The New Janitor (1914)
1 INT. STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, GROUND FLOOR - DAY
The lobby of an office building. The stairs and the elevator are side
by side.
The new janitor is CHARLIE, a little working class fellow with a derby
hat, a toothbrush moustache, and baggy pants. He chats with a skinny,
obnoxious ELEVATOR BOY in a fancy uniform. Picking up his equipment
(broom, dustpan, etc.), Charlie attempts to enter the elevator but the
Elevator Boy shuts the door in his face. Apparently, workers of menial
jobs don't get to ride. Disconsolate, Charlie climbs up the stairs.
TITLE: THE TOP FLOOR
2 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, TOP FLOOR
The Elevator Boy emerges from the elevator to watch with amusement as
the janitor wearily climbs the stairs, then ducks back in and shuts the
door as Charlie arrives at the top and mops his brow.
3 HALLWAY - BETWEEN TWO OFFICES
On the left is the door to the MANAGER'S OFFICE, to the right is the
door to the PRESIDENT'S OFFICE. At the end of the hall is a window,
revealing a city skyline.
Charlie walks up the hall (away from camera), twirling his dustpan and
feather duster behind him.
4 MANAGER'S OFFICE (room to left of hall)
A smartly-dressed young MANAGER sits at his desk. Behind him, at another
desk, an aide toils diligently at an adding machine. In the background,
through windows, is the city skyline.
The Manager reads a letter:
'WILL CALL TODAY TO COLLECT THAT GAMBLING DEBT.
HAVE THE MONEY READY FOR ME, OR I'LL EXPOSE YOU.
LUKE CONNOR'
5 MANAGER'S OFFICE
The Manager finishes reading the letter, anxiously rises from his chair.
He looks around nervously, wondering what to do, then sits again.
6 HALLWAY
Just outside the Manager's office, Charlie hangs his derby hat on a
stand. Before he can enter the office, the hat falls off and lands at
his heel. He gives it a back-kick. Papers in hand, he enters the office.
7 MANAGER'S OFFICE
The Manager sits at his desk in despair, his hand to his head. Charlie
enters and closes the door behind him, unnoticed by the Manager and his
aide. Charlie then knocks on the closed door from the inside. The
Manager yells "Come in!" and is startled to look up and see Charlie
standing at the door.
Charlie quickly hands his papers to the mildly annoyed Manager and gets
right to work, picking up a large wastepaper basket by the Manager's
desk and heading back to the door. Charlie turns the basket sideways,
playfully bounces it off his toe, and catches it without spilling the
contents.
At the door, he turns to glance back at the Manager who ignores him.
Turning to leave, Charlie accidentally turns the wastepaper basket
upside down, dropping papers all over the floor. The Manager sees this,
yells, "Hey!" and, pointing angrily, tells Charlie to pick up the mess.
Charlie slowly picks up the papers and stuffs them back into the basket.
The Manager, reaching for something, knocks a fat book off the edge of
his desk. Charlie promptly picks it up and dumps it in the basket. The
Manager sees this and yells at Charlie to put the book back. Charlie
pulls the book out of the basket, sets it on the desk, and heads for the
door. Opens the door, turns to the Manager, puts a finger to his lips
and drops an unexpectedly effeminate curtsey before exiting.
8 HALLWAY
Charlie juggles the wastepaper basket but drops it. Picks up broom, pan
and duster and opens the door of the President's office, opposite the
Manager's. Trying to enter, he gets the horizontal broomstick stuck
across the doorway, lowers the broom a little, and carefully steps over
it and into the President's office.
9 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
A rolltop desk and chair with a phone, a large combination safe, and a
couple of windows overlooking the street. In the background, by the
office door, is the secretary's desk.
No one else is present as lowly Charlie walks up and down the plush
office, looking it over. Finally, he drops all but the feather duster
and starts to work, yawning mightily as he dusts the telephone.
10 HALLWAY
The President's lovely young SECRETARY arrives at the hat stand and
looks for a moment at the Manager's straw hat hanging there. She hangs
up her coat and hat. She takes the Manager's hat off the stand, looks
lovingly into it, then quickly replaces it before turning and briskly
entering the President's office.
11 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
The Secretary enters. She and Charlie exchange pleasant nods of
greeting. Charlie continues to dust while glancing at her with interest.
She notices this as she sorts through the mail on the President's
rolltop desk but, though mildly amused, she's clearly not much
interested in a mere janitor.
Charlie dusts even more vigorously, really whacking away at the big
office safe. With another mighty yawn, he inadvertently dusts the
Secretary's bottom as she bends over to look in a drawer of the
President's desk. He quickly recovers and turns back to the safe before
she straightens up to look at him. Apologetic, he turns to her, fingers
to his lips, and grins.
TITLE: LUKE CONNOR
12 MANAGER'S OFFICE
The Manager is alone at his desk when big, beefy, mustachioed, tobacco
smokin' heavy LUKE CONNOR enters. The Manager rises and a confrontation
begins. The Manager pulls Connor's threatening letter from his pocket
and flourishes it.
13 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Still quietly admiring the Secretary, Charlie sits by the windows,
absent-mindedly putting his foot in a bucket of water. He wipes his
shoes with his handkerchief as she crosses to the office door and exits
with some paperwork.
14 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager and Connor still arguing. Connor demands payment. Manager
pleads, saying he hasn't got the money. Connor raises his voice. Manager
shushes him and glances nervously at the door.
15 HALLWAY
The Secretary, approaching the Manager's door, overhears conversation.
16 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager and Connor still arguing. Manager puts a reassuring hand on
Connor's arm and pulls out a watch.
TITLE: 'I'LL GET IT BY FIVE O'CLOCK'
17 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Connor seems skeptical but the Manager insists.
18 HALLWAY
The Secretary, hearing this, moves off down the hall.
19 MANAGER'S OFFICE
At Manager's urging, Connor reluctantly exits. Manager, left alone,
looks distraught.
20 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Charlie prepares to wash the windows. He raises a sash and props it
open. Pauses to regard water bucket at his feet. Turns to look in the
direction of the office door through which the Secretary just exited,
shrugs, sits on window ledge and almost falls out backward.
21 EXT. WINDOW
Overlooking the sunny street far below. Charlie halfway out of the
window and flailing, unsteadily pulls himself back in.
22 INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Charlie at window. He looks down at the street, realizes how close he
came to falling and sits on the windowsill, putting a fluttering hand to
his faint heart.
23 EXT. BUILDING AT STREET LEVEL
The big, top-hatted PRESIDENT with two ladies. He shakes hands with one.
24 INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Charlie sits in the window wringing out a wet cloth from his bucket.
25 EXT. BUILDING AT STREET LEVEL
The water lands on the President and his lady friends who look up in
outrage. The President shakes his fist in the direction of window as the
women hastily move away.
26 INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Charlie, sitting in window, holds the sash above his head to keep it
from shutting. He peers down at the President below.
27 EXT. WINDOW
Charlie watches his bucket fall out the window.
28 EXT. BUILDING AT STREET LEVEL
Bucket lands on President, soaking him nicely. He explodes with anger.
29 INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Charlie sits in window trying to placate the President below. Charlie
nearly falls out again, grabs sash which hits him in head as he tries to
balance himself. Charlie recovers, puts a hand to his chest, and sighs
in relief.
30 EXT. BUILDING AT STREET LEVEL
The angry President enters the building.
31 INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Charlie at window, still shouting down to street, is almost knocked
halfway out the window by the falling sash. His legs flail around
comically before he recovers, pulls himself up into a sitting position
on the sill, and breathes heavily, clutching his heart.
32 INT. STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, GROUND FLOOR
Wet and upset, the President fumes outside the elevator as the open-
mouthed Elevator Boy looks on. The Boy salutes the President as he
boards the lift and the Boy joins him, closing the door behind.
33 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, TOP FLOOR
The Boy opens the door and watches the President storm out of elevator
and up the hall.
34 HALLWAY
President knocks some water out of his top hat and heads into his
office.
35 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Charlie leans out of window, his rear end sticking out. President walks
in and kicks him where it counts. Charlie straightens up and, hand to
his rear, gently approaches the fuming President, trying to explain and
apologize. But the President is too upset to listen.
TITLE: BOUNCED
36 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
The President fires Charlie and points to the door with a broad sweep of
his arm. Charlie backs away to avoid being hit by this. Charlie flinches
as the President makes a few more outsized gestures. Charlie shrugs,
turns to leave. President makes a threatening gesture and Charlie whips
around again, not wanting to be attacked from behind again. Charlie
bows deeply, straightens, and backs -- apologetically but with great
dignity -- toward the door. As he reaches it, he trips over his broom
and dustpan and sprawls on the floor. President crosses to him, hands
him his pan and gestures for him to get out. Charlie, clutching his
equipment, backs out the door.
37 HALLWAY
Charlie exits backwards through the door, which the President slams on
him, knocking him on his back, legs in the air. He gets to his feet.
TITLE: GOING DOWN
38 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, TOP FLOOR
Elevator Boy shuts door on Charlie just before he can board. Charlie
pauses and starts dejectedly down the stairs.
39 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Manager enters and joins President who sits at his desk and describes,
with appropriate mime, his recent encounter with the new janitor.
Manager gives some paperwork to the President who reads it. Meanwhile,
the Manager casts a furtive glance at the large combination safe.
40 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, GROUND FLOOR
Charlie descends stairs with his trademark splay-footed walk, falling
over his bucket which lies by the last step, landing flat on his bottom.
Retrieving broom and dustpan, he shuffles off, putting the dustpan
against his butt to protect against further injury.
41 JANITOR'S ROOM, GROUND FLOOR
A dismal little cell. Charlie enters, dustpan to his rear, and shuts the
door. He puts the dustpan to his head as if it were a cold compress,
then turns and drops his equipment to lean sadly against a wall.
42 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
As Manager exits, President puts some papers in the safe.
43 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager enters his empty office, pondering his next move.
44 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Secretary now sits at her desk, pecking away at a typewriter. President
picks up hat and stick and heads for the door, pausing to give
instructions to the Secretary. She nods and he leaves, apparently to get
out of his wet clothes.
45 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager sits at desk, still pondering.
46 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Secretary covers up her typewriter and exits.
47 HALLWAY
Secretary comes out of the President's office and shuts the door.
48 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager, hearing the door shut, furtively approaches his own door and
listens.
49 HALLWAY
Secretary puts on hat and heads down the hall to the elevator.
50 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager furtively opens door and exits into--
51 HALLWAY
Manager enters from his office and shuts the door behind him.
52 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, TOP FLOOR
Secretary approaches elevator and pushes the button.
53 HALLWAY
Manager quickly crosses hallway to President's office.
54 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Manager enters, pulls down window shades, goes to safe.
55 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, TOP FLOOR
Secretary remembers something, and turns back from elevator.
56 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Manager opens safe.
57 HALLWAY
Secretary approaches the door to the President's office and opens it.
58 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Secretary enters and sees Manager at the open safe. Startled, the
Manager shuts the safe door. They look at each other for a long awkward
moment. The Manager gives her a curt word or two and promptly leaves.
Left alone, the Secretary realizes that something is wrong.
59 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager enters, picks up a leather satchel, then listens at door.
60 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Secretary, with one hand on the safe, puts her other hand to her mouth
as the explanation dawns on her. She steps away, then notes that the
shades have been pulled down, confirming her suspicions. She moves to
the door and listens.
61 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager, satchel in hand, listening at his own door. After a moment, he
opens his door and slams it shut again to give the impression that he
is leaving for the day.
62 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - AT THE DOOR
Secretary, hearing the Manager's door slam, waits a moment, then
cautiously opens her own door.
63 HALLWAY
Secretary heads for the Manager's office, then stops, realizing that the
Manager may still be inside. She then stealthily kneels and looks
through keyhole.
64 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager listening at the door.
65 HALLWAY
Having seen the Manager through the keyhole, the shocked Secretary
recoils from door.
66 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Having not heard the Secretary and thinking the coast is clear, the
Manager moves to open his door.
67 HALLWAY
Secretary quickly retreats into the President's office.
68 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager swiftly exits into--
69 HALLWAY
Manager puts on his hat, starts to walk down the hall, but then goes to
the door of the President's office.
70 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Alarmed, the Secretary crouches behind the President's desk. The Manager
enters, failing to see the Secretary. He makes for the safe, opens it,
and begins to hurl out the contents onto the floor -- until he finds a
thick wad of cash. Just then, he spots the Secretary cowering behind the
desk. He points at her. She rises and confronts him. He points to the
window, threatening to throw her out. She attempts to open the rolltop
desk to reach for the telephone but the Manager pulls her away
violently.
71 JANITOR'S ROOM, GROUND FLOOR
Charlie, preparing to leave, puts on his derby hat and picks up his
cane.
72 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Manager and Secretary struggle. He puts a hand to her mouth to keep her
from screaming and forces her down onto the rolltop desk. Unseen by him,
her fingers go to a control panel attached to the side of the desk. She
presses a button--
TITLE: THE PORTER'S [JANITOR'S] BUTTON
73 JANITOR'S ROOM, GROUND FLOOR
Charlie, on the point of leaving, turns to a bell on the wall.
74 CLOSE SHOT
of the bell ringing.
75 RESUME ON JANITOR'S ROOM
Annoyed, Charlie waves at it to be quiet, then turns to the door.
76 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Manager holds Secretary over desk, a pistol to her head. She trembles
with fear. Manager then throws her viciously to the floor, knocking her
unconscious. Satisfied that she is no longer a threat, he turns back to
the safe.
77 JANITOR'S ROOM, GROUND FLOOR
Charlie opens the door to exit but pauses a moment to check himself in
the mirror before finally leaving.
78 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, GROUND FLOOR
Charlie walks past the elevator and, seeing the stairs, hesitates.
Should he answer the call? He shakes his head no and starts to leave but
then stops and finally sets off up the stairs with his slow, splay-
footed walk.
79 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
The Secretary lies unconscious on the floor. The Manager disconnects the
phone and returns to rifling the safe.
80 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, TOP FLOOR
Charlie reaches top landing, collapsing in exhaustion. He pulls himself
to his feet, takes a deep breath, casts a backward glance at the stairs,
rubs a sore foot and, a lit cigarette in hand, shuffles up the hall to
the offices.
81 HALLWAY
Charlie pauses to blow on the warm end of his cigarette, tosses the butt
in the air and gives it a casual back-kick. Then, swinging his cane, he
enters the President's office.
82 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
With imperturbable nonchalance, Charlie enters, sees the Manager rifling
the safe, notes the unconscious Secretary on the floor, and promptly
whacks the Manager on the rear with his cane. The Manager turns to face
Charlie who points quizzically to the Manager and then the Secretary.
Manager pulls his gun from the safe, but Charlie instantly flicks it out
of his hand with his cane. Manager swings a fist at Charlie who avoids
it, and then kicks the Manager in the rear, knocking him to the floor.
Charlie turns his back to the Manager and bends down to pick up the
pistol. The Manager tries to attack him from behind. But Charlie, bent
over, points the gun between his legs at the Manager who, seeing it,
freezes, his back to the safe.
Charlie neatly rights himself by stepping over his gun arm.
Straightening up and forcing the Manager away from the safe, Charlie
tells him to pick up the girl, which he does, placing her on a chair.
Charlie forces the Manager back against the safe as the Secretary
regains consciousness. Manager tries to take advantage of a moment's
inattention on Charlie's part, but fails to catch him off guard.
Charlie picks up the old-fashioned stand-up telephone from the rollop
desk and puts the base of it against his ear, the earpiece dangling
uselessly at his knees. Starts talking but realizes he can't operate the
phone with a gun in his hand. Forces Manager to the desk, moves to the
window, and fires his gun.
83 EXT. STREET
A policeman, speaking with a woman, looks up, attracted by the shot.
84 INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Charlie fires again, accidentally grazing himself in the foot. He hops
around clutching his toes.
85 EXT. STREET
Policeman rushes off.
86 INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Manager attacks Charlie who slams the safe door on him, sending him
reeling back to the desk. The Secretary moves to Charlie's side but he
waves her off and keeps the gun level with the Manager's head.
87 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, GROUND FLOOR
Policeman rushes in, sees the elevator door closed, and runs up the
stairs.
88 HALLWAY
The President, in leisure clothes, outside his office, looks around,
apparently having heard the shots.
89 STAIRWAY AND ELEVATOR, TOP FLOOR
Policeman arrives at the top of stairs.
88 HALLWAY
President runs into his office.
90 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
President enters, and, seeing his manager held at gunpoint by the
janitor he just fired, immediately kicks Charlie and throws him out
into--
91 HALLWAY
Charlie smashes into the Policeman who tries to hold him. But Charlie
kicks him back into--
92 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Policeman tumbles into the office backwards.
93 HALLWAY
Charlie, having fallen down, staggers to his feet and attempts to run
down the hall. But the Policeman returns and grabs him.
94 MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager, Secretary and President. The Secretary, pointing accusingly at
the Manager, explains all to the President. The President, seeing the
open safe, realizes the truth.
The Policeman enters, holding Charlie by the collar, and asks the
President if he should arrest him. The President points to the Manager
instead.
Knowing he's been exposed, the unrepentant Manager swaggers to the
Policeman to give himself up, nods cockily to the President, and turns
to nod at Charlie. Charlie casually picks up the phone from the desk and
points it at the Manager as if it were the pistol, unnerving him. The
Policeman leads the Manager out of the office.
Charlie puts the phone back on the desk. At the Secretary's urging, the
President thanks Charlie who responds with a quick finger-to-the-lips
curtsey. The President pulls some cash from his pocket and offers it to
Charlie as a reward. The Secretary's mouth opens in surprise. Charlie
looks at the money in disbelief for a moment, takes it, gives himself a
gentle backhanded slap on the cheek, rolls up a cuff, and looks happily
at the money. The President offers to shake Charlie's hand. Charlie,
having absent-mindedly picked up the phone again, puts it in the
President's hand and shakes vigorously, to the Secretary's surprise.
THE END