SAUL
(Pointing at EFRAM)
Exactly.
HARLOW
You got popped for Meth?
SAUL
Yeah, where the fuck were you?
HARLOW
(Thinking)
Musta been while I was locked up.
SAUL
(Nodding, stoned)
Yeah. I got popped with a half-kilo, so I had to bail to my uncle’s place, which is in…
EVERYONE
SOUTH DAKOTA.
The room laughs again.
SAUL
You gotta hear this one, man. I’m in Ned’s Liquor one night buying smokes and this little, like, thirteen year old punk rolls up on me with his little high school skank, he’s acting all cool, and says “You seen Marco lately?” Now mind you, I’d been scoring crank off Marco for about a year and we we’re fuckin’ tight like this…
SAUL holds up two intertwined fingers.
SAUL (Cont.)
(Lighting a Camel filterless)
Anyway, I knew all Marco’s regulars right?
SAUL looks at his audience for approval, EFRAM and HARLOW grinning, the girls hanging on his every word, enrapt.
SAUL (Cont.)
I knew for a fact he wasn’t dealing to kids. I mean, Marco’s a thug, but he’s not a fuckin’ despoiler of children and shit. So I didn’t even look at the little dipshit, I just grab my smokes and walk out…
SAUL takes a drag off his SMOKE for effect.
SAUL (Cont.)
Little fucker follows me outside, still trying to get me to talk to him about Marco.
Can you believe that? So once I’m outside, I look around. No police impending. The little narc fuck is still following me, rambling about Marco this, Marco that…I didn’t find out til later that Marco had already been busted, earlier that day…
SAUL takes a massive bong load, exhaling thick white vapor into HARLOW’S face. HARLOW makes a play of trying to suck the smoke out of the air. The GIRLS giggle at this. The girl in EFRAM’S lap (JENNIFER) leans close to SAUL, hitting the stale smoke from the bong’s chamber.
JENNIFER
(Exhaling)
What did ya do then?
SAUL gets very close to her face, noses almost touching, a stoned grin on his face. EFRAM makes a jealous noise and yanks her back against his chest. She giggles. SAUL leans back, always confidant.
SAUL
(Another drag off his smoke)
I grabbed the little fucker, shoved my Glock under his chin, and said ‘How do you know Marco, you little prick?’ Little faggot turns white and his skank starts screamin’ her head off, so I booked it out of there. An hour later, cops show up at my door with a warrant and cart my ass off to jail. I posted bail and that’s how I ended up in…
EVERYONE
SOUTH DAKOTA!
Laughs all around. SAUL is obviously bored, even before his finishes his story. His eyes dart to the PHONE expectantly.
TEENAGE GIRL #2
(Giggling)
This weed is the bomb!
SAUL screws up his face.
SAUL
The bomb? How the fuck old are you?
TEENAGE GIRL #2
(Still giggling)
Old enough.
SAUL
(Nodding)
What’s your name again?
TEENAGE GIRL #2
Britney
SAUL
(Smirking)
Of course it is. Tell me-
The PHONE rings, deafening in the small room. SAUL jumps visibly and EFRAM’S eyes widen. All three men (SAUL, EFRAM and HARLOW) exchange serious nods. EFRAM clamps a hand over JENNIFER’S mouth just as HARLOW makes a shushing gesture to BRITNEY.
SAUL
Everyone. Quiet as church mice.
SAUL kicks a Domino’s Pizza box out of his way, answers the PHONE.
SAUL
Yeah.
VOICE ON PHONE (off)
Saul?
SAUL
Yeah.
VOICE/PHONE (off)
Saul…
SAUL
Clovis? You ok?
EFRAM, who has been watching SAUL for signs of trouble, removes his hand from JENNIFER’S mouth and pulls a .45 from under his coat. He calmly checks the chamber for a round. Both GIRLS eyes are wide, frightened.
SAUL
I can barely hear you Clovis…What’s up?
CUT TO:
INT. WAREHOUSE-NIGHT
CLOVIS, strapped to a chair and beaten bloody and swollen by TWO HUGE THUGS who hover over him, is speaking into a cell phone held to his head by an unseen third THUG. There is a .357 Magnum pistol pressed to his temple. He is weeping and whimpering.
CLOVIS
(Crying)
Not much.
CLOVIS begins to blubber like a baby, hard shrieking cries.
CLOVIS (Cont.)
Oh Jesus fuck, Morelli is onto us, man. He’s gonna kill us if we don’t give the kid back, he knows who we are-
The third THUG yanks the phone from CLOVIS’ ear, raising it to his own. He is FREDDIE D’ANGELO, right hand man to RICARDO MORELLI, hulking and fearless. He is the most feared killer in the Chicago underworld, with good reason. FREDDIE was born without a conscience.
FREDDIE
(Fuming with anger)
Didja get that, punk? Don Morelli is onto your cheap asses. Your little butt-buddy here is as dead as fuckin’ dead gets, so the rest of you better come correct and give us the Goddamnfuckin’ kid! YOU HEAR ME, PUNK?! You got three hours to contact our people, or you and your families DIE! GOT IT?
SLAM CUT TO:
INT. SAUL’S CRASH PAD-NIGHT
EFRAM watches terrified as all the color drains from SAUL’S face. Everyone has gone silent. HARLOW puffs hard on a cigarette.
SAUL
Who the fuck are you?
FREDDIE
(Off, from phone)
You’re Saul, right?
SAUL
(Acting tough)
Yeah. Do you know who you’re fuckin’ with?
A beat.
SAUL (Cont.)
Huh, bitch?
FREDDIE (Off)
Oh, you’re a fuckin’ tough guy huh? Listen close, wiseass. I’m about to splatter your little bitch boyfriend’s head. He ain’t getting’ out of this, but you might.
SAUL
(Voice trembling)
Oh? Is that right? How about FUCK YOU!
FREDDIE (Off)
Say hi Clovis!
Dawning HORROR and COMPREHENSION on SAUL’S face.
SAUL
NO WAIT!
From the phone, CLOVIS screams over and over.
CLOVIS (Off)
HELPMEOHJESUSFUCKINGCHRISTI’MGONNADIE! HELP SAUL! HELP!
From the PHONE the blast of a large caliber handgun explodes…BAM!
All is SILENT for ten seconds. We pull in CLOSE UP on SAUL’S face. His jaw is tight, working as he grinds his teeth. Another five seconds of SILENCE.
FREDDIE (Off)
(From phone)
Hear that, Saul? I just blew your idiot friend’s head to shit, where it belongs. Now listen: I’ve checked all of you and your friends out and we know where you live. This shit doesn’t end with you. It extends to your families. You fuck me over anymore than you already have, they die too. You and your crew meet us in one hour, at your sister’s place. Yeah, stupid, I even know where the kid is. You come. We pick up the kid. You come with us. We spare your sister and her husband…got me?
SAUL
And if I refuse?
FREDDIE (off)
Then you die. They die. Your sister and her husband die. Your pets die. Then I fuck your corpse and piss in your ashes. You don’t fuck with Ricardo Morelli’s familia, dig?
SAUL
(Furious, fighting tears)
We’ll see who kills who, motherfucker.
FREDDIE (Off)
Talk tough now, bitch. One hour.
The PHONE buzzes with a dial tone as FREDDIE hangs up. SAUL SLAMS the PHONE to the floor, stomps it hard.
SAUL
(Shouting)
GODDAMN MOTHERFUCKER SON OF A BITCH!
The PHONE buzzes stupidly with a dial tone, the room pin-drop quiet. SAUL turns to his guests, all eyes fixed on him.
SAUL
(Pissed)
What the fuck are you all staring at?
EVERYONE averts his or her eyes, except JENNIFER.
JENNIFER
(Scared, crying)
What’s happening? I didn’t come over here to get into any trouble!
SAUL drops to his knees in front of her, FURIOUS. He pulls out his Glock and jams the bore under her chin, jerking the slide back to chamber a round. Pull in for a tight TWO SHOT of SAUL and JENNIFER. She whimpers, jaw trembling.
SAUL
(Eyes blazing)
You think this shit is cool huh? You wanna hang with the big boys, but you don’t want the heat, just smoke our dope and suck our cocks, but if the shit comes down, you’re out here like a fuckin’ shot!
SAUL hauls the pistol back, and then checks himself.
SAUL
Get the fuck out, sluts.
JENNIFER and BRITNEY stumble out the door, crying. HARLOW regards his friends gravely.
HARLOW
(Scared)
The shit’s getting thick, boys. Did they…did they ace Clovis?
SAUL
Yeah.
CLOSE UP on SAUL, EFRAM’S face visible just over his shoulder.
EFRAM
What’re we gonna do, Saul?
SAUL
(Smiling nihilistically)
We’re gonna die.
CUT TO:
INT. MORELLI’S DEN-NIGHT
DON RICARDO MORELLI is seated behind his massive oaken desk, chewing a CIGAR. Sitting in the chair opposite him is FREDDIE. Behind MORELLI is a huge PLATE GLASS WINDOW overlooking the LAWN, cordoned off with YELLOW POLICE TAPE. MORELLI is still in his expensive ROBE.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
12:53 A.M.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. MORELLI’S DEN-NIGHT
MORELLI
Did you talk to the little prick running his mouth in the bar?
FREDDIE
Better. I got him to spill his yellow guts. He gave his partners like a virgin on prom night. I’ve arranged an exchange in less than an hour.
MORELLI
Where?
FREDDIE
The brains trust of their operations is a tough-talking punk named Saul. He left your grandson with his sister. He made noises like he was a high roller, but the bottom line is, he’s soft. Scared.
MORELLI
(Relieved, sighing)
So they have little Nico?
FREDDIE
Yes. And I shot the loudmouth in the head for his troubles. They know we mean business, and this Saul character assures me the child is unharmed.
MORELLI
Do you believe him?
FREDDIE
Yes I do. He was too scared to lie to me. I’m guessing he thinks he can talk his way out of this somehow.
MORELLI
You’ve done well, Freddie, really well. I have one request of you.
FREDDIE
Just say the words.
MORELLI
(Intense)
Once you have Nico, safely, kill them all. This Saul kid, his crew, his bitch sister…all of them.
FREDDIE
Yes, Don Ricardo.
CUT TO:
EXT. SAUL’S HOT ROD-NIGHT
SAUL’S muscle car hauls ass through the nocturnal streets of Chicago, ignoring red lights.
CUT TO:
INT. SAUL’S HOT ROD (MOVING)-NIGHT
SAUL is driving like a bat out of hell, with HARLOW riding shotgun. In the back seat, EFRAM is loading a pump-action 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN, intent on his work. The ENGINE roars with high-octane fuel.
SAUL
It only took us five hours to fuck this one up, shit. Biggest mistake of my life was trusting that doofus.
HARLOW
(Angry)
You got Clovis killed, and now you’re gonna lay the blame on him?
SAUL shoots HARLOW a homicidal glare.
SAUL
Got something to say, Kemosabe? You trying to blame me for Clovis’s fuck up? How the fuck was I s’posed to know that he’d run out and rat us to the first gangster he could find?
Without taking his eyes off the ROAD, SAUL reaches over casually and slaps HARLOW with the back of his hand.
SAUL (Cont.)
Fuck you punk.
HARLOW looks at SAUL in furious shock, then reaches into his coat and fumbles out his 9-MILLIMETER PISTOL. SAUL never takes his eyes from the ROAD.
SAUL
(Calmly)
Don’t do that, Harlow. I’ll have Efram shoot you in the back of the head. Besides, I’m driving. What are you? Suicidal?
HARLOW stares at SAUL in astonishment.
HARLOW
(Shouting)
I don’t know if you just missed the last forty-five minutes, but we’re already fucking DEAD! I can’t believe I went along with this! I had a good job and my own pad and because I listened to you some gangster is gonna shoot me, or shank me, or saw me up with a fuckin’ chainsaw!
SAUL
(Calm)
But you did go along with it. So quit pissin’ and moanin’ like a little bitch, and shut the fuck up. We’re gonna go make this trade with them and then blow town. Permanently.
EFRAM nervously caresses the SHOTGUN in the back seat.
EFRAM
They ain’t just gonna let us go, Saul.
SAUL
(Still calm)
I know this, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan on going to sleep in a body bag tonight. If the shit gets thick, we kill them all.
HARLOW
You make that sound so easy, just killin’ someone!
SAUL looks at HARLOW for the first time since they began driving.
SAUL
It is.
CUT TO:
INT. THE ASHCROFT’S BEDROOM-NIGHT
NATHAN is deep asleep, snoring loudly, the rest of a man in the grips of terror, deep and noisy. MELANIE sits up in bed, a single reading light burning, rocking back and forth with little NICO in her arms. She is smiling contentedly.
FLASH TO:
INT. VAN - NIGHT
MORELLI’S THUGS, led by FREDDIE, loading guns left and right in the back of a van.
FLASH TO:
EXT. SAUL’S HOT ROD - NIGHT
SAUL, EFRAM and HARLOW speeding in the car, speeding toward fate.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. ASHCROFT BEDROOM - NIGHT
MELANIE holds NICO on her lap, making cooing noises. She throws an irritated look at her sleeping HUSBAND. We hear a DOOR BELL ring, making MELANIE frown in concern. She gets up carrying the baby, and head for the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. ASHCROFT PORCH - NIGHT
FREDDIE and his CREW are on the porch, SHOTGUNS in hand. MORELLI’S men have beaten SAUL and his GANG to the baby.
CUT TO:
INT. ASHCROFT HOUSE, FOYER - NIGHT
MELANIE strides up to the door, cautious. She looks through the peephole, frowns and looks again.
MELANIE
Until you take your thumb off the peephole, Saul, you can’t come in!
FREDDIE (Off)
Police, Ma’am. We’ve had a tip that something is going on here that we need to discuss with you and your husband.
All the color drains from MELANIE’S FACE.
MELANIE
(Fake casual)
Just a minute, I’m getting dressed.
Her head darts around, looking for a place to hide the baby. As if on cue, NICO begins to cry. The FRONT DOOR splinters, causing MELANIE to cry out in surprise and fear. She stumbles back, the BABY in her arms. FREDDIE and his MEN walk in, guns brandished.
FREDDIE
(Pumping the shotgun)
Good evening, Melanie.
MELANIE can only stare in fear.
FREDDIE
You may want to wake your husband.
MELANIE’S jaw works, no sound escaping.
FREDDIE
Sorry to frighten you like that, but we’ve come to collect Nico.
CUT TO:
EXT. SAUL’S HOT ROD - NIGHT
SAUL’S CAR comes to another squealing stop in front of the ASHCROFT HOME. SAUL, EFRAM and HARLOW pile out GUNS drawn. They spot the ruined door and creep up cautiously.
CUT TO:
INT. ASHCROFT HOME-NIGHT
SAUL and HARLOW flank the BROKEN DOOR, EFRAM slipping between them with his SHOTGUN leveled. From OFF CAMERA, they hear a muffled moan.
FREDDIE (Off)
C’mon in boys.
SAUL looks at EFRAM, who looks to HARLOW. HARLOW shrugs. The three youths walk cautiously through the LIVING ROOM.
CUT TO:
INT. ASHCROFT KITCHEN-NIGHT
MELANIE and NATHAN sit tied to a pair of KITCHEN CHAIRS. FREDDIE hovers over NATHAN, a pistol to his head, as the other two THUGS sip coffee. One of them holds NICO, cooing to him and smiling.
FREDDIE
Which one’s Saul?
SAUL
I am. Did we speak on the phone?
FREDDIE
Yeah. I’m Freddie. Say hello Nathan.
CLOSE UP of FREDDIE’S hand as he pulls the trigger, blowing NATHAN’S head apart, brains and blood spraying MELANIE’S FACE.
FADE TO BLACK
In the DARKNESS we hear a roar of anger and the explosion of multiple gunshots.
CUT TO:
EXT. SAUL’S HOT ROD-NIGHT
The HOT ROD MUSCLE CAR tears away from the curb, plumes of burning rubber-smoke gouting out behind it.
CUT TO:
INT. SAUL’S HOT ROD-NIGHT
We hear HYSTERICAL SCREAMS and CRIES from EFRAM, who appears to be bleeding profusely. SAUL, also covered in blood, DRIVES like a bat out of hell, never looking at his partner.
SAUL
Shut the fuck UP! I can’t drive and think and deal with you at the same time!
EFRAM
(Crying)
I can’t believe this shit, man! They killed Harlow…fuck…shit...fuck.
SAUL
(Calm)
And they killed my sister and Nate, but we gotta get it together, man, or we’re dead too. Do you dig? Morelli will never let this go, not now. So we have to stick together and find a place to lay low. Were they all dead?
SILENCE from EFRAM.
SAUL (Cont.)
Are you there, Efram? Listen, I need your help, man. Is there anywhere we can hide?
EFRAM
(Sniffing)
No. There’s nowhere we can hide. Not now. Not ever. I can’t fucking believe this.
EFRAM begins to CRY again.
EFRAM (Cont.)
This isn’t even my blood, man. I didn’t even get hit, not once. This isn’t Harlow’s blood either.
SAUL
I know.
EFRAM
This is that baby’s blood.
SAUL
Yeah. I saw the kid take one in the head.
More HYSTERICAL SHRIEKS from EFRAM.
EFRAM
(Horrified)
Oh Christ, I’m a fuckin’ baby killer! Oh Jesus Almighty! OH MY FUCKIN’ GOD, I’m a fuckin’ baby killer!
SAUL brings the HOT ROD to a squealing stop, reaches over and BITCH SLAPS EFRAM. SAUL grips EFRAM’S lapels.
SAUL
Get it together, man! You didn’t kill that kid! Neither did I!
EFRAM
(Weeping hard)
Then who did? Harlow?
SAUL
(Calming down)
I dunno. Maybe. It doesn’t matter. Morelli won’t care who pulled the trigger. He’ll kill us both. Now; do you have any family we can elbow in on? Preferably out of state? Don’t get all comatose on me!
EFRAM
South Dakota.
SAUL
Huh?
EFRAM
Your uncle. South Dakota.
SAUL
NO way…Morelli’s sure to know about him.
SAUL starts driving again, easing back in his seat.
SAUL (Cont.)
What about your mom in Salt Lake?
EFRAM
I’d rather not drag her into this.
SAUL
You don’t think she’s already involved? Shit.
EFRAM
(Shouting)
I don’t know! I didn’t think we’d get caught!
SAUL
(Disgusted)
No one ever thinks they’re gonna get caught. If stupid fucking Clovis hadn’t run his mouth, we’d have gotten away with it.
An idea explodes in EFRAM’S worried mind, animating his face.
EFRAM
How about Bob?
SAUL
(Confused)
Who the fuck is Bob?
EFRAM
Ya know…Bob. Burnface Bob. Clovis’s friend from school.
SAUL SMILES in spite of himself.
SAUL
Oh fuck, where is that freak nowadays?
EFRAM
Last I heard, California, Oregon…out west somewhere.
SAUL
Well? Which is it? California or Oregon?
EFRAM
I hafta call and ask his mom.
SAUL
Oh fuck my old boots.
SAUL whips the HOT ROD into a 7-11 PARKING LOT.
SAUL (Cont.)
Hurry up.
CUT TO:
EXT. CONVIENIENCE STORE-NIGHT
EFRAM runs from SAUL’S HOT ROD, zipping up his jacket to cover the blood soaking his shirt. He steps up to the BANK OF PAYPHONES along the stores exterior. With jittering fingers, he dials a number from memory.
EFRAM
(Into phone)
Hello, Mrs. Buchanan? This is Efram Zamora…sorry to call so late. Yes…yes…I’m a friend of Bob’s…Yes Ma’am Efram Zamora. Yes…I’m looking for Bob, Ma’am..No, no, it’s nothing bad. We were friends in high school, and I’d like to visit him…I’m leaving for the west coast in the morning…
EFRAM digs in his JACKET POCKET for a pen and paper. The paper is spotted with BLOOD.
EFRAM (Cont.)
No Ma’am, Bob doesn’t owe me any money, we’re just old friends and I was…excuse me? No Ma’am, I’m not the guy that slammed his head in the locker in high school, that was Zack Harlow…Yes Ma’am I have a pen. Yes…yes…2600 East Luna…Braddock, Oregon…B-R-A-D-D-O-C-K?
Yes Ma’am. Yes…I know Clovis Cole. Oh yes, he and Bob were good friends in school. I’ll give him your best…Yes Ma’am, good night.
EFRAM hangs up the PHONE.
EFRAM (Cont.)
Crazy bitch.
With a glance to SAUL’S CAR, EFRAM quickly DIALS another number. He bounces on his heels as he waits for the other end to pick up, impatient.
EFRAM
(Whispering into phone)
Jennifer? Yeah babe, it’s me. Listen, I gotta blow town TONIGHT…No babe, I won’t be back for a while…so I guess this is goodbye…what? No, no babe…Oh fuck don’t cry! Listen…write to me, ok?
EFRAM glances at the ADDRESS on the BLOOD SPOTTED paper.
EFRAM (Cont.)
2600 East Luna, Braddock, Oregon…What? Shit I dunno what the zip code is…look that shit up. Look, I’ll be there in a few days. Yeah…I’ll miss you too…later babe.
EFRAM hangs up the PHONE.
CUT TO:
INT. SAUL’S HOT ROD-NIGHT
EFRAM sits down in the bucket seat, looking over the address. SAUL stares hard at him for a moment.
SAUL
Well?!
EFRAM
(Sighing)
I got his address, but his mom didn’t think he had a phone. She’s way crazier than ever.
SAUL
(Weak smile)
I guess we’ll have to surprise his ass.
EFRAM
Let’s just get the fuck out of town. Bob’s can’t be any worse than this.
SAUL
Amen, glory and hallelujah.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN ON:
INT. MORELLI’S DEN-NIGHT
RICARDO MORELLI is on the PHONE, his face red with fury. He’s crying and shouting like a man insane.
MORELLI
How did this happen? Where is my grandson? How did you fail…No shit it won’t happen again, Goddamnit! How is it that everyone else died and you survived…Never mind. You find those pricks, you find Nico OR YOU DIE TOO!
MORELLI SLAMS the PHONE down into the cradle, collapsing with his head in his hands.
CUT TO:
INT. PHONE BOOTH-NIGHT
FREDDIE listens to the dead line for a moment, and then hangs up the phone. Like SAUL and EFRAM, FREDDIE is coated in someone else’s blood.
FREDDIE
Yes sir, Don Ricardo.
FREDDIE leaves the booth and crosses a large dark LONG TERM PARKING LOT filled with all kinds of cars. He slips out a SLIM JIM and begins to jimmy the lock on a CADILLIAC.
FREDDIE
(Voice over)
What I don’t dare tell you, Don Ricardo, is that in the course of his rescue, Nico took a bullet. He died in my hands, his little life over. I will bear this burden alone…
The DOOR of the CADILLIAC pops open, and FREDDIE slides inside, HOT WIRING the starter in seconds.
FREDDIE
(Aloud)
I’ll find them myself and bring you their hearts.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
3 DAYS LATER.
FADE IN:
EXT. OREGON ROADS-DAY
Lush GREENERY and a TWISTING BACK ROAD come into view, the trees tall and regal, and the road old and scarred.
CUT TO:
EXT. SAUL’S HOT ROD-DAY
SAUL’S HOT ROD blasts past us at illegal speeds, passing a ROAD SIGN marked BRADDOCK, 15 mi.
CUT TO:
INT. SAUL’S HOT ROD-DAY
SAUL, blinking to stay awake and yawning hugely, sits behind the wheel. EFRAM snores in the passenger seat. SAUL reaches over and snaps on the RADIO, which roars to life with the strains of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY’S WHITE NOISE. EFRAM starts, jumping up in the seat, wide-awake. SAUL grins at his friend’s shock.
EFRAM
(Groggy)
I’m awake I’m awake!
SAUL just grins.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRADDOCK, OREGON STREETS-DAY
SAUL’S HOT ROD meanders through the STREETS of a sleepy one horse TOWN in the PACIFIC NORTHWEST. The MAIN DRAG of BRADDOCK OREGON is a collection of homey shops, diners and gas stations. MOUNTAINS loom in the background.
CUT TO:
INT. SAUL’S HOT ROD-DAY
EFRAM stares out the WINDOW, taking in his new hideout. A look of abject DISGUST pinches his tired FACE.
EFRAM
So this is Braddock, huh?
PAN TO:
SAUL
This is Braddock. Check the residents. Look like extras from ‘Deliverance’.
EFRAM
(Rubbing his eyes)
No shit.
CUT TO:
EXT. BOB’S NEIGHBORHOOD-DAY
They cruise RESIDENTIAL STREETS for a few blocks, reading addresses. Suddenly, EFRAM points and shouts.
EFRAM
(VO)
2600’s right there! Pull over!
SAUL’S HOT ROD slows, crawling along the curb in front of a RAMSHACKLE DIVE of a house, the lawn sprouting crabgrass and dying in patches. A rusted and dented old PICKUP TRUCK sits at the curb. EFRAM and SAUL emerge from the car, stretching and yawning. They meander across the lawn to the door.
EXT. BOB’S HOUSE-DAY
The sagging PORCH squeaks as they step up on it. SAUL glances at EFRAM, then KNOCKS HARD on the chipped and peeling door. Several seconds pass before there is a reply. BOB, unseen, answers through the door.
BOB
(Off, through Door)
WHAT? WHO IS IT? I’VE GOT A GUN!
SAUL looks at EFRAM and rolls his eyes.
SAUL
(To the door)
So do we.
EFRAM
Bob open up! It’s Efram and Saul.
BOB
(Off)
Efram and Saul?
SAUL
From Chicago…
BOB
(Off)
From Chicago?
SAUL and EFRAM
YES!
THE DOOR opens an inch. A single eye peers out at them, darting back and forth.
BOB
No shit. It really is you.
EFRAM
(Irritated)
Can we come in?
BOB
(Beat)
Yeah. I guess so.
THE DOOR swings wide, but before we can get a look at him, BOB has disappeared into the SHADOWS. EFRAM and SAUL exchange a LOOK and walk in.
INT. BOB’S LIVING ROOM – DAY – CONTINUOUS
We enter a pigsty, trash and animal feces strewn and splattered everywhere. BOB is nowhere to be seen, standing out of frame. There is an old BLACK AND WHITE TV, a scratched TABLE that looks like it was salvaged from the dump and a COUCH spilling stuffing, stained with alien looking splotches. On the TABLE is a BIBLE, a rotting TV DINNER TRAY left there for an indefinite amount of time and a MIRROR WITH LINES OF SPEED, chopped and ready. SAUL gestures to the mirror, EFRAM nods back.
SAUL
(Whispering)
Looks like Bob found his happy place.
EFRAM
(Twitchy)
This looks like a serious junkie pad, man. Maybe we should split.
SAUL
You got a better idea, speak up.
From OFF CAMERA BOB speaks to the two men.
BOB
(Off)
What’re you fellas whisperin’ about in there?
SAUL
(Confused)
Where the fuck are you?
BOB
Kitchen.
SAUL and EFRAM make for the KITCHEN, stepping over PILES OF TRASH.
INT. BOB’S KITCHEN – DAY – CONTINUOUS
We get our first good look at BOB as EFRAM and SAUL enter his KITCHEN. Upon stepping in, SAUL clamps a hand over his MOUTH, GAGGING. EFRAM makes a FACE like he stepped in shit. The KITCHEN is a monument to FILTH and DECAY, as is BOB. His CLOTHES are matted with FOOD, SHIT and VOMIT. Patches of what looks like DRIED BLOOD and GREASE dot his SHIRT. His FOREHEAD and BROW are a hairless horror of BURN SCAR TISSUE. Long greasy hair hangs unwashed down his back, and SNOT clogs the corners of his NOSE. He is a big man, topping out at at least three hundred pounds.
BOB
(Smiling)
What’s up, Fellas?
SAUL
(Retching)
Christ Jesus, Bob, this place is…
BOB
(Offended)
This place is what?
EFRAM
A shithole!
SAUL
(Regaining his composure)
Shithole. Good word.
BOB FROWNS. SAUL tries to lighten the mood, throwing an arm around BOB’S shoulders. BOB looks at him like he’s INSANE. SAUL begins to walk him out of the KITCHEN, but BOB stays put. EFRAM stands back, NERVOUS.
SAUL (Cont.)
Look, Bob, me and Efram got into some…trouble, and we need a place to lay low for a while. If you stay cool and don’t give us any crap, we’ll be out of your hair in a few days.
BOB eyes him with suspicion.
BOB
What kind of TROUBLE? Are you gonna get me in TROUBLE?
SAUL
Well, if you tell us ‘no,’ you’re gonna have some definite trouble, Bob.
BOB throws SAUL’S arm off and turns to face him.
BOB
(Pissed)
Are you threatening me? Don’t gimme shit, Saul. I been up three days, and I’m fuckin’ paranoid.
EFRAM
Nah, Bob, he ain’t threatening you.
EFRAM shoots SAUL a harsh look. SAUL nods back.
SAUL
(Smiling)
Nah, Bob, I ain’t threatening you.
SAUL pulls his PISTOL and shows it to BOB.
SAUL (Cont.)
I’m fuckin’ promising you. Now we need a place to stay. I need you to say “yes.”
BOB’S eyes roll from SAUL to EFRAM and back. He is SCARED and ANGRY.
BOB
I wanna help you guys, but I moved here to get away from all that shit in Chicago. I’m not exactly Mr. Popular here either, but at least no one slams locker doors closed on my head. I got a new start here.
SAUL looks around the moldering KITCHEN, smirking.
SAUL
Yeah, I can see you’re improving your life like crazy, what with all this trash and rotting food. Hell, man, I thought speed freaks kept shit clean, just to have something to do.
EFRAM picks up a DEAD RAT, makes a horrified face and flings it away.
BOB
I’m not a speed freak. I only use it to help me study.
EFRAM
(Smirking)
Whaaat? Ya get that Sally Struthers home correspondence course? Lemme guess…TV repairman?
BOB looks at EFRAM as if he was a lower form of life.
BOB
No. If you must know, I’m studying to be a minister.
There is a moment of silence, and then SAUL and EFRAM explode with LAUGHTER.
BOB
DICKS! Nothing ever changes! You can leave anytime! But if you stay here, you will respect me and my new life!
SAUL and EFRAM compose themselves, choking back more laughs. SAUL snaps a mock SALUTE.
SAUL
Anything you say, Bob-O.
BOB
(Relenting)
And don’t call me Bob-O.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN ON:
EXT. ROADSIDE DINER – DAY
A lonely old DINER hunkers in center frame, its awning a faded eyesore. Only two CARS are parked in the gravel PARKING LOT, an old FORD PINTO and FREDDIE’S 1989 CADDY.
CUT TO:
INT. ROADSIDE DINER-DAY
We push through the greasy DOOR of the DINER and into its tired interior. The counter is faded and stained, the BOOTHS empty. Behind the COUNTER is a BORED LOOKING WAITRESS. Twangy Country music wafts through the air along with cigarette smoke and grease.
Dolly along the COUNTER to FREDDIE, munching eggs. A CIGARETTE smolders in the ashtray beside a cup of coffee. No other CUSTOMERS are in the place.
CLOSE UP on FREDDIE, slurping his coffee and rubbing out his smoke. Only then does he take notice of the WAITRESS, staring at him.
FREDDIE
Hey sis.
WAITRESS
Hey yourself.
FREDDIE
You seen these boys the last couple of days?
He tosses a PHOTO down on the COUNTER. She eyes it, but doesn’t pick it up.
WAITRESS
(Bored)
Nah.
FREDDIE
Take a good look.
He pushes a TWENTY DOLLAR BILL across the COUNTER with the PHOTO. The WAITRESS gives him the evil eye.
WAITRESS
You a cop?
FREDDIE
(Chuckle)
No.
WAITRESS
Private dick?
FREDDIE
(Irritated)
No.
WAITRESS
An agent of some kind?
She leans toward him, giving him a good look at her cleavage.
WAITRESS (Cont.)
You can tell me, sugar.
FREDDIE has lost his sense of humor.
FREDDIE
You always so nosey?
He rolls his eyes, tries a SMILE.
FREDDIE
I’ll tell you what. You tell me what I want to know; I’ll fill you in on the skinny.
She gives him a look that’s half playful, half weary.
WAITRESS
(Flirty)
Maybe. Maybe they come through here about two days ago. Driving a muscle car?
FREDDIE
(Grinning)
Yeah. That’s them.
WAITRESS
Okay. Give it up.
FREDDIE
Huh?
WAITRESS
Don’t play me like that. What did they do?
They fugitives?
FREDDIE
(Nodding)
Yeah, you could say that. I been on them since Chicago.
The WAITRESS leans closer, intrigued.
WAITRESS
You like, a bounty hunter?
FREDDIE
Yeah, something like that.
WAITRESS
They kill somebody? Rob a bank? What?
FREDDIE
Yeah, they killed somebody. An important somebody.
CLOSE UP on the WAITRESS. She’s about to burst with nosey, small town curiosity. She must know MORE, sure that this is as close to a soap opera as she will ever experience in her life.
WAITRESS
You tracked them? From Chicago?
FREDDIE
(Bored now)
Yeah.
WAITRESS
How?
FREDDIE
Standard procedure. I convinced a…friend of theirs…
FLASH CUT TO:
JENNIFER, EFRAM’S girl, naked, bloody and beaten. FREDDIE standing over her, naked, brandishing a PISTOL equipped with a SILENCER.
FLASH BACK TO:
INT. ROADSIDE DINER-DAY
CLOSE UP on FREDDIE at the COUNTER.
FREDDIE (Cont.)
Suffice to say, she was most helpful. Suggested I try Oregon. Said they have a friend there. This is the fastest route from Chicago to Oregon. I been asking at every roadside dump along the way.
The WAITRESS refills his cup.
WAITRESS
You stayin’ the night in town?
FREDDIE
Why do you ask?
She smiles and laughs. After a moment, FREDDIE joins her.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN ON:
INT. MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
FREDDIE and the WAITRESS in a clutch, humping roughly under the thin cheap sheets of a motel bed. They are both GLISTENING with sweat, illuminated by the MOONLIGHT pouring in through the OPEN WINDOW. FREDDIE finishes with a grunt and rolls off her. He immediately lights a filterless smoke.
FREDDIE
(Panting)
Thanks doll. I didn’t realize how bad I needed to fuck.
WAITRESS
(Sarcastic)
Oh you’re a real Romeo. All that charm going to waste on little old me. You always roll over like an old man before a girl cums?
FREDDIE
(Eyes flashing)
I’m not the one that was acting like a bitch in heat, flashing my titties like a scorecard. I’m just in town to check on my boys. So much for the romance, huh?
FREDDIE laughs loud at his own cruel humor. The WAITRESS’S FACE twists with FURY.
WAITRESS
YOU FUCK!
She throws a rain of SLAPS and HALF-PUNCHES at him, making him LAUGH HARDER, which in turn makes her more ANGRY. She lands a hard PUNCH on his jaw, stopping his LAUGHTER short.
FREDDIE
CUNT!
FREDDIE cuffs her HARD, knocking her out of bed. She lands with a THUMP. She stares at him from the FLOOR. He begins to LAUGH again.
WAITRESS
Fuckin’ BASTARD! Fucking faggot little cock motherfucker!
FREDDIE jumps out of bed, towering over her CRUMPLED FORM.
FREDDIE
What? What, bitch? What did you say about me?
She stares up at him DEFIANT.
WAITRESS
I said your peter is dinky and you fuck like a jailhouse faggot!
FREDDIE chuckles with disgust and amazement.
FREDDIE
You got yourself a filthy mouth, lady.
FREDDIE grabs her by the HAIR, reaching into the nightstand DRAWER. He pulls out a .357 MAGNUM PISTOL. He screws on a SILENCER.
FREDDIE (Cont.)
You like to suck on things, bitch?
She SCREAMS WILDLY, slapping his thighs.
FREDDIE (Cont.)
Suck this.
FREDDIE pulls the trigger twice, blowing her face off. After a pensive moment, he sits on the bed, lifting the PHONE RECIEVER off its cradle. He dials slowly, looking at her corpse.
FREDDIE
(Into phone)
Yes? This is Freddie. Tell Don Ricardo I’ve got a lead on the shitbirds that took little Nico…huh? Oh yeah…yeah. I’m holed up in a crappy motel in Idaho.
A beat, followed by a CHUCKLE.
FREDDIE (Cont.)
Yeah…can ya see me in Idaho? Okay…okay. See ya.
He hangs up the PHONE.
FREDDIE (Cont.)
See ya in hell.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
9:35 A.M.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S LIVING ROOM – DAY
SAUL is ASLEEP on the COUCH; EFRAM sprawled out on the FLOOR. From OFF CAMERA, we hear a low MANTRA.
BOB
(Off)
Jesus Lord Jesus, come from Heaven and save me. Jesus Lord Jesus come down from Heaven and save me.
SAUL pops one eye open, groggy. With dawning comprehension, he opens both eyes, staring at a point OFF CAMERA. He reaches down and SHAKES EFRAM AWAKE. EFRAM awakens with a start. SAUL places one finger to his lips, hushing his startled friend, then points OFF CAMERA. We pan around to BOB, sitting NAKED across the room from them, CHANTING.
SAUL
(Non-plussed)
Uhhh…Bob?
BOB
Shh.
SAUL and EFRAM exchange a “what the fuck” look.
EFRAM
BOB!
BOB looks at them, disgusted.
BOB
(Sigh)
What?
SAUL
What’s up?
BOB
Nothing you’d understand.
SAUL
Is this part of the Sally Struthers Home Ministry Kit, or do you start everyday praying for God to come and get you?
BOB
(Sighing)
I’ve learned that to serve Jesus is the only way to be cleansed of the sin of birth, when the Original Sin manifests itself in the flesh, the original copulation between woman and serpent whole. In Christ, I’ve learned to forgive. I refuse to hold a grudge, even against you who saw fit to torment me in my formative years, I offer you sanctuary against whatever inequity has seen fit to come back and bite your asses. Does that answer you question clearly?
SAUL sits up, rubbing his EYES. EFRAM follows suit, coughing and spitting into an empty CAN on the floor.
SAUL
Yeah. In Spectravision. We won’t be in your hair much longer. I’m gonna go into town today and make some phone calls. Call in some debts. I know some people in Toronto, see if they’ll take us in for a while.
EFRAM eyes SAUL uncomfortably, suddenly forgetting BOB.
EFRAM
Ya gonna tell ‘em the whole story?
SAUL
(Snorts laughter)
Hell no! I’m gonna tell ‘em we made a score in Chicago and we’re waiting on new IDs. After that, we’ll head for Mexico.
SAUL sweeps a gaze over BOB’S hovel, disgust creeping in.
SAUL (Cont.)
I can’t sleep here much longer. The smell –
BOB leaps to his feet, FLUSTERED and UPSET. Both his GUESTS shield their eyes against his doughy NAKEDNESS.
BOB
(Angry)
Don’t talk about me like I’m not here, or a retard, or something! I show you hospitality and all you do is insult me! Seven YEARS? You wait seven years to come calling, then diss me? Well FUCK YOU!
SAUL and EFRAM are stunned and WIDE EYED at BOB’S outburst.
EFRAM
What crawled up your ass and died?
BOB
You! You two! Always you two!
SAUL
(Smirking)
U2? The band?
BOB
See? There it is again! Always like ‘patronize Bob,’ or ‘remember to treat Bob like the scar faced idiot he is’! Don’t you see? There is a light within me that cannot be quelled! I am the Messenger of the Lord Cometh!
SAUL BLINKS hard at BOB. EFRAM looks away from BOB’S fat ass and lights a CIGARETTE.
SAUL
Uh…ok.
BOB
What? What now?
SAUL
Can I use your shower?
BOB makes a frustrated SOUND and stomps O.C.
EFRAM
You look in the shower yet?
SAUL shakes his head, both bemused and shaken by BOB’S outburst.
EFRAM (Cont.)
I’d rather go dirty.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S BATHROOM – DAY
SAUL stands with the SHOWER CURTAIN pulled back, gazing at the bathtub’s ROTTING INTERIOR. Mold, mildew and dark brown algae coat the porcelain. A sliver of cracked, dry soap rests on the TUB’S EDGE. SAUL lifts it, and then drops it as if it were a venomous snake. CLOSE-UP on SAUL’S FINGERS. BLOOD trickles from SHALLOW SCRATCHES. He cautiously picks the SOAP back up, examining it. SAUL tweezes out a RAZOR BLADE that has been pushed into the SOAP.
He lifts it to the light and looks closely at the rusty blade. It has dulled with use, the edge no danger although the corners are still sharp. SAUL runs a thumb over the blade, frowning, then pushes the blade back into the soap and walks out.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
12:00 NOON
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S LIVING ROOM-DAY
BOB re-enters the scene, dressed in stained T-shirt and jeans, humming a hymn quietly. EFRAM lounges on the couch, puffing a HUGE JOINT. From the cracked and battered TELEVISION comes the sound of LET’S MAKE A DEAL.
EFRAM
What’s up Bob?
BOB
Where’s Saul?
BOB sits down on the stinking couch, CLOSE to EFRAM.
EFRAM
He left for a while. Takin’ care of business.
EFRAM offers BOB the JOINT.
BOB
I don’t smoke weed anymore, Efram.
EFRAM
Oh, but God said meth’s ok? Hit it.
BOB
(Indignant)
Don’t push.
EFRAM
(Stoned and Irritated)
Shit man, I realize that this isn’t a fond reunion for any of us…but you could cool out. A couple more days, and we’re outta here.
EFRAM offers the JOINT again. This time, BOB accepts, toking it twice and handing it back.
BOB
(Exhaling)
How did you guys find me anyway?
EFRAM
Remember Clovis Cole?
We see a FLASH of CLOVIS’S FACE.
BOB
(Smiling, stoned)
Yeah, Clovis was always-
EFRAM
(Interrupting)
Yeah, well, ‘Ol Clovis always kept in touch with your dear sweet mama. He always said ‘If the shit gets thick, call Bob.’ So that’s what we did, more or less.
BOB
(Gently smiling)
How is Clovis?
EFRAM pulls out his gear and begins to roll another JOINT.
EFRAM
(Grim)
Dead. Some guys caught him runnin’ his mouth, so they put a bullet in it.
We pull in for a SLOW CLOSE UP on BOB as a crestfallen expression overtakes his face.
EFRAM (Off)
He’s kinda the reason we’re here, buggin’ out in your pad.
BOB
Clovis was always nice to me. Always my friend.
EFRAM holds up the fresh JOINT, offers it to BOB.
EFRAM
Yeah, I know. Here, you light it.
BOB takes the JOINT, manufactures a smile and lights it up, puffing.
CUT TO:
INT. PHONE BOOTH – DAY
SAUL leans against the DOOR of a PHONE BOOTH on the main street of Braddock, Oregon. It is an OVERCAST DAY, fresh rainwater coating the STREETS and SIDEWALK. The PHONE BOOTH is just outside a BAR, its NEON sign FLASHING the word OPEN over and over.
SAUL
(Into phone)
Yeah, Tony there? It’s Saul.
A beat.
SAUL (Cont.)
Tony? Saul. What’s up? I need some help.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR – DAY
SAUL steps through the door of the BAR, looking the place and its occupants over. He runs a shaky hand through his hair and takes a seat at the BAR. Behind the bar, a GOOD LOOKING GIRL eyes him with BOREDOM. SAUL squints to see her nametag in the gloomy room.
SAUL
Uhhh…Cindy? A beer please.
CINDY
Miller okay?
SAUL
(Smiling)
Sure.
He lights a SMOKE as she returns with his brew.
CINDY
Four bucks.
SAUL tosses a FIVE DOLLAR BILL on the bar.
SAUL
This town always so exciting?
CINDY laughs.
CINDY
You should it around Cinco De Mayo.
They LAUGH together.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
2:15 P.M.
CUT BACK TO:
SAUL and CINDY chatting at the bar.
SAUL
Ya know, my daddy once told me Mexicans weren’t really alive. That they were like, I dunno, big rag dolls and if you killed one it wasn’t really a sin.
SAUL looks at CINDY for effect. She screws up her face in DISGUST.
CINDY
Ok. I don’t have time for psychos. You want another beer?
SAUL touches her hand, trying to get back into her good graces. She pauses, looks at his hand on hers.
SAUL
Oh c’mon now. I didn’t say I believed that. Dad was a pretty weird old boy. Had a lot of fucked up little theories he lived by. Let me finish, ok?
CINDY
(Wearily)
Ok.
SAUL
(Smiling)
Can I get another beer now?
CINDY
Sure.
As she steps to the tap to draw his BEER, SAUL resumes his story.
SAUL
I just rolled into town yesterday, I’m staying with an old…friend, and I haven’t slept much, so forgive the rambling.
CINDY returns with a fresh BEER for SAUL.
CINDY
It’s ok. Long day. I’m in a bitchy mood. You try being the only woman in a bar full of assholes.
SAUL
I understand. Now where was I?
CINDY
You said your dad thought Mexicans weren’t really people or something.
SAUL
(Taking a sip)
Right. He said killing them wasn’t any different than killing cockroaches. Ya know, if you killed one, there were a thousand more to take his place. My daddy was from Texas, and he always claimed that someday the government would admit they stole the Lone Star State, and give it back, so…
SAUL lights a SMOKE.
CINDY
So?
SAUL
So in 1986, he takes us on vacation to Dallas. We do the whole tourist bit: we go to see the Cowboys play the Redskins, saw all the tourist shit and then we go to dinner…
SAUL takes a drag off his SMOKE.
SAUL (Cont.)
…At a Mexican restaurant. About an hour into the meal, dad starts belly-achin’ about how they’re putting hot chili into the food to sell drinks, and by now he’s had about nine beers.
SAUL takes a sip of his BEER.
SAUL (Cont.)
The waitress comes over, all apologetic, and dad calls her a slut. Then the owner comes over and dad calls him a spic. He threw us all out: me, dad, my mom, my sister-all of us. We drive back to the hotel, and everyone goes to bed…except dad.
SAUL pauses again to smoke. CINDY, like the young girls at his pad days before, is hanging on his every word.
SAUL (Cont.)
So dad waits until we’re all asleep, drives back to the restaurant, kills the owner and burns the place to the ground.
He looks at CINDY for effect. She is shocked, gasping.
CINDY
My God.
SAUL
Yeah.
CINDY
So what happened?
SAUL
He was killed in prison a year later. By the Mexican Mafia.
CINDY
My God.
SAUL
Isn’t that incredible serendipity though? I guess we reap what we sew.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S LIVING ROOM-DAY
BOB and EFRAM are leaning over the TABLE, snorting up huge LINES OF SPEED. EFRAM leans back, grinning and wiping at his NOSE.
EFRAM
Goddamn! I haven’t gotten spun in a long time. Shit.
BOB
(Wiping at his own nose)
Yeah, it’s good stuff. I get it from a dude in Portland.
CLOSE UP on the TELEVISION. Another GAME SHOW is on. EFRAM groans.
EFRAM
Fuck man, isn’t there anything else ever on around here?
BOB
My VCR isn’t working. Sorry.
EFRAM
Fuck, listen: I’m amped. Let’s go get some food, maybe hit a bar.
BOB
No.
EFRAM
Dude, you gotta get out sometimes.
BOB
(Shouting)
No!
EFRAM
Well then fuck you. I’m goin’ out.
BOB looks ALARMED at this.
BOB
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. Don’t leave.
BOB rests his HAND on EFRAM’S ARM. EFRAM looks at it, then shrugs it off, giving BOB a puzzled, disgusted look.
EFRAM
What’s your trip, man? Why you always been so fucking weird? Why can’t you just cool the fuck out? What’s up with you?
EFRAM is getting SURLY.
EFRAM (Cont.)
Why can’t you just get chilly, and hang with the program?
BOB
Because.
EFRAM
Well fuck this boring shit. I’m gonna go find Saul. Sure you don’t wanna come?
BOB
Yes, I’m sure. I have work to do.
EFRAM
Whatever.
BOB
Goodbye Efram.
As EFRAM turns his BACK on BOB, BOB leaps with speed surprising for a man his size, and wraps an arm around EFRAM’S neck. They struggle for a moment, EFRAM throwing several sharp ELBOWS into BOB’S gut. BOB punches EFRAM twice in the THROAT. EFRAM SLUMPS to the floor.
INT. BOB’S PLACE-HALLWAY-DAY-CONTINUOUS
BOB drags EFRAM’S limp form across the floor, pausing to peel back a section of MATTED CARPET, revealing a TRAPDOOR. BOB pulls it OPEN, and drags EFRAM down into the subterranean darkness BELOW.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR-DAY
SAUL and CINDY are still chatting at the BAR, which is filling with PATRONS as the day wears on. SAUL is smiling, beer-buzzed. CINDY has warmed to him considerably, FLIRTING openly with him.
SAUL
(Drunk)
Well, Cindy, I’m two-and-a-half sheets to the wind, so I’m gonna push off. But, uh…
CINDY
(Smiling)
Uh…what?
SAUL
(Smiling back)
Wanna have dinner with me? Tonight?
CINDY
OK.
SAUL
Cool. I’ll pick you up here at…?
CINDY
I’m off at seven, but let’s get one thing straight. I don’t kiss or fuck on the first date.
SAUL smiles in surprise at her honesty.
SAUL
Fair enough. See you at seven.
SAUL winks at her and walks out of frame.
CUT TO:
EXT. FREDDIE’S CAR-DAY
FREDDIE cruises down the Interstate, the TOP DOWN on his car, SINATRA’S NEW YORK, NEW YORK blasting.
CUT TO:
INT. FREDDIE’S CAR-DAY
CLOSE UP on FREDDIE. There’s a smoke dangling from his lips as he SINGS along with SINATRA.
FREDDIE
(Singing)
And here’s to you, New Yawk, New YAWK!
He quickly turns down the RADIO. PAN to the BACK SEAT. There’s a CORPSE rolled in a CARPET on the backseat.
FREDDIE (Cont.)
Hey sis?
FREDDIE laughs.
CUT TO:
EXT. FREDDIE’S CAR-DAY
The CADDY speeds past a ROAD SIGN reading BRADDOCK, 15 Mi.
CUT TO:
EXT. FREDDIE’S CAR-DAY
FREDDIE rolls down the MAIN DRAG of BRADDOCK, pas the BAR where SAUL was drinking. THE CADDY pulls to a stop next to the PHONE BOOTH outside the BAR. FREDDIE emerges from the CADDY, steps inside the BOOTH.
INT. PHONE BOOTH-DAY-CONTINUOUS
FREDDIE lifts the PHONE BOOK, scans several pages. CLOSE UP on the page, one FINGER running down page, over the ADDRESSES. He stops, pulls out a NOTE PAD, and CROSS INDEXES the ADDRESS in the phone book with the one on his pad. He finds no match, and swears under his breath.
FREDDIE
Fucking hillbillies.
FREDDIE steps out of the PHONE BOOTH, and makes a beeline for the BAR.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR-DUSK
FREDDIE looks around the BAR, spots CINDY behind the BAR, and seats himself in front of her. She smiles wanly.
CINDY
What can I get ya?
FREDDIE
Bourbon straight and an ashtray.
She nods, bending over to get the bottle of BOURBON on the lowest shelf of the BAR BACK. FREDDIE ogles her ass with a smile. She sets his DRINK before him, and then places the ASHTRAY beside it.
CINDY
Anything else?
FREDDIE
One thing.
CINDY
I don’t give out my phone number.
FREDDIE chuckles.
FREDDIE
Honey, as much as I’d like to get knee deep in you, I’m on business.
CINDY makes a disgusted face.
CINDY
Then how can I help you?
FREDDIE throws the picture of SAUL, EFRAM, CLOVIS and HARLOW on the bar. There are Xs over CLOVIS and HARLOW’S FACES. CINDY looks it over, maintaining her composure.
FREDDIE
Seen any of these boys around here?
A beat.
CINDY
Nope.
She’s lying, and FREDDIE knows it.
FREDDIE
You sure?
CINDY
Look mister, I’ve got a lot of customers. If you want another drink, let me know.
FREDDIE
(False Smile)
Sure thing, Sis.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
6:30 P.M.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S BASEMENT-NIGHT
We open on the WALLS of the BASEMENT, covered in THICK SHEETS OF EGG CRATE SOUNDPROOFING FOAM RUBBER. Over the soundproofing, POSTERS of SLAYER, MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE and NAPALM DEATH are juxtaposed with CLIPPINGS OF MODELS from magazines, their slim bodies scribbled on with RED INK. Here and there are what appear to be FINGER PAINTED illustrations of CHRIST, THE DEVIL and some weird hybrid of the two. On ONE WALL is a mounted RACK OF ANTLERS. Against another wall is an old, poorly cared for STEREO with STACKS of CDS on the SPEAKERS. A VIDEO CAMERA is on a tripod in one corner. A single BARE BULB lights the hellish room.
PAN around to EFRAM, tied to a CHAIR. WATER is being sprayed in his face from a squirt bottle. His EYES flutter open.
CUT TO:
EFRAM’S POV
BOB is standing over him, a FEATHERED MARDI GRAS MASK over his eyes. He wears only his soiled and sagging BOXER SHORTS, his TORSO covered in SCAR TISSUE. EFRAM makes a gagging sound, trying to speak, but BOB rests a finger over his lips.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. BOB’S BASEMENT-NIGHT
BOB pushes a BUTTON on the STEREO, the first grinding chords of MOTORHEAD’S ORGASMATRON roaring out of the speakers. EFRAM looks around, wide-eyed and horrified.
EFRAM
(Scared)
Bob, man…I’m sorry for fuckin’ with you, please-
BOB
(Calm)
Shut up, Efram.
BOB’S whole demeanor has changed. He is CONFIDENT, CALM and IN CONTROL. He licks his TEETH. EFRAM cringes.
BOB (Cont.)
Do you understand your place in this world?
EFRAM
What?
BOB
A simple question. Do you understand the meaning of your life?
EFRAM
I…I…No.
BOB
I know you don’t. I know you’re lost, and seeking the guidance of a firm hand and steady faith. Did I ever tell you how I became so hideous on the outside? How my face became a source of ridicule and scorn?
EFRAM
(Voice unsteady)
No.
BOB leans over EFRAM, getting close to his FACE. BOB slowly pulls off the MASK.
BOB
(Whispering)
My mother caught me jerking off when I was eleven. She dragged me into the kitchen and held my face to the stove for five minutes. When I stopped screaming, she thought I’d died and started praying for my soul. But I wasn’t done. The Lord visited me as I lay there in agony and told me that I was the one, the Only One, and gave to me the Kiss of Life.
EFRAM, terrified, nods vigorously. BOB leans CLOSER to him, running his TONGUE over EFRAM’S LIPS. EFRAM cannot hide his DISGUST.
BOB (Cont.)
When I awoke on the floor of the kitchen, my cunt mother started screaming that I was the spawn of hell. She poured cooking oil on me, and lit me on fire. As I burned, I knew the Lord would save me. Would make me whole again, and allow me to do his bidding on earth.
BOB lifts a huge PHOTO ALBUM from the top of the STEREO, and pages through it. He turns it toward EFRAM.
BOB (Cont.)
Read.
EFRAM’S eyes scan the page before him. It is a NEWSPAPER CLIPPING, OLD and YELLOWED.
BOB (Cont.)
Aloud, Efram.
EFRAM
(Stammering, scared)
O-ohh, o-o-k-k. “Portland Police discovered the body of a young woman on the banks of the Green River. It appeared she had been in the water for some time, erasing almost any chance of finding for-for-for...enn…sick evidence.”
BOB turns the page to another NEWSPAPER CLIPPING.
BOB
Read.
EFRAM
(Nodding)
Whatever you say, Bob.
EFRAM starts to read, eyes darting to BOB from time to time.
EFRAM (Cont.)
“Mr. and Mrs. Dale Cort of Grant’s Pass were found in their room at the Victory Motel. Mister Cort had been bludgeoned with a blunt object, but Missus Cort was burned severely, then sexually assaulted both pre and post mortem.”
BOB
Do you understand?
EFRAM
(Bursting into tears)
Y-y-yessss…
BOB
Good.
BOB pulls the MASK back into place over his EYES, drawing out a TASER and a CLAW HAMMER. EFRAM spews a litany of begging and pleading.
EFRAM
NonononononopleaseBob…I swear to fucking GOD I’ll never breathe a word of this shit to anybody, I FUCKING SWEAR!
BOB
Quiet Efram. Remember your place in the world. I can’t have you and Saul bringing attention onto me. I can’t have that. My work must continue, unabated.
EFRAM
No…
BOB shocks EFRAM with the TASER, holding the business end of the weapon against his skin until it starts to SMOKE. EFRAM screams at the top of his lungs, BEGGING for God to save him. BOB giggles like a schoolgirl as EFRAM begs. After a minute, BOB STRIKES EFRAM in the HEAD with the HAMMER, BLOOD squirting across BOB’S LEGS and CHEST. EFRAM, tougher than BOB expected, squirming to get loose. BOB slams the HAMMER into his HEAD again, and EFRAM stops moving. BOB unties him from the CHAIR, bends him over the CHAIR, and yanks down his pants. As BOB drops his own UNDERWEAR, he is HUMMING.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN ON:
EXT. BAR-NIGHT
SAUL leans against the wall outside the BAR, waiting for CINDY.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
7:04 P.M.
CUT TO:
EXT. BAR- NIGHT
CINDY steps out and smiles at SAUL. They walk to SAUL’S HOT ROD, parked in front of the BAR. He opens the door for her.
CUT TO:
INT. SAUL’S HOT ROD-NIGHT
SAUL hops into the driver’s seat beside CINDY.
SAUL
Where to?
CINDY
I thought you were taking ME out? Where do you wanna go?
SAUL
It’s your town. Show me around.
CINDY
Well…are you hungry?
SAUL
Could eat a horse.
She smiles.
CINDY
I know a nice place for Italian.
SAUL
Italian it is.
SAUL fires the engine, and they back out.
CUT TO:
INT. FREDDIE’S CAR-NIGHT
FREDDIE is parked across the STREET, watching SAUL and CINDY depart. He keys his engine and pulls into the sparse traffic behind them.
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAFFIC-NIGHT
SAUL’S HOT ROD weaves through the sparse TRAFFIC of the MAIN DRAG, followed TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND by FREDDIE’S CADDY. A light rain has started to fall. SAUL’S HOT ROD comes to a stop a few seconds later in front of a RESTAURANT called DICICCO’S BISTRO.
CUT TO:
EXT. DICICCO’S BISTRO-NIGHT
SAUL hops out of the car, and pops open CINDY’S DOOR, taking her hand. As he helps her out, his eyes dart around, paranoid. They walk inside.
CUT TO:
INT. DICICCO’S BISTRO-NIGHT
SAUL and CINDY are seated at a BOOTH by the window, chatting quietly. The BISTRO is all old-world elegance: WINE BOTTLE in wicker, a loaf of CRUSTY ITALIAN BREAD on the TABLE between them, the waiters in red and white striped shirts and boaters. SAUL has changed his clothes, dressed in a clean shirt and jeans. CINDY is still in her WORK CLOTHES. They are in the middle of a “getting to know you” conversation.
CINDY
So, what brings you to Braddock?
SAUL
Well…My buddy Efram and I got into some bad people for money, and they called in the marker before we had the cash. They weren’t willing to wait for the cash, so we split. Efram has…gambling problems. We ended up here because a guy we knew in high school lives here now, and he was willing to let us crash here until we could pay up our debts.
CINDY
Oh? What’s your friend’s name? It’s a small town, and I know almost everyone. Maybe I know your friend.
SAUL
(Smirking)
Well…I doubt a class act like you would know this shitbird. Bob Buchanan is his name.
CINDY makes a face.
CINDY
As a matter of fact, I do know Bob. When he was first in town, he used to come into the bar a lot. He was always super polite, but…I don’t know. Something about him always made me a little nervous. Something in his smile, or maybe the way he always brought me a rose when he came in. I don’t know. I hate to think I’m so shallow that that scar on his head would disgust me, but…I don’t know. Bob freaks me out.
SAUL
No shit. Bob freaks everyone out. He’s a little…strange. I think his mom abused him when he was little or something, and he took a lot of shit in high school about his scar and his weirdness. Everyone heaped abuse on the guy. It’s no wonder that he got the fuck out of town after graduation.
Sympathy overrides CINDY’S face.
CINDY
He stopped coming in after about a year. He asked me out, I turned him down and he never came back. I wasn’t even sure he was still in town.
SAUL
Yeah. He lives in this fucking pigsty. You’d have to see it to believe it. Does a lot of rambling about God-
CINDY
The last refuge of the crazy!
SAUL
(Laughs)
Yup. He just sits around praying and snorting speed, far as I can tell.
CINDY
(Nodding)
How long will you be in town then?
SAUL looks hard at her, chewing his lip.
SAUL
Not long. As soon as our troubles die down, we’re outta here.
She nods. Their dinners arrive, streaming plates of SPAGHETTI and EGGPLANT. SAUL digs in, wolfing his food. CINDY watches him a moment before digging in.
CINDY
A man came to see me today. Showed me a picture of you.
SAUL stops chewing, noodles hanging from his mouth. His eyes lock with hers.
SAUL
Is that right?
CINDY
(Nodding)
Yeah. Big, Italian looking, and very rude.
SAUL’S eyes WIDEN, and he spits his food into a napkin. She becomes GUARDED.
CINDY (Cont.)
Look…I don’t know you very well, but what I know I like. And I would like to see you again. But if you’re in some kind of big time trouble…
SAUL waves a hand.
SAUL
Slow down…go back…did you get his name?
CINDY
No…should I have?
SAUL
I gotta go.
CINDY
(Taken aback)
Now?
SAUL
Yeah. Right now.
SAUL tosses a twenty on the TABLE.
SAUL (Cont.)
Get a cab home.
He DARTS in and KISSES her quickly. She starts to speak, but he shushes her.
SAUL (Cont.)
(Looking in her eyes)
I know. I like you too. Finish eating before you leave.
SAUL runs to the back of the BISTRO, grabbing a PAY PHONE outside the MEN’S ROOM.
CUT TO:
EXT, DICICCO’S BISTRO-NIGHT
FREDDIE steps from his CADDY and walks up to the doors of the BISTRO, peeking in the WINDOW. He SEES CINDY, sitting alone, eating.
FREDDIE
Motherfucker pulled a slip on me! FUCK!
CUT TO:
INT. DICICCO’S BISTRO-NIGHT
FREDDIE yanks the doors open, strides inside with a purpose. The HOST steps up, holding a MENU.
HOST
(Italian accented)
Good evening, sir. A table for one?
FREDDIE
No thanks, paisano. I’m looking for this kid.
FREDDIE holds up the PICTURE.
FREDDIE
Seen him?
HOST
I thinka he went in the back…to the toilet. He was sitting with the lady over there.
The HOST points.
FREDDIE
Thanks again.
FREDDIE slips him a $50 DOLLAR BILL.
CUT TO:
INT. BISTRO PAY PHONE-NIGHT
SAUL listens to the mindless ringing of the phone, eyes darting around every few seconds. He looks over at CINDY, eating alone. At last, the phone picks up.
It’s BOB.
BOB (Off)
(From phone)
Yeah?
SAUL
Bob?
BOB (Off)
(From phone)
Saul?
SAUL
Yeah, listen. I need you to haul ass over here to DiCicco’s Bistro, now, got me?
I need a ride. I’ll be waiting around back.
BOB (Off)
(From phone)
What’s the matter with your car? Got a flat?
SAUL
No, I just need you to come give me a ride, NOW.
BOB (Off)
(From Phone)
I’m kinda busy just now, Saul.
SAUL
(Pissed)
GODDAMNIT BOB! I need a ride RIGHT NOW! Put Efram on the Goddamn phone!
BOB (Off)
(From phone)
I can’t. He’s gone.
BOB hangs up. SAUL’S lips curl back as he fights off an explosion of RAGE. Then he SEES FREDDIE, and steps back into the MEN’S ROOM.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
BOB stands, naked and splattered in BLOOD. He grips the PHONE in one hand, a pair of GORE CAKED GARDEN SHEARS in the other. He drops the PHONE to the FLOOR, where it buzzes mindlessly, then saunters O.C.
CUT TO:
INT. DICICCO’S BISTRO MEN’S ROOM- NIGHT
SAUL stands in front of a URINAL, pretending to piss, trying to form a plan, when FREDDIE walks into the john. SAUL glances at him, then DOUBLE TAKES. FREDDIE GRINS.
FREDDIE
Hey punk. Miss me?
SAUL
(Steeling himself)
C’mon!
FREDDIE CHARGES SAUL, wrapping his arms around his WAIST and driving him into the WALL. SAUL exhales with a WOOFING sound, and then plants three HARD elbows into FREDDIE’S bull neck. FREDDIE responds by slugging SAUL in the STOMACH with a THREE PUNCH combination, standing with his feet planted like a BOXER. SAUL doubles over, and FREDDIE KNEES him in the face. SAUL slides down the wall.
FREDDIE
(Spitting on SAUL)
Little faggot! Thought you could get away from me?
FREDDIE kicks SAUL in the face, breaking his NOSE audibly, BLOOD running down his FACE. SAUL slides a HAND behind his back, reaching for his PISTOL. FREDDIE sees the move and BANGS SAUL’S HEAD off the wall and reaches down, taking SAUL’S PISTOL. He calmly pulls the slide back, CHAMBERING the first ROUND.
FREDDIE
How’s this, you little bitch? I’m gonna plug you in the head twice, then I’m gonna take that little bar slut you’re fuckin’ and bang her up the ass. Then I’m gonna find your boyfriend and kill him too.
SAUL can only spit BLOOD as FREDDIE points the PISTOL at him.
FREDDIE
Ready to die?
SAUL
Yeah. Do it.
FREDDIE
Tough guy to the end, huh?
Without responding, SAUL kicks FREDDIE in the KNEE CAP with all his weight. FREDDIE screams as his leg hyper extends, the KNEE CAP popping loud in the confined room. He falls to his KNEES, making him SCREAM again.
FREDDIE (Cont.)
Ohhhhhhh motherfuckerrrrrrrrr!
SAUL stands and KICKS FREDDIE in the FACE, BLOOD shooting out of his NOSE. FREDDIE still grips the PISTOL and FIRES TWICE. The slugs BLAST chips out of the walls, missing SAUL. FREDDIE falls onto his back, takes aim as SAUL moves for the DOOR, and PULLS THE TRIGGER. The BULLET smashes into SAUL’S SIDE, knocking him down. SAUL grimaces as the pain courses through his body. FREDDIE pushes himself to his feet and limps to SAUL, pointing the GUN at him. SAUL clutches at his ruined side, black BLOOD oozing through his FINGERS.
FREDDIE
GET UP, PUNK!
SAUL
(Coughing loudly)
I…can’t.
In the DISTANCE, we hear SIRENS.
FREDDIE
GET THE FUCK UP NOW!
SAUL
(Chuckling)
It’s over, man. Finish it.
FREDDIE
(Nodding)
Gonna take like a real hombre, huh?
SAUL
Yeah. Finish it.
FREDDIE levels the PISTOL at SAUL’S FACE, and PULLS the TRIGGER.
Click! The PISTOL is EMPTY. SAUL GRINS MADLY.
SAUL
You’re a fuck up. Face it.
FREDDIE grabs SAUL by the hair, and DRAGS him to his feet. They MARCH out of the MEN’S ROOM.
CUT TO:
INT. DICICCO’S BISTRO-NIGHT
FREDDIE drags SAUL to the EMERGENCY EXIT, away from the now deserted DINING ROOM of the RESTAURANT. A COP rounds the corner, PISTOL DRAWN. FREDDIE pulls out his .357 MAGNUM and casually SHOOTS him in the FACE. The COP goes down with a THUMP.
CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND DICICCO’S BISTRO-NIGHT
FREDDIE and SAUL bang out the EMERGENCY EXIT, where SAUL collapses to the GROUND, BLOOD POURING out of his SIDE. FREDDIE stands over him, watching him DIE.
SAUL
(Blood spurting from his mouth)
Just…leave…Efram alone. Blame it on me.
FREDDIE
(Softening)
No can-do kid.
FREDDIE’S head darts up as POLICE DOME LIGHTS flash across the ALLEY’S WALLS. He screws the SILENCER onto his PISTOL, aims it SAUL’S HEAD and fires TWICE. SAUL jerks and DIES in the muddy water.
CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEY-NIGHT
FREDDIE quickly jimmies the door of a JEEP, and hops in. In seconds, the ENGINE coughs to life. The JEEP peels out of the ALLEY.
CUT TO:
INT. DICICCO’S BISTRO-NIGHT
CINDY sits in the BOOTH she shared with SAUL, giving a statement to a UNIFORMED COP.
COP
Ma’am, did you know the victim long?
CINDY
(Shaken)
No…I just met him today.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
8:25 P.M.
CUT TO:
INT. DICICCO’S BISTRO-NIGHT
CINDY sits shaking, upset. The COP rests his hand on hers, trying to be merciful.
COP
Did he seem suspicious or troubled?
CINDY
I really don’t know. I really didn’t know him. All I really know is that he was staying out at Bob Buchanan’s place.
The COP exchanges looks with A PLAIN CLOTHES COP who walks into frame.
COP
Bob Buchanan’s?
UNIFORMED COP
He’s the fre-ummm guy with the burn on his head, right?
CINDY
Yeah. He lives out on Luna, I think.
CUT TO:
EXT. BOB’S PLACE-NIGHT
FREDDIE’S JEEP squeals to a stop in front of BOB’S. FREDDIE leaps out, walks up to the DOOR and KICKS it in.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
FREDDIE stomps inside, and immediately slaps a hand over his face, wincing. He pulls out his HANDKERCHIEF and clamps it over his MOUTH and NOSE. He slides his .357 out of his COAT and looks around. PAN around the LIVING ROOM: it is the same as it was earlier, except that BLOOD paints the walls, and CHUCKS of GORE are splattered on the FLOOR. A small animal is CRUCIFIED over the DOORWAY leading to the KITCHEN.
FREDDIE
What the fuck?
FREDDIE creeps into the HALLWAY and spots the TRAPDOOR in the FLOOR, standing OPEN. He descends with his PISTOL DRAWN.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S BASEMENT-NIGHT
FREDDIE comes out in the BASEMENT. On the FLOOR is EFRAM, mutilated, his HANDS and FEET cut off. His HEAD rests atop a spike driven into the FLOOR beside his BODY. FREDDIE’S EYES grow HUGE in his face as he takes in the HORROR. He HOLDS the PHOTO up beside EFRAM’S disembodied head and compares.
FREDDIE
What the fuck is this?
From BEHIND FREDDIE, BOB steps from the SHADOWS, an IRON in his HAND. FREDDIE hears his FOOTSTEPS and whirls, PISTOL pointed at BOB. FREDDIE and BOB circle each other. BOB smiles, upper TEETH bared.
FREDDIE
What? You want some you fat freak?
BOB swings the IRON at FREDDIE’S WRIST, catching him squarely. The IRON HISSES as it makes contact with flesh.
FREDDIE
Owwwwwww!
The .357 MAGNUM falls to the FLOOR. FREDDIE PUNCHES BOB in the MOUTH hard, sending him back into the wall. FREDDIE looks at his ruined WRIST, the SKIN red and blistered. BOB uses the distraction and STOMPS on FREDDIE’S FOOT, and then DECKS him with the IRON. FREDDIE hits the FLOOR with a THUD. BOB kicks the GUN out of reach, leans over and PRESSES the IRON to FREDDIE’S FOREHEAD. It HISSES and SIZZLES against his skin. FREDDIE SCREAMS.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN ON:
BOB pressing the IRON to FREDDIE’S PALMS, one then the other.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN ON:
BOB, now dressed in FREDDIE’S CLOTHES. FREDDIE is on the FLOOR, TWITCHING and WRITHING IN AGONY. AS FREDDIE’S EYES roll up to BOB’S, BOB presses the IRON to his own PALMS, never flinching, then slips on GLOVES.
BOB
Goodbye and thank you.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
FIVE UNIFORMED COPS brace the SHATTERED FRONT DOOR. The PLAINCLOTHES COP steps inside between them.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S HALLWAY-NIGHT
BOB slides the TRAPDOOR closed with the grace of a master thief, silently.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S BATHROOM-NIGHT
BOB slips out the WINDOW, and drops to the GROUND outside.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
The clutch of COPS moves in a unit, turning into the HALL.
INT. BOB’S HALLWAY-NIGHT-CONTINUOUS
The PLAINCLOTHES COP sees the TRAPDOOR and tugs it OPEN. He descends into the BASEMENT, followed by three others. The remaining COPS stand watch.
CUT TO:
EXT. BOB’S HOUSE-NIGHT
BOB, a hat pulled over his ruined HEAD, walks calmly up to his own RUSTY OLD TRUCK. A single uniformed COP leans on it. He raises a hand to stop BOB, who shoots him with the SILENCED .357 PISTOL, and tosses him into the BED of the TRUCK. He climbs into the CAB of the TRUCK, and DRIVES away.
CUT TO:
INT. BOB’S BASEMENT-NIGHT
The COPS move cautiously into the BASEMENT, and survey the wreckage of EFRAM’S BODY. The PLAINCLOTHES COP kneels beside FREDDIE, who lays on the FLOOR, HANDS burnt, FACE and FOREHEAD scalded to the point of blistering. His HAIR is burnt away from his FOREHEAD, leaving a PINK PATCH the SAME SIZE as BOB’S SCARRED HEAD.
PLAINCLOTHES COP
You Bob Buchanan?
FREDDIE only moans, strange gurgling noises emanating from his mouth.
PLAINCLOTHES COP
Can you talk, mister?
More noises from FREDDIE. He opens his mouth, and blood trickles out. CLOSE UP on FREDDIE’S MOUTH: he has NO TONGUE. It has been clipped out cleanly, as if with a pair of GARDEN SHEARS.
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD:
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
48 HOURS LATER
3:25 A.M.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRENDA BUCHANAN’S HOUSE-NIGHT
We cut to the overgrown and wild yard of BRENDA BUCHANAN, BOB’S MOTHER. DETECTIVE SCHMIDT and several UNIFORMED COPS are milling about, walking in and out. SCHMIDT watches as a STRETCHER covered by a sheet is carried out by two large EMTs. SCHMIDT turns to one of the COPS.
SCHMIDT
Details?
COP
Seems she was asleep in bed and somebody came in and shoved a knife through her throat. But get this: she’s the mother of one Robert Buchanan, age 28, current residence Braddock, Oregon.
SCHMIDT
The Green River Killer’s mother?
COP
Looks that way.
SCHMIDT
Jesus fuckin’ Christ. What is going on in this city? A fuckin’ homicide festival?
COP
It gets better.
SCHMIDT
(Rolling his eyes)
Jesus, what now?
COP
She was fucked post mortem. Just like the Green River Murders.
SCHMIDT lights a SMOKE, leans on a CAR.
SCHMIDT
Bury that. I don’t want it getting out that the yokels in Oregon got the wrong perp.
COP
What if their boy is in town Lieutenant?
SCHMIDT
Then we deal with it. Last thing we need is a goddamn panic on our hands.
COP
Yes sir.
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDA BUCHANAN’S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
SCHMIDT walks into the crime scene, eyes intense as he searches for something that the uniforms might have missed. He slips on rubber gloves, carefully moves around photos on top of an end table. He picks one in particular, a snapshot of BOB, CLOVIS, EFRAM, SAUL, and HARLOW from their high school days. All are young and fresh-faced, dressed in their graduation robes. Without giving it a second thought, he sits it back down and makes his way to the BEDROOM.
INT. BRENDA BUCHANAN’S BEDROOM-NIGHT-CONTINUOUS
We follow SCHMIDT into the BEDROOM. It is a BLOODY MESS, the BED soaked. On the WALL over the HEADBOARD is a MESSAGE in BLOOD: MY TIME HAS NOT YET COME. SCHMIDT SHUDDERS, then pokes carefully, gently at the bed. Nothing. Lifts the PILLOW, drenched in BLOOD. A PHOTO is tucked underneath. It is the PHOTO FREDDIE used to while tracking SAUL and EFRAM. SCHMIDT’S brow furrows, and he exits.
INT. BRENDA BUCHANAN’S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT-CONTINUOUS
SCHMIDT lifts the picture of BOB and SAUL’S GANG from graduation, and holds it up beside the picture he found in BRENDA’S BEDROOM. A look of dawning comprehension fills his tired face, and he darts out of frame.
CUT TO:
INT. MIKE’S DOWNTOWN BAR-NIGHT
EDGAR THE BARKEEP leans on the BAR, watching TV with SALLY THE HOOKER. They are the only two in the BAR. On the TV is the NEWSCASTER with the perfect HAIR and SMILE. EDGAR lifts the REMOTE and cranks the volume.
NEWSCASTER
(On the TV)
….And in national news, suspected Green River Killer Bob Buchanan was arraigned on twenty-six counts of First Degree Murder…
A photo of the now horribly BURNED FREDDIE D’ANGELO is displayed on the TV.
NEWSCASTER (Cont.)
(From the TV)
Although police in Braddock, Oregon arrested the suspect in his home, no one is sure if his real name is Bob Buchanan, or if it’s an alias, as the suspect has no fingerprints. It is believed he burned them off just minutes before the police arrived at his home.
A PHOTO of SAUL’S FACE is displayed on the screen.
NEWSCASTER (Cont.)
(From the TV)
The suspect is also believed to have shot and killed one Saul Anselmo just an hour before his apprehension, in the parking lot behind a local eatery. There is no known motive for the murder. Buchanan will stand trial in six weeks.
In other news, no new leads have been established in the gangland-styled execution murders of Nathan Ashcroft, 36, a software designer, and his wife Melanie, 32, a homemaker. The couple was discovered one week ago, shot to death in their Rosemont home…
EDGAR snaps off the TV, sighing, and tosses back a shot of tequila. SALLY sips the last of her WHISKEY SOUR, and looks at EDGAR.
SALLY
It’s a shame about that couple being murdered. I can’t imagine what must have been going on with them for that to happen.
EDGAR
They probably had it comin’. You can never tell.
SALLY
Edgar, that’s an awful thing to say!
EDGAR
Prolly had gambling debts or something.
SALLY
Did that Clovis guy ever come back in? He was sweet in a weird way, lying about kidnapping that kid and all to impress me.
EDGAR smirks.
EDGAR
Yeah, ‘Ol Clovis is a sweetie. Haven’t seen him since that night he was gabbin’ your ear off. He had no idea you sell it, ya know?
EDGAR busts up laughing.
SALLY
You’re such a pig Edgar. Sometimes it’s nice to think a guy hits on me for more than a quick fuck.
EDGAR
What makes you think you’re good for anything else?
SALLY
You prick!
She throws ice at him. After a moment, they both laugh.
EDGAR
Need a ride home?
SALLY
Nah. I’m gonna walk.
EDGAR
Ok. I gotta lock up, so scoot on out of here.
SALLY picks up her bag and sashays out the door.
EXT. SLUMMY NEIGHBORHOOD-NIGHT-CONTINUOUS
SALLY strolls out, down the dark, slummy streets of a bad neighborhood. Villains loiter in doorways, thugs smoke Crack on the hoods of their cars and johns couple in the darkness of alleys with used up tricks. SALLY strides past all of it, unafraid and jaded, ignoring the footfalls behind her. After a few moments, she turns to see who is following her. BOB is standing there, his head SHAVED, wearing a CHICAGO BEARS sweatshirt.
SALLY
Do something for ya, sweetie?
BOB
(Nervous)
I was wondering if you were still on duty, or whatever.
SALLY laughs.
SALLY
Honey, I’m always “on duty.”
BOB
Can I maybe purchase an hour of your time?
SALLY
A whole hour huh?
She smiles flirtatiously, unaware of the disaster she invites.
BOB
(Fidgeting)
I mostly wanna talk.
SALLY
If you got a hundred bucks, we can do anything you want.
BOB shows her a wad of cash.
SALLY (Cont.)
Come on up then, honey.
BOB and SALLY vanish into her rundown apartment building. Seconds later, we hear an ear splitting SHRIEK.
FADE TO BLACK
CREDITS ROLL OVER JAWBREAKER’S EYE-5.
Completed
2/4/2002
Original Draft
11/1996