233 INT. SUITE - NIGHT
Helen comes in hesitantly. The lights are off. The suite is
large and richly furnished, with a breathtaking view of the
city. It is the room Harry was using, posing as Renquist. A
FRENCH-ACCENTED VOICE comes from the next room.
VOICE
In here.
She goes into the bedroom. There is a dark figure sitting in
a chair, just a silhouette.
MAN
Step into the light.
It is a corner room. The drapes on one side are closed,
shadowing the man, but open on the other just enough to let in
a slash of moonlight. She steps forward into it.
TIGHT CLOSE UP on the figure. We can just make out that it is
Harry, though Helen cannot. TILT DOWN to show his hand, out of
sight behind the chair-arm, as he manipulates the pause button
on the DAT tape deck.
HELEN
I'm Michelle. Carla's sick. She
thought you might like me, so --
Harry goes SSSSHHHH. Silencing her gently. He silently clicks
off the PAUSE button. The DAT recorder plays. Charles Boyer,
deep and hypnotic, speaks from Harry's outline. Harry
lipsynchs.
HARRY (TAPE)
Let me do the talking. You are *
very pretty. You may start by *
unzipping your dress.
PAUSE button. She starts to yank the zipper down. *
HARRY (TAPE)
No no. Do it slowly. Very
slowly.
Helen turns her back to him, and draws the zipper down *
languorously, revealing her creamy back. She is not wearing a *
bra. *
HARRY (TAPE)
Now slip the dress down... *
slowly.
Helen is starting to get into the ritual. She lets the dress *
slip off her shoulders. It slides down her body to the floor. *
She steps out of it, still in high heels. *
HARRY (TAPE)
Now slide the nylons off one by
one.
HELEN
(puzzled)
I'm not wearing any.
Harry winces. He starts the next line immediately.
HARRY (TAPE)
That's good. Now the panties. *
The ritual continues as she strips slowly (this will be
tastefully done). She conceals the bugging device in her hand
as she sets her clothes on the bed near the phone. Helen is
still concentrating on her mission.
HARRY (TAPE)
Now turn, cheri, in the
moonlight. Let your body flow
like water.
She turns. Her skin is beautiful in the silvery light.
HARRY (TAPE)
Now dance for me. Go on.
Helen has no idea what to do, but she improvises quite well.
The scrutiny of the shadowed man, who is fully clothed, and her
raw vulnerability are a quiveringly powerful erotic
combination.
HARRY (TAPE)
Let your hands be a lover's hands
on your own skin as you move.
Yes, that's it.
TIGHT ON Harry's eyes as he studies her. His game, meant to
give her a dangerous fantasy, is actually turning him on
mightily. He is amazed to see her playing the role, getting
into it. This is not the Helen is thought he knew for sixteen
years.
HARRY (TAPE)
Now, lie on the bed and close
your eyes.
She does. Harry rises and goes to her, bringing the tape deck.
HARRY (TAPE)
Keep them closed. Do not open
them.
He sits on the bed, next to her, but without touching her. He
strokes her hair, lovingly. Then runs his fingertips over her
eyes, down her cheeks. To her it feels delicate and delicious.
Part of her is enjoying this a lot. But Helen is torn between
wanting to flee and knowing that nothing the man has done so
far is enough to cause her to abort her mission.
HELEN
I thought you only liked to
watch.
Harry goes SSSHHH. It's all he can do. He bends over her and
brings his lips slowly down to her. He touches them to hers so
slowly that she barely knows he is kissing her. Then he takes
her in a passionate kiss.
Bookmarks