Five Minutes from the Station

FADE IN 

INT. AN OFFICE IN THE CITY - DAY

Meek but good-hearted white collar employee BERT ADAMS rattles the hook of his 
telephone as he sits at his desk, trying to place a call. His big, white-
haired boss, a man of tremendous presence and authority, MR. MASON, stands 
over him, watching. 

				MR. MASON 
		Maybe she isn't home.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, yes, she is.

				MR. MASON 
		Well, perhaps another time may be 
		better. Your wife may not like 
		springing a dinner guest on her this 
		way.

				BERT ADAMS 
		You don't know her. If there's one 
		thing she loves, it's company. "Why 
		don't you bring Mr. Mason out to 
		dinner sometime?" That's what she's 
		always saying.

Mason nods.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(into the phone)
		I gave you the number, didn't I? 
		Hadleyville 947, ring three. ... 
		Yeah, yes, ring three.

					CUT TO:

INT. ADAMS' FOYER - CONTINUOUS

Somewhere in the suburbs. A small room in which a phone rings. Bert's wife 
CARRIE ADAMS, wearing a plain house dress and carrying a sleeping baby in her 
arms, answers curtly.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Well, what do you want?

Throughout the PHONE CALL, we CUT BACK AND FORTH between Carrie in the foyer 
and Bert and Mr. Mason (who paces around nearby, smoking a cigar) in the 
office:

				BERT ADAMS 
			(to Mr. Mason)
		I got her, I got her.
			(to Carrie)
		Hello? Hello, ducky! It's me!

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(wearily)
		Oh, hello, Bertie. What are you 
		calling up about?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, for heaven's sake, can't I 
		call my best girl up once in a while 
		without giving a reason?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(knowingly)
		Who are you talking in front of?

				BERT ADAMS 
			(chuckles)
		Don't you wish you knew?

				MR. MASON 
			(amused)
		Ha ha ha! That's right. Keep her 
		guessing.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Well, what's the bad news? Kept at 
		the office again by that old slave 
		driver?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Ah, no, no, honey, I - I just called 
		you up to tell you that I'll be home 
		on the 5:15 tonight.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, well, if that's all, then goodbye.

She starts to hang up.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Wait a minute - wait a minute! I - 
		er, what's your hurry? I got a 
		surprise for ya. Guess what it is.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Mr. Mason fell dead and left you a 
		million.

Bert shoots a nervous glance at Mr. Mason. 

				BERT ADAMS 
		No-o. But you're on the right track 
		all right. Heh. Guess again.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		You don't mean to say he's come 
		across with that raise he's been 
		promising you for the last--?

				BERT ADAMS 
		No, no, no. No, that isn't it, that 
		isn't it.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Well, then what is it?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, all right, honey, listen. Mr. 
		Mason -- the big boss, you know -- 
		is coming out to dinner with me on 
		the 5:15 tonight.
			(pause, chuckles, to Mason)
		She's so tickled, she don't know what 
		to say.

				MR. MASON 
		Is she? Well, that's great.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(deeply annoyed)
		Listen, here, neither you or that 
		boss of yours gets a meal out of 
		this house tonight!

Mason, checking his pocketwatch, watches Bert's face fall.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(awkwardly, to Carrie)
		Yeah, all right, honey. Uh, we're 
		leaving now. Ta ta, ducky. ... Yes, 
		I'll tell him. 
			(chuckles, his voice breaks)
		Goodbye.

Bert hangs up.

					FADE OUT

FADE IN

EXT. ADAMS' HOUSE - EVENING

A cozy suburban bungalow -- lower middle class but nice enough. Bert and Mason 
arrive and pause at the front gate.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, there you are. There's the 
		little home.

				MR. MASON 
		Nice little place, my boy.

Mason gives Bert a congratulatory pat on the shoulder. Bert opens the small, 
wooden gate so that Mason may enter.

					DISSOLVE TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Bert enters and stands in the room's doorway, calling nervously to Carrie.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Ducky? Duckeeeee?
			(to Mason, behind him)
		She isn't here. Well, come in. Come 
		on in.

Bert guides Mason into the room where they discover the dinner table set for 
three. Bert seems rather relieved.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, everything is okay. I guess 
		we'll have something to eat in a 
		jiffy.

				MR. MASON 
		Ah, what a pretty little room.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Not bad. Not bad. Wonder if Carrie 
		put some of that watermelon rind 
		pickle on.

Bert approaches the table. Carrie, visible through a doorway, works in the 
adjacent kitchen.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, Carrie?

Carrie enters the living room and removes her apron. She's no longer in her 
house dress, having put on something fancier for company. She's now well-
groomed and no longer in a sour mood: polite, pleasant, and a bit shy.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh! Oh, you're - you're here.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Sure, we're here. Meet Mr. Mason.

				MR. MASON 
			(shakes her hand, apologetic)
		This is a sort of imposition on you.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Not at all. Glad to have you.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(to Mason)
		Didn't I tell ya?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		I had to run over to Mrs. Dickie's 
		for just a second.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well ... when do we eat?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Everything's ready.

				MR. MASON 
		Well, I - er - I wonder if I could 
		wash up?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, yes, indeed. Bertie'll show you.

Bert leans in and quietly speaks to Mason, a little self-consciously.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Yeah, it's, uh, right at the head of 
		the stairs.

				MR. MASON 
			(nods)
		Oh.

Mason exits. Bert tries to take Carrie's hands in gratitude.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, you little world's wonder.

But she pulls away from him, upset.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Don't you dare speak to me, Bert 
		Adams.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, what--? I thought--

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Yes. You thought! Where did you 
		think I was gonna get any food 
		from?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, I don't know. You have plenty, 
		haven't you?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		And how did I get it? Going from 
		door to door to the neighbors, 
		begging for it, that's what I did.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, this ought to fix me for that 
		vacancy for the head of the shipping 
		department. It's still open.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(suddenly intrigued)
		You don't suppose you could land 
		that, do you?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, I don't know. Some of the boys 
		say it's as good as mine.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(pleased)
		Bert! Do you really think so?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, what else would the old fella 
		come all the way down here for if it 
		wasn't to hand me the good news?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Maybe I could get an electric 
		washing machine.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(chuckles)
		Get two of them.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		And a new kitty coop.

				BERT ADAMS 
		You betcha.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, Bertie, wouldn't it be wonderful?

Carrie and Bertie hug one another happily. Mr. Mason returns, pausing in the 
doorway at the sight of the couple's lingering embrace.

				MR. MASON 
			(clears throat)
		Excuse me.

The couple break their clinch, a trifle embarrassed.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Well, Bert, you'd better run along 
		and juggle some ice and orange juice.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(grinning at her)
		Yeah. Yeah.

Bert exits into the kitchen as Carrie plays hostess.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Well, sit down, Mr. Mason. Make 
		yourself at home.

				MR. MASON 
		Thanks.

Carrie and Mason sit at the dinner table.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Everything's pushed back on the 
		stove so I guess it won't burn.

				MR. MASON 
		You have a lot on your hands getting 
		up fancy meals for company, haven't 
		you?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(nervous, modest)
		This is isn't fancy. I hope you like 
		chicken croquettes.

				MR. MASON 
		Oh, I love them.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(relieved)
		Oh, that's good. 
			(hesitantly)
		Um ... Bert's been with you for 
		quite a while now, hasn't he?

				MR. MASON 
		Oh, about three years, I believe. 
		He's a good steady fellow.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, and he's smart, too.

				MR. MASON 
		Is he?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Yes, he's awfully smart. Bertie 
		rigged up his own radio set.

				MR. MASON 
		You don't say so.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Made it for next to nothing. 'Course 
		it - it doesn't work quite right yet 
		but--

				MR. MASON 
		It doesn't, hey?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(chuckles)
		Well--

Bert calls in from the kitchen.

				BERT ADAMS (o.s.)
		Carrie?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Yes?

				BERT ADAMS (o.s.)
		Where are the oranges?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(chuckles, to Mason)
		Oh, he can't find anything. 
			(calls to Bert)
		Back of the flour barrel, darling.
			(to Mason)
		I sometimes tell him he wouldn't 
		find his head in the morning if it 
		wasn't screwed on.

Bert enters with an empty bottle.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, I found the bottle, honey, but 
		it's empty.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(takes bottle, brusquely)
		Oh, give it to me. Jim Page sure has 
		more than he needs.

Carrie rises and exits into kitchen, leaving Bert alone with Mason.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, what do you know about that?

				MR. MASON 
		Have a cigar.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, don't mind if I do.

Bert takes the offered cigar and pockets it.

				MR. MASON 
		Well, business is picking up.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, yes, yes, sir. Business is 
		certainly fine in my department.

Bert takes a seat at the table.

				MR. MASON 
		What do you think about putting on 
		some new men?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, we could certainly put 'em to 
		work.

				MR. MASON 
		Well, what about ten for a start?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, that would be about right. 
		I've been thinking it over during my 
		lunch hour at the automat--

				MR. MASON 
		Oh, by the way, there's that vacancy 
		in the shipping department. Now, 
		Adams, I want to talk to you about 
		that. That's a big department, a 
		very big department.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Yes, sir. I'll say it is.

				MR. MASON 
		And we've got to find just the right 
		man for that place.

Carrie returns with the bottle filled.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Jim wasn't home. The best I could 
		get was ginger ale.

The men rise and Bert pours drinks for all.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Aw, that'll be all right. Well, 
		let's go. We'll drink to the success 
		of the shipping department.

				MR. MASON 
		Oh, no, no, no. Not the shipping 
		department. We'll drink to something
		far more interesting. We'll drink to
		our charming hostess.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(chuckles, flattered)
		Oh, thank you.

The men toast Carrie. Then everyone drinks their ginger ale.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(to Mason)
		Well ... sit down, won't you?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Yes, do sit down. I - I'll bring 
		everything.

				MR. MASON 
		Thanks.

Carrie exits into the kitchen. Mason sits. Bert nervously presents Mason with 
a dish of pickles.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Would you, uh, like to have a pickle?

				MR. MASON 
		Hm? Oh.

Mason stabs himself a pickle and puts it on his plate. Bert sits.

				BERT ADAMS 
		You were saying just before Carrie 
		came in?

				MR. MASON 
		Oh, yes, uh, what was I saying?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Uh, you were saying about the, uh, 
		shipping department.

				MR. MASON 
		Oh, yes, yes. That vacancy. That's 
		worrying me. About time it was filled, 
		eh, Adams?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Yes, sir, 'bout time it was filled.

Carrie enters with two bowls of soup for the men.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Bert, you run and get my plate. It's 
		all dished out on the table.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, sure.

Bert hurries into the kitchen. Mason picks up a spoon to start on his soup but 
hesitates. 

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(to Mason)
		Well, start right in before it cools. 

Mason smiles and shows the spoon to Carrie who laughs nervously and rises.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, I forgot to give you a soup spoon.

Carrie quickly pulls the right spoon from a nearby drawer and rejoins Mason at 
the table, chuckling self-consciously.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Well, I tell you, living certainly 
		costs a lot these days.

				MR. MASON 
		Indeed, it does.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Money doesn't go very far unless 
		you've got lots of it.

				MR. MASON 
		You have to be a darn good manager.

Bert joins the conversation as he returns and gives Carrie her soup.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, that's what she is, all right, 
		all right.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Yes, but even counting the pennies 
		the way I do doesn't get you half 
		your needs. Why, last week our meat 
		bill was--

Bert interrupts her as he takes his seat.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, for heaven's sake, Carrie, what 
		does Mr. Mason care about our meat 
		bill?

				MR. MASON 
		Why, of course I care.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(pointedly, to Bert)
		Of course he cares. 
			(continues, to Mason)
		And it isn't only food. Baby's 
		clothes -- they cost something awful.

Bert waves her off, trying to stop her.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, say, don't--

Mason looks at Bert who makes an apologetic face to his boss. Carrie makes an 
insistent one to Bert and points to Mason for emphasis when Mason isn't 
looking.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		And, uh, Bert's commutation ticket 
		costs, uh--

				BERT ADAMS 
			(reluctantly following 
			Carrie's lead)
		Yeah, it certainly does make a dent 
		in the little ol' bankroll.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(chuckling awkwardly)
		There's nothing left to put in the 
		bank.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(changing the subject, 
			to Carrie)
		Oh, Mr. Mason was just talking about 
		that vacancy in the shipping 
		department.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, yes?

				BERT ADAMS 
		But he didn't get a chance to finish.

				MR. MASON 
		Oh, well, there's no hurry.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, don't let me interrupt you. I 
		know Bert just loves to talk 
		business. He eats business. 
		Honestly, he--

				BERT ADAMS 
		When it comes to eating business, 
		you gotta hand it to the boss.

				MR. MASON 
		And I flatter myself that I'm a 
		darn good picker, too.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, you certainly are. You always 
		find the right man for the right 
		place.

				MR. MASON 
		Yes, and that's just why I came out 
		here. To find the right man for the 
		right place.

Carrie smiles broadly at Bert.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(quietly, with delight)
		Bertie ... !

				MR. MASON 
		Adams, you've been with us quite a 
		while now, haven't you?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Yes, sir.

				MR. MASON 
		You've watched that department grow.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Yes, sir, I have.

				MR. MASON 
		And you ought to know it from 
		beginning to end now.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, well ...

				MR. MASON 
		And you ought to know every man in 
		it.

				BERT ADAMS 
		I do that.

				MR. MASON 
		Well, that's just why I came to you 
		in my search for the right man for 
		that place. Now, Adams, what would 
		you say ...

Mason pauses. Bert leans forward expectantly. Carrie can barely contain 
herself.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Yes?

				MR. MASON 
		What would you say if I were to put, 
		er, Henry Jacobs at the head of that 
		department?

Bert is stunned. He glances at Carrie, then back to Mason.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Jacobs?

Mason nods. Carrie is confused but sympathetic.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, Bertie, I thought--

Bert thinks it over. 

				BERT ADAMS 
			(hesitantly)
		Why, I think he's the - best 
		possible man for that place, sir.

Carrie lowers her head in disappointment.

				MR. MASON 
		Is that so? Now, that's fine. You 
		know, I've been watching him for a 
		long time and he seems to be very 
		capable.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(firmly)
		He is.

Mason sniffs the air, looks around.

				MR. MASON 
		Well, what's that?

				BERT ADAMS 
		What's what?

				MR. MASON 
		Isn't there something burning?

Carrie rises, in tears.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		It - it's the dinner!

Carrie rushes to the kitchen.

					CUT TO:

FLASH CUTS
The stove and the oven. Steam pours out of a kettle. The chicken has burned.

					CUT BACK TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM

Bert sits alone with Mason.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(genuinely)
		Mr. Mason, you haven't anybody in 
		your concern as good as Jacobs for 
		that place.

				MR. MASON 
		I'm very glad to hear you say that. 

				BERT ADAMS 
		Yes, sir. He's a fine man.

				MR. MASON 
		You've been with us long enough for 
		me to value your opinion, Adams. Oh, 
		by the way, how about the trains 
		back to town? I have an appointment 
		at nine o'clock.

Mason checks his watch, Bert pulls out his train schedule and consults it.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Well, there's one - one at seven-
		fifteen. That's a theater train. The 
		next one is at, uh-- No, that only 
		runs on holidays. Next one is eleven-
		twenty.

				MR. MASON 
		Eleven-twenty? Great Scott, that's 
		terrible. Well, I've simply got to 
		get that seven-fifteen back, then. 
		It's a shame but I--

				BERT ADAMS 
		All right, sir. If you really feel 
		you have to go. 

The men rise.

				BERT ADAMS 
		I'll call you a taxi.

				MR. MASON 
			(nods)
		Thanks, if you will.

Bert exits. Carrie enters, dejected, and joins Mason.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Everything's spoiled. Burned to a 
		crisp.

				MR. MASON 
		Oh, that's too bad.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		I got so excited listening to you. 
			(suddenly, with passion) 
		Oh, Mr. Mason, what's the matter with 
		Bert that he didn't get that job? He 
		had his heart set on it. And he's 
		worked so hard. Sometimes I think 
		I'll go crazy if I listen to that - 
		that alarm another morning. But he's 
		so afraid of being late. At night, 
		he comes home with reports and sits 
		around figuring until it's time to 
		go to bed. I beg him to take me to 
		the movies but he won't. I can't 
		get him outside the house. 
			(lowers her head, sadly) 
		This is what he gets for it. 
			(bitterly) 
		Someone else gets shoved in ahead 
		of him.

Halfway through Carrie's speech, Bert returns and pauses reluctantly in the 
background.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Carrie, don't. 
			(to Mason)
		Don't listen to her, Mr. Mason.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		He will listen to me! What right's 
		he got to pass you over? He wants a 
		good man for the job. Why doesn't he 
		see the best man in the world right 
		in front of his nose?

				BERT ADAMS 
		Stop, Carrie. Mr. Mason, don't mind 
		her.

				MR. MASON 
			(coolly)
		Oh, but I do.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(taken aback)
		Aw, you-- 
			(more disappointed 
			than angry, to Carrie)
		Now, you see what you've done?

				CARRIE ADAMS 
			(turns on Bert, angry)
		I don't care! I - I'd rather you'd 
		starved to death than work for him 
		any more! If you had any nerve, 
		you'd speak up and say that you feel 
		the way I do. But, no! You'd rather 
		sit around being a clerk all your 
		life.

				MR. MASON 
		Don't you worry, Mrs. Adams. He 
		won't be a clerk in my employ much 
		longer.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, you don't mean to say, sir, 
		you're lettin' me go just because 
		she--

				MR. MASON 
		Certainly I'm gonna let you go. I 
		won't have discontented people 
		around me. From now on, your desk 
		will be vacant, Adams, and you'll 
		move into my outer office.

Bert and Carrie look at Mason in stunned disbelief.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Your - your - ? What'd you say?

				MR. MASON 
		You're going to be my assistant from 
		now on.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Assistant?!

				MR. MASON 
		Certainly. I was going to put him 
		there. But I first wanted to find 
		out what sort of stuff he was made 
		of.

Bert and Carrie chuckle nervously. Bert holds out an arm to Carrie.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Pinch me, will ya? I'm dreaming.

				MR. MASON 
		I knew you had brains but I doubted 
		just how much initiative you had 
		until tonight.

				BERT ADAMS 
		Oh, but I don't see--

				MR. MASON 
		Why, the minute you picked up the 
		phone to call your wife, I knew 
		that she'd forbidden you to bring 
		me out here.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		You knew that?

				MR. MASON 
		Why, certainly, from the look on his 
		face. 
			(chuckles) 
		Oh, that's all right. I knew very 
		well that just showed me what sort 
		of a wife he had. One who would help 
		him to get along, who could forget 
		her grouch and put on a dinner with 
		a moment's notice.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		Oh, and what a dinner. If - if 
		you'll wait, I'll cook up some eggs 
		and bacon.

				MR. MASON 
		Thank you, I'd like to but some 
		other time. And another thing, Adams, 
		you've proven yourself to be a great 
		asset to the firm. Much bigger than 
		you guess. I knew you had your eye 
		on that shipping room job but when 
		I proposed someone else whom I 
		thought better equipped, did you 
		run him down? No, you did not. You 
		showed that you had real heart 
		interest in the business. Takes a 
		pretty big man to boost another 
		fellow for the job that he wants 
		himself.

				BERT ADAMS 
			(clutching Carrie, 
			delighted and stunned)
		I'm going around in circles.

				MR. MASON 
		And you, Mrs. Adams, you proved that 
		you wouldn't let anybody, boss or no 
		boss, trample on your husband. Now, 
		together, you two young folks ought 
		to go very far. Well, you move into 
		your new quarters on Monday, Adams.

				CARRIE ADAMS 
		I'm gonna kiss you if they shoot me 
		for it!

Carrie embraces Mason and kisses him. They share a chuckle. Meanwhile, Bert is 
speechless.

				BERT ADAMS 
		I, uh, I - I -

				MR. MASON 
			(clears his throat)
		Adams, you'll find a substantial 
		raise in your envelope next week.

					FADE OUT