Mexico City Confidential (6) CARMELA That was my first thought… but how? ANITA Ah just leave it to me my dear. You have a piece of paper? CARMELA digs in her bag, the only thing she comes up with is a note sheet from her file-o’-fax. That’s perfect! (she reads aloud as she writes) Celia, my flower… Accept this trinket as a symbol of my undying devotion. I have more hidden in my office. If you are a “naughty” girl come to see me wearing this a nd I will let you look for the others! Eternally yours, HANNIBAL… Both women are laughing now. ANITA suddenly sputters. CARMELA What is it? ANITA I just had the most awful thought… What if the necklace doesn’t fit around all those chins! This sets off a new torrent of laughter. INT/AM, NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES PACO sits at a microfiche scanning old issues of an economic newspaper. He finds what he is looking for and calls the clerk. 76 PACO Could I have a photocopy of this article please? CLERK Yes sir, it will take a few moments to locate the issue. Have a seat at my desk. INT/AM, ELECTRIC CITY ANITA and CARMELA look on as PACO races past. PACO Morning girls! As he runs out the door CARMELA sighs. CARMELA Do you think he knows? ANITA is suddenly uncomfortable, she knows all too well that he knows. She places an arm around CARMELA’S shoulder. ANITA Whatever he may know is not nearly as significant as what you will make him understand. CARMELA I suppose you are right. Have you sent the “package”? ANITA Not today dear, it’s too soon. Tomorrow is perfect. CARMELA But he wants to see me tonight! ANITA Tell him you’ve got your period! That always puts them off. EXT/DAY, MEXICO CITY STREETS PACO makes his rounds as usual the GOONS following behind. The Yugo stops outside Modero Air-conditioning Systems. PACO gets out and enters the reception area. The GOONS pull up. GOONS POV we see PACO through the huge windows of the showroom. He chats a moment with the receptionist then heads off down a corridor. 77 GOON 1 If you stop to think about it at least half of Mexico City must know this guy… GOON 2 Yeah? So what? GOON 1 I dunno… I mean, if he ever wanted to do something else he already knows half the city. Let’s say he opens a restaurant… GOON 2 Sometimes I can’t believe how fucking stupid you are! Like what would they say to their wives? Hey, honey I know this great new restaurant my ex-bookie just opened… GOON 1 You know you have absolutely no imagination. We see PACO emerge from the corridor. He thanks the receptionist exits and returns to his Yugo. GOON 2 I prefer to use my imagination for other things if you know what I mean. Come on let’s go. EXT/DAY, PARK CENTRAL MEXICO CITY PACO walks across the park the GOONS following at a distance. Suddenly a voice stops him. POV GOONS the meeting appears entirely chance, two old friends greeting each other. GOON 2 That guy looks familiar… GOON 1 (for once the upper hand) It’s that friend of his with the Florett. GOON 2 (regards him) Ah, yeah, now I remember. PACO and ANGEL sit on a bench. 78 EXT/DAY, PARK BENCH PACO turns his back to the GOONS and carefully slides his “invoice” book out of the bag. PACO Quick give me a signature here buddy. ANGEL signs the empty betting sheet then slips PACO an envelope with the money. ANGEL You better know what you’re doing. PACO I know all right. Get up and go get us a couple burritos… (ANGEL looks at him as PACO carefully tears off the top copy of the betting sheet and slips it in his pocket) Just do it! (ANGEL stands and heads for a vendor PACO shouts after him) I want lots of hot sauce on mine! PACO proceeds to slip the cash out of the envelope and replaces it with some papers, among them the photocopy of the newspaper article. He slides it towards ANGEL along with a small paper bag as he returns with the burritos. PACO Don’t pick it up until I’m gone just sit. ANGEL does as he is told and hands PACO his burrito. PACO bites into it as ANGEL looks at him puzzled. ANGEL What is up? PACO (chewing) Everything is going as planned, just can’t be too careful. All you need to know is in that envelope. I won’t be able to contact you directly until tomorrow afternoon. It is all explained. Tomorrow morning you’ll know if it’s still a go or not, from then on it’s up to you buddy. I better get going or they’ll get suspicious. (he stands, reaction ANGEL) Thanks for the burrito, talk to you later. 79 PACO hurries off and ANGEL stares after him. ANGEL The guy’s turned into fuckin James Bond! He settles back on the bench to eat his burrito. INT/DAY, ELECTRIC CITY ANITA and CARMELA are at the reception area. CARMELA wraps a gift while ANITA picks up an inside line. ANITA Yes… (her eyes grow wide) Oh yes. INT/DAY, HANNIBAL’S OFFICE HANNIBAL …I am still waiting for your report. We see the TV tuned to HANNIBAL’S favorite “show”, CARMELA live. ANITA tosses a furtive glance towards the camera. ANITA (VO) Yes sir immediately. She turns and excuses herself to CARMELA then walks briskly out of the frame. EXT/DAY, MEXICO CITY STREETS In a rather run down industrial area of the city we see PACO’S Yugo parked in front of an ice-cream factory. PACO emerges from the factory and returns to his car. He pulls away from the curb but before the GOONS even start out after him he runs a stop sign ramming broadside into a passing patrol car. The GOONS exchange looks of alarm. They pull up a bit closer to see what happens. PACO climbs out of his now crumpled Yugo, bag on shoulder. He seems more angry than shaken. PACO (kicks the car) And I just got you out of the shop! One of the OFFICERS approaches, he is politely ironic. 80 OFFICER Well, sir, your car didn’t run that stop sign by itself. PACO What stop sign! He gestures to the side of the road, there is a stop sign albeit rather faded and dented. PACO fumes. PACO Look at that thing! You expect people to see that! What a crock of shit! I bet you bastards leave it like that on purpose so you can write up poor working sons o’bitches… The other OFFICER walks up with a warning look to his partner… OFFICER 2 License and registration please. PACO Fuck you! The two OFFICERS exchange looks before pouncing on PACO. PACO doesn’t struggle really but continues shouting curses and threats. They cuff him and lead him towards the patrol car. The near door has been smashed in by the Yugo so they push him around to the far side of the vehicle. The two GOONS are stunned, this is the first time anything out of the ordinary has happened on rounds and their initial reaction is panic. GOON 2 That stupid asshole! What are we supposed to do now? GOON 1 We better call Hannibal. GOON 2 Shit! Come on let’s see where they’re taking him first. They climb on the motorcycle and head out after the patrol car. EXT/DAY, POLICE STATION As the patrol car approaches the station we see a group of workmen in coveralls digging a huge hole in the street right at the entrance to the parking lot. PACO gazes their direction with a slight smile. Their jackhammer raises a hell of a ruckus and a cheap radio blares out 81 sports news. The OFFICER behind the wheel curses as he is forced to park his banged up patrol car right out front of the station. The two officers push PACO into the station as the GOONS pull up across the street. GOON 1 You want me to call him? GOON 2 No I’ll do it… (he pulls out his mobile and dials) The stupid mother fucker… INT/DAY, HANNIBAL’S OFFICE HANNIBAL and GOMEZ are huddled over some printouts when HANNIBAL’S private line rings. HANNIBAL Pick it up, Gomez. The accountant does as he is told his expression suddenly changing to one of alarm. GOMEZ Just a moment please… (to HANNIBAL) Sir, I’m afraid this might be serious… Seeing GOMEZ’ troubled expression HANNIBAL grabs the phone. HANNIBAL Speak… (as he listens his face begins to gradually change colors and the muscles twitch involuntarily) I see. Leave Amir there and get back here now, I’ll make the necessary arrangements. (he hangs up abruptly, to GOMEZ) Get Jorge on the phone I want him here immediately! INT/DAY, POLICE STATION The DUTY OFFICER looks PACO up and down. His bag and personal effects sit on the desk the two OFFICERS stand on either side of him. PACO is now meek and polite. PACO It must be the exhaustion sirs. I’ve been working 82 double shifts for a week now, haven’t seen my girl, you know how it is… DUTY OFFICER I’m afraid I don’t know how it is. (he pushes PACOS cigarettes and lighter towards him) If you want to contact your attorney you will have to give me the number, the payphone is out of order and civilians are not permitted to speak on station lines. He nods to the OFFICERS to remove the handcuffs. PACO scribbles a phone number on his little notepad and tears off the sheet offering it to the DUTY OFFICER. PACO Sir could I hang onto this as well? (indicates notepad) I want to jot down a few things for my attorney. (DUTY OFFICER nods) Thank you sir. PACO grabs his cigarettes and the notepad and the OFFICERS shove him towards some stairs leading down to the holding cells. The DUTY OFFICER scoops the rest of PACO’S personals into a plastic bag and as he deposits them and PACO’S bag in a locker behind his desk GOON 1 enters looking sheepish. He approaches the DUTY OFFICER clearing his throat nervously. GOON 1 Excuse me officer uh… I’m supposed to meet someone here to… DUTY OFFICER Sit over there. The GOON does as he is told, it is obvious that being inside a police station doesn’t agree with him at all. The DUTY OFFICER looks up from his paperwork with an air of disgust as a loud snore escapes GOON 1, he has dozed off in the chair. DUTY OFFICER Hey! You there… (GOON startles) Who did you say you were waiting for? 83 GOON 1 Uhh… sorry must be the traffic, they should be here any minute. The DUTY OFFICER grunts and turns back to his paperwork. The GOON sits a moment fidgeting then speaks again timidly. GOON 1 Excuse me… DUTY OFFICER (without looking up) What is it? GOON 1 Could I use your rest room? DUTY OFFICER Down stairs end of the hall, don’t touch anything. GOON 1 Thank you sir… INT/AFT, HOLDING CELLS The two OFFICERS sit at a small table in the corner playing backgammon. GOON 1 looks around him shuddering at the cold bricks and bars. As he passes the cells he looks in each. POV GOON in the first cell we see a drunken vagrant crumpled in a heap on the floor snoring raucously. In the second cell PACO is stretched out on a cot, his jacket folded under his head, puffing on a cigarette. The third cell has walls rather than bars with a small window on the door above which is written “WOMEN”. It is empty. None of the cells have windows to the outside, in fact there is no access to the outside at all only the stairs leading up to the squad room. The GOON shudders again. GOON 1 Hate to be down here in a fire… He enters the restroom at the end of the hall. INT/AFT, POLICE STATION As GOON 1 ascends the stairs GOMEZ, JORGE and GOON 2 enter. The DUTY OFFICER looks from one to the other, it seems all this activity is most bothersome. JORGE, HANNIBAL’S legal counsel 84 for all matters pertaining to the enterprise within the enterprise, approaches the DUTY OFFICER. JORGE I am Mr. Brigante’s attorney… (hands him a card) The DUTY OFFICER gazes at it then back at JORGE he hadn’t gotten around to phoning. JORGE There was a leather satchel among Mr. Brigante’s personal effects, that is the property of his employer Mr. Huerta. This gentleman is Mr. Huerta’s personal accountant who has come to take possession of the satchel. The DUTY OFFICER looks from one to the other suspiciously. His gaze also catches the two GOONS who whisper among themselves. DUTY OFFICER Nobody is taking possession of anything until after the hearing. JORGE I am going to post guarantee for Mr. Brigante… DUTY OFFICER Tell it to the judge tomorrow. Tonight Mr. Brigante will be my guest. JORGE Might we at least have a look at the bag to insure t hat its contents are intact? DUTY OFFICER Wouldn’t you rather have a look at Mr. Brigante? He is your client isn’t he? JORGE As you have made quite clear sir he won’t be going anywhere for the time being. The DUTY OFFICER grudgingly extracts the bag from the locker and sets it before them on the desk. JORGE nods to GOMEZ who studiously begins sorting through the contents, careful so as not to allow the DUTY OFFICER to get a good look at them. 85 JORGE I will see my client now. DUTY OFFICER Down stairs… HASSAN! Brigante’s attorney is coming down! GOMEZ closes the bag nodding to JORGE that all is in its place. The DUTY OFFICER returns it to the locker with a curious look. JORGE heads down stairs. INT/AFT, HANNIBAL’S OFFICE HANNIBAL paces back and forth obviously very unsettled by this unprecedented turn of events. He quickly dials a number on his cellular. INT/AFT, POLICE STATION GOMEZ is huddled with the two GOONS as his cellular rings he steps off to one side. GOMEZ Yes… Tomorrow morning after the hearing… Unfortunately that was impossible, JORGE is talking to him now… I checked the bag myself… Yes sir… (he glances at the GOONS) Yes I’ll tell them, sir. He closes the phone and returns to the GOONS. GOMEZ (to GOON 1) You will return with us to the office. You… ( to GOON 2) will be spending the night here with our friend. GOON 2 The whole night! Why me? GOMEZ Those were HANNIBAL’S orders. If you have a problem with that call him yourself. GOON 2 Que suerte. GOMEZ What was that? 86 GOON 2 Nothing. Here you probably want this… He hands GOMEZ his control sheet listing PACO’S “customers” that day then glares at GOON 1 who shrugs. JORGE appears at the head of the stairs and GOMEZ goes to confer with him. GOON 2 I’ll get you for this… GOON 1 It’s not my fault! JORGE approaches the duty officer. JORGE What time is Mr. Brigante to be taken for the hearing tomorrow? DUTY OFFICER 08:30, will you be coming to accompany him? JORGE Yes of course. DUTY OFFICER Don’t be late then. JORGE (discreetly sets an envelope on the corner of the desk) If you don’t mind I want that gentleman to stay here… (indicates GOON 2) Just in case my client needs anything. DUTY OFFICER (subtly picks up the envelope weighing it with his fingers before depositing it in his drawer) But of course! GOMEZ, JORGE and GOON 1 leave. GOON 2 plunks down into a chair extremely agitated. After a moment or two the ruckus from outside becomes nerve wracking. GOON 2 stands and goes to the window. POV GOON 2 we see the road workers one of them working the jackhammer, the others are all gathered around a radio. 87 GOON 2 Look at that! Damned public employees! One works while the rest jerk off… He turns to see the DUTY OFFICER glaring at him over his paper work. GOON 2 Nothing personal. INT/AFT, HOLDING CELL PACO sits propped against the wall with his little notepad in hand. He seems to be concentrating on something then pausing to jot down a few notes from time to time. INT/AFT, ELECTRIC CITY CARMELA gets ready to leave for the day. She turns to ANITA quizzical. CARMELA PACO hasn’t passed by at all this afternoon… ANITA Now that you mention it I haven’t seen him either. CARMELA I feel so crummy. All this week he has been slaving away while I’ve been out having fun. ANITA Stop beating yourself up, the good life is a hell of a temptation for anyone. I should know. CARMELA regards her a moment then heads for the door she stops and scribbles a note to PACO. CARMELA If he happens to come in before you leave give him this please. See you tomorrow. ANITA Yes dear… ANITA watches CARMELA walk out. Her initial reflex is to read the note but she stops herself. With an air of determination she pins it to the notice board. 88 INT/AFT, HANNIBAL’S OFFICE HANNIBAL paces back and forth, GOMEZ and JORGE are seated across from his desk. JORGE He claims it is because he has been overworking, exhaustion nerves etc. The guards confirmed that he didn’t even see the stop sign. He had just gotten the thing out of the shop this morning so his agitation is understandable. HANNIBAL I have a bad feeling about all this. GOMEZ I think you should relax HANNIBAL. Even if this was something fishy no one can get to him where he is, our man is there in case anyone tries. Don’t upset yourself for no reason, think about your blood pressure. HANNIBAL Fuck my blood pressure! You are probably right… I suppose it is insane that I find that little fuck so threatening. JORGE Oh, I don’t know ,HANNIBAL, considering the way you’ve treated him over the years he certainly has every reason to want to screw you. (HANNIBAL flashes him a steely glance) Of course how could he? He is just a plebe after all isn’t that right? HANNIBAL Yes, he is that all right… INT/EVE, ANGEL’S HOUSE ANGEL sits at his dining table reading the newspaper article about the man he is to be “playing”. OVER SHOULDER we see the photo of the player he is in his mid-fifties, slight paunch, thick glasses, graying at the temples. ANGEL sets down the article and picks up PACO’S instructions. He opens the small paper sack there is a pair of identical glasses and a bottle of hair bleach inside. He looks at it a moment then shakes his head. 89 ANGEL Good thing the son of a bitch isn’t bald! INT/AM, HOLDING CELL, POLICE STATION PACO sits on the cot wearing his jacket. He is unshaven and looks like he hasn’t slept a wink. He goes to light a cigarette but notices it is the last one in the pack and replaces it returning the pack to his pocket. A POLICE OFFICER approaches the cell and opens the door. OFFICER 1 Let’s go, Brigante.
Copyright © 2000 Victoria King |