Bottle Rocket by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson
BOTTLE ROCKET
screenplay by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson
EXT. ALLEY. DAY
ANTHONY and DIGNAN walk down an alley behind a convenience
store. Anthony's nineteen. He's got on a red jacket with an
Enco patch. Dignan's twenty. He has a buzz-cut and wears a
short-sleeved terrycloth shirt. He carries a vinyl tennis
bag. It's got a pouch for a racquet but no racquet in it.
DIGNAN
What color hair does he have?
ANTHONY
Black hair. Paul Michael Glaser.
DIGNAN
Making Hutch David Soul?
ANTHONY
Right. The blond guy.
DIGNAN
OK. That's wrong.
ANTHONY
Dignan, it's --
DIGNAN
Plus where's Huggie Bear?
ANTHONY
He's not there. Huggie Bear isn't
in every single episode.
DIGNAN
I think you might of dreamed this
one, Anthony.
ANTHONY
No. It's a real episode. The killer
is leading him across the city by
calling different pay phones.
They climb over a high wooden fence.
EXT. BACKYARD. DAY
They walk through somebody's backyard.
DIGNAN
Why?
ANTHONY
As part of his plan. I don't know
why.
DIGNAN
See, that's what I'm saying. It has
the logic of a dream.
ANTHONY
The point is the killer always
goes, May I speak to Starsky? He
says his name.
DIGNAN
(pause)
What does Starsky say?
ANTHONY
He says. This is he.
DIGNAN
This is he?
ANTHONY
No. This is he.
They climb another fence. There's big house on the other side.
INT. HOUSE. DAY
Anthony and Dignan are inside walking through the foyer.
Anthony goes up the stairway quickly and quietly.
Dignan walks to the master bedroom. Goes in the closet and
grabs a box. Looks inside. Dumps it into his bag.
Anthony goes into a bedroom. Looks in a dresser and takes
out two watches. Digs through some socks and finds some cash.
Dignan goes in the study. Opens a drawer and closes it.
Opens another and lifts out a set of thin leather coin books.
Anthony's in a kid's room. Looking at posters of a football
player and John McEnroe on the walls. He grabs a walkman and
a calculator. Then suddenly stops moving. He crouches down.
Looks at a shelf of dozens of little metal soldiers. They're
in formations with different uniforms.
Dignan is walking down the hallway as Anthony comes down the
stairs. They walk to the door and go out.
INT. DINER. DAY
A twenty-four hour diner. Anthony and Dignan are eating at
the counter.
ANTHONY
Did you see what I meant about the
window?
DIGNAN
Kind of. Except we've already got
the keys.
ANTHONY
That's true. But what if they
change the locks?
DIGNAN
Would they do that?
ANTHONY
Who knows? That's why I filed it
down.
Dignan nods.
ANTHONY
Now that window can never be locked.
It's impossible.
DIGNAN
See, your mind is very good with
the more mechanical details.
Whereas my strength would be --
A good-looking WOMAN about forty-five years old interrupts
them.
WOMAN
Can I use your Tabasco?
ANTHONY
Sure.
Anthony hands her a bottle of Tabasco off the counter. She
walks away. Down the counter.
ANTHONY
You don't see many women who like
Tabasco.
They watch her for a minute. Dignan looks away.
ANTHONY
She's really kind of hot.
DIGNAN
(looks back at her, nods)
She's an attractive older woman.
EXT. BOB'S HOUSE. DAY
A huge house with a wide lawn. BOB, who's about twenty-six,
wearing black jeans and a V-neck T-shirt, is spraying down a
battered 1972 Mercedes with a garden hose. He's got his
shirt off and a towel around his neck. Dignan has an
expression of intense concentration as he looks at the car.
BOB
Well, what do you think?
DIGNAN
I don't know, Bob. What about one
of those?
Dignan points to a new BMW and a Lexus in front of the garage.
BOB
I'm not allowed to drive those.
DIGNAN
Not even for emergencies?
BOB
(a little angry)
No.
DIGNAN
I thought your parents were in Italy.
BOB
They are.
DIGNAN
So who's going to know?
BOB
My brother.
ANTHONY
Future Man.
BOB
Who?
ANTHONY
Futute Man. You know. Cause he
looks like he's from the future.
DIGNAN
He looks like he was designed by
scientists. For desert warfare.
BOB
That never would of --
DIGNAN
Let's cut the bullshit.
Silence. They all look at the car. Pause.
ANTHONY
It's got a V-8, Dignan.
DIGNAN
What do you think the cops have?
INT. BOB'S HOUSE. DAY
They're sitting at the coffee table in Bob's great big
living room. It's got high ceilings and two Persian rugs.
They're eating sandwiches and chips.
BOB
If you're that worried, maybe we
should just steal one.
DIGNAN
What are you talking about, Bob?
BOB
Can you use a coaster.
Bob slides a coaster under Dignan's glass.
ANTHONY
Did you ever steal a car bdfore?
BOB
Yeah. I've stolen two cars before.
One Jaguar. And one Trans-Am. With
T-Tops. That Trans-Am was fun to
drive.
DIGNAN
You stole a Trans-Am.
BOB
Yes. I did.
DIGNAN
OK, Bob.
BOB
It's true, Dignan.
DIGNAN
Well. What do you want to do? You
want to steal one or just drive
your car?
BOB
(thinks for a minute)
I'll just drive my car.
INT. DELI. DAY
Anthony's playing pinball at a machine in the back of a
little grocery store. Dignan's watching.
DIGNAN
Anthony, we'll get two hundred for
the coin collection alone. That's
less than what it's appraised at.
ANTHONY
But Dignan, do you really know that
much about rare coins?
DIGNAN
I know about money, Anthony. I know
the value of money. Plus the
earrings are worth three times that.
Anthony looks at Dignan. Dignan points at the pinball machine.
DIGNAN
Your ball.
Dignan tries to hit the flipper.
ANTHONY
I told you not to take the earrings.
Anthony keeps looking at Dignan. Dignan doesn't look up from
the machine. Anthony turns and walks away.
DIGNAN
You got another ball.
Dignan watches him go.
DIGNAN
I'm playing your game.
EXT. SIDEWALK. DAY
They're walking fast down the sidewalk.
ANTHONY
The list, Dignan. I know you
remember the list because you
signed it. "Things Dignan was not
supposed to touch."
DIGNAN
Every valuable item in the house
was on that list.
ANTHONY
That doesn't make any difference. I
bought those earrings for my mother
on her birthday. They have a very
special value for her.
DIGNAN
Yeah, but I can't be sorting
through that shit in the middle of
a burglary. There's just not time
for it.
ANTHONY
Then you shouldn't of gone in
there, Dignan. Maybe we should of
robbed your house. Did you ever
think of that?
Dignan stops walking. Anthony looks back at him. Pause.
ANTHONY
What?
Dignan turns and starts walking the other way.
ANTHONY
Where are you going?
DIGNAN
I don't appreciate you ridiculing me.
ANTHONY
How was I ridiculing you?
DIGNAN
You're making fun of my family. You
know there's nothing to steal from
my mom and Craig. You know exactly
what you're saying.
ANTHONY
That's not what I meant, Dignan.
They both see something. They keep walking. Dignan looks
back down the sidewalk.
DIGNAN
Did you see that?
ANTHONY
Yeah, I saw it.
DIGNAN
I'm lookout.
ANTHONY
Dignan, it's got an alarm.
DIGNAN
I don't think so. Just reach on in.
ANTHONY
That sets it off.
DIGNAN
No, just do it real quick.
(starts down the sidewalk)
I'll meet you down there.
Dignan cuts into an alley. Anthony turns back. Looks at a
parked car. Looks left and right. Walks to the car and
reaches in the half-open window.
An alarm goes off. Anthony unlocks the door and opens it.
Leans inside. Grabs a wallet off the seat.
A MAN standing on the sidewalk watches Anthony get out of
the car. Anthony looks at him, then walks down the sidewalk
not too fast. He turns down an alley and runs.
EXT. ALLEY. DAY
Anthony comes around the corner and meets Dignan beside a
dumpster. The alarm is still ringing in the distance.
Anthony starts looking through the wallet.
ANTHONY
It had an alarm.
DIGNAN
Yeah, I heard that.
ANTHONY
(counting the money)
Five, seven, eight dollars.
He looks at Dignan.
DIGNAN
(taking the wallet)
Holy shit. What'd I tell you?
ANTHONY
Eight dollars.
DIGNAN
That's not bad.
Anthony keeps looking at Dignan. Dignan smiles. He hands
Anthony a five dollar bill. Anthony looks at it. He takes it.
He puts it in his pocket. Dignan puts out his hand to shake.
Anthony waits a second. He shakes Dignan's hand for just a
second and walks down the alley. Dignan smiles and walks
behind him.
INT. HAMBURGER PLACE. NIGHT
Anthony and Dignan are sitting at a table with Bob.
ANTHONY
What do herbs have to do with it? I
don't understand the --
BOB
Pot is an herb. It's just like any
type of gardening.
DIGNAN
How much could you grow?
Realistically.
BOB
As much as I want. When these
plants bud I'll probably have about
six thousand dollars worth of weed.
DIGNAN
Six thousand dollars? Come on, Bob.
BOB
You should take a look. I have an
entire crop in my backyard.
ANTHONY
In your backyard? How do you
protect them?
BOB
It's private property. Plus I have
Hector.
ANTHONY
Hector woudn't do anything.
BOB
But he's got a loud bark. That's
the most important thing is a loud
bark.
DIGNAN
If it's that easy why doesn't
everybody grow them?
BOB
Good question.
Bob looks at Anthony and Dignan. He suddenly gets worried.
BOB
Don't you guys tell anybody about
my plants.
DIGNAN
You're paranoid, Bob.
BOB
Yeah, but don't tell anybody.
ANTHONY
Could you grow cinnamon?
BOB
I don't know. Sure, I guess.
ANTHONY
You could make your own cinnamon
toast.
Bob looks at Anthony for a second. He looks at Dignan. Back
at Anthony.
BOB
Are you a fag?
LITTLE RICHARD
You're the faggot.
Bob turns around to see LITTLE RICHARD, short but muscular,
wearing a down vest and a baseball cap.
BOB
Little Richard. I don't believe it.
They'll let anybody in this place.
Sit down.
Little Richard sits down.
BOB
Dignan and Anthony, this is Little
Richard. He's crazy. Totally nuts.
LITTLE RICHARD
(smiling)
I don't know about that.
BOB
Little Richard. Trust me. You're
insane. Jesus, this guy used to
carry a percussion bomb around in
his trunk. You do not want a guy
like that loose on the streets.
LITTLE RICHARD
It seemed like a good idea at the
time.
BOB
The one and only Little Richard.
DIGNAN
Are you named after THE Little
Richard?
LITTLE RICHARD
(stares at Dignan)
Ha! Ha! Ha! Why don't you stick it
up your ass. Great group of guys
you're hanging out with.
Little Richard goes out the door.
DIGNAN
What was that all about?
BOB
I can't believe you said that.
DIGNAN
What did I say?
BOB
I told you he's crazy.
ANTHONY
But he didn't say anything.
DIGNAN
Hang on a second.
Dignan gets up and walks out of the restaurant. Anthony and
Bob look at each other. They start to get up.
EXT. HAMBURGER PLACE. NIGHT
Anthony and Bob go out the door. Dignan is walking over to a
station wagon. Little Richard is getting in.
DIGNAN
Little Richard. Wait a second. Hang
on. I didn't mean to --
Little Richard opens his door hard into Dignan's legs, then
gets out fast and takes off his shirt. Dignan tries to hit
him but doesn't connect. They grab onto each other and start
knocking around. Another GUY gets out of the station wagon.
Two more GUYS rush out the door of the burger place. Anthony
and Bob stand back, nervous.
ANTHONY
Let them fight.
BOB
Let them fight.
They all watch. Dignan keeps trying to punch Little Richard,
but he's hanging onto him too tight. They keep spinning
around together, moving down the sidewalk.
DIGNAN
(calling out)
Anthony.
Anthony looks at the other guys then moves toward Dignan.
ANTHONY
OK. Break it up. Break it up.
Little Richard lets go of Dignan. They separate.
DIGNAN
I separated my shoulder.
Dignan is holding onto his arm. He kind of moans.
ANTHONY
OK. Hang on.
Anthony grabs hold of Dignan's arm. Everybody's watching.
DIGNAN
Just pull straight up.
Anthony pulls up hard on Dignan's arm. Dignan tries not to
yell, then suddenly he's OK and relieved.
ANTHONY
Is it back in?
DIGNAN
(moving arm slowly)
Yeah.
GUY #1
OK, man. Let's go.
DIGNAN
No. I'm not fighting anymore.
ANTHONY
His shoulder went out, man. It's
over.
GUY #2
You guys better get out of here.
Guy #2 pushes Dignan. Anthony turns and pounds him in the
face. Right on the nose. The guy goes crosseyed. He falls
down with his legs all tangled-up in a strange position.
Everyone stands there stunned. Anthony takes a step back. He
looks up. He and Dignan take off. Bob stands there. Frozen.
Everyone looks at him. Bob looks at Little Richard.
LITTLE RICHARD
Bob?
Bob takes off.
INT. CAR. DAY
The next day. They're driving with Bob. Dignan's up front.
He's banged-up from the fight.
DIGNAN
The guy is fucking insane.
BOB
I warned you, Dignan.
DIGNAN
You said it like it was a big joke,
Bob. Like he's wild.
BOB
No, I was saying crazy like a
lunatic.
DIGNAN
I know that now. He's a fucking
psycho.
BOB
Well, don't blame me. I told you.
DIGNAN
I do blame you, Bob. And woah. Look
at her.
There's a beautiful GIRL on the sidewalk. They drive past her.
DIGNAN
Loop around real fast.
ANTHONY
Just turn right here.
Bob immediately turns and they drive past the girl again.
They don't say anything as they go past her. They all just
look at her. They drive on.
CUT TO:
A minute later. They've looped back. They're looking for the
girl.
DIGNAN
Where'd she go?
BOB
Maybe she turned.
ANTHONY
There she is.
She's on a side street. Bob hits the brakes hard. The girl
looks back at them. They back up a few feet and turn down
the street. They drive slowly toward the girl.
ANTHONY
Bob, don't be so obvious.
The girl keeps looking back at them.
DIGNAN
I think we might of scared her.
BOB
Let's just go.
They come up, beside the girl. She looks right at them,
still walking.
Her expression is angry and also a little scared.
They drive away.
DIGNAN
You blew it, Bob.
INT. COFFEE SHOP. DAY
Anthony, Dignan, and Bob are meeting with TEMPLE. Temple is
in his mid-fifties, short, heavy, completely expressionless
wide face. They listen intently as he briefs them on the
intricacies of firearms.
TEMPLE
A gun is a firearm. A pistol is a
firearm. But anything you hold in
your hand is a weapon. A knife. A
wrench. A ballpoint pen.
ANTHONY
A ballpoiht pen?
TEMPLE
Anyone who tells you a ballpoint
pen is not a weapon needs intensive
psychiatric treatment. You can
stick them in the esophagus. You
give them a ballpoint tracheotomy.
They nod seriously. Temple laughs.
EXT. FIELD. DAY
They're standing behind Temple's car in the middle of an
open pasture. The trunk is open. Temple's got some guns in
metal cases. They draw targets on pieces of paper. Anthony
draws a man running on his target. They fire a bunch of
different pistols. The last one they shoot's a .44 Magnum.
They buy it.
INT. BOB'S HOUSE. DAY
The TV room. There are two big couches and a nice giant TV.
The doors are open onto the balcony. The .44 is on the
coffee table. Dignan is sitting there with a map and some
diagrams laid out. Anthony and Bob are on either side of him.
Dignan's pointing at a notebook page with the heading
"Escape Route."
DIGNAN
OK. Escape route. The most important
thing you can have is an escape
route. Just in case somebody's
tailing us. Or even chasing us, as
the case may be --
ANTHONY
You think we're going to be chased?
DIGNAN
That's a good question. No. I don't.
I'm just being hypocritical here.
However, I will say --
Bob reaches for the .44.
BOB
(quietly)
I'm going to take a look at this.
DIGNAN
(puts hand on gun)
Hang on This is important, Bob.
Anthony and I are responsible for
the internal situation. The money
and the people. You're responsible
for the external situation. The
streets and the getaway.
BOB
(nods)
That's my responsibility.
DIGNAN
That's your domain.
BOB
OK.
Anthony is making a little man out of a scrap of paper.
DIGNAN
Now. One thing we need to discuss
is timing. Timing is absolutely
crucial. What are you doing? Anthony!
ANTHONY
(looks up)
Nothing. Go ahead.
Bob picks up the gun.
BOB
(to himself)
How many bullets can that hold?
Dignan grabs the gun away and sets it down out of Bob's reach.
DIGNAN
Bob.
BOB
I'm paying attention. I just want
to look at it for a minute.
DIGNAN
(screaming)
What's your fucking problem? You're
a shithead!
BOB
I just want to see how much bullets
it takes.
Anthony picks up the gun off the table. He clicks the action.
DIGNAN
Anthony, give me the fucking gun!
ANTHONY
(pulling away)
No, Dignan. It's not your gun. It's
all of ours.
BOB
(quietly)
I paid for it.
DIGNAN
God DAMMIT.
Dignan stands up, grabbing his papers.
DIGNAN
You two just don't give a shit, do
you?
Dignan starts out of the room. Anthony stands up.
ANTHONY
Dignan, calm down.
DIGNAN
(turns back, screaming)
You're out! I'm not working with
either one of you!
ANTHONY
Dignan! Stop!
Dignan stops. Looking at Anthony.
ANTHONY
Calm down. Take a deep breath.
DIGNAN
(pause)
You're right. You're right.
Dignan sits back down and starts spreading out his papers
again. Freezes. Looks at Bob. Bob's looking at the gun. Bob
looks at Dignan. Bob looks away. Nobody moves.
EXT. DECK. EVENING
Anthony and Dignan have moved outside to the hot tub.
Anthony pets Bob's dog HECTOR. Bob's brother FUTURE MAN
walks up the path from the driveway with his blonde
cheerleader GIRLFRIEND.
FUTURE MAN
What are you guys doing?
ANTHONY
Nothing. We're just --
FUTURE MAN
You seen my brother?
DIGNAN
He's inside.
Future Man goes inside. His girlfriend stands there on the
deck.
GIRLFRIEND
(smiles)
Hi.
ANTHONY & DIGNAN
Hi.
She stands there, looking across the yard. Anthony and
Dignan sit there in the hot tub, looking around. We hear
Future Man's loud voice inside:
FUTURE MAN
Goddammit, Bob! Get your shit
together.
Future Man comes back out. He stops by the hot tub.
FUTURE MAN
What are you guys up to tonight?
ANTHONY
Nothing much.
DIGNAN
Just hanging around.
Future Man walks back out the gate.
GIRLFRIEND
Bye.
She follows Future Man. Anthony and Dignan watch them walk
away. Bob comes back out with some drinks. He looks shaken.
DIGNAN
What'd Future Man want?
Bob shrugs and gets in the hot tub. They sip on their drinks.
Bob's got a Heineken.
BOB
He doesn't get it. Held never
understand what we're trying to
accomplish here. It's too dangerous
for him.
DIGNAN
Well, in reality it's not that
dangerous, Bob. It's only dangerous
if you don't know what you're doing.
BOB
Yeah, but what if some nut pulled
gun on you?
ANTHONY
The only nut with a gun is going to
be Dignan.
Anthony gets out of the hot tub and dives in the pool.
DIGNAN
(whispering, very serious)
You know, Bob, Anthony did kill
someone. He electrocuted our
janitor senior year.
BOB
He electrocuted someone?
DIGNAN
It was an accidental. I don't want
to go into the details. It was just
one of those senior pranks that
didn't really go right. I mean,
obviously, since Swifty's dead.
That's why Anthony never graduated.
BOB
His name was Swifty?
DIGNAN
Yeah. One of the nicest old guys
you'd ever know.
BOB
That's too bad.
DIGNAN
(nods)
You know, when somebody gets
electrocuted, their skin starts
smoking. At least Swifty's did.
INT. CAR. NIGHT
Anthony, Dignan, and Bob are sitting in Bob's car, parked in
the dark. Bob's at the wheel. Anthony and Dignan are in the
back. Anthony has on a dark blue ski cap. Dignan's wearing a
baseball cap with the brim pulled down low. He puts a piece
of adhesive tape across his nose and hands the roll to
Anthony.
BOB
What are you doing?
DIGNAN
I'm putting a piece of tape on my
nose.
Anthony tapes his nose. They stare out the windshield. The
alarm on Dignan's digital watch goes off.
DIGNAN
(immediately, dead serious)
Let's get lucky.
EXT/INT. BOOKSTORE. NIGHT
Anthony and Dignan walk through the shadows in front of a
huge bookstore. The lights are on inside. They watch for a
minute and then go to the front door. Dignan hides behind a
post. Anthony knocks on the glass. An EMPLOYEE appears.
ANTHONY
I left my sweater inside.
The employee shakes his head. He can't hear through the glass.
ANTHONY
Do you have a lost and found?
The employee unlocks the door and opens it an inch.
EMPLOYEE
We're closed.
ANTHONY
I left my sweater in there.
EMPLOYEE
Oh. I see. Come on in.
Anthony goes inside. Dignan comes out from behind the post.
EMPLOYEE
We're closed, sir.
DIGNAN
Where's that guy going?
EMPLOYEE
He left his sweater.
DIGNAN
Well, I left some money in there.
EMPLOYEE
Where?
DIGNAN
(pulls out the gun)
In the cash relister. Step away
from the door.
Dignan goes in. They walk through the store.
ANTHONY
Where's the manager?
DIGNAN
Where's the other stocker?
ANTHONY
There's another stocker, right?
DIGNAN
We know there's another stocker.
EMPLOYEE
Rob?
Dignan points the gun at the employee.
DIGNAN
Where is he? Where is Rob?
EMPLOYEE
I don't know. Maybe in literature.
That's his section.
DIGNAN
You got that?
ANTHONY
Sure. Literature. The classics.
The MANAGER is locking the door of his office.
ANTHONY
Is that the manager?
DIGNAN
(to manager)
Unlock that door.
(to Anthony)
Check the aisles.
Anthony starts walking through the store, checking down each
aisle. He picks up a copy of The Air War on Hitler's Germany
and takes it with him. He goes through literature and sees
ROB in travel, kneeling in front of a low shelf with a
carton of books beside him.
ANTHONY
Rob?
ROB
(looks up, a little puzzled)
Uh-huh?
ANTHONY
Why aren't you in literature?
ROB
(hesitates)
It's all full up.
Dignan is in the office with the manager and the first
employee. He's pointing at a drawer.
DIGNAN
Open it up.
The manager opens it. It's full of office supplies.
DIGNAN
OK. Open the other. Let's go.
The manager opens the other drawer. It's full of cash.
Dignan looks at the manager. He looks back at the cash.
DIGNAN
Put it in one of those.
Dignan points at some bookstore bags. The manager picks up a
little one and starts to put the money in it.
DIGNAN
A bigger one, you idiot.
MANAGER
(glares at Dignan)
Don't call me an idiot, you punk.
DIGNAN
I'm sorry. But that bag's too small.
CUT TO:
Anthony waiting outside the office door. Rob, the first
employee, and the manager are sitting against the wall in
the office. The manager's got an intense, angry look on his
face, staring at Dignan. Dignan hands Anthony five little
bags full of money and starts to close the office door.
DIGNAN
OK, guys. Just...Sit tight.
Dignan closes the door.
INT. CAR. NIGHT
Anthony and Dignan jump into the car.
DIGNAN
Go. Go. Drive slow.
Bob drives. Pretty slow. Anthony and Dignan keep looking
back out the rear window. They're nervous. Nobody says
anything for a block or two.
BOB
What happened?
DIGNAN
Shhh. Slow down, Bob. Drive natural.
BOB
This is natural.
DIGNAN
(looks at speedometer)
That's good. Keep it at forty.
BOB
Did we get it?
DIGNAN
Be cool, Bob. Be cool.
(quickly)
Make that light.
They keep driving. Breathing hard.
ANTHONY
Holy shit.
DIGNAN
We got it. We got it.
BOB
How much is there?
DIGNAN
Don't count it.
EXT. HAMBURGER PLACE. NIGHT
A picnic table in front of a hamburger place. Dignan is
standing up with his drink in his hand.
BOB
Was Dignan screaming like, Get me a
bag!
DIGNAN
No. I was calm.
ANTHONY
What about what that guy said?
DIGNAN
Oh, shit. That was scary. In the
middle of the robbery. The manager
looks at me. Right in the eye. And
goes, I'm going to remember you.
BOB
Are you serious?
ANTHONY
Yeah. He said that.
DIGNAN
I swear to God. In a very quiet
voice.
ANTHONY
Like he meant it.
DIGNAN
Yeah.
ANTHONY
Like he would find Dignan. One day.
DIGNAN
Like I'm going to hunt you down and
kill you.
Dignan stands there a minute and lets this sink in. Then he
finally sits down and they all eat their burgers.
BOB
You really think he'll remember you?
DIGNAN
(smiles)
No. All he'll remember is a guy
with a piece of tape on his nose.
They laugh smugly.
EXT. 7-11. NIGHT
Anthony, Dignan, and Bob come out of a 7-11. Bob's got a
slurpee. He's carrying the WWII book.
BOB
See you.
ANTHONY
See you, Bob.
DIGNAN
Hang on, Bob.
Dignan goes up to Bob and hugs him. Bob's not smiling.
DIGNAN
That was really good driving.
Seriously. I mean it.
Bob nods and starts walking away, down the sidewalk.
DIGNAN
We'll see you later, Bob. Good
driving.
Anthony and Dignan sit on the curb. Anthony's drinking a
milk. Dignan's still watching Bob walk alone down the
sidewalk.
DIGNAN
What's wrong with him?
ANTHONY
What do you think?
DIGNAN
Anthony, he sat in the car and
watched a 4-11 in progress. He got
what he deserved.
ANTHONY
He was the driver, Dignan. He did
what he's supposed to do.
DIGNAN
I didn't realize you were so
sensitive to Bob's feelings.
Considering I did the plans, you're
actually lucky you got --
ANTHONY
Don't even say it, man.
INT. BOB'S HOUSE. DAY
Dignan and Anthony are following Bob through his house. Bob
is playing his electric guitar, not plugged in.
DIGNAN
Bob, will you please listen?
BOB
I don't want to talk about it.
Bob strums more intensely. They're walking through the
kitchen.
DIGNAN
Look, I admit I was wrong for not
telling you before the robbery that
your share wouldn't be as equal as
ours. But the fact remains me and
Anthony were much more exposed to
danger.
Bob has now come to the big glass patio doors where Hector
sits outside, looking in. Bob keeps playing as he looks at
Hector.
DIGNAN
I mean, Jesus Christ, Bob. You
didn't have some vicious lunatic
screaming, "I'm going to remember
you!"
BOB
(smiles slightly,
keeps playing)
That's true. That would give me
nightmares.
DIGNAN
Bob, I've got nightmares.
Bob stops playing. He looks at Dignan.
BOB
You'll probably have them the rest
of your life.
ANTHONY
What was that?
Anthony opens the door to the patio.
DIGNAN
What?
They hear breaking glass somewhere as they follow Anthony
onto the patio. A voice yells out.
VOICE
Motherfucker!
ANTHONY
What's going on?
Bob sets down his guitar as they go out of the yard to see
what's happening.
EXT. BOB'S HOUSE. EVENING
Anthony, Dignan, and Bob go around to the front. Bob's
neighbor PHIL runs down the driveway with a wrench in his
hand. Phil is short and heavy, wearing a golf shirt. He's
got a bloody nose.
BOB
Phil. What happened?
PHIL
(hysterical)
Motherfucker. I'll kill him.
BOB
(looks around,
suddenly concerned)
Who?
PHIL'S GIRLFRIEND comes running out the front door.
PHIL'S GIRLFRIEND
I've called the police. Oh, my God,
Phil.
She reaches to hug him.
PHIL
Don't touch me! I swear to God I'll
get that guy.
PHIL'S GIRLFRIEND
I know you will, Phil. There was
nothing you could do. All you had
was a golf club.
ANTHONY
You're bleeding, man. Sit down.
A couple of NEIGHBORS have come over from across the street.
NEIGHBOR
What happened?
PHIL'S GIRLFRIEND
Some black man beat Phil up.
PHIL
He didn't beat me up. He attacked me.
PHIL'S GIRLFRIEND
He took two hundred dollars.
ANTHONY
(to Phil)
Tilt your head back.
Later. It's dark out now. There's a police car parked across
the street and another pulling over, lights rolling. One of
the OFFICERS walks across the yard, shining a flashlight in
the bushes. Dignan is talking with one of the other officers.
DIGNAN
He was probably on drugs.
OFFICER
They usually are.
Two other cops are getting a statement from Phil. Anthony
and Bob are listening. Some neighbors are milling around
talking.
PHIL
As soon as I opened the door I saw
him. A black guy. Looking through
my dad's tool box. I wanted to trap
this guy. So I closed the garage
door.
COP
And that's when he hit you?
PHIL
(looking up to sky
and concentrating)
He struck me. I fell down. He took
my wallet. Then he opened the
garage door and ran away.
COP
How'd the window break?
PHIL
I hit it with the golf club.
Dignan's still talking to the other cop.
DIGNAN
How long do you have to go?
COP
26 weeks.
DIGNAN
And what does that cover?
COP
Social issues. Crime prevention.
DIGNAN
Hand to hand combat?
Dignan suddenly looks toward Bob's backyard. The cop nods.
COP
Ground defense.
DIGNAN
Did you hear that?
OFFICER
What?
DIGNAN
Shhh.
Anthony's looking up into the treetops.
BOB
What the fuck is Dignan doing with
that cop? He loves them.
ANTHONY
There's a million places to hide
around here.
BOB
Oh, yeah. They'll never catch the
guy.
ANTHONY
I hope not.
BOB
Phil probably provoked him.
(looking at Dignan)
Where's he going?
Dignan and the officer are walking over to the backyard.
DIGNAN
No, it was a rustling sound.
BOB'S VOICE
The dog. Look out for the dog.
OFFICER
Is this dog going to bite?
DIGNAN
No. Shit no.
Dignan jumps the fence. The cop looks over and shines his
flashlight. Dignan's petting Hector. Hector's calm.
DIGNAN
See? I don't know what he's talking
about.
Bob starts walking across the street.
ANTHONY
Where you going?
BOB
Move.
As Bob walks away he is looking back, past Anthony, toward
the backyard.
ANTHONY
What's wrong?
Anthony turns to look.
In the backyard. Dignan is looking in the bushes.
DIGNAN
He probably went into the next yard.
Shine the light over here.
Dignan looks across the yard at the officer. The officer is
shining the light on the marijuana plants. He looks at Dignan.
DIGNAN
Those are...
Dignan sprints across the yard and over the gate.
OFFICER
Halt! Sir!
Anthony and Bob are standing in the shadows across the
street. They see Dignan come racing down the driveway. The
officer is yelling behind the gate.
OFFICER
Bill! He's running!
The other officers are running from their cars.
DIGNAN
The prowler! That way!
The officers run past Dignan, toward the back. Anthony and
Bob take off as Dignan runs by. The three of them run full
speed down the street, cutting across yards, between houses.
They throw themselves over fences and scramble through bushes.
DIGNAN
Way to go, Bob!
BOB
I told you they were there.
DIGNAN
(about to explode)
So it's my fault?
ANTHONY
Be quiet.
INT. BOB'S CAR. DAY
Bob's at the wheel, Dignan in front, Anthony in the back.
They're driving fast down the interstate, past fields and
farmhouses. Dignan's drawing out a route in felt tip pen on
a Texaco roadmap.
DIGNAN
In all probability nothing would of
happened. But why take the chance?
That's why I ran. I mean how many
plants were even back there? Five?
Ten?
BOB
There were more than that.
ANTHONY
Why don't you just tell them the
truth. Those belong to my neighbor
Phil.
BOB
I don't know. I personally don't
need that shit in my life right now.
ANTHONY
Nobody does.
DIGNAN
Obviously. That's why we go on the
road. The thing about cops is they
have short attention spans.
EXT. GAS STATION. DAY
Dignan fills up the tank and checks the oil. Bob tests the
tire pressure. Anthony does the windows.
DIGNAN
Can I get that credit card from you?
ANTHONY
(pause)
I don't like to use that credit
card, Dignan.
DIGNAN
Why not?
ANTHONY
Because my mom gets the bill.
DIGNAN
She's not going to notice, Anthony.
ANTHONY
I don't want to use it.
DIGNAN
(pause)
Well, then cut it in half.
ANTHONY
I keep it for emergencies.
DIGNAN
Anthony, we're on the run. This is
an emergency. It's only fair that...
Anthony gets in the car. Pause. Dignan reaches into his
pocket and takes out a wad of cash. He counts some. Stands
there a minute. Goes inside to pay.
INT. CAR. DAY
Anthony stretches out across the backseat on pillows,
playing electronic football. Dignan reads Bob's WWII book.
Bob eats a Ding-Dong and smokes a cigarette.
EXT. FIREWORKS STAND. DAY
A fireworks stand on the side of the highway. The car's
pulled over and they're buying roman candles, M-80's, and
Black Cats from a KID wearing a baseball cap way back on his
head.
As they get back on the highway Anthony lights a roman
candle and fires it from the window. Dignan lights an M-80
and throws it out of the car.
EXT. LAKE. DAY
They drive to a big lake. A dog splashes in and swims for a
tennis ball. Anthony does some nice dives. Dignan swings
from a rope out over the water and lets go. Bob sits on a
bench.
EXT. CAR. DAY
Late afternoon. They're driving on the interstate. Anthony's
got a copy of Runner's World magazine.
ANTHONY
Here's mine right here. See?
Anthony lifts up his foot so Dignan can compare his shoe
with the picture.
DIGNAN
See if mine are in there.
ANTHONY
(looks at Dignan's shoes)
Dignan, those aren't running shoes.
DIGNAN
Yes, they are.
ANTHONY
Look at the treads on those.
DIGNAN
What about them?
ANTHONY
They obviously weren't designed for
racing.
DIGNAN
Well, those treads stink. You'd
blow a knee out racing on those.
BOB
Will you guys shut up? God. It's
like having two little kids in the
car.
ANTHONY
OK, Dad.
DIGNAN
Really. OK, Dad. But seriously,
Anthony. These are fast shoes.
ANTHONY
You've never had a pair of fast
shoes in your life, Dignan.
(to Bob)
In fifth grade Dignan used to wear
cowboy boots for P.E.
DIGNAN
That's real cool, Anthony. Yeah, I
wore boots. My parents wouldn't buy
me any $200 running shoes like
yours. I wasn't spoiled.
ANTHONY
Don't call me spoiled, Dignan.
DIGNAN
You were spoiled rotten.
BOB
Enough. Jesus Christ.
EXT. SIDE OF HIGHWAY. DAY
Anthony and Dignan are lined up to race on the side of the
road.
ANTHONY
(yelling)
You want to say it, Bob?
Fifty yards away, Bob's sitting on the hood of the car
parked on the shoulder. He's reading a magazine. He shakes
his head without looking up.
ANTHONY
I'll just say it.
DIGNAN
I'll say it.
ANTHONY
OK. Go ahead.
DIGNAN
On your marks...
(waits a second, says
very fast:)
Get set go.
They take off. Dignan has the jump, but Anthony pulls past
him. A car blows by going the other way and they keep racing.
Anthony's out in front as they pass Bob sitting on the car.
Bob's watching. Dignan raises his fists into the air.
DIGNAN
(points at Anthony)
You owe me fifty bucks.
ANTHONY
Bob?
BOB
Anthony won.
Bob gets in the car.
DIGNAN
Bob wasn't even looking.
EXT/INT. MOTEL. DAY
A Holiday Inn. Bandera, TX. Bob's car is parked in front.
Inside: Dignan, Bob, and Anthony are checking in. There's a
teenage GIRL behind the counter. Dignan pays cash. The girl
hands over the keys. She's looking at Dignan's shirt:
GIRL
Was that shirt made from a towel?
DIGNAN
What?
GIRL
(seeing his reaction)
It's just terrycloth, isn't it?
DIGNAN
Yeah. I think so.
EXT. MOTEL. DAY
They're walking along the balcony, looking for their room.
Anthony has on his backpack. Dignan's got his tennis bag.
Bob's got two large suitcases, a carry-on, and a garment bag.
ANTHONY
Look, man. She didn't know anything
about shirts.
DIGNAN
No, I'm not saying her. I'm just
saying, I don't know.
ANTHONY
It's a great shirt. Don't worry
about it.
They find the room and unlock the door.
INT. CAR. NIGHT
Driving in a small town. Bob's behind the wheel. Dignan's in
front. Anthony's in back.
DIGNAN
Armored trucks are very difficult
to steal, Anthony.
ANTHONY
I know. But once you get inside
you're home free.
DIGNAN
Right.. Get back to me on that one.
Once your plan is worth a shit.
ANTHONY
It's not a plan. It's just --
DIGNAN
Actually. If you knew the exact
route, you could plant explosives
under a manhole cover and blow it
up as it went over.
ANTHONY
Yeah, but you wouldn't have the
truck if you blew it up.
DIGNAN
True.
There's a car stopped in front of them. A couple of girls
are standing beside it, talking to the driver. Bob can't get
around.
DIGNAN
What the fuck is this?
Dignan leans over and holds down the horn for about five
seconds. The guy in the car sticks hi s hand out the window
and shoots the finger at them. Dignan sounds dead serious:
DIGNAN
Ram him, Bob.
Bob waits for a nervous moment. He does two quick honks. The
guy's reverse lights go on.
DIGNAN
Hit him!
Bob hits the gas and slams into the car. He puts his car in
reverse and backs up a couple of feet. He leans forward and
sees the back of the guy's car. It's all smashed up. The guy
gets out of his car, shaken up, and looks at them. His
expression is confused. Bob punches it and flies backwards
down the street. The guy stands beside his car and watches
them.
DIGNAN
Shit, Bob. What the fuck did you do
that for?
BOB
He wouldn't move.
They go around the corner. Bob shifts into first and goes.
BOB
Is he chasing us?
DIGNAN
I don't know.
ANTHONY
Speed up, Bob.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. NIGHT
They're unlocking the door. They go inside.
BOB
You think he got my license plates?
ANTHONY
He looked too shaken-up.
DIGNAN
I'm sure he did. We'll have to get
new plates.
BOB
It's registered in my mother's name.
DIGNAN
(shakes his head)
What the fuck possessed you?
BOB
You're the one who kept saying ram
him.
Dignan's walking into the bathroom.
DIGNAN
I meant tap him. As a warning.
Dignan closes the door. Anthony lies down on one of the beds.
Bob just stands there.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. MORNING
The next day. Dignan and Bob are still asleep. Bob's on a
folding bed. Anthony's sitting at the table, reading a
newspaper eating some cereal from one of those little boxes
where you cut open the sides.
EXT. MOTEL POOL. DAY
Ahthony's swimming laps. He stops and hangs onto the side
for a minute. Across the pool he can see a good-looking
Mexican MAID about twenty years old standing beside her cart
looking at him. He waves. She waves and gets back to work.
A little while later. Anthony's sitting in a chair by the
pool, letting the sun dry him off. He's wearing just a
swimsuit. Dignan and Bob are fully dressed, standing beside
him.
ANTHONY
Dignan, I can't get my hair cut.
That's just not possible, all right?
DIGNAN
Then you're going to have to dye
it, Anthony. We've got to hide our
identities. Especially after Bob
crashed the car.
Bob has no reaction to this.
ANTHONY
No, Dignan. I'm sorry. I can't do
that.
DIGNAN
Even if it's the difference between
some trooper recognizing us and
throwing us in prison or not?
Silence.
DIGNAN
Well, Bob, Samson has decided that
his hair is more important than our
safety.
(screaming)
My friend, that is a reckless
decision! Let's go, Bob.
Dignan starts walking away.
DIGNAN
Bob. Are you coming?
BOB
See you in a little while.
ANTHONY
See you, Bob.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. DAY
Anthony's wearing a bathrobe, sitting on one of the beds.
The maid unlocks the door and looks inside. She sees Anthony
and starts to go back out.
ANTHONY
No, it's OK. Come on in.
She goes in and starts cleaning up. Anthony sits down in one
of the chairs and makes conversation.
ANTHONY
It's hot out, isn't it? Yeah. This
is a nice little town. So, what, do
you do all these rooms yourself? Or
what? I'm Anthony.
He puts out his hand. She shakes it.
ANTHONY
What's your name?
MAID
Inez.
ANTHONY
Inez?
She nods.
ANTHONY
Let me give you a hand with that.
He helps her make the beds.
EXT. MOTEL HALLWAY. DAY
Anthony walks with Inez from room to room, helpinq her clean
up.
ANTHONY
How do you say nineteen?
INEZ
Dies y nueve.
ANTHONY
Right. Yeah. Yo soy dies y nueve.
How old are you?
INT. MOTEL ROOM. DAY
Inez opens the door to one of the room.. They go in to clean
it.
ANTHONY
Are you ever scared of finding a
dead body in one of these rooms?
INEZ
(laughs)
No.
ANTHONY
It could happen. This is the exact
kind of place where it happens. But
I don't want to scare you.
Anthony picks up a magazine off somebody's suitcase. He
flips through it. Inez takes it out of his hands and puts it
back on the suitcase.
INT. BATHROOM. DAY
Inez is putting a new bar of soap in the shower. Anthony
picks up some wet towels off the floor. It's cramped in there.
ANTHONY
People think because they're in a
hotel they can act like a slob.
It's bad manners.
Inez takes the towels. She pulls the shower curtain shut.
ANTHONY
Were you born in Mexico?
INEZ
Cuba.
ANTHONY
Oh, really? That's interesting. Do
you prefer Cuba or the United States?
Inez is trying to get out of the bathroom but Anthony's in
the way.
INEZ
Scuse me.
EXT. MOTEL HALLWAY. DAY
Inez is pushing the cart. Anthony has his hand on the cart.
ANTHONY
These towels are still warm.
He picks one up and holds it to his face.
ANTHONY
I guess from the dryer.
He hands the towel to Inez. She holds it to her face.
ANTHONY
I've never met anybody from Cuba
before.
Inez says a few sentences of very fast Spanish. Anthony nods.
Inez knocks on the door of a room.
INEZ
Housekeeping.
A WOMAN about thirty-five years old opens the door.
WOMAN
We're just checking out.
The woman goes back into the room. Inez follows her.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. DAY
The woman's packing a bag on the bed. Anthony comes in. The
woman looks at him. 8he's about to say something when
Anthony takes the liner out of the trashcan. The woman's
HUSBAND comes out of the bathroom. Anthony picks up some
stuff off the floor.
HUSBAND
Hi.
ANTHONY
Hi.
Anthony follows Inez into the bathroom. The husband looks at
his wife.
INT. BARBERSHOP. DAY
Diqnan's sitting in the waiting area of a barbershop reading
a newspaper. We can see Bob out the window, talking on a pay
phone. He hangs up and comes inside.
DIGNAN
You can go first, Bob.
BOB
My brother's in jail.
DIGNAN
What are you talking about?
EXT. BARBERSHOP. DAY
They're standing next to the spinning striped pole.
BOB
The weed.
DIGNAN
But it's not his. How can they
arrest Future Man?
BOB
They said he's a drug dealer.
Bob looks off into the distance. Sickened.
DIGNAN
Those assholes. We got rapes.
Murders. Violent crimes every
second. And this is what they come
up with.
(shaking his head)
They're just fucking him because
he's from a prominent family.
INT. DINER. DAY
They're sitting at a table, waiting for their order.
DIGNAN
I don't think they can make it
stick, Bob. I mean, what do they
actually have on Future Man?
BOB
Well, the marijuana crop is a good
start.
DIGNAN
That could be anybody's.
BOB
They also found my two beam scale
in the garage.
DIGNAN
Since when is it a crime to have a
scale in your house? Everybody has
a scale.
BOB
The cops say it's a special kind of
scale drug dealers use in selling
marijuana.
DIGNAN
So tell them the truth. What do you
use it for?
BOB
(pause)
I was just going to use it to see
how much I had.
Dignan mulls this over for a minute.
DIGNAN
How long has he been in there?
BOB
I don't know.
DIGNAN
Then how come they haven't set the
bail yet? That's unconstitutional.
BOB
We'll have to see when we get back.
Dignan looks at Bob for a minute.
DIGNAN
What do you mean get back?
BOB
(pause)
Well, obviously, we got to go back.
DIGNAN
Bob, that makes no sense.
BOB
Dignan, he's my brother. I can't
just leave him there.
DIGNAN
This could be a trap.
BOB
Come on, Dignan.
DIGNAN
Don't "Come on, Dignan" me.
BOB
I'm going back.
DIGNAN
(louder)
Not in that car you're not.
BOB
Watch me.
DIGNAN
Good luck, since I got the keys.
Bob glares at Dignan. Dignan shrugs. The waitress brings
over some glasses of water, ice clinking. Nobody says
anything while she sets them down. She walks away.
BOB
Give me the keys, Dignan.
DIGNAN
I can't do that, Bob.
BOB
Dignan. You're going to give me
those keys or you're going to get
hurt.
DIGNAN
Don't threaten me, Bob.
BOB
Goddammit, Dignan! It's my car! If
you don't give me my keys, I swear
to God --
EXT. STREET. DAY
Dignan drives the car slowly alongside: Bob walking down the
sidewalk, staring straight ahead. Dignan's, got his window
down.
DIGNAN
Look, Bob. I understand your
loyalty. You're a good person. But
right now you're not using your
best judgement.
Bob keeps walking.
DIGNAN
Future Man would not want you to go
to jail I promise you. Just get in
the car and we'll talk about it.
No reaction. Bob keeps walking straight ahead.
DIGNAN
Future Man would never go to jail
for you, I'll tell you that.
BOB
His name's not Future Man, Dignan.
DIGNAN
I know it's not.
BOB
You don't even know his name.
DIGNAN
Yes, I do.
BOB
What is it?
DIGNAN
Just get in the car, Bob.
BOB
What's his name?
DIGNAN
OK, Bob. I don't know his name. You
know why? Because I don't care.
He's Future Man. But I care about
you. And to me it doesn't make
sense to go back to the scene of a
crime. Will you get in the car, Bob?
This is stupid.
Bob stops walking.
BOB
It's not your decision and he's not
your brother, Dignan.
DIGNAN
That's right. I only have one vote.
We'll go talk with Anthony and
figure it out.
Pause. Bob gets into the backseat. Dignan looks back at him
for a minute.
DIGNAN
You're going to ride in the back?
Bob nods and looks out the window.
DIGNAN
Come on, Bob. Get in front.
Bob exhales and gets out. He gets in up front. Dignan looks
at him for a minute.
DIGNAN
You've got a beautiful walk, Bob.
BOB
Let's go.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. NIGHT
Dignan and Bob open the door and go in. Inside: Inez and two
other Hispanic MAIDS are sitting at the table by the window.
One's about seventeen and a little heavy, the other's in her
mid-thitties. There's a bunch of glasses and a bottle of rum
on the table. One of the maids is cutting up a banana. Inez
smiles at Dignan. Dignan looks puzzled.
DIGNAN
Hi. How's it going.
Suddenly there's a loud crunching, grinding sound. Dignan
and Bob are startled. They look around the room. The sound
stops.
Anthony comes out of the bathroom carrying the pitcher from
a blender. It's full to the top with yellow liquid. He sees
Dignan and Bob and stops. Pause.
ANTHONY
I thought you guys went to get your
hair cut.
DIGNAN
No. We didn't.
Silence.
ANTHONY
We're making banana daqueris.
Anthony holds up the pitcher. Dignan looks at it. Nods. Pause.
ANTHONY
This is Inez. Carmen. Anita.
DIGNAN
Hi.
ANTHONY
Inez, this is --
DIGNAN
Jerry.
(pointing to Bob)
And this is my associate Cornelius.
A strange expression crosses Bob's face.
DIGNAN
May I have a word with you, please?
ANTHONY
Sure.
EXT. MOTEL HALLWAY. NIGHT
Outside the room. Dignan closes the door. There's three
housekeeping carts in the hall.
DIGNAN
What the fuck is going on here?
ANTHONY
What. What's the matter?
DIGNAN
Anthony, we're on the run from the
law here. Did you tell these people
your real name?
ANTHONY
No. I didn't. Dignan, they don't
speak English.
DIGNAN
They don't?
ANTHONY
No. Not really. Inez speaks a little.
DIGNAN
Which one was that?
ANTHONY
On the left.
Dignan cracks open the door and looks inside.
ANTHONY
She's from Cuba.
DIGNAN
No kidding.
BOB
Dignan.
DIGNAN
(closes the door)
Anthony. Bad news.
EXT. MOTEL POOL. DAY
They walk around the motel.
ANTHONY
How long are they going to hold him?
BOB
I don't know. I don't know anything.
Except Phil says they got him. And
he's in jail.
DIGNAN
He needs to hire an attorney.
ANTHONY
No, no. Look. OK. Let's stay here
until we find out what's going on.
BOB
Anthony, I --
ANTHONY
And if Future Man doesn't get let
out of jail in 48 hours, then we go
back. All right?
DIGNAN
Now that makes sense. We'll hang
out for a couple of days. Get a
little R&R. Make sure Future Man's
OK and then get back on the road.
ANTHONY
As long as he gets out OK.
DIGNAN
Obviously. That's a given.
ANTHONY
Bob?
BOB
What?
ANTHONY
Is that OK?
Pause. Bob looks at Dignan. Looks at Anthony.
BOB
(shrugs)
Yeah. I guess so.
They shake hands and start back to the room.
DIGNAN
See, now we've got a plan.
ANTHONY
Don't worry about it, Bob.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. NIGHT
Anthony, Dignan, Inez, Carmen, and Anita are sitting crowded
around the little table by the window in the motel room.
They've got banana daqueris and a bottle of wine. Moonlight
comes through the window. Bob is standing up in front of
them with a banana daqueri in his hand. He's singing a blues
number acapella. He's got a good voice.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. NIGHT
Dignan and Bob are playing slapjack with Carmen and Anita.
Everyone's got their hands ready as Carmen turns one card
then the next. Bob's having a conversation in fluent Spanish
with them about Las Vegas. He's talking about the rules at
different casinos: Bally's, Caesar's, the Desert Inn.
Dignan's paying close attention to the deck. A jack comes up
and he slams it.
EXT. MOTEL POOL. NIGHT
There's a light in the pool. Anthony and Inez are swimming.
Anthony swims around her with his eyes just above the water.
He goes under and comes up grabbing onto her. She laughs.
INEZ
Does my skin feel soft, Anthony?
ANTHONY
(passionate)
God, yes. Like silk.
Inez starts to giggle.
ANTHONY
What?
(starts laughing)
What?
INEZ
Like silk?
ANTHONY
God. That does sound corny. Oh,
your skin feels so soft and silky.
But it really kind of does.
He kisses her.
DIGNAN
No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your
own risk.
They look up. Dignan's standng at the other side of the pool.
He smiles.
DIGNAN
You know, I did save Anthony from
drowning once, Inez. Tell her,
Anthony.
CUT TO:
Dignan sitting with his feet in the pool. Anthony and Inez
are sitting on the steps beside him, in the shallow end.
DIGNAN
See, one day we were playing hot
box over at my next door neighbor
Mr. Langston's house and Anthony
fell in the pool and got knocked
unconscious. I had to dive in and
save him.
ANTHONY
This was in fourth grade.
DIGNAN
Mr. Langston performed
cardiopulmonary recitation. CPR.
I've never said this before, but
frankly I thought Anthony was dead.
The veins in his face were all
sticking out. His skin was blue. He
truly did look dead.
ANTHONY
After that my parents never let me
go to Dignan's again.
DIGNAN
They blamed my family for everything.
They always said Mr. Langston saved
Anthony's life.
Dignan stares wistfully across the pool. Anthony looks at
him for a minute.
ANTHONY
But if it wasn't for Dignan I
probably would of died.
DIGNAN
(nodding, whisper voice)
Yes...It's true.
They're all quiet for a minute. Inez hangs onto the side.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. NIGHT
Bob's sitting in the room by himself, close to the TV,
watching a war movie.
EXT. MOTEL. DAY
The next morning. Dignan bursts out the door of the motel
room. He runs across the parking lot.
DIGNAN
Son of a bitch.
Dignan runs back into the room. He comes out with Anthony.
DIGNAN
He's gone. He stole the car.
ANTHONY
Where was it parked?
DIGNAN
Right here.
Anthony looks around the parking lot.
DIGNAN
That coward. Son of a bitch.
ANTHONY
Maybe he just went to the store.
DIGNAN
He took his stuff. He's gone.
(pause)
I should of seen this. I should of
expected it. Bob doesn't have any
character.
Anthony puts his hands in his pockets. Looks out at the
highway.
ANTHONY
He went back for his brother.
DIGNAN
We said 48 hours.
ANTHONY
That's a long time to be in jail.
They stand there in the empty parking lot. Anthony goes
inside.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. DAY
In the room. The blinds are pulled. Anthony's sitting at the
end of a bed. Dignan's pacing around the room.
DIGNAN
We'll get him. Don't worry about
that. We'll go back. We'll find him.
And we'll blow up his car. Or do
something. I promise you.
Anthony gets up and walks to the bathroom. He shuts the door.
Dignan follows him over to the sink and sits on the counter.
DIGNAN
I mean, let's face it. Bob was dead
weight. We're a lot better off
without him.
(pause)
But who could expect it? Just like
that. Steals the fucking car. What
kind of person pulls that --
Anthony opens the door and walks out.
ANTHONY
Bob didn't steal the car. He told
me he was going. He had to go help
his brother.
Anthony sits back down on the bed. Dignan's shocked.
DIGNAN
When'd he tell you?
ANTHONY
This morning.
DIGNAN
Where was I?
ANTHONY
You were asleep.
DIGNAN
He told you and you let him do it.
ANTHONY
He told me because he wanted to
know if I wanted to go.
DIGNAN
(hesitates)
If you wanted to go? What were you
going to do? Just leave me here by
myself?
ANTHONY
Well, I didn't do it, did I?
DIGNAN
So when you were saying Bob's at
the store and acting real suprised,
that was just an act. You were
just --
ANTHONY
Bob went to help his brother. I
understand that and I can't help it
if you don't.
DIGNAN
I understand that if I had a few
more friends like you and Bob I'd
be dead.
ANTHONY
If you say so.
INT. DINER. DAY
Anthony and Dignan are sitting at a booth. Anthony's got a
roadmap spread out on the table. There's a long silence.
DIGNAN
If you'd gone with Bob you'd
probably be in Weatherford by now.
Of course I'd be here frantically
worrying thinking you must of got
kidnapped.
ANTHONY
I didn't realize you had such an
incredible ability to feel sorry
for yourself, Dignan.
DIGNAN
Well, the world is a little bit
colder today.
Anthony sits there thinking for a second, stating into space.
Then he looks back at his map. He draws some lines in two
different colors of felt tip pens.
ANTHONY
You want to look at the map?
Pause. Dignan kind of looks at the map, without leaning
forward. Anthony turns the map more in Dignan's direction.
Dignan leans forward, looking.
ANTHONY
See. Here's where we are.
They look at the map for a minute. Dignan looks out the
window.
DIGNAN
I didn't know he had it in him.
(pause)
I guess you could say the child has
become the father of the man.
EXT/INT. MOTEL/TOWN. DAY
Anthony runs down the sidewalk, cuts across the street, and
goes around the side of the motel. He pulls off his jacket
as he goes up the stairs. He spots Inez's cart. He walks
over to the room she's cleaning. She's in there making the
bed. Anthony closes the door and grabs her by her belt.
She's laughing and he pushes her onto the bed. He unbuttons
her dress. She jerks a sheet out of the way. It swings in
the air.
Then we see Anthony and Inez walking down the sidewalk. He's
got one arm wrapped tight around her shoulders and she's got
hers around his waist. They're talking while they walk,
going past people in the town.
They watch each other walking reflected in a window.
EXT. MOTEL. EVENING
Dignan is doing the butterfly in the pool. Anthony and Inez
walk over and wait for him at the end of the pool.
ANTHONY
We're going over to this bar if you
feel like going.
DIGNAN
No. I'm going to swim. I'll see you
later.
Dignan treads water. Inez looks at Anthony.
ANTHONY
Why don't you come with us.
DIGNAN
OK.
Dignan gets out of the pool.
INT. MEXICAN BAR. NIGHT
Anthony, Dignan, and Inez are drinking beers with limes and
salt. The mood is good and they're getting drunk. Anthony
and Inez dance. Then Dignan and Inez. Mexican-style, stomping
their feet and clapping. There's a scruffy dog in the bar
and he barks at the dancers. Anthony kisses Inez and they
whisper to each other. Dignan orders another beer and moves
over to the pool table. A skinny Mexican MAN puts his arm
around Dignan's shoulder. He's drunk and slurring his words.
So's Dignan.
MAN
Hello, my friend. You in the Army,
yes?
DIGNAN
No. I just have short hair.
MAN
Is that your chiquita?
DIGNAN
No, my friend knows her.
MAN
She Chicano, yes?
Dignan nods.
MAN
You like Chicanos?
DIGNAN
Sure.
He says something in fast Spanish to the people at his table
and they smile.
MAN
Play pool? For one cerveza.
Dignan nods. The guy racks up the balls. They start shooting.
Dignan makes a hard shot.
MAN
(smiling)
You a good pool player.
DIGNAN
Got a little lucky.
MAN
Where's your friend? He go with the
chiquita?
Dignan looks over to the bar. Anthony and Inez are gone.
DIGNAN
I don't know.
MAN
She is a good looking woman.
Dignan ignores this. They keep playing. Dignan finally makes
the eight ball. The man shakes Dignan's hand and holds on.
DIGNAN
Guess I'll get another Tecate.
MAN
Si. Tecate. You like to fight?
DIGNAN
What?
MAN
Fight. You know.
He pulls Dignan in and with his other hand fakes a hard punch.
DIGNAN
No. Just pool.
MAN
You Hoto?
DIGNAN
(pulls away)
Fuck you. You a Hoto.
MAN
(smiles)
No. Me no Hoto. Tecate?
DIGNAN
Right.
INT. BATHROOM. NIGHT
The bathroom is very small with one bare light bulb. Dignan
stands at the urinal, muttering to himself.
The door opens and Dignan turns around just in time to see
the Mexican man throw a hard punch. He hits Dignan in the
stomach, punches him in the face. Dignan goes down hard. The
guy kicks him and curses in Spanish.
MAN
Pinche cabrone. Puta madre.
The bartender comes in with a bat in his hand and starts
talking fast and angry in Spanish. The guy gets out.
INT. MOTEL ROOM. NIGHT
Dignan's sitting in bed, watching TV. He's got a fat lip and
a big bruise over his eye. Anthony's sitting in a chair
beside him. Inez brings over a glass of water and some ice
in a washcloth. She gives the ice to Dignan for his eye. She
puts the glass of water on the nightstand where there's some
fast food layed out for Dignan: burger, fries, an apple pie.
Inez goes into the bathroom, closes the door, and turns on
the water. Anthony's sitting there with his hands clasped,
not looking at the TV.
ANTHONY
I can't believe he just jumped you.
DIGNAN
Can you hand me those french fries.
Anthony hands him the fries. Dignan watches the TV.
ANTHONY
I wish I'd been there.
DIGNAN
Would of been nice.
Anthony looks at Dignan.
ANTHONY
Man. I'm sorry. We just went for a
walk --
DIGNAN
I don't really feel like talking
about it. The only thing I feel
like is getting the fuck out of
this place.
ANTHONY
(pause)
We need a car.
For the first time Dignan looks away from the TV, at Anthony.
DIGNAN
I have an idea for that.
ANTHONY
What?
DIGNAN
Inez has a master key to all these
rooms, doesn't she?
(pause)
Doesn't she?
ANTHONY
I don't think we can do that.
DIGNAN
I know we can. It's real simple. We
go into a room, grab some car keys
and --
ANTHONY
What I'm saying is she wouldn't go
for that.
DIGNAN
She doesn't need to know.
ANTHONY
(pause)
I don't know, Dignan. I just --
DIGNAN
Look. I'm ready to get the fuck out
of here. It's real torture for me
to be here. Getting the shit kicked
out of me by Mexicans.
ANTHONY
Shh.
DIGNAN
No one to back me up. Now I have a
good idea. So unless you come up
with something better --
ANTHONY
Dignan. I can't do that. All right?
I just can't.
The bathroom door opens.
DIGNAN
Then you better think of something.
Inez comes back in.
INEZ
How are you, Jerry?
DIGNAN
(staring at TV)
I feel great, Inez.
ANTHONY
(kisses her)
I'll see you later.
Inez goes outside. She closes the door.
ANTHONY
I don't think we need any keys,
Dignan. I think I can hotwire a car
for us.
DIGNAN
You don't know how to hotwire.
ANTHONY
Yes, I do. Bob taught me.
DIGNAN
Bob taught you how to get
electrocuted.
ANTHONY
No, I'm serious. He made me a
diagram.
EXT. SIDEWALK. DAY
Dignan's standing on a corner alone. He looks sullen.
EXT. SIDEWALK. DAY
Anthony walks down an alley. He goes past a beat-up
convertible. He stops, hands in his pockets. He looks both
ways.
He cuts back to the car, opens the door, and slips inside.
INT. STOLEN CAR. DAY
Anthony's behind the wheel. He hand signals a turn and pulls
up next to Dignan. Dignan shakes his head as he looks at the
car. He gets in. They drive through the town. The wind's
blowing hard. Anthony smiles at Dignan. Dignan tries not to
smile.
CUT TO:
Dignan sitting in the parked car with the motor running. In
the side mirror he's watching Anthony and Inez. Anthony's
saying goodbye. He walks back to the car and gets in. He
puts it in gear and they drive off.
DIGNAN
What'd you say to Inez?
Anthony shrugs.
DIGNAN
"I'll come back for you. I love
you, Inez."
Anthony is silent.
DIGNAN
"I'm going to take you away from
all this windexing and making beds."
Silence. Dignan exhales and looks out the window.
EXT. HIGHWAY. DAY
The car is on the shoulder, raised up on a Jack with the
hood open. Anthony's looking underneath the car. Dignan's
standing in the middle the road with his hands in his
pockets. No cars in sight.
Anthony starts messing around under the hood. He tests some
wires and connections. He steps away from the car.
ANTHONY
Man, I don't know anything about
cars.
Dignan stares down the road.
DIGNAN
You really know how to pick them.
Anthony walks over to Dignan. He stands beside him for a
minute.
ANTHONY
I think we better go home.
DIGNAN
Don't panic, Anthony.
ANTHONY
I'm not. But there's --
DIGNAN
You can't just run home every time
things get tough. First of all,
we've got enough dough to --
ANTHONY
Our money situation is not good.
DIGNAN
(clapping him on the back)
You're so spoiled. What is "not
good" to you? Only a few hundred --
ANTHONY
We've got sixteen dollars.
DIGNAN
That's not correct.
Dignan stares at Anthony.
DIGNAN
Give it to me.
Pause. Anthony reaches into his pocket and pulls out the
money. Dignan takes it. He counts it. He looks at Anthony.
DIGNAN
Sixteen dollars.
ANTHONY
I know.
DIGNAN
Where's the rest?
Dignan stares at Anthony. Pause.
ANTHONY
I had to give some to Inez.
DIGNAN
How much?
ANTHONY
$383.
Dignan frowns slightly. Pause. He screams:
DIGNAN
What!
Pause. Dignan runs at the car and kicks the door as hard as
he can. It makes a big dent. He runs down the shoulder and
grabs a big rock. He runs at the car and smashes the rock
through the windshield. He stands still. He turns to Anthony.
He walks back over to him, yelling.
DIGNAN
You gave $383 to the goddamn
housekeeper! What the fuck is your
problem?
ANTHONY
She needed it.
DIGNAN
A $500 tip! For the housekeeper!
ANTHONY
Her name's Inez. Stop calling her
the housekeeper.
DIGNAN
That's what she is!
ANTHONY
I know that. But --
DIGNAN
You're in love with the fucking
housekeeper!
ANTHONY
Shut up!
DIGNAN
What are you going to do, get
married? Have a bunch of little
idiot janitor brats! And go around
scrubbing the --
Anthony slaps Dignan hard in the face.
ANTHONY
Stop!
(pause)
Now listen to me.
Dignan punches Anthony is the face. Follows it up with one
after another. Anthony ducks and puts his arms out. He falls
on one knee. Dignan immediately turns and walks to the car.
Anthony stands up. He's got a bloody nose. He stares at
Dignan. Not angry. Just weary.
Dignan pulls his tennis bag out of the car. He shuts the
door and walks down the highway.
Anthony walks to the car and takes out his backpack. He
pulls it tight around his shoulders. He looks down the
highway at Dignan. Then turns and walks the other way, into
the distance.
BLACKOUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. GOLF COURSE. DAY
A cold day on a nice country club course. Anthony watches
Bob hit a hard slide straight into the rough. Bob stands
there in a frozen follow-through. Then he suddenly swings
his club and hums it down the fareway. He starts to walk
back to the golf cart.
ANTHONY
Bob, where you going?
BOB
I'm not playing any more golf.
ANTHONY
Why not?
BOB
Cause I'm not getting any better.
It's a waste of time.
ANTHONY
You've only been playing for two
weeks, Bob. It takes a long time to
learn this game.
BOB
You think I'm improving?
ANTHONY
(pause)
Yes. You just got to stick with it.
Bob looks down the fareway. He takes a deep breath and
starts walking toward his club about twenty yards away.
INT. GOLF CART. DAY
In the cart. Bob's driving. There's a brief silence.
BOB
You don't have to talk about it if
you don't want to.
ANTHONY
No, I don't mind.
BOB
I know it must of been a bad
experience. But it doesn't sound
like it was your fault.
ANTHONY
Well, I didn't mean to electrocute
him. But the whole operation was my
idea.
MONTAGE: Electronics wizardry. Splicing wires. Buzzing
electrodes. A filament lights up blue. Pliers and clippers
rewire a circuit breaker, short out the P.A. system,
electrify doors and windows. Anthony continues in VOICEOVER.
ANTHONY (VO)
It took six months of research. I
did all the wiring myself. Switched
AC to DC. Doubled the voltage.
Shorted out the generator. The
whole school was shut down.
BOB (VO)
That's pretty complicated for a
senior prank.
ANTHONY (VO)
I don't like that word prank, Bob.
I was trying to do something more
than a prank.
EXT. SCHOOL. DAY
A large school building. Tall oak trees and benches in the
shade. Green and blue lights blink in the windows. White
flashes and loud jolts of energy dance from room to room.
Mozart plays in the distance.
Students begin to swarm out into the yard.
ANTHONY (VO)
I wanted to create an event.
Something everyone would remember.
And at first it worked perfectly.
The whole school was standing
around outside. Kids running all
over the place. Everybody laughing.
EXT. GOLF COURSE. DAY
Anthony and Bob are standing on the seventeenth green.
ANTHONY
Even the school custodian Swifty
thought it was great. He kept
laughing and shaking his head the
whole time he tried to disconnect
the generator. And then suddenly
(snaps his finger)
total silence except for Swifty
hanging off the generator with his
leg stuck to it being electrocuted.
Anthony stares down the fareway.
ANTHONY
Actually he died of a heart attack
brought on by the shock. He was an
older guy.
INT. GOLF CART. DAY
Anthony and Bob are driving back to the clubhouse.
ANTHONY
I felt terrible. I'd known Swifty
since first grade. He was Dignan's
medicine man for Indian Guides.
They called each other Rattlesnake
and Killer Whale. Whenever Dignan
came to visit me he would act like
he and Swifty weren't that good of
friends, but that was just to make
me feel better. The whole rest of
the school had turned against me.
EXT. BOB'S HOUSE. DAY
Anthony and Bob are sitting by the pool, drinking beers.
Future Man's swimming laps even though it's cold out.
ANTHONY
At first they were going to charge
me with manslaughter. That's partly
why I was in custody so long. Sixty
days.
BOB
Sixty days?
ANTHONY
Yeah. One minute you're studying
Great Expectations and the next
minute you're drawing the Holy Mary
for some kid who tried to stab his
girlfriend.
BOB
Why were you drawing the Holy Mary?
ANTHONY
Prison tatoos. I got to be pretty
good. It's not like drawing on paper.
CUT TO:
Future Man toweling off. He wears a Speedo swimsuit. He
walks over to Bob and Anthony. Anthony's just finishing a
drawing of a leaping jungle cat in black and red ink on
Bob's shoulder.
Future Man stops and looks at them with no feeling.
ANTHONY
(pause)
It's a panther.
Pause. Future Man looks at Bob.
FUTURE MAN
How's that 700 bucks coming?
BOB
I'm working on it.
FUTURE MAN
Hard to find it sitting by the pool
drinking beer and bullshitting.
He walks inside.
ANTHONY
I thought he didn't have to pay
anything because of the technicality.
BOB
Yeah, but he still has the
aggravation. Three days sitting in
a cell.
ANTHONY
(pause)
Were you adopted, Bob?
BOB
Why do you say that?
ANTHONY
Well, because you guys don't look
alike.
BOB
No. I wasn't adopted.
Long pause.
ANTHONY
Was Future Man adopted?
BOB
Jesus Christ! No.
INT. CAR. DAY
Dignan and APPLEJACK are sitting in, a '72 Monte Carlo by
the curb two houses down from Bob's. Applejack is a small
black man with white hair. It's hard to tell exactly how old
he is. Around sixty-five.
DIGNAN
There's a lot of valuable shit in
there, Applejack. The silver and
the china. The crystal. And the
grandfather clock. Goddammit, I bet
that clock's worth ten grand.
APPLEJACK
Why the fuck do we need to blow up
the car? It doesn't make any
goddamn sense.
DIGNAN
Just settling an old score. You
might say revenge.
APPLEJACK
That sounds like a lot of bullshit
that'll land us in jail.
DIGNAN
We might have to take that chance.
Cause I feel pretty strongly about
this.
APPLEJACK
Is that Buckethead?
Anthony is walking Hector down the driveway.
DIGNAN
Get down.
Anthony does some stretching exercises in the driveway.
APPLEJACK
Is that him?
DIGNAN
Wait a second.
They watch Anthony and Hector start down the street.
DIGNAN
That's Anthony.
APPLEJACK
That's your friend Anthony?
DIGNAN
Yeah.
APPLEJACK
What's he doing here?
DIGNAN
Looks like he's staying with
Buckethead. That's what I figured.
He's probably got his own room.
Let's see where he's going.
Applejack puts the car in gear. They drive slowly.
DIGNAN
Don't get too close.
Anthony looks back.
DIGNAN
Stop. He saw us.
Anthony keeps jogging with Hector.
DIGNAN
Wait. Did he see us?
APPLEJACK
We're going too slow. It looks like
we're following him.
Anthony goes around a corner, down an alley.
DIGNAN
Speed up.
They pull down to the end of the alley. Anthony and Hector
are racing down the alley.
EXT. ALLEY. DAY
Dignan gets out of the car.
DIGNAN
Anthony!
Anthony looks back. He stops running.
DIGNAN
Wait up.
Dignan jogs down the alley. He stops a few feet away from
Anthony.
DIGNAN
Where you going?
Anthony points down the alley.
ANTHONY
Just walking Hector.
Dignan looks down the alley. He looks at Anthony. Pause.
ANTHONY
When'd you get back?
DIGNAN
Ah. Couple days ago.
Pause.
DIGNAN
(under his breath)
You want to shake hands.
Anthony puts his hand out. They shake. Pause. Anthony looks
down the alley.
ANTHONY
Who's in the car?
DIGNAN
That's Applejack. You want to meet
him?
ANTHONY
Sure.
They walk to the car.
DIGNAN
This is Applejack.
They shake.
ANTHONY
Nice to meet you, Applejack.
APPLEJACK
You're Anthony?
ANTHONY
Yeah.
APPLEJACK
I hear you're a good thief.
Anthony shrugs and smiles. He nods.
EXT. HAMBURGER PLACE. DAY
A hamburger place with no other customers. Anthony, Dignan,
and Applejack are sitting at an outdoor table. It's cold and
their jackets are zipped up tight.
APPLEJACK
I'm just sitting at this bar
drinking my drink when this fine
chick walks by. She was a living
doll. And the big motherfucker who
came in with her sees me looking,
when he walks by he steps on my
foot. Doesn't say shit. Just takes
a seat with his lady. Well, I
holler out to him, If I was as big
as you, ain't no way in the hell
you'd of stepped on my foot like
that. He just laughed. He says,
Little man, take your foot and put
it in your pocket. I said, No, how
about I take my foot and I stick it
up your ass? Man, we went to war
right there. I hit him so hard I
knocked his nuts in his watchpocket.
But this motherfucker wouldn't go
down. Then all the sudden, out of
nowhere, Dignan came up behind him
and smashed a bottle on his head.
And that big old boy went down.
That's how I met Dignan. Good cat
to have on your side. He'll go to
war with you. He don't give a fuck.
Applelack and Dignan slap hands.
DIGNAN
Applejack would of got him anyway.
This was just the quicker war.
ANTHONY
You really hit a guy with a bottle?
Dignan takes a little notebook out of his pocket.
DIGNAN
Pretty much. He kind of fell into
me. But wait a second.
Dignan opens the notebook on the table.
DIGNAN
I want you to look at this.
ANTHONY
What is it?
DIGNAN
It's big, Anthony. Real big. It's
called Hinckley Cold Storage.
ANTHONY
What's Hinckley Cold Storage?
EXT. HINCKLEY COLD STORAGE. DAY
Anthony, Dignan, and Applejack are standing in front of a
massive structure with ladders and towers and huge doors.
Applejack's car is parked behind them. There are trucks
lined up along the loading docks. A big sign says Hinckley
Cold Storage.
DIGNAN
Mr. Henry has an inside source. We
call him Steve. That's where we get
our information.
ANTHONY
Who's Mr. Henry?
DIGNAN
You'll meet him this afternoon.
He's helping us set it up.
APPLEJACK
Did you ever hear of the S. Cooper
Trust robbery?
ANTHONY
(shakes his head)
Uh-uh.
APPLEJACK
S. Cooper Trust,in San Francisco?
ANTHONY
Uh-uh.
DIGNAN
Mr. Henry pulled that job in 1965.
It's famous. Applejack was the
wheel man. Did you use this same
car, Applejack?
APPLEJACK
Hell, no. This is a '72. I was
driving a '63 Pontiac.
ANTHONY
What exactly is this place? Freezers?
DIGNAN
Right. Freezers. Imported foods.
Anthony stares at Hitckley Cold Storage.
APPLEJACK
Let's go, Abdul-Shabazz.
ANTHONY
Abdul-Shabazz?
DIGNAN
Just a nickname.
EXT. WAREHOUSE. DAY
Anthony, Dignan, and Applejack are standing on the sidewalk
at the front door of an old warehouse. Dignan knocks on the
door, then tries the bell. They all wait.
ANTHONY
What time did he say to be here?
DIGNAN
Right now.
Dignan looks in the window. He tries the door. It's locked.
APPLEJACK
I can knock a man out with a six
inch punch.
ANTHONY
What do you mean?
APPLEJACK
Feel this.
Anthony puts his hand up. Applejack does a short, hard jab.
Anthony shakes his hand out.
ANTHONY
(whistles)
You could give somebody a concussion.
DIGNAN
Let me feel that.
Dignan puts his hand up. Applejack nails it.
DIGNAN
(grabbing his hand)
Ow. Shit.
A drop of water hits Dignan on the head. He looks up. More
water falls on him. He gets out of the way. Everyone looks
up. There's a man on the roof. He laughs, hysterically. They
stare up at him.
MAN
How's the weather down there?
DIGNAN
(pause)
Mr. Henry?
MAN
Come on in!
DIGNAN
It's locked.
MAN
No, it's not.
Dignan shrugs. He goes over to the door. Mr. Henry pours
some more water on him.
A minute later: a steel garage door opens and the man steps
outside. He is tall, about sixty years old with white hair
clipped short and a trim goatee. He wears black trousers,
black shoes, no shirt, and a string of animal teeth around
his neck. This is MR. HENRY. He puts a towel around Dignan's
shoulders and pats him on the back.
MR. HENRY
Dignan. Good to see you. Good to
see you Applejack.
(looks at Anthony)
Who are you?
DIGNAN
This is Anthony Adams, Mr. Henry.
MR. HENRY
This is no good.
Mr. Henry stares hard at Dignan. He looks to Anthony. He
looks back to Dignan.
MR. HENRY
This is no good, bringing him here.
What are you thinking? What the
shit, man? Are you crazy?
Mr. Henry stares at Dignan. He looks to Anthony.
MR. HENRY
I'm pulling your leg. Abe Henry.
They shake hands. Mr. Henry points to ROWBOAT, a tall, older
black man standing in the doorway. Rowboat wears a white
windbreaker.
MR. HENRY
This is my business manager, Rowboat.
ANTHONY
Nice to meet you.
MR. HENRY
That's a sharp jacket.
ANTHONY
Thanks.
INT. WAREHOUSE. DAY
The second floor of the warehouse is one huge room painted
all white. Mr. Henry and Anthony are playing ping-pong.
Dignan watches. Rowboat-and Applejack are on the far side of
the room playing chess.
ANTHONY
It's hard to get much spin with
this kind of paddle.
MR. HENRY
It's called a racquet, Anthony, and
you're holding it wrong. That's
ghetto play. Hold it like this.
Anthony changes his grip. Mr. Henry serves. The ball clicks
back and forth. They're both solid players. Anthony whips a
shot crosscourt and wins the point.
MR. HENRY
You know, your form is for shit,
but you've got a hell of a talent.
ANTHONY
Thanks.
Mr. Henry serves. Anthony returns. Mr. Henry suddenly fires
a scorching shot down the line. Anthony watches it click
past him. He looks to Mr. Henry.
ANTHONY
Nice shot.
Mr. Henry smiles. He looks to Dignan.
MR. HENRY
Is he in?
DIGNAN
I don't know. Are you in, Anthony?
Anthony stands there silent. He looks to Applejack and
Rowboat. He looks to Mr. Henry. Then Dignan.
ANTHONY
Yeah, I'm in.
Mr. Henry puts down his paddle. Stares at Anthony. Smiles.
MR. HENRY
OK, kid. Let's go talk about cops
and robbers.
INT. WAREHOUSE. DAY
The ground floor is crammed with cars. Some have been taken
apart. Some are shiny and perfect. Anthony and Dignan walk
among the cars and junk with Mr. Henry. They've each got
coffee in a styrofoam cup.
MR. HENRY
Every once in a while some cat
comes to me. He wants to know how I
made it. How did I become a success?
The first thing I tell them is:
follow your instincts. Let your
instincts guide you. The second
thing I tell them is, for Christ's
sake: you got to know your grammar.
ANTHONY
Grammar.
DIGNAN
What do you mean grammar?
MR. HENRY
The basic grammatical rules of
robbing.
ANTHONY
You mean like techniques?
MR. HENRY
(nods)
Technique. That's right. Seventy-
five percent of your job is crowd
control. Seventy-five percent. Do
you believe that?
DIGNAN
(pause)
Yes, I do.
EXT. ROOFTOP. DAY
On the roof of the warehouse. They're standing near the
edge, looking out. Mr. Henry is smoking a joint. He's got on
a black beret. Anthony and Dignan are listening to him talk.
MR. HENRY
On the other hand you got to have
the right equipment. I don't care
if you're Harry Houdini. You can't
pick a lock without a hairpin.
Dignan nods.
ANTHONY
I'd like to live in that place.
Hinckley Cold Storage.
MR. HENRY
Yeah. Convert it into lofts. OK.
Pop quiz. What's the single most
important aspect of your job?
DIGNAN
The grammar?
MR. HENRY
Crowd control. Crowd control. Wake
up, guys.
DIGNAN
Oh, yeah.
MR. HENRY
You're going to need a boxman for
this one. But that can be arranged.
ANTHONY
You mean a safecracker?
MR. HENRY
Yeah. And I'll tell you who we're
going to want: Kumar Banijamali.
DIGNAN
Is he good?
MR. HENRY
He's damn good.
INT. KUMAR'S ROOM. DAY
KUMAR is about sixty-five with white hair. He's short and
wears a pale-green button-down shirt, dark trousers, and
sandals. His room is small and has everything he needs in it.
Books. Little TV. Possessions from all over the world.
Kumar sits on his bed. Anthony and Dignan sit in wooden
chairs. Kumar stares out the window. They sit for a long
silence.
DIGNAN
So what do you think of the plan,
Mr. Kumar?
Kumar shrugs. Pause.
DIGNAN
We'd love to have you on the team.
Kumar nods. He looks at a plant growing by the window.
Silence.
ANTHONY
What is that? An orchid?
Kumar shakes his head. Sighs deeply. Long pause.
Kumar suddenly stands up and unbuttons his shirt. He throws
it on the bed. He undoes his trousers and takes them off.
Anthony looks at Dignan. Kumar takes off his socks, then his
shorts. He is naked. He walks over to his dresser and takes
out a small satchell. He looks around the room. Right at
Anthony. He walks quickly toward him. Anthony gets nervous.
Kumar grabs Anthony's shoulder and lifts him up a little. He
pulls a towel out from underneath Anthony. He puts his hand
on Dignan's shoulder as he walks to the door, into the hall.
KUMAR
Good plan.
He goes out. Anthony and Dignan sit there for a minute.
They're a little disoriented.
DIGNAN
What do you think?
ANTHONY
(nods)
He seems pretty good.
INT. BOB'S HOUSE. NIGHT
The foyer of Bob's house. The doorbell is ringing. Bob walks
in wearing a velour robe. He opens the front door. Anthony
and Dignan are standing on the dootstep. Dignan and Bob
shake hands. It's a little awkward.
BOB
Hey, Dignan. How's it going?
DIGNAN
Not bad.
BOB
Come on in. What you been up to?
DIGNAN
Not a whole lot, Bob.
They walk through the house.
BOB
It's too bad about what happened on
the road.
DIGNAN
Yeah. It is.
ANTHONY
Let's not even talk about it.
BOB
It was stupid.
DIGNAN
Right. It was extremely stupid.
BOB
I don't expect an apology and I
don't even want one. I just want us
to --
DIGNAN
I can't fucking believe this guy.
An apology, Bob?
BOB
Man, I don't want to go into this.
ANTHONY
Yeah. Let's keep it --
BOB
Cause you would of let my brother
rot in jail.
DIGNAN
You said 48 hours!
BOB
I never agreed to that.
DIGNAN
Bob, you're lying!
BOB
Bullshit.
DIGNAN
All right! Backyard! Right now!
Dignan walks straight to the back door and goes out. He
stands on the deck.
DIGNAN
Let's go, Bob!
Anthony gets up and tries to calm Dignan down.
ANTHONY
Dignan. Take it easy.
DIGNAN
Bob!
Bob is slowly moving toward the back door.
BOB
No, Dignan. This is stupid.
Bob is standing just inside the back door.
ANTHONY
Yeah. Dignan. Look. Let's just --
Dignan grabs Bob's shirt and pulls him out the door.
ANTHONY
Stop, Dignan!
Anthony breaks them up. He stands in front of Bob, shielding
him.
ANTHONY
He doesn't want to fight.
DIGNAN
Get out of the way.
ANTHONY
No, Diqnan. This isn't --
Dignan gets around Anthony and lands a glancing punch.
DIGNAN
Come on!
BOB
I don't want to fight you, Dignan.
ANTHONY
Dignan, we're friends. Take it easy.
Dignan lands another punch. He grabs Bob's shirt and pulls
him around. Then he starts landing punches. One. Two. Then
Bob nails Dignan in the shoulder. They grab onto each other
and start fighting hard. They're about the same strength.
After a couple of seconds Anthony tries to break it up.
ANTHONY
Dignan. Dignan.
All the sudden Dignan stops fighting.
DIGNAN
All right. Stop.
Dignan puts his arms around Bob.
DIGNAN
No fighting.
Dignan turns to Anthony. There's tears in his eyes.
DIGNAN
No fighting. It wasn't Bob's fault.
ANTHONY
Easy, Dignan. It's OK.
They all catch their breath for a minute. Dignan hugs Bob
again.
DIGNAN
It wasn't your fault, Bob. You had
your brother.
BOB
I didn't have any choice.
They stand there another minute.
DIGNAN
I'm sorry, Bob.
BOB
That's OK.
ANTHONY
(starting to laugh)
Shit, Dignan.
DIGNAN
(smiles)
What the fuck are we doing out here?
ANTHONY
I don't know, Dignan. You went crazy.
DIGNAN
I'm sorry, Bob.
BOB
That's OK.
DIGNAN
Look. We want you on the job.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB. DAY
The restaurant at Bob's country club, People are dressed for
golf and tennis. The waiters wear white jackets. and black
bow ties. The whole crew sits at a big table by the front
window.
MR. HENRY
Let me get this straight. You don't
play golf and you don't play tennis.
So why do you belong to a country
club?
BOB
You got me.
MR. HENRY
(shakes his head)
You're a piece of work, Bob.
A black waiter about thirty-five, JACKSON, stops by the table.
JACKSON
How you doing, Bob?
BOB
Hey, Jackson. How's it going?
Jackson refills their water glasses.
JACKSON
You keeping out of trouble?
BOB
I'm trying.
JACKSON
(looks at others at table)
This boy's a troublemaker. He used
to tear this place apart.
Mr. Henry laughs. Bob smiles sheepishly. Jackson stands
there for a minute looking around the room.
JACKSON
Your brother was up here the other
day. He said you ran away from home.
BOB
He said what?
JACKSON
He said you ran away from home.
BOB
No. I didn't run away. I went out
of town.
Jackson nods.
DIGNAN
Bob.
Bob looks at Dignan. Dignan's looking across the room.
There's Future Man and his friend CLAY fresh from a round of
golf. They're standing on the other side of the room,
looking across at Bob. They're smiling. Jackson picks up two
empty plates and walks away. Future Man and CLAY walk to
Bob's table.
FUTURE MAN
Fancy seeing you here, Bob.
BOB
Yeah. Hey, Clay.
CLAY
Hi, Bob.
FUTURE MAN
(smiling)
So what's shaking?
BOB
Nothing much.
Future Man looks at Anthony and Dignan. His smiles fades.
FUTURE MAN
How's it going.
ANTHONY
Fine, thanks.
Future Man looks at the rest of the crew. His smile comes
back. Mr. Henry smiles.
FUTURE MAN
John Mapplethorpe.
(shaking hands with
crew across table)
How are you. Hi.
MR. HENRY
Good to know you, John.
BOB
Jackson says you told him I ran
away from home.
Clay laughs. Future Man smiles.
FUTURE MAN
I might have mentioned it.
BOB
John, I'm twenty-six years old I
didn't run away from home.
FUTURE MAN
I know, Bob. You were on a secret
mission.
BOB
I'd appreciate it if you didn't go
around telling people lies about me.
FUTURE MAN
Right. I'm sorry.
(looks at Clay)
You've got a reputation to think
about.
Clay smiles. Bob shakes his head. Mr. Henry stands up.
Everyone looks at him. He's got a cold but calm expression.
MR. HENRY
The world needs dreamers, son.
FUTURE MAN
What?
MR. HENRY
The world needs dreamers. To
relieve the pain of consciousness.
Future Man nods. Pause. Mr. Henry doesn't sit down.
FUTURE MAN
Well, we'll see you later, Bob.
MR. HENRY
Pleasure to meet you, John.
FUTURE MAN
(hesitantly)
Nice to meet you.
Future Man and Clay walk away. Mr. Henry sits down.
MR. HENRY
I hope this doesn't offend you, Bob.
(looks closely at Bob)
Your brother is a cocksucker.
Bob smiles. They all smile.
BOB
No. That doesn't offend me.
EXT. HINCKLEY COLD STORAGE. DAY
Dignan's hidden in some bushes, watching the Hinckley Cold
Storage building with binoculars. Anthony's crouched beside
him taking notes in a notebook.
DIGNAN
OK. Man in blue jeans just left by
southwest door. He is entering a
white van. What time is it?
ANTHONY
Eleven fifteen.
DIGNAN
OK. Mark that down.
ANTHONY
I did.
Dignan keeps watching through the binoculars. He suddenly
looks back at Anthony.
DIGNAN
God. Isn't this great? Working on
the job. Got a wheel man. Got a
safecracker. Good friends with Mr.
Henry.
ANTHONY
Yeah. It's pretty good.
DIGNAN
It's like we've finally arrived.
Anthony nods. He's writing something.
DIGNAN
What are you writing?
Anthony shows him a little flip cartoon of a guy pole
vaulting.
INT/EXT. PLANNING SEQUENCE. DAY
We see the team assembled around a table. They're drinking
coffee and looking at pictures, charts, maps, diagrams,
tools. Dignan passes out some walkie talkies.
They test out some smoke cannisters on the roof. Dignan
throws one down. They all run for cover.
Applejack and Dignan drive fast through a slalom course in a
deserted parking lot.
We see Kumar working on a safe. He wears a stethoscope and
listens to the tumblers. He turns the dial. Dignan is timing
him with a stopwatch.
Kumar opens the safe. He looks at Dignan. Dignan nods with a
serious expression on his face.
EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS. DAY
Anthony and Mr. Henry are jogging along railroad tracks in
the warehouse district. Anthony wears a blue T-shirt and
shorts. Mr. Henry looks like a boxer in grey sweats with the
hood up and a crisp white towel wrapped around his neck and
tucked into his sweat top. He's wearing black Chuck Taylors.
They've both got smooth running styles, though every twenty
yards or so Mr. Henry rolls his shoulders and gives a quick
flurry of punches. An older woman rides a bicycle across the
tracks. She's not pretty, but she's got a strong face.
Pioneer stock.
MR. HENRY
Look at that woman. She's what?
Fifty? Fifty-five? But she hasn't
let herself go. I appreciate an
older woman who has a commitment to
her body.
ANTHONY
So do I.
They watch her ride down the street.
MR. HENRY
Tell me something. What the hell
kind of name is Dignan?
ANTHONY
I'm not really sure. I think it's
Irish. Or maybe --
MR. HENRY
I guess what I'm trying to say is
what the hell kind of person is
this Dignan?
ANTHONY
What do you mean what kind of
person? He's a good person.
MR. HENRY
Sure, sure. He's a great person,
and I'd call bullshit on anybody
who said differently. But I wonder
if the kid has the goods
(taps his temple)
up here.
ANTHONY
(long pause)
I don't think you're giving him
enough credit. I know sometimes he
doesn't think an idea through. He
gets too excited. But --
MR. HENRY
As far as I can tell he hasn't
thought his life through. He'd be
fine cutting my grass or parking my
car. But business?
(looks at Anthony)
You I can work with. You I could
groom. Dignan's not going to make it.
Anthony stops running. Mr. Henry stops ahead of him and
looks back, jogging in place. Pause.
ANTHONY
You're wrong about Dignan.
Mr. Henry stops jogging in place.
ANTHONY
And you're wrong if you think, I'd
turn my back on a friend.
MR. HENRY
Hold it.
Mr. Henry walks to Anthony and puts his hand on his shoulder.
Anthony knocks it off.
MR. HENRY
Anthony. I want.to say one thing to
you.
Mr. Henry looks Anthony right in the eye.
MR. HENRY
Congratulations. You passed the test.
ANTHONY
What do you mean?
MR. HENRY
The Abe Henry double-cross test.
You just made a perfect score.
Anthony has to recover.
ANTHONY
That was a test?
MR. HENRY
Take a deep breath.
Anthony takes a deep breath. Mr. Henry massages Anthony's
shoulders. He takes Anthony's head in his arms and does a
quick pull to one side: cracks his neck. Then the other side.
MR. HENRY
How does that feel?
ANTHONY
It feels good.
Anthony rubs his hands on his neck and moves his head around.
ANTHONY
Did Dignan take the test?
MR. HENRY
(pause)
Yes, he did.
ANTHONY
How'd he do?
They start jogging again.
MR. HENRY
Well, he agreed 100% that Bob
should be dropped. And he also
agreed you were a liability. But he
felt his talent would make up for
your weaknesses.
ANTHONY
That sounds like Dignan.
They veer away from the tracks, picking up the pace, and
head into a field toward Mr. Henry's warehouse.
EXT. ROOFTOP. NIGHT
They're having a party at Mr. Henry's warehouse. There are
tables and a BBQ on the roof, with white Christmas lights
strung up and music playing. Anthony, Dignan, Bob, Kumar,
and Mr. Henry are there. Plus a couple of young GIRLS,
eighteen or nineteen years old. Mr. Henry's got a name tag
that says, Hi, my name is Mr. Henry. Everyone's mingling on
the rooftop. Rowboat is at the grill. Applejack comes up the
stairs with a grocery bag under his arm.
MR. HENRY
Woah. There he is. Applejack! What
it is.
Mr. Henry and Applejack shake hands.
APPLEJACK
Is my car OK out there?
MR. HENRY
I love it. He always wants to know
if the car's OK. Get a hot dog.
APPLEJACK
I don't eat pork.
MR. HENRY
Super K. Kumar. Come here.
Mr. Henry goes over to Kumar and throws his arm around him.
APPLEJACK
I don't know why the fuck we're
having a party. The damn job's not
over yet.
DIGNAN
Well, this isn't really a party per
se.
APPLEJACK
You don't celebrate til it's over.
DIGNAN
True.
Dignan's solemn for a minute. He takes a bite of a hot dog.
APPLEJACK
What the fuck are you doing?
Dignan hesitates. He takes the hot dog away from his mouth.
He's embarassed. Applejack shakes his head, disgusted. He
walks away.
ROWBOAT
What was that all about?
DIGNAN
Ramedan.
Anthony and Mr. Henry are standing together in a doorway. Mr.
Henry's got a martini.
MR. HENRY
I'll tell you, Anthony. Times like
this I get philosophical. What does
it mean? What's it all about? Are
you afraid to die?
ANTHONY
Me?
MR. HENRY
No, that door over there.
ANTHONY
I don't want to die.
MR. HENRY
Are you afraid?
ANTHONY
Yeah. I mean, I don't think about
it all the time. But once in awhile
I kind of go, Woah. Man.
MR. HENRY
Exactly. Woah.
ANTHONY
Death.
MR. HENRY
The fear of death, The pain of
consciousness.
(taking a sip)
Did you mix this martini?
ANTHONY
No. Bob did.
MR. HENRY
Bob. Bob. That's a palindrome.
(laughs uproariously)
I love palindromes.
ANTHONY
Are you afraid to die, Mr. Henry?
MR. HENRY
(looks right at him)
Anthony, I'm petrified.
Bob is talking to the other girl.
BOB
Is that sugarless gum you're chewing?
GIRL 2
I'm not chewing gum.
BOB
Would you like a piece?
GIRL 2
(smiles brightly)
Sure. Thanks.
Kumar and Applejack are sitting at a table.
KUMAR
If someone could copy my life story.
If I had someone, man, to just
write what I talk. I have so many
stories. Bestseller, man.
APPLEJACK
I've been all over the Goddamn
country. I've seen things.
KUMAR
I used to go to Vegas and do
headstands.
APPLEJACK
No kidding.
KUMAR
Easy.
Kumar does a handstand.
INT. WAREHOUSE. NIGHT
Anthony, Dignan, and Bob are sitting at the table in Mr.
Henry's office. Dignan's got plans and diagrams spread out.
There's music playing in the next room and we can hear
people talking outside the door.
DIGNAN
Come on, Bob.
BOB
I know it, man. Hang on.
DIGNAN
Jesus Christ.
ANTHONY
Give him a second.
BOB
Hopscotch. The code name is
hopscotch.
DIGNAN
Good.
Mr. Henry looks in the door. He's got a glass of wine in one
hand and a bottle and empty glasses in the other.
MR. HENRY
Join the party, fellas.
DIGNAN
We're just going over a few things.
Mr. Henry looks at the plans on the table. He sets down the
three glasses and pours some wine.
MR. HENRY
I'll tell you something, Dignan. It
is possible to overplan. You don't
want to turn the crew into robots.
Right?
Dignan nods seriously.
MR. HENRY
You got to have fun with it.
There's no point if you're not
having any fun. Would you like me
to be there tomorrow?
DIGNAN
Yes.
MR. HENRY
(immediately)
Why?
DIGNAN
Well, I think --
MR. HENRY
No, if I go out on this job, then
it's just another score by Mr.
Henry. And I don't see it like that.
This is your job. Your creation. I
want you to try this.
They all try the wine. Mr. Henry watches their reactions.
ANTHONY
This is good.
MR. HENRY
I want to ask a favor, boys. One
day, when I'm long gone and all but
forgotten, make one last toast to
Abe Henry. And remember me as a
friend.
They drink.
EXT. ROOFTOP. NIGHT
Back on the roof. Bob and Dignan are sitting at a table with
one of the girls. Applejack is dancing with another. Kumar's
talking to Reudi. Anthony and Mr. Henry are standing at the
edge of the roof, looking out at the city. Mr. Henry's
smoking a joint.
MR. HENRY
Well, that's just it, Anthony. A
lot of criminals have problems.
Some of them are alcoholics. Some
have drug problems. Others dome
from broken homes. I see a real
need for healing.
Mr. Henry passes the joint to Anthony. Anthony smokes it.
MR. HENRY
But you're thieves. It's what you
are.
ANTHONY
Yeah.
MR. HENRY
It's an esoteric journey.
Anthony passes the joint back to Mr. Henry.
MR. HENRY
We're renegades from despair.
ANTHONY
(nods)
Can I ask you something, Mr. Henry?
MR. HENRY
Absolutely.
ANTHONY
Why'd you want to help us?
MR. HENRY
(inhales, pause,
holding in smoke)
Because I was like you once. And
there was no one there to help me.
Mr. Henry exhales the smoke. He hands the joint to Anthony.
Anthony takes a hit. They stare out at the darkness.
INT. BOB'S HOUSE. NIGHT
Anthony and Dignan are sitting in the kitchen. Anthony's got
on a t-shirt and boxers. Dignan's wearing a bathrobe. All
the lights in the house are out except one in the kitchen.
Anthony's drinking a glass of milk. Dignan's got orange juice.
DIGNAN
Next week we'll be drinking piņa
coladas.
ANTHONY
(nods)
Hopefully this trip'll go a little
smoother than the last one.
Dignan nods.
ANTHONY
Or I might end up with a broken nose.
DIGNAN
Did that hurt?
Anthony shrugs. There's a long silence.
DIGNAN
This'll be a good trip.
Anthony nods. Pause. He smiles slightly.
ANTHONY
I'll try not to hold you back
tomorrow.
DIGNAN
I don't think you will.
ANTHONY
I don't want to be too much of a
liability.
DIGNAN
Look, you're going to do fine. It's
OK to be scared.
ANTHONY
(laughs slightly,
shaking his head)
I don't think I ever said this to
you. But it meant a lot to me the
way you were after that Swifty
stuff happened.
Silence. Dignan's a little embarassed.
ANTHONY
He was a nice guy.
DIGNAN
(shrugs)
He was all right.
They both sit there for a minute. Quiet. Anthony sips his
milk.
ANTHONY
Do you like Inez?
DIGNAN
As a person?
ANTHONY
Yeah. As a girl.
DIGNAN
Yes. I do.
ANTHONY
So do I.
Bob comes into the kitchen in his bathrobe looking haggard
yet wired. Anthony and Dignan look at him. He goes to the
refrigerator. He takes out a chocolate cake and a carton of
milk. He pours himself a glass of milk. He goes over to the
table with the cake and sits down. He cuts himself a piece
of cake. He swallows two pills, one at a time, each with a
long drink of milk. The pills are big capsules and he
struggles a little when he swallows.
ANTHONY
You OK, Bob?
BOB
(snaps)
No, I'm having a heart attack. Of
course, I'm OK. What's that supposed
to mean?
ANTHONY
(pause)
Nothing. I was just asking.
DIGNAN
Jesus, Bob.
Bob senses that's he's over-reacted. He backtracks.
BOB
No, I know. I'm just saying. I feel
fine. You want a piece of cake?
ANTHONY
(pause)
Sure.
Bob starts to cut him a piece.
DIGNAN
I'll take one of those, too, please.
EXT. HINCKLEY COLD STORAGE. DAY
Anthony is positioned behind some bushes, across from the
building. He's wearing a black parka. He looks through some
binoculars. Re pulls out his walkie talkie.
ANTHONY
Bird Dog to Scarecrow. Bird Dog to
Scarecrow.
DIGNAN (VO)
Go ahead, Bird Dog.
ANTHONY
You're all clear.
DIGNAN (VO)
Roger.
ANTHONY
(pause)
We all set?
DIGNAN (VO)
Hang on a second.
Anthony waits a second.
We see Dignanr Applejack, and Kumar getting out of the car.
DIGNAN
(into walkie talkie)
OK. Let's do it.
Dignan starts to move out. He remembers something. Says back
into his walkie talkie:
DIGNAN
Let's get lucky, Bird Dog.
Dignan, Applejack, and Kumar start across the parking lot.
Dignan's got on a business suit. Applejack has on sunglasses.
Kumar is carrying a leather satchel.
They go in the side door and down a narrow passageway. They
get into the freight elevator and go up. Bob's voice comes
through on Dignan's walkie talkie.
BOB (VO)
Scarecrow?
DIGNAN
Yeah?
We see Bob: standing on the loading dock behind the building.
He's wearing an extremely heavy wool jumpsuit with a hood.
BOB
Everything OK?
DIGNAN (VO)
Yeah. We're in the elevator. How's
it look back there?
BOB
It looks pretty good. There's
nobody back here.
DIGNAN
Stand by. Bird Dog?
We see Anthony: still in the bushes.
ANTHONY
Uh-huh?
DIGNAN (VO)
Take your second position.
ANTHONY
OK. Roger.
Anthony gets up and starts out across the parking lot, hands
in his pockets, not too quickly.
Dignan, Kumar, and Applejack get off the elevator.
DIGNAN
OK. Six minutes.
Applejack goes one way down the hall. Dignan and Kumar go
the other. They turn the corner. They go down a wide
passageway.
KUMAR
Where did he go?
DIGNAN
Who? Applejack?
KUMAR
Why did he go that way?
(points back down hall)
DIGNAN
He's going to watch the back
stairwell, remember?
(pause)
Don't worry about it.
Dignan and Kumar come up to a door. Dignan slides a crowbar
out of his jacket. He snaps open the door. They go in. It's
a small office with a desk and a little safe in the corner.
Dignan clears everything off the desk with one quick sweep
of the arm. He puts down the briefcase and opens it up. It's
full of tools. Kumar unzips his satchel and takes out a roll
of tape. He immediately sets to work on the safe. Dignan
steps back out the door and closes it.
DIGNAN
(into walkie talkie)
Bird dog? You in position?
We see Anthony on top of a fire escape, about four stories up.
ANTHONY
I'm in position, Scarecrow.
DIGNAN (VO)
Any activity?
ANTHONY
Not at all. The place is totally
deserted.
DIGNAN (VO)
Good. It's supposed to be.
ANTHONY
I've got a great view up here. I
can see all the --
DIGNAN (VO)
Stand by, Bird Dog.
We see Dignan standing in the hall, outside the office.
DIGNAN
Jacknife. Come in, Jacknife.
(pause)
Hello? Bob? Are you there?
We hear the sound of an elevator moving.
DIGNAN
(beat)
Bob? What the fuck is going on?
Anthony? Who's in the elevator?
We see Anthony on the fire escape.
ANTHONY
I don't know.
DIGNAN (VO)
Check the fucking elevator. It's
moving.
Anthony goes in a little door. Down a passageway. Through a
freezer. Into a corridor. Past the freight elevator, which
is open on this floor. Then around a corner to a smaller
elevator as it opens: Bob's inside.
ANTHONY
What are you doing?
BOB
My walkie talkie's busted. 1 can't
tell what's going on.
ANTHONY
Let me see it.
(fiddling with it)
Did you drop it?
BOB
No.
Dignan's still standing in the hall as Anthony and Bob come
around the corner. Dignan yells at them down the hall.
DIGNAN
What's happening? What's going on?
ANTHONY
It was Bob. His walkie talkie's
busted.
BOB
I couldn't hear anything.
DIGNAN
Who's watching the door? What the
fuck are you doing? Get back in
position.
The elevator starts whirring again.
DIGNAN
Who did that? What the fuck is that?
ANTHONY
It's going back down.
DIGNAN
(pannicking, into
walkie talkie)
Applejack! What's happening?
APPLEJACK (VO)
What?
DIGNAN
Bob! Get back in position!
For just a second we hear the sound of music playing.
Everyone freezes. FOUR GUYS, two of them in jumpsuits like
Bob's, step out into the corridor. They've got bags from
Jack in the Box. They're drinking drinks and shakes. One of
them is holding a jam box. They stop. Dignan pulls out his
gun.
DIGNAN
Don't move! Get up against the wall!
Anthony and Bob pull out their guns and hold them on the
four guys.
DIGNAN
(into walkie talkie)
They're back! Get down here!
(not into walkie talkie)
What are you doing here?
GUY IN JUMPSUIT
We work here.
DIGNAN
Time!
ANTHONY
(checks watch)
Two minutes.
Simultaneously: Kumar opens the door. Applejack comes
running down the hall with his gun out.
APPLEJACK
Where'd they come from?
ANTHONY
The front stairs.
APPLEJACK
(to Bob)
Where were you?
BOB
My walkie talkie broke.
Applejack reaches in his pocket and pulls out a dark blue
nylon stocking. He pulls it over his head. Dignan, Anthony,
and Bob immediately do the same. Anthony's is red.
Dignan steps into the office with Kumar.
DIGNAN
What's the story?
KUMAR
Can't get it. It won't...
(make s gesture)
DIGNAN
What can we do?
Kumar looks at his tools. Moves them around on the desk.
DIGNAN
OK. Fuck it.
He goes back into the hall.
DIGNAN
Let's go. Fuck it.
TWO GUYS with a cart stop at the end of the corridor.
ANTHONY
Freeze!
DIGNAN
Nobody move!
ANTHONY
Get against the wall!
Bob's gun goes off. Everybody looks at him. Dead silence.
Bob looks around like it must have been somebody else's gun
that went off.
ANTHONY
Jesus, Bob.
BOB
I didn't do anything.
Applejack falls to his knees. He drops his gun.
ANTHONY
Applejack? Are you OK?
Applejack clutches his arm and rolls onto his side.
DIGNAN
(shouting)
What's wrong with Applejack?
BOB
He's having a heart attack or
something.
DIGNAN
(screaming)
Let's go!
Dignan throws down his smoke cannister. Bob and Anthony
automatically throw down theirs. Smoke instantly fills the
hall.
The hostages stand completely clear of the smoke. They watch
Anthony, Dignan, and Bob rush around blindly in the haze.
DIGNAN
Help me move him.
ANTHONY
Careful. Check his pulse.
Anthony holds all the guys at gunpoint. Dignan and Bob carry
Applejack down the hall, into the elevator.
DIGNAN
Is he breathing?
BOB
I think so.
An alarm starts ringing.
DIGNAN
Jesus Christ. What the fuck is that?
BOB
I didn't think there was an alarm.
DIGNAN
Take him to the car, Bob.
Dignan runs back down the hall to Anthony.
DIGNAN
Who tripped the alarm?
ANTHONY
It's the fire alarm. Somebody
pulled the fire alarm.
DIGNAN
Where's Kumar?
ANTHONY
(looking around)
I don't know.
DIGNAN
Jesus Christ, Anthony. Did you
lose him?
GUY ON FLOOR
He's in the freezer.
DIGNAN
What?
GUY ON FLOOR
He went in there.
ANTHONY
What for?
The guy on the floor kind of shrugs. Anthony crosses the
hall. He pulls open one of the big freezer doors. Kumar is
standing there with his bag and the briefcase. You can see
his breath in the air.
ANTHONY
What are you doing?
DIGNAN
Let's go. Come on.
They go down the hall to the freight elevator. They start
down.
ANTHONY
What were you doing in there?
Kumar shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders.
EXT. HINCKLEY COLD STORAGE. DAY
They go out the front door, across the parking lot. Kumar's
lagging behind.
ANTHONY
Wait for Kumar.
DIGNAN
Come on, Kumar.
They come up to the car. Anthony tries the door. It's locked.
Bob comes running around the side of the building.
BOB
The elevator broke.
DIGNAN
Where's Applejack?
BOB
He's stuck between two floors.
ANTHONY
You're kidding.
DIGNAN
Applejack's stuck in the elevator?
BOB
Yeah.
ANTHONY
Who's got the car keys?
Everyone looks at everyone else.
BOB
Applejack drove.
DIGNAN
(pause)
Run. Run. Let's go.
Bob takes off at a sprint. Kumar follows him.
ANTHONY
Jesus, Dignan.
Anthony pulls off the red stocking and throws it down. He
tries the other doors on the car.
ANTHONY
What the fuck happened to the the
plan?
Dignan pulls off his stocking. Anthony starts walking fast
across the parking lot. Dignan stands still by the car.
Staring straight ahead.
ANTHONY
Come on.
DIGNAN
I'll see you there.
ANTHONY
What?
DIGNAN
I'll see you there.
ANTHONY
What are you talking about?
DIGNAN
I'll get him.
ANTHONY
There's not enough time.
DIGNAN
Yes, there is. Let's get organized.
Dignan starts toward the building. Anthony moves after him.
ANTHONY
Dignan, it's too late.
DIGNAN
I don't think so.
Dignan and Anthony look at each other for an instant. Dignan
turns and sprints back into the building.
Anthony stands alone in the parking lot.
CUT TO:
a bedroom with big French windows. No furniture.
CUT TO:
a wood-panelled study. Stripped bare.
CUT TO:
an elegant dining room. Cleaned out.
EXT. BOB'S HOUSE. DAY
A GUY in a moving company uniform carries a Louis XIV chair
out the front door of Bob's house, down the path to the
street. Two other MOVERS pass him on the way. They've got a
dolly.
The guy carries the chair into a huge moving van. It's full
of furniture and paintings.
Mr. Henry and Rowboat are standing in the street. Rowboat's
smoking a cigarette, writing on clipboard. Hector stands
behind them in the grass. Mr. Henry takes out two cigars. He
holds one out to Rowboat. Rowboat shakes his head. Mr. Henry
shrugs and lights one for himself.
MR. HENRY
You know, Rowboat. People who smoke
cigarettes die. People who smoke
cigars just keep on going.
Rowboat nods, smoking. Mr. Henry looks at Hector. He points.
MR. HENRY
Sit.
Hector sits. Mr. Henry smiles a broad smile. The movers go
buy with a beautiful Moroccan divan.
EXT. HINCKLEY COLD STORAGE. DAY
Dignan comes out the front door pulling Applejack, semi-
conscious, to the car. Dignan loans Applejack against the
door. He checks Applejack's pockets for the keys. He looks
around on the ground.
He hears sirens in the distance. He looks across the parking
lot. Two squad cars screech in off the street.
Dignan takes off into the building.
INT. HINCKLEY COLD STORAGE. DAY
Dignan sprints down the corridor. Races up the stairs. Runs
down hall after hall.
Two COPS appear out of the elevator.
COP
Freeze!
Dignan ducks into a stairwell. He runs down the stairs and
into another corridor. He can hear cops yelling from two
different directions. He crosses a catwalk. Cuts through an
office. Pulls open a door and goes into one of the freezer
rooms.
Cops come yelling down the hallway. Dignan runs through the
freezer room and tries the other door. It's stuck. Three
COPS come inside. Dignan instantly puts his hands up in the
air.
COP #1
Drop the fucking gun!
COP #2
Don't move!
Dignan drops the gun. The cops rush him. They nail him into
the wall. Get him in a headlock, pulling hard.
COP #3
You're caught, buddy.
They pull him into the hallway.
COP #1
Put your hands behind your back.
DIGNAN
I'm not going to do anything.
COP #3
(squeezing his neck)
Why'd you try to run, buddy? Don't
you know what freeze means? Don't
you speak fucking English?
COP #1
Take it easy.
They put him face down on the floor and cuff him.
COP #1
(to Dignan)
Calm down.
They move him down the corridor. Dignan's nose is bleeding.
He looks terrified.
Applejack is sitting propped up against the wall. He's got
an oxygen mask on his face and a team of paramedics and cops
around him. Somebody's taking his blood pressure. Another
one's giving him an IV.
CUT TO:
Anthony running down a sidewalk. He drops his gun in a
trashcan without slowing down. He crosses a bridge and runs
into the the trees.
BLACKOUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. COUNTY JAIL. DAY
There's snow in the air. The prison yard is wide with dry
grass and concrete. It's split up by chain link fences.
Guards sit in the towers.
Dignan's wearing an inmate jumpsuit. Anthony and Bob walk
with him across the yard. They've brought along two bags of
food from a hamburger place.
DIGNAN
I said to the DA, That cop who hit
me must of given me CRS disease.
BOB
What's that?
DIGNAN
That's just what the DA asked. CRS
is a disease where you can't
remember shit.
Dignan smiles.
ANTHONY
Like amnesia.
DIGNAN
Can't remember shit. CRS.
BOB
Oh.
Anthony kind of smiles.
DIGNAN
Tell Mr. Henry I said that.
Anthony nods. Silence. They walk past a bunch of guys
lifting weights on the other side of a fence.
DIGNAN
So is Mr. Henry going to come by
and see me or anything?
ANTHONY
(pause)
I don't think so. I mean. Actually,
he robbed Bob's house.
DIGNAN
He did?
ANTHONY
Yeah.
DIGNAN
You got to be kidding me.
ANTHONY
I'm not kidding.
DIGNAN
(pause)
What'd he get?
ANTHONY
Pretty much everything.
DIGNAN
The grandfather clock?
BOB
He got everything.
Dignan nods. Pause.
DIGNAN
Wow.
(pause, looks at Bob)
Sorry, Bob.
Bob shrugs, looking at the ground. Dignan looks to Anthony.
DIGNAN
You think Applejack knew?
ANTHONY
(shrugs)
We haven't heard from Applejack
since he got out of the hospital.
His case got dismissed.
Dignan's stunned to hear this.
DIGNAN
Why?
ANTHONY
We're not sure.
BOB
We think Mr. Henry maybe --
ANTHONY
His health isn't very good, you
know. They take that into account.
Pause. Dignan nods.
DIGNAN
No. That's true.
Long silence.
ANTHONY
Mr. Henry never gave you a test,
did he?
DIGNAN
What do you mean?
ANTHONY
Nothing.
CUT TO:
a picnic table in the prison yard. There's frost on the
ground. They're eating lunch.
DIGNAN
You're living on a sailboat?
ANTHONY
(nods)
It belongs to Bob's uncle.
DIGNAN
How big is it?
ANTHONY
Oh, I'd say about --
BOB
It's in the driveway.
ANTHONY
(pause)
Temporarily.
DIGNAN
Where?
ANTHONY
Behind Bob's house.
Long pause.
DIGNAN
Does it float?
ANTHONY
We're not sure yet. It's going to
need some repairs.
Dignan nods.
ANTHONY
So how is it in there?
(pointing at cell block)
DIGNAN
(shrugs)
What can I say? It's jail. You
don't sleep when you want to. You
don't eat when you want to.
BOB
Do you have your own room?
DIGNAN
We don't have rooms, Bob. We have
cells.
BOB
Do you have your own cell?
DIGNAN
No. I have a cellmate. His name's
Carl.
ANTHONY
What's he in for?
DIGNAN
He stole a tractor.
BOB
Do they let you --
DIGNAN
I don't really want to talk about
it, Bob.
Long pause.
Anthony takes a sip from a milkshake. Dignan unwraps the
foil from a cheeseburger. He takes a bite.
DIGNAN
(with his mouth full
of food)
This sure beats the shit out of the
shit they crap out in this joint.
Anthony and Bob laugh. Dignan takes another huge bite.
DIGNAN
(smiling)
I might have to have another one of
these.
CUT TO:
Dignan in handcuffs behind a chain link fence. He's standing
in line with some other inmates.
DIGNAN
Thanks for coming.
Anthony nods. They stand there in silence. The line moves
forward a few steps. Anthony and Bob walk with Dignan on the
other side of the fence. The line stops. Pause.
Dignan leans toward the fence.
DIGNAN
Hey.
He motions for them to come closer to the fence. He whispers:
DIGNAN
I think I may have found a way out
of here.
ANTHONY
(pause)
You're kidding.
DIGNAN
No. I'm not.
ANTHONY
How?
DIGNAN
Shhh. Wait for my instructions.
ANTHONY
Dignan, I --
The line starts moving. Anthony and Bob walk with Dignan on
the other side of the fence.
DIGNAN
When we go through the next gate
you'll have 30 seconds to take out
the tower guard.
ANTHONY
What?
DIGNAN
Have the car running at the north-
west checkpoint. Bob and I'll --
ANTHONY
Dignan, I --
The line starts moving faster.
DIGNAN
Scale the barricade and tunnel
through no man's land. And Bob.
Remember:
ANTHONY
Scale the --
DIGNAN
Shield me from the bullets. They
won't shoot civilians. Ready?
BOB
Hold on --
DIGNAN
Here we go.
BOB
Wait a second --
DIGNAN
Now!
Anthony and Bob look all around in a panic. They look to
Dignan.
Dignan shuffles along with the rest of the inmates. He looks
at Anthony and Bob. He smiles. He shrugs.
DIGNAN
So long.
Bob and Anthony slowly half-smile. They wave to Dignan as
the line of inmates turns away. Anthony looks to Bob. Bob
smiles.
The line of inmates stops about fifty feet away. Dignan
looks back. Anthony looks at him. Dignan's expression has
changed. He wasn't expecting them to see it. His eyes look
cold. Anthony puts his hand on the fence. Dignan turns and
the line of inmates disappears into the cell block.
Anthony stands there in silence.. He lets go of the fence.
He walks with Bob down the long path in the cold air.
FADE OUT.
|
