| Bound
(1996) by Larry and Andy Wachowski. Draft script.
FADE IN:
Inside a closet.
It is a large closet with double doors, a crisp line of light
cutting down through the center of the darkness.
As we begin to descend, voices echo in our head.
VIOLET (V.O.)
I had this image of you, inside of
me, like a part of me.
We move past a shelf filled with hatboxes and handbags. It
is a woman's closet.
CORKY (V.O.)
You planned this whole thing, didn't
you?
CAESAR (V.O.)
Where's the fucking money?
We glide over the tightly packed hangers, close enough to
feel the different fabrics and descend past the dresses to
the racks of high heels.
VIOLET (V.O.)
We make our own choices, we pay our
own prices.
CAESAR (V.O.)
All part of the business.
VIOLET (V.O.)
All part of the business.
CORKY (V.O.)
What choice?
We slide along the delicate taper of a stiletto heel and
reach the bottom of the closet, where we find a pair of black
Dr. Martens boots that are tied together with a white rope.
VIOLET (V.O.)
I want out.
We move up the boots and we see it is a woman who is bound,
lying motionless on the floor of the closet, the rope coiling
tightly around her wrists.
The crack at the bottom of the door lights her face. She is
gagged and unconscious, a trickle of blood running down her
forehead. Her name is CORKY.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Like a part of me.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR - DAY
Leaning against the back of the elevator is Corky, a very
butch-looking woman with short hair and a black leather
jacket. She is a lesbian and wants people to know it.
As the doors begin to slide shut, a woman yells.
WOMAN
Wait! Hold the elevator.
Corky pushes the "open" button. A couple steps into the
elevator. His name is CAESAR, a middle-aged Italian, wearing
an expensive suit and sunglasses.
She is VIOLET; a piece of sexual candy that would melt in
your mouth.
She hears it again, a guttural sound.
CORKY
Thanks again for this opportunity,
Mr. Bianchinni. Goodbye.
She hangs up the phone and walks toward the wall.
As she gets closer, we hear a bed rocking, tapping against
the wall.
The man's breathing grows more and more labored until finally
it swells --
DISSOLVING INTO:
INT. BATHROOM - MORNING
The whining motor of a high-powered drain-rod.
The spiral cable whips wildly, spiraling deeper into the tub
drain, black goo splattering everywhere.
The machine is so loud Corky almost cannot hear someone
pounding on the apartment door.
Killing the motor, she stands and goes to the door.
Behind the door is Violet, wearing jeans, a white T-shirt
and cowboy boots.
VIOLET
Hi. My name is Violet. We sort of
met in the elevator --
CORKY
Yeah, sure. I'm Corky.
VIOLET
I heard you working in here and I
just wondered if you'd like a cup of
coffee?
She is holding two cups of coffee: one black, one with cream.
CORKY
Sure. Come on in. Give me a minute.
Violet steps inside as Corky goes back to the bathroom to
wash off the drain dreck.
VIOLET
What happened to Rajeev?
Corky calls from the bathroom, scrubbing her hands vigorously.
CORKY
Who?
VIOLET
Rajeev, the man who usually works on
the building.
CORKY
Oh, he went home to India, but as
far as I know he'll be back.
She wipes her hands on her overalls, returning to the main
room.
VIOLET
So this is temporary for you?
CORKY
Pretty much. One day at a time.
Violet hands her the cup of black coffee.
VIOLET
I guessed you were straight black.
CORKY
Good guess.
They both sip from the piping hot mugs.
CORKY
Mmmm ... thanks, I needed this.
VIOLET
My pleasure ... but to be honest, I
did have a slightly ulterior motive
here. I was wondering if I could
ask a small favor?
CORKY
A favor?
VIOLET
Yeah, see, I'm kind of a night person,
so I was wondering if it wasn't a
terrible inconvenience if you could
wait a bit before using power tools.
CORKY
Oh, I'm sorry --
VIOLET
No, it isn't your fault. The walls
here are just so thin.
CORKY
Are they really?
VIOLET
Yes, it really causes problems.
Sometimes it's like you're in the
same room. But if it's too much
trouble, I understand ...
CORKY
No, no trouble. There's other work
to do.
VIOLET
You're doing everything yourself?
CORKY
Yeah.
VIOLET
That is so amazing. I'm in awe of
people who can fix things. My dad
was like that. We never had anything
new. Whenever something broke he
would open it up, tinker with it and
it would work. His hands were magic.
She looks at Corky's hands cupped around the mug.
VIOLET
Yeah ... I bet your car is twenty
years old.
Corky smiles.
CORKY
Truck.
VIOLET
Truck. Of course.
CORKY
'63 Chevy.
VIOLET
I knew it.
VIOLET SIPS
VIOLET
So, how do you know the owner, Mr.
Bianchinni?
CORKY
I don't, really. I was referred to
him.
VIOLET
Oh, really.
Corky suddenly feels she has revealed something.
CORKY
Do you know him?
VIOLET
No, but Caesar does. He likes him.
Says he's a good Italian.
CORKY
Caesar is your husband?
VIOLET
Oh no, no. I'm not the marrying
kind.
Smiling, she says nothing else.
VIOLET
I should be going. You can drop the
cup off anytime.
CORKY
Thanks.
VIOLET
My pleasure.
CORKY watches her leave.
EXT. THE WATERING HOLE - NIGHT
A dirty bar hidden away on a dark street, its cracked, moon-
white sign the only evidence it exists.
Corky's truck swings into a space in front of a couple of
large motorcycles. She flips her collar and heads for the
door.
INT. THE WATERING HOLE - NIGHT
The smell of leather and cigarette smoke fills Corky's nose
as she crosses to the bar.
BARTENDER
Well, well ...
Corky sits as the fat bartender waddles over.
BARTENDER
Been awhile, Cork.
CORKY
Five years, two months, sixteen days.
How you doing, Sue?
Corky puts a cigarette in her mouth and lights it.
SUE
Like shit. Now that we're all caught
up, how about a drink?
Sue opens the refrigerator and pulls out two Old Styles.
CORKY
Thanks.
They click the bottles together and drink.
SUE
You got a job yet?
CORKY
Yeah. Some plumbing, painting and
shit.
Sue laughs.
SUE
I mean a J-O-B. A real job.
CORKY
Not for me, Sue. I'm straight and
narrow. I'm just here to get laid
or drunk and hopefully both.
Corky gets off the stool.
CORKY
Thanks for the beer.
Looking around, she sees a woman alone at one of the back
tables. Through the smoky din, she bears a slight resemblance
to Violet.
The woman is dressed all in black, including a leather jacket.
Smiling, Corky slides into the chair beside her. There is
no one smoother.
CORKY
Hi.
WOMAN
Hello.
CORKY
You know ... that outfit would look
great on my bedroom floor.
The woman smiles just as someone taps Corky on the shoulder.
She turns and is face-to-face with a large bull of a woman
in a heavy leather Chicago Police jacket. She is more wide
than fat.
WOMAN COP
Hey, Jesse. What's happening here?
CORKY
Nothing ... yet.
WOMAN COP
Who's this?
Her coat opens as she puts her hands on her hips. A service
revolver is clipped to her belt.
She squints at Corky, her head nodding in recognition.
WOMAN COP
Wait, I know you.
CORKY
I don't think so.
WOMAN COP
I didn't know you were out.
Corky smiles at the woman in black.
CORKY
When you get tired of Cagney and
Lacey, come find me.
She heads for the exit.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
The neighborhood would be politely described as "rough."
Corky's truck does not stand out parked alone on the littered
street.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
It is a hole but it is home.
Corky is lying on her futon staring up at the ceiling, a
beer resting on her stomach; a folk singer quietly croons
from the radio.
We see the ceiling, a circle of light hovering over the small
desk lamp. We move in on the spot, which slowly fills up
the screen until there is nothing but the white light.
Suddenly a wet paint roller loaded with white paint cuts a
swath across the ceiling.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - DAY
Corky is painting the ceiling. The folk ballad has become
an angry Riot Grrrl anthem.
She is working hard, the roller sucking back and forth.
Sweat covers her face.
Dropping the roller down, she reloads it in the tray when
the phone rings. She stops and answers it.
CORKY
Hello? Oh, hi, Mr. Bianchinni ...
yes, everything is going fine. I
got the tub drain all cleaned out.
She listens for a moment.
CORKY
What apartment?
She glances at the main wall.
CORKY
All right, all right, I guess I could
take a look. Yeah, you're welcome,
goodbye.
She hangs up and looks again at the wall, feeling... curious.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Corky knocks and after a moment Violet opens the door. She
seems surprised.
VIOLET
Oh no. Shit. I didn't know he would
call you. God, you must think |I'm
a total nuisance.
CORKY
Not exactly.
VIOLET
I'm sorry, I usually would call
Rajeev, but I didn't know what to do
so I called Mr. Bianchinni.
CORKY
He said you lost something.
VIOLET
Yeah, come on in.
She steps back and Corky walks inside.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Violet leads her through the apartment. It is expensively
furnished with very masculine tastes; a lot of gray and black
leather.
VIOLET
I was doing some dishes and just as
I pulled the stopper my earring fell
in.
Corky looks at her blankly.
VIOLET
It's one of my favorites. That's
why I got upset. I know it probably
seems ridiculous to you.
An eyebrow goes up.
VIOLET
I'm sorry, look, forget it. I
shouldn't have called...
CORKY
I told Bianchinni I would take a
look. Is it that sink?
Violet nods.
She opens the sink cabinet and pulls out a pair of channel
locks from her back pocket. The teeth of the channel locks
open and bite onto the pressure nut.
CORKY
Do you have a pot or a bucket?
VIOLET
Sure.
She hands one down to her. Corky slides it under the curved
pipe.
As she works, Corky feels herself staring at Violet, at the
hem of her dress curving tightly around her thighs.
Water begins to trickle into the pan.
The nut slides loose and Corky tips the trap. Water splashes
into the pan with a soft metal "tink."
VIOLET
Did you find it?
Corky fishes into gray water and pulls out the earring.
Violet screams, a huge smile on her face, half-falling as
she tries to hug Corky.
VIOLET
I can't believe it! You did it!
Corky leans back under and replaces the trap.
VIOLET
Thank you so much. You have to let
me pay you something --
CORKY
No. Mr. Bianchinni asked me to do
it. I did it.
Corky checks the drain by running the water.
VIOLET
If you won't take money, how about a
drink? It's getting late. You can't
work all night.
Corky eyes her for a moment.
CORKY
Okay, one drink.
VIOLET
What do you want?
CORKY
A beer?
VIOLET
A beer. Of course.
She smiles and turns to the bar.
VIOLET
Sit down.
Corky sits on the black leather couch and Violet returns
with two bottles of Heineken. Corky sneers.
VIOLET
Thanks again.
They clink the bottles and swig.
VIOLET
You seem uncomfortable. Do I make
you nervous, Corky?
CORKY
No.
She looks at Violet, then takes another long pull on the
bottle.
VIOLET
Thirsty, maybe.
Violet smiles, her eyes again talking for her.
CORKY
Curious, maybe.
VIOLET
Curious? That's funny, I'm feeling
a bit curious myself right now.
Violet notices the tattoo on Corky's arm.
VIOLET
That's a great tattoo.
She reaches over and touches it.
VIOLET
Beautiful labrys.
Corky is a bit suprised that she knows what it is. She nods,
rubbing it as if trying to hide it.
VIOLET
Are you surprised that I know what
it is?
CORKY
Maybe.
VIOLET
I have a tattoo, would you like to
see it?
She moves closer, sliding over the leather cushions as she
opens the front of her dress.
VIOLET
A woman in upstate New York did it
for me.
She is not wearing a bra.
VIOLET
Here. Do you like it?
Set against the soft white skin of her breast is a bright
green-stemmed violet.
VIOLET
It took her all day to do it. She
promised me it wouldn't hurt, but it
was sore for a long time after. I
couldn't even touch it.
Corky looks up from Violet's breast to her dark eyes.
VIOLET
But now I love the way it feels.
She runs her fingers softly over the slightly scarred skin.
VIOLET
Here, touch it.
Corky feels the blood pounding in her ears as Violet takes
her hand and places it on her breast.
CORKY
What are you doing?
Violet looks at her.
VIOLET
Isn't it obvious? I'm trying to
seduce you.
CORKY
Why?
VIOLET
Because I want to. I've wanted to
since I first saw you in the elevator.
Corky watches her, trying to figure her out even as her thumb
presses into Violet's nipple.
Inhaling sharply, Violet closes her eyes; she can feel Corky
staring at her.
VIOLET
You don't believe me. But I can
prove it to you.
She takes Corky's wrist and begins pulling her hand down her
body.
VIOLET
You can't believe me because of what
you see ...
She forces Corky's hand between her legs, up under her dress.
VIOLET
But you can believe what you feel.
Violet opens her eyes, a wanton smile on her lips.
VIOLET
You see ... I've been thinking about
you all day.
Corky's forearm flexes and Violet moans.
With both hands, Violet takes hold of Corky's forearm.
CORKY
You planned this whole thing?
Violet's head swims; she is unable to breathe.
CORKY
You dropped that earring down the
drain on purpose, didn't you?
VIOLET
If I say yes, will you take your
hand away?
CORKY
No.
VIOLET
... yes.
Now it is Corky who smiles.
Violet shivers, her thighs rubbing, her hips thrusting against
Corky's hand.
VIOLET
Please, Corky ... please ...
Her eyes barely open.
VIOLET
... kiss me.
In a single motion, Corky takes hold of the back of her neck
and covers Violet's open mouth with her own.
With her hand still stuffed between Violet's legs, Corky
lays her back onto the couch as the kiss becomes more --
More desperate, more hungry until --
We hear the front door unlock and open.
CAESAR
Violet?
Violet's eyes pop open and she pushes Corky back.
CAESAR
Violet, you home?
They scramble to compose themselves.
VIOLET
Yeah. In here, C.
He comes around the corner and in the dim light sees the two
figures sitting close on the couch.
CAESAR
What's this?
He mistakes Corky for a man.
CAESAR
What the fuck is this?
Violet stands as Caesar barrels toward the couch.
VIOLET
I didn't expect --
CAESAR
What the fuck is going on?
Corky stands and turns, Caesar suddenly realizing that she
is a woman.
CAESAR
Oh, shit ...
VIOLET
Caesar, this is Corky. Corky, Caesar.
CAESAR
I'm sorry, Christ, I thought ...
it's fucking dark in here.
He reaches to the wall for the lights.
VIOLET
She is working for Bianchinni.
Caesar extends his hand.
CAESAR
Oh, right, right. Don mentioned
that to me. Hi, welcome to the
family.
Corky shakes his hand.
CAESAR
You're helping Rajeev?
CORKY
No. Rajeev's in India.
VIOLET
She's doing the work herself.
CAESAR
No shit. Bianchinni hired you? You
know he's a good friend of mine.
|Family, really.
CORKY
That's what Violet said.
He looks at her as if he knows something.
CAESAR
So, you just got out?
VIOLET
Jesus, Caesar!
CAESAR
What? It ain't no big fuckin' deal.
I know who Don hires. Did you know
he did time himself?
Corky shakes her head.
CAESAR
Thirteen fucking years. See, there
ain't no secrets here.
Corky doesn't like this man.
CAESAR
How many'd you do?
CORKY
Five.
He whistles.
CAESAR
Not bad. What for?
VIOLET
That's none of your goddamn business,
Caesar.
CAESAR
You're right. You don't have to
tell me, if you don't want to. I
just hope you understand you're among
good people here.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a thick fold of
money and peels several hundreds. Corky stares at it.
CAESAR
Come on, come on. if you understand
what I'm talking about you're going
to take the money. if you don't,
I'm going to have to worry about
you.
Corky takes it. Caesar smiles.
CAESAR
Good. I hate to worry. I got ulcers.
CORKY
I should be going.
CAESAR
What? How about a drink?
CORKY
My brushes, I have to clean my
brushes. Thanks, though.
CAESAR
Another time.
CORKY
Sure.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Close on the paintbrush, Corky's fingers pushing through and
separating the black bristles under the running water.
When the brush is clean, she flicks it dry and resets the
edge.
She goes to the sink to wash her hands when she stops,
noticing her left hand.
It is the hand that was between Violet's legs.
She is about to smell her finger when she sees herself in
the mirror.
CORKY
What are you doing?
She drops her hand.
CORKY
What am I doing? I'm fucking up,
that's what I'm doing.
She scrubs her hands clean.
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
It is late, the area burnished with amber street light.
Corky walks from the building to her truck.
She climbs inside and slides the key into the ignition, when
suddenly the passenger door opens and --
Violet gets in. Stunned, Corky stares at her.
VIOLET
I had to see you.
CORKY
Look, I don't think this is a good
idea.
VIOLET
I wanted to apologize.
CORKY
Don't apologize, please. I can't
stand women who apologize for wanting
sex.
Violet smiles.
VIOLET
I'm not apologizing for what I did --
She slides across the seat.
VIOLET
I'm apologizing for what I didn't
do.
She kisses Corky, and if Corky is trying to resist, we can't
tell.
The windshield is beginning to steam when Violet, panting,
breaks the kiss.
VIOLET
Do you have a bed somewhere?
Unable to speak, Corky reaches over and starts the engine.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The sex.
There is nothing flower-scented or out-of-focus about it.
It is sweaty, slippery, body-grinding, bed-squeaking lesbian
sex --
Pungent and potent --
And when it is over, neither woman can move.
Finally, Corky's eyes flutter open.
CORKY
I can see again.
Violet smiles.
Slowly, Corky gets up and goes to the fridge. She grabs a
beer and presses it to her sweating forebead.
After a moment, she lowers it, gently pressing the cold can
elsewhere. Eyes closed, she lets out a long "Ahh."
Violet hears the sizzle-pop of the beer as Corky returns to
the bed.
She holds the beer to Violet's lips and tilts the can,
watching Violet's throat as she drinks.
Violet's eyes open.
VIOLET
... I needed that.
CORKY
Tell me about it.
Corky hands her the beer as Violet sits up a bit.
CORKY
Caesar's Mafia, isn't he?
VIOLET
You have to ask?
CORKY
No.
VIOLET
Funny, nobody calls it that anymore.
Caesar calls it "The |Business."
CORKY
How did you meet him?
VIOLET
They took over a club I was working
at. Caesar started managing it.
CORKY
He's a launderer?
VIOLET
Basically.
CORKY
How long have you been with him?
VIOLET
Almost five years.
CORKY
Five years is a long time.
VIOLET
Yes, it is.
Corky stares at her beer. She knows what Violet is thinking.
CORKY
The redistribution of wealth.
VIOLET
What?
CORKY
Isn't that what you wanted to know?
What I did time for?
VIOLET
The redistribution of wealth?
CORKY
That's what I tell someone when I'm
trying to get them in my bed.
VIOLET
I'm already in your bed.
CORKY
My cellmate would say she did her
time for getting caught. She was
always more honest than me.
Corky sips her beer.
CORKY
I started stealing when I was little.
We were piss-poor, which is not an
excuse, just a fact.
It isn't like her to talk about this, especially with someone
she just met.
CORKY
The first time I remember so vividly.
A bunch of us kids were at Waxman's
Drugstore, when Mr. Waxman, who was
a mean old prick, always worrying
about us robbing him, dropped a roll
of quarters.
We can almost hear the coins tinkling on the tile floor.
CORKY
I can still hear that sound, those
quarters, because right then something
clicked inside of me. Some instinct
took over and as everyone, including
Waxman, dove down, I reached up and
emptied the cash register.
Violet smiles. She likes this woman.
CORKY
I gave most of the money to my mom.
I told her I found it at the
trainyard. She was so happy she
cried, calling me her lucky charm.
Fifteen years later, I guess my luck
ran out.
Sbe swallows that with beer.
CORKY
Sometimes I tell myself that I didn't
have a choice, that stealing was
surviving. Usually I can admit that's
bullshit. I did it because it was a
way out. It was easy and I was good
at it, real good.
She glances at Violet.
CORKY
I don't usually talk this much. I
guess I have been rehabilitated.
Violet laughs.
VIOLET
You didn't have to tell me if you
didn't want to.
CORKY
I guess I wanted to.
VIOLET
I'm glad you did.
CORKY
So am I.
EXT. PARKING LOT DAY
Corky gets out of her truck carrying her tools. Grinning
like someone who has been well-laid, she whistles off to
work.
EXT. LOBBY - DAY
Between the main doors she sees a man. His name is SHELLY
and he is an overdressed accountant.
He is very nervous, talking to someone through the intercom.
SHELLY
I know he's gone. Please. I have
to talk to you.
Fiddling with her keys, Corky recognizes the voice that
answers him.
VIOLET (V.O.)
What do you want, Shelly?
Shelly glances over his shoulder at Corky, answering in a
hushed voice.
SHELLY
I have to leave. Tonight.
For a moment the intercom is silent. Then the door buzzes
and Shelly pushes inside. Corky follows him to the elevator.
INT. ELEVATOR - DAY
Corky glares at Shelly and begins pumping the trigger of her
circular saw.
Shelly hides behind his sunglasses, watching the elevator
numbers go up. The doors open and he scurries out.
INT. HALL - DAY
She watches him enter Caesar's apartment, her smile now
completely gone.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - DAY
It is later. Through the wall we listen to the same sound
as before of two people making love. We drop down and find
Corky's brush, still wet with paint, abandoned in her tray.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Her face glistening with sweat, Violet climaxes, letting the
orgasm spread through her like melting butter.
VIOLET
I had this image of you, inside of
me ...
She flattens her palms against the soft cradle of her pelvis.
VIOLET
Like a part of me ...
As she opens her eyes, we see that her lover is Corky. Violet
watches as she gets off the bed and begins to get dressed.
VIOLET
You are so beautiful.
Corky does not answer as she yanks her pants on. Violet
sits up. She can feel that something is wrong.
VIOLET
What's wrong?
CORKY
Nothing.
Violet pulls the sheet around her.
VIOLET
Yes there is. I felt it this morning
when I brought you the coffee.
CORKY
Shit, here we go.
VIOLET
You didn't want to see me, did you?
CORKY
If there is one thing I can't stand
about sleeping with women, it's all
the fucking mind reading.
VIOLET
What are you afraid of?
CORKY
I'm not afraid of anything.
VIOLET
I don't understand - ?
CORKY
I know! You can't understand, because
we're different, Violet. We're
different.
VIOLET
We're not that different, Corky.
CORKY
How can you sit in that bed and say
that?
VIOLET
Because it's the truth.
CORKY
Let me guess. This is where you
tell me that what matters is on the
inside. That inside you, there is a
little dyke just like me?
VIOLET
Oh no, she's nothing like you. She's
a lot smarter than you.
CORKY
Is that what her daddy tells her?
VIOLET
I know what I am. I don't need to
have it tattooed on my shoulder.
CORKY
What are you saying? That you don't
have sex with men?
VIOLET
I don't.
CORKY
For Christ's sake, Violet! I heard
you! Thin walls, remember?
VIOLET
What you heard wasn't sex.
CORKY
What the fuck was it?
VIOLET
All my life, everyone has been telling
me that when I have sex, I'm not
really having sex. Not real sex.
But they're wrong. I know what is
and isn't sex and what you heard was
definitely not sex.
CORKY
What was it then?
VIOLET
Work.
That knocks Corky back.
VIOLET
You made certain choices in your
life that you paid for. You said
you made them because you were good
at something and it was easy. Do
you think you're the only one that's
good at something?
Violet stare pins Corky to the wall.
VIOLET
We make our own choices and we pay
our own prices. I think we're more
alike than you want to admit.
CORKY
What about that guy this morning?
VIOLET
You mean Shelly?
CORKY
Don't tell me, you're a workaholic.
VIOLET
No. Shelly knows what I am. He saw
me in a bar with another woman.
CORKY
I suppose he just wants to watch.
That's all Violet can take.
VIOLET
Fuck it! I think you better leave.
CORKY
I think so, too.
Violet turns away.
VIOLET
Try not to steal anything on the way
out.
That stings but Corky walks out without looking back.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
It is dark now. Corky is standing above the paint tray that
has skinned over. She picks up the brush. It is dry with
paint.
CORKY
Shit.
She throws the brush across the room.
EXT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
A green-and-white street sign juts in the foreground of
Caesar's upscale apartment building.
The sign reads: "FRANKLIN STREET."
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY
The rusty Chevy glides to a stop in a parking space near the
service entrance. In its payload is a boxed bathroom vanity
and sink.
Corky climbs out of the cab and into the back, unhooking the
bungee cords that hold down the boxes.
She looks up as a black Lincoln Town Car screeches into a
spot not far from her truck. THREE SERIOUS-LOOKING MEN get
out, leading a fourth, Shelly.
He is the only one who seems to notice Corky.
They enter the building, the door closing behind them.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Corky's legs jut out from the old wicker vanity as she
finishes detaching its anchors and pipe work.
She stands, giving it a yank and pulling it away from the
wall, when voices begin to filter in from the next-door
apartment.
She listens - a rising string of warbling sobs drowned out
by an angry voice.
ANGRY VOICE
Shut the fuck up! You piece of shit!
We hear a scream.
ANGRY VOICE
You're going to tell us! You're
going to fuckin' tell us! just a
matter of fuckin' time!
Each sentence is punctuated with grunts and thuds.
ANGRY VOICE
Where is it? Where the fuck is it?!
We begin to close in on Corky as she listens to each thud,
watching something that disturbs her.
ANGRY VOICE
You shit! You piece of shit!
With each thud the water in the toilet shimmers like a struck
cymbal. As we move closer, the sound swells until --
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. CAESAR'S BATHROOM DAY
Where blood splatters the toilet, heavy drops hitting the
water and spreading like inverted mushroom clouds.
ANGRY VOICE
Did that hurt? News flash, fucko:
I'm just getting started.
The angry voice belongs to JOHNNIE MARZZONE. Shelly is
kneeling in front of the toilet, hands tied behind his back
with electrical wire.
Johnnie Marzzone is a flashy young man in Armani slacks,
silk shirt and silver-tipped cowboy boots. His tie is tucked
in, as if torture were a fine-dining experience.
Caesar and two other men are crammed in the small bathroom.
JOHNNIE
You got nerve trying to fuck us!
Nobody fucks me! Nobody fucks my
father! Nobody! Nobody!
Shelly screams as Jobnnie repeatedly rams his face into the
toilet.
CAESAR
Whoa, whoa. Come on, he's making
too much noise.
JOHNNIE
You hear that, bitch? Be quiet!
CAESAR
Here, put this in his mouth.
Caesar hands a towel to Johnnie, who stuffs it into Shelly's
mouth.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - DAY
Like Corky, Violet can hear the beating. She is trying to
block it out but cannot.
Standing at the bar, she runs the blender, grinding ice cubes,
trying to drown out the sounds of the bathroom.
The bathroom door opens.
JOHNNIE
Prick! I can go all night! All
night!
Caesar steps out, shutting the door, masking the sounds behind
him. Violet moves toward him.
VIOLET
Caesar, I'm leaving.
CAESAR
What? Oh, come on, I didn't use one
of the good towels.
The door opens again as someone else steps out.
VIOLET
Caesar, I'm serious. This is too
much. I have to get out of here.
CAESAR
Why? 'Cause you know him?
She nods.
CAESAR
You women are so fucking sensitive.
He takes hold of her.
CAESAR
But I don't want you to go. I like
you here. You know this isn't easy
for me, either.
He embraces her. Over his shoulder she sees MICKEY MALNANO
in the hallway, staring at her.
He is an older man, hair graying, built like a fireplug.
Sinewy mass strains at his Brooks Brothers suit.
CAESAR
Now why don't you go watch some TV
or something?
MICKEY
Are you okay, Violet?
CAESAR
Mickey, why is Johnnie here? You
know how I feel about that fucking
psycho.
Mickey continues to stare at Violet, who looks up at him
with her big doe eyes.
MICKEY
Caesar, didn't I tell you to get
something?
CAESAR
Sure, Mickey. Sure.
He goes to the kitchen.
Mickey moves closer to Violet, lifting her chin the way a
father would do to his little girl.
MICKEY
You shouldn't have to see this. Why
don't you get out of here? Go for a
walk.
VIOLET
Caesar wants me to stay.
MICKEY
Don't worry about Caesar. I'll handle
Caesar. You just get out of here,
okay?
She smiles.
VIOLET
Thanks, Mickey.
Caesar returns from the kitchen. He is holding a pair of
tin snips. Mickey takes them.
MICKEY
Thanks, C. Now let's end this thing.
Violet watches them return to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Mickey takes off his coat and hands it to a large man named
LOU. He slaps Johnnie on the back.
MICKEY
Hey, Johnnie, ease up, okay.
Johnnie hits Shelly once more.
JOHNNIE
Prick.
Johnnie checks his hair in the mirror, carefully. Then he
begins putting on the rings he had removed for the beating.
Mickey kneels down next to Shelly's ear and motions to Lou,
who lifts Shelly's bound arms.
MICKEY
Shelly, I'm going to ask you ten
times. You understand? Ten times.
Mickey grabs Shelly's pinky finger, putting it between the
metal blades.
MICKEY
One. Where is our money?
Shelly whimpers, red-faced and sobbing. There is a sick
crunch and Shelly howls into his gag as his pinky finger
bounces to the floor amid the expensive leather footwear.
CAESAR
Aw ... Christ.
We hear Caesar retrieve a tissue and his hand enters the
frame, scooping up the pinky.
He plunks the severed finger into the toilet and it sinks to
the bottom.
Caesar drops the toilet seat down and flushes.
INT. BATHROOM - EMPTY APARTMENT - DAY
Corky can't stand it anymore. She throws her tools down,
leaves the bathroom and finds --
Violet waiting in the main room. Both women stand apart in
silence.
Violet seems on the verge of saying something but doesn't
know how to start. Her lip begins to quiver; her eyes search
the room, returning to Corky each time.
The violence in the next room can still be heard.
CORKY
Violet? Are you all right?
Almost unnoticeably, Violet shakes her bead. Corky puts her
arm around her.
CORKY
Come on. Let's go.
INT. BAR - DAY
It is the kind of bar businessmen drink at in the afternoon.
Dark wood and padded leather.
The bartender, joking with a cluster of men, does not notice
Corky as she moves up to the bar.
CORKY
Excuse me.
The bartender glances over.
CORKY
Draft beer and a TNT.
Corky eyes the men, who stare into their drinks.
The bartender says nothing as he puts the drinks in front of
her.
Corky heads for her table, ignoring the whispers and snickers.
Corky and Violet, the only women in the room, sit close
together at a far corner table.
Violet's voice is hushed.
VIOLET
Shelly was skimming from the business.
He came to see me yesterday because
he was afraid Caesar figured it out.
He wanted to run but he wanted me to
come with him.
CORKY
Even though he knew about you?
VIOLET
Yes.
CORKY
He was in love with you, right?
VIOLET
That's what he told himself. But it
wasn't even about me, it was about
Caesar. He wanted what Caesar had.
That's how they are. I understand
them.
She glances around the room; a man at the bar smiles at her.
VIOLET
For Shelly, taking the money was a
way to take from Caesar. He could
have run at any time, but he didn't
because he didn't want out.
CORKY
Sounds like he wanted to get caught.
VIOLET
Maybe he did. He would brag to me
all the time. He was never afraid
of Caesar because he didn't know
him. Not like I do.
Two men sit down near them, laughing.
VIOLET
Caesar lives for these moments. He
tells me it's just the business, but
I know it's more than that. He likes
it. The violence. I'll catch him
in the bathroom mirror touching his
scars. He says they remind him who
he his. They're all like that.
Except maybe Mickey.
CORKY
Mickey?
VIOLET
He's the part of the business that
the rest of them pretend to be.
|But Mickey doesn't like it like
they do. I suppose that's why he's
good at it.
Violet stares at her glass, at the melting ice.
VIOLET
I used to be able to block it out.
I would tell myself that I wasn't
really there so nothing really
mattered. But I can't do it anymore.
She downs the last of her drink.
VIOLET
I've been making the same mistake
Shelly made. But now I know what |I
want.
She turns to Corky.
VIOLET
I want out. I want a new life. I
see what I've been waiting for, but
I need you, Corky.
CORKY
For what?
VIOLET
You made a choice once. Do you think
you would make that same choice again?
CORKY
What choice?
VIOLET
If those quarters fell to the floor,
would you still reach up to that
cash register?
Corky stares at her, knowing where this is going. She glances
around the crowded bar.
CORKY
Not here.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Corky's truck sits in a gravel parking lot.
INT. CORKY'S TRUCK - DAY
Through the back window of the truck, Violet and Corky are
silhouettes against the street light.
VIOLET
Caesar is going to get the money and
bring --
CORKY
How much money?
VIOLET
Shelly said it was over two million
dollars.
Corky quietly swallows that pill. It begins to rain.
VIOLET
Caesar will bring it to the apartment
to count and go through |Shelly's
books to figure out how he did it.
CORKY
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Do
you have any idea what you are saying?
You are asking me to help you fuck
the mob.
Violet nods.
CORKY
These people are serious, Violet.
If you want to know how serious, ask
Shelly. They're worse than any cop
because they have lots of money and
no rules. You fuck them, you've got
to do it right.
VIOLET
That's why I need your help. You
said you were good.
CORKY
I am, but ...
She knows Violet is challenging her.
CORKY
All right, let's say for the moment
that I believe everything you are
saying.
VIOLET
You think I'm lying?
CORKY
I didn't say that, but since you
did, let's say that you are. It
would have been easy to set Shelly
up. You could have got him killed
knowing that Caesar would bring the
money to the apartment.
Violet stares, her face poker-blank.
CORKY
All you would need to keep yourself
clean would be someone unconnected,
someone like me.
VIOLET
Is that what you think?
CORKY
I'm just making a point. You have
no idea what you're asking. How
much trust two people need to do
something like this.
She moves closer to Violet, the sound of the rain beating
against the metal cab.
CORKY
For me, stealing is a lot like sex.
Two people that want the same thing
sit in a room and they talk, they
start to plan and it's like flirting,
a kind of foreplay, because the more
they talk about it, the wetter they
get.
She stops.
CORKY
The difference is, I can have sex
with someone I just met, someone I
hardly know, but to steal I need to
know someone like I know myself.
VIOLET
Do you think you know me like that?
CORKY
I think ...
They are close enough to kiss.
CORKY
We're going to find out.
Corky pulls back.
CORKY
But first, I want to see this money.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Violet springs from the couch as the front door crashes open,
Caesar charging in. He is doubled over, clutching something
to his stomach.
He rushes to the kitchen, dumping a bloody bundle into the
double sink. There is blood everywhere, smeared up and down
Caesar's front.
VIOLET
Oh my God ...
Violet takes a step toward him, unsure of what has happened.
CAESAR
Don't worry. It ain't mine.
He pulls a bottle of whiskey and a glass from the cupboard.
VIOLET
Caesar, what happened?
CAESAR
It was unbelievable! Un-fucking-
believable!
He pours himeslf a shot, belting it back.
CAESAR
Goddammit, look at this shirt! It's
ruined!
He begins unbuttoning the bloody shirt.
CAESAR
It started when Shelly took us to
the money. I tell you, Mickey Malnato
knows his shit, he does. Shelly
takes us right there.
He throws down another shot.
CAESAR
So Shelly's down on his knees and
he's pulling out this bag of money
from a safe in the floor and I'm
staring at it like "holy fuck!" I
mean, look at it --
He tears open the bloody bag, wet money bricks spilling out.
CAESAR
And all I can think is how the fuck
did he do this when - Bang! Johnnie
caps him. Blood sprays everywhere,
all over the money. We've no idea
if this is even all of it.
Caesar is exasperated.
CAESAR
And right then I go through the roof
and - Boom! I belt the dumb fuck as
hard as I can. I didn't care whose
son he was, I just wanted to hit him
again. Knock some sense into that
dumb son of a bitch.
He looks at the pile of bloody money.
CAESAR
Just look at this mess I got to deal
with.
VIOLET
What are you going to do with it?
CAESAR
I told them to run it through the
cycles. But I guess Gino has plans
for it because he's coming here
tomorrow night to pick this shit up.
Searching through a sink cabinet, he can't find what he needs.
CAESAR
Where the hell's the laundry
detergent?
VIOLET
Ummm ... in the linen closet.
Caesar walks down the ball to the bathroom. Violet's eyes
do not move from the pile of money.
Corky seems to come from nowhere. She whispers.
CORKY
Come to my place in the morning.
Early, okay?
Violet nods.
INT. CLOSET - NIGHT
Corky's hands twitch, and then flex against the ropes that
bind them.
A reflex echoes through her body, muscles spasm and limbs
jerk against their bonds.
As if in a dream, she struggles, trying to get free, fighting
toward the edge of consciousness until --
She seems to succumb, slipping back into stillness.
We move toward her face, her closed eyes as we again hear
the voices in her head.
VIOLET (V.O.)
You're having second thoughts.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Violet is on the bed, Corky at the window.
CORKY
... no.
She turns to Violet.
CORKY
You said he washed the money?
VIOLET
Yeah.
CORKY
Then what? Exactly.
VIOLET
He hung it up.
CORKY
What?
VIOLET
To let it dry.
She begins to focus on the memory.
VIOLET
It was unreal ...
Moving in on her face.
MATCH CUT TO:
Benjamin Franklin's face on a hundred-dollar bill.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Franklin's face rotates as we pull back, seeing rows of bills
carefully paper-clipped to lines of string.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Hundreds, paper-clipped everywhere
like leaves.
Eyes filled with green, Violet turns inside the laundry lines
of money until she sees Caesar.
Wearing his undershirt, he is across the room standing at
the ironing board, ironing every single bill.
He seems to have one eye on her, one eye on his work.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Then one by one, he ironed all of
it.
He sprays starch across several bills and presses the steaming
iron to them.
CORKY (V.O.)
Did he sleep?
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Violet is in bed, unable to sleep, listening to the machine-
shuffle of Caesar's bill counter.
VIOLET (V.O.)
No. But neither did I.
We move past her, floating toward the wall.
VIOLET (V.O.)
All night long I listened to that
sound.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
We drift across Caesar's desk, past bricks of bound bills,
as Caesar folds the paper tape around another stack.
CORKY (V.O.)
What sound?
He hits the counter again and we hear the sound, now very
loud as hundreds blur by, fluttering beneath us.
VIOLET (V.O.)
The sound of money.
The sound rolls into thunder --
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
That seems to shake the apartment.
CORKY
And where is it now?
VIOLET
In his office. I saw it this morning.
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Violet cautiously enters the office with a cup of coffee.
Working furiously at the computer, Caesar jumps when he sees
her, bloodshot eyes animal-wide.
He checks his watch as she sets the coffee in front of him.
VIOLET
I need to go to the store.
He nods automatically, back in his work, as she sees the
briefcase filled with perfect rows of hundreds.
VIOLET (V.O.)
It's in a case, on his desk.
CORKY (V.O.)
Does the case lock?
We see the open top with its silver flip-over locks.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Violet is trying to remember.
VIOLET
Yes.
CORKY
Good.
Corky begins to pace, ordering the information in her head.
CORKY
All right, now, tell me about Johnnie.
VIOLET
Johnnie?
CORKY
It sounded like he and Caesar don't
like each other.
VIOLET
Like each other? They hate each
other.
CORKY
Why?
VIOLET
It started way before I was around.
I think basically it's because he
thinks Johnnie is a complete idiot.
But Johnnie runs Chicago because
Gino is his father.
CORKY
Who is Gino?
Violet suddenly feels that she has made a mistake.
VIOLET
Gino Marzzone.
CORKY
Marzzone? As in Angelo Marzzone,
head of the Marzzone family?
VIOLET
That's his brother.
CORKY
... shit.
Corky covers her mouth.
CORKY
Gino Marzzone is coming tonight to
pick up the money?
VIOLET
Yeah.
CORKY
And Johnnie is his son, that's Johnnie
Marzzone?
VIOLET
Yeah.
CORKY
Sweet Jesus.
Eyes wide, she paces, pulling at her lip, mumbling.
Suddenly she freezes as it clicks into place. She looks at
Violet.
CORKY
It's perfect.
She's pacing again.
CORKY
Gino Marzzone is coming to your
apartment. It's a big deal, isn't
it? That means Caesar will be ready.
He doesn't want to look like an idiot.
Gino has been there before?
VIOLET
Yeah, twice.
CORKY
What happened?
VIOLET
Not much, really. Caesar was nervous,
kept cleaning the apartment. |The
first time, he picked out the dress
he wanted me to wear.
Something occurs to Corky.
CORKY
Does Johnnie hit on you?
VIOLET
Johnnie hits on anything in high
heels.
CORKY
Has Caesar ever seen him?
VIOLET
He does it right in front of him.
CORKY
It's getting better and better.
Keep going.
VIOLET
Gino doesn't know English, or at
least he pretends he doesn't, so he
doesn't talk much. He gets right to
the point. Both times they talked
for about five minutes, had one drink
and then they left.
CORKY
What did Gino drink?
VIOLET
Scotch, Glenlivet. I remember that
Caesar made a huge deal about it.
Corky smiles, the wheels rolling.
CORKY
All right ...
She turns from the window and gets onto the bed.
CORKY
I have an idea to make this work.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - DAY
Violet is getting dressed, lining her lips with lip-pencil.
CORKY (V.O.)
You'll go back and get ready, take
your time, make it real.
As she works on her face, we see the room behind her and the
discarded dresses scattered about.
CORKY (V.O.)
The more attractive you are, the
more believable it will be.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Corky breaks her thought-train.
CORKY
What time did you say they would be
there?
VIOLET
The plane is in at seven, so I'd say
about eight.
CORKY
Any bodyguards?
VIOLET
Gino travels with a big man named
Roy. Caesar calls him the driver.
CORKY
Fine.
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Caesar again checks his watch.
CORKY (V.O.)
At some point Caesar is going to
quit. I'd guess sometime around
six, making sure he's got time to
get ready.
The watch reads 6:10. Caesar rubs his eyes, his temples.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Violet is at the bar in a sexy dress and high heels.
CAESAR
Un-fucking-believable, what this guy
did. Shelly is one smart-ass
mothefucker, I mean, he was one smart-
ass motherfucker.
He laughs as Violet smiles, handing him an enormous drink.
CORKY (V.O.)
As soon as he is done, you'll be
right there to put a big drink in
his hand.
He takes the drink.
CORKY (V.O.)
We want him to come down, to relax,
feel in control again.
VIOLET
Poor boy, has to work so hard.
She gives him a woman's sympathy pout; he knows what it,
loves it anyway.
Smiling, he slides his hand down over her ass.
CAESAR
You look good enough to eat.
She smiles and waits for the kiss she knows is coming.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Both women are starting to feel it, to believe it.
VIOLET
Where will you be?
CORKY
Waiting in the apartment next door.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT
Corky sits on the floor of the dark apartment. She has taken
off her boots, which are beside her.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Waiting for what?
Through the wall we can hear the shower.
CORKY (V.O.)
For the shower. That will be our
signal.
Corky opens a thin box filled with needle-thin lock picks.
She selects several and slips them into her multi-pierced
ears like earrings.
CORKY (V.O.)
When he's done with his shower, you
will go to the bar.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
In slow motion, Caesar drops the shower plunger and water
chokes from the faucet.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Behind the bar, Violet pulls out the bottle of Glenlivet.
CORKY (V.O.)
You'll get out the Scotch that Gino
drinks.
Violet steps out from the bar, her eyes on the bedroom, when
the bottle slips from her hands.
We watch it slowly fall --
CORKY (V.O.)
And as you do, the bottle will slip
from your hands. -- and shatter
against the hardwood floor.
CORKY (V.O.)
An accident.
VIOLET
Shit! Oh shit!
Caesar yells from the bathroom.
CAESAR (V.O.)
What happened?!
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Hearing Caesar, Corky gets up, moving quietly toward the
door.
CAESAR (V.O.)
V! What the fuck was it?! Violet?
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Caesar enters, a towel wrapped around him, hair still
dripping.
CAESAR
V, what? You can't hear me?
Violet looks terribly upset as she begins to clean up.
VIOLET
Caesar, it slipped ... I was trying
to get ready ...
Caesar realizing what happened.
CAESAR
Oh, fucking Christ ... You gotta be
kidding me!
He rushes at her.
CAESAR
Fuck! Fuck! How did you ... Awwww
goddammit!
VIOLET
I'm sorry. It was an accident.
She stands up.
VIOLET
Don't worry, I'll get some more.
CAESAR
There's no time.
VIOLET
Don't be silly, Caesar. It'll take
five minutes.
She turns him back toward the bedroom.
VIOLET
I'll clean this up and be back before
you're even dressed.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Violet opens her door, stepping into the hall where Corky is
waiting.
CORKY (V.O.)
When you open the door, I'll be there.
They pass each other in silence, Violet stepping out as Corky
slips in.
VIOLET (V.O.)
What if he sees you?
CORKY (V.O.)
He won't.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Caesar is working intensely on his fingernails. We glide
over a set of gleaming metal manicure tools. We see his
hand as he delicately applies a coat of clear polish to a
nail.
Through the open door, we see Corky moving almost casually
across the living room.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Corky is looking for something.
VIOLET
You can't know for certain that he
won't see you.
CORKY
Trust me, Violet.
She finds a black duffel bag from one of her tool buckets.
VIOLET
I'm just asking, what if?
CORKY
If he does ...
Corky slips her hand in between the mattress and box spring,
pulling out a gun.
CORKY
Then I won't have a choice, will I?
She tosses the gun on the bed.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
The black case is lying on the desk, locked shut. Corky
moves around the desk, dropping down behind it.
CORKY (V.O.)
When I'm inside, I will get the money.
From her earlobe, she chooses the right pick, sliding out
the silver tool.
It takes only a second and the first lock pops open.
She is working on the other lock when the door is pushed
open and Caesar walks in.
Corky drops down, grasping for her gun --
As Caesar, wearing only underwear, enters. He blows on the
drying polish on his fingernails before delicately selecting
a suit from his closet.
The gun ready, Corky, pressed against the desk, waits until
he leaves.
She lets her breath out, then pops the second lock, unzips
the black duffel bag and quickly empties the case, filling
the bag with fat money bricks.
CORKY (V.O.)
I'm going to need something ...
Finished, she zips up the bag and looks about.
CORKY (V.O.)
... to fill the case.
Sbe sees a stack of newspapers hidden near the desk.
CORKY (V.O.)
Yeah, you should hide it near the
desk before you leave.
She fills the case, then closes it.
CORKY (V.O.)
At that point --
She thumbs the locks shut and they snap, unnaturally loud,
into place.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
They are both on the bed.
CORKY
There is no going back.
VIOLET
When I get the Scotch, how do I know
you won't take off?
CORKY
The same way I'll know that you went
to Scotch. Trust.
Their faces are close, eyes still trying to read each other.
VIOLET
I still don't see how I'm going to
get clean with the money in the
apartment. Everyone will think I
did it.
CORKY
Not Caesar.
VIOLET
Why?
CORKY
Because of what you are going to
tell him. You have to make it as
real as you can. The moment you
open the door with the Scotch in
your hand, you will be covered, and
that moment is the most important
moment in the plan.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The door bursts open. Violet enters quickly, carrying a
bottle in a thin brown bag.
CORKY (V.O.)
If it's real enough, he'll believe
it, because deep down he'll want to.
VIOLET
C! Shit, I'm sorry!
Caesar wanders out, tightening his tie. She looks at her
watch.
VIOLET
They were early.
CAESAR
What are you talking about?
VIOLET
They just left, didn't they?
CAESAR
What are you, drunk?
He smiles, grabbing the bottle from her.
VIOLET
You mean they weren't up here?
CAESAR
No! They're still on their way.
VIOLET
That doesn't make any sense.
CAESAR
Why?
VIOLET
Because I just saw Johnnie downstairs.
Caesar turns.
CAESAR
What?
VIOLET
I was getting out of the car when I
saw him in the Mercedes.
CAESAR
It couldn't have been.
VIOLET
It was him. I'm positive.
CAESAR
It's impossible!
VIOLET
Caesar, I know Johnnie. It was him.
I screamed when I saw him. I couldn't
believe I missed them. I knew you
were going to be upset so I thought
I'd apologize and give Gino the
Scotch. I honked a couple of times
but he didn't stop.
She watches him, her words caving in around him.
CAESAR
But Gino's plane doesn't get in for
another half-hour.
Violet thinks.
VIOLET
Actually, I didn't see Gino in the
car.
His eyes dart. His forehead beads with sweat. He turns
toward the office.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Violet is staring at Corky's mouth.
CORKY
If Caesar hates Johnnie like you
say, then the second he opens the
case he'll know, in his gut, that
Johnnie just fucked him. He'll
realize that he has no choice. He
can't touch Gino or Johnnie. There's
only one way out.
She pauses.
CORKY
He'll have to run.
VIOLET
If he runs, everyone will assume he
took the money.
CORKY
You'll be clean and we'll be rich.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
Caesar stands over the desk, afraid to open the case.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
VIOLET
Jesus, that's beautiful.
CORKY
Thank you.
VIOLET
If you're this goddamn smart, how
did you ever get caught?
CORKY
Every job like this has moments where
things don't go so well and everyone
starts thinking about their own ass.
It's in those moments that everything
comes together or falls apart.
She looks dead at Violet.
CORKY
I had a partner and she fucked me.
VIOLET
I won't.
CORKY
I think we're going to find out.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
The key turns and the locks pop. When Caesar sees the
newspaper, the whole world begins to spin.
VIOLET
Caesar?
His chest collapses onto itself while his hands ball into
fists.
CAESAR
No no no no ...
She moves around the side of the desk and sees the newspaper.
VIOLET
Oh God ...
He slams the case shut, his head hanging down.
After a moment he looks at her, like a little boy about to
cry.
CAESAR
... I've been set up.
He seems ready to scream but can't say anything.
VIOLET
Johnnie?
The name is like water hitting hot oil.
CAESAR
That fuck! That rat-fuck! Little
shit rat-fuck!
He starts punching the desk, each blow harder than the last.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky can hear him pounding. She looks down and smiles.
Between her legs is the open bag stuffed with money.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Caesar is choking on his own rage.
VIOLET
Why? Why would Johnnie do this?
CAESAR
Jesus Christ, Violet! Open your
fucking eyes! Johnnie hates me like
I hate him!
He starts to pound his fists against his own head.
CAESAR
I hate that little fuck! I hate
him! I hate him! I should've done
him!
VIOLET
But you know he did it.
CAESAR
So what?! So fucking what? Use
your head, Violet. The money is
gone. Gino is coming here to get
it. You think he's going to believe
me if I tell him his piss-hole son
stole it! Is that what you think?
I don't. You know what I think? I
think I'm a dead man. I'm one in
the brain. That's what I think!
VIOLET
Caesar, what are we going to do?
He grabs hold of his chair, using it to support himself
CAESAR
I know what he wants me to do. He
wants me out of here. He wants me
to run.
She watches him, his body rocking against the chair.
CAESAR
If I run, then everyone will think I
took the money and he walks away
with two million clean.
The words squeeze out like tears.
CAESAR
God, I can see him right now driving
to get Gino. I can hear him laughing,
fucking laughing, laughing at me.
He swings the swivel chair over his head and smashes it down
on the desk. Again and again.
CAESAR
Laughing at me! Laughing at me!
The chair falls and he stands alone, covering his face to
hide his tears.
VIOLET
C ...
She goes to hold him.
CAESAR
Don't touch me!
He backs into the corner of the room.
CAESAR
Just leave me alone! I got to think!
Violet watches him trying to wipe the tears and sweat from
his face.
CAESAR
Got to think this through ...
VIOLET
Caesar, maybe we should run --
CAESAR
Violet, please!
VIOLET
I mean it, Caesar, forget Johnnie,
forget the money, let's just go now,
before it's too late --
CAESAR
Goddammit, Violet! Would you just
leave me the fuck alone! Please!
Leave! Now!
VIOLET
All right, Caesar.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Violet enters, closing the door quietly behind her. She
looks at the wall, then goes to the bed and picks up the
phone.
As she dials, we move along the phone cord, following it
down to the jack in the wall.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
We move out from another jack, following a different cord.
Corky is sitting with her back to the wall. The black phone
beside her barely rings once before she answers.
She waits, saying nothing.
VIOLET (V.O.)
It's me.
CORKY
What happened?
INT. BEDROOM NIGHT
Violet whispers, her hand cupped over the mouthpiece.
VIOLET
He totally freaked. I've never seen
him like this. He's out of his
fucking mind.
CORKY (V.O.)
That's okay, as long as he believes
it was Johnnie.
VIOLET
Believes it! Jesus, it's driving
him crazy. He wants to kill him. I
don't know, Corky, I don't know what
he is going to do. I'm getting
nervous, really nervous.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
CORKY
It's all right, Violet. It's working.
All we got to do is wait him out and
see what he does.
VIOLET (V.O.)
What if he doesn't run?
CORKY
That means he probably will kill
Johnnie.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Oh, Christ, I got to get out of here!
CORKY
Listen, if he doesn't run, all you
have to do is break down, go to your
bedroom and pack some things, start
crying, saying you love him but you
can't do it. You're sorry but you
have to leave and just walk out.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
VIOLET
okay, all right.
CORKY (V.O.)
We're almost there, Violet. just
hang on.
Violet hears him.
VIOLET
He's coming ...
She hangs up quickly just as Caesar bursts in.
CAESAR
I got it! I know what I got to do!
I got to get the money.
VIOLET
The money? The money's gone.
CAESAR
No. Johnnie's got it. All I got to
do is get it back.
VIOLET
But it could be anywhere.
CAESAR
He didn't have that much time. He
had to pick up Gino. I bet you he's
got it with him. I bet it's in the
car.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky presses against the wall, trying to hear.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Caesar is pacing.
CAESAR
He didn't see you, did he?
VIOLET
No.
CAESAR
See, right now he doesn't know that
I know, that's why he put the paper
in the case. He wants me to hand
the case to Gino. Then there is no
doubt it was me. Gino will put a
bullet in me himself. But it ain't
going to happen. I won't let it!
Johnnie ain't going to fuck me! Not
like this! No way!
VIOLET
This is insane!
She throws open her closet.
CAESAR
What are you doing?
She grabs a suitcase from under the bed.
VIOLET
I'm leaving! This is crazy! I don't
want to be involved. I don't want
anything to do with this shit!
She starts yanking the dresses from the closet.
CAESAR
You can't leave.
VIOLET
The hell I can't!
CAESAR
I need you ...
VIOLET
Bullshit! You don't need me! You've
never needed me! I can't help you!
Understand?! I have to get out.
CAESAR
Violet, I won't let you leave.
She turns and sees that he is holding a gun.
CAESAR
If you're not with me, Violet, then
I have to assume you're against me.
VIOLET
Caesar, this is crazy.
CAESAR
Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Maybe
you dropped the Scotch by accident.
Maybe you didn't.
Now it is her turn to feel the world spin.
CAESAR
It would have been so easy to let
him in as you went out.
VIOLET
You don't, you can't believe that
...
CAESAR
I've seen the way he looks at you.
He's always wanted you. Maybe two
million dollars finally bought you.
She slaps him hard. He stares at her.
CAESAR
I'm sorry, Violet, but it has to be
this way.
He moves past her, picks up the dresses and returns them to
the closet.
CAESAR
I hope you understand. I want to
trust you, I want to believe you,
but I don't have any other choice.
He shuts the closet.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Caesar is at the bar, drinking the Scotch. The gun in front
of him. Across the room, Violet sits, staring holes through
him.
They wait in silence.
CAESAR
You sure you don't want a drink?
Violet says nothing.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
In the dark, Corky sits, her face, her posture very similar
to Violet's.
She is concentrating, her mind somewhere else, when the door
buzzer sounds.
She turns her head and hears Caesar faintly answering the
intercom.
Corky stands just as --
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Violet stands.
Caesar faces her for a moment, then shoves the gun into his
belt behind his back.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky watches through the door peep as three men pass by.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
There is a knock and Caesar opens the door.
GINO MARZZONE is an old Italian whose face is a mask of
irritated indifference.
ROY, his enormous driver, is behind him.
Caesar smiles, greeting them in Italian with open arms.
Johnnie is the last inside. He has tape over his broken
nose. He smiles and hugs Caesar.
JOHNNIE
You shouldn't have hit me.
CAESAR
You want to get into this now?
JOHNNIE
No, no, Caesar. Not now.
He smiles again, patting him on the shoulder, then throwing
a fake punch.
Caesar sees Gino with his bright Italian smile, flattering
Violet, kissing her.
GINO
Hey, Caesar! You take care of this
girl, or I find out!
JOHNNIE
You are as radiant as ever, Violet.
As he bends to kiss her hand, she sees Caesar watching them.
CAESAR
Glenlivet, right, Gino?
JOHNNIE
I'll have whatever Violet's drinking.
VIOLET
I'm not drinking.
JOHNNIE
Then neither will I.
This makes Violet very uncomfortable.
VIOLET
No, I'll have a Tanqueray and tonic.
JOHNNIE
Caesar, make that two TNTs.
Caesar's hand shakes as he pours Gino's Scotch.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Pacing in her socks, Corky tries to think through several
possible situations. She stops, staring at the bag of money.
The idea of its sitting out in the open suddenly bothers
her.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Caesar hands Violet and Johnnie a drink. He stares at her.
She stares back.
JOHNNIE
Salud, eh. Roy, Violet, Pop, Caesar.
Caesar watches Johnnie, suspecting everything he does.
Johnnie reaches into his pocket and takes out a cellular
phone.
GINO
No, Johnnie. No goddamned phones.
Not now.
JOHNNIE
Pop?
GINO
Caesar, come here. Sit. We talk
now. You too, Johnnie.
Each man sits on either side of Gino.
GINO
Caesar, look at me. Johnnie tell me
what happened. Caesar, you gotta do
me a favor, a personal favor. For
me, eh? You gotta start respecting
Johnnie the way you respect me. You
understand? Good.
Caesar sees Johnnie smiling at him, but when Gino turns, the
smile disappears.
GINO
And you, Johnnie. You gonna stop
acting stupid. You gotta earn this
respect that Caesar's gonna give.
You understand? Good. Done. Now,
where's my money?
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky drops a hefty bag, knotted tight, into an open five-
gallon bucket of paint.
As she picks up a paint stick, we see a second bag beside
another bucket.
She pushes the first bag down until it disappears, enveloped
by the milk-white liquid.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Caesar puts the briefcase onto the coffee table.
Gino looks up at Caesar, very serious, with his hand on the
case.
GINO
We know how this was done, eh?
CAESAR
Yeah, I know.
He looks dead at Johnnie.
GINO
It won't happen again, eh?
Caesar shakes his head.
GINO
Good.
Gino throws down the last of the Scotch.
GINO
Done. We go now.
JOHNNIE
Jesus Christ, Pop. You got two hours
until your plane leaves.
Gino checks his watch, shouting in Italian. Johnnie shouts
back until Gino throws up his hands, refusing to listen.
GINO
Caesar!
He gestures to his empty glass, then folds his arms, leaning
back. Caesar gets the bottle.
JOHNNIE
So Caesar, what did it total out at?
CAESAR
Two point one seventy-six.
Johnnie whistles as Caesar pours Gino another Scotch.
JOHNNIE
Unbelievable. Can you believe that,
Violet?
GINO
Hey, Johnnie ...
In Italian tells him to shut up.
JOHNNIE
Come on, Pop, all I want to know is
one thing. Just one thing after he
made such a big deal out of it. I
bet it wasn't a big deal. Was it,
Caesar?
CAESAR
What's that, Johnnie?
JOHNNIE
The money I bet it was nothing to
get it clean, after you made such a
fucking big deal ...
GINO
Johnnie, what did I say?
JOHNNIE
Pop, this is important to me. It's
a simple question. if he would just
answer the question, that's the end
of it.
CAESAR
Where is this going, Johnnie?
JOHNNIE
Just admit it, Caesar.
CAESAR
Admit what?
JOHNNIE
That you overreacted. That you lost
it. Not me. It was your mistake.
Caesar sees it so clearly now.
CAESAR
All right, Johnnie, you want to play
it this way, I can play it this way.
You want to know who made a mistake,
why don't you open the case.
VIOLET
Caesar ...
CAESAR
Shut up, Violet! This is between me
and Johnnie.
He pushes the case toward him.
CAESAR
You want to do this now, let's do
it. Open the case. Open the fucking
case.
Johnnie stares at him, feeling that something is very wrong.
CAESAR
That's right, I know. I fucking
know.
JOHNNIE
Know what?
CAESAR
Open the case!
JOHNNIE
All right! Where's the key?
CAESAR
You don't need a key.
He tries but it's locked.
JOHNNIE
How the fuck can I open it?
CAESAR
The same way you did before.
JOHNNIE
What are you talking about?
Caesar smiles and tosses the key onto the table.
CAESAR
There you go, Johnnie.
He reaches for the key. Caesar stands up and gives Violet
his drink.
CAESAR
Get me another.
He can see the fear on her face as she goes to the bar.
Time drips.
The key turns. One lock pops.
Then the other.
Tbe case opens like a scream and Johnnie sees the newspaper.
JOHNNIE
What the ...
Before anybody can move, Caesar whips around with his gun.
Roy jumps off his stool, his drink crashing to the floor.
CAESAR
Don't! Don't fucking move!
Nobody can believe what is happening.
GINO
Caesar? What is this?
CAESAR
Ask Johnnie! Ask your rat-fuck son!
JOHNNIE
What the fuck?
Caesar levels the gun.
CAESAR
You don't think I'll do it, do you?
JOHNNIE
I think you're fucking crazy!
CAESAR
Where is it?
JOHNNIE
Where's what?
CAESAR
The money!
JOHNNIE
Caesar, I don't know what you're
thinking here, but if you don't put
down that gun --
He stands up.
CAESAR
Sit down!
He does.
GINO
Caesar!
CAESAR
Gino, your son stole this money to
set me up and I can prove it. Violet!
She doesn't know what to say.
CAESAR
Tell them! Tell them!
VIOLET
For Christ's sake, Johnnie, do what
he says.
JOHNNIE
This isn't happening ...
Boom! Caesar blows a hole in the couch right between
Johnnie's legs. Johnnie screams.
CAESAR
The next one blows off your dick.
JOHNNIE
You're a dead man! A fucking dead
man!
CAESAR
Where is it?
GINO
Enough!
Gino jumps up.
CAESAR
No, Gino!
GINO
You aim a gun at me?! Do you know
who I am?! I am Gino Marzzone. You
understand?
He starts walking toward Caesar. Roy moves around for a
good angle.
CAESAR
Sit down, Gino!
GINO
No, Caesar, gimme the gun.
CAESAR
Stay away!
He backs up as Gino walks straight to him.
GINO
We're family, Caesar.
CAESAR
No!
GINO
Gimme the gun.
CAESAR
I can't. I can't.
GINO
Give it to me.
He reaches up and takes bold of the barrel. Caesar looks
resigned as he shuts his eyes.
GINO
Good man.
Close on Gino's hand holding the gun barrel as --
Caesar fires.
From behind the gun we watch Gino's grip yanked free, time
melting away as he falls, blood bubbling from his chest, his
eyes wide in disbelief.
His body hits the floor and the room erupts.
Roy dives, drawing his gun as Caesar continues to fire,
pumping the trigger.
Violet drops behind the bar as Jobnnie screams, falling
towards his father.
Blood spurts from Roy as two bullets hit, his gun clattering
and sliding across the floor.
Johnnie lunges at Caesar as Caesar turns and fires, hitting
Johnnie everywhere; blood and meat spray and speckle
everything around him.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
The gun continues to fire as Corky clutches the phone,
whispering.
CORKY
This is an emergency!
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Crunched down behind the bar, Violet listens to the only
sound, repeating in the unnatural quiet:
Click. Click.
Click.
Rising, she peers over the edge of the bar.
Caesar is standing in the aftermath. His gun is still aimed
at Johnnie as he pulls the trigger over and over.
The bodies are still, blood silently pooling around them.
Blinking the sweat from his eyes, Caesar sees Violet.
CAESAR
I had to do it, Violet. You saw it.
I had no choice. It was Johnnie.
That lying fuck. He made me do it.
He looks down at Jobnnie, hate rising like bile.
CAESAR
You lying rat-fuck. You think you
can set me up? Is that what you
think? You stupid fuck.
Kicking the body, be causes a series of sickening wet noises.
CAESAR
I'm a dead man? I'm a dead man?
Guess again, fuck-face. Who's dead?
Who's the dead lying rat-fuck? Take
another guess, take another fucking
guess!
He stops, panting, unable to catch his breath. Violet is
afraid to even look at him.
Blood creeps along the edge of the floorboards.
Caesar tries to clear his head, mopping the sweat from his
face. He bends down and starts searching Johnnie's pockets.
He finds his keys.
VIOLET
What are you doing?
Lost in thought, he goes to Gino. Throwing open the coat,
he sees the airplane ticket. There is a bullet hole in it.
He checks the times and then his watch.
CAESAR
... maybe three hours.
VIOLET
Caesar, what are you going to do?
CAESAR
What do you think we're going to do?
We have to find the money.
VIOLET
What?
CAESAR
Once we have the money, then none of
this ever happened.
VIOLET
Caesar, you just killed Gino Marzzone.
CAESAR
No I didn't. Not if his body
disappears and not if the money is
still here. Then they never showed
up.
VIOLET
What happened to them?
CAESAR
I don't know. We may never know,
but I'm going to guess it was a job,
maybe the Karpoli family.
He smiles.
CAESAR
All part of the business.
He picks up Roy's gun and stuffs it in his belt.
CAESAR
We just got to find the money. Once
we do, everything is going to be all
right.
In the distance, the wail of a police siren can be heard.
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Through the window they see a squad car, lights blaring,
roll up in front of the building.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
VIOLET
Oh, no.
He turns back to the carnage.
CAESAR
Fuck.
VIOLET
Caesar, what are we going to do?
CAESAR
They're just cops. Stall them as
long as you can.
Caesar flies into action.
Grunting, he hauls Gino's body up, drags it to the bathroom
and throws it into the tub. He returns for Johnnie's body.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Standing near the bathroom, Corky hears the metal echo of
the tub. Looking at her tub, she imagines what he is doing.
Through the wall, she hears the door buzzer.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The buzzer sounds again as Violet sees him lift Roy's body.
CAESAR
Answer it!
He heads back to the bathroom, dropping Roy onto the other
two.
The three bloody bodies fill the tub.
We see Johnnie's arm hanging over the edge as Caesar snaps
the shower curtain around, hiding them.
VIOLET
Hello?
COP #1 (V.O.)
This is the police, ma'am.
She cuts them off using the intercom.
VIOLET
The police?
Over her shoulder she sees Caesar moving the furniture,
clearing the area around the heavy bloodstains.
COP #1 (V.O.)
We had a report of gunfire, so if
you could --
VIOLET
Gunfire? Is this a joke?
Violet sees Caesar hurry to his office.
COP #1 (V.O.)
No joke, ma'am. Please open the
door.
VIOLET
How do I know you are cops?
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
Caesar seizes the beautiful oriental rug in his office and
yanks it up, overturning furniture. Dragging it out, he
slams the door behind him.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Violet looks at Caesar, who is working with the calm, single-
minded focus of a machine.
COP #1 (V.O.)
Ma'am, you have to open the door.
VIOLET
All right.
She buzzes them in as Caesar throws the rug like someone
making a bed, letting it fall to the floor and cover most of
the blood.
INT. LOBBY - NIGHT
The cops are waiting for the elevator. After a moment, the
door slides open.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Violet moves away from the intercom as Caesar begins arranging
the furniture on the rug.
CAESAR
Get me a wet towel.
His words push her to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Stuffing a towel into the sink, she turns on the water. She
does not even look at the shower curtain.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
The elevator opens and the cops step out.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Caesar grabs the television remote, hits "on" and jacks the
volume until it is obviously loud.
Violet returns and he snatches the towel from her.
INT. HALL
As the two cops walk down the hall, they hear the television.
They look at each other, already knowing what happened.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Like a maniac, Caesar wipes at any blood still visible until
there is a knock on the door. He grabs Violet by the arm.
CAESAR
If you're thinking about doing
something stupid, remember I just
killed Gino Marzzone. You understand
what that means?
She nods.
VIOLET
They're just cops.
There is another knock, much louder.
Violet goes to the door as Caesar rips off his blood-soaked
jacket and shirt.
He drops down behind the bar Leaving the chain on, Violet
opens the door. Tbe cops smile.
COP #1
See? We're for real.
VIOLET
I'm sorry, it's just you hear stories.
COP #1
You did the right thing.
Crouching, Caesar wipes vigorously at the blood on his hands
and face.
Violet opens the door.
Caesar crams the bloody wad under the bar sink.
Just as the cops enter the living room, Caesar stands, looking
comfortable in no shirt, with ice cubes in his hands.
CAESAR
Hey, hey, Chicago's finest.
He plunks the ice into a glass and walks from behind the bar
CAESAR
How's it going tonight, fellas?
COP #1
Pretty good, sir.
Caesar turns his head.
CAESAR
Huh? I'm sorry, I can only hear in
this ear.
Tbe cops look at each other again.
Wiping his wet hand on his pants, Caesar shakes hands with
each of them.
CAESAR
I'm Caesar and this here is my Violet.
They smile at Violet as Caesar puts his arm around her.
CAESAR
Violet said something about gunshots?
Violet sees the gun wedged in the back of his belt.
COP #2
Yes, sir, a neighbor in the building
called in.
COP #1
I think we know what happened.
COP #2
It was probably just the television.
CAESAR
The television?
He looks at Violet.
CAESAR
Honey, why didn't you say something?
Turn it off.
Violet walks across the rug and turns off the TV.
CAESAR
Fuck, this happened before. It's
this shitty ear. Born with it. The
batteries wore out in my aid. I'm
sorry.
COP #1
It's all right, sir.
COP #2
No big deal.
CAESAR
Hey, can I get you guys a beer?
COP #1
Not on duty, sorry.
CAESAR
Oh, right.
COP #2
But, uh, would you mind if I used
your bathroom?
Caesar's face tightens.
CAESAR
Yeah, why not? It's right there.
COP #2
Thanks.
He heads for the john.
Violet watches Caesar back up to the bar, moving behind it.
CAESAR
I'm going to make myself a drink, if
that's okay?
COP #1
Go right ahead, sir.
INT. BATHROOM NIGHT
Cop #2 enters, walking right past the shower curtain. We
hear his sigh as he starts to piss.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Cop #1 walks onto the rug, looking around, turning to Violet.
COP #1
This is a beautiful place.
VIOLET
... thank you.
She stares at his shoes on the rug.
Watching everything, Caesar takes a sip of his drink. He
slips his gun out and holds it at his side.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
There is a bulge in the shower curtain where we imagine
Johnnie's arm is hanging.
Slowly we slide down to the bottom edge of the plastic
curtain, where a drip of blood forms and --
Plips into a small red spot on the white tile floor.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Close on the heel of the cop's black shoe, where we can almost
see the blood seeping up through the oriental rug.
COP #1
Is this a condo?
Violet nods.
Everyone turns when Cop #2 busts out of the bathroom.
COP #2
Okay, let's roll.
Cop #1 walks across the rug to the hardwood floor. He turns
to Caesar.
COP #1
Try to keep the extra batteries for
your aid around.
CAESAR
Good idea.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky hears the cop say goodbye to Violet. The door closes.
She isn't sure what she should do.
Over her shoulder, she notes the bucket of paint. She lets
the cops leave.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Caesar puts on a new shirt, the gun stuffed in his pants.
CAESAR
Let's go.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky rises at the sound of Caesar's door closing.
We track her along the wall to the foyer as she follows the
faint sounds of Caesar and Violet's footsteps.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
As they pass by, Violet looks up to the door of the empty
apartment, straight at the peephole.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT Corky is pressed against the door, eye
at the peephole.
She sees that Violet is afraid as the two women seem to speak
to each other with their eyes.
CORKY
... shit.
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Caesar is on his knees, searching under the seats of Johnnie's
Mercedes. Unable to find the money, he is ready to snap.
From the main doors, Corky slips out of the building. Hiding
behind a column, she sees Violet and Caesar across the lot.
Corky moves behind the parked cars, the gun squeezed in her
hand.
Violet edges away, on the verge of running, looking toward
the busy street.
Standing, Caesar pounds on the car.
CAESAR
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
VIOLET
Caesar, someone could see us out
here.
Ignoring her, be tries to think.
CAESAR
Get in.
Still too far from them to do anytbing, Corky sees Caesar
slam the trunk.
CAESAR
Get in! It's got to be at his house.
That's the only other place it could
be.
Violet looks around the lot, looking for some way out.
CAESAR
Violet! Now!
Corky can only watch as Violet gets in and the car rips away.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Alone, Corky stands over the bucket of paint. She kicks it
with her boot-toe.
CORKY
Two million dollars, Cork ... Two
million dollars ...
She sighs, wondering how long she can make herself wait.
EXT. JOHNNIE'S BROWNSTONE - NIGHT
The BMW is parked in front.
INT.JOHNNIE'S BROWNSTONE - NIGHT
Close on Caesar, as he rakes his sweaty hair back, his face
knotted in torment.
CAESAR
Okay, I come in ...
He turns as if he just came in through the front door.
We see Johnnie's home has been laid to waste. The furniture
is broken, cushions split open, pictures shattered, holes
punched in the drywall -- even the carpeting has been torn
up.
Caesar doesn't look much better.
CAESAR
I've got the money ...
Huddled in a corner, Violet watches him.
CAESAR
I can't wait to see the look on
Caesar's face when he finds out.
Caesar moves from the front door, trying to get into Johnnie's
head.
CAESAR
Now I don't have much time ...
He takes a couple of steps into the room.
CAESAR
Got to put it someplace safe ...
He looks at a closet. It's gutted, searched 10 times already.
CAESAR
... put it ...
A couple more uneasy steps and he looks at a large over-turned
rolltop desk.
CAESAR
... got it ...
He starts looking around the room as if he is seeing for the
first time that it is destroyed. He is near the breaking
point.
VIOLET
C?
His voice cracks. There is nowhere else to look.
CAESAR
Where did I put it?
He explodes. A terra cotta lamp sails across the room.
CAESAR
Where's my fucking money?! Fucking
cocksuckers! Where the fuck is it?!
He smashes his forehead into the wall, denting the drywall.
CAESAR
Ow.
He holds his head, sinking to the ground.
VIOLET
C?
She sits next to him, putting a hand lightly on his shoulder.
VIOLET
It's not here, Caesar.
CAESAR
Where, then?
VIOLET
I don't know. it could be anywhere.
We don't even know if he was alone.
Please, Caesar, we don't have much
time. Let's get out of here.
He knows what he has to do. Digging through the debris, he
finds the phone.
VIOLET
What are you doing?
CAESAR
We're going to need some time.
VIOLET
Who are you going to call?
Already dialing, he does not answer
VIOLET
Caesar?
Ceaar takes a deep breath, mustering composure.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Yeah?
CAESAR
Hey, Mickey.
VIOLET
Oh, God.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Caesar? What the fuck time is it?
CAESAR
Mick, I know it's late, but there is
a problem. They haven't shown up
yet.
MICKEY (V.O.)
What? They ain't there?
CAESAR
No. I don't know where they are. I
even called over at Johnnie's, but
no answer.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Okay. Let me call around. I'll see
what I can do. Don't go anywhere,
okay?
CAESAR
Okay, sure, Mick.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Caesar, you still got the money?
Caesar looks at Violet.
CAESAR
Yeah, Mick. I've got the money.
I'm staring right at it.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Good. Sit tight. I'll call you.
He hangs up.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Caesar drags himself in. Violet closes the door behind them.
Caesar moves into the room where it happened. He is dizzy
and confused and does not want to be here.
Violet turns him around.
VIOLET
I'll start packing. You know what
you have to do.
She turns him toward the bathroom. He nods.
CAESAR
I can use Johnnie's car, dump it in
Lake Michigan ... I need plastic
bags ... tape and rope ...
VIOLET
Just hurry.
Nodding, he heads for the kitchen.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Violet enters and goes straight for the phone. She looks at
the blank wall as she dials.
VIOLET
Please, Corky ...
The phone rings.
When Corky answers, Violet almost collapses with relief.
VIOLET
Oh, thank God.
CORKY
I'm still here.
VIOLET
I was so afraid you ...
CORKY
You don't quit on me, Violet, and I
won't quit on you.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
A box of Hefty bags tucked under his arm, a coil of
clothesline in his hand, Caesar searches through several
cabinets.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Violet glances at the door.
VIOLET
Corky, it worked! He's going to
run. He needs to take care of the
bodies to buy himself time, but as
soon as he leaves, it's over.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky falls against the wall.
VIOLET (V.O.)
just a little longer and it's ours.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Mumbling to himself, Caesar walks out of the kitchen, heading
for the bedroom.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Violet reaches out and touches the wall, as if she were
touching Corky.
VIOLET
Corky, I have to tell you something
...
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky turns to the wall.
CORKY
I know, Violet. I know.
Her fingers gently touch the wall as we travel up and over,
where we see they are actually touching the wall in the exact
same place.
CORKY
It's why I'm still here.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Suddenly, Violet hears Caesar.
CAESAR (V.O.)
Violet?
As he opens the door, she slams down the phone.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
The line cuts off.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Fear and panic paralyze Violet as Caesar drops everything,
grabbing for his gun.
CAESAR
Who was that?
He levels the gun at her.
CAESAR
Who the fuck was that?
She stands and be rushes at her, grabbing her by the throat.
CAESAR
Was that Mickey? Did you call Mickey?
Did you?!
She shakes her head and he throws her on the bed. The gun
aimed at her, he picks up the phone and --
Hits the redial.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Unsure of what happened, Corky hears the phone ring and
answers it on reflex.
Listening, she waits.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Caesar listens, waiting as long as he can.
CAESAR
Mickey? Is that you?
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky hangs up, jumping away from the wall.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Caesar hits the redial again.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Panicking, Corkydoesn't answer it, but as it rings very loud
in the empty apartment, she realizes her mistake.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Turning slowly toward the wall, Caesar hears the phone ringing
in the empty apartment.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Corky rips the plug out of the wall.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
The line goes dead.
CAESAR
Who is that? Who is over there?!
Tell me!
She tries to get away, but he grabs her and slaps her to the
ground.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT
Corky hears Violet scream and that does it. Gun in hand,
she flies at the door.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
The door to the empty apartment slams shut and Caesar, hearing
it, starts to run --
But Violet reaches out, catching his ankle, sending him
crashing to the dresser.
VIOLET
Run! Just run!
INT HALL - NIGHT
The door to Caesar's apartment is locked. Corky falls to
one knee, whipping two lock picks from her earlobe.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Caesar raises the gun to pistol-whip Violet and she screams.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Working the lock, Corky hears Violet's scream cut off.
She feels the tumblers click, and rotates the cylinder.
A shadow stirs under the crack of the door as she hears
something that sounds like footsteps. Corky freezes.
Corky presses down low against the door beneath the peephole.
She can almost feel Caesar beyond the door, but grits her
teeth and turns the doorknob.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
The door cracks open and Corky slips in, gun-first. As she
moves into the room, we see Caesar behind her.
He puts his gun to her head.
CAESAR
Drop the fucking gun or die!
Corky hesitates.
CAESAR
Drop it!
She does.
CAESAR
Turn around.
Rising from her crouch, she turns and he recognizes her.
CAESAR
You!? Holy fucking Christ! You
gotta be kidding me!
He starts to laugh when she strikes --
Knocking the gun, she punches him, slamming him back against
the door as --
She twists, diving, grabbing her gun, just as --
He steps and kicks her full in the face.
INT. CLOSET - NIGHT
Still unconscious, Corky's head jerks, reacting to the kick.
We see the dried blood caked to her check where his kick
split the skin. She is again swimming toward consciousness.
We hear water splash, her face flinching as we move closer,
the sounds and voices echoing.
CESAR (V.O.)
Wake up! Come on, you fucking dyke!
We hear Caesar slapping her.
CAESAR (V.O.)
Wake up!
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Corky's face is dripping with water as her eyes slowly blink
open.
Coming into focus is Caesar, standing over her with an empty
glass in one hand.
CAESAR
Good.
Except for the gag, she is bound as we have seen her bound
in the closet.
Caesar yanks out his gun and puts it to her head.
CAESAR
I know everything now so I don't
want to hear any "I don't know"
bullshit, you understand?
She sees Violet on the bed, also bound hand and foot.
CAESAR
God, I should have seen this coming!
The second I met you, I knew it.
Everyone knows your kind can't be
trusted! Fucking queers make me
sick.
The gun digs into her cheek.
CAESAR
But you tried to fuck the wrong guy.
And I swear to you that I'm going to
kill you for it.
He thumbs back the hammer.
CAESAR
Where is the money?
VIOLET
Don't tell him --
CAESAR
Shut up, Violet!
VIOLET
He can't kill you --
He aims the gun at Violet.
CAESAR
Violet!
VIOLET
Not until he has the money!
He fires and she jumps as the bullet punches through the
wall behind her.
His point made, he puts the gun back to Corky's head.
CAESAR
Now, where the fuck is my money?
CORKY
Lick me.
CAESAR
Where is it?
CORKY
Either pull the trigger or get that
thing out of my face.
Blood temperature rising again, Caesar pulls the gun back
and slaps her with it.
CAESAR
Stupid cunt!
VIOLET
Caesar, stop acting like an asshole
and think --
CAESAR
Don't try to tell me what to do.
VIOLET
You need the money just like we do.
CAESAR
Shut up, Violet.
VIOLET
Let us go and we'll make a deal.
He rushes at her, grabbing a fistful of her hair.
CAESAR
Shut the fuck up!
He looks at Corky.
CAESAR
What did you do to her?! This isn't
my Violet!
He looks at her as if unable to recognize her
CAESAR
What did she do to you?
VIOLET
Everything you couldn't.
He shoves her down.
CAESAR
You ungrateful bitch! You had nothing
before I met you. You were nothing!
He stomps around the room.
CAESAR
Who gave you this place? This
apartment?
He throws open the closet.
CAESAR
Who gave us all of this? I did! I
gave you everything! I gave you
this life! I made you, Violet. I
saved you.
He seems to believe what he is saying.
CAESAR
I saved you.
VIOLET
Ha! What a load of crap. Look at
yourself, Caesar. You're a thug.
|You launder money for the mob. You
rent women like you rented this
apartment.
He doesn't want to hear this.
VIOLET
Saved me? You don't even know me.
You used me, Caesar, just like I
used you. All part of the business.
CAESAR
You betrayed me!
VIOLET
You murdered Gino!
CAESAR
I had to. You made me.
VIOLET
Bullshit, you killed him. Not me.
You did it because you couldn't stand
the thought of Johnnie fucking you.
CAESAR
Shut up!
He slaps her.
CAESAR
Okay, you want business, I'll give
you the fucking business.
He leans closer.
CAESAR
I'm going to make you beg just like
Shelly did. Just like Shelly!
He storms out of the room.
Corky looks up at Violet.
VIOLET
I'm sorry, Corky ...
CORKY
Don't be sorry. Help me.
She pulls at the ropes as Violet slides off the bed.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Caesar throws open the broom closet and grabs the clippers
that Mickey used to cut off Shelly's finger.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
The two women are back-to-back, fingers working at each
other's knots when Caesar bursts into the room.
CAESAR
Oh, no no no.
Grabbing Corky by the boots, he drags her and flips her so
that she can now see Violet.
He drops down onto Violet putting the clippers in front of
her face.
CAESAR
Hey, Violet, you remember these?
Her eyes widen with terror. She starts to scream when he
stuffs a towel in her mouth.
Laying against Violet, he turns to Corky.
CAESAR
I'm going to start with her so you'll
get a good idea what's coming.
He takes hold of Violet's pinky finger, stretching it out.
CAESAR
I'm going to ask you where the money
is. Every time you don't give me an
answer, I'm going to cut off one
finger.
CORKY
No.
CAESAR
When I reach ten, then I'll start
with you.
He puts the finger between the blades.
CAESAR
Where is the money?
Corky sees Violet thrashing helplessly. She has no choice.
Her mouth opens as --
The door buzzer rings.
Caesar is distracted, trying to think who it could be.
CAESAR
... Mickey.
He sees the phone, where he dropped it, lying off the hook.
The door buzzer rings again, more insistently. Corky sees
him momentarily unnerved.
He looks back at her.
CAESAR
I said where --
He starts to cut and Corky screams --
CORKY
No! I'll tell you!
He stops, the door buzzing continuously.
CORKY
It's over there in the empty
apartment.
As she speaks, the sound of the door buzzer changes.
CORKY
I put it inside one of the paint
drums.
He is not looking at her; listening, he realizes that Mickey
is buzzing the other apartments.
CAESAR stands as the buzzing stops. He pulls out his gun
and aims it at Corky.
CAESAR
I promised I would kill you.
He cocks it.
CORKY
You can't kill me yet.
CAESAR
Why?
CORKY
I could be lying.
His hand start to shake with ftustration. He is beginning
to hate this woman more than he ever hated Johnnie.
Taking a deep breath, he eases back the hammer.
CAESAR
You're going to wish to God you hadn't
done that.
He kicks her again, snapping her head back.
After he leaves, Violet looks over and sees Corky lying
unconscious.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Caesar tries to open the door to the empty apartment but it
is locked.
CAESAR
Fuck.
At the end of the hall, the elevator "dings." Just as the
door opens, Caesar jumps back into his apartment.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
CAESAR
Son of a bitch ...
His mind a racing blur, he locks the door and runs back to
the bedroom.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
With another towel, he gags Corky and drags her into the
closet. In her pocket, he finds the key.
He closes the doors, then hangs up the phone.
Grunting, he hauls Violet up over his shoulder --
When there is a knock on the door.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Carrying Violet, he hurries to the kitchen, where he throws
Corky's gun into the freezer. Mickey is banging on the door
as Caesar heads for the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM
Dropping Violet onto the floor, he reaches behind the curtain
and turns on the shower.
CAESAR
Mickey will get in. I know he will.
We hear the water hitting the bodies while Caesar starts
tearing off his clothes.
CAESAR
Violet. I can kill you right now if
that's what you want. If you want
to live, then you have to help me.
I need you to make Mickey believe
that everything is normal.
He picks up his gun.
CAESAR
Tell me, do you want to live?
She stares hard at him and his gun, then nods.
CAESAR
Good girl.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
We move toward the door as the lock clicks open.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Violet's hands are untied. She pulls off the gag and the
ropes at her feet.
Naked, Caesar sticks his head under the shower spray, wetting
everything.
INT. LIVING ROOM
Still dripping, Caesar walks into the room, a towel wrapped
around his waist, another towel in his hand.
Mickey and Lou are standing in the middle of the room.
Caesar jumps.
CAESAR
Jesus Christ!
Caesar holds his chest, laying it on a bit thick.
CAESAR
Holy fuck, Mickey! You scared the
shit outta me.
He sees they both are holding their guns.
CAESAR
What is this? what are you two doing,
sneaking in here with your peckers
in your hands? You gonna do me,
Mick? Is that it?
Mickey smiles, putting his gun away.
MICKEY
No, Cease. There was no answer.
CAESAR
I thought I heard someone knocking.
MICKEY
I was buzzing, I was knocking, but I
guess you couldn't hear me on account
of being in the shower.
CAESAR
Yeah, it was Violet's idea. I was
so wound up about Gino, she was trying
to help me relax.
MICKEY
That Violet is one nice lady. Wish
someone would help me relax.
CAESAR
Shit, Mick, come on in, let me get
you a drink. Sit down, Lou.
Behind the bar, he sets down the towel be was holding and we
see the gun hidden inside it.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Violet watches through a sliver of open door, her mind already
working.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Caesar is making the drinks.
MICKEY
We was worried about you, Cease.
CAESAR
Me? Why?
MICKEY
We went over to Johnnie's place just
to check it out and it was busted
up, Bad.
Caesar hands him a drink.
MICKEY
I started thinking maybe it's about
the money so I call you, but all I
get is the busy signal. I figure
the phone is off the hook, that's
why I come rushing over here.
CAESAR
Oh Christ, the phone ... That was a
fucking stupid thing to do, wasn't
it?
MICKEY
Hey, if Violet was helping me relax,
I'd probably do the same thing.
Mickey smiles as he sips his drink.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Violet stands and goes to the shower curtain. She reaches
in and turns off the water. Steadying herself, she pulls
back the curtain, exposing the wet, bloody bodies.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Mickey is looking at the furniture.
MICKEY
Cease, can I ask you something?
CAESAR
Yeah.
MICKEY
Why'd you move all the furniture
around?
The knot in Caesar's stomach tightens.
MICKEY
Let me guess. That was Violet's
idea, too.
He laughs, and Lou laughs with him.
CAESAR
Actually, yeah, she was nervous about
Gino coming, wanted everything to
look right. You know women, Mick.
MICKEY
Sure, Cease. They make us do stupid
things, don't they.
Caesar smiles feebly.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Violet has pulled up Johnnie's body and is digging through
his coat pockets, searching for something.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Mickey sees the briefcase still on the coffee table.
MICKEY
Is that the money?
CAESAR
Yeah, that's it.
Caesar puts his hand inside the towel as Mickey walks across
the rug.
MICKEY
That fucking Shelly. I gotta hand
it to the guy, but Jesus, if I were
him I would have bailed a long time
ago. I mean, how much money does a
man need?
Talking to Lou, be picks up the case and walks back, somehwo
moving right between the wet spots.
MICKEY
I remember I was just staring at all
this goddamn money, Shelly down on
his knees, and the next thing I know,
Johnnie just blows his head off.
He slaps the case up onto the bar.
MICKEY
What a fucking mess. Johnnie's
laughing his ass off and that's when
Caesar lost it and - Boom. He
coldcocked him. Fucking coldcocks
Johnnie Marzzone.
He thumbs the latches but the case is still locked.
MICKEY
Hey, Caesar, where's the key?
CAESAR
The key, yeah, the key's in my pants
in the bathroom.
MICKEY
Fuck it, I don't need the key.
Caesar takes the smallest breath.
MICKEY
I didn't need a key to get in here,
did I?
He pulls out a lock-pick and starts working the lock. The
muscles in Caesar's forearm bulge as he tightly squeezes his
gun.
He is slipping toward that same desperate choice. He is
going to attack when --
Across the room, the phone rings.
Everyone looks at it.
MICKEY
Who the hell could that be?
The phone is near the couch. Caesar doesn't want to let go
of the gun.
The phone continues to ring.
MICKEY
You gonna answer it?
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Violet has Johnnie's cellular phone.
Watching through the cracked door, Violet sees Caesar cross
to answer the phone.
CESAR (V.O.)
Hello?
VIOLET
Hello, Caesar. This is Gino.
Caesar looks toward the bathroom.
CAESAR (V.O.)
What?
VIOLET
You're blowing your only chance.
Act like I'm Gino.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Caesar's eyes light up.
CAESAR
Holy shit, I don't believe it! We've
been going crazy over here, Gino!
VIOLET (V.O.)
Good boy.
Mickey jumps up.
CAESAR
It's Gino! It's Gino!
MICKEY
Where in the hell is he?
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
VIOLET
We were in a car accident --
CAESAR (V.O.)
They were in a car accident.
VIOLET
But everybody is all right.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
CAESAR
They're all fine. Just bruises and
shit.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Now you listen to me, asshole, I
know your gun is behind the bar ...
MICKEY
Un-fucking-believable. I called
those highway patrol dumb fucks.
CAESAR
Ssh! I can't hear Gino!
VIOLET (V.O.)
We make a deal or I come out and
hand this phone to Mickey.
CAESAR
I'm listening.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Violet has her robe over her dress, wrapping her hair in a
towel, making sure the bruise on her forehead is hidden.
VIOLET
I want what's mine, half the money.
We get rid of Mickey, no one else
dies. No one. Say yes, I understand.
CAESAR (V.O.)
Yes, I understand.
VIOLET
Tell them I'm at St. Mary's off the
Kennedy, in the waiting room, but
stay on the phone until I come out.
CAESAR (V.O.)
Sure, Gino, sure.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Out of the corner of his eye, he watches Violet come out of
the bathroom.
CAESAR
St. Mary's off the Kennedy, sure.
Okay, Gino.
Mickey sees Violet.
VIOLET
Mickey? What are you doing here?
MICKEY
Violet, it's Gino and Johnnie. They
were in a car accident.
VIOLET
Oh my God. Was anyone hurt?
MICKEY
I think everything is okay.
Caesar hangs up.
CAESAR
They're at St. Mary's in the waiting
room.
Mick is already on the way.
MICKEY
I can't fit them all in my car so
give me your keys. You drive my
car, Lou.
Caesar sees Violet walking toward the kitchen.
CAESAR
Sure, Mickey, sure. Violet!
She stops, looking straight at the freezer.
CAESAR
Go grab my car keys from my pants in
the bathroom.
She turns to him.
CAESAR
Please, help us out, Mickey wants to
get going.
She turns to the bathroom.
MICKEY
They might want to go straight to
the airport and back to Miami, so I
better take this.
He grabs the briefcase.
MICKEY
You got the key?
CAESAR
Oh yeah. Violet!
INT. CLOSET - NIGHT
Where Corky remains bound, still unconscious. We hear the
name echo in her head.
CAESAR (V.O.)
Violet!
Suddenly, her eyes blink open.
CAESAR (V.O.)
Violet!
Her eyes blink again as she tries to focus.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Violet hands Mickey the keys for the car and the case.
MICKEY
Thanks, V.
He kisses her on the cheek.
CAESAR
Call me as soon as you get him.
MICKEY
Leave your phone on the hook.
Mickey and Lou leave. Violet is staring at Caesar, standing
near the door.
In his right hand he is holding the other towel. He smiles.
CAESAR
Now that's teamwork.
VIOLET
I should have let him kill you.
CAESAR
You know he would have done you,
too.
VIOLET
I knew I couldn't trust you.
He drops the towel, raising the gun.
CAESAR
I said I'd let you live and I will.
He smiles again.
CAESAR
Maybe.
INT. CLOSET - NIGHT
Corky is wide awake, thrashing-mad, biting her gag, struggling
to get free.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Caesar pulls his pants on.
CAESAR
Time to find out if the dyke was
stupid enough to lie.
Caesar drags Violet througb the front door.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
The closet doors burst open as Corky fights her way out.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Caesar sees the buckets of paint.
He rips the lid from the nearest and kicks it over. Paint
spills out across the floor.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Suddenly Corky stops; something has caught her eye. We drop
down, focusing on what she is staring at --
The clippers.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
He kicks over the second bucket and the bag tumbles out with
the rushing flow of paint.
CAESAR
Yes!
He turns to Violet, who is already running out the door.
CAESAR
No!
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Violet turns down the hall, bare feet beating against the
floor.
Caesar slices out of the room behind her.
CAESAR
Violet!
He aims the gun as she hurls her self into the emergency
door.
CAESAR
Fuck!
INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
She flies, hands on the rail, spiraling down each flight as
he charges after her.
CAESAR
Goddammit, Violet! Stop! Now!
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Straining, Corky's fingers curl around the handle of the
clippers.
INT. LOBBY - NIGHT
Violet smashes through the door, but instead of turning to
the main doors, she runs straight for the elevators.
She pounds the button and waits.
VIOLET
Come on. Come on, please.
She hears Caesar coming just as the elevator opens.
Caesar crashes out of the stair door, running toward the
exit. When he doesn't see Violet, he turns to the sound of
the elevator --
And catches a glimpse of her as the doors close.
CAESAR
Oh, you bitch. You fucking bitch.
Taking a really deep breath, he throws open the door to the
stairs.
INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT
Violet takes Johnnie's cellular phone from the robe pocket
and dials a number.
Mickey answers on the car phone.
VIOLET
Mickey! Oh God, Mickey!
MICKEY (V.O.)
Violet?
Whispering, she acts terrified.
VIOLET
He made me help him, Mickey, God, I
was so afraid. It was Caesar, all
Caesar. You have to help me. He's
coming - Oh God!
She hangs up, eyes blazing.
INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
Sweat pouring off him, Caesar climbs the stairs.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
The elevator opens, Violet bolts out. She runs down the
hall, past the empty apartment, back to her door.
VIOLET
Corky?
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
She rushes to the bedroom, where she finds the coils of cut
rope.
VIOLET
Corky!
She looks at the wall separating the apartment.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Caesar half-falls out of the stair door, drenched with sweat.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT
Gun ready, Caesar throws open the door.
Spread out like a pond of milk is the spilled paint, but --
The money is gone.
Leading away from the white pool are boot prints and the
drip trail of the plastic bag.
The tracks lead to the bathroom.
Caesar kicks open the bathroom door and finds the bag of
money next to Corky's empty boots.
Over his shoulder we see Corky already swinging a massive
pipe wrench.
At the last second he is able to duck, falling to the ground
as --
The doorjamb splinters with a terrible metal crunch.
Before he can recover and shoot, she brings the wrench down
on his arm.
He screams as the gun hits the floor.
She kicks it, sending it skidding, hydroplaning across the
paint pool to the other side, leaving a jet trail of white
swirls and spirals on the wood floor.
They fight, Corky raining blows onto his back and flailing
arm until --
He catches her foot, flipping her as he clambers up.
Scrambling across the paint, slipping, crawling for the gun
when --
Violet bursts in, pointing the gun from the freezer.
VIOLET
Stop!
Caesar, on hands and knees, looks at her, then at his gun
still out of reach.
VIOLET
It's over, Caesar. I called Mickey.
He's on his way.
Violet stands for long time, the gun trained carefully on
him as he rises from the floor.
Panting, Caesar watches her like a mad dog.
VIOLET
Get out of here, Caesar. If you
want to live you had better start
running.
He smiles.
CAESAR
All these years and you still don't
know me, Violet.
She glances down and sees the paint-covered gun.
CAESAR
But I know you.
He turns to the gun.
VIOLET
Caesar, don't.
CAESAR
What are you going to do, V? Shoot
me? Kill me in cold blood? I don't
think so. I'll tell you why. If
you had it in you to pull that
trigger, you would have done it a
long time ago. If I was you, I would
have killed me the minute I brought
the money home. But you didn't and
I know why, because you don't want
to kill me. Do you, V? Do you?
No, I know you don't.
VIOLET
Caesar, you don't know shit.
Violet fires --
The bullet hits Caesar in the shoulder, knocking him off
balance. Another doubles him over as blood speckles the
pool of paint.
She empties the gun into him. His body arcs back, falling,
splashing into the paint.
Caesar's blood bubbles out bright red against the glistening
white.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - DAY
It is empty and clean. In the bedroom, only a few hangers
are left dangling in the open closet.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY
Mickey is standing with Violet, next to his Lincoln Town
Car.
VIOLET
I will never understand it, Mickey.
You didn't even call the police.
MICKEY
I told you, the family doesn't want
the police around. We want to take
care of it ourselves and we will.
I'll find him. I swear I will.
VIOLET
I know you will.
MICKEY
Sure you're going to be okay? I
mean, if you're having second
thoughts, my offer still stands.
VIOLET
Thanks, Mickey, but I need to get
out, you know? Get away from all of
this.
Mickey nods.
VIOLET
But thanks. Thanks for everything.
She hugs him and he kisses her. Then he gets in his car.
Violet watches him drive away and knows that she is free.
EXT. CORKY'S APARTMENT
Corky sitting on stoop, patient, like a rock.
She looks up as she hears high heels, and smiles at --
Violet standing there, new outfit.
Corky stands in front of her.
CORKY
Hey.
VIOLET
Hey.
CORKY
How'd it go?
VIOLET
I'm here, aren't I?
Corky nods.
CORKY
I guess we should get out of here.
Violet nods.
Corky digs out alarm keys, aims, fires. Violet turns, looks.
New truck.
Violet turns to Corky, eyebrow cocked.
CORKY
Thought we might need a getaway car.
Smiles, they get in.
INT. TRUCK
Corky admires truck.
CORKY
You know what the difference is
between us, Violet?
VIOLET
No.
CORKY
... Me neither.
Lean for kiss, as dolly in.
Guns engine.
Zoom.
THE END
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