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When Sadie Price first meets Ethan Wyatt, his anger and
vitriol shake her to the core. Though in a perfect
position, she can't get a shot of him. In the following
scene from the screen version of Accidental It Girl,
Sadie does her best to remedy her earlier mistake and
get that killer shot of Ethan Wyatt being the bad boy he
professes not to be.
vitriol shake her to the core. Though in a perfect
position, she can't get a shot of him. In the following
scene from the screen version of Accidental It Girl,
Sadie does her best to remedy her earlier mistake and
get that killer shot of Ethan Wyatt being the bad boy he
professes not to be.
INT. HIP RESTAURANT - BLE - NIGHT
Well-dressed patrons nosh on portions the size of grapes, made of unidentifiable
ingredients.
At the top of the cavernous main dining room, off in the troposphere with the
crystal chandeliers, is a parapet and a long bank of velvet-draped nooks. Here
the VIPs lounge in their rightful place, high above those who are merely rich,
not famous.
INT. BLE - VIP DINING NOOK - NIGHT
Tucked behind the drapes of one nook are Ethan Wyatt and Lori Dunn, un-famous
sister of Maya. They lounge in a lavish curved booth.
Ethan is slightly uncomfortable. Lori is slightly tipsy.
LORI
Maya would crap her pants if she knew
we were out together.
Ethan answers by way of shoving a piece of food in his mouth.
LORI
So, what was it like working with Steven
Spielberg?
ETHAN
Amazing. Even with the--
LORI
Yeah. What I really want to do is direct.
Ethan is stunned silent. Oh, God -- she’s one of “them.”
EXT. BLE - SERVICE ENTRANCE - SAME
A door to the kitchen stands ajar.
Brooke and Sadie huddle behind Luke. He shakes hands with a WAITER; they’re old
friends. Luke introduces Sadie.
Sadie shows the Waiter her camera, he shakes his head. She shows him her cell
phone, again he shakes his head. She shows him a wad of hundred dollar bills,
he takes them in a heartbeat.
The Waiter removes his jacket and hands it to Sadie. Sadie hands her camera to
Luke.
Sadie drags Brooke behind a nearby
DUMPSTER
Sadie unbuttons her pants.
SADIE
I need your pants.
BROOKE
No!
SADIE
Come on, I need this.
BROOKE
Are we talking about the picture or the
pants?
SADIE
Both.
BROOKE
Are you sure you want to do this?
SADIE
What do you mean, am I sure? I’m taking
my clothes off behind a dumpster.
BROOKE
I’m serious, Sadie. You’ve never done
anything quite this... I mean, you’re the
one with the rules. No babies, no
helicopters, no private property.
SADIE
This is different. I need that shot.
I can’t let that guy think he beat me.
I’m ruthless, damnit. Take no prisoners.
(whispers)
It’s embarrassing.
BROOKE
Says the girl standing in her underpants
next to a pile of rotting vegetables.
SADIE
This is my life here, Brooke.
Brooke measures the desperation on Sadie’s face, and unbuttons her pants.
INT. BLE - VIP DINING NOOK - NIGHT
Ethan and Lori are into another course.
ETHAN
Where did you grow up?
LORI
Glendale. So when you made Out of Harm,
was Ashton still married to Demi?
ETHAN
Is it just me, or did our waiter fall
off the face of the earth? I could use
some more bread.
Ethan scoots over to the curtains and flags down a busty waitress.
ETHAN
(whispers)
Check, please.
INT. BLE - KITCHEN - SAME
Sadie slithers behind the Waiter. They creep around a corner, barely avoiding
detection by the kitchen staff.
INT. BLE - VIP DINING NOOK - SAME
Ethan’s napkin sits crumpled on top of his half-eaten meal. Lori continues to
eat between yapping fits.
Ethan mimes stabbing himself with a fork.
Lori almost catches him, but he quickly steals a bite from Lori’s plate to cover
-- and a few more to help her along.
INT. BLE - PARAPET - SAME
Sadie leans around a corner and peeks at the long VIP corridor. The Waiter
yanks her back.
WAITER
Third one from the end. Get what you
need and then hightail it outta’ fucking
Dodge. Drop the jacket by that door over
there, and go out that way. Got it?
Sadie doesn’t have time to respond, the Waiter immediately hightails himself
outta’ Dodge.
INT. BLE - VIP NOOK - SAME
Ethan lets out a big fake yawn.
ETHAN
Still not over my jetlag, I guess. Would
you mind--?
LORI
(disappointed)
Oh, you wanna go?
ETHAN
I need a good night’s sleep.
Lori shoves one last bite of food in her mouth. Then, with a sly grin,
furtively pushes her breasts up, doubling her exposed cleavage.
PARAPET
Sadie creeps up to Ethan’s VIP nook. She spies through a little opening in the
velvet curtains and sees Ethan and Lori.
She spins, and pins herself against the wall.
Sadie closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She pulls out her cell phone and
hits a few buttons.
VIP NOOK
Lori leans seductively over Ethan.
LORI
Just need my purse.
Ethan tries to back away -- no chance. Lori’s breasts are just all over the
damn place.
PARAPET
Sadie clamps her eyes shut. She plunges her arm between the curtains.
A soft CLICK.
A GASP.
The CLANG of cutlery on fine china.
She got the picture.
Sadie runs like the wind.
EXT. BLE - ALLEY - NIGHT
Sadie tumbles out of a door, breathing heavily.
SADIE
Luke? Brooke?
No answer.
She walks toward the mouth of the alley -- a couple of hundred yards away.
A sudden RATTLE and heavy FOOTSTEPS startles her.
Sadie ups her pace, and fumbles with the buttons on the cell phone.
The FOOTSTEPS gain speed and urgency.
A hand grips Sadie’s shoulder. It stops her cold.
Ethan Wyatt leaps out in front of her.
ETHAN
You!
SADIE
Excuse me, I’m taking a little evening
stroll. Would you mind letting me pass?
Sadie tries to dart around him, but Ethan’s too quick. He cuts her off no
matter what she tries.
ETHAN
Give me the phone!
SADIE
No! I’m going to call the police.
Sadie punches at the buttons on the phone, but she’s not calling anybody. She’s
trying to email herself the photo.
ETHAN
Be my guest! That’s private property
in there! A goddamn VIP room for
Christ’s sake!
Sadie sidesteps, pirouettes, and lunges, while she punches away at the phone.
Ethan matches her every move.
ETHAN
You know what your problem is?
SADIE
Besides being held hostage by a militant
action star?
ETHAN
You people think you can just do anything.
Because, even though it’s sick and pathetic,
somebody’s going to buy that picture, and
you’ll be the hero of the day. And you’ll
love it, no matter how many people you’ve
hurt in the process.
SADIE
Aw, are you worried what your public might
think? That they won’t love you as much if
they know you’ve been boffing some bimbo on
the side? Will their little hearts be
broken when they know you’re cheating on
your movie star girlfriend?
(beat)
You’re just pissed you got caught.
ETHAN
I’m pissed because you violated my privacy!
SADIE
Your first job was dropping trou for Calvin
Klein ads. You really want to lecture me
about your privacy?
ETHAN
Oh, you think you know me because you’ve
seen me on billboards? Because you’ve read
all the shit on the internet? Let me tell
you something, sweetheart, you don’t know
the first thing about me!
SADIE
And you think you know so much about me?
You call me a parasite, and then whine your
way straight to the bank. I pay your bills!
ETHAN
For the record, I never wanted any of this
bullshit. And, bills or no bills, you’re a
parasite.
SADIE
Uh, for the record, you’re full of shit.
And, I’m a photographer.
ETHAN
You’re not a photographer. Real
photographers say something about the world.
You take pointless snapshots. You’re a
tourist with a license to distribute.
SADIE
I suppose the same is true for actors? That
they say something about the world?
ETHAN
(apprehensive)
Absolutely!
SADIE
Huh. Tell me then, what was the big
statement you were making in Motion of the
Ocean? What grand contribution did Execution
Style make to humanity?
ETHAN
I’ve made some very important films!
SADIE
Ten years ago, maybe. And only until they
stopped going to Sundance and started going
straight to video. Now, you’re nothing but
a life-sized action figure, Wyatt. You’re
practically a wind-up doll.
Sadie stiffens her limbs, moves around like a robot.
SADIE
(mocking)
Give me the money and nobody gets hurt...
No, I’ll run into the burning building...
Let me do the space walk and save the aliens,
Captain.
For lack of any verbal response, Ethan takes another good swipe at the phone.
ETHAN
Give it!
Sadie deftly avoids losing the phone. She frantically punches a few more
buttons.
SADIE
What are you, ten? Knock it off!
Ethan stops suddenly and plants his feet in the ground.
ETHAN
I didn’t want to have to do this...
Ethan takes a classic martial arts stance, his hands fixed in that most
recognizable “karate chop” pose.
Sadie laughs, completely caught off guard.
SADIE
You think because I saw you in Kung Fu
Commandos I believe you actually have a
blackbelt? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure you had
a stunt double. And, I’m willing to bet
he was wearing a cup.
A hint of fear flickers over Ethan’s expression, then just as quickly
disappears. He defiantly holds his stance.
Sadie matches his pose and fires back with a classic “bring it on” gesture.
Ethan groans and raises his arms in reluctant defeat.
SADIE
Ha!
ETHAN
The film was called Hong Kong Nights!
Ethan rubs his temples, attempting to divine some way out of this.
ETHAN
Do me this little favor? Please? Come
on, give me the phone.
SADIE
I did you a favor last time, I didn’t get
a single shot off.
Oops. She didn’t mean to say that.
ETHAN
Why?
SADIE
You ran away, remember? Like... a... a
scared little... girl.
ETHAN
That’s never stopped you guys before.
Sadie tries to think of some excuse, but nothing comes.
SADIE
Hey, I don’t have time to stand around
here and chat, okay? I’m going to go now.
With my phone.
ETHAN
All right.
SADIE
(surprised)
Good.
Sadie takes a few steps toward the sidewalk.
ETHAN
Hey, wait.
SADIE
What?
Sadie turns around. Ethan glides toward her.
His countenance changes before her eyes. He slips into serenity, into an
absurdly dashing cool, with absolute ease.
He leans in close, his charm oozing all over her.
Sadie is completely taken in by him, she complies with his silent wish and leans
in closer to him.
His breathing slows, and his voice slips out slow and seductive.
ETHAN
What’s your name?
SADIE
Sadie.
ETHAN
Thank you, Sadie.
SADIE
For what?
ETHAN
For the phone.
Ethan backs away. Sadie looks down; her hands are empty.
Ethan strolls triumphantly back to the door.
Sadie is stupefied.
Well-dressed patrons nosh on portions the size of grapes, made of unidentifiable
ingredients.
At the top of the cavernous main dining room, off in the troposphere with the
crystal chandeliers, is a parapet and a long bank of velvet-draped nooks. Here
the VIPs lounge in their rightful place, high above those who are merely rich,
not famous.
INT. BLE - VIP DINING NOOK - NIGHT
Tucked behind the drapes of one nook are Ethan Wyatt and Lori Dunn, un-famous
sister of Maya. They lounge in a lavish curved booth.
Ethan is slightly uncomfortable. Lori is slightly tipsy.
LORI
Maya would crap her pants if she knew
we were out together.
Ethan answers by way of shoving a piece of food in his mouth.
LORI
So, what was it like working with Steven
Spielberg?
ETHAN
Amazing. Even with the--
LORI
Yeah. What I really want to do is direct.
Ethan is stunned silent. Oh, God -- she’s one of “them.”
EXT. BLE - SERVICE ENTRANCE - SAME
A door to the kitchen stands ajar.
Brooke and Sadie huddle behind Luke. He shakes hands with a WAITER; they’re old
friends. Luke introduces Sadie.
Sadie shows the Waiter her camera, he shakes his head. She shows him her cell
phone, again he shakes his head. She shows him a wad of hundred dollar bills,
he takes them in a heartbeat.
The Waiter removes his jacket and hands it to Sadie. Sadie hands her camera to
Luke.
Sadie drags Brooke behind a nearby
DUMPSTER
Sadie unbuttons her pants.
SADIE
I need your pants.
BROOKE
No!
SADIE
Come on, I need this.
BROOKE
Are we talking about the picture or the
pants?
SADIE
Both.
BROOKE
Are you sure you want to do this?
SADIE
What do you mean, am I sure? I’m taking
my clothes off behind a dumpster.
BROOKE
I’m serious, Sadie. You’ve never done
anything quite this... I mean, you’re the
one with the rules. No babies, no
helicopters, no private property.
SADIE
This is different. I need that shot.
I can’t let that guy think he beat me.
I’m ruthless, damnit. Take no prisoners.
(whispers)
It’s embarrassing.
BROOKE
Says the girl standing in her underpants
next to a pile of rotting vegetables.
SADIE
This is my life here, Brooke.
Brooke measures the desperation on Sadie’s face, and unbuttons her pants.
INT. BLE - VIP DINING NOOK - NIGHT
Ethan and Lori are into another course.
ETHAN
Where did you grow up?
LORI
Glendale. So when you made Out of Harm,
was Ashton still married to Demi?
ETHAN
Is it just me, or did our waiter fall
off the face of the earth? I could use
some more bread.
Ethan scoots over to the curtains and flags down a busty waitress.
ETHAN
(whispers)
Check, please.
INT. BLE - KITCHEN - SAME
Sadie slithers behind the Waiter. They creep around a corner, barely avoiding
detection by the kitchen staff.
INT. BLE - VIP DINING NOOK - SAME
Ethan’s napkin sits crumpled on top of his half-eaten meal. Lori continues to
eat between yapping fits.
Ethan mimes stabbing himself with a fork.
Lori almost catches him, but he quickly steals a bite from Lori’s plate to cover
-- and a few more to help her along.
INT. BLE - PARAPET - SAME
Sadie leans around a corner and peeks at the long VIP corridor. The Waiter
yanks her back.
WAITER
Third one from the end. Get what you
need and then hightail it outta’ fucking
Dodge. Drop the jacket by that door over
there, and go out that way. Got it?
Sadie doesn’t have time to respond, the Waiter immediately hightails himself
outta’ Dodge.
INT. BLE - VIP NOOK - SAME
Ethan lets out a big fake yawn.
ETHAN
Still not over my jetlag, I guess. Would
you mind--?
LORI
(disappointed)
Oh, you wanna go?
ETHAN
I need a good night’s sleep.
Lori shoves one last bite of food in her mouth. Then, with a sly grin,
furtively pushes her breasts up, doubling her exposed cleavage.
PARAPET
Sadie creeps up to Ethan’s VIP nook. She spies through a little opening in the
velvet curtains and sees Ethan and Lori.
She spins, and pins herself against the wall.
Sadie closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She pulls out her cell phone and
hits a few buttons.
VIP NOOK
Lori leans seductively over Ethan.
LORI
Just need my purse.
Ethan tries to back away -- no chance. Lori’s breasts are just all over the
damn place.
PARAPET
Sadie clamps her eyes shut. She plunges her arm between the curtains.
A soft CLICK.
A GASP.
The CLANG of cutlery on fine china.
She got the picture.
Sadie runs like the wind.
EXT. BLE - ALLEY - NIGHT
Sadie tumbles out of a door, breathing heavily.
SADIE
Luke? Brooke?
No answer.
She walks toward the mouth of the alley -- a couple of hundred yards away.
A sudden RATTLE and heavy FOOTSTEPS startles her.
Sadie ups her pace, and fumbles with the buttons on the cell phone.
The FOOTSTEPS gain speed and urgency.
A hand grips Sadie’s shoulder. It stops her cold.
Ethan Wyatt leaps out in front of her.
ETHAN
You!
SADIE
Excuse me, I’m taking a little evening
stroll. Would you mind letting me pass?
Sadie tries to dart around him, but Ethan’s too quick. He cuts her off no
matter what she tries.
ETHAN
Give me the phone!
SADIE
No! I’m going to call the police.
Sadie punches at the buttons on the phone, but she’s not calling anybody. She’s
trying to email herself the photo.
ETHAN
Be my guest! That’s private property
in there! A goddamn VIP room for
Christ’s sake!
Sadie sidesteps, pirouettes, and lunges, while she punches away at the phone.
Ethan matches her every move.
ETHAN
You know what your problem is?
SADIE
Besides being held hostage by a militant
action star?
ETHAN
You people think you can just do anything.
Because, even though it’s sick and pathetic,
somebody’s going to buy that picture, and
you’ll be the hero of the day. And you’ll
love it, no matter how many people you’ve
hurt in the process.
SADIE
Aw, are you worried what your public might
think? That they won’t love you as much if
they know you’ve been boffing some bimbo on
the side? Will their little hearts be
broken when they know you’re cheating on
your movie star girlfriend?
(beat)
You’re just pissed you got caught.
ETHAN
I’m pissed because you violated my privacy!
SADIE
Your first job was dropping trou for Calvin
Klein ads. You really want to lecture me
about your privacy?
ETHAN
Oh, you think you know me because you’ve
seen me on billboards? Because you’ve read
all the shit on the internet? Let me tell
you something, sweetheart, you don’t know
the first thing about me!
SADIE
And you think you know so much about me?
You call me a parasite, and then whine your
way straight to the bank. I pay your bills!
ETHAN
For the record, I never wanted any of this
bullshit. And, bills or no bills, you’re a
parasite.
SADIE
Uh, for the record, you’re full of shit.
And, I’m a photographer.
ETHAN
You’re not a photographer. Real
photographers say something about the world.
You take pointless snapshots. You’re a
tourist with a license to distribute.
SADIE
I suppose the same is true for actors? That
they say something about the world?
ETHAN
(apprehensive)
Absolutely!
SADIE
Huh. Tell me then, what was the big
statement you were making in Motion of the
Ocean? What grand contribution did Execution
Style make to humanity?
ETHAN
I’ve made some very important films!
SADIE
Ten years ago, maybe. And only until they
stopped going to Sundance and started going
straight to video. Now, you’re nothing but
a life-sized action figure, Wyatt. You’re
practically a wind-up doll.
Sadie stiffens her limbs, moves around like a robot.
SADIE
(mocking)
Give me the money and nobody gets hurt...
No, I’ll run into the burning building...
Let me do the space walk and save the aliens,
Captain.
For lack of any verbal response, Ethan takes another good swipe at the phone.
ETHAN
Give it!
Sadie deftly avoids losing the phone. She frantically punches a few more
buttons.
SADIE
What are you, ten? Knock it off!
Ethan stops suddenly and plants his feet in the ground.
ETHAN
I didn’t want to have to do this...
Ethan takes a classic martial arts stance, his hands fixed in that most
recognizable “karate chop” pose.
Sadie laughs, completely caught off guard.
SADIE
You think because I saw you in Kung Fu
Commandos I believe you actually have a
blackbelt? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure you had
a stunt double. And, I’m willing to bet
he was wearing a cup.
A hint of fear flickers over Ethan’s expression, then just as quickly
disappears. He defiantly holds his stance.
Sadie matches his pose and fires back with a classic “bring it on” gesture.
Ethan groans and raises his arms in reluctant defeat.
SADIE
Ha!
ETHAN
The film was called Hong Kong Nights!
Ethan rubs his temples, attempting to divine some way out of this.
ETHAN
Do me this little favor? Please? Come
on, give me the phone.
SADIE
I did you a favor last time, I didn’t get
a single shot off.
Oops. She didn’t mean to say that.
ETHAN
Why?
SADIE
You ran away, remember? Like... a... a
scared little... girl.
ETHAN
That’s never stopped you guys before.
Sadie tries to think of some excuse, but nothing comes.
SADIE
Hey, I don’t have time to stand around
here and chat, okay? I’m going to go now.
With my phone.
ETHAN
All right.
SADIE
(surprised)
Good.
Sadie takes a few steps toward the sidewalk.
ETHAN
Hey, wait.
SADIE
What?
Sadie turns around. Ethan glides toward her.
His countenance changes before her eyes. He slips into serenity, into an
absurdly dashing cool, with absolute ease.
He leans in close, his charm oozing all over her.
Sadie is completely taken in by him, she complies with his silent wish and leans
in closer to him.
His breathing slows, and his voice slips out slow and seductive.
ETHAN
What’s your name?
SADIE
Sadie.
ETHAN
Thank you, Sadie.
SADIE
For what?
ETHAN
For the phone.
Ethan backs away. Sadie looks down; her hands are empty.
Ethan strolls triumphantly back to the door.
Sadie is stupefied.
At this point in the film, Sadie has become the subject of a publicity campaign that
she never signed on for. The tabloids have run pictures of her claiming that she is
the secret new love of hot young Hollywood actor Duncan Stoke. In this scene, Sadie
and her friends use all of their paparazzi skills to track down the illusive star and
confront him about the stories. She ends up getting more than she bargained for--in
more ways than one.
she never signed on for. The tabloids have run pictures of her claiming that she is
the secret new love of hot young Hollywood actor Duncan Stoke. In this scene, Sadie
and her friends use all of their paparazzi skills to track down the illusive star and
confront him about the stories. She ends up getting more than she bargained for--in
more ways than one.
EXT. THE LODGE - NIGHT
Luke, Todd, Brooke and Sadie tumble out of Sadie’s car. Todd struggles to
dislodge several pieces garbage that have adhered themselves to his thighs.
BROOKE
What are you going to say to him?
SADIE
Well, obviously, this has to be about
him, right? It’s his reputation that’s
being tarnished here, right? He’s the
big star. I’m just collateral damage...
or something. He has to know who would
want to do this.
(to Luke)
Time?
LUKE
(to Sadie)
If your guy is right we can expect him
in about--
TODD
Right now.
The group follows Todd’s gaze to a group of several MEN getting out of a cab.
Sadie, Luke, Brooke, and Todd stumble over each other trying to quickly get in
the bar.
INT. THE LODGE - CONTINUOUS
The group fans out.
The Lodge is an old-school neighborhood dive. There’s sawdust on the floor,
antler light fixtures, and ancient, ruddy-faced REGULARS.
Luke and Todd try to look calm and order a couple of beers at the bar.
Sadie and Brooke take a seat in a booth. Brooke smooths her hair and touches up
her makeup.
BROOKE
Duncan Stoke used to work here?
With the TINKLE of a little bell, three men parade in -- a movie star and his
entourage. The two HANGERS-ON flank a tall, dark, DUNCAN STOKE (late 20’s)
basking in his famous glow.
Duncan was born to be a movie star. He’s strong, slick, and shiny -- like he’s
been polished.
Duncan and his entourage receive a few back slaps and “how ya doin’s” from the
Regulars, then sit at the bar.
Sadie gets up, Daily News in hand.
SADIE
(to Duncan)
We need to talk.
Duncan’s boys snicker.
HANGER-ON #1
Sorry, girly, he’s not signing autographs
tonight.
SADIE
Oh, really? Not even for his girlfriend?
Sadie slams the paper in front of Duncan.
The friends clam up, Duncan takes Sadie by the wrist and drags her to a back
room. They disappear through a door.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Duncan stops, turns to Sadie.
SADIE
Who is doing this?
DUNCAN
How do I know it’s not you?
SADIE
‘Cause if it were me I’d already have you
bound in the trunk of my car. I’m not a
stalker, all right? You have to think,
who would want to make up rumors about
you? Any enemies?
DUNCAN
Thousands.
SADIE
Nice.
Sadie tugs at her hair, rubs her eyes.
EXT. SIDEWALK - NEAR THE LODGE - SAME
Pools of dim light mottle the dark sidewalk.
The CLATTER of Sadie and Duncan in heated conversation is discernible, but made
incoherent by distance and the dull pounding of FOOTSTEPS.
FEET clad in tattered Chuck Taylor All-Stars pound on the pavement.
At the corner of a brick wall, the Feet stop.
MYSTERY POV
The brick wall marks one side of The Lodge’s back alley.
Sadie and Duncan stand fifty yards away, talking.
Sadie paces to and fro. She drops her head in her hands.
Duncan approaches her.
The MYSTERY POV shifts -- he’s looking through a viewfinder.
ALLEY
Sadie is upset. Duncan puts his hands on Sadie’s shoulders to calm her.
Without warning, three quick bursts of white light illuminate the alley -- the
camera flash.
Duncan, practiced in the art of paparazzi avoidance, pulls away and turns his
back.
Sadie, completely new to this, turns toward it.
Several more flashes go off.
Sadie is livid. She sprints for the Mystery Photographer.
MYSTERY POV
shimmies and shakes as he races away on the sidewalk.
Shop fronts, busy pubs and restaurants whiz by.
Suddenly, a sharp disorienting jerk. He tumbles backward and lands with a thud
on the ground.
Flowers topple over on top of him, the underside of a bodega awning is the only
thing in sight.
Until Sadie’s face, out of breath and bitterly angry, fills his view.
EXT. MANHATTAN - BODEGA - CONTINUOUS
Sadie straddles the man’s mid-section.
The Photographer wears a dirty old Red Sox hat. A scruffy beard covers most of
his face, his eyes are shaded by pale tinted aviator glasses. Prada aviator
glasses.
Sadie’s eyes screw up. She rips the glasses from his face.
She’d know those eyes anywhere.
She tugs at the beard. It’s a fake, and slips askew.
The man beneath Sadie is Ethan Wyatt. And he’s not nearly as angry as a man who’
s just been tackled should be. He gives Sadie a crooked smile.
ETHAN
Man, you’re fast.
SADIE
You? You’re the one who took those
stupid pictures?
Though on his back and pinned down by a girl, Ethan carries on the conversation
with all the charm and aplomb of a man casually chatting at a bar.
ETHAN
Wait a second, I think I’ve shown
remarkable skill for a novice.
SADIE
I’ve read that you’re crazy, but you
are actually lock ‘em up, loony bin,
INSANE!
ETHAN
I prefer to think of myself as dedicated.
SADIE
Do you harass all the photographers who
catch you cheating on your girlfriends?
ETHAN
Unfortunately, no, I just thought if it.
You’re a test case.
Sadie pounds on Ethan’s chest. Ethan laughs.
The BODEGA MANAGER steps out with a broom, he pokes it in their direction.
BODEGA MANAGER
You go! You can’t do this!
Sadie puts her hands up.
ETHAN
Sorry, man.
Ethan looks to Sadie, urging her with his eyes to get off.
SADIE
No.
ETHAN
(mischievously)
All right.
Ethan slips his hand between Sadie’s rear end and his waist. He feels around
for his pocket. His hand nears her crotch.
Sadie lets out a surprised little squeal and jumps off of him.
SADIE
What do you want from me, anyway?
Ethan stands. He pulls several hundred-dollar bills from his pocket and hands
them to the Manager. This assuages the Manager’s objections just fine.
ETHAN
For you to know what it feels like.
You crossed the line, and now the
line’s crossing you.
SADIE
Where did you get that, a movie poster?
ETHAN
Too abstract?
Ethan brushes off the bits of flower all over him, removes his fake beard.
SADIE
Oh, my God! You do realize that this
is real life? My real life. You’re
nothing more than a slimy, disgusting,
stalker!
ETHAN
Oh, really? What’s the difference
between me doing it to you, and you
doing it to me?
SADIE
I’m not a celebrity, you whack job!
ETHAN
Ah, but you’re dating one.
SADIE
Oh, your publicist is going to need an
earth-mover to dig you out of this hole.
When I take this public you’re finished,
Wyatt.
ETHAN
You’re going to take it public?
SADIE
Absolutely!
ETHAN
What do you think will happen, Sadie,
when Celeb magazine hears you’re being
stalked by a movie star? How big do you
think that story will be?
Oh, crap. He’s right.
SADIE
Don’t you have a job or something?
She’s grasping at straws.
ETHAN
(wistful)
I have a lot of free time. Actors are
like deep-sea fishermen, journeymen
traders--
SADIE
Serial killers guided by the zodiac.
(beat)
Oh, you know what? Now I get it!
This has something to do with that messy
transition from Scientology to Kaballah
as the official religion of Hollywood,
doesn’t it? Are you having a moral crisis
of some kind? Is there someone I should
call? Madonna? Travolta? His holiness
Tom Cruise?
ETHAN
You are fascinating.
Sadie doesn’t know whether to be flattered or insulted.
Ethan smiles, inspects her like she’s something he just scraped out of a petri
dish.
Sadie is mesmerized. Millions of women pay hard earned money to see that
smile. They dream about it.
Sadie shakes herself back to reality.
SADIE
So you’re like a sociopath, right?
ETHAN
No, but if I want something bad enough,
I’ll get it.
SADIE
Oh, not a sociopath. Just a typical
freaking famous guy.
(beat)
So what did you do? Charm yourself into
the pants of every tabloid editor in the
country?
ETHAN
I would have, but it turned out to be
completely unnecessary. I made a few
calls through some publicists I know.
Gave the editors some solid leads. They
trusted me, I fed them you.
SADIE
Well stop feeding! You’ve had your fun.
Ethan holds up his camera.
ETHAN
I just got confirmation of the story,
sweetheart. Not on your life.
It is her life.
Sadie takes a swipe at the camera.
Ethan backs away, does a jump and lunge routine similar to that he engaged in
just days before at ble.
Sadie stops suddenly, pouts her lips.
SADIE
(sultry)
What’s you’re name?
ETHAN
What?
SADIE
Nothing.
(beat)
Give me the camera.
ETHAN
No.
In a flash, Ethan sprints away and out of view.
FOOTSTEPS pound behind Sadie. Luke, Todd, and Brooke, all breathless, file in
behind her.
BROOKE
Did you catch him?
SADIE
Yeah.
Luke, Todd, Brooke and Sadie tumble out of Sadie’s car. Todd struggles to
dislodge several pieces garbage that have adhered themselves to his thighs.
BROOKE
What are you going to say to him?
SADIE
Well, obviously, this has to be about
him, right? It’s his reputation that’s
being tarnished here, right? He’s the
big star. I’m just collateral damage...
or something. He has to know who would
want to do this.
(to Luke)
Time?
LUKE
(to Sadie)
If your guy is right we can expect him
in about--
TODD
Right now.
The group follows Todd’s gaze to a group of several MEN getting out of a cab.
Sadie, Luke, Brooke, and Todd stumble over each other trying to quickly get in
the bar.
INT. THE LODGE - CONTINUOUS
The group fans out.
The Lodge is an old-school neighborhood dive. There’s sawdust on the floor,
antler light fixtures, and ancient, ruddy-faced REGULARS.
Luke and Todd try to look calm and order a couple of beers at the bar.
Sadie and Brooke take a seat in a booth. Brooke smooths her hair and touches up
her makeup.
BROOKE
Duncan Stoke used to work here?
With the TINKLE of a little bell, three men parade in -- a movie star and his
entourage. The two HANGERS-ON flank a tall, dark, DUNCAN STOKE (late 20’s)
basking in his famous glow.
Duncan was born to be a movie star. He’s strong, slick, and shiny -- like he’s
been polished.
Duncan and his entourage receive a few back slaps and “how ya doin’s” from the
Regulars, then sit at the bar.
Sadie gets up, Daily News in hand.
SADIE
(to Duncan)
We need to talk.
Duncan’s boys snicker.
HANGER-ON #1
Sorry, girly, he’s not signing autographs
tonight.
SADIE
Oh, really? Not even for his girlfriend?
Sadie slams the paper in front of Duncan.
The friends clam up, Duncan takes Sadie by the wrist and drags her to a back
room. They disappear through a door.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Duncan stops, turns to Sadie.
SADIE
Who is doing this?
DUNCAN
How do I know it’s not you?
SADIE
‘Cause if it were me I’d already have you
bound in the trunk of my car. I’m not a
stalker, all right? You have to think,
who would want to make up rumors about
you? Any enemies?
DUNCAN
Thousands.
SADIE
Nice.
Sadie tugs at her hair, rubs her eyes.
EXT. SIDEWALK - NEAR THE LODGE - SAME
Pools of dim light mottle the dark sidewalk.
The CLATTER of Sadie and Duncan in heated conversation is discernible, but made
incoherent by distance and the dull pounding of FOOTSTEPS.
FEET clad in tattered Chuck Taylor All-Stars pound on the pavement.
At the corner of a brick wall, the Feet stop.
MYSTERY POV
The brick wall marks one side of The Lodge’s back alley.
Sadie and Duncan stand fifty yards away, talking.
Sadie paces to and fro. She drops her head in her hands.
Duncan approaches her.
The MYSTERY POV shifts -- he’s looking through a viewfinder.
ALLEY
Sadie is upset. Duncan puts his hands on Sadie’s shoulders to calm her.
Without warning, three quick bursts of white light illuminate the alley -- the
camera flash.
Duncan, practiced in the art of paparazzi avoidance, pulls away and turns his
back.
Sadie, completely new to this, turns toward it.
Several more flashes go off.
Sadie is livid. She sprints for the Mystery Photographer.
MYSTERY POV
shimmies and shakes as he races away on the sidewalk.
Shop fronts, busy pubs and restaurants whiz by.
Suddenly, a sharp disorienting jerk. He tumbles backward and lands with a thud
on the ground.
Flowers topple over on top of him, the underside of a bodega awning is the only
thing in sight.
Until Sadie’s face, out of breath and bitterly angry, fills his view.
EXT. MANHATTAN - BODEGA - CONTINUOUS
Sadie straddles the man’s mid-section.
The Photographer wears a dirty old Red Sox hat. A scruffy beard covers most of
his face, his eyes are shaded by pale tinted aviator glasses. Prada aviator
glasses.
Sadie’s eyes screw up. She rips the glasses from his face.
She’d know those eyes anywhere.
She tugs at the beard. It’s a fake, and slips askew.
The man beneath Sadie is Ethan Wyatt. And he’s not nearly as angry as a man who’
s just been tackled should be. He gives Sadie a crooked smile.
ETHAN
Man, you’re fast.
SADIE
You? You’re the one who took those
stupid pictures?
Though on his back and pinned down by a girl, Ethan carries on the conversation
with all the charm and aplomb of a man casually chatting at a bar.
ETHAN
Wait a second, I think I’ve shown
remarkable skill for a novice.
SADIE
I’ve read that you’re crazy, but you
are actually lock ‘em up, loony bin,
INSANE!
ETHAN
I prefer to think of myself as dedicated.
SADIE
Do you harass all the photographers who
catch you cheating on your girlfriends?
ETHAN
Unfortunately, no, I just thought if it.
You’re a test case.
Sadie pounds on Ethan’s chest. Ethan laughs.
The BODEGA MANAGER steps out with a broom, he pokes it in their direction.
BODEGA MANAGER
You go! You can’t do this!
Sadie puts her hands up.
ETHAN
Sorry, man.
Ethan looks to Sadie, urging her with his eyes to get off.
SADIE
No.
ETHAN
(mischievously)
All right.
Ethan slips his hand between Sadie’s rear end and his waist. He feels around
for his pocket. His hand nears her crotch.
Sadie lets out a surprised little squeal and jumps off of him.
SADIE
What do you want from me, anyway?
Ethan stands. He pulls several hundred-dollar bills from his pocket and hands
them to the Manager. This assuages the Manager’s objections just fine.
ETHAN
For you to know what it feels like.
You crossed the line, and now the
line’s crossing you.
SADIE
Where did you get that, a movie poster?
ETHAN
Too abstract?
Ethan brushes off the bits of flower all over him, removes his fake beard.
SADIE
Oh, my God! You do realize that this
is real life? My real life. You’re
nothing more than a slimy, disgusting,
stalker!
ETHAN
Oh, really? What’s the difference
between me doing it to you, and you
doing it to me?
SADIE
I’m not a celebrity, you whack job!
ETHAN
Ah, but you’re dating one.
SADIE
Oh, your publicist is going to need an
earth-mover to dig you out of this hole.
When I take this public you’re finished,
Wyatt.
ETHAN
You’re going to take it public?
SADIE
Absolutely!
ETHAN
What do you think will happen, Sadie,
when Celeb magazine hears you’re being
stalked by a movie star? How big do you
think that story will be?
Oh, crap. He’s right.
SADIE
Don’t you have a job or something?
She’s grasping at straws.
ETHAN
(wistful)
I have a lot of free time. Actors are
like deep-sea fishermen, journeymen
traders--
SADIE
Serial killers guided by the zodiac.
(beat)
Oh, you know what? Now I get it!
This has something to do with that messy
transition from Scientology to Kaballah
as the official religion of Hollywood,
doesn’t it? Are you having a moral crisis
of some kind? Is there someone I should
call? Madonna? Travolta? His holiness
Tom Cruise?
ETHAN
You are fascinating.
Sadie doesn’t know whether to be flattered or insulted.
Ethan smiles, inspects her like she’s something he just scraped out of a petri
dish.
Sadie is mesmerized. Millions of women pay hard earned money to see that
smile. They dream about it.
Sadie shakes herself back to reality.
SADIE
So you’re like a sociopath, right?
ETHAN
No, but if I want something bad enough,
I’ll get it.
SADIE
Oh, not a sociopath. Just a typical
freaking famous guy.
(beat)
So what did you do? Charm yourself into
the pants of every tabloid editor in the
country?
ETHAN
I would have, but it turned out to be
completely unnecessary. I made a few
calls through some publicists I know.
Gave the editors some solid leads. They
trusted me, I fed them you.
SADIE
Well stop feeding! You’ve had your fun.
Ethan holds up his camera.
ETHAN
I just got confirmation of the story,
sweetheart. Not on your life.
It is her life.
Sadie takes a swipe at the camera.
Ethan backs away, does a jump and lunge routine similar to that he engaged in
just days before at ble.
Sadie stops suddenly, pouts her lips.
SADIE
(sultry)
What’s you’re name?
ETHAN
What?
SADIE
Nothing.
(beat)
Give me the camera.
ETHAN
No.
In a flash, Ethan sprints away and out of view.
FOOTSTEPS pound behind Sadie. Luke, Todd, and Brooke, all breathless, file in
behind her.
BROOKE
Did you catch him?
SADIE
Yeah.
| 2012 © Libby Street Web Design By: Emily S. Morris |
Libby Street, Happiness Sold Separately, Accidental It Girl, In One Year and Out the Other, The Luckiest People, paparazzi, celebrity, fame, New York Times Bestseller,
novel, novelist, chick lit, women's fiction, womens fiction, Sarah Bushweller, Sarah Castellano, Emily S. Morris, Emily Servedio, New York, New York City, Hollywood, book,
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author's website
novel, novelist, chick lit, women's fiction, womens fiction, Sarah Bushweller, Sarah Castellano, Emily S. Morris, Emily Servedio, New York, New York City, Hollywood, book,
good book, great book, fun read, book club selection, boy meets girl, famous, fun book, screenplay, script, read an excerpt, Simon and Schuster, Pocket Books, writer's
guide, advice for writers, good blog, great blog, writing, novel, novelist, two writers, pseudonym, friendship, bestseller, bestselling book, books, cool website, cool
author's website
