The Royal Tenenbaums · written by Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson · 2001

A flashback shows Chas suing Royal over stolen money and bonds after Royal controlled his accounts as a minor.

Scene 60 of 143 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two

Judge
Royal
Royal’S Lawyer
Chas
Uzi
Ari
Richie
Margot
Maintenance Man

Find another scene in The Royal Tenenbaums

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 53 min into a 1:59 film

The story so farBefore scene 60

After losing his hotel room, Royal claims he has only weeks to live so he can move back in with his estranged family; as the truth unravels, he must find a way to be useful and earn a place in their lives.

Scenes 1–39
Royal is absent from the children’s adult lives, and their family remains shaped by his betrayals and abandonment.
Scenes 40–47
Royal wants a path back to Etheline and the children, and claims impending death will give him one.
Scenes 48–50
He returns to the house and openly asks his children for a chance to make things right.
Just before
Scene 57
Ari says their mother would have wanted them to meet Royal before he died; Chas turns his chair toward them and sighs.
Scene 58
At the cemetery, Royal divides flowers between his mother’s and Rachael’s graves while the family reflects on the past.
Scene 59
Young Margot loses part of a finger when an Indiana farmer chops a log; she later explains the injury to Ari and Uzi.
Scene 60
This scene

60INT. JUDGE’S CHAMBERS. DAY.

A lawyer in a robe sits behind his desk. Chas and Royal and two attorneys sit across from him. A stenographer sits at a metal stand, typing.

JUDGE

And how was it possible for Mr.

Tenenbaum to withdraw these funds

without your written authorization?

ROYAL

Objection, your honor. Now, dammit --

ROYAL’S LAWYER

This isn’t a courtroom, Royal. Don’t

object.

CHAS

Because I started the corporation when I

was a minor, so my father was the

primary signatory on most of my

accounts.

Chas’ attorney whispers something into his ear.

CHAS (CONT’D)

He also stole bonds out of my safety

deposit box when I was fourteen.

The judge looks to Royal. Royal looks guilty.

CUT TO:

Royal and Chas surrounded with Ari and Uzi.

ROYAL

You think you could start forgiving me?

CHAS

Why should I?

ROYAL

Because you’re hurting me.

Chas turns and walks away. Uzi looks to Royal.

UZI

Were you in prison?

ROYAL

Kind of. Minimum security. I got

jacked by the IRS. Should we split?

ARI

Yes, sir.

ROYAL

Call me Mr. Tenenbaum.

ARI

OK.

ROYAL

I’m kidding. Call me Pappy.

ARI

OK.

Royal yells across the cemetery to Richie and Margot.

CONTINUED: (2)

ROYAL

Come on! Let’s shag ass!

CUT TO:

Margot and Richie walking toward the cemetery gates.