S T O R Y L A N E S Michael Clayton midpoint back Then who are you?
Start
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The beginning of the scene.
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EXT. ALLEY -- DAY (CONT)
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Michael: So welcome home.
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Michael: How do I talk to you, Arthur?
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Arthur: How can you know that?
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Michael: You chased this girl through a parking lot...
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Arthur: I have great affection for you, Michael...
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Michael: I'm not the enemy.
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End
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Michael spots Arthur. In the script, a new slugline: EXT. ALLEY -- DAY (CONT) |
Arthur: Best bread I've ever tasted.
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Arthur: No. You're wrong. What makes this feel good is I don't know.
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Michael: I find out you're calling this girl in Wisconsin and you're messing with documents and God knows what else and --
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Arthur: Explain it! Explain how Marty knows.
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Michael: You're making it easy for them.
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Arthur: the last place you want to see me is in court.
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Arthur: Then who are you?
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Action
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Michael drives around looking for Arthur.
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Michael finds Arthur. Initiates the conversation.
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Michael gradually starts getting down to business.
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Michael reads Arthur the riot act.
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Arthur realizes his phone is tapped, which makes him fight back.
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Michael restarts his lecture, but now Arthur isn't deflecting, he's fighting back.
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Arthur takes control.
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The coda.
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Key lines
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Henry: I want to go home. Michael: Hang on, Henry. |
Michael: Arthur! Wait up!
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Michael: How's that going? Arthur: Good. Very good. I just... I need to be more precise. |
Michael: You need help. Before this gets too far, you need help.
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Michael: ...I find out your'e calling this girl in Wisconsin... Arthur: How can you know that? |
Arthur: She wouldn't do that. I know that. Michael: Really. You think your judgment is state-of-the-art right now? |
Arthur: ...you're a bagman, not an attorney.
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Michael: I'm not the enemy. Arthur: Then who are you? |
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Key beats
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The prolog: Michael looks for Arthur.
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Initial pleasantries.
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Getting down to business.
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Michael lays down the law.
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The scene turns.
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Michael tries to regain control.
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Arthur takes control.
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The finale: Arthur's challenge.
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Arthur's state
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Arthur is not yet present.
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Manic and nervous. Has an absurd number of loaves of bread, a sign of his mania. Is awfully jumpy when Michael shows up.
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Still nervous. Defensive. Trying to keep in control.
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Completely defensive.
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Paranoid. (But right - just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.) Growing anger. Starting to lose control.
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Angry and paranoid.
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We see Arthur as he is - a powerful attorney. "The shark beneath the breadloves." He has a moment of perfect clarity - is a lawyer.
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Still in control. Challenging.
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Michael's state
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Michael is trying hard to find Arthur. But in doing so, he is ignoring his son Henry.
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Cool. Has found Arthur, dealing with the pleasantries. But there's an edge underneath - he's being sarcastic.
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Starting to get angry now. Working his way up to the real confrontation.
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Angry. Letting loose his feelings, telling Arthur off.
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His frustration with Arthur grows.
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Doesn't realize the conversation has shifted, is still trying to argue Arthur into submission.
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Completely put on the defensive. Can't respond at all.
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He's lost, and he knows it.
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Who speaks the most
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Arthur isn't present yet.
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Arthur speaks the most, responding to Michael's pointed greetings.
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Arthur continues to speak the most. He's babbling here, trying to use a lot of words to obfuscate.
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Michael speaks the most. He's in charge, directing the conversation.
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They are even here, fully engaged in conflict.
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Michael speaks a lot in an attempt to regain control, but Arthur succinctly denies him.
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Arthur is the only one talking. He has taken full control.
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Even in words, but Michael is whining, Arthur firm.
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