86. EXT. SANTA MONICA CIVIC AUDITORIUM – MAIN ENTRANCE – NIGHT
A watery dissolve indicates we have returned from the flashback to the current time. The Academy Award sign is shown prominently on the auditorium’s exterior, while fans are still seen in the bleachers.
87. INT. SANTA MONICA CIVIC AUDITORIUM – AUDITORIUM – NIGHT
The audience applauds the last presenter. HYMIE and Kay, as they were originally, are seated some distance away from Frankie. Hymie glares in Frankie’s direction. Frankie sits in anticipation of the next award, with a slight smile. BOB HOPE is introducing the next presenter.
BOB HOPE
The award for the Best Actor of the Year will be presented by the elegant and beautiful Miss Merle Oberon.
Bob Hope leaves and MERLE OBERON walks to the podium.
MERLE OBERON
The nominees for the Best Actor Award are Richard Burton in “Grapes in Winter,” Paramount Pictures; Burt Lancaster in “Spanish Armada,” United Artists; Frank Fane in “Breakthrough,” Galaxy Pictures
. . .
. . .
As the rest of the nominees are read, the sound of Hymie’s thoughts are heard again.
HYMIE (V.O.)
So here you sit, Frankie, on top of the glass mountain where you wanted to be, looking down at the rest of us. I hate to admit it but you proved your point. It looks like it is the only way to climb that high.
MERLE OBERON
And the envelope, please.
Frankie sits in nervous anticipation, wringing his hands but confident. An aide hands Oberon the envelope which she opens. Frankie grabs the arms of his seat in preparation for standing.
MERLE OBERON (CONT’D)
And the winner is Frank . . .
Frankie is standing now.
MERLE OBERON (CONT’D)
Sinatra!
Frankie is stunned, unable to comprehend what he has just heard. FRANK SINATRA is congratulated by Nancy Sinatra, sitting beside him, and he walks toward the stage. Close ups of Kay, Sophie, Kappy, and Regan, sitting in various parts of the auditorium, show them enthusiastically applauding the winner. Sinatra has made it to the stage and accepts the Oscar statuette and is kissed by Oberon.
FRANK SINATRA
(from the podium)
Thank you. Thank you very much . . .
Frankie realizes he is the only one in the auditorium standing. To cover his mistake he begins to applaud which initiates a standing ovation for Sinatra. Frankie, finally realizing the gravity of the announcement, collapses into his seat, utterly destroyed. Kay looks on with a mix of disgust and pity. The camera pulls back as the audience continues to applaud. Frankie, getting smaller by the second, is a deflated heap in his seat.
THE END