FADE IN
on the words CZECH AIRLINE. We are panning across the words
on the side of the plane.
INT. AIRPLANE
ANGLE DOWN
on a tray table. Crumpled Czech bills and coins are on it.
Hands are counting the money. The airline hostess announces
the arrival at JFK - in CZECH. A hand reaches into a breast
pocket - pulling out two passports. One is opened. Belongs
to EMIL SLOVAK. The next passport belongs to OLEG RAZGUL.
The hand passes the Oleg Razgul passport to the man next to
him. We notice several empty airline bottles of vodka and a
small disposable camera on Oleg's tray table. The passport
is set down. Oleg picks it up. We hear Emil's voice in
CZECH. The scene is subtitled in ENGLISH.
EMIL (V.O.)
Just do what I do. Say the same thing I
say. Don't open your mouth.
OLEG (V.O.)
Okay.
INT. PASSPORT CONTROL - KENNEDY AIRPORT - DAY
CAMERA DOLLIES down a long line of passengers. They are
split into two lines - one for Americans, the other for
visitors. CAMERA finally arrives at EMIL SLOVAK. An
unshaven Czech in his mid-30's. Tall, scraggly beard.
Piercing blue eyes. He's dressed in an outdated suit. His
eyes are alert, cunning and smart.
OLEG RAZGUL, stands in line behind Emil. Oleg is big. Not
tall - but wide. A wrestler's body. Emil looks at Oleg.
(The following is in CZECH and subtitled in ENGLISH.)
EMIL
Don't fool around.
OLEG
Okay.
Oleg holds up his disposable camera - at arms length - to
take a picture of himself.
EMIL
Did you hear what I said?
OLEG
I want to document my trip to America.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Next.
(Emil steps up)
Could I see your documents, please?
EMIL
Yes sir.
He hands the passport to the officer who runs it through an
image swipe. Emil glances furtively back to Oleg.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
What is your intended purpose of your
visit to the United States?
EMIL
Two weeks holiday.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
How much money are you carrying with
you?
EMIL
I have five-hundred dollars.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Can you show me? Sir, no cameras in the
FIS area!
Oleg was about to take a picture of Emil and the Immigration
Officer. Oleg puts the camera away. Smiles sheepishly.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER (CONT'D)
(to Emil)
Is he with you? Are you travelling
together?
EMIL
Yes.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Please join us.
(to Oleg)
Come on forward.
EMIL
Is there a problem?
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
No, you're travelling together. I want
to talk to you together. Hi, how are
you? Can I take a look at your
documents?
(takes Oleg's passport)
Are you related?
OLEG
Yes...he's my friend.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Okay. You're a Czech national and
you're a Russian national. How do you
know one another?
Oleg starts to speak, but Emil cuts him off.
EMIL
We are both from Prague.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
(to Oleg)
How long are you planning to stay?
EMIL
Two weeks.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
I'd like to speak for himself, okay?
EMIL
He doesn't speak English.
OLEG
I speak English.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
(to Oleg)
Then answer my questions. Where were
you planning to stay during the two
weeks that you're here?
OLEG
New York.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Yes, we're in New York now. But where
are you planning to stay in New York?
OLEG
A cheap hotel.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
What are you coming here to do?
OLEG
I'm here for movies.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Movies...to be in the movies or to see
movies?
OLEG
Yes. No. Both. When I was a boy, I
see movie at school called "It's a
Wonderful Life" directed by Frank Capra.
Ever since I want to come to America.
Land of the free. Home of the brave. A
land where anyone can be anything. As
long as they are white.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Excuse me?
EMIL
He made joke, bad joke. First time on
airplane...
The SUPERVISOR comes over to see what the problem is:
IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Well, they've got valid visas, but they
don't have much money. Uh... and I'm
not...uh, I think there's a possibility
they may be coming to live and reside.
SUPERVISOR
Look how long the line is. We gotta
move 'em out. I'll take them down to
secondary.
Emil looks at Oleg, pissed.
INT. P.B. HERMAN'S RESTAURANT - DAY
The place is empty except for one table at the end of the
bar. EDDIE FLEMMING, Manhattan's most famous detective, and
his savvy, black partner, LEON JACKSON are having cocktails.
Eddie is smoothly handsome, tough, smart and tired. Not only
is he the best homicide detective Manhattan has ever seen,
he's continually mentioned in New York columns and has been
the subject of several magazine articles. There's even been
a TV movie about one of his biggest cases. Leon has been
with Eddie a long time and was also featured in the TV movie.
Sitting with Eddie and Leon is ROBERT HAWKINS, host and star
reporter for the tabloid show, "Top Story." Hawkins is also
the best in the business and has dealt with them all: Joey
Buttafuco and Amy Fisher, Lorena Bobbit and OJ.
Wait staff bustles in the b.g. doing the morning set up.
Hawkins listens as Eddie, cigar in hand, finishes a "war
story" and a vodka tonic at the same time.
EDDIE
So we're waitin' to hit this warrant -
we got Emergency Service with the heavy
weapons standin' by - ready to go. I
say, lemme get a cigar outta the car. I
go to get the cigar and BOOM! All the
sudden I turn around and a kid with a
shotgun let one go. Right where I was
standin'. That coulda been it. I
coulda had my head blown off and for
what? Some stupid kid got panicky,
takes the safety off and it's over. If
I hadn't gone back for that cigar - for
a bad habit - I would've had my head
blown off.
HAWKINS
Jesus Christ.
PAULIE, the owner, walks up.
PAULIE
Speakin' of bad habits, everybody okay?
HAWKINS
Another martini.
LEON
Coffee for me, I gotta slow down.
EDDIE
Vodka tonic.
LEON
(rethinks it)
Maybe you could just put in a shot of
Martell?
Paulie takes the drinks off the table and an empty bottle of
vodka.
LEON (CONT'D)
(of Eddie's story)
It was freaky, I'll tell you. Stupid
kid.
EDDIE
What's the kid gonna say - sorry?
Meanwhile I'm not here anymore.
Like last week - we were at the morgue
and this guy was all chopped up - spleen
here - liver there - his heart in a pan.
Six hours ago this guy was walkin' his
dog or buyin' a quart of milk. Who
knows? But some kid's robbed him for $3
or some shit and shot him and now you
can't tell if he's a piece of beef or a
human being and I'm thinkin' that's me.
Sooner or later. That's me.
HAWKINS
Sooner or later that's everybody.
EDDIE
Not chopped up. Not chopped up like
that. I mean, what do I got left?
Coupla articles. A medal or two.
Plaque here and there and in a coupla
years no one remembers me anymore.
HAWKINS
I think you're getting a little moody
there, Eddie.
EDDIE
I'm not moody.
Hawkins and Leon share a look.
HAWKINS
Isn't he a little moody?
LEON
Of course he's moody. He thinks he's in
love.
HAWKINS
In love? With who?
Paulie delivers the drinks and sets some cigars on the table.
Takes a seat next to Eddie. Eddie asks Hawkins.
EDDIE
How old are your kids?
HAWKINS
My kids? Let's see...Susan's 15.
Aundrea's 9. Don't tell me you're
thinking about having a kid! How old
are you? Never mind.
Let me just tell you this: Every stupid
cliche you hear about kids - they change
your life, they make you a better
person, they make you whole...
(beat)
It's all true! Before I had kids when
friends talked about their kids, I
wanted to vomit. Now -- I get it. Am I
right, Leon?
LEON
Absomotherfuckin'lutely. You can have
all three of my ex-wives. But somebody
so much as looks sideways at my four
girls -- I'd kill 'em.
(takes out his wallet)
You haven't seen my youngest have you?
As he hands pictures to Hawkins his cell phone rings.
LEON (CONT'D)
Yeah?
HAWKINS
Paulie, you've got kids, right?
PAULIE
My kids don't talk to me anymore but
they were great when they were young.
LEON
(into the phone)
Sure it's him? Great!
(collapses the phone)
Unique's home.
They all rise from the table.
EDDIE
Paulie, I need the cure.
PAULIE
Step into my office.
Leon and Hawkins sit back down as Eddie and Paulie leave.
HAWKINS
So you got your kids listening to Opera?
You still singing in the church on the
weekends?
INT. SECONDARY IMMIGRATION OFFICE - DAY
Now other officers are questioning Emil and Oleg. They've
been there a while. The SECONDARY OFFICER is looking Oleg.
SECONDARY OFFICER
Okay. You work in a vodka factory. I
understand that.
(to Emil)
And what kind of work do you do?
EMIL
I am butcher.
SECONDARY OFFICER
You're a butcher? What do you use pig
intestines for?
EMIL
You stuff sausage in it.
SECONDARY OFFICER
And what do you do with the bones?
EMIL
Dog food.
Emil looks at Oleg. Blaming his stupid responses at Passport
Control for their detainment.
SECONDARY OFFICER
Are you married?
EMIL
No. Are you proposing?
ANGLE UP
through a thousand ICE CUBES. A face plunges towards us...
INT. MENS ROOM
Eddie has his back to us as he dunks his face into a sink
full of ice. He dries his face, looks into his bloodshot
eyes. Presents a small black ring box to the mirror.
EDDIE
Will you marry me? Wanna get married?
What are you doin' Saturday?
Leon enters. Eddie turns.
EDDIE (CONT'D)
I'm gonna propose.
LEON
When?
EDDIE
Tomorrow. At lunch.
LEON
You ready?
Eddie leans back and drops some Visine in his eyes. Turns.
EDDIE
The thrill of the hunt. I love it.
EXT. TIMES SQUARE - DAY
Oleg and Emil stare at the bright lights - all the nonstop
action. Each stands with an old suitcase.
OLEG
(in Russian)
Look. Times Square. Just like in the
movies!
EMIL
(in Czech)
Don't speak Russian!
OLEG
(in Russian)
Why? Why do I always have to speak to
you in Czech?
EMIL
(in Czech)
Because I don't like your ugly language.
I heard enough of it in school! Now
speak Czech or English. And don't fool
around anymore. You almost got us
thrown out!
Emil pulls out an envelope with Milos' address on it. This
is who they came to see. Emil hails a CAB. Oleg is staring
inside a camera store - at himself on a monitor. A
videocamera's pointed out in the street.
OLEG
Look. New videocameras. Color
viewfinder. Image stabilization.
Solarization. Night vision.
EMIL
We have no money. Come on.
Oleg stares at the videocamera - dying to have one like this.
Emil slides into the cab.
CABBIE
Where you wanna go, buddy?
Emil pulls out the post-marked envelope. Points to the
return address on it and passes it through the slot to the
Cabbie.
EMIL
Here.
Emil looks out the window - no sign of Oleg. Then, Oleg
hurries out the camera store, gripping something inside his
coat. He flings both suitcases in the trunk, SLAMS it shut
and jumps in the back seat. He opens his jacket - pulling
out the VIDEOCAMERA he just stole.
EMIL (CONT'D)
Go!
Oleg smiles sheepishly at Emil.
EXT. SPANISH HARLEM - DAY
Eddie's car pulls up. Eddie, Leon and Hawkins get out.
HAWKINS
So what's unique?
EDDIE
Not what. Who.
Eddie passes Hawkins a Polaroid - of a woman on a bed -
covered in blood.
EDDIE (CONT'D)
He's from Antigua. His girlfriend was
taking too long to put her make-up on.
they were late for a party. Stabbed her
with a beer bottle.
HAWKINS
That's unique.
EDDIE
Yeah. And he still went to the party.
Leon moves to a LOOKOUT - gives him a twenty.
LOOKOUT
Top floor. Back room.
EDDIE
Yeah. I make big cases, they make the
news and I look good. But the problem
with becoming a star is downtown. They
shoot at stars. Now be quiet. Shhh.
As they reach the doorway - Eddie surprises two crackheads.
Waves them off. They hurry away.
EDDIE (CONT'D)
I hope this prick doesn't run. My knees
are killing me. Stay behind me.
HAWKINS
You're worried for my safety. I'm
touched.
Eddie flattens against the building - watches Unique descend
the fire escape.
HAWKINS (CONT'D)
Ready?
EDDIE
Keep them out of my way.
HAWKINS
Okay. You ready?
EDDIE
Yeah, yeah. Jesus.
Eddie closes in.
HAWKINS
(into his cell phone)
COME ON! COME ON! YOU FUCKING GUYS,
LET'S MOVE IT!
Unique is climbing down the fire escape - before he gets to
the bottom, Leon bursts through a door behind him and kicks
the fire escape, sending Unique flying into the alley. Where
he lands dropping his gun.
Eddie pulls him off the ground as Leon scoops the gun up.
EDDIE
What's your rush? Going to a party?
UNIQUE
Why you chasin' me, man?
EDDIE
I don't know. You always come outta
your house that way?
UNIQUE
It's not my house, man. I don't live
here.
EDDIE
Well, sounds like burglary to me.
Leon cuffs Unique who recognizes Eddie.
UNIQUE
I know you man.
An unmarked van comes tearing into the scene. Disgorges a
mini-cam team that starts filming but they missed the bust.
HAWKINS
(to Eddie)
Any chance we can do that again?
EDDIE
Again? I didn't wanna do it the first
time.
EXT. EAST SIDE - LATE DAY
The cab is in front of an old five-story brownstone. Oleg
gets the bags out of the trunk as Emil tucks the envelope
into his jacket, then steps up to the old building. He looks
back at Oleg - who's VIDEOTAPING him.
EMIL
Turn that off! Get the bags.
OLEG
Why should I carry your bag? I am not a
dog.
EMIL
For five years I paid for your
stupidness - you'll carry my bag for the
rest of my life if I say so.
(challenging)
Unless you refuse, Oleg.
Oleg looks at Emil. Even though Oleg is stronger than Emil,
he fears him. He picks up both bags. Emil searches the
occupant list over the buzzers to the apartment building.
EMIL (CONT'D)
There. 5RW.
Emil pushes ten of the buzzers except 5RW. A BUZZER clicks
and Emil pushes it open.
INT. MILOS' APARTMENT BUILDING - STAIRWELL - DAY
The brownstone has no elevator so Emil and Oleg climb the
stairs... Oleg cradling his camera. Emil notices a crack
pipe on the floor and picks it up. Smells the bowl.
OLEG
What?
EMIL
Smell like chemicals...for smoking
drugs.
Emil pockets the pipe and climbs to the top floor, moving
down the dirty hallway to a corner door.
INT. MILOS' APARTMENT BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY
He KNOCKS...FOOTSTEPS approach. The door is opened by MILOS -
a 40-year-old Czech, dressed in stained plumbers overalls.
He is surprised to see Emil and Oleg in his doorway. Oleg
films him...
MILOS
Emil???!
EMIL
Surprise! Surprise!
Milos shoots a look across the tiny kitchen to TAMINA, his
comely wife.
INT. MILOS' APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Emil pushes his way inside. Oleg follows. Milos wears
plumbers overalls but Emil notices sports a Rolex. Tamina
has on a faded dress but despite their cheaply furnished
apartment she wears an expensive brushed gold necklace,
bracelet and big pearl earrings. The room is furnished with
kitsch from Disney World and Las Vegas. The only anomaly is
a HUGE SONY TRINITRON HOME ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. (The
following is in Czech and subtitled in English.)
EMIL
Your sister said she didn't know where
you were so you shouldn't write to her
with return address if you're hiding.
MILOS
Did you hurt her?
EMIL
You know me...I never hurt anybody.
Where's the money?
OLEG
Hello, Tamina.
Oleg is looking Tamina over. Milos - though scared - barks
at Oleg.
MILOS
Take your eyes off her, Oleg!
(to Emil)
Look. It wasn't my fault you two were
caught.
(of Oleg)
It's his fault. Trying to get the bank
clerk's phone number?! I wasn't going
to wait!!!
EMIL
Milos. Get my money!
Oleg videotapes the scene.
CLOSE ON AN AJAR DOOR
All we see behind it is a WOMAN'S FACE and her wet hair - she
obviously came from the shower and we see the towel wrapped
around her.
MILOS
(nervously)
We spent it!
EMIL
Ha. Ha.
MILOS
Look at the way we live. I'm a plumber.
You think I'd be working if I had
money?!
Emil, pissed, moves to a wood block and pulls out a KITCHEN
KNIFE. He grabs Tamina roughly, putting the blade to her
throat.
MILOS (CONT'D)
Emil. Put down the knife.
Milos looks at his wife - who is terrified.
MILOS (CONT'D)
Emil. I'll help you.
Milos closes the gap between him and Emil - trying to calm
him by talking softly.
MILOS (CONT'D)
I can get you a job.
EMIL
A job?
MILOS
Yes, the money is good.
EMIL
As a plumber?!
MILOS
It's easy to learn.
EMIL
A job?? As a plumber??? You think I
come to America to work!
MILOS
We started over, you can too.
EMIL
(furious)
You spent all the money while I was in
prison? Now you tell me to get a job
fixing toilets?!?
Emil pulls the knife away from Tamina - then angrily PLUNGES
it toward Milos' chest!
Oleg videotapes it. Then lowers the camera - shocked that
Emil killed Milos.
Blood sprays Tamina's face. She tries to run but Oleg grabs
her, not noticing her brushed gold bracelet falls to the
floor. He covers her mouth as he points the videocamera at
Emil who STABS Tamina - absolutely enraged!
THE WOMAN BEHIND THE DOOR
flees...Emil hears NOISE in the bedroom - a window opening.
Emil kicks the bedroom door open. Sees the window leading to
the fire escape. He dashes to it. Sees four flights down -
the WOMAN, wearing a summer dress. Barefoot. Her hair still
wet.
She looks up. She is beautiful and terrified. She runs
down the alley.
EMIL (CONT'D)
She saw!
Emil hurries toward the bathroom. She just got out of the
shower. Her underwear and purse are draped over a chair.
Emil grabs the purse. Finds a CZECHOSLOVAKIAN PASSPORT. He
opens the cover, stares at her photo and name.
EMIL (CONT'D)
Daphne Hanlova.
There's one stamp in the passport - from the U.S. when she
arrived - June 16, 1998. Underneath is written - 6 MONTH
STAY. Emil flips through the rest of the passport - all
blank pages.
EMIL (CONT'D)
Six month visa. Still here two years
later. They'll deport her if she goes
to Police.
Emil pockets Daphne's passport and wallet, scoops up her
shoes and jacket - enters the kitchen and dumps them on the
floor. He tears through the kitchen cabinets, throwing cans
and bottles aside.
OLEG
What are you looking for?
Emil finds nail polish remover - looks at the bodies.
EMIL
I'm going to make a bohemian barbecue.
Emil draws the kitchen curtains plunging the room into
darkness.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - NIGHT
A face comes from the darkness. It's an athletically
handsome man, jogging out of a tunnel towards us. He's in a
tie and jacket in Central Park at NIGHT.
He is JORDAN (JORDY) WARSAW. A sensitive man of rugged
honesty. He runs down the hill in a hurry. A MUGGER steps
in his path.
MUGGER
Got any spare change? How 'bout a spare
twenty?
JORDY
Look, I don't have time for you, get out
of my way!!
MUGGER
Alright, how 'bout all your fuckin'
money?
The Mugger pulls a knife - and in a whirl of movement, Jordy
grabs his wrist and disarms him in a deadly, professional
manner - hurling him down to the pavement, twisting his arm
behind his back. With his other hand, Jordy whips out a
BROWNING 9MM from his shoulder holster and places it behind
the mugger's head. Jordy displays his shield.
JORDY
Okay, you're under arrest! Now you
happy?
MUGGER
Fire Department? Firemen don't carry
guns.
JORDY
Oh yeah? Guess again.
Jordy handcuffs the Mugger and searches the Mugger's coat
pockets - pulling out a handful of driver's licenses and
credit cards.
JORDY (CONT'D)
Nice - how many people you ripped off
tonight?! Get up!
As Jordy yanks the Mugger to his feet, his BEEPER goes off.
JORDY (CONT'D)
You couldn't listen to me, could you?
Jordy drags the Mugger to a tree. Cuffs him so his face is
pressed up against the bark.
JORDY (CONT'D)
I'll send a cop back for you.
MUGGER
Hey. C'mon, you can't leave me like
this. Some freak'll come by and stab
me!
Jordy jogs off across the park.
MUGGER (CONT'D)
Wait! Come back!!
EXT. MILOS' APARTMENT - NIGHT
FIRE TRUCKS from three battalions. Radios CRACKLE. There's
a crowd growing. Jordy pushes his way through. The top
floor of the brownstone where Milos and Tamina lived has been
reduced to smoking ruins. The trees are covered in debris
and soot. Jordy moves to LOUIE - Battalion Chief.
LOUIE
Lieutenant - take up your line and
relieve Ladder Company 60 on the top
floor.
JORDY
Hey, Louie, were you first due?
LOUIE
Yeah, I radioed you guys right away
'cause you got two roasts on the top
floor but you don't hafta investigate
cause homicide is up there.
JORDY
Homicide? Who let them up? I didn't
make it a crime scene yet.
LOUIE
Hey, it's Eddie Flemming.
KORFIN (O.S.)
Yo, Jordy!
BOBBY KORFIN - an overweight arson investigator with a quick
with and good sense of humor - comes over, pulling on a
turnout coat.
KORFIN (CONT'D)
Where you been, man? We got a
celebrity!
JORDY
I heard. Who the hell let them up
there?
KORFIN
I don't know, you think Eddie will give
me his autograph?
JORDY
You see anything in the crowd? Anybody
suspicious?
KORFIN
Naw - I'm sure the suspect's not here.
JORDY
Oh yeah, why?
KORFIN
'Cause Eddie woulda locked him up by
now!
INT. MILOS' APARTMENT - NIGHT
The roof is gone. The sky is exposed. It's charred ruins,
smoked beams and watery muck. Eddie and Leon are standing by
what's left of the mattress, looking at Milos and Tamina's
charred bodies. Eddie grips a half-smoked Cuban cigar,
listening to Leon.
LEON
So, it looks to me - from the sixty-nine
position - that they were doin' each
other but were so whacked out of their
heads they set the pipe on the mattress,
lit it up, and they got fried. What do
you think, Eddie?
Jordy enters - with Korfin who's carrying a paint can.
EDDIE
I don't know. We got the experts here.
Show them what you found - I hope you
don't mind, we came over to see if we
could help.
Korfin makes a beeline for Eddie - wanting to meet the
celebrity.
KORFIN
Nah, not at all. Detective Flemming -
Bobby Korfin. My Uncle Tony worked with
you at 2-1 back when you were a rookie.
JORDY
Could you put out the cigar? Part of
the job is picking up scents.
EDDIE
Oh, sure.
Eddie puts his cigar out. Carefully slides it into a cigar
holder and pockets it to finish later.
LEON
Well, I found - check it out - crack
pipe. Looks like they got careless.
Leon displays the pipe Emil found on the stairs. Korfin
shines the flashlight on Leon to look at the pipe.
LEON (CONT'D)
Mind not shining that light in my eyes?
KORFIN
Sorry, bro.
JORDY
Hey, that's great you guys got it all
wrapped up, but you don't mind if we go
through the routine? It gives us
somethin' to do.
EDDIE
No, we don't mind. You mind Leon?
LEON
No. Go ahead.
JORDY
Thanks. Appreciate it.
Jordy throws a look at Korfin. Homicide detectives have no
respect for fire marshals' investigative skills. Eddie
rummages through the apartment - moving into the kitchen and
living room... Leon watches as Korfin sticks a pencil in a
charred beam, measuring how deep in it goes.
KORFIN
Okay, Jordy - it was a fast fire, we got
good patterns - about thirty minutes
old.
Jordy moves to one of the corpses. He pulls on a white
rubber glove. Inserts his finger in the corpses mouth. The
glove comes out white.
JORDY
Mouth's clean, too.
KORFIN
Clean?
JORDY
Don't blow your nose!
Jordy's looking at Leon, who was just about to blow his nose.
JORDY (CONT'D)
The smoke'll permeate your nostrils -
burn 'em out. Let it run.
KORFIN
But you knew that, right?
Leon looks at Jordy, then lowers the handkerchief. Jordy
turns back to the corpses on the bed. Eddie - in the other
room - has found Tamina's brushed gold bracelet on the floor.
JORDY
So the way you see it, two crack heads
burned themselves up?
LEON
That's what it looks like to me.
JORDY
And while they're burning up, they're
still goin' down on each other? You got
to hand it to them.
LEON
(realizes he's wrong - blows it
off)
Yeah, well, some people got their
priorities straight.
Leon watches Jordy, quietly. With a pair of tweezers, Jordy
pulls a small unburned piece of cloth from behind one of the
heads. Korfin supplies the paint can. Jordy drops the cloth
inside.
LEON (CONT'D)
What was that?
JORDY
Evidence. Of a homicide.
That got Eddie's attention and he comes back to the bedroom.
JORDY (CONT'D)
You know what that is, right?
EDDIE
No, what is it?
JORDY
Why don't you explain it, Bobby.
(to a fireman joking a wall)
Hey Camello! You mind punching a hole
in the floor?
CAMELLO
No problem.
(to Eddie and Leon)
Excuse me, gentlemen. You might wanna
back up a little more. Don't wanna get
your pants wet.
Leon and Eddie move to higher ground - on top of a burnt TV
set. Eddie hands the brushed bracelet to Leon. As Camello
hacks at the floor with an ax, Jordy continues to examine the
bodies and Korfin explains:
KORFIN
They have not soot in their mouths,
which means they weren't breathin'
before the fire and that usually means
they were deceased - and this piece of
cloth that my partner found means they
were wrapped up in something, probably
doused with a flammable liquid and
positioned like this on the bed. To the
untrained eye, it looks like an
accident.
Jordy kicks around the draining floor, reaches down for
something.
LEON
What's he looking for?
EDDIE
A timer.
Jordy finds some wires attached to an outlet, pulls them up -
on the other end is a timer. Korfin takes the timer from
Jordy and moves to Eddie.
KORFIN
Here you go. A big double homicide.
EXT. MILOS' APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
As Jordy and Korfin exit the brownstone, a CAMERA CREW is
arriving. Jumps out.
Korfin and Jordy cross toward Korfin's car. They open the
trunk. Take off their muddy boots throwing them in.
KORFIN
You see Eddie's face when I gave him the
timer? Wish I had a picture of it.
JORDY
He knew all along.
KORFIN
What??
JORDY
That's why he was so quiet. He was
testing us.
Eddie and Leon exit - Eddie carrying a baggie with a timer
inside. NICOLETTE KARAS, young and attractive, pushes her
microphone at Eddie. She's smart, aggressive and respected
by her peers.
NICOLETTE
Detective, does it look like a murder?
EDDIE
We don't know that yet. It's much too
early. There's a lot to be done.
NICOLETTE
How many victims are up there?
EDDIE
There are two bodies found at this
point.
NICOLETTE
Can we go up to the crime scene?
EDDIE
You know you can't do that. C'mon.
NICOLETTE
Is it drug related?
EDDIE
We don't know. When I have more I'll
let you know.
Nicolette signals for her camera man, MIKE, to zoom in on
Eddie's hand. She barrels on...
NICOLETTE
Detective...what's that you're holding
in your hand? Evidence?
Mike pans up to Eddie's face. Other reporters arrive,
hurling questions which Eddie easily answers. Cameras flash
as we PAN BACK TO Korfin and Jordy. Jordy is about to get in
the car as he notices, back behind some construction - DAPHNE
HANDLOVA. She's still wearing the crumpled summer dress.
She tentatively steps out to signal Jordy. He only catches a
glimpse of her. He starts toward her -- knifes through the
crowd - but Daphne is gone.
KORFIN
What?
JORDY
There was a woman - I think she wanted
to talk to us. She looked scared. Oh
shit! Oh no!
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - LATER
Korfin's car SCREECHES to a stop. Jordy leaps out.
Suddenly, Jordy stops...the Mugger handcuffed to the tree is
now NAKED!
MUGGER
You motherfuckin' bastard! She stripped
me! It was a bag lady! She touched me
all over, it was disgusting.
Jordy unlocks the handcuffs.
JORDY
I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.
Korfin delivers a blanket. Jordy covers him.
JORDY (CONT'D)
You okay?
MUGGER
A dog pissed on me!! I'm gonna sue you
for this! You violated my civil rights!
JORDY
Your civil rights?! You tried to rob
me! I could arrest you right now!
You're lucky you're walking away from
this. Now get outta here.
Jordy gives him a push. The Mugger wraps the blanket around
himself cursing - hurrying away.
EXT. 8TH AVENUE - NIGHT
Exhausted HOOKERS who have worked all night loiter outside a
sleazy hotel. CAMERA PANS up to a blinking hotel sign.
INT. KING EDWARD HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
The light is blinking an eerie green and yellow light into
the room. Emil is at the window pulling the blind down
trying to shut out the blinking light. He pulls it down
twice and it pops back up both times. The third time he
angrily pulls it so hard, it comes off the window completely.
He sits down in a chair in frustration - adjusting a pillow
behind his back. THE ROSEANNE SHOW is on TV. Roseanne has
been talking to a FATHER.
ROSEANNE (ON T.V.)
So you slept with your son's wife!
What's that all about?
FATHER (ON T.V.)
I take full responsibility for sleepin'
with my daughter in law. I had low self
esteem, I thought I had to compete with
him.
Emil reaches for his dictionary.
EMIL
(mutters)
Self-esteem? Self-esteem??
He flips through his dictionary to find the meaning of self
esteem.
FATHER (ON T.V.)
Losin' my job and everything, caused my
behavioral disorder.
(turns to his son)
Forgive me, Kirk. Let me hug you?
The audience boos. Roseanne mediates...
Oleg - fresh from the shower with wet hair - sits on the bed
in his skivvies - staring into the videocamera's LCD screen -
rewinding Milos' murder. We see it now for the first time -
as he rewinds it. Oleg watches - a bottle of cheap vodka
between his legs. Emil, looks up from his dictionary. He's
wearing Milos' Rolex.
Tamina's jewelry - her brushed gold necklace and pearl
earrings - are in front of him with Daphne's wallet. Emil
looks up - Oleg is holding his videocamera.
EMIL
(Czech)
Turn that fucking thing off!
OLEG
(Czech)
I'm not filming. I'm watching Milos
die. It's just like a move but realer.
Emil grabs the videocamera.
(Czech)
Don't break it! Don't break it!
EMIL
Speak English!
OLEG
(English)
You said speak Czech!
EMIL
How you erase this?
OLEG
I'll do it. Don't hurt my camera!
Emil tosses the camera back to Oleg who drops his vodka
bottle in order to catch the camera. Oleg, holding the
camera like it's gold, goes to the dresser and puts it away.
Emil starts to go through Daphne's wallet.
EMIL
Stupid, Milos. I didn't want to kill
him.
(noticing)
What's this?
Emil found the last card in the wallet. It's pink with a
picture of a busty globe. Printed in the middle is - WORLDLY
ESCORTS - and a number.
EMIL (CONT'D)
Worldly escorts?
Emil picks up his dictionary and begins to flip the pages -
finding the meaning of worldly. He gets up and dials the
number. A soft, SEXY VOICE answers. Soft music in the
background.
SEXY VOICE
Hi?
EMIL
Hello?
SEXY VOICE
Are you looking for companionship?
Oleg, who's listening, moves to Emil.
OLEG
Whore?
EMIL
I'm homesick. You have Eastern European
girl? A Czech girl?
SEXY VOICE
Matter of fact, I have a lovely Czech
girl.
EMIL
I take her. Send her!
EXT. FIRE STATION 91 - NIGHT
Korfin's car pulls up to the station - as a fire engine is
returning.
JORDY
Now that you know him, maybe you can get
extra work in the next movie they make
about him.
KORFIN
Yeah?
JORDY
Maybe you can be his stand-in.
INT. FIRE STATION 91 - NIGHT
The men are pulling off their equipment - coming down from
the high of fighting a fire. Korfin and Jordy walk toward
the TV room. The TV is on in the background. We can see
Nicolette interviewing Eddie. He holds up the paint can.
CHIEF DUFFY (O.S.)
What the hell is that?? You gave Eddie
Flemming the evidence?!
They turn. DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL DECLAN DUFFY - the head
of the arson squad - comes over. Duffy's tough, Irish and
very political.
DUFFY
(pointing to the TV)
Who did cause and origin?
JORDY
Who do you think, Chief?!
DUFFY
Then why didn't you talk to the
reporter?
JORDY
'Cause we got more important things to
do, like finding out who did it.
They walk to the back of the station and start up the stairs.
DUFFY
Don't you guys understand? It's all
about image. The better we look the
more money I get to pay you guys
overtime.
KORFIN
Yeah, right.
DUFFY
What was that, Korfin?
KORFIN
I said, yeah, you're right, Chief. As
soon as we get somethin' we'll let you
alert the media.
DUFFY
You do that, wiseguy. Now let's solve
this thing before Eddie Flemming does.
They all head upstairs.
INT. ARSON SQUAD ROOM - DAY
The Chief, Jordy and Korfin enter. There are posters of
pyros, arsonists and terrorists on the walls. GARCIA - a
Puerto Rican investigator - looks up from his desk.
GARCIA
Hey guys, I got your torch. He just
gave a full confession.
A scruffy, unshaven white man sitting across from Garcia,
turns. He is MAX, a pyromaniac in his 40's with a freshly
scratched cross etched in his forehead. He craves attention.
MAX
It's my fire! Screw homicide. I'll
tell you guys everything!
Jordy moves to his desk with Korfin. They sit across from
each other. Duffy keeps going to his office, not even
bothering to stop.
JORDY
What's that on your forehead, Max?
That's a nice attention getter.
MAX
Yeah, I'm religious. I'm not an Atheist
like you! Now, are you guys gonna
arrest me, or not?
JORDY
How did you start the fire this time?
MAX
I used an accelerant.
JORDY
Yeah? What kind?
MAX
(to Jordy)
Hey, by the way, I'm really sorry about
your wife leavin' you.
KORFIN
Max.
MAX
(continuing)
...Yeah, and with your old man dying
last year you - what's it? Just you and
the dog now?
KORFIN
Max!
MAX
Does it feel bad - I mean the new guy
your ex-wife's seeing - I hear he's a
big shot downtown.
Jordy pops out of his seat.
JORDY
That's it! You're outta here.
Jordy pulls Max by the collar - pushes him down the aisle.
MAX
That's it. I'm suing.
KORFIN
Get in line.
Korfin takes over - throwing him out. Jordy turns to Garcia
who is laughing.
JORDY
What's so funny. How does he know so
much about me? Who tells him my life
story?
GARCIA
He hangs around downstairs. The guys
talk to him. He's a joke...
JORDY
He's no joke! One day he's gonna
graduate from trash can fires and do
something big.
GARCIA
Okay. Okay. We'll ban him from the
station.
INT. KING EDWARD HOTEL ROOM - TV SET - NIGHT
As the "Top Story" logo is splashed across the screen,
accompanied by a catchy TV THEME, Robert Hawkins introduces
America's highest rated 'news magazine' show.
ROBERT HAWKINS
Good evening, I'm Robert Hawkins and
this is Top Story. Tonight we bring you
an exclusive interview with Stephen
Geller - who horrified the nation two
years ago when he went berserk and
murdered three clerks in a Manhattan
shoe store. But now, Mr. Geller's
claim, spoken softly and articulately,
is that he is the victim. According to
Mr. Geller, the events of that fateful
day were not his fault but were the
fault of his psychiatrist. Hard to
believe...watch.
EMIL (O.S.)
Louder.
VIDEOCAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS OUT and PANS over to Emil, sitting
on the hotel bed watching the TV. He looks at us.
EMIL (CONT'D)
Louder.
Oleg's hand reaches in front of the lens - turning up the
volume. The scene cuts back to Stephen Geller being
interviewed by Robert Hawkins and his camera crew. He's
sitting on the front lawn of a mental institution in a paint
stained shirt. A showing of his artwork is displayed in the
background. Patients peruse the paintings of weird
dysfunctional faces that avoid eye contact. One of the
paintings depicts Eddie Flemming and Leon Jackson.
STEPHEN GELLER
This had nothing to do with shoes that
didn't fit or my relationship with my
father who, as you know, made a fortune
selling penny loafers in the fifties.
These people died because of the
criminal actions of my doctor.
ROBERT HAWKINS
Your doctor?
STEPHEN GELLER
Yes. My psychiatrist didn't insist that
I stay on my medication.
ROBERT HAWKINS
...so you feel absolutely no
responsibility for killing these people?
STEPHEN GELLER
It was my finger that pulled the
trigger, but I'm not morally
responsible. My psychiatrist knew what
I was capable of. How could I know.
I'm not a doctor.
ROBERT HAWKINS
You seem very savvy for a man who's been
found mentally incompetent to stand
trial.
STEPHEN GELLER
Look, I'm a victim here, too. I was a
year away from getting my masters in
Art, now I'll never graduate. My life
has been permanently disrupted.
ROBERT HAWKINS
Permanently disrupted? Aren't you
selling paintings now for quite a lot of
money? Hasn't this 'incident' as you
call it, jump started your career as an
artist?
STEPHEN GELLER
Look, I'm in here. You call this a
career move?
ROBERT HAWKINS
And isn't there a movie in the works
about you?
STEPHEN GELLER
We're in negotiations, that's correct.
ROBERT HAWKINS
But doesn't the Son of Sam Law prevent
criminals from profiting from their
crimes?
STEPHEN GELLER
That doesn't apply to me because I'm not
a criminal. I'm not a criminal! I
wasn't convicted.
Emil leans forward - listening. Fascinated.
EMIL
I love America. No one is responsible
for what they do.
There's a KNOCK on the door. Our VIDEOCAMERA POV swings over
to it. Then WHIPS back to Emil. Emil looks at us.
EMIL (CONT'D)
Get in the bathroom!
OLEG (O.S.)
Whatever we do - we fuck her, right?
EMIL
Oleg, get in bathroom, stay there and
shut up!
Emil turns off the TV. Our POV backs into the bathroom,
closing the door but leaving it open a crack. Emil looks
down at his shoe. The POV PANS down to the kitchen knife
sticking out of Emil's BOOT. Emil's hands pull his pants
cuff over it. POV PANS up to Emil as he moves to the door
and opens it. It's not Daphne and she's not world class.
HONEY
Hi, I'm Honey.
EMIL
Where's Czech girl?
HONEY
Baby, I'm anybody you want me to be.
I'm a little schoolgirl, I'm mommy, I'm
a Czech girl.
She enters. Closes the door behind her.
HONEY (CONT'D)
Now I like to get business out of the
way before we get down to pleasure. Why
don'tchya put my money on the dresser.
EMIL
I ordered a Czech girl. Daphne, you
know her?
Oleg ZOOMS in for a CLOSE UP of Honey. During the rest of
the scene Oleg films her. Honey begins to undress.
HONEY
It's an outcall service run out of an
apartment. I don't meet the other
girls. Aren't you gonna get undressed?
EMIL
Where is escort service?
HONEY
That's confidential. Could you put the
money on the dresser?
EMIL
I like to talk to the person who runs
the service. Can you give me address?
HONEY
Look. Do we have a problem here?
There's no reason to have a problem.
I'm gonna make you feel real good. You
wanna Czech girl?
After I'm done with you, you won't miss
her. Now why don't you pay me?
She starts to unfasten Emil's belt.
EMIL
(stopping her)
Listen to me. I don't want sex. Just
give me the address and then you go.
HONEY
(suddenly hard as nails)
Look, man, I don't give a shit if you
want sex or not, but you're payin' for
my time.
Emil pulls the knife out of his boot and SHOVES her against
the door, PUSHING the blade against her throat - suddenly
furious like he was before killing Milos and Tamina.
EMIL
Give me the address!!
HONEY
Alright, alright - don't hurt me!
Please, it's in my book, in my purse!
Emil backs off as she reaches for her purse, and comes out
with a can of mace, SPRAYING Emil's face!
Emil stumbles backwards - Oleg holding him in the frame. He
WHIP PANS back to Honey as she grabs her clothes, unlocking
the door but Emil's HAND SLAMS it shut! Emil turns blindly,
rubbing his burning eyes - guarding the door. Honey darts
toward the bathroom - she pushes open the door and runs into
Oleg who is VIDEOTAPING HER. Horrified, she turns around as
Emil SMASHES her in the face so hard she topples backwards,
tripping into the bathtub, pulling the shower curtain down on
her! Like a panther out for the kill, Emil POUNCES. Oleg
films as Emil lifts his hand, gripping...
THE KITCHEN KNIFE
As Emil's hand comes FLYING DOWN - then RISES UP, BLOODIED.
Her screams are muffled by the shower curtain wrapped around
her face. Oleg films the scene as the knife plunges DOWN
INTO:
INT. FIRE STATION 91 - ARSON SQUAD ROOM - NIGHT
DAPHNE, a sketch of her face.
JORDY (O.S.)
Her lips are fuller than that. You can
see 'em a mile away.
WIDER
Food containers are scattered all over the place. The female
COMPOSITE ARTIST looks at Jordy. Stacks of failed sketches
sit beside her.
COMPOSITE ARTIST
What about her cheek bones?
JORDY
Her cheek bones are prominent and her
eyes were huge. Big, blue eyes and when
I saw her, she looked scared. Like she
was looking to get away. But she was
absolutely beautiful.
The composite artist looks at Jordy.
JORDY (CONT'D)
I gotta good look at her.
Korfin has his chair turned around from his desk and is
watching the sketch evolve as he speaks on the phone to the
landlord of the 7th Street brownstone. Garcia is also on the
phone. The other investigators are gone. Working late into
the night. Everybody's exhausted. It's almost dawn.
KORFIN
-- From Czechoslovakia? And how long
have they been livin' in your building?
(writes 4 YEARS on his pad)
Alright, I'll be in touch when we know
somethin'.
(to Jordy)
Milos and Tamina Karlova. They were
quiet and kept to themselves. Landlord
don't know who your girl is.
JORDY
How long they been livin' here?
KORFIN
You hear that question, Garcia?
GARCIA
Yeah, I got Immigration on the phone -
they've been here illegally.
KORFIN
Well, they're definitely permanent
residents now.
GARCIA
I got the owner of the plumbing company
Milos worked for.
KORFIN
Why don't we get some sleep and we'll go
see him in the morning.
JORDY
You go home. I'm takin' your car and
goin' back to the crime scene.
KORFIN
Aren't you tired?
JORDY
If I go home I won't be able to fall
asleep anyway.
Jordy takes the sketch of Daphne which isn't a bad likeness
and heads for the door. Korfin falls in behind him. As they
pass Garcia he hands Jordy the address.
KORFIN
(of the picture)
She keepin' you up? Like to meet her,
huh? She'd make you forget your ex
wife. Cure your insomnia.
INT. MILOS' APARTMENT - DAWN
CAMERA DESCENDS FROM THE SKY picking up Jordy as he enters
what is left of Milos and Tamina's apartment. The roof has
been burned off. He moves into the next room, trying to see
through the darkness - looking through the muck and char.
EDDIE
Okay to smoke?
Jordy turns, surprised. Eddie sits on a singed chair. He
pours from a half-pint bottle of vodka into his 'won ton
soup' container, smoking a cigar. On the arm of the armchair
is a brown legal folder and stacks of photographs of the
crime scene and the burned bodies.
JORDY
It's your crime scene now. You can do
what you want.
EDDIE
Watch the news?
JORDY
Nah, I musta missed it.
EDDIE
Well, just so you know. I gave you guys
the credit.
JORDY
Well, just so you know, I don't care
about that stuff.
EDDIE
Nah, why should you?
JORDY
I don't even watch TV.
EDDIE
Good. Good. Commendable.
Eddie knocks his 'won ton soup' back.
JORDY
Did you get a report from the M.E.?
EDDIE
Sure. But I would like to ask you
something. You got a problem with me?
JORDY
If you found me steppin' on your crime
scene - it might piss you off, too.
(then)
What about the report?
EDDIE
You were right, they were both dead
before the fire. The male was stabbed
so hard the killer broke off the tip of
the knife in his spine. That's usually
an indicator of something personal.
Jordy pulls out a sketch of Daphne. Hands it to Eddie.
JORDY
The Super said he'd seen her before but
she didn't live here.
EDDIE
Pretty.
JORDY
(acts as if he didn't notice)
Hmmmm.
EDDIE
Maybe you don't care about that either.
(beat)
Prettiest suspect I've had in awhile.
JORDY
Who says she's a suspect?
Jordy tries to take the sketch back. Eddie holds on.
EDDIE
What would you call her?
JORDY
Look, I'm not even sure she has anything
to do with this. I saw her outside
after the fire - thought it was a lead.
Maybe she saw something. Maybe she was
visiting somebody here. Who knows?
Eddie walks up to the burnt mattress - where the bodies were.
EDDIE
Obviously they weren't having sex. As
you pointed out. So why go through all
the trouble of putting 'em like that?
Eddie passes a crime scene photo of the bodies to Jordy.
JORDY
Maybe it's a ritual thing or someone
trying to send a message. Burial rites
are taken very seriously in Eastern
Europe. It could be to humiliate them.
Just burning them up, no proper funeral,
it's like condemning them to hell.
EDDIE
Eastern Europe. Like what? Romania?
Hungary?
JORDY
Or Czechoslovakia. The Slavs have been
fighting the Germans and the Russians
for a thousand years. These are very
intense people and they take things
personally.
Eddie's cellular rings - he grabs it.
EDDIE
Yeah? Where? You sure it was a knife?
Uh-huh. Really? Okay.
(to Jordy)
We've got another murder - in a hotel on
Eighth Avenue. A stabbing. Clerk said
the room was rented by a Russian...
Eddie's moving with Daphne's sketch.
JORDY
I'll come with you.
EDDIE
There wasn't a fire. There'll be
nothing for you to do.
JORDY
I can watch you, Eddie. Maybe I'll
learn something.
EDDIE
This isn't homicide school.
JORDY
My parents are from Poland. I can help
with the Eastern European angle.
EDDIE
You're Polish?
JORDY
My folks are.
EDDIE
Stay here.
EXT. TIMES SQUARE - NEWS STAND - DAY
Video POV of the news stand as a hand reaches into frame and
picks up a copy of THE NEW YORK POST. Eddie's photo is on
the front page - holding the kitchen timer by the wires.
Underneath his picture the caption reads, "DOUBLE HOMICIDE...
FLEMMING'S ON IT." The videocamera widens out revealing Emil
standing in front of a Times Square news stand, reading the
front page. The videocamera turns around - until focusing on
Oleg himself.
OLEG
This is second day in America. First
day was very exciting. Full of thrills
and chills. Over there, is co-star of
my new movie, Emil!
He turns the camera around - FILMING EMIL.
EMIL
(to vendor)
Who is he?
VENDOR
New York's finest. This is his case.
The VENDOR - picks up People. Stephen Geller is on the
cover.
VENDOR (CONT'D)
This all you want?
EMIL
Do you know how much killer gets for
movie rights?
VENDOR
(People)
In here, says he wants a million.
EMIL
Million?! The killer gets one million
dollars for a television interview?
VENDOR
Hey, tabloids paid Ted Bundy - famous
serial killer - half a million for his
interview. And how much you think
Monica got for writing book about the
President coming on to her? It pays to
be a killer or a whore in this country.
Look, you want magazine or not?
EMIL
Yes. Both.
OLEG
And these.
Oleg picks up FILM COMMENT, MOVIELINE and PREMIERE magazine.
Emil pays for everything.
EMIL
(to Oleg)
Get a taxi.
Oleg tucks the magazines in his coat, picks up the suitcases
and hails a taxi. As Emil collects his change he sees an old
BLIND WOMAN waiting at the crosswalk. The light's blinking
WALK.
EMIL (CONT'D)
Let me help.
Emil gently takes her arm and crosses her to the other side.
BLIND WOMAN
Thank you, son.
Emil watches her walk on.
INT. KING EDWARD HOTEL ROOM - DAY
The hotel room is a hive of activity. GIL is dusting the
dresser for prints. Another officer is stripping the bed and
putting the bedding into a big, clear plastic bag. As Eddie
en
