Snierdf

Screenplay

written by

ferf ziamond

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 FADE IN
 
EXT. COURTHOUSE - SUNSET  
 

An ANGRY MOB protests. Chants blaring, fists rising.

ANGRY MOB

Hang the child molester!

Execute the sex offender!

A man and woman embrace to the side. MR. and MRS. DE’MEAL.

A frustrated police officer, KIP, turns from guarding the door, it opens. A small, frightened, pig of a man stands inside beside his dark suited attorney.

The mob becomes louder and irate.

ANGRY MOB

Death to the piece of

garbage! Die you

miserable pig!

The door closes.

INT. COURTHOUSE

KIP

Looks like you’ll be

spending another night

dirt bag.

The attorney cuts through Kip with a stare.

The mob is heard.

INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE - DAY

 JUSTIN HAYGEN, late thirties, playful smile, average  
 height police officer, seated on examining table  fiddling with  medical equipment. 
 

DOC enters, forties, dark, serious, gloomy.

DOC

Justin, how long has it

been since you’ve been in

to see me?

JUSTIN

Four years I guess.

DOC

Try eight.

JUSTIN

Really? Maybe I should

change my schedule around.

DOC

Justin, I have something

to tell you that is not

going to be easy.

His Playful smile dissolves, intense fear.

DOC (CONT.)

Have you ever heard of

Kemper Halloway?

JUSTIN

No.

DOC

Kemper Halloway was a man

with a very rare illness.

It is sometimes referred

to as Kemper Halloway’s

disease. Kind of like the

Lou Gehrig thing.

JUSTIN

I have Lou Gehrig’s

disease?

DOC

No, you have Kemper

Halloway’s disease.

JUSTIN

I’m afraid to ask.

DOC

It’s not good. I can

explain what you should

expect or I can let you

read some literature I

have on it. I’ll answer

your questions when

you’re ready.

JUSTIN

I’m not a reader.

DOC

It is an extremely rare

form of cancer.

Justin, visibly crushed.

DOC (CONT.)

You are a year into it.

That is where these

severe pains are coming

from.

Justin takes a deep breath.

DOC (CONT.)

I can stop if you’d like.

Justin shakes his head.

DOC (CONT)

It is not going to be

tolerable pain. I can

provide pain killers that

will only supply moderate

assistance. You will of

course have to leave the

job.

Justin stares aimlessly, grips the wax paper, forces himself to his feet.

JUSTIN

I’ll take the paper work.

DOC

I’m sorry Justin.

JUSTIN

It’s my own fault. I

waited eight years. Can I

get those pain killers?

DOC

I have several

prescriptions for you.

One will give you a

little more time but with

the increase of pain, you

may want less time.

JUSTIN

How much time we talking

about anyway?

DOC

Without the medicine,

that gives you what I

calculated to seventy-one

days. About twenty,

twenty one till the real

pain takes over.

Justin grips the slip of paper bending the edges.

INT. LOCKER ROOM

A dim, dreary room, grey walls, blue lockers, three police officers finish putting on uniforms. KIP, BERG, CHARLIE.

Charlie, less manly, frail, ties his shoe on the bench.

Kip, burley prankster uses a high voice.

KIP

Charlie stop leaning over

like that, you’re driving

me wild.

CHARLIE

Screw off.

Berg, serious faced, thinner young man laughs.

BERG

Yea you couldn’t handle

all of that man. The more

serious you take Kip’s

insults, the more he’s

gonna do it.

CHARLIE

Yea yea.

CAP, forties, stern, stops, notices the men.

CAP

You clowns watch each

others backs out there

today.

BERG

Yes Cap.

Cap starts, takes a second glance.

CAP

Where’s Haygen? Late

again?

CHARLIE

No Cap, I think he’s in

the can.

Cap continues to his office.

BERG

Good cover Charlie.

CHARLIE

I’ll always have Justin’s

back.

KIP

How many times have you

had it already?

CHARLIE

Take a walk Kip.

Justin sneaks in.

JUSTIN

Hey! You guys take it

easy out there today.

BERG

Speak of the devil.

What’s up Haygen?

JUSTIN

How is babysitting that

piece of garbage kid

toucher going?

KIP

The crowd was so irate he

had to spend another

night. We’re going to try

again tonight.

JUSTIN

Really?

BERG

Where’s the uniform?

JUSTIN

Sorry fellas. I just

stopped by to give you

the news.

CHARLIE

What news?

JUSTIN

Mandatory vacation from

the Doc.

BERG

You okay?

JUSTIN

Yea fine.

CHARLIE

Why the vacation?

JUSTIN

Just coming down with

something and the stress

of carrying a gun ain’t

helping it.

KIP

You’re kidding.

JUSTIN

Wish I was.

BERG

Who am I gonna partner

with?

JUSTIN

Get Gina off of desk.

BERG

C’mon, Gina’s a girl.

JUSTIN

You afraid of girls?

BERG

Just the ones I want to

sleep with.

JUSTIN

You’re not supposed to

sleep with your partner

Berg.

BERG

That’s only because I’ve

had such an ugly one for

the last nine years.

Kip motions toward Charlie.

KIP

Make sure he knows that.

JUSTIN

Enjoy your tour guys. I’ll

be in with Cap.

BERG

Take care of yourself

Haygen.

KIP

Yea.

CHARLIE

We will always have your

back.

BERG

Look no further for a

true brother.

JUSTIN

Thanks.

Justin cringes, squeezes his eyes, walks away.

He stands hesitant before Cap’s door, knocks.

INT. OFFICE

CAP

How was the can Haygen?

Justin has no clue.

CAP (CONT.)

What’s wrong? You look

like crap.

JUSTIN

Hit a man when he’s down.

CAP

Down from what?

JUSTIN

You have to call the Doc.

I gave him permission to

fill you in. Please keep

it confidential. The guys

know I’m on a mandatory

vacation and for Berg’s

sake put Gina in my place.

Cap confused.

CAP

I was going to have you

and Berg look into the

rapes in the park.

JUSTIN

Rapes?

CAP

Some maniac out there has

been raping women and

leaving them unconscious

on the park swings.

JUSTIN

That’s sick.

CAP

Tell me about it.

JUSTIN

Gina will enjoy that.

CAP

She’s berserk over it

already. So what’s with

you?

JUSTIN

I can’t talk about it

with you Cap. It’s bad

news. Do me a favor and

see that Berg gets this

when the time is right.

Justin drops his badge on Cap’s desk.

JUSTIN (CONT.)

He always joked that he

should carry both of our

badges.

Justin exits Cap’s office.

INT. PRECINCT

He passes a pretty young GINA at her desk. Dark hair, hour glass figure lights up dull office.

GINA

Morning Haygen.

JUSTIN

Hey Gina. Get prepared

for the street sweetheart.

He pulls out his cell phone, dials.

EXT. SIDEWALK

JUSTIN (CONT.)

At least this will give

mom a happy day. Hey mom!

How are things out there

in Jersey?

INT. KITCHEN

INTERCUT

His mom, ROSE, outgoing, soft older woman sits at a table with a coffee cup.

ROSE

Justin? Shouldn’t you be

at work? What’s going on?

JUSTIN

Did you forget ma? Didn’t

I tell you I was taking a

vacation?

ROSE

Maybe you did. I can’t

remember anything anymore.

JUSTIN

I just wanted to see if

someone was interested in

Chinese for lunch.

ROSE

Really? It’s not even

Thursday. Or is it?

JUSTIN

No, you’re right. It’s

Monday. I’m gonna try to

make it more than once a

week from now on ma.

ROSE

That is great. I have to

tell your father.

Justin’s dad, MATT, solemn, older man sits across reading newspaper.

ROSE (CONT.)

Justin is going to have

Chinese with me on a

Monday honey. Isn’t that

nice?

MATT

Okay.

ROSE

You’re father is thrilled.

Matt licks his finger, turns a page.

MATT

Tell him to take the

trash out before he

leaves.

The room is cozy, quiet. A shelf in front of a frosted window neatly decorated with flowers, ornaments, a photo of Justin in uniform.

INT. RESTAURANT

Justin walks into the small, quaint, Chinese restaurant. A few tables along the side. He rubs his shoulder then his temples, pops a pill. The man behind the counter, CHIN, short, older Asian man with a friendly smile, surprised.

CHIN

Jus-in on Mon-ay?

JUSTIN

Surprise Chin. Mom and me

are gonna spend more time

with you now. Let me have

the Singapore Mei Fun,

white meat chicken only,

no pork, no shrimp, no

mushrooms please.

He pulls out his cell phone.

CHIN

Singapore Mei Fun? The

curry. You break out.

JUSTIN

I don’t care if I break

out anymore Chin.

Justin dials.

CHIN

Say herro to mother.

JUSTIN

I will.

He takes a seat behind a paper wall.

JUSTIN (CONT.)

Hey ma. You there?

INT. NJ RESTAURANT

INTERCUT

Rose sits in a similar setting. She smiles.

ROSE

Hi baby boy. I am waiting

for my Chow Mein.

She places her purse beside her.

JUSTIN

Guess what I ordered.

ROSE

Garlic noodles?

JUSTIN

Singapore Mei Fun.

ROSE

Singapore Mei Fun? The

curry. You’ll break out.

JUSTIN

I don’t care if I break

out anymore ma. By the

way, Chin says herro.

ROSE

That’s sweet. Tell him

herro for me.

JUSTIN

Tell him yourself. My

food is here.

He puts her on speaker, rubs his neck.

ROSE’S VOICE

Herro Chin.

CHIN

Oh herro Miss Hey-gon.

He places a tray on the table.

ROSE’S VOICE

Make sure my baby boy

eats all of his

vegetables.

Chin laughs repeating Rose on his way into the kitchen.

CHIN

Baby boy eat all his

vegetables.

Justin smiles while shaking his head.

INT. OFFICE

Cap holds the phone, his mouth open.

DOC’S VOICE

Cap? Cap are you there? I

know it is shocking news

but.

Cap shakes his head, contains himself.

CAP

Sorry Doc. Just too much

to take all at once. The

poor guy didn’t even live

the full life he should

have.

Cap holds the window shade open, a beautiful blue sky.

CAP (CONT.)

And imagine his main

concern is getting the

right person to take his

place as Berg’s partner.

He glances out into the distance.

EXT. PARK

The sun shines through trees above Berg who eats a hot dog walking with Gina. They pass a wall with graffiti on it. Gina holds her head.

GINA

I don’t know if I can

handle this. Rape has got

to be the worst crime of

them all.

BERG

Personally I hate

graffiti.

GINA

How could you compare the

two?

BERG

I’m not comparing. I just

think destroying the area

you live in is the most

mindless thing that

someone can do.

GINA

Rape is disgusting. They

should cut it off after

we catch him.

BERG

They should cut off the

whole hand for graffiti

pollutionists.

GINA

You’re a lunatic.

BERG

But my town is clean.

They approach the swings, the playground area taped off. A DETECTIVE shows them pictures of the victim bruised and asleep on a swing. Gina covers her mouth, turns around.

BERG

She’s a desk cop.

DETECTIVE

I see.

BERG

So what time did you get

the call on this?

DETECTIVE

About eleven AM. A mother

and son were about to

swing when the kid asked

if God made homeless

women.

BERG

Touching.

They continue to talk from the view of the RAPIST.

EXT. ROOFTOP

The rapist dressed in black watches through binoculars laughing.

RAPIST

Look at these bright cops.

I should get her next.

He lowers the binoculars, letting out a chuckle.

INT RESTARAUNT

Justin pushes his tray aside, opens a fortune cookie. He rubs his head and squints. A tear rolls down his cheek.

JUSTIN

You know I’ve questioned

Charlie’s sexuality for

year’s ma. I know the

other guys have for a

while. Especially Kip.

He’s his partner for

God’s sake.

INT. NJ RESTAURANT

INTERCUT

ROSE

Isn’t there something you

can do honey? Maybe the

truth will set him free.

JUSTIN

The truth will set him up

for torture ma. These

guys aren’t your

politically correct unit

from perfectville.

He squeezes his elbow, makes a face.

JUSTIN (CONT.)

What does yours say?

Rose reads her fortune.

ROSE

My dreams are golden,

they will be made real.

You?

JUSTIN

Keep the ones around you

extra close and smile.

ROSE

They’re always sweet and

happy.

JUSTIN

You’ll never get bad news

in a fortune cookie.

ROSE

Ain’t that the truth.

JUSTIN

We’ll do it again

Thursday ma?

ROSE

Okay baby boy. Take care

of yourself.

JUSTIN

I will.

He disconnects, rubs his lower back.

JUSTIN (CONT.)

I should have taken care

of myself eight years ago.

He drops money on the table, exits waving goodbye to Chin and the cooks.

EXT. RECORD STORE

Justin stands under a sign. JARWAY’S RECORDS. He opens the door.

INT. RECORD STORE

A small, clean shop with wall to wall rows of records. Justin, a look of comfort.

A young, clean cut teenager approaches, NICK.

NICK

Hey Mr. Haygen. Got that

Jim Croce album you were

asking about.

JUSTIN

Hello Nick. Nice to see

you. Where’s old Jarway?

NICK

He went out on a run. I’m

in charge.

JUSTIN

Where’s the Croce?

NICK

Can you tell me when he

left us?

JUSTIN

Jim Croce, 1973. Another

hero of mine.

NICK

Are there any you don’t

know?

JUSTIN

Test me.

NICK

Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist,

after Sabbath.

JUSTIN

Randy Rhoads, 1982. Can I

use Felix’ computer?

NICK

Sure thing. One day that

will be my computer.

JUSTIN

Thanks kid.

Justin messes Nick’s hair, gets comfortable behind the counter.

JUSTIN (CONT.)

You still have your heart

set on running this place?

NICK

You bet. Once Mr. Jarway

has enough to retire and

makes it to that beach

house, I’ll be walking

these aisles teaching

kids about the old rock

and roll. The good music.

JUSTIN

That would be something.

Justin brings up a blank screen on the computer. He grins.

EXT. COURTHOUSE - NIGHT

Scattered protesters. Mrs. De’meal cries in the arms Mr. De’meal.

MRS. DE’MEAL

Two years? This son of a

bitch gets two years and

they’re letting him out?

MR. DE’MEAL

What comes around goes

around honey. He’ll get

his. I will make sure he

burns in some kind of

hell.

Mr. De’meal holds her tight and releases.

MRS. DE’MEAL

I can’t stay around here

anymore. Let’s go home.

Mr. De’meal helps her into the car.

MR. DE’MEAL

You’re right honey. If I

see this animal come out

of those doors, I’ll end

up doing more time than

he did. He’ll get his.

They pull away. Only a few remain.

Darkness falls.

INT. COURTHOUSE

Kip and Charlie on either side of the criminal. They walk him out with his lawyer. Both faces are sickened.

EXT. COURTHOUSE

The remaining protesters curse and threaten as the four walk down the steps toward a car.

A shot is fired.

Confusion.

The criminal between Kip and Charlie has a large gaping hole in the middle of his forehead oozing blood.

Kip shaken, smiles.

Charlie turns away, vomits.

Protesters cheer.

The criminal lies lifeless on the steps after convulsions.

After brief silence, he is pelted with rocks and sticks.

The lawyer drops taking a seat on the bloodied steps.

Strobe lights flash off of the courthouse as the crowd grows, additional officers on the scene.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Justin enters the front door, small, dark, unkempt house. He holds his ear, looks at his fourteen year old daughter ALISSA sleeping on the couch. He whispers.

JUSTIN

At least you’ll be happy.

You and that so called

mother of yours.

INT. KITCHEN

He grabs a beer from the refrigerator.

INT. HALLWAY

He continues. Slows to look in at his wife RENEE sleeping in a bedroom.

INT. BASEMENT

He turns the TV on, sits crying for a moment. Renee barges in. Short woman, sleazy nightgown, curly, mussed, brown hair.

RENEE

Have a good time out?

Why’d you bother coming

home? Go ahead, drink

your beer. You waste of

life.

Door slams.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Alissa wakes.

ALISSA

What’s going on ma?

RENNEE

That useless bum decided

to come home.

ALISSA

Why don’t you just get

someone to get rid of him?

RENEE

We need his money. Go to

your room.

INT. BASEMENT

Justin shakes his head.

JUSTIN

All I did for her growing

up. All I did for both of

them. This is how you

treat me?

He looks up. Renee and Alissa’s muffled voices curse his name.

He reads the medicine bottle, chugs some pills with beer.

JUSTIN

She was my little sweet

heart.

He pulls a picture from the wall unit. Justin and a four year old Alissa.

FLASHBACK

EXT. BEACH

Four year old Alissa runs along the sand with shovel and pail.

Justin stands with his arms open. Alissa, big smile.

ALISSA

Daddy!

Just before a hug.

BACK TO SCENE

JUSTIN

What happened to you?

Rubs his temples.

JUSTIN (CONT.)

You became the bitch

known as your mother.

Takes a sheet of paper and a pen from under the couch. He writes for a moment.

Drops the pen and picture, rests his head, closes eyes.

EXT. CLOUDS – DAY

DREAM SEQUENCE

Justin is startled yet comfortable. He approaches large, golden gates standing firmly in the clouds. A man, OZASIN, resembling Chin stands guarding the gates.

OZASIN

Good evening sir. Do you

have your invitation?

JUSTIN

Invitation? For what?

OZASIN

Not just anyone can enter

here.

JUSTIN

Wait a second.

OZASIN

Yes it is.

JUSTIN

Then you’re St. Peter?

OZASIN

Pete? Huh. That’s rich.

I’m Ozasin, Pete hasn’t

worked the gate in

centuries. C’mon kid,

things change over long

periods of time.

JUSTIN

You look like a friend of

mine.

OZASIN

Who? Chin?

JUSTIN

Yes.

OZASIN

Chin’s a good man. He has

an invitation.

JUSTIN

How do I get one?

OZASIN

You’re doing well. But

there are things we must

discuss like your wife

and daughter.

JUSTIN

That wife is not the girl

I married.

An outline of two figures in the distance.

JUSTIN (CONT.)

Who are they?

OZASIN

Not now! We will re-write

the Bible another time.

A flash of light.

BACK TO SCENE

Justin rolls off the couch.

INT. BATHROOM

He showers.

EXT. STREET

He throws a gym bag in the back of the pick up truck.

Gets in and starts it up. Rock and roll on the radio.

Pulls away.

EXT. TOPS EHT

He pulls off the main road onto a dirt road passing a blue lake, a quiet getaway spot. The weeds as high as the truck.

JUSTIN

Tops eht. This tops it

all. What to do with the

few steps remaining in my

life?

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM

A group of law enforcement officials sit around a table, CARTER STRIE, DREA CORMEL, SHORT HENRY, GEORGE NAYAL. After a moment of silence, Carter, a tall, muscular, serious, African American man looks to either side, a somber frown.

CARTER

Even if we aren’t the

Department of Homeland

Security, the threat of a

sleeper cell amidst our

jurisdiction is our

business.

A woman in a business suit, Drea, disappointed.

DREA

Sir, you heard what our

people said.

CARTER

That story is getting old.

We must take these

bastards out with or

without flawless evidence.

Short Henry, a little man.

HENRY

I agree but they will

come down on us hard if

they find out we took

matters into our own

hands.

CARTER

Yea, yea, yea. They don’t

want blood unless it’s

our own.

Short Henry chuckles.

HENRY

We should call in the one

shot vigilante.

CARTER

That leads us to our other

order of business.

Although I have no qualms

about what happened to

that sick child molester,

I am already catching heat

to find this guy. Again he

is a murderer and the pig

he killed was a human

being.

HENRY

Human being my ass.

CARTER

You’re all aware of the

clue he left behind.

He holds up a rectangular sheet of paper. KACBROUYEAVHSAWYLALILWEW.

HENRY

Yep, and we’re all glad

it makes so much sense.

DREA

It’s every third letter.

CARTER

We’ve been through that.

GEORGE

No every third letter is

a vowel.

HENRY

It’s some sort of a

jumble.

DREA

Obviously it is an

acronym of some sort.

HENRY

Or a jumbled acronym.

CARTER

Well one of you guy’s

figure out what he’s

saying in the jumbled

acronym so we can get the

investigation over with.

Drea smirks.

DREA

What makes you

automatically think that

it was a he that took him

out?

Short Henry giggles.

HENRY

Because it only took one

shot.

DREA

Funny shortie.

CARTER

As much as I hate to say

it, we have to put a

collar on this guy. Excuse

me, guy or gal.

DREA

Thanks sir.

CARTER

As for this sleeper cell,

I want someone close.

He slowly puts his hands together.

INT. SLEEPER CELL

Three young Arab men in American clothing, REZMAR, BEILGAN, SHATZA, a dingy, small, dark basement room. Laptop computer on a desk, Rezmar sits behind it. He speaks with an accent.

REZMAR

The SST. Imagine the

Concord into building.

The jets we used were

enough but imagine for

moment the Concord.

BEILGAN

They are not made anymore.

REZMAR

That’s why I say imagine.

Beilgan smokes a cigarette while laughing.

BEILGAN

You have big ideas.

Concord would have been

bigger success.

Shatza spreads a map out on the desk.

SHATZA

Wild fires here, here and

here. That beginning. By

the time we get here, here

and here, the first ones

are beyond control. With

summer heat approaching

in a few months and lack

of water in these parts

we will have half the

nation burning in two

week time. Then we begin

next country.

REZMAR

I like Shatza. I like

very much. How many we

have?

SHATZA

We have twenty two cells,

hundred and eighteen

soldiers ready to kill in

America.

REZMAR

You can get them on this?

SHATZA

Once you give me final

word.

REZMAR

I like but we have to

make the plan to get

soldiers in place and all

begin at same time. This

must be as perfect as our

first masterpiece.

SHATZA

I can have perfect map

and plans on your lap top

in five weeks the most.

REZMAR

Terror-iffic!

They all laugh.

REZMAR

Now we can do plan for

today.

SHATZA

Rezmar?

REZMAR

American hookers.

They nod, a continuous laugh.

EXT. RECORD STORE

Justin’s face broken out like Chicken Pox. He stands in front of Jarway’s.

A very sexy, aggressive brunette, URSULA, stops.

URSULA

Where’ve you been Justin?

I’ve missed you.

JUSTIN

Hi Ursula. I’ve been here

and there.

URSULA

Whatta ya got the hives?

JUSTIN

Nah, that’s from Chinese

food.

She places her hand on his chest. Long red finger nails fiddle with his collar.

URSULA

It’s still not too late

to get things going. That

is if you and your wife

are still on the outs.

He holds her hand before it reaches his neck.

JUSTIN

We’ll always be on the

outs but it’s just not in

me to cheat.

Her hand slides to her side.

URSULA

You’re too good for any

one woman. The offer

always stands. A free one

whenever you need it.

She struts down the sidewalk, Justin admires the view, enters Jarway’s.

INT. RECORD STORE

An older African American man, JARWAY, smiles from behind the counter. The bells ring.

JUSTIN

Jarway.

JARWAY

Son of a bitch! Nick told

me you was by yesterday

and now what you doin

here on a Tuesday Haygen?

JUSTIN

I missed you.

JARWAY

That’s bull.

JUSTIN

Just makin sure things

are okay.

JARWAY

Where’s your uniform

knuckle head?

JUSTIN

At the cleaners.

JARWAY

What’s wrong? You look

like shit.

JUSTIN

I feel worse.

Jarway walks around the counter concerned.

JARWAY

What’s up boy?

JUSTIN

It’s nothing. Just under

the weather.

JARWAY

It’s not time for me to

repay you is it?

JUSTIN

No. I ain’t gonna die.

JARWAY

Good thing. I’m too tired

to go saving your life.

INT. RECORD STORE

FLASHBACK

 Jarway held at knifepoint at the register. The cash is  emptied into the masked CROOK’S pouch.
 
 Justin sneaks in from the back door, gun drawn.
 
 The crook stands in front of the counter. 
 
 CROOK 
 Not a word to anyone 
 spook.
 
 Justin takes aim, one bullet behind each knee. The  crook falls to the ground screeching in pain.
 
 Berg enters through the front door, grabs the knife  from the ground.
 
 Justin looks at Jarway. 
 
 JUSTIN
 You okay?
 
 Jarway nods, shaken.
 
 The crook moans.
 
 Justin smirks. 
 
 JUSTIN
 Let’s go Berg.
 
 BERG
 Aren’t you gonna call 
 an ambulance?
 
 JUSTIN
 Ambulance’s are for 
 decent citizens. Let 
 this piece of shit 
 walk to the hospital.
 
BACK TO SCENE
 

JARWAY

What brings you around

anyhow?

JUSTIN

I just wanted to catch up

where I left off last

time I was here. Where

were we?

JARWAY

You left off at Keith

Moon.

JUSTIN

Right, that is an easy

one, The Who. Moon left

us in 1978.

JARWAY

You’re sure good with the

deaths. Why not focus on

the lives?

Justin thumbs through some records, pulls one out.

JUSTIN

Here we go. A hero of

mine that left us one

year before Moon. When I

go, make sure Simple man

is blaring at my funeral.

Ronnie Van Zandt, Skynard

1977.

JARWAY

It’s your wife’s job to

make those arrangements.

JUSTIN

You know damn well how I

feel about her and she

about me. I don’t even

want her at my funeral.

JARWAY

Okay, Simple man, Skynard.

Consider it done.

Justin stares at the album, Jarway approaches with concern.

JARWAY (CONT.)

You sure you okay?

His hand rests on Justin’s shoulder.

INT. PRECINCT

Gina tries on seductive strands of clothing from the precinct undercover collection. Kip swings a pointed cup bra around his finger while glancing in the box.

KIP

Try this on.

She gives him a push, laughs. Her 9 millimeter visible under her thigh strap.

GINA

I’m nervous enough about

this job, stop making it

worse.

Berg pushes Kip to the side.

BERG

You’ll be fine. I’ll have

your back the whole time.

GINA

I bet you will.

Kip walks off, looks from both of them.

GINA (CONT.)

Are you sure? Not only am

I a stranger to being

away from my desk, but

now undercover trying to

seduce a rapist?

BERG

He’ll melt in your hands.

GINA

Berg.

BERG

What? I’m serious. You’re

a knock out in this get

up.

Their eyes meet, a significant moment.

GINA

You better be there for

me.

BERG

Always.

Gina walks toward the door. Berg stares.

BERG (CONT.)

I hope I can concentrate

on my job.

EXT. ROOF TOP

Above the park a block away, the rapist watches through binoculars. The park is calm. He breathes deep. He spits peanut shells on the roofs surface.

From his position, Gina is seen strutting along toward a bench. The rapist perks up.

RAPIST

Well well, a show.

Gina stretches nervously and peers in each direction sitting on the wooden bench.

The rapist gets a better view with his binoculars. He chews noisily, chuckles.

RAPIST (CONT.)

Legs. Nice.

Gina crosses her legs, looks over her shoulder, places her purse on the bench.

RAPIST (CONT.)

Rack. Nice.

He continues chewing noisily, breathing, becomes concerned.

RAPIST (CONT.)

What do we have here?

Scans the area. A reflection off a car bumper. In the driver seat, Berg crouched down, with binoculars.

EXT. PARK

Gina stands. Berg lifts himself up watching her, whispers.

BERG

No Gina. Stay. We can’t

give up yet.

She walks toward the swings.

GINA

This is crazy. I can’t sit

still. It’s getting cold.

She looks to trees. Behind the trees, lightless house. The wind howls by the windows.

Berg opens car door slowly. The dashboard rings, keys in ignition. Quickly pulls them out, rests them on the seat. Crouches down, loses sight of Gina, crawls around a tree.

Gina’s legs are visible moving quickly back to the bench. She stands.

Berg cocks his gun.

EXT. ROOF TOP

The rapist takes it all in, laughs, places binoculars down.

RAPIST

Nice try dopes. You think

I’m that stupid?

Slowly turns from his spot, a bullet is put in his forehead. Blood oozes, he drops. A shadow moves across the wall on top of the building.

The lifeless body lies surrounded by puddles and peanut shells.

EXT. PARK

Gina continues to Berg. He is confused.

GINA

I had a weird feeling.

Can we try again later or

better yet, tomorrow?

She enters the car’s passenger side.

Berg turns the key, disappointment.

EXT. PARK - MORNING

Kip and Charlie walk.

KIP

Dude, you have to stop

acting like such a lady.

CHARLIE

Lay off.

KIP

I’m serious. People are

talking.

CHARLIE

You think I care?

KIP

Yea, I do.

CHARLIE

Well I don’t.

KIP

You can’t be ser-

Charlie interrupts nervously.

CHARLIE

What the hell is that?

KIP

What is what?

Charlie points to the swing, a large figure sways slowly.

CHARLIE