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EXCERPT from pages 50-54
INT. WILLOWBROOK COURTHOUSE - DAY
Stuffy. Hot. Confined.
TOWNSPEOPLE listen to the rhythmic monologue of --
an AUCTIONEER. Bids are cast.
KATE enters. Finds herself a seat.
AUCTIONEER
I have a bid--have a bid. Going
once...going twice...SOLD!
Kate looks over the crowd.
Spies the MAYOR up front; a big grin.
Looks to the back; STRAUSS sits off alone.
She has no smile, no expression at all.
AUCTIONEER
Now ladies and gentlemen, the next
piece of property up for sale is--
if check your program--parcel 62.
MAYOR's sits with trio of Rockefeller-type SUITS.
One of them is MR. FIELDS. He nods to auctioneer.
AUCTIONEER
This is a 4.2 acre spread located
in prime local situated at the
northwestern edge of town. The
bidding will begin at 325. Do I
hear 325 for this exquisite bargain?
Do I hear 325?
A MAN raises his arm.
MAN
325.
Auctioneer picks up the tempo.
AUCTIONEER
325. I have 325. Do I hear 350?
350? Anyone 350?
One of Field's associates bids.
AUCTIONEER
350. 350. I have 350. Do I hear
375? 375? Anyone 375?
A WOMAN raise her arm.
WOMAN
200!
AUCTIONEER
200. I have 2...?
The auctioneer stops short. Crowd turns to the woman.
AUCTIONEER
Ma'am? Did you say 200?
WOMAN
Yes.
AUCTIONEER
Excuse me. Let me try to explain
how this works. In order for you to
bid successfully, a bid higher than
the previous one is necessary.
Turns back to the crowd.
AUCTIONEER
Back to business. I have a bid--
have a bid--have a bid. Do I
hear 375? 375? Anyone 375?
WOMAN
150!
Crowd stirs. Bidding stops again.
AUCTIONEER
1-150? Mrs. Bradshaw, please. If
you cannot follow the simple rules
laid down--
WOMAN
--I can follow simple rules, Mr.
Graham. It's simpleton rules I
have a problem with.
MR. BRADSHAW tries to control his wife - little success.
Auctioneer feeling awkward.
Mayor waves him on to continue.
AUCTIONEER
I-I have a bid. A bid of 350.
Do I hear 375?
WOMAN in the back.
2nd WOMAN
375.
Getting back up to speed.
AUCTIONEER
I have a bid of 375. Thank you.
I have a bid of 300-70-5. Do I
hear 40--
2nd WOMAN
--not $375. Three dollars and
seventy five cents.
Crowd breaks into mixed laughter and aggravation.
Mayor steps up to the auctioneer post.
MAYOR
Ladies...ladies and gentlemen,
please. I'm sure you'll all
agree it's most unseasonably
humid today--making these already
small quarters seem even more
unbearable. In order to expedite
these proceedings, allowing us to
depart from the uncomfortable
surroundings we find ourselves in,
it is important for all those bidders
involved to take this auction with
the utmost integrity and sincerity.
Mrs. Bradshaw stands.
MRS. BRADSHAW
Integrity? Show me the moral decency
of one who profits from the selling
of children's lives?
MAYOR
Children's lives? Mrs. Bradshaw,
the Shorehaven Orphanage is what
is up for bid here today. By no
means, are we auctioning off the
lives of those who inhabit that
structure.
MRS. BRADSHAW
Then tell me Mayor, where will they
go? What will become of them once
the orphanage is razed? Have you
given even some thought to these
questions? Where will they go?
Who will take care of them?
Crowd becomes moved by her pleas. Mayor is hesitant.
Fields and associates grow impatient.
MAYOR
Go? Well, we'll find--
MAN stands.
MAN
--What mayor? What of the orphans
of Willowbrook? I'm sorry but I'm
going to have to agree with Mrs.
Bradshaw. No thought has been put
into this at all.
MAYOR
Now, Bufford, we all...we all can't
allow ourselves to get distracted
from the topic at hand. Once the
orphanage is sold, we can discuss
the proper arrangements for these
unfortunates. Now is not the time--
MRS. BRADSHAW
--now is the time. Put off until
tomorrow what needs to be discussed
today?
Mr. Bradshaw fails to persuade wife to take her seat.
Smacks his bald head with her handbag.
Crowd enjoys a laugh.
MRS. BRADSHAW
Now is the time, mayor. Now is
the time for Shorehaven.
Women in crowd start to clap.
Mrs. Bradshaw continues her plea above the --
supportive cheers and jeers.
MRS. BRADSHAW (con't)
Now - is - the - time!
Now - is - the - time!
Mayor looses control of crowd.
Fields is not pleased.
Women stand. Clapping. Cheering.
Strauss off in the corner; a world of her own.
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