Busted

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In Chapter 5 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, millionaire Carling Kapp tries to fix up his daughter Jool with an arranged marriage, which she rejects, as she only has eyes for Rommy ...


INT. CARLING’S MANSION - BALLROOM - NIGHT
The crowd has thinned out.

Carling stands chatting with TATE CANYON (21).
Incredibly good-looking.

Natty in cool threads. Oozing charisma.
Great with the ladies. And a real mench.

CARLING
I don’t know where she is, Tate.
I haven’t seen her all night.

TATE
That’s a shame.
I’ve been dying to meet her.
Maybe another time --

CARLING
Would you please
excuse me a moment?
I’ll be right back.

TATE
Of course.

Carling walks over to the bar
where Nin is getting a drink.

CARLING
Have you seen Jool?
I’ve been looking for her
all evening.

NIN
(turns white)
No, I haven’t.

CARLING
You’re lying, Nin.
I can always tell.
Out with it.

NIN
She -- went out.

CARLING
Where did she go?

NIN
To a -- street fair.

CARLING
A street fair?
Where on EARTH is there
a street fair tonight?

NIN
Uh -- downtown.

CARLING
DOWNTOWN?
She went DOWNTOWN?
Why on EARTH would she
want to go THERE?

NIN
Carling, she’s young. Curious.
It’s only natural that she’d
want to see how other people live.
(beat)
Think of it like -- anthropology.

CARLING
But it’s not SAFE down there.

NIN
Nonsense.
She took a cab.
And her gun.

CARLING
(sees something)
Jool. There you are --

IN THE DOORWAY
Stands Jool.
Carrying her shoes in her hand.
Trying to sneak in quietly. Busted.

JOOL
Uncle Carling.

CARLING
Come over here.
There’s someone
I want you to meet.

Jool walks over.
Looks at Tate.
Smiles blandly.

CARLING
I present to you my niece, Juliet.

JOOL
Jool.

TATE
You said she was a goddess --
(takes her hand, kisses it)
Did my heart love 'til now?
Forswear its sight --
for I never saw true beauty
until this night.

She pulls her hand away.
NOT interested.

JOOL
I’m like, so sure.
Gag me with
Bartlett's Quotations.

CARLING
(oblivious)
I’m sure the two of you
are going to be
quite happy together.

JOOL
Excuse me?

CARLING
My dear, this is the man
you’re going to marry.

JOOL
I don’t understand.

CARLING
Tate is the heir
to the Canyon dynasty.
You should be honored.
The Times named him
one of the 'ten most eligible
bachelors in the republic.'
(big smile)
Nothing but the best for my niece --

Jool stares at Carling.
Then Tate. Speechless.

Then at Nin.
Who gives her a
‘it’s news to me’ look.

CARLING
My dear, are you feeling alright?
You look pale.

JOOL
On what planet do you expect me
to marry THAT yuppie gas-bag?
(to Tate)
No offense.
She turns on her heel,
and quickly MARCHES out of the room.

CARLING
What the -- ?
(calls after her)
You come back here THIS INSTANT,
young lady.

NIN
Calm down.
I’ll go talk to her.

CARLING
Do that.

Nin nods. Rushes off.
Carling looks at Tate. Sighs.

CARLING
I’m dreadfully sorry.
I guess I should have briefed her.

PUSH IN on Tate’s face.
His look of disappointment.

TATE
Was it something I said?