Classic Scene: The Graduate – “I got it all right.”

DIE SZENERIE: Nachdem sich der 20-jährige Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) und Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), eine Freundin seiner Eltern, in einer Hotelbar verabredet haben, ermutigt die ältere Frau ihn dazu, für ein Schäferstündchen ein Hotelzimmer zu organisieren. Etwas ungeschickt bewerkstelligt Benjamin dies unter dem Pseudonym “Mr. Gladstone”, der vorgibt, kein Gepäck dabei zu haben – außer seiner Zahnbürste im Auto. Nach der Zimmerbuchung kontaktiert Benjamin schließlich Mrs. Robinson per Telefon aus der Hotellobby, um sie über den Status zu informieren.

INT. VERANDA ROOM – NIGHT

MRS. ROBINSON sits, patiently and calmly. Her face betrays absolutely nothing as she stares ahead of her and sips her martini.

WAITER: Mrs. Robinson?

She looks up. A WAITER is standing next to the table with a telephone.

MRS. ROBINSON: Yes?

WAITER: For you.

MRS. ROBINSON: Thank you.

The waiter plugs the phone into the wall socket next to the table and hands her the receiver.

MRS. ROBINSON: Hello?

BEN’S VOICE: Mrs. Robinson?

MRS. ROBINSON (into phone): Yes?

BEN’S VOICE: It’s Benjamin. Benjamin Braddock.

MRS. ROBINSON: Benjamin, where are you?

BEN’S VOICE: Can you look through the glass?

Mrs. Robinson turns in her chair and looks through the glass into the lobby. BEN is in the phone booth no more than twenty feet away.

BEN’S VOICE: Can you see me now?

MRS. ROBINSON: Yes, I can.

Over Ben’s shoulder we can see his face reflected in the glass door and, through it, Mrs. Robinson sitting in the Veranda Room.

BEN: I got a single room.

MRS. ROBINSON: That’s fine.

BEN: But there’s one thing. The desk clerk seemed to be a little bit suspicious. Now I don’t know what their policy is but –

MRS. ROBINSON: Well, do you want to go up first?

BEN: Yes. I think that would be good.

MRS. ROBINSON: I’ll be up in five minutes.

BEN: Well… goodbye then.

MRS. ROBINSON: Benjamin?

BEN: Yes?

MRS. ROBINSON: Isn’t there something you want to tell me?

BEN: Tell you?

MRS. ROBINSON: Yes.

BEN: Well, I want you to know how much I appreciate this, really –

MRS. ROBINSON: The number.

BEN: What?

MRS. ROBINSON: The room number, Benjamin. I think you ought to tell me that.

BEN: Oh? You’re absolutely right. It’s 568.

MRS. ROBINSON: Thank you.

BEN: You’re welcome. Well… I’ll see you later, Mrs. Robinson.

He hangs up – so does Mrs. Robinson and calls for the waiter.

MRS. ROBINSON: Check please.

Ben leaves the phone booth and walks into the lobby. As he passes the desk on his way to the elevator, he pats his breast pocket.

BEN: I’ve got it.

The DESK CLERK looks over.

BEN: I say I’ve got it.

CLERK: Sir?

BEN: The toothbrush. I got it all right.

CLERK: Very good, sir.

BEN: Yes. Well -– goodnight.

CLERK: Goodnight, sir.

Ben walks out of shot while the desk clerk looks after him.