Notorious
TITLE CARD over a sun-drenched Miami skyline:

Miami, Florida. Three-Twenty P.M.
April the Twenty-Fourth,
Nineteen Hundred and Forty-Six...


INT. COURTHOUSE - DAY

A CAMERA held to a photographer's hip. A dozen or so MEN, photographers and journalists, stand chatting in a HALLWAY outside an impressive pair of oak doors, above which reads:

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

A MAN AT THE DOORS opens them a crack and peers inside the COURTROOM. From a distance, he sees the BACKS of a defendant, JOHN HUBERMAN, and his COUNSEL standing to face the judge.

JUDGE
... any legal reason why sentence should
not be pronounced?

DEFENSE COUNSEL
No, your honor.

HUBERMAN
Yes. I have something to say. You can put me
away. But you can't put away what's going to
happen to you and to this whole country next
time. Next time we are going to...

DEFENSE COUNSEL
(whispers to Huberman)
I wouldn't say any more. We'll leave that for
the appeal.

JUDGE
It is the judgment of this court that the
defendant, John Huberman, having been found
guilty of the crime of treason against the
United States by the jury of this court for
the southern district of Florida at Miami,
be committed to the custody of the United
States Attorney General for imprisonment in
an institution of the penitentiary type for
a period of twenty years. And the defendant
may be forthwith remanded to the custody of
the United States Marshall. Court is now
adjourned.

(…)

The MAN AT THE DOORS turns to the media vultures behind him.

MAN AT THE DOORS
Here she comes.

The PHOTOGRAPHERS ready their cameras and press forward. As the courtroom empties, a stylishly dressed ALICIA HUBERMAN emerges into the HALLWAY with a blank look on her pretty but pale face, to be awakened from her daze by flash photography. She steels herself for the deluge and keeps walking.

REPORTERS
(ad lib)
Just a minute, Miss Huberman. Hold it,
Miss Huberman.

1st REPORTER
We'd like a statement from you, Miss Huberman,
about your father.

2nd REPORTER
For instance, do you think your father got
what he deserved?

3rd REPORTER
Could we say that you're pleased that your
father is going to pay the penalty for being
a German worker?
(…)

INT. ALICIA'S BUNGALOW - DAY

FADE IN on ALICIA'S BEDROOM, a little before 9 a.m. that morning. She's in bed, slowly regaining consciousness. A glass of what looks like a nasty hangover remedy rests on a chair beside her.

DEVLIN
You'd better drink that.

From her bed, a clearly hungover Alicia sees Devlin's silhouette leaning in
the doorway to her bedroom.

ALICIA
All right. [mumbles]

DEVLIN
Go on, drink it.

Alicia takes a swallow.

ALICIA
Ohh...

DEVLIN
Finish it.

She takes another swallow. Still groggy, she watches Devlin approach and
stand over her.

DEVLIN
Feel better?

ALICIA
What do you care how I feel? You -- you copper.

A train whistle BLOWS somewhere far off.

ALICIA
What's this all about, huh? What's your angle?

DEVLIN
What angle?

ALICIA
About last night.

DEVLIN
Just wanted to be friends.

ALICIA
Friends, yeah? So you could frame me, hm?

DEVLIN
No, I've got a job for you.

ALICIA
Don't tell me, there's only -- ooh. There's
only one job that you coppers would want me
for. Well, you can forget it, Mister...

DEVLIN
Devlin.

ALICIA
What?

DEVLIN
Devlin.

ALICIA
I am no stool pigeon, Mister Devlin.

DEVLIN
My department authorized me to engage you to do
some work for us, it's a job in Brazil.

ALICIA
Oh, go away. The whole thing bores me.

DEVLIN
Some of the German gentry who were paying your
father are working in Rio. Ever hear of the
I. G. Farben Industries?

ALICIA
I tell you, I'm not interested.

DEVLIN
Farben has men in South America, planted there
before the war. We're cooperating with the
Brazilian government to smoke them out. My
chief thinks that the daughter of a, uh...

ALICIA
Of a traitor?

DEVLIN
Well, he thinks you might be valuable in the
work. They might sort of trust you. And you
could make up a little for your daddy's
peculiarities.

ALICIA
Why should I?

DEVLIN
Patriotism.

ALICIA
That word gives me a pain. No, thank you, I
don't go for patriotism, nor -- or patriots.

DEVLIN
(leaving the room)
I'd like to dispute that with you.

ALICIA
Waving the flag with one hand and picking
pockets with the other. That's your
patriotism. Well, you can have it.

She gets out of bed. Devlin, in the LIVING ROOM, readies the record player.

DEVLIN
We've had your bungalow wired for three
months.

Devlin reads aloud from the label on a phonograph record.

DEVLIN
Conversation between John Huberman and daughter Alicia, six-thirty p.m., January the ninth, nineteen forty-six at Miami Beach,Florida.

Devlin puts the record on the turntable.

DEVLIN
Some of the evidence that wasn't used at
the trial.

ALICIA
I don't want to hear that.

DEVLIN
Relax, hardboard, and listen.

The recording begins. As it plays, Alicia emerges slowly from the bedroom.

HUBERMAN'S VOICE
[?]...money in it, Alicia.

ALICIA'S VOICE
I told you before Christmas I wouldn't do it.

HUBERMAN'S VOICE
You don't use your judgment. You can have
anything you want. The work is easy.

ALICIA'S VOICE
I'll not listen, father.

HUBERMAN'S VOICE
This is not your country, is it?

ALICIA'S VOICE
My mother was born here. We have American
citizenship.

HUBERMAN'S VOICE
Where is your judgment? In your feelings, you
are German. You've got to listen to me. You
don't know what we stand for.

ALICIA'S VOICE
I know what you stand for. You and your murdering
swine. I've hated you ever since I found out.

HUBERMAN'S VOICE
My daughter, don't talk to me like that.

ALICIA'S VOICE
Stay on your side of the table!

HUBERMAN'S VOICE
Alicia, put your voice down.

ALICIA'S VOICE
I hate you all. And I love this country, do
you understand that? I love it. I'll see
you all hang before I raise a finger against
it. Now, go on and get out of here. Or so
help me, I'll turn you in. Don't ever come
near me or speak to me again 'bout your
rotten schemes.

The recording ends. Alicia, obviously affected, tries to shrug it off.

ALICIA
(to Devlin)
Well, that doesn't prove much. I didn't
turn him in.

DEVLIN
We didn't expect you to. Well, what do you
say?

ALICIA
Ah, go away and leave me alone. I have my
own life to lead. Good times. That's what
I want. And laughs with people I like...

The front doorbell BUZZES.

ALICIA
...and no underhanded cops who want to put me
up in a shooting gallery...

A KNOCK at the door.

ALICIA
...but people of my own kind who'll treat me
right, and like me, and understand me.

The front door opens and the rich old Commodore appears, sailor cap in hand,
to Alicia's surprise.

COMMODORE
(very pleasant)
Good morning, Alicia.

ALICIA
Oh, hello.

COMMODORE
Thought you might need a hand this morning.
We're sailing with the tide, you know. Are
you ready?

ALICIA
Yes.

COMMODORE
Don't tell me you've forgotten, my dear.

ALICIA
Almost.


COMMODORE
I'll help you pack. Although you really don't
need anything. We've got everything on board.

ALICIA
Thank you, I'll pack myself.

COMMODORE
We're moored at the hotel pier. You know the spot.

ALICIA
Yes.

COMMODORE
You're a darling.
(to Devlin)
Sweetest girl I ever knew.
(to Alicia)
See you soon.

The Commodore leaves. Devlin readies a cigarette.

DEVLIN
Well, what about it? Plane leaves tomorrow
morning, early.

ALICIA
All right.
(nods in the Commodore's direction)
You better tell him.

Without a word, Devlin leaves to inform the Commodore at once. Alicia watches him go. Suddenly, Alicia discovers Devlin's handkerchief still tied around her waist.

(…)



The U.S. EMBASSY in Rio, that day.


INT. PRESCOTT'S OFFICE - DAY

Captain Prescott, the man Devlin spoke to on the plane, confers with the
Brazilian official BARBOSA and others.

PRESCOTT
Gentlemen, I assure you, she's the perfect
type for the job.

BARBOSA
It's not the girl. It's this German scientist
I'm worried about. I simply question why we
don't find some way of taking them into custody.

AMERICAN OFFICIAL
It'd do no good. Even if we arrested their
leader, Alexander Sebastian, tomorrow another
Farben man takes his place and their work
goes on.

BARBOSA
Yes, you're right. I see, Captain Prescott,
your method is the best way.

PRESCOTT
Well, she's good at making friends with
gentlemen and we want somebody inside his
house, in his confidence.

BARBOSA
Do you have faith in this procedure, Captain
Prescott?

PRESCOTT
Oh, yes. With somebody on the inside...

BRAZILIAN OFFICIAL
Have you consulted the young lady?

PRESCOTT
No, not yet. As a matter of fact, our man
Devlin just brought her down here the other
day. Now, we're waiting for Sebastian to
come back to Rio.

BRAZILIAN OFFICIAL
Has your Mister Devlin told her of the nature
of the work?

PRESCOTT
No, we haven't discussed it with him at all.
But I can set your mind at rest about her.

BARBOSA
You're sure of her political side?

PRESCOTT
Oh, oh, yes.

BARBOSA
Well, there is nothing to be lost if we
proceed as you advise.

PRESCOTT
Now, that's fine. I'll give Devlin his
instructions right away.

(…)

PRESCOTT
What is it, Devlin? What’s the matter?


DEVLIN
I don't know if she'll do it.

PRESCOTT
What do you mean you don't think she'd --
You haven't discussed it with her, have you?

DEVLIN
No, I didn't know what the job was until
this moment.

PRESCOTT
Well, what do you mean she wouldn't do it?

DEVLIN
Well, I don't think she's that type of woman.
She strikes me as being rather--

PRESCOTT
I don't understand your attitude. Why do you
think she won't do it?

DEVLIN
Well, she's had no experience.

PRESCOTT
Oh, come now. What experience does she lack,
do you think?

DEVLIN
She's never been trained for that kind of
work, they'll see through her.

PRESCOTT
Miss Huberman was chosen not only because
her father gives her an ideal background
but because Sebastian knows her.

This is news to Devlin.

PRESCOTT
Oh, yes. He was once in love with her.

DEVLIN
(ironic)
Oh, I didn't know that.

BEARDSLEY
I don't see why we're arguing about petty
things like this. We've got important work
to do. Sebastian's house is a cover-up for
whatever this Farben group's up to here in Rio.
We've got to get Miss Huberman inside that
house and find out what's going on there.

PRESCOTT
Yes, that's right.
(to Devlin)
So I think you'd better go back to Miss
Huberman and explain to her what she has
to do.

DEVLIN
I, er...

PRESCOTT
Well, what is it?

DEVLIN
Nothing, sir.

PRESCOTT
Oh. I thought you were going to say
something.

DEVLIN
How is the meeting to be arranged?

PRESCOTT
Oh, well, we've discussed that. I think
the riding club would be the best place.
Sebastian usually rides there in the mornings.
So the rest is up to you and Miss Huberman.
(after an awkward pause)
Okay, Devlin, that's all.

DEVLIN
All right.

(…)

INT ALICIA’S APARTMENT

ALICIA
Oh. So there is a job?

DEVLIN
You, uh, you remember a man named Sebastian?

ALICIA
Alex Sebastian?

DEVLIN
Yes.

ALICIA
One of my father's friends, yes.

DEVLIN
He had quite a crush on you.

ALICIA
I wasn't very responsive.

DEVLIN
Well, he's here. The head of a large German
business concern.

ALICIA
His family always had money.

DEVLIN
He's part of the combine that built up the
German war machine and hopes to keep on going.

ALICIA
Something big?

DEVLIN
It has all the earmarks of being something
big. We have to contact him.

Alicia sits at the table.

ALICIA
Go on, let's have all of it.

DEVLIN
We're meeting him tomorrow. The rest is up to
you. You've got to work on him and land him.

ALICIA
Mata Hari. She makes love for the papers.

DEVLIN
There are no papers. You land him. Find out
what's going on inside his house, what the
group around him is up to, and report to us.

(…)

ALICIA
When do I go to work for Uncle Sam?

DEVLIN
Tomorrow morning.

He joins her inside. She looks out at their candlelight dinner on the
balcony.

ALICIA
Oh, we shouldn't have had this out here. It's
all cold now.

Alicia sees Devlin looking around as if he's lost something.

ALICIA
What are you looking for?

DEVLIN
I had a bottle of champagne, I must have left
it somewhere.

(…)

INT. ALICIA'S APARTMENT

ALICIA
(to both men)
Good evening.

PRESCOTT
(off her clothes)
Very good.

ALICIA
Yes. Yes, isn't it?

PRESCOTT
Oh, I'd like you to wear these. They're
rented for the occasion.

Prescott produces an expensive necklace.

ALICIA
Oh. All right.

She needs help fastening the clasp and is about to ask Devlin, but thinks
better of it.

ALICIA
(to Prescott)
Would you help me, please? I

PRESCOTT
(surprised)
Wh-- Why, yes, certainly.

ALICIA
Thank you.

PRESCOTT
(while fastening the necklace)
So, the old boy knew me, eh?

ALICIA
Yes, he thought you were very handsome.

PRESCOTT
Oh, you don't say? Sorry I'm not going with
you.
(off the jewelry)
Oh, Dev'll pick those up later. Now, try to
memorize the names of all the people you see
there tonight. The men, I mean. And get
their nationalities. That's very important.

ALICIA
You mean the Germans? That won't be
difficult for me.

PRESCOTT
And I suggest that you, uh, don't ask any
questions. Just use your eyes and ears.
They're a pretty keen and desperate bunch.
Don't underestimate them.

ALICIA
Thank you for your instructions. Good
evening.

PRESCOTT
(to both Devlin and Alicia)
Oh, by the way, unless you have something
very urgent to report, I suggest that you
two keep shy of each other for the next
few days. That's in case Sebastian's people
want to check on you after you visit.

ALICIA
Yes, I understand.

PRESCOTT
That's all. Good luck.

ALICIA
Good evening.

DEVLIN
Good night.
(…)


INT. PRESCOTT'S OFFICE - DAY

Prescott sits with Beardsley and Beardsley while a moody Devlin stands,
staring out a window.

PRESCOTT
... pleased to hear, Senor Barbosa, that
our little theatrical plan is working. We've
got hold of something concrete for a change.

BARBOSA
I'm delighted, gentlemen. What is it?

PRESCOTT
Professor Wilhelm Otto Rensler is working
here in Brazil.


BEARDSLEY
One of Germany's scientific wizards.

BARBOSA
I didn't know he was here.

PRESCOTT
Oh, yes. He's living and experimenting in
Sebastian's house. They call him Doctor
Anderson.

A KNOCK at the door.

BARBOSA
Entree.

A young man, RIBIERO, enters.

RIBIERO
Excuse me, sir. Miss Huberman wishes to see
Captain Prescott or Mister Devlin.

PRESCOTT
What do you mean, she's here?

RIBIERO
Yes, sir.

BEARDSLEY
Well, show her in, Ribiero.

RIBIERO
Yes, sir.

He goes to fetch her.

PRESCOTT
I don't like this. I don't like her coming
here.

BEARDSLEY
She's had me worried for some time. A woman
of that sort.

DEVLIN
(to Beardsley)
What sort is that, Mr. Beardsley?

BEARDSLEY
Oh, I don't think any of us have any illusions
about her character, have we Devlin?

DEVLIN
(bitterly ironic)
Not at all, not the slightest. Miss Huberman
is first, last, and always not a lady. She
may be risking her life, but when it comes
to being a lady, she doesn't hold a candle
to your wife, sir, sitting in Washington
playing bridge with three other ladies of
great honor and virtue.

PRESCOTT
Take it easy, Dev.

DEVLIN
(to Prescott)
Sorry.

BEARDSLEY
I think those remarks about my wife are
uncalled for.

DEVLIN
(to Beardsley)
Withdrawn. Apologized, sir.

The door opens and a dazed Alicia is shown into the office.

PRESCOTT
How do you do, Miss Huberman?

ALICIA
How do you do?

PRESCOTT
(introduces the others)
This is Mister Beardsley and Senor Julio
Barbosa. Care to sit down?

ALICIA
(sits)
Thank you.

BARBOSA
You have the esteem of my government,
Senorita.

BEARDSLEY
But we are worried about you visiting
this office.

ALICIA
I promise not to break the rules again,
but I need some advice and I couldn't
find Mister Devlin. In fact, I need it
before lunch.

PRESCOTT
Something happened?

ALICIA
Yes, something rather confusing. Mister
Sebastian has asked me to marry him.

BEARDSLEY
What?

PRESCOTT
Well, well.

ALICIA
He... he wants me to marry him right away
and I am to give him my answer at lunch.
And I didn't know what the department might
think about such a step.

PRESCOTT
Are you willing to go this far for us, Miss
Huberman?


ALICIA
(to Prescott)
Yes, if you wish.

PRESCOTT
What do you think of this, Devlin?

DEVLIN
Oh, I think it's a useful idea.


BEARDSLEY
(to Devlin)
Well, you know the situation better than
any of us.

DEVLIN
(to Alicia)
May I ask what inspired Alex Sebastian to
go this far?

ALICIA
He's in love with me.

DEVLIN
And he thinks you're in love with him?

ALICIA
(more to Devlin than the others)
Yes, that's what he thinks.

BARBOSA
(delighted)
Gentlemen, it's the cream of the jest.

ALICIA
(looks straight at Devlin)
Then... then, it's all right?

Prescott sees the look pass between Alicia and Devlin but doesn't know what to make of it.

PRESCOTT
Well. Yes, I-I'd say so. Of course, it's
a perfect marriage... for us.

DEVLIN
There's only one thing. Won't it delay us a bit?

PRESCOTT
What do you mean?

DEVLIN
Well, Mister Sebastian is a very romantic
fellow, isn't he, Alicia?

ALICIA
Yes.

DEVLIN
Then he'll probably want to take his bride
away for a long honeymoon. Won't that hold
us up?

BEARDSLEY
Devlin's got a point there.


PRESCOTT
Oh, I don't know. I think we can rely on
Miss Huberman to get back into the house,
quickly.

ALICIA
(quietly)
Yes, I think I can manage that.

Devlin abruptly begins leaving the room to cover his emotion.

DEVLIN
Well, everything seems to be nicely arranged.
I don't think you need me here anymore,
do you, Captain Prescott?

Devlin closes the door on his way out, leaving a drained Alicia with the
others.

PRESCOTT
I do want to thank you, Miss Huberman, very
much. I think so far everything has been
managed with great intelligence.

BARBOSA
Yes. Thank you very much.


(…)

INT. MME. SEBASTIAN'S BEDROOM - DAY

Sebastian sits in his mother's BEDROOM, minutes later. Madame Sebastian is asleep in bed.

SEBASTIAN
Mother. Mother.

She awakens and looks at the clock on her night stand.

MME. SEBASTIAN
Why are you up so early?

SEBASTIAN
I need your help.

MME. SEBASTIAN
Something is wrong?

SEBASTIAN
A great deal. Alicia.

Madame Sebastian breaks into a smile.

MME. SEBASTIAN
I have expected it. I knew. I knew. What is
it? Mr. Devlin?

SEBASTIAN
No. I am married to an American agent.

A deadly pause. Madame Sebastian lights a cigarette.


INT. SEBASTIAN'S BEDROOM - DAY

Sebastian and his mother assess the situation, that same morning.

MME. SEBASTIAN
Yes, it is easy to see now. I knew but I
didn't see. They picked her because of her
father.

SEBASTIAN
I must have been insane, mad. Behaved like
an idiot, to believe in her with her clinging
kisses.

MME. SEBASTIAN
Stop wallowing in your foul memories.

SEBASTIAN
Then what do I do? There's nothing to do.
I'm done, finished. They'll find out.

MME. SEBASTIAN
They won't find out.

SEBASTIAN
They'll find out what I'm married to. Look
what they did to Emil Hupka. Emil, who did
nothing. And I've betrayed them, I've bungled
and there's no excuse. I'd do the same myself
-- kill the fool that betrayed them.

MME. SEBASTIAN
There's no need for them to find out.

SEBASTIAN
Mathis is very sharp.

MME. SEBASTIAN
Yes. He dislikes you. But his criticism of
your talents wouldn't go that far to imagine
that you are married to an American agent.
You are protected by the enormity of your
stupidity. For a time.

SEBASTIAN
Alicia, I'll take care of her myself.

MME. SEBASTIAN
No, not that way.

SEBASTIAN
I stood looking at her when she was asleep.
I could have--

MME. SEBASTIAN
Quiet. Alex. You're almost as impetuous
as before your wedding. You barred me
from that episode. Let me arrange this
one. Listen to me. No one must know what
she is. There must be no suspicion of her,
of you, or me. She must be allowed to move
about freely. But she will be on a leash.
She will learn nothing further to inform.
She must go, but it must happen slowly.
If she could become ill and remain ill
for a time, until...
(…)





INT. PRESCOTT'S APARTMENT - DAY

Alicia sits in PRESCOTT'S APARTMENT, rubbing her brow, sometime later.
Prescott and Alicia sit on a sofa, next to a window, bright sunlight
streaming in.

PRESCOTT
Anything wrong?

ALICIA
No. No, the light bothers me. I have a bit
of a headache. Would you mind?

PRESCOTT
Oh, yes, I think we can fix that.

He closes the blinds.

ALICIA
Thank you.

PRESCOTT
You know some people get too much sun down
here, you must be careful. I think you can
be very proud of yourself, Mrs., er, Sebastian.
That sand that Devlin brought in shows uranium
ore. So, now we know what we're driving at.
And your job from now on will be to try to help
us find out where that sand comes from. The
location of the uranium deposit is of vast
importance and we're putting quite a few
people on it. But I think you'll be of
great help.

ALICIA
All right.

PRESCOTT
But that isn't the main reason why I asked
you to come up here this afternoon.

ALICIA
No?

PRESCOTT
No, I wanted to tell you that I'm going to
change your contact in about a week. Mister
Devlin's been transferred to Spain.

ALICIA
To Spain? Does Mister Devlin know that?

PRESCOTT
Oh, yes. He asked for the transfer.

ALICIA
Why?

PRESCOTT
Well, I guess he thought he was going
stale here.

ALICIA
He wants to leave Rio?

PRESCOTT
Yes, I guess he thought he'd find Spain
more interesting.

ALICIA
Yes, I imagine it would be. There really
isn't very much for a brainy fellow like
Mister Devlin to do in Rio anymore.


PRESCOTT
Well, of course, it is more or less routine
now.

ALICIA
In the meantime, I am to report to Mister
Devlin as usual?

PRESCOTT
Oh, yes. He'll be here until the new man
arrives.

They rise and cross to the door.

ALICIA
Thank you, Captain Prescott. I'll keep my
ears wide open. Goodbye.

PRESCOTT
Goodbye.

Prescott shows her out.

PRESCOTT
Oh, and, uh, go easy on that sun, hey?

(…)