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Basic Instinct - by Joe Eszterhas
                                  BASIC INSTINCT

                                        by

                                  JOE ESZTERHAS

           

          INT. A BEDROOM - NIGHT

          It is dark; we don't see clearly.  a man and woman make love 
          on a brass bed.  There are mirrors on the walls and ceiling.  
          On a side table, atop a small mirror, lines of cocaine.  A 
          tape deck PLAYS the Stones "Sympathy for the Devil."

          Atop him... she straddles his chest... her breasts in his face.  
          He cups her breasts.  She leans down, kisses him...

          JOHNNY BOZ is in his late 40's, slim, good-looking.  We don't 
          see the woman's face.  She has long blonde hair.  The CAMERA 
          STAYS BEHIND and to the side of them.

          She leans close over his face, her tongue in his mouth...  she 
          kisses him... she moves her hands up, holds both of his arms 
          above his head.

          She moves higher atop him... she reaches to the side of the 
          bed... a white silk scarf is in her hand... her hips above his 
          face now, moving... slightly, oh-so slightly... his face strains 
          towards her.

          The scarf in her hand... she ties his hands with it...  
          gently... to the brass bed... his eyes are closed...  tighter... 
          lowering hips into his face... lower... over his chest... his 
          navel.  The SONG plays.

          He is inside her... his head arches back... his throat white.

          She arches her back... her hips grind... her breasts are high...

          Her back arches back... back... her head tilts back... she 
          extends her arms... the right arm comes down suddenly...  the 
          steel flashes... his throat is white...

          He bucks, writhes, bucks, convulses...

          It flashes up... it flashes down... and up... and down...  and 
          up... and...

          EXT. A BROWNSTONE IN PACIFIC HEIGHTS - MORNING

          Winter in San Francisco cold, foggy.  Cop cars everywhere.  
          The lights play through the thick fog.  Two Homicide detectives 
          get out of the car, walk into the house.

          NICK CURRAN is 42.  Trim, good-looking, a nice suit; a face 
          urban, edged, shadowed.  GUS MORAN is 64.  Crew-cut, silver 
          beard, a suit rumpled and shiny, a hat out of the 50'sa face 
          worn and ruined the face of a backwoods philosopher.

          INT. THE BROWNSTONE

          There's money here -- deco, clean, hip -- That looks like a 
          Picasso on the wall.  They check it out.

                                    GUS
                        Who was this fuckin' guy?

                                    NICK
                        Rock and roll, Gus.  Johnny Boz.

                                    GUS
                        I never heard of him.

                                    NICK
                               (grins)
                        Before your time, pop.
                               (a beat)
                        Mid-sixties.  Five or six hits.
                        He's got a club down in the Fillmore 
                        now.

                                    GUS
                        Not now he don't.

          Past the uniformed guys... nods... waves... past the forensic 
          men... past the coroner's investigators... they get to the 
          bedroom.

          INT. THE BEDROOM

          They walk in, stare -- it's messy.

          It's like a convention in here.  LT. PHIL WALKER, in his 50's, 
          silver-haired, the Homicide guys; JIM HARRIGAN, late 40's, 
          puffy, affable;  SAM ANDREWS, 30's, black.  A CORONER'S MAN is 
          working the bed.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (to Nick and Gus)
                        You guys know Captain Talcott?

          They nod.

                                    GUS
                        What's the Chief's office doin' 
                        here.

                                    CAPT. TALCOTT
                        Observing.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (to the Coroner's 
                               Guy)
                        What do you think, Doc?

                                    THE CORONER'S GUY
                        The skin blanches when I press it --
                        this kind of color is about right 
                        for six or eight hours.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Nobody say anything.  The maid 
                        came in an hour ago and found him.
                        She's not a live-in.

                                    GUS
                        Maybe the maid did it.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        She's 54 years old and weighs 240 
                        pounds.

                                    THE CORONER'S GUY
                               (deadpan)
                        There are no bruises on his body.

                                    GUS
                               (grins)
                        It ain't the maid.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        He left the club with his girlfriend 
                        about midnight.  That's the last 
                        time anybody saw him.

                                    NICK
                               (looks at body)
                        What was it?

                                    THE CORONER'S GUY
                        Ice pick.  Left on the coffee table 
                        in the living room.  Thin steel 
                        handle.  Forensics took it downtown.

                                    HARRIGAN
                        There's come all over the sheets --
                        he got off before he got offed.

                                    GUS
                               (deadpan)
                        That rules the maid out for sure.

                                    CAPT. TALCOTT
                        This is sensitive.  Mr. Boz was a 
                        major contributor to the mayor's 
                        campaign.  He was Chairman of the 
                        Board of the Palace of Fine Arts --

                                    GUS
                               (to Nick)
                        I thought you said he was a rock 
                        and roll star.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        He was a retired rock and roll 
                        star.

                                    CAPT. TALCOTT
                        A civic-minded, very respectable 
                        rock and roll star.

                                    GUS
                        What's that over there?

          We see the white powder laid out in lines on the small mirror 
          on the side table.

                                    NICK
                               (deadpan)
                        It looks like some civic-minded, 
                        very respectable cocaine to me, 
                        Gus.

                                    CAPT. TALCOTT
                               (evenly, to Nick)
                        Listen to me, Curran.  I'm going 
                        to get a lot of heat on this.  I 
                        don't want any... mistakes.

          Nick and Talcott look at each other a beat, then --

                                    NICK
                        Who's the girlfriend?

          Lt. Walker looks at the notepad in his hand.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Catherine Tramell, 162 Divisadero.

          Nick writes it down.  He and Gus turn, leave.  Captain Talcott 
          watches them.  He looks disturbed.

          INT. THE LIVING ROOM

          As they head out --

                                    NICK
                        Talcott doesn't usually show up at 
                        the office 'till after his 18 holes.  
                        What are they nervous about?

                                    GUS
                        They're executives.  They're nervous 
                        about everything.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Nick!

          He stops, turns, sees Walker behind them.  Walker comes up to 
          them.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (to Nick)
                        Keep your three o'clock.

                                    NICK
                        Do you want me to work the case, 
                        Phil, or do you want me to --

                                    LT. WALKER
                        I said keep it.

          EXT. A VICTORIAN ON DIVISADERO - DAY

          It is more a mansion than a house.  They ring the bell.  An 
          Hispanic MAID answers.  They flash their badges.

                                    NICK
                        I'm Detective Curran, this is 
                        Detective Moran.  We're with the 
                        San Francisco Police Department.

          We'd like to speak to Ms. Catherine Tramell.

                                    THE MAID
                               (after a beat, an 
                               accent)
                        Just moment.  Come in.

          She leads them into a lavish, beautifully done living room 
          that offers a sweeping view of the Bay.

                                    THE MAID
                        Sit, please.  Just moment.

          They look around, impressed.  There is a Picasso on the wall 
          here, too.

                                    GUS
                        Ain't that cute?  They got his and 
                        her Pig-assos, son.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        I didn't know you knew who Picasso 
                        was, Gus.

                                    GUS
                               (grins)
                        I'm a smart sonofabitch.  I just 
                        hide it.

          Nick smiles -- and at that moment a beautiful BLONDE walks 
          into the room.  She looks like she has been asleep.  She is in 
          her early 20's.  She wears a very sheer robe.

                                    NICK
                        We're sorry to disturb you, we'd 
                        like to ask you some --

                                    THE WOMAN
                        Are you vice?

                                    GUS
                               (after a beat)
                        Homicide.

                                    THE WOMAN
                        What do you want?

                                    GUS
                        When was the last time you saw 
                        John Boz? 

                                    THE WOMAN
                        Is he dead?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Why do you think he's dead?

                                    THE WOMAN
                        You wouldn't be here otherwise, 
                        would you?

                                    GUS
                        Were you with him last night?

                                    THE WOMAN
                        You're looking for Catherine, not 
                        me.

                                    NICK
                        Who are you?

                                    THE WOMAN
                        I'm Roxy.
                               (a beat)
                        I'm her -- friend.

          She looks at them a beat.

                                    ROXY
                        She's out at the beach house at 
                        Stinson.  Seadrift.  1402.

                                    NICK
                        Thanks.

          They start to head out.

                                    ROXY
                        You're wasting your time. Catherine 
                        didn't kill him.

          A beat, they look at her, and go...

          EXT. SEADRIFT - STINSON BEACH - DAY

          Foggy.  Cold.  It is an expensive spit of land on the ocean.  
          Multi-million dollar "beach houses" with gardens and swimming 
          pools.  There are two Ferraris in the driveway -- one black, 
          one white.

          They get out of the car in front of the house.  They see a 
          woman in back of the house, sitting on a deck chair, staring 
          at the sea, a blanket around her.  As they get to her --

                                    NICK
                        Ms. Tramell?

          She takes a long look a Nick, then looks away.

          CATHERINE TRAMELL is 30 years old.  She has long blonde hair 
          and a refined, classically beautiful face.  She is not knockout 
          gorgeous like Roxy; there is a smoky kind of sensuousness about 
          her.

                                    NICK
                        I'm De...

                                    CATHERINE
                               (evenly)
                        I know who you are.

          She doesn't look at them.  She looks at the water.

                                    CATHERINE
                        How did he die?

                                    GUS
                        He was murdered.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Really.  Maybe that's why you're 
                        from Homicide.  How?

          Nick glances at Gus.

                                    NICK
                        With an ice pick.

          She closes her eyes a beat and then, still staring out, we see 
          a thin smile.  They see it, too, and glance at each other.

                                    NICK
                        How long were you dating him?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I wasn't dating him.  I was fucking 
                        him.

          They glance at each other again.

                                    GUS
                        What are you -- a pro?

          Catherine looks at him -- that thin smile again.

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.  I'm an amateur.

          She looks away.

                                    NICK
                        How long were you having sex with 
                        him?

                                    CATHERINE
                        About a year and a half.

                                    NICK
                        Were you with him last night?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Yes.

                                    NICK
                        Did you leave the club with him?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Yes.

                                    NICK
                        Did you go home with him?

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.  We had a drink at the club.
                        We left together.  I came here.  
                        He went home.

                                    NICK
                        Was there anyone with you last 
                        night?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (looks at Nick)
                        No.  I wasn't in the mood to have 
                        sex with anyone last night.

          They look at her a beat.

                                    NICK
                        Let me ask you something, Ms.
                        Tramell?  Are you sorry he's dead?

          Catherine looks at him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Yes.  I liked fucking him.

          They stare at her.  She looks out at the water.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I don't really feel like talking 
                        anymore.

                                    GUS
                        Listen, lady, we can do this 
                        downtown if you --

                                    CATHERINE
                        Read me my rights and arrest me 
                        and I'll go downtown.

          She doesn't even look at them.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (quietly)
                        Otherwise, get the fuck out of 
                        here.  Please.

          A long beat as they look at her.

          INT. A CORRIDOR - POLICE HEADQUARTERS

          The door says Dr. Elizabeth Gardner, Counseling.  Nick opens 
          the door, peeks in.  The receptionist is not there.  A clock 
          says 3.

          INT. THE COUNSELING OFFICE

          He walks in -- sees the inner door open, walks in.

                                    NICK
                        I'm sorry, Beth.  I -- I got hung 
                        up in Stinson.

          DR. ELIZABETH GARDNER, the police psychologist, is a very good-
          looking, dark-haired woman.  She is 30.

                                    BETH
                               (smiles)
                        How are you, Nick?

                                    NICK
                        I'm fine.  Come on, Beth!  You 
                        know I'm fine!  How the hell long 
                        do I have to keep doing this?

                                    BETH
                        As long as Internal Affairs wants 
                        you to, I suppose.  Sit down, Nick.

                                    NICK
                        It's bullshit.  You know it is.

                                    BETH
                               (smiles)
                        I know it is -- but sit down anyway 
                        so we can get it over with, okay?

          He sits down.

                                    BETH
                        So -- how are things?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Things are fine.  I told you.
                        They're fine.

          She watches him closely.

                                    BETH
                               (after a beat)
                        How is your -- personal life?

                                    NICK
                        My sex life is fine.
                               (a beat)
                        My sex life is pretty shitty 
                        actually since I stopped seeing 
                        you -- maybe I should think about 
                        my Electrolux again.

          That embarrassed her; she looks away from him.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Sorry.

          She shrugs.  A beat.

                                    BETH
                        How about the booze?

                                    NICK
                        It's been three months.

                                    BETH
                               (after a long beat)
                        How about the coke?

                                    NICK
                        No.

                                    BETH
                        No?

                                    NICK
                               (hard)
                        No!  I'm working my tail off.  I'm 
                        off the sauce, I'm not even smoking 
                        anymore.

          She smiles.

                                    BETH
                        How's not smoking?

                                    NICK
                        It's fucked -- now will you please 
                        tell I.A. that I'm just you average 
                        healthy totally fucked-up cop and 
                        let me get out of here?

                                    BETH
                               (after a beat; smiles)
                        Yes.

                                    NICK
                        Thank you.

          And he starts heading out.

                                    BETH
                               (behind him)
                        I still miss you, Nick.

          He doesn't even turn, pretends he didn't hear.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU

          He walks in.  Gus Moran gets up from his desk as soon as he 
          sees him.

                                    GUS
                        Talcott's in there.  They're 
                        waiting.

          They start heading for Lt. Walker's office.

                                    GUS
                        How'd it go, son?

                                    NICK
                        She misses me.

                                    GUS
                               (grins)
                        Hallelujah.

          INT. LT. WALKER'S OFFICE

          He and Gus sit there with Lt. Walker, Harrigan, Andrews and 
          Captain Talcott.

                                    HARRIGAN
                        Sixteen stab wounds to the chest 
                        and neck.  No usable prints, no 
                        forcible entry, nothing missing.
                        No prints on the ice pick, either --
                        it's available at any Safeway.
                        The scarf is Hermes, expensive --
                        they sell about 20,000 a year 
                        worldwide.

                                    ANDREWS
                        The powder was cocaine, high-
                        quality, high-content.  He inhaled 
                        it; there were minute quantities 
                        on his lips and penis.  Mr. Boz 
                        leaves five million dollars, no 
                        insurance, no direct survivors.  
                        He liked his coke, he liked his 
                        girls, and he liked rock and roll.

                                    NICK
                        He liked the mayor, too, right?

          Talcott gives him a look.

                                    GUS
                        What about his girlfriend?

                                    TALCOTT
                        Is she relevant here?  I didn't 
                        know she was a suspect.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        She's a suspect.

                                    TALCOTT
                        On what basis?

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (looks a notes)
                        Catherine Tramell.  Age 30.  No 
                        priors, no convictions.  Double 
                        major, magnum cum laude, Berkeley, 
                        1980.  Literature and Psychology.
                        Daughter, sole survivor -- Marvin 
                        and Elaine Tramell, killed in a 
                        boating accident, 1978, Catherine 
                        Tramell sole heir.  Estimated assets 
                        $110 million.

          It hangs there.

                                    NICK
                        Are you kidding me?

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (continues)
                        Formerly engaged to Roberto Vasquez, 
                        deceased --

                                    ANDREWS
                        Bobby Vasquez?

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Bobby Vasquez, former middleweight 
                        contender, killed in the ring 
                        Atlantic City, 1984.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        I love it.  She's got a hundred 
                        million bucks.  She fucks fighters 
                        and rock and roll stars.  And she's 
                        got a degree in screwing with 
                        peoples' heads.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        You forgot her degree in literature.  
                        She's a writer.  She published a 
                        novel last year under a pen name.  
                        Do you want to know what it's about?

          They just stare at him.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        It's about a retired rock and roll 
                        star who is murdered by his 
                        girlfriend.

          It hangs there a long beat.

          INT. NICK'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

          His apartment is very bare -- very few things -- with wide 
          open spaces.  There is a lot of chrome.

          He sits on the couch, reading a book.  It is a paperback.

          We see the title -- Love Hurts, by Catherine Adams.  He puts 
          the book down a beat, then picks the phone up, dials.

                                    NICK
                        Page 67, pop.  Do you know how she 
                        does the boyfriend?  With an 
                        icepick, in bed, his hands tied 
                        with a white silk scarf.

          INT. A POLICE DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

          Nick, Gus, Lt. Walker, Harrigan, Andrews, Captain Talcott --
          and Beth Gardner.  With them is an older, white-haired man, 
          DR. ANDREW LAMOTT.  There are copies of "Love Hurts" around 
          the table.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Dr. Gardner?

                                    BETH
                        I've asked Dr. Lamott to consult 
                        with us.  This isn't really my 
                        turf.  Dr. Lamott teaches the psycho-
                        pathology of psychopathic behavior 
                        at Stanford and is also a member 
                        of the Justice Department's 
                        Psychological Profile team.  Dr.  
                        Lamott?

                                    DR. LAMOTT
                        There are two possibilities.  One.  
                        The person who wrote this book is 
                        your murderer and acted out the 
                        killing described in ritualistic, 
                        literal detail.  Two.  Someone who 
                        wants to do the person who wrote 
                        this book harm read the book and 
                        enacted the killing described to 
                        incriminate the writer.

                                    NICK
                               (after a long beat)
                        What if the writer did it?  What 
                        are we dealing with?

                                    DR. LAMOTT
                        You're dealing with a devious, 
                        diabolical mind.  This book must 
                        have been written at least six 
                        months, maybe years before it was 
                        published.  That means the writer 
                        planned the crime, at least in the 
                        subconscious, back then.  The fact 
                        that the writer carried it out 
                        indicates psychopathic obsessive 
                        behavior in terms not only of the 
                        killing itself but in terms of 
                        applied advance defense mechanism.

          A long beat.

                                    GUS
                        Most times I can't tell shit from 
                        shinola, Doc.  What was all that 
                        you just said?

          Some grins, titters.

                                    BETH
                        She anticipates the book to be her 
                        best alibi.

                                    DR. LAMOTT
                        Correct.

                                    BETH
                        She's going to say Do you think 
                        I'd be dumb enough to kill anyone 
                        in the exact way I've described in 
                        my book?  I wouldn't do that because 
                        I'd know I'd be a suspect.

          A long beat -- as they think about it.

                                    NICK
                        What if it's not the writer?  What 
                        if it's someone who read the book?

                                    DR. LAMOTT
                        You're dealing then with someone 
                        so obsessed that he or she is 
                        willing to kill an irrelevant and 
                        innocent victim to place the blame 
                        on the person who wrote this book.  
                        We are talking about deep-seated, 
                        obsessional hatred; an utter lack 
                        of sense of proportion or 
                        perspective.

                                    GUS
                        We've got a top-of-the-line, once-
                        in-a-lifetime loony-tune either 
                        way you cut it -- that's what you're 
                        saying, right, Doc?

                                    DR. LAMOTT
                        You're dealing with someone very 
                        dangerous and very ill.

          INT. THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE - DAY

          PROSECUTOR JOHN CORRIGAN, a big man in his 50's, with Captain 
          Talcott, Lt. Walker, Nick, and Gus.

          Corrigan is reading a file.  He gets up, yawns, goes to his 
          window, looks out.

                                    CORRIGAN
                        Come on, you know there's no case 
                        here.  There's no physical evidence -- 
                        okay, she doesn't have an alibi 
                        but there's no motive.  Her defense 
                        would just beat us to death with 
                        the copycat thing.  Anybody who 
                        read the book could have done it.

          A long beat; no one says anything.

                                    NICK
                        So what do we do -- nothing?

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (after a beat)
                        We bring her in for questioning.

                                    TALCOTT
                        She's got enough money to burn 
                        this whole department down.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        She was the last person seen with 
                        the guy -- I'll take the 
                        responsibility.

                                    TALCOTT
                        It's yours.

                                    CORRIGAN
                        It won't do any good.  She'll come 
                        in with Lee Bailey and Mel Belli 
                        trailing behind her on a solid 
                        gold chain from Tiffanys.

                                    TALCOTT
                        Yes she will.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        No she won't.

          They look at him.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        I don't think she's going to hide 
                        behind anybody.  I don't think 
                        she's going to hide at all.

                                    TALCOTT
                               (after a beat)
                        I think you're as crazy as she 
                        probably is, Curran.

          Nicks says nothing.

                                    GUS
                        You know what they say: It takes 
                        one to know one.

          Nick looks a Gus, grins.

          EXT. HER HOUSE IN STINSON - DAY

          They walk from the car to the door of the big beach house.

          They ring the bell.  They hear typing inside.  The typing stops.  
          She comes to the door in jeans and a tight-fitting sweatshirt.

                                    NICK
                        Ms. Tramell, we'd like you to come 
                        downtown and answer some questions 
                        for us.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Are you arresting me?

                                    NICK
                        If that's the way you want to play 
                        it.

          They look at each other a beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Can I change into something more 
                        appropriate?  It'll just take a 
                        minute.

          He nods.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Come in.

          INT. THE HOUSE

          It is beautifully done in a Santa Fe motif.  She goes to a 
          bedroom of the living room.

          Nick sits down on a couch facing the bedroom she's walked into.  
          Gus sits across from him, his back to the bedroom.

          There is a coffee table between them.  She leaves the bedroom 
          door halfway open.

          An old newspaper is on the coffee table.  Nick reaches for it.  
          The headline says VICE COP CLEARED IN TOURIST SHOOTINGS.  A 
          headline underneath says GRAND JURY SAYS SHOOTINGS ACCIDENTAL.  
          There is a photograph of Nick.

          He stares at the paper.

                                    CATHERINE
                        How long will this take?

          Nick puts the paper down on the coffee table.  He is lost in 
          his thoughts.  Gus picks the paper up.

                                    NICK
                               (looks up)
                        I don't know.

          Nick, facing the half open bedroom door, sees a mirror near 
          the wall of the bedroom.  The mirror reflects her in the other 
          corner of the bedroom.  She is taking her clothes off.  He 
          stares.  She strips down.  He sees her back. She has a beautiful 
          body.  Naked, she puts a dress on.  She doesn't put any 
          underwear on.

                                    NICK
                        Do you always keep old newspapers 
                        around?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Only when they make interesting 
                        reading.

          And she is suddenly out of the bedroom.  She stands there, 
          smiles.  They look at each other a long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (finally)
                        I'm ready.

          They get up, head out.

                                    GUS
                        You have the right to an attorney.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Why would I need an attorney?

          INT. THE CAR - DAY

          They sit in the front; she is in the back.  The car goes over 
          the winding, two-lane Mt. Tamalpais road.

          The fog is heavy.  It's starting to rain.  We see the beach 
          far below.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Do you have a cigarette?

                                    NICK
                        I don't smoke.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Yes, you do.

                                    NICK
                        I quit.

          She smiles, looks at him.  A beat, and he turns away.  Another 
          beat, and she lights a cigarette up.

                                    NICK
                        I thought you were out of 
                        cigarettes.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I found some in my purse; would 
                        you like one?

          He turns back to her.

                                    NICK
                        I told you -- I quit.

                                    CATHERINE
                        It won't last.

          A beat, as she looks at him, and then he turns away.

                                    GUS
                        You workin' on another book?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Yes I am.

                                    GUS
                        It must really be somehtin' --makin' 
                        stuff up all the time.

          He watches her in the rearview mirror.

                                    CATHERINE
                        It teaches you to lie.

                                    GUS
                        How's that?

                                    CATHERINE
                        You make it up, but it has to be 
                        believable.  They call it suspension 
                        of disbelief.

                                    GUS
                        I like that.  "Suspension of 
                        Disbelief."

          He smiles at her in the mirror.

                                    NICK
                        What's your new book about?

                                    CATHERINE
                        A detective.  He falls for the 
                        wrong woman.

          He turns back to her.

                                    NICK
                        What happens to him?

          She looks right into his eye.

                                    CATHERINE
                        She kills him.

          A beat, as they look at each other, and then he turns away 
          from her.  Gus watcher her in the rearview mirror.

          INT. A POLICE INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

          It is large, fluorescent-lighted, antiseptic.

          She walks in with Nick and Gus.  In the room are prosecutor 
          John Corrigan, Lt. Walker, Captain Talcott, Harrigan, and 
          Andrews.  There is a police stenographer a plain young woman 
          in her 20's.

          As soon as she comes in --

                                    CORRIGAN
                        I'm John Corrigan.  I'm an assistant 
                        district attorney, Ms.  Tramell.  
                        Can we get you anything?  Would 
                        you like some coffee?

                                    CATHERINE
                        No thank you.

                                    TALCOTT
                        Are your attorneys --

                                    NICK
                               (hiding a smile)
                        Ms. Tramell waived her right to an 
                        attorney.

          Corrigan and Talcott glance at Nick.  She sees the look.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Did I miss something?

                                    NICK
                        I told them you wouldn't want an 
                        attorney present.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Why have you waived your right to 
                        an attorney, Ms. Tramell?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (to Nick)
                        Why did you think I wouldn't want 
                        one?

                                    NICK
                        I told them you wouldn't want to 
                        hide.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I have nothing to hide.

          The two of them keep their eyes on each other.

          She sits down.  They sit around her.  Nick sits directly across 
          from her.  She lights up a cigarette.  They watch her.  

          She is poised, cool, in complete command of herself.

                                    CORRIGAN
                        There is no smoking in this 
                        building, Ms. Tramell.

                                    CATHERINE
                        What are you going to do?  Charge 
                        me with smoking?

          Ever so casually, she blows her smoke across at Nick.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. THE INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

                                    CORRIGAN
                        Would you tell us the nature of 
                        your relationship with Mr. Boz?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I had sex with him for about a 
                        year and a half.  I liked having 
                        sex with him.

          She has control of the room; she looks from one man to the 
          other as she speaks.

                                    CATHERINE
                        He wasn't afraid of experimenting.  
                        I like men like that.  I like men 
                        who give me pleasure.  He gave me 
                        a lot of pleasure.

          A beat, as they watch her.  She is so matter-of-fact.

                                    CORRIGAN
                        Did you ever engage in sado-
                        masochistic activity with him?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Exactly what do you have in mind, 
                        Mr. Corrigan.

                                    CORRIGAN
                               (after a beat, little 
                               flustered)
                        Did you ever tie him up?

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.

                                    ANDREWS
                        You never tied him up.

                                    CATHERINE
                        No. Johnny liked to use his hands 
                        too much.  I like hands and fingers.

          They stare at her.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. THE INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

                                    LT. WALKER
                        You describe a white silk scarf in 
                        your book.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I've always had a fondness for 
                        white silk scarves.
                               (she smiles)
                        I have a very vivid imagination.

                                    NICK
                        But you said you liked men to use 
                        their hands.

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.  I said I liked Johnny to use 
                        his hands.
                               (she smiles)
                        I don't give any rules, Nick.  I 
                        go with the flow.

          They have their eyes on each other.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. THE INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

                                    CORRIGAN
                        Did you kill Mr. Boz, Ms. Tramell?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'd have to be pretty stupid to 
                        write a book about a killing and 
                        then kill him the way I described 
                        in my book. I'd be announcing myself 
                        as the killer.  I'm not stupid.

          She smiles.

                                    TALCOTT
                        We know you're not stupid, Ms.
                        Tramell.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Maybe that's what you're counting 
                        on to get you off the hook.

                                    NICK
                        Writing a book about it gives you 
                        an alibi for not killing him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Yes it does, doesn't it?

          She holds his eyes a second, then --

                                    CATHERINE
                        The answer is no.  I didn't kill 
                        him.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. THE INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

                                    GUS
                        Do you use drugs, Ms. Tramell?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Sometimes.

                                    HARRIGAN
                        Did you ever do drugs with Mr. 
                        Boz?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Sure.

                                    GUS
                        What kind of drugs?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Cocaine.

          She looks directly at Nick.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Have you ever fucked on cocaine?
                               (she smiles)
                        It's nice.

          He watches her.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. THE INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

                                    NICK
                        You like playing games, don't you?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        I've got a degree in psych.  It 
                        goes with the turf.  Games are 
                        fun.

          They are holding each other's eyes.

                                    NICK
                        How about boxing?  That's a game.
                        Was that fun for you?

          They don't take their eyes off each other for a second.

                                    TALCOTT
                        I think that's irrelevant to this 
                        inquiry.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (to Nick)
                        Yes it was.  Bobby died.

                                    NICK
                        How did you feel when he died?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I loved him.  I hurt.

          Their eyes are still on each other.

                                    NICK
                        How did you feel when I told you 
                        Johnny Boz had died -- that day at 
                        the beach.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I felt somebody had read my book 
                        and was playing a game.

                                    NICK
                        But you didn't hurt --

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.

                                    NICK
                        Because you didn't love him --

                                    CATHERINE
                        That's right.

          Their eyes are digging into each other.

                                    NICK
                        Even though you were fucking him.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        You still get the pleasure.  Didn't 
                        you ever fuck anybody else while 
                        you were married, Nick?

          A beat; he stares at her, expressionless.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        How did you know he was married?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (watching Nick)
                        Maybe I was guessing.  What 
                        difference does it make?

          She lights a cigarette.  He stares at her.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Would you like a cigarette, Nick?

          He just stares at her, expressionless.

                                    CORRIGAN
                        Do you two know each other?

                                    NICK
                        No.

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.

          INT. THE INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

                                    ANDREWS
                        How did you meet Mr. Boz?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I wanted to write a book about the 
                        murder of a retired rock star.  I 
                        went down to his club and picked 
                        him up.  Then I had sex with him.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        You didn't feel anything for him.
                        You just had sex with him for your 
                        book.

          She looks at Nick.

                                    CATHERINE
                        In the beginning.  Then I got to 
                        like what he did for me.

                                    GUS
                        That's pretty cold, ain't it, lady?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'm a writer,  I use people for 
                        what I write.  You write what you 
                        know.  Let the world beware.

          She and Nick have their eyes on each other, then --

                                    CATHERINE
                               (to Corrigan, smiles)
                        Would you like me to take a lie 
                        detector test?

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. THE POLICE BUILDING - NIGHT

          We see her in a glass-enclosed cubicle with a polygraph 
          EXAMINER.  Nick stands outside watching her with Gus and Lt. 
          Walker.  Her back is to them.  The Examiner shuts the machine 
          down, gathers rolls of papers, and comes out of the cubicle.

                                    THE EXAMINER
                        No blips, no blood pressure 
                        variations, no pulse variance.  
                        Either she's telling the truth or 
                        I've never met anyone like her.

          A long beat, then --

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Well, I guess that's it.

          A long beat, Nick watches her as she sits inside.

                                    NICK
                        How does somebody beat this machine?

                                    THE EXAMINER
                        Ninety-nine point nine percent of 
                        the cases, they don't.  You'd have 
                        to be able to mask the truth from 
                        your own central nervous system, 
                        your circulatory system, your 
                        adrenal glands.  In my opinion, 
                        this woman is telling the truth.

          The Examiner walks away.  They stand there. Catherine stands 
          at the door of the cubicle behind them --

                                    CATHERINE
                        Can I go now?

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (after a beat)
                        Yes.  Thanks for coming in, Ms.
                        Tramell.  I'm sorry to inconvenience 
                        you.

          She says nothing, has a thin smile.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Can I ask one of you for a ride?

          They look at her a beat.

                                    NICK
                        Sure.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Thanks.

          And he and Catherine walk away.  Gus and Walker watch them.

          INT. HIS CAR - NIGHT

          It is an old, mint-condition silver Porsche.  It is pouring 
          rain; the wind is blowing a San Francisco winter storm.  Nothing 
          is said a long beat as he drives.  She yawns.  Stretches.  He 
          looks at her.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        I'm tired.

                                    NICK
                        It's got to be tiring to beat that 
                        machine.

          She looks at him and looks away.  A beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        If I were guilty, and if I wanted 
                        to beat that machine, it wouldn't 
                        be tiring.  It wouldn't be tiring 
                        at all.

                                    NICK
                        Why not?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Because I'm a professional liar.  
                        I spend most of my waking hours 
                        dwelling on my lies.
                               (a beat)
                        For my writing.

          He looks at her.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        I love the rain, don't you?

          He says nothing, doesn't look at her.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You took a polygraph after you 
                        shot those two people, didn't you?

          He looks at her now.

                                    NICK
                        I passed.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You see?  We're both innocent, 
                        Nick.

          He pulls up in front of her house on Divisadero, stops.  He 
          sees the white Ferrari in the driveway.

                                    NICK
                        How do you know all this stuff 
                        about me?

                                    CATHERINE
                        You know all about me.

                                    NICK
                        I don't know anything that isn't 
                        police business.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        You know I don't like to wear any 
                        underwear, don't you, Nick?

          They look at each other a beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Thanks for the ride.

          And she's out of the car.  He watches her as she hurries in 
          the rain -- his eyes on her until the moment she opens the 
          door and is inside.

          INT. THE TEN-FOUR - NIGHT

          It is a police bar, San Francisco style.  Ferns  Joe Montana 
          and Will Clark posters.  The jukebox has a lot of Tony Bennett.

          He walks in.  He sees Lt. Walker at a back booth with Gus, 
          goes to them, sits down.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        What is all this "Nick" stuff --
                        Nick would you like a cigarette.
                        Nick can you give me a ride.

                                    NICK
                        She didn't ask me for the ride.
                        She asked anybody.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        And you volunteered.

          A BARTENDER stays behind the bar, but yells to him.

                                    THE BARTENDER
                        Perrier, Nick?

                                    NICK
                        Double Black Jack rocks, Harry.

                                    GUS
                               (with concern)
                        What you doin', son?

                                    NICK
                        It's my first drink in three months.  
                        That okay with you, pop?
                               (to Lt. Walker)
                        She doesn't know me.  I never saw 
                        her before Gus and I talked to 
                        her.

                                    THE BARTENDER
                        Here you go, Nick.

          He gets up, gets his drink --

                                    NICK
                        Thanks, Harry.

          He sits back down.  He takes a big slug.  They watch him.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        You sure?

                                    NICK
                        I'm sure.

          He takes another big slug.

                                    NICK
                        Now what?

                                    LT. WALKER
                        What now what? Now nothing.  She 
                        passed the polygraph.  That's it.

                                    NICK
                        She knew she could beat it.  That's 
                        why she asked to take it.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        How the fuck do you know?  What is 
                        it with you and this broad anyway?

                                    NICK
                        Come on, Phil.  You're not gonna 
                        let this slide.  What about her 
                        parents?  What about what else 
                        she's published?  At least we should 
                        get the stuff to see if we find 
                        anything else that's an amazing 
                        real-life coincidence.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Her parents died in an accident.  
                        I don't care what else she's 
                        written.  What are you -- a book 
                        critic?

                                    NICK
                        How did they die?  Was there an 
                        investigation?

                                    LT. WALKER
                        How you're saying she killed her 
                        parents?  Did she kill Bobby 
                        Vasquez, too?

                                    GUS
                        Not unless she got up in the ring 
                        and turned into one mean 
                        sonofabitch.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Maybe she did, Gus.  Maybe she 
                        grew herself an Afro and learned a 
                        left hook and put shoe polish on 
                        her face.  Let's polygraph her 
                        again and ask her about it.

                                    NICK
                               (casually)
                        Fuck you, Phil.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Fuck you, too Nick.

          A beat, then --

                                    NICK
                               (calls to the 
                               Bartender)
                        Can you get me another double Black 
                        Jack, Harry.

          Gus looks at him with concern.  A man in his 50's -- LT. MARTIN 
          NILSEN  is suddenly there.  He is overweight, florid.

                                    NILSEN
                               (to Nick)
                        Hey, shooter -- You back on the 
                        Black Jack, Shooter?

          He grins.  Nick doesn't look at him.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        We're discussing a case, Marty.

                                    NILSEN
                        I know that.  I had no doubt of 
                        that.

                                    THE BARTENDER
                        Here you go, Nick.

          Nilsen takes the drink, hands it to Nick.

                                    NILSEN
                               (grins)
                        Double, huh, Shooter?

          Nick turns to him.  He's sitting in the booth; Nilsen is 
          standing there.  Nick looks like he's barely restraining 
          himself.

                                    NICK
                        I'm off-duty, Nilsen.  You hear 
                        me?  I'm off-duty discussing a 
                        case.  Internal Affairs shouldn't 
                        have any trouble with that.  Maybe 
                        I should put in for overtime.

                                    NILSEN
                               (grins)
                        You do that, Shooter.  Why don't 
                        you send it to me?  I'll give it 
                        special attention.

          A beat, and then Nick gets up, faces him.

                                    NICK
                        I'm gonna tell you once more, Nilsen --

          Lt. Walker and Gus get up and hold Nick back.

          Beth Gardner, the police psychologist, is suddenly there.

                                    BETH
                        What's the problem?

                                    NILSEN
                               (grins)
                        No problem, Doctor.  Here comes 
                        the Doctor just in time to save 
                        her patient.  Take care, Shooter.

          And he walks away.  Nick still looks like he wants to go after 
          him.  Beth pulls him away from the booth.

                                    BETH
                        You okay?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Yeah.

                                    BETH
                               (smiles)
                        You don't look so okay.

          Nick looks at her a beat.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        What are you doing here?

                                    BETH
                               (smiles)
                        Baby-sitting.
                               (she shrugs)
                        Rookie cop.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        What else is new?

          A beat.  He looks at her again.

                                    NICK
                        You want to get out of here?

          She looks at him a beat.

                                    BETH
                               (smiles)
                        Yes.

          At the booth, Gus and Lt. Walker watch the two of them leave.

                                    GUS
                        Maybe it's for old-time's sake.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (watches them go 
                               out)
                        Sometimes I think he started banging 
                        her just to get himself off the 
                        hook with Internal Affairs.

                                    GUS
                               (after a beat, smiles)
                        He ain't that way.  He's got heart.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (smiles)
                        Yeah.  I know.

          INT. BETH'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

          He is kissing her -- hard, rough.  He forces her against the 
          wall.

                                    BETH
                        Don't -- please, Nick --

          We hear her dress RIP.  He kisses her harder -- we hear her 
          panties RIP.  He gets the dress off, pushes his hands under 
          her bra --

                                    BETH
                        Please don't -- don't --

          He puts his mouth to her shoulder, bites it -- as they move 
          down to the floor.

          INT. BETH'S LIVING ROOM - LATER

          It is dark.  The are still partially dressed.  They are on the 
          floor.  He lies on his back, staring at the ceiling.

          She lies next to him -- the torn dress wound around her.

          There is a bite mark on her shoulder.  A long beat, silence -- 
          then --

                                    BETH
                        What was she like?

                                    NICK
                        Who?

                                    BETH
                        Catherine Tramell.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        She said what you said she'd say.

          She sits up, looks away.  He looks at her, puts his finger on 
          the bite mark idly, gently.  A beat, and he kisses her shoulder 
          gently, then lies back down.

                                    BETH
                        I met her at Berkeley.

          He looks at her.

                                    BETH
                        We were in some of the same classes.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Why didn't you tell me?

          She looks at him.

                                    BETH
                        I'm telling you.

          They look at each other a long beat.

                                    BETH
                               (with difficulty)
                        You've never been... like that...  
                        before.

          He says nothing, looks away from her.

                                    BETH
                        Why?

          He doesn't look at her a long beat, says nothing.

                                    NICK
                        You're the shrink.

          She keeps looking at him.  He won't look at her.

                                    BETH
                        You weren't making love to me.

          A beat; he looks at her.

                                    NICK
                        Who was I making love to?

          She looks at him a long beat.

                                    BETH
                        You weren't making love.

          They look at each other, a long beat, then away.  He lies back 
          down.  Beth doesn't look at him, keeps sitting up.

                                    NICK
                               (finally)
                        I need a cigarette.

                                    BETH
                               (after a beat)
                        I thought you quit.

          He says nothing.

                                    BETH
                        Top drawer in the foyer.
                               (a beat)
                        Get it on your way out.

          He looks at her; she won't look at him.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - MORNING

          He walks in.  He looks hung-over.  He sees Gus with Harrigan 
          and Andrews and Lt. Walker in Lt. Walker's glass-enclosed office 
          at the end of this big room.

          They look at him when they see him.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        You look like dogshit.

                                    GUS
                               (grins)
                        He looks a little shrunk, that's 
                        all.

                                    ANDREWS
                               (after a beat)
                        We got a call from Berkeley P.D.
                        There was a killing.  A professor.
                        Icepick.  In his bed.  Multiple 
                        stab wounds.  1977.

                                    NICK
                               (a thin smile)
                        She was there, wasn't she?

                                    LT. WALKER
                        University records say she was 
                        there.

          He and Nick look at each other a long beat, then --

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (suddenly)
                        Gus -- go over to Berkeley.
                        Harrigan -- find out what else 
                        she's published.  Andrews -- get 
                        the files on her parents' accident.
                        Carbon Beth on everything.  I want 
                        some psychological input on this 
                        Andrews and Harrigan go; Nick is 
                        left there with Gus.

                                    NICK
                        What about me?

                                    GUS
                        You're already gettin' psychological 
                        input, son.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (to Nick)
                        Go stick your head in a tub of ice 
                        water.
                               (a beat; then 
                               seriously)
                        See where she leads.

          EXT. THE BEACH HOUSE AT STINSON - DAY

          The black Ferrari is in the driveway.  He sits in an unmarked 
          police car on a hillside above the house, watching.  It is a 
          bleak, leaden gray day.

          Catherine comes out of the house.  She is dressed casually.

          She gets into the Ferrari.

          INT. HIS POLICE CAR

          He stays behind her at a safe distance on the winding panoramic 
          highway -- a two-lane mountain road which leads from Stinson 
          Beach into Marin County.

          She suddenly starts speeding up on this dangerous road, cutting 
          in and out, passing cars very fast.

          He has to start cutting around cars to keep up.  This woman 
          really drives.

          He cuts out and can barely pass a car without hitting a Grey 
          Lines Tour Bus head-on.  Close call: sheer drops on either 
          side.

          He looks frazzled.

          INT. HIS POLICE CAR

          He is behind her at a distance on a hilly Mill Valley road -- 
          little streets, terraced hillsides, sharp turns.

          He goes slowly, looks around, thinks he's lost her.  And then 
          he sees the black Ferrari parked in front of a house obscured 
          by hedges.

          He parks the car a distance behind the Ferrari, sits there a 
          long beat.  He gets out, goes carefully up to the hedges, looks.  
          A small, nondescript house.  He watches.  He can't see anything 
          inside the house.

          A beat, he reaches over to the mailbox and opens it.  He takes 
          an envelope out, looks at the name Hazel Dobkins.

          INT. HIS POLICE CAR - NIGHT

          He watches as she comes out of the house.  A frail old woman 
          in her 70's is with her.  She hugs the old woman, gets into 
          the Ferrari, STARTS it up.

          He waits a beat and then STARTS after her.  He stays behind 
          her at a distance -- she is going slowly.  And then she suddenly 
          GUNS it, cuts her lights -- her wheels SCREECH.

          He GUNS his car after her.  He makes a turn.  She is gone.

          There is a fork in the road.  He turns one way, goes a few 
          hundred feet.

          Nothing.  Blackness.  He stops.

                                    NICK
                               (quietly)
                        Shit.

          INT. HIS POLICE CAR - NIGHT

          He pulls his car up to her house at Stinson Beach.  The black 
          Ferrari is in the driveway.

          A light goes on in an upstairs bedroom.  The curtain is drawn.  
          He sees the outline of her body now.

          She starts to take her clothes off -- there in the window, 
          behind the curtain.  He watches her body as she does an almost 
          languorous strip.  His eyes are intense... ravishing.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - NIGHT

          He is alone, nobody else in the big room.

          He sits in front of a computer.  We see the screen.  He has 
          punched in

          HAZEL DOBKINS, WF, 145 ALBION RD., MILL VALLEY.

          He is waiting for a response.  We see it come on screen

          NOTHING CURRENT.

          A long beat, as he stares at the screen, and then we see these 
          words

          RELEASED, SAN QUENTIN, JULY 7, 1965.

          We see him type in the words

          PRIOR ARREST RECORD.

          A long beat, and then it comes up

          HOMICIDE, JANUARY 10, 1956 - SAN FRANCISCO

          He stares at the screen a long beat.

                                    GUS
                               (behind him)
                        Ain't you go nothin' better to do 
                        than to come in here and jack off 
                        the damn machine?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat; lost 
                               in his thoughts)
                        What are you doing here, Pop?

                                    GUS
                               (grins)
                        I came in here to jack off the 
                        damn machine.
                               (a beat)
                        One dead psychology professor.
                        Noah Goldstein.  Dr. Noah Goldstein.  
                        And guess what?  He was her 
                        counselor.

          Nick looks at him a beat.

                                    NICK
                        Was she ever suspect?

                                    GUS
                        No, sir.  They never even got a 
                        statement from her.

          Nick sits back a long beat, his eyes off somewhere.

                                    NICK
                               (slowly)
                        Do you remember a case -- 1956 --
                        Hazel Dobkins?

                                    GUS
                               (grins)
                        Hell yes!  Couldn't get it outta 
                        my head for years.  Still can't.  
                        Nice little kids -- nice husband, 
                        wasn't porkin' around -- no 
                        financial problems.  One day -- 
                        outta the clear blue sky -- she 
                        does 'em.  All of 'em.  Used a 
                        knife. He got for a wedding present.  
                        Didn't even deny it.  Sweet as 
                        honey.  Said she didn't know why 
                        she done it.

          Nick just stares at him.

          EXT. THE STINSON BEACH HOUSE - NEXT DAY

          He pulls up to the house, gets out of his unmarked police car.  
          He stands there a beat, thinking.  He walks down to the beach 
          entrance of the house.  He hears a Rolling Stones SONG playing 
          inside.  He stands there.  The door suddenly opens.  Catherine 
          stands there, smiles.  She wears very tight-fitting spandex 
          leotards.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Hi.

          He looks at her a beat, then --

                                    NICK
                        Am I... disturbing you?

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.  Come in.

          They have their eyes on each other.  A beat, and she turns to 
          go in.

          INT. THE STINSON BEACH HOUSE

          She goes in ahead of him -- he follows her inside.  He watches 
          her body.  His movements are tentative, off-balance.  She turns 
          the Stones DOWN.

          On a table by the window, he sees a word processor.  Spread 
          around it are newspaper clippings.  They are all about him.

          We see the headline on one KILLER COP TO FACE POLICE REVIEW.  
          She sees him glancing at the clips.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'm using you for my detective.  
                        In my book.  You don't mind, do 
                        you?

          She smiles.  He looks at her, expressionless.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Would you like a drink?  I was 
                        just going to have one.

                                    NICK
                        No, thanks.

          She goes to the bar.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        That's right.  You're off the Jack 
                        Daniels too, aren't you?

          She is making herself a drink.  She takes the ice out and then 
          opens a drawer and gets an icepick.  It has a fat wooden end.  
          She uses the icepick on the ice, her back to him.  He watches 
          her.

                                    NICK
                        I'd like to ask you a few more 
                        questions.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'd like to ask you some, too.

          She turns to him, icepick in hand, smiles.

                                    CATHERINE
                        For my book.

          She turns back to the ice, works on it with the pick.  She 
          raises her arm, plunges it.  Raises it, plunges it.  He watches 
          her.

                                    NICK
                               (wary)
                        What kind of questions?

          She puts the icepick down, pours herself a drink, turns to 
          him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        How does it feel to kill someone?

          He looks at her a long beat.

                                    NICK
                               (finally)
                        You tell me.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I don't know.  But you do.

          Their eyes are on each other.

                                    NICK
                               (finally)
                        It was an accident.  They got in 
                        the line of fire.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Four shootings in five years.  All 
                        accidents.

                                    NICK
                               (after a long beat)
                        They were drug buys.  I was a vice 
                        cop.

          A long beat, as they look at each other.

                                    NICK
                        Tell me about Professor Goldstein.

          BEAT.

                                    CATHERINE
                        There's a name from the past.

                                    NICK
                        You want a name from the present?
                        How about Hazel Dobkins?

          She looks at him a long beat, sips her drink, never takes her 
          eyes off him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Noah was my counselor in my freshman 
                        year.
                               (she smiles)
                        That's probably where I got the 
                        idea for the icepick.  For my book.
                        Funny how the subconscious works.
                               (a beat)
                        Hazel is my friend.

                                    NICK
                        She wiped out her whole family.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Yes.  She's helped me understand 
                        homicidal impulse.

                                    NICK
                        Didn't you study it in school?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Only in theory.
                               (she smiles)
                        You know all about homicidal 
                        impulse, don't you, shooter?  Not 
                        in theory -- in practice.

          He stares at her a long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (quietly)
                        What happened, Nick?  Did you get 
                        sucked into it? Did you like it 
                        too much?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        No.

          He stares at her, almost horrified.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (quietly)
                        Tell me about the coke, Nick.  The 
                        day you shot those two tourists --
                        how much coke did you do?

          She steps closer to him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Tell me, Nick.

          She puts her hand softly on his cheek,  He grabs her hand 
          roughly, holds it.

                                    NICK
                        I didn't.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Yes, you did.  They never tested 
                        you, did they?  But Internal Affairs 
                        knew.

          They are face to face.  He is still holding her roughly by the 
          hand.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Your wife knew, didn't she?  She 
                        knew what was going on.  Nicky got 
                        too close to the flame.  Nicky 
                        liked it.

          He twists her arm back behind her -- their bodies are pressed 
          against each other -- their eyes digging into each other.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (in a whisper)
                        That's why she killed herself?

          He is twisting her arm, staring at her, pulling her against 
          him.  We hear the DOOR behind them.  A beat, and he lets her 
          go, turns away from her.

          Roxy stands there, staring at them.  Her hair is up.  She wears 
          a black motorcycle jacket, a black T-shirt, and black jeans 
          and cowboy boots.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (brightly)
                        Hiya, hon.  You two have met, 
                        haven't you?

          Roxy looks at Nick.  Catherine goes to her, kisses her briefly 
          on the lips, stands there with her arm around her --both of 
          them looking at Nick.

          He walks by them, opens the door to go, his face a mask.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You're going to make a terrific 
                        character, Nick.

          He doesn't look at her; he's gone.

          INT. BETH GARDNER'S OFFICE - DAY

          He comes in.  He looks like he's going to kill someone.  A 
          RECEPTIONIST sits there.

                                    RECEPTIONIST
                        She's on the phone -- she'll be 
                        right with you, detective --He 
                        sweeps by her into Beth's inner 
                        office.  She hangs up when she 
                        sees the look on his face.

                                    NICK
                        Who has access to my file?

                                    BETH
                        What are you talking about, Nick --
                        what's wrong with you?

                                    NICK
                        Who's got access to my goddamn 
                        file?

          She gets up -- he goes closer to her; she backs away from him.

                                    BETH
                        Nobody.

          He goes closer to her; she backs away.

                                    BETH
                        It's a confidential psychiatric 
                        record, it'd be illegal --She backs 
                        into a wall.  She looks very scared.  
                        He comes very close to her -- puts 
                        an arm behind her to the wall.

                                    NICK
                        Don't, Beth.  Don't lie to me.

          She says nothing, looks scared.

                                    NICK
                               (suddenly)
                        It's Internal Affairs, isn't it?

                                    BETH
                        No, Nick, please --

                                    NICK
                               (loud, hard)
                        Who?

                                    BETH
                               (blurts it)
                        Nilsen.

          INT. THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION - DAY

          He storms into the big room.  He sees MARTY NILSEN.  He is 
          sitting behind his desk in his glass-enclosed office inside 
          this big room.  About a dozen plainclothes policemen are in 
          the big room.  He goes by them into Nilsen's office.

          INT. MARTIN NILSEN'S OFFICE

          He closes the door.  Nilsen sees the look on his face, backs 
          his chair away towards the wall.

                                    NILSEN
                        What do you want, Curran?                                                                     

          He goes to him, picks him up by his lapels, slams him against 
          the wall.

                                    NICK
                               (out of control)
                        You sold her the file, didn't you?

                                    NILSEN
                               (scared)
                        What are you talking about?

                                    NICK
                               (out of control)
                        What'd she pay you?

          He slams him against the wall again.  The glass EXPLODES behind 
          them -- a chair comes into the room.  Nick is frozen, holding 
          Nilsen by the throat against the wall.

                                    ONE OF THE I.A. GUYS
                        Let him go, Curran.  Nice and easy.

          He looks back, sees two Internal Affairs men with their guns 
          drawn, pointed at him.  A beat, and he lets Nilsen go.  He 
          turns calmly and starts to walk out.

                                    NILSEN
                        You're on sick leave, Shooter.  As 
                        of right now.  Pending the outcome 
                        of a psychiatric evaluation.

          EXT. THE POLICE PARKING LOT - DUSK

          He gets into his old Porsche.  He STARTS the car up.  Gus Moran 
          comes up to the window.  They look at each other a

                                    GUS
                        What's goin' down, son?

                                    NICK
                        Nothin'
                               (a beat)
                        I'll be okay, pop.

          They look at each other a long beat.

                                    GUS
                        No, sir.  You won't.  There's smoke 
                        off yonder on the horizon.  They're 
                        gonna want your badge.

                                    NICK
                               (after a long beat)
                        I got tired of being played with.

                                    GUS
                               (after a beat)
                        You sure got real conclusive ways 
                        of demonstrating that.

          They almost smile at each other, then --

                                    NICK
                               (almost to himself)
                        She knows where I live and breathe.  
                        She's coming after me.

                                    GUS
                               (after a long beat)
                        What is it you got between you?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat; to 
                               himself)
                        I don't know.

                                    GUS
                        Somethin', though.

          A beat, and then Nick looks at him.

                                    NICK
                        Yeah.
                               (a beat)
                        Somethin'.

          INT. HIS APARTMENT - NIGHT

          He sits in front of the TV, watching a lame sitcom.  A bottle 
          of Jack Daniels is half-empty in front of him.  He is smoking 
          a cigarette.

                                    BETH
                               (behind him)
                        I still have my key.

          He looks at her, looks away at the sitcom.

                                    NICK
                        I don't want to see you, Beth.

          He keeps watching the sitcom.  A long beat.

                                    BETH
                               (suddenly angry)
                        Damnit!  Don't shut me out!  You 
                        owe me more than that?

          He goes to the TV, shuts it off.

                                    NICK
                        I don't owe you anything; you don't 
                        owe me anything.
                               (he looks at her)
                        We went to bed -- what was it? --
                        ten or fifteen times?
                               (he smiles)
                        It wasn't memorable enough to carry 
                        any obligations.

                                    BETH
                               (after a long beat)
                        Sometimes I really hate you.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        Yeah?  Well why don't you find 
                        some friendly therapist and work 
                        some of that hostility out.
                               (a beat)
                        But take my advice.  Put a little 
                        more life into it than you usually 
                        do.

          A beat, and she suddenly hurls herself at him in absolute fury, 
          trying to claw at his face.  He grabs her, blocks her.  They 
          look at each other a long beat and then he lets her go.

          The emotion of the moment is gone now -- they turn away from 
          each other.

                                    BETH
                               (finally)
                        I'm sorry... I don't usually... 
                        act like that.

          Nick looks at her a beat.

                                    NICK
                        How could you let him have my file, 
                        Beth?

          A long beat, then --

                                    BETH
                               (not looking at him)
                        He was going to recommend your 
                        discharge a behavioral disability.  
                        I made a deal with him.  He could 
                        review the session notes himself.  
                        It was the only way I could keep 
                        you on the force.

          She looks at him.  He looks away from her.

                                    NICK
                        You did it for me.

                                    BETH
                        Yes.  I care about you.  I did it 
                        for you.

          He turns away from her.

                                    NICK
                               (quietly)
                        Get out of here, Beth.
                               (a beat)
                        Please?

          He goes to the Jack Daniel's, pours some more.  She looks at 
          him pour it and turns to go.

          INT. HIS APARTMENT - NIGHT

          He is asleep on the couch -- the TV is on to a blank screen.  
          The Jack Daniel's is mostly gone.  The phone on the coffee 
          table RINGS.  It RINGS again.  He wakes, picks it up, listens.

                                    NICK
                        Yeah.
                               (a beat)
                        Okay.

          He hangs it up.  He sits there a long beat, staring.  He looks 
          disturbed.

          EXT. THE ALLEY BEHIND THE TEN-FOUR BAR - NIGHT

          He walks down the alley.  There are lots of police cars, 
          flashing lights, uniformed men, coroner's men.

          As he walks down the alley, he sees Lt. Walker, Gus, and several 
          of the Internal Affairs men we saw earlier in Nilsen's office.  
          They are standing around a Lincoln Town Car.

          They look at him as he comes closer to them -- then move aside.

          He can see into the car now.  Martin Nilsen lies against the 
          front seat.  He has been shot in the head.  Nick stares.

                                    GUS
                        One shot.  Close range.  Probably 
                        a .38 caliber revolver.

          Nick stares at Nilsen's body.  They watch him.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Give me your gun, Nick.

          A beat, and then Nick gives him his gun.  Walker smells it, 
          shakes his head, gives it to one of the Internal Affairs men.

                                    NICK
                               (to Walker)
                        You think I --

                                    GUS
                        I don't son, but I got the minority 
                        opinion.

          INT. POLICE INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT

          He sits in the same room that Catherine sat in --surrounded by 
          four or five Internal Affairs men, Lt.

          Walker, Gus, and Captain Talcott.  Lt. Walker and Gus sort of 
          sit back -- I.A. is running the investigation.  The same police 
          stenographer -- the same plain young woman -- is sitting in 
          the room who was there with Catherine.

                                    NICK
                        Okay.  I went after him.  I lost 
                        my temper.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        Do you have any evidence that he 
                        showed your psychiatric file to 
                        anyone?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        No.

          Beth Gardner comes into the room.  They look at her.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        We'll speak to you afterwards, Dr.
                        Gardner.

          Nick gives her a look.

                                    BETH
                        I'd like to sit-in if you don't 
                        mind.

                                    THE I.A. MAN
                        I'd really rather --

                                    TALCOTT
                        I don't see anything wrong with 
                        Dr. Gardner sitting-in if Detective 
                        Curran doesn't object.

          Nick looks at her, shrugs.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        Where were you tonight?

                                    NICK
                        Home. Watching TV.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        All night?

                                    NICK
                        Yeah.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        Were you drinking?

          He looks at Beth.

                                    NICK
                        Yeah, I was drinking.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        When did you start drinking again?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        A couple days ago.

                                    BETH
                        I saw Detective Curran at his 
                        apartment around ten o'clock.  He 
                        was sober and lucid.  I asked him 
                        in my capacity as his departmental 
                        therapist about his altercation 
                        with Lt. Nilsen.  He expressed 
                        regret and displayed no hostility.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                               (to Beth)
                        How long were you at his apartment?

                                    BETH
                        About fifteen minutes.  I saw there 
                        was no reason for my concern and 
                        left.

          She and Nick look at each other.  He looks away and lights a 
          cigarette.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        There's no smoking in this building.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        What are you gonna do -- charge me 
                        with smoking?

          It is the exact line that Catherine used.  A long beat.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        I'll ask you once, Nick -- for the 
                        record did you kill him?

                                    NICK
                        No.

          They look at him a beat.

                                    NICK
                        Come on -- I'm going to storm into 
                        his office in front of everybody 
                        in the afternoon and then that 
                        night I'm going to kill him?  I'd 
                        have to be really dumb to do that.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        Going after him before gets you 
                        off the hook for killing him that's 
                        your alibi.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Like writing a book about killing 
                        a guy gets you off the hook for 
                        killing him.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                               (to Walker)
                        I don't understand.  What are you 
                        talking about?  What book?

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (to Nick)
                        Private joke.

                                    NICK
                        I don't think it's funny.

                                    GUS
                               (grins)
                        Well, hell, son, it's got a certain 
                        ring to it, I'll say that.

          INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT - NIGHT

          He is by the elevators with Gus and Lt. Andrews.  He spots 
          Beth going for the stairway.

                                    NICK
                               (to Lt. Andrews)
                        I'll get my stuff tomorrow.

          INT. THE STAIRWAY

                                    NICK
                        Beth.

          She stops.  He catches up to her.  They walk down the flights 
          together.  They speak quietly.

                                    NICK
                        Thank you.

          She looks at him, smiles.  They keep walking down the steps.

                                    BETH
                        It's the least I could do...  
                        considering I got you into this 
                        mess with those reports.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        No.  I mean it, thank you.

          She looks at him, smiles.

                                    BETH
                        How do you know Catherine Tramell 
                        saw my reports?

                                    NICK
                        She knows stuff about me that only 
                        you know.

                                    BETH
                               (after a beat)
                        She must really be something.
                               (she smiles)
                        From a clinical point of view.

                                    NICK
                        What was she like in school?

                                    BETH
                        I hardly knew her.  She gave me 
                        the creeps, though.  I don't know 
                        why.

          EXT. THE BUILDING - NIGHT

          They get outside.  Beth kisses him quickly, softly on the cheek.

                                    BETH
                        Get some rest.  Promise?

          He nods.  She starts walking toward her car.

                                    NICK
                        Beth.  I didn't mean what I said.  
                        About --

                                    BETH
                               (smiles)
                        Yes you did.  I'm a big girl.  I 
                        can handle it.

          She goes to her car.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - NEXT DAY

          He is cleaning his desk out, putting things into a duffel bag.  
          Only Andrews is in the room.  We see Lt. Walker sitting in his 
          glass-enclosed office.

          He closes the duffel bag, looks at the place a long beat.

          Andrews is watching him.  He goes up to Andrews

                                    ANDREWS
                               (after a beat)
                        Take care, you hear?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Did you find out about her parents?

                                    ANDREWS
                        You're on leave, man.
                               (a beat)
                        You're on psycho leave.  I'm talking 
                        to a possible whacko here.

                                    NICK
                        You know I'm whacko, Sam, what'd 
                        you find?

          A beat, and Andrews opens the file.

                                    ANDREWS
                        The boat blew.  There was a leak 
                        in the gas line.  There were two 
                        previous repairs.  There was a 
                        five-mil policy on both of 'em.  A 
                        real heavy investigation.  Zilch.  
                        Goose-egg.  It was an accident.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Thanks.                                                                     

          He sees Lt. Walker looking at him.  He goes into Walker's 
          office.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        I.A.'s going to talk to you more 
                        about Nilsen.  They're handling 
                        the investigation, we're not.  
                        Stay in touch with Dr. Gardner, 
                        it'll help on the evaluation.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        She killed him.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Beth?  Now you've got Beth killing 
                        people?

                                    NICK
                        Catherine Tramell.  It's part of 
                        her game.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        First you've got her buying your 
                        file.  Now you've got her killing 
                        Nilsen.  Forget her, willya?  Go 
                        someplace.  Sit in the sun.  Get 
                        away from this goddamn fog.  Get 
                        her out of your system.

                                    NICK
                        You don't but it, do you?  She 
                        knew nobody would but it.
                               (he smiles)
                        She knew I'd say she did it.  And 
                        she knew nobody would buy it.

          Lt. Walker looks at him a long beat.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        She's screwing with your head, 
                        Nick.  Pretty soon you're gonna 
                        look in the mirror and think you're 
                        seeing her.

          EXT. HIS APARTMENT

          It is in the Marina District; on a street like Cervantes.

          He gets out of his old Porsche; he sees her black Ferrari there.  
          She is sitting on the front stoop.  She wears an Indian jacket, 
          jeans and a T-shirt.  He goes up to her. She looks at him a 
          beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I heard about what happened.  What 
                        good's a shooter without his gun?                                                                     

          She smiles.

                                    NICK
                               (a beat)
                        How exactly did you hear?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        I have attorneys.  They have 
                        friends.  I have friends.  Money 
                        buys you a lot of attorneys and 
                        friends.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I don't know about that I don't 
                        have any money I don't have any 
                        attorneys Gus is my only real 
                        friend.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        I wasn't talking about real friends.  
                        Why doesn't Gus like me.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I like you.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Do you?

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        Yeah.  Would you like to come up 
                        and have a drink?

          She looks at him a beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I didn't think you'd ask me.

          He looks at her a beat.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        I'm not that easy to figure.

          They start walking inside.  She walks ahead of him.  He watches 
          her.  She turns suddenly.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You're not easy to figure.  I'm 
                        just very good at figuring.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Don't get too cocky.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Why not?

                                    NICK
                        You can make a mistake.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Not me.

          And she turns, heads inside; he follows her.

          INT. HIS APARTMENT - DAY

          They walk in.  She looks at the bareness of the place.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You should put some warmth into 
                        it.  You don't want it to reflect 
                        on your personality.

          She turns, smiles at him.  He looks at the bottle of Jack 
          Daniel's; there's not much left.

                                    NICK
                        Jack Daniel's okay?  It's gonna 
                        have to be.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Fine.

                                    NICK
                        Ice?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Please.

          There is a palpable tension between them.

          He takes the ice out, opens a drawer, takes out an icepick.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Let me do that.  You like to watch 
                        me doing it, don't you?

          She smiles; a beat and he hands her the icepick.  She takes 
          it, starts to us the icepick, her back to him.  He lights a 
          cigarette.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Can I have a cigarette, please?  I 
                        told you you'd start smoking again.

          He watches her working on the ice.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Light it for me, will you?

          He does, steps to her.  She parts her lips -- he puts it on 
          her lip, watches it.  Their eyes are on each other.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Thank you.

          She works on the ice again, opens the cabinets for glasses.

                                    NICK
                        What did you pay Nilsen?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (doesn't look at 
                               him)
                        Isn't he the policeman that you 
                        shot, Shooter?

          She makes the drinks.

                                    NICK
                        What if I asked you not to call me 
                        Shooter?

                                    CATHERINE
                        What if I call you Nicky?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        My wife used to call me that.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        I know, Nicky, but I like it.

          She hands him his drink, holds hers.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Cheers.  My friends call me 
                        Catherine.

                                    NICK
                        What did Bobby Vasquez used to 
                        call you?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Bitch mostly, but he meant it 
                        affectionately.  You don't have 
                        any coke, do you?  I love coke and 
                        Jack Daniel's.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        There's Pepsi in the fridge.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        It's not the same thing, is it?

          They look at each other a long beat, their eyes very involved.

                                    NICK
                               (quietly)
                        Where's it going?  What do you 
                        want from me?

          Their faces are close together.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Say -- "What do you want from me, 
                        Catherine?"

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat, 
                               quietly)
                        What do you want from me, Catherine?

          A beat, and she suddenly turns away.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (brightly)
                        I brought you something.

          She goes to her purse, takes a paperback book out of it.  We 
          see it -- The First Time, by Catherine Smith.  He looks at it.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Aren't you going to thank me?

                                    NICK
                        What's it about?

                                    CATHERINE
                        A boy kills his parents.  They 
                        have a plane.  He makes it look 
                        like an accident.

          He stares at her.  A long beat, then --

                                    NICK
                        Why does he do it?

                                    CATHERINE
                        To see if he can get away with it.

          They look at each other a beat.

                                    NICK
                        When did you write it?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        You mean did I write it before my 
                        parents died?

                                    NICK
                        Yes.

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.  I wrote it years afterwards.

          He watches her; she has turned away from him -- and then she 
          turns back to him in a different mood.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        You're not going to stop following 
                        me around now just because you're 
                        on leave -- are you?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        No.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Good.  I'd miss you.
                               (a beat)
                        You can get into trouble, though.
                        You're not really a cop anymore.

                                    NICK
                        I'll risk it.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Why take the risk?

                                    NICK
                        To see if I can get away with it.

          She looks at him; she smiles.

                                    NICK
                        How's your new book?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'm getting deeper and deeper into 
                        my character.

          They look at each other a long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Thanks for the drink.

          He nods, say nothing as she goes to the door --

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'm leaving the house around 
                        midnight.  In case you're going to 
                        follow me.
                               (a beat)
                        I'm going down to Johnny's club.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I'll meet you there.

          She looks at him a long beat; and she's gone.

          INT. THE STAIRWAY

          As she is going down the stairs, Gus Moran is coming up.

          He does a real double-take as he goes by her.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Hi, Gus.

          He looks at him a long beat, and he goes upstairs, into Nick's 
          apartment.

          INT. NICK'S APARTMENT

          Nick stands at the window, watching her outside.  A long beat, 
          and he looks at Gus.

                                    GUS
                               (after a beat)
                        Forgive me for askin', son, and I 
                        don't mean to belabor the obvious, 
                        but why is it that you've got your 
                        head so far up your own ass?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        She want to play?  Fine.  I can 
                        play.

                                    GUS
                               (after a beat)
                        Everybody that she plays with dies.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat, 
                               quietly)
                        I know what that's like.

          INT. JOHNNY BOZ'S CLUB - NIGHT

          It is dark, cavernous there are a thousand people in here.  
          The MUSIC is ear-splitting, pulsing.  Lights flash.

          The floor is huge.  At one time, this club was a church.

          He walks around the sides, a drink in his hand, looking for 
          her.  He doesn't see her.

          The he catches a glimpse of Roxy.  She is dancing with another 
          woman.  He watches her.  She is wearing pants and a jacket, 
          her hair off to the side.  She looks very masculine tonight.

          Roxy laughs at the other woman, leaves her on the floor, starts 
          moving through the sea of dancers.  He follows her through the 
          press of bodies.  She goes towards the men's room.  She walks 
          in.

          INT. THE MEN'S ROOM

          It is large, dark, shadowy It was once the sacristy.

          A crowd scene men and women. Roxy presses through them.

          A haze of crack smoke; we see people doing poppers.

          She opens the door to a toilet stall, walks in.  Nick is behind 
          her.  As the door opens, he sees Catherine.

          She wears a black motorcycle jacket, a very short skirt, 
          stiletto heels.  Her hair is up.  He make-up is severe,  In 
          the darkness, in the shadows she looks about 19.  A hot 19.

          A hot flash-trash 19.

          She is in there with two men -- one of them is a big, body-
          built black guy.  She has a vial of something near her face.

          She sees Nick watching her.  She whispers something to the 
          tall black guy.  He looks at Nick, smiles a condescending smile.  
          The door to the stall closes

          INT. THE CLUB

          He is walking along the side, watching the floor, a drink in 
          his hand.  The song ends and it seques right into the Stones's 
          "Miss You."

          He sees her.  Her black leather jacket is off.

          She wears a very tight, flimsy top, the short skirt, the heels.  
          She is dancing with Roxy and the black guy.  He watches her 
          move... watches her body.

          She turns, sees him, dances, watches him... gets between Roxy 
          and the black guy... they sandwich her with their bodies... 
          keeps moving, turning... eyes on him... playing to him with 
          her body.  He watches.

          A long beat, and he goes up to them.  His movements are

          almost trance-like.  They look at each other.  A long beat.

          Catherine stops dancing.  he reaches for her.  She moves away.  
          A beat their eyes are on each other.  She moves a step towards 
          her.  A beat, as they look at each other...  and they start to 
          move together.

          Their eyes are on each other as they move, the eyes burning... 
          the movements tighter, hotter... and he suddenly grabs her and 
          kisses her... as they keep moving... the song seques into the 
          Stones's "Gimme Shelter."

          She is melting into him now, kissing him... Tex watches, 
          expressionless... the black guy is gone... he holds her by the 
          back of the neck, kissing her... their bodies pressed into 
          each other... his hands are on her butt now, pulling her into 
          him now, almost holding her up now... and then under her skirt, 
          under her panties... as he kisses her neck.

          People around them stare... he moves his hands under her top 
          as she keeps moving with the song, her head back, her back 
          almost arching... cups her breasts now... she keeps moving...  
          the song sweeping them into its rhythm "it's just a shot away, 
          it's just a kiss away, a kiss away..."

          They devour each other.  Right there on the floor.  Barely 
          able to hold it back.  As Tex watches expressionless.  As people 
          stop dancing and stare.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. HER BEDROOM

          It is dark.  We can't see clearly.  A side table, lines of 
          cocaine on a small mirror.  A CD player The Stones play "Love 
          In Vain."

          There are mirrors all over the walls and ceiling.  They are in 
          bed.  The bed is big and brass.

          Atop her... he kisses her neck... his hands under her, raising 
          her... he moves down, kisses her breasts... puts his mouth 
          around  a breast... she arches, moves... he kisses her 
          shoulder... biting into it... she opens her mouth... we hear 
          no cry... we hear the Stones.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. HER BEDROOM - LATER

          The Stones play "Monkey Man."

          Atop him... she kisses his chest, licks it, lowers her head... 
          lower... lower... he arches his back... her mouth comes up... 
          her mouth on his lips again... he turns her.

          Atop her... he moves her legs apart... (the CAMERA is behind 
          them)... she holds his back... digs in her nails...  rakes his 
          back with them... digs in again... his back bleeds... he moves 
          inside her... harder... the nails dig...  blood trickles down 
          his back.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. HER BEDROOM - LATER

          The Stones play "Wild Horses."

          He is behind her... she is on her stomach... he rises her by 
          her hips... kisses her back... races her spine with his 
          tongue... traces her lower back... he kneels... moves into 
          her... kisses her neck... his fingers are in her mouth...  as 
          he moves.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. HER BEDROOM - LATER

          The Stones play "Sympathy for the Devil."

          Atop him... she leans close over his face, her tongue in his 
          mouth... kneeling over him... she moves his arms above his 
          head... moves higher atop him... her breasts in his face... 
          she reaches over to the side... a white silk scarf is in her 
          hand... she moves higher above him... kneeling over his face... 
          moving oh-so-slightly... his face strains towards her.

          The scarf in both hands now... she starts to tie his hands 
          with it... his eyes are open, watching her... she ties it 
          loosely, gently... it isn't tight... but his hands are tied to 
          the brass bed.

          She kisses him... moving her hips lower now... over his chest... 
          lower...

          And he is inside her... her arms above him... his eyes open... 
          she kisses his neck... bites but not hard...  moves... grinding 
          hard against him now.. she is on her knees... head arches back.. 
          her breasts high.. still grinding.

          Her back arches, strains... he strains toward her... she holds 
          her arms high... she comes out of the arch...  shivering... 
          falling over him... the scarf loosens... his arms come forward 
          and hold her close.. closer... closer...  as she moves with 
          slight... shivery... movements.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. HER BEDROOM - NIGHT

          It is dark, quiet.  Pindrop quiet.  He is sitting on the side 
          of the bed, his head down... his back a line tracing of dried 
          blood.  She is asleep nest to him, naked.

          He looks around the room.  The white scarf around the bedpost... 
          the coke on the side-table... clothes all over the floor.

          He gets up, walks into the bathroom.

          INT. HER BEDROOM - NIGHT

          The light is too bright.  He looks at himself in the mirror.  
          He pours the water, lowers his head, puts cold water on his 
          face.  A long beat, he comes back up, opens his eyes.  Roxy is 
          in the mirror behind him.  She startles him.

          He looks at her in the mirror a long beat, doesn't turn.

          She is expressionless; she wears the same thing she wore at 
          the club.

          He lowers down into the basin again, puts more water on his 
          face, comes back up, uses a towel this time, finishes with the 
          towel.  She is still looking at him in the mirror the same 
          way.  He looks at her in the mirror, doesn't turn.

                                    ROXY
                               (quietly)
                        If you don't leave her alone, I'll 
                        kill you.

          He looks at her a beat, then turns --

                                    NICK
                        Tell me something, Rocki.  Man-to-
                        man.
                               (he smiles)
                        I think she's the fuck of the 
                        century, don't you?

          For a second, she looks like she's going to spring at him, 
          then controls it and turns to go.

                                    NICK
                        How long you been here, Rock?  You 
                        like to watch, do you?

                                    ROXY
                               (after a beat, looks 
                               at him)
                        She likes me to watch.

          And she turns and she is gone.

          INT. HER BEDROOM - NIGHT

          He lies on the bed in the dark, quiet room.  He is on his back, 
          his eyes open.  He has his arm around her.  She is asleep.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (murmurs)
                        Nicky.

          He looks at her.

          INT. HER BEDROOM - MORNING

          He wakes up.  She is not there.  He looks around.  The white 
          scarf is gone.  The coke on the side table is gone.

          In its place, a scrawled note "The Beach -- C."

          EXT. HER STINSON BEACH HOUSE - DAY

          A cold and foggy day.  He gets out of his old Porsche, walks 
          down the driveway.  He sees her out on the beach by the water.  
          A small bonfire is near her.  He walks towards her.

          Roxy watches him, expressionless, from an upstairs window of 
          the house.  He doesn't see her.

          He walks up to Catherine.  She has an Indian blanket over her 
          and is wearing a black felt English derby hat, her hair loose 
          underneath.

                                    NICK
                               (expressionless)
                        'Morning.

          She doesn't look at him -- he smiles slowly.  She doesn't smile 
          and she doesn't seem to like his smile, either.  She walks 
          along the beach.  He walks with her.  A long beat.

                                    NICK
                        I think Roxy got jealous.

          She looks at him.  He looks like he is trying to hide a smile.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        She's seen me fuck plenty of other 
                        guys.

          That wipes the hidden smile off his face.  He looks at her, 
          walks with her.  A long beat.

                                    NICK
                        Maybe she saw something she didn't 
                        see before.

                                    CATHERINE
                        She's seen everything before.

          She looks at him; he's smiling now.

                                    NICK
                        She's never seen us before.

          He's serious.  She looks at him.  She smiles slowly.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Did you think it was so special?

                                    NICK
                        I told her it was the fuck of the 
                        century.

          He can't hide his smile anymore.  She says nothing, keeps 
          walking.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        What did you think?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I thought it was a pretty good 
                        beginning.

          They look at each other.  They keep walking.  A long beat.

                                    NICK
                        How about Roxy?  Is she a fuck to 
                        the century, too?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        Do you want her to join us sometime?

          He looks at her: she's serious.

                                    NICK
                        I didn't mean for me -- I meant 
                        for you.

          She looks at him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'm not as judgmental about women 
                        as I am about men.

          They keep walking.  A long beat.

                                    NICK
                        How's your shoulder?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Fine.  How's your back?

                                    NICK
                        It hurts.

          She stops, looks at him.  A long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        We're alike, you know.

          A beat, he looks at her --

                                    NICK
                        Are you kidding?  You think this 
                        is my idea of morning-after 
                        conversation?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (keeps walking)
                        Do you want personal insights and 
                        adolescent secrets?  I don't do 
                        those.

          The keep walking.

                                    NICK
                        You mean getting inside you isn't 
                        going to get me any deeper into 
                        your character.

          She looks a him.  A beat.  She smiles slowly.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Not unless you confuse my character 
                        with my body parts.

          They keep walking.  A long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Were you frightened, Nicky?

          He looks at her.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I thought that business with the 
                        scarf was pretty nifty.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I told you I had a vivid 
                        imagination.

          They look at each other.  A long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You shouldn't play this game.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I don't have a choice.

          Their eyes are into each other.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        You're in over your head.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I know.

          A long beat.  They look at each other.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I've got a book to write.  I'll 
                        see you around, Shooter.

          A beat, and she walks away towards the house.  He watches her.

          INT. A COUNTRY AND WESTERN BAR - NIGHT

          Nick walks in.  Waylon Jennings is on the JUKEBOX.  Gus is 
          sitting at the bar wearing jeans, a cowboy shirt, and a cowboy 
          hat.

          Nick goes, sits next to him.

                                    NICK
                               (grins)
                        What is this place?  Hillbilly 
                        heaven?

          He glances around.

                                    GUS
                               (loud)
                        Where in the fuck you been?  I 
                        went over to your place.

          He is drunk, slurring.  Nick sees it.

                                    NICK
                        Easy there, partner -- I wasn't 
                        there.

                                    GUS
                        I went over last night, too.

                                    NICK
                               (grins)
                        I wasn't there last night, either.

          Gus takes a long, drunken look at him.

                                    GUS
                        You... fucked her!  Goddamn dumb 
                        sonofabitch... You fucked her!  
                        Goddamn, you are one dumb 
                        sonofabitch --

                                    NICK
                               (trying to quiet 
                               him)
                        I'm not gonna get AIDS, pop --don't 
                        worry about it.  I always use a 
                        rubber.

                                    GUS
                               (loud)
                        I don't give a... flyin'... chili-
                        bean... fart about AIDS!

                                    NICK
                               (grins; quietly)
                        You oughta use a rubber, pop.  You 
                        really should.

                                    GUS
                               (loud)
                        What in the hell for?  You think 
                        I'm gettin' any at my age?  I don't 
                        like blue-haired women.  I don't 
                        like 'em.

                                    NICK
                               (straight)
                        You don't like punk rockers?

                                    GUS
                               (loud)
                        Say what?

          INT. A DINER - NIGHT

          Gus is eating chili, drinking coffee.  Hick keeps pouring him 
          more coffee.

                                    NICK
                               (grins)
                        You feeling better?

                                    GUS
                               (loud)
                        I feel fine!

          Nick pours him more coffee; Gus guzzles it.

                                    GUS
                               (loud)
                        How could you fuck her?

          It gets some looks from the other people in her -- Nick shushes 
          him, pours him more coffee.  He drinks it.

                                    GUS
                               (quietly)
                        You wanna die, son?  What is it --
                        those goddamn tourists -- you still 
                        feel so bad about that you're 
                        wigglin' your way into an icepi --
                               (suddenly louder)
                        We got too many goddamn tourists 
                        comin' here anyway -- plenty more 
                        goddamn tourists where they goddamn 
                        came from.

          Some people here really give him the looks now.  Gus looks 
          angrily away from them, drinks more coffee.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat; 
                               quietly)
                        I'm not afraid of her.

                                    GUS
                               (loud)
                        Why the hell not?

                                    NICK
                        I don't know.  I'm just not.

                                    GUS
                               (loud)
                        That's her pussy talkin' --He gets 
                        a real nasty look from a very fat 
                        woman eating a cheeseburger.  He 
                        winks at her.  The woman looks 
                        away from him, shaking her head.

                                    GUS
                               (smiles; to Nick)
                        It ain't your brain.

          They look at each other a long beat.  Gus drinks more coffee.  
          He sits back, pulls his cowboy hat over his eyes.

          A long beat.

                                    GUS
                               (quietly)
                        I.A. done did a track on Lt. Martin 
                        D for Dickhead Nilsen.  They found 
                        a safety deposit box with fifty-
                        thousand dollars in it, taken out 
                        three months ago, used that one 
                        time.

          He looks at the fat woman again -- leers at her obscenely.

          She looks away.

                                    NICK
                               (after a long beat)
                        It doesn't make sense.  She didn't 
                        know me three months ago.

                                    GUS
                        Maybe it wasn't her that paid him.
                        Maybe the money was for somethin' 
                        else.  How the fuck do I know?  
                        I'm just an old city cowboy tryin' 
                        not to fall outta his saddle.

          Nick looks at him and smiles a thin smile; he's not there, 
          he's completely preoccupied.

          INT. A CAR - NIGHT

          Someone is watching as he and Gus come out of the diner.

          EXT. THE STREET - NIGHT

          He stands by Gus as Gus gets into his battered, rusted, vintage 
          Cadillac.

                                    NICK
                        You all right, pop?  You want me 
                        to drive you?

                                    GUS
                        In that little pissant car of yours?  
                        Hell, no.  I ain't gettin' no back 
                        pain disability retirement -- I'm 
                        gettin' me a full pension and a 
                        real gold-plate Seiko watch.

                                    NICK
                        Come on, I'll drive you in this 
                        thing.                                                                     

                                    GUS
                        You think I'd let you drive my 
                        Cadillac car?  I ain't lettin' no 
                        hear-up-his-ass person drive my 
                        Cadillac car.

          And he steps on the gas and ROARS out of there, forcing Nick 
          to get out of the way.  Nick looks after him a long beat, shakes 
          his head.

          INT. A CAR - NIGHT

          Someone is following him slowly as he walks down the street.  
          He turns a corner, walks down the alley towards his Porsche, 
          parked behind the country and western bar.

          The car suddenly speeds up -- ROARS down on him from the back, 
          full bore.

          EXT. THE ALLEY

          He hurls himself across the Porsche's hood... barely avoiding 
          the car.  He sees the car at the end of the alley, turning out 
          It is a black Ferrari.

          INT. HIS PORSCHE

          He GUNS it down the alley, makes a wild turn in the direction 
          the Ferrari turned.

          EXT. THE STREET

          The Porsche dodges around cars very fast, almost side-swiping 
          them, looking almost out of control, its MOTOR screaming.

          INT. THE PORSCHE

          He sees the Ferrari turn ahead.  When he gets to where it 
          turned, he turns wildly.

          EXT. THE STREET

          The Ferrari is making fast, wild turns into little streets in 
          North Beach, its MOTOR screaming -- the Porsche is gaining 
          ground behind it, making turns.

          INT. THE PORSCHE

          The Ferrari is up ahead and makes a wild right turn onto a 
          road going up a hillside.  He yanks the wheel hard.

          EXT. THE STEPS

          The Porsche rockets up the steps -- bouncing high into the 
          air, almost out of control.                                                                     

          INT. THE PORSCHE

          As it crests the steps and gets to the street.  Nick GUNS it 
          and it looks like it flies high down the hill-side into 
          blackness.

          EXT. THE STREET

          But it lands on more steps -- heading downward -- bucking, 
          almost spinning, it bounces onto the next street.

          INT. THE PORSCHE

          Another set of steps leading up he GUNS it, it rockets up, 
          ROARS, bucking --

          EXT. THE STREET

          And lands on the next street.  Nick makes a wild right turn 
          onto the street.  And the black Ferrari appears from around a 
          curve to the right, heading right for him.

          INT. THE PORSCHE

          Nick steps on the GAS and heads head-on for the Ferrari.

          The Ferrari SCREAMS head-on for him.

          EXT. THE STREET

          And at the last moment, in the game of chicken, the Ferrari 
          tries to swerve around him on this narrow road, goes out of 
          control and over the side, turning over and over as it rolls 
          down the hillside.

          EXT. THE HILLSIDE

          The Ferrari has landed right-side up.

          He runs down the hillside and gets to it.  A beat, and he opens 
          the car door.

          Roxy lies hunched over the wheel, her eyes open.  Her neck is 
          broken.  She is dead.

          EXT. THE HILLSIDE - NIGHT

          Police lights have been set up.  He stands there with Lt.  
          Walker and several of the Internal Affairs men.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Tell me again.  I want to hear you 
                        say it again.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat; 
                               sheepish)
                        It was an accident.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        You're driving around North Beach 
                        for no particular reason and this 
                        car won't get out of the way --

                                    NICK
                        I don't think she meant to go off 
                        the hill, do you?

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (quietly)
                        Don't fuck with me, Nick.  I don't 
                        need a reason to put your ass in a 
                        sling.

          He and Nick look at each other a long beat.  Andrews comes up 
          to them with a piece of paper in his hand.

                                    ANDREWS
                        Full name, Roxanne Hardy.  Last 
                        address -- Cloverdale, California.  
                        No priors, no convictions.  The 
                        car is registered to Catherine 
                        Tramell.

          Lt. Walker looks at Nick like he's going to kill him.  Nick 
          looks calmly away.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        You knew her, didn't you?

                                    NICK
                        Gus and I talked to her at Tramell's 
                        house.  All we did was write her 
                        name down.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (after a beat)
                        I told you to stay away from 
                        Tramell.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat; smiles)
                        Yeah.  But you didn't tell me to 
                        stay away from her car.

          Walker looks at him in absolute disbelief.

                                    AN I.A. MAN
                        I want you in Dr. Gardner's office 
                        at nine o'clock.  You're out of 
                        control, Curran.

                                    NICK
                               (to the I.A. Man)
                        Who are you guys gonna sell my 
                        file to this time?

          They stare at him.  He watches as Roxy's body is taken away.

          INT. A POLICE CONFERENCE ROOM -DAY

          He walks in.  He looks good, in control.  Beth Gardner is 
          sitting there with two middle-aged MEN, both of them wearing 
          suits, who smile and scrutinize him the instant he walks in 
          the door.

                                    BETH
                        Hello, Nick.  This is Dr. Myron 
                        and R. McElwaine.  They've been 
                        asked to consult with me on this 
                        evaluation.

          They shake hands with him.

                                    DR. MYRON
                        Sit down, Nick.

          Nick gives him a look: What did he think he was going to do -- 
          stand there?

          He sits down, looks at them.  A beat, as they look at him, 
          then --

                                    DR. MCELWAINE
                               (courtly)
                        Nick -- when you recollect your 
                        childhood, are your recollections 
                        pleasing to you?

          Nick looks at them a long beat in disbelief.

                                    NICK
                               (calmly, directly)
                        Number one I don't remember how 
                        often I used to jack off, but it 
                        was a lot.  Number two I didn't 
                        get pissed off at my dad -- even 
                        after I was old enough to know 
                        what he and mom were doing in the 
                        bedroom.  Number three I don't 
                        look in the toilet before I flush 
                        it.  Number four I don't wet the 
                        bed and haven't for some time.
                        Number five You can go fuck 
                        yourselves because I'm out of here.

          INT. THE CORRIDOR

          He is walking away quickly.  Beth is with him, trying to keep 
          up.  She is very angry.

                                    BETH
                        What is your problem?  I'm trying 
                        to help you.  Why won't you let me 
                        help you?

                                    NICK
                        I don't need any help.

                                    BETH
                        Yes you do.  Something's on with 
                        you.
                               (a beat)
                        You're sleeping with her, aren't 
                        you?

          A beat, he stops looks at her, then keeps walking.

                                    NICK
                        What is this interest you've got 
                        in her?

                                    BETH
                        My interest is in you, not in her.
                        She seduces people, she manipulates --

                                    NICK
                        I thought you hardly know her.

                                    BETH
                        I know the type.  I'm a 
                        psychologist.

          He stops, looks at her.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        That means you manipulate people 
                        too, doesn't it, Beth?  You're a 
                        practicing psychologist -- that 
                        means you're better at it than she 
                        is.

          She looks at him a long beat.

                                    BETH
                               (quietly)
                        I feel sorry for you, Nick.

          A beat, and she turns and walks away.

          EXT. ROAD TO STINSON HOUSE - DAY

          Nick is driving down winding road to Stinson house.  He is 
          driving very fast, passing other cars on the winding and 
          twisting road.

          INT. THE STINSON BEACH HOUSE - DAY

          Nick enters and shuts door.  Looking around, he does not see 
          her.

                                    NICK
                        Catherine!
                               (after a beat)
                        Catherine!

          Finally he sees her sitting by the window.  He walks over to 
          her.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (near tears)
                        I should have known.  I came into 
                        the house when you were down on 
                        the beach.  She looked at me so 
                        strangely.  She left right after 
                        you.
                               (a beat)
                        I shouldn't have let her watch us.  
                        She wanted to watch me all the 
                        time.  She tried to kill you, didn't 
                        she?

                                    NICK
                               (a beat)
                        Did you like her to watch?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (a long beat)
                        Do you think I told her to kill 
                        You?

                                    NICK
                               (softly, with 
                               intensity)
                        No.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat, near 
                               tears)
                        Everybody that I care about dies.

          She is about to break into uncontrolable sobbing.  Nick puts 
          his arms around her.

                                    NICK
                               (soothing)
                        It's OK.  It's OK.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (quietly, almost 
                               begging)
                        Make love to me.

          INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

          They are seen rolling and turning around on each other.

          Their love making is sensual, sincere.

          Later in bed.

                                    NICK
                               (calmly, but 
                               seriously)
                        Do you think she killed Johnny 
                        Boz?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (surprised, startled)
                        For what... to set me up?  She 
                        loved me she wouldn't frame me.

                                    NICK
                               (a beat)
                        Maybe she got jealous of Johnny 
                        Boz, too.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        No, she didn't... she never got 
                        jealous before... she got excited.
                               (a beat)
                        I don't have luck with women.
                        There was this girl I met while I 
                        was in college.  I slept with her 
                        once.  She started following me 
                        around, taking my picture.  She 
                        dyed her hair, copied my clothes.
                        Lisa something... Oberman.  It was 
                        awful.

          A long beat, he looks at her.

                                    NICK
                        I thought you didn't do adolescent 
                        secrets.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        I never have before.

          EXT. THE DECK - MORNING

          It is a bright, sunshiny day.  He is out there looking at the 
          water.  She comes up behind him, hugs him.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (full of life)
                        Isn't it just beautiful?  I love 
                        it here like this.

          He looks at her.

                                    NICK
                               (cold)
                        We're still playing games, aren't 
                        we?

          She looks hurt.

                                    CATHERINE
                        No.

                                    NICK
                               (cold)
                        No?

                                    CATHERINE
                        No more games, Nick.  I'm tired of 
                        playing games!

          They have their eyes on each other.

                                    NICK
                        Then tell me about Nilsen.

          She turns away from him.  He watches her.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You won't believe me.

                                    NICK
                        Try me.

          A beat, she looks at him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I paid him $50,000 in cash for 
                        your psychiatric file.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        When?

                                    CATHERINE
                        About three months before I met 
                        you.

                                    NICK
                        Why?

          She turns away from him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'd read about your shootings in 
                        the papers.  I decided to write a 
                        book about a detective.  I wanted 
                        to know my character.

                                    NICK
                        You paid $50,000 for your character?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I would've paid more.  I wanted to 
                        know everything about you.  Then 
                        you came down here after Johnny 
                        got killed... it gave me a chance 
                        to get to know my character better.

                                    NICK
                               (after a long beat)
                        What about the other night. What 
                        about last night?  Was that to get 
                        to know your character?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        Maybe I'm losing interest in my 
                        book.

          Their eyes are on each other.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Do you believe me?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I don't know.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'll convince you.

          And she kisses him slowly, with more and more heat, on the 
          lips.

          The cordless phone on the deck table goes off.  It keeps 
          RINGING.  She breaks finally from the kiss, picks it up.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Hello?

          She listens a beat, then hands him the phone.

                                    CATHERINE
                        It's Gus-who-doesn't-like-me.

          He takes the phone.

                                    NICK
                        Catherine says you don't like her.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - DAY

                                    GUS
                               (on the phone)
                        She's right.  You got an icepick 
                        in you yet?

          EXT. HER DECK - STINSON

          Catherine sees him smile.

                                    CATHERINE
                        What did he say?

                                    NICK
                        He asked if I had an icepick in me 
                        yet.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Funny.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - DAY

                                    GUS
                               (on the phone)
                        You know that stuff they say about 
                        how you can judge people by their 
                        friends?

          EXT. HER DECK

                                    NICK
                        I don't believe it.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - DAY

                                    GUS
                        Why not?

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        You're my friend, Gus.

          She watches him.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - DAY

                                    GUS
                               (seriously)
                        I'm gonna make you believe in it, 
                        friend.

          INT. CLOVERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT - DAY

          In CLOSEUP: We see a large, glossy photograph of Roxy.

          She looks about thirteen.  She has braces in her teeth.

          Nick is looking at the photo -- it is in a file in his hands.  
          He sits there with Gus in front of a woman juvenile officer.

          He turns the file and we see a glossy of a little boy in a 
          pool of blood.

          Nick looks up at the woman.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        How old was she when this happened?

                                    THE WOMAN
                        Fourteen.  We seal juvenile records 
                        until they're deceased.  That's 
                        why you didn't find it in your 
                        computer.

                                    GUS
                        What was the motive?

                                    THE WOMAN
                        She said she didn't know herself, 
                        just sort of did it on impulse.
                               (she shrugs)
                        The razor just happened to be there.

          They stare at her.

                                    THE WOMAN
                        That's what she said.

          INT. CLOVERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT - DAY

          It is a small, old, rural buildinga lot of Four-H type stuff 
          on the walls.

                                    NICK
                        I don't understand what the hell's 
                        going on here, pop.

                                    GUS
                        Ain't that hard, son.  This young 
                        farmgirl, she got tired of all 
                        that attention goin' to her little 
                        brothers -- she fixed 'em.  Just 
                        like 'ole Hazel Dobkins fixed her 
                        whole family -- except young Roxy 
                        here, she didn't use a wedding 
                        present.  She used Daddy's razor.

          EXT. THE CLOVERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT

          They are going to their cars, parked side by side.  The Porsche 
          looks pretty badly banged up.

                                    GUS
                        It sure makes you wonder what they 
                        talked about when they set 
                        themselves down in front of the 
                        campfire at night.   You ever met 
                        any of her friends who hasn't killed 
                        somebody.

          Nick looks at him.

                                    GUS
                        It musta beat your ordinary everyday 
                        girl talk.

          Nick get into his car, sits there a beat.

                                    NICK
                        I'm not sure anymore she did it.

                                    GUS
                               (after a beat)
                        Which one you talkin' about now, 
                        son?  We know ole Hazel did it; we 
                        know young Roxy did it -- and the 
                        other one Well, hell, she's got 
                        that magna come lawdy pussy on her 
                        that done fried up your brain.

          Nick looks at him.

          INT. THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE - U.C. BERKELEY

          A young woman is checking a computer.  Nick is with her.

                                    THE WOMAN
                        Anderson.  Jack W. Donald M.  I'm 
                        sorry.  No Lisa.

                                    NICK
                        Did you check all four years?

                                    THE WOMAN
                        Yes I did.

                                    NICK
                               (in disbelief)
                        Can you check again?

          She gives him a look, but punches it in again.

                                    THE WOMAN
                        No Lisa Anderson, detective.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Can there be some mistake?

                                    THE WOMAN
                               (straining patience)
                        Only if you're making it.

          He looks at her.

          EXT. CATHERINE'S HOUSE ON DIVISADERO - DAY

          He gets out of the Porsche, starts to go in.  He looks disturbed 
          Catherine comes out of the house with Hazel Dobkins, the old 
          woman we saw with her in Mill Valley.  Nick watches them a 
          beat, then goes up to them.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Hazel , this is Nick.  I told you 
                        all about him.  This is Hazel 
                        Dobkins.

                                    HAZEL
                               (smiles)
                        You're the Shooter, aren't you?
                        How are you?

          He looks at her a long beat.

                                    NICK
                        Fine.  Thank you.

          He looks at her sort of warily.

                                    NICK
                               ( to Catherine)
                        Can I talk to you a minute?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (to Hazel)
                        Honey, why don't you go in the 
                        car?  I'll be right there.

          The old woman starts going to the Ferrari.

                                    HAZEL
                               (brightly)
                        Goodbye, Shooter.

          Nick looks at Hazel a beat, then at Catherine.

                                    NICK
                        You like to hang out with murderers 
                        or what?  Did you know Roxy --

                                    CATHERINE
                        Of course I knew.

          He looks at her a long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (casually)
                        Look.  Sometimes when I do my 
                        research, I get involved with 
                        people.  It happened with you, 
                        too.

          She smiles.  He looks at her, doesn't know what to say.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Killing isn't like smoking.  You 
                        can quit.

          He looks at her What did she say?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (preoccupied)
                        I've go to go.  I promised to get 
                        her home by six o'clock.  She just 
                        loves "America's Most Wanted."

          America's Most Wanted?  She turns to go.

                                    NICK
                        There was no Lisa Anderson at 
                        Berkeley when you were there.

          She stops, looks at him a beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        What were you doing, checking up 
                        on me?  What for?

          He says nothing.  A long beat, she looks hurt.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        Henderson.

          And she's gone.

          INT. A PHONE BOOTH - DAY

          He is on the phone.

                                    NICK
                        Henderson.  Lisa Henderson.  With 
                        an H.

          He waits.

                                    NICK
                        You do?

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - NIGHT

          He sits in front of a computer screen with Andrews.

                                    ANDREWS
                        I can get my butt kicked for this.
                        You're not supposed to be in here.

                                    NICK
                        It's not gonna take long, Sam.

          We see the computer screen.  The screen says LISA HENDERSON  
          DMV LICENSE CHECK We wait and then we see the words 1983 RENEWAL -- 
          ELIZABETH GARDNER, 147 QUEENSTON DRIVE, SALINAS, CAL.

          Nick stares at the screen.

                                    NICK
                        Bring it up, will you, Sam?

          A beat, and then we see the license itself It is Beth Gardner 
          on the photo.  Nick stares.

                                    ANDREWS
                        Hey, that's Dr. Gardner, isn't it?

                                    NICK
                        Bring 1976 up.

          A beat, and the license comes up.  We see a young Beth Gardner 
          on the photo.  She has blonde hair.

          Nick stares.

          INT. BETH GARDNER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

          She walks in.  The apartment is dark.

                                    NICK
                        You shouldn't leave your door open.

          She is startled.

                                    BETH
                               (after a beat)
                        I didn't.  Something's wrong with 
                        my lock.

          A beat, she looks at him.

                                    BETH
                               (cold)
                        What do you want, Nick?

                                    NICK
                               (quietly)
                        Tell me about Catherine.

          She looks at him a long beat, then turns away --

                                    BETH
                        She told you, didn't she?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        What did she tell me, Beth?

                                    BETH
                               (after a long beat)
                        I slept with her once in school.
                               (a beat)
                        I was just a kid.  I was 
                        experimenting.  It was just that 
                        one time.
                               (a beat)
                        She developed a... fixation... on 
                        me.  She styled her hair like mine.  
                        She wore the same kind of clothes 
                        I did.  It scared me.

          She looks at him, sees his look.

                                    BETH
                        Isn't that what she told you?

          He looks at her a long beat.

                                    NICK
                        She told me it was you.  You wore 
                        the same kind of clothes.  You 
                        dyed your hair blonde.

          A long beat as they look at each other.

                                    BETH
                        I did dye my hair.  It didn't have 
                        anything to do with her.  I was a 
                        redhead for a while, too.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Did you know Noah Goldstein?

                                    BETH
                        I had him in two classes.

                                    NICK
                        You saw all the reports, Beth!

          Phil had you copied.  You never said anything!

                                    BETH
                               (after a beat)
                        What do I say -- Hey, listen, guys, 
                        I'm not gay, but I did fuck your 
                        suspect.
                               (she turns away)
                        I was embarrassed.  It's the only 
                        time I've been with a woman.

          She turns to him.

                                    BETH
                        She's really sick you know.  Don't 
                        you know what she's doing?  She 
                        knows I went to Berkeley.  She 
                        knows I knew Noah.  She makes up 
                        that story about me.  She's handing 
                        you somebody who's obsessed with 
                        he her.

                                    NICK
                        She didn't hand you to me.  She 
                        doesn't even know who you are.  
                        She told me about Lisa Henderson.

                                    BETH
                        She knew you'd find out who Lisa 
                        Henderson is.  You're a good cop --
                        what did she do?  Tell you casually 
                        and make it seem irrelevant?
                               (she smiles)
                        Did she tell you in bed, Nick?
                        That's how I'd do it.

          Nick looks at her a long beat.

                                    NICK
                        Why did you change your name?

                                    BETH
                        I got married.
                               (a beat)
                        He was on staff at the clinic.  I 
                        was down in Salinas.  It didn't...  
                        last long.

          He gets up.  He looks at her a long beat.

                                    BETH
                        Nick -- Do you really think I...  
                        that I could kill someone... I 
                        never even met Johnny Boz.  What 
                        about Nilsen?  What possible motive 
                        would I have to kill him?

          He turns to go.

                                    NICK
                        You should do something about this 
                        lock.

                                    BETH
                        She's evil.  She's brilliant.  Be 
                        careful, Nick.

          He looks at her.

          EXT. HIS APARTMENT - NIGHT

          He gets out of his Porsche.  He walks toward the door.

          INT. HIS APARTMENT HOUSE - THE STAIRWAY

          He starts going up the dark stairway.  There is a hand on his 
          neck.  He spins.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Do I scare you, Nick?

          He looks at her, doesn't say anything.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        I just thought I'd surprise you.
                               (a beat)
                        What's the matter?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I found Lisa Henderson.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Did you?  What's she doing?

          He looks at her, doesn't say anything.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You're not going to tell me what 
                        she's doing.
                               (a beat)
                        I thought we weren't playing games 
                        anymore.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I did, too.
                               (a beat)
                        She told me it was backwards -- 
                        she said you even styled your hair 
                        the way she did.

          Catherine looks at him a beat, then smiles.

                                    CATHERINE
                        And you believed her?  I even went 
                        down to the campus  police and 
                        made out a report about her.

          He just looks at her.

                                    CATHERINE
                        You still think I kill people, 
                        don't you?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        No.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Liar.

          And she's gone.

          INT. CAMPUS POLICE RECORDS ROOM - BERKELEY - DAY

          He stands with an old CAMPUS COP.  He is going through files.

                                    CAMPUS COP
                        Who'd you say you were with?

                                    NICK
                        Homicide.  San Francisco.

          He stops at a file, opens it.

                                    CAMPUS COP
                        Don't you guys communicate over 
                        there?  You must be the same way 
                        we are.

          Nick doesn't get it.

                                    CAMPUS COP
                        There was a report about Lisa 
                        Henderson -- January, 1977 -- the 
                        file's not here.

                                    NICK
                        What do you mean it's not here?

                                    CAMPUS COP
                        San Francisco P.D. Detective Nilsen.  
                        Internal Affairs.  You know him?  
                        Tell him we want it back.  He's 
                        had it a whole year.

          Nick says nothing.

          INT. HIS APARTMENT - DAY

          He and Gus sit there -- they look tired, upset.

                                    GUS
                        So Nilsen had a report on her -- 
                        so what.  You don't know what the 
                        hell was in it?

                                    NICK
                        Catherine told me what was in it.

                                    GUS
                        If she's telling  you the truth.

                                    NICK
                        Don't you get it, Gus?  If Beth 
                        killed Johnny Boz to frame Catherine -- 
                        she wouldn't want anyone to know 
                        what happened at Berkeley.  It 
                        gives her the motive to kill Nilsen.

                                    GUS
                        How did she know Nilsen knew about 
                        it -- if it happened?

                                    NICK
                        He was I.A.  He probably asked her 
                        about it.

          Gus thinks about it.

                                    GUS
                        She'd have to be nuttier than a 
                        twenty-pound Christmas fruitcake.  
                        She's not the one who hangs out 
                        with multiple murderers -- your 
                        girlfriend is.

                                    NICK
                        She's a writer -- it's part of 
                        what she does.

                                    GUS
                               (irate)
                        Goddamn writers -- all they do is 
                        use up trees and ruin people's 
                        eyes.
                               (a beat)
                        There's gotta be somebody at 
                        Berkeley who knows what the hell 
                        happened.

                                    NICK
                        I know what happened.  Catherine 
                        told me what happened.

                                    GUS
                               (after a beat, 
                               quietly)
                        You got goddamn tweety-birds 
                        flutterin' around your head, that's 
                        what you got.  You think you're 
                        gonna fuck like minks, raise 
                        rugrats, and live happily ever 
                        after?  Oh, man.

          INT. THE STAIRWAY - HIS APARTMENT HOUSE - NIGHT

          He has his key out to open his door.  He hears MUSIC inside.  

          A beat, and he opens the door.

          INT. HIS APARTMENT

          It is dark.  We hear a Rolling Stones SONG.  He sees Catherine 
          standing by a window, watching him.  She wears black jeans and 
          the black motorcycle jacket.

          They look at each other a long beat.

                                    NICK
                        How'd you get in here?

                                    CATHERINE
                        I decided to give you one more 
                        chance.
                               (a beat)
                        I missed you.

                                    NICK
                        You didn't not see me long enough 
                        to miss me.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Did you miss me?

                                    NICK
                        No.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Come over here and tell me no.

          He walks up close to her.

                                    NICK
                        No.

          She unzips her motorcycle jacket slowly.  She wears nothing 
          underneath it.

                                    NICK
                        That's below the belt.

          She reaches for him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Not yet it isn't.

          She pulls him close.

                                    CATHERINE
                        But we're getting there.

          INT. HIS LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

          They sit in the window seat, naked.  His back is against the 
          wall.  She sits against him.  He has his legs around her.  
          They don't look at each other.  She is smoking.

                                    NICK
                        I have to do some research tomorrow.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I'm very good at research.  I'll 
                        help you.

                                    NICK
                        No thanks.

                                    CATHERINE
                        What are you researching?

                                    NICK
                        I'm writing a book.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        Really.  What are you writing about.

                                    NICK
                        A detective.  He falls for the 
                        wrong girl.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (smiles)
                        What happens to them?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        They fuck like minks, raise rugrats, 
                        and live happily ever after.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        It won't sell.

                                    NICK
                        Why not?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        Somebody has to die.

                                    NICK
                        Why?

                                    CATHERINE
                        Somebody always does.

          EXT. THE SALINAS CLINIC - DAY

          He walks in; it is a small valley hospital.  He goes up to the 
          desk.  There are two women there.

                                    NICK
                        Hi, I'm looking for a Dr. Gardner?

                                    ONE WOMAN
                               (after a beat)
                        We don't have a Dr. Gardner on 
                        staff here.

                                    THE OTHER WOMAN
                        Dr. Joseph Gardner?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Yeah.

                                    THE WOMAN
                        He died -- about five or six years 
                        ago.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        He was shot.

          INT. SALINAS SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY

          Nick sits with a sheriff's DETECTIVE.

                                    DETECTIVE
                        He was walking home from work.
                        They only lived a coupla blocks 
                        from the clinic.  Somebody drove 
                        by and shot him.

                                    NICK
                        What was the weapon?

                                    DETECTIVE
                        .38 revolver.  Never recovered.

                                    NICK
                        Were there ever any suspects?

                                    DETECTIVE
                        No suspects, no motive.  Unsolved.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        Was his wife ever a suspect?

                                    DETECTIVE
                               (after a beat)
                        I had another one of you guys down 
                        here from Frisco -- about a year 
                        ago -- he asked me the same 
                        question.  What's this about anyway?

                                    NICK
                        Routine.

                                    DETECTIVE
                        Yeah, he said it was routine too.
                        Now it's two guys saying it's 
                        routine.

                                    NICK
                        Do you remember his name?

                                    DETECTIVE
                               (after a long beat)
                        Nope, can't say that I do.

                                    NICK
                        Nilsen?

                                    DETECTIVE
                        That's him.

          A long beat, then --

                                    NICK
                        Was she ever a suspect?

                                    DETECTIVE
                        Nope.
                               (a beat)
                        There was some talk; it never 
                        panned.

                                    NICK
                        What kind of talk?

                                    DETECTIVE
                        The usual -- a girlfriend.

                                    NICK
                        He had a girlfriend?

                                    DETECTIVE
                        Nope. She did.
                               (a beat)
                        Like I say.  It never panned.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat, gets 
                               up)
                        Thanks.

                                    DETECTIVE
                        I hope I helped you out.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        You did.

          EXT. HER HOUSE IN STINSON - AFTERNOON

          He walks around the house; he sees her sitting out on the deck, 
          a portable word-processor in front of her.  She is smoking.

          He goes up to her.

                                    NICK
                               (smiles)
                        Hi.  I missed you.  I finished my 
                        research.

          He moves toward her.  She moves away, kills her cigarette.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I finished my book.

                                    NICK
                        How did it end?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        I told you.  She kills him.

          They look at each other a long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (quietly)
                        Goodbye, Nick.

          He stares at her.  A long beat.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I finished my book.
                               (a beat)
                        Didn't you hear me?*
                               (a beat)
                        Your character's dead.
                               (a beat)
                        Goodbye.

          He stares at her.  He can't believe what she is saying.

                                    CATHERINE
                        What do you want, Nick?  Flowers?  
                        I'll send you some flowers.

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        What is this -- some kind of...
                        Joke?
                               (a beat; he almost 
                               smiles)
                        Are we playing games again?

                                    CATHERINE
                               (after a beat)
                        The games are over.  You were right.  
                        It was the fuck of the century, 
                        Shooter.

          He stares at her.

                                    A VOICE INSIDE
                        Catherine?

          Nick looks -- Hazel Dobkins is there.

          Catherine still has her eyes on him.

                                    CATHERINE
                        Right there.

          A beat, and then she turns to go inside.  Hazel Dobkins smiles 
          slowly at him.

          EXT. THE POLICE PARKING LOT - DUSK

          He sits in his Porsche, staring ahead.  He is parked next to 
          Gus' Cadillac.  Gus is suddenly there, onway to his car.

                                    GUS
                               (excited)
                        Catherine Tramell's roommate her 
                        freshman year.  I got a call from 
                        her.  I've been calling people who 
                        were in her dorm all day.  She 
                        must've heard I was trying to talk 
                        to her.  She says she knows all 
                        about Catherine and Lisa Henderson.  
                        She's over in Oakland.  You wanna 
                        come with me?

          Nick just stares ahead.

                                    GUS
                        You look like you seen a ghost, 
                        son?

          Nick looks at him.

          INT. GUS' CADILLAC - NIGHT

          Gus drives.

                                    GUS
                               (excited)
                        Johnny Boz's psychiatrist has an 
                        office on Van Ness.  Guess who he 
                        shares office space with?  Dr.  
                        Elizabeth Gardner.

          Nick doesn't even respond.  Gus looks at him.

                                    GUS
                        What in hell's the matter with 
                        you?

          Nick doesn't say anything, stares ahead.

          EXT. AN OFFICE BUILDING - OAKLAND - NIGHT

          Gus gets out with Nick.  It is an old building.

                                    GUS
                        Where the hell you goin'?

                                    NICK
                               (after a beat)
                        I'm going with you.

                                    GUS
                        She said alone -- suite 405.  It 
                        ain't gonna take long.

          A beat, and Nick gets back in the car.

          INT. THE OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT

          Gus is on the first floor.  There is no one around.  He hits 
          the elevator button.  A beat, and it comes.  He steps in.

          INT. THE ELEVATOR - NIGHT

          He hits the button for the fourth floor.

          The elevator rises a floor, stops.  The door opens.  There is 
          no one there.  Then it starts going up again.  It rises to the 
          third floor.  It stops.  The door opens.  There is no one there.  
          Then it starts to rise again.

          EXT. GUS' CADILLAC - NIGHT

          Nick sits there, staring ahead.

                                    NICK
                               (suddenly, screaming)
                        Gus!

          INT. THE ELEVATOR

          As it goes up.  It stops.  The door starts to open.  As it 
          does -- a figure in a hooded raincoat sweeps into the elevator.  
          It happens very fast.  We see blonde hair around the face.

          But we don't see the face itself -- the head is down, the hood 
          up.  There is an icepick in the figure's hand.  The figure 
          explodes into Gus.  The icepick goes into his neck.

          INT. THE STAIRWAY

          Nick tears desperately up the stairway -- he hits the fourth 
          floor door.  It explodes open.

          INT. THE FOURTH FLOOR

          He stands there a beat, sees the elevator door open.  He runs 
          there,  He sees Gus, crumpled into the corner of the elevator.

          INT. THE ELEVATOR

          He goes into the elevator -- holds Gus.  He is dead.  A long 
          beat.  He sees the gun in Gus' hand -- he takes the gun out of 
          his hand.  He runs out of the elevator.

          INT. THE FOURTH FLOOR

          He hears something.  Gun in hand, he runs towards the SOUND.  
          He stops, gun in hand, listens again.  He runs again, hears 
          nothing.

          Behind him, we see a figure.

          He spins suddenly, gun, in hand.  Beth Gardner is there.

          She wears a windbreaker.  She has her hands in the pockets.

                                    BETH
                        What are you doing here?

                                    NICK
                               (screaming)
                        Put your hands up!

          She stares at him.

                                    NICK
                               (screams)
                        Put your fucking hands up!  Don't 
                        move.

                                    BETH
                        I got a message on my machine to 
                        meet Gus here.  Where is he?

          She smiles a strange smile.  She takes a step toward him.

                                    NICK
                               (screams)
                        Don't!
                               (a beat)
                        I know about your husband.  You 
                        still like girls, Beth?

                                    BETH
                        What?

          She smiles strangely again, takes a step toward him.

                                    NICK
                               (screams)
                        Take your hands out of your pockets!

          She moves a hand in a pocket and moves towards him fast --

                                    BETH
                        What is wrong with you?

          And he FIRES the gun.  She is hit in the chest, goes down.

          A long beat, and then he goes to her.  He gets down on the 
          ground.  Her eyes are open.  He empties the pockets of the 
          windbreaker -- first one, then the other the pockets are empty.

                                    BETH
                               (in a whisper)
                        I loved you.

          And she dies.

          INT. THE FOURTH FLOOR - LATER

          A lot of policemen, coroner's guys, photos being taken.

          Nick stands there with Lt. Walker, Harrigan, and some of the 
          Internal Affairs guys.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (upset)
                        What made you think she had a gun?

          Nick says nothing; he looks like a zombie.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        What the hell was she doing here?  
                        What was Gus doing here?  

          Andrews yells to them from the stairway door.

                                    ANDREWS
                        Lieutenant.

          INT. THE STAIRWAY

          A FORENSICS MAN very carefully handles a hooded rain coat in a 
          stair landing.  He wears gloves.

          Nick is there with Lt. Walker.

          The Forensics Man picks the raincoat up -- a long blonde wig 
          falls out of it.  There are flecks of blood on it.

          He reaches into the pocket and pulls out an  icepick.  It has 
          a thin steel handle and is bloody.  He hands the icepick to an 
          assistant.

          He looks at the raincoat.  It has blood on it.

                                    THE FORENSICS MAN
                        It's departmental issue.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (quietly)
                        Jesus.

          INT. BETH GARDNER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

          Nick with Lt. Walker.  Nick looks like a zombie.  Andrews comes 
          up to them.  He has a gun in his hands.

                                    ANDREWS
                        Thirty-eight caliber revolver.

          Bottom drawer, bureau in the bedroom.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        Have  ballistics check it for 
                        Nilsen.

          Harrigan comes out.

                                    HARRIGAN
                        Lieutenant, you'd better come in 
                        here.

          Lt. Walker goes into the kitchen.  Nick follows him.

          There are several cops around a kitchen cabinet.  A drawer is 
          open.

          Walker looks -- we look with him.  We see a copy of Love hurts, 
          Catherine's paperback book, and a stack of photos of Catherine.

          Walker picks the photos up, goes through them -- we see shots 
          of Catherine in college -- Catherine at a fight --Catherine 
          with Johnny Boz -- Catherine with Roxy.

          He hands the photos to Nick.

          Nick stares at them.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        I guess that's it.

          INT. THE DETECTIVE BUREAU - NIGHT

          Nick sits, his feet up.  He looks like a zombie.  With him are 
          Lt. Walker, Andrews, and Captain Talcott.  We see other 
          plainclothesmen in the b.g. -- a flurry of activity, people on 
          phones.  A long beat.

                                    LT. WALKER
                        She must've heard you on the 
                        stairway and dumped the stuff.

          Nick says nothing, stares off.

          A DETECTIVE comes over to them.

                                    DETECTIVE
                        There was no suite 405 in that 
                        building.  Catherine Tramell's 
                        roommate in her freshman year is 
                        dead.  She died of leukemia two 
                        years ago.

          An INTERNAL AFFAIRS MAN comes over to them.

                                    INTERNAL AFFAIRS MAN
                        Our files on Dr. Gardner show 
                        nothing about a police report in 
                        Berkeley -- nothing related to 
                        Salinas, either.

          A long beat -- the phone RINGS.  Andrews picks it up, listens.

                                    ANDREWS
                        Thanks.

          He hangs up.

                                    ANDREWS
                        Ballistics says the .38 we found 
                        in her apartment matches Nilsen.  
                        No registration.  They're checking 
                        with Salinas.  The icepick is the 
                        same brand and model as the Boz 
                        weapon.

          A long beat -- Nick just stares.

          Harrigan comes up to them.

                                    HARRIGAN
                        We checked the tape machines at 
                        Dr.  Gardner's apartment and at 
                        her office -- both here and the 
                        one on Van Ness.  No message from 
                        Gus on any of 'em.  The one at her 
                        apartment was broken.
                               (a beat)
                        Johnny Boz's psychiatrist says he 
                        thinks he remembers Dr. Gardner 
                        and Boz meeting at a Christmas 
                        party at his house a year ago.

          A long beat.

                                    LT. WALKER
                               (after a long beat, 
                               sadly)
                        You just can't tell about people, 
                        can you.  Even the ones you think 
                        you know inside-out.

          He and Nick look at each other a beat.

                                    CAPTAIN TALCOTT
                        Congratulations, Curran.

          Nick looks at him, expressionless.

          EXT. HIS APARTMENT - NIGHT

          He parks his car.  It is dark.  Foggy.

          He starts heading inside.

          INT. HIS APARTMENT - NIGHT

          He goes in.  He starts to walk up the dark stairway, we see 
          him walking up several flights of steps.

          INT. THE CORRIDOR TO HIS APARTMENT

          He opens his door with his key.

          INT. HIS APARTMENT

          He walks in.  The apartment is dark.

                                    A VOICE
                               (behind him)
                        Hi.

          It is a whisper, almost a hiss.  He spins, fast.  Catherine 
          stands there, pressing herself against a wall.  They look at 
          each other a long beat.  She looks like she is almost in a 
          trance.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I heard about it... on TV.

          He looks at her, expressionless.  A long beat, their eyes are 
          into each other.  She looks like she is almost shivering.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I can't allow myself to care about 
                        you -- I can't allow myself to 
                        care -- I can't -- I can't --

          She looks very emotional.  He moves towards her, puts his arms 
          around her, holds her very close.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (in a whisper)
                        I don't want to do this -- please --
                        I don't want to do this -- I lose 
                        everybody -- I don't want to lose 
                        you -- I don't want to --

          He presses her closer and closer to himself, holds her.

          INT. HIS BEDROOM - NIGHT

          It is dark; we can't see clearly.

          Atop her... he makes love to her... gently... tenderly...  
          hardly moving inside her... there are tears in her eyes...

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. HIS BEDROOM - LATER

          Atop him... she is on her knees, straddling him... he is on 
          his back, his eyes are closed... her head arches back...  her 
          breasts high... he strains toward her with his body...  she 
          holds her arms high... her right hand is in a fist...

          (we only see the back of her hand and arm)... it comes down 
          suddenly... he bucks... writhes... then her whole body falls 
          on top of him.

          A very long beat...

          We can't see him... her body completely covers him...

          And then finally he moves... turns her to the side...  kisses 
          her.

                                                               DISSOLVE TO:

          INT. HIS BEDROOM - LATER

          The Stones play "Sympathy For The Devil"  in the b.g.; the 
          MUSIC is low.

          They lie next to each other on the bed.  The CAMERA faces them.  
          He lies, staring at the ceiling, on the left side of the bed, 
          smoking a cigarette.  She is curled away from him toward the 
          right side of the bed.  A long beat, then --

                                    CATHERINE
                        What do we do now, Nick?

                                    NICK
                               (after a long beat)
                        We fuck like minks.  We raise 
                        rugrats.  We live happily ever 
                        after.

          We see her right arm go to the side of the bed and then over.  
          He stares at the ceiling.

                                    CATHERINE
                        I hate rugrats.

                                    NICK
                               (after a long beat)
                        We fuck like minks.  We forget the 
                        rugrats.  We live happily ever 
                        after.

          We see from an ANGLE to the left side of the bed now Her face 
          is expressionless.  Her right arm dangles over the right side 
          of the bed.  Her right hand is clenched.  Is she holding 
          something in it against her arm?

          We see them from an ANGLE to the left side of the bed now: He 
          turns his body away from her to put out his cigarette.

          We see her behind him slowly turning towards him and the CAMERA.  
          A beat, and he turns towards her.

          They look at each other.  A long beat as the SONG gets louder.  
          We see them in CLOSEUP.  We don't see her right arm.

                                    CATHERINE
                               (in a whisper)
                        I love you.

          A beat, and he kisses her.  The CAMERA BACKS AWAY from them 
          slowly to the right side of the bedroom as they kiss, and we --

                                                              FADE TO BLACK

          ... A long beat, as the SONG keeps playing... and we...

          FADE IN:

          We see them from the right side of the bedroom.  And then the 
          CAMERA LOWERS SLOWLY as they kiss with more and more passion.

          It keeps going LOWER.

          There is something under the bed.  The CAMERA MOVES CLOSER 
          towards it as "SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL" plays louder.  We see 
          it now in CLOSEUP as the bed rustles above...

          It is a thin, steel-handled icepick.

          The SONG plays LOUDER and LOUDER, and we --

                                                                   FADE OUT

                                     THE END

Basic Instinct



Writers :   Joe Eszterhas
Genres :   Crime  Mystery  Thriller


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