSTOCK Go to desk. Answer telephone. He picks up phone to show her. BIALYSTOCK Bialystock and Bloom. Bialystock and Bloom. ULLA (repeating to herself as she leaves) Bialystock and Blum. Bialystock and Blum. Bialystock and Blum. Got dag pa dig. Bialystock and Blum. BIALYSTOCK (to Bloom, opening up a box on his desk) Hey, Blum, have a cigar. BLOOM No thanks. Bialystock takes an enormous black cigar. BLOOM Max, maybe... Bialystock reaches under his desk. Presses buzzer. We hear buzzing sound in ante-room. BLOOM What's that? BIALYSTOCK Nothing. Nothing. Go on. Ulla enters. Goes to desk, picks up cigarette lighter, lights Bialystock's cigar, kisses him. ULLA (pinching Bialystock's cheek) Min Bialystock. Ulla leaves. BIALYSTOCK Nice girl. BLOOM Max, as I was saying, maybe we should go easy on the spending. I mean these offices and everything. BIALYSTOCK Why? Take it when you can get it! Flaunt it, baby, flaunt it! BLOOM But if something should... God forbid... go wrong, at least we could give them some of their money back. It would look better in court. BIALYSTOCK Stop talking like that, you white mouse! Nothing's going to go wrong. As a matter of fact, today I have taken steps to insure total disaster. At two o'clock we have an appointment with none other than Roger De Bris. BLOOM (searching) Roger De Bris. Roger De Bris. Oh yes, the director. Is he good... I mean bad? BIALYSTOCK Roger De Bris is the worst director that ever lived. BLOOM Do you think he'll take the job? BIALYSTOCK Only if we ask him. Bialystock consults his watch. BIALYSTOCK Come on. We'd better hurry. We're late. Bialystock buzzes. Ulla enters. BIALYSTOCK Call chauffeur. Get car. ULLA (smiling) Good. Good. We go Motel. BIALYSTOCK No. We go. (he indicates Bloom and himself) ULLA You, Blum go Motel. BIALYSTOCK No. No Motel. Get car. Get car. ULLA (as she leaves) Get car. Get car. BIALYSTOCK Very nice girl. DISSOLVE TO STREET IN FRONT OF CHIC TOWNHOUSE UPPER SIXTIES. DAY. A white Rolls Royce limo pulls up. A liveried chauffeur with small latin-type mustache gets out and opens door for passengers. Bialystock and Bloom get out. BIALYSTOCK (to chauffeur) Thank you, Rudolfo. Bialystock and Bloom climb the steps to the front door. Bialystock pushes the doorbell. We hear chimes. BIALYSTOCK (whispering) Now don't let anything he does or says upset you. He's a little peculiar. BLOOM What do you mean? The door opens. Framed in the doorway is a thin, strange looking man in a black turtleneck sweater. (Carmen Giya) he contemplates them coldly. CARMEN Yesssssss? BIALYSTOCK I am Max Bialystock. This is my associate, Mr. Bloom. We have an appointment with Mr. De Bris. CARMEN Ah, yes, you're expected. Please come in. They enter the vestibule. Carmen closes the door behind them. CARMEN How do you do. I'm Carmen Giya, Mr. De Bris' private secretary. Would you be so kind as to remove your shoes. Bialystock and Bloom look at each other bewildered. CARMEN White, white, white is the color of our carpets. Bialystock and Bloom remove their shoes. CARMEN (to Bloom indicating a rack of slippers) Now, let's see, you're wearing grey. I would suggest the crimson. They're a little vivid, but your suit is so quiet. (to Bialystock, studying his mish mash attire) Why don't you... Oh, take anything. Please follow me. Carmen leads the way. Bialystock and Bloom scuff after him. We follow them down a narrow corridor lined with examples of classic greek sculpture -- each one depicting nude males in various poses. INT: ELEVATOR. CUT TO ROGER DE BRIS' BOUDOIR SITTING ROOM. It is elegantly feminine. Chaise lounge, antique mirrors, Louis XVI armoire and dressing table. From behind an ornate dressing screen, we hear muffled sounds of discontent. DE BRIS (from behind screen) I'll never get into this damned thing. CUT TO BOUDOIR ENTRANCE. Carmen, Bialystock and Bloom enter. CARMEN (to De Bris) We're not alone. De Bris' head pops over the screen. He is a once handsome, now dissipated man in his late forties. DE BRIS Ah, Messers Bialystock and Bloom, I presume. Ha, ha, ha, forgive the pun. BLOOM (to Bialystock) What pun? BIALYSTOCK (a curt whisper) Shut up. He thinks he's witty. (to De Bris) It's good to see you again, Roger. Did you get a chance to read "Springtime For Hitler?" De Bris emerges from behind the screen. He is wearing a "Lady Windermere's fan" style dress. DE BRIS Remarkable. Remarkable. A stunning piece of work. BLOOM (shocked, whispers) Max! He's wearing a dress. (his mouth remains open) BIALYSTOCK Shhhhhh. DE BRIS (continuing) I think it's a very important play. I, for one, never realized that the Third Reich meant Germany. I mean it's drenched with historical goodies like that. De Bris is suddenly aware of Bloom's expression. (Bloom's mouth is still agape.) DE BRIS Oh, dear, you're staring at my dress. I should explain. I'm going to the Choreographer's Ball tonight. There's a prize for the best costume. CARMEN (smugly) We always win. DE BRIS (looking in the mirror) I'm not so sure about tonight. I'm supposed to be the Grand Duchess -- I think I look more like Tugboat Annie. What do you think? He parades back and forth, executing sharp turns like a model at a fashion show. DE BRIS No be cruel. Be brutal. Be brutal. Because heaven knows they will. Well, what do you think, Mr. Bloom? BLOOM (very embarrassed) Well, it's... uh... it's nice and long... I mean, it's... uh... uh... where do you keep your wallet? BIALYSTOCK (jumping in) It's gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. You couldn't have picked a better color. It brings out your eyes. Let's face it, Roger, that dress is you. DE BRIS (his eyes flashing flirtatiously) Do you really think it brings out my eyes? CARMEN (irritated) We can't tell a thing without your wig. As far as I'm concerned, you're only half-dressed. DE BRIS Ummmm. Well, if you're so worried about the wig, get it, o' wicked witch of the west. Carmen turns in a huff and leaves to get the wig. De bris reaches into cut crystal cigarette box, takes cigarette, taps it, and holds it for a light. BIALYSTOCK (in a whisper to Bloom) Quick, light his cigarette. He likes you. Bloom nervously reaches for a book of matches, rips one out and strikes it. It doesn't light. He tries another and another. One finally catches fire. He tries to hold it steady, but he is too nervous. De Bris firmly places his hand over Bloom's to steady the flame. DE BRIS Didn't I meet you on a summer cruise? He lights the cigarette but continues to hold Bloom's hand. BLOOM I've... I've... never been on a cruise. DE BRIS Oh, quel dommage. Carmen enters carrying wig. He sees De Bris holding Bloom's hand. CARMEN (snidely) Oh, I see we're getting acquainted. De Bris drops Bloom's hand and turns on Carmen. DE BRIS How would you like to go back to teasing hair, big mouth? BIALYSTOCK Roger, do you mind if we talk a little business? DE BRIS Please, please, that's what we're here for. (to Carmen, who is adjusting the wig) Be careful, that hurt. BIALYSTOCK I think this would be a marvelous opportunity for you, Roger. Up to now, you've always been associated with musicals, and... DE BRIS Yes. Dopey show-girls in gooey gowns. Two-three-kick-turn! Turn-turn-kick- turn! It's enough to make you throw up! At last a chance to do straight drama! To deal with conflict, with inner truth. Roger De Bris presents history. Of course, I think we should add a little music. That whole third act has got to go. They're losing the war. It's too depressing. We'll have to put something in there. (gripped by his vision) Aaahghhh! I see it! A line of beautiful girls, dressed as Storm Troopers, black patent leather boots, all marching together... Two-three- kick-turn! Turn-turn-kick-turn! BIALYSTOCK That's genius. That's genius. Roger, I think I speak for Mr. Bloom and myself when I say that you're the only man in the world who can do justice to SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER. DE BRIS (in one rush) Wait a minute. This is a very big decision. It might effect the course of my entire life. I'll have to think about it. I'll do it. De Bris extends his hand. Bialystock shakes it. BIALYSTOCK Congratulations. DE BRIS (to Carmen) Get on the phone. Send out a casting call. Call every agent in town. I want to see everybody. Everybody. DISSOLVE TO STAGE DOOR OF BROADWAY THEATRE. DAY. Sign on door reads: CASTING TODAY -- SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER. QUICK DISSOLVE TO INTERIOR OF THEATRE. The place is a madhouse. Hundreds of would-be Hitlers fill the stage. Each and every one with the Fuhrer's haircut and little square mustache. There are tall Hitlers, short Hitlers, fat Hitlers, skinny Hitlers, method Hitlers, shakespearean Hitlers, all kinds Hitlers. CUT TO FIRST ROW OF AUDIENCE. Seated there, watching the bedlam, are Bialystock and Bloom, De Bris, Carmen Giya and Franz Liebkind. BIALYSTOCK (looking for the least likely Hitler) Roger, what about that one? The fat Hitler on the right? DE BRIS I don't know. I rather fancy that one. CUT TO BEAUTIFUL, BLOND, MUSCULAR, YOUNG MAN, WHO LOOKS AS IF HE IS POSING FOR "BODY BEAUTIFUL." He bears not the slightest resemblance to hitler even though he does sport a little black mustache. CUT BACK TO BIALYSTOCK. BIALYSTOCK Not bad. Not bad. What do you think, Franz? LIEBKIND (very emotional) I don't know. I don't know. For some strange reason, I'm deeply moved. (he wipes away a tear) DE BRIS (getting to his feet) Oh, this is bedlam, bedlam. We must have some order. De Bris, followed by Carmen, hops to the stage and addresses the milling mob. DE BRIS (clapping his hands for attention) Will all the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings. We're only taking the singing Hitlers. As the dancing Hitlers leave the stage, Carmen arranges the singing Hitlers so that they are in a long straight line against the back of the stage wall. Carmen reads out a name and the first singing hitler walks downstage to audition. Except for a sporty little Hitler mustache, he bears little resemblance to the Fuhrer. CARMEN Arthur Packard. DE BRIS Hello, Arthur. Tell us something about yourself. ARTHUR PACKARD (in a strangulated tenor's voice) I was the lead tenor of the Albuquerque Opera Company for two seasons. I just finished a road tour of STUDENT PRINCE. And last season I was up for the lead in the Broadway production of Circus Man. DE BRIS What happened? ARTHUR PACKARD I didn't get it. DE BRIS What are you going to sing for us Arthur? As Arthur tells him the title of his song, De Bris mouths it word for word toward his friend, Carmen. ARTHUR PACKARD The soliloquy from CAROUSEL. From the pit the piano plays a four bar introduction. ARTHUR PACKARD (sings) My boy Bill will be strong and as tall as a... DE BRIS Thank you. Arthur shrugs and leaves the stage. DE BRIS Next please. CARMEN Jason Green. Jason Green comes downstage. He is a big, barrel-chested man. He also wears Hitler-type mustache. DE BRIS Well, Jason, what have you been doing lately? JASON GREEN (in basso profundo) For the last sixteen years, I've been touring with "Naughty Marietta." DE BRIS Good. And what are you going to sing for us, Jason? As Jason tells him the song's title, De Bris once again mouths it word for word with him. JASON GREEN "Stout-Hearted Men." Beginning of "Stout-Hearted Men" montage. There is a short piano introduction. JASON GREEN (singing) "Give me some men Who are stout- hearted men Who will fight for the right they adore." DE BRIS (off-camera voice) Thaaank you. DISSOLVE TO A NEW HITLER SINGING (LITTLE BALD MAN) BALD HITLER (singing) "Show me some men Who are stout- hearted men And I'll soon show you ten thousand more." DE BRIS (off-camera voice) Thaaank you. DISSOLVE TO ANOTHER HITLER (ITALIAN BASSO) ITALIAN HITLER (singing) "Shoulder to shoulder and bolder and bolder They grow as they march to the war." DE BRIS (voice off camera) Thaaank you. DISSOLVE TO DELICATE HITLER DELICATE HITLER (singing) "There is nothing in this world can halt or mar our plan." DE BRIS (voice off camera) Thaank you. DISSOLVE TO SHORT-HAIRED WOMAN HITLER SHORT-HAIRED WOMAN HITLER "When stout-hearted men Will get together man to man." DE BRIS (voice off camera) Thaaank you. CUT TO CARMEN GIYA ON STAGE. It is now empty. CARMEN Well, that's it. CUT TO FIRST ROW OF AUDIENCE. Slow pan Bialystock, Bloom, De Bris, and Liebkind. They are tired, disheveled and unhappy. BLOOM I think that's enough Hitlers for one day. Maybe we'll get lucky tomorrow. BIALYSTOCK You think out of all those Hitlers you could find just one... LIEBKIND It was the same thing in Germany. We looked for years before we found the right Hitler. From off-stage we hear the sharp click of boots approaching. All eyes turn toward the stag