The French Connection
Rev. April 26, 1971
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
by
ERNEST TIDYMAN and WILLIAM FRIEDKIN
DIRECTOR: William Friedkin
PRODUCER: Philip D'Antoni
EXT. LE VALLON
Opening shot - High angle on Lincoln along small bay with
boats.
Ext. Bar - Waist to full figure Pan Right to Left. Detective
comes out eating pizza, looking around. He crosses street
and stops against wall of impasse Michael.
He looks O.S. left,
His POV - L.S. of Lincoln behind fishing nets.
Waist shot of Detective looking and eating.
M.S. of Lincoln.
C.S. of Detective looking O.S. Left.
Pan Right to Left with Charnier coming out from Fonfon with
three friends and they walk to the Lincoln.
Pan Left to Right with Lincoln passing in front of the
Detective.
EXT. CAFE LA SAMARITAINE
High angle from balcony. Zoom on Detective seated at the
cafe, reading a newspaper.
Cut on Lincoln along sidewalk of the cafe, then zoom back to
discover Detective seated.
EXT. MARSEILLE STREETS
Low angle from stairs Rue des Repenties and Pan Left to
Right to Rue Sainte Francoise following the Detective.
Pan Left to Right with Detective from Rue des Repenties to
Rue Baussenque.
Low angle between Rue des Moulins and Rue des Accoules with
Detective passing by.
Ext. Rue du Panier - The Detective comes out from the bakery
camera Right and starts to climb up Rue des Moulins with his
bread.
EXT. STREET
High angle - on No. 50 Rue des Moulins. Pan Left to Right
with Detective coming up the street with his bread and going
inside his house, starting to open his letter-box.
2.
INT. CORRIDOR
High angle - complete reverse. As the Detective starts to
open his letter-box in B.G. a hand pointing a gun moves in
foreground and blows off half of the French Detective's head
with the first shot.
Cut to Nicoli C.S. who just fired.
EXT. A BAR IN BED-STUY - DAY
A large man in a Santa Claus suit and white beard is
entertaining a group of black children. He leads them in
the singing of a Christmas Carol (Hark the Herald Angels
Sing). The man is DETECTIVE FIRST GRADE JIMMY DOYLE. His
attention is split between the children and the activity
inside the bar.
INT. THE BAR - DOYLE'S POV - DAY
The place is crowded with mid-day drinkers. Dimly outlined
at the far end of the bar are TWO BLACK MEN involved in some
kind of transaction in which a package is exchanged for
money. As the transaction seems to be completed, cut to
EXT. THE BAR - DAY
Santa Claus (DOYLE) starts to ring his big Christmas bell,
above the singing. The bell is a signal to DETECTIVE SECOND
GRADE BUDDY RUSSO. At this moment RUSSO is in the clothes
of a hot dog vendor and is in fact working behind a hot dog
wagon. At the ringing of DOYLE's bell he takes off his
apron, leaves the wagon, and runs toward the bar.
DOYLE
(as RUSSO passes him)
The guy in the brown coat.
INT. THE BAR - DAY
RUSSO enter the bar on the run. He stops and looks over the
room.
RUSSO'S POV
There are TWENTY or THIRTY MEN at the bar, at least TEN are
wearing brown coats! The TWO MEN involved in the deal see
RUSSO and start to run. One (THE BUYER) takes off out of
the back door. The other (THE PUSHER) jumps over the bar
and heads for the front entrance.
3.
EXT. THE BAR - DAY
THE PUSHER dashes out past Santa Claus (DOYLE). RUSSO
follows him and all three give chase.
EXT. BED-STUY TENEMENT ALLEY - DAY
THREE FIGURES running down a New York tenement alley, the
first in flight, the others in pursuit. We pick up the
incredible clutter of such an alley, mounts of rusting beer
cans, paper bags of garbage bulging and ripping open, old
bed springs, burned out mattresses, etc.
EXT. BED-STUY TENEMENT ALLEY - DAY
Close shot of BLACK PUSHER tripping on the tangle of trash
going up against the wall in his stumble, face toward the
camera, and the figures of RUSSO and DOYLE leaping upon him
from off-camera. There is a blur or fast struggle as DOYLE
and RUSSO try to get his arms and put him against the wall.
BLACK PUSHER writhes loose and we close in on a knife in his
hand, plunging rapidly into RUSSO'S left forearm.
RUSSO
Son of a bitch!
The words are both warning and a grunt of pain. As RUSSO
takes the blade and utters the words, we simultaneously go
to DOYLE crouching and snatching his .38 out of the right
ankle holster.
EXT. BED-STUY TENEMENT ALLEY - DAY
Close shot of DOYLE and the BLACK PUSHER, DOYLE pistol-
whipping him into submission with three lightening chops of
the gun to the PUSHER'S head. DOYLE continues to beat the
man mercilessly into submission.
INT. DOYLE'S CAR - DAY
3-shot of BLACK PUSHER sitting between DOYLE and RUSSO.
DOYLE is at the wheel. BLACK PUSHER is sitting on his
hands, wrists manacled behind him, his head down and dripping
blood onto the jacket and the canary-yellow turtleneck. All
three are breathing hard.
DOYLE
What's your name, asshole?
BLACK PUSHER
Fuck you, Santa Claus!
DOYLE hits him across the face.
4.
RUSSO
Your name is Willie Craven.
BLACK PUSHER doesn't look up.
DOYLE
Who's your connection, Willie?
What's his name?
No response.
RUSSO
Who killed the old Jew in the
laundromat?
BLACK PUSHER's brow furrows, looks up just a little.
BLACK PUSHER
I don't...
DOYLE
Ever pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?
BLACK PUSHER
What?
DOYLE
Did you ever pick your feet in
Poughkeepsie?
BLACK PUSHER
I don't know what you're talkin'
about.
DOYLE
Were you ever in Poughkeepsie?
BLACK PUSHER
No... yeah...
DOYLE
Did you ever sit on the edge of the
bed, take off your socks and stick
your fingers between your toes?
BLACK PUSHER
Man, I'm clean.
DOYLE
You made three sales to your
roaches back there. We had to
chase you through all this shit and
you tell me you're clean?
5.
RUSSO
Who stuck up the laundromat?
DOYLE
How about that time you were
picking your feet in Poughkeepsie?
The BLACK PUSHER'S eyes go to RUSSO in panic, looking for
relief from the pressure of the inquisition.
RUSSO
(in pain)
You better give me the guy who got
the old Jew or you better give me
something or you're just a memory
in this town.
BLACK PUSHER
That's a lot o' shit. I didn't do
nothin'.
The BLACK PUSHER's eyes are on DOYLE, frozen in confusion
and fear.
DOYLE
You put a shiv in my partner. Know
what that means? All winter I
gotta listen to him gripe about his
bowling scores. Now I'm gonna bust
your ass for those three bags -
then I'm gonna nail you for pickin'
your feet in Poughkeepsie.
EXT. HEADQUARTERS NARCOTICS BUREAU OF THE NYPD 12 OLD SLIP
AND SOUTH STREETS - NIGHT
DOYLE and RUSSO standing side by side on the front steps of
the old First Precinct on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
RUSSO has his overcoat over his shoulders as a cape. The
sleeve of his left arm is rolled up over a blood-stained
bandage on the left forearm.
DOYLE
Havin' trouble? You're a dumb
guinea.
RUSSO
How'd I know he had a knife.
DOYLE
Never trust a nigger.
RUSSO
He coulda been white.
6.
DOYLE
Never trust anybody. You goin' sick?
RUSSO
Not a chance.
RUSSO nods in acceptance of the remark. The easy, synical
rapport between them is obvious: they are partners in a
business where somebody is always getting hurt and pain is
part of the inventory.
DOYLE
Let's popeye around the Chez for a
half hour, catch the end of the
show and a couple drinks.
RUSSO
Some other time Jimmy, I'm beat.
DOYLE reaches into the right side pocket of BUDDY's suitcoat
for a cigarette and matches. He lights up two in the pause,
sticks one in RUSSO's mouth.
DOYLE
Come on -- one drink. Whatta you
say?
RUSSO
Drink this.
DOYLE
Whip it out.
INT. THE CLUB - NIGHT
THE TITLES COMMENCE
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
Titles over a close shot of a chorus line, with lots of tits
and ass and lean, long legs in a brassy blare of music. We
zoom back to the area where DOYLE and RUSSO are beginning to
occupy a table. RUSSO takes the seat on the right, eyes
immediately on all that ginch, while DOYLE standing, gives
their order. We do not hear the dialogue but DOYLE asks
RUSSO what he wants BUDDY looks up and says "Cinzano." DOYLE
turns and says "Two of these." DOYLE slips into the chair
opposite RUSSO and the titles roll on. Unlike RUSSO who is
concentrating on the girls, DOYLE is digging the room and
the people who occupy the tables in it, as if he is the sort
of man who cannot relax until he knows who is around him,
why they are there.
7.
INT. THE CLUB - NIGHT
A long view from DOYLE's position of the room, a quick
certain survey that stumbles twice; on laughter that seems
too raw and then over a flurry of activity by WAITERS and
CAPTAINS serving a table on the main floor. DOYLE's
attention is apprehended by the noise and activity that
emanate from the same large table.
DOYLE
I make at least two junk connections
at that table in the corner. The
guy is the stripe combo, I know him
too.
RUSSO
Hey, I thought we come for a drink.
INT. THE CLUB - NIGHT
A long view of the table with DOYLE and RUSSO very close
foreground, left and right. DOYLE is leaning on an elbow.
DOYLE
Who is that guy?
RUSSO
Policy man in Queens.
DOYLE
What about the last of the big-time
spenders. You make him?
RUSSO's eyes come off the show. It is a direct line from
DOYLE's gaze to the round, ruddy and arrogant face of SAL
BOCA, the apparent host of the table of EIGHT MEN AND WOMEN,
the Men in dinner jackets with ties tucked under the collars
of blue or white lace-trimmed shirts, the Women in a mixture
of pant suits and Catskills cocktail party dresses, their
hair coiffed towers.
RUSSO
No, you?
DOYLE
Hunh-uh. Check the bread. He
spreads it like the Russians are in
Jersey.
RUSSO
He probably sells insurance. Owns
a chicken farm in Hackensack.
8.
Zoom in slowly on SAL as he deals tips and orders. Through
DOYLE's eyes, we go from Guest to Guest at SAL's table,
taking apart their manners and styles as they talk and
laugh, lost in the show chatter.
INT. THE CLUB - NIGHT
DOYLE finishing his drink, still looking at the table.
DOYLE
Dig who's just come over. The
creep on the end.
INT. THE CLUB - NIGHT
The camera pans down the table to dig the "creep on the end."
RUSSO (VO)
Jewish Lucky from the Bronx... He
don't look the same without a
number across his chest.
INT. THE CLUB - NIGHT
DOYLE close in right profile, SAL's table in the far blurred
background.
DOYLE
Whatta you say we wait and give him
a tail?
RUSSO
Give who a tail?
DOYLE
The greaser with the blonde.
RUSSO
What for -- you wanna play Hide the
Salami with his old lady?
DOYLE
Come on -- just for fun --
INT/EXT. DOYLE'S CAR - NIGHT
The view from the back seat of DOYLE's car. DOYLE is at the
wheel, RUSSO packed uncomfortably into the corner at DOYLE's
right. Seventy-five yards away on the other side of the
street the canopied entrance of the Club. A Continental is
parked in front of the club. The DRIVER leaning on a fender
talking with the DOORMAN. DOYLE frisks his own pockets for
a cigarette, coming up with a collection of laundry slips,
crumpled notes, toothpicks and matches.
9.
One of the slips of paper catches his eye as he is going
through the ritual of the cigarette mooch, a slip bearing
the name of a girl. His attention is really on the entrance
of the Club and both his conversation and the cigarette
business are detached and incidental to the art of waiting
through the stakeout. He stuffs the cards back into his
pocket.
DOYLE
Monica? Who's Monica?
RUSSO
(handing him a cigarette)
A and A, that's all you're
interested in -- Arrests and Ass.
As soon as DOYLE has finished lighting the cigarette SAL and
his PARTY come bubbling out of the Club noisily, a little
drunkenly. SAL waves to the attentive DOORMAN.
DOYLE close, leaning forward over the wheel to put his hand
on the ignition key. He does not turn it. He is waiting
for the cover of noise from the starting of SAL's car.
RUSSO is turning the opposite corner of the car into a bend,
his head back, arms across his chest.
DOYLE
Cloudy, I'll lay odds he takes us
to Little Italy.
DOYLE reaches under his seat for the straw surveillance
hat - throws it up to read ledge of car.
RUSSO
I'm telling you, Popeye, he owns a
bagel mine in the Bronx.
A long view of the Club entrance. SAL and ANGIE, a well-
built "classy" blonde with good legs, get into their black
Mercury sedan. The Mercury takes off towards First Avenue.
We hear DOYLE's car start and we move off after them on the
last blink of tail-lights at the corner.
EXT. BROADWAY - NIGHT
Cabs, Daily News and Times delivery trucks, bakery vans and
a few cruising cabs, one or two passenger cars and a coasting
green and black police cruiser -- this is the 4:30 a.m.
traffic through which DOYLE moves.
A rear-window view of SAL and ANGIE BOCA, in animated
conversation. His head is turned toward her, his hand
raised in a gesture. ANGIE is sitting in a corner with her
back to the door, in profile to the back window.
10.
Her blonde head bobbles with laughter over some remark SAL
has made.
A long overhead view of the two cars wheeling in and out of
the sparse traffic.
Close shot of the license plate on BOCA's car.
Close shot DOYLE staring at license plate, memorizing it.
EXT. RATNER'S - DAY
BOCA and ANGIE exit restaurant, get into their car and drive
off. Hold for DOYLE's car as it passes through after them.
EXT. MULBERRY STREET - DAY
Side close view of SAL turning south into Mott Street
panning to pick up the Italian names on the candy stores,
funeral parlors, bars, grocery stores, social clubs.
A long view of SAL's car from the DOYLE-RUSSO auto, over the
shoulders of the two cops. DOYLE is leaning on the wheel of
his car. He's against the curb about 100 yards behind SAL.
Medium close view of SAL in the middle of Mott Street,
walking quickly toward the opposite side of the street,
hands in the pocket of his white raincoat. He glances over
his shoulder in the direction of DOYLE's car.
Close of RUSSO who has come awake. The smart-ass demeanor
has dropped away. DOYLE turns to him and smiles. This
district is the heart of every illegal activity in New York.
Close rear view of DOYLE and RUSSO ducking down to the level
of the dashboard, a reflex action. He couldn't see them at
that distance, although SAL, lighted by his own headlights,
can be seen in the background walking around the cars,
across the sidewalk and stopped at a recessed doorway.
Medium close shot of SAL and partially visible FIGURE at the
doorway. With another glance up the street, SAL takes
something out of his raincoat pocket and steps up and into
the doorway.
INT. DOYLE'S CAR - DAY
Close from the front of DOYLE and RUSSO low against the
dashboard.
DOYLE
It's a drop!
DOYLE's face, close, light smile.
11.
Long view of SAL walking down the sidewalk quickly for about
a quarter of a block while the headlights of his car, with
ANGIE apparently driving, move up with him. At another
doorway, he looks back and then steps inside.
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - DAY
Long view of SAL's Mercury moving over Brooklyn Bridge.
Close shot of the DOYLE-RUSSO car from RUSSO's side. BUDDY
now interested, watching.
EXT. BROOKLYN - DAY
Overhead view of cars circling block, first Mercury turning
corner, then DOYLE's Ford.
Long shot of the Mercury pulling up beside line of parked
cars (as seen from DOYLE-RUSSO car) stopping and parking.
Hold on Mercury as SAL and ANGIE get out of it. SAL locking
it up, and starting to walk toward a line of parked cars.
Close shot from rear seat of DOYLE and RUSSO glancing at
each other.
SAL and ANGIE stop in the street beside beat-up white Dodge.
Without a word they get in. Hold as they get in, SAL starts
and they begin to drive out of the spot.
Close on DOYLE.
DOYLE
It's startin' to cook, Cloudy, my
man is cookin'...
A series of impressionist traveling shots of the white Dodge
and DOYLE's Ford moving through Brooklyn Streets, picking up
street signs of areas.
Medium close shot of the white Dodge pulling into the curb.
In near background, a candy-confectionery store.
INT. DOYLE'S CAR - DAY
Close shot of DOYLE and RUSSO in profile driving past the
candy store as SAL and ANGIE open door and go in.
Close shot of DOYLE and RUSSO parked. DOYLE is looking in
the rear-view mirror while BUDDY is turned around on the
seat, looking out the rear window.
A long shot, from the DOYLE-RUSSO viewpoint of the candy
store. The door is open, the street is deserted. Lights
are going on in the little shop.
12.
Hold on the storefront as SAL appears, this time in a candy
store operator's smock over a white undershirt, baggy slacks.
He's carrying a stack of newspapers. Zoom in on SAL stacking
the Sunday Times and the Daily News on the rack in front of
the store as ANGIE appears in the doorway. She's blackhaired
now, the blonde wig gone, also wearing a grey cotton smock
over a plain skirt and sweater, holding a cup of coffee. We
hold on them for a beat, then
CUT TO:
DOYLE and RUSSO close just looking at each other. The look
says everything about the freak case they have stumbled into.
EXT. QUAY MARSEILLE SHIPYARD
1) Tight two shot then, 2) cut into blue prints.
CHARNIER
En prolongeant les quais d'une
trentaine de mètres on pourra
recevoir des unités d'une cargaison
de 500 tonnes.
3) While he shows the extension, clean P.O.V. Of each quay.
4) Dolly Left to Right with Notre-Dame in background. They
fold the blue prints and moves.
FOREMAN MARCEL
Et combien d'hommes supplémentaires?
CHARNIER
Ca fera environ 10 hommes de plus
par équipe.
MARCEL
Le Syndicat exigera un minimum de 12.
CHARNIER
Quelle importance. Ce qui compte
pour moi c'est d'avoir un chantier
qui puisse recevoir les plus grands
bateaux du monde.
MARCEL
Dis moi vieille branche? Comment
fais tu pour rester si jeune avec
la vie que tu mènes?
CHARNIER
Quelle vie Marcel? J'ai plus rien
foutu depuis que je suis descendu
de ces cabines.
13.
EXT. NUNNERY
EXT. CORNICHE - HI-WAY (BERGER)
Pan Left to Right Lincoln driven by Jean with Charnier behind.
EXT. CASSIS CROSSROAD IN FRONT OF MARSEILLE SIGN POST
Lincoln passing by.
EXT. CASSIS HARBOUR FROM CASINO
Pan Right to Left with Lincoln passing by.
EXT. CASSIS ROAD LEADING TO VILLA
Pan Right to Left with Lincoln arriving from main road to
Villa.
EXT. VILLA CASSIS
Camera in front of garage where the Lincoln stops. Charnier
comes out with gift and walks Right to Left.
EXT. VILLA CASSIS
Pan Left to Right with Charnier walking along terrace with
Cassis bay in B.G., and we discover his wife, Marie. She
gets up. Dolly back.
CHARNIER
Bonjour chérie.
They kiss each other and walk arm in arm back to us.
EXT. VILLA CASSIS
Close 2-shot favouring her. He gives her the gift.
CHARNIER
Tu sais j'ai réfléchi longuement à
ton cadeau pour le voyage. Je l'ai
choisi moi-même. Tiens.
MARIE
Je peux l'ouvrir tout de suite?
CHARNIER
Si tu veux.
14.
MARIE
(opening the gift)
Oh Alain! C'est merveilleux! Tu
me gâtes. Je t'aime. Attends, je
vais te montrer moi aussi ce que
j'ai acheté.
CHARNIER
Encore du sho ping!
EXT. VILLA
L.S. Pan Right to left from under the trees following her as
she leaves Charnier to enter in the house.
EXT. VILLA
C.S. of Charnier along the terrace. He throws a fishing
pole in the sea.
EXT. VILLA
PAN RIGHT TO LEFT with Marie coming back with a new coat.
MARIE
Regarde mon pêcheur de baleine...
Tu sais il va faire très froid cet
hiver.
CHARNIER
Avec ça tu pourras le supporter.
MARIE
Mais non, c'est pour toi.
CHARNIER
Pour moi?
MARIE
Regarde, il te va parfaitement bien!
CHARNIER
Formidable! Sans toi je
m'habillerais encore en docker.
(then, taking off coat)
Je suis passé voir Françoise.
MARIE
Comment va-t-elle?
CHARNIER
Je n'ai jamais vu tant de sérenité.
Elle m'a demandé de tes nouvelles
et si nous étions heureux.
15.
MARIE
Le sommes nous?
CHARNIER
(he kisses her)
Non!
EXT. BOAT - CAR PARK
Complete Pan Left to Right with Lincoln passing in front of
Samaritaine cafe.
Driver pulls out. Charnier comes out from Lincoln and we
follow him as he crosses Left to Right and jumps into the
boat which moves out.
FROM BOAT
Back shot. Charnier standing in the moving boat and smoking
as Marseille diminishes in B.G.
OPENING SEA SHOT
From the boat approaching Chateau d'If.
ON PEER
Pan Right to Left as Charnier gets out of boat and starts to
climb up.
High angle thru first stone door with sea in B.G. Charnier
comes up and turns Right to Left.
High angle -- Pan Left to Right -- Low angle, with Charnier
coming up from 2nd arch to 3rd arch thru which we see the
tower in B.G.
EXT. CHATEAU D'IF - 1ST PLATFORM
Pan Left to Right with Charnier arriving on terrace.
EXT. CHATEAU D'IF - CHARNIER - HIS POV
Nicoli back to us. He turns left shoulder as we approach to
him.
EXT. CHATEAU D'IF - TWO SHOT
Dolly back preceding Charnier and Nicoli after they meet and
Pan Left to Right to the Rotonde.
CHARNIER
Ca a marché?
16.
NICOLI
Au poil.
They turn around.
CHARNIER
Sale boulot.
NICOLI
Il fallait le faire.
CHARNIER
Il est en retard.
NICOLI
Je crois qu'on fait une erreur de
le prendre avec nous.
CHARNIER
Une erreur! C'est génial. C'est
une vedette à la télévision. Il
peut aller partout sans être
soupçonné... En plus il a besoin de
fric.
NICOLI
J'ai pas confiance en lui.
CHARNIER
Sois gentil avec lui. On ne sait
jamais. Il peut te faire travailler
à la télévision.
EXT. CHATEAU D'IF
Cut on Devereau arriving. He sees them.
EXT. CHATEAU D'IF
Pan Left to Right bringing Charnier and Nicoli towards
Devereaux to finish in 3-shot.
CHARNIER
Henri c'est gentil d'être venu. Je
vous présente mon associé, Pierre
Nicoli. Henri Devereaux.
DEVEREAUX
Enchanté.
(they shake hands)
Alain, j'ai réfléchi à votre
proposition et j'ai décidé
d'accepter.
17.
SURVEILLANCE MONTAGE OF SAL BOCA's activities. From time to
time DOYLE and RUSSO are visible, but their dialogue is for
the most part VOICE OVER.
INT/EXT. BROOKLYN CANDY STORE - DAY
Various shots of SAL and ANGIE. Several shots of DOYLE and
RUSSO in the CANDY STORE: reading magazines, having lunch
separately. They are also seen in the LEATHER FACTORY
across the street observing the CANDY STORE. Several
CHARACTERS enter the CANDY STORE from time to time and go
into the BACK ROOM.
Following are a series of cuts (MOS) to be used with the V.O.
dialogue of RUSSO and DOYLE.
INT. CANDY STORE - DAY
SAL counts the receipts. Two or three CUSTOMERS in the BG.
SAL removes a tray of Ziti from the oven. ANGIE makes an
order to go.
SAL removes garbage from the back area.
RUSSO (V.O.)
Our friend's name is SALVATORE BOCA.
They call him SAL. He's a
sweetheart. He once was picked up
on suspicion of armed robbery.
Tried to hold up Tiffany's on Fifth
Avenue! In broad daylight! Could
have got two-and-a-half to five,
but they wouldn't prosecute. Also
downtown they're sure he pulled off
a contract on a guy named DeMarco.
EXT. CANDY STORE - DAY
SAL putting garbage into cans. Pan and Zoom to DOYLE and
RUSSO in window of FACTORY across the street.
INT. CANDY STORE - DAY
ANGIE carries bowl of hard-boiled eggs from rear of store to
the front.
DOYLE (V.O.)
His old lady?
ANGIE makes a tuna sandwich on a roll. A cigarette dangles
from her lips. SAL is in BG at cash register with customer.
18.
RUSSO (V.O.)
Her name's Angie... Fast filly...
she drew a suspended for shoplifting
a year ago... only a kid, nineteen
according to the marriage license.
From front of store looking to back.
DOYLE (V.O.)
Yeah, nineteen goin' on fifty.
What else?
RUSSO is at counter eating lunch with three others... ANGIE
serving. She wears a sleeveless sweater; shows lots of tit.
RUSSO digs... she digs him. A wise guy comes in, goes to
the back room. SAL follows.
RUSSO (V.O.)
He's had the store a year an'a
half... takes in a fast seven grand
a year.
EXT. CANDY STORE - DAY
POV from FACTORY window... Two Wise Guys in big coats and
hats pull up in a big car. They enter store.
DOYLE (V.O.)
So what's he doin' with two cars
and hundred dollar tabs at the Chez?
INT. CANDY STORE - DAY
Angie shooting from back of store towards front. The Two
Wise Guys enter, go to Back Room. SAL follows. They close
door. DOYLE is at the magazine counter in front. He sits
down with magazine. Orders coffee.
RUSSO (V.O.)
The Merc's in his wife's name.
Dodge belongs to his brother.
WARD'S ISLAND - DAY
A heavy-faced, dirty looking man in a Sanitation Dept.
uniform in a group of men practising with Sanitation trucks.
RUSSO (V.O.)
Lou... he's a trainee at the
Sanitation School on Ward's Island.
Served time a couple of years ago,
on assault and robbery raps.
19.
SEVERAL SHOTS - DAY
EXT. CANDY STORE
LOU pulls up. As LOU picks up SAL. They drive to various
buildings in Brooklyn. One or the other gets out briefly,
then goes on. DOYLE and RUSSO watch from DOYLE's car.
SUYDAM STREET
DOYLE
If that's not a drop or a pickup,
I'll open a charge for you at
Bloomingdale's.
RUSSO
Make it Alexander's, I like the toy
department.
DOYLE
Toy wit' this will ya.
EXT/INT. "MICKEY'S TWO DOOR" - DAY
RUSSO
There's about a hundred years'
parole time in there night or day.
SAL arrives alone. DOYLE and RUSSO in parked car across
street.
DOYLE
They treat our boy like a king.
Wonder why he don't bring his old
lady?
SAL flirts with the BARMAID.
RUSSO
There's your answer...
THROUGH RIDGEWOOD - DAY
Restaurants, stores, etc.
DOYLE
Who's the greaser?
With SAL and his FATHER.
RUSSO
It's his father.
DOYLE and RUSSO in parked car.
20.
DOYLE
I think we oughta burn him on
suspicion.
RUSSO
Suspicion of what?
DOYLE
Makin' wine in the basement.
(pause)
He looks like that wop stooge used
to drive for the Fracisi brothers.
LOU joins them. He and SAL leave together after each kisses
and embraces the old man.
RUSSO
Lay off with that wop stuff, will
you?
EXT. WEINSTOCK'S APT. BUILDING - DAY
In the East 80's. SAL exits.
DOYLE
That's the third time he come here
this week. You got anything on the
building?
DOYLE and RUSSO in parked car.
RUSSO
The building's clean. I checked
the tenant list -- Don Ameche, the
actor lives there -- oh, and
somebody else. Do the name Joel
Weinstock ring a bell?
TIME LAPSE
Late day. WEINSTOCK leaving building, nodding to doorman.
DOYLE
You're kiddin'
DOYLE and RUSSO in parked car.
RUSSO
No sir -- this is where Joel lives.
DOYLE
He was the bank on that shipment
outta Mexico three years ago.
21.
RUSSO
So I've heard.
EXT. CANDY STORE - NIGHT
SAL and ANGIE leaving.
DOYLE
Whatta you know -- he's takin' his
wife out for a change.
DOYLE and RUSSO in parked car.
INT. LEATHER FACTORY - DAY
Across street from Candy Store. DOYLE and RUSSO at the
printing machine.
DOYLE
(at leather printing machine)
Got a job for me when this is over,
Mrs. Levene?
They have a view of the Candy Store across street. Various
people go in and out. Next to DOYLE, at a stamping machine,
is MRS. LEVENE, the factory owner.
MRS. LEVENE
What are you fellows looking for?
What do you want from that nice
candy store?
DOYLE
We have reason to believe it's a
front for the biggest counterfeiting
operation in the country.
MRS. LEVENE
What?
DOYLE
That's right. They're trying to
steal the formula for Hershey
bars --
DOYLE continues his work at the print-out machine, while
observing the candy store.
We see SAL leaving the store. He crosses to his car, near
the RUSSO car. As he passes it, he sees RUSSO locked in
embrace with a lady in a babushka. As SAL drives off, we
get a closer look at the "LADY" in the babushka: DETECTIVE
JAMES DOYLE.
22.
INT. RUSSO'S CAR ON TRIBORO BRIDGE CROSSING TO WARD'S ISLAND
DOYLE
What the hell am I drivin' for?
I'm a first grade Detective.
You're a second grade guinea.
RUSSO
I'm wounded. Oh, oh.
SAL up ahead in the Mercury.
DOYLE
(at the wheel)
What?
EXT. WARD'S ISLAND - BRIDGE
The Mercury crossing the bridge to the Island.
RUSSO
He's goin' to Ward's Island. We'll
get spotted. What the hell's he
goin' there?
DOYLE-RUSSO car B.G.
DOYLE
Maybe he's goin' to see his brother.
DOYLE
Or could be another drop. I guess
he gets a free ride.
EXT. BROOKLYN STREET - DAY
A Brooklyn slum street on a morning in November. It is
about 11 o'clock and relatively quiet. A scattering of
tenement URCHINS give the street some sound and life. There
are a couple of dark shops on the street and a bar, all
appearing to be closed. We look down the street and pick up
DOYLE and RUSSO coming down it, walking very quickly. They
are heading toward the bar. A young man is coming out -
they grab him and throw him back.
INT. BAR ROOM - DAY
The Young Man is thrown in, followed by DOYLE and RUSSO.
There are about 20 or 30 PUETRO RICAN and BLACK MEN in the
joint, a couple of BLACK WOMEN. They are in all manner of
dress. Half of them are wearing shades. The bar is noisy
with conversation, laughter and music.
23.
DOYLE and RUSSO standing in the doorway, DOYLE slightly to
the left, RUSSO a little behind him. DOYLE's arms are at
his sides. RUSSO's right hand is crossed over his belt,
under his jacket and on the butt of his .38, ready, waiting
to back his partner's play or respond to any move within the
bar.
DOYLE moving into the bar alone. He pulls the plug out of
the Juke Box, plunging the room to silence.
DOYLE
Hands on your heads. Popeye's here!
Twenty men raise hands to their heads as one. The raggle-
taggle swarm plays a kind of human chicken, refusing to move
until the last moment then stepping out of his way. One of
the customers doesn't.
DOYLE
What's my name?
1ST MAN
Doyle.
DOYLE
What?
1ST MAN
Mr. Doyle.
DOYLE
Ever pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?
1ST MAN
What?
DOYLE raises his left arm and pushes the MAN aside. The
MAN's eyes go to RUSSO, off-camera at the door, and back to
DOYLE. He doesn't resist; he gets in line with the rest of
them, a line formed about four or five feet from the bar,
running the length of it.
Close of DOYLE at the bar, holding an ashcan and skimming
the metal underrailing with one finger, knocking off the
magnetized key boxes into the ashcan. He isn't even looking
at them. His eyes are across the bar, staring down the
customers.
Close shot of the ashcan and the little metal boxes clinking
into it.
Close shot of DOYLE, the ashcan now on the bar, opening one
of the boxes, taking out the ten dollar bill, putting it on
the bar.
24.
Then, opening another, taking out the glassine deck of
heroin. Then another, containing a glassine deck. He
empties the glassine envelopes on the bar into a cocktail
mixer which he proceeds to shake. The shaker is half-filled
with tomato juice.
DOYLE leaning over the bar toward the glaring crowd, pours
the mixture into the ashcan.
DOYLE
Milk shake anyone?
He wiggles his finger. It is a command for THREE MEN to
step forward. The MEN do not move at first.
DOYLE
Move ass when I tell you.
They move, shuffling, hesitatingly. But they move -- TWO
BLACKS and A PUETRO RICAN.
DOYLE
Put it on the bar.
Hands of the THREE MEN going into pockets.
Close of a miscellany of keys, coins, cigarettes going onto
the bar -- with two hypodermics, six or eight marijuana
cigarettes, a small plastic vial of barbiturates.
DOYLE
(collecting the works)
All right, you three clowns step
into those phone booths, you're
goin' in. Go on. Stand in there
till I'm ready for you.
The three men turn and enter the individual phone booths.
They stand, waiting, like contestants in the $64 Question.
DOYLE
Everybody goes when the whistle
blows.
RUSSO is with another man from whom he's just taken a set of
works.
RUSSO
What's your story?
DANCER
Gimme a break, Mr. Russo. I'm in
show business.
25.
RUSSO
You're in show business.
DANCER
S'right.
DOYLE
What do you do in show business?
DANCER
I'm a dancer.
RUSSO
All right, get up on that bar and
dance.
DANCER
What?
RUSSO
Get up on the bar and show me how
you work. If I like it you don't
have to go in.
DANCER
You're for real?
JERRY LEON
Hey man, why don't you let the
fella alone.
RUSSO
(a shout)
Am I talkin' to you -
JERRY LEON
No, but I'm talkin' to you.
RUSSO
I'm tellin' you to shut up and
stand over there.
RUSSO
(to Dancer)
Get up there.
The man climbs up on the bar.
DANCER
I got no music!
RUSSO
Fake it.
26.
The man goes into a fast tap dance. But he only gets in a
few steps --
DOYLE
All right, that's enough, you're
under arrest.
RUSSO pulls the man off the bar, sends him into one of the
phone booths.
DOYLE coming down the front of the bar. He stops before
another man, who has just come out of the toilet.
DOYLE
What about you? Can you stand a
toss?
2ND MAN
I'm clean.
DOYLE
You don't use shit?
2ND MAN
No.
(he goes for his wallet)
DOYLE
Did I say you could move that
hand -- I'm not gonna get stuck am I?
2ND MAN
No - no.
DOYLE
Cause if I do.
DOYLE frisks the man. Comes up with vial of pills and two
roaches.
DOYLE
Wise guy, huh? Let's see what else
you got.
(to RUSSO)
- Buddy!
He collars the man and shoves him towards the toilet.
RUSSO, eyes moving everywhere, hand on the gun.
27.
RUSSO
If I see any shit on the floor,
it's yours, so keep your eye on
your neighbor.
Inside the toilet of the bar. The MAN is up against the
wall. DOYLE is only inches away.
The MAN is an AGENT and this is the only way DOYLE can get
immediate information from him without destroying the man's
cover. Their conversation is in whispers. And very fast.
DOYLE
How's everything?
2ND MAN
Everything is everything.
DOYLE
How come there's nothing out there?
That stuff is all milk.
2ND MAN
There's nothing around. Nobody's
holding.
DOYLE
I got a name - Sal Boca, Brooklyn.
2ND MAN
Boca?
DOYLE
B.O.C.A.
2ND MAN
Doesn't register.
DOYLE
Got a wife named Angie.
2ND MAN
No, nothing. There's only some talk.
DOYLE
What?
2ND MAN
Coming in this week, week after.
Everybody going to get well.
DOYLE
Who brings it?
28.
2ND MAN
Who knows?
DOYLE
Where do you want it?
2ND MAN
This side.
Door of toilet. There is a hell of a crash and slamming
behind it. Door opens and DOYLE steps out over the crumpled
prostrate form of the INFORMER. He has just decked the man
to continue the protection of the cover. He pauses halfway
down the line as if he's speculating on beating up another
one because he didn't get any information. But he decides
that would be futile too.
DOYLE
I'm goin' check on this address in
the Bronx, if you're bullshitting
me, it's your ass.
RUSSO
Tell everybody we'll be back in an
hour.
DOYLE
(to all)
We're goin' now! Goodbye.
EXT. PASSENGER SHIP - DAY
Close shot of DEVEREAUX, New York harbor in the background,
being interviewed by television reporters on his arrival in
the U.S. abroad a passenger ship. He is smiling, jovial,
charming.
REPORTER 1
How long will you be here?
DEVEREAUX
Not long enough. Two... perhaps
three... weeks at most.
Medium close shot of DEVEREAUX and THREE TV REPORTERS, as
they talk, a crane moves into action behind them and lifts
out of hold. LA VALLE is with DEVEREAUX as Translator and
Interpreter.
GIRL TV REPORTER
Why did you come by ship, Mr.
Devereaux?
29.
DEVEREAUX
The next several weeks will be very
difficult and the middle of the
ocean is the only place where the
telephone isn't ringing all the time.
REPORTER
What will be the viewpoint of your
documentary.
DEVEREAUX
To make a Frenchman feel what it is
like to be a New Yorker.
LA VALLE
That's enough now, ladies and
gentlemen. M. Devereaux is due at
his hotel in half an hour.
Overhead the Lincoln comes down from the hold of the ship.
EXT. WEST SIDE DRIVE - DAY
A long view of the pier from the opposite (east) side of
West Street, beneath the steel trusses and girders of the
West Side Drive and through the forest of cars that are
parked there, the jam of traffic that develops around every
unloading vessel. It is a view that takes in the front end
of the Lincoln inching off the pier. HENRI DEVEREAUX at the
wheel, turns to his right. We watch until the point of view
on the sidewalk. ALAIN CHARNIER and PIERRE NICOLI are
standing there watching. When the car (off-camera) turns
east on the way to the garage, NICOLI glances to CHARNIER.
CHARNIER does not look back.
EXT. DORAL HOTEL - LINCOLN PULLS IN - DAY
INT. POLICE OFFICE - NIGHT
Close shot of WALTER SIMONSON at desk in the large square
office he occupies as a Lieutenant of Detectives in charge
of the Manhattan Narcotics Bureau. He is the immediate
superior of RUSSO and DOYLE, head of the 200-man narcotics
squad that polices Manhattan.
SIMONSON
(with coffee cup)
All that is great -- but you guys
work Bed-Stuy. You're not supposed
to be in Ridgewood.
DOYLE, RUSSO and SIMONSON
30.
DOYLE
Detach us. Let us have a shot at
it, at least until we see if
there's anything here or not.
Everybody wants Weinstock, right?
So maybe here's a lead. We deserve
it.
SIMONSON
You couldn't burn a three-time
loser with what you're bringing in
here. You know you stiffs could
run yourselves an entrapment rap.
The guy has done nothing -- Brooklyn
is full of Candy Store guys with
two cars who like to go to
nightclubs.
RUSSO
Put this little candy hustler
together with Joel Weinstock and it
could be we stumbled into a big
score.
SIMONSON
(moves to window)
Big score! He's dealin' a few bags
here and there on the side.
DOYLE
Simonson, I wouldn't be infringing
on your coffee break if I thought
he was a nickel and dimer.
SIMONSON
Your hunches have backfired before,
Doyle.
DOYLE, close, no comment.
Back to SIMONSON.
SIMONSON
(moves back to stand
at desk)
Jimmy, what the hell's happening
with you lately?
(pause)
You got more collars than any Narc
in the bureau. What was it. Over
100 last year? Terrific. But who?
(MORE)
31.
SIMONSON (CONT'D)
You stop and shake down a bellboy
because he's got three joints in
his sock. You hit a high school
kid in short pants who looks like
he's got a twitch.
RUSSO. Getting it back on the track.
RUSSO
(moves in to desk)
We got information that there's no
shit in the street -- it's like a
desert full of junkies with a big
score coming in to make everybody
well.
DOYLE
DOYLE
This could be it, Walter. This
Candy Store guy, putting on a big
show in a fancy nightclub with
known connections all over him.
Then on our own, after working the
whole day and night, we tail him
out to Brooklyn and sit on him for
a week practically, and who do we
come up with? Joel Weinstock.
(he leans forward)
You gotta let us have it.
THREE SHOT - RUSSO, DOYLE, SIMONSON
SIMONSON
(pause, he turns to RUSSO)
You really believe all this crap?
RUSSO
I go with my partner.
A pause.
SIMONSON
What'll it take?
RUSSO
First a wire.
DOYLE
Two wires. One on the store and
one on his house.
32.
SIMONSON
You know I have to get a court
order for wiretaps.
RUSSO
Try... okay?
DOYLE
We know you can do it, Walter.
They start to leave.
Close on SIMONSON.
SIMONSON
Popeye...
Close on DOYLE at the door. RUSSO beside him.
Back to SIMONSON
SIMONSON
You still pickin' your feet in
Poughkeepsie?
WIRETAP SEQUENCE "A"
INT. BASEMENT
RUSSO on phones -- checking notes on SAL. DOYLE reading
comics on cot. Tape machine clicks on -- tape is activated.
RUSSO sits attentively.
EXT. CANDY STORE - DAY
Shot of wire.
33.
SAL (V.O.) RUSSO
What's this crap. I just (He raps on table
spoke to my wife and she with a coffee cup.
says you're raisin' me a Doyle gets up.)
halfa cent on the cups. C'mere and lissen to your
big connection.
WHOLESALER (DOYLE comes over)
(V.O.) He's fightin' with somebody
Yeah, well you know I about a halfa cent.
shoulda raised this here a
long time ago. We got a DOYLE
inflation period... How we gonna keep Simonson
from hearin' this?
SAL (V.O.)
I got your inflation. I can RUSSO
get the same cups on Delancey If he does, we'll be back in
Street for what I been Bed-Stuyvesant tomorrow.
payin' you for the last
year -- That's all I gotta
do with you guys -- next
time it'll be two cents on
the cones, then two cents on
the seltzer --
WHOLESALER
(V.O.)
C'mon Sal, I got my orders,
too --
SAL (V.O.)
Well, if you can't do better
than that, you can stick the
cups.
EXT. AUTO GRAVEYARD (HUNTS POINT AND EAST RIVER) - DAY
HIGH ANGLE: Close shot of CHARNIER, MARIE and LA VALLE
walking slowly together toward the camera. They are at the
auto graveyard and the scene of an auction of cars towed off
New York streets by the Police Department. About twenty
other men are walking around, looking at the cars.
A POLICEMAN blows a whistle and the prospective car buyers
gather around the auction trailer in the b.g.
LA VALLE
There are four auto graveyards like
this one in the other boroughs,
handling about a thousand vehicles
a month. Those that aren't claimed
are auctioned here once a month.
MARIE
Just for mistakes of parking?
34.
LA VALLE
No. Many are involved in crimes
and confiscated... or just abandoned.
This is, as you know, your prime
source of scrap metal, M. Charnier.
MARIE
(off camera)
Darling, may I have this one?
Medium close shot MARIE, standing next to an LTD.
MARIE
It looks so lonesome here.
CHARNIER and LA VALLE approach her.
CHARNIER
It would look even more lonesome in
our garage.
INT. THE AUCTION TRAILER - DAY
Within the large trailer, about TWENTY MEN are seated at two
long benches to each side. Some are standing to the rear.
At the front, an AUCTIONEER stands at a lectern. To his
left sits a CLERK at a small table. The AUCTIONEER wears a
sweater and hat. The buyers are tough types, young and old.
All have inventory lists. The atmosphere is informal. The
CHARNIERS and LA VALLE enter the trailer at the back.
AUCTIONEER
Every car sold today must be
removed at the purchaser's own
expense. We have no keys or
anything to start the vehicles with.
You buy 'em as you see 'em and
where you see 'em. All right, the
first car offered is Number 24398.
A Plymouth sedan. Do I hear
fifteen dollars?
The bidding goes up to forty dollars. A large BURLY MAN
wins the bid. He goes up to the CLERK and accepts the bill
of sale.
AUCTIONEER
We go to 24399 -- A Pontiac Station
wagon. Do I hear ten dollars?
LA VALLE
(aside to CHARNIER)
Notice he will never mention the
year of the car.
35.
AUCTIONEER
I got a fifteen dollar bid going...
Do I hear anymore...
Eighteen... who'll say Eighteen?
Twenty...
Twenty-three...
Anymore...
Twenty-five. Twenty-five once --
Do I hear twenty-eight...
All right, last call for twenty-
five...
Close shot of CHARNIER
CHARNIER
(aside of LA VALLE)
And these are the cars we're buying
for shipment?
Close shot of CHARNIER, MARIE and LA VALLE. They are facing
the AUCTIONEER.
LA VALLE
Yes, sir. That man in the dark
jacket is our buyer.
Close shot of THE BUYER, LOU BOCA. He is very active and
wins the present bid.
WIRETAP SEQUENCE "B"
INT. BASEMENT
DOYLE and RUSSO playing Gin Rummy, listening at each end of
one phone - breaking up.
EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT
Shot of wire.
ANGIE (V.O.)
(sleepy)
Where are you?
SAL (V.O.)
Takin' care o' business, honey.
ANGIE (V.O.)
Takin' care o' business -- it's
after midnight.
SAL (V.O.)
You know I hadda meet some people
tonight --
36.
ANGIE (V.O.)
-- Well finish all your meetin'
people and get back here now -- and
bring a pizza with you.
SAL (V.O.)
Where'm I goinna get a pizza this
time o' night?
ANGIE (V.O.)
Well try, okay?
SAL (V.O.)
I don't know where I'm gonna find a
pizza joint open.
ANGIE (V.O.)
Sal --
SAL (V.O.)
Yeah?
ANGIE (V.O.)
Don't forget anchovies.
(she hangs up)
SAL (V.O.)
This broad's crazy!
EXT. WARD'S ISLAND (UNDER WEST ABUTMENT OF THE HELLGATE
BRIDGE)
Pick up CHARNIER, MARIE and MAURICE LAVALLE
As the camera plays over the bridge: (in French)
CHARNIER (V.O.)
It's beautiful.
LA VALLE (V.O.)
It was built in 1917 - and was one
of the two heaviest bridges in the
world. The arch is still the
largest in the world.
CHARNIER
Who financed it?
37.
LA VALLE
Two railroads as part of a
connecting railway which provided
passage from New England to the
South. It was actually the first
railroad through New York City.
MARIE
Why is it called Hellgate?
LA VALLE
The river at this point is the most
dangerous on the East Coast. Years
ago, hundreds of ships went down
here.
CHARNIER
If this bridge were in Europe, it
would be on every tourist's sight-
seeing list.
LA VALLE
Most New Yorkers never notice it -
most Americans have never heard of
it.
CHARNIER
Look how gracefully they conceived
that arch. Like a bowstring. It
was built from both ends. With no
support in the middle. Beautiful.
LA VALLE
Mmm.
MARIE
Alain is the only man I know who
can become as enthusiastic about a
bridge as he can about a woman.
CHARNIER
Not any woman, Marie. Just one.
EXT. OLD ROAD IN WARD'S ISLAND
CHARNIER, MARIE and LA VALLE walking.
(NEAR GARAGE)
38.
LA VALLE
I'm afraid the rest of Ward's
Island isn't nearly as romantic - a
pollution plant, a hospital, a
training school for garbage men and
that area over there, where the old
cars are kept, prior to being
processed for shipment to, among
other places, The Charnier Shipping
Company, of Marseilles, France.
(NEAR CREMATORIUM)
MARIE
What is that old building?
LA VALLE
Oh, it's been abandoned for years.
MARIE
What was it?
LA VALLE
It was a crematorium.
MARIE
For garbage?
LA VALLE
For dead bodies.
WIRETAP SEQUENCE "C"
INT. BASEMENT
DOYLE on phones.
CHARNIER (V.O.)
Allo... Salvatore...
SAL (V.O.)
Who's this --
CHARNIER (V.O.)
... Salvatore?...
RUSSO enters with a bag of sandwiches and cigarettes. DOYLE
waves him to the phone.
39.
SAL (V.O.) RUSSO
... Oh... yes... yeah... Who is it?
hello... this is Sal... How
are ya? DOYLE
Sounds like a foreigner...
CHARNIER (V.O.)
Very well... you meet me RUSSO
Wednesday at the hotel... (listening at the
Okay? other phone)
French... It's a Frenchman...
SAL (V.O.)
Good... good... great! DOYLE
This is what we been waitin'
CHARNIER (V.O.) for -- the stuff is here!
Will I expect you? It's here!
SAL (V.O.)
What time?
CHARNIER (V.O.)
Twelve o'clock... yes...
SAL (V.O.)
Yes --
The phone clicks off.
DOYLE and RUSSO round each other and jump up and down like
two kids.
INT. WHIP GIRL'S APT.
Close shot of NICOLI's face. He's being whipped, and is
caught in an ecstasy of pain and pleasure. The tempo of the
strokes rises. Suddenly it reaches a crescendo and he
screams out in orgasm.
Close, full-length shot of a nude BLONDE GIRL, wearing only
black boots and silk panties. She's walking away from the
camera, throwing aside a small cat-o-nine-tails flagellant
whip. We can hear NICOLI's heavy breathing until the girl
speaks as she moves toward a couch.
Medium close shot of NICOLI, tying his tie shrugging into
overcoat.
Medium close shot of NICOLI, looking at the bills with a
pause to sort out the currency differences, then taking out
five twenties.
Close shot of the WHIP GIRL taking the five then moving up
to the look of annoyance and disappointment on her face.
40.
WHIP GIRL
You're Fifty Dollars short.
The look of anger turns to one of consternation as NICOLI
reacts to her.
WHIP GIRL
M'sieru - the tab for this scene is
a hundred and a half.
(he moves to door)
Hey Frenchie - if you don't come up
with the scratch, you're gonna run
into my man downstairs.
Medium close shot of NICOLI advancing on the WHIP GIRL as
she backs away and begins to cringe. He grabs her and hurls
her back across the couch.
Close shot of the GIRL.
WHIP GIRL
Don't hit me. Don't. Please.
We hear the door slam as she sobs.
WHIP GIRL
You filthy faggot sonofabitch.
INT. CUTTING ROOM - DAY
Close shot of two pro football players smearing each other
on the field, others falling on top of them.
Medium close shot of DEVEREAUX at a Movie-ola working out
his narration (DIALOGUE IN FRENCH)
DEVEREAUX
This is the new American religion,
professional football. It is where
everybody goes instead of church on
Sunday to express that peculiar
American taste for bloodshed and
violence.
Several close shots of the violent action.
Intercut with faces of the crowd.
Close shot of DEVEREAUX.
41.
DEVEREAUX
These men, playing a "game" - make
more money each year than many
important business leaders, artists
or government officials.
(zoom out)
It tells us something about this
country and how its men live, or go
to war with a smile, and sometimes
die without a cause.
The phone rings - it is CHARNIER.
EDITOR
It's for you - Alain Charnier.
Hold close up of DEVEREAUX.
INT. MUTCHIE'S BAR - NIGHT
In Lower Manhattan. There are SIX or EIGHT MATRONS still
there, stevedores and truck drivers. Most of them are
clustered at the far end of the bar, where MUTCHIE, a gray-
haired gone-to-paunch Irishman with spectacles as thick as
pop-bottle bottoms stands behind the mahogany bar. The
cluster of customers is involved in a typical New York
saloon argument.
DOYLE is ignoring the debate and watching the television.
He is approached by a small MAN in a long coat and baggy
suit with suspenders. This is JESUS THE BOOSTER.
JESUS
Hey, Bo.
DOYLE
Hiya, Jesus.
JESUS
Can you use a new suit for
Christmans?
DOYLE
Whatta you got?
JESUS reaches into his trousers and pulls out three suits
(jackets and pants). They are of the latest style and
color, and still on hangers!
JESUS
Whatta you?... a 44... 46?
DOYLE examines one of the jackets.
42.
DOYLE
Where'd you get this fag shit?
JESUS
This is what the tough guys are
wearin'. You know I only steal
from the best. It's Bonwit Teller.
DOYLE
Pass.
JESUS
Forty dollars -- was $250.
DOYLE
Whyn't you get it dry cleaned and
burned.
JESUS blends into the crowd and we pick up the dialogue of
MUTCHIE and his cronies, BAD EDDIE, LEE and PUGGY.
MUTCHIE
A big man could alluz beat a little
man. That's why Wilt Chamberlain
could murder Jim Brown if they ever
fought.
BAD EDDIE
No chance. Brown'd kill him.
MUTCHIE
Chamberlain's seven foot tall,
right? He's got a twelve-foot
reach. It's geophysics. He's
punchin' down on you with leverage.
He cave your chest in.
BAD EDDIE
Best I ever seen was The Rock. He
was the calmest and the meanest.
Guys like Sugar'd be pukin' before
a fight. Jake LaMotta'd be pukin'.
Marciano was calm like he was goin'
to church. What about the night he
fought LaStarza? He hit him so
hard he broke the blood vessels in
LaStarza's arms. He was the
strongest meanest bastard ever lived.
PUGGY
Hey, Mutchie, give us another bullet.
MUTCHIE pours him a straight Scotch in a shotglass.
43.
MUTCHIE
Blackjack Burns coulds been the
greatest ever --
PUGGY
-- He was a stone tanker.
MUTCHIE
That's right, he couldn't fight
legit. One night at the Garden
about 1950, '51 -- he fought either
Jake LaMotta or Gus Lesnevich, I
think it was -- he took one o'
those cream puff punches in the
sixth -- the laziest left you ever
seen -- missed him entirely. Down
goes Blackjack without even workin'
up a sweat and the whole Garden
gets up in its feet and I swear to
Christ, everybody starts singin'
"Dance With Me Henry."
LEE
I fought a guy in Cleveland once.
I knew he was a dirty fighter so I
stick a crowbar in my crotch.
Right here. Second round he gives
me a shot -- Boom -- he breaks his
hand, the fight's over.
PUGGY
Fuck it, I like nitroglycerin,
that's my game.
MUTCHIE
What about you, Doyle? Who's the
best fighter you ever seen?
DOYLE
(a few drinks behind him)
Willie Mays.
BAD EDDIE & LEE
Willie Mays?!
DOYLE
With a baseball bat! One swing!
Knock your fuckin' head off.
TIME LAPSE. The DRINKERS are gone. MUTCHIE is at the bar
cleaning up. DOYLE is in the open adjoining kitchen area
cooking breakfast.
44.
MUTCHIE
What ya doin' out so late? Hidin'
from the cops?
DOYLE
I hear the health department is
going to close this joint for
selling dirty beer. I come by to
help you carry out your money.
MUTCHIE
They'll close you down if they ever
get a look at those busted-valise
broads you run with.
DOYLE
You want some eggs.
MUTCHIE
Why not?
DOYLE
(looking around for bacon)
Hey, Mutch! You want bacon?
MUTCHIE
Yeah!
DOYLE
(rattling pans,
looking around)
Where the hell is it?
MUTCHIE
Where the hell do you think it is,
potato head?
DOYLE opens the door to the icebox.
MUTCHIE
No wonder there's so many Mafia
around. Ya couldn't find a Puerto
Rican in Spanish Harlem.
TIME LAPSE. Almost morning. Close on DOYLE and MUTCHIE
eating bacon and eggs. MUTCHIE is standing behind the bar
as he eats, DOYLE is sitting in front of it. They both have
a bottle of beer.
45.
MUTCHIE
I got this little chick I'm tryin'
to hit on. She's about 20, 21... I
take her to Jilly's last night and
she's tellin' me about how she
wants to settle down one day, get
married... I says, "Hey, this is
1971, baby, I'm just a dirty old
man lookin' to score with some
pussy."
DOYLE
Strike out, eh?
MUTCHIE
Yeah. In the late innings. Ya
look like a night's sleep wouldn't
kill ya.
DOYLE
A piece of ass wouldn't kill me.
MUTCHIE
When ya go back on?
DOYLE
Morning. Sometime.
MUTCHIE
Whyn't ya stretch out on the pool
table for a couple hours. The kid
comes in at six will wake ya. A
couple eggs and a beer is cheaper
than keepin' a dog around the joint.
EXT. MUTCHIE'S BAR - DAY
Close of DOYLE going to his car. He stops for a light.
DOYLE is red-eyed and in need of a shave. He fidgets
through his pockets looking for a cigarette but doesn't find
one. As he drives along a GIRL CYCLIST comes into view
alongside.
Our view is DOYLE's view of her long, lean tapered legs. If
he looks further, and DOYLE always looks further, he will
see there is a bra-band sweater covering her well-formed
breasts. The pendulous swing is there as she bends over the
handlebars.
Close front view of DOYLE looking back to the light, then
back to the legs.
Close outside view, the cyclist, of DOYLE leaning out the
window with his badge in his hand.
46.
DOYLE
You got a pedaller's license?
GIRL
What?
DOYLE
You're under arrest.
INT. SIMONSON OFFICE - DAY
Medium close shot of RUSSO and SIMONSON. PHIL KLEIN, a
federal narcotics agent, is reading aloud from an article in
the New York Daily News. MULDERIG is listening and sipping
coffee.
Close shot of BILL MULDERIG, a Fed narcotics agent.
MULDERIG
Whatta you got -- four more years,
Walter?
Medium close of SIMONSON and RUSSO
SIMONSON
Three.
Close shot of MULDERIG.
MULDERIG
Christ, by the time you get out all
this shit'll be legal.
Wide shot of room, taking in SIMONSON, RUSSO, MULDERIG and
PHIL KLEIN. SIMONSON hands BUDDY a stack of warrants.
SIMONSON
(rises, to RUSSO)
The judge gave you ten days on
these. Klein and Mulderig will be
sitting in for the Federals. Tell
Doyle they'll make all the buys,
and that they're to be kept informed
of everything that goes down.
SIMONSON turns to MULDERIG.
SIMONSON
You know Doyle, don't you Bill?
Close of MULDERIG.
47.
MULDERIG
(rises)
Sure, I know Popeye. The Master of
undercover, whose brilliant idea of
disguise is to limp into a room on
his left foot and limp out on his
right. Whose brilliant hunches
cost the death of a good officer --
Close of RUSSO
RUSSO
If that's how you're coming in, why
not stay home and save us all a lot
of grief.
MULDERIG, close.
MULDERIG
That's just my opinion.
RUSSO, close.
RUSSO
Whyn't you shove it up your ass!
EXT. DOYLE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
Long shot of RUSSO approaching housing project group of
buildings. This is where DOYLE lives.
INT. HALLWAY TO DOYLE'S APARTMENT
RUSSO rings the bell. No response. He knocks. Again
nothing. He hears a shower working inside the apartment.
RUSSO
Popeye.
No answer.
RUSSO
Popeye.
DOYLE
(off, weakly)
Yeah.
RUSSO
It's Cloudy. Open the door.
DOYLE
(off)
I can't.
48.
RUSSO
Why not?
DOYLE
(off)
Let yourself in.
RUSSO reaches into his jacket pocket and gets a celluloid
card, his PBA card, which he slides into the door at the
lock. He gives it a juggle and the lock is free but the
door moves grudgingly.
INT. DOYLE'S APARTMENT - DAY
The door to DOYLE's apartment, a close view from inside.
There's a bike propped against it and BUDDY RUSSO is trying
to push it open from the outside.
RUSSO
(behind door)
What the hell you got holding the
door?
The bike teeters and falls with a crash and RUSSO comes into
the room puzzled, exasperated.
INT. APARTMENT - RUSSO'S POV - DAY
DOYLE is anklecuffed to the bedpost at the foot of the bed.
RUSSO
What happened to you?
DOYLE
(sleepy)
The crazy kid handcuffed me to the
bed. With my own cuffs.
The shower goes off. RUSSO puts the bike upright on its
stand and squeezes the horn, which makes a loud beep.
The BIKE GIRL appears in the bathroom door, wrapped in a
towel.
BIKE GIRL
Oh!
RUSSO sees key on dresser - tosses it to DOYLE. There are
clothes all over the place, the GIRL's cycling outfit,
DOYLE's pants and shoes and socks. The decor is completely
impersonal. RUSSO looks up.
49.
RUSSO
(looking at scrapbook
on dresser)
You oughta get plastic covers for
this stuff like I did - your
scrapbook's a mess like everything
else in your life.
RUSSO goes to chair.
DOYLE
Gimme my pants.
RUSSO, who is half sitting on them, pulls the pants loose
and hands them to DOYLE.
DOYLE
You got the warrant?
RUSSO
(sitting)
We also got Bill Mulderig and Phil
Klein.
Close on DOYLE, buttoning his pants.
DOYLE
What do we need those pricks for?
Medium close on RUSSO picking around through the clothes,
coming up with a pair of panties. He holds them out.
RUSSO
Because by actual count our bureau
has exactly nine hundred eighteen
dollars and fifty-four cents to
make buys and Mulderig's Feds can
get all of Uncle Sam's money he
wants by just asking.
DOYLE sitting on bed, strapping the holster on his ankle.
He checks his gun.
DOYLE
Throw 'em in the bathroom, will you?
How good are the warrants?
RUSSO
(on the move down
hall, at bathroom door)
Sixty days. Here. Don't mention it.
50.
DOYLE is checking various items that go in his briefcase -
notebook, handcuffs, book of laws, field reports, pencils,
binoculars, candy bars, etc.
Medium close shot of RUSSO looking toward the bathroom door.
RUSSO
Hi!
RUSSO looks back to DOYLE. There is the sound of a kickstand
being kicked back in place, the door opening and the GIRL
leaving.
Medium close shot of DOYLE tying the shoes, wincing. Looking
up to the departing GIRL.
RUSSO
Drive carefully!
EXT/INT. RUSSO'S CAR - DAY
Close shot of BILL MULDERIG in back seat. BUDDY is in
front, next to DOYLE at the wheel.
MULDERIG
Strictly small potatoes.
We can see DOYLE working to keep up with the black Mercury
as they cross the Brooklyn Bridge in fairly heavy traffic.
The Mercury cuts around in and out, DOYLE plunges after him.
MULDERIG
You really know how to pick 'em,
Doyle.
RUSSO turns his head in anger.
MULDERIG
Still wearing your gun on your ankle?
No answer.
MULDERIG
Somebody told me the reason you did
that was so's when you met a chick
and rubbed against her she wouldn't
know you were a cop.
No answer.
MULDERIG
I said that was bullshit. It must
be some kind of fast-draw gimmick
or something.
51.
RUSSO
Knock it off, Bill.
MULDERIG
He's gettin' too far ahead. You're
gonna lose him.
DOYLE cuts into the next lane to a lot of horn-blowing and
comes to a dead, screeching stop. DOYLE sits up sharply
erect in the seat, craning to see where SAL is going. He
throws open the door and hurls himself out.
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - DAY
Rear medium close shot of DOYLE climbing up on the side of
the car to look ahead, then jumping down and running off.
DOYLE running as hard as he can.
Medium close side shot of SAL turning off the bridge onto
the FDR Drive, moving quickly and smoothly uptown.
DOYLE running to a stop, and staring ahead. Breathing hard,
horns are blowing on the bridge and they drown out the words
as he curses, "Dirty Sonofabitch."
INT. RUSSO'S CAR - DAY
RUSSO is on the blower.
RUSSO
Phil -- it's Cloudy -- we lost
him --
Static comes over the two-way radio.
EXT. BOCA'S CAR COMES OFF RAMP, PAN TO
INT. KLEIN'S CAR - DAY
KLEIN is parked on Pearl Street below the Brooklyn Bridge.
RUSSO (V.O.)
He just got off the Bridge - He's
all yours if you can find him.
Sonofabitch!
KLEIN starts his car.
EXT. A PARKING GARAGE IN THE EAST 40'S - DAY
SAL emerges from the garage and heads toward Madison Avenue.
He passes a man looking in a store window, PHIL KLEIN.
KLEIN follows him.
52.
EXT. A STREET IN THE EAST 40'S - DAY
SAL stops abruptly at the corner and turns around. KLEIN is
forced to pass him and cross the street.
SAL crosses the street to his left, at a right angle to KLEIN.
EXT. MADISON AVENUE - LATE DAY
SAL moving north on Madison Avenue. He is walking in a
triangular trap of foot surveillance. We begin to learn
this when we fall back twenty feet behind SAL and pick up
the figure of JIMMY DOYLE, moving at exactly the same pace.
While he keeps looking forward after SAL, he also looks
regularly to the left, across to the West side of Madison
where we quickly zoom in on the figure of BILL MULDERIG, who
is on an even line opposite SAL and moving almost precisely
in step with the subject of their surveillance. MULDERIG
keeps an eye on SAL but is also glancing north ahead of SAL
to BUDDY RUSSO, who is 20 or 30 feet ahead of SAL, thus
forming the triangle of the A-B-C tail.
SAL bobbing along.
DOYLE following.
MULDERIG keeping pace.
RUSSO up front.
SAL suddenly turning East at the Northeast corner of 46th
Street, the block occupied by the Roosevelt Hotel.
MULDERIG yanking at his right ear.
RUSSO spinning around, hurrying back toward the corner.
DOYLE turning East at the Southeast corner of 46th Street.
RUSSO coming around the corner looking to DOYLE.
DOYLE indicating the Roosevelt entrance with his chin while
MULDERIG comes up to join DOYLE.
RUSSO moving quickly into the Roosevelt entrance on 46th
Street between Madison and Vanderbilt.
INT. ROOSEVELT LOBBY - DAY
Roosevelt lobby stairs with ALAIN CHARNIER, PIERRE NICOLI,
SAL greeting.
CHARNIER
Excuse me.
53.
RUSSO
(he is moving through
the jam they form on
the stairs)
Excuse me.
We move into the lobby of the Roosevelt and then spin around
quickly, to watch CHARNIER, NICOLI and SAL moving upstairs
and out the door.
EXT. DAY
A distant view from the Northeast corner of 46th Street and
Madison Avenue of the Roosevelt Hotel marquee and the three
men under it, CHARNIER, NICOLI and SAL. They are in animated
conversation.
DOYLE and MULDERIG on the point-of-view corner across
Madison, MULDERIG with his back to the camera, DOYLE talking
and watching over Mulderig's shoulder.
Close shot DOYLE's face, eyes bright with excitement.
Long view of CHARNIER, NICOLI and SAL under the marquee from
DOYLE's view, zooming in on CHARNIER, who continues to talk,
look up, then look back to SAL.
DOYLE
You take Sal. I'll stick with the
beard if they split.
EXT. MADISON AVENUE - DAY
Rear view of ALAIN CHARNIER and PIERRE NICOLI strolling
slowly down Madison Avenue in the Forties.
An overhead view of the pair, CHARNIER and NICOLI, including
DOYLE 20 or 30 yards behind, RUSSO across the street, even
with him.
CHARNIER and NICOLI window-shopping at Walter's Electric,
49th and 3rd Avenue.
RUSSO looking quizzically, puzzled, from a doorway.
CHARNIER and NICOLI are engaged in a running conversation
that we cannot hear. But what CHARNIER is saying is simply
that he wants to get a pack of cigarettes before they turn
back and stop for dinner.
RUSSO looking to DOYLE for a signal.
54.
EXT. A CIGAR STORE - DAY
DOYLE already beginning to feel the cold, rubbing his hands
together, at the front of the place CHARNIER and NICOLI have
entered, trying to figure it out as CHARNIER and NICOLI
emerge, CHARNIER ripping the cellophane off a pack of
cigarettes, and they turn back in DOYLE's direction.
DOYLE, face to face with CHARNIER and NICOLI. Straining to
hear, he picks up a few words of French. Without losing
stride he steps off the curb and cuts across the street,
moving south, away from them, as they come north. But
halfway across the street, we pick up RUSSO coming in his
direction, sharp enough to pick up the tail where DOYLE had
to drop it.
EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Medium close view through window of ALAIN CHARNIER and
PIERRE NICOLI sitting at a table near the front windows of a
small restaurant.
EXT. STREET - DAY
A long shot of street zooming in on JIMMY DOYLE who is
freezing his ass off in the shadows of a doorway across the
street from the restaurant. He is dancing from one foot to
the other, his shoulders hunched, occasionally cupping his
hands to his ears.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
A medium close shot of WAITER holding a bottle of Sainte
Emillion out for CHARNIER's inspection. CHARNIER looks,
frowns, shakes head negatively.
DOYLE's feet. He's standing on one foot, the other raised
and he's squeezing it with a chapped hand, as if trying to
get circulation back into it.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Medium close shot of NICOLI watching the WAITER scoop coq au
vin onto his plate.
Close shot of CHARNIER taking a large forkful of food into
his mouth, chewing and nodding at NICOLI.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Medium shot of DOYLE looking up to RUSSO who comes bearing a
paper bag which he hands to DOYLE.
55.
Medium close shot of RUSSO standing in front of DOYLE while
DOYLE fishes a piece of pizza out of the bag and lets it
fold into his mouth, then licks his fingers.
RUSSO
You want the red or the white?
DOYLE
Pour it in your ear.
EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Medium close view of CHARNIER through the window of the
restaurant, sipping expresso.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Close shot of the pastry tray, rows of Napoleons, strawberry
and peach tarts, a frothing-frenzied rum cake, etc.
NICOLI close, looking like he's about to have an orgasm,
glancing toward CHARNIER and then the tray.
EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Close shot of RUSSO peering at the restaurant. DOYLE's face
right behind him, peering over RUSSO's shoulder, trying to
drink coffee from a paper container and also moving slightly
against the cold and the pain of the shoes.
EXT. FIRST AVENUE - DAY (EXT. COPAIN)
Rear long view of CHARNIER and NICOLI on Madison in the
Forties strolling to a corner where NICOLI is splitting for
the Edison Hotel (West 46th Street) while CHARNIER goes on
to the Westbury on upper Madison. They part with a wave and
a nod. Hold on them as BUDDY RUSSO comes into view, moving
off after NICOLI. DOYLE follow CHARNIER.
EXT. WESTBURY HOTEL - CHARNIER ENTERS - DAY
INT. WESTBURY HOTEL - DAY
Close shot of the elevator floor indicator rising from 1 to 6.
Medium close shot of DOYLE turning away from the elevator
doors and walking toward the registration desk.
Close shot of the DESK CLERK.
DESK CLERK
Yes sir?
56.
Medium close shot of DOYLE leaning on elbow on the counter,
half-turned to keep an eye on the elevators.
DOYLE
That guy just walked in. What's
his name?
Close on CLERK and DOYLE.
DESK CLERK
I'm sorry, I don't know who you mean.
DOYLE
(showing badge)
He got off on six.
DESK CLERK
We have four rooms and six suites
on six. There's a man in almost
every one of them.
Close of DOYLE.
DOYLE
Little shorter than me. Well-
dressed. About forty-five or fifty
with salt-and-pepper hair, a beard.
Close of CLERK. Thinks it over.
DESK CLERK
There's nobody like that on six.
DOYLE AND CLERK
DESK CLERK
Perhaps he's visiting a guest.
DOYLE
No, I figure he stays here. Where's
your registration?
CLERK gets out registration log book, goes through list as
DOYLE waits.
DESK CLERK
There may be two... no, three who
could fit it.
DOYLE
Names.
57.
DESK CLERK
A Mr. Paul Ganapolos, he's here
alone.
DOYLE
Where from?
DESK CLERK
Des Moines.
DOYLE
What's he do?
DESK CLERK
Businessman. Owns a department
store in Des Moines, I think.
DOYLE is taking down the information on a pad.
DESK CLERK
Mr. and Mrs. Alain Charnier, would
be another. He's in shipping.
DOYLE
Yeh? Who else?
DESK CLERK
And a Mr. Michael Lowenstein, I
don't know what he does.
DOYLE
This Charnier guy. He's in shipping?
DESK CLERK
I think so. But they're in Room
408. On the fourth floor.
Close of DOYLE.
DOYLE
Where's he from?
CLERK
DESK CLERK
Marseilles.
DOYLE AND CLERK
DOYLE
(gives him a dumb look)
58.
DESK CLERK
That's in France.
DOYLE
Yeah, I know.
EXT. WESTBURY HOTEL ON MADISON AVENUE - NIGHT
Medium close shot of DOYLE standing in another doorway, this
one in Madison Avenue, opposite and a little up the street
from the Westbury. It is about 2 o'clock in the morning and
there's not much traffic. DOYLE looks like a man almost too
tired to stand. We hear a car pull up (off camera).
INT. RUSSO'S CAR - NIGHT
View from the front seat of a sedan of DOYLE falling into
the corner of the back seat. RUSSO reaches across the seat
from the camera to hand DOYLE a brown paper container of
coffee. He opens it between his knees and scalds his mouth
with it. RUSSO hands over another gift, a pint of Canadian
Club. DOYLE takes a big swig.
Rear close view of BILL MULDERIG at the wheel of the car,
looking at DOYLE in the rear-view mirror.
MULDERIG
You about ready for a break?
A view of MULDERIG at the wheel, RUSSO twisted around in the
seat, looking back at DOYLE and putting the cap back on the
bottle. When DOYLE isn't sipping at the coffee-whiskey,
he's looking out the window of the car at the entrance of
the hotel. He looks beat.
DOYLE
The guy's a frog -- I'm pretty sure.
Also he made me. Stayin' on four
but went up to six -- cute.
RUSSO
The other guy's a frog too. Checked
in at the Edison. Had a hooker
sent up.
MULDERIG
Christ you should o' collared him
right there.
DOYLE
Who's on him?
RUSSO
Phil Klein.
59.
DOYLE
What about Sal?
RUSSO
RUSSO
We put him to bed for the night.
MULDERIG
MULDERIG
Why don't you do the same, Doyle?
You look like shit.
DOYLE AND MULDERIG - INTERCUT
DOYLE
(to MULDERIG)
Look. My partner and I found this
case and I don't want no Feds
screwing it up.
MULDERIG
Case? So far I haven't seen a damn
thing.
DOYLE
Bill, keep shootin' your mouth off
and I'll knock you into the middle
of next week.
RUSSO, close.
RUSSO
Jimmy, cool it. Nothin's goin'
down tonight. Cop a few zzz's
while you can.
Close shot, DOYLE.
INT. WEINSTOCK'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Close shot of CHEMIST with a small lab layout spread in
front of him -- burner, test tubes, etc. The MAN's wearing
an ordinary business suit and both the table and the
background indicate that this is not a lab, but somebody's
library or den -- and a fashionable one, with photos, a
signed picture of Lyndon Johnson, etc., on the panelled walls.
The CHEMIST is running a Thiele test on a small mound of
powder. Heroin from CHARNIER's shipment.
Medium close shot of JOEL WEINSTOCK and SAL BOCA sitting
opposite the CHEMIST.
60.
SAL has a glass of beer in front of him, WEINSTOCK a brandy
snifter containing a splash of amber cognac. Both are
interested; SAL quite nervously.
The CHEMIST immerses a capillary tube, a tiny instrument the
size of a needle into an open kilo of heroin.
He pours a small quantity of mineral oil into a burnmeister
test tube and preheats the oil over the open flame of a tiny
alcohol lamp.
He removes a 15-in thermometer from its leather case,
fastens the capillary tuve (now totally immersed in the
heroin) to the bulb of the thermometer with a rubber band.
He places the bulb, with capillary attached, into an open
rubber stop and inserts the entire apparatus into the
burnmeister tube, about three inches in.
With a small metal clamp he holds the rig over the lamp.
We watch closely with the CHEMIST, WEINSTOCK and BOCA as the
white heroin powder slowly, agonizingly dissolves into the
mineral oil and
The mercury rises slowly up the thermometer to 220° - 230°.
The faces of the three men are filled with wonder and
anxiety. As the mercury continues to rise they become a
cheering section, rooting the hometeam home.
The longer it takes for the powder to dissolve, the purer
the heroin. The mercury stops at 240°!
CHEMIST
Absolutely dynamite! 89.5 proof!
Best I've ever seen! If the rest
is like this, you'll be dealing for
two years on this load.
Close on WEINSTOCK, relaxed, smoking a large cigar.
WEINSTOCK
Retail is not my end of the business.
Are you telling me it's worth the
half million?
Medium close of the CHEMIST.
CHEMIST
How many kilos?
SAL
Sixty.
61.
CHEMIST
Six kilos at eight big ones a
kilo...
(he nods)
I'd say it should be able to take a
seven to one hit in the street.
SAL
By the time it gets down to nickel
bags it's at least thirty-two
million!
Medium close of WEINSTOCK and BOCA.
WEINSTOCK
Thank you, Howard. Take what's
left there with you and goodnight.
The CHEMIST packs his apparatus and leaves.
SAL
I guess we got a deal, eh?
Medium close shot of WEINSTOCK alone, appraising BOCA.
WEINSTOCK
We got a test. A deal for half a
million dollars, maybe.
SAL, whose cool is easily shattered.
SAL
Joel, the man is in a hurry. He
wants the bread and he wants to go
back to France. He ain't gonna
hang around and play games. He's
one o' the shrewdest cats I ever
run across.
WEINSTOCK, close.
WEINSTOCK
What am I, a shmuck? What's the
hurry? He could see a couple of
shows and visit the top of the
Empire State Building.
INTERCUT SAL, WEINSTOCK
SAL
Joel, don't jerk me. I spent a lot
o' time settin' this one up.
62.
WEINSTOCK
So whatta you want a badge? It's
your first major league game Sal.
One thing I learned, move calmly,
move cautiously. You'll never be
sorry.
SAL
I been damn careful up to now.
WEINSTOCK
Which is why your phone lines are
tapped and the Feds are crawlin'
all over you like flies.
SAL
I'm straight, Joel. They haven't
got shit on me. Look, I'm tellin'
you, he'll take the deal somewhere
else.
WEINSTOCK
WEINSTOCK
He could go someplace else with his
sixty kilos of heroin and see how
easy it is to pull together a half
million cash. He wouldn't find
there was any hurry to do this kind
of business.
SAL, a little desperate.
SAL
Look, the stuff is here. We could
set up the switch in an hour. I'm
tellin' you, Mr. Weinstock, he'll
split if we don't move. This guy
is everything they say he is.
WEINSTOCK taking SAL apart with his eyes over the cigar.
WEINSTOCK
What about you, Sal? Are you
everything they say you are?
Close of SAL's worried face.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - NIGHT
Close side view of DOYLE driving; popeyeing right and left,
looking for everything and nothing.
63.
View over DOYLE's right shoulder through windshield of a
young Black HOOKER leaning against a lamppost, smiling at a
passing PEDESTRIAN. Hold on her as the car moves on,
DOYLE's head turning as he continues to move with the traffic.
Rear close view of DOYLE leaning over the back seat, looking
as he backs the car.
Close shot of the HOOKER looking up smiling, then the smile
fading.
Medium close view of DOYLE and the HOOKER.
DOYLE
You own that lamppost?
HOOKER
No.
DOYLE
Then how come you're leaning on it.
Close shot of HOOKER.
DOYLE
I ever bust you?
HOOKER
I never seen you before.
DOYLE and the HOOKER.
DOYLE
Get your ass in the car.
DOYLE looking right and left, the form of the GIRL climbing
into the vehicle. He puts surveillance hat on back seat.
INT. DAN'S LUNCH - DAY
DOYLE is standing at an island counter in a coffee-doughnuts
joint. The COUNTERMAN is paying no attention to him but is
instead emptying coffee from a large dispenser into a pot.
DOYLE
You gonna wait on me or am I gonna
sit here all day?
The COUNTERMAN responds quickly to DOYLE's voice.
Close shot of DOYLE biting into a huge jelly doughnut, the
jelly squeezing out onto his fingers.
64.
A kid pushes a broom past, getting rid of a collection of
cigarette butts, etc.
DOYLE
Hey!
Close shot of KID, about 16, looking up from the broom
toward DOYLE.
DOYLE
(off camera)
C'mere... C'mere!
Medium close shot of DOYLE and the KID, DOYLE eating and
drinking.
DOYLE
Can you stand a toss, Hector?
KID
What you mean?
DOYLE
You still dealin' shit?
KID
Jesus, no, Doyle. I'm clean. I'm
working twelve hours a day here.
Close shot of DOYLE talking around a mouthful of doughnut.
DOYLE
When they going to make you chairman
of the board?
Medium close shot of DOYLE and the KID. DOYLE puts down the
coffee cup. Waves the KID closer. The KID moves closer,
DOYLE frisks him quickly, expertly, then rips up the kid's
jacket and takes a 12-inch toadsticker out of the kid's
waistband.
Close shot of DOYLE looking at the knife, snapping the
button and watching the blade flash out.
DOYLE
You clean your fingernails with this.
Close shot of KID.
KID
Rather be caught with it than
without it.
65.
DOYLE, pushing button and letting the blade fall into closed
position.
DOYLE
Yeah, I guess so.
DOYLE hands the knife back to the kid. HECTOR goes back to
work. DOYLE eats.
EXT. DAN'S LUNCH - DAY
DOYLE climbing back into his car, knees on the seat, reaching
over into the back.
Close shot over the rear seat of DOYLE picking up the straw
hat, which has been jammed into the corner by the contours
of the Hooker's tail. He straightens it as much as possible
and throws it under the driver's seat.
EXT. MADISON AVENUE - DAY
Medium shot of DOYLE on foot popeyeing up Madison Avenue in
the vicinity of the Westbury. As unobtrusively as possible,
he's looking for the tail that should be there covering
CHARNIER. DOYLE is on the East side of the street, and the
Westbury is on the West. He pokes his head into a couple of
doorways, checks the cars parked at the curb, looks up to a
couple of the mezzanine shops along the street. He sees
PHIL KLEIN and ANOTHER AGENT talking together totally
oblivious to the front entrance. MULDERIG in a cigar store
looks to his wristwatch, then goes inside the store.
Close shot of DOYLE frowning, puzzled. There doesn't seem
to be anybody alert. He looks over to the hotel.
Westbury Hotel entrance from DOYLE's Point of View. CHARNIER
steps out of hotel entrance, turns south. The two AGENTS
and MULDERIG have not seen his exit.
Close on DOYLE in a doorway.
CHARNIER, carrying an umbrella, strolling blithely down the
street, in DOYLE's direction but on the opposite side of the
street. Zoom in on his face, reflecting no concern, no
problems, then zoom back to DOYLE's position. Pan to the
hotel entrance as DOYLE looks for somebody else. Where the
hell is CHARNIER's surveillance?
Very quickly, DOYLE's nervous glances.
CHARNIER close.
A long view of the street.
66.
CHARNIER moving along.
The hotel entrance.
Close shot of DOYLE going through the glancing movements,
his eyes showing CHARNIER getting farther and farther down
Madison Avenue. But there's still nobody following him.
Medium close shot of DOYLE scrambling out of the doorway and
moving down the street after CHARNIER.
Rear view of CHARNIER stopping at a newsstand, buying a copy
of the Times.
DOYLE in a doorway, peering out and down the street.
Medium close front view of CHARNIER strolling along, glancing
at the headlines of the Times, an umbrella hooked over his
left forearm as he walks.
Close shot of CHARNIER's polished shoes, moving quickly down
subway entrance stairs. Hold on the empty stairs. Then
DOYLE's painful, scuffed shoes, follow.
EXT. SUBWAY PLATFORM - DAY
Close shot CHARNIER standing on the subway platform, looking
at the Times, glancing toward the tracks and the rumble of a
train in the distance.
Side rear view of CHARNIER close in the foreground, DOYLE
moving into view in the background, not looking toward
CHARNIER, keeping his face turned mostly away from the
Frenchman.
Long shot of the platform. DOYLE right, CHARNIER left as
the train pulls in. CHARNIER is folding up his paper to
board. DOYLE is moving toward the train.
INT. TRAIN
CHARNIER getting on train toward camera.
Close side shot DOYLE getting on train, leaning over to look
after CHARNIER's movements.
EXT. SUBWAY PLATFORM
CHARNIER getting off train.
DOYLE puzzled, hesitating, then getting off his car.
Long shot of CHARNIER opening the Times again.
67.
Medium shot of DOYLE moving quickly to phone booth against
the wall.
DOYLE close, barking into the phone.
DOYLE
I'm sittin' on Frog One.
MULDERIG in phone booth at Westbury.
MULDERIG
Yeah, we got the Westbury covered
like a tent.
DOYLE
DOYLE
The Westbury? Balls. I got him
down at the subway at Times Square.
What the hell's goin' on? I make
him coming right out of the hotel
free as a bird. Not a soul awake.
Close shot of CHARNIER strolling past the telephone booth,
DOYLE looking down.
DOYLE
I don't care how many bartenders
are sick. I don't work in that
joint. What the hell kind of a
union are you running down there?
Long view of CHARNIER and DOYLE about thirty feet apart on
the platform, a second train approaching.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN
A close view of DOYLE just inside the doors of the car
sneaking a peek at the platform. We can see that CHARNIER
is not there. He's on the train. Suddenly CHARNIER
reappears on the platform. DOYLE steps off.
EXT. SUBWAY PLATFORM
Long view from DOYLE's vantage point of CHARNIER standing
with his back to the train, looking up like a man who can't
make up his mind, then turning to his left, away from DOYLE
and getting back on the train.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN
View from interior of DOYLE car of JIMMY DOYLE nipping back
onto car.
68.
INT. TRAIN - CHARNIER'S CAR
Close view of subway doors hissing shut and an umbrella
being raised at the last moment by an off-camera hand
(CHARNIER's). The doors jerk open in the safety spasm.
There is a blur of the a fabric moving across the camera,
blocking the view of the doors. It is only a moment. When
it clears, the doors are closed again, the umbrella is gone.
But we don't know what happened and the train isn't moving.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN - DOYLE'S CAR
Rear close view of DOYLE peeking into the forward car to see
where CHARNIER is sitting.
INT. TRAIN - CHARNIER'S CAR
Quick, shocked close view of that car, revealing that
CHARNIER isn't there among the twenty passengers dozing or
moping in their seats. There is a blurred flash as if
DOYLE's own eyes are spinning frantically back to the
windows of his own car.
EXT. SUBWAY PLATFORM
Medium shot of DOYLE jumping out of train, CHARNIER jumping
back on - train takes off.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN - CHARNIER'S CAR
A close view of CHARNIER's face. He is smiling directly at
DOYLE. He gives him a little wave.
A view from CHARNIER's position of DOYLE chasing the train,
anger and hatred and frustration storming across his face.
EXT. HENRY HUDSON PARKWAY - MOSHOLU EXIT
A long view from the bottom of the steep embankments above
Harlem River Drive in Washington Heights. Sprayed along the
face of the cliff is a disaster -- an overturned city bus
and a car with which it apparently collided. The scene is
lighted with flares. Police rescue WORKERS and FIREMEN are
scrambling up and down the face of the cliff. They are
carrying BODIES out of the bus and the car, COPS pulling
them out through the windows, leading them on stretchers.
There are shouted orders and some moans and cries from the
wreckage. In the foreground is LT. WALTER SIMONSON, involved
in the operation, but also involved in a hassle with DOYLE,
MULDERIG and RUSSO who are standing with him. An officer
approaches SIMONSON with a set of heroin works.
69.
OFFICER
(to SIMONSON)
This belonged to the kid who was
drivin' the sports car. 17 years
old. His girlfriend OD'd in the
car. We found this set of works in
her arm.
Medium close shot of DOYLE and SIMONSON. DOYLE couldn't
care if Rome was burning on the hill; he's only interested
in his case.
DOYLE
(to MULDERIG)
Where the hell was the surveillance?
"Go to bed." That's all you could
say. You couldn't keep track of a
bleeding elephant in a snowbank.
SIMONSON, eyes on the hill, glancing to DOYLE with irritation.
SIMONSON
Jimmy, it doesn't matter anymore.
If there was a deal it must have
gone down by now. We blew it! We
blew our cover and we blew the
warrants --
MULDERIG
Charnier and his wife checked out
of the Westbury. Nicoli checked
out of the Edison --
RUSSO
This fella Nicoli's got a record in
France, Walter. He's wanted for
questioning in the murder of a
French cop.
DOYLE
I say we keep sittin' on Boca.
MULDERIG
That's crazy. You lost the Frog in
the subway and you blew our cover.
If they haven't moved already
they're not gonna move now.
DOYLE
Walter, I can make this case if the
Feds will get the hell out of my way.
70.
MULDERIG
With pleasure -- it's all yours.
Walter, if anything develops outta
this charade give me a call.
Medium shot of SIMONSON, DOYLE, MULDERIG and RUSSO. Lights
flashing around them; stretchers going by with bodies.
RUSSO
(to MULDERIG)
My ass. The only reason you're in
this is because you've got a big
expense account for buying junk and
you like to see your picture in the
papers.
DOYLE
(to SIMONSON)
This is my case. Get these guys
off my back and let me handle it.
SIMONSON
SIMONSON
For chrissake, will you come off
that "my case" bullshit. This has
been a whore's dream from the start.
DOYLE, close.
DOYLE
The deal hasn't gone down yet
Walter -- I know it, I can feel it.
Close shot of MULDERIG
MULDERIG
The last time you were dead certain
we ended up with a dead cop.
A fist, DOYLE's, comes from off-camera and connects with
MULDERIG's chin. As his head flies back.
DOYLE and MULDERIG slugging and grappling with each other,
RUSSO leaping in to yank them apart. SIMONSON grabbing
MULDERIG's arm and holding him back.
SIMONSON, close.
SIMONSON
(roaring)
That's enough. Get the hell out of
here.
71.
DOYLE
Shot of SIMONSON, MULDERIG, DOYLE, RUSSO, in a cluster.
SIMONSON
(on way up hill,
turning back)
Jimmy, you wasted two months - no
collars are comin' in while you two
been out jerkin' off. Now go back
to work, you're off Special
Assignment.
EXT. LA GUARDIA AIRPORT - DAY
Medium close side view of SAL BOCA's Mercury pulling to the
Washington-Boston shuttle parking lot at La Guardia airport.
SAL takes his ticket from the automatic vendor and drives in.
We hold for the next car driven by PHIL KLEIN, a federal
narcotics agent who is on his tail.
INT. AIRPORT - DAY
Medium close shot of SAL BOCA writing out the ticket order
form.
Close shot of the form; SAL filling it out in an almost
illiterate scrawl. Under destination SAL fills in Washing...
and the camera raises its eye to a close shot of PHIL KLEIN
on the opposite side of the counter, filling in his form.
Close side shot of PHIL KLEIN standing right behind SAL in
the shuttle line.
EXT. DEPT. OF COMMERCE, WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY
CHARNIER and an UNDERSECRETARY on the steps of the building,
shaking hands. Two other OFFICIALS are on hand and while we
don't hear their conversation, their manner is extremely
attentive to CHARNIER.
CHARNIER
It has been highly informative and
a personal pleasure to see you again.
UNDERSECRETARY
I only hope we cut through to some
meaningful proposals in the next
month or so. The pleasure was
mine, Mr. Charnier. When will we
see you again?
CHARNIER
Soon, probably in the Spring.
72.
Close shot of CHARNIER.
CHARNIER
Goodbye.
UNDERSECRETARY
(off camera)
Goodbye. Good trip home.
EXT. WASHINGTON STREET - DAY
Medium long shot of CHARNIER walking across street,
diagonally toward the camera, removing the identification
card from his lapel.
Rear close shot of CHARNIER joining SAL BOCA on the sidewalk
and the two of them movi | 
