LETHAL WEAPON 4
Screenplay by CHANNING GIBSON
Story by
JOHNATHAN LEMKIN and ALFRED GOUGH
& MILES MILLAR
Based on characters created by
SHANE BLACK
May 1998 Final Draft
FOR EDUCATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY
FADE IN:
1 EXT. L.A. STREETS - NIGHT 1
An unmarked cop CAR GUNS through traffic, cherry top
flashing. Slides through a turn. SCREECHES to a stop.
2 INT. CAR 2
MARTIN RIGGS driving, ROGER MURTAUGH riding shotgun.
Both stunned at what they're seeing.
MURTAUGH
Oh, shit...
3 THEIR POV 3
Hell. A dozen different fires light the street. In the
center of it all, two blocks away, walking away from
them, squirting a flamethrower with one hand and FIRING
an AK-47 with the other, a human tank wearing level-3,
full-body armor, facemask, etc. He napalms another car.
4 ANGLE BACK 4
MURTAUGH
What're we gonna do?
RIGGS
Run him over.
Riggs FLOORS it at the guy.
MURTAUGH
What if he turns and shoots us with
that friggin assault rifle?
RIGGS
Maybe he won't. He hasn't yet.
MURTAUGH
Right. But what if he does?
RIGGS
Try being positive for once, Rog.
We're cops.
MURTAUGH
Unlike you, my life matters to me.
RIGGS
You got another way to stop him?
(CONTINUED)
2.
4 CONTINUED: 4
MURTAUGH
... No. Okay, you're right, we're
cops... I hope he doesn't turn.
RIGGS
Then do be a Do-bee, don't be a
Don't-bee. Will him not to turn.
MURTAUGH
Will him.
RIGGS
Will him. Yeah. C'mon...
(chants)
... Don't turn, don't turn...
C'mon, Rog, will him with me...
MURTAUGH
(beat; what the
hell)
Don't turn, don't turn...
TOGETHER
... Don't turn, don't turn...
RIGGS
He's turning.
MURTAUGH
Oh, shit.
5 EXT. STREET 5
The CAR SKIDS sideways as Riggs throws the wheel over.
The human TANK OPENS UP on them. BULLETS SHRED the
vehicle. Riggs and Murtaugh bail out and take cover
behind the wheels. There's fire all around them.
MURTAUGH
Had to turn so my side faced him?
RIGGS
There's no right turn here.
The shooting stops. Riggs and Murtaugh pop up FIRING.
SLUGS BOUNCE off the guy's body armor. They drop back.
MURTAUGH
We're in trouble.
RIGGS
It's your fault, Rog.
(CONTINUED)
3.
5 CONTINUED: 5
MURTAUGH
My fault? How's it my fault? I
said the words.
RIGGS
You said 'em. But I know you
didn't believe 'em.
Murtaugh rolls his eyes. Peeks. The human tank's
walking toward them. MORE BULLETS. He torches a kiosk.
RIGGS
Okay. I'll draw his fire. You
run for cover.
MURTAUGH
No, no, no. I'll draw the fire,
and you run for cover.
RIGGS
I got less to lose, so you do the
running.
MURTAUGH
You're younger, in love --
RIGGS
And you got a wife and kids. Are
you nuts, Rog? I got lots less to
lose. I'm going first.
MURTAUGH
Riggs...
RIGGS
Get ready to run, Rog.
MURTAUGH
... I'm not supposed to tell you
this, but... Lorna's pregnant.
You're gonna be a father.
Riggs wasn't expecting that one.
MURTAUGH
She's afraid to tell you. You
never discussed having children.
RIGGS
... That kid with the crayon...
MURTAUGH
What kid?
(CONTINUED)
4.
5 CONTINUED: (2) 5
RIGGS
He draws stuff and it comes to
life... Draws the moon so he can
walk in the moonlight... Purple
crayon... Don't remember his
name... Just popped into my head
when you... A baby...
MURTAUGH
Yeah, a baby. And I'm older, and
I've been a dad, so I'm going
first.
RIGGS
(then)
You can't go first, Rog.
MURTAUGH
Why not?
RIGGS
'Cause there's something I'm not
supposed to tell you, too...
Rianne's pregnant. You're gonna
be a grandfather.
MURTAUGH
Rianne can't be pregnant. She's
not married... Oh, shit...
RIGGS
It was an accident. She and the
guy aren't serious... She was
gonna tell you this weekend when
you were nice and relaxed.
Riggs peeks at the human tank, now standing a short
distance away with his gun leveled. Riggs ducks back as
BULLETS RAKE the car again. Murtaugh looks sick.
MURTAUGH
Not sure I want to live now.
RIGGS
The kid needs a grandad, Rog...
Take off your clothes.
MURTAUGH
'Scuse me?
RIGGS
Strip, Rog. Fast.
(CONTINUED)
5.
5 CONTINUED: (3) 5
MURTAUGH
What the hell for?
RIGGS
You run. He turns. Seeing you in
your undies distracts him -- it'd
distract me -- and that's when I
shoot.
MURTAUGH
Shoot what?
RIGGS
The one place he's vulnerable --
MURTAUGH
You mean gonna shoot him in the --
RIGGS
No, not there. The valve of that
napalm tank.
MURTAUGH
You're gonna hit a little bitty
valve before he shoots me?
RIGGS
... Trust me, Rog.
MURTAUGH
Trust you?
Beat. Murtaugh starts stripping.
MURTAUGH
I gotta be crazy.
RIGGS
A second ago, you didn't care if
you lived.
MURTAUGH
That was before the prospect of
ending up dead in my underwear.
RIGGS
Just hurry, Rog. It's getting a
little warm here.
MURTAUGH
... Is he black?
RIGGS
Can't tell with all that armor.
(CONTINUED)
6.
5 CONTINUED: (4) 5
MURTAUGH
Not him. The father of the baby.
He's black, right?
RIGGS
I don't know.
MURTAUGH
Please let him be black. Not the
blond kid with pits in his face.
... Bad enough she did that condom
commercial. She could've at least
used 'em
RIGGS
C'mon, c'mon...
MURTAUGH
(finishes undressing)
I don't wanna die in my underwear.
Riggs looks. Murtaugh's wearing pink satin boxers.
RIGGS
What's --
MURTAUGH
Not now.
RIGGS
Are those pink --
MURTAUGH
Not now. Just hit the damn tank.
Riggs drops it. They get set to move.
RIGGS
Also, flap your arms and make
noises like a bird.
MURTAUGH
What for?
RIGGS
It'll distract him more. I need
him to turn. Ready? On two.
MURTAUGH
On two? We always go on three.
RIGGS
Change of pace, okay? One, two --
(CONTINUED)
7.
5 CONTINUED: (5) 5
Murtaugh bolts from behind the car, flapping his arms and
making noises like Riggs told him. The guy turns... and
the sight does make him pause. Just long enough for
Riggs to stand and SHOOT.
Riggs' slug tears off the stem of the flamethrower tank,
releasing napalm in a high-pressure, burning jet that
rockets the human tank off the ground and through the air
toward a nearby gas station. He impacts a gas pump.
Fuel ignites. The STATION EXPLODES. A tanker TRUCK
offloading gas is BLOWN upward OUT OF FRAME.
Riggs and Murtaugh watch the inferno. Beat.
MURTAUGH
I'm too young to be a grandfather.
RIGGS
What about me? I'm gonna be someone's
dad.
MURTAUGH
... Think that bird thing really
helped?
RIGGS
Nah, I just wanted to see if
you'd do it.
Something catches their eye. They look up.
RIGGS/MURTAUGH
Oh, shit!
They start running. A moment later, the tanker drops
from the sky behind them. A few tons of metal falling at
9.81 meters/second/second. Right onto their car... Riggs
and Murtaugh get to safety. Look back. Beat.
RIGGS
Never a dull moment, huh, Rog?
MURTAUGH
Not since I met you.
AD LIBS: 1) Wasn't that a gas?
2) That's oil, folks.
MAIN TITLES.
8.
6 EXT. PRISON (PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA) - NIGHT 6
A detail of Red Chinese soldiers waits outside the gates.
SUPERIMPOSE: NINE MONTHS LATER
The gates open. More PRC soldiers escort out four
Chinese men wearing prisoners' shock belts. The oldest
of the four is in his 70s, dignified. The youngest is
50ish and menacing, eye like a pit viper... They're led
toward a vehicle in a waiting convoy. A young PRC
soldier touches the older man's arm to help him in. In a
flash, the pit viper strikes the soldier dead for the
offense. Executes a gravity-defying flying double kick
that snaps the soldier's neck. Another soldier quickly
jabs a button on a remote control unit. 50,000 volts
from the shock belts jolt the prisoner's bodies. Three
of them drop instantly to the ground in agony... Not the
pit viper... Incredibly, he stays on his feet. Teeth
gritted. Muscles quivering from the punishing electric
current. Staring back at his tormenter. A full ten
seconds... The soldier releases the button. The flow of
electricity stops... As the pit viper moves to help the
old man up --
7 EXT. AIRPORT (CHINA) - NIGHT 7
The four prisoners and the PRC Army guard detail board a
large, commercial-type jet. The door's shut and sealed.
8 INT. JET - COCKPIT 8
CLOSE ON a navigation plotter. Destination: L.A.
9 EXT. AIRPORT 9
The jet takes off into the dark sky.
10 EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT 10
Murtaugh's boat bobs on the sea.
11 EXT. MURTAUGH'S BOAT 11
A 12-foot, live shark thrashes madly inside the cockpit,
jaws snapping. REVEAL Riggs, Murtaugh, and LEO GETZ
looking down at it from the tuna tower. Clearly, they've
scrambled there to escape the furious beast.
(CONTINUED)
9.
11 CONTINUED: 11
MURTAUGH
That shark damages my new boat,
I'm taking it outta you, Leo.
LEO
I didn't mean to catch it.
RIGGS
Then why do you want to keep it?
MURTAUGH
Yeah, what the hell you want a
a shark for?
LEO
The teeth'll look good on a wall.
RIGGS
They gotta stop snapping first.
LEO
... Maybe it'll go to sleep.
RIGGS
Go have a conversation with it.
MURTAUGH
Doesn't look tired to me.
RIGGS
Eating Leo might wear it out.
LEO
Ha-ha.
MURTAUGH
It's a thought.
LEO
Fun-ny.
RIGGS
Do sharks eat their own kind?
LEO
Stop, I'm in stitches.
Riggs and Murtaugh move to grab Leo. Leo moves away.
LEO
Okay, okay... It's my fish, I'll
take care of it.
Leo moves off, down a hatch into the cabin.
(CONTINUED)
10.
11 CONTINUED: (2) 11
RIGGS
Why'd we bring Leo along, anyway?
MURTAUGH
He said you invited him.
RIGGS
He told me you did.
The shark thrashes some more.
RIGGS
...Last guy trip before the
baby's here.... It's all about
to change, Rog.
MURTAUGH
Easy on the boat, shark!
Leo pops his head out of the hatch.
LEO
Where's my bag?
MURTAUGH
Starboard side aft.
LEO
Starboard. That's left.
MURTAUGH
Port's left. Starboard's right.
LEO
'Right,' yeah. Right side aft.
Leo disappears again. Beat.
MURTAUGH
Riggs... I've kept my nose out of
it, but you and Lorna... you're
having a baby... you're living
together... you're not getting
married...
RIGGS
That violate your family values,
Rog?
MURTAUGH
Just trying to understand --
(CONTINUED)
11.
11 CONTINUED: (3) 11
RIGGS
I mean, Rianne's not exactly
married either, is she?
MURTAUGH
... That's below the belt.
RIGGS
... You're right. I'm sorry...
I was married once before, Rog.
She's dead 'cause I'm a cop.
MURTAUGH
That was a terrible thing. But
Lorna's a cop, too. I don't see
the problem.
RIGGS
The problem... The problem is,
maybe I don't wear the wedding
ring anymore, Rog, but I look
down, and it's still there.
The two men share a long look. Leo pops up again.
LEO
You did say aft.
MURTAUGH
A-f-t. Aft.
LEO
And that's a fucking word?
MURTAUGH
Back of the cabin, right side.
LEO
So why not just say that?...
People get around water, they
gotta talk all that nautical shit.
Leo disappears again. Murtaugh turns back to Riggs.
MURTAUGH
What's Lorna say about this?
RIGGS
We haven't talked about it.
MURTAUGH
A few days 'til the baby's due, and
you haven't talked about marriage
at all?
(CONTINUED)
12.
11 CONTINUED: (4) 11
RIGGS
Do we want Leo to shoot the shark?
MURTAUGH
Do we want Leo to shoot the shark?
REVEAL Leo's about to shoot the shark with a pistol.
MURTAUGH
No, Leo!
Murtaugh jumps, wrests the gun from him.
LEO
Jeez. What's the big deal?
MURTAUGH
You're shooting a gun in my boat!
LEO
I was just gonna kill Jaws there.
MURTAUGH
Nobody's killing it. I'm not
letting a good animal die just so
you can have its teeth, Leo.
LEO
You're crankier since finding out
you're gonna be a grandpa.
(CONTINUED)
13.
11 CONTINUED: (5) 11
RIGGS
(re: gun)
This isn't mine or Rog's.
LEO
I got my P.I. license now,
right?... A gumshoe sometimes
finds himself in ugly situations.
MURTAUGH
You're an ugly situation, period.
RIGGS
It's illegal to carry a weapon
without a permit.
Riggs tosses the gun in the sea. Blam! A GUNSHOT.
RIGGS
Was that Leo's gun?
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! From the other direction. They
turn... and there's the bow of a two-hundred-foot
freighter about to run them down. Leo screams. Murtaugh
leaps to the helm. Jams the throttle ahead full. The
boat jumps forward... and the freighter rushes by, inches
away, snagging fishing lines, pulling poles from sockets.
And then it's gone.
MURTAUGH
My boat... Thank God...
RIGGS
The gunfire came from the ship.
Let's go, Rog.
MURTAUGH
Go where?
RIGGS
After it. Someone could be in
trouble.
MURTAUGH
... I'll radio the Coast Guard.
RIGGS
Fine. And we'll go after it.
Riggs moves to the helm, jams down the THROTTLE.
(CONTINUED)
14.
11 CONTINUED: (6) 11
MURTAUGH
Hey! Careful!
(takes the helm)
I'll drive. You hurt things. I
don't want my new boat hurt.
(snags the VHS)
Coast Guard, 'Code 7,' Coast
Guard, 'Code 7,' over.
RIGGS
Leo, get our guns and badges.
Leo goes. Over the RADIO, we hear --
COAST GUARDSMAN (V.O.)
"Code 7,' this is Coast Guard Group
L.A. Long Beach, go ahead.
MURTAUGH
Coast Guard, 'Code 7.' This is
Sgt. Murtaugh, L.A.P.D. Want to
report gun shots aboard a
freighter headed due north
approximately one mile from
L.A. Harbor. Over.
COAST GUARD (V.O.)
'Code 7,' what is the name of the
vessel? Over.
MURTAUGH
(Name). Outta Hong Kong. Over.
COAST GUARDSMAN (V.O.)
Roger, 'Code 7.' Wait one.
Leo reappears with badges and guns. Re: Riggs' pistol --
LEO
New Beretta?
RIGGS
Testing a laser sight for the
department.
He aims at Leo. A red laser dot appears on Leo's nose.
RIGGS
Got a mole you want removed?
LEO
Hey, don't fuck with that.
(CONTINUED)
15.
11 CONTINUED: (6A) 11
COAST GUARDSMAN (V.O.)
'Code 7,' Coast Guard. We have a
cutter en route, over.
MURTAUGH
Coast Guard, 'Code 7.' Copy.
'Code 7' out.
(CONTINUED)
16.
11 CONTINUED: (7) 11
Then, to Riggs, as they pull in behind the ship --
MURTAUGH
We'll just hang here safe and
outta sight 'til the Coast Guard
arrives.
Whereupon a searchlight on the ship suddenly illuminates
them. Beat.
RIGGS
What now?
MURTAUGH
... Show 'em our badges?
They hold up badges. Multiple WEAPONS OPEN UP on them.
Murtaugh throws the helm over as Riggs FIRES BACK. Nails
the searchlight. Keeps FIRING.
12 OMITTED 12
& &
13 13
14 FREIGHTER 14
One of the shooters takes a bullet. Knocks over the
searchlight as he goes down FIRING. SLUGS PUNCTURE
a stack of kerosene drums lashed topside. Leaking fuel
reaches the broken searchlight, still sparking on the
deck. The FUEL IGNITES. The DRUMS EXPLODE.
15 EXT. FREIGHTER - BRIDGE 15
The Chinese captain looks back as another fuel DRUM
EXPLODES. The stern's engulfed in flame. He yells to
the crew (italics indicate Chinese) --
CAPTAIN
Abandon ship!
As people leave their positions to abandon ship --
16 MURTAUGH'S BOAT 16
A short distance away. Watching the fireworks on the
freighter. No one's shooting at them now. They see a
lifeboat lower from the freighter.
(CONTINUED)
17.
16 CONTINUED: 16
RIGGS
They're trying to get away. Let's
get over there, Rog.
MURTAUGH
Coast Guard'll be here any minute.
RIGGS
And those guys'll be gone.
Beat. Murtaugh relents, steers for the ship.
MURTAUGH
They better not shoot up my boat.
Leo peeks out from somewhere.
LEO
Helluva fucking fishing trip.
RIGGS
Shut up and keep your head down.
Murtaugh pulls up alongside the lifeboat as it hits the
water, still tethered to the ship. Riggs jumps aboard
the bouncing craft, surprising two crewmen within.
RIGGS
Ahoy.
They move to shoot Riggs. Riggs NAILS both. But a
bullet parts one end of the line Riggs is holding -- a
line rigged up to the ship -- and suddenly, Riggs is
SHOOTING up into the air. In a flash, he's hauled to the
davits, drops to --
18.
17 EXT. FREIGHTER - DECK 17
in the midst of other heavily-armed crewmen.
RIGGS
You're under arrest.
Someone OPENS UP on him, and the GUNFIGHT's on.
18 INT. FREIGHTER - BRIDGE 18
The untended wheel turns slowly... pointing the ship
toward the not-so-distant lights of L.A.
19 MURTAUGH'S BOAT 19
Murtaugh watches the freighter turn.
MURTAUGH
It's heading for the beach.
20 FREIGHTER 20
The ship approaches the shore. Riggs ends one GUNFIGHT
and gets into another, finally engaging a gunman at the
very tip of the ship's bow. The gunman's behind a large
winch, pins Riggs down with an automatic weapon. Riggs
can't hit him and can't run... when he sees the ship's
metal gunwale converging behind the gunman. Quickly
eyeballs the angles involved. Aims the laser down the
gunwale. FIRES. Banks a slug off the steel. Takes out
the gunman with a ricochet... whereupon the ship runs
aground. The abrupt stop topples cranes, everything not
fastened down, and tosses Riggs hard against a winch,
knocking his gun away... Remaining crew throw lines over
to jump ship. Riggs shakes off the blow from the winch.
Catches the ship's Captain heading for the side. The
Captain whips a kung fu move on him. K.O.s Riggs... The
Captain moves toward a rope. Two crewmen are in line to
go down. The Captain's not in a waiting mood. Pulls a
GUN, SHOOTS them both off the ship. Grabs the rope and
slides down.
21 MURTAUGH'S BOAT 21
Murtaugh's followed the freighter in, stays just beyond
the surf line near the beached ship.
LEO
Holy shit. That was great.
Wasn't that great?
(CONTINUED)
19.
21 CONTINUED: (A1) 21
MURTAUGH
Hope Riggs is okay.
Leo regards the shark, now motionless in the cockpit.
(CONTINUED)
20.
21 CONTINUED: 21
LEO
I think the shark's asleep now.
BOOM! Another EXPLOSION up on the ship's deck. Murtaugh
looks up to see a burning OIL DRUM blown high into the
air. He follows the drum's trajectory.
MURTAUGH
Oh, shit... Jump, Leo.
Murtaugh shoves Leo off the boat... just as the heavy,
fiery drum crushes it. The boat instantly begins
sinking. Murtaugh bobs near Leo, looking on.
MURTAUGH
My boat...
As the boat goes down, water begins to cover the shark
and... revives it.
LEO
I think the shark's awake again.
MURTAUGH
Oh, shit!
Murtaugh and Leo begin stroking madly as the shark swims
free of the wreckage. Leo urges himself on.
LEO
Swim, swim, swim...
Murtaugh sees the lifeboat, still tied to the freighter,
drifting behind it. He swims over and climbs aboard.
Then calls to Leo, paddling frantically nearby --
MURTAUGH
Leo, this way! Over here!
Leo sees Murtaugh, alters course for the boat. He
glances back. The shark's coming for him.
LEO
Agh! Swim! Swim! Swim!
The shark closes quickly on the little guy. It's about
to nail him... when Murtaugh grabs Leo's shirt, hauls him
into the lifeboat. They tumble onto the floorboards.
LEO
You see that? Fucking shark
almost ate me.
(CONTINUED)
21.
21 CONTINUED: (2) 21
MURTAUGH
What you get for trying to take
his teeth.
Murtaugh stands, watches his boat sink from sight. Beat.
MURTAUGH
Since meeting Riggs, I've had my
house destroyed, my car wrecked,
and my boat sunk... What's left?
LEO
That's pretty much it.
Murtaugh sees a "Code 7" life ring floating next to the
lifeboat. He picks it up. All that's left of his boat.
22 BACK ON FREIGHTER 22
Riggs is slowly coming around from the karate chop.
Finds his gun. Stands. There's a CREAK behind him.
Riggs spins. A hatch is opening. Riggs aims. The laser
pinpoints an old Chinese woman emerging. Behind her are
more Chinese. Other hatches open. Riggs lowers his gun,
watches, stunned, as seemingly endless numbers of ragged,
tired, and frightened Chinese men, women, and children
slowly emerge onto the deck.
23 EXT. BEACH - NEAR SHIP - LATER 23
Coast Guard, LAPD, LAFD, INS -- you name it, they're
there, plus news crews and looky-loos. The Chinese have
been corralled by INS near the boat.
24 EXT. FREIGHTER DECK 24
Riggs, Murtaugh and an INS AGENT look down at the Chinese
herded together on the beach.
INS AGENT
Coast Guard interdicts about one
of these a month.
MURTAUGH
Raggedy-looking folks.
INS AGENT
Six weeks locked in a hold with
one toilet. Rice and a little
fish to eat... Lousy deal for
thirty-five grand a head.
(CONTINUED)
22.
24 CONTINUED: 24
RIGGS
Thirty-five grand? Where'd they
get that kind of money?
INS AGENT
Didn't. Gotta work it off.
Snakeheads, the smugglers, they
sell 'em as cheap labor.
MURTAUGH
Sell 'em?
INS AGENT
Like slaves.
We see the word register with Murtaugh.
INS AGENT
Women and girls're forced into
prostitution. Rest earn seventy
cents an hour in the sweatshops.
RIGGS
They gotta work off thirty-five
G's making seventy cents an hour?
INS AGENT
Takes years. Then the debt's
gone, and the people're used up.
From work, from drugs, from
living two to a bed in some rat
hole 'til they quit caring.
RIGGS
What about these people here?
INS AGENT
They'll claim asylum, say they
were persecuted, like everybody
else. We'll end up sending 'em
back. Cost a goddamn fortune.
MURTAUGH
What happened to 'Bring me your
tired, your poor, your wretched
masses yearning to be free'?
INS AGENT
Now it reads 'no vacancies'...
You'd think word'd get back, and
they'd give us a break, but they
don't. Snakehead biz is booming.
He indicates the shot-up corpse of a Chinese man nearby.
(CONTINUED)
23.
24 CONTINUED: (2) 24
INS AGENT
They pop one every boatload.
Shows the rest what'll happen if
they run off or don't pay.
Murtaugh regards the body a moment.
MURTAUGH
'Least he's no one's slave now.
Beat. Riggs looks up, sees LEE BUTTERS approaching.
Butters is a junior-grade detective, twenties, black.
RIGGS
That kid's here -- what's his
name --
MURTAUGH
It's a food. Burgers? Bagels?
RIGGS
Breadsticks?
MURTAUGH
Biscuits?
RIGGS
Butters.
MURTAUGH
Right. Butters. Always kisses my
ass. Gets me coffee 'n shit.
RIGGS
Probably looks up to you. You're
a role model. An elder statesman.
MURTAUGH
He wants to be like me, he
shouldn't be kissing butt.
BUTTERS
(walks up)
Sergeant Riggs, Sergeant Murtaugh
-- what're you doing here?
RIGGS
Long story.
BUTTERS
(to Murtaugh)
You're all wet, sir. You need a
blanket or something?
(CONTINUED)
24.
24 CONTINUED: (3) 24
Before Murtaugh can say "no" --
BUTTERS
I need a couple blankets here!
Someone hands him blankets. He gives both to Murtaugh.
BUTTERS
Here you go, sir.
RIGGS
(not happy)
Thanks, Burgers.
BUTTERS
Butters.
RIGGS
Got a homicide over there.
A troubled look crosses Butters' face.
BUTTERS
Homicide?
RIGGS
You're a homicide detective.
MURTAUGH
There's two more over the side.
Butters crosses. Looks under the sheet.
BUTTERS
Goddamn it!
Riggs and Murtaugh don't understand the sudden reaction.
MURTAUGH
What?
BUTTERS
He was shot!
RIGGS
Yeah.
BUTTERS
Four times! At close range! Like
he was executed!
MURTAUGH
He was executed.
RIGGS
The crew did it.
(CONTINUED)
25.
24 CONTINUED: (4) 24
BUTTERS
That really pisses me off!
Riggs and Murtaugh exchange a look.
BUTTERS
Folks're getting killed left,
right, and center in this town!
Now we're importing victims.
Gang-bangers wanna cap each other,
no problem! Shoot it out with the
cops -- boom, you're dead, who
cares? Some poor guy just trying to
get through the shit 24-7-365, and
he's whacked, that really pisses
me off!
MURTAUGH
Easy, Biscuits.
BUTTERS
(beat; calmer)
Just don't like it when people do
bad things to good folks.
RIGGS
... Listen, Bagels, it's been a
long night. We'll catch you
tomorrow, okay?
BUTTERS
Yeah. Okay. Be sure to dry off,
Sergeant Murtaugh.
Murtaugh just nods. He and Murtaugh head off.
MURTAUGH
Takes the job kinda personally.
RIGGS
Loud, too.
25 ON BEACH - MOMENTS LATER 25
Walking. Riggs groans from the karate chop.
MURTAUGH
You okay?
RIGGS
Guy caught me with one. Fast.
(CONTINUED)
26.
25 CONTINUED: 25
MURTAUGH
Too fast for you?
The question hangs there. Murtaugh suddenly stops.
MURTAUGH
Left something in the lifeboat.
RIGGS
I'll get a patrol car to drop me
at my truck. See you tomorrow...
Sorry about your boat, Rog. I
know it meant a lot.
They share a look. Then Riggs heads off. Murtaugh goes
to the beached lifeboat. Retrieves the "Code 7" life
ring. In doing so, leans on the tarp covering the
boat's forward half. A MUFFLED CRY. Beat. Murtaugh
lifts the tarp, revealing ten Chinese -- men, women and
children. Frightened stowaways, huddled together...
26 INT. BENNY CHAN'S OFFICE - NIGHT 26
UNCLE BENNY CHAN's seventies, wearing all Ralph Lauren
Polo. Sitting with Benny, slightly apart, is WAH SING
KU, thirty, discerning, full of dangerous potentials we
can only guess at right now. Dressed in Shanghai Tang,
modern clothes with classical Chinese touches, qualities
Ku possesses. Both men, plus an Uncle Benny enforcer,
YEE, have their attention focused on GEORGE PROODY, a
young State Department suit holding up a sheaf of papers.
PROODY
Four sets of papers. Totally
genuine. They'll get in the
country, and they'll be able to
stay. Forever. U.S. citizens.
He hands the papers to Benny.
PROODY
Ask 'em to vote the incumbent
party next election. Help me
keep my job with the State
Department.
UNCLE BENNY
(eyeing reports)
Bloody marvelous...
PROODY
They've red-flagged all Asian
visas lately. Those weren't easy
to slip through.
(CONTINUED)
27.
26 CONTINUED: 26
UNCLE BENNY
(looks up; warmly)
You've been a big help. We're
very grateful.
Another enforcer, CHU, enters with information. Looks
at Ku, who indicates it's okay for him to speak. (In
Chinese (subtitles).
CHU
... The ship went aground.
KU
(controlled
agitation)
What about the merchandise?
CHU
It's missing.
UNCLE BENNY
I'll find out about it immediately.
The look Ku gives Benny is shaming, and Benny feels it.
PROODY
Something wrong?
UNCLE BENNY
(instant charm again)
Small delivery problem... Thank
you, Mr. Proody.
Benny nods to Yee. Yee hands Proody a bundle of cash.
Proody scans it. He's satisfied. Beat.
UNCLE BENNY
Good night.
Proody is suddenly wary of his situation. Knows he's
vulnerable now. Knows they're killers. With an eye on the
room, he goes... After which Ku pulls a loop of Buddhist
prayer beads from a pocket and fingers them, lost in dark
meditation, while no one else speaks.
27 EXT. CHINATOWN - STREET - NIGHT 27
Proody moves to a parked car. Watchful. Hand on a
pistol we now see he's had stuck in his waistband.
28.
28 INT. PROODY'S CAR 28
He gets in. Puts his key in the ignition. Hesitates.
Is it gonna blow? Takes his chances. The CAR STARTS
without incident. Proody peels out. Sighs. Smiles.
He's alive and ten thousand bucks richer.
29 EXT. METROLINK CROSSING - NIGHT 29
Next to the L.A. River. Lights flash as the barricade
lowers. In the distance, a train headlight. Proody's
car pulls up and stops.
30 INT. PROODY'S CAR 30
The train nearing. Proody dreaming about what he'll do
with the bribe-money... when smash!... his CAR'S suddenly
STRUCK hard from behind. Proody looks back. No
headlights... Just the grill of a truck... He fumbles for
the gun... Blinding light from the train fills the car.
Proody can't react in time... The truck shoves him onto
the tracks, in front of the speeding train.
31 EXT. CROSSING 31
The TRAIN SLAMS into Proody's car. Launches. it. The
twisted wreckage flips through the air toward the concrete-
contained river. Drops onto the cement bank. EXPLODES as
it rolls into the water... As hundred-dollar bills scatter
in the wind, the back seat window of the truck rolls down,
revealing Ku. Ku regards the flaming wreck down the track
a moment. Puts away his prayer beads. Rolls up the
window... As the truck drives off --
32 EXT. RIGGS' TRAILER - DAWN 32
Riggs pulls up in his truck. We see he's still aching
from the karate chop as he moves to the front door.
Eating French fries out of fast food sack.
29.
33 INT. RIGGS' TRAILER - FRONT DOOR 33
Riggs unlocks the door, steps in, and... freezes mid-
fry as a cocked pistol is put to his head. Beat.
RIGGS
Hi, honey.
REVEAL LORNA COLE, nightie, nine millimeter, nine months
pregnant. She lowers the gun.
LORNA
You were coming home last night.
RIGGS
Had some bad Chinese.
As they continue, we see the place has been transformed.
Additions, wings, decks, etc. open out from the old trailer.
A woman's touch everywhere. Their two dogs and one cat
greet Riggs and vice versa. Lorna sees how dirty and
banged up he is.
LORNA
You okay?
RIGGS
Better than Roger. His boat sank.
He feeds the dogs some fries.
LORNA
Don't feed 'em that junk. What
happened?
RIGGS
Gunfights, sharks, explosions...
The usual.
LORNA
... You were out fishing. Does
trouble just go looking for you?
RIGGS
No, it seems to know pretty much
where I am most of the time.
Riggs sees into a newly-added room.
RIGGS
You finished the nursery.
34 INT. NURSERY 34
Riggs enters with Lorna, looks around. Baby to the max.
Major puppy motif.
(CONTINUED)
30.
34 CONTINUED: 34
LORNA
I figured it was good for a girl
or a boy. Cute, huh?
RIGGS
Lotta puppies.
LORNA
I know. I got on this puppy
thing and just couldn't stop.
(to her tummy)
Hope you like doggies, baby.
Beat. Riggs spins a mobile over the crib.
RIGGS
Lorna... We... We've never talked
about... marriage.
Lorna looks up at him. It could be a hopeful look.
LORNA
I sorta figured you didn't want
that... You want to get married?
RIGGS
Well... No.
LORNA
Whew. Me, either. Want breakfast?
RIGGS
(that was easy;
re: fast food)
Got mine.
35 INT. LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN 35
Lorna emerges, goes to the kitchen. Riggs follows her
out. The DOGS are BARKING at the door.
RIGGS
You guys want to go out? C'mon.
He opens the door, lets the dogs out.
A35 EXT. RIGGS' TRAILER A35
Riggs exits after the hounds. Sees a paperback romance
on a chair and snags it. The author's "Ebony Clark."
Riggs is reading a passage as Lorna emerges with cereal,
milk, etc. Re the book --
(CONTINUED)
31.
A35 CONTINUED: A35
RIGGS
You bought this smut?
LORNA
(looks over)
It's not smut, it's Ebony Clark.
Trish gave it to me.
RIGGS
... Can we try this thing they do
on page 22 sometime?
LORNA
Not now. Nothing comes between a
pregnant lady and a meal.
RIGGS
(beat; still
reading)
Have I ever made your 'womanhood
reach peaks that would rival the
highest Himalayas'?
LORNA
The foothills of Malibu maybe.
No Everests.
RIGGS
Thanks a lot.
LORNA
Just kidding. I've been to lots
of mountaintops with you, Riggs.
B35 EXT. RIGGS' TRAILER - LITTLE LATER B35
Riggs and Lorna are eating. Riggs keeps feeding the
dogs surreptitiously.
LORNA
I dropped by Internal Affairs
yesterday. Y'know, to say hi.
RIGGS
How's things with the rat squad?
LORNA
They miss me... The vet said not
to feed 'em anything but dog food,
Riggs. It's bad for 'em.
(CONTINUED)
32.
B35 CONTINUED: B35
RIGGS
(to the dogs)
Sorry, boys. You heard the boss.
LORNA
(beat)
Overheard one thing at the office.
RIGGS
What?
LORNA
I.A.'s got an anonymous tip... The
person said Roger's on the take.
RIGGS
Roger? That's crazy.
LORNA
Of course it is. It's someone
with a grudge against him.
Probably some jerk he put away...
But with the new boats all the
time and putting two kids through
private college, it's caused
conversation. Anyway, I thought
you should know. I'll tell you
if it goes anywhere.
RIGGS
... Straight-arrow Rog on the
take. That'd be the day.
LORNA
Just don't tell him, okay? He'll
blow his top, and I'll be in hot
water. And he's got enough
problems as it is anyway.
RIGGS
Like what?
LORNA
... Oh... Oops...
RIGGS
What's oops?
LORNA
Pregnancy's destroyed my brain...
It cannot leave here, Riggs. Under
any circumstances.
(CONTINUED)
33.
B35 CONTINUED: (2) B35
RIGGS
Okay. What? What is it?
LORNA
... You know how Roger is about his
daughters going out with cops.
RIGGS
He'd kill 'em. Yeah? So?
LORNA
So Rianne's married to one. He's
the father of her baby. She's too
scared to tell Roger.
RIGGS
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up...
Rianne's married?
LORNA
To a cop. They met last year.
They fell in love. She got
pregnant. They got hitched.
RIGGS
And no one's telling Rog.
LORNA
After the baby's born.
RIGGS
'Here's the whole package, take it
or leave it'?
LORNA
I'm not saying it was a good idea.
RIGGS
It's a good idea if you want to
see Rog's head explode... What
about Trish?
LORNA
She knows.
RIGGS
Who's the lucky soon-to-be-dead
man?
LORNA
... Sgt. Lee Butters.
(CONTINUED)
34.
B35 CONTINUED: (3) B35
RIGGS
... Biscuits?... This just gets
better and better.
LORNA
No one thought he'd be transferred
downtown with you guys.
RIGGS
No wonder he's been sucking up to
Rog.
LORNA
You cannot tell him, Riggs.
RIGGS
You kidding? He'd shoot me for
being the messenger... Question is
how to have fun with it.
LORNA
This is serious. Don't screw
around.
RIGGS
No. Right. No screwing around.
I mean, Rog is my best friend.
It'd be wrong to mess with him.
But we know what that smile means...
35.
36 INT. MURTAUGH'S FRONT HALLWAY - DAY 36
Riggs and Lorna enter as Murtaugh comes down the stairs.
Murtaugh's a little flustered, in a hurry to leave.
MURTAUGH
Hey.
RIGGS
Hey, Rog, we were just discussing
baby names. You know which ones
Rianne's thinking about?
MURTAUGH
(it hurts him)
Oscar for a boy. Loreen for a
girl.
RIGGS
... She couldn't come up with
anything butter, I mean, better?
Lorna surreptitiously jabs him.
LORNA
I think they're nice.
MURTAUGH
Don't get me started. C'mon,
let's go, Riggs.
(to Lorna)
Trish'll be right down. Have fun
shopping for baby junk.
Riggs glances into the living room -- on the floor are
sleeping bags, etc. Murtaugh enters from the kitchen,
a little flustered, in a hurry.
RIGGS
Who had the sleep-over?
MURTAUGH
Uh, we're airing out the camping
gear. We're outta here.
LORNA
Something smells good.
MURTAUGH
Trish has food on the stove.
RIGGS
Trish is cooking something that
smells good?
(CONTINUED)
36.
36 CONTINUED: 36
MURTAUGH
Some things do change. C'mon.
LORNA
(to Riggs)
Got your baby beeper?
RIGGS
(shows her)
Right here... So long.
As he kisses her goodbye, a small Chinese boy peeks out
from the kitchen door. Makes eye contact with Riggs.
And disappears. Murtaugh hasn't seen him.
MURTAUGH
Let's go, Riggs.
RIGGS
You know, that smells a lot like
Chinese food.
MURTAUGH
... Yeah, Trish has been trying
that lately. Who knew she could
wok fry?
RIGGS
I'd like to taste it.
MURTAUGH
We don't have time --
But Riggs is already heading for the kitchen. Murtaugh
hurries to stop him.
MURTAUGH
No.
RIGGS
C'mon, Rog, we're early.
He starts to go. Murtaugh stops him again.
MURTAUGH
Riggs... There's a Chinese person
in the kitchen... A couple people,
actually... Sort of a family...
Riggs opens the kitchen door. REVEAL the Chinese people
from the lifeboat inside cooking food.
MURTAUGH
... A large family.
37.
37 INT. MURTAUGH'S KITCHEN 37
Riggs, Lorna, and Murtaugh enter.
MURTAUGH
They were hiding in the
lifeboat... After what the I.N.S.
guy said... Had to do something
for 'em.
RIGGS
So you brought 'em home.
MURTAUGH
Took two trips.
The little boy's fascinated by Riggs. Stares at him.
MURTAUGH
That's Ping.
Murtaugh goes to a forty-ish MAN.
MURTAUGH
This is Hong. He's head of the
family. Speaks pretty good
English... Hong, this is my
partner, Martin Riggs. And this
is Lorna.
HONG
Wife?
RIGGS/LORNA/MURTAUGH
No.
RIGGS
... Rog, could we talk a moment?
Riggs drags him out. Lorna eyes the Chinese food.
LORNA
That looks so good...
38 INT. MURTAUGH'S DINING ROOM 38
RIGGS
Those people're illegal.
MURTAUGH
I know.
RIGGS
You're breaking the law.
(CONTINUED)
38.
38 CONTINUED: 38
MURTAUGH
Not the way I see it. Way I see
see it, I'm freeing slaves... Like
no one did for my ancestors.
NICK and CARRIE MURTAUGH enter. "Hi's" all around.
MURTAUGH
I see more of you two now then
when you still lived here.
Laundry, food... What is it this
time?
CARRIE
Money.
MURTAUGH
Again? Both of you? What the
hell you spending it on?
NICK
Drugs, hookers --
CARRIE
Abortions --
NICK
Contributions to O.J.'s Defense
Fund.
MURTAUGH
(to Riggs)
You believe they talk to their
father this way?
CARRIE
Dad, it costs a little more to be
a college student than when you
were going.
MURTAUGH
You think I don't know that? I
get the tuition bills. Get the
grades, too. And right now, I'm
not getting much cluck for my
buck... And when I was in school, I
had a job. You know what that is?
NICK
Job? Uh-uh, do you know what a
job is, Carrie?
CARRIE
Never heard of it. Is that j-o --
(CONTINUED)
39.
38 CONTINUED: (2) 38
MURTAUGH
Very funny.
NICK
We can't work and survive U.S.C.,
Dad.
MURTAUGH
Yeah, well, I got other things on
my mind at the moment, so what I'm
gonna do is give you the money
now, and then fight with you about
it later.
Murtaugh reaches into his pocket, pulls out a large wad
of cash. Riggs is surprised by the size of the roll. As
Murtaugh doles it out to Nick and Carrie --
MURTAUGH
Consider this a down payment on a
future ass-chewing.
CARRIE
(to Nick)
Told you we should've asked Mom.
They head out. Murtaugh calls after them --
MURTAUGH
I want to see some grades this
term, too.
Murtaugh puts away the wad.
RIGGS
Pretty big roll there, Rog...
Anyway, back to the Chinese --
MURTAUGH
I've made up my mind about it.
Beat. Riggs respects Murtaugh's commitment, but still...
The PHONE RINGS. Murtaugh goes to answer it. Riggs heads
back into --
39 INT. MURTAUGH'S KITCHEN 39
Lorna's now scarfing a big bowl of chow mein.
LORNA
This is just yummy.
(CONTINUED)
40.
39 CONTINUED: 39
Ping's still staring at Riggs. Riggs makes faces at him.
Gets a big, gap-toothed grin in return. Murtaugh sticks
his head in. Worried.
MURTAUGH
Riggs. Captain wants us right
away.
RIGGS
What for?
MURTAUGH
Didn't say... C'mon. Gotta go,
Riggs.
Riggs has a pair of chopsticks. Hands Ping an orange.
Indicates for Ping to toss it in the air. Ping does...
Riggs catches it with the chopsticks. Uses them to toss
it back in the air. Changes his grip on the chopsticks.
Spears the orange as it falls. Skewers it. Hands it
back to Ping. Gets another big smile for it. He gives
Lorna another peck, she mumbles goodbye, and then --
40 INT. MURTAUGH'S FRONT HALL - MOMENTS LATER 40
Heading for the door. Murtaugh's still worried.
MURTAUGH
Maybe someone saw me with the
Hongs. Maybe the captain knows.
TRISH MURTAUGH descends the stairs.
TRISH
Lorna here?
RIGGS
Kitchen. On her second breakfast.
TRISH
I remember those days.
Two Chinese kids chase each other through.
TRISH
Two more days to get them settled,
Roger, and then they're gone...
All of them.
RIANNE MURTAUGH enters from outside. Nine months pregnant.
More "hello's." Then, to Rianne --
(CONTINUED)
41.
40 CONTINUED: 40
RIGGS
Looking great.
RIANNE
Thanks.
MURTAUGH
Wait 'til she's trying to handle
that baby all by herself.
RIANNE
I'll be fine.
MURTAUGH
You know she'll be wanting to move
back in, too. Be ol' grandpa Rog
up giving the two A.M. feedings.
RIGGS
Better'n her being married to
the wrong guy. Cop or something.
Rianne glances anxiously at Trish.
MURTAUGH
... True... C'mon.
OFF Riggs' innocent expression, as he and Murtaugh go --
A41 EXT. MURTAUGH'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER A41
Riggs and Murtaugh emerge. Murtaugh's worried.
MURTAUGH
What do you think the Captain
wants us for?
RIGGS
I don't know. Running ships
aground, shooting at people...
That's a nice suit, by the way.
That's not off the rack. Italian?
MURTAUGH
Yeah. Gift from Trish.
Riggs checks out the label. He's impressed.
RIGGS
Ar-money...
(CONTINUED)
42.
A41 CONTINUED: A41
MURTAUGH
Maybe somebody saw me with the
Hongs.
RIGGS
It's possible. You made two
trips.
41 OMITTED 41
& &
42 42
43 OMITTED 43
A44 INT. LAPD - SQUAD ROOM - DAY A44
Riggs and Murtaugh enter. Murtaugh's eyes go to the
bulletin board, on which we see posted a news photo and
headline. The photo's of Murtaugh running in his satin
undies, flapping his arms like a bird. The headline
reads: "Bird Man Fowls Human Tank." He rips it down,
yells to the squad room generally.
MURTAUGH
It's been almost a year already.
Shit's not funny anymore.
He and Riggs head to Murphy's office. Behind Murtaugh's
back, someone pins up another copy of the photo.
44 INT. MURPHY'S OFFICE - DAY 44
Riggs and Murtaugh enter. CAPTAIN MURPHY'S there,
staring out into the squad room.
MURTAUGH
Captain.
RIGGS
What's up?
MURPHY
... I still look out there
expecting to see all the old
faces. Instead, there's a
buncha kids whose names I barely
remember.... We're dinosaurs.
Headed for extinction.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
43.
44 CONTINUED: (A1) 44
MURPHY (CONT'D)
Making way for the new, improved
police force. Guys with guns and
psychology degrees. Like Butters.
RIGGS
Butters has a psychology degree?
(CONTINUED)
44.
44 CONTINUED: 44
MURTAUGH
More like a psycho degree.
MURPHY
I got nothing against it. Times
gotta change... Hell, I got shot
once by a hot-rodder with a zip-
gun. That's how far back I go.
MURTAUGH
(after a beat)
Uh, you wanted us for something,
Captain?
MURPHY
... Yeah... Some things don't
change... The department lost its
insurance carrier. All the damage
you do, they can't get a new one
with you on the streets. Can't
fire you, either. So they're
promoting you.
RIGGS
Lieutenant?
MURPHY
No open lieutenant spots. Chief's
using his special privilege to
make you captains.
Riggs and Murtaugh look at each other in disbelief.
RIGGS
We're all the same rank now?
MURPHY
Just 'til they get new insurance.
MURTAUGH
What the hell we supposed to do?
RIGGS
What captains do. Hang out by the
coffee, take long lunches, yell
stuff like 'Riggs, Murtaugh, get
your asses in here! The chief's
shitting bricks. You got any
idea how much it costs to replace
a fucking bowling alley?!'
MURPHY
Just stay off the streets and
outta trouble, huh?
(CONTINUED)
45.
44 CONTINUED: (2) 44
RIGGS
(beat; a salute)
Captain Murtaugh.
MURTAUGH
(salutes back)
Captain Riggs.
RIGGS
(to Murphy)
Captain.
MURTAUGH
Captain.
RIGGS
(to Murtaugh)
After you, Captain.
MURTAUGH
After you, Captain.
RIGGS
O Captain, my Captain --
MURPHY
Get outta here.
45 INT. SQUAD ROOM 45
Riggs and Murtaugh emerge. As they approach their desks,
the other DETECTIVES turn towards them.
DETECTIVE #1
Captains Outrageous...
Everyone starts clapping.
RIGGS
Word travels fast.
DETECTIVE #2
Enjoy the rest from real police
work.
People return to work. An LAPD CHOPPER PILOT and OBSERVER
walks over.
OBSERVER
Now you're on the resource
management side, come up in the
helo sometime and see what crime
fighting from the air's all about.
(CONTINUED)
46.
45 CONTINUED: 45
MURTAUGH
Uh-uh. No choppers. No way.
RIGGS
Rog is a down-to-earth kinda guy.
PILOT
Change your mind, give us a
call.
They go. Butters approaches. Murtaugh's leery of him.
BUTTERS
Congratulations, Cap'n Murtaugh.
MURTAUGH
Yeah. Thanks.
BUTTERS
There's fresh muffins in back.
I can grab one for you.
MURTAUGH
I already ate.
BUTTERS
Okay.
Butters goes. Riggs was watching.
RIGGS
That kid sure likes you, Rog.
MURTAUGH
Wish he'd quit that shit.
RIGGS
... Maybe he really likes you.
MURTAUGH
Huh?
RIGGS
Y'know, likes you likes you?
MURTAUGH
... What, you mean, like that?
RIGGS
Why not? You're a good-looking
guy. Smart, funny...
MURTAUGH
Get outta here.
(CONTINUED)
47.
45 CONTINUED: (2) 45
RIGGS
Never know. It's the Nineties,
Rog. You heard Murphy.
Department's changing... But hey,
you're probably right... 'Scuse me,
Rog.
Riggs goes. Just as Butters walks by again.
BUTTERS
That suit looks real good on you,
by the way. Nice color.
Murtaugh just watches him go... Across the room, Riggs
catches up to WOODS, the PD shrink, walking through.
RIGGS
Dr. Woods.
WOODS
Yes?
She turns. When she sees it's Riggs, her face falls.
WOODS
Oh... What is it, Captain Riggs?
RIGGS
(sotto)
I... need to talk.
WOODS
I see... And what is it this time?
More dreams about flying dwarves?
In love with your gun again? Or
have you cooked up something new?
RIGGS
This is on the up and up... It's
about... marriage.
WOODS
... And when we get in my office,
you'll tell me you want to marry
Murtaugh, or your mother, or Nelson
Mandela...
RIGGS
Nelson Mandela?
WOODS
... Something to ridicule me, to
get a rise out of me...
(CONTINUED)
48.
45 CONTINUED: (3) 45
RIGGS
No, really...
WOODS
I'm not stupid. And my time's
reserved for police officers in
real need, with real problems.
She turns and goes. Beat. Riggs calls after her --
RIGGS
I can't go out with you, I'm
already in a relationship.
A46 OMITTED A46
AAA46 EXT. NATIONAL ANSCO (FORMERLY SC. A68) AAA46
A warehouse complex on the docks of the L.A. Harbor.
Signs indicate the area's a U.S. Custom's-declared "Free
Trade Zone."
A car drives in the front gate, where it's met by
uniformed Chinese security guards. Ku gets out.
BAA46 INT. NATIONAL ANSCO WAREHOUSE (FORMERLY SC. AA68) BAA46
We see Chinese workers dismantling and crating large
manufacturing machines.
Security guards drive Ku through the warehouse on an
electric cart.
CAA46 INT. WAREHOUSE ROOM (FORMERLY SC. C68) CAA46
Ku's led in. We're in a temporary quarters of some kind.
The occupants are the four men we saw escorted out of the
Chinese prison. They're under guard. A PRC GENERAL
meets Ku. In Chinese (subtitles) --
PRC GENERAL
Do you have the money?
KU
Very soon... I came to see them.
And bring this.
(CONTINUED)
49.
CAA46 CONTINUED: CAA46
Ku pulls a small case from his pocket. Hands it to the
General, who opens it. A pair of glasses. Beat. The
General hands them back. Nods his approval... Ku crosses
to the four men. Pays his respect to each of them,
beginning with the oldest... Reaching the Pit Viper, Ku
makes his deferences, and then --
KU
Father. It's been a long time.
PIT VIPER
Soon it will be our time again.
Ku turns, addresses them all. The concern we saw in his
face earlier (in Benny Chan's restaurant) remains hidden.
KU
Everything's progressing. It
shouldn't be long now.
Ku takes out the glasses, gives them to the oldest Four
Father. As he does this, we see him also remove the
lining to the case, and out of sight of the guards, pull
out a bill of Chinese currency for the men to see... The
bill's normal in all respects, except that where the
portraits should be, there's only blank space... Having
shown it to them, Ku then slides it back inside the
lining of the case. Beat.
KU
America has many laws. Made by
men. Money can change anything.
Another beat. Then, as Ku bows to them and goes --
AA46 INT. LAPD - MENS' ROOM - DAY (LATER) AA46
We FIND two sets of feet in adjoining stalls...
RIGGS (V.O.)
I'm bored being a Captain, Rog.
MURTAUGH (V.O.)
It's only been a couple hours.
RIGGS (V.O.)
Yeah. And I'll go cuckoo sitting
around all day. We gotta do
something.
MURTAUGH (V.O.)
We're supposed to be hanging out.
(CONTINUED)
50.
AA46 CONTINUED: AA46
RIGGS (V.O.)
I'm hanging out. Water's cold,
too.
MURTAUGH (V.O.)
Yeah. And deep.
RIGGS (V.O.)
Listen, you want to nail these
snakeheads, right?
MURTAUGH (V.O.)
Who-heads?
RIGGS (V.O.)
Snakeheads. Chinese smugglers.
Slave traders.
MURTAUGH (V.O.)
Yeah, I want to nail the sons of
bitches.
RIGGS (V.O.)
So?...
MURTAUGH (V.O.)
... 'Long as we stay outta trouble,
I guess it's okay.
RIGGS (V.O.)
Great. Let's go... Oops, outta
paper. Got change for a twenty?
MURTAUGH (V.O.)
Here...
As Murtaugh hands paper under the partition --
B46 INT. ASIAN ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT B46
Riggs and Murtaugh approach DET. PAUL NG, at his desk.
RIGGS
How's it going, Ng?
NG
Riggs and Murtaugh. Hear you
were up to your asses in Chinese
people last night.
(CONTINUED)
51.
B46 CONTINUED: B46
RIGGS
The taller ones came up to our
asses. Most of 'em were down
around...
He indicates his knees.
NG
We're short, but there's lots of
us. What can I do for you?
RIGGS
Ship's crew shot one of the
illegals. Apparently acted on
orders. Asian Crimes know who's
smuggling Chinese these days?
NG
There's no hard evidence. We're
pretty sure the big boss is a
guy named Benny Chan.
MURTAUGH
Uncle Benny?
NG
You know him?
RIGGS
Had some dealings with him. Back
then he was moving smack.
MURTAUGH
Never nailed him on that, either.
NG
Benny's slippery.
RIGGS
Where's he hanging out these days?
NG
He's got a nightclub, couple
restaurants he operates out of...
Days it's a place on North
Broadway.
(writes)
Here's the address.
He hands it to Murtaugh.
MURTAUGH
Thanks, Ng.
(CONTINUED)
52.
B46 CONTINUED: (2) B46
The guys start off.
NG
Just let me know if you turn
up anything.
As Riggs and Murtaugh walk --
RIGGS
Sure love to pay Uncle Benny a
visit, wouldn't you, Rog? For
old times' sake?
MURTAUGH
Yeah. But we're off the streets...
It's Burgers' case. Better give
the information to him.
C46 INT. SQUAD ROOM - CONTINUOUS ACTION C46
RIGGS
Yeah... Hey, Breadsticks...
Riggs waves him over. When he's there --
RIGGS
Ever hear of Benny Chan?
BUTTERS
No.
MURTAUGH
Big-time crime boss in Chinatown.
RIGGS
If it's bad, and it's Chinese,
Benny's running it. Asian Crimes
thinks he's behind the smuggling
operation.
BUTTERS
Where do I find him?
RIGGS
His restaurant.
But Riggs doesn't hand over the address he's holding.
RIGGS
... You know, I'm kinda hungry for
Chinese. How about you, Rog?
Before Murtaugh can answer --
(CONTINUED)
53.
C46 CONTINUED: C46
RIGGS
Great... Since we're going there
anyway, we'll drive you.
MURTAUGH
Whoa. Riggs --
RIGGS
We gotta eat, Rog.
(CONTINUED)
54.
C46 CONTINUED: (2) C46
MURTAUGH
Yeah, but --
RIGGS
So we're carpooling. Saving the
taxpayers' money. That's a
Captain thing to do, right?
Murtaugh pulls him aside.
MURTAUGH
Not with him...
RIGGS
Why?... Look, the kid could need
backup, Rog. Somebody oughta be
there. C'mon, grab your jacket.
Beat. Murtaugh relents. Moves for his jacket. Catches
Butters looking at him with a big smile. OFF which --
55.
46 INT. POLICE SEDAN - DAY 46
Driving. Riggs and Murtaugh up front. Butters in the
back. Beat.
RIGGS
So, Butters... Seems like you hate
crime in a sort of personal way.
BUTTERS
Yes, sir, I do.
RIGGS
Any particular reason?
BUTTERS
About a hundred fifty thousand of
'em. That's how many bullets were
zinging around my neighborhood
growing up. Couldn't go outside
half the time. Couldn't be near
a window. Grew up on the floor.
Slept on the floor, ate on the
floor, watched T.V. on the floor.
Hell, I didn't learn to walk 'til
I was ten. Spent my formative
years nose to nose with the family
beagle... I'm working a crime, I'm
thinking about that goddamn floor.
And it pisses me off.
Riggs sees something in the rearview mirror.
RIGGS
Did we tell Leo to meet us
somewhere?
MURTAUGH
No, why?
RIGGS
'Cause he's following us, five
cars back.
Murtaugh looks. There's Leo in his red Suburban.
MURTAUGH
Maybe it's a coincidence.
RIGGS
With Leo, nothing's a coincidence.
BUTTERS
Who's Leo?
(CONTINUED)
56.
46 CONTINUED: 46
RIGGS
He's...
(searches)
What is he, Rog?
MURTAUGH
Pain in the ass.
RIGGS
We had to guard him once, and
we've been stuck with him
ever since.
BUTTERS
What's he want?
RIGGS
Let's find out.
47 OMITTED 47
48 INT. LEO'S SUBURBAN 48
Up ahead, we see the police sedan make a turn. Leo
reaches the corner. Turns. No sign of the police car.
LEO
Where'd they go?
He reaches a stop light. Cranes his neck to see both
ways down the intersecting street. Nothing. They've
disappeared. Leo's bummed. Glances out his side
window... There's Riggs and Murtaugh in the lane right
next to him, looking over from the police car.
49 INT. POLICE SEDAN/LEO'S SUBURBAN 49
RIGGS
Looking for us?
LEO
You saw me.
MURTAUGH
Yeah, we saw you. What're you
doing, Leo?
LEO
Perfecting my tailing techniques.
Being a P.I. and all.
(CONTINUED)
57.
49 CONTINUED: 49
RIGGS
Private Eyesore.
LEO
If I can follow L.A.'s finest
without being spotted, I can
follow anybody.
(then, re: Butters)
Who's the perp? What crime'd he
commit?
BUTTERS
Crime I'm gonna commit'll be
assault and battering your little
P.I. ass. What, you see a black
guy riding with two cops, you
automatically assume he's a
criminal?
RIGGS
He's a detective, Leo.
LEO
Oh... Hey, just kidding.
BUTTERS
Yeah, well, I'm not.
LEO
So, the guys tell you about our
history together? Fighting crime,
shooting bad guys, maintaining law
and order?
RIGGS
'Bye, Leo.
Riggs punches it.
MURTAUGH
Shoulda let the shark eat him.
A50 INT. BENNY CHAN'S OFFICE A50
Looking into the busy, second-floor restaurant through a
window. In here, Uncle Benny's the object of Ku's wrath
as Fan, Chu, and Yee look on. In Chinese (subtitles) --
KU
You guaranteed.
(CONTINUED)
58.
A50 CONTINUED: A50
UNCLE BENNY
They're not at the detention center.
They must have escaped.
KU
He won't finish until he sees them.
UNCLE BENNY
They'll turn up.
.. In Hong Kong, you'd already
be dead.
They're interrupted by a TAPPING sound. Turn to find
Riggs, Murtaugh, and Butters looking in through the
window into the restaurant. Riggs knocking on the glass.
50 OMITTED 50
A51 INT. RESTAURANT A51
On this side, the glass is a mirror. Riggs mimes
various crap to Benny. Then he and Murtaugh start off.
Butter is still checking his appearance out in the
mirror. To himself --
(CONTINUED)
59.
A51 CONTINUED: A51
BUTTERS
How you doing, Lee?... Just fine,
thank you. Going to see Uncle
Benny, the Chinese crime boss...
Give him a kick in the nuts for
me, won't you?... Be glad to...
Murtaugh and Riggs exchange a look. Then --
RIGGS
C'mon --
As Riggs pulls Butters away --
51 OMITTED 51
A52 INT. BENNY'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER A52
Riggs, Murtaugh, and Butters enter via office door. The
MAITRE D' has failed to stop them.
RIGGS
Uncle Benny. Howya doing?
Hope this is a bad time.
MURTAUGH
Yeah, we'd hate not disturbing you.
MAITRE D'
I'm sorry. I couldn't stop them.
RIGGS
Meet Detective Buckles.
BUTTERS
(off that)
Whatever you say.
RIGGS
Sell any heroin, buy any cops,
kill anyone lately? How's the
front, I mean, restaurant?
MAITRE D'
I get food, drink.
He goes.
UNCLE BENNY
No M.S.G. now. Have a bite.
Give you the police discount.
(CONTINUED)
60.
A52 CONTINUED: A52
MURTAUGH
Don't hold your breath. On second
thought, hold your breath.
UNCLE BENNY
(to Butters)
They think I'm a criminal. Never
have proof.
BUTTERS
Yeah, these guys're always wrong.
Never arrest the right people.
I'm sure it's all a big mistake.
UNCLE BENNY
... I'm very busy. What is it
this time?
RIGGS
(prompting butters)
Breadsticks...
BUTTERS
Know anything about a boatload of
illegals that went aground last
night?
UNCLE BENNY
What I saw on the news.
During this, Riggs grabs some papers from Benny's desk,
and Benny snaps a ruler across Riggs' knuckles.
MURTAUGH
Some snakehead lost big money.
Four hundred people at thirty-
five grand each... Fourteen mil.
UNCLE BENNY
Whatever.
MURTAUGH
Lost out on making 'em slaves, too.
UNCLE BENNY
You think they have it so nice in
China? They'll be back. Anyway,
you're cops. I thought smuggling
Chinese was an I.N.S. problem.
BUTTERS
Crew shot one of 'em full of
bullets. Makes it a cop problem.
(CONTINUED)
61.
A52 CONTINUED: (2) A52
UNCLE BENNY
One dead Chinese? Billions more
where he came from.
RIGGS
They shot at Rog and me, too.
UNCLE BENNY
Too bad they missed. But I still
don't know anything about it.
Riggs has picked up on something out of the ordinary
about Ku. Circles the room staring at him. Ku staring
back, fingering his prayer beads.
RIGGS
You don't look too happy.
Who're you?
UNCLE BENNY
He doesn't speak English.
RIGGS
Oh. So you don't know what
'scumbag' means. Or 'eat shit'
... nice ponytail.
Riggs reaches to flip Ku's "queue" with his fingers.
Instantly, Ku grabs his wrist. Rigss is impressed.
RIGGS
Strong for a small guy...
What else can you do?
Ku just looks at him. Beat. We're sensing this'd be a
good fight to watch. Butters makes a move to help Riggs.
Murtaugh stops him. To Riggs --
MURTAUGH
Riggs... Insurance...
Another beat. Riggs lets go of Ku's clothes. Whereupon
Ku releases him... Then --
UNCLE BENNY
I'm busy. If you have nothing on
me, get out.
MURTAUGH
... Just know we're still around,
Benny.
BUTTERS
I'm after your ass now, too.
(CONTINUED)
62.
A52 CONTINUED: (3) A52
RIGGS
(to Ku)
See you next time.
Riggs moves toward the one-way glass.
UNCLE BENNY
The door's that way.
RIGGS
I'll take this way out.
Whereupon Riggs smacks the one-way glass with the butt
of his pistol. SHATTERS the GLASS. Steps out.
Murtaugh and Butters follow. When they're gone, to
Riggs, under his breath and in English --
KU
In Hong Kong, you'd be dead.
52 OMITTED 52
A53 INT. RESTAURANT A53
As Riggs, Murtaugh, and Butters cross to the stairs,
Riggs sees a panel marked "Sprinkler Emergency Switch"
on a wall. Looks back at Benny.
RIGGS
Had your fire system checked
lately? Big fine if it doesn't
operate right.
Whereupon he pulls the alarm handle. A SIREN begins
WAILING. Sprinklers erupt. Diners shriek. Back in his
office, Uncle Benny's getting soaked, too. A man moves
to shield Ku with a jacket... Riggs calls in --
RIGGS
Seems to be working.
53 OMITTED 53
A54 INT. RESTAURANT - STAIRWELL A54
We hear the commotion upstairs as Riggs, Murtaugh, and
Butters descend. Near the bottom of the stairs, out a
window, Riggs sees the Captain of the freighter. The
Captain's outside, approaching the restaurant with
another Chinese man.
(CONTINUED)
63.
A54 CONTINUED: A54
Spots Riggs at the same instant. Starts to run --
RIGGS
Son of a bitch.
(drawing his gun)
That guy's from the ship.
Seeing Riggs' gun, the second man takes off on the heels
of the Captain. Riggs is out the door right after them.
Butters right behind him. Murtaugh last, calling --
MURTAUGH
No damage, Riggs! Remember the
insurance!... Shit!
B54 EXT. CHINESE RESTAURANT B54
Riggs leads Butters and Murtaugh down the street in
pursuit of the two men.
The men cut across a street, dodge cars to the far side.
Two CARS COLLIDE in front of Riggs. He doesn't break
stride. Makes a Starsky and Hutch hood-slide over one
of the cars and keeps going.
Murtaugh, meanwhile, has been overtaken by Butters, who
takes another angle on the fleeing suspects and dodges
cars across the busy street. Murtaugh knows he can't
keep up. Looks around. Sees a young man on a
restaurant delivery bike. Pulls out his wad of cash.
MURTAUGH
Two hundred for the bike. Fifty
for the food.
Murtaugh hops on and pedals away.
C54 DOWN STREET C54
The suspects bang into people as they run up the
sidewalk. Riggs and Butters weave through behind them.
Murtaugh wheels along in traffic, catching up.
A55 EXT. SUN YAT SEN PLAZA A55
The two bad guys turn in. Riggs and Butters on their
heels. The Captain runs toward Hill St., ahead. The
other man breaks off to the left. Butters goes after
him. Murtaugh swings in, chicken in XO sauce bouncing
out of the basket, follows Riggs and the Captain.
64.
B55 ANOTHER ANGLE B55
The Captain streaks PAST us and rounds a corner. Behind
him, Murtaugh catches and passes Riggs, not a little
surprised to see him on the bike.
A56 EXT. CHINATOWN MALL A56
The Captain runs into a glass-walled exterior elevator
just as the doors are closing. Murtaugh SKIDS up a beat
later. The doors close in his face. Riggs sees this.
Spots a flight of stairs. Uses a bench and a moving
cart to vault to the first landing, heads for level two.
Murtaugh dumps the bike, takes an alternate route using
an exterior escalator.
B56 INT. ELEVATOR B56
The Captain looks out the glass back of the elevator and
sees Riggs bounding up the stairs behind him. Realizes
Riggs will make the top about the same time. Sees the
elevator next to his going down. In desperation, pulls
his GUN and BLOWS OUT the side WINDOW. Other people in
the elevator scream in terror as he climbs out the
window and leaps onto the top of the descending elevator.
Riggs reacts to this and must now run back down a flight
and leap over the railing. In front of him, only yards
away, the Captain jumps from the elevator. He lands,
losing his gun, then gets up and takes off again with
Riggs in pursuit.
Murtaugh, meanwhile, seeing what's happened, has reached
a landing and now must turn and go down the "up"
escalator. Shouts at the people in front of him.
MURTAUGH
Look out! Out of the way!
Murtaugh reaches level ground, jumps on the bike again,
and takes off.
A57 EXT. SUN YAT SEN PLAZA - SIDE STREET A57
Around a corner comes Butters' man with Butters right on
his ass. They turn into a dead-end alley. The only way
out's up a flight of stairs and into --
A58 INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - KITCHEN A58
The man blows through busy cooks, waiters, etc. Butters
jukes through right behind him. The man turns into --
65.
A59 INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - DINING ROOM A59
Bam! There goes a dim sum cart... The man gets to his
feet. Looks back to see Butters emerge from the kitchen.
Heads for a window at the front of the building. Pushes
it open and starts to jump out as --
-- Butters heads for the stairs leading down to the front
entrance directly below the window.
A60 EXT. CHINESE RESTAURANT A60
The man jumps from the second floor. Just as he hits
the ground, |
