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"THE BIRDS"
by
Evan Hunter
Based on the novel "Birds"
By
Daphne Du Maurier
FINAL DRAFT 2nd Revision March 2, 1962
FADE IN:
FULL SHOT - GRANT STREET - SAN FRANCISCO - DAY
It is mid-afternoon, and there is a tempo and pace to the
people walking, the doorman HOOTING for taxicabs, the
policemen directing traffic.
PAN SHOT - PEDESTRIANS
waiting at street corner for light to change.
CLOSE SHOT - MAN
at the end of line of pedestrians. He is looking up at the
sky.
TWO SHOT - MAN AND WOMAN NEXT TO HIM
as she follows his gaze upward.
LONG SHOT - THE SKY
with hundreds of gulls in it, wheeling.
MED. SHOT - THE STREET CORNER
as the light changes and people begin to cross. In the crowd
walking the other way, a man turns to look up at the wheeling
gulls in the sky overhead. The CAMERA LOCATES:
MED. SHOT - MELANIE DANIELS
in the crowd of pedestrians, approaching Davidson's Pet Shop.
She is a young woman in her mid-twenties, sleekly groomed,
exquisitely dressed, though hatless. She walks with the quick
sureness of the city dweller, a purposefulness in her stride,
a mischievous grin on her face. She continues toward the
front door of a pet shop and enters.
INT. BIRD SHOP - MED. SHOT
Melanie opens the door and comes through, still looking back
toward the street and skywards. The proprietor, a MRS.
MacGRUDER, comes toward her.
MELANIE
Hello, Mrs. MacGruder, have you ever
seen so many gulls?
MRS. MACGRUDER
Hello, Miss Daniels.
MELANIE
What do you suppose it is?
MED. SHOT
Mrs. MacGruder takes a look out at the sky. A puppy is
BARKING, o.s.
MRS. MACGRUDER
(shaking her head)
There must be a storm at sea. That
can drive them inland, you know.
They are climbing the short flight of steps into the bird
department now. The BARKING of the dog SEGUES into the clamor
of innumerable birds, TWEETING, TWITTERING, CAWING as Melanie
and Mrs. MacGruder go to the counter at the far end. There
is a circular cage in the center of the room, and the walls
are lined with wire-mesh cages and smaller wooden cages so
that the effect is one of being surrounded by birds, contained
birds to be sure. The birds are quite beautiful, mostly exotic
birds, small splashes of color behind the wire-mesh cages,
larger bursts of brilliant hue on the parrots and parakeets
in the bigger cages. As they walk:
MRS. MACGRUDER
I was hoping you'd be a little late,
Miss Daniels.
(apologetically)
You see, he hasn't arrived yet.
MELANIE
You said three o'clock.
MRS. MACGRUDER
I know. Oh, I know.
(she is more distressed
now)
I've been calling all morning. Oh,
you have no idea. Miss Daniels,
they're so difficult to get, really
they are. We get them from India,
you know, when they're just little
chicks, and then we have to...
MELANIE
Well, this one won't be a chick,
will he?
MRS. MACGRUDER
Certainly not. Oh, no. Certainly
not. This will be a full grown myna
bird. Full grown.
MELANIE
And he'll talk?
MRS. MACGRUDER
Well, yes, he'll talk. Well, no, no.
You'll have to teach him to talk.
MELANIE
Yes.
MRS. MACGRUDER
Yes.
(pause)
Oh my, I suppose I should call them
again. They said three o'clock.
(pause)
Maybe it's the traffic. I'll call.
Would you mind waiting?
MELANIE
(judiciously)
I think maybe you'd better deliver
him. Let me give you my address.
(she begins taking
off her gloves)
MRS. MACGRUDER
(producing pencil and
pad)
Oh. Oh, well, all right.
As Melanie starts writing:
MRS. MACGRUDER
I'm sure they're on the way, though.
Could I just call?
MELANIE
(with a resigned sigh)
Well, all right, but...
She scurries out behind the counter and out of sight. Melanie
finishes writing her address and stands impatiently by the
counter. She taps her teeth with the pencil.
MRS. MACGRUDER (O.S.)
Hello, this is Betty MacGruder at
Davidson's.
(pause; accusingly)
It's past three, you know.
(pause)
Well, how long do you think...? All
right, would you check it please?
Yes, I'll wait.
Melanie sighs. Leaving her gloves and purse on the counter,
she begins wandering around the shop, still tapping her lips
with the pencil. There is no menace in the birds surrounding
her. They are active and beautiful as they dart behind the
bars and mesh of their cages. Off screen, the puppy begins
BARKING again as the front door opens. Melanie looks up.
MED. SHOT - MITCH BRENNER
as he closes the entrance door behind him and starts up the
steps to the bird department. He is a handsome man, about
twenty-nine or thirty, well-dressed, and carrying a felt
hat.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
seeing him, and then turning away to bend before the cage of
strawberry finches. She pokes the pencil through the mesh.
The birds are startled into scarlet flight.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND MITCH
as they pass each other in the aisle. He gives a polite little
nod, and she gives a polite little smile. But as he passes
her, and unknown to her, he turns for a second look -- and
then vanishes behind the circular cage as he turns he corner.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
looking at her watch as she wanders around the other side of
the cage and then comes face to face with Mitch again.
MITCH
I wonder if you could help me.
MELANIE
What?
MITCH
(deliberately, and
with a touch of
hauteur)
I said I wonder if you could help
me.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
a trifle annoyed by his manner at first. She is about to
inform him, if you please, that she is not a shopgirl. But
then something rebellious flashes in her eyes and an idea
comes to her.
MELANIE
(solicitously)
Yes, what was it you were looking
for, sir?
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND MITCH
MITCH
(deadpan)
Lovebirds.
MELANIE
Lovebirds, sir?
MITCH
Yes. I understand there are different
varieties, it that true?
MELANIE
Well... yes, sir, there are.
MITCH
These are for my sister... her
birthday you see. As she'll be eleven
and... well, frankly, I wouldn't
want a pair of birds that were too
demonstrative.
MELANIE
I understand completely, sir.
MITCH
As the same time, I wouldn't want
birds that were aloof, either.
MELANIE
(leading him around
shop)
No, of course not.
MITCH
Do you have a pair that are just
friendly?
MELANIE
I think so, sir.
(she looks around)
Now then, let me see.
MITCH
(at the finches)
Aren't these lovebirds?
MELANIE
No, sir, those are... redbirds.
MITCH
The sign says strawberry finches.
MELANIE
(airily)
Yes, we call them that too.
(she moves away)
Ahhh, here we are, Lovebirds...
(and stops before a
cage of canaries)
MITCH
Those are canaries, Miss.
(pause)
Doesn't this make you feel awful?
MELANIE
(baffled)
Doesn't what make me...?
MITCH
All these innocent little creatures
caged up like this?
MELANIE
Well, we can't just let them fly
around the shop, you know.
MITCH
I suppose not. Is there an
ornithological reason for keeping
them in separate cages?
MELANIE
Oh, certainly. It's to protect the
species.
MITCH
I imagine that's very important.
Especially during the moulting season.
MELANIE
Yes, that's a particularly dangerous
time.
MITCH
Are they moulting now?
MELANIE
Some of them are.
MITCH
How can you tell?
MELANIE
Well... they get a sort of hangdog
expression.
CLOSE SHOT - A CAGED BIRD - MITCH'S P.O.V.
The bird is wearing a distinctly hangdog expression.
MITCH
Yes, I see.
(pause)
About those lovebirds, Miss...
MELANIE
Are you sure you wouldn't like to
see a canary instead? We have some
very nice canaries this week.
MITCH
All right.
(he smiles)
She smiles back.
MITCH
(he waits)
All right, may I see one, please?
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
as she realizes she is expected to take one of the canaries
out of the cage. She smiles feebly, glances toward the counter
where she expects Mrs. MacGruder to reappear momentarily,
and then takes a deep breath. She opens the door to the canary
cage, and cautiously puts her hand into it.
MELANIE
(feebly)
Here, birdie. Here, birdie, birdie.
One of the canaries suddenly flutters out of the cage and
into the room. Melanie leaps back, startled.
MELANIE
Oh! Ohhhhh!
FULL SHOT - THE BIRD DEPARTMENT
as the canary flies frantically about the room, Melanie and
Mitch in pursuit. Mrs. MacGruder appears at the counter,
finally confronted with the chaos she's been expecting all
day.
MRS. MACGRUDER
What is it? Oh! Oh my, one of the
birds is loose!
She joins in the chase around the room. The bird flutters up
to the ceiling, and then lands on the counter and watches
them suspiciously.
MITCH
Shhh! Shhhh!
He tiptoes up to the bird, hat in hand. Quickly, he covers
the bird with his hat, then reaches under to grab it.
CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
the canary in his hand.
MELANIE
There we are!
MRS. MACGRUDER
Oh, good! Oh, wonderful.
FULL SHOT - THE BIRD DEPARTMENT
as Mitch carries the canary back to the cage. He opens the
door.
MITCH
(putting the canary
in)
Back into your gilded cage, Melanie
Daniels.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
startled.
MELANIE
What did you say?
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND MITCH
MITCH
(savoring this)
I was merely drawing a parallel,
Miss Daniels.
MELANIE
But how... how do you know my name?
MITCH
(secretly)
A little birdie told me.
(he smiles politely)
Good day, Miss Daniels.
(he bows to Mrs.
MacGruder)
Madam.
(he starts out)
MELANIE
Hey, wait a minute!
She goes after him. Mitch turns, stops, smiles, enjoying her
bafflement immensely. Melanie studies him. Then:
MELANIE
I don't know you.
MITCH
Ahhh, but I know you.
MELANIE
How?
MITCH
We met in court.
MELANIE
We never met in court or anyplace
else.
MITCH
That's true. I'll rephrase it. I saw
you in court.
MELANIE
When?
MITCH
Do you remember one of your practical
jokes that resulted in the smashing
of a plate glass window?
MELANIE
I didn't break that window!
MITCH
No, but your little prank did. The
judge should have put you behind
bars!
MELANIE
What are you? A policeman?
MITCH
I simply believe in the law, Miss
Daniels, and I'm not too keen on
practical jokers.
MELANIE
What do you call your lovebird story
if not a practical...
MITCH
Ahhh, but I really do want those
birds.
MELANIE
You knew I didn't work here. You
deliberately...
MITCH
Right. I recognized you when I came
in. I thought you might like to know
what it felt like to be on the other
end of a gag. What do you think of
that, Miss Daniels?
MELANIE
I think you're a louse.
MITCH
I am.
(he tips his hat)
Good day.
(to Mrs. MacGruder)
Madam.
(and he goes down the
steps)
MELANIE
And I'm glad you didn't get your
lovebirds!
MITCH
(breezily, as he goes
out)
I'll find something else.
(he gives a slight
bow)
See you in court some day.
The door closes. The puppy begins BARKING.
MELANIE
(angrily)
That... that... who was that?
MRS. MACGRUDER
I have no idea.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
seething as she stares after him. Suddenly, she gets an idea.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
going down the steps and to the front door of the shop. She
looks through the glass.
LONG SHOT - MITCH - MELANIE'S P.O.V.
getting into his car at the curb.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
looking after the car at the curb.
CLOSE SHOT - THE LICENSE PLATE CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
seeing the plate, giving a brief, determined, angry nod. She
begins to repeat the numbers to herself as she turns.
FULL SHOT - MELANIE
as she comes up the steps again and walks toward the counter.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE - MRS. MACGRUDER'S P.O.V.
as she comes up to the counter.
MELANIE
Have you got a pencil?
MRS. MACGRUDER
What? Oh, yes, certainly.
As Melanie begins writing:
MRS. MACGRUDER
They said the myna bird would be
here later this afternoon. If you'd
care to come back...
MELANIE
No, you'd better send him. May I use
your phone?
MRS. MACGRUDER
(bewildered by
everything)
Yes, certainly.
(she puts phone on
counter)
MELANIE
(as she dials)
Do you have any lovebirds?
MRS. MACGRUDER
No, not in the shop. But I can order
them for you.
MELANIE
How soon?
MRS. MACGRUDER
Well... well, how soon would you
want them?
MELANIE
Immediately.
(into phone)
Is this the Daily News? Melanie
Daniels. Would you get me the city
desk, please?
MRS. MACGRUDER
I might be able to have them by
tomorrow morning. Would that be all
right?
MELANIE
(with an edged anger)
That would be just fine.
(into phone)
Hello, Charlie, this is Melanie. I
want you to do a favor for me.
(pause)
No, this is a small one.
(pause)
Pressure you? Why, Charlie darling,
would I try to pressure you? Will
you call the Department of Motor
Vehicles for me and find out who
owns this license plate? DKQ dash
one seven six.
(pause)
Yes, a California plate.
(pause)
No, I'll stop up there in a little
while. Is daddy in his office?
(pause)
Oh. No, no, I don't want to break in
on a meeting. Just tell him I'll see
him later. Thank you, Charlie.
(she hangs up)
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE ICY DETERMINATION ON HER FACE.
MELANIE
Now. What time tomorrow morning?
FADE IN:
FULL SHOT - MELANIE'S SPORTS CAR
pulling up in front of Mitch's building, the top down. She
glances up at the address, gets out of the car, comes around
to the other side, and opens the door.
CLOSE SHOT - THE LOVEBIRDS
in a cage as Melanie reaches for them.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
turning from the car and going into the building. She pauses
in the lobby, studies the names alongside the bell buttons.
CLOSE SHOT - HER GLOVED HAND
running down the list of names slowly. It stops.
INSERT - THE CARD
her finger beside it.
BRENNER, M. 3B
CLOSE SHOT - HER GLOVED HAND the forefinger extended as she
runs it down over every bell button in one column, and then
does the same for the next column.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
as she turns from the bells to the inner door of the lobby,
grabbing the knob. A BUZZ SOUNDS. She opens the door.
REVERSE SHOT - MELANIE
coming through the door and into the lobby. She walks swiftly
toward the elevator where a well-dressed man is standing,
waiting. Behind her, the inner door is BUZZING wildly with
answering BUZZES. Melanie and the man stand waiting for the
elevator, silently. Behind her, the BUZZING STOPS. The
elevator doors open. The man smiles pleasantly and allows
her to enter first. She does so with a small nod. The
elevator doors close.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND THE MAN - IN THE ELEVATOR
The birds are CHIRPING wildly in their cage. The man and
Melanie stand silently side by side. The man's eyes wander
down to the bird-cage. Melanie's eyes move toward him. Self-
consciously, she stands with the cage of CHATTERING birds.
The man is dead-panned, unsmiling. The elevator stops. The
doors begin to open.
FULL SHOT - MELANIE
stepping out of the elevator as the doors open. The man is
right behind her. She begins looking for apartment 3B. The
man is walking down the corridor beside her. She stops in
front of the apartment, hesitates, hoping the man will turn
the corner in the corridor. Instead, he stops at the apartment
just opposite. He begins fumbling in his pocket for his key.
He looks at Melanie.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
smiling at him feebly.
FULL SHOT - THE CORRIDOR
The man spread change and an assortment of junk on the palm
of his hand as he searches for his key. Impatiently, Melanie
watches him. Making a decision, she puts the birdcage down
before the door to apartment 3B, and then opens her purse.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE'S GLOVED HAND
reaching into the purse for a white envelope.
INSERT - THE FACE OF THE ENVELOPE
written there in Melanie's handwriting: MR. MITCHELL BRENNER.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
as she props the envelope against the cage, and then hurriedly
goes down the hallway, intent on retreat.
MAN'S VOICE
Miss...? She stops, distressed.
FULL SHOT - THE CORRIDOR
the man at the one end, key in his hand; Melanie at the other
end, near the elevator.
MAN
Is that for Mitch Brenner?
MELANIE
(curtly)
Yes.
MAN
He's not home.
MELANIE
That's all right.
She presses button for the elevator.
MAN
He won't be back until Monday. I
mean, if those birds are for him....
MELANIE
Monday?
MAN
Yes. I don't think you should leave
them in the hall, do you?
MELANIE
(trapped)
Well, I...
The elevator doors open.
MELANIE
Well, where did he go?
MAN
Bodega Bay. He goes up there every
weekend.
MELANIE
Bodega Bay? Where's that?
MAN
Up on the coast. About sixty miles
north of here.
MELANIE
Sixty...
(her face falls)
Oh.
MAN
About an hour and a half on the
freeway. Or two if you take the coast
highway.
MELANIE
Oh.
MAN
I'd hold the birds for him, but I'm
going away myself. Someone's got to
feed them, I suppose.
MELANIE
(in utter despair now)
Yes. Yes, someone's got to feed them.
MAN
(apologetically)
I'm awfully sorry.
He puts the key into his lock, opens the door, and goes
inside. The door closes. Melanie is alone in the hallway.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
exasperated. She looks at the open elevator. She turns to
look at the birds.
LONG SHOT - THE LOVEBIRDS
in their cage outside the apartment door, CHATTERING.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
surrendering with a gesture of resignation. She walks down
the hall, picks up envelope and puts it in her purse, picks
up the bird cage, carries it back to the elevator. The birds
are COOING and CHIRPING madly.
MELANIE
Oh, shut up!
And she steps into the elevator.
DISSOLVE
FULL SHOT - MELANIE'S OPEN CAR - (MATTE)
on the coast highway. It is a spectacularly beautiful day,
with a cloudless blue sky. The montage of SHOTS that follow
should alternate between the winding, twisting road and the
ocean below, and CLOSEUPS of Melanie driving with the caged
birds on the seat beside her. The last shot should be a FULL
SHOT of the car rounding a particularly sharp curve.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
She turns wheel forcefully.
CLOSE SHOT - THE LOVEBIRDS
in the cage as the car rounds the bend. They lean to one
side as the car turns, come up straight again as the car
rounds the curve.
FULL SHOT - (MATTE)
Car approaching Bodega Bay seen high up.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
at the wheel, she glances out toward the bay.
FULL SHOT - A CLUSTER OF BUILDINGS AT WATERFRONT
ahead, through the windshield as the car approaches.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
behind the wheel, leaning forward slightly for a look at the
town.
LONG SHOT - DOCKS ON LEFT
through the windshield as Melanie slows her speed.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
behind wheel.
LONG SHOT - STORES
on right of the road as Melanie enters the town. SLOW PAN
matching car's cruise past BAKERY, SHOE REPAIR, CLEANERS,
RADIO AND TELEVISION.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
behind wheel.
LONG SHOT - THE TIDES
past the gas station and beyond to the parking area and the
docks, continuing Melanie's slow observation of the place.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE - (PROCESS)
studying the town. The car turns into road by gas station.
FULL SHOT - THE TOWN
through the windshield. The car turns right. There is life
in the town now, fishermen crossing the road, women with
their hair in curlers, old ladies carrying shopping bags.
This is Saturday morning, and the town -- such as it is --
is alive with its inhabitants. We see them from Melanie's
P.O.V. AS SHE SCANS THE PLACE FOR ITS POST OFFICE. (THIS TO
BE TAKEN ON BACK LOT.)
FULL SHOT - THE CAR
pulling in, in front of the post office. Melanie opens the
door and steps out. She is smartly dressed in a traveling
suit and sweater. She looks up at the sign, and then walks
quickly toward the front door.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
enters post office.
CLOSE SHOT - POSTAL CLERK
behind cage as Melanie approaches it. He is busy filling out
a form of some kind, affixing stamps to it, etc. He does not
look up as she approaches.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
through the bars of the cage.
MELANIE
Good morning.
CLOSE SHOT - POSTAL CLERK
CLERK
(without looking up)
Morning.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND THE CLERK
MELANIE
I wonder if you could help me.
CLERK
Try my best.
MELANIE
I'm looking for a man named Mitchell
Brenner.
CLERK
Yep.
He is still busy with his form, still does not look up.
MELANIE
Do you know him?
CLERK
Yep.
MELANIE
Where does he live?
CLERK
Right here. Bodega Bay.
MELANIE
Yes, but where?
CLERK
Right across the bay there.
MELANIE
Where?
It seems as if the Clerk will not answer her. Suddenly, he
leaves the window.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
through the bars, exasperated.
REVERSE SHOT - FULL - MELANIE
as she tries to peek through the bars to see where he's
vanished. A door to the left of the window opens, and the
Clerk steps out. He walks a little distance as Melanie watches
him, then stops, turns and looks at her surprised, as if
he'd expected her to be right behind him. He stands stock
still, looking at her, saying nothing. She understands then
that he wants her to follow him, and she catches up, neither
speaking. They go to the front door. He opens it, looks at
her, then looks out across the town and the bay. He extends
his arm and points.
CLERK
See where I'm pointing?
MELANIE
Yes?
FULL SHOT - THE BAY - THEIR P.O.V. - (MATTE)
CLERK (O.S.)
See them two big trees across there?
MELANIE (O.S.)
Yes?
CLERK (O.S.)
And the white house?
MELANIE (O.S.)
That's where the Brenners live.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND THE CLERK
MELANIE
The Brenners? Mr. and Mrs. Brenner?
CLERK
Nope, just Lydia and the two kids.
MELANIE
The two kids?
CLERK
Yep. Mitch and the little girl.
MELANIE
I see. How do I get down there?
CLERK
Follow the road straight through
town 'til it curves off on the left.
That'll take you right around the
bay to their front door.
MELANIE
The front door.
(pause)
Isn't there a back road I can take?
CLERK
Nope. That's the road. Straight
through town, stay on your left,
right around the bay to the front
door.
MELANIE
You see, I wanted to surprise them.
CLERK
Mmmm.
MELANIE
I didn't want to come right down the
road, where they could see me.
CLERK
Mmmm.
MELANIE
It's a surprise, you see.
CLERK
Mmmmmm.
(long pause)
'Course, you could get yourself a
boat, cut right across the bay with
it. The Brenners got a little dock
there you could tie up at. If that's
what you wanted to do.
MELANIE
Where would I get a boat?
CLERK
Down at the dock by the Tides
Restaurant. Ever handled an outboard
boat?
MELANIE
(looking at him)
Of course.
CLERK
(looks back at her)
D'you want me to order one for you?
MELANIE
(surprised)
Thank you.
CLERK
What name?
MELANIE
Daniels.
CLERK
Okay.
He nods briefly and goes inside. Melanie looks across the
bay.
FULL SHOT - THE BAY - MELANIE'S P.O.V. - (MATTE)
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
smiling. She gets a new idea. She reaches into her purse for
the envelope. She looks at the envelope, then tears it up
and stuffs the torn envelope into her handbag. She turns
back toward the post office.
INT. THE POST OFFICE - FULL SHOT
as Melanie approaches the Clerk's window. He is still busy,
still does not look up.
MELANIE
I wonder if you could tell me...
CLERK
Yep?
MELANIE
The little girl's name.
CLERK
The little Brenner girl?
MELANIE
Yes.
CLERK
Alice, I think.
(he turns, shouts to
someone in rear)
Harry, what's the little Brenner
girl's name?
HARRY'S VOICE
(shouting)
What?
CLERK
(shouting)
The little Brenner girl.
HARRY'S VOICE
(shouting)
Lois!
CLERK
(shouting)
It's Alice, ain't it?
HARRY'S VOICE
(shouting)
No, it's Lois!
CLERK
(to Melanie)
It's Alice.
MELANIE
Are you sure?
CLERK
Well, I ain't positive, if that's
what you mean.
MELANIE
I need her exact name, you see.
CLERK
That case, I tell you what you do.
You go straight through town 'til
you see a little hotel on your left
there. Not the motel, that's the
other end of town. This is the hotel.
Now you take a right turn there, you
got that?
MELANIE
Yes?
CLERK
Near the top of the hill, you'll see
the school and right behind it, the
church. You head for the school.
Now just past the school, you'll see
a little house with a red mail box.
That's where Annie Hayworth lives,
she's the school teacher. You ask
her about the little Brenner girl.
MELANIE
Thank you.
CLERK
Yep.
(pause)
Could save yourself a lot of trouble.
Her name's Alice for sure.
MELANIE
Can I have the boat in about twenty
minutes?
The Clerk nods.
MELANIE
How much for the phone calls?
CLERK
(brushing this aside)
It's nothing.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
grinning, as she makes for the door and EXITS.
EXT. GENERAL STORE - MED. SHOT - MELANIE
getting into the car and slamming the door.
DISSOLVE
LONG SHOT (MATTE) - MELANIE'S CAR turning in school road.
FULL SHOT - MELANIE'S CAR
passing the school and pulling up outside the teacher's house.
CLOSE SHOT - THE RED MAIL BOX
with the name "Hayworth" on it. PULL BACK to reveal:
FULL SHOT - MELANIE
passing the mail box and going up the walk to the front door.
The house is a two-story frame with steps leading to the
front door. There are white curtains in every window of the
house, and a sign in the window to the left of the doorway
advises, ROOM TO LET. Melanie rings the doorbell.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
waiting. She RINGS the bell again:
ANNIE'S VOICE
(shouting)
Yes? Who is it?
MELANIE
Me!
ANNIE'S VOICE
Who's me?
FULL SHOT - MELANIE
walking along the porch of the house. The walk in front of
the house is lined with beautifully planted and cared-for
flowers. ANNIE HAYWORTH comes round from the back of the
house as Melanie reaches the corner. She is a woman of thirty-
two, tall, big-boned, with a strong beautiful face. Her
hair is disarrayed at the moment, and she is dressed for the
garden, wearing slacks and a loose-fitting sweater, and earth-
stained gloves. But there is something about her, a feeling
of expansive comfort, rather than sloppiness.
MELANIE
Miss Hayworth?
ANNIE
Yes?
MELANIE
I'm Melanie Daniels. I'm sorry to
bother you, but...
CLOSE SHOT - ANNIE
She is puzzled by Melanie who, exquisitely dressed and
groomed, seems singularly out of place in Bodega Bay. She
studies her openly.
ANNIE
Yes?
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND ANNIE
MELANIE
The man at the post office sent me.
He said you'd know the name of the
little Brenner girl.
ANNIE
Cathy?
MELANIE
The one who lives in the white house
across the bay?
ANNIE
That's the one. Cathy Brenner.
MELANIE
(smiling)
They seemed sure it was either Alice
or Lois.
ANNIE
Which is why the mail in this town
never gets delivered to the right
place.
(She takes out package
of cigarettes, offers
one to Melanie)
Did you want to see Cathy about
something?
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
taking cigarette, hesitating.
MELANIE
Well... not exactly.
CLOSE SHOT - ANNIE
studying her, thinking she understands.
ANNIE
Are you a friend of Mitch's?
MELANIE
No, not really.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND ANNIE
There is an awkwardness here. Annie wants to know more. She
puffs on the cigarette, smiles, tries a friendly approach.
ANNIE
I've been wanting a cigarette for
the past twenty minutes, but I
couldn't convince myself to stop.
This 'tilling of the soil' can get a
little compulsive, you know.
MELANIE
It's a lovely garden.
ANNIE
Thank you. It gives me something to
do with my spare time.
(pause)
There's a lot of spare time in Bodega
Bay.
(another pause)
Did you plan on staying long?
MELANIE
No. Just a few hours.
ANNIE
You're leaving after you see Cathy?
MELANIE
Well... something like that.
(pause)
I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound so
mysterious.
ANNIE
Actually, it's none of my business.
There is a pause. Melanie, by her silence, affirms that it
is none of Annie's business.
ANNIE
(putting out cigarette)
I'd better get on my way. Thank you
very much.
ANNIE
Not at all.
They begin walking toward the car.
ANNIE
(still curious)
Did you drive up from San Francisco?
MELANIE
Yes.
ANNIE
It's a nice drive.
(pause)
Is that where you met Mitch?
MELANIE
(hesitating, then)
Yes.
ANNIE
I guess that's where everyone meets
him.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
as she gets in behind the wheel. Annie's remark is not lost
on her, and a quick look of sudden understanding crosses her
face.
MELANIE
Now you sound a bit mysterious, Miss
Hayworth.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND ANNIE
as Annie leans over the seat.
ANNIE
Do I?
(she shakes her head,
smiles wistfully)
No, I'm an open book, I'm afraid.
(pause)
Or maybe a closed one.
(she smiles again,
sees the lovebirds)
Pretty. What are they?
MELANIE
Lovebirds.
Taking this as a further indication of Melanie's relationship
with Mitch:
ANNIE
Mmm.
(pause)
Well, good luck, Miss Daniels.
MELANIE
Thank you.
She nods pleasantly, starts the car, pulls away.
CLOSE SHOT - ANNIE
watching the car, a look of sad resignation on her face.
DISSOLVE
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
coming out of Brinkmeyer's General Store, carrying a small
paper bag, walking toward her car out front. The CAMERA
FOLLOWS her as she gets in. She opens her purse and reaches
in for the paper bag.
CLOSE SHOT - HER HANDS
She pulls out a birthday card from the paper bag.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
reaching into her purse again for a fountain pen. She unscrews
the cap, braces the card on her closed purse.
INSERT - THE CARD
Happy Birthday, the usual rhyming sentiments. The pen writes:
To Cathy
DISSOLVE
FULL SHOT - MELANIE'S CAR
crossing the highway down into the parking area behind the
Tides, close to the docks.
HIGH SHOT
She gets out of the car and walks onto one of the docks, the
bird cage in her hand. Melanie approaches a waiting fisherman.
She asks for her boat. The fisherman nods. He leads her to
the dock and the waiting boat. She gets into the outboard
motorboat, the fisherman helping her. He hands down the
lovebirds in their cage.
FULL SHOT - THE BOAT
pulling away from the dock, heading across the bay.
VERY LONG SHOT (MATTE) - THE BOAT
and the wide expanse of the bay, as it heads on a direct
course for the house on the other side.
VERY LONG SHOT (MATTE)
Another spectacular SHOT of the small boat.
FULL SHOT - THE BOAT
coming head-on toward CAMERA, Melanie at the tiller. She
cuts the motor. The motor drifts to a stop. The bay is silent
except for the cry of the gulls.
LONG SHOT - THE BRENNER HOUSE - MELANIE'S P.O.V.
There is not a sign of activity as the boat drifts just a
little closer. As Melanie watches, the front door opens and
a woman comes out, walks to a red pickup truck, starts the
engine. A little girl comes out of the house, goes to the
truck, gets in. The woman shouts something to a man -- Mitch
Brenner, probably, though it is difficult to tell from this
distance -- and he comes over to the truck.
The truck grinds into gear, goes around the turnabout, and
heads down the road away from the farm, a huge cloud of dust
behind it. The farm is still again. Mitch stands looking
after the truck for a moment, and then begins walking up
toward the barn in the distance.
CLOSE SHOT
watching, biting her lip.
LONG SHOT - THE BRENNER HOUSE
Mitch reaching the barn and entering. Silence.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
watching, waiting.
LONG SHOT - THE BRENNER HOUSE
Not a sign of life.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
picking up paddle from deck, beginning to paddle in toward
dock.
FULL SHOT - THE BOAT
edging in toward the dock. Closer, closer, Melanie puts down
the paddle. The boat drifts in.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
leaping ashore, tying up the boat, reaching down for the
cage. She climbs onto the dock and approaches the CAMERA
until she is in WAIST SHOT. The CAMERA STARTS to RECEDE in
front of her as she walks forward.
THE CAMERA MOVING TOWARD THE HOUSE AND BARN
The barn door closed, still no sign of Mitch.
WAIST SHOT - MELANIE
Coming off the dock and onto the lawn, the CAMERA still
RETREATING in front of her. She makes her way carefully across
the lawn, glancing toward the barn, carrying the bird cage.
FULL SHOT - CAMERA GETTING NEAR THE HOUSE AND BARN
WAIST SHOT - MELANIE
crossing the lawn, the CAMERA RETREATING in front of her.
FULL SHOT - CLOSER - CAMERA APPROACHING THE HOUSE AND BARN
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE - WALKING
CAMERA RETREATING in front of her: Excitement and anticipation
on her face. She wets her lips. The CAMERA PANS WITH her as
she goes to front door and lets herself in.
FULL SHOT - INT. THE BRENNER HOUSE ENTRY
as the door opens. Melanie ENTERS quickly, and closes the
door behind her. She glances around for a moment, getting
her bearings. The house is silent.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
entering the dining room. Hastily, she puts the cage on the
dinning room table, props the card up against it, then glances
through the lace curtains on the dinning room window.
FULL SHOT - THE BARN - CLOSER - THROUGH THE CURTAINS
as before.
EXT. BRENNER HOUSE - WAIST SHOT - MELANIE - MOVING P.O.V.
as the front door opens and Melanie EMERGES. CAMERA PANS AND
FOLLOWS her back down front walk. Melanie glances over her
shoulder toward the barn.
EXT. BARN - MOVING P.O.V.
Mitch has not emerged.
MOVING P.O.V. - MELANIE
CAMERA CONTINUES MOVING on Melanie's back toward the end of
the dock. Melanie again glances over her shoulder toward the
barn.
MOVING P.O.V.
further along the dock toward the barn. Still no Mitch.
BACK TO MELANIE
CAMERA CONTINUES on her back for a short distance and STOPS
as Melanie continues to the end of the dock and climbs into
the boat.
MOVING P.O.V. - MELANIE
CAMERA CONTINUES on her back for a short distance and STOPS
as Melanie continues to the end of the dock and climbs into
the boat.
MOVING P.O.V. - MELANIE
CAMERA FOLLOWS Melanie as she paddles away from the dock.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE (PROCESS)
as she looks toward the house and barn. She starts to duck
down.
EXT. BARN - MELANIE'S P.O.V.
as Mitch EMERGES from the barn and goes toward the house. He
goes INSIDE.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE (PROCESS)
peering over the stern of the boat.
EXT. HOUSE - MELANIE'S P.O.V.
Mitch dashes OUT of the front door and looks around.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
as she watches Mitch.
MELANIE'S P.O.V.
as Mitch runs back INTO the house.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE (PROCESS)
peering over stern of the boat.
MITCH - MELANIE'S P.O.V.
as he EMERGES from the front door and raises binoculars.
EXTREME CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
as he looks towards Melanie's boat through the binoculars.
The Bay is reflected in the glass.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE (THROUGH BINOCULARS)
She is pulling at the cord which starts the motor. She sits
down and grabs the tiller. She looks back over her shoulder,
as the boat moves away.
CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
He is smiling with amused recognition; he lowers the
binoculars and dashes OUT OF FRAME.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE (PROCESS)
The CAMERA IS MOVING WITH her as she looks toward Mitch.
LONG SHOT - THE BRENNER HOUSE
Mitch is running for his car. The car door SLAMS. The ENGINE
STARTS. The car practically leaps out of the driveway.
CLOSE SIDE-ON SHOT - MELANIE
as she watches the car race along the shore.
LONG SHOT - CAR - MELANIE'S P.O.V.
Mitch's car racing along the shore.
CLOSE SHOT - THREE QUARTER BACK LEFT - MELANIE (PROCESS)
She looks off RIGHT toward car.
CAR - MELANIE'S P.O.V.
Mitch's car racing along the shore road, turns inland at
Keesport.
CLOSE SHOT - STRAIGHT BACK - MELANIE (PROCESS)
Melanie looks CAMERA RIGHT, her eyes slowly turn CAMERA LEFT.
CAR - MELANIE'S MOVING P.O.V.
Mitch's car races past wrecked ferry boat.
CLOSE SHOT - STRAIGHT BACK - MELANIE (PROCESS)
Her head continues to turn CAMERA LEFT. She looks off and
sees:
LONG SHOT - THE DOCK - MELANIE'S MOVING P.O.V.
moves forward slower. Mitch drives onto dock, gets out of
the car and stands waiting.
CLOSE SHOT - STRAIGHT BACK - MELANIE (PROCESS)
partially posing for Mitch, her hair blowing in the wind,
her head tilted back, a smile on her face.
FULL SHOT - GULL
swooping down from UPPER LEFTHAND CORNER OF FRAME TO LOWER
RIGHT. CLOSE SHOT - STRAIGHT BACK - MELANIE (PROCESS)
as gull strikes the back of her head. She recoils and looks
up with shock and pain.
GULL - MELANIE'S P.O.V.
The gull soars away from LOWER RIGHTHAND corner of frame to
UPPER LEFT.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
reacting to the sudden attack and looking after receding
gull. Blood is starting down her temple from her hair.
MED. SHOT - MITCH
as the boat comes closer. The boat drifts in toward a second
boat tied up at the dock. Mitch crosses the docked boat,
leaps into Melanie's boat.
MED. SHOT - MITCH AND MELANIE
in the boat.
MITCH
That was the damndest thing I ever
saw.
MELANIE
What made it...
MITCH
It deliberately came down at you --
you're bleeding...
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
a thin line of blood trickling from the cut on top of her
head, down onto her forehead and cheek. She seems dazed.
She shakes her head in answer to him, then touches the top
of her head, looks at her bloody fingers, and then nods
weakly.
CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
concerned.
MITCH
Come on, let's take care of that.
FULL SHOT - THE DOCK
as they climb onto it. A fisherman standing by looks at
Melanie curiously.
FISHERMAN
What happened, Mitch?
MITCH
(over his shoulder)
A gull hit her.
FISHERMAN
A what?
The CAMERA FOLLOWS them as they walk across the parking area
behind the Tides, and to the closest office. Mitch tries the
door knob. The door is locked.
INSERT - SIGN ON DOOR OUT TO LUNCH TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND
MITCH
as he tries door of next office. It, too, is locked.
MITCH
Come on, we'd better go up to the
restaurant.
They walk quickly up the slope to the Tides, establishing
gas station across the road, the collection of stores
opposite, the cars pulling in and out. Mitch opens the door
for her, and they ENTER.
INT. THE TIDES - FULL SHOT
This is a small neighborhood restaurant, with the feeling of
a local hangout. There are fishermen lounging at the bar,
and a teenage boy playing one of the pinball machines. Two
ladies in housedresses, with their hair in curlers, are
sitting at one of the booths, having coffee. The rear wall
of the restaurant is almost all window, looking out over the
bay and the parking area below. A television set over the
bar is going. The shots and horsehoof beats of an old Western
movie should be HEARD muted throughout following. DEKE
CARTER, who owns the restaurant with his wife, alternates
his attention between serving his customers and watching the
Western. He looks up immediately when Mitch and Melanie ENTER.
MED. SHOT - THE BAR
Mitch and Melanie coming over to it.
MITCH
Deke, have you got a first aid kit
back there?
DEKE
(instantly alarmed)
What happened?
MITCH
Young woman cut herself.
DEKE
Shall I call the doctor?
MITCH
(accepting the first
aid kit)
I don't think it's that serious.
You want to sit up here?
Melanie climbs onto the stool.
DEKE
You cut yourself outside, Miss?
MITCH
Stop worrying, Deke. She was in a
boat.
He is rummaging around in the kit.
DEKE
I had a man trip and fall in the
parking lot once, sued me before I
could bat an eyelash.
MITCH
I don't think Miss Daniels is going
to sue anybody.
DEKE
(doubtfully)
Well, you're the lawyer.
(goes to other end of
bar)
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND MITCH
as he unscrews cap from bottle of peroxide.
MELANIE
What's that?
MITCH
Just some peroxide. I want to clean
out the cut.
He pours peroxide onto a gauze pad and begins swabbing the
cut. They are silent for several seconds. Then:
MELANIE
So you're a lawyer.
MITCH
That's right. What are you doing in
Bodega Bay?
MELANIE
Do you practice here?
MITCH
No, San Francisco. What are you...?
MELANIE
What kind of law?
MITCH
Criminal.
MELANIE
Is that why you'd like to see everyone
behind bars?
MITCH
Not everyone, Miss Daniels.
MELANIE
Only violators and practical jokers.
MELANIE
That's right.
As he swabs cut.
MELANIE
Ouch!
MITCH
I'm sorry.
(pause)
What are you doing up here?
MELANIE
Didn't you see the lovebirds?
MITCH
You came all the way up here to bring
me those birds?
MELANIE
To bring your sister those birds.
You said it was her birthday.
Besides, I was coming up anyway.
MITCH
What for?
MELANIE
To see a friend of mine.
(she winces)
Will you please be careful?
MITCH
I'm sorry.
(pause)
Who's your friend?
MELANIE
Why...
(pause, stymied)
MITCH
Yes?
MELANIE
(blurting the only
name she knows)
Annie. Annie Hayworth.
MITCH
Well, well, small world. Annie
Hayworth.
MELANIE
(realizing this was a
mistake)
Yes.
MITCH
How do you know Annie?
MELANIE
(the lie getting deeper)
We... we went to school together.
College.
MITCH
Did you! Imagine that! How long will
you be staying?
MELANIE
Just a few... just a day or two...
the weekend.
MITCH
I think we'll have to shave the hair.
Deke, have you got a razor?
MELANIE
(pulling away)
Oh, no you don't!
MITCH
It's still bleeding a little. Here,
let me put this on.
He takes up a tiny Band-Aid and, tearing the gauze off, says:
MITCH
Bend your head down. This little
Band-Aid won't show.
He presses the tiny Band-Aid over the cut. Melanie takes a
mirror from her handbag and, bending her head down, looks at
it. She covers her hair over it as Mitch says:
MITCH
So you came up to see Annie, huh?
MELANIE
Yes.
MITCH
I don't believe you.
(grins)
I think you came up to see me.
MELANIE
Why would I want to see you, of all
people?
MITCH
(shrugging)
I don't know. But it seems to me you
must have gone to a lot of trouble
to find out who I was, and where I
lived and...
MELANIE
It was no trouble at all. I simply
called my father's paper. Besides, I
was coming up here anyway, I already
told you...
MITCH
(grinning)
You like me, huh?
MELANIE
I loathe you. You have no manners.
And you're arrogant and conceited
and... I wrote you a letter about
it, in fact, but I tore it up.
MITCH
What did it say?
MELANIE
None of your business.
(pause)
Am I still bleeding?
She lowers her head.
MITCH
Can't see a thing.
MELANIE
I can't say I like your seagulls
much, either. I come all the way up
here to...
MITCH
But you were coming up anyway,
remember?
MELANIE
I was! And all I get for my pains is
a... a... a hole in the head!
MITCH
(grinning)
Right next to the one you already
had.
MELANIE
(angrily)
Look, Mr. Brenner...
LYDIA (O.S.)
Mitch?
They turn toward the door.
MED. SHOT - LYDIA BRENNER
closing the door behind her, coming toward the bar. She is a
woman in her late forties, attractive, wearing shirt, blouse,
cardigan sweater, low heels. There is nothing agrarian-looking
about her. She speaks with the quick tempo of the city
dweller, and there is lively inquiry in her eyes.
LYDIA
(puzzled)
I thought I saw your car. What are
you doing in town?
MITCH
(rising to greet her)
I had to acknowledge a delivery.
(grins)
Mother, I'd like you to meet...
LYDIA
A what?
MITCH
(continuing)
Melanie Daniels. Melanie, my mother.
CLOSE SHOT - LYDIA
Her eyebrows raising ever so slightly, not in displeasure,
but simply in enormous curiosity as she acknowledge the
introduction.
LYDIA
How do you do, Miss Daniels?
(to Mitch)
Acknowledge a what?
BACK TO SCENE
MITCH
A delivery, Mother. Miss Daniels
brought some birds from San Francisco.
Lydia thinks she understands. This is one of Mitch's San
Francisco chippies.
LYDIA
Oh. I see.
MITCH
For Cathy. For her birthday. By the
way, where is she?
LYDIA
Across at Brinkmeyer's.
MITCH
Miss Daniels is staying for the
weekend. In fact, I've already invited
her to dinner tonight.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
turning to him in surprise, beginning to shake her head.
CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
MITCH
After all, you did go to the trouble
of bringing up those birds.
MELANIE (O.S.)
I'm sorry. I couldn't possibly...
BACK TO SCENE
LYDIA
You did say birds?
MITCH
Yes, lovebirds. We couldn't let you...
LYDIA
(understanding
completely now)
Lovebirds, I see.
MITCH
...get away without thanking you in
some small way. After all, you haven't
even met Cathy and you are staying
for the weekend...
MELANIE
Yes, but...
MITCH
You are, aren't you?
MELANIE
Certainly, but...
MITCH
Then it's settled. What time is
dinner, Mother?
LYDIA
Seven o'clock, same as usual.
MITCH
I'll pick you up, Miss Daniels.
Where are you staying?
MELANIE
With... with Annie, of course.
MITCH
Of course, how stupid of me. A quarter
to seven, will that be all right?
MELANIE
Annie... Annie may have made other
plans. I'll have to see. Besides, I
can find my own way.
MITCH
You're sure now? You won't hire a
boat or anything?
MELANIE
I'm sure.
MITCH
Seven o'clock then.
MELANIE
Maybe.
CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
grinning.
MITCH
We'll be waiting. How's your head
now?
MED. SHOT - THE GROUP
Lydia looks at Mitch inquiringly.
MELANIE
(with an overwarm
smile)
It's nothing, Mrs. Brenner. A gull
hit me, that's all.
Lydia stares at her doubtfully.
DISSOLVE
EXT. ANNIE HAYWORTH'S HOUSE - FULL SHOT
Melanie is standing on the front steps, a paper bag in her
hands. She rings the doorbell. The ROOM TO LET sign is still
in the window. The door suddenly opens.
ANNIE
(surprised)
Oh, hi!
(pause)
Did you find her all right?
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND ANNIE
MELANIE
Yes, I did.
There is a long awkward pause. Annie smiles expectantly at
Melanie. Melanie seems hesitant.
MELANIE
I was wondering...
ANNIE
Yes?
MELANIE
That sign.
(pause)
Do you think I could have the room
for a single night?
ANNIE
Well, I'd really hope to rent it
for...
MELANIE
I would appreciate it. I've tried
everywhere in town, and they're all
full.
ANNIE
(after a pause)
Sure. You can have it.
(smiles)
Where's your bag? In the car?
Melanie holds up the paper bag. Annie looks at it and then
smiles.
ANNIE
It's utilitarian, I'll say that for
it.
MELANIE
(smiling)
I just picked up some things for the
night at the general store. You see,
I hadn't planned on spending much
time here.
ANNIE
Yes, I know. Did something unexpected
crop up?
There is a moment where both women look at each other...
When Melanie answers, it is abrupt and a trifle cold -- she
is again telling Annie to mind her own business.
MELANIE
Yes.
(pause)
May I use your phone? I'd like to
call home.
There is another moment where Annie appraises Melanie's
attitude, and then accepts it. She suddenly smiles warmly.
ANNIE
Why don't you come in then? I was
just about to mix a martini.
She is about to lead Melanie into the house when they both
hear a SOUND overhead. They turn to look skyward.
LONG SHOT - A FLOCK OF LARGE BIRDS
flying in beautiful precise formation against the sky.
TWO SHOT - ANNIE AND MELANIE
ANNIE
(shaking her head)
Don't they ever stop migrating?
But Melanie is watching the sky and the birds with a curiously
serious expression.
DISSOLVE
LONG SHOT - THE APPROACH ROAD to the Brenner house. Melanie's
car is driving along the shore. Behind her, the sky is stained
with sunset. There are gulls on the bay, cawing into the
silence.
FULL SHOT - THE CAR
as it pulls into the Brenner yard.
MED. SHOT - MELANIE
reaching up for the rear view mirror, tilting it to examine
her lipstick, touching the edge of her mouth with one hand.
She gets out of the car, CAMERA FOLLOWING her to the house.
She climbs the porch steps, KNOCKS on the door. There is no
answer. Puzzled, she begins walking back into the yard. In
the distance, she sees Mitch, Lydia and Cathy coming from
behind the chicken sheds. She raises her arm in greeting.
MELANIE
(calling)
Hi!
FULL SHOT - MITCH, CATHY, LYDIA
in the distance. Mitch and Cathy raise their arms.
CATHY
(excitedly)
Hi!
(she breaks into a
trot toward Melanie)
CLOSE SHOT - CATHY as she approaches. She is an eleven-year-
old child, clear-eyed, bright, uninhibited, wearing a shirt
and blouse, her hair cropped close to her head. She hesitates
for just a moment.
CATHY
Miss Daniels?
MELANIE
Yes?
And Cathy flings herself into Melanie's arms, almost knocking
her off her feet, hugging her fiercely.
CATHY
They're beautiful! They're just what
I wanted! Is there a man and a woman?
I can't tell which is which.
MELANIE
Well, I suppose...
FULL SHOT - ALL OF THEM
MITCH
(coming up)
Hi. Annie had no plans, huh? I'm
glad you came. Are you hungry?
MELANIE
Famished.
MITCH
Dinner's just about ready.
(explaining)
We were out back looking at the
chickens. Something seems to be wrong
with them.
LYDIA
(going toward house)
There's nothing wrong with those
chickens, Mitch. I'm going to call
Fred Brinkmeyer right now.
MITCH
(as they follow into
house)
I don't know what good that'll do.
(aside to Melanie)
Chickens won't eat.
FULL SHOT - THE BRENNER HOUSE
as they ENTER, CAMERA FOLLOWING them throughout into dining
room where Lydia dials phone, talking to Mitch all along.
LYDIA
He sold the feed to me, didn't he?
MITCH
Caviat emptor, Mother. Let the buyer
beware.
LYDIA
Whose side are you on?
MITCH
I'm simply quoting the law.
LYDIA
Never mind the law. Cathy, you can
start serving the soup.
She has finished dialing now, is waiting while the phone
RINGS.
LYDIA
This won't take a minute, Miss Dan...
(into phone)
Hello, Fred? This is Lydia Brenner.
I didn't interrupt your dinner, did
I?
(pause)
Fred, that feed you sold me is no
good.
(pause)
The chicken feed. The three bags I
brought.
CLOSE SHOT - LYDIA
holding the telephone.
LYDIA
Well, it's just no good. The chickens
won't eat it.
(pause)
They're always hungry, Fred. I opened
one of the sacks when I got home,
and I poured it out for them, and
they wouldn't touch it. Now you know
chickens as well as I do, and when
they won't eat, there's just something
wrong with what they're being fed,
that's all.
(pause)
No, they're not fussy chickens.
(pause)
Who? What's he got to do with it?
(pause)
Fred, I don't care how much feed you
sold him. My chickens...
(pause)
He did? Dan Fawcett?
(pause)
This afternoon?
(pause)
Well, that only proves what I'm
saying. The feed you sold us is...
(pause)
Oh. Oh, I see. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-
huh. Maybe I ought to go over to see
him. You don't think there's something
going around, do you?
(pause)
No, never.
(pause)
No, Fred, they don't seem sick at
all. They just won't eat.
(pause)
Mmmm. Mmmmm. Well, I'll try to get
over to Dan's farm. Maybe he'll...
mmmmm... mmmmm... all right, Fred,
thanks.
(she hangs up, puzzled)
FULL SHOT - THE DINING ROOM
as Lydia comes to the table. Mitch and Melanie are sitting
opposite each other in the center chairs. Cathy is serving
the last bowl of soup.
LYDIA
(as she sits)
He got a call from Dan Fawcett a
little while ago. His chickens won't
eat, either.
CATHY
It's what you said, Mom. Mr.
Brinkmeyer's feed is no good.
LYDIA
(slowly)
No, Cathy. He sold Mr. Fawcett a
different brand.
(extremely worried)
You don't think they're getting sick,
do you, Mitch?
CLOSE SHOT - LYDIA
her eyes troubled as she picks up her napkin.
DISSOLVE
FULL SHOT - THE LIVING ROOM
The meal is over. The lovebirds in their hanging cage have
been covered for the night. In the b.g. Mitch and Lydia are
carrying the stacked dishes to the kitchen. In the f.g.
Cathy and Melanie are by a small upright piano. Melanie is
playing a Debussy Arabesque: She picks up a cigarette from
the ashtray now and again to take a puff.
CATHY
I still don't understand how you
knew I wanted lovebirds.
MELANIE
Your brother told me.
LYDIA
(as she goes into
kitchen)
Then you knew Mitch in San Francisco,
is that right?
MELANIE
No, not exactly.
CATHY
Mitch knows lots of people in San
Francisco. Of course, they're mostly
hoods.
LYDIA
(from the kitchen)
Cathy!
CATHY
Well, Mom, he's the first to admit
it.
(to Melanie)
He spends half his day in the
detention cells at the Hall of
Justice.
LYDIA
(coming from kitchen)
In a democracy, Cathy, everyone is
entitled to a fair trial. Your
brother's practice...
CATHY
Mom, please, I know all the democracy
jazz. They're still hoods.
(to Melanie)
He's got a client now who shot his
wife in the head six times. Six times,
can you imagine it?
(she starts for living
room)
I mean, even twice would be overdoing
it, don't you think?
MELANIE
(to Mitch as he carries
load of dishes out)
Why did he shoot her?
MITCH
He was watching a ball game on
television.
MELANIE
What?
MITCH
His wife changed the channel.
He GOES INTO kitchen.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND CATHY
Melanie interrupts her playing to take another puff at her
cigarette.
CATHY
Is smoking fun?
MELANIE
Oh, I suppose so.
CATHY
Could I have a puff?
MELANIE
I don't think your mother would like
that.
CATHY (O.S.)
Just a little one.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND CATHY
They both glance conspiratorially toward the kitchen.
Quickly, Melanie extends the cigarette. Quickly, Cathy takes
a small puff.
CATHY
(delighted)
Why, it's just like air, isn't it?
(determined)
When I grow up, I'm gonna smoke like
a chimney! I'll be eleven tomorrow,
you know.
MELANIE
I know.
CATHY
Are you coming to my party?
MELANIE
I don't think so.
(seeing the child's
face)
I have to get back to San Francisco.
CATHY
Don't you like us?
MELANIE
(touching her hair)
Darling, of course I do!
CATHY
Don't you like Bodega Bay?
MELANIE
I don't know yet.
CATHY
Mitch likes it very much. He comes
up every weekend, you know, even
though he has his own apartment in
the city. He says San Francisco is
just an ant hill at the foot of a
bridge.
MELANIE
(smiling)
I guess it does get a little hectic
at times.
CATHY
If you do decide to come, don't say
I told you about it. It's supposed
to be a surprise party.
Melanie laughs.
CATHY
You see, they've got this whole
complicated thing figured out where
I'm going over to Michele's for the
afternoon, and Michele's mother is
going to say she has a headache and
would I mind very much if she took
me home. Then, when we get back here,
all of the kids'll jump out!
(pause)
Won't you come? Won't you please
come?
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
shaking her head, glancing toward the kitchen.
MELANIE
I don't think so, Cathy.
INT. KITCHEN - TWO SHOT - LYDIA AND MITCH
Mitch is helping her as she loads the dishwasher.
LYDIA
She's a charming girl, isn't she,
Mitch?
MITCH
Yes, very.
LYDIA
And certainly pretty.
MITCH
Yes.
LYDIA
How long have you known her?
MITCH
I told you. We met yesterday.
LYDIA
In a bird shop.
MITCH
Yes.
LYDIA
She was selling birds.
MITCH
No. I only led her into believing I
believed she was... Mother, it's
really very complicated.
LYDIA
But she did buy the lovebirds and
then brought them all the way...
MITCH
Mother, where did you go to law
school?
LYDIA
(laughing)
Forgive me. I suppose I'm just
naturally curious about a girl like
that.
(pause)
She's very rich, isn't she?
MITCH
I suppose so. Her father owns a big
newspaper in San Francisco.
LYDIA
You'd think he could manage to keep
her name out of print. She's always
mentioned in the columns, Mitch.
MITCH
I know, Mother.
LYDIA
She is the one who jumped into that
fountain in Rome last summer, isn't
she?
MITCH
Yes, Mother.
LYDIA
Perhaps I'm old-fashioned.
(pause)
I know it was supposed to be very
warm there, Mitch, but... well...
actually... well, the newspaper said
she was naked.
MITCH
I know, Mother.
LYDIA
It's none of my business, of course,
but when you bring a girl like that
to...
MITCH
Mother?
LYDIA
(looking up)
Yes?
MITCH
I think I can handle Melanie Daniels
by myself.
LYDIA
Well...
(she sighs)
So long as you know what you want,
Mitch.
MITCH
I know exactly what I want, Mother.
DISSOLVE
FULL SHOT - THE BRENNER LAWN - EXTERIOR - NIGHT
as Mitch and Melanie cross it to her car. A wind is blowing
off the water, and high fast clouds are scudding across the
face of the moon.
MITCH
You'll be able to find your way back,
won't you?
MELANIE
Oh, yes.
MELANIE
Will I be seeing you again?
MELANIE
San Francisco's a long way from here.
MITCH
I'm in San Francisco five days a
week. With a lot of time on my hands.
I'd like to see you.
(he grins)
Maybe we could go swimming or
something. Mother tells me you like
to swim.
MELANIE
How does Mother know what I like to
do?
MITCH
I guess she and I read the same gossip
columns.
MELANIE
Oh. That. Rome.
MITCH
Mmmm. I like to swim. We might get
along very...
MELANIE
In case you're interested, I was
pushed into that fountain.
MELANIE
Without any clothes on?
MELANIE
With all my clothes on! The newspaper
that ran the story happens to be a
rival of my father's paper. Anything
they said...
MITCH
You were just a poor, innocent victim
of circumstance, huh?
MELANIE
I'm neither poor nor innocent, but
the truth of that particular...
MITCH
The truth is you were running around
with a pretty wild crowd...
MELANIE
Yes, but...
MITCH
...who didn't much care for propriety
or convention or...
MELANIE
Yes.
MITCH
...the opinions of others, and you
went right along with them, isn't
that the truth?
MELANIE
Yes, that's the truth. But I was
pushed into that fountain, and that's
the truth, too.
MITCH
Sure. Do you really know Annie
Hayworth?
MELANIE
No.
(pause)
At least, I didn't until I came up
here.
MITCH
So you didn't go to school together.
MELANIE
No.
MITCH
And you didn't come up here to see
her.
MELANIE
No.
MITCH
You were lying.
MELANIE
Yes, I was lying.
MITCH
Did you really write a letter to me?
Or was that a lie, too?
MELANIE
I wrote the letter.
MITCH
What did it say?
MELANIE
It said, "Dear Mr. Brenner, I think
you need those lovebirds, after all.
They may help your personality."
That's what it said.
MITCH
But you tore it up.
MELANIE
Yes.
MITCH
Why?
MELANIE
Because it seemed stupid and foolish.
MITCH
Like jumping into a fountain in Rome!
MELANIE
I told you what happened in Rome!
MITCH
Do you expect me to believe...?
MELANIE
I don't give a damn what you believe!
Angrily she gets into the car, is about to slam the door
when Mitch catches it in his hands.
MITCH
I'd still like to see you.
MELANIE
Why?
MITCH
I think it could be fun.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
pulling the door shut.
MELANIE
That might have been good enough in
Rome last summer. But it's not good
enough now.
CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
MITCH
It is for me.
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
MELANIE
But not for me.
CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
MITCH
What do you want ?
CLOSE SHOT - MELANIE
MELANIE
(angrily sarcastic)
I thought you knew! I want to go
through life laughing and beautiful
and jumping into fountains naked!
Good night!
MED. SHOT - THE CAR
as it pulls away. Mitch yanks his hands back from the door.
CLOSE SHOT - MITCH
as he watches the car leave.
LONG SHOT - THE ROAD
The car turns the bend and disappears. Empty road. Only the
long line of telephone poles and wires and... something
strange on the wires.
CLOSE SHOT MITCH
His attention caught by the poles and wires.
CLOSE SHOT - THE WIRES
Hundreds of birds sitting on them.
MED. SHOT - MITCH
standing and watching. A wind blows off the water. He shivers
suddenly, turns up his collar, and heads for the house.
DISSOLVE
INT. ANNIE HAYWORTH'S LIVING ROOM - MED. SHOT - ANNIE
HAYWORTH
In an easy chair, reading. She is wearing a robe and smoking,
absorbed in her book. She turns when she hears the front
DOOR OPENING.
ANNIE
Miss Daniels? Is that you?
MELANIE (O.S.)
Yes.
Annie rises to greet her. As Melanie ENTERS THE SHOT:
ANNIE
Hi.
(seeing her face)
Is something wrong? Is that cut
beginning to bother you?
MELANIE
(touching her head)
No, it's not the cut that's bothering
me.
ANNIE
(concerned)
Would you like some brandy?
MELANIE
If you have some, I'd...
ANNIE
I'll get it, sit down, Miss Daniels.
Do you want a sweater or something?
A quilt?
As Annie gets the brandy:
MELANIE
No, thank you.
(pause)
Won't you call me Melanie?
ANNIE
All right.
(she smiles)
MED. SHOT - MELANIE sitting, tucking her legs up under her.
She is disturbed by her conversation with Mitch and, in fact,
by the way this entire trip has worked out. Annie brings her
the glass of brandy, and she takes it gratefully.
MELANIE
Thank you.
ANNIE
(sitting opposite her)
It gets a little chilly here at night
sometimes. Especially if you're over
near the bay.
Melanie nods and sips at the brandy. There is a long pause.
ANNIE
Well, how'd your evening go?
Melanie shrugs.
ANNIE
Did you meet Lydia?
Melanie nods.
ANNIE
Or would you rather I changed the
subject?
MELANIE
(with a tired smile)
I think so.
ANNIE
(nodding)
How do you like our little hamlet?
MELANIE
I despise it.
ANNIE
(laughing)
Well, I don't suppose it offers much
to the casual visitor. Unless you're
thrilled by a collection of shacks
on a hillside. It takes a while to
get used to.
MELANIE
Where are you from originally, Annie?
ANNIE
San Francisco.
MELANIE
How'd you happen to come here?
ANNIE
Oh, someone invited me up for the
weekend a long time ago.
There is an awkward pause. Annie shrugs.
ANNIE
Look, I see no reason for being coy
about this. It was Mitch Brenner.
Melanie nods.
ANNIE
I guess you knew that, anyway.
MELANIE
I suspected as much.
ANNIE
You needn't worry. It's over and
done with. A long time ago.
MELANIE
Annie -- there's nothing between
Mitch and me.
ANNIE
Isn't there?
(she shrugs)
Maybe there isn't. Maybe there's
never anything between Mitch and any
girl.
MELANIE
What do you mean?
ANNIE
I think I'll have some of that, too.
(she pours brandy,
drinks, sighs)
I was seeing quite a lot of him in
San Francisco, you know.
(she smiles weakly)
And then, one weekend, he asked me
up to meet Lydia.
MELANIE
When was this?
ANNIE
Four years ago. Of course, that was
shortly after his father died. Things
may be different now.
MELANIE
Different?
ANNIE
With Lydia.
(pause)
Did she seem a trifle distant?
MELANIE
(smiling)
A trifle.
ANNIE
Then maybe it isn't different at
all. You know, her attitude nearly
drove me crazy. I simply couldn't
understand it.
ANNIE
When I got back to San Francisco I
spent days trying to figure out just
what I'd done to displease her.
MELANIE
And what had you done?
ANNIE
Nothing! I simply existed. So what
was the answer? A jealous woman,
right? A clinging possessive mother.
(she shakes her head)
Wrong. With all due respect to
Oedipus, I don't think that was the
case at all.
MELANIE
Then what was it?
ANNIE
Lydia liked me, you see. That was
the strange part of it. In fact, now
that I'm no longer a threat, we're
very good friends.
MELANIE
Then why did she object to you?
ANNIE
Because she was afraid.
MELANIE
Afraid you'd take Mitch?
ANNIE
Afraid I'd give Mitch.
MELANIE
I don't understand.
ANNIE
Afraid of any woman who'd give Mitch
the only thing Lydia can give him --
love.
MELANIE
Annie, that adds up to a jealous,
possessive woman.
ANNIE
No, I don't think so. She's not afraid
of losing her son, you see. She's
only afraid of being abandoned.
MELANIE
Someone ought to tell her she'd be
gaining a daughter.
ANNIE
She already has a daughter.
MELANIE
What about Mitch? Didn't he have
anything to say about this?
ANNIE
(apologetically)
I can understand his position. He
went through a lot with Lydia after
his father died. He didn't want to
risk going through it all over again.
MELANIE
I see.
ANNIE
So it ended. Not immediately, of
course. I went back to San Francisco,
and I still saw Mitch every now and
then... but we both knew it was
finished.
MELANIE
Then what are you doing here in Bodega
Bay?
ANNIE
You get straight to the point, don't
you?
MELANIE
I'm sorry. Forgive me.
ANNIE
No, that's all right, I don't mind.
I came up here for two reasons. To
begin with, I was bored with my job
in San Francisco. I was teaching at
a private school there... well, you
know, you probably went to one
yourself.
MELANIE
I did.
ANNIE
Then you know. Little girls in brown
beanies. Deadly. Here I have a life.
I'll go into that classroom on Monday
morning, and I'll look out at twenty-
five upturned little faces, and each
of them will be saying, 'Yes, please
give me what you have.'
(pause)
And I'll give them what I have. I
haven't got very much, but I'll give
them every ounce of it. To me, that's
very important. It makes me want to
stay alive for a long long time.
(she sighs)
That's the first reason.
MELANIE
And the second?
ANNIE
(simply)
I wanted to be near Mitch.
(pause)
It was over, and I knew it, but I
wanted to be near him, anyway.
(she smiles)
You see, I still like him a hell of
a lot. That's rare, I think. I don't
want to lose his friendship... ever.
There is a moment of silence. Into the silence, the TELEPHONE
shrills. Annie hesitates a moment, and then goes to answer
it.
CLOSE SHOT - ANNIE
at the phone.
ANNIE
Hello? Oh, hello. No, no, I wasn't
asleep. What is it?
(pause)
Yes, just a little while ago. Sure,
hold on.
(she turns to Melanie)
It's Mitch. For you.
TWO SHOT - MELANIE AND ANNIE
as they stare at each other across the room, Melanie
hesitating.
ANNIE
He's waiting.
Melanie rises and goes to the phone. The CAMERA FOLLOWS Annie
to the wing chair in the foreground and stays on her
throughout following, recording her reactions as Melanie
talks to Mitch in the background.
Annie is not devastated by this call, and yet there is a
wistfulness to her expression as she realizes she may finally
and irrevocably be losing Mitch to another girl.
MELANIE
(at phone; coolly)
Hello? Yes, this is Melanie. Fine,
thank you. No, no trouble at all. I
simply followed the road. It's a
very bright night.
(pause)
What? Oh. Well, there's no need to
apologize. I can understand...
(pause; she listens)
Well...
(she listens again)
That's very kind of you. No, I'm not
angry.
(she listens)
I couldn't. I'm afraid I have to get
back to San Francisco.
(pause)
No, I wouldn't want to disappoint
Cathy, but...
(pause)
I see.
(she is warming)
I see. Well