JosieRevisedFB2

8/9/2019 JosieRevisedFB2

1/45

EXT. FLORIDA BEACH - EARLY MORNING

A SEAGULL SQUAWKS as a lone young woman runs down a longwhite beach, BREATHING hard.

The woman, JOSIE MIDEA, is angular and tan. Her shoulder

length dark brown hair is tucked under a teal baseball cap.She is 30, beautiful, raw and natural.

SMASH CUT:

INT. BEACH HOUSE/BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING - LATER

Three EMMY AWARDS sit on top of a dresser. One reads: BestInvestigative Series: Drugs in the Sunshine - Josie Midea,WSUN-TV. Josie is sitting on the bed, one foot tucked in ahalf lotus position in front of her. She pulls a HYPODERMICNEEDLE out of a black toiletry bag and injects herself

between the toes with HEROIN. While this is going on -

OS: A woman makes an announcement over a high schoolintercom.

WOMAN (O.S.)And Im pleased to announce JosieMidea has been awarded the EdwardR. Murrow Journalism Scholarship atNorthwestern University whereshell be matriculating as afreshman next fall ...

SMASH CUT:

EXT. FLORIDA BEACH - EARLY MORNING - CONTINUOUS

The womans voice fades out as we hear Josie BREATHING,running faster now. Dying waves ripple near her shoes leavingwaffle patterned marks in the wet sand. While this is goingon -

OS: A man inquires about the progress of a news story.

MAN (O.S.)Where are you with that piece aboutthe old lady who got stabbed lastnight?

SECOND MAN MUMBLES (O.S.)(mumbling)

Im waiting on a source.


2/45

(beat)Well get going, its going to bethe lead on the six tonight. Youheard Sol, if it bleeds it leads.You dont hear Josie making excuses- get me the story, damnit!

Mans voice is drowned out as waves CRASH against the beach.Josie SPRINTS to an imaginary finish and RAISES HER ARMS invictory. She bends over, grimacing, GASPING for breath.

CUT TO:

INT. BEACH HOUSE/KITCHEN - MORNING

Josie taps two PILLS from an ORANGE PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE intoher hand.

THE BOTTLE. The label reads: JOSEPHINE MIDEA over top TAKEONE TABLET BY MOUTH EVERY 24 HOURS over top LITHIUMOROTATE over top FOR BI-POLAR DISORDER.

As she swallows the pills her cellphone RINGS.

JOSIEHello. Hey. Mmm hmm. Yeah, Iremember it.

(beat)Youre kidding, where? Okay, meetme there in twenty minutes.

Josie hangs up, checks the kitchen clock and grabs her carkeys.

EXT. TV STATION - DAY

We see a cream colored two-story building fronted by dozensof palm trees, fronds swaying in the breeze. Three satellitedishes sit off to the side surrounded by a rusty chain linkfence. Painted on the largest is a faded replica of thestations logo, a flamingo dipping one foot in a sunset-reflected pool of water.

INT. TV STATION/NEWS DESK - DAY - CONTINUOUS

Josie, wearing khakis, a white blouse, and a pale pink blazeris standing in front of the news desk counter looking at acomposite of mugshots. A man in his twenties is sitting onthe other side of the counter busy on the phone. Next to hima woman of the same age has just hung up a different phone.

2.


3/45

WOMAN(to Josie)

That was Reuters. They just pickedup your story about the beachstrangler.

Josie ignores her, focusing on the mugshots. She looks up atthe man on the phone. He rolls his eyes, echoing herimpatience.

WSUN-TVS NEWS DIRECTOR SOL GRECO sidles up next to Josie.Thick and tan, with a silver comb over, this 61-year oldformer Queens native is known to his fishing buddies as theItalian Hillbilly. Cynically, he looks over the top of hisreading glasses.

SOLReuters. Thats nice, but itdoesnt get us ratings. It doesnt

pay the bills, capiche?(to Josie)

Did you talk to your guy yet?

Josie nods, puts down the mugshots and signals to the man onthe phone to wrap it up.

JOSIE(to the man, whispering)Lets go!

He gives Josie a quick, fearful look. A second later he hangsup and exhales a deep, happy BREATH.

MAN(to Josie)

Well, that was Jamie at theSheriffs Office. Your guy - theone you talked to this morning -just got picked up by the FBI alongwith seven other members of hisgang.

He turns and looks at the big clock behind him.

MAN (CONTD)(to Josie)You better get going - the pressconference starts in fifteenminutes.

Josie moves quickly.

3.


4/45

MAN (CONTD)Wait! She said they seized nearly amillion dollars in heroin!

Josie, running for the door looks back. Sol starts to saysomething and Josie points at him.

JOSIE(to Sol)

Dont.(to the man)

Call me if the FBI schedules apress conference.

The man leans out over the counter, stretching towards Josie.

MANOkay!

INT. SHERIFFS OFFICE - DAY

PRESS CONFERENCE. Manatee County Sheriff BEUFORD RASKELL, 60,overweight, red-head, crew cut, is fielding questions in aroom packed with reporters. Three cops stand off to the sidebehind a table covered with large, clear packages containingwhite powder - HEROIN. Two of the cops are Caucasian men, intheir early 30s, in full dress uniform, the other one is anolder, African-American man in a suit.

REPORTERSSheriff! Sheriff!

The Sheriff points to someone in the front.

SHERIFFJosie.

JOSIESheriff, you said your office hasbeen investigating this drug ringfor more than a year. So all of asudden the FBI comes in and makesthe bust? How does that happen?

The Sheriff looks over at the three men lined up next to him.The two uniformed men look back at him while the older manlooks straight ahead, unblinking.

4.


5/45

SHERIFFThis was a joint effort by locallaw enforcement headed up by theManatee County Sheriffs NarcoticsUnit including Sergeants Nelson andPeters here as well as the FBI

field office in Sarasota. I hopethat answers your question. Next.

The cop in the suit looks over at the Sheriff. The Sheriffdoesnt notice and points to another member of the press.Josie cuts him off.

JOSIEWell, no Sheriff, it um, itactually doesnt.

Josie looks up from her notes and over at the cop in the suitfor a split second.

JOSIE (CONTD)At any rate, my sources tell methat this particular gang possessednearly ten times the amount ofheroin confiscated by this jointtask force - as you put it. Ifthats true, where are the rest ofthe drugs?

SHERIFFMs. Midea, were all aware of yourreputation as an investigative

reporter, but this time yoursources are flat wrong. Lawenforcement seized nearly a milliondollars in medical grade heroin -thats it. Thats all there is.Next!

The mob fights to ask the next question as Josie and hercameraman, ANDY GOMEZ, too old and heavy for his job, maketheir way to the back of the room.

JOSIE

Get some shots of the Sheriff andthe drugs and meet me outside infive, okay.

ANDYGotcha.

5.


6/45

EXT. SHERIFFS OFFICE - DAY

In the harsh noon Florida sun Josie is uncoiling a microphonecable next to a WSUN-TV live truck. The cop in the suit whowas lined up next to the Sheriff inside walks up to her. HesFBI SPECIAL AGENT ISAAC BERRY, 53, black, tall, good-looking,

and wearing a brown linen suit. He takes off his SUNGLASSESand smiles.

AGENT BERRYMs. Midea?

She studies him, not moving her head, just her eyes, all thewhile trying to untangle the microphone cable.

JOSIEJosie.

AGENT BERRY

Sorry. Josie.

JOSIECan I help you detective?

AGENT BERRYSmart. Ive heard that about you.

JOSIEIm smart because I can look you upand down and tell youre adetective? Dont play dumb. Youdont get to be ... gold or silver?

She waits for him to finish her sentence.

AGENT BERRYNeither.

He flashes his FBI badge. She casually looks at it as shepreps her microphone. She finishes her own sentence.

JOSIEBy being ... not so smart.

(beat)

Sorry ... Special Agent.She tugs angrily at a knot in the microphone cable, unable toundo it.

JOSIE (CONTD)So tell me when did the FBI startusing reporters as their mainsource of information?

6.

(MORE)


7/45

I always thought it was supposed tobe the other way around?

(beat)Special Agent --- ?

He strains through a forced smile.

AGENT BERRYBerry. Agent Berry will be fine.

She finally fixes the knot, flips the microphone upside downand turns it on.

JOSIEOkay, I have a question.

(beat)Agent Berry. Why does the FBI getthe credit? You didnt haveanything to do with this

investigation?

AGENT BERRYI made the bust. You know itsstandard operating procedure forthe arresting officer to beavailable for questions.

JOSIEYoure not available now. Or areyou guys going to have your ownpress conference later and hog allthe glory?

AGENT BERRYLets talk about your sources. Whatyou said in there is prettyinteresting ... if its true, thatis.

She looks over at Andy, whos made his way to a tripodalready set up. Andy puts on a headset and talks to thestation, then looks over at Josie.

ANDY

Were on in two minutes.Detective Berry looks in the direction of Andy and the camerahes busy mounting on the tripod.

AGENT BERRY(to Josie)

Whats going on?

7.

JOSIE (CONTD)


8/45

JOSIEThe news Agent Berry. The newsnever sleeps, even in broaddaylight. Now, if you dont mindIve got less than two minutes toget ready for my live shot. Unless

of course, youd like to answer afew questions - on camera?

She starts to put on lipstick. Agent Berry stands theresaying nothing.

JOSIE (CONTD)I didnt think so.

AGENT BERRYListen, I think we got off on thewrong foot here. How about lunchtomorrow? Ill buy.

Still applying the lipstick she looks at him with acalculating, cynical glare.

JOSIEAllright. The Sandbar. One oclock.

Now smiling more genuinely as he heads back inside.

AGENT BERRYOne oclock. Ill meet you there.

As Agent Berry walks away, he notices Josie scratching her

arm up and down, but says nothing.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - EVENING

A WSUN-TV LIVE TRUCK is parked along a street next to a 7-11.A handful of cop cars form a semi-circle in the store parkinglot. We hear a bullhorn emit a TWANG OF FEEDBACK amid thecommotion. Other news trucks and reporters are prepping forlive shots beyond the police perimeter.

Josie and Andy are preparing for a live report which will be

the lead on the 11 oclock news. Josie is using her EARPIECEto listen to CYNTHIA RAWLINGS, 36, who is both a husky,chinless woman and WSUN-TVS EVENING NEWS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER.As usual she is in charge of producing the late news back atthe TV station.

8.


9/45

INT. TV CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Sitting in the back row of the control room, alone, Cynthialeans in, her lips nearly touching a long, SNAKE-LIKEMICROPHONE, toggling a callback switch.

INTERCUT CONVENIENCE STORE/TV CONTROL ROOM

CYNTHIAWhat do you mean you dont have thetape?

JOSIEAndys still working on it. Wellhave it.

CYNTHIADamnit Josie, dont screw this up.I dont need anymore of Sols grief

today.

Andy sticks his head out of the truck and makes an OK signwith his hand.

JOSIEWe got it.

CYNTHIAGood, youre on in two. Becky wellopen with you on a single andyoull toss to Josie. And Josie -

JOSIEWhat?

CYNTHIANice work with the FBI today. Iheard Sol got a call from some high-up. Apparently, theyre thinkingabout charging you withobstruction?

JOSIEYoure full of it.

CYNTHIANo no - honest, really! We justwrapped pre-show in Sols officeand I swear you could have put anice cube on his head and it wouldhave turned to steam. Youre indeep shit, sweetheart.

Cynthia CACKLES and toggles off her mic.

9.


10/45

Josie pulls the earpiece out of her ear in protest. Andyflips a switch and Josies face is engulfed in BRIGHT LIGHT,making everything behind her disappear.

CYNTHIA (CONTD)Coming to you in thirty seconds.

Andy motions to Josie to put her earpiece back in. Josiefrowns as she checks her face with a pocket mirror.

ANDY(to Josie)

You better snap out of it girl.

He double checks some stuff on the camera and asks Josie foran audio check.

JOSIEOne - two, check, one - two.

ANDYAudios good.

END INTERCUT CONVENIENCE STORE/TV CONTROL ROOM

INT. TV STUDIO - EVENING - MOMENTS LATER

Sitting at the anchor desk inside the TV STUDIO WSUN-TVANCHORWOMAN BECKY GILES, a perky, short-haired blonde of 40wearing a magenta colored jacket readies to open thenewscast.

Co-anchoring the news and sitting next to her is TOM WATERS,WSUN-TVS LEAD ANCHORMAN. He is 35, handsome and athleticwith blonde hair, and blue eyes. He is the quintessentiallocal boy who made good.

Tom leans over to Becky.

TOMDid you hear about Josie?

Becky is busy studying her script, not looking at him.

BECKYMmm hmm. I heard she still wontgive you the time of day. You mustthink she really likes you.

Tom starts to say something, but a floor director counts downwith his hand in a swinging motion.

10.


11/45

FLOOR DIRECTORThree ... two ...

The floor director pitches an invisible softball at Becky andTom.

BECKYGood evening. Tonight more blood onthe streets of Bradenton.

Becky turns to a second camera.

INT. TV CONTROL ROOM - EVENING - CONTINUOUS

Inside the control room we see rows of TV MONITORS, somesmall, some large. On one of the two biggest screens we seeBecky in the studio and on the other we see Josie at thecrime scene.

BECKYTwo men are dead after a localconvenience store robbery goes frombad to worse. Reporting live at thescene is Josie Midea. Josie whatcan you tell us?

JOSIEBecky, A 23-year old Bradenton manwas shot dead while working behindthe counter of this 7-11 around tentonight. The gunman, 27-year old

Brady Benson fled the scene,however a Bradenton police cruiserhappened to be passing by andtracked him down. After Bensonfired shots at them they returnedfire, ending in more bloodshed.

TV DIRECTORRoll tape.

While the short pre-packaged story airs Cynthia takesadvantage of the upper hand.

CYNTHIAHey Josie, I heard W-S-U-K in Ft.Myers is looking for a new janitor.

Cynthia CACKLES again.

JOSIECynthia, why dont you -

11.


12/45

Cynthia cuts her off, still laughing.

CYNTHIAOr you could hock your Emmys. Ihear pawnshops are giving topdollar to has-been reporters.

The TV director interrupts.

TV DIRECTORIts a short package Cynthia. Shesback in five seconds.

CYNTHIA(to Josie)

Seriously Josie, anything you needjust let me know.

TV DIRECTOR

Three ... two ...

Josie clenches her fists, but keeps her cool.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - CONTINUOUS

POV Andys camera viewfinder. Josie is back on the air live.

JOSIENow, police have informed us thereis another person wanted inconnection with these robberies. He

is described as a Hispanic male inhis early twenties, medium build,last seen wearing a Chicago WhiteSox baseball cap. If you have anyinformation please call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-555-TIPS. Becky.

TV CONTROL ROOM - EVENING - CONTINUOUS

We see Josie on the main TV monitor.

BECKYJosie, is there anything else youcan tell us about the gunman?

Josie gestures to a piece of paper in her hand.

12.


13/45

JOSIEPolice just put out this statementsaying Benson was recently releasedfrom Bay Area Mental Health Centerfor an undisclosed illness. Otherthan that theres no new

information at this time. Becky.

Tom chimes in, unscripted. The TV Director improvises.

TV DIRECTORDamnit. Camera three pull out, giveme a two-shot! Take three!

TOMJosie, Tom here. This gunman seemsto fit the profile of the man whosbeen responsible for the rash ofarmed robberies this past month.

Any indication whether this is thesame guy?

JOSIEUnfortunately Tom police wontspeculate, but it does seem like apossibility. You can be sure wellbe following up with more in thedays to come.

The TV director cuts back to a single shot of Becky.

BECKY

Thanks Josie. Tom.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE LIVE SHOT - CONTINUOUS

ANDY(to Josie)

Were clear.

Andy kills the light and Josie starts coiling her microphonecable.

SUDDENLY GUN SHOTS ring out. Police YELL, people SCREAM, andmost of the press dives to the ground, even though some arestill in the middle of doing their live shots. Andyinstinctively turns on the CAMERA LIGHT.

INT. TV CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

We see the chaos on the preview TV monitor in the controlroom.

13.


14/45

TV DIRECTORWhat the hells going on? Go backto Josie. Becky! Go back to Josie!

A startled Becky interrupts Tom, putting her hand up to herearpiece.

BECKYTom Im sorry - Im being toldsomething is happening at the sceneof the robbery. Josie, can you tellus whats going on?

TV DIRECTORTake Josie. Take Josie!

The main TV monitor cuts to Josie who is ducking for cover. APOLICE LOUDSPEAKER rings out.

POLICE LOUDSPEAKER (O.S.)Turn those cameras off! Get down -NOW!

JOSIEBecky, apparently someone justopened fire on the crowd here andpolice are telling us its not saferight now, well try and get you areport as soon as possible.

GUNSHOTS ring out again. The live shot feed goes to static.

TV DIRECTORTake Becky. Take Beckys camera.Wake up people! Lets beprofessional.

Becky looks shaken, but remains calm.

BECKYIf youre just joining us that wasJosie Midea reporting live from thescene of a robbery that happenedearlier tonight and where just now

gunshots have been fired. Well besure to bring you the latest onthis breaking news as soon as weknow more. Tom?

Tom is pale. He tries to collect himself by organizing hisscript.

14.


15/45

TOMThanks Becky. In other newstonight, local and federalauthorities announced a recordheroin bust -

POV: Behind back row in TV CONTROL ROOM.

Toms voice fades out as Sol walks into the control room andsits next to Cynthia in the back row. He flips the toggleswitch. Josie still has her earpiece in. Static is still onthe live feed being sent to the TV monitor in the controlroom.

SOLJosie, this is Sol. Are you guysallright?

JOSIE (O.S.)

Were fine - although I think Andyshit his pants.

A few people in the control room laugh.

JOSIE (CONTD)The police just told me they arentgoing to let us go live again fromthis location. Were going to movethe truck and see if we can getanother feed going.

SOL

Thats my girl. But you know yourestill on my shit list - dont getyourself killed. I want to chewyour ass out first. My office,first thing when you get back.

JOSIEYoure all heart, Sol.

CYNTHIA(gleefully)

Finally.

Sol keeps looking straight ahead at the TV monitors, watchingthe newscast.

SOL(to Cynthia)

You too.

15.


16/45

EXT. NEW LIVE SHOT LOCATION/TWO BLOCKS DOWN - LATER

A teenager, Hispanic, wearing a cut-off T-shirt approachesJosie as she helps Andy pack up the last of the gear.

TEENAGER

You Josie?

She looks at him out of the corner of her eye.

JOSIEWho wants to know?

TEENAGERCarlos. He told me to give youthis.

The kid hands her an envelope. Andy sticks his head out ofthe truck in time to see the hand off. He says nothing to

Josie.

INT. TV STATION/NEWS DIRECTORS OFFICE - MIDNIGHT

Sol leans back in a chair behind his desk, a large mountedtarpon hanging above him. Josie and Cynthia are seated infront of the desk.

SOLYou girls ever do any fishing?

They look at him blankly, saying nothing.

SOL (CONTD)No? Thats too bad. Caught this onehere down at Boca Grande aboutthree years ago.

He looks at them, searching.

JOSIESol, Ive got to be somewhere, so -

Sol leans forward in his chair, sitting upright now.

SOLWere last in the ratings, ladies.Point is we cant keep baiting ourhook with you girls. Together youtwo are more expensive than thisstation can afford - thats allthere is to it. By summers end oneof you has got to go - that isunless you start reelin em in.

16.


17/45

He pauses, starts to light his pipe.

CYNTHIABut what about the FBI? I thought -

SOL

(to Cynthia)Youre excused.

He puffs on his pipe, a small cloud of smoke billowing abouthis leathery face. Cynthia exits, Josie remains.

SOL (CONTD)So would you like to explain to mewhy Im getting calls from the FBI?

JOSIEIll get you the ratings.

SOLSometimes you do. Like tonight.

(beat)Take care of this Special Agentfella okay?

JOSIEYou know Sol, I dont have time tohold his hand. Im getting shot atand Im supposed to play nursemaidto some damn cop? Can someone foronce do their job?

SOL(gently)

Tell him what you know. Maybe youcan work with him. You do know whatits like to work with someoneright?

Josie leaves his office, in a hurry. Sol yells after her.

SOL (CONTD (CONTD)You might try it for once!

EXT. TV STATION/PARKING LOT - EVENING - CONTINUOUS

Josie exits the TV station and gets in her car. Two rows awaywe see Cynthia, indistinguishable to the us, watching her. AsJosie drives away Cynthia follows her.

17.


18/45

EXT. LOW-INCOME, SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - AFTER MIDNIGHT

SMALL, UNKEPT, ONE-STORY RANCH HOUSE. The front yard isornamented with TWO CARS, one a skeleton on blocks. A catSCREAMS angrily in the distance. The driveway is filled withoversized pick-up trucks and the large, front window is

muffling Latino MUSIC.

A car parks in front of the house. Josie gets out, stridespast the trucks, around to the back of the house.

OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET/CURB LEVEL. Moments later anothercar drives up, brakes lightly SQUEAL as we see the carsfront tire come to a stop. RAISE UP and we see Cynthia behindthe wheel, staring at the house, Josies car parked in front.

INT. RANCH HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

The living room walls are dotted with random-sized holes,some patched with stucco. Decorated with only clear, stringlights, a ten-piece white leather sectional couch, and aglass coffee table the room is populated by three Hispanicmen, all in their mid to late twenties. The table is coveredwith a rainbow of narcotics.

One of the men LAUGHS at the punchline of an already toldjoke.

We hear a KNOCK at the back door, LUIS, 26, stocky andwearing nothing but surfer-style bathing trunks and a strawcowboy hat reaches for a gun on the table. CLICK-CLACK! He

readies the semi-automatic pistol.

A second man, CARLOS, 29, dark, muscular, yet lithe, calmlygestures to him.

CARLOSIts okay, amigo. Relax.

He addresses a third man, 25-year old CHI CHI, leaning overto do a line of cocaine. Skinny, wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and flip flops, he has a rolled up twenty dollar billin his hand.

CARLOS (CONTD)Chi Chi - see who it is. And ChiChi ...

Chi Chi looks at Carlos, paying close attention.

CARLOS (CONTD)Be cool.

18.


19/45

POV LIVING ROOM. We hear Chi Chi ask whos at the door,letting Josie inside.

CHI CHILook what the cat dragged in!

Meeting in mid-stride behind the couch, Carlos leads her bythe hand down a hallway to a back bedroom. The other men,CATCALL and LAUGH.

INT. RANCH HOUSE/BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Josie sits on the edge of a king-sized bed, setting her pursenext to her. The bottom sheet is askew revealing a corner ofthe mattress. The bedroom is empty except for some clothes ina pile and the metal foldout chair Carlos is standing nextto.

Carlos tilts the chair, dragging it across the room over thedeep shag, a few feet from Josie. He sits, waiting.

CARLOSSo?

JOSIEEight of them, including Pedro.

He looks at her waiting.

CARLOSAnd?

JOSIEIts dangerous having some kid handdeliver your messages to me whenIm at work. I dont understand whyyou cant use a cellphone.

CARLOSYou dont see me getting busted bythe feds, do you?

(beat)Well?

JOSIEThey didnt get Jose.

CARLOSShit!

She hands him ten vials of medical grade heroin, zipped up ina freezer baggie.

19.


20/45

CARLOS (CONTD)When do you see your supplier next?

Josie digs through her purse, looking for something.

CARLOS (CONTD)

Josie?!?

She looks up.

JOSIETomorrow morning. Relax.

Carlos prepares a needle full of heroin for her after hecooks some in the crevice of a nine inch, stainless steelarmy knife drawn from inside his jeans pant leg.

CARLOSReady?

Josie is tearing open the pre-moistened alcohol towelette shefinally found in her purse.

JOSIEYou know some women have a coupleof glasses of wine at the end ofthe day -

CARLOSAnd most women arent getting shotat while they work.

JOSIEYou saw that?

CARLOSYeah.

(beat)So what if you do H? I mean -

JOSIE(chuckling)

Well, for one thing it doesnt lookgood on my resume.

He offers her the needle, and she takes off her blazerrevealing a spaghetti strap blazer. He injects the heroininto her shoulder and she uses the alcohol wipe as he pullsthe needle out.

Josie lays back on the bed, her feet dangling above thecarpet. Carlos watches her face drift in and out ofawareness.

20.


21/45

CARLOSWhat do you need?

JOSIEMmmm ... to win.

Josies eyes glaze over.

CARLOSI can give you something.

JOSIEYou just did.

CARLOSThere are other things.

Carlos unbuckles his belt.

JOSIEMmm hmm.

Carlos leans back, shirtless and scratches the soulpatchunder his lower lip.

CARLOSWhat do you need Josie?

Josie looks up at him, motioning with her finger for him tocome closer. He leans over her face, their lips only an inchapart.

A woman SCREAMS from the living room, her cries becomemuffled. Men YELL, arguing. Irritated, Carlos stalks out ofthe room.

INT. RANCH HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

CARLOSWhat the hell is going on?

Carlos looks across the room at two new men, also 20-something Latinos. Neither is big, but both are musclebound,

wearing bodybuilder cutoff T-shirts. One is subduing thewoman, holding her arms behind her back. The other has hishand over her mouth. The woman is Cynthia Rawlings.

CARLOS (CONTD)Who the hell is she?

The man covering her mouth, 25-year old GIL, looks at Josiewho has appeared behind Carlos.

21.


22/45

GILWho the hell is she?

Carlos looks behind him. Josie is standing there, a bitwobbly, but recognizes the woman, instantly sobering her.

JOSIEOh no.

CARLOSWhat? Do you know her?

Cynthias mascara is running down her cheeks, onto Gilshand.

GILWe caught her snooping around inthe back yard. Carlos, what thefuck is going on?

CARLOS(to Josie)

I told you to be careful, Godamnit!

He rubs his head with both hands, trying to think.

GILCarlos?

Carlos looks at him, both hands now frozen in his hair.

CARLOS

Take her to the bedroom.

The man restraining her, EDDIE, 25, his head shaved bald withdark, bushy eyebrows, nods to CHI CHI.

EDDIEHey man, can you get me some ropeor something?

GILAnd some duct tape. I cant holdher trap shut forever.

CHI CHI goes into the kitchen and returns with an unopenedpackage of heavy duty locking CABLE TIES and a roll of clearPACKING TAPE. He hands Gil the cable ties.

CHI CHIDont waste these, theyre for mynew speaker system, okay?

Cynthia struggles, kicking into the air.

22.


23/45

EDDIEYou put em on her man, Ive got myhands full.

Chi Chi slides one red cable tie around her wrist, pulling itsnug, CLICKING almost zipper-like. Next he tapes her mouth

shut, her lips puckered indefinitely.

EDDIE (CONTD)Quit kicking, bitch. Youre onlygoing to make it worse.

CHI CHIThatll hold her.

As Edgar pushes Cynthia past the couch towards the hallwaythe two women lock eyes causing Cynthia to PLEA spastically.Once theyre out of sight Carlos motions to Luis.

CARLOSMake sure they dont do anythingstupid.

Luis grabs the gun, heading for the bedroom.

CARLOS (CONTD)Chi Chi, go out back and make surenobody else is following our girlhere.

BAM! A gunshot goes off from the bedroom. Carlos and Chi Chilook at each other, horrified, and run down the hall. Carlos

yells back at Josie.

CARLOS (CONTD)Stay there!

POV Josie, frozen in the living room, mouth open.

Gil YELLS at Luis.

GIL (O.S.)Godamnit, man - what the fuck?!?

We hear Luis MUMBLING, inaudible. We follow Josie, nowwalking down the hallway in a trance-like state. She ends upat the bedroom doorway. Looking inside she sees Cynthiamotionless on the floor. She is lying on her side, stillbound, next to the folding chair. There is a cone-shapedsplatter of blood a few feet above her on the white wall. Themen surround her, still arguing.

23.


24/45

INT. RANCH HOUSE/BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

CARLOSEverybody, shut the hell up. Icant hear myself think.

Josie sinks to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

JOSIEOh, God.

Carlos turns and sees Josie in the doorway.

CARLOSAww shit. Chi Chi! Take Josie inthe living room and fix hersomething. She needs to sleep.

Josie looks at Luis holding the gun, confused.

JOSIEWhat did you do?

Luis is confused, too. He looks at the gun, betrayed.

LUISThe gun went off ... I ... I dontknow what happened.

CARLOS(to Chi Chi)

Get her out of here!

Carlos gestures for him to move his ass. Chi Chi helps her toher feet and slowly they make their way down the hall.

INT. RANCH HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - 2 HOURS LATER, 3:00 A.M.

Josie wakes up on the couch, licking her lips. The room isdark and quiet, the only light coming from a silent BOOMBOXin the corner, its blue glow illuminating Chi Chis face.Hes on the couch across from her, sleeping, upright. Groggy,she sits up and takes a moment to get her bearings. She looks

around for her purse, remembering the last time she saw it.

INT. RANCH HOUSE/BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Flipping the light switch reveals the same spartan layout asbefore, except now the mattress is bare, the bedsheet gone.The blood on the wall has been scrubbed clean, a damp spot inits place. She grabs her purse and exits the house the sameway she came in, careful not to wake Chi Chi.

24.


25/45

EXT. RANCH HOUSE/FRONT OF HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

The driveway is empty, every pickup gone. She gets to her carand looks down the street, listening. The only noise is froma power line HUMMING above her. She gets in her car anddrives off.

INT. BEACH HOUSE/BEDROOM - 4:00 A.M.

Josie climbs into bed and turns out the light on her bedsidetable. Her eyes close instantly. A tear rolls down her cheek.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FRONT YARD, MIDWEST TOWN - DAY (FLASHBACK: 20 YEARS AGO)

GIRLS GIGGLING, both 10, Josie and DIANE SUMMERS, her best

friend, are tossing a softball back and forth in Josiesfront yard. The yard is covered with a thin crunchy blanketof copper leaves.

DIANE(singing)

I know something you dont know.

Catching the ball Josie gives her friend an annoyed look.This is Dianes tried and true method of teasing her friend.

DIANE (CONTD)Come on Josie, you dont even wanna

guess?

Josie throws her an angry strike. Diane catches the ball,feigning pain by taking her hand out of the glove waving itaround likes its on fire. Josie chuckles. Diane looks oversensing forgiveness.

DIANE (CONTD)So can I give you a hint?

Josie prolongs her friends torture by rubbing her chin andpretending to think deeply about the question.

JOSIEHmm ... okay.

DIANE(singing again)

Josie likes a boy.

JOSIEGimme a break.

25.


26/45

DIANEOkay, you asked for it!

Diane playfully throws the ball over her friends head and ittrickles up to the porch. Josies DAD appears behind thescreen door, somewhat hidden. His silhouette cuts the shape

of a tall, thin man.

DADJoze, I need your help.

JOSIEAww, come on Dad. Cant you getMom?

He leans his nose into the screen, revealing a toothy grin.

DADShes at the Y. Come on punkin.

JOSIE(quiet-like)

Okay. Bye Diane.

DIANEBye.

CUT TO:

INT. MASTER BATHROOM JOSIES HOUSE - DAY (FLASHBACK CONTD)

Dad walks into the bathroom wearing an old mustard coloredbathrobe. Josie is sitting on the toilet, waiting for him. Heis 54, well over six feet tall. He stands directly in frontof Josie with his back to us blocking our view of her.

DADWheres the lotion?

JOSIEI have it here.

CUT TO:

INT. MASTER BEDROOM JOSIES HOUSE - DAY (FLASHBACK CONTD)

The bedroom is empty, but we can hear Josie and Dad talkingin the adjacent bathroom.

26.


27/45

JOSIEDad, I cant reach.

CUT TO:

INT. MASTER BATHROOM DOORWAY - DAY (FLASHBACK CONTD)

LOW ANGLE. We see neither of them except the calf of his leg.His robe is in a pile on the floor.

JOSIECan you move over a little?

We see his skinny ankle shuffle over.

Thats better.(beat)

Dad?

DADWhat punkin?

JOSIEDo you love me best?

DADKeep rubbing, punkin.

His calf muscle is now moving back and forth, almostthrusting. We hear him BREATHING hard, PANTING.

DAD (CONTD)Dont stop, punkin. Dont stop.

FLASHBACK ENDS

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. CHILDRENS HOSPITAL/CANCER WARD - MORNING

A handful of CHILDREN are playing on a large, rectangular rugfeaturing Sesame Street characters. A little girl, HANNAH,

who is bald plays with a Barbie Doll between Big Bird andOscar the Grouch. She, like every child in this part of thehospital is terminally ill. Josie appears in the doorway,arms outstretched.

JOSIEHey!

HANNAHJosie!

27.


28/45

Josie kneels down, her eyes level with four children as theyrush up to her. Along with Hannah, this mornings group ismade up of three boys: SAM, a precocious 6 year old,CHRISTOPHER, also 6, but very quiet, and STEVE, a 5 year oldwho is also shy, but has a habit of blurting out a certaincurse word when he gets excited.

STEVEShit!

A nurse comes over to greet Josie. A black woman of 38, VERABERRY runs a tight ship, but dotes on the children.

VERASteve! Im sorry Josie, you knowhow he gets when you visit.

Pitifully, Steve aims his eyes at the floor.

STEVESorry.

Josie lifts his chin and smiles at him.

JOSIEIts okay honey. Hug?

Through their embrace Steve looks up at the nurse and stickshis tongue out at her. Vera CHUCKLES and returns the favor.

JOSIE (CONTD)So whos ready to visit Magic Land?

The kids SCREECH with glee.

HANNAHMeeee!

Josie slings a brightly colored beach bag down from hershoulder, leading the kids to the rug.

JOSIESo I forget, where did we leaveoff?

Josie sits on the rug and the kids immediately plop in frontof her.

SAMThe prince killed the dragon andwas looking for the princess.

28.


29/45

HANNAHUnh-unh! The princess was beingheld prisoner in the castle.

Sam shakes his head defiantly.

SAMIts the same thing!

JOSIEOkay, okay. Youre both right.

Sensing hes being left out, Josie looks at Christopher.

JOSIE (CONTD)Christopher why dont you tell uswhere to pick up the story. As Irecall the prince has just killedthe dragon, so where should he go

next - into the Emerald Forest orshould he sail across the ForbiddenOcean?

HANNAHHe -

Josie gestures to Hannah like shes whispering.

JOSIE(gently)

Shhh. Hannah, let him choose.

Christopher adjusts his glasses and wipes his nose with theback of his hand.

CHRISTOPHERWell, I cant swim, so the oceanwould be too scary. The forest?

JOSIEThe forest it is.

Josie reaches for her bag and pulls out two PUPPETS, puttingone behind her back, unseen by the children. She slips the

other on her right hand. The homemade puppet is a man adornedwith a wreath of laurel, his body covered in silver fabricmade to look like a suit of armor. The puppets name isPRINCE CASTIGERE. Josies voice deepens as she gets intocharacter.

JOSIE (AS PRINCE CASTIGERE) (CONTD)I have defeated the mighty bluedragon and now I must find mydearly beloved, PRINCESS SARA.

29.

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30/45

I will go into the Emerald Forestand see if I can find her there.

Josie trots the Prince in front of her and at the same timeslips her left hand into the puppet hidden behind her. Thispuppet, the RED DRAGON has two bucked, felt teeth. She pulls

him out in a flash.

JOSIE (AS RED DRAGON) (CONTD)ROAR!

The children SCREECH in delight. Steve cant help himself.

STEVEShit!

Hannah lightly slaps his shoulder. The Red Dragon, unfazed bythe expletive, moves toward the Prince.

JOSIE (AS RED DRAGON)You kill my brother and now youdare to challenge me? Prepare todie Prince!

Josie leads the two puppets into battle, the childrenCHEERING the Prince to victory. After a few seconds ofROARING the dragon lays still, MOANING a dramatic death.Nurse Vera walks over, standing behind the kids.

VERAIm sorry, but the kids need to getover to treatment. I forgot to tell

you that we changed the schedule.

Before leaving Josie bends down and hands Hannah the PrinceCastigere puppet.

JOSIEHere, why dont you hang on to himfor awhile, okay?

Hannah SQUEALS with delight and Vera leads Josie out, handingher a baggie with a dozen vials filled with medical gradeheroin. Josie immediately puts them in her bag.

VERAListen, I cant keep doing this.

JOSIESure you can. You dont want to endup the on the six oclock news, doyou?

30.

JOSIE (AS PRINCE CASTIGERE) (CONTD)


31/45

VERAGo to hell.

JOSIEWay ahead of you.

VERAI really wish you had gotten shotlast night.

JOSIEYeah? Join the club.

EXT. TV STATION/PARKING LOT - LATE MORNING

Josie shuts her car door and walks towards the TV stationemployee entrance. Just off to the side there is a patiorimmed with dying succulents. There are old cigarette butts

half buried in the dirt next to the plants. Tom is at the faredge of the patio with his back to us, smoking. Josiepretends not to notice him.

TOMGlad youre still alive.

Josie ignores him, still walking towards the door.

TOM (CONTD)I dont understand you Josie.

She stops and turns to him, his back to her.

JOSIEIt just pisses you off to no endthat Im not going to end up beinganother trophy on your mantle,doesnt it?

Tom turns to face Josie, his penny loafers GRATE on thepatio. He holds his palms in the air.

TOMTake it easy. Look after last night

Im just glad youre okay - okay?Come on - let me take you to lunch.The Sandbar. You know you cant sayno to a grouper sandwich.

Suddenly he looks over her shoulder, distracted.

JOSIEThanks, but Im busy.

31.


32/45

She notices him not paying attention, annoying her. His eyesare locked on to something. She turns to look.

JOSIE (CONTD)I dont believe it. Diane!

DIANE SUMMERS is walking fast in heels, trying not to trip.She is blond, blue-eyed, and like her lifelong friend Josie,trim and athletic.

DIANELook at you!

A yellow cab drives away and Diane drops her bags as theyembrace.

JOSIEWhat are you doing here?

DIANEAll the flights were socked in. Ihad to drive to Cleveland to catcha plane out. I just got in so Icame straight from the airport.

JOSIEAre you here for a visit?

Josie grabs two suitcases.

JOSIE (CONTD)(chuckling)

This is a lot of luggage even forthe Queen of Sheeba.

DIANENo dummy. I work here. Dont youcheck your messages?

JOSIEWhat? You must have called thehouse. Sorry D I live and die bymy cellphone. When you you start?

DIANETonight. Im doing the Piratesgame.

JOSIEJesus, I had no idea.

Diane looks around.

32.


33/45

DIANEIs it always this hot?

They look at each other and SHRIEK with delight realizingtheyre together again. They walk towards the employeeentrance. In the excitement Josie has forgotten about Tom,

but as they walk by Diane sees him staring at her. Shepretends not to notice.

INT. TV STATION/NEWS FLOOR

A sea of work stations, people busy either on the phone ortyping occupy the WSUN-TV news floor. Sol is talking to awriter as Josie and Diane walk up.

SOL(to the writer)

How many times do I have to tell

you - blood and guts. This town isa warzone so lets not sugarcoatit. Dont you writers ever look atthe ratings? WTVT and WFLA arekilling us. They do crime, crime,and more crime. Hell, F-L-Askicker last night had some kidcrying about his cat after the damnthing died when it fell from atree. And that was their feel-goodending to the show. Get it!

He turns to see Josie and Diane.

SOL (CONTD)(to Josie)

Where have you been?

JOSIESol, I dont have time to arguewith you. Heres your newest sportsreporter.

Sol looks at Diane, displeased.

SOLSports. A complete waste of time.If some poor shmuck gets killed bya errant foul ball call me,otherwise stay at the back of thebus where you belong.

Josie points to Diane and winks.

33.


34/45

JOSIEHave fun!

SOL(to Josie)

Where do you think youre going?

JOSIETo hold a cops hand, remember?

Sol turns back to the writer to give him more advice aboutblood and guts journalism as Diane looks around the newsfloor, searching for the sports department.

EXT. BEACH RESTAURANT/OUTSIDE WOOD DECK - DAY

LUNCH CROWD. A trapeze of fishing line overhead preventshungry seagulls from swooping down on Josie and Agent Berrys

now empty plates. He sets down an empty glass.

AGENT BERRYAhhh! That hit the spot.

JOSIEBest sweet tea in town.

He pushes his chair back and tosses his napkin on the table,stretching.

AGENT BERRYAre you from around here?

Josie shakes her head adamantly.

JOSIEOhio.

AGENT BERRYSo howd you end up down here?

JOSIEIts the life. Started out in asmall town back home, then got a

job in Tallahassee, now here.AGENT BERRY

No offense, but it seems like youshould be in New York by now.

She looks at him admirably.

JOSIEYouve been doing your homework.

34.


35/45

AGENT BERRYWell, I asked a couple of reportersat the press conference yesterday.You were right - journalists are afantastic source of information.

He smiles and she LAUGHS.

JOSIETouche.

DETECTIVE BERRYSo tell me about this missingmoney.

Her smile fades and she looks around at the crowd of people.

JOSIEWhy dont we go for a walk?

Detective Berry nods, pays the bill and they walk down to thebeach.

EXT. BEACH - MOMENTS LATER

Australian pines sway in the distance as dark puffy cloudsrecede inland. The Gulf of Mexico is emerald green, calm.They walk towards a distant point jutting out into the water.

AGENT BERRYCant get over how white the sand

is here.

JOSIEI take it youre not from Floridaeither.

AGENT BERRYWere from Atlanta.

JOSIEWe?

AGENT BERRYMy family. Wife and two daughters.I guess youre familys still inOhio.

Josie walks near the waters edge, dodging the occasionalincoming tidal surge. Detective Berry plods along, in thesoft, dry sand.

35.


36/45

JOSIELets talk about the money.

He looks at her sensing her unease about the subject of herfamily.

AGENT BERRYOkay.

JOSIEYou know the gang that you bustedright?

AGENT BERRYSure, the Black Latins. Theyre outof Tampa.

JOSIERight. Well, one of the guys you

busted yesterday was one of mysources. Ive got three Emmys onmy bedroom dresser at home and hesresponsible for one of them.

AGENT BERRYIm impressed.

JOSIEDont be. Hes going to be dead ina week. When they move him toRaiford, he wont last past dinner.

AGENT BERRYHow do you know all this?

JOSIELike I said, hes one of mysources.

AGENT BERRYHow does an All-american lookinggirl come to be in the company ofsuch a - how shall I put it -lovely element?

JOSIEDoes it matter? Hard work,determination - hell, I dont know.I dont like to lose, I guess.

AGENT BERRYBut I hear youre on the hot seatwith your boss -

36.


37/45

Agent Berry, whips out a small black notebook and consultsit.

AGENT BERRY (CONTD)A Mr. Sol Greco.

Again, she looks at him impressed with his knowledge.

JOSIEYou know, thats twice now. I tellyou what - Im going to give you achance to prove me wrong.

AGENT BERRYAbout what?

JOSIECops.

AGENT BERRYIm guessing you think cops areincompetent.

JOSIEAmong other things.

He stops and looks out at the horizon.

AGENT BERRYSo?

JOSIE

Allright heres the deal. The guy... the guy I mentioned who wontlast past dinner? His name isPedro. Yesterday morning I met himjust down there.

She points to an old, dilapidated pier, stretching a coupleof hundred yards out into the water.

AGENT BERRYGo on.

JOSIEHe told me that there would be abust later that day and that therewould be a record amount of heroinseized. Ten million dollars worth.

AGENT BERRYAnd you think hes telling thetruth?

37.


38/45

JOSIEDo you have a partner, Agent Berry?

AGENT BERRYNot right now. I uh ... he, uh -

He stops short, getting a bit choked up.

JOSIEDid something happen?

He composes himself.

AGENT BERRYDid you hear about the FBI agent inMiami who killed himself two weeksago?

JOSIE

The guy who jumped off theintercoastal bridge?

AGENT BERRYThats right.

JOSIEThat was your partner? Hey, Imsorry about that.

AGENT BERRYSo, if youre going to ask me abouttrust and do I understand what it

means, the only thing I can say toyou is yes. I trusted that man withmy life.

She looks down at her feet.

JOSIELook, I said I was sorry. I didntknow.

AGENT BERRYJosie - You wanted me to call you

Josie, right?JOSIE

Of course.

38.


39/45

AGENT BERRYJosie, if were going to get to thebottom of this I think were goingto need to lay out some groundrules. You know a way that both ofknow where we stand.

JOSIEThat sounds fair.

AGENT BERRYFirst, I think we need to establisha certain level of trust.

JOSIEIsnt that something you earn,Agent Berry?

AGENT BERRY

Exactly.

JOSIE(confused)

Okay.

AGENT BERRYSo, why dont we start with youtelling me where you were lastnight.

Josie, pauses for a second, then collects herself.

JOSIEI was getting shot at Agent Berry.Surely you heard. You do watch thenews, right?

AGENT BERRYI heard. No, Im talking aboutafter that.

Josie swallows.

JOSIE

Im surprised your sources didnttell you I was getting chewed outby my boss. He threatened to can meif I didnt bring in biggerratings.

AGENT BERRYAnd after that?

Josie looks over at him, angry, losing her composure.

39.


40/45

JOSIELook, if you know something, whydont you just come out and say it.

AGENT BERRYSee, this is what Im talking

about. I think we need toreconsider what were doing here ifwe cant be honest with each other.

They look at each other.

JOSIEWhat are you going to do?

AGENT BERRYIt depends. It depends on whetheror not youre willing to trust me.

Josie EXHALES.

JOSIEAllright, after I left the stationI went to this guys house.Something terrible happened andeven though Im wasnt responsibleI should have reported it. The onlything is if I go to the police withwhat I know Ill be dead before thetide goes out.

AGENT BERRY

What happened?

JOSIEYou dont know?

AGENT BERRYYou dont play poker do you Josie?Me ... I love Holdem.

Josie puts her hands on her knees and lets out a SCREAM.

JOSIE

Shit!AGENT BERRY

Look, I had a couple of agents tailyou last night. They got calledaway before you even got out ofyour car, but they told me whereyou ended up.

40.


41/45

JOSIESo you know who lives there.

AGENT BERRYJosie, the FBI makes it itsbusiness to know where the biggest

drug dealer on the west coast ofFlorida hangs out.

JOSIESo you dont know what happened?

Agent Berry starts walking again, kicking at the sand withhis black, patented leather shoes.

AGENT BERRYNo, but Im sure youre going totell me. Right?

EXT. FLORIDA BACKWOODS - 3:00 A.M. (FLAHSBACK: LAST NIGHT)

SCRUB OAKS circle a dark, grassy field. Two men are in a fivefoot deep hole, digging with shovels. A third man is watchingwith his back to us, smoke rising up above his head.

MAN SMOKINGDid you hear that?

One of the men looks up out of the hole. Its Chi Chi.

CHI CHI

Hear what?

CRUNCH. The sound of a boot on twigs comes from a dense patchof trees. The man smoking turns and we see its CARLOS. Hepulls a handgun out of his jeans.

CARLOSBoth of you get out - now.

The other man, tosses his shovel out of the deep hole. He ishelped out by Chi Chi. The third man, we now see is Eddie,who is floundering on the ground.

EDDIELet me -

CLICK CLACK. A man has snuck up behind Carlos and has a gunpointed at his head. Another walks out into the openmoonlight with a shotgun. Both men are slight of build andwearing jeans, country-western shirts, and cowboy hats. Theman with a shotgun points a flashlight at Carlos.

41.


42/45

They are the same two men who were standing next to SheriffRaskell at the press conference earlier that day.

The man holding the shotgun is SERGEANT J.D. NELSON, 36, andin charge of the Manatee County Sheriffs Narcotics Unit.

SERGEANT BOBBY PETERS, 31, is also a member of the Unit anddigs his .38 caliber service revolver into the back ofCarlos head.

SERGEANT PETERSDrop the gun.

THUD. Carlos drops the gun into the tall, wet grass.

SERGEANT PETERS (CONTD)Into that hole, fella.

Sergeant Peters spits tobacco on the ground. Sergeant Nelson

takes his boot and rolls Eddie, who is laying on his side,back into the hole.

EDDIEUMPH! Aaaagh! Aarrrgh.

Chi Chi, who has never gotten out of the hole tends to Eddie.

CHI CHIYou allright, man?

SERGEANT PETERS(to Chi Chi)

Shut up!

Sergeant Peters kicks Carlos in the butt with his boot.

SERGEANT PETERS (CONTD)Move your ass!

Carlos falls to the ground, his hands at the edge of thehole. Sergeant Peters picks up Carlos gun lying in the grassand looks over at Sergeant Nelson.

SERGEANT PETERS (CONTD)

What do you think?Sergeant Nelson points the flashlight into the hole and takesa look.

THE HOLE. Chi Chi is standing, his hand on Eddies shoulder.Eddie is bent over grabbing his right ankle, MOANING in pain.Next to them, laying on the ground is a BLOODIED SHEET,wrapped around what appears to be a body.

42.


43/45

Sergeant Nelson WHISTLES approval. Sergeant Peters walks overnext to the south side of the hole, facing Carlos, whosstill crouching at the edge.

SERGEANT PETERS (CONTD)Holy shit.

Sergeant Nelson points the flashlight at Carlos.

SERGEANT NELSONWhat you got in that sheet boy?

CHI CHIIts nothing.

SERGEANT PETERS(to Chi Chi)

I said shut up!

Sergeant Nelson points the flashlight at Chi Chi.

SERGEANT NELSON(to Chi Chi)

Get it up on out of there, now.

CHI CHII dont think I can lift it bymyself.

Sergeant Nelson points the flashlight back at Carlos.

SERGEANT NELSON

(to Carlos)Go on. Get on in there.

Carlos carefully slides into the hole, Sergeant Nelsonsflashlight following him. He, Chi Chi, and Eddie dont havemuch room to work. Chi Chi and Carlos struggle to liftCynthias cocooned body out of the hole. Sergeant Peterslends one a hand pulling her out. Sergeant Nelson has hisflashlight pointed right at Carlos face.

SERGEANT NELSON (CONTD)(to Carlos)

Whats your name boy?CARLOS

Carlos.

SERGEANT NELSONCarlos, I need you to get up on outof there.

Carlos looks at him, confused.

43.


44/45

SERGEANT PETERSMove it - lets go!

Carlos attempts to climb out, but the wet grass causes him toslip back into the hole.

SERGEANT PETERS (CONTD)(to Chi Chi)Hey, toothpick! Help the man out ofthere.

Chi Chi bends down and gives Carlos a boost. In the processhe steps on Eddies twisted ankle, causing him to HOWL withpain.

SERGEANT PETERS (CONTD)(whispering to SergeantNelson)

Goddmanit J.D., lets kill em all

and get the hell out of here.

Sergeant Nelson shoots Sergeant Peters a nasty glare. Carlosfinally gets out of the hole.

SERGEANT NELSONCarlos, I want you to come on overhere and get this sheet off of thishere body.

Carlos carefully approaches and uncoils the sheet, revealingCynthia and her the hole in her forehead, dried blood allover her face.

SERGEANT NELSON (CONTD)Carlos, you want to tell me how youcame to possess this here womansbody?

Carlos stands, arms at his side, like hes going to draw animaginary gun on Sergeant Nelson.

SERGEANT NELSON (CONTD)Well, heres the deal-E-O Carlos.Either you tell me what happened or

Im going have this old boy herehelp you and your friends pushinup daisies before the sun comes up.

Carlos, still doesnt move. Then he looks down.

CARLOSWe dont know what happened. Shewas snooping around our house andwe accidentally shot her.

44.

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45/45

Shes works for some TV station.Look, thats all I know.

SERGEANT NELSONWhich one?

CARLOSThe one with the Flamingo, I think.

Sergeant Nelson put his boot to Cynthia and rolls her backinto the hole. He looks over at Sergeant Peters and nods.Sergeant Peters, grins, wide. He points the gun into the holeand shoots Eddie in the head. Chi Chi puts his hands in frontof his face. We hear a quick THUD.

SERGEANT PETERSUggghhh.

THUMP. Sergeant Peter falls to the ground. The handle of

Carlos nine inch knife sticks out of Sergeant Peters chestas he lays face up. Sergeant Nelson BLASTS the shotgun in thevicinity of an already fleeing Carlos, but misses. Theshotgun jams.

SERGEANT NELSONAww shit!

Chi Chi is now trying to claw his way out of the hole, on theback of Eddie. Sergeant Nelson makes his way over and putsthe bottom of his boot in Chi Chis face.

SUDDENLY Carlos sends Sergeant Nelson reeling, face first

into the grave, with a forearm to the back of the head. Hehelps Chi Chi out of the hole. They look down at the carnage:Sergeant Nelson on top of Eddie, whos lying on top ofCynthia.

CARLOSLets get the fuck out of here.

They run towards the dense scrub oaks, into the darkness.

45.

CARLOS (CONT'D)

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