Bondsmen - "Pilot"

7/30/2019 Bondsmen - "Pilot"

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BONDSMEN"Pilot"

Written by

Brad CookMichael KaitisMason Stillwell


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TEASER

INT. DALES PICKUP - AFTERNOON

DALE (45), a scrawny roughneck, tips a handle of whiskey to

his lips and lets it flow.

A School Zone sign blows past as his truck veers onto theshoulder. He over-corrects with his free hand, swinging intothe wrong lane for a moment. An oncoming car honks.

His eyebrows raise as he breaks into a grin and accelerates.

EXT. SHITHOUSE BAR - AFTERNOON

Dales truck skids to a stop in the gravel parking lot. Hestumbles out of it and throws open the bar doors. Cheers ring

out as he raises his hands victoriously and steps inside.

EXT. SHITHOUSE BAR - NIGHT

Drunk, giggly, and supported by TREE (52), a boisterous,buxom woman, Dale shambles over to his truck.

DALEAre we doin this or what?!

He gets behind the wheel.

EXT. SEOR BACONS - LATER

Dale fastens a noose around the neck of the restaurantsmascot: a pig with sunglasses and a chefs hat.

DALEHit it!

The truck peels out. The rope tightens, then RIPS the statueout of the ground. Dale dances, pukes into the grass.

EXT. SIDE OF THE ROAD - LATER

The pig statue beams from the truck bed as Dale hops out.

DALE(slurring)

When ya gotta go, ya gotta go.


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He shuffles into the darkness, then drops his pants. LightsFLASH on, revealing a large home. A security siren wails.

TREEBabe! Babe, we gotta split!

Dale lurches toward the truck, arms up, pants down.

EXT. DALES TRAILER - LATER

A pair of keys dangles from Dales finger as he exits themobile home, eyes glazed and smile sloppy. Tree watches.

Nude from the waist down, he takes a seat on a motorcycle andstarts it up. The engine echoes off the surrounding trailers.

DALEWait till you see this!

He revs the engine, waving his shirt over his head andyelling incoherently with a cigarette butt stuck to his lip.

Dale tosses the shirt, then grasps the brake in one hand andpops the clutch with the other. The spinning rear wheelsprays grass and dirt fifteen feet behind it.

DALE (CONTD)Woooooo!

A police car pulls up. The happy pig statue glows in the blueand red lights as two OFFICERS emerge and draw their guns.

OFFICER #1FREEZE!

Officer #2 runs to Dale and throws him off the bike, thenhandcuffs him with his partners assistance.

OFFICER #1 (CONTD)Cmon, you drunk son of a bitch.Nobody takes Seor Bacon.

DALE

Drunk? Tree, you see anybody drunkhere? Aint nobody drunk here!

As they stuff him into the back of the cruiser, Tree speedsoff on Dales motorcycle, shouting behind her:

TREEFight the power!

END OF TEASER

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ACT ONE

EXT. STREET MARATHON - MORNING

Hairy arms bulging beneath rolled-up sleeves, OLIVER WELLWOOD

(38) glances at his watch, then back to the empty streetsplitting the crowded sidewalks.

A RUNNERs figure appears, wavy in the heat haze.

Oliver peers hard a moment, then smirks. He leans back onto abrick wall, blending in with the crowd.

A cheer goes up as DONNELL FREEMAN (18) crosses the finishline, breaking the tape. He clomps to a stop, breathing hardas well-wishers swarm him. Oliver closes in before them.

OLIVER

Congratulations, Donnell.

Donnells smile fades. He pushes through the group, hurdlesthe crowd barrier and takes off, leaving the crowd murmuring.

Oliver breaks into a sprint after him. Donnell is much fasterthough, and lengthens the space between them.

At the end of the street, Donnell lopes over a tall barrierand down the main road. Oliver reaches the barrier, whichstands taller than his waist. He struggles to lift a legabove it then awkwardly rolls over.

Oliver runs for a side road, but skids to a halt. The streetis blocked by an overturned detergent truck. Beside it, abusted fire hydrant floods the alley with a thick, soapyfoam. WORKERS mop frantically, to no avail.

DOPEY WORKER(to his buddy)

This oughta save the citythousands!

Oliver shakes his head, then rounds the corner at the end ofthe main road. In the distance, Donnell hails a taxi.

DONNELLNumber one running-back in thestate, baby!

He disappears into the car. It pulls away, but not before thewindow rolls down, and a hand pops out holding up a singlefinger.

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DONNELL (CONTD)Number ONE!

Oliver bends down and clutches his thighs, gasping.

EXT./ESTAB. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - MORNING

A sad, run-down shack of a building with the words BUDGETBAIL BONDS - WELL TAKE ANYONE! emblazoned on the side.Dales motorcycle is parked beside it.

INT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - OFFICE - SAME

Tree, looking barely more coherent than the night prior,flails her arms in the air.

TREE

I told you guys, he wasnt evendrunk! He only had... how manybeers did he have?

EVELYN WELLWOOD (34) rubs her temples.

EVELYNEnough to make it a bad idea todrive a golf club, let alone a car.

TREEDont you know what happens injail? Aint you seen Oz?

EVELYN(muttering)

Big HBO fan?

TREEYou gotta help me out. I love him!Ill do whatever it takes!

Evelyn glances down at paperwork.

EVELYN

Says here you met yesterday?TREE

Whatever it takes!

EVELYNWith these charges on top of hispriors, it might take more thanyouve got.

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TREEPriors? Like what?

EVELYNYou want them alphabetically? Orshould I go by year?

Oliver enters the office with a sour expression.

OLIVERLost him. Hes gone. I knew weshouldve hired someone.

EVELYNHe is the number one running-backin the state.

OLIVERI heard.

EVELYN(to Tree)

Would you mind using the waitingroom for a minute?

With a scowl, Tree leaves.

EVELYN (CONTD)Why didnt you enlist policebackup? Dad wouldve.

OLIVER

And thats exactly the problem. Wecant just beg the cops for helpevery time we get a bail jumper. Weneed someone we can rely on.

EVELYNBeg them? Its their job.

OLIVERWeve had three runners in our two

months here. You know why? Theythink were soft. Because we are,

thanks to dads policies.Evelyn rolls her eyes.

EVELYNYoure not running for studentcouncil, Oliver. This is abusiness. Risk wont put you up inthe polls, itll cost us our jobs.

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OLIVERIm hiring someone. Dad retired. Sodid his rules.

Worry lines crease Evelyns face.

EVELYNIts not--

OLIVERIn the budget, I got it, dad.

Tree pops her head in the door.

TREEMaam, the vending machine ate mydollar...

Oliver takes a laptop off the desk and goes to the waiting

room. Tree takes his place.

TREE (CONTD)Just take it off my tab.

Evelyn sighs. She holds out a bill.

EVELYNHeres five bucks. Go get somefood.

Tree snatches the money and leaves.

Evelyn picks up the phone and dials a number. After a fewrings, she says:

EVELYN (CONTD)Hey dad.

INT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - WAITING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Olivers fingers clack on the laptop keyboard.

ON THE SCREEN

In the headline field of a Craigslist ad, he types the wordsBounty Hunter Wanted. In the text box, he enters Ever

wanted to catch a criminal? Heres your chance! Steadyemployment available for the right man.

ON OLIVER

He looks off a moment, then down at his gut.

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ON THE SCREEN

He adds Must be physically fit.

INT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - OFFICE - SAME

Evelyn paces beside her desk, phone to her ear.

EVELYNYeah, I told him hes the numberone running-back in the state... He

wont listen to me, you knowthat... I dont know, he just saidhes hiring someone. ProbablyCraigslist. Maybe thats where hefinds his Thanksgiving dates.

As shes talking, Tree walks in with a bag of cheese puffs

and an alcoholic energy drink.

EVELYN (CONTD)Uh, can we talk later? A clientjust walked in. Yeah. Bye.

Evelyn hangs up, then eases onto her desk chair. She picks upa sheet of paper, slips on a pair of reading glasses.

EVELYN (CONTD)Plant yourself, Tree. Backgroundchecks. Youre up next.

She glances at her computer screen.

EVELYN (CONTD)One count of telemarketing fraud...Didnt even know that was a crime.

TREEWho? Dale?

EVELYNApparently your man has a wildside.

INT. DALES TRAILER - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Sitting in front of a phone book and a land-line phone at agrungy folding card table, Dale speaks into a headset.

DALEMaam, I only deal in the mostpremium of internets. No pop ups.

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Dale nods understandingly.

DALE (CONTD)And I hear them concerns.

He picks up a note card with the word Megabits written and

underlined.

DALE (CONTD)Thing is, we currently have a onetime offer for fifty-two extra

megabits per month if you sign now.

BACK TO:

EVELYNOne count of owning illegalanimals...

(confused)

All it says here is Sloth Party?

INT. DALES TRAILER - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Surrounded by a group of curious SLOTHS in party hats, Daleturns a treadmill on. He picks up a sloth and drops it ontothe moving belt, and it slides right off the back.

DALEWell, happy birthday.

BACK TO:

TREEHe threw them a party and gotarrested for it??

EVELYN... And one felony count of illegalimpersonation.

INT. BANK - DAY (FLASHBACK)

In a stiff, sweat-stained suit, Dale approaches the TELLER.DALE

Excuse me, miss. Im that treasuryguy from the government.

He briefly flashes a plastic toy badge.

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DALE (CONTD)Yeah, they sent me down here tocheck out some money things, so Imgonna need bout ten or twenty totake back to Washington. Yknow,for testing purposes. Theyre

really breathing down my neck.

The Teller eyes him with pity.

TELLERTen or twenty what?

DALEMillion.

The Teller reaches under the counter and pushes a button.

BACK TO:

EVELYNDespite your cursory relationship

with Dale, I have some questions toask. What, might I inquire, is hisemployment status?

TREEHes a pest psychic.

EVELYNA pest psychic.

TREELike, say you got ants. Dale willcome talk to the queen, will her toleave. Non-lethal techniques.

Tree gives a resolute nod.

EVELYNUnemployed. Got it. Does Dale havealcohol abuse problems?

TREE

Heck, he wasnt even drunk.EVELYN

Does he have foreign ties?

TREENope. No, Dales all American.

She marks the sheet of paper.

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EVELYNYoure aware that by co-signingDales bail bond you consent to abackground check?

Tree hesitates, then nods. Evelyn types something.

EVELYN (CONTD)Public indecency, eh?

TREEWoodstock.

Evelyns eyes go wide.

EVELYNYou went to Woodstock? Did you seeJoan Baez? Shes my hero.

TREENo, ninety-nine.

EXT. WOODSTOCK 99 - NIGHT

LIMP BIZKIT rocks out on stage. Beyond the security fence,crowds of CONCERT-GOERS encircle a news van and rock it backand forth until it tips, shattering the windows.

GOONThis just in: this is crazy!

Behind them, an enormous fire rages. In front of them, on ascaffolding tower, Tree whirls her shirt in the air. Shereaches back for the clasp on her bra.

BACK TO:

EVELYNIf thats all youve got, I thinkyoull be okay.

Oliver enters from the Waiting Room.

OLIVERAds up. Just a matter of time,now. Im off to interview Dale.

Evelyn smiles at him, hands him the sheet of paper.

EVELYNDont forget the Risk Assessment.

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TREECan I come?

OLIVERNo.

He sets the laptop on his desk, then leaves.

TREEThey got a conjugal trailer?

INT. JAIL - VISITING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Dale sits across from Oliver at a wide table.

DALEI dont remember much bout lastnight, but let me ask you one

thing. They take Porkton Ramsay?

OLIVERSeor Bacon has been returned tohis rightful place at the drive-thru menu.

DALEMan dang, man. That Tree womanstill hanging around?

OLIVERShes more than around.

Dale winces.

OLIVER (CONTD)Shes your co-signer. And she seemsquite fond of you.

DALELeast shes good for something.Wouldnt shut up, wouldnt put out.Kept saying she loved me.

OLIVERYou better hope she does, bub. Orsomeone else in here will.

DALEWhat are the charges? I wanna addem to the resum.

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OLIVERDisorderly conduct, resistingarrest, grand theft, destruction ofprivate property, publicindecency...

Dale makes a keep-it-coming motion with his hands.

OLIVER (CONTD)Sound ordnance violations, recklessdriving, reckless endangerment, anddriving under the influence.

DALEUnder the influence of what? How

many dang times I gotta tell thoseblue bastards I wasnt drunk?

OLIVER

Given your history, they set yourbail at a paltry thirty-thousand.

DALEHell, thats more than I make in...

He starts counting his fingers.

DALE (CONTD)Shit, I dunno... ten fingers?

OLIVERWhich means you need a bail bond if

you wanna get out of here, whichmeans you owe me three-thousandbucks.

Dale wipes his forehead, licks his lips.

DALEAint got half that. Cant Tree payit? Whats she co-signing for,anyhow?

OLIVER

Youll have to take that up withher. The court has also demanded aform of collateral. Houses, cars,assets--

DALEAnything. Take anything you want,just leave my pappys bike be.

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EXT. DALES TRAILER - AFTERNOON

Tree exits the trailer, then stands by Evelyn who inspectsDales haggard motorcycle. Pappy is stitched on the seat.

TREE

Take the bike. Aint much worthmuch inside, and I got even less.

EVELYNEven if we could legally sell it topay the bond, that wouldnt bringin a grand. And he needs three.

TREEThree grand? Shoot.

EVELYNBring the bike. The court wants

collateral. As for the money, wehave an affordable payment plan.

TREEWait, whos paying for what?

Evelyn stares at her a moment, then drops her gaze.

She fits a helmet onto her head and sits on the back of thebike while Tree takes her place behind the handlebars.

INT. LONNYS HOUSE - BEDROOM - AFTERNOON

LONNY RASLO (52), sturdy for his age, holds a phone to hisear as he stares at an aging laptop beside a childs photo.

LONNYYes sir. I see it.

He clicks his mouse.

LONNY (CONTD)Its just what I was looking for.

ON THE SCREENThe headline of a Craigslist ad reads Bounty Hunter Wanted.

LONNY (O.S.) (CONTD)Thank you for this opportunity.Sincerely.

END OF ACT ONE

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ACT TWO

INT. DINGY APARTMENT - LATER

Oliver stands inside the door on a ratty floor mat that reads

Watch yo step. In front of him, four GANGSTERS, eachsmoking a blunt, lie stretched across worn sofas.

For an uncomfortable moment, nobody speaks. Then, GANGSTER #1lifts his blunt and regards Oliver.

GANGSTER #1You mind?

OLIVERYou see a badge? Long as you keeppaying your bail fees like youbeen, smoke up. Besides, its

medicinal, right?

He wears a pained grin, waiting to see if the joke will land.

A smile spreads from Gangster to Gangster.

GANGSTER #2Yo this guys cool. You smoke up?

He offers up his roach.

GANGSTER #2 (CONTD)This shits cured in a freezer at

negative ten degrees kelvin. In theDeath Valley summer.

Oliver raises a palm to deny it.

OLIVERAnother time. Im here for adifferent type of green.

GANGSTER #1Sho nuff, sho nuff. Chron Don,pay the man.

CHRON DON moves to a SAFE in the corner of the room. Hecovers the keypad and punches in six numbers. It pops open.

Stacks and stacks of dollar bills fill the safe. Chron Dongrabs two bundles, closes the safe, hands the money over.

GANGSTER #1 (CONTD)Two thousand five hunnid. That kill

my bill, right?

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Oliver thumbs through the cash, almost flustered.

OLIVEROur business is indeed finished,surprisingly. Unless you feel likeputting my kids through college.

Gangster #1 turns to his boys.

GANGSTER #1White man always tryina shake abrother down.

INT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - OFFICE - LATER

Tree sits across from Evelyn, who stares down at her desk,pinching the bridge of her nose.

TREENow, Im a vegan. Im againstanimal cruelty, but I supported himtaking that pig statue. Why? Thatsjust the type of person I am. And Istill cant tell how he feels.

EVELYNGo.

Evelyn points to the door.

EVELYN (CONTD)

Ill call you when I have somethingto tell you. Just, please.

TREEKnow what? Youre right. Im gonnago down there and tell him how Ifeel right now.

EVELYNThats... thats great. Do that.

Tree hops up with renewed vigor. She turns back at the door.

TREEOh, and Evelyn? Thanks. Forbelieving in me. In us.

She struts out.

Evelyn shakes her head, sinks into her seat. She pulls asheet of paper off a stack - a mug shot of a criminal withhis personal information.

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EVELYNTime for our daily dance, PiersBronzen. Where might you be?

EXT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - AFTERNOON

Oliver pulls up next to the shack. As he gets out, he eyes anold luxury car parked in the first spot. His spot.

Just as he looks off, the luxury car opens. LONNY RASLO (51)steps out, nearly half a foot taller than Oliver and even

wider.

OLIVER(mumbling)

Nice sunroof...

LONNY

Oliver?

Oliver turns around, his demeanor reversed.

OLIVERYes, how can I help you?

LONNYMaybe I can help you. I saw yourad. Im your guy.

Oliver looks him up and down.

OLIVERYou look like my guy. Tell me aboutyour qualifications.

LONNYRight here?

OLIVERWhats the difference here orthere?

Lonny lets his hands fall to his hips.

LONNYWell, I bench two-eighty, run thehundred meter in eleven-five, andIm a second degree black belt.

Lonny slips a GUN from one pocket, and a TASER from theother.

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LONNY (CONTD)I do the dirty work. Concealedcarry for all weapons, and friend,I got a lot of em. They may beable to outrun me, but they sure ashell wont want to try.

Oliver raises an eyebrow, smirks.

LONNY (CONTD)Lastly, because Im a licensed bailbond agent, I can work thegraveyard shift, your leastfavorite shift, or any other shiftyou feel like giving me.

Oliver chuckles, pure joy on his face.

OLIVER

You gonna clean the toilets, too?

LONNYNope. Mans gotta have a code.

OLIVERThis almost seems too good to betrue, so heres the deal. If youcan catch the client I lost this

morning, youre hired.

LONNYYou got any leads?

Oliver opens his BRIEFCASE.

INT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Evelyn paces the office, on her phone again.

EVELYNDad, Ive tried everything. Ichecked the credit history, Iscanned the criss cross index, and

if I have to read any more publicrecords Ill end up as one of myown clients.

She catches a glimpse of Oliver through the window.

EVELYN (CONTD)Hey, I gotta go. Olivers here.

Evelyns eyes light up as she listens.

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EVELYN (CONTD)Piers? No... Could he?

Oliver strolls inside. Evelyn pockets the cell phone, focuseson her monitor.

OLIVERGuess who I just--

EVELYNNot now.

She types rapidly. Oliver shrugs.

OLIVERWorks for me.

Evelyn drums her fingers on the desk

EVELYNCome on...

Her eyes dart back and forth as they move down the screen,until they go wide and she throws a fist in the air.

EVELYN (CONTD)Hes dead!

OLIVEROh no. Its Bill Cosby, isnt it?Ive feared this day for years.

EVELYNNo, Piers Bronzen!

Oliver considers the information.

OLIVERLess work, and we get to keep the

money? I like that deal. Maybe weshouldve hired a hitman.

EVELYNDidnt even need one. He tried to

splice his neighbors internetcable and cooked himself on anelectrical wire.

OLIVERShouldve gone to Dale for hisinternet.

Oliver heads for the door when Tree, sweating heavily, BURSTSinside pushing her visibly upset MOTHER in a wheelchair.

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TREEAnd I told you if you ever wannasee me again youll sign thatcheck, Ma!

She glances up at Oliver beside her.

TREE (CONTD)Im here to finally set my manfree.

OLIVERDid you walk here?

Trees mother puts an oxygen mask to her mouth and inhales.

TREEMa loves her walks. She ALSO loves

me, which is why shes gonna sign

this check right now.

Tree holds the check out to her mother, who shakes her head.

TREE (CONTD)If she doesnt, maybe we go pawnthis wheelchair and see what itbrings in, huh Ma?

Her mothers shoulders droop. Tree hands her a pen.

EVELYNWait! Remember that payment plan I

was telling you about?

TREENope. I want this resolved.

Tree pushes the pen in her mothers hand toward the check.She pulls her oxygen mask off and looks into Trees eyes.

MOTHER(gasping)

Who are you?

TREEIm a woman in love. Evelyns gotmy back, am I right?

Evelyn cant meet her gaze.

Trees mother signs the check slowly but deliberately.

TREE (CONTD)Thaaats good.

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Tree snatches the check from her mother and hands it toEvelyn, who accepts it with a grimace.

TREE (CONTD)(to Oliver)

Now set my baby free!

OLIVERIll go give him the good news.

EXT. SUBURBAN HOME - LATER

An old luxury car squeals to a stop along the curb. Lonnysteps out, grasping a can of spray adhesive.

He lumbers through the yard and down the side of the house,then stops next to a window. Lonny covers his mouth andtraces the outline of the window with the adhesive spray.

He sprays the back and side windows, then pockets the can andreturns to his car for two slats of wood. At the back door,then the side door, he carefully wedges one under the knob.

Lonny circles the house once more, noting the impeded exitroutes. At the back of the house, he looks up and sees asecond story window.

He draws a long breath.

INT. JAIL - VISITING ROOM - LATER

Oliver drums his fingers on the table as Dale approaches.

DALEBored, huh? Yeah, you--

A GUARD shoves Dale from behind into the table. He sits.

GUARDMouth off again, I dare you. Idont care if Christ himself bailsyou out, Ill throw your ass in

solitary anyway. You wont getvisits with your pretty littlegirlfriend in there, I promise.

The Guard leans against the wall, watching.

OLIVERPretty little girlfriend?

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DALEBest I can guess hes talking boutTree. She was in here a while agobabbling about us and whitepicket fences and whatnot.

OLIVERYou might be seeing those fencessooner than later. She just paidyour bail fee.

Dale smacks the table with his cuffed hands.

GUARDIm warning you!

DALEWell shit, that dont do me nogood!

Oliver is taken off-guard.

OLIVERFor one thing, that guard willcease screaming at you.

DALEI tell you what. Id rather spendtwo months with the cons in here -on both sides of the bars, if youcatch my drift - than just one

weekend with Tree.

Oliver glances around.

OLIVERI see the appeal.

DALEI cant tolerate that woman, man!She clings and wants and needs andtouches until Im plainoverwhelmed. She aint much to lookat, neither.

Oliver sits forward in his chair.

OLIVERIm just gonna go off the recordhere and lay it out straight.Youre a repeat criminal offender

with no job--

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DALEHey, you know any other pestpsychics in central Michigan? Illbeat their prices if you do.

OLIVER

And a woman you dont deserve iswilling to pay your way out ofjail. Youre gonna turn that downjust because of her personality?

DALEYoure God damn right I am. Blessthe USA, amen.

END OF ACT TWO

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ACT THREE

INT. SUBURBAN HOME - LIVING ROOM - LATER

Lonny, now in a Detroit Lions sweatsuit and cap, sits cross-

legged on the sofa beside MRS. FREEMAN, all smiles.

LONNYThe difference between athletestoday and only ten years ago issimply astounding.

Mrs. Freeman nods, eating it up.

MRS. FREEMANAnd you think Donnell is goodenough?

LONNYWe believe Donnell has thepotential to be a star player.Were ecstatic that you allowed usthis chance to speak with him.

The front door opens. Donnell swaggers inside, pants sagging.He halts a moment when he notices Lonny, then snaps hisfingers. His grill gleams as his jaw drops.

DONNELLOoooh, shit! Bout time, yo!

LONNYYes it is, Donnell.

MRS. FREEMANMr. Raslos a scout for the DetroitLions! He wants to talk about yourfootball career. Have a seat, son.

Donnell plops down on a love seat next to Lonny.

DONNELLSo lets talk money.

MRS. FREEMAND! Where are your manners?

Lonny unleashes a grin.

LONNYWell get there.

(to Mrs. Freeman)Hes a confident one, isnt he?

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MRS. FREEMANAlways has been.

LONNYCould I bother you for some coffee?

MRS. FREEMANOh, Im so sorry! Of course youcan. I shouldve offered.

As she scurries into the adjacent kitchen, Lonny stands,begins to move toward the door.

LONNYLet me ask you something, Donnell.How would you describe yourcharacter?

DONNELL

What character?

LONNYThe Detroit Lions arent interestedin working with hoodlums. Would yousay youre a good person?

DONNELLHell yeah Im a good person. I justdress like a hood.

Lonny leans against the front door.

LONNYI see. You know, I always wonderedhow those things felt.

He points to his teeth.

LONNY (CONTD)Whats that like?

DONNELLKinda like braces.

LONNYHuh. Braces for gangsters. So, norun-ins with the law, then?

DONNELLNah. Im clean.

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LONNYSo you didnt commit armed robberyin March of this year, then skipyour court date in breach ofcontract with Wellwood Bail Bonds?

Donnells expression fades into fear.

LONNY (CONTD)How we gonna do this?

Donnell jumps up and sprints for the back door. He jigglesthe handle and pushes, but the door wont open.

MRS. FREEMAND? Whats wrong?

He takes off through the living room, past Lonny watchingfrom the front door, and into the garage. Donnell tries the

door-opener, but the garage door doesnt budge. He tries theside door with the same result.

He dashes back inside, where his mom stands beside Lonny.

MRS. FREEMAN (CONTD)Donnell, what is going on?

DONNELLMama did you lock up the doors?

Donnell rushes up the stairs before she can answer. He staresdown the window in his room, closes his eyes, then goes for

it. But it wont open. He groans, slams a fist on the wall.

Behind him, Lonny stands. A pair of handcuffs dangle from hisfinger. Donnell turns to face him, his face twisted.

DONNELL (CONTD)Number one running back in thestate!

He tries to tackle Lonny, but Lonny sidesteps, sending himhead first into the wall. Donnell collapses on the floor.Lonny cuffs his wrists.

MRS. FREEMAN (O.S.)You boys practicing your football?

EXT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - LATER

Oliver pulls into his parking spot. Lonny stands with Donnellin handcuffs beside his old car, now parked in the secondspot.

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OLIVERI knew this was a good idea.

Oliver gets out.

OLIVER (CONTD)

Hey Donnell. Good to see you again.Better late than never, right?

Donnell sneers at him.

OLIVER (CONTD)(to Lonny)

Only took you four hours. Imimpressed. Consider yourself hired.

Oliver and Lonny shake hands. Relief shows in Lonnys face.

OLIVER (CONTD)

But Donnells just a dumb kid.

DONNELLOutran your fat ass.

OLIVERIm eager to see what you can do

when faced with a competent adult.

LONNYYou wont be disappointed.

OLIVER

I dont expect I will. Come withme, I need to introduce you tosomeone.

LONNYSure, absolutely.

Lonny follows Oliver, dragging Donnell along behind him.

INT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Evelyn looks up from the computer monitor as the three ofthem enter the office.

OLIVEREve, Id like you to meet LonnyRaslo, our new bounty hunter. Hesstrong, fast, and willing to workthe graveyard shift, because hes alicensed bail bond agent.

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EVELYNCan we even afford him?

OLIVERBehind him is Donnell Freeman, thegentleman who outran me this

morning. Lonny caught him in merehours. We cant afford to not havehim.

Evelyn raises her eyebrows.

OLIVER (CONTD)And it was my idea, not dads.Dont get me wrong, dad isbrilliant. But hes too rigid. Henever adapted to the times.

EVELYN

(flat)I guess youre right.

OLIVERFinally. Thank you.

EVELYNBut it was dads idea to check thedeath records for Piers Bronzen.How long had you been looking forhim? Two, three months?

OLIVER

I get it, now. Of course it was.What else has been his idea?

EVELYNNot getting a bounty hunter!

OLIVERHere I am chasing down criminals,and youre in here conspiring withdad. If he wanted to run thebusiness, he shouldnt haveretired!

EVELYNIm scared, Oliver.

He softens.

EVELYN (CONTD)The business is in rough shape. Idont know what Im doing. I dontthink either of us do.

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29/32

Thats why I ask dad for help,okay? Thats why I let him tell me

what to do. Im scared.

OLIVERIf we keep relying on dad for

everything, well never succeed,well never grow. Either as bondagents, or as people. Look,sometimes all you can do is diveright in. I promise I wont let yousink. Can you do that?

Evelyn sighs.

EVELYNI can try.

DONNELL

Yall aint got AC up in here?

Oliver turns to Lonny.

OLIVERGet this kid to jail. And good

work. Go get some rest. Can you beback here by midnight?

LONNYWhatever you need, boss.

Lonny hauls Donnell out of the office.

OLIVERI like him.

EVELYNI hope you know what youre doing.

They lock eyes for a minute in understanding.

Tree hurries through the front door.

TREE

Evelyn! Evelyn! Was that you? Didyou call me?

EVELYNWhat?

TREEI got a call from a random number a

minute ago. That wasnt you?

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EVELYN (CONTD)


30/32

EVELYNNo...

TREEYoure sure? No news about Dale?

OLIVEROh, thats right. Dale has decidedto remain incarcerated for the timebeing.

TREEWHAT?! My poor baby! You mean likesome sorta hunger strike typesituation?

OLIVERYeah, sure.

TREEWell then I gotta support my manany way I can! What can I do thatsillegal? How can I get in there

with him?

EVELYNWhen does Woodstock roll aroundnext?

INT. JAIL - VISITING ROOM - LATER

Lonny waits at a table in an almost meditative posture, hischin perched on his closed fists.

Followed by the guard from earlier, a heavily tattooed, baldINMATE (29) saunters over and sits across from Lonny.

LONNYYou look good. That a new necktattoo?

INMATEYou know like boy scouts, how they

get badges? This is like the prisonversion of that.

LONNYWhats that one for?

INMATEBest strangler.

A silent moment passes. Lonny lays his hand on the inmates.

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LONNYYou cant go on like this. I got ajob--

INMATEPop, I love you, but--

LONNYListen to me. I got another job ata bail bond agency.

INMATEReally? We gonna do this again?

LONNYItll take some time before I canpitch them the idea, but just knowIm working on it.

INMATETheyre not gonna take me. Justlike all the rest of em.

LONNYThis ones different. Please, justdont do anything else to get introuble. If not for me, do it forhim.

Lonnys son gives him a rare sympathetic look, then a nod.

LONNY (CONTD)

Thank you. Give me two weeks.

INMATEIll do what I can, but this is thegame, yknow what I mean? Ifsomeone steps to me, I gotta do

what I gotta do.

His son stands, motions to the guard. They leave, neither ofthem looking back.

INT. LONNYS HOUSE - LATERA BABY-SITTER meets Lonny at the front door holding a BABY.

BABY-SITTERTheres grandpa! There he is!

The baby giggles as the baby-sitter hands him to Lonny.

Lonny tickles his smiling grandson.

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INT. WELLWOOD BAIL BONDS - OFFICE - LATER

Evelyn, cell phone to her ear, paces the room.

EVELYNI told him everything... Well,

almost everything... Im sorry, itjust came out. Maybe you shouldntbe doing this through me if you

wanna continue.

She sits at her desk.

EVELYN (CONTD)No, he left an hour ago. Im

waiting on our new employee toshow... Yeah... I know, I know.

She drags a palm over her forehead, through her hair.

EVELYN (CONTD)I was afraid hed figure it out...If he did, he didnt sayanything... As far as I can tell,Oliver thinks it all went accordingto his little plan.

The front doorknob jiggles, then someone knocks.

EVELYN (CONTD)That must be Lonny... Yeah, Illtell him you said hi. Okay. Love

you, too. Bye dad.

END OF SHOW

31.

Documents

Bondsmen - "Pilot"