CITY LIGHTS

Charlie Chaplin

 

 

 

 

 

                   INT: downtown FLOWER SHOP DAYTIME

                 

               Helen, sitting inside the flower shop, suddenly stands. [ Enters] Margarette at side

 

MARGARETTE:

Why, what’s the matter, child?

 

HELEN

[anxious expression]

Nothing, only I thought he had returned

         

MARGARETTE

Now, now child, you sit here; I will handle this order.

                 

                         Ext: Daytime city sidewalk

                 

                        Frank walks down sidewalk peers into shop windows. Accosted by Newsboys

​

ROBERT

Look, there he is again. Hey, you bum, what are you doing here?

 

Robert shoots frank in the back of head with paper ball and quickly turns. Frank ignores them, continues

                   to walk, gets hit in the neck again.

FRANK

    I know that was you

 

ROBERT

Mister, I don’t know what you’re talking about

​

                      Frank rubs his neck, continues to walk, gets hit again.

     

  Frank[pointing]

   I’m watching you

         

                  Frank sees flower pedal on the street. bends down and picks it up, John pulls Frank by handkerchief in

                 Franks's back pocket. Frank chases John, retrieves handkerchief. Helen and Margarette[in window] watch

                 and laugh.  Frank blows his nose with handkerchief, stands in front of window, turns and sees Helen.

 

HELEN

[turns to Margarette]

     I’ve made a conquest

               

                     Frank’s petals fall to the ground, he stares at Helen.

                   

HELEN[from window]

      Your flower has fallen apart; wait a second. Here is another.

                                                                       Don’t you want the flower?

​

             Helen gets a token and rises to meet Frank outside. Frank rushes away, passes Helen standing in door way   

                  

HELEN

Come back, I have something for you [Frank takes flower]

                                                                     Please take this token, consider it.

             

                  Helen grabs Franks's hand wraps the coin around his hand, stares into Frank's eyes, rubs his hands, and arms                                                                 

 HELEN

You?

                  Frank nods head                  

  FRANK  

     Can you see now?

                     

              Helen cups Franks's hand to her bosom

  HELEN

     Yes, I can see, now

 

                                                                                                  Fade out

                                                                                                                                                            TRANSITION

THE END