Arguable everyone's favorite line from The Silence of the Lambs, Lector's final words to Starling, "I'm having an old friend for dinner," as he hangs the phone up.
In his interview with Barbara Walters just before the Academy Awards in 1992, Barbara had him say it again, at 4:55:
Awesome!
Last week I was looking for a quote from the movie and I accidentally found an earlier version of the screen play. While it is pretty much the same as before, the ending is different. I still prefer the movie one (which is different than the book), but this is great, set up at the beginning of the graduation party. Enjoy!
DIRECTOR BURKE (V.O.)
(over loudspeaker)
Congratulations! You are now officers o the Federal Bureau of Investigation...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. GROUNDS OF THE FBI ACADEMY - WEEKS LATER - DAY
The forty member of Clarice's class, resplendent in their best dark suits and and dresses, rise, cheering themselves, then turn happily to wave to their audience, as APPLAUSE mounts. Beyond them, on a gaily tented platform, the Director stands behind his podium.
CLARICE AND ARDELIA
look at one another solemnly. Ardelis holds up both fists, in a power shake, and Clarice taps them with her own. She is radiantly beautiful in a navy dress and pearls., the thin scar on her cheek almost healed. Ardelia turns, waving toward the crowd, the Clarice's thoughts are elsewhere. The turns, searching among the dignitaries on the platform, till she locates. \
CRAWFORD
who smiles back at her with quiet pride, and offers a little salute.
CLARICE
grins - more happy than we've ever seen her - then turns to wave towards the crowd with the others.
MOVING ANGLE
over the admiring sea of spectators, several hundred of them, still rising from their folding chairs, APPLAUDING in celebration of these special young people, this perfect, sunlit day. SOUND UPCUT - rock music, laughter - as we...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ACADEMY DORM - RED ROOM - THAT NIGHT
A LOUD party is underway - food, beer, dancing -as the new grads celebrate ferociously. Ardelia weaves her way thorough the crowed room, reaches Clarice, who is flanked by her special guest - Pitcher and Roden, the two ardent scientists. Adrelia as to shout at Clarice over the din.
ARDELIA:
Agent Starling! Telephone!
CLARICE
(surprised)
Agent Mapp! Thank you!...
INT. DORM HALLWAY - NIGHT
Clarice picks up the dangling pay phone.
CLARICE
Starling
DR. LECTOR (V.O.)
Well, Clarice, have the lambs stopped screaming…?
She freezes, stunned by the familiar voice. Then she turns, waving frantically toward
ARDELIA
who is just inside the rec room door, at the end of the hall, lost in conversation with Pilchaer and Roden. Ardelia glances at her briefly but misunderstand, waves cheerfully back.
DR. LECTOR (V.O.)
Don’t bother with a trace, I won’t be on long enough.
CLARICE:
turns back, gripping the phone more tightly.
CLARICE
Where are you Dr. Lector
CUT TO:
EXT. A CLEAR NIGHT SKY
Very beautiful, glittering with countless stars.
DR. LECTOR (V.O.)
Where I have a view, Clarice…
MOVING DOWN
we see a rolling lawn, a curving bay. Boars ride at anchor, lights shimmering…
DR. LECTOR (V.O.)
Orion is looking splendid tonight, and Arcturus, the Herdsman, with his flock…
DR. LECTOR
smiles into his mobile phone. He is stretched out on a lounger, on a tiled patio, languidly paring an orange with a penknife. His appearance is quite altered - a beard, glasses, lighter hair. He’s had some cosmetic surgery, as well.
DR. LECTOR
(into phone)
Your lambs are still for now, Clarice, but not forever…You’ll have to earn it again and again, this blessed silence. Because it’s the plight that drives your, and the plight will never end.
CLARICE
Dr. Lector -
DR. LECTOR
I have no plans to call on you, Clarice, the world being more interesting with you in it. Be sure you extend me the same courtesy.
CLARICE (V.O.)
You know I can’t make that promise.
DR. LECTOR
Goodbye, Clarice…
(and then, softly)
You looked - so very lovely today, in your blue suit.
Cut to:
INT. DORM HALLWAY - NIGHT
As Clarice reacts, the full weight of his words sinking in.
CLARICE
Dr. Lector…Dr. Lector…!
But only a dial tone comes from the phone. She is still staring at her received, in shock, as we -
Cut back to:
EXT. THE MOONLIT PATIO
Dr. Lecter sighs, sets his phone down, then rises. Popping an orange section into his mouth, he turns towards the brightly lit house. Stepping delicately over the sprawled body of a uniformed security guard, he walks in through open french doors.
CUT TO:
INT. A BOOKLINE STUDY:
In a swivel chair, amidst the wreckage of his papers and books, is the witching figure of Dr. Frederick Chilton. The extreme intricacy of his bindings recalls Dr. Lecter’s own former restraint. His screams are muffled by the tape over his mouth: he stairs at Dr. Lecter like a rabbit trapped in headlights.
DR. LECTOR
Considers him for a genial moment, then raises the little pen-knife. His eyes are twinkling.
DR. LECTOR
Well, Dr. Chilton. Shall we begin?
FADE OUT
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