INT. DINING ROOM OF GAIL’S APARTMENT, EVENING
Gail is seated at the head of a long dining table. Halfway down the table on the right is seated DOMINIQUE and directly across from her is seated BERTIE WOOSTER (David Niven).
GAIL WYNAND
Mr Keating, I have heard so much about you. They say you’re the architect to deliver an instantly recognizable building.
BERTIE
Do they? Do they indeed. Gosh...
GAIL WYNAND
So what drew you to architecture?
BERTIE
Oh. Um. Good question that. - - Lord knows...
GAIL WYNAND
I take it you want this commission?
BERTIE
Oh... Want it? Ah...
DOMINIQUE
It’s the sort of project you’d sell you’re soul for Peter.
BERTIE
Oh is it? Fair enough. Yes. I would sell my soul for it Mr Wynand.
Gail laughs a cold steely laugh.
GAIL WYNAND
That may be the right phrase. Everything in life has its price. In this instance, the price is that you break your engagement to Miss Francon.
BERTIE
You want me to break my engagement to ah... (he gestures over in Dominique’s direction) ...
GAIL WYNAND
You may think what you wish about my motives but that is the condition I demand.
BERTIE
Right... yes ... ah - Dominique?
DOMINIQUE
I’m not going to help you. I’d like to see it decided between Mr. Wynand and yourself.
BERTIE
Right. Right. But ... ah ... you wouldn’t have a problem with it ah - in theory ... as it were?
DOMINIQUE
The choice is yours. Our engagement helped you to become my father’s partner...
BERTIE
Did it? Did it, really? Good Lord. The fascinating world of business intrigues, what!
DOMINIQUE
Of course Mr. Wynand’s patronage will help you much more.
BERTIE
Will it? Ah... OK... But just to be clear, you’re happy to end the engagement? No hard feelings and all that? - Wait, this isn’t some joke is it? Pretend to be cold-hearted giants of the business world for the clueless Woos[] - architect?
Bertie starts acting like a groaning big menacing giant in his chair for a moment.
BERTIE
Aargh!
GAIL WYNAND
Mr. Keating, I never joke. I grant you that I’m behaving abominably. It’s extremely cruel to be honest.
Bertie looks at him blankly for a moment.
BERTIE
Ah... right ... well, ... not sure if there’s anything else I need say or do here...
GAIL WYNAND
It’s simple. You’re supposed to slap my face. You were supposed to do that several minutes ago.
BERTIE
Ah...
GAIL WYNAND
No? You don’t wanna do that? Of course, you don’t have to and you don’t have to accept. Would you rather refuse the commission?
BERTIE
Oh, um... no? Should I? I don’t know? Probably not if I’d sell my soul for it. What do you think Dominique?
Dominique just glowers at him.
GAIL WYNAND
Fine Mr. Keating. Now I think it would be best if you left. Call up my office in the morning, and we’ll sign the contract.
Bertie looks down at his drink a moment but then shrugs.
BERTIE
Righto!
He stands up and looks around awkwardly for a minute.
BERTIE
Well... the course of true love never did run smooth and all that. Right, well, toodlepips then.
A servant is standing by the door with Bertie’s hat, walking stick and coat ready.
Bertie leaves.
DOMINIQUE gets up and poses by the wall looking, as ever, slightly anguished.
Gail goes over and stands behind her.
DOMINIQUE
Why did you do this? Did you believe I’d agree like Peter? Did you expect to win me by your usual methods?
GAIL WYNAND
Of course not. I merely wanted to show you that all men are corrupt, anyone can be bought. And that you’re wrong in your contempt for me. There is no honest way to deal with people. We have no choice except to submit or to rule them. I chose to rule.
She turns to him.
DOMINIQUE
A man of integrity would do neither.
GAIL WYNAND
There are no men of integrity. I have many years behind me to prove it. I was born in Hell’s Kitchen. I rose out of the gutter by creating the Banner. It’s a contemptible paper, isn’t it? But it has achieved my purpose.
DOMINIQUE
What was your purpose?
GAIL WYNAND
Power.
DOMINIQUE
Why are you trying to justify yourself to me?
GAIL WYNAND
I wasn’t trying to jus... Yes. That is what I was doing.
DOMINIQUE
Why?
GAIL WYNAND
I think you know it.
He leans in and kisses her and she stays still like ice.
DOMINIQUE
You see? I suppose I’m one of those freaks you hear about. A woman completely incapable of feeling. I got engaged to Peter Keating because he was the most safely, unimportant person I could find. And I knew I’d never be in love.
GAIL WYNAND
Haven’t you ever loved anyone?
DOMINIQUE
No, and I never will. If I fell in love, it’d be like the statue of the Greek god again.
GAIL WYNAND
I know it. I accept it. I want you to marry me.
DOMINIQUE
If I ever decide to punish myself for some terrible guilt I’ll marry you.
GAIL WYNAND
I’ll wait. No matter what reason you choose for it. Will you let me see you again?
DOMINIQUE
I’m leaving the city in a few days.
GAIL WYNAND
Where are you going?
DOMINIQUE
To Father’s place in Connecticut. I’m going there so I won’t have to see anyone.
GAIL WYNAND
What are you really seeking?
DOMINIQUE
Freedom: to want nothing, to expect nothing, to depend on nothing.
Gail moves in to kiss her again but she breaks free of his embrace and runs out of the apartment.
EXT. CITY STREET, NIGHT
Bertie is sauntering down street look very dapper and not in the least concerned by the broken engagement.
BUNNY PHELPS (Margaret Lockwood) recognizes him.
BUNNY
Bertie! Bertie Wooster!
BERTIE
Bunny! Bunny Huntingdon! Well, well, well... As I live and breathe. What are you doing here?
BUNNY
It’s Bunny Phelps now dear and I live here. What’s your excuse?
Domnique comes running out of the apartment building and stands there a moment looking anguished. Bunny is momentarily distracted by her. Bertie follows her gaze and visibly starts when he spots Dominique.
BUNNY
Bertie?
BERTIE
Ah... TAXI!
A taxi comes to a halt beside them.
DOMINIQUE who is striding up the street, but still a few feet away notices them.
DOMINIQUE
Peter?
Bertie visibly starts again. Without turning around he bundles himself and Bunny into the taxi.
BUNNY
Bertie, why is that woman calling you Peter?
BERTIE
Harlem. And drive as if Peter’s life depended it.
TAXI DRIVER
(turning around)Who’s Peter?
BERTIE
JUST DRIVE!!!
