ACT II
GETTING

EXT. RIPSTER'S APARTMENT BUILDING. NIGHT.

Bryce watches Elaine enter Ripster's apartment building. He sneaks up behind, watches her go into the elevator. He studies the tenants’ directory.

EXT. JACK STUDD'S. NIGHT.

Bryce singsOne for My Baby sadly and slowly on the soundtrack as he walks alone through the San Francisco rain . . . until he comes upon Jack Studd's neon sign a beacon of hope and good cheer.

INT. JACK STUDD'S. NIGHT.

The Usual Gang, including Charlie the Drunk . . . and Jack at the far end of the bar, on the phone with Wally.

JACK

Wally, don’t cut me out! I'll get the hundred thou in another week!

WALLY (OS)

Day after tomorrow, Jack. Or you're out.

JACK

Let me talk to him—

WALLY (OS)

No way. You know that. He's gotta be anin— anan—

JACK

Anonymous.

WALLY (OS)

Right, he's gotta be Hieronymus. Say, maybe y' can like scrounge up a contract like y’ used to, y' know?

JACK

No, no way! I swore that business off for good. Finito!

WALLY (OS)

What else ya got, buddy?

Jack turns around just as Bryce comes through the door looking like a rain-soaked puppy.

JACK

I'll work on it.

Jack hangs up as Bryce slumps on the stool in front of him.

BRYCE

Hey, Jack.

Jack pretends to ignore him. With an offended air, he fetches a beer, calling out to the Regulars.

JACK

Y'know, it's funny how some guys forget where they came from.

CUSTOMER #1

Fuckin' ay