"COMA"

(Re-titled “Rich Girl” before airing)

Written by Stephen L. Colter

ACT ONE

FADE IN

EXT. THE FLAGG ESTATE - DAY

BEGIN CREDITS. A gleamingly new convertible Rolls-Royce
rolls up a long driveway and parks by the front door. A
vintage Rolls-Royce sedan is already parked. RUDYARD, 40,
dressed in the impeccable style of a luxury car salesman,
steps out, takes out a case of expensive champagne, and
rings the bell. Within seconds RALPH FLAGG, 65, appears,
dressed in tennis togs. He is a distinguished, but
slightly soft-edged man. Excited, he pushes past Rudyard
and closes the door behind him. Rudyard is left holding
the case of champagne.

FLAGG
Rudyard! Wonderful, wonderful!
The keys are in it?

Rudyard, still carrying the case of champagne, follows
Flagg to the car. As he does so:

RUDYARD
Yes, sir. Everything has been
taken care of. On behalf of the
Beverly Drive Rolls-Royce Motor
Company I hope you and Mrs. Flagg
will accept this case of champagne
to toast your superb decision.

Flagg looks inside, strokes the leather. He grins like a
schoolboy looking at a new bicycle.

FLAGG
Thank you, Rudyard.

RUDYARD
I have a car waiting for me at
streetside. I'm certain your
wife will be very pleased.

FLAGG
It's her birthday. It's a
surprise.

Flagg quickly re-enters his house, calling:

FLAGG
Ginger! Ginger, darling?

He closes the door. Rudyard takes the champagne back to the
door and puts it down. As he turns and starts down the
driveway to the street: GUNSHOT. Rudyard spins, stares.
For a moment there is nothing, then the front door opens and
GINGER FLAGG, 35, Ralph's blonde, sexy wife, dressed in a
bikini, runs blindly outside, screaming:

GINGER
My husband's been shot! My
husband's been shot!

CREDITS CONTINUE

INT. COURTROOM - DAY

CYNTHIA FLAGG, 29, Ralph Flagg's daughter, is being
questioned by the DISTRICT ATTORNEY, 40.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Did your step-mother, and your father
quarrel frequently?

CYNTHIA
Since I wasn't living at home at
that time, I can't say for certain
but the last time I visited...she
threatened him with a fireplace poker.

Titters in the courtroom. Ginger, conservatively dressed,
sits at the defense table. She shakes her head in angry
denial and whispers to her attorney.

HUNTER

He sits at the back of the crowded courtroom. SOME OF THE
DIALOGUE ABOVE should be played over him. He rises now and
exits.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

On McCall who is a witness and is therefore not allowed
inside the courtroom. Hunter approaches her.

HUNTER
I got a hunch you're next, McCall,
watch out for Ginger's lawyer,
he goes for the jugular.

DEE DEE
Just like his client, huh?

HUNTER
(kidding)
That sweet little thing?

DEE DEE
That sweet little thing probably
planned to put a bullet in Flagg's
head the day she married him.

HUNTER
Maybe it was worth it to him?
He's old enough to be her father,
she recalibrates his pistons for
him, and then --

He is interrupted by:

COURT ATTENDANT
Dee Dee McCall?

They look at Uniformed Court Attendant, Female, standing at
open courtroom door.

COURT ATTENDANT
You're on, sergeant.

TIME LAPSE CUT TO

INT. COURTROOM - CLOSE ON DEE DEE – DAY

Her face shows strain, tension.

DEFENSE LAWYER'S VOICE
And did you try to stop her?

WIDEN to show she's on the stand, being questioned by an
aggressive DEFENSE LAWYER, 55.

DEE DEE
No, sir. I didn't see her reach
for the evidence -- for the gun until
it was too late.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Too late for what?

DEE DEE
To keep her from getting her
fingerprints on it. Even so,
her prints were the only ones
on it.

ON HUNTER

As he hears:

DEFENSE LAWYER'S VOICE
Isn't it possible that the finger-
prints of the individual who
actually shot Mr. Flagg, were
obliterated by Mrs. Flagg's handling
of the gun?

ON DEE AND LAWYER

DEE DEE
I suppose it's possible. I'm not
an expert on fingerprints.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Is it also possible your entire
investigation was as slip-shod as
your handling of the evidence?

And off Dee Dee's lethal gaze we...

CUT TO

INT. POLICE STATION SQUAD ROOM - DAY

Dee Dee, still boiling, strides in, pours a cup of coffee.
Hunter strolls in behind her, leans against a column,
continues to razz her a bit.

HUNTER
Look at the bright side. "Slip-
shod investigations" are a thing
of the past. You're partnering
now with "Dot-the-I's-and-cross-
the-T's Hunter".

CAPTAIN WYLER, 38, coffee cup in hand approaches and over-
hears . As he pours a cup an officer hands him an order to
sign.

CAPTAIN WYLER
(as he signs)
Good thought, Hunter. Start
dotting the I's and crossing the
T's on that stack of triplicates.

WYLER'S SECRETARY'S VOICE
Captain -- Commander Hoyt's return-
ing your call.

Wyler heads back toward his office. Hunter glances at the
stack, then brightens. To Dee Dee:

HUNTER
McCall, last month, when your car...

DEE DEE
Sorry. You used that one on me
last week.
(picks up-newspaper)
Why is this woman smiling?

CLOSE ON - NATIONAL INQUIRER-TYPE TABLOID

The headline reads: "$100 Million Coma." Under it are
photos of someone on life-support and Ginger Flagg smiling
seductively.

HUNTER'S VOICE
Maybe 'cause attempted murder buys
her 15 years max. Good behavior
and she's out in six.

ANGLE - HUNTER AND DEE DEE

DEE DEE
She's going to get off though,
isn't she?

HUNTER
Either way 'she's a helluva lot
better off than her husband.
(glances at watch)
Let's go see how the jury's
doin'.

CUT TO

EXT. COURTHOUSE PARKING LOT - DAY

Hunter parks in one of three empty spaces; He is followed
by McCall in her own car. She takes the space next to him.
This leaves only one empty space, which is prominently
marked "handicap-only". As they start away together:

A nondescript sedan cuts in front of them bringing them up
short. It parks in the handicap-only spot. A man in a
business suit gets out...obviously not handicapped. He
(IRS AGENT) is in a hurry. He grabs his briefcase off the
back seat.

Hunter starts to step forward, prepared to handle the
situation. She restrains him.

DEE DEE
I'll take care of this.

Hunter leans back against their car.

HUNTER
Go for it.

DEE DEE
(to the man)
May I see your handicap permit,
please?

IRS AGENT
Sorry, I'm in a hurry.

He moves on but is stopped by:

DEE DEE
I'm a police officer.

IRS AGENT
Listen, officer. I'm in a
tremendous hurry.

The IRS agent pulls out a wallet and shows Dee Dee his
credentials.

IRS AGENT
IRS special agent and I'm on
a case.

She reads the man's ID card, acts very, very, very
impressed.

DEE DEE
On a case, eh, Mr. Wolovick?
(suddenly all
business)
Move the car.

IRS AGENT
Look, officer. Don't push it.

DEE DEE
Move the car. NOW!

IRS AGENT
Okay. That's it. Let me see
your badge.

Dee Dee and Hunter exchange glances, then she shows the IRS
agent her shield. He writes in a small notebook.

DEE DEE
Is that your car, Mr. Wolowick...
or does it belong to the IRS?

IRS AGENT
Mine. Why?

Dee Dee walks to Hunter's car and pulls out the radio
microphone.

DEE DEE
This is L-56. I want wants, warrants
and DMV on California license plate
Victor Victor Quintan 168.
(to the IRS Agent)
What's your first name?

IRS AGENT
(rapidly getting
in his car)
Ohmigosh, this is the wrong
building. Sorry. Goodbye.

He drives away in a hurry.

HUNTER
Wanna chase him?

DEE DEE
Naw...it's better this way. Now
you and me have a permanent friend
in the IRS.

They start to leave, but another car, this one a big
Mercedes with foreign embassy plates, cuts them off as it
pulls into the handicap-only space.

DEE DEE
This isn't happening.

HUNTER
Let me take this one.

DEE DEE
(looks at plates)
Forget it, there's nothing we
can do.
(points)
Embassy plates.

HUNTER
I'll be diplomatic.

An ARAB, a large man in his forties, dressed in Brooks
Brother clothes, gets out of the car and starts away, but
stops as he sees: Hunter getting ready to let the air out of
one of the Arab's tires with a pen.

ARAB
(British Accent)
What are you doing?!

HUNTER
If you're going to park in the
handicap space, I'm just going
to have to handicap you.

ARAB
(screaming now)
Are you some kind of imbecile?
Stop that! Now!

Hunter is now letting the air out of the tire. The Arab is
boiling mad. He quickly opens the trunk and comes out with
a tire iron.

ARAB
Listen to me. I am an official
of the Baraqui embassy, with
diplomatic immunity, and I can park
anywhere that suits me. That is
the law.

HUNTER
(flashes his badge)
I'm police Sergeant Rick Hunter
and I don't care if the whole
United Nations gave you an
engraved invitation to park here,
it’s reserved for handicapped
people.

Hunter goes on with the second tire.

ARAB
You will stop what you're doing or
I will smash open your head! And
your laws cannot touch me.

Hunter stands, eyes the Arab with a steely gaze.

HUNTER
You can either get in and drive
away... or you can try'n smash open
my head. But when I take that lug
wrench out of your hand, I'm going
to put it in your face.

Hunter kneels and begins to let the air out of another tire
The Arab hefts the tire iron, starts to step forward. But
Hunter's eyes drill right through him, sapping his courage.
The Arab jumps into the Mercedes and drives away in a
hurry, doing great damage to his flopping tires.

HUNTER
(to Dee Dee)
We make a great team, partner.
Same result. Different styles.
Maybe we...

He breaks off as three reporters run past them:

REPORTER
(to Dee Dee)
Jury's in, sergeant. Get it
movin'!

They get it moving.

INT. COURTROOM - DAY

This time Dee Dee is present among the spectators, seated
beside Hunter. We come in on SILENCE as the JUDGE reads the
Jury's verdict.

JUDGE
(handing paper
to clerk)
The clerk will read the verdict.

The CLERK takes the verdict, looks at it, pauses in personal
reaction to it, then:

CLERK
We the jury, in the case pending
before this court find the defendant
Mrs. Ralph G. Flagg...Not Guilty!

Over the above READING we have cut briefly to:

CYNTHIA
frozen in fierce silence.

GINGER (MRS. FLAGG)
Tense, resigned, frightened.

DEE DEE

anticipating the Not Guilty verdict. We are on Dee Dee when
the "Not Guilty" words are read. She does not look
surprised, just dismayed, she feels partly responsible. We
leave the scene on a strong MUSICAL CUE before the courtroom
erupts in the usual post-trial hysteria.

CUT TO

EXT. SAME PARKING AREA – DAY

Hunter and Dee Dee walk slowly to their cars.

DEE DEE
I can't help feeling it's my fault
she was acquitted.

HUNTER
Don't worry about it. We're pro-
bably gonna get another crack at Mrs.
Ginger Flagg.

DEE DEE
How do you figure that?

HUNTER
Statistically, 71 percent of all
unjailed murderers are involved
in a second capital crime.

They have reached Dee Dee's car. As she unlocks it;

DEE DEE
Sounds like you've been into the
crimestopper s library. Where'd
you read that?

HUNTER
I never read it. I lived it.
Want to get something to eat?

DEE DEE
Nope. And neither do you. You've
got nine hours of triplicates to
scratch through for Captain America.
We start clean tomorrow.

HUNTER
(sucks air through
clenched teeth)
You're a hard, cold woman, McCall.

DEE DEE
(getting into
her car)
Truth is I'm hungry, but I pro-
mised Doctor Montclaire I'd come and
see him after the verdict.

CUT TO

INT. HOSPITAL ICU - DAY

A nurse and Doctor Montclaire, 60, are examining Ralph
Flagg, who is in a coma, hooked to an intravenous feeding
unit. The doctor is tough, dedicated, and a very old and
dear friend of Flagg's. There is a commotion outside.

IN THE HALL

A hospital SECURITY GUARD prevents Ginger from entering.
Ginger carries a Gucci bag and wears a long mink coat. The
doctor comes out of the room, pulling the door closed
behind him.

DOCTOR
What's the problem, Mrs. Flagg?

GINGER
I want to see my husband, and...
(points at
security guard)
this man won't let me in.

DOCTOR
He should have, you can visit any
time you like -- as long as some-
one else is in the room.

In background, Cynthia appears, followed discretely by
McCall.

GINGER
(angrily)
I've been found Not Guilty! I've
got all my rights back and I expect
to be with my husband day and night,
whether anyone else is there or not!

CYNTHIA
(pushes through)
Oh no you don't! You can't let
her in there alone!

Ginger turns on Cynthia, who swings out at her, hitting
her and knocking her back. Dee Dee steps in, quickly pulls
Cynthia away and leads her to one side.

DEE DEE
I know how much you hurt, but
committing assault and battery
isn't the way, believe me...

Cynthia wrests free, turns on her heels and storms out,
screaming:

CYNTHIA
If anything happens to my father
I'll sue every last one of you!

DOCTOR
(to Ginger)

Mrs. Flagg, as long as your husband
is in this hospital we set the rules.
Ralph will not be left alone with
you or anyone else.

GINGER
(quietly)
I love him. I could help him if
you d give me half a chance...

DOCTOR
There's a nurse with him now.
Why don't you go in?

Ginger starts to say something, thinks better of it, and
goes into the room. The doctor and Dee Dee exchange a
glance that indicates they share an attitude on all this.

DEE DEE
(moves closer)
Doctor Montclaire, how much longer
do you think he'll stay...like this?

DOCTOR
I've been Ralph Flagg's physician
for 30 years. He's healthy and
strong, and I don't think he's
going to stay like this.

DEE DEE
(surprised)
But the...the specialists say its
irreversible.

DOCTOR
They said it was irreversible.
They're having second thoughts.
The CAT scan shows dead brain
tissue in a very limited area.
He'll probably be paralyzed per-
manently on his left side, but
I think he'll come out of this.

This is a possibility Dee Dee had not heard before, and she
acts on it:

DEE DEE
I have a favor to ask. Mrs. Flagg's
been acquitted so the case is still
open and I'm still on it.
(hands him a card)
Maybe the answer's locked inside
that coma. Will you call me if
there's any change in his condition?

DOCTOR
Of course, but you think Mrs.
Flagg did it, don't you?

DEE DEE
The jury says she didn't.

DOCTOR
They had a reasonable doubt.
What do you think?

DEE DEE
What do you think, doctor?

DOCTOR
Ginger never missed a day of
visiting. While she was on trial
the joke around here was that she
was hoping he'd live, so it wouldn't
be murder. Now the staff thinks
she's back hoping he'll die. The
day he dies she comes into full
possession of a one hundred million
dollars---

He breaks off as Ginger comes out of the room. As she
pulls on her mink coat:

GINGER
I'm going home to bathe and
change clothes, but I'll be
back -- within an hour.

They watch as Ginger hurries away toward the elevators

CUT TO

EXT. WILSHIRE/WESTWOOD CONDOMINIUM TOWER – DAY

Ginger's limo pulls up. She gets out.

INT. POSH CONDO - DAY

Drawn, drained, and distraught, Ginger enters. Curtains
are blowing around the wide-open terrace door. She doesn't
take off her coat or set down her purse before crossing to
close the sliding door. Without warning a big man (BRADLEY
WILSEY, 35) leaps out, grabs her, and throws her over the
the railing. She barely gets out a short scream. Bradley
is well-dressed, well coiffed and well manicured, a tall,
dark and handsome man. He exits quickly, turning the
doorknob with a gloved hand.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE

************************************************************

ACT TWO

FADE IN

EXT. WILSHIRE/WESTWOOD CONDOMINIUM TOWER - DAY

A crowd of the curious. Hunter and McCall arrive and peek
under the sheet as the body is taken away. Both react. To
UNIFORMED OFFICER:

DEE DEE
(looking up at
the building)
Witnesses?

UNIFORMED OFFICER
Not till she bottomed out. Almost
hit one of 'em.

HUNTER
(points to ground)
That her purse?
(on Officer's nod)
We'll be upstairs.

They start for the Condo Lobby.

CUT TO

INT. CONDO LOBBY - DAY

Hunter and Dee Dee wait for the elevator. A wiry, OLD
CLEANING LADY hovers nearby.

DEE DEE
She's super-rich, beautiful, and
she just got acquitted. Does
that add up to suicide Co you?

HUNTER
Look at the dark side, McCall.
She's a social outcast, her hus-
band's in a coma, and the whole
world thinks she got away
with murder.

DEE DEE
Most women suicides use pills, not
to mention Ginger's stock in trade
was her looks --if you think she
committed suicide, I've got a
cotton mine I'd like to sell you.

The cleaning lady butts in out of context.

OLD CLEANING LADY
They was all the time lovebirds.
Embarrassed me all the time in the
elevator with their smackin’ and
whisperin'.

As Hunter and McCall step into the elevator:

HUNTER
You ever use elevators for smackin'
and whisperin'?

She smiles as the elevator doors close.

CUT TO

INT. CONDO - DAY

Lab men are working. Hunter walks directly to the terrace,
looks around, then points down.

HUNTER
She had her coat on, right?
(on her nod)
Look at this.

He points to the railing.

EXTREME CLOSE UP ON - THE RAILING

His finger flicks across the light coating of city soot,
leaving a streak of cleaner white.

ANGLE - HUNTER AND DEE DEE

He inspects the entire length of the rail, no sign of the
dust's having been touched.

HUNTER
She either flew over this railing
...or somebody tossed her, high
and wide.

DEE DEE
You decided to agree with me,
huh?

HUNTER
Forced to, McCall, no way she
could go over this rail with a
coat on and leave it untouched.

DEE DEE
And Hunter -- if I was going to
take a fourteen story dive, I can
tell you -- I wouldn’t take a purse
with me.

INT. LAW OFFICES - DAY

Dark wood. Dignified opulence. Hunter, and Dee Dee wait
in a small reception area near a closed office door. Dee
Dee is reading a magazine. CLAIRE, 22, a very tall, very
attractive secretary, is interested in Hunter. She
questions him while typing a hundred words a minute.

CLAIRE
How long have you been a policeman?

HUNTER
Eleven hard, painful years.

CLAIRE
Is it really hard work? Oh, that's
a dumb question. I mean...
(very sincere)
...do you get feelings of deep
personal satisfaction?

HUNTER
Every now and then.

Claire's phone buzzes. She picks it up.

ANGLE - DEE DEE

She motions for Hunter to come closer, then grins and
whispers to him.

DEE DEE
If you spend any time with that
one, feelings of deep personal
satisfaction will be guaranteed
with every application of her
product.

CLAIRE
Mrs. Jorgenson can see you now.

She lets them into:

INT. LAWYER'S PRIVATE OFFICE - DAY

THEA JORGENSON, 50, greets Hunter and Dee Dee and offers
them a seat. She is a tough, no-nonsense attorney.

MRS. JORGENSON
I made you wait. I'm sorry. But
I can't give you more than a few
minutes. How may I help you?

HUNTER
We'd like to see Ralph Flagg's
will.

The lawyer is instantly on guard and a bit surprised.

MRS. JORGENSON
Under what authority?

DEE DEE
We're investigating a case.

MRS. JORGENSON
That case was just adjudicated. It's
closed.

DEE DEE
Not that case, Mrs. Jorgenson.
We're investigating the death of
Mrs. Ralph Flagg.

Mrs. Jorgenson is caught in mid-thought, mouth open, eyes
staring.

MRS. JORGENSON
She's dead? How?

HUNTER
It was supposed to look like suicide.
Maybe it was.

MRS. JORGENSON
I'm totally unprepared for this, as
you knew I would be, but I'm not
about to give you any information
about Ralph Flagg's will.

HUNTER
Why not?

MRS. JORGENSON
The will was excluded from the
trial because Mr. Flagg is still
alive. The document is privileged,
sealed to outsiders.

Hunter ponders for a moment...suddenly remembers something.

HUNTER
Excuse me. McCall, could you
finish up? I've got to call in
and recheck our report parameters
with dispatch.

Dee Dee tries not to look dazed by this double-talk.
Instead she nods as if what Hunter just said made perfectly
good sense. Hunter exits.

DEE DEE
Mrs. Jorgenson, we believe Ginger
Flagg was murdered. My partner and
I think others may be in jeopardy.
Seeing the will could help us protect
innocent people.

Mrs. Jorgenson is at least listening now.

OUT AT CLAIRE'S DESK

Hunter waits alone. Claire appears, walking back to her
desk, carrying a stack of photocopying. As soon as she sees
Hunter waiting, her gait changes, becoming slower, less
businesslike, more sensual.

HUNTER
Oh, Claire, there you are.
Mrs. J wants you to give me a
list of all parties who know
the contents of Mr. Flagg's
latest will.

Claire smiles, pulls a file out of a cabinet. Hunter
returns the smile.

HUNTER
And a copy of the wills too, of
course, the latest and the one
before that.

CUT TO

INT. HUNTER'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY

Hunter drives while Dee Dee peruses the documents

DEE DEE
If Mrs. Jorgenson calls the depart-
ment on this you know what's gonna --

HUNTER
Just read the will, McCall.

DEE DEE
(shrugs)
The latest one's dated just a
day before Flagg was shot, leaves
almost everything to Ginger.

HUNTER
What's his daughter get?

DEE DEE
(leafing through
the will)
Oh...poor Cynthia. She'd've got
only five million dollars. You
realize that's only five percent?

HUNTER
Barely enough to keep her in
designer toothbrushes. Did she
know about that will?

DEE DEE
(shuffling papers)
According to this, the old man
signed it. Ginger read it, some
lawyers witnessed it...and that's
the job.

HUNTER
How was the money split before
that will was signed?

DEE DEE
(looks at other
will)
The other way around. Signed six
years ago. That's when Flagg
married Ginger. He put her into
the will for five million. Cynthia
got the rest.

HUNTER
I got a hunch, McCall, wanta hear
it? Cynthia found out the old man
was changin' that will and giving
ninety-five percent of his hundred
million to sweet little Ginger.

DEE DEE
But Cynthia's not on the list of
people who knew he changed it.

HUNTER
Yeah, but what if she found out what
he planned to do?

DEE DEE
(it makes her
sick)
Are you saying Cynthia shot her
own father?

HUNTER
You get two murders in one family,
you gotta believe one person did
both. Right?

DEE DEE
Wrong. Ginger shoots her husband.
Somebody else does Ginger.

HUNTER
Yeah -- two killers in one family,
I don't believe it.

DEE DEE
You think little Cynthia could
pick Ginger up, mink and all, and
toss her off Chat balcony?

HUNTER
Nope. I don't think she could've
shot her own father either -- I
think she had help, both times.
Let's go say hello...see if we
can't figure how to write her a
lifetime ticket to the California
Home for Bad Ladies.

DEE DEE
That's really jumping to conclu-
sions, Hunter. You don't know
she's a murderer, but you've
already put her away. My, my
The innocent citizens of this state
are lucky you're not a judge.

HUNTER
Wrong. The guilty ones.

CUT TO

EXT. THE FLAGG ESTATE - DAY

Dee Dee gets out of the car. Hunter stays behind the
wheel.

HUNTER
You better handle this alone. I
got a feeling I may need to save
my face for later.

DEE DEE
Undercover?
(on his nod)
But she saw you at the trial.

HUNTER
Not a chance. Emotional blindness.
She couldn't see anyone but the
judge, the jury, and her stepmother.
I'm safe. Count on it.

CUT TO

INT. THE FLAGG HOME - CYNTHIA'S ROOM - DAY

Expensive, modern decor. She lives there alone now. Dee
Dee walks with Cynthia as she takes clothes out of boxes an
hangs them up or puts them away. Cynthia is in a good
mood.

CYNTHIA
No, I'm not in the least saddened
by that slut's suicide. She was
the worst kind of prostitute, the
marrying kind.

Cynthia holds up a "nothing" frock that probably cost $800.

DEE DEE
Where were you at three thirty
this afternoon?

CYNTHIA
Oh, I see! You think she was
murdered! And of course I'm the
prime suspect. Hate to disappoint
you, but I was here at three-thirty
this afternoon.

DEE DEE
Can anyone corroborate that?

CYNTHIA
How about my maid, my tennis
instructor, my hairdresser, and a
dozen people who called to tell me
how shocked they were that my
step-mother got away with it?

Cynthia holds an extraordinarily expensive evening dress up
against herself.

CYNTHIA
I want to try this on, back in
a moment.

Dee Dee nods and Cynthia steps into another room. While
she is changing. Dee Dee puts the "nothing" frock up
against herself and "models" it in the mirror.

DEE DEE
(voice up)
Who else would want to kill her?

She puts it back down quickly just before Cynthia re-enters
wearing the exquisite evening dress.

CYNTHIA
My father was a tired old man
and she jiggled into his life
and took him for everything.
She probably has more enemies
than my father has friends, and
he has hundreds.

DEE DEE
If your father dies, where do you
stand in his will? .

Cynthia stares hard at Dee Dee.

DEE DEE
Isn't it true you'll inherit
everything? Now that Ginger's dead?

Cynthia walks to the door and opens it.

CYNTHIA
I've answered your questions because
I had nothing to do with what
happened to “Ginger”, as you call
her. If you want my opinion, she
killed herself. Please leave.

Dee Dee exits. Cynthia shuts the door and walks to the
window. From a room nearby, Bradley Wilsey moves silently
toward her. He comes up behind her and suddenly grabs her
around the waist. She shrieks and stops abruptly when she
sees who it is. (Bradley is just being playful, in his
ghoulish way, but the scene should be played for suspense to
this point.)

CYNTHIA
Bradley!
(wiggles out of
his grasp)
Damnit, stop playing stupid games!

For the first time, we really get a look at Bradley. He is
tall, preppy, muscular, and very handsome, but there is
something off center about the way he moves, the way he
speaks, something synthetic and a bit scary.

BRADLEY
You handled that policewoman nicely.

She is tense, a bit angry, and playing the commanding
officer role.

CYNTHIA
You screwed up good, y'know that?
For some damned reason they're sure
she didn't kill herself. What
happened?!

BRADLEY
Nothing, it was a work of art.
Come on, look at who you are and
what you stand to get. They're
fishing. Within a week it'll be
officially on the books as suicide.

She pours herself a drink. As she takes a sip, he puts his
arms around her.

CYNTHIA
Don't do that!
(she pulls away)
You've got the wrong idea about
our relationship.

BRADLEY
(with a smile)
Relationship?

CYNTHIA
Your three hundred thousand
dollars has been deposited in
a bank in Costa Rica. That is
our relationship.

BRADLEY
(a broad smile)
Sweetheart, it's you who's got the
wrong idea about our relationship.

There is something frightening in the way Bradley looks at
her, the way he speaks, and smiles.

BRADLEY
I'm afraid you didn't do your
homework. I, on the other hand,
did mine. I know everything about
you.

Cynthia glares at him.

BRADLEY
(sips her drink)
Sad, beautiful, rich girl. Swiss
charm schools. Twenty thousand
every month from Daddy just for
being there to spend it.
(on her look)
Now let me tell you about me.
Not the story you hear at the
cocktail parties, and not the one
I told you. The truth, Cynthia.
There's only room for truth
between us now.

He finishes her drink.

BRADLEY
I grew up in Trenton, New Jersey,
not Princeton. My father cut loose
when I was twelve. Four years
later some kid tried to steal a
T.V. I'd already stolen.
I beat him to death.

Cynthia reacts sharply to those last five words, and
Bradley enjoys the reaction.

BRADLEY
They put me in juvenile camp for
manslaughter. Four years. I
don't want three hundred
thousand dollars. I want you.

He pats her hand. She is transfixed.

BRADLEY
You. And your money. And I've got
both because you and I have entered
into a merger...a partnership that
can never be broken.

CYNTHIA
You...you're crazy...you can't get
away with this!

BRADLEY
But I have, babes, it's over and done.
Our -- note the choice of words --
our crimes have created an unbreakable
bond between us.
(kisses her cheek,
whispers)

Did you think it would be easy to
to get your hands on one hundred
million dollars?

She is really frightened as he grasps her strongly and
pulls her body into his. Directly into her ear, like the
snake talking to Eve:

BRADLEY
You have more money than you can
ever spend. And, you have me.
That's a bad deal only if you
make it one. If you give it half
a chance it could be the best
thing that ever happened to you.

Giving her no chance to slip from his grasp, he pulls
her against him and gives her a hard, deep kiss.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO

***********************************************************

ACT THREE

INT. POLICE STATION SQUAD ROOM. - NIGHT

Hunter sits at his desk. His stack of paperwork is exactly
the same. He stares at the ceiling. Finally, with a sigh,
he takes the first sheet off the stack and rolls it into his
typewriter. Dee Dee enters carrying a large book with an
action basketball photo on its dustcover. She plops it open
on his desk.

DEE DEE
McCall's ace research service does
it again. Try to find a basketball
encyclopedia this time of night.
(points to a page)
Your name'll be Lloyd Hackly.

HUNTER
Never heard of him.

DEE DEE
That's what you wanted, right?
The same age. Kentucky... that's
far enough away. 1971 NCAA playoffs.
NBA four years for Portland. Six
feet five. Here're his scats.

HUNTER
I'm six feet six.

DEE DEE
No one's gonna measure you.

HUNTER
You couldn've found me a higher
scorer?

Across the room. Captain Wyler pokes out of his office.

CAPTAIN WYLER
Hunter! McCall!

INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE - NIGHT

His phone will ring several times in what follows, but he
only answers when his secretary buzzes. Captain Wyler
grudgingly writes out a voucher. Hunter and Dee Dee stand
in front of his desk, watching. A UNIFORMED OFFICER opens
door:

OFFICER
Sergeant Beeley wants...

CAPTAIN WYLER
Tell him he's got Markowski and
Deacon.

OFFICER
Deacon goes on vacation next week.

CAPTAIN WYLER
Then he's got a week to wrap it up.

BUZZER. He picks up the phone.

CAPTAIN WYLER
Yes?
(listens five
seconds)
Reimer can handle that.

He hangs up, signs the voucher -- pushes it at Hunter.

CAPTAIN WYLER
That's it. Five hundred.

HUNTER
I don't like contradicting you,
sir. But I've got some serious
shopping to do if I'm going to
move up in class.

DEE DEE
He's right, Captain. The shoes
alone will....

CAPTAIN WYLER
Yeah, yeah...
(writes another voucher)

HUNTER
And I've got to rent a car, and
we're not talking compacts here.

Captain Wyler throws him a look, changes the voucher,
pushes it toward Hunter.

CAPTAIN WYLER
Don't say another word, Hunter.

The Captain's buzzer sounds again.

EXT. BRENTWOOD - SUNSET BOULEVARD - DAY

On Cynthia's Rolls Royce Convertible as it drives by. We
BEGIN SONG: "Saved by Zero" by The Fixx.

THE SONG
(use opening --
over above)

INT. THE CAR - DAY

On Cynthia and Bradley. This should include two-shots and
singles, to be cut in such a way as to indicate clearly
that the lyrics reflect the dreams of both of them; that
is, that they are almost identical people at this gut-level.

THE SONG
(lyrics to be supplied)

EXT. THE COUNTRY CLUB - DAY

Cynthia and Bradley walk from the parking lot (the Rolls
need not be seen) toward Club entrance. We follow them
striding side-by-side into the Club.

THE SONG
(lyrics to be supplied)

EXT. THE CLUB DRIVEWAY - DAY

A Mercedes 380-SL convertible with leather seats drives up.
A PARKING ATTENDANT opens the door and Hunter steps out.
He is dressed in elegant golfing attire.

Looking good, feeling good. Hunter walks toward the clubhouse.
Moments later, Dee Dee drives up and gets out carrying a flight
bag.

CUT TO

INT. CLUBHOUSE RESTAURANT/BAR - DAY

Hunter sits alone, seemingly watching the golfers practice
on the putting green, outside, but actually eyeing
Cynthia and Bradley, two tables away:

CLOSE ON - CYNTHIA AND BRADLEY

BRADLEY
Damn, we look good together! We
command attention. People notice
when we walk into a room.
(leans back)
You got it made, Cynthia. You're
just havin* a little trouble
realizing it.
(smiles, leans
toward her)
But you will. You'll come around,
real soon.

He reaches across the table and takes her hand. She
pulls back. He holds her tightly.

BRADLEY
Y'know, I really did go to college.
Football scholarship. I'm an
educated man.

He squeezes her hand...hard enough to hurt her. She
yelps softly and Hunter looks up. Bradley releases the
pressure and then strokes her hand very tenderly.

BRADLEY
First hard...then soft. Then
harder...then much, much softer.
It's a special style. All my own.
You'll be better at everything
between us. You'll see.

ANGLE - ON HUNTER

As he approaches their table.

HUNTER
Pardon me for interrupting. My
name's Lloyd Hackly. I'm trying
to get nine holes in this morning
and I can't find anyone to play
with. You wouldn't happen to
have a spot in your foursome,
would you?

BRADLEY
Sorry, no. We like...

CYNTHIA
(cuts him off)
It's just a twosome and we'd be
pleased to have you join us.
(looks at Hunter
closely)
We know each other, don't we?
Sit down.

HUNTER
(sits)
I don't Chink we’ve met, but I'm
sure we've been to a lot of the
same places.

A WAITER steps up.

WAITER
(to Hunter)
Would you care for something to
drink?

HUNTER
Some soda water and lots of ice.

WAITER
(a touch surly)
Anything else?

HUNTER
Just the glass.

Cynthia finds that quite funny. She laughs, the waiter
exits, and Bradley frowns.

EXT. GOLF COURSE - DAY

The last to hit, Hunter drives a solid wood on the first
hole.

BRADLEY
(cool)
Nice hit. Play much?

HUNTER
Used to. Too busy now. I can
still punch the long ones, but no
practice and the short game is gone.

CUT TO

EXT. THE FIRST GREEN

Cynthia putts a short one in. Bradley walks to his ball.

BRADLEY
What kind of work do you do, Hackly?

HUNTER
Thoroughbred horse insurance.

Bradley sinks it.

CYNTHIA
I'm sure we've met before, Mr.
Hackly. I wonder where?

HUNTER
I played basketball for the
Trailblazers a few years back -
Maybe you saw me play. Or saw
my face on the cover of Sports
Illustrated.
(grins)
Along with four other guys.

CYNTHIA
No, I'm not a basketball fan--
it was somewhere else.

EXT. ON FAIRWAY - DAY

Cynthia is across the fairway and some distance back.
Hunter and Bradley lie fairly close. As we COME INTO
scene, Bradley has just hit a 3-iron shot to the green, and
Hunter is stepping up to his ball.

BRADLEY
Who you think you're kiddin',
fella?!

HUNTER
Kiddin'? About what?

BRADLEY
You think I don't know what's
go in' down here?

Hunter gives him a look: Maybe the bastard knows what Hackly
looks like! Hunter addresses the ball with a 5-iron and hits
it clean.

CUT TO

CLOSE ON - DEE DEE'S FACE

She's wearing earphones. She looks worried. Has Hunter's
cover been blown? We PULL BACK to reveal:

EXT. CLUBHOUSE - DAY

Dee Dee is seated with some ice tea, seemingly tuned into
her walkman.

HUNTER (v.o., filtered)
Okay, Mr. Wilsey, now you can tell
me what you think's goin' down here.

BACK TO BRADLEY AND HUNTER

WE WILL INTERCUT DEE DEE several times in what follows:

BRADLEY
You want the bottom line?

HUNTER
Always a good place to start, at the
bottom.

BRADLEY
You're a two-bit hustler.

HUNTER
(laughs)
You just saw my best shot.

BRADLEY
(hard, and
getting angry)
We're not talkin' golf. The lady's
about to come into a hundred million
bucks. You know it, and you're
lookin' for a shot at it.

HUNTER
(whistles)
That's a lota money.

BRADLEY
Try Fort Knox -- it'll be easier
...and safer.

He has put a lot of heavy meaning into that word "safer"
and Hunter picks up on it.

HUNTER
Watch it, Bradley. Threatening
people is illegal.

BRADLEY
The lady happens to be private
property. You try'n put a move on
her I gotta protect my interests,
deal with you in some...appropriate
way, right? And like you said, a
hundred million is a lota money --
maybe gives you an idea how I'd be
forced to deal with it.

HUNTER
Tell me how anyway.

BRADLEY
Let's just say I'd have to junk you.
That clear enough?

Bradley sees Cynthia approaching them in her cart. He
turns and hurries over to join her. We stay with Hunter as
he slips into his cart and:

HUNTER
Time to move, McCall. Pick us up
at the sixth tee in about a half
hour.

CLOSE ON - DEE DEE

sunbathing by pool, listening.

HUNTER (v.o., filtered)

Got that? If you read me, wave your
hand.

Without thinking. Dee Dee waves her hand, then realizes
she's been had.

HUNTER (v.o., filtered)
Gotcha, didn't I?

A high-soceity POOLSIDE LOTHARIO appears and, with much
gold jewelry flapping on his hairy chest, leans over Dee
Dee and comes and...oozing charm.

POOLSIDE LOTHARIO

Were you waving at me, or just signal-
ing for help in general?

Without a word or a look, she gets up and leaves.

CUT TO

EXT. SIXTH TEE - DAY

As Hunter, Cynthia, and Bradley are setting up to drive.
Two black-and-whites pull up on the service road behind
the tee. Dee Dee, now dressed in street clothes, leads
them.

DEE DEE
Ms. Flagg, Mr. Wilsey, Mr.
Hackly...

HUNTER
How'd you know my name? What
is this?

DEE DEE
I'd like you all to come down to
the station for questioning.

CYNTHIA
You can't be serious. We're right
in the middle of a round of golf.

DEE DEE
No, you're right in the middle of
an investigation into Ginger Flagg’s
death.

HUNTER
Who's Ginger Flagg? And what have
I got to do with it? I just met
these people.

DEE DEE
We'll sort all this out downtown.

The uniformed police escort them to the cars, placing
Cynthia and Hunter in one and Bradley in the other.
Bradley is full of laughing bravado.

BRADLEY
I'd like a first-class seat next
to Ms. Flagg, stewardess.

As she closes the car door on him.

DEE DEE
Be happy we don't handcuff you.

INSIDE ONE OF THE POLICE CARS

Hunter and Cynthia sit back, bouncing over the service
road.

HUNTER
What's this all about?

CYNTHIA
I haven't a clue.

After a pause.

HUNTER
Why do I get the feeling Mr.
Wilsey isn't a close friend of
yours?

She stares out the window.

HUNTER
The reason I'm asking is I'm
eating lunch tomorrow by myself
and maybe if you're free you
could join me.

She's still not looking as he writes on a matchbook.

HUNTER
I got a feeling this is a waste
of a nearly full matchbook...

She looks at him, a slight smile curling her lips.

HUNTER
...but here's the place, the time,
and my home number in case you
change your mind.

He plays her smile like a fisherman with a strike.

HUNTER
My answering machine...I call him
Satan...will try to talk you out
of leaving a message, but don't
fall for it.

She smiles broadly. Victory! He slips the matchbook into
her hand.

CUT TO

INT. SQUAD ROOM - DAY

Hunter and Dee Dee enter. A few of Hunter's cohorts razz
him -- he's still in his golf togs. Captain Wyler, voice
perfectly controlled, comes out to meet them.

CAPTAIN WYLER
(talking as he
advances)
There must be thirteen lawyers down
in Interrogation B. They tell me
we've got zilch against the heiress
and her boyfriend.

HUNTER
That's true. Boyfriend was just
released.

CAPTAIN WYLER
(sees a Uniformed
Officer passing)
Riley, D.A. needs an expert witness
on foreign handguns, give'm a
call.
(to Hunter)
Do you know what harrassment is?
Ever hear of probable cause?

HUNTER
Yes, sir.

CAPTAIN WYLER
Then what are you up to?

HUNTER
Father gets shot, step-mother's
acquitted. Daughter hires slick
hoodlum to kill step-mother. No
witnesses, no evidence. We've
got no case against anyone.

CAPTAIN WYLER
Isn't that what I just said?

Uniformed Officer hands Captain Wyler a clipboard to sign.
He reads as he listens to Hunter and Dee Dee.

DEE DEE
The only way we're going to break
this is to get someone to start
mistrusting someone else. Then
maybe a mistake will happen.

HUNTER
That's what my undercover's all
about.

Captain Wyler signs and returns the clipboard.

CAPTAIN WYLER
You can't drag in someone as
prominent, not to mention rich,
as Cynthia Flagg with not even a
feeble hint of probable cause and
throw her into some bogus line-up.

DEE DEE
We've got to try something or...I
hate to put it this way, sir...
or she'll get away with murder.

Captain Wyler's secretary appears, looking frazzled.

SECRETARY
Commander Stacey's returning your
Call, Captain.

CAPTAIN WYLER
(ignores her)
Aren't you two forgetting something?
We don't know she did it. Hell, we
don't know anybody did it. We
still haven't ruled out suicide.

The Captain starts away, but stops as:

HUNTER
Captain...she's a killer.

CAPTAIN WYLER
That's your opinion. Bring me
something real, and even if you're
right, I don't want any more low-
quality arrests.

He has said this on the move.

SECRETARY
(as she follows the
Captain on the run)
Your meeting with the A.C.L.U.
people is in ten minutes.

INT. FOYER - FLAGG HOME - DAY

Cynthia lets herself in and is startled by Bradley's sudden
smiling appearance.

BRADLEY
Hello, darling.

CYNTHIA
Get out of my house!

He takes her by the wrist.

BRADLEY
No, no, no. Wrong way to act.

CYNTHIA
You have to leave. Get out of
town, out of the country. The
police...

BRADLEY
That would only make 'em suspicious.

He draws her into his chest, his embrace lifting her off
the floor. At first the hug is sexual, but soon he is
crushing the wind out of her.

BRADLEY
(whispers)
We stay warm and close, babes,
or we go down hard. Can't you
get that through your lovely
little head?

She can't breathe. Her feet kick helplessly. Finally he
releases the pressure, then, as she desperately gulps for
air, he pulls her toward the bedroom. Suddenly he stops,
violently pulling her face up next to his. Her eyes show
terror.

BRADLEY
Yeah...you're frightened. Your
fear is the truth between us. What
you gotta do is make the truth work
for you.

DISSOLVE TO

INT. FLAGG HOME - FOYER - NIGHT

Cynthia tiptoes down stairs, stopping once to listen for
anything, then enters her:

STUDY/LIBRARY

She closes the door silently, flips on one light, then
picks up a phone and dials.

CUT TO

INT. HUNTER'S UNDERCOVER APARTMENT - NIGHT

Unoccupied. The phone is RINGING. An answering machine
kicks on.

HUNTER'S VOICE
Hello.

CYNTHIA (v.o., filtered)
Lloyd?...

CLOSE ON - ANSWERING MACHINE

The tape is turning.

HUNTER'S VOICE
Hello.

CYNTHIA (v.o., filtered)
Lloyd?

HUNTER'S VOICE
Hello! Listen, I can't hear you.
Can you speak louder?

CYNTHIA (v.o., filtered)
No, I can't. I...

HUNTER'S VOICE
(louder, more urgent)
I can't hear you. Hang up and try
again. Hello. Hello.

CUT TO

BACK ON CYNTHIA IN STUDY/LIBRARY

She is confused. No sound comes over the phone. Finally;

HUNTER'S VOICE
Okay, you pass. If you're still
there, leave a message at the beep.

BEEEEEEP. In spite of her anxiety, she cracks a slight
smile.

CYNTHIA

Lloyd. I do need your help. Please
meet me at "Chez Pierre", it's a
restaurant on Melrose. I'll be there
waiting at twelve sharp. It's a
matter of life and death. Please
don't disappoint me.

CUT TO

0MIT

INT. "CHEZ PIERRE RESTAURANT" - DAY

It is a white on white restaurant that specializes in small
portions and large prices.

We come in on Cynthia seated in a booth far removed from
the other diners, for privacy, of course. She smiles
suddenly as she sees:

HUNTER
approaching her, elegantly dressed and smiling. The Scene;
as Hunter sits down across from her:

CYNTHIA
(deeply relieved)
Thank you. For coming.

HUNTER
I invited you. Remember?

CYNTHIA
Yes, but I can't fathom why --
after that terrible embarrassment
at the golf course.
(smiles)
You must be a gambler, Lloyd.

HUNTER
Oh, I am.

CYNTHIA
(sultry)
Are you a big player?

HUNTER
No one's ever fallen asleep on me.

INT. DEE DEE'S CAR – DAY

She is parked on a side street nearby.

CYNTHIA'S VOICE
Are we talking about the same
thing?

HUNTER'S VOICE
Yeah...
(a beat)
I'd bet on it.

Dee Dee rolls her eyes heavenward.

INT. "CHEZ PIERRE" - DAY

A waitress has just taken their order and is exiting with
the menus under one arm and a nice smile for Hunter, who
waits for her to be out of earshot, then:

HUNTER
What kind of problem can I help
you with, Cynthia?

She has trouble answering.

HUNTER
You said "a matter of life and
death". It's you and Bradley,
isn't it?

CYNTHIA
Yes, I'm frightened. I'll be
honest. Once I thought he was
the one. I thought I was more
sophisticated than that. He's
smooth, exciting...but he's
brutal. I told him it was over,
but he won't leave me alone.
He's forcing himself on me and
just won't go away.
(beat)
And there's something about him
that doesn't fit.

HUNTER
What do you mean?

CYNTHIA
Maybe he's not what he claims to
be. I don't know. He scares me.

She breaks for a second, then regains control.

HUNTER
I understand. What can I do?

INT. DEE DEE'S CAR

as she listens and tapes.

CYNTHIA'S VOICE
I don't know...
(a beat)
Why don't we wait...maybe go someplace
more...private when we finish here?

HUNTER'S VOICE
(very sexy)
I've got just the place...

Again Dee Dee does an appropriate take.

TIME LAPSE CUT TO

INT. CHEZ PIERRE - DAY

They have finished lunch and Hunter is paying the bill in
cash. The waitress goes off to get change for a hundred
dollar bill.

CYNTHIA
That's positively primitive --
paying in cash.

HUNTER
When it's business I use a credit
card. When it's pleasure, I use cash.
(smiles)
This is pleasure.

CYNTHIA
(a little laugh)
Well, would you mind if I pay
a visit to the ladies room while
you're finishing this transaction?

Cynthia starts to gather her cigarettes, purse, etc. When:

WOMAN'S VOICE
Cynthia!

Hunter and Cynthia look off at EMILY EASTON, a woman who
carries her years and her haute couture wardrobe with great
style. Hunter stands as Emily rushes over to them.

EMILY
(to Hunter)
Oh, please don't get up.

Cynthia stands too and Emily leans forward and gives her a
peck on the cheek.

EMILY
I'm so sorry, Cindy. I couldn't
believe that jury verdict, I was
there you know.

CYNTHIA
I know.
(nods at Hunter)
Lloyd, this is Emily Easton, a
very dear friend.

Emily and Hunter acknowledge the introduction. Emily not
only smiles appreciatively at Hunter, she is trying to
think where she has seen him before.

EMILY
We've met before, haven't we?

HUNTER
If you're a basketball fan, yes.

THROUGHOUT SCENE WE INTERCUT with Dee Dee as she listens
and reacts.

EMILY
No. It was at the trial, wasn't
it?

Cynthia looks quickly at Hunter, a rush of surprise and
apprehension in her eyes.

HUNTER
(still smiling)
No, I avoid courtrooms and
doctor's offices...I'm superstitious.

EMILY
(isn't sure, and
doesn't care)
Well, wherever.
(to Cynthia)
Gotta run. Will you give me a call?
I must talk to you about, well, just
about everything.

And she's off.

CYNTHIA
(to Hunter;
big smile)
I hope she's not running to
the ladies room. I'll be right
back.

She hurries away. Hunter picks up a napkin and pretends to
rub something from his eyes.

HUNTER
I think we're still in business
and she's about to make me an
offer --to waste the guy.

INT. LADIES' ROOM - DAY

Cynthia is in a state. She paces, rubs one hand balled
into a fist. She stops suddenly, something has occurred
to her. She rushes to the wall pay phone, drops a quarter
and punches out a number.

CYNTHIA
Bradley? Good, you're, there.
(pause)
Hold on! Slow down!
(pause)
I'm on my way home now. I'll see
you in a little while. Fine! Be
there, we'll talk about it then.

INT. CHEZ PIERRE - INT. ANGLE - HUNTER

As Cynthia comes back to the table, where Hunter stands
dropping some one-dollar bills on the table for the
waitress.

CYNTHIA
(cozily)
Could we make it my place instead
of yours? -- I want to get out
of these clothes.

HUNTER.
Good thinking.

INT. FLAGG'S HOME - FOYER - DAY

Cynthia unlocks the door and enters, followed by Hunter.
She closes and locks the door, turns to Hunter.

CYNTHIA
(seductively)
You realize this is the first
time we've been alone together?

Cynthia moves into his arms and is kissing him when
Bradley appears, startled to see Hunter there.

BRADLEY
(loud and angry)
What're you doin' here? What's
going on7

CYNTHIA
(a great job of
seeming surprised)
What are you doing in my house?

Bradley grabs her roughly by the arm.

BRADLEY
What kind of crap is that!? Don't
you ever again pull--!

Hunter steps toward Bradley, interrupts him.

HUNTER
Hey, let's not get too physical,
huh, friend?

BRADLEY
Butt out!

Bradley straight-arms Hunter, knocking him back against a
wall. Hunter keeps his temper.

HUNTER
(low, for McCall's
ears)

Stay cool, partner, everything's
fine.

BRADLEY
What'd you say?

HUNTER
I said 'stay cool'.

BRADLEY
Just get outta here and you won't
get hurt.

Hunter looks at Cynthia, but when she starts to speak:

BRADLEY
Shut up!
(to Hunter)
You! Get the hell out of here!
My lady and I got something to
talk over.

Bradley handles Cynthia roughly again. Trying to stay in
the Lloyd Hackly character. Hunter approaches Bradley,
his posture conciliatory.

HUNTER
Why don't you let go of her and
We’ll all talk things over.

Bradley throws a punch. This time Hunter leaps back,
avoiding the blow.

CYNTHIA
Please! Stop this! Please!

BRADLEY
Come on, Romeo...come on...

HUNTER
I don't wanta fight with you.

BRADLEY
Then get out!

CUT TO

EXT. STREET – DAY

McCall is on her toes, ready to move.

HUNTER (v.o., filtered)
Not till I know she's safe with
you.

BACK INSIDE THE HOUSE

HUNTER
(to Cynthia)
Are you?

CUT TO

CYNTHIA
Yes, I'm all right.

But Hunter doesn't leave, he's not sure he should.

BRADLEY
You heard her, get out!

Bradley moves fast toward Hunter. Like lightning, Hunter's
fist catches Bradley in the belly, doubling him up. Hunter
straightens him back up with a crunching knee to the face.
Bradley's nose streams blood as Hunter slugs his jaw,
sending Bradley flying backwards into a cabinet filled with
porcelain dolls. CRASH! Bradley is stunned.

HUNTER
(to Cynthia)
Now. Would you like me to stay or
leave?

CYNTHIA
I chink you should go.

HUNTER
You really mean that?

CYNTHIA
Yes. I'm sure I can handle things.
Thank you for everything.

HUNTER
Yeah.

He exits.

EXT. FLAGG'S HOME – DAY

Hunter comes outside, straightens his coat and tie.

HUNTER
(to himself)
Nice couple, eh, McCall?

INT. FLAGG'S HOME - FOYER - DAY

In great pain, Bradley has stood up and is holding his
stomach, assessing his injuries.

BRADLEY
You just made a big mistake.

Cynthia calmly opens her handbag and takes out a pistol.
She points it at Bradley and he freezes, his face flashing
fear and astonishment. Without warning, she screams again
and again, and as Bradley rushes toward her she empties the
gun into him, blasting him until he stops moving. Then
she rips her dress down off both shoulders and continues
screaming.

EXT. CYNTHIA'S HOUSE DAY

Hunter is on the run back to the house.

HUNTER
(for McCall)
NOW! Gunshots! Move it!
And I need a gun!

ANGLE - DOWN THE BLOCK

Dee Dee jumps out of her car and sprints to Cynthia's
house. She carries two guns.

AT HOUSE

Hunter turns and McCall tosses him one of the guns.

HUNTER
Cover the back!

He kicks in the glass-paned front door.

INT. CYNTHIA'S FOYER - DAY

Cynthia stands over Bradley's body, still holding the gun.
She is racked with sobs.

CYNTHIA
I killed him. He hit me and tried
to rape me. He hurt me. I killed him.

Hunter takes the run from her. She falls into his arms.

CYNTHIA
Call the police.

Dee Dee comes in the back way, gun drawn.

HUNTER
They're here.

He pushes her away and shows her his badge. On her
reaction we...

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE

*************************************************************

ACT FOUR

INT. PRECINCT BOOKING AREA - DAY

Cynthia, washed out and haggard, stands at the booking
desk, collecting her personal belongings. She is flanked
by a LAWYER. Her CHAUFFEUR approaches. Hunter and Dee Dee
stand off to one side.

CHAUFFEUR
Miss Flagg. The car's out front.

The lawyer extends his card. Hunter doesn't move. Dee Dee
takes it.

LAWYER
Since no charges are being filed
against my client, if you have any
further questions for her...and I
suspect you won't...please direct
them to my office. If they are
appropriate, I will pass them on
to her.

Hunter and Dee Dee watch them leave.

HUNTER
(disgusted)
A bunch of amateurs run around
killing each other and we can't pin
'em. We stink.

TIME LAPSE CUT TO

INT. SQUAD ROOM - DAY

Hunter is slumped at his desk. His paperwork pile is just
the same. Dee Dee paces, then picks up their messages.

HUNTER
I wish I had one decent idea...

She hands Hunter a message slip.

DEE DEE
Maybe this’ll spark your day.
Remember that tall legal-secretary
whose career you ruined...?

INT. LAW OFFICES - DAY

Claire brightens when Hunter and Dee Dee walk in.

CLAIRE
Sergeant Hunter. It's really great
to see you again.

HUNTER
It is? Good to see you, too.

Claire just smiles at him. Finally Dee Dee can stand the
delay no longer.

DEE DEE
You called. Remember? You had
something to tell us.

CLAIRE
Oh, yes. You remember I gave you
that list of people who saw Mr.
Flagg's will?

HUNTER
Yes. I'm sorry if I got you in
trouble.

CLAIRE
No trouble. My mom just bawled
me out. That's all.

HUNTER
Your mom?

She points to the private office door.

CLAIRE
Mrs. Jorgenson...she's my mother.
We get along great.

DEE DEE
What did you want to tell us?

CLAIRE
I realized I didn't tell you
about Cynthia Flagg...you know...
the daughter?

DEE DEE
Yes.

CLAIRE
I told her about the new will that
I was typing up. She was always
doing little things for me...
gifts, theatre tickets, you know.
I know I shouldn't've told her...
but there it is, I did.

HUNTER
That's very helpful. Thank you.

CLAIRE
If there's anything else I can do
to help you. Just anything...
Please call me. Okay?

Hunter smiles.

DEE DEE
He's got your number.

INT. HUNTER'S CAR (MOVING SHOT) - DUSK

Hunter drives.

DEE DEE
If there was ever any doubt, its
gone now. But how do we prove it?
We've got nothing. How do we nail
her?

HUNTER
We don't. She got away with it,
McCall. Live with it.

OMIT

INT. HOSPITAL ICU - NIGHT

The doctor is hyper. He and a young intern and a nurse are
with him and his patient, no one else present.

DOCTOR
(to nurse)
Fine. Take this away. Good, good.

Flagg groans, moves his head, then opens his eyes. They
close again.

DOCTOR
Ralph?

Flagg looks very frail. His eyes are open again.

DOCTOR
Ralph, it's me. Harry Montclaire.

FLAGG
What...? Harry...? Where am I?

He is weak, his voice is thin and dry, but he is clear and
coherent. His eyes close again.

DOCTOR
You're in the hospital, and
you're doing fine...just fine. Do
you know what happened to you?

FLAGG
Yes...
(goes internal, then)
Yes, it's Ginger's birthday.
Where's Ginger?
(eyes open)
Where's Ginger?

The doctor doesn't reply and Flagg repeats the question with
greater strength,

DISSOLVE TO

INT. HOSPITAL HALL - NIGHT

Hunter and Dee Dee waiting. Hunter glances at his watch.
Dee Dee looks at the door.

INT. ICU - NIGHT

Flagg's bed is being lowered. The old man has fallen
asleep.

DOCTOR
(quietly)
Welcome back, old friend.

HOSPITAL HALL - NIGHT

Hunter and Dee Dee are pacing when the doctor comes out of
the ICU.

DOCTOR
Well, I see you got my message.

HUNTER
Can we talk to him?

DOCTOR
Maybe tomorrow. We'll see.

HUNTER
Have you called his daughter?

DOCTOR
Not yet.

HUNTER
Please don't call her.

DOCTOR
I have to.

HUNTER
We've got to talk to him before
she does, it's important to him,
in fact, vital.

DOCTOR
Why? What're you talking about?

DEE DEE
Doctor, you once said Ralph
Flagg was healthy and strong.
Is he capable of...well, hearing
something...very hard to take?

Doctor Montclaire considers that, looking from Dee Dee to
Hunter.

DOCTOR
When he insisted on seeing his wife,
I had to tell him she was dead,
a possible suicide. He didn't
take it well, but he took it.
What do you want to tell him?

HUNTER
That it was his daughter who killed
his wife and tried to kill him.

Dr. Montclaire stands in shocked silence. Finally:

DOCTOR
Are you just guessing? Or is that
true?

HUNTER
It's true.

DOCTOR
Can you prove it?

HUNTER
No.

DOCTOR
What do you expect to accomplish?
-- Telling Ralph Flagg something as
horrible as that -- that you can't
prove?

HUNTER
I think it's called justice.

CUT TO

ANGLE - HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - MORNING

Dee Dee sleeps curled up on a bench. Hunter sleeps sitting
up. The doctor, tired and drawn, enters, touches Hunter,
who comes awake instantly, abruptly.

DOCTOR
I've told him who you are, but
not why you're here. If I stop you,
not another question and you leave
immediately. Understood? My
loyalty's to my patient, not to
the police.

HUNTER
How about to justice?

DOCTOR
(smiles)
Sergeant, I'm afraid you're a
man who holds people guilty till
they're proved innocent.

HUNTER
(returns the smile)
Me -- and the Bible.

The doctor doesn't have to respond to that because Dee Dee
wakes up. They look at her.

HUNTER
You go first, McCall -- This was
your case before it was ours. Okay?

DEE DEE
(smiles)
I'll let you know when I need
backup.

CUT TO

INT. ICU – DAY

Flagg looks better. He's even propped up a bit.

DEE DEE
...you bought her a new car, a
Rolls, right?

FLAGG
Yes.

DEE DEE
You went into the house to tell
her about it.

FLAGG
Yes.

DEE DEE
Where was she?

FLAGG
Out by the pool. I was walking
out to get her...She heard me call
and she waved at me.

DEE DEE
Do you have any idea who shot you?

FLAGG
No.

DEE DEE
Could it have been your wife?

FLAGG
My Wife?! I was looking at Ginger
when -- whatever it was happened!
What are you getting at?!

McCall glances at Hunter, it's time for the backup.

HUNTER
Mr. Flagg, your wife didn't commit
suicide, she was murdered -- by the
same man who shot you. He's dead
now, killed by your daughter.

Flagg finds all this not only shocking but incredible.

FLAGG
Cynthia...killed a man?...

HUNTER
Yes. She admits that. She
hired him to shoot you, and
them murder your wife.

Silence. Flagg stares at Hunter. The doctor steps over
and takes Flagg's wrist to take his pulse.

DOCTOR
That's enough for now, sergeant.

FLAGG
No.
(to Hunter)
If what you say is true, why isn't
Cynthia under arrest? Why hasn't
she been charged?

HUNTER
(unyielding)
Because she got away with it, Mr.
Flagg.

DEE DEE
The District Attorney won't put
her on trial. He can't. The
man she hired was the only
weak spot we had to work on, and
he' s dead and gone.

DOCTOR
(heatedly)
Sergeant, if that's the legal
situation, so be it. Mr. Flagg
has no power to change it and I'd
like you to leave now.

HUNTER
(to Doctor)
The law says she got away with it.
(looks at Flagg)
You've got the power to say she
didn't.

Silence. Flagg and Hunter look at each other and we sense
a meeting of more than their eyes.

FLAGG
Sergeant, sit down.

Hunter takes a chair and sits down beside the bed.

FLAGG
Tell me why you Chink Cynthia...
did all this. And keep in mind
-- I'll also listen to everything
my daughter has to say.

CUT TO

INT. FLAGG'S HOME - FOYER - DAY

Cynthia is crossing to the door in response to CHIMES.

AT DOOR

She opens it to reveal: Mrs. Jorgenson, Hunter and McCall.
Cynthia is startled to see Hunter and McCall.

CYNTHIA
(to Mrs. Jorgenson)
You said you were coming alone.

MRS. JORGENSON
I asked them to come with me.
May we come in?

Cynthia steps back and allows Mrs. Jorgenson to enter,
followed by Hunter and McCall. Cynthia leads them to:

OMITTED

INT. STUDY/LIBRARY - DAY

Cynthia crosses to the fireplace and turns to look at
them.

CYNTHIA
(to Mrs. Jorgenson)
What is it you want?

MRS. JORGENSON
Read the will, Ms. Flagg. It's
simple, clear, and uncontestable.

DEE DEE
Your father's paralyzed and
probably hasn't long to live,
thanks to you. Help us solve
Chose crimes and the estate's
yours.

HUNTER
It's what they call a Catch-22,
Cynthia, and meantime you got a
serious problem -- you've become
one of the underprivileged and
unemployed.

MRS. JORGENSON
(in response to
Cynthia's baffled look)
Your father has cut off your allow-
ance, as of today, and unless you
have some questions, we're through
here. I'm due in court.

Mrs. Jorgenson turns and walks toward the foyer. Hunter
and McCall follow. At the archway, Hunter turns.

HUNTER
You beat the system, Cynthia,
but there's a life-line in that
system called parole.
(pauses)
There's no parole for people like
you.

He leaves.

ON CYNTHIA

She stands for a moment, then runs to the phone and punches
out a number.

CYNTHIA
(on edge of hysteria).
Connect, me with Ralph Flagg in
208, this is his daughter.
(listens; then)
Did you tell him, it's his
daughter calling?

From her reaction we SEE that she has been told her father
will not take her call. She hangs up and runs to the door
and out. From the moment of her REACTION above, we have
begun to HEAR "ASHES IN MY HAND" (Marianne Faithfull):

THE SONG
It cook a long time coming
That big over-the-shoulder
Statement, but when it came
It flowed easy as poison.

EXT. FLAGG RESIDENCE - DAY

Cynthia runs to her Rolls Royce convertible and drive out
fast.

THE SONG
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair

EXT. THE CAR

We watch the car move through traffic. Suddenly she pulls
off the street and stops.

... THE SONG
Remember to write often
In case you have something to tell me
But please don't mention
The unexpected guest.

INT. THE CAR - ON CYNTHIA

as she stares briefly into the rear-view mirror then looks
away at nothing. After a while she does a U-turn and
starts back.

THE SONG
Staring into empty eyes
Staring into empty eyes
Staring into empty eyes
Staring into empty eyes

OMITTED

INT. FLAGG ESTATE - FOYER - DAY

as Cynthia enters, walking slowly now. She walks towards
the rear of the house.

THE SONG
A long lost confidence and pride
Come ringing back, come ringing back
To have the shadow back again
And happiness that feels like pain.

INT. KITCHEN

as she opens the refrigerator and takes out the carton of
ice cream. Her coat is off and she has an open bottle of
pills in one hand.

THE SONG
Then you left us
To see if you could find it
And when you came back
It flowed as easy as poison.

She pours the bottle of pills into the ice cream, tosses
the empty bottle aside, begins to stir the pills into the
ice cream with a silver tablespoon as she walks from the
kitchen toward the morning room.

THE SONG
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair.

INT. MORNING ROOM (OR PATIO)

She sits down like a school girl at a desk, raises a
spoonful of ice cream to her mouth, and slowly eats it.
The CAMERA IS MOVING IN ON HER EMPTY FACE.

THE SONG
A long lost confidence and pride
Come ringing back, come ringing back
To have the shadow back again.

She takes another large spoonful of ice cream as THE CAMERA

CONTINUES IN ON HER FACE.

THE SONG (repeat)
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair
Taken in extreme despair.

By the time the song is finished we are in a HUGE CLOSE UP
- EYES AND NOSE ONLY. The FOCUS is lost slowly and we...

FADE OUT

END OF ACT FOUR