THE TRUMAN SHOW
BY
by Andrew Niccol
Shooting Script
A FOGGED MIRROR
Behind the fog we hear the sounds of a bathroom. After a
long moment, a hand wipes the condensation from the glass to
reveal the face of TRUMAN BURBANK. He wears a sleeveless
Hanes undershirt and blue-stripes pajama bottoms, behind him
a white glazed tiled bathroom wall. It is immediately
apparent that we are viewing him through a two-way mirror.
Truman, expressionless, studies his reflection in the mirror.
For a long moment, he does nothing. He continues to look
impassively into the mirror for what becomes an uncomfortably
long time. Still nothing. Finally he speaks, talking to
himself in the mirror as if participating in a TV interview.
TRUMAN
... personally I think the
unconquered south face is the only
one worth scaling... of course it's
a 20,000 foot sheer wall of ice but
then when did that ever stop me
before? Naturally, I intend to make
the ascent without the benefit of
oxygen but also without crampons or
even an ice pick... risks?
(smug, TV smiles)
... sure I'm aware of the risks --
why else do you think I would spend
seven years as an adjuster in a life
insurance company?
MERYL (O.S.)
Truman, you're gonna be late!
Truman resignedly opens the door of the
cabinet and replaces his shaving tackle. It
partially obscures the lens of the hidden
camera. He closes the door and exits.
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
MERYL, wearing a stylish robe, sits at the kitchen table
sipping coffee. On the table in front of her lies a parcel.
TRUMAN enters and glances at the gift.
TRUMAN
What's that?
MERYL
It's a surprise.
TRUMAN unwraps the parcel -- an expensive-looking set of
exercise sweats.
MERYL
(eager for his response)
Well, what do you think?
TRUMAN
They're...
(the merest hesitation)
perfect. Thank you.
Truman returns Meryl's kiss.
MERYL
(handing him the sweat top)
Try it on.
Truman pulls the top over his head. As he does so, a closer
shot focuses on the manufacturer's name.
MERYL
I thought you could wear them when
you do your exercises.
(afterthought)
Pre-shrunk. And they breathe.
EXT. TRUMAN'S HOUSE - DAY
Wearing a business suit, briefcase in hand, TRUMAN emerges
from his pleasant, Victorian-inspired, picket-fenced house
into an idyllic suburban street of similarly picturesque
homes. A neighbor, SPENCER, is taking in trashcans,
whistling a tune. Spencer breaks off abruptly as Truman
approaches his car. His license plate reads, "Seahaven --
A Nice Place To Live."
SPENCER
Morning, Truman.
TRUMAN
Morning, Spencer. And in case I
don't see you, good afternoon, good
evening and good night.
Spencer's dog, PLUTO, bounds happily over to Truman.
TRUMAN
(petting the dog)
Hey, Pluto.
Truman exchanges a polite nod with the WASHINGTON's, an
African-American family across the street. MR. WASHINGTON is
farewelled by his WIFE and CHILD.
Truman is about to climb into his car when he is distracted
by a high-pitched whistling sound. Suddenly, a large
spherical glass object falls from the sky and lands with a
deafening crash on the street, several yards from his car.
The startled Truman looks to Spencer but he has abruptly
disappeared inside his house with Pluto. Mrs. Washington and
Washington Junior has also made themselves scarce.
Truman investigates. Amidst a sea of shattered glass are the
remains of a light mechanism.
He looks around him but the street is deserted. He checks
that all the surrounding street lights are accounted for,
even though the fallen fixture is far larger. He looks up
into the sky but there is no plane in sight. With some
effort, Truman picks up what's left of the crumpled light
and loads it into the trunk. A label on the light fixture reads,
"SIRIUS (9 Canis Major)." As he drives away, we hear the
sound of his car radio.
RADIO ANNOUNCER
Another glorious morning in Seahaven,
folks.
INT/ EXT. TRUMAN'S CAR - SEAHAVEN - DAY
TRUMAN makes his way along the streets of Seahaven past a
series of quaint, pastel-shaded cottages.
EXT. SEAHAVEN ISLAND TOWNSHIP - DAY
A high-angle reveals an anonymous mid-sized town built around
a small, pretty bay. A cluster of high-rise buildings stand
at the water's edge overlooking a marina. Surrounding the
commercial center lie neatly arranged suburbs.
EXT. OCEANSIDE STREET - DAY
Pausing at a traffic light along a seaside road, TRUMAN looks
through a curious wooden arch to the beach and ocean beyond.
The sight triggers a memory in his head.
PLAYBACK - EXT. LONG, WIDE BEACH - DAY
Unlike a conventional flashback, the scene in his memory
appears to be playing on a television screen.
FOUR-YEAR-OLD TRUMAN runs towards a bluff on the beach.
The boy's father, KIRK, late-thirties, beer bottle in hand,
flirts with TWO TEENAGE GIRLS at the shoreline. Suddenly,
the father remembers his son. He looks anxiously around.
The sight of the boy at the far end of the beach causes him
to drop his bottle in the sand and run to Truman.
The boy is near the top of the cliff before his agitated
father comes within earshot.
FATHER
(out of breath,
clutching his side)
Truman! Truman! Stop!
Truman turns from his perch and waves happily down to his
father. But the smile quickly vanishes when he registers the
anger and distress on his father's face.
FATHER
Come down now!
His father's unnatural anxiety makes the next bay even more
tantalizing. The boy considers defying his father. He puts
his hand on the rock above him to stretch up and sneak a peek
at the other side. One good stretch would do it.
FATHER
(reading Truman's
mind, enraged)
No!
TRUMAN
Why? What's there?
FATHER
(unconvincing)
Nothing. It's... it's dangerous.
(trace of desperation)
Come down, now! Please!
Truman is suddenly aware that the hundreds of other
BEACHGOERS have stopped their activities to stare at him.
Reluctantly, he starts to retrace his steps down the rocks.
When he finally jumps to the sand, his father embraces him
and leads him away.
FATHER
I told you to stay close. Don't ever
leave my sight again.
(pause)
You've got to know your limitations.
You could've fallen.
INT. TRUMAN'S CAR - DOWNTOWN SEAHAVEN - MORNING - PRESENT
Through his car window, TRUMAN buys a cup of coffee from a
streetside VENDOR.
VENDOR
How are ya, Truman?
TRUMAN
(placing his fingers
to his pulse)
Vital signs are good.
He pulls into a parking space and sips on the coffee. And he
drinks, he becomes aware of a school bell summoning children
to class in the adjacent Elementary School. The image
prompts another childhood memory.
PLAYBACK - INT. SEAHAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY
Once again, the flashback appears to be playing on a
television screen.
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD TRUMAN sits in the middle rrow of an Elementary
School classroom surrounded by twenty-or-so othegr well-
scrubbed, uniformed YOUNGSTERS. MARLON, the boy next to Truman,
is on his feet under the scrutiny of a kindly Norman Rockwell-
style SCHOOL MISTRESS.
MISTRESS
What do you want to do when you
grow up, Marlon?
MARLON
I want to be an entrepreneur like
my dad.
SCHOOL MISTRESS
(impressed)
Tell the class what an "entrepreneur"
does, Marlon.
MARLON
He makes a lot of money, Ma'am.
SCHOOL MISTRESS
A good one does, Marlon.
(looking in her purse,
hamming it up)
Perhaps I'll be coming to you for
a loan one of these days.
The Class titters. Marlon sits down and winks to Truman.
SCHOOL MISTRESS
What about you, Truman?
Truman rises to his feet, gathering his nerve.
TRUMAN
I want to be an explorer...
(with reverence)
... like Magellan.
The School Mistress smiles benevolently.
SCHOOL MISTRESS
(slightly condescending)
I'm afraid no one's going to pay you
to do that, Truman. You might have
to find something a little more
practical.
(glancing to a pulldown
wall map behind her
head)
Besides, you're too late. There's
really nothing left to explore.
The class roars with laughter as the crestfallen Truman takes
his seat.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY - PRESENT
TRUMAN, briefcase in hand, crosses from the parking lot to the
town square, surrounded by similarly suited, briefcase-toting
OFFICE WORKERS.
EXT. DOWNTOWN SEAHAVEN - DAY
TRUMAN walks briskly down the bustling city street. A snarl of
taxis, buses and COMMUTER traffic. A STREET VENDOR thrusts a
pretzel under Truman's nose, a CAREER WOMAN tries to catch his
eye.
Truman stops at a kiosk and buys a newspaper -- "THE ISLAND
TIMES."
VENDOR
Is that all for you, Truman?
TRUMAN
That's all. Thanks, Errol.
Other CUSTOMERS also purchase the morning paper. Tucking his
copy under his arm, Truman selects a glossy magazine from a
rack, quickly flicking through the pages.
Glancing in the direction of the NEWSPAPER VENDOR and finding
him busy with another CUSTOMER, Truman deftly tears a portion
of the open page and pockets the cutting. He hastily replaces
the magazine and departs.
As Truman hurries away, the vendor exits the kiosk and picks
up the magazine, instantly turning to the torn page. It is a
cosmetics advertisement with the MODEL'S NOSE missing.
However, the vendor makes no effort to confront Truman,
almost as if he were expecting it.
EXT. SEAHAVEN LIFE AND ACCIDENT. INC - DAY
Truman passes along a row of shops and offices, finally
entering a building that proudly proclaims, "Seahaven Life &
Accident Inc." above the entrance. He has evidently taken
his teacher's advice.
INT. INSURANCE COMPANY - SEAHAVEN LIFE AND ACCIDENT, INC. - DAY
In a cramped, cluttered cubicle, TRUMAN talks on the telephone.
TRUMAN
(into receiver)
...okay, okay, let's call it what it
is...I'm not going to lie to you...
life insurance is death insurance...
you've just got to ask yourself two
questions...one, in the event of
your death, will anyone experience
financial loss?... and two, do you
care?
A CLERK drops a large reference book on Truman's desk.
Truman checks the spine -- "MARITIME ACCIDENTS."
TRUMAN
(into receiver)
Hold on, will you?
(to clerk, referring to
the book)
This is no good. Lumps all maritime
accidents together. I need drownings
as a separate category.
The clerk shrugs, returns the book to his cart and continues
his rounds.
TRUMAN
(returning to his call)
... just think about what I've been
saying and let me... hello?
The person on the other end has hung up. With an apathetic
shrug, Truman replaces the receiver. He looks over his
shoulder and places another call.
TRUMAN
(lowering his voice)
Can you connect me with directory
inquiries in Fiji?
A CO-WORKER pokes his head over the neighboring cubicle.
CO-WORKER
What do you know, Truman?
TRUMAN
(embarrassed, mouthing
the word)
Can't talk.
(waving off his neighbor,
pretending to be on a
business call)
I'm sorry, ma'am. If he's in a coma,
he's probably uninsurable.
The Co-Worker disappears back into his own cubicle.
TRUMAN
(lowering his voice again)
Hello, operator... yes, Fiji... Do
you have a listing for a Lauren
Garland?
(pause)
... nothing listed? ... what about a
Sylvia Garland, "S" for Sylvia...
nothing? Okay, thanks...
The disconsolate Truman replaces the receiver. Other
INSURANCE AGENTS are heading to lunch. Truman puts on his
jacket and follows them to the elevators.
INT. LOCAL ITALIAN DELI. - LUNCHTIME
Behind a deli counter, TYRONE, fifties, is having his hair
brushed by a YOUNG MAN. The man fusses one final time, then
swiftly departs through a rear door just as TRUMAN enters the
store. Tyrone has anticipated Truman's order and has already
begun preparing a meatball and mozzarella sandwich on an
Italian roll. Truman gazes at the sandwich skillfully under
construction, pained by his own predictability.
TYRONE
(nauseatingly cheerful)
How's it going, Truman?
TRUMAN
(deadpan)
Not bad. I just won the State
Lottery.
TYRON
(not listening to Truman's
reply)
Good. Good.
TRUMAN
Tyron, what if I said I didn't want
meatball today?
TYRON
(not missing a beat,
passing Truman his
wrapped sandwich)
I'd ask for identification.
Truman forces a half-smile and exits.
TYRONE
See you tomorrow, Truman.
TRUMAN
You can count on it.
EXT. SECLUDED PARK - DAY
TRUMAN eats lunch alone at a small, out-of-the-way park
dominated by a gazebo. From his briefcase he pulls out an
old, hardcovered book, "To The Ends Of The Earth -- The Age
Of Exploration." He reads to himself, his sandwich uneaten
besides him. Struck by a particular passage, he reads aloud.
TRUMAN
"With a mutiny but half-repressed and
starvation imminent, he pressed
southward till he found the long-
hoped-for straits..."
Truman is interrupted by a TRANSIENT in a wheelchair. It is
the man's sneakers Truman notices first, over the top of his
book -- they are distinctively initialed, "T. S." Still
under the spell of the account of Magellan, he hands the
grateful man his sandwich.
INT. A CONFERENCE ROOM SOMEWHERE - DAY
A group of a dozen MEN and WOMEN of varying ages sit around a
circular conference table in a sterile, windowless meeting
room. All stare at a single telephone placed in the center
of the table, anticipating a call. On cue, the phone rings
and one of the men, after waiting for the second ring, picks
up.
MAN
Hello?... I'm sorry, I've got more
than enough life insurance.
He hangs up. After a moment the phone rings again.
INT. INSURANCE COMPANY - DAY
TRUMAN sits at his desk, making a cold call.
TRUMAN
(into receiver)
... this isn't about insurance, this
is about the great variable -- when
will death occur? Could be a week, a
month, a year. Could happen today...
A sunbather, minding his own business,
gets stabbed in the heart by the tip
of a runaway beach umbrella... No way
you can guard against that kind of
thing, no way at all...
The prospect on the other end, unimpressed with Truman's
pitch, hangs up. Truman's supervisor, LAWRENCE, younger than
Truman by several years, sharper suit, sharper haircut,
appears around the corner of the cubicle.
LAWRENCE
(handing Truman some
documentation)
Hey, Burbank, I've got a prospect in
Welles Park I need you to close.
Truman's face falls. He stares out of his third floor window
at the hazy skyline of a nearby island across the bay.
TRUMAN
(referring to the island)
Welles Park on Harbor Island?
LAWRENCE
(sarcastic)
You know another one?
TRUMAN
I can't do it.
(searching for a plausible
excuse)
-- I've got an appointment, er,
dentist.
LAWRENCE
(insistent)
You'll lose a lot more than your
teeth if you don't meet your quota,
Burbank.
(the threat in his voice
is unmistakable)
They're making cutbacks at the end of
the month. You need this.
(as he exits the cubicle)
Besides, a half hour across the bay.
Sea air. Do you good.
Truman sinks back into his seat and stares out at the distant
skyline. The buildings appear very still. Truman picks up a
photo of his wife, Meryl, deposits it in his briefcase and
exits.
EXT. SEAHAVEN - DAY
Truman's car heads out of the city on its way to the ferry.
INT. SEAHAVEN FERRY TERMINAL - DAY
TRUMAN exits his car. Mustering all his nerve, he marches
into the Seahaven terminal and buys a token for the ferry.
Out of his hearing, TWO FERRY WORKERS observe Truman's
agitated behavior.
FERRY WORKER 1
I got a feeling this is the day.
FERRY WORKER 2
No way. I say he makes it through
the turnstiles but he never gets on.
The two men shake on the wager. Unaware of the scrutiny,
Truman passes through the turnstiles with a herd of TOURISTS
and COMMUTERS. He makes his way across the terminal, but
abruptly pulls up at the gangway.
As the other PASSENGERS impatiently brush past him onto the
boat, Truman remains frozen to the spot, mesmerized by the
scummy water rising and falling beneath the dock. It
triggers a memory in his head.
PLAYBACK - EXT. SEAHAVEN HARBOR - DAY
As always, the flashback appears to play on a television
screen.
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD TRUMAN, wearing a lifejacket, sits alongside
his father, KIRK, in a small sailing dinghy, sailing into a
stiff breeze.
A second sail boat circles them. We observe the father and
son from an angle atop the mast of the neighboring vessel.
TRUMAN
(shouting above the wind)
Let's go further, daddy! Let's go
further!
KIRK
(shouting back)
It's getting rough, Truman.
TRUMAN
(entreating his father)
Please!
Kirk shakes his head ruefully and indulges his son by heading
towards the gathering storm clouds on the horizon.
INT. SEAHAVEN FERRY TERMINAL - DAY - PRESENT
Truman turns and begins to fight his way back against the
tide of PASSENGERS boarding the ferry, emerging back onto the
street, gasping for air. The FERRY WORKERS settle their
wager.
EXT. ROADWAY ADJACENT TO THE FERRY TERMINAL - DAY
TRUMAN stands at a payphone. By stretching the payphone's
receiver cord as far as it will go, he is able to reach his
arm and leg into the driver's door of his car. He punctuates
his conversation with blasts on the car's horn while revving
the car's engine with his outstretched foot. The few passing
MOTORISTS and PEDESTRIANS regard Truman curiously.
TRUMAN
(shouting into phone)
I tell you the traffic's insane.
(blasting his horn
several times to
imitate the sound
of gridlock)
... I'll never make the ferry in
time. What can I do? What?...
Lawrence, I can't hear you!
Truman hangs up the phone.
INT. TRUMAN'S CAR - DAY
On his way home, a large "DETOUR" sign forces him onto a
secondary road.
INT. TRUMAN'S CAR - PARKLAND, SEAHAVEN - DAY
TRUMAN drives along a winding road through parkland. He pulls
up at a red light -- no other traffic around. His attention
is caught by an attractive YOUNG WOMAN, sitting on a park
bench not far from the intersection. She is being taunted by
TWO THUGS. She attempts to ignore the youths by concentrating
on the book on her lap.
YOUTH 1
(to woman)
You wanna read to me?
His companion smirks.
YOUTH 1
(more insistent)
You wanna read to me?
The boy reaches over and snatches the novel from that grasp.
YOUTH 2
(menacing)
My friend asked you a question.
The woman picks up her bag in a reflex and holds it to her.
She looks about for assistance, briefly catching Truman's eye.
The youths also look in Truman's direction, staring him down.
WOMAN
(reaching for the book)
Please...
The boy returns the book to the woman, but before doing so
rips out the last page from the novel and stuffs it in his
shirt pocket.
YOUTH 2
Now you're gonna have to ask me how
it ends.
One of the youths grabs the woman, dragging her toward the
surrounding woods.
YOUTH 1
We're gonna tell you how it ends,
baby.
WOMAN
Help! Please help!
As they drag towards the undergrowth, Truman, horrified, half
gets out of the car -- fearful of his own safety as much as
the woman's. Truman shouts to the youths, his voice cracking
with fear.
TRUMAN
Hey! Let her go!
A huge truck suddenly appears behind Truman's car, its horn
blasting, the DRIVER hurling abuse. Truman hesitates as the
youths drag the woman into the bushes, conflicted over whether
or not to help. The truck driver keeps his hand on the horn.
Truman retreats back into his car and reluctantly drives on.
EXT. PARKLAND - WOODS - DAY
Truman's car safely out of sight, the YOUTHS promptly release
the YOUNG WOMAN. She calmly brushes herself off, no longer
afraid. The young men, no longer angry, retrieve her bag.
WOMAN
Thanks.
The threesome walks back towards the roadway as if life-long
friends.
WOMAN
(pointing the incident)
He did nothing.
YOUTH 1
(shrugs, suddenly
more cough)
Physical violence paralyzes him.
Always has.
EXT. TRUMAN'S HOUSE - DUSK
Beyond the pretty picket fence at the end of the property
flows a busy highway.
TRUMAN is mowing the lawn. From his expression it would seem
that he's still reflecting on his inaction in the park. He
switches off the mower and leans on the handle.
He is distracted by the arrival of his wife, MERYL, exiting
the house. She wears a nurse's uniform and carries a curious
metal device attached to a card board backing. She kisses
Truman affectionately on the cheek.
MERYL
Hi, honey. Look at this.
(proudly referring to
the device)
It's a "Chef's-Mate." Dicer, slicer
and peeler in one. Never needs
sharpening. Dishwasher safe.
TRUMAN
Gee, that's great.
Looking over Truman's shoulder, Meryl notices a small, uncut
patch of grass missed by Truman in one of his passes.
MERYL
(referring to the uncut
grass)
You missed a section.
Meryl enters the house. Truman restarts the lawnmower and
obediently pushes it towards the offending patch of lawn. As
the mower brushes up against the unconforming blades of grass,
Truman pulls back abruptly. He checks the kitchen window for
Meryl and wheels the mower away, leaving the patch uncut.
INT. TRUMAN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
MERYL is removing the cap of her nurse's uniform when TRUMAN
enters.
TRUMAN
How did it go today?
MERYL
(matter-of-fact)
A man tripped and fell on a chainsaw.
(shrugs)
We got three of his fingers back on.
Truman retrieves a bucket of golf balls and a golf club from
behind the door.
MERYL
(disappointed at the sight
of the golf equipment)
I was hoping we could have a special
evening.
TRUMAN
I won't be late.
MERYL
(sensing something odd
in his demeanor)
Did something happen today?
Truman turns to her too sharply, his guilt showing.
TRUMAN
What could happen?
Truman exits.
EXT. UNFINISHED BRIDGE - NIGHT
A half-constructed bridge, paved but unmarked, ends abruptly
in mid-air -- reinforcing steel protruding from the concrete.
TRUMAN stands at the end of the unfinished bridge with MARLON,
thirties, a well-filled physique. Marlon drinks beer from a
can while Truman addresses a teed-up golf ball with a number
three wood. The headlights of their two parked cars far end
of the bridge proclaiming, "THE SEAHAVEN CAUSEWAY -- Linking
Seahaven Island With The Rest Of The World -- Your Tax Dollars
At Work" -- an upturned plastic cone at the foot of the sign
is the "hole."
Truman winds up and swings, making a healthy contact with the
ball. The ball arches away into the night sky. From a new
angle we see the ball take a huge hop on the outside lane of
the abandoned freeway and continue down the asphalt beyond
the sign.
Marlon tosses Truman another off-white ball from a bucket of
badly scarred golf balls. Truman sets the ball up on the
makeshift tee area and launches himself into his second shot.
With a slight fade, the second ball carries even further than
the first.
MARLON
Whose nuts were those?
Truman hands Marlon their sole golf club without comment.
Marlon tees up a ball of his own He uses orange golf balls.
TRUMAN
I'm thinking of getting out, Marlon.
MARLON
(mild interest only)
Yeah? Outta what?
TRUMAN
Outta my job, outta Seahaven, off
this island... out!
Marlon takes a practice swing.
MARLON
Outta your job? What the hell's
wrong with your job? You gotta great
job. You gotta desk job. I'd kill
for a desk job.
Marlon addresses the ball and swings -- a sweeping hook shot
that bounces off the freeway and into the water hazard.
MARLON
(annoyed by the errant
tee shot)
Sonofabitch.
(still looking in the
direction of his ball)
Try stocking vending machines for a
living. My biggest decision of the
day is whether the Almond Joys look
better next to the Snickers of the
Baby Ruths.
Truman selects another "M" ball from the bucket and tosses it
to Marlon.
TRUMAN
(adamant)
Haven't you ever gotten itchy feet?
Overcompensating with his second shot, Marlon slices the ball
in the other direction. A lucky bounce keeps it on the "green."
The ball rolls in the direction of the upturned cone.
MARLON
(skeptical, picking
up his beer)
Where is there to go?
Truman gulps his beer as he prepares his answer.
TRUMAN
(unable to disguise
his reverence)
Fiji.
Marlon considers Truman's suggestion as he sips his beer.
MARLON
(impressed)
Fiji? Where the hell is Fiji
exactly? Near Florida? You can't
drive there, can you?
Truman picks up a golf ball to demonstrate. He points to a
dimple on his make-shift globe.
TRUMAN
See here, this is us.
(sliding his finger
around the other
side of the ball)
All the way round here, Fiji. You
can't get any further away before
you start coming back.
(tossing the world in
his hand, warming to
his subject)
Y'know, there are still islands in
Fiji where no human has ever set
foot.
MARLON
(still dubious)
So when are you leaving?
TRUMAN
It's not that simple. Takes money,
planning. You can't just up and go.
(heading off Marlon's
skepticism)
Oh, I'm going to do it, don't worry
about that. I've just got to move
slow. Pick my movement. Bonus
time's just around the corner.
Soon as I finish the...
MARLON
Nursery?
TRUMAN
Spare room -- I can start thinking
about selling up... and I'll be
gone. Up and away on that big
steel bird.
(as if to convince himself)
I'm going, don't you worry about
that.
Marlon nods even though the concept of taking flight is beyond
his imagination.
MARLON
I never knew anybody who wanted to
leave Seahaven.
An awkward moment. Truman, once again, not so sure of himself.
INT. A DIMLY-LIT ROOM SOMEWHERE - NIGHT
A MAN looks up sharply. He stares into camera. CHRISTOF,
late fifties -- a vitality in his eyes that belies his years.
A news anchor-style earpiece disappears down the neck of his
suit.
EXT. BRIDGE - NIGHT
TRUMAN and MARLON wander along the empty bridge, retrieving
the golf balls.
Marlon goes to say something to the disconsolate Truman, but
is momentarily distracted. He raises his hand to his ear.
Truman places another of the balls in the bucket.
MARLON
Truman, you know, I did think about
moving away one time.
TRUMAN
(interest piqued)
Yeah, what happened?
MARLON
I figured, what's the point? I
knew I'd just be taking my problems
with me. Once the kids came along,
it made me look at Seahaven with
new eyes.
(gazing out at the
lights of Seahaven)
I realized, what the hell could be
better than this?
(putting a hand on
Truman's shoulder)
I'm telling you. What you really
need is someone to carry on the
"Burbank" name.
TRUMAN
You think so?
MARLON
Trust me.
Marlon picks up the last ball at the mouth of the upturned
cone. The ball is white.
MARLON
(checking the ball)
You win.
They approach Truman's car. Truman opens the trunk to deposit
their humble golfing equipment. Inside are the remains of the
fallen light fixture.
TRUMAN
(referring to the light)
You really think it could've
dropped off an airliner?
MARLON
(unimpressed)
Sure. It's halogen. Shame it
didn't hit you -- you could've
sued.
(quickly changing the subject)
You coming for a drink?
TRUMAN
I can't tonight.
INT. LIGHTHOUSE - NIGHT
From the POV of the lighthouse's lantern room, we observe
TRUMAN sitting on the beach staring out to sea.
Closer on Truman. He has a portable tape recorder slung over
his shoulder and points a corded microphone at the surf. We
watch Truman's impassive face as he makes the recording of the
lapping waves. The lamp from the lighthouse occasionally
falls upon Truman.
PLAYBACK - EXT. OCEAN - DAY
As always, the flashback appears to play on a television
screen.
The sky is black with storm clouds. Gale force winds lash
rain into the faces of SEVEN-YEAR-OLD TRUMAN and his father,
KIRK. As Kirk stands up to get his hearings, a freak gust of
wind catches the sail. The boom whips across the stern and
strikes Kirk flush in the head, knocking his overboard.
Truman, wearing the sole lifejacket, desperately reaches for
his father. He momentarily has hold of his hold of his
father's hand when Kirk is abruptly dragged beneath the
surface.
TRUMAN
(crying out)
Daddy!! Daddy!!
His cries go unanswered. Seven-year-old Truman finds himself
alone -- the storm abruptly passed, the wind suddenly dropped,
the water stilled.
The frightened Truman examines the ring he holds in his open
hand -- his father's ring -- wrenched from his finger in
Truman's fight to keep him afloat.
EXT. BEACH - NIGHT - PRESENT
A close up of TRUMAN from KIRK'S RING that Truman now wears.
Then, from the lighthouse POV, we observe Truman get to his
feet and walk towards the dark water. He stands at the
water's edge.
TRUMAN
(shouting at the surf)
I'm sorry, Dad! I'm sorry!
As if in reply, a tongue of lightning flashes across the
distant skyline, followed by a growl of thunder.
INT. A LIVING ROOM SOMEWHERE - NIGHT
TWO OLD WOMEN, seventies, sit beside each other on a sofa
looking directly into camera as they talk.
OLD WOMAN 1
(playing amateur psychiatrist)
It left him with more than his
obvious fear of the water.
OLD WOMAN 2
He was never the same curious
little boy again.
OLD WOMAN 1
Half the women I know named their
children after him.
EXT. BEACH PARKING LOT - NIGHT
TRUMAN is forced to leg it through a sudden rain shower to his
car.
From Truman's point-of-view, the shower appears quite normal.
However, viewed from a distance, we see that the shower is
extremely localized, encircling only him, as if a small cloud
is directly above his head, tracking his progress.
As Truman crosses the parking lot, the shower crosses with him.
Sensing something amiss, Truman dances back and force across
the street, intrigued by the curious phenomenon. He hums a
few bars of "Singin' In The Rain."
The rain becomes heavier, covering a wider area. Truman runs
the remaining distance to his car.
INT. TRUMAN'S HOUSE - NURSERY - NIGHT
The drenched TRUMAN enters to find MERYL, in the unfinished
nursery, comparing wallpaper samples. Meryl wears a robe, a
glimpse of black negligee beneath.
MERYL
Where have you been?
TRUMAN
(wringing out his jacket)
I've been thinking--
MERYL
(rolling her eyes)
Oh, God.
TRUMAN
(ignoring the reception)
-- I figure we could scrape
together eight thousand.
MERYL
(exasperated)
Every time you and Marlon --
TRUMAN
-- we could bum around the world
for a year on that.
MERYL
And then what, Truman? We'd be
back to where we were five years
ago. You're talking like a
teenager.
TRUMAN
Maybe I feel like a teenager.
MERYL
We're mortgaged to the eyeballs,
Truman. There's the car payments.
After we just going to walk away
from our financial obligations?
Truman, still dripping on the floor, holds Meryl by the arms.
He talks excitedly to her the way we imagine he did when they
were courting.
TRUMAN
It'd be an adventure.
MERYL
I thought we were going to try for
a baby. Isn't that enough of an
adventure?
TRUMAN
That can wait. I want to get away.
See some of the world. Explore.
Meryl gives a derisive laugh.
MERYL
You want to be an explorer? You
don't even have a passport,
Truman. I bet you don't even know
how to get one.
The words sting. Truman turns away. Seeing the pain she's
caused, she changes tack.
MERYL
This'll pass. Everybody thinks
like this now and then.
(making an attempt at
seduction)
Come to bed.
TRUMAN
I think I'm going to stay up for a
while.
INT. AN OFFICE BUILDING SOMEWHERE - RECEPTION - NIGHT
In the reception area of an office building, TWO UNINFORMED
GUARDS drink coffee.
GUARD 1
How can they have a child?
GUARD 2
It's not gonna be his, you idiot.
GUARD 1
Why not?
GUARD 2
You think she'd go through with it?
GUARD 1
Sure she would.
GUARD 2
(reassessing his own opinion)
Guess I always thought they'd
adopt.
EXT. TRUMAN'S STREET - DAWN
There is something peculiar about the way the sun rises over
Seahaven Island -- the light appears in an arc that's slightly
too perfect and well-defined.
INT. TRUMAN'S BEDROOM - MORNING
In front of his bedroom window, TRUMAN, wearing his new sweats,
performs an exercise routine of his own invention. He counts
off the exercises to himself -- cheating as he does so. He
counts five leg-lifts for every two he completes.
TRUMAN
-- Five...
(tow leg-lifting later)
Then... fifteen... two more makes
twenty.
INT. A BEDROOM SOMEWHERE -- MORNING
A middle-aged MARRIED COUPLE in identical matching sweats
repeat the same eccentric exercises in perfect sync, as if
they were in a class led by Truman.
EXT. CAR -- DAY
TRUMAN climbs into the car and switches on the radio. He
drives down the street.
RADIO ANNOUNCER
Another glorious morning in
Seahaven, folks. Don't forget to
buckle up--
Truman mutters to himself as is his custom.
EXT. DOWNTOWN SEAHAVEN -- DAY
TRUMAN emerges from the parking lot and as usual stops at the
newspaper stand. He picks up a glossy magazine and flips
through the cosmetic ads, surreptitiously tearing a pair of
EYES from one of the pages. He returns the magazine to the
rack. As usual, the NEWSPAPER VENDOR fails to intervene.
Truman begins his daily pilgrimage to work through the rush
hour pedestrian traffic.
As he enters the street leading to his office, he glimpses a
HOMELESS MAN reflected in the window of a parked car. Truman,
spellbound by the man, suddenly wheels around to face him.
The Homeless Man, late-fifties, more well-groomed and well-fed
than the average vagrant, has a serene smile on his face.
The Homeless Man places his hand ever so gently on Truman's
cheek. Truman makes no effort to withdraw. He is transfixed
by the man's eyes. He appears to recognize him.
TRUMAN
(almost to himself,
mouthing the word)
Dad...
Suddenly an ELEGANT WOMAN SHOPPER walking a small WIENER DOG
and A BUSINESS EXECUTIVE carrying a briefcase, walking in
opposite directions along the sidewalk, grab the Homeless Man.
One under each arm, lifting the Homeless Man off the ground,
they start to whisk the bewildered derelict down the street.
TRUMAN
(calling out)
Stop! Stop!!
Truman begins to give chase. However, the shopper and the
businessman are surprisingly fleet-footed. Even more
surprising as Truman embarks on the pursuit is the behavior of
the PEDESTRIANS and COMMUTERS. They appear to part for the
fleeing trio, then close ranks in front of him. Is it
accidental, or are the pedestrians working together, running
interference?
TRUMAN
(shouting at the pedestrians)
Outta way! Outta way!
They are escaping.
Truman finally breaks through the pack, bowling over several
of the pedestrians in the process. Just as he gets within
reach of the shopper and the businessman, a bus suddenly
screeches to a halt beside the abductors, doors already open.
The Woman Shopper and the Executive bundle the Homeless Man
onto the bus. Truman lurches after them, but he is met by
the bus doors, closing sharply in his face.
TRUMAN
(to BUS DRIVER)
Hey, stop! Stop the bus!!
Truman thumps against the doors, but the BUS DRIVER ignores
his cries and the bus roars away. The other PASSENGERS in
the bus, apparently oblivious to the incident, keeps staring
straight ahead.
Truman continues to give chase when a taxi appears out of
nowhere and cuts in front of him, blocking his path. When he
recovers, the bus has disappeared. The mysterious crowd of
pedestrians has also dissolved as if it never existed.
Retracing his steps, head reeling, wondering if the could have
imagined the whole incident, Truman discovers that the Woman
Shopper has left her WIENER DOG behind. The dog wanders
aimlessly on the pavement, its leash trailing behind it.
INT. MOTHER'S HOUSE - DAY
TRUMAN paces impatiently in the living room of his Mother's
cramped, fussy, doilyed little house full of Burbank family
memorabilia -- a cluster of framed photographs is dominated by
one of his FATHER trimmed with a black ribbon. A toilet
flushes and Truman's MOTHER finally emerges from the next room.
She presents something of a contradiction. Although she walks
with the aid of a "walker," she is actually a well-preserved
sixty. She wears a glamorous nightgown and a full head of
bleached-blonde hair.
TRUMAN
(kissing Mother on the cheek)
How are you, Mother?
MOTHER
Well, I made it through another
night.
TRUMAN
How's your hip?
MOTHER
Oh, just so.
Truman supports Mother.
MOTHER
You know surprises aren't good for
me. You should really call before
you come over, dear.
TRUMAN
I've got something to tell you.
You'd better sit down.
Truman helps her into an overstuffed armchair.
MOTHER
You look very pale, Truman. Are
you taking your vitamin D's?
TRUMAN
(exasperated)
I spend half my life out in the
sun, Mother, why would I need
vitamin D?
MOTHER
I feel certain my condition runs
in the family.
(putting the back of her
hand dramatically for
her forehead)
Can't this wait, dear?
He kneels beside her.
TRUMAN
No, I'm afraid it can't.
Truman takes a deep breath as he prepares to give her the news.
TRUMAN
I know this is going to sound
insane, Mother, but... I saw Dad
today on Lancaster Circle. He's
alive.
Mother smiles condescendingly.
MOTHER
It doesn't sound insane, Truman.
I swear I see him ten times a week
-- in a hundred faces. I almost
hugged a perfect stranger in the
salon last Thursday.
TRUMAN
It was Dad, I swear, dressed like
a homeless man. And you know what
else was really strange? A
businessman and a woman with a
little dog appeared from nowhere
and forced him onto a bus.
MOTHER
About time they started cleaning
up the trash Downtown. We don't
want to end up like the rest of
the country.
TRUMAN
They never found Dad's body --
maybe somehow --
MOTHER
-- Darling --
TRUMAN
(already doubting himself)
I'm telling you, if it wasn't him,
it was his twin. Did Dad have a
brother?
MOTHER
You know he was an only child, like
you.
(placing a comforting
arm around him)
I know how bad you feel about what
happened -- sailing into that
storm. But I don't blame you,
Truman. I never have.
Mother kisses Truman on the cheek.
MOTHER
(referring to her platinum
blonde hair)
I was thinking about going lighter.
What do you think?
Truman regards his Mother. Her hair is already impossibly
blonde.
INT. TRUMAN'S BASEMENT - DUSK
The basement is cluttered with junk -- ships in bottles, a
train track without trains, an oxygen mask, a stringless
guitar, many abandoned projects. The basement is dimly lit
by a single, naked bulb. TRUMAN looks over his shoulder
before opening a large walk-in cupboard. On the cupboard door
is a wall map of the Pacific Ocean -- the Fiji Islands are
carefully circled. Amongst the many tools and household
implements inside the cupboard is a trunk under a dusty
canvas sheet. He pulls the trunk into the room, unfastens
the lock and opens the lid.
Inside, mementoes from his youth. A "HOW TO SAIL" book, a
stack of "GREAT EXPLORERS" magazines, and beneath it all, a
garment in a drycleaning bag. Truman carefully lifts up the
plastic to reveal a young woman's cardigan sweater. He puts
the cardigan to his nose and takes in its scent.
Footsteps. Truman hastily drops the cardigan in the trunk and
shuts the lid. MERYL's legs appear on the stairs.
MERYL
What're you doing down here?
TRUMAN
(turning attention to an
upturned mower on the
basement floor)
Fixing the mower.
(matter-of-fact)
I saw my father today.
MERYL
I know.
TRUMAN
(suspicious)
How do you know?
MERYL
Your mother called. You shouldn't
upset her like that.
Meryl's response takes the wind out of Truman's sails.
TRUMAN
What did you want?
MERYL
I made macaroni.
TRUMAN
I'm not hungry.
Meryl nods, not at all convinced.
MERYL
We really ought to toss that mower
out. Get one of those new Elk
Rotaries.
Truman does not reply. After an uncomfortable pause, she
turns back up the stairs.
Truman waits a moment before re-opening the trunk. He removes
the cardigan and holds it up, reminiscing.
INT. A KITCHEN SOMEWHERE - NIGHT
A MOTHER, DAUGHTER about 12, and a BABY in a highchair stare
into camera.
DAUGHTER
What's he doing?
MOTHER
They removed all physical trace of her
but they couldn't erase the memory.
DAUGHTER
The memory of who?
MOTHER
(finger to lips)
Shhh!
PLAYBACK MONTAGE - EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - STEPS - DAY
Once again the images appear to be playing on a television
screen.
On the steps of a typical college campus, TRUMAN, 21, in a
college band uniform, participates in a football pep rally.
MARLON, 21, a member of the football team, and MERYL, 21, a
cheerleader, are nearby. Truman observes an ethereal-looking
young woman walk by -- LAUREN.
PLAYBACK - INT. DANCEHALL - NIGHT
At a college dance, TRUMAN dances with MERYL. LAUREN dances
by with a PARTNER of her own. However, Truman only has eyes
for Lauren. Suddenly, she is escorted from the dance floor.
PLAYBACK - EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - STREET - DAY
TRUMAN almost trips off the curb as he waves to LAUREN, riding
towards him on a bicycle. However, she rides right by with
her nose in the air, not even acknowledging his presence --
Truman puzzled by her change of heart.
The montage ends at a scene in a college library.
PLAYBACK - INT. COLLEGE LIBRARY - NIGHT
In the school library, TRUMAN, 21, sits with MARLON, 21, and
wife-to-be, MERYL, 21, doing a final cram for a test. The
STUDENTS begin to pack up their books. Meryl gives Truman a
peck on the cheek.
MERYL
Come on, Truman. Haven't you
studied enough?
TRUMAN
I still want to look over a couple
of things.
MARLON
(punching Truman in a chummy
way on the arm, referring
to Truman's book)
Take the "C" average. That's what
I do.
Truman looks up from his books. The library is almost
deserted. He spies a GIRL's hand around the table divider.
Truman musters the nerve to poke his head over the divider.
He find LAUREN on the other side, buried in a book.
TRUMAN
Konichi-wa.
Lauren looks blank.
TRUMAN
(referring to the Japanese
text in front of her)
You take Japanese.
LAUREN
(quickly closing the book)
Oh, yes.
TRUMAN
(glancing to the name
carefully written on
the front of the book)
Lauren, right?
LAUREN
(as if unaware of her own name)
That's right. Lauren.
TRUMAN
(extending his hand)
I'm Truman, Truman Burbank--
LAUREN
-- I'm not allowed to talk to you.
Truman is not surprised.
TRUMAN
(resigned)
It's okay. I probably wouldn't
talk to me either.
LAUREN
(softening)
I'm sorry. It's not up to me.
TRUMAN
(crestfallen)
You have a boyfriend? Of course
you do.
Lauren looks about her, unsure.
LAUREN
No... I, er...
TRUMAN
(hopeful once again)
No? Really? Good, I mean, I
thought possibly a pizza. How
about Friday?
LAUREN
No.
TRUMAN
Saturday?
Lauren looks around the almost-deserted library.
TRUMAN
Actually, I'm free Sunday.
LAUREN
Now.
TRUMAN
Right now? We've got finals
tomorrow.
LAUREN
If we don't go now, it won't happen.
Truman hesitates.
LAUREN
(impatient, looking
anxiously around)
Well, what do you want to do?
TRUMAN
(closing his books, still a
little uncertain)
I think I've studied enough.
PLAYBACK - EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS NEAR SEAHAVEN COLLEGE - NIGHT
LAUREN, taking TRUMAN by the hand, runs down various streets
and paths through the campus. She occasionally pauses and
looks about her, often changing direction or looking up at
streetlights and the towers of houses along their route, as if
trying to elude an unseen pursuer.
The excited and apprehensive Truman runs with her although he
is unsure exactly who, or what, they are running from.
The further they get from the campus, the higher, wider and
less effective the coverage of the scene -- some camera angles
are even partially obscured.
PLAYBACK - EXT. HIGHWAY - WESTERN END OF TOWN - NIGHT
TRUMAN and LAUREN eventually cross an empty highway on the
edge of town.
They run over the dunes onto a strangely deserted beach and
down to the water's edge under a hyper-real full moon. Lauren
throws off her cardigan and hitches up her skirt, wading out
into the inviting water without another thought. Truman
stares down, transfixed by the shimmering water.
LAUREN
(splashing)
It's beautiful! What are you
waiting for?
TRUMAN
(nervous)
I... I can't.
Lauren suddenly stops splashing.
LAUREN
That's right. Oh, God, I'm sorry.
She wades out of the water.
TRUMAN
(confused)
Why, Lauren? You've got nothing
to be sorry about?
Lauren, dripping wet, stands besides Truman at the shoreline.
She meets his gaze.
LAUREN
My name's not Lauren. It's a
Sylvia.
Truman looks into her eyes and believes her. Truman wipes the
water from her face, then leans forward and gently kisses her
lips. She kisses him back.
INT. A BAR SOMEWHERE - NIGHT
In a quiet bar room, a WAITRESS explains her viewpoint to the
BARMAN. A PATRON on a barstool eavesdrops.
WAITRESS
Don't you get it? She was willing
to lose him, lose everything, if
it meant he could find himself.
(registering the barman's
blank look)
Never mind. You wouldn't understand.
PLAYBACK - EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
As we return to Truman's reminiscence, TRUMAN and SYLVIA (as
she is now called throughout the remainder of the movie) sit
on the sand at the water's edge. With great delicacy, Truman
traces the outline of her nose with his finger, at the same
time inhaling her scent. Sylvia looks nervously around her.
Truman goes to say something, but Sylvia hushes him.
SYLVIA
They're coming. Any minute.
TRUMAN
(looking around the
deserted beach)
Who?
SYLVIA
They're going to stop me talking
to you.
TRUMAN
(confused)
There's no one here.
SYLVIA
(looking over her shoulder
nervously)
Just listen. You remember when
you were a little boy, you stood
up in class and said you wanted to
be an explorer like Magellan--
TRUMAN
(incredulous)
-- How do you know about that?
SYLVIA
-- And your teacher said, "You're
too late, Truman. There's nothing
left to explore."
TRUMAN
Were you there -- how do you know?
SYLVIA
-- It doesn't matter. Everybody
knows about it. They know
everything you do. The point is,
you got scared.
TRUMAN
I don't understand.
SYLVIA
(looking over her shoulder,
increasingly nervous)
You must listen. Everybody's
pretending, Truman.
She points to the sky and scoops up the sea at their feet.
SYLVIA
You think this is real? It's all
for you. A show.
(frustrated, raving)
The eyes are everywhere. They're
watching you -- right now.
Suddenly a car's headlights come bouncing over the dunes. The
car roars across the beach towards he couple.
SYLVIA
(scared)
I told you, Truman!
The car skids to a stop and a large MAN, 40ish, with a shock
of red hair, jumps from the car. The man yanks the frightened
Sylvia to her feet, causing her cardigan to fall to the ground.
MAN
(to Sylvia, oddly sympathetic)
Lauren, sweetheart, not again.
Get in the car!
Truman jumps in.
TRUMAN
Hey, who the hell are you?!
MAN
I'm her father!
TRUMAN
We weren't doing anything.
SYLVIA
He's not my father! He's just
saying that! Does he look
anything like me?!
MAN
Come on, Sweetheart.
The Man gently, but firmly, pushes Sylvia towards his car.
Sylvia resists. Truman crosses to them.
TRUMAN
I'll take care of her!
The Man takes Truman aside and whispers in his ear.
MAN
(whispered, out of
Sylvia's earshot)
Schizophrenia. She has episodes.
Doubts start crowding into Truman's head.
SYLVIA
(calling out from the car)
Don't listen to him, Truman. I'm
telling you the truth!
MAN
(getting into the car)
Don't bother! We're moving to...
Fiji -- the Fiji Island! This
place has done something to her
head.
INT. A DIMLY-LIT ROOM SOMEWHERE - NIGHT - PRESENT
CHRISTOF stares intently into camera. Beside him is his
assistant, CHLOE, an androgynous-looking young woman. She too
stares into camera.
CHRISTOF
At least he didn't say "New York
City."
PLAYBACK - EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
TRUMAN stares after the car as it roars away. He turns back
toward the ocean where his attention is caught by an object
lying on the sand -- Sylvia's cardigan.
INT. TRUMAN'S BASEMENT - NIGHT - PRESENT
TRUMAN carefully places the cardigan back into the trunk.
INT. A KITCHEN SOMEWHERE - NIGHT
MOTHER, DAUGHTER and BABY stare into camera.
DAUGHTER
But why didn't he just follow her
to Fiji?
MOTHER
Because his mother got sick -- very
sick. He couldn't leave her. He's
a kind boy, maybe too kind.
DAUGHTER
I can't believe he married Meryl on
the rebound.
INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
TRUMAN turns his attention to the framed photograph of Meryl
that he carries everywhere. Hidden behind her photo is a
composite picture of Sylvia which Truman has constructed by
pasting together individual facial features -- nose, mouth,
ears, chin, hair -- gathered, presumably, from women's
magazines. He attempts to put the jigsaw puzzle together --
although he has particular difficulty finding a pair of eyes
that match.
From his pocket he takes a recent collection of eyes which,
like a detective working on an identikit picture, he tries to
match. They are still not quite right.
INT. AN APARTMENT SOMEWHERE - NIGHT
The eyes of a YOUNG WOMAN -- blue-green eyes. She turns
slightly, looking directly into camera. We pull back to reveal
her face -- SYLVIA.
EXT. TRUMAN'S STREET - EARLY MORNING
Dawn breaks over Truman's street. On cue, the sound of birds.
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE TRUMAN'S HOUSE - MORNING
TRUMAN leaves the house, lost in thought. SPENCER is taking
out the trash.
SPENCER
How's it going, Truman?
Truman hardly acknowledges Spencer. PLUTO the dog fails to
receive his usual pat. The wave from the WASHINGTON's across
the street is also not returned.
INT/EXT. CAR/STREET OUTSIDE TRUMAN'S HOUSE - DAY
TRUMAN motors down the street, switching on the car radio as
usual.
RADIO ANNOUNCER
-- Don't forget to buckle up out
there in radioland. It's another
glorious... morning... innn...
Seaaa... haaaa... vennn... f...
o... o... k... k...
The Announcer's voice slows down -- now revealing itself to be
a tape that has worn out. Truman, perplexed, looks at the
radio and pushes buttons in an attempt to find another station.
He finds one.
FEMALE VOICE
(from radio)
... west on Stewart... he's making
a right on Holden...
Truman glances up at the street signs along his route and finds
that they correspond exactly with the streets quoted on the
radio. Distracted, he almost bowls over an OLD LADY on a
crosswalk.
MALE VOICE
(from radio)
... God, he almost hit Marilyn!
He's on the move again, passing
the library...
Truman, readjusts the radio as it starts to fade out.
Suddenly, there is a piercing blast of feedback. He looks up
and, as far as the eye can see, every PEDESTRIAN, MOTORIST and
SHOPKEEPER along the street suddenly winces in pain and holds
their right ear at exactly the same moment.
MALE VOICE
(from radio, in distress
himself)
... Something's wrong. Change
frequencies...
Truman tries to pick up the channel once again but without
success.
EXT. PARKING LOT - MORNING
TRUMAN sits in his car, drinking his coffee, taking in the
recent incident. From inside the adjacent school, he hears
the familiar, excited squeals and chatter of SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Truman suddenly throws aside his coffee and sprints across the
parking lot and into the school.
INT. SEAHAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - MORNING
TRUMAN slams through the front doors into the reception area.
It is deserted, no one stationed at the administration desk,
the corridors empty. He runs down a vacant corridor, finally
standing outside a classroom. The children's' voice can still
be heard from inside. Truman bursts through the door.
The room is empty save for a large reel-to-reel tape recorder
on the teacher's desk playing a continuous tape of children's'
voices. The recorder is attached to speakers on tall stands
facing the ventilation ducts. Truman stares at the machine in
disbelief.
EXT. STREET - DOWNTOWN - DAY
TRUMAN, still lost in thought, exits the school. He stops at
the newsstand and picks up a magazine to resume his ritual
search, but his heart is not in it. He replaces the magazine
without taking a cutting -- much to the surprise of the NEWS
VENDOR.
Truman starts his trek to work, pausing to stare at his
reflection in the mirrored building, hoping that the Homeless
Man will appear once again at his side. No one joins him.
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - DAY
Entering his own building with fellow OFFICE WORKERS, TRUMAN
remains in the revolving door and re-emerges on the street.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
TRUMAN wanders aimlessly through a city park, observing. We
sense, truly observing for the first time.
A YOUNG WOMAN walks a pair of AFGHAN HOUNDS. An OLD MAN
answers the incessant questions of his GRANDCHILD. Nothing
appears amiss, Truman takes a seat at a small, outdoor cafe.
He fidgets with his father's ring on his finger that contains
one large stone, still looking for a false move.
A DELIVERY MAN unloads boxes from the back of his truck and
carries them into a store. Further down the street
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS take their time tending to an electrical
repair in an exposed manhole. A POSTAL WORKER does his rounds.
An OLD WOMAN struggles with two heavy shopping bags.
Everybody appears natural, places to go.
INT. A DIMLY-LIT ROOM SOMEWHERE - DAY
CHRISTOF and CHOLE stare into camera. Christof leans forward
and speaks.
CHRISTOF
... Everybody stay focussed.
Remember who you are.
EXT. CAFE - DAY
TRUMAN turns his attention to a group of CUBAN-LOOKING MEN at
the only other occupied table at the cafe. We see extreme
close-ups as Truman scans the men's faces for any sign of
phoniness. They are talking loudly, making suggestive
comments to the WAITRESS. Their behavior passes the test --
all seems genuine.
Then, Truman notices TWO JOGGERS out for a morning run, making
their way down the street towards him. Truman happens to
glance at the sneakers of one of the joggers. He suddenly
springs to his feet. Truman blocks the joggers.
TRUMAN
It's you... isn't it?
The Joggers attempt to sidestep Truman.
JOGGER 1
Excuse me.
TRUMAN
Remember? Two days ago I gave you
my meatball sandwich in the park.
You were in a wheelchair. Same
sneakers.
The jogger looks down at his distinctive sneakers bearing the
initials, "T.S.", and visibly blanches.
JOGGER 2
(coming to his companion's
aid)
Get the hell out of here.
The second jogger roughly shoves Truman aside. Truman calls
out after the two men.
TRUMAN
(ironically referring to
the jogger's new-found
mobility)
It's a miracle!
Truman picks himself up, dusting dirt from his suit. He
retrieves his briefcase and continues down the street with
renewed purpose.
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - DAY
Wandering down the bustling street, TRUMAN suddenly bolts into
a building at random.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
An imposing office building clad in the kind of reflective
glass that shields its occupants from the world -- a building
Truman passes every day. A steady stream of EMPLOYEES and
VISITORS enters and exit the building's high-ceilinged lobby
past an intimidating security desk manned by TWO UNIFORMED
GUARDS. Beyond security are banks of elevators, ferrying
executives, clerical staff and delivery personnel to and from
their floors of business.
Truman abruptly enters reception and strides confidently past
the security desk trying to look as if he belongs.
SECURITY GUARD 1
(to Truman)
Can I help?
TRUMAN
(sneaking a glance at the
building directory)
I have an appointment at, er,
Gable Enterprises.
SECURITY GUARD 1
They went bust.
The second Security Guard is rising from his seat to block
Truman's path to the elevators, but Truman reads his mind and
makes a dash for it -- into one of the elevators.
A YOUNG WOMAN in the elevator looks in horror at Truman --
the cause of her concern all too apparent. Looking beyond the
Woman, Truman discovers that there is no back to the elevator
car. The PEOPLE Truman has just witnessed entering other
elevators are milling around a refreshment table, primping or
sitting on folding chairs. Gradually, they all turn to gape
at Truman, who in turn stares back, appalled. Truman's view
is abruptly blocked as a rear panel is hastily attached to the
elevator. A Security Guard pulls Truman from the car.
TRUMAN
What's going on?
SECURITY GUARD 1
(glancing to the lights above
the elevator, trying to
appear innocent)
Nothing.
Truman observes the upward progress of the elevator via the
light display above the doorway. Before he has time to make
sense of it, the guards drag him away.
SECURITY GUARD 2
You've got to leave.
The guards frog-march Truman out of the facade towards an
Emergency Exit.
TRUMAN
Just tell me what's going on?
SECURITY GUARD 2
We're re-modeling.
TRUMAN
No, you're not!! What were those
people doing in there?
SECURITY GUARD 1
(shrugs)
It's none of my business.
(ushering Truman off the
property)
None of yours, either.
TRUMAN
(not going quietly)
You don't tell me what's really
going on, I'll report you.
TRUMAN continues to struggle as he GUARDS usher him to the
street.
SECURITY GUARD 2
For what? You're trespassing!
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - DAY
TRUMAN continues to struggle as the GUARDS unceremoniously
dump him on the pavement. He picks himself up, head reeling,
and starts to run along the street. He suddenly enters
another building at random. An office blocck with a bank on
the ground floor.
Truman rushes to the elevators. The lights above the doors
show all the elevator on upper floors. Frantic pressing of
the elevator button gets no response. A RECEPTIONIST rises
from her desk. Truman heads for the stairs, but is
intercepted by a BANK OFFICIAL barring his way.
TRUMAN
I want to...
The Bank Official, the Receptionist, and a BANK TELLER back
Truman towards the door.
BANK OFFICIAL
... Open an account?
TRUMAN
Yes. Er, why not?
RECEPTIONIST
Savings or checking?
BANK OFFICIAL
Let's go up to my office.
Truman hurriedly exits the bank.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Back on the street, TRUMAN feels the eyes of the PEDESTRIANS.
Is he simply drawing attention to himself by his behavior?
Truman wheels around, trying to make eye contact with
passersby. They shy away. He continues to run down the
street.
Finally, Truman finds himself standing in front of the window
of an electronics store staring at his own face on a TV set.
It is taking a feed from a camcorder aimed out the store
window.
INT. A BATHROOM SOMEWHERE - DAY
A MAN stares into camera from a bath of stale water -- a layer
of soap scum on the top.
MAN
Don't look at me, pal.
EXT. STREET - ELECTRONICS STORE - DAY
TRUMAN shudders at his video reflection. Further down the
street, he notices Marlon's van parked outside a supermarket.
INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY
The door of a vending machine is open. MARLON, half inside
the machine, loads a stack of Baby Ruth candy bars into one
of the dispensing slots. The paranoid TRUMAN appears at his
shoulder.
TRUMAN
Marlon--
MARLON
(startled)
-- Truman, what are you doing here?
Truman looks nervously around him. Even the STORE OWNER's
friendly nod from behind the counter is cause for suspicion in
Truman's mind.
TRUMAN
(whisper)
I've got to talk to you.
MARLON
Sorry, I'm way behind.
TRUMAN
I'm onto something, Marlon --
something big.
MARLON
Are you okay? You look like shit.
TRUMAN
I think I'm mixed up in something.
MARLON
Mixed up? Mixed up in what?
TRUMAN
There's no point in trying to
explain it, but a lot of strange
things have been happening --
elevators that don't go anywhere,
people talking about me on the
radio, you know what I mean?
MARLON
(bemused)
No. Truman, if this is another
one of your fantasies...
TRUMAN
I think it's got something to do
with my dad.
MARLON
Your Dad?!
TRUMAN
(looking around nervously)
I think he's alive. I'll tell you
about it later. I'm definitely
being followed.
MARLON
(looking around, instantly
protective)
Who?
TRUMAN
It's hard to tell. They look just
like regular people.
MARLON
(referring to an OLD
COUPLE entering the deli)
How about them?
TRUMAN
(seriously considering
the possibility)
Could be. Beard looks phony.
(leaning closer to Marlon)
It's when I'm unpredictable. They
can't stand that. That's why we've
got to get out of here. Can you
come with me?
MARLON
(closing up the vending
machine)
I told you I can't.
TRUMAN
I've got to show you something.
Truman fixes Marlon with a look of deadly seriousness.
MARLON
(weakening)
Christ, Truman. You're gonna get
both our asses fired.
EXT. SEAHAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
TRUMAN hurries MARLON up the school steps. The sound of
children's voices continues to drift out from inside the
building. Truman and Marlon storm into the school reception
area -- still empty.
INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY
TRUMAN and MARLON stand outside the classroom, the source of
the children's voices. Truman throws his friend an "I-told-
you-so" look and swings open the door with a flourish.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
The once-empty classroom is now full of SCHOOL CHILDREN in an
art class. A hush falls over the students and all eyes turn
to TRUMAN and MARLON.
TEACHER
(gesturing to two unoccupied
easels)
Would you care to join us?
EXT. CLIFFTOP - DUSK
Hand-over-hand, TRUMAN climbs the cliff he once scaled as a
seven-year-old. Finally, he sits on the clifftop, staring out
at the view his father had been so desperate for him not to
see twenty-six years earlier. However, the deserted bay
beyond is identical to its neighbor. MARLON, laboring, crests
the rise and joins his friend on the clifftop.
MARLON
What're we doing here, Truman?
TRUMAN
This is where it started.
MARLON
What exactly?
TRUMAN
Things. Things that doesn't fit.
(another thought occurs)
Maybe I'm being set up for
something. You ever feel like
that, Marlon? Like your whole
life has been building to something?
MARLON
(blank)
No.
TRUMAN
(ignoring the remark)
When you were hauling chickens for
Kaiser Poultry, what was the
furthest you ever went off the
island?
MARLON
I went all over but I never found
a place like this.
(nodding to the setting sun)
Look at that sunset, Truman. It's
perfect.
TRUMAN
(in a daze)
Yeah...
MARLON
(glancing heavenwards)
That's the "Big Guy." Quite a
paintbrush he's got.
TRUMAN
Just between you and me, Marlon,
I'm going away for a while.
MARLON
Really?
INT. LIVING ROOM - TRUMAN'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Truman sits cramped on his sofa. Pulling wider, we discover
the cause of his discomfort. He is sandwiched between MERYL
on one side and MOTHER on the other. Mother, the family
historian, a stack of photograph albums at her feet, turns the
pages of the album on Truman's lap.
TRUMAN
We ought to be getting you back,
Mother.
MOTHER
Hold on a minute, dear.
(pointing out a photo
in the album)
Here's us at Mount Rushmore. You
remember, Truman -- when Dad was
still with us -- that was quite a
drive. You slept all the way
there.
TRUMAN
(taking an interest in
the monument)
It looks so small.
MOTHER
(quickly turning the page)
Things always do -- when you look
back.
Mother skips several pages in the album, finally stopping at a
spread of wedding photos.
MERYL
Look, Truman, there's my cousin
Errol putting the bouquet down his
pants -- it was the happiest day
of our lives.
MOTHER
(referring to Meryl)
Didn't she look beautiful, Truman?
She still does.
Mother turns to a blank page in the album.
MOTHER
And there's plenty of room for baby
photos. I'd like to hold a
grandchild in my arms--
(dabbing her eye with
a handkerchief)
-- before I go.
Meryl rises from the sofa and helps Mother to her walker.
MERYL
I'll take you home, Angela.
(referring to the album)
Why don't you leave those with us
for a while?
TRUMAN
(kissing his emotional
mother)
Good night, Mother.
MERYL
(a wink to Truman)
See you in a minute, sweetheart.
Meryl departs with Mother. Left alone in the living room,
Truman slumps back down onto the sofa and switches on the
television set -- an old-fashioned model with rabbit-ears. He
idly studies the photograph album as an over-earnest
television HOST announces the upcoming program.
TV HOST
-- Tonight's golden-oldies is the
enduring, much-loved classic,
"Show Me The Way To Go Home." A
hymn of praise to small-town life
where we learn that you don't have
to leave home to discover what the
world is all about and that no one
is poor who has friends...
However, when we turn our attention away from the television,
we find that Truman is peering intently at a wedding
photograph of Meryl and himself taking their vows in a civil
ceremony in a beachside gazebo. Under the scrutiny of a
magnifying glass, he discovers that Meryl has her fingers
crossed.
INT. A LIVING ROOM SOMEWHERE - NIGHT
The TWO LADIES sit on their sofa, a rug across their knees,
sipping a night cap of hot chocolate. They stare into camera.
OLD LADY 1
Remember at the wedding -- that
dog?
OLD LADY 2
Started howling when they took
their vows.
OLD LADY 1
And the plastic horseshoe fell off
when they cut the cake.
OLD LADY 2
(shaking her head ruefully)
They never had a chance.
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
TRUMAN, dressed casually in weekend attire, is at the stove
preparing an omelette. MERYL hurries into the kitchen in her
nurse's uniform. She gulps down a cup of coffee and reaches
for her nurse's cap.
However, she still has time to adjust the position of a pack
of "FibreCon Cereal" -- squaring it a little more to camera.
TRUMAN
I have to talk with you.
(looking about, suspicious)
But not here. Let's go for a
walk.
MERYL
(kissing him on the cheek)
I'm sorry, I'm late.
TRUMAN
What's the hurry?
MERYL
Surgery. The elevator disaster
downtown on the new last night.
Cable snapped, a car dropped ten
floors. Non-union contractors.
Monsters. We're starting with an
amputation.
Truman's eyes widen. Meryl adjusts her hat in the mirror.
MERYL
That building's near yours.
Imagine it you'd been in there for
some reason. It doesn't bear
thinking about.
Truman, lost in thought, picks up the scalding frying pan with
his bare hand. Letting out a howl of pain, he drops the pan.
TRUMAN
Arrah!
MERYL
Oh, my God!
TRUMAN
What do I do?
MERYL
I don't know--
TRUMAN
-- you're a nurse, aren't you?
MERYL
Put some butter on it -- or once?
She looks up the kitchen clock.
MERYL
(hurrying out the door)
Oh, look at the time.
Truman stares after her, the pain of his hand forgotten for
the moment. He watched Meryl ride her bicycle down the
driveway. Truman exits the house.
EXT. SEAHAVEN STREET/HOSPITAL/PARKING LOT - DAY
Riding a bicycle of his own, TRUMAN follows MERYL to work,
staying a safe distance back. He watches her enter the
hospital.
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
TRUMAN makes his way along various corridors. All seems as it
should -- DOCTORS confer with NURSING STAFF and PATIENTS,
gurneys are wheeled about with their PASSENGERS looking
suitably traumatized. Truman approaches a NURSING SISTER.
TRUMAN
I'm looking for my wife -- Nurse
Burbank. It's important.
NURSE
(checking her clipboard)
I'm afraid that's impossible --
she's in pre-op.
TRUMAN
Sure. Okay. Fine. Can you pass
on a message?
NURSE
I'll try.
TRUMAN
Tell her, tell her... I had to go
to Fiji. I'll call her when I
get there.
NURSE
When you get to Fiji?
TRUMAN
You got it.
NURSE
Fine. I'll tell her.
The nurse walks off, disappearing through a set of doors.
Truman hesitates before following her.
INT. VARIOUS HOSPITAL CORRIDORS - DAY
The NURSE walks briskly -- fewer people about, TRUMAN
discreetly following behind. The nurse breaks into a jog.
Truman hurries to keep up with her -- dodging around gurneys,
JANITORS mopping floors.
INT. OUTSIDE OPERATING THEATRE - DAY
The NURSE, hastily scrubbed and gowned, enters the theatre.
TRUMAN hesitates but dares not enter. He grabs a mask of his
own.
Looking through the glass window in the operating theatre
door, he sees the YOUNG WOMAN (seen in the hastily fixed
elevator car the day before) lying on the operating table, a
blood-soaked bandage covering her left leg. MERYL, wearing a
surgical gown and mask, assists the SURGEON. The SISTER
hovers nervously in the background.
SURGEON
Scalpel.
Meryl very slowly selects a scalpel from a tray of instruments
and awkwardly hands it to the surgeon.
SURGEON
I'm now making my primary incision
just above the left knee.
The patient's eyes blink open in horror. The ANESTHETIST
steps in Truman's view before he can get a good look.
Suddenly, a SECURITY GUARD appears beside Truman and takes
him by the arm.
SECURITY GUARD
(referring to the operation)
This isn't gonna be pretty. Unless
you're family of the patient, I'll
have to ask you to leave.
TRUMAN
No problem. I don't want to cause
any trouble.
INT. AGENCY - DAY
TRUMAN takes a seat at the only desk in an empty travel
agency. The travel brochures and posters that adorn the
walls all feature destinations that bear a striking
similarity to picturesque Seahaven. Another poster spells
out the dangers of travel -- "TRAVELLERS BEWARE -- Terrorists,
Disease, Wild Animals, Street Gangs." A female TRAVEL AGENT
enters from a rear door.
AGENT
I'm sorry to keep you. How can I
help?
TRUMAN
I want to book a flight to Fiji.
AGENT
Where exactly?
TRUMAN
(believing she is being
deliberately obtuse)
Fiji.
AGENT
(a grace of condescension)
Where in Fiji? What island?
TRUMAN
I'm sorry, er... the biggest one.
AGENT
(entering the destination
in her computer)
Viti Levu. For how many?
TRUMAN
(finding the question suspicious)
One.
AGENT
When do you want to leave,
remembering, of course, you do lose
a day on the way there?
TRUMAN
Today.
AGENT
(reading off her computer
screen)
I'm sorry. I don't have anything
for at least a month.
TRUMAN
(suspicious)
A month.
AGENT
(patently explaining)
It's the busy season.
TRUMAN
(paranoia showing)
You are a travel agent, aren't you?
(reading her nametag)
"Doris"? Your job is to help
people travel.
AGENT
(showing amazing restraint)
I do have a fabulous rate on a
cruise ship departing for Fiji
tomorrow. But you wouldn't want
to do that.
TRUMAN
Why wouldn't I?
AGENT
I thought you were in a hurry.
TRUMAN
(calming down)
That's right.
AGENT
You want to book the flight?
TRUMAN
It doesn't matter. I'll make other
arrangements.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
Emerging onto the street, TRUMAN looks across to the building
which he entered the previous day. It is now cordoned off
with police tape after the elevator disaster. Flowers have
been laid at the doorway.
EXT. GREYHOUND BUS STATION - DAY
A Greyhound Bus, bound for "CHICAGO" according to its
destination sign, sits idling at the stop. Just as a burly
SUPERVISOR is about to wave the bus on its way, TRUMAN dashes
into the station.
BUS DRIVER
Last call for Chicago.
Truman jumps onto the bus behind the last boarding passenger
-- a YOUNG SOLDIER.
TRUMAN
(to the Bus Driver, as he
boards the bus)
Windy City, here we come.
INT. GREYHOUND BUS - DAY
TRUMAN takes a seat by a window. An awkward silence descends
over the bus. The other passengers -- a MOTHER with a
restless CHILD, several TOURISTS, an OLD COUPLE and the YOUNG
SOLDIER -- all stare stiffly straight ahead, averting their
eyes from Truman.
No one is more unc
|
