EXT. NEW YORK CITY - NIGHT
Opening credit sequence plays against :
The busy streets of Manhattan. Pizza guys tossing the
dough.
Cabs pick up passengers.
Doormen wave greetings.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - NIGHT
Central Park's trees blow in the wind.
People walk in the park on the tracks.
A gang hovers over a bridge, heckling people.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SUBWAY - NIGHT
Commuters still linger in the subway waiting for a train.
A tollbooth attendant reads a paperback.
A train roars by, the sound of which mixes into.
PAN DOWN TO:
INT. MAIN STREET, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
The roar of the train can be heard overhead.
SIMPSON, an exec of about 45, balding on top wearing a
three piece suit, is sitting on a 1890's style park
bench. He is out cold. He starts to stir. He lifts his
head, it appears as if it is day time. He looks around
him.
SIMPSON's P.O.V. - The overhead lights are so bright, it
simulates a mid day noon sun. There are even Dusk sky
colors and clouds painted on the ceiling.
SIMPSON is very confused....
He looks around him to see several multi colored
buildings and he appears to be on a checkered red and
white brick road between two rows of buildings. He sees a
miniature castle at the end of the road that is about
1/50th scale of another similar theme park.
The whole room is about 600 yards long and it gets small
as you go near the castle. There is a Merry Go Round just
to the left of castle and there are only four doors on
the entire street. One labeled "Movie Theater", the
second labeled "The Old West", the third "Fantasy Land"
and the last labeled "The Real World". The ceiling is as
high as a high school gymnasium.
From beside the miniature Castle comes a giant human
sized SCRAPS THE DOG.
A theme song starts to play over the intercom.
ANNOUNCER
(cheesy, generic announcer
voice over the loud speakers)
Ladies and gentlemen, the official
mascot of Murderland.... Scraps the Dog
!
Scraps is a human sized fluffy human in a dog suit.
Scraps looks friendly as he waves and moves stiffly like
he's animatronic. SIMPSON starts to laugh to himself.
Then as the song is playing, Scraps pulls out a Tommy Gun
and starts to shoot at Simpson.
ANNOUNCER
Choose the doorway that starts you on
your magical journey into
(the voice turns from cheesy
to evil)
MURDERLAND !
Simpson ducks, and glass breaks behind him from a store
window.
As he hides behind the bench, the Merry Go Round starts
on and the horses begin to fire bullets as well.
Simpson is forced to go toward the Movie Theater. He goes
in, barely missing the bullets.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
We see the action on television monitors. This room is
set up like a Newsroom with about twelve T.V. monitors
and computer counsels and mixing boards. At the controls
in this dark room is BRUCE, late thirties, unshaven and
cold as ice.
Behind him are JOHNNY, his assistant, mid twenties and
semi Italian looking, and lurking in the shadows is ZACH,
a corporate ass kiss who wears $600 shoes and wears GQ
glasses with his Armani suit.
The room is colored with blue light from the monitors and
the electronic lights surrounding all the computer
consoles. Behind the two seat console is the couch where
Zach is sitting. This room is impeccably clean.
JOHNNY
I didn't think he'd make it past
Scraps.
BRUCE
Let's just see if he can make it into
round two....
Johnny pulls out a bag of chips and starts to eat a
handful. Bruce shoots him a look.
BRUCE
Don't.
JOHNNY
(chomping on the chips)
What ?
BRUCE
Don't eat at the console.
JOHNNY
(mouthful of chips)
What ? Are you my mother ?
BRUCE
It's my control board and I don't want
it acting squirrelly because you
dropped a few crumbs into the keyboard,
no put the shit away.
JOHNNY
Yes, sir Mom.
(puts the chips down)
INT. MOVIE THEATER, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
SIMPSON is panting and stops to catch his breathe. A
Black & White silent film is playing on the big screen.
The movie playing is showing the making of Murderland.
There are only about four or five rows of seats.
ANNOUNCER
(from the movie screen)
Have a seat Mr. Simpson ! Murderland
was created in 1987. Taking the
original 82nd street subway station
which was abandoned in 1913, our
engineers were able to construct all
thirty rides in less than......
The doors all close and lock. Simpson looks panicked. He
claws helplessly at the doors.
He sits at one of the seats and gets an electrical shock
that would kill a small animal. He falls to the floor,
when he looks up he sees at one of the doors, the exit
light flickers on and off.
He goes to it. The door opens.
ANNOUNCER
(from the movie screen)
..... all thirty rides and attractions
! Our engineers have built.....
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
BRUCE is working the controls.
BRUCE
Never underestimate a man who cheats on
his taxes. His file says he is an avid
jogger.
JOHNNY
You've got to be kidding me ! His lazy
ass couldn't win the special Olympics.
INT. HALL OF DOORS, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Simpson is limping his way down the hall. There are doors
of varying sizes and shapes on either side of him.
Some have light emanating from behind them, some don't.
It's important to note that there is no other light other
than the light coming from behind the doors. Other than
that it is pitch black in here. Only the doors present
themselves.
ANNOUNCER
(over speakers)
Mr. Simpson, so many doors, so many
choices. Which do you prefer ?
The floor and ceiling begin their hydraulic rise/fall
toward Simpson. The closing makes a grating, mechanical
noise.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Chose wisely and with expediency !
Simpson is panicking, there is no easy choice. His brow
is covered in sweat and he starts to shake.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND
Johnny rolls his chair back and slaps his hand to his
head.
JOHNNY
He'll never get it right. Try the Log
Ride !
BRUCE
Not yet.
JOHNNY
But, he's...
BRUCE
I said NO.
Johnny gets up and walks to the back of the room.
Zach listens intently to the dissention.
On the monitor we see Simpson grabbing at a door that's
locked.
INT. HALL OF DOORS, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Simpson moves on the the next door. It's locked
He moves to the last door on the left side.
He opens it. He gets knocked all the way against the
other side of the hall by a spike. He is impaled by a
four feet long, one foot wide metal spike.
Blood drips from his corpse on the opposite wall.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
BRUCE
Stop the hydraulics.
JOHNNY
(returns to his console,
pressing several buttons on
the keyboard)
Got it.
On the monitor we see the floor stop rising.
ZACH
(polishing his glasses)
Is that it ?
BRUCE
Yeah, I'd say that's it.
JOHNNY
He has a phone pole sticking in his
chest, I think we don't need an
autopsy.
ZACH
I'm just looking for our best
interests. May I have the tapes, Bruce
?
BRUCE removes a VHS tape from the deck.
BRUCE
(holds the tape as Zach tries
to take it)
Doesn't it bother you to see this kind
of brutal death ? I mean , I can
understand the old man's infatuation
with the stuff, but not you.
ZACH
I'm an investment banker. I see blood
bathes everyday. Besides, mine is not
to question why, min is but to do or
die.
BRUCE
No one has a gun to your head.
Unamused, Bruce let's go of the tape.
ZACH
Might I suggest going a little easier
on them ? It will prolong the end and
our benefactor will be more pleased if
we could elongate the inevitable.
Bruce just stares at him in contempt.
BRUCE
Johnny, let's get the cleanup started.
JOHNNY
You've got it boss. One more mangled
body to the East River, coming up !
ZACH
I must be going. Gentlemen....
Zach leaves and Johnny escorts him out.
EXT. FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY - DAY
We follow ZACH as he walks down a street and enters an
office complex for ......
Establishing Shot : FIRST BANK
INT. FIRST BANK LOBBY - DAY
TRACKING SHOT: Zach enters wearing the usual plush Armani
and his GQ glasses. He nods to security as he goes into
the elevator. This is a multi billion dollar bank he
works at.
The lobby has plush marble floors and the expensive
furniture that goes with being in the 9th largest
commercial bank worldwide. There are all dark, expensive
suits, all almost oblivious of each other walking to and
from.
INT. 44TH FLOOR, FIRST BANK - DAY
Zach exits the elevator. He must go to the other end of
the building to take the elevator to the penthouse.
He sees SAUNDRA, a mid twenties brunette who is wearing a
very mini skirt. She is all business, but definitely has
sexuality oozing from her pores. She is standing at the
water cooler with another exec named JUDY, 38 and a
little heavy set.
JUDY
So have you seen Simpson ?
SAUNDRA
No, why ?
JUDY
He missed a meeting this morning.
Simpson hasn't missed a meeting in
three years.
SAUNDRA
Maybe he had a better offer.
JUDY
It doesn't matter much. There's such an
incredible turnover here...
(sees Zach approaching from
elevator)
Be careful, major kiss ass approaching.
Zach approaches and Judy exits.
ZACH
Good morning.
SAUNDRA
Good morning.
ZACH
Did you see what the First Bank stock
opened at ? Very impressive.
SAUNDRA
Actually it's down .2 from the last
quarters highest, but I think it will
pick up.
ZACH
I am equally impressed with your
knowledge of the market. How long have
you been with the company now ?
SAUNDRA
Four years. I came over from the
Capitol merger in Chicago six months
ago.
ZACH
Were you involved in the incident where
that guy killed himself in his office ?
(her silence answers the
question)
I am sorry. Perhaps we should have
dinner tonight to.... discuss your
future.
Saundra is not blind to the innuendo.
SAUNDRA
Perhaps not. I have to work on the PRD
merger tonight.
Enter MATTHEW, a temp in his early twenties and an
incredible smart ass.
MATTHEW
Good golly miss molly you are looking
good today !
SAUNDRA
Thank you.
MATTHEW
I meant him.
SAUNDRA is mildly amused with Matthew and this is a
tension causer for Zach. Zach has no tolerance for
anything not work related.
MATTHEW (CONT'D)
Just look at this tie. You could fry an
egg off that orange, yow. Have you ever
considered the Jerry Garcia line of
ties ?
SAUNDRA
Excuse me, gentlemen
SAUNDRA leaves, giggling at the tie.
ZACH
Might I remind you Mr. Parker, that you
are a temporary employee and I hope you
have no aspirations of becoming
permanent.
Zach exits toward his office.
MATTHEW
Thank you sir, have you ever considered
Mydol for that attitude. It takes the
edge off.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
This is a big money bank, so the furnishings are
extravagant. The giant oak wood table is in the center of
this room and a giant glass window facing the park can be
seen.
Saundra is at the table with about twenty other N.D.
executives. They are watching the latest internal video
from CEO JOHN C. McCAY.
On the video we see a nice little creek and pasture
setting and wearing jeans & a sweater McCay sitting near
a wooden fence.
JOHN C. MCCAY
Hi. I'm John C. McCay. I am proud to
have the new PRD team join the family.
We all know that we grow everyday.
Together we can make First Bank work
for you.
The video ends with McCay giving the camera a thumbs up
and the graphics saying "First Bank Works For You !".
Fred Thomison, 45, stands up and turns the monitor off.
He turns to the waiting executives
FRED THOMISON
Well ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
(over SPEAKER PHONE)
Fire the whole division.
FRED THOMISON
Excuse me, sir ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
(still over speaker phone)
Fire the whole division. We're moving
more of the operations division into
Manhattan anyway. Whoever is left over
from the conversion is no longer
needed. We already have all the key
people here. Anyone else is expendable.
FRED THOMISON
Sir, I came from the Chicago offices
myself, and if I may say, sir, there
are still some very good....
JOHN C. MCCAY
(over the speaker phone &
more than a little irritated)
If you want, I can fire you and have
someone else who has the balls
terminate these worthless people. Which
will it be ?
FRED THOMISON
We will start work on it now sir.
There is a rude, unacknowledged click from the speaker
phone, then dial tone. Thomison turns the line off.
FRED THOMISON
Anyone know where to start ?
ZACH
(O.C.)
I do.
All eyes turn to Zach in the door.
ZACH
We start with the top and work our way
down. We start with the high salaries
and then just let the little people go.
No need to make the blue collars go
crazy.
SAUNDRA
I disagree. I think we should start
looking into the severance pay
schedules and make sure the people with
families can.....
ZACH
Look, Miss. I know you're still upset
about that incident in Chicago, but
understand, this is a cut throat
business. We don't have time to play
nursemaid to every single Tom Dick and
Harry.
SAUNDRA
Maybe we should make the time.
Especially considering the sixteen
million dollars we have set aside
expressly to settle law suits from
these very events.
The whole room sits still for a moment.
FRED THOMISON
(democratically)
Let's put it to a vote. All those in
favor of cutting loose without the
proper relations to our old co workers
? Put your hands up.
Only Zach raises his hand.
FRED THOMISON
That about covers it then. Now the next
order of business will be.....
CUT TO:
INT. CEO PENTHOUSE, FIRST BANK - DAY
This goes way beyond posh here. There are exotic
paintings (originals) and lots of open spaces. Elephant
tusks and other hunter type trophies. This is definitely
a man's office from a man who suffers from penis envy.
He has all the high brow, multi millionaire furnishings
in dark wood and an outside fountain and arboretum. This
room is at least three thousand square feet.
ZACH enters with his briefcase in hand.
From outside enters, John C. McCay, president of First
Bank. He's in his mid to late fifties and all gray hair
and a little portly. He wears glasses and presents
himself as having power.
JOHN C. MCCAY
Zachory ! My boy, how goes the carnage
down on 44 ?
ZACH
Not that well sir. I believe we have a
few too many soft hearts in the
building. Did we aquire a bank from
Chicago or a charity ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
Relax, son. They'll learn in time that
you don't fuck with First Bank. This is
the real deal and we aim to keep it
strong. My Daddy always told me that
Only The Strong Survive.
ZACH
I thought that was Darwin, sir. Or
perhaps Nietzsche ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
Perhaps it was. I was in boarding
school for so many years, it's hard to
remember. Do you have the tape of the
latest exploits from my favorite
hobby ?
ZACH
Yes sir, I do. Last night's, fresh from
the Park.
JOHN C. MCCAY
I have to say, that I am glad you are
such an amazing kiss ass.
ZACH
Thank you , sir. Sir, may I ask you a
question ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
Of course.
ZACH
While I am not morally against these
little, shall we say "hobbies", as long
as I am on the payroll, but why not
something like a yacht club ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
Zach, how old are you, son ?
ZACH
I am thirty two.
JOHN C. MCCAY
And how much do we pay you annually ?
ZACH
I make roughly four hundred thousand a
year.
JOHN C. MCCAY
Zach my boy, I can spend your yearly
salary in a blink. I have had that kind
of money all of my life. If I wanted
to, I could fly to Paris for the
afternoon.
(starts to pace)
My father formed this company over
seventy years ago. When my brother
became mentally challenged, it was put
in my charge. Now running a bank of
this size is very stressful. I need to
relax on what little down time I have.
A yacht club will not quite make my
blood pressure decline. Understand ?
ZACH
Yes sir.
JOHN C. MCCAY
I have entrusted you with a great many
things. In your tenure with this
company you have seen and heard things
that could upset the very economic
world in which we live. I think this
kind of loyalty should be rewarded.
ZACH
Thank you, sir.
John C. McCay reaches into his desk and hands Zach a pen
set.
ZACH (CONT'D)
Thank you, sir. I was really hoping for
shares, or possibly cash... but this,
this is really personal.
JOHN C. MCCAY
Son, let's watch the tape.
INT. JOHN C. MCCAY'S VIDEO LOUNGE, FIRST BANK - DAY
John C. McCay and Zach sit on a couch in a soundproof
room in the penthouse office suite. The big screen T.V.
replays the demise of SIMPSON. Zach watches as stoically
as he did the previous night. John C. McCay watches like
a pervert watching a porno. He is excited. As the tape
ends...
JOHN C. MCCAY
That was rather.... disappointing.
ZACH
I had suggested that they tone down the
program so that the "guests" might take
longer to expire.
JOHN C. MCCAY
I want more action. I want to see more
ingenuity than that. I want to see the
injured man out wit the machines !
ZACH
But sir, most of the people we are
putting into the "Park" are accountants
that embezzle or investment bankers.
They are not known for their physical
or intellectual prowess.
JOHN C. MCCAY
I don't believe Ol' Bruce is having as
much fun with this as he once did. He
still insists on the "guests" being of
the more nefarious type.
ZACH
That's right, sir. He does a thorough
background check and if he finds them
to be criminal or guilty of
embezzlement, then he will put them in
the park. He has refused the last three
suggested "guests".
JOHN C. MCCAY
What about that time when the mail room
kid was accused of stealing and we put
him in the "Park" ? Wasn't that a
computer glitch ?
ZACH
Yes sir. It turns out we put an
innocent man into the "park" and he was
not the one who stole from the stamp
machine. That is also about the time
when Bruce began refusing.
JOHN C. MCCAY
That mail room kid was the longest
lasting "guest" yet ! Maybe we can
alter the computer records and make
another "guest" from the more athletic
of our staff.
ZACH
Bruce may still refuse. It is my belief
that he is becoming more belligerent.
The CEO contemplates this for a while.
JOHN C. MCCAY
I propose we consider a hostile take
over. Perhaps Ol' Bruce is in need of a
new job opportunity.
ZACH
What do you mean sir ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
What if we were to put Bruce into the
Park as a Guest ?
ZACH
Sir ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
I'll bet that would be the Park run of
the century !
ZACH
Sir, he created the Park. He would know
how to circumvent any of the traps.
JOHN C. MCCAY
I'm willing to bet that even the
creator can't out wit his creation.
ZACH
What then sir ? What would we do with
the park with out Bruce ?
JOHN C. MCCAY
Do you think the assistant, what's his
name...
ZACH
John, sir.
JOHN C. MCCAY
Yes, do you think he would like a raise
and a new position ?
ZACH
Sir, this is not like firing any
employee. We can't predict what will
happen.
JOHN C. MCCAY
That my boy, is the best part. Life on
top of the world is boring...
predictable. If I wanted life without
chances, I never would have paid for
Murderland. Now go. Make a formal
proposal and see about the assistant.
Find out if it's viable.
Zach begins to go into the elevator.
After he's gone. McCay opens up a video library named
after former employees who have entered Murderland.
INT. 44TH FLOOR, FIRST BANK - DAY
Zach walks out of the elevator again. He sees MATTHEW
flirting with Saundra. Although his face won't betray it,
Zach is very jealous of this.
MATTHEW
Come on, I'm serious. Look at Wilma.
She's this frail little thing, and
Fred, I mean Fred Flintstone is this
BIG guy. He has to be hung like a
horse, and THAT's why Wilma puts up
with his B.S.
SAUNDRA
I've never heard the Flintstones
reduced to a sexual exploitation quite
like that. You're funny.
Zach is right on the other side of the cubicles from
them. He can hear clearly, but they don't know he's
there.
MATTHEW
Listen, I was thinking, you know. Would
you go, it's I think you're...
SAUNDRA
Do you want to go out with me ?
MATTHEW
It's sounds so much better when you say
it. I'm semi traditional here, and it's
important that I ask. Will you go out
with me ?
SAUNDRA
Yes.
MATTHEW
Really ? On a date ?
SAUNDRA
Yes.
MATTHEW
This is too easy, I mean I had a speech
prepared, then I even wore these pants
because I could get on my knees to
grovel.
SAUNDRA
As appealing as that sounds...
MATTHEW
Dinner at my place then ? Say, seven
o'clock ?
SAUNDRA
Sure.
Saundra leaves.
From the next cube leans over JEFF,24 and a little
unshaven and wearing a loud suit and tie. Jeff is equally
free of any real responsibility.
JEFF
I can't believe she said yes !
MATTHEW
I know. Normally I'd have to spend
weeks laying down the leg work to land
a beautiful baby like that.
JEFF
You are so lucky that Zach didn't get
there first.
MATTHEW
You mean Mr. Bad Ties ? I wasn't
worried about him. He's one of those
guys who has a wardrobe but no
personality. Saundra doesn't want that.
She wants someone who can MAKE her
laugh. Not someone she can laugh AT.
They both crack up at this and ZACH walks away.
INT. MAIN STREET, MURDERLAND - DAY
Bruce & Johnny are repairing the Merry Go Round of horses
that fire bullets. There are tools and parts lying about.
Bruce is wearing only a tank top and is using a wrench on
the large piece of the motor.
Johnny looks very bored and is twirling a 9 millimeter
pistol like a cowboy.
BRUCE
Hand me the 3/8ths.
JOHNNY
Here. Am I ever going to get to run the
controls for one these capers ?
BRUCE
When I think you're ready.
JOHNNY
When will that be ?
BRUCE
When you are ready.
JOHNNY
Look, you're going to have to start
trusting me sometime. I am a
trustworthy person.
BRUCE
Trust is earned not given away.
JOHNNY
RESPECT is earned not given away, trust
is given away to anybody.
BRUCE
Not down here. I'll start trusting you
when I feel there the time is right.
It's not personal, it's just survival.
JOHNNY
I've been working with you for four
years, don't you think that's worthy of
at least one turn at the controls ?
BRUCE
No.
Johnny gets up and walks around him.
JOHNNY
I made my bones on the street, you
know. I did Riglioni in his own house.
I was made in the Family, okay.
BRUCE
And who bailed you out when a hit was
put on you, you sorry sack of shit. Who
put you up ? Who gave you a job ?
JOHNNY
You did.
BRUCE
That's right. Now who needs to trust
who ? Trust me, when you're ready to
work the controls, I'll put you in the
hot seat.
Johnny stands for a long moment.
JOHNNY
I just think that maybe I am.....
Bruce just sighs out loud and then turns a switch and the
Merry Go Round horses begin to fire right towards JOHHNY.
They hit right at his feet. He dances a little jig around
the bullets
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
Jesus Christ ! Stop Stop Stop !
They stop, and Bruce is laughing hysterically.
JOHNNY
You asshole ! They could have missed !
INT. NIGHTINGALE'S BAR - DAY
This is a small bar in an alley in Manhattan. It looks as
though no one has entered it in decades. It's run down
and dusty. The lights are off.
Zach enters through the front door. He sits at the bar.
JOHNNY comes in from the back.
JOHNNY
Hey, Mr. Executive. Buy you a drink
sailor ?
ZACH
We have new "guests" for the park. I
have a file on them. May I see Bruce ?
JOHNNY
He's been expecting you.
He points the way to the broom closet. They go in and the
back of the closet opens up into an elevator.
Both of them enter.
INT. ELEVATOR, MURDERLAND - DAY
This elevator is like the service elevators at the back
of a hotel that only the janitors see, only smaller. It
can barely fit these two.
Zach curiously looks at Johnny.
JOHNNY
You got a fucking problem ?
ZACH
No. I was just curious if what I heard
about you is true ?
JOHNNY
What did you hear ?
ZACH
Only that you were one of the finest
hit men in the mob. That if you wanted
a good clean kill, that Johnny Tortelli
was the man for the job.
JOHNNY
I was.
ZACH
Might I ask why you no longer work for
the mob ?
JOHNNY
There was a bit of confusion on one of
my last jobs.
ZACH
I thought, and correct me if I'm wrong,
but weren't you trying to play both
sides ?
JOHNNY
What are you looking for ? A blow job ?
ZACH
No. I am not a homosexual.
JOHNNY
Then what do you want ?
ZACH
Have you ever considered running your
own "Park" ? I mean, since you will not
be returning to your former profession.
JOHNNY
I didn't think even this company could
afford to write off enough to build a
new "Park".
ZACH
We can't.
Zach pauses, he hits the stop button on the elevator.
ZACH
Are you happy with your salary and
position ?
JOHNNY
No I am not.
ZACH
I had hoped you would say that. I have
a proposal for you.....
JOHNNY
I'm listening.
INT. FIRING RANGE, MURDERLAND - DAY
Bruce is firing away at the paper targets. Zach and
Johnny enter from the elevator. Johnny takes up a place
next to him.
This is a two man firing range about 100 yards long in a
small rectangular room.
BRUCE
Good morning. What do you have today ?
ZACH
I have an embezzler and his accomplice.
Zach opens his briefcase and hands over a file in a
manilla folder. Bruce takes it and opens it up. We see
MATTHEWS face on a B&W photo, and the next picture is of
SAUNDRA from he security badge.
ZACH (CONT'D)
This young man is a temporary in our
accounting department and he has
managed to steal a large sum of money
through the wire transfer system. He is
sleeping with one of our account
executives to gain passwords. We
believe she is in on it.
Bruce contemplates this. Johnny fires off several shots.
He gets a lot better accuracy than Bruce does.
BRUCE
I'll do the standard research and have
them in by midnight, pending any
unforseen problems.
ZACH
Good. Nice to see you, Bruce. Johnny.
Zach exits.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND - DAY
Bruce is concerned. He logs into the company computer and
begins to check files.
JOHNNY
What's wrong ?
BRUCE
I just want to double check the facts.
The computer blips up a screen of accounts and personnel
files.
BRUCE (CONT'D)
I see here that this guy has made
deposits into his own account for the
last four months. Each one in the
amount of $100,000. He then puts in
deposits into his girlfriends account.
JOHNNY
So ?
BRUCE
He already had a balance of $600,000.
JOHNNY
He probably has a history of this shit.
BRUCE
Yeah, maybe.... Let's start the
background checks. Let's see where they
live and what kind of security
systems....
JOHNNY
Matthew lives on the Upper West Side,
kinda posh for a temp don't you think ?
BRUCE
Any priors ? Any police record ?
JOHNNY
Checking..... Hah ! He has a shit load
of unpaid parking tickets...
BRUCE
Parking tickets ? That's it ?
JOHNNY
Yeah, but we're talking 43.
BRUCE
A real criminal.... I still think
that's our in... What about her ?
JOHNNY
Checking........
INT. MATTHEW'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Matthew is running around his apartment, throwing clothes
into a closet and hiding stuff under the couch.
Matthew lives in a decent apartment with black leather
sofa and matching chair, exactly what a bachelor would
have.
The Felix the Cat clock reads 6:59 PM
The doorbell rings. Matthew runs to the door, and whacks
his knee on the corner of the table. (very Peter Sellers
style). He gets to the door, trying not to cringe in
pain.
He opens the door. It's Saundra, looking absolutely
beautiful.
MATTHEW
(trying very hard to be suave) Hello.
SAUNDRA
Hi. I brought some wine.
MATTHEW
Thank you, won't you come in ?
SAUNDRA
Thanks.
As soon as she enters & he's behind her, he winces in
pain from his knee.
She walks across the room toward the window.
SAUNDRA (CONT'D)
What an incredible view !
SAUNDRA
MATTHEW
Thank you.
He limps horribly & painfully toward her. She spins
around and he goes upright pretending to be smooth.
INT. MATTHEW'S DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Matthew is prepping food in the kitchen while Saundra is
at the table.
He brings out the main course, it's chicken . He tries to
be smooth and cut it, but jabs his finger instead. He
winces, but tries (remember TRIES) to remain cool.
SAUNDRA
Are you okay ?
MATTHEW
Yes, Excuse me for a second.
SAUNDRA (CONT'D)
You have a real nice place... how can
you afford this working as a temp ?
Matthew is jumping up & down in pain while she looks
around the room again.
She turns toward him and he straightens up.
MATTHEW
Well, I make good investments, I lead a
double life as a secret agent.. I....I
... I have very rich parents. I have
always had a lot of money.
SAUNDRA
If they're so rich, why are you working
at all ?
MATTHEW
I just want to have something that's
mine, you know ? It's like living off
of their money is fun and all. There
are certain materialistic needs that I
have that can only be satisfied with
that extra little scratch.
SAUNDRA
Like what, a Porsche ? A Ferrari ?
MATTHEW
Would that impress you ? I mean you're
the kinda woman that probably has
Ferrari written all over your personal
ad.
SAUNDRA
Actually, I'm more interested in the
man behind the wheel more than the
manufacturer. So what is it that you
have that makes you a materialistic
fool ?
MATTHEW
My own sit down Star Wars arcade game.
Wanna play it ?
It sits in the corner of the room. We hear the familiar
voice in the game say "The Force Will Be With You....
Always".
INT. HALLWAY, MATTHEWS APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
We see Bruce & Johnny dressed as policemen, they knock on
the door.
INT. MATTHEW'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Saundra is playing the arcade game. Matthew is right
beside her.
MATTHEW
Okay, now go under go under it ! Shoot
Vader's Tie Fighter ! Get Him Get Him !
SAUNDRA
Yahoo !!!!!
Matthew gets up and goes to the door.
He is staring down Bruce & Johnny in their police
uniforms. This will play almost like an episode of COPS.
BRUCE
Are you Matthew Parker ?
MATTHEW
Yes, can I help you ? Maybe a donut or
something ?
BRUCE
That's very funny, sir. You are under
arrest.
MATTHEW
Hey , Hey !
Johnny moves in behind him & begins to cuff him.
BRUCE
You have 43 unpaid parking tickets,
sir. You have the right to remain
silent, anything you say can & will be
held.....
SAUNDRA
What's going on ?
BRUCE
Please don't be alarmed, Ma'am.
MATTHEW
Kojak here is arresting me for unpaid
parking tickets.
BRUCE
43 unpaid parking tickets, sir.
SAUNDRA
You don't have anything better to do ?
There a rapists & murders out there and
you came out here to arrest him for
parking tickets ?
Johnny steps behind her. He places chloroform over her
mouth. She struggles. She manages to elbow Johnny in the
gut & he goes down.
MATTHEW
Run !
Bruce kicks Matthew in the gut & he goes down. Saundra
tries to get past Bruce, but he overpowers her. He puts
his chloroform over her mouth and she tries to hit him,
but to no avail.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. NIGHTINGALES BAR - NIGHT
Bruce is carrying Saundra in over his shoulder. He places
her on the floor next to where Johnny throws MATTHEW.
Bruce is now wearing his normal black attire and a dark,
thin trench coat.
BRUCE
No matter how many times I wear one of
those fucking uniforms, I'll never get
used to it.
Johnny looks at his boss in a devious way. Johnny preps a
syringe behind his back without looking.
BRUCE
That about does it. I'll take them
down.
Bruce is leaning down over Saundra, checking her face.
Johnny leans in and injects Bruce with a syringe in the
back of his neck.
JOHNNY
Nighty night, boss.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Johnny is turning on all the monitors and turning various
knobs and controls.
Zach is typing into his laptop.
Johnny sits down in Bruce's chair.
JOHNNY
So who are these people with the Boss ?
ZACH
Just a temp who pissed me off and a
girl who turned me down for the night
of her life.
JOHNNY
Aren't you the bitter one.
INT. MAIN STREET, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
The bright as day lights are fading in.
Bruce starts to stir on the ground. He starts to get on
his knee.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Johnny has his back turned to the monitors, checking on a
few system checks. Zach is there, observing.
ZACH
(seeing Bruce trying to
stand)
How long till the drug wears off ?
JOHNNY
We should have another fifteen minutes
at least.
ZACH
Bruce has just awaken.
JOHNNY
What ?????
Johnny turns around in a panic.
INT. MAIN STREET, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Bruce is struggling to stand. His hand is on his head.
Beside him is Matthew and Saundra.
Saundra begins to stir as the sound system booms a voice.
ANNOUNCER
(very loud over the P.A.)
Welcome to Murderland ! Where death is
a fun experience for one and all !
BRUCE
(to Saundra)
Get up. Get up !
SAUNDRA
Where are we ?
BRUCE
No time. Get him up.
Bruce starts to move toward the Movie theater.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND
Johnny is furiously pressing buttons.
JOHNNY
Shit !
INT. MAIN STREET, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Saundra leans over to Matthew and tries to shake him.
MATTHEW
Not now, Mom.
SAUNDRA
Wake up, we're in trouble.
Matthew is groggier than the other two were.
MATTHEW
Hey... did we uhm, you know....
SAUNDRA
No ! Just get up. This is serious.
Matthew looks around. He is more than surprised at the
similarities to a certain Theme park in Orlando, FL.
MATTHEW
How did we get to Disn....
Feedback permeates from the sound system.
JOHNNY
(V.O. from P.A.)
Try not to fight too hard, boss !!!!
From beside the miniature castle comes Scraps the Dog.
MATTHEW
Well that's ....
Scraps begins to fire his tommy gun.
Matthew and Saundra get by the hail of bullets to the
door near the Movie Theater. Then the Merry Go Round
begins to fire. They get forced in.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND
JOHNNY
I told you this would be easy. Just
like a maestro.
INT. MOVIE THEATER, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Bruce is already inside.
SAUNDRA
Hey, you ! What the hell is going on ?
MATTHEW
What the hell kind of cop are you ?
Bruce ignores them.
The B&W movie begins playing.
ANNOUNCER
(from Movie Screen)
Murderland was created in 1987. Taking
the original 82nd street subway station
which was abandoned in 1913, our
engineers were able to construct all
thirty rides in less than......
Bruce runs straight to a seat in the third row. He
reaches underneath and pulls out a 9mm pistol. He checks
the clip, then locks and loads.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND
Johnny tries to speedily zoom in on Bruce to see what
he's doing.
ZACH
What is Bruce doing ?
JOHNNY
I don't know.....
INT. MOVIE THEATER, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Bruce gets up and methodically shoots the two video
camera's in the corners of the room.
Matthew screams, Saundra just plugs her ears.
INT. CONTROL ROOM, MURDERLAND
The monitors for that room go dead.
ZACH
What was that ?
JOHNNY
He must have had a gun stashed. God
damn it !
ZACH
We can't afford too many surprises.
JOHNNY
He'll never make it out of the park
alive. I promise you that....
INT. MOVIE THEATER, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
Matthew feels dizzy.
MATTHEW
I gotta sit down, I have a headache.
He tries to sit.
BRUCE
NO. Don't. You'll get a shock from hell
if you touch that seat.
MATTHEW
Who are you anyway ? What the hell is
this ?
BRUCE
Just shut the fuck up.
Bruce is trying to pry the door with the flickering exit
light to open. It comes open a moment later. He runs into
the Hall of Doors.
SAUNDRA
I think we should follow him...
MATTHEW
I just need to sit and think for a
second.
INT. HALL OF DOORS, MURDERLAND - NIGHT
As Bruce walks slowly and cautiously in, Saundra walks
behind him several paces.
MATTHEW
(from Off Camera)
OUCH !!! GODDAMMIT that hurts !!!!
BRUCE
(whispers to himself)
I told him not to sit down in
there.....
Matthew limps in
SAUNDRA
Are you okay ?
MATTHEW
Fine, fine, I feel like a chicken
McNugget.
The door locks shut and the lights dim.
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