The Sting II

Video Clip: The Sting II

Setting: Inside the presidential suite and the adjoining supply room.

Characters: Mason, Veronica, and Peter.

Premise: Right after the meeting and the confrontation between Mason and Peter in the hallway, Veronica works on getting Mason to open up to her while Peter is watching and recording their convention from the secret room next door.

Mason: I've never enjoyed celebrating alone.

(Mason and Veronica sit down on the couch next to it other.)

Veronica: It was a good meeting with your bankers, wasn't it?

Mason: (While pouring glasses of Champaign for the two of them.) It was excellent. Before long Capwell Enterprises will be the owners of one of the most prime pieces of beachfront properties in all of Santa Barbara. I think I mentioned it to you it's not a small piece. It's over 50 acres. We can develop it for any number of uses.

Veronica: I was wondering how you were going to get the Lockridges to sell.

Mason: The trick is in the word sell. How can they sell if they don't own?

Veronica: I don't know, I still don't understand all of it.

Mason: That's all right, neither do they, (Laughs). It's part of what makes this whole negotiation so much fun. (Mason rests his hand on Veronica's knee.)

Peter: (Inside the secret room watching). Get your hands off of her.

Veronica: Are all of your business dealings fun?

Mason: Not enough of them, but this one is choice. If I was prone to belly laughs I would be having one now.

Veronica: Interesting. I always thought of you as a fairly serious man.

Mason: Well you should. I'm serious fairly often.

Veronica: The humorous side though, I have not seen that too often.

Mason: Veronica, talking business with a woman is neither humorous nor compelling.

Veronica: What is it?

Mason: It's boring.

Veronica: Oh. (She looks like she doesn't like hearing this but doesn't say anything further.)

Mason: Fortunately however there is a great tide of passion in me that rises above business and brings me great pleasure. (Puts his glass of Champaign down on the coffee table, takes hers and also places it on the table while talking.) In fact, (Takes her hand and leads her out to an open space in the room.) I feel so terrific tonight I feel like dancing. (Starts leading her in a dance.)

Veronica: There isn't any music

Mason: Oh isn't there? (Starts to sing,) Wherever skies look grey to me, trouble begins to brew. Whenever the winds become too strong, I concentrate on you.

Veronica: That's very good!

Mason: Yet another side of me you didn't know.

Veronica: Is it me or is it the Lockridge property?

Mason: It's a little of both. You know how long my father has wanted that property.

Veronica: You told me a long time.

Mason: Possibly all his life. It's quite a coup.

Peter: (Still in hiding). I wouldn't get to confident, Mason. You haven't got it signed yet.

Veronica: Well, congratulations!

Mason: You know Veronica; you've been very helpful in all of this. I fully intend to show how much I appreciate it. (Kisses her neck.)

Peter: Let go of her.

Veronica: Well, I like to be helpful.

Mason: (Chuckles). Well, I assure you I won't forget. In fact tonight I'm going to give you a token of my esteem. (He pulls her in tighter against him.)

Veronica: (Gently pushes away from him and they stop dancing.) Um, Mason, I'm sorry, but I'm really tired tonight. You know I worked a long eight-hour day and then these notes I took tonight.

Mason: Now Veronica, we can't let work take over our lives.

Veronica: Yes, this is true, but I really think I'd better be going. I've been working very late these past few days.

Mason: Business late or pleasure late.

Veronica: Business, lot of reports.

Mason: Ah, Peter Flint, ever the teacher, (Laughs). Still assigning term papers. You can take the teacher out of the high school but you can't take the high school out of the teacher.

Veronica: He's trying to do a good job.

Mason: Veronica, I appreciate you trying to defend your boss but I frankly have some doubts about his abilities.

Veronica: He's very smart.

Mason: There's different ways of being smart. You know Veronica, I trust you. I think you're loyal to Capwell Enterprises. I would like you to keep an eye on Peter for me.

Veronica: What do you mean by that?

Mason: Oh, you know, watch him. Watch how he works, how he deals with mistakes, with people, that sort of thing, give me a report every now and then.

Veronica: I can't do that!

Mason: Of course you can. It would be in the best interest of the Hotel.

Veronica: Uh, Mason, Peter is a good boss. He's conscientious. He tries very hard.

Mason: A word to the wise Veronica, don't build any strong loyalties to Peter Flint. He's on his way out of the business, and the family.

Peter: We'll see about that. (Checks that his tape recorder is still recording.)

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