CRANK
Written by
Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor
February 20, 2005
FADE IN:
VIDEO SCREEN
1
EXTREME CU: PACMAN, from the old video game, just a yellow
ball with a mouth, fills the screen in all it's lo-res glory.
The camera tracks along as it rolls along a tight corridor,
gobbling dots.
2 CUT TO:
EXTREME CU: A RED GHOST follows, in hot pursuit.
CUT TO:
EXTREME CU: PACMAN gives it the slip, cuts down and gobbles a
big dot.
CUT TO:
EXTREME CU: RED GHOST transforms into BLUE GHOST, changes
direction and runs. PACMAN chases ...
P.. but just before he catches up the BLUE GHOST transforms
back to RED and changes direction again. PACMAN barely
escapes.
CUT TO:
PACMAN flees, but at every turn he is confronted by another
ghost. The CAMERA pulls out in a series of jump cuts to
reveal that unlike the old arcade game, this game screen goes
E forever, an infinite maze ... and instead of the original
on four there are thousands of ghosts at all sides, closing in.
The sound of the game redoubles, reverberates, deafening ...
CUT TO BLACK.
SOUND: A HEART BEATS SLOWLY IN THE DARK.
FADE IN:
INT CHEV'S BEDROOM, MORNING 2
This scene plays out as a continuous POV shot, right up
until CHEV's face is revealed for the first time.)
CHEV CHELIOS, wakes up in his apartment to a RINGING CELL
PHONE, groggy, vision doubled ...
1 .. from his POV we see him examine his hands, which don't
feel right, don't want to move right.
(CONTINUED)
5
2.
CONTINUED:
The CELL PHONE, coming from some other room, plays the PACMAN
theme in beeps: BEE-DEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEE-DUM ...
He tries to get out of bed, HITS THE GROUND. Plush rug,
ultra modern bed frame, night stand, high tech stereo, the
works.
He crawls/stumbles into ...
INT CHELIOS LIVING ROOM, CONTINUOUS
3 3
... the living room, decked out by Kostabi paintings and
glass furniture then into...
INT CHELIOS KITCHEN, CONTINUOUS 4
... the kitchen, with a black marble island and hanging
copper.
He jams his head under the Fossil sink and runs the water.
He steadies himself against the matching black marble
counter, staring at his hands ...
.. tries to lift them and BANG! He's back on the floor,
stunned...
All the while we hear the faint sound of his HEARTBEAT...
... slow: LUBDUB... LUBDUB... LUBDUB.
He begins crawling back into...
5
INT CHELIOS LIVING ROOM, CONTINUOUS
... the living room, toward the telephone where he spots a
plain black VHS tape propped up in front of a plasma screen
TV with police ribbon wrapped around it, tied in a bow, like
a present.
CHELIOS
(barely comprehensible)
Whathufuck?
He grabs the thing, fumbles to unwrap it, shoves it into the
VCR and pushes PLAY.
INT. TV SCREEN
5A 5A
It's RICKY VERONA on the SCREEN, a young, irritatingly slick
EASTERN EURO ... little to no accent - fast talking,
sarcastic, a complete dick ...
(CONTINUED)
3.
CONTINUED:
We see him sitting on CHEV'S bed ... CHEV is visible in the
frame, unconscious behind VERONA. Pale nicotine sunlight
filters in through the blinds. There are HOODS loitering
around the room. It was apparently shot only hours before.
(
The discernible sound of CHEV'S heartbeat will subliminally
increase in speed and volume throughout VERONA'S monologue -
the cell phone continues to ring, somewhere.)
VERONA
What's shaking, douchebag? Thought I'd
give you the heads up. You're dead.
On the TV - VERONA points into the CAMERA.
VERONA (CONT'D)
Yeah, that's right, you little bitch ...
if you're watching this tape it means
that I somehow resisted the urge to
dismember you and shove the pieces down
the garbage disposal ... opting instead
to poison you in your sleep. Yeah, you
heard me...
We stay with CHEV'S POV as he flashes a frantic glance around
the room. The LUBDUB of the HEARTBEAT is much LOUDER AND
FASTER NOW; we really begin to notice it.
VERONA (CONT'D)
... I fucking poisoned you in your sleep.
How sick is that?... for the satisfaction
of watching you squirm out your last
minutes knowing it was me that did it to
you, and there's nothing you can do about
it...
Cut to high angle view from a hidden lipstick camera; CHEV is 5
on his knees in front of the set, looking around ... we still
don't see his face clearly.
VERONA (CONT'D)
5A 5A
... that's right, you're on candid
camera, try not to embarrass yourself...
Cut back to CHEV'S POV. He holds his head down over the 5
carpet and shoves a finger in his mouth, GAGGING.
VERONA (CONT'D)
Let me guess, you're trying to puke the
shit out, right? Right? Don't bother...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
4.
CONTINUED: (2) VERONA(CONT'D)
the shit I gave you is some fucking high
tech sci-fi Chinese synthetic shit that
even I don't know exactly what the fuck
it is. All I know is once it binds with
your blood cells, you're fucked, baby...
and believe me, it's done binded. By now
you'll be feeling your joints stiffen
up... hard to breath...
CHEV puts his hand on the left side of his chest to feel his
5 5
heart. The BEATS of the heart grow louder still, but the
rhythm falters, begins to slow ...
VERONA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
... your heartbeat is slowing down like
there's rust in your veins... you're like
the Tin Man in the Wizard of freaking
Oz...
One of the THUGS, ALEX, contributes from offscreen.
5A 5A
LEX
(amused by his own wit,
singing)
"If he only had a brain."
ERONA
(irritated)
Scarecrow. Whatever. You get the point.
You're fucked. You got maybe an hour,
max, tough guy ... baby ... sexy ...
The THUGS are into it; VERONA is rolling. One of them comes
up beside the bed and plants a big kiss on CHEV'S unconscious
head.
VERONA (CONT'D)
Hey, it's been real. Probably should've
thought twice before you whacked Don Kim.
Experiencing a little 20/20 hindsight? I
thought so. Have a nice death...
Finally the CAMERA reverses to reveal CHEV'S slack-jawed 6
face, staring at the TV. CHEV is in his late 20s, handsome
in an offhanded way. All of the background noise - the
HEARTBEAT, the CELL PHONE - cuts to dead silence... and
through the silence, a SINGLE WORD:
VERONA (CONT'D)
... asshole.
5A 5A
(A driving SOUNDTRACK kicks in. The OPENING TITLES play over
the following:)
(CONTINUED)
5.
CONTINUED: (3)
Finding a drunken man's strength, CHEV flips out. He rips
the TV out of the stand, TEARING THE WIRES FROM THE GUTS OF
THE WALL. He launches it straight into the floorboards with
a BONE-BREAKING CRUSH.
He KICKS over the rest of the entertainment system, JUMPS on
it and heads out of the room.
ROLLER DOLLY follows him on a STUMBLING RAMPAGE through the
apartment and down the hall.
By the door, in an ashtray with his car keys, he finds it:
his God-damned CELL PHONE. Of course it stops ringing just
as he picks it up. He pockets it, BANGS OPEN the front door
and is out.
INT CHEV'S APARTMENT BUILDING, CONTINUOUS
8 8
ROLLER DOLLY stays with him through the door and down the
hall, as a businesswoman peaks her head out the door - then
SLAMS IT SHUT, terrified - and then down the stairs to the
garage door.
9 9
INT CHEV'S APARTMENT BUILDING, GARAGE, CONTINUOUS
ROLLER DOLLY still on CHEV. He jumps up on the hood of a
moving RED SPORTSCAR as it backs out of it's parking spot,
walks right over it and hops off, clicking the keyless lock
button on his chain in mid-air ... the door to his BLACK AUDI
pops open ... he gets in.
RED SPORTSCAR GUY is the sort of classic intolerable LA
ASSHOLE we love to hate: platinum hair, suspenders, designer
shades, programming his Blackberry while driving, etc.
SPORTSCAR GUY
This is a eighty thousand dollar ride,
cockwipe!
CHEV backs out, runs him right over. CH-KUNK, CH-KUNK.
CHEV'S AUDI blasts out of the garage and down the street.
SPORTSCAR GUY holds his backwards leg in agony.
SPORTSCAR GUY (CONT'D)
(screaming like a girl)
You're a dead man!
CUT TO:
INT CHEV'S AUDI, MOMENTS LATER
10 10
The ever-present HEARTBEAT is pounding. CHEV whips out his
cell phone and dials. A HORN BLASTS.
(CONTINUED)
6.
CONTINUED:
CHEV quickly looks up and yanks his steering wheel to swerve
around oncoming traffic.
CHEV
JESUS!
The CAMERA ZOOMS in on CHEV'S CHEST: it becomes JUST SLIGHTLY
TRANSPARENT... we see the movement of his beating HEART SPEED
UP with the near miss.
he HEARTBEAT SOUND is amplified as we MOVE IN CLOSER.
CUT TO:
INT EVE'S APARTMENT, SIMULTANEOUS
11 11
We see an old school tape answering machine pick up at her
place:
OMAN (V.O.)
Hey, this is Eve...
This is apparently typical - she's an answering machine girl
in a cell phone world. He holds back his frustration as the
message plays.
EVE
I'm glad you called, but I'm not here.
Can you leave me a message? Unless
you're trying to sell something, because
I'm absolutely not interested. But if
you're not ...
12 12
EXT CHEV'S AUDI, SAME TIME
CHEV begins to POUND HIS HEAD against the steering wheel.
EVE
... then just ... oh, wait ... time's up -
INT EVE'S APARTMENT, SAME TIME
13 13
SOUND: beeep!
CHEV (O.S.)
GET A CELL PHONE!!!
We hear CHEV'S car SQUEAL again...
CUT TO:
INT CHEV'S AUDI, SAME TIME
14 14
... CHEV recovers from another near miss.
(CONTINUED)
(
C
N
7.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
S
hit!
He clicks off the cell. His eyes try to focus on the road.
OTE: Through it all, the low beating of the heart - from
slow to fast - sometimes barely audible, sometimes mixed way
out front - clues us into the state of his adrenaline.
He grabs up the cellphone again and punches in a speed dial.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Come on ...
ANSWERING SERVICE (O.S.)
Doctor Miles' office, may I help you?
CHEV
Let me talk to him.
SPLIT SCREEN WITH:
INT CHOCOLATE'S APARTMENT, SIMULTANEOUS
15 15
CHOCOLATE, a too-skinny, cracked-out BLACK CHICK, sits in
front of a multi-line phone in a broken down apartment.
She's wearing a headset. She takes a long drag off her
cigarette.
HOCOLATE
(a generic imitation of
politeness)
I'm sorry, the doctor isn't in the office
at this time, may I take -
CHEV
Where is he?
CHOCOLATE
I beg your pardon sir?
CHEV
Where - thefuck - is - he?
In more SCREENS WITHIN SCREENS we see a 'WELCOME TO LAS
VEGAS' sign, then DOCTOR MILES reclining on a massage table
with a bunch of HOOKERS.)
CHOCOLATE
I don't know sir, this is his answering
service, would you like me to have him
paged?
(CONTINUED)
C
8.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
(exasperated)
Fine, yes, please let the doctor know
that Chev Chelios is a dead man if he
can't call me back within the hour... got
that? C
HOCOLATE
Can you spell that for me sir?
She searches the food and carton strewn tabletop for
something to write with.
CHEV
D-E-A-D. Chelios... got it?
CHOCOLATE
Yes sir...
CHEV
Thank you.
HEV hangs up.
CHEV finds himself nodding off in the car ...
The CAMERA ZOOMS back into his chest. This time it becomes
COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT - we see his HEART BEAT SLOW DOWN:
SOUND - BOOMING: ... LUB DUB, LUB DUB...
The CAMERA SWOOSHES down to CHEV'S FOOT as he STEPS ON THE
GAS... then back up to the HEART as the ADRENALINE CRANKS HIM
UP... the BEATING SPEEDS UP -
SOUND: ... LUBDUB, LUBDUB, LUBDUB..!
... and the CAMERA SNAPS back out to CHEV'S FACE as he seems
to come to his senses.
CHEV takes the cell. One-clicks, and sticks the phone in the
cigarette adapter. Four rings. Finally someone picks up.
KAYLO (O.S.)
Hello?
CHEV
Kaylo. My man. So, where were you last
night?
SPLIT SCREEN WITH:
K
C
C
1
O
9.
INT KAYLO'S HOUSE - SIMULTANEOUS
16 16
KAYLO is late 20's, slightly plump, hispanic, with gelled
back curly hair. The room is unkempt. A woman in a robe
shuffles by vaguely in the background, possibly his mother?
K
AYLO
h, what's up Chev?
CHEV (O.S.)
I said, where were you last night?
IN A SCREEN WITHIN A SCREEN WE SEE HIM DRESSING UP IN DRAG,
17 17
PUTTING ON LIPSTICK, FAKE TITS, THE WORKS, VOGUEING AT SOME
FREAKY CLUB, ETC.
INT CHEV'S AUDI - SIMULTANEOUS
8 18
KAYLO (O.S.)
I ... uhh ...
HEV
Yeah, yeah. You wanna know what I was
doing?
KAYLO
What?
CHEV
GETTING KILLED, YOU IDIOT!
KAYLO
What?
HEV
What? What? You heard me. That son of
a bitch Ricky Verona.
AYLO
Ricky Verona ...
CHEV
(more to himself)
Who would've thought that little bastard
had the stones to come whack me in my own
crib... it's inconceivable... and yet,
here we are.
KAYLO
Where are we?
Silence.
(CONTINUED)
B
R
10.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
I'm dead and you're simple. Now listen:
you put the word out I'm looking for
Ricky Verona. Anyone sees him you call
me.
KAYLO puts his hands up in the air, dumbfounded.
CHEV (CONT'D)
I'm going to get that little son of a
bitch if it's the last thing I do... it
may actually be the last thing I do,
understand that? Copy me on that?
KAYLO
Ricky Verona?
CHEV
Find him!
Arriving at his destination CHEV clicks off, simultaneously
closing KAYLO'S SCREEN IN A SCREEN, and shoves the phone into
his shirt pocket as he screeches up the sidewalk.
CUT TO:
19 A 19
EXT STREET, NEAR BLACK SABBATH CLUBHOUSE, MOMENTS LATER
run down street in Inglewood. The BLACK SABBATH CLUBHOUSE
is a low lying pool hall/bar with a crude hand-painted sign
reading BEER POOL DARTS. Motorcycles are parked out front.
OLLER DOLLY from alongside CHEV'S car at high speed, break
off and follow inside as CHEV parks haphazardly, rushes out
and busts into the joint ...
INT. BLACK SABBATH CLUBHOUSE, CONTINUOUS
20 20
The continuous ROLLER DOLLY move takes us inside and KEEPS
GOING. Eight or ten BROTHERS, some wearing motorcycle
leathers, are scattered around the room, shooting stick,
drinking, etc. CHEV BARGES IN, drawing a GLOK .45 from his
coat and goes straight at ORLANDO - black, hip, 30's, better
dressed than the others - who is at the center of a group of
BADASSES.
efore anyone has time to react CHEV has the GUN PRESSED INTO
ORLANDO'S FOREHEAD and is pushing him through the place into
the bathroom. Everyone scatters and takes cover at the site
of the GLOK; firearms appear.
(CONTINUED)
C
11.
CONTINUED:
CHEV locks the door, SLAMS ORLANDO against the far wall and
starts circling around him with the gun beaded on ORLANDO'S
forehead.
CHEV
(out of his mind)
Where's Verona!!
ORLANDO
(flipping out)
It's cool it's cool it's cool!
CHEV
Talk!!
CHEV cocks the gun.
ORLANDO
I'm talking! What are we talking about?
CHEV
Don't fuck with me!!
ORLANDO
OK, nobody's fucking with you, just calm
down ...
CHEV
DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN MOTHERFUCKER!
There's BANGING on the door. A BIKER yells from outside.
BIKER (O.S.)
O-land-o! What's up!
ORLANDO
(calling back)
There's a white man with a gun in here, I
would prefer that he not cap my ass, so
please refrain from any sudden ass
bullshit!
(
to CHEV)
Now you see that? I'm trying to help you
here.
HEV starts to chill out.
CHEV
Look, I got to find Ricky Verona ...
ORLANDO
Why would I know where ... ?
(CONTINUED)
T
12.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV
... right, I know, you don't know where
he is, but you're going to tell me where
he is, or I'm going to BLOW YOUR BRAINS
INTO THAT TOILET!!
The DOOR BUSTS OPEN and a half dozen gun wielding BROTHERS
crowd into the tiny room.
otal mad chaos ensues, CHEV, ORLANDO and the BROTHERS packed
in like sardines, everyone pointing guns at every one else's
head, shoving each other back and forth, everyone screaming.
The situation teeters at the very edge of an explosion of
bloody violence.
Finally ORLANDO cuts through the din with a booming voice.
ORLANDO
THE WHITE MAN IS COOL! THE WHITE MAN IS
COOL!
S
ILENCE - just the sound of CHEV'S heartbeat, pumping.
ORLANDO (CONT'D)
(calmly)
Can we all just get along? Can we?
Beat. CHEV'S gun is still trained on ORLANDO'S head.
ORLANDO (CONT'D)
Now Chevy here has something he would
like to discuss. So we are going to
discuss it. In a civilized manner.
Chevy? I believe you had a question, or
some point you were trying to make?
CHEV
Where's Verona.
ORLANDO
OK. I am not affiliated with Ricky
Verona.
CHEV
(starting to lose it again)
You pulled the Anselmo job together,
don't try to bullshit me ...
He presses closer to ORLANDO ... the BROTHERS bristle ... the
situation is close to blowing up again.
(CONTINUED)
T
C
13.
CONTINUED: (3)
ORLANDO
Easy ... easy ... now things are
beginning to clarify ... you see how that
works? How discussion can lead to
clarity?
HEV is running out of patience.
ORLANDO (CONT'D)
Clearly you are operating under a false
pretense. Ricky Verona and myself did
not "pull the Anselmo job together." In
fact, Ricky Verona fucked me on the
Anselmo job. In fact, Ricky Verona owes
me seventy five hunna dollars.
CHEV
That's not how I heard it.
ORLANDO
But that's the way it is. That's the way
it is. So you see, I don't know where
Ricky Verona is. Because if I knew where
he is, I would probably be there right
now, beating his Gucci ass down.
S
tandoff. CHEV holds the gun with an unsteady hand, studying
ORLANDO'S eyes, evaluating.
hen, as much from exhaustion as from a sense that he's
telling the truth, he lets his gun hand drop.
CHEV
Alright.
The room lets out a collective exhale. The BROTHERS mutter
amongst themselves - damn right you better put that shit
away, crazy bitch ass mother ...
ORLANDO
Thank you. That's what I'm talking
about. That resembles civility.
LUB DUB ... LUB DUB ... LUB ... DUB
CHEV begins to fade again. He slumps back, looking as though
he might pass out. One of the BROTHERS catches him, holds
him up and shoves him away.
ORLANDO (CONT'D)
Shit dude, what's the matter with you?
(CONTINUED)
14.
CONTINUED: (4)
CHEV
Forget it. I just gotta find Ricky
Verona, that little bitch ...
ORLANDO
I understand that. You've made that
point abundantly clear to all of us.
He takes pity on him - CHEV really looks like shit. A few of
the BROTHERS lose interest, begin to filter out of the room.
ORLANDO (CONT'D)
Now what can I do to help you?
CHEV
Look, just give me some coke, OK? You
got any coke?
ORLANDO gives him the look.
ORLANDO
OK, now you're insulting me.
CHEV
Come on, man, I know you got coke.
ORLANDO
You think every brother is carrying, is
that it?
CHEV
Come on, I don't have time for this, just
give me something ... I'm really dying
here ...
ORLANDO
I can see that.
CHEV
No. You don't understand, I'm really
fucking dying ... if I don't ...
(losing it again)
May I just have some coke, please?
ORLANDO
So this is medicinal use coke, that's
what you're telling me.
CHEV
That's right.
Beat.
(CONTINUED)
O
15.
CONTINUED: (5)
ORLANDO
Well?
CHEV
W
hat?
ORLANDO
You got something for me, or what?
CHEV shoves his gun into his belt, pulls out a wad of tens,
tosses it into the sink. He's visibly fading.
ORLANDO takes a quick look over the wad, pulls a little
plastic bag out of his vest pocket, tosses it to CHEV. The
bag hits CHEV square in the forehead, hits sweat and STICKS.
CHEV reaches for it lamely - it slides off and lands on the
floor. His reflexes are not the best at this point.
CHEV collapses to his knees, breaks it open and snorts it
right out of the bag like a pig on his elbows and knees. The
BROTHERS find this hilarious.
ORLANDO shakes his head in disgust.
ORLANDO (CONT'D)
Chevy ... come on, man...
We hear CHEV'S heart rate start to build, increase in volume.
Suddenly he pops up to his feet, almost slips and falls,
steadies himself. A new man.
CHEV
OK, that's good. That's good.
RLANDO
Oh that's good, right?
CHEV pounds rhythmically on chest, keeping time with his
beating heart.
ORLANDO (CONT'D)
W
hy you looking for Verona anyway?
CHEV
Seems like some Chinese assholes hired
him to kill me...
ORLANDO
Ah, so this is about the Don Kim
situation.
(CONTINUED)
C
C
T
16.
CONTINUED: (6)
CHEV
What do you know about it?
ORLANDO
I know you pulled the trigger.
CHEV
(flipping out)
Of course I pulled the trigger! WHY
WOULDN'T I PULL THE TRIGGER?!
ORLANDO
O...kay...
Abruptly, CHEV'S HEART STOPS... his eyes go wide - he waits
for it...
LUB...
... waiting...
DUB.
... and then it STARTS UP AGAIN, slow, erratic. CHEV is GHOST
WHITE.
ORLANDO (CONT'D)
Whoa, Chelios. You good, man?
CHEV
his shit's not working.
ORLANDO
Beg your pardon?
CHEV swoons, close to BLACKING OUT.
HEV
I think I know what I have to do.
ORLANDO
(shrugging)
Well, a man's got to do what a man's got
to do.
(beat)
Uhh... what exactly is it that you got to
do?
CHEV SNAPS to his senses.
HEV
Got to kick... some black... ass.
(CONTINUED)
S
2
S
17.
CONTINUED: (7)
ORLANDO
What?
CHEV turns to the biggest, meanest looking BROTHER in the
room, pats him on the chest in a mock friendly way, then,
without warning, slams his head forward into the BROTHER'S
face, knocking him backwards into the hallway, sending all
the other BROTHERS sprawling like tenpins.
O
RLANDO (CONT'D)
There he goes again.
CHEV has a pool cue in his hands. He moves out into the
hallway, eyes wild.
OUND: CHEV's HEARTBEAT starts to rev up.
CHEV
Alright ... who wants white meat?
All hell breaks loose.
EXT OUTSIDE THE BLACK SABBATH CLUBHOUSE, MOMENTS LATER
1 21
A calm exterior of the building: single window, bars over it,
single door closed.
SUDDENLY THE WINDOW SMASHES OUTWARD; the two arms of one of
the BROTHERS poke out through the bars as though he's been
thrown into the window frame from inside. One hand holds a
cue ball, which drops and hits the sidewalk.
A second later THE DOOR BLOWS OFF IT'S HINGES as CHEV is
tossed, upside down, through it to land on the cement in a
jumble of glass and wood. The door falls on him. The
BROTHERS chase him out into the street, shouting him down.
STILL BRANDISHING THE POOL CUE, HE SOMEHOW HOLDS THEM OFF AS 22
22
HE STUMBLES TO HIS CAR, PEELS OUT AND BLASTS OFF DOWN THE
STREET, LAUGHING MANIACALLY, HEART POUNDING LIKE A
JACKHAMMER.
2
INT CHEV'S CAR, MOMENTS LATER
3 23
Speeding along, weaving erratically through traffic, sweating
hard, panting with adrenaline.
OUND: BEE-DEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEE-DUM.
CHEV'S cell rings. He picks it right up.
CHEV
Doc?
C
C
Y
D
2 H
18.
IN A SPLIT SCREEN WE SEE IT'S VERONA.
24 24
VERONA
ey, what's up, Doc!
CHEV
3A 23A
You motherfucker!
VERONA
ude, aren't you dead yet? What the hell
are you doing out there?
CHEV
23A 23A
I'm coming for you, asshole, believe me.
VERONA
eah, whatever. Look, just thought you'd
like to know that I'm all about hooking
up with that mystery girl you've been
banging as soon as your ass is
underground ... I forgot to say so on
that gay James Bond tape I left for
you...
CHEV
23A 23A
Yeah, yeah, then you're going to rape my
grandmother, blah blah blah. What do you
think Carlito is going to think when he
finds out what you did? Your whole crew
is history.
CHEV checks the rearview mirror.
CHEV (CONT'D)
(under his breath)
Great.
Throughout the conversation his driving has gotten faster, 23B
23B
more and more out of control. Now a SQUAD CAR has pulled up
behind him, cherry top flashing, broadcasting a warning to
"PULL OVER" out of its intercom.
HEV goes evasive, leading the cop on a HIGH SPEED CHASE.
VERONA
arlito? That's funny, I guess you
didn't know... Carlito's my boy now,
we're tight.
CHEV
You haven't been tight since your brother
fucked you in 3rd grade.
(CONTINUED)
D
C
C
C
19.
CONTINUED:
VERONA
lever. Snappy. Did you pretty good,
didn't I, Chelios? Come on, you can admit
it.
CHEV
We'll see.
VERONA
Right, right, and the best part about it
is...
CHEV'S phone BEEPS - incoming call.
HEV
Sorry, I must take this. See you later.
VERONA
I doubt it.
C
HEV pushes "answer" and picks up the new call.
CHEV
25A 25A
Yeah.
DOC MILES (V.O.)
Doc Miles.
HEV
Doc! Shit, it's about time.
SPLIT SCREEN WITH:
EXT LAS VEGAS AIRPORT, SIMULTANEOUS
25 25
DOC MILES
Sorry baby, I just got the message.
CHEV
25A 25A
OK, forget it, listen: I'm dying. I've
been poisoned with some kind of Chinese
synthetic shit.
OC MILES
Woah!
CHEV
You've got to do something for me, it
feels so crazy, like it's in my blood ...
(CONTINUED)
20.
CONTINUED:
CHEV swerves wildly. Throughout the conversation we are
tight on CHEV and DOC - the only idea we have about the chase
occurring outside the car comes from CHEV'S wild steering,
the sound of BURNING RUBBER AND SIRENS, and the few details
flashing by in the background and reflected in the glass.
DOC MILES
Alright, slow down. You say you've been
poisoned. Can you describe the symptoms?
CHEV
It's like... it's like... like I'm
slowing down... like I'm caught in a tar
pit...
DOC MILES
Blurred vision?
CHEV
Yeah.
DOC MILES
Dizziness?
CHEV
S
ure.
DOC MILES
Pain in your chest?
CHEV
Not really. Actually I'm feeling pretty
good right now.
DOC MILES
What are you doing?
CUT TO:
INT. FOX HILLS MALL, CONTINUOUS
26 26
We reveal that CHEV'S car is BLASTING THROUGH THE INSIDE OF A
SHOPPING MALL, screaming past frozen yogurt and Big n Tall
shops, missing terrified shoppers by inches.
CHEV
Driving through a mall with five cops
chasing me.
Behind his car we see two CHPs on motorcycles and three SQUAD
CARS giving chase.
(CONTINUED)
H
21.
CONTINUED:
DOC MILES
(partially to himself)
The flow of adrenaline is keeping you
alive.
CHEV
I'm having a little trouble hearing you,
Doc.
DOC MILES
Listen, Chev - you have to keep moving.
CHEV
Explain.
DOC MILES
If I'm right, they gave you the Beijing
Cocktail... very nasty ... works on your
adrenal gland, blocking your receptors.
The only way to slow it down is to keep
the flow of adrenaline constant.
CHEV CRASHES HIS CAR INTO THE ESCALATOR.
26A 26A
e hops out with cell phone to his ear and takes a ride to
the second floor, RIDING THE SMASHED CAR UP THE ESCALATOR.
DOC MILES (CONT'D)
Meaning: if you stop, you die.
CHEV
What's that?
DOC MILES
If you stop, you die.
INT. FOX HILLS MALL - DAY
28 28
CHEV jumps off of the car and starts booking through the
second level, huffing it, barking into the phone the whole
time.
CHEV
That's what I'm trying to do... just keep
moving... keep the blood pumping... every
time I slow down it's like my veins start
to rust...
DOC MILES
Have you taken anything?
CHEV
A couple grams of coke.
(CONTINUED)
2
22.
CONTINUED:
DOC MILES
Oh boy. Well, that's a start. Look,
I'll be back in LA in an hour. I'll call
you as soon as I land. Keep yourself
pumped up. Don't stop, don't quit, I'll
be there.
C
HEV gives the cops the slip and heads into a ...
INT CLOTHING STORE, CONTINUOUS
7 27
... men's clothing store. He bolts to the back, looking for
an exit.
He heads into the dressing room, no exit. Turns back out
into the store and then tries the EMPLOYEES ONLY door.
Behind the door are two overweight employees in suits. He
RUNS THEM BOTH OVER and heads to the exit. They chase. CHEV
gets to the exit first and BURSTS through the door.
28 28
EXT MALL, CONTINUOUS
He runs down the sidewalk and manages to hail a cab.
CHEV
Yo! Right here!
CUT TO:
29 29
INT CAB, SECONDS LATER
The inside of the cab has the East Indian vibe. Incense,
Koran on the dash, and Farsi music over the radio.
CHEV
Go.
CABBIE
(in a thick Pakistani accent)
Where we go?
CHEV
Straight. Now.
They zip through the stop sign and hit the traffic light.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Make a right.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
30 T 30
he CABBIE pulls a CALIFORNIA ROLLER to the right - the TIRES
PEEL.
(CONTINUED)
H
23.
CONTINUED:
Three SQUAD CARS pass, SIRENS AND LIGHTS BLARING, heading the0A
30A 3
opposite way.
CHEV starts to drop off; we hear his HEART RATE start to slow9A
29A 2
down.
CHEV
ey, crank the music.
The CABBIE turns to an FM country station playing Billy Ray
Cyrus, "Achy Breaky Heart."
CHEV (CONT'D)
No, CRANK IT.
The Cabbie BLARES it.
CHEV starts to embarrassingly bang his head to the Billy Ray
as if it was Metallica in the late 80's.
Something catches his eye.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Pull over. Come on, right here. Thank
you.
A 7-11 can be seen through the side window.
CHEV (CONT'D)
OK, I'll be back in one minute. Don't go
anywhere.
CABBIE
OK, cowboy.
EXT 7-11 STREET, SECONDS LATER
31 31
CHEV jumps out of the cab and into the 7-11. We see him pull
his gun from his pants as he enters.
INT 7-11 CONVENIENCE STORE, CONTINUOUS
32 32
He goes right to the counter and sticks the place up.
He grabs the man from behind the counter and in one move,
yanks him over the counter and SLAMS HIM FACE-DOWN on the
floor.
CHEV
You move, you die ...
(CONTINUED)
C
O
H
24.
CONTINUED:
CHEV grabs a box of trash bags, rips it open and takes one
out. He opens the bag and starts dumping CAFFEINE in: Jolt,
Coke, Red Bull, Starbucks Frappuccinos.
e DIALS A NUMBER on W
his cell. It rings twice, then:
OMAN (V.O.)
Hey, this is Eve ...
CHEV
AHHHHHHHHHH!
He yells and jumps up and down while heading to the counter.
He grabs hundreds of the little ginseng capsules, Vivran, and
everything candy. The bag's full.
ne last look. He spots some shitty flowers in a bucket.
The fastest double take in movie history with the grouchiest
face, then he grabs them.
CUT TO:
INT CAB, SECONDS LATER
33 33
He hops back in the cab with the cheap flowers and the black
santa bag.
He opens the bag and starts SLAMMING whatever he can get his
hands on.
CABBIE
Where you want to go, man?
CHEV is guzzling Red Bull, popping vitamins, whatever.
HEV
Beverly Hills.
CUT TO:
EXT ROOFTOP OF CARLITO'S BUILDING, MINUTES LATER
34 34
EXTREME CU of a Fuente Fuente Opus X cigar, rich tendril of
smoke curling through the air.
As the hand holding the cigar brings it up for a drag the
CAMERA pulls back, revealing CARLITO, an imposing 6'1", 225
lb. DOMINICAN in his late 40s.
The CAMERA continues its move back, skimming over blue water,
revealing an elaborate pool area on the rooftop. CARLITO is
sitting by the pool in a velvet robe.
(CONTINUED)
C
T
25.
CONTINUED:
Bodyguards roam the property and a beautiful, rock hard BLACK
WOMAN suns on the deck.
Still in the same shot, pulling back, CARLITO puts down the
cigar, stands up and dives into the pool. The camera drops
down below the water level, and CARLITO swims right up to it
for a CLOSE-UP.
CARLITO'S POV - We are under water swimming towards the edge
of the pool. As we look up, we see a water-distorted figure
above the water, looking down into the pool. The classic
shot made famous in The GRADUATE and used a thousand times
since ... only this time the guy outside the pool JUMPS IN.
I
t's CHEV, fully dressed. He meets CARLITO face to face
underwater and points up with his index finger.
We CUT TO CARLITO'S reaction. He follows CHEV up.
heir heads rise just above the water, like heads on a
platter. Several jittery BODYGUARDS stand at the edge of the
pool, guns drawn. With a simple motion of his hand, CARLITO
calms them.
CARLITO
Chevy.
CHEV
Hey boss.
CARLITO
I'm surprised to see you.
CHEV
Well, something urgent has come up.
CARLITO
Ha! So I've heard.
CHEV
Then you know what happened?
CARLITO
Word travels fast. You amaze me, my
friend.
CHEV
What can I say. Look, Carlito, I need
your help. I don't have much time.
ARLITO
No, not much.
(CONTINUED)
C
26.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV
We've got to find an antidote or
something.
Silence.
CHEV (CONT'D)
What's the matter?
CARLITO
(shrugs)
The shit they gave you ... it's the
Chinese shit. There is no antidote. I
wish there was something I could do.
CHEV
What, so that's it?
CARLITO
Honestly, you should be dead already.
It's a miracle.
CHEV
A miracle.
CARLITO
We give that shit to horses ...
HEV
I can't believe it.
CARLITO
C I'm sorry.
UT TO CHEV and CARLITO'S legs treading water to keep their
heads afloat.
SOUND: LUBDUB ... LUBDUB ... LUBDUB
CHEV
Well you don't have to be so damn cool
about it.
CARLITO
What do you expect me to do?
CHEV
Tell me you're going to find that punk
Verona and his whole fuckin' crew and
feed `em to a cage of wolverines.
CARLITO shrugs. No response.
(CONTINUED)
A
27.
CONTINUED: (3)
CUT TO legs treading.
CHEV (CONT'D)
What is this? Are you boys now or
something?
CARLITO
Verona? That's just a small time punk.
But... that's not to say there isn't an
opportunity here.
CHEV
Opportunity.
CARLITO
Everyone knows the love I have for you,
Chev. Maybe this can even the score for
the Don Kim hit, which was perhaps ill-
advised.
CHEV
(flabbergasted)
Ill advised?
CARLITO
The heat from Hong Kong has been more
than we anticipated.
CHEV
Oh. That's outstanding, Carlito. I'm glad
to know that my death can be of some use
to you.
CARLITO
Don't be difficult.
CHEV
Am I being difficult? Is this what you
call difficult? I don't know if you
noticed, but I'm having a DIFFICULT
FUCKING DAY, BRO!
Beat.
CARLITO
re you disrespecting me, Chev? Is that
what you're doing?
They stare each other down.
LUBDUB ... LUB ... DUB ... LUB ... DUB ...
(CONTINUED)
C
F
28.
CONTINUED: (4)
CHEV
orget it, I'm out of here.
CHEV climbs out of the pool. CARLITO NARROWS HIS EYES,
watching him leave. The BODYGUARD motions to follow, CARLITO
signals him off. CHEV passes a black HELICOPTER sitting on a
small, hard-rubbered heli-pad.
CARLITO'S POV - from a distance we see CHEV knocking over
furniture and BREAKING GLASS on his way out.
CARLITO'S POV descends beneath the water - his breath
releases.
CUT TO:
EXT STREET, IN FRONT OF CARLITO'S BUILDING, MOMENTS LATER
35 35
The building opens onto the high rent section of Sunset Blvd.
An outdoor cafe populated by the rich and trendy is next
C
door.
HEV shakes himself off and bangs out of the revolving glass
doors. A VALET approaches him and CHEV gets in his face,
FLASHING MURDEROUS TEETH and shoving him away, hopping up and
down to keep the heart pounding ... he heads over to the cab
waiting out front.
The same ARAB CABBIE is waiting inside.
CABBIE
You're not getting into my cab wet.
CHEV
I just gave you 200 dollars to wait for 3
minutes.
CABBIE
You are not getting into my car no way.
CHEV goes to the driver side of the car, pulls the CABBIE out
of the cab and tosses him into the road. The lunch crowd at
the cafe, passerbys, etc., look on in bewilderment. CHEV
points at the CABBIE and starts screaming ...
HEV
AL QEADA! AL QEADA!
Everybody freaks out. A WAITER dives under the a table,
expecting an explosion.
CHEV grabs the CABBIE by his lapels and tosses him right into
the CAFE, smashing a table, still pointing and screaming.
(CONTINUED)
E
D
C
29.
CONTINUED:
CHEV (CONT'D)
AL QEADA!
T
he whole restaurant, OLD LADIES included, dogpile the poor
CABBIE, wildly protesting in a thick accent.
CABBIE
I love America! I love Bush!
CHEV gets in the cab and drives off.
CUT TO:
INT CAB, MOMENTS LATER
36 36
CHEV is slamming Frappucinos, driving.
SOUND: BEE-DEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEE-DUM.
It's the CELL PHONE.
CHEV
Yeah.
DOC MILES (O.S.)
36A 36A
My flight's delayed.
CHEV
Shit.
DOC MILES (V.O.)
Relax. I mean don't relax. Listen to
me. The shit they gave you is cutting
off your adrenaline.
UT TO:
Science class-type microscope footage of darting chemicals
37 37
and protein globules.
OC MILES (CONT'D) (V.O.)
xcitement, fear, danger ... it causes
your body to manufacture a chemical
called ephedrine ... it binds with
receptors in your blood to keep you alive
... what they've done is introduce an
inhibitor into your system ... it blocks
the receptors so your body's ephedrine
can't bind ... and that's what's killing
you.
3
30.
INT LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SAME TIME
38 38
DOC MILES
Your only shot is to massively increase
the level of ephedrine in your body ...
to force out the inhibitors ...
INT CAB, SAME TIME
6B 36B
CHEV
In English, doc. Please.
DOC MILES (O.S.)
You've got to get to an emergency room
and get yourself some epinephrine ...
it's artificial adrenaline ... it comes
in 10 milligram syringes ... the shit's
potent so don't overdo it ... probably a
fifth of an injection will do.
CHEV tries to remember all this while zoning in and out of
consciousness, swerving, slamming coffees and capsules.
D
OC MILES (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Did you get all of that Chev?
CHEV bangs his head against the steering wheel.
CHEV
Epi ... something ...
DOC MILES
nephrin. Epi-nephrin.
CHEV
OK, OK. (cell beeps) I gotta go.
DOC MILES
I'll call you -
CHEV clicks over.
CHEV
Yeah.
KAYLO pops up in a mini-screen. He's in a phonebooth
39 39
downtown, looking furtively over his shoulder as he talks.
KAYLO
Chev!
CHEV
36B 36B
Yeah.
(CONTINUED)
C
3
C
31.
CONTINUED:
KAYLO
Chev?
CHEV
Yeah, what is it?
KAYLO
Hello?
CHEV hangs up. KAYLO, bewildered, redials. CHEV answers,
says nothing.
KAYLO (CONT'D)
Chev?
CHEV
Uh huh.
KAYLO
Chev! I just saw Verona's brother going
into Charlie O's.
In a series of BLACK AND WHITE STILLS we see ALEX, the
40 40
massive dude we saw in the background on VERONA's tape,
exiting a taxi and walking into CHARLIE O'S - a big New York
style 40's-era steak and cocktail joint right in the heart of
C
downtown L.A.
HEV AND KAYLO'S DIALOGUE CONTINUES OFF-SCREEN.
HEV (O.S.)
Interesting. Downtown Charlie O's?
KAYLO (O.S.)
Yeah. I was just down here getting a
taco. He went right in, like, 2 minutes
ago.
CHEV (O.S.)
Where are you now?
CUT BACK TO A SPLIT-SCREEN OF CHEV AND KAYLO.
9B 39B
KAYLO
I'm across the street, getting a taco.
Where are you?
HEV hits the gas pedal and blasts off.
CHEV
I'm there. Meet me on 3rd and Flower.
(CONTINUED)
C
(
C
4
32.
CONTINUED:
In fast motion we see the freeway exits flash by, one after
another.
EXT. TACO STAND, DAY
3 43
KAYLO pays for his food at a leisurely pace - he's at a
little place across the street from CHARLIE O'S - and skulks
out onto the street, trying too hard to be inconspicuous.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
45 45
Meanwhile, in the second screen, CHEV is blasting along at
high speed, off the freeway, through downtown, and right to
the corner of 3rd and Flower, where he leaves the taxi idling
in a red zone and gets out.
As KAYLO turns the corner, the two SPLIT SCREENS meet up - he45
45
and CHEV run right into each other.
HEV pulls KAYLO around the corner, out of sight of the
restaurant.
CHEV
motioning to the restaurant)
He's in there now?
KAYLO nods quickly, freaked out.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Did anyone go in with him?
KAYLO shakes his head NO.
CHEV (CONT'D)
A
lright, wait here.
The CAMERA stays with CHEV as he walks right across the
street and up to the restaurant.
INT CHARLIE O'S, SAME TIME
46 46
ALEX is in his usual booth, making lecherous smalltalk with a
40ish WAITRESS in a short skirt and fishnet stockings, as
CHEV, still drying, hair all fucked up and walking
erratically, enters the restaurant. Everyone turns to look
at the crazy man, nervously.
HEV walks doggedly right by ALEX, staring straight ahead,
not letting on that he knows he's there. ALEX watches him
pass in disbelief.
WAITRESS
What was that?
(CONTINUED)
H
B
33.
CONTINUED:
ALEX
I just saw a ghost.
CHEV disappears through the swinging doors to the kitchen.
The MAIRTRE'D has the phone in his hands, ready to dial the
cops, but ALEX motions to him to chill. He'll take care of
it.
He gets up and follows in CHEV'S footsteps.
INT CHARLIE O'S KITCHEN, SAME TIME
47 47
ALEX enters the kitchen. The COOKS all hustle by him - they
want no part of this. CHEV is nowhere to be seen.
A
LEX continues through the kitchen with a distinct lack of
caution - everyone's been afraid of the big man all his life -
drawing a gun from inside his coat as he goes.
He passes a butcher block, a hacked up roast, a conspicuous
BUTCHER KNIFE.
Turning a corner, he notices the back door swinging slowly
closed. He advances.
The back door opens onto an alley. He comes up to it, brings
the gun up by his head, shoulders up to the cracked door and
tries to peer around it into the alley.
Just then, behind him, CHEV emerges from the kitchen with the
BUTCHER KNIFE.
efore ALEX can react, CHEV lets swing with the knife and
neatly cuts off ALEX'S gun hand at the wrist. The hand, gun
and all, hits the ground. CHEV kicks ALEX out the door and
into the alley.
EXT ALLEY, SAME TIME
48 48
ALEX crumples in shock, holding his abbreviated arm out in
front of his face. He tries to talk, or scream, but all that
comes out is a wheezing sound. CHEV follows him out into the
alley, brandishing the BUTCHER KNIFE, heartrate slamming.
CHEV
How you like that one, tough guy? How
freaking awesome was that?
e kicks him in the ribs, knocking him over.
CHEV (CONT'D)
You feel like talking to me? Where's
your brother?
(CONTINUED)
C
34.
CONTINUED:
ALEX
(anger gradually overcoming the
shock)
Doing your mother like an Iraqi prisoner,
you bitch.
CHEV
Nice ... wonder how many steaks I could
get out of you ...
A
LEX rolls onto his knees, and with a burst of energy throws
himself at CHEV. HE SMASHES CHEV INTO THE ALLEY WALL and
lands on him with his full weight.
CHEV is pinned. ALEX, enraged, attempts with some success to
strangle him with his remaining hand. CHEV struggles in
futility, heart hammering. It seems hopeless ...
... until KAYLO appears behind ALEX with a ROLLING PIN and
brings it down on his skull with a LOUD CRACK.
ALEX rises up, staggering, and advances on KAYLO, who drops
the ROLLING PIN and cowers amidst the trash cans.
CHEV gets to his feet, pulls out his gun, puts it to the back
of ALEX'S head.
CHEV pulls the trigger twice.
CLICK. CLICK.
CHEV (CONT'D)
WHAT??
He tosses it away and stumbles to the back door of the
restaurant as ALEX proceeds to beat KAYLO down with a
trashcan, swinging it one handed.
HEV picks up ALEX'S disconnected hand, which is still
clutching the gun, and walks back over to the action. He
uses ALEX'S finger to pull the trigger twice and blows him
away. ALEX hits the ground with a THUD.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Jesus ... nothing's easy ...
He pries the gun from ALEX'S cold, dead fingers, shoves it in
his pocket and tosses the hand to a disgusted KAYLO, who
tries to get away from it ...
CHEV (CONT'D)
You want to hold hands?
(CONTINUED)
V
I
35.
CONTINUED: (2)
... and begins to rifle through ALEX'S pockets. He finds a
cellphone, clicks through the menu and hits send.
t RINGS. RICKY VERONA answers.
VERONA (O.S.)
Talk to me, bro.
CHEV
(impersonating Alex)
Hey Ricky, whadya think about sucking me
off, ya in the mood? Maybe let me lick
your ass or sumtink?
CUT TO:
INT VERONA'S CRIB, SAME TIME
49 49
VERONA is feeding his Rottweiler some beef jerky. A HOTTIE
in a bathrobe walks by.
V
ERONA
Who is this? Chelios? IS THIS FUCKING
CHELIOS?
CHEV
That's right, bro. You wanna guess how I
got your brother's cell phone?
VERONA is speechless, furious. He KNOCKS OVER A TABLE and
pushes the Rot's head away.
CHEV (CONT'D)
I can tell you have it all figured out.
Looks like you should've cut me up when
you had the chance.
ERONA rubs his face.
CUT TO:
EXT ALLEY, SAME TIME
50 50
CHEV
What's that? I can't hear you ...
experiencing some 20/20 hindsight?
CUT TO:
.
(
C
(
C
36.
INT VERONA'S CRIB, SAME TIME
49A 49A
VERONA
(losing it)
You're supposed to be dead!!!
HEV (O.S.)
You know, man, I kind of like that shit
you put in me. Think you can get me some
more?
VERONA
struggling to find a heinous
enough threat)
I'll ... I'll ...
EXT ALLEY, SAME TIME
50A 50A
CHEV
I know, I know ... hey, what's this?
CHEV spots a necklace around ALEX'S neck, yanks it off. On
the chain: a silver WWII era Russian medallion, engraved with
the image of a mounted Cossack. The name on the back is I.
VERONA.
HEV looks it over.
CHEV (CONT'D)
A necklace? You guys really are faggots
aren't you?
CUT TO:
INT VERONA'S CRIB, SAME TIME
49B 49B
VERONA
You motherfucker, my grandfather gave
that medallion to my father, and then to -
realizing he's said too much)
.. fuck you, man, shove that thing up
your ass.
CHEV (O.S.)
No thanks, but you know I believe I'll
hang onto it... looks like you'll have to
come find me after all. Fucked up that
you killed your own brother.
VERONA
You -
CUT TO:
37.
EXT - ALLEY, SAME TIME
50B 50B
CHEV
Out.
CHEV hangs up, turns off the phone, and pockets it.
Immediately he's on to the next thought.
CHEV (CONT'D)
What was that... epi... shit... 10
milligrams...
H
e shakes his head to clear it.
KAYLO
What?
CHEV
Huh? Oh. I'm taking off.
We hear SIRENS.
CHEV (CONT'D)
I'd get out of here if I were you.
He splits, leaving KAYLO with the body, the hand, etc. KAYLO
looks around, tosses the hand, and bolts off in the other
direction.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT LA COUNTY HOSPITAL, AFTERNOON
51 51
CHEV'S cab is parked illegally. A meter maid is writing it
up.
INT LA COUNTY HOSPITAL, SAME TIME
52 52
The sliding doors to the ER swoosh open as a gurney is
wheeled in by paramedics. CHEV walks quickly in behind them,
a complete wreck, ignoring all the activity, seemingly lost
in his own thoughts. He checks a sign on the wall for
directions.
An arrow points toward the PHARMACY. He follows it.
INT HOSPITAL PHARMACY, MOMENTS LATER
53 53
CHEV cuts off an OLD MAN with a walker making his way to the
counter. He runs his hand through his freaked out hair,
trying to straighten it out. The PHARMACIST, a cynical girl,
mid-20s, with thick horn rimmed glasses, regards him blankly.
(CONTINUED)
P
P
38.
CONTINUED:
OLD MAN
Asshole.
CHEV
(to the pharmacist)
I'm looking for something ... starts with
`E' ...
PHARMACIST
England?
CHEV
That's funny. No, I'm talking about some
kind of artificial adrenaline ... some
shit ... you know ...
HARMACIST
Artificial adrenaline.
CHEV
I have heart problems.
PHARMACIST
Epinephrine?
CHEV
Yes! Yes ... that's it ... you have it?
HARMACIST
I can't give you epinephrine.
CHEV
Why?
PHARMACIST
Just a minute.
She walks into the back. Through the glass he sees her pick
up a phone.
CHEV
Come on, what is that...
A pimply faced TEENAGER with greasy, shoulder length brown
hair has been watching the whole thing from the magazine
rack. T
EENAGER
Nasal spray, dude.
CHEV
What?
(CONTINUED)
T
.
H
39.
CONTINUED: (2)
TEENAGER
Nasal spray.
e gestures to a counter display: NAS-ALL, little plastic
bottles.
TEENAGER (CONT'D)
It's got epinephrine in it. Get you
tweaked, man.
CHEV looks from the kid to the display and back, then through
the glass window, where the PHARMACIST is talking to someone
on the telephone, looking out at him suspiciously.
He picks up a handful of the little spray bottles and gets
out of there. The OLD MAN gives him a sour look; CHEV makes
him FLINCH with a sudden jerk toward him.
INT LA COUNTY HOSPITAL, MOMENTS LATER
54 54
CHEV wanders through the trauma ward, trying to look
inconspicuous, avoiding eye contact, knocking things over,
trying doors, inhaling blast after blast of nasal spray,
tossing the empty bottles, eyes watering.
He rounds a corner and freezes in his tracks: three COPS are
at the admissions counter ... a NURSE is gesturing in CHEV'S
direction. They look up toward him.
He ducks back into the corridor, finds a recovery room and
slips in.
55 55
INT HOSPITAL ROOM, MOMENTS LATER
The room is quiet, save for the steady labored wheezing of an
OLD MAN in the only bed. The OLD MAN'S eyes stare vacantly
at the ceiling - CHEV can't tell if he's asleep or awake. He
watches the OLD MAN for a stolen moment, hypnotized ...
.. then glances over at the half open closet.
INT LA COUNTY HOSPITAL, MOMENTS LATER
56 56
The COPS come up on the corridor where CHEV disappeared.
They advance, hands on weapons, checking each room.
hey reach CHEV'S room. The door is slightly ajar. One of
the cops pushes it open with his foot.
The OLD MAN is there, motionless. No sign of CHEV.
(CONTINUED)
C
40.
CONTINUED:
The COPS continue down the hall. Behind them, from the door
they checked, CHEV tiptoes out wearing a blue hospital
johnnie, tied in the back with his ass hanging out, trying to
blend in.
One of the COPS notices this.
COP
Hey!
CHEV takes off, walking faster, around the corner. The COPS
head after him.
T
he COPS turn the corner. CHEV is still trying to play it
off.
COP (CONT'D)
Hey. You.
Finally CHEV breaks into a run and the COPS give chase.
INT STAIRWELL, MOMENTS LATER
57 57
CHEV busts into the stairwell and starts heading down. He's
been holding his gun awkwardly in his armpit; now he whips it
out. A few flights above he hears the door bang open as the
COPS pick up the chase.
He exits into the ...
INT EMERGENCY ROOM, MOMENTS LATER
58 58
The busy ER is buzzing with activity. CHEV looks around
desperately. The COPS are right on his tail.
Suddenly the entrance doors BURST OPEN ... a patient is
wheeled in at a dead run by a small group of emergency TECHS,
all shouting instructions back and forth and barking at
people to get out of the way as they race toward the far
corridor. The FAT MAN on the gurney has his shirt open ...
he's pale, glassy eyed and lathered in sweat ... they have
the DEFIBRILLATOR PADDLES out ...
B
ehind the gurney a RESIDENT pushes a CRASH CART along with
them ... the crash cart houses the DEFIBRILLATOR and various
supplies ...
CHEV takes off after them, BOWLING PEOPLE OVER, flashing the
gun.
HEV
I know you motherfuckers have
epinephrine!
(CONTINUED)
T
C
W
41.
CONTINUED:
The COPS bang open the stairwell door, guns drawn. Chaos
breaks out.
COP
Hold it right there, bro!
The group is galloping down the long corridor toward the
elevators that connect to the O.R. ... three DOCS, the
RESIDENT, CHEV and the FAT MAN on the gurney ... the COPS in
hot pursuit, trying to get a bead on CHEV.
CHEV is holding his gun to the RESIDENT'S head while pushing
him and the cart forward. The RESIDENT blubbers in panic.
The DOCS, in all the confusion, haven't noticed CHEV yet.
CHEV
You've got epinephrine on this cart! I
want that shit!
TECH 1
He's dropping! Stand by to defibrillate!
The gurney slows down and the cart, shoved forward by CHEV,
crashes into it. Bodies fly, shit spills everywhere. The
FAT MAN lets out a groan, makes EYE CONTACT with CHEV.
FAT MAN
My cart...
CHEV
What?
FAT MAN
Asshole...!
CHEV
Yeah, yeah.
CHEV spins around wildly and FIRES A FEW SHOTS over the COPS
heads. They hit the deck.
TECH 2
hat is this? What the hell do you think
you're doing? THIS IS A HOSPITAL!
HEV shoves the gun in his face.
CHEV
SHUT UP!!!
he DOC shuts up.
(CONTINUED)
F
42.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV brandishes the gun toward the COPS to keep them on the
ground, then motions C the RESIDENT.
to
HEV (CONT'D)
You. Get me some ... I need ...
CHEV is pale as a ghost ... his legs buckle ... he steadies
himself against the wall.
RESIDENT
(haltingly)
You wanted ... epinephrine, is that
right?
CHEV nods weakly. The RESIDENT, on his hands and knees,
starts digging through the supplies spilled all over the
floor. The COPS, sensing weakness, start to tense. CHEV
snaps out of it momentarily.
CHEV
DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
The RESIDENT approaches him cautiously, on his knees, holding
out a handful of small white boxes.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Give me that.
He snatches them, cradling them against his stomach, and
backs up past the DOCS toward the elevator just as the chime
sounds and the doors slide open. He tosses the boxes inside.
The FAT MAN lets out another agonized groan.
AT MAN
... asshole...
CHEV points the gun at him.
CHEV
Not going to tell you again.
He grabs a DEFIBRILLATOR paddle out of TECH 2's trembling
hands and holds it to his chest.
CHEV (CONT'D)
(to the RESIDENT)
Now juice me.
RESIDENT
You ... but ... I ...
(CONTINUED)
43.
CONTINUED: (3)
CHEV
(weakly, not much left)
I haven't got all day, just do it, will
you?
The RESIDENT flips a switch on the crash cart and the thing
begins to charge ... CHEV holds the paddle to his chest with
one hand, the gun out with the other ... finally ...
ZAPPP!!!! CHEV flies backwards, bouncing off the wall like a
pinball. The COPS leap forward, trying to take advantage,
but CHEV pops back up, wired and wild eyed.
CHEV (CONT'D)
GET DOWN, ASSHOLES!
He FIRES ANOTHER WARNING SHOT into the ceiling and leaps into
the elevator as the doors close behind him.
INT ELEVATOR, GOING DOWN, MOMENTS LATER
59 59
CHEV collapses on the floor of the elevator. He fumbles with
the white boxes the RESIDENT handed him and comes up with a
C
SYRINGE.
HEV
OK ... needles, hate needles ...
He rubs his arm, feeling for a nice vein, squirts a few drops
from the tip of the needle and pops the thing right in ...
pushes the plunger ALL THE WAY, plucks it out and tosses it
in the corner.
CHEV sits patiently against the wall, staring blankly
straight ahead. Suddenly a curious look comes over him.
CHEV (CONT'D)
How much of this stuff did he say to
take?
We hear CHEV'S HEARTBEAT start to speed/volume up - FAST.
His eyes widen.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Woah. Woah. Woah.
Suddenly he jumps straight up in the air.
CHEV (CONT'D)
OH SHIT!
(CONTINUED)
44.
CONTINUED:
He starts to HOP AROUND WILDLY like a monkey in an
electrified cage. The bell chimes and the elevator doors
open.
INT HOSPITAL LOBBY, THE NEXT MOMENT
60 60
CHEV BLASTS OUT OF THE ELEVATOR and out the front doors of
the hospital like a ball out of a cannon.
EXT CITY STREETS - MOMENTS LATER
62 62
CHEV is hoofing it like FORREST GUMP on SPEEDBALL. We hear
sirens ... a group of squad cars flash by behind him, heading
toward the hospital ... neither they nor CHEV see one
another.
MONTAGE: EXT CITY STREETS - DAY
63 63
He runs what seems like eight miles.
64 64
EXT CITY STREETS- DAY LATER
We pick him up, real-time, still running.
SOUND: BEE-DEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEE-DUM.
He answers without slowing down.
INT. AIRPLANE - DAY
64 64
DOC MILES
Chevy!
CHEV
(ready to explode)
Yep.
DOC MILES
I'm in the air, man. Did you get the
stuff I told you?
CHEV
Got it.
DOC MILES
You took it?
C
HEV
Took it.
DOC MILES
You shot the whole thing, didn't you?
(CONTINUED)
45.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
Yep.
DOC MILES
Oh boy. I said a fifth of a syringe, you
idiot. Now you're dead for sure.
CHEV
Right.
DOC MILES
Chest is on fire.
CHEV
Check.
DOC MILES
But you're cold.
CHEV
Check.
DOC MILES
You got a steel hard on.
CHEV
Let me check.
Looks down.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Check.
DOC MILES
(getting into it)
That's the stimulation of the blood
vessels ... your urinary sphincter is
tight as a knot ... couldn't pee to save
your life ...
The LADY in the seat next to DOC is aghast.
CHEV
Urinary sphincter ... check ...
DOC MILES
Maybe you can get a hold of some vicadin
... you still at the hospital?
CHEV
Negative.
(CONTINUED)
T
.
.
B
46.
CONTINUED: (2)
DOC MILES
Maybe some weed ... I don't know ...
CHEV
Check.
DOC MILES
Well, that shit should be out of your
system in a half hour or so, if you live
that long ... this air phone is costing
me a fortune ... look, I'll be in LA in
twenty minutes. I'll call you when I hit
the ground.
CHEV
Copy.
DOC MILES
(sincere)
You're a good kid, Chev. Nice knowing
you.
CHEV
Copy. Out.
CUT TO:
EXT STORE WINDOW, DAY
65 65
ut DOC MILES is already a distant memory ... CHEV lets the
phone drop from his ear without hanging up ...
.. as he comes up on a department store window where a crowd
has gathered to watch a wall of TV's, all playing the same
thing ...
.. he slows to a stop, joining the crowd ...
he face on the TV is his - more or less - an exaggerated
black and white POLICE SKETCH, simian browed and thick
lipped. He looks like a serial rapist.
ANCHOR (V.O.)
Police have declined to release the name
of the West Hollywood man they say is
still at large on a citywide rampage that
has left one man dead, dozens injured and
hundreds of thousands of dollars of
property damage in its smoking, bloody
wake.
SWITCH TO:
T
A
47.
A HELICOPTER VIEW OF CHEV DRIVING HIS CAR INTO FOX HILLS
66 66
MALL.
BACK TO:
EXT STORE WINDOW, SAME TIME
65A 65A
NCHOR (V.O.)
However, Eyewitness News has learned that
the suspect is a professional killer with
ties to organized crime and an extensive
police record. He is considered armed
and highly dangerous.
A GUY standing next to CHEV glances sidelong at him. CHEV
turns to meet his eyes. The GUY regards him in a stupor,
then looks down: CHEV's hospital johnnie is sticking straight
out in front, ass hanging out the back, a gun in his left
hand, cell phone in his right.
he GUY looks back up at CHEV'S poker face, gulps, and turns
back to the wall of screens.
The broadcast cuts from tape back to the live ANCHOR.
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
We want to get you back to our regularly
scheduled programming, but keep it tuned
right here to ABC for continuing coverage
of this bizarre story as it unfolds.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
(over network graphic)
We now return you to "Dr. Phil" ...
The TV cuts to a talk show in progress. Rather than
disperse, the small crowd stays hypnotically glued to the
tube. We see in their eyes that everyone is going into that
TV alpha state thing ...
CHEV shakes his head, snaps out of it. His HEARTBEAT, barely
audible during the broadcast, swells back to full volume,
beating like a jackrabbit's.
H
e looks around and spots a COP on a motorcycle, waiting at a
stoplight.
EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF TV STORE
67 67
With a last look at the TV drones he breaks from the crowd
and goes into stealth mode, darting from car to car in an
exaggerated ninja crouch, trying to sneak up on the COP.
(CONTINUED)
C
T
T
48.
CONTINUED:
He comes up behind him, transfers his gun and cell phone to
one hand, and - heart POUNDING - reaches stealthily for the
COP'S holster with the other.
CAR HORNS BLARE as motorists attempt to warn the COP, who
flinches and whips around at the noise - but it's too late:
CHEV has the gun.
He begins to hop around maniacally, taunting the COP, as
everyone panics and tries to reverse out of the traffic
snarl, SLAMMING INTO FENDERS, driving up onto the sidewalk,
etc.
CHEV
(tossing the gun up and
catching it)
You want it? You want this?
he COP jumps off the bike and tries to make a go at him, but
jerks back when CHEV catches the gun. CHEV holds the gun up
like a fetch stick, gluing the COP'S eyes, then flings it 40
feet through the air to splash into a plaza fountain.
he COP starts after it, then stops short as he sees CHEV
dart past him and hop onto his still idling motorcycle. He
kicks up the stand and REVS IT.
COP
You son of a bitch!
The COP makes a dive for CHEV, grabbing him by the waist as
the bike jerks forward.
HEV starts to burn the bike out as the COP hangs on,
dragging. SMOKE ERUPTS; black bits of rubber spray like
buckshot, pelting the COP. CHEV does a 360 DEGREE BURNOUT,
kicking with his leg to keep the bike under control, then
jerking, skidding, BLASTS OFF. The COP hangs on, cursing,
dragging, boots smoking, for a half block before he bails
out.
CUT TO:
EXT ROAD, MONTAGE, 30 SECONDS LATER
68 " 68
EVERYBODY'S TALKING" by Harry Nilsson BEGINS.
CHEV cruises in an out of traffic and people like a Sunday
drive, ignoring traffic lights, stop signs, pedestrians. (We
speed ramp about 20% to the beat of the song - an undercrank
of about 18fps.)
(CONTINUED)
.
49.
CONTINUED:
He's so jacked up and delusional he decides to try a BARE-
ASSED "ELEVATOR" ON THE SIDEWALK.
From the rear pegs at about 30 mph he JUMPS UP TO THE GAS
TANK, feet first, STANDS STRAIGHT UP ON THE MOVING BIKE and
puts his hands out to his sides in a Jesus Christ pose,
flashing a silhouette in the sun. His HEART POUNDS as he
flies by crowds of astonished bystanders ...
.. and CRASHES straight into a patio restaurant full of
people.
CHEV flips through the air and lands in a cacophony of
overturned tables and busted dishes. A table spins like a
coin at his feet.
END: "EVERYBODY'S TALKING"
6
EXT RESTAURANT, MOMENTS LATER
9 69
Stunned silence hangs in the air; a few food-covered people
wander around in dazed shock. CHEV'S arm, hand still
clutching his cell phone, sticks out from under a table. The
phone starts to ring:
BEE-DEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEE-DUM.
From under the table we see CHEV'S eyes blink as he comes to
his senses.
He shakes off the debris, struggles to his feet and clicks to
answer the phone.
CHEV
Yeah.
EVE (O.S.)
(sleepy)
Hey. Did you try to call?
CHEV lets his arm drop to his side, stares blankly at
nothing, then brings it back up.
CUT TO:
INT EVE'S APARTMENT, SAME TIME
70 70
A room suffused in amber filtered sunlight. EVE, a non-
traditionally adorable strawberry blond in her mid 20's, yawn-
stretches with the phone cradled between ear and bare
shoulder.
(CONTINUED)
A
E
50.
CONTINUED:
CHEV (O.S.)
You've been home all day?
EVE
I was sleeping in.
CHEV (O.S.)
You were sleeping in, that's great, Eve
... super great ... you all rested now?
VE
Yep.
CUT TO:
EXT RESTAURANT, SAME TIME
69A 69A
CHEV
(holding it together)
Well, I'm glad to hear that. Listen,
I've been fatally poisoned, there's
probably a psychopath heading over there
to torture and kill you as we speak, but
don't bother getting out of bed, I'll be
there in a flash ... Maybe you could fry
me up a waffle or something, kay?
E
VE (O.S.)
(oblivious)
Sure, come on over, I'll be here.
CHEV
Right, you'll be there, OK.
CHEV clicks off.
ll the while he's been wrestling the wasted motorcycle from
the wreckage. It's smoking, leaking oil.
He shakes his head at a dumfounded waiter, holding up the
phone like - "Can you believe this?" ... then climbs on the
SPUTTERING BIKE and drives off.
CUT TO:
INT. VERONA'S CRIB - DAY
71 71
CU: VERONA stares straight down at the CAMERA.
REVERSE: VERONA'S POV - ALEX'S severed hand, frozen stiff in
a trigger-pulling position.
(CONTINUED)
E
C
51.
CONTINUED:
VERONA looks up at his CREW, gathered nervously around the
room; lunatic schizo-cycles through a half dozen emotions
before arriving at something resembling off-hand, casual,
I'll have the #2 Super Size with a Diet Coke.
VERONA
Right, so... let's go get the bitch.
UT TO:
INT EVE'S APARTMENT, 4 MINUTES LATER
72 72
EVE'S pad is nothing like CHEV'S. It's all cats and incense,
warm natural light, a scratchy Van Morrison LP playing on a
real record player.
VE, in a cotton nightgown, is in the kitchen, attempting
some bit of microwave programming, punching random buttons
and getting herself worked up.
E
VE
(to the microwave)
I hate you ...
Five BANGS on the door barely distract her.
EVE (CONT'D)
Just a minute.
More BANGS, insistent.
EVE (CONT'D)
Alright, alright, Jesus ...
She gives up on the microwave, goes to answer the door.
EVE (CONT'D)
... calm down, what the hell ...
It's CHEV. He's dressed in a blue Adidas JOGGING SUIT - long
sleeve jacket, warm up pants with buttons down the side, the
works. He couldn't look more out of place in EVE'S mellow
apartment. He's bathed in sweat, wild-eyed, hair slicked
back like GORDON GEKKO.
EVE (CONT'D)
Oh. My. God.
CHEV
Hey doll.
(CONTINUED)
52.
CONTINUED:
He pulls her toward him and kisses her. She accepts the kiss
gratefully enough with her mouth, but holds both hands out to
her sides as if touching the JOGGING SUIT would kill her.
Without making eye contact, he breaks away and pushes into
the apartment, looking around everywhere, paranoid.
EVE
Is this your new look or something?
CHEV
That's right. You into it?
EVE
It's ... completely appalling. Very you,
Chev.
CHEV
Thank you.
He checks into the bedroom, satisfies himself that it's
empty.
EVE
Are you looking for my other boyfriend?
CHEV
(ignoring this)
You haven't turned on the TV today,
right?
EVE
No. Why?
CHEV
Didn't think so. Listen, we've got to
get out of here.
EVE
What are you talking about? Don't be
such a freak.
CHEV goes to the window, peaks through the curtains.
EVE (CONT'D)
Actually, I'm glad you're here. Can you
change the clock on the microwave?
CHEV
What?
EVE
I never changed it back.
(CONTINUED)
C
53.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV
The microwave.
EVE
Yeah. I never changed it back. You
know, daylight savings time.
C
HEV
I bought you some flowers, but they got
fucked up on the way over here.
EVE
That's sweet. Are you OK? You look like
you're on drugs or something.
CHEV
You love me, right?
EVE
Yes.
CHEV
Then I need you to do something for me.
EVE
What is it? What's wrong?
CHEV
I need you to put some clothes on and
come with me right now.
EVE
But ... I ...
CHEV
I'll change the clock on the microwave.
EVE
OK.
Confused, she pads off to the bedroom to change.
CHEV goes into the kitchen. He peeks out the kitchen window,
looks around nervously, glances at the microwave, walks up
and punches two buttons.
EXTREME CU: in ULTRA SLO-MOTION the digital readout on the
clock switches from 11 to NOON with a sound like an 18-
wheeler being dragged on it's side through a cathedral.
HEV'S vision starts to blur. He slumps forward, head
pressed against the microwave, trying to hold himself up.
(CONTINUED)
H
S
C
54.
CONTINUED: (3)
We hear his HEART skip, hang for a long moment, then thud
again, heavily.
HEV
(to himself)
That shit's wearing off ...
EVE (O.S.)
(calling to him)
Oh darn! I forgot, the waffle iron's on
if you want to make one.
CHEV
(calling back)
Great, great ...
He lurches over to the other side of the kitchen ... where an
old fashioned-style waffle iron sits, plugged in and starting
to smoke.
He takes a deep breath, opens the lid, PUTS HIS HAND IN AND
PRESSES THE THING CLOSED.
OUND: a stomach churning SEAR AND SIZZLE.
e screams under his breath, stomping on the kitchen floor in
agony ... but his HEARTBEAT rockets up again. He pulls out
his pink, smoking hand and jams it under his armpit, hopping
up and down.
EVE (O.S.)
You're so stressed out, do you want some
pot?
CHEV
(fighting to get the words out)
Yes. No! ... thanks ...
The waffle iron starts to SPARK from the plug. He yanks it
out of the wall as EVE walks in wearing a sun dress and a
ribbon in her hair.
EVE
What's the matter?
CHEV
(holding it in)
Nothing ... burned my hand ...
She comes up to him, tries to pry his hand out from under his
arm. E
VE
Oh my God, are you OK? Let me see...
(CONTINUED)
C
55.
CONTINUED: (4)
CHEV
It's nothing... don't worry about it...
let's get out of here ...
EVE
Come on, let me see ...
CHEV
I SAID I'M OK, CAN WE JUST LEAVE??!!
EVE
(coldly)
That was just totally uncalled for.
CHEV
(exasperated)
I'm sorry ... look, can we just ...
EVE
Fine.
She turns, grabs her purse and walks out the front door in a
huff.
HEV is about to follow her when he notices something out the
window - DOUBLE TAKES, then parts the blinds to get a better
look.
A SEDAN has pulled up outside. TWO HOODS hop out and split
73 73
up, one coming up the front way, the other around back. Each
one has a right hand tucked into his blazer - they're
PACKING.
BACK TO:
CHEV
(under his breath)
Shit!
He flies out the door after EVE - the door swings shut behind
him.
INT. HALLWAY, EVE'S BUILDING - DAY
74 74
CHEV comes up behind EVE, grabs her by the shoulders and
turns her around.
CHEV
I'm parked out back.
(CONTINUED)
E
S
56.
CONTINUED:
He glances over his shoulder. Through the glass SECURITY DOOR
he sees HOOD #1 coming up the front steps.
EVE stops suddenly in front of her door - CHEV practically
PILES into her.
EVE
Oh darn... the thing.
She starts to dig through her purse for her keys.
CHEV
The thing. What thing.
The HOOD tries the front door - LOCKED.
EVE
(unlocking the door)
The waffle thing. I forgot to turn it
off.
he opens the door and walks in. CHEV tries to speak, coughs
up some unintelligible stacato nonsense.
EXT. FRONT PORCH, EVE'S BUILDING - DAY
75 75
The HOOD runs his fingers down the directory list to:
E. LYDON - 101
... and then across to the KEYPAD, PEEL-AND-STICK labeled:
7 ENTER + APT. # TO DIAL
INT. HALLWAY, EVE'S BUILDING - DAY
6 76
CHEV is SLACK-JAWED. Inside the apartment, the PHONE BEGINS
TO RING.
VE (O.S.)
Alright, alright...!
CHEV shakes his head in disbelief; steels himself - then
turns and walks quickly down the hall to the front door.
INT. EVE'S APARTMENT, CONTINUOUS
77 77
Flustered, EVE picks up the phone.
EVE
Hello?
T
E
E
T
57.
EXT. FRONT PORCH, EVE'S BUILDING - DAY
78 78
The door SLAMS OPEN. The HOOD whirls to see CHEV, grim as a
motherfucker, SIX INCHES FROM HIS FACE. He scrambles for his
gun -
OO LATE. CHEV'S hand flashes forward, PALM connecting with
the BRIDGE OF THE NOSE - dropping him instantly.
VE (O.S.)
(through the intercom)
Hello? Hello? Alright, very funny...
The HOOD drops to his knees, eyes rolling back in his head,
blood rushing from his nose. CHEV glances quickly around for
witnesses - then backs into the hallway, letting the door
swing shut behind him.
INT. HALLWAY, EVE'S BUILDING - DAY
79 79
EVE pops out.
VE
I hate that...
CHEV is waiting by the door, blocking her view of the front
entrance, smiling somewhat crazily.
CHEV
You trying to burn down the building?
She gives him a look, then turns and heads down the hall.
CHEV hustles after her.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Whoa whoa whoa...
EXT. REAR EXIT, EVE'S BUILDING - DAY
80 80
he building opens out back into a small parking area. Trash
bins line the brick wall, ready for pick up. CHEV and EVE are
leaving when CHEV sees the other HOOD coming around the
corner, LESS THAN TEN FEET AWAY.
CHEV grabs the back of EVE'S purse and turns it upside down,
spilling the contents all over the concrete. She spins
around, just missing C
sight of the HOOD.
HEV
Aww, damn it, I'm sorry baby...
(CONTINUED)
T
E
W
58.
CONTINUED:
EVE
(irritated)
Nice one.
She drops down to gather up her things, as the HOOD comes
fully around the corner and MEETS EYES with CHEV.
ithout hesitation, CHEV hurdles EVE and catches the HOOD'S
wrist as he pulls out his GUN.
VE (CONT'D)
(oblivious)
I swear to God, Chev, I don't know what
you're on these days but it is not
working for you...
CHEV wrestles himself around the HOOD, keeping the gun at a
distance with one hand, his other hand cupped over the HOOD'S
mouth, head-locking him. Their legs interlock, jostling for
leverage.
he GUN drifts down toward EVE - CHEV wrenches it up as THE
TRIGGER SQUEEZES.
SILENCER. The shot whizzes over EVE'S head and through a
nearby window: PLINK!
INT. SENIOR CITIZEN'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
81 81
A PARAKEET in a cage by the window disappears in a puff of
feathers.
8
2 82
EXT. REAR EXIT, EVE'S BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
From overhead, the CAMERA CORKSCREWS CLOCKWISE as CHEV
wrenches the HOOD'S neck COUNTERCLOCKWISE, snapping it.
EVE
You know, I could use a little help here.
CHEV shoves the HOOD'S body into a dumpster just as EVE
turns... CHEV snatches up the first thing he sees - a grime
encrusted plastic SHOWER CAP - and holds it up lamely.
CHEV
Is this yours?
EVE rolls her eyes, looks around.
EVE
Where's your car?
(CONTINUED)
W
8
F
59.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
My car. Actually... I took a cab.
EXT. DOWN THE BLOCK - DAY
83 83
A POLICE MOTORCYCLE is tipped over on a lawn, coughing up
black smoke, spewing oil. A crowd of Mexicans are gathered
around, gaping.
lames start to SHOOT UP from the motorcycle; THE CROWD
SCATTERS, ducking for cover.
EXT L.A. CHINATOWN, 8 MINUTES LATER
4 84
MONTAGE: Chinatown is bustling with activity. Vendors haggle
... workers hustle down the sidewalk with baskets of
chickens, sides of meat ... tourists wander ... motorists
argue and punch their horns ... and the lunch hour crowd
converges on a hundred eateries ...
e hear a million HEARTBEATS, old, young ... even fast
ticking chicken heartbeats, all overlapping, blending
together in a swelling din of live things.
The voyeuristic CAMERA picks CHEV and EVE up through the
crowd. CHEV is wearing DARK GLASSES to go with his 80's hair
E
and jogger.
VE
You're embarrassing.
CHEV
You know, I didn't have a lot of time to
pick this out ...
EVE
Hm. So why are we here?
INT NOODLE HOUSE, MOMENTS LATER
85 85
CHEV sits across from EVE in a tiny restaurant. An equally
tiny VIETNAMESE WOMAN brings them menus.
CHEV pulls a little bottle of NAS-ALL out of his pocket and
SNORTS the entire thing, grotesquely, at the table. It
doesn't help much.
He shakes out his head, bangs his fist on the table and sits
up in his chair.
CHEV
(holding his fingers up to
indicate quotation marks)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
C
C
C
60.
CONTINUED: CHEV(CONT'D)
"This isn't going to be easy" ... as they
say ...
EVE flinches at the sight of his burned, waffle patterned
palm. He notices, draws it back.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Alright, here it is. I told you I was a
video game programmer. That was a lie.
Actually...
UT TO:
INT THOUSAND CRANES, KITCHEN - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
CHEV'S DIALOG continues over the FLASHBACK.
CHEV is retrieving a HIDDEN GUN from the kitchen, checking
the CLIP, the BARREL, the ACTION, and slipping out a side
door into a RED CORRIDOR past two CHINESE MEN in black suits.
CHEV (V.O.)
I kill people. I'm a professional hitman.
I freelance for a major West Coast crime
syndicate.
CUT TO:
INT THOUSAND CRANES, PRIVATE ROOM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
DON KIM sits at the head of the table, drinking alone.
CHEV (V.O.)
Last night was a job like a hundred
others. A high dollar hit. Nothing
special.
CHEV walks up behind him, gun drawn to the back of KIM'S
head... cocks the hammer back. DON KIM spins around in shock,
the same reaction we saw in the SCENE 1 FLASHBACK - FROZEN,
SAUCER-EYED.
HEV'S eyes steel... his finger tightens...
HEV (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And then out of nowhere this insane idea
comes in through the back of my head like
a .45 slug at close range...
S
ilence hangs heavy in the room... CHEV holds the gun to DON
KIM'S head, paralyzed with indecision.
DON KIM
Well? What are you waiting for?
(CONTINUED)
I
I
C
61.
CONTINUED:
With a last GRIMACE like even he can't believe what he's
doing, CHEV lets his GUN HAND DROP slowly to his side.
HEV
Congratulations.
DON KIM
Did I win something?
CHEV
Your life, jackass.
(beat)
A hundred grand wants you dead, so sooner
or later it's going to happen. But I'm
not doing it.
DON KIM
I see.
CHEV
nstead, you're going to do something for
me. You're going to get out of town.
Disappear. I don't care where you go, I
don't care what you do, so long as you're
invisible for 48 hours. That's all I ask.
DON KIM
(incredulous)
48 hours.
CHEV
Or if you prefer, we can do it the other
way, the way where I go to work and you
go meet Buddah.
CUT TO:
INT NOODLE HOUSE, MOMENTS LATER
CHEV leans back in his chair and slams one of the legs down
onto his foot. EVE flinches.
CHEV
See: I quit. I quit the business. For
you.
EVE
For me?
CHEV
figure I call you that night. I tell
you everything. You understand.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
E
T
J
E
(
62.
CONTINUED: CHEV(CONT'D)
We get on a plane together and leave all
this shit behind. Never come back.
shrugs)
Pretty crazy, huh?
VE
You are so weird. Are we going on a trip?
CHEV stares at her blankly, then shakes his head to clear it.
CHEV
Yeah, well... I may be going on a trip,
but you're not coming with me...
EVE
I don't understand.
CUT TO:
EXT CHINATOWN, OUTDOOR PLAZA, MOMENTS LATER
86 86
EVE storms out of the restaurant, letting the door slam
behind her. CHEV follows, staggering like a drunk man.
He catches up to her and grabs her arm.
CHEV
Eve... baby... please!
She spins on him.
EVE
Mob hits, Chev? Chinese poison? Do you
know how ridiculous you sound? If you're
going to break up with me, at least you
can tell me the truth.
CHEV
You think it sounds crazy? How do you
think I feel - I've gotta live this
shit...
ust then the CAMERA SLAMS THROUGH CHEV'S TRANSPARENT CHEST -
his HEART seems to GRIND DOWN and STALL, MID-PUMP, as the
POISON'S PROGRESS moves another clock tick forward.
he CAMERA pulls violently out of CHEV'S chest cavity - he
looks like someone just FIRED A CANNONBALL INTO HIS GUT...
face white as a dinner plate... It's the worst we've seen him
yet.
VE
Oh my God, Chev... what's the matter with
you?
(CONTINUED)
I
63.
CONTINUED:
He looks around like a drowning man. People everywhere, but
starting to disperse as lunch hour dwindles. The world
starts to SPIN.
CHEV
... just need...
CHEV falls to his knees, pulling her down with him.
EVE
Chev, you're scaring me.
CHEV
(getting a desperate idea)
Wait a minute. Do you trust me?
EVE
No.
CHEV
Make love to me.
EVE
What?
CHEV
Come on. I think it'll help.
EVE
Help what?
He starts grabbing at her. She pushes his hands away.
EVE (CONT'D)
Get off! Are you kidding me?
CHEV
Take your clothes off.
EVE
No!
CHEV
You always say you want to be more
spontaneous.
E
VE
You're insane. You're like some
adrenaline junkie with no soul.
CHEV
Save me, Eve. Save my life.
(CONTINUED)
E
N
T
64.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV starts feeling up EVE'S ass.
EVE
Stop it!
She SLUGS HIM IN THE MOUTH. His head snaps back; he comes up
holding his lip.
EVE (CONT'D)
Oh my God, Chev!
She reaches instinctively to comfort him and he lunges
forward, tearing at her dress.
hey roll around on the ground, scratching and clawing at one
another. A curious crowd gathers round. EVE starts to flip
out, SCREAMING AND POUNDING on him with her fists like a
crazy woman.
ext thing you know she's kissing and biting his mouth,
breathless, still pounding with her fists.
EVE (CONT'D)
You filthy animal ...
She reaches down and starts fumbling with his pants. He
helps. The onlookers' eyes widen, moms covering the kids'
faces.
EVE (CONT'D)
Take me right here in front of everyone.
CHEV'S HEARTBEAT starts to pick up. He lifts her dress and
positions himself on top of her. EVE is completely out of
her head, eyes closed, legs up in the air like a porn star.
E
VE (CONT'D)
That's it... do it ...
CHEV thrusts.
VE (CONT'D)
Come on, put it in me...
He thrusts again. EVE's eyes pop open.
EVE (CONT'D)
What are you waiting for?
CHEV looks down at his equipment, then up at EVE, helplessly.
(CONTINUED)
C
W
A
65.
CONTINUED: (3)
EVE (CONT'D)
(incredulously)
Tell me you're joking. Now you can't get
it up?
CHEV
(determined)
I'll fucking get it up!
With a surge of energy he lifts her off the ground, drags her
over to a newspaper machine on the street - the crowd parts
to let them through - and bends her over it.
He tries again to enter her.
EVE
God damn it, Chev ...!
CHEV
Shut up!
He starts to SPANK her. She responds with a moan. A certain
portion of the crowd spontaneously breaks into applause.
CHEV picks up the pace. EVE begins making primal cries.
busload of JAPANESE GIRLS pulls up - tourists in matching
red uniforms - gaping out the window with slack jawed
amazement.
ith the crowd cheering and traffic stopped, CHEV gets a shot
of adrenaline and goes for broke. EVE shrieks like a banshee
as he enters her.
CHEV (CONT'D)
I'M STILL ALIVE! I'M STILL ALIVE!!!
CHEV'S HEARTBEAT is slamming, he's really giving it to her,
making full eye contact with the busload of tourists the
entire time.
CHEV doubles his efforts, desperately fighting for the
climax, when ...
BEE-DEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEE-DUM.
HEV (CONT'D)
What was that?
EVE
Oh God... Oh God... yes...
BEE-DEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEE-DUM. CHEV'S CELLPHONE.
(CONTINUED)
8
66.
CONTINUED: (4)
CHEV
Shit!
CHEV reaches for the E
phone.
VE
What are you doing?!!
CHEV puts the phone up to his ear.
CHEV
Yeah.
SPLIT SCREEN WITH:
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, SAME TIME
87 87
CU of KAYLO'S face.
KAYLO
I've got Verona.
We see that KAYLO is duct taped to an office chair in what
appears to be an old warehouse, knife to his neck, held by
unseen captors. He's been badly beaten up.
6A 86A
EXT STREET, CHINATOWN, SAME TIME
CHEV is still going through the motions with EVE, but his
attention has shifted 100% to the voice on the phone.
CHEV
Kaylo?
KAYLO (V.O.)
I've got Verona, man.
CHEV yanks it out and pulls up his pants.
EVE
What???
CHEV
No shit. Where are you?
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, SAME TIME
87A 87A
KAYLO sweats, looks off camera. A hand presses the knife
closer to his throat.
KAYLO
Don Kim's shirt factory. Upstairs.
67.
EXT STREET, CHINATOWN, SAME TIME
86B 86B
CHEV finishes zipping up.
EVE
(furious, in disbelief)
What's the matter with you?!!
CHEV
(to EVE)
Shh.
(to KAYLO)
Downtown?
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, SAME TIME
87B 87B
KAYLO
(gulping)
Yeah.
86C 86C
EXT STREET, CHINATOWN, SAME TIME
CHEV'S demeanor changes to an icy slow burn. He holds EVE
back with one arm as she tries to get at him, flipping out.
CHEV
Listen to me. You don't let that
motherfucker out of your sight. I'll be
there in ten minutes. You got that?
KAYLO
(close to breaking into tears)
OK, Chevy ...
CHEV
Out.
END SPLIT SCREEN.
CUT TO:
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, MOMENTS LATER
88 88
KAYLO looks up at his captors, miserably, as the phone clicks
off. The CAMERA instantly flashes down to a low wide angle,
looking straight up as a bag is thrown over KAYLO'S head and
two unidentifiable men close in on him, lifting the chair off
the ground ... then takes its time moving slowly down to
reveal KAYLO'S feet, bicycling wildly, then twitching,
finally just dangling ... both in fishnet and high heeled
pumps. One pump falls to the concrete as KAYLO goes still
...
H
S
68.
EXT STREET, CHINATOWN, SAME TIME
86D 86D
CHEV turns his attention back to EVE.
CHEV
I have to go. Please understand.
EVE
No. Chev. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.
CHEV spots a flash of blue - COPS making their way through
the crowd.
CHEV
hit!
He breaks away running, leaving EVE stranded half naked in
the street, holding her torn dress up amidst a sea of gaping
Chinese.
EVE
(screaming after him)
YOU'LL BURN IN HELL FOR THIS!!!
CHEV
(shouting back, voice trailing
off)
I'll call you!
89 89
INT CHINATOWN CAB, 5 MINUTES LATER
CHEV sits in the back, fading.
LUB ... DUB ... LUBBBB ...
HAITIAN CABBIE, 30's, in a sleeveless black mesh T-shirt.
HAITIAN CABBIE
(heavy accent)
Hey.
e adjusts the mirror to get a look at CHEV. CHEV looks like
hell - cold sweat, woozy, glass-eyed.
HAITIAN CABBIE (CONT'D)
Hey man. What's the matter with you? You
a crackhead?
CHEV
Right... just step on it, alright?
(CONTINUED)
C
H
69.
CONTINUED:
HAITIAN CABBIE
Hey, you not gonna die in my cab,
crackhead.
The HAITIAN CABBIE opens up his glove compartment and takes
something out. CHEV'S eyes widen. A gun?
HAITIAN CABBIE (CONT'D)
I got something for you.
As the CABBIE turns around CHEV experiences a FLASH
HALLUCINATION:
The CABBIE'S face is painted like a PSYCHEDELIC VOODOO SKULL
in GLOWING BLACK LIGHT PAINT. He is grinning crazily.
CHEV flinches in horror, but just like that the CABBIE is
back to normal. He hands CHEV a vial of liquid.
HAITIAN CABBIE (CONT'D)
You drink this Haitian shit, crackhead.
This right here is some hardcore shit.
Made from plant shit.
CHEV
(laughing)
Nice.
HAITIAN CABBIE
(irritated)
What are you laughing at? Look at this!
He flexes a HUGE BICEP.
AITIAN CABBIE (CONT'D)
You see that? That's what a man looks
like, crackhead. That's the power. Now
look at you.
HEV narrows his eyes at the CABBIE, then shakes his head.
CHEV
What the hell.
He twists open the little vial and downs it in one gulp.
CHEV (CONT'D)
(
grimacing)
Tastes like ass.
HAITIAN CABBIE
That's right, devil. You wait.
(CONTINUED)
T
L
T
70.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV rolls his eyes and leans against the door, face pressed
against the window glass.
raffic flashes by at high speed then cuts to slo mo: The
CAMERA ramps down to 120 f.p.s as a car rolls by CHEV'S taxi.
A LITTLE BOY who could be younger version of CHEV himself
rides in the back seat. They make eye contact as the cars
cross paths.
CHEV finds himself drifting into a dream state.
FLASH CUT TO:
INT CAB, TIME UNKNOWN
92 C 92
HEV'S eyes are glazed, staring through the window.
He notices something strange in the CAB'S rear view mirror -
something RED.
CHEV'S eyes WIDEN.
CUT TO:
EXT CAB, TIME UNKNOWN
93 93
WIDE SHOT: the CAB cruises by ... a low sound builds to a
DEAFENING ROAR ... following the CAB, a giant RED PACMAN
GHOST rumbles down the street, animated, two dimensional ...
CUT TO:
94 94
INT CAB, DAY
CHEV jerks awake, and back to his senses.
HAITIAN CABBIE
We're here.
UBDUB ... LUBDUB ... LUBDUB ... LUBDUB ... steady.
CHEV focuses his eyes on the empty vial.
CHEV
What'd you say was in this stuff?
HAITIAN CABBIE
I told you: it's hardcore.
hey pull up to the sidewalk in front of a run down, 40's era
warehouse building at the outskirts of the LA Garment
District. CHEV gets out.
(CONTINUED)
H
71.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
(still shaking it off)
Wow.
AITIAN CABBIE
Five fifty five.
CHEV digs through EVE'S purse, which he'd been holding in his
lap the whole time, pulls out a fifty and hands it to the
CABBIE. The CABBIE digs for change.
CHEV
It's all you, man. Keep it.
HAITIAN CABBIE
Have a nice day, devil.
CHEV puts the purse over his shoulder, turns to take a look
at the building.
CHEV
Right...
CUT TO:
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, UPSTAIRS, SAME TIME
95 95
HIGH ANGLE: From an upper floor window someone is watching
CHEV survey the building as the cab pulls away.
CUT TO:
96 96
EXT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, SAME TIME
CHEV walks toward the front door, then stops short.
CHEV
(to himself)
Wait a minute, wait a minute ...
He glances toward the upper windows.
CHEV (CONT'D)
(suddenly suspicious)
This is fucked.
He changes direction, heads around the side of the building.
CUT TO:
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, UPSTAIRS, SAME TIME
97 97
CHEV disappears.
(CONTINUED)
C
72.
CONTINUED:
HOOD #1 (O.S.)
Where's he going?
CUT TO:
EXT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, SAME TIME
98 98
CHEV comes up on a loading platform. Korean workers are
loading boxes out of the building into the backs of trucks in
the sweltering heat.
He walks by them into the building without making eye contact
with anyone. They barely notice.
9
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, PACKING ROOM, SAME TIME
9 99
He skirts the packing floor and heads to a dilapidated
freight elevator, gets on, starts up.
INT FREIGHT ELEVATOR, SAME TIME
100 100
The front and ceiling of the ELEVATOR are open, exposing the
shaft, the cables and the passing floors; he reaches the 4TH
FLOOR, heading up ... hundreds of Koreans sitting at sewing
machines, all running at once, a mind numbing din ... windows
painted over black, chipped and cracked in places with shards
of light slicing through ... slow turning ceiling fans and
long rows of fluorescent light beating down on the tables ...
HEV hops off and lets the elevator keep going.
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, 4TH FLOOR, SECONDS LATER
101 101
THE CAMERA follows CHEV through the room, along the humming
rows of sewing machines. He crosses from one side of the
room to another, where a single open window leading out to
the fire escape streams sunlight. A SUPERVISOR, Korean,
skinny, mid-thirties, stringy mustache, is dozed off in a
chair by the window.
CHEV walks right by, out the window and onto the fire escape.
The CAMERA stays with him.
EXT FIRE ESCAPE, CONTINUOUS
102 102
CHEV beats his head into the brick wall, climbs up the fire
escape, skips the next floor up, gets onto the roof.
C
73.
EXT ROOF, SECONDS LATER
103 103
CHEV ducks behind a big ventilation duct. HOOD #2, mid 40's,
stocky, is leaning over the edge of the building on the
opposite side, looking for something - presumably CHEV -
holding a cell phone up to his ear. His folded jacket and
gun sit on the ledge beside him.
We recognize the HOOD from CARLITO'S place; he was one of the
men loitering around the pool.
CHEV sneaks up.
HOOD #2
How the hell should I know? He went in
where they load the boxes. Alright,
alright ...
H
e clicks off - and CHEV is on him, snatching up the HOOD'S
gun, spinning him around and poking it into the soft flesh
under his chin.
CHEV
(sarcastically)
Hey, what a coincidence, you like this
spot too?
HOOD #2
Chevy! Shit!
HEV
What the fuck is this, you working for
the Chinese now?
HOOD #2
The Chinese... are you crazy?
CHEV
Yeah I am. Where's Kaylo?
HOOD #2
Chevy ... I'm sorry, man ... I didn't ...
CHEV
(losing his patience)
OK, ding, time's up ...
In one quick motion he grabs ahold of one of the HOOD'S legs,
hoists him up over the ledge and TIPS HIM OFF THE SIDE OF THE
BUILDING, then turns and heads for the roof access door ...
(CONTINUED)
L
C
H
H
H
1
74.
CONTINUED:
HOOD #2 (O.S.)
(falling)
You son of a ... !
... long seconds later, a THUD.
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, 5TH FLOOR, MOMENTS LATER
04 104
The 5TH FLOOR is a little used storage level - stacked boxes,
dusty file cabinets, garbage everywhere ... starkly lit with
harsh overhead fixtures as old as the building itself. We
recognize this as the room KAYLO called from ... more so
because his LIMP BODY is still duct taped to the rolling
office chair, now lying on its side in the middle of the
room.
A
half dozen more HOODS are gathered in front of the freight
elevator when CHEV appears behind them, taking everyone by
surprise.
e's standing over KAYLO'S body, gun drawn, EVE'S beaded
purse still slung over his shoulder, PISSING FIRE.
CHEV
Alright, where is that motherfucker?
The HOODS are completely taken by surprise; they back away
from CHEV, spreading out.
OOD #3
Uh ... hey, Chev.
The HOODS act almost guilty ... it's obvious everyone knows
each other.
CHEV
What the fuck is this?
OOD #1
Chevy, baby, take it easy.
CHEV points the gun at HOOD #1's head; the others raise their
guns at him.
HEV
ike this? WHERE'S VERONA?
HOOD #1
Verona got nothing to do with this.
CHEV
What?
(CONTINUED)
75.
CONTINUED:
HOOD #1
Don Carlos wants you off the street.
CHEV
(stunned)
Carlito?
HOOD #1
You've totally lost your shit, dude ...
you're all over the TV ... destroying
property, making unauthorized hits ...
you're causing the organization a great
deal of embarrassment.
CHEV gestures toward KAYLO in disbelief.
CHEV
Carlito ordered this?
HOOD #1
(ignoring it)
Look, forget about Verona. We'll take
care of him. The best thing for you to
do is to find a nice, dark, quiet place
and just ... die.
CHEV
Just die.
HOOD #1
Yeah. Just ... die.
CHEV'S HEARTBEAT starts to slow. The wooden elevator starts
down. He looks around, making eye contact with the other
HOODS ...
CHEV
Maybe you're right.
... then down to KAYLO'S crumpled body. He sees the stocking
feet, the pumps ... his HEART starts to jitter - THUDUB ...
LUB ... THUDUB ... his vision doubles ... he starts to swoon
...
HOOD #1
(rationalizing)
I mean we all gotta die sometime, right?
HOOD #1 snickers. The others share a tense laugh.
CHEV
That's true ... we all gotta die ...
(CONTINUED)
C
K
C
76.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV stumbles, props himself up with one hand.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Right ... so ... let's all die ...
HOOD #1
Eh?
CHEV brings up his gun in the blink of an eye, draws a bead
on HOOD #1 and is about to set off a SHOOTING GALLERY, when
the ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES and the door SLIDES OPEN.
EVE WALKS IN... looks around, and FREEZES.
They all turn to look.
HOOD #1 (CONT'D)
What the...?
CHEV affords himself about a second and a half of BUG-EYED
SHOCK before snapping out of it and DROPPING HOOD #1
INSTANTLY WITH A SHOT TO THE HEAD.
HAOS BREAKS OUT as the others dive for cover and start
blasting. CHEV yanks KAYLO'S chair up and shoves it toward
the HOODS - then makes a break for the elevator shaft,
grabbing EVE as he goes.
AYLO'S body screens CHEV and EVE as they run, taking hits,
finally toppling over again. CHEV takes out another HOOD on
the run, nailing him right between the eyes.
HEV turns his back on the hoods, covering EVE, as they make
a dive into the open elevator shaft and takes a BULLET IN THE
ASS.
CHEV
OW!
He spins and empties his clip at the HOODS, who hit the deck.
EVE holds his ass as CHEV looks down the open elevator shaft.
The elevator is half a floor down, moving slow. He grabs
EVE, then the cable... they jump for it.
1
INT DON KIM'S SHIRT FACTORY, 4TH FLOOR, SECONDS LATER
05 105
CHEV and EVE hit the floor of the moving elevator with a
CRASH and roll out onto the 4th floor. The workers are all
in a panic, standing by their sewing machines - they've
obviously heard the shots. The SUPERVISOR is walking around,
shoving them back into their seats, screaming at everyone in
Korean to keep working.
(CONTINUED)
C
77.
CONTINUED:
The SUPERVISOR, all of five feet, walks right up to CHEV and
EVE, and starts screaming at them in broken English.
SUPERVISOR
You! Assholes! What you want!
EVE completely FLIPS OUT and starts SHOUTING DOWN the little
man.
EVE
DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!! MY BOYFRIEND
KILLS PEOPLE!!!
CHEV
Nice.
The door on the far end of the room BUSTS OPEN and HOODS pour
in from the stairwell. They spot him.
CHEV and EVE duck low and start hoofing it down the rows of
machines toward the windows. The HOODS fan out. They play
cat and mouse in the maze of sewing machines and Koreans
while the SUPERVISOR, oblivious, continues screaming and
forcing the workers back into their chairs.
CHEV puts a finger to EVE'S lips, calming her momentarily...
... then comes up behind a youngish HOOD and shoves the
HOOD'S gun hand under a vicious looking sewing machine at
least fifty years old, operated by a Korean woman even older.
THE RUSTY THING PUNCTURES HIS HAND OVER AND OVER AS HE
SCREAMS, JUMPING UP AND DOWN, UNABLE TO GET FREE.
HEV grabs the gun. They make for the fire escape.
EXT FIRE ESCAPE, SECONDS LATER
106 106
They reach the bottom of the ladder and are PINNED DOWN by
gunfire from above.
CHEV gives her a LOOK that says it all.
EVE
I had to see if you were telling the
truth... oh, and you have my purse.
CHEV notices the purse still over his shoulder, takes it off
and hands it to her. With a quick upward glance he breaks
cover and squeezes off 4 SHOTS, nailing two HOODS on the fire
escape.
CHEV
Come on! Wait -
(CONTINUED)
W
N
78.
CONTINUED:
She freezes - one of the DEAD HOODS lands with a THUD in the
spot she would've been -
CHEV (CONT'D)
... OK, now come on.
EVE is pale as a sheet. She steps over the body like she was
avoiding a particularly large pile of cow shit... CHEV grabs
her hand and yanks her along.
He spots EVE'S CAR parked BACKWARDS across the street and
they make a desperate RUN FOR IT as more shots WHIZ AND
RICOCHET off the pavement.
EVE is rifling through her purse as they run. Naturally CHEV
assumes she's looking for the CAR KEYS.
EVE
Darn it, I forgot to take my birth
control pill.
CHEV answers the gunfire with shots of his own, buying them a
few seconds, then grabs the purse and shakes the contents out
onto the ground.
o keys.
CHEV
here's the keys?
E
VE holds out her hand, where she's had them all along.
CHEV (CONT'D)
(taking them)
Cool.
EVE
My stuff...
She looks like she's about to wander around, gathering up her
things, when another volley of shots BLOWS OUT THE PASSENGER
WINDOW of the car.
CHEV picks EVE up like a sack of grain and THROWS HER, HEAD
FIRST, THROUGH THE PASSENGER WINDOW, INTO THE CAR, then runs
around the other side, hops in and PEELS OUT.
INT. EVE'S CAR - DAY
EVE gets herself turned upright and stares at CHEV, hair full
of windshield glass.
(CONTINUED)
T
E
H
79.
CONTINUED:
EVE
You weren't lying.
CHEV
Welcome to my life.
EVE
(head over heels IN LOVE)
No, I mean: that you were going to give
it all up for me.
CHEV
Oh. Yeah.
EVE
And the other part?
CHEV
The poison? Yeah, that's true too.
e SLAMS his fist against the wheel.
EVE
(cracking)
Then... that means...
CHEV
Pretty much.
EVE
How can we stop it?
CHEV
Adrenaline. It's the only thing that
slows it down.
VE
(getting it)
So... when we were in Chinatown...?
CHEV
Yeah. Sorry.
A LOOK OF DETERMINATION comes over her. She reaches for his
crotch.
CHEV (CONT'D)
What are you doing?
EVE
his will get you going.
(CONTINUED)
E
80.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV
WHAT?
EVE
Come on, let's finish what you started.
CHEV'S eyes flash to the rearview mirror and GO WIDE. He
grabs the back of EVE'S head and PUSHES IT DOWN INTO HIS LAP -
just as a BULLET SLICES THROUGH THE REAR WINDSHIELD and out
the front.
EVE'S head STAYS DOWN.
CHEV
Oh boy...
CHEV is straining against the seat, EVASIVE DRIVING as she
GOES DOWN on him.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Oh yeah, that's... that's really working
for me...
EVE'S head pops up. E
VE
(working him up)
You like that?
Shots whiz by.
CHEV
Stay down.
He pushes her head back down.
CHEV'S heart is POUNDING like a jackhammer. He's got himself
arched into a crazy position, making it happen.
CHEV (CONT'D)
That's it that's it that's it... just a
little...
EVE'S head quickly pops back up. She PUSHES AWAY.
CHEV (CONT'D)
(flustered)
What's the matter?
VE
(satisfied)
So you can fall asleep like you always
do? I don't think so.
(CONTINUED)
I
H
E
81.
CONTINUED: (3)
CHEV loses his mind.
He SLAMS THE BRAKES to put the car into a SLIDE, exposing his
driver side to the pursuing sedan - punches his gun hand out
the window and BLASTS AWAY.
He NAILS THE DRIVER BETWEEN THE EYES... the window
DISINTEGRATES... The SEDAN full of HOODS skids into the
sidewalk. Steam pours from the radiator.
XT. CITY STREET - DAY
CHEV gets out and walks DIRECTLY UP TO THE SEDAN, one hand
holding his gun straight out in front of him, the other
PULLING UP HIS JOGGING PANTS, which are bunched up around his
knees.
CHEV unloads the entire clip into the SEDAN before any of the
HOODS can react.
e walks back to EVE'S CAR, cool as a cucumber, gets in and
pulls away.
NT. EVE'S CAR - DAY
EVE'S face has turned a distinct shade of PALE GREEN.
EVE
Are they... OK?
CHEV looks at her like she's nuts.
CHEV
They're dead.
EVE is overwhelmed.
EVE
How can you... how can you do that...?
CHEV barely hears her - he's become DISTRACTED, flexing his
left hand and feeling around his legs.
CHEV
I told you, baby... I quit.
He spots something, hits the brakes.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Wait here.
He jumps out.
H
S
82.
122 EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY 122
CHEV almost COLLAPSES when his feet hit the ground. It seems
like the left half of his body has simply stopped working.
CHEV
Jesus Christ! Now what...?
He unsnaps the buttons of the warm-up pants to reveal that
his left leg has TURNED GREY.
He's HALF DEAD.
EVE
What's the matter?
CHEV
(pointing at her)
Stay.
They've pulled up across the street from a HARDWARE STORE.
CHEV drags his carcass across the street, oblivious to the
traffic swerving and braking to avoid him, and stumbles in.
EVE stays in the car for a few seconds, looking lost, then
pulls herself together and gets out.
She follows CHEV'S path, crossing the street through traffic.
TORE EMPLOYEES and CUSTOMERS start bailing out of the store
in a PANIC as she approaches the front doors. She walks
through them and INSIDE.
INT HARDWARE STORE, SECONDS LATER
123 123
EVE dream-walks through the store, past the registers,
following CHEV'S trail of BLOOD-SMEARED FOOTPRINTS.
A pimple-faced STOCK CLERK blows by her, not looking back.
STOCK CLERK
He's got a gun!
She turns the corner and there's CHEV - he's propped up in
the middle of an aisle in front of a bin of NAILS, HAMMER in
one hand...
e's already hammered SIX FRAMING NAILS INTO HIS LEG and is
busy POUNDING IN NUMBER SEVEN.
He looks up at her, eyes wild.
(CONTINUED)
83.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
I can't feel my leg.
EVE is speechless.
SOUND: BEE-DEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEEE-DEE-DEE-DUM.
At first CHEV doesn't understand where the SOUND is coming
from ... he looks around as if a RED GHOST might glide around
a random corner any second ... then realizes his CELL is in
his pocket. He answers it.
CHEV (CONT'D)
H
ello?
DOC MILES
Chevy! Holy shit, man, I've been trying
to reach you for a half hour.
CHEV
Where are you?
CUT TO:
INT CHOCOLATE'S APARTMENT, SIMULTANEOUS
124 124
DOC is calling from the broken down apartment we saw earlier.
CHOCOLATE is kicking back on a worn, brown imitation leather
sofa in the background, watching TV.
DOC MILES
I'm at my office. Can you get here?
CUT TO:
INT HARDWARE STORE, SIMULTANEOUS
125 125
SIRENS approach outside. CHEV meets EVE'S eyes, shakes his
head: unbelievable.
CHEV
Sure, why not?
FADE TO BLACK.
INT CHOCOLATE'S APARTMENT, 9 MINUTES LATER
126 126
An IV bag bubbles, a portable HEART MONITOR beeps. The
CAMERA follows the drip down to CHEV'S arm. He's lying on
the brown sofa, wheezing thickly. Some kind of Court TV show
plays on the tube in the background.
(CONTINUED)
(
C
84.
CONTINUED:
DOC MILES crouches beside CHEV, examines the heart monitor,
shakes his head.
HEV
I owe you again, Doc.
DOC MILES
You're my best customer.
CHEV
gesturing with his head at the
IV)
What is this stuff?
DOC MILES
Synthetic ephedrine, diluted with saline.
CHEV
It feels sort of good.
DOC MILES
Oh, I also gave you a little meth.
That's the endorphins rushing into to
your brain that you're feeling.
CHEV
So I'm not... better?
DOC MILES
Fuck no. You're in such shit shape it's
stunning. I've never seen a heart take
this kind of punishment and keep ticking.
You should be in a fucking medical
journal or something.
CHEV
So... what are you going to do?
DOC just shrugs.
DOC MILES
The solution I'm giving you is acting as
a competitive inhibitor... meaning it
pushes the poison out of your receptors
and replaces it with a chemical... it's a
temporary fix...
CHEV
Then what?
(CONTINUED)
I
I
85.
CONTINUED: (2)
DOC MILES
Look, if we put you on life support we
could maybe string you out for a few
days, but at some point you'd almost
certainly lapse into a coma... and
then...
And now it hits CHEV for the first time: this is really it.
He seems like he might break down.
CHEV
(cocking his head toward the
next room)
Does she know?
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM, CHOCOLATE'S APARTMENT - DAY
EVE and CHOCOLATE are sitting cross-legged on the mattress,
staring blankly at the TV.
EVE
(no inflection)
I hate television.
CHOCOLATE looks sideways at her: the white girl is CRAZY.
NT. CHOCOLATE'S APARTMENT - DAY
DOC shakes his head NO.
CHEV broods silently.
DOC MILES
f you want, I can load you up with
something, you'll go out in a beautiful
dream.
CHEV
A dream.
FLASH CUT: A RED GHOST, pulsing.
DOC MILES
(gently)
Can I do that for you, Chev?
CHEV
No... no, that's not what I want.
DOC MILES
Then ... what?
(CONTINUED)
86.
CONTINUED:
CHEV'S moment of weakness passes. His face goes grim with
vengeance as the mean bastard inside him kicks in. He looks
DOC MILES in the eye.
CHEV
One hour.
DOC MILES regards him blankly.
CHEV (CONT'D)
I want one hour.
CUT TO:
INT HUMVEE LIMOUSINE, DAY
127 127
RICKY VERONA and his CREW are in the back, watching a noisy
satellite feed on dual plasma TV screens. A JAPANESE GIRL in
a red blazer, one of the TOURISTS from the bus, is being
interviewed in Japanese amidst a crowd of her semi-identical
friends. A TRANSLATION is overdubbed.
JAPANESE GIRL
The GIRLS giggle.
JAPANESE GIRL (CONT'D)
VERONA rolls his eyes.
VERONA
Give me a fucking break...
The BROADCAST cuts to a MONTAGE: The trashed restaurant, the
burning Police motorcycle, the car crashed into the mall
escalator, POLICE sifting through wreckage, finally the
sketch of CHEV'S face.
1
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
27 127
And so the wild rampage that began at 9
AM this morning in West Los Angeles
continues, with the mysterious suspect
still at large.
HOOD
Maybe we shoulda give him more of that
Chinese shit.
(CONTINUED)
V
87.
CONTINUED:
VERONA
(sarcastic)
Oh ... you think? Jesus ...
His cell phone rings. He checks it.
VERONA (CONT'D)
(shaking his head in disbelief)
It's him. Alright, shut up.
He answers.
VERONA (CONT'D)
What's up, corpse.
CHEV
Hey douchebag, thought you might be
interested in a little deal.
ERONA
A deal? You're mental, dude.
CHEV
I want the antidote.
VERONA
Oh, the antidote, huh?
VERONA makes eye contact with his CREW, covering the
mouthpiece of the phone; they all try to keep from breaking
up.
CHEV
That's right.
VERONA
And what are you prepared to give me.
Asshole.
CHEV
How about the jewelry I got off your
faggot brother, you cocksucker?
This stings VERONA. He pulls the phone away from his face,
looks at it like he wants to smash it into bits, then pulls
himself together and puts it back to his ear.
VERONA
(holding back, tight lipped)
Hmmm.
CHEV
Thinking about it?
(CONTINUED)
88.
CONTINUED: (2)
VERONA pantomimes jacking off for the boys.
VERONA
Alright.
CHEV
You like that deal?
VERONA
Whatever.
CHEV
I'll be at Downtown Standard in twenty
minutes. You know the spot?
VERONA
Of course.
CHEV
Don't be late, or I'll trade this thing
to some whore for a hand job ...
VERONA
(cutting him off)
I'll be there.
He clicks off, then sits there, seething.
VERONA (CONT'D)
(to the BOYZ)
What the hell are you looking at?
They turn back toward the plasma screens. VERONA takes a
deep breath, then speed dials a number on the cell phone.
V
ERONA (CONT'D)
Verona. You're not going to believe the
call I just got.
CUT TO:
EXT LOS ANGELES, DAY
129 129
MONTAGE TO MUSIC: more of L.A. at 3 f.p.s. - the traffic
flowing, trains zapping by, commuters commuting, everything
at a thousand miles an hour.
CHEV (O.C.)
It's going to be alright, baby.
THEN:
E
89.
EXT LOS ANGELES, DAY
130 130
From a distance, in a locked off TELEPHOTO frame, we see CHEV
walking toward the CAMERA in slow motion, 100 f.p.s.
Dialog from an UNSEEN CONVERSATION is layered over the image.
EVE (O.C.)
But... you said...
CHEV (O.C.)
I know. But things have changed. There's
an antidote. I can make a deal for it,
but I've got to go alone.
He's well dressed in a sportcoat, slacks, button down shirt
and tie, flapping in the wind ... sunglasses, and look of
brutal determination on his face ...
VE (O.C.)
I'm scared.
CHEV (O.C.)
Of course. But you'll be safe now. And
I'll be back.
In a series of dissolves he comes straight at the CAMERA til
his face fills the frame ...
END MUSIC.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHOCOLATE'S APARTMENT - EARLIER
EVE looks up into CHEV'S eyes, absolutely vulnerable,
absolutely STUNNING. Pale sunlight punches through the half
rolled blinds.
EVE
Do you promise?
CHEV meets her gaze.
CHEV
I promise.
CUT TO:
EXT STANDARD HOTEL, DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - DAY
131 131
CHEV bangs through the revolving glass doors to the hotel.
(CONTINUED)
R
1
I
90.
CONTINUED:
The CAMERA shifts to a ROUGH HANDHELD POV, similar to the
shot that starts the film. The MUSIC is replaced by the
SOUND of CHEV'S labored BREATHING and HEARTBEAT. The POV
doubles, goes in and out of focus.
n one continuous shot he approaches the STANDARD HOTEL and
walks past the valets into the RETRO-MOD LOBBY.
INT LOBBY, STANDARD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
132 132
The shot continues as CHEV moves through the LOBBY and makes
a beeline for the RESTROOM. Scattered around are hard
looking DUDES pretending to read newspapers ... he passes
them by, avoiding eye contact.
INT BATHROOM, STANDARD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
33 133
The bathroom is empty. He walks into a stall, shuts the door
and opens his coat - we see a PAGER-SIZED device clipped to
his belt - a green LED is illuminated.
EVERSE: CHEV adjusts a tiny knob on the device. His face is
shiny with perspiration.
He pulls out his shirt tails ... we see that a small tube
runs from the device to a needle inserted in the base of
C
spine, taped up with white adhesive.
HEV tucks the shirt back carefully, takes a series of deep
breaths and leaves the stall.
INT LOBBY, STANDARD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
134 134
He bangs open the door to the restroom and pushes past three
of the DUDES, who were about to go in. They let him pass,
trying to avoid attention.
CHEV makes his way to the ELEVATORS, hits the UP button. The
doors open, he gets on. The DUDES watch from the LOBBY.
INT ELEVATOR, STANDARD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
135 135
A JAPANESE BUSINESSMAN - early 50s, compact and under five
feet, immaculately groomed - hustles on as the doors slide
shut. He stands opposite CHEV against the wall and stares at
him, expressionless.
CHEV
What's happening, brother?
Silence.
(CONTINUED)
A
91.
CONTINUED:
CHEV takes a small bottle of PILLS from his coat pocket and
swallows them dry.
He closes his eyes and leans against the wall to steady
himself as the effect of the pills washes over him.
n UNEXPECTED VOICE breaks the silence.
KAREN CHELIOS
Where did I go wrong?
CHEV'S eyes SNAP OPEN. The JAPANESE BUSINESSMAN stares back,
impassively.
CHEV
(weirded out)
Did you say something?
Now the JAPANESE BUSINESSMAN answers - but when he moves his
lips, it's the voice of A WOMAN IN HER 40s.
KAREN CHELIOS
Like talking to the wall...
C
HEV
Mom?
KAREN CHELIOS
I'm amazed you remember you have a
mother.
CHEV shakes his head in disbelief, tries to clear his eyes,
but the HALLUCINATION persists.
KAREN CHELIOS (CONT'D)
You never call, you never write... I
haven't seen you since you ran out at
16...
CHEV
(falling right into it)
Right, with you popping Valium like Tic
Tacs and balling some new asshole every
two weeks... why wouldn't I stick around
for entertainment like that?
KAREN CHELIOS
That's hurtful.
CHEV is an instant ball of regret.
(CONTINUED)
Y
O
92.
CONTINUED: (2)
CHEV
(exasperated)
Mom, I got no time for this...
The JAPANESE BUSINESSMAN cuts him off - this time the voice
is ORLANDO'S.
ORLANDO
You got no time, period.
CHEV
Orlando?
RLANDO
ou a persistent motherfucker, Chev
Chelios, I'll give you that.
CHEV
(reacting)
This is weird.
ORLANDO
But you know this has got to stop
sometime. What do you think you are,
Michael Myers? They pop you and you just
keep gettin up?
CHEV
I'm the Terminator.
The JAPANESE BUSINESSMAN does another transformation - this
time into ALEX.
ALEX
You was that, maybe. But there's a new
gun in town.
CHEV
Don't tell me you're talking about your
bro, Def Lepard.
ALEX
He did you pretty good, didn't he?
CHEV
Yeah, not so much. I don't get it - why
didn't you guys just cut me up alive when
you had the chance?
ALEX
Verona said you was Chev Chelios - A.K.A.
Death On Two Legs.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
T
C
A
93.
CONTINUED: (3) ALEX(CONT'D)
He said you probably been a contract
killer since grade school.
s he speaks, ALEX'S voice transforms again, this time into
CHEV'S... he's now talking to A MIRROR OF HIMSELF...
MIRROR CHEV
Bipolar. Sadomasochistic tendencies.
Adrenaline junkie. Addicted to
violence... probably spends every day of
his life looking for the big thrill, the
big rush. Cutting up a guy like that
while he screams in his own blood and
excrement would be like... like a GIFT...
a warrior's death... hell, you'd probably
get off on it...
HEV
Did you rehearse this?
MIRROR CHEV
No, this was the best way for a guy like
you: a slow, ticking clock... winding
down... inevitable... non-negotiable...
until...
CHEV
(cutting him off)
Who the hell are you, anyway?
MIRROR CHEV
Don't you know?
CHEV
(soberly)
I think I'm starting to figure it out.
MIRROR CHEV
Yeah, well, better late than never.
(conversational)
You know you're going to die up there.
CHEV
(cold)
Yeah, maybe.
he CAMERA holds CHEV'S gaze for a long moment, unflinching.
CHEV (CONT'D)
But I'm taking you with me.
REVERSE, CU: The JAPANESE BUSINESSMAN has TRANSFORMED INTO A
GIANT BLUE GHOST, pulsing silently.
(CONTINUED)
94.
CONTINUED: (4)
CUT TO: wide angle TWO SHOT, CHEV and the flat, two
dimensional, computer animated GHOST, facing each other at
opposite ends of the elevator.
SOUND: the CHIME SOUNDS, signalling they've reached the top
floor.
C
HEV glances at the lit floor number display, then back.
The JAPANESE MAN stares back at him, blank.
CHEV (CONT'D)
(under his breath)
Some pills, Doc.
The JAPANESE MAN ignores him. When the doors open, he
hustles off ... past two GOONS, who are waiting there for
CHEV.
They each take an arm.
CHEV (CONT'D)
Easy ...
GOON
This way.
INT RESTAURANT, STANDARD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
136 136
The GOONS lead CHEV through a posh dining area, down a dark
corridor.
They frisk him, finding the obvious .45 in the shoulder
holster, yank it out and push him into a SMOKING LOUNGE.
INT SMOKING LOUNGE, STANDARD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
137 137
CARLITO and RICKY VERONA sit side by side at the table. An
iced bucket of champagne, good cigars. GOONS chill in the
corners. The whole floor has been cleared out - they've got
the place all to themselves.
VERONA
(smug)
What's up, dead?
CHEV
Looks like everyone's here.
CARLITO
(chuckling despite himself)
Chelios... what a fucking mess you are.
(CONTINUED)
(
C
H
(
95.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
No shit.
CARLITO
Why don't you sit down?
VERONA
Wait a minute.
gesturing to the GOONS by the
door)
Pat him down again. He's carrying
something.
The GOONS give him another look. This time they reach down
his pants and produce a second small, concealed handgun ...
then discover the pager-like device. One of the goons rips
the tube from CHEV's back - CHEV winces in pain. His
HEARTRATE starts to slow almost immediately.
CARLITO
Let me see that.
A GOON tosses it to him.
CARLITO (CONT'D)
Clever ... what is this, an insulin pump?
CHEV
Basically.
VERONA
What the fuck is insulin?
CARLITO shuts him up with a look.
CARLITO
(holding the device up)
Ephedrine, right?
CHEV nods. CARLITO places the device carefully on the table.
CARLITO (CONT'D)
(bemused)
Very resourceful ...
e reaches into his coat pocket, produces a pair of black
leather gloves and starts to put them on.
HEV
to Verona)
Found a new master, you little bitch, is
that it?
(CONTINUED)
96.
CONTINUED: (2)
VERONA
I'm nobody's little bitch.
CHEV
(egging him on)
We'll see what kind of a bitch you are
when Carlito hires you for half what he
used to pay me... and you take it.
CARLITO
That's enough.
CHEV
You'll probably throw boss a nice little
reach-around just to show what a good
bitch you are.
VERONA
I'm nobody's little bitch, you hear me?
He'll pay what I tell him to pay...!
CARLITO
I said that's enough.
(calmly)
It's been a long day. But in the end, you
must agree, it all works out quite
nicely. Don Kim gets his bullet, thanks
to you...
CARLITO unlatches a 2'x6" beautifully crafted mahogany wood
case sitting on the table in front of him. It contains
several SYRINGES and bottle of MILKY FLUID. He removes one
SYRINGE from the box with a gloved hand. It almost glows in
the soft light. C
ARLITO (CONT'D)
... and Hong Kong gets a goat to take the
fall. Please understand, Chev, it's truly
nothing personal.
VERONA
Speak for yourself.
CARLITO squirts a little of the MILKY LIQUID.
CHEV
Is that what I think it is?
CARLITO nods.
(CONTINUED)
97.
CONTINUED: (3)
CARLITO
The Chinese shit.
(nods to the GOONS)
Hold him down.
In a flash, CHEV WHIPS OUT A GUN - everyone FLINCHES... but
no, wait: he's just holding out his fist, pointing the STICK-
EM-UP FINGER right between CARLITO'S eyes.
CHEV
Not so fast, motherfucker.
For a beat, no one knows quite how to react. VERONA chuckles
nervously.
VERONA
Dude's gone dipsy doodle...
CHEV whips the finger toward VERONA, shutting him down mid-
word. VERONA shrugs it off with less than 100% confidence...
the room EXHALES.
VERONA (CONT'D)
Whatever, psycho...
CARLITO
I'm afraid the Houdini act is over,
Chelios.
A GOON makes a move for CHEV... but CHEV spins on him,
leveling the finger at the GOON'S forehead, and pulls the
"trigger"...
CHEV
(imitating a gunshot)
Booosh!
The GOON'S head is rocked back, a NICKEL-SIZED HOLE popped
right through the cranium... a GLORIOUS FOUNTAIN OF CRIMSON
arcs from the GOON'S forehead across the table, splashing
into the ice bucket.
VERONA
(freaking)
Ourfather whoartinheaven hallowedbethy -
CARLITO
Shut up, Verona.
DON KIM
So this is how it is.
Everyone turns...
(CONTINUED)
H
S
98.
CONTINUED: (4)
DON KIM, in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and white slacks, is
standing at the entrance of the bar. He's got an ASIAN
GANGSTER on each side, one of them holding out a smoking,
silenced GLOCK .9mm.
More ASIAN GANGSTERS appear all around, moving in, taking
position. The GANGSTERS all look about 16 years old, dressed
for a hot night at the FLORENTINE GARDENS... but their eyes
are dead-blank COLD AS HELL.
V
ERONA
What... you... he...
CHEV
Presto.
One of CARLITO'S GOONS points an UZI at DON KIM... and is
FILLED FULL OF LEAD in the blink of an eye by a pair of
ASIANS on his blind side... who are CUT TO RIBBONS by another
of CARLITO'S MEN... and ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE.
CARLITO scrambles away from the table and grabs one of his
GOONS, using him as a shield as he makes his way behind the
bar... the GOON absorbs a hail of bullets...
VERONA whips out a .357 MAGNUM, turns toward CHEV...
ummoning a surge of strength from out of his ass, CHEV kicks
the table forward, pinning VERONA'S legs to the bench - the
ICE BUCKET slides into CHEV'S lap...
e snatches out a bottle of Dom Perignon and fastballs it at
VERONA'S GUN HAND... the bottle SHATTERS... VERONA bobbles
the .357... it hits the ground - GOES OFF - and the four
fingers of VERONA'S right hand are VAPORIZED.
VERONA SHRIEKS like a ten year old girl at a JUSTIN
TIMBERLAKE concert.
Behind the bar, CARLITO quickly punches up his cell phone.
CARLITO
Get me out of here! NOW!
EXT. STANDARD HOTEL, ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS
A PILOT is standing by in CARLITO'S personal HELICOPTER,
waiting on the roof.
PILOT
Yes sir.
He fires her up, LIFTS OFF...
99.
INT SMOKING LOUNGE, STANDARD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
CARLITO'S and DON KIM'S MEN have backed into opposite corners
of the room, and are firing back and forth.
VERONA crawls along the floor, gathering up what's left of
his fingers... comes across a SYRINGE and grabs it in his
teeth like a PIRATE'S KNIFE.
DON KIM stands amidst the chaos, completely unperturbed.
CARLITO
(from behind the bar)
I'll kill you for this, Chelios!
CHEV
Too late!
CHEV swoons, almost passes out... catches sight of a GUN and
pries it from the hand of a dead GOON... he spots VERONA'S
FEET disappearing behind a wall, takes a bead and fires -
blowing off a set of toes to go with the fingers.
An ASIAN GANGSTER runs up and lobs a GRENADE behind the
BAR... it bounces along and comes to rest next to CARLITO.
CARLITO thinks quick, grabbing one of his GOONS - a 265
pounder - from behind...
CARLITO
Get down!
He BODY-TACKLES the BIG MAN onto the floor, right on top of
the live grenade, and brings his weight down on top of him.
GOON
Thanks, boss.
BOOM!
The BIG GOON'S body absorbs the blast, which picks them both
up five feet in the air... CARLITO, momentarily airborne,
pops up from behind the bar like a JACK IN THE BOX, then
drops back down with a THUD...
CARLITO
Ronnie James Dio...!
The LOUNGE opens into a daylight drenched POOL AREA...
CARLITO'S HELICOPTER drops down into view, roiling up the
water...
CARLITO makes a break for it.
(CONTINUED)
100.
CONTINUED:
CHEV
Oh no you don't...
CHEV goes after him, spinning and careening across the slick
floor like a CHARLIE CHAPLIN DRUNK ACT, dodging bullets and
blasting away...
CUT TO:
EXT STANDARD HOTEL, DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - DAY
Police have surrounded the hotel and are pouring into the
Lobby in teams. Squad cars, CHERRY TOPS FLASHING, SWAT vans
pulled up on to the curb, people roped off, crowd control,
news vans, the works.
A
TV REPORTER is sending a live feed amidst the pandemonium.
REPORTER
Police have moved to surround the
Downtown Standard Hotel, where the
suspect ... the unidentified madman ...
is believed to be holed up and making a
desperate last stand ...!
CUT TO:
EXT. STANDARD HOTEL, POOL AREA - SIMULTANEOUS
145 145
CHEV staggers out into the daylight as the windows to the
restaurant shatter - and is met by a SWIRLING RUSH OF WIND as
the HELICOPTER attempts to set down amidst the chaise lounges
and futuristic plastic cabanas.
CARLITO is climbing in as CHEV clambers up and GRABS HIM FROM
BEHIND. CARLITO spins; CHEV shoves the gun in his face.
CHEV
Present from Kaylo.
But just as he's about to pull the trigger, he FREEZES...
face TWITCHING... knees BUCKLING...
... and we see that VERONA has come up behind him and JAMMED
THE SYRINGE RIGHT TO THE HILT INTO THE BACK OF HIS NECK.
CHEV drops to his knees. His HEARTBEAT is deafening,
GLACIAL.
VERONA
(in a bloodthirsty rage)
Now what? Now say shit!
(CONTINUED)
A
D
101.
CONTINUED:
CARLITO
(shaken for once)
Jesus, man, where the fuck where you?
VERONA grabs the gun out of CHEV'S hand and points it at
CARLITO.
VERONA
WHO'S THE BITCH NOW?
He blows CARLITO away with three shots.
The PILOT starts to lift off in a blue panic. VERONA shoves
CHEV aside and hops into the back seat, pointing his gun at
the PILOT'S head.
VERONA (CONT'D)
That's right, motherfucker! FLY!
VERONA whips the gun around as the bird rises, intending to
.
finish CHEV off from the air ...
.. and has the gun removed from his hand by CHEV, who has
climbed onto the landing skids, hooking his dead arm inside
the passenger space, going up with them.
DON KIM watches the HELICOPTER rise as his MEN finish off the
last of CARLITO'S GOONS...
ON KIM
Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from
your friend's forehead.
GANGSTER gives him a sidelong look.
DON KIM (CONT'D)
(explaining)
Confucius.
... the DOOR BUSTS IN and the place is crawling with S.W.A.T.
EXT THE SKY ABOVE LOS ANGELES, SECONDS LATER
146 146
CHEV'S HEARTBEAT IS SLAMMING as the bird rises high above the
rooftop and the surrounding streets. He wrestles his way up
into the back seat as VERONA tries desperately to push him
out.
NEWS HELICOPTERS hover around the midair struggle like wasps,
shooting across at the action.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
1
C
102.
CONTINUED:
LIVE TELEVISION BROADCAST: An announcer babbles over
147 147
phenomenal live video of CHEV and VERONA struggling in the
helicopter.
CUT TO:
EXT THE SKY ABOVE LOS ANGELES, SIMULTANEOUS
148 148
CHEV has VERONA locked up; both men are fighting with just
one hand ... VERONA manages to work his up to CHEV'S
shoulder, where the steel needle still pokes through. He
slides it out and stabs at CHEV'S face ... CHEV catches his
wrist in time to hold him off, but his grip is slipping ...
The spaces between CHEV'S HEARTBEATS have grown longer and
longer ... he's obviously having a massive coronary ...
VERONA
You're dead, you're dead, you're dead!
C
HEV swoons; his eyes roll back in his head ... he starts to
go limp, fall backwards ...
Then, with a final rush of adrenaline, he grabs VERONA by the
neck and pulls him along.
The two men FALL FROM THE HELICOPTER.
CHEV continues to strangle VERONA in midair.
CHEV
I told you I'd kill you, you son of a
bitch!
VERONA'S eyes bulge in disbelief. CHEV continues to strangle
him until VERONA goes limp, glassy eyed ... CHEV finally lets
go ... VERONA'S body drifts away ...
HEV (CONT'D)
There.
Now he's alone, free falling ... it's almost peaceful up
here.
EXT THE SKY ABOVE LOS ANGELES
49 149
It occurs to him he still has his cell phone. He retrieves
it from his coat pocket and clicks a speed dial.
CUT TO:
S
C
V
103.
INT EVE'S APARTMENT, SAME TIME
150 150
SLOW ZOOM in on EVE'S answering machine as he talks.
EVE (O.S.)
... leave a message.
BEEP.
CHEV (O.S.)
Hey doll. Looks like I let you down
again. You were right about me ... funny,
you really have time to reflect on things
when you know you're going to die ...
seems like all my life I've just been
going, going, going ... I wish I'd taken
more time to stop and smell the roses, so
to speak, but well, I guess it's too late
now... you were the greatest, baby.
CUT TO:
EXT STREET, IN FRONT OF HIGHRISE, 1 SECOND LATER
151 151
Still frame of a city street, traffic sounds - CAMERA down on
the ground. A homeless guy ambles along, looks up, hustles
his ass out of the way ...
ERONA hits the ground - SMACK! - BOUNCES, flies out of
frame.
Next is CHEV - he SLAMS off the canvas top of a moving
convertible car - BAM!
HEV flies high out of frame, then comes down hard, smashing
into a NEWS STAND right in front of the CAMERA ... TRADES and
FISH WRAPS rain over CHEV and the surrounding area... on each
a different HEADLINE... "Bo Sox Break The Curse"... "Bush To
Swiss: You're Next"... etc.
The screen CUTS TO BLACK.
A beat of silence... is that it?
then -
OUND: LUB DUB.
KICK TO SOUNDTRACK.
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