It's a Wonderful Life

They shake hands.

GEORGE

Good morning, sir.

CARTER

Carter – bank examiner.

GEORGE

Mr. Carter, Merry Christmas.

CARTER

Merry Christmas.

GEORGE

We're all excited around here.

(shows him paper)

My brother just got the Congressional Medal of Honor. The President just decorated him.

CARTER

Well, I guess they do those things. Well, I trust you had a good year.

GEORGE

Good year? Well, between you and me, Mr. Carter, we're broke.

CARTER

Yeah, very funny.

GEORGE

Well...

(leading him into office)

... now, come right in here, Mr. Carter.

CARTER

(as they go)

Although I shouldn't wonder when you okay reverse charges on personal long distance calls.

COUSIN TILLY

George, shall we hang up?

GEORGE

No, no. He wants to talk to Uncle Billy. You just hold on.

CARTER

(in doorway)

Now, if you'll cooperate, I'd like to finish with you by tonight. I want to spend Christmas in Elmira with my family.

GEORGE

I don't blame you at all, Mr. Carter, Just step right in here. We'll fix you up.

INT. BANK – DAY

CLOSE SHOT

Uncle Billy is filling out a deposit slip at one of the desks.

UNCLE BILLY

(writing)

December twenty-fourth...

He takes a thick envelope from his inside pocket and thumbs through the bills it contains. It is evidently a large sum of money.

UNCLE BILLY (CONT'D)

Eight thousand...

MEDIUM SHOT – DOOR TO STREET

Potter is being wheeled in by his goon. Various bank officials run over to greet him – he is reading a newspaper. Uncle Billy has finished filling out his slip, and comes over to taunt Potter, the envelope containing the money in his hand.

UNCLE BILLY

Well, good morning, Mr. Potter. What's the news?

He grabs the paper from Potter's hand.

UNCLE BILLY (CONT'D)

Well, well, well, Harry Bailey wins Congressional Medal. That couldn't be one of the Bailey boys? You just can't keep those Baileys down, now, can you, Mr. Potter?

POTTER

How does slacker George feel about that?

UNCLE BILLY

Very jealous, very jealous. He only lost three buttons off his vest. Of course, slacker George would have gotten two of those medals if he had gone.

POTTER

Bad ear.

UNCLE BILLY

Yes.

Uncle Billy folds Potter's paper over the envelope containing his money, and flings his final taunt at the old man.

UNCLE BILLY (CONT'D)

After all, Potter, some people like George had to stay home. Not every heel was in Germany and Japan!

In a cold rage, Potter grabs his paper and wheels off toward his office. Uncle Billy smiles triumphantly and goes toward deposit window with his deposit slip.

CLOSE SHOT

Uncle Billy and bank teller at the window.

UNCLE BILLY

(still chuckling)

Good morning, Horace.

Uncle Billy hands the bank book over. The teller opens it, starts to punch it with rubber stamps.

TELLER

I guess you forgot something.

UNCLE BILLY

Huh?

TELLER

You forgot something.

UNCLE BILLY

What?

TELLER

Well, aren't you going to make a deposit?

UNCLE BILLY

Sure, sure I am.

TELLER

Well, then... it's usually customary to bring the money with you.

UNCLE BILLY

Oh, shucks...

Uncle Billy searches through every pocket he has.

UNCLE BILLY (CONT'D)

(looks bewildered)

I know I had...

The teller, knowing the old man's vagaries, points to one of the numerous string tied around his fingers.

TELLER

How about that one there?

UNCLE BILLY

Hmm? Well, I...

INT. POTTER'S OFFICE – DAY

CLOSE SHOT

Potter is now behind his desk. He spreads the newspaper out in front of him, muttering as he does so.

POTTER

Bailey...

He sees the envelope, looks inside at the money. Then, to his goon, indicating the office door:

POTTER (CONT'D)

Take me back there. Hurry up.

(as they go)

Come on, look sharp.

Potter opens the door just a little, and peers through into the bank.

INT. BANK – DAY

CLOSE SHOT – DEPOSIT SLIP DESK

Uncle Billy looks around for the money envelope. It is not there. He looks puzzled, thinks hard, then a look of concern creeps into his eyes. He starts thumping his pockets, with increasing panic, and looks in the waste paper basket on the floor. He finally rushes through the door and out into the street.

INT. POTTER'S OFFICE – DAY

CLOSE SHOT – POTTER WATCHING THROUGH THE DOOR

POTTER

(to goon)

Take me back.

The goon wheels him back to his desk. He is deep in thought, with a crafty expression on his face.

EXT. STREET – DAY

MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT

Uncle Billy running across the street in the direction of the Building and Loan.

INT. OUTER OFFICE – BUILDING AND LOAN – DAY

CLOSE SHOT

George coming from room where he has just left the bank examiner.

GEORGE

Just make yourself at home, Mr. Carter. I'll get those books for you.

He sees Violet Bick standing there.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Oh, hello, Vi.

VIOLET

George, can I see you for a second?

GEORGE

Why, of course you can. Come on in the office here.

He hears a noise, and sees Uncle Billy entering the office.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Uncle Billy, talk to Harry. He's on the telephone.

George and Violet enter his private office. Uncle Billy comes hurrying in.

COUSIN TILLY

Hurry, Uncle Billy, hurry. Long distance, Washington.

COUSIN EUSTACE

Hey, here's Harry on the phone.

COUSIN TILLY

Harry, your nephew, remember?

COUSIN EUSTACE

(on phone)

Here he is.

Uncle Billy picks up the phone and speaks distractedly, without knowing what he is saying.

UNCLE BILLY

(on phone)

Hello... hello... Yes, Harry – yes... everything... everything's fine.

He hangs up agitatedly, muttering to himself as he goes into his own office. Cousin Tilly and Cousin Eustace look after him, dumbfounded.

UNCLE BILLY (CONT'D)

I should have my head examined. Eight thousand dollars. It's got to be somewhere.

INT. GEORGE'S OFFICE – DAY

CLOSE SHOT – GEORGE AND VIOLET

George has just finished writing something, and is slipping the paper into an envelope.

GEORGE

(hands it to her)

Here you are.

VIOLET

(bitterly)

Character? If I had any character, I'd...

GEORGE

It takes a lot of character to leave your home town and start all over again.

He pulls some money from his pocket, and offers it to her.

VIOLET

No, George, don't...

GEORGE

Here, now, you're broke, aren't you?

VIOLET

I know, but...

GEORGE

What do you want to do, hock your furs, and that hat? Want to walk to New York? You know, they charge for meals and rent up there just the same as they do in Bedford Falls.

VIOLET

(taking money)

Yeah – sure...

GEORGE

It's a loan. That's my business. Building and Loan. Besides, you'll get a job. Good luck to you.

She looks at him, then says a strange thing.

VIOLET

I'm glad I know you, George Bailey.

She reaches up and kisses him on the cheek, leaving lipstick. George opens the door for her.

INT. OUTER OFFICE – DAY

CLOSE SHOT

As George and Violet come through the door, they are being watched by Cousin Tilly, Cousin Eustace and the bank examiner, who is still waiting to go to work on the books.

GEORGE

Say hello to New York for me.

VIOLET

Yeah – yeah... sure I will.

GEORGE

Now, let's hear from you...

Violet sees the lipstick on George's cheek, and dabs at it with her handkerchief.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

What's the matter? Merry Christmas, Vi.

VIOLET

Merry Christmas, George.

She exits.

MR. CARTER

Mr. Bailey...

GEORGE

Oh, Mr. Carter, I'm sorry. I'll be right with you.

(to Cousin Tilly)

Uncle Billy in?

COUSIN TILLY

Yeah, he's in his office.

INT. DOORWAY TO UNCLE BILLY'S OFFICE – DAY

CLOSE SHOT

As George opens the door he sees Uncle Billy frantically looking for the missing envelope. The office is in a mess, drawers are opened, and papers scattered on the floor and on the desk.

GEORGE

Unc... What's going on? The bank examiner's here, and I...

UNCLE BILLY

(in dismay)

He's here?

GEORGE

Yeah, yeah. He wants the accounts payable...

George stops short, suddenly aware of the tragic old eyes looking up at him.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

What's the matter with you?

Uncle Billy gestures nervously for George to come in. He does so and closes the door.

INT. OUTER OFFICE – DAY

MEDIUM SHOT

Cousin Tilly is at her switchboard, and Cousin Eustace standing beside her. Carter is still waiting in the doorway to his office. Suddenly the door opens and George comes striding out. He goes directly to the safe and starts searching, but doesn't find the money. Then he goes to the cash drawer in the counter, and looks through it.

GEORGE

Eustace...

EUSTACE

Yeah?

GEORGE

Come here a minute.

Cousin Eustace runs over to George.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Did you see Uncle Billy with any cash last night?

COUSIN EUSTACE

He had it on his desk counting it before he closed up.

EXT. MAIN STREET BEDFORD FALLS – DAY

MEDIUM SHOT

Uncle Billy and George are retracing the former's steps through the snow, looking everywhere for the missing money. They pause for a moment on the sidewalk.

GEORGE

Now look, did you buy anything?

UNCLE BILLY

Nothing. Not even a stick of gum.

GEORGE

All right. All right. Now we'll go over every step you took since you left the house.

UNCLE BILLY

This way.

They continue on down the street on their search.

EXT. WINDOW OF POTTER'S OFFICE IN BANK – DAY

CLOSE SHOT

Potter is peering through the slats of the Venetian blind, watching them as they go.

EXT. MAIN STREET BEDFORD FALLS – DAY

MOVING SHOT

George and Uncle Billy continue their search.

WIPE TO:

INT. UNCLE BILLY'S LIVING ROOM

CLOSE SHOT

A shabby, old-fashioned, gas-lit room which has been turned almost inside out and upside down in an effort to locate the missing money. Drawers of an old secretary have been pulled out and are on the floor. Every conceivable place which might have been used by Uncle Billy to put the money has been searched. George, his hair rumpled, is feverishly pursuing the search. Uncle Billy is seated behind the desk, his head on his hands.

GEORGE

And did you put the envelope in your pocket?

UNCLE BILLY

Yeah... yeah... maybe... maybe...

GEORGE

(shouts)

Maybe – maybe! I don't want any maybe. Uncle Billy, we've got to find that money!

UNCLE BILLY

(piteously)

I'm no good to you, George. I...

GEORGE

Listen to me. Do you have any secret hiding place here in the house? Someplace you could have put it? Someplace to hide the money?

UNCLE BILLY

(exhausted)

I've been over the whole house, even in rooms that have been locked ever since I lost Laura.

Uncle Billy starts sobbing hysterically. George grabs him by the lapels and shakes him.

GEORGE

(harshly)

Listen to me! Listen to me! Think! Think!

UNCLE BILLY

(sobbing)

I can't think any more, George. I can't think any more. It hurts...

George jerks him to his feet and shakes him. Uncle Billy stands before him like a frisked criminal, all his pockets hanging out, empty. George's eyes and manner are almost maniacal.

GEORGE
(screaming at him)

Where's that money, you stupid, silly old fool? Where's the money? Do you realize what this means? It means bankruptcy and scandal, and prison!

He throws Uncle Billy down into his chair, and still shouts at him:

GEORGE (CONT'D)

That's what it means! One of us is going to jail! Well, it's not going to be me!

George turns and heads for the door, kicking viciously at a waste basket on the floor as he goes. Uncle Billy remains sobbing at the table, his head in his arms.

WIPE TO:

INT. GEORGE'S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT