Voila! Finally, the Killer's Kiss
script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Stanley Kubrick
movie. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Killer's Kiss. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally
tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. You won't
hurt my feelings. Honest.
It's crazy how you can get yourself
in a mess sometimesand not even be able
to think about it with any sense,and yet not be able to think
about anything else.You get so you're no good
for anything or anybody.Maybe it begins
by taking life too serious.Anyway, I think
that's the way it began for me...... just before my fight
with Rodriguez three days ago.
- Hello?
- Hello, Davey.
- You're a half-hour late.
- How are you?It's getting late, and I don't like
waiting around like this.
You better hop a cab.
I had some trouble with the car,
and it's still tied up at the shop.
- I'll meet you over at the arena.
- I'll see you there.
Right. Bye.
- You're doing all right for yourself.
- What do you mean?
He just lives in the building.
He used to be a pretty good fighter.
- A fighter?
- Sure.
He's fighting tonight,
as a matter of fact.
We can watch him on the TV.
Dear Davey,We still haven't heard from you
yet this month,and we wondered whether everything
was still all right with you.Out here,
everything's about the same.I still get into Seattle every week,
and the ranch is prospering nicely.Last week, I finally bought
Mr. Henderson's chestnut Arabian stallion.Your Aunt Grace's arthritis
is much better.She can even take short rides
on Jumper now and then.Well, I guess that's all now,
except that we miss you a lot, Davey.Write soon.
Love, Uncle George and Aunt Grace.The main bout brings together
two very game boys.The youngster, undefeated
in professional encounters...Kid Rodriguez,
and the veteran Davey Gordon,who has emerged victorious
in fights,while losing nine
and drawing two.Gordon's long career...
he is now ...has been one long promise
without fulfillment, at least thus far.As hard a puncher as they come,
a clever boxer,he's been plagued by a weak chinand the unlucky knack
of being at his worst for the big one.And tonight is a big one indeed,with a title bout in the offing
for the winner.And now, let's take time out
for a friendly word from our sponsor.How many times have you
come home in the eveningand wanted to feel the...
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.
One, two...
...four, five, six...
...eight...
Go on home, Gordon!
You're a bum!
Go on home, Gordon!
Why don't you give up?
You're all through!
Tonight we may very well have seen
ring history in the makingin the form of a sensational
young welterweight Rodriguezand his impressive K.O. over
the experienced campaigner Gordon.But for Gordon, tonight must come
as a bitter pill indeed.This was the fight for him
to prove his glass chinhad been remade into sterner stuff.But unfortunately for him,
tonight again it was as fragile as ever.
Hello?
Mr. Davey Gordon, please.
Seattle is calling.
That's me.
Just a moment.
Your party's on the line.- Hi, Davey. This is Uncle George.
- Hey, Uncle George.- How are you?
- Fine. How are you?We're all fine, too.Say, how would you like
to take a vacation out here,come spend a little time with us?Country's mighty nice
this time of the year.
It's really nice of you
to ask me out, but...
- We saw the fight on TV tonight.
- So?- Nothing. We just saw it.
- It must have looked great.- These things happen sometimes.
- I don't know what happened.- I had him going.
- Forget it, forget it.You need a vacation,
and we haven't seen you for two years.Why don't you make a reservation
and come on out?
Look, I don't know.
Say, look,
I feel a little dopey right now, George,
but let me think about it.
I'll... I'll call you.
- Wait. You're not hurt, are you?
- No, no. I'm just tired, that's all.Good. Then you'll let us know
just as soon as you can.
Sure.
- Your aunt Grace sends her love.
- Tell her the same from here.Okay. As it stands now,
you'll let us know when to expect you.
I certainly will, and thanks for calling.
It was nice hearing from you.
- Take care of yourself.
- And you, too.- Good night.
- Good night, Davey boy.Go on home, Gordon!
You're a bum!Go on home, Gordon!Why don't you give up?
You're all through!
Hey, what's going on in there?
There you go.
That's better.
Look...
...if you don't mind me...
if you don't mind me asking you,
what happened?
Well, about an hour ago...
Well?
What do you want?
I'm sorry.
I really am sorry.
It really doesn't matter now, does it?
I said I'm sorry.
Can't you forgive me?
No.
Please. Gloria, please.
Go away. Get out.
That figures to be.
All my life I've always spoiled
the things that meant the most to me.
All my life.
I really don't care.
I just want you to get out of here.
Gloria, please,
can't you understand?
lf... if only you could know
how low and worthless I feel.
I didn't even know
you had any feelings.
You foolish girl.
I'm... I'm mad about you.
I want to get you out of here.
I'll set you up right.
- I'll be your slave forever.
- Nothing, nothing.
- You couldn't do anything for me.
- Please. All right, don't forgive me.
Just tolerate me
and let me suffer knowing how you feel.
Can't you get it, Vinnie?
To me you're just an old man,
and you smell bad.
I'm mad about you.
I can't stand it when I see
those guys dancing with you.
Every time I see it, my insides burn.
You won't have to see it anymore.
Please.
Please, just another chance.
- No. No chance, no nothing.
- Please.
Let go of me or I'll scream.
Don't think about it anymore.
He won't come back.
Don't worry.
I'm so tired now.
Just close your eyes.
Don't worry about anything.
I'll sit here with you for a while.
I locked her door and went home.But first thing in the morning,
I went back across to see how she was.My knocking woke her up,but she was all smiles and yawns
and invited me in for breakfast.Later over coffee,
she told me she had seen the fight,and I suppose that got me started
talking about myself,about what a wash-up I was,how I was going back to Seattle
and work on my uncle's horse ranch.But when I think back about it now,
I realize that all the time I was talking,the thing that was really in my mind
was to remember not to askwhat it was her boss, Rappalo,
was so sorry for.
Anyway, let's talk about you.
Like...
Who are those people
in that picture over there?
And how'd you ever get messed up
with that dance hall guy?
What's the matter?
Nothing.
Just that it's so funny
that you should ask
those questions that way,
together that way.
Why?
Well, they have both so much
to do with each other.
How do you mean?
It's sort of an involved story.
Do you really want to hear it?
If you don't mind telling me,
I would, very much.
I don't mind.
For some reason, I feel like telling you.
I've never told anybody before.
This is my father,
and this is my sister Iris.
But I suppose it's really Iris' story.
She was a ballet dancer,
and everyone said she was very good.She adored Daddy,
and of course, she was his favorite.But let me start
from the beginning.Iris was eight years old.Father was a writer
with a growing reputation,and Mother was very beautiful
and very intelligent.They loved each other very much,
and they were very happy.Then I was born,
and my mother died on the same day.They say Father went on a two-week
drunk to celebrate the double event.And after that, I don't think
he ever thought of another woman.Time passed, and Iris grew
more beautiful each day.She was the image of her mother.Everyone said so.Iris was Daddy's favorite,
and I was very jealous.And maybe I began to hate her.Daddy was good to me
and maybe he loved me a little, too.By the time she was
she was dancing with the Ballet Russe,and Daddy was so proud of her.And then I remember the day clearly.It was my th birthday,
Sunday afternoon.Iris came home excited
and told us of her marriage proposal.The man wasn't bad-looking...
in his early s and very rich.Father knew him and liked him,but he couldn't stop laughing
when Iris told how she said nosimply because the fella wanted her
to give up her dancingand just be his wife.She never said
if she loved him or not.Then a few months later,
Daddy took sick and didn't get better.And it turned out
that he never wouldand that he would need
constant medical care until the end."Six months to two years," they said.Iris' salary wasn't enough,and in two months' time,
all our savings were gone.I couldn't work.
I was only and still in grade school.The next thing I knew,
she married her rich suitor,and we were all living in great style
on his estate in Long Island.Daddy had the best care
money could buy,and he seemed happy
despite everything.Iris gave up her dancing
according to the marriage bargainand did little else
but sit at Daddy's bedside.Sick as he was, he always
laughed a lot when they were together.I guess I hated her
more than ever now.A year passed like that.Her husband was a sweet man, but
none of us paid much attention to him.And by then, I'm sure he knew
she didn't love him,but he never said anything.Then one cold winter morning,the maid woke us
and said that Daddy was dead.Iris was like a stone.She didn't even blink.I began to cry
and shout that I hated her...that she had only pretended with Daddyand that she didn't ever love him.She didn't say a word.In his room, she stood quietly over
his body for a long time and smiled.Then she went upstairs to her room
and put on their favorite record.It was from one of her ballets.She played it very loud.A short time later,
her husband found her in bedwith the covers drawn
up to her neck.She had cut her wrists,
and she was dead.She left me a note.
She said she loved me.
She was sorry for making
a mess of everything between us.
A few days later, I was in the city
attending to some legal things,
and I happened to pass
the dance hall.
The sign read, "Pleasureland...
dancing partners wanted."
I don't know what possessed me.
I went up.
I actually took the job.
I don't understand any part of it.
Every night I worked
in that depraved place...
a human zoo...
I kept thinking, "At least Iris
never had... had to dance like this."
And then I started to feel
less unhappy.
Come on.
Let's go out for a walk.
She got dressed,
and we went out for a walk.And I bought her an ice cream
and saw her laugh for the first time.I suppose we must have walked for
hours, and slowly her mood changed,and she became very happy
and optimistic about life in general.But when I told her I was planningto take the train back to Seattle
the next day,she got serious again
and very quiet.I didn't know it then,
but I was already in over my head,and I couldn't have cared less.We didn't get back until after lunch,and then in her apartment...
- Something's happened.
- I know.
- Do you know?
- Sure. You kissed me.
Is that all?
That's all I saw,
and I was watching all the time.
I love you.
Love me? That's funny.
Why is it so funny? Why?
It's a mistake
to confuse pity with love.
Look, Gloria...
Looking back now, I really don't know
what her reasons were then,but she agreed
to come out to Seattle with me.I should have had sense enough,
though, to know that it was no good,and she was so scared,
she'd grab at anything.But I was kidding myself, and all I could
think of was how much I wanted her.We made train reservationsand wired Uncle George
to brace himself for a niece.And then we began
to get our finances together.- Yes.
- This is Louie out front.Gloria Price just called and said
I should tell you she's coming in tonightto pick up her last week's salary.You there, Mr. Rappalo?
Thanks. Good-bye.
- Hello, Albert.
- Hello there, Davey.- How are you?
- Okay, thanks.Listen, have you got enough money on
you to cash my check from yesterday?
What's the rush?
Bank's open in the morning.
I don't feel too good.I think I'll go out to Seattle for a while
and take stock of things.- I'll explain it...
- Wait, I'll see.Thanks. I'd appreciate it.- Okay, come on over.
- Say...
How about... Pleasureland instead?
You know, that dance hall
at th and Broadway.
Maybe around : tonight?
I'll be there,
but it has to be : sharp.
I'm taking my wife to a show,
and I'll just about make it.
All right. I'll see you there.
Take it easy.
Okay.
- Still feel the same way?
- Yes.
I understand
you're going away someplace.
Yes.
- Where?
- That's my business.
- I came for my paycheck.
- Oh, sure.
- How much do I owe you?
- For a week.
- Can't you tell me where you're going?
- No.
- Will I ever see you again?
- I doubt it.
- I couldn't take that.
- You'll have to.
- That's not true.
- Why isn't it?
I could kill you right here and now.
I don't think you will.
I wouldn't be too sure of that.
Look, Vinnie,
l... I really am in a hurry.
- For what?
- Somebody's waiting downstairs.
- You going away with him?
- I don't have to tell you anything.
All the same, you are,
though, aren't you?
You figure it out.
- Then you are.
- No comment.
He's a bum. You'll spend
the rest of your life grubbing for him.
- Is that so?
- Sure.
Like the man said,
"Can happiness buy money?"
Well, you're a comedian, too.
See what I'm missing?
Get out.
I'm not asking for favors,
but you owe it to me.
Get out!
Come on.
Give me back the scarf.
Come on.
Come on!
Miss, the boss says he's sorry,
and if you go upstairs,
you can collect your money.
What do you guys want?
Who are you?
Here. You want my money?
Here, take it.
Where'd you go?
Some jerk grabbed my scarf.
Did you get the money?
First he said no,
then he gave me an extra hundred.
He's weird.
Did you see Albert?
Somebody was here before.
I guess he got tired of waiting.
We'll call him when he gets home.
We had some ham and eggsand took our time saying good-bye
to the bright lights.Then we went home.Downstairs in the courtyard,
I suggested we each go and get packedand I'd come over when I was through.
Open up in there!
Hey, you.
Open this door!
Open the door!
Looks like he's gone.
- You know where?
- No, sir.
- Where's he from?
- I don't know.
- When did he leave?
- I don't know.
- How long's he lived here?
- About a year.
Give me a hand with this drawer.
It's jammed.
Yes, sir.
- Say, what kind of trouble is he in?
- Bad trouble.
They found his manager's body
about an hour ago
with his head bashed in.
Okay, let's go.
Good morning, Mr. Rappalo.
Gee, I'm sorry I missed you
at the arena last week,
but, well, anyhow,
Mr. Albert told me to tell you...
That was my manager
you knocked off.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
- Where is she?
- Who do you mean?
- The girl, where is she?
- I don't know.
You don't know?
I'm gonna count to three,
and if you still don't know,
I'm gonna blow your brains out.
One, two...
She's in a loft on th Street.
- How'd she get there?
- Boys were waiting at her apartment.
- Is she all right?
- Yeah, sure, she's all right.
I had to do it.
She saw the boys at the dance hall.
She was a witness.
I thought you were dead.
They grabbed her and made it look
like she packed up and left.
l... I thought you were dead.
I didn't want murder.
It's all gone wrong.
Get goin'!
Get 'em up.
Is that you, Mr. Rappalo?
Yes, it's me, boys.
Up! Everybody up!
Against the wall
and lean on your hands.
Come on.
- How are you, baby?
- I'm okay.
I can't get the rope.
Be careful.
You.
Yeah, you.
Untie her.
Listen, Vinnie... don't kill me.
I don't want to die.
I'll do anything you say.
Anything.
You love him though, don't you?
I don't know.
I don't think so.
I've only known him two days.
Two days?
Please, Vinnie.
Please don't kill me.
You said you were
mad about me, remember?
I'm just an old man,
and I smell bad, remember?
I didn't mean it.
You know I didn't mean it.
- We could go away.
- Sure.
Sure, I've got lots of money.
We could have
loads of fun someplace, sure.
London, Paris, Sicily.
I'll do anything you want.
Maybe we could get married,
settle down, have a couple of kids.
- Sure.
- Sure.
What do you take me for,
a -karat sucker?
You and lover boy
aren't gonna put me in the hot seat.
You liked me once, remember?
Remember how nice it was?
It could be like that again, Vinnie.
It could be like that again.
- You're forgetting about him?
- I don't care about him.
Baby, you coulda had anything once,
but, no, you were too good for me.
So you come up to my office,
and you get me mad.
So I send the boys down
to work over lover boy.
They grab the wrong guy.
He bangs his head too hard
on the sidewalk,
so that makes me the sucker?
Not on your life, baby.
Not on your life!
Don't shoot. Come on.
Stay with her.
Go ahead!
He went down there.
Be careful.
It's a dead-end alley.
He'll never get out.
Look out!
Get that down!
Come on, hurry!
- What's the matter?
- My leg.
- Come on!
- I can't.
My gun!
I gotta get out of here.
I don't see anything, do you, Joe?
Well, let's go up to the roof
and take a look anyway.
When the cops came,
I took them back to free Gloria.The guy on the roof
was picked up later.On the ride to the police station,
Gloria didn't say very much.I guess she was trying
to work out in her own mindwhy I ran and left her alone like that.I don't suppose she ever thought
about how I might've feltlistening to her talk
to Rappalo that way.At the station house,
they separated us for questioning.Five hours later, they chalked off
Rappalo with self-defenseand then worked a confession
from the hoods on Albert's murder.I was free.On my way out, the desk sergeant said
Gloria had left an hour before.There was no message for me,and I haven't heard from her
or seen her since.And now I don't suppose
I ever will again.Anyway, I guess
the whole thing was pretty silly...know a girl for two days
and fall in love.So I cashed my check,
sent flowers to Albert's widow,cleaned up, and here I am.The Pathfinder to Chicago
and Seattle,leaving at : west gate, track .Passengers for Pittsburgh, Chicago,St. Louis and Seattle.This train has reserved seats,
dining cars, and sleeping cars.The Pathfinder to Chicago
and Seattle leaving...
Davey!
Davey!