After Twenty Years
Storyboard Text
- The policeman on the beat moved up the avenue impressively trying doors as he went, twirling his club impressively with many intricate and artful movements, casting a watchful eye
- Its alright officer. I'm just waiting for a friend. It's an appointment made twenty years ago. Sounds a little funny right? I'll explain.
- The man in the doorway struck a match and lit his cigar
- About that long ago there used to be a restaurant where this store stands-- Big Joe Brady's restaurant. Twenty years ago tonight, I dined here with Jimmy Wells, my best chum and the finest chap in the world. I was eighteen and he was twenty. I was to start for the West to make my fortune, while he stayed in New York. We agreed we would meet here again exactly twenty years from that date no matter what.
- Well that was interesting. I hope he comes but I better be off.
- About twenty minutes he waited and then a tall man was seen in the distance.
- Is that you Bob? Bless my heart! I was certain I'd find you here. It has been a long time, I wish the restaurant had lasted so we could have another dinner.
- You are right, but let's take a walk
- When about midway of a certain block, he suddenly slowed his walk. In the doorway of a darkened hardware store a man stood, with a cigar in his mouth. As the policeman walked up to him, the man spoke up quickly.
- The two men started up the street, arm in arm. The man from the West, his egotism enlarged by success, was outlining the history of his career while the other was listening with interest.
- It sometimes changes a good man into a bad one. You've been under arrest for ten minutes, 'Silky' Bob. Going quietly, are you? That's sensible. Now, before we go to the station here's a note from Patrolman Wells.
- DRUG STORE
- You're not Jimmy Wells! Twenty years is a long time but not long enough to change a man's nose from a Roman's to a Pug's.
- The light showed a pale, square jawed face with keen eyes, and a little white scar near his right eyebrow. He wore a large, oddly-set diamond pin in his scarf.
- The man from the West unfolded the little piece of paper handed to him. The note was rather short.
- DRUG STORE
- He was wearing a long overcoat, with the collar turned up to his ears. He hurried across from the opposite side of the street and went directly to the waiting man.
- The note said-
- 'Bob: I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the match to light you cigar, I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow, I couldn't do it myself, so I went around and got a plain-clothed man to do the job.' — Jimmy
- At the corner stood a drug store, brilliant with electric lights. When they came into this glare each of them turned to simultaneously gaze upon the other's face.
- --------
- His hand was steady when he began to read, but it trembled a little by the time he had finished.
- --------
- The irony in "After Twenty Years" is the fact that Bob is waiting for Jimmy and doesn't realize he is actually talking to him. Then when Jimmy leaves, he continues to wait for. It is ironic that he doesn't realize that he is waiting to get arrested.
Over 30 Million Storyboards Created