Iris In:
IRIS OUT:
INT. FOX EXECUTIVE OFFICES
A small group of executives is meeting. EXEC #1 is sitting behind a large desk. EXEC #2 is seated in a guest chair.
EXEC #1
We're taking a lot of heat. It's passing Star Wars as the box office champ, but the director hasn't been paid anything.
EXEC #2
He forfeited his points and salary, right here in this room. Don't you remember?
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MEXICO
The nearly full-sized hulk of the Titanic set sits half sunk in water. JAMES CAMERON walks ashore in hip waders. The CONTINUITY DIRECTOR approaches.
CAMERON
What's next?
CONTINUITY DIRECTOR
462. But you better go back to your trailer first.
CAMERON
Trouble?
CONTINUITY DIRECTOR
The money guy.
INT. CAMERON'S TRAILER
CAMERON enters. The MONEY GUY is seated at a desk poring over the books.
CAMERON
Can I help you?
MONEY GUY
The ship is sinking.
CAMERON
That's the idea. It does.
MONEY GUY
No, not that ship.
(He turns the books to face Cameron)
This ship! You're so far over budget and behind schedule, the picture can't be finished.
CAMERON
It can't be! I'm only half through!
MONEY GUY
Just because your checkbook has checks doesn't mean you have any more money. We gave you a hundred million. You've hit an iceburg, pal.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FOX EXECUTIVE OFFICES
CAMERON, The MONEY GUY, and EXEC #1 are meeting.
EXEC #1
Jim, I think you're a great filmmaker. But there are limits to the risk I can expose the studio to. I have to shut you down.
CAMERON
There has to be a way to finish the picture!
EXEC #1
I'm listening.
CAMERON
Get someone else's money ...
EXEC #1 and the MONEY GUY exchange glances.
EXEC #1
What about it?
MONEY GUY
We could sell shares.
EXEC #1
That never works. People smell panic when you sell shares in a picture.
CAMERON
Sell them quietly. Call Sherry Lansing at Paramount. She'll buy them.
EXEC #1
I need something from you. If I call Sherry Lansing and ask her for money, it's going to cost me some face.
CAMERON
You can tear up my contract!
EXEC #1
Are you sure about that?
CAMERON
And if the picture's a flop, I take the blame. I'm dressed in my best, and I'm prepared to die as a filmmaker!
DISSOLVE TO:
MONTAGE
We see CAMERON working like a slave finishing his picture. He's up to his neck in water on the set, next editing the finished film. From there we watch him make the chat show circuit.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MOVIE THEATRE - NIGHT
Titanic's gala premiere has brought out the stars. The stand-up correspondents covering the event are talking about how the picture will never make its money back. KEVIN COSTNER enters with a huge grin on his face.
The cover of Daily Variety spins onto screen. TITANIC STEAMS TO #1 AT BOX OFFICE! is the headline.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FOX EXECUTIVE OFFICES
EXEC #2 is finishing his story.
EXEC #2
So he never stopped. I saw him on television this morning promoting a movie he'll never make a dime from.
EXEC #1
And every time Cameron appears on TV, people are reminded that he hasn't been paid.
EXEC #2
We could pay him.
EXEC #1
Good God, man! Are you insane?
EXEC #2
Think of it as advertising. We call a press conference, announce we're giving Cameron his salary and points back. Lots of Titanic posters all over the place. The box office bump that happens by Friday will pay for the salary.
EXEC #1
How do we recoup the loss of the points?
EXEC #2
(Lost in thought)
Oscars! We nail the Oscars! We campaign so hard they have to give it a zillion awards. The more awards, the more box office.
EXEC #1 reaches for his phone.
EXEC #1
Send in the accountants.
The camera pulls back as the background darkens. MONGO steps into frame dressed as Rod Serling.
MONGO
Sufficient to say, some of what you have seen is true. Other parts we have embellished for the sake of story. Submitting for your inspection, in the town of Hollywood the man with a dream who never gives up is the winner. Whether it's the Academy giving him three Oscars for never giving up, or just his own personal satisfaction and honor. In the Twilight Zone.
Camera cranes up to the star-filled sky.
IRIS IN:
END