South By Southeast
An unauthorized continuation of Hitchcock’s greatest chase.
This is a serialized screenplay continuation of a classic 1950s thriller, presented in script format to preserve its cinematic voice. Each installment unfolds scene by scene, as if you’re reading the film as it’s projected.
PROLOGUE
FADE IN
We HEAR the tension-filled strains of Bernard Herrmann’s score to the 1959 precursor of the action spy thriller.
INT MOVIE STUDIO EDITING SUITE, CIRCA LATE 1950s
Flickering cigar smoke drifts through the projector light, as we hear the rhythmic click of the projector. On the distant screen, two hands reach for each other… just as they nearly touch.
A silhouetted CIGAR SMOKER blocks the screen momentarily. We catch a glimpse of an expensive cufflink and, in the background, a fleeting few seconds of ROGER THORNHILL and EVE KENDALL on the 20th Century Limited as their train disappears into the tunnel and the whistle screams.
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ACT ONE : CONSEQUENCES AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
EXT. DARK RAILWAY TUNNEL – DAY (LATE 1950s)
The 20th Century Limited hurtles through the darkness; its headlamp blazes toward us. The projector click merges with the pulse of the locomotive drive wheels.
EXT. RAILROAD TRACK - DAY
The streamlined J-2 “Hudson” class locomotive bursts from the tunnel in a cloud of steam, black smoke and thrashing pistons into the light of autumn along the Hudson River. The shrill whistle fads with Doppler effect.
INT. CAR 3901 DRAWING ROOM E - DAY
A hand holding a towel reaches up and wipes the fog off the bath mirror revealing a MAN’S FACE covered in lather as he shaves. It is ROGER THORNHILL.
EVE (o.s.)
Roger, could you hurry it up.
THORNHILL
Your fault! Keeping me up all night.
He wipes his face and using Eve’s hair brush, straightens his neatly trimmed mane. He enters the berth where EVE is finishing up packing. He hands her hair brush and she gives it disdainful look.
THORNHILL
So, when’d we have time for me to buy a new one?
Eve shakes her head, while THORNHILL slips on his white dress shirt and admires the passing colors and sparkling river.
THORNHILL
I’ll take the Hudson over the Black Hills any day.
EVE
Plane would have been faster.
THORNHILL
But not nearly as “comfortable”.
Eve blushes. She finishes packing.
EVE
Can you get us some coffee?
THORNHILL
Sure. Why don’t we go down to the dining car?
EVE
I need to freshen up.
THORNHILL
I never learned how you like it…the coffee.
EVE
Black, milk on the side, please.
THORNHILL
Coming up.
Thornhill leaves and Eve checks to make sure he’s left. She pulls some ear rings out of her bag and places them under a pillow in the berth. She then wipes her face and “repairs” her makeup.
INT DINING CAR
A STEWARD fills two coffee cups, milk on the side, and puts them on a tray.
THORNHILL
How soon to New York?
BLACK STEWARD
‘Bout 25 minutes, I’d say, sir.
THORNHILL
Just enough.
Roger drops a couple dollars and walks back to the berth, being careful not to spill the coffee.
INT CAR 3901 DRAWING ROOM E
Eve is sitting with a magazine when Roger taps the door with his foot.
THORNHILL (o.s.)
Room service.
Eve opens the door. Thornhill, momentarily bracing himself against the doorway, puts the tray down, takes Eve’s wrist and begins to kiss her passionately.
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INT. NEW YORK GRAND CENTRAL STATION TRACK PLATFORM
The 20th Century Limited is pulling into the station.
PUBLIC ADDRESS
20th Century Limited arriving on Track 7.
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CLOSE UP: MAN’S HAND HOLDING THE STUB OF A SMOLDERING CIGAR
A burly plain clothes policeman and several uniformed officers stand on the platform. As the train comes to a stop, he crushes out the cigar stub with his foot, and glances at a 5x7 newspaper photo of Roger Thornhill. He shows it to the uniformed officers and sticks it back in his suit pocket.
PLAIN CLOTHES OFFICER
Car thirty-nine-oh-one.
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INT. CAR 3901 PASSAGE WAY
THORNHILL and EVE have gathered what few belongings they have, hers mostly.
THORNHILL
Well, here we are?
EVE
Yes.. here we are.
THORNHILL
So.. your place or mine? (Teasingly)
EVE
And what about “Mother”?
THORNHILL
Too early to introduce you two?
EVE (smiling)
As they reach the door of the car, Eve notices she’s “forgotten” her earrings.
EVE
Oh Roger, I left my earrings in the berth.
You go ahead. I’ll catch up.
THORNHILL
I can wait.
EVE
No, go ahead.
She disappears back down the passageway and into Drawing Room E
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EXT. TRACK 7 PLATFORM.
ROGER steps from the train and is immediately confronted by the police.
PLAIN CLOTHES OFFICER
Roger O. Thornhill?
THORNHILL
Yes?
PLAIN CLOTHES OFFICER
I am arresting you for the murder of Lester Townsend.
Turns to uniformed officers…
PLAIN CLOTHES OFFICER
Cuff him!
THORNHILL offers no resistance. He puts down EVE’s turquoise-colored suitcase.
THORNHILL
Not mine. Hers. She’ll be along.
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INT. CAR 3901 DRAWING ROOM E
EVE watches ROGER being arrested as he calmly protests, but she does nothing.
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EXT. TRAIN PLATFORM
Uniformed officer handcuffs THORNHILL with his arms in front as Roger glances back for EVE and is led off as onlookers gape, concern and disappointment written across his face.
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INT. CAR 3901 DRAWING ROOM E
EVE turns away, guilt reflected in her eyes. She walks down the railcar’s passage way… the opposite direction she’d come and away from the police.
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CU. EVE’S SUITCASE ON THE PLATFORM
Eve retrieves the suitcaase and walks with determination towards the platform gate.
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INT. GRAND CENTRAL STATION
THORNHILL led from the station by officers as passersby stop and stare. THORNHILL smiles back…
THORNHILL
Mistaken identity.
EVE emerges up the stairs as THORNHILL is led out to waiting black and white police car. She pauses, watching with hint of concern and regret, then walks quickly to a row of pay phones, puts down her bag, reaches into her purse to retrieve some coins. She opens the bifold door, enters and starts to make a call.
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