scottsetup

November 29, 1983

After leaving Jenny's house, David goes to The Press Box to meet his former manager, Scott Edgar, who'd left an ominous message for David: "David, it’s Scott. I need to see you. It’s urgent. Could we meet at ten o’clock tonight at The Press Box? It’s about Cassie".

As David waits for Scott, he doesn't notice that Jenny's former fiancé Brad Vernon is sitting at the bar talking to a newfound female acquaintance. David is also unaware that Scott's plight and this meeting is part of a carefully orchestrated set-up ... and Scott too is unaware that he is also being set up by phony agents (posing as U.S. government officials) who have led Scott to believe that they want David dead, and that he has no choice but to cooperate.

As SCOTT finally joins DAVID:

DAVID (not pleased): What kind of message was that you left on my machine?

SCOTT: I had to be certain that you’d be here. I’m in a jam, and I need five thousand dollars cash immediately.

DAVID: Really? How immediately?

SCOTT: I need it right now. But at least tomorrow morning when the banks open.

DAVID: May one ask why you thought to come to me, of all people, with such a request?

SCOTT: I know we’ve had our differences lately, but I was hoping the pluses would outweigh the minuses. I’ve got to get out of here! I need travel money desperately! I’ll pay it back as soon as I can.

DAVID (studying him, unmoved): I don’t know what kind of trouble you’re in, Scott, but it’s obviously wrecked your judgment. I have no intention of assisting you, financially, or any other way.

At this, DAVID stands up to leave, but SCOTT stops him …

SCOTT: Oh, yes, David, you have to help me.

DAVID (angry, but controlled, he points at SCOTT): Don’t you tell me what I have to do.

SCOTT grabs DAVID’s arm as he walks away.

SCOTT: Do you want Cassie to know who her father is? What he does when he’s not playing the piano or waving a baton?

At this threat, DAVID angrily grabs SCOTT’s collar and pulls him close:

DAVID (angry, and louder than he wants to be, he catches himself): I told you … just what would happen … that I WILL KILL YOU if you say one word to that girl! Now that’s a promise!!!

At this, BRAD and his bar companion turn around to see who’s causing the commotion …

SCOTT removes DAVID’s grip on his jacket, and tries to get him to calm down:

SCOTT: David! Not here.

DAVID (he knows SCOTT is right, takes a breath): All right. All right. Let’s discuss this.

SCOTT: I was hoping that you’d see it that way.

As they sit back down, BRAD watches: Hmmm…..I never knew he had a temper like that.

SCOTT: I didn’t want to threaten you David, but this is a matter of life and death.

DAVID: Whose life?

SCOTT: Mine. I didn’t want the assignment of looking after you. You must know, somewhere in there (gestures to his own forehead), that I admire you, that I liked our association.

DAVID: Please! Spare me the hand wringing, okay?

SCOTT: It’s true. They had me trapped. I’ve been trying to get away, but I needed some money.

DAVID: Is that why you were blackmailing Ava Vasquez?

SCOTT: Well at least I didn’t turn her over to them. And I didn’t betray you!

DAVID: That’s amazing! You make this all sound like the act of a loyal friend. Care to explain the little bit of the handgun?

SCOTT: What handgun?

DAVID: C’mon, c’mon Scott. I know you took it.

SCOTT: No, I didn’t. It must’ve been somebody else, Ava Vasquez, or someone else in your apartment. David, I promise that you’ll never see me again. I won’t say a word to Cassie, or anyone. But please, I need five thousand dollars.

DAVID: I can’t possibly raise it by tomorrow.

SCOTT: When?

DAVID: End of the week, perhaps.

SCOTT: I can hide out til then. But we’ll have to meet somewhere, somewhere public, where I’ll be safe. … The Vernon Inn is opening on Friday night. What about that?

DAVID (quiet, but not pleased): All right. Friday night. I’ll be there.

DAVID leaves; SCOTT makes a phone call to MR. GILLIGAN.

SCOTT: The assignment is complete.

GILLIGAN: Were there any problems?

SCOTT: Well, it wasn’t as easy as I thought. He threatened me. It was rather an ugly scene.

GILLIGAN: Where did this happen?

SCOTT: At a restaurant called The Press Box. But, anyway, he backed off when I mentioned his daughter. He’s really very vulnerable when it comes to her.

GILLIGAN: Obviously.

SCOTT: At any rate, the arrangements are made. We’re to meet at the opening of the Vernon Inn on Friday.

GILLIGAN: Well done, Scott. I’ll check with you before then.

GILLIGAN, to himself : And you, my friend, are now vulnerable too.

Next Scene:
Murder At The Vernon Inn

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Truly Madly Deeply:
Memories of David and Jenny