"A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP"
A Treatment for a Feature Film
by
Harold von Kursk
11 February 2006
Valhalla Films
3495 Ridgewood, Montreal, QC, Canada H3V 1B4
Email: isaakborg@yahoo.com
valhallafilms@sympatico.ca
A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP
_______________________________________________________________
A Treatment for a Feature Film by Harold von Kursk
1. EXT. SEASIDE, ROCKY SHORE - DAY
FADE IN to grainy b&w footage, like that taken by an
old super 8mm camera, of a woman swimming in the sea
near a rocky shore. The sound of her arms slicing
through the waves is exaggerated. She climbs onto the
rocky shore, the bright sun appearing to turn her
white bikini phosphorescent, and lies down on a ledge
overlooking the crashing breakers. Her body is covered
with beads of water glistening in the sharp sunlight.
A man appears out of nowhere and begins kissing her
legs, her body, and finally her face. We hear the
eerie shrieks of seagulls as the camera soars above
the amorous couple.
The camera continues to pull back to reveal a vintage
Porsche speedster parked on the edge of the road
nearby. Fade to black and roll credits, accompanied
by the Leonard Cohen song, "A Thousand Kisses Deep."
[CREDITS ROLL]
2. EXT/INT. COURTHOUSE - DAY
The Porsche convertible from the opening sequence
pulls up to the curb near an imposing courthouse
fronted by immense Roman columns. Shown from the back,
a well-dressed man steps out of the sports car, his
face hidden from view, and the camera follows him as
he dashes towards the imposing courthouse, carrying a
lawyer's briefcase, and runs up the steps. The camera
continues to follow his progress inside the
courthouse, dashing up stairs, racing from one
corridor to the next, until finally he enters the
courtroom.
3. INT. COURTROOM - DAY
The hushed courtroom silence is broken by the lawyer's
sudden appearance at the side of his anxious,
irritated, and pugnacious-looking client, TOMMASO, and
a bemused junior counsel, JANICE. She mutters to him
under her breath that he's very late and that both the
client and the judge "want blood."
The JUDGE is most unimpressed, sarcastically welcomes
the lawyer, and immediately turns to the jury and asks
them for their verdict. The jury FOREWOMAN proceeds
to smile at the lawyer and reads the decision of the
jury. "Not guilty!," she beams. The courtoom bursts
into pandemonium. The client grabs the lawyer around
the neck and hugs him.
The judge, however, sternly bangs his gavel and brings
the hall to silence and declares the defendant free.
But before bringing the trial to a close, the judge
turns his attention to the lawyer, smiles imperiously,
and fines him $10,000 for "repeated theatrics" and
"today's grand entrance."
4. EXT. COURTHOUSE STEPS - DAY
An impromptu press conference takes place on the
courthouse steps as the lawyer, THEODORE "TED"
CLAXTON, a handsome, well-tailored man in his late
30s, responds to reporters' questions in his
self-styled glib and ironic manner. He clearly
relishes the spotllight, toying with the media to the
point of flirting with an attractive female
JOURNALIST.
5. EXT. COURTHOUSE STEPS - DAY
Brushing past the reporters, TV cameras, and newspaper
photographers, Claxton runs down the steps and jogs
over to his Porsche, which is being ticketed by a
POLICEMAN.
The cop slaps the citation under the windshield wiper
and informs Claxton that it's "the least" he can do
for the lawyer who helps keep the state's worst
criminals out of prison.
6. INT. LOFT PARTY - NIGHT
A lavish soirée is unfolding at Claxton's stylish
designer loft overlooking the city skyline. Amid the
din of loud, pulsating music, the guests are in a
celebratory mood as we overhear snippets of gossipy
conversation concerning the debonair host. Claxton is
holding court in his high-tech kitchen pouring himself
a glass of wine and charming his guests with his
familiar brand of philosophical banter We also meet
CYNTHIA, his social gadfly girlfriend.
Wearing a chic cocktail dress, she dashes about the
loft, taking time to make small-talk with her posh
friends, and periodically pokes her head in the
kitchen to issue orders to the catering staff.
Shortly thereafter, a mini-debate is taking place on
the terrace, pitting Claxton against his Ivy
League-type friend, PRESTON. There lively exchange is
suddenly interrupted when the ravishing SIMONE,
twentyish, and one of many admiring women gathered
around Claxton and Preston, decides to insert herself
into the proceedings. Challenging him on an ethical
point, the self-confident Simone is shocked to see how
easily Claxton undercuts her argument, arrogantly
citing a Latin passage from Cicero, then translating
it into English.
The cynical onlookers applaud his rhetorical flourish
and spill back out into the main hall. Claxton's eyes
fix on Simone as she slinks away with a male friend
while he resumes his conversation with Preston. She
glances back at him coldly.
7. INT. LOFT (BEDROOM) - DAY
Claxton is reading the morning newspaper's account of
his staggering legal triumph while Cynthia, wearing
nothing but a silk camisole, panties, and a pearl
necklace, brings over a tray of croissants and tea.
They kiss, more out of habit than passion, before
shifting their attention to the pressing matter of her
museum's forthcoming summer exhibition in Berlin. She
explains that she's expected to spend several months
there overseeing the preparation and installation of
the exhibition. Instead of providing her with the
regretful reaction that she had been seeking, Claxton
remarks with cool detachment that it should be a
"great opportunity" for her. This provokes an angry
argument which is abruptly terminated by her jamming a
croissant into his teacup while he looks up at her in
bewilderment as she races out of the bedroom in tears.
8. EXT. STREET - DAY
Changing lanes dangerously to beat the morning
traffic, Claxton is caught in animated conversation
with his mother, speaking to her on a headset attached
to his cellphone.
He refuses to indulge her latest request, quipping, "I
thought you didn't have any neighbors left to
sue!...No mother, no....Have you ever heard the
expression, 'frivolous lawsuit...Yes, mother...."
9. EXT. SIDE STREET/UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - DAY
Claxton hurriedly parks his Porsche in a clearly
marked "No Parking" zone as he dashes to his lecture
at the university law school.
10. INT. AMPHITHEATRE - DAY
As he enters the amphitheatre, the students give
Claxton a standing ovation in recognition of his
highly publicised legal victory. The applause gives
way to silence, and he breaks the palpable tension in
the hall by declaring, "Well, at least I HOPE he was
innocent!"
The assembled students erupt in laughter, showering
more applause down on him. In the meantime we notice
Simone sitting peevishly at the back.
11. EXT. SIDE STREET - DAY
Claxton is about to climb into his Porsche, only to
find yet another parking ticket tacked under the
windshield wiper, and peevishly tosses his file of
lecture notes into the car. A sports bag with two
tennis racquets sticking out rests on the passenger
seat. Having followed him to his car, Simone pretends
to walk by accidentally and strikes up a conversation
with him.
They parry and thrust before she tries to coax him
into giving her a lift. His curiosity piqued, he
studies her athletic form and asks her whether she
plays tennis. "A little," she says, smiling. "OK, hop
in, my doubles partner can't make it today." When
she protests that she lacks the necessary tennis
outfit, he assures her that the club pro shop will
have everything she needs.
12. EXT. STREET - DAY
Claxton and Simone are driving in traffic, continuing
their good-natured repartee. We learn that she's in
her final year of law studies and intends to become a
state prosecutor whereas he is famous for defending
high profile criminals.
13. INT. TENNIS CLUB - DAY
Claxton is in the locker room talking to JUDGE HAYWOOD
while Simone is being fitted for her tennis dress and
racquet in the pro shop. The Judge is wondering
what's become of Cynthia, Claxton's presumed steady
girlfriend and usual doubles partner. Claxton explains
that she was tied up at the museum. "Can this girl
play?," the Judge asks about Simone? "That's what I'd
like to find out," retorts Claxton.
14. EXT. TENNIS CLUB - DAY
Claxton walks onto the court with Simone and warns her
that the Judge is very competitive but might make a
good contact for her. After a few brief rallies to
warm up, the match begins pitting Claxton and Simone
against the Judge and his doubles partner, a pretty
boy LAW CLERK.
Expecting Simone to be an inferior opponent, the Judge
takes the pace off his first serve only to watch in
amazement as she hits a clean forehand passing shot
that whizzes by his partner. Claxton stares at
Simone, saying nothing, and gives the Judge a playful
shrug. The match proceeds with Simone repeatedly
hitting winners and Claxton paying her a variety of
compliments with the odd double entendre thrown in.
The Judge upbraids his partner repeatedly and smiles
facetiously at Claxton.
15. EXT. CLUBHOUSE GARDEN - DAY
Sitting at a table enjoying lunch while the law clerk
and Simone are still getting dressed, the Judge and
Claxton shift their discussion from a pending Supreme
Court case to Claxton's relationship with Cynthia.
"You're being evasive, counsellor," snaps the Judge in
response to Claxton's vague commentary as to the state
of his relationship with Cynthia. Their conversation
abruptly switches back to the Supreme Court case when
Simone and the Law Clerk arrive back in their street
clothes. Cynthia explains that she has a class to
catch and politely declines Claxton's offer of a lift.
Watching her walk away, he thinks for a minute, then
hastily excuses himself to the Judge and runs after
her.
Claxton suggests to Simone that they meet the
following night for drinks. She says she was planning
on attending a modern dance performance and invites
him to join her.
16. INT. LAW OFFICES - DAY
Claxton is speaking to his junior law partner, JANICE,
about other cases when the senior partner, CLIVE,
shows up unexpectedly. Clive first congratulates him
on his work on the Tommaso case and the massive
billings it brought to the firm, only to complain that
Claxton has been neglecting some of his corporate case
work. Clive asks him about Cynthia and wonders when
they're getting married. Claxton doesn't respond.
17. INT. LOFT - NIGHT
Cynthia is preparing dinner while Claxton pores over
several legal volumes and files stacked on the dinner
table. They discuss her impending trip to Berlin and
their strained relationship. After dinner she wants to
stay the night but he fends off her romantic advances
citing his pressing work as a defence. She reluctantly
bids him good-bye. Claxton leans his back against the
door after she leaves and folds his arms, closing his
eyes slowly.
18. INT. THEATRE - NIGHT
An avant-garde dance troupe, LA LA LA Human Steps, is
performing on stage amid eerie lighting and loud,
striking music that would leave fans of Bela Bartok
and Jimi Hendrix equally satisfied. Claxton is
dividing his attention between the performance and
staring at Simone's sculpted features. At one point
she grabs his hand without looking at him during a
particularly frantic dance sequence. They embrace.
19. EXT. STREET/CEMETERY ROAD - NIGHT
Driving back after the performance with the
Speedster's roof open, Claxton is chatting with Simone
when another car, an Aston Martin, pulls up alongside
and honks, startling Claxton.
"Hey, big-time mob lawyer, what's the penalty for drag
racing?", shouts PRESTON ATWATER, at the wheel of the
Aston, seated beside his girlfriend, BRONWYN. Claxton
smiles and declines the invitation, but Preston waves
his arm to get Claxton to follow him to the entrance
of a cemetery.
They race each other along the winding roads of the
cemetery with little margin for safety. Simone is
half-furious, half-thrilled by the spectacle. They
eventually see the tell-tale red and white flashing
lights of a police cruiser in the distance. They make
haste for the cemetery exit, stopping just long enough
for Preston to shout to Claxton that he's planning a
party at his country estate that weekend.
20. INT. LOFT BUILDING ELEVATOR - NIGHT
Nervously standing next to each other as they ride up
the elevator, Simone turns slightly towards Claxton
and he immediately responds by embracing her
furiously.
They begin clawing at each other's clothes and by the
time the elevator arrives at his floor they are
half-naked.
Somewhat aghast, Claxton's neighbours from across the
hall, BOB and JULIUS, notice Simone and Claxton
scrambling to pick up their clothes as they close the
door to his loft behind them. Once inside the
elevator, Julius picks up Claxton's tie and sniffs:
"The good ones are ALL straight these days!"
21. INT. LOFT/BEDROOM OVERLOOKING CITY - NIGHT
Claxton and Simone are shown making love against the
backdrop of the city skyline on his bed adjacent to
the floor-to-ceiling loft window.
22. INT. LOFT - DAWN
Claxton is already up and sitting in his ample leather
sofa poring over legal briefs. Simone sleepily walks
into view, wearing his shirt from the previous
evening. "Boy-o-boy, you look much hotter in that
than I do," he smiles. She huddles up beside him and
asks him about his work. Simone casually but
pointedly mentions that she's noticed women's clothing
hung up in his bedroom closet. He explains that he's
been involved with Cynthia for the past few years but
they've recently drifted apart. When Simone playfully
inquires how far, Claxton shrugs at first. "No,
seriously, how far?" Claxton then spreads his arms as
far apart as they will extend and then pulls her by
the shirt towards him.
23. INT. LIMOUSINE - NIGHT
Claxton and Cynthia are riding in a limousine taking
her to the airport. They sit uneasily next to each
other while Cynthia leans her head on his shoulder
trying to sound him out about the state of things
between them.
Claxton skirts the issue as diplomatically as he can
while suffering from the weight of his ambivalent
feelings towards her.
24. INT. AIRPORT CONCOURSE - NIGHT
Standing in front of the customs entrance, Claxton and
Cynthia bid each other a sad farewell. She does her
best not to show that she's hurt by his attitude and
doesn't want to leave. He hardly reacts. Riding back
in the limousine, the immigrant driver DIMITRI strikes
up a conversation. "I don't know how I manage to get
myself into these things," mutters Claxton, mainly to
himself. Dimitri tries to cheer him up, but to no
avail.
25. EXT. WINDING COUNTRY ROAD/ROADSIDE INN CAFE -
DAY
Claxton and Simone are driving up a winding country
road along a rocky coastline. He looks every bit the
dashing preppy, while Simone sports a much more
distinctly retro look.
Along the way, they decide to stop at a scenic
roadside café next to a country lodge. It's an
impossibly romantic setting, but well suited to the
handsome couple. While licking on their ice cream
cones, they spend most of the time simply holding
hands.
26. EXT. LAKESIDE COUNTRY ESTATE - DAY
Arriving at the long, gravel-bed entrance to Preston's
fabulous country estate, Simone and Claxton are
carrying their bags up to the main house when Preston,
holding a glass of red wine, greets them lustily and
re-introduces them to Bronwyn. "Ahhh, I see you've
brought your lovely new friend...," says Bronwyn,
suspiciously.
27. EXT. LAKESIDE COUNTRY ESTATE - DAY
While Bronwyn takes Simone on a tour of the estate,
Preston is locked in animated conversation with
Claxton over the modern state of romance. Preston
is highly pleased that Claxton is seeing Simone, and
assures him that Bronwyn won't be blabbing to Cynthia.
"She hates Cynthia, anyway," Preston blurts, causing
Claxton to raise his eyebrows.
Meanwhile, Bronwyn is bringing Simone up to speed on
the tottering state of Claxton's relationship with
Cynthia. Simone appears uncomfortable in the
upper-crust surroundings, but Bronwyn, warming to
Simone, tries to put her at ease.
28. EXT. COUNTRY ESTATE - NIGHT
A bacchanal feast is takes place that evening and a
crowd of thirty or so guests have joined the posh
gathering. An elaborate table has been set in the
garden overlooking the lake. Preston and Claxton are
engaged in lively banter, arguing the merits of
Pommard versus Margaux wine. Simone is curiously
observing the social games being played, talking to
Bronwyn and another girlfriend.
Several people from the group are later seen dancing
on a wooden, tent-covered dance floor while a live
band is playing surprisingly good pop covers. When
the music shifts to a romantic ballad, Preston asks
Simone to dance with him, while Claxton, professing
exhaustion, slinks off the dance floor and pours
himself another glass of wine. Bronwyn saunters over
to talk to him and the discussion inevitably turns to
his new love interest.
29. INT. COUNTRY ESTATE, KITCHEN - NIGHT
Preston, Claxton, Simone, Bronwyn, and MAUREEN are
playing strip poker in the expansive kitchen. All are
in varying stages of undress. Several bottles of
alcohol are arrayed on the table. At one point,
Maureen loses another hand and eagerly removes her
bra. Preston, in his patrician manner, observes,
"Maureen, love, I'm not sure if your being an
exhibitionist entirely suits the spirit of the
game...", a comment which draws cascades of laughter.
30. EXT. MOUNTAINTOP - DAY
The two couples are hiking up a mountain, normally
used as a ski hill in winter. Simone is feeling more
relaxed now and inserts herself into the conversation
as it shifts to relationship questions.
Preston argues that modern romance is doomed while
Simone believes that the notion of monogamy is itself
flawed. Claxton resigns himself to his apparently
minority view that "true love" is the only thing which
counts, whereupon the others start yelling and booing.
Simone goes over to hug him and they kiss.
31. EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - TWILIGHT
Simone and Claxton are driving back in the Porsche,
top down, against Simone's protests about how she's
"freezing to death." Claxton argues that she's not as
tough as he thought, and she continues the discussion
about relationships in a manner that is at once
suggestive and probing. He confesses that he's had
several roller coaster romances and doesn't pretend to
understand "the theory or practice" of love. At that
moment, he receives a call on his cellphone from
Cynthia.
He explains he's driving back from the country, and
Simone immediately infers that he's speaking to
Cynthia. After he finishes the call, Simone furiously
insists on being let out of the car. Driving at full
speed along the winding roads in the darkness, he
refuses to stop. She keeps insisting until her voice
is shrieking.
At last he finds a place to pull over where the car
won't impede traffic. They argue over the call and
the status of his relationship with Cynthia. Claxton
carefully pleads his case that "It's over. Dead and
buried. Are you satisfied now!" They eventually
settle back into each other's arms.
32. INT. LAW OFFICE - DAY
Claxton is sharing a laugh with a colleague when the
senior partner Clive rushes by and hurriedly motions
Claxton into his office. It turns out that they've
been asked by a major pharmaceutical company to
present an appeal on their behalf to the state supreme
court and overturn a controversial three hundred
million dollar liability award. They have only a few
months to prepare the appeal and the company has
specifically requested that Claxton take the case.
Claxton complains that he's overloaded as things stand
now and that he's just finished an exhausting
six-month murder trial. He tells Clive to get someone
else to handle the appeal. But Clive says that the
pharmaceutical company insisted on Claxton because of
his high profile and celebrated acquittal of Tommaso.
"You're the man, and I don't need to tell you what
kind of fees we're going to pull in from this!,"
implores Clive. Claxton shrugs, turns around, and
leaves. Before he reaches the door, Clive explains
that he'll assign two other lawyers on the case to
assist him and let him hire as much additional help as
he needs.
33. EXT. CAFÉ TERRACE - DAY
Claxton is sitting at an outdoor café enjoying his
lunch over a glass of wine when Simone shows up. She
wonders why he needed to speak to her so urgently and
he explains that he wants her to help work on the the
appeal with him. When he explains that his client is
a controversial drug manufacturer, she refuses.
Simone reminds him of the pharma company's notoriously
sinister record in supplying high-priced AIDS drugs to
Africa, and while he accepts her point, he argues that
there are many fundamental points of law involved and
that he feels the company, at least on this issue, is
blameless.
Simone is baffled at his willingness to waffle on the
moral aspect of the case, while he explains that
lawyers normally don't have the right or the luxury to
choose clients on the basis of morality. She says
that she'll have to think about it. "You have fifteen
minutes," replies Claxton, sipping on his wine. "Plus
you'd be getting a tidy little fee which might help
pay off certain student loans you've been complaining
about...." Simone smiles and shakes her head, knowing
that she's been co-opted.
[The following three scenes unfold in rapid-fire
sequence amid classical music.]
34. INT. LAW LIBRARY - DAY
Simone is poring through stacks of law books and
furiously taking notes. She is shown climbing a
stepladder to get to a book, blowing off the dust,
then scrambling back down. Another shot shows her
talking to the law librarian, and poring through
several more books.
35. INT. LAW OFFICE - NIGHT
Crammed into Claxton's office, Simone is listening
attentively to Janice and two male junior partners
debating various legal points while Claxton tries to
reduce the arguments to a more coherent whole. Simone
makes a sharp contribution to the discussion and
Claxton points to her and says she has the makings of
a "true killer lawyer."
36. INT. CORPORATE BOARDROOM - DAY
Viewed from outside the windows of the pharma
company's corporate boardroom, Claxton is shown in
animated conversation standing in front of an easel
writing several points on a large sheet before turning
over it over and continuing to scribble on a fresh
one.
37. INT. LOFT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
Simone is sitting up in bed reading the newspaper.
Beside her, Claxton has stacks of law books, legal
briefs, and other documents spread out over the
covers. She stands up, presses her nose to the
window, and looks out onto the illuminated city below,
lost in thought. Claxton goes to the window and tries
to see what is bothering her, if anything. She turns
around and kisses him.
38. EXT. ROOFTOP TERRACE - DAY
Claxton is having lunch with Preston atop his
spectacular penthouse apartment in the heart of the
city. A servant brings over a vintage bottle of
Petrus, but Claxton declines, amazingly. "You must
really be working on a tough case if you're refusing
Monsieur Petrus," Preston snaps. Their discussion
drifts to their favourite "high philosophical" debates
over women, sex, and money.
They also discuss his relationship with Simone and how
her work on the case is coming along. Preston asks:
"What are you going to do when Cynthia gets back,
she's not going to take this very well, you know?"
Claxton nods grimly, and pours himself a glass of the
Petrus he had been resisting, and quietly sips the
wine while staring into the distance.
39. INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Simone is seated at a crowded bistro with JESSICA, her
roommate and fellow law student Simone is bringing
her up to date on her relationship with Claxton. She
confesses to Jessica that she finds herself being
inexorably seduced by all the qualities she had feared
in men, much less those of a prominent lawyer who may
or may not still be involved with his high society
girlfriend.
40. EXT. STREET - DAY
Claxton and Preston are walking along the sidewalk
when Preston absent-mindedly mentions an upcoming
vernissage at a major gallery of which he's a patron.
He suggests that Simone would probably find the
exhibition particularly interesting given her interest
in the arts.
41. INT. LAW OFFICE - DAY
Claxton arrives back at the law office only to find a
small camera crew and interviewer waiting for him in
the lobby. Incredulous, he rushes into Janice's
office, and before he can even ask, she explains that
they're doing a profile on him for a national news
magazine. "And don't even think of saying no, Clive
says we need this kind of coverage."
42. EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Claxton and Simone are driving to the vernissage.
He's kept the nature of their outing a secret, merely
telling her that she needed to dress up for the
occasion. When they arrive at the gallery, Simone
recalls that she had read an article about the opening
and gives him a big kiss, thrilled by the surprise.
"Draskovich is brilliant," she declares, referring to
the controversial Serbian artist whose works are the
subject of the vernissage.
43. INT. LUKACS GALLERY - NIGHT
Simone and Claxton are photographed as they enter the
gallery and are immediately greeted by Preston,
accompanied by the gallery owner, GEORGY LUKACS.
Later, Preston introduces Claxton and Simone to the
artist, DRASKOVICH, who is instantly taken with Simone
after she very expertly refers to some of his previous
works and explains that she studied art history as an
undergraduate.
Draskovich takes her under his arm and informs
everyone that he will bring her back later, "Maybe!,"
he winks. Claxton and Preston are then joined by
Bronwyn and MANDY, one of her society friends.
As the guests begin to file out, Draskovich reunites
Simone with Claxton and the others and invites them to
an after-dinner party at a restaurant. Claxton
complains that he has too much work to do, but the
group implores him to come along.
44. INT. MIRKO's RESTAURANT - NIGHT
A wild celebration is taking place amid Serbian ethnic
music and several restaurant patrons dancing in the
aisles and even on the tables.
Everyone appears to be heavily intoxicated and
Draskovich, one of the prime offenders, is becoming
romantically inclined towards Simone, who playfully
resists his advances. Claxton, however, who suddenly
turns his attention towards them, observes Draskovich
pawing Simone. He allows this to go on for few moments
until he has had enough. Claxton approaches
Draskovich, grabs him by the collar, and the two men
start arguing while Simone looks on aghast.
Suddenly Claxton and Draskovich wrestle each other
onto the restaurant table, sending glasses and wine
bottles flying. Some of Draskovich's Serbian friends
rush to help their comrade while Lukacs and Preston
try to be peacemakers, accompanied by Preston's burly
chauffeur/bodyguard MATULO, who tries to separate the
combatants and prevent a general melee from erupting.
MIRKO, the restaurant owner, calls the police, shaking
his head and grinning.
45. EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Simone and Claxton are driving home with Preston and
Bronwyn crammed into the Speedster's impossibly small
back seat. We learn that Matulo was arrested by the
police together with several of the Serbians. Claxton
has minor cuts and abrasions on his face while Preston
is bleeding from the nose. He is quite drunk and
laughing his head off. "I haven't had so much fun in
years!", he shouts. Claxton merely grimaces and
concentrates on his driving while Simone applies a wet
compress to his forehead and cheek.
46. INT. LOFT / INT. PRESTON's PENTHOUSE - DAY
The phone rings and Claxton and Simone are rudely
awakened. Preston is on the other end of line asking
them whether they had read the morning society page.
Trying to contain his glee, Preston reads a Page Six
gossip item which tells of "a fight (that) broke out
last night at Mirko's, a prominent East European
eatery, between noted artist Uri Draskovich and
stylish legal eagle Ted Claxton..." Should I read
more, it gets even better!"
Claxton drops the phone to rush to collect the morning
paper while Simone carries on the conversation with
Preston. "Well, I would hardly call that restaurant
prominent," quips Preston, turning to Bronwyn who is
shaking her head while sipping on her coffee.
47. INT. LAW OFFICE - DAY
Claxton is looking glum, weary, and in some pain while
being read the riot act by his senior partner Clive in
his magnificent wood-panelled office. Clive explains
that the Draskovich incident is a potential public
relations disaster and that he had already fielded a
heated call from the pharma company's Senior VP
demanding an explanation.
Clive refuses to listen to any of Claxton's excuses,
but warns him that the other partners won't tolerate
another episode of bad behaviour prior to the filing
of the appeal. Claxton storms out of the office.
48. INT. LAW OFFICE (CLAXTON's OFFICE) - DAY
Claxton is sitting down in his office with several
other lawyers and clerks discussing the appeal.
Simone is conspicuously absent. When a call is put
through to him, he says he would make no further
comments to the press. The journalist tries to ask him
about rumours that he has "broken up with (his)
society girlfriend Cynthia Davenport and taken up with
a junior law clerk named Simone Sauren." Claxton
hangs up the phone in disgust.
49. INT. LOFT - NIGHT
Claxton arrives home to find Simone reading on the
sofa. Trying not to laugh, she commiserates with him
over the fallout from the previous evening's
"excitement" as Preston had called it. He lies down
on the sofa and puts his lead on her lap.
50. EXT. COUNTRY ESTATE, POOL - DAY
Sitting down taking some sun pool side, Claxton is a
study in concentration with his Powerbook propped up
on his knees furiously typing away. Simone pops out
of the pool looking radiant and splashes him.
He barely reacts and continues typing. She starts
kissing him on the head and runs her hands under his
swimming trunks. He remains indifferent.
Simone starts pouting. "We have five days left to
file the appeal," Claxton grouses, before asking her
to apply some more suntan lotion to his forehead.
Instead, she squirts a large amount of lotion on his
chest, causing him to jump up and chase her, finally
throwing her into the pool and diving after her.
51. INT. COUNTRY ESTATE, STUDY - NIGHT
Sitting at a desk going through several hundred pages
of documents, memoranda, and email correspondence,
Simone's attention is fixed on an email which clearly
suggests that the pharmaceutical company was aware
that their wonder drug had potentially fatal
side-effects. When she shows the email to Claxton, he
is stunned, and turns to look out the window and onto
the lake in the distance. Finally he turns around and
says that they can do nothing. They are obliged to
ignore the damning evidence and proceed with the
appeal to the best of their ability.
Simone is furious, raising the issue of the hundreds
of deaths that were undoubtedly related to the drug.
She argues that there must be some legal basis to turn
over the evidence to the court. Claxton counters that
they are bound by client-attorney privilege to ignore
the evidence against the pharma company. Simone runs
out of the study in disgust.
52. EXT. COUNTRY ESTATE - DAY
Simone and Claxton are sitting in separate rattan
chairs in the garden facing Preston and Bronwyn.
Preston comments on how they both look "terribly glum
- did Simone beat you at tennis this morning...?" The
phone rings. Bronwyn gets up to answer it and then
summons Claxton to take it in the adjoining room.
After Claxton leaves, Bronwyn rolls her eyes and
groans, "Cynthia!"
Simone becomes upset even though Bronwyn ties to
explain that Claxton doesn't care for Cynthia anymore
and hasn't for a long time. When Simone overhears
some of Claxton's remarks indicating that he will be
meeting her in a few days, she stalks off towards the
lake.
53. EXT. COUNTRY ESTATE, LAKE - TWILIGHT
When Claxton comes back and finds Simone gone, he
starts searching for her and eventually discovers her
sitting dockside with her feet dangling from the edge.
"Cynthia's coming back tomorrow," informs Claxton,
matter-of-factly. He tries to discuss the situation
with Simone but words fail them and only aggravate the
situation. They begin to shout and Claxton explains
to her that he needs more time to break the news to
Cynthia and doesn't want any huge emotional upheavals
prior to the appeal. Simone isn't satisfied with his
arguments and runs back into the guest house and
starts packing her bags. Claxton starts to chase after
her but stops in mid-stride and instead sits down on
the dock, head bowed.
54. INT. COUNTRY ESTATE - NIGHT
Preston and Bronwyn, seated in the living room, watch
as Simone runs up the staircase in tears. Bronwyn
runs upstairs to see what has happened. Simone
discusses her dilemma with Bronwyn and insists on
leaving despite Bronwyn's attempts to calm her and
prevent her from packing.
Simone runs downstairs with her bags and asks Preston
to call her a cab. Preston has his chauffeur, Matulo,
drive her back to the city.
55. INT. PRESTON's LIMO - DAY
MATULO is chatting amiably with Simone, trying to
cheer her spirits. Matulo explains that from what he
has overheard in the course of his duties, Preston has
suggested that Claxton is very much in love with her.
He also remarks that men often "don't know their
heart." Matulo suggests that she give it some time
and if "Mr. Claxton truly loves, he'll come running,
you wait, madam!"
56. INT. LAW OFFICE - DAY
Claxton is engaged in last-minute preparations for the
appeal with his colleagues. They pepper him with
possible objections and arguments that the state
attorney and judges might use in court, but he seems
to parry them with flair. As they file out the door,
one of the junior lawyers asks whether Simone would be
coming. Claxton explains that she's busy preparing
for her bar exams. A sad expression slowly creeps
into his expression as he trails his colleagues as
they pile into waiting limousines outside the office.
57. INT. STATE SUPREME COURTHOUSE - DAY
Claxton is locked in a tense argument with KRONHAUSER,
one of the state Supreme Court justices who is trying
to refute one of his principle legal points in defence
of the appeal. When the tide of battle seems to turn
against him, Claxton cites an obscure precedent from
U.S. law as well as a quote from Roman legal texts.
Suitably impressed, CHIEF JUSTICE CONRAD smiles and
brings the hearing to a close. The state attorneys are
grumbling on the other side of the courtroom, while
Claxton's legal team members are hugging each other
confident that his final point turned the tide in
their favour.
Simone, who has been observing the proceedings from
the back of the courtroom, leaves without saying a
word.
58. INT. LOFT - NIGHT
Claxton arrives home and to his shock Cynthia is
waiting for him with an elaborately prepared dinner
and a terrifically sexy dress. Loud classical music
is playing in the background, and the loft is covered
with flowers, candles, and other touches. They hug,
but their ensuing conversation soon deteriorates.
Claxton sits wearily down to dinner and buries his
head in his hands. "I thought you told me the appeal
went well," says Cynthia. Claxton thinks for a
minute, then lifts his head, asks her to sit down, and
finally addresses the issue that he's been
scrupulously avoiding: "It's not the appeal. It's our
whole life...You know it and I know it."
Cynthia, in tears, tries to convince him that their
relationship can still work. His stance seems to
soften, but just as he is wavering and seems about to
give in to Cynthia's pleas, he is seized by a thought,
and rushes out of the loft.
59. EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Frantic and distraught, Claxton is racing across
downtown. He repeatedly calls Simone's cellphone but
to no avail. He pulls up over the curb in front of
Preston's condo tower, tosses the keys to the doorman,
and runs into the elevator.
60. EXT. PRESTON's PENTHOUSE, ROOFTOP TERRACE -
NIGHT
Claxton finds Preston blithely sitting in a large
garden chair reading The Robb Report. Seeing that his
friend is upset, he tries to offer his help. Claxton
had hoped that perhaps Simone had stopped by to see
Bronwyn.
But Preston reports that Bronwyn flew to Paris for the
weekend. "I hate it when she uses the Gulfstream, it
costs me $20,000 just to fuel the damn thing...."
Realising that his glib observation is hardly
appropriate to the occasion, Preston analyses
Claxton's predicament in very serious and
philosophical terms. "Who knows who's right for any
of us. But if you ask me, you know you want to be
with Simone. So just go after her, man..." Claxton
takes his friend's sage counsel to heart. "Do you want
me to get Matulo to help you look for her?" Claxton,
locked in thought, ignores the offer, and leaves,
thanking Preston for "finally being of some use."
61. EXT. STREET - DAY
He tries Simone's cell again and then drives by her
apartment. He is surprised when Jessica, Simone's
roommate, answers the door. She takes a few moments
to give Claxton a tongue-lashing, telling him "what a
lousy prick" he's been amongst other choice
observations.
After her rant comes to a merciful end, Claxton pleads
with her to tell him where he can find Simone. She
says she doesn't know, but that she remembers Simone
talking about some out-of-the-way country Inn.
62. EXT. WINDING ROAD - NIGHT
Racing along the familiar country road in the
mountains which leads to Preston's estate, Claxton
pushes his Porsche to the limit amid the appropriately
pounding music that accompanies him on the drive. He
arrives at the roadside Inn where he and Simone once
shared a transcendent moment.
63. EXT. COUNTRY INN, RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Curious diners watch Claxton jump out of the Porsche
after screeching to a stop and kicking up a flurry of
dust. He runs into the Inn only to learn from the
concierge that Simone is not in her room. He rushes
down to the lake hoping to find her.
64. EXT. LAKE - NIGHT
Walking along the shoreline anxiously, Claxton finally
sees Simone sitting on the shore, her figure traced
out in the moonlight reflected off the lake. She
doesn't pay any attention to her shorts and tennis
shoes getting soaked as the waves wash up gently
beneath her.
He slowly approaches her, confesses his "true love,"
and after the usual exchange of arguments, he begins
kissing her. Claxton tells her that when the case
moves on to the Federal Appeals Court, certain
revelatory emails may find their way to the federal
prosecutor prior to trial. Simone smiles softly, and
hugs him. Leonard Cohen's "1000 Kisses Deep" sweeps
over the setting.
FADE OUT
