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The Walking Cripple
by J.J. Pardo (walkingcripple@comcast.net)

Rated: R   Genre: Comedy   User Review: ****
Steve is a dare devil willing to become a stunt man. His best, yet conniving friend Tom, dreams of becoming a director. When Steve's dreams come true, he makes it big in Hollywood, becoming a millionaire. But, one dark day, Tom comes to Steve with a screenplay featuring just one stunt for Steve to star in. Once the stunt goes awry, this leaves Steve in a condition where he is unable to do stunt work anymore. After days of depression, only one thing is on his mind for Tom--Revenge!


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced.



FADE IN:

EXT. ROAD IN ARIZONA OF THE ROCKIES - DAY
                                                            
WE SEE plenty of hills and mountains from a distance.

STEVE, OUR MAIN CHARACTER, AROUND HIS LATE TWENTIES, sits on
a Honda Z-R1. The speedometer increases as he increases
speed.

He approaches a one hundred foot drop at the end of the
cliff. He speeds over the cliff. The bike starts to spin in
the air, and he falls off the bike. He and the bike crash on
the ground. He slowly gets up, painfully. He starts to run
away from the bike. After a few moments, the bike blows up
as Steve tries to catch his breath. He looks at the
explosion with fear.
                                                            
                       DIRECTOR (O.C.)
      (loudly)
Cut!
                                                            
Two of the CREW runs up to Steve with panic. They help him
off the ground, as he gets up with mild pain. He walks
forward, full of dust and minor bloody scratches around his
face.

He looks brave.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
      (bad mood)
See that guy right there? That’s
me. Yeah that’s right, “Mr. Balls
of Steel”. I use to be tough shit,
and well, now, I’m working in a
minimum wage, dirty restaurant.
                                                            
 
INT. "BIG CRISP" RESTAURANT, PRESENT - DAY
                                                            
Steve sits at a seating booth waiting for customers in
boredom. His right arm, from shoulder down, happens to be
artificial.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
It was called “Big Crisp”. They
served chicken and all the colored
you could get. It was the only job
they would let a one-armed low
life like me in.
            (MORE)

2.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
                                                            
JONAH, A QUITE LARGE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MANAGER OF THE
RESTAURANT, walks up to Steve.
                                                            
                       JONAH
      (angry, yelling at
       Steve)
How many times do I have to tell
your white ass to wash the
counters? I have waited on my ass
for several…
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
In case you’re wondering, that’s
my boss, Jonah. He’s the only guy
that would give me a job after my
incident and controversy, due to
the fact he don't know the half of
it because he lives in this
restaurant with no TV, no radio,
no air conditioning, nothing but a
cardboard bed and a public
restroom.
                                                            
 
EXT. PARKING LOT, BIG CRISP - DAY
                                                            
Steve walks down the parking lot, holding his “Big Crisp
Chicken” uniform in his left hand over his shoulder.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
Sure, I’ll tell you the once-known
legend of “The Walking Cripple”.
It’s one of my favorites, just
enough to put me in a bad mood.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE'S APARTMENT - DAY
                                                            
Steve opens the door to his cheap apartment. It appears very
messy and disorganized, stains all over the place, with
rotted walls and a water dripping ceiling.

He throws his uniform on the ground and walks toward the
kitchen.
                                                            

3.

                       STEVE (V.O.)
I had it good, but it went down
the drains due to one simple prick
that came into my life.
                                                            
He walks to the refrigerator and opens it. He looks around.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)(cont'd)
He’s getting all the fame and I’m
stuck in the life of shame.
                                                            
On the top shelf of the refrigerator, he grabs a gallon of
milk. He opens it up, and drinks it from the bottle. He
drinks about half the gallon, and puts it back in the
refrigerator. He walks away and burps extreme.

He walks into his family room and lies slowly onto his
ripped up brown leather couch. He slowly closes his eyes.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)(cont'd)
It all started when I was eight
years old, in a little
subdivision…
                                                            
 
EXT. SUB DIVISION, FLASHBACK - DAY
                                                            
Kids play all sorts of different activities in assorted
houses.

Steve, 8 YEARS OLD, stands in the middle of the street,
holding a skateboard.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
There’s me, Steve Cane. I was
never a painful kid, just looking
for action.
                                                            
He sets the skateboard in front of him on the ground. He
stands on it, forcing his way forward. He rides faster as he
goes, but stumbles at times.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)(cont'd)
I never really knew how to
skateboard, just one screw up
after another. But, due to my
mother pumping me full of pain
pills, Demerol being one of them,
I never cared how much damage I
received. As far as my old man, I
            (MORE)

4.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
never really knew him, he was just
was around when he wanted to,
which wasn’t much.
                                                            
Steve speeds up. Suddenly, he hits a rather large crack on
the street, causing him to fly off the skateboard, landing
head first on the pavement, rolling sideways down the middle
of the road on his back.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (grunts and sighs,
       to himself)
Oh, damn.
                                                            
He lies down, holding his head in pain. Then, an
uncontrollable motorbike, going at least 20 miles per hour,
ride over Steve’s stomach.
                                                            
Kids stand quietly in shock. Steve struggles as he stands
himself back up. His t-shirt has a skid mark going across
the center. He winces in some pain and holds his rib cage,
feeling bruised, maybe broken. he also feels short of
breath.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
I’m all right! Don’t worry!
                                                            
Kids resume to make noise and play.

TOM KOHN, Steve’s best friend, runs up to him from a large
house.
                                                            
                       TOM
Steve? Are you okay?
                                                            
                       STEVE
I’m fine. I’m just worried my mom
will get mad at me with a ruined
shirt. I got this last Friday.
                                                            
                       TOM
You’re not fine. You look messed
up. Now, for a mom that actually
cares, says that a little bit of
good Aspirin will fix those cuts
right up, and some ice packs may
do the trick.
                                                            

5.

A FAT NOSY BOY sitting in a chair in front of his house
interrupts.
                                                            
                       FAT NOSY BOY
      (yells and laughs
       at Steve)
Ha! You dumb ass!
                                                            
Steve looks at him with displeasure, but ignores it. He
turns back to Tom.
                                                            
                       STEVE
No it won’t. I heal very easily.
In fact, I can’t even feel my pain
now.
                                                            
                       TOM
You’re messed up.
                                                            
They both walk away, laughing toward Tom’s house.
                                                            
 
EXT. SCHOOL BASKETBALL COURT, FOUR YEARS LATER - DAY
                                                            
Many kids play around the basketball court.

Steve and Tom, now 13 YEARS OLD, play basketball. They just
dribble it, and pass it back and forth.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
As I grew older, I learned that
the talent I had should be put
more into use, not just for
accidents, but purposely. It was
my special gift from God to make
me money.
                                                            
Steve passes it quickly to Tom. Tom dribbles it.
                                                            
                       TOM
You know Steve, I've been friends
since we were both shitting our
pants, right?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Yeah.
                                                            
                       TOM
Well I was just wondering, after
all these years, why do you take
so much shit from all the other
            (MORE)

6.

                       TOM (cont'd)
kids?
                                                            
Tom shoots the ball and it bounces off the rim. It falls
toward Steve. He catches it.
                                                            
                       STEVE
What are you talking about? I
don’t take any shit from nobody.
                                                            
Steve shoots the ball rather hard.

The ball bounces off the rim hard and slams Steve in the
face. He has no reaction. It bounces to Tom. He picks it up.

                                                            
                       TOM
Exactly what I mean. Since you
think you’re immune to pain, you
think you can get more friends
just by getting hurt.
                                                            
Tom passes the ball to Steve lightly. Steve smacks it to the
side.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Look, my dream is to become a
stunt man. And a stunt man needs
practice for his movies, and I
can’t feel any pain what so ever,
or at least when I do, I don’t
give a shit that it’s there. I’ll
do anything a person asks me to
do, just to make him happy. It’s
my big dream.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (smiles)
You know Steve that actually
sounds like a good idea. But, I
got an even better one. When we’re
old enough, I can be your manager.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (confused)
My manager? Do you mean a director
or something?
                                                            

7.

                       TOM
Yeah, that sort of thing. I’ll
write the stunts for a movie, and
you’ll do them. It would make us
all sorts of money, and, for the
kinds of stunts you do, we will be
the most famous people in the
Hollywood industry today!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (smiles)
Sounds like a great idea, when do
we do this?
                                                            
                       TOM
When we go to college obviously.
                                                            
ANDREW, STEVE'S SKINNY, STONED FRIEND, runs up to Steve
behind him from a distance.
                                                            
                       ANDREW
      (excited, yells to
       Steve)
Yo, Steve!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (turns to Andrew)
What’s happening Andrew?
                                                            
                       ANDREW
The guys and me were wondering if
you wanted to play a little one on
twelve?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Sure!
                                                            
                       ANDREW
Sweet!
                                                            
Steve runs to Andrew. Tom remains to dribble the ball and
shoot it in the basketball net.

Behind Tom, we see Steve climbing on Andrew’s shoulders,
sitting on them.

Kids laugh as Andrew raises Steve's head under a basketball

8.

net. The boys cheer in excitement.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (yells with
       excitement)
Come on you girls, let’s see what
kind of arm you got!
                                                            
A boy whips a dodge ball at Steve’s face rather hard. Steve
shows no reaction.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Come on you little shit heads, I
know you guys can do better than
that!
                                                            
Another boy, JAMES, has a basketball in his hand. He
dribbles it with anger.
                                                            
                       JAMES
Prepared to be screwed up you ass
kisser.
                                                            
He throws it very hard, using all of his force. It hits
Steve’s face harder than expected, but still no reaction
from Steve except a minor noise bleed.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Only queers make that hit!
                                                            
PRINCIPLE STEW, A TALL, SEXY FEMALE, walks through the crowd
of kids toward Steve with her arms crossed.
                                                            
                       PRINCIPLE STEW
      (furious)
Steve, what on earth do you think
your doing?! Go to the office
ASAP. This is a suspension for
you!
                                                            
Andrew kneels down as Steve jumps off of his shoulders.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (cocky)
Hey, it just makes my career a lot
easier.
                                                            
He walks away grinning.
                                                            

9.

                       STEVE (V.O.)
And it wasn’t just my Principle
who thought my life was stupidity,
it was my mom.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
STEVE'S MOM, NANCY, A SEXY BUT BITCHY HOUSEWIFE, walks
around the living room fast in anger. HIS DAD, BILL, A SHORT
BALD MAN, ALSO PARALYZED FROM THE NECK DOWN, sits in a
wheelchair without a care.

Steve sits on the couch, yawning in sarcasm.
                                                            
                       NANCY
      (furious, yelling)
Are you seriously messed up in
then head? Why in the hell are you
doing the stupid shit you do?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Mom, the stupid shit I do is going
to make me rich and famous in
life!
                                                            
                       NANCY
How? By breaking the record of
going to the hospital everyday of
your life? Do you want to look
like your retarded father?
                                                            
Steve looks at Bill. Bill grins to him.
                                                            
                       STEVE
No, because I’m actually going to
make something of myself.
                                                            
                       BILL
      (to Nancy)
Leave the little shit alone. He
can spend the rest of his life
with me for all I care. At least
the kid is thinking about his damn
future.
                                                            

10.

                       NANCY
      (to Bill)
Your not helping you loose dick!
                                                            
She picks up a lamp on a coffee table next to her and throws
it at Bill. It shatters over his head.
                                                            
                       BILL
      (angry)
Bitch!
                                                            
He gets knocked out, lying his head back and eyes closed.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (calmly)
Mom, do you need some therapy?
Because at the rate you’re going,
you’re sick.
                                                            
                       NANCY
I’m not the one who needs therapy
here! You do! Now get your little
ass back into shape and stop doing
the stupid shit you do!
                                                            
Steve gets off of the couch and walks toward the front door.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Screw you, mom.
                                                            
He opens the door and walks out, slamming it, shocking
Nancy.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
But no one ever took my dream
away, and I never gave up.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE'S APARTMENT, 12 YEARS LATER, PRESENT - NIGHT
                                                            
We see Steve and Tom, now twenty-five, in the center of a
large party in his apartment. The apartment appears small,
with at least seventy people crammed. Rock music blares,
with people dancing and some drinking beer.

Steve and Tom hit their beer cans together, making a toast.
They open their beers.
                                                            

11.

                       TOM
      (joyful)
Well Steve, this is where our
future starts!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (also joyful)
It sure does.
                                                            
They both drink their beers.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
So, I was thinking, maybe we can
apply colleges together.
                                                            
                       TOM
What do you mean? We’re both in
separate car…
                                                            
                       STEVE
I know that! What I meant was work
on some practice film.
                                                            
JIM, A RATHER LARGE DRUNK, walks up to Steve.
                                                            
                       JIM
      (stutters, excited)
Dude, Steve, you going to be
lighting your fucking face on fire
tonight so we freak the fuck out
of people?
                                                            
                       STEVE
You’re damn right I am.
                                                            
                       JIM
Sweet!
                                                            
Jim laughs in insanity. He turns around and runs toward the
balcony.
                                                            
                       TOM
What do you mean practice film?
                                                            
                       STEVE
I mean that you direct my stunts
on film. We take it to our
colleges we want to apply to, and
have a better chance into getting
our career. That way, you say
action, and I fall for the rest of
            (MORE)

12.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
our lives making money.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (thinks for a bit,
       sips his beer)
So far, sounds like a good plan.
I’ll write the stunts, you do them
with the best you got. It’s going
to be perfect!
                                                            
Jim runs back in the room, sweating in excitement.
                                                            
                       JIM
Come on dude, we got to light the
flame now!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Lets do it!
                                                            
They run toward the balcony as people stare at Steve with
excitement.

Steve turns to a little stool on the balcony floor and grabs
a can of “Axe” deodorant on it. He opens the cap, and sprays
a lot on his face.
                                                            
                       PARTY CROWD
      (cheering loudly)
CRIPPLE! CRIPPLE! CRIPPLE!
                                                            
People in the crowd repeat “Cripple” multiple times.

Jim then lights the matched, giggling, and slowly places it
near Steve’s face, quickly igniting in a large flame.

No one talks as they watch in shock.

From the ground stands a seventy year old women, staring at
Steve with insanity. Jim excitedly opens a beer.
                                                            
                       JIM
      (yells, to the
       crowd)
Did I tell you this stupid fuck
would do it, or what!
                                                            
Jim turns around quickly, whipping his hand with the beer in
the air. Some of the beer comes out of the can, landing on
Steve’s face and igniting a large fireball from the flame.

13.


Steve hits his face rapidly in fear.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (screams
       frantically to
       everyone)
Somebody! Quick! Get me a towel or
my face is done!
                                                            
                       JIM
Dude, that’s gnarly!
                                                            
Steve jumps up and down.

A person runs up to Steve and throws a damp towel quickly on
his face. Steve pats it down on his face hard. The flames go
out, and Steve takes the towel out and whips it on the floor
with anger.

His face appears to be bright red with peeling skin. He
walks off the balcony and in the house towards Tom.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (shakes his head,
       chuckles)
You know, that crowd gave me an
idea for a name for you and your
crazy stunts.
                                                            
                       STEVE
What? Cripple?
                                                            
                       TOM
No. “The Walking Cripple”.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Yeah!
                                                            
They both smile and nod their heads. They drink another sip
of their beer and throw the can on the floor.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (yells)
Lets party, and grab me some
Lidocaine while you’re at it for
my face!
                                                            
 

14.

INT. A SMALL COLLEGE, STUNT CLASS - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve in a desk around a large crowd of students. His
instructor, PROFESSOR VICTOR LENT, explains a lesson aloud.

Steve pulls out his wallet from his pocket and opens it.
Inside reveals a picture of MELISSA, HIS PRETTY, BLONDE
GIRLFRIEND.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
I attended a low class college,
just due to grades, percentages,
bonds, those sorts of things that
messed me up. My dream was Harvard
though. I got stuck with a weird,
awkward teacher that goes by the
name of Professor Victor Lent. He
wasn’t much of a bright teacher,
which goes to show you how bad I
was in school…
                                                            
                       PROFESSOR LENT
      (to everyone)
And that is why you should never
get something like your hand
caught in a car’s camshaft. The
making of “DIE HARD” had good
action, but poor stunts. Now, our
next lesson will take us right to
amounts of air you can handle.
                                                            
He looks around and points to MARK, A HIPPIE STUDENT.
                                                            
                       PROFESSOR LENT (cont'd)
      (to Mark)
Mark? Will you please assist me as
I work this example out for the
class?
                                                            
                       MARK
      (dazed)
Sure. What the hell? It's like,
flowers in the garden, dude.
                                                            
                       PROFESSOR LENT
Thank you.
                                                            
Mark walks up to Professor Lent slowly.
                                                            

15.

                       PROFESSOR LENT (cont'd)
Okay. First things first, to
resist the pain of choking, here’s
what you do…
                                                            
He grabs Mark by the arm from behind, and grabs a meter
stick off the desk. He then places it around Mark’s throat,
choking him quite hard.

Steve's focus is still on the picture.
                                                            
 
INT. THE TEXAS ROADHOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
We see Melissa and Steve sitting at a booth across each
other in this SOUTHERN RESTAURANT. They look at a menu.
Steve's face has slightly peeled skin, but nothing major.
                                                            
                       STEVE
So what will you be having?
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Probably the Fish and Chips. How
about you?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Probably the same thing. I’m
getting pretty tired of steak.
                                                            
Suddenly, the WAITER, TEDDY, pops out from behind the booth,
causing Melissa to jump, and Steve to lean back in surprise.
                                                            
                       TEDDY
      (hyper)
What's sup! Are you ready to
order?!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (shocked, scared)
Mother fucker, dude! Yes we’re
ready to order!
                                                            
Steve points to Melissa.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Oh, okay. I am going to have the
Fish AND Chips.
                                                            
He writes the orders on his note pad.
                                                            

16.

                       TEDDY
Anything to drink?
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Just an iced tea with lemon.
                                                            
                       STEVE
I am going to have the same thing,
except with pink lemonade.
                                                            
                       TEDDY
Right away!
                                                            
He walks away.
                                                            
                       STEVE
So, what are you planning to do
since you’re out of high school?
                                                            
                       MELISSA
I’m probably going to go to
nursing school in college. Either
that or vetenarian school.
                                                            
                       STEVE
I always loved that about you,
always caring for all of God’s
creatures.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (laughs)
Yeah, well, I always loved helping
people, and I always loved being
around animals. I don’t know why
but it just comforts me.
                                                            
Teddy brings the drinks. He sets the pink lemonade by
Melissa, and the iced tea by Steve. He walks away.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (deep voice)
Somebody’s on the reefer today.
                                                            
He switches the drinks.
                                                            

17.

                       MELISSA
      (laughs, sips her
       drink)
So, what are you planning on doing
with you career? Mechanic, doctor…
                                                            
                       STEVE
I told you this last week. I want
to work in the Hollywood business.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Oh, yeah. But you never told me
what you wanted to do there.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Well, maybe its better if I don’t
tell you. My face should be a
slight clue.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Come on. How worse can it be,
Hollywood is one of the best
businesses on the planet, tell me!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (sips his lemonade)
Well, you wouldn’t like it.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
What wouldn’t I like about it?
                                                            
                       STEVE
You really need to know?
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Yes, I really need to know if
we’re planning on spending our
lives with each other. And what
did you do to your face anyway, or
dare I ask?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay. I’m going to be a stunt man
with many dangerous levels of
suicidal stunts!
                                                            

18.

                       MELISSA
      (coughs, spills
       her tea on
       herself, outraged)
A stunt man? Are you crazy!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Actually I’m not. Melissa, there’s
something I think you should know.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Please tell me cause I think you
have some serious issues.
                                                            
She grabs a napkin under her fork and knife, and wipes her
shirt a few times.
                                                            
                       STEVE
This is the only occupation that
physically suits me. Believe me,
its not dangerous! I’m almost
immune to this shit, plus, I have
medication!
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (stares with shock)
I’m practically dating a mental
patient! And yes, you do need
medication! Anti-Psychotic
medication!
                                                            
She gets up and grabs her stuff.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (appalled)
Melissa! Sit back down, please!
Now I want to know why this makes
you so fucking upset?!
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (sits back down
       with fury)
You want to know why this makes me
so upset? The fact that I was
planning to spend the rest of my
life with you and be happy, or the
fact that I’m going to have to
spend the rest of my life with you
            (MORE)

19.

                       MELISSA (cont'd)
and take care of your wounds,
cuts, scratches. I could go on
forever with the list!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Well, give me my options! Tell me
what you want for me!
                                                            
                       MELISSA
It’s either me and a good job, or
you and broken bones? You can’t
have both.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Look, Melissa, you are trying to
push me away from my dream all my
life, and I am not going to let
you stop that.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (grabs her purse
       and coat)
Fine. If that’s the way you want
it, go ahead. Just don’t expect to
hear from me anymore.
                                                            
She gets up, picking up her stuff.
                                                            
                       MELISSA (cont'd)
Oh, the only time you can ever
call my house again is if you
choose the other option I gave
you.
                                                            
She walks away. Steve turns around to her.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (yells)
Melissa, wait! I told you to buy
fucking tampons before we left!
                                                            
He sighs as he turns back around with depression.
                                                            
 

20.

INT. PARTY STORE - DAY
                                                            
Steve walks around the store with a letter in his hand. He
looks around, grabbing a candy bar on a rack. He walks to a
refrigerator and pulls out a 12 pack of beer. He then walks
up to a MALE, CHINESE CASHIER and puts his things on the
table.
                                                            
                       CHINESE CASHIER
      (Chinese accent)
You look messed up.
                                                            
The cashier scans the items.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (misunderstood)
What did you say? I couldn’t hear
you.
                                                            
                       CHINESE CASHIER
Me say, you look messed up! You
know…
                                                            
He points at Steve’s peeled face and third degree burns on
his arms. A LARGE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN CUSTOMER walks
behind Steve with her arms full of canned food.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Oh! You’re saying that I look
messed up. Okay. Yeah these scars
are just minor from me doing
stunts.
                                                            
                       CHINESE CASHIER
      (confused
       expression)
Stunts?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Yes, stunts, I do them to get me
into films.
                                                            
The African American customer walks closer to Steve, looking
at him with insanity.
                                                            

21.

                       AFRICAN AMERICAN CUSTOMER
I never saw a stuntman do stunts
without putting them in film. Your
one messed up little boy!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (turns to the
       customer,
       concerned)
Excuse me, would you mind leaving
us alone? This is our
conversation.
                                                            
                       AFRICAN AMERICAN CUSTOMER
      (yells)
Bitch, are you going to pay for
those groceries or am I going to
be forced to charge your ass into
paying?
                                                            
He hurries and throws a twenty-dollar bill on the table. He
grabs his stuff.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to himself)
Of all the lousy dirty respect!
                                                            
He opens the door and walks outside. As he holds the cans of
beer, one falls out of a hole in the box, causing Steve to
step and trip over it. He falls and hits his head hard on
the hood of a red BMW. He leaves a large dent as he stands
himself back up, holding his head in mild pain.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Oh shit!
                                                            
A MALE, 18-YEAR OLD PUNK comes out of the car with anger. He
walks toward the hood and looks at the dent.
                                                            
                       PUNK
      (angry)
What the hell are you doing! You
dented my car you asshole!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Sorry dude, it’s just that my beer
can dropped on the ground, and I
tripped.
                                                            

22.

                       PUNK
Your paying the damages, you know
that, right!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Hear me out man, I don't even have
enough money to pay my rent. The
most money you'll see me have is a
few hundred stolen food stamps.
                                                            
                       PUNK
Fine.
                                                            
He looks around, cracking his knuckles.
                                                            
                       PUNK (cont'd)
I see the way we’re going to have
to play this.
                                                            
He curls his fist and socks Steve quite hard in the left
eye. Steve’s head joggles back. He doesn’t feel a lot of
pain. His eye appears red and blood shot. He looks at the
punk with anger.
                                                            
                       PUNK (cont'd)
      (shocked)
Holy Shit. Why aren’t you? What?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay, now I’m just going to tell
you this once, you do not want to
fight me. I can’t sense your pain.
                                                            
The punk then punches Steve hard in the stomach. Steve
doesn’t sense it, but quickly punches him in the testicles,
grabs him by the arms, and violently forces him back in the
car. He leans over angrily at him.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
When you fight with me, you’re
fighting with a zombie, bitch!
                                                            
A woman walks by toward Steve.
                                                            
                       FEMALE PEDESTRIAN
      (shocked)
How can that not hurt?
                                                            
                       STEVE
It’s a birth defect. Now remember…
                                                            

23.

He looks around.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
You didn’t see anything!
                                                            
He runs into his car next to the BMW and starts it. He takes
off.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
I forgot to mention, that I never
took any shit from anyone. I
always came back for payback.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve enters in depression. It appears dark. He flips the
light switch on for the living room next to the door wall,
causing minor light to appear.

The phone rings in the kitchen. He walks in the kitchen and
flips the switch to the kitchen light. He answers the
cordless phone.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (bad mood)
Who’s this?
                                                            
                       TOM (O.C. FILTERED)
Steve?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Hey Tom. What’s up?
                                                            
                       TOM (O.C. FILTERED)
Man have I got some great news!
Meet me at “HOOTERS” in an hour!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Why dude? It’s eleven at night!
                                                            
                       TOM (O.C. FILTERED)
Just do it! It’s going to be
fucking great!
                                                            
Tom hangs up the phone. Steve slowly hangs up the phone in
confusion. He walks toward the front door and grabs his coat
from the floor. He walks out.
                                                            
 

24.

INT. HOOTERS - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve sits at a booth, biting his nails nervously.

A BUSTY, HOOTERS WAITRESS approaches Steve. She wears short
jeans, and a tight tank top.
                                                            
                       WAITRESS
Hey there, hot dog. Anything I can
get yah?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (nervously looks
       at her)
No thank you, just waiting for a
friend of mine.
                                                            
She walks away.

Tom shows up and sits quickly across from Steve.
                                                            
                       TOM
Sorry I’m late!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (startled)
Right. So what’s so important that
you had to bug me in the middle of
the night?
                                                            
                       TOM
Well, I made those stunts you
wanted!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Stunts? You mean the one we were
talking about at the party?
                                                            
                       TOM
Exactly!
                                                            
                       STEVE
But Tom! I meant that as a joke!
                                                            
                       TOM
You weren't serious? I mean, come
on Steve, this would help us both!
                                                            

25.

                       STEVE
      (thinks for a few
       seconds)
Well, I was thinking about it. Let
me see what you have.
                                                            
                       TOM
Okay.
                                                            
Tom reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded piece of
paper. He hands it to Steve as he unfolds it.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Let me see…
                                                            
Steve reads it. After a few seconds, Steve’s eyelids open
widely in shock.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (concerned)
What?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Are you seriously fucked up in the
head? These are death situations!
This isn't just bruises or
scrapes, it's a one way ticket!
                                                            
Steve throws the paper across the table to Tom. Tom picks it
up and reads it.
                                                            
                       TOM
What do you mean? These are what
stunt men do for a living, maybe
worse!
                                                            
                       STEVE
I know that! But what I need is an
example, not a fucking action
flick! Especially when we’re not
getting paid!
                                                            
                       TOM
What kinds of stunts did you have
in mind then?
                                                            

26.

                       STEVE
Skateboarding. People need to see
that stuff, they need to see the
pain I can do with skateboarding.
The tricks, to see if I am good
enough to take a persons place for
the scene. Not me riding up the
Hollywood mountain as fast as I
can and practically killing
myself! No, no, no. I wouldn’t
even do that in the movies.
                                                            
                       TOM
But see, there’s where we have a
problem. You can’t skateboard
worth of shit! Every time you try,
you get into an accident.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Exactly my point! People have to
see what I can and cannot take.
Skateboarding is one objective. I
mean, come on Tom, you know every
stuntman skateboards, even if
they’re the shittiest
skateboarders, like me, on the
face of this earth!
                                                            
                       TOM
Well, whatever. Still, do the
stunts I gave you.
                                                            
                       STEVE
But those suck.
                                                            
                       TOM
It would get you in for sure if
you do this! Don’t you want to get
in to be a stunt devil faster?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Well, yeah.
                                                            
                       TOM
Then you have to do some stunts
that are more dangerous than
anyone would attempt.
                                                            

27.

                       STEVE
      (sighs)
I don’t know man.
                                                            
                       TOM
Come on! This is going to be the
first time I ever seen you turn
down a stunt in your life. You’ll
blow a fireball off your face but
you won’t do this.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Stop man. I know I haven’t turned
down anything, but those to me
weren’t life threatening. This is.
                                                            
                       TOM
Just one out of the four is!
                                                            
                       STEVE
No, actually...
                                                            
He grabs the paper out of Tom’s hands and reads it.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
3 out of the four. There’s that
ATV stunt, a stunt that you want
your dog, which I may add, still
has rabies! And you want him to
bite the living shit out of me,
and if I may add again, he’s a pit
bull! And finally, go downtown and
have me pick a fight with a gang
and have them hurt me, as if you
didn’t know, gangs carry weapons!
                                                            
                       TOM
It’s all for the money and
entertainment, bro. Believe me, if
you do these stunts, you will be
richer than ever! As a matter of
fact, I am so confident, that I am
going to do something even better
than your career. I’m going to do
you a favor. If you ever get into
an accident, I will pay for your
medical bill.
                                                            

28.

                       STEVE
      (offended)
Gee, thanks. A medical bill will
help my death. I got a thing that
came out these days, I’m trying to
think of what it’s called, oh yeah
it’s called health insurance you
prick!
                                                            
                       TOM
Okay slow down there, partner.
                                                            
Thinks for a few seconds.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
Okay I got another idea.
                                                            
                       STEVE
What is it?
                                                            
                       TOM
If I ever die, I will have a will
prepared.
                                                            
                       STEVE
And?
                                                            
                       TOM
And in that will, all my money, my
career, and my house will go to
you. That’s an IDEAL promise.
                                                            
                       STEVE
You’re willing to do that for me?
                                                            
                       TOM
I sure am. What do you say?
                                                            
Tom holds out his hand in front of Steve.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (thinks about it)
Okay. Deal.
                                                            
He shakes his hand.
                                                            
                       TOM
Awesome!
                                                            

29.

                       STEVE
      (mumbles to
       himself)
Yeah, if I don’t die first.
                                                            
Tom pays no attention. His focus is on a waitress's breast
from across the room.
                                                            
                       TOM
What’d you say buddy?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (projects his
       voice)
I said, “Hopefully you croak
first”!
                                                            
                       TOM
No problem, man!
                                                            
 
EXT. MAIN ROADS - NIGHT
                                                            
We see Steve driving down a dark, busy street and spots a
BEST BUY. He drives into the crowded parking lot, and pulls
up into a Handy-Capped parking space. He gets out and walks
to the entrance.
                                                            
 
INT. BEST BUY/ELECTRONICS SECTION - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve walks around the electronics section. He looks at the
wide selection of video cameras. He finds one, a SONY DVD
RECORDING camera. He picks it up and walks shortly, and then
stops. He notices the sticker on the box. The price reveals
three thousand dollars. He turns back around and puts it
back. He continues to look.

He spots a sign that says “$150.00 for ‘Big Black’, A Great
Deal!” Over the sign reveals a rather large cardboard box.
He picks it up and walks away with it.

He walks down the isle of videotapes and finds blank VHS
tapes. He picks up two and notices Adult Movies next to it
in a glass cabinet. It catches his eye when he notices the
sign “Adult Movies- 5 for $10, BUY NOW!”

Steve gets his items scanned at the cash register, holding
about ten Adult DVDs, a blank tape, and the camera. The
CASHIER, A 19-YEAR OLD PUNK WITH SPIKED HAIR AND MULTIPLE
EARRINGS, smiles at Steve.


30.

He scans the camera first, then the videos. He scans them
with a perverted smile. Steve looks at him with concern.

The Cashier then picks up one of the videos, which reveals a
buxom woman on the cover, and shows it to Steve.
                                                            
                       BEST BUY CASHIER
This is a good one.
                                                            
Steve nods irrationally.
                                                            
                       BEST BUY CASHIER
One hundred and sixty-seven bucks.
                                                            
 
EXT. STREET OF HOLLYWOOD, NEXT DAY - DAY
                                                            
Steve stands in front of the Hollywood mountain on the
street setting up his large camera on a tripod.

A Ford pick-up pulls up and parks in front of Steve. Tom
gets out of the truck, carrying a large, bass stereo.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Hey, Tom.
                                                            
                       TOM
Hey, man. Did you bring all the
stuff we need?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Yeah. I got both the skateboards
and the camera. You think you can
handle it?
                                                            
                       TOM
      (glances at the
       camera, surprised)
Holy mother of Mary! That’s a big
camera. Why do I need it on the
tripod if I’m going to skateboard
with it?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Long shots for the ATV stunt. Plus
I'm cheap.
                                                            

31.

                       TOM
Let me take it in the car and
follow. I can dodge the traffic.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay. What’s with the stereo? Are
we going to put some music in or
something?
                                                            
                       TOM
Yeah, I thought it would add some
extra spice to the work.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay. Lets get going!
                                                            
Tom walks to his truck and gets inside. Steve stands next to
it.
                                                            
                       STEVE (con't)
Lets hear what we have!
                                                            
                       TOM
You’re going to love this!
                                                            
He then starts his car and turns on the radio. Sonny and
Cher’s “I Got You Babe” starts to play.
                                                            
                       TOM (con't)
      (enjoying, head
       bobbing)
Isn’t this just perfect for the
scene?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (rolls his eyes,
       mad)
Change that, man! We’re not making
a fucking love story here!
                                                            
 
EXT. STREET IN HOLLYWOOD, A LITTLE LATER - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve on a skateboard with no protective gear. Tom
follows Steve in his truck as Steve starts to go.


32.

Steve starts out slowly, and gets faster. He stumbles a few
times, but manages to maintain riding the skateboard.
                                                            
 
INT. AN ANTIQUE STORE - DAY
                                                            
Steve and Tom stand by the exit of the store, looking
around. Tom has the camera at his eye. This store mostly
consist of breakable glass and ceramics.

Steve patiently waits, breathing hard.
                                                            
                       TOM
Yah ready?
                                                            
Steve nods his head with a confident, serious look.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
      (yells)
Then tear the shit up!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (raises his hands,
       yells)
Yeah!
                                                            
He runs to a row of assorted antique mirrors. He starts to
punch the glass out of each mirror, causing it to shatter.
Without a notice, on Steve's arm reveals a large, bloody
gash.

Next to the mirrors contains pottery (vases, pots, etc.), on
a small, round wooden table. He raises his fist and hits the
end of the table, causing the pottery to roll off the table
and shatter on the ground. Steve then bangs his head hard on
the table with enthusiasm.

He looks behind him, and notices a row of six manikins
wearing different types of antique clothing. He decides to
punch the heads off of each one of them. As he punches the
heads, blood from his wounded arm splatter on the manikins.

We see an antique, ceramic toilet next to the last manikin.
He kneels down next and raises his fist and slams it hard on
rim of the toilet.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Yeah! Yeah!
                                                            
He feels minor pain in his hand. He holds it with pressure.
                                                            

33.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (softy)
Ow! Ow! I think it's broken.
                                                            
He walks toward the exit, until he sees a person from behind
that looks like a manikin to Steve, and he gives it a big
whip in the head. The person, who happens to be the manager,
turns around furiously to Steve. Steve stares at him
nervously.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE ANTIQUE STORE - DAY
                                                            
The doors of the store swing open. Two guards have Steve by
the shoulders, throwing him out of the store. Steve lands on
his stomach to the sidewalk.
                                                            
 
EXT. TOM’S BACKYARD - DAY
                                                            
Steve stands a far distance away from Tom and his dog
kennel. The kennel seems to be large. The dog lies in the
doghouse.

Tom opens the kennel door, and his PIT BULL, JOEY, walks out
of his doghouse, growling with anger. Steve looks very
nervous.
                                                            
                       TOM
Joey…
                                                            
Tom points to Steve.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
      (chuckles)
Just rip this fucker up.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (screams fearfully)
Help me, God!
                                                            
Joey barks and charges at Steve. He jumps on him, causing
Steve to fall back, panicking. The dog tears his clothes up.
                                                            
 
EXT. TOM’S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Steve stands in anger. His face looks marred up, with a torn
up shirt, and bloodshot eyes.

Tom stands next to him, with the camera, laughing at Steve.
Steve looks at Tom, and swings a hay maker right on his

34.

face. Tom stops laughing and holds his face, wincing in
pain.
                                                            
 
EXT. SIDEWALK OF L.A. - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve skateboarding down a hill on the sidewalk. He
tries to grind on a small fire hydrant. The stunt fails, and
he flies off the skateboard, falling on the soft grass.
                                                            
 
EXT. A DARK ALLEY - DAY
                                                            
Steve and Tom approach a Mexican gang dealing drugs. The
gang has at least six gangsters, all buff and with plenty of
tattoos.

Steve, looking confident, walks up to the LEADER GANG
MEMBER, THE MOST LARGE AND MUSCULAR ONE in the group. He
slaps him in the back of the head lightly.

He turns around to Steve with anger. Everyone looks at him
with shock.
                                                            
                       LEAD GANG MEMBER
      (loudly)
Jump this skinny bitch!
                                                            
Two more gang members come out from behind a large garbage
can, six more come out from behind a building, and two come
out from a building door, wearing only boxers. A sexy, Asian
woman comes out of the same door wearing only her bra and
panties. Now the gang contains fourteen members.
                                                            
                       GANG MEMBER #1
Now!
                                                            
They all run after Steve. Some knock him on the floor, and
all of them start to kick and punch Steve. One takes a
baseball bat and starts to whack him hard.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (laughs)
Hot damn it isn’t going to get any
better than this!
                                                            
The gang step away from Steve, as Steve wines and bleeds on
the floor in pain.
                                                            
 

35.

EXT. SIDEWALK OF L.A. - DAY
                                                            
Steve has a chipped tooth. He feels it with his finger. He
has a bruised eye and is full of anger.

Tom standing next to him laughs at Steve. Steve slowly makes
a fist, and slams Tom in the testicles extremely hard,
causing Tom to slip back and fall to the ground.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (painfully)
Oh, shit!
                                                            
 
EXT. BACK OF HOLLYWOOD MOUNTAIN - DAY
                                                            
Steve sits on an ATV, nervously. He turns the key and starts
it up. He wears a helmet, a pair of gloves, elbow pads, and
knee pads.
                                                            
 
EXT. HOLLYWOOD STREET - DAY
                                                            
Tom stands with the camera on the tripod, looking at the
Hollywood Mountain waiting for Steve.
                                                            
 
EXT. BACK OF HOLLYWOOD MOUNTAIN - DAY
                                                            
Steve starts to go up the mountain, increasing speed as he
goes. He puts it in full throttle as he gets near the top,
getting even more faster.

He starts to scream loudly as he gets near the top of the
mountain.
                                                            
 
EXT. HOLLYWOOD STREET - DAY
                                                            
Tom stands there, waiting. He suddenly sees Steve driving
off of the mountain and in the air high!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (screams extremely
       loud)
Holy fuck!!!
                                                            
Steve flies off the ATV and crashes somewhere in the
mountain. The plan worked successfully, but painfully.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (smiles, loudly)
And cut!
                                                            
 

36.

EXT. TOM’S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Tom walks out of his house in the subdivision, carrying two
eight by ten manila envelopes. It contains the video tapes
of Steve's stunts, addressed to Harvard University.

He walks to the mailbox and puts the letters in there,
raising the red flag.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE’S APARTMENT, 2 WEEKS LATER - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve sleeping on his couch wearing an I.V. hanging
from his right arm. He has multiple cuts and bruises all
over him.

Suddenly, a knock is heard from the door, causing Steve to
wake up slowly. He stretches and gets off from the couch. He
takes the I.V. off quickly from his arm, and throws it on
the floor.

He limps as he walks to the door. He open it. MIKE, THE
LANDLORD, stands by the door. He looks exhausted.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (drowsy)
What is it now, Mike?
                                                            
                       MIKE
      (sarcasm)
You look like hell. What did you
do, piss on an electric out lit?
                                                            
                       STEVE
No, that’s planned for next week,
but good guess though!
                                                            
                       MIKE
Whatever.
                                                            
He walks in.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Mike, have you ever heard of
trespassing?
                                                            
                       MIKE
Oh, don’t worry Steve, I wont be
here for long, and neither will
you. You’re evicted.
                                                            

37.

He reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a yellow
eviction notice.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (angry)
Why in the hell did I get evicted?
                                                            
                       MIKE
There were a bunch of complaints
about you having parties, setting
the balcony on fire, and plus,
you’re overdue with you rent, for
five months!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Come on Mike! I told you, once I
get my job, I will have enough
money to pay this whole place off.
And who the hell complained about
me?
                                                            
                       MIKE
Mrs. Hutters, the one who lives
below you.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Bitch.
                                                            
                       MIKE
Excuse me?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Nothing. So how long do I have?
                                                            
                       MIKE
Well, if you look at that paper
you have exactly one month to get
your behind out of here. Now, if
you don’t mind, I got to go.
                                                            
Mike walks outside and shuts the door.

Steve has an angry look. He walks toward the kitchen, and to
the cabinets. Before he opens it, another sudden knock
appears at the door, startling Steve. He accidentally swings
the cabinet doors fast, slamming on his head.
                                                            

38.

                       STEVE
Damn it! I already have enough
fucking bumps on my damn head as
it is!
                                                            
He quickly grabs a bowl from the cabinet and sets it on the
counter behind him.

He walks to his front door and opens it. It’s the MAILMAN.
He has five letters in his hand, including an eight by ten
manila letter, and a clipboard with a slip.
                                                            
                       STEVE
You couldn’t put the mail in the
slot there?
                                                            
                       MAILMAN
No man, there’s a letter here
that’s insured from Harvard.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Harvard University?
                                                            
                       MAILMAN
I think so, but hurry up and sign
it. I got more than one apartment
to deliver mail to.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (stunned)
No problem!
                                                            
Steve reaches in his pocket and pulls out his pen. The
mailman hands him the clipboard. Steve quickly signs it and
hands it back. He grabs the mail out of his hand rudely, and
slams the door.

He throws the mail on the floor except the manila letter. It
reveals "Harvard University" in the return address, and
addressed to Steve.

He rips it open fast, pulling out a large screenplay and a
letter on top.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (repeats the
       letter)
“Dear Mr. Stephen Cane,
We are proud to inform you that we
are accepting you into our
University of Stunt Work. We think
            (MORE)

39.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
that you are very talented, and
your video shocked all of us. We
enjoyed it so much, that we
decided to make you an automatic
Stunt Double. As a bonus, we are
proud to say that you will be in
your first film with your stunts
titled “Deep Cover L.A. 2”,
starring Bruce Willis and Lenny
Ventrelow, written by Joe
Sampsonano. We have enclosed a
manuscript of this film. Please
talk to me for any more
information on this subject and
thank you for choosing “Harvard
University”.
Sincerely, Dean of Administration,
Jerome Merano.”
                                                            
He drops the letter and script on the floor with shock.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (shocked)
This is awesome.
                                                            
The phone rings in the kitchen, startling Steve. He quickly
goes into his kitchen and grabs his cordless phone off the
counter. He answers it. It’s JOE SAMPSONANO.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Hello?
                                                            
                       JOE SAMPSONANO (O.C. FILETERED)
Steven Cane?
                                                            
                       STEVE
This is him.
                                                            
Steve walks to the cabinets in the kitchen.
                                                            
                       JOE (O.C. FILETERED)
Hi this is Joe Sampsonano, calling
from Lawrence studios. Harvard has
sent me your video, and I was
amazingly impressed from your
work. I haven’t heard from you so
I decided to call you personally
and congratulate you and ask if
you are still interested in taking
the part as a stunt double in our
            (MORE)

40.

                       JOE (cont'd)
film.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Oh, yes, thank you very much! It’s
a coincidence, because I just got
that letter now. Anyway, I am very
happy that you chose me, and to be
in a film already!
                                                            
Steve opens the second cabinet above him, pulling out a box
of “Frosted Flakes” cereal. He then grabs his Demerol bottle
and opens it. He throws the cap on the floor, and sets the
bottle on top of a napkin holder next to the bowl on the
counter.
                                                            
                       JOE (O.C. FILTERED)
And about that, in two day exact,
we are going to film this movie,
you’re aware of that, right?
                                                            
He then resumes to making his breakfast. He walks to his
kitchen table and pours some of the cereal in the bowl.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Absolutely.
                                                            
He walks to another cabinet over the stove. He opens the
doors of it and looks around in it. He closes the cabinet.
                                                            
                       JOE (O.C. FILTERED)
Good. We have the cast ready and
equipment. Read over the
screenplay, I know it’s your
material.
                                                            
He walks to the sink, grabbing a dirty spoon, and washing it
under the faucet, scrubbing it hard with his bare fingers.
                                                            
                       STEVE
I am honored to be in your film,
no matter how bad it is. I mean
good!
                                                            
He then shuts off the faucet, not paying any attention, and
throws the spoon over his shoulder. The spoon hits the

41.

Demerol bottle on the napkin holder, tipping over, causing
most of the pills to land into his cereal. The bottle rolls
over on the floor.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
All right, see you in a few days.
I got to hurry to the bank.
                                                            
                       JOE
Good luck!
                                                            
Steve clicks the phone off happily. He walks to the table
and sits in a chair.

He looks around for his spoon, and spots it on the floor. He
picks it up and puts it into his cereal.

He grabs the milk next to him and pours it in the bowl. He
takes a scoop of cereal and eats it. After his second scoop,
he crunches louder, chewing the Demerol, not noticing. He
shrugs his shoulders and continues to eat.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE’S APARTMENT, 5 MINUTES LATER - DAY
                                                            
Steve carries his empty bowl of cereal to the sink, shaking
vigorously. He sets the bowl in the sink.

Steve looks sickly. His eyes are extremely puffy and red.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to himself, very
       deeply and
       awkwardly)
Lets get this party started!
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE’S CAR, HIGHWAY - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve driving, going about eighty-five miles per hour
on an empty highway. The roof of the car is down.

Extremely high and hyper, he head bangs while listening to a
hard rock song on the radio.

After a few seconds, he stops slowly. He feels dizzy as his
head slowly moves in circles. He reaches to the glove box on
the passenger’s side, opening it. Crumpled-up tissue paper
falls out, including a small bottle of hand lotion. He pulls
out a bottle of eye drops.


42.

He chuckles out of insanity, and opens the bottle, throwing
the cap out the window. He lets go of the wheel, bending his
head backwards, and positions the bottle to his right eye.
Suddenly, the car swerves to the left, causing Steve to
accidentally squeeze the bottle hard, making the drops to
squirt all in his eye. Steve grabs the steering wheel,
closing his eye in pain.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (shocked)
What the hell?
                                                            
His eye drips liquid.

He goes an extra mile faster, passing by a COP in his cop
car. The cop spots him and follows him with his sirens on.

Steve continues to head bang to the same song. He stops for
a second, and notices the cop behind him, but doesn’t care
and resumes to head bang.

After a few seconds, the cop decides to drive side-by-side
to the left of Steve, rolling his window down. He is wearing
sunglasses. He looks mean and serious.

The rock song ends, and Steve looks at the cop. Steve gives
him the “Peace” symbol with his fingers.
                                                            
                       COP
      (yells to Steve,
       angry)
Pull your damn vehicle over!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (puts his head out
       the window, yells)
What's that officer?
                                                            
                       COP
Pull your vehicle over, now!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (puts his head
       back in)
Oh, right! No man, I already did
the nasty at home!
                                                            
Steve chuckles and winks at the cop.

The cop rolls his window back up. Steve looks straight
ahead.


43.

Suddenly, the cop swings his car to the right, hitting the
left side of Steve’s car hard, denting it. Steve swings to
the right, and tries to control it until he gets straight on
the road. This shocks Steve.

The cop rolls his window back down. Steve stares at him with
fear.
                                                            
                       COP
Now pull your vehicle over now, or
all hell is going to break loose!
                                                            
Steve drives his car to the shoulder and stops. The cop
parks behind him.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (scared, to
       himself)
Holy shit.
                                                            
The cop steps out of the car and walks toward Steve. Steve
sits nervously.
                                                            
                       COP
      (calmly angry)
Now, what I need to know is what
the hell you were thinking back
there?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (looks to him with
       fear)
Is there a problem officer?
                                                            
                       COP
Yes, as a matter of fact, there
is. You have broken five rules
here in just five minutes, you
speed over the speed limit, you…
                                                            
He takes off his glasses, noticing Steve’s eyes.
                                                            
                       COP (cont'd)
      (concerned)
Holy crap, son! Are you on drugs?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (confused, looks
       around)
Who? Me? No, no, officer. It's
just my jolts are in a bunch and
alot of shit has happened to me,
            (MORE)

44.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
its hard to explain.
                                                            
                       COP
      (yells)
"Jolts in a bunch"? Get out of the
fucking car, boy! Now! Come on!
                                                            
Steve hurries out of his car, tripping on the floor. He
stands up quickly and faces him.
                                                            
                       COP (cont'd)
Hands against the car!
                                                            
He puts his hands against the roof of his car. The cop pats
him down from top to bottom.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Look sir, I swear, I do not do
drugs! I don’t "snort pot", or
"sniff crack", nothing! My eyes
are just this red because I poked
it with an eye drop bottle!
Please!
                                                            
The cop reaches inside Steve’s back pants pocket, pulling
out a small prescription bottle of Demerol.
                                                            
                       COP
Really? Then how do you explain
this?
                                                            
He waves the bottle in Steve’s face.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (acts confused)
Umm, medication?
                                                            
The cop nods his head, pulling out handcuffs from his belt.
He violently grabs Steve's arms and handcuffs him behind his
back.
                                                            
                       COP
Come on! You're going!
                                                            
He grabs Steve by the cuffs and violently puts him in the
back of the cop car.
                                                            
 

45.

INT. L.A. COUNTY JAIL - NIGHT
                                                            
We see Steve locked up behind bars. He wears a white shirt
and white pants, along with a CELLMATE, A WEIRD, BIKER
LOOKING TYPE GUY reading a Playboy magazine.

Steve holds the bars of the door, banging his head on them
excessively.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (after every bang
       of his head, he
       says one word)
What, did, I, do, to, get, in
this, mess, I, am, not, going, to,
be a, stunt, man, any, more,
because, of, my, stupid, ness.
                                                            
                       CELLMATE
      (agitated, throws
       magazine
       violently on the
       floor)
Would you just shut the hell up?!
I’m trying to read!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (bangs head faster)
I, am, sorry, but, I, got, to,
get, out, of, here, or, I’m,
fucked, for, the, rest, of, my,
life!
                                                            
                       CELLMATE
Well at least talk to yourself!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (stops banging his
       head)
No problem, bro!
                                                            
The cellmate sits up and grabs his magazine from the floor.
He lies back down.

He takes a glance at Steve’s butt, with a perverted grin.
                                                            
                       CELLMATE
      (friendly)
What’s your name?
                                                            

46.

                       STEVE
Steve.
                                                            
                       CELLMATE
Doesn’t that hurt, Steven?
                                                            
He sits up, throwing his magazine at the end of his bed.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Nope. I'm immune to pain. Plus, it
helps me think.
                                                            
                       CELLMATE
So what are you saying? You don’t
sense pain?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (sarcasm)
Yeah, I guess so, buddy.
                                                            
The cellmate has a devilish smirk on his face. Steve turns
around suspiciously and looks at the cellmate.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (nervously)
Oh, shit.
                                                            
 
INT. JAIL HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
The GUARD, swinging his keys and whistling, walks down the
row of jail cells. He then confronts Steve’s cell.

The cell appears to be quiet and dark with no sign of anyone
in it.
                                                            
                       GUARD
Steve Cane?
                                                            
After a few seconds, Steve walks out of a dark corner,
scared. He limps and walks on his tiptoes.

Steve confronts the guard. Out of the same corner Steve
walked out of, the cellmate skips happily out of it to his
bed. He lies down and closes his eyes.

Steve sighs in disgust. The guard looks at the cell mate. He
then looks at Steve with concern, and chuckles.
                                                            

47.

                       GUARD
You have a visitor here.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Really? Who?
                                                            
                       GUARD
Some Surpsinanny guy. I don’t
know, let me get him.
                                                            
He takes a few steps back.
                                                            
                       GUARD (cont'd)
      (hollers down the
       hall)
Yo! You can see him now!
                                                            
JOE SAMPSONANO, A BUFF, MILDLY SCARRED MAN, approaches Steve
as the guard leaves.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (relieved)
Hey man. Do I know you?
                                                            
                       JOE
Yeah, I believe you do. It’s me,
Joe Sampsonano, you’re supposed to
be in my movie in a couple days,
and instead I find you here!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Listen, this whole thing was just
a big misunderstanding. And…
                                                            
A mild pause.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Wait a minute! How did you know I
was in here?
                                                            
                       JOE
It was all over the ten o’clock
news! A helicopter chase showed
the crazy driving you’ve done!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Really? On news, eh?
                                                            

48.

                       JOE
Exactly! And what I came here to
say is that if you want to be in
this movie, you got to stop acting
like this!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Stop acting like what what? I
didn’t mean to do anything! You're
overeacting!
                                                            
                       JOE
Quit your drugs! They’re messing
you up! We can’t have bad
publicity like that in a film!
                                                            
                       STEVE
But Joe! I can’t quit because I’m
not an addict to them! I need them
for my pain or I’m unable to do
the stuff I do!
                                                            
                       JOE
Then it seems to me that it was a
bad idea persuading Harvard to
give you your diploma.
                                                            
                       STEVE
I have to take them or I’m in so
much damn pain. I can’t help that.
                                                            
                       JOE
Oh you can’t help it, huh? Sounds
to me like you’re an addict. Just
admit it, you're a fuck up.
                                                            
                       STEVE
But I’m not! Something happened! I
remember it was during breakfast
and I was talking to Tom, you know
him, on the phone. Something
must’ve happened. I was washing a
spoon, and… that’s all I remember.
                                                            
                       JOE
      (rolls his eyes)
Because you must have took them at
that time.
                                                            

49.

                       STEVE
I swear to Jesus Christ I don’t
take them to get high!
                                                            
                       JOE
I’m Jewish.
                                                            
                       STEVE
I swear to Buddah, or whoever the
fuck you people believe in, I’m
telling the truth!
                                                            
                       JOE
      (thinks for a
       moment)
Okay. Then I’m going to lay down
some ground rules for you to
follow.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (happy)
Shoot.
                                                            
                       JOE
I’m going to bail you out on these
conditions. One, you go to Drug
Rehab meetings after the film.
Two, you get paid half on this
film of your total, and you quit
your drugs before the movie. And
three, you do exactly everything I
tell you to do in a movie, even if
it means risking your life.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Got it.
                                                            
                       JOE
      (claps hands)
You're out!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Yeah!
                                                            
                       JOE
So, your appointment starts eight
weeks from today.
                                                            

50.

                       STEVE
Thanks Joe!
                                                            
Joe walks away.

Steve smiles, holding the bars. He turns around. His clothed
butt reveals blood around it, due to the rape he received
from the cellmate.
                                                            
 
INT. BOOKSTORE, ONE WEEK LATER - DAY
                                                            
Steve stands next to a bookshelf, taking a glance at a book
called “How to Ease Pain Without Medication”

A STONED EMPLOYEE, DROWSY, CONFUSED, AND MILDLY FAT,
approaches Steve
                                                            
                       STONED EMPLOYEE
      (talks slowly)
Hey dude, you need a book?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Um, yeah. Do you have anything on
drug rehabilitation, or anything
like that?
                                                            
                       STONED EMPLOYEE
I can go check.
                                                            
He stares at Steve, doing nothing.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (strangely looks
       at him)
Ok, go.
                                                            
He walks away. Steve sets the book back on the shelf, and
walks down the isle of books, looking at the names.

He stands next to a shelf of magazines, where a KID WITH
CRUTCHES reads a porno magazine.

A few seconds later, an OLD WOMAN EMPLOYEE walks up to the
kid with crutches in anger.

Steve looks at him with suspicion. He ignores it and
continues to look at the row of books.
                                                            

51.

                       OLD WOMAN EMPLOYEE
Young man, you can’t be looking at
those dirty things, can you please
put that back?
                                                            
                       KID WITH CRUTCHES
Bite me, bat.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN EMPLOYEE
Excuse me? Put that back, right
this instant! Now!
                                                            
She grabs the magazine, trying to force it out of the kid’s
hand as he tries to fight it back. Steve notices, running up
and separating the fight. The kid grabs the porno, both
looking angry.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to the kid,
       angrily)
Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop that now!
Respect the elderly!
                                                            
Steve grabs the porno out of the kid’s hand and gives it to
the old woman employee. She walks away with it in grief.
                                                            
                       STEVE
You shouldn't be looking at that
stuff yet!
                                                            
                       KID WITH CRUTCHES
I cant get wood anyways, moron!
I'm crippled!
                                                            
The kid coughs and spits a big, green booger on Steve’s
face. He walks away. Steve is appalled and disgusted. He
wipes it off with his shirt.

The stoned employee walks up to Steve with a book.
                                                            
                       STONED EMPLOYEE
Hey man. I found that book you
wanted. It's right here. It tells
you everything about drugs, and
how they affect your lifeline.
And, dude…
                                                            
He approaches Steve closer.
                                                            

52.

                       STONED EMPLOYEE (cont'd)
      (whispers)
I threw in a surprise baggy,
because I like yah.
                                                            
Steve nods his head without a care. He hands Steve the book
and walks away.

Steve's cell phone rings. He answers it. It’s Joe.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Hello?
                                                            
                       JOE (O.C. FILTERED)
Steve! Excellent news! We got our
full cast today, and we’re filming
in one hour!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (shocked)
What? You told me yesterday that
it would be tomorrow! I’m at a
bookstore for God’s sake!
                                                            
                       JOE
Well you better haul ass! It’s
going to be one hell of a film!
                                                            
Joe hangs up quickly, along with Steve in confusion.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE’S CAR, MAIN ROADS - DAY
                                                            
Steve starts his car and hits the gas pedal fast, causing
the wheels to burn rubber and screech. He drives off.

As he drives, he puts his hand in the plastic bookstore bag
next to him. He pulls out a folded up brown paper bag. He
unfolds it and puts his hand in there. He looks confused,
and pulls his hand back out, revealing white cocaine
powdered all over his hand. He looks at it.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (angry, to himself)
That fucking crack head!
                                                            
 

53.

EXT. DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT, L.A. - NIGHT
                                                            
The lot has many of streetlights, but no cars. The cast and
crew are talking, and the movie equipment's all set in front
of the lot.

Steve walks quickly down the center of the parking lot
towards the cast/crew. He walks up to Joe, who sits in his
director’s chair.

Joe talks to CHRISTI, A RED HEADED, THIN ACTRESS whose
dressed as a police officer for the film. Steve waits
patiently, but anxious.
                                                            
                       JOE
      (to Christi)
Okay. First you have to visualize
the scene. You are to run fast out
of Ray’s way to kill Will, yet,
you find out that he has a gun,
and will shoot. So, as you get out
of the way, Ray gets shot in the
leg.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Excuse me, Joe, you wanted…
                                                            
                       JOE
      (to Steve,
       concentrated on
       Christi)
Hold to that thought one second,
Steve.
                                                            
                       CHRISTI
So, all I do is just jump out of
the way during a shooting?
                                                            
                       JOE
Exactly.
                                                            
                       CHRISTI
      (smiles, gives
       thumbs up)
Got it.
                                                            
She walks away.
                                                            

54.

                       JOE
      (to Steve)
Hey Steve. I needed to see you.
                                                            
                       STEVE
That’s why I came.
                                                            
                       JOE
Ok…
                                                            
He stands out of chair, and walks down the parking lot set
along with Steve.
                                                            
                       JOE (cont'd)
I just wanted to let you know to
not be nervous, and all you have
to do is go in front of the camera
when I say “Cut” or “Stunt
double”. So don’t worry.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Ok. What’s the scene today?
                                                            
                       JOE
Oh, right. Well, you’re just going
to be shot in the leg with a nine
millimeter.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (rubs chin)
Yeah, yeah. That’s going to be
tough but I’ll do it.
                                                            
                       JOE
All right. Lets make us a film!
                                                            
Joe pats Steve on the back. Joe turns around back to the
cast and crew. Steve stands there, looking around the set.
                                                            
                       JOE (cont'd)
      (yells)
Hey Pete! Where’s my hand
sanitizer? Everyone! Get in your
positions!
                                                            
Everyone gets in their positions and ready for the film. In
the center of the parking lot contains the actors- LENNY
VENTRELOW- SKINNY BLONDE GUY, BRUCE - PROFESSIONAL, BUFF
ACTOR, and Christi grouped in three, all holding handguns.
Across from them is WILL- A CURLY HAIRED, TALL GUY LOOKING

55.

MEAN, An actor also. Behind Will we see a large duffel bag.
Everyone seems ready.

Joe sits in his “director’s chair”, next to the CAMERA MAN.
                                                            
                       JOE
      (yells)
Roll! Speed! Marker!
                                                            
One of the CREW MEMBERS runs out in front of the camera with
a slate.
                                                            
                       CREW MEMBER #1
      (loudly)
Scene 19-Parking Lot! Take one!
                                                            
He snaps the slate and runs behind the camera.
                                                            
                       JOE
Action!
                                                            
All the actors hold their guns out at Will, acting
professionally.
                                                            
                       LENNY
      (yelling with
       anger)
You! You’re under arrest!
                                                            
Will yawns irrationally.
                                                            
                       LENNY (cont'd)
On the floor, ass wipe! With your
hands behind your head!
                                                            
Will chuckles. Christi steps out in front of Lenny, cocking
her gun and pointing it at Will.
                                                            
                       CHRISTI
      (screams, full of
       anger)
Do as he says you shit bag! Now!
                                                            
                       WILL
      (sarcasm, chuckles)
What the hell are you going to do?
Arrest me?
                                                            

56.

                       BRUCE
      (calmly, to Will)
That is precisely what we are
going to do! That, and lock your
ass up.
                                                            
                       WILL
Well, you can kiss my ass, because
I got a little present for you!
Please, hold your fire, or things
will get messy.
                                                            
Will turns around and kneels to his duffel bag, unzipping
it. He reaches in it and pulls out a large shotgun. He turns
it around and points it to the three.

Steve stands next to Joe by the camera. Joe smiles with a
chuckle.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (shocked, quietly
       to Joe)
I thought you said it was only a
nine millimeter?!
                                                            
                       JOE
      (watches the cast,
       to Steve)
Yeah, well, nine millimeters are
expensive, and Will offered to
bring his gun for free. Now, I
didn’t know up until now that it
was a shotgun, so now we don't
have time to get a nine
millimeter. Plus, the nine
millimeters the cast has are all
unloaded.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (rolls eyes, to
       himself)
Oh shit.
                                                            
                       JOE
      (to everyone)
Cut! Stunt double for Lenny!
                                                            
Lenny walks away toward Joe, as the cast pause in their
positions.
                                                            

57.

                       JOE (cont'd)
      (to Steve)
That’s you, bro.
                                                            
Steve trustfully walks toward the parking lot in the
position Lenny was.

CREW MEMBER #2 runs up to Steve handing him an unloaded nine
millimeter.
                                                            
                       CREW MEMBER #2
      (to Steve)
Okay, the boss says to just keep
this pointed at Will till you get
shot. Got that?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Yeah, sure.
                                                            
Crew member #2 walks away.

Crew member #1 runs in front of the camera with the slate.
                                                            
                       CREW MEMBER #1
Scene 17! Stunt double, take 1!
                                                            
He snaps it and runs behind the camera.
                                                            
                       JOE
Ready and Action!
                                                            
Steve closes his eyes with panic. He holds the nine
millimeter towards Will.

Will quickly aims the shotgun at Steve’s right leg. He
shoots, making a loud gun shot noise. His leg squirts out a
bit of blood, hitting an artery. In shock and pain, Steve
sheds a few tears and falls to the ground.
                                                            
                       JOE
      (worried)
Cut! Somebody! Get him some towels
and the first aid kit! Hurry!
                                                            
About five crew members run up to Steve with towels, one
with a First Aid Kit. They kneel down, wiping the blood off
his pants with the towels.

Joe runs up to Steve.
                                                            

58.

                       JOE (cont'd)
Steve? Steve? You ok?
                                                            
Steve tries to stand himself up.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (moaning in pain)
Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Fine.
                                                            
                       JOE
      (relieved)
That’s the spirit, cowboy!
                                                            
 
EXT. DESERTED GHOST TOWN - DAY
                                                            
We see Joe and the team at another set recording the movie.
Steve drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee, alongside with another
person in a Red Corvette. They race down a long, dusty road.

We also see a large, three hundred foot cliff nearby the way
they’re headed. The guy in the Corvette slams his brakes, as
Steve continues to go.

Suddenly, Steve makes it to the end of the cliff, driving
off. He crashes hard on all four tires. The Jeep rocks and
lands on the passenger side.
                                                            
 
EXT. RAILROAD IN DESERT - DAY
                                                            
Another scene for their movie.

Steve runs down a set of railroad tracks as fast as he can.
From behind, a person on a Honda Motorcycle comes up,
driving toward Steve’s direction. Steve runs to the left of
the person on the motorcycle. The guy on it has plenty of
protective gear on. He has a thick, metal bar in his left
hand. As he drives next to Steve, he whacks the metal bar
hard on the back of Steve's head. Steve painfully falls
forward on the track.

Joe stands up and gives Steve thumbs up with a smile, as
Steve stands up and gives Joe the middle finger.
                                                            
 
EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE DESERT - DAY
                                                            
The last scene of their film for his stunts.

It appears to be a very hot day. Steve just stands there
nervously and sweating. After a few seconds, unexpectedly, a

59.

red brick hits Steve in the head. Steve grunts and falls to
his side. Joe stands up from his chair in excitement.
                                                            
                       JOE
      (loud, excited)
Perfect!
                                                            
 
INT. DANCE CLUB, 1 YEAR LATER - NIGHT
                                                            
We see all sorts of people in this club, mostly white, and
other cultures, men and women alike. Everyone dances and
drinks alcohol, dancing to rock and roll. The place has
plenty of colorful strobe lights. In the back of the club
contains a large stage with nothing on it but a microphone.

Steve dances his way through the large crowd with excitement
and full of energy. He wears small, sexy sunglasses, a
baggy, silver silk button up shirt and jeans. He holds a
martini. At one point, he head bangs real hard for a few
seconds, and continues to dance through the crowd.

He passes by his OVERWEIGHT FRIEND, BOB. HE WEARS A TIGHT
WHITE T-SHIRT AND SWEATS PROFUSELY.
                                                            
                       BOB
      (drunk)
Hey, Cripple! How you doing?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Fine as can be, buddy!
                                                            
Steve walks his way toward the stage. He stands next to it
and drinks his beer.

A HIPPIE FRIEND, VERY THIN AND DRUNK, walks up to the
microphone on the stage. He talks in the microphone,
projecting his voice.
                                                            
                       HIPPIE FRIEND
      (stutters)
Hey, everyone!
                                                            
Steve and everyone else quiets down and has their attention
on him.
                                                            
                       HIPPIE FRIEND (cont'd)
Give it up for Steve! “The Walking
Fucking Cripple”. We wouldn't be
having this big ass party without
him!
                                                            

60.

Steve smiles and raises his glass to him.

The Hippie runs forward off the stage doing a stage dive.
Everyone catches him and brings him in the back of the club.


A WOMAN IN THE CROWD next to Steve drinks a margarita. She
points at him and looks around.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (yells with
       excitement)
Hey everyone! It’s Steve Cane!
He’s going to make a speech on his
first hit film!
                                                            
Steve shakes his head nervously.
                                                            
                       CLUB CROWD
      (chanting loudly)
Get on stage! Get on stage! Get on
stage! Get on stage!
                                                            
Steve continues to shake his head. A black, muscular guy
behind Steve pushes him toward the stage in excitement.

Steve finally decides to climb the steps on the stage as
everyone cheers for him loudly. He walks up to the
microphone. He blows in it to check it. Everyone quiets down
as Steve stands nervously.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Hello? Hey. I don’t know what you
want me to say. So I guess I’m
here to say that I’m a
millionaire, and I would've never
seen this day coming. Everyone
has put me down for what I want,
even my mom. Well, she can look at
me now cause I made more money in
a year than she has ever made in
her life. And, I'm proud of
myself. So anyone who wants to put
me down, eat me! Cause you’re
worthless! I made a life!
                                                            
Everyone cheers louder and claps. This makes Steve less
nervous and more excited.
                                                            

61.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
Oh, and even better news. I’ve
been off drugs for over a year now
and I’m feeling great!
                                                            
Everyone continues to cheer. It suddenly gets quiet. A
person rudely yells in the crowd.
                                                            
                       RUDE CLUBBER
Only pussies are quitters!
                                                            
Steve looks around with concern, but ignores the comment.

Two guys, one BLACK, and the other WHITE, both talk to each
other in the center of the crowd.
                                                            
                       WHITE CLUBBER
      (whispers, to
       Black Clubber)
You ready?
                                                            
                       BLACK CLUBBER
Yeah, lets blast the bitch up.
                                                            
They both reach into their jacket pockets and pull out
Pistol BB Guns. They aim it at Steve.
                                                            
                       BLACK CLUBBER
      (loudly, to
       everyone)
Blow the mother fucker away!
                                                            
About thirty more people take out the same type of gun, and
another thirty with paintball guns. They aim it at Steve
also.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (fearfully to
       himself)
Oh, shit.
                                                            
They all shoot multiple times. Steve quickly turns around,
trying to cover himself. He gets hit with many paintballs,
covering his back.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (extremely loud,
       painfully)
No! My eye!
                                                            
Everyone stops with worry. They whisper.

Steve turns around toward the crowd, covering his right eye.

62.

It has been hit with a BB. He uncovers his eye, revealing it
to be extremely bloodshot.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (smiles and laughs)
Got yah! Ha!
                                                            
Everyone sighs in relief and laughs.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Okay, I got one more stunt, it’s
sort of cliché but it’s one of my
favorites. I need one woman to
come up here, I got an itch in my
pants and I need it taken care of!
                                                            
All the women scream, wanting to be on stage. Steve looks
around. He spots a SEXY, LARGE BREASTED WOMEN, MELINDA, in
the crowd and points to her to come on stage.

Full of shocked and excited, she jumps up and down, hugging
her girlfriend. She then runs through the crowd, climbing on
stage. She stands next to Steve, smiling.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (to Melinda)
Hello, babe. What’s your name?
                                                            
                       MELINDA
      (happy, loudly
       with excitement)
Melinda!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay, Melinda. I’m wearing very
loose jeans right now, and
everything is hanging!
                                                            
Everyone starts laughing.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
And I needed a women to kick these
bad boys back in place, can you do
that?
                                                            
Everyone shrieks and there is a slight applause.
                                                            
                       MELINDA
      (blushes, chuckles)
Oh course!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay? Ready.
                                                            

63.

Melinda nods. Steve drops the microphone and faces Melinda,
spreading his legs wide. Everyone start to get quiet. Before
she kicks between his legs, she steps back. She gives Steve
a powerful kick in his groins. Steve shows a slightly
painful reaction, holding his crotch. As soon as he lets go,
unexpectedly, Melinda kicks him again, even harder.

Steve falls to the ground, painfully.
                                                            
                       MELINDA
Feel better, Steve?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (moaning in pain)
A little, except you kicked my
shaft instead of my jewels!
                                                            
He stands up slowly. Everyone quietly watches. Steve faces
the crowd. He slowly lifts up his shirt, and right below his
bellybutton reveals a red imprint of Steve’s penis. Melinda
kicked it upward, smacking his penis against his intestinal
region.

Everyone laughs and claps. Steve stares at the imprint in
shock. He then takes off his shirt and gives it to Melinda.
Melinda walks off the stage.

Steve looks at the crowd and smiles.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (screams joyfully)
Stage dive!
                                                            
Everyone continues to cheer. Steve whips the microphone on
the floor and runs toward the end of the stage, doing a
stage dive. Everyone catches him and pulls him to the back.
Steve laughs hard.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE’S NEW APARTMENT - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve sitting in a large, expensive fur chair,
reading a magazine in his large, new house. He wears a blue
bathrobe. The house has red and white painted walls. He has
a big screen plasma TV, antique furniture, and other
beautiful expensive stuff.

The magazine, called “Entertainment”, and the cover has
Steve smiling with a bruised eye. The headline says, “First
Stunts On a Motion Picture, a Star is Created!”

Steve throws the magazine on the floor. He stands up with
joy and walks toward the bathroom. His NEW, SEXY GIRLFRIEND,

64.

ANDREA, walks by him, wearing a tight t-shirt and a skirt.
She hugs and kisses him.
                                                            
                       ANDREA
      (cheerfully)
Bye, hun. I’ll be back tonight at
eight, I got a rehearsal.
                                                            
                       STEVE
See you tonight, babe.
                                                            
She walks out of the front door. Steve slowly walks to the
bathroom.

The bathroom seems to be large, decorated with Greek ceramic
tiling, a large bathtub/shower, and three sinks with a large
mirror in front.

He walks up to one sink and grabs his toothbrush next to it.
He puts the toothpaste on the brush, and brushes his teeth
hard, wincing in mild pain. After a few brushes, he spits in
the sink, revealing a chunk of blood. He turns on the faucet
and washes it down the drain.

Steve takes off his robe and walks into the shower. He has
many cuts and scars all around his body. He turns on the
shower and grabs a bar of soap, washing his body. His cuts
on his body start to bleed. The blood washes down the drain.

He then decides to take the bar of soap and rub it on his
groin area, nervously. He rubs rather hard, causing him to
wince in some more pain as his face squints. There reveals
more blood going down the drain from his groin.

A few minutes after his shower, Steve walks into his large
living room, drying himself with a towel. He throws the
towel on the floor and puts on a t-shirt and jeans. He walks
to his computer. Before Steve sits down in his chair,
somebody knocks on his front door. Steve gets up and walks
to the door and opens it. We see the BELLBOY holding a large
envelope in his hand.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (cheerfully)
Hey, new scripts today?
                                                            
                       BELLBOY
Oh, just one today, by Thomas
Kohn.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (concerned)
Thomas Kohn? I haven’t heard
from him in a while. It must be a
            (MORE)

65.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
new film he made. Did he mention
why he didn’t deliver it himself?
                                                            
                       BELLBOY
Nope, I’m guessing he didn’t want
to bug you. Anyway, here you go.
No tips today.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Thanks.
                                                            
Steve grabs the envelope in concern and closes the door. He
opens the letter, pulling out a thick screenplay.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
“Century Mugger” by Thomas Kohn?
                                                            
 
INT. A MINI BAR - DAY
                                                            
We see Tom sitting at the bar drinking a beer.

A few seconds later, Steve shows up, walking to the stool
next to Tom quickly. Tom stands up and gives Steve a hug in
joy. No matter how rich or poor Steve appears to be, he
always seems to wear his usual clothes - blue jeans and a
t-shirt.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (happily)
Steve! Long time no see pal!
                                                            
                       STEVE
I know! It’s been a while!
                                                            
They both sit down. The bartender comes up and hands Steve a
beer. He takes a sip of it and sets it down.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
So, you finally made a film?
                                                            
                       TOM
Yeah man, it took long as hell. I
had to get through directing
school and literature, but it was
worth it.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Awesome man, so what are my big
scenes?
                                                            

66.

                       TOM
Well, you have one major scene in
this film. I wouldn’t read the
script, it’s a waste. But, come
tomorrow, I will shoot your scene
first.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Tomorrow is soon as hell! But I
figure I can do it. With all the
money and movies I’m making, I
could buy your film!
                                                            
                       TOM
I have to say, that was fast!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Extremely fast! So far in one
year, fifteen screenplays were
sent to me, and I became the
worlds number one known stuntman.
                                                            
He looks at his watch and jumps out of his chair, startled
by the time.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Oh, damn! I have to split, or I’m
going to be late for my meeting.
                                                            
                       TOM
Movie?
                                                            
                       STEVE
No, AA meetings. I’ll see you
tomorrow.
                                                            
                       TOM
Bye.
                                                            
Steve pulls out a pair of sunglasses out of jeans pocket and
puts them on. He pulls out his wallet and throws a
twenty-dollar bill on the bar. He walks away.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
      (to himself,
       concerned)
AA meetings?
                                                            
 

67.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE BAR - DAY
                                                            
Steve walks to his new, red mustang, parallel parked in
front of the bar on the street.

He takes out his keys and gets ready to open the door, until
a YOUNG TEEN across the street recognizes Steve.
                                                            
                       YOUNG TEEN
      (to Steve with
       excitement,
       loudly)
Holy shit! You’re “The Walking
Cripple”, aren’t you?!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (nervously, to
       himself)
Shit, not again.
                                                            
Steve hurries up and opens his car. He gets in and closes
the door. The boy runs up and pounds on the car window.
                                                            
                       YOUNG TEEN
Get your crippled ass out of that
car and give me an autograph,
please!
                                                            
Steve ignores him and starts his car. He drives away.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve walks in his large room, with a king size bed and a
twenty-seven inch plasma TV. He smiles and a sigh. A lamp on
his nightstand lights his entire room. He throws his jacket
on the floor and jumps onto the bed, lying on his back. He
stares at his ceiling. He then turns and shuts the lamp off
next to him, making the room entirely dark.

After a few moments, we hear sudden knocks coming from
Steve’s front door. Steve then sits up and turns on his
lamp.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (concerned)
Who the hell could this be?
                                                            
Steve stands up and walks out of his room, going to the
living room. He then walks to the front door and opens it.
Standing behind the doorway are TWO WOMEN, DIRTY SHERRI, A

68.

SEXY, SLIM WOMAN, and FUNKY MARIE, A GREASY, UNATTRACTIVE
WOMAN, AND MILDLY CHUBBY. They both appear to be dressed in
black lingerie, with fur overcoats.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (nervously, gulps)
Who are you?
                                                            
They walk in Steve’s apartment. From behind them enters Tom.
Tom appears to be stoned and laughing hard. He has a small,
cardboard case in his hand. He walks in and hugs Steve.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (angrily)
Um, yeah. Tom, what the hell do
you think your doing coming in my
house this late with hookers?
                                                            
                       TOM
      (high, cheerfully)
Look man, we’re going to
celebrate! You made it to be a
stuntman, I made it to be a
director and writer. You’re
staring in my film, so lets have
fun. And these aren't hookers,
they're porn stars. They think
we're shooting a movie here.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (looks closely at
       Tom's eyes)
Tom, you’re high, aren’t you?
                                                            
                       TOM
Yeah I’m high. High on life!
                                                            
Tom starts to laugh harder. He pats Steve on the back
multiple times.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
Lets party! I brought a case full
of vodka and whiskey. We’re going
to get drunk and laid, my good
friend!
                                                            
                       STEVE
No, no. I got to get up early for
your film tomorrow!
                                                            

69.

                       TOM
Exactly, we should celebrate this
special moment! You get Funky
Marie and I get Dirty Sherri.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Why “Dirty” and why “Funky”?
                                                            
                       TOM
Sherri likes to get down on me
“dirty”…
                                                            
He thrust his waist as a sexual gesture.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
And “Funky” cause she just, well,
smells funky. But that doesn’t
mean she isn’t good!
                                                            
Steve looks at Tom with a strange look. He thinks for a few
seconds.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay, those actresses aren't
sanitary. But I will have a few to
drink with you just to celebrate.
                                                            
                       TOM
Of course their sanitary! They get
tested monthly.
                                                            
All four walk into the living room and sit on the couch.
                                                            
                       STEVE
So, which one of you is Funky
Marie? And tell me something about
yourself.
                                                            
                       FUNKY MARIE
      (deep voice,
       careless)
Right here. Um, I was thrown in
prison for a few years for
statutory rape, I’m a drug addict,
and I had crabs since I was
seventeen and just got rid of them
last.
                                                            
Everyone pauses, staring at her with shock.
                                                            

70.

                       STEVE
      (shocked, smiles)
Well, you got a bonus cause you
wont have to have sex with me
tonight.
                                                            
                       TOM
How about that drink?
                                                            
Tom opens the case and pulls out two bottles of vodka, both
being fifths, and a large bottle of whiskey. He sets it on
the coffee counter in front of him. He also grabs four
glasses from the case and sets them on the counter.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Just give me straight vodka.
                                                            
Tom opens up the vodka and pours it in all of the glasses,
filling one glass to the top. He slides that one over to
Steve.
                                                            
                       TOM
Steve, will you get me some soda
or something? I can’t drink my
vodka straight.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Sure, hold on.
                                                            
Steve stands up and walks toward the kitchen. Tom smiles as
he walks away.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (serious, quickly)
Okay, Marie. You’re going to date
rape him. You got a ruffie on you?
                                                            
                       FUNKY MARIE
Yeah, but how? It’s impossible to
do to guys?
                                                            
Tom reaches in his pants pocket and pulls out a bottle of
Viagra.
                                                            
                       TOM
I always come prepared.
                                                            
He laughs. He opens the bottle and a pill in Steve’s glass
of vodka. Funky Marie then reaches in her overcoat pocket,
pulling out a Rohypnol. She then quickly drops it in Steve’s
drink.

Steve comes back with a two liter pop. He hands it to Tom.
                                                            

71.

                       STEVE
Y’all ready to party?
                                                            
They all raises their glasses.
                                                            
                       TOM
To Hollywood!
                                                            
Steve takes a big drink of his vodka. He puts the glass
down. Everyone starts to laugh.
                                                            
 
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE/TALL BUILDING - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve driving and pulling up next to a very tall
building with glass windows all around. He steps out of his
car.

Tom and his cast/crew discus in front of the building. Tom
turns around and recognizes Steve and runs up to him.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (anxious, talks
       fast)
Steve? Where have you been? This
was supposed to start an hour ago!
                                                            
                       STEVE
I was getting…
                                                            
                       TOM
      (interrupts)
Just screw it. Come on. Let me
show you your scene and only
scene. Remember, I’m the boss.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (angrily)
Hey, man. How could you let me
sleep with that girl? Andrea
caught me waking up with her this
morning!
                                                            
                       TOM
Look, I’m sorry. I was a little
messed up, you know? But you
should at least be thankful for me
getting you laid.
                                                            
                       STEVE
You got me drunk and I cheated on
my girlfriend, why would I thank
you?
                                                            

72.

                       TOM
      (careless)
Don’t worry about it, lets start
filming.
                                                            
Steve nods irrationally. Tom turns around and walks back to
the cast and crew.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
      (to everyone)
Okay, people! We’re going to the
top of the building now! Lets go!
                                                            
 
EXT. ROOF OF THE BUILDING - DAY
                                                            
Everybody appears to be up on the large roof, including the
camera and a crotch-rocket motor bike at the near edge of
the right side. The building leads to another one next to it
on the left. It is about a fifty foot distance from each
other. The second building seems to be a bit shorter than
the first.

We see Tom standing by Steve and the cast/crew scattered,
getting set up.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (uses hand motions
       in explanation)
Okay, Steve. Your main objective
in this scene is to visualize this
stunt as a can. The only way to
get the soup out is to bust the
top.
                                                            
                       STEVE
What the hell does that mean?
                                                            
                       TOM
      (sighs)
It means you are going to go 70
miles an hour off the building
through that sugar glassed
building. Got that?
                                                            
                       STEVE
That’s it? Piece of cake.
                                                            
                       TOM
Good for you. Get on the bike.
We’re going to shoot.
                                                            

73.

Tom turns around and walks toward the camera. He sits in his
chair. Steve walks to the motor bike. He picks up the helmet
from the floor, puts it on his head, and carefully sits on
the motor bike, nervously.

JOHN, THE CAMERAMAN, takes his eye off the camera and turns
to Tom.
                                                            
                       JOHN
      (to Tom)
That’s it? Sugar glass? He’s been
in better movies that make his
balls blue, rather than going
through sugar.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (chuckles)
Oh, John. That’s what he wants to
know, but what he don't know is
what’s on the other side of the so
called “sugar” glass.
                                                            
John shrugs his shoulders.

Steve then gives Tom thumbs up, being ready.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
Great. Okay…
                                                            
John turns the camera on quickly.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
Roll cameras! Speed!
                                                            
                       JOHN
Marker!
                                                            
                       TOM
      (to John)
No time! Action!
                                                            
Tom clasps his hands together.

Steve starts the motor bike slowly. It loudly starts.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (nervously, to
       himself)
Come on Steve, baby, you can do
this.
                                                            

74.

He cranks the gear, and takes up quickly. The scene happens
to be in slow motion.

Steve then rides off the building, screaming fearfully. He
then goes to the next building, crashing through a glassed
window hard, shattering consistently .

He remains on the motor bike. The building has no floors due
to construction. The drop happens to be large. He goes on a
downward angle. Ahead of him, appears to be a large, fifteen
foot sharp metal beam sticking out of the wall on the right
side. Steve's right shoulder happens to be lined up for it.

Steve screams louder in panic as he notices it. He gets
closer and closer to it. He comes to close contact with it.
The scene cuts there, implying that his right arm has been
sliced off from his shoulder.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
The room appears to be dark. We see Steve under his covers
by the window in a hospital bed, wearing a blue hospital
gown. Reflected light from the window shines on Steve's
face. He stares at the ceiling in depression.

His right arm appears to be severed from the end of his
shoulder. Gauze covers the wound, along with an I.V. in it.

He grabs the remote control on the left side of him off of
the nightstand. He turns the TV on. Flipping through the
stations, he notices Tom on TV, dressed up in a tuxedo on a
red carpet for a premiere, doing an interview. Tom happens
to be standing next to Andrea, Steve's ex-girlfriend,
wearing a beautiful dress.

Steve stops and looks at it with anger and confusion.
                                                            
                       TOM (ON TV)
      (cheerfully)
I don’t know, I guess this has to
be the best one anyone has seen.
With all the controversy going
around about Steve Cane getting
his arm sliced off, this is going
to hit big I think.
                                                            
                       INTERVIEWER #1 (ON TV)
This scene will certainly shock an
audience, I take it.
                                                            

75.

                       TOM (ON TV)
Well, actually, our editors are
going to have to cut it, or else
it's just going to create problems
with the MP AA. It’s just too gory
for movie-goers.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (angry and
       shocked, to
       himself)
Cut it? What the hell!
                                                            
                       INTERVIEWER #1 (ON TV)
Well, I certainly feel bad for
him. Any other new news floating
around?
                                                            
                       TOM (ON TV)
Most definitely. I like to tell
the world that I am getting
married in three months, to my
fiancé, Andrea Banks.
                                                            
He puts his arm around her. They both smile.
                                                            
                       STEVE
What the fuck is going on? What is
that back-stabbing prick doing to
me?
                                                            
Steve grabs the remote off his bed and turns the TV off with
anger. He turns his side quickly to the left. This causes
his I.V. bag to drop from its hanger and hit Steve in the
head.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (sighs, careless)
I hate my fucking life.
                                                            
 
EXT. L.A. SIDEWALK - DAY
                                                            
The day appears to be rainy and scarce.

A few days after Steve's release from the hospital, we see
him walking down the sidewalk slowly and depressingly. He
has a prosthetic arm connected to his right shoulder, and
holding a newspaper in his left hand. The newspaper has a
picture of Tom on the front from the interview on TV, and
the headline states “New Writer Makes Big Bucks With New
Upcoming Flick!”

76.


He walks by garbage can and throws the newspaper away.
                                                            
 
INT. PSYCHIATRY ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Steve lies down on a couch with his PSYCHIATRIST, JACK,
behind him sitting in a chair taking notes.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to Jack)
You know? I haven’t gotten any
request for me to star in a film
for the past month , and I used to
get two in three weeks. And on top
of that, I had to move out of my
nice apartment into a very shitty
place I can't even call an
apartment! This guy ruined me! I
had to go back to drugs for my
pain, so I dropped out of
meetings! What the hell am I
suppose to do here, Jack?
                                                            
                       JACK
      (calmly, to Steve)
Well, it seems to me that you are
over reacting about this
situation. And maybe if you accept
that he is more famous, you can
get on with your life making
hamburgers, or frying taco meat.
Who knows, you may invent a way to
get your new arm moving normally.
Remember, there are plenty of
other jobs than Hollywood.
Meditate on it for a while.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (confused)
What kind of fucking psychiatrist
are you? Hamburgers? I was a
millionaire!
                                                            
                       JACK
Lighten up, Steve. It's a big
world out there. Your not the only
problem I have to hear in my
office everyday.
                                                            
 

77.

INT. STEVE'S NEW APARTMENT - NIGHT
                                                            
There appears to be a loud thunderstorm heard from inside
the apartment. The apartment has cracks in the walls, and
the water drips from the ceiling.

We see Steve in his room, sitting in the corner with his
knees crunched up to him, looking crazed.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (voice ascends
       louder as he
       talks)
How is water dripping from here
when I'm under four other fucking
floors?
                                                            
Thunder cracks loudly, startling Steve.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (to himself,
       slowly and
       quietly)
That asshole stole my life. I was
the famous one first, but he just
couldn't accept that. I was better
and braver. Now, he’s rich, and
I’m stuck here sniffing glue. What
the hell am I going to do with a
plastic piece-of-shit arm?
                                                            
He rests his head down between his knees.

After a few seconds, he lifts his head up in realization. He
hears a voice in his head, previously from Tom in their
visit at “Hooters”.
                                                            
                       TOM (O.C., VOICE)
If I ever die, or if something
happens to me, I will have a will
prepared for you. And in that
will, all my money, my career, and
my house will go to you. That’s an
IDEAL promise.
                                                            
Steve has a devilish smirk on his face.
                                                            
                       STEVE
It's time to take care of this the
old fashioned way. I’m going to
get my payback, his life. I am
going to kill the rotten bastard,
even if it takes me to prison.
He’s going to go down the drains.
            (MORE)

78.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
All the shit he stole from me, is
coming back to me.
                                                            
 
INT. BAR - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve sits at the bar, looking tired and angry with
bloodshot eyes.

The BARTENDER (#2), stands behind the bar cleaning glasses.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to the Bartender,
       depressingly)
Three shots of bourbon, please.
                                                            
                       BARTENDER
Sure thing, pal.
                                                            
The bartender sets out three shot glasses in front of Steve,
pouring bourbon in each glass. Steve drinks each of them
slowly.

ADAM, A RICH PIMP WITH EXPENSIVE MERCHANDISE ON, walks up to
Steve and sits next to him.
                                                            
                       ADAM
      (to Steve,
       politely)
Rough night, pal?
                                                            
                       STEVE
The roughest in my life, buddy.
                                                            
                       ADAM
I can help you loosen up, if you
need? I’ll give you a discount on
one of the finest hookers I have.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (scoffs)
No thanks. Last time I slept with
someone my girlfriend left me.
                                                            
                       ADAM
You’re Steve Cane, aren’t you?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Roger that.
                                                            

79.

                       ADAM
Yeah, I knew it was you. Your arm
was a dead give away.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (sarcasm)
That's a nice way to be
recognized.
                                                            
                       ADAM
You want revenge, don’t you? I can
see it in your eyes.
                                                            
                       STEVE
I’m going to kill the dick.
                                                            
                       ADAM
      (chuckles)
That’s not a bad plan, but why
don’t you have fun with him for a
little bit? You know, mess with
his mind before you kill him?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Advice from a pimp?
                                                            
                       ADAM
It happened to me, bro. It’s just
more exciting and you feel less
bad about it. Trust me.
                                                            
                       STEVE
So, what do I do?
                                                            
                       ADAM
Fuck up his career first, get him
out of the movie business.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Interesting. Plus he's got a
will, everything in my name.
                                                            
                       ADAM
There you go! I got a hooker for
him, a nice one. The thing is, she
has gonorrhea, and hasn't had sex
in years. You can give this
disease to Tom. Here’s her number
and address, I’ll leave the rest
up to you.
                                                            

80.

He pulls out a card from his pocket. On it has the hooker’s
name, Nancy, with a phone number and address. He hands it to
Steve. Steve glances at it.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Just one question, why are you
doing this for me?
                                                            
                       ADAM
      (smiles)
I loved your work.
                                                            
Adam stands up and walks away. Steve smiles.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to the bartender)
Three more shots.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE'S CAR - NIGHT
                                                            
We see Steve and NANCY, A SEXY HOOKER, WEARING TIGHT,
REVEALING CLOTHES.

Steve parks in front of Tom’s house at the end of the
driveway. He shuts his headlights off.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay, Tom is expecting you. Are
you excited to meet him?
                                                            
                       NANCY
      (cheerfully)
Yeah! It’ll be fun!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Okay, well, he’s expecting you
tonight cause his fiancé, my
ex-girlfriend, is gone for
tonight. You did call him to make
plans, right?
                                                            
                       NANCY
Oh yeah, he’s dying to see me. He
thinks I’m the stripper he met the
other night, whoever that is.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Nice. And I just have one
question. How long have you had
gonorrhea?
                                                            

81.

                       NANCY
Well over six years. It’s
untreatable.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (evil laugh)
Go get him!
                                                            
Nancy steps out of the car and walks toward Tom’s house.
Steve starts his car and drives away slowly. He listens to
rock music on the radio, singing along joyfully.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE'S APARTMENT, NEXT DAY - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve lying down on his old, scruffy couch. He flips
through the channels, watching TV. Suddenly, he spots Tom on
TV. He leaves it on that channel. He sits up with concern.
Tom stands next to Andrea, being interviewed by an
INTERVIEWER (#2). It seems to be taken place in front of
Tom’s house. Andrea hugs Tom with sorrow, crying.
                                                            
                       TOM (ON TV)
      (depressingly)
Well, I’ve been diagnosed with
gonorrhea. Don’t ask me how I got
it, it must’ve been a dirty toilet
seat or something.
                                                            
                       INTERVIEWER 2 (ON TV)
We are all really sorry for what’s
happened. What are you going to do
to help this situation?
                                                            
                       TOM (ON TV)
Well, there’s not much I can do.
Me and my fiancé set up a charity
to help fight STD’s, so hopefully
that helps me and other people
infected around the world.
                                                            
                       INTERVIEWER 2 (ON TV)
We all are in gratitude, Mr. Kohn.

                                                            
Steve looks at the TV with shock and agony.
                                                            
                       TOM (ON TV)
But this will not affect my movie
career, the shows must go on!
                                                            

82.

                       INTERVIEWER 2 (ON TV)
Thank you dearly, Mr. Kohn. And,
we’re very sorry.
                                                            
The news reporter looks toward the camera as Tom and Andrea
walk away.
                                                            
                       INTERVIEWER 2 (ON TV)(cont'd)
Everyone can give their donations
to our news station, and other
news stations.
                                                            
Steve shuts off the TV with the remote control.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to himself,
       angrily)
What the fuck? I infected him, but
that don’t even seem to bother
him! It made everyone feel bad for
him! Oh, he has not seen the last
of me!
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE’S CAR, HIGHWAY - DAY
                                                            
Steve drives fast down an empty highway.
                                                            
                       STEVE
That bastard has a dinner date
scheduled with the director, maybe
it’s time I take his film away
from him first so he don’t think
suspicious.
                                                            
He picks up a bottle of powdered Lye next to him and looks
at the bottle with a smirk.
                                                            
 
INT. LAUNDRY MAT - DAY
                                                            
We see Tom next to the dryer. He opens it and pulls out his
brown sweater. It seems to be a little damp. He smells it
quickly and throws it back in the dryer. He digs through his
pants pockets for change, feeling nothing.
                                                            
                       TOM
Damn it, out of coins.
                                                            
Tom shuts the dryer door and walks away quickly.

Suddenly, Steve runs to to Tom's dryer, trying to be as

83.

stealthy as he can. He looks around and opens it. He takes
the sweater out and lies it down on the table to the side of
the dryer.

This process goes rather slow as he tries to do it all with
only one arm. He turns the shirt inside out. He reaches into
his pocket and pulls out the Lye. He opens the bottle, and
sprinkles a lot on the sweater. The cap comes loose and
falls off, spilling the lye all over the sweater. This
startles Steve as he drops the bottle.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to himself,
       quickly)
Oh, shit!
                                                            
He then picks up the sweater, spilling most of the powder
off it.

He laughs to himself. He quickly takes the shirt, flips it
back outwards, and crumples it up. He throws it back in the
dryer and closes it fast. He runs away quickly.

Tom then walks up to the dryer with $1.75 worth of change in
his hand. He inserts it into the slot and turns it on.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve flips the switch to the lamp and walks toward his
dresser, opening the top drawer. He pulls out a paper bag
out of the shelf and opens it. He sets it on his artificial
elbow and stinks his finger in the bag, revealing white
cocaine on his finger, given to him by the stoned employee
from the bookstore. He folds the bag back up. He looks next
to his dresser and grabs a potato sac. He puts the cocaine
in there.

He continues to look in the drawer. He pulls out a box of
matches and drops that in the sac also.

He turns around and walks toward his couch. He pulls the
pillows off and puts his left hand in between the
mattresses, pulling out a handgun. He stares at it.
                                                            
                       STEVE
This should get my job done much
easier.
                                                            
He checks the barrel for bullets. There happens to be a full
round. He puts it in his jacket pocket on the inside.

He walks into his kitchen to his sink. He kneels down to the

84.

cabinet under the sink and opens it, pulling out a two
gallon gasoline can. He walks away with it and grabs the
potato sac, both in his left arm/hand.
                                                            
 
EXT. STEVE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
                                                            
It appears to be raining outside.

Steve walks toward his car outside his apartment, getting
soaked in the rain. He goes to the trunk and sets his stuff
on the ground. He takes out his keys and opens the trunk,
picking his stuff back up and putting it in there. He gets
ready to close his trunk, until he notices something glowing
in the back of the trunk. He reaches for it and grabs it. It
looks like a banged up hockey mask. He carries it with him
as he closes the trunk.

He gets into his car and takes off slowly.
                                                            
 
EXT. TOM’S SUBDIVISION - NIGHT
                                                            
The rain settled a little bit.

Steve parks his car at the corner of a sidewalk and gets
out. He goes to his trunk and opens it, grabbing the potato
sac and the gasoline tank with his left arm, closing the
trunk with his prosthetic arm. He walks towards Tom's house.
                                                            
                       STEVE
That dick is going to wish he
never fucked with me.
                                                            
He walks up Tom's driveway, approaching the steps of the
front door.

He sets his stuff on the porch and rings the doorbell. He
ducks to the side, waiting. With no answer, he stands up and
sighs with relief.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Restaurant, forgot all about that!
                                                            
He notices a small note pinned to the door. He pulls it off
and unfolds it.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (repeats note,
       quietly to
       himself)
I am not home right now. In
Hollywood putting the finishing
touches on my new film, be back at
            (MORE)

85.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
eleven P.M.
                                                            
He drops the note on the floor.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
That’s about to be over.
                                                            
Steve looks at his watch on his prosthetic arm, which reads
10:00. He smiles as he pulls out a pocketknife from his
pants. He slides the knife in the keyhole on the door
handle, and jiggles it around until he hears a loud click.

He pulls the knife out and opens the door with caution. He
walks in, dragging his stuff in as he closes the door
slowly.

It appears to be very dark. Steve flips the switch next to
him, causing the chandelier in the center of the front room
to light up. The house has many exotic paintings, and a
large staircase. A very nice, but expensive home.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Time to get the bastard out of my
life.
                                                            
He picks up his sac and gasoline can. He walks up the
stairs. On the second set of stairs lies a large antique
lamp. Steve hits it with his hand without a care, causing it
to fall on the ground and shatters down the steps.
                                                            
 
INT. FIVE STAR RESTAURANT - NIGHT
                                                            
The place happens to be very fancy, with many people around.
Mellow music plays.

Tom walks in the restaurant with his brown sweater on. He
walks up to the HOSTESS.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (to hostess)
I’m meeting Emilio Nestavas, party
of two.
                                                            
                       HOSTESS
Right this way.
                                                            
She walks Tom to a table in the far back of the restaurant.

ITALIAN DIRECTOR, EMILIO NESTRAVAS, sits at the table

86.

reading the menu. He appears to be dressed up nicely in an
expensive tuxedo. He notices Tom. The hostess walks away.
                                                            
                       TOM
Hey, Emilio Nestravas! How’s it
going?
                                                            
                       EMILIO
Great, Tommy man! Great! About the
film.
                                                            
Tom sits in a seat across from Emilio.
                                                            
                       TOM
Ah, yes. What do you think of
it?
                                                            
                       EMILIO
It’s all right, nothing special.
I’m debating on it. It’s no
“Scareface” or “Good Fellas”.
Those are the best Italian mobster
movies around!
                                                            
                       TOM
Think good Nestravas, it’s a great
script.
                                                            
Tom starts to itch his sweater. The lye seems to be kicking
in.
                                                            
 
INT. TOM'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve walks in the dark room towards Tom's bed. He pulls out
the paper bag of cocaine from the sac. He tears it open and
spreads it all over Tom’s sheet on his bed, covering most of
the sheet.

He drops the empty bag on the bed and turns around. He comes
across a picture on the dresser of Tom and Andrea kissing on
a beach. Steve looks disgusted as he grabs it and furiously
whips it across the room, causing the frame to shatter when
it hits the wall.

He then kicks the dresser hard with full force. He grabs it,
and fiercely tips it over on the ground.

He turns around next to his sac and picks up a gasoline
tank. He opens the cap and pours it as he walks a complete
oval around his bed. He throws the gas tank on the floor,
leaking out the remainder of the gas.
                                                            
 

87.

INT. TOM’S DINING ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve takes his gun out of his pocket and sets it on the
chair next to the long dining room table. He then decides to
flip the table over fiercely, and punches the walls behind
him hard, causing holes.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (yells furiously)
Son of a bitch!
                                                            
 
INT. FIVE STAR RESTAURANT - NIGHT
                                                            
Tom and Emilio talk, drinking a glass of wine. Near the
bottom of Tom’s neck seems to be a dark red rash. He itches
it consistently.

The waitress walks up to them with a writing pad and pen.
                                                            
                       WAITRESS
Hi, I’m going to be your waitress
for this evening. What can I get
for the both of you?
                                                            
                       EMILIO
Yes. I’ll have the stuffed snails
with a side of Cole slaw. Also,
some more wine.
                                                            
The waitress records it in her pad and looks at Tom.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (sounds dehydrated)
Yes, I’ll just have a simple
cheeseburger. And can you bring a
pitcher of water and plenty of
moisturizing towelettes? Thank
you!
                                                            
She writes that down. Emilio looks at Tom strangely. She
walks away.
                                                            
                       EMILIO
      (concerned)
You alright, Tom? You don’t look
so hot.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (breaths heavily)
I’m fine. It’s just so hot in
here! I’m burning up!
                                                            

88.

                       EMILIO
It seems to be just fine to me,
buff up! In Italy, we never had
air conditioning!
                                                            
                       TOM
Yeah, I'm normally not this hot
though. I think it's me.
                                                            
He feels his sweater, pulling it away from his body.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
I cant take it no more, I'm taking
off my sweater if you don't mind.
                                                            
He takes his sweater off. All around his bare body is red,
with a few blisters. Emilio looks at Tom with shock.
                                                            
                       EMILIO
      (angrily)
I'd appreciate it if you put your
shirt bad on! We are in a public
place, and this isn't quite
helping your chances with the
movie!
                                                            
Tom looks at his chest and notices the redness and blisters.
He stands up quickly in shock.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (loudly, to the
       waitress)
Hey, waitress! Where’s my damn
water?
                                                            
Everybody looks at him with concern. They all get quiet.
Emilio stands up from his seat.
                                                            
                       EMILIO
The deal is off! I'm done!
                                                            
He walks away.
                                                            
                       TOM
Emilio! Get back here!
                                                            
 
INT. TOM'S HOUSE, FRONT ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve walks and looks around at the damages he did to the
place.
                                                            

89.

                       STEVE
      (smiles)
He will just “die” to see this.
                                                            
He hears a car pull up in the driveway. Steve looks worried.
He walks toward the door and looks out the window next to
it. Tom parks in the driveway. Steve backs away from the
door.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
      (worried)
He's early!
                                                            
As he turns the light switch off, it blows sparks due to an
electrical problem, startling Steve as he jumps back. The
light remains on.

                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Holy shit!
                                                            
He looks around the room in panic. He spots Tom's fireplace,
and next to it is a fire poker. He runs to it and grabs it.
He then throws the fire poker at the chandelier, shattering
the light bulb and other glass around it. The light shuts
off.
                                                            
 
EXT. TOM'S FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
                                                            
Tom has a white t-shirt on. He takes out his keys and
unlocks the door.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (muttering to
       himself)
Tore up my script just because I
have a problem with my skin!
                                                            
He opens the door and walks in. He flips on the light switch
next to him, but it won't turn on due to the broken light
bulb.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
      (suspiciously)
What the hell?
                                                            
Tom walks up the stairs. There seems to be a little
reflection from a window nearby, so he can be seen very
little in the dark. Suddenly, a glass shatters from a
distance. He turns around quickly with suspicion. After a
few seconds, he ignores it and continues up the steps.

90.


He walks down the hallway toward his bedroom. He flips the
switch. His room lights up and he looks around. The room
looks trashed.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
      (shocked, angrily)
What the hell happened in here?
                                                            
He sniffs the air.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
Is that gasoline?
                                                            
He grabs his cell phone from his jacket pocket and dials
911. A WOMAN answers.
                                                            
                       WOMAN ON PHONE (O.C. FILTERED)
911 Emergency, what is the
problem?
                                                            
                       TOM
Yeah, I had a break-in here
tonight, and everything is…
                                                            
Before he could finish, the lights go out. Tom turns around
and he suddenly sees Steve in the glow-in-the-dark hockey
mask next to the door. Tom drops the phone in fear,
breathing deeply.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
      (nervously)
Who the hell are you?
                                                            
                       STEVE
You already know me.
                                                            
He pushes Tom furiously onto the bed. This causes the
cocaine to blow in the air and around Tom. Steve walks to
the front end of the bed, grabbing Tom’s arms and
handcuffing them to the bars on the back of the bed. Tom
breathes deeply, causing him to breath in the cocaine also.
                                                            
                       TOM
What is this? What are you doing
to me? What’s on my bed?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (loudly)
You know, you would die easier if
you would shut up from this point
on!
                                                            

91.

Steve walks away from the bed. The cocaine starts to kick
into Tom.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (laughs mildly)
Are you from the DEA? Because this
isn’t mine officer!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (cocks head,
       confused)
No, Tom, I’m here to kill you.
                                                            
Steve takes out his handgun from his jacket pocket and
points it at Tom. Tom laughs harder.
                                                            
                       TOM
Oh no! Officer! Help me!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Shut the fuck up! You stole my
life away from me, and now I’m
going to take yours! I was in the
money, had the girl, everything!
Until your idiot self swept it
away!
                                                            
                       TOM
      (stops laughing)
Steve? Is that you?
                                                            
                       STEVE
You bet your ass it is!
                                                            
Tom resumes to laugh hard. Steve then takes off his mask in
anger and throws it on the ground.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
See you in hell!
                                                            
Steve pulls out a match from his pocket and swipes it
against the wall next to him. It ignites. Steve drops it on
the floor, causing the flames from the gas to go up. It
travels on the floor around the bed.
                                                            
                       TOM
What are you? Crazy? It’s my
house.
                                                            
Steve walks closer to Tom pointing the gun. He sheds a tear,
sadly.
                                                            

92.

                       STEVE
You ruined me, look at my arm.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (serious)
You will not pull that trigger for
a fact!
                                                            
                       STEVE
What makes you say that?
                                                            
He cocks the gun.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (nervously)
Because I didn't ruin you, you
ruined you. You wanted to be a
stuntman.
                                                            
Steve stares at Tom, shedding more tears. He drops his gun
on the floor and slowly walks backwards sitting against the
wall with his knees crunched up to him.

Suddenly, the door swings wide open, crashing against the
wall. Three S.W.A.T. team members run in with AK-47’s. Steve
stands up quickly in shock.
                                                            
                       S.W.A.T. GUY #1
      (loudly)
Stay calm, get on the floor!
                                                            
                       TOM
      (yells to the team)
He’s over there! Next to you!
There’s your crazed killer!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (looks confused,
       to Tom)
You're fucking crazy!
                                                            
S.W.A.T. guy #2 grabs Steve furiously.
                                                            
                       S.W.A.T. GUY #2
I got this guy! Take care of the
flames and that guy on the bed
fast! Call the fire department!
                                                            
Steve tries to tug away.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (to S.W.A.T. team)
No! I’m not nuts! He’s the crazy
one! Help me! Get him! Now! He
            (MORE)

93.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
sliced my arm off my shoulder!
                                                            
                       S.W.A.T. GUY #2
Shut the fuck up and keep idle!
                                                            
He pulls Steve out the room, as the other 2 stay, running
across the flames to the bed, UN-cuffing Tom.
                                                            
 
INT. PRISON - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve inside a prison cell, sitting on his bed
calmly.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (sorrowful, to
       himself)
Maybe this is how my life was
meant to be. A prisonor.
                                                            
 
INT. EVIDENCE ROOM - DAY
                                                            
TWO DETECTIVES sit in this room wearing rubber gloves.
DETECTIVE #1 holds Steve's handgun, and DETECTIVE #2 holds
the damaged cocaine bag, examining them closely.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE #1
This equipment didn’t even mean
any harm to Steve. This gun was
never even loaded, plus, it was on
safe the entire time.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE #2
Yeah, same with this shit. It’s
good crack, but it doesn’t match
the fingerprints. This belongs to
a guy by the name of Mac
McGuillan, a former gang member.
You know the DEA is going to be on
our ass on this one.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE #1
      (sighs)
Yeah, but lets face it, Steve was
a genius. His work was amazing, I
mean, we can help the guy. We have
enough evidence.
                                                            
 

94.

INT. PRISON, STEVE'S CELL - DAY
                                                            
Steve sleeps on his bed.

A GUARD (#2)walks up to Steve’s cell and bangs on the bars
with his fist.
                                                            
                       GUARD #2
Cane?
                                                            
Steve wakes up slowly with a surprise.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (drowsy)
Yeah?
                                                            
The guard takes out his keys from his belt and unlocks the
cell.
                                                            
                       GUARD #2
You are sentenced on probation for
five years, and any evidence of
murder or attempted murder will be
held against you.
                                                            
He opens the gate. Steve has a confused expression as he
walks out.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
So, there you go. There’s my
messed up life.
                                                            
 
INT. BIG CRISP CHICKEN, PRESENT - DAY
                                                            
We see Steve sitting down at the seating booth, looking
tired and depressed. The place looks empty.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
There was no other job than this I
could apply to. Jonah did me a big
favor, which is pretty sad. I
guess, all I can say is that I was
once happy. But I guess destiny
chooses where it wants to go.
                                                            
A man enters the restaurant, QUINCY BARTER. HE CARRIES A
BRIEFCASE, AND WEARS A FANCY BUTTON-UP. Steve stands up.
                                                            

95.

                       QUINCY
      (politely)
Hello. I’m only myself today.
                                                            
                       STEVE
No problem.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Steve grabs a menu on the side of
his booth and walks to a booth in
the near back. Quincy walks to the
side of Steve.
                                                            
Steve grabs a menu on the side of his booth toward a booth
in the back. Quincy walks quickly to the side of him,
probing his eyes curiously.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
You know, you look very familiar.
Would I happen to know you from
somewhere?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Not that I know of.
                                                            
Steve sets the menu on the table. Quincy sets his briefcase
on the seat and sits down.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
I’ll be back, I forgot my note
pad.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Wait a second. I know you. Aren’t
you that guy who got arrested for
killing a director?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Almost killing a director.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Yeah, because he cut that arm off
of you.
                                                            
They both look at his prosthetic arm.
                                                            
                       QUINCY (cont'd)
I don't blame yah. You took huge
nuts to do what you did!
                                                            

96.

                       STEVE
Well, if you see it that way. I
got to get the pad, I’ll be back…
                                                            
Steve gets ready to walk away, but Quincy stops him.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
      (quickly)
Wait a second!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (irrationally)
Yeah?
                                                            
                       QUINCY
I know your busy, but sit down
here for a second. I got a
proposition for you.
                                                            
Steve looks around in distress and sighs. He sits across
from Quincy.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Make it quick.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
I saw how brave you were in a
re-enactment on Court TV, and I
think you were courageous as hell.
I think you deserve a better place
to work than a shit hole like
this, which is why I’m talking to
you. I made a television show
called “Insane Asylum Theory” for
Discovery, and thought you were
perfect for it the second I saw
you.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Yeah? Well, bad news, I quit
entertainment a year ago, and
don’t want to start my life all
over again.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Will you at least think about it?
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (thinks for a
       moment)
Do you have a transcript of the
first episode?
                                                            

97.

                       QUINCY
I sure do!
                                                            
He opens his briefcase and pulls out a small screenplay, and
a contract.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Give me a little inquiry on this.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Sure thing. It is about this guy,
Nick Bernard, a wrongfully accused
tax attorney, thrown into solitary
confinement. While in there, he
goes totally bananas, as his
buddies try to help him out of
there. It’s a really excellent
show. I think it will be a hit.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Can I get in contact with you?
What’s your name?
                                                            
                       QUINCY
My name is Quincy Barter. Here’s
my card. It will be at “Barter
Productions”.
                                                            
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a miniature card
with his contact information on it. He hands it to Steve.
Steve puts it in his pocket.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Thanks. Nice doing business with
you.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Thanks for your time.
                                                            
They shake hands.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (smiles)
Anything you want is on the house.
                                                            
Quincy smiles also.
                                                            
 
EXT. L.A. SIDEWALK - DAY
                                                            
Steve walks down the sidewalk, looking and concentrating on
the contact card Quincy gave him. He looks at the buildings

98.

next to him. He comes across one large building and he looks
at the sign, reading “Barter Productions”. He walks up and
opens the door.
                                                            
 
INT. BARTER PRODUCTIONS, QUINCY'S OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Quincy reads a letter at his desk. We hear a sudden knock on
the door. Quincy looks up.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Come in.
                                                            
                       STEVE
Steve opens the door and walks in.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
      (excited)
Hey, Steve! Glad you showed! So,
you finally agreed to star on the
show.
                                                            
                       STEVE
No, I just want to try it out.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Well, you can’t just try it out. I
give you contracts, you either do
it or don’t.
                                                            
                       STEVE
What are my options?
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Okay, one contract contains one
season of “Insane Asylum Theory”,
with one full paycheck. Or, the
second one consists of doing the
show for five years, and getting
paid weekly. What will it be?
                                                            
                       STEVE
Um, I’m probably going to have to
pick number two. I don’t want to
waste my life on one contract.
After my five years, can I get the
contract renewed?
                                                            
                       QUINCY
If you wish, or you can cancel.
Should I get your contract now?
                                                            

99.

                       STEVE
Yeah do that, please
                                                            
Quincy pulls the top draw of his desk and takes out 2 sheets
of contract papers. He sets it on the desk passing it to
Steve.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Okay, you sign all of the required
signatures with a star, and the
other ones are optional. And I do
have to remind you that before
shooting this film you have to
take two suppositories for medical
reasons.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (confused, but
       ignores it)
Pen?
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Oh yeah. Right.
                                                            
Quincy grabs a pen from his desk draw and gives it to Steve.
Steve starts to sign.
                                                            
 
INT. STEVE'S CAR - NIGHT
                                                            
We see Steve driving down the highway, listening to an
emotional rock song.

He looks at his rear view mirror. Hanging from the mirror
reveals a picture of Melissa. He stares at it with
disappointment.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (irritable)
Why do I always feel responsible?
                                                            
He quickly makes a U-turn and drives faster down the empty
traffic.
                                                            
 
EXT. MELISSA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Steve pulls up and parks his car on the street. He gets out
and walks in front of Melissa’s small, but nice house. It
sounds very peaceful.
                                                            

100.

                       STEVE
This dumb trick better get her
back.
                                                            
We see Melissa in her P.J.’s, lying on her bed with her
nightlight on reading a book on vets.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (to herself,
       repeating from
       book)
“To give a certain animal proper
rabbi shots, you must- A. Find the
problem. B. Check his or hers anus
for bleeding bacteria. C. Do a
blood…”
                                                            
We hear a sudden notion coming from the outside. It
interrupts Melissa. She listens carefully, and outside plays
an emotional song, with Steve singing along to it, horribly.
She gets up in concern and walks toward her window.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (over song)
Melissa, come out here, please!
                                                            
Melissa opens her curtains and looks out her window. From a
high angle, she notices Steve singing in a microphone with a
mini karaoke machine, but doesn't recognize him.

She opens her window in anger.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Who the hell are you? Go home and
bother some other skank!
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (stops singing,
       yells to her)
Melissa! It’s me! Steve!
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (can't hear him,
       yells)
What?
                                                            
Steve turns around and kicks his karaoke machine, causing it
to crash against his car. It breaks and the music stops. He
turns back to Melissa.
                                                            

101.

                       STEVE
      (lowers voice)
Melissa! It’s me! Steve! Your ex!
                                                            
                       MELISSA
What the hell are you doing here?
Are you crazy? I broke up with you
over a year ago!
                                                            
                       STEVE
Please, Melissa, give me another
chance!
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (calmer)
I gave you options, but you chose
to kill yourself. I seen you on
the news, your insane. Look at
your arm for Christ’s sake!
                                                            
                       STEVE
I quit stunt work! Never again! I
learned, and you were right. Just
bear with me.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
No! Your nuts! What kind of guy
just comes to his ex-girlfriend’s
house, and plays one of the
stupidest songs I ever heard?
                                                            
                       STEVE
I only did it cause I seen this in
almost all dumb romantic movie!
It’s cliché, but I did it.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Why are you here?
                                                            
                       STEVE
I came to see you. I quit my
career and moved on. I’m not crazy
any more. You were right all
along. Now, my life is soap opera.
Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like
to ask a simple question I’ve been
trying to ask you.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
Yeah?
                                                            

102.

                       STEVE
      (waits a few
       seconds, thinks)
Okay, now that was harder than
shit to say, but this is harder.
                                                            
She waits patiently with a smile.
                                                            
                       STEVE (cont'd)
Melissa… will you be my girlfriend
again?
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (stares at him,
       grins)
This is too soon.
                                                            
                       STEVE
I’ll prove I changed.
                                                            
                       MELISSA
      (thinks a few
       seconds, sighs)
Sure. As long as you don’t do
crazy stunts on your show.
                                                            
                       STEVE
      (smiles largely,
       shakes head)
You're Fucking-A right!
                                                            
                       MELISSA
I’ll be right down!
                                                            
She walks away from her window. Steve stands, waiting.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
I have to say, as I went along in
the future, my life didn’t turn
bad one bit. It actually got
better as it rolled along.
                                                            
 
INT. PADDED ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Quincy sits in a chair with the cameraman and other crew
members. Steve sits on the floor in front of the camera,
looking crazy wearing a straight jacket.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Action!
                                                            
Steve stands up quickly.
                                                            

103.

                       STEVE
      (yells, angry
       acting)
Where the hell am I?
                                                            
He screams as he runs into the padded wall behind him,
bouncing him back. He repeatedly does this a few more times.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
After the first season of my show,
it hit number one around America.
I had some fun with that.
                                                            
                       QUINCY
Cut!
                                                            
Steve stops feeling dizzy. He falls to the ground breathing
hard.
                                                            
                       QUINCY (cont'd)
That was perfect! Great work!
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
And in that same year, Melissa and
I, got married…
                                                            
 
INT. CATHOLIC CHURCH - DAY
                                                            
Steve wears a tuxedo, standing next to Melissa, wearing a
Wedding Dress. The PRIEST stands in the center, reading the
vows from the Holy Bible.

Steve and Melissa look at each other happily.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
At one of our favorite churches,
the one my parents used to go to.
I think that this will be
something I will remember most of
all from the experience I went
through.
                                                            
                       PRIEST
I now by pronounce you, husband
and wife. You may kiss the bride.
                                                            
Steve and Melissa share a five second kiss.
                                                            

104.

                       STEVE (V.O.)
And if luck may serve, one of the
best things of all happened on
this miraculous adventure of mine.
Tom’s life…
                                                            
 
EXT. TOM'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
We see Tom getting handcuffed outside of his house by two
cops next to the K-9 unit automobile and police car.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
He was charged for stealing
screenplays from other writers and
selling them without any
solicitation. He erased the
writers name and put his names on
the script.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (yells with fiery)
I didn’t do anything! Those were
my scripts sold to me by those
people!
                                                            
                       COP #2
Just shut the hell up!
                                                            
The cops put him in the police car furiously.
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
And two weeks later, Nancy, the
hooker with gonorrhea, pressed
charges against Tom for statutory
rape. It turns out she was
seventeen years old. He's going to
be away for a while.
                                                            
 
INT. BUS - NIGHT
                                                            
We see Steve sitting down with a cheerful expression. He
reads a magazine.

The magazine has Steve in a straight jacket on the cover,
smiling. The headline states, “One Crazy Sucker Turns
Millions In A Week, Once Again!"
                                                            
                       STEVE (V.O.)
Well, I got to tell you, life was
now perfect. It’s what I’ve been
dreaming for. My career is hot, my
girlfriend’s back, and my worst
            (MORE)

105.

                       STEVE (cont'd)
enemy is behind bars. It seems
that “The Walking Cripple” didn’t
bring me the joy I wanted, but,
what I learned from him was to let
destiny choose your path. It’s
either going to turn out for the
better, or for the worst.
                                                            
Steve closes the magazine and throws it to the side of him.
                                                            
 
INT. PRISON, TOM'S CELL - NIGHT
                                                            
We see Tom behind bars, along with the same cellmate Steve
was teamed up. Tom bangs his head viciously on the bars. The
cellmate appears to be sleeping.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (depressed,
       banging head once
       after every word)
Why, did, it, have, to, happen,
to, me?
                                                            
The cellmate wakes up with fiery.
                                                            
                       CELLMATE
      (yells, angrily)
Will you shut the fuck up?! I got
to sleep!
                                                            
Tom stops banging his head and stares forward.
                                                            
                       TOM
Sorry, I’m just in a lot of
stress.
                                                            
The cellmate then sits up passionately on his bed. He smiles
devilishly.
                                                            
                       CELLMATE
      (calmer)
What's your name, man?
                                                            
                       TOM
Tom, why?
                                                            
Tom turns around and looks at the cellmate. He notices the
smile on his face. The cellmate stands up slowly. Tom
nervously looks away from him.
                                                            

106.

                       TOM (cont'd)
      (quietly, to
       himself)
Oh, shit!
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From Dustin Martin Date 9/2/2005 ****
Great stuff man. Keep up the good work. Since you really liked my work in my Sin City script you should check out my latest one "Almost Home". Keep up the good work.

From KAR Catacomb Date 8/28/2005 ****
funny, i found this extremly filled with potential. you tell me u haven't sold it, well trust me, keep trying i will love to see this movie the ending was hilarious


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