Five Television Plays (David Mamet) Read Online Free PDF

We've got a case now . . . building burnt on Main Street, The Emporium . . .
    P RICE: Uh-huh . . . Any leads on it . . . ?
    B ARNES: "Leads” on it? Mister, all I got, a building burnt, we called in the adjustors, the State Boys, come in t'morrow, we'll see what they say, you know, it's just a building burnt. Eh? This is a kind of a quiet town. You see what I'm saying? Where you come from, I'm sure it's more active down there.
    P RICE: That's right. I'm sure that it is.
    B ARNES: You'll probably miss that action.
    P RICE: Part of me will, I'm sure.
    B ARNES: . . . aaand, we do things a little differently up here. You know, Chief Hopkins . . . ( pause ) . . . you see, we had a crime, we had a situation, something happened, he'd sit down, sit down in here, close the door, whatever it was, you see, he had the time for that, think: Now, who would be likely do a thing like that? Whatever it was, eh, from their motives, what he knew of them. He would think, then he'd call them up, and they'd come in, they'd sit in that chair,he'd confront them, and then they'd confess. ( Pause. ) I bet you think that's rather “folksy, “ don't you . . . ?
    P RICE: I, uh, you know, I wish I lived in that sort of world. I'm glad he did. ( Pause ) I wish I had those talents.
    B ARNES: Do you . . . ?
    (B ILLY B ATES walks in, comes over to B ARNES.)
    B ILLY: Mr. Barnes . . .
    B ARNES: Well. It was a nice service, wasn't it?
    B ILLY: Yes sir, it was.
    (O FFICER sticks his head in the door. )
    O FFICER: Chief, we got a complaint, a prowler, again, out the new Estates.
    B ARNES: Gettem’ out there quiet, park the car, go in on foot, and take it easy, prolly’ just them kids.
    (A S ECOND O FFICER comes in. )
    S ECOND O FFICER: Chief, I talk to you a minute . . . ?
    B ARNES: You'll excuse me.
    (B ARNES pushes past P RICE, who rises. P RICE is standing alone in the office. Looks around at the plaques on the wall. )
    ( Angle point of view: The plaques. Community Service, Boy Scouts, From a Grateful Community, Hunting Safety Instructor, et cetera. )
    D ISPATCHER ( voice over ): You have a place to live in Bradford, Mr. Price . . . ?
    (P RICE turns to see the D ISPATCHER, who has come into the office to take her coat off of the coatrack. P RICE turns. )
    P RICE: Pardon me.
    D ISPATCHER: You find a place to live? A place to live you're here?
    (P RICE takes a card out of his pocket. )
    P RICE: The Mayor, he suggested the, the Idle Hour Apartments.
    D ISPATCHER: Come with me, walk me out, will you . . . ?
    ( Angle: The two of them walking out of the chiefs office, through the small police station squad room. They walk out of the station. The D ISPATCHER looks over her shoulder. )
    Bobby Barnes’ a good man.
    P RICE: Yes?
    ( Camera follows them down the street. The rain is letting up, the sun is going down. )
    D ISPATCHER: You a good man, Mr. Price . . .
    P RICE: Well, I guess others would have to judge that.
    D ISPATCHER: You think of yourself as a good man?
    P RICE: I try. But perhaps we aren't the best judge of ourselves.
    ( They walk a while. )
    D ISPATCHER: My name is May.
    P RICE: John.
    D ISPATCHER: ’S'a long way out the Idle Hour, cold winter night.
    P RICE: Is it?
    D ISPATCHER: Be more comfortable, find a place in Town. You a single man?
    P RICE: Yes, I am.
    ( They stop. The D ISPATCHER gestures. )
    D ISPATCHER: S'here is Anna Moore's House, lives here, her daughter, said that she was thinking maybe let a room. You might try here. ( Beat. ) Anybody say “Welcome to Bradford"?
    P RICE: No . ( Beat. )
    D ISPATCHER: Welcome to Bradford.
    P RICE: Thank you.
    ( The D ISPATCHER nods, gestures at the house. P RICE moves up the walk, knocks on the door. )
    INTERIOR: ANNA MOORE'S HOUSE. DUSK.
    A neat small Victorian House. The door is opened by a fifteen-year-old girl. P RICE is standing at the door.
    G IRL (G INNY): May I help you?
    P RICE: Um, Mrs. Moore . . .
    G INNY: Mother . . . ! Mother! There's a man here for you . . . one moment please. Will you