Mexico City Confidential (8) DIRECTOR CUT!!! God Damn it! (to blonde P.M.) Get props in here NOW! P.M. Yes sir… (she turns and runs for the door) PROPS! 1st A.D. 104 First positions! Everybody stand by… The P.M. returns with the PROPS man. We see that he is one of the guys who was in the garage the day PACO went to pick up the Yugo, we also recognize him from the work crew outside the police station. He rushes to the vault scrambling to gather up the scattered papers then proceeding to replace the fake packs of bills with the actual cash from the vault. No body noticing with all the fuss. ANGEL is now despondent he turns to the TELLER. ANGEL How much longer? TELLER It’s hard to say… judging from the last time they were here probably another two to three hours. ANGEL Hours! INT/DAY, BANK HIGH ANGLE general shot of the bank interior. 1st A.D. Quiet on the set please! Sound… SOUND Speed! 1st A.D. Camera… CAMERA Rolling… 2nd A.D. Episode 56, 24, take 6 DIRECTOR And… ACTION! The THREE ROBBERS burst into the bank. ROBBER 1 immobilizes the MANAGER, ROBBER 2 goes straight to the vault while ROBBER 3 begins gathering wallets, jewelry and cellular phones from the “panic-stricken” customers and employees. ROBBER 3 doesn’t stop there though he begins taking the same articles from members of the film crew. 105 INSERT> CAMERA ASST. (whispers) Hey isn’t he out of shot? < END INSERT ROBBER 2 moves from the vault to the teller windows and begins emptying the cash drawers. The MANAGER moves to protest but ROBBER 1 shoves him to the floor. INSERT> DIRECTOR CUT!!! ROBBER 1 cuts loose about ten rounds of live ammunition and silence falls over the crowd. ROBBER 2 proceeds to disable the telephone center, surveillance cameras and the silent alarms. ROBBER 1 lets loose with another barrage and all hell breaks loose. Customers, film crew, employees and extras begin scrambling to the far end of the bank to cower. INSERT> ANGEL is frozen in terror clutching the travel bag when ROBBER 3 reaches him. ROBBER 3 snatches the bag and ANGEL faints. ROBBER 3 then proceeds through the crowd as if searching for something. He suddenly grabs the PRODUCTION MANAGER and drags her screaming towards the door. They are joined by ROBBER 2. ROBBER 1 forces the MANAGER to his feet proceeds to tape one of his hands to a column places a hand grenade in his free hand and pulls the pin. ROBBERS 2 & 3 exit dragging the P.M. with them ROBBER 1 exits last chaining and padlocking the door behind him. EXT/DAY, BANK The ROBBERS still dragging the P.M. run towards a strangely familiar and freshly dented 1985 Yugo. A “GUARD” takes off after them, another one of the guys from the garage. As they pass the hair and make-up van the door 106 opens and two more men run out, behind them we can see the three actor/robbers and the real P.M. and Guard tied and gagged. One of the men is the “PROPS” guy, the other we also recognize from the police station and the garage. They get on motorcycles as the “P.M.” gets behind the wheel of the Yugo the ROBBERS piling in as well. All of the vehicles pull away disappearing into the chaotic traffic. INT/EVE, HANNIBAL’S OFFICE HANNIBAL, GOMEZ, JORGE and the TWO GOONS that followed PACO are gathered around the big TV screen watching the special news report concerning the very unusual robbery. In the midst of the panic-stricken crowd that the police are taking statements from we see ANGEL. HANNIBAL quickly points him out to the GOONS. HANNIBAL Have either of you ever seen that man before? The two GOONS squint at the screen then answer simultaneously. GOON 2 No… GOON 1 Yes… GOON 2 and HANNIBAL glare at GOON 1 who rushes to remind GOON 2. GOON 1 Don’t you remember in the park and before that outside of the bank, the guy with the Florett? (GOON 2 does not seem convinced) Sure he’s dressed differently but look at his face. Remove the glasses and I’m telling you it’s the same guy. GOON 2 Hmm… you may be right. GOON 1 I know I’m right. (to HANNIBAL) PACO met that guy in the park one hour before he was arrested. HANNIBAL (glaring at GOON 2) 107 You don’t say? Why wasn’t that reported? GOON 2 Well, at the time it seemed like a coincidence. HANNIBAL There is no such thing as coincidence. (to GOON 1) When did you see him outside the bank? GOON 1 Last week, the day PACO’s Yugo broke down. He lent him a motorbike. HANNIBAL (to GOON 2) I see… so one could quite easily deduce that their acquaintance is not so casual eh? (GOON 2 is too ashamed to respond, GOON 1 beams he has finally shown him up) GET ME BRIGANTE!!! INT/EVE, CARMELA’S HOUSE The Vallejo family is gathered around the television watching the same news report. We see CARMELA through the open bathroom door fixing her make-up and humming to herself. INT/EVE, RENATA’S KITCHEN The radio blares out news of the robbery but RENATA is embroiled in her end of season racing form oblivious to the happenings in the world and melancholic that she will have to wait a few months to bet again. INT/EVE, ANGEL’S HOUSE ANGEL paces back and forth, his “gray” hair now slathered with a color treatment. His eyes constantly dart at the clock. He picks up the phone and dials but slams it down after a few moments. ANGEL Don’t cry for me Argentina,my ass! He hastily rinses the colortreatment from his hair. It hasn’t had time to work properly and his gray has taken on a metallic blue hue. Seeing the ridiculous results in the mirror pisses him off even more. He grabs his jacket and storms out of the house. 108 EXT/EVE, STREET, PACO’S APT. As ANGEL rounds the corner he stops short. POV ANGEL we see HANNIBAL’S limo in front of the building. GOON 2 pounds on the exterior door with his fist while HANNIBAL, GOMEZ and GOON 1 look on. A first floor window opens and MRS. MIRANDA the nosey neighbor lady pokes her head out. MRS. MIRANDA What’s all this ruckus! HANNIBAL We are trying to locate Mr. Brigante… MRS. MIRANDA Well tell the gorilla to stop banging on the door cuz he aint here! Hasn’t been in or out in two days. HANNIBAL Are you certain? MRS. MIRANDA I know everything that goes on in this building. HANNIBAL I’m sure you do… MRS. MIRANDA You might try that girlfriend of his. If I see him should I tell him who is looking? HANNIBAL I doubt you will see him. Good evening, Madam, thank you for your assistance. As HANNIBAL turns to leave his gaze falls upon ANGEL who scrambles to hide himself behind a dumpster. HANNIBAL Grab him! EXT/EVE, CARMELA’S HOUSE A Rolls Royce waits outside of CARMELA’S building we see a blonde sitting in the back seat. CARMELA is taken aback as she emerges from the building. 109 POV CARMELA the rear window opens and the blonde head pokes out. The wig is removed and we see PACO smiling. CARMELA is dumbstruck. PACO opens the door and gestures for her to get in. PACO Come on kid we’ll miss our plane. I’ll explain on the way. CARMELA I can’t wait to hear this! She laughs as she climbs in and the Rolls pulls away. EXT/EVE, STREETS ANGEL runs for his life with GOONS 1 & 2 in hot pursuit. He glances behind him and seeing that they are gaining he dodges into an alley. Just as he reaches the other end HANNIBAL’S limo runs him down and he tumbles from the hood to the asphalt. The GOONS reach him and immobilize him. GOON 1 removes his wallet and tosses it to HANNIBAL who emerges from the vehicle with a murderous look. HANNIBAL What a pleasant surprise running into you like this Mr. Modero… or should I say Mr. Brigante. (in his face) I don’t know how you managed it but I do hope that you are intelligent enough not to play the hero. ANGEL spits on the ground bitterly and looks HANNIBAL in the eye. ANGEL Hero! If I get to that son of a bitch first there won’t be nothing left but his corpse for you to toss in the river! HANNIBAL and GOMEZ exchange looks. HANNIBAL You will tell me then where my money is? ANGEL spits again HANNIBAL flashes a glance at the GOONS to be ready. ANGEL I imagine he has it in the same place he’s got mine. 110 HANNIBAL What is that supposed to mean? ANGEL Where do you suppose that worthless sack of shit got the sixty grand to make the bets! I’m gonna brain that bastard… Holy shit! What time is it? HANNIBAL (eyebrows raised) Twenty minutes to eight… ANGEL suddenly pulls away from the GOONS and heads for the Mercedes. ANGEL If we rush we can catch them! They’re booked on the 21:30 flight for Argentina! The men scramble over each other to get into the car and MUNGO peels away. INT/EVE, RENATA’S HOUSE The doorbell tears RENATA away from her racing papers. She opens and we see one of the three extra robbers now dressed as a COURIER. COURIER Mrs. Brigante? (RENATA nods) I was asked to deliver this… (he hands her a fat envelope and PACO's cat) Have a good evening. He turns climbs on his motorbike and speeds away. RENATA gazes after him questioning. RENATA Thanks… She enters her house and returns to her kitchen table turning the envelope over in her hands. She sits down and after a moment of deliberation opens it. Her eyes nearly pop out as she sees th contents: $50,000.00 in twenty, fifty and hundred-dollar bills. There is a note wrapped around the cash she extracts it with trembling fingers. 111 OVER SHOULDER we read: “Dear Mom, I hope you will use this wisely and not blow it all on “dog food”! Don’t worry about me, I’ll be in touch as soon as I can. Love PACO.” RENATA’S eyes well up. She kisses the note then proceeds to fling the money in the air and dance around the table. EXT/EVE, AIRPORT The Rolls pulls up outside the departures terminal and PACO and CARMELA get out. PACO has now changed into a smartly cut suit and carries two travel bags identical to the one ANGEL had in the bank. PACO hands the driver, another one of the “workers/robbers”, a series of small envelopes then waves him on. The Rolls pulls away and the couple enters the airport. EXT/EVE, MAIN ROAD The MERCEDES weaves precariously in and out of traffic. INT MERCEDES it is difficult to say who is more intent on catching PACO, HANNIBAL or ANGEL. INT/EVE, AIRPORT PACO deposits one of the travel bags in a locker next to the toilets and places the key inside an envelope on which is written “For Angel”. Kissing CARMELA on the cheek he leads her towards the check in counter. INT/EVE, CHECK IN Next to the counter the COURIER waits for PACO. PACO’S face brightens as he sees him. PACO Everything taken care of? COURIER Yes sir, just like you said. PACO pats him on the back and winks at CARMELA. He then hands him the envelope for ANGEL. 112 PACO You remember the guy? (the COURIER nods) Great cuz he should be rolling up here any minute. Remember if he’s not alone you got to slip it to him real sly like. We hear the final boarding call for their flight and PACO hands their tickets to the clerk. PACO Smoking, no luggage. COURIER You can count on me sir! PACO Thanks a million. CLERK (handing over their boarding passes) You two had better hurry the gate will be closing any minute… (into phone) Last two passengers on their way… PACO Thank you. He and CARMELA salute the COURIER and walk off briskly down the corridor towards the gates. INT/EVE, ELECTRIC CITY The store has just closed and ANITA prepares to leave for the night. As she walks to the doors with the security guard a group of men in very government looking suits walk up to the entrance accompanied by regular police and plain-clothes officers. ANITA and the GUARD exchange looks. ANITA Can I help you gentlemen? The leader flashes a warrant and an id as do other members of the group. He is the DISTRICT ATTORNEY accompanied by a TAX INVESTIGATOR and a VICE DETECTIVE the rest are just flat foots. DISTRICT ATTORNEY We would like to see Mr. Huerta. 113 ANITA (eyes twinkling) I’m afraid Mr. Huerta is not in at the moment however I would be more than happy to show you to the offices… GUARD But shouldn’t we notify Mr. Huerta first? ANITA They have warrants, do you care to be arrested for obstructing justice? (he shakes his head emphatically. ANITA smiles) I thought not. Right this way, gentlemen. The men exchange curious looks and follow her towards the elevator. EXT/EVE, DEPARTURES TERMINAL HANNIBAL’S Mercedes screeches to a halt and the men pile out practically shoving each other out of the way to get to the entrance first. INT/EVE, AIRPORT As HANNIBAL, ANGEL and the GOONS run towards the check in counter the flashing “BOARDING” light next to the flight for Buenos Aries goes out and the whole departures board begins to change. GOMEZ and JORGE lag behind. As HANNIBAL lunges up to the counter breathless he shouts. HANNIBAL HOLD THAT FLIGHT! The CLERK is terrified as HANNIBAL glares at her. He nods to GOON 2 who flashes his gun. CLERK I’ll… I’ll see if they are still at the gate… HANNIBAL I don’t care if they are already on the runway this is a matter of life and death! We must get on that flight! She nods nearly in tears and tries to reach the controller. CLERK (frantically working the key board the phone to her ear) 114 …I’m sorry, Mr. Romero, it seems there is an emergency can we keep the Buenos Aries flight at the gate for just a few more minutes… Yes, sir, I know, sir… (to HANNIBAL) There are only three seats available… HANNIBAL We’ll take them! Gomez, pay for the tickets then you two get back to my office and wait for instructions the boys and I will go after him. GOMEZ and JORGE are more than happy to abandon the chase, they turn to leave immediately. ANGEL is livid. ANGEL I demand one of those seats! HANNIBAL That is not possible! Be advised if this is a trick there is no corner of the Earth which can hide you! He snatches the boarding passes from the CLERK and he and the GOONS head off for the gate. ANGEL curses after them. ANGEL You sleazy son of a bitch! COURIER Pst… ANGEL wheels around the COURIER hands him the envelope. COURIER Let em’ go man you’ve got better things to do with your time. With a wink he disappears into the crowd. ANGEL stares after him then at the envelope. Tearing it open he finds the key and a short note. OVER SHOULDER we read: “Once upon a time I may have been a dumb fucker but never a mother fucker… Bon Voyage buddy! PACO…” A broad smile spreads over ANGEL’S face as he races to find the locker. When he locates it he opens it with greedy fingers. Seeing the travel bag he laughs. He opens it and his eyes bulge. He glances around him quickly hugging the bag to him then takes a couple steps 115 towards the men’s room. Thinking better of it he stops turns and enters the ladies’. EXT/EVE, TARMAC HANNIBAL and the GOONS are in a mini-van that speeds them towards the waiting aircraft. The rolling stair is maneuvered up to the side and the door opens from within. A robust no nonsense STEWARDESS clearly annoyed by the delay waits at the top of the stair as they race up. She snatches the boarding passes and closes the door. INT/EVE, AIRPLANE STEWARDESS Get into those seats! We’ve already been given priority for take off you can find your seats later. HANNIBAL Don’t you know who I am?! She shoves him into the nearest seat. STEWARDESS You are a passenger, no more important than my other 300 passengers at least not to me. Now buckle up! The nearest passengers applaud, it seems they are also annoyed by the delay. The plane begins to taxi and the GOONS seat themselves on either side of HANNIBAL, GOON 2 has the window seat. POV GOON as the plane turns he sees PACO and CARMELA getting into the Rolls Royce. He elbows HANNIBAL who cranes his neck to try and see where they are sitting. HANNIBAL wheels around angrily. HANNIBAL Not now! GOON 2 But boss… HANNIBAL slaps him soundly across the face. GOON 2’s face reddens and he turns back towards the window. POV GOON 2 the Rolls drives off towards an awaiting Lear Jet. 116 GOONS 1 & 2 both smile for their own personal reasons as HANNIBAL continues his vain search for PACO and CARMELA. EXT/EVE, TARMAC PACO and CARMELA emerge from the Rolls and waving to the driver they happily trot up the steps and enter the plane. INT/EVE, AIRPORT ANGEL emerges from the ladies’ room wearing a loud caftan with huge glasses and the blonde wig. Primping his curls he heads off towards the counter of some airline. INT/EVE, ELECTRIC CITY, 10th FLOOR OFFICES GOMEZ and JORGE emerge from the elevator to find the place crawling with cops. GOMEZ nearly faints as he sees his files and ledgers spread out all over. ANITA points to them and says something to the DISTRICT ATTORNEY who walks in their direction wielding his warrant. DISTRICT ATTORNEY Perhaps you gentlemen can tell me where I can find Mr. Huerta? GOMEZ and JORGE exchange desperate looks. EXT/EVE, AIRPLANE An “into the sunset” shot of the airborne 747 heading west. We hear HANNIBAL OFF cursing and spitting at 30,000 feet. CORFU SEQUENCE We hear PACO and CARMELA VOICE OFF as we see a series of shots where he is finally realizing his dream. A: PACO and CARMELA strolling through the narrow streets stopping to buy trinkets. B: In a posh jewelry store, CARMELA finally gets her twenty-carat diamond. C: On the waterfront they snuggle in a horse drawn carriage. D: They run down a series of steps to a private beach. E: They throw off their clothes and dive into the waves. F: They fall onto the sand and kiss passionately. 117 CARMELA VO (A) So how did you know the winners? PACO VO The jackhammer, simple Morse code. The road workers were feeding me the race results from the radio as the horses came in. CARMELA VO (B) And that wig? PACO VO The robbery was more complicated, but I had to find a way to take the heat off ANGEL, besides we doubled the take. It was a great smoke screen. CARMELA VO (C) What about HANNIBAL? PACO VO I had to take that son of a bitch down, especially when he got after you. But his own scheme got the better of him, that was my chance to get all of the info I needed to bury him… and get rich! CARMELA VO (D) I was so afraid you would hate me. PACO VO I could never hate you baby… Jealous maybe but hate… no way. CARMELA VO (E) I have to admit I was tempted. PACO VO That kind of dough who wouldn’t be… CARMELA VO (F) So what will we do now? PACO VO (on the kiss) This… EXT/NIGHT, ROMANTIC RESTAURANT 118 CU PACO and CARMELA kiss. As their lips part we pull back to see the spectacular view behind them. PACO kisses her hand and she gazes from him to her diamond. PACO You know kid with your beauty and my brains we could do great things. CARMELA I’m ready when you are! They laugh and kiss again. THE END
Copyright © 2000 Victoria King |