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GONE IN 60 SECONDS
by Scott Rosenberg
4/6/99
"I wonder," Toad said to himself presently, "I wonder
if this sort of car starts easily?"
Next moment, hardly knowing how it came about, he
found that he had hold of the handle and was turning
it. As the familiar sound broke forth, the old
passion seized on Toad and completely mastered him,
body and soul ... He increased his pace, and as the
car devoured the street, he was only conscious
that he was Toad once more, Toad at his best and
highest. And he sped he knew not whither, fulfilling
his instincts, living his hour, reckless of what
might come to him... "
-- Kenneth Grahame, "THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS"
"All the redemption I can offer, girl, is beneath this dirty
hood... "
-- Bruce Springsteen, "THUNDER ROAD"
FADE IN:
EXT. LONG BEACH STREET - LOWER GRAND - NIGHT
The streets are empty. Low fog skims the sidewalks below a gray stew
of a sky. It's slightly fuzzy, slightly surreal. The vast Port of Los
Angeles is visible in the b.g... No cars parked here ... No cars
except -
A '67 SHELBY MUSTANG GT-500
Silver with deep grill, its sculptured side panels ending in air
scoops ... All cock and balls, it stands alone in the lonely cool
before dawn ... An old-school totem to speed and style... And then
SOMEONE approaches...
Through the mists of morning ... In leather coat and jack boots ...
He's early 30s, with the vaguely whimsical confidence of a shimmer
that refuses to fade ...
This is RANDALL RAINES, whom they call MEMPHIS - though know one's
quite sure why ... But they do know he's the auto-boost in Southern
California ...
Memphis approaches the Mustang with a gathering awe ... Like a desert
crash survivor coming upon an oasis ... He walks around it ...
Admiring it ... Adoring it ...
But then a FIREBIRD pulls up alongside him. Its driver -
ATLEY JACKSON, early 30s, handsome, jocular leans out for:
ATLEY JACKSON
You gonna steal her or kneel down to
her and pray -- ?
Memphis looks at him, still enthralled...
ATLEY JACKSON (cont'd)
I know, I know ... It's Eleanor ...
Just take her, slick. - -
And Atley drives off slowly, Memphis looks this way and that ...
No one about ... He removes a SLIM JIM from a deep pocket in his
coat... He slims the door panel ... Pops the button ... opens the
door ...
Watch him work. Quick as shit. A SCREWDRIVER appears another
pocket ... He pops the BUTTERFLY to the IGNITION
A RATCHET appears... He strips the mechanism... Now a GIZMO - a,small
socket-like device - is pressed into the
ignition ... A twist of the wrist ... And the 320-bhp 289 V8 rumbles
like a jackhammer. The whole thing took 20 seconds.
He takes a cassette TAPE from another pocket ... Slaps it into the
deck. Bruce Springsteen's "Ramrod" wails from the coaxials.
And Memphis floors it... And off they tear...
The look on his face suggests a supreme satisfaction ... A grand
re-awakening of long-dormant pleasure centers ... A speed Jones,
fixed and fumy ...
He slots in behind Atley Jackson's Firebird ... And slotting in
behind Memphis, in a Z-28, is DONNY ASTRICKY, mid-30s ...
On they go ... The fore and aft car providing escort...
Except that, from seemingly out of nowhere --
A POLICE CAR
appears behind them...
And Donny instantly goes into diversionary tactic ... He races
through a STOP SIGN ... And the cruiser's bubbles flash on ... And
Donny is pulled-over ... Atley and Memphis drive on in their
respective vehicles...
The UNIFORM COP gets out of his car, goes to Donny.
DONNY
Problem, Officer?
POLICEMAN
Yes. You're under arrest -- ?
DONNY
For running a stop sign?
POLICEMAN
For Grand Theft Auto -
And off of Donny's look --
We go to Memphis in the Shelby... As FOUR CRUISERS comes speeding
toward him, sirens wailing...
QUICK SHOTS of Memphis racing the Shelby through the early morning
harbor town streets ... Sirens peel ... Memphis turns up the music
... Pins the gas ... The chase is on ...
Memphis maneuvers the Mustang with a dazzling aplomb... Memphis
gutterballing the car, skating the shoulder, the cops in heavy
pursuit ...
And now he's picked up another CRUISER... He passes Atley Jackson,
heading in the opposite direction... Atley has picked-up a pair of
cruisers himself ...
Memphis on a straightaway now, speeds up, feels the boost. But up
ahead, a ROADBLOCK has formed... How'd they get that deployed so
fast? And behind him, the unmarks blaze ...
Guns his bitch... Straight at the roadblock .. Three CRUISERS and
a PORTABLE WOODEN BARRICADE... Memphis pins her ... ZOOOOOM! Dead-on
to the roadblock ...
And, at the last moment, as the COPS dive out of the way, Memphis
bangs the gear shift into neutral -- yanks the parking brake --
And the Mustang spins on the straight -- Screeching spin ... And
Memphis takes the HARD LEFT ...
And he's managed to outrun them... Finding himself above Lower
Grand... Looking down ...
He can see the secondary pursuit down below ... Atley being
chased... IN THE DISTANCE - Atley is LAUNCHED FROM THE SHOULDER,
the Firebird rolling down a drainage culvert ...
Landing with a sickening thud on its back. Memphis is horrified.
EXT. LOWER GRAND - LATER
Rescue team presence. Atley being hauled out of the wreck... His
leg is a torn mess ... He's barely conscious... A cuffed Donny
Astricky is dragged to a waiting cruiser ...
A POLICE CAR pulls up ... And out steps
DETECTIVE ROLAND CASTLEBECK
of G.R.A.B. The Governor's Regional Auto-theft Bureau. Castlebeck
is mid-50s, black, saturnine. - But don't let the tacit nobility
fool you - the man's a street viper ...
Castlebeck goes to another cop - HAWKINGS..
HAWKINGS
Astricky. And Jackson. No sign of
Raines...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Well, then it's all for naught,
ain't it, Hawkings?
Castlebeck looks out over the mess ... And then looks up...
Because, further down Lower Grand, a car is parked. It is the
Shelby. With Memphis leaning against its hood...
Castlebeck looks around him, but no one's noticed. So he walks
toward it, hand on hip...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
I know you --
MEMPHIS
You know my back -
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
You want to come along quiet?
MEMPHIS
How's Atley -- ?
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Leg's all banged-up. He made a
stupid play ... He'll limp around
the yard up at Folsom. But
Astricky will be there to take
care of him. With their priors,
they're looking at a serious bounce --
MEMPHIS
Let them go --
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
How's that?
MEMPHIS
Let them go. And I'll leave ...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
You'll leave -- ?
MEMPHIS
You don't have anything on me. A
misdee auto-theft. I got no record.
I'll be out in three days, and back at
it. Or you let them go, and I give
you my word. I'm gone. And without the
ringleader ... Your tee-times have
just grown exponentially...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
I don't golf...
And they stare at each other, as Castlebeck considers.
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK (cont'd)
I do this. And I see you again. I'll
come after you with everything I got.
you won't be able to steal a glance
at a blind man without me by your side ...
MEMPHIS
You have my word...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Get out of here, then. Now.
And Memphis makes to get into the Shelby...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Leave the car, Randall ...
Memphis nods ... Takes one last look at the Shelby... Sorry to
leave it behind ... And he runs off into the mists of Lower
Grand ...
Castlebeck walks back toward the crime-scene tumult ...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Arright, let lim go. Cite him for
rolling the stop ... And cite old
Atley for driving to endanger ...
HAWKINGS
What are you talking about, Rollie? We're
springing 'em? Just like that?
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Just like that. Quit your bellyaching,
Hawkings ... And let's wrap this up ...
And off of Donny's surprised look, as Springsteen wails to
crescendo and we
CUT TO:
EXT. INDEPENDENCE, CALIFORNIA - DAY - 6 YEARS LATER
Some 400 miles North of Los Angeles, Independence is a one
horse town, and the horse has died... Single stop light,
single-engine firehouse, single everything. Norman Rockwell
would find this burg a snooze.. - We settle on a small,
GARAGE ... The peeling sign reads:
"L.N. ORR AUTOMOTIVE"
owned and operated by Memphis Raines ... In blue coveralls,
Memphis has a Plymouth Duster up on the lift ... With him is a kid
- TOM, 19... Lightnin' Hopkins' "Automobile Blues" plays through --
MEMPHIS
You know what you got here?
TOM
Not really -
MEMPHIS
There's excessive resistance in the cranking
circuit ... You know what you gotta do -- ?
TOM
Not really --
MEMPHIS
You have any other answers besides
"not really"?
TOM
Not --
MEMPHIS
Right. You want to test the voltage drop ...
Use the voltmeter ... Remove the primary
lead from the ignitioncoil and crank her ...
See what you got ... You understand -- ?
Tom starts to say "not really". Instead, he nods. Memphis takes a
root beer from an old-style machine. He goes out ... front ... To
where an old Denver Pyle-coot - BUDGY - sits on a bench, smoking
an unfiltered Lucky ... Memphis sits beside him, pets the
200-year-old DOG that lounges nearby...
BUDGY
Just can't find good help these days --
MEMPHIS
(re: cigarette)
Those things'll kill ya, Budgy --
BUDGY
They won't have a chance. The bourbon and
bacon'll get me first...
Budgy cackles ... Memphis looks out at the dusty little hamlet ...
Budgy points at a passing car ...
BUDGY (cont'd)
That one -
MEMPHIS
1980 Mercury Cougar. 255 cubic inch V8 ...
Based on the Ford Thunderbird bodyshell;
they modified the chassis, but didn't
improve its performance...
Budgy points at another car ... And we get the sense they play
this game every day...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner. Proof
positive of a single all-powerful Deity.
The first bargain-priced muscle car
ever. They even tuned the horn to
resemble the "beep beep" sound of the
cartoon Road Runner ...
And Budgy looks impressed... As always ...
BUDGY
Damn, you're good
Memphis nods ... Sips his root beer ...
BUDGY (cont'd)
You got to bingo last night?
Memphis looks at him ... Can't believe it himself ...
MEMPHIS
That I did, Budgy. That I did --
And, from inside the garage, there's the most horrific GRIND of
metal on metal, as Tom has started the Plymouth -
TOM (O.S.)
Uh ... Randall -- ?
MEMPHIS
Excuse me --
Memphis goes back into the garage, Budgy cackles.
CUT TO:
EXT. RANCHO PALOS VERDES - BUSINESS DISTRICT
A FORD ESCORT - driving through the upscale streets of Palos
Verdes. Three KIDS, 20, inside ... The driver is FREB, a little
dim; in the back is MIRROR MAN, black, always wears those mirrored
shades ... In the passenger seat is
KIP - Memphis' younger brother ... The car pulls to a stop.
Fancy stores - all of them closed - line this affluent business
district ... Freb consults a piece of paper ...
FREB
The corner of Hawthorne and Granvia.
Tumbler messed up. He said the Lotus
would be at the corner of Hawthorne
and Granvia --
KIP
He didn't mess up. There it is ...
And he points ... To a CORNER BUILDING - EXOTIC MOTORS LTD. Twenty
foot high glass - windows surround a SHOWROOM of EXOTIC DREAM
CARS: Porsches and Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bertones ... And-
there it is, a 1996 LOTUS ESPRIT V8, gleaming in the all-night
showroom lights...
Freb and Mirror Man are startled
FREB
That -- ?
MIRROR MAN
You're shittin', right? Kip?
He grins at them... He ain't shittin'...
FREB
How are we supposed to--
KIP
Pop the trunk. I need my tool ...
Freb scowls ... Pops the trunk ... Kip gets out ... Goes to the
back ... Freb and Mirror Man share a spook --
MIRROR MAN
What tool -- ?
Kip reaches into the trunk.... Comes around to them... He's
carrying A BRICK --
MIRROR MAN (cont'd)
Oh, no --
And Kip walks toward "Exotic Motors"... Calm and cool ...
Ten feet from it ... He winds up ... And HURLS THE BRICK AT
THE WINDOW Which EXPLODES ON IMPACT, a SHOWER OF GLASS
raining down ...
ALARMS SQUEAL
As Kip walks into the showroom, glass crunching underfoot. Freb
and Mirror Man can't believe it --
INT. EXOTIC MOTORS
Kip goes to the Lotus... With nary a glance around, he's got her
open ... The Lotus' ALARM adds its song to the choir ... Kip,
unmindful, gets behind the wheel ... Screwdriver to the
mechanism... The alarm raging in here...
In moments, the V8's massive 349bhp is bellowing... And Mirror Man
climbs in beside him... And off they go ... Laying several inches
of English rubber. Over the broken glass and out of the
showroom...
EXT. CITY STREETS - PALOS VERDES - NIGHT
The Lotus races through these streets ... At high speeds ...
MIRROR MAN
Newsflash, Kip: you're driving a
stolen car
Kip smiles over the ascending speedometer --
KIP
Yeah. Ain't it great -- ?
And he pins her ... VROOOOOM -- !
CUT TO:
A TENNIS BALL
being bounced against the wall ... Caught ... Bounced again ...
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
INT. WAREHOUSE - LONG BEACH HARBOR - NIGHT
A dozen purloined AUTOS are parked here ... And a number of
SHIPPING CONTAINERS ... A thuggish MAN reads the paper ... The
tennis ball bouncer is TUMBLER, 20 ... And he's sitting on a
tilted back chair, and wall-bouncing the ball and annoying the
piss out of
ATLEY JACKSON
whom we remember from the drop-car at our opening ... Atley walks
with a LIMP now... Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
ATLEY JACKSON
Can you stop that, for Chrissake?
TUMBLER
What's your problem, bro ?
Thunk! Thunk!
ATLEY JACKSON
Where are they -- ?
TUMBLER
They'll be here. You nervous, bro? You? Back
in the day, they say you had anti-freeze in
them veins ... What happened -- ?
And Atley intercepts the tennis ball ... And hurls it over to the
far side of the warehouse ... Tumbler merely grins ...
TUMBLER (cont'd)
Relax and enjoy --
EXT. SAN PEDRO STREETS - THE LOTUS
Heading for Long Beach... Stopped at a light ... A CAMARO pulls up
next to them... A KID behind the wheel, a BLONDE beside him...
Kip eyeballs them... Engines are revved... Challenges are
implied... Mirror Man panics ...
MIRROR MAN
Stolen car, Kip. Stolen car, stolen car,
stolen car ...
KIP
Stolen fast car...
And the light turns green ... And he pops the clutch ... And
they are off ... It's a good old fashioned drag race ... Kip
smiles at the blonde ... Mirror Man is freaking out ... Kip's
eyes are on fire ... He clocks the speedometer ...
KIP (cont'd)
It's calibrated for 140 ... Let's see
if these British boys are full of shit
or not --
MIRROR MAN
No way, man --
Yes, way. Kip floors it. They bury the Camaro in its wake... The
gauge rising ... 90, 100, 110 ... Mirror Man is having an
embolism...
They warp-speed by a POLICE CRUISER... Both kids totally unaware
of the POLICE CHOPPER up on high... With them in its sights ...
And they drive ... At last, ending up at --
THE WATERFRONT - A dark latticework of docks and wharves,
warehouses and shipping crates... The freighters are somehow
graceful against the moonlit water ...
INT. WAREHOUSE
Tumbler studies his watch... Now he's a little concerned ... He
looks up ... Atley is glaring at him...
ATLEY JACKSON
Something wrong, Tumbler -- ?
TUMBLER
Yeah. I'm missing Springer --
And then the Lotus pulls into the warehouse... Tumbler flashes
Atley a "told-you-so" smile... Kip and Mirror Man get out of the
car...
Kip walks over to a CLIPBOARD with a magic marker tethered to it
... It is a list of cars ... He draws a black line through "13)
1996 Lotus Esprit V8"... The others are clocking the car...
ATLEY JACKSON
She'll go 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds --
MIRROR MAN
I can vouch for that.
Tumbler passes out 40 oz.s ... The vibe is celebratory...
TUMBLER
Thirteen down ... Thirty-seven to go ...
KIP
No problem -
Bottles are clinked... Beer is sipped ... Only, a HOT WHITE
SPOTLIGHT bores through the skylight ... And the whup-whup of the
chopper's ROTORS... And now the sounds of SIRENS ... And the
thuggish man gets to his feet ...
THUGGISH MAN
Let's get outta here -- !
And they do... Heading out the back ... It's tough for Atley with
his limp ... On the way out:
ATLEY JACKSON
Now you gone and done it, Raines
And they flee ...
INT. WAREHOUSE - LATER - NIGHT
A HALF-DOZEN POLICE CARS. The CHOPPER does the usual
spotlight-trailing... It's turned into a total pig
circus ... A car pulls to a stop ... And out steps Detective
Roland Castlebeck, whom we remember from our opening...
INT. WAREHOUSE
Castlebeck surmises the take ... The cars ... His partner
DETECTIVE DRYCOFF - a sneering Irish boy with zero patience -
comes out from the back ...
DETECTIVE DRYCOFF
They're gone...
Castlebeck nods ... Looks at the cars ...
INT. "L.N. ORR AUTOMOTIVE" - INDEPENDENCE - DUSK
Memphis goes through invoices in the cluttered back office. When a
brand new purple MERCEDES SLK, windows tinted, pulls in out front.
It looks oddly anachronistic here in Independence. Memphis senses
danger. He goes out. Budgy and his dog are here... Budgy looks
spooked... Tom, too ...
MEMPHIS
What's going on -- ?
And standing there, by the Mercedes, like a wraith, is ATLEY
JACKSON, in long leather coat, smoking a cigarette ... As out of
place here as a maggot on a muffin...
ATLEY JACKSON
Well, well, well ...
And he begins to sing...
ATLEY JACKSON (cont'd)
(ANDY GRIFFITH theme)
Da-doo-doo-doo-da-doo-doo-doo, etc.
(laughs)
Are you kidding me, man -- ?
MEMPHIS
Hello, Atley ...
ATLEY JACKSON (re: sign)
L.N. ORR. I get it. Clever ...
Memphis studies him...
MEMPHIS
How's the leg?
ATLEY JACKSON
Only hurts when I breathe. Lookit
you. Where are Barney Fife and Aunt
Bea hanging out? And Opie ... Where's
Opie at?
He laughs some more ... Chain-lights his cig ...
MEMPHIS
What are you doing here?
ATLEY JACKSON
Is there someplace we can talk?
Memphis looks at him...
MEMPHIS
What about?
ATLEY JACKSON
About your brother. And the deeeep
shit he's in --
INT. TEDDY'S TAVERN - NIGHT
A BARMAID sets down a pitcher of beer and two mugs...
WAITRESS
There you go --
MEMPHIS
Thanks, Donna --
She leaves... Atley is staring at him... Memphis shrugs...
ATLEY JACKSON
It's been a long time, Memphis --
MEMPHIS
Six years ...
ATLEY JACKSON
Six years. Shit. Time flies, don't it?
Six years ago we were fartin' through
Armani and pissin' Cristal.
Now look at us ...
MEMPHIS
Tell me about Kip -
Atley takes a sip of his beer,...
ATLEY JACKSON
He took a job. And he fumbled it.
Now he's jammed-up. Jammed-up bad...
MEMPHIS
What kind of job... ?
ATLEY JACKSON
A boost. A big boost ...
MEMPHIS
A boost? What's Kip doing on a boost?
Atley frowns ... Looks at him...
ATLEY JACKSON
You're shittin', right?
Clearly Memphis is not ...
ATLEY JACKSON (cont'd)
Kip's become quite the little
crewrunner since you left. He's been
working a low-rent ring for
two years now. You don't talk to
your Ma?
MEMPHIS
It seems she neglected to mention it
ATLEY JACKSON
Maybe she don't know. Although I don't
see how that could be. Maybe she didn't
want to upset you -
MEMPHIS
Don't feel the need to explore my family
dynamics, Atley...
ATLEY JACKSON
The point is: Kip's been living the
life. Only he's a wild child. Crazy.
Makes our old behavior seem like
altar boy time. But he fungold this
one so bad, folks around L.B.
are already speakin' about him in
the past tense.
Memphis takes a beat ... Sips at his brew ... Then:
MEMPHIS
Who was the job for?
ATLEY JACKSON
Who do you think?
Memphis waits ... In no mood for guessing games ...
ATLEY JACKSON (cont'd)
Calitri, man. Raymond "The Carpenter"
Calitri ... Your favorite and mine ...
Which means nothing to us ... Though the look on Memphis, face
speaks volumes ...
ATLEY JACKSON (cont'd)
I just thought you should know,
man. I kind of had a feeling you
didn't. But I should tell you:
I'm working for him now - The
Carpenter - so if you see him, you
won't mention me coming to get
you... Like I said: I just thought
... I owed you ... And that it was
the right thing to do ...
Memphis nods ... His face clenched in despair. We FADE TO BLACK,
As a SUPER on-screen reads: PART 1: STOLEN MOMENTS
We PRE-LAP J. Geils Band's "Hard-Drivin' Man" and CUT TO:
THREE PLATES OF BACON, EGGS AND HASH BROWNS
placed on the service deck by a short-order COOK...
INT. RUBY'S ALL-NITE - LONG BEACH - NIGHT
A 24-hour diner in the heart of Long Beach... The three plates are
picked-up with an impressive dexterity by
HELEN RAINES
early 60s, clear-eyed... In pink Ruby's uniform and chunky
shoes... Black currant hair striated with wisps of gray... Helen
delivers the plates to a booth of college kids ...
KID
Can I get some more coffee -- ?
HELEN RAINES
Sure, hon ...
And she goes to the coffee station... When
MEMPHIS (O.S.)
Who's a guy gotta know to get a tuna
melt in this joint -- ?
And she turns around to see Memphis standing there. Her expression
displays many things ... Most of them joy ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Hello, Ma --
And she goes to Memphis ... Wraps her arms around him ... Squeezes
tight ...
HELEN RAINES (cont'd)
Oh, Randall ...
She takes his head in her hands ... Kisses his cheek ... Then the
other... Hugs on ... Unmindful of the customers ... The cook
smiles from behind the order wheel ...
COOK
What's the word, Memphis -- ?
MEMPHIS
How ya doing, Ruby -- ?
HELEN RAINES
Come, come, come ...
And she leads him over to a booth ... Barking to the cook - RUBY -
on the way...
HELEN RAINES (cont'd)
Tuna melt on pumpernickel. Provolone,
extra tomato, Dijon... And a chocolate
milk... Lots of syrup...
(to Memphis)
Right?
MEMPHIS
Right ...
And they settle in ... Across the booth from each other ... She
takes his hands...
HELEN RAINES
You look good...
MEMPHIS
You, too, Ma...
HELEN RAINES
What are you doing back?
MEMPHIS
How's Kip?
And Helen flushes, a bit ashamed maybe ...
HELEN RAINES
Have you seen him?
MEMPHIS
No.
HELEN RAINES
oh.
MEMPHIS
Atley Jackson came to see me ...
HELEN RAINES
Atley Jackson. How is that one?
How's the leg... ?
He looks at her ... Beat ...
MEMPHIS
Why didn't you tell me?
HELEN RAINES
I couldn't. I didn't want you to
worry. I thought held sort himself
out. I hardly see him. He comes and
goes. He's in trouble, isn't he?
MEMPHIS
He's in some trouble ...
HELEN RAINES
I knew it. He's changed, Randall. He's a
different boy. He's lost that... That
sweetness ... It's gone ... And I don't
know what to do ...
MEMPHIS
You getting my checks ... ?
HELEN RAINES
Of course ...
ANGLE - RUBY. He's on the PHONE in the kitchen...One eye
on Memphis and Helen --
RUBY
Detective Castlebeck... It's me ...
Yeah... You ain't never gonna guess
who just come in to visit his Ma --
BACK TO - MEMPHIS AND HELEN RAINES ...
HELEN RAINES (cont'd)
You haven't spoken to him in a
while, I guess...
MEMPHIS
He doesn't return my calls. or my
letters ...
HELEN RAINES
Kipling was sixteen when you left, baby.
I don't know what you remember of him.
But you should brace yourself
And, on her sad smile, we PRE-LAP Sammy Hagar's "I Can't Drive 55"
and SLAM CUT TO:
INT. "THE SIDE POCKET" - POOL HALL - NIGHT
A dozen tables... Smells of blue chalk and whiskey... The juke box
cranked... We take it to the back of the joint ... Where Kip, and
Tumbler and Mirror Man are knocking a rack... Freb sits nearby,
with a few badly made-up GIRLS...
TUMBLER
... so ... It's my new move ... It's called
"The Stranger." What I do is, I sit on
my hand for 10 minutes. Till it falls
asleep. Till it's good and numb. No feeling.
And then I jerk off.
GIRL
That's disgusting -
FREB
What's the point, man -- ?
TUMBLER
Cos it's like you're bein' done by a stranger
... It rocks ... It's the power move of the
New Millennium...
He sinks another ball. A kid, 15, TOBY - comes up to them.
TOBY
Hey, Kip, what's up?
KIP
What do you say, Toby?,
TOBY
I'm cool -
TUMBLER
What do you want, shithead?
TOBY
Why you gotta front me like that? I'm
talking to Kip --
TUMBLER
Why don't you leave him alone?
TOBY
I known Kip longing than you, man ...
TUMBLER
Oooh, ain't you the lucky duck --
FREB
Any word, Kip -- ?
KIP
No ... And they won't take my calls ...
FREB
What does that mean -- ?
KIP
It ain't what you'd call a "good sign"
He groks their fear...
KIP (cont'd)
Look - we managed to get 13 in a week.
We just gotta step it up ...
FREB
But we only got till Friday. That's
four days. And we lost the 13. So's
we gotta start over ...
Kip looks at him...
KIP
That, too ...
(off of Freb's look of fright)
Don't sweat it, Freb. We're cool.
ANGLE THE FRONT DOOR. For Memphis has entered. He
clocks the room. Sees them at the rear ... Walks back
KIP
It can be done, man. We just gotta
step it up... It's a challenge ...
MIRROR MAN
The challenge is not to get our nuts
cut-off and shoved down our throats ...
TUMBLER
Can I help you, pal -- ?
And Kip looks up ... To see Memphis there ...
MEMPHIS
Hey, Kip ...
KIP
Hello, Memphis --
TUMBLER
"Memphis?" You're Memphis?
MEMPHIS
That's right...
TUMBLER
Damn. Damn, damn, damn ...
FREB
Memphis. Holy shit. It's an honor,
man --
And he pumps his hand... Memphis continues to stare at Kip
KIP
It's good to see ya, man. You changed
your look -
MEMPHIS
You, too
Hold the stare... The others are excited...
FREB
What are you doing back, Memphis?
MEMPHIS
Little visit. Check on the family.
KIP
It's nice to see ya, man -
He smiles ... Memphis eyeballs him... Toby is there ...
TOBY
Hey, Memphis. Remember me? Toby
Walker. I live next door ...
MEMPHIS
Sure. Hey, Toby. You grew up
TOBY
Yeah, I'm cool ...
And Memphis turns back to Kip, who's picked up a pool cue.
KIP
Who's got next game -- ?
And he makes to rack 'em up ... Then:
MIRROR MAN
I get it. You ain't gotta be a genius:
Memphis come back to save our bacon!
TUMBLER
Shut-up, Mirror Man --
FREB
Izzat true? You come back to save our
bacon?
MIRROR MAN
Of course it's true. He come to save
his brother's dangling ass --
KIP
That can't be it. Cos we don't need
saving
FREB
We don't -- ?
MEMPHIS
He give you an advance -- ?
MIRROR MAN
Hell, yeah. Ten larger man
Kip shoots him a look... As if he's spoken out of turn ...
MEMPHIS
You just give 'im back the money.
All's well...
The others look glum... Kip laughs ... Long and hard...
KIP
"Give lim back the money." "Give 'im
back the money..." Be nice. If only
we didn't drink the money. And smoke
the money. And buy Nikes with the
money. And Sony Play Stations with the
money. And dirty girls with the
money...
And Kip sinks a ball ... Memphis looks at the others ... They
nod... It's true ... The money's gone ...
KIP
But don't worry, man. Things are all
sweetness and light here...
TUMBLER
Things are all leafy and suburban ...
MIRROR MAN
The hell they are --
KIP
Sure they are. Although we do appreciate the
gesture, Memphis. But we do got it handled...
And it was nice to see you -- -
Memphis nods ... Looks at all of them... Smiles ... And then
REACHES OUT, GRABBING Kip by the collar, yanking him to his feet
and in close, nose to nose ...
MEMPHIS
You listen to me, baby brother. You fancy
yourself some reat neat tough guy scumbum,
well, woop-tee-doo, little puppy with a
poundcake. But I remember the days when you
used to steal my Colorforms and eat 'em...
So you can't stop me from saving your
"dangling ass' if that's what I feel like
doing...
And with that, he shoves Kip back down into his seat, toppling the
table, bottles and glasses crashing... And barrels away from them,
the crowd parting like a wound...
Kip's crew left stunned, flustered, and maybe a bit impressed...
TUMBLER
Damn... Homeboy's on the dazzle ...
And, off of Kip's furious look, we CUT TO:
EXT. LONG BEACH HARBOR - NIGHT
A chill in the air. Memphis walks toward a range of lowslung
buildings ...
EXT. WOODBURN SCRAP AND METAL - NIGHT
A virtual cityscape of dismantled automobile carcasses, piled up
high for as far as the eye can see ... A huge FORK LIFT scoops up
a wreck and hauls it over to the CRUSHER... Watch as the car is
FLATTENED, for easy shelving ...
Midnight auto nonpareil ... To one side of the yard is a GARAGE:
Watch as a HONDA ACCORD, with a BLOODY WINDSHIELD, enters the
garage. A young Mexican KID driving.
A SIGN: "LOCK YOUR CAR OR IT MAY BE GONE IN 60 SECONDS!"
INT. GARAGE - CHOP SHOP
A CAR is CHOPPED ... Pulled apart ... Fenders, doors, panels,
interiors, air bags ...
EXT. WOODBURN SCRAP AND METAL - FRONT ENTRANCE
Memphis knocks on the door ... A dog-faced MAN opens it ...
DOG-FACE
Yeah -- ?
MEMPHIS
Randall Raines to see Mr. Calitri ...
INT. WOODBURN SCRAP AND METAL
Memphis follows Dog-face to the back of this building. Follows him
into another room. Which is
A WORKSHOP
An enormous WOODWORKING SHOP, fully tricked-out with state-of-the-
art table saws and drill presses, jointers and power planes.
An antique treadle lathe stands in one corner. A stock layout of
expensive woods - oak, birch, maple, cherry, mahogany - is stacked
against the rear wall ...
Jars and bottles and cakes of glues, resins, stains and bleaches
cram a shelf unit ... There's a MAN here, at a band saw. This is
RAYMOND CALITRI, 59 ...
He wears an apron, protective glasses and a lopsided sneer. A
Richard Widmark motherfucker - with the diamond hard look of a
cobra. The liegelord of downtown...
And now he works the a hand saw, making critical cross-cuts on a
wide panel of maple ... Atley Jackson is here as well ... As noisy
as it is out in the yard, in here, once the door is closed, it's
as SILENT-as a tomb...
A BANK OF MONITORS on one wall show the cars being crushed and
disassembled in the yard. Memphis is led into the room.
Calitri nods and Dog-face leaves the room... Calitri smiles ...
Examines his fresh cut...
CALITRI
Randall Raines ... It's been a long time ...
(looks at his clothes;)
frowns)
'though I do I recall you as a man
with style. You remember your old
friend, Atley -- ?
MEMPHIS
How ya doing?
ATLEY JACKSON
Good to see you, Memphis --
CALITRI
So. What do we owe the honor -- ?
MEMPHIS
It's about my brother ... Kip...
CALITRI
Yes ... Kip ...
He says the name like other men say "cancer." The phone on
his desk BLINKS. Calitri picks it up. Listens. Looks at
one of the monitors. Where the Mexican man is talking to
several Calitri EMPLOYEES. Calitri hangs up...
CALITRI
Excuse me one moment, Randall ...
And he picks up a MORTISE CHISEL on his way out. Palming it ...
INT. GARAGE - THE MEXICAN MAN
is sobbing. As Raymond Calitri marches toward him, glancing at the
bloodied windshield.
CALITRI
You bring this to me in this
condition? Blood and guts all
over it? You make me complicit?
On my property? Who taught you
how to think? And worst of all:
weren't there supposed to be two
Hondas?
THIEF
Please ...
And Calitri, rapid-fire, PUNCTURES the man's belly and chest and
legs with the chisel, old-school prison-shiv style ... Until the
man is on the floor, howling ...
CALITRI
Stupid sonuvabitch...
INT. CALITRI'S WORKSHOP
Memphis can-see this from one of the monitors. He looks at
Atley...
ATLEY JACKSON
Car-jacker. Neglected to clean up after
himself ...
MEMPHIS
Jesus ...
ATLEY JACKSON
The business has changed...
Calitri is back, wiping the sweat from his brow with a rag.
CALITRI
Now. Where were we? Oh, yes. Kip.
MEMPHIS
I don't want him hurt...
Calitri looks at him, then waves a hand around the shop...
CALITRI
I'm proud of this work. The bird
feeder. The wagon wheel planter.
The dollhouse. The drop-leaf movable
server...
He gestures to each item - exquisitely-rendered woodwork. Then
gestures to the yard...
CALITRI (cont'd)
Metal. Steel. It's cold. Ugly. Wood
is warm. Clean. Provided by nature.
To see a piece of furniture take shape.
It's like watching a child grow ...
Memphis glances to Atley... Atley shrugs ...
MEMPHIS
I'm sure you're working your way to
the point. I'll wait right here ...
Calitri blinks. Smiles. Nods...
CALITRI
My point. Yes. Simple, really. I require
the best. I insist on the best. I only
engage the best. Your brother. His
friends. They came to me. They wanted my
paper. He was your brother. You were the
best. Now. They've brought so much
goddamn heat down, I may not be able to
fill this order. Which would be very bad
for me. Which in turn, is very bad for
them...
MEMPHIS
I could kill you. That occurred to me.
When I first heard about this. That I
would kill you ...
CALITRI
Grow up. You don't kill people like me.
People like me die in their sleep at
87 ... Do you know why? Because if
you did kill me, and everyone knew it
was you - for the next ten years they'd
be finding pieces of those you love
scattered all over California ...
Memphis nods, notes a PISTOL, resting on a shelf nearby.
CALITRI (cont'd)
No, no. You don't kill me, because
you can't. You don't take your brother
and run, because we'd find him. You
don't go to the-police, because we have
friends there, too. You do nothing:
except deal with me.
Memphis eyes him...
MEMPHIS
I can come up with the front money.
Pay you back...
CALITRI
Were it only that easy. I have
obligations. The order needs to be
filled...
Calitri takes a manila ENVELOPE from his desk... Hands it to
Memphis, who takes out the SINGLE SHEET OF PAPER inside.
CALITRI (cont'd)
On that list, you'll find fifty cars.
Fifty. Five-zero. They range in
age from the 1956 Ford Thunderbird
to the 1999 Toyota Camry; and in
expense from the 1993 Volkswagen
Jetta to the 1988 Lamborghini
Countach. Fifty cars. Five-zero.
Memphis scans the list ... Looks up at Calitri ...
CALITRI (cont'd)
There is a container ship in Long
Beach Harbor. Pier 14. Ready to be
loaded with 4-car-per shipping
containers, false-walled and
customsprofiled as motor oil
designated. The ship leaves in four
days for South America and the
men who've tendered me this contract ...
MEMPHIS
They gave you only four days?
CALITRI
They gave me two weeks. I wasted most of it
with your brother and his crew, who not
only lost what pitiful few they managed
to boost, but also alerted the heat as to our
endeavor, making this even more difficult
to achieve ...
Memphis scans the list ...
CALITRI (cont'd)
Four days. 50 cars. I'm paying 200
thousand dollars ...
Now Memphis looks up...
MEMPHIS
I'm not interested --
CALITRI
I knew you'd say that.
MEMPHIS
I'm just here about my brother.
CALITRI
I knew you'd say that, too --
Calitri smiles ... Memphis 'looks at him... At Atley Realizing
the trap ...
MEMPHIS
Sound it out for me.
CALITRI
Your brother has four days. Fifty
cars. Five-zero. For that he gets
200 large ...
MEMPHIS
And if he doesn't make it -- ?
Calitri goes to one corner of the shop... Takes a tarp off
of a full couch MAHOGANY CASKET...
CALITRI
I made this, too. My first one.
Brass extension handles, not plated.
The coverings are silk, not rayon.
Expensive hardwood. And lined with
spray green Lorraine crepe ...
Memphis waits, knowing where this is going --
CALITRI (cont'd)
Yes, yes. I made it for young Kip. In
case he fails. At 8:00 Friday morning,
if that ship sets off without my
fifty ... Kip will take up permanent
residence in this box ...
Calitri WALL SWITCH and the a corrugated steel SLIDING DOOR is
RAISED, revealing a LOADING DOCK facing the back of the yard... Two
MEN are working out there... DIGGER AND BUTZ scuzzy dudes, mid-30s
and dressed in dirty coveralls ...
CALITRI (cont'd)
Come here for a second, boys --
And they come over --
DIGGER
Evenin', Mr. C. --
CALITRI
Digger, Butz: let me introduce
you to Randall Raines. Used to
head up the dandiest ring in
Southern Cal. Left us
for parts unknown. Randall, this
is Digger. And that's Butz -
DIGGER
Hi, Randall --
Memphis says nothing. Calitri grins ... Nods to Digger an Butz,
who go back to work...
CALITRI
Digger and Butz will be in charge of burial.
They're good boys ...
Memphis' look is cold and furious ... Plaintive:
MEMPHIS
I don't want them hurt. Any of 'em...
CALITRI
"don't want" the Dodgers to lose or
the summer to end. But we
don't get to choose these things...
Atley hits the wall-switch and the steel door slides shut. Calitri
turns to Memphis...
CALITRI (cont'd)
"Nothing that's forced can ever be
right." Old woodworking expression.
I really don't care how the 50
get onto my ship ... I just care
that they do. You decide.
With that, he puts his protective glasses back on - and fires up
an abrasive-disc-finishing machine, adjusting the miter gage and
beginning to sand the Outside curve of an angled chamfer.
EXT. HELEN RAINES' HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT
A small New England-style shingle and clapboard, up on a hill
overlooking the port. A small GUEST-HOUSE behind it ...
INT. HELEN RAINES' HOUSE
Helen clears away the dinner dishes ... The TV is on. The news. We
see a CRIME SCENE ...
REPORTER
... the car-jacking, which left Ramona
Sullivan, the 44-year-old mother of
three, dead, occurred last night at ...
Memphis glances to the TV... Grimaces ... He looks out the window
... At the SEDAN parked below...
EXT. RAINES' HOUSE - NIGHT
Memphis comes out ... Moves to the sedan parked across the street
... it is Detectives Castlebeck and Drycoff...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
I know you.
MEMPHIS
You know my back.
They get out of the car... The view of San Pedro from up here is a
spectacular bedspread of lights ...
DETECTIVE DRYCOFF
When'd you get to town, Raines?
MEMPHIS
The other day....
DETECTIVE DRYCOFF
What for?
MEMPHIS
No particular reason. Catch a Laker game. I
heard we got Shaquille ...
DETECTIVE DRYCOFF
Where you been, anyway?
MEMPHIS
Just out there. Roaming around. Building up my
collection of refrigerator magnets ...
DETECTIVE DRYCOFF
You seem a little hinked-up ...
MEMPHIS
Not at all ...
He and Castlebeck lock eyes ... Castlebeck takes a pear from his
coat pocket ... Sets to polishing it ...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
I remember us having made some
kind of deal, Randall. I don't
remember this deal having some kind
of time-limit. I look at you -
here - in my town - and I'm
confused...
MEMPHIS
A little family emergency --
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
I hope it's not your dear sweet
mother...
MEMPHIS
No...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Or your baby brother. What was his
name?
MEMPHIS
Kip.
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Yes, Kip. Short for Kipling.
Named for the English writer
of stories about India ...
He bites into his pear ...
Memphis says nothing, waits ...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK (cont'd)
I got a rash of thefts. A new crew is
making noise. We recovered a big take -
last week...
MEMPHIS
And this has what to do with me?
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
I don't know. But you shouldn't
be here. Take care of your business.
I'll give you 24 hours. And
then I don't want to see your face.
Ever again. Make a fool of me
once, that's my bad. Make a fool of
me twice. That's really my
bad, and I'll kick your ass from
here to India ...
Castlebeck gives him a long look... As they walk back to the car...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Good. Cos you know how it plays.
Six years ago, I let you go free. But
the next time ... The next time sends
you away for'a long, long while ...
DETECTIVE DRYCOFF
By the time you get out, asshole, there
won't even be cars. We'll all be cruisin'
around in space ships ...
He laughs... And they drive off ... Memphis watching them go ...
once they're gone... He walks ...
EXT. "THE SIDE POCKET" - BACK ALLEY EXIT - NIGHT
Kip comes out of the club... Toby follows ...
TOBY
You goin' home?
KIP
Yeah... You want a ride...
TOBY
Sure -
KIP
How'd you get here? Your Moms give you
ride -- ?
TOBY
Hell, no. I boosted a 'Vette.
KIP
You boosted a 'Vette? Then where is it?
TOBY
I dunno. It was right here. Someone
musta' boosted it back...
KIP
Damn crooks is everywhere --
They smile...And go to Kip's TRANS AM...
TOBY (cont'd)
Memphis seemed weird, huh? What's with
them clothes? He a farmer now or
something?
And this seems funny to Kip... He smiles..
KIP
Yeah. Except the only thing he's growing
is old...
And they are fronted by TWO GOONS ... Who toss them up against the
wall...
KIP (cont'd)
What do you want -- ?
One of the goons SOCKS Toby in the gut. Toby doubles over. Kip
strains to intervene, but his goon holds him back --
KIP
Don't you do that! You leave him alone!
GOON
Shaddup, Raines
KIP
He's got nothing to do with this --
And the goon punches him in the face. And Kip goes down. And out.
GOON
Get him in the car
EXT. WOODBURN SCRAP AND METAL - NIGHT
Kip comes to. In his car. Hot white lights blind him. The Trans
Am is in the crusher. FIGURES above him. Calitri. The goons ...
CALITRI
Hello, Kip --
Kip tries to get out. The doors are pinned by the forklift.
KIP
Lemme out of this --
CALITRI
Were it only that easy --
KIP
We can still do it --
Calitri nods ... And the crusher presses ... The roof caves a bit
... Kip is close to scrunch ...
CALITRI
No you can't. Flies on sherbert is what you
remind me of. Because just being attracted
to something, doesn't mean you belong...
INT. CALITRI'S WOODSHOP
Atley is here, watching Calitri and Kip. one of the monitors. He's
miserable. But there is nothing he can do.
EXT. SCRAPYARD - NIGHT
Kip continues to struggle free...
KIP
Listen, Calitri --
CALITRI
Call me "Ray." Better yet: call me
"asshole." Cos that's how you've
treated me --
KIP
I get out of this I'm gonna fuck
you up --
Calitri does have to admire the stones on the kid. But. Another
nod. Another crusher-press. Another scrunch...
KIP (cont'd)
Calitri -- !
Nothing. Silence. Kip peers through the slit that the
side window has become ... Only they are gone ... And there
is another awful NOISE ... Kip strains to discern its
origin ... Only he can't get the angle ...
We can. It's a huge CRANE, tipped with a GRIPPING CLAW... It is
maneuvered over the Trans Am... Grasps it. . . And LIFTS IT
INTO THE AIR ... Kip, terrified, inside ...
And, as the crane dangles the Trans Am toward the black waters of
the harbor, we CUT TO:
INT. HELEN RAINES' HOUSE - KITCHEN
Memphis is at the kitchen table. The list of cars before him. He's
making notations. He gets to his feet ... He goes to check on his
mother ... She's asleep in her room... He closes the door ...
And goes back to the kitchen. He goes to a framed PHOTOGRAPH - of
he and Kip. Earlier times. Happier times.
When there is an enormous THUD! From outside. Memphis goes to a
window. Sees a RAMP TRUCK unloading a gnarled blob of metal.
Memphis runs outside. Just as the ramp truck drives off ...
Memphis goes to the mangled Trans Am... Leans down ... And there's
Kip ... Seriously smooshed in the flattened car.
MEMPHIS
Kip -- ?
KIP
Yeah ...
MEMPHIS
You all right -- ?
KIP
I think so. There's things I can't
feel right now. Like my feet. But ...
You think you can get me outta this,
Memphis? I'd appreciate it -
MEMPHIS
Just hold-on there --
Memphis goes to the garage ... Finds a crowbar, an acetylene
TORCH, tin-snips ... He goes back to the wrecked car... And sets
to work... He looks at Kip ... Shakes his head...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
So you want to run that part by me
again about things being "all
sweetness and light..."
KIP
This has nothing to do with any
of that --
MEMPHIS
Oh. You maybe have more than one
enemy who owns a car-crusher -- ?
KIP
All my enemies own car crushers.
It's like a pre-requisite ... Owwww...
MEMPHIS
Easy ... Take it easy ... We're almost
there...
Indeed... Memphis has freed him ... Kip crawls from the wreckage
... His clothes in tatters... Blood seeps from a variety of
contusions ... He limps ... Memphis helps him to the guest house
...
INT. KIP'S GUEST HOUSE - LATER - NIGHT
Small, cluttered... Posters of Kurt Cobain, a skying Kobe Bryant,
Pamela Anderson, two nude girls draped over a glittering
Lamborghini Espada, etc. There's a fish tank... And a big-screen
TV, on which the Lakers are currently defending a high-speed
Boston Celtic fast-break...
Memphis sits on a ratty couch before the TV... Kip comes out of
the bedroom... He's changed clothes ... He wears clunky fur-lined
MOON BOOTS, leopard-skin Speedos and a tshirt ... He looks
slightly ridiculous...
Throughout the scene, Memphis should be studying Kip, as if he's
seeing him for the very first time ... And waiting for the
inevitable crack...
MEMPHIS
You okay -- ?
KIP
Totally. I'm fine. You want a beer,
man -- ?
MEMPHIS
Sure --
And Kip limps toward the refrigerator ... He comes back with two
beers ... Hands one to Memphis ... Glances at the TV --
KIP
you like Kobe's game? I do. You
think he's heir apparent to MJ? I do.
He speaks fluent Italian, you know? So he's
got that going for him --
And a cut on Kip's forehead starts to bleed ... Kip grabs a towel
... Presses it to his head --
MEMPHIS
You sure you're okay -- ?
KIP
Yeah, man. Where is your beer?
Memphis holds it up ... Kip nods ... There are a pile of IGNITIONS
on the table ... Kip picks one up, absently begins trying to strip
it...
KIP
Cool. So you're living up North?
MEMPHIS
Yeah -
KIP
I heard you were pumping gas -
MEMPHIS
Something like that -
KIP
You're kind of cultivating a new look.
MEMPHIS
Yeah --
Beat ... They watch the game ... Kip replaces the soaked towel
with another ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Maybe you need a stitch --
KIP
Nah. It's a scratch.
MEMPHIS
Okay --
Beat ...
KIP
Hey, you want something to eat ?
MEMPHIS
What do you got ... ?
And Kip hoists himself painfully to his feet ... Limps over to the
'fridge ... Memphis watches him, a slight grin at Kip's attempt at
cool ... Kip peers into the 'fridge ...
KIP
Not much. I got olives. You like
olives?
Kalamata olives rule, I think. Ma likes
the Calabrese. It's more mellow
And he brings over a bowl of olives.
MEMPHIS
There's certainly a time and a place
for a mellow olive -
KIP
Yeah, yeah. That's what I'm thinking --
And they nibble on them. Kip bites into one ... And the juice
stings his cracked lip ... But he disguises his grimace as an
appreciative nod...
And for a moment, they nibble olives and drop pits into an
ashtray... Then:
MEMPHIS
So what are you gonna do?
KIP
About what?
MEMPHIS
"About what?"
KIP
About Calitri? No worries, man.
I'll call him. He's a reasonable
dude ...
MEMPHIS
I can see that -
And Memphis glances out the window. To the crushed car. Kip
catches the glance, glances himself, chooses to ignore it.
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
You have everything ... under
control?
KIP
Yeah. He just wants to know I'm
still on it. He needs reassurance.
All these big swinging dicks do.
No worries. I won't let him get
into our Kool-Aid...
Kip shrugs ... Picks up another olive... Remembers the pain' of
the last one... Drops it back in the bowl ... Memphis is staring
at him, disgusted... Kip feels it ...
KIP (cont'd)
What -- ?
MEMPHIS
What happened to you?
KIP
What?
And now Memphis gets to his feet ... Paces the place...
MEMPHIS
You just got crushed in a car. You're
bleeding all over your self. And you
sit there - eating olives and talking
basketball, as if, at this very
moment, people weren't plotting
your demise ...
KIP
C'mon, man... My "demise..."
(chuckles)
Overreaction
MEMPHIS
"Over--" You know - I can maybe
understand, since I been gone, you
taking up this dumb-ass life of
crime, and for that I can partly
blame myself. But what is baffling
to me, is how, since I been gone,
you've become a complete and total
moron--
KIP
Hey, now -
MEMPHIS
He's gonna kill you -- !
KIP
I can handle it --
MEMPHIS
You can handle it?
KIP
I can handle it --
MEMPHIS
You can handle it?
KIP
I can handle it --
MEMPHIS
You?
KIP
Me.
MEMPHIS
You?
KIP
Me...
Beat ... Hold the look ... Kip shifts in his chair ... Even this
hurts... He tries to hide the wince ... Memphis goes to the
window, looks out at the harbor below... Beat ... Then:
KIP (cont'd)
Why? You think you can help me?
And he turns back to Kip ...
KIP (cont'd)
What can you do? You haven't done
anything in six years but pump gas
and go overall shopping. And
the cars, they've changed ...
There's new shit. Computer chip
keys and sophisticated alarms and
I don't think, an old guy, could much
bypass 'em...
MEMPHIS
You don't think so, huh?
KIP
Not really ... But you know... Maybe
I'm wrong ...
And the brothers look at each other ... In the pale glow of the
TV... For a long beat ... And then we'll CUT TO:
EXT. LONG BEACH HARBOR - CANNERY / FISH AUCTION - DAY
A rack of eel and OCTOPUS hung out to dry in the salty sun ...
Memphis walks with Atley Jackson past the bustling commercial
fishing hubbub: Portuguese FISHERMEN unloading albacore and
bluefin from their ship's hold; Greek FISHERMEN emptying mackerel
and halibut from their nylon trawl nets; their WOMEN gut, clean
and fillet ...
As they walk, Atley is selecting FISH from the various MARINERS
... Who wrap it up for him... He places it in a leather satchel
... Everyone seems to know him...
ATLEY JACKSON
Nicolo, how's the yellowtail today?
An old FISHERMAN, who speaks broken English, wraps up several
steaks...
FISHERMAN
Very nice, Atley. Very nice ...
ATLEY JACKSON
You can't get it any fresher than this,
Memphis ... From the sea to my
skillet ... Nothing in between...
MEMPHIS
What's with the fish thing -- ?
ATLEY JACKSON
We can learn something from our Asian
friends. They smoke a thousand
cigarettes a day; they're completely
stressed and overworked; they drink
like, well ...
MEMPHIS
Fish.
ATLEY JACKSON
And they still have the lowest rate of
cancer of anywhere in the world. You
know why? All they eat is seafood.
MEMPHIS
Also, never underestimate the restorative
powers of "Karaoke."
ATLEY JACKSON
I do a poaching number. Six-ounce
fillets in a saucepan of brine. In
8 minutes, I could cater a goddamn
wedding. Plain but flavorful. And
it's a good way to show off my
Hollandaise sauce ...
MEMPHIS
You have a Hollandaise sauce ?
ATLEY JACKSON
I do ...
(laughs)
Christ, what happened to us ?
MEMPHIS
Speak for yourself, boss I don't
have a Hollandaise sauce
ATLEY JACKSON
No, but you dress like an asshole ...
They walk...
MEMPHIS
I think about that night a lot...
ATLEY JACKSON
Me, too. Every time I walk...
MEMPHIS
How they were just there ... Waiting on
us ... The fix was definitely in ...
Nothing from Atley... They walk ... Memphis looks at him.
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Yeah, you know: I just. I just
never really thanked-you. I meant
to. I just want you to
know...
Memphis nods. Atley shrugs, and selects some halibut
filets.
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Tell him it's on ...
Atley looks at him...
ATLEY JACKSON
Yeah -- ?
MEMPHIS
Yeah Tell him to lay off Kip and
them Tell him it's on
Atley nods...
ATLEY JACKSON
Any idea how you're gonna go at it?
Memphis looks at him... Shakes his head... FADE TO BLACK.
As a SUPER on-screen reads: PART II - BACK TO WRONG
EXT. OTTO'S AUTO - NIGHT
The hustle and bustle of a full-service auto restoration
operation ...
Dig the 157 Chevy, as an orange diamond tuck and roll with
orange fur interior is installed... Dig the 153 Corvette
as its front and rear suspension is replaced with coils
and airshocks ... Dig the 150 Merc, as its chrome is
stripped off and the old paint sandblasted and holes
brazed...
All under the watchful eye of...
OTTO HALLIWELL
Late 60s. A feisty grease-soaked curmudgeon who begs the
question: how the hell did they manage to rock together
Yoda and the ghost of Walter Huston... ?
But he remains the Zen master of cars and all that cars are, were
and can be ...
His mixed-breed MUTT - Hemi - licks his balls in one corner
Otto is currently AIRBRUSHING a candy-colored, variegated DESIGN
on the deck lid of a Camaro ... It is painstaking work ... But he
is an artist ...
His woman - JUNIE - a tall blonde, early 40s, body of a thousand
dances, wipes his brow, like a scrub nurse ...
Memphis wanders in...
Otto sees Memphis ... Drops his brush... He walks over to Memphis
... Takes him in his arms ... Hugs him close... Actually waltzes
him a few steps ...
Memphis is stunned at the transformation this place has gone
through ...
OTTO
Am I dying? Are all the angels of my life
returning to bid a final farewell?
(holds him at arm's length)
And have my angels completely lost
their fashion sense -- ?
MEMPHIS
Hello, Otto ...
OTTO
You remember Junie?
MEMPHIS
Of course. Hi, Junie --
JUNIE
Hello, Memphis -
MEMPHIS
What happened here -- ?
OTTO
Whatever do you mean?
MEMPHIS
The chop-shop... Where are the stripped
cars? The rolled-back odometers? The
part bins?
OTTO
What happened? Old-age happened. I tired of
killing them. I woke up one morning and thought
I am no longer a destroyer. I am a means of
resurrection. Now. We restore. We revive.
There are so few things in this life, we can
prevent from decay. Most must die. These don't
have to...
He calls over to the MEXICAN MAN working on the pick-up ...
OTTO (cont'd)
It's 3 coats of primer, 12 coats of black
acrylic lacquer before laying out the
flames ... And fill the cab top with mylar
flakes ... They'll sparkle like stars ...
(turns to Memphis)
Randall, Randall, Randall ... You look
splendid ...
MEMPHIS
You, too, Otto
And Otto goes back to the Camaro ... To finish his work...
OTTO
I heard rumors you were back. About
Kip ...
MEMPHIS
He's gotten involved --
Otto looks up frustrated... To Junie
OTTO (O.S.)
I can't concentrate. Play something, my
sweetness; my reason to rise ...
And Junie hits PLAY on a cassette deck ... And, instantly, ENGINE
SOUNDS rip from the shop's stereo speakers ... Otto listens, as
if it were a Mahler symphony...
OTTO (cont'd)
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. At Le
Mans. 1971. The quad-cam V12. Hear
how they got the engine up?
Hear those exhaust notes? That's a
very wide rev range... Here, it
peaks at 5500 RPM...
Memphis smiles ... These eccentricities are old hat...
OTTO (cont'd)
Raymond Calitri. He's amplified much
sorrow on these streets ...
MEMPHIS
You think it can be done?
OTTO
Are you considering a comeback tour?
MEMPHIS
Tell me...
OTTO
It can be done. Take two days to shop;
one to prep. I'll offer up my bible
for a small fee. You also have to
hope Kip's jerk-circus didn't undo
Castlebeck's linkage so much so
that he's setting up surveillance
teams on every city block. And
then get yourself a crew...
MEMPHIS
The hard part ...
OTTO
"A people is a detour of nature to
get 6 or 7 great men - Yes, and then
to get around them..." Nietzsche said
that.
MEMPHIS
Is he still working here ?
OTTO
The old crew. Go find them. I can't
help you with that. Since I've cleaned
up the act a bit, they no longer come
around... A pity how legitimacy makes
you unpopular -
MEMPHIS
I Just don't know how happy they'll be
to see me
Otto has finished the Camaro ... He looks at Memphis --
OTTO
I remember I had a 1964 Buick Opal.
worst car ever built. Value job.
Everything broke and I-fixed it.
A coma car - built to German specs.
Plastic gas line. 3 speedometer head.
On a quiet night, you could hear it
rusting in the garage. But when that
car was gone, I missed it. If it came
driving back in here right now,
there'd be tears and laughter ...
MEMPHIS
And the moral of that story is -- ?
OTTO
Go to them. They'll be happy to see
you ... Ahhh...
And he closes his eyes ... To listen to the Ferrari tape ...
OTTO (cont'd)
... 8.8:1 compression...
We PRE-LAP Simon And Garfunkel's "Baby Driver" and CUT TO:
CLOSE ON: A SIGN READING: "PLEASURE CRUISE DRIVING SCHOOL"
atop a moving DODGE ARIES K. Which is nearly SIDE-SWIPED by an
oncoming PICK-UP. A MAN HOWLS IN TERROR...
INT. DODGE - MOVING - CITY STREETS - DAY
A timid CHINESE GIRL - JENNY, 23 - negotiates the vehicle at
10 & 2. Riding shotgun, her howling instructor is DONNY ASTRICKY - 41,
whom we remember from six years ago. Now he's paunchy, with Ernie
Borgnine tough-guy-warmth. At one time, he kicked out the
jams. Now he teaches driver's ed...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Pull over! Pull her the hell over!
Jenny pulls the car over in a lopsided lurch...
DONNY ASTRICKY (cont'd)
Put it in PARK. Remember how
to do that? It's the big "Pff.
She parks it. He stabs at the side-view mirror ...
DONNY ASTRICKY (cont'd)
"Objects May Appear Closer
Than They Seem." Can you say
that for me?
JENNY
I'm sorry.
DONNY ASTRICKY
You ain't sorry. You're a horrible
driver... You can't strap into
your seat belt, without almost
getting creamed by a bus ...
She starts to cry... Donny softens ...
DONNY ASTRICKY (cont'd)
Aw, c'mon. It's no big deal.
You can't drive. You can't.
Time to acknowledge it and move on. I
can't swim. I know I can't. So you
know what I do? I stay the fuck outta
the pool ...
EXT. PLEASURE CRUISE DRIVING SCHOOL - DAY
Memphis waits outside ... The Aries K comes crawling toward him.
Donny gets out of the car ... Sees Memphis ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Damn. Memphis Raines. Long time ...
MEMPHIS
How you doing, man?
DONNY ASTRICKY
All I get are the Orientals. They can
build 'em, but they can't drive
'em So? What are you doing here?
What's with the outfit -- ?
MEMPHIS
You know where the others are?
Donny frowns... Looks close at Memphis ... Then:
DONNY ASTRICKY
Most of 'em are gone. The Dyar Boys are
doing a nickel at Chino; Henry Santoro
and Frankie Fish are moving
weight in Florida; Bill Doolin was
killed in Denver... Atley
Jackson's on the gimp and runnin'
errands for Calitri; The Sphinx
is still around, I guess ... Then
of course, there's ...
His pause is meaningful ...
MEMPHIS
Forget that ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Okay. Figure it forgotten. What's this
about anyways -- ?
INT. OTTO'S AUTO - NIGHT
In a wood-panelled back room, around a conference table: Memphis
and Donny sit... With the list before them...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Most of 'em are late-model...
MEMPHIS
That's right. Only 10 exotics ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
We'll have to start beating the
bushes, find out where they live...
Otto enters. Giggles...
OTTO
Some crew you got ...
MEMPHIS
If we put out the word. That we're
crewing-up, for a one-time-only job...
What do you think that'll yield?
DONNY ASTRICKY
A bunch of strung-out hypes and stick-
up men. This ain't like the old days,
Memphis. The profession has lost its..
OTTO
Dignity...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Yeah...
MEMPHIS
Well, the three of us don't'exactly
inspire confidence...
Beat ... Donny examines the list ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Wow! They got Eleanor here -- ?
MEMPHIS
I know. Weird, huh -- ?
The door opens ... One of Otto's WORKERS is there...
WORKER
Otto, there's someone here to --
But they walk past: Kip, Tumbler, Mirror Man, Toby, Freb
DONNY ASTRICKY
Lookit Kip. All grown up...
KIP
Hey, Donny --
MEMPHIS
What are you doing here?
KIP
Otto called -
Memphis looks to Otto ... Otto shrugs ...
OTTO
You need him...
MEMPHIS
No we don't -
OTTO
I appreciate your dilemma, Memphis.
But how are two washed-up thieves
and an old man supposed to boost
50 cars in three days...
MEMPHIS
His criminal career has officially come
to a close ...
OTTO
The conundrum still applies, of course. The
purpose of the endeavor is to rescue
baby brother from imminent
death and/or a life of crime. However.
This cannot be successfully
carried out without baby brother's
considerable resources, shabby
though they may be.
Memphis considers ... He has little choice ...
MEMPHIS
We do this. Then. You're finished.
Then. You're clean
KIP
I like how you wallop back in here -
after four years - and can still get all
Clifford Huxtable on my shit ...
MEMPHIS
You hear me?
KIP
I hear ya. Get me outta this. I'll
move to the country. Open a fruit
stand...
Memphis looks at him... Shakes his head...
DONNY ASTRICKY
You guys have any skills at all?
KIP
Hell, yeah. Mirror Man here is
our electronics expert. He's got
some gadgets you old farts maybe
never -heard of; Tumbler can drive
anything with wheels, and some
things without; Toby's a hacker,
can do things with a computer, that
are pretty amazing ...
MEMPHIS
How old are you now, Toby?
TOBY
Sixteen. But my birthday's in seven
months ...
Memphis shakes his head... Sighs ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
(re: Freb)
What about him?
KIP
Freb can order pizzas like nobody's
business
Freb starts to Protest ... Shrugs ...
FREB
People gotta eat ...
Memphis looks at all of them ... Sighs...
MEMPHIS
Okay, then... Otto?
OTTO
In order to succeed, you're going
to have to go old-school. one night
boost. Put all your nuts in one basket.
And...
TUMBLER
One night? Are you nuts?
MEMPHIS
You got maybe a better plan?
Tumbler looks to Kip...
KIP
You spread it out ... you move around...
So's they can't touch you... so's they
don't know... Shadow games and shit
...
MEMPHIS
"Shadow games?"
KIP
Shadow games ...
MEMPHIS
You spread it out, by the 2nd night,
the heat are onto you. Know
something's up. With a one-night boost,
by the time all the cars are reported
stolen, your ship's set sail.
Kip and the others nod... Makes sense ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Go on, Otto -
OTTO
We're on a truncated time-table. Take a day to
shop it; a day to prep it ... And we're still
going to need to expand the crew...
DONNY ASTRICKY
There's no one left ...
OTTO
We've got several Italian cars on the list.
Always tricky, always timeconsuming. So
we're gonna need a specialist ...
Memphis looks at him. Because that's what he was afraid of.
MIRROR MAN
(to Otto)
You know of one -- ?
MEMPHIS
Yeah. He's knows of one all right.
So we'll PRE-LAP The Beach Boys' "409" and CUT TO:
INT. "THE NAUTICAL MILE" SALOON - NIGHT
A SHOT GLASS, slammed down on a bar by a surly DRUNK... In a
mariner saloon. Drunken SAILORS and FISHERMAN and NAVY TYPES.
Sawdust on the floor. Broken beer mirrors. A rough joint...
DRUNK
One more, girl -
The BARTENDER comes over.. . She is a dark-haired, heavily
tattooed GIRL, 26, with the faded blue world-weariness of Roy Orbison
song... Her name is Sara Wayland... And she goes by SWAY. She
collects the Drunk's empty glass...
SWAY
I think you've had enough, Billy...
DRUNK
Enough? I haven't even started, girl.
Gimme another --
SWAY
If you leave now, Billy, you can get
a head-start on waking up in a pool
of your own vomit...
DRUNK
Listen, you little cooze--
And the Drunk reaches out across the bar, to grab a bottle And
Sway grabs his hand, twists it ... The Drunk groans in agony ...
And Sway, still clutching his hand, hops over the bar ... And
drags the drunk by his twisted hand to the front ... Cries of
"Attagirl, Sway!" pepper the air ...
EXT. "THE NAUTICAL MILE" - NIGHT
Sway tosses him... The Drunk hitting the pavement ...
SWAY
Come back when you've learned how to
drink, Billy --
And she freezes ... Because standing there, is Memphis ... She
looks at him ... Shocked is a good place to start ...
MEMPHIS
See you're still stealing the sailors from
the sea --
SWAY
What are you doing here?
And she heads back inside ... And he follows her...
INT. "THE NAUTICAL MILE"
They head toward the bar...
SWAY
(re: his clothes)
What's with the look?
MEMPHIS
The hip, cool, sexy thing was getting
old...
SWAY
You look like you lost your sheep ...
And she hops back behind the bar ...
MEMPHIS
You still wrenching at Bacchiochi's?
SWAY
Hell, yeah. I'm not getting rich in
here ...
MEMPHIS
Buy you a drink?
SWAY
Nope. I got a coffee. And a
boyfriend.
She waves to a 30-year-old CAT drinking with his buddies. He waves
back. Memphis frowns.
SWAY (cont'd)
Mitch.
MEMPHIS
"Mitch?"
SWAY
Mitch.
MEMPHIS
So I was replaced by Mitch?
SWAY
No. You were replaced by Alex.
Who was replaced by Kevin. Who
was replaced by Vince. Who was
replaced by Mitch...
She smiles sourly at him...
MEMPHIS
Wow. And to think all I
accomplished these past six
years was the "LORD OF THE
RINGS" trilogy...
She stares at him... Shakes her head... Busies herself with her
glassware ... Beat ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
You look great --
SWAY
Yeah, well, you always were a sucker
for flawed existences ...
ANGLE - MITCH. Watching them talk ...
SWAY (cont'd)
You should leave --
MEMPHIS
On account of Mitch?
SWAY
On account of me.
He studies her... Then:
MEMPHIS
I've taken the spear for a lot of
people, Sway. Including you. Can't
we improvise a little here ... ?
SWAY
No can do. Life goes on, pointfive ...
You left me, remember?
MEMPHIS
I left town. I didn't leave you.
SWAY
A distinction worth noting ...
MEMPHIS
And here I am...
SWAY
Yes. But I got a feeling it's not on
account of any longing-for-my-touch
on your part -
MEMPHIS
Kip's in trouble
And now she looks concerned
SWAY
What kind of trouble -- ?
MEMPHIS
Kip took a job. Fifty ladies in two weeks.
Only the two weeks have turned into four
days. And not a single lady has been
snared.
SWAY
And you got some Italians -- ?
MEMPHIS
Six or seven...
SWAY
I'm not doing it anymore. Haven't
for a while. I've carved out something
for myself. It's pathetic, but it's mine ...
MEMPHIS
I understand -
And the cat - MITCH - comes over with two empty pitchers
MITCH
Another round, Sara -
SWAY
Sure, Mitch -
And she goes to the tap ... Leaving Memphis and Mitch ...
MITCH
How you doing, pal?
Memphis nods ... Beat. They sit there. Regard Sway...
MITCH (cont'd)
She's hot, right?
MEMPHIS
I'd go so far as to say "lovely."
And Mitch leans over to him, conspiratorially ...
MITCH
You should her face when she's having
sex --
And Memphis turns to him...
MEMPHIS
Really?
MITCH
Really...
MEMPHIS
What's it look like?
And Memphis reaches out, and GRABS Mitch's nipple, PINCHING.
Mitch's face curls ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Is it a squinty, grimacing, contorted
face? Agonized and writhing and ugly?
Oh, now I see it, yes, yes!
And Memphis releases him... And Mitch goes down hard ... And Sway
comes over ...
SWAY
What the hell are you doing -- ?
MEMPHIS
If you change your mind. We're at
Otto's. It's 50 ladies in 24 hours.
For The Carpenter. 200 K and Kip's
life on the felt. So long now ...
And he's out of there, before Mitch's PALS can get to him.
MITCH
Who was that guy, Sara?
She looks at the door ... Shrugs ...
SWAY
Good question ...
INT. OTTO'S AUTO - LATER - NIGHT
Memphis, Kip, Donny, Mirror Man and Otto sit around the garage ...
Going through the list ... Tumbler calls from the next room:
TUMBLER
Freb's here. Open the gate.
DONNY ASTRICKY
(to Otto)
We sent him out on a solo boost. See
what he could do ...
Freb pulls in an '89 Cadillac Coupe De Ville ...
FREB
How do I look in this one?
MIRROR MAN
Like a goofy white boy in a Cadillac.
DONNY ASTRICKY
How'd it go?
FREB
Keys were in it ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Well, that defies the point, don't it?
MIRROR MAN
You should ask him how he got the name
"Freb."
FREB
Shaddup, man ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Get the damn thing in there and get it
cleaned up -
Freb pulls in. Pops the trunk. The gate is closed.
KIP
This is loaded with crap - get a duffel.
He pulls out a set of golf clubs ... Freb brings over a duffel ...
Mirror Man plucks something from the trunk ...
MIRROR MAN (cont'd)
Holy shit ...
It's a plasticine BAG - full of a WHITE POWDER...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Lemme see that -
He pierces the skin.. Tastes ...
DONNY ASTRICKY (cont'd)
Heroin.
KIP
No shit?
And they pull back the trunk tarp ... And there are perhaps TWO
DOZEN similar smack-filled BAGS ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
There's gotta be a million bucks worth
here -
TUMBLER
We're rich. Goddamn, we're rich!
MEMPHIS
Where'd you pick her up?
FREB
In front of one of them poker parlors in
Chinatown ...
MEMPHIS
Well, take it back --
KIP
Take it back? What do you mean take
it back? Are you crazy, man?
MEMPHIS
Take it back, Freb --
MIRROR MAN
Hey, now, Memphis... C'mon, man -
Donny makes to grab the bag from Mirror Man ... But Mirror Man
holds on ... They tug back and forth ... The bag DROPS ...
Splitting on the ground, behind the car. Spilling heroin.
MIRROR MAN (cont'd)
Now, see what you--
But a BANG! BANG! on the front gate, gives them all pause.
OTTO
Who is it -- ?
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK (O.S.)
Castlebeck.
DONNY ASTRICKY
Jesus. The whole damn thing's loaded.
OTTO
one minute -- !
And the others scatter into the back office, with their tools and
devices and lists. Leaving only Memphis and Otto.
Memphis picks up the broken bag ... Sticks it in the trunk ...
Puts the golf clubs in on top of it ... Slams the trunk. Only
there's still a neat MOUNTAIN OF SMACK ON THE FLOOR by the rear of
the Caddy ... But there's no time...
For the gate is opened. Detective Castlebeck ambles in.
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
I know you.
MEMPHIS
You know my back.
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
What are you still doing here,
Randall?
MEMPHIS
Stopped by to see Otto. Say hello.
Castlebeck looks at Otto... Otto grins... Castlebeck walks around
the garage... Taking it all in...
Castlebeck notes the Caddy ...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
What's this -- ?
OTTO
Cadillac.
ANGLE - the mound of heroin on the floor ...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
What's wrong with it -- ?
OTTO
Needs brightening ...
Castlebeck takes out a WALKIE ... Barks into it ...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Run me down a tag - 329 HRO. Cadillac.
He clicks off ... Otto and Memphis share one ... A glance to the
smack ... Castlebeck is a mere inches from it ...
OTTO
No faith in our new-found goodness,
Detective ...?
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Sure. But sometimes we got to
create some numbers. The task force
is run by statistics, you know ...
Before they can respond, the radio crackles ...
RADIO (O.S.)
329 HRO. There's no want on the license at
this time...
Castlebeck looks disappointed... Otto grins ... Castlebeck stares
at the Caddy, still unconvinced...
MEMPHIS
You're thinking: okay, there's no want ...
But they probably stripped its guts and
crated 'em up, right ... ?
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Something like that -
Memphis opens the driver's side door ... Gestures Castlebeck in
... Castlebeck gets behind the wheel ...
MEMPHIS
Let her rip ...
And Castlebeck starts the car...
ANGLE - TAILPIPE ... WHOOSH! All of the heroin on the flo is blown
away by the exhaust ... Memphis winks to Otto ... Castlebeck seems
satisfied ... Gets out.
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Okay, then. I'll catch you later,
Randall ...
OTTO
Double-meaning intended, right?
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
Right ...
Castlebeck stops at the gate... Turns back to them...
DETECTIVE CASTLEBECK
It's funny. There's probably been
five more cars stolen in the time
I've been here ...
MEMPHIS
I don't think so, Detective ...
And Castlebeck is gone. Memphis and Otto exhale big time.. The
others come out from the back... To find Memphis and Otto dumping
the heroin into the sink, running the tap ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Take her back to where you found her,
Freb --
INT. RAINES APARTMENT - NIGHT
Kip is in front of the TV, playing a video game. Helen Raines is
at the kitchen table, going through a PHOTO ALBUM... Memphis comes
home ... Hangs up his coat ...
MEMPHIS
Hey -
He kisses her head ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Kip -
Kip nods ... Plays on ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
What do you got there?
HELEN RAINES
The photo album. I get nostalgic around
this time of year ...
MEMPHIS
What time of year?
HELEN RAINES
Tuesdays ...
He smiles ... Sits down next to her ... They go through the
PHOTOS: - childhood shots of Memphis and Kip, a younger Helen;
Memphis at 17, in his "Ike's Garage" coveralls; 14year-old
Memphis, an infant Kip, and their father (ROBERT RAINES) a MAN
with bright eyes and a quiet smile, standing before an old Cutlass
442; Robert Raines ... Outside a car dealership. We can almost
feel his strong, sure presence ...
Memphis looks at his mother ... As she looks at the picture.
MEMPHIS
You ever wonder what things'd be like
if he hadn't died?
HELEN RAINES
Every day. I wonder about that every day...
MEMPHIS
Kip and I'd probably be working at the
dealership...
(to Kip)
Imagine us selling cars?
Nothing from Kip ... Eyes glued to the TV... Memphis glances to
his Mother ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Imagine that -- ?
HELEN RAINES
(salesman voice)
And just in case you lose your keys, good
sir, I can toss in a complimentary slim-jim,
free of charge ...
MEMPHIS
Mother -- !
They laugh ... Look at the album ... At Robert Raines ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
I remember, every day, he'd come home
in a different car.
That was the greatest thing ... And
we'd climb all over it ... Examine
every inch of every different
car ...
HELEN RAINES
I remember. Supper getting cold, cos you
two are out there heads under hoods ...
MEMPHIS
You remember that, Kip?
KIP
I was six ...
Memphis and Helen look at him... Then:
MEMPHIS
After he died ... I think that's
what I missed most of all ... That
there was no different cars every night ...
When I started hanging around Otto's ...
And he started showing me the things ...
It was a way to kill two birds ...
Put food on the table for you and Kip ...
And ... Ride in different cars every
night ... Just like when Dad was here.
Tears stand in Helen's eyes ... Kip gets to his feet ...
KIP
Ancient history's two things.
"Ancient." And "history!"
And he walks out of the house, door slamming behind him. Memphis
turns to his mother ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
We're gonna have to do this thing, Ma.
HELEN RAINES
I know...
MEMPHIS
We do it. He'll get clear Once and
for all
And she nods ...
ANGLE - A PHOTO. Robert Raines. Smiling beside an Olds 98.
EXT. INTERNATIONAL TOWERS HIGH RISE CONDOS - DAY
The garage door opens as a resident drives out ... And Memphis and
Donny and Kip and Toby enter the garage ... They walk along the
rows of parked cars ... Searching ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Car-jacking is the lazy man's boost.
No skill. No finesse. Can only take
the car if the key is in it. That's
not thieving. That's parking ...
Thugs ... With the decency of dirt ...
TOBY
They're just cars, man ...
To prevent Donny from biting the kid's head off, Memphis chimes in
with:
MEMPHIS
This Eleanor's been living at the
International Towers for 3 years now.
TOBY
Who's "Eleanor?"
MEMPHIS
The 167 Mustang Shelby Mustang GT-500.
TOBY
Why do you call it "Eleanor?"
MEMPHIS
All the vehicles get code names.
Female names. You say "Eleanor lives
at such and such... " and no one
listening on the waves is the wiser ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Eleanor is Memphis' "unicorn."
MEMPHIS
And there she is --
Indeed, slotted nearby is a '67 SHELBY MUSTANG GT-500 Silver with
black top ...
MEMPHIS (cont'd)
Hello, Eleanor --
And he looks at her. An old friend he hasn't seen in years.
TOBY
It looks just like a regular Mustang --
KIP
Don't go there, Toby --
MEMPHIS
She's not. Carroll Shelby tweaked the
Mustang's High-Performance 289 engine
and got it legally rated for the street
at 450 horsepower ... But its actual
output is closer to 600 ...
TOBY
So she flies -
MEMPHIS
She soars -
DONNY ASTRICKY
Grade-A unicorn ...
TOBY
What's a "unicorn?"
DONNY ASTRICKY
Fabled creature. You know - the horse
with the horn? Impossible to capture?
Toby looks blank ...
DONNY ASTRICKY (cont'd)
We all got one. The single car
that, no matter how many times
you try to boost, something happens...
Cops show up, car doesn't start, owner
comes back. It's voodoo...
TOBY
You guys and the car thing, man --
They head off ... Memphis turns back to the Shelby
MEMPHIS
See you in a few days, Eleanor --
INT. OTTO'S AUTO - BACK ROOM - DAY
To Queen's "I'm In Love With My Car." The crew is at work, a MAZDA
and a CADDY are parked here for practice: Tumbler is modifying a
series of slim jims, based on the type of cars they'll be after
Donny and Freb are in the Caddy, Freb behind the wheel Tumbler
puts together BRIEFCASES, containing the requisite TOOLS: slim-
jim, gizmo, screwdriver, ratchet, dent-puller, a mini-battery with
pointy leads ...
- Mirror Man is showing off one of his GADGETS - beepersized
DEVICE - to Otto... They stand before a locked MAZDA.
MIRROR MAN
And you just stick it in the lock.
Hit this little button ... And ...
He does ... The door UNLOCKS ... The car's ALARM gives a weak
chirp and dies... Otto looks at Donny ...
OTTO
We're dinosaurs, Donny. Pull-up a tar pit ...
(to Mirror Man)
Can I try -- ?
MIRROR MAN
Knock yourself out --
Kip and Memphis are with Toby, who has his laptop out ...
TOBY
I logged outside the G.R.A.B. site,
right? Then I monitored their
incoming outside data requests,
right? Then I got these ISDN numbers,
right? Then I tracked them back,
right? Then I took the one I could
jack-up the easiest, right? Then I
called back see, they think I'm an
insurance company - that's where it
looks like I'm coming from -- and
they're sharing stats with this
insurance company, right? So now
they're sharing it with me, right?
They think I'm looking for stats for
an actuarial conference on auto-theft.
So they let me in, right? Give me all
these numbers. But then I don't leave,
right? I'm in. I've got the key. Now I
just go anywhere I want.
MEMPHIS
So what's in there -- ?
TOBY
I can tell you who's gonna be on duty
tonight. I can tell you how much gas
they're using monthly. I can tell you
how they used to spend that annoying
half-hour between "FRIENDS" and "SEINFELD"...
Memphis nods ... Fairly impressed...
KIP
Good work, Toby --
Donny and Freb are inside the Caddy ... Freb's attempts to start
it fail...
FREB
It just ain't happening --
DONNY ASTRICKY
You'll get the hang of it, kid. You
just need to remember one thing -
FREB
What's that?
Donny smiles ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
On boost night? Always take along a
good mix tape ...
Donny smiles ... Freb frowns ...
DONNY ASTRICKY (cont'd)
You bring a woman back to your
crib for some lovemaking, the
song you put on, depends on the
woman, the type of lovemaking you
intend to do, right?
FREB
I guess ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
You got a school teacher or Nancy from
accounting, you don't put on Sly Stone
or James Brown. You put on
Ravel. Rachmaninoff. But if you got
some wild one you just picked
up at the track, you wouldn't put on
Cat Stevens or James Taylor.
You'd put on Prince. Or Isaac Hayes.
Or, if you really wanted to
get after it: Miles.
FREB
okay ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
It's the same way with cars. Different
cars. Different tunes. You can't steal
a Maserati listening to Sinatra. You
gotta get urgent. You gotta get Sonny
Rollins or Led Zeppelin IV, on that
shit. But never, never-ever take no Allman
Brothers into a Lincoln Town Car. Could
lead to disaster. Got it... ?
FREB
(absolutely hasn't got it)
Got it ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Good.
And then Sway enters ... Donny gets out of the Caddy ...
DONNY ASTRICKY (cont'd)
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Memphis went out
and got some big game ... Hello, Sway.
I was just telling the lads about mix
tapes --
SWAY
(to Freb)
Janis Joplin. Billie Holliday. Ella
Fitzgerald...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Gender bias ...
Otto is before her ... Bowing from the waist ...
OTTO
I've missed you, Sara Wayland --
SWAY
Good to see ya, Otto --
They embrace. Memphis and Kip enter from the other room...
KIP
How ya doing, Sway -- ?
SWAY
Kip...
She looks at Memphis ... Small nod... Small smile ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
What do you think about all this?
SWAY
Stick it in the drawer marked "Fool's
Errand", right -- ?
DONNY ASTRICKY
That's my girl --
MEMPHIS
That's Mirror Man ... And that's
Freb ... And Tumbler ... And Toby ...
Fellas, this is Sara Wayland... They
call her "Sway."
SWAY
Hey -
But the kids look high near thunderstruck ... The others laugh ...
Go back to their work ... Memphis and Sway
SWAY (cont'd)
No questions. I'm here. I need the
dough.
MEMPHIS
Of course ...
She studies him... Nods ...
SWAY
Good. Just so we understand...
And then she sees something at the entrance ...
SWAY (cont'd)
Oh, shit. You didn't --
He follows her gaze ... To where -- A MAN, early 40s, has walked
in. Tall, gaunt, ice-eyed. This man never speaks. And his nose is
a gnarled blob of scar tissue ... Which is why they call him
THE SPHINX
And the others really don't dig his scene ...
DONNY ASTRICKY
Well, well, well. The original crash
test dummy...
The Sphinx nods to all. Smiles warmly, but it comes out creepy.
Freb whispers to Otto ...
FREB
Who's that -- ?
OTTO
That's The Sphinx.
FREB
The Sphinx?
OTTO
He never says a word. And he's got
a messed-up nose. Hence. The Sphinx.
He's boo-koo koo-koo. But he steals like
time ...
(to The Sphinx)
Hello, Sphinxy, old rum -- !
And Otto embraces the taller man ... And the others stand
around, offering uneasy glances to The Sphinx ...
MEMPHIS
Okay. We're all here. Today's Wednesday.
D-Day is Friday night ... That gives us
two days to prep ... We're going to find
the ladies on our list, find out where
they live, when they're home; that
they're properly insured ... Let's get
into the vans --
MIRROR MAN
Where we going -- ?
MEMPHIS
We're going shopping -- !
We PRE-LAP Gary Numan's new-wave rave classic "Cars".
EXT. LONG BEACH STREETS - DAY
A MONTAGE of the hard-core old-school preparations...
THREE MINI-VANS drive off from Otto's Auto - Mirror Man at the
wheel of one of them - The Sphinx and Donny with him... - Freb
drives the 2nd van: Memphis, Sway, and Kip with him... Tumbler
drives the 3rd van: Otto and Toby with him.
They carry pens and NOTEBOOKS ... And, as they drive around,
they're searching out cars ... When they see an auto that
corresponds to the list, they take down its license plate.
Memphis dials the cell ... Mirror Man answers on the speaker in
his van ... Tumbler in his ... We'll CROSS-CUT the scene as
necessary from van to van ...
MEMPHIS
How's it going -- ?
DONNY ASTRICKY
It's arright ...
They drive on ... Till --
DONNY ASTRICKY (cont'd)
Check it out: 173 Firebird. Know
who drove one of those ... ?
OTTO
Yes, I do, in fact. John Wayne in
McO...
DONNY ASTRICKY
That's being obscurest ... Who else?
Better known. Memphis?
MEMPHIS
Jim Rockford. ROCKFORD FILES.
MIRROR MAN
For real?
As the scenes in the vans play out - we should be INTERCUTTING
with SHOTS of CARS ON THE STREET. LICENSE |
