Mr Stillwell
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:56 pm
I was going through old back up CDs and found the following. It was written about eleven years ago ( 
) and I thought it would be nice to share it.
I went through it last night and found that I made surprisingly few changes. Also, I am sure I had a prose version of this but it doesn't appear to be on the CD. I'll check other backup to see if it is on that. I hope the screenplay format isn't too off putting.
MR STILLWELL
FIRST DRAFT
MARCH 2000
REVISION
SEPTEMBER 2011
1 BLACK SCREEN
FADE IN SOUND, CHEERING.
VOICE
Can you dig it?
CHEERS GET LOUDER.
VOICE
Can you dig it?
MORE CHEERING AND CLAPPING.
VOICE
Can you dig it?
THE APPLAUSE GETS LOUDER.
THERE IS A GUNSHOT, WHICH STILLS THE CHEERS AND APPLAUSE, THE GUNSHOT ECHOES INTO SILENCE.
2 EXT. DAY, A SUBURBAN STREET, IT COULD BE ANYWHERE, IT LOOKS PROSPEROUS, BUT NOT RICH.
3 INT. DAY A KITCHEN. A MAN IN HIS MID TO LATE THIRTIES IS SEATED AT THE TABLE, MR STILLWELL, HE IS GLANCING THROUGH THE PAPER AND SIPPING ON COFFEE. HIS WIFE, MRS STILLWELL, IS BUSY AT THE COOKER. THEIR DAUGHTER, A YOUNG DISABLED GIRL, SITS ACROSS FROM MR STILLWELL. MRS STILLWELL APPEARS AT THE TABLE WITH BREAKFAST FOR HER DAUGHTER.
4 INT. DAY KITCHEN, CONTINUOUS. A YOUNG MAN ENTERS THE KITCHEN. HE IS IN HIS EARLY TEENS. HE STEALS AN ITEM OF FOOD FROM HIS FATHER’S PLATE AND AN ITEM OF FOOD FROM HIS SISTER’S, HIS MOTHER PLAYFULLY SLAPS HIS HAND.
5 INT. DAY KITCHEN. MR STILLWELL IS PUTTING ON HI S JACKET, GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR WORK.
STILLWELL
I might be home late tonight, we should be wrapping up that Simpson contract today. There’s still a few dots and crosses to sort out.
MRS STILLWELL
Give me a phone if you are going to be late.
STILLWELL
Will do.
HE KISSES HIS WIFE, THEN HIS DAUGHTER AND RUFFLES HIS SON’S HAIR.
STILLWELL
See you all tonight.
6 EXT. DAY, CAR. STILLWELL IS DRIVING THROUGH THE STREETS, TAPPING HIS FINGERS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE MUSIC ON THE RADIO.
7 INT. OFFICE DAY. STILLWELL IS HARD AT WORK AT HIS DESK, WRITING, SHIFTING PAPER, TAPING ON A CALCULATOR.
8 INT. OFFICE DAY. IN THE OFFICE STILLWELL IS JOINED BY A MAN. THEY WORK TOGETHER, SMILING AND SHARING JOKES. THEY SEEM TO LIKE EACH OTHER.
9 INT. DAY, OFFICES. STILLWELL AND HIS CO-WORKER ARE JOINED BY A BUNCH OF SUITS. THEY SIT AROUND THE TABLE, NODDING. ONE OF THE TAKES OUT A PEN AND STARTS WRITING. STILLWELL AND HIS CO-WORKER SMILE AT EACH OTHER.
10 INT. OFFICE DAY. STILLWELL AND THE OFFICE WORKER CELEBRATE AND CONGRATULATE EACH OTHER
11 EXT. COFFEE SHOP DAY. STILLWELL AND CO-WORKER ARE DEEP IN CONVERSATION AS THEY ENTER THE COFFEE SHOP. IN THE BACKGROUND A FIGURE STOPS AND LOOKS AT THEM.
12 INT. COFFEE SHOP DAY. STILLWELL AND CO-WORKER ARE LAUGHING AND TALKING. BEHIND THEM, THE FIGURE FROM OUTSIDE ENTERS THE COFFEE SHOP AND LOCATES HIMSELF AT A TABLE IN THE BACKGROUND.
13 INT. COFFEE SHOP DAY. STILLWELL AND OFFICE WORKER ARE TALKING OVER COFFEE. THE FIGURE IN THE BACKGROUND CAN BE SEEN LOOKING THEIR WAY.
14 INT. COFFEE SHOP DAY, BUT DARKNESS IS FALLING. THE TWO MEN LEAVE THE COFFEE SHOP, STILL HAPPY.
15 EXT. CAR PARK EVENING. THE TWO MEN MAKE THEIR WAY TO A CAR. STILLWELL GETS OUT CAR KEYS.
STILLWELL
Well I suppose the fun stops here. Need to get back home, not stay out too late.
OFFICE WORKER.
Yeah, too true James. But it was fun while it lasted.
VOICE
The fun ain’t over yet.
THE TWO MEN LOOK AROUND TO SEE FOUR MEN ADVANCING ON THEM.
SECOND VOICE
Yeah, we gonna rain on you!
THEY RUSH AT STILLWELL AND THE OFFICE WORKER. STILLWELL MEETS THEM HEAD ON, THE OFFICE WORKER RUNS AWAY.
16 EXT. CAR PARK EVENING. FIGHT SCENE. STILLWELL FIGHTS THE FOUR ATTACKERS. THEY BEGIN TO OVERWHELM HIM, THEN SOMEONE ELSE JOINS THE FIGHT, THE FIGURE FROM THE COFFEE SHOP. THIS IS AIAS. TOGETHER THEY BEAT THE FOUR ATTACKERS.
17 EXT. COFFEE SHOP, EVENING. IT IS DUSK. THE ATTACKERS ARE LYING ON THE GROUND, STILLWELL IS KNEELING AGAINST HIS CAR, HIS HELPER STANDING A FEW FEET FROM HIM. STILLWELL TURNS, SEES HIS HELPER, SILHOUETTED AGAINST A STREET LAMP. HE CAN’T DISTINGUISH THE FACE. THE MAN STEPS FORWARD, SMILES. HIS FACE IS NOW VISIBLE.
AIAS
Surprised to see me war chief?
STILLWELL
You?
STILLWELL SHAKES HIS HEAD IN DISBELIEF.
AIAS
Yeah me. Who’d you expect, Batman?
18 INT. BAR, STILLWELL AND AIAS SITTING AT A TABLE. AIAS IS DRINKING BUT STILLWELL ISN’T.
AIAS
So. I’m calling myself Paul Aias now, what are you calling yourself these days war chief?
STILLWELL
James Stillwell.
AIAS
Your old stomping ground, you sentimental old fool you.
STILLWELL
If you stick to things you know you get caught out in lies less often.
AIAS
And we all got something to lie about. Well I must say you are looking good. I thought you’d have wasted away into a pot bellied drunk or something by now.
STILLWELL
I didn’t expect to see you ever again.
AIAS
Oh?
STILLWELL
I didn’t think you’d see your thirtieth birthday.
AIAS
I can look after myself.
STILLWELL
Apparently. So what brings you to this small town?
AIAS
Just passing though. I saw you in that coffee shop back there but I wasn’t one hundred percent sure it was you. And even if it was you I wasn’t one hundred percent sure you’d want the likes of me walking up to you and introducing myself after all these years.
STILLWELL
You should know me better than that. I don’t deny my friends. After all, when we were younger we all made vows.
AIAS
Glad you still consider me your friend. I remember those vows too. I’ll know to interrupt you parties next time. So what did you do after you left our neighbourhood? I heard you took that slut with you.
STILLWELL
She’s my wife now.
AIAS
(LAUGHS HEARTILY)
The old one’s are the best.
STILLWELL
I’m not joking. We drifted around for a few years then our son came along. We settled into a few towns but after a while we moved on from each of them. Sometimes because our past caught up with us, sometimes to follow the work. We got here four years ago.
AIAS
You’re serious aren’t you? You married that bitch?
STILLWELL
We have a daughter now too. Sometimes our daughter kept us together more than anything. But all in all I do love her, I got a real good wife and I hope she’s got a real good husband. She was the only good thing to happen that night.
AIAS
Jesus.
STILLWELL
So what have you been doing with you years?
AIAS
Well, where shall I start? The cops got me but I wasn’t in jail for long. They’d busted so many heads that night that the jails were full all over the city. I wasn’t in on any gang related charges so they let me off with a warning. Besides which they were glad to get rid of me on account of I was bopping anyone they put in the cells with me.
STILLWELL
I bet you were never happier.
AIAS
(SMILES)
When I got back they told me that you’d gone. So naturally I took over the gang.
STILLWELL
Naturally.
AIAS
I must say it changed me. It’s easy enough to go around busting heads when you’ve only got your own ass to think about, but it’s a different story when you’ve other people to think about too.
STILLWELL
Responsibility does that to you.
AIAS
Yeah. We did alright for a few years. But we never really went anywhere, you know what I mean? So I decided we’d move up a league. We moved into drug distribution on a large scale. We became quite good at it. And quite rich from it too.
STILLWELL
What about the others? What happened to them?
AIAS
They’re all kicking around. I see them quite regularly when I’m not moving around on business.
STILLWELL
Drugs business?
AIAS
Sometimes.
AIAS CONSULTS HIS WATCH.
AIAS
Listen, I’ve got a train to catch.
HE DIGS INTO HIS JACKET AND PULLS OUT A CARD.
AIAS
You can contact me on any of these numbers. The bottom one is my cell phone, the top one is one of my houses.
STILLWELL
I’ll give you one of my cards.
STILLWELL REACHES INTO HIS POCKET AND THEY EXCHANGE CARDS. AIAS STANDS TO LEAVE.
AIAS
You take care of yourself war chief.
STILLWELL
You too big guy. It was good seeing you again. Really.
THEY SHAKE HANDS AND AIAS LEAVES.
19 EXT. STILLWELL’S CAR, EVENING. STILLWELL IS DRIVING HOME.
20 EXT. TRAIN STATION DAY. AIAS IS AT THE TRAIN STATION. HE LOOKS AROUND. THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE THERE.
21 INT. HOUSE EVENING. STILLWELL ENTERS HIS HOUSE. HIS WIFE LOOKS UP AND HER FACE CHANGES AS SHE SEES THE MARKS ON HIS FACE.
MRS STILLWELL
Jesus what happened?
STILLWELL
Nothing, nothing, a gang of youths tried to rob me, that’s all.
MRS STILLWELL
Did they get anything? Did you call the police?
STILLWELL
No to both.
MRS STILLWELL
You should report this. They might try it again. On you – or on someone who can’t defend themselves as well as you can.
STILLWELL
Okay, maybe you’re right. I’ll drop by the police station tomorrow. But you know what the cops are like.
22 EXT. TRAIN STATION EVENING. A TRAIN PULLS IN AND STOPS. A MAN GETS OFF. HE IS ONE OF THE FEW PASSENGERS TO GET OFF. SOON THE STATION IS DESERTED.
23 EXT. ALLEY EVENING. AIAS IS STANDING, SPREAD LEGGED AND RELAXED IN THE ALLEY. THE MAN WHO GOT OFF THE TRAIN ENTERS THE ALLEY. HE PAUSES FOR A BRIEF SECOND THEN CONTINUES WALKING TOWARD AIAS.
AIAS
I hear you’re in town for some special business.
MAN
Whatever my business is it’s none of yours.
AIAS
Oh yeah? Listen faggot, you want to get near Stillwell you have to go through me.
THE MAN STOPS WALKING. HE EYES UP AIAS AND AIAS EYES HIM BACK.
24 EXT. ALLEY EVENING. FIGHT SCENE BETWEEN AIAS AND THE MAN WHO GOT OFF THE TRAIN.
25 EXT. ALLEY EVENING. AIAS IS STANDING ABOVE THE MAN. AIAS LOOKS DOWN AT THE VANQUISHED MAN
AIAS
F*cking wimp.
AIAS REACHES INTO HIS POCKET. HE PULLS OUT A CELL PHONE AND DIALS A NUMBER. THERE ARE A FEW AUDIBLE RINGS THEN A VOICE.
OATES
Hello?
AIAS
Hi there. It’s me. I’m not too happy. I’ve found out about your other operators. How much money are you spending?
OATES
Enough to get the job done.
AIAS
Then why’d you hire me?
OATES
This situation is important. Very important. I want to make sure about this.
AIAS
You made sure when you hired me.
BEAT
This Stillwell guy wasted your four punks. And that so called professional who came into Dodge City on the train is lying in a gutter. Have you any more wimps waiting to get their head busted?
OATES
None, there’s just you three. I thought three options would be enough.
AIAS
Listen Oates, one option is enough. Me. You want this Stillwell dead, cash in my hand, Stillwell is dead. Understand?
OATES
Yeah, sure.
AIAS
You be at the appointed place tonight with the money. Maybe then you’d like to tell me what all this is about. It seems a lot of hassle for one nobody.
OATES
It’s private.
AIAS
Yeah sure. You’re not there tonight or there’s no cash I’m coming after you, ex-cop or no ex-cop. I don’t work for nothing.
OATES
I’ll be there and you’ll get your money - provided the job is done. I need this Stillwell dead.
26 EXT. STILLWELL’S HOUSE NIGHT, ESTABLISHING.
27 INT. STILLWELL’S HOUSE. THE PHONE RINGS. SEATED ON THE SETTEE WITH HIS WIFE STILLWELL REACHES OUT AND PICKS IT UP.
STILLWELL
Hello?
A PAUSE AS SOMEONE TALKS AT THE OTHER END.
STILLWELL
Hi, hearing from you twice in one day after all this time, you’re like a bus. No sign for hours then two come along at once.
PAUSE AS THE OTHER PERSON TALKS.
STILLWELL
Sure I could meet you tonight. Where?
STILLWELL LISTENS.
STILLWELL
Alright, will do. See you later then. Bye.
STILLWELL HANGS UP.
MRS STILLWELL
Who was that?
STILLWELL
Aias. Apparently he missed his train. He wants to get together for a few drinks, really catch up on old times. You don’t mind do you?
MRS STILLWELL
Just don’t get too drunk.
28 EXT. ALLEY NIGHT. IT IS DIMLY LIT BUT THERE IS A CIRCLE OF BRIGHT LIGHT FROM A STREET LAMP THAT IS STILL WORKING. THE ALLEY IS NOT CRAMPED OR THIN. THERE ARE SOME BOXES AND TRASHCANS LYING AROUND. A MAN ENTERS THE ALLEY. HE HAS A SUITCASE IN HIS HANDS. HE LOOKS AROUND.
OATES
AIAS? AIAS are you here?
AIAS STEPS OUT FROM THE SHADOWS.
AIAS
Of course I am Mr Oates. Is that my money?
OATES
Yeah, every last cent. But I want proof that Stillwell is dead before I hand any of it over to you.
AIAS
I’ve taken care of Stillwell. How about telling me what all this is about?
OATES
No way. You’ll never know Aias. All you need to know is that you got paid for doing your job. Now prove you’ve earned the money or I walk.
AIAS
Well if you wont tell me why you want this Stillwell dead maybe you’ll tell him.
OATES
What are you talking about? You said you’d taken care of Stillwell, how can I tell him anything?
AIAS
I did take care of him. From your punks. Your hit man. And I brought him with me.
AIAS NODS BEHIND OATES, AS OATES TURNS STILLWELL COMES OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND HEADS STRAIGHT FOR OATES. HE GRABS HIS COLLAR AND PUSHES OATES UP AGAINST A WALL. OATES DROPS HIS CASE. AIAS PICKS IT UP AND OPENS IT.
OATES
Aias you dirty double crossing –
STILLWELL
What’s it all about Oates? Why do you want me dead? I’ve never even met you – there’s no connection between us at all!
OATES
AIAS! Aias do something!
AIAS
I am, don’t interrupt me when I’m counting.
STILLWELL
Talk or I’ll beat it out of you!
OATES
Okay okay! I’ll tell you. Ease up a little though.
STILLWELL
(IN OATES’ FACE)
Do I look like the easy going type?
OATES
I’m running for public office. This is important to me. I have to be clean.
STILLWELL
You’re not making any sense.
OATES
Years ago I was a captain in a Bronx police station. I had my contacts. One day, one of them tells me that a local gang leader had plans. Big plans. He wanted to unite all the gangs in New York. Take over the city.
STILLWELL LETS OATES GO, TAKES A STEP BACK. AIAS STOPS COUNTING AND TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO OATES.
OATES
This was a threat. A real threat. I made it my business to ensure that it didn’t happen, that the gangs didn’t join together. I made a deal with one of the gangs that was going to attend this meeting. They put a cog in the wheel I deliver them some drugs that were due to get burned by the city. It would be easy for me to get that dope, pay them off. In return –
STILLWELL
In return they did your dirty work for you.
OATES
Hey, I couldn’t allow that to happen. All the street gangs in New York joining up? nobody would have had a chance. I was a law enforcer. I made it my business to ensure that the law was kept.
STILLWELL
You sanctioned murder.
OATES
I sanctioned one street punk wasting another street punk. And I saved the city a lot of hassle a lot of money, and a lot of court time. And, I may add, a lot of lives. There would have been a blood bath if that plan got under way.
STILLWELL
I’m still not too clear on what this has to do with me.
OATES
The job was done. This guy managed to blame someone else for the deed. He phoned me up and I told him to come and get his payment. But he wanted to make sure the other gang was caught and punished. The idiot and his gang got wasted. Or so I thought.
OATES LEANS AGAINST THE WALL AND TAKES A FEW BREATHS.
OATES
Last year when I announced I was running for office a worm came out of the woodwork. It seems that not all members of that gang died when they were found out. One survived. He spent months in hospital, years in rehabilitation. When I started running for public office he saw a source of income.
STILLWELL
He blackmailed you.
OATES
Yeah. He wanted compensation for his ordeal, he said. I know the real reason that gang leader was killed he said, and I’m not the only one. He told me how they tracked down the group that they blamed for the killing, just to make sure they didn’t go around telling the truth. The gang leader told the leader of this other gang the real reason why he killed this punk with the big ideas. That was just before they were attacked and wasted.
AIAS
Let me guess the rest of this story. You had this guy wasted, then you hired me and the others to track down this Stillwell.
OATES
NODS
I can’t go into public office with this hanging over me. I had to ensure nobody knew why that punk was killed that night. I killed the blackmailer myself. I thought I was hiring the best for the second part of the jigsaw.
AIAS
STANDS UP
You did, Oates, you hired the best. The only problem is –
OATES
What? You want more money? You going to bleed me Aias?
AIAS
The only problem is, I was at that meeting that night.
OATES
You were a gang member? So what?
AIAS
Not just any gang member. I was in the gang that got blamed for the killing. And I don’t kill my friends.
OATES
Aw Jesus, Jesus no. You and him? together? in the same gang? What are you going to do? Kill me?
AIAS
What do you think I am? a cop?
AIAS REACHES INTO HIS JACKET AND PULLS OUT A TAPE RECORDER.
AIAS
Exhibit number one.
HE CLICKS IT, PUSHES A BUTTON AND LETS IT PLAY OATES’ WORDS. HE MOVES INTO THE SHADOWS BEHIND HIM AND COMES OUT WITH A VIDEO CAMERA.
AIAS
Exhibit number two.
AIAS POINTS AT OATES.
AIAS
You leave well enough alone and this don’t go on TV. Anything happens to me, Stillwell, or any member of his family and your ass is on prime time. As far as we’re concerned no one knows you set up that murder. Live your life without thinking about it - or us- and no one will know. Right war chief?
STILLWELL
Right. Just one minor point Oates.
OATES
What?
STILLWELL
I didn’t know. When I asked him why he shot Cyrus the guy just said ‘no reason.’ You came out of the shadows for nothing, he didn’t rat on you.
AIAS
Well, if there is no other business me and my friend will just mosey on home. You, Oates, can go into politics where you belong.
OATES
Hey! What about my money!? You didn’t do the job!
AIAS
Come on, it’s not a contract if money doesn’t change hands. How’s it going to look if I say you paid me to kill someone and some fancy lawyer says ‘how much?’ Oh, I says, I gave the money back actually. That’s not going to incriminate you is it? Let’s be honest Oates you wont miss this money, you just go and bleed it back off the taxpayer.
OATES
You double crossing bastard Aias.
AIAS
You’ll get more than enough money in Congress.
AIAS AND STILLWELL WALK OUT OF THE ALLEY.
29 INT. CAR NIGHT. AIAS AND STILLWELL ARE IN STILLWELL’S CAR, WITH STILLWELL DRIVING.
STILLWELL
Are you sure you want me to drop you off at the bus station? You’re more than welcome to stay at my house tonight.
AIAS
No thanks. I don’t think I’d be too popular with your wife. Me and her didn’t really get on. Incidentally, you’re more than welcome to take a whack from this case. All the others will be getting their cut.
STILLWELL
Give me ten dollars.
AIAS
What? You kidding?
30 EXT. BUS STATION NIGHT. STILLWELL’S CAR PULLS UP IN FRONT OF THE STATION. AIAS GETS OUT. STILLWELL GETS OUT. THEY SHAKE HANDS AND AIAS WALKS OFF INSIDE THE STATION. STILLWELL WATCHES HIM GO THEN GETS BACK INTO HIS CAR AND DRIVES OFF.
31 EXT. SHOP NIGHT. STILLWELL’S CAR DRAWS UP IN FRONT OF THE SHOP. HE GETS OUT AND GOES INTO THE SHOP. A FEW SECONDS LATER HE COMES BACK OUT. HE HAS ONE FLOWER IN HIS HAND. HE LOOKS AT IT AND SMILES.
END
) and I thought it would be nice to share it.I went through it last night and found that I made surprisingly few changes. Also, I am sure I had a prose version of this but it doesn't appear to be on the CD. I'll check other backup to see if it is on that. I hope the screenplay format isn't too off putting.
MR STILLWELL
FIRST DRAFT
MARCH 2000
REVISION
SEPTEMBER 2011
1 BLACK SCREEN
FADE IN SOUND, CHEERING.
VOICE
Can you dig it?
CHEERS GET LOUDER.
VOICE
Can you dig it?
MORE CHEERING AND CLAPPING.
VOICE
Can you dig it?
THE APPLAUSE GETS LOUDER.
THERE IS A GUNSHOT, WHICH STILLS THE CHEERS AND APPLAUSE, THE GUNSHOT ECHOES INTO SILENCE.
2 EXT. DAY, A SUBURBAN STREET, IT COULD BE ANYWHERE, IT LOOKS PROSPEROUS, BUT NOT RICH.
3 INT. DAY A KITCHEN. A MAN IN HIS MID TO LATE THIRTIES IS SEATED AT THE TABLE, MR STILLWELL, HE IS GLANCING THROUGH THE PAPER AND SIPPING ON COFFEE. HIS WIFE, MRS STILLWELL, IS BUSY AT THE COOKER. THEIR DAUGHTER, A YOUNG DISABLED GIRL, SITS ACROSS FROM MR STILLWELL. MRS STILLWELL APPEARS AT THE TABLE WITH BREAKFAST FOR HER DAUGHTER.
4 INT. DAY KITCHEN, CONTINUOUS. A YOUNG MAN ENTERS THE KITCHEN. HE IS IN HIS EARLY TEENS. HE STEALS AN ITEM OF FOOD FROM HIS FATHER’S PLATE AND AN ITEM OF FOOD FROM HIS SISTER’S, HIS MOTHER PLAYFULLY SLAPS HIS HAND.
5 INT. DAY KITCHEN. MR STILLWELL IS PUTTING ON HI S JACKET, GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR WORK.
STILLWELL
I might be home late tonight, we should be wrapping up that Simpson contract today. There’s still a few dots and crosses to sort out.
MRS STILLWELL
Give me a phone if you are going to be late.
STILLWELL
Will do.
HE KISSES HIS WIFE, THEN HIS DAUGHTER AND RUFFLES HIS SON’S HAIR.
STILLWELL
See you all tonight.
6 EXT. DAY, CAR. STILLWELL IS DRIVING THROUGH THE STREETS, TAPPING HIS FINGERS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE MUSIC ON THE RADIO.
7 INT. OFFICE DAY. STILLWELL IS HARD AT WORK AT HIS DESK, WRITING, SHIFTING PAPER, TAPING ON A CALCULATOR.
8 INT. OFFICE DAY. IN THE OFFICE STILLWELL IS JOINED BY A MAN. THEY WORK TOGETHER, SMILING AND SHARING JOKES. THEY SEEM TO LIKE EACH OTHER.
9 INT. DAY, OFFICES. STILLWELL AND HIS CO-WORKER ARE JOINED BY A BUNCH OF SUITS. THEY SIT AROUND THE TABLE, NODDING. ONE OF THE TAKES OUT A PEN AND STARTS WRITING. STILLWELL AND HIS CO-WORKER SMILE AT EACH OTHER.
10 INT. OFFICE DAY. STILLWELL AND THE OFFICE WORKER CELEBRATE AND CONGRATULATE EACH OTHER
11 EXT. COFFEE SHOP DAY. STILLWELL AND CO-WORKER ARE DEEP IN CONVERSATION AS THEY ENTER THE COFFEE SHOP. IN THE BACKGROUND A FIGURE STOPS AND LOOKS AT THEM.
12 INT. COFFEE SHOP DAY. STILLWELL AND CO-WORKER ARE LAUGHING AND TALKING. BEHIND THEM, THE FIGURE FROM OUTSIDE ENTERS THE COFFEE SHOP AND LOCATES HIMSELF AT A TABLE IN THE BACKGROUND.
13 INT. COFFEE SHOP DAY. STILLWELL AND OFFICE WORKER ARE TALKING OVER COFFEE. THE FIGURE IN THE BACKGROUND CAN BE SEEN LOOKING THEIR WAY.
14 INT. COFFEE SHOP DAY, BUT DARKNESS IS FALLING. THE TWO MEN LEAVE THE COFFEE SHOP, STILL HAPPY.
15 EXT. CAR PARK EVENING. THE TWO MEN MAKE THEIR WAY TO A CAR. STILLWELL GETS OUT CAR KEYS.
STILLWELL
Well I suppose the fun stops here. Need to get back home, not stay out too late.
OFFICE WORKER.
Yeah, too true James. But it was fun while it lasted.
VOICE
The fun ain’t over yet.
THE TWO MEN LOOK AROUND TO SEE FOUR MEN ADVANCING ON THEM.
SECOND VOICE
Yeah, we gonna rain on you!
THEY RUSH AT STILLWELL AND THE OFFICE WORKER. STILLWELL MEETS THEM HEAD ON, THE OFFICE WORKER RUNS AWAY.
16 EXT. CAR PARK EVENING. FIGHT SCENE. STILLWELL FIGHTS THE FOUR ATTACKERS. THEY BEGIN TO OVERWHELM HIM, THEN SOMEONE ELSE JOINS THE FIGHT, THE FIGURE FROM THE COFFEE SHOP. THIS IS AIAS. TOGETHER THEY BEAT THE FOUR ATTACKERS.
17 EXT. COFFEE SHOP, EVENING. IT IS DUSK. THE ATTACKERS ARE LYING ON THE GROUND, STILLWELL IS KNEELING AGAINST HIS CAR, HIS HELPER STANDING A FEW FEET FROM HIM. STILLWELL TURNS, SEES HIS HELPER, SILHOUETTED AGAINST A STREET LAMP. HE CAN’T DISTINGUISH THE FACE. THE MAN STEPS FORWARD, SMILES. HIS FACE IS NOW VISIBLE.
AIAS
Surprised to see me war chief?
STILLWELL
You?
STILLWELL SHAKES HIS HEAD IN DISBELIEF.
AIAS
Yeah me. Who’d you expect, Batman?
18 INT. BAR, STILLWELL AND AIAS SITTING AT A TABLE. AIAS IS DRINKING BUT STILLWELL ISN’T.
AIAS
So. I’m calling myself Paul Aias now, what are you calling yourself these days war chief?
STILLWELL
James Stillwell.
AIAS
Your old stomping ground, you sentimental old fool you.
STILLWELL
If you stick to things you know you get caught out in lies less often.
AIAS
And we all got something to lie about. Well I must say you are looking good. I thought you’d have wasted away into a pot bellied drunk or something by now.
STILLWELL
I didn’t expect to see you ever again.
AIAS
Oh?
STILLWELL
I didn’t think you’d see your thirtieth birthday.
AIAS
I can look after myself.
STILLWELL
Apparently. So what brings you to this small town?
AIAS
Just passing though. I saw you in that coffee shop back there but I wasn’t one hundred percent sure it was you. And even if it was you I wasn’t one hundred percent sure you’d want the likes of me walking up to you and introducing myself after all these years.
STILLWELL
You should know me better than that. I don’t deny my friends. After all, when we were younger we all made vows.
AIAS
Glad you still consider me your friend. I remember those vows too. I’ll know to interrupt you parties next time. So what did you do after you left our neighbourhood? I heard you took that slut with you.
STILLWELL
She’s my wife now.
AIAS
(LAUGHS HEARTILY)
The old one’s are the best.
STILLWELL
I’m not joking. We drifted around for a few years then our son came along. We settled into a few towns but after a while we moved on from each of them. Sometimes because our past caught up with us, sometimes to follow the work. We got here four years ago.
AIAS
You’re serious aren’t you? You married that bitch?
STILLWELL
We have a daughter now too. Sometimes our daughter kept us together more than anything. But all in all I do love her, I got a real good wife and I hope she’s got a real good husband. She was the only good thing to happen that night.
AIAS
Jesus.
STILLWELL
So what have you been doing with you years?
AIAS
Well, where shall I start? The cops got me but I wasn’t in jail for long. They’d busted so many heads that night that the jails were full all over the city. I wasn’t in on any gang related charges so they let me off with a warning. Besides which they were glad to get rid of me on account of I was bopping anyone they put in the cells with me.
STILLWELL
I bet you were never happier.
AIAS
(SMILES)
When I got back they told me that you’d gone. So naturally I took over the gang.
STILLWELL
Naturally.
AIAS
I must say it changed me. It’s easy enough to go around busting heads when you’ve only got your own ass to think about, but it’s a different story when you’ve other people to think about too.
STILLWELL
Responsibility does that to you.
AIAS
Yeah. We did alright for a few years. But we never really went anywhere, you know what I mean? So I decided we’d move up a league. We moved into drug distribution on a large scale. We became quite good at it. And quite rich from it too.
STILLWELL
What about the others? What happened to them?
AIAS
They’re all kicking around. I see them quite regularly when I’m not moving around on business.
STILLWELL
Drugs business?
AIAS
Sometimes.
AIAS CONSULTS HIS WATCH.
AIAS
Listen, I’ve got a train to catch.
HE DIGS INTO HIS JACKET AND PULLS OUT A CARD.
AIAS
You can contact me on any of these numbers. The bottom one is my cell phone, the top one is one of my houses.
STILLWELL
I’ll give you one of my cards.
STILLWELL REACHES INTO HIS POCKET AND THEY EXCHANGE CARDS. AIAS STANDS TO LEAVE.
AIAS
You take care of yourself war chief.
STILLWELL
You too big guy. It was good seeing you again. Really.
THEY SHAKE HANDS AND AIAS LEAVES.
19 EXT. STILLWELL’S CAR, EVENING. STILLWELL IS DRIVING HOME.
20 EXT. TRAIN STATION DAY. AIAS IS AT THE TRAIN STATION. HE LOOKS AROUND. THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE THERE.
21 INT. HOUSE EVENING. STILLWELL ENTERS HIS HOUSE. HIS WIFE LOOKS UP AND HER FACE CHANGES AS SHE SEES THE MARKS ON HIS FACE.
MRS STILLWELL
Jesus what happened?
STILLWELL
Nothing, nothing, a gang of youths tried to rob me, that’s all.
MRS STILLWELL
Did they get anything? Did you call the police?
STILLWELL
No to both.
MRS STILLWELL
You should report this. They might try it again. On you – or on someone who can’t defend themselves as well as you can.
STILLWELL
Okay, maybe you’re right. I’ll drop by the police station tomorrow. But you know what the cops are like.
22 EXT. TRAIN STATION EVENING. A TRAIN PULLS IN AND STOPS. A MAN GETS OFF. HE IS ONE OF THE FEW PASSENGERS TO GET OFF. SOON THE STATION IS DESERTED.
23 EXT. ALLEY EVENING. AIAS IS STANDING, SPREAD LEGGED AND RELAXED IN THE ALLEY. THE MAN WHO GOT OFF THE TRAIN ENTERS THE ALLEY. HE PAUSES FOR A BRIEF SECOND THEN CONTINUES WALKING TOWARD AIAS.
AIAS
I hear you’re in town for some special business.
MAN
Whatever my business is it’s none of yours.
AIAS
Oh yeah? Listen faggot, you want to get near Stillwell you have to go through me.
THE MAN STOPS WALKING. HE EYES UP AIAS AND AIAS EYES HIM BACK.
24 EXT. ALLEY EVENING. FIGHT SCENE BETWEEN AIAS AND THE MAN WHO GOT OFF THE TRAIN.
25 EXT. ALLEY EVENING. AIAS IS STANDING ABOVE THE MAN. AIAS LOOKS DOWN AT THE VANQUISHED MAN
AIAS
F*cking wimp.
AIAS REACHES INTO HIS POCKET. HE PULLS OUT A CELL PHONE AND DIALS A NUMBER. THERE ARE A FEW AUDIBLE RINGS THEN A VOICE.
OATES
Hello?
AIAS
Hi there. It’s me. I’m not too happy. I’ve found out about your other operators. How much money are you spending?
OATES
Enough to get the job done.
AIAS
Then why’d you hire me?
OATES
This situation is important. Very important. I want to make sure about this.
AIAS
You made sure when you hired me.
BEAT
This Stillwell guy wasted your four punks. And that so called professional who came into Dodge City on the train is lying in a gutter. Have you any more wimps waiting to get their head busted?
OATES
None, there’s just you three. I thought three options would be enough.
AIAS
Listen Oates, one option is enough. Me. You want this Stillwell dead, cash in my hand, Stillwell is dead. Understand?
OATES
Yeah, sure.
AIAS
You be at the appointed place tonight with the money. Maybe then you’d like to tell me what all this is about. It seems a lot of hassle for one nobody.
OATES
It’s private.
AIAS
Yeah sure. You’re not there tonight or there’s no cash I’m coming after you, ex-cop or no ex-cop. I don’t work for nothing.
OATES
I’ll be there and you’ll get your money - provided the job is done. I need this Stillwell dead.
26 EXT. STILLWELL’S HOUSE NIGHT, ESTABLISHING.
27 INT. STILLWELL’S HOUSE. THE PHONE RINGS. SEATED ON THE SETTEE WITH HIS WIFE STILLWELL REACHES OUT AND PICKS IT UP.
STILLWELL
Hello?
A PAUSE AS SOMEONE TALKS AT THE OTHER END.
STILLWELL
Hi, hearing from you twice in one day after all this time, you’re like a bus. No sign for hours then two come along at once.
PAUSE AS THE OTHER PERSON TALKS.
STILLWELL
Sure I could meet you tonight. Where?
STILLWELL LISTENS.
STILLWELL
Alright, will do. See you later then. Bye.
STILLWELL HANGS UP.
MRS STILLWELL
Who was that?
STILLWELL
Aias. Apparently he missed his train. He wants to get together for a few drinks, really catch up on old times. You don’t mind do you?
MRS STILLWELL
Just don’t get too drunk.
28 EXT. ALLEY NIGHT. IT IS DIMLY LIT BUT THERE IS A CIRCLE OF BRIGHT LIGHT FROM A STREET LAMP THAT IS STILL WORKING. THE ALLEY IS NOT CRAMPED OR THIN. THERE ARE SOME BOXES AND TRASHCANS LYING AROUND. A MAN ENTERS THE ALLEY. HE HAS A SUITCASE IN HIS HANDS. HE LOOKS AROUND.
OATES
AIAS? AIAS are you here?
AIAS STEPS OUT FROM THE SHADOWS.
AIAS
Of course I am Mr Oates. Is that my money?
OATES
Yeah, every last cent. But I want proof that Stillwell is dead before I hand any of it over to you.
AIAS
I’ve taken care of Stillwell. How about telling me what all this is about?
OATES
No way. You’ll never know Aias. All you need to know is that you got paid for doing your job. Now prove you’ve earned the money or I walk.
AIAS
Well if you wont tell me why you want this Stillwell dead maybe you’ll tell him.
OATES
What are you talking about? You said you’d taken care of Stillwell, how can I tell him anything?
AIAS
I did take care of him. From your punks. Your hit man. And I brought him with me.
AIAS NODS BEHIND OATES, AS OATES TURNS STILLWELL COMES OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND HEADS STRAIGHT FOR OATES. HE GRABS HIS COLLAR AND PUSHES OATES UP AGAINST A WALL. OATES DROPS HIS CASE. AIAS PICKS IT UP AND OPENS IT.
OATES
Aias you dirty double crossing –
STILLWELL
What’s it all about Oates? Why do you want me dead? I’ve never even met you – there’s no connection between us at all!
OATES
AIAS! Aias do something!
AIAS
I am, don’t interrupt me when I’m counting.
STILLWELL
Talk or I’ll beat it out of you!
OATES
Okay okay! I’ll tell you. Ease up a little though.
STILLWELL
(IN OATES’ FACE)
Do I look like the easy going type?
OATES
I’m running for public office. This is important to me. I have to be clean.
STILLWELL
You’re not making any sense.
OATES
Years ago I was a captain in a Bronx police station. I had my contacts. One day, one of them tells me that a local gang leader had plans. Big plans. He wanted to unite all the gangs in New York. Take over the city.
STILLWELL LETS OATES GO, TAKES A STEP BACK. AIAS STOPS COUNTING AND TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO OATES.
OATES
This was a threat. A real threat. I made it my business to ensure that it didn’t happen, that the gangs didn’t join together. I made a deal with one of the gangs that was going to attend this meeting. They put a cog in the wheel I deliver them some drugs that were due to get burned by the city. It would be easy for me to get that dope, pay them off. In return –
STILLWELL
In return they did your dirty work for you.
OATES
Hey, I couldn’t allow that to happen. All the street gangs in New York joining up? nobody would have had a chance. I was a law enforcer. I made it my business to ensure that the law was kept.
STILLWELL
You sanctioned murder.
OATES
I sanctioned one street punk wasting another street punk. And I saved the city a lot of hassle a lot of money, and a lot of court time. And, I may add, a lot of lives. There would have been a blood bath if that plan got under way.
STILLWELL
I’m still not too clear on what this has to do with me.
OATES
The job was done. This guy managed to blame someone else for the deed. He phoned me up and I told him to come and get his payment. But he wanted to make sure the other gang was caught and punished. The idiot and his gang got wasted. Or so I thought.
OATES LEANS AGAINST THE WALL AND TAKES A FEW BREATHS.
OATES
Last year when I announced I was running for office a worm came out of the woodwork. It seems that not all members of that gang died when they were found out. One survived. He spent months in hospital, years in rehabilitation. When I started running for public office he saw a source of income.
STILLWELL
He blackmailed you.
OATES
Yeah. He wanted compensation for his ordeal, he said. I know the real reason that gang leader was killed he said, and I’m not the only one. He told me how they tracked down the group that they blamed for the killing, just to make sure they didn’t go around telling the truth. The gang leader told the leader of this other gang the real reason why he killed this punk with the big ideas. That was just before they were attacked and wasted.
AIAS
Let me guess the rest of this story. You had this guy wasted, then you hired me and the others to track down this Stillwell.
OATES
NODS
I can’t go into public office with this hanging over me. I had to ensure nobody knew why that punk was killed that night. I killed the blackmailer myself. I thought I was hiring the best for the second part of the jigsaw.
AIAS
STANDS UP
You did, Oates, you hired the best. The only problem is –
OATES
What? You want more money? You going to bleed me Aias?
AIAS
The only problem is, I was at that meeting that night.
OATES
You were a gang member? So what?
AIAS
Not just any gang member. I was in the gang that got blamed for the killing. And I don’t kill my friends.
OATES
Aw Jesus, Jesus no. You and him? together? in the same gang? What are you going to do? Kill me?
AIAS
What do you think I am? a cop?
AIAS REACHES INTO HIS JACKET AND PULLS OUT A TAPE RECORDER.
AIAS
Exhibit number one.
HE CLICKS IT, PUSHES A BUTTON AND LETS IT PLAY OATES’ WORDS. HE MOVES INTO THE SHADOWS BEHIND HIM AND COMES OUT WITH A VIDEO CAMERA.
AIAS
Exhibit number two.
AIAS POINTS AT OATES.
AIAS
You leave well enough alone and this don’t go on TV. Anything happens to me, Stillwell, or any member of his family and your ass is on prime time. As far as we’re concerned no one knows you set up that murder. Live your life without thinking about it - or us- and no one will know. Right war chief?
STILLWELL
Right. Just one minor point Oates.
OATES
What?
STILLWELL
I didn’t know. When I asked him why he shot Cyrus the guy just said ‘no reason.’ You came out of the shadows for nothing, he didn’t rat on you.
AIAS
Well, if there is no other business me and my friend will just mosey on home. You, Oates, can go into politics where you belong.
OATES
Hey! What about my money!? You didn’t do the job!
AIAS
Come on, it’s not a contract if money doesn’t change hands. How’s it going to look if I say you paid me to kill someone and some fancy lawyer says ‘how much?’ Oh, I says, I gave the money back actually. That’s not going to incriminate you is it? Let’s be honest Oates you wont miss this money, you just go and bleed it back off the taxpayer.
OATES
You double crossing bastard Aias.
AIAS
You’ll get more than enough money in Congress.
AIAS AND STILLWELL WALK OUT OF THE ALLEY.
29 INT. CAR NIGHT. AIAS AND STILLWELL ARE IN STILLWELL’S CAR, WITH STILLWELL DRIVING.
STILLWELL
Are you sure you want me to drop you off at the bus station? You’re more than welcome to stay at my house tonight.
AIAS
No thanks. I don’t think I’d be too popular with your wife. Me and her didn’t really get on. Incidentally, you’re more than welcome to take a whack from this case. All the others will be getting their cut.
STILLWELL
Give me ten dollars.
AIAS
What? You kidding?
30 EXT. BUS STATION NIGHT. STILLWELL’S CAR PULLS UP IN FRONT OF THE STATION. AIAS GETS OUT. STILLWELL GETS OUT. THEY SHAKE HANDS AND AIAS WALKS OFF INSIDE THE STATION. STILLWELL WATCHES HIM GO THEN GETS BACK INTO HIS CAR AND DRIVES OFF.
31 EXT. SHOP NIGHT. STILLWELL’S CAR DRAWS UP IN FRONT OF THE SHOP. HE GETS OUT AND GOES INTO THE SHOP. A FEW SECONDS LATER HE COMES BACK OUT. HE HAS ONE FLOWER IN HIS HAND. HE LOOKS AT IT AND SMILES.
END