Sachsational!!!: The Screenplay

By Denny Miller

Eddie Sachs gets out of his 1947 Ford. It shows lots of wear and tear. Sachs spots a trailer half way down the track and starts walking toward it. Four men are painting the grandstands in Turn Four with gray paint. Two extra fifty ­ five gallon barrels of gray paint have been placed by the cross-over walkway. Eddie asks directions to General Manager's office.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665556378

Denny Miller

The Motor Racing Art of HECTOR CADEMARTORI Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, became interested in motor racing as a teenager and was very much influenced by the European traditions; Fangio, Gonzalez, all the Formula One and Sportscar stars of the 60s and 70s and the great racing teams of that era. Hector started selling his illustrations and paintings after he graduated from High School and moved to the US in 1983 to specialize in his motor racing art. He started showing his artwork to different people in the automobile and motorcycle fields and the rest, as they say, his history. His clients include racing teams, corporations, magazines, and private parties, all of which help him make a living producing motor racing art. You’ll find his art from Dan Gurney’s All american Racers offices to Indianapolis 500 Yearbook covers, Auto Club Speedway and the Carrera Panamericana de Mexico posters; the NHRA, foreign and domestic car and motorcycle magazines and books, manufacturers such as Kawasaki USA, American Honda and Yamaha USA, La Carrera Panamericana, Toyota Motorsports, TRD (Toyota Racing Development), SVRA vintage racing, Lucas Oil Lubricants and many others. “I think that my art was just a vehicle to be around racing. I’m really a racer with a brush”, declares Hector who races his Datsun 240Z “Ferratsun” around the Southern California circuits and a 1991 Volvo 740 with 24 Hr of LeMons and Chumpcar Series. He lives in La Verne, California with his wife Florencia. Hector Cademartori [phone] [e-mail]

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© 2022 Denny Miller. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/21/2022

ISBN: 978-1-6655-5636-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-5630-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-5637-8 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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SCENE 1

CLOSE UP        DAYTON SPEEDWAY Sign

CUT TO        Sign saying Dayton Speedway, April 1952

Eddie Sachs gets out of his 1947 Ford. It shows lots of wear and tear. Sachs spots a trailer half way down the track and starts walking toward it. Four men are painting the grandstands in Turn Four with gray paint. Two extra fifty five gallon barrels of gray paint have been placed by the cross-over walkway. Eddie asks directions to General Manager’s office.

EDDIE SACHS

Where’s Blair Ratliff’s office?

PAINTER

Over there in that trailer.

EDDIE SACHS

Is he in?

PAINTER

Do you have an appointment?

EDDIE SACHS

Don’t need one. I’m Eddie Sachs, champion Big Car driver from the East Coast.

PAINTER

He’s in but he might be sleeping.

Painter gestures he might have been hitting the bottle pretty heavy.

EDDIE SACHS

Oh, he’ll want to see me. I’m the World’s Greatest Race Car Driver and I’m planning on driving in your season’s opener this weekend.

PAINTER

Well, don’t get him all riled up. We’re way behind in our painting. There’s no way we’ll be finished by Sunday.

Sachs struts up to the trailer and bursts in without knocking. Blair Ratliff, the track manager, is resting his head on his desk. His desk is disheveled with numerous papers piled all over. A half empty bottle of Old Grand Dad and a glass are on his desktop as well.

A startled Blair Ratliff is awakened.

BLAIR RATLIFF

Who the hell are you?

EDDIE SACHS

I’m Eddie Sachs, the World’s Greatest Race Car Driver.

An angry Ratliff tries to nonchalantly hide his bottle of Old Grand Dad under the papers on his desk.

BLAIR RATLIFF

Never heard of you. Now get the hell out, before I throw your ass out!

EDDIE SACHS

I’m a champion Big Car driver from the East Coast and I want to know how much appearance money will you pay me to drive here Sunday?

The audacity of his question surprises the disbelieving Ratliff.

BLAIR RATLIFF

Well I might not have the world’s greatest driver racing here on Sunday but I do have about 25 very good race car drivers coming. If you can put on a better show by yourself, I’ll pay you whatever you want. But if you can’t, you won’t get a dime. So get the hell out of here and don’t come back!

Arrogantly Eddie responds.

EDDIE SACHS

Humph. You’ll be begging me to drive here one day!

Eddie storms out, slamming the door. He struts back to his car.

SCENE 2

CLOSE UP        BURBANK AIRPORT SIGN

CUT TO        Burbank, California Airport

Gordon Reid, a handsome, cocky 28-year old race driver sits in the airport lobby with his mother Hazel, wife Betty and his four young daughters Marsha 5, Susan 4, Betty 17 months and Karen 2 weeks old. The kids are squirming and fussing.

HAZEL REID

Gordon, I don’t know why you need to fly all the way to Dayton, Ohio to race on that high bank track. There are a lot of race tracks here in California.

GORDON REID

It’s the season opener Sunday and all the Champ Car owners will be there watching to see who they will want to drive their cars in the Indianapolis 500. If I win at Dayton, it could lead to me getting a good ride for the 500 Mile Race.

HAZEL REID

You just tell them all you were Frank Sinatra’s double ln Anchors Away! They will all want you to drive for them then.

Reid chuckles at that absurd statement.

GORDON REID

A lot of owners want drivers who have absolutely no fear racing on the high banked tracks.

BETTY REID

Gordon will make more money for the year just driving the Indianapolis 500 than all the other races combined. Hazel, with four young mouths to feed, we need to make that race.

HAZEL REID

Well I wish I was coming with you. I’ve never missed watching any of your races.

GORDON REID

I need you here to help Betty take care of the new baby.

HAZEL REID

Yes I know but you know how those race officials try to cheat you on your qualifying times. I really think I need to be there to yell at them if they try something crooked. You know they don’t like West Coast drivers in the Midwest.

GORDON REID

West Coast drivers are flat ass brave. Look at Troy Ruttman, he’s fearless and the guys been racing in the 500 since he was 19.

HAZEL REID

You’re braver than Troy Ruttman.

GORDON REID

You know it and I know it. I got to show the car owners how brave I am, just like Ruttman showed J.C. Agajanian.

BETTY REID

Don’t take any stupid chances. Just be careful.

HAZEL REID

Nothing will ever happen to Gordon on the race track. Never. But you never know with airplanes what’s going to happen.

GORDON REID

Mamma, you know when it’s your time, there’s nobody that can stop it.

MUSIC:        CRY BY Johnny Ray

CRY BY JOHNNY RAY PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND AS GORDON REID KISSES HIS MOTHER, WIFE AND CHILDREN AND SAYS GOOD BYE TO THEM.

SCENE 3

CLOSE UP        DAYTON SPEEDWAY SIGN

CUT TO        Dayton Speedway, Dayton, Ohio, April 20, 1952. Passenger cars pulling trailers with race cars loaded on them drive into the track’s infield. Eddie Sachs questions each person if they need a driver.

EDDIE SACHS

You need a driver?

J C AGAJANIAN

Nope. Ruttman’s running my car.

EDDIE SACHS

You need a driver? I’m the world’s greatest!

CHARLIE ENGLE

Nope. Gordon Reid’s driving for me.

EDDIE SACHS

I’ll win today’s feature in your car or I’ll stack your race car. (LAUGHS)

CHARLIE ENGLE

Well I don’t need my race car stacked!

Engle drives into the infield pit area and parks his car. Gordon Reid walks up with his helmet bag.

CHARLIE ENGLE

(CHUCKLING) You better stand on the gas today. You see that guy over there, he said he’d win the feature for me.

GORDON REID

He probably wouldn’t even make five laps around the track before crashing. You sure as hell don’t need your race car crashed in the season opener.

CHARLIE ENGLE

I saw you on TV last night Reid. I thought you were an actor. You looked nervous as hell.

GORDON REID

I’m a double and a stunt man. Besides they didn’t have a script. That was my first live television commercial. When you’re shooting film, you can get as many takes as you need.

CHARLIE ENGLE

Well this is my home track so I expect to do good today. If you don’t, you won’t get a second take in my race car at any other race track. Understand?

GORDON REID

Understood. I hit it off pretty good with the TV crew. They told me they’d make sure they got me on the evening news. How many other drivers could get you on the evening news tonight?

CHARLIE ENGLE

Well you got the car that will win if you got the foot.

REID SHOWS ENGLE HIS BIG RIGHT FOOT.

GORDON REID

(SMILING) You know what they say about people with big feet. (LAUGHS).

SCENE 4

CUT TO        The field of cars come down to take the green flag in the first heat. Troy Ruttman, Joe James and Gordon Reid are in a tight three-way battle for the lead.

TRACK ANNOUNCER

The green flag falls and its Troy Ruttman, Joe James and Gordon Reid one, two, three going into the first turn.

SCENE 5

CUT TO        Policeman Robert Thatcher is trying to get people to move away from the edge of the track in turn four.

ROBERT THATCHER

Get away from the guard rail. Go back to the grandstands now!

Nobody pays attention to him as they are hypnotized by the sounds and speed of the race cars.

ROBERT THATCHER (CONT’D)

If you don’t move away from the edge of the track, you’ll be placed under arrest!

SCENE 6

CLOSE UP        REID’S STEERING WHEEL COME OFF.

CUT TO        As Gordon Reid comes into the fourth turn on lap five, his steering wheel comes off and his race car hits the fourth turn wall. The car becomes airborne and he is unable to steer the car or apply the brakes.

His car crashes into a big steel beam on the pedestrian crossover bridge and he is decapitated.

SCENE 7

CUT TO        Reid’s car continues on and slams into two 55 gallon drums of gray paint. Many spectators in the grandstands are sprayed with paint.

Reid’s car hits three people killing policeman Robert Thatcher, spectator Gene Lawson and decapitating Mrs. Ruby Shaffer.

TRACK ANNOUNCER

There has been a frightening accident in turn four involving Gordon Reid in the Engle-Stanko Special.

FLAGMAN WAVES THE RED FLAG TO STOP THE RACE. RESCUE WORKERS RUSH TOWARD REID’S CAR AND SEE HIM DECAPITATED.

THEY SEE THE DECAPITATED BODY OF RUBY SHAFFER AND THE OBVIOUSLY DEAD POLICEMAN ROBERT THATCHER AND SPECTATOR GENE LAWSON.

RESCUE EFFORTS ARE HINDERED WITH SO MANY SPECTATORS COVERED WITH GRAY PAINT. IT’S HARD TO TELL WHO WAS INJURED AND BLEEDING.

RESCUE WORKER

Go get the navy color guard over there and tell them to form a line to keep the gawkers and on-lookers away. No exceptions except people with an AAA armband. Get going!

A NAVY COLOR GUARD FORMS A LINE TO KEEP SPECTATORS BACK EXCEPT AAA OFFICIALS AND PEOPLE WITH AAA ARMBANDS.

RESCUE WORKER

Take that tarp over there and cover that dead race car driver’s body.

THEY TAKE THE TARP AND COVER THAT DECAPITATED BODY OF GORDON REID.

AN AAA OFFICIAL NOTIFIES CHARLIE ENGLE THAT THEY NEED TO MOVE HIS RACE CAR.

AAA OFFICIAL

Charlie, we need to take your car away from here because all the spectators can see it.

CHARLIE ENGLE

You ain’t moving my car until you remove Reid’s body from it!

SCENE 8

CUT TO        Photographer John Hyland and the coroner approach the navy color guard.

CORONER

I’ve noticed you’ve seized some spectators’ cameras and removed the film from them. I’m the coroner and I am having this professional photographer assist me. Got it.

COLOR GUARD

Yes sir. We just didn’t want morbid photos sold to LOOK magazine.

CORONER

John I need you take photos of Mr. Reid in his race car before we remove his body. Then the car can be returned to the pits. After that I’ll have you photograph the deceased spectators. It appears three others have been killed.

JOHN HYLAND

I really don’t like this kind of photography. Can’t you get someone else?

CORONER

You are the only professional photographer I know. I’m sorry I have to ask you to do this.

JOHN HYLAND TAKES THREE PHOTOS OF THE DECAPITATED REID’S BODY SITTING IN THE RACE CAR.

SCENE 9

CUT TO        Car owners Gus Hoffman goes down to the crash site and walks over to a man laying face down near the corner of the grandstands. Gus Hoffman is accompanied by a medical doctor. They gently turn the man over and blood gushes out of him.

DOCTOR

Just leave him alone. He’s dead.

GUS HOFFMAN AND THE DOCTOR SPOT PART OF GORDON REID’S SKULL. HOFFMAN PICKS IT UP AND PUTS IT BACK INTO REID’S RACE CAR.

SCENE 10

CUT TO        Blair Ratliff

AAA official Russ Clendennon argues with Blair

RUSS CLENDENNON

There are untold numbers of injured fans. With all that paint covering them, it’s almost impossible to tell blood from paint. Gordon Reid, a police officer and two spectators are dead. Blair, I think we should cancel the remainder of the race.

BLAIR RATLIFF

Russ, there is no way we are cancelling this race. Did you see the size of that crowd? We are in no position to make refunds to all those people. As soon as all the injured fans are taken to the hospital and Reid’s car is removed, I’m going to resume the race.

RUSS CLENDENNON

Why Blair, four people are dead. Many are injured. You need to show empathy to the deceased.

BLAIR RATLIFF

Listen, Clendennon, the people got what they paid for. Damn near everyone comes here hoping to see a crash. I’m the promoter and I say we are resuming the event as soon as everything is cleared up.

ANOTHER AAA OFFICIAL WALKS OVER TO INFORM CLENDENNON AND RATLIFF MORE BAD NEWS.

OFFICIAL

I just got word that one of the ambulances taking the injured to the local hospital crashed into a police car. No deaths but two were seriously injured.

RUSS CLENDENNON

This is a real black day for auto racing. Blair, for the love of God, please stop the remainder of activities.

BLAIR RATLIFF

I’ll tell you one more time Russ, just like in the circus -- the show must go on!

SCENE 11

CUT TO        Dayton Evening Television News lead story. File photo of Gordon Reid.

ANNOUNCER

Tragedy struck at Dayton Speedway today when 28 year old race car driver Gordon Reid of Burbank, California and three spectators, one an off duty policeman, were killed on the fifth lap during the first heat.

Reid, driving the local entry of Charlie Engle, lost control of his car in turn four and slammed into the outer wall. His car became airborne and he was decapitated when his head hit a steel beam by the pedestrian cross-over bridge.

Three spectators also died. Mrs. Ruby Shaffer was also decapitated when hit by the Reid car. Special policeman Robert Thatcher and another spectator, Gene Lawson, were also killed.

Reid’s car plowed into two 55 gallon drums of gray paint that track maintenance had failed to remove. The impact caused paint to be sprayed over numerous spectators.

SCENE 12

CUT TO        Inside Charlie Sacks Allentown, PA garage. Charlie is repairing his #18 Hal Special. 6'3", 345 pound, 22 year old, wealthy Sam Traylor and Eddie Sachs are there watching the race car being worked on. The boisterous Traylor is reading the local newspaper. Traylor has nicknames for several driver friends of his. Eddie’s nickname is the Kike.

SAM TRAYLOR

Hey Charlie, are you going to let the Kike drive your race car again? I’m sure as hell his ass will never sit in one of my cars.

EDDIE SACHS

Charlie, don’t listen to Sam. You know I’m going to be a champion.

CHARLIE SACKS

I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.

CHARLIE WINKS AT SAM. HE LOVES TO NEEDLE EDDIE.

EDDIE SACHS

Now Charlie. Don’t be that way. You know I’m like a son to you. (LAUGHS)

CHARLIE SACKS

Yeah, just like a kid, costing you money everywhere you go.

SAM TRAYLOR

Hey Kike, did you know there was a whorehouse raid near Fifth and Hamilton yesterday?

CHARLIE SACKS

(SURPRISED) I never knew Allentown had any whorehouses.

EDDIE SACHS

What do you mean whorehouse raid? Sam, let’s drive down there and see the place.

CHARLIE SACKS

All you ever think of us pussy, Eddie!

EDDIE SACHS

Hey Charlie, what’s he difference between a hold up and a stick up?

CHARLIE SACKS

What?

EDDIE SACHS

Age! (LAUGHS)

CHARLIE SACKS

I hope the vice squad catches you and lock your ass up for the entire racing season!

EDDIE SACHS

Let’s go Sam, maybe they are giving away free samples!

CHARLIE SACKS

Yeah they will give you something that penicillin won’t even be able to treat. (ALL LAUGH)

SAM TRAYLOR

I’ll take a photo for you Charlie of the Kike being led away in handcuffs.

EVERYONE LAUGHS.

SCENE 13

CUT TO        Sam Traylor pulls his 1951 Mercury down the block from the whorehouse near Fifth and Hamilton. It’s a hot morning and all the windows are rolled down in Sam’s car.

EDDIE SACHS

Sam, you know the difference between sex and rape?

SAM TRAYLOR

What Kike?

EDDIE SACHS

Salesmanship!

SAM TRAYLOR

You know one day those fifteens are going to get you twenty!

EDDIE SACHS (LAUGHING)

Jailbait is the tastiest!

SAM TRAYLOR

That’s strange, there are no cars on the block.

EDDIE SACHS

I’m going to go in there and see what the hell is going on.

SAM TRAYLOR

That place is probably crawling with cops.

EDDIE SACHS

Don’t worry about it. They’d be parked along the street eating jelly donuts if they were here.

SACHS GETS OUT OF THE CAR, WALKS UP TO THE WHOREHOUSE AND GOES INSIDE THE UNLOCKED FRONT DOOR. ALL OF A SUDDEN SAM HEARS EDDIE YELL.

EDDIE SACHS (CONT’D)

YEOW!!!!!!!!

SACHS COMES RUNNING DOWN THE FRONT STEPS. HE’S TAKING FOUR STEPS AT A TIME. TWO BIG FAT DETECTIVES ARE RIGHT BEHIND HIM. THEY’RE SO BIG AND FAT THAT SACHS IS OUTRUNNING THEM. EDDIE DIVES THROUGH THE CARS OPEN BACK WINDOW. AS HE STRUGGLES TO GET HIS LEGS THROUGH THE WINDOW, HE ORDERS TRAYLOR TO GET GOING.

EDDIE SACHS (CONT’D)

For Christ sakes, Sam, take off!!!

SAM BURNS RUBBER AS HE PEELS AWAY.

EDDIE SACHS (CONT’D)

They thought I was the pimp! (LAUGHING)

SCENE 14

CLOSE UP        WHITE FRONT SIGN

CUT TO        The White Front Tavern, Indianapolis, Indiana. Eddie Sachs cockily walks through the front door. Other patrons glance to see who has come in. Following Sachs is his attractive mother, Evaline, who walks arm-in-arm with the elderly Dr. L. D. Morris. The patrons quickly look the other way so as to not acknowledge Eddie’s arrival. Sachs spots fellow driver Pat O’Connor and Pat’s good friend, Kenny Woods, sitting at a table. The likable O’Connor, sensing that Eddie is being snubbed, motions for him, Evaline and Doc Morris to join them.

PAT O’CONNOR

Hi Eddie, sit down and join us.

SELF PROMOTING EDDIE IS IN CLOUD NINE. HE EXCITEDLY INTRODUCES DOC MORRIS BUT IGNORES HIS MOTHER.

EDDIE SACHS

I’m going to be taking my rookie’s test tomorrow in Doc Morris’ car! Pat, do you know Doc?

PAT O’CONNOR

(POLITELY) By reputation.

PAT O’CONNOR

Hello, Dr. Morris, I’m Pat O’Connor.

PAT SHAKES DOC’S HAND.

PAT O’CONNOR

It’s good to finally meet you.

DOC MORRIS SENSES AN AWKWARDNESS CREATED BY EDDIE NOT INTRODUCING HIS MOTHER TO PAT.

DOC MORRIS

And this beautiful woman is Evaline, Eddie’s mother.

PAT O’CONNOR (CHUCKLING)

So how is it that you’re so gorgeous and Eddie looks like he does?

EVERYBODY LAUGHS.

PAT O’CONNOR (CONT’D)

Oh excuse my poor manners, this is a childhood buddy of mine, Kenny Woods.

EVERYONE SHAKES HANDS WITH KENNY.

ALL

Hi Kenny.

EDDIE LAUGHS WITH A HIGH PITCH LAUGH AT O’CONNOR’S HUMOR. THEN HE SPEAKS TO HIS MOTHER, REFERENCING HER AS EVALINE AND NOT MOTHER.

EDDIE SACHS

Evaline, Pat and I both hope to take our rookie test this year. We took our Speedway physicals today. When the doctor came to the part on the medical form where it said religion, he looked at O’Connor and asked Catholic? And Pat said, No, Protestant. The he looked at me and said, Jewish? And I said wrong again, Catholic.

EVALINE SACHS

The doctor must have heard Sam Traylor call you the Kike.

EDDIE SACHS

Pat, are you circumcised?

EDDIE ENJOYS EMBARRASSING PAT. O’CONNOR CHUCKLES.

EDDIE SACHS

Well if you’re not, this is your lucky day. That’s what Doc Morris specializes in.

EDDIE LAUGHS WITH HIS HIGH PITCH LAUGH.

EDDIE SACHS

Here, I’ll show you what good work he does.

EDDIE STANDS UP AND STARTS UNZIPPING HIS PANTS.

PAT O’CONNOR

That’s OK Eddie. I didn’t bring my magnifying glass.

EVERYONE LAUGHS.

EDDIE NOW SPOTS FOUR ATTRACTIVE LADIES STARTING TO SIT DOWN TWO TABLES AWAY. HE WINKS AT THE GIRLS, WHO BLUSH AT HIS GESTURE.

EDDIE SACHS

I’m going to get you a foursome Pat!

PAT IS SURPRISED TO SEE SACHS TABLE-HOP OVER TO THE GIRL’S TABLE.

PAT O’CONNOR

I can just imagine what my monthly alimony bill is going to be if I keep hanging around Sachs all month! (CHUCKLING)

EDDIE INVITES THE GIRLS TO JOIN THEIR GROUP. THEY BLUSH.

EDDIE SACHS

How would you cute girls like to spend the evening with a couple of race car drivers?

SACHS, WITHOUT GETTING AN ANSWER, PROMPTLY ESCORTS TWO GIRLS OVER TO HIS TABLE.

EDDIE SACHS (LAUGHING)

Merry Christmas, Pat!

0’CONNOR AND THE GIRLS LOOK EMBARRASSED. SACHS GOES BACK AND GETS THE TWO OTHER GIRLS.

EDDIE SACHS (CONT’D)

And Happy New Year Pat! What’s your resolution with these four ladies going to be?

EVERYONE LAUGHS UNCOMFORTABLY.

EDDIE SACHS (CONT’D)

Girls, I’m Eddie Sachs from Allentown, Pennsylvania and I’m the World’s Greatest Race Car Driver and this is Pat O’Connor from Mt. Vernon, who’s not a bad race driver himself. I’m going to take my Rookie’s Test out at the Speedway tomorrow and Pat hopes to do the same this month also. And this is my lucky car owner, Doc Morris. He not only gets me as his race driver but also my mother as his personal masseuse. And by the way, Evaline, be sure and remember to massage what’s achin’ on Doc!

THE GIRLS ARE A BIT SMITTEN OVER PAT O’CONNOR’S MOVIE STAR GOOD LOOKS AND HIS SHY DEMEANOR BUT ARE OVERWHELMED BY SACHS’ STRONG COME-ON.

PAT O’CONNOR

What’s your names girls?

PATTY

I’m Patty.

DIANE

I’m Diane. Patty and I are cousins.

SALLY

I’m Sally.

SARAH

I’m Sally’s sister, Sarah.

EDDIE SACHS

Have you gals ever seen a Driver’s Test at the Speedway?

THE GIRLS LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND RESPOND JOINTLY.

GIRLS

No.

EDDIE SACHS

Well tomorrow will be your lucky day. Come watch me take my driver’s test. I’ll be sure and wave at you.

THE GIRLS, SOMEWHAT UNCOMFORTABLE BUT YET NEARLY HYPNOTIZED BY SACHS LINE OF BS, LOOK FOR AN EXCUSE TO LEAVE.

DIANE

Excuse us for a few minutes. We need to powder our noses.

THE GIRLS LEAVE, GIGGLING.

PAT O’CONNOR

I remember last year at Salem. This real cute blonde in this tight red dress came up to me and said she liked race car drivers. She said where she’d be sitting in the grandstands. So once the race started, every time I went into the first corner, I’d lift off the gas when I saw her. Then about ten laps later I crashed. Afterwards Kenny asked me what happened and what did I tell you Kenny?

KENNY WOODS

She moved!

EVERYONE LAUGHS.

PAT O’CONNOR

She was my shut off point!

DOC MORRIS

Well if those girls come out tomorrow, they better not move because I don’t want my race car crashed.

MORE LAUGHTER.

THE GIRLS SOMEWHAT RELUCTANTLY RETURN THE TABLE.

EDDIE SACHS

Well Pat, you can spend all night in the bar drinking and carousing but I’m going home early and go to bed.

SACHS WINKS AT O’CONNOR AND MORRIS THEN GRINS.

EDDIE SACHS (CONT’D)

Come on, let’s go girls!

MESMERIZED, THEY ALL FOLLOW EDDIE SACHS OUT TO HIS OLD ‘WOODY’ STATION WAGON PARKED IN THE WHITE FRONT TAVERN PARKING LOT.

SCENE 15

CUT TO        Tight shot of the Pagoda behind the Start/Finish line.

No nonsense Wilbur Shaw, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and now President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway stands beside AAA Zone Supervisor Russ Clendennon and Shaw protégé, Pat O’Connor. They are waiting for a rookie orientation meeting scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM. It’s now 9:17 AM as Eddie Sachs strolls up to a very irritated Shaw. Impatiently, Wilbur looks at his expensive watch.

WILBUR SHAW

Mr. Sachs, you’re 17 minutes late! I have half a mind to deny you your rookie’s test.

EDDIE SACHS

Oh no, no - don’t do that Wilbur.

OTHERS WINCH AT THE THOUGHT OF EDDIE SAYING ‘WILBUR’ INSTEAD OF ‘MR. SHAW’. EDDIE WOULD LIKE TO BE SHAW’S BUDDY. HOWEVER WILBUR HAS STRONG DISDAIN FOR EDDIE. SACHS DOESN’T PICK UP ON WILBUR’S DISLIKE OF HIM.

EDDIE SACHS

I was walking here just taking in the splendor of this place. To think that over 100,000 people will be here on Race Day to watch me win the Indianapolis 500. It’s overwhelming!

SENSING WILBUR SHAW IS GETTING MORE AND MORE UPSET BY THE MOMENT, RUSS CLENDENNON JUMPS INTO THE CONVERSATION.

RUSS CLENDENNON

Eddie, Pat - I’ve seen you both race all over the Midwest. I signed your letters of recommendation because I believe you have the ability to be successful race drivers here.

But this isn’t a half mile track. This place can bite you in a hurry. The veteran drivers need to be able to trust you. So we ease you up to speed. There will be four 10-lap phases to the Rookie’s Test. Ten laps at 105, ten laps at 110, ten laps at 115 and on your final phase, a committee of veteran drivers will be observing your ten laps at 120 MPH.

WILBUR SHAW

We’re looking for consistency. If your speed varies two miles an hour either way, you will be called in and warned just one time.

RUSS CLENDENNON

There could be other drivers out practicing while you’re taking your test. You will be expected to stay down low on the race track.

EDDIE SACHS

I could pedal a bicycle around here faster than that.

THAT COMMENT MAKES WILBUR SHAW EVEN ANGRIER. SENSING THAT, RUSS CLENDENNON QUICKLY ADDS.

RUSS CLENDENNON

Mr. Shaw is going to take you both around the race track in the pace car. He’ll show you the groove of the track.

AS THEY WALK TO THE PACE CAR, EDDIE SACHS YELLS

EDDIE SACHS

(LAUGHING) Shotgun!

EDDIE IS OBLIVIOUS THAT WILBUR SHAW IS NEARING HIS BOILING POINT.

EDDIE SACHS

Peel out Wilbur!

THE PACE CAR LEAVES THE PITS WITH SHAW DRIVING. CLENDENNON, SACHS AND O’CONNOR ARE BACKSEAT PASSENGERS. EDDIE IS ALL SMILES.

EDDIE SACHS

Wow, this is bigger than Winchester, Salem, Dayton and Terre Haute combined. I’m really going to fly on this track!

RUSS CLENDENNON

Eddie, you’re going to be driving an older, tired race car. Most of the top drivers here would have trouble getting the Morris car up to speed. Just be content you’re getting a