Red
White
Black
and
Blue
by
Andrew Kevin Walker
Second Draft
11/17/95
"These are the times that try men's souls:
The summer soldier and the sunshine
patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from
the service of his country; but he that
stands it NOW, deserves the love and
thanks of man and woman."
-Thomas Paine
"The Crisis"
Dec. 23, 1776
SOUNDTRACK BEGINS: all 70's-style WHAMMY-BAR GUITAR,
HIGH-HAT PERCUSSION and HORN SECTION, vibro-groovey...
INT. KITTLE'S APARTMENT -- MORNING
6:00am on an ALARM CLOCK. It BUZZES.
CREDIT SEQUENCE BEGINS...
In bed, under a black-light poster of Zodiac signs portrayed
as sexual positions, KITTLE opens his eyes. He's dashingly
handsome, with a bushy moustache and big mutton chops.
In the MIRROR ON THE CEILING: Kittle admires himself, then
gets up, leaving behind a naked, BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.
KITTLE
You should hit the bricks.
The woman is starting to regret last night.
IN THE KITCHEN, Kittle opens the fridge, puts a
shrink-wrapped steak on the counter, A carton of eggs.
He lights a burner under a skillet.
IN THE BEDROOM, the woman sits up, wraps herself in a sheet.
She notices a PICTURE hung crooked on the wall:
A PHOTO OF KITTLE in dress blues, fresh from the police
academy; a Kittle once clean-cut, crew-cut and untainted.
A Kittle long dead.
IN THE KITCHEN, Kittle dumps the steak in the skillet. He
cracks eggs as the woman comes to pose in the doorway.
BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
Don't I even get breakfast?
Kittle looks at her, smiles.
KITTLE
No.
CUT TO:
INT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE -- MORNING
6:00am. An ALARM CLOCK RINGS. BILLY-BOY's already up, an
outsized, scruffy-faced bruiser with mutton chops rivaling
Kittle's. He's lifting weights, naked, covered in sweat,
smoking a cigarette.
His gun and badge wait in a holster on a chair.
Billy-Boy drops the barbells, executing kung-fu moves,
poorly. He chops at imaginary foes as he exits. A moment
later, he crosses back with a six-pack of beer...
IN THE BATHROOM, Billy-Boy gets in the shower, guzzling a
beer. He tosses the empty, turns on the water...
Blasted by the cold spray, Billy-Boy throws back his head
and lets out a long, loud WAR HOOT.
CUT TO:
INT. NENA'S APARTMENT -- MORNING
ALARM CLOCK. 6:00am again, as the ALARM BUZZES...
In the satin-sheeted bed, a Siamese cat leaps up and rubs
against NENA. Nena rolls over, black and beautiful,
straightens her power Afro. She pets the cat, pushes away
her pillow and picks up her GUN there.
IN THE KITCHEN, Nena puts the gun down and fills a coffee
pot at the sink. The cat circles her ankles, purring.
Nena opens a can of tuna, dumps it on a plate and puts it on
the floor. The cat eats.
Nena opens the refrigerator where a photo of Bruce Lee is
taped to the door. She takes out a coffee jar, revealing a
GUN hidden behind it on the shelf.
In a cabinet, she pushes aside another GUN to get a mug.
Nena sits at a table to wait for water to boil. She picks
thru a box of electronic bits and pieces, tinkering with a
MICRO-TRANSMITTER, using a jeweler's eyepiece. CAMERA MOVES
down... REVEALS a HOLSTER screwed to the underside of table:
another GUN within reach.
IN THE BEDROOM, Nena enters with coffee. She kneels
cross-legged in a bean-bag chair, lights incense, then shuts
her eyes and begins her morning meditation with a low hum.
CUT TO:
INT. KITTLE'S APARTMENT -- MORNING
At a mirror, Kittle ties his wide tie, combs his moustache.
His suit is of the finest, loudest plaid. He straightens
the "Whip Inflation Now" BUTTON on his wide lapel.
EXT. KITTLE'S APARTMENT -- MORNING
Kittle strides toward garages behind his building, pointing
a remote. One GARAGE DOOR OPENS slowly.
We CANNOT SEE INTO the DARK GARAGE as Kittle disappears
inside. We HEAR a CAR DOOR. An ENGINE ROARS, RUMBLES,
idling... a throaty GURGLE... till Kittle pulls out in his
Ford Gran Torino GT...
A small American flag on the antenna flaps in the breeze.
The Torino swings onto the street, peeling out...
ZOOM IN: as the Torino races away. FREEZE FRAME.
...CREDIT SEQUENCE ENDS.
EXT. H'WOOD STREETS -- MORNING -- AERIAL SHOT (ROOFTOPS)
Kittle's Torino cruises down Vine past Capital Records.
Traffic's light this early...
WHIP PAN/ZOOM IN: on the "HOLLYWOOD" sign, distant.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD -- MORNING
Kids toss firecrackers in the gutter and watch them pop.
Red, white and blue decorations are everywhere.
SUPERIMPOSE TITLE CARD:
July 4th, 1976
Nena walks down the sidewalk in a leather overcoat,
sunglasses and ultra-flair bell-bottoms. Shop-keepers
raising storefront gates greet her. Men crane their necks
to watch her pass, wide-eyed and whistling.
In the street, the Torino rounds a corner. It pulls to the
curb to meet Nena. An elderly DRUNKARD's leering at Nena as
she climbs in the car.
DRUNKARD
Right on, Brown Sugar! How 'bout
taking me with you?
NENA
Where I'm going today, Old Man, you
do not want to go.
As Kittle pulls away, u-turning...
CUT TO:
EXT. HAMBURGER STAND -- MORNING
Alfresco greasy-spoon. Under one R,W+B umbrella, Billy-Boy,
in baggy suit and lollipop-orange aviator sunglasses,
consumes a burger and looks lovey-eyed at his SCHOOL-MARM
girlfriend, who reads a "MATH" text, innocent and petit.
Across the street, Kittle's car pulls up, HONKING.
Billy-Boy motions he'll be along in a minute.
IN THE TORINO
Nena's reading "Fear of Flying." Kittle watches Billy-Boy.
KITTLE
Look at her and him together. King
Kong and Fay Wray.
Nena glances up, returns to reading.
NENA
Whatever.
Billy-Boy gives his girl an apple, kisses her. Kittle lays
on the horn. Billy-Boy runs over with a cup of take-out
coffee, carrying a newspaper under his arm.
BILLY-BOY
Why do I always have to sit in back?
NENA
It's just the way things are, kiddo.
BILLY-BOY
Well, I would like to sit in front
today.
NENA
It's not gonna happen.
KITTLE
Fer cryin' out loud, Billy-Boy, just
get in the car. You're way too big a
target to be sitting up here.
Billy-Boy gets in, disgruntled, handing the coffee to Nena
who passes it to Kittle as the car sets in motion.
Billy-Boy turns to look out the back, waving goodbye.
Kittle watches thru the rearview mirror.
KITTLE
How's your precious little
school-marm today?
BILLY-BOY
She's fine, as if you cared.
KITTLE
Tell me something... what's a school
teacher doing having you meet for
breakfast in one of the filthiest
parts of downtown skank-ville? I
mean, this is not the place for fine
dining, unless looking at prostitutes
stimulates your appetite.
BILLY-BOY
Filthy kids go to kindergarten too.
What are you saying, anyhow?
KITTLE
Nothing, I guess. Just an
observation. She's really something
special. You're a lucky fella.
BILLY-BOY
Lay off once, would you?
KITTLE
What'd I say?
BILLY-BOY
It's the way you say it, like there's
something more too it.
NENA
You been wearing rubbers, Billy-Boy?
BILLY-BOY
Wha... ?
NENA
Birth control's important.
BILLY-BOY
(blushing, astonished)
What... what kinda thing is that to
say?
KITTLE
She's right. If you two are doing
the horizontal polka, the last thing
you want is a thirty-five pound
bundle-of-joy stumbling around,
knocking over furniture and calling
you "daddy."
BILLY-BOY
(beleaguered)
Jeez... it's too early in the morning
for this. Leave off.
(hands up newspaper)
Here's your paper.
KITTLE
What, am I supposed to read it while
I drive? Keep a grip on it, alright?
NENA
(turns to Billy-Boy)
You know, the more weight back there,
the faster the car goes.
BILLY-BOY
Bullshit.
NENA
You never heard of physics, Einstein?
The laws of physics. The more
ballast we keep closer to the rear
tires...
BILLY-BOY
I'm back here, aren't I? So, you
don't have to make up a buncha lies
to make me feel good about it.
NENA
Oh... okay.
Nena faces front.
CUT TO:
EXT. PORN SHOP/PEEP SHOW -- MORNING
The Torino comes to halt at a seedy "ADULT BOOK SHOP."
"Live Nude Girls." Our heroes pile out of the car.
Billy-Boy and Nena head in, but Kittle stops, incensed by a
GEORGE WASHINGTON MANNEQUIN with an inflatable SEX-DOLL in
its arms. A sign above reads "Porn on the Fourth of July!"
Kittle shoves the mannequin to the ground, then follows...
INT. PORN SHOP, ENTRANCE -- MORNING
Billy-Boy, Nena and Kittle move briskly thru. The PORN
DEALER at the counter leaps to his feet, fearful.
PORN DEALER
Hey, hey, hey, Kittle... I don't need
no fucking hassle here!
KITTLE
(pointing, furious)
Then, sit your fat, sweaty ass back
down in that chair!
Porn Dealer obeys.
INT. PORN SHOP, PEEP SHOW BOOTHS -- MORNING
Billy-Boy, Nena and Kittle push through beaded curtains into
a dank hall. They split up, opening doors, searching...
KITTLE
(in thru a door)
Pardon me... my mistake. Taking your
thoughts in hand, huh... ?
NENA
(into a booth)
Whoops... don't mind me. Go ahead
and finish up.
INT. PORN SHOP, PEEP BOOTH -- MORNING
A greasy, bespectacled pervert, BENNY, sits in a tiny booth,
sweating in front of a window looking in on a top-less
STRIPPER who gyrates without enthusiasm.
A KNOCK, and Kittle sticks his head in.
KITTLE
Sir, the management would like to
offer a complimentary wet-nap...
Benny turns, mortified.
KITTLE
Hey, Benny! How's it hanging?
Well... you know, don't answer that.
Kittle WHISTLES down the hall, then enters, friendly.
BENNY
Kittle...
KITTLE
Where you been hiding, grease-fist?
We've been looking for you.
Nena and Billy-B cram in, shut the door. Very tight fit.
KITTLE
You remember Nena and Billy-Boy.
(BANGS on window)
Take a break, sweetheart.
The stripper goes to sit in a chair.
BENNY
What do you want? I'm clean. I been
clean a long time.
KITTLE
Really? Is that a fact... ?
Kittle puts his gun to Benny's forehead, searches Benny's
pockets, finding a bag of powder, which he hands over his
shoulder to Nena. Nena sticks in her pinkie, tastes it.
NENA
Pure horse.
KITTLE
(reholsters gun)
You are such a disappointment, Benny.
Nena sprinkles the powder to the floor
BENNY
Oh, you fuckers! You fucking
fuckers! What? What do you want?
KITTLE
Word is, while the vice cops on the
East Coast were standing around
playing pocket pool, 300 kilos of
heroin got smuggled into New York
City. And, right now it's making a
cross-country journey to Hollywood,
U.S.A.
NENA
Arriving tonight
KITTLE
Going into Zimmermann's pipeline.
BENNY
Look, I know how you guys operate,
but I got a witness...
(points to glass)
I got a witness, so you can't squeeze
me.
The bored stripper smokes a cigarette, and just then a METAL
DOOR SLIDES CLOSED over the window. Peep show's over.
KITTLE
(grins)
Looks like your dime ran out.
Kittle motions to Billy-Boy. Billy-Boy squeezes past, lifts
Benny by the lapels and shakes him violently.
BENNY
Hey now... what the fuck... ?
KITTLE
Again.
Billy-Boy shakes Benny harder, really rattling him.
KITTLE
Know what he's doing, Benny? He's
trying to jog your memory.
BENNY
I don't know what you're talking
about, man. Even if I did, I'm not
so crazy I'm gonna cross Zimmermann.
KITTLE
This scag is enough to keep every
junkie from here to the Mexican
border high as a kite for the next
two years. You think we're gonna let
Zimmermann haul it onto our streets
on the Fourth-of-fucking-July!?
NENA
You must not think we take our
responsibilities very seriously.
Billy-Boy shakes Benny, and shakes him and shakes him...
KITTLE
Last time Billy-Boy did this, the
guy's neck broke...
(SNAPS fingers)
... just like that. Sad in a way.
Why is it we don't truly appreciate
our arms and legs till we've lost the
use of them?
BENNY
Alright! Alright... put me down...
Billy-Boy looks to Kittle, Kittle nods. Billy-Boy puts
Benny down. Nena cozies up, starts combing Benny's hair
over his bald spot, which is creeping him out.
BENNY
It's bone dry out there. Everybody's
hurting. The stuff floating around's
been cut so many times it's like
powdered sugar, but Zimnermann's
gonna fix it.
KITTLE
I need the "when" and the "where."
BENNY
I don't know, okay? All I know is
Butch Cassidy's back in town.
NENA
That's not what we heard.
BENNY
He's back, swear to friggin' God. I
seen him at the needle farm saying
how he's Zimmermann's number one
candy-man again. If anyone knows
anything, he does.
KITTLE
Airight... we'll take that. But,
start spreading the news...
(pokes Benny's chest)
Zimmermann goes down tonight.
Nena and Billy-Boy exit. Benny's relieved. Kittle stops
and tosses a handful of coins on the floor...
KITTLE
Knock yourself out.
Kittle throws in a handkerchief, slams the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. PORN SHOP -- MORNING
Billy-Boy, Nena and Kittle get in the Torino. They drive...
INSIDE THE TORINO
Kittle Sorts thru 8-track tapes on the dash. He puts one
into the player and twists volume.
ON THE STREET
Springsteen's "BORN TO RUN" (or some similar 70's anthem to
cause all our hearts to skip a beat with cheap, easy,
sentimental reminiscence) is HEARD KICKING IN...
CAMERA FOLLOWS the Torino.
TRACKING SHOT: of the stars on the dirty sidewalks of
Hollywood Boulevard whizzing by.
TRACKING SHOT: past a STREET VENDOR with a cart of flags,
election buttons and dozens of R,W+B inflatable animals.
WHIP PAN: to follow the Torino as it races past, then
ZOOM IN: on the neon lettering of the "FROLIC ROOM" bar.
TRACKING SHOT: past an x-rated theater double-billing "Alice
in Wonderland" and "Behind the Green Door."
TRACKING SHOT: past a shop window of televisions all showing
Prez Ford speechifying.
The Torino turns, cutting across a trash strewn lot.
CAMERA FOLLOWS the Torino as it comes out to the street, but
the MUSIC spiriting us thru this montage abruptly goes
GARBLED and SLOWS to an EXTENDED GROAN...
INSIDE THE TORINO
Kittle looks down, pissed.
KITTLE
What the fuck... ?
He yanks the 8-track cassette. The player spits ragged
tape. It's screwed.
CUT TO:
EXT. SEEDY MOTEL/SUBURBAN STREETS -- MORNING
Torino's parked. Nena looks through binoculars...
NENA
Come on, Butch... show your pretty
face...
NENA'S P.O.V. -- THROUGH BINOCULARS
Scanning curtained windows of a shit-hole MOTEL in bleak
suburbs. Various freaks and prostitutes hang out.
NENA (o.s.)
Man-oh-man, this place is one hell of
a skeeze-pad.
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
Just breathing the air in there'll
give you the clap.
Kittle's still yanking tape from the cassette player,
tossing it out. Billy-Boy's smoking in back.
BILLY-BOY
You shouldn't litter.
KITTLE
Thank you, concerned citizen.
BILLY-BOY
Give a Hoot. Don't Pollute.
KITTLE
I'll give you a fucking hoot if you
don't shut up back there.
Kittle turns on the RADIO: "Afternoon Delight" by Starlight
Vocal Band. He pushes another button: "Saturday Night" by
the Bay City Rollers.
Billy-Boy takes a swig from his pocket flask, snuffs his
cigarette in an overflowing ashtray.
Kittle tries other stations, frustration growing as the
choices worsen: "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees. "Popcorn."
"Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks. Glen Campbell's
"Rhinestone Cowboy." "Don't Give Up On Us" by David Soul,
NENA
Don't torture yourself...
She turns the RADIO OFF, hands binoculars to Kittle and
opens the newspaper. Headline: ISRAELI COMMANDOS FREE
HOSTAGES. She pulls out a section, tossing it to Billy...
The funny pages. Billy-Boy starts reading them.
Nena folds the paper over to the "HOROSCOPE."
KITTLE
Why do you bother with that
mumbo-jumbo crap? Some fruitcake's
writing it between bong hits, making
it up as he goes, and you're actually
taking the time to read it.
NENA
Yeah, non-believer? Here's yours...
(reading)
"Scorpio, October 24 to November 22:
Jupiter is in conflict with Saturn,
so proceed with caution..."
KITTLE
Look out! Jupiter and Saturn'll get
you every fucking time.
NENA
"Today you have a rare opportunity to
make a big difference in your chosen
field. By your able leadership and
with great conviction and strength of
character, you will come up a
winner."
KITTLE
Let me see that...
(reads, impressed)
Not bad.
Kittle's pleased, looking back thru the binoculars.
BILLY-BOY
What's mine say?
NENA
(reading, to Billy)
"Leo. The stages of the moon are in
alignment, so now is a perfect time
for a vigorous regimen of self
improvement. Wash yourself more
carefully each morning, stop using
pies and cakes as your primary source
of nourishment, and quit tucking your
shirttails inside your underwear."
BILLY-BOY
It doesn't say that.
NENA
No, but it should.
Kittle lowers the binoculars, searching his pockets.
KITTLE
Hey, before I forget...
He hands over two small boxes, wearing his sincerity on his
sleeve. Billy-Boy and Nena open the boxes, finding bright
R,W+B "Spirit of '76" SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS.
KITTLE
(pridefully modest)
Just a little, you know...
Bicentennial memento. Nothing
special.
BILLY-BOY
Whoa, thanks, man. These are cool.
They'll be collector's items.
NENA
(unenthused)
Yeah... great.
KITTLE
You know... you could say thank you.
NENA
You're the one with the star-spangled
hard-on, not me.
KITTLE
What are you, communist? At least
numb-nuts here has the courtesy to
pretend he likes them.
Kittle looks back through binoculars.
BILLY-BOY
Hey...
NENA
Forgive me for not ooing cartwheels
over commemorative salt and pepper
shakers
KITTLE
I just think you should show some
respect. I mean, call me old
fashioned, but 200 years ago when Ben
Franklin and those guys signed the
Constitution and Declaration of
Independence, they did that so we
could all share in the freedom...
NENA
First of all, the Constitution wasn't
writtem till 1787...
KITTLE
You know what I mean.
NENA
Second of all, the Declaration of
Independence was all for liberty and
equality, but it didn't do anything
about slavery, did it?
KITTLE
(stymied)
Yeah, well... nobody's perfect. They
couldn't go doing everything at once.
NENA
All I'm saying is, your little
Bicentennial mementos would be more
accurate if there were no holes in
the pepper shaker so the pepper
couldn't get out.
KITTIE
Let's drop it, alright?
NENA
Sure.
KITTLE
Alright?
NENA
Absolutely.
Kittle looks back through binoculars.
AT THE SEEDY MOTEL
A hairy nan in only shorts gets a paper from a coin box. On
a balcony, a door opens... someone's coming out...
ZOOM IN: on BUTCH CASSIDY, a sorry-looking transvestite
hustler in blonde wig, smeared lipstick and cowboy hat.
KITTLE (o.s.)
Butch Cassidy rides again.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle lowers binoculars. Billy-Boy sits forward.
BILLY-BOY
That's him alright.
NENA
It's go time, Billy-B.
Billy-Boy climbs out, brings a GOLF CLUB as a weapon.
KITTLE
Escort everyone's favorite She-Male
over here nice and peaceful-like.
Let's not have another incident like
at the laundromat. I'll never forget
the look on that poor woman's face.
BILLY-BOY
That wasn't my fault.
KITTLE
Save it. Just go.
ON THE STREET
Billy-Boy treks toward the motel.
Up the block, Butch Cassidy greets other hookers in front of
the motel, slaps "five."
Billy-Boy crosses the street, hides the club behind him.
Ahead, a CUSTOMIZED VAN with a Spiderman mural painted on
the side pulls up, stops across the street from the motel.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle frowns.
ON THE STREET
Billy-Boy picks up the pace. Ahead, Butch Cassidy seems to
notice him, tries to act casual, heading to the street.
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
(under his breath)
Don't let him get to the van.
ON THE STREET
Butch is going towards the van. Billy-Boy starts
run-walking, far from inconspicuous.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle grips the steering wheel.
KITTLE
Don't let him get to the van.
ON THE STREET
Butch Cassidy looks to Billy-Boy, runs. Billy-Boy sprints.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle leans out, shouting.
KITTLE
Don't let him get to the fucking van!
ON THE STREET
Butch Cassidy jumps in the van as it does a screaming
u-turn. Billy-Boy throws his golf club in frustration.
Kittle starts the Torino and peels out just as the van rages
past in the other direction.
Billy-Boy runs back. The Torino heads towards him, spins...
Nena throws open the door...
IN THE TORINO
Billy-Boy scrambles in back.
NENA
Smooth move, hot-shot.
BILLY-BOY
What was I supposed to do?
KITTLE
Lose some weight.
ON THE STREET
The Torino roars forward. The van's got a good lead.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle hits the SIREN. Nena mounts the spinning DOME LIGHT.
In back, Billy-Boy grips half his seatbelt.
BILLY-BOY
I... I can't find my seatbelt.
KITTLE
What do you want me to do about it?
ON THE STREET
The van zooms through an intersection, dipping hard. A few
beats later, the Torino follows, bouncing...
IN THE TORINO
Billy-Boy's head SLAMS roof. He yelps, gripping his skull.
ON THE STREET
FOLLOW the high speed pursuit...
Jerking corners.
The van burns a 4-way stop. A VW Bug starts to cross...
IN THE TORINO
Billy-Boy's looking down as he fastens his seatbelt.
Nena points at the VW...
NENA
Look out!
Kittle hits brakes...
ON THE STREET
The Torino stops, inches from the Bug.
IN THE TORINO
Billy-Boy lurches, hitting his face on the seat in front of
him and rebounding. He clutches his forehead.
BILLY-BOY
Stop that!
Kittle pounds the horn. Nena's yelling. The Bug moves.
NENA
Go, go, go!
Kittle zooms around.
CUT TO:
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET, FURTHER ON -- CHASE CONTINUES
The van takes a corner, careening off a parked car...
The van races on. However, ahead...
A car backs out of a driveway, blocking the street.
The van brakes hard, throwing smoke, HORN BLARING.
Behind, the Torino rounds the corner...
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
We got him.
NENA
Slow down.
KITTLE
"Go, go, go!" "Slow down." Make up
your mind.
NENA
Don't crowd him.
ON THE STREET
The Torino closes in. The van's rear doors open...
ZOOM IN: a tie-dyed HIPPY in the van leveling a SHOTGUN...
In the Torino, Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy see him...
KITTLE
Down!
Kittle, Mama and Billy-Boy duck as the Torino brakes.
The hippy BLASTS...
A hole EXPLODES in the Torino's windshield.
The Torino stops. Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy sit up.
NENA
Hate to say I told you so.
The van's reverse lights come on, tires spinning...
Kittle reacts, puts the Torino in reverse...
The van picks up speed, doors jerking closed, chasing the
Torino backwards down the block...
Nena kicks hard -- jettisons the ruined windshield.
INSIDE THE VAN
The VAN DRIVER uses the side rearview to see. Butch
Cassidy, in the passenger seat, looks to the back where the
Hippy's kneeled on a WATERBED and reloading.
BUTCH CASSIDY
What the fuck you doin'? They're
pigs! You can't kill no cops!
HIPPY
Watch me.
ON THE STREET
Kittle's going full speed reverse. Nena FIRES her gun into
the back of the van.
Other cars brake as the Torino rockets backwards thru an
intersection. The van arrives similarly, sliding...
The van burns rubber, chooses another street, forward.
IN THE TORINO
Nena reloads with a speed loader. Kittle shifts gear,
blasting onwards to follow.
KITTLE
Sons of bitches!
BILLY-BOY
We catch 'em, I wanna be first to
hurt 'em. Promise me I get to go
first.
KITTLE
We'll share.
CUT TO:
EXT. CANYON ROADWAY -- CHASE CONTINTES
The van hits the road's crest, airborne...
Lands hard, heading downhill, south into a canyon.
The Torino follows, flying... bottoming out.
The road twists radically. Kittle brings the Torino
close... nudges the van's rear.
The van SCRAPES guardrail, throws sparks, straightens.
IN THE TORINO
Wind whips thru the car. Nena gets onto the hood, halfway
out, biting her lip and aiming two guns,
KITTLE
Hold your horses, sweetpea. We need
Butch Cassidy alive, remember?
NENA
Shit. You're right.
Nena considers, disappointed.
KITTLE
If they crash, maybe he'll run. You
can shoot him in the leg or
something.
NENA
Let's hope.
ON CANYON ROAD
The van and Torino barrel downhill, barely controlled.
Opposing traffic zips past.
Kittle rams from behind again. The van's doors open...
The Hippy tries to aim, shifting to and fro.
The Torino backs off.
INSIDE THE VAN
Butch Cassidy gets out of his seat, moves back...
BUTCH CASSIDY
You crazy fucking junkie!
Butch KICKS the Hippy from behind...
ON CANYON ROAD
The Hippy hits the street, rolls...
Screaming as...
The Torino's grillwork rushes to meet him.
INSIDE THE TORINO
The car BOUNCES -- BUMPITY-THUD -- as the Hippy is crushed.
Billy-Boy looks back as the body disappears around a bend,
BILLY-BOY
Ouch.
Billy-Boy unhooks the POLICE RADIO microphone beside him.
BILLY-BOY
(into mic)
Central, car 1-5-5 requests an
ambulance
(looks back)
Uh... ambulance emergency at Canyon
Boulevard and...
He tries to spot a cross street.
BILLY-BOY
(into mic, at a loss)
Um... we're on Canyon where it's
really... twisty, turny.
ON CANYON ROAD
FOLLOW the van and Torino. The road's curves are extreme.
It's all the Torino can do to stay close.
Taking a turn wide, the van DECIMATES mailboxes.
The Torino follows through fluttering letters.
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
That's a federal offense right there;
tampering with the U.S mail!
Kittle girds his loins, eyeing the opposite lane.
KITTLE
I'm gonna get beside him.
NENA
(worried)
No you're not.
BILLY-BOY
(equally fearful)
That's a bad plan.
Kittle loosens his tie.
KITTLE
I'm gonna get beside. Nena, you're
gonna shoot out his tires.
NENA
No, we are not going to do that.
Kittle accelerates. ENGINE ROARS...
ON CANYON ROAD
The Torino inches into the opposite lane, is forced to
retreat because of oncoming traffic.
The Torino tries again, but a pick-up truck's coming...
Misses by inches, side mirror SMASHED! Kittle recoils.
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
(determined)
I can work this.
BILLY-BOY
No you can't.
KITTLE
Get ready.
NENA
I hate you.
ON CANYON ROAD
Brief straightaway. Kittle speeds up...
The Torino comes along the van's left side...
Nena puts her guns out, aiming for tire...
AHEAD: a motorcycle speeding straight at the Torino!
IN THE TORINO
Kittle's eyes widen.
Nena sees the cycle.
Kittle jerks the wheel left.
Nena pulls her arms in just as...
ON CANYON ROAD
The motorcycle somehow fits between the van and Torino.
The Torino returns to its proper lane behind the van.
IN THE TORINO
Nena looks at Kittle, seething. Kittle won't look at her.
NENA
You... SUCK! You almost got us all
killed!
KITTLE
You think this is so easy?
NENA
Can't be worse than you.
KITTLE
Oh yeah?
NENA
That's right, white bread. Give it
up. Right now.
KITTLE
Okay, okay... hold on. Don't go
getting your panties in a knot...
Kittle peers forward, THRU WINDSHIELD: pretty straight road.
KITTLE
Make a hole, Billy-Boy.
BILLY-BOY
I'd rather you guys didn't do this
again.
KITTLE
Move it!
Billy-Boy reluctantly slides behind Nena as she reaches to
hold the wheel...
KITTLE
Go!
Simultaneously: Kittle scrambles over the front seat to the
back and Nena hops into the driver's seat.
NENA
Now we're taking a ride.
She shifts, ENGINE GROWLING.
CUT TO:
EXT. COMMERCIAL STREET -- CHASE CONTINUES
Store fronts and businesses. The van takes a corner, dodges
other cars...
The Torino pursues, Nena at the wheel.
The van faces a mini-traffic jam. Nowhere to go, except...
Up on the sidewalk, CLOBBERING a parking meter.
Nena follows without hesitation, jumps the curb.
On the sidewalk, PEDESTRIANS scatter, screaming.
The van BLASTS through the obligatory NEWSSTAND...
Up ahead: FRUIT STAND... DESTROYED...
The van hits the cross street... BOUNCES over a median
strip, burning rubber. The Torino's behind, HORN BLOWING...
Civilian vehicles panic skid, CRASHING parked cars,
The upcoming intersection shows a red light. Too bad. The
van SLAMS a crossing car, exploding onward.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle climbs up to the front passenger seat.
KITTLE
Get closer! Don't lose him!
NENA
I kinda already figured that, but
keep those helpful hints coming.
ON A CROSS STREET
The van takes a sharp turn, tooling up a HIGHWAY ON-RAMP...
EXT. ELEVATED HIGHWAY -- CHASE CONTINUES
... onto the freeway. Relatively clear sailing ahead.
IN THE VAN
Butch Cassidy looks in his rearview.
THROUGH MIRROR: the Torino rises on the horizon.
ON THE HIGHWAY
It's all R.P.M.'s here. 80mph... 85mph and climbing.
The Torino's closing the gap.
IN THE VAN
Butch Cassidy climbs across the waterbed, opening a utility
box by the wheel-well... finds the van's JACK.
ON THE HIGHWAY
The Torino zig-zags past other cars.
IN THE TORINO
The world outside's a blur.
KITTLE
(motions with hands)
You put your bumper just behind his
left tire and then accelerate... make
him spin out...
NENA
Is there nothing in this world you
enjoy more than the sound of your own
voice?
In back, Billy-Boy's looking out, sweaty scared.
BILLY-BOY
(to himself)
This is too fast.
(to Kittle and Nena)
This is way too fast!
KITTLE
Relax.
BILLY-BOY
(grips Kittle's shoulder)
We should slow down.
KITTLE
Hands off the suit, monkey-boy.
Close your eyes if you're scared.
Billy-Boy sits back, digs up his "Pittsburgh Steelers"
football helmet and straps it on.
ON THE HIGHWAY
The van and Torino blast past.
IN THE VAN
Butch Cassidy's at the head of the waterbed with the jack
rigged under the frame, pumping the handle...
The frame lifts in front; angled so the waterbed's sliding
and sloshing... bunching up at the rear doors.
ON THE HIGHWAY
The Torino increases velocity.
IN THE VAN
Butch Cassidy locks the jack, climbs over the frame and
slides down, stomping on the blob-like waterbed.
He grips a strap on the ceiling and kicks at the rear door
handle, but misses. Kicks again.
ON THE HIGHWAY
The Torino's directly behind. The van's doors open...
IN THE TORINO
Nena, Kittle and Billy-Boy see what's about to happen.
KITTLE
Oh shit!
ON THE HIGHWAY
The waterbed flops out on tbe road...
The Torino COLLIDES in an EXPLOSION OF WATER...
Spins out of control...
Skids backwards on the shoulder, scraping the guardwall till
it finally comes to a halt.
IN THE TORINO
Dazed pause. Nena, Kittle and Billy-Boy are drenched.
KITTLE
Alright... you had your chance,
sister. Make room for Kittle...
Nena climbs in back. Kittle takes the wheel.
ON THE HIGHWAY
The Torino spits shoulder gravel, u-turning... causing other
cars to make drastic moves to avoid.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle accelerates, shifting gear, focused.
KITTLE
The time has come...
(shifts gear)
... for asses to be kicked.
He shifts again. ENGINE DEAFENING...
SPEEDOMETER: 65mph... 70mph... 75mph...
ON THE HIGHWAY
FAR AHEAD: the van. Butch Cassidy sticks his head out the
window, holds his hat, looking back.
BUTCH CASSIDY
Fuck me...
Indeed. The Torino's far back, but coming on strong.
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
Firepower, Billy-Boy
Billy-Boy swigs from his flask. He opens a trap door in the
seat beside him, reaching back in the trunk to produce a
sawed-off shotgun, which he hands up to Nena.
SPEEDOMETER: vibrating at 99mph... 105mph...
ON THE HIGHWAY
The Torino's getting close to the van, looks like it's gonna
pass on the right. The van moves to block...
Kittle twists the wheel...
Coming around the van's left side...
Nena points the shotgun...
The Torino overtakes the van...
Nena fires -- BOOM -- the van's back tire is OBLITERATED!
The van fishtails, out of control...
The van crosses six lanes left, then crosses right back,
straight at the concrete GUARDWALL...
CRASHES into the guardwall -- the van driver flies through
the windshield like a human cannonball, thrown off the
elevated highway...
ON A SURFACE STREET BELOW
A TRUCK DRIVER sits in traffic, whistles a tune.
PULL BACK to REVEAL: he's in a GLASS TRUCK loaded down with
great, big, perfect sheets of glass, just as...
The van driver soars from above -- SHATTERING EVERYTHING!
UP ON THE HIGHWAY
The Torino skids to halt on the shoulder.
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy run back to look down to where
people gather around the glass accident.
BILLY-BOY
Jiminy Christmas.
KITTLE
I can not even begin to imagine how
much that must have hurt.
At the van, a door opens and Butch Cassidy stumbles out, wig
askew, bleeding. He runs across the highway...
NENA
(sees Butch)
You got to be kidding.
Nena whips out a gun, FIRES a warning shot.
NENA
Halt, jackass!
Butch keeps going. Nema takes quick aim, SHOOTS...
Butch's leg is knocked out from under him. He hits the
median, moaning. Cars rush past.
KITTLE
(to Nena)
Told you you'd get to shoot him.
(heads to car,
to Billy-Boy)
Think you can pick him up without all
the bells and whistles this time,
Big-Boy? Thanks.
CUT TO:
EXT. PRECINCT HOUSE -- MORNING
The wounded Torino rides up at the precinct house.
At the underground garage, JOE MECHANIC, in greasy overalls,
jaws with cops. He spots the Torino coming.
JOE MECHANIC
Ah, Jeez, here we go again...
KITTLE
Sorry, Joe. These things happen.
Kittle gets out. Nena and Billy-Boy drag out the battered
Butch Cassidy in a gag and handcuffs.
KITTLE
(tosses keys)
Pop in a windshield and bang out the
dents. I need it quick.
JOE MECHANIC
(gets in Torino)
This car loves you, Kittle. Why do
you treat it so bad?
KITTLE
Fear of commitment.
Joe drives the Torino into the underground garage.
Billy-Boy and Nena bring Butch Cassidy up the precinct house
stairs. Kittle follows, Cops come and go. FRIEND COP
comes out, a young, fresh-faced model citizen in uniform.
FRIEND COP
Kittle!?
Kittle's elated to see Friend Cop, bear-hugging him.
KITTLE
Hey, squirt! Goddamn, it's good to
see you. How you been?
FRIEND COP
Can't complain, but I will if you
give me half a chance.
KITTLE
You met my partners... ?
(to Nena and Billy-B)
This here's Harry McDoogle's kid.
Fresh out of the academy. Top of the
class and best scores on the pistol
range to boot.
Billy-Boy and Nena greet him and shake hands. Meanwhile...
DOWN THE BLOCK
A CADILLAC Eldorado rounds the corner. TWO VILLAINS in
front. ONE VILLAIN in back. All in suits and ski-masks.
ON THE PRECINCT STAIRS
KITTLE
(positively beaming)
Your pop must be proud of you. Look
at ya, ya short-shaver...
Kittle takes off Friend Cop's hat, ruffles his crew-cut.
KITTLE
Finally got a haircut. Hell, you
look almost respectable.
FRIEND COP
(laughing)
Almost, right?
(of Butch Cassidy)
Looks like you got your hands full.
KITTLE
Buckaroo's going downstairs for a
little "chit-chat." Gonna tell us
all about Zimmermann's big score...
(removes Butch's gag)
Aren't you, Butch-Butch?
BUTCH CASSIDY
Suck my dick.
KITTLE
(stuffs gag back)
He's disgruntled right now, but he'll
come around.
ON THE STREET
The Cadillac speeds up...
SPLIT-SCREEN:
ON THE STAIRS (SLO-MO): ON THE STREET (SLO-MO):
Nena sees danger, shouts MACHINE GUNS point from
a warning... the windows of the Cadillac.
Friend Cop spots the The Ski-masked VILLAINS
Cadillac and starts to open fire -- flame erupting
draw his gun... from their weapons, rapid
fire: BLASTING and BLASTING
Billy-Boy dives forward... and BLASTING and BLASTING
and BLASTING, non-stop...
Butch Cassidy's hit...
blood exploding from his VILLAINS keep FIRING, teeth
body and splattering... bared through their masks...
Billy-Boy tackles Kittle... Machine guns retorting...
spent shells flying...
Nena hits the dirt. gun barrels spitting death.
Friend Cop's gun is only BLASTING...
halfway up when bullets BLASTING...
slap him in the chest and BLASTING...
BLOOD spurts! (Straight- BLASTING...
from-the-bucket red paint BLASTING...
blood, like all 70's blood.)
Billy-Boy lands on the BLASTING ceaselessly...
ground with Kittle in
his arms. The Cadillac accelerates,
GUNS still FIRING...
Butch Cassidy does a dance
of death as glass doors Machine guns are withdrawn,
behind him SHATTER. smoke wafting.
SPLIT-SCREEN ENDS as...
Butch Cassidy goes flying thru the precinct doors.
Friend Cops falls, coughing blood.
Billy-Boy leaps to his feet, enraged...
Nena rises to follow...
Billy-Boy and Nena draw weapons as they bound down the
stairs, chasing the Cadillac, SHOOTING.
On the stairs, Kittle sees Friend Cop down. Horror.
Billy-Boy and Nena keep running and FIRING, but...
The Cadillac escapes round a corner.
Kittle comes to Friend Cop's body, cradles him.
KITTLE
No... come on, kid. Come on...
(feels for pulse)
No...
Friend Cop's dead. Kittle squeezes him, eyes filling with
tears, anguished fury building...
KITTLE
(to the heavens)
Noooooooooooo...!!
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET, A FEW BLOCKS AWAY -- MORNING
FOLLOW the Cadillac's escape. Villains remove ski-masks...
INSIDE THE CADILLAC
In front, there's MICKEY, evil, with spiked blonde hair and
wrap-around sunglasses, and BALLS, eviller, a lip-less
dullard in a fez hat and turtle-neck sweater. In back,
there's POE, evilest, one dangerous-looking bastard; a
circus freak giant in a pink polyester three-piece suit.
POE
Nice job, boys. Iced a bonus cop in
the bargain.
He dips his gold-plated pinkie-nail in a vial, snorts coke.
POE
Groovey.
He grins, has a bunch of teeth missing in front.
CUT TO:
INT. POSH CLUB, RESTAURANT -- MORNING
Windowless, wood-paneled walls showcase fine oil paintings.
QUIET MUSIC PLAYS. It's a staid club, isolated from the
outside world. Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy push thru the
front doors, blowing by the MAITRE D'.
MAITRE D'
Excuse me, sir.
KITTLE
You're excused.
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy stop, scanning the restaurant.
The maitre d' catches up, blocking, calmly superior.
MAITRE D'
Sirs and madam... I assure you you're
not welcome here, This is a very
exclusive, private club.
KITTLE
So is this...
Kittle shows his badge, moving on...
Snobby, upper-crusty PATRONS look up with disapproval from
their R,W+B centerpieced tables as our heroes stride to...
The table in the rear corner, where ZIMMERMANN is flanked by
TWO BIMBOS, Mickey, Balls, Poe and other THUGS.
ZIMMERMANN
Well, well... if it isn't the Justice
League of America.
Zimmermann is a jewelry-adorned, Truman Capote-ish
drug-czar, sinister and calm. Balls stands, looking tough.
Billy-Boy picks up speed, SHOVES Balls with both hands...
Sends Balls stumbling violently backwards, CRASHING into and
FLIPPING over another table, to the dismay of patrons.
KITTLE
(to Balls)
Don't get up on our account.
(to Zimmermann)
Mind if we join you, Zimmermann?
Kittle sits. Thugs are edgy.
ZIMMERMANN
Be my guest.
(to bimbos)
Ladies... go powder your beaks.
The Bimbos go as Nena and Billy-Boy sit. Balls rises,
wiping scrambled eggs off his suit, furious. Zimmermann
waves him off, and Balls acquiesces, skulking away.
NENA
How you been, Poe?
POE
Better than ever, chickie.
NENA
Still haven't fixed those front
choppers, huh? Guess you're digging
that hillbilly look.
KITTLE
We probably should give 'em back...
but Billy-Boy seems to think they're
some kinda good luck charm.
Billy-Boy holds up a tiny jar with teeth inside, rattles
them at Poe. Poe remains impassive.
ZIMMERMANN
(still eatimg)
What can we do for you, officers?
What new, mindless harassments have
you planned this morning?
KITTLE
Just wanted to make you aware...
before today's over, we'll be
standing on top of your mountain of
horse and pissing down on you.
ZIMMERMANN
Thank you for sharing that charming
image.
NENA
Laugh it up. You'll cry later.
BILLY-BOY
You'll cry like a great big,
blubbering baby.
Zimmermann laughs, dabs his mouth with his napkin.
ZIMMERMANN
You three...
(shakes head, amazed,
addresses the table)
Narcotics have been around since
before 4000 B.C. Marijuana was a
major crop in colonial North America.
Wars have been waged over opium, and
still... in spite of it...
(motions to trio)
... into that timeline of thousands
of years come three vice cops
determined to change the course of
human history.
Thugs laugh derisively. Kittle struggles to mask anger.
KITTLE
Couldn't have said it better myself.
ZIMMERMANN
You bust some small-time pimps,
whores and dime-bag junkies, like the
world's a better place because you're
in it. And for what, Kittle... two
hundred and fifty dollars a week?
Tell me, how does anyone get so
self-rightious when they can barely
afford to pay their rent?
KITTLE
Just 'cause you belong to some
fancy-pants club, doesn't make you
any less a murderer.
ZIMMERMANN
Murderer? Really?
NENA
You're stealing people's lives,
pusher-man.
You might be killin' them so slow
they think they're being saved, but
down that road, they're just as dead.
ZIMMERMANN
Live under whichever delusion you
choose, you'll never touch me.
You're not smart enough.
BILLY-BOY
Shove it up your ass.
ZIMMERMANN
And always with the witty rejoinder.
Touche'!
(picks up menu)
Let me treat you to brunch. You'll
need your strength.
KITTLE
Thanks, but we don't recognize
"brunch" as an actual meal.
ZIMMERMANN
(looking at menu)
I insist. What will it be? Boston
Tea Party Clam Chowder, or maybe the
Chicken Red, White and Cordon Bleu?
No...
(tosses menu)
There's a special on the menu, today
only...
(pointedly, to Kittle)
... roasted pig.
Kittle does a slow boil...
FLASHBACK -- PRECINCT HOUSE STAIRS -- TWO SCENES AGO
Friend Cop's gun is only halfway up when bullets slap him in
the chest and BLOOD spurts... !
BACK TO SCENE IN POSE CLUB
All at once, IN SLOW MOTION:
Kittle stands, enraged, pulling his gun...
Poe pulls his gun...
Nena shoves her hands in her overcoat pockets...
Billy-Boy reaches both hands cross-armed into his jacket...
Kittle levels his gun at Zimmermann.
Poe puts his gun to Kittle's temple.
Billy-Boy points two guns at Mickey just as Mickey raises
his gun and puts it in Billy-Boy's face.
Nena brings her hands thru pocket holes, shrugging her coat,
pointing two sawed-off shotguns on shoulder straps.
Several thugs freeze, eye-to-eye with Nena's shotguns.
END SLO-MO. Stalemate. Waiters and patrons freak, clearing
out, screaming. The eye of the storm:
KITTLE
I could end a whole lotta suffering
right now.
POE
And your friends' lives.
Zimmermann calmly stares down Kittle's gun, brings a forkful
of meat to his south and chews. Kittle wants to pull the
trigger so badly, shaking, sweat dripping down his face.
But, Kittle reins his anger in... backs off.
KITTLE
Your poison's not gonna make it into
the veins of any kids this time.
ZIMMERMANN
Wave that flag, hero. Keep dreaming
those dreams.
Kittle leads Nena and Billy-Boy out, past frightened
employees. Thugs return to their seats.
SLOW ZOOM IN: as Zimmermann allows an edge of anger.
ZIMMERMANN
Something needs to be done about
them, once and for all.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT HOUSE, MAIN LOBBY -- MORNING
The precinct's busy with cops and jabbering weirdoes in
custody. Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy move thru the
boarded-over front doors, crossing...
All around, other cops are giving dirty looks to our trio.
Near the duty desk, OFFICER STEVE, a square-jawed uniform
cop, nudges his intense, crew-cut partner, OFFICER JIM.
These are blue-blooded, boots-polished, buttons-shined cops.
Officer Steve points out Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy.
OFFICER JIM
(with disdain)
Whoop-de-do, there they go. Strutting
in like they're better than us.
OFFICER STEVE
They're a disgrace.
OFFICER JIM
It's their kind of... of...
overzealous antics that give cops a
bad name.
Officer Steve nods in full agreement.
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy near double doors. A
grumpy-looking plain-clothes HOMICIDE COP is heading the
opposite direction, chomping on a peanut-butter and jelly
sandwich. His eyes light up when he spots Billy-Boy.
HOMICIDE COP
(mouth full, to Billy)
Hey, big man... how's the last of the
red hot lovers?
Billy-Boy's confused. Homicide Cop's jolly, like they're in
on a private joke. Problem is, Billy-Boy's not in on it.
HOMICIDE COP
(off Billy-B's confusion)
That girlie of yours... she's
one-in-a-million, I'll tell you. How
you lucked into that, I'll never
know. You must be one gifted
cocksman.
BILLY-BOY
I don't... what... !??
But, Homicide Cop's beading on, winking and clicking his
tongue in lascivious appreciation. Billy-Boy hasn't a clue,
moving to keep up with Nena and Kittle.
INT. PRECINCT, VICE BULLPEN -- MORNING
A stereotypically busy room of overburdened bulletin boards
and file cabinets. As Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy enter, we
WHIP PAN: to middle-aged CAPT. ALBERT, who points angrily.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
My office! Now!
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- MORNING
Captain Albert slams the door, circles Kittle, Nena and
Billy-B as they sit. The graying DISTRICT ATTORNEY RAVICH
stands with arms crossed, looking out the window.
D.A. RAVICH
I turned on my t.v., and I expected
to see Los Angeles brimming with
jubilation. I expected children with
painted faces. Men and women in
Bicentennial garb. Multi-ethnic
marching bands. Pie eating contests.
All good things American. I turned on
my t.v., and what did I see instead?
(turns to cops)
A corpse was scraped off Canyon Road
after Lord knows how many cars ran
over the carcass. And in a related
story, a high speed chase ended when
the suspect was thrown from the
highway to his death.
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy exchange looks, a bit sheepish.
D.A. RAVICH
And, what... what am I forgetting?
Oh, yes... the transvestite junkie
whose bullet riddled body came
blasting through the front doors of
the precinct house!
KITTLE
Well, sir...
D.A. RAVICH
No. Don't open your mouth! You
honestly think you can explain this
to my satisfaction?
KITTLE
I... I think I can... clarify...
D.A. RAVICH
Don't bother. This behavior's gone
on too long. You're suspended.
KITTLE
What?
CAPTAIN ALBERT
You heard the man...
Captain Albert points at a CLOCK. 12 noon.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
It's noon straight up. Effective
immediately, you three work desk jobs
till midnight.
NENA
You can't be serious.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
Can't I?
NENA
We've been chasing this deal six
months, and now you're gonna chuck it
out the window?
SLOW ZOOM IN: on Kittle as he stands up.
KITTLE
Hey now, look! Let's all get on the
same page here. This shipment is do
or die for Zimmermann's syndicate;
all or nothing. If we stop the
drugs, we don't even have to catch
him red-handed. He's ruined cause
his pushers go broke with nothing to
sell. On the other hand, if we fuck
this up, it means more zombies
crawling the gutters than ever and a
morgue that doesn't have a single
empty drawer. More old ladies
getting mugged and molested by
junk-hungry needle-freaks, and all
the while Zimmermann's sitting back
and laughing his head off.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
There'll be other chances.
KITTLE
Not like this. Are you even
listening?
D.A. RAVICH
I will not allow your obsession to
turn a day of pride and celebration
into a day of wholesale slaughter.
BILLY-BOY
(rising)
May I say something... ?
CAPTAIN ALBERT
No!
Billy-Boy sits back down. Kittle's fed up.
KITTLE
Don't you condescend to tell me how
or why to honor Independence Day, and
don't tell me I'm overreacting when
I'm trying to bust the guy
responsible for half the filthy junk
coming into this city!
D.A. RAVICH
You're about an inch away from
insubordination!
KITTLE
Well... seeing how you just suspended
me, what's to stop me from calling
you a crazy bastard, you old fart?
D.A. RAVICH
(bottled fury)
Till the last firework fizzles out
tonight, detective, you sit a desk.
And, after that, I'll decide if you
keep your shield.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT HOUSE, MEN'S BATHROOM -- AFTERNOON
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy storm in. Cops at sinks and
urinals look up. Kittle motions them out.
Nena goes to sit on the window ledge, worried, while
Billy-Boy checks stalls. The other cops exit, irritated,
KITTLE
I say, fuck 'em. Let's go.
BILLY-BOY
Well... we shouldn't rush into this,
right? Let's talk about it.
KITTLE
What are you, Henry friggin'
Kissinger all the sudden?
BILLY-BOY
I'm just saying...
KITTLE
You're just saying nothing! Tonight
is the night.
BILLY-BOY
Yeah, but if we don't sit, they'll
take our badges.
KITTLE
What of it? Haven't we waited
forever... ?
(turns to Nena)
Haven't we, honey? Haven't we waited
long enough to get this scumbag?
Nena looks down. She's having doubts.
KITTLE
What... ? Not you too?
NENA
He's right. We hit the bricks, we
walk back triple-fucked.
KITTLE
I can't believe I'm hearing this,
NENA
I worked my ass off for my badge,
Kittle, It's the only thing that
makes me different from every other
slob out there.
KITTLE
That's not true.
NENA
I know it is, even if you don't.
BILLY-BOY
All I got is being a cop. What do I
do if I'm not that?
KITTLE
You big, fat sonofabitch, if it
weren't for me, you'd still be
sitting in the file room where I
found you.
(to Nena)
And you... Nena... you've still got
needle scars from where I pulled you
out of. You of all people...
NENA
Yeah, my arms healed up real good,
and that's how I wanna keep 'em.
That's what I'm trying to tell you.
KITTLE
Guys... all we've got is each other.
Don't we know that by now?
Nena stews. Billy-Boy sweats, stares at the floor.
KITTLE
Christ...
(hurt pause)
Alright... alright, I'm taking off.
I'll expect you to catch up.
He walks. The door swings closed. Nena's miserable.
NENA
(under her breath)
Damn him.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, PARKING GARAGE -- AFTERNOON
IN THE TORINO, Kittle gets in. He keys the engine, pauses,
gripping the wheel, contemplating. It's something we've not
seen cross Kittle's face till now: uncertainty. Worry.
Kittle faces front and shakes off doubt, cursing himself.
He puts the car in gear and peels out.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOLLYWOOD STREETS -- AFTERNOON
The Torino va-roooms past...
IN THE TORINO
Kittle broods, turns the RADIO ON. "Muskrat Love" by
Captain and Tennille. He changes channels, irritated:
"Convoy." "The Streak." "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian.
KITTLE
(disgusted)
Come on, come on... !
"The Hustle." "Run, Joey, Run" by David Geddes. "Kung Fu
Fighting." He turns the RADIO OFF, sickened.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, XXX-THEATER -- AFTERNOON
The Torino parks.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle gets a bottle of baby powder from the glove
compartment. He takes a section of newspaper.
ON HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
Kittle walks briskly. Every flea-ridden business along the
way's drumming up business by exhibiting patriotism. Kittle
stops, hesitating... backtracks...
At the XXX-THEATER, he examines a poster for "DEEP ASS,"
which shows a half-naked, "Deep Ass" ingenue in blue eye
shadow, pig-tails and moist lipstick.
FLASHBACK -- THAT MORNING -- HAMBURGER STAND
Billy-Boy Sits eating a burger, staring lovey-eyed at his
SCHOOL-MARM girlfriend. The girlfriend's familiar now...
BACK TO SCENE AT XXX-THEATER
The "school-marm" is the porn star on the poster. Kittle
realizes, saddened. He KICKS -- SHATTERS the window. The
THEATER OWNER rushes out.
THEATER OWNER
Hey, you fucking creep.
Kittle shoves his badge in the owners face. The owner backs
off. Kittle takes the "Deep Ass" poster...
He folds it and pockets it as he continues.
CUT TO:
INT. DISCO CABARET -- ATTERNOON
Seedy. DISCO MUSIC THROBS. Kittle passes through the
turnstile. By the erratic light of a glitter ball, three
topless, body-painted women, RED GO-GO DANCER, WHITE GO-GO
DANCER and BLUE GO-GO DANCER, grind to disco rhythm.
Kittle moves, wading thru drunken vermin. A few BUSINESS
MEN dance woozily in the aisle.
At the bar, PINKEYE, a sizable lunatic-thug wearing a
knitted macrame tie and brown corduroy leisure suit, watches
Kittle cross. Pinkeye downs his scotch.
Kittle moves against one curtained wall, admiring the
nearest go-go dancer. He slips behind the curtain...
INT. DISCO CABARET, HALLWAY - AFTERNOON
Kittle moves quickly down this hall.
INT. DISCO CABARET, STAIRWELL -- AFTERNOON
Kittle climbs a long staircase. He takes out the bottle of
baby powder, sprinkles powder on the top landing.
He unfolds his newspaper and places it flat over the powder.
INT. DISCO CABARET, OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Meet POP-SWEET, black super-pimp in lime-green fuzzy
jump-suit and feathered fedora.
He's on the couch, on the phone, caressing the HOOKER beside
him.
POP-SWEET
(into phone)
Get this straight, you jive-ass
cocksucker. Do a number on me and
you are between a rock and a hard
place. Dig it, clown?
Pop-Sweet hangs up, grumbling as he crosses the room.
POP-SWEET
Sucker thinks he can play me for a
fool. I'm a entrepreneur.
HOOKER
You sure are, sugar.
POP-SWEET
Shut up, bitch. Don't be Ed
McMahonning me every time I open my
mouth.
Pop-Sweet sits at his desk. TWO PROSTITUTES wait there.
One buffs his nails. The other gives a backrub.
The door flies open. It's Kittle, moving forward...
POP-SWEET
Ah, shit...
Pop-Sweet reaches in a desk drawer...
Kittle comes to SLAM the drawer on Pop-Sweet's hand.
POP-SWEET
Ooooow!... alright, man, ease off...
Kittle lets Pop-Sweet's hand free, removes the drawer and
retrieves a pearl-handled gun, which he admires.
KITTLE
You always did have style.
POP-SWEET
(rubbing his wrist)
It's one of a kind.
KITTLE
So are you, Pop-Sweet. That's why...
A SCREAM of RAGE is HEARD. Kittle wheels...
The Hooker's charging, swinging a straight razor... Kittle
lifts the drawer to block, then PUNCHES...
The Hooker hits shelves of vases, which crash down on her,
POP-SWEET
Fuck, Kittle... why you got to go
doin' that?!
Pop-Sweet goes to the unconscious Hooker, rolls her away in
favor of broken pottery, which he fingers forlornly.
POP-SWEET
(of the vase)
This shit was Ming.
KITTLE
That's the problem with expensive
tastes... the more you got, the more
you got to lose.
Kittle sits. Pop-Sweet rises, studies Kittle.
POP-SWEET
Where's your pet gorilla and the
female Uncle Tom?
KITTLE
(slightly off guard)
They're... around.
POP-SWEET
Yeah? So, what do you want to ask
today that I can't answer? I'm a
busy man.
KITTLE
The way Zimmermann takes such good
care of you and this drug-peddling
"escort service" of yours, I figure
you got the scoop on the
pharmaceuticals arriving tonight.
POP-SWEET
(deep sigh, nods)
Well, let me tell you how it is...
Pop-Sweet bolts, out the door, Kittle stands, in no hurry.
INT. DISCO CABARET, STAIRWELL -- AFTERNOON
Pop-Sweet runs down the hall, heading for stairs. He hits
the newspaper and baby powder, slipping, flying...
TUMBLES painfully down the stairwell...
Hits bottom and lays there, screaming.
POP-SWEET
... son of a bitch... broke my
fucking arm...
Kittle strolls to catch up, starts downstairs.
POP-SWEET
I'm gonna cut off your flippin' head
and use it for a candy dish...
Kittle steps on Pop-sweet's cbest, leans in close.
KITTLE
Talk like that, I might forget to
call an ambulance. Now, tell me
again, how's the dope arriving?
A CREAK is HEARD behind.
KITTLE
(realizes)
Fuck...
Just as Kittle turns, he's grabbed from behind and thrown...
He hits a wall and lands in a heap, stunned.
PINKEYE
You're the one gonna be needing an
ambulance, white boy...
Pinkeye's upon Kittle, stripping him of his gun. Another
brute, LORD CAVIAR, in an open-to-the-belly silk shirt and
with jeweled rings on every finger, helps Pop-Sweet up.
Kittle tries to get up. Pinkeye PUNCHES him down.
POP-SWEET
(to Pinkeye)
Outside.
CUT TO:
INT. DISCO CABARET -- INTERCUT...
Red Go-Go Dancer shakes her bootie to the DISCO BEAT.
EXT. ALLEYWAY -- INTERCUT
A metal door swings open as Kittle's thrown out into a pile
of garbage. Pinkeye, Lord Caviar and Pop-Sweet follow...
SLO-MO: Pinkeye punches Kittle again.
SLO-MO: Lord Caviar comes to pistol whip Kittle's head.
INT. DISCO CABARET -- INTERCUT
White Go-Go Dancer moves her hands across her body, sexy.
EXT. ALLEYWAY -- INTERCUT
SLO-MO: Kittle's bleeding bad, tries to rise, gets KICKED.
SLO-MO: Pop-Sweet, clutching his arm, watches with glee.
INT. DISCO CABARET -- INTERCUT
Blue Go-Go Dancer's breasts sway as she dances. She smiles.
EXT. ALLEYWAY -- INTERCUT
SLO-MO: Kittle's thrown, clattering thru trash cans.
SLO-MO: Lord Caviar kicks Kittle's ribs.
SLO-MO: Kittle lifts his head, bloody, looking...
DOWN THE ALLEY: Nena and Billy-Boy running this way!
For a moment, Kittle smiles crooked. He's saved.
KITTLE
(weakly)
... Nena... Billy...
Pop-Sweet looks down the same alley...
It's empty. Nena and Billy-Boy were Kittle's delusion.
POP-SWEET
Who you talkin' too, Kittle?
Pop-Sweet whacks Kittle with a backhanded SLAP.
POP-SWEET
They ain't there, turkey. You're all
by your lonesome!
AERIAL SHOT (FROM ADJACENT ROOFTOP): looking down as the
beating continues. POP-SWEET'S LAUGHTER is HEARD POORLY
DUBBED OVER and OUT OF SYNC.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, VICE BULLPEN -- AFTERNOON
Nena's miserable, wearing big headphones plugged into a
"portable" cassette recorder, pulling files, tossing them...
Into the box on Billy-Boy's lap. He smokes, staring off,
deeply depressed. Captain Albert arrives to slap his head.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
Stop day-dreaming, lard ass. Where's
Kittle?
Nena takes off her headset.
NENA
He went to pick up lunch.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
Well, shake a leg. Get these files
downstairs...
(to Nena)
And, quit listening to your fucking
voodoo music.
NENA
(sarcastic, salutes)
Yes, sir.
As the captain moves on, Nena makes her salute into the
finger. She and Billy-Boy share a long look of mutual
frustration, then Billy-Boy shuffles away.
Nena puts headphones back on, ejects a tape from her
recorder and replaces it with another.
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- INTERCUT...
Captain Albert sits. PHONE RINGS.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
(into phone)
Yeah, what is it?
ZIMMERMANN (v.o.)
(from phone)
Is your telephone etiquette always so
sloppy?
Captain Albert tenses, goes to shut his door.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
(nervous, into phone)
Why the hell are you calling me here?
EXT. ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION -- ESTABLISHING -- INTERCUT
Beyond a gate topped by an ornate "Z," a pseudo-modern,
stucco-nightmare palace sits in H'wood hills.
ZIMMERMANN (v.o.)
Calmly, captain. If it weren't
important, I wouldn't disturb the
fine work you do...
INT. ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION, GREAT ROOM -- INTERCUT
Party preparations. Men chisel a bald eagle ice sculpture.
Thugs lounge on Ethan Allen furnishings. Zimmermann stands
with the phone held to his ear by his ENGLISH BUTLER.
ZIMMERMANN
(into phone)
Your children played with their guns
in front of me again today. This
upsets me.
CAPTAIN ALBERT (v.o.)
(from phone)
They've been suspended. Hell, the
do-gooder district attorney came and
did it himself. Thinks he's being a
patriot.
ZIMMERMANN
Suspending those three is about as
useful as giving a speeding ticket to
Evil Knievel.
CAPTAIN ALBERT (v.o.)
I'm keeping an eye on them.
ZIMMERMANN
No. I've had my fill. I want them
taken out of the game.
(waiting)
Hello?! Still on the line?
CAPTAIN ALBERT (v.o.)
Yeah... I hear...
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- INTERCUT
Captain Albert wipes his sweaty brow.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
(into phone)
What you're asking... goes against
every code of honor...
ZIMMERMANN (v.o.)
(from phone)
Isn't it a bit late to regret lost
innocence? We don't want any
indiscreet photographs ending up in
the hands of your wife, do we?
Captain Albert agonizes, reddening, trapped.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
(pause, into phone)
I can... make certain arrangements.
But, it'll cost extra.
INT. ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION, GREAT ROOM -- INTERCUT
ZIMMERMANN
(into phone)
Name your price.
CAPTAIN ALBERT (v.o.)
(from phone)
I want those pictures. The
negatives... everything.
ZIMMERMANN
Pluck this thorn from my paw, and
you'll have them, with my gratitude.
CAPTAIN ALBERT (v.o.)
(bitterly)
Just the pictures'll be fine, you
dirty bastard.
Zimmermann exits, motioning for the butler to hang up.
Behind, workmen on ladders unfurl a gigantic American flag
from ceiling to floor. Breathtaking.
INT, ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION, FOYER -- AFTERNOON
A meek music instructor, VINCHENZO, waits with sheet music
under his arm, studying a painting. Zimmermann strides in,
his mood brightening,
ZIMMERMANN
Vinchenzo... forgive me for letting
business trifles distract my
attention. On to more important
pursuits, eh? Come, come... I have a
surprise...
Zimmermann ushers the always nervous Vinchenzo forward.
CUT TO:
INT. ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION, MUSIC ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Zimmermann's hands open a medium-sized wooden packing crate.
ZIMMERMANN
It arrived today. You won't believe
it, even when you see...
They're in a room that's like a bad family-theme-restaurant
version of a 18th century European music parlor. Gaudy.
Big harp in a corner. Zimmermann digs thru shredded paper
in the crate, removing an old violin case.
Vinchenzo is taken aback as Zimmermann opens the case, and
gently takes out a beautiful VIOLIN.
ZIMMERMANN
(with reverence)
Stradivarius. Antonius Stradivarius
of Cremona, post seventeen hundred.
One of perhaps five hundred and
forty. Absolutely priceless.
(studies it)
I was born in Newark, New Jersey,
Vinchenzo, as far away from this
moment as I think you could ever get.
My family lived each day in poverty.
I wasn't expected to make anything of
myself. Failure was a given.
VINCHENZO
May I...
Zimmermann lets Vinchenzo hold the violin,
ZIMMERMANN
These hands...
(holds his hands up)
These are the hands of a grocery
clerk... of a janitor, and then a
numbers runner who fought and clawed
and battled, by hook or by crook, to
get his piece of the American dream.
These hands were not destined to
caress a Stradivarius, And yet...
(takes violin back)
The impossible.
Zimmermann picks up his bow off a music stand. Vinchenzo
takes this as his cue, moving obediently to place music on
the stand in front of Zimmermann.
With a flourish, Zimmermann puts the Stradivarius under his
chin, tilts his head, puts the how to the violin strings. A
pause, and then...
Zlmmermann proceeds to play horribly. Screechy and
uneven. He tries to follow the sheet music, but a child
could do better.
Vinchenzo attempts to guide by motioning with his hands and
body language, cringing a bit, trying to encourage.
Zimmermann's frustrated, but keeps playing, vomitously bad,
biting his tongue in concentration.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S BATHROOM -- AFTERNOON
In his small, office bathroom, Captain Albert splashes his
face with water. He stares in the mirror, pale and fearful.
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- INTERCUT
Captain Albert returns to his office from the adjoining
bathroom. He goes to a cabinet. He unlocks a drawer and
takes out a paper bag hidden far back.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, FILE STOREROOM -- AFTERNOON
Billy-Boy topples boxes of files. He bends to pick up the
mess. Nena enters, eyeing Billy-Boy's ass. She kicks it.
BILLY-BOY
What the... ?! What was that for?
NENA
(walking out)
Follow me.
BILLY-BOY
(follows, rubbing ass)
How come everyone thinks hitting me's
the best way to get my attention?
EXT. PRECINCT, UNDERGROUND GARAGE -- AFTERNOON
Nena moves thru, looking around. Billy-Boy trails.
BILLY-BOY
Where we going?
NENA
We have to find Kittle.
Nena ducks behind a squad car. She gets in and yanks wires
under the dash, hot wiring.
BILLY-BOY
Okay. But, what changed our mind?
NENA
(sparking wires)
Just keep an eye out till I get this
rig up and running.
Billy-Boy rises to keep watch. His eyes narrow...
BILLY-BOY
Wait a minute... he's back...
Across the garage, Kittle's Torino is moving thru.
Billy-Boy and Nena move to follow.
The Torino parks... the door opens...
Kittle gets out, beaten bloody, barely supporting himself.
NENA
Kittle... !
Kittle collapses to the ground.
Billy-Boy and Nena run to him.
INT. PRECINCT, STAIRWELL -- AFTERNOON
The stairwell door slams open and Billy-Boy charges upstairs
with Kittle semi-conscious in his arms. Nena follows.
ABOVE, Captain Albert comes to watch, keeping hidden till
they're gone, then he starts downstairs.
INT. PRECINCT, BATHROOM -- AFTERNOON
Kittle's lying on the floor in Nena's lap, swollen-faced and
bruised. Nena uses a needle to sew inside his mouth.
KITTLE
It's nohody's fault but mine. I got
blindsided.
Billy-Boy's pacing, frustrated, sad, infuriated.
BILLY-BOY
We shoulda been there to back you up.
We shoulda!
KITTLE
Stop blaming yourself.
Nena makes a stitch. Kittle's lip is pulled by the thread.
NENA
You need a doctor.
KITTLE
Nothing's broke. Keep sewing.
(drinks from flask)
And quit pacing, you big ox. You're
making me skittish.
Billy-Boy SMASHES a mirror with his fist.
BILLY-BOY
I'll kill 'em...
Looking to vent, he grips a sink, jerking it furiously,
starting to pull it from the wall, water spurting...
BILLY-BOY
Let's go! Fuck everything! God damn
sons of bitching mother humpers...
I'm gonna rip'em all brand new
assholes... !
NENA
Hey... HEY! Cool down, Jumbo!
Billy-Boy snaps out of it, looks to Nena.
NENA
We're going out. But, here's the
situation, and here's how it's gonna
go down...
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, EVIDENCE LOCK-UP -- AFTERNOON
A cop at the evidence cage window sigus papers for the GUARD
inside. The cop finishes, says goodbye. Kittle arrives.
LOCK-UP GUARD
Kittle, what the hell? You look like
shit...
Kittle points his gun at the guard.
LOCK-UP GUARD
Fuck, man... I was only kidding... !
KITTLE
Unlock the door.
LOCK-UP GUARD
I... I can't do that...
KITTLE
Now! Unless you want your head to
make a whistling sound on windy days.
The guard nods, moving back. He opens a door, Billy-Boy
and Nena enter with duffel bags, guns up.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, UNDERGROUND GARAGE -- AFTERNOON
Uniformed cops pass. Captain Albert rises from behind a
patrol car, sneaking...
At the Torino, he takes out the paper bag, unwraps a small,
plastic-explosive CAR BOMB and hand-held DETONATOR.
UNDER THE TORINO, Captain Albert crawls to the gas tank. He
attaches the car bomb with a magnetic THUNK.
He unfolds the detonator antenna, flicks a switch. A GREEN
light LIGHTS UP. A GREEN light also LIGHTS UP on the bomb.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, EVIDENCE LOCK-UP -- AFTERNOON
Billy-Boy's just finishing wrapping the guard in duct tape.
BILLY-BOY
Sorry about this.
Kittle and Nena, at tall shelves full of confiscated
WEAPONS, load guns and ammo into duffel bags.
NENA
Any preferences?
KITTLE
Whatever goes bang.
They keep stuffing bags. Billy-Boy arrives to help,
nervous, filling a suitcase with shotguns and shells.
BILLY-BOY
I can't believe we're stealing.
NENA
We're not stealing. We're borrowing.
BILLY-BOY
No, we're stealing.
NENA
This is the police lock-up. We're
police. How can we steal from
ourselves?
BILLY-BOY
Then, why'd we tie him up?
KITTLE
We're stealing, okay! Quit yackin'
and do it faster.
Kittle flips open a box. His eyes brighten with excitement.
KITTLE
Ay Dios mio...
It's a box of DYNAMITE. Kittle caresses it.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, UNDERGROUND GARAGE -- AFTERNOON
Weapons are piled into the Torino's trunk. The trunk is
slammed shut. Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy look to make sure
no one's taken undue notice.
KITTLE
So far so good. We're past the point
of no return.
Kittle looks for support, holds out his hand. Nena grips
his hand... Billy-Boy joins in; like teammates clasping
hands in a football huddle, gathering courage.
KITTLE
Let's get this thing done.
NENA
All for one...
BILLY-BOY
... and fuck 'em all.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Captain Albert stands looking out the window, nervous.
KITTLE (o.s.)
Must be your lucky day, cap'n...
The captain turns. Kittle enters with a shoebox.
KITTLE
I'm gonna put a great big,
ear-to-fucking-ear smile on your
face. How 'bout that?
CAPTAIN ALBERT
Where have you been?
KITTLE
I'm here. That's all that counts.
Watch... you'll enjoy this... it's
like magic...
Kittle puts the box on the desk, takes the lid off, takes
three badges from his pocket... puts them in. Takes out
his revolver, drops it in, followed by two more guns.
KITTLE
It's our gift to you. Something
you've always wanted...
Kittle puts the lid on, adorns it with a tattered gift bow.
KITTLE
Our resignations.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
You going rogue on me?
KITTLE
Maybe.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
What happened, Kittle? We used to be
friends. You used to know how the
game was played.
KITTLE
You mean taking bribes, and skimming
busts and letting hoods walk? You
mean not being able to sleep at night
after shaking down some honest Joe?
CAPTAIN ALBERT
There was a time when you did things
the right way, till you hooked up
with that fat-assed-boozehound and
the soul-sister.
Kittle just shrugs... walks. But, he stops in the doorway.
KITTLE
Oh, there's one more thing...
(walks back)
Now, where did I put that... ?
(searching pockets)
Uh... oh, here it is...
Kittle takes his fist from his pocket and holds it up,
admiring it a moment, smiling, then SUCKER PUNCHING...
The captain's knocked to the floor, nose bloodied.
KITTLE
Screw you.
INT. PRECINCT, VICE BULLPEN -- AFTERNOON
Kittle crosses to leave. Captain Albert comes to shout.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
You're washed up, Kittle! You're all
done!
Cops stare. Captain Albert tries to control his temper.
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Captain Albert closes and locks the door. He goes to the
window, takes out the detonator.
He flicks the switch. GREEN BULB on the detonator LIGHTS.
INT. PRECINCT, UNDERGROUND GARAGE -- AFTERNOON
Kittle joins Nena and Billy-Boy in the Torino. Peel out...
EXT. PRECINCT HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
The Torino bursts into sunlight, hits pavement...
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Captain Albert looks to the street three stories below,
gripping the detonator, angry breath fogging the window.
THRU THE WINDOW: the Torino's moving away.
Captain Albert holds up the detonator.
His thumb caresses the button.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
Good riddance.
His thumb tenses.
THRU THE WINDOW: the Torino spins, turning...
EXT. PRECINCT HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
The Torino u-turns, coming to a halt facing the precinct.
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Captain Albert lowers the detonator, watching, curious.
THRU THE WINDOW: Nena can be seen getting out, carrying
something to a phone booth close by. She dials the phone.
PHONE RINGS O.S. Captain Albert looks to the phone on his
desk, He answers it, brings it to the window.
CAPTAIN ALBERT
(into phone)
What... ?
NENA (v.o.)
(from phone)
How you doing up there in your ivory
tower, Captain?
EXT. PRECINCT HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
In the phone booth, Nena waves up to the captain's window,
Kittle and Billy-Boy are looking up from in the car.
NENA
(into phone)
I'm gonna let you in on a secret.
See, that wasn't my "voodoo music" I
was listening to before.
Nena lifts her tape recorder, HITS PLAY.
CAPTAIN'S VOICE (v.o.)
(from recorder)
... are you calling me here?
ZIMMERMANN (v.o.)
(from recorder)
Calmly Captain. If it weren't
important..
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Captain Albert's face goes slack.
ZIMMERMANN'S VOICE (v.o.)
(from over phone)
... I wouldn't disturb the fine work
you do. Your children played with
their guns in front of me...
Captain Albert unscrews his mouthpiece... something falls...
Rolls on the floor, stops: a micro-transmitter.
Captain Albert trembles, holds up the detonator...
CAPTAIN ALBERT
(into phone)
Burn in hell, whore!
He pushes the button...
THRU THE WINDOW: nothing happens to the Torino. A quiet
BEEPING is HEARD 0.S.... BEEP... BEEP...
A moment of confusion for Captain Albert, then he turns...
The BEEPING comes from the SHOEBOX Kittle left on the desk.
Stark terror. Captain Albert leaps to grab the box...
He tears off the lid. The bomb is there, under guns and
badges. He grabs it, throws it...
The bomb spins, heading for the window...
A brief look of relief on Captain Albert's face...
As the bomb hits the window... but, bounces off...
Falls to the floor.
Captain Albert's expression returns to terror.
EXT. PRECINCT HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
From Nena, Kittle and Billy-Boy's vantage point: the
EXPLOSION BLOWS OUT the captain's window!
Cops look up, alarmed, shouting and pointing.
They run as shards of glass fall to the sidewalk.
Nena returns to the Torino. Kittle revs and speeds
away.
CUT TO:
INT. DISCO CABARET -- AFTERNOON
DISCO MUSIC. Mock sex on stage. Pop-Sweet, arm in a cast,
is behind the bar with Pinkeye, counting cash.
Pop-Sweet enters cash figures in a large, bound ACCOUNTANT'S
LEDGER book full of columns of handwritten numbers.
At the club entrance, Lord Caviar's playing bouncer.
Kittle enters, breezing past with a shotgun. Lord Caviar
does a double take, can't believe it, follows...
Behind, Billy-Boy and Nena enter, following Lord Caviar...
Lord Caviar reaches in his jacket for his gun, closing in on
Kittie. Billy-Boy SWINGS a golf club -- THWACKS Lord Caviar
in the back of the head.
Lord Caviar falls face first to the floor. Kittle doesn't
even look back, cocks his shotgun, aims... -
In the BOOTH, the D.J. jumps for cover as buckshot SHATTERS
glass and record albums. FEEDBACK SCREECHES.
Behind the bar, Pop-Sweet and Pinkeye react.
Billy-Boy and Nena head for the bar, passing Kittle as
Kittle retargets his shotgun upwards and FIRES...
The disco GLITTER BALL EXPLODES!
Customers, waitresses and strippers scatter. Pop-Sweet and
Pinkeye take out weapons...
Billy-Boy holds his golf club by its shaft between his
teeth, leveling two handguns, and Nena's already FIRING...
Bullets hit the bar, BUSTING BOTTLES and MIRRORS. Pop-Sweet
and Pinkeye are forced to duck down.
Billy-Boy and Nena keep BLASTING, still moving forward.
Kittle drops his shotgun, produces two revolvers and moves
to the bar, adding to the gunfire barrage -- BLAM, BLAM,
BLAM -- between Nena and Billy-Boy, who stop to reload,
Behind the bar, Pop-Sweet and Pinkeye go fetal, covered in
broken glass and debris.
Kittle stops firing. Nena and Billy-Boy come to flank him,
pointing reloaded weapons.
NENA
Alright, flesh-peddler, let's see
empty hands!
KITTLE
Out here. On your knees.
Hands rise, then Pop-Sweet and Pinkeye show their faces.
They move from behind the bar, seething.
POP-SWEET
You can't do this to me! Who the
fuck do you think you are!?
Kittle takes the driver from Billy-Boy's teeth, swings it.
KITTLE
Who am I, you say?
(hefting club,
moving forward)
I am one angry, angry man...
LORD CAVIAR (o.s.)
Freeze, piggies!
Behind, Lord Caviar points a gun, clutching his bloody head.
BILLY-BOY
I knew I shoulda used a 9-iron.
LORD CAVIAR
Lose the guns or I'll smoke you!
Our heroes drop their many weapons, raising their hands.
POP-SWEET
Looks like you got it all
backasswards again, Kittle...
Pinkeye moves towards the cops. Lord Caviar edges in from
the other side. No way out for our heroes.
Nena moves her fingertips along her coat sleeve seam...
readies a six-pointed sherikan (Oriental throwing star).
Nena glances to Billy-Boy... Billy-Boy glances to Kittle...
Kittle glances to Nena...
At the bar, Pop-Sweet lifts a broken, jagged bottle...
POP-SWEET
You thought you got hurt last time...
you ain't seen nothing yet.
Pinkeye bends to retrieve a gun off the floor. Kittle
spins, SMASHES his foot down on Pinkeye's hand!
Nena spins, throwing the sharp-edged star at Lord Caviar...
The throwing star SLICES Lord Caviar's face. He recoils,
crying out and misfiring his gum.
Kittle kicks Pinkeye in the head, then turns...
KITTLE
Billy... !
Kittle kicks the golf club off the floor...
The golf club spins in the air...
Billy-Boy catches the club, SWINGS without missing a beat,..
Lord Caviar's recovered and aiming his gun just as Billy-Boy
SWINGS the club -- KNOCKS the gun across the room.
POP-SWEET
No!!
Pop-Sweet moves forward with the bottle, but Nena steps up,
poised kung-fu ready. Pop-Sweet hesitates, circling.
Across the room, Lord Caviar rushes forwards and tackles
Billy-Boy, toppling tables. They battle.
Pinkeye's rising, but Kittle PUNCHES.
Pop-Sweet stabs the jagged bottle at Nena. Nena high-kicks,
disarming Pop-Sweet, then spins flawlessly... KICKS
Pop-Sweet's chin, sending him backwards.
Billy-Boy kicks Lord Caviar off...
Lord Caviar gets up, charges headlong at Billy-Boy.
Billy-Boy raises his club, side-stepping...
BILLY-BOY
Fore!
Billy-B swings -- CLUNK -- sends Lord Caviar onward...
Lord Caviar CRASHES head-first into a cigarette machine.
Pop-Sweet scrambles up, throwing a chair at Nena, which she
dodges. Pop-Sweet flees...
Kittle KNEES Pinkeye's head... sees Pop-Sweet running.
NENA
Go! I'll finish this.
Kittle runs after Pop-Sweet.
EXT. DISCO CABARET, ALLEYWAY -- AFTERNOON
Pop-Sweet bursts out a side door, heading for daylight.
Kittle pursues, sprinting. Billy-B follows.
INT. DISCO CABARET -- AFTERNOON
Nena watches Pinkeye and Lord Caviar get up. She preps,
feet apart, doing martial arts warm-ups as they approach.
LORD CAVIAR
Are you that good, sister? Think you
can handle us both?
Lord Caviar grins, moves in. Pinkeye attacks...
Nena blocks, PUNCHES, CHOPS, SPINS and SLAPS, then finishes
with a GROIN KICK. Pinkeye hits the dirt.
Lord Caviar strikes. Nena FLIPS HIM...
BOOM -- Lord Caviar lands flat, lays there gasping.
NENA
They don't call it a black belt for
nothing.
At the bar, Nena comes to claim the money ledger, tilting it
to clear off the shattered glass it's buried under.
CUT TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN HOLLYWOOD -- AFTERNOON
Busy sidewalks. Pop-Sweet runs, fearful. Kittle chases.
Billy-Boy brings up the rear.
Pop-Sweet PUSHES pedestrians...
POP-SWEET
Outta the way! Move!
AROUND A CORNER
Pop-Sweet arrives, full speed, looking back... SLAMS a "MAPS
TO STARS HOMES" sign and TRASH CAN, upsetting them and
knocking a map-hawking kid out of his lawn chair...
Pop-Sweet rolls in star-maps and garbage. Gets up...
Keeps running.
Kittle leaps the trash can.
A moment, then Billy-Boy arrives, leaps...
Trips over the trash can, falls hard. Scrambles up.
AHEAD, Pop-Sweet shoves an OLD WOMAN to the ground.
People gather to help the Old Woman up. She's thanking them
as Kittle comes barreling thru... knocking her down again.
AT AN INTERSECTION
Pop-Sweet runs across, catty-corner. Cars swerve and brake,
CRASHING all around,..
Pop-Sweet gets HIT, rolls across a car's hood...
CRACKS the windshield and rolls off...
Pop-Sweet recovers, dazed, stumbling to sidewalk...
Kittle's bearing down, makes a diving tackle...
INT. ANTIQUE SHOP -- AFTERNOON
Kittle and Pop-Sweet SMASH thru the front window.
The SHOP OWNER and a WEALTHY LADY react, terrified.
SHOP OWNER
Oh my Lord, no!!
Kittle and Pop-Sweet wrestle, punching and grappling,
surrounded on all sides by antiquities and shelves loaded
with precious knick-knacks.
SHOP OWNER
No, no, no! Stop this!
Pop-Sweet swings his arm cast -- KNOCKS Kittle back...
Kittle lands against shelves...
Fragile items teeter on the brink, miraculously not falling.
Pop-Sweet runs up a nearby STAIRCASE.
Kittle leaps to follow.
The shop owner goes to steady the shelves. Behind, THRU THE
BROKEN WINDOW: we can see Billy-Boy rumbling this direction.
SHOP OWNER
(sigh of relief)
Thank God.
The shop owner takes a step back. Billy-Boy jumps thru the
broken window...
BILLY-BOY
Make way!
BUMPS the shop owner, heading for stairs...
The shop owner's knocked forward, SLAMMING shelves. Dishes
and trinkets SHATTER. Shelves COLLAPSE like dominoes.
CUT TO:
EXT H 'WOOD ROOFTOPS -- FOOTCHASE CONTINUES
AERIAL LONG SHOT (VIA ADJACENT ROOFTOPS): Pop-Sweet flees
out a rooftop door. Kittle follows. They jump from roof to
roof. Billy-Boy arrives, far behind, really dragging.
ON ROOFTOPS
Pop-Sweet leaps from a higher ledge, runs to an open door.
Above, Kittle arrives, sees Pop-Sweet go thru that door.
INT. STAIRWELL -- FOOTCHASE CONTINUES
Pop-Sweet hurries downstairs, into a hall.
INT. MOVIE THEATER -- FOOTCHASE CONTINUES
Pop-Sweet comes through a door at the back of the theater,
gasping, squinting in the dark.
The theater's pretty crowded. On the screen, Linda Blair
curses and vomits im "The Exorcist." Pop-Sweet heads down
the center aisle, looks back...
Kittle enters from the same door. He spots Pop-Sweet.
Kittle chases. Pop-Sweet picks up the pace, yelling...
POP-SWEET
Fire! Fire!!
Pop-Sweet runs to an exit as panic begins. PEOPLE SCREAM
and pour into the aisle. Kittle curses...
KITTLE
(incensed, to himself) -
Fucking first amendment violation...
Kittle's caught in the rush of patrons, like trying to swim
upstream. It's useless.
EXT. THEATER, REAR -- FOOTCHASE CONTINUES
Pop-Sweet pushes out the exit, followed by theater-goers.
He runs down an alleyway.
EXT. THEATER, FRONT -- FOOTCHASE CONTINUES
Kittle's in the mob exiting below the marquee. He pushes
through, heading down the block.
Billy-Boy comes out... follows Kittle.
EXT. ALLEYWAY -- FOOTCHASE CONTINUES
Pop-Sweet enters this deserted alley, exhausted. He looks
around, has an idea... climbs into a TRASH DUMPSTER, closes
the lid. After a moment, Kittle arrives, running past...
Billy-Boy arrives, watches Kittle disappear around the next
corner. Billy-Boy follows, red faced... stops,
doubled-over, breathless.
Giving up, Billy-Boy goes to sit on the ground, beside the
dumpsters, takes out his cigarettes. A moment, then, mere
inches above Billy-Boy's head, one dumpster lid raises and
Pop-Sweet peers out.
Pop-Sweet looks around, with Billy-Boy just below his sight
line, satisfied the coast is clear. Pop-Sweet throws the
lid open and starts to climb out. Billy-Boy looks up...
Pop-Sweet looks down -- they both cry out in surprise.
Billy-Boy jumps, grabbing, but Pop-Sweet clamors atop
another dumpster, looks up...
There's a long LADDER up the side of the building. It's
within reach. Pop-Sweet starts climbing.
BILLY-BOY
Kittle!
Billy-Boy awkwardly climbs the dumpster.
EXT. PARKING LOT -- FOOTCHASE CONTINUES
Kittle runs out from the alley, searching.
BILLY-BOY (o.s.)
(distant)
Kittle!
Kittle hears, backtracks, running...
EXT. ALLEYWAY -- FOOTCHASE CONTINUES
Kittle arrives, confused... looks up...
Pop-Sweet's high on the ladder, hampered by his broken arm.
Billy-Boy climbs after. Four stories up.
KITTLE
Ah, jeez, Billy... careful!
BILLY-BOY
I got him.
Billy-Boy grabs at Pop-Sweet's ankles. Pop-Sweet kicks.
KITTLE
Don't you let him fall! You hear me?
Billy-Boy grabs Pop-Sweet again, hanging on to his pants
leg. Pop-Sweet hooks his cast around a rung, swinging with
his good hand, beating on Billy.
Pop-Sweet's cast arm slips...
KITTLE
Don't drop him! We need him...
Pop-Sweet falls... screaming...
Kittle watches him drop. The SICKENING THUD is HEARD O.S.
KITTLE
... alive.
Kittle lets out a sigh, looks admonishingly up at Billy-Boy.
Billy-Boy looks down, ashamed, embarrassed, at a loss.
CUT TO:
EXT. ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION, REAR PORTICO -- AFTERNOON
Facing a vast view of the cityscape, Zimmermann's alone,
continuing to play his Stradivarius violin. He's as awful
as before, but the difference is his patience is less.
His level of frustration has brought him near tears as he
tries over and over to play a section of music that just
refuses to come out anything other than jarring squeaks.
Finally, Zimmermann grips the Stradivarius by the neck and
SMASHES it against the porch wall, again and again, till all
that's left of it are very expensive toothpicks.
Zimmermann catches his breath, in a terrible state,
regretting. Expecting to feel better, he feels much worse.
BALLS (o.s.)
Excuse me... Mister Zinmermann...
Zimmermann wheels to see Balls and Poe arrive.
ZIMMERMANN
What is it?
Balls walks over, begins whispering in Zimmermann's ear.
Balls finishes, steps back. Zimmermann ponders, then
crosses on his way back into the mansion.
ZIMMERMANN
Kill them, Poe. Find them, and make
them very dead.
Poe nods.
CUT TO:
INT. PRECINCT, CAPTAIN'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
D.A. Ravich studies the captain's bombed out office, grim.
He turns to the doorway, addressing POLICEMEN assembled in
the vice squad bullpen.
D.A. RAVICH
Arrest them. Brimg them to me.
Bring them to justice!
CUT TO:
INT. "HOUSE OF PIES" RESTAURANT -- AFTERNOON
Officer Steve pays for coffee near a pie display reading
"Happy Pie-Centenial!" He WHISTLES at a passing woman in a
mini-skirt. A BLAST of SIREN is HEARD. He looks.
Outside, Officer Jim's in the squad car, motioning for
Officer Steve to pull out.
EXT. "HOUSE OF PIES" RESTAURANT -- AFTERNOON
Officer Steve climbs in the car beside Officer Jim.
OFFICER JIM
A.P.B. came over the radio. They
just declared open season on the
Three Stooges.
OFFICER STEVE
(grins)
What are we waiting for?
The squad car takes off.
CUT TO:
EXT. H'WOOD SIDE STREET -- AFTERNOON
Nena sits atop the Torino, reading Pop-Sweet's ledger book,
waiting. Kittle and Billy-Boy are on their way from down
the block, worn-out.
NENA
You get him?
KITTLE
Dead.
NENA
Chalk up another victory for
Billy-Boy's one man war on crime.
BILLY-BOY
Who said it wa's me, hub? Anyway...
he fell off a ladder. It wasn't
really my fault.
NENA
Well, I got something..
(holds open ledger)
Pop-Sweet's accounting ledger for the
Disco-Strip. All the money
transactions. Look...
(shows ledger to Kittle)
Someone's putting their initials
beside the weekly totals. Like
they're acknowledging a deposit.
KITTLE
(reading)
"A.D."
BILLY-BOY
Who's that? Zimmermann's money-man?
NENA
If it is, that's pretty high up on
the totem pole. What do you think?
KITTLE
Gimmie a minute.
Kittle leans against the Torino, brooding, hands in pockets.
He looks down, touching the folded poster, remembering...
FLASHBACK -- XXX-THEATER -- THAT AFTERNOON
The "DEEP ASS" poster featuring Billy-B's girlfriend.
BACK TO SCENE ON STREET
Kittle pushes the poster back in his pocket, troubled.
KITTLE
Alright... how about you two hit the
strip and start knocking some heads
together? Find out who "A.D." is. I
got a quick errand to run.
NENA
Sounds good.
Nena slides down off the car while Kittle gets in.
BILLY-BOY
(to Kittle)
Where you gonna be?
KITTLE
It's personal.
(starts the car)
We'll hook up at Billy-Boy's pad in
an hour. See ya then.
Kittle drives away. Billy-Boy and Nena start down the
street. FREEZE FRAME...
STILL PHOTO/SPLIT-SCREEN MONTAGE begins, accompanied by a
SOULFUL THEME SONG as the SCREEN DIVIDES into FOUR SECTIONS
and STILL PHOTOGRAPHS appear in each:
Kittle drives
the Torino, looks Nena and Billy-Boy
at his watch. flatfoot it down
Sunset Boulevard.
The parade of
the Tall Ships Nena and Billy-Boy
in New York Harbor. question a wild-eyed
junkie.
Prez Ford gives Billy-Boy asks
a speech on the steps questions of a
of Independence Hall glam-rock singer.
in Philadelphia.
The glam-rock singer Billy-Boy slaps
seems to be giving the glam-rock singer
Billy-Boy an argument. senseless.
Nena and Billy-Boy Shriners in fez hats
talk to a strung-out drive miniature cars
junkie whose entire in a Bicentennial
torso is covered in parade.
tattoos.
Nena and Billy-Boy Nena and Billy-Boy
question hookers, question a leather-clad,
showing the ledger. S+M macho-man stud.
Nena holds a gas Old men pose
station attendant wearing Colonial
in a choke hold costumes.
while Billy-Boy
questions him angrily.
Kittie parks the
A poodle wears a Torino in front of a
R,W+B sweater and run-down apartment
little booties. complex.
Kittle gets out of Billy-Boy and Nena
the Torino. continue down Sunset,
arguing.
Billy-Boy and Nena
question another Billy-Boy throttles
junkie who wears a the antenna-wearing
top-hat with antennas junkie.
coming out the top.
Billy-Boy knocks On a busy highway,
the antenna-wearing a huge parade float
junkie down and bust of Abe Lincoln's
kicks him head is towed by a
repeatedly. R,W+B pick-up truck.
Kittle stands' in front
of the apartment complex...
STILL-PHOTO/SPLIT SCREEN MONTAGE ENDS as...
This last PHOTO of Kittle ENLARGES to FULL SCREEN...
EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX -- AFTERNOON
Kittle stands in front of the apartment complex, lets out a
resigned sigh. He goes inside.
INT. "SCHOOL MARM'S" APARTMENT -- AFTERNOON
Kittle flattens the "Deep Ass" poster on a table.
Billy-Boy's "school-marm" looks on, sad. The apartment's
horrid. "Love American Style" plays on T.V.
"SCHOOL-MARM"
I... I can explain...
KITTLE
I'm looking at this poster, and I'm
thinkin', I don't remember seeing
films like this when I was in school.
"SCHOOL-MARM"
I was going to tell him.
KITTLE
What were you gonna say? Exactly how
did you think he was gonna make the
leap from dating a sweet, innocent
school teacher to an ass-fucking porn
star?
"SCHOOL-MARM"
(starting to cry)
But... I love him. I do...
Billy-B's girlfriend buries her face in her hands, weepy,
Kittle starts looking around for something.
KITTLE
All I know is, you're setting up my
pal for the world's biggest broken
heart.
Kittle finds a pad of paper.
"SCHOOL-MARM"
Let me tell him. Let him decide.
KITTLE
You're not gonna see him again.
"SCHOOL-MARM"
What... what makes you think you can
order me around?!
KITTLE
Maybe I'm not making myself clear.
You're probably the first girl
Billy-Boy's ever fallen in love with,
and I know for sure you're the first
he's slept with. So, how's he
gonna feel...
(holds up poster)
... when he finds out that the only
first he is for you is the first guy
who didn't have to pull out at the
last second to get his close-up?
The "school-marm" wipes tears, miserable.
KITTLE
Hasn't he got enough problems, or
didn't you notice that's not cream
soda on his breath?
"SCHOOL-MARM"
... okay... you made your point.
Kittle lays the pad of paper on the table, places a
ball-point pen on the pad, pulls out a chair...
KITTLE
Sit.
CUT TO:
EXT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
The Torino pulls up the drive of Billy-Boy's tiny house.
DOWN THE STREET, in a parked Cadillac, Zimmermann's henchman
Mickey takes notice. He lifts the microphone of a CB RADIO.
BEHIND THE HOUSE, Kittle parks.
INT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE, KITCHEN -- AFTERNOON
Kittle jimmies the back door and enters. He looks around,
opens a drawer... digs up a garbage bag.
IN THE BEDROOM, Kittle goes to sort thru the closet. He
pulls dresses and skirts, stuffing them in the garbage bag.
He removes a bra from the back of a chair.
IN THE BATHROOM, Kittle opens the medicine cabinet, finds
lipstick, make-up and tampons. Puts them in the bag.
EXT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE, REAR -- AFTERNOON
Kittle comes out the back. At trash cans, he shoves the
garbage bag deep, buries it.
INT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Kittle returns to place an envelope on a coffee table.
VOICES are HEARD OUTSIDE... a KEY IN THE LOCK. Kittle
hurries out just as Nena and Billy-Boy enter.
EXT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE, REAR -- AFTERNOON
Kittle slips out the back. FOLLOW as he moves along the
side of the house, keeping low, to the front.
Down the street, in the Cadillac, Mickey watches, confused.
INT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Billy-Boy goes to refill his flask near shelves which hold a
PITTSBURGH STEELERS SHRINE: Super Bowl IX pennant,
autographed Terry Bradshaw photo and other memorabilia.
Billy-Boy crosses himself at the shrine, making sure Nena
doesn't notice. Nena's looking around.
NENA
You live like a pig.
BILLY-BOY
Can't you say something nice once?
NENA
Okay. It doesn't smell as bad in
here as I remember it smelling.
Kittle comes in the front door.
KITTLE
Been waiting long?
NENA
Just got here.
KITTLE
How'd we do?
NENA
A.D. is a C.P.A.
KITTLE
Come again... ?
NENA
Archibald Dobbs; Certified Public
Accountant. But, that's all we got.
KITTLE
Maybe it's enough.
Kittle finds a yellow pages PHONE BOOK in a pile of
magazines, goes to open it on the coffee table, paging thru.
BILLY-BOY
No offices are gonna be open today.
KITTLE
(searching phone book)
Lots of these pencil-pushers work out
of their homes. It's a tax dodge.
NENA
Bad news is, word's spreading like
wildfire that we don't have badges,
and nobody wants to end up getting
splattered like Butch Cassidy either.
BILLY-BOY
If we don't catch a break soon, we're
gonna be left standing with our dicks
in our hands.
NENA
Speak for yourself.
Billy-Boy notices the envelope Kittle left on the table. He
picks it up, curious... unfolds the letter inside.
KITTLE
(searching yellow pages)
Bingo. Got him...
(TEARS PAGE OUT)
Let's pay Archibald a visit.
Kittle stands, then notices Billy-Boy reading the letter.
KITTLE
What do you got there, Billy?
Billy-Boy keeps reading, disbelieving, filled with sadness.
He lowers the letter, staring off.
BILLY-BOY
She... she's gone...
KITILE
(takes letter, reading)
Dear Billy... been thinking about
us... decided you're too good for me.
I don't deserve you...
(jumps ahead)
Don't try to find me...
(to Billy-Boy)
Sorry, kid. That's a tough break.
Billy-Boy looks zombie-like, reaches to take the letter,
studies it. He rips it up. Pause... then, Billy-Boy lifts
the coffee table and chucks it across the room.
Kittle and Nena back off.
Billy-Boy goes berserk, wrecking the place. He flips the
couch, pulls down shelves, knocks pictures off walls.
EXT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
Another Cadillac arrives with Balls and THUG-ONE. Mickey
gets out of his Caddie, preps a machine gun. Poe pulls up
in his souped-up MUSTANG with THUG-TWO as a passenger.
INT. BILLY-BOY'S ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Kittle and Nena watch Billy-B destroy his television.
KITTLE
He's taking this better than I
thought he would.
Billy-Boy swats a lamp, kicks furniture, stumbles, looks
around, breathing heavily. Pause... then, he sits, bursting
into tears. Nena moves to comfort him.
NENA
Whoa, whoa... it's gonna be alright.
BILLY-BOY
... where... where's a jerk like me
ever gonna find another girl to love
him... huh?...
Billy-Boy sobs, truly heartbroken. Nena hugs him.
NENA
Don't talk like that. There's plenty
of women around for jerks like you.
BILLY-BOY
You're lying...
Kittle's sad, unsure. He pets Billy-Boy's shoulder.
KITTLE
You're a good guy, Billy. These
things happen...
Billy-Boy hugs Nena. She holds him, really feels for him.
Kittle notices something strange... crosses...
At the window, Kittle pulls the curtain: sees Poe and four
other villains heading across the lawn with lots of guns.
EXT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
Poe spots Kittle at the window.
POE
Now!
Villains OPEN FIRE...
INT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
Kittle turns and leaps onto Nena and Billy-Boy, bowling them
over in mid-hug as the FRONT WINDOW IS BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS.
DOZENS of BULLETS and SHOTGUN BLASTS pepper the walls.
EXT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
Poe and the others move in, all SHOOTING...
INT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE -- AFTERNOON
Billy-Boy crawls, wiping tears, terrified. Nena and Kittle
follow. Glass, plaster and splinters of wood shower down.
Billy-Boy looks back...
Sees his STEELERS SHRINE BLASTED to PIECES
BILLY-BOY
Motherfuckers!
IN THE KITCHEN, Billy-Boy, Kittle and Nena sprawl through
the doorway. BULLETS RICOCHET. Cupboards are blown open.
EXT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE, REAR -- AFTERNOON
Billy-Boy, Nena and Kittle tumble out the back door.
They scramble towards the Torino.
EXT. BILLY-BOY'S HOUSE, FRONT -- AFTERNOON
Villains keep up the assault. The Torino appears from
around the side of the house, ZOOMING down the drive...
Villains redirect their fire. The Torino hits the street...
Heading away. Poe shouts orders as he and his fellow
assassins run to their vehicles.
CUT TO:
EXT. URBAN STRAIGHTAWAY -- AFTERNOON
Here comes the Torino, full out....
BEHIND: two Cadillacs followed by the Mustang.
IN THE TORINO
Billy-Boy's loading a pump shotgun, muttering angrily...
BILLY-BOY
Destroy a man's Steelers shrine.
That's a declaration of war!
Billy-Boy turns to peer out back.
BILLY-BOY
Okay, we got... one, two... three...
(up to Kittle)
Two Caddies and Poe's Mustang.
KITTLE
Could be worse. I don't know how,
but I'm sure it could.
Nena sits backwards in her seat, on her knees, fastens her
seatbelt. She leans out her window, FIRING...
ON THE STREET
Mickey shifts lanes as his windshield sprouts BULLET HOLES.
Poe's Mustang pulls ahead of the Cadillacs. Thug-Two leans
out the passenger window and FIRES a MACHINE GUN...
BULLETS STRIKE the Torino's ass. REAR WINDOW SHATTERS.
IN THE TORINO
Kittle hunkers down. Nena reloads. Billy-Boy's horizontal.
NENA
(to Billy-Boy)
You plan on shooting that gun or just
hugging it?
BILLY-BOY
I'm waiting till the time's right.
KITTLE
Well, sometime before we're all dead
would be nice, if it's not too much
fucking trouble, yellow-belly!
ON THE STREET
In the Mustang, Thug-Two withdrawals to reload.
Billy-Boy pops up in the Torino's rear window, BLASTING...
The Mustang's right HEADLIGHT FRAGMENTS.
IN THE TORINO
Billy-Boy PUMPS the shotgun, targeting...
BILLY-BOY
He's too far back.
Kittle looks in the rearview, hits brakes...
ON THE STREET
The Torino slows, bringing the Mustang closer...
BILLY-BOY
Thank you...
Billy-Boy FIRES...
Poe and Thug-Two duck as their HOOD is BLOWN CLEAN OFF...
IN THE TORINO
BILLY-BOY
Yoo-hoo! Flipped his lid!
ON THE STREET
The hood spins in the air... bounces off Balls' Cadillac.
IN THE MUSTANG
Poe curses, downshifting, exposed ENGINE WHINING...
ON THE STREET
The Mustang falls back. Mickey's Cadillac comes to the
Torino's driver side... BASHING... SLAMMING...
Billy-Boy FIRES out the side window...
CRACKS Mickey's windshield, but Mickey keeps RAMMING.
FURTHER DOWN THE STREET
The chase roars past.
IN THE OPPOSITE LANE, a police squad car passes...
IN THE SQUAD CAR
Officers Steve and Jim crane their necks, looking back.
OFFICER STEVE
You see that?
OFFICER JIM
Sure as shit I did.
Officer Jim spins the wheel...
ON THE STREET
The squad car jumps the divider, u-turning.
AHEAD, DOWN THE STREET
The Torino and Mickey's Cadillac keep slamming.
They separate to get around a slow truck, then...
SLAM back together.
BEHIND: GUNFIRE from Balls' Caddie...
IN THE TORINO
Kittle flinches as a BULLET DESTROYS his REARVIEW MIRROR.
KITTLE
This is completely, Goddamn
unacceptable!
ON THE STREET
Kittle accelerates as Billy-B and Nena return fire. The
Torino moves left, cutting in front of Mickey's Cadillac...
IN THE TORINO
Kittle looks to Nena, who's reloading again.
KITTLE
Get his attention.
NENA
(raises and cocks guns)
Your wish is my command.
ON THE STREET
The Torino brakes, keeping left, which brings Mickey's
Cadillac along Nena's side as Nena OPENS FIRE...
Mickey ducks as his WINDOW IMPLODES...
Kittle jams the steering wheel right...
FORCING Mickey's Cadillac over, toward sidewalk...
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
(thru clenched teeth)
This one's for McDoogle's kid!!
ON THE STREET
Mickey's Cadillac COLLIDES with parked cars -- lifting
impossibly, airborne, spinning sideways.
CRASHING an abandoned STOREFRONT as citizens flee!
IN THE TORINO
NENA
(looking back)
Bye-bye bad guy!
ON THE STREET
Back at the storefront, Mickey's Cadillac BURSTS INTO FLAME!
Debris flies. And then, as one might expect, Mickey leaps
out from fire, BURNING FROM HEAD TO TOE, running in circles,
flapping his arms!
CUT TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN -- CHASE CONTINUES
AT THE MOUTH OF A TUNNEL, the Torino soars out, heading
downhill to mid-city streets.
The Mustang and Balls' Cadillac follow...
The squad car tails, still in the running.
IN THE TORINO
A SIREN is HEARD behind. Kittle glances back, happy...
KITTLE
Hey-Ho... ! Maybe we're not alone in
this thing after all.
NENA
(lifts sunglasses,
squints back)
Who is that... ?
ON THE STREET
In Balls' Cadillac, Thug-One SHOOTS at the squad car as it
passes. Officer Steve returns fire.
Then, the squad car overtakes Poe's Mustang. Officer Steve
SHOOTS at Poe. The Mustang swerves away.
IN THE TORINO
BILLY-BOY
Far out, man! Get those bastards!
Billy-Boy gives a thumbs-up, smiling...
IN THE SQUAD CAR
OFFICER STEVE
Fucking hot-dogging vice pricks.
Let's see how hot you are now... !
Officer Steve levels his pistol at the Torino...
IN THE TORINO
The smile is wiped off Biliy-Boy's face as Officer Steve
FIRES at him repeatedly. Our heroes duck and cringe...
ON THE STREET
The Torino takes a sharp turn, gaining breathing room.
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
What the hell's his problem?
NENA
You mean, besides the warrant out on
us for blowing up our commanding
officer?
Billy-Boy rise's with his "Steelers" helmet on, peers back,
recognizing the officers behind...
BILLY-BOY
Remember those two uniform cops who
been giving us such a hard time... ?
KITTLE
Yeah.
BILLY-BOY
The ones you got in that fist-fight
with a couple a weeks ago... ?
KITTLE
Yeah.
BILLY-BOY
That's them trying to kill us.
KITTLE
Well, they sure know how to hold a
grudge.
ON THE STREET
The Torino makes another shrill turn...
Past a "WRONG WAY" sign, up a "ONE WAY" street...
IN THE TORINO
THRU THE WINDSHIELD: lots of cars heading this way.
NENA
Interesting choice.
Kittle lays on the horn, steering...
ON THE ONE WAY STREET
Chaos. The Torino weaves thru traffic. HORNS BLARE.
Cars SMASH each other to avoid head-on collisions...
Behind, the patrol car slows, breaking away, choosing
another route. But, the Mustang follows the Torino...
Side-swiping other vehicles, SCRAPING past, RAGING FORWARD.
Behind, Balls' Cadillac RAMS cars aside...
Takes the path of least resistance: sidewalk...
PLOWING THRU clothing racks and tables of a "SIDEWALK SALE."
The Cadillac clips tall SCAFFOLDING on its way back to the
street. The scaffolding lets out a CREAKING GROAN...
Scaffolding falls...
In the street, drivers inspecting their crashed cars must
now to run for their lives as scaffolding CRASHES DOWN.
Above, WORKMEN hang from windowsills, screaming.
AT THE END OF THE BLOCK
The Torino hits open street, blasting forward.
Congestion ahead, so the Torino cuts across sidewalk
BOUNCING up a wide, marble staircase...
IN AN OPEN AIR PLAZA
A FOLK SINGER plays guitar and sings about "peace, love and
happiness" for an audience gathered around a fountain. Many
others are picnicking on blankets nearby.
The Torino ROARS as it reaches the top of the stairs...
Heading straight for the crowd...
Pigeons take flight. People shriek and flee. Many are
knocked into the fountain. The Torino cruises thru.
Behind, the Mustang and Cadillac follow..
ACROSS THE PLAZA
The Torino RUMBLES down another staircase.
CUT TO:
EXT. MORE DOWNTOWN STREETS -- CHASE CONTINUES
FOLLOW as the Torimo arrives, spinning out, moving on...
RIPPING PAST cross streets...
Gaining some distance on the Mustang and Caddie.
Behind, the sguad car turns off one cross street,
fishtailing to rejoin the chase.
AHEAD
Kittle takes the Torino down a long block...
IN THE TORINO
KITTLE
(daunted)
Okay... it just got worse...
THRU WINDSHIELD: busy CONSTRUCTION SITE.
ON THE STREET
The Torino races by signs: "LANE ENDS" and "ONE LANE AHEAD."
The Torino halts at the rear of a long line of cars, ENGINE
SNORTING. Up front, a yawning FLAGMAN holds a "STOP" sign.
Kittle sticks his head out, looking...
Construction vehicles and a huge mound of dirt block the
right lane. Opposing traffic's coming thru on the left.
Kittle sweats. He looks back...
Here they come: Mustang... Cadillac... squad car...
IN THE TORINO
Billy-Boy aims his shotgun out back.
BILLY-BOY
Whatever we're gonna do, we should do
it now.
Kittle shifts, reverse, heading backwards...
BILLY-BOY
Um... wrong way. See, the bad men
are back there, and we want to go
away from them!
ON THE STREET
The Torino angles, stops, then heads forward, squeaking past
the long line of cars... PICKING UP SPEED...
IN THE TORINO
AHEAD: the mound of dirt...
WHIP PAN: to Nena, who realizes, looking to Kittle, who is
intensely goal-focused, in a zone.
NENA
You're... you're not doing what I
think you're doing... ?
KITTLE
Seatbelts fastened, please.
Billy-Boy faces front, confused...
NENA
Even if we make it.. which we
won't... we don't know what's on
the other side!
Billy-Boy figures it out...
BILLY-BOY
Oh, no... no, no, no!!
ENGINE'S HUMMING. Nena braces her feet on the dash, head
between her knees. Billy-Boy sees this, dizzy with fear...
BILLY-BOY
(trying to be calm)
Look, Kittle... pull over and let me
out. I'll be fine... okay? How
'bout that... ?
(absolutely freaking)
Oh, Lord almighty, listen to me... I
don't want to die!! Lemme out of
this coffin!!
KITTLE
Clench your teeth.
BILLY-BOY
Wh... what... ?!
KITTLE
Clench your teeth so when we land you
don't accidentally bite off your
tongue.
Billy-Boy lets out a weak whimper, sits back, gripping
ceiling straps and closing his eyes.
ON THE STREET
Construction workers dive for safety.
The Torino hits the dirt mound, riding up....
Taking flight...
High above...
Lands with a WHOOMP!, throwing dust, rocketing onward...
IN THE TORINO
Kittle gives a HOOT of joy. Nena plants a kiss on him. In
back, Billy-Boy half-giggles/half-cries, giddy.
ON THE STREET, BEHIND
The Mustang ZOOMS off the dirt ramp... flying...
Followed by Balls' Cadillac... skyward...
They both land upright, surviving...
BEHIND
The squad car FLIES over the dirt mound... soaring...
Something's wrong. Off balance, slowly flipping...
BOOOOOOOM! -- lands flat on its roof, pancaked!
CUT TO:
EXT. L.A. RIVER BASIN -- CHASE CONTINUES
A narrow spillway. At the top, the Torino BASHES thru a
chain-link gate, heading down...
Into the far-as-the-eye-can-see expanses of the concrete
Los Angeles River. The Torino picks up the pace, riding the
sloped wall.
LONG-SHOT AERIAL VIEW: as the Mustang and Cadillac shadow
the Torino. Straightaway. SPEEDS BECOME EXCESSIVE...
IN THE TORINO
Nena cranks a handle above, opening a SUNROOF.
IN THE RIVER BASIN
Nena stands up thru the sunroof, aiming two guns back...
Behind, Poe slows, letting Balls' Cadillac take the lead.
Thug-One leans out, FIRING a MACHINE GUN...
Nena shoots, DOUBLE BLASTING...
IN THE CADILLAC
Thug-One's gun empties. He leans in to reload. He doesn't
notice yet: Balls is a gory, bullet-ridden mess beside him,
slumped against the steering wheel.
THUG-ONE
Bitch can't hit a thing.
Thug-One finishes loading, lets out a nervous laugh, glances
at Balls' corpse... does a double-take...
Thug-One looks forward, opening his mouth to scream...
IN THE RIVER BASIN
The Cadillac EXPLODES as it SLAMS a bridge abutment dead
center. Sounds like a THUNDER-CLAP. HUGE FIREBALL...
The Mustang bursts thru the flame, unrelenting...
Kittle takes the Torino down off the wall...
KNIFING thru shallow water...
Up the opposite wall...
The Mustang follows suit with Thug-Two SHOOTING...
CUT TO:
EXT. GOLF COURSE -- CHASE CONTINUES
Chain link fence borders the L.A. River. A golf cart
putters past. The Torino and Mustang BUST up and out thru
the fence, taking off across the golf course...
ELSEWHERE
On the tee, an elderly GENTLEMAN GOLFER, in plaid knickers
and a pom-pom cap, tees off. Good hit...
He watches his ball go, squinting. Far off, down the
fairway, the Torino and Mustang cross the lush, rolling
hills, EXCHANGING GUNFIRE...
DOWN THE FAIRWAY
The golf ball bounces off the hood of the Torino.
UP ON THE TEE
Gentleman Golfer watches the cars pass. GUNSHOTS ECHO.
GENTLEMAN GOLFER
That's peculiar.
(long pause, to caddie)
Winter rules, I suppose.
FURTHER ON
The Torino and Mustang clash, BUMPING each other...
JOSTLING for position. Really moving...
The Torino heads downhill, swerving... BASHING the Mustang,
guiding it... towards a SAND TRAP...
Poe realizes too late, crying out...
The Mustang hits the sand trap, WHEELS WHINING, SPINNING and
THROWING SAND high in the air. Immediately immobile.
Poe pounds the wheel in frustration, going ape-shit.
The Torino continues...
CUT TO:
EXT. L.A. STREET -- CHASE CONTINUES
The Torino BURSTS out from a line of thick shrubbery, onto a
semi-busy street, joins the flow of traffic.
CUT TO:
INT. BEVERLY HILLS ESTATE, LIVING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Big party. Loud. Party-goers move in the trippy flicker of
STROBE LIGHTS, drinking and drugging. Kittle, Nena and
Billy-Boy arrive, scanning..
In the middle of the' crowd, there's a NUDE WOMAN in only a
mink coat standing on top a piano, writhing and laughing
hysterically for no reason, non-stop; laughing and laughing
and laughing, though we can't hear her over the din.
Half the room's taken up by a makeshift indoor volleyball
court, where men and women play NAKED VOLLEYBALL. These
aren't all "beautiful people" either. There's plenty of
middle-aged men and women who should have kept clothes on.
BILLY-BOY
That's sick.
KITTLE
Welcome to Beverly Hills.
Wife-swapping Capital of the World.
Kittle leads the way. A big, NAKED BODY-BUILDER comes to
block their path. Kittle grimaces, afraid to look down.
NAKED BODY-BUILDER
'Scuse me, fella... I need to see
your invitations.
KITTLE
Or what? You gonna hit us over the
head with your penis?
Body-Builder grips Kittle. Nena and Billy-B brandish guns.
NENA
Take your baby-lotioned hands off
him, Zeus. Good. Now, come here...
IN A HALLWAY
Nena leads Naked Body-Builder with her gun to his neck.
NENA
You're gonna tell us where Archie the
accountant is. But first...
She takes out HANDCUFFS, snaps one cuff around a doorknob
and secures it, then holds up the other cuff.
NENA
Try to guess which part of your
body's going in here.
INT. BEVERLY HILLS ESTATE, DISCO ROOM -- AFTERNOON
MUSIC THROBS. People dance, drenched, STROBE-LIT. Bad
fashion choices. They're really shaking their bootie,
banging asses together, grabbing and gyrating, oversexed.
Kittle, Nena and Billy-B shove thru this jumble, moving on.
EXT. BEVERLY HILLS ESTATE, BACKYARD -- AFTERNOON
On the porch, surrounded by coke mirrors and bowls of R,W+B
pills, three nubile YOUNG WOMEN sit in the frothing HOT TUB,
drinking champagne and giggling.
Then, ARCHIE, a middle-aged, hairy-chested sleaze-ball in
gold chains, pops up from under the water, laughing...
ARCHIE
Now, that's what I call diving for --
He's YANKED out of the hot tub by the chains around his
neck, ending that sentence with a guttural CHOKE.
INT. BEVERLY HILLS ESTATE, GARAGE -- AFTERNOON
Archie's shoved into the garage, catches himself against his
red Trans-Am, wet and vulnerable in his bathing suit. He
turns to face Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy.
ARCHIE
This is private property. This is
breaking and entering!
KITTLE
Just entering. We'll get to the
breaking in a minute.
Archie's shifty, crosses his arms to cover nipples.
ARCHIE
Whatever you fuzz are sniffing for, I
don't have it. You came to the wrong
place.
Kittle throws the ledger book and Archie catches it.
KITTLE
You're Zimmermann's calculator,
Archie. All the blood money you had
to move around to make this deal, you
got to know something. Maybe they
told you, maybe you overheard things
you weren't supposed to hear...
ARCHIE
I'm telling you, you're barking up
the wrong tree.
KITTLE
(furious)
Well, I'm running out of trees, so
look me in the eye like a man and
tell me you don't know! Convince me!
ARCHIE
(flinching, miserable)
I don't know. Fuck off!
NENA
(studies Archie)
You suck at lying, Archie.
KITTLE
See... now that we know you know, the
hard part's done for us.
NENA
It's just a question of how long do
we have to slap you silly till you
spill the beans.
ARCHIE
If this deal goes smooth, I clear
three hundred fifty grand. That's
enough for three more houses like
this. And, what are you offering me
instead, other than a black eye and a
fat lip?
Kittle motions. Billy-Boy steps up, puts Archie in a choke.
ARCHIE
Yeah... there, just like that...
(submits)
Okay, go ahead. But first take a
good look around at how I'm living,
and then think about your own shitty
lives...
Kittle pushes Billy-Boy aside, GUT-PUNCHES Archie. Archie's
gasping. Billy-Boy PUNCHES him, sends him sprawling.
ARCHIE
(catching breath)
I know the drill. Maybe I can't stop
you from beating on me... but, I'll
heal up. It doesn't change the fact
that cops eat hamburgers and hot dogs
while crooks eat lobster and caviar.
Kittle KICKS. Archie rolls. Kittle comes to lift Archie up
by gold chains, ready to punch again...
ARCHIE
(weary, resigned)
It's not even like there's a choice
to be made, so... do whatever you
feel like you have to do.
Kittle's unsure. He drops Archie, frustrated, leaving.
INT. BEVERLY HILLS ESTATE, LIVING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Kittle leads the way back across the volleyball room, angry,
pushing stoned guests. Billy-Boy lights up a cigarette.
NENA
We're screwed.
KITTLE
I'm well aware of that.
BILLY-BOY
What's the plan?
KITTLE
Beats me. You got a suggestion, feel
free to shout it out, genius.
Kittle glances up, stops. He's focused above, loathing...
ABOVE, on a balcony overlooking the party, ADAM, a gaunt,
glassy-eyed blonde junkie in head-to-toe leather, smiles
down. He crooks his finger slyly; "come here."
INT. BEVERLY HILLS ESTATE, UPSTAIRS BEDROOM -- AFTERNOON
Our three heroes follow Adam in, wary. Dim room. Candles.
Adam sinks into a couch, puts his arm around EVE, a blonde
misfit-addict also slathered in leather.
KITTLE
(disgust, anger)
Adam and Eve. Never one without the
other.
Eve's fixing, shooting heroin...
ZOOM-IN CLOSE-UP: on the needle piercing Eve's arm.
Nena's riveted by this, instantly queasy, averts her eyes.
EVE
That's our names, don't wear'em out.
Eve laughs, so stoned. She puts the needle aside. Adam
gropes her face and they flick tongues together.
Billy-Boy puts a hand on Nena's shoulder. Nena gives him a
look to say she's okay, wiping sweat off her upper lip.
ADAM
(to Eve, lovingly)
Indivisible and inseparable.
KITTLE
Incestuous.
ADAM
Every person's got their own kinks,
beef-cake.
(stands, slinks forward)
What's wrong, Kittle? You don't
swing?
Adam rises to lavish attention, touching. Kittle stews.
ADAM
What Eve and I wouldn't give to meet
up with you on the business end of a
daisy chain.
KITTLE
(shoves Adam off)
Put up your kickstand, freak. Start
talking, or we're out the door.
ADAM
A little birdie whispered in my ear
today... about the needle-candy
you're chasing. It's up here...
(taps his forehead)
... in the old curiosity shop.
Kittle looks questioningly to Nena and Billy-Boy, doubtful.
KITTLE
How much?
ADAM
I figure, for this information, the
usual payment... times ten.
KITTLE
You think it's that good?
ADAM
I'll tell you what... I think it's
all you've got.
KITTLE
(false smile)
Well... what can I do? You've
created a dilemma...
(looks at watch)
And, look at the that.
Time's running out. I wonder... how
can I impress upon you just exactly
how frustrating this situation is for
me?
Billy-Boy dutifully drops his cigarette, steps it out. He
grabs Adam and throws him across the room...
Adam SMASHES a dresser and tumbles to the floor, smugness
immediately replaced by shock and fear.
EVE
Bastards... !
Eve gets up, falls down, crawls to cradle Adam.
KITTLE
You get nothing and like it. And if
we're not blissfully happy with what
you tell us, we arrest you just for
the fun of it.
ADAM
Okay, man, okay. I'm with you. I...
I heard how the shit's arriving...
(leans forward, whispers)
It's coming in a Lincoln.
Kittle's waiting for more. There ain't more.
KITTLE
And... ?
ADAM
What and? That's what I got.
KITTLE
A Lincoln? What Lincoln? Lincoln
Continental? Lincoln Mark Five...
Six... ?
ADAM
Now you know what to watch for...
KITTLE
Am I supposed to take this
information and sit up in the hills
with a frickin' telescope?
NENA
This much powder you don't throw in
the trunk with a blanket over it.
It's got to be smuggled.
KITTLE
There's not even enough places to
stash it in a car.
ADAM
Have I ever steered you wrong?
KITTLE
(pissed, to Billy-Boy)
Cuff'em. Let's see what these two
love birds say once they're sitting
in separate cages.
Billy-Boy pulls Eve off Adam, handcuffs her roughly as she
kicks and protests. Adam grabs at her, scared.
ADAM
Get off her, monster! Leave her
alone... !
Billy-Boy shoves Adam. Nena restrains Adam, cuffing him.
KITTLE
(to Billy-Boy)
Take her down to the car, and for
Christ's sake be careful this time.
(to Adam)
Last suspect he took in,
butter-fingers dropped her down the
stairs. What a mess. Why is it we
don't appreciate our arms and legs
till we've lost the use of them?
ADAM
(desperation rising)
Hey, listen... I'll give you
something else, Kittle. Anything.
Remember... remember that corpse
washed up on Huntington Beach? It
was never identified...
KITTLE
Who cares?
ADAM
Alright, wait... there's a dentist in
Brentwood peddling morphine...
KITTLE
(ignores, to Billy-B)
Careful she doesn't hit her head on
the way.
Billy-Boy drags Eve towards the door.
ADAM
Come on, don't you screw with her,
please! You... you got to want this:
armored car job. CalTrust Bank.
They took two million in cash...
KITTLE
Read my lips: Zimmermann or nothing.
NENA
Hold up a minute, Kittle.
Nena drops Adam, motions for Kittle to follow her. They
huddle. Nena whispers.
Billy-B waits in the doorway with Eve, lights a cigarette.
Kittle nods to Nena, then returns to Adam.
KITTLE
We'll take the CalTrust heist, but if
it's no good, we will hunt you down,
and Billy-Boy will pull out your
spine and he will beat you to death
with it.
ADAM
(relieved)
Fair enough.
CUT TO:
INT. WAREHOOSE HIDEOUT -- AFTERNOON
A dirty window. Kittle's face appears outside, peeking in
thru grime. He ducks away. CAMERA MOVES...
REVEALS an ARMORED CAR in the middle of the vast
warehouse... and, away from the truck, SIX BANK ROBBERS,
unwashed, frightening tough-guys, play poker, drink and
smoke... and, nearby, a SUITCASE full of cash. $2 million.
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT -- AFTERNOON
Empty streets like a ghost town. Late in the day. The
sun's low. Kittle hurries back to the parked Torino.
INSIDE THE TORINO
KITTLE
They're there, laying low. It's
Allison and Hinchberger's crew.
Lunatics, every one of 'em.
Nena and Billy-Boy have duffel bags of guns on their laps,
sorting and trading bullets, loading every gun. Kittle
picks up his own bag, following suit.
For a while, that's the only sound, of guns checked and
loaded. In back, Billy-Boy takes a deep swallow from his
flask. Kittle turns his head, seeing this, faces front.
KITTLE
(to Billy-Boy)
When you planning to cut back on
that?
BILLY-BOY
What?
KITTLE
The booze.
BILLY-BOY
I don't know. I could quit now if I
wanted, I just don't want to.
NENA
(skeptical)
Sure you could.
Billy-Boy studies his reflection in the flask, buzzed, sad.
BILLY-BOY
I don't know what the problem is.
Plenty of great men throughout
history got their bravery out of a
bottle
KITTLE
Name one.
BILLY-BOY
Dean Martin.
KITTLE
Entertainers don't count.
All the time, they're still occupied loading guns.
BILLY-BOY
What about Jack Daniels? Wasn't he a
decorated general in the Civil War?
NENA
No.
BILLY-BOY
General Jim Beam, then.
NENA
Nope.
BILLY-BOY
Oh. Well. I think it's pretty
common knowledge that in the Battle
of Little Big Horn, Custer was drunk
off his ass.
KITTLE
Who's been giving you history
lessons? Your bartender?
BILLY-BOY
Okay, seriously. What about
Napoleon, huh?
KITTLE
What about him?
BILLY-BOY
You've never heard of Napoleon
brandy, Mister Smarty-Pants? How do
you think it got its name?
NENA
Billy, I love you I really do... but
I've got to tell you, every day, in
every way, you give new meaning to
the word "stupidity."
BILLY-BOY
(long pause)
What can I say to that... except, I
love you too, you mean-spirited
bitch.
In front, Nena allows a thin smile, still loading. Kittle
turns ON the RADIO: "Beth" by Kiss.
Kittle switches: "Midnight at the Oasis," "Fly, Robin, Fly"
by Silver Connection. "The Night Chicago Died." "Cats in
the Cradle" by Harry Chapin. "Da Doo Ron Ron" by Shaun
Cassidy. "Mr. Jaws." "Billy Don't Be a Hero." "Angie
Baby." Theme from t.v.'s "Happy Days." "Nadia's Theme."
KITTLE
(to Nena, calm)
Excuse me...
Kittle moves over, angling his body and lifting his heel so
he can KICK the radio -- SMASHING the radio into SILENCE.
Kittle sits back down and calmly continues loading.
CUT TO:
INT. WAREHOUSE HIDEOUT -- AFTERNOON
Big warehouse doors. The Torino CRASHES thru!
Across the warehouse, robbers leap to their weapons, running
for cover behind big wooden crates and industrial drums.
The Torino skids to stop, sideways...
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy, wearing NYLONS stretched over
their heads, jump out with duffel bags, taking cover behind
the car. Bullets THUNK against the Torino.
Kittle's got got a BULLHORN, shouting into it.
KITTLE
(thru bullhorn)
... This is the police. We don't
want trouble... just come out with
your hands up...
The bank robbers peer out occasionally, FIRING sporadically.
KITTLE
(thru bullhorn)
Put down your weapons and surrender.
I'm not kidding... this is your last
chance. Stop trying to kill us', or
we will be forced to return fire...
Robbers curse them, keeping up their uneven attack.
BEHIND THE BARRELS, Several robbers are reloading, not too
quick, dropping bullets in their haste.
BEHIND THE TORINO, Kittle gives Nena and Billy-Boy a look
and a shrug. He tosses the bullhorn aside...
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy open duffel bags in front of
then, choosing guns, rising...
FIRING, six guns in all, one per hand...
Wooden crates splinter. Holes burst in metal drums.
Several robbers are hit, bloodied.
Our heroes keep BLASTING. As soon as a gun empties, it's
thrown aside in favor of another from a duffel bag,
facilitating NON-STOP FIRING...
One robber rises up, FIRING. He's hit, falling, bloody.
Poker chips and cards are sent flying...
BULLETS are HEARD RICOCHETING everywhere, throwing sparks...
Bank robbers are overwhelmed, hardly able to get in a shot.
GUNSHOTS are DEAFENING as Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy
continue SHOOTING. Gunsmoke grows thick and empty guns pile
up at their feet.
One robber makes a run for an exit door, but he gets shot
down on the way, falling, screaming.
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy stop firing. GUNSHOTS ECHO.
KITTLE
(pause, shouting)
If anybody's still alive over
there... now would be a good time for
you to run away.
A pause. Two remaining robbers run, reaching an exit door
and escaping, not looking back.
CUT TO:
INT. ARCHIE'S B.H. ESTATE, BATHROOM -- AFTERNOON
Archie's house. Archie's in the shower. PHONE'S RINGING.
Archie gets a towel, answers the nearby phone.
ARCHIE
(into phone)
Yeah?
(listens, impatient)
I got nothing to say to you... huh?
How's that...
(interest piqued)
I'm listening.
CAMERA MOVES: to the ajar door. Someone's there...
IN THE ADJOINING BEDROOM
A REDHEAD, one of the hot tub bikini girls, stands
eavesdropping. She crosses...
Carefully picks up a phone, listening.
KITTLE'S VOICE (v.o.)
(from phone)
This is something you should
seriously consider. What do you say?
ARCHIE'S VOICE (v.o.)
(pause, from phone)
Meet me on Mulholland. Above Outpost
Drive...
INT. BEVERLY HILLS MANSIOH, KITCHEN -- AFTERNOON
Party MUSIC's still THROBBING elsewhere. The Redhead moves
thru waning weirdoes, reaches a phone, dialing.
REDHEAD
(waits for answer,
whispers in phone)
Hello? Yeah... I need to talk to
Mister Zimmermann.
CUT TO:
EXT. MULHOLLAND DRIVE, LOOKOUT POINT -- AFTERNOON
Kittle opens the SUITCASE filled with $2 million dollars.
KITTLE
It's all yours.
Archie tries not to let his excitement show, but he's awed.
It's twilight. They're on the road's narrow shoulder with
the city beginning to sparkle behind. Cars parked nearby.
BILLY-BOY
You could start over again with cash
like that.
NENA
Go wherever you want. Live how you
want.
KITTLE
No more counting the big money for
someone else.
NENA
Beholden to none.
Archie's conflicted. He touches the money, hands trembling.
KITTLE
(looks at watch)
It's six o'clock. Time's runaing
out. Decide.
ARCHIE
If I tell you, how do I know you
won't just club me and take it back?
KITTLE
You don't. It's a gamble. But, not
even in Vegas are you gonna get close
to this kind of cash.
(emphasizing)
This is two million, Archie. It's
not three houses, it's twelve. It's
dreams come true.
Archie's tempted, fearful.
NENA
(whispers)
Risk it.
Archie stares at the money, trance-like. Then, quietly:
ARCHIE
It just got here. Like you said, it
took about a week from New York...
Kittle, Billy-Boy and Nena share looks, can't believe.
ARCHIE
(long pause)
Three hundred kilos of White Lady
hidden inside a giant bust of Abraham
Lincoln. A parade float.
KITTLE
What... ?
ARCHIE
(looks to Kittle)
Abe Lincoln...
FLASHBACK -- INTERSTATE HIGHWAY -- DAYS AGO
Coming down the road, hauled by a R,W+B pick-up truck: a
giant ABE LINCOLN HEAD parade float, tacky and crude.
ARCHIE'S VOICE (v.o.)
It's gonna be in the Bicentennial
parade on Wilshire tonight.
The float whizzes past.
BACK TO SCENE ON MULHOLLAND
ARCHIE
You see how perfect it is? It's the
fucking Trojan "horse," man. Nobody
suspects a thing...
FLASHBACK -- TOWN FAIR -- A FEW DAYS AGO
In a small town square, country folk gather to look at the
Lincoln float and have pictures taken with it.
ARCHIE'S VOICE (v.o.)
A gift from one city to another, but
who's gonna ask who's giving the
gift? It's a great, big,
paper-and-glue goodwill ambassador,
stopping along the way to promote
American values.
FLASHBACK -- NEW YORK CITY WAREHOUSE -- A WEEK AGO
Thugs load the lobotomized Abe float with BAGS of HEROIN.
ARCHIE'S VOICE (v.o.)
Nobody imagines what's inside. No
cops are gonna search it, cause
what's to search? It's not a car.
It's not a truck. It's Abe Lincoln.
BACK TO SCENE ON MULHOLLAND
ARCHIE
All Zimmermann has to do is sit back
at his party tonight and wait till
the parade's done. The floats go to
some warehouse afterwards, where
there's no guards cause it's all
garbage in the morning anyhow. So,
while the city sleeps, Zimmermann's
guys show up and empty it out.
(smiles)
It's that simple.
GUNFIRE O.S.! Bullets hit Archie...
Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy turn, reaching for guns...
Poe and TWO KILLERS stand on the road, FIRING...
Kittle, Nena, Billy-Boy and Archie jerk and twist like
puppets as BULLETS RIDDLE THEIR BODIES.
The suitcase is hit, flipping off the ledge...
Money dumps out into Mulholland canyon.
Kittle, Nena, Billy-Boy and Archie collapse. GUNFIRE STOPS.
Poe walks over, inspecting. Smoke wafts. Kittle, Nena,
Billy-Boy and Archie lie motionless in pools of blood.
In the canyon, cash flutters down like a blizzard.
Poe walks away, taking one killer with him up the street.
POE
(to remaining killer)
Finish it.
The remaining KILLER goes to put a gun to Billy-Boy's head,
pulls back the hammer... pulls the trigger -- CLICK. Empty.
Killer reloads, takes his time. POE'S MUSTANG can be HEARD
SCREECHING AWAY 0.S. Killer puts the gun back to
Billy-Boy's head, pulls back the hammer...
With a sudden ROAR, Billy-Boy awakens, instinctively
grabbing Killer's gun and yanking -- SNAPS Killer's arm.
Billy-Boy grips Killer's head, twists -- BREAKS Killer's
neck. Killer's dead. Billy-Boy rises, uneasy, looks
around... falls back, unconscious.
FADE TO BLACK:
Pause. A VOICE from blackness: PRESIDENT GERALD FORD.
PREZ FORD (v.o.)
Two hundred years ago we, the people
of the United States of America,
began a great adventure which stirred
the imagination and quickened the
hopes of men and women throughout the
world. The date was July 4, 1776;
the occasion, the signing of our
Declaration of Independence...
FADE IN:
MONTAGE BEGINS -- INTERCUTTING -- NIGHT
- On WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, the parade's readying. Floats
are guided round a corner: giant BALD EAGLE, massive
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER with a musket... and, here comes the
Abe Lincoln float, pulled by the R,W+B pick-up.
- Marching bands mill about, NOISY, disorganized.
- Sidewalks seethe with expectant spectators.
- Boy Scout troops are lined up by den-leader dads.
- Policemen chase a naked STREAKER. The crowd jeers.
- Baton twirling drum majorettes warm up.
PREZ FORD (v.o.)
No other nation in history has ever
dedicated itself more specifically
nor devoted itself more completely to
the proposition that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with such
unalienable rights of life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness.
- In a HOSPITAL EMERGEMCY ROOM, doors slam open: doctors
and interns run all directions as Kittle, Nena, Billy-Boy
and Archie are wheeled in on stretchers. Pandemonium.
- Kittle's bloody body is transferred to an operating
table. DOCTOR'S SHOUT ORDERS. Oxygen's administered.
- Surgical scissors cut blood-soaked clothing off Billy-Boy.
Same goes for Nena, nearby.
- Nena's pupils are checked with a flashlight.
- Tubes are fed down Billy-Boy's throat.
- Blood flows out bullet holes.
- Needles are inserted into veins.
- Bloody slugs are dropped in a bowl with a METALLIC PING.
- Archie's face is covered by a sheet. Dead.
- Kittle gets ELECTRIC SHOCK -- his body convulses.
PREZ FORD (v.o.)
Two centuries later, as we celebrate
our Bicentennial Year of
Independence, the great American
adventure continues. ... Colonists
and immigrants brought with them
cherished values and ideals in
religion and in culture, in law and
learning which, mixed with the native
American ways, gave us our rich
American heritage.
- At ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION, champagne corks pop! People
cheer. A COSTUME PARTY'S beginning in the great room.
Distinguished guests flow in. Lots of whores.
Across the room, THUGS drink at a fully stocked bar, each
dressed as a REDCOAT. Poe's amongst them, dressed as BEN
FRANKLIN, granny glasses and all.
- The butler greets guests in the foyer.
- Guests accept R,W+B hors d'oeuvres.
- Elsewhere, Zimmermann's entrance is met by applause.
He's UNCLE SAM, adjusting his top hat and paste-on beard.
- Guests gather round a TELEVISION showing the beginnings of
the parade on Wilshire.
- A STRING QUARTET plays. Nearby, Zimmermann gives Poe an
appreciative slap on the back. They share a laugh.
- Guests share cocaine off coke-spoon necklaces.
PREZ FORD (v.o.)
The unique American union of the
known and the unknown, the tried and
the untried, has been the foundation
for our liberty and the secret of our
great success. In this country,
individuals can be the masters rather
than the helpless victims of their
destiny. We can make our own
opportunities and make the most of
them...
END MONTAGE:
INT. KITTLE'S HOSPITAL ROOM -- NIGHT
President Ford's SPEECH CONTINUES from the TV. Kittle's in
the bed, bandaged all over, unconscious.
PREZ FORD (v.o.)
In the space of two centuries, we
have not been able to right every
wrong, to correct every injustice, to
reach every worthy goal
Kittle stirs. He opens his bleary eyes.
PREZ FORD (v.o.)
But for 200 years, we have tried and
we will continue to strive to make
the lives of individual men and women
in this country and on this Earth
better lives -- more hopeful and
happy, more prosperous and peaceful,
more fulfilling and more free.
Kittle tries to sit up, in terrible pain.
PREZ FORD (v.o.)
This is our common dedication, and it
will be our common glory as we enter
the third century of the American
adventure.
Kittle looks to the T.V. as it switches coverage, now
SHOWING COVERAGE of the BICENTENNIAL PARADE on Wilshire.
Kittle stares at this, then rises, barely, looks to a
privacy curtain. He begins the slow climb out of bed.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN, Kittle looks in. Billy-Boy's out cold,
stained bandages around his head, tubes up his nose.
Kittle's eyes fill with tears and anger.
KITTLE
(quiet sorrow)
What'd they do to my boy?
Kittle touches Billy-Boy's face, gentle. Suddenly,
Billy-Boy's awake -- gripping Kittle's throat!
KITTLE
(choked)
... Billy, no... it's... me...
Billy-Boy sees it's Kittle and releases. Kittle gasps.
Billy-Boy pulls tubes out of his body, touches his head
wound, looking around, dazed.
BILLY-BOY
They... they shot me.
KITTLE
They shot us all, kid.
BILLY-BOY
What day is it?
KITTLE
Same day as before. I think.
Billy-Boy gets up, in extreme pain, one leg in a
knee-to-heel cast. Kittle helps him out of bed.
BILLY-BOY
Where we going?
KITTLE
We're gonna rain on Zimmermann's
parade.
INT. HOSPITAL, NENA'S ROOM -- NIGHT
Kittle and Billy-Boy sneak in. They're pale, wounds
bleeding fresh in their bandages. Kittle goes to check a
chart at the end of a bed.
KITTLE
(to bed, whispers)
Nena. Nena...
Kittle pulls the sheet, finds only PILLOWS placed to look
like a body. A LIGHT FALLS ACROSS him from behind...
Kittle and Billy-Boy turn. The bathroom door's falling
open, revealing Nena, arm in a sling, struggling to tighten
a piece of cloth around her wounded leg.
Nena looks up, noticing them, manages a frail smile.
NENA
Well, don't just stand there... help
a lady tighten her tourniquet.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOSPITAL -- NIGHT
Many cop cars arriving. D.A. Ravich and the POLICE CHIEF
climb out from one. FOLLOW as they join a throng of
policemen heading to the hospital.
D.A. RAVICH
(to Police Chief)
I want men guarding their rooms. As
soon as they wake up, I want them
booked. If they die, I want their
dead bodies arrested.
BEHIND, another squad car halts. Officer Steve and Officer
Jim, in unwieldy neck braces, get out from the back.
INT. HOSPITAL, KITTLE'S ROOM -- NIGHT
Cops enter, Officers Steve and Jim amongst them. D.A.
Ravich and Police Chief push to front, stopping cold...
ZOOM IN: on Billy-Boy and Kittle's empty beds.
INT. HOSPITAL, NENA'S ROOM -- NIGHT
D.A. Ravich and Police Chief rush in with cops. Same story:
Nena's bed empty. There's a POUNDING HEARD and MUFFLED CRY.
Police Chief goes to open a closet...
Finds a SECURITY GUARD, bound and gagged, on the floor.
EXT. HOSPITAL, EMERGENCY ROOM ENTRANCE -- NIGHT
Paramedics unload an ambulance. Nurses assist, guiding the
stretcher in. Kittle, Nena and Bllly-Boy hobble past,
unnoticed in all the activity.
Kittle drops a gun, scrambles to pick it up. He, Billy-B
and Nena climb in the ambulance.
EXT. HOSPITAL -- NIGHT
The purloined ambulance, SIREN WAILING, moves past running
policemen, past cop cars, to the street...
CUT TO:
EXT. MULHOLLAND DRIVE, LOOKOUT POINT -- NIGHT
Where the shooting took place is a crime scene, roped off.
DETECTIVES work. The Torino's still here.
A SIREN is HEARD... GETTING CLOSER.
The ambulance arrives, snapping police tape as it hurtles
forward, SKIDDING -- rearends a detective's car, sending the
car forward and over the edge into the canyon...
BELOW
Policemen, collecting money from foliage, flee. The car
tumbles down... rolling... BURSTING INTO FLAMES.
ABOVE
Our heroes, still in gowns, stumble out the ambulance.
Billy-Boy falls and Nena helps him up while Kittle levels
his gun shakily at the stupefied detectives.
KITTLE
Everybody take off your clothes.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOLLYWOOD STREET -- NIGHT
The Torino rides again...
INSIDE THE TORINO
Our ragged heroes wear stolen, ill-fitting clothing. Nena
tightens bandages. In back, Billy-Boy preps weapons from
the trunk via the trap door.
KITTLE
How you doing back there?
BILLY-BOY
Feeling great.
Blood flows out his nose. He wipes it, trying to ignore.
BILLY-BOY
(coughs harshly)
Feels like there's a bullet still in
my chest.
NENA
There probably is.
BILLY-BOY
(keeps working)
Bummer.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILSHIRE BOULEVARD CROSS STREET -- NIGHT
MARCHING BAND MUSIC 0.S. Torino's parked, trunk open.
Kittle, Billy-B (in football helmet) and Nena unload their
trusty gun duffels, shotgun suitcase and box of dynamite.
They trek toward Wilshire, toward the crowd with its back to
them, where the parade flows past.
CUT TO:
INT. ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION, GREAT ROOM -- NIGHT
CLINKING a fork against a wine glass, Zimmermann calls for
attention. Guests clear a space around him.
ZIMMERMANN
A moment of your time, friends! A
mere moment...
(waits for quiet)
I welcome you, on this the occasion
of America's 200th birthday. Times
like this, I become a sentimental
dolt, so I beg your indulgence.
EXT. WILSHIRE BOULEVARD -- NIGHT
On the sidewalk, Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy are at the front
of the crowd, watching. Kittle's looking around, above...
A T.V. CAMERA shoots the parade from atop a high platform...
WHIP PAN: to another T.V. CAMERA across the street, covering
the festivities from another angle.
Nena nudges Kittle and points...
the Lincoln float's on its way.
A MARCHING BAND slows. The Lincoln float stops behind. The
DRIVER, a broken-nosed thug, looks impatient. SPEAKERS on
the float BLAST "Stars and Stripes Forever."
The pick-up's door opens and Billy-Boy pulls the driver out
and throws him. Behind, Nena and Kittle toss weapons on the
float, struggling to climb on.
INT. ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION, GREAT ROOM -- NIGHT
Zimmermann continues his address.
ZIMMERMANN
Our country has been called the land
of opportunity.
And, a wiser man than I once made the
observation that the older you get,
the longer it takes you to get to the
door when opportunity knocks.
(laughter from guests)
But, didn't Thomas Jefferson say it
best when he said...
(sees something O.S.,
sudden horror and fury)
Motherfucking cocksuckers!! I'll...
I'll kill them... !
Guests are startled. Zimmermann pushes thru to the
television, reddening with rage, quaking in disbelief.
ON THE TELEVISION: Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy on the Lincoln
float, blood stains beginning to show thru their clothing,
waving wearily to cameras. T.V. ANNOUNCERS in V.0. express
confusion as the float turns off course...
EXT. WILSHIRE BOULEVARD -- NIGHT
Billy-Boy drives, accelerates, spins the wheel...
Guides the Lincoln float off the parade route and onto a
side street as the panicked crowd parts like the Red Sea.
T.V. cameras turn to follow as the float lumbers away.
On the float, Nena looks to Kittle.
NENA
Think Zimmermann's watching?
KITTLE
Who the fuck knows? We'll find out
soon enough.
EXT. ZIMMERMANN'S MANSION -- NIGHT
Redcoat/thugs run from the house, scrambling to black
Cadillacs. Zimmermann follows, shouting...
ZIMMERMANN
Wilshire Boulevard! Wilshire
Boulevard! Kill them!!
Zimmermann gets in the passenger side of his white Cadillac.
They ride. Poe follows in the super Mustang.
CUT TO:
EXT. URBAN STREETS -- NIGHT
FOLLOW the float. Kittle stares up at giant Lincoln.
KITTLE
It turns my stomach they're using
Honest Abe to smuggle their filth.
Nena opens the suitcase, hands a shotgun to Kittle. Kittle
limps aft, aims at the back of Abe Lincoln's head...
KITTLE
Sorry, old buddy.
BOOM! White powder leaks out from behind Abe's left ear.
NENA
You John-Wilkes-Booth-ed him.
KITTLE
(to the pick-up)
Billy! Billy!
Kittle moves to the front, shouting. In the pick-up, Billy
glances back, them watches thru the mirror.
KITTLE
Take us to the beach! Santa
Monica... ! The beach!
Billy-Boy finally nods, gives thumbs-up to show he heard.
IN THE PICK-UP
BILLY-BOY
(to himself)
The beach... the beach...
Billy-Boy's eyes flutter. He's sweaty, trying to stay
conscious. He shakes himself, forcing his eyes wide.
BILLY-BOY
(to himself)
Alright, big-fella, don't you go
passing out! You're fine and dandy.
You've had worse than this.
He forces a laugh. Blood trickles down his forehead. He
takes a pack of cigarettes off the dash.
THRU THE WINDSHIELD: yellow traffic light... turning red.
Billy-Boy goes for it...
ON THE STREET
Billy-Boy flouts the intersection, barely missing collision.
On the float, Nena starts checking over guns. Kittle kneels
behind Abe Lincoln's head, opening the box of dynamite.
NENA
Why the beach?
KITTLE
So there's nobody around to get
killed in the explosion.
Nena's confused. Kittle takes dynamite from the box and
starts shoving it into Abe's head cavity, smiles at Nena.
NENA
(matter of fact)
Oh, yeah... the explosion.
KITTLE
Know what I love about dynamite?
NENA
Do tell.
KITTLE
When you bunch it together, it's
exponentially more powerful. Two
sticks have the power of four sticks.
Four sticks have the power of
sixteen, and so on.
NENA
I don't think so.
KITTLE
Well, that's what I heard, and that's
what I choose to believe.
EXT. OTHER URBAN STREETS -- NIGHT
Zimmermann's Cadillacs are on the prowl. Poe follows.
EXT. YET ANOTHER URBAN STREET -- NIGHT
Zimmermann's' Cadillac convoy rounds another corner...
Poe's Mustang breaks formation, heading elsewhere...
ON A SIDE STREET
The Mustang cruises, a strange sight since Poe's at the
wheel still in his elaborate Ben Franklin get-up and there's
a fully uniformed Redcoat in the passenger seat.
INSIDE THE MUSTANG
The thug beside Poe, REDCOAT-ONE, keeps an eye out...
DOWN THE BLOCK: a glimpse of Abe crossing.
REDCOAT-ONE
(pointing)
There! Over there... !
KITTLE
Know what I love about dynamite?
EXT. URBAN STREET -- NIGHT
In the pick-up, Billy-Boy sees the Mustang arrive, heading
this way. He BEEPS and leans out, shouting back.
BILLY-BOY
Kittle... we got company!
Kittle and Nena look.
Im the Mustang, Poe talks in his CB RADIO, closing.
Nena throws her duffel over her shoulder by a strap, starts
up a ladder at the back of Lincoln's head.
Billy-Boy points a gun out his window.
Redcoat-One leans out with a machine gun...
The pick-up and Mustang TRADE GUNFIRE as they THUNDER past
in opposite directions...
Nena reaches the top of Lincoln's stovepipe hat, hurting.
BEHIND, the Mustang u-turns to pursue. And, FURTHER BACK,
the Cadillacs arrive, SCREEEEEECHING; one white, two black.
Here they come, GUNS BLAZING.
NENA
The gang's all here!
KITTLE
Keep 'em busy.
Kittle keeps loading dynamite, hurried.
Poe's Mustang and the Cadillacs close in.
Zimmermann leans out the white Caddie, demented, his Uncle
Sam beard flapping in the breeze, FIRING A MACHINE GUN...
On the float, Nena RETURNS FIRE from above.
Below, Kittle wrestles a plastic bag of heroin out of
Lincoln's head, moves back, keeping low...
He chucks the heroin bag...
The bag SLAMS the windshield of one black Cadillac with a
blinding POOF! Wipers come on.
INSIDE THE WHITE CADILLAC
ZIMMERMANN
That's my heroin!
(to REDCOAT-DRIVER)
Move it! Get beside the son of a
bitch! Now, now, now!
ON THE STREET
The white Cadillac gets close. Zimmermann FIRES.
ZIMMERMANN
Die, Kittle... you self-righteous
prick!
On the float, Kittle cowers. BULLETS RIP Abe's head.
INSIDE THE PICK-UP
Billy-Boy corners, hard...
ON THE STREET
Cutting the corner short, blocking the white Cadillac and
DECAPITATING a FIRE HYDRANT! Instant water fountain.
Atop Lincoln's hat, Nena hangs on tight.
CUT TO:
EXT. URBAN STREETS, FURTHER ON -- CHASE CONTINUES
In the middle of the street, five CHILDREN are huddled. A
flickering flame lights their faces. They have a G.I. JOE
DOLL propped up, trying to light the firecracker wedged
under its arm. The fuse sparks.
The children run, squealing with delight, turning to watch
from the safety of the sidewalk. The fuse gives off a
sizzle. The children wait... and wait. Meanwhile, "Stars
and Stripes Forever" can be HEARD distant.
ONE CHILD
(disappointment)
Dud.
GUNSHOTS are HEARD. The children look...
Here comes the Lincoln float.
It ZOOMS past, followed by the Mustang and Cadillacs...
Gunplay...
Loud patriotic music...
Giant Abe Lincoln.
The children watch, awed. It's gone. They're still staring
off in wonder as relative quiet returns.
In the street, G.I. Joe's arm gets blown off with a "pop."
FURTHER ON
FOLLOW the Lincoln float. Kittle's adding more t.n.t.
IN THE WHITE CADILLAC
Zimmermann raises his machine gun, aiming, pauses...
ZIMMERMANN'S P.O.V. -- KITTLE
ZOOM IN: on Kittle and the dynamite-filled hole.
IN THE WHITE CADILLAC
Zimmermann realizes what Kittle's doing. Dread. Zimmermann
grabs the microphone of his CB.
ZIMMERMANN
(into radio)
Hold your fire! You hear... ?
IN POE'S MUSTANG
Redcoat-One's SHOOTING. From the CB:
ZIMMERMANN'S VOICE (v.o.)
(from radio, garbled)
Hold your fire, Goddamn it! You'll
blow it up!
ON THE STREET
Above on the float, Nena FIRES down...
Keeping the villains' cars at bay.
Below, Kittle pulls the fuse of one stick of dynamite with
his teeth, lengthening it, then searches his pockets for a
lighter... remembers these aren't really his pockets.
KITTLE
Damn it!
Kittle looks to the pick-up, sees cigarette smoke.
IN WHITE CADILLAC
ZIMMERMANN
(into microphone)
Run them off the road! Shoot the
driver! Just don't shoot Abraham
Lincoln!
ON THE STREET
Kittle moves to the front, makes the short leap into the bed
of the pick-up. Short leap, but harshly painful for a man
in Kittle's condition. He continues...
IN THE PICK-UP
Kittle leans around to Billy-Boy's window.
KITTLE
Gimmie a butt.
BILLY-BOY
You don't smoke.
KITTLE
I'm not taking a cigarette break,
jackass, just give me one!
Billy-Boy takes the pack from his pocket and offers it.
Kittle slaps the pack away, takes the lit cigarette sticking
out from Billy-Boy's helmet facemask and exits.
BILLY-BOY
(indignant, to Kittle)
Rude!
ON THE STREET
Kittle's heading back, but stops, looking down...
In the pick-up, sticking out from under a blanket, there's a
cardboard BOX labeled "Caution: FLAMMABLE."
Kittle shrugs, takes the box...
He leaps back onto the float, falls, gets up, returning to
the hole behind Lincoln's ear.
Kittle opens the box, pleased to find big, rocket-like
FIREWORKS, which he quickly starts cramming in the hole.
Above, Nena's gun empties. She flattens, reloading as best
she can with only one functioning hand.
Behind, one black Cadillac comes ahead.
On board the float, Kittle finishes filling the hole and
grabs his box of dynamite, moving back, and...
SPLIT-SCREEN:
To the RIGHT... To the LEFT...
NENA looks down from KITTLE holds a
the stovepipe hat. dynamite fuse to
his cigarette.
One black Cadillac The fuse lights.
pulls along side,
SLAMMING... moving Kittle throws the
beside the pick-up dynamite...
and BASHING!
The dynamite
Above, Nena FIRES bounces off the
down, furious... white Cadillac...
INSIDE THE BLACK EXPLODES on the
CADILLAC, bullets' RIP roadway behind!
thru the roof and kill
the Redcoated thugs, Kittle lights
swiss-cheesing them! another stick of
t.n.t., throws...
Above, Nena tosses
one gun, aims another, The t.n.t. stick
keeps BLASTING... hits the street,
rolls...
Below, the black
Cadillac swerves off... The other black
Cadillac passes
over the t.n.t...
SPLIT-SCREEN ENDS as...
The bullet-ravaged black Cadillac SMACKS a telephone pole!
With a BOOM!, the other black Cadillac is THROWN UPWARDS by
the EXPLOSION beneath, flipping and flaming!
ON THE FLOAT
KITTLE
(looking back)
God Bless America!
ON THE STREET
The white Cadillac jerks to pass the burning wreckage.
Poe's Mustang GROWLS, taking the lead...
Kittle throws another lit stick of dynamite...
The dynamite lands on the white Cadillac's windshield.
Inside, Zimmermann's eyes go wide.
Zimmermann leans out his window, struggles to reach the
stick of dynamite... it's just out of reach...
The fuse is very short, sputtering, getting shorter...
Zimmermann grunts and groans in terror, straining, can't
reach. Suddenly, he realizes...
IN THE CADILLAC
Zimmermann gets back in, reaching across the driver to turn
on the windshield wipers...
WIPERS come to life, SWEEPING, tossing the dynamite away...
ON THE STREET
The DYNAMITE EXPLODES behind the white Caddie.
AHEAD
The Mustang RAMS the float from behind. Redcoat-One FIRES.
High up on the float, Nena SHOOTS...
INSIDE THE MUSTANG
Windshield SHATTERS! Redcoat-One is HIT, spraying blood.
Poe cringes and curses...
ON THE STREET
The Mustang slows, pulling back...
INSIDE THE MUSTANG
Poe wipes flecks of blood off his face, fury building.
Redcoat-One's dead.
IN THE PICK-UP
Billy-Boy glances back, then faces forward. He yelps...
THRU THE WINDSHIELD: a car's crossing.
ON THE STREET
The pick-up SMASHES the car aside. JARRING...
Kittle's knocked off his feet, cigarette flying.
Above, Nena's knocked from the stovepipe hat...
She hangs off the edge, barely.
Kittle's cigarette lands in the textured crepe-paper-surface
of the float, tip glowing.
Above, Nena's in trouble. Her bag of guns slides off...
Guns clatter across the pavement below.
NENA
Kittle! A little help here... !
Kittle rises, stumbling to the ladder.
KITTLE
Hang on, honey... I'm coming...
IN THE MUSTANG
Poe speeds up, to the right of the Lincoln float...
ON THE STREET
Poe pulls close beside the float, reaching with one hand to
grip the edge. He climbs out the Mustang's window, pulling
himself onto the float as...
The driver-less Mustang veers...
INT. RESTAURANT -- CHASE CONTINUES
Romantic. Candles on tables. Poe's Mustang CRASHES in,
plowing forward. Diners depart most hastily.
EXT. URBAN STREETS -- CHASE CONTINUES
On the float, Nena shouts a warning to Kittle, but Poe's
already jumping to pull Kittle down off the ladder...
Poe and Kittle land. Poe starts PUNCHING...
Kittle's getting pounded.
BEHIND, in the white Cadillac, an overzealous thug,
REDCOAT-TWO, clamors out a rear window, pulling himself up
to the car's roof...
As the Cadillac gets close...
Redcoat-Two runs across the hood, leaping thru the air...
Landing on the Lincoln float.
Redcoat-Two moves past Poe and Kittle's fisty-cuffs, climbs
the ladder up Lincoln's head, toward helpless Nena.
Nobody notices: the crepe-paper around Kittle's cigarette
bursts into flame, fanned by rushing wind.
IN THE PICK-UP
Billy-Boy looks back...
Sees Redcoat-Two reach the top of the stovepipe hat.
Billy-Boy BASHES his elbow against his rear window, over and
over, KNOCKING the window out.
ON THE STREET
On the float, the cigarette fire spreads quickly, moving
up toward the dynamite-packed hole.
Above, Redcoat-Two grins down at Nena, who tries in vain to
pull herself up with one arm.
REDCOAT-TWO
Goodbye, bitch...
He grinds his foot down on her hand. She cries out.
IN THE PICK-UP
Gun in hand, Billy-B checks his rearview, BRAKES hard...
ON THE STREET
The Lincoln float LURCHES. Redcoat-Two falls forward...
Nena is thrown, tumbles across the brim of Abe's hat...
Kittle and Poe roll, still grappling...
Redcoat-Two lands with a THUD in the rear of the pick-up.
Nena miraculously lands still on board the float.
In the pick-up, Billy-Boy points his gun out the rear window
and FIRES REPEATEDLY into Redcoat-Two!
Behind, the white Caddie SLAMS the rear of the float...
moves along side... BASHING...
The float picks up speed, moving over to block. Poe and
Kittle are still beating on each other. Poe's winning.
Kittle's wounds are really bleeding through his clothes now.
He barely has the strength to punch. Poe KNOCKS him down...
Poe KICKS Kittle. Kittle's not getting up.
Poe straddles Kittle, wraps his hands around his neck,
choking the life out of him. Kittle gasps, about to pass
out. Poe grunts, gleeful, strangling. HONKING is HEARD.
Poe looks to the HONKING. Zimmermann leans out the white
Caddie, pointing...
ZIMMERMANN
Behind you... !
Poe turns, too late, as Nena steps up and swings a
shotgun -- CLUNK! -- clubbing Poe.
Poe goes flying off Kittle.
Nena comes to help Kittle up.
KITTLE
(weakly)
Thanks, doll,
Kittle tries to smile, but spots something horrible...
KITTLE
Oh, Lord...
ZOOM IN: on the overflowing t.n.t. hole. Flames climbing
the back of Lincoln's head have lit the fuses on several
jutting sticks of dynamite!
In the white Cadillac, Zimmermann sees the same, mortified.
ZIMMERMANN
NO!!
SLO MO: Kittle grabs the shotgun from Nena and pushes her
ahead of him as he runs.
KITTLE
Go! Go... !
SLO-MO: they stumble ahead, toward the pick-up.
SLO-MO: Nena leaps into the pick-up.
SLO-MO: Kittle follows, in the air, pointing the shotgun
down between the pick-up and float, BLASTING...
SLO-MO: the shotgun DESTROYS the pick-up's trailer hitch!
SLO-MO: Kittle falls into the pick-up.
SLO-MO: the Lincoln float is released, slowing...
END SLO-MO. The float rushes back at the white Cadillac
with tremendous speed. Unavoidable IMPACT...
The Cadillac RECOILS, out of control...
IN THE CADILLAC
Zimmermann screams as...
ON THE STREET
The white Cadillac CRUNCHES parked cars, tipping on its side
and sliding forward, METAL SHRIEKING, sparks flying.
On the float, Poe rises, holding his bleeding face. And...
The LINCOLN FLOAT EXPLODES!!
It rattles the world...
Shatters nearby windows...
The FIREBALL lights up the night.
WHITE POWDER SHOOTS skyhigh, blooming...
Howling FIREWORKS SHOOT ALL DIRECTIONS, red, white + blue!
IN THE PICK-UP
Billy-Boy watches via in his rearview.
BILLY-BOY
Holy hell.
In back, Kittle and Nena shield their eyes.
ON THE STREET
Poe's flaming body falls from the sky and lands hard.
Up the street, it's snowing heroin. The float topples, with
Lincoln's giant head blown wide open and still burning.
The pick-up stops. Our heroes climb out.
At the white Cadillac, the driver's head is thru the
windshield. Zimmermann struggles out, gored. He falls,
crawls, looks up. Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy trudge this
direction, spent, barely functioning.
ZIMMERMANN
(near tears)
You fuckers... damn you! Why?! Why
me!? Why the obsession with me?
KITTLE
It's our job.
ZIMMERMANN
You think you accomplished
something... like you're heroes?
Fuck you! This is meaningless!
You'll never win! You know, as soon
as I'm gone... someone's going to
take my place.
Kittle arrives, grips Zimmermann, pulls him to his feet...
KITTIE
We'll burn that bridge when we get to
it.
Kittle PUNCHES Zimmermann, and Kittle's so exhausted that
the momentum of his fist throws him off balance...
He hits the ground and stays there.
Billy-Boy lifts Zimmermann back up, KICKS him, then CLOBBERS
him backwards with an elbow strike...
Nena KARATE CHOPS Zimmermann on the fly...
Zimmermann falls flat, belly first.
Billy-Boy's knees give out and he falls, groggy.
Nena kneels to cuff Zimmermann's hands behind him, then
backs off, falls back on her ass, exhausted, lays down...
Our heroes lie there, staring up at the sky, bleeding, too
tired to speak. SIRENS can be HEARD far away.
Neighbors peer out from windows.
DOWN THE BLOCK
Squad cars arrive. Uniformed cops get out.
They walk toward the burning Lincoln float, taking in the
scene. They mutter disbelief.
They study Poe's burning corpse.
Officers Steve and Jim are here, looking at the flaming bags
of heroin that spilled out of Abe's skull.
Officers Steve and Jim share a look of amazement.
More cops arrive.
From the other end of the street, a plain-clothes car
arrives. D.A. Ravich and Police Chief get out...
Cops gather around Billy-Boy, Kittle and Nena, just gawking
at them and at Zimmermann, dumbfounded. Someone whispers
that it's Zimmermann.
D.A. Ravich and Police Chief push thru the cops to Kittle,
Nena and Billy-Boy, who make no effort to get up or move.
D.A. RAVICH
(to cops)
Don't just stand there. Arrest them.
KITTIE
The captain was dirty.
BILLY-BOY
He tried to kill us.
NENA
We've got the tape to prove it.
D.A. RAVICH
(still to cops)
Arrest them! What are you waiting
for?! Do it! Someone arrest them!
Cops look at each other. Behind, AMBULANCES arrive.
D.A. RAVICH
You! You...
(points to YOUNG COP)
I'm ordering you to take them into
custody this instant!
The YOUNG COP studies D.A. Ravich, takes his handcuffs off
his belt, pauses, then throws the cuffs to D.A. Ravich.
YOUNG COP
Do it yourself.
Young Cop goes to help Kittle up. Other cops join in...
D.A. Ravich rants and raves, ignored.
As cops help Kittle, Nena and Billy-Boy to ambulances,
Kittle manages to lift his head, looking up...
Far off, FIREWORKS BURST, brightening the skyline.
Kittle stops and looks to Nena, sees her noticing them too.
KITTLE
You see that?
NENA
Yeah.
KITTLE
Good. Thought I was imagining them.
BILLY-BOY
I saw 'em too. Fireworks.
Billy-Boy's behind, grinning. He falls out of the arms of
the cops supporting him. They help pick him back up.
Kittle looks back to the fireworks, then to Nena and Billy.
KITTLE
Happy Independence Day.
BILLY-BOY
Yeah. Happy Fourth of July.
NENA
You too.
Nena manages a smile. Paramedics arrive to assist...
The obligatory CRANE SHOT PULLS UP AND BACK: Kittle, Nena
and Billy-Boy receive much needed medical attention. Cops
drag Zimmermann to a squad car. WHAMMY-BAR THEME SONG is
HEARD as CREDITS ROLL...
the end