Iris Flores - The Second Mrs. Schirmer

EXT. NEW YORK CITY - PLAZA HOTEL - 1950 - DAY

A stunning young Latin, IRIS FLORES, steps out of a taxi, hatbox in hand. Peering out through her black lace veil, she glances upwards at the towering city. It's a long way from the Coast. Fresh off of a string of Hollywood films, this rising star is bent on conquering a new galaxy, Gotham City.

RALPH, the driver, waves at her impatiently.

RALPH

Hey, Sweetheart, ain't you forgettin' somethin'?

Iris turns back to him, oblivious to his request.

IRIS

They're so ...tall...aren't they?

DRIVER

(aside) Fresh off the boat. I can spot 'em a mile away.

IRIS

Tell me, Driver, do you ever get tired of looking at them?

DRIVER

Tourists?

IRIS

No, silly. The buildings. I could spend all day just wandering around, staring up at them.

DRIVER

Not me, Sister. That'd give me a headache.

Iris turns to him, suddenly, and with a charmingly earnest smile, bats her eyelashes.

IRIS

How unfortunate!

DRIVER

Say, wait a minute! Ain't you the girl who was in "Song of the Sierra" with Fernando Ramos?

IRIS

You mean "was". On both accounts. Tragic really.

DRIVER

Sorry, kid. Yeah, them's the breaks. I read all about it in Screen Gems Magazine. (he waves his copy in the air)

IRIS

All that's behind me now. I'm going to start a new life. Right here, in Manhattan.

DRIVER

(a bit sarcastically) That's the spirit, Sister!

IRIS

(sweetly) You don't believe me.

DRIVER

Me? ...I didn't say nothin'...but in my line, I sees a hundred of youze gals every day, gettin' off of a bus, or a train, or the subway, coming here, to Manhattan, to meet Prince Charming and take the world by storm. You gotta admit, after a while, it gets a little stale.

Silence.

DRIVER

Am I right?

IRIS

I have absolutely no desire to take over the world. Who would want a job as complicated as all that? And as for Prince Charmings, I've had quite enough so-called Princes in my day, thank you. I'll stick to my career. (aside) At least that hasn't cheated on me....(dramatic pause) yet. Now, how much do I owe you?

DRIVER

(waving her away) Nah. This one's on the house.

IRIS

Oh, that's so sweet of you, but I couldn't....

Iris searches the contents of her purse.

DRIVER

What's your name?

IRIS

Iris, with an "I".

DRIVER

"Iris with an I". Go buy yourself a sandwich at the Automat instead. You're gonna need it.

IRIS

(smiling sweetly) You know, Driver, you may very well be the closest thing I get to to a Prince in my lifetime. (turning to him, hushed) But if you do happen to see a tall, dark, handsome man, have him wait for me right here, right by this fountain. And don't you let him get away!

DRIVER

Will do.

IRIS

Goodbye...uh...

DRIVER

Bartholemew. From Brooklyn. You can call me Benny. (hands her a card) You need a cab, you call.

IRIS

Thank you, Benny!

DRIVER

Go get 'em, kid.

IRIS

(to herself, still looking up) I think I'll make it after all!

SFX: Horns honking. Traffic.

Ralph almost crashes into a paying customer. He slams on the brakes. A tall, dark, handsome man, RUDOLPH SCHIRMER, knocks on the window.

RUDOLPH

Driver, say, are you free to take me up to 625 Park Ave?

Rudolph, oblivious, gets in. Bartholomew sees him in the rear view mirror and does a double-take.

RUDOLPH

Uh...pardon me, but...

DRIVER

Sure thing, Mac. But first, wait right here. I got somethin' for ya!

Bartholomew runs up the street, after IRIS, calling after her.

DRIVER

Hey, Miss....Miss Iris....

Rudolph looks on in puzzlement.

[TO BE CONTINUED]