Background
Jenna Piper, assistant to Senator Tadwell, has been tried and convicted of killing his wife. She continues to claim her innocence. Jack Tadwell has moved on to bigger projects.
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The wealthy and powerful Jack Tadwell has invited his two top executives and their wives to dine at his country club, daggling the "promotional carrot" just out of reach. Tension begins to mount with all parties involved.
7 EXT. MONTGOMERY, ILLINOIS - NIGHT
VERDI COUNTRY CLUB ENTRANCE
Jack Tadwell pulls up to the entrance and exits his car.
The valet greets him.
ARCHIE - THE VALET:
Good Evening, Senator. How’s business?
.Jack walks around the car, helps Teri out of the car before offering her is arm. Jack speaks to Archie.
JACK:
No shop talk tonight, Archie.
And watch where you park the car,
I just had it washed.
The Mrs. and I are here to enjoy the evening.
ARCHIE:
I’ll be real careful, Sir. Not to worry!
Archie gets in the car and parks it near the back of the lots. He opens the glove compartment, pulls out an envelope, opens it, and quickly reads it. He repeats out loud what he read.
ARCHIE:
65 and 39...Peterson Rig at 3 o’clock
He replaces it in the glove compartment before heading back to his post.
8 EXT: OUTSIDE VERDI COUNTRY CLUB - NIGHT
Archie pulls up with a member's car. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are waiting for their car. Mr. Baldwin tips Archie.
ARCHIE:
(Accepts the tip)
Thank you, Sir.
You and Mrs. Baldwin enjoy
the rest of your evening.
Mr. Baldwin walks around and gets in car
Archie helps Mrs Baldwin into car
ARCHIE:
Good night, Mrs. Baldwin.
The car drives away
Michael and Lola are seen entering the club.
9 INT: VERDI CLUB - NIGHT
Jack is at the bar. The bartender sits a drink in front of him. Michael and Lola enter the bar.
JACK:
Michael, over here
He waves and watches as Michael and Lola approach, smiling
JACK:
Who's this scrumptious woman
you have with you tonight?
Lola flashes her sunniest smile in his direction.
LOLA:
Mr. Tadwell, you say the nicest things.
JACK:
Call me Jack. Mr. Tadwell was my father.
He laughs, a deep belly laugh, amused at himself.
JACK:
My daddy started the business,
but I made it what it is today.
LOLA:
You've done an excellent job, too.
JACK:
Michael, your wife knows the perfect
things to say. If she keeps talking that way,
you might have yourself a promotion.
Michael gives Lola a squeeze, smiling.
Teri approaches arm in arm with Phil
Colette trails behind them
TERI:
Hello, Michael and Lola. Look who
I found on the way back from the powder room.
Everyone exchanges greetings and drinks are ordered.
Hostess approaches the Tadwell party.
HOSTESS:
Mr. Tadwell, your table is ready whenever
you are, Sir.
As the group proceeds to the private dining room, Jack makes a quick stop at Chandler Hershey’s table before following them.
10 INT: VERDI CLUB PRIVATE DINING ROOM - NIGHT
COLETTE spins around, oohing and aahing at the room
Like a kid in a candy shop.
COLETTE:
Oh my, I have never seen a place like this.
Chuckling at her enthusiasm, Jack strolls over to her side.
JACK:
You better get used to this kind of living
if your husband becomes Senior Vice President.
COLETTE:
Oh, this is a fairytale, Mr. Tadwell.
JACK:
Jack, call me Jack.
He pats her hand as Colette continues to drink in the opulent room and its furnishings.
JACK:
Excuse me a moment, Colette.
I need to speak to the maitre d' about our menu.
As he disappears from the room, Lola joins Colette.
Jack can be seen exchanging words with another man just outside the doorway and accepting an envelope which he slips into his suit jacket.
LOLA:
This is awesome, isn't it?
COLETTE:
I've never seen anything like it before.
Those leather chairs belong in a library.
LOLA:
Jack Tadwell believes in the finer
things in life, that's for sure.
Laughter explodes from across the room.
Teri plants a kiss on Phil’s cheek and then Michael’s.
Jack approaches the group
JACK
I see you have kept the guys
pleasantly entertained while I was gone.
Jack’s voice is pleasant but his eyes glare at Teri
Shall we all sit down?
Dinner is about to be served.
11 INT. VERDI COUNTRY CLUB - NIGHT
OUTSIDE COAT ROOM
Jack and Teri approach Michael and Lola.
JACK
Michael, may I have a word
with you before you leave?
MICHAEL:
Sure thing, Jack
Whispering in Lola's ear
MICHAEL:
I'll be right back.
Jack wants to speak to me alone.
LOLA mouths "good luck" and gently squeezes his arm.
The two men step aside leaving Lola and Teri standing together in the foyer.
LOLA
Thank you for inviting us tonight, Teri.
I had a marvelous time.
TERI
Jack likes to show off whenever he can.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
They both stand, nervously awaiting their husbands' return.
LOLA
(relieved)
Here they come
JACK AND MICHAEL return laughing
JACK
Sorry to keep you ladies waiting,
but when business calls, men must answer.
LOLA
No problem. I completely understand.
Lola wraps her arm around Michael’s, snuggling a little closer to him.
JACK
Good little wife you got there, Michael.
My wife, on the other hand,
can't understand why I can't
play when I have work to do.
Jack pulls Teri closer to him, but her body doesn’t relax
TERI
I understand.
I just manage to amuse myself in other ways.
She smiles directly into her husband's face
Everyone says goodnight for the second time and head for their cars.
12 EXT: VERDI COUNTRY CLUB - NIGHT
Waiting for the Valet to bring their car.
LOLA:
Okay, don’t be coy. What did Jack want?
MICHAEL
Hmmm...nothing special.
LOLA
Right, he pulled you away for nothing special.
She rolls her eyes, playfully poking at him.
LOLA
Did he say anything about the promotion?
MICHAEL
He suggested we meet tomorrow
for lunch to talk about it.
Michael grins and squeezes Lola
MICHAEL
Babe, we're going to be living
the good life real soon.
LOLA
I am so happy for you.
She leans over and kisses his cheek.
You really deserve this promotion.
MICHAEL
Well, I don't have it yet.
He said we were going to talk.
But it sure sounds promising, doesn't it?
LOLA
It sounds wonderful.
Cuddling closer to him, she purrs.
Valet returns with their car.
LOLA
Let's go home and celebrate.
MICHAEL
My motor's already running, honey.
You don't have to ask me twice.
Michael and Lola walk toward the car
13 INT: JACK TADWELL’S CAR - NIGHT
TERI
What did you and Michael talk about?
JACK:
When?
TERI:
When you pulled him aside as we left.
JACK:
Oh, that, Just asked him to lunch
tomorrow to discuss a few things.
TERI:
Are you giving him the promotion?
JACK:
Haven’t decided yet. Why?
You think I should give it to Phil?
His wife certainly deserves better.
TERI:
What do you mean?
JACK:
Give me a break! The way he drools
every time you come near him.
If he knows what’s good for him
he’ll stop looking at my wife.
TERI:
Oh, Honey, you send chills
up my spine with your jealousy.
Teri laughs
JACK:
If I ever catch you cheating on me -
TERI:
What? Am I supposed to be shaking in fear?
Jack pulls into the driveway, shuts off the car and turns toward Teri.
JACK
You are Teri Tadwell and you will
stay that way until I say otherwise.
Do I make myself clear?
Not waiting for an answer, Jack gets out of the car, slams the door and goes into the house.
Seething with anger, Teri starts to cry
TERI:
I am nobody’s property, Jack Tadwell.
She sobs into her hands
TERI - conts
You're going to pay for your arrogance
someday. Just wait and see.
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