第六感生死缘Meet Joe Black Movie Script

JAIME:

Knight's Reward in the 4th at Calder -- A bemused Parrish walks on, Joe beside him, Jaime pursuing them. JAIME (cont'd) -- A closer in today with cheap speed. The colt will come from the clouds and boom! Fifty-eight dollar horse. I get you down, Mr. Parrish, just say the word.

PARRISH:

(smiles) I'm sorry, not today, Jaime. Parrish and Joe arrive at the bank of elevators. Jaime, back at his post, hits a button. PARRISH (cont'd) (to Joe) You know, everyday I've walked into this building, Jaime gives me a horse. (a moment) I wonder if any of them won. The elevator materializes, Parrish and Joe step on. INT. PARRISH COMMUNICATIONS, OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN - DAY Parrish and Joe emerge from the executive elevator, Jennifer is waiting as usual with her pad, "Good morning"s, etc. As Parrish strides down the hall, Joe right beside him, he passes instructions back to Jennifer who, scribbling, hurries along behind them.

PARRISH:

-- And call my family, I'd like them to come over for dinner tonight.

JENNIFER:

Didn't the family get together last night --?

PARRISH:

(remonstrating, gently) Jennifer.

JENNIFER:

Of course, Mr. Parrish. Right away. Jennifer wheels and heads right back to the office as Parrish arrives at the door to the Board Room.

PARRISH:

(to Joe) Perhaps you would like to wait in my office --?

JOE:

No.

PARRISH:

What I'm trying to say is this is a Board meeting and you are not a mem- ber of the Board.

PARRISH:

(to the Board) -- This is Joe Black, a personal associate of mine - uh - he'll be joining us today. I know it's -- uh -- unusual, and my apologies -- and Drew -- uh -- carry on. Immediately indications of surprise on Board members' faces at Parrish bringing in an 'observer', Drew's reaction guarded but intense.

DREW:

(after a moment, to Joe) Nice to see you. I didn't expect you, but certainly you can't get enough of a good thing.

JOE:

Thank you.

DREW:

(to the Board) The Board of Parrish Communications - is hereby called to order. Our sole order of business is an acceptance of John Bontecou's generous offer and --

JOE:

(to Drew) Do you have any more of these deli- cious cookies? A hushed silence at the inappropriateness of Joe's inter- ruption. JOE (cont'd) And a cup of tea. With milk, I think. I'd like to try it English- style. Yes, a cup of tea with milk.

DREW:

Anything else, Mr. Black? How about some water?

JOE:

Why yes, thank you.

DREW:

Hot or cold.

JOE:

Cold.

DREW:

And a glass. Drew indicates to the Board's Stenographer to arrange Joe's refreshments.

PARRISH:

(quietly, indicating a chair) Would you like to sit down, Joe?

JOE:

Yes. Joe sits.

DREW:

To review -- we're really crossing the 't's and dotting the 'i's here. Bill had a great and conclusive meeting with John Bontecou yester- day, all that remains for us is to put it to a vote. Smiles and murmurs of a congratulatory receptiveness from the Board at Drew's news.

PARRISH:

(emptily) Thank you, Drew. Parrish takes a moment, draws himself up to say something official then stops himself, what follows is spontaneous, reflective, deeply felt. PARRISH (cont'd) Umm -- I did enjoy -- or rather I was interested in meeting John yes- terday -- impressive... I suppose... But it did get me to thinking. I started in this business because this is what I wanted to do. I knew I wasn't going to write the Great American Novel, but I also knew there was more to life than buying something for a dollar and selling it for two. I wanted to give the news to the world, and I wanted to give it unvarnished. The more we all know about each other, the greater the chance we will survive. Sure, I want to make a profit, you can't exist without one but John Bontecou is all profit. If we give him license to absorb Parrish Communications, and he has his eye on a few others after us, we'll be appointing him to the position he craves -- Gatekeeper. In order to reach the world you will have to go through John Bontecou. And not only will you have to pay him to do this, far more expensive, you'll have to agree with him. Reporting the news is a privilege and a responsibility and it is not exploitable. Parrish Communications has earned this priv- ilege, John Bontecou wants to buy it. As your chairman, I urge you to agree this company is not for sale. A silence, everybody shifts, the Board is in shock, Drew is trying to maintain his balance.

DREW:

(carefully) ...Sounds like you're not leaving much room for discussion.

PARRISH:

(to the Board) Sorry. I know it looks like I'm reversing my field.