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