The Internet Movie Script Database (IMSDb)


The web's largest
movie script resource!

Search IMSDb

Alphabetical
# A B C D E F G H
I J K L M N O P Q
R S T U V W X Y Z

Genre
Action Adventure Animation
Comedy Crime Drama
Family Fantasy Film-Noir
Horror Musical Mystery
Romance Sci-Fi Short
Thriller War Western

Sponsor

TV Transcripts
Futurama
Seinfeld
South Park
Stargate SG-1
Lost
The 4400

International
French scripts

Latest Comments



ALL SCRIPTS


       CELLULAR
              by
         Larry Cohen






         Revised by
        Chris Morgan






     Current Revisions by
J. Mackye Gruber & Eric Bress








                                July 16, 2003



TITLES OVER YELLOW BACKGROUND.
We PULL BACK to reveal we're looking at THE SUN. In the
distance lie the gorgeous San Gabriel Mountains and the
Downtown Los Angeles skyline.
In ONE LONG TRACKING SHOT, we CRANE PAST some trees to reveal
the vast expansive homes scattered in the hills of Brentwood.
HOMEOWNERS walk dogs, a PAPERBOY chucks papers fr9m a
gleaming mountain bike... It's early in the morning, and the
landscapers haven't come with their leaf blowers yet.
CONTINUE BOOMING DOWN to road level to face    the resplendent
Martin residence. We STEADICAM down the fr    ont walk, able to
admire the manicured hedges and the black E   scalade in the
driveway, to the front door decorated with    a whimsical
placard that reads, "The Martins" -- and we    pass THROUGH THE
KEYHOLE into the foyer.

INT. JESSICA'S HOUSE - MORNING
We TRACK through the living room, passing framed photos of an
athletic eleven year old boy, and we hear a WOMAN'S VOICE as
she comes down the stairs with a GOLDEN RETRIEVER at her
side.

                     WOMAN
               (into phone)
          Yes Donna, I'm out the door.
We TRACK over the Woman's shoulder and follow her into the
kitchen, unable to see her face.

                     WOMAN (CONT'D)
          Just inform Kayleigh that
          anesthesia is on the way to prep
          the epidural and I'll be there as
          soon as I can.
Still looking over her shoulder, we watch her absently
straighten a PHOTOGRAPH of her son on the fridge as she
talks.

                    WOMAN (CONT'D)
          And promise her she's about to have
          a woooonnderful labor.
As the woman pours herself a fresh cup of coffee, her
HOUSEKEEPER enters the kitchen with a full laundry basket.
They give each other a silent wave.

                    WOMAN (CONT'D)
          Right, I'll see you in twenty.
She hangs up her cordless and takes a breath as we COME
AROUND to finally REVEAL JESSICA MARTIN; slightly weary, but
ready for the day ahead.

                     JESSICA
          Buenas dias, Rosario.



                      ROSARIO
           Good morning Miss Jessica.
Jessica sees her answering machine blinking, hits PLAY.
In the background, a cheerful Rosario enters frame and heads
for the back door carrying the basket of laundry.

                 MALE VOICE
           (on machine)
           Honey? Honey, wake up.   Pick up the-
And as she brings the coffee cup to her lips--
SLAMM!! The door EXPLODES open and a squad of FIVE GUNMEN
storm in, wearing SKI-MASKS. Everything is a whirlwind of
quick cuts, noise and confusion.
Jessica's DOG starts to lunge at the men and -- thup! -- is
stilled by a silenced pistol before its second bark.
Rosario runs for the ALARM SYSTEM --

                     LEAD GUNMAN
          Get away from there! Don't touch
          that -- !!
-- but as she reaches out for the PANIC BUTTON -- BLAM!!     He
blows her away, too. The Gunman curses, then turns on
Jessica.

                 LEAD GUNMAN (CONT'D)
          (dire)
          Where is he?
Jessica cringes.

                     JESSICA
          Where is who?

                     LEAD GUNMAN
          Wrong answer.
The bastard hauls back and -- WHAM I -- punches her in the
face, knocking Jessica cold.
Then he turns to his men.

                     LEAD GUNMAN (CONT'D)
          Search the house.
And as the answering machine fills the silence:

                CRAIG VO
          (on machine)
          -I'll call back later.
The LEAD GUNMAN spins around, and we PUSH INTO the blackness
of his masked face.

                                            MATCH CUT TO:



EXT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - DAY
The BLACKNESS of a BLACK VAN and ESCALADE passing below us.
We quickly CRANE DOWN to see the vehicles traveling through:
An IRON GATE at the edge of an aband9ned property. They
bounce down a long lonely driveway lined with barren trees--
ANGLE ON: THE KIDNAPPERS' VAN as it arrives at its
destination; an isolated HOUSE in the Hills. The grass is
dead. The trees are dead. It's the kind of place you could
scream for a week and no one would hear a thing.
As the van stops--

                                     WE PUSH INTO ITS DOORS:

INT. DARKENED ATTIC - KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE
A door CRASHES open. Light slices through the dark revealing
the dusty, skeletal interior. Jessica is hurled into the
room and falls to the floor. With bound hands, she
frantically pulls her blindfold off to see--

THE LEAD SKI-MASKED KIDNAPPER
Standing in front of her.    Sturdier than the rest.   Solid.
Imposing.

                     JESSICA
          Wh... what do you want?
Unsettlingly, the Kidnapper says nothing, staring at her.
Jessica tries to remain calm under his angry gaze...
Then suddenly, the Kidnapper turns and exits the room.
Jessica breathes a sigh of relief...but it catches in her
throat as he returns ten seconds later -- with a BASEBALL BAT.
Grim as death, he stalks toward her --

                       JESSICA (CONT'D)
          No, wait..
And reaching.her, he hauls back and SWINGS --

                     JESSICA (CONT'D)

          NO!   PLEASE--//
SMASH! The bat connects with a wooden beam an inch above
Jessica's head, OBLITERATING the ROTARY DIAL TELEPHONE that
hung there.
As phone guts shower down on her, the Lead Kidnapper turns
and stomps away, slamming the attic door shut and locking
Jessica in the darkness.
Only now that they're gone does Jessica allow her fear to
show through. Trembling, tears running down her face,
Jessica finally breaks down, pleading to the empty attic--



                       JESSICA (CONT'D)
            Wha... what the hell is happening?!
The attic's suffocating silence is the only answer she gets.

                                            DISSOLVE TO:

THE OCEAN
Skimming along the water.
And we TILT UP to reveal the majestic beaches of Southern
California, and at the center of it all, the SANTA MONICA

PIER.

EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - MORNING - ESTABLISHING
It would be a typical day, except for that some PEOPLE are
preparing for a "HEAL THE BAY" rally at the end of the pier.
VENDORS set up, preparing for the daily grind ahead.
BIKERS gather around a bad-ass HELLCAT G2 CONFEDERATE
MOTORCYCLE and admire its cutting-edge design.
HOT CHICKS in bikinis try on sunglasses at a stand.
FISHERMEN crack beers while awaiting the next bite.

INT. SANTA MONICA PIER - ARCADE - MORNING

ANGLE ON - ARCADE GAME SCREEN.
The screen displays a car-race arcade game. A computer
generated hot-rod passes other racers at breakneck speed.
Playing the sit-down game, DAYTONA USA, is:
RYAN ACKERMAN, early twenties, looks like he grew up on the
beach without so much as a pot to piss in. His lethal
reflexes and bold recklessness, however, have made him a Jedi
Master of the game.
Ryan's score approaches the HIGH SCORE at the top of the
screen.

                       RYAN
            You recording this?

                       CHAD (OS)
            Yeah, sure...
CHAD, his best bud, aims a BLUE TOOTH VIDEOSTREAMING
CELLPHONE at some CUTE GIRLS instead. We can see their faces
on the tiny SCREEN of the cellphone.
Ryan's car gets caught behind a blue speedster, then passes
on the shoulder.



                       RYAN
            Move, bitch.
He gets an EXTENDED PLAY and the screen flashes "NEW RECORD."
Nearby, a KID watching the game nods.

                        KID
            Nice.
The HIGH SCORE starts rising to match Ryan's score.

                        RYAN
            Get that?
Ryan turns around to see Chad has shoved the cellphone down
the front of his tattered shorts. And he's freeballing it.

                       CHAD
            Check it; Attack of the Bubblegum
            Monster in Hi-Def videostream-

                      RYAN
            C'mon Chad, I gotta put my mouth on
            that.
Holding a cup of soda between his teeth, Chad pulls the
cellphone out of his pants and hits "SEND".

                        CHAD
                 (through cup-holding
                  teeth)
            Sweet. It's going to my email
            right now.
S9me soda inadvertently SPILLS onto the cellphone and Chad
wipes it dry on his pants.

                       RYAN
            Watch it dude, I gotta return that
            thing in seven days.

                       CHAD
            They aren't giving you shit yet?

                       RYAN
            Nah, whenever I return it, I just
            list off why the phone sucks and
            they give me a new model. Figure
            by the tenth time I'll have to go
            somewhere else.
Ryan's car finally CRASHES in a wall of flames.       Game Over.

                                            CUT TO:

THE OCEAN
As seen looking over the rail of the pier.      The tide is in,
but it's still a forty foot drop.


RYAN stares over the railing like a death row inmate
contemplating his last meal.

                      CHAD
           Go already. No one's looking.
His left hand holds his WALLET.

                 CHAD (CONT'D)
           (re: wallet)
           Need me to hold that?
Ryan sticks it in the pocket of his surfer shorts -- he zips
a zipper, tucks a Velcro flap. Pats his pocket proudly.

                     RYAN
          Waterproof.
But as soon as Ryan covertly CLIMBS ONTO THE RAIL, his left
leg starts trembling like crazy.

                     RYAN (CONT'D)
          This is stupid. I could get
          killed. Pick another dare.
Chad lowers the phone, irritated.

                     CHAD
          My ass. Not after you made me
          march in the Gay Pride Parade
          wearing a thong.

                     RYAN
          Screw it then. In one... Two...
          Two and a half--

                     CHAD
          Whole numbers only, Rabbitfoot.
Ryan stares at the waves crashing below. His leg starts
snaking like crazy... And he chickens out, hopping back to
the deck.

                    CHAD (CONT'D)
          Just so you know, I'm emailing this
          to every chick you ever met.
But suddenly Ryan's oblivious to the dare.   His eyes are
glued to something else--

                CHAD (CONT'D)
          (speaking like HAL 900)
          Transmitting pussy file now.
CHLOE, early 20s, a head turner, confident, funny; she can
pull you in like a tractor beam. She and some CUTE FRIENDS
carry heavy cardboard boxes toward a table set up for the
"Heal The Bay" rally.
Ryan walks over like he owns the place.



                      RYAN
           Got any more? I'm here to help.

                      CHLOE
           Thanks, but no, we got 'em all.

                      RYAN
           What's in 'em?
Chloe opens the box.    Hands him a "Heal The Bay" pamphlet.

                      RYAN (CONT'D)
           Cool, you're handing these out
           during the concert?

                     CHLOE
          Yeah, wanna help?
Ryan tries to ignore his thundering heart.

                       RYAN
          Hell yeah.     I'm all about "Heal the
          Bay. "
His eyes ricochet off the pamphlet in his hand.

                     RYAN (CONT'D)
          Me an Chad do the monthly cleanup
          thing, of course...
An awesome wing-man, Chad appears over Chloe's shoulder,
pretending to read a pamphlet, but really holding it up so
Ryan can see it. Piece of cake, now.

                     RYAN (CONT'D)
          We've collected water samples with
          the Stream Team, raised money on
          the Promenade... I'm surprised I
          haven't seen you.
He offers his hand.

                       RYAN (CONT'D)
          Ryan.
She takes it.

                       CHLOE
          Chloe.
The handshake lingers a second longer than necessary, and
they both smile at each other. Chad splits.

                     CHLOE (CONT'D)
          I can't tell if you're full of it.
Ryan stops posturing, gets real.

                     RYAN
          You ever go up to Santa Barbara?
          My dad used to take me there all



                      RYAN (CONT'D)
           the time. Their pier is amazing,
           clear water, huge crabs everywhere,
           oysters right there on the rocks,
           starfish... Hard to believe it's
           the same ocean sometimes.
He's managed to win her back.

                     CHLOE
           Maybe you and I can take a break
           later when Pat Benatar goes on.

                      RYAN
           Sounds like a plan.
There's a moment...     Then --

                     CHLOE
          Oh no -- I forgot. I still have to
          pick up a box of T-shirts at the
          Kinkos on Venice.

                     RYAN
           I'll do it for you... if you want.

                    CHLOE
          Seriously, you would?

                       RYAN
          Sure.     How much is the bill?

                       CHLOE
          Nothing.    It's been paid up front.

                    RYAN
          Do you promise not to go anywhere?

                       CHLOE
          Done.
Ryan makes a graceful exit.       Turns back.

                     RYAN
          Okay, I won't be long.

                CHLOE
          (laughing)
          Bye.
Ryan grabs Chad, and as they walk out of earshot:

                    RYAN
          Dude, does Santa Barbara have a
          harbor or a pier?

                                                CUT TO:

EXT. VENICE - DAY
A short time later, Ryan cruises through a Venice
neighborhood.


Ryan drives an early 70's Ford Bronco; clothes are strewn
across the backseat, and a box of "Heal the Bay" T-SHIRTS now
sits on the shotgun seat.
Ryan reaches into the glove box and pulls out a toothbrush.
He sips warm soda from a bottle and begins brushing.
Checking himself out in the mirror, he sniffs his pits, whoa,
and grabs the cellphone.

                      RYAN
                (into phone)
           Dex, wassup? You won't believe the
           hotties I just met at the pier.
           Smoking. You wanna meet them?
           Yeah? Well don't get too excited
           'cause I need my money.
Ryan stops at a red light.

                      RYAN (CONT'D)
           Bullshit, you're not going
           anywhere,
                (quickly adding)
           I'm pulling up right now.
Some AMBULANCES SPEED BY, SIRENS BLARING.   It's deafening.
Ryan lays on the horn.   When the light changes, Ryan peels
away angrily.

                    RYAN (CONT'D)
              (covering his ear)
          What? Yeah, you better be. And I
          need your shower, I'm talkin' code
          red stankage-
The CELLPHONE begins to CRACKLE with STATIC just as Ryan
drives under an OVERPASS.
Suddenly --
The car ahead of him STOPS in the middle of the street. Ryan
notices too late and has to jam on the brakes. The car
skids, he SCREAMS... and comes to a stop an inch before
hitting the other car's bumper.
He lifts the phone receiver to his ear but the call is WASHED

WITH STATIC.

                RYAN (CONT'D)
          (into phone)
          Dex? You still there...?
And as has happened to all of us, he loses the call.

                    RYAN (CONT'D)
          Damn.

EXT. HIGHWAY OVERPASS - MOMENTS LATER                           10
As traffic resumes and Ryan clears the overpass--


ID                                                                   iu





     SFX:   THE CELLPHONE RINGS.
     Ryan picks up the phone.

                           RYAN
                Sorry, got cut off.      Hey -- what's
                my Caller ID say?
     But there's no voice on the other end, only shuffling sounds.

                             RYAN (CONT'D)
                Yo Dex...?

                                                   MATCH CUT TO:

11   INT. KIDNAPPERS' ATTIC                                          11

     ECU - A TANGLE OF PHONE WIRES
12   Their insulation picked off and spliced together. PAN ALONG 12
     the attic floor, past the rubble of the shattered phone,
     foll9wing the crudely repaired wires to JESSICA'S HANDS,
     tapping the dialer wires together. She's trying so hard to
     simulate a NUMERIC PULSE that she almost doesn't hear:

                             RYAN (VO)
                Hello...?
     Jessica's hands go suddenly still, then -- WHOOM! -- her head
     slams down INTO FRAME on top of the crushed earpiece, a
     desperate hope filling her eyes.

                                                   CUT BACK TO:

13   INT. FORD BRONCO - CONTINUOUS                                   13
     With still no answer, Ryan pulls the phone from his ear --

                             RYAN
                Whatever.    Signing off-
     -- and is just about to hit END CALL when he hears a tiny
     female voice on the other end.

                            JESSICA (VO)
                Wait!    Don't hang up!
     Ryan puts the phone back to his ear.

                             RYAN
                Hello?

                           JESSICA (VO)
                There's not much time! I need you
                to go to the police. My name is
                Jessica Martin; I've been kidnapped!

                           RYAN
                     (not buying)
                Oh really? Kidnapped, huh?


13                                                                          j.j





                             JESSICA (VO)
                  Please. I know what you're
                  thinking, but it's real! I'm in an
                  attic somewhere. I think they're
                  going to kill me! You need to-

                             RYAN
                  Awfully polite kidnappers to give
                  you a phone...
     Jessica's voice TREMBLES uncontrollably.        Desperate, fearful
     and frustrated.

                              JESSICA (VO)
                  No!   You don't understand!
     Suddenly, the cellphone BLIPS twice in Ryan's ear.          He pulls
     it away and looks at its faceplate.

14   INSERT SHOT - THE CELLPHONE                                            14
     The LCD reads:     CALL WAITING.   ACCEPT?

15   EXT. SURFACE STREETS - DAY                                             15

                             RYAN
                  If you were really in trouble, you
                  would've called the cops, not me.
                  Now I've got a real call on the
                  other line--

                                                    MATCH CUT TO:

16   INT. ATTIC                                                             16
     A WIDER SHOT so we see Jessica's bound hands. Her bruised
     face. Whispering frantically into the DEMOLISHED TELEPHONE
     she's JERI-RIGGING back together as she talks.

                             JESSICA (VO)
                  Goddamn it, listen to me! The
                  phone I'm on...it's shattered!
                  There's no dialer! I've been
                  clicking wires together for hours
                  trying to get someone, anyone, and
                  you 're the only connection I was
                  able to make!
                       (important beat)
                  If you hang up, I may not get
                  anyone else.

17   INTERCUT CALL - RYAN IN FORD BRONCO/JESSICA BOUND IN ATTIC             17
     SFX: Ryan's call waiting BLIPS again.        He considers
     everything Jessica has said, then:

                            RYAN
                  Hmm. Sucks to be you. Try crank
                  yanking someone else. Late.



17





                               JESSICA
                  Wait!     Don't hang up!    DON'T HANG UP!!
     But -- CLICK!       Ryan flashes over to the next call.

                               RYAN
                  Dex?

                                                      MATCH CUT TO:

18   INT. TELEMARKET BULLPEN - DAY                                    18
     A TELEMARKETER checks Ryan's name on a list, then glances at
     the script.

                            TELEMARKETER
                 Hello, Mr. Ackerman. My name is
                 Mark and I'd like to discuss with
                 you the benefits of Mastercharge
                 Credit Union's-

                           RYAN (VO)
                 Awesome, I can totally use a credit
                 card. Tell me more.

                               TELEMARKETER
                 Absolutely.     We've lowered our APR-

                           RYAN
                 -Shucks, now's really not a good
                 time, but why don't I get your
                 number and get back to you later.

                            TELEMARKETER
                 Sure, it's 818...

                           RYAN
                 That's the office number?

                              TELEMARKETER
                 Yes.

                            RYAN
                 Why don't you give me your number
                 instead. That way I can call you
                 when you're having dinner with your
                 family.
     A beat.

                            TELEMARKETER
                 Sorry to have bothered you.
     Click!    The Telemarketer hangs up.

                            RYAN
                 Damn skippy.
     And that's when he notices the message flashing on the
     phone's faceplate: CALL ON HOLD. Ryan clicks the FLASH
     button to pick it up...and Jessica is still there.



INTERCUT CALL - RYAN IN CAR/JESSICA IN ATTIC                    19

                      JESSICA (VO)
           --an you hear me?!

                     RYAN
           You still there? You're getting
           kinda creepy, lady. See ya.

                       JESSICA
          No!    Don't! They're going to kill
          me!    They're going to kill me!!
A silent beat.   A calculated look in her eyes...
RYAN pulls the phone from his ear and is about to hang
up...when he hears the one sound that stops all men cold.
On the other end, Jessica begins to CRY.

                    RYAN
          Oh, it's like that, huh?     Nice with
          the fake tears, lady...

                      JESSICA
          Please...   I just need help.
But Ryan won't be manipulated.

                    RYAN
          You need acting lessons. Now go take
          your meds and bug someone else.

                    JESSICA
          These men!!!--
Jessica stops herself short, quieting the rising hysteria in
her voice before it gives her away. She glances anxiously at
the attic door, then continues, more in control.

                     JESSICA (CONT'D)
          These men killed my housekeeper.
          My dog. You have to help me.
Ryan bristles at being saddled with anything, much less this.

                    RYAN
          No, actually( I don't. Not with a
          hot chick waiting for me at the
          pier.

                      JESSICA
          Please...you're my only hope.
               (beat)
          What's your name?
That catches Ryan off-guard.   He stalls, not wanting to make
this personal.

                     RYAN
          Why, you writing a book--?


19                                                                  x?





                           JESSICA
                --Please, just tell me your name!
     Ryan glances around the street, his eyes falling on a stone
     fountain outside a French Restaurant.

                           RYAN
                Uh...Johnny. Johnny Fountain.

                           JESSICA
                Johnny... What if it was your
                mother who was calling for help?
                How would you feel?

                           RYAN
                Well, I'd be damn impressed,
                considering she's dead.

                           JESSICA
                Goddamn it, how difficult is it to
                hand this phone off to the police?!
                I'll pay you!

                           RYAN
               How much?

                          JESSICA
               Five thousand dollars.

                          RYAN
               Sure you will. I'm hanging up now.

                          JESSICA
               No, wait! WAIT!! Even if there's
               a eighty percent chance I'm lying,
               you nave a one in five chance to
               make five grand f9r a lousy twenty
               minutes of your life.
                    (panics as Ryan is silent)
               Haven't you ever bet on a horse or
               bought a Lottery ticket? I'm
               talking one-in-five odds, twenty
               minutes.
     Ryan slaps the radio off.

                          RYAN
               What do you want me to do?

                                                CUT TO:

20   INT. 15TH PRECINCT - STATION DESK - DAY                        20

     SOMEONE'S POV.
     In EXTREME SLOW-MOTION, chaos unfolds around us like a
     nightmare --
     OFFICERS manhandle a drunk toward the back, a HOOKER screams
     at us with unholy rage, in the far corner, a JUNKIE spits on



20                                                                     ^


     an OFFICER'S FACE and there's a lethal race for disinfectant
     through invisible soup.
     Sounds are distant, eerily muffled.      A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE
     lets us know we're in hell.
     CLOSE UP:    BOB MOONEY'S EYES.    Concerned, but not panicked.
     MOONEY'S POV. Still surreal, SLOW-MOTION, as an Officer with
     a CREWCUT responds by spinning the Junkie's face into a wall,
     legal but hard.
     SFX:   A HEARTBEAT.    OURS.    FAST... And possibly IRREGULAR?
     CLOSE UP - SLOW MOTION - The RIGHT THUMB presses into the

     LEFT WRIST.
     MOONEY'S EYES.      Watching.   Counting... Suddenly --
     WHAM!! Back to reality when a YOUNG GANGBANGER is slammed
     into the station desk by a ROOKIE.

                            ROOKIE OFFICER
                 Problem, Mooney. If I put this one
                 in with the others, there's gonna
                 be a bloodbath.

                            GANGBANGER
                 Put me in there! I'll waste all
                 them pussies!
     REVEAL SERGEANT BOB MOONEY -- a tough, fifty-something beat
     cop who's fighting growing old every step of the way. He
     rolls his eyes at the situation and takes a bite of PIZZA.

                            MOONEY
                 Come on Powell, put the Sharks with
                 the Sharks, the Jets with the Jets
                 and make room.
     Rookie Powell suppresses his irritation and roughly yanks the
     Gangbanger back over to the holding cells.
     Mooney puts down the pizza, no appetite, and stares at the
     news story playing on the TV mounted in the corner.

21   ON THE TELEVISION                                                 21
     a NEWS REPORTER is in the middle of a segment. Over him,
     FOOTAGE rolls of six guilty-looking cops testifying in court;
     being led away in handcuffs.

                            NEWS REPORTER
                 ...was somber when the indictments
                 came down this afternoon in the
                 23rd Precinct corruption scandal.
                 Though the names of six police
                 officers were read aloud, the
                 District Attorney stated that this
                 was merely the "tip of the iceberg"
                 and that unfortunately many other
                 arrests are likely to be coming as
                 the investigations proceed.



'2    BACK TO POLICE STATION                                      22
     As DETECTIVE JACK TOMLIN passes Mooney, he nods toward the TV.

                           DETECTIVE TOMLIN
                Sucks for the fellas at the Two-
                Three right now, huh?

                          MOONEY
                Dirty pricks deserve what they get.
                Public hates us enough without this
                shit.

                      DETECTIVE TOMLIN
                (leaving)
                There's good men over there.
     A FEMALE OFFICER passes Mooney and reaches for his box of
     pizza.

                          FEMALE OFFICER
               Mooney? What are you doing?      You can't
               be eating this crap.
     Mooney plants his own firm grip on the box.

                         MOONEY
               Keep walking, Shelly.   Nothing to
               see here.
     A friendly tug of war.

                          FEMALE OFFICER
               You sure you wanna do that?     What
               would your wife say?
     That's it. Mooney snatches his lunch back and turns to
     lecture this little girl.

                          MOONEY
               She'd say nothing, 'cause she's not
               gonna know about it! Christ, Shel,
               my old man had eleven heart
               attacks. Eleven! I have one
               little infarction and you guys
               start treating me like an invalid!
               I'm a grown man! Leave me alone,
               will you?!

                          FEMALE OFFICER
                    (abashed)
               I was merely referring to your
               cottage-cheese ass.
     Mooney sighs and lifts his pizza to his mouth when --
     WHAMM! The station doors burst open and two dozen GANG
     MEMBERS are bum-rushed into the room by a squad of COPS in
     riot gear. The screaming is deafening.



                                                               17.

22                                                                   22





                           MOONEY
                I hate this place.

                                               CUT TO:

23   EXT. 15TH PRECINCT - CONTINUOUS                                 23
     The Ford Bronco roars up; snags the handicapped spot. Ryan
     hops out and limps theatrically the first few steps until
     he's far enough away from the car to start running.

                          RYAN
                    (into phone)
               I'm here.

24   INT. 15TH PRECINCT - CONTINUOUS                                 24
     Cops try to wrangle the dozens of shouting GANG MEMBERS who
     cram the Station Desk, waiting to be booked.
     Ryan takes a deep breath and shoves his way through the
     mayhem to the extremely shorthanded Station Desk where:

     MOONEY
     is busy doing ten things at once. Signing release papers.
     Booking a DRUNK whose wife-beater Tee is drenched in blood,
     Etc.

                         RYAN
               Excuse me, officer --
     But Mooney ignores him in favor of the three cops that
     suddenly need arrest sheets signed.

                         RYAN (CONT'D)
               Hey, I've got an emergency here --
     Just then, CREWCUT OFFICER shoulders his way through with a
     cuffed CRACKHEAD TRANNIE in tow. The Trannie's wrists ache.

                          CRACKHEAD TRANNIE
               Loosen these, man, please?! Jus'
               gimme a chance--

                         CREWCUT OFFICER
               Hey, Moon! Where do you want me to
               put Whitney Houston?

                          MOONEY
               Christ, I've only got two hands here!
               Stick him in the can, will ya?
     Crewcut nods and moves off towards the bathroom.

                          RYAN
                    (shoving forward)
               Come on, man! I've got some lady
               on the phone here who says she's
               been kidnapped!



                                                                     18.

24                                                                         24


     Ryan holds up the phone.         Mooney looks around.

                           MOONEY
                Nice try, kid, but I got no time
                for pranks.

                           RYAN
                Seriously, a lady was murdered!

                          MOONEY
                Which is it, a kidnapping or a
                murder?

                           RYAN
                Take the phone and find out moron!
     A COP snickers somewhere.

                                                     MATCH CUT TO:

25   INT. KIDNAPPERS' ATTIC                                                25
     Jessica holds her breath. She stares apprehensively at the
     attic door, praying for Mooney to just take the damn phone.

                             JESSICA
               Please. . .

6    BACK TO POLICE STATION                                                26
     Ryan looks sincere.     Mooney deliberates, then sighs.

                           MOONEY
               Okay.   Give it here.
     Ryan thrusts the phone at him, happy to get rid of it.

                          JESSICA (VO)
                    (barely audible whisper)
               Oh thank God! You've got to help
               me. My name's Jessica Martin and
               I've been kidnapped. This morning
               five men broke into my home in
               Brentwood and kidnapped--
     Mooney strains to hear.     His eyes go wide and he quickly jots
     notes on a pad.
     Mooney's eyes shift as three TWEAKERS, wide eyed and sweating
     profusely, are led inside by their ARRESTING OFFICERS.

                             MOONEY
               Ah shit.
     Mooney holds out the phone.

                          MOONEY (CONT'D)
               Hurry kid, take this upstairs to
               Robbery/Homicide and ask for
               Detective Tomlin.



                                                              19.

26                                                                  26




     Ryan reluctantly takes the phone back as more people converge
     on the Station Desk.

27   INT. KIDNAPPERS' ATTIC                                          27
     Jessica hears the phone being shuffled around.

                             RYAN (VO)
                Where?

                            JESSICA
                Hello?    Officer? Hello?!

28   BACK TO POLICE STATION                                          28
     Mooney, recognizing an emergency when he hears one, ignores
     the incoming CROWD him long enough to assist Ryan.

                          MOONEY
               Up the stairs, Tomlin!
     Ryan turns away, and as he returns the cellphone to his ear,
     he's startled to hear--

                     JESSICA (VO)
               (terrified)
               Oh my God...

                         RYAN
               What? What is it?

                                                   CUT TO:

29   INT. KIDNAPPERS' ATTIC                                          29
     Jessica hears:

     SFX: FOOTSTEPS.     RIGHT OUTSIDE HER DOOR.

                          RYAN (VO)
               Lady, what's going on?!
     Jessica drops the phone. Has just enough time to shove it
     behind her before -- SLAM! -- the attic door swings open and
     two of the masked kidnappers stride in. When they reach her,
     they stand silently, trying to unnerve her.

                         LEAD KIDNAPPER
               Where's your husband?

                            JESSICA
               What?     I don't-
     The masked leader SLAPS HER SHARPLY across the face! Jessica
     wants to collapse to the ground, but remains sitting TO KEEP
     THE PHONE HIDDEN behind her.
     The Leader bends down and yells right in her face.



                                                                     20.

29                                                                         29





                           LEAD KIDNAPPER
                 Where is he!?

                              JESSICA
                 At work!     Why, what do you want--?
      SLAP!!!   This one's even nastier than the first.

                              LEAD KIDNAPPER

                 NEGATIVE!    WHERE WOULD HE RUN?!

                                                     MATCH CUT TO:

30    RYAN - IN THE POLICE STATION STAIRWELL                               30
      Phone to his ear. Wide-eyed. Hearing it all.         For the first
      time, starting to believe Jessica's story.

                              RYAN
                 Oh shit...
      Panicking, Ryan turns and walks, then jogs, then all-out runs
      for the station stairwell.

                                                     CUT BACK TO:

 31   INT. KIDNAPPERS' ATTIC                                               31
-v
      The Lead Kidnapper stands ominously over the trembling
      Jessica -- Oh God! Does he see the phone cord?

                           JESSICA
                 Please, he should be at work!
                 That's all I know.
      The Leader nods, then turns away. Jessica exhales with
      relief that he didn't spot the phone. But her victory is
      short-lived as:

                              LEAD KIDNAPPER
                You have a little boy, right? Ricky?
                The Wyman School in Westwood?
      Jessica gasps like a sledgehammer just hit her in the chest.

                              JESSICA

                NO! NO--.'.' STAY AWAY FROM MY SON!

                LEAVE HIM ALONE!!
      But -- the men silently head out the door -- SLAM!       The door
      locks. Jessica scrambles back to the phone.

                              JESSICA (CONT'D)
                Johnny!!

32    INTERCUT CALL - RYAN RUNNING UP STAIRWELL/JESSICA IN ATTIC           32



                            RYAN
                I know.    I'm trying to get help.



                                                               21.

32                                                                   32





                            JESSICA
                My son --
     Suddenly, as Ryan reaches the first landing -- STATIC starts
     breaking up the call.

                     JESSICA (CONT'D)
               (worried)
               Oh my God! What's happening?!

                         RYAN
               It's just static. I'm running
               upstairs to the detectives. Hold
               on, I might lose you for a sec--

                          JESSICA (VO)
                    (realizing)
               No, don't! Stop. You can't lose
               me--

                          RYAN
                    (still running)
               Wait, we're almost there.

                         JESSICA
                   (panics, losing her cool)
               Stop! Johnny, goddamn it, stop!

               STOP! IF YOU LOSE ME, I'M DEAD!!
     Hearing her fearful tone, Ryan stops reluctantly.

                         RYAN
               Well, what the hell am I supposed
               to do?!
     Ryan looks at himself, standing on the stairs like an idiot.

                           RYAN (CONT'D)
               Jesus!   I'm almost there!
     Ryan checks the SIGNAL STRENGTH INDICATOR on the phone.
     There's only one bar left. Defiantly, Ryan takes a step
     UP...and the bar DISAPPEARS. He quickly hops BACK DOWN.

                          RYAN (CONT'D)
               Crap!
                    (shouts up stairs)

               HELLO? DETECTIVE TOMLIN! WILL

               SOMEONE GET TOMLIN FOR ME, PLEASE?!
     There's no response.   Ryan can't believe this.

                         RYAN (CONT'D)
               You're shitting me.

                          JESSICA
               Johnny, what time is it?! Johnny!

                          RYAN
               (checking his watch)
               Who? Oh -- one-twenty.

               (MORE)



                                                                   22.

32                                                                       32

                      RYAN (CONT'D)
                (yells upstairs)

                IS ANYONE UP THERE?!
     Jessica calms herself, resolving to save her child's life.

                          JESSICA
                Johnny, listen to me. My son's
                school lets out at 1:45.

                          RYAN
                Good, then if I get a cop--
     Ryan exits the stairwell to find Mooney -- but Mooney's not
     there anymore! There's some NEW GUY -- and he's SWAMPED!

                         JESSICA
                No. There's not enough time. You
                have to pick him up before they--

                          RYAN
               Pick him up? Hell no, lady!     I
               ain't goin' nowhere else--
     Ryan tries to get the NEW GUY's attention, in a dream.

                          JESSICA
               Please please stop standing there!
               He 's just a little boy!

                          RYAN
               But I'm in a police station!

                          JESSICA
               Go!
     Ryan grunts in frustration.

                                                   SMASH CUT TO:

33   EXT. 15TH PRECINCT - MOMENTS LATER                                   33
     ECU - THE FORD BRONCO'S TIRES -- Burning rubber...

                                                   CUT TO:

34   INT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - GROUND FLOOR - LIVING ROOM             34
     The furniture in this abandoned house is all covered with
     sheets giving the entire place a creepy, haunted feel.
     FOLLOW the LEAD KIDNAPPER as he descends a nearby stairwell
     and pulls off his mask--

     REVEAL GREER
     Forties, salt and pepper hair.    He looks to his crew:

     THE KIDNAPPERS



                                                                 23.

34                                                                     34




     They're all trim. Athletic. In good shape. They're
     UNMASKED, watching the TV with interest. The news on the
     corruption scandal.
     Greer snaps the TV off.     Checks his watch and nods grimly.

                          GREEK
               Go get the kid.
     Instantly, a hulk of a man (DEASON) and an arrogant, red-
     headed prick (ELLIS) stand and exit the house.
     As Greer stalks away( BOOM DOWN the bar to REVEAL a telephone
     sitting there, unnoticed by the men -- and on its face, the
     LINE-IN-USE INDICATOR LIGHT is lit.
     PUSH IN on the flashing orange light that threatens to give
     Ryan and Jessica's call away. Closer and closer, until we
     ENTER the phone and TRAVEL THROUGH THE WIRES to --

35   A MATCHING LIGHT ON RYAN'S CELLPHONE                              35
     As we PULL BACK we see that we're in the Ford Bronco, racing
     through:

36   EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY                                           36
     Ryan guns the engine as Jessica panics on the other end of
     the phone. We can hear her hyperventilating.

\



                          JESSICA (VO)
               Where are you now?!

                          RYAN
               I just got off the 405.

                          JESSICA (VO)
               You've got to go faster, Johnny!

                          RYAN
               You've gotta chill! You're
               stressing the crap out of me!
                   (looking around)
               Where the hell is a cop hiding in a
               speed trap when you need one?
     Ryan takes a hard right, tires squealing.    Pushing it against
     his better judgment.

                          RYAN (CONT'D)
               What do these guys want, anyway?

                          JESSICA (VO)
               How should I know?!

                          RYAN
               What do you do?

                          JESSICA
               I'm an obstetrician. They don't
               want anything from me.



                                                                  24.

36                                                                      36


     Ryan slaloms around other cars like a racecar driver.

                          RYAN
                So your husband's like, uber-rich?

                          JESSICA (VO)
                What--? No. He's an accountant.
                I make more money than he does.

                           RYAN
                Could they've mistaken you for
                someone else?

                           JESSICA
                No! I don't know.    None of this
                makes any sense.
     Jessica starts losing it completely, upsetting Ryan so much
     that he takes the next corner too fast and -- SKKRRASH! --

37   EXT. ROAD CONSTRUCTION - CONTINUOUS                                37
     The BRONCO EXPLODES through an orange-and-white "ROAD CLOSED"

     CONSTRUCTION BARRIER!
     And dead ahead is a CONSTRUCTION CREW resurfacing the road!

                          RYAN
               Oh...SHIT!!
     Ryan SLAMS on the brakes and SWERVES to avoid hitting a group
     of workers -- and OBLITERATES THE BRONCO'S PASSENGER SIDE
     MIRROR against another BARRIER --
     Ryan cringes with every muscle!
     And the mirror ricochets off the ground -- and smashes
     through the windshield of a recently waxed Acura Legend!

                     RYAN (CONT'D)
               (smirking)
               ...Ain't that a bitch.
     As the heavily-muscled workers start running to beat the shit
     out of him, Ryan floors the gas, sending a shower of wet
     asphalt all over the cursing workers as he peels away,
     CRASHING through a FINAL BARRIER.
     More cautiously, Ryan rounds the next corner and --

                         RYAN (CONT'D)
               There's the school.
     Ryan's right.   Just ahead, we see:

38   EXT. THE WYMAN SCHOOL - DAY                                        38


        private prep school for boys. Ryan pull: A private prep
       it. Walks quickly toward the building.    school for
                                                 boys. Ryan
     pulls over and hops
     out,





                                                                  25.

38                                                                      38





                           RYAN
                Okay, I'm here.

                           JESSICA (VO)
                How much time do we have?
     Ryan checks his watch.     It reads:   "1:40 PM".   He enters.

                          RYAN
               Five minutes. What's your kid's name?

                            JESSICA (VO)
               Ricky.

                          RYAN
               Ricky what?

                            JESSICA
               Martin.

                          RYAN
               Ricky Martin? You named your kid
               Ricky Martin?! Why didn't you
               tattoo "kick me" on his ass while
               you were at it?

                         JESSICA
               He was named before the singer ever-

                            RYAN
               Forget it.     What does he look like?

                          JESSICA (VO)
               He's eight years old. Blonde hair.
               Green eyes. Small for his age.
               He's wearing a light blue shirt and
               dark blue pants--

                         RYAN
               They're all wearing blue shirts and
               pants!
     Ryan turns down a hallway and we see that he's right.      It's
     filled with IDENTICALLY-UNIFORMED LITTLE BOYS.
     As a TIMID BLONDE BOY passes in front of him, Ryan grabs him
     and wheels him around.

                         RYAN (CONT'D)
               Ricky Martin?
     The Boy's eyes get huge.     He tries to pull away.

                          TIMID BOY
               Don't touch me!

                          RYAN
               No, kid, it's okay!    I didn't mean
               to--



                                                                26.

38                                                                    38





                            TIMID BOY
                Help!   Don't touch me!   Don't touch!!
     Ryan quickly moves on... aware that other ADULTS are now
     beginning to take notice of him.

                          RYAN (INTO PHONE)
                Does he have anything else? A
                jacket? A backpack? What's his
                lunch box look like?

                           JESSICA (VO)
                I don't remember.

                           RYAN
                You don't remember your own kid's
                lunch box?!

                          JESSICA
               I don't pack it! Rosario, our
               housekeeper does! Sometimes Craig,
               but...
     Jessica begins to sob, which causes Ryan to panic further.

                          RYAN
               Ricky Martin, where are you!?
     None of the Stepford kids respond.

                     JESSICA (VO)
               (through tears)
               I wish I could give you more.
     Now Ryan's running.    He yells into a BATHROOM.

                         RYAN
               Ricky Martin?

                         MALE VOICE (OS)
               Can I help you, sir?
     Ryan turns to see a MUSCULAR GYM TEACHER looming there.
     Clearly, the guy thinks Ryan's peeping into the boys' room.

                          RYAN
               I'm looking for a little blond boy--
                    (off his shocked look)
               --No, no! Not like that!

                          GYM TEACHER
               Sir, come with me, please!
     Ryan isn't going anywhere. And that's when the BELL RINGS.
     Like a nightmare, HUNDREDS OF UNIFORMED LITTLE BOYS come
     racing out of their classes.

                            RYAN
               Oh shit...



                                                                27.

38                                                                    38


     As the boys stampede by, Ryan yanks the WHISTLE from around
     the Gym Teacher's thick neck and starts blowing it like
     crazy.

                           GYM TEACHER

               HEY--11

                           RYAN

               RICKY MARTIN! DOES ANYONE KNOW
               WHERE RICKY MARTIN IS?1 I can't
               believe I'm yelling this at an all-
               boys school.
     All hell is breaking loose. The kids ignore him. The huge
     Gym Teacher races after him. Jessica yells in his ear.

                          JESSICA (VO)
               Was that the bell? Was that the
               bell?!

                            RYAN
               Yes.    RICKY! RICKY MARTIN!!
     Ryan wades through the sea of uniforms.

                         JESSICA (VO)
               He'11 go to the parents' pick-up
               spot. Oh God, they're going to get
               him!

"\
     Ryan turns around and starts bulling through.    The Gym
     Teacher violently grabs his arm and yanks--

                          GYM TEACHER
               Where do you think you're going?
     --causing the phone to fly out of Ryan's hand and --crack!--
     hit the pavement.

                           RYAN
               No--!
     Ryan tugs his arm free and races to the phone.   The LCD
     display GLASS is cracked into a SPIDERWEB.

                     RYAN (CONT'D)
               (desperate into phone)
               Jessica? You still there?!

                           JESSICA (VO)
               Yes?
     Relieved, Ryan turns and races for the front of the school.

                          RYAN
               No one's gonna get your kid!    He's
               not slow, is he?

                           JESSICA (VO)
               What--?   No!



                                                                28.

38                                                                    38





                          RYAN
               Then he won't go anywhere with
               strangers.

                          JESSICA (VO)
               Unless they have our Escalade. Ricky'11
               think it's Rosario and hop right in!
     She's got a point. Ryan picks up the pace and arrives at the
     pick-up spot. Scans the lot.

                         RYAN
               What color?

                          JESSICA
               Black!

                     RYAN
               (looks)
               Of course it is.
     PAN AROUND to see what Ryan sees -- three black Cadillac
     Escalades.

                         RYAN (CONT'D)
               There's three of them.    What's your
               plate?

                          JESSICA (VO)
               4..7..wait, no...3 -- Oh my God, I
               don't remember!

                         RYAN
               Like you don't remember the lunch
               box? Or anything else about your
               kid--
                    (stops, realizing)
               Oh, man. This is a prank, isn't
               it?

                         JESSICA (VO)
               No!

                         RYAN
               Bullshit! Oh, you're good lady.
               Your friends too. Getting me to
               scream out 'Ricky Martin' at a boys
               school. Damn, you really nailed
               me.

                         JESSICA (VO)
               No--


               This is great, the police think I'm
               a whack job. The school thinks I'm
               some kind of perv child molester.
               I'll probably get the Herpes from
               the gym teacher's whistle --



                                                              29.

38                                                                   38





                            JESSICA (VO)
                No, Johnny, you have to listen to
                me-- /.'
     But Ryan's had enough.     He turns to leave --

                          RYAN
               I'm done being your entertainment for
               the day. I'm going back to the pier
               while I still have a chance --
     -- and passes right by a blonde-haired, green-eyed, EIGHT-
     YEAR-OLD BOY carrying a Lord of the Rings lunchbox. Ryan
     hesitates and is about to stop the kid...but then decides
     "screw it", and keeps on hoofing.
     Ryan rounds a corner to leave -- and is confronted by the Gym
     Teacher and a RENT-A-COP SECURITY GUARD.

                          GYM TEACHER
               Here he is! He's the one that's
               been stalking the students.

                            RYAN
               Stalking?!     No, I can explain--
     The Rent-a-Cop mumbles into his walkie.

                          RENT-A-COP #1
               Okay, we got him. We're at the
               front of the school.
                    (then, to Ryan)
               Sir, come with us.

                         RYAN
                   (as they grab him)
               Hey, HEY RENT-A-DUDE--!!    Hang on a
               sec! This is a huuuge
               misunderstanding--
     A little RENT-A-COP CAR (think geeky, wanna-be cop car) pulls
     up in the driveway below. The Security Guard starts forcibly
     leading Ryan toward it, but as he gets close--

                          JESSICA (VO)
                    (interrupting)
               Lord of the Rings! I forgot his
               father bought him a Lord of the
               Rings lunchbox last week!
     Ryan's heart stops in his chest. He turns to see the Boy
     with the Lord or the Rings lunchbox racing down the school
     steps and up to one of the waiting Escalades.

                         RYAN
                   (struggling)

               RICKY MARTIN!!
     The Boy opens the car door...but turns as he hears his name
     called. For the briefest moment, Ricky and Ryan lock eyes--





                                                        [CONTINUED)



                                                                    30.

    38                                                                    38


         --and that's when a HAND reaches out, snags his backpack and
         YANKS Ricky into the dark of the car! Instantly, the door
         slams shut and the Escalade begins to take off.
         WHIP PAN to Ryan's shocked reaction. He's the only one who's
         seen it. He tries to struggle free of the Guard.

                                 RYAN (CONT'D)
                    Oh shit!    You just see that?!
         Losing control of Ryan, the Rent-a-Cop calls to his partner
         in the car.

                               RENT-A-COP #1
                    Roy, some help over here!
         Below, the Escalade is leaving the driveway.

                              RYAN
                        (struggling harder)
                   Goddamn it, that little kid was
                   just kidnapped!! Do something!!

                                RENT-A-COP #1
                   Roy--! !
         The second Rent-a-Cop, hops out of his car and runs over, but
         as he gets near -- Ryan breaks free!

^

                                RENT-A-COPS

                   HEY--! !
         They chase after him, but Ryan hops over the hood of the
         idling RENT-A-COP CAR and throws himself into its driver's
         seat.
         Rent-a-Cop #1 reaches through the open window and grabs
         Ryan's collar -- and is dragged twenty feet as Ryan throws
         the little car in gear and burns away.

39       INT. RENT-A-COP CAR - RACING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET           39
         Trying to catch the Escalade, a quarter-mile ahead. Ryan
         feels completely conspicuous in the security car as he
         slaloms through the streets of East Hollywood.

                              JESSICA (VO)
                   What's happening, Ryan?!

                              RYAN
                   Don't worry, I can fix this.

                                JESSICA (VO)
                   Oh my God.
         There are three cars between Ryan and the Escalade.

                             RYAN
                   It's okay, I can see them ahead.



                                                                    31.

39                                                                        39



                             JESSICA (VO)
                  Don't lose them! If you follow them
                  back here, you can tell the police
                  where they're holding us!

                              RYAN
                  Okay.

                                                    CUT TO:

40    INT. THE KIDNAPPERS' ESCALADE                                       40
     The mountainous Deason drives as Ellis sits shotgun. In the
     back sits Jessica's son, RICKY; who eyes the two men
     suspiciously. CCR plays on the RADIO.
      Ellis, turns down the radio.       Faking sincerity, he turns to
      face Ricky.

                             ELLIS
                       (gesturing to the radio)
                  Do you want me to change the
                  station to something else?
     Ricky refuses to answer.        Ellis turns around, his fake smile
     quickly vanishing.

                              ELLIS (CONT'D)
                  Yeah.   I like Creedence too.
     He's about to turn the radio volume up when --

                             RICKY
                  Where's Rosario?

                             ELLIS
                  I told you, kid, she had a doctor's
                  appointment, so your mother asked
                  us to pick you up. Don't worry,
                  you'll see your mommy in a few
                  minutes.
     Ricky nods... but we can tell by the look on his face that
     he's not buying their story one bit.

                                                    CUT BACK TO:

41   EXT. RENT-A-COP CAR                                                  41
     Cautiously, so as not to give himself away, Ryan PASSES one
     commuter car. Then the next. Narrowing the gap between the
     rent-a-cop car and the Escalade to one last auto.
     It takes Ryan literally standing on the gas pedal to get up
     enough speed to get around the final car. Now the Escalade
     is dead ahead. Ryan begins gently closing the distance
     between them, and is just starting to relax, when--

     A CITY BUS
     merges into traffic from a Bus Stop right ahead of him!



                                                                  32.

41                                                                        41





                              RYAN

                 SHIT!
       Ryan SLAMS on his breaks and is forced to crawl along at a
 ainful 25 m.p.h.. Worse, he has his view of the Escalade
glocked by the bus' titanic silver ass.

                              JESSICA (VO)
                Johnny!

                             RYAN
                Damn!     There's this stupid bus--
      Ryan jags left and right, catching glimpses around the bus of
      the Escalade still ahead.

                      RYAN (CONT'D)
                (taps his horn)
                Come on!
      But the bus doesn't pull over. Ryan tries flashing the
      security car's CLEAR BUBBLE LIGHTS on the roof, but who the
      hell would pull over for that? The bus sure doesn't.

                             RYAN (CONT'D)
                Jesus.'

                           JESSICA (VO)
                Can't you go around it?
      There's an ungodly amount of opposing traffic--
      But suddenly there's    a break in the  flow! Seizing the
      moment, Ryan SLAM-SH   IFTS the rent-a -cop car's uni-cylinder
      engine into gear and    starts to tear  around the bus -- but has
      to SWERVE BACK as a    SPEEDING TRASH  TRUCK rounds a bend and
      almost creams him!

                           RYAN
                Goddamn it!

                             JESSICA (VO)
                What?!    Did you lose him? !

                           RYAN
                No, I just almost got killed, is
                all.

                           JESSICA
                Oh thank God!

                           RYAN
                Thank God?
                     (irritated)
                That's nice.
     Just then, the bus signals that it's pulling over.

                           RYAN (CONT'D)
                Hey, here we go!



                                                                 33.

41                                                                     41


     As the bus pulls aside, Ryan floors the wanna-be cop car
     around it...but directly in front of him is a HOMELESS MAN,
     dressed like a sheik, dragging his caravan of TWO COVERED

     SHOPPING CARTS.

                             RYAN (CONT'D)

                SON- OF- A-- II
     Ryan SLAMS on    the brakes, SWERVES HARD to avoid a collision --
     and loses cont   rol of the car! The rent-a-cop car goes POWER
     SLIDING across    oncoming traffic, HORNS BLARING AT HIM and
     heads straight    for a the FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOW of a CAR

     DEALERSHIP.

42   INT. CAR DEALERSHIP                                               42
     SMASH!!! The car goes through the window and RACES down the
     center aisle. CAR SALESMEN and PATRONS are forced to dive
     out of the way as the rent-a-cop car MOWS DOWN DISPLAYS and
     everything else in its path.

                                                 CUT TO:

43   INT. THE KIDNAPPERS' ESCALADE                                     43
     The mountainous Deason drives. In back, Ellis sits with
     Jessica's son, RICKY, who eyes the two men suspiciously.
     CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL plays on the RADIO.

                          ELLIS
                    (to Deason)
               Anyone following us?
     Deason checks:

     THE REARVIEW MIRROR
     We see the bus about five car lengths behind, but the rent-a-
     cop car is nowhere to be seen.
     Deason flashes an evil grin.

                            DEASON
               Nan.

                                                 CUT BACK TO:

44   EXT. CAR DEALERSHIP                                               44
     The rent-a-cop car exits the dealership, SMASHING through
     another GLASS WINDOW!
     Ryan quickly regains control of the car and steers it back on
     the street. Only to find that the Escalade has disappeared!

                          JESSICA (VO)
               What's happening?! Are you okay?!

                           RYAN

               SHIT I



                                                                34.

44                                                                    44



                            JESSICA (VO)
                What?!    Yo u lost--

                            RYAN
                No, No!    just give me a second--
     As Jessica goes off, Ryan tosses the phone down and focuses
     on finding the Escalade. He floors the rent-a-cop car, engine
     CLATTERING, to the intersection.
     Ryan franticly searches in every direction, but the Escalade
     is nowhere to be seen. He floors it.

                            RYAN (CONT'D)
                Jesus!    Where the hell did they go?
     Dreading talking to Jessica, Ryan slowly picks up the
     receiver.

                         RYAN (CONT'D)
               Jessica, I--

                          JESSICA (VO)
               You let them get away.
     Ryan wants to snap at her, but guilt crushes it right out of
     him. He knows she's right.

                                                 DISSOLVE TO:
j    INT. 15TH PRECINCT - LOCKER ROOM - DAY                           45
     Mooney changes out of his blues, his ears glued to THREE COPS
     in the corner, boasting about an arrest.

                         COP ONE
               -- so of course everyone's playing
               dumb to what kind of drugs he's on.
     The cops start to snicker; they've all heard that one before.

                          COP ONE (CONT'D)
               So I start searching the place.
               I'm about to open a closet door
               when a kid with a Mac 10 jumps out
               of the bathroom. He shoots.
               Misses me and hits one of the
               E.M.T's. Fires again, but the gun
               jams and BAM! Blows half his face
               off. Had enough black tar heroin
               in the closet to resurface the 405.
     Mooney tries to join in on the conversation.

                         MOONEY
               It must've been around '84, when...
     The Cops turn around, while grabbing their stuff.



                                                                 35.

45                                                                     45



                          COP TWO
               Sorry Moon, we're late for a
               briefing.
     Mooney waves them on, but looks disappointed for not being
     able to join in.

                         DEEP MALE VOICE (O.S.)
               I'll bet in your day you had some
               stories.
     Mooney whips his head around to see DETECTIVE JACK TOMLIN.

                          MOONEY
               Hey Tomlin.

                         DETECTIVE TOMLIN
               Taking off?

                           MOONEY
                    (hardly thrilled)
               My anniversary. You know, duty
               calls; pricey dinner and then some
               crap-ass play.
                    (beat)
               Hey, I sent some college kid down
               to see you this morning. Had some
               rap about a kidnapping --

                         DETECTIVE TOMLIN
               I haven't seen anyone, but I'll ask
               around. Kidnapping, huh?

                          MOONEY
               I thought it was a prank at first,
               but the kid was so worked up--

                          DETECTIVE TOMLIN
               Well, don't you get worked up.
                    (slaps Mooney's chest)
               If the kid comes back, page me, and
               I'll be sure to see him.

                          MOONEY
                    (swallowing his pride)
               Yeah. Okay, Jack. Thanks.
     And as Tomlin walks off --

                                              CUT TO:

46   INT. RENT-A-COP CAR - CHUGGING THROUGH WEST L.A.                  46
     Ryan lead-foots the gas. The speedometer climbs.   Forty.
     Fifty. Sixty miles an hour.

                         JESSICA (VO)
               Look, Johnny, you've got to go back
               to the cops--



                                                                        36.

46                                                                            46





                            RYAN
                 Are you high?! I just jacked a car!

                            JESSICA (VO)
                 Goddamn it, stop thinking about
                 just yourself! You can explain
                 everything to them later!

     SUDDENLY -- SFX: RYAN'S PHONE BEGINS BEEPING.



                              RYAN
                 What now?
     Ryan pulls the phone away from his ear and checks it out.

     INSERT SHOT - CELLPHONE FACE PLATE
     The BATTERY INDICATOR is flashing:         LOW BATT.   LOW BATT.

                             RYAN (CONT'D)
                 Great!   Now the battery's dying.

                           JESSICA
                Don't you have a charger?

                           RYAN
                It's in my car!      Hold on.
     SFX:   BEEP-BEEP!    The battery indicator has lost another bar.
     Ryan fumbles around in the armrest. Finds nothing. Opens
     the glovebox and -- a snub-nosed .38 SPECIAL tumbles out.

                              RYAN (CONT'D)
                Jesus -- !

                           JESSICA
                What's going on? Did you find one?

                           RYAN
                     (staring at the gun)
                Not exactly...
     SFX:   BEEP-BEEP!!     Jessica starts growing afraid.

                           JESSICA
                Johnny, don't lose me!

                          RYAN
                Well what the hell do you expect me
                to do?!
     Just then, Ryan rounds a corner -- and sees traffic GRIDLOCKED
     to a halt ahead. He tries to maneuver around it, but is
     almost immediately boxed in.

     SFX:   BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!

                              JESSICA
                Johnny--!



                                                              37.

46                                                                   46



                            RYAN
                 I know, Jessica!
     The phone starts a STEADY BEEPING now, dying imminent. And
     traffic isn't going anywhere. Ryan looks around desperately.
     Nothing. No emergency lane. No shoulder. Just a long drop
     down a HILL to a strip mall below--
     STRIP MALL?! Ryan scans it and does a double-take on one of
     the store's signs: "VERIZON WIRELESS".
     Traffic inches forward. Now he sees an OFF-RAMP a quarter-
     mile ahead -- but at this rate, it'll take forever to make it
     there.

     SFX:   BEEP-BEEP-BEEP...'.'
     Ryan's got to do something.      Now.

                            RYAN (CONT'D)
                 You know that money you promised me?

                            JESSICA (VO)
                 Yes.

                            RYAN
                 I'm giving myself a raise.

47   EXT. VERIZON MALL HILL - CONTINUOUS                             47
     And with that, Ryan CRANKS the steering wheel hard right and
     HITS THE GAS!   Despite other drivers' protests, the little
     Rent-a-Cop vehicle blasts across the gridlock, TEARS through
     the rusty GUARD RAIL and -- VROOOOM! -- flies off the side of
     the hill!
     Ryan lets out a frightened yell as he SAILS through the clear
     blue sky.

                          RYAN

                HOOOOLLYYY SHIIII--
     THUMP! The Rent-a-Cop car touches down on a steep downslope.
     Ryan struggles to control the bucking automobile,
     miraculously avoiding the minefield of ROCKS and TREE STUMPS.
     He needs both hands for the job and holds the phone by its
     antenna in his teeth.
     There's so much noise, the only thing Jessica could possibly
     hear is a CACOPHONY OF NOISE and Ryan HYPERVENTILATING.

                           JESSICA (VO)
                What's going on?!

                           RYAN
                     (with phone in teeth)
                mmmrrmph mrm mrmph!
     Ryan is bounced around like a corn kernel in a popper until
     the car hits a jutting rock and -- WHOOOOM! -- goes up on two
     wheels. It looks like it's going to roll but gravity brings



                                                               38.

47                                                                   47
     it back down -- SLAMM! -- so hard that the phone goes flying
     across the car!

                             RYAN (CONT'D)
                Shit!
     Ryan scrabbles for the phone -- but gives it up when he
     bounces over a rise and sees A BILLBOARD DEAD AHEAD!

                             RYAN (CONT'D)

                WHOAAAAAA!
     Ryan whips the wheel and navigates the little car between the
     billboard's concrete posts, but -- WHAM! -- obliterates the
     rent-a-cop's BUBBLE LIGHTS on the billboard's lower edge.
     Somehow, Ryan muscles the bucking econocar safely down the
     rest of the hill and into the strip mall parking lot, where
     it SKIDS OUT.

                      RYAN (CONT'D)
                (grabbing phone)
                Jessica?! Can you hear me?!

                             JESSICA (VO)
                I'm here!
     Ryan hops out and races inside--

48   THE VERIZON WIRELESS STORE - CONTINUOUS                         48
     And of course, they're having a sale and the place is packed.
     Every SALESPERSON is beyond busy in the feeding frenzy.

     SFX:   BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!!
     Panicking, Ryan pushes his way to the front of the counter --

                           IRATE CUSTOMERS
                Hey, what do you think you're
                doing? There's a line!
     -- to the OVERLY-PERKY SALESMAN helping someone else.

                           OVERLY-PERKY SALESMAN
                ..and if you get the new Nokia
                9200, you can switch out faceplates
                to match your mood! And we have a
                special today on tiger stripes...
                Are you feeling fierce?
     The salesman makes a playful paw swipe with his hand.

                           EASILY-EXCITABLE CUSTOMER
                Oh, how fun!

                         RYAN
                Excuse me--

                           OVERLY-PERKY SALESMAN
                I'm sorry, sir, I'm with a customer
                now.

                           (MORE)



                                                                    39.

48                                                                        48

                             OVERLY-PERKY SALESMAN (CONT'D)
                       (indicates a number
                       dispenser)
                  But if you take a number, someone
                  will be with you shortly.
       Ryan glances at the dispenser. A BIG YELLOW SMILEY FACE with
       tickets ejected from the mouth. The next ticket it offers is
       "#97"...and the Now-Serving Display on the wall reads "#71".

       SFX:   BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!I
       Just then, a BUSY SALESWOMAN walks by.     Ryan grabs her.

                               RYAN
                  Hey! Hey!      I've got an emergency
                  here --

                            BUSY SALESWOMAN
                  Sorry, I'm on break--

                             RYAN
                  Damn it, will you listen to me?!
                  I've got a life and death call on
                  this phone and my battery's dying!
                  Do you have a charger?

                             BUSY SALESMAN
                  Sure.
                       (walks away)
                  Take a number and one of the sales
                  associates will grab you one when
                  your turn comes up.

_/ -



                               RYAN
                  Bu t-- !

       SFX:   BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!!!
       Ryan breaks out in a cold sweat. Can't catch his breath. As
       a SALESWOMAN rushes by, Ryan reaches for her.

                               RYAN (CONT'D)
                  Help, I --

                             SALESWOMAN
                  Take a number.
       The room starts spinning around him. It's clear no one's
       going to help him. Like the clap of doom, the NOW-SERVING
       DISPLAY on the wall flips happily to "#72"

       SFX:   BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!!!


       Frantic, Ryan glances at the phone. And just as the last
       BATTERY BAR on the power indicator FLICKERS and DISAPPEARS --

                             RYAN
                  Aw, screw this...
       -- Ryan pulls the rent-a-cop's big .38 SPECIAL from his
       pocket and BLOWS THE SMILEY FACE DISPENSER TO DUST!



                                                                   40.

48                                                                       48


     Instantly, people hit the dirt.

                            RYAN (CONT'D)
                Oh look! Now serving thirty eight
                special!
                     (beat)

                NOW WHO'S GONNA GET ME THAT GODDAMN

                CHARGER?

                                                 CUT TO:

49   EXT. POLICE STATION - PARKING BAY                                   49

                                         \




     Mooney exits the mayhem of the s   tation and walks to a SQUAD
     CAR. Gets in. As he pulls his      seatbelt on, something
     CRINKLES in his breast pocket.     He pulls it out -- the SCRAP
     OF PAPER where the scribbled the    words "JESSICA MARTIN" and
     "BRENTWOOD" when Ryan handed him    the phone.
     Mooney crumples the paper and is about to throw it away...but
     stops himself. He stares at the words, then unable to let it
     go, punches keys on the MOBILE DATA TERMINAL. A name and
     address appear on the screen:

     JESSICA KATE MARTIN.   327 ELMWOOD ESTATES, BRENTWOOD.


     Mooney stares at the name. Then, after a moment, he sighs
     and pulls a LA LAKERS cellphone from his coat. Dials.

                         MOONEY
               Hi, honey. Yeah, I'm gonna be a
               few minutes late...
     And as Mooney closes the door and starts up the engine--

                                                 CUT TO:

50   INT. JESSICA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY                                    50
     We PAN PAST PHOTOGRAPHS of Jessica's family over to-
     AN ANSWERING MACHINE RINGS... ANSWERS.    We hear Jessica's
     outgoing message, then a BEEP and-

                           MALE VOICE
                    (over machine)
               Jessica? Damn, where are you?
                    (beat)
               I called earlier and... Jess, I'm
               in serious trouble. I can't explain
               right now, but we're all in danger.
               Please, just grab Ricky and meet me
               in left field.
     PAN UP to an ATTRACTIVE WOMAN listening to the machine.

                                                CUT TO:



                                                                 41.







51   INT. RENT-A-COP CAR - RACING OFF THROUGH THE CITY                 51
     Just as the phone literally dies -- Ryan rips a new CHARGER
     from its packaging, slaps it into the phone and voila, it
     begins CHARGING.

                            RYAN
                Whew!   That was so no bueno!

                          JESSICA (VO)
                You found a charger?

                          RYAN
               Among other things...
     Ryan glances at piles of phone gear he's appropriated from
     Verizon. EARBUD MIKES. MANUALS. RECEPTION BOOSTERS.

52   INTERCUT CALL - RYAN IN CAR/JESSICA IN ATTIC                      52
     Ryan fiddles with the now war-torn phone.

                          JESSICA
               Thank you for doing all this,
               Johnny.

                          RYAN
               Yeah, look, about that...
                    (awkward beat)
               My-name isn't really Johnny
               Fountain.

                          JESSICA
               Good, it sounded like a porn star
               name.
                    (then softly)
               It's okay. I know. You don't have
               to tell me --

                          RYAN
               It's Ryan. Ryan Ackerman. I'm a
               bar-back. I'm twenty-two, and just
               a little freaked out right now.
     Jessica is moved with emotion by his honesty.

                          JESSICA
               Thank you, Ryan.
     But before they can say any more, suddenly--

     SFX: FEET ON THE STAIRS - COMING TOWARD THE ATTIC!
     Jessica JUMPS with a start. Tries to push the PHONE GUTS
     behind a beam with her foot as Greer enters -- but fails.
     The receiver sits in front of the beam, EXPOSED!
     Greer crosses the room and sits on a box next to Jessica.    He
     stares at her for long, uncomfortable moments. Then:



                                                                     42.

52                                                                         52





                           GREEK
                Do you want to die here?
     Jessica drains white -- Does he see the phone?!

                                                    CUT BACK TO:

53   RYAN - IN THE RENT-A-COP CAR                                          53
     Slams on the brakes and skids up to the curb.      Covers the
     mouthpiece.

                           RYAN
                Oh shit!

54   BACK TO ATTIC                                                         54
     Greer's question still hangs in the air.

                           JESSICA
               N-no...
     Jessica scoots away, trying to draw Greer's eyes in another
     direction from the phone that lies OUT IN THE OPEN.

                          JESSICA (CONT'D)
                ...but I am going to, aren't I?

                          GREER
               Up to you. Your husband left a
               message asking you to meet him in
               left field. Where's that?



                           JESSICA
               What?   I don't understand--?
     Greer winds up and BAM! Hits Jessica in the stomach, knocking
     the wind out of her and causing her to fall to the ground.

                           GREER
               --A base ball field !? Wh ich o ne
               does he mean?!

                           JESSICA
                    (choking out the words)
               I... I don't know what you want me
               to say. I swear--

                          GREER
               Shut up!!! Which field?! He
               wouldn't leave a message that
               didn't make sense to you!
     Greer tightens his fist and is about to hit Jessica again--

                          JESSICA
               Wait! The bleachers behind left
               field at Dodger Stadium! That's
               where we first met.



                                                                 43.

54                                                                     54


      Greer stares at Jessica for a long uncomfortable moment,
      searching her soul. She's lying.

                             JESSICA (CONT'D)
                  Please! Believe me. That has to
                  be where he means. I swear to God.
     Then he stands, looking away for just a moment -- but long
     enough for Jessica to NUDGE the phone back behind the beam!

                            GREER
                  Working in my profession as long as
                  I have, you begin to recognize the
                  truth when you hear it.
     Jessica, trembling, hangs on Greer's every word.

                            GREER (CONT'D)
                      (turning back)
                  Go to the window, Jessica. There's
                  something I want you to see.
     Relieved at hiding the phone, Jessica gets up and moves to
     the attic window -- and GASPS.

55   JESSICA'S POV - THE YARD BELOW                                    55
     Down in the yard below, Jessica's eleven-year-old son Ricky
     stands uncomfortably in the middle of a basketball half-court
     as one of the kidnappers (a severe-looking ex-con named
     HODGES) stands nearby, watching.

56   INT. ATTIC                                                        56
     Jessica's knees nearly buckle.

                             JESSICA
                  Ricky!

57   EXT. THE YARD BELOW                                               57
     Hodges looks up and sees Jessica's face in the window.   Then
     turns and tosses a basketball to Ricky.

                             HODGES
                  Shoot hoops.

                              RICKY
                  I..   I don't feel like it.

                             HODGES
                       (threatening)
                  Shoot.
     Nervously, Ricky begins to bounce the ball.

58   INT. ATTIC                                                        58
     Jessica sees her son start shooting the ball -- completely
     oblivious to Hodges, who flicks open his coat, revealing
     SILENCED PISTOL tucked into his waistband.



                                                                    44.

58                                                                        58





                          GREEK
               You have three seconds to tell me
               where he really is or you're going
               to a funeral.

                                                    CUT TO:

59   INT. THE RENT-A-COP CAR                                              59
     Ryan's listening.     Helpless.   There's nothing he can do.

                            RYAN
               Oh Jesus!    Oh Jesus!!

60   INT. ATTIC / EXT. SAFEHOUSE                                          60
     Jessica drains ghost-white. On the verge of passing out.
     Down below, Ricky shoots baskets, unaware of Hodges closing
     his hand around his gun.

                            GREER
               One.. .

                             JESSICA
               Please!     Please, believe me!
     Ricky plays innocently -- while Hodges now COCKS his pistol.

                            GREER
               Two.
     Frantic, Jessica locks eyes with Hodges, silently pleading
     for him not to do this. Hodges stares back with glacial ice.

                         JESSICA
                   (sobbing uncontrollably)
               Please, he's just a child!

                                                    CUT TO:

61   INT. RENT-A-COP CAR                                                  61
     Ryan is more frenzied than Jessica.

                           RYAN
                    (to himself)
               Goddamn it, listen to her!     She
               doesn't know!!

62   INT. ATTIC / EXT. SAFEHOUSE                                          62
     Ricky backs up to retrieve a high rebound. Jessica watches
     in horror as Hodges begins to slowly DRAW HIS GUN.

                            JESSICA
               No...no.'    I swear that's all I
               know!
     Greer gives a sigh of disbelief --



                                                                   45 .

62                                                                        62





                               GREEK
                  Thre--

                             JESSICA
                  OKAY! ... okay...
                       (breaking down)
                  LAX Airport! There's a bar called
                  Left Field. That's where we met.
                  We were in college on our way to
                  Mardi-gras.

                                                   CUT TO:

63     INT. RENT-A-COP CAR                                                63
       Ryan's completely floored by Jessica's admission.     She knew
       all along?

64     INT. ATTIC - CONTINUOUS                                            64

                           JESSICA
                 Please God, I swear that's the
                 truth. Don't kill my son!

                            GREER
                      (looking impressed)
                 Most people don't get past two.
       Greer signals, and:

.-·>    EXT. SAFEHOUSE - DAY                                              65
       Hodges tucks his gun away...just as Ricky turns around.     The
       kid startles that Hodges was so close.

                               HODGES
                 Okay, kid.     Let's go.

66     INT. ATTIC - CONTINUOUS                                            66
       Jessica watches as her son is led away to the GUEST HOUSE
       across the yard. Once he's inside and out of view, Jessica
       collapses in a heap on the floor.
       Greer is about to exit the attic -- when Jessica speaks.

                            JESSICA
                 You won't get away with this.
                 When I didn't show up at the
                 hospital, someone must have called
                 the police--

                           GREER
                 The police are the last people on
                 earth I'm worried about...
       Greer pulls a Police Scanner out of his jacket and shows it
       to Jessica.

                                                   MATCH CUT TO:



                                                                    46.







^7    RYAN - SITTING IN THE RENT-A-COP CAR                                67
      listening to the call with every fiber of his being.

                            GREER (VO)
                  We get one hit on the scanner about
                  you, we'll be picking out family
                  plots, comprende?
      Suddenly, a HUMMER, with the BASS THUMPING at ear-shattering
      decibels, pulls alongside Ryan's car. DMX.

                             RAP TUNE

                  "SOME NIGGAS THAT YOU DON'T WANNA

                  TRY, (MY NIGGAS) SOME NIGGAS JUST

                  ABOUT DO OR DIE (MY NIGGAS) ..."

                                                 CUT TO:

68    THE ATTIC                                                           68
      Jessica hears it first. The pumping cacophony coming from
      the phone behind the beam. It's subtle at first, but grows
      increasingly louder. She closes her eyes, praying Greer
      won't hear it--
      But Greer does hear it. On the verge of leaving the room,
      Greer stops. Cocks an ear. Instantly, Jessica tries to
      cover it with her own voice.

                             JESSICA
                  Do you honestly expect me to
                  believe we're going to walk away
                  from this alive?
      But Greer isn't listening to her. He strides back into the
      room, listening to the noise under her voice.

                             GREER
                       (to Jessica)
                  Shut up.

69    RYAN - IN THE RENT-A-COP CAR                                        69
      Oblivious of Jessica desperately trying to clue him in.

                             JESSICA (VO)
                  How can I SHUT UP? You threaten to
                  kill my child and you expect me to
                  act like a MUTE?! If this --
      Suddenly, it hits Ryan like a punch to the face.     And he
      scrambles, trying to cover the phone.

                              RYAN
                  Oh shit!   Where's mute?!

~*0   INT. ATTIC - CONTINUOUS                                             70

                            ESSICA
                  ...your child, then--



                                                                  47 .

70                                                                       70




     BLAMM!! -- Greer shoots a hole in the wall next to Jessica's
     head. Afraid, she shuts her mouth... and prays.

     BUT AT EXACTLY THE SAME MOMENT --

71   INT. RENT A COP CAR - CONTINUOUS                                    71
     Ryan finds the MUTE BUTTON.      Presses it and--

72   INT. ATTIC - CONTINUOUS                                             72
     Greer listens intently... and HEARS NOTHING but silence in
     the still attic. Soon, he turns to leave. Only when he's
     gone does Jessica's heart start beating again.

                                                   CUT TO:

73   INT. RENT A COP CAR                                                 73
     The HUMMER finally pulls away.

                             RAP TUNE

                  "(MY NIGGAS) IF THEY COULD (MY
                  NIGGAS) they would (my niggas)...
     As the thumping bass subsides, Ryan sighs with relief.

                                                   CUT TO:
                                                                              x - ·>



 1   INT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - HALLWAY OUTSIDE ATTIC                  74
     Deason and Ellis wait for Greer, who enters, pulling off his
     mask.

                            ELLIS
                  Well?

                             GREER
                  The Left Field sports bar at LAX.

                             ELLIS
                  Are you positive?
     Greer ignores him.    Then turns to Deason.

                             GREER
                  Tell Hodges we move in ten.
     Deason nods and moves off.

                                                   CUT BACK TO:

75   INT. ATTIC                                                          75
     Jessica lies on the floor, sobbing into her knees.
     Soft as an insect's buzz, we can hear Ryan calling to her on
     the broken phone.



                                                                 48.

75                                                                     75





                         RYAN (VO)
               Jessica...? Answer me, goddamn it I
     Soon, his voice pierces the suffocating gloom around her and
     she crawls desperately over to it.

                                                 MATCH CUT TO:

76   INT. RENT-A-COP CAR - IDLING AT THE CURB                          76
     Ryan's freaking out.

                            JESSICA (VO)
               I'm here.

                         RYAN
               You all right?!     I thought they--

                            JESSICA (VO)
               I'm okay.

                         RYAN
               What are you doing?    Why'd you lie
               to them?

77   INTERCUT PHONE CALL - RYAN IN RENT-A-COP CAR/JESSICA IN ATTIC77

                          JESSICA
                    (welling up with tears)
               Do you think I like gambling with
               my son's life?

                         RYAN
               I can't tell. You seem pretty good
               at it --

                         JESSICA
               Don't you see, Ryan? Once they get
               Craig, we're all gonna die.

                          RYAN
               You can't know that for sure.

                          JESSICA
               Be realistic. Does letting us live
               benefit them in any way? No! The
               only chance he's got is if you can
               get to the airport and find him
               before they do.

                         RYAN
               Wait, wait--!

                          JESSICA
               Ryan, please! There's no time!
               Just get to the airport--

                          RYAN
               It's suicide. They'll kill me!



                                                                 49.

77                                                                     77





                  J...      JESSICA
                They won't! You're invisible to
                them! They don't know who you are.
                They don't know anything about you.
                Please! You've got to try!

                           RYAN
                Lady, I've jacked two cars, been
                accused of being a child molester,
                obliterated a car dealership, and
                busted three caps in a Verizon
                store. -- Don't tell me I'm not
                trying!
     Jessica tries another tack.

                          JESSICA
               Look, I have no right to ask you
               this Ryan, but you re my family's
               only chance...and I am asking.
     Something in the way she says that last sentence, a mixture
     of strength and vulnerability, gets through to Ryan.
     And against his own will, he's swayed.

                          RYAN
                    (gives in)
               I'll get the phone to your husband,
               but that's gotta be it, okay?!

 »               *




     Ryan, heading toward the airport, floors the gas.

                                               CUT TO:

78   EXT. BRENTWOOD   NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY                               78
     A PATROL CAR prowls down a quaint residential block. Comes
     to a stop in the driveway of what we know to be Jessica
     Martin's house. Mooney gets out. Knocks.
     The door opens, revealing the ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN from
     before.

                         MOONEY
               Ms. Martin?

                          ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
               Yes?

                          MOONEY
               Jessica Kate Martin?
     The Woman nods. Mooney is plainly disillusioned by the
     woman. Maybe his hunch was wrong...

                          ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
               Cam I help you, Officer...?
     She scans Mooney's badge.



                                                                   50.

78                                                                       78





                           MOONEY
                Mooney.
                     (shakes his head)
                No. No, I guess not. Must've been
                a prank. I m sorry to have
                b9thered you, Ms. Martin. Have a
                nice day.
     The Woman smiles and nods, and Mooney walks off. When he
     gets to his car, he CRUMPLES the paper with Jessica's name
     and address, and shakes his head, chuckling at himself.
     As Mooney drives off--

     THE ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
     walks back into the house and flips open her CELLPHONE. When
     she finishes dialing, a familiar DEEP MALE VOICE answers.

                            DEEP MALE VOICE (VO)
                Hello?

                          ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
                It's Bayback. Remember the Fusco
                brothers?
     Silence.

                           ATTRACTIVE WOMAN (CONT'D)
                Well, I've got an itch that needs
                scatching.

                                                   MATCH CUT TO:

79   INT. A ROOM - DAY                                                   79

     ECU - THE MAN ON THE OTHER END OF THE CALL
     Too close to make out who it is just yet--

                          DEEP MALE VOICE
                What's the problem?

                          ATTRACTIVE WOMAN (VO)
                We're in the middle of a shit
                storm, and I need you to put a
                leash put on an officer.

                            DEEP MALE VOICE
                Who?

                          ATTRACTIVE WOMAN (VO)
                An Officer Mooney from your
                division. Know him?
     Now, we start PULLING BACK, revealing the man's features.

                          DEEP MALE VOICE
                Mooney? He's a desk sergeant.      What
                would you want with him?



                                                              51.

79                                                                  79





                          ATTRACTIVE WOMAN (VO)
               I had to do a B & E and he came
               snooping around the house looking
               for the owner.

                          DEEP MALE VOICE
               And what did you say?

                         ATTRACTIVE WOMAN (VO)
               That I was her, of course.
     Continue PULLING BACK.   We can almost recognize him now...

                         DEEP MALE VOICE
               Did he believe you?

                         ATTRACTIVE   WOMAN   (VO)
               I think so. He said he thought
               someone was pulling a prank on him.

                          DEEP MALE VOICE
               Mooney doing an investigation?
               What's are you really up to?
     The man swivels around in his chair and we see clearly it's--

                          DETECTIVE TOMLIN
               And no bullshit. Right now you're
               entire department's hot, so if I'm
               gonna get in the tub, I've got to
               know how deep it is.

                                                CUT TO:

80   INT. RENT-A-COP CAR - BURNING DOWN SEPULVEDA BOULEVARD         80
     Ryan drives like madman toward the airport, blowing through
     lights. Jessica is frantic.

                          JESSICA (VO)
               Where are you now?!

                          RYAN
               I'll be at the airport in twenty
               minu --

                         JESSICA (VO)
               Twenty minutes! Oh my God, Ryan,
               you've got to drive faster! Please--

                          RYAN
                    (snapping)
               Jessica, this car has a sewing
               machine for an engine! I can't go
               any faster!

                           JESSICA
               Sorry.   I just...



                                                              52.







SI   INTERCUT PHONE CALL - RYAN IN RENT-A-COP CAR/JESSICA IN ATTICS 1
     Jessica's voice trails off as she catches a glimp se of
     herself in an OLD MIRROR standing in the corner.  Bruised.
     Clothes torn. Staring at her own cracked reflect  ion, she
     breaks down, but silently this time, locked in he r own
     personal hell.
     For Ryan, the silence is deafening. Despite his frantic
     driving, he feels her pain. And hates being unable to help.

                          RYAN
               Jessica... ?
     There's an emotional beat, then--

                          JESSICA
               Do you think God will forgive me?

                          RYAN
               What do you mean--?

                          JESSICA
               For what I've done...   For giving
               up Craig...
     Ryan is moved by the emotion in her voice.

                          RYAN
               Jessica, they have your kid. You
               had no choice.

                          JESSICA
               I don't know. I don't know...

                         RYAN
               1 know. I heard what they were
               doing to you over there. You held
               out for as long as you could.

                          JESSICA
                    (grim beat)
               My son and I are going to die here,
               Ryan. They already have us. But
               maybe I could've saved Craig...
     The truth of this has a profound effect on Ryan. And just
     when Jessica is about to lose herself to despair --
     Ryan finds a resolve within himself even he didn't know he
     had.

                          RYAN
               Jessica, listen to me. I promise
               you, I'm not going to let that
               happen. I could care less about
               your money. I'm risking my life
               cause I know I'm gonna get you and
               your family out of this. You hear
               what I'm sayin'?



                                                              53.

81                                                                   81




     There is a moment between them, two people connecting on a
     human level...
     But the moment is suddenly cut short as a STATICKY VOICE
     start bleeding into their phone call -- some BRITISH ASSHOLE
     having his own phone call.

                           BRITISH ASSHOLE (VO)
                -- Yeah, the show just bought me a
                Cadillac XLR convertible. No, you
                can't ride in it. Not until you do
                something with that road kill you
                call hair. And what's with your
                makeup? Kabuki Theatre is not in
                style --

                           RYAN
                     (interrupting)
                Jessica? Are you still there?

                             BRITISH ASSHOLE (VO)
                Hey, hey?!    This is a private call!
     Jessica's voice starts fading as the CROSSTALK gets worse.

                     JESSICA (VO)
               (washed in static)
               I'm..ere, but y...reaking up!

                          BRITISH ASSHOLE (VO)
               Get off my line! Are you there?
               Mom? I

                          RYAN
               Listen dude, this woman's in
               serious --

                          BRITISH ASSHOLE (VO)
               --That's not my problem, lady.
     Lady?! Suddenly, STATIC starts drowning out Ryan's side of
     the call.

                          RYAN
                    (yelling over the static)
               Jessica, don't hang up! You hear
               me?! Whatever happens --

                          BRITISH ASSHOLE (VO)
               Look woman, tell your kidnapping
               story to someone who gives a shit.
     Ryan can't hear Jessica's side of the conversation; only the
     British Asshole's, which comes in loud and clear.

                             RYAN
               Jessica?!     Jessica?!
     As Ryan goes mental, a CAR PASSES HIM on the opp9site side of
     the road -- a new Cadillac XLR convertible! Inside is an
     appropriately asshole-ish looking guy. He could only be the
     British Asshole.

                                                       ,



                                                                  54.

81                                                                      81





                           RYAN (CONT'D)
                 Gotcha.
     Ryan pulls a HARROWING 180 DEGREE TURN, barely missing an
     oncoming car by inches.
     He RACES up to the Cadillac, which has a VANITY PLATE that
     reads, "IDOL MKR." Ryan looks through the window at --

                                                   CUT TO:

82   INT. CADILLAC XLR CONVERTIBLE                                       82
     The driver, who in a typical LA celebrity sighting, turns out
     to be none other than SIMON COWELL, host of American Idol.
     Simon continues his spittle-spraying rant -- at no one.      It
     appears he's using the car's SPEAKERPHONE.

                                                   CUT BACK TO:

83   INT./ EXT. RENT-A-COP CAR - BURNING DOWN SEPULVEDA BLVD.           83
     Ryan eyes Simon's mouth while hearing:

                      SIMON COWELL (VO)
                (over Ryan's cellphone)
                Murdered your housekeeper? Don't
                bullshit me; I work in the Industry
                that invented it you stupid COW!
     Ryan sees Simon Cowell MOUTH THE WORDS "STUPID COW" in synch
     with the conversation. BINGO!
     Ryan floors the Rent-a-cop car ahead of the Cadillac and
     PULLS A 90 DEGREE turn at an intersection; cutting Cowell
     off!
     SCREEEECH! Cowell, trying to avoid a collision, SLAMS on the
     brakes, causing the Cadillac to SKID twenty feet.
     Ryan jumps out of the rent-a-cop car he's left in the middle
     or the intersection and runs over to the Cadillac, banging on
     the window with the .38 Special.
     Cowell practically jumps out of his skin at the sight of the
     gun and the kid with the crazy look in his eyes.

                           SIMON COWELL (CONT'D)

                BLOODY HELL!!

                           RYAN
                Give me that phone... or I shoot
                your car!
     Cowell is prepared to comply -- but suddenly behind them--

     SFX:   HONK-HONK!!



                                                              55 .

83                                                                   83




     -- Ryan notices a 10-TON SEMI heading straight for the Rent-a-
     cop car too late. The DRIVER SLAMS his brakes, but --

     KABLLAAAAMMM!

84   THE RENT-A-COP CAR                                              84
     EXPLODES into tiny pieces of junk as the semi PLOUGHS THROUGH
     IT! Flaming debris rains down around Ryan, and he covers his
     mouth, unable to believe his shitty luck.

                           RYAN
                Ain't that a bitch!
     Ryan turns back to Simon Cowell.

                           RYAN (CONT'D)
                Out of the car! Now!
     Cowell all but dives out.

                          RYAN (CONT'D)
               Where's your phone?!

                           SIMON COWELL
                It's on speaker!
     Ryan turns to the car.    Calls out.

                           RYAN
               Jessica?

                            JESSICA (VO)
               Ryan?!    I'm here!
     Her voice says she can't believe her ears.
     Relieved, Ryan jumps in the Cadillac XLR and tosses his phone
     on the passenger seat, next to a LAPTOP computer. Guns the
     engine and STOMPS the gas.
     As he passes the ruins of his rent-a-cop car, he slows just
     enough to open the Cadillac's door and snatch up his bag of
     Verizon goodies laying on the pavement -- then peels away.
     Practically frothing at the mouth, Simon Cowell chases after
     on foot, cursing as his beautiful new Cadillac disappears in
     the distance --

                           SIMON COWELL
               Your career's over!    YOU HEAR ME?!

               OVER!

85   INT. CADILLAC XLR                                               85
     As Jessica's voice RESOUNDS around him, he notices the
     phone's controlled through the radio. He turns it up.

                     JESSICA (VO)
               (still shaken)
               I thought they... I thought I was--



                                                                     56.

    85                                                                     85





                               RYAN
                    You're okay. It's okay now.

                                                     DISSOLVE TO:

    86   EXT. AIRPORT TERMINAL - ESTABLISHING                              86
         Along with the million other cars, FIND the Cadillac
         threading its way up to the main terminal.

    87   INT. CADILLAC XLR - AIRPORT                                       87
         Ryan tries to avoid eye contact with the TRAFFIC COP
         assisting the flow of cars.

                               RYAN (INTO PHONE)
                    I'm here... Oh shit!
         SCREEEECH! Ryan steps on the brakes, seeing something ahead.
         WHIP PAN AROUND to see what Ryan's staring at. Just ahead,
         JESSICA'S ESCALADE is pulling up to the curb.

                               JESSICA (VO)
                    What?

                              RYAN
                   Your car's here.
         Ryan pulls along side the red curb and watches as four tough-
         looking men exit the vehicle. We recognize them as Greer,
         Deason, Ellis and Hodges.

                              JESSICA (VO)
                   Hurry, Ryan! Just find Craig!
         Ryan hops out -- but stops when the car CALLS OUT TO HIM.

                             JESSICA (CONT'D)
                   Wait, Ryan! What about me--?!
         Ryan searches the car and finds the HANDSET in the armrest.
         As he grabs it and races after Greer into the airport, a
         Traffic Cop comes up to the car.

                              TRAFFIC COP

                   HEY, YOU CAN'T PARK HERE!!
         But it's too late.   Ryan's already gone.

    88   INT. LAX AIRPORT - CONTINUOUS                                     88
         Greer and his men stride through the airport like sharks
         honing in on bleeding prey.
         Soon, the Kidnappers break up into two groups: Greer and
         Ellis heading for the DEPARTURE GATES; Deason and Hodges go
         the other way towards the INFORMATION KIOSK.

^
         Ryan heads toward the --



                                                             57.







R9   INT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT - LAX                                  89
     Greer, who waits in the LINE OF PASSENGERS waiting to pass
     through airport's METAL DETECTORS. This is Ryan's chance.
     He cuts through the line.

                         RYAN
               Oops. Excuse me. Pardon me. My
               grandmother needs her walker...
     Soon, he makes his way to the front, right behind Greer and
     BUMPS into him. As he does, NOTICE --
     ECU of Ryan slyly slipping the rent-a-cop's tiny .38 Special
     into Greer's heavy motorcycle jacket.
     Greer turns, glaring -- But no one's there.
     Greer looks around, and there's a heart-stopping moment that
     we're afraid he's going to notice Ryan, who now stands
     innocently the next line over--
     --but Greer's eyes pass right over him as he scans the crowd.
     Ryan breathes a sigh of relief as Greer finally turns away to
     walk through the metal detector and...

     SFX:   BZZZZZZZTTH
     ...sets off the alarm.

                          DETECTOR OPERATOR
               Excuse me, sir. Would you mind
               emptying your pockets over here?
     Confused, Greer does. He lays his wallet on the table, then
     his keys... Then looks baffled as he pulls out -- the GUN 1

                            DETECTOR OPERATOR (CONT'D)
               Code red!     Code red!
     The response she gets is stunning. SECURITY GUARDS jump out
     of the woodwork with guns drawn. ALARMS go off. SECURITY
     GATES start coming down. Travelers start SCREAMING and

     PANICKING!

                            SECURITY GUARDS

               GET DOWN!    GET ON THE GROUND!!

                            ELLIS
                   (reaching for something)
               Wait, this is a mistake--

                             TENSE GUARD

               HANDS/     HANDS!!
     As one, the entire security force POUNCES on Greer and Ellis,
     TACKLING them to the ground and IMMOBILIZING their limbs.



                                                                58.

89                                                                    89


     And while that chaos is going on, Ryan slowly backs through
     to the metal detector...and starts running for Left Field.

                                                MATCH CUT TO:

90   INT. LAX AIRPORT - METAL DETECTORS - CONTINUOUS                  90
     GREER AND ELLIS are crushed under the dogpile of security.
     Behind them, a door slams open and a formation of NATIONAL
     GUARDSMEN race on-scene, showing just how seriously security
     is taken in the wake of Sept. 11th.

                                                CUT TO:

91   INT. CONCOURSE - LAX                                             91
     Ryan jogs down the concourse when--

                          PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
               Attention travelers. Due to a
               security problem, all persons are
               required to clear the terminal and
               return immediately to the security
               checkpoint at the entrance to
               Concourse B...
     At once, everyone begins filing out of the terminal. Ryan
     looks like a salmon swimming upstream, the only figure moving
     against the tide of people rushing to get out.

                          JESSICA (VO)
               "Left Field" is in Terminal C.

                         RYAN
               Listen to me! They're clearing the
               terminal. Before your husband passes
               me, what does he look like?

                         JESSICA (VO)
               He's thirty-eight. Six feet.     Trim
               build. Thinning hair...

                          RYAN
                    (scanning the passengers)
               That's not enough! What's he
               wearing?

                          JESSICA (VO)
               I don't know! We have completely
               different schedules. I was fast
               aslee p--
                    (thinking it through)
               -- A suit... He wears glasses,
               thick rims, like Buddy Holly or--
     Bingo! The Buddy Holly glasses is what did it. Ryan sees a
     man in the distance hurrying in his direction -- CRAIG.

                            RYAN
               Found him!



                                                                      59.

91                                                                          91


        And just as Ryan bee-lines it towards Craig--

                  VOICE (OS)
        Excuse me, sir--
        Ryan turns and finds a NATIONAL GUARDSMAN right behind him.

                              NATIONAL GUARDSMAN
                   You can't be here now. You have to
                   leave the area.

                               RYAN
                  But --

                               NATIONAL GUARDSMAN
                  Now, sir.
        And as Ryan is marched away he sees--

                                                    CUT TO:

92      GREER AND ELLIS                                                     92
        Knees in their necks.    Hands covering their faces.

                              GREER
-- if you'd just listen to me! I
can explain! Someone reach into my
coat pocket! Goddamn it, reach
into my pocket!

*'V
         A YOUNG GUARDSMAN does -- and in a big reveal, we see that he
         WITHDRAWS A BADGE. A Los Angeles policeman's badge...
       Ryan's jaw drops.      He can't believe it -- they're cops?!

                             YOUNG GUARDSMAN
                  Hey, this one's on the job.

                            RYAN
                  Holy shit, Jessica, these guys are
                  cops!

                               JESSICA (VO)
                  What?!
       The Guardsman's SUPERIOR OFFICER examines it.      Is it real?

                               SUPERIOR OFFICER
                  Run it.
                  (the Guardsman runs off;
                  turns back to Greer)
                  Is that your gun?

                             GREER
                       (hesitates)
                  --yes. Yes. It's my piece.

                            SUPERIOR OFFICER
                  Well, you're supposed to declare it.



                                                                  60.

92                                                                      92





                           GREEK
                I know. We just got focused on a
                rabbit we're here to nab.
     Just then, the Young Guardsman returns.

                          YOUNG GUARDSMAN
                He's clean. Badge matches his I.D.

                      SUPERIOR OFFICER
                (grumbles)
                Unhook 'em. Stand down security.

                                                  MATCH CUT TO:

93   INT. LAX AIRPORT - CONCOURSE - DAY                                 93
     Ryan looks relieved when the airport's alarms SHUT OFF._ The
     P.A. system cheerily thanks everyone for their cooperation
     and, all around, security gates begin to rise.

                          RYAN
                    (noticing; to Guard)
               Hey, can I go now? Can I go?!
     The Guard nods, and Ryan takes off like a shot, racing back
     towards the bar.
     Ryan spots Craig Martin outside the Left Field sports bar.
     Ryan grabs him by the elbow and starts hustling him through
     the concourse.

                         CRAIG
               Hey, what the hell?!    Get your
               hands off m--!!

                         RYAN
               Shut up and keep walking. If they
               see us they'll kill us both.

                          CRAIG
               What--?

                          RYAN
               Your wife sent me.

                          CRAIG
               She did?   But how--?

                          RYAN
               Would you hurry your ass?! You
               need to hide. They're here, and
               they're looking for you. They
               already have your family.
     Craig looks at him, growing terrified.

                          RYAN (CONT'D)
               In here!



                                                               61.

93                                                                   93




     Ryan pulls Craig into the MENS RESTROOM.

                                                  CUT TO:

94   INT. LAX RESTROOM                                               94

                          CRAIG
                I don't understand--

                          RYAN
               It's okay. She'll explain it to you.
                   (into phone)
               Okay, Jessica, I'm handing you over now.

                                                 CUT TO:

95   INTERCUT CALL - JESSICA IN ATTIC/ RYAN IN LAX MENS ROOM         95
     Relief can be traced on Jessica's face.

                         JESSICA
                   (welling up)
               Ryan, you've done so much.     I don't
               know how to repay you...
     An awkward, emotional pause falls between them.

                          RYAN
               Forget about the cash. Just get you
               and y9ur son home safely and we'll
               call it even.

                           JESSICA
               I will.   I promise.

                          RYAN (VO)
               I know you will.
     RYAN hands the cellphone over to Craig.

                          RYAN (CONT'D)
               I'm gonna be outside this door.
               Don't come out unless I get you.
               Got it?

                     CRAIG
               (confused)
               Okay.
     Ryan walks out the restroom door as Craig puts the phone to
     his ear. He sighs with relief -- it's finally over.

                                                 CUT TO:

96   INT. LAX AIRPORT - CONCOURSE - CONTINUOUS                       96
     GREER and ELLIS stride toward the bar.



                                                                  62.

96                                                                      96



                           ELLIS
                     (sotto voce)
                Nice move. What the hell you bring
                a gun for?

                            GREEK
                I didn't.

                         ELLIS
                   (sounding nervous)
               What do you mean?

                          GREER
               Just keep your eyes open!
               Something weird is going on.
     Greer stares daggers at everyone he passes.
     Ellis Io9ks around before glancing down at a PHOTO COPY of a
     California driver's license.

                                                  CUT BACK TO:

97   INT. LAX AIRPORT - OUTSIDE MEN'S ROOM - DAY                        97
     Trying to act inconspicuous, Ryan guards the entrance to the
     Men's Room. He's starts to check out a magazine rack at an
     adjacent concession stand when he hears:

                            CRAIG

               HEY, RYAN?    RYAN!
     Ryan turns. RACK FOCUS past Ryan to Craig standing fifty
     feet back, holding the phone out.

                         CRAIG (CONT'D)
               This isn't my wife.

     ECU ON RYAN'S FACE
     As it sinks in.   Disbelief.    Anger.   Dread.

                          CRAIG (CONT'D)
               My wife's name is Patty. I'm not
               Craig. I'm Paul. Paul Boyd.
     In utter disbelief, Ryan turns back toward the gate -- and
     sees Greer, Ellis, Hodges and Deason, cornering another MAN.
     Tall. Lean. Thinning hair.
     And wearing Buddy Holly glasses.    The real CRAIG MARTIN.

                            RYAN
               Shit!

                                                  MATCH CUT TO:

8    INT. LAX AIRPORT - CONCOURSE - CONTINUOUS                          98
     Greer seizes Craig by the arm.



                                                               63.

98                                                                   98



                              GREEK
                 Make a scene and you'll never see
                 your family again. Now who's here
                 with you?
     Craig's eyes swell with fear.

                            CRAIG
                 Who, what?... No one!   Nobody!

                              GREER
                 Answer me!
     Greer looks around the crowded airport.

                            CRAIG
                 I'll forget I saw anything, just
                 leave them alone!
     Whatever.    Greer manhandles Craig toward the exit.

                            GREER
                 For your family's sake, you better
                 not have done anything stupid.
     RYAN snatches the phone from the bogus Craig Martin -- and
     hauls ass through a sea of travelers, trying to catch up to --

     GREER AND ELLIS
"x
     who scan the crowd bulling their way through throngs of
     people, leading Craig Martin between them.

     BUT RYAN
     Has more difficulty. Gets STALLED and SWEPT AWAY in the
     crowd long enough for the kidnappers to make it outside--

99   INT. ESCALADE - LOADING ZONE - CONTINUOUS                       99
     To their car. Craig is forced into the ESCALADE between
     Greer and Ellis.

                            CRAIG
                 You goddamn animals better not have
                 hu rt --
     Greer surprises him with a vicious ELBOW to the face.

                              GREER
                 Animals?
     Ellis whips a burlap hood over Craig's head and they drive
     off just as--

                                                   CUT TO:



64.



                                                                     65.

 102                                                                       102





                               MARILYN
                    Yes. He said you looked distracted
                    when you left. He wants you to
                    relax, Bob. He said they found
                    that kid you were looking for and
                    that you were right, it was all a
                    prank. Nothing to worry about.

                               MOONEY
                    Yeah, I know.
       She pulls him back down for another kiss.

                               MARILYN
                    What am I gonna do with you?

                              MOONEY
                    You're gonna dance with me all
                    night long, until we're too pooped
                    to pop... Well almost.
       A giggle.    They kiss.

                               MARILYN
                    You'll never change.

                               MOONEY
                    Yes I will, after I shower.
       They both share a laugh.

                                MARILYN
                    Lame ass.   Come on.
       She pushes herself down the hallway and he follows.

                                                     CUT TO:

103    INT. JESSICA'S ESCALADE                                              103
       As it pulls off the road onto the driveway of the kidnappers
       safe house and parks. Craig still wears the hood as Greer
       exits the car.

                                GREER
                    Get out!
       As Craig reaches blindly for a door handle, Ellis opens the
       door and shoves him out onto the driveway. Greer yanks him
       up by his collar.

                                 GREER (CONT'D)

                    GET UP!    WALK!
       With guns at his back, Craig is dragged inside the house.

104    INT. ATTIC                                                          104
                    p
       The darkness is oppressive.       Craig is pushed inside and pulls
       the hood off.



                                                                  66.

104                                                                     104





                            CRAIG
                 Goddamn it, what the hell are you
                 people going to--

                               JESSICA (OS)
                 Craig?
      Craig stops dead, hearing the voice. Scans the cobweb-filled
      room, seeing nothing -- then from the depths of the shadows,
      Jessica materializes looking haunted and lifeless as a ghost.

                               CRAIG
                Jessica?
      Jessica races for the safety of Craig's arms, but just as
      she's about to be embraced, Greer steps forward and YANKS
      Jessica back by her hair. She squeals in pain.

                              CRAIG (CONT'D)

                HEY --/ /
      Craig moves to object, but -- OOF! -- Deason sends him
      gasping to the floor with a sledgehammer fist to the gut.

                           JESSICA
                No, don't hurt him!
      Jessica struggles and, with an annoyed shove, Greer sends her
      spilling into Craig. She hugs tightly against him.
      When Craig gets his wind back, he comes to his knees and
      manages to croak out--

                              CRAIG
                Ricky...?
      Jessica nods gravely. He's here, too. Craig looks at his
      wife's face, bruised and hurt, and tears rise in his eyes.

                           CRAIG (CONT'D)
                Oh, God, Jess... What have they
                done to you?
      But Jessica won't let this moment be about pity.

                           JESSICA
                Who are they, Craig?
      Craig doesn't know what to say.

                          JESSICA (CONT'D)
                Tell them, Craig. Tell them they
                have the wrong family. Tell them
                they've made a mistake--
      But something in his eyes disagrees.

                              JESSICA (CONT'D)
                What?!      What is it?



                                                                     67.

104                                                                        104


               .u          CRAIG
                 This isn't a mistake, Jess.
      And that's all it takes for Jessica's world to shatter.
      GREEK emerges from the shadows, startling them, and backhands
      Craig's jaw with the butt of his gun.

                            GREEK
                 Where is the disc now?
      Blood trickles from the corner of Craig's mouth.

                           CRAIG
                 You have to promise. If I give it
                 to you... you'll let my family go.

                            GREER
                 I'll tell you what, you tell me
                 where it is--
                      (turns his gun on Jessica)
                 --and I won't blow her brains all
                 over you right now.
      Greer traces the barrel of the gun down Jessica's cheek.
      Craig looks utterly helpless.

                           GREEK (CONT'D)
                 Your call Craig. It's an eighty-five
               ''cent bullet to me.

."

.*

 .
      Greer lowers the gun to her neckline( pulls her shirt
      lower... She pleads "no" at Craig with her eyes, but he
      finally breaks.

                          CRAIG
                Okay. Enough, you win.      But if
                anything-

                           GREER
                    (training gun on Craig)
                Just shut up and talk.

                                                     MATCH CUT TO:

105   EXT. SURFACE STREETS - DAY                                           105
      Ryan rides back into the city in a cab.
      He listens some more, then covers the phone's mouthpiece and
      taps the CABBIE on the shoulder.

                           CRAIG (V.O.)
                I dropped it down the mail chute at
                work. It's gotta be in the
                mailroom.

                     JESSICA (VO)
                (for Ryan's benefit,
                weakly)
                You hid it downtown?



                                                                       68 .

105                                                                           105





                              RYAN
                   Change of plans.      I need to get to
                   downtown fast.

                                                      MATCH BACK TO:

106   INT. ATTIC                                                              106
      Greer pulls Craig to his feet.

                                 GREEK
                   Get up.     We're going.

                             CRAIG
                   How will I know she's okay?

                              HODGES
                        (shoving him)
                   Move!
      When he gets near the door, Jessica is overcome with emotion
      and races to her husband.

                               JESSICA
                   Wait!   WAIT!!
      She brushes past Hodges and hugs on tight to her husband,
      tears flowing from her eyes.
v
      Hodges goes to pull them apart, but Greer stops him.        He
      knows this is going to be their last time together.

                              CRAIG
                   I love you.
      Craig squeezes the good years of their marriage into a
      strong, loving embrace. Jessica hugs him closer. Leans into
      his ear to seemingly whisper her love in return -- but what
      she actually whispers takes Craig by surprise.

                              JESSICA
                        (quickly; sotto voce)
                   Pretend I'm telling you that I love
                   you. There's an open phone line in
                   here. You'll have help at the
                   office, but if you give these men
                   what they want, we're dead.
      Jessica kisses her husband on the lips and withdraws, leaving
      Craig with an utterly confused expression on his face. But
      before his look can betray him--

                                GREER
                   Let's go.
      --Greer and Hodges move forward, ushering Craig out of the
      room. When the door locks behind them, Jessica once again
      rushes to the phone.



                                                                  69.

106                                                                     106



                           JESSICA
                 Ryan?! They're going to Fegan
                 Securities, 4th and Figuroa.

                                                 MATCH CUT TO:

107   EXT. 10 FREEWAY - DAY                                             107
      Ryan, in the cab, weaves through cars.

                           RYAN (INTO PHONE)
                 I'm already on my--
      Suddenly, the cab rounds a bend -- and grinds to a halt from
      backed up traffic!

                           RYAN (CONT'D)
                You've gotta be kidding me!
                     (to cabbie)
                Can't you back it up?
      The cabbie tries, but is hopelessly locked in by cars pulling
      up behind him. Shrugs.
      About a hundred yards up the road, Ryan sees the 4th
      Street/Figuroa Exit. He's so close...

                           RYAN (CONT'D)
                Aw, screw this!
      Ryan throws some bills at the driver, hops out the passenger
      side and starts RUNNING.

108   EXT. SURFACE STREETS - DAY                                        108
      A short time later, Ryan( drenched in sweat, sees Craig's
      office building in the distance --

109   EXT. FEGAN SECURITIES, INC. BUILDING - ESTABLISHING           109
      With an all cement exterior (and few windows), it's a
      cellphone user's nightmare.

110   EXT. SURFACE STREETS - DAY                                        110
      As Ryan huffs and puffs toward the building, he sees a BIKE
      MESSENGER bullshitting with a HOT DOG VENDOR. Ryan stops and
      stares at the PACKAGE POUCH on the seat and a flashy red BIKE
      HELMET hanging on the handlebars.
      The helmet is futuristic, like something The Flash might
      wear. Ryan eyes the Messenger, grabs the bike, hops on and
      peddles for dear life toward Craig's building with the
      Messenger hot on his heels.

111   EXT. FEGAN SECURITIES, INC. BUILDING                              111
      As Ryan arrives at the building, the Escalade pulls up in
      front of him and Greer, Hodges and Ellis file into the
      building.



                                                               70.
Ill                                                                  111


      Ryan skids to a stop.   Eyes the carrying pouch...

*12    INT. FEGAN SECURITIES, INC. - LOBBY - DAY                      112
      Ryan, carrying the carrying pouch and bike helmet, enters the
      lobby. Greer and the others disappear into an ELEVATOR.
      N9W inside, STATIC starts playing hell with their connection.
      Fine in some areas, terrible in others.

                           JESSICA (V.O.)
                Wait, we --(bzzt!)--ve to think!
                What --(bzzt!)--re we going to do?

                            RYAN
                 I have an idea...
      Ryan fights his way through the tourists to the elevator bay.
      Quickly scans the DIRECTORY. Among the long list of CPAs,
      there's a MAILROOM on the 3rd floor.

                                                   CUT TO:

113   INT. MOONEY'S BEDROOM - DAY                                    113
      Mooney (looking damn awkward in a suit and tie), lies on the
      bed, watching the news.
      In the background, Marilyn can be seen in the master
      bathroom, sitting before the vanity mirror in her wheelchair.
      She puts on makeup.

                           MARILYN
                In five minutes, I'll need you to
                give me a hand.

                           MOONEY
                Whenever you're ready, hon.
      Still wearing his holster, he shifts uncomfortably on the bed
      as he watches the news.

                          NEWS ANCHOR
                ...and authorities are now asking
                your help in identifying this man--
      Mooney jolts upright as they display A FUZZY PHOTO OF RYAN
      from the Verizon surveillance cameras.

                           NEWS ANCHOR (CONT'D)
                -- believed to be responsible for
                today's bizarre string of crimes,
                most notably the theft of an $80,000
                Cadillac at gunpoint.

                           MOONEY
                What..?
      Mooney watches as they continue to detail Ryan's "wild crime
      spree", but gets the bigger picture, realizing that every
      event --the Verizon store; searching for the Martin kid;



                                                                  71.

113                                                                     113
      stealing the Cadillac -- centers around the cellphone call
      Ryan tried to tell him about this morning.
      Detective gears turning, Mooney reaches for the phone on the
      bedside table. Dials 411.

                           OPERATOR
                 Thank you for using Pacbell. This
                 is Claire, how may I help you?

                            MOONEY
                 I need the phone number for a
                 residence. Jessica Martin in
                 Brentwood.

                           OPERATOR
                 That number is (310) 555-8364.    For
                 an extra seventy five cents-
      Mooney hangs up, dials the number. The phone rings and
      rings. Eventually, an answering machine picks up.

                           JESSICA'S VOICE  (VO)
                Hi, you've reached the hom  e of
                Craig and Jessica Martin.   We can't
                get to the phone right now  , but if
                you leave your name and a   message--
      Mooney listens intently -- and is troubled.

                           MOONEY
                     (to an oblivious Marilyn)
                The woman at the house didn't have
                an accent.
      Marilyn smiles, realizing he's really talking to himself.
      Mooney hangs up, thoughts racing. He reaches behind him, and
      without looking he grabs his wallet and keys.
      He then walks over to Marilyn and kisses the top of her head.
      She knows him, and knows something's up.

                           MOONEY (CONT'D)
                I'm sorry honey( but I have to
                check on something real quick.

                          MARILYN
                You've got to be kidding-

                          MOONEY
                Delay the reservation if you have
                to; I'll be back in twenty minutes.
      And Mooney's gone...

                           MARILYN
                Twenty minutes my foot.

                                                  CUT TO:



                                                               72.







U4    INT. ELEVATOR - DAY                                             114
      A few SECRETARIES get out on the second floor.
      Alone with the others, Greer eyes the mysterious .38 Special.

                            GREER
                      (re: .38 Special)
                 Keep your eyes open.

                                                   CUT TO:

115   INT. FEGAN SECURITIES, INC. - THIRD FLOOR - DAY                115
      Dripping with sweat, Ryan shambles out of the stairwell, the
      bike helmet now strapped to his head and the pouch over his
      shoulder -- just as the ELEVATOR ARRIVES behind him!
      As Greer, Hodges and Craig get out, Ryan turns and searches
      for the mailroom that's supposed to be here! Where the hell
      is-- Ah I He finds it and hustles into --

116   INT. MAILROOM - CONTINUOUS                                     116
      A wide COUNTER separates Ryan and a few BUSINESS MEN and
      WOMEN from the MAIL CLERKS that busily work the other side.
      Ryan leans against the wall, pretending to be an ordinary
      bike messenger waiting for a package as Craig and the dirty
      cops enter, brushing right past him.
      Craig scans the faces of the other patrons as they enter,
      desperately trying to figure out who is his secret ally. He
      ignores Ryan completely, whose face is mostly hidden by the
      tinted plastic VISOR attached to the helmet.
      Craig notices an AGING SECURITY GUARD stationed in the area,
      but knows better than to make any waves.

                      MAILROOM SUPERVISOR
                (recognizing Craig)
                Anything I can help you with Mr.
                Martin?

                           CRAIG
                Hey, Benny. This might sound
                ridiculous, but I dropped a DVD
                mailer into the chute this morning
                and I forgot to put down an
                address.

                           MAILROOM SUPERVISOR
                Happens all the time. Let me see
                what's back there. Gimme a sec'.
      The Supervisor disappears into the back room.
      Greer and Hodges take a seat only a few feet away from Ryan.
      The moment is uncomfortable...and gets infinitely worse as--



                                                               73.

116                                                                  116



                          MAIL CLERK ,
                Excuse me, sir? Sir? Sir?
      Ryan turns, realizing with horror that another MAIL CLERK is
      speaking to him.

                           RYAN
                Me?

                          MAIL CLERK
                You waiting for a package?
      Now everyone's looking at Ryan.     Including Greer.

                           RYAN
                     (facing away)
                Sure, uh... I'm supposed to pick
                something up for Mr. Fountain over
                at the Bonaventure.

                           MAIL CLERK
                From what department?

                           RYAN
                I'm not sure... They said it was a
                contract, though, I know that, so
                what would that be, Legal?

                          MAIL CLERK
                What's the tracking number?

                           RYAN
                     (patting himself down)
                Uh... Right. Tracking number.
      It's looking grim.   Thankfully, the Supervisor reappears.

                           MAILROOM SUPERVISOR
                Mr. Martin? I found a number of
                things that could be what you're
                looking for. Mind coming back to
                take a look?
      Hodges shoots Craig a look, "go".

                           CRAIG
                Sure.
      The Supervisor leads Hodges and Craig away to the back room.
      Unfortunately, Greer stays behind.

                           RYAN
                     (patting himself)
                I might... Maybe it's on the
                clipboard on my bike?
      Ryan watches Greer out of the corner of his eye as Hodges and
      Craig disappear inside the vault.



                                                                 74.

116                                                                    116





                           RYAN (CONT'D)
                 I, uh, may need to call somebody.

                                                  CUT TO:

117   INT. MAILROOM - BACK ROOM                                        117
      There's an entire shelf that serves as a dead letter office.
      One plastic bin is filled with reusable interoffice
      envelopes, another bin is overflowing with small mailers,
      computer disks, unlabeled video tapes, Etc...

                           MAILROOM SUPERVISOR
                Help yourself.
      HODGES cautiously watches Craig shuffle through the mailers,
      opening two or three before finding -- he turns one upside
      down -- and a DVD case slides out!
      A quick glance at the label, "ADT Digital Surveillance'.
      5/19/05 06:00 - 07:00" confirms it's the disc.

                           CRAIG
                This is it.
      Hodges seems uncomfortable with the Supervisor hovering over
      his shoulder.

                            HODGES
                Let's go.

                                                  BACK TO:

118   INT. MAILROOM - CONTINUOUS                                       118
      Ryan now sits by the window, cellphone pressed to his ear.
      Feigning frustration.

                          RYAN
                You believe this? Everyone's got
                their head up their ass over there.
      The Mail Clerk ignores him almost as much as Greer wants to.
      Greer opens his cellphone to make a call, but when the signal
      is no good, he wanders outside the mailroom toward the window
      at the end of the hall.

                          MAIL CLERK
                    (impatiently)
                Sir? You think you could just go
                outside and get your clipboard?
      Just then, Hodges and Craig come marching out of the vault.

                            MAIL CLERK (CONT'D)
                Sir?
      Ryan glances at Greer, momentarily distracted on the phone.
      At Hodges, almost out of the bank. As he and Craig near the
      door --



                                                                  75.

118                                                                     118




      A moment where Craig finally locks eyes with Ryan -- and
      suddenly realizes: This is the guy!
      It's now or never.   Ryan has to do something.

                           MAIL CLERK (CONT'D)
                 Sir!?

                            RYAN
                      (to Clerk)
                 Screw the package.
      Ryan stands and, unable to find anything better, snatches a
      metal HAND TRUCK sitting by the door, and as Hodges walks by--

                           MAIL CLERK

                 WHAT ARE YOU DOING--?!
      -- swings it full-force into Hodges' face -- WHAMM!!   Hodges
      drops like a slaughterhouse cow.
      Instantly, employees hit the ground; scream; run for their
      lives. Craig dives for the DVD case. The Security Guard has
      come to life; drawing down on them.

                           SECURITY GUARD

                FREEZE!
      Craig does.   But Ryan grabs him and moves, racing out of the
      bank.

'-

·/

 "

                           RYAN

                COME ON, LET'S GO!

119   INT. HALLWAY - OUTSIDE MAILROOM - CONTINUOUS                      119
      At the end of the hall, GREER sees Craig and Ryan running out
      of the mailroom. Drops his phone, draws his gun --

                           SECURITY GUARD (OS)

                FREEZE!!
      -- just as the Guard comes running out. His gun was fixed on
      Ryan, but now that he sees Greer with a piece, he trains his
      gun on him instead.

                          SECURITY GUARD (CONT'D)

                DROP YOUR WEAPON!
      Ryan and Craig are struck in the middle of the crossfire.

                           GREER
                     (flashing his badge)

                L.A.P.D.! I'M A COP!

                           SECURITY GUARD

                DROP IT NOW!!
      The instant Ryan and Craig try to escape into a nearby
      stairwell -- Greer turns his gun on the SECURITY GUARD --

      BANG! BANG!



                                                                     76.

119                                                                        119


      -The Security Guard drops and Greer aims his weapon at Craig
      again!
      BANG! -- Greer fires.
      Craig, SHOT IN THE BACK, slams against Ryan with the impact.
      They fall half-in/half-out of the stairwell. Craig weakly
      shoves the DVD into Ryan's hands.

                             CRAIG
                 ..run...
      But Ryan is overwhelmed.       His legs feel like a thousand
      pounds of jelly.

                           CRAIG (CONT'D)
                 ..ruuuUUUUNNNNNN!!
      As Craig slumps to the ground, Ryan stares in shock -- but
      when Greer starts sending a hail of bullets toward them, he
      DIVES into:

120   INT. STAIRWELL - DAY                                                 120
      He starts flying down the stairs...but when he sees four
      BUILDING SECURITY GUARDS racing up from below--

                             RYAN
                Damn!
      --he turns around and starts RUNNING UP instead.

121   INT. MAILROOM - DAY                                                  121
      Hodges gets to his feet. Stumbles out, holding his gushing,
      broken nose. Yells at Greer, who's racing into the stairwell.

                             HODGES
                The kid!!

                             GREER
                No shit.

122   INT. STAIRWELL - DAY                                                 122
      With the Guards and Greer only a floor behind, Ryan thinks
      fast and CHUCKS HIS BIKE HELMET down the corridor, ELBOWS the
      In-Case-Of-Emergency Glass, setting off the FIRE ALARM -- and
      starts running UP.
      Seconds later, when they reach that level, one of the Guards
      sees Ryan's helmet and the broken glass leading away.

                             GUARD
                     (racing down the hall)
                This way!
      The other Guards follow...but Greer isn't convinced.       On a
      hunch, he turns and continues running UP also.
      Peeking over the edge from the floor above--



                                                                  77 .

122                                                                      122



      RYAN
      Sees Greer and Hodges coming.     Big-ass guns out and ready.
      Shit.'
      THE ALARM BELLS SCREAM.     PEOPLE start filling the stairwell
      on every floor.
      Forcing his body to its very limits, Ryan bolts up the stairs
      until he sees the ROOF EXIT on the next floor up. He shoves
      open the nearest door and continues running up to the roof.
      He slips out and silently closes the door behind him just as--

123   INT. STAIRWELL - DAY                                               123
      GREER and HODGES reach the floor beneath. See the door
      swinging shut -- but neither fall for the bait. They runs up
      toward the-

124   EXT. ROOF - DAY                                                    124
      Ryan's eyes SCAN the rooftop. Construction is in progress up
      here; tarpapering. Huge ROLLS OF TARPAPER lie about,
      PALATTES holding supplies covered with TARPS, an industrial

      AIR CONDITIONER...
      Ryan quickly shoves a 2"x4" under the doorknob to jam it.
      Heart pounding, he races to the building's edge and looks
      down. Nothing but a straight drop 60 feet down.
      Footsteps are approaching! POUNDING on the door! Ryan darts
      behind a tarp-covered mass of supplies just as --

125   EXT. ROOF - DAY                                                    125
      GREER shakes the 2"x4" loose.     He and Hodges explode out onto
      the roof, looking for Ryan.
      Greer encircles the huge air-conditioner while Hodges hunts
      behind a large SATELLITE DISH. No Ryan.

                           GREER
                     (to Hodges)
                Here.
      Cop-instincts crackling, Greer stands on one side of the tarp-
      covered stockpile and waits for Hodges to secure the other.
      This is it; they signal go at each other and spring around --
      But Ryan's nowhere to be found!

                             GREER (CONT'D)
                Dammit!
      No, wait! Greer turns and sees a LARGE ALUMINUM CHUTE that
      leads from the roof and elbows down toward a DUMPSTER on
      ground level.



                                                                      78.

125                                                                         125




      Greer peers down the chute for long seconds...but nothing can
      be seen from this angle. It all falls to blackness.

      THE ALARM STOPS.
      Greer cocks his head in the sudden eerie silence. The only
      sounds are INCOHERENT SCREAMS coming from the stairwell. He
      eyes where the chute empties into the dumpster, thinks...

      REVEAL --

126   INT. METAL CHUTE - CONTINUOUS                                         126
      RYAN, wedging himself against the sides of the chute, tries
      to be as still as possible. Every slight movement makes the

      ALUMINUM BUCKLE AND GROAN.
      From his shirt pocket, Jessica's tiny desperate voice pleads.

                             JESSICA (VO)
                  Ryan... ? Ryan, please answer me I
      But Ryan just sits there.    Afraid to move.     Terrified to
      discuss Craig.

127   EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS                                                127
      Greer picks up a large roll of tarpaper and starts lugging it
      toward the open mouth of the chute...

.28   INT. METAL CHUTE - CONTINUOUS                                         128
      Ryan holds his breath.    Trembling.   His leg threatening to
      rabbit-foot again.
      Straining to hear Greer, it's impossible not to hear:

                             JESSICA
                  You have to talk to me! Ryan,
                  please you have to talk to me--.'
      The sweat from his hands causes the tiniest SLIP -- and as he
      catches himself, there is a soft metallic BOOOONG from the
      stressed metal.
      Unable to ignore her pleas any longer, Ryan carefully pulls
      the cellphone from his pocket and presses it to his ear.
      Desperate to console her, Ryan --
      BANG!! The TARPAPER ROLL flies down the chute. Ryan looks
      up to see it angrily launching itself right at him!
      He has to let go of the walls to avoid being hit.      He presses
      himself to one side but --
      WHAM!! The bloodthirsty roll bashes his wrist -- and he DROPS

      SIMON COWELL'S CELLPHONE!



                                                                       79.

128                                                                          128




      Ryan reaches out, but the phone goes sliding down the chute!

                                                     CUT TO:

129   INT. ATTIC                                                             129
      Jessica hears a loud SCRAAAAPE, CRASH and a wash of STATIC.

                               JESSICA
                   Ryan?!    OH MY GOD, RYAN?!   RYAN--?!

130   INT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME                   130
      The hulking Deason hears Jessica's PANICKED VOICE and stands
      with a start. As he moves toward the attic, he notices a
      small RED LIGHT FLASHING behind the bar. As he passes, he
      checks it out and--

                              DEASON

                   WHAT THE--?!
      WHIP PAN DOWN to what Deason sees: The red light is on one
      of the house phones. The LINE-IN-USE INDICATOR.
      And it's lit.
      Shaking like a bear pissing pineapples, Deason rages away
      toward the attic...

                                                    CUT TO:

131   INT. ATTIC - CONTINUOUS                                                131
      Jessica is curling herself into a tiny sobbing ball on the
      floor when -- WHAMM! -- the attic door crashes open. Jessica
      jumps. Deason looms there. Sees the phone.

                              DEASON

                   YOU STUPID BITCH!
      Jessica hurls the phone receiver away.

                             DEASON (CONT'D)

                   WHO HAVE YOU TOLD?! WHO HAVE YOU

                   TOLD?!

                              JESSICA

                   NO, DON 'T H URT M E--
      Deason roars up and grabs Jessica's neck with one hand.
      HURLS her across the attic and into the OLD MIRROR,
      shattering it in a million pieces around her.
      Desperate for anything, Jessica PALMS a TINY SHARD as she
      struggles to her feet. A two-inch chip.

                             DEASON

                   YOU AND YOUR KID ARE DEAD!
      She lowers her arm, defeated, out of breath...        You win.



                                                                         80.

       131                                                                     131





                                    JESSICA
                        Don't hurt me, and I'll do
                        anything... Anything.. .
             There is a promise in what Jessica offers that Deason
             responds to. His fist FLASHES toward her throat, making her
             flinch. But rather than hitting her, he wraps his meaty
             fingers around her throat, almost daring her to stop him.
             Jessica trembles, but that is all, and just as Deason begins
             to enjoy his work, Jessica JABS at his face, but he predicted
             as much and easily moves to deflect it -- SNICKK! -- she
             flicks her wrist up and SLICES the underside of his upper
             arm.
             Deason flinches a little bit, like a bee sting, then laughs
             as he notices the tiny SHARD in her hand--

                              DEASON
                        (sarcastic)
                        Oooh.
             --but that's when he HEARS it. A DRIPPING SOUND. Deason
             looks down at his arm and is confused to see his entire shirt
             sleeve SOAKED IN BLOOD. It literally pours from his arm onto
             the floor like a river.
             Deason drains white; dizzy.      He looks at Jessica, confused.

                                   JESSICA
                        Brachial artery. Pumps up to 30
                        liters of blood per minute...and
                        there's only five liters in the
                        human body.
             Three seconds later, Deason crumbles...and Jessica leaves the
             attic.

                                                         BACK TO:

 132         INT. TRASH CHUTE - DAY                                            132
             RYAN'S still trapped. Sounds of approaching SIRENS in the
             distance. Ryan listens for Greer; is he still there?
             BANG!!   BANG!!   Two more heavy TARPAPER ROLLS come right at
             him!
             The first one he gets lucky with, but the second NAILS HIM
             before bouncing furiously away and Ryan loses his grip
             completely and slides out of control.

 133         EXT. ROOF - DAY                                                   133
             GREER watches amazed when Ryan actually tumbles out of the
             ass-end of the metal chute into the dumpster. He drops the
             next roll of tarpaper ready to go and reaches for his gun --

--.

  -,



                                                         CUT TO:



                                                                   81.





-434    EXT. INSIDE DJUMPSTER - CONTINUOUS                               134
       RYAN is in serious pain.    He frantically fishes through the
       refuse to find:

       SIMON COWELL'S CELLPHONE
       Or rather, what's left of it:      A million shattered pieces
       scattered everywhere.
       Ryan sifts through the plastic debris as if he had secretly
       hoped he could still use it. Yeah, right... He's barely able
       to sit up when --

       BLAM!! BLAM!! BLAM!!
       He ducks back down as bullets ricochet off the steel
       dumpster.
       As SIRENS get louder, closer, Ryan's got to make his move --
       he jumps out of the dumpster, landing on his ass on the
       opposite side of Greer.

       BLAMM-BLAMM-BLAMM!!


       Bullets ricochet off the steel dumpster and Ryan summons his
       courage -- and takes off limping!

135    EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS                                            135
       BLAMM-BLAMM-BLAMM!! Greer's pistol is ill equipped for long-
       range shooting. The kid's too far away by now. He grabs his
       walkie --

                            GREER
                      (into walkie)
                 The kid's outside, headed toward
                 the front of the building--

                            HODGES
                 -Gotta go, boss. The Guard's dead.
       Hodges waits by the rooftop door, looking concerned
       as COPS spill out around him onto the roof.



                            COPS
                 Who the hell's shooting up here?
       Greer points to Ryan bolting around the corner.

                           GREER
                 Sonofabitch shot the poor bastard
                 right in front of us!

                                                   CUT TO:

136    INT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - DAY                                136
       Jessica races across the dead brown lawn toward the guest
       house/prison that holds her son. Getting her first good look



                                                                  82.

136                                                                     136
      at the secluded premises she's on confirms that screaming
      would do no good. She's on her own.
      When she reaches the guest house, she's shocked to find a
      HUGE LOCK on the front door. Frantic, she makes her way
      around the structure to a BIG BAY WINDOW. Though it's
      protected by SECURITY BARS, she can see Ricky through the
      glass.
      Jessica pounds on the glass, and Ricky turns.    When her son
      sees her, he races to the bars.

                              RICKY
                   Mom!

                               JESSICA
                   Baby!   Are you okay?!

                              RICKY
                   I can't get out!
      Jessica looks around for something to bend the bars with.
      There's nothing.

137   EXT. THE MARTIN HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON                            137
      A gold FORD TAURUS pulls up in front. The driver door opens
      and Mooney gets out. Walks to the front door and KNOCKS.
      But this time, there's no answer.
      Mooney rings the bell. Still nothing. Suspicious, he checks
      around the side...and sees the back door SWAYING in the wind.

138   INT. MARTIN HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY                                 138


      Mooney's cop senses scream as he walks inside. A POLICE
      SCANNER chatters in the background. The place is a shambles.
      Someone's been looking for something. He then sees-
      BLOOD STREAKS the floor. It leads from over by the telephone
      to underneath the pantry door.

                             MOONEY
                       (calling into house)
                   Hello? L.A.P.D. Anybody home?
      No answer.    Drawing his gun, Mooney stalks carefully into--

139   INT. MARTIN HOUSE - THE ENTRYWAY - DAY                            139


      A SMALL STAIRCASE leads up to the second floor. As Mooney
      starts up the steps, BOOM UP to the top to REVEAL:

      THE IMPOSTER JESSICA MARTIN (BAYBACK)
      Hiding in ambush at the top of the stairs, gun in hand. She
      listens to Mooney's footsteps and when she thinks he's neared
      the top -- she springs out, blasting away down the staircase!
      But Mooney's not there.



                                                                  83.

139                                                                     139



                            MOONEY
                 Drop your gun, now.   I got you.
      Now we see him. Still down in the entryway, behind some
      cover, gun aimed and steady.

                            MOONEY (CONT'D)
                 I said drop it.'
      Bayback relaxes -- then WHIRLS around, disappearing down the
      hall! Mooney curses and quietly jogs up the stairs,
      following her into--

140   INT. SHADOWY CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS                                140
      A narrow hallway with multiple OPEN DOORWAYS on each side.
      The Imposter Jessica could be hiding in any one of them...
      Taking care not to give himself away, Mooney inches down the
      hallway. And just when he's thinking that he may have
      successfully created an element of surprise for himself--
      SFX: SQUEEEEAK -- the floorboards of the old house groan
      softly -- GIVING HIS POSITION AWAY!
      Instantly Bayback swings out from a doorway right next to
      Mooney, taps her gun to his chest pulls the tang--
      But Mooney DIVES OUT OF THE WAY! BLAMM-BLAMM-BLAMM!!   Two
      miss, but the third shot NAILS HIS SHOULDER!
      OOF! Mooney lands hard. Blood spreading out under his white
      dress shirt. He cocks his head... listening for the sound of-
      BAYBACK EJECTS A MAGAZINE and is about to reload--
      Mooney JUMPS UP, RETURNS FIRE -- slamming Bayback against the
      wall with two .38 caliber slugs. She collapses to the floor.

                            MOONEY
                Damn it!   DAMN IT!!
      Angry, the adrenaline drowning out the pain, Mooney turns to
      the kidnapper laying in the hall, bleeding out. Kicks her
      gun away and kneels.
      But for the first time, Bayback isn't tough.   Just scared.

                          BAYBACK
                ..a-ambulance...

                          MOONEY
                Tell me where Jessica Martin is or
                you bleed to death right here.

                          BAYBACK
                ..p-please..call.. I.. I'm a--
      Fuck this, Mooney kicks her ribs.



                                                                   84.

 140                                                                     140



                            MOONEY

                  WHERE IS SHE?!
       Bayback struggles for air, reaching for him--

                            BAYBACK
                  ...I'm a cop...
       Bayback squeezes her eyes shut against a wave of pain -- and
       DIES. Mooney stares at her. What did she say? Starts
       patting her down.
       And that's when he finds her BADGE.     L.A.P.D.   23rd Precinct.
       She is a cop.

                              MOONEY
                 Oh shit...
       Mooney grits his teeth against a fresh wave of pain and picks
       up the phone, dials 911.

                            MOONEY (CONT'D)
                 Request emergency back up and medical
                 units! Officers down at-

                                                   CUT TO:

 141   EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY                                           141

·»

 -
       Ryan wanders the streets. Checks his wallet -- a measly four
       bucks. Despair overtakes him and he almost gets CRUSHED as a-
       TOW TRUCK speeds by -- An old Hyundai mounts it like a hippo!
       A lightbulb clicks on for Ryan.

                              RYAN
                 Ho - shit!
       Ryan bolts to the nearest BUS STOP just as a BLUE LINE BUS
       pulls up.

                                                   CUT TO:

142    EXT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - DAY                                  142
       Jessica SMASHES A REAR WINDOW with a long thick branch and
       uses it to try to pry the bars apart. The limited leverage
       won't enable her to bend them enough for Ricky to squeeze
       through.

                            RICKY
                 Faster Mom!
       And just then--

       SFX: GRAVEL CRUNCHING IN THE DRIVEWAY
       Jessica leans her head around the back corner of the
       guesthouse -- and sees the Escalade pulling in!



                                                                85.

142                                                                   142





                        JESSICA
                  (to Ricky)
                  Get down! Get down!
       And Jessica DUCKS OUT OF VIEW just as the--

143    EXT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE / INT. ESCALADE                     143
       Pulls into the driveway.
        Greer and his team are going over surveillance photos taken
        from the cameras at the Fegan Securities Building. The
  hotos are useless, though, as Ryan's face is obscured by his
E helmet and visor.

                            GREER
                 These are the best pictures you
                 could get of him?!

                            ELLIS
                 He was wearing a visor.
       Greer glares at him -- no shit -- and throws the pictures .

                            GREER
                 Useless!
       The car parks and Greer storms out, followed by Ellis and
       Hodges. They head for the house, and the moment they enter --
       Jessica reappears. But now she's STARING at something.
       The Escalade.

                            JESSICA
                      (to son; through window)
                 Baby, listen to me. I want you to
                 get away from this window. I want
                 you to go to the other side of the
                 room as far away from the door as
                 you can --

                            RICKY
                 No, don't leave me!     Don't leave
                 me!!
       The terror in his voice breaks Jessica's heart.

                            JESSICA
                 Honey, I'm getting you out of
                 there!

                            RICKY
                 Where are you going?!

                            JESSICA
                 I'm only gonna be gone a second,
                 and then we're gonna go home, but
                 you have to do this first. It's
                 gonna be loud, but don't be scared,
                 okay? Now go find somewhere safe
                 like I told you.



                                                                  86.

143                                                                     143




      Ricky n9ds and runs off into another room of the house.      And
      as Jessica rushes for the Escalade --

                                                  CUT TO:

144   EXT. JESSICA'S HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON                              144


      PARAMEDICS apply a bandage to Mooney's shoulder.      Mooney's
      pretty shaken up.

                           PARAMEDIC #1
                You're lucky. Shot went clean
                through. A few inches either
                way...
      Mooney watches other PARAMEDICS carry sheet-covered corpses
      into awaiting ambulances. Flashbulbs POP from inside.
      A sedan pulls up and Mooney's relieved to see Tomlin get out.

                           DETECTIVE TOMLIN
                What the hell, Moon? It's all over
                the radio.

                           MOONEY
                Jack, she didn't identify herself.

                          DETECTIVE TOMLIN
                What are you saying?

                           MOONEY
                I shot a cop!
                     (lowering his voice)
                Dana Bayback. From the 23rd.     She
                was one of the kidnappers.
      Tomlin looks stunned by the revelation.

                           DETECTIVE TOMLIN
                Let me call the tw9~three. See
                what the hell's going on.
      Tomlin pulls out a cellphone.

                          MOONEY
                I hate to think more cops are
                involved, but--

                           DETECTIVE TOMLIN
                Did she say anything about the
                Martin woman?

                          MOONEY
                ...Never got the chance.
      Detective Tomlin frowns.

                                                 CUT TO:



                                                                  87.







145   EXT. POLICE. IMPOUND YARD - LATE AFTERNOON - ESTABLISHING         145
      A GONZOLEZ TOW TRUCK drives up (like the one we saw at the
      airport), and stops temporarily beside:
      Simon Cowell, from the CADILLAC XLR incident, who stands at
      the window, screaming at the JADED CASHIER.
      His car idles just on the other side of an IMPOSING FENCE.

                               SIMON COWELL
                    Just give me my goddamned car!

                               JADED CASHIER
                    Don't take that tone of voice with
                    me, sir. I've already told you, we
                    do not release vehicles until all
                    impound fees are paid.
      In the E.G., NOTICE Ryan skulking closer, behind the GONZALEZ

      AUTO TOW TRUCK.

                          SIMON COWELL
                But I didn't cause it to get
                impounded! Can't you understand
                that?! It was stolen from me!

                           JADED CASHIER
                Sir, do you want the car back or
                not?
      Noticing Cowell standing at the window, Ryan presses further
      into the shadows, not wanting to be noticed.

                              SIMON COWELL
                Yes!     But I'm not paying for it!
      The Cashier signals a GRUNGY YARD WORKER on the other side of
      the fence.

                           JADED CASHIER
                Nevermind, Howie. Take 'er back.
      Howie nods, and just as he's about to drive the Cadillac back
      into the yard --

                           SIMON COWELL
                Wait, wait! All right you bloody
                fascist, I'll pay. But if there's
                even the slightest scratch on it...
      Howie smiles, thought so, gets out and splits. As Cowell
      angrily starts making out a check, the Cashier flicks the
      switch to open the gate, and as it opens--
      Ryan slips in. He sneaks behind the wheel of the idling
      Cadillac. And the moment Cowell hands over his check --
      VRRRROOOM!!    Ryan burns rubber out of there.



                                                                  88.

145                                                                     145



                            SIMON COWELL (CONT'D)
                 Hey, that's my car!
       Cowell chases it -- and watches in horror as Ryan takes a
       speed bump too fast and TEARS THE REAR BUMPER OFF THE

       CADILLAC XLR CONVERTIBLE IN AN EXPLOSION OF SPARKS!

                            SIMON COWELL (CONT'D)
                 NOooooooo...!!

146   EXT. SURFACE STREETS - LATE AFTERNOON                             146
      As he zooms away, Ryan searches the passenger seat with his
      free hand. He hunts through the car and finds -- HIS BLUE

      TOOTH VIDEO CELL PHONE!

                              RYAN
                 Thank you!
      As he flips it open, his eyes spot THE LAPTOP on the floor of
      the passenger seat.
Ryan thinks, pulls out his SECURITY DVD and pops it in.
At first, the SCREEN is a mere wash of digital gobbledygook--
And as Ryan grunts with frustration --
--a Hi-Res QUICKTIME MOVIE suddenly fills the screen:

47    ANGLE ON LAPTOP MONITOR - FOUR WAY SPLIT SCREEN                   147
      The Fagen Securities Building parking lot. A police pursuit
      in progress. Three Police Cars skillfully box in a BMW with
      TWO HISPANIC YOUTHS, forcing it to come to a dead stop.
      GREER and HODGES explode from their cars, guns drawn.
      BAYBACK and ELLIS come from the back. DEASON appears, and he
      and HODGES yank the teens out of the car, who struggle
      frantically to avoid vicious baton blows. When one decks
      Hodges and tries to run, ELLIS SHOOTS HIM in the back!

      WE QUICKLY PAN TO ANOTHER ANGLE:
      Inside the building, CRAIG gets up from his chair, hurries
      into-

      WE PAN DOWN TO ANOTHER ANGLE
      As Craig enters frame inside the Security Office.   And
      watches live-

      ANOTHER ANGLE:
      GREER wastes no time in SHOOTING the second man execution
      style!



                                                                   89.





-148    IN THE CADILLAC XLR CONVERTIBLE                                  148
       RYAN watches in horror. He PULLS OVER, too riveted to drive
       and watch simultaneously. Finally understanding the
       magnitude of this disc.

149    ANOTHER ANGLE:                                                    149
       And as BAYBACK drags a DEAD HISPANIC YOUTH out of the frame,
       legs disappear off-screen in short bursts.

       PAN DIAGONALLY TO ANOTHER ANGLE:
       And more terrifying, GREER stops picking up shell casings,
       turning his head ominously toward the CAMERA! Noticing us!
       Greer motions to several others; DEASON and BAYBACK, who rush
       OUT OF FRAME toward the front entrance.
       ANGLE ONE: At the SIDE DOOR, ELLIS and HODGES start kicking
       in the door with full force.
       ANGLE TWO: GREER, outside, unholstering his GUN at the

       DELIVERY ENTRANCE.

                                                   BACK TO:

150    EXT. SURFACE STREETS - AFTERNOON                                  150
       RYAN glances at the cellphone in his hand -- gets an idea!

                                                   CUT TO:
151    ANGLE ONE: Ellis and Hodges finally kick open the door and 151
       rush inside--
       ANGLE THREE:     The COPS rush inside the building, consult the
       Directory...
       ANGLE FOUR:    Craig, panicked, reaches over to the DVD
       Recorder --

152    EXT. SURFACE STREETS - AFTERNOON                                  152
       THE LAPTOP MONITOR -- ALL STATIC.    The recording has stopped.

                            RYAN
                 I'm so screwed.
       As Ryan speeds away from the curb, he fingers his cellphone.

       SERIES OF INTENSE SHOTS:

153    INT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - DAY                                  153
       -- GREER walking up the safehouse stairs, step by step
       nearing the attic that Jessica's supposed to still be in...



                                                                  90.





V

 54   EXT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - DAY                                  154
      -- JESSICA quietly opening the door of the Escalade(
      trying not to give herself away. She climbs in behind the
      wheel, and says a silent prayer of thanks when she sees that
      the keys are still dangling in the ignition.

155   EXT. SURFACE STREETS - DAY                                        155
      -- RYAN, in the speeding Cadillac XLR, selects LAST INCOMING
      CALL on the cellphone. Holds his breath.

156   INT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - STAIRWELL LEADING TO ATTIC       156
      As Greer reaches the first landing, the HOUSE PHONE starts
      RINGING. Ignoring it, Greer continues on and is about to turn
      the corner to the attic when --

                           HODGES (OS)
                Boss, you better take this.
      Greer stops, a footstep away from seeing the open attic door.
      From the bottom of the steps, Hodges tosses him a CORDLESS
      PHONE. Greer puts it to his ear.

                             GREER
                What?

                                                  MATCH CUT TO:

.57   EXT. SURFACE STREETS - DAY                                        157
      Ryan, inside the Cadillac XLR, growls into the cellphone.

                          RYAN
                Shut up and listen to me, asswipe.
                I got what you want.

                          MALE VOICE (VO)
                Who is this?

                           RYAN
                You know who this is, shithead!

                                                  CUT TO:

158   INT. TELEMARKET BULL PEN - DAY/EXT. SURFACE STREETS           158
      To our surprise, Ryan isn't talking to Greer...but to the
      same TELEMARKETER that called him earlier.

                           TELEMARKETER
                Look, sir, we can take your name
                off our list if you want, but you
                don't have to get nasty--

                             RYAN (VO)
                What--?    Who is this?

                              TELEMARKETER
                Mark.     At Mastercharge Credit Union-



                                                                     91.

158                                                                        158





                             RYAN (VO)
 *59             A frickin' telemarketer? But I                            159
                 just hit "Last Incoming Call"--
       Ryan suddenly puts it together.

                            RYAN (VO) (CONT'D)
                 You bastard.
       The Telemarketer quickly hangs up before it gets ugly.

                                                      CUT BACK TO:

159    INT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - JUST OUTSIDE ATTIC                     159
       Greer listens intently to a call.   So who is on his end of
       the phone? Tomlin.

                            TOMLIN (VO)
                 Look, Captain, we've got to do
                 everything we can to protect this
                 guy. I mean, shit, with all his
                 years in he's owed a little.

160    INTERCUT CALL - GREER JUST OUTSIDE ATTIC/                           160

       TOMLIN STANDING NEXT TO MOONEY OUTSIDE JESSICA'S HOUSE

                            GREER VO
                 He's with you? How'd he find out?

                            TOMLIN
                 Said something about a kid who came
                 into the station earlier--
       Greer grimaces, putting it together.

                            GREER
                 Early twenties? Stumbled out of
                 Brian Wilson's hamper?

                             TOMLIN
                 Yeah.   Something like that.

                            GREER
                 Tomlin. Take care of him.      No
                 witnesses.
       That's more than Tomlin bargained for.

                            TOMLIN
                 Are you sure that's necessary, sir?

                            GREER
                 You know once the shitstorm starts,
                 there's nothing I can do to save
                 you.

                            TOMLIN
                 Sure. That's what I thought.        I'll
                 tell him.



                                                                   92.

  160                                                                    160




        Tomlin hangs up with a calm FLICK.   The Paramedic finishes up
        Mooney's bandage.

                              PARAMEDIC #1
                   Keep pressure on it until you get
                   it stitched.

                            MOONEY
                  What's the word?

                              TOMLIN
                  Not g9od. I.A.'s not throwing out
                  any lifelines with all that's going
                  on.. .
                        (re: Mooney's sh9ulder)
                  Come on. You can write a statement
                  while I take you to the hospital.

                                                  CUT TO:

  161   INT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - STAIRWELL LEADING TO THE ATTIC 161
        Greer slips the cordless into his jacket pocket, continuing
        up the stairs. Hodges follows, staring expectantly.

                              HODGES
                  Well?   What'd he say?

                             GREER
                  You know a desk jockey named
                  Mooney?

                             HODGES

                  -- HOLY SHIT!
        Greer sees Hodges gaping up the stairwell. Following his
        look, Greer turns...and sees the attic door WIDE OPEN!
        Further in, he can make out Deason's bloody body and the
        rigged-together phone...
        In fact, the only thing Greer doesn't see is Jessica.

                             GREER

                  NO!
        Greer turns and pounds down the stairs.

                                                  BACK TO:

 162    EXT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE - DAY                                 162

        JESSICA - IN THE ESCALADE
        She TWISTS the key and STOMPS the gas, sending the monster
        SUV on a collision course with -- SMASHHH -- the guest house
        window! The bay window SHATTERS and the security bar SNAP
        LIKE TWIGS as the Escalade BULLDOZES through!

--

 *,


        Unable to open the door because of all the debris, Jessica
        rolls down the window and yells to her son --



                                                                   93.

 162                                                                     162



-^               -..           JESSICA
                  Ricky!    Come on!
       -- but he's frozen in fear at all the noise and dust.    He
       shakes his head. No.

                             JESSICA (CONT'D)
                  Baby, please! It's okay now.
                  We're gonna go home!
                       (glances back nervously)
                  Ricky, please!
       Somehow, the kid digs deep and finds the courage to run to
       the Escalade, where his mother scoops him up into the cab
       just as--
       The kitchen door bursts open and Greer's team spills out into
       the yard. They spot her instantly.

                            ELLIS
                  Get out of the car!    Get out of the
                  goddamned car!!
       As they rush at her--

163    EXT. KIDNAPPERS' SAFEHOUSE/INT. ESCALADE - CONTINUOUS             163
       Jessica throws the big car in reverse and tries to back out --
       but the Escalade's stuck! Caught by the debris, the wheels
       just spin.

                              JESSICA
                 Come on!    COME ON!!
       Jessica rocks the car forward, and back. Forward, and back.
       And just as it finally comes loose -- KRRRAAASHHH!!
       The window next to Jessica's head EXPLODES in a shower of
       tempered glass, shocking us. Two arms snake in and wrap
       around Jessica's neck. Greer.
       But Jessica STOMPS ON THE GAS, hoping the big car will pull
       her free.
       It doesn't. As the Escalade surges away across the lawn,
       Greer's vice-like grip holds, PULLING JESSICA OUT the broken
       window and -- THUMP! -- to the guest house debris below.
       As Jessica watches in horror:

       THE DRIVERLESS ESCALADE
       Careens down the driveway and crashes into a pillar.    Hodges
       races over and yanks Ricky out.

       GREER
       Balls his fist in Jessica's hair and yanks her around hard.

                            GREER

                 WHO DID YOU TELL?!



                                                                 94.

163                                                                    163





                            JESSICA
                 Nobody!

                            GREEK

                 LYING BITCH! ! WHO WAS THAT KID IN

                 THE MAIL ROOM?!
      Jessica screams as he yanks her to her knees.

                             RICKY
                 Stop it!   Don't hurt her!!
      Seething mad, Greer rips his gun from its holster and is
      literally about to blow Jessica's brains out when--

      SFX:   THE CORDLESS PHONE IN GREER'S POCKET STARTS RINGING!
      The entire world stops. There's an awkward moment: Jessica
      cowering, Greer recovering, the phone just ringing and
      ringing... The telephone is the only sound in the world,
      getting louder and louder with each ring until--
      Greer answers it.

                            GREER
                 Bad timing, Tomlin.
      But it isn't Tomlin on the phone this time.       It's--

                           RYAN (VO)
                 Feel like a trade?

                                       INTERCUT PHONE CALL:

164   EXT. RYAN IN CADILLAC / EXT. GREER OUTSIDE SAFEHOUSE             164
      Greer snaps his fingers at Hodges, indicating it's Ryan.

                           GREER
                 The mysterious bike messenger.   How
                 did you get this number?
      In the Cadillac, PUSH IN on Ryan t9 show the CELLPHONE MANUAL
      he picked up at the Verizon store in his hand.

                           RYAN
                Gotta love modern technology... My new
                phone knows the numbers of the last
                fifty incoming calls.

                           GREER
                What do you want?

                           RYAN
                Just the woman and her kid.

                           GREER
                Who are you? What's your name?



                                                              95.

164                                                                 164





                           RYAN
                My name is F you. I've got your
                shit, pal, it doesn't work that
                way.

                           GREEK
                Really?
                     (turns to Ellis)
                Go cut the kid's throat.
      Though Ryan's eyes widen in panic, his voice remains cool.

                             RYAN
                Fine.     Your loss.   Nice talking to
                you.
      And Ryan hangs up. He waits nervously, sweating, staring at
      the phone for the longest seconds of his life--

                              RYAN (CONT'D)
                Ring.     C'mon, damn it, ring!   RING!
      Then it does. Ryan waits a couple rings, slowing his
      speeding heart, then nonchalantly picks up.

                          GREER
                So, how do you want to do this?

                          RYAN
                Put on a big ass Ronald McDonald smile,
                apologize to the kid and the woman and
                bring 'em to the Santa Monica pier.

                              GREER (VO)
                No.     Somewhere quieter.

                           RYAN
                Dude, you're lucky I'm still
                talkin' to your sorry ass. You do
                as I say, exactly as I say, or I
                hang up now and slap this bitch on
                Nightline, you know what I'm
                sayin'?
      There's a long beat.

                             GREER (VO)
                Fine.    But you come alone.

                             RYAN
                Done.

                           GREER (VO)
                How will I recognize you?

                           RYAN
                You let me worry about that.
                What's your cell number?

                          GREER (VO)
                (310) 555-8342. An hour then?



                                                                   96.

164                                                                      164





                            RYAN
                 I can hardly wait.
      Ryan hangs up.    A scared, but satisfied smile...

                                                   CUT TO:

165   EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - DAY                                      165
      MOONEY - In the sedan's shotgun seat, is trying to write his
      statement. But with his bad shoulder, it's useless.
      He winces in pain when the sedan jerks at a four-way stop.

                      MOONEY
                (to Tomlin)
                Shouldn't we be on Pico?
      To the right, some PEOPLE wait for a bus.      Tomlin turns left.

                            TOMLIN
                County will have a six hour wait.
                Ten if they know you're a cop.
      Mooney grunts his gratitude as Tomlin heads toward a
      wasteland of warehouses. And just as any potential witnesses
      vanish from sight --
      Tomlin's cellphone RINGS!      He lowers the gun and answers the
      call.

                            TOMLIN (CONT'D)
                Yeah?

                          GREER (OS)
                Is it taken care of?

                            TOMLIN
                Not yet.

                            GREER (OS)
                Good. We're making a trade with the
                kid at the Santa Monica Pier. Your
                boy can ID the kid for us. Bring him
                down.

                      TOMLIN
                (relieved)
                I'm on it.
      Tomlin flips his phone closed and turns the car around.

                            TOMLIN (CONT'D)
                We caught a break with the kid. He's
                been spotted on the pier. Think you
                can hang on a little longer? Just
                enough to ID the kid before we patch
                you up?
      Mooney clearly doesn't want to say "no."     But it hurts.



                                                               97 .

165                                                                   165





                           TOMLIN (CONT'D)
                 Whaddaya say? Up to you.
      Beat.

                           MOONEY
                 Let's solve the goddamn thing.

                                                  CUT TO:

166   THE OCEAN - SUNSET                                              166
      An AERIAL SHOT at magic hour, tracking up the coast to the --

167   EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - SUNSET                                 167
      Boats clog the water, and th9usands of SPECTATORS line the
      shores of the Pacific, watching the HEAL THE BAY concert on
      the pier.
      With all the CHEERING, DANCING and DRINKING going on, it's
      like Times Square on New Years Eve.

168   EXT. THE BLUFF - CONTINUOUS                                     168
      Ryan drives up in the Cadillac XLR and parks. A group of
      COLLEGE FRIENDS stare enviously at the car as Ryan gets out.

                           ENVIOUS COLLEGE KID
                Lucky bastard...

                           RYAN
                You like it?
                     (tosses him the keys)
                Happy Birthday.
      THUD. The Friends' jaws hit the ground. And as they run to
      the Cadillac XLR, Ryan disappears into the crowd...

169   THE KIDNAPPERS' BLACK VAN - SANTA MONICA PIER                   169
      Creeps down the wooden bridge and stops at the bottom; the
      base of the pier.
      Inside, Hodges sits behind the wheel; Jessica and Ricky lay
      bound and gagged in back.
      Hodges lifts his Nextel and thumbs the button.

                           HODGES
                I'm in position.

                                                  CUT TO:

170   EXT. CAROUSEL ROOF                                              170
      Greer and Ellis are on top of the CAROUSEL BUILDING. Ellis
      lays on his belly with a POLICE SNIPER RIFLE and some fuzzy
      PHOTOS of Ryan from the mailroom.



                                                                   98.

 170                                                                     170





                               GREEK
                  Copy.

 171   POV - THROUGH ELLIS' SNIPER SCOPE                                 171
       Excellent magnification. We skim the faces of the crowd,
       hunting for Ryan and locates HODGES.

                                                   CUT TO:

 172   EXT. CAROUSEL ROOFTOP - OVERLOOKING THE PIER                      172
       Greer is talking to Ellis, who's scanning the crowd ROCKING
       to the concert --

                           GREER
                 Only take the kid out if it's
                 clean. No guess work. The last
                 thing we need's a stampede.
       Greer paces anxiously -- when suddenly his Nextel RINGS.     He
       answers it, though it's hard to hear over the music.

                              GREER (CONT'D)
                 You here?

                              RYAN (VO)
                 Yeah.

·-


       Greer nods to Ellis -- It's him.     Find him.

                            GREER
                 How do you want to do this?

                            RYAN (VO)
                 First show me that Jessica and the
                 kid are okay.

                            GREER
                 Do you have the disc?

                               RYAN (VO)
                 Yes.     Where are they?

                           GREER
                 See the black van at the bottom of
                 the bridge? Passenger side window.

                             RYAN (VO)
                 Hang on.
                      (beat)
                 Okay, got it.
       Greer muffles the phone against his leg.     Whispers to Ellis:

                            GREER
                 He's within visual of the car.
       Greer takes his police walkie and toggles it.

*'

 *



                                                               99.

172                                                                  172





                            GREEK (INTO WALKIE) (CONT'D)
                 Hodges, show the woman. Lower the
                 passenger side window only.

                                                   CUT TO:

173   EXT. KIDNAPPERS' VAN                                           173
      The PASSENGER-SIDE TINTED WINDOW rolls down.
      Hodges sits Jessica up, then her kid, displaying them for a
      few seconds before powering the window back up.

                                                   CUT TO:

174   EXT. CAROUSEL ROOFTOP                                          174

                           GREER (INTO PHONE)
                 Did you see that?

                             RYAN (VO)
                 Yes.
      Greer muffles the phone again.      Whispers to Ellis.

                           GREER
                He's around the passenger side.
                Have you found him yet?

                             ELLIS (VO)
                No.
                     (throws his photos)
                I don't know what the hell he looks
                like!

                          GREER
                He's the one on the cellphone, you
                idiot 1

175   POV - ELLIS - THROUGH HIS SNIPER SCOPE                         175
      Everyone in the crowd is on a cellphone.

                          ELLIS (VO)
                Everyone's on a cellphone! I've
                got like fifty possible targets
                here!
      Ellis' cross hairs flit from one person on a cell, to
      another, to another...

                                                  CUT TO:

176   EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER                                         176
      TOMLIN AND MOONEY move along the crowd, scanning the sea of
      spectators for Ryan. Mooney moves more slowly behind Tomlin,
      skin looking pale, sheened in sweat and laboring for breath
      as they hike up the bridge.



                                                                        100.





     77   EXT. CAROUSEL ROOFTOP                                                177

                                  GREER
                     Your turn.    Now you show me
                     something.

                               RYAN (VO)
                     No. Put them on the Ferris wheel.
                     I want to see them safe first.

                                GREER
                     That wasn't part of the deal.

                                RYAN (VO)
                     Deal's changed.

                                                        MATCH CUT TO:

 178      EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - BLUFF - NIGHT                               178
          The top of the bluffs, overlooking the pier below.       Among the
          crowd, some SKATE RATS scare the ELDERLY.

                                  RYAN (VO)
                    I've been thinking. Does me no
                    good to hand over the DVD and then
                    you and the funky bunch take us
                    out.
-x

                               GREER (VO)
                    I swore I wouldn't do that.

                               RYAN
                    Like you swore to protect and
                    serve?
          The reference brings Greer up short.       There's a moment, then:

                               GREER
                    You know a lot...

                              RYAN
                    And I'll forget a lot, too. But
                    not until they're both out of
                    danger.
          Now PAN AROUND TO REVEAL Ryan among the crowd, wearing a
          SURFING WINDBREAKER; HOODED with WATERPROOF POCKETS -- but
          where's his cellphone?
          Moving closer, we see Ryan's wearing the EARBUD MIKE from the
          Verizon store. With the earbud concealed under the loose
          hood, Ryan looks like anyone else just watching the show.

                               RYAN (CONT'D)
                    Your choice, man. The Martins or
                    the DVD. Either way, I'm not
                    hanging around any longer. You got
                    five seconds, then I disconnect
                    your ass.



                                                                 101.

178                                                                     178



                            GREEK
                 You sure you know what you're
                 doing?

                               RYAN
                 One...     Two...
      On the other end of the phone:

179   EXT. CAROUSEL ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS                                179
      GREER wrestles with his better judgment--

                              RYAN
                 Three...    Four...
      --but Ryan's got him by the balls.     Angrily, Greer lifts his
      walkie.

                           GREER
                Okay! Okay.
                     (into walkie)
                Hodges, put 'em on the Ferris
                wheel.

                              HODGES (VO)
                What? I

                           GREER
                Shut up and do it!

                          RYAN
                Not bad. Most people never get
                past two.
      Greer flinches as his own taunts are used against him.

                           GREER
                     (to Ellis)
                Keep an eye on them. As soon as we
                make the trade, take the woman and
                her kid out.

                                                  CUT TO:

180   EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - BLUFF - NIGHT                            180
      RYAN watches from a distance as Hodges exits the van.

                          GREER (VO)
                Don't screw me kid, y9u won't live
                long enough to enjoy it.

                           RYAN
                Oooh, I think I just pissed myself.
      Ryan looks optimistic when Hodges gets out and opens the back
      door. And just as he's on the brink of success--

                              FEMALE VOICE (OS)

                HEY--!



                                                                   102.

 180                                                                      180


        A woman's HAND grabs the hood of Ryan's windbreaker and rips
        it away from his face. Wheels him around. It's:

                             CHLOE
                  There you are! Where the hell were
                  you! ?

                               RYAN
                  Chloe!    Get away from here!

                            CHLOE
                  Know how many hours I waited for
                  you to bring back those stupid
                  shirts?! What'd you do? Sell them
                  on the Prominade yourself--?
        But Ryan's got no time for this.

                                 RYAN

                  GO!    NOW!!

181     EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - NIGHT                                    181
       A sickly-looking MOONEY glances at the commotion -- and sees
       the hoodless Ryan.

                             MOONEY
                       (motioning to Tomlin)
                  That's him! There he is!

 12     EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - BLUFF - NIGHT                            182
       Ryan desperately tries to shoo Chloe away.

                            RYAN
                  It isn't safe to talk, get it? I --
                  People are after me!

                             CHLOE
                      (shrugs free)
                  What -- are you high?
       Suddenly, Mooney steps up beside Ryan and grabs him.

                        MOONEY
                  (winded)
                  I've been..looking for..you, kid--
       But Ryan struggles, thinking Mooney is with the bad guys.
       Mooney grabs him as he tries to make a break for it.

                            RYAN
                 Let go of me! Sonofabitch, let go!

                                                   MATCH CUT TO:

183    EXT. CAROUSEL ROOF - NIGHT                                         183
-s
       GREER's pissed.     Pacing on the roof, when:



                                                                 103.

183                                                                     183


               t_             ELLIS
                    I've got him!
      Instantly, Greer jams the walkie to his face, and we--

                                                CUT TO:

184   INT. THE KIDNAPPERS' VAN - NIGHT                                  184
      HODGES is about to let Jessica out of the van, when he hears--

                          GREER (OVER WALKIE)
                Hodges, do not let them go! Do you
                hear me? Do not let them go!

                                                BACK TO:

185   EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - NIGHT                                    185


      RYAN struggles with Mooney. The crowd completely ignores
      them in favor of the raucous concert.
      In the heat of battle, Ryan's cellphone clatters by Chloe' s
      feet.

                          MOONEY
                    (sweating profusely)
                Jesus, kid, calm down!!
      Trying to break Mooney's stronghold, Ryan SHOVES him
      backwards, SLAMMING his injured shoulder into the PIER

      RAILING.
      Mooney SCREAMS out in pain and grabs his shoulder, releasing--
      Ryan, who BREAKS AWAY and turns to see Mooney COLLAPSE to the
      ground, holding his blood-soaked shoulder. Ryan looks over
      to Chloe, whose face is a combination of shock and confusion.

                           CHLOE
                Oh my God--
                     (checking Mooney)
                Someone call 911!
      A CROWD starts to gather when --
      Ryan feels the barrel of a gun nudging his back.     Tomlin's
      gun.

                           TOMLIN
                It's over kid.
      Fuck! Ryan's got no choice but to slowly walk toward the end
      of the pier.
      MOONEY - From his prone position, he catches a glimpse of
      Tomlin backing Ryan quietly into the crowd. Not trying to
      help. Not calling for an ambulance. In that instant, Mooney
      knows he's been betrayed. Tomlin's in on this.



                                                                 104.

185                                                                     185



                              TOMLIN (CONT'D)
                   For all the trouble you've caused,
                   you'd better have that goddamned
                   disc. Where is it?
      Just then, Greer appears through the crowd ahead of him.
      Like a nightmare, he closes in.
      Ryan slowly slips his phone into a waterproof pocket in his
      windbreaker and zips it up.

                                RYAN
                   Aw shit...
      Ryan's world is spinning -- the NOISE, the CROWDS, the

      TENSION...
      He KICKS BACK hard into Tomlin's SHIN. It is enough for
      Tomlin to release his grip and Ryan bolts.
      Tomlin recovers and raises his GUN to get a bead on Ryan, but
      it causes the crowd around him to PANIC.

                              CROWD GOER (OS)
                   Dude's gotta gun!
      Ryan navigates through the fleeing crowd and turns to see
      Greer and Tomlin quickly gaining ground.
      He has to make a choice, either go over the railing, or deal
      with Greer and Tomlin. Ryan decides on the ocean. He runs
      to a MAN FISHING WITH HIS SON and uses their ice chest as a
      step. Just as he JUMPS THE RAIL -- Tomlin gets off a SHOT!
      SLIIIIIICEE!!! The bullet tears through Ryan's shoulder as
      he spins headlong into the Pacific!
      TOMLIN AND GREER run to the railing and see Ryan HIT the
      CHOPPY WATER below.

                              GREER
                   Under the pier. Go! Go!

186   UNDERWATER POV                                                    186
      Ryan flails, panicking, exhaling all his air and sucking in
      the dark water of the ocean --

187   UNDERWATER                                                        187
      Ryan is struggling. Bleeding. Sinking. Dying. His lungs
      convulse, trying to breathe, burning like a thousand red-hot
      needles are pushing their way through his chest.
      The WAVES POUND against the thick pylons below the pier. Just
      as Ryan comes up for air he's SLAMMED into a wooden pylon!
      Ryan fights for his life as the surge churns him underwater,
      BASHING him repeatedly against the pillars. It's not pretty.



                                                                  105.

 187                                                                     187


       As he struggles toward the shore, he's constantly thrown back
       and forth underwater like a rag doll.

                                                    CUT TO:

188    EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - NIGHT                                    188
       TOMLIN races down the pier towards the beach --
       GREEK aims his weapon at the ocean, daring Ryan to surface.

                                                    CUT TO:

189    EXT. UNDER THE SANTA MONICA PIER - BEACH - NIGHT                  189
       Ryan finally makes it to shore; coughing, retching. He crawls
       up the sand, out of breath, blood trailing behind him.
       He unzips the waterproof pocket of his shorts, pulling out
       the cellphone, which thank God is actually dry. Ryan forces
       himself into action; stumbling, exhausted into a --

190    INT. STORAGE DORY - UNDER THE PIER - NIGHT                        190
       The place is dark. Empty. An array of rowing shells covered
       in ghostly, flapping tarps make the place look vaguely haunted.
       This place is also filled with storage equipment, such as
       buoys and safety netting used by the beach patrol.

                                                    CUT TO:

191    EXT. UNDER THE SANTA MONICA PIER - BEACH - NIGHT                  191
       TOMLIN - racing through the sand under the pier. He spots
       Ryan's bloody footprints and follows them toward the --

192    INT. DORY - NIGHT                                                 192


       RYAN - sees Tomlin coming.   Ryan's trapped like a rat -- and
       dripping blood everywhere.
       He looks for anything that'll save him, but finds only
       useless boating tools (sanders, saws, box cutters, etc.)

                           RYAN
                     (to himself)
                 Think! Think!

193    EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - NIGHT                                    193


       Chloe hands Mooney a cup of water and frantically looks
       around for the paramedics. Mooney starts rising to his feet.

                            CHLOE
                 You better lie still. The
                 paramedics should be here shortly.
       But Mooney's obstinate.   He rises despite her best efforts.



                                                                 106.

193                                                                     193





                             MOONEY
                  Just keep that ambulance close by.
      And as he stumbles off--

194   INT. THE DORY ENTRANCE - NIGHT                                     194
      TOMLIN - By the time his eyes adjust to the dark, Ryan is
      nowhere to be seen. TARPS undulate over jumbles of boxes and
      equipment everywhere -- a hundred places to hide.
      Alone, Tomlin stalks among the equipment.     Gun out.   Hunting
      Ryan like a snake on the scent or prey.

                            TOMLIN
                 You're wounded kid, just give me
                 what I came for, and I'll let you
                 all go.
      Police sirens in the distance grow louder.
      Tomlin's offer goes unanswered.    That's when he notices the
      BLOOD on the ground. Tomlin smiles, following Ryan's trail
      to a PILE OF BLOOD-SMEARED TARPS -- where the trail ends!
      It's obvious Ryan used these to staunch his wound. Shit!
      He's gonna have to search this whole place--
      Then, suddenly, Tomlin gets an idea. He pulls out his phone,
      making sure it's concealed from view, and writes a TEXT
      MESSAGE to--
x95   EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - NIGHT                                     195
      Greer pulls out his ringing cell phone. On the text screen
      it says, "CALL HIM". Greer flashes an wicked grin, and dials
      the last number on his call log.

                                                  CUT TO:

196   INT. DORY - CONTINUOUS                                             196
      Tomlin's ready to pounce.
      SFX:   Nearby, Ryan's cellphone starts to RING, betraying him!
      Instantly, Tomlin hones in on the noise -- coming from under
      a bulky tarp along the far wall -- and EMPTIES HIS GUN at it!
      The tarp shreds. Nothing could survive the assault.
      Tomlin walks calmly across the room to stand before the tarp.

                            TOMLIN
                 Shoulda stayed at home this
                 morning, kid.
      And just then, Tomlin throws off the shredded tarp exposing--
      Ryan's cellphone.   And nothing else.



                                                              107 .

196                                                                   196





               ^_        RYAN (OS)
                Funny. I was about to say the same
                to you.

                             TOMLIN
                What the--
      And in the instant Tomlin realizes he's been tricked, he
      turns and--

      WHAM!


      RYAN HITS TOMLIN in the face with a 2x4, SMASHING his TEETH
      and sending him backwards. Before Tomlin has time to
      rec9ver, Ryan swings again. CRACK! -- And his KNEE CAP is
      obliterated. Ryan, looking like a psychotic Babe Ruth, gives
      Tomlin two more vicious WHACKS before grabbing his cellphone
      and high-tailing it out of there.

                                                CUT TO:

197   INT. KIDNAPPERS' VAN - NIGHT                                    197
      HODGES - has no luck on the walkie.

                          HODGES
                Tomlin? Anyone copy?
      Jessica, cuffed from behind, covertly wriggles the handcuffs
      under her ass toward her feet. Ricky, terrified, screams
      "no" with his eyes. But she knows she's out of time.

                                                CUT TO:

198   EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH - NIGHT                                 198
      RYAN - losing blood, he does his best to move quickly through
      the sand. He stumbles, but regains his footing as he makes
      his way towards the STAIRS LEADING UP TO THE PIER.

                                                CUT TO:

199   EXT. CAROUSEL ROOF - NIGHT                                      199
      ELLIS - still on the roof, scans the pier.

200   POV - THROUGH ELLIS' SNIPER SCOPE                               200
      Hodges locates Ryan emerging from the stairs.

                            ELLIS
                Got him.   He's in the parking lot.

                                                CUT TO:

201   INT. KIDNAPPERS' VAN - NIGHT                                    201
      HODGES - listening intently to the walkie.



                                                                    108.

   201                                                                     201



                               ELLIS (OS)
                    I've got a clean shot.

                              GREEK (OS)
                    No! We don't have the DVD. Just
                    hold his location. Hodges, parking
                    lot now!
         Just as Hodges reaches for the door handle -- Jessica wraps
         her cuffs around his throat, throws her legs against the back
         of his seat and pulls like her life depended on it.
         Hodges chokes, flails, digs, and claws at the cuffs, but his
         fingertips are no match for Jessica's muscular legs.

                                 JESSICA
                    Ricky run!    Find help!
         Ricky's paralyzed with fear.

                                 JESSICA (CONT'D)

                   RUN!
         Ricky bolts from the car.

                                                         CUT TO:

 202     EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - BRIDGE - NIGHT                           202
·**v,


         POLICE CRUISERS race down the pier bridge, desperately trying
         to avoid the fleeing crowd.

                                                         CUT TO:

 203     INT. KIDNAPPERS' VAN - NIGHT                                      203
         JESSICA - finishes squeezing the last bit of life out of
         Hodges.
         She finally exits the van, but not before grabbing the WALKIE
         TALKIE and GUN.

                                                         BACK TO:

 204     EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT                                          204
         RYAN - sneaking his way through parked cars, heads in the
         direction of the Police Cruisers on the bridge.

                                                         CUT TO:

 205     EXT. CAROUSEL - NIGHT                                             205
         MOONEY - scanning the pier for Ryan, hears-

                              ELLIS (OS)
                   He's heading for the cops.       We
                   should do it now.
         Mooney looks to the roof of the carousel and sees Ellis.



                                                                 10 9.

205                                                                      205



                            MOONEY
                ""Freeze! Drop your weapon!
      Ellis quickly swings his rifle and--
      BAM! Mooney shoots Ellis in the head, causing him to slide
      off the carousel roof.

                                                  CUT BACK TO:

206   EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT                                           206
      RYAN - stopping in his tracks, looks in the direction of the
      gun shot. He turns around only to find --
      A PISTOL pointed right at his face -- Greer's pistol.
      He PUSHES Ryan behind a SUV so as not to be seen by the cops.

                           GREEK
                No more bullshit!     Just give me the
                goddamn disc!
      Ryan slowly unzips his front jacket pocket and removes the

      DVD.
      Greer snatches it and SMASHES it to pieces. Fragments fall
      through the cracks in the pier, to the ocean below.
      Ryan, pale as ghost, knows he's seconds from meeting his
      maker.

                           GREER (CONT'D)
                This is about to be the most
                enjoyable part of an extremely
                shitty day.
      And just as he's about to pull the trigger --
      BLAM!! Jessica fires a WARNING SHOT. Greer( startled, spins
      around to see Jessica pointing Hodges' gun in his face.

                           JESSICA
                Tell me why I shouldn't kill you.
      For the first time, Greer actually looks frightened.
      Recognizing the homicidal look in her eyes, he SPUTTERS, but
      nothing comes out.
      Ryan, weak and pale with blood loss, looks up at his guardian
      angel.

                           RYAN
                Jess... Jessica?     Don't.
      Jessica trembles with rage, a tear falls.

                           JESSICA
                I... I have to.



                                                                       110.

     206                                                                      206





                                    MOONEY (O.S.)
                         Lower the weapon, Jessica.

~---»£-"·-'
              Jessica looks behind her and sees Mooney, surrounded by EIGHT

              POLICE OFFICERS.

                                   MOONEY (CONT'D)
                             (trying to reason with
                             her)
                         Ricky's safe. It's all going to be
                         okay. Put it down.
              Jessica slowly lowers the gun and looks into Ryan's face.

                                    JESSICA
                         Thank you for keeping your promise.
              As the cops move in and drag Greer to his feet, Ryan calls
              out to him.

                                   RYAN
                         Hey man, your shitty day is about
                         to get a whole lot shittier.
              Ryan flips open his phone and on the SCREEN plays the
              SECURITY FOOTAGE of the murder in the parking lot. We see
              that Ryan must've copied the DVD with his videophone.

                                  RYAN (CONT'D)
                        Ain't that a bitch?
              And through the tears, Jessica manages a laugh. A small one.
              But enough to let us know everything's going to be okay. And
              as we PULL BACK on the scene--

                                                        DISSOLVE TO:

  207         INT. HOSPITAL DAYROOM - NIGHT                                   207
              The ECU OF A TELEVISION SCREEN
              showing an aerial shot of the Santa Monica Pier.
              PULL OUT to reveal-
              CHLOE AND RYAN, sitting in a hospital dayroom, engrossed in
              the NEWS REPORT that plays in the far corner of the room.
              Ryan's shoulder has now been BANDAGED, his arm's in a sling.

                                   NEWS ANCHOR
                        ...The Santa Monica Pier was the
                        latest setting in the ongoing 23rd
                        Precinct corruption scandal. Ryan
                        Ackerman, a local resident, risked
                        his life to save a family kidnapped
                        by officers to cover up...
              Chloe strokes Ryan's scalp with her fingers.



                                                                   111.

207                                                                   207





                            CHLOE
               """How does it feel to be a hero?

                            RYAN
                      (re: his wounds)
                 It hurts... But you're making it
                 way better. I'm just glad it's
                 over.

                      CHLOE
                (smiling)
                Modesty can be sexy.

                           RYAN
                 And to think this was our first
                 date.

                           CHLOE
                Next time, skip the shower.
      In the background, Jessica and Ricky exit a hospital room and
      join the two lovebirds.

                           JESSICA
                Craig's very weak, but the doctors
                say it looks promising. He's
                probably going to have to walk with
                a cane, but that's the worst of
                it... I'm just thankful.
      Chloe senses that Jessica and Ryan might need a moment alone.

                           CHLOE
                Come on Ricky, let's get a hot
                chocolate.
      A small smile forms on Ricky's exhausted face. Chloe leads
      Ricky down the hall.

                          JESSICA
                I can't believe I almost lost
                everything that means... I don't
                know how I can ever thank you.

                           RYAN
                I do.
                     (weak smile)
                Don't ever call me again.
      A shared laugh, then as they turn to the television--

      ECU OF SECURITY FOOTAGE OF THE PARKING LOT MURDER
      A CELL PHONE RINGS on a nearby table. They turn to look at
      it, neither one apparently having any idea to whom it might
      belong...
      But this time, as we PULL BACK on the scene, we realize no
      one's going to answer it.

                                                   CUT TO BLACK.




Cellular



Writers :   Larry Cohen  Chris Morgan  J. Mackye Gruber  Eric Bress
Genres :   Action  Crime  Drama  Mystery  Thriller


User Comments







Index    |    Submit    |    Link to IMSDb    |    Disclaimer    |    Privacy policy    |    Contact