SAFE HOUSE
By: Bill Morroni
FADE IN:
EXT. FOOTBALL GOAL POSTS AGAINST BLUE SKY - DAY
DISTORTED CHEERING: "JOHNNY, JOHNNY HE'S OUR MAN. IF HE
CAN'T DO IT NO ONE CAN" (Continue: Mike, Bill, Tom, etc.) CREDITS ALONG SIDE:
NICKI, a high school cheerleader, honey haired, pure, the
girl next door, leaps against the sky. She lands bouncing
with energy. JOHNNY, the quarterback, stands against the sky. He takes
off his helmet revealing a clean cut, handsome, sandy haired
young man. Smiling he reaches out and draws Nicki next to
him. Hand in hand they walk off. KIM, a pretty little Asian cheerleader enters. Her black
hair accents her dark concerned expression. She calls after
Nicki, waving for her to came back, NICKI looks back at her,
for a moment undecided. Then Johnny smiles at Nicki, puts
his arm around her waist and leads her into: INT. JOHNNY'S BEDROOM - DAY
NICKI looks uncomfortable sitting on the edge of Johnny's
bed. She sips a beer and makes the face of a first time drinker.
A Teddy Bear is tossed at her, she catches it and looks
confused. JOHNNY, smoking a joint, sits on the bed next to Nicki, which
makes her even more nervous. Johnny zips open the back of
the bear revealing his drug stash. He passes her the joint.
She refuses. He insists. Reluctantly Nicki takes a hit and coughs. Nicki weakly smiles
back at him, then looks confused again as he holds a tiny
spoon full of coke up to her nose. Nicki tries to push the drug away but Johnny insists, almost
forcing the spoon up her nose. Reluctantly she sniffs up
the coke. Smiling, he rewards her with a tender kiss. She
responds until he starts to push her down on the bed. She
tries to push him away, but he overpowers her, pushing up
her sweater. Suddenly another set of HANDS are holding her
down. Then a lot more HANDS are pulling off her clothes, grabbing
at her, pulling open her thighs. NICKI'S P.O.V. - Johnny looms over her.
JOHNNY
(Distorted)
Relax, enjoy it. Come on, where's
your team spirit? EIGHT LEERING, SWEATY BOY'S FACES loom in all around her in
constantly changing positions as Johnny and his teammates
take their turns or spoon coke at her. VARIOUS TEAMMATES
(Distorted)
We'll say it was your idea... It's
your word against all of ours,
Sweetheart... You're so tight,
Baby... We'll tell everyone that
you're a slut... We'll say we paid
you in coke...
(Ad-Lib) DISTORTED CHEERING UP AND OUT - END CREDITS
NICKI
(Distorted, pleading,
V.O.)
Please ...please ...stop ...LET ME
GO...STOP...! DISSOLVE
INT. JIMMY TRANH'S BEDROOM - DAY
It's decorated in black lacquer and lots of chrome, very
modern and expensive. NICKI, now nineteen and blonder, is sprawled on the bed
asleep. Her nude body is barely covered by the black sheets. She struggles in her sleep, still having the nightmare.
NICKI'S DISTORTED PLEADING BECOMES:
VIETNAMESE GANG
(Shouting, O.S.)
...STOP! LET ME GO! WATCH OUT! BU
HAO! GRAB HIM! TING! GET HIM! Nicki stirs, awakened by the noise. Shaking off the dream,
she goes to the window to investigate. EXT. NICKI'S P.O.V. - SECLUDED BACKYARD POOL - DAY
SIX YOUNG VIETNAMESE GANG MEMBERS are chasing CHANG LEE a
middle aged Asian, around the pool. They finally gang tackle
him. The struggling pile of bodies sorts out. The gang holds
Chang while JIMMY TRANH and DOUGHBOY step back and look Chang
over. Jimmy is the gangs leader. Doughboy is his buffed
out lieutenant. DOUGHBOY
Let me, Jimmy. JIMMY
No! This Lao-shu is mine. Jimmy grabs Chang by his ear and whispers.
JIMMY
Lao-shu. Chinese for rat, right? CHANG
We had a deal! JIMMY
There's only one way to deal with
rats. Jimmy settles into a martial arts stance while his gang forms
a circle around him and Chang. Chang looks around and settles into a martial arts stance.
CHANG
Six against one? INT. JIMMY TRANH'S BEDROOM - DAY
NICKI watches out the window.
JIMMY (O.S.)
I don't need help stepping on a rat. EXT. THE POOL - DAY
JIMMY & CHANG circle each other. In a flurry of punches and
kicks Chang attacks Jimmy, who casually blocks each without
having to give ground. Jimmy uses judo on the last punch to
throw Chang to the ground. Chang springs back on his feet, concerned by his lack of
success. JIMMY
I'm waiting. Chang snarls and attacks with renewed purpose.
Again, Jimmy fends off each punch and kick without effort
and without giving ground. This time he catches CHANG's
last punch in a martial arts hold that pins his arm painfully. JIMMY
You're not very good. Jimmy applies pressure to the hold.
SHARP CRACK
CHANG's arm breaks.
CHANG
AHHHHH! YOU MOTHER FUCKING... Chang drops to the ground holding his broken arm.
Jimmy puts one arm behind his back.
JIMMY
There, now it's still a fair fight. Sweating, Chang sticks his broken arm in his shirt then
attacks, using a series of spinning kicks to Jimmy's head
and legs. VIETNAMESE GANG
WATCH HIM! LOOK OUT! GET HIM, JIMMY! Jimmy ducks and dodges without giving ground, finally ending
the attack by grabbing one of CHANG's legs in a hold similar
to the hold he used on CHANG's arm. Jimmy smiles.
Chang panics.
CHANG
Please, please. No - no, not my
leg...AHHHH! Jimmy sweeps down with his elbow CRACKING CHANG's knee.
Chang balances on one leg, cursing. Jimmy flows into the
Crane stance, standing on one leg, then quickly delivers his
first and last blow of the fight, a one legged kick to the
head. INT. JIMMY TRANH'S BEDROOM - DAY
SHARP CRACK
NICKI looks away from the window, sickened. She steps back
shocked and trembling as she realizes she has witnessed a
murder. EXT. THE POOL - DAY
Dead, CHANG collapses.
The curtains on the second floor bedroom window shake, as if
they just closed or were blown by a breeze. MAX, the biggest
gang member, points to the window. MAX
Jimmy! Jimmy looks up at the window.
JIMMY
Did she see? Max shrugs, unsure.
JIMMY
I better check. DOUGHBOY
What about...? He jerks his thumb at Chang's body.
Jimmy leans over the body, a switch blade knife flashes in
his hand, then he cuts off Chang's ring finger and tosses it
to Doughboy. JIMMY
Save this. Make the rest into egg
rolls. Jimmy exits as his gang drags the body away.
INT. JIMMY TRANH'S BEDROOM - DAY
THE SOUND OF SHOWERING
JIMMY enters. He takes a vial of coke and a gold coke spoon
from the dresser and goes into the bathroom. INT. JIMMY'S BATHROOM - DAY
NICKI'S shape can be seen through the steamy glass shower
door. JIMMY enters. NICKI
That you, Jimmy? JIMMY
How long have you been in the shower? In the shower Nicki struggles to sound calm.
NICKI
Any longer and I'll wrinkle. JIMMY (O.S.)
Come on out. NICKI
In a minute. He opens the shower door.
JIMMY
I want you. Now! He reaches in and pulls her to him. They kiss.
NICKI
I'm getting your clothes wet... She slips back into the shower and starts to close the door.
Jimmy holds up the vial of coke. Nicki's expression changes
from fear to anticipation. Smiling, she steps out to the
shower and reaches for the gold spoon. NICKI
For me? Jimmy holds the vial out of reach with one hand and grasps
her wrist with the other, bending it back in a painful judo
hold. JIMMY
I don't see any wrinkles. How long
have you been in the shower? NICKI
I don't know, awhile, THAT HURTS! JIMMY
Were you watching out the window? He applies more pressure, Nicki winces with pain, she is
scared he will catch her lying. NICKI
No, Jimmy. I've been in the shower
since I got up. Please, Honey, that
hurts. He lets her go.
JIMMY
Do you love me? NICKI
You know I do. She snorts and the coke relaxes her expression.
JIMMY
You'd never lie to me, would you? NICKI
Never! She kisses him.
His hand slides eagerly from her butt to her breast.
NICKI
I have to get home. I haven't seen
my Dad in two days. She tries to disengage herself, hut he holds her tighter.
JIMMY
See him later... NICKI
Come on, Jimmy, I have to... He silences her with a finger to her lips.
JIMMY
...I know what's best for you. He gives her another spoon of coke, then picks her up and
carries her into the bedroom. EXT. JIMMY'S HOUSE - BINOCULAR MATTE - DAY
A Van pulls out of the gated driveway, on its side in black
letters: HONG HING'S TAKE OUT & DELIVERY. MAX holds the
gate as the Van drives off. TONY (O.S.)
Only a slope could eat that garbage
before lunch. EXT. UNMARKED SEDAN - DAY
TONY passes the binoculars to his partner JASON. Jason is
28 and has the wholesome blonde good looks of a Mormon from
Utah. TONY, 25, is handsome in a dark Italian way, with the
accent and crude personality of a street wise New Yorker. JASON
Better Chinese than that junk food
you eat. Jason looks through the binoculars.
EXT. JIMMY'S HOUSE - BINOCULAR MATTE - DAY
NICKI, in a convertible, drives out of the gate and down the
hill. She looks relieved to be away from the place, JASON (O.S.)
...Look at that! TONY (O.S.)
Let me see! EXT. UNMARKED SEDAN - DAY
TONY snatches the binoculars from Jason.
JASON
How can a beautiful girl like that
stomach a fucking scum-bag like Jimmy
Tranh. TONY
She's a coke whore, you powder her
nose and she polishes your tool,
licks your stick, stiffens your
resolve, rubs your chub... JASON
You eat with that filthy mouth? He takes the binoculars back from Tony.
EXT. CONVERTIBLE - BINOCULAR MATTE - DAY
NICKI, her hair blowing sensuously in the breeze, drives
off. EXT. TELEPHONE BOOTH - DAY
NICKI drives up, gets out and steps into the phone booth.
There's a moment of indecision, then she conquers her fear
and dials 911. OPERATOR
(Phone filtered)
Nine-one-one emergency, can I help
you?... Hello?...Is someone
there?...Can you hear me?...If you're
injured and unable to... Fear reclaims Nicki, she hangs up and dials a seven digit
number. NICKI
Hey! Its me. I have to talk to
you. Now. Can I come over? She listens, then hangs up, gets into her car and speeds
off, tires SQUEALING. INT. KIM'S APARTMENT - DAY
TEA KETTLE WHISTLING
KIM, looking just as she did in Nicki's nightmare but wearing
a robe, turns off the gas and takes the tea kettle off the
stove. NICKI (O.S.)
It was horrible. Nicki sits at the kitchen table, her face buried in her hands.
Kim fills the tea cups then sits next to Nicki.
KIM
Call the police! NICKI
I tried, but I keep remembering how
he grabbed me in the shower and the
look in his eyes...(Shudder)...If I
rat he'd kill me. She takes a vial of coke from her purse and spoons some up
each nostril, the fear and tension leave her face. Kim
refuses the coke. NICKI
If I tell you something, promise you
won't think I'm awful. KIM
What? NICKI
We did it, right after, and it was
the best I'd ever had. Jimmy has
never been so excited. KIM
No way. NICKI
Multiples! Came so much I almost
passed out. Nicki spoons more coke up her nose, while Kim watches,
concerned. KIM
How much of that stuff ya doing? NICKI
I can quit anytime. I'm a little
upset now, my boyfriend just killed
some guy in front me. KIM
I warned you he was a gang banger. NICKI
I know, I always pick the wrong man.
You got to help me get rid of him. KIM
Oh no, don't get me involved. Nicki takes Kim's hand and pleads.
NICKI
It'll be easy. Max already has the
hots' for you. KIM
He's a fucking gorilla! NICKI
That makes it easier. The first
time he gropes you, you storm out
and I go with you. Please Kim, you
have to help me.... Against her better judgment, Kim is thinking about it. Nicki
senses victory. NICKI
...You'll be saving my life. KIM
O.K., O.K., but I'm not doing it for
you. I'm doing it for your Grandpa.
If anything happened to you it would
kill that sweet old man. INT. ARTHUR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
On the mantel is a picture of NICKI'S Mother and Father.
Next to it an older picture of her Grandfather, ARTHUR,
looking young and handsome in his army uniform. The picture
frame has two hand grenades supporting it, one on each side.
An older, stockier, ARTHUR sits at the head of the dining
room table playing solitaire. NICKI, carrying two arm loads of groceries lets herself in
the front door. NICKI
Hi PaPa! She walks over to the dinner table and puts down the
groceries. ARTHUR
Long time no see, Princess. NICKI
Sorry. She kisses him on the cheek, then looks over the cards and
plays the red ten on the black Jack. ARTHUR
Thanks. I wish you'd call me if
you're going to be gone two days. I
worry, Pam. NICKI
Nicole. I want to be called Nicole
or Nicki. Not "Pam" it sounds like
a toilet bowl cleaner. ARTHUR
Your mother picked "Pamela". NICKI
I have to change. She starts down the hall.
ARTHUR
You're going out again! NICKI
I got to dance. She dances into her bedroom.
INT. NICKI BEDROOM - NIGHT
Her room is pink and lacy with lots of dolls stuffed on the
shelves, but no teddy bears. NICKI enters and slips out of her jeans and tee shirt.
ARTHUR (O.S.)
You coming home for your birthday? NICKI pauses with a sad thought.
NICKI
I wish Mom were here to bake my cake. ARTHUR (O.S.)
I'll do it, Princess. I have her
recipe. Lemon cake, with pink
icing... NICKI
(Whispers)
...Oh, and colored sprinkles. Nicki wipes away a tear before it can ruin her make up
ARTHUR (O.S.)
...Oh, and colored sprinkles... Nicki smiles and wiggles into a short, tight, red sequined
mini-cocktail dress. INT. ARTHUR' LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
ARTHUR also misty eyed.
ARTHUR
...I hope I can get all twenty candles
on it. NICKI (O.S.)
Yeah, I'm getting old! ARTHUR
Too old to be running around. It's
time to put away your toys and start
thinking of your future, making plans.
Remember that nice boy, Johnny, I
hear he's doing great at the junior... NICKI walks out of the hall.
NICKI
Don't start, PaPa...Please! She swirls around, modeling the dress.
NICKI
You like? ARTHUR
I hate! NICKI
Then I look sensational. She kisses him on the cheek and starts towards the door.
ARTHUR
Wait. I almost forgot... Arthur rolls from behind the dinner table, revealing that he
is in a wheelchair, He takes a catalogue and letter from
the kitchen counter and holds it out to Nicki. ARTHUR
...I got these for you. Nicki takes the mail without looking at it.
NICKI
Bye, PaPa! ARTHUR
At least look them over. Nicki exits. Arthur finishes going through the cards and
looses the solitaire game. He scoops up the cards and re-
shuffles them. ARTHUR
Damn, I never win. EXT. ARTHUR'S LITTLE TRACT HOUSE - NIGHT
On the way to her car NICKI runs into COREY, the next door
neighbors six year old son. Corey is carrying a toy. NICKI
Hi Corey, what do you have there? Corey holds up a Mr. Microphone, a toy that lets kids
broadcast over a regular AM radio. NICKI
You going to sing rock and roll or
country? COREY
Its not for singing. Its for bugging
my sisters room. Bye. He walks off. NICKI smiles after Corey, then she gets into
her car and fans through the mail. Its just a catalogue for the local junior college and a
application for the High School Equivalence Test. She tosses
them onto the passengers seat. INT. POLICE BRIEFING ROOM - NIGHT
CHANG LEES picture is projected on a screen in the dark
CROWDED room. Chang is dressed in a policeman's uniform. DETECTIVE CHONG is silhouetted against the screen.
DET. CHONG
...everyone wears vests, no
exceptions. And remember...
(He bangs on the screen)
...this one is ours. He CLICKS the slide projector remote and the picture on the
screen changes to a three story building with a brightly lit
lobby. DET. CHONG
...This is our objective, the top
floor. If everyone does their job,
no one gets hurt. The lights come on, the projector goes off and everyone heads
for the exits. Detective Chong joins JASON & TONY as they
exit. DET. CHONG
Anything new on Tranh's crew? JASON
Not yet, but he'll screw up sooner
or later. TONY
And when he does, we'll be watching. EXT. THREE STORY BUILDING - NIGHT
An old Cadillac limo and a couple of gang cars park in front.
INT. THE LIMO - NIGHT
JIMMY, NICKI, KIM and MAX sit in the back while DOUGHBOY
drives. Kim rolls down the window and looks out. KIM
This ain't the club? JIMMY
We got to give somebody the finger. All the men laugh as they pile out of the car.
NICKI
You know I don't like to be around
when you're doing business. JIMMY
Yeah, but you like to powder your
nose, so just shut up and wait here. He exits the Limo. Nicki finishes her drink and makes
another. KIM
Slow down, you're getting drunk. EXT. THREE STORY BUILDING - NIGHT
JIMMY and HIS GANG discreetly take automatic rifles and
shotguns from the Limo's trunk and hide them under their
long black overcoats. They enter the brightly lit lobby. There is a brief conference with the CHINESE GUARD, then
JIMMY hands him a envelope. The guard checks to make sure
its full of cash, then he exits the lobby and runs down the
street. Jimmy and the gang step into the elevator.
INT. THIRD FLOOR MARTIAL ARTS DO JO - NIGHT
LEE WANG, dressed in Mandarin robes, sits at a table in the
back of the Do Jo, TWO COLOMBIAN DRUG DEALERS sit next to
him. Around them, SIX heavily tattooed BOXERS practice the martial
arts, hand to hand, with nimchuks, with swords, with stars. Lee is checking a briefcase full of cocaine while the
Colombians inventory a briefcase full of cash. They look up
at: DING!
The floor indicator over the elevator door lights up. The
door opens and JIMMY and his GANG step out. MAX leans against
the elevator door, preventing them from closing. Jimmy looks over the room.
All the BOXERS stop practicing and stare back at Jimmy and
his gang. ONE BOXER steps forward and does a nimchuks routine, trying
to impress Jimmy and the gang. Unimpressed, Jimmy and his gang stroll into the Do Jo, leaving
MAX at the elevator, guarding their rear. LEE WANG
It is customary to bow when one enters
the presence of... JIMMY
Yeah, well its our custom to high
five! He slaps Doughboys hand, the rest of the Gang exchange high -
Fives. FIRST COLOMBIAN
What's this about? Jimmy SNAPS his fingers. Doughboy pulls a folded handkerchief
from his pocket and hands it to Jimmy. INT. LIMO - NIGHT
NICKI taps an empty vial of coke on a mirror while KIM
searches in her purse. NICKI
Not even a taste left, you got any? KIM
Nope, we'll have to wait for the
guys to get back. Nicki licks the mirror clean and finishes her drink, but is
still unsatisfied. NICKI
Well, I'm not waiting... She gets out of the car before Kim can stop her. Kim rolls
down the window and calls after her. KIM
Get back here...You're drunk. Nicki waves for Kim to wait and stumbles across the street.
A couple of unmarked black SUV's pull slowly around the corner INT. LOBBY - NIGHT
NICKI staggers in and pushes the button for the elevator,
then reluctantly she opens the door marked "stairs" and starts
climbing. INT. THIRD FLOOR DO JO - NIGHT
LEE WANG uses his fan to carefully unfold the handkerchief,
revealing CHANG'S finger, the distinctive ring still on it. LEE WANG
What is the meaning of this? JIMMY
That's Chang's finger. LEE WANG
So I see. JIMMY
Chang came to me, claimed he was
unhappy here. No chance for
promotion. He said he could make me
lots of money, if I made him my Number
two. Lee Wang looks nervous.
JIMMY
I agreed and he told me that you
would be doing "business" tonight... Jimmy casually closes the suitcases. The Colombians reach
inside their suit jackets, going for their guns. Lee motions
for them to wait, then waves his fan at Chang's finger. LEE WANG
And this is how you rewarded Chang. JIMMY
Today he's your problem, tomorrow
he'd be my problem, now he's nobodies
problem. LEE WANG
Thank you for solving my problem.
Now you may leave. JIMMY
Not yet, first I figure you owe me
for solving your problem... this
should just about cover it. JIMMY takes the two briefcases off the table, casually giving
them to his men. All the Boxers jump to their feet, most produce traditional
weapons, stars, nimchuks, swords. They start to attack but
pause when Jimmy and his crew pull their shotguns and
automatics. The stand off lasts a moment. LEE WANG
GET HIM! Before the Boxers can attack, Jimmy fires his shotgun at the
fluorescent ceiling lights. BOOM!
Sparks flash from the light fixture then the room goes dark.
BOOM!
The flash from the shotgun lights the scene. The boxer
nearest the gang is blown away, while the rest of the Boxers
are rushing forward. Jimmy and his gang are backing towards
the elevator. Blackness. RAT-TA-TA-TAT
The flashes from a machine pistol light the scene. Three
more boxers drop, one of Jimmy's gang is killed by a gunshot
from a COLOMBIAN. The crew piles into the elevator.
Blackness. INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
NICKI stops climbing the stairs and listens.
BOOM! RAT-TA-TAI!
NICKI
Fuck this. She turns and heads back down the stairs.
EXT. THREE STORY BUILDING - NIGHT
(Muffled) BOOM! BOOM!
Muzzle flashes light up the top floor. Down on the street
TONY, JASON, DET. CHONG and THREE POLICEMEN rush out of the
SUV's, past the Limo and into the lobby. Jason, Tony, Det. Chong and one cop run up the stairs while
the last two policemen station themselves by the elevator. INT. THIRD FLOOR DO JO - NIGHT
RAT-TA-TA-TA-TAT!
Rapid fire muzzle flashes light the scene. The BOXERS dive
for cover, LEE WANG and the COLOMBIANS hide behind the table. Then the elevator doors close leaving blackness and silence.
INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
NICKI runs down the stairs and into JASON, TONY, DET. CHONG
AND COP, all with their guns drawn. ALL COPS
Freeze! Don't move! Hands up! NICKI
Damn! Don't shoot! You guys know
where the bathroom is? TONY
Looking to powder your nose, Sweet
cheeks? She puts up her hands.
INT. LOBBY - NIGHT
DING!
The TWO POLICEMEN turn to face the elevator, its doors start
to open. The policemen draw their revolvers. JIMMY and his CREW are surprised by the cops, who have the
drop on them. COP # 1
HANDS UP! JIMMY looks from the COPS to DOUGHBOY. Their eyes meet and
Jimmy nods. COP # 2
Out of the elevator, and down on
your knees. Doughboy shoves the GANG MEMBER in front of him, who stumbles
out of the elevator. Using the briefcase full of cocaine to break his fall. The
Gang Member crashes into Cop # 1, who fires his pistol. BANG
The force of the shot explodes the briefcase, sending cocaine
billowing. The Gang Member falls mortally wounded. Before Cop # 2 can react Max drops him with a flying kick to
the chest. Cop # 1 goes down under an assault of blows from
Jimmy and Doughboy. INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
JASON finishes handcuffing NICKI, while everyone anxiously
listens to the SOUND OF FIGHTING from downstairs. DET. CHONG
Watch her. Jason, Tony, with me. DET. CHONG, JASON and TONY run downstairs, leaving the COP
watching Nicki. EXT. THREE STORY BUILDING - NIGHT
The TWO COPS go down in a hail of blows. JIMMY, MAX,
DOUGHBOY, and what's left of THE GANG, rush out of the lobby
and pile into the Limo and gang cars. They speed off. DET. CHONG, JASON AND TONY run out the stairwell door, help
the two battered Cops to their feet, then step out of the
lobby and look up and down the block. The Limo and gang cars have already disappeared,
INT. LIMO - NIGHT
KIM is SCREAMING hysterically. Everyone is trying to talk
at once. JIMMY
Shut up! MAX slaps KIM. Terrified, she curls up in a corner of the
Limo. JIMMY
Doughboy? DOUGHBOY holds up the briefcase, opening it to flash the
cash. JIMMY
Good man. Where's the drugs? MAX
Skinny had it. JIMMY
Where's Nicki? KIM
She...She went to get you. JIMMY
Stupid bitch. EXT. LIMO - NIGHT
An ambulance, going in the opposite direction, speeds past
the Limo and gang cars. INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI is left in the room by a matronly GUARD. She sits at
the table. JASON, TONY AND DET. CHONG move into the
FOREGROUND revealing that they are in a viewing room watching
Nicki through a one way mirror. DET. CHONG
Let her stew a while longer. A POLICEWOMAN enters and drops a paper bag on the table.
POLICEWOMAN
They found this at the site. She exits. Jason, Tony and Det. Chong look in the bag and
look away, sickened. DET. CHONG
Damn! I better tell the Captain. Det. Chonq exits. Behind them Nicki is sitting at the table,
her head in her arms. She gets up and starts pacing. EXT. LIMOUSINE - NIGHT
Jimmy's Limo speeds onto a freeway, followed by the two gang
cars. INT. LIMO - NIGHT
Everyone is quiet but tense from the adrenaline.
DOUGHBOY
Back to the crib, Jimmy? JIMMY
Yes...No they'll be watching it. KIM
What about Nicole? JIMMY
What about her? DOUGHBOY
Cops got her for sure. KIM
Maybe not, maybe she got away. JIMMY
Yeah, maybe. He grabs the car phone and starts dialing.
INT. INTERROGATION - NIGHT
NICKI sits, drumming her fingers on the table. In the viewing
room JASON and TONY watch her. The silence is broken by the
BUZZING of a personal pager. Jason and Tony check their
pagers. TONY
Not me. JASON
Me neither. Tony rummages through Nicki's purse and pulls out her BUZZING
cell phone. He grabs the desk phone and dials operator. TONY
Trace this call, OK? He reads the number off Nicki's cell.
TONY
...818-555-1595...
(hangs up desk phone,
answers cell phone)
...Hello? Who's this?... Police
Detective Tony D'Anca. I know it's
you Jimmy, we got your girl and she's
talking, telling us all your nasty
secrets. Is it true about the size
of your pecker...? Hello ... Hello
...he must of hung up. Do you think
I offended the Dirt bag. Tony flips the cell phone closed. The desk phone RINGS and
Tony answers it. TONY
Yes? I understand.,. He hangs up the desk phone.
TONY
...No trace. He could be anywhere. NICKI is banging on the door.
NICKI
I WANT A LAWYER! DO YOU HEAR ME! I
GOT THE RIGHT TO A PHONE CALL AND
LAWYER! CAN ANYONE FUCKING HEAR ME! INT. LIMO - NIGHT
There is a heated argument, KIM believes Nicki won't talk,
everyone else thinks she'll sing like a canary. JIMMY is pouring himself a drink.
JIMMY
SHUT UP! Nicki won't talk, she knows
better. That asshole cop was just
bluffing. DOUGHBOY
So what we do, Jimmy JIMMY
Lay low and wait. KIM
You can drop me anywhere. JIMMY
You're with us for the duration,
Babe! MAX
I'll take care of her. Jimmy nods. Kim is to scared to argue.
EXT. CHEAP MOTEL - NIGHT
The Limo pulls up and drops KIM and MAX off at the office.
Max keeps his arm tightly around Kim's waist as they go into
the office and ring for the clerk. INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI is pacing the room, circling the table. She stops at
the door and bangs on it. NICKI
HEY! I GOT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM!
YOU WANT ME TO PEE IN MY FUCKING
PANTIES! JASON and TONY stir from where they have been watching.
TONY
I think she's ready. JASON
Lets do it. They exit the observation room, Tony carrying Nicki's file
and the paper bag, in a moment they enter the interrogation
room. NICKI
Well, it's about time, why are you
holding me? TONY
Have a seat, Pamela. JASON holds a chair out for her, she is annoyed at being
called "Pamela". NICKI
I demand my phone call, and don't
call me... Tony shoves her into the seat.
TONY
Sit down! NICKI
Hey? JASON
We have a few questions, I know you
want to cooperate with the police,
ah... He checks the file.
JASON
...Pamela. NICKI
Nicole. Everyone calls me Nicole or
Nicki, and I want to call my lawyer. TONY
I told you this bimbo was too stupid
to know what was good for her. Let's
just book her. NICKI
Book me? Book me for what? Looking
for the bathroom? Tony gets in her face.
TONY
We have these family snap shots... Tony grabs some pictures from Nicki's file and holds them
out in front of her. She sees surveillance photos of her and Jimmy and the rest
of the gang. TONY
...We know you're this scumbags latest
squeeze...
(He points to a picture
of Jimmy)
...so we know you're in his crew,
maybe even have the gang totem
tattooed on the bottom of your feet.
Since you were apprehended at the
scene we can charge you with half a
dozen murders. NICKI
I didn't murder anyone. Tony whispers in her ear.
TONY
It don't work that way, Babe. The
way the jury will see it, you were
at the scene and you're a known gang
member therefore you're a killer.
Twenty-five to life, like that! He snaps his fingers in her ear.
NICKI
I want to talk to my attorney, give
me my phone call. Tony jumps up slamming his chair into the wall
TONY
I'm done with this coke whore... Nicki glares back at Tony, she hates being called a coke
whore. TONY
...I say book her and let her go
cold turkey in county. He walks around behind her.
JASON
Look Nicole, we would much rather
have Jimmy then you, all we want is
your cooperation... NICKI
You don't understand, he'd kill me. JASON
Your choice is simple, protect him
and go to jail for a very long time
or turn states evidence, join our
witness protection program, and I
will personally guarantee your safety. NICKI
I talk and I can leave? JASON
It's not that simple. NICKI
But I got to get out of here, I got
to...I just can't go to jail. Tony leans over and whispers in her other ear.
TONY
Starting to get a little strung out,
Buttercup. Sweaty palms, tongue
dry, hard to think of any thing else? Nicki ignores Tony and tries to deal with Jason.
NICKI
If I talk you'll...you know, help me
out? JASON
I'll help you kick and I'll keep you
safe, but no drugs. TONY
You're going cold turkey, Pamela. I
say toss her in county for the night,
between the dikes and the D.T.'s
she'll be begging to deal by the
morning. DET. CHONG walks into the viewing room and watches Jason and
Tony work on Nicki. JASON
I'd hate to see a nice girl like you
go to county, but... He shrugs. NICKI looks around, desperate for help, but there
is none. NICKI
I want all charges against me dropped
and I want protection, lots of
protection. DET. CHONG picks up the desk phone and dials. It RINGS in
interrogation and Tony answers it. DET. CHONG
Find out everything she knows. We
move her in the morning. Tony hangs up the phone and nods at Jason.
JASON
You co-operate and we'll do right by
you. You can start by I.D.ing these
pictures. Jason holds up a picture of Doughboy. Nicki reluctantly
looks at the picture. Tony moves back behind Nicki. NICKI
That's...I don't know his real name,
everyone just calls him Doughboy,
cause he use to be soft and out of
shape. Jason holds up a picture of Chang.
JASON
Ever see this guy? Nicki stares at the picture, then looks from Tony to Jason,
now she's so scared she starts to tremble. NICKI
I, ah, I don't know his name. Tony dumps the contents of the paper bag in front of Nicki.
Changs finger, in a plastic baggy, spills onto the table.
Nicki can't look at it, she turns her face way, but Tony
grabs her head and makes her look. TONY
Look at it, Sweetpea! It belongs to
this guy... He grabs CHANG's picture and waves it in Nicki's face. She
starts to cry. TONY
His name is Chang. He has a wife
and two kids. He was a cop and my
friend. NICKI
I'm sorry, I...couldn't...He... She breaks down.
JASON
Enough Tony... Jason hands Nicki a handkerchief while Tony walks around the
table, sits next to Jason and puts Changs finger back into
the paper bag. JASON
Tell us about it, Nicole, and don't
leave anything out. Nicki looks up, defeated and exhausted.
INT. EMPTY ROOM - NIGHT
An answering machine and phone sit on the only piece of
furniture in the room, a chair in the middle of the floor.
The phone RINGS TWICE and the Playback light blinks on with
a CLICK. MACHINE
555-9594 leave a message... BEEP
VOICE
(Obviously disguised)
The raid was on Lee Wang, you weren't
suppose to be there. Your girlfriends
singing a song about Chang. He was
a undercover Cop. She's being moved
to a safe house at six tomorrow
morning. This info is costing you
double. Leave the cash at the usual
place. The answering machine BEEPS TWICE and REWINDS then CLICKS
off. INT. CHEAP MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
JIMMY hangs up the phone, he takes a deep breath then throws
the phone against the far wall. The room is crowded with
what is left of his GANG. They fall silent at the crash o
the phone. JIMMY
The bitch is talking to the cops. VARIOUS GANG MEMBERS
Oh man! Round eyed slut! Kill her!
Bitch! DOUGHBOY
If she's talking, we got to do her. JIMMY
They're moving her to a safe house
tomorrow morning. If we do it, we
do it then. KIM tries to defend Nicki.
KIM
Nicki wouldn't talk. Who says Nicki's
talking? MAX
Jimmy's got a source. He thinks
it's a cop. KIM
"Thinks" it's a cop? MAX
Shut up. She's too scared to do more.
INT. LOW PROFILE GANG CAR - MORNING
MAX is driving, DOUGHBOY is riding shotgun, JIMMY is in the
back seat. They park up the block from a police station. MAX
Oh. Man. It makes me nervous being
this close. JIMMY
We won't he here long. DOUGHBOY
There! He points to the alley on the side of the station.
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
DET. CHONG & TWO UNIFORMED POLICEMEN exit a side door and
get into the last of two unmarked sedans. JASON, NICKI &
TONY exit the station and get into the first unmarked sedan.
Jason is driving, Nicki sits behind him with Tony next to
her. They drive up the alley. INT. LOW PROFILE GANG CAR - DAY
JIMMY, MAX & DOUGHBOY watch as the two unmarked sedans pull
out the alley. They slide down in their seats as the two
cars drive by. JIMMY
Follow them! Max drives after them.
MAX
They'll notice us pretty quick. DOUGHBOY
We got to do it now, Jimmy. JIMMY
All right, all right! Pull up next
to her. Max speeds up, passing Det. Chong's sedan. JIMMY pulls a
machine pistol from under his seat. DOUGHBOY takes out a
shotgun. MAX
Oh, man. I don't like this. INT. NICKI'S SEDAN - DAY
NICKI notices as JIMMY and DOUGHBOY pull up in the adjacent
lane, she ducks, then TONY ducks. NICKI
STEP ON IT! In the background, Jimmy and Doughboy level their guns at
the car. BOOM! RAT-TA-TAT!
Machine pistol and shotgun fire shatter the rear passenger
window all over a SCREAMING Nicki. Tony crouches on the
seat next to her. Jimmy, Doughboy and Max disappear as JASON
speeds up. EXT. STREET - DAY
NICKI'S sedan SCREECHES into a right turn at the first corner.
JIMMY'S car is prevented from following when Det. Chong's
sedan speeds up. They exchange gun fire. BOOM! BANG! BANG!
A shotgun blast hits DET. CHONG'S sedan in the engine. Then
the gang car skids into the next left, followed by Chong's
car. Smoke starts streaming from Det. Chong's engine.
EXT. SIDE STREET - DAY
JIMMY disappears up the street as DET. CHONG'S car coughs
and sputters to a stop. Det. Chong gets out and curses after
Jimmy while the TWO UNIFORMS check under the hood. Det.
Chong reaches into the sedan and grabs out the radio
microphone, DET. CHONG
Dispatch, get me O'Connell... EXT. FREEWAY - DAY
NICKI'S sedan drives out into the traffic.
INT. NICKI'S SEDAN - DAY
TONY is in the back seat trying to calm down a hysterical
NICKI. JASON is driving and talking on the radio JASON
...no one is hurt. DET. CHONG
(Radio filter)
Get her to a safe house and don't
even tell me where it is. You two
protect our witness, I'll catch that
S.O.B. Check in twice a day. Out. JASON
Ten-four, Sir. We'll check in
tonight.
(To Tony)
Where we going to go now? TONY
My Aunt's place, they're staying in
Europe for a month. NICKI
I want real protection, the FBI, the
CIA... Someone who knows what there
doing. Not you clowns! TONY
Shut up. EXT. SAFE HOUSE - DAY
A modest suburban tract home on a quiet street.
JASON drives the unmarked sedan into the driveway, TONY,
JASON & NICKI get out and look the house over. TONY
So what do you think? NICKI
I think I would like a hot shower. JASON
I think we should get inside. They head for the front door
INT. SAFE HOUSE - DAY
TONY, JASON, & NICKI walk in the front door.
TONY
Shower is that way. Nicki heads down the indicated hall.
JASON
I'll check the perimeter. You check
supplies. Jason walks out the front door. TONY goes straight to the
kitchen and looks in the refrigerator, EXT. SIDE OF SAFE HOUSE - DAY
Jason checks the locks on the kitchen door then moves to a
window and looks in. INT. SAFE HOUSE BATHROOM - JASON'S P.O.V. - DAY
NICKI is getting undressed unaware that JASON is looking in
the window. When she turns around to get in the shower she
almost catches Jason. EXT. SIDE OF SAFE HOUSE - DAY
JASON ducks away from the window, embarrassed at almost being
caught. INT. SAFE HOUSE HALLWAY - DAY
TONY, carrying folded jeans and tee shirt, steps out of the
master bedroom, walks up the hall and KNOCKS on the bathroom
door. TONY
These are my sisters, I hope they
fit, Sunshine. INT. BATHROOM - DAY
NICKI is in the shower. The door opens a crack and Tony
sticks the clothing in. EXT. SAFE HOUSE - DAY
JASON finishes his security inspection and goes to the car,
taking two gym bags from the trunk. INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Nicki steps out of the shower and wipes the fog off the
bathroom mirror. In the mirror she spots Tony peeking through
a crack in the bathroom door. She smiles with an idea. INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Tony is startled by the noise of the FRONT DOOR OPENING. He
quickly and quietly closes the bathroom door and hurries up
the hall. INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
JASON is closing the living room drapes as TONY enters
TONY
The fridge is empty, no bread, some
canned goods and definitely no
munchies. NICKI enters looking fresh scrubbed, her hair wrapped up in
a towel and wearing oversized jeans and a baggy tee shirt. JASON
I'm off for supplies, any requests. TONY
Chips, ice-cream and coffee. NICKI
I need my make up and purse. TONY
I got your stuff. He rummages through one of the gym bags on the sofa, finding
her purse. Jason exit as Tony tosses Nicki her purse, she
catches it, looking relieved. TONY
Well, its just you and me, toots. She ignores him and walks out. He watches her, making sure
she goes into the hall bathroom. INT. BATHROOM - DAY
As soon as NICKI enters the bathroom she locks the door and
quickly dumps her purse out on the counter. She pushes the cosmetics and personal items aside, turns the
purse inside out and scrapes the lining and the inside
pockets. Using a match book she scrapes the lint and dust
into a pile and sorts out any white powder residue she can
find. It isn't much but she eagerly snorts it up. It isn't enough to satisfy her habit. She rummages through
the medicine cabinet, drinking what's left of a bottle of
cough syrup, but finds nothing else worth taking, She quickly
puts on her make up, dabs on perfume then looks herself over
in the mirror. No matter how she tucks and pulls at her oversized clothes
they still make her look frumpy, until she ties the tee shirt
up into a halter top. Satisfied, she steps out of the
bathroom. INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
TONY sits on the sofa watching a baseball game.
NICKI steps out of the hall. For a moment she eyes Tony
while she re-arranges her top to show more cleavage, then
she casually strolls between Tony and the TV. NICKI
Mind it I join you? TONY
Sit if you want. She sits next to him, then stretches over Tony to reach the
remote, pausing to smile seductively up at him as she rubs
her breast against his arm. He is a little uncomfortable. NICKI
You don't mind, do you? TONY shrugs. She switches the TV to a ROCK VIDEO.
NICKI
...I saw you peeking while I was
showering. TONY
Part of my job is to keep you under
surveillance. NICKI
You looked like you were really
enjoying your work... TONY
You're just a job, Sweetheart. She leans in real close.
NICKI
I could be so much more. Tony raises a questioning eyebrow. She leans closer, exposing
more cleavage. NICKI
Besides a safe house, this could be
a funhouse... She kisses him. He slides a hand to her breast. She breaks
away from him, holding him back. NICKI
...Not so fast, if I'm nice to you,
you have to be nice to me? TONY
What do you mean? NICKI
When I was in high school we had a
saying, "Kids and cops have the best
drugs". TONY
Yeah, I've heard the same thing... He leans over as if to kiss her. Instead, Tony snatches the
T.V. remote from Nicki. TONY
...don't believe it, Sweet Cake. He pushes her away and uses the remote to switch the TV back
to baseball. Nicki is surprised by the rejection. She
stands. NICKI
Where's my bedroom? TONY
Down the hall. Pick any one you
like, Luv. She storms down the hall, untying the tee shirt as she goes,
Tony follows her. INT. SAFE HOUSE NEPHEW'S BEDROOM - DAY
Toys litter the floor, posters and stickers cover the walls.
A wireless toy fire truck is in the foreground. NICKI looks in the door, TONY looks over her shoulder.
TONY
My nephews room, he's nine... He notices something on the floor.
TONY
...Wow, look at that. Nicki walks on down the hall, leaving Tony to pick up the
wireless remote control. He moves the controls and the fire
engine rolls towards him, NICKI
Whose room is this? Tony tosses the remote on the bed and walks off.
INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - DAY
NICKI stands in the open door. TONY walks up behind her.
TONY
The master bedroom. NICKI enters, slams the door, yanks the curtains closed and
collapses an the bed, hugging the pillows. TONY opens the
door and stands there, watching her. She rolls over and
glares at him. NICKI
Do you mind, I was up all night
answering your fucking questions and
I have a splitting headache. TONY
Get use to it, Sugar Lips. That's a
big part of going cold turkey. There
should be aspirin in the medicine
cabinet. Tony opens the door to the small connecting bathroom, then
strolls out, closing the bedroom door as he goes. She throws
a pillow at him, then gets up and goes into the small
bathroom. INT. SAFE HOUSE SMALL BATHROOM - DAY
Nicki enters and looks through the medicine cabinet. It's
empty except for some first aid supplies and a bottle of
aspirin. Nicki takes two pills and puts the bottle back on
the empty shelf. INT. EMPTY ROOM - DAY
The answering machine and phone in the same empty room. The
phone RINGS TWICE and the Playback light blinks on with a
CLICK. MACHINE
555-9545 leave a message... "BEEP"
JIMMY
(Phone filtered)
Fifty thousand dollars, cash, when
you kill her. Make it look like an
accident, or a drug overdose. I
don't care how you do it, just do it
and do it quick. The answering machine BEEPS TWICE then CLICKS off.
INT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN - DAY
JASON comes in the front door carrying two bags of groceries.
TONY stops watching the ball game, follows Jason into the
kitchen and helps put away the groceries.. JASON
Where is she? TONY
My sisters bedroom, getting her beauty
sleep. JASON
You want the night shift? Tony takes a quarter from his pocket and flips it.
TONY
Call it. JASON
Tails! Tony shows Jason the results.
JASON
Darn, wake me at eight. Jason goes down the hall and into the extra bedroom. TONY
goes back to watching the ball game in the living room. EXT. MOTEL COURTYARD - DAY
The MOTEL MANAGER stops watching the ball game and looks out
his office window at MAX, KIM, JIMMY & DOUGHBOY coming out a
motel room. Max, his arm still tightly around Kim, almost
forces her into one of the gang cars. JIMMY and Doughboy
get into the front and drive off. The manager goes back to
watching the ball game. EXT. SAFE HOUSE - SUNSET
All the curtains are closed. The place would look deserted,
except for the unmarked sedan parked in front of the attached
garage. INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - SUNSET
The closed curtains make the room dark, except a line of
light leaking in under the bedroom door. The shadow of shoes obstruct the light. The door slowly,
silently, opens revealing dark shoes against the bright hall
light. The SHOES walk into the room. DISTORTED CHEERING SOFTLY OVER:
NICKI is sleeping restlessly, again dreaming of the gang
rape. The light from the hall throws the shadow of a man against
the bedroom wall. The MANS shadow takes out a hypodermic
needle. The Man's hand reaches out and turns Nicki arm so her vein
is exposed. The needle is brought close, Nicki murmurs in
her sleep. NICKI
...No...stop..... The needle pauses, hovering over her vein.
CHEERING OUT.
Nicki half wakes up, rubs her eyes with her other hand and
looks up at the unseen man. NICKI'S P.O.V. - SLIGHTLY OUT OF FOCUS The MAN'S dark face
is silhouetted against the light pouring in from the hall.
The face turns away. NICKI
What... She looks down at her arm, fully awake.
NICKI
...Hey... She knocks the needle away.
NICKI
...Stop... NICKI'S P.O.V. - COMING INTO FOCUS The dark silhouette of a
MAN quickly disappears into the bright light pouring from
the hall. NICKI
...AHHHHHHH! Nicki scrunches up to the head of the bed, grabbing the
blankets and pillows for protection. NICKI
HELP ME!...HELP! TONY rushes through the door. For a moment his silhouette
is similar to the unseen man's, then he turns on the light.
JASON rushes in, rubbing sleep from his eyes. TONY
Shut up already, the neighbors will
hear you. NICKI
He was trying to inject something in
me. Jason sits on the bed next to her.
JASON
Who? NICKI
I couldn't see him, he was just a
silhouette, but he had a needle... She holds out her arm, Jason takes it and examines it. Tony
looks over his shoulder. JASON
Looks clean to me. NICKI
Someone was in here...I swear. TONY
No way. I've been watching.
There's no one here but us three.
She must have been dreaming, had a
paranoid druggie flashback or a
hallucination. NICKI
You didn't see anyone? Jason shakes his head.
TONY
Probably just a taste of the DT's. Tony exits.
NICKI
I wasn't dreaming. JASON
When was the last time you ate? She shrugs.
JASON
...Lets get some food in you, you'll
feel better.... She gets up.
NICKI
I have to go... Nicki goes to the connecting bathroom, pausing at the door.
NICKI
I wasn't hallucinating. She goes in and closes the door.
JASON steps into the hall where he is joined by TONY.
TONY
What do you think? JASON
You were on guard. They eye each other suspiciously, then shrug it off as
ridiculous. TONY
Yeah. Had to be the DT's. But if
she thinks it's not safe here, she
may try to run. JASON
I don't want to have to cuff her. TONY
Cuff her or watch her. What we can't
do is lose her. Jason reluctantly nods in agreement.
INT. KIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The door opens and MAX, KIM, JIMMY and DOUGHBOY enter. Jimmy
grabs Kim and sits her on the sofa while Max and Doughboy
start searching the house. JIMMY
Have a seat, Kim. We need to talk. KIM
Sure, Jimmy. Jimmy sits on the coffee table in front of Kim. He slowly
lights up a cigarette, deliberately holding the flame of the
lighter close to her face. JIMMY
What would you do if Nicki called
you. KIM
She's my best friend. JIMMY
AND WHAT AM I! He holds Kim's legs closed by squeezing them between his
knees. Kim squirms but is held fast. Jimmy takes a long
drag on the cigarette. KIM
Please, Jimmy... JIMMY taps the cigarette so the hot ash falls between Kim
thighs. She squirms but he holds her thighs closed. KIM
I'd tell you if she called, I swear. JIMMY
How do I know you're not lying to
me? KIM
Never, Jimmy, please... DOUGHBOY walks up behind Kim, suddenly he grabs her, pinning
her arms to her sides. JIMMY casually places the filter end
of the hot cigarette between Kim thighs. KIM
Hey! She starts to SCREAM but Jimmy silences her by clamping his
hand over her mouth. He holds her legs tightly closed while
the cigarette slowly burns down towards her tan thighs. Kim
struggles. JIMMY
Where does Nicki's Grandfather live? He takes his hand from her face.
KIM
I don't know. He slaps her, quick...
JIMMY
Yes you do! KIM
Please... Kim's eyes go wide with pain as the cigarette's red hot coal
burns down and starts to SIZZLE against her leg. KIM
Please... JIMMY
The address. KM
I can't...he...please... Jimmy takes the cigarette from between her thighs. Kim sighs
with momentary relief. JIMMY
Did that hurt... Jimmy takes a long drag from the cigarette.
JIMMY
...Well, that was nothing... Jimmy reaches over and pulls down the top of her dress,
exposing her breasts. He smiles and slowly moves the glowing
coal of the cigarette towards her nipple. Doughboy has a
hard time holding the struggling, panicky girl. KIM
Oh, God, No please, Jimmy... JIMMY
Hold her still. KIM
PLEASE, ...DON'T...NO...O.K! O.K!,
I'll tell you. She starts to cry. He pauses, the red coal just above her
nipple. JIMMY
Well? KIM
Five twenty Maple. Jimmy takes a drag from the cigarette and wipes the tear
from Kim's cheek. JIMMY
Good girl. Max has something for
the pain. She looks over at Max, who is approaching her with a
hypodermic needle. KIM
No, please, I'd never... JIMMY
Relax, Kim. It's just a little
Mexican brown. In a minute you'll
thank me. Doughboy holds out her arm and Max injects the heroin. She
stops struggling, her breathing slows and her eyes roll back
into her head. Doughboy lets her go and she slumps on the
sofa. JIMMY
Doesn't that feel better... Doughboy,
get over to five twenty Maple. If
Nicki shows up, kill her. I'll get
someone to relieve you in the morning. MAX
Can I watch Kim. JIMMY
Sure. I'll be back at the motel. Max scoops her up, she tries to struggle but is to drugged.
He carries her into the bedroom. Doughboy and Jimmy exit,
turning out the lights. INT. SAFE HOUSE DINING ROOM - NIGHT
JASON and TONY finish their TV dinners, while NICKI nervously
picks at her still full plate. Nicki looks haggard in over
sized clothes, her eyes are bloodshot and her hair stringy.
Sleep hasn't helped her-. JASON
You should eat something. TONY
She's jonesing She don't need food,
she needs sweets. Sugar will take
the edge off. JASON
It gets easier. The first couple of
days are the roughest, headaches,
paranoia, cravings, lack of
concentration, dreams, look at your
palms, they're sweating... He holds out her hands. Embarrassed she pulls them away and
wipes them on her pants. TONY
How'd you let that creep Tranh get
you so strung out, Honey? She pushes the plate away.
NICKI
I'm not your "Honey", or your
"Sweetheart", or any other name your
pea brain can think up. TONY
Hey! I don't have to take lip from
some Bimbo. My shift is over. You
got the duty, Jay. Wake me in the
morning. He walks out.
She gets up and starts cleaning off the table. Jason helps
her. JASON
He's not that bad, it's the job.
Some cops work with so much human
garbage they can't help getting their
soul dirty. NICKI
Well I'm not "garbage". JASON
I know, and down deep he knows. If
you're not going to eat at least get
some sleep. NICKI
I'm too scared to sleep. JASON
I got something that might help. Jason goes into the living room and rummages through his gym
bag. He takes out a bottle of pills, shakes one out and
holds the blue and red capsule out to Nicki. JASON
Sleeping pill, it'll get you through
the night, and don't worry, I'll be
on watch all night. No one will
bother you. She joins him, reluctantly taking the pill.
JASON
A good nights sleep is what you need.
Go on, take it. NICKI
Yeah, maybe your right. NICKI pops the pill. He walks her down the hall and into
the master bedroom. INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM NIGHT
NICKI enters and climbs into bed. JASON stands next to her.
TONY steps into the doorway.
TONY
If you don't do it, I will. NICKI
Do what? JASON
I'm sorry. He grabs her clinched hand and slaps on a pair of handcuffs.
NICKI
Hey! What are you doing? She starts to struggle but he quickly finishes handcuffing
her to the bedpost. Nicki tugs at the cuffs and realizes
it's too late. JASON
Regulations. Tony walks off chuckling, Jason goes to the door. Nicki is
terrified. NICKI
Please don't leave me like this. JASON
Don't worry, I'll be on watch all
night. No one will hurt you. He turns off the lights and closes the door. She angrily
jerks at the cuffs, then opens her clinched hand revealing
the blue and red sleeping pill. With her free hand she takes the capsule and hides it under
the mattress. Nicki sits at the head of the bed. She hugs a pillow and
watches the door, scared but determined to make it through
the night. INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
Curtains darken the CROWDED room.
JIMMY, a NAKED ASIAN GIRL on his lap, is talking on the phone
while around him a joint is passed from COUPLE to COUPLE,
from GANG BANGER to GANG BANGER. The joint is finally passed
to JIMMY. JIMMY
...OK, I'll get Max to relieve you...
Soon. He hangs up the phone, kisses the girl hard, then pushes her
away and gets up. He pulls on a shirt and goes out the door
into the glare of the morning sun. INT. MOTEL OFFICE - DAY
The MOTEL MANAGER is watching the news on T.V..
JIMMY'S PICTURE is on the T.V. screen.
NEWSCASTER (O.S.)
Jimmy Tranh is wanted for questioning
in the murder of John Chanq a local
policeman, anyone with information
should call 555-5512.., The Manager
looks up from the T.V. and out of
the office window he sees: JIMMY exiting his motel room. He gets into a car and drives
off. The Manager watches, then picks up the phone and dials.
MANAGER
Hello, police! INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - DAY
The drapes are closed, darkening the room.
NICKI is sleeping, still hugging a pillow at the head of the
bed. In the door, JASON watches her, TONY steps up behind him
TONY
What's up? JASON
Look at her, so beautiful, so fresh,
so innocent looking. She could have
any man she wanted. TONY
Yeah, I feel it in the old dip stick
too. JASON
You got the soul of a romantic. JASON walks off.
TONY
I know, it's the Italian in me. He follows Jason up the hall.
EXT. MOTEL - DAY
TWO POLICE CARS drive up and park in front of the MANAGER's
office. DET. CHONG gets out of the first car and struts
into the office. For a moment he chats with the MANAGER,
then both step out of the office. The Manager points towards
Jimmy's motel room. Det. Chong talks with the COP who is
driving the first squad car, then watches as both squad cars
drive over to the indicated room. POLICE CAR RADIO
(CRACKLE)
Back up is on the way. An ASIAN EYE peeks through a crack in the curtains of Jimmy's
motel room. INT. SAFE HOUSE SMALL BATHROOM - DAY
A MAN'S HAND opens the medicine cabinet and places a small
white envelope, full of what appears to be cocaine, behind
the aspirin bottle. The hand quietly closes the medicine
cabinet and a shape moves across the mirror, but there isn't
enough detail to tell who it is. INT. EMPTY ROOM - DAY
The answering machine and phone sit on the chair in the middle
of the room. The phone RINGS TWICE and the Play back light
blinks on with a CLICK. MACHINE
555-9545 Leave a message. "BEEP"
VOICE
(Obviously distorted)
Everything is set, she'll be dead by
tonight. Better get my money ready.
I'll let you know where to drop the
cash after she's done. The answering machine BEEPS TWICE then CLICKS on.
INT. KIM'S APARTMENT - DAY
JIMMY hangs up the phone, behind him, MAX & KIM are sprawled
naked on the messy bed, still asleep. JIMMY
(to himself)
You'll see the cash when I read her
obituary. He walks back into the bedroom and shakes Max.
JIMMY
Max...Max, get up. You have to
relieve Doughboy. And you... Jimmy shakes Kim.
JIMMY
...make me some breakfast. Come on,
get up. Max sits up, rubbing his eyes. Kim moans.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - DAY
TONY is talking an the phone.
TONY
...Good, I hope he gets him...Yes
Sir...Tell him we checked in and ask
him to call and let us know what
happens... NICKI (O.S.)
HEY! ANYONE OUT THERE! HELLLOOOOO!
I GOT TO PEEEEeeeee! TONY
...Duty calls, we'll check in again
tonight, Bye. He hangs up and goes down the hall.
INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - DAY
NICKI is sitting up, tugging at the handcuffs. TONY enters.
TONY
This can't be the first time you've
been handcuffed to a bed. He chuckles at his own joke. Nicki flips him the finger.
Tony laughs and walks out. NICKI
Hey? I got to go! YOU HEAR ME?! INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - DAY
TONY walks in, sits and turns on the T.V.. JASON strolls in
the front door carrying a large paper bag and puts it on the
kitchen counter. NICKI (O.S.)
AAAAAH! I'M GOING TO KEEP SCREAMING
UNTIL YOU LET ME GO. I KNOW YOU CAN
HEAR ME, I GOT TO GO! (AD-LIB, CONT.) JASON
I better let her go before the
neighbors complain. TONY
Better yet, we should gag her! JASON
She's our witness, not our prisoner. Jason walks down the hall.
INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - DAY
NICKI stops YELLING as soon as JASON enters.
JASON
You're getting on my partners nerves. He uncuffs her.
NICKI
He's trying to kill me. He wants my
bladder to burst. She rushes into the connecting bathroom. JASON leans next
to the bathroom door. JASON
You'll feel better after a nice hot
shower. INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
A HAND moves the bathroom curtain away from the window
revealing: TWO POLICE CARS drive up and block the back alley.
FOUR COPS get out and crouch behind the cars. TOMMY, the oldest gang member, closes the curtain and walks
out of the bathroom. He crosses the motel room to the front
window and peeks out the curtains. Around him the REST OF
THE GANG are getting dressed and loading weapons. Tommy
grabs the phone and dials. INT. KIM'S APARTMENT - DAY
JIMMY sits at the kitchen table eating breakfast while KIM,
in a robe, groggily cleans up. CELL PHONE BEEPS
Jimmy answers it.
JIMMY
What? ...Shit! ...No, man, don't do
it... I'll arrange bail ...Don't
risk it ...You hearing
me?...Tommy?!...fuck! FUCK! He throws the phone across the room, startling Kim.
EXT. MOTEL PARKING LOT - DAY
The TWO POLICE CARS surround the front of Jimmy's motel room.
FOUR COPS crouch behind the cars, guns ready. Behind them
DETECTIVE CHONG, satisfied that all is ready, walks into the
Managers office and picks up the phone. INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
THE PHONE RINGS. One of the GIRLS grab it and hand it to
TOMMY. DET. CHONG
(Phone Filtered)
This is Detective Chong. We have
you surrounded. We can do this the
hard way or the easy way, You choose. Tommy looks around the crowded room.
The GIRLS and youngest GANG MEMBERS are afraid.
TOMMY
The easy way. We got kids in here. EXT. MOTEL PARKING LOT - DAY
THE GIRLS & SMALLEST GANG MEMBERS start filing out of the
motel room with their hands up. They are grabbed by COPS #
1 & 2, who are positioned on either side of the door. The
Gang members are pushed along to COPS # 3 & 4 who frisk and
cuff them. After ten gang members exit they stop coming
out. Cop # 1 turns to the last gang member out, who is still
being frisked. COP # 1
You the last? LAST GANG MEMBER
Yeah. Cop # 1 steps into the doorway. TOMMY'S foot flashes out,
kicking twice. The first kick sends the cop's gun flying,
the second kick catches the cop in the head. Surprised and
dazed, Cop # 1 looks over at the Last Gang Member. LAST GANG MEMBER
So I lied. What you gonna do? Arrest
me! Again, Tommy's foot flashes out, catching the cop on the
other side of his head and knocking him out. He collapses.
Cop # 3 rushes up, stopping next to the open door. Cop # 2
on the other side nods to Cop # 3, they cock their weapons,
point them into the room and step into the door way. Tommy
uses a judo move to grab each Cop's gun hand and flip them
both into the motel room. INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
TOMMY flips COPS # 2 & 3 into the room, they land hard on
their backs. Tommy tosses their revolvers into the bathroom. The Cops regain their feet and attack Tommy, who again uses
judo to flip them across the room. TWO MORE POLICE rush into the room. For a minute Tommy is
able to toss them all around with his martial arts skill,
then the Cops back off and circle him. COP 2
Watch his hands, he's tricky. Swarm
him! NOW! All four Cops rush him, overpowering and tackling him.
When they get up and step back Tommy struggles to his feet,
His hands securely handcuffed behind his back. COP # 3
Not so tough now. Tommy smiles and does a flip, slipping the cuffs under his
legs and landing in front of Cop Number # 3 with his hands
in front of him. He uses a judo throw to toss the surprised
Cop # 3 into the other surprised cops. Again Tommy holds his own, tossing the cops around despite
his cuffs. Cop # 4 pulls a taser gun. COP # 4
HOLD IT! Tommy stops fighting and faces Cop # 4. Tommy smiles and
flips him the finger. Cop # 4 fires at Tommy, who snatches
a pillow from the bed and uses it to harmlessly catch the
darts. Then the fighting starts again.
DET. CHONG enters. For a moment he watches the fight, then
he pulls his revolver and fires it at the ceiling. BANG! BANG!
The gun shots stop the fight.
DET. CHONG
Enough! He aims at Tommy.
DET. CHONG
You can walk out quietly or we can
carry you out dead. Tommy does another flip, landing on his feet with his hands
cuffed behind his back again. The other cops regain their
feet and escort Tommy out. INT. SAFE HOUSE DINING ROOM - EVENING
NICKI, JASON, and TONY are silently finishing dinner.
JASON
Ready for some desert? NICKI
Can I go to my room? JASON
Sure. Nicki walks out.
Jason goes into the kitchen and comes out carrying the paper
bag he came home with. He goes down the hall. TONY
Hey, who's going to do the dishes. INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - EVENING
NICKI is staring into the dresser mirror, miserable and near
tears. When JASON steps into the doorway, she quickly wipes
her eyes and sits on the bed. NICKI
I ain't doing the dishes! Jason takes the bag from behind his back, reaches in and
takes out a cup cake with a candle in it. He enters and
hands it to her. JASON
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And this is just
your first birthday surprise. He lights the candle, then sits on the dresser across from
her. Nicki is surprised. NICKI
How'd you know? JASON
Your driver's license. Make a wish. Nicki closes her eyes for a moment then blows out the candle.
NICKI
Thanks. He takes a ribbon wrapped shoe box from the bag and hands it
to her. JASON
Surprise! I have a present for you,
the police shrink recommended it. For a moment she is surprised, then startled when the box
wiggles. She drops the box into her lap. NICKI
It moved! JASON
Go on, open it. She pulls off the ribbon and before she can open it a kitten
pokes its head from under the lid. NICKI
Oh! Look at her! She's adorable! NICKI holds the kitten up, then cuddles it.
NICKI
...look at those beautiful eyes.
She's gorgeous. JASON
She was caged up to. I figured you
two had a lot in common. Nicki leans over and gives him a quick kiss.
NICKI
Thank you. JASON
Yeah. He starts to leave.
NICKI
Detective, do you want to know what
I wished for? JASON
Just call me Jay, and if you tell me
your wish it won't come true. NICKI
Without your help, it can't come
true, I wished I could call my
Pa...Grandfather. He's expecting me
home tonight, he'll worry. Jason ponders a moment.
JASON
OK, but I have to listen in and not
even a hint about our location. NICKI
Agreed! JASON
Come on. They exit, Nicki carrying the kitten.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
TONY watches JASON and NICKI enter. He notices the kitten
in her arms. TONY
Well, look at the mangy pussy... JASON
Shut up, Tony... Jason picks up the phone and turns to Nicki.
JASON
...Number? INT. ARTHUR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
THE PHONE RINGS. ARTHUR sits at the dinner table finishing
icing Nicki's birthday cake, he answers the phone. ARTHUR
Hello! Happy Birthday, Honey...You
coming home? ...You promised. I
baked your favorite cake... You're
not in any trouble... I bet you were
surprised... No, No, I understand...
We can do your cake when you get
back... Of course I still love you... INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI talks on the phone. JASON stands next to her listening
in. NICKI
I love you too, PaPa...I really wish
I could be with you, but, how often
does a girl get a free weekend in
Hawaii... I'll get you a dozen tee
shirts... I really miss you... No,
I'm not crying... She hates lying to him, but can't bring herself to tell him
the truth. INT. ARTHUR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
ARTHUR talks on the phone.
ARTHUR
...Don't worry, I'll be Ok. You
just have a good time...Miss you
too...Bye. He hangs up the phone. He looks back at the cake but no
longer has the heart to finish icing it. EXT. ARTHUR'S HOUSE - NIGHT
MAX sits in his car watching the house and practicing with
his butterfly knife. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
TONY is on the phone. JASON and NICKI are back in the kitchen
trying to do the dishes around the hyper curious kitten. TONY
That's still good news, Chief... OK,
we'll check in the morning... I'll
tell them. Bye, Sir. He hangs up and goes into the kitchen.
INT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT
JASON and NICKI are laughing and decorating the kitten with
soap suds beard, mustache and hat. TONY enters. TONY
I thought you were cleaning up. Nicki holds up the white bearded kitten,
NICKI
See! Santa Paws! Jason and Nicki dissolve into laughter.
JASON
No. No! Saint NickalPuss! NICKI
Wait!... She wipes off the suds beard and grabs a handful of suds
from the sink and makes a white suds strip down the kittens
back. NICKI
...Pepe Le Puss! More laughter from Jason and Nicki.
TONY
Enough. JASON
Lighten up. TONY
You working here or playing with her
pussy? JASON
Hey! My shift doesn't start for an
hour. Nicki wipes off the kitten, cuddles it in a dry dish towel,
and goes into the living room. JASON
That wasn't necessary. Jason and Tony stalk after her.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI, JASON & TONY enter, Nicki is still drying the kitten.
TONY
Detective Chong said they busted
Jimmy's crib and rounded up most of
his crew. NICKI
Then its over? I can go home? TONY
No. He didn't get Jimmy. He thinks
a few others are still at large. Nicki is disappointed.
NICKI
Suddenly I have a splitting headache. Nicki walks down the hall, followed by JASON. TONY watches
smiling, then turns on the ball game. INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
NICKI, who is still carrying the kitten, enters and goes
into the little bathroom. JASON waits by the bathroom door. JASON
We got his gang. It won't be long
till we catch Mr. Tranh and then you
can go home. INT. SAFE HOUSE SMALL BATHROOM - NIGHT
NICKI puts the kitten on the counter and opens the medicine
cabinet. When she takes out the aspirin bottle, a small
white paper envelope that is leaning against the bottle,
falls flat on the shelf. NICKI can't help noticing the envelope. She picks it up and
examines it. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" is handwritten on the envelope,
it holds about a quarter gram of cocaine, Excited, she
opens the envelope and sets it on the counter. She looks at herself in the mirror, make up in need of repair,
hair messed. She smiles in anticipation, then she looks
back down at the coke and her smiles vanishes, With a sigh
she carefully spills the coke onto the counter, uses the
edge of the envelope to form the powder into lines, then
rolls the envelope into a tube and leans over to snort. The curious kitten pokes it nose in and Nicki brushes the
cat away. NICKI
No. It's not good for you.... She glances up and sees her reflection in the mirror. She
is sweating with anticipation. Her hands start to shake so
bad she can't get the tube in her nose. Nicki straightens
up, grabs a tissue and wipes away her lipstick, then takes
another good look at herself. PAN OFF NICKI ONTO THE MIRROR. Instead of her reflection,
Nicki sees JOHNNY, the high school football star. He's
offering her the teddy bear. The reflection dissolves into JIMMY, leering over a full
coke spoon. Finally the reflection disappears and the shadow of a man
holding a hypodermic needle appears then fades away. PAN OFF THE MIRROR ONTO NICKI
She is torn between her cravings and her fears. She splashes
water in her face and towels off her make up. Nicki leans
close to the mirror so she can get a good look at herself,
clean of drugs and make up for the first time. JASON (O.S.)
You going to be long? She makes a decision.
NICKI
Just fixing my make up... She swipes her hand across the counter, knocking the coke to
the floor. The envelope and most of the coke falls into the pretty
plastic trash can but some powder spills onto the tile floor
Nicki smiles at herself in the mirror, takes two aspirin and
goes to work on her make up. INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
JASON listens at the bathroom door, stepping back as NICKI
steps out. A little lipstick, blush and a smile make Nicki
a knock out. Jason can't help but stare.
NICKI
You like? JASON
You take my breath away. NICKI
That's sweet. She gives him a quick kiss on the cheek and steps back. He
steps towards her, gathers her in his arms and they really
kiss, long, hard and deep, until they both have to break for
a gulp of air. A quick gasp and they go back to kissing. He lifts her and
places her on the bed where his leg slips between her thighs. They stop necking long enough to push away the kitten, who
keeps poking it's wet nose between them. TONY steps into the doorway and watches them, Jason's hand
caresses Nicki's butt then slowly slides up her body, pushing
her tee shirt up as he cradles her breast. They struggle with each others clothing until they are
startled by: TONY
This bimbett's not worth your badge,
partner. Jason jumps out of bed, totally embarrassed, Nicki just
straightens her tee shirt. JASON
Lay off her, Tony. TONY
I'm not "laying" anyone. He turns and walks out, then steps hack in.
TONY
My shift is almost over, and I'm not
finishing the dishes. He exits.
Nicki sticks her tongue out at Tony's back then checks her
smeared make up in the bureau mirror. NICKI
...My make up is ruined. She goes into the small bathroom, followed by the kitten
who just misses getting closed in the door. INT. SAFE HOUSE SMALL BATHROOM - NIGHT
NICKI secures the door and looks at herself in the mirror.
Her lipstick is smeared, her hair is messed again, and she
is flushed with sexual excitement. She shakes her head and
wipes off the lipstick with a tissue. THE KITTEN sniffs at the coke spilled on the floor then
cautiously licks at it. NICKI finishes her face then notices the kitten.
NICKI
Hey! THE KITTEN steps away from the coke, licks its lips, coughs,
foams at the mouth and falls over dead. NICKI goes from astonishment to horror. She kneels next to
the cat, picks it up and examines it, unwilling to accept
that its dead. She shakes it, strokes it. NICKI
Come on! The kitten doesn't respond. Still unwilling to accept that
its dead, Nicki leans over and puts her ear to the tiny body. Hearing no heart beat, she gently puts the dead kitten down,
pets it one last time, then stabs her finger at the coke.
She sniffs the few grains that stick to her finger, examines
them carefully, then cautiously licks at them. They taste wrong so she quickly spits into the sink and washes
out her mouth. Once she finishes wiping dry she sits on the
toilet seat while she thinks over the ramifications of the
kittens death. Coming to a decision, she gently puts the
kittens body in the cabinet under the sink. INT. SAFE HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
NICKI steps out of the bathroom and forces a smile at JASON.
NICKI
I'll finish the dishes. She exits followed by Jason.
INT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT
NICKI finishes washing the dishes while nervously spying on
Tony and Jason in the living room. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NICKI'S P.O.V. - NIGHT
TONY and JASON are arguing in hushed voices.
TONY
...Call it kinky sex, she'll love
it. Just make sure she's cuffed for
the night. Tony walks into the kitchen almost catching Nicki listening.
INT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT
NICKI goes back to finishing the dishes as TONY enters.
TONY
My shifts over, Sweet Cakes. Don't
do anything I wouldn't. NICKI
I don't masturbate. Nicki smiles sweetly back at him, nonchalantly wiping off
the counter. After Tony heads down the hall, Nicki splashes
water on the front of her tee shirt, then strolls into the
living room. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JASON is watching an OLD B&W MOVIE on the T.V. He looks up
as NICKI pauses at the entrance to the hall, wiping at her
wet shirt. NICKI
I'm going to slip into something
dry. Nicki strolls down the hall.
INT. SAFE HOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
NICKI closes the door behind her and quickly slips out of
the wet tee shirt. She takes the blue and red sleeping pill
from under the mattress and carefully hides it in her bra. In the closet she finds a comfy looking flannel shirt and
slips it on, making sure to button it high enough to hide
the sleeping pill. She checks her make up in the dresser mirror, then walks out
into the hall. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JASON is still watching T.V. as NICKI comes out of the hall.
She silently watches him for a moment.
NICKI
I'm a bundle of nerves. JASON
Have something with sugar, it'll
help take the edge off. NICKI
Yeah, maybe. She goes into the kitchen,
INT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT
NICKI looks through the refrigerator,
NICKI
Want some chocolate milk? JASON
Sure. Nicki smiles and starts making two glasses of chocolate milk.
Nicki sneaks the sleeping pill from her bra and empties it
into one of the glasses, then carries both into the living
room. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI offers the drugged glass to JASON. He takes it as she
sits on the sofa next to him JASON
Thanks. She watches as he drinks, then she drinks.
NICKI
That does take the edge off a little. Jason turns Nicki so she's sitting with her back to him.
JASON
Here, this will help you relax... He gently reaches out and starts massaging the tension out
of Nicki's back muscles. NICKI
Ummm. JASON
...How'd you get involved with Jimmy? NICKI
My best friend Kim took me to his
club. He was nice at first. We'd
party, dance. She relaxes as his hands move to massage the muscles of her
shoulders. NICKI
Ahhhh...Like that. You could let me
walk away, Jay. Tell that jerk
partner of yours that I escaped. JASON
I can't. NICKI
I heard you talking. He wants you
to handcuff me to the bed so he can
sneak in and kill me... Jason keeps massaging Nicki, moving his fingers slowly up to
her neck. JASON
No one is going to hurt you. Trust
me, we're here to protect you... NICKI
...You'll be sorry in the morning,
when I wake up dead. His fingers circle her neck. Suddenly Nicki turns and takes
his hands. NICKI
Please Jay, I'm begging for my life. He takes back his hands and finishes his glass of chocolate
milk. JASON
Lets see what's on.. He picks up the remote and starts switching channels.
JASON
...you prefer a movie or a sitcom. They settle in to watching the tube.
JUMP CUT
SAME ANGLE - Nicki watches Jason yawn
JUMP CUT
SAME ANGLE -Nicki smiles as Jason tries to keep his eyes
open. JUMP CUT
SAME ANGLE - Nicki chuckles as Jason starts to nod off, his
head jerking up as he catches himself falling asleep. JUMP CUT
SAME ANGLE - Nicki stands over a slumped and SNORING Jason.
She lifts his arm and it drops lifelessly, She sneaks out
of the living room. INT. SAFE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
NICKI tip toes down the hall and into her bedroom. TONY,
shaggy from sleeping in his clothes, stumbles out of the
extra bedroom, down the hall and into the bathroom. Nicki
comes out of her bedroom, slipping on a jacket and slinging
her purse over her shoulder. She walks past the bathroom on
her way out of the hall. Behind her, Tony looks out of the
bathroom, surprised to see: TONY'S P.O.V. - Nicki walks up the hall, pauses to grab a
steak knife from the kitchen counter, then strolls thru the
living room and out the front door. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
TONY, pulling up his pants, stumbles out of the bathroom, up
the hall and into the living room. He tries to wake up JASON. JASON
Partner! Jay! Come on! Damn! Jason is out cold. Tony follows Nicki out the front door.
EXT. SAFE HOUSE STREET - NIGHT
NICKI is sticking the kitchen knife into the back tire of
the unmarked police car. TONY stops on the front steps..
TONY
Hey! Stop that! Nicki looks back and sees Tony. She panics, pulls out the
knife and runs. "ZZZZZZZZ" OF ESCAPING AIR
Tony chases after her. Nicki runs up the street, Tony in
hot pursuit. A pickup truck, LOUD RAP MUSIC BOOMING from
its stereo, speeds past Tony and slows as it pulls up next
to Nicki. TONY
(trying to yell over
music)
POLICE! STOP! NICKI
HELP ME! THE TEENAGER driving the pickup can't believe his good luck.
He leans over and opens the passenger side door. TEENAGER
JUMP IN! She leaps in, slamming the door closed.
NICKI
...He...he tried to rape me...Go...
Go! The pickup truck speeds off as Tony sprints up. He stops,
panting, and watches as: The pickup truck drives off, Nicki looking out the back
window. Her fear dissolves to a smile as she drives off. TONY
(Gasping)
Cunt! EXT. ARTHUR'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The pickup truck stops in front. NICKI gives the BOY a quick
kiss on the cheek, says thanks and jumps out. A quick wave
goodbye and she walks to the front door and goes in. MAX watches from up the block. Like a ninja, he silently
slips out of his car and disappears into the shadows. INT. ARTHUR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI bursts in the front door, stopping in the middle of
the dark living room, light pours from the Dining room. NICKI
Grandpa! PaPa! ARTHUR rolls out of the kitchen and puts a cup of coffee on
the dinner table.. ARTHUR
Pam!...Sorry, Nicole. Happy birthday,
I thought... NICKI
Oh, PaPa! She drops to her knees and hugs him, a tear welling in her
eye. NICKI
I thought I'd never see you again. ARTHUR
Hey! What's the matter. NICKI
You have to help me, they're trying
to kill me. He holds her at arms length.
ARTHUR
Kill you...? What the hell. Start
from the beginning. EXT. ARTHUR'S HOUSE - NIGHT
MAX steps out of a shadow and peeks in a window.
THRU WINDOW - Arthur is listening while Nicki excitedly tells
her tale. Max smiles and steps back into the shadows.
INT. ARTHUR'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
MAX suddenly appears in the window of the kitchen door. He
flicks open a butterfly knife then disappears as he ducks
below the window. The knife blade slips out between the
door and the jam and slides down towards the door knob. A
couple of pokes of the blade and jiggles of the door knob
and the door quietly slips open. Max steps in. INT. ARTHUR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI, kneeling in front of ARTHUR, cries on his shoulder.
ARTHUR strokes her hair trying to comfort her. ARTHUR
Don't worry, Baby. I'll take care
of you. He takes her face in his hands and gently thumbs away the
tears. ARTHUR
Come on. Stop the rain. We got
things to do. We got to get you out
of here. It won't be long till those
cops come here looking for you... He stands her up.
ARTHUR
...go on, pack us some "get away"
clothes. NICKI
Where we going. ARTHUR
Just do as I tell you, Go on. She smiles and goes down the dark hall.
Arthur rolls over to his desk and goes thru the top drawer.
MAX stalks out of the kitchen and sneaks up behind Arthur,
who sees Max's reflection in the brass desk lamp. Max raises his knife as he closes in on Arthur, getting ready
to plunge the blade into ARTHUR'S heart. Arthur watches the reflection, waiting until Max is committed,
then pushes away from the desk as hard as he can, plowing
into Max. Arthur grabs Max's knife hand as it comes down
and judo flips Max over his shoulder. Max CRASHES onto the desk.
INT. ARTHUR'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
FIGHTING NOISES
NICKI grabs a Japanese sword from its holder on the dresser
and rushes out. INT. ARTHUR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
ARTHUR has set the wheelchairs leg supports to prop one leg
out straight. Pivoting the wheelchair back and forth, Arthur
uses his leg to fence off MAX. ARTHUR
Come on, mother fucker. A crip in a
wheel chair too much man for you? Max slashes with the knife, cutting deep into Arthur's
extended leg. ARTHUR
That the best you can do... He raps on the leg with his fist.
ARTHUR
...No feelings, Asshole! Max spins and kicks at Arthur's head, but Arthur's ready.
He grabs Max's leg and pivots his chair with his other hand. Arthur's extended leg sweeps the one leg out from under Max,
who crashes to the floor, then judo rolls to his feet. MAX
You're dead, old Man! Nicki steps out of the hallway into the light, her hands
behind her back. NICKI
Max! Max whirls around to face Nicki, then looks back over his
shoulder at Arthur. MAX
Your slut daughter dies first. He slowly advances on Nicki
NICKI
I thought we were friends. * MAX
You talk, you die, you knew that. Arthur pokes his legs into the back of Max's legs, making
him stumble. ARTHUR
Come on, Slope. I haven't killed a
gook since nineteen seventy. MAX
Wait your turn. ARTHUR
That's what your Mama use to say. Max grabs Arthur's dead leg and shoves him back across the
room. Arthur crashes back first against the wall. NICKI
Leave him alone. It's me you want. Max turns back to Nicki.
MAX
Your Grand Daddy know you been fucking
a "Gook"? Arthur rolls as fast as he can at the back of Max's legs.
ARTHUR
AHHHH! Just before Arthur crashes into his legs, Max jumps and
spreads his legs. Arthur's leg rolls between Max's legs.
Max looks back at Arthur. MAX
Give it up, Old Man. Arthur smiles, grabs the knee of his pants and yanks his
stiff leg up into Max's crotch, doubling Max over in pain.
Arthur grabs the back of Max's shirt and pulls Max into his
lap. They grapple and struggle for control of Max's knife. Nicki rushes up and hacks ineffectually at Max because she
doesn't want to accidentally hit her father. NICKI
GET OFF HIM! GET OFF HIM! Finally Max rolls out of the chair pulling Arthur with him
as protection, They land on the floor with a THUMP, Arthur
on top of Max. NICKI
LEAVE HIM ALONE! Nicki thrusts the sword at the pinned Max, stabbing him
through the eye. Then she stands back shocked by what she's
done. ARTHUR
Help me. Nicki rolls Arthur off Max and into her arms, revealing the
butterfly knife stuck deep in Arthur's ribs, his shirt soaked
in a spreading circle of blood. NICKI
Oh god! PaPa! I'll get a doctor. She starts to get up but he grabs her arm, holding her down.
ARTHUR
No. It doesn't even hurt. NICKI
What should I do? ARTHUR
You're on your own now, Princess. He gently wipes at her tears. She hugs him.
NICKI
Don't die... ARTHUR
My legs! Look! I can feel my legs!
I can move them. He points at his motionless legs.
ARTHUR
See Pam, see it moved! NICKI
Yes, PaPa. He closes his eyes and dies.
NICKI
I love you, PaPa...PaPa? She shakes him, trying to wake him, then hugs him and cries.
When she looks up to wipe the tears from her eyes she sees
Max and her grief turns to hate. NICKI
Damn you... Nicki gently lays her father down.
NICKI
...DAMN you... She stands, her hate turning to rage.
NICKI
...DAMN YOU... She grabs the sword and furiously stabs at Max's dead body,
over and over, stab, slash, venting her frustration and anger. NICKI
...DAMN YOU, DAMN YOU, DAMN YOU,
DAMN YOU, DAMN, DAMN, DAMN, DAMN,
DAMN, damn...damn. Until she falls to her knees exhausted. Out of breath, Nicki
clings to the sword and pants until she gets her second wind.
With renewed determination, Nicki stands and marches down
the hall. INT. NICKI'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
NICKI enters and starts changing her clothes.
INT. ARTHUR'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
NICKI, dressed in tight dark jeans and a dark sweater, takes
an old army 45 automatic from the bed stand and checks the
magazine. It's empty. She stuffs the gun into a gym bag. INT. ARTHUR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI enters, for a moment she is stunned by seeing her Grand
Fathers corpse again, then she makes herself walk around the
bodies to the mantel. Nicki takes the hand grenades off the
picture frame and sticks them into her gym bag, then goes
over to the desk. From a bottom drawer she takes a box of 45 caliber ammunition
and stuffs it in the gym bag then she goes to the dining
room table. Nicki looks at the solitaire game on the dining room table.
Arthur had been two cards short of winning the game. Nicki
plays the last two cards, one at a time, winning the game. She smiles at the irony.
She walks over and kneels next to her father.
NICKI
Hey, PaPa. You finally won a game. She closes his eyes, takes the car keys from his pocket,
fixes his collar and his hair, then kisses him. EXT. ARTHUR' HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI marches out of the house carrying the gym bag, gets
into her Grand Fathers car and drives off. INT. UNMARKED SEDAN - NIGHT
JASON and TONY race up a suburban street. Tony is driving,
Jason is still rubbing the sleep from his blood shot eyes. TONY
Christ, Jay. You fell asleep and
let her walk right out of the place. JASON
She must have drugged me, Tony. My
head is splitting TONY
Lets just hope we find her before
Detective Chong finds out. EXT. ARTHUR'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The unmarked sedan stops in front, JASON & TONY get out.
Jason disappears around the side of the house while Tony
goes to the front door, opens it and walks in. INT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI drives up and parks on the street in front of the house.
Carrying the gym bag she walks up to the front door.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI enters, puts the gym bag on the coffee table and takes
out a hand grenade. She tosses it up and down for a moment,
looking around and thinking. Unable to find inspiration in
the living room, Nicki puts the grenade back in the gym bag
and heads down the hall. INT. SAFE HOUSE NEPHEW'S ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI steps in the door and looks around.
On a toy shelf she sees a Teddy Bear.
Inspired, Nicki looks around and finds a Mr. Microphone and
a Walkman radio. She turns on the Walkman radio and tunes
it to Mr. Microphones frequency then tests the microphone. NICKI & WALKMAN RADIO
(Live & Radio filtered)
It's not for singing, it's for bugging
my sister's room! The Mr. Microphone works, much to Nicki's delight.
INT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT
NICKI sits at the counter using pliers to pull the heads
off bullets, then empties the powder into one of the grenades. When it's full she screws the detonator-trigger back on and
carefully sets the grenade in the gym bag. EXT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI goes from room to room opening the drapes and windows
and turning off the lights. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The T.V. comes on channel 88, white static on the screen and
WHITE NOISE coming from the speaker. NICKI uses the remote to turn the VOLUME WAY UP, then she
CLICKS off the TV and stuffs the remote into the gym bag. She takes the wireless phone from the end table and dials.
INT. KIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
JIMMY is making love to a drugged but reluctant KIM, in the
background DOUGHBOY is cleaning his gun. A paper envelope
of Mexican brown, a hypo, and a bent spoon are on the dresser. CELL PHONE BEEPS
DOUGHBOY takes the phone from his pocket and flips it open.
JIMMY
That's probably Max. Jimmy holds out his hand and Doughboy tosses over the phone.
JIMMY
Hello... He sits up, surprised.
JIMMY
Are you O.K.? Where are you, Lover? He writes down the address as he listens.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
NICKI talks on the phone while playing with the wireless
remote controlled toy fire engine. NICKI
...So I came back to the one place
they'll never think to look...No, I
haven't seen Max...O.K., Ill be
waiting for you...You know I love
you... She crashes the fire engine into her foot, bends over and
picks it up. INT. KIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
KIM and DOUGHBOY listen while JIMMY talks on the phone.
JIMMY
...Just do as I say and everything
will be OK... Wait there for me...Bye,
Lover. He hangs up and starts to dial another number.
JIMMY
The dumb bitch is waiting for us... EXT. ARTHUR'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Max's car is empty except for the BEEPING cell phone on the
front seat, in the background TWO POLICE CARS speed up and
park in front of Arthur's house. INT. KIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
JIMMY CLICKS off the phone and jumps out of bed.
JIMMY
...If that fool Max shows up tell
him to wait here for us. KIM
What are you going to do? JIMMY
Just do as I tell you. He grabs Kim and kisses her despite her struggles, then pushes
her down. DOUGHBOY is loading the weapons. KIM
Nicki called you, she won't talk,
you can't just... JIMMY
Shut up, Bitch. And remember, if
you want more of this... Jimmy grabs the baggy of heroin off the dresser.
JIMMY
...you'll keep you're mouth shut and
be here when we get back. Jimmy grabs one of the automatics from Doughboy and they
both exit. EXT. STAIRWELL, KIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
JIMMY and DOUGHBOY rush down the stairs, while putting away
their weapons. DOUGHBOY
She won't be here when we get back. JIMMY
We ain't coming back. DOUGHBOY
So what's the plan. JIMMY
We cap Nicki, then a change of
scenery. DOUGHBOY
New Orleans? JIMMY
Or Houston. INT. KIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
KIM slowly gets up off the floor and dusts herself off. She
takes the note pad that Jimmy wrote the address on, and holds
it up to the light. The imprint of the address is barely visible, but the Safe
house's address is still readable. Kim starts getting dressed. She is shaking so bad she can
hardly button her blouse. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
While talking on the phone, NICKI is searching through the
kitchen junk drawer. NICKI
...I just need to talk to officer
Jason O'Connell... Yes, its an
emergency...His pager number, I'll
take it... She takes out a pen and jots down the pager number on a
napkin. She sticks the pen back in the drawer and sees
something of interest. In the drawer is a tube of super glue. Nicki reaches in,
picks it up and stuffs the glue into her gym bag. INT. ARTHUR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A UNIFORMED POLICEMAN is putting white tape around MAX'S &
ARTHUR'S bodies. THREE OTHER COPS are dusting for
fingerprints, collecting evidence or taking flash pictures. JASON and TONY are talking with DETECTIVE CHONG.
A CELL PHONE BEEPS
Everyone stops and checks their cell phones.
JASON
It's me. While he grabs his cell phone while everyone else goes back
to work. DET. CHONG
That better be business, you don't
have time for personal calls. JASON flips open his cells phone as he walks into the kitchen.
INT. ARTHUR'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
JASON steps in.
JASON
Hello... Nicole! Are you OK?...
Where are you? EXT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI can be seen through the living room window. She is
talking on her cell phone while moving around the room. Finally, she grabs the gym bag and walks towards the front
door, disappearing out of sight of the window. The living
room lights go out then Nicki steps out the front door, still
talking on the phone. NICKI
I ...I'm so scared, please come and
get me... OK, I'll wait right
here...hurry! Her face hardens as she turns off the phone, puts it in the
gym bag then walks across the yard and hides in the shadow
of a neighbor's bush. EXT. KIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
KIM stumbles out of the building and just manages to get
into her car. She drives away, scattering a bunch of garbage cans.
EXT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
JIMMY & DOUGHBOY drive slowly by, make a U turn at the end
of the block and return to park on the street. They get out
of the car and walk in the front door. Moonlight exposes
them through the front window as they step into the living
room. NICKI takes the Walkman radio out of the gym bag and turns
it on. JIMMY
(radio -Filtered)
Nicki! You here, Honey?! Nicki takes the wireless remote control out of the gym bag.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Taped under the coffee table, the Mr. Microphone bugs JIMMY
& DOUGHBOY. JIMMY
Find the damn light switch. DOUGHBOY feels along the moon lit wall by the door while
JIMMY takes out his automatic. JIMMY
HEY NICKI!
(under his breath)
Where the hell is she? EXT. SAFE HOUSE BUSH - NIGHT
NICKI switches on the wireless remote control and moves the
control forward. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JIMMY & DOUGHBOY are startled by ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE.
DOUGHBOY
What's that? Jimmy points to the dark corner.
JIMMY
There! They both swing their guns towards:
The toy fire engine rolls into the moon light, string slowly
feeding out behind it. Jimmy and Doughboy watch as the toy rolls towards the middle
of the room. DOUGHBOY
It's a fucking toy. JIMMY
What kind of game is she playing. One end of the string is tied to a chair leg, the other end
to the pin of the hand grenade, which is taped to the fire
engine. The string runs out and the pin is pulled, SNAPPING the
trigger and springing the detonator. Jimmy and Doughboy take a moment to recognize what happened.
JIMMY
Shit! EXT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
Looking in the front window, JIMMY & DOUGHBOY can be seen
frozen in the moonlight. DOUGHBOY
(Radio filtered)
GRENADE!! JIMMY and Doughboy dive for cover.
NICKI chuckles, puts the remote control in the gym bag and
sneaks over to the shadowy side of the house. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JIMMY and DOUGHBOY are ducked and covered.
The fire engine and grenade are just sitting there in the
middle of the room. Suddenly a puff of smoke FIZZLES out of
the grenade, then nothing. Jimmy & Doughboy eye each other, unsure what to do.
JIMMY
A dud? Doughboy shrugs.
JIMMY reluctantly crawls closer, gaining confidence as time
passes. Finally, he grabs the grenade and truck and stands
up. EXT. SIDE OF SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI is crouched under the extra bedroom window listening
to the Walkman. JIMMY
(Radio filtered)
What is this shit... NICKI
(Whispers)
Damn! Nicki rummages in the gym bag and takes out the childrens
walkie-talkie. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JIMMY tosses the toy across the roam as DOUGHBOY joins him.
JIMMY
NICKI! NICKI (O.S.)
In here! Help me! Jimmy and Doughboy head down the hallway towards the sound
of her voice. EXT. SIDE OF SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI is crouched under the extra bedrooms open window,
talking into the walkie-talkie. NICKI
Hurry, I need you... She takes out the other grenade and kisses it for good luck.
INT. SAFE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
JIMMY and DOUGHBOY move cautiously to either side of the
extra bedrooms closed door, their automatics out and ready. JIMMY
Where are you, Sweetheart? NICKI (O.S.)
In the bedroom. Jimmy points from Doughboy to the door. Doughboy braces,
then cautiously opens the door and steps in, while Jimmy
stays safely pressed against the hall wall. EXT. SIDE OF SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI is crouched under the open window. Inside the bedroom,
DOUGHBOY turns on the light, revealing that the room is empty.
With gun ready, Doughboy moves towards the window. Nicki talks into the walkie-talkie.
NICKI
I'm in the closet! Doughboy whirls around, aiming towards the closet, his back
now to the open window. NICKI
Help me, I'm tied up in here. She puts down the walkie-talkie as Doughboy cautiously moves
towards the closet. INT. SAFE HOUSE EXTRA BEDROOM - NIGHT
DOUGHBOY opens the closet and sees that it's empty. He
reaches in and takes out the other half of the kids walkie-
talkie set. DOUGHBOY
Fuck. Behind him, NICKI stands up. She quickly squeezes super
glue on the grenade, being careful not to get any on herself,
then she pulls the pin. NICKI
Hey! Catch! EXT. SIDE OF SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI tosses the grenade in the window towards DOUGHBOY, who
catches it by reflex. Doughboy looks at it and smiles.
DOUGHBOY
Another dud. NICKI
I hope not. Nicki ducks, crouching under the open window.
Doughboy tries to toss the grenade out the window and is
surprised to find it glued to his hand. His eyes go wide as
he starts to panic. DOUGHBOY
Shit! Fucking bitch! Get her Jimmy!
She's outside. INT. SAFE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
JIMMY is still pressed against the wall, light streaming
from the open bedroom door. JIMMY
I'll get her... Before he can move the flash and BANG of an explosion blows
smoke, debris and DOUGHBOY out the open door. Doughboys
body crashes against the far wall, splattering it with blood. EXT. SIDE OF SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
The explosion blows glass and blood out the window and over
NICKI'S head. She grabs the gym bag and runs into the back
yard. INT. SAFE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
DOUGHBOY slides down the wall, dead. For a moment, JIMMY is
too stunned to move. JIMMY
Son of a bitch! EXT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
KIM drives up and parks across the street. She is afraid to
get out of the car so she just stares at the house. The house is dark and quiet, except for the light streaming
out of the extra bedroom's window. INT. SAFE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
JIMMY checks DOUGHBOY. Satisfied that he's dead, Jimmy
cautiously sneaks up the hall and disappears into the dark
living room. EXT. SAFE HOUSE BACKYARD - NIGHT
NICKI rummages through her gym bag and takes out the Walkman
radio. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
In the dark, JIMMY trips over the coffee table.
EXT. SAFE HOUSE BACKYARD - NIGHT
NICKI listens to her walkman radio.
JIMMY
(radio filtered -
whispers)
Shit! NOISE OF FURNITURE MOVING.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JIMMY has pulled out the overstuffed reclining chair. He
hides behind it, his back to the wall, carefully using the
arm of the chair to sight his pistol along. JIMMY'S P.O.V. - The sight of the revolver scans from the
hallway entrance past the kitchen to the front door, Jimmy
smiles and waits. EXT. SIDE OF SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
NICKI slips in the extra bedroom's open window.
INT. SAFE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
NICKI sneaks out of the extra bedroom and carefully makes
her way up the dark hall, avoiding DOUGHBOY'S body. She
stops at the entrance of the living room, pressing against
the wall, gun ready. She takes the TV remote from her pocket. Nicki's thumb finds the power button and hovers over it.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JIMMY waits for Nicki to step into his trap, straining to
here all and see all. Suddenly LOUD STATIC NOISE BLARES from the T.V. and the room
is bathed in the blue-white light glaring out of the T.V.
set. JIMMY reacts, swinging the gun towards the T.V. set.
BANG!
Sparks and smoke gush from his pistol.
BANG! BANG!
The TV set explodes in a shower of sparks and flames.
BANG!
Jimmy fires again as he steps half out from behind the chair
to see what he hit. NICKI leans out from the dark hall entrance and levels her
automatic. BANG!
Sparks and smoke gush from her pistol.
BANG! BANG!
Two bullets tear into the throw pillow on the reclining chair,
sending out puffs of stuffing. Jimmy dives behind the chair. INT. SAFE HOUSE HALL - NIGHT
NICKI ducks back against the wall.
JIMMY (O.S.)
Very tricky, Nicki. But you missed. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JIMMY, still hiding behind the chair, quickly pulls the clip
from his gun and thumbs out the last six shiny steel bullets. He stuffs the bullets into his shirt pocket and pulls a hand-
full of bullets from his pants pocket. These bullets look plastic coated and more pointed then the
other bullets. Jimmy loads them into the clip, then slips
the clip into the automatic. NICKI (O.S.)
I'll get you next time. Jimmy laughs.
JIMMY
You might as well give up, Nicki. I
got you out gunned. JIMMY'S sights the automatic at the edge of the hall entrance,
then moves his aim over two feet into the living room wall. BA-BANG!!
The shot is louder than before, as the automatic spits sparks
and smoke. INT. SAFE HOUSE HALL - NIGHT
A bullet splinters the wall between NICKI'S head and the
edge of the hall entrance, splattering plaster on her.
Startled, Nicki drops to the floor. BA-BANG!
Another hole appears where Nicki's head had been. She
scampers back down the dark hall. BA-BANG! BA-BANG!
Two more bullets stitch holes along the wall, following NICKI
down the hall. EXT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
Still parked across the street, KIM is frightened by the
shots. (Muffled) Ba-BANG!
KIM stares at the dark house.
BA-BANG! BA-BANG!
The muzzle flashes light up the living room then all is dark
and quiet again. Kim sits in the car, near tears, frightened but determined.
She starts to open the car door then stops as car head lights
spill across her. She looks over her shoulder. The unmarked sedan drives past her and pulls into the safe
house's driveway, parking in front of the garage. JASON and
TONY get out and go to the front door. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JIMMY is moving towards the dark hall his automatic still
smoking in his hand. JIMMY
(softly)
Come out, come out, where ever you
are? CLICK OF FRONT DOOR OPENING
Jimmy dives behind the kitchen counter, training his pistol
on the front door. The front door swings open and TONY and JASON step in, guns
ready. JASON
Nicki? We're here! Jimmy aims at Jason then TONY, unsure which to shoot,
EXT. SAFE HOUSE BACKYARD - NIGHT
NICKI is slipping out the extra bedroom's window. She calls
back into the house. NICKI
Look out, Jason! Jimmy's in the
living room! She turns and runs into the back yard.
INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JASON and TONY take cover, Jason behind the reclining chair
and TONY outside the front door. Tony peeks around the door TONY searches from living room to kitchen but can't see
anything but dark shadows. TONY
I don't see him anywhere, You Partner? JASON
It's too dark, he could be anywhere.
Nicki! Where are you?! EXT. SAFE HOUSE BACKYARD - NIGHT
NICKI takes her cell phone and dials a number then pushes
the # sign. She smiles and moves into the shadows. INT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT
JIMMY is crouched behind the counter, trying to decide what
to do next when the decision is made for him. BEEP - BEEP - BEEP.
Jimmy cell phone goes off.
JIMMY
SHIT! Switching it off, Jimmy tosses the phone across the kitchen
and it crashes against the far wall. Behind Jimmy, JASON
and TONY step out from their cover, leveling their pistols
on Jimmy's position. TONY
Throw out your gun, Asshole. JIMMY
You want my gun, you can have it.
One piece at a time! Jimmy aims through the counter.
BA-BANG!
Jimmy keeps shooting through the counter.
BA-BANG! BA-BANG!
Tony and Jason dive for cover while shooting back.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Jimmy sprints for the open kitchen window while spraying
bullets back at Tony and Jason. BA-BANG! BA-BANG! BA-BANG! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
Jimmy keeps firing even after the gun is empty and while
diving head first out the window. EXT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN WINDOW - NIGHT
JIMMY comes flying out the window, somersaults to his feet
then runs towards the front of the house. INT. SAFE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT
TONY and JASON rush into the kitchen.
BANG! BANG! B-B-B-BANG!
Showering the kitchen in a hail of bullets, they flank the
window, reloading their guns, JASON
Jesus. What's he got. TONY
Cop killers! Armor piercing, steel
jacketed, Teflon coated, magnum
fucking loads. Jason knocks on the wall, checking its thickness. Realizing
that the wall is no cover, they crouch way down. JASON
Is he out there? Tony reluctantly peeks out the window, then relaxes and stands
up. TONY
Gone! We need back up! TONY heads for the open front door. For a moment Jason's
gun is pointed at his partners back, then he points his weapon
at the ceiling and follows Tony into the living room. INT. SAFE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JASON and TONY flank either side of the open front door.
JASON
He's out there. TONY
Maybe. We should find Nicki before
he does. JASON
You hold down the fort. I'll check
the back of the house. TONY
Thanks. Jason dashes down the dark hall.
EXT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
KIM has been crouched down on her front seat, but now that
the gun shots have stopped, she steels herself and peeks out
the window. JIMMY appears out of the dark shadows next to the garage, He
runs up the driveway and dives behind the unmarked sedan. Jimmy reloads his automatic, occasionally glancing over the
trunk of the car to see if anyone comes out of the house. Nicki peeks around the opposite corner of the house.
The front yard looks clear.
Nicki runs for the bushes by the front door.
PATTER OF RUNNING FEET
Jimmy peeks over the trunk of the car to see who is running.
Nicki dives behind the bushes and rolls to her knees. Her
back is to JIMMY as she watches the front door. JIMMY smiles, stands up and steps into the middle of the
drive way. The sedan is between him and the garage. In the foreground, KIM sits in her car watching Jimmy take
careful aim at Nicki's back. Jimmy savors the moment. Kim starts the car.
VROOM - SCREECH!
The cars tires squeal and smoke as Kim speeds away from the
curb and turns into the safe house's drive way. Nicki turns at the NOISE and sees:
Jimmy has the drop on her. Smiling he slowly squeezes the
trigger, the hammer crawls back and CLICKS. Kim aims the speeding car at Jimmy, who hears it speeding up
the drive way and turns, facing the car. His eyes bulge. Jimmy swings his gun around and aims at Kim.
BA-BANG!
Jimmy's bullet shatters Kim's windshield. KIM's car lurches
towards Jimmy. CRASH!
Kim's fender crushes Jimmy's legs against the sedans back
fender. Jimmy, pinned by the collision, is slammed from the trunk of
the sedan to the hood of Kim's car by the force of the crash. His gun is thrown up on the hood of Kim's car, getting stuck
in the windshield wiper. Nicki, stunned, steps towards the cars, behind her TONY then
JASON rush out the front door, guns ready. For a moment
they pause on either side of Nicki. Jimmy is sprawled across the hood of Kim's car. He winces
in pain as he stretches, trying to get his automatic, which
is just out of reach of his fingers tips. In her car, Kim
lulls against the steering wheel. Nicki realizes her friend is at least hurt.
NICKI
Kim?! The stunned silence broken, Tony and Jason react as Nicki
starts towards her friend. JASON
No... Jason reaches out and holds her back, protectively.
TONY
Wait here, we'll check her out. Tony and Jason move towards the car while Nicki watches.
JASON
You check the girl, I'll do Jimmy. They split up. Tony goes around Kim's car towards the drivers
side door. Jason goes over to Jimmy. Hate and pain make JIMMY glare at Jason, who casually leans
over the hood and takes the automatic away from Jimmy's still
grasping fingers. Smiling, Jason leans close to Jimmy, JASON
(Whispers)
You still have my fifty thou? Hope replaces pain on JIMMY's face.
JIMMY
(whispers)
Yes! ...Twice that! Jason turns back to Nicki, pulling the clip from Jimmy's
automatic he checks to see that it's still loaded with Teflon
bullets, then he slams the clip back into the gun. Behind
Jason, Tony checks on Kim. Tony pushes Kim away from the steering wheel, revealing a
seeping hole in her head. TONY
She's gone. I'll call for back up
and an ambulance. Tony starts towards the sedan.
JIMMY
(To Jason)
What are you waiting for? TONY
Shut up, asshole. Jimmy glares back at Tony.
JIMMY
Kill her, kill them both, damn it.
Do it and you're rich... Jimmy looks at Jason, who is watching Nicki.
JIMMY
...let her go and you're going down
with me! KILL HER! SHOOT THE BITCH! NICKI can't tell which Cop JIMMY is talking to. She aims
the 45 automatic back and forth between Jason and Tony, unsure
which is the enemy. NICKI
Don't move! Either of you. JIMMY
KILL THEM BOTH! NICKI
SHUT UP! She points the gun at Jimmy.
Jimmy glares back at her, but doesn't say anything.
JASON
You were right, Nicki. Tony must
have gone bad. Jason turns away from Nicki and aims JIMMY's automatic at
Tony. TONY
What the fuck. NICKI
Drop your guns! She also levels her gun at Tony.
Tony looks from Nicki to Jason, realizes what's happening
and looks back at Nicki. TONY
You're making a big mistake, Sugar. JASON
Just drop it. Tony slowly swings his gun towards Jason.
TONY
You know I can't, a cop never gives
up his gun. NICKI
Shut up, both of you. I shoot the
first man that moves. She keeps backing away while covering both Jason and Tony.
Jimmy slowly reaches down, as if to rub his injured legs but
instead he reaches into his pocket and slips out his
switchblade knife. Nicki tries to watch everyone, the tension making her sweat.
Jason looks from Tony to Nicki, his gun still on Tony.
Tony glares at Jason.
Jimmy, with practiced speed, flicks out the blade, flips it
into throwing position and flings the knife at Tony. JIMMY
KILL HER! The knife sticks deep in Tony's chest. Tony aims at Jimmy.
BANG!
Tony shoots, then collapses behind the sedan.
Nicki is surprised, she looks at Jason, trying to realize
the meaning of what happened. Jason swings Jimmy's gun around, leveling it on Nicki and
firing in one motion. BA-BANG!
Nicki is hit in the arm. The force of the bullet spins her
around and knocks the gun from her hand. She drops to her
knees, holding her bleeding shoulder. Jason walks over and looks down at NICKI. He starts to raise
Jimmy's automatic. NICKI
It was you all along. JASON
Sorry, Sweetheart! Jason aims at her head.
BANG!
Jason smiles, blood dribbles down his chin, then Jason
collapses revealing Tony kneeling behind the sedan, the gun
still smoking in his hand. TONY
You were right, Sweet cheeks. One of
us was trying to kill you. Tony struggles to his feet and checks Jimmy, rolling his
head over revealing a neat hole between the eyes. TONY
Got the Sucker! Then Tony collapses again, disappearing behind the cars.
Nicki takes the cell phone from her pocket and dials 911.
NICKI
Hello, Police? I want to report a
shooting. EXT. COMMUNITY COLLEGE SIGN - DAY
The college is sprawled behind the sign. JOHNNY, now a
college jock, is chatting with his BUDDIES. NICKI strolls
across the campus, her arms loaded with books. Johnny has
his back to Nicki as she walks by. The guys check her out. BUDDIES
Wow! Check it out! That's fine! Johnny turns to see who his buddies are talking about just
as Nicki looks back at the group. They recognize each other. Nicki stops, at first surprised then angry. She glares back
at Johnny. Smiling, Johnny turns back to his buddies and makes a joke.
The group snickers.
Fuming, Nicki flips them the finger and walks off.
EXT. COLLEGE PARKING LOT - DAY
ROLL TAIL CREDITS
Nicki walks up to her car and fumbles through her purse,
looking for her keys. TONY, driving an unmarked sedan, pulls
up next to her sports car. TONY
Hello, Pam. How goes college? NICKI
Great! How you doing? TONY
Back on active duty starting
yesterday. You keeping your nose
clean? NICKI
And to the grind stone.,. Nicki looks back at the college, thinking, deciding.
NICKI
...Hey, Tony. What's the Statute of
Limitations on rape? TONY
Seven years. Why? LONG SHOT
NICKI and TONY continue talking until she gets into her sports
car and follows Tony's sedan out of the parking lot and up
the street. DISTORTED CHEERING
END TAIL CREDITS
THE END
