UNCLE BILLY (cont'd) After all, Potter, some people like George had to stay home. Not every heel was in Germany and Japan!
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INTERIOR RATION OFFICE �� DAY CLOSE SHOT �� George, behind the counter, is trying to quiet a crowd of people all clamoring for more ration points.
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(pleasantly and smoothly) George, I'm an old man, and most people hate me. But I don't like them either, so that makes it all even. You know just as well as I do that I run practically everything in this town but the Bailey Building and Loan. You know, also, that for a number of years I've been trying to get control of it . . . or kill it. But I haven't been able to do it. You have been stopping me. In fact, you have beaten me, George, and as anyone in this county can tell you, that takes some doing. Take during the depression, for instance. You and I were the only ones that kept our heads. You saved the Building and Loan, and I saved all the rest.
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During this scene Mary has come up behind the counter. Suddenly, as the people once more start moving toward the door, she holds up a roll of bills and
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The people are still trying to get out, but some of them have stood still, listening to him. George has begun to make an impression on them.
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A few other people start for the door. CAMERA PANS WITH George as he vaults over the counter quickly, speaking to the people.
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INTERIOR OUTER OFFICE �� BUILDING AND LOAN �� DAY MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT �� More people have crowded around the counter.
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The people ignore George and remain standing in front of the teller's window. They all have their passbooks out. George hurries into his office where Uncle Billy is waiting for him.
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INTERIOR OUTER OFFICE �� BUILDING AND LOAN �� DAY MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT �� George, followed by the still-silent people, comes in. Uncle Billy is standing in the doorway to his private office, taking a drink from a bottle. He motions to George to join him.
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George comes in with an assumed cheerful manner. The people look at him silently, half shamefaced, but grimly determined on their rights. In their hearts there is panic and fear.
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EXTERIOR BUILDING AND LOAN �� DAY CLOSE SHOT �� sidewalk. An iron grill blocks the street entrance to the Building and Loan. It has been locked. A crowd of men and women are waiting around the grill. They are simply-dressed people, to whom their savings are a matter of life and death.
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LONG SHOT �� scurrying people under umbrellas, swarming around the bank doors. Panic is in the air. Attendants are trying to close down. Several people come running past the cab.
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The cab passes the bank, and Ernie sees a crowd of people around the door. He stops the cab.
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(to the Board) Well, I've said too much. I . . . You're the Board here. You do what you want with this thing. Just one thing more, though. This town needs this measly one-horse institution if only to have some place where people can come without crawling to Potter. Come on, Uncle Billy!
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Why, in the twenty-five years since he and Uncle Billy started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn't that right, Uncle Billy? He didn't save enough money to send Harry to school, let alone me. But he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter. And what's wrong with that? Why . . . Here, you're all businessmen here. Doesn't it make them better citizens? Doesn't it make them better customers? You . . . you said . . . What'd you say just a minute ago? . . . They had to wait and save their money before they even ought to think of a decent home. Wait! Wait for what? Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they're so old and broken-down that they . . . Do you know how long it takes a working man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about . . . they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well, in my book he died a much richer man than you'll ever be!
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INTERIOR BAILEY'S PRIVATE OFFICE �� DAY MEDIUM SHOT �� George's father is seated behind his desk, nervously drawing swirls on a pad. He looks tired and worried. He is a gentle man in his forties, an idealist, stubborn only for other people's rights.
>> It's a Wonderful Life Movie Script