it's fast; it's hot; it's simple

...And the Oscar for "Best Scene" goes to --

INT.  Teddy Lewis's shop.  Night.

Crowded.  Work-bench, tools, supplies, wire, rope, cans, alarm clocks, chemical containers, and what screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan describes as a  "huge assortment of mechanical implements."

[[ Go to Google and type "Mickey Rourke in Body Heat" and you can watch this scene. ]]

Teddy (Mickey Rourke) watches as Racine concentrates on clipping two wires together, on a compact incendiary device.  He winces with frustration, watching the lawyer try to do this, then gets up, goes over to Ned, and turns down "Feel Like A Number."  You can still hear the song, as background, under the dialogue.

TEDDY
Whatsa matter, you can't think with a little music?
(demonstrating)
Like this, I said.  It's fast, it's hot, it's simple.

They work, together; when Racine has got it, Teddy crosses the room again and looks at him from the distance.  As they converse, Teddy Lewis moves around the shop, on edge, worried.

RACINE
That's it?

TEDDY
(nods)
Yeah, you can use the clock, or rig it to somethin' that moves.  It starts big and it'll go with just the mag chips.  If you want more, splash a little accelerator around.

RACINE
Just regular gasoline?

TEDDY
Yeah.
(there is weariness in his tone)
Regular, unleaded, supreme -- whatever you like, counselor.  I got to tell you, though, this mama's got a big drawback to it.

-- What?

-- It's easy to spot.  Even after the melt-down, they're gonna know it's arson.

-- I don't care about that.

Teddy Lewis looks shocked and impatient at same time.

RACINE:  That's all there is to it?

LEWIS:  No, no, that ain't all there is to it.  You gotta get in, you gotta get out.  You gotta pick the right spot, the right time.  And you gotta try not to get famous while you're in the act.  (gestures at the device)  If that was all there was to it, any idiot could do it.

-- Sorry.

-- Hey, now I want to ask you something.
Are you listening to me, asshole? -- because I like you.  (Racine nods, his attention captured)  I got a serious question for you.  What the fuck are you doing?  This is not shit for you to be messing with.  Are you ready to hear something?  I want you to see if this sounds familiar.  Any time you try a decent crime, you got fifty ways you can fuck up.  If you think of twenty-five of them, then you're a genius.  And you ain't no genius.  (smiles)  You remember who told me that?

Racine nods.  He remembers.

TEDDY:  Hey, no smokin' in here.  Look, why don't you let me do it for you?  Gratis.  I'll do it.  I wouldn't even be on the street if it wasn't for you.

RACINE:  (shaking his head "no")  Thanks.

TEDDY:  I sure hope you know what you're doin' -- you better be damn sure.  'Cuz if you ain't sure, then don't do it.  Course that's my recommendation anyway.  Don't do it.  Because I'll tell you something, Counselor.  This arson, is serious crime.

The MUSIC comes back up --
...a stranger in this land,
I feel like a number...
-------------------------------
Compression.
Reverses.
"Best Scene."

---------------------
{excerpt, Body Heat screenplay, written, Lawrence Kasdan}

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