HINGE (O.S.) Ms. Getty? This is Oswald Hinge inLos Angeles. I'm sure you don'tremember me.
GAIL:
I haven't forgotten a thing.
INT. GETTY OIL COMPANY -- OFFICE -- DAY Getty's attorney sits overlooking the smog of Los Angeles.
HINGE:
I'm calling on behalf of Mr. Getty.
Not your former husband -- GAIL (O.S.) The old one with the money.
HINGE (O.S.) That's the one.
GAIL:
What can I do for you, Mr. Hinge?
HINGE (O.S.) Mr. Getty has decided to pay Paul's ransom.
INT. GAIL'S APARTMENT -- DAY Gail's eyes widen; she has to take a breath. Suddenlyeverything's changed.
GAIL:
That's -- Thank you, Mr. Hinge.
HINGE (O.S.) Thank him. I am but a messenger.
GAIL:
I would if he'd let me.
95.
HINGE:
You'll get your chance. We'll need you to come to Los Angeles fordiscussions.
Gail's euphoria fades ever so slightly.
GAIL:
What is there to discuss?
EXT. LOS ANGELES -- OVERHEAD -- DAY Gail gazes through the porthole window at the grid of dirtystreets that extends unto the horizon.
STEWARDESS (O.S.) Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now beginning our final descent.
The plane touches down with that abrupt SCREECH - INT. GETTY OIL COMPANY, LOS ANGELES -- DAY Gail walks down a corridor, flanked by Fletcher Chace andGiovanni Iacovoni, her attorney. We round a corner and enter - INT. BOARD ROOM -- DAY Getty sits at the head of the table, as he did years before.
He seems weaker following his experience on the steps of hismansion. To his left sits Oswald Hinge, and to his right -
GAIL:
Paul?
-- sits Gail's ex-husband, John Paul II. He is almost
unrecognizable:
gaunt, feeble, attended by a professionalcaregiver, a lost junkie in a borrowed suit. GAIL (CONT'D) Is that you, Paul?
Her ex-husband utters a listless grunt. At the head of the table, the old man turns his lidded gaze to Fletcher Chace.