Page 8 screenplay

INT. RICK'S CAFE - NIGHT

SAM, a middle-aged Negro, sits on a stool before a small, salmon-colored piano on wheels, playing and singing while accompanied by a small orchestra.

Page 16 screenplay

INT. RICK'S CAFE - MAIN ROOM - NIGHT

Rick makes his way over to Sam, who plays and sings the "Knock Wood"number, accompanied by the orchestra. The cafe is in semi-darkness. the spotlight is on Sam, and every time the orchestra comes in on the "Knock Wood" business, the spotlight swings over to the orchestra.

FERRARI, owner of the bleu Parrot, a cometing nightspot, comes into the cafe, sits down, and watches Sam.

dialog RICK and FERRARI

FERRARI: What do you want for Sam?

RICK: I don't sell human beings

Page 17 screenplay

FERRARI: That's too bad. That's Casablanca's leading commodity. In refugees alone we could make a fortune if you would work with me through the black market.

RICK: Suppose you run your business and let me run mine.

FERRARI: Suppose we ask Sam. Maybe he'd like to make a change.

RICK: Suppose we do. Rick and Ferrari walk over to the piano.

RICK: Sam, Ferrari wants you to work for him at the Bleu Parrot

SAM: I like it fine here.

RICK: He"ll double what I pay you.

SAM: Yeah, but I ain't got time to spend the money I make here.

RICK: Sorry.

Page 22 screenplay

They pass Sam at the piano. He's playing "Baby Face". Rick pats Sam on the shoulder.

Page 30 screenplay

After the arrest of Ugarte.

Rick glances toward Sam

RICK: All right, Sam.

Sam nods and begins to play.

Page 34 screenplay

After Victor Laszlo and Ilsa Lund entered the café

As the headwaiter takes them to a table they pass by the piano, and the woman looks at Sam.

Sam, with conscious effort, keeps his eyes on the keyboard as they go past. He appears to know this woman. After she has gone by Sam steals a look in her direction.

Page 37 screenplay

Ilsa glances off in Sam's direction.

Page 38 screenplay

ILSA: Captain, the boy who is playing the piano, somewhere I have seen him.

RENAULT: Sam?

ILSA: Yes

RENAULT: He came from Paris with Rick.

Page 40 screenplay

While Corina sings, Sam gives a worried glance in Ilsa's direction. Ilsa watches him.

Page 42 screenplay

ILSA (to waiter): Will you ask the piano player to come over here, please.

WAITER: Very well, Mademoiselle.

Sam wheels in the piano to Ilsa's table. On his face is that funny fear.

Ilsa herself is not as self-possessed as she tries to appear. There is something behind this, some mystery.

ILSA: Hello, Sam.

SAM: Hello, Miss Ilsa. I never expected to see you again.

He sits down and is ready to play.

ILSA: It's been a long time.

Page 43 screenplay

SAM: Yes ma'am. A lot of water under the bridge.

ILSA: Some of the old songs, Sam.

SAM: Yes, ma'am

Sam begins to play a number. He is nervous, waiting for anything.

ILSA: Where is Rick?

SAM (evading): I don't know. I ain't seen him all night.

Sam looks uncomfortable.

ILSA: When will he be back?

SAM: Not tonight no more. He ain't coming. Uh, he went home.

ILSA: Does he always leave so early?

SAM: Oh, he never...well...he's got a girl up at the Bleu Parrot. He goes up there all the time.

ILSA: You used to be a much better liar, Sam.

SAM: Leave him alone, miss Ilsa. You're bad luck to him.

ILSA: Play it once, Sam, for old time's sake.

Page 44 screenplay

SAM: I don't know what you mean, Miss Ilsa.

ILSA: Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By."

SAM: Oh I can't remember it, Miss Ilsa. I'm a little rusty on it

Of course he can. He doesn't want to play it. He seems even more scared now.

ILSA: I'll hum it for you.

Ilsa starts to hum.

Sam begins to play it very softly.

ILSA: Sing it, Sam

And Sam sings.

SAM: You must remember this, A kiss is just a kiss, A sigh is just a sigh, The fundamental things apply, As time goes by.

The door of the gambling room opens. Rick comes swinging out. He's heard the music and he's livid.

SAM: And when two lovers woo, They both say I love you, On that you can rely, No matter what the future brings, As time goes by.

Rick walks briskly up the piano.

RICK: Sam. I thought I told you never to play...

As he sees Ilsa he stops short. Sam stops playing. Two close-ups reveal Ilsa and Rick seeing each other. Rick appears shocked. For a long moment he just looks at her. Sam prepares to move the piano away.

Page 47 screenplay

ILSA: Say goodnight to Sam for me.

Page 48 screenplay

RICK: I will.

ILSA: There's still nobody in the world who can play "As Time Goes By" like Sam.

RICK: He hasn't played it in a long time.

Ilsa smiles.

Page 49 screenplay

INT. RICK'S CAFE - MAIN ROOM - NIGHT

Sam comes in and stands hesitantly beside Rick

SAM: Boss No answer, as Rick drinks.

SAM: Boss!

RICK: Yeah?

SAM: Boss, ain't you going to bed?

RICK: Not right now.

Sam now realizes Rick is in a very grim mood.

Page 50 screenplay

SAM (lightly): Ain't you planning on going to bed in the near future?

RICK: No.

SAM: You ever going to bed?

RICK: No.

SAM: Well, I ain't sleepy either.

RICK: Good. Then have a drink.

SAM: No. Not me, boss.

RICK: Then don't have a drink.

SAM: Boss, let's get out of here.

RICK (emphatically) No, sir. I'm waiting for a lady.

SAM (earnestly): Please, boss, let's go. Ain't nothing but trouble for you here.

RICK: She's coming back. I know she's coming back.

SAM: We'll take the car and drive all night. We'll get drunk. We'll go fishing and stay away until she's gone.

RICK: Shut up and go home, will you?

SAM (stubbornly): No, sir. I'm staying right here.

Sam sits down at the piano and starts to play softly, improvising.

Page 51 screenplay

RICK: They grab Ugarte and she walks in. Well, that's the way it goes. One in, one out. Sam?

SAM: Yeah, boss?

RICK: Sam, if it's December 1941 in Casablanca, what time is it in New York?

SAM: Uh, my watch stopped.

RICK: I bet they're asleep in New York. I'll bet they're asleep all over America.

Suddenly he pounds the table and buries his head in his arms. Then he raises his head, trying to regain control.

RICK: Of all the ginjoints in all the towns in all the wold, she walks into mine. He holds his head in his hands.

RICK: What's that you're playing?

SAM: Just a little of my own.

RICK: Well. stop it. You know what I want to hear.

SAM: No, I don't.

RICK: You played it for her and you can play it for me.

SAM: Well, I don't think I can remember it.

Page 52 screenplay

RICK: If she can stand it, I can. Play it!

Sam: Yes, boss.

Sam starts to play "As Time Goes By".

Rick just stares ahead as orchestra MUSIC slowly joints Sam's playing.

FLASH BACK

INT. LA BELLE AURORE - AFTERNOON

Rick, at the bar, gets glasses and a bottle of champagne. He walks over to Ilsa and sam at the piano. Sam plays "As Time Goes By".

Page 55 screenplay

Sam looks at his glass.

SAM: This sort of takes the sting out of being occupied, doesn"t it, Mr. Richard?

RICK: You said it! (to Ilsa) Here's looking at you, kid.

Page 56 screenplay

Another BOOM from the cannons.

RICK: And getting cloer every minute. Here. Drink up. We'll never finish the other three.

SAM: The germans'll be here pretty soon now, and they'll come looking for you. And don't forget there's a price on your head.

Page 58 screenplay

INT. GARE DE LYON - NIGHT

Suddenly Sam appears.

RICK: Where is she? Have you seen her?

SAM: No, Mr. Richard. I can't find her. She cheched out of the hotel. But this note came just after you left.

Sam pulls an envelope from his pocket. Rick grabs it, opens it and stares down at the letter.

INSERT LETTER BACK TO SCENE

A whistle BLOWS.

SAM (frantically): That's the last call, Mr. Richard.

Page 59 screenplay

do you hear me? Come on, Mr. Richard. Let's get out of here. Come on, Mr. Richard, come on.

Sam pulls a stunned, reluctant Rick to the train. The train starts to move just as he boards.

INT. RICK'S CAFE - MAIN ROOM - NIGHT

Close-up of a glass on the table in the cafe. Rick's hand reaches for it and knocks it over. We now see Rick's face and he's very drunk.

Sam walks over to the table to pick up the glass and a fallen chair.

Page 76 screenplay

Sam and Corina play a number, accompanied by the orchestra.

Page 85 screenplay

In the background we hear Sam playing, ironically enough, "It Had To Be You".

LASZLO: Good evening. You see, here we are again.

RICK: I take it as a great compliment to Sam.

Page 86 screenplay

RICK (to Ilsa): I'll have Sam play "As Time Goes By". I believe that's your favorite tune.

ILSA (smiling): Thank, you.

Rick walks over to Sam and whispers something to him. Sam stops what he is playing and begins "As Time Goes By". He shakes his head as Rick leaves.

Page 112 screenplay

INT. THE BLEU PARROT - DAY

RICK: Oh, by the way, my agreement with Sam's always been that he gets twenty-five percent of the profits. That still goes.

FERRARI: Hmmm. I happen to know that he gets ten percent. But he's worth twenty-five.

Page 114 screenplay

RICK: I have the letters right here.

RENAULT: Tell me, when we searched the place, where were they?

RICK: Sam's piano.

Sam's role ends here.