RIDING THE EXPRESS
 
                                      by
 
                                Dennis Landmann
 
 
 
 
 
                      Based upon the film "Tchao Pantin"
                      Written & Directed by Claude Berri
                       Based on the novel by Alain Page
 
 
 
 

 
                                                    SECOND DRAFT
                                                    REVISED
                                                    JULY 28, 2002
 
                                                    © Dennis Landmann
                                                    moviefreak4@hotmail.com
                                                    805-241-9323
 
 
 


              EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
 
              It's raining. Wind blows. No one on the street.
 
              In the distance, we can see a young man (20s) wheeling a
              motorcycle towards us.
 
              Behind the man is a police patrol with its lights flashing.
 
              The young man who now comes to an intersection. He turns
              right into another street. He stops next to a line of parked
              cars. Looks back, desperate.
 
              The patrol car has made the turn and slows down now.
 
              The man turns around, facing the street ahead. He sees:
 
              A GAS STATION with four pumps. Full-serve. Empty now. This
              one is at least ten years behind.
 
              The man looks back one last time and then wheels the moped
              towards the gas station. The patrol car stays.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - NIGHT
 
              A man (50s), with his back to us, looks out the window. He
              wears a dark blue jacket. He turns around -- LAMBERT has a
              thin mustache and black hair. His face looks drowzy and beat.
 
              The young man enters through the door, brushing off.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Hi.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Breakdown?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        No.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Oh. So you much do you need?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Gas.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I'm not out of gas.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Then what do you want?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Spark plug.

                                  LAMBERT
                        What for?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        My bike.
 
              Lambert looks at him. Then out the window:
 
              HIS POV - THRU WINDOW
 
              The patrol car waiting, flashing its lights.
 
              BACK TO SCENE:
 
              Lambert walks to open a drawer. He searches but finally turns
              around and looks out the window again.
 
              HIS POV - THRU WINDOW
 
              The patrol car drives off.
 
              BACK TO SCENE
 
              Lambert turns to Ben.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I'm all out.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        It's okay.
 
              Ben leaves for the door. Lambert shrugs.
 
              EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
 
              Ben exits and walks up the street, but stops. He turns back
              and sees his motorcycle leaning against the gas station door.
              He walks back to get it and wheels it up the street.
 
              ANGLE - LAMBERT
 
              He's watching through the window. He's unsure what to think
              of this kid, but has a feeling he'll see more of him.
 
              The rain washes away the images behind the window. We see
              Lambert retreating to his desk. He takes a bottle of whiskey
              and drinks up.
 
              ANGLE - UP THE STREET
 
              Ben wheels the bike and disappears into the rain.

              INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT
 
              Ben walks through the poorly lit hallway.
 
              INT. BENJAMIN'S APARTMENT
 
              Ben bolts in and closes the door immediately. He closes the
              balcony window across the room. He then drops his jacket on
              the ground and picks up a towel from the chair that is in
              front of him.
 
              INT. BENJAMIN'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM
 
              Ben stands in front of the mirror, naked, combing his air.
 
              INT. BENJAMIN'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
 
              Ben holds a bag over the living room table. Several contents
              fall out:
 
              A tiny flashlight, basketball cap, wad of cash, and two
              plastic bags (one blue, one red). He empties the blue bag,
              and several small wrappers (about half the size of gum
              wrappers) drop on the table.
 
              Ben takes the cash and wrappers, and walks to a big rack of
              small pocketbooks that's next to the apartment door. He grabs
              a book from the top and flips to the center of it. He drops
              the wrappers in it and puts it back up. He now takes another
              book to drop the cash in, which he puts back up. He sneezes.
 
              EXT. STREET - MORNING
 
              A man on a bicycle travels down the street. He turns a corner
              and approaches the gas station.
 
              INT. GAS STATION - BATHROOM
 
              Lambert washes his hands in front of a mirror.
 
              EXT. GAS STATION - MORNING
 
              Lambert exits the office and sees a car waiting for service
              in the background. The man on the bicycle drives up.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Morning, Dave.
 
                                  DAVE
                        How was the night?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Slow.

              Lambert leaves.
 
              EXT. CAFE - MORNING
 
              Lambert crosses a street and enters the cafe.
 
                                                       DISSOLVE TO:
 
              INT. RANDALL'S BAR - NIGHT
 
              A skinny guy (mid 20s) in a leather jacket enters. He looks
              around and sees Ben in the back. Ben notices and nods. Gil
              walks towards the restroom and enters.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S - RESTROOM
 
              Gil waits. Ben walks in.
 
                                  GIL
                        You want the cash?
 
              Benjamin stalls.
 
                                  GIL
                        Hurry up. Come on. Where's the
                        stuff, man?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        It's not here.
                               (beat)
                        Wait for me at the bar.
 
                                  GIL
                               (shakes head "no")
                        No, man. I want it right now.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (heads for the door)
                        I'll be right back.
 
              Gil stops him.
 
                                  GIL
                        I need it now.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (addressing)
                        Wait for me at the bar, okay. I
                        won't be long.
 
              Gil relents and hands Ben a wad of cash.

              EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
 
              Ben walks up to RICHARD (18) who is patrolling the door.
 
                                  RICHARD
                        Doing well?
 
              Ben nods.
 
              INT. APARTMENT BUILDING
 
              Ben approaches the mailboxes. He takes out the tiny
              flashlight to be able to see. He opens one of the mailboxes
              and takes out a small plastic bag. He holds it upside down
              and a few small wrappers fall into his palm.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S
 
              Gil, smoking a ciggarette, waits by the bar. Ben enters. Both
              nod and do the handshake switch. Ben walks away, while Gil
              turns to look at the drugs he bought.
 
              EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
 
              Nobody around except Ben. He picks a lock. PULL BACK to
              reveal Ben wheeling a motorcycle onto the street. He hops on,
              short circuits it, and drives off with it.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - NIGHT
 
              Lambert breaks two eggs on a gas-powered pan. A loud HONK in
              the b.g. Lambert ignores it and pours some salt over the
              eggs. Another HONK.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (more to himself)
                        Fuck off.
 
              He prepares scrambled eggs with a fork.
 
                                  MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
                               (impatient)
                        Andybody here?!?
 
              Lambert scoffs.
 
              EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
 
              Ben drives up on the motorcycle.
 
              A MAN (60s) waits by his car. He leans inside and blows the
              horn. Ben approaches him.

                                  BENJAMIN
                        What do you need?
 
                                  IMPATIENT MAN
                        What do I...? I need some gas.
                               (beat)
                        Do you work here?
 
              Ben nods, and turns off the motorcycle.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Yes, I do.
 
                                  IMPATIENT MAN
                        Do you know how long I've been
                        waiting here? I've got a place to
                        go and I'm stuck here without any
                        gas.
                               (looks at the pumps)
                        Why doesn't this place have self
                        service?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        We're old style, alright.
                               (beat)
                        Now take it easy, huh. I was uh...
                        just out for a delivery.
 
                                  IMPATIENT MAN
                        Fill it up, will you.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Yeah, just don't wake up the whole
                        neighborhood.
 
              Ben goes around the car and opens the car's fuel lid.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Unleaded?
 
                                  IMPATIENT MAN
                        Yeah. What else.
 
              Ben takes the nozzle and fills up.
 
              Lambert exits the office and walks over.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Who's making all this damn noise?
 
                                  IMPATIENT MAN
                               (proudly)
                        I am.

                                  LAMBERT
                        Can't a guy take a shit?
 
                                  IMPATIENT MAN
                        Who works here? You or him?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What the hell do you care? He's...
                        my nephew.
                               (beat)
                        You want gas, right?
 
              Lambert relives Ben.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Thanks.
 
                                  IMPATIENT MAN
                               (as he goes inside
                                the car)
                        Could you check the oil, too?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Should I?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No.
 
              He leaves the nozzle to fill up itself and goes to the car's
              hood to check the oil.
 
              Ben nods and walks to Lambert's office. He takes a look back
              and then enters.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - NIGHT
 
              Ben closes the door. Looks around.
 
              It doesn't have as big of a selection as AM/PM, but it is
              enough. Ben spots some cookies and pops them open.
 
              BEN'S POV - THRU WINDOW
 
              Lambert finishes checking the oil. The Impatient man nods.
 
              BACK TO SCENE
 
              Ben puts a cookie in his mouth. Looks around. He turns as--
 
              Lambert walks in through the door.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Thanks. You saved my dinner.

                                  BENJAMIN
                        I'm hungry, too. Nothing's open
                        around here at this time.
 
              Lambert walks over to the sink that is next to the gas-
              powered pan. He washes his hands, takes the pan of eggs and
              fork with him and sits down at a table.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (re: cookies)
                        How much?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (eating the eggs)
                        One fifty.
 
              Ben empties his pockets and puts a couple of quarters on the
              table. As he does, he offers Lambert some cookies.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No thanks.
 
              Lambert opens a small fridge next to the chair. Takes out a
              whiskey bottle, pours a glass, and offers some to Ben.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (eating cookies)
                        I don't drink.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (drinks up)
                        What, is it against your religion
                        or something?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What religion is that?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (stares)
                        You tell me.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Don't you get bored working here
                        all alone?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (holds up the whiskey)
                        I'm not alone.
                               (sets the glass on
                                the table)
                        You live around here?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Yeah. Down the block. Nearby.

                                  LAMBERT
                               (gets up)
                        You work in a garage?
 
              Ben shakes his head "no".
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What do you mean?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (looks out the window)
                        You're changing motorcycles.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Oh no, I swap them with my
                        friends.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (turns to face him)
                        You shouldn't leave them out there
                        like that. They're easy to steal.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Tell me about it. Don't worry man,
                        I've got a good lock.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Ah. So, do you work?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I do odd jobs. I'm a bartender
                        most of the time, though.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        How old you are you anyway?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Do you ever stop asking so many
                        questions?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You're right. I'll stop.
                               (sits back down)
                        I haven't talked for a while.
 
              Ben sits down across from Lambert.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Want some gum?
                               (no response)
                        You want to know how old I am?

                                  LAMBERT
                               (downs the glass of
                                whiskey)
                        Who cares.
 
              INT. BAR - MORNING
 
              Lambert and Ben sit by the bar. Ben has a Coke.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        They say I'm half Catholic, half
                        Jew.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Says who?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        My father.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Is he Catholic?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        My mom was.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        She converted?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        No, she's dead.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I'm sorry. Is your father a
                        religious man?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        He wasn't until he was diagnosed
                        with a terminal illness. He tried
                        to make up for it in the last
                        couple of months. I guess it
                        didn't work for him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Do you have relatives in the city?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I have an uncle. Andrew Schwartz.
                        He owns a liquor store chain.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        So why not work for him?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I want to make it on my own.

                                  LAMBERT
                        Like what? Do you have any plans?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Sure. Don't you?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Not anymore.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (checks his watch)
                        Man, we've been talking for three
                        hours now and I don't even know
                        your name.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Lambert.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Lambert what?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Lambert.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Lambert Lambert?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (no reaction; then)
                        What's yours?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Benjamin Schwartz.
                               (off Lambert's stare)
                        You married? Got any kids?
 
              Lambert doesn't want to go further than this. He sees the
              bartender close by.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (to bartender)
                        What do I owe you?
 
              EXT. CITY STREETS - MORNING
 
              It's early, maybe 6am. Not many people around.
 
              Lambert and Ben walk. Ben wheels the motorcycle he stole.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Hey, do you want to borrow my bike?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No, I take the subway home.

              They turn a corner --
 
              EXT. BEN'S APARTMENT COMPLEX - MORNING
 
              -- into this smaller street in front of the apartment complex.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        This is where I live.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (beat)
                        I'll remember that.
 
              They walk for a bit, and then shake hands. Ben wheels the
              motorcycle into the apartment complex. Lambert says goodbye
              and walks down the street.
 
                                                       FADE OUT TO:
 
              EXT. RANDALL'S RESTAURANT - NIGHT
 
              Ben approaches and enters.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S
 
              It's rather quiet in here, except for six guys (all in their
              late 40s or beginning 50s) playing cards at a table.
 
              Ben walks over. He waits behind a man with black hair sitting
              at the table. This is VICTOR RANDALL (early 50s).
 
              Ben watches the game play out.
 
              Randall throws his cards on the table, defeated. He gets up,
              sees Ben, and leads him into the kitchen nearby.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S - KITCHEN
 
              Ben takes out some cash and hands it all to Randall who then
              starts counting it.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S - LATER
 
              A regular waits by the bar. Randall serves up a Heineken.
 
              Ben walks up.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Hey Ben, go get the bike for me.
                               (throws him the keys)
                        Hurry up, okay? I'm closing.
 
              Ben catches the keys and is out the door.

              EXT. GARAGE - NIGHT
 
              Ben opens the garage door with Randall's keys. It's dark
              inside. He takes a few steps inside the garage and switches
              on the light.
 
              A gorgeous Harley Davidson waits for him inside. Ben wheels
              it out, switches off the light, and closes the garage door.
 
              EXT. STREET - NIGHT
 
              Ben wheels the Harley out of a dark street. He looks over to
              Randall's. Nobody on the look-out. He wheels the Harley a
              little further down, then turns it on and drives off.
 
              EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
 
              Ben makes a right turn onto a busy street. He enjoys the
              ride. Looks at the high-rise buildings. The people. The shops.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - NIGHT
 
              Lambert at the table, smoking a cigarette.
 
              Someone's bright HEADLIGHTS glare through the window. Lambert
              looks out, but is blinded.
 
              A HONK from outside. Lambert gets up and looks out the window.
 
              The bright lights vanish as Ben drives off on the Harley.
 
              Lambert sits back down and takes a hit off the cigarette. He
              empties a glass of whiskey.
 
                                                       CUT TO:
 
              A MAN'S FACE. He's in his mid-30s, bearded, tall. He is NATE.
              He observes somebody O.S.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S
 
              Randall plays cards with some guys. He gets up.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Nate, what are you doing here? You
                        know you shouldn't be here. You're
                        coming to the wrong place. I don't
                        have anything for you.
 
                                  NATE
                        But they said--

                                  RANDALL
                        --They were wrong. Do you
                        understand me?
 
                                  NATE
                        I've got money.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        I don't want it.
 
                                  NATE
                        Come on, man. What... What's your
                        price?
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Listen to me, all right! I don't
                        know what you're talking about.
                               (beat)
                        Get out.
 
                                  NATE
                        I've got cash.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Take a walk!
 
              EXT. RANDALL'S - NIGHT
 
              Ben approaches, wheeling the Harley. Randall shoves Nate out
              the door. He sees Ben.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Where the hell were you?
 
              Ben hands him the keys.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Did you take it for a ride?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        No, I didn't. I swear.
 
                                  RAVEL
                               (checks the Harley's
                                engine)
                        The engine is hot.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        It wasn't me.
 
                                  RAVEL
                               (raises his voice)
                        Don't give me that shit!

                                  BENJAMIN
                        I don't even have a fucking
                        license.
 
                                  RANDALL
                               (almost threatening)
                        Watch who you're bullshitting,
                        asshole.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        It wasn't me.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Just get out of here!
 
              Ben throws him a look. Randall goes back inside.
 
              EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
 
              Nate approaches as Ben walks down the street.
 
                                  NATE
                        They said you have the stuff on
                        you. I need it real bad.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What do you need?
 
              They walk down the street.
 
                                  NATE
                        Stuff, man. The stuff.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What stuff?
 
                                  NATE
                        The drugs, man.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You don't look like a guy with the
                        kind of money.
 
                                  NATE
                        I do. I mean, I have it.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You know Randall?
 
                                  NATE
                        No.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        So why did he throw you out?

                                  NATE
                        Listen, man, I'm just here to buy
                        some dope, okay. You got any?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Not on me. Wait for me in front of
                        Randall's place. I'll be back
                        there in twenty minutes.
 
                                  NATE
                        Thank you, man. I'll wait.
 
              INT. GAS STATION - OFFICE - NIGHT
 
              Ben sits at the table, holding a joint.
 
              Lambert walks in as a car drives off in the background. He
              sees Ben lighting the joint.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What's that shit? Drugs?
 
              Lambert takes a swing at Ben who drops the joint and almost
              hits his head on the table.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Are you crazy?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What?! It's only a joint!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (concerned)
                        It all starts with a fucking joint!
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (jumps up)
                        Are you nuts? Fuck, man. What's
                        with you?
                               (points to a whiskey
                                bottle by the sink)
                        Look what you shoot up every night.
 
              Lambert lets him talk. He walks to the sink and grabs the
              bottle of whiskey. He takes a seat.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You've got your shit, I've got
                        mine!
 
              Ben grabs his stuff off the table and pockets it. He storms
              out.

              PUSH IN ON Lambert as he just looks on, staring off into
              nothing.
 
                                                       FADE OUT TO:
 
              INT. RANDALL'S - MORNING
 
              TWO GUYS in a conversation.
 
              Randall enters behind them. His Harley waits outside.
 
                                  DRUNK GUY
                        Hey, morning Victor. What's up?
 
              Randall walks by and just nods.
 
              Ben plays cards with DOC (60s) by the bar.
 
              Randall walks up.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Give the bike a polish and put it
                        back in the garage, please.
 
              Randall hands Ben the keys. Ben puts down his cards.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        See ya later, Doc.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Hey, before you go... we gotta
                        talk.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S - KITCHEN - LATER
 
              Randall speaks with Ben.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        I need you to go drop something
                        off for me.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What?
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Nevermind what.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I would like to know what I'm
                        dropping off. I don't want the
                        cops to catch me with any shit I
                        don't know about.

                                  RANDALL
                               (gives in)
                        All right! Fremont's weekly
                        payment is due.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Oh I know him. Okay. I can do that.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        But don't forget the polish.
 
              EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
 
              Ben rides the Harley down the street.
 
              EXT. FREMONT'S BAR - DAY
 
              This is the first time we see the bar from the outside. Ben
              dealed Gil here earlier.
 
              Now Ben arrives on the Harley. He gets off and walks to the
              building next to the bar.
 
              INT. BUILDING - BY FREMONT'S APARTMENT
 
              Ben walks up. A tag on the door reads "Fremont's". Under it
              it says "Leave mail in the mailbox". Benjamin looks at the
              mailbox on the wall. He takes the envelope and puts it in.
 
              EXT. MARKETPLACE - DAY
 
              This is one of the city's most populated areas. There's an
              underground Subway station on the corner of the main street.
 
              Ben drives up on the Harley, then turns off the engine. He
              walks to a liquor store up ahead.
 
              A group, and most of them drunk, pass him on his way to the
              store. Among the group is a cute blonde girl in her mid 20s.
              The group keeps walking, but one guy keeps collapsing.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Come on, don't throw up on the
                        street.
 
              Some of the guys in the group help the guy up. Liz stops as
              she sees the Harley. She walks over and looks in the rearview
              mirror, checking her hair.
 
              Ben stops as he sees Liz checking out the Harley. He walks
              over. They look at each other.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You like it?

              Liz looks at him like "whatever". She goes around the Harley
              to check it out some more. She doesn't think it's Ben's.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You want to go for a ride?
 
              She smiles to herself.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Want a ride?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Whatever.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What?
 
                                  LIZ
                        This isn't yours.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Oh? Why not?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Fuck off.
 
              Ben is taken aback a little, but ignores it. He hops on the
              Harley and turns on the engine.
 
              Liz turns around; interested. Her group is doing stupid shit
              in the background.
 
              Ben looks over his shoulder. He revvs up the engine.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (walks to Ben)
                        Wait.
 
              She gets on and Ben drives off. One of the guys in the group
              runs up.
 
                                  TREY
                        Hey! Liz!
 
                                  LIZ
                               (calling out)
                        I'll be back later!
 
              Ben and Liz take off down the street.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE
 
              Lambert and Ben sit by the table.

                                  LAMBERT
                        They're all whores.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        She's just a girl I met.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        All women are whores. At least
                        whores are honest about it.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (snickers)
                        My mother was no whore.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        How do you know?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I just know.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Well, hey, I've got nothing
                        against whores.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What's your argument against women
                        anyway?
                               (beat)
                        Sometimes I think I could fall for
                        a whore.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You want to be a pimp?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        No. No, that's not what I mean.
                        It's just that, you know, I wonder
                        why they do it. Maybe I could help
                        out one of them.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Why can't you meet a girl who
                        isn't a whore?
 
              Ben shrugs.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Do you only fuck whores?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        No.
                               (laughs; then)
                        Who do you fuck?

                                  LAMBERT
                        Myself.
 
              He stares at the ground.
 
              EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
 
              Ben washes the windshielf of a car. Lambert fills up the tank
              and then walks up to the driver's side. The driver hands him
              some cash and drops two quarters into Ben's hand.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE
 
              They walk in. Lambert goes to the table and pours a glass.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Hey, come on. How about a Coke?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Yeah, sure. With lots of rum if
                        you got it.
                               (drinks)
                        So finish your story.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Well, I've got a date with her
                        tonight. I'm freaking out.
 
              Lambert empties the glass of whiskey and sets it down.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Freaking out, huh. You don't know
                        where to go?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        We're going to a rock club
                        downtown.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        A rock club?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        It's called the "Rock House".
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Rock House... that place still
                        exists?
 
              Ben nods. Lambert gets up and walks out the door. Ben follows.
 
              EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
 
              They both exit and walk towards the Harley.

                                  LAMBERT
                        I think she's after your Harley.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I don't know.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Whose it it?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        It belongs to my boss. Victor
                        Randall.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You stole it?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        No no. I just borrowed it.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I bet you don't have a license, do
                        you?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Hey, don't worry. I can take care
                        of myself.
 
              They stop at the Harley.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I believe you, but leave your bike
                        here. See if it's you she's after.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Cut the wise talk. Please.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (forceful)
                        I don't want you to take it. Leave
                        it here. I'm telling you. Just
                        walk there.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Hey, how about minding your own
                        business. The other night you hit
                        me across the face for rolling a
                        joint and now this? Why should I
                        take your advice? You don't even
                        know about women.
                               (gets on the Harley)
                        Don't preach to me, all right? I
                        can do what I want.

                               (turns on the engine)
                        Take a good look, Lambert. You
                        won't see me again.
 
              He speeds away. Lambert looks on, disappointed.
 
              EXT. ROCK HOUSE - NIGHT
 
              A popular crowd hangs out in front.
 
              Ben drives up on the opposite side of the street.
 
              Among the crowd is Liz and her clique of friends. They turn
              after Ben honks O.S.
 
                                  LIZ'S FRIEND
                        Is that your date?
 
                                  GROUP MEMBER
                               (amused)
                        Look at that guy.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Leave me alone.
                               (points to the club)
                        Go in already.
 
              She crosses the street.
 
                                  GROUP MEMBER
                        Don't go.
 
              She approaches Ben.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You ready?
 
                                  LIZ
                        I can't go.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You said...
 
                                  LIZ
                        I know. I changed my mind.
                               (looks over)
                        I'm with my friends.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Okay. So... what are you doing
                        tomorrow?

                                  LIZ
                        No way, I'm busy.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Tough luck, huh.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I'm sorry. How about Tuesday
                        night? I'm free then.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Yeah. Sure. But not here.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Okay. Uh, how about the place
                        where we first met? Say 10pm at
                        the marketplace?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (nods)
                        Don't forget.
 
              Liz runs back to her friends.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Later.
 
              Ben watches her go, then takes off down the street.
 
              EXT. GARAGE - NIGHT
 
              Both doors are open. Ben wheels the Harley inside. He closes
              the doors with a LOUD THUMP. Locks them and walks away.
 
              INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT
 
              Ben walks towards a dark hall up ahead. He turns on the
              lights, but as they turn on --
 
              REVEAL TWO THUGS by the stairs smoking cigarettes. They are
              KEN MARDONI (30s) and SAL (late 20s). Ben retreats.
 
                                  SAL
                        Hey Ben. We scare you?
 
                                  MARDONI
                        Benjamin, how are you doing?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (suspects something,
                                but keeps cool)
                        Hey Mardoni. What's up? Something
                        wrong?

                                  MARDONI
                        Nothing's wrong. We just came here
                        to chat with you a little...
                        regarding Randall's Harley.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (deep stare)
                        What?
 
              EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
 
              Lambert just stares out into the sky. The sound of a
              motorcycle coming closer O.S. He looks down the street;
              curious.
 
              But it is just someone in a red shirt, speeding by.
 
              Lambert looks on. It's a dead night. Nobody on the streets.
              No service. He goes back inside his office.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE
 
              Lambert drinks from the whiskey bottle. Then stares --
 
              HIS POV - THRU WINDOW
 
              The same exact street he saw earlier, but this time there is
              no patrol car and no rain. The street is empty.
 
              INT. CAFE - MORNING
 
              Lambert at a table. Waiting. A waitress brings him a coffee.
 
                                  CHRISTINA
                        Your coffee, Lambert.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Thanks, Christina.
 
                                  CHRISTINA
                        Are you doing alright these days?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No.
 
                                  CHRISTINA
                        Your loss is still getting you
                        down?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (nods)
                        It's not easy being alone.

                                  MALE VOICE (O.S.)
                        Christina! Order 37 is ready.
 
                                  CHRISTINA
                        I'm sorry. Maybe we can chat some
                        more later.
 
              Christina leaves. Lambert nods, sips the coffee.
 
              EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
 
              Lambert walks down the street he and Ben walked down earlier.
              He turns the corner into the small street and enters the
              apartment complex.
 
              INT./EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX
 
              Lambert walks out into the open and to the flight of stairs
              where Mardoni approached Ben just last night.
 
              INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX HALL
 
              Lambert walks up to an open door and walks in.
 
              INT. BENJAMIN'S APARTMENT
 
              Lambert finds Ben passed out on the bed. He kneels down to
              his side. Ben wakes up. His face is cut and bloody.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Who did this to you?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Ken Mardoni.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (concerned)
                        I warned you about that bike.
 
              Ben looks helpless.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Don't move. I'll fix you up.
 
              He gets up and walks OUT OF FRAME.
 
              INT. BENJAMIN'S APARTMENT - LATER
 
              Benjamin, his face now swollen and blue, gets fixed up.
              Lambert uses a wet towel to clear some of the cuts.

                                  BENJAMIN
                        Thanks, Lambert.
                               (beat)
                        You know how to take care of
                        someone. Were you married?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Come on, don't give me that shit.
                        So what about the rocker girl?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        She's a bitch.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Why? Didn't she show up?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        She did, but she wasn't alone. Her
                        friends were there. She didn't
                        want to go out.
                               (beat)
                        But we have a date Tuesday.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You're going?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I don't know. She kinda pisses me
                        off. I think I'll just... I don't
                        know... fuck her, maybe.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (chuckles)
                        Looking like this?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I don't really care.
 
              Lambert puts a band aid on Ben.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You should get some sleep.
 
              He helps Ben stand up. Ben finally gets a good look around
              the apartment. His pocketbooks are all over the place. A mess.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Oh shit. Look at what those
                        cocksuckers did to my books.
 
              Lambert sees this. He goes to pick some of them up.
 
                                                       FADE OUT TO:

              EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
 
              Ben, with a bag around his chest and looking better now,
              crosses an intersection. He sees an unattended Honda
              motorcycle leaning against a building. He tries the engine
              and it jumps to life. He looks around, somewhat suspiciously,
              and takes off on it in a hurry.
 
              EXT. MARKETPLACE - NIGHT
 
              Liz waits by the liquor store. It appears she's been waiting
              for a while. She lights a ciggarette, then walks up to the
              Subway station just up the street. She leans on the railing.
 
              Ben arrives on the Honda, drives up to her.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Hi.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Hey.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (notices the Honda)
                        That's not your bike.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Do you think I'm blind or
                        something?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Come on. Let's go.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Where's your bike? The Harley?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Oh yeah. It's at the shop. I got
                        into an accident. Luckily I didn't
                        get hurt too bad.
                               (refers to his cuts)
                        Just a couple of minor scratches.
                               (after her look)
                        Are you coming or not?
 
                                  LIZ
                        So is this your bike?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        The shop let me have this one
                        until they fixed the other one.

              Liz thinks. She then hops on, but almost falls off when Ben
              starts up too fast.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Oh shit. Slow down.
 
              They drive off down the street.
 
              EXT. BEN'S APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT
 
              Ben drives up to the main door. Liz gets off.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Where are you taking me?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I live here.
 
              He turns off the engine and wheels it inside the complex.
 
                                  LIZ
                        You live alone?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Yeah. Please come in.
 
              INT. BENJAMIN'S APARTMENT
 
              Darkess. The door opens. Liz walks in with Ben right behind
              her. He turns on the lights while she looks around.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        This is it.
 
              He turns on two more lights by the recliner and the bed.
 
              Liz turns to the rack of books. They're all in place again.
              She scans some of the titles.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Did you read all of these?
 
              Ben kneels by the fridge and opens it. He takes out a bottle
              of champagne.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (turns to her)
                        Some of them, yeah.
 
              Liz walks over to Ben. He holds the bottle in one hand and
              grabs two glasses from a cupboard above the fridge. He pours
              her a glass.

                                  BENJAMIN
                        Say when.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (about half way)
                        That's fine.
 
              She takes her glass. Ben pours one for himself.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Please, sit down.
 
              She sits down on the bed behind her, then sips the champagne.
              He sits down next to her. He waits a few seconds, then goes
              to kiss her. She pulls back.
 
                                  LIZ
                        You don't waste any time, do you?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You turn me on.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Wait.
                               (beat)
                        I have to take my lipstick off.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        No, keep it on.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I'll smear it all over your face,
                        not to mention my own.
 
              Ben nods, gets up and walks to the bathroom. He comes back
              with a towel and hands it to her. She wipes off her lipstick,
              when:
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (takes her hand)
                        Are you sure you wouldn't rather
                        keep it on? I like to kiss women
                        who've got lipstick on.
 
                                  LIZ
                        But then we won't kiss.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        No no. It's fine. Go ahead.
 
              She wipes her lipstick off. He slowly caresses her thigh.

                                  BENJAMIN
                               (notices her pants)
                        Do you ever wear skirts?
 
                                  LIZ
                        You don't like my pants? I haven't
                        even taken them off yet.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Oh no. They're fine.
 
              They have a silent moment looking at each other. She kisses
              him. Ben begins to caress her neck. More kissing. They fall
              back onto the bed and OUT OF FRAME.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - MORNING
 
              Lambert is eating from a pack of cookies. Ben is next to him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (chewing)
                        Did you fuck her?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Only once.
 
              Lambert throws him a look.
 
              INT. BENJAMIN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
 
              Ben and Liz fuck on the bed. She sits on top of him. They
              don't talk. Liz goes up and down. After a while, she stops
              and falls onto the bed, lying next to Ben.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - MORNING
 
              Lambert looks at Ben still.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        She wouldn't do it again.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Why?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I don't know. It doesn't really
                        matter. But it was great. Maybe I
                        could've screwed her all night,
                        but she wanted to go for a ride...
                        so we did.
 
              EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
 
              Ben and Liz cruising down a lonely street.

                                  BENJAMIN (V.O.)
                        It was great for a while until we
                        ran into a problem.
 
              A police motorcycle comes up behind them and sounds its
              SIREN. Ben looks back. The cop gains speed and pulls up next
              to them. He points to Ben's head.
 
                                  STREET COP
                        Where's your helmet, huh?
 
              Ben goes for a quickie and hits the cop across the face. He
              bolts out of there with Liz screaming. Liz looks back and
              sees the cop holding his head and drastically slowing down.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (hits Ben)
                        Are you crazy? Why'd you do that?
 
              They disappear into another street.
 
              EXT. EMPTY CITY STREET - NIGHT
 
              TRACK WITH THEM as they drive down.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Stop the bike or I'll jump off.
 
              Ben doesn't like her attitude.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I swear I'll jump.
 
              He slows down, stops. Liz jumps off.
 
                                  LIZ
                        You crazy asshole.
 
              He takes off after taking in those words, leaving her all
              alone on the street.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - MORNING
 
              Lambert and Ben at the table which is full of cookies.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Take it easy. Nobody will find you
                        here. I wouldn't worry.

                                  BENJAMIN
                               (goes on about
                                something else)
                        She came. I know she did.
                               (beat)
                        I heard her.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (eats a cookie)
                        These are great. Sure you don't
                        want one?
 
              Ben declines. Lambert eats another.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (gets up)
                        Hey, I gotta go to work. See you
                        later, Lambert.
 
              He leaves. Lambert watches him go.
 
                                                       FADE OUT TO:
 
              EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
 
              Traffic backed up. Red lights. Pedestrians crossing
              intersections. Mass commuting.
 
              EXT. CITY SHOPPING MALL - DAY
 
              Ben and a young man, called THEO, are waiting outside.
              Shoppers come in and out of this massive, populated mall.
              Theo checks his watch.
 
                                  THEO
                        Who are we waiting for anyway?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Jordan.
 
                                  THEO
                        Who?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Relax, Theo. We're going through
                        this together. You'll pick up
                        fast.
                               (beat)
                        I usually don't train Randall's
                        new guys.
 
                                  THEO
                        You mean to tell me you didn't
                        start out as a new guy?

                                  BENJAMIN
                        Not really. I picked up where my
                        dad left off.
 
                                  THEO
                        Why'd you do that?
 
              A cell phone RINGS. Ben checks his pockets and takes it out.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (into cell)
                        Yeah?
 
                                  VOICE ON CELLULAR
                        We're waiting and expect you here
                        in less than five.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You'll see us down there in two.
 
                                  VOICE ON CELLULAR
                        Us?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Don't worry, it's a new guy.
 
                                  VOICE ON CELLULAR
                        Randall know about this?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        He asked me to train this guy.
                               (beat)
                        Trust me, all right.
 
                                  VOICE ON CELLULAR
                        You just wasted a minute talking
                        too much. Four to go. I suggest
                        you hurry.
 
              Ben flips it closed.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Fuckin' punks.
                               (runs off)
                        Theo, come on.
 
              Theo follows Ben into the shopping mall.
 
              INT. SHOPPING MALL - THIRD FLOOR
 
              Ben and Theo in the men's department. They walk towards the
              dressing room.

              INT. SHOPPING MALL - MEN'S DRESSING ROOM
 
              Ben and Theo walk in.
 
              HEATHER (30s), beautiful, black hair, exits one of the
              dressing stalls. She stops them.
 
                                  HEATHER
                        Can I interest you in a jacket?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You sure can, lovely lady.
 
              She leads them into the last stall in the back. They enter.
 
              JOSEPH JORDAN (early 40s) holds a black suit.
 
                                  JORDAN
                        Ah, our model.
 
              Heather closes the door. Ben takes off his jacket and hands
              it to her. Jordan hands the suit to Ben who puts it on.
 
                                  JORDAN
                        Fits your size perfectly.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Oh, yes it does. Great. Where's
                        the runway?
 
                                  JORDAN
                        Second floor to the garage.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        See you on the runway, Jordan.
 
              Jordan nods. Ben and Theo walk out. Heather closes the door
              behind them.
 
                                  JORDAN
                        Check his jacket for me Heather,
                        will you?
 
              INT. SHOPPING MALL - SECOND FLOOR
 
              Ben and Theo leave the women's department and exit through a
              heavy door labeled "Parking Garage".
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Smooth transaction, wasn't it?
 
                                  THEO
                        Yeah, but I don't get it.

              INT. PARKING GARAGE ELEVATOR
 
              DING. Ben and Theo get off at level Zero.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        What's not to get?
 
              EXT. STREET NEAR PARKING GARAGE - DAY
 
              Theo throws Ben a look as they walk down the street.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (off Theo's look)
                        You don't like Armani suits?
 
                                  THEO
                        No, that's not it. What the hell
                        happened in there?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Switch off, Theo. I traded my
                        jackets for this one. Pre-paid,
                        you see. It's all in here.
 
                                  THEO
                        You mean to tell me you're wearing
                        them? The drugs?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Yeah, and you can only guess what
                        was in my jacket.
 
                                  THEO
                        Money?!
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        You're not sure?
 
                                  THEO
                        No, it makes sense. Yeah.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Then it'll be your turn next time.
 
              They turn a corner.
 
              An OLDSMOBILE follows them around the corner.
 
              INT. OLDSMOBILE (MOVING) - DAY
 
              The man behind the wheel is CHUCK BRIDGES (approaching 50).
              He has a strange but relaxed way about him. NATE, the addict
              buying drugs from Ben earlier, rides shotgun.

                                  BRIDGES
                        You paying attention here, Nate?
 
                                  NATE
                               (nods)
                        Yeah.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        We know about these switches. It's
                        no secret. That's why I had you
                        follow them.
 
                                  NATE
                        The guy who is wearing the suit
                        dealed me drugs earlier. Why don't
                        you pull them over?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Benjamin Schwartz is the least of
                        our problems. It's George Randall
                        we're looking to catch in the act.
 
                                  NATE
                        They deal in front of his place.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Yeah, but it's small time stuff.
                        We come for the big stuff,
                        remember.
 
              Bridges drives on.
 
              EXT. CITY STREETS - DAWN
 
              It's getting darker. Traffic and commuting slows.
 
                                                       DISSOLVE TO:
 
              EXT. STREET/GAS STATION - NIGHT
 
              Ben, wearing a jacket again (a different one), holds a white
              bottle. He turns the corner and walks to the station. He sees
              Lambert working on a car.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Hey, what are you doing here?
                        Shouldn't you be at work?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        My shift is over.
                               (hands him the bottle)
                        I brought you something.
 
              Lambert takes the bottle.

                                  BENJAMIN
                        Jamaican rum.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE
 
              Lambert takes two tiny glasses out of a small cupboard. He
              sits down across the table from Ben.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I bought it downtown.
 
              Lambert fills up both glasses. He takes a shot and sets it
              down.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Don't you like it?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        It's great. Thanks!
 
              He refills the glass.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        This is good!
 
              Ben looks at Lambert for a while, thinking about something.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Can I tell you something?
 
              Lambert downs the drink and looks at him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (nods)
                        Go ahead. I'm listening.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I'm not a bartender.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (surprised)
                        Oh?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I'm a small-time dealer.
 
              ON LAMBERT
 
              He looks at him for a while. Beat.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You're crazy.

                                  BENJAMIN (O.S.)
                        You don't believe me.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (beat)
                        Sure I do. You deal. You sell
                        drugs.
 
              Benjamin nods.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Who's your connection?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        George Randall
 
              Lambert doesn't say anything, waits.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Are you disappointed?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (stares at him)
                        I don't give a damn.
                               (pours a drink)
                        Who cares.
 
              A HONK sounds O.S. Lambert gets up.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You'll die soon enough.
 
              Lambert stumbles and hits a rack. Ben gets up and helps him.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Hey. Stay here. I'll go.
 
              He helps Lambert sit down. Lambert watches him walk out,
              shakes his head and exhales.
 
              Outside, Ben fills up somebody's car.
 
              EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
 
              RICHARD, on the look-out again, leans against the door. Ben,
              on the opposite side of the street, crosses and walks towards
              him. He nods and walks in.
 
              Richard looks after Ben and turns back to the street just as--
 
              MARDONI and SAL pull up on a motorcycle. They nod to Richard
              and then take off.

              INT. APARTMENT BUILDING - HALL
 
              Ben opens his mailbox at the end of the row. He looks if his
              plastic bag and everything else is still there. It is. He
              takes a plastic bag from his pocket and looks inside.
 
              INSIDE THE BAG
 
              Roughly two dozen small wrapers are inside.
 
              BACK TO SCENE
 
              He puts it back inside the mailbox, closes it.
 
              INT. BAR
 
              A girl (20s) in a black jacket enters. She approaches the bar
              and orders something. She looks around.
 
              Ben sits at a able with a couple of guys. They ignore him
              mostly. He stares at someone O.S.
 
              The girl, it appears, is looking directly at Ben. Ben nods.
              The girl lights a smoke, inhales, and lets the smoke escape
              her mouth slowly, somewhat sexy. She smiles, then nods. Ben
              lets out a smile, but more to himself.
 
              EXT. BAR - NIGHT
 
              Ben exits the bar.
 
              EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
 
              Ben runs up and finds the door is closed. Richard is not on
              the look-out anymore. Ben looks around; not fond of this.
 
              INT. APARTMENT BUILDING - HALL
 
              Ben lets himself in. He stops in front of his mailbox and
              opens it. It's empty. He closes it, enraged.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Shit.
                               (pounds the mailbox)
                        Shit.
 
              EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
 
              Ben is running. He stops after he sees a unattended
              motorcycle leaning against a building. He runs for it, but
              someone steps out the building and stops him.

                                  MOTORCYCLE OWNER
                        You don't steal my bike twice,
                        asshole.
 
              Ben has no time to argue. He strikes the owner across the
              face. The owner falls, dizzy to react to anything. Ben kneels
              down and takes the keys out of the owner's pockets. Ben turns
              on the motorcycle and hurries off on it down the street, just
              avoiding an uncoming car coming up the street.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE - NIGHT
 
              Ben storms in. Lambert is reading a book.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (surprised to see him)
                        Hey, what's the hurry?
 
              Ben walks in circles.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I'm in real fucking trouble. It's
                        all gone. Shit! I've got to pay
                        Randall back.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        How much?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Forty hits. 4,000 dollars!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Do you have it?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (faces Lambert)
                        No, I only have around 900
                        dollars. I'm fucked, Lambert.
 
              Lambert gets up.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (grabs cash from his
                                pocket)
                        Here's 200 dollars.
 
              He kneels down and grabs a cashbox from beneath the table.

                                  LAMBERT
                               (sets it on table)
                        Take the cashbox.
                               (opens it, counts)
                        Here's 800 dollars. Plus 200. I've
                        got a 1000 right here. With your
                        money that's 1900 dollars. Give
                        him that. I'll get an advance on
                        my salary tomorrow.
 
              Ben looks at him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (closes the cashbox)
                        Take it. It'll cut down on the
                        whiskey. I can't buy any without
                        money. Come on.
 
              Ben takes it reluctantly, looks at Lambert.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I don't know what to say.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Don't say anything.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (looks at the cash; )
                        I better go pick up my money and
                        pay him back.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        When are you coming back?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        I'll come by as soon as I can.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Watch out, all right?
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        Yeah.
                               (leaves for the door;
                                turns back)
                        Thank you, Lambert.
 
              EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
 
              Ben walks out. The motorcycle he stole earlier leans against
              the door. He turns it around, hops on, and just as he hurries
              out of there--
 
              A car enters the station.

              Lambert comes out the door. He walks towards the car.
 
              Above the gas station, a bald man (40s) opens the door to his
              balcony and looks out. He's watching.
 
              The car's driver watches Lambert fill up the car. Lambert
              looks up and sees the man watching him.
 
              The bald man leans on the balcony, looking down.
 
              Lambert watches still.
 
              ON CAR'S GAS TANK
 
              It overflows and fuel spills onto the ground.
 
              ON LAMBERT
 
              He doesn't notice.
 
                                  OBSERVANT DRIVER (O.S.)
                        Hey. It's overflowing, man!
 
              Lambert notices. He calmly stops and puts the nozzle back.
              The driver approaches him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Sorry.
 
                                  OBSERVANT DRIVER
                        Sorry? Fuck man, the gas is too
                        damn expensive to just be sorry.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (nods)
                        Twenty.
 
              The driver hands him the cash and gets in the car. Lambert
              walks back to his office. The car speeds away.
 
              ON THE BALD MAN
 
              He keeps on looking. Has nothing better to do.
 
              INT. GAS STATION OFFICE
 
              Lambert by the table. He takes the cashbox and puts it away.
              He walks to the window and looks out.
 
              HIS POV
 
              A motorcycle in the distance. It comes closer and ultimately
              stops right in front of the window. It's Ben. He pounds on
              the window and screams for help.

              SAL and MARDONI (he's wearing a black helmet) drive up behind
              Ben on a black motorcycle. Ben accellerates. They chase him
              through the station. Lambert has seen enough.
 
              EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
 
              Lambert storms out of the office. He stops at the sight of --
 
              ON BEN
 
              He falls off the motorcycle.
 
              SAL turns up right behind him. MARDONI grabs Ben by the
              collar. SAL starts up which leaves Ben riding the hard
              asphalt.
 
              BEN tries to fight off MARDONI, but it has no effect.
 
              SAL stops and MARDONI pulls a gun.
 
              BEN takes one last look at LAMBERT who is in shock. Then
              looks at SAL and MARDONI.
 
              ON LAMBERT
 
              A SHOT RINGS OUT O.S. His face goes blank.
 
              SAL AND MARDONI
 
              pull away and leave Ben lying on the ground.
 
              LAMBERT runs to one of the gas nozzles.
 
              SAL accelerates the motorcycle. MARDONI aims his gun.
 
              LAMBERT holds the nozzle and sprays SAL, then sprays MARDONI
              who at the same time fires at Lambert, but misses.
 
              A FLAME IGNITES AFTER MARDONI GETS SPRAYED AND SHOOTS. HE
              LIGHTS UP. The FLAME SPREADS TO SAL who then loses control.
 
              THEIR MOTORCYCLE COLLIDES WITH A PARKED CAR.
 
              SAL shoots over the car and lands on his head. Dead.
 
              MARDONI lands on the roof of the car. He drops and rolls onto
              the hood, trying to choke the flames on his jacket.
 
              ON LAMBERT
 
              He kneels by Ben's side and sees the hole in his chest.

                                  BENJAMIN
                               (in pain)
                        I'm sorry. I fucked up.
 
              Lambert can't speak.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                        It was Mardoni.
                               (tries for air)
                        I'm sorry I got you into this,
                        Lambert.
 
              LAMBERT looks to the street and sees --
 
              MARDONI, his jacket burned, puts out the flame on his leg. He
              looks in our direction and limps off down the street.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (turns back to Ben)
                        Don't talk.
 
                                  BENJAMIN
                               (last breath)
                        It hurts.
 
              Lambert feels his heartbeat. Ben slowly stops breathing.
 
              PUSH IN on Lambert. He kisses dying Ben on the forehead.
 
                                                       FADE OUT TO:
 
              Lambert leans against a wall, staring at the ground. He wears
              only a shirt. His hair is messy. After a while, he looks at
              something.
 
              He touches a framed picture.
 
              The picture shows a 16 year-old boy with curly black hair.
              Lambert takes his hand off the picture and gets up slowly.
 
              PULL BACK to reveal --
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT
 
              He exits his room, walks through the living room, and enters
              the kitchen. He opens the fridge and takes out a one-gallon
              milk carton. Lambert sits down at the kitchen table and
              drinks from the milk carton. His thoughts are not in this
              room. It's very quiet.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - LATER
 
              Lambert sleeps on the bed. His son's picture is on the night
              table next to the bed.

              EXT. CITY STREETS - MORNING
 
              It's fairly quiet this morning.
 
              EXT. BEN'S APARTMENT COMPLEX - DAY
 
              Lambert turns the corner to Ben's apartment complex.
 
              EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - DAY
 
              Lambert approaches the flight of stairs.
 
              INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX
 
              Lambert walks up the stairs.
 
              INT. BENJAMIN'S APARTMENT
 
              Bridges, the man driving the Oldsmobile, holds a small
              notebook. He's in the center of the room. He turns as Lambert
              walks in through the door.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Looking for something?
 
              Lambert doesn't answer.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (approaches Lambert)
                        I'm Detective Chuck Bridges. I'm
                        investigating the death of
                        Benjamin Schwartz. He lived here.
                               (flips the badge)
                        Are you a friend of his?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (hesitates)
                        Oh no. I work at the gas station
                        where he died. He told me he lived
                        here.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Let me get this right. You work at
                        the station, but you don't know
                        him?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Right.
                               (after Bridges's look)
                        Well, he came in for gas a few
                        times, you know, but otherwise I
                        didn't know him.
 
              He hands Bridges a Zippo lighter.

                                  LAMBERT
                        I found this lighter while
                        cleaning up. I think it might be
                        his. I don't know, maybe his
                        family would appreciate it.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        He lived alone.
                               (looks at lighter)
                        You know what? Keep it. It might
                        not even be his. I wouldn't want
                        to go through the trouble of
                        working up a report on it.
 
              Lambert frowns. Bridges walks over to the book rack.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        What did he do with all these
                        books?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Maybe he read them.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (shoots a look)
                        You think so?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        How would I know?
 
              Bridges closes the apartment door. He faces Lambert.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        He was a small-time pusher, you
                        know.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (shrugs off his
                                knowledge)
                        Yeah?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (paces around)
                        I've had my eyes on him for a
                        while now. I waited to bust him
                        and some others later.
                               (beat)
                        You know, I'm glad you stopped by.
                        I'd hate to have you come down to
                        meet me at the precinct. Saved me
                        some time. Of course, I still need
                        to speak to some other witnesses,
                        but I'm glad we met.

              Lambert doesn't quite share his enthusiasm there.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (beat)
                        So how did it happen?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        How did Benjamin die?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (beat)
                        Well, he was getting gas. Someone
                        showed up on a motorcycle and
                        shot him.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Did you know the assailant?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        What did the assailant look like?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Some guy in his late 20s.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        How did he die?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        He was out of control.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        You're saying it was an accident?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        It looked like one, yeah.
                               (beat)
                        Any more questions?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        No.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Well. Goodbye.
 
              He leaves the apartment. Bridges looks around and walks to
              the book rack again. He examines it. Checks some titles.
              Thinks something about them ain't kosher.

              INT. PHONE BOOTH - DAY
 
              Lambert talking on the phone.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Just for a few days. It's not too
                        much to ask.
                               (beat)
                        I need a check-up with the doctor.
                               (beat)
                        Find someone to replace me, can't
                        you? I'll be back as soon as
                        possible.
                               (beat)
                        Thank you. Goodbye.
 
              He exits the booth and walks away.
 
              EXT. ALLEY - DAY
 
              Lambert comes out and crosses a street. He walks over to--
 
              EXT. RANDALL'S - DAY
 
              Lambert walks up and enters.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S
 
              Randall chats with a customer. He fills up a beer for
              somebody. He looks for a second as Lambert takes a seat at
              the bar. Theo works behind the bar. He approaches Lambert.
 
                                  THEO
                        How are you?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Okay. A whiskey, huh?
 
              Theo prepares a glass.
 
              Lambert looks around the room. He sees a third bartender
              chatting with two regulars. He also sees three guys at a
              table in the back of the restaurant.
 
              Theo sets the whiskey in front of Lambert.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (nods)
                        Thanks.
 
              He drinks up and looks over to Randall, curious as to who he
              is.
 
              A skinny customer walks up to Randall.

                                  SKINNY GUY
                        Randall, my man, pour me a
                        Heineken.
 
              Randall goes to fill up a beer. He looks over to Lambert.
              Lambert holds a deep stare.
 
              EXT. ROCK HOUSE - NIGHT
 
              Lambert walks up. He's greeted by the bouncer.
 
                                  BOUNCER
                        Can I help you?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What does it take to get in?
 
                                  BOUNCER
                        Got cash?
 
              INT. ROCK HOUSE
 
              Lambert leans against a wall. He watches the crowd.
 
              Clubbing is going down in here. The noise is obscene. A rock
              group performs on stage. The audience is clubbing to their
              heavy metal song.
 
                                  ROCK GROUP MEMBER
                               (into mic)
                        Yo everybody! Ready to rock?
                               (dances around stage)
                        To hell with country and rap!
                        Taste the noise of "rock"!
 
              Liz is among the huge crowd. She's enjoying this. Laughs. Her
              friends are around. She sings along.
 
              Lambert keeps observing this rowdy crowd of clubbers. He's
              unimpressed, looks around for somebody. He asks one of the
              clubbers a question. The clubber doesn't know. Lambert thanks
              him and walks out.
 
              EXT. ROCK HOUSE - NIGHT
 
              Lambert exits. He's smoking. The bouncer turns to him.
 
                                  BOUNCER
                        Not your type of music huh?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You know a girl named Liz?

              EXT. ROCK HOUSE - NIGHT
 
              A crowd of clubbers storm out. Some drunk. Some horny.
 
              Lambert waits a few paces away and approaches them.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Hey. Anybody of you know Liz?
 
              They hardly pay attention to him and just keep walking. A
              blonde girl walks out with her friends.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (to girl)
                        Are you Liz?
 
              She shakes her head "no" and walks away.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (to anybody)
                        I'm looking for a blonde girl.
 
                                  MALE VOICE (O.S.)
                        Get movin' oldie.
 
              Liz's friends exit the club and pass Lambert. Among them is
              Trey. Lambert walks up to him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Do you know a girl named Liz?
 
                                  TREY
                               (keeps walking)
                        Yeah. She already left.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (follows)
                        Do you know where I can find her?
 
                                  LIZ'S FRIEND
                               (points across the
                                street)
                        I think that's her over there.
 
              Lambert looks across the street.
 
              Liz and RICKY are in an argument. He's all over her, which
              she doesn't like. Other clubbers hang and walk past them.
 
                                  RICKY
                        Come on.

                                  LIZ
                               (tries to keep him
                                off)
                        Get off, Ricky.
 
                                  RICKY
                               (lets go)
                        What's wrong with you?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Fuck you. We broke up months ago.
                        Get over it.
 
                                  RICKY
                        Fuck you, too.
 
              He takes off with some of the other clubbers.
 
              Lambert walks up beside Liz, but she walks away. He follows.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Excuse me? Can we talk?
 
                                  LIZ
                               (keeps walking)
                        What do you want?
 
              INT. BAR
 
              Liz and Lambert walk through the bar, looking for a free
              table. They eventually find a table in the back, next to the
              window. They sit. Liz looks impatient.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Are you Liz?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Who are you?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Lambert.
 
                                  LIZ
                        So what? What do you want?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I just want to talk.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (not in the mood for
                                guessing)
                        About?

                                  LAMBERT
                        Benjamin.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Who?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        How about the hot-looking Harley?
 
                                  LIZ
                               (remembers)
                        I didn't know he stole it. He told
                        me it was his Harley. I didn't
                        know. Has he been arrested?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        He's dead.
 
              She takes this in, but is interrupted by --
 
              A KNOCK on the window O.S.
 
              She looks over. Trey looks at her from outside.
 
                                  TREY
                               (screaming)
                        Who is that guy, Liz?
 
              Trey's friend pushes him out of sight.
 
                                  TREY (O.S.)
                        Come on!
 
              Liz turns back to Lambert.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I'm sorry.
 
              Lambert acknowledges.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I didn't know him well. I only saw
                        him twice.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You slept with him, didn't you?
 
                                  LIZ
                        What? What you talking about? You
                        gotta be kidding.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        He told me.

                                  LIZ
                        So, what if I did? What's it to
                        you?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I'm sorry I brought that up. It's
                        none of my business.
                               (beat)
                        Do you know how he made his living?
 
                                  LIZ
                        I told you I don't really know him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        He was small-time dealer.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (defends herself)
                        I don't know anything about that.
                        I don't take that shit. Besides,
                        I spent only a few hours with the
                        guy. I didn't know him.
 
              Lambert looks at her deeply and listens.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (beat)
                        What do you expect me to do?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (beat)
                        I need your help.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Help a cop? Yeah right. No way.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (laughs)
                        I work at a gas station.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (looks him over)
                        You look like a cop.
                               (beat)
                        I don't give a shit.
 
              She gets up, but Lambert doesn't let her. She sits back down.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Sit down. Please, I need your help.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Why?

                                  LAMBERT
                        My name is Lambert.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Yeah, you told me that already.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (serious)
                        Please listen. Lambert's an easy
                        name to remember. I live on 3600
                        Westchester Avenue. Apartment 204.
                               (beat)
                        You have until tomorrow to decide.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Yeah, that's great. But what do
                        you want me to do?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I have to find Ken Mardoni. He
                        killed Benjamin. And I need his
                        address. He hangs out at a
                        restaurant called "Randall's".
 
                                  LIZ
                        Why don't you go there yourself?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I look like a cop.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (leans back)
                        Ugh. You know... just leave me out
                        of this, okay?
 
              She gets up and starts to walk off, but Lambert cathes up
              with her.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Think it over, will you?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Geez. Leave me the fuck alone, all
                        right?
 
              EXT. BAR - NIGHT
 
              Liz exits. She sees Trey driving up in a beat-up Mustang. He
              gets out.
 
                                  TREY
                        Are you coming?

                                  LIZ
                        Not in that pice of shit I won't.
 
                                  TREY
                        Come on. Hurry up.
 
              He takes her hand, but she retreats.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Take your hands off, okay.
 
                                  TREY
                        Let's go, Liz. Come on.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Trey, listen to me, okay? I don't
                        feel like it.
 
                                  TREY
                               (grabs her jacket)
                        Fine! Don't bother coming back to
                        our shack.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (pulls away)
                        Who gives a shit about that place!?
 
                                  TREY
                        You're crazy!
 
                                  LIZ
                        Loser!
 
              Trey pushes her and walks back to the Mustang. He drives off.
 
              Liz walks down the street.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              It's dark and quiet. He's sleeping on the bed.
 
              The door bell RINGS O.S. And again.
 
              Lambert wakes up and turns on the light. He's wearing last
              night's clothes.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT
 
              Lambert opens the door. Liz is standing in the hallway.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Gee, what took you so long? Are
                        you deaf or something?

                                  LAMBERT
                        I was sleeping.
 
              She walks in. Lambert closes the door and shows Liz into the
              dark living room.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Have you decided?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Can you turn on the light?
 
              Lambert turns on the light and then sits at the table in
              front of her. A glass and a whiskey bottle are on the table.
 
                                  LIZ
                        What do you want me to do?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I told you already.
 
              He pours himself a glass of whiskey.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Did he really die?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        He died in my arms.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (after a thought)
                        He lives in what used to be a
                        motel.
                               (beat)
                        1630 Northern Drive. Number 102.
 
              They look at each other. Lambert is surprised she has the
              information and she is surprised she helped.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - LATER
 
              Liz looks out the window, smoking a ciggarette. She turns and
              looks around the apartment.
 
              A FLUSH in the b.g. She turns to the bathroom.
 
              Lambert opens the bathroom door and walks out with a towel
              around his head. He looks at her, then disappears into his
              bedroom.
 
              Liz looks on. She then walks OUT OF FRAME.

              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              Lambert straightens his suit and tie. He walks to the closet
              and turns on the light. A gun-holstered shoulder strap hangs
              among several suits and jackets. He takes it and puts it on.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
 
              Lambert feels the silence. Liz isn't here. He sees the
              apartment door wide open and closes it right away.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              He grabs a towel off the bed, unravels it, and aims the
              emerging Baretta pistol out the window. He then checks the
              clip for bullets. They're all there. Satisfied, he shoves the
              clip back in and holsters the Baretta.
 
              EXT. 1630 NORTHERN DRIVE - DAWN
 
              It's raining like hell again. A taxi drives up and stops in
              front of what looks like an old motel. Lambert gets out. The
              taxi drives off and Lambert approaches the motel.
 
              INT. MOTEL
 
              Lambert closes the squeaky door. The windows are plastered
              with white paint. The place is dark. Lambert takes out Ben's
              Zippo lighter and flicks it. The flame gives off some light.
              He proceeds down the motel's dark hallway with the small
              flame giving him some sense of direction. He comes to a door.
              He holds the lighter close. The number "101" appears. He
              walks on, holds the lighter close and sees "102" on the door.
              He knocks twice.
 
                                  MAN'S VOICE
                        Who is it?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Randall sent me.
 
                                  MAN'S VOICE
                        What do you want?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Open up.
 
              The door opens and Mardoni, wearing a burned coat, looks out.
              Lambert storms in and --
 
              INT. MARDONI'S ROOM
 
              -- pushes Mardoni inside. Lambert kicks the door closed.

              It's awfully bright in here. It takes Lambert time to adjust.
 
                                  MARDONI
                        What the fuck? Are you nuts?
 
              Mardoni attacks Lambert. They struggle. Lambert shoves
              Mardoni on the bed where a naked woman lies passed out.
 
                                  MARDONI
                        What the fuck is this?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (adjusts his eyesight)
                        It's about Benjamin.
 
                                  MARDONI
                        Who the fuck is that?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You've never heard of him?
 
                                  MARDONI
                        I don't know what you're talking
                        about, man.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Don't move, Mardoni.
                               (sees his coat)
                        Why's your coat burned, huh?
 
                                  MARDONI
                        It's not my fucking coat. What the
                        fuck are you doing here?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Your coat got burned at a gas
                        station. Do you know who was
                        wearing it?
 
              Lambert takes out his gun.
 
                                  MARDONI
                        No!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (slaps the gun on
                                Mardoni's chest)
                        You.
 
                                  MARDONI
                        You a goddamn cop?

                                  LAMBERT
                               (slight smile)
                        No.
 
                                  MARDONI
                        Then what the fuck? Who the fuck
                        are you after?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Did you kill him on Randall's
                        orders?
 
                                  MARDONI
                        Kill who?
 
              Lambert has enough of his lies and hits him across the face.
              Mardoni falls back against the wall. He falls to the ground.
              His nose bleeds.
 
                                  MARDONI
                               (in pain)
                        Fuck! Stop!
 
              Lambert strikes him with the butt of the gun.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Answer the question.
 
              Mardoni is in a lot more pain and his face bleeds even
              stronger. He begins to cy, touches his face.
 
                                  MARDONI
                        We didn't mean to kill him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Maybe not, but he's dead now.
 
              Mardoni just looks, begging for his life. Lambert holsters
              the gun. He looks at the girl on the bed.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Did you kill her, too?
 
                                  MARDONI
                               (oblivious)
                        What?!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        The girl.
 
                                  MARDONI
                               (gets up slowly)
                        No! She passed out.

                                  LAMBERT
                        Why?
 
                                  MARDONI
                        No, man! She... she took too
                        fucking much. What the fuck do you
                        care?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I don't!
 
                                  MARDONI
                               (walks to the bed)
                        So get the fuck out!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Why did you kill him?
 
                                  MARDONI
                        He owed Randall. He didn't pay up
                        full price. Nobody owes him and
                        gets away with it. It's just
                        business, man!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        It won't be anymore. You tell him
                        that.
 
                                  MARDONI
                               (sits on the bed)
                        Fuck off!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Fuck you!
 
              He leaves for the door.
 
              Mardoni's hands go under the bedsheet. The girl wakes up.
 
                                  GIRL
                        Why did you wake me--
 
              Lambert turns at those words.
 
              Mardoni pulls a gun.
 
              Lambert beats him to it and FIRES off a shot.
 
              Mardoni falls back.
 
              The girl screams. She sees if Mardoni is alive, but finds out
              he's dead.

              Lambert holsters the gun and walks out the room, leaving the
              girl screaming.
 
              INT. TAXI (MOVING) - DAY
 
              It is a silent drive. Lambert looks out the window.
 
              EXT. 3600 WESTCHESTER AVENUE - DAY
 
              Lambert walks up as the taxi drives off in the background.
 
              EXT. BUILDING 3600 - HALLWAY - DAY
 
              He walks past a row of mailboxes.
 
              EXT. BUILDING 3600 - COURTYARD - DAY
 
              He walks into the open yard and continues to the stairs.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT
 
              Liz is sleeping on the couch which is right by Lambert's
              bedroom. She wakes up and curls over. Looks at the door.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              Liz quietly enters his room. She kneels down in front of
              Lambert who is sleeping. She watches him. She then looks
              around the room and sees a framed picture hanging on the
              wall. She goes to it.
 
              ON LAMBERT'S PICTURE
 
              His portrait at a wedding.
 
              ON LAMBERT
 
              He opens his eyes, looks up and sees Liz.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Did you sleep well?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Okay.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What are you doing here anyway?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Is this the thanks I get?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        How did you get in? Why did you
                        come back?

                                  LIZ
                        I wanted to know if you're okay.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Well here I am. I'm okay.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Where did you go?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Forget it.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I helped you out. Don't you forget
                        that!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Well?
 
              She mocks him, "what?".
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You know how to make coffee?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Not really.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Well, there's some instant on the
                        kitchen table.
 
              Liz exits his room. Lambert sits up and takes a ciggarette
              and Ben's lighter from the night table. He almost lights it,
              but decides not to.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN
 
              Liz sits at the table. She's drinking milk. Lambert walks in
              and sits down. A glass of coffee waits in front of him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Not having any?
 
                                  LIZ
                        It tastes like shit.
 
              Lambert takes a sip. His face goes berserk. He spit the
              coffee out into the sink.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What did you do with this?
 
                                  LIZ
                        Hey, it's not my fault.

              Lambert sits back down.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Look in the fridge.
 
                                  LIZ
                        For what?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You could make some eggs.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (doesn't appreciate
                                his behavior)
                        Who do you think I am, your maid?
                        Make your own eggs.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I think I will.
 
                                  LIZ
                        It's your place afterall!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        It is.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Something is bothering you, isn't
                        it?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I'm sorry. I just don't think it's
                        right. This is not the place for
                        you to be. Not for a beautiful
                        girl like you.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Bullshit.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (rolls his eyes)
                        Get out.
 
              Liz looks at him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I don't mean to kick you out...
                        but you don't belong here. I'm not
                        somebody to hang around with. I
                        appreciate your help... but that's
                        it. I don't have any money. And
                        look at me, I'm a fucking drunk.

                                  LIZ
                        Who asked for your help?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I don't know.
                               (beat)
                        What do you want?
 
                                  LIZ
                        You don't... nothing! I don't want
                        anything!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Then get out.
 
              She has enough of his barking and gets up.
 
                                  LIZ
                        You are just a drunk.
 
              She leaves for the door.
 
              Lambert looks after her. He doesn't know whether to feel
              better or regret what he said.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY
 
              Some light infiltrates his room. It's raining outside.
              Lambert lies in bed, staring off into space.
 
              The door bell RINGS O.S. He looks up. wondering.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - DAY
 
              Lambert walks to the door.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Who is it?
 
                                  BRIDGES (O.S.)
                        Inspector Bridges.
 
              Lambert looks surprised. He opens the door.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Come in.
 
              Bridges does. Lambert closes the door and shows him to the
              living room.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Have a seat.

              Bridges nods and sits down. Several whiskey and beer bottles
              are on the table.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (re: the booze)
                        Are you busy?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No.
 
              He takes the whiskey and pours a shot.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        So why didn't you tell me?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Tell you what?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        That you were one of us.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (hands Bridges the
                                glass)
                        That's history. Long time ago.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (takes the glass)
                        Tell me about it.
                               (beat)
                        You retired after your son's death?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You came here to talk about my son?
 
              Bridges takes out a handkerchief and wipes his wet forehead.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Wasn't he an addict?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What's your point?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        I'm just trying to piece things
                        together.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Leave my son out of this, please.

                                  BRIDGES
                        Okay.
                               (beat)
                        I just don't understand why you
                        didn't tell me the truth.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What are you talking about?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        The truth always comes out in the
                        end. You should know that as a
                        former cop.
                               (beat)
                        Asthma.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What about it?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Terrible illness, know what I mean?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No, I don't. You're asthmatic, is
                        that it?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        No, I'm not. But the man who lives
                        above the gas station is. He saw
                        what happened to Ben. You didn't
                        serve him gas. He came to you for
                        help. He was pounding against your
                        window.
                               (beat)
                        You mentioned just one assailant
                        when there were actually two. One
                        of them shot Benjamin, so you went
                        after them. You sprayed them with
                        gas. You didn't know, but a flame
                        somehow ignited and lit them of
                        fire. Their bike crashed into a
                        car, killing one of them. The
                        other got away.
                               (beat)
                        Why did you lie?
 
              Lambert stares at the ground.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Drop it, okay?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        You know I can't.

                                  LAMBERT
                               (looks up)
                        Why can't you?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Because I'm a cop.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (worked up)
                        Well I'm not.
                               (beat)
                        I'm nothing. I'm nobody. Just
                        leave me alone.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (looks at Lambert for
                                a while; then:)
                        You didn't work last night, did
                        you?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No. I took some days off.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (pulls out a notebook)
                        Do you know the man on the day
                        shift, Dave Thornton?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Yes, he's a good man.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        He's dead.
 
              Lambert is confused. He holds a long stare.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        He took your shift last night.
                        They really messed him up. He
                        looked like as if he's been
                        tortured. A horrible sight.
                               (beat)
                        They got the wrong man, of course.
                        They were after the night shift.
                        That's where you come in. You
                        better watch yourself when you get
                        back to work.
                               (beat)
                        He probably gave them your address
                        before he died.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Who cares.

                                  BRIDGES
                        Well, I'm just telling you. Watch
                        your ways, know what I mean? These
                        people don't leave things open-
                        ended. No happy endings. Get it?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Yeah.
 
              The door bell RINGS O.S. Bridges looks at the door. Lambert
              doesn't move a muscle.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Aren't you going to answer?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        It's probably the wrong door.
 
              A KNOCK sounds O.S. Bridges watches as Lambert reluctantly
              gets up to answer the door.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Who is it?
 
                                  LIZ (O.S.)
                        It's me, Liz.
 
              Lambert opens up.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Are you still catching up on your
                        sleep?
 
              Lambert leads her inside.
 
              Bridges gets up and greets Liz.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (to Lambert)
                        Your daughter?
 
                                  LIZ
                               (to Lambert)
                        Who is he?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        A pig.
 
                                  LIZ
                        That's obvious.
 
              Lambert walks to the table and sips a glass of whiskey.

                                  LIZ
                               (to Bridges)
                        I'm his girlfriend.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        What a lucky man.
 
              Bridges turns to Lambert.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (almost whispering)
                        Another two-bit dealer got himself
                        killed this morning.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Oh?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Does the name Ken Mardoni ring a
                        bell?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        The composite drawing looks quite
                        a lot like you.
 
              Lambert shrugs.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (beat)
                        Well, okay Lambert. We'll see each
                        other later.
                               (to Liz)
                        Goodbye.
 
              He walks out the door. Lambert sits down and pours another
              glass. He drinks up and pours another.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Stop drinking.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (drinks up)
                        Leave me alone.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Alcoholic bastard.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What's your point?

              She gets up and takes the bottle of whiskey away from him. He
              gets up and faces her.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What do you want? What are you
                        after? Sex?
 
                                  LIZ
                        With you? You gotta be kidding.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Then what do you want?
 
                                  LIZ
                               (leans in close)
                        Kiss me.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You're crazy. I just want to be
                        left alone, don't you understand?
 
                                  LIZ
                        I'm staying.
                               (beat)
                        I'll make you some eggs.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You can't. My life is scrambled
                        enough as it is. So here it is:
                        Just go. Forget you ever knew me.
                        I don't exist. Get it?
                               (grabs her arm)
                        Come on. Get out.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Don't touch me, okay?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        It's dangerous for you to hang
                        around here. Don't tell me later
                        I didn't warn you.
 
              He leaves her alone and walks to his bedroom.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Why don't you just run away from
                        all this?
 
              Lambert takes one last look at her and then disappears behind
              the closing door of his bedroom.

              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              It's mostly dark, but a lamp on the night table gives off
              some light. Lambert sits on the bed, setting the alarm clock.
 
              It reads "7:40pm". He pushes the "alarm" button and it reads
              "11:40pm". He releases and the clock goes back to "7:40pm".
              He checks the volume. It's too loud so he turns it down. He
              sets the alarm clock back on the night table and in return
              grabs the Baretta off of it.
 
              Lambert puts his head on the pillow and sets the gun by his
              side. He closes his eyes.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT
 
              CLOSE ON - A CASSETTE PLAYER
 
              Someone puts a cassette in the player and pushes play.
 
              PULL BACK: Liz by the player. She is inside a room that looks
              like it belongs to a teenager. Everything is about ten years
              behind today's time. The speakers give off "To The End" by
              BLUR. Liz checks out the walls. They're full of rock bands
              posters.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
 
              Liz walks in. She sees Lambert's dishes on the table and
              decides to pick them up. She continues into the kitchen.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              The clock reads "9:50pm". Lambert is sleeping. He slowly
              opens his eyes.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT
 
              Lambert exits his room and walks towards the room where the
              music is coming from. He turns off the music, turns off the
              light, and closes the door as he walks out. He approaches Liz
              in the living room.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Liz.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Why did you stop the music?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Stay out that room please.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I didn't touch anything.

              Lambert, knowing her response was a lie, walks to his room.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Whose room is it?
 
              She follows him.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              Lambert sits down on the bed. Liz leans against the door.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Is it your son's room?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (inhales)
                        Could you close the door, please?
                        I need more sleep.
 
              She hesitates for a bit, then closes as he asked. Lambert
              lies down on the pillows and pulls the covers over his body.
 
                                                       DISSOLVE TO:
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - LATER
 
              It's dark. The only thing visible is the time on the alarm
              clock, which reads "11:39pm". It BEEPS at the turn of "11:40".
 
              Lambert leans over and turns on the lamp. He looks out the
              window. It is dark outside. He gets up and walks to the
              closet, opens it and takes out a black leather jacket.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM
 
              Lambert combs his hair until it sits just right. He looks at
              his wristwatch on his way out.
 
              CLOSE ON - WRISTWATCH
 
              It reads "11:45pm".
 
                                                       CUT TO:
 
              SOMEBODY'S POV THROUGH A GLASS DOOR - RANDALL'S RESTAURANT
 
              We're right across the street from Randall's. The Harley Ben
              used to impress Liz with waits in front. The door opens and
              several drunk customers walk out. Randall and a friend follow
              soon after. They say goodbye. Randall walks back inside.
 
              REVERSE ANGLE - THROUGH THE GLASS DOOR
 
              Lambert is hiding behind it, watching closely.

              LAMBERT'S POV -
 
              Randall walks out and locks one of the doors.
 
              PULL BACK: A dark hallway. Lambert walks out the door.
 
              EXT. RANDALL'S - NIGHT
 
              Randall is about to close the other door when Lambert
              approaches him with the gun drawn.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Don't move and don't say a word.
 
              Randall turns around slowly, sees the gun.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Who are you? What do you want?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Roll the Harley inside.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Are you fucking kidding me?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (indicates his gun)
                        Do it.
 
              Randall complies and rolls the Harley inside. Lambert looks
              around for anybody, but the streets are dead.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Hurry up.
 
              Lambert walks inside and shuts the door behind him. CLUNK.
 
              INT. RANDALL'S
 
              Randall rolls the bike still.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (from behind)
                        Pull it on the stand.
 
              Randall does as told. Lambert walks up. They stand on
              opposite sides of the bike. Randall isn't as cool now that he
              doesn't have anybody to back him up.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Who are you?

                                  LAMBERT
                        I ask the questions here. Now that
                        I cleared that up for you I want
                        you to clear up something for me.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        What do you want?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        To talk.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        What about?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        That's top secret my friend!
 
                                  RANDALL
                        You're a cop?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I ask the questions, you need to
                        remember that.
                               (beat)
                        Benjamin Schwartz. Do you know him?
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Benjamin Schwartz? Who is that?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Oh, so you don't know him?
 
              He smashes the bike with the gun's butt. The seat. Tank.
              Randall protests.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You listen now, understand! I'm
                        the one who shot Mardoni.
 
                                  RANDALL
                               (has had enough!)
                        What the fuck do you want?
 
              Lambert aims the gun at Randall's head
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Answer this for me: Was it your
                        idea to kill the man at the gas
                        station?
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Who the fuck are you talking about?

              Lambert smashes the bike's headlights. Not once, but three
              times. Randall shouts.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Stop! Stop!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Stop what, Randall? My aggression?
 
              Randall looks at Lambert, confused.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Surprised I know your fucking
                        name, are you?
                               (beat)
                        I ask you again: Was it your idea
                        to kill the man at the gas station?
 
                                  RANDALL
                        Who!?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        The one you tortured to death! The
                        witness to Benjamin's killing!
 
              ON RANDALL
 
              He knows that Lambert knows.
 
              ON LAMBERT
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You fucked up, asshole. It was me.
                        I saw your fucking guys kill Ben.
                        I'm the witness.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        I don't get it!
 
              Lambert smashes the bike again.
 
                                  RANDALL
                        The attendant gave us your name!
                        You're a dead man!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What the fuck do I care? You'd be
                        doing me a favor.
 
              Silence.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You've got three seconds.

              Lambert turns his back on Randall, walks around a bit. He
              cocks the gun.
 
              RANDALL turns on the bike's engine and jumps on.
 
              LAMBERT turns around and aims.
 
              RANDALL STARTS UP IN LAMBERT'S DIRECTION
 
              LAMBERT fires off a shot.
 
              RANDALL takes it in the chest and falls off the Harley.
 
              The Harley SMASHES into a set of tables at the back of the
              restaurant. The gas tank is leaking.
 
              LAMBERT looks at the spreading fuel and walks over. He takes
              out Benjamin's lighter and flips it.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Thank you.
 
              He drops it on the floor. The FLAME ignites a FIREBALL that
              spreads through the restaurant.
 
              LAMBERT walks away. He steps over Randall's dead body.
              Approaching the door, he turns around for one last look.
 
              The Harley EXPLODES. A FIREBALL ERUPTS. THE FLAMES ENGULF THE
              PLACE and RANDALL DISAPPEARS BEHIND THEM.
 
              EXT. RANDALL'S - NIGHT
 
              Lambert hurries out and SHUTS THE DOORS. He calmly walks away.
 
              The FLAMES light up the night.
 
              EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
 
              Lambert walks down the street. He holsters his gun. There's
              nobody around. He hears distant SOUNDS of fire trucks on
              their way.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              Lambert appears in the doorway. He looks at --
 
              Liz in deep sleep on his bed.
 
              His shadow falls on her face. She wakes up and looks at him.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Where have you been?

              Lambert just looks on.
 
                                  LIZ
                        You look strange. What's wrong?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I'm tired.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Come to bed.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        No. You go back to sleep.
 
              ON LIZ
 
              She watches him walk out. The door closes. The room is dark.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
 
              Lambert sits on the couch. He takes his jacket off and hangs
              it over a chair nearby. He takes off the shoulder holster and
              drops it on the ground. He turns off the lamp behind the
              couch.
 
              The moon gives off some light, penetrating the windows.
              Everything around Lambert is dark, except he himself.
 
              PUSH IN on Lambert as he begins to fall asleep.
 
                                                       FADE OUT TO:
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              Some light through the window lights Liz in her sleep.
 
                                  BRIDGES (O.S.)
                               (his voice sounds
                                familiar, but isn't
                                exactly clear)
                        We've discovered that Benjamin was
                        a friend of Ken Mardoni. They used
                        to hang out at George Randall's
                        restaurant.
 
              Liz wakes up as she hears the talking.
 
                                  LAMBERT (O.S.)
                        Why are you so interested?
 
                                  BRIDGES (O.S.)
                        It's my job, isn't it?
 
              She gets out of bed completely naked.

                                  BRIDGES (O.S.)
                        I've been trying to crack their
                        ring for many months.
 
              She leans against the door and listens.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
 
              Lambert and Bridges sit at the table.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Randall and Mardoni are dead. Or
                        to be more precise: They were
                        executed... in one instance or
                        another.
                               (points at Lambert)
                        If Fremont got it next I'd think
                        someone was taking the law into
                        his own hands.
 
              Lambert knows he's guilty, but waits what Bridges has to say
              next. When he doesn't say anything...
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Who's Fremont?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Keep this to yourself.
 
              Lambert sighs.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        He's the top man who supplied
                        Randall. Randall isn't alone.
                        There are hundreds of people like
                        him. You know, just forget you
                        ever heard this.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (straight)
                        Don't worry, Inspector Bridges. I
                        sell gas, not drugs.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Fremont has a front. A fancy night
                        club. It goes by the name
                        "Champagne Flair". It's open late.
                        He lives right above it. The
                        apartment facing the street.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (intrigued)
                        I've never heard of it. What are 
                        you here for?
 
              Bridges lights a smoke.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Where were you tonight?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Why?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        That's why I'm here. I'm here to
                        find out where you were.
 
              Lambert stares at the floor.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        Personally, I don't really care.
                        In fact, I have my assumptions,
                        but I'd like to hear it from you.
                               (beat)
                        Well?
 
                                  LIZ (O.S.)
                        He was with me.
 
              Lambert looks up. Liz walks up next to him, placing her arm
              around his shoulder.
 
                                  LIZ
                        We stayed home and fucked through
                        the night.
 
              Lambert looks at her, surprised. He decides to test Bridges.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        What if I told you I went to
                        Randall, killed him, and set his
                        place on fire?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (takes a hit off the
                                cigarette)
                        You've got a good alibi.
 
              He puts the cigarette out.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                        I still like my theory.
                               (beat)
                        An enforcer.
 
              ON LAMBERT AND LIZ - They listen.

                                  BRIDGES (O.S.)
                        Someone who gets the criminal
                        before the police do. Someone who
                        sets scores. Old scores, perhaps.
                        What do you think?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I don't think.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (gets up)
                        Right!
                               (faces them)
                        I thought so.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You thought what?
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (walks to the door)
                        You're a man of action, Lambert.
                        You've proven it twice to me.
                        Three's the charm, they say.
                               (beat)
                        Good night.
 
              Lambert follows Bridges to the door.
 
                                  BRIDGES
                               (opens it)
                        Don't worry. You've got a great
                        alibi.
 
              He leaves. Lambert turns and looks at Liz.
 
              EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
 
              Lambert and Liz walking "on the street".
 
                                  LIZ
                               (persuasive)
                        Don't go. You can't kill them all.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Leave me alone.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Well I won't let you go. I'm
                        coming with you.
 
              Lambert keeps walking. Liz holds on to his jacket.

                                  LIZ
                        Don't you see they are going to
                        kill you?
 
              Lambert stops and looks into her eyes.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I'm dead aldready.
 
              He sees something O.S. and walks up to an intersection.
 
              A taxi drives up.
 
              Lambert opens the door. He takes one last look at Liz. a
 
              He gets inside and the taxi drives off. Liz watches.
 
              EXT. CHAMPAGNE FLAIR CLUB - NIGHT
 
              The taxi drives up. Lambert gets out and pays the driver. He
              walks towards the club. He finds the club is closed, so he
              heads to the building next to it. He looks up.
 
              HIS POV -
 
              The building reaches several stories up.
 
              BACK TO SCENE:
 
              Lambert tries the door. It opens.
 
              INT. BUILDING
 
              It's rather dark in here save for a single lamp. Lambert
              approaches the stairs and walks up.
 
              INT. BUILDING - 1ST FLOOR - BY FREMONT'S APARTMENT
 
              Lambert comes up the stairs and turns left into a short hall.
              He stops in front of the first door. This is where Benjamin
              delivered the envelope earlier.
 
              A tag on the door reads "Fremont". Under it it says "Leave
              mail in the mailbox". Lambert looks at the box. He opens it
              and looks inside. He takes out a thick envelope. A bundle of
              $100 bills inside. Lambert pockets it and RINGS the doorbell
              three times.
 
                                  FREMONT (O.S.)
                        Who is it?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (takes the gun out)
                        It's Randall. Open up.

                                  FREMONT (O.S.)
                        What do you want at this hour?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Open up, Fremont.
 
                                  FREMONT (O.S.)
                        Fuck you.
 
              Lambert looks at the peep hole, realizing his bluff didn't
              have a chance. He shoots the door lock and KICKS IN the door.
 
              INT. FREMONT'S APARTMENT
 
              Lambert runs in. It only takes one second for him to see the
              elegance of this apartment. Expensive furniture and more.
 
              INT. FREMONT'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM
 
              Lambert enters.
 
              JACKIE FREMONT (50s), wearing a goldchain and a sadin pajama,
              is on the phone. He's sweating.
 
              Lambert walks over and points the gun at him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Wrong number.
 
                                  FREMONT
                               (into phone)
                        Yes, I'm sorry. Wrong number.
                               (hangs up; scared)
                        Who are you? What do you want?
 
              Lambert throws the thick envelope to Fremont who catches it.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        That's yours, right?
 
              Fremont opens it and sees the cash. He pockets it.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        You're goddamn right it is. What
                        the hell are you doing here?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Where did it come from?
 
                                  FREMONT
                        What?!
 
              Lambert SHOOTS the TV behind Fremont.

                                  LAMBERT
                        I ask you again. Where did you--
 
                                  FREMONT
                               (pissed and scared)
                        --what do you want me to say? I
                        own a club. I make money.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Cut the bullshit. Who the fuck
                        pays $50,000 in cash?
 
                                  FREMONT
                        Certain people have their ways.
                        What's it to you?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        You supply a drug ring. Is that
                        where the money comes from? Is
                        that how you can afford all this
                        shit?
                               (shoots a collection
                                of glassware)
                        Shit like this?
                               (shoots the couch)
                        Or this?
                               (aims at Fremont)
                        Tell me.
 
                                  FREMONT
                               (about to wet his
                                pants)
                        The club is just a cover. I'm one
                        of several suppliers in the city.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Go on.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        I supply all sorts of drugs.
                        Whatever sells, I get 80% of the
                        profits.
                               (beat)
                        It's good money!
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Good money for you, but small-time
                        dealers get fucked over. Do you
                        ever think about them?
 
                                  FREMONT
                        Who cares!?!
 
              Lambert hits Fremont across the face.

                                  LAMBERT
                        I do.
 
              Fremont falls to the ground. He checks his nose. It bleeds.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        What do you want?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (spits in his face)
                        How does it feel to get fucked?
                        Look at all your fancy things now.
                        Your TV is shot. Your collection
                        is in pieces. Your couch is
                        worthless.
                               (aims the gun at
                                Fremont's head)
                        And you.
 
              Lambert stares at him. Fremont looks helpless and scared.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        This is pathetic. Your wealth can
                        get you anything, but it can't
                        help you out this situation. Now
                        you're just like one of them. A
                        streat dealer who can get killed
                        at any moment. Just one of the
                        many unlucky money runners, most
                        of whom you employ.
 
              Lambert still holds the gun. Fremont pisses his pants.
 
                                  BRIDGES (V.O.)
                        Three's the charm, they say.
 
              Lambert thinks. Fremont is on the ground.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        What do you want from me?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I don't know.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        I've got money. If that's what you
                        want, you can have it. Please,
                        take it all and just leave.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Your money is not a penny. What's
                        your motivation? Be rich? Famous?
                        Respected? Feared? Powerful?

 
 
                                  FREMONT
                        How can your motivation not be at
                        least one of those things?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I haven't thought about it.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        Well, you should. What is your
                        motivation for being here? You're
                        pointing your gun in my face
                        threatening to kill me. You shoot
                        up my valuable belongings. Are you
                        not being feared? Are you not
                        powerful?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        This is different.
                               (beat)
                        My motivation is to enforce the
                        law and avenge the death of a
                        friend.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        I'm sorry your friend is dead, but
                        I did not kill him.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        If you did not kill him, how do
                        you know he was killed?
 
              Fremont doesn't respond. Even if he did or did not have
              something to do with Ben's death, he's screwed either way.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        What do you want from me?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Pay up, just like George Randall
                        did. And Ken Mardoni. They didn't
                        give me any other choice but to
                        pull the trigger. But you, you ran
                        them. They answered to you. Now
                        you answer to me.
 
              Fremont doesn't want to conquer, he wants this to end, if
              possible. Lambert fingers the gun's trigger.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        What's the question?

                                  LAMBERT
                        Do you appreciate the dealers who
                        practically make all your money
                        for you? Without them, you'd be
                        like me. A busted old guy without
                        a future.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        I appreciate the business they
                        bring to the table.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Yeah, and when they don't bring
                        any to the table, they become
                        expendable. Randall is expendable,
                        but you're clearly not.
 
                                  FREMONT
                        I'm glad you got the balls to
                        admit that fact--
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        --unless I make you expendable.
 
              Fremont freezes. He looks at Lambert. At the gun.
 
              ON THE GUN - It goes off!
 
              WIDE SHOT:
 
              Lambert steps over Fremont's body. He walks out the living
              room.
 
              PUSH IN ON FREMONT'S BODY. As we get closer we can see a
              small pistol in his palm.
 
              INT. TAXI (MOVING) - MORNING
 
              Lambert in the backseat. He just stares at the road ahead and
              waits for the ride to end.
 
              EXT. WESTCHESTER DRIVE/BUILDING 3600 - DAY
 
              The taxi turns into the street. It stops in front of
              Lambert's building. Lambert gets out.
 
              INT. BUILDING 3600 - HALLWAY
 
              Lambert walks down the hall and sees --
 
              Liz is waiting in front of his apartment.
 
              They walk towards each other. Lock eyes and hug. A kiss, too.

              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM
 
              Lambert and Liz sit up in bed. Both are naked.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I was a cop's cop. You know the
                        type. "Detective Lambert". One
                        patriotic son of a bitch.
 
                                  LIZ
                        That was back then.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I was your typical asshole.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Stop insulting yourself, okay?
                        Sometimes it helps, but in your
                        case it doesn't. Try to think
                        positive. You can only benefit.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (tears develop)
                        I never had time for my son
                        Nick... except to yell at him.
                        Work was all that mattered to me.
                               (beat)
                        One day he had enough of my shit.
                        I wasn't a good father. He started
                        shooting up at sixteen. I wanted
                        him to quit. I locked him in his
                        room for two weeks with just bread
                        and water for a diet. Like a real
                        cop... I would've put him in jail
                        if I could. He kept screaming for
                        a fix.
                               (beat)
                        What he really needed was a father.
                               (beat)
                        One day my wife opened the door...
                        and he ran away.
                               (beat)
                        He died of an overdose a week
                        later. A colleague found him in a
                        bathroom at the train station.
                               (beat)
                        My wife left me and I stopped
                        being an asshole. It was then that
                        I realized... it was all too late.
 
              Liz leans in and touches his face:
 
                                  LIZ
                        Kiss me.

              They kiss.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I want to run away.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        Where to?
 
                                  LIZ
                        I don't know.
                               (beat)
                        Anywhere but this place. It's
                        dragging both of us down.
 
                                  LAMBERT
                        I know a place in mountains. My
                        wife, Nick and I used to stay over
                        there during the summer breaks...
                        when everything was still making
                        sense, including myself.
 
                                  LIZ
                               (kisses him)
                        What's holding you back?
 
                                  LAMBERT
                               (shrugs)
                        Memories.
                               (looks at her)
                        But that was back then.
 
              They kiss and hug.
 
              FREEZE IMAGE.
 
                                                       DISSOLVE TO:
 
              INT. BUILDING 3600
 
              Lambert and Liz run down the stairs. They turn into--
 
              INT. BUILDING 3600 - HALLWAY
 
              Liz stops.
 
                                  LIZ
                        I forgot my purse.
 
              Lambert looks at her.
 
                                  LIZ
                        Where are the keys?
 
              Lambert gives them to her.

                                  LAMBERT
                        I'll wait in the yard.
 
              Liz nods and runs up the stairs. Lambert continues down the
              hallway and turns the corner into--
 
              EXT. BUILDING 3600 - COURTYARD - DAY
 
              A stray black cat runs up to Lambert out of nowhere. He looks
              at it, then watches the cat run away.
 
              INT. LAMBERT'S APARTMENT
 
              Liz, with her purse in hand, runs out the door.
 
              EXT. BUILDING 3600 - DAY
 
              Lambert waits by the door. He looks at the street and sees a
              black car driving by. He smells the air. He looks up at the
              sun. Then at the adjacent building--
 
              HIS POV - THE ROOFTOP
 
              At least a dozen birds fly off as if something disturbed
              their peace.
 
              EXT. BUILDING 3600 - COURTYARD - DAY
 
              Liz runs through the yard.
 
              EXT. BUILDING 3600 - DAY
 
              Lambert hears Liz running up and turns around.
 
              A SHOT RINGS OUT!
 
              LAMBERT's back takes in a large bullet. BLOOD PAINTS the door.
 
              LIZ stops! Looks! Her happiness turns to terror! She screams!
 
              TRACK WITH LIZ as she runs towards Lambert.
 
              Lambert holds his back. He takes out his gun and SHOOTS
              outside.
 
              IN SLOW MOTION:
 
              A SECOND BULLET HITS LAMBERT IN THE CHEST. He collapeses onto
              the ground. His face shows no expression, except for a small
              smirk.
 
              LIZ runs up, kneels down, and takes his gun. She LEANS
              AGAINST THE DOOR and TAKES AIM at SOMEBODY OUTSIDE.

              LIZ SHOOTS. SCREAMS IN FEAR and SADNESS.
 
              FREEZE IMAGE -- LAMBERT ON THE GROUND AND LIZ SHOOTING.
 
                                                       FADE OUT:
 
 
 
                                        THE END