Saturday, February 08, 2003

Selling the Sky   I've just posted a new story I wrote this past week called "Selling the Sky."  It concerns a man trying to get over a woman.  Admittedly millions of people have found themselves in that situation.  This is the story of one of those people. I've also organized some of my other stories onto a page set aside for such things.  If you're interested in reading more of my writing, you can find them here.   10:53:29 AM     |

Best Scene From A Movie You Have Probably Never Seen Here's the second installment of my trips down cinematic memory lane.  Faithful readers of this site will know the first was from Miller's Crossing.  Now I'd like to take a look at a scene that jumps out at me from one of the greatest movies of all time:  Citizen Kane.  If you're not familiar with the film, you can read a pretty decent article by Roger Ebert or browse its entry in the Internet Movie Database.  It is widely considered the best movie ever made, but it is shocking how few people have actually seen it.  This scene is so memorable for me because I've had the exact same experience as Bernstein in this scene, except the woman I remember wasn't even alive when I saw her.  It was an antique photograph of a dark-haired young woman in a small store that wouldn't sell anything newer than an hundred years old.  I saw this picture when I was around fifteen, and just like Bernstein, I can still see her.  She might not be stunningly beautiful by today's standards, but something about her just won't let go.  And everytime I think of that photograph, I regret beyond words not buying it right then and there.  This is a scene early in the film, when the reporter, Thompson, assigned to figure out the meaning of Kane's dying word of "Rosebud" visits an old business partner of Mr. Kane's.  Mr. Bernstein offers a suggestion as to who the word might be referring to. INT. BERNSTEIN'S OFFICE - ENQUIRER SKYSCRAPER - DAY - 1940 (Closeup of a still of Kane, aged about sixty-five.  Camera pulls back, showing it is a framed photograph on the wall.  Over the picture are crossed American flags. Under it sits Bernstein, back of his desk.  Bernstein, always an undersized Jew, now seems even smaller than in his youth.  He is bald as an egg, spry, with remarkably intense eyes.  As camera continues to travel back, the back of Thompson's head and his shoulders come into the picture.) BERNSTEIN (wryly) Who's a busy man?  Me?  I'm Chairman of the Board.  I got nothing but time. What do you want to know?      THOMPSON Well, Mr. Bernsetin, we thought maybe, if we can find out what he meant by his last words - as he was dying - BERNSTEIN That "Rosebud?"  Maybe some girl?  There were a lot of them back in the early days, and - THOMPSON It's hardly likely, Mr. Bernstein, that Kane could have met some girl casually and then remembered after fifty years, on his death bed - BERNSTEIN You're pretty young, Mr. - (remembers the name) - Mr. Thompson.  A fellow will remember a lot of things you wouldn't think he'd remember.  You take me.  One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in.  And on it, there was a girl waiting to get off.  A white dress she had on - and she was carrying a white parasol - and I only saw her for one second and she didn't see me at all - but I'll bet a month hasn't gone by since that I haven't thought of that girl. Who else have you been to see? THOMPSON Well, I went down to Atlantic City - BERNSTEIN Susie?  I called her myself the day after he died.  I thought maybe somebody ought to... (sadly)  She couldn't even come to the 'phone. THOMPSON I'm going down to see her again in a couple of days.  About "Rosebud," Mr. Bernstein?  If you'd just talk about anything connected to Mr. Kane.  After all, you were with him from the beginning. BERNSTEIN From before the beginning, young fellow.  And now it's after the end. 8:32:34 AM     |

© Copyright 2005 Alex L. Mauldin.