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Creating tension through dialogue
The following excerpt is from Robert Towne's screenplay for the 1973 film Chinatown, directed by Roman Polanski.
GITTES
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Who is she? And don't give me that crap about it being your sister.
You don't have a sister.
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Evelyn is trembling.
EVELYN
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I'll tell you the truth...
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Gittes smiles.
GITTES
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That's good. Now what's her name?
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GITTES
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Katherine?... Katherine who?
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EVELYN
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-- she's my daughter.
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Gittes stares at her. He's been charged with anger and when Evelyn says this it explodes.
He hits her full in the face. Evelyn stares back at him. The blow has forced tears from
her eyes, but she makes no move, not even to defend herself.
EVELYN
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-- she's my sister -
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Gittes slaps her again.
EVELYN
(cont'd.)
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-- she's my daughter.
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Gittes slaps her again.
EVELYN
(cont'd.)
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-- my sister.
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He hits her again.
EVELYN
(cont'd.)
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My daughter, my sister --
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He belts her finally, knocking her into a cheap Chinese vase which shatters and she collapses on the sofa, sobbing.
GITTES
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I said I want the truth.
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EVELYN
(almost screaming it)
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She's my sister and my daughter!
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