DEMOLITION MAN
An Original Screenplay
by
Peter M. Lenkov
SILVER PICTURES
PROPERTY OF: REVISED SECOND DRAFT
WARNER BROS. INC. August 1989
4000 Warner Boulevard c 1989
Burbank, CA 91522
*define STOR cl auto [2=9976]
DATA FILE X12 CA=bbd 115
ENTERED FALL 1995
Code Clearance 2976-PPX:::::
1a-c/ A BACKLOG OF COURT HEARINGS, AN
ON-GOING DEBATE OVER CAPITAL PUNISHMENT,
AND OVERCROWDING IN MAXIMUM SECURITY
DETENTION CENTERS HAVE ESTABLISHED CRYO-PRISONS,
NICKNAMED 'THE ICE HOUSE'. CONVICTS
ARE PRESERVED IN LIQUID NITROGEN AT -320
DEGREES FAHRENHEIT SERVING LENGTHY
SENTENCES OR AWAITING PAROLE. THEY ARE NO
THREAT TO SOCIETY, OR EACH OTHER...UNTIL NOW.
TWO MEN
TWO VERY DIFFERENT SPECIES OF MEN
DEMOLITION MAN
FADE IN:
A stream of mist rises, breaking off in all directions,
as if inside a deep freezer. It is hazy and DISTORTS
all IMAGES. An eerie HEARTBEAT BUILDS until reaching a
crescendo and DIES...
INT. CRYO-PRISON FACILITY X23-55 - LOS ANGELES
The mist clears, REVEALING behind it the frozen, expres-
sionless face of a man, cocooned in a glass pod. Standing
upright, held in suspended animation, in a freezer-like
coffin. Electrodes spread across his bare chest.
A TITLE appears in the lower portion of the screen:
CRYO-PRISON X23/55
LOS ANGELES
2018
Identical pods behind and to either side house hard-core
criminals. A small data bank surrounds each pod. Monitors
display digital read-outs corresponding to each individual
prisoner.
INT. CRYO-PRISON - CORRIDOR
The WARDEN and a SALT & PEPPER ESCORT TEAM named SANCHEZ
and DOEBLER ride a mobile Cryo-Pickup cart. Driven by a
Cryo-Prison guard named PUCKETT. Down a narrow hi-tech
corridor. Each man wears the requisition sub-zero suit.
They carry their helmets.
WARDEN
(pointing to the
suit instruments)
...Breathe through the respirators...
and keep an eye on this monitor...
it starts to jump... you get out of
there...
PUCKETT
Last escort team forgot to fasten
the safety seals...
(snaps his fingers)
...just like that. T.V. dinners.
The cart approaches CELL BLOCK 60. The monitor on the wall
reads: -320 F. The cart slows to a stop.
PUCKETT
Bundle up boys and girls. It's cold
out there.
The four put on their headgear and fasten the safety seals.
Thumbs up. Puckett depresses the auto door opener and the
chamber opens. The cart drives in.
INT. CELL BLOCK 60
Rows and rows of stiffs, no pun intended. Sanchez and
Doebler look on in awe.
PUCKETT
(turns to Sanchez and
Doebler)
Human popcicles.
SANCHEZ
Are they dead?
WARDEN
Temporarily.
PUCKETT
Next stop psychopaths, techno-
thugs, child molesters, necro-
philiacs... Aaah... here we
are... serial murderers.
The cart slows to a stop in front of POD 79-SECTOR G5.
Guess who?
PUCKETT
Pod seven. Simon Doucet.
A DATA BANK reads:
SIMON DOUCET
07-48943-MU1
SUSPENDED: JUNE 10, 1998
TEMPERATURE: -320 F
CELLULAR ACTIVITY: 0
REHAB TRAINING: TELEPHONE
REPAIRMAN
The four men stare at frozen Doucet hoping he'll somehow
disappear. UP ON...
INT. CRYO-PRISON - POST-OP LABORATORY
A team of DOCTORS and SCIENTISTS work mechanically reviving
Doucet. Sanchez and Doebler stand along the back wall
watching. Machines jam. Spit out information.
SCIENTIST #1
(monitoring)
BP... thirty... thirty-five...
DOCTOR #1
Blood transfusion complete.
SCIENTIST #2
I'm shutting down the diathermic
unit.
DOCTOR #2
Slowly.
SCIENTIST #1
...forty-five...
DOCTOR #2
Seventy-two percent cerebral activity,
climbing. Should level off somewhere
in the eighties.
SCIENTIST #2
How's the WEDGE pressure?
SCIENTIST #1
Below ten centimeters.
DOCTOR #1
M.A.P. seventy and moving.
SCIENTIST #1
Pulse contour looks good and well-
defined. Steady rhythm.
Doucet convulses on the slab.
DOCTOR #2
He's going into convulsion shock.
DOEBLER
Is something wrong?
SCIENTIST #2
Normal post-op reaction.
SCIENTIST #1
He's up to fifty...
DOCTOR #1
Strap him.
Doucet is strapped to the table with restraints.
DOCTOR #2
Digit movement.
Doucet's hand opens and closes. His body moves slowly.
His eyes struggle with the light. He is like a baby
being born.
SCIENTIST #1
BP normal.
DOCTOR #2
You can shut down.
Re-animation is a long process. For Doucet it's short.
His eyes open. He's alive. It is not a dream. Doctor #1
checks his eyes with an ophthalmoscope. Dulcet regains
control of his body. The Scientists and Doctors stand
back. Sanchez steps forward and flashes his holograph cop
badge. Complete with computer bar I.D. code.
SANCHEZ
Simon Doucet, according to Section
795 dash seven sub-section nine of
the California Penal Code, you are
hereby granted a parole hearing.
INT. CRYO-PRISON - CORRIDOR
Sanchez and Doebler ride the mobile Cryo-Pickup cart.
Doucet in back. Manacled from head to tow. Worn by the
ice. He cracks his neck. Makes fists. Stretches as best
he can.
INT. CRYO-PRISON - PAROLE BOARD HEARING ROOM
Doucet is ushered over to a chair in the middle of the
room. Three console screens face him. Three stone-faced
Parole Judges on line. They are: MR. RYANS, Mr. Edgars,
and Ms. Walleck, who at this very moment is fighting a bad
cold. Doucet is uneasy as he slides into his seat. Mr.
Ryans glances down at Doucet's file and begins.
MR. RYANS (V.O.)
Good morning, Mr. Doucet. My name
is Mr. Ryans. On my left is Mr.
Edgars...
(Edgars nods)
...and on my right is Ms. Walleck.
(Walleck blows her nose)
After careful consideration we have
unanimously decided to decline your
eligibility for parole.
Doucet's not surprised.
MR. RYANS (V.O.)
Do you have anything to say?
Doucet clears his throat. His first words are mumbled.
He tries again.
DOUCET
(raspy)
Fuck you.
Doebler steps forward.
DOEBLER
Let's bring him back.
He checks his pockets. Searching for something.
DOEBLER
Shit. I forgot the data sheet.
Can't freeze him without it.
(to Sanchez)
Get it from the cruiser.
SANCHEZ
Why me?
DOEBLER
You're the rookie.
Sanchez leaves the room. Probably saying something like
"This job sucks" under his breath. Doucet is very un-
comfortable. Doebler crosses the room. Taps the big guy
on the shoulder.
DOEBLER
Easy big fella. You'll be back on
the rocks in no time.
Without warning, Doucet's right hand grabs Doebler. Like
a vise. The Cop gasps. That's all he has time to do.
Doucet's left hand rips itself from the restrainers and
pulls Doebler down. Doucet hand-butts the Cop. A quick
jab to the throat and Doucet destroys any hopes Doebler had
for becoming Chief of Police.
The action which follows appears as if in slow motion.
That's because capturing Doucet at normal speed is
virtually impossible. All hell breaks loose. Doucet
rips himself from the shackles.
MR. RYANS (V.O.)
Simon Doucet, I order you to restrain
yourself.
INT. SANCHEZ AND DOEBLER'S CRUISER
Sanchez whistles a tune. Rifles through a sack of docu-
ments.
INT. PAROLE BOARD HEARING ROOM
Doucet snatches the dead Cop's standard-issue laser auto-
mag.
MR. RYANS (V.O.)
Mr. Doucet, you have just violated...
Doucet BLOWS away the CONSOLES. One by one. Puckett
storms into the room.
PUCKETT
What the fuck's going on...
Doucet takes a step. Growls.
PUCKETT
Shit.
DOUCET
Exactly.
Doucet TRIGGERS. Blows Puckett all over the place.
Silence. Well, almost. The CONSOLES FIZZLE. Doucet
hurtles Doebler's body through a window creating an
escape route and climbs out.
After a brief moment, Sanchez casually walks into the
room. He stops dead in his tracks. The room's a mess.
His partner's been waxed. His reaction is chock full o'
horror.
FADE TO BLACK.
UP ON
High energy techno-pop version of "HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD."
OVER:
CREDITS ROLL: DEMOLITION MAN
EXT. HOLLYWOOD SIGN (HOLLYWOOD HILLS)
Once the symbol of dreams of desires, the defaced sign is
in sorry shape as it looms over an equally-decaying city.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
One look at the boulevard makes us want to head for the
hills. A tourist couple photograph the burnt-out shell of
what was once Mann's Chinese Theatre. A holograph-talking
billboard promises hope. It features Ray Gallagher, a
smiling grey-haired politician with the slogan:
"THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE...
POLICE COMMISSIONER RAY GALLAGHER FOR MAYOR"
"I WAS THERE FOR YOU"
Gallagher's rhetoric bores 24 hours a day...
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
...I was there for you... when Los
Angeles was declared a state of
emergency following the 2001 earth-
quake... I was there for you... when
crack houses threatened your real
estate value... I was there for you...
A stretch limo cruises by.
INT. STRETCH LIMO
A futuristic ride. Loaded with luxury gizmos. A suitcase
stuffed with dead presidents sits on a man's lap. The kind
of cash you don't declare to the IRS. The man sits in the
shadows, so it's hard to make out his identity. His hands
flip through a stack of twenties. Seated in front of him
are a Yuppie-like entourage. PEEBLES, an ivy-Leaguer in
his late twenties. REBECCA, all teeth, all body. Finally,
ROSHKO, a high-priced attorney.
ROSHKO
Our friend Dubbs increased his
next order. Cash on delivery.
MAN (V.O.)
Economy's booming. That's what
I like to hear.
CELLULAR RINGS. Peebles snaps it up.
PEEBLES
Hello.
He hands it to the man.
PEEBLES
It's for you, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER GALLAGHER leans out of the shadows. Same
smiling politician running for mayor. He grabs the horn
and speaks.
GALLAGHER/MAN
(into phone)
Yeah.
His eyes go wide. Great reaction on his face. Kinda like
Sanchez's.
GALLAGHER
(riled up)
What do you mean he's escaped?!
They're not supposed to escape!
WARDEN (V.O.)
It's a real mess down here. Some-
thing must a'gone wrong. No man
could possess that kind of strength
after being frozen for twenty years.
GALLAGHER
Tell Doucet that. What was his
rehabilitation training?
WARDEN (V.O.)
Telephone repairman.
Gallagher glances at his cellular and sighs...
GALLAGHER
Just great.
WARDEN (V.O.)
NPA syndrome will hit 'im fast. Have
your men gear up the Edicon system at
a twenty-year ratio in fractions of
fives. Saying a prayer won't be bad
either.
GALLAGHER
I don't want any press on this. I've
got an election to win day after to-
morrow.
INT. ALLEYWAY (HOLLYWOOD) - TRASH CONTAINER
COMING DOWN IN A SPIRAL. The naked body of a man lies
amongst knee-deep garbage. Technothug haircut. Flaming
skull tattoo on the back of his right hand. This man is
dead.
EXT. ALLEYWAY
A dark and dingy side street catering to the rats and
vermin. Shafts of sunlight break through creating an
eerie prison bar effect on the brick walls. It's no
surprise that Doucet is standing beside the large trash
container. He is wearing torn Army pants, combat boots,
a Heavy Metal Band T-shirt, and a long overcoat. All
the wrong size, but the price was right.
He walks.
EXT. DEAD-END
An old Lincoln, circa 1995, sits idle. Dented bumpers,
broken windows, torn upholstery, obviously not a pimp's
car. It pulls alongside Doucet. MANNY, the gun runner,
shows off his wares to a TECHNOTHUG. He's a fast talking
shmoozer with the right connections. His trunk popped
open. Inside is a selection of weaponry able to ignite
a small war. Including knives and ammo.
MANNY
Let me show you how this works. Rule
number one... no cash, no carry. No
loot... no shoot. That means no
checks, cards, food stamps, or IOUs...
Comprende?
(as Technothug is silent)
Attention shoppers.
(as Technothug turns to
Manny and nods)
Okay... rule number two. Absolutely
no refunds. Exchanges maybe, but on
unused weaponry only. I smell gun-
powder or laser heat in the chamber,
you can forget it. Alright?
Technothug nods. Doucet walks up. Manny can't help but
smile.
MANNY
Nice get-up, where'd you pick it
up, Psychos 'R' Us?
DOUCET
Give me a Ruger .357.
MANNY
(laughs)
A magnum. You livin' in the Stone
Age or what? They don't make .357s
anymore. My daddy sold those. Hey
look Pal, I've got another client.
Sit tight and I'll set you up.
Manny gets back to business with the Technothug. Doucet's
hands begin to tremble. He coughs uncontrollably and drops
to his knees. Manny steps backwards.
MANNY
Hey, buddy, if you're gonna start
blowing chunga, will ya do it the
other way? I just had this thing
washed.
Doucet pulls himself up. He doesn't look so good. He
reaches into Manny's trunk. Manny pulls him out.
MANNY
Whoa, whoa, eager little Merc
ain't ya?
Doucet pushes Manny aside.
TECHNOTHUG
Screw you, Man. Wait your turn.
Doucet removes a compact Stinger missile launcher. Techno-
thug panics and runs.
MANNY
(re: Stinger)
Good choice. A favorite for urban
assault. Dual heat seekers...
Doucet slings the launcher over his shoulder and pulls out
a dual-barrel handgun. He snaps in a clip.
MANNY
That little number's light...
Doucet pivots and hammer-punches Manny to the kidneys with
pile-driver force. Manny falls like an unmanned puppet.
He gasps for air and shivers in pain. He's a salesman
to the end...
MANNY
Will that be all?
DOUCET
Shut up.
Manny looks up into the business end of a double barrel
handgun. Doucet FIRES.
SERIES OF SHOTS
Doucet shoves a Buck 9 assault knife into a leather waist
sheath. Tapes a small pistol to his ankle. Opens his
overcoat and loads the pockets with weaponry. The double
barrel handgun. The Stinger missile launcher. A mean-
looking weapon called the AK 2000 (Armageddon 2000). A
cross between a bazooka and an M57.
BACK TO SCENE
Doucet zips up. Loaded to the gills with hardware. He
grins.
DOUCET
Dressed to kill.
EXT. BEL AIR COUNTRY CLUB
Judge Baker hits his drive. He's in his mid-seventies.
His partner checks wind temperature against the fairway
distance. Using a portable golf computer. It chooses
his club for him. Judge Baker shakes his head. He's
impatient.
JUDGE BAKER
Meet you at the tee.
Judger Baker climbs into his golf cart and speeds off.
Halfway down the fairway a commotion catches his attention.
He turns, as Manny's Lincoln tears up the green. Doucet
drives. The car makes a beeline towards Judge Baker.
Judge Baker's eyes go wide. Doucet is a man hard to
forget. The golf cart peels out, but the Lincoln blind-
sides it. Sending the vehicle and Judge Baker into the
water. Both hit the bottom hard and fast. I guess the
Judge's partner won this round.
INT. CENTURY CITY HI-RISE - PARKING GARAGE
Hot shot private attorney TIM DULEY heads for his Porsche.
He's in his early sixties. You just know he watches
"L.A. Law" reruns. Manny's LINCOLN SCREECHES 'round a
corner. Pins Duley to the wall. His legs crack. Doucet
steps out of the car. Duley pleads.
DULEY
Pleeeeaaasee. Don't kill me...
don't kill me.
DOUCET
(taunts and mimics
the lawyer)
Pleeeeaaasee. Don't kill me...
don't kill me.
Doucet empties an entire clip into Duley's Versace suit.
Luckily he's never going to need it again.
INT. HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT - BOOKING ROOM
Looks like NASA. Cops and computers. Officer Sanchez sits
in front of his terminal. He's a determined man. Doucet's
profile on line. OFFICER SHEPPARD passes from behind.
SHEPPARD
(re: Sanchez's terminal)
Jesus, Sanchez... what do you think
you're doin'? That's flatfoot data.
You're not supposed to have access
to that.
SANCHEZ
This is the guy that killed my
partner.
SHEPPARD
You startin' a fan club or some-
thin'?
SANCHEZ
Says here one of our boys brought
him down. You ever heard of a
badge named Wade?
It rings a bell.
SHEPPARD
Demolition Man.
SANCHEZ
What's it mean?
SHEPPARD
You never want to find out.
SANCHEZ
(re: terminal)
Take a look at this.
Sheppard leans in.
SANCHEZ
He had a partner. Our own Ray
Gallagher.
(reading)
He tagged Wade dangerously defiant.
Psychotic. Reckless. Seems our
Commissioner didn't like him much.
Busted his buns on a narcotic's
violation.
(reading/surprised)
Wade was sentenced to twenty-five
years.
SHEPPARD
He went dirty and they made an
example of him.
SANCHEZ
But he was such a good cop.
SHEPPARD
They always are.
SANCHEZ
Well I've got news for you. This
dirty cop was the only cop who
could bag Doucet.
INT. HOLLYWOOD POLICE STATION - DISK LIBRARY
Sanchez approaches the Librarian.
SANCHEZ
I'm looking for an LAPD personnel
file on Sergeant William Wade.
Shield retired, October '98.
INT. LIBRARY - READING ROOM
Sanchez watches a videotape of Wade's trial. Prosecuting
Attorney revs up the jurors. Holds up a Los Angeles Times
headline which reads: "HERO COP NABS SERIAL MURDERER." A
smaller heading reads: "DEMOLITION MAN GETS HIS MAN."
ATTORNEY (V.O.)
...Hero cop nabs serial murderer.
They forgot to add; sells heroin
to kids...
Sanchez hits fast forward. Images race. A greaseball
named Dubbs takes the stand. Sanchez lets it play.
ATTORNEY (V.O.)
...Mr. Dubbs, you have been granted
full immunity for testifying today...
Fast forward. Dubbs talks. Sanchez lets it play.
DUBBS (V.O.)
...He told me he could get any-
thing I wanted. Heroin, toot,
crack, weapons, anything...
Fast forward. Dubbs rambles on. Sanchez lets it play.
DUBBS (V.O.)
...He said he had a key to the
evidence room. Listen... I'm
a businessman. I didn't ask
questions...
Fast forward. Gallagher takes the stand. Sanchez lets it
play.
ATTORNEY (V.O.)
...Do you think he's a dirty cop?
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
Yes.
Fast forward. Wade is dragged out of the courtroom.
Sanchez lets it play.
WADE
I'm innocent.
EXT. BEL AIR COUNTRY CLUB
The battle zone cordoned off. Spectators watch from be-
hind police barricades. The golf cart and Judge Baker are
pulled from the water. Police gather evidence. Reporters
news hunt.
A ROTOJET (LAPD INNER-CITY HELICOPTER) touches down and
Gallagher storms out. Pissed off. He heads for a Young
Cop named DAVIDSON.
GALLAGHER
How many?
DAVIDSON
One... I think.
A Plainclothes Older Detective named BENNETT steps for-
ward. Davidson heads for the body bag. He and Bennett
are partners.
BENNETT
Looks like ya gonna take office
just in time, Chief. Things need
straightening up in this city.
GALLAGHER
What'cha got, Bennett?
BENNETT
Witnesses say some wacko went Judge
hunting with a late model. I got
an artist working on a computer
composite now.
GALLAGHER
Technothugs?
BENNETT
No chance. Not their sector. They
ain't even into things this big.
Our zone-boy's performing out of a
horror show. Something else. Unit
nine found a couple cold ones in
Hollywood.
(reads from notes)
One Manny Turner. Gun runner.
Sounds like a connection to me.
GALLAGHER
I can smell it.
Bennett's portable police RADIO SQUAWKS.
VOICE (V.O.)
Bennett...
Bennett scoops up the radio and speaks. Gallagher crosses
over to Judge Baker who is being zipped up in a morgue
tote-bag. Gallagher recognizes Baker.
GALLAGHER
(to himself)
Judge Baker.
In the b.g., Bennett continues.
BENNETT
G'head.
VOICE (V.O.)
Better get a vulture squad down to
Century City. We've got a busy day.
BENNETT
Run me down a profile.
Gallagher approaches.
VOICE (V.O.)
...male Caucasian. Early sixties.
Attorney. Name's...
GALLAGHER
Tim Duley.
Bennett turns to Gallagher.
GALLAGHER
I know the man who did this.
A POLICE ARTIST steps forward carrying a portable ETCHCOMP
(Computer Sketch Board) with a 10-inch screen.
POLICE ARTIST
This is the best I can do.
The computer drawing on the screen is Doucet.
GALLAGHER
That's him. Simon Doucet.
BENNETT
Jesus. Sweet Jesus. We've got
trouble.
GALLAGHER
This monster escaped from Cryo-
Prison this morning.
BENNETT
Well, he's sure working fast ain't he?
GALLAGHER
I want this bastard brought down.
Davidson rushes forward.
DAVIDSON
Chief, you want'a make a statement?
The press's getting antsy. They
want'a get this on for the eleven
o'clock.
GALLAGHER
Screw the press.
BENNETT
Better say something, or they'll
be high balling this story with
your name on it.
Gallagher moves toward the Press.
GALLAGHER
(mumbling)
Goddamn Serial Killer, that's all
I need.
Fake smile. Straightening his tie. Very Hollywood.
GALLAGHER
(calling out)
Alright, get your cameras rolling.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD POLICE STATION - HELIPAD
Gallagher's ROTOJET LANDS. As the rotors slow, his
entourage approaches. They greet their boss with an
agenda. In the b.g., a Telephone Repairman works the
main lines. Hard hat and goggles on. Sanchez crosses
over to Gallagher and follows.
GALLAGHER
What is it...
Gallagher reads Sanchez's cop badge.
GALLAGHER
...Officer Sanchez?
He's a good politician.
SANCHEZ
I ran a GCI scenario on the Doucet
case.
Gallagher snaps to attention. Pulls out a light pen and
runs it across Sanchez's bard code. The Rookie's stats
come on.
GALLAGHER
That's not your zone. Stick to
data entry.
SANCHEZ
(angrily)
I was part of the escort team that
re-animated him. My partner's dead
because of this guy.
Gallagher walks. Sanchez calls out.
SANCHEZ
Your ex-partner, Sergeant William
Wade, put Doucet away. He did it
once, he could do it again. He
knows how the killer works -- how
he thinks.
Gallagher turns.
GALLAGHER
Wade's in Cryo-Prison.
SANCHEZ
He could be brought back.
On that note, the Telephone Repairman removes his hard hat
and goggles. Reveals his true identity. It's none other
than our new pal, Doucet. He opens his phone bag and pulls
out his party favors. Cops go for their guns. Doucet
slides down the pole with one hard. The other squeezes off
ROUNDS. Gallagher grabs Rebecca and pulls her into the
line of fire. She takes one in the shoulder. Sanchez
throws both to the ground.
Doucet straight-arms his weapon. Walks and FIRES. A man
without fear. Another rotojet appears in the sky above
Doucet. The killer ducks behind the central air unit.
INT. ROTOJET - COCKPIT
Battle mode. Pilot's hand grasps the throttle. Finger
cradles the trigger. Helmet on. Visor down. ELECTRONIC
THUNDER of an arcade. In a thermograph monitor we see the
computer-enhanced outline of Doucet. In another, a suspect
rendering body graph pinpointing strategic bullet wound
areas such as "the rear thigh muscle" and "tail bone".
A digital monitor reads the weapons Doucet is carrying.
Another is a suspect surrender countdown.
EXT. HELIPAD
Rotojet hovers. Doucet re-loads.
PILOT (V.O.)
Drop your weapons. You are locked
on target and under arrest.
Doucet FIRES. Mere bullets bounce off the rotojet's
bulletproof frame.
PILOT (V.O.)
Drop your weapons. If you do not
comply...
Unfortunately, the police have been trained to give a
suspect a chance to surrender before they open fire.
Peebles applies first-aid to Rebecca's wound. Gallagher
grows frustrated.
GALLAGHER
Kill him... kill him.
SANCHEZ
Simon Doucet. You are under arrest.
Please come out with your hands in
the air.
Sanchez is not much in the hero department. Doucet FIRES.
BULLETS TEAR up the roof. Gallagher grabs Sanchez's ZV6
handgun. Complete with laser targeting. FIRES. Dis-
integrates the central air unit piece by piece. Doucet
rushes and FIRES. Gallagher dodges the BULLET SHOWER.
Hits a wall and crumples to his knees. Doucet jumps off
the roof. Rotojet follows. Sanchez leads the pack over
to the ledge. They look down, but there's no sign of
Doucet. Rotojet shoots upwards.
PILOT (V.O.)
I lost him.
Gallagher catches his breath. Wipes his brow. Ponders.
INT. POLICE STATION - SQUAD ROOM
Two COPS walk down the corridor. Another speedily
approaches.
COP
(out of breath)
I hear they're letting Wade out.
INT. SQUAD ROOM
The front doors burst open and Gallagher charges through
followed by his entourage. Peebles is missing. Rebecca's
arm is in a sling. They all walk fast. Talk fast, too.
ROSHKO
Releasing Wade's a bad move.
GALLAGHER
You got any better ideas? Doucet's
dusting everyone involved with his
arrest and prosecution. I almost
bought it back there. To catch him,
you've got to give him a little bait.
(grins)
What better than the cop who put him
away?
They pass a Cop watching the Election News on a portable.
His name is UNDERHILL.
UNDERHILL
(turns to Gallagher)
Hey Chief... says here you have at
least sixty-two percent of the votes.
GALLAGHER
(to Cop)
Tomorrow it'll be over seventy. I
guarantee it.
(back to his entourage)
In case you forgot, I got an election
to run in. I can't afford problems.
Doucet wants my ass. Wade will be a
diversion.
(smiles)
Hopefully they'll kill each other.
They move and talk. Move and talk.
REBECCA
This could work for us. Doucet's
escape will reinforce your stand
on capital punishment. We can
shut down Cryo-Prisons by the end
of the year.
GALLAGHER
We're going to keep this quiet for
now. No press until Doucet's caught.
This thing leaks and I'll have your
heads on a stick.
REBECCA
What makes you think he won't just
take off? Go to his family. Leave
the country.
GALLAGHER
'Cause I have what he'll want.
Peebles charges. Two Requisitioned Men in tow. Dark suits.
Foster Grants. Almost identical except one's Chinese.
Their names are KAI LING and DOKES.
PEEBLES
Excuse me, sir... they're here.
Gallagher turns to Kai Ling and Dokes. Peebles hands over
the paperwork. Gallagher glances the info. Cringes. Looks
up to Kai Ling.
GALLAGHER
How did you beat the rap?
KAI LING
Arresting officer forgot to read me
my rights.
GALLAGHER
That'll do it every time.
(turns to Dokes)
You ever kill a man?
DOKES
Yes Sir.
GALLAGHER
Good. You're both hired.
(points to his ass)
See this. Your job is to look
after it.
Gallagher walks. His bodyguards follow tight. Roshko
speeds up to his boss.
ROSHKO
Do you really think this is necessary?
GALLAGHER
Absolutely. I'm not going to let that
defrosted psychopath end my bid for
the White House.
Gallagher storms into the Roll Call Room.
INT. ROLL CALL
COPS listening to their Sergeant. Sanchez sits front row.
Gallagher's presence demands quiet.
GALLAGHER
(raising his hands)
Okay, listen up. I want everyone's
attention. Sergeant William Wade
will be temporarily re-assigned to
this precinct. Just until this
Doucet matter is cleared up. So
I want this under the lid. Got it?
The Cops can't believe it.
COPS
(in unison)
Yessir.
Cops buzz. Low and in the back. Talk of Wade and his
heroic exploits. The fact that he went dirty.
GALLAGHER
I know Wade. I partnered with him.
I also uncovered the truth about him.
He crossed the line and paid for it.
The stories are true. If you think
he's a hero, think again. He's a
lone wolf. A renegade with an old-
fashioned belief in law and order.
The kind of cop I hate. I want you
to stay away from him. If he needs
help, give it to him. Don't offer.
Let him do his job.
INT. GALLAGHER'S OFFICE
Gallagher and Sanchez.
GALLAGHER
Short leash him. Tell me everything
he does. Where he goes. What he
says. Everything.
(beat)
You're a good cop, Sanchez. I like
you. You're going to go far.
Gallagher is a good salesman. A snake in a tailored
three-piece.
INT. CRYO-PRISON
Two blue-collar Cryo-Prison GUARDS ride a pick-up cart.
GUARD #1
You know... I was thinkin'. Being
frozen ain't all bad. Least you
always got a hard-on.
They laugh. Back up towards a pod.
DATA BANKS READS:
WILLIAM WADE
07-982221-NV
SUSPENDED: OCTOBER 17, 1998
TEMPERATURE: -320F
CELLULAR ACTIVITY: 0
REHAB TRAINING: BUS DRIVER
The convict is WILLIAM WADE. Mid-to-late twenties, it's
hard to tell. Probably handsome, but that too is difficult
to make out. One thing is certain, he looks like shit.
ONE MAN, ONE GUN, IS HIS ANSWER TO CRIME.
The two Guards hop out. Guard #2 recognizes Wade.
GUARD #2
Hey... I know this guy. He was a cop.
The Demolition Man.
(knocks on the glass pod)
We got ourselves a hero.
INT. CRYO-PRISON - LABORATORY
A crack team of DOCTORS and SCIENTISTS re-animate Wade.
Bennett stands along the back wall.
SCIENTIST #2
Eighty-seven percent cerebral
activity...
DOCTOR #1
WEDGE pressure climbing.
SCIENTIST #1
BP strong...
SCIENTIST #2
He's coming back.
DOCTOR #1
M.A.P. looks good.
Wade's fingers move.
SCIENTIST #2
Movement.
Wade's left foot moves.
DOCTOR #1
Shut down. He's coming to. Give
his some room.
The team steps back. Wade's head twitches. His eyelids
fight the light. He swallows comforting his dry throat.
He mumbles.
SCIENTIST #1
He's trying to say something.
DOCTOR #1
Save your strength.
WADE
(whispers)
What year is it?
Wade's words are too low to comprehend.
DOCTOR #1
Try not to speak.
WADE
(louder)
What year is it?
The team looks at each other. Each knowing the answer, but
afraid to speak.
WADE
What year?
DOCTOR
Two thousand... eighteen.
It is virtually impossible to describe the look on Wade's
face at this very moment. My guess it's one hell of a
shock.
EXT. STUDIO CITY - SUBURBAN SPLIT LEVEL
Manny's Lincoln pulls to the curb. Doucet steps out and
crosses the lawn instead of the walkway. Toys litter the
lawn. He rings the bell. The door opens. A woman answers
it. Mid-twenties. Pretty. Her name is KIMBERLY. Wade's
daughter. Doucet looks like an urban devil. Kimberly is
concerned, but strong.
KIMBERLY
Yes?
DOUCET
I want to speak with William Wade.
This takes her by surprise.
KIMBERLY
You must have known my father when
you were a teenager. He's been in
Cryo-Prison for over twenty years.
Doucet calculates the possibilities of this being true.
KIMBERLY
Maybe I can help you.
DOUCET
(mechanically)
No.
Doucet turns and follows the walkway to the Lincoln.
A woman crosses the living room over to Kimberly. Mid-
forties. Resembles an older Kimberly. That's because
it's her mother, CASSY.
CASSY
Who is it, Kimberly?
Doucet gets into the Lincoln.
KIMBERLY
That man was looking for Dad.
Cassy looks out. Too late. Doucet drives away.
INT. CRYO-PRISON
An ALARM SHRIEKS. The two Cryo-Prison guards storm down
the hall. The WARDEN picks up a telephone.
WARDEN
We've got a shut-down on the third
floor.
EXT. CELL BLOCK
The monitor on the wall has been blown to shreds. Wires
everywhere. The door is open. Guess who?
INT. CELL BLOCK
Doucet walks. M7-42 ready. All around him, pods are being
defrosted. Some inmates come to life for a moment, quiver
and then die. Eyes open for the last time. Hands reaching
for life. One man cracks in half. Another breaks through,
takes two steps and collapses. Water floods the floor.
Doucet continues. He approaches Wade's pod. Locks and
loads. When he gets there his jaw drops. Wade's gone.
Doucet's pissed. The two Cryo-Prison Guards storm in.
GUARD #2
Hey you... Stop!
Doucet FIRES. One Guard falls, skidding on his face.
The other is riddled backwards into a pod. Doucet crosses
through the mess.
INT. SQUAD ROOM
Wade follows Bennett through the front doors and into the
station. Favoring his right leg. Uses a cane for support.
As he passes Cops, the talk stops. Silence. Wade's being
stared at.
BENNETT
How's the leg?
WADE
Better.
BENNETT
Doc said it'll take a little time
till the circulation gets back to
normal.
They walk.
WADE
You got a cigarette?
Bennett turns. Weird look on his face.
BENNETT
Smoking's illegal.
Wade can't believe it. Bennett leads him to Gallagher's
office. Kai Ling and Dokes stand at attention.
INT. GALLAGHER'S OFFICE
Weighed down by paperwork. Election news spits out from a
counter top three-inch. Bennett KNOCKS on the door.
GALLAGHER
(without looking up)
Yeah?
BENNETT
Wade's here.
Gallagher's head snaps to attention. Eyes wide. Play-
time's over.
GALLAGHER
Send him in. Alone.
Gallagher rises and straightens his tie. Bennett steps
back as Wade walks in. Bennett closes the door. The two
men stand off. Face to face. One old. One young. A bomb
could explode between these two men and they wouldn't know
it. Wade takes it all in. The medals. The trophies. The
fancy desk and furniture.
GALLAGHER
(hand extended)
Good to see you, Wade.
Wade doesn't shake.
WADE
Looks like you did more than jackoff
while I was gone.
GALLAGHER
Maybe re-animating you wasn't such
a bright idea. You look like shit.
WADE
Shucks, and I got all dressed up.
No love lost between these guys.
GALLAGHER
Twenty years have passed, Wade.
Lay it to rest.
WADE
I was set up and you know it... but
you swore under oath I was dirty.
You helped bury me.
GALLAGHER
Jury found you guilty, not me. I
just called it as I saw it. Fuck
that. You were brought here for
a reason.
(takes a deep breath)
Doucet's escaped. Re-animated for
his parole hearing. Killed a lot
of people. Most of them cops.
Wade turns to the door.
WADE
I'm not on the force anymore.
GALLAGHER
Well, you've just been taken off
the bench.
WADE
I want to see my wife and kid.
GALLAGHER
Later. I want Doucet first.
WADE
I told you. I'm out of the cops and
robbers business. Retired twenty
years ago. I've been trained as a
bus driver. Got a whole route planned
and everything. Even nailed down the
lingo - 'Exact change, please'.
GALLAGHER
(impatient)
I'm going to bring this down hard.
I've got an A-1 badass killer loose,
an election day after tomorrow, and
I'm risking everything on you.
You're going to bring him in. I
don't care how. If you do, you'll
get your freedom. An official pardon
from me. A clean slate. A good
job. A chance to get back with your
family. If you don't want to, I'll
put your ass back in the freezer so
fast, you'll forget you were ever
defrosted.
Gallagher reaches into his desk and tosses Wade his old
badge. It's chipped and faded.
GALLAGHER
Here. Now you're back in the cops
and robbers business.
Gallagher tosses Wade an insurance form.
WADE
What's this?
GALLAGHER
Fill it out. Standard issue mal-
practice insurance. All Cops
carry it.
Gallagher crosses the room carrying five HOLOGRAPH MUG
SHEETS, featuring Doucet at various stages of aging.
GALLAGHER
Mug sheets.
WADE
I remember what he looks like. I
can't forget.
Gallagher hands Wade the weird 3-D mug sheets. Wade's
first taste of 21st Century cop technology is startling.
GALLAGHER
Edicon system made these. Ages,
photographs. We use it to find
missing children.
WADE
He's not that old yet. You've lost
confidence in me.
GALLAGHER
No, but he's going to be by tomorrow.
He's aging. 'Bout the entire twenty
years lost while being frozen in
forty-eight hours. In that time
he'll be an old man. Could be a
year, an hour, or all at once.
Called NPA Syndrome. Natural Pro-
gression of Aging. It affects each
individual differently. I'm sure
it's painful.
Wade's eyes widen. He lunges forward, grabs Gallagher and
rams him hard into the wall.
WADE
You son-of-a-bitch. How do you stop
it?
GALLAGHER
(cool and calm)
We have an antidote that'll retard
the aging process.
WADE
Give it to me.
GALLAGHER
When you bring in Doucet.
Wade slams Gallagher into the wall even harder. The room
shakes.
The door bursts open. Underhill darts in and draws his gun.
Kai Ling and Dokes right behind. Wade releases his grip.
UNDERHILL
Freeze.
GALLAGHER
It's all right.
UNDERHILL
You sure, Chief?
GALLAGHER
Close the door.
Underhill, Kai Ling and Dokes leave. Gallagher straightens
his shirt.
GALLAGHER
The faster you get Doucet, the
younger you'll be.
WADE
I'm going to kill you when this is
all over.
Gallagher laughs. It's a sick laugh. Wade heads for the
door. He tosses the cane aside. Gallagher wipes the smile
off his face. Now he's dead serious.
GALLAGHER
You're working a partner on this.
WADE
I've been alone for twenty years.
I don't feel very sociable.
Wade leaves the room.
GALLAGHER
(calling out)
Name's Sanchez. Pick him up in
Motorpool.
EXT. SQUAD ROOM
Wade walks. Gallagher screams from inside his office.
GALLAGHER
Don't even think of going home.
I've got men there! Do you hear
me! You're in my city now, Wade!
Wade ignores Gallagher. Crumples up the malpractice insur-
ance forms and tosses them into the garbage. Hurries down
the precinct stairs.
INT. ARMORY
An ARMORY SERGEANT paces the aisles of weaponry searching
for something. Wade stands behind the counter fidgeting
with an M7-42.
ARMORY SERGEANT
(searching deeper)
That there's an M7-42. 'Bout the
same shits as a .714 Magnum 'cept
its got a bigger mag. Almost
twice the firepower.
Armory Sergeant dusts off an old box, reads the inscription
and crosses over the Wade,
ARMORY SERGEANT
I knew! had one of 'ese lying 'round
somewhere. Raids sometimes bring 'em
in.
Armory Sergeant opens the box and removes a .38 Police
Special.
ARMORY SERGEANT
.38 Police Special. Thing's an
antique.
(hands the .38 over
to Wade)
You sure this is what you want? With
this kinda profile, you just asking
for trouble. Take the M7-42.
Wade handles the gun like it was a long lost friend.
WADE
Does the same job, doesn't it?
INT. FIRING RANGE
Cops BLOWING holes in human silhouettes. Hi-tech firepower
all around. In the last stall stands Wade in his rapid-
fire mode. Holding a mere .38. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
Five shots. All around the bull's eye. Gun play stops.
Cops at the end stall staring at Wade's handiwork.
WADE
I'm a little rusty.
Wade lets another ONE fly. This one hits the bull's eye
dead center.
WADE
Not bad for a bus driver.
EXT. MOTORPOOL
Wade passes a long stretch of cruisers. Unmarked. Marked.
Cops going in. Cops going out. Standing beside an unmarked
cruiser, carrying an array of crime-fighting gizmos is
Officer Sanchez. Wade approaches.
WADE
You my partner?
SANCHEZ
Officer Hector Sanchez, Sergeant.
Hillside Academy. Status G-8.
Security Clearance 3. One year
Advance Technical Crime Analyst.
Weapons Assistant. FDA Junior
Captain, Hollywood division---
WADE
(interrupts)
Are you a cop?
SANCHEZ
Yes.
WADE
Well, that's good enough for me.
Wade crosses over to the driver's door.
WADE (CONT'D)
I drive.
SANCHEZ
Commissioner Gallagher gave me specific
orders not to let you drive until you
re-familiarize yourself with the process
and territory.
WADE
I'm ready.
SANCHEZ
But Sergeant...
WADE
Give me a break, Sanchez. It's like
riding a bike.
Sanchez step into the cruiser.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
To Wade's surprise the dash is entirely computerized.
Lights. Screens. Technocop. Seat belts automatically
snap in place.
WADE
How do you start this thing?
Sanchez punches a code into the ignition and the CRUISER
ROARS INTO LIFE.
WADE
Does it drive itself, too?
SANCHEZ
You have to use the steering wheel
to turn. The pedal for gas...
WADE
Got it.
(forefinger reaches a
red button)
Ejection seat?
SANCHEZ
(pulling Wade's hand away)
Whoa. Don't touch that. Pursuit
Mode.
(Wade looks confused)
Auto pilot. Computerized steering
and driving system used in high
speed pursuits. Installed Fall
2006. Underground rumor has it
they modeled it after you, sir.
WADE
Lean year for role models.
EXT. MOTORPOOL
The CRUISER peels out backwards. Spins around forward and
BLASTS onto the streets.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade re-familiarizing himself with driving. Sanchez holding
on for dear life.
WADE
And you were worried.
INT. SALVATION ARMY MISSION (HOLLYWOOD)
Street people feast on soup and bread. In the far corner
of the room sits a psycho. A CLOSER look REVEALS Doucet.
All alone at a huge table. A Bag Man carries his tray and
readies to sit down close by. One look at Doucet and the
Bag Man chooses to eat elsewhere.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
WADE
I have to go home, Sanchez.
SANCHEZ
Commissioner Gallagher said...
(glances at Wade)
...twenty years is a long time.
Wade's eyes remain glued to the road.
WADE
No offense, but why'd they partner
me with a rookie?
SANCHEZ
Doucet killed my partner.
Wade glances back.
WADE
I'm sorry.
Wade sees something. He pulls to the curb. Stares off
into the distance. He turns off the ignition.
SANCHEZ
What is it?
WADE'S POV THROUGH WINDSHIELD
Two TECHNOTHUGS. Sitting in a dented late model. No
plates. Parked across from a Security Pacific.
BACK TO SCENE
WADE
See those guys?
SANCHEZ
(looking out)
Technothugs.
Wade looks confused.
SANCHEZ
Urban Warriors.
Still confused.
SANCHEZ
Bad dudes.
Sanchez brings the lingo down to Wade's day.
WADE
They're going to rob that bank.
SANCHEZ
How do you know?
WADE
Some things never change.
Sanchez is impressed.
SANCHEZ
I'll inform dispatch.
WADE
There's no time. There are civilians
in there. It's about to go down.
SANCHEZ
We don't know that for sure. We'll
have to wait until they move.
WADE
Well, I'm sure. You're a cop. I'm
a cop. Let's do what cops do.
Wade moves. Sanchez grabs his arm.
SANCHEZ
Wait.
Sanchez quickly punches letters and numbers into the on-
board computer. Wade watches Sanchez, confused. A blueprint
of the Security Pacific appears on the monitor.
SANCHEZ
There are three entrances to the bank.
Main. Back emergency and an air con
vent on the roof...
(punches more info
into the computer)
...I'll punch in the COMMTRACK suspect
apprehend program, and...
(turns to Wade, proud)
...I'll have a proposed plan of assault
and arrest in about thirty seconds.
Wade grimaces. Checks the rounds in his .38.
WADE
(impatient)
I'll be right back.
The on-board dash monitor comes to life. Gallagher on
line. Wade sits tight.
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
Doucet's just offed two of the jurors
who put him away. I'm rounding up
the rest of them and putting them in
police custody. What's your status?
SANCHEZ
We seem to've come across a 211, sir.
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
Forget it. Stick to the program.
Wade reaches for the monitor. Shuts it off.
SANCHEZ
You can't turn him off. He's the
Commissioner.
WADE
I'm not fond of television comedies.
Wade reaches for the door. Back to business.
WADE
Wanna come?
SANCHEZ
My insurance won't cover it.
Wade shakes his head. Crosses the boulevard over to the
bank. Alone.
INT. SECURITY PACIFIC
Six customers. Three Tellers. Two Assistant Managers.
Wade enters and crosses over to a FEMALE TELLER.
FEMALE TELLER
Hi, can I help you?
EXT. SECURITY PACIFIC
The Two Technothugs step out of their car and cross over to
the bank. They are cautious. One's name is NARVELLE. The
other is WIGGINS.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Sanchez is keeping an eye on the suspects and one on the
monitor. The digital display reads:
COMMTRACK ARREST PLAN
BACK-UP ADVISED
6 MAN ASSAULT/STAGE 7
WEAPONS: AUTO/FULL
HOSTAGE ALERT
OCP-OCC-211
SANCHEZ
(into headset)
Unit 23... request back-up on 211...
INT. SECURITY PACIFIC
Narvelle and Wiggins bolt through the doors and whip out
their AUTOMAG 754s. Each has a flaming skull tattoo on
his right hand.
WIGGINS
Okay, everyone hit the fuck'n floor!
People scream.
WIGGINS
Now!
People hit the floor. Narvelle BLOWS AWAY the surveillance
cameras.
NARVELLE
(maniacal laugh)
We're gonna do some bank'n!
Wiggins holds up a miniature electronic device.
WIGGINS
This little number monitors all
electronic and satellite response
alarm signals... so if any of ya
is thinking of hitting the little
red button, I suggest not!
He charges toward a TELLER.
WIGGINS
Open the safe!
TELLER
(extremely nervous)
I... I can't. Only the manager can.
WIGGINS
So get me the fuck'n manager.
The Teller reaches for an intercom button.
WIGGINS
(cocking his gun)
Aaaah!
TELLER
It's an intercom.
WIGGINS
I'll blow your head off, if it ain't.
Wiggins depresses the intercom switch.
WIGGINS
Mr. Manager, get the fuck out here.
We're having a little party, and
you're invited.
Wade steps out of the back office. Suit. Tie. He could
be the manager, but we know better.
WADE
(nonchalant)
There's no party. You lied.
Silence. Wiggins looks to his buddy. Is this guy for real?
WIGGINS
Open the fuck'n safe before I get
angry.
Wade raises his hands in the air.
WADE
Just don't hurt anybody.
WIGGINS
That all depends on you.
(to his Buddy)
Go with him.
Wade leads Narvelle to the safe, situated in the back of
the bank.
WIGGINS
You got one minute.
Wade and Narvelle disappear FROM VIEW. They approach the
safe. Wade punches numbers into the coded lock. The door
doesn't budge.
NARVELLE
Hurry up!
With blinding speed, Wade back-elbows Narvelle in the
breastbone with pile-driver force. The winded recipient
falls cold. Wade removes the clip from the Auto Mag and
tosses it aside. Casually he walks back into the bank
foyer.
WIGGINS
Hey, what the fuck's going on here?
Where's the other guy?
WADE
Grabbed some cash and hightailed it out
the back door. Wasn't that your plan?
WIGGINS
Shit'n skunk...
Wiggins races, full steam towards the safe. As he passes
Wade, he is introduced to his forearm, full force. Wiggins
staggers. Drops his Auto Mag, and falls. He quickly rises
and gets into a major karate pose. Perhaps even Ninjutsu.
It's something weird.
WIGGINS
You fuck'd with the wrong guy, slosh
monkey. I'm going to drop your sorry
ass.
Wade mimics the phrase 'slosh monkey' silently. It makes
no sense. Wiggins screams and charges.
EXT. SECURITY PACIFIC
Wiggins flies through the window like a rock in a shower of
GLASS SPLINTERS. Wade crosses through the window wreckage
instead of using the door. Sanchez runs forward and draws
his ZV6 handgun. He's pumped. Adrenaline-high.
SANCHEZ
You're under arrest.
Sanchez thrives on action. Cruisers pull up. Cops
surround the Technothug. Wade heads for his unmarked
cruiser. Sanchez darts to Wade.
SANCHEZ
Alright! You did good. Double hand
me.
Wade doesn't understand.
SANCHEZ
Double hand me.
Sanchez demonstrates the futuristic high five. Almost like
a child's patty cake.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade climbs in. Sanchez takes the passenger seat. Once
again, the monitor lights up. Gallagher on line. Pissed
off.
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
You two fucks listen up. Doucet's
killing people and you're wasting
valuable time busting two-bit
Technothugs.
SANCHEZ
But sir, Sergeant Wade saved the
hostages.
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
I'm thrilled beyond belief.
He's one sarcastic S.O.B. A MONTAGE of forensic photos
pass the screen. The two jurors lie dead.
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
Take a good look at these. The one
on the right used to be a woman.
The pix stop. Gallagher comes on.
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
She's left behind three kids and no
husband. You know what that means?
Taxpayers are going to foot the bill
'til they grow up. That's money out
of your pocket, Sanchez.
This is too much. Gallagher is a warped man.
SANCHEZ
Sir, your transmission's fading.
GALLAGHER (V.O.)
What the hell are you talking about?
Sanchez gestures.
SANCHEZ
We can't hear you.
Wade turns to Sanchez. A look of respect.
SANCHEZ
Your picture's fading.
Sanchez turns off the monitor. He and Wade exchange smiles.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
Wade stands by a COMPUPHONE. His cruiser parked along the
curb. Sanchez is out of sight. An OPERATOR appears on the
liquid screen.
WADE
Cassy Wade.
OPERATOR (V.O.)
Would you like me to connect you?
Wade's mind races.
OPERATOR (V.O.)
Would you like me to connect you?
WADE
Yeah.
OPERATOR (V.O.)
Ringing.
Wade takes a deep breath.
INT. SUBURBAN SPLIT LEVEL (VALLEY)
The TELEPHONE RINGS. Cassy crosses the living room.
Switches it on. The screen lights up.
INTERCUT AS NEEDED WITH: Wade panics. Ducks out of sight.
Breathing heavy. Afraid. Cassy appears on screen. Smiles.
CASSY
Hello.
Wade flattens himself against the side of the Compuphone
booth.
CASSY
Hello? Is anyone there?
Cassy glances around. All she can see is the street.
Wade desperately tries to take a step in front of the
Compuphone. He can't. He closes his eyes. He hasn't heard
his wife's voice in twenty years. It's just too much.
CASSY
Hello?
Wade can't take it any more. He reaches around the
Compuphone and hangs up.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
A CLEANSWEEP (Robotic Sidewalk Cleaner) moves towards the
Compuphone.
CLEANSWEEP (V.O.)
(male voice)
Please step aside... Please step
aside...
Cleansweep passes people who taunt it, but step out of
its way. Wade doesn't see it as he steps out of the
Compuphone.
CLEANSWEEP (V.O.)
Please step aside...
Wade turns towards the voice pattern. He is startled by the
mechanical figure bearing down on him. He jumps out
of the way as it passes.
Sanchez walks up holding two bags of food.
SANCHEZ
I had to go to three places to
find someone who'd make a bacon
cheeseburger.
Sanchez hands Wade his bag. Wade removes the burger and
takes a major bite.
SANCHEZ
Get with it, Wade. Beef is bad.
Not to mention the nitrates from
the pig. You're bucking for some
major cardiovascular problems.
Sanchez opens his bag and takes a bite of his vegiroll with
puree beet sauce. Wade looks on. Beet sauce dribbles down
Sanchez's chin. Wade hands him a napkin.
SANCHEZ
Thanks. Want'a bite? McDonald's
vegiroll.
WADE
Pass.
Sanchez stops eating. Gets serious.
SANCHEZ
Can I ask you something?
WADE
Yes.
SANCHEZ
When you're frozen, you're legally
dead, right?
Wade nods. Sanchez points to his brain.
SANCHEZ (CONT'D)
Then what goes on in there? What I
mean is, what are you thinking about?
WADE
(in between bites)
Bacon cheeseburgers.
SANCHEZ
Give me a break. I'm serious.
What's it like to be dead?
WADE
Trust me. You don't want to know.
A car parallel parks directly in front of Wade's cruiser.
It also blocks a fire hydrant. The driver's door opens.
The hydrant voice modulator is activated.
FIRE HYDRANT (V.O.)
(from voice modulator)
You are in direct violation of Municipal
Ordinance 90l3-CF. Obstructing
a fire hydrant at less than fifteen
feet. You have twenty-five seconds
to remove your vehicle. If you do
not comply, a parking infraction will
be recorded and issued.
The Driver high-tails it into a Dry Cleaners.
WADE
(calling out after
the Driver)
Hey, buddy...
SANCHEZ
Relax, let technology do the work.
FIRE HYDRANT (V.O.)
...Municipal Ordinance 90l3-CF was
passed in the mid-twentieth century...
The Driver darts out of the Dry Cleaners carrying his
laundry. He dashes to his car.
HYDRANT (V.O.)
...Thank you for obeying the law.
Drive carefully.
The look on Wade's face is unbelievable.
SANCHEZ
You win some, you lose some.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
SANCHEZ
Doucet's psyche profile is amazing,
Three discs. Not including rap sheet.
Theory two. Pseudo-Commando.
(continues reading)
Jesus, guy saw his father shoot his
mother at the dinner table, and then
get into a little Hari-Kari himself.
l guess that meant no dessert for
little Doucet.
Sanchez snickers at his joke. Wade doesn't. Sanchez
punches more numbers and letters into the computer.
SANCHEZ
NPA metamorphosis should biologically
slow him down. That's when we'll get
him.
WADE
You can't catch this man with a
computer.
SANCHEZ
How then?
WADE
You don't follow the bodies, and you
don't follow procedure. You do it
by instinct. Think like him. Do
what has to be dane.
Sanchez is impressed.
SANCHEZ
Sir, I took the liberty of running
a GCI scenario on a TM-1 earlier
today...
WADE
GCI. TM-1. What language are you
talking?
SANCHEZ
I also PVC'd you.
(Wade glances at Sanchez)
Youngest Officer promoted to Sergeant.
Two CMs. Four honor medals...
WADE
Drop it.
Sanchez wants to know why he went dirty. You can see it on
his face.
SANCHEZ
Why?
WADE
I was set up.
Sanchez doesn't buy it.
SANCHEZ
You're saying you were put away for
a crime you didn't commit?
WADE
'Bout the same time I busted Doucet
I tried to nail this big-time dealer.
I didn't have an ID, but I was close.
Too close. Gained the confidence of
a badass named Dubbs. He was going
to turn me onto the big man. He made
me for a cop. Mysteriously my fellow
officers discovered ten pounds of
heroin in my cruiser.
SANCHEZ
It doesn't make sense. Who would
want to do that to you?
WADE
Nothing makes sense when you're a cop.
Wade takes a deep breath. Sanchez shuts up.
WADE
Married?
SANCHEZ
Engaged. Plan on doing it this
summer. You still married?
WADE
Yeah. Least I think so. Twenty-
six years this March.
Wade's in his early thirties. He removes an old, crumpled
snapshot from his pocket. This thing looks like it went
through the wash. Probably frozen with him. He unfolds
it. It is a photo of Wade, Cassy and Kimberly at Disney-
land. A great family photo. Wade shows the photo to
Sanchez.
WADE
It's good to be married.
Wade pulls up to a stretch of land stationed between apart-
ment buildings in various stages of development. This is
the land the old run-down projects sat on.
Across the street, wrecking crews sit idle for the night in
front of buildings scheduled for demolition. Wade stops,
steps out and crosses over to a chain link fence. Sanchez
follows.
SIGN READS: MAKE WAY FOR THE FUTURE
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Units
RITCHIE BROS. CONSTRUCTION
SANCHEZ
What's this place?
WADE
This is where I found Doucet twenty
years ago. Thought maybe he'd come
back.
A pain thunders through his leg. He grabs it.
SANCHEZ
You okay?
Wade looks up.
WADE
Yeah.
SANCHEZ
Hey, Rip Van Winkle, maybe we'd
better call it a night.
Wade smiles at the reference.
INT. SANCHEZ'S APARTMENT - DEN
Wade glances around the room. Picks up a framed holograph
photo of Sanchez and his gal. Sanchez walks into the room,
loaded with a blanket, pillows and sheets.
WADE
She's pretty.
SANCHEZ
Thanks.
He opens the couch and unfolds the hide-a-bed.
SANCHEZ
She's back East visiting her mother
for two weeks.
Sanchez places BioBears sheets on the bed. BioBears are
cartoon characters. Shaped like bears. Named after body
parts. Furry friends like Larry Legs, Ernie Eyes and
Harriet Heart. Wade smiles.
WADE
Nice sheets.
Sanchez laughs.
SANCHEZ
I've had these ever since I was a kid.
Last thing my father bought for me before
he died. I guess they've got
some sort of sentimental value.
Sanchez finishes the bed. Lays down the pillows.
SANCHEZ
You need anything else?
WADE
I'll be okay.
SANCHEZ
Good night, Wade.
WADE
Good night.
Sanchez leaves the room. Wade takes off his shirt. Lays
it down on a chair. Reaches into his pocket and pulls
out the weathered photo of his family. Stares at it for
a brief moment. Places it beside the bed. Removes his
pants, turns off the light, and climbs into bed wearing
only his underwear. He's uncomfortable. For twenty years
he's stood upright. His body is not used to comfort.
Sanchez appears. Switches on the light. He and Wade swap
stares.
SANCHEZ
You did good today.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD - ALLEYWAY
A thin stream of garbage lined back street, half-lit by
the moon. Defaced by "Technothugs Rule" graffiti. Torn
holograph campaign posters wallpaper the entrance.
Gallagher's smiling mug promises: "FIGHTING FOR YOU.
24 HOURS A DAY". Two Technothugs rewire the billboard's
voice modulator. Gallagher cusses a blue streak.
A Bag Man rummages through a trash container searching for
a midnight snack. In the darkest corners sleep shadows of
humans brought down to their lowest degree. They cling to
sole possessions which include pieces of clothing and empty
Wild Turkey bottles. Doucet sleeps with the best of them.
Half covered in newsprint. Peaceful. Curled in a fetal
position.
INT. SANCHEZ'S APARTMENT - DEN
Wade watching the tube. Holding the remote. Flips through
channels. Stops at the Playboy holograph station. A 3-D
couple are hot and heavy. Major foreplay. Wade can't
believe it. He feels like a peeping tom. Shuts off the
tube. In the b.g., he hears Sanchez's talking. He climbs
out of bed. Crosses the room and looks into Sanchez's
kitchen. Sanchez is on the line. Muffled voice.
SANCHEZ
He's on downtime. Yes... we're making
progress. He doesn't fit the profile
of a bad cop. Yes sir, I know his
record, but... No sir, I won't.
INT. GALLAGHER'S STRETCH LIMO
Gallagher on the horn. His wife beside him. Barbara Bush-
like. Probably has a great personality. But that's it.
She removes her heels and rubs her tired feet. Both are
wearing formal wear. Probably coming from a dinner party.
GALLAGHER
Don't be impressed by his little
stunt today. He's a bad apple,
Sanchez. Remember that.
Limo stops in front of Gallagher's home. Large and white.
Beautiful and elegant. Real Estate Heaven. Uniformed Cops
patrol the grounds. Gallagher cups the receiver.
GALLAGHER
(to Wife)
I'll be back in a couple hours. I
have to go over my victory speech
at the office.
His wife sighs. Climbs out. Gallagher blows her a kiss.
GALLAGHER
(to Sanchez)
I want a full disc on his actions
tomorrow.
INT. SANCHEZ'S APARTMENT - DEN
Wade in bed. Staring off into a blank void. He can't
sleep. He's got a lot of shit on his mind.
INT. TOWNHOUSE
Gallagher stands in front of the vanity. Snaps on his
Rolex. Runs his hands through his sculptured silver hair.
Smiles. An after sex smile.
The MIRROR CATCHES a YOUNG DOLL lying in bed. You know
the type. All curves. All lips. Not an MIT graduate.
Gallagher turns to her.
DOLL
You've got my vote, Commissioner.
EXT. TOWNHOUSE
Gallagher's limo sits idle by the curb. Kai Ling and Dokes
stand at attention. Gallagher steps out of the building.
Glances around. Adjusts his bow tie. Moves for the limo.
INT. SANCHEZ'S KITCHEN
Rise and shine. Sanchez sets down two complete break-
fasts. The health-conscious kind. Wade walks in.
Groggy. Knuckles the sleep from his eyes. Coughs.
SANCHEZ
Good morning, partner. Take a
seat. I made you breakfast.
Sanchez offers to pour the juice.
SANCHEZ
Juice?
Wade puts his hand over his cup.
WADE
I'll have a cup of coffee?
SANCHEZ
Never use it. Stuff'll kill ya.
An "oh great" look passes Wade's face. Sanchez pours.
Wade takes his seat. Sanchez chows down. Wade looks at
his own plate and sighs.
WADE
The breakfast of crime fighters.
He picks up his toast and dips it into his juice.
SANCHEZ
I've been doing a little thinking.
Medicomp's come out with an MRI
scanner. You know what that means?
Wade obviously doesn't.
WADE
No. Talk English. Then I'll understand.
SANCHEZ
We get to peek into Doucet's brain.
WADE
Hey, I'm eating.
SANCHEZ
I'm serious, Wade. This case is
important to me.
WADE
You want to be a good detective?
SANCHEZ
Yes, sir.
WADE
Then find me some cigarettes.
EXT. BAR
A DRUNK MAN climbs into his grey Saab.
INT. SAAB
His card key won't fire up the engine. A VOICE MODULATOR
ACTIVATES.
VOICE MODULATOR (V.O.)
(friendly female voice)
You have activated the anti-DUI
prevention unit. It is unsafe to
drive. The engine will not start.
Please find alternative transpor-
tation. Thank you.
Drunk hits the dash and curses. Suddenly the door whips
open and two hands reach in. Big ones. Doucet's meat
hooks. They rip the Drunk out. Steal his wallet. Doucet
gets in.
VOICE MODULATOR (V.O.)
That's better. Drive carefully.
Smoke. Rubber. History.
EXT. ALLEY
Sanchez and a Technothug. Exchanging cash for what looks
like drugs. After the transaction, the Rookie heads for
the cruiser at the of the alley.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Sanchez hops in. Tosses two cigarettes at Wade.
WADE
Two lousy smokes. You're a real
sport.
SANCHEZ
That cost me two weeks' pay.
Wade shoves one in his mouth. He smiles like a kid in a
candy store.
SANCHEZ
I shouldn't have done this. I
could lose my badge.
Wade looks for the cigarette lighter. Sanchez fights with
his conscience.
SANCHEZ
Maybe I should turn myself in.
WADE
Lighten up. You're going to give
yourself an ulcer.
He can't find the lighter.
SANCHEZ
Detroit stopped putting cigarette
lighters in years ago. Same time
smoking was banned.
A "swell" look sweeps Wade's face.
EXT. SUNSHINE MOTEL (HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD)
A sleazebag roach house in the heart of Hollywood.
INT. SUNSHINE MOTEL
Doucet stands at the front desk. Face filmed in sweat.
Clutching his wrist. He's in pain. In the b.g., an
ELDERLY GENT wears liquid screen glasses tuned to
'Jeopardy' with Alex Trabek, Jr. The DESK CLERK hands
Doucet back his credit card. Yeah sure, like this maniac
really has credit.
CLERK
Here you go, Mr. Firestone.
(places the receipt
in front of Doucet)
Sign here.
Doucet signs. Sloppily. His hand trembles.
CLERK
You okay?
(hands over the
keys; points)
Up the stairs to the left. Room 27.
I'd go see a doctor if I were you.
Doucet pivots and marches toward the stairs.
INT. ROOM 27
The door opens. Doucet staggers into the room. Closes the
door and locks it. He removes his weapons from under his
jacket and lays them on the bed. Suddenly his knees buckle
and arms go limp. He covers his face with his hands and
withers in pain. Mild atrophy sets in, causing greying
and bald spots. Loss and degeneration of elastic tissue
cause wrinkles and dilation in blood vessels. He's aging
and he doesn't know it.
EXT. STREET
Wade with a cigarette in his mouth. Cruiser hood open.
He tries to spark the battery to light the sucker. Sanchez
on his computer. Switches to MEDICOMP (Medical Computer).
Split screen. MRl (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanning
the soft tissue of two brains. A portion of each cerebellum
is colored red. One larger than the other.
SANCHEZ
Part of Doucet's cerebellum, a
portion called the vermis is under-
developed. This area rates
response to outside stimuli. Com-
pare it to that of a normal law-
abiding citizen. It could be why
he kills.
WADE
Great. My partner's Marcus Welby.
SANCHEZ
I'm just doing it by the book.
Analyze then vaporize. Crime's
a science. Everything's analyzed.
WADE
With all this technology you don't
even have to show up for work. Who
needs cops when you've got gizmos.
SANCHEZ
(re: MEDICOMP)
You're just afraid to use this. You
have technophobia, Wade. That's what
you got.
Wade shoots Sanchez a look. This is an unbelievable look.
The one you give someone if you think they're crazy.
SANCHEZ
(offers MEDICOMP)
If you're not afraid, then go ahead.
Let's see you use this thing. It's
user friendly.
Wade's frustrated. He turns to Sanchez.
WADE
You want to see science?v I'll show
you science.
He removes his .38.
WADE
This is science. Six tries. If you
calculate correctly, one is all you'll
need.
He flips the gun back into the holster.
WADE
And it doesn't need batteries.
He sticks his head back under the hood.
SANCHEZ
Dinosaurs are extinct because they
couldn't adapt.
Wade laughs. Sparks the battery.
WADE
Here we go. Now we're cookin'.
He lights his smoke. Takes a long drag. A big ass smile
on his face. Sanchez looks at him weird.
WADE
Wanna try?
SANCHEZ
No thank you, sir. Smoking causes
lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema,
and may complicate pregnancy.
WADE
You're not pregnant, are you?
SANCHEZ
No, sir.
Wade offers the smoke.
WADE
Then g'head. Live on the wild
side. I won't tell anyone.
Sanchez gives in. Glances around to make sure the coast is
clear. Takes the smoke and inhales. He quickly spits out
the smoke and coughs. Wade laughs.
WADE
Not bad, huh?
Sanchez is doing some minor choking. Wade pats him on the
back.
SANCHEZ
(sarcastic)
Great.
DISPATCH SQUAWKS. Sanchez goes for it. Wade enjoys the
smoke. Sanchez reappears.
SANCHEZ
Let's roll. We got a guy who
swears his car was stolen by a
suspect identical to Doucet.
0800 this morning.
WADE
What else did he get?
SANCHEZ
Wallet, cash, I.D...
WADE
(re: computer)
Fire up that thing of yours and
tell me all credit card trans-
actions after eight o'clock.
Sanchez works his Cop Computer. Wade watches. He can't
hide his obvious fascination with the gadget. The screen
lights up. Sanchez reads the info.
SANCHEZ
Bull's eye. One transaction...
Sunshine Motel. Hollywood.
After the eleven-hundred hour.
Wade tosses his smoke. Slams the hood down. Both
hop into the cruiser.
INT. SUNSHINE MOTEL - SECOND FLOOR
Sheppard and Underhill are led to Room 27 by the Clerk,
Sheppard carries a double barrel riot gun. Underhill a
Thermograph monitor.
CLERK
We get all kinds here, but this
guy's major psycho.
(points to Room 27)
He's in here.
Sheppard knocKs on the door with the riot gun.
INT. BATHROOM - ROOM 27
Doucet faces the broken bathroom mirror. An old weathered
Los Angeles Times newspaper headline hangs at eye level.
You've seen the one. Headline reads: "HERO COP NABS
SERIAL MURDERER." Smaller headline reads: "DEMOLITION MAN
GETS HIS MAN." The words: DEMOLITION MAN have been circled
numerous times. To a point where the paper's torn.
SHEPPARD (V.O.)
Open up.
Doucet turns from the mirror. His face is a shock at
first. He looks older. About five years. Streaks of
grey. Receding hairline. A couple wrinkles. He doesn't
look so good. Matter of fact, he looks terrified. He
doesn't know what's happening to his body.
DOUCET
Go away!
SHEPPARD (V.O.)
This is the police. Open up.
INT. SUNSHINE MOTEL - SECOND FLOOR
In a Thermograph outline we see Doucet cross the room and
pick up a large weapon from the bed. If this were a video
game it would be fun. But it's not.
UNDERHILL
(holding Thermograph)
Jesus, he's got a gu---
BAM! Underhill is smashed backwards as the door to Room 27
is ripped apart. He hits the back wall and slides to the
ground. His jacket and shirt torn to shreds, revealing
behind a bulletproof vest of KEVLAR IV. Sheppard and the
Clerk are thrown down the corridor by the blast.
SHEPPARD
Are you all right?
UNDERHILL
I'm okay.
Underhill spoke too soon. Doucet steps out of the wreckage
and POPS a COUPLE ROUNDS into Underhill's head. Doucet
does an about-face. The Clerk storms towards the stairs.
Sheppard FIRES. Doucet FIRES. Sheppard is thrown backwards
in the air, landing on the Clerk running down the
stairs. Clerk screams and pushes the Cop's body off his
back. Doucet down the stairs two at a time. Snarling with
hostility.
Elderly Gent oblivious. Now watching: "I LOVE ROCKY" --
The Sitcom. Soundtrack as follows: "Pound for pound
he's number one/Now he's got a wife and a newborn son/New
opponents every week/Trying to knock Rocky off his peak."
Clerk races for the front door. Doucet FIRES.
EXT. SUNSHINE MOTEL
The Clerk hits glass door. Slumps to the ground, dead.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Approaches the Sunshine Motel. Doucet jackrabbits into the
Saab.
WADE
That's Doucet.
Sanchez brings up lights. Doucet pulls away from the
curb. Shoots by the Cops.
INT. SAAB
Doucet does a double-take. Adjusts his rearview mirror.
Yup, it's Wade back there. Doucet smiles.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
SANCHEZ
(to Dispatch)
Unit 23 in pursuit of grey Saab...
Hollywood and La Brea... suspect
believed to be Doucet... request
back-up and air surveillance...
DISPATCH (V.O.)
Unit 23... back-up presently engaged
and notified.
Wade's pounding the shit out of the gas pedal.
WADE
Kid, you ever been in a high speed
chase before?
SANCHEZ
Simulated one.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
The sky darkens as storm clouds gather ominously.
Lightning crackles. THUNDER ROARS. Cruiser and Saab
ROAR through the street neons at 80 mph+. Lights
stretching and twisting.
INT. SAAB
Power-driven by Doucet with no regard to fellow drivers.
EXT. RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET
Saab tears around a corner. Cruiser close behind. A TRUCK
slowly makes its way up the street. The Saab hops the
sidewalk and plows through a garden. Cruiser follows.
EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD
Slowing a traffic light, the Saab causes on-coming traffic
to break suddenly. Fender bender time.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade driving hard.
DISPATCH (V.O.)
Unit 23... All available units still
presently engaged... have been noti-
fied... proceed with caution.
Wade pulls Sanchez close and twists the headset towards
him.
WADE
(frustrated; to Dispatch)
Get us some fuck'n back-up now!
SANCHEZ
Comwatch Dispatch System. Can't
assimilate voice stress. Code
priority only.
Sanchez is leaning uncomfortably.
WADE
(madder)
Unit 23, we got a 211, 633, 415,
277, 502, 113, and my partner's
stubbed his toe. Request back-up.
EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD
Saab weaves its way in and out of traffic. Cruiser follows
tight.
DISPATCH (V.O.)
Unit 23... all units presently en-
gaged... advise on 211... proceed
with 633.
Saab is cut off. Plows into a grocery store.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade puts the pedal to the metal. Towards the grocery
store's new entrance. A look of stark terror sweeps
Sanchez's face.
WADE
It's all right. I've done this before.
EXT. GROCERY STORE
Wade's cruiser speeds in.
INT. GROCERY STORE
Cruiser tailgates the Saab. Fruits and veggies splatter
all over the place. Wade hits the windshield wipers.
Shoppers run.
EXT. GROCERY STORE
Saab rockets out. Airborne over the sidewalk. Slides into
a parked car. ENGINE STALLS. CRUISER SCREECHES to a stop.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
SANCHEZ
We got him.
Sanchez hops out.
WADE
Get back in the car.
EXT. STREET
Sanchez races. Weapon drawn. Saab FIRES UP. Peels out
in reverse. Sanchez lashes out and grabs the tail fin.
Doucet puts it in drive and races away. Dragging Sanchez.
Feet dangling at 65 mph. Boot leather being torn to
shreds.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
WADE
Shit.
He grabs a headset and hits the gas.
EXT. STREET
Car swerves. Sanchez hangs on for dear life. His radio
headset squawks.
WADE (V.O.)
Get the fuck off his car, Sanchez.
Let go of it.
Sanchez loses his grip. One hand whips back. The other
one holds on to the fin.
SANCHEZ
We're bringing him down, partner.
You and I.
The back WINDOW SHATTERS. Diced to smithereens. Doucet is
one talented dude. Drives with one hand. FIRES with the
other.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
WADE
You're going to get yourself killed.
Let him go.
Sanchez reaches up with his free hand and locks onto the
fin. Glass skates across the trunk. Cutting his fingers.
SANCHEZ
We're going to be heroes.
Suddenly the Saab power brakes. Sanchez is thrown through
the open back window -- across the seats and through the
front window. He somersaults to the asphalt.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
WADE
Nooooooo!
EXT. STREET
Doucet drives off. Wade skids to a stop. Door flings
open. He jumps out and kneels beside Sanchez. The
Rookie's covered in blood. Wade tries to revive him --
CPR style.
WADE
Live... C'mon... Live... Goddamn it.
Sanchez coughs. Spits up blood. Comes to.
SANCHEZ
Did we get him?
Wade breathes a sigh of relief.
WADE
Not yet. Sit tight. Help's on the
way.
Wade takes Sanchez's gun. He's crazed. Ready to erupt.
WADE
(into headset)
Unit 23. Officer down. Corner
Lexington and Maple.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade depresses the "Pursuit Mode" switch.
CLOSEUP - DISPLAY SCREEN
aligns the cruiser with the Saab. It has become a target.
"LOCK ON" flashes. Restrainers hug Wade to the seat.
Steering wheel gears into auto. Gas pedal pushes into
the floor. Tach buried into the red line.
EXT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wheels spin drawing up smoke and smelling of burning
rubber.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Gear shift automatically switches into drive.
EXT. SECOND SIDE STREET
Cruiser bolts down the street after the Saab.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Like a pilot hitting G forces, Wade is pushed back.
90 mph+. The road blurs by outside. This is nerve
shattering.
DISPLAY SCREEN
Saab simulated as a target. Speed and distance of suspect
recorded.
EXT. THIRD SIDE STREET
Cruiser tailgates the Saab.
EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD
Saab turns onto the Strip. Cruiser snakes between two
cars, tagging along.
EXT. FOURTH SIDE STREET
Saab ahead. A CAT steps into the middle of the road.
The cruiser approaches.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade struggles with the wheel, in a desperate attempt to
avoid the feline. Monitor beside display screen. Simu-
lated cat on screen. Display reads:
CAT
Domesticated animal of the Feline Family.
ANIMAL RIGHTS ACT 978-3387655
Protected SPCA and BOB BARKER FOUNDATION
Code 34-R
CAT HISSES. Auto-piloted cruiser comes within a hair,
swerves around and continues its pursuit. The cat con-
tinues on its way.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
The rain falls harder and steadier. The chase becomes more
intense. On sidewalks. Sideswiping cars. Through crowded
intersections. Left on a red. Anything to break the law.
Popeye Doyle would be proud of these two.
A TRAFFIC LIGHT changes from red to green. A swarm of cars
cross. Saab rushes in, swerving to avoid them. Spin out.
Once. Twice. Three times. Finally crashing through the
glass doors of a Hollywood office building. Five stories.
More grit than glamour.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - LOBBY
The Saab sits atop a pile of glass, twisted metal, and
broken concrete. Demolition smoke fills the air. The
cruiser plows in, rear-ending the Saab.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Pursuit Mode shuts down. Display screen flashes:
SUSPECT VEHICLE APPREHENDED
87Y99043--GTS43
Proceed with caution.
INT. LOBBY
Doucet emerges, moving fast. All business. He FIRES at
Wade. Wade ducks under the dash. Doucet quickly runs out
of ammunition. Wade rises and FIRES through the shattered
windshield.
Elevator doors open. Three Executives rush to close it.
Doucet races forward. Boots crunching through broken
glass. Execs run out. Doucet steps in and the doors
close. Wade exits his cruiser and marches over to the
elevators.
INT. ELEVATOR
Doucet leans back, catching his breath and restoring his
senses.
INT. LOBBY
Wade empties a COUPLE ROUNDS into the elevator button
panel, blowing it out of commission.
INT. ELEVATOR
The elevator jolts and stops. Llghts out. SMASH! Doucet
punches off the emergency hatch and climbs up.
INT. LOBBY
With desperation strength, Wade pulls open the second
elevator door.
INT. ELEVATOR SHAFT
Doucet pulls himself up the steel cables. His bare hands
quickly being cut up. Below Wade FIRES. BAM! BAM! BAM!
The last bullet hits Doucet in the shoulder. He momen-
tarily releases his grip on one hand and falls a few feet.
He snarls. His shoulder aching and bloody. Wade grabs
the cables and climbs. Doucet regains his strength and
continues climbing. Below, Wade gains on him.
INT. FIFTH FLOOR
Doucet pulls himself up with one hand. Blood seeps from
his bullet wound. He kneels for a moment restoring his
senses. He looks down into the shaft and sees Wade
climbing. Doucet rises and removes a fire extinguisher
from the wall. He crosses back to the elevator shaft
and hurtles the canister down.
INT. ELEVATOR SHAFT
The fire extinguisher falls like a cannonball. It hits
Wade hard in the upper body. He slips, reaches for support
and clambers onto another cable. He draws his gun and
carefully re-loads, using his body as a vise. He FIRES
upwards, but Doucet backs away.
EXT. FIFTH FLOOR
Wade drags himself up. He rises and races for the stair-
well.
INT. STAIRWELL
BAM! Wade enters fast. The door to the roof slams shut.
Wade darts up the stairs.
EXT. ROOF
Wade kicks the door open and enters, .38 drawn. Doucet
climbs off the roof. Strung across the building to a
lower three story complex is heavy rope used for cable
extensions. Doucet uses his gun as a pulley-sheave over
the rope. Grasping both ends he slides across. Wade races
over to the ledge. Below is nothing but open space.
The Tie-post (Five Story Building) rope slowly starts to
unravel. Wade uses his jacket as a pulley-sheave and jumps
off the roof.
EXT. ROOF (THREE STORY BUILDING)
Doucet lands feet first. Wade follows. Doucet tries to
untie the rope from its post.
EXT. ROOF (FIVE STORY BUILDING)
The rope snaps from its tie-post.
EXT. OPEN SPACE BETWEEN BUILDINGS
Wade falls in mid-air. He continues grasping the line,
heading feet first towards the three story building wall.
EXT. THREE STORY BUILDING
The speed and strength of the rope is blinding. It whirls
around Doucet's right hand, coiling it python-like. The
circulation in the limb is quickly cut off. He is pulled
to the ledge lassoed by Wade. His right arm pulled down-
wards. This is painful.
EXT. THREE STORY BUILDING - WALL
Wade hangs comfortably from the rope, dangling in mid-air.
Doucet, however, is in excruciating pain as Wade's body
weight pulls at his joint. This is a freak accident. In
a vain attempt, Doucet whips down his weapon. It misses
Wade and CLATTERS to the ground. Doucet winces and growls.
With one hand, Wade removes the PORTABLE POLICE RADIO from
his belt hook. He breathes a sigh of relief before speak-
ing. The rain continues to pour.
WADE
(into portable)
Unit 23... suspect Doucet has been
apprehended... request back-up and
ambulance... Alleyway between Hollywood
and Wiltern...
DISPATCH (v.O.)
Unit 23... Roger... good work, Officer...
EXT. THREE STORY BUILDING - ROOF
Doucet reaches down with his left hand and removes a BUCK
M9 with seven-inch blade from a leather waist sheath. He
brings it up and proceeds to cut through the binding rope
and into his wrist. Blood geysers. He shows no pain.
This is an animal at work. The rope splits.
EXT. WALL
The rope frees and Wade falls one and a half stories to the
ground. He lands hard in a pile of garbage.
EXT. THREE STORY BUILDING - ROOF
Doucet runs across the roof, clutching his wrist. Blood
covers his hands.
EXT. ALLEYWAY
Wade dashes out and onto Hollywood Boulevard.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
Wade races down the street. Parallel to him, Doucet jumps
from rooftop to rooftop. These guys never let up. The
rain doesn't bother them and neither does the pain.
A CROWD of movie-goers bear the weather standing in line
under a marquee. Wade charges forward. He's not changing
direction for anybody.
WADE
(drawing his badge)
Move outta the way. I'm a cop!
The crowd backs against the wall as this crazy maniac races
through. Doucet is still ahead, and much higher up.
A SEMI brakes hard at a red light. Wheels lock. It
hydroplanes across the boulevard. Wade slides and skates
along the ground passing directly under the trailer. On
the opposite end, he comes through quick, rises to his feet
and maintains pursuit.
The foot-race continues for another quarter mile, until
suddenly Wade doubles over in pain. He cries out. He
slumps to his knees. The rain beats down on his face.
Under a pool of light cast from a lamppost. Doucet stops.
He's bleeding bad. He knows he can't win this way. He
looks down and laughs menacingly. Wade tries to rise, but
he can't. He's paralyzed. A pained look covers his face.
He's aging. From late twenties to early thirties. Couple
grey hairs. Small wrinkles. Doucet races away. His
laughing fades on the wind and rain.
WADE
(calling out)
No matter where you hide, I'm coming
after you!
Wade collapses. The rain never lets up. Drops dance on
his forehead.
A SIREN WAILS. BRAKES SQUEAL. SIREN STOPS. DOORS SLAM.
FOOTSTEPS.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
Images go IN and OUT of FOCUS. Dizzy, exhausted and
utterly drained, Wade lies sprawled out in the street.
A pair of boots stand before him. The rain has stopped
and somehow cleansed the streets. A flashing red light
reflects off puddles. Wade looks up. He squints. Bennett
belongs to these boots. Davidson stands close by. Their
cruiser behind. Lights on.
WADE
(disoriented)
Sanchez...
BENNETT
He's in ICU. Made it through surgery.
(hand extended)
Here.
Sennett helps Wade to his feet.
DAVIDSON
Need an ambulance?
Wade doesn't answer. Instead, he walks away. Takes out
his last smoke. Raises it to his lips. Ponders. Snatches
it out. Crumbles it. Throws it to the ground. Continues
walking. Never looking back.
EXT. POLICE STATION
TWO COPS unload a trio of TECHNOTHUGS from the back of
their cruiser. This is not a happy scene.
PSYCHO-TELECOMP (V.O.)
(pleasant voice)
Thank you for calling the LAPD Auto-
mated 'Help Line,' a public service
sponsored by the LAPD and Mayor Ray
Gallagher.
INT. POLICE STATION - SERIES OF SHOTS
Cops punching booking information into keyboards. Citizens
making complaints. Criminals demanding equal rights. Two
Cops escort a leashed pit bull. An elderly female
complainant follows angrily with both hands bandaged.
PSYCHO-TELECOMP (V.O.)
Please enter the number correlating
to your current state; One: Stress
or Depression. Two: Marital Con-
flict. Three: Job Related...
INT. GALLAGHER'S OFFICE
Gallagher at his desk. His entourage seated before him.
The Two Bodyguards close by. A SALESMAN leans against
the wall. They are all listening to a large multi-line
answering machine called the PSYCHO-TELECOMP.
PSYCHO-TELECOMP
...Four: Contemplating Murder or
Suicide. Five: Drug Addiction. Six:
Sexual Disease Carrier. Seven: Other.
The Salesman steps forward and shuts off the unit.
SALESMAN
Okay. Now each question is refracted
into a set of questions with a voice
stress and polygraph analyzer, able
to 'talk down' the caller. Thirty
lines. Seven BCBs. We're talking
state-of-the-art. More psychologist
for your money.
(pauses for effect)
The only thing this baby doesn't
have is a diploma.
(laughs)
I got 'em in New York, Boston,
Chicago...
Bennett steps into the room. Whispers in Gallagher's ear.
GALLAGHER
Not now, I'm busy.
Bennett continues. By the reaction on the Commissioner's
face it's obvious Bennett's just told him about Sanchez's
death. Gallagher nods. He doesn't appear too depressed.
Bennett leaves the room. Gallagher smiles. Turns to the
Salesman.
GALLAGHER
I love it.
SALESMAN
(smiles shyly)
Classic. I'll have 'em installed
in every precinct by the end of
the month.
GALLAGHER
Mayor Ray Gallagher. Good touch.
Just don't start 'til tomorrow.
I haven't technically won yet.
He beams. Winks at Roshko.
SALESMAN
Check.
The Salesman removes the Psycho-Telecomp from Gallagher's
desk and crosses the room over to the door.
SALESMAN
Tomorrow. Thanks.
The Salesman leaves.
PEEBLES
Sir, your dinner with the union
leaders begins in an hour. Your
wife will meet you there, so we
can leave whenever you're ready.
GALLAGHER
Fine.
PEEBLES
I've also drafted a letter to
families of officers killed in the
line of duty. They'll need your
signature.
INT. POLICE STATION
Wade walks through. Silent. Determined. He looks like...
well you can guess. A few grey hairs. Tired eyes. This
man's a wreck.
INT. GALLAGHER'S OFFICE
Gallagher is signing letters. His entourage spit out his
calendar.
PEEBLES
...breakfast tomorrow at seven...
REBECCA
Bring your wife and kids, it'll look
good... MR. MAYOR.
Gallagher smiles. His people know how to make him happy.
PEEBLES
...Immediately following...
(eyes widen)
...Oh my God!
Gallagher looks up. Everyone turns.
THEIR POV
Wade stands at the doorway with his .38 aimed at the
ready.
BACK TO SCENE
Gallagher forces a smile. His Bodyguards stand at the
ready.
GALLAGHER
Hello Wade.
WADE
(to the entourage)
Out of the room.
The entourage looks to Gallagher. He nods in agreement.
They leave. The Bodyguards stay.
WADE
(to Gallagher/re:
Bodyguards)
Tell Frick and Frack that means them
too.
GALLAGHER
(to the Bodyguards)
I'll be alright.
Bodyguards leave. Door closes.
GALLAGHER
Too bad about Sanchez.
Wade draws back the hammer.
GALLAGHER
You can't kill me. I'm going to be
Mayor tomorrow.
WADE
I'm not voting for you.
GALLAGHER
(rising)
Ah, fuck you, Wade. This is bull-
shit. You're not going to kill me.
(crosses the room)
You're not going to risk your freedom.
Wrong. Wade F!RES. The bullet slices by Gallagher
shattering a picture frame of his family. Gallagher
takes a step back.
WADE
I want to stop aging.
GALLAGHER
And I want Doucet.
Wade aims the .38 at Gallagher's balls. This would make a
man do anything. Gallagher takes a deep breath.
GALLAGHER
You bastard.
The INTERCOM on Gallagher's desk BUZZES.
PEEBLES (V.O.)
Sir, your limo's here.
GALLAGHER
Kill me if you want. Hard line me
with that 'I ain't got nothing to
lose' bullshit. But you've got
plenty to lose 'partner'. You've
got a family. I'm giving you a
chance to see them.
(beat)
I kept in touch. She never married.
All these years. Maybe she loves
you. I wouldn't know why.
Gallagher crosses the room, heading for the door. Wade
lowers his weapon.
GALLAGHER
This is a war, Wade. You against
him. Vengeance time. The City's
just in the way. Kill the fucker.
You and me. We'll work things out
when the time is right.
WADE
Remember my promise.
GALLAGHER
Don't threaten me. I tend to take
these things seriously.
(looks over Wade)
And get a couple hours sleep. You
look like day old shit.
WADE
Got compliments coming outta your
ass, don't ya?
Gallagher leaves the room.
INT. POLICE STATION
Gallagher crosses over to his entourage. Without words,
they automatically turn and walk towards the door.
PEEBLES
You okay?
GALLAGHER
How do I look?
PEEBLES
Aces.
They continue walking.
EXT. POLICE STATION
Gallagher and his entourage step out into a flurry of
REPORTERS. Microphones everywhere.
REPORTER #1
Commissioner...
REPORTER #2
How do you feel about your sub-
stantial lead in the polls?
Gallagher moves down the steps.
GALLAGHER
Delighted. Good to have the support
of the people.
REPORTER #3
So it wouldn't be too early to start
calling you Mayor Gallagher?
GALLAGHER
It has a good ring to it, wouldn't
you say?
Gallagher laughs. His entourage laugh. Reporters laugh.
This is mechanical.
REPORTER #4
Any message on the eve of this election
night?
GALLAGHER
Thank you for your support. Every-
one. Have a pleasant night, and get
to the polls early.
REPORTER #5
Commissioner, any comment on the
recent murders of several police
officers?
GALLAGHER
That has been investigated. We have
a suspect and he is being brought
into custody at this very moment.
REPORTER #6
What about the murders of Judge Baker
and Tim Duley?
REPORTER #5
Is there any connection to...
REPORTER #2
Sir...
Gallagher looks to his entourage. Peebles takes charge.
Just in time.
PEEBLES
Okay, that's all folks. Commissioner
Gallagher has to go.
GALLAGHER
(whispers to Peebles)
Keep 'em busy.
Gallagher heads for the limo. Waves to all.
PEEBLES
The Commissioner has asked me to
express his thanks...
Gallagher steps into the limo.
INT. POLICE STATION - REFRESHMENT CENTER
Wade crosses over to SENOR COFFEE, a hi-tech Java machine.
He deposits a buck in the slot that says to do so.
SENOR COFFEE (V.O.)
(Spanish accent)
Buenos dias. Hello, I am Senor Coffee.
Do you prefer Original Fresh Ground or
Columbian Decaffeinated?
WADE
Make it strong.
A COP passes by.
COP
It ain't human ya know.
WADE
Original... Fresh Ground.
SENOR COFFEE (V.O.)
Milk, Cream, Artificial Dairy Substitute,
Sugar, or No-Calorie Sweetener?
WADE
Black.
SENOR COFFEE (V.O.)
Thank you for choosing Senor Coffee.
Black coffee is dispensed into a twentieth-century
styrofoam cup. Wade grabs it and drinks.
A TECHNOTHUG comes screaming down the corridor, chased by
TWO OFFICERS. They draw their weapons.
OFFICER #1
Freeze!
Technothug grabs a potted plant off an Officer's desk and
hurtles it at the Cops.
OFFICER #2
Heads.
The PLANT CRASHES to the floor. Technothug averts and
runs. Growls and screams. Yes, he does have a flaming
skull tattoo. Technothug stops in front of Wade, shrieking
like a banshee. Wade cringes. Technothug's eyes grow
wide, and he quickly shuts up. Wade's knee in his balls
doesn't feel good either. Technothug slumps to the floor
in excruciating pain, holding his groin. All that and
Wade didn't spill his coffee.
INT. SEWER SYSTEM
Some things remain the same. Murky water. Rats. Inde-
scribable smells. Dark and spooky. Doucet sits slouched
against the wall tying torn shirt cloth around his wrist.
A crude homemade tourniquet. A bandage already covers his
shoulder wound. His hands tremble and hairline recedes.
The muscles in the solar plexus and stomach slowly droop.
He's aging, entering his early forties.
INT. SANCHEZ'S HOSPITAL ROOM
Sanchez lies in bed. Face and hands bandaged. Wade walks
in. Carrying a gym bag. Sanchez smiles.
SANCHEZ
Rip Van Winkle.
WADE
How ya feeling?
SANCHEZ
How do I look?
WADE
Not too good.
They laugh. Wade opens the gym bag. Removes the holograph
framed photo of Sanchez's fiancee and lays it on the night
stand.
WADE
I brought you some toys.
He next pulls out a lap-top computer and a dispatch headset.
SANCHEZ
What's this?
WADE
We're partners, aren't we?
EXT. STREET LEVEL
A manhole cover rises and Doucet climbs out into an inter-
section. A car swerves to avoid him. He steps into a
Compuphone.
INT. COMPUPHONE
Operator comes on line. She pauses before speaking.
Doucet has that affect on people. Especially now. He
looks like walking death.
OPERATOR (V.O. )
Would you like 911 - Emergency?
DOUCET
I want Wade.
Operator gets to work.
OPERATOR (V.O.)
I have a Valley number.
DOUCET
Yes.
She looks at him weird.
OPERATOR (V.O.)
Ringing...
Screen goes black... and then Casey comes on. Willy in the
b.g.
CASEY
Hello.
Doucet's voice is raspy. Almost caveman-like.
DOUCET
Where is he?
Cassy doesn't recognize Doucet. He's older and messed up.
His own mother wouldn't recognize him.
CASSY
I think you have the wrong number.
Doucet screams...
DOUCET
WHERE IS HE?
Cassy turns to Willy. Doucet is getting crazy.
CASSY
Go to your room.
WILLY
But...
CASSY
Now.
Doucet chuckles like a sick puppy.
DOUCET
He's going to die.
CASSY
Don't you have anything better to
do with your time?
She thinks this is a crank call. Doucet laughs.
CASSY
I'm going to report this to the
phone company.
Cassy hangs up. The look on Doucet's face is great. He
is supposed to work for the phone company. He smashes his
fist through the Compuphone screen.
EXT. SUBURBAN SPLIT LEVEL (VALLEY)
Wade's new cruiser pulls to the curb two houses across from
his family's.
ANOTHER UNMARKED CRUISER sits at end of the block.
INT. OTHER UNMARKED CRUISER (UNIT 45)
Two Detectives. The passenger, CEFALO sleeps. The driver,
MORROW, watches. He quickly nudges his partner.
CEFALO
(waking)
What?
MORROW
There.
Cefalo rises from his slumped position and spots Wade
sitting in his cruiser. He quickly keys the onboard
computer. LAPD vehicle registration on the monitor.
MORROW
It's Wade all right.
Morrow goes for the door. Cefalo holds him back.
CEFALO
Cut him a break. He stopped a 211
yesterday.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade stares at his family's house. Displayed on the
monitor is a Dwell File. Three residents live at the
address shown. Cassy Wade, Kimberly Wade Simpson, and
William Simpson. Wade looks sad and tired. He is
afraid to move. He pulls out his family snapshot. His
hands tremble as he unfolds it. He lays it on the dash.
Squelches the headset.
WADE
Sanchez...?
DISPATCH SQUAWKS.
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
I'm here.
WADE
You treat her nice.
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
(confused)
...What are you talking about...?
WADE
Your girl. Being a cop will be rough
on her.
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
...Have you been drinking?
WADE
Not yet.
Voices call his attention.
WADE
I have to go.
He puts down the headset.
EXT. SUBURBAN SPLIT LEVEL
Willy is having trouble mounting his tricked out BMX. He's
five-years-old, going on 15. Cassy and Kimberly watch at
the doorstep.
KIMBERLY
Need help?
WILLY
I got it. I got it.
KIMBERLY
You sure? I can help you.
WILLY
Ah Mom, you're embarrass'n me.
KIMBERLY
Nobody's looking.
WILLY
Go in the house.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
It takes a second to hit Wade, and when it does, it almost
floors him. He's staring at his family. His wife Cassy,
still beautiful, is now in her mid-forties. His four-
year-old daughter is now a woman of twenty-four. A lump
the size of an apple forms in his throat.
EXT. SUBURBAN SPLIT LEVEL
KIMBERLY
Maybe I should put on the training
whe---
WILLY
Not the 'T' word.
KIMBERLY
Ooops, I forgot.
CASSY
Cars have four wheels.
WILLY
Does this look like a car? This is
a bike. Two wheels. One seat.
Willy pedals away unsteadily.
WILLY
I got it. See ya.
CASSY
Be careful.
KIMBERLY
Bye.
Cassy and Kimberly re-enter the house.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Shaken, wade steadies himself along the dash, holding back
the tears. In the rearview mirror, he can see Willy
approach. Wade panics and STARTS the ENGINE. He's not
ready for this.
EXT. STREET
Willy struggles with the pedals and handlebars. He falls.
Wade jumps out of the cruiser and rushes to his aid.
INT. OTHER UNMARKED CRUISER - UNIT 45
Cefalo and Morrow watch.
EXT. STREET
Wade helps Willy to his feet.
WADE
You all right?
WILLY
Yeah.
WADE
(looking over bike)
Seat's too high.
WILLY
My mom says I'm gonna grow.
Wade laughs. Willy notices the .38 sitting in Wade's
holster like a fashion accessory.
WILLY
Hey mister, you a policeman?
Wade looks confused. Willy stares at his gun. Wade
buttons his jacket.
WADE
Yes.
WILLY
My granddad was a policeman.
Wade wants to say something. But he can't.
WILLY
I'm going to be a policeman.
WADE
What's your name?
WILLY
William Simpson. I like Willy.
WADE
Good to know you, Willy.
Willy mounts his bike.
WADE
Let me help you.
Wade helps Willy balance himself. He runs along with the
bike until Willy is riding by himself.
WILLY
Bye. Thanks.
WADE
Remember, get the seat fixed.
Willy drives off. Wade stands watching him for a moment.
He turns to the house. He wants to step forward, but it's
not an easy walk. He hesitates, walks and then recoils.
He glances back and for the first time notices the other
unmarked cruiser.
INT. OTHER UNMARKED CRUISER
Cefalo and Morrow watch Wade as he crosses back to his
cruiser.
Wade climbs in. He stares at himself in the rearview
mirror.
EXT. STREET
Wade's cruiser door opens. He gets out and walks across
the street determined. CEFALO AND MORROW step out of their
cruiser and stand beside it, watching. They exchange
glances with Wade. Cefalo and Morrow nod their approval.
EXT. SUBURBAN SPLIT LEVEL
Wade stands at the end of the walkway leading to the front
door. He hesitates and crosses the lawn into the backyard.
He stops at a window. Curtains half-drawn. He stares into
the empty living room.
HIS POV - KIMBERLY
Suddenly Kimberly crosses the living room into the kitchen.
Cassy is sitting at the table drinking coffee.
KIMBERLY (V.O.)
Michael called yesterday. He wants
to take Willy for the summer.
CASSY (V.O.)
What did you say?
KIMBERLY (V.O.)
I'd think about it.
BACK TO SCENE
Wade watches, punishing himself. Nothing like looking in
from the outside to depress someone.
HIS POV
Kimberly searches through the refrigerator.
KIMBERLY (V.O.)
Mr. Murphy asked about you again at
work yesterday.
CASSY (V.O.)
(chuckles)
He just wants me to make him cinnamon
cookies like I made for you.
KIMBERLY (V.O.)
I think he wants more than your cookies.
CASSY (V.O.)
Kimberly!
KIMBERLY (V.O.)
Mom, I hate to break this to you,
but there's a whole other species
out there you're neglecting. If
you've forgotten, they're called
'men'. Sometimes referred to in
more colorful language.
They both laugh.
BACK TO SCENE
Wade stands stone-cold. A tear trickles down his cheek.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade climbs in. He looks like a frightened child. He
tries to fight back the tears, but it isn't easy.
INT. OTHER UNMARKED CRUISER - UNIT 45
Cefalo and Morrow climb in. Cefalo keys the Dispatch.
MORROW
(into headset)
Unit 45...
EXT. GALLAGHER'S PACIFIC PALISADES HOME
A Mercedes, BMW and cruiser sit in the driveway.
INT. LIBRARY - GALLAGHER'S HOME
Mahogany wood. Hard covers. Some first editions. No
paperbacks here. Bennett and Davidson eyeball the
literature. The door opens and Gallagher steps in.
Keyed-up. Knotting his tie. Watching his wristwatch
television. Frick and Frack follow tight.
GALLAGHER
Talk fast. Polls open in half an hour.
BENNETT
Wade did a little reminiscing.
Gallagher shuts the door.
GALLAGHER
What is this, the fucking Key-Stone
Cops?!
DAVIDSON
Cefalo and Morrow said he was more
like a spectator.
GALLAGHER
He didn't go in. That's good.
BENNETT
Can't figure. Guy hasn't seen his
family in twenty years.
INT. BACK ALLEY DOCTOR'S OFFICE
One level above condemned. No diplomas on the wall. If
this quack has a license, I'll eat my word processor.
Doucet sits in the middle of the room. Sweating, big time.
Aged. Pained. The DOCTOR steps into the room wearing a
dirty-white lab jacket, holding a miniature full-body X-ray.
DOCTOR
You're aging rapidly. That's all.
Normal Post-Cryo symptoms.
DOUCET
Stop it.
DOCTOR
Wish I could. As you can see, I have
little to work with here. Government
doesn't issue NPA serum to... they
just don't give it away.
(turns to the cash register)
How would you like to pay for the
check-up?
DOOR SLAMS. Doctor spins. Doucet is gone.
INT. NORTH HOLLYWOOD BAR
A low-life watering hole. Smokey air. Sticky tables.
Loners. Whores on a coffee break. Except it's early in
the morning. The BARTENDER watches election news on an
overhead 19-inch. A SLEAZEBAG nurses a half-empty beer.
A WHORE stands by the jukebox. Wade sits at the bar and
drinks.
WADE
(to the Bartender)
I'll have another.
The Bartender nods and gets to work. Pours a whiskey.
Wade looks like a man with serious shit on his mind.
The Whore approaches. Open for business.
WHORE
Hi.
WADE
(over his shoulder)
Hi.
WHORE
Haven't seen you around. Where have
you been all my life, handsome?
Some lines never change.
WADE
Frozen.
Sleazebag snaps to attention.
WHORE
(laughs)
Funny. Would you like to buy me
a drink?
WADE
(reveals his wedding
band)
This little thing says I can't.
WHORE
You could always take it off.
WADE
It's stuck, but thanks for the offer.
The Whore pulls out her medical report. She doesn't give up
easy.
WHORE
Papers. Last Medcheck two weeks ago.
A-1. Disease free. Guaranteed by
the State.
WADE
I don't care if you've got the Good
Housekeeping seal of approval... I'm
not looking for company.
The Whore walks away. Business is bad. The Bartender
sets a glass of whiskey in front of Wade. Sleazebag slides
over.
SLEAZEBAG
Frozen huh? Cryo-Prison?
WADE
Yeah.
SLEAZEBAG
I did two fives on a hit and win.
WADE
(to himself)
Nobody talks normal anymore.
The Sleazebag rolls up his shirt sleeve. His arm is a
mess. A shriveled-up cluster of decaying flesh. Green-
brown. Almost gangrene. Wade cringes.
SLEAZEBAG
Freezer burn.
Wade takes a long drink and throws some cash on the
counter. Leaves.
EXT. NORTH HOLLYWOOD BAR
Wade heads for his cruiser. His portable SQUAWKS. He
picks it up and speaks.
WADE
Yeah.
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
This should make your day. The guy
who testified against you... Dubbs...
was arrested a total number of twenty-
four times.
WADE
So, he's got a thing for prison clothes.
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
That's just it. He never did time.
Seems each arrest was botched for one
reason or another. Judge threw out
the cases each time. Either he's got
a horseshoe up his ass or powerful
friends.
Sanchez groans.
WADE
You okay?
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
(in pain)
Aaah... Mother of Jesus.
WADE
What is it? Your legs? Hands?
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
Hospital food.
INT. SANCHEZ'S HOSPITAL ROOM
Sanchez sits behind a tray of hospital slop. He spits a
mouthful into a napkin. Lap-top on. A photo of Dubbs on
line. Information flashes.
DWAYNE DUBBS
NCP/24 Arrests/0 Convictions
SANCHEZ
(re: hospital food)
You oughta drop by for the lunch
special sometime. You're really
missing something.
WADE (V.O.)
(laughingly)
I've seen what you eat. That stuff
can't be any worse.
Sanchez keys the computer. More Dubbs info appears:
LAPD 9000675
Narcotics
Present Address: 4152 Woodman Ave.
Apartment 602
SANCHEZ
Looky here, seems Dubbs is still in
business.
WADE (V.O.)
What are you doing this for, Sanchez?
SANCHEZ
If you were set up, I want to find
out who did it.
INT. CONVENTION ROOM - LUXURY HOTEL
Gallagher stands center stage. Arms in the air. Waving.
Blowing kisses with Nixon-like charisma. A full house
cheers him on. After a brief moment his entourage hurries
him offstage.
EXT. BACKSTAGE
Gallagher loosens his tie. Roshko forces his way through
the entourage and whispers in Gallagher's ear. Gallagher
steams. Bites his lip. Obviously he's not pleased with
what Roshko's just told him. He heads for the glass
elevators. The doors open. Gallagher steps in. Stops
his entourage.
GALLAGHER
Take next one. I'll be okay.
Meet you on the roof.
INT. GLASS ELEVATOR
Speeds up. Stops halfway to the top. Doors open. Dubbs
stands alone. Nervous. Twenty years older than the Wade
trial video. He steps in. Gallagher is not happy.
GALLAGHER
What was so urgent it couldn't wait?
The elevator doors close. Gallagher hits the STOP button.
DUBBS
Someone's snooping around. My cop
files were accessed.
GALLAGHER
(grins)
Dubbsy, you've been doing too much
of your own shit. You're paranoid.
It's probably just a routine LAPD
computer update.
DUBBS
Well I don't like it. It's never
happened before. Lose my files.
GALLAGHER
I just can't do that, Dubbsy.
DUBBS
You're gonna be Mayor. You could do
anything. Look... I've come through
for you whenever you needed a favor.
Do this one for me.
Gallagher smiles. Pats Dubbs on the cheek.
GALLAGHER
Okay.
Gallagher switches off the stop button. The elevator doors
open.
GALLAGHER
You registered?
Dubbs steps out. Pulls out his voter's registration card.
DUBBS
You're the man.
The doors close. Elevator continues upwards.
GALLAGHER
(beams)
And don't forget it.
EXT. HELIPAD - ROOF - LUXURY HOTEL
A Rotojet idles. Gallagher is met by his entourage and
escorted over to his copter.
EXT. STUDIO CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - SCHOOL YARD
Recess. Willy and a group of friends play ball.
AUDITORIUM
adjacent to the school. Workers are hanging a banner which
reads: VOTE HERE.
A MAN in the distance. Standing stone-like across from the
school. A CLOSER SHOT reveals it is no ordinary man. It is
Doucet. This is how children end up on milk cartons. The
SCHOOL BELL sounds.
INT. CLASSROOM
Willy sits surrounded by his PALS as the TEACHER calls out
the attendance. This class is not over attentive.
TEACHER
Charlie Gibbs... Charlie Gibbs...
GIBBS
(calling out)
Not here.
Everyone laughs. A KNOCK on the door interrupts the
action. Vice-principal ROGER ADAMS steps in. Nothing
like authority to break up the fun.
MR. ADAMS
Good morning.
(gesturing with his
index finger)
Willy Simpson, come with me please.
Willy's eyes go wide. Mind racing, coming up with excuses
for things he never did.
PAL #1
(leans and whispers)
You're trashed, Willy.
Willy crosses the room. Mr. Adams ushers him out.
EXT. HALLWAY
Mr. Adams closes the door.
MR. ADAMS
Don't worry, you're not in trouble.
Your father called and asked me...
WILLY
(startled)
My dad?
MR. ADAMS
He's coming to pick you up. You
have a---
WILLY
My dad lives in New York.
Mr. Adams takes a step back, perplexed.
MR. ADAMS
That's funny...
Willy stares at something in the distance. His mouth
drops. A scared look blankets his face. Mr. Adams turns.
THEIR POV
Like an unwanted relative, Doucet appears with no warning.
He draws his gun. Silencer on.
BACK TO SCENE
SCHOOL BELL RINGS. Flocks of children storm the halls. A
sea of three and four foot scholars. Doucet hesitates from
firing. Mr. Adams grabs Willy's hand and makes a run for
it. Doucet moves after them. Children play. Doucet cuts
through, stepping over pint-sized partiers if he has to.
Mr. Adams and Willy round a corner.
WILLY
Who is that?
MR. ADAMS
Isn't that your father?
Willy shakes his head 'no'. Mr. Adams tugs at his arm,
pulling him down the hall. Doucet on their trail. A
SECOND BELL RINGS. Children dart into their classes. The
hall slowly empties. A TEACHER steps out into the hall.
TEACHER
Hey, you can't bring a gun into---
Doucet FIRES, the force of which slams the Teacher against
a trophy cabinet. Mr. Adams and Willy continue. Willy
trips and releases his grip. Mr. Adams stops turns.
MR. ADAMS
C'mon Willy... c'mon!
Doucet charges, grabbing Mr. Adams and lifting him into
air with one hand. Mr. Adams weeps. Doucet reaches into
his pocket and pulls out a note scribbled in blood.
Addressed to Wade. He shoves the note into Mr. Adams'
mouth.
DOUCET
You will be my messenger.
Mr. Adams moans. Doucet's free hand disappears. The
MUFFLED SOUND of AUTOMATIC FIRE breaks the silence. Mr.
Adams' body spasms. Bye bye Vice Principal. Doucet drops
the body to the floor.
INT. SQUAD ROOM
Portable 8-inch sets on every desk. News Announcers dis-
cuss today's election. Cops keep one eye on their work
and one on the news. Davidson passes through.
DAVIDSON
Anybody know where Wade is?
INT. MEN'S ROOM
Wade stands in front of the mirror. He hesitantly raises
his hand and touches his face. Takes a deep breath.
Getting older in such short time is a lot for one man to
handle. He runs his hand through his hair. Singles out a
patch of grey. Pauses. Spots a tube of black shoe polish
at the end of the sink. Grabs it. Opens it and squeezes
some into his palm. A COP enters and makes a beeline over
to a urinal. He glances at wade awkwardly. Wade runs the
shoe polish over his patch of grey. The Cop steps away
from the urinal and heads for the door.
WADE
Afternoon.
Cop leaves. Wade slides down the wall to his ass. Wraps
his hands around his knees and lowers his head. Ponders.
After a brief moment, he rises and stands in front of the
mirror. Most of the grey is gone, but not all. There is
no hiding his age. He takes a good look at himself. Steps
into a stall.
INT. STALL
Wade sits. He pulls out his family photos and stares at it.
Frowns.
INT. MEN'S ROOM
Davidson bursts in.
DAVIDSON
Wade, you in here?!
INT. STALL
Wade quickly pockets the picture.
WADE
Yeah!
INT. MEN'S ROOM
Wade steps out of the stall.
DAVIDSON
Everyone's looking for you.
Doucet's got your grandson.
INT. SQUAD ROOM
Wade enters. Davidson behind. Gallagher is there. So
are Bennett and Frick and Frack.
GALLAGHER
Just got the call. Took him from
school. Bastard nailed the Vice-
Principal and a teacher.
WADE
Where?
Gallagher hands Wade Doucet's note. Wade opens it. It's
written in blood. Slightly blurred. Almost like a child
using a crayon. Gallagher reiterates what's written.
GALLAGHER
TransAmerica building. Downtown.
Fifteen minutes or the kid dies.
Wade crumples the note.
GALLAGHER
That was two minutes ago.
Wade looks at his watch. He sets the stopwatch mode at
thirteen minutes. Gallagher opens a small case holding a
syringe and a vial. NPA serum.
GALLAGHER
Roll up your sleeve.
Wade heads for the door.
WADE
I'm wasting time.
GALLAGHER
You can't win like this. You'll only
get older. This is what you wanted!
WADE
(over his shoulder)
Not anymore.
Wade leaves.
GALLAGHER
(to Bennett & Davidson)
I want a blanket on this. Behind,
but not too far.
EXT. POLICE STATION
Wade downs the stairs. Adrenaline high. A man repossessed.
Two Cops usher Cassy and Kimberly up the stairs on the oppo-
site end. Women under extreme emotional tension. Tears
flow. Wade stops dead seeing them. Cassy and Kimberly see
him. Time stops.
Twenty years of sorrow expressed in a single glance.
Wade takes a few deep breaths. Hearts pound.
CASSY
(with love that
was never lost)
William!
She calls from the heart. There is sadness, tears and joy
in her voice. Wade doesn't move, and when he does, it's
down the stairs. He can't face them until he redeems
himself.
KIMBERLY
Dad!
Cassy and Kimberly watch as wade dives into his cruiser and
peels out.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade drives like a madman. Make that lunatic. His eyes
sadder than ever. He could be crying, but he hides it well.
EXT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
This cruiser never had it so rough. Swaying in and out of
traffic. Lights flashing. TIRES SQUEALING. Complete dis-
respect for the law.
INT. WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER
Wade glances from the road to his watch. His DISPATCH
SQUAWKS.
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
I just heard.
WADE
He's got my grandson, Sanchez.
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
You be careful.
WADE
I'm signing off.
Wade reaches to turn off the headset.
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
No. I want to be with you.
WADE
No you don't.
Wade shuts off the headset. Pounds the pedal.
EXT. TRANSAMERICA BUILDING - DOWNTOWN
Rising majestically above L.A.'s downtown district. Window
washers scale the 32 stories.
WADE'S UNMARKED CRUISER pulls in and double parks. Wade
bolts out. He heads for the main entrance. His watch reads
little over one minute.
EXT. ROOF (TRANSAMERICA BUILDING)
The WIND WHISTLES hard and cold. The body of a dead Main-
tenance Worker lies face down beside the stairwell doors.
Blood surrounds his chest area. Strapped, spread-eagled to
a small satellite dish, is Willy. A look of stark terror
on his face. Doucet paces back and forth carrying the
AR 2000.
DOUCET
One minute!
Willy trembles with fear. Doucet coughs. The NPA Syndrome
is creeping in. He wipes his mouth. Turns to Willy and
smiles.
DOUCET
Superman can't save you now, little
boy.
On the word "boy", the stairwell door bursts open and Wade
explodes in, full force. Out of breath. Tired. Looking
like shit. Doucet pivots and the two square off. Weapons
aimed.
WADE
Let him go. You've got me!
Doucet laughs.
WADE
(places his gun
on the floor)
I'm putting it down.
Doucet laughs harder. Wade puts his hands in the air.
WADE
Let the boy go.
Wade's right hand goes numb. He massages the joint. Small
pendulous formations appear on his neck. He trembles and
runs his hand through his hair. A fistful comes out. A
small bald spot left on the back of his head. Light scaly
spots form on the back of his hands. There is a slight
droop of the upper eyelids and inward turning of the lower
ones. Loss of fat causes wrinkles and folds in his
once-taut muscular frame. He enters his late thirties.
Doucet continues laughing.
WADE
(painfully)
You want me. He's nothing to you!
DOUCET
He's your blood.
A tremor of pain runs through Wade's leg. He grabs his
thigh and cringes in pain. Doucet lays down the AR 2000
and marches forward.
DOUCET
You hurt me. Now I'm going to hurt
you. It's time to die.
Wade is virtually helpless. Doucet slaps him hard across
the face, sending the Cop to the ground. Wade coughs.
His breath is unsteady. Doucet kicks him full in the
chest. Wade spits out blood, having suffered damage of
a structural nature to his ribs. Attempts to withstall
Doucet's assault are interrupted by the sudden re-arrange-
ment of Wade's left wrist. This Cop is getting his ass
wiped. Doucet moves even quicker. All elbows, all knees,
like an animal. Willy screams from the sidelines. Doucet
lifts Wade into the air and hurtles him across the room.
Wade rolls off the roof. His hands grasp the ledge. Down
is bad. Down is far. Down is death. With the reserves of
his strength, Wade struggles to pull himself up. Doucet
charges.
NFA syndrome hits Doucet like a runaway train. Pain shoots
right through him. He screams as he ages five years right
before Wade's eyes. Into his fifties. Wade takes advan-
tage. He comes up and rolls barrel-like, rising to his
feet. He double-hands Doucet in the gut, staggering him.
Wade compliments that with the same to the back of the
monster's head.
Both men are aging. Big time. Doucet to sixty. Wade to
mid-forties. It makes the fight that much more painful and
tiring. Doucet rabbit punches. Wade blocks and coils.
Stiff arms and coils. Doucet's knees hit the ground.
Wade grabs his head and forces it into his knee bone.
Wade manifests combat acumen of startling proportions.
Doucet goes down for the count. Wade turns to Willy.
Doucet grabs his leg and brings the Cop down hard. Doucet
rises and kicks wade in the gut. These are field goal
kicks. High and hard. He bounces across the roof like a
bean bag. Doucet stops and picks up the AR 2000. Wade
tries to move, but he can't. He and Willy's eyes meet.
Defenseless and beaten, Wade lies in crippled agony.
DOUCET
Playtime's over.
Wade turns and faces the dangerous end of Doucet's gun.
WHUP-WHUP-WHUP-WHUP-WHUP. A ROTOJET rises beside the
building.
PILOT (V.O.)
Drop your weapon. You are locked
on target and under arrest.
Bennett and Davidson burst through the stairwell door.
Guns aimed.
BENNETT
Freeze!
Doucet swings the AR 2000 around and side-steps over to
Willy. Bennett FIRES. A bullet rips into Doucet's thigh.
He winces but doesn't stop. Doucet sticks his Buck M9
under the boy's chin.
DOUCET
The boy dies.
Wade rises sluggishly.
WADE
Don't shoot.
PILOT (V.O.)
Simon Doucet, you are locked on
target. Release the child.
DOUCET
Say good-bye, Wade!
Wade hobbles over to the ledge.
WADE
(calling out to the Pilot)
Don't shoot!
BENNETT
(into portable)
Hold back! The kid's too close!
Doucet cuts the restrainers that bind Willy to the
satellite dish. He takes the kid's hand. A loud
MECHANICAL SOUND interrupts the action.
A WINDOW WASHER rises beside the building. Standing
on an electric scaffold.
WADE
Get back to work!
Doucet pulls Willy back to the scaffold and grabs the
AR 2000. The Window Washer pushes the lever down.
Doucet stops him.
DOUCET
Leave!
The Window Washer steps off. Doucet steps on. Willy in
tow.
WADE
Don't take the kid!
Doucet mans the lever. The scaffold lowers. Wade, Bennett
and Davidson race over to the ledge. The scaffold scales
the building. Doucet laughs.
BENNETT
(into portable)
Follow him.
The Rotojet slowly descends. Wade leads the pack to the
door.
INT. CORRIDOR
Wade charges forward and punches the elevator "down"
button, impatiently. Bennett and partner on his heels.
Wade heads for the stairwell.
BENNETT
Hey, that's 32 flights of stairs!
You're crazy.
Wade pays no attention to Bennett.
INT. STAIRWELL
The door flings open and Wade enters. He looks down. An
abyss with stairs. Wade should have listened to Bennett.
He grabs hold of the railing and starts down.
EXT. TRANSAMERICA BUILDING
The Rotojet follows Doucet and Willy on the scaffold.
Twenty-odd stories to go.
INT. LAW OFFICE SUITES
Wade darts through the maze of offices and partitions. A
SECRETARY follows him.
SECRETARY
Mister... you can't... excuse me...
Wade bursts through the office of a senior partner.
INT. SENIOR PARTNER'S OFFICE
A silver-haired EXECUTIVE sits beside his antique desk.
Talking on the telephone. Wade takes him by surprise.
SENIOR PARTNER (EXECUTIVE)
(hand over the receiver)
Wait a... hold on a second...
Wade draws the curtains.
SENIOR PARTNER
What do you think...
Outside, the scaffold is lowering. Doucet and Willy
appear. A chilling grin on the psychopath's face. He
presses the knife against Willy's throat. The ROTOJET
follows in the b.g.
WADE
Bastard.
Wade races out of the office.
INT. STAIRWELL
Wade shoots down a flight of stairs. Dizzy, exhausted, his
body strained to the limit. He slumps against the wall to
steady himself. Spots a fire hose coiled up against the
wall. Without hesitation he rips open the fire box, and
hauls out the hose. Drops it down the stairwell. Looks
down at his ingenuity.
WADE
(to himself)
It's not over yet.
He grabs hold of the hose, steps off the railing and slides
down the rest of the stories. Broken. Beaten. He should
be dead.
EXT. TRANSAMERICA BUILDING
The scaffold comes to a stop on street level. Doucet grabs
Willy and runs. The Rotojet follows. The sparse crowds
watch the action.
ROTOJET (V.O.)
Please, stay indoors. Everyone, go
inside!
Sennett and Davidson storm out of the building. Guns
drawn.
A cadillac parks along the curb in front of a fire hydrant.
A BUSINESSMAN opens the door and is met by Doucet who
yanks him out.
BUSINESSMAN
Hey... what the...
The Businessman wises up and races away after seeing
Doucet's high-powered friend.
FIRE HYDRANT (V.O.)
(from voice modulator)
You are in direct violation of
Municipal Ordinance...
Doucet shoves Willy into the car, spins and triggers the
AR 2000. STRAFES the fire hydrant.
FIRE HYDRANT (V.O.)
Thank you for obeying...
The hydrant EXPLODES. Bennett and Davidson FIRE. Doucet
FIRES. A BUS APPROACHES. The big kind. Two sections.
Sixteen wheels. Wade exits the building.
WADE
(shouting to Cops)
Stop shooting!
Davidson stops a wild bullet the hard way. He falls back-
wards clutching his chest wound. Doucet drives away.
BENNETT
(leaning over his partner)
How is it?
DAVIDSON
Stings.
WADE
Stay with him.
Wade races off. Bennett calls for an ambulance over his
portable. The bus stops. Unloads passengers. Wade steps
in.
INT. BUS
Wade flashes his badge to the Driver.
WADE
I need this bus. Now!
The Driver hesitates. Wade climbs up the bus stairs.
WADE
It's okay. I'm in the Union. RTD
employee number 55643 dash A.
The Driver gets up.
BUS DRIVER
She's all yours, pal.
The Driver exits. Remaining passengers disembark early. A
STREET BUM sleeps in back. Wade mans the wheel and closes
the door. He knows the mechanics well. Like a seasoned
pro he puts the dinosaur in gear. If you've forgotten,
his Rehab Training was to be a bus driver.
EXT. STREET
The bus pulls away from the curb in pursuit of Doucet.
The Rotojet follows overhead.
INT. ROTOJET
Battle Mode. The PILOT lows the two vehicles closely.
PILOT
(to Dispatch)
...traveling West on 8th Street.
Request road block corner 8th and
Western...
DISPATCH (V.O.)
Roger.
EXT. STREET
The bus closes the gap between the Cadillac and itself.
Wade handles the wheel like a veteran RTD employee.
INT. BUS
Wade turns hard. The Street Bum falls to the floor.
Rises groggily.
STREET BUM
Is this my stop?
He heads for the front of the bus. Sees the chase.
STREET BUM
Go get 'em boy.
Wade looks back. Does a double take.
WADE
Get down.
Wade spins the wheel. The street Bum is thrown into a
seat.
INT. DOUCET'S CADILLAC
Doucet pounds the pedal. Blood cakes around his thigh
wound. He coughs. Willy sits curled up against the
passenger door.
INT. BUS
Street Bum behind Wade.
STREET BUM
Make a left there. You'll cut
him off.
Wade looks back. Cringes. Returns to the chase. Up ahead
there's help.
EXT. STREET
A road block. Ten cop cruisers. Cops stand at attention,
holding high-powered rifles. Doucet's Cadillac tears up
the road. The bus behind. Rotojet overhead. No where to
go but jail.
INT. DOUCET'S CADILLAC
Doucet's lifeless eyes stares down the Cops. His hands
tighten their grip on the steering wheel.
EXT. STREET
Doucet's Cadillac strikes the roadblock at 100 mph+.
Cruisers forced apart. Glass, paint and metal everywhere.
The Cadillac spins out in a cloud of smoke. The crumpled
hood flies off. Doucet fights the skid, slowing to a stop.
He climbs out. Willy jumps out and runs to safety.
INT. BUS
WADE
(to Street Bum)
Hang on.
Street Bum grabs a seat. Watches wide-eyed. Yells in
excitement as...
EXT. STREET
The bus plows through the roadblock, bearing down on
Doucet. Doucet pivots, swings the AR 2000 over his
shoulder and hops onto the bumper of the speeding bus.
Wade spins the wheel, trying to force Doucet off. Doucet
brings the AR 2000 forward and proceeds to blow away the
WINDSHIELD, dicing it to smithereens. Waves the gun like a
wand, strafing 'X' patterns, FIRING all the while he hangs
on with his free hand.
Wade ducks. Street Bum hits the floor, cussing a blue
streak. Doucet EMPTIES a FIFTY ROUND CLIP. BULLETS CHIP
away at the front of the bus, leaving pockmarks. Empty,
Doucet tosses the useless weapon aside. Wade rises.
EXT./INT. BUS
Wade FIRES his .38. BULLETS RICOCHET off METAL as Doucet
darts the fire. Two find their way into his shoulder.
One full in the chest. He swears, loses his grip momen-
tarily, but somehow hangs on. The Rotojet bears down on
the bus.
PILOT (V.O.)
Sergeant Wade, pull over. Stop your
vehicle and arrest your suspect.
BACK TO SCENE
Doucet reaches into his overcoat and pulls out the compact
Stinger missile launcher. Aims it at the Rotojet. Looks
to Wade, smiles and FIRES. Rotojet is hit. It spins into
an air whirlpool. Smoking. SCREAMING. Pieces rain.
EXPLODING INTO A FIREBALL.
BACK TO SCENE
Doucet struggles to climb into the bus. Wade kicks him
back out. Shifts gears. With one arm, Doucet balances
himself. Blood stains his clothing. This is not fun.
Not even for Doucet.
DOUCET
(with a maniacal
gleam in his eye)
Arrest me. You've won.
Wade drives faster. He removes his belt with one hand.
DOUCET
Arrest me.
Wade loops the belt around the steering wheel and attaches
the other end around the hydraulic door lever. He turns
the steering wheel and releases his grip. The belt
strains, holding the wheel steady. He lodges a piece
of broken metal between the seat and gas pedal.
DOUCET
Bring me in. Be a hero.
WADE
I'm not in the cops and robbers
business anymore!
Wade sounds the HORN. Climbs out of the driver's seat.
He heads towards the back of the bus. Doucet turns. The
bus races towards the side of a warehouse. A concrete
wall. For once, the look on Doucet's face is one of sheer
fright.
The bus, moving at about 75 mph+, EXPLODES into the wall,
completely destroying the first section. Doucet makes his
first good impression. It'll take weeks to find his body
in the wreckage. The second section is left undamaged.
The back door opens and Wade steps out. He walks away,
never looking back. He's in rough shape. Cop cruisers
appear.
A ROOKIE steps out of the first cruiser to stop.
ROOKIE COP
(calling out to Wade)
Hey, old timer. Wait a minute.
There was a cop driving this thing.
Where is he? Who are you?
WADE
(over his shoulder)
Wade. Sergeant Wade.
Street Bum steps off the bus. Smiles like a kid coming off
a ride at Magic Mountain. Rookie Cop rushes to his aid.
STREET BUM
This was the best two-fifty I ever
spent.
INT. SANCHEZ'S HOSPITAL ROOM
A Nurse walks in. Carrying a tray of pills. Sanchez is
gone.
EXT. HI-RISE APARTMENT - WOODMAN AVENUE
An ambulance stops. Sanchez hops out. Bandages off. Face
scared.
INT. APARTMENT
Dubbs sits with a cute BROAD. Melting a bizarre drug.
Having a ball. A KNOCK on the door interrupts the
festivities. Dubbs rises. Opens an armoire. Inside is
a Bad Ass's collection of weapons. Old and new hardware.
Dubbs grabs an old pistol. A .38 to be exact. Crosses
over to the door.
DUBBS
Who is it?
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
Avon Lady!
On that, the door comes CRASHING down. Right on top of
Dubbs. Broad screams and runs. Sanchez stands on the door
putting pressure on the Bad Ass's chest.
SANCHEZ
My man Dubbs.
DUBBS
Who are you? What the fuck do you
want?
Sanchez lifts Dubbs to his feet. Dubbs cringes at
Sanchez's torn-up face.
SANCHEZ
I want to ask you a few questions.
DUBBS
No, you're not model material.
(smiles)
Anything else?
Sanchez slugs him. Takes Dubbs' .38 and pockets it.
SANCHEZ
Funny guy.
DUBBS
Fuck you - fuck you.
SANCHEZ
You helped set up my partner, Sergeant
William Wade. I want to know who put
you up to it.
DUBBS
Your mother.
Sanchez grabs him.
SANCHEZ
Tsch, I was hoping this'd be a lot
easier.
You know, I get the feeling Wade's rubbed off on our
Rookie. Sanchez is acting like a cop. Unpredictable.
Tough. I like it. I like it.
EXT. HI-RISE
Sanchez tapes Dubbs' hands and upper body to the back of
the cruiser. Mouth over the exhaust pipe. Dubbs' eyes
go in fright.
SANCHEZ
Perfect fit.
He pulls out a breath mint. Puts it in Dubbs' pocket.
SANCHEZ
For later.
Sanchez crosses over to cruiser.
SANCHEZ
You sure you don't want to talk.
Dubbs' eyes stare and say no. Sanchez sits down in the
open cruiser. Starts punching numbers into the ignition
panel. Dubbs sweats as each digit is registered. Sanchez
hums. Dubbs growls. He's ready to speak. Sanchez smiles.
Crosses over and rips the tape off. Dubbs spits. It
gets quiet real fast. Sanchez wipes his face.
SANCHEZ
For that I'm going to rev the engine.
He re-tapes Dubbs' mouth. Heads for the driver's seat.
Dubbs mumbles. His eyes reveal he's ready to squeal.
Sanchez removes the tape once again. This time protecting
himself from flying phlegm.
DUBBS
Okay... I'll talk.
Sanchez rips open his shirt. Reveals a tape recording
device taped to his body. Dubbs takes a deep breath.
That's because he's in deep shit.
SANCHEZ
Speak up.
DUBBS
It was Wade's old partner... Gallagher.
He was behind it all.
Sanchez freezes. Great look on his face. He's got a
million questions which are about to be answered.
DUBBS
I worked for him... still do. Said
he'd make sure I was left alone if I
helped put Wade away. He kept his
promise for twenty years.
SANCHEZ
Prepare for a change in lifestyle.
Sanchez rams Dubbs' face into the bumper. The bad ass
snaps out cold.
INT. POLICE STATION
Wade walks. TWO BEAT COPS approach him.
BEAT COP #1
I'm sorry, Wade...
Beat Cop #2 snaps open a pair of cuffs. Wade calculates
the situation. He should've expected this. Gallagher's
that type of guy.
BEAT COP #1
...Gallagher wants you brought back
to Cryo-Prison.
WADE
I did my job. I'm free.
Beat Cop #2 moves to cuff Wade.
BEAT COP #1
I'm sorry. That's his orders.
Wade rises. Throws Beat Cop #2 into the back wall. Beat
Cop #1 goes for his gun. Wade brings him down. With a
nifty hand-foot combo. Wade spins. Simultaneously every
Cop in the precinct cocks their laser weapon. Wade head-
butts the first Cop to approach him. He's not going to go
down without a fight. Three Cops tackle him. He wrestles
them off and continues. Goes for the door. Just as he's
about to open it, he comes face to face with a nasty
weapon. The owner is a big Cop.
BIG COP
Freeze or you're dust.
Wade has nowhere to go but Cryo-Prison.
EXT. POLICE STATION
Wade is ushered over to an idling cruiser. Handcuffed. It
takes six cops to escort him. Things look dim... until a
SIREN WAILS. Everyone spins. An AMBULANCE SCREAMS into
the cop parking lot. Headed straight towards Wade. The
Cops dive for cover. The ambulance SCREECHES to a stop.
The passenger door is flung open. Sanchez drives. Wade
is truly surprised.
SANCHEZ
Hop in.
Wade doesn't waste any time. He dives in. Sanchez PEELS
OUT. Cops rise. One grabs his dispatch.
INT. AMBULANCE
Sanchez drives with one hand. Helps Wade out of his cuffs
with the other hand.
WADE
You should be in hospital.
SANCHEZ
And you should be with your family.
Sanchez glances from the road to Wade.
SANCHEZ
You were right. You were set up. It
was your ex-partner... Gallagher.
The news hits Wade like an A-bomb. Sanchez tosses Wade
Dubbs' .38.
SANCHEZ
Old Faithful.
EXT. WAREHOUSE WRECK
A huge tow truck slowly pulls the bus out of the wreckage.
It RUMBLES and STRAINS. Bennett is in command of the Cop
Work Crew. A slew of ambulances and fire trucks stand at
the ready. News vans appear. The tow truck drags the bus
away. Bennett charges. Followed by a team of cops. Ready
for anything. They step over the rubble. Glance around.
Bennett looks puzzled.
BENNETT
Where the hell is the body?
A COP calls out. Panic in his voice.
COP
Over here.
Bennett crosses over. The cop stands looking down at
Doucet's overcoat. It's torn and tattered. The body is
gone. Bennett's reaction is filled with horror.
BENNETT
Oh shit.
INT. BALLROOM
Tons of Gallagher supporters. Gallagher campaign posters.
Gallagher pennants. Gallagher buttons. MAYOR INGRIM
stands on stage at a podium making a speech. Behind him
sits Gallagher, his wife and kids. All smiles. Frick and
Frack in back. Press cameras click. Cheers all around...
MAYOR INGRIM
...I've known this man for many
years, and in some ways it's com-
forting to know that I am passing
the torch to such a dedicated...
BACKSTAGE
Wade and Sanchez walk. Eyes fixed on the stage. Two Cops
try to stop them. Wade back-elbows one into the wall.
Sanchez the other. Another Cop tries to tackle them from
behind, but Wade sends him crashing into a stack of chairs.
Wade and Sanchez approach Peebles.
WADE
I want Gallagher!
INT. PARKING GARAGE
A TELEPHONE REPAIRMAN walks up to a GUARD. Helmet on.
Head down. Decked out in gear.
GUARD
Can I help you?
DOUCET (TELEPHONE REPAIRMAN)
(voice muffled)
I got a call about a problem with
your lines.
GUARD
I don't know anything about a
problem.
Telephone Repairman raises his head... and wouldn't you
know it, it's Doucet. He looks like he went through a
meat grinder. Guard gasps at the Telephone Repairman
from hell.
DOUCET
I'm your problem.
He reaches out. Headbutts the Guard and snaps his neck.
INT. BALLROOM
Peebles walks hunched over to Gallagher. He whispers in
his ear. Gallagher shakes his head. Peebles insists.
He gestures off-stage.
THEIR POV
Wade and Sanchez stand in the wings.
BACK TO SCENE
Gallagher can't believe it. A "Holy Jesus" look sweeps
his face. He whispers to his wife and follows Peebles
off-stage. Frick and Frack trail.
MAYOR INGRIM
...his leadership has been an
inspiration.
Gallagher leans over to Peebles and whispers.
GALLAGHER
I'm going to need help.
OFFSTAGE
Peebles walks. Gallagher approaches Wade and Sanchez.
Frick and Frack stand tough. The new mayor is uncom-
fortable. They stand in front of a campaign poster that
reads:
HONESTY & INTEGRITY
THAT'S HIS MIDDLE NAME
VOTE RAY GALLAGHER FOR MAYOR
Gallagher turns to Sanchez. Takes a deep breath.
Sanchez's face is too much. Gallagher doesn't have a
strong stomach. He turns to Wade.
GALLAGHER
(irritated)
What is it? I'm about to go on.
WADE
We have to talk.
GALLAGHER
I heard about today. Good job. I'm
all for capital punishment.
(beat)
Why don't you go home and see your
family?
WADE
That wasn't your plan, was it?
GALLAGHER
What are you talking about?
Gallagher nervously glances around.
WADE
You were planning to send me back
to the ice house.
(beat)
You set me up.
GALLAGHER
You're crazy.
WADE
You were the dirty cop... and I was
on to you. You panicked. Afraid
I was going to expose you... so
you shut me up.
Gallagher's slowly being taken down.
GALLAGHER
I don't want to hear anymore.
WADE
You stole the heroin out of the
evidence room and planted it on
me. I was iced. What better way
to keep me from talking. Stop me
if I'm wrong.
Peebles walks up with a couple Beat Cops in tow. Rebecca
and Roshko behind.
GALLAGHER
You have no evidence.
(to Cops)
Arrest this man.
SANCHEZ
You want evidence. I'll give you
evidence.
The Beat Cops move in. Wade backs up. Sanchez rips open
his shirt. Reveals the tape recorder. Hits the "PLAY"
button.
DUBBS (V.O.)
It was Wade's old partner... Gallagher.
He was behind it all.
SANCHEZ
Put that on your political resume.
Gallagher panics. Grabs one of the Beat COP's guns and
pulls Rebecca close. Shoves the barrel to her temple.
Hasn't she taken enough abuse from Gallagher already?
Wade draws his .38 and trains it on Gallagher. Peebles
interrupts.
PEEBLES
Sir---
GALLAGHER
Shut up!
(to Wade)
Drop it.
Wade refuses. Takes careful aim. Gallagher cradles the
trigger. Rebecca sweats buckets.
GALLAGHER
Drop it or she's dead.
Wade grits his teeth. Gallagher's dead serious. Excuse
the pun. Wade throws the .38 to the floor. Gallagher
smiles. Back steps.
BACK TO SCENE
Mayor Ingrim winds down his speech.
MAYOR INGRIM
...Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud
to give you the new Mayor of Los
Angeles... Ray Gallagher.
The crowd ROARS its approval. A standing ovation.
Gallagher steps out of the wings with Rebecca. Wade
and Sanchez follow. The crowd gasps. Reporters do what
they do best. Gallagher's crazed. He waves his gun
around the room. Cops appear. Frick and Frack don't
know what to do.
GALLAGHER
Get back. Get back or I'll do her
right now.
Rebecca shits bricks. Gallagher's going to explode any
second now. Sanchez offers Wade his laser handgun.
SANCHEZ
Use this. You can't miss.
Wade looks over the futuristic weapon. It's a far cry from
his .38.
SANCHEZ
G'head. It's user friendly.
Wade gives in to technology. Takes the gun. Switches it
on. It's an unbelievable weapon.
WADE
(under his breath)
Welcome to the 21st century, Wade.
Wade aims the laser targeting. Gallagher uses Rebecca as
his shield.
GALLAGHER
Get back.
Wade squints. Two-hands the weapon. Aims.
WADE
(to Rebecca)
Spread your legs.
Rebecca's frightened. Probably pissed in her pants by now.
Wade's asking her to spread her legs. She looks at him
weird. A "whaaaa?" look on her face.
WADE
Spread 'em!
She does. Wade FIRES. Nails Gallagher in the leg. He's
thrown back. Wade FIRES another into Gallagher's wrist.
His weapon falls. A Cop grabs it. Gallagher slams into
the wall and collapses. Wade scoops up his .38.
ROSHKO
(re: Gallagher)
Someone call a MEDIVAC.
Wade walks. Snaps off his cop badge. Hands it and his
.38 to Sanchez.
WADE
You can have it. I won't need it
in my new job.
Wade heads backstage. Frick and Frack help Gallagher to
his feet, when all of a sudden Doucet lunges from behind
the backstage curtain. Full of rage. Everyone moves in
slow motion. Gallagher stands in muted terror. Frick and
Frack spin. Kai Ling readies his Aikido. Screams and
charges. Doucet nonchalantly straightarms Kai Ling.
Withdraws a telephone cord from his pouch. Twists it
around Kai Ling's neck and with one tug ends his life.
Dokes springs into action. Doucet grabs him and shoves
an industrial pair of wire cutters into the man's chest.
Gallagher slithers into a corner. Doucet approaches.
GALLAGHER
No... No... No... Please... Wade!
Wade!
BACKSTAGE
Wade walks. Ignores the plea. Sanchez grabs him.
SANCHEZ
Doucet's back.
Wade spins. This is a big surprise. Sanchez hands over
the .38.
SANCHEZ
You're going to need this.
BACK TO SCENE
Gallagher is reduced to a sniveling, whimpering mouse.
Doucet grabs him. Lifts the Mayor off his feet.
DOUCET
I want to congratulate you on your
win.
With his free hand, Doucet pulls out his double barrel
handgun. Gallagher cries. Closes his eyes. TWO SHOTS
RING out. The recipient staggers back. Totters. Screams
as another BULLET enters his throat.
If you're wondering who got the lead, it's Doucet.
Gallagher opens his eyes. The first two bullets pierced
his suit and hit the monster. Wade is some shot. He
continues BLOWING HOLES in Doucet. Determined to end the
man's nightmare of a life. Finally Doucet hits a television
camera. Spins. Falls spread-eagled onto a chair.
Coughs blood. Wade steps up. Triggers. His gun is empty.
Doucet lurches forward. Grabs Wade. Nails him into the
wall. Throws him over a row of chairs. Wade hits the
floor. Buried beneath metal chairs. Doucet pulls him out.
DOUCET
One... question... before I kill you...
Wade is pulled face to face with Doucet.
DOUCET
...Why do... they call you... Demolition
Man...?
SANCHEZ (V.O.)
Because he demolishes things, asshole.
Doucet spins. Sanchez stands behind him. Laser weapon
aimed. He FIRES. One shot does the trick. Doucet falls
back with the chair. He jerks once and then dies.
EXT. SUBURBAN SPLIT LEVEL (VALLEY)
Twilight. Willy is adjusting the seat on his BMX. Wade
pulls up and steps out. He's in his mid-forties.
WILLY
(delighted)
Grandpa's home.
Willy races into Wade's arms. Cassy and Kimberly walk out
of the house. Wade puts Willy on the ground. Silence.
For a moment Wade stares into Cassy's eyes. Then he pulls
her over, taking her in his tight embrace. Kimberly and
Willy surround them. This is nice. This is love.
INT. CRYO-PRISON FACILITY X23-55
HOLD ON an Inmate Pod. Gallagher on ice. Chilled black
lifeless eyes. Glossy face. Sequestered between a Child
Molester and a Necrophiliac. He fits in perfectly.
DATA BANK READS: RAYMOND GALLAGHER
78-55439832-CVX
SUSPENDED: MAY 09, 2018
TEMPERATURE: - 320
CELLULAR ACTIVITY: 0
REHAB TRAINING: SANITATION ENGINEER
His eyes glare at us. They are full of evil. In a
Cryogenic state he poses no threat. Or does he...?
FADE OUT.
THE END
