| HUNTER
HIGH BLEACHER MAN
Written by Sidney Ellis
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. MUNICIPAL BUILDING - DAY - ESTABLISHING
HUNTER
(edgy)
Come on, Gavin, come on!
INT. A BATTERED WRECK OF A CAR - HUNTER AND DEE DEE - DAY
parked across the street. Hunter is jittery with tension
and impatience.
HUNTER
His parole officer must have
finished with him by now. Where
is the creep?
DEE DEE
This sicko is in the Municipal
Building smiling at his parole
officer, swearing goodness on the
bible? Then he's marching outta
here to a nearby liquor store and
taking it down for a couple
hundred bucks and the thrill of
blowin' the owners away?
HUNTER
I've been after Gavin for years.
I know his M.O. I can smell one
of his jobs.
He unfolds a street map of the area they're now in. The
Parole Office building is marked with a heavy, red circle.
Three other locations on the map are similarly marked and
each is numbered, 7TH-3:34, 14TH-3:23, and 21ST-3:44.
HUNTER
Look. Gavin got out on parole on
the Fifth. His first appointment
with his parole officer was on the
seventh, at 2:30. At 3:34 that
same day, a liquor store six
blocks away was robbed and the
owner, a 66 year-old man, was
pistol whipped. A Gavin
trademark...
DEE DEE
Pistol whipping old storekeepers
is in the public domain. Hunter...
HUNTER
(overriding)
A week later, on the fourteenth.
At 2:30 Gavin meets here with his
parole officer. At 3:23, seven
blocks away, a Mom and Pop grocery
store gets hit and Pop winds up a
vegetable from a skull fracture.
(quickly)
Then, on the 21st, at 3:44, he
leaves the parole office and...
DEE DEE
(breaking in)
Okay, okay, okay, you've made your
point.
Hunter stops her with a gesture as he sees:
ELTON GAVIN
A pile of human garbage, slouch out of the building, look
around furtively and move off down the street.
BACK TO SCENE
HUNTER
There he is! If you can get this
junker started, follow me. But
stay back unless I holler for help.
He grabs a walkie-talkie off the floor of the car, and
takes off after Gavin, leaving Dee Dee to deal with the
car. HOLD ON DEE DEE as she slides over behind the wheel
and while keeping her eye on Hunter hurrying off after
Gavin, tries frantically to fire up the heap. She finally
gets it started and takes off after Hunter, cussing the
coughing, spitting, bucking bucket of ancient bolts.
THE STALK
Play this as long as desired. Gavin slithering through the
foot traffic, hugging the buildings like a rat, darting
suddenly across street corners with Hunter doggedly following
managing to keep Gavin in view while avoiding being seen
himself. Far behind, Dee Dee struggles to keep the-car
rolling after them.
EXT. MARKET - DAY
A small Mom and Pop operation in a run-down shopping area.
Gavin comes around the corner, stops to look in through the
window of the market.
ANGLE TO HUNTER
seeing Gavin stopped in front of the market, he ducks into a
doorway for cover.
GAVIN - HUNTER'S POV
He looks around, casing the street. Satisfied, he moves
toward the door, pulling a gun from his pocket.
INT. MARKET - DAY
MOM and POP are alone in the market, behind the counter
working on a display when Gavin enters, leveling his gun at
them.
GAVIN
This is a heist!
Too terrified to move, they can only stare at him. And at
Hunter, coming in behind Gavin, gun in hand.
HUNTER
And this is a bust, Gavin!
Gavin spins around and squeezes off a round in Hunter's
general direction. Hunter ducks back reflexively, trips
over a case of dog food and falls back into a display of
canned goods. Gavin squeezes off another round at Hunter,
as he bolts.
ON HUNTER
sprawled on the floor amid the scattered cans. He ducks,
then scrambles to his feet and takes off after Gavin.
EXT. MARKET - POV THRU WINDSHIELD - DAY
as Gavin dashes out the door of the market and takes off
down the street. A moment later, Hunter runs out into the
street, raises his gun to fire at the fleeing man but can't
without risking hitting innocent pedestrians. Instead he
gestures to Dee Dee to go after him, takes off on foot,
himself.
DEE DEE'S SEDAN
bucking and snorting oily smoke, clanks off down the street
in pursuit of Gavin.
ON GAVIN
running down the sidewalk, snaking through or running over
the other pedestrians. He looks back, sees Hunter running
after him and Dee Dee's car rapidly closing. As she comes
alongside, he snaps off a couple of rounds at her.
INT. DEE DEE'S SEDAN
Dee Dee, driving with one hand and holding her gun in the
other, nearly loses control of the car trying to return
the fire. Finally, she puts the gun down on the seat beside
her and waiting until they come abreast an alley, spins the
wheel over hard.
DEE DEE'S SEDAN
veers across the sidewalk directly in front of Gavin, who
is forced to duck into the alley as the car spins around
and crashes to a stop, completely blocking the alley's mouth.
ANGLE – GAVIN
trapped, he runs to the back wall of the alley.
ON HUNTER
running up to the wrecked car, he pauses to check with Dee
Dee, who is trying to kick her way out of the car.
HUNTER
You okay? -
She gives him a reassuring sign. Hunter leans across the
smoking hood and draws a bead on Gavin, who is frantically
trying to leap up and catch the lip of the wall. As if
to emphasize Hunter's warning, Dee Dee leans out the open
window and fires a SHOT from her service revolver.
ANGLE - GAVIN
as Dee Dee's SHOT gouges a huge chunk of brick and plaster
dust from the wall a foot from his head. Keeping his back
toward Hunter, Gavin raises his pistol to show that his
finger is no longer on the trigger.
GAVIN
Don't shoot, Hunter. I'm puttin'
my gun down.
And he does so with exaggerated care.
HUNTER
Now spread against the wall and
stay spread.
He waits until Gavin has moved away from his gun and spreads
himself against the back wall, then climbs over the hood of
the car, moves cautiously toward him.
ANGLE
Hunter cautiously approaches Gavin and as he begins patting
him down.
HUNTER
You have the right to remain
silent. If you give up that
right...
GAVIN
Come on, Hunter, if I hear them
'You gotta rights’ once more, I'm
gonna puke.
HUNTER
You get the full treatment, scuz.
No way you're going to wriggle
out of this one on some
technicality.
As he finishes putting the cuffs on.
CUT TO
EXT. TACO JOINT - DAY - HUNTER AND DEE DEE
lunching picnic style on the hood of their car parked at
the curb.
HUNTER
(anxiously)
Before you turned in the arrest
report on Gavin, you double
checked it to make sure it was
filled out right?
DEE DEE
Yeah, I told you...
HUNTER
You made sure to include that I
read him his Miranda rights even
before I put the cuffs on him?
DEE DEE
What is this, Hunter? I know how
to make out an arrest report!
HUNTER
Dammit, McCall! I've busted him
twice. The first time for
crippling a kid in a gas station
with a tire iron because he
couldn't open the cash drawer.
The next time, for wasting the
old lady who owned a small market
in the barrio in a ten dollar
heist. He got off both times by
intimidating my witnesses.
DEE DEE
Okay, but all we've got him for
is a 211, not the crime of the
century.
ANOTHER ANGLE
While Hunter continues with the following speech, neither he
nor Dee Dee notices Terwilliger drive INTO SCENE, park his
car behind theirs, get out and come to where they are standing.
HUNTER
He's got three prior felony
convictions. Add this one and
he'll be looking at twenty-five
years in the joint minimum, before
he can even think about parole.
And I want him to serve every damn
minute...
TERWILLIGER
Hunter, McCall. You know you're
supposed to report in when you
take your lunch break.
They turn.
DEE DEE
If the Captain gave us a car with
a radio that worked, we'd be glad
to comply, Bernie.
TERWILLIGER
That's such a tired excuse,
McCall...!
Hunter reaches into the car, dangles the mike in front of
him by its frayed, severed cord.
TERWILLIGER
Yes, well, you should see about
getting that fixed. Meanwhile,
you two have been assigned to me.
We're going to be guarding that
killer you brought in yesterday.
Gavin.
DEE DEE
That's jail duty. The Sheriff's
office handles that.
TERWILLIGER
No, no, he's not in jail. He's
been moved to a suite in the
Biltmore Plaza Hotel and we've
been assigned to guard him until
after the Grand Jury...
HUNTER
What...!
INT. THE CAPTAIN'S OFFICE - TIGHT ON HUNTER'S FACE
hard and bleak with anger.
CAPTAIN
You heard right, Hunter, we have
made a deal with Gavin.
The ANGLE WIDENS to include Hunter, Dee Dee, and DONALD
HARVEY, the Assistant State's Attorney, a smooth, self assured
man in his early 30's.
CAPTAIN
Immunity from prosecution and
relocation under a new name...
HUNTER
(outraged)
That filthy, little scumbag?!
On what basis? We had him ice
cold, in the act and with a gun
in his hand!
CAPTAIN
(trying to override;
harshly)
Just a minute--just a damn minute,
here! Who the hell do you think
you are, questioning decisions
made by your superiors?
HARVEY
(smoothly)
Since he brought Gavin in, I
think Sgt. McCall's entitled to
an explanation. Captain...
DEE DEE
I'm McCall, he's Hunter. But
that's okay, I'm just as hot over
this as he is.
HARVEY
Sorry. I'm Donald Harvey,
Assistant State's Attorney...
He waits for an acknowledgement; gets none.
HARVEY
Well, what we have going here is
a simple quid pro quo. You know
what that means?
HUNTER
You scrub my back, I scrub yours.
Only you get into the same tub
with Gavin, you'll come out
dirtier than when you went in!
HARVEY
In this case, we fully expect to
cleanse the entire city of Nate
Demarest.
DEE DEE
(incredulous)
Gavin's giving you Demarest?
You're putting us on.
Harvey picks up and thumps his elegant attache case.
HARVEY
Murder One, four counts. Enough
to put Demarest away for the rest
of his life. Maybe even into
the gas chamber.
HUNTER
It's a scam. Demarest's sitting
in the high bleachers. A punk
like Gavin could never get near
him.
HARVEY
Today, maybe. But ten years ago,
Demarest was little more than a
punk himself, climbing to the top
a body at a time. Gavin knows
where the bodies were buried, and
there's no statute of limitations
on murder. Look, I know how
disappointed you both are at not
adding another conviction to your
records. However, we cannot allow
our drive for personal advancement
to gain priority over the public
good.
HUNTER
You want to do something for the
public good? Bury both of them.
Gavin and Demarest!
Harvey ignores the comment, glances at his watch and turns
to the Captain.
HARVEY
I'll be at the hotel with Gavin
going over his testimony if you
need me.
(to Hunter and
Dee Dee)
I want to commend you both for the
way you handled Gavin's arrest.
Your conduct, the paperwork,
everything was perfect. That's
why he offered us Demarest. You
didn't leave him any other out.
So, thanks again...
A coldly mechanical smile and he's on his way out of the
office.
HUNTER
(calling after him)
You turn Gavin loose and he'll
kill again...
But Harvey's already through the door.
DEE DEE
He won't live long enough.
Demarest will see to that.
CAPTAIN
Only over your dead body, Hunter.
And yours, McCall.
HUNTER
I'm not going to help guard that
Creep, Captain. No way.
DEE DEE
I pass, too.
CAPTAIN
I'm not asking for volunteers.
(doesn't like this
any better than
Hunter and Dee Dee)
Unfortunately, part of Mister
Gavin's deal was that you be
assigned this duty. Hunter.
HUNTER
Oh, Mister Gavin's request, huh?
There's a rich one for you. He's
just getting one big chuckle outta
this, isn't he?
CAPTAIN
Let me pass on a word of warning.
If Gavin so much as catches a
cold, you two are going to wind
up directing traffic. Clear?
(beat)
Sergeant Terwilliger is in charge
of the guard detail. He'll give
you your orders.
He dismisses them with a brusque wave of his hand and turns
his attention to the papers in his desk. They exchange looks
and storm out.
EXT. GOLDEN GROTTO - DAY - ESTABLISHING
A fancy Marina bar/restaurant. A stretch limo is parked at
the front entrance. Standing by the car, talking MOS are a
couple of very big men, AUGIE, the driver and WHITEY McFEE,
a former heavyweight boxer, one of Nate Demarest's utility
musclemen.
DEMAREST(v.o.)
...There'll be four couples,
Condon.
2B INT. GOLDEN GROTTO
The place has not yet opened for business. NATE DEMAREST,
about 50, a thug in a thousand-dollar suit, is standing at
the bar talking to CONDON, the manager, about 40. In the
b.g., we see JULIE WILLS, Demarest's aide, a hard-looking
man in his 40's, talking on the phone.
DEMAREST
They're special friends of mine
and I want them treated right.
CONDON
You've got it, Mr. Demarest.
DEMAREST
And no check...
Julie has hung up the phone and comes up to Demarest. He
looks concerned.
JULIE
I've gotta talk to you, Nate.
DEMAREST
(off his look)
Sure,
(moving away from
Condon)
What's the problem?
JULIE
The State's Attorney's made the
deal with Gavin. They're figuring
on putting him before the Grand
Jury sometime next week.
DEMAREST
Rat on me, will he…? Call
Makay. Have him get Gavin out on
bail. Then bring him to me. I'm
gonna do that fink myself.
JULIE
We can't do it that way, Nate.
They've moved him out of jail
into a downtown hotel. They're
watching him round the clock.
DEMAREST
I don't care who's watching him
or where! I want him dead...
JULIE
It's being worked on, Nate. Not
to worry.
DEMAREST
When he's a corpse, that's when
it's not to worry! See to it!
Play the moment and:
CUT TO
EXT. HOTEL - DAY - ESTABLISHING
A downtown luxury hotel. As the CAMERA TILTS UPWARD
toward the upper story:
INT. HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY - ON DECTECTIVE SMITH
a beefy policeman seated by the door of Gavin's suite,
reading a paperback novel. As the elevator signal
DINGS and LIGHTS UP, he looks up alertly and reaches
for the riot gun at his side, relaxing when he sees
Hunter and Dee Dee emerge and approach him.
HUNTER
How's it going, Smitty?
SMITH
Compared to collectin’ gar-
bage for a living, I give
it maybe a four.
He rises, goes to the door and raps out a "shave-and-a-
hair-cut" tatoo on it and waits. A moment later, the
"two-bits" response comes from inside. In response to
Hunter's look of disbelief, Smith gives a "who else" shrug.
SMITH
Terwilliger's idea...
He unlocks the door and swings it open, revealing Terwil-
liger standing in the entry hall in his shirt sleeves.
He is wearing a .44 Magnum in a shoulder holster and
holding a riot gun at the ready.
HUNTER
What are you expecting
Demarest to come after him
with, Bernie? A herd of
elephants?
And he and Dee Dee push on past Terwilliger, who follows,
trying to think up an adequate retort.
INT. SUITE - DAY
Sumptuous, elegant, expensive. And far too good for the
likes of:
GAVIN
seated at a game table across from Harvey, responding to
his questions. The interview is being recorded by a tape
machine and a POLICE STENOGRAPHER. A PLAINCLOTHES OFFICER
and two UNIFORMS, carrying rifles or riot guns in addition
to their pistols are also in evidence.
GAVIN
(in mid-sentence)
So while Nate was drivin' along,
talkin' to him, I stuck the .22
in his ear and that was all she
wrote. The slob never knew what
hit him.
HARVEY
For the record... when you say
Nate was driving, who are you
refering to?
GAVIN
Who the hell we been talking about
all this time? It was Demarest.
Nate Demarest.
HARVEY
And did he pay you to kill
Mister Caracus?
GAVIN
Five big ones...
(as Hunter and
Dee Dee enter)
Hey, Hunter! How's it goin'
buddy-boy? Real good to see ya!
And the lady, too!
(going to her)
I didn't catch your name, kid...
TERWILLIGER
(into the breach)
Oh, I'm sorry. Sergeant McCall,
this is Eiton Gavin...
DEE DEE
I know who the creep is.
GAVIN
Give it a chance, baby. To know
me is to love me...
HUNTER
Even your mother'd give you an
argument on that one.
GAVIN
(needling)
Hunter, my man.
(to others)
My insurance policy! If any cop
is gonna know what the Mob is up
to, it's gotta be him, right?
(to Hunter)
I mean, it's all in the famiglia,
ain't it gumbah?
Hunter is ready to tangle, but Harvey cuts in, quickly.
HARVEY
Can we get on with this, please!
(to Terwilliger)
Sergeant will you take them into
the other room and explain their
duties to them, please?
TERWILLIGER
Yes, sir.
(to Hunter and McCall)
This way.
As he leads them off, Gavin grabs Dee Dee's hand.
GAVIN
Hurry back, kid...
She jerks her hand free,
DEE DEE
Lay off!
HARVEY
(nervous; trying to
bring it under control)
Can we get back to work, please,
Mister Gavin? Please, just a
little longer...
As Dee Dee passes him, Gavin makes a kissy sound and reaches
out as if to goose her. Hunter hits him on the shoulder with
the heel of his hand hard enough to send him staggering back
against a table.
HUNTER
the lady said lay off!
ANGLE - GAVIN
shamed into fury, he grabs a heavy vase off the table and
flings it at Hunter. He ducks and the vase crashes into
the draped window, shattering it and the window and
causing the drapes to collapse leaving the window completely
uncovered.
ZOOM TO
THE ROOFTOP ACROSS THE WAY
and the glint of a rifle barrel, and:
ANGLE - GAVIN
A bullet gouges a chunk of plaster from the wall only inches
from his head. Hunter tackles him, hauling him to the floor
a split second before a second bullet zings into the plaster
right where his head was.
ANGLE ON TERWILLIGER
ducking below the blown out window. Dee Dee charges into
SHOT, gun in hand, shoulders him out of the way and peers
out the window. She sees someone, opens fire.
EXT. ROOFTOP OPPOSITE - DAY - POV
The SNIPER, digging for the rooftop exit, spurred on by
Dee Dee's bullets. Close but no cigar; the sniper ducks
through the stairwell door.
BACK TO DEE DEE
She turns away from the window.
DEE DEE
He's going down the fire stairs
in the other wing.
And she digs for the door. Hunter rolls off Gavin and takes
off after her. Terwilliger huddles near a scared Harvey and
Gavin.
TERWILLIGER
Stay right here. We'll be okay.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Dee Dee heads for the elevator. Hunter grabs her arm, hauls
her with him toward the stairwell.
HUNTER
Stairs'll be quicker. Come on.
She doesn't argue it, runs after him to the stairwell door
and through to the stairs.
INTERCUT
The sniper hurtling down one stairwell. Hunter and Dee Dee
hurtling down the other.
INT. BASEMENT CORRIDOR - DAY
The sniper runs out through the stairwell exit door into the
corridor. He hesitates, looking for the fastest way out,
chooses to run toward the exit door to the other stairwell.
INT. STAIRWELL - DAY
Hunter and Dee Dee charge down the stairs to the last landing,
As Hunter pushes open the door into the basement corridor:
THE SNIPER
rushes past. He sees Hunter, snaps off a SHOT that misses by
inches. Hunter ducks back. By the time Hunter peeks through
the door again, the sniper has vanished around the corner of
the corridor.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - DAY
behind the hotel. The sniper explodes out of the basement
exit, digs for a ND sedan parked nearby. He dives behind
the wheel and fires up.
ANGLE - HUNTSR AND DEE DEE
charge out of the basement after him. The sniper takes off,
heading right for them, burning rubber. Hunter and Dee Dee
hold their ground and leveling their pistols at the car
bearing down on them, open fire.
ON THE CAR
racing toward them. The windshield directly in front of the
driver shatters under the impact of the BULLETS. The
speeding car goes out of control, does an up-and-over and
explodes in a huge fireball.
ON HUNTER AND DEE DEE
as they try to get to the driver but finally have to back
off from the heat of the burning car. As they watch it burn;
HUNTER
(thoughtfully)
That's one down!
DEE DEE
(reading him)
Yeah, and how many more to go?
HUNTER
As many as Nate figures it will
take.
Play the moment and as they turn and go back into the hotel:
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
*********************************************************
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. HOTEL - DAY - LOW ANGLE - ESTABLISHING
HUNTER (V.O.)
You can move half the P.D.
in here with Gavin and it
won't stop Demarest!
INT. GAVIN'S SUITE - DAY - ANGLE FAVORING HUNTER
giving the Captain and Harvey a piece of unsolicited opinion
that Cain is finding hard to accept. Also present, Dee Dee and
Gavin. Terwilliger, keeping well away from the window, is
supervising a couple of HOTEL CARPENTERS who are nailing a
sheet of plywood over the shattered window.
HUNTER
He needs Gavin dead. And if
he's gotta blow up this whole
damn hotel to do it, bet me
he'll do it!
HARVEY
You're right, we'll have to
move him.
(to Cain)
Do you have any suggestions,
Captain?
CAPTAIN
Not off the top of my head.
But I'm sure we can come up
with a place we can secure
better than this.
HUNTER
That won't cut it. Just
with the number of people
involved in the move, Nate'll
have the place cased and
staked cut before you can
move Gavin in.
HARVEY
What would you suggest?
HUNTER
I'd turn him over to two, no
more'n three, cops and let them
figure out where to keep him
until you want him.
CAPTAIN
(protesting)
You mean only they’d know.. .?
GAVIN
(overriding)
I like it! The Head-Hunter's
right on the money! My own
experience, when I had a con-
tract, the more people knew where
the pigeon was, the easier it was
to find him.
(to Hunter)
So where you gonna take me?
HUNTER
Not me, scuzz...
GAVIN
Yeah, you! ate nails me, your
guys nail you for sellin' me out!
Ain't that right, fellas?
Their expressions confirm that Gavin's put the situation-
exactly where it is.
EXT. HOTEL - DAY - HUNTER AND DEE DEE
exit the hotel and cross to their car, CAMERA TRACKING.
DEE DEE
You walked us into that one.
Now we've got to babysit that
creep all by ourselves.
HUNTER
If I were you, I'd bail out, McCall.
Gavin was right. The only way
they'll ever believe I'm straight,
is if I get myself blown away
keeping him alive! You want to
share that with me?
DEE DEE
I told you up front, Hunter,
I'd rather not share anything
with any partner. Let's go
find a hidey-hole for Gavin.
She climbs into the car. Hunter walks around to the driver's
side, climbs in with her, fires up and drives off.
EXT. STREET - DAY - A STRETCH LIMO
rolling through traffic. Driving, AUGIE, a steam shovel.
•Beside him, riding shotgun is WHIT McFEE, a former heavy-
weight boxer.
JULIE (V.O.)
...Break it to him easy?
INT. STRETCH LIMO - DAY - MOVING
JULIE is in the back talking on the car phone. Beside him,
is NATE
JULIE
You'll be lucky Nate doesn't
break your neck!
He hangs up the phone.
NATE
So what's the bad news this time?
JULIE
The guy we had on the roof of
Gavin's hotel? He got his shot
and missed.
DEMAREST
(furious)
Missed?! Dammit, they told me
he was the best! What the hell
happened?
JULIE
(shrugs)
He missed, the cops didn't. He
went hard, I hear. Burned to
death in his car.
DEMAREST
(flaring)
Goddamn crazy Gavin! Everything
I've done for him and he turns
on me this way. I need him dead,
Julie. I don't care if you've
got to take out a hundred people,
long as he's one of them! You under-
stand what I'm saying?
JULIE
We've got to find him first. They
moved him out of the hotel.
DEMAREST
We're paying people who should know
these things, no? Call them!
JULIE
They're playing it real cozy. They've
turned Gavin over to a couple of cops.
A real hard nose. Rick Hunter and his
partner, a dame, I don't remember her
name. They're the only ones know
where Gavin is.
DEMAREST
(reacting)
Dom's nephew? Get to him. Set up
a meet.
JULIE
(anticipating)
Forget it, Nate. I already checked
him out. He won't do business.
Not for money, not even for
family.
DEMAREST
Everybody does business, if the
price is right. How else did I
get here?
(beat)
Put it on the wire, I want to see
him.
Play the moment.
EXT. MOBILE HOME PARK - DAY - ESTABLISHING
A well kept complex of prefabricated mobile homes set up on
permanent installations, located on the Coast Highway over-
looking the beach.
SOUTHCOAST PARK
An Adult Community
Sale Lease
INT. MOBILE HOME - KITCHEN AREA
Dee Dee is preparing to make a pot of coffee on the coffee
maker while Hunter builds himself a baloney and cheese sandwich.
GAVIN(o.s.)
Hey, how’s about something to eat?
He comes into SCENE, dressed in slacks and a none-too-clean
undershirt.
HUNTER
You can help yourself when I'm
done, here.
GAVIN
(to Dee Dee)
I want bacon and eggs. The eggs
over easy an' the bacon crisp
but not burned. And toast.
He breaks off in annoyance as the LOUD BARKING of a;huge
ROTTWEILER, tied up outside of the next-door trailer
home, gets to him.
GAVIN
Damn dog! Leave it to you to move
me next door to a loud-mouthed,
mangy mutt!!
HUNTER
How do you think he feels having
to live next door to you?
Gavin throws him a dirty look, then;
GAVIN
(grousing)
I shoulda stayed in the hotel.
I don't know why the hell I agreed
to go along with this.
HUNTER
(sarcastically)
It wouldn't be because you were
afraid your old buddy, Nate would
catch up with you there.
GAVIN
Don't gimme that old buddy Nate
garbage... I got Nate his first
joint in Hollywood -- and the
hookers and the franchise to
peddle dope in that area that went
with it. And you wanna know what
my old buddy Nate gimme for it? My
own street corner I could peddle
nickel bags from!
HUNTER
You've hadda hard life, Gavin, I
feel for you!
GAVIN
(flaring)
You gotta big mouth, Hunter. And
when this is all over, I'm gonna
take care of you, good.
(he turns to Dee Dee)
Make sure ya don't burn that
bacon!
Play her frustration and:
CUT TO
EXT. MOBILE HOME - DAY
Dee Dee is standing a little distance away from the door,
taking deep breaths. Hunter joins her. The dog keeps
barking, making it difficult to speak over him.
DEE DEE
Keep him away from me, Hunter, or
so help me...
HUNTER
It's only another week before the
Grand Jury meets...
He looks across at dog, moves Dee Dee farther away, where
his barking isn't quite so much of a nuisance.
DEE DEE
Only! .
(beat)
It's not like they really need this
slimeball to get Demarest.
HUNTER
They've been trying for years.
The D.A., the State, the Feds.
Nobody could lay a glove on him
until Gavin...
DEE DEE
I had him seven years ago. My
partner and I for murder.
HUNTER
For real?
DEE DEE
The Feds had slid a narc into one
of Nate's joints as a bartender --
a guy name a Lomasso -- and one
day he turned up dead. The word
I got from some people who knew
what was going on down there was
that somebody rolled on him and
Nate had iced him. Personally.
HUNTER
So?
DEE DEE
So, what?
HUNTER
So why didn't you go after him?
DEE DEE
Because the Feds passed the word
that the case was closed and I was
told that it was worth my badge
if I didn't drop it, okay?
HUNTER
The Feds lose one of their people
and they shut the door? That
doesn't make sense.
DEE DEE
They said they'd made a thorough
investigation and turned up no
evidence to show he didn't commit
suicide. His wife said that was
because they didn't look hard
enough.
HUNTER
You talked to her?
DEE DEE
Once on the phone for five minutes.
HUNTER
(a moment's thought)
You think you could find her now?
DEE DEE
(continuing her talk
with Hunter)
What would be the point digging
her up, assuming I could? They
didn't listen to her then, they
won't listen now, seven years
later.
HUNTER
Look, if there's a chance we could
send both of them away, Demarest
and Gavin... But maybe you like
babysitting that scuzz until they
kick him loose...
He means Gavin. Point made.
DEE DEE
Okay, okay, I'll take a run
down to Records and see if they've
still got her on file...
As she and Hunter move toward her car:
THE DOG
intensifies its barking and lunges against his chain.
HUNTER
(exasperated)
Damn dog! Shut up, you...!
Whereupon the chain snaps and the dog dashes for Hunter's car
and vaults into the back seat through an open window. As
Hunter and Dee Dee stand there, unbelieving, an attractive,
20ish BLONDE, wearing tight cut-offs, comes out of the trailer
home, attracted by the commotion and runs to Hunter's car.
BLONDE
(embarrassed and
chagrined)
I'm sorry, I...
(she goes to the car)
Bosco, you get out of that car
this minute! Bosco, I'm talking
to you...
But Bosco's fascination for the scent of the back seat is
all-encompassing.
Hunter decides it's time to take over. He crosses to the car,
HUNTER
All right, big fella. Out...
He reaches out to open the door and the dog lunges at him
with a FURIOUS SNARL. Hunter snatches his hand away just in
time to keep from losing it!
BLONDE
I can't understand it, he's never
acted like this before...
HUNTER
(to Dee Dee)
It's Dabney. You know, the dope-
sniffing dog they've got working
Narcotics. Last time they took
her in that car, she was in heat.
(off her blank
looks)
He ' s in love!
Dee Dee gives him a peculiar look, turns away, and gets
into her own car and drives away.
BLONDE
I'll try and get him out of
there...
HUNTER
Don't worry about it. At least
he's quiet...
ON GAVIN
watching suspiciously from doorway as Dee Dee drives off and
Hunter walks back to the mobile home.
GAVIN
Where's she goin'? She'd better
be goin' to pick up some beer on
accounta we're runnin' out!
Hunter looks him up and down.
HUNTER
If you put on a clean undershirt,
you'd make an even better target
standing out here like that.
It takes a moment for Gavin to understand. Then, panicked, he
scuttles back inside. Hunter grins.
INT. SMALL GARMENT MANUFACTURING LOFT - ESTABLISHING.
A dozen BLACK and LATINO WOMEN working at sewing machines,
etc.
ALMA(V.O.)
(emotionally)
My Tony never committed suicide!
He was murdered!
ON ALMA
a work-worn woman who looks older than her 30-odd years.
The shop forelady, she is standing at a table inspecting
a pile of just manufactured blouses while speaking to Dee Dee.
DEE DEE
You're saying the DEA lied. Why
would they do that?
ALMA
To cover up.
DEE DEE
Are you saying that someone
in the Agency got your husband
killed?
ALMA
Besides me, they were the only
ones who knew Tony was an under-
cover narc. Not even Crissy knew.
It slips out. Dee Dee's caught it, pretends not to have.
DEE DEE
Crissy? That's your daughter.
ALMA
We never had children...Please,
my Tony's dead, I'm a woman alone.
Dredging it all up again won't
change that...
DEE DEE
Mrs. Lomasso, Alma. I agree with
you. Your husband was murdered
because someone blew his cover.
I know it hurts to talk about it,
even after all these years, but
it's the only way we're going to
nail the man who killed him.
ALMA
She became like a daughter, Crissy.
Crissy Allen. She was a singer
at that place, the Satin Doll. One
of those foolish girls who come
here off the farm thinking they'll
become big stars overnight. Tony
took her under his wing, so to speak.
DEE DEE
(delicately)
Tony and Crissy, were they...
She lets it hang. Alma, of course, understands.
ALMA
(too quickly)
No, no, no, not Tony. He didn't
play around like that, ever.
Dee Dee reads between the lines, but lets it pass.
DEE DEE
Your husband was working for
information?
ALMA
That's what he was there for.
But he really was concerned about
her and did what he could do to
protect her from the kind of element
that hung around that place.
DEE DEE
Have you heard from Crissy since
your husband died?
ALMA
(beat)
No, I haven't heard. After all
Tony did for her, not a phone call,
not a post card. Kids today, they
don't have any respect.
DEE DEE
(after a moment's
thought)
Thank you for your time, Alma.
(rising)
And I'm sorry to have dredged up
painful memories.
Alma rises with her and goes with her to the door.
ALMA
You'd think after all these years,
it wouldn't hurt so much. But
every night...
Play the moment and:
EXT. MOBILE HOME - DAY - HUNTER AND DEE DEE
standing by her car while she tells him about her meeting
with Alma Lomasso.
HUNTER
It doesn't sound like it was
worth the trip.
DEE DEE
I dunno. That Crissy Alien stuff
might be worth following up.
HUNTER
Just because the kid doesn't phone
or send a condolence card, what's
that supposed to mean?
ON GAVIN
in the doorway.
GAVIN
It's about time you got back, McCall.
You got my beer?
DEE DEE
They were out.
HUNTER
We'll get you some. Relax.
GAVIN
You better, Hunter. When I get
thirsty, my throat closes up an'
I can't talk, know what I mean?
He goes back inside.
HUNTER
(shaking it off)
You were saying...?
DEE DEE
This Crissy Allen, she was a nice
kid straight off the farm, Mrs.
Lomasso said, not some bum off the
street. They're brought up with
manners, respect. She'd never just
ignore the death of the guy who'd
looked after her like she was his
own daughter. Not unless there
was a reason.
HUNTER
(a beat)
There's this waitress down at the
Golden Grotto who's there been forever.
She owes me a couple. You'll be
okay alone with Gavin?
(off her look)
Sorry I asked!
ANGLE TO HUNTER'S CAR
as he turns and reaches for the door handle, the Rottweiler,
which has been lying down on the back seat, out of sight,
lunges for him. Hunter jerks back out of range of the gleaming
fangs.
HUNTER
It's okay big guy, she's all
yours.
(to Dee Dee)
I'll have to borrow your car,
McCall. I think mine just got
married.
DEE DEE
Hunter, I'm warning you...
HUNTER
Not a scratch, I swear...
She throws him the-keys, watches him drive off in her car
as secure as a mother seeing her little girl go off with
a suspected child molester.
INT. MOBILE HOME - ON GAVIN
standing by the window, watching Hunter drive off. He turns
as Dee Dee enters.
GAVIN
He goin' for the beer?
DEE DEE
Yeah.
She goes to push past him. He stops her.
GAVIN
(coming on)
Look, McCall, we're stuck here
together, so whatta you say we
make the best of it? I mean,
I'll forget you're a cop, you
treat me like I’m just another guy,
Whatta ya say?
DEE DEE
If I'm gonna keep you alive,
Gavin, I can't afford to get
emotionally involved.
She pushes past. He thinks he's scored a point.
EXT. GOLDEN GROTTO - DAY - ESTABLISHING
A fancy Marina pick-up joint. Dee Dee's car is parked con-
spicuously in the parking lot.
CONDON(V.O.)
Whitey, this is Condon down at the
Satin Doll.
INT. GOLDEN GROTTO - ON CONDON
standing at the end of the bar, speaking into a phone. His gaze
is fixed on Hunter, sitting in a booth across from the bar,
Speaking to TERRI, an over-ripe waitress, who just served him a
drink.
CONDON
(continuing)
You asked me to let you know if
Hunter ever came around, right?
Well, I'm looking at him.
INT. GYM - ON WHITEY
the 'shotgun' in Demarest's limo. He's in "sweats" and
wearing light-bag gloves and he's speaking on a wall pay-
phone .
WHITEY
So what's he doin' there?
CONDON
What's a cop usually do? He's
asking questions.
WHITEY
From who?
CONDON
Terri. You know, the fat, old
broad? Been here since the year
one?
WHITEY
I can be there in five minutes.
Look, if he looks like his leavin'
right away, slow him up a couple
minutes, okay?
CONDON
Do what I can.
WHITEY
Okay, Condon, thanks. I owe ya one.
He hangs up, a troubled look on his face, hurries off.
BACK TO CONDON
standing at the bar, watching as Terri returns to Hunter's
stable with his second drink.
ON HUNTER AND TERRI
as she places the drink in front of him:
TERRI
A singer named Crissy Allen?
remembering)
Yeah! Cute little blonde kid,
about 18, looked like a cheer-
leader. Not much of a voice
but a great personality.
HUNTER
What ever happened to her, do
you know?
TERRI
You know how it is in this busi-
ness. Kids like her come and go.
HUNTER
Yeah. You remember that time
they planted a narc on Nate?
She was still around then, wasn't
she ?
TERRI
I guess...
HUNTER
Matter of fact, they were pretty
Tight, weren't they, Crissy and
him? What was his name...?
TERRI
Vic Sellers is what we knew him
as, but I think that wasn't his
real name.
HUNTER
Yeah, that's him. How long was
Crissy around after he turned
up dead? Do you remember?
TERRI
I don't know, Hunter, it was at
least...
(remembering)
No it wasn't! She -- it was like
the next day and she wasn't
around anymore!
ON CONDON
watching, not liking what he's seeing and not knowing what
to do about it.
HUNTER
Was there a connection?
TERRI
There could a'been. She was
kinda tight with him, in a kid-
sister-big-brother way. And
Nate could a'thought she knew
more'n was good for him. And
maybe she did...
She notices Condon looking at her and it makes her uneasy.
HUNTER
She and Nate were...
He lays one finger atop the other in a gesture of extreme
closeness.
TERRI
(with an eye on
Condon)
He was paying the freight. And
that was another thing. He
might a' found out she was getting
it on with one of the bouncers,
Whitey McFee.
Now Condon gestures to her to come to him.
HUNTER
Big, good looking guy? A heavy-
weight. Used to fight for Nate's
stable, right? He disappeared,
too?
TERRI
No, he still works for Nate. One
of his musclemen...
(off Condon's
imperative gesture)
Look, Hunter, the boss wants me...
HUNTER
Hurry back. There's a few more
questions...
But he’s talking to her back. He watches her go up to
Condon. He starts giving her hell MOS as he grabs her
roughly by the arm and leads her o.s. to the alcove leading
to the restrooms. HOLD ON Hunter as he hesitates, thinking
things over, then rises and moves toward the alcove.
ANGLE TO ALCOVE
as Hunter approaches, Condon leaves, shooting his cuffs and
adjusting his jacket. Hunter lets him pass, goes into the
alcove.
ON TERRI
weeping and nursing the side of her face. Hunter goes to
her.
HUNTER
What happened?
She just shakes her head. He draws her hand from her face,
revealing a vivid bruise marking where Condon hit her.
TERRI
Gimme a break, Hunter and leave
'me alone? I don't know anything...
Hunter nods, presses a bill into her hand and leaves her.
ON CONDON
at the bar cash register set in the middle of the bar up
front. He's been checking the cash and has both hands
hooked over the open drawer. He looks up as Hunter comes
up to him.
CONDON
Yeah, what do you want?
HUNTER
I just want to give you something
for the waitress...
He reaches across the bar, grabs the drawer, yanks it shut
on Condon's fingers and walks away. HOLD ON Condon's pain
and:
CUT TO
EXT. GOLDEN GROTTO - PARKING LOT - DAY
Hunter exits the joint, gets into Dee Dee's car, fires up
and drives off.
ANGLE TO A BATTERED PICK-UP TRUCK
parked on the street with a clear view of the Golden Grotto's
lot. Behind the wheel, Whitey. He waits for Hunter's car
to merge into the stream of traffic then he pulls away from
the curb and follows.
TRACKING SHOTS
...Hunter driving Dee Dee's car through traffic with Whitey's
truck following a couple of cars back. -
Then, at an appropriate location, Whitey's truck picks up
speed, veers to the right and comes up alongside Hunter.
Whitey, a ski mask now concealing his features, raises a
pistol and FIRES THREE SHOTS at Dee Dee's car, shattering
the windows on the right side of the vehicle.
Hunter seeing what's going down, ducks down at the last
moment. The SHOTS miss him but he loses control of the
car, spins out, skids into the side of some parked cars
and stalls. Before he can re-start the car, Whitey has
hung a sharp turn at the nearest intersection, cutting off
the on-coming traffic, and burning rubber, getting clean
away.
Play Hunter's frustration, and:
FADE OUT
END OF ACT TWO
***********************************************************
ACT THREE
FADE IN
EXT. DEMAREST'S MANSION - DAY - ESTABLISHING
An elegant estate in an exclusive residential area. As
Hunter drives up to the front entrance in Dee Dee's
bullet-pocked car, gets out and runs up to the front door
and holds his finger on the doorbell until it opens. He
pushes inside.
DEMAREST(v.o.)
(complaining)
All this white. White flowers
white table cloths, white dishes...
EXT. BACK LAWN - DAY
Preparations are under way for an elaborate garden party.
Demarest is standing on the back patio with the CATERER,
an elegant looking lady in her fifties, watch the caterer's
crew making preparations for an elaborate garden party.
DEMAREST
Just because I'm giving this
party to raise money for the
hospital fund doesn't mean the
place has to look like one...
CATERER
An understated monochromatic
theme is very elegant, believe
me...
They all turn as Hunter, burning mad, charges out of the
house, followed by Julie and Augie. Julie is protesting
loudly but vainly, while Augie, unable to use his muscle,
is along for the ride.
JULIE
Dammit, Hunter, you've got no
right barging in here like this...
Hunter ignores him, goes up to Demarest and grabs him by
HUNTER
I don't like getting shot at,
Nate!
DEMAREST
What the hell...?
JULIE
I warned you, Hunter....
He goes for his piece. Before he can bring it to bear,
Hunter swings Demarest around as a shield.
HUNTER
Draw it and you'll eat it, Julie.
DEMAREST
Put it away, Julie.
(to Augie and
the Caterer)
Get out of here, all of you!
Thev leave.
DEMAREST
What the hell is this, Hunter?
You gone crazy?
HUNTER
I told you -- somebody took a shot
at me.
DEMAREST
Somebody shot at you and you're
saying it's me? Now I know you're
crazy!
HUNTER
Not you, Nate, of course not!
You don't do your own killing any-
more. You just put out the word
you want it done.
DEMAREST
Look, Hunter, I put the word out
I wanted to talk to you. If you
had any smarts, you'd have rung
my bell like a human being, in-
stead of busting in here like
making threats. We'd have had
a drink and a chat and you could
have gone out of here a rich man.
You still can.
HUNTER
For Gavin?
DEMAREST
Just tell me where he's at. It's
worth fifty thou.
HUNTER
I'd be taking your money under
false pretenses.
DEMAREST
Hunter, don't be stupid....
HUNTER
I'm being straight with you, Nate.
I could give Gavin to you and it
wouldn't do you any good. I've
got you and I'm going to put you
away without him.
He turns on his heel and walks toward the house and out of
SCENE.
OMITTED
ON DEMAREST AND JULIE
watching Hunter go, seething. Now he explodes.
DEMAREST
You hear that? You hear the way
that cheap pig talked to me?
(spinning)
You got a gun? Gimme your gun.
I'm gonna blow his goddamn brains
out...
JULIE
(trying to reason)
Come on, Nate.
DEMAREST
Gimme your gun...
He starts digging in Julie's jacket.
JULIE
Nate, I haven't packed heat in
over years! Now, cool down, he's
not the problem right now.
DEMAREST
He's onto somethin', that muzzler!
You find out what it is, Julie and
you take care of him! Now!
CUT TO :
EXT. MOBILE HOME - DAY - ON DEE DEE'S CAR
DEE DEE(V.O.)
(outraged)
My car! What'd you do to my car...?
The ANGLE WIDENS to reveal Dee Dee examining the bullet
damage to her car. She can't believe what she's seeing.
DEE DEE
Look at this! The body -- the
glass - even the upholstery --
ruined! Hunter this is my car,
not the City's.
Now Hunter's feelings are hurt.
HUNTER
Some partner I've got. I could
have three bullets in me and
all you care about is your damn
vehicle!
DEE DEE
You get shot, you've got hospital-
ization. I don't know if I'm even
insured for this kinda damage...!
Who did it? Demarest?
HUNTER
He said no and I believe him. He
wants Gavin dead, not me.
DEE DEE
That would figure if Demarest
knew or suspected that Lomasso
was working Terri.
HUNTER
It gets a little more complicated.
Crissy wasn't as innocent as Mrs.
Lomasso said. She was being kept
by Demarest and at the same time
was getting it on with one of the
bouncers, a jock name a' Whitey
McFee.
DEE DEE
I've heard that name.
HUNTER
He was a pretty good fighter once.
A heavyweight. He could have
had a real shot at the title but
Nate sent him into the tank once
too often and the boxing commis-
sion took his ticket.
DEE DEE
So Nate found out and put both of
them away.
HUNTER
No. Terri said Whitey's still
working for Nate.
(beat)
I'm gonna run him through R&I. I
want to talk to him.
He heads for his car. Dee Dee follows. Hunter stops short
of the car, suddenly remembering the dog. But it's not there
the car is empty.
HUNTER
Must be dinner time.
He reaches into car for the mike.
DEE DEE
You leave me alone with Gavin
Again, Hunter, one of us won't be
here when you come back.
Hunter hands her the mike.
HUNTER
Okay, you get the make, I'll take
care of Gavin.
INT. MOBILE HOME
Gavin is on the sofa, unshaved and surly, watching TV.
Hunter enters.
HUNTER
You're gonna be on your own for
a while. McCall and I have to
go someplace.
GAVIN
No way, Hunter.
HUNTER
Look, it won't be that much dif-
ferent us being here or not. Your
only real protection is nobody
knowing you're here.
GAVIN
I said, no way! You make a move
toward that door, you or McCall
and I'm callin' Harvey!
HUNTER
Call him. Call Nate while you're
at it. You get lonesome, he'll
send you a buddy of the jamoke
who took that shot at you from
the roof.
(beat)
See you in a while...
And he's gone. Gavin makes a move toward the phone,
thinks better of it. Play his frustration and --
EXT. GYM - DAY
Hunter and Dee Dee drive up in her car. They climb out.
HUNTER
I'll go up and talk to him. You
cover the back in case Nate's
reached him and told him not to
cooperate.
DEE DEE
I think I'd stand a better chance
'a getting him to talk. I mean,
he wouldn't be expecting a woman...
HUNTER
No, no, McCall, I don't know who
else is with him up there and you
could be walking into a real mess.
Trust me, McCall. Better me than
you.
She doesn't argue it. He turns and goes into the gym entrance
and she takes up a position where she can cover the back door.
INT. GYM - WHITEY
covered with sweat, working out on a Nautilus machine, along
with some other muscle freaks. FOCUS ON E.G., as Hunter and
Dee Dee come into the gym and ask the gym MANAGER for Whitey,
M.O.S. He points him out. Hunter and Dee Dee come up to
him. Hunter flashes his badge.
HUNTER
Whitey? Sergeant Hunter. Can I
talk to you a few minutes?
Whitey disengages from the machine, gives Hunter a long look,
then, without a word, goes to get flight bag on the floor
against the wall nearby and walks swiftly out of the gym,
via the rear door. Hunter can't believe the man's gall.
HUNTER
Hold it right there, Whitey.
But Whitey keeps right on going. Hunter runs after him.
EXT. GYM PARKING LOT - DAY
A commotion on the stairs behind the closed rear door alerts
Dee Dee. She draws her gun and takes up a ready position
just as the door explodes and Hunter hurtles out and goes
sprawling on the ground.
Whitey steps out after him and reaches into his flight bag
for something. Dee Dee levels her gun at him.
DEE DEE
Hold it right there, Whitey,...
Without a moment's hesitation, Whitey slings the flight bag
at her and as she ducks out of the way, Whitey starts running
toward his truck parked nearby.
Now, Hunter is back on his feet and runs to stop Whitey.
Whitey swings, nailing him with a punch that nearly lifts
Hunter out of his socks.
And fight is on. It's a Pier Six brawl that rages around
Whitey's truck, between the parked cars and it is going
badly for Hunter until seemingly trapped between two parked
cars he opens one of the doors, slamming it into Whitey as
he charges in for the kill. He goes down, stunned and Dee
Dee, who's been watching the fight with considerable interest
and not lifting a finger to help Hunter, steps in and snaps
the cuffs on him!
DEE DEE
Sheesh, Whitey, why so tense?
We only wanted to talk.
(as Hunter wobbles
over)
You were right Hunter, better
you than me!
HUNTER
(a nasty look at
her, then:)
If you'd fought that good in the
ring, Whitey, you'd a been champ.
DEE DEE
Why don't you call in for a van
to take him in? I'll get his
stuff.
Hunter nods, leads Whitey over to Dee Dee's car.
ANGLE TO DEE DEE
hunkered down, gathering up the stuff spilled from Whitey's
flight bag: a wallet, keys, a comb, clean underwear and
socks and rolled up in a towel, a pistol and a ski mask.
She examines the pistol, sniffs the barrel to see if it was
fired recently; it was.
ON HUNTER
on the car radio.
HUNTER
...at Vorski's Gym on Broom just
off Main... Right -- and don't
make us wait all day, huh.
He hangs up the mike as Dee Dee comes up to him with
Whitey's stuff. She waves the ski mask at him.
DEE DEE
Look familiar?
He looks at it closely.
HUNTER
Yeah. The guy who shot at me was
wearing one just like it.
Dee Dee produces the pistol.
DEE DEE
How many shots did you say he
fired?
HUNTER
Three.
She breaks the chamber, dumps the shells into her palm.
There are six cartridges. Three have been fired. He
turns to Whitey.
HUNTER
Why the hell would you want to
shoot me? We never even said
hello.
(to Dee Dee)
What else?
DEE DEE
A wallet, keys, junk...
Hunter takes up the wallet, opens it and goes through it.
There's a driver's license with Whitey's picture, a snap-
shot of a pretty, blonde girl (CRISSY), taken several
years ago and worn from handling. And one or two rent
receipts.
Hunter's handling of the contents of his wallet, particu-
larly the photo agitates Whitey.
WHITEY
Hey, that's mine. You got no
right to go through it...
HUNTER
It's okay, big fella. You'll get
it back when they kick you loose.
He starts to stuff the rent receipts back into the wallet
when something peculiar registers. He takes the receipts
out, compares them against the license.
HUNTER
Hey, McFee, you still live at the
Shackleton Hotel on Florita.
WHITEY
I never lived there, I've been
living at the Clare on Division
for the past six years.
Hunter checks the license.
HUNTER
Right. So how come you're paying
rent on a place in Pomona?
Play his dismay and:
CUT TO
EXT. CRISSY'S HOUSE - DAY - ANGLE FROM DEE DEE'S CAR
parked across the street. It’s a small, nondescript bunga-
low on the outskirts of the city. CRISSY is in the front
yard weeding a scraggly flower bed. She's dressed in jeans
and a shapeless, old sweater and has a scarf over her hair.
Although she is older than the photo in Whitey's wallet and
is not wearing any make-up, she is still cheerleader pretty,
Hunter and Dee Dee watch her for a beat or two, comparing
her to the photo they've taken from Whitey's wallet.
HUNTER
What do you think? The same
woman?
DEE DEE
Looks like her. Only somehow
Whitey doesn't seem to be her
type.
HUNTER
Let's find out.
They get out of the car, cross the street and go up to
Crissy.
ON CRISSY
she looks up, apprehensively as Hunter and Dee Dee approach,
HUNTER
Excuse us, ma'am, police.
(flashes his badge)
Are you Mrs. Ragaway?
FAVORING DEE DEE
studying Crissy curiously, an idea forming.
CRISSY
No, I'm not. I'm....
DEE DEE
(finishing for her)
Crissy Allen. Right?
It's hard to tell who's more surprised, Crissy or Hunter.
CUT TO
EXT. PRECINCT - DAY
as Julie accompanies Whitey out of the Precinct.
WHITEY
Hey, thank Mr. Demarest for
getting me bailed out so fast,
Julie...
JULIE
Thank him yourself, Whitey...
Now Whitey notices the limo parked at the curb. He starts
to panic. Augie is standing at the passenger's door.
Julie moves, close, jams a pistol into his side and prods
him over to the limo. Augie opens the door for him and
Julie shoves him into the back seat ahead of him. Augie
slams the door, gets in behind the wheel and drives off.
CUT TO
EXT. CRISSY'S BACK YARD - DAY
Hunter, Dee Dee and Crissy are seated around an unpainted,
battered old picnic table. Crissy is apprehensive, re-
luctant.
CRISSY
Look, I'd like to help you, I
really would. But I don't know
anything, really. I mean, I was
a friend of Mr. Lomasso's. But
I didn't know he was a, what did
you call him, a narc? And as far
as I know, he -- they said he
committed suicide.
DEE DEE
You don't really believe that,
Crissy. You're a bright, pretty,
talented lady, but you've buried
yourself out here in Pomona for
seven years, now. Why?
CRISSY
I decided it wasn't the kind of
life I really wanted, being a
singer.
HUNTER
Whitey tried to kill me because
I was asking questions at the
Satin Doll about you.
DEE DEE
That's a pretty heavy rap, killing
a cop. He didn't risk it because
you got disillusioned with show
business.
HUNTER
You're hiding, Crissy, because
you're afraid of Nate. You know
something about the Lomasso
killing, don't you?
CRISSY
I-I've got nothing to say. Will
you leave me alone, please!
DEE DEE
Look, Crissy. Nate Demarest's
got his back against the wall.
He'll eliminate anybody he thinks
can help put him away.
HUNTER
We found you without too much
trouble. And Nate's got better
wires than we do.
She hesitates, then:
CRISSY
He thinks I'm dead.
Whitey told him he'd killed me.
HUNTER
Whitey told him? Why?
CRISSY
I saw it. Well, I didn't exactly
see it happen. I mean...I was in
his car in the parking lot, wait-
ing for Whitey to take me home
that night. We had to be careful
about being seen together. Nate
was terribly possessive and he'd
have killed us both if he'd known
we were seeing each other. Any-
way, I saw Nate, Julie and Whitey
come out the kitchen door. Whitey
and Julie were carrying a body.
It was Vic Lomasso.
DEE DEE
You're positive?
CRISSY
There was a light over the door.
I saw his face as clearly as I'm
seeing yours now. It was
horrible.
HUNTER
What did they do with him?
CRISSY
They put him in the trunk of
Nate's car and drove away.
HUNTER
And what did you do?
CRISSY
I went home. I didn't know what
else to do. I just sat there in
the dark, shivering, until Whitey
came. He told me that Nate had
been tipped off that Vic Lomasso
was a narc and had killed him,
and that I was next.
DEE DEE
Why you? You hadn't known he was
a narc?
CRISSY
I'd known him and been friendly
with him and that was reason
enough for Nate.
HUNTER
So what did you do then?
CRISSY
Whitey had me pack some things
and took me to a motel. Every
few days after that he'd move
me to another and then another
until finally he put me here.
I've been here ever since.
EXT. MOBILE HOME - DAY - ANGLE THROUGH WINDOW
As Gavin surreptitiously watches Hunter drive up, stops the
car and Dee Dee and Crissy get out to change to Dee Dee's
car. As Hunter lingers to talk with them MOS, Gavin notes
and obviously recognizes Crissy. After a moment's thought,
he goes to the telephone, dials a number, waits a beat, then?
speaking through a wadded-up handkerchief to disguise his voice
GAVIN
Julie? Is Nate still lookin'
for Crissy Allen?... I'm a friend
of Nate's, that's who! Does he
still want her... That's right
Crissy Alien from the Golden
Grotto. If he does, I know where
he can find her...
CUT TO
EXT. MOBILE HOME - DAY
Hunter is winding up his conversation with Dee Dee and
Crissy.
HUNTER
Don't worry about a thing, Crissy.
You'll get all the protection
-you'll need.
(to Dee Dee)
Call in when you get back to the
Precinct.
He goes back to his car and reaches into the car for a six-
pack of beer. As he does so the dog charges out of the next
door trailer and vaults into the back seat, snarling and
snapping at Hunter. He backs away.
INT. MOBILE HOME - DAY - ON GAVIN
sprawled on the sofa, leafing through a magazine. He
glances up as Hunter comes through the door carrying the
six-pack of beer. He drops it on the floor by Gavin.
HUNTER
Here's your beer, Gavin. Enjoy
it while you can.
GAVIN
Only a six-pack? You figurin' on
movin' me someplace. Hunter?
HUNTER
Oh yeah. A security cell in the
County Jail. McCall's on her
way into town to get it ready for
you.
GAVIN
That's where she's go in', huh?
He pops a can of beer, lifts it to Hunter and drinks. His
amused, indifference puzzles and worries Hunter.
EXT. DEE DEE'S CAR - DAY
rolling down the Freeway and turning onto an off-ramp, then
moving through sparsely trafficked streets.
INT. DEE DEE'S CAR - DAY - MOVING
CRISSY
(looking around,
fascinated)
I can't believe how much every-
thing's changed these past
seven years. It's like a foreign
city...
Dee Dee isn't listening. She's spotted an ND sedan on her
tail. She increases her speed. The other car stays with
her. Crissy notices her concern.
CRISSY
What's wrong?
DEE DEE
I think we're being followed.
She floors it. The other car follows suit.
THE CHASE
Dee Dee whips her car around corners, through parking lots
and empty lots, etc., in a desperate attempt to get away
from the pursuing car. She almost succeeds, but a tire
blows and she skids to a jolting, stunning stop against a
deserted building. Before she can recover, Augie and MARCO,
another hood, are there, their guns trained on her and
Crissy.
CUT TO
INT. MOBILE HOME - DAY
Hunter is pacing restlessly. Gavin watches him, grinning
knowingly.
GAVIN
Worried about Dee Dee and Crissy
are you. Hunter?
(off his startled
look)
I saw her in the car. I know who
she is, Man! Your ace in the,
hole, right? That's if you get
to play her.
Suddenly alarmed. Hunter goes to the phone, dials.
HUNTER
This is Hunter, patch me into
McCall's frequency. And hurry.
CUT TO
INT. DEE DEE'S CAR - DAY - CLOSE ON RADIO
DISPATCHER(v.o.)
L-24/ L-56 calling. Sergeant
McCall, will you please respond...
The ANGLE WIDENS to reveal the car jammed against the
deserted building, as before, abandoned.
DISPATCHER(v.o.)
I'm sorry.,Sergeant Hunter Ser-
geant McCall is not responding...
FADE OUT
END OF ACT THREE
*************************************************************
ACT FOUR
FADE IN
INT. MOBILE HOME - DAY
Hunter is on the phone,
HUNTER
All I can tell you, Captain, is
that Sergeant McCall was on her
way back to the precinct with an
important witness against Nate
Demarest when she disappeared.
INTERCUT WITH THE CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
The irate Captain on the phone.
CAPTAIN
You've lost Gavin?
HUNTER
Gavin's'okay, I'm looking at him.
It's McCall I'm worried about.
She was bringing a witness who was
even more important than Gavin.
CAPTAIN
I don't know what you're raving
About, Hunter, and I don't want
to know! I want you to bring
Gavin in right now. We'll hold
him at the precinct until more
suitable and safer arrangements
can be made.
HUNTER
I'm afraid I can't do that,
Captain...
CAPTAIN
That's a direct order, Hunter.
Hunter slams down the phone.
GAVIN
Thought you could slip Crissy
Allen in as a witness instead a'
me?
HUNTER
You tipped off Nate?
GAVIN
A guy's gotta right to protect
his interests...
HUNTER
Anything happens to McCall, you're
gonna have a very hard and drawn
out death.
EXT. LEMKE'S GARAGE - DAY
A run-down, apparently abandoned garage in a run-down ap-
parently abandoned neighborhood.
DEMAREST(v.o.)
If you want to see sunset today,
you'll call him, McCall.
INT. LEMKE'S GARAGE
Demarest is confronting Dee Dee in the glass partitioned,
office area. Backing him up is Julie. Augie and Marco
and a couple of ANONYMOUS HOODS are watching Crissy and
Whitey, who shows the bruises of the working over Demarest's
hoods gave him.
DEE DEE
You’re in enough trouble already
without adding the kidnap murder
of a police officer, Demarest.
DEMAREST
If Gavin testifies, they send me
up for four murders. One more
won't make any difference.
Point made.
DEE DEE
What about Crissy and Whitey?
DEMAREST
Worry about yourself. Get Hunter
on the phone for me.
He hands her the phone.
INT. MOBILE HOME - DAY - ON HUNTER
sitting at the dinette table cutting out what can only be
described as a paper doll about 6 inches high. It is the
full figure of a man seen in silhouette.
GAVIN
You're all through, Hunter. By
the time the State's Attorney
and your own Captain get finished
with you an' the Brass Cupcake
there ain't gonna be enough left
to make a flea sneeze!
He pauses for a swig of beer. Hunter continues to
cut out the "doll". Gavin watches him for a moment.
GAVIN
(continuing)
What are you doin' there, cuttin'
out paper dolls? Man, you really
have flipped out...!
The phone RINGS. He snatches it up.
HUNTER
Yeah.
INTERCUT WITH GARAGE
DEE DEE
Hunter? McCall...
Demarest snatches the phone from her.
DEMAREST
Hunter, this is Nate Demarest...
Your partner's looking into her
grave unless you do what I say...
I want Gavin...
HUNTER
No way, Nate. Forget it.
DEMAREST
You don't understand, Hunter.
Unless you play ball with me,
McCall's going mahoola.
Stay on Hunter.
HUNTER
You're a cop, you take risks. It
goes with the badge.
He hangs up.
OMITTED
INT. GARAGE - ON DEMAREST
looking at the dead phone in stunned disbelief.
DEE DEE
He didn't even try to negotiate?
Regulations say in a hostage
Situation, you've got to negotiate!
Gimme that phone.
She snatches it from Demarest, dials it again, furiously.
She waits, then;
HUNTER(v.o.)
Yeah?
DEE DEE
Hunter, this is McCall!
That's as far as she gets before we hear the CLICK of Hunter
cutting her off and the DIAL TONE of a disconnect.
DEE DEE
He hung up!
She slams the phone down on its cradle.
ON DEMAREST
fuming.
DEMAREST
(to Julie)
Alright, just make sure we nail
the fink outside the courthouse.
JULIE
What about them?
He means Dee Dee, Crissy, and Whitey. Demarest disposes of
the problem with a brusque wave.
DEMAREST
You know what to do. Augie...
He jerks his head toward the limo, starts toward it himself.
Dee Dee intercepts him.
DEE DEE
What a minute, Nate...
DEMAREST
(mimicking Hunter's
words, cruelly)
You're a cop, you take risks...
DEE DEE
Not this child. Not for slime
like Gavin. You want him, you've
got him.
DEMAREST
Okay, where?
DEE DEE
How about them?
She means Crissy and Whitey.
DEMAREST
We'll talk about them after you
give me Gavin. Where's Hunter
got him?
DEE DEE
I may be chicken, Nate, but I'm
not stupid. I'll show you.
DEMAREST
Show them. I've got a party to
go to.
(he means Julie and
the two hoods)
Marco, you stay here and watch
them.
He means Crissy and Whitey. Off Marco's sign of understand-
ing, he gets into the limo. Augie fires up and waits for
the two Hoods to open the garage door for him. Demarest
rolls down the window, beckons Julie over to him.
ON DEMAREST AND JULIE
DEMAREST
I'll see you at the party. And
don't bring along any guests.
He steps back to let Augie back out of the garage, then
turns to Dee Dee.
He gestures her to the car. Julie and one of the other
Hoods gets in after her. The other Hood waits to close
the garage door after them. As it descends in front of
CAMERA:
CUT TO
INT. MOBILE HOME - ON HUNTER
He removes the record player from a built-in hi-fi unit,
places it at a precisely calculated location on the
dinette table and after plugging it into a nearby outlet,
turns it on, checking its operation at its slowest speed.
Satisfied, he finds a high-intensity reading light and
sets it up so that the record-player is between it and the
window. He closes the curtains (or shades) and then
studies the SHADOW his hand casts when he moves it in
front of the light.
Gavin, watching TV, carries on a running, sarcastic
commentary while all the above is going on.
GAVIN
Now whatta you think you're
doin'...?
(no comment)
Hey, whatta you doin' with
that? Suppose I wanna listen
to some records...?
Hunter continues to ignore him. Then, when Hunter studies
his hands SHADOW:
GAVIN
I get it! You're gonna show me
how you can make a bunny-wabbit
an' other cute little animals
with your hands...!
Hunter still ignores him as he goes about fastening the
cut-out figure to the rim of the turntable. Then,
without a word. Hunter crosses to him and removing his
handcuffs from his belt, snaps one on his wrist.
GAVIN
Hey, what the hell you think
you're doin'...?
On his bewilderment and fear:
CUT TO:
EXT. MOBILE HOME - DAY - POV SHOT
Hunter's car is parked out front. The front door is open
and through the screen door we can see that the TV set is
turned on. And projected on the drawn curtain, we see the
MOVING SHADOW of a man pacing back and forth.
OMITTED
EXT. THE MOBILE HOME - DAY
Julie's car rolls INTO SHOT, stops. From inside the car,
Julie, the two hoods and Dee Dee study the scene.
Now the men check their Uzi's (or whatever other automatic
weapons we have) and get out of the car.
JULIE
(to Dee Dee)
Stay put.
He and the others move up on the mobile home.
JULIE
(calling)
Hunter! Send Gavin out here and
you won't get hurt!
The SHADOW FIGURE continues to pace.
INT. MOBILE HOME - ON TURNTABLE
revolving slowly. Each time the cut-out passes before the
light, it casts its shadow in the curtain giving the effect
of a man pacing.
CUT TO
BACK TO JULIE AND THE HOODS
He signals to them and they open fire on the moving shadow.
HUNTER(O.S.)
For you, Julie! Drop your guns,
all of you...!
Julie spins around, snapping off a BURST of automatic fire
in Hunter's general direction.
HUNTER
ducks, rolls and dives to another position as the two Hoods
open up at him.
DEE DEE
dives out of the car and makes a frantic run for safety.
One of the Hoods spots her and swings his Uzi around to
get a bead on her.
HUNTER
hunkered down behind some cover, out of the direct line
of fire, yells a warning, "Look out!," and as Dee Dee
does a dive-and-roll into his cover to evade the Hood's
gunfire. Hunter pops up and drops the Hood with a well-
placed SHOT. He turns, tosses Dee Dee a pistol.
HUNTER
Make yourself useful.
JULIE AND THE OTHER HOOD
dive for cover as Hunter and Dee Dee now open up on them.
As their bullets splatter the area, we see:
GAVIN
handcuffed to a small tree and cowering in terror.
GAVIN
(yelling)
Get me outta here, Hunter, before
you get me killed...!
INTERCUT ALL
reacting to the SCREAMS of approaching police sirens.
JULIE
sprays machine-gun fire at Hunter and Dee Dee, forcing them
to duck, then sprints for his car. The unwounded Hood
follows. Dee Dee drops him. Hunter has a bead on Julie
but his gun misfires. He looks around, spots a two foot
length of galvanized pipe lying at hand. He picks it up
and slings it along the ground like a foot patrolman would
sling a night-stick. It works like a charm; catching Julie
across the ankles and toppling him.
HUNTER
(delighted)
Stee-rike!
Dee Dee gives him a thumbs up and a grin as they rise up
to make their arrests.
ANGLE
as Terwilliger and an accompanying black-and-white drive
up, sirens SCREAMING. Terwilliger and the two UNIFORMS
pile out, ready for action. He looks at the two wounded
Hoods and Julie writhing on the ground and clutching his
broken ankles.
TERWILLIGER
Hunter, just who are these people?
HUNTER
They're vicious criminals, Bernie...
(to Uniforms)
Send for an ambulance, will you...
He turns, goes to Terwilliger's car. Dee Dee is already
there, speaking into the mike.
DEE DEE
...Crissy Alien and Whitey McFee.
They're being held in Lemke's
Garage on Brille Avenue. Use
caution, they're being held by
one armed man. L-56 out.
As she signs off and puts the mike aside:
TERWILLIGER
Hunter...
GAVIN(o.s.)
Hunter! Hunter, dammit! Get me
off a this dam' tree!
They look off toward Gavin, across the way, shackled to
the tree.
TERWILLIGER
That isn't Gavin...?
HUNTER
Oh yeah...
(digging his handcuff
key from his pocket
and handing it to
Terwilliger)
Look, read him his rights and hold
him on an open charge at the
precinct until we get back, okay,
McCall?
TERWILLIGER
Read him his rights? But he's
a protected witness?
HUNTER
(over his shoulder)
Not any more...
ON TERWILLIGER
Play his bewilderment as Hunter and McCall head away. He
turns, crosses to Gavin.
GAVIN
Hey, get me outta here, Man...
TERWILLIGER
(starting to unlock
the cuffs)
You've got a right to remain
silent, Gavin...
GAVIN
Wait a minute, wait a minute,
what's this reading me my
rights routine? I'm immune!
TERWILLIGER
Not according to Hunter...
Gavin looks across to Hunter and Dee Dee, about to get into
her car. He doesn't understand it all, but enough! And as
Terwilliger unlocks one cuff, Gavin jerks free, locks his
forearm around Terwilliger's throat and grabs his gun out
from under his jacket.
TERWILLIGER
Help! Officer needs assistance...!
All on scene react.
ON HUNTER AND DEE DEE
as they move cautiously toward Gavin and Terwilliger.
HUNTER
Take it easy, man...!
GAVIN
Stay back or I'll blow him away.
DEE DEE
You'll blow your immunity away,
too, Gavin...
GAVIN
You ain't kiddin' me, you two have
blown it already! Now I want the
keys to a car. No more horsin'
around! Now...!
HUNTER
Okay—okay. Here take mine. It's
right behind you.
He advances cautiously, holding out the keys.
GAVIN
Take 'em.
Terwilliger does. Holding Terwilliger around the throat,
with his gun at his head, Gavin backs up to the car. As
he gropes behind him for the door handle:
GAVIN
Nobody follows or he gets it...
He finds the door handle, opens the door and the dog
explodes out of the car onto Gavin's back, knocking him to
the ground and sending the gun bouncing out of his hand.
As the dog, Gavin, and Terwilliger struggle frantically on
the ground. Hunter wades in and hauls the dog off.
HUNTER
Lay off, big guy, he's mine!
He hauls Gavin to his feet. Gavin takes a futile swing at
him. Hunter counters with a shot to the middle that doubles
him over and a haymaker to the jaw that lays him out cold
atop Terwilliger!
TERWILLIGER
(totally confused)
Hunter, just what is going on
here?
HUNTER
It's real complicated, Bernie and
we've got to go to a party. Come
on, McCall.
Hunter leads Dee Dee over to Terwilliger's car. They get
in and Hunter drives off.
ON TERWILLIGER
pinned under Gavin's unconscious weight, watching helplessly.
TERWILLIGER
Hey, that's my car.
Hunter sticks his hand out the window and waves.
EXT. DEMAREST'S MANSION - NIGHT
The dinner part of the garden party is over and it's speech
time. A high-ranking CITY OFFICIAL (NOTE: THE CHARACTER WHO
TRIED TO PROTECT THE COMMISSIONER IN "HOT GROUNDER" AS A FOR
INSTANCE) has the microphone and the divided attention of
the assembled formally-clad guests while he extols Nate's
virtues.
OFFICIAL
...his generosity, his unselfish
devotion to the welfare of the
people of this city, are too well
known and too limitless to
ennumerate here. Let me, there-
fore, simply give you the man,
himself. Nate Demarest!
Page 61 is missing and unfortunately, it’s the last page of the script before the TAG. I’ll sum it up from the actual episode...
The guests clap politely.
Hunter and McCall enter. Hunter takes the microphone from the Official.
HUNTER
(to the crowd)
Excuse me. Mr. Chairman,
honored guests, ladies and
gentlemen...I have a few words
of my own that I would like
to bestow upon your host and
benefactor, Nate Demarest.
(to Demarest)
You’re under arrest. You
have the right to remain silent.
if you give up that right to
remain silent, anything you say
can and will be used against
you in a court of law.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
FADE IN
INT. SQUAD ROOM
Hunter and Dee Dee, and virtually everyone else in the
Squad Room, are aware that their futures probably hang on
what is going on in the Captain’s office, where he and
Harvey, visible through the glass partitions, are having
a heated, MOS discussion. Harvey finally shakes hands
with the Captain and strides out of his office and, cast-
ing a harshly contemptuous look at Hunter and Dee Dee,
walks swiftly out of the Precinct.
Over the above:
DEE DEE
(gloomily)
I think he's got us where he
wants us this time. Hunter. And
he's gonna nail us to the wall.
HUNTER
Looks like...
A beat or two later, the Captain comes to the door of his
office and calls to them in a tone of voice that bodes no
good.
CATAIN
Hunter! McCall!
They rise and cross to the office. Someone with a macabre
sense of humor whistles a few bars of the Funeral March.
INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
The Captain closes the door behind them, crosses to his
desk. As they start to sit in the chairs facing his desk:
CAPTAIN
Don't sit down! You won't be
here long enough!
(he sits)
Mr. Harvey has presented the
Department with a list of charges
against you two, including...
(reading from a
typed document)
...willful and reckless disregard
for the safety of a State's wit-
ness, obstruction of justice,
dereliction of duty, etcetera,
etcetera, the list goes on and on!
HUNTER
Yeah, well, there were extenuating
circumstances...
CAPTAIN
(continuing over
them)
Any one of these charges, in and
of itself, is grounds for dismis-
sal from the force. Taken all
together, they represent malfeas-
ance of a magnitude I have never
seen in all my years as a police
officer!
HUNTER
Okay, Captain, don't drag it out.
Give us the bad news.
CAPTAIN
I'm giving it to you, Hunter.
The District Attorney has decided
that since you two enabled the
County to pre-empt the State's
case against Demarest and invali-
date the immunity promised Gavin,
they will limit their charges to
a simple reprimand.
DEE DEE
That's the bad news?
CAPTAIN
It is for me! Because I will
have to continue to put up with
you both!
ON HUNTER AND DEE DEE
On their ill-concealed relief:
CAPTAIN (v.o.)
But let me warn you! If either
one of you so much as bends a
regulation, or....
THE END
FADE OUT
|