Titanic Screenplay

Page 4

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74
INT. RECEPTION ROOM / D-DECK - DAY

Ruth is having tea with NOEL LUCY MARTHA DYER-EDWARDES, the COUNTESS OF ROTHES, a 35ish English blue blood with patrician features. Ruth sees someone coming across the room and lowers her voice.

RUTH
Oh no, that vulgar Brown woman is coming this way Get up, quickly, before she sits with us.

Molly Brown walks up, greeting them cheerfully as they are rising.

MOLLY
Hello girls, I was hoping I'd catch you at tea.

RUTH
We're awfully sorry you missed it. The Countess and I are just off to take the air on the boat deck.

MOLLY
That sounds great. Let's go. I need to catch up on the gossip.

Ruth grits her teeth as the three of them head for the Grand Staircase to go up. TRACKING WITH THEM, as they cross the room, the SHOT HANDS OFF to Bruce Ismay and Captain Smith at another table.

ISMAY
So you've not lit the last four boilers then?

SMITH
No, but we're making excellent time.

ISMAY
(impatiently)
Captain, the press knows the size of Titanic, let them marvel at her speed too. We must give them something new to print. And the maiden voyage of Titanic must make headlines!

SMITH
I prefer not to push the engines until they've been properly run in.

ISMAY
Of course I leave it to your good offices to decide what's best, but what a glorious end to your last crossing if we get into New York Tuesday night and surprise them all.
(Ismay slaps his hand on the table)
Retire with a bang, eh, E.J.?

A beat. Then Smith nods, stiffly.

CUT TO:

75
EXT. A DECK PROMENADE - DAY

Rose and Jack stroll aft, past people lounging on deck chairs in the slanting late-afternoon light. Stewards scurry to serve tea or hot coca.

ROSE
(girlish and excited)
You know, my dream has always been to just chuck it all and become an artist... living in a garret, poor but free!

JACK
(laughing)
You wouldn't last two days. There’s no hot water, and hardly ever any caviar.

ROSE
(angry in a flash)
Listen, buster... I hate caviar! And I'm tired of people dismissing my dreams with a chuckle and a pat on the head.

JACK
I'm sorry. Really... I am.

ROSE
Well, alright. There's something in me, Jack. I feel it. I don't know what it is, whether I should be an artist, or, I don't know... a dancer. Like Isadora Duncan.. a wild pagan spirit...

She leaps forward, lands deftly and whirls like a dervish. Then she sees something ahead and her face lights up.

ROSE
...or a moving picture actress!

She takes him by the hand and runs, pulling him along the deck toward--

DANIEL AND MARY MARVIN.
Daniel is cranking the big wooden movie camera as she poses stiffly at the rail.

MARVIN
You're sad. Sad, sad, sad. You've left your lover on the shore. You may never see him again. Try to be sadder, darling.

SUDDENLY Rose shoots into the shot and strikes a theatrical pose at the rail next to Mary. Mary bursts out laughing. Rose pulls Jack into the picture and makes him pose.

Marvin grins and starts yelling and gesturing. We see this in CUTS, with music and no dialogue.

SERIES OF CUTS: Rose posing tragically at the rail, the back of her hand to her forehead.

Jack on a deck chair, pretending to be a Pasha, the two girls pantomiming fanning him like slave girls.

Jack, on his knees pleading with his hands clasped while Rose, standing, turns her head in bored disdain.

Rose cranking the camera, while Daniel and Jack have a western shoot-out. Jack wins and leers into the lens, twirling an air mustache like Snidely Whiplash.

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76
EXT. A DECK PROMENADE/ AFT - SUNSET

Painted with orange light, Jack and Rose lean on the A-deck rail aft, shoulder to shoulder. The ship's lights come on.

It is a magical moment... perfect.

ROSE
So what then, Mr. Wandering Jack?

JACK
Well, then logging got to be too much like work, so I went down to Los Angeles to the pier in Santa Monica. That's a swell place, they even have a rollercoaster. I sketched portraits there for ten cents a piece.

ROSE
A whole ten cents?!

JACK
(not getting it)
Yeah; it was great money... I could make a dollar a day, sometimes. But only in summer. When it got cold, I decided to go to Paris and see what the real artists were doing

ROSE
(looks at the dusk sky)
Why can't I be like you, Jack. Just head out for the horizon whenever I like it.
(turning to him)
Say we'll go there, sometime... to that pier... even it we only ever just talk about it.

JACK
Alright, we're going. We'll drink cheap beer and go on the rollercoaster until we throw up and we'll ride horses on the beach... right in the surf... but you have to ride like a cowboy, none of that side-saddle stuff.

ROSE
You mean one leg on each side? Scanalous! Can you Show me?

JACK
Sure. If you like.

ROSE
(smiling at him)
I think I would.
(she looks at the horizon)
And teach me to spit too. Like a man. Why should only men be able to spit. It's unfair.

JACK
They didn't teach you that in finishing school? Here, it's easy. Watch closely.

He spits. It arcs out over the water.

JACK
Your turn.

Rose screws up her mouth and spits. A pathetic little bit of foamy spittle which mostly runs down her chin before falling off into the water.

JACK
Nope, that was pitiful. Here, like this... you hawk it down... HHHNNNK!... then roll it on your tongue, up to the front, like thith, then a bog breath and PLOOOW!! You see the range on that thing?

She goes through the steps. Hawks it down, etc. He coaches her through it (ad lib) while doing the steps himself. She lets fly. So does he. Two comets of gob fly out over the water.

JACK
That was great!

Rose turns to him, her face alight. Suddenly she blanches. He sees her expression and turns.

RUTH, the Countess of Rothes, and Molly Brown have been watching them hawking lugees. Rose becomes instantly composed.

ROSE
Mother, may I introduce Jack Dawson.

RUTH
Charmed, I'm sure.

Jack has a little spit running down his chin. He doesn't know it. Molly Brown is grinning. As Rose proceeds with the introductions, we hear...

OLD ROSE (V.O.)
The others were gracious and curious about the man who'd saved my life. But my mother looked at him like an insect. A dangerous insect which must be squashed quickly.

MOLLY
Well, Jack, it sounds like you're a good man to have around in a sticky spot--

They all jump as a BUGLER sounds the meal call behind them.

MOLLY
Why do they insist on announcing dinner like a damn calvary charge?

ROSE
Shall we go dress, mother?
(over her shoulder)
See you at dinner, Jack.

RUTH
(as they walk away)
Rose, look at you... out in the sun with no hat. Honestly!

The Countess exits with Ruth and Rose, leaving Jack and Molly alone on deck.

MOLLY
Son, do you have the slightest comprehension of what you're doing?

JACK
Not really,

MOLLY
Well, you're about to go into the snakepit. I hope you're ready. What are you planning to wear?

Jack looks down at his clothes. Back up at her. He hadn't thought about that.

MOLLY
I figured.

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77
INT. MOLLY BROWN'S STATEROOM

Men's suits and jackets and formal wear are strewn all over the place. Molly is having a fine tine. Jack is dressed, except for his jacket, and Molly is tying his bow tie.

MOLLY
Don't feel bad about it. My husband still can't tie one of these damn things after 20 years. There you go.

She picks up a jacket off the bed and hands it to him. Jack goes into the bathroom to put it on. Molly starts picking up the stuff off the bed.

MOLLY
I gotta buy everything in three sizes 'cause I never know how much he's been eating while I'm away.

She turns and sees him, though we don't.

MOLLY
My, my, my... you shine up like a new penny.

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78
EXT. BOAT DECK / FIRST CLASS ENTRANCE - DUSK A purple sky, shot with orange, in the west. Drifting strains of classical music. We TRACK WITH JACK along the deck. By Edwardian standards he looks badass. Dashing in borrowed white-tie outfit, right down to his pearl studs.

A steward bows and smartly opens the door to the First Class Entrance.

STEWARD
Good evening, sir.

Jack plays the role smoothly. Nods with just the right degree of disdain.

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79
INT. UPPER LANDING / GRAND STAIRCASE AND A-DECK

Jack steps in and his breath is taken away by the splendor spread out before him. Overhead is the enormous glass dome, with a crystal chandelier at it's center. Sweeping down six stories is the First Class Grand Staircase, the epitome of the opulent naval architecture of the time.

And the people: the women in their floor length dresses, elaborate hairstyles and abundant jewelry... the gentlemen in evening dress, standing with one hand at the small of the back, talking quietly.

Jack descends to A deck. Several men nod a perfunctory greeting. He nods back, keeping it simple. He feels like a spy.

Cal comes down the stairs, with Ruth on his arm, covered in jewelry. They both walk right past Jack, neither one recognizing him. Cal nods at him, one gent to another. But Jack barely has time to be amused. Because just behind Cal and Ruth on the stairs is Rose, a vision in red and black, her low-cut dress showing off her neck and shoulders, her arms sheathed in white gloves that come well above the elbow. Jack is hypnotized by her beauty.

CLOSE ON ROSE, as she approaches Jack. He imitates the gentlemen's stance, hand behind his back. She extends her gloved hand and he takes it, kissing the backs of her fingers. Rose flushes, beaming noticeably. She can't take her eyes off him. JACK I saw that in a nickelodeon once, and I always wanted to do it.

ROSE
Cal, surly you remember Mr. Dawson.

CAL
(caught off guard)
Dawson! I didn’t recognize you.
(studies him)
Amazing! You could almost pass for a gentleman.

80
INT. D-DECK RECEPTION ROOM

CUT TO THE RECEPTION ROOM ON D DECK, as the party descends to dinner. They encounter Molly Brown, looking good in a beaded dress, in her own busty broad-shouldered way. Molly grins when she sees Jack. As they are going into the dining saloon she walks next to him, speaking low:

MOLLY
Ain’t nothin’ to it, is there, Jack?

JACK
Yeah, you just dress like a pallbearer and keep your nose up.

MOLLY
Remember, the only thing they respect is money, so just act like you’ve got alot of it and you’re in the club.

As they enter the swirling throng, Rose leans close to him, pointing out several notables.

ROSE
There’s the Countess of Rothes. And that’s John Jacob Astor... the richest man on the ship. His little wifey there, Madeleine, is my age and in a delicate condition. See how she’s trying to hide it. Quite the scandal. (nodding toward a couple) And over there, that’s Sir Cosmo and Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon. She designs naughty lingerie, among her many talents. Very popular with the royals.

Cal becomes engrossed in a conversation with Cosmo Duff-Gordon and Colonel Gracie, while Ruth, the Countess and Lucille discuss fashion. Rose pivots Jack smoothly, to show him another couple, dressed impeccably.

ROSE
And that’s Benjamin Guggenheim and his mistress Madame Aubert. Mrs. Guggenheim is at home with the children, of course.

Cal, meanwhile, is accepting the praise of his male counterparts, who are looking at Rose like a prize show horse.

SIR COSMO
Hockley, she is splendid.

CAL
Thank you.

GRACIE
Cal’s a lucky man. I know him well, and it can only be luck.

Ruth steps over, hearing the last. She takes Cal’s arm, somewhat coquettishly.

RUTH
How can you say that Colonel? Caledon Hockley is a great catch.

The entourage strolls toward the dining saloon, where they run into the Astor’s going through the ornate double doors.

ROSE
J.J., Madeleine, I’d like you to meet Jack Dawson.

ASTOR
(shaking his hand)
Good to meet you Jack. Are you of the Boston Dawsons?

JACK
No, the Chippewa Falls Dawsons, actually.

J.J. nods as if he’s heard of them, then looks puzzled. Madeleine Astor appraises Jack and whispers girlishly to Rose:

MADELEINE
It’s a pity we’re both spoken for, isn’t it?

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81
INT. DINING SALOON

Like a ballroom at the palace, alive and lit by a constellation of chandeliers, full of elegantly dressed people and beautiful music from BANDLEADER WALLACE HARTLEY’S small orchestra. As Rose and Jack enter and move across the room to their table. Cal and Ruth beside them, we hear...

OLD ROSE (V.O.)
He must have been nervous but he never faltered. They assumed he was one of them... a young captain of industry perhaps... new money, obviously, but still a member of the club. Mother of course, could always be counted upon...

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82
INT. DINING SALOON

RUTH
Tell us of the accommodations in steerage, Mr. Dawson. I hear they’re quite good on this ship.

WIDER: AT THE TABLE. Jack is seated opposite Rose, who is flanked by Cal and Thomas Andrews. Also at the table are Molly Brown, Ismay, Colonel Gracie, the Countess, Guggenheim, Madame Aubert, and the Astors.

JACK
The best I’ve seen, ma’am. Hardly any rats.

Rose motions surreptitiously for Jack to take his napkin off his plate.

CAL
Mr. Dawson is joining us from third class. He was of some assistance to my fiancee last night.
(to Jack, as if to a child)
This is foie gras. It’s goose liver.

We see whispers exchanged. Jack becomes the subject of furtive glances. Now they’re all feeling terribly liberal and dangerous.

GUGGENHEIM
(low, to Madam Aubert)
what is Hockley hoping to prove, bringing this... bohemian... up here?

WAITER
(to Jack)
How do you take your caviar, sir?

CAL
(answering for him)
Just a soupcon of lemon...
(to Jack, smiling)
... it improves the flavor with champagne.

JACK
(to waiter)
No caviar for me, thanks.
(to Cal)
Never did like it much.

He looks at Rose, pokerfaced, and she smiles.

RUTH
And where exactly do you live, Mr. Dawson?

JACK
Well, right now my address is RMS Titanic. After that, I’m on God’s good humor.

Salad is served. Jack reaches for the fish fork. Rose gives him a look and picks up the salad fork, prompting him with her eyes. He changes forks.

RUTH
You find that sort of rootless existence appealing, do you?

JACK
Well... it’s a big world, and I want to see it all before I go. My father was always talkin’ about goin’ to see the ocean. He died in the town he was born in, and never did see it. You can’t wait around, because you never know what hand you’re going to get dealt next. See, my folks died in a fire when I was fifteen, and I’ve been on the road since. Somthin’ like that teaches you to take life as it comes at you. To make each day count.

Molly Brown raises her glass in a salute.

MOLLY
Well said, Jack.

COLONEL GRACIE
(raising his glass)
Here, here.

Rose raises her glass, looking at Jack.

ROSE
To making it count

Ruth, annoyed that Jack has scored a point, presses him further.

RUTH
How is it you have the means to travel, Mr. Dawson?

JACK
I work my way from place to place. Tramp steamers and such. I won my ticket on Titanic in a lucky hand at poker.
( he glances at Rose)
A very lucky hand.

GRACIE
All life is a game of luck.

CAL
A real man makes his own luck, Archie.

Rose, notices that Thomas Andrews, sitting next to her, is writing in his notebook, completely ignoring the conversation.

ROSE
Mr. Andrews, what are you doing? I see you everywhere writing in this little book. (grabs it and reads) Increase number of screws in hat hooks from 2 to 3. You built the biggest ship in the world and this preoccupies you?!

Andrews smiles sheepishly.

ISMAY
He knows every rivet in her, don’t you Thomas?

ANDREWS
All three million of them.

ISMAY
His blood and soul are in this ship. She may be mine on paper, but in the eyes of God she belongs to Thomas Andrews

ROSE
Your ship is a wonder, Mr. Andrews. Truly.

ANDREWS
Thank you, Rose.

We see that Andrews has come under Rose’s spell.

83 TIME TRANSITION: Dessert has been served and a waiter arrives with cigars in a humidor on a wheeled cart. The men start clipping ends and lighting.

ROSE
(low to Jack)
Next it’ll be brandies in the Smoking Room

GRACIE
Well, join me for a brandy, gentlemen?

ROSE
(low)
Now they retreat into a cloud of smoke and congratulate each other on being masters of the universe.

GRACIE
Joining us, Mr. Dawson? You don’t want to stay out here with the women, do you?

Actually he does, but...

JACK
No thanks. I’m heading back.

CAL
Probably best. It’ll be all business and politics, that sort of thing. Wouldn’t interest you. Good of you to come.

Cal and the other gentlemen exit.

ROSE
Jack, must you go?

JACK
Time for my coach to turn back into a pumpkin.

He leans over to take her hand.

INSERT: We see him slip a tiny folded note into her palm.

Ruth, scowling, watches him walk away across the enormous room. Rose surreptitiously opens the note below table level. It reads: "Make it count. Meet me at the clock".

84
INT. A-DECK FOYER - NIGHT

Rose crosses the A -Deck foyer, sighting Jack at the landing above. Overhead is the crystal dome. Jack has his back to her, studying the ornate clock with it’s carved figures of Honor and Glory. It softly strikes the hour.

MOVING WITH ROSE as she goes up the sweeping staircase toward him. He turns, sees her... smiles.

JACK
Want to go to real party?

CUT TO:

85
INT. THIRD CLASS GENERAL ROOM

Crowded and alive with music, laughter and raucous carrying on. An ad hoc band is gathered near the upright piano, honking out lively stomping music on fiddle, accordion and tambourine. People of all ages are dancing, drinking beer and wine, smoking, laughing, even brawling.

Tommy hands Rose a pint of stout and she hoists it. Jack meanwhile dances with 5 year old Cora Cartmell, or tries to, with her standing on his feet. As the tune ends, Rose leans down to the little girl.

ROSE
May I cut in, miss?

JACK
You're still my best girl, Cora.

Cora scampers off. Rose and Jack face each other. She is trembling as he takes her right hand in his left. His other hand slides to the small of her back. It is an electrifying moment.

ROSE
I don't know the steps.

JACK
Just move with me. Don't think.

The music starts and they are off. A little awkward at first, she starts to get into it. She grins at jack as she starts to get the rhythm of the steps.

ROSE
Wait... stop!

She bends down, pulling off her high heel shoes, and flings them to Tommy. Then she grabs Jack and they plunge back into the fray, dancing faster as the music speeds up.

CUT TO:

86
OMITTED

87
INT. THIRD CLASS GENERAL ROOM

The scene is rowdy and rollicking. A table gets knocked over as a drunk crashes into it. And in the middle of it... Rose dancing with Jack in her stocking feet. The steps are fast and she shines with sweat. A space opens around them, and people watch them, clapping as the band plays faster and faster.

FABRIZIO AND HELGA. Dancing has obviated the need for a common language. He whirls her, then she responds by whirling him... Fabrizio's eyes go wide when he realizes she's stronger than he is.

The tune ends in a mad rush. Jack steps away from Rose with a flourish, allowing her to take a bow. Exhilarated and slightly tipsy, she does a graceful ballet ployer, feet turned out perfectly. Everyone laughs and applauds. Rose is a hit with the steerage folks, who've never had a lady party with them.

They move to a table, flushed and sweaty. Rose grabs Fabrizio's cigarette and takes a big drag. She's feeling cocky. Fabrizio is grinning, holding hands with Helga.

JACK
How you doin'?

FABRIZIO
I don't know what she's say, she don't know what I say, so we get along fine.

Tommy walks up with a pint for each of them. Rose chugs hers, showing off.

ROSE
You think a first class gal can't drink?

Everybody else is dancing again, and Bjorn Gundersen crashes into Tommy, who sloshes his beer over Rose's dress. She laughs, not caring. But Tommy lunges, grabbing Bjorn and wheeling him around.

TOMMY
You stupid bastard!

Bjorn comes around, his fists coming up... and Jack leaps into the middle of it, pushing them apart.

JACK
Boys, boys! Did I ever tell you the one about the Swede and the Irishman going' to the whorehouse?

Tommy stands there, all piss and vinegar, chest puffed up. Hen he grins and claps Bjorn on the shoulder.

ROSE
So, you think you're big tough men? Let's see you do this.

In her stocking feet she assumes a ballet stance, arms raised, and goes up on point, taking her entire weight on the tips of her toes. The guys gape at her incredible muscle control. She comes back down, then her face screws up in pain. She grabs one foot, hopping around.

ROSE
Oooowww! I haven’t done that in years.

Jack catches her as she loses her balance, and everyone cracks up.

THE DOOR to the well deck is open a few inches as Lovejoy watches through the gap. He sees Jack holding Rose, both of them laughing.

LOVEJOY closes the door.

CUT TO:

88
EXT. BOAT DECK - NIGHT

The stars blaze overhead, so bright and clear you can see the Milky Way. Rose and Jack walk along the row of lifeboats. Still giddy from the party, they are singing a popular song "Come Josephine in My Flying Machine".

JACK/ROSE
Come Josephine in my flying machine And it's up she goes! Up she goes! In the air goes. Where? There she goes!

They fumble the words and break down laughing. They have reached the First Class entrance, but don't go straight in, not wanting the evening to end. Through the doors the sound of the ships orchestra wafts gently. Rose grabs a davit and leans back, staring at the cosmos.

ROSE
Look. Isn't it magnificent? So grand and endless.

She goes to the rail and leans on it.

ROSE
They're such small people, Jack... my crowd. They think they're giants on the earth, but they're not even dust in God's eye. They live inside this little tiny champagne bubble... and someday the bubble's going to burst.

He leans at the rail next to her, his hand just touching hers. It is the slightest contact imaginable, and all either one of them can feel is that square inch of skin where their hands are touching.

JACK
You're not one of them. There's been a mistake.

ROSE
A mistake?

JACK
Uh huh. You got mailed to the wrong address.

ROSE
(laughing)
I did, didn't I?
(pointing suddenly)
Look! A shooting star.

JACK
That was a long one. My father used to say that whenever you saw one, it was a soul going to heaven.

ROSE
I like that. Aren't we supposed to wish on it?

Jack looks at her, and finds that they are suddenly very close together. It would be so easy to move another couple inches, to kiss her. Rose seems to be thinking the same thing.

JACK
What would you wish for?

After a beat, Rose pulls back.

ROSE
Something I can't have.
(she smiles sadly)
Goodnight, Jack. And thank you.

She leaves the rail and hurries through the First Class Entrance.

JACK
Rose!

But the door bangs shut, and she is gone. Back to her world.