"A LONG WAY FROM L.A."

Written by Frank Lupo

ACT ONE

FADE IN

A-l EXT. WILSON COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT - DAY

A modern looking block of buildings.

VOICE OVER
Extradition papers are all
stamped and in order, Sergeant
Hunter. Your prisoner's
waiting for you downstairs...

INT. STAIRCASE, LEADING TO HOLDING CELLS

Hunter and Dee Dee march down the steps behind a uniformed
officer who leads them toward the holding cells.

DEE DEE
This really fries my eggs...
(shakes warrant
at Hunter)
Sending us all this way to pick
up a two bit pickpocket wanted
for lifting the Mayor's wallet.

HUNTER
We're just lucky Mister Waller-
stein went and got nailed here or
we'd be on this case till we found
ourselves on social security.
It'll be a piece of cake. We toss
this geek into the car, have him
back in L.A. by tomorrow morning
and we nose our way onto that
Esposito homicide.

Dee Dee nods, but this whole matter still riles her. The
attendant OFFICER pulls open the door of the crowded holding
cell:

OFFICER
(calls out)
Wallerstein, Wallace -

And suddenly the biggest, most gruesome giant in the world
charges out of the cage, knocking the officer to the ground
and sending Dee Dee and Hunter flying.

HUNTER

is on his feet in a flash and makes a flying tackle, hitting
the guy at the waist and the two go thump-thumping down the
staircase, the escaped prisoner swinging and fighting like
a maniac. Hunter finally delivers a blow that snaps the
guy's head back.

HUNTER
(rams his gun into
the giant's side)
Just like that, turkey! Now you
can take this trip hard or easy...
You keep your mouth shut and sit
on your hands and it'll be a
nice drive back to Los Angeles
where you'll be arraigned. Okay
Mister Wallerstein?

WALLY(O.S.)
O...okay, sir...I...

Hunter turns and looks back to:

WALLY WALLERSTEIN

who stands tentatively in the open cell doorway. Whatever
good lucks and charisma Wally had coming to him, God decided
to hand it over instead to Wally Cox and Arnold Stang.
Wally is just one of life's great victims who doesn't know
it.

HUNTER
You're Wally Wallerstein?

DEE DEE
Of course he is...

WALLY
(to Hunter's prisoner)
I told you not to try that, Mister...
Animal.

Dee Dee takes Wally by the arm and marches him past Hunter
who holds Animal.

DEE DEE
Shall we go, Hunter? I've got
our prisoner.

And on Hunter's look:

CUT TO

EXT. A RURAL HIGHWAY - DAY

This is a pretty desolate region. Nothing much for miles
but cactus and mesquite, a good half hour can go by with-
out a car ever passing. We hold for a beat as nothing but
the lonesome wail of a dry wind is heard - then the sound
of a car badly in need of repair. And as the laboring en-
gine gets louder with it comes the horrible off-key voice
of someone singing:

WALLY WALLERSTEIN'S VOICE
(great gusto)
Forty-six bottles of beer on the
wall, forty-six bottles of beer,

EXT. HUNTER'S SEDAN - DAY

As it comes driving down the highway, belching and farting
smoke, and Wally's voice continues:

WALLY'S VOICE -
If one'a them bottles should
happen to fall,
Forty-five bottles of beer on the
wall --

INT. HUNTER'S SEDAN

Hunter is driving and Dee Dee is in the passenger seat.
Both look bored and irritable. They sit there, staring
straight ahead out the windshield. Both pretend the third
party in the car isn't there - but it's hard since Wally
keeps on singing with as much energy as he lacks talent

ANGLE - WALLY WALLERSTEIN

He sits complacently in the rear of Hunter's sedan working
a cat's cradle from some tied string and singing solo.
He wears a Dodger baseball cap.

WALLY
Forty-five bottles a'beer on the
wall,
Forty-five bottles a'beer!!!

DEE DEE
Okay, Wally, we get the point!

WALLY
Sorry...

HUNTER
I think it was right around sixty-
six bottles, Wally. Right around
that sixty-sixth bottle it was
starting to drag.

WALLY
(nods; then)
You guys know how to play Geo-
graphy?

Dee Dee looks skyward.

WALLY
How 'bout twenty questions?

HUNTER
Okay... I'll start.

Dee Dee looks at Hunter - is he kidding?

HUNTER
What do two cops and their
prisoner do when they're stranded
in the middle of a highway with-
out food or water?

DEE DEE
(looks at Hunter
blankly)
Don't tell me.

Steam billows from under the hood and obscures the wind-
shield.

EXT. HUNTER'S SEDAN - DAY

The car rolls forward into camera as steam continues to blow
out from under the hood.

ANGLE - HUNTER

climbs out of the car and crosses around toward the hood.

HUNTER
Why don't you wait in the car?

DEE DEE
I don't want to wait in the car.

HUNTER
You'll only get aggravated.

Dee Dee tries to get out - of course, her door doesn't
open.

DEE DEE
I hope this is funny for some-
body...

ANGLE - HOOD OF SEDAN

As Hunter crosses around and lifts the hood. Steam rushes
out and Hunter has to wave his way through the cloud.

DEE DEE
(calls out window)
Well?

HUNTER
The car's broken.

DEE DEE
You're right, it's a good thing I
stayed in the car.
(slams dashboard)

Hunter hauls her door open.

DEE DEE
(climbing out)
It's bad enough that Cain would
send us into the boonies to pick
up Wally the Wimp -- but he
packs us off in one of his spit-
mobile specials -- and we've had
nothing but dust and cactus and
more dust for two days, a prisoner
who counts license plates and
sings 'This Old Man' and... I
want to cry, Hunter. I just want
to cry.

HUNTER
Me, too.

WALLY
Oh, boy-o-boy, am I ever sorry.
Look what I went and done. I'm
real sorry...this is all my fault.

HUNTER
How is this your fault?

WALLY
If only I'd gone and gotten ar-
rested somewhere less outta the
way we wouldn't be in this fix.
And Sergeant McCall wouldn't
have to be this upset and...
You've just been so nice to me.
Not makin' me wear those hand-
cuffs when we went into that
Hamburger Heaven back there...

HUNTER
I didn't think you were gonna
club is to death, Wally, when
you ordered your Heavenly
Breakfast over easy. I hadda
feeling we were safe...

DEE DEE
Well, whatta we do?

Hunter looks up and down the empty highway. A shrug, then

HUNTER
We walk.

CUT TO

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY - HIGH ANGLE

Hunter followed by Dee Dee followed by a jaunty-stepped
Wally, and over this:

WALLY'S VOICE
Sixteen bottles a'beer on the
wall, Sixteen bottles a'beer,
One'a them bottles should happen
to fall --

ANGLE - HUNTER AND DEE DEE

Hunter's jacket is off due to the heat as he leads the file
past camera. Hunter and Dee Dee shaking their heads:

WALLY
Fifteen bottles a'beer on the
wall!

The sound of a car approaching makes them all turn.

ANGLE - A POLICE CAR

as it comes rolling up to them. Dee Dee smiles broadly as
the car comes to a halt and the driver gets out:

ANGLE - SHERIFF JAKE CUTTER

gets out of the cruiser. He's tall and solidly built with
a hard chiseled face obscured by mirrored sunglasses, worn
for affect. He's got a big smile for Dee Dee.

DEE DEE
Well, hello. Are we ever glad
to see you.

CUTTER
I'll just bet you are.

And now he brings up his gun and levels it across the roof
of his cruiser at Hunter.

CUTTER
Both hands up and away from that
Sidearm, Ace. 'Else I'm gonna
haveta separate your eyes with a
bullet hole.

HUNTER
I can explain the gun, officer -

CUTTER
(shit-eating grin).
I'll just bet you can.

As Hunter moves forward and wipes camera:

HUNTER
I have I.D. on me...I'm a police
officer.

CUT TO

INT. REAR OF POLICE CRUISER

Hunter, Dee Dee and Wally squeezed in here. Up front,
Cutter fires up his engine.

DEE DEE
We're not walking, right?

And as the car pulls out:

HUNTER
(flatly)
Fourteen bottles of beer on the
wall, Fourteen bottles of beer...

And as the police cruiser drives off down the highway Dee
Dee joins in:

HUNTER AND DEE DEE
If one'a those bottles should
happen to fall...
Thirteen bottles of beer on the
wall.

CUT TO

EXT. CORONADO SPRINGS - DAY

Main Street is the street. Coronado Springs is one of those
self sufficient little towns with the general store, the
hotel, the service station so forth and so on. This is as
close as we can get to Mayberry in today's world -- the mail-
man knows when you're out of town, the operator just about
recognizes your voice. A tow truck with Hunter's wounded
car rolls down the street. We pan with it to:

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE

A building right on the corner of Main Street with a shingle
that tells us where we are. The police cruiser that picked
up Hunter and Dee Dee is parked out front here. As the tow
truck with Hunter's sedan rolls through shot, we hold and
push in:

SHERIFF CUTTER (v.o.)
You got it, Captain Cain...

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE

A real cowtown sheriff's office with a desk and chair facing
the two holding cells, a gunrack with rifles nearby, etc.
Cutter sits behind his desk, boots up on the edge while he
talks into the phone. Hunter's I.D. lays on the desk before
him and he is examining Hunter's gun. In b.g. we see Hunter
and Dee Dee standing at the bars inside one of the two cells,
Wally sits on the single cot.

HUNTER AND DEE DEE

inside the cell, watching Cutter handle Hunter's weapon.

Cutter laughs at something Cain says on the other end of
the line, then he aims Hunter's gun at Hunter through the
bars and winks.

HUNTER
(quietly; staring
at Cutter)
Guy's a million laughs, ain't he?

DEE DEE
I'll bet Cain's getting a rip
out of this too.

Through the bars, Cutter lets out a howl of laughter along
with Cain on the other end.

DEE DEE
When you get on the phone, you
tell Cain --

HUNTER
I don't wanna talk to him --

DEE DEE
I don't wanna talk to him, either.
I'm tired of being in the middle
of you two. I'm tired of gettin'
sent off on these chicken salad
cases just 'cause you got the
wrong family tree... and matter-
of-fact, I am gonna tell him...

HUNTER
Never mind, I'll tell him my-
self --

CUTTER

hangs up the phone:

CUTTER
(rising and crossing
to all)
He doesn't wanna talk to either
of you.

HUNTER
(smiles at Dee Dee)
Told him, didn't we?

WALLY
I'm really sorry if I got you
into any kinda trouble, folks,
really to truly I am...

CUTTER
(unlocking cell and
letting Hunter and
Dee Dee out)
I get the feeling your Commander
isn't all too crazy about you two.

HUNTER
He's just a little jealous of me,
is all.

CUTTER
(eyes Dee Dee)
I can see where he might be.
(hands back I.D.)
Since you two do check out, I can't
see no reason why you shouldn't
shove off soon as Deacon gets your
car fixed... if you can call that
thing a car.
Said he'd have that new radiator
in from Gainesville by tomorrow
morning. You guys can put up
over at the Easterland Hotel for
the night. Right across the
way there.

DEE DEE
(checking her weapon,
putting it away)
Where else would it be, right?

CUTTER
And if you need somethin' to eat,
you can stop over at the diner
just down the block from the hotel.
(to Dee Dee)
I usually get over there around
tennish for some pie, so if you
can't sleep...

HUNTER
You're gonna have to stick it out
with Sheriff Cutter tonight, Wally.
No rabblerousing and breaking the
furniture this time, okay.

CUTTER
I'll see if I can't manage to hang
onto a dangerous felon like yourself
for these two big city police
officers.

WALLY
(smile)
I'll see you in the morning,
Sergeant McCall.

CUTTER
(tips hat to Dee Dee)
And maybe I'll see you later, huh?

DEE DEE
In the morning, then, Sheriff.

OMITTED

ON HUNTER AND DEE DEE

move toward the door, stop to look back at Cutter standing
outside the cell beside Wally who is quietly singing to
himself.

HUNTER
I think he noticed you, McCall.

They exchange looks. Play the moment, then they exit and
we hold on:

CUT TO

CUTTER
standing beside Wally in his cell quietly singing to himself:

WALLY
This old man, he played seven
He played nick-nack up to heaven...

THE SIGN - EASTERLAND'S DINER

Pull back to reveal Hunter and Dee Dee entering:

INT. DINER

Counter, stools, booths with red vinyl cushions and a tired
old jukebox playing yesterday's hits. As Hunter and Dee Dee
make their way through the place, they pass a number of men
scattered throughout who wear work shirts-with EASTERLAND
SAND & GRAVEL stitched on the backs.

ANGLE - HUNTER AND DEE DEE

as they take two empty seats at the counter:

DEE DEE
Seems Mister Easterland's got it
knocked. You work for his com-
pany and eat at his diner...

HUNTER
It was also Easterland Savings
and Loan and the realty place was...
guess whose?

DEE DEE
Guess this is the town to live
in if your name is Easterland.

The griddle man is there pouring coffee and wearing a big
smile:

POP CLEMENS
This is the town to live in if
your name is Easterland, Parkins
or Pop Clemens, which is what I
go by, how do you do?

HUNTER
Seems half this town is owned
by Easterland. Mister...?

POPS
Pops... everybody calls me that.
Even Chuck Easterland himself
when he comes in here. And
actually, there wouldn't be no
Coronado Springs if not for
Mister Easterland. No, sir.
Opened that rock quarry and
give more'n half the town jobs...
anyone gets married he's right
there with a gift and a place
to work if the man needs it.

DEE DEE
Surprised the town isn't called
Easterland.

POPS
Should be, yes, ma'am, and don't
think there hasn't been a lotta
talk at the Town Council. I even
changed the name of my diner to
show how strongly I feel about it...
but Mister Easterland, he says
the place was called Coronado
Springs when he arrived and that's
what it's gonna be called when he
passes on. Yes, sir...he's a man
with class, he is. And you'd be
hard put to hear anyone say other-
wise.

DEE DEE
(looks up from
menu)
Well, then, I guess we have to
have the Easterland special.

POPS
(laughs)
If there was one, it would be the
meatloaf.
(calls out to
waitress)
Lainie, come take care'a these
nice folks.

HUNTER
If I pay for it now, could I get
some food run over to someone in
the jail around dinner time...

POPS
(warily)
You got a friend in some kinda
trouble with the law...?

DEE DEE
We're police officers. We have
a prisoner there overnight.

POPS
Police officers. Why you shoulda
said. That entitles you to free
fill-ups on coffee.
(starts to do so)

DEE DEE
Thank you but that's not necessary.

POPS
Only got one sheriff and one
deputy and seein' as Deputy
Phillips don't drink coffee, it
ain't a well worn out custom or
nothin'...Lainie...

The waitress hustles over:

LAINIE
Yes, Pops.

POPS
Tonight, you hafta run some food
on over to the jail for one'a
Jake's prisoners, all right?

LAINIE
(little uneasy)
Sure...sure, Pops...sure...

Lainie watches Pops move off, then turns and smiles at
Hunter and Dee Dee.

LAINIE
What'll... what'll that be...for
your friend at the jail?

HUNTER
You got anything that resembles
a chilidog?

DEE DEE
For Pete's sake, Hunter. Wally is
already in jail...No chilidogs.

Off his look:

CUT TO

CLOSE ON A CHILIDOG

It lays on a tray, unwrapped but untouched. Pull back to
reveal we are shooting through the bars -into Wally Waller-
stein's cell. Wally is fast asleep on the single cot, his
baseball cap over his eyes.

THE DOOR

opens and Sheriff Cutter charges in. There is something
rushed, yet undirected about his manner. He's breathing
heavy but not from exertions --- he's either flying on
something or borderline crazy as he lurches across the room
and unlocks Wally's cell. Wally stirs, starts to sit up,
fighting off sleep as:

CUTTER
Wake up, ace! C'mon, up!

WALLY
Huh? What time...?

But Cutter's through the open cell door and he yanks Wally
to his feet sending the food tray and chilidog flying across
the cell.

WALLY
(wide awake now)
Whassa matter? Wha -- ?

Cutter throws Wally toward the open cell door. Wally hits
the side of the open cell doorway and catches his side:

CUTTER
Move out, buster! Now!

Wally
Out? But...Sergeant Hunter and --

CUTTER
I said, hit it!

And Cutter pulls his sidearm. Wally nearly voids into his
pants as he gets backed out the cell door and across the
sheriff's office:

WALLY
Why? What'd I do? What is this?

Cutter suddenly laughs a short, maniacal laugh:

CUTTER
We're escapin', baby. We're
bustin' outta this dump, just
like in them westerns.

Cutter's face suddenly goes cold:

CUTTER
Now blow!

WALLY
B...b...but, I...I don't wanna--

Cutter brings up his gun and cocks it. And Wally's out the
door, running for his life. Cutter falls back against his
desk, laughing at Wally's plight. Then something seems to
sober him up instantly -- we can see this guy is right on
the edge, moving in and out of some kind of nightmare. He
holsters his gun and as he does his eyes catch:

WALLY'S BASEBALL CAP

on the floor in the open cell door. Cutter enters shot,
bends down to pick up the baseball cap.

ANGLE - UP AT CUTTER

staring down at the cap as he twists it in hands. Hold
a beat...then Cutter moves forward, the cap blocking the
camera to black, and we:

CUT TO

EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY - ACROSS AMUBLANCE

as a stretcher is loaded into the back. It is the
waitress from the diner, Lainie. She is unconscious,
under an oxygen mask as she gets put into the rear of
the ambulance. Hunter and Dee Dee are here with Sheriff
Cutter.

HUNTER
What the hell do you mean, Wally
escaped?

Cutter snaps Willy's baseball cap into Hunter's hand.

CUTTER
Just like I said... he managed to
get out of his cell, take along
one of my rifles last night and
left this as a souvenir in the
alley right next to the girl...

Hunter holds the baseball cap, incredulous. There is a
young man, TIM COLLIER, who is half-wailing/half-angry as
he follows the stretcher into the ambulance:

TIM
I knew it. I knew somethin' was
wrong when she didn't call me after
work last night. Sheriff... Why
didn't I try callin' her myself
last night...

CUTTER
Just take it easy, kid... We're
gonna find out exactly what hap-
pened here...

TIM
I been tellin' her, give up the
night shift. We were gonna marry
soon and Mister Easterland'll gimme
that raise and... I'll get whoever
done this!

CUTTER
You just slow down there, partner...
I'll take it from here. You just
go on to the hospital and don't go
gettin' crazed or nothin'. We'll
find this guy.

As Tim climbs in and the ambulance doors are slammed closed:

HUNTER
Is it that girl Lainie...from
the diner?

CUTTER
Near beat to death.
(breathes a sigh)
Doc doesn't even think she'll
come to again.

DEE DEE
But this doesn't make any sense -

CUTTER
When anyone goes and gets beat
half to death, it makes no sense.

DEE DEE
But Wally wouldn't hurt a fly.

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - CLOSE ON GUNRACK

Pull back as Cutter moves to the rifle rack where we can
see the lock has been broken and a rifle is missing.

CUTTER
All I know is I got a prisoner
gone... a rifle and ammo missing
and one beat-up girl! You fill
in the blanks.

HUNTER
If he wanted to escape, he had
plenty of opportunities to get
away from us.

CUTTER
Maybe sittin' in the cell gave
him a taste of what he thought
was comin'. Maybe it was the
girl's idea, I don't know. Maybe
he figured like everyone else...
it's easier to pull it over on
a dumb hick cop who closes up
shop around here after eleven.

Cutter strides toward the door and spins back:

CUTTER
Well, he's about to learn dif-
ferent.

And he's out the door.

CUT TO

EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY

Hunter and Dee Dee exit the sheriff's office to see about
a dozen locals all sporting rifles or shotguns and climbing
into about three pickup trucks.

CUTTER
Harv, you head on up north and
circle back along Pointer's
Creek... Jesse, Nolan... south
along the junction and I'll
cover Southbend. Stay in radio
contact.

CLOSE - HUNTER AND DEE DEE

watching as the men "saddle up," climbing into the pickups,
fire up.

CUTTER
And remember...this guy has al-
ready hurt one person. He's
armed and considered dangerous.
Move out!

Cutter signals and the pickups kick up a cloud of dust.

DEE DEE
What the hell're we gonna do?
He put together a posse. They'll
find him and lynch him!

HUNTER
The Sheriff said our car is ready...
we better saddle up and head 'em
off at the pass.

And they hustle down the street toward the service station,

DEE DEE
All Wally has is his sister in
El Paso. When he left L.A. he
headed East... I think, it would
be natural for him to head back
that way.

HUNTER
Works for me.

CUT TO

EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY - DAY

Hunter's sedan whips past camera.

INT. HUNTER'S SEDAN

Hunter is at the wheel, Dee Dee beside him.

HUNTER
Okay, that was it...the sign said
"Four Corners Junction."

DEE DEE
(reacts; points up
ahead)
Look!

ON ONE OF THE PICKUP TRUCKS

from Coronado Springs. Hunter's sedan wheels to a
halt beside it. They jump out of their car, and as they
do, they hear the C.B. inside the pickup cab:

VOICE OVER
(filtered)
Yeah, radio on to Jake... we defi-
nitely got tracks up here.... looks
like he's tryin' to cut across the
eastern valley...

And Hunter and Dee Dee go racing off toward the valley
ahead:

CUT TO

INT. A CAVE

More of a niche in a rock face -- and Wally is huddled
down here, straining to hear as best he can, if anyone
is on his tail. He softly sings "This Old Man" to himself
as he hears:

THE MEN FROM CORONADO SPRINGS

sweeping the area, following a trail, getting closer and
closer, and:

CLOSE - WALLY

hunkered down, the sounds getting closer, more frightening --
he stops singing, and:

THE MEN SEARCHING

One of them signals to the others, points - they break
into a run, and:

CLOSE - WALLY

the sound of men approaching - it's loud now, real loud,
and he's frightened - he peers out from his hidey-hole,
and there, coming up the rock face, is a bunch of guys
with rifles and walkies, and now they're all pointing
and aiming, and Wally tries to make a run up the slope,
and:

THE MEN

NOLAN
There he is! There's the bastard!

The men all bring up their weapons and Wally turns to see
this -- loses his footing and goes sliding down the em-
bankment, landing in a heap at their feet. The men sur-
round him, all keeping weapons trained on him.

WALLY
lies on the ground, shivering for his life, staring at
half a dozen gunbarrels.

WALLY
I didn't do nothin'... I swear...
I didn't...

NOLAN
You yellow bellied creep...

And maybe Nolan intends to kill him, we're not sure, be-
cause his gun is suddenly kicked from his hand by Dee Dee.

HUNTER AND DEE DEE

stand there, weapons in one hand -- police I.D.'s in their
other.

HUNTER
Just like that, fellas... let's
cool out and lower the weapons.

NOLAN
What the...we got him.

HUNTER
And we appreciate your helping out
in this matter but now we'll take
over.

The men move back, unsure of what to do as Dee Dee helps a
still quivering Wally to his feet.

WALLY
Really, really, I didn't do nothin...

DEE DEE
(leading him off)
Just come on, Wally...

WALLY
Really, I didn't do nothin'...

Hunter keeps a wary eye on the men as they back out with
their prisoner.

NOLAN
We should radio Jake...

HUNTER
You do that... tell him we'll see
him back at his jail. Ciao.

And Hunter backs out of there with Dee Dee and Wally.

ON NOLAN

as he looks at his men:

NOLAN
I don't think Jake's gonna like
this.

CUT TO

INT. HUNTER'S SEDAN

as it speeds down the highway toward the Coronado Springs:

DEE DEE
Will you talk to us, Wally? You
gotta tell us what's goin' on?

Wally just sits in the back seat, humming to himself, scared
out of his mind.

DEE DEE
We don't want to believe you hurt
that girl --

WALLY
(reacts)
Hurt the girl...?

HUNTER
Lainie... The waitress who brought
you your food?

WALLY
I...how bad is she?

DEE DEE
Bad, Wally. Real bad...

HUNTER
Where's your cap, Wally?

WALLY
Huh?

His hand goes to his head as if he might just now realize
it's gone.

WALLY
I...I guess I lost it...

HUNTER
What is it you're afraid of,
Wally? What's goin' on here?
I just don't believe you're
Public Enemy Number One in
Coronado Springs.

Wally just sits and rocks.

DEE DEE
If you don't talk to us, we can't
help you. This is gonna take
precedence over your pick-pocket
beef in L.A. and you'll have to
stay here with Sheriff Cutter.
Now talk to us.

WALLY
(softly)
Forty-two bottles of beer on the
wall, Forty-two bottles of beer...

Hunter and Dee exchange looks, shake their heads, and:

CUT TO

LONG SHOT - HUNTER'S SEDAN

coming up the highway -- the barrel of a scoped rifle swings
into frame. It fires twice:

INT. HUNTER'S SEDAN

The windshield explodes under the gunshots. Hunter cranks
the wheel hard but loses control:

EXT. HUNTER'S SEDAN - DAY

careens sideways and flies up and off the road, turning
over and over as it rolls into the ravine.

IN THE RAVINE

The car settles, a dust cloud hanging over everything.
A beat, then Hunter comes crawling out. He turns and
looks back inside:

HUNTER
Dee Dee! Dee Dee, you okay...

DEE DEE
My leg... my leg, Hunter...

Hunter helps Dee Dee crawl out through the broken wind-
shield. She lays there, wincing in pain.

DEE DEE
Wally...

Hunter is crawling along the side of the car, holding his
side, in great agony. He half-crawls into the rear of the
sedan, where Wally had been. A beat, then he sits back
and shakes his head.

HUNTER
He's dead...looks like one'a the
shots got him in the chest...

Play the moment. Hunter slams the side of the wreck in
frustration, and we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE

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

ACT TWO

FADE IN

INT. HOSPITAL - EXAMINATION ROOM - CLOSE ON HUNTER

He winces as his ribs get taped. Widen to reveal DOCTOR
JESSUP finishing up as Dee Dee enters the room and leans in
the open doorway.

DEE DEE
How you doin'?

HUNTER
The Doc says I'll never play the
violin again...

DEE DEE
Please, I don't need any bad
jokes. This whole twenty-four
hours has been one bad joke.

DOCTOR
Just try not to move your arms too
much...you're lucky one of the
broken ribs didn't puncture a lung
or something. In about a week
have your doctor back home give it
a look.

Hunter struggles to his feet.

HUNTER
How's the girl doin'?

Doctor Jessup stops at a doorway:

DOCTOR
Well... things are beginning to
turn. Looks like Lainie may
pull through.

DEE DEE
That's great! Is she awake?

DOCTOR
She's still receiving sedatives
so she's been in and out, but
quite coherent when she's come
to...which is positive.

Hunter follows Doctor Jessup through the open doorway:

HUNTER
I'd like to talk to her...

Hunter comes up short at the sight of Sheriff Cutter in the
doorway.

CUTTER
I just did, so I don't think
there's any bother for you to,
Sergeant Hunter.

HUNTER
I lost a prisoner here today. My
partner and I also got damn near
killed. Now, since Wally was in
the car with us...and a victim...
someone else is to blame. Maybe
that someone is also Lainie's
attacker.

CUTTER
Your Wallace Wallerstein was
Lainie's attacker.

HUNTER
She said that?

CUTTER
All the evidence points right
to it! And you don't have to go
sniffin' nowhere 'cause I also
got the guy who killed him.

DEE DEE
You do?

CUTTER
We do function around here without
outside help now and then.

DEE DEE
Well, who was it?

CUTTER
Tim Collier...Lainie's boyfriend.
You figure out the scenario.

Hold on Hunter and Dee Dee, and:

CUT TO

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - TIM COLLIER

in the same cell Wally was in.

TIM
I didn't do anything! You can't
really believe I did this, Sheriff!
You can't!

Widen to reveal Hunter and Dee Dee who exchange looks.

HUNTER
You kinda made it sound like you
had a full confession, Sheriff!

CUTTER
(sits at his desk)
Look, we all know how you felt
about Lainie, Tim. And Nolan
Prescott's already said he radioed
on and let you know these officers
were bringing the suspect in...
You'da had plenty a time to get
out there on the road and be
waitin'. And we all know you're
a good shot. Won the turkey shoot
here just last November, didn't ya?

DEE DEE
Well, that sure locks it up.

TIM
(to Hunter)
Look...I didn't do nothin', Mister.
I didn't hurt you or your friend
or...or that guy who hurt Lainie.

Tim crosses and settles down on his bunk.

TIM
Which is not to say I wasn't
thinkin' about it.
(looks up at Hunter
and Dee Dee)
But I didn't...I truly didn't.
If I did, I'd be man enough to
stand up for it.

CUTTER
You'll stand up for it. What
you done was wrong, boy...which
is not to say everyone don't
understand why you done it.
Even Mister Easterland. And he'll
put in his work when the circuit
judge comes by.

Hunter turns and looks at Cutter, filling out his report at his
desk. His eyes suddenly move to:

OMITTED

THE GUN RACK

The empty slot is now filled.

ON HUNTER

as he crosses and examines the replaced rifle.

HUNTER
I thought Wally took your rifle,
Sheriff?

CUTTER
Huh?
(looks up)
Oh...I brought that one from
home.

DEE DEE
Then what did happen to the rifle
Wally supposedly took? He didn't
have it with him when we caught
him.

CUTTER
I wouldn't know. Maybe he tossed
it when he ran out of ammo. Shame...
was a beautiful 30-06, it was.
(hands over report
to Dee Dee)
Here you go, a copy of my report for your
superiors. That just about wraps it up.

HUNTER
I don't think so, Sheriff.

CUTTER
And what the hell does that mean?

HUNTER
You got a coupla wires burnin'
in this town. I'd like to find
out where.

CUTTER
I already told you! I need no one
comin' in from the outside and
tellin' us how to run our town. I
don't need your big city gut in-
stincts and your 'somethin' smells.'
I tell you what smells. You two.
Ever since you hit Coronado Springs
with that prisoner of yours nothin's
gone the same. We're a nice

(page missing)

HUNTER
You're reading my mail.

DEE DEE
Well, I picked up a little
info at the hospital on our
local lawman.

And they move past camera out of shot. Hold - then
the door to the Sheriff's office opens again and this
time Sheriff Cutter steps out. He looks o.s. at Hunter
and Dee Dee, places his mirrored sunglasses on his
face and walks forward into camera. As he wipes lens:

CUT TO

INT. DINER

Hunter and Dee Dee are alone at the counter, a couple
cups of coffee in front of them.

DEE DEE
The nurse who was patching me up
was telling me how she's had her
share of ladies come in for treat-
ment sporting bruises from the King
of the Cowboys, Jake Cutter. She
said the couple of girls who con-
fided in her led her to believe it
was a matter of doing things his
way or else.

HUNTER
Why didn't they report these
assaults?

DEE DEE
To who? The law?
(Hunter nods
knowingly)
-Anyway... one of the girls that
Cutter tried to use "as a punching
bag, once... Guess who?

HUNTER
Lainie?

DEE DEE
Which all adds up to one big ball'a
slime wearing the badge in this
town. He musta put the make on
Lainie again last night... they got
into it, he clocked her... maybe
thought he killed her.

HUNTER
And he needed a scapegoat and had
one right in his own cooler. There's
a theory to chase around the block...

DEE DEE
Only not on Main Street in Coronado
Springs. How do we make the sher-
iff of this burg own this?

Pops comes back with a pot of coffee.

POPS
(brightly)
'Nother refill? Boy, s'mornin'
feels a long sight better now't
you told me Lainie's comin' round.

DEE DEE
Pops... you know Lainie pretty
well. She ever mention having any
problems with anybody in town?
With Sheriff Cutter, maybe?

POPS
Lainie? Lord, no... real honest
and good girl. Wouldn't have her
work here if she wasn't honest.

DEE DEE
I meant more like personal problems.

ANGLE - CUTTER

enters the diner and sits at the counter a couple stools
down from Hunter.

CUTTER
Now how many times have I told you
to keep those trash can lids on
tight, Pops?

POPS
Trash cans...? Why, they are on --

CUTTER
I just came from a spot check in
your alley back there, Pops.
Garbage strewn all over the place...
Real tempting to start bringin'
them coyotes down outta the hills.
Sorry... but I'm gonna have to
shut this place down till I see if
there's any other violations around
here.

POPS
(laughs)
Ha, ha... shut me down... right,
Jake...
(laughter fades)

CLOSE ON CUTTER

no smile through those sunglasses.

POPS
Jake... you can't be serious...
Shut me down for some violations...

CUTTER
Just 'cause we're a nice small....
friendly little town don't mean I
can go givin' out favors. I have
to make an example, Pops.

Pops and Cutter just stare at one another a beat. Pops has
no fight in him -- he knows he already lost. He moves down
to:

HUNTER AND DEE DEE

who look at Cutter. Cutter doesn't even bother to look
back at them.

HUNTER
No refills today, huh, Pops?

POPS
(quiet plea)
That... that'll be fifty cents,
please.

HUNTER
(looking down
at Cutter)
Sure, Pops... sure... Thanks a
lot.

Hunter and Dee Dee get up and move out past Cutter. We
hold on the Sheriff as he sits at the counter. He looks
back as we see Hunter and Dee Dee exit the diner.

CUT TO

EXT. HOTEL - DAY - CLOSE ON SUITCASES

sitting out front of the hotel. Angle up as Hunter and
Dee Dee walk into shot and stare down at their luggage
just sitting there.

DEE DEE
How do you like that... must be an
early check out.

They look through the window at the hotel clerk behind the
desk. She doesn't even look up from what she's doing.

DEE DEE
Probably all booked up since we
left this morning...
(looks up and down
the empty street)
It is the height or the season.

HUNTER
I get the feeling you and I are
wearing the Masque of Red Death
around here. We better hope they
don't have attendants working the
public toilets or we're really
gonna be in trouble.

SHERIFF CUTTER

standing in front of the diner, sunglasses in place.
He works a toothpick overtime.

BACK TO HUNTER AND DEE DEE

Dee kicks the luggage in frustration.

HUNTER
Works for me.

EXT. ROCK QUARRY - DAY

Men and machinery working away. A sign on an office
trailer tells us this is the EASTERLAND SAND AND GRAVEL
CO. Hunter and Dee Dee come walking up to the rock
quarry, both a little worse for wear. Dee Dee exhaustedly
limping.

HUNTER
I thought you jog every morning?

DEE DEE
Yeah, but I usually forego flipping
the car and getting my ankle taped
first. No smart answers or I'll
sock you in your ribs. Now, how
do we hit this one?

HUNTER
Dead on. We just tell Easterland
we're trying to take down the Sher-
iff of this Land of Oz. Between
his official title and the fact
that everyone's scared out of their
gourd of this fruitcake -- every-
one's too afraid to stand up to
him.

DEE DEE
So we go to the one other most
powerful man around to knock Humpty
Dumpty off the wall.

HUNTER
It sure tracks for me.

DEE DEE
If this guy Easterland'll believe
us.

They knock on the office door:

HUNTER
We just have to bank on Old Man
Easterland caring as much about
this town and its people as we're
led to believe.

A hand drops on Hunter's shoulder and spins him around
Dee Dee spins also to face:

THREE OF THE TOUGHEST LOOKING BASTARDS WE'VE EVER SEEN

Each one is bigger than the next and looks like kicking
ass is their favorite sport. Their names are CHARLEY,
LUCAS and LITTLE BOB. They all wear hardhats and
obviously work at the quarry. Little Bob pulls on a
bottle of beer.

LUCAS
Now just do you want, fella?

HUNTER
I'm lookin' for Chuck Easterland.

LUCAS
(smiles; shakes
his head)
Oh, no, you ain't.

HUNTER
(looks at Dee Dee
and shrugs)
No, we ain't.

LUCAS
What you're lookin' for, I do
believe, is the way outta town.
Ain't it, fellas?

Charley and Little Bob nod agreement, finding amusement
in this knowledge.

HUNTER
If I'm not mistaken, you gents
are gonna help us find the way.

Little Bob moves around and leans against the trailer --
nose to Dee Dee's ear. He pulls on his beer bottle.

DEE DEE
Look, we have personal business
with Mister Easterland...

LITTLE BOB
(runs a hand down
Dee Dee's cheek)
I'd like to get into some personal
business with you, sweetcheeks -

ON DEE DEE

as she suddenly snatches the bottle from Little Bob and
smashes it against the trailer and swings it around in
front of Little Bob's face. He freezes -- as do his
brothers.

DEE DEE
You lay one more hand on me and
beer won't be the only stain on
your shirt.

Hunter looks at the others and smiles.

HUNTER
Pretty neat, ain't she?

ANGLE - LUCAS

suddenly slugs Hunter and everything and everyone goes
helter skelter. It's a free-for-all with the three
brothers on top of Hunter and Dee Dee.

THE FIGHT

Hunter does his best, takes his opponents down once or
twice but he keeps getting clipped in the ribs and it's
his downfall. Lucas gets Hunter from behind and Charley
continues to slam Hunter in his damaged side.

DEE DEE

tries to help him but Little Bob gets her in a hold:

DEE DEE
Let him go!

Charley tries ignoring her but she gets him in the back
of the knee and he goes down. He turns around and comes
up, clocking Dee Dee across the jaw. As she falls across
the tipped-over table, unconscious:

EXT. A PICK-UP TRUCK - DAY

It wipes camera and as it shoots past we hold on a sign
that tells us we're leaving Coronado Springs.

ANGLE - REAR OF PICK-UP

as the truck comes to a halt and we see two of the three
brawlers in the rear bed with a battered Hunter and
Dee Dee. Little Bob and Lucas push the two cops out
of the pick-up bed and they hit the dirt hard.

The pick-up wheels spin, - kicking a cloud of dust all
over Hunter and Dee Dee.

ANGLE - DEE DEE AND HUNTER

She climbs to her feet, winces at the pain in her leg --
but we can see she's smoking as she spins on Hunter who
pointlessly dusts himself off.

DEE DEE
That's it... I'm through taking the
pipe. I can't stand no more.

HUNTER
I hope you have an extra can of
spinach for me, Popeye.

DEE DEE
(deadly)
They don't run us outta town like
the last reel of a bad western.
This time we're gonna kick some butt
and start taking down names.

And she start hustling off down the highway in the
direction the pick-up took. Hunter just stands there.

DEE DEE
(spins back; tightly)
Well?

HUNTER
(shrugs)
Works for me.

And he falls in beside her. And as they move past a
sign, we hold long enough to read:

CORONADO SPRINGS
Welcomes You

On that, we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO

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

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

EXT. A SPRAWLING RANCH - DAY

Through an archway that reads EASTERLAND we can see acres
of land, corrals and a beautiful home at the end of a long
drive. A flatbed truck pulls to a halt and we see Hunter
and Dee Dee hop off. Hunter waves to the driver:

HUNTER
Thanks for the lift, chief...

As the truck pulls away:

ANGLE - HUNTER AND DEE DEE

start up the driveway toward the house:

DEE DEE
I don't know, Hunter, the last
time we tried to reach Easterland,
things didn't exactly gel.

They knock on the main door:

HUNTER
But now we're on his home turf.
No one can get between him and
us...Trust me.

The door opens and a servant sticks her head out:

HUNTER
We're with the police department.
We'd like to see Mister Chuck
Easterland, please.

SERVANT
He's out back with his family...

CUT TO

OMITTED

INT. LIVING ROOM

Hunter and Dee Dee are led in by the servant who gestures
to Chuck Easterland. Easterland's a tough old bird with
steel hair and leathery skin. He moves to greet Hunter and
Dee Dee as they approach:

EASTERLAND
How ya doin'?

HUNTER
Mister Easterland... I'm Rick Hunter...
this is Dee Dee McCall...

EASTERLAND
Pleasure ... pleasure's all mine...
(turns and gestures
at other men in the room)

And this here's my family...My
eldest son...Lucas ...

Hunter and Dee Dee react as they see:

LUCAS, CHARLEY AND LITTLE BOB

all around the room, smiling at them with shit-eating grins

EASTERLAND
Charley...named after me and
Little Bob...

LUCAS
(touches his hat)
Pleased, ma'am...

EASTERLAND
And, of course, you know my step-on,
Jake...

Hunter and Dee Dee turn as Jake Cutter moves out from the
rear of the house to meet them.

DEE DEE
(smiles at Hunter)
We sure are good at this, aren't
we?

HUNTER
Mister Easterland, I was wondering
if I might have a word with you.

EASTERLAND
Sure thing...I heard how you helped
capture that guy who hurt the girl
over at the diner...

CUTTER
Don't mind if I join you -- do ya?

HUNTER
I'd like to talk to your step-dad
alone.

EASTERLAND
I got no secrets from my kin, Sergeant
Hunter...

HUNTER
Then it won't make a difference if
we talk alone. You can always
fill them in afterward if you'd like.

Easterland looks at Hunter, finally nods, and the two walk
off. McCall turns and leans against the fireplace, under the
Cutter's stares.

DEE DEE
(dryly)
I'll just wait right here.

CUT TO

CLOSE ON CHUCK EASTERLAND

as he spins on Hunter angrily:

EASTERLAND
You expect me to swallow this
bushwah?

HUNTER
Somebody better...'cause your
step-son is running loose and he
needs a keeper. He attacked that
girl and then cut my prisoner loose
'cause he needed a fall guy -

EASTERLAND
And just who the hell gave you this
information, huh? This prisoner
who himself was accused of the
crime? I'm supposed to take his
word over my own son's?

HUNTER
I knew Wally, Mister Easterland -

EASTERLAND
You just said you only met him two
days ago.

HUNTER
In my job, you learn to pick up
on people real fast. Just like
I picked up on Jake Cutter. He's
running without a drive wheel and
unless you do something, this could
just be the beginning of your troubles.

EASTERLAND
What're you doin' here, dredgin'
up this kinda nonsense?

HUNTER
C'mon, Easterland, take a look!
You've got a wild man who's swinging
his power like an elephant gun.
He's shutting down businesses
'cause they pour coffee for the wrong
people...He got your three other boys
to toss two California cops outta
your town like a couple sacks of fert-
ilizer!

EASTERLAND
The boys... they treat Jake like he was
one of their own...That's just kin
stickin' up for one another... they
couldn'ta been thinkin' about what
they were doin' -

HUNTER
Jake did. You gotta be runnin' on ether
to think you can get away with that.
He may be sheriff today, but this guy's
runnin' for God in his own mind...
I think he attacked that girl. And
he killed my prisoner.

EASTERLAND
If what you say is true... I'll find
this out. I will. And I'll do some-
thin' about it. We take care of our
own in these parts, Hunter.

HUNTER
So do I. And Wally was in my custody.

EASTERLAND
Like I said...I'll check it out.

And Easterland turns and moves off. Hold on Hunter as
he watches the old man move back toward his living room.

THE LIVING ROOM

Hunter walks past and Dee Dee quickly moves to his side:

DEE DEE
Well?

HUNTER
(looks past
Dee Dee to Cutter)
As you might have expected. He
told us to leave town.

Cutter smiles.

DEE DEE
And you said?

He takes her by the arm and leads her off.

HUNTER
Soon as we pick up our car.

Hold on Cutter as he watches them move off, and:

CUT TO

EXT. SERVICE STATION - DAY - CLOSE ON HUNTER'S SEDAN

Roof smashed down, doors buckled, one off. Hunter and
Dee Dee move up to it as the attendant, Deacon, wipes
his face with a rag:

DEACON
I went through the whole thing top
to bottom... didn't find nothin...

HUNTER
This was kind of a small locket...
(arm around Dee Dee)
A keepsake I gave her years ago.

Dee Dee reacts.

DEACON
Seein' as it's your car, and you
ain't gonna get much else out of
it...go ahead.

Deacon moves off as Hunter climbs into the car, bending down:
to get into the squashed front seat.

INT. CAR

Dee Dee pokes her head in.

DEE DEE
That was very sentimental of you,
Hunter... a keepsake.

But Hunter is already checking the front seat.

CLOSE - HIS FINGER

as he runs it along and finds a bullet hole.

37 BACK TO HUNTER

as he leans over the seat and checks the rear of the seat.

DEE DEE
(points)
Exit hole...

She directs her gaze directly back and spots the hole in the
rear seat. The rear of the car is crushed worse than the
front.

HUNTER
Would you mind...I can't get back
there...

Dee Dee squirms her way into the rear seat, tries to work
her finger into the hole in the cushion. She can't find
anything...pulls a nail file from her bag and starts to
rip out the upholstery.

CLOSE ON THE STUFFING

as she pulls the wadding and sifts it through her fingers --
finally producing a bullet.

ON HUNTER AND DEE DEE

as she holds it up triumphantly. The two smile at one
another.

HUNTER
Now just where do you suppose
we might find the rifle that
fired this?

CUT TO

EXT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Shooting from across the street. The door opens and we
see Sheriff Jake Cutter exit the place. He yawns as he
reaches back in to switch off the light. Cutter locks
the door and moves to his cruiser. As he fires up and
pulls away, we pan over to reveal:

HUNTER AND DEE DEE

in the shadows near the jail. They watch Cutter drive down
the block, then make their way to the sheriff's office and
up the alley.

INT. CUTTER'S CRUISER

as he drives, his eyes drift up to his rearview mirror.
Does he spot something back on the darkened street? He
slows, turns and looks out the back window.

HIS POV - THROUGH REAR WINDOW

Main Street. It's deserted.

BACK TO CUTTER

a questioning look on his face.

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - ON A WINDOW

as it gets pried open. Hunter and Dee Dee stealthily climb
in and make their way across the darkened room. Hunter
crosses to a desk and snaps on the desklamp. A voice freezes
them:

VOICE
Who's there?

Hunter and Dee Dee both feel their hearts leap into their
mouths -- it's Tim Collier. They breathe sighs of
relief. Hunter crosses to the cell as Dee Dee moves to
the gun rack and starts using her lockpicks on the latch.

TIM
What's goin' on? What're you two
do in'?

HUNTER
It's a long story, Tim... but in
the long run we're tryin' to help
you.

TIM
Sheriff Cutter can't know what
you're doin'.

HUNTER
We think he's the one who attacked
Lainie... and killed the guy you're
suspected of shooting.

TIM
Cutter...? How do you know?

HUNTER
(moves to desk)
We don't... yet.

TIM
Lainie was always afraid of Jake.
She said he always used to bother
her and... try to get her to go
out with him. She said he was...
a little crazy...

DEE DEE
(goes through case
for different lock-
pick)
He left "a little crazy" in the
dust two days ago.

Hunter crosses to rack with a key from the desk - unlocks
the gunrack as Dee Dee selects another pick.

HUNTER
I'm sure you were gonna get it any
second there...

TIM
Where you goin' with that rifle?
What do I do when Cutter comes
back?

HUNTER
You tell him the truth, Tim.
Got that?

TIM
But if he's this nuts --

HUNTER
You just tell the truth...the way
you saw it. We came in and took
the rifle. There was no way you
could stop us. Hopefully, we'll
have you out of here before any-
thing else happens.

TIM
Lainie...how is she? The Sheriff
said...she wasn't gonna make it.

Hunter and Dee Dee don't know what to say. They react to
the sound of a car outside.

ANGLE - ON THE DOOR

as it gets thrown open and Cutter enters. He walks into the
room, does a slow traverse, past the cell where Tim sits
up on his cot, yawns. Hunter and Dee Dee are gone -- the
window is closed.

TIM
What time is it, Sheriff? Some-
thin' wrong...?

Cutter just looks at him...walks around the room...past the
Gun rack with the rifle missing.

ON TIM

He just sits there, holding his mud -- hoping Cutter won't
notice. Play the suspense -- then Cutter exits the office.
The light clicks off and we hold on Tim, sitting in the
darkness of his cell.

CUT TO

EXT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Cutter gets back into his police car and pulls out. We
pan it back past the alley and hold as:

HUNTER AND DEE DEE

peer out and watch the car drive off. They exchange looks:

DEE DEE
Let's do it.

CUT TO

CLOSE ON THE RIFLE

being aimed by Hunter. He fires.

ON A BARREL OF WATER

we hear the bullet hit and pierce the metal barrel. A
stream of water pisses out through the single bullet hole.

HUNTER AND DEE DEE

as they cross to the water barrel -- and we see we're back
at the service station now, closed for the evening. Hunter
reaches into the barrel and fishes around -- comes up with
the lead bullet.

HUNTER
What'd I tell you? The weight of
the water slows the bullet.

DEE DEE
Old family trick?

HUNTER
Nope...saw it on Columbo.
(then)
Let's go find a microscope.

CUT TO

EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Establishing.

INT. HOSPITAL LAB - MICROSCOPE MATTE

of the two bullets being compared - the rifling is the
same.

ANGLE - HUNTER

in the darkened lab as he sits at the microscope. Dee
Dee enters the room and closes the door as Hunter places
the bullets in his pocket.

HUNTER
A match made in heaven. You talk
to the girl?

DEE DEE
Sheriff Cutter may be a two hundred pound
sack a'gristle -- but he's a sharp
one. He posted a deputy outside
Lainie's room.

HUNTER
(impressed)
Well, bully for him. Let's go see
Lainie.

DEE DEE
Long as we're in a hospital, you
could get your ears checked. I told
you there's a guard on her door,
Sergeant Hunter.

HUNTER
I heard you... Nurse McCall.

Off her look:

CUT TO

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR

Deputy Phillips leans back in a chair outside Lainie's
room, semi-dozing, a magazine on his chest. He looks up
as Dee Dee, dressed in a nurse's uniform, pushes a
cart down the corridor toward him.

DEE DEE
(gruff; as she pushes
door open)
Didn't mean to wake you...

PHILLIPS
I wasn't asleep... one minute...
A nurse was just in there.

DEE DEE
(hard)
What do you mean, just?

PHILLIPS
Ten, fifteen minutes ago...

DEE DEE
(explodes)
You're gonna tell that to Doctor
Jessup first thing that he gets
here. First thing... I've told
him that girl has been lazing off,

PHILLIPS
Well, well... I don't want to get
anyone in trouble.

DEE DEE
Well, that's just too bad about
ya, that's what happens when you
you don't do your job. She was
supposed to have changed that glu-
cose solution forty-five minutes
ago. Not ten, not fifteen,
forty-five minutes ago. And I'm
supposed to follow up with the 10
percent drip sucrose...

Dee Dee reaches for the door.

PHILLIPS
I'm gonna have to go in with you.
This woman is a material witness in
a murder case... Sheriff's orders.

DEE DEE
Nothin' personal or private about
what I'm here to do... After you.

Phillips nods, opens the door and enters. As he moves
through the door, Dee Dee pulls a hypodermic from her
nurse's pocket, sighs as she enters the room. Hold -- a
groan, a moan and a thump.

ANGLE - DEE DEE

drags Deputy Phillips unconscious from out of the room
as Hunter peeks from a nearby doorway, runs out to help
prop him up in his chair.

HUNTER
How long you think he'll be out?

DEE DEE
(holds up
empty hypo)
A while...

INT. DARKENED HOSPITAL ROOM

The door opens and a crack of light reveals Lainie, asleep
in bed. As the figures of Hunter and Dee Dee move across
the room, Lainie stirs and wakens. Her eyes widen in fear
but Dee Dee places a hand over the startled girl's mouth.

DEE DEE
It's okay...
(holds up I.D.)
I'm Sergeant McCall...this is
Sergeant Hunter...with the police
department. L.A.

LAINIE
Wha...what is it? What are you
doing here...?
(eyes widen)
Is it Tim...?

HUNTER
Then you know he's been arrested?
For murder?

A beat, Lainie finally nods.

LAINIE
What do you want?

HUNTER
Look...we know it wasn't Tim. We
know it was Jake Cutter who attacked
you...

LAINIE
(starts shaking
her head)
Oh, no...oh no...please...please
go away...

DEE DEE
Lainie, listen to us...

LAINIE
(pleading)
No, no, you have to go, I don't
know anything, please go away...
(she turns away)

DEE DEE
We can't Lainie. A man's been
murdered. You were almost killed.
Your boyfriend may go to jail...

LAINIE
No! No, Jake said no...
(tears)
He promised...

HUNTER.
He's a liar. And he's crazy. You
know that. You have to tell people.

LAINIE
(buries her face
in her pillow)
God, no, I can't...

HUNTER
It's the only way we can protect
you. We have proof...definite
proof that Jake killed that es-
caped prisoner, not Tim. But we
also need you to say it was Jake
who attacked you that night.

LAINIE
(simply; heart wrenching)
He...said he'd kill me...

DEE DEE
We won't let that happen, Lainie.

Lainie rolls over into her pillow and sobs.

LAINIE
He'll hurt me again...he will...
he will...he will....

HUNTER
And he'll go on hurting other
people unless we stop him. The
three of us.
(beat; then)
Tim helped us tonight.

Lainie sobs subside... she turns and looks at them.

DEE DEE
What do you say?

LAINIE
I...I just can't... I... I have
to think...Please ... let me think...

Hunter and Dee Dee exchange looks. Dee Dee rises from the
bed.

DEE DEE
Tim's life may depend on your
answer.

Hunter and Dee Dee move to the door and exit. We hold on
Lainie as she fights with herself over what to do.

CUT TO

EXT. EASTERLAND'S RANCH - NIGHT

Over we hear a phone ringing.

INT. EASTERLAND HOME - ON A PHONE

as it's picked up by Jake Cutter.

CUTTER
(half asleep)
Yo. . .

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - CLOSE ON LAINIE

Intercut with Jake as needed.

LAINIE
Jake...it's Lainie.

CUTTER
Lainie...?

LAINIE
Two people came to see me, Jake.
The ones you told me not to speak
to. They knew, Jake ---

CUTTER
What'd you tell 'em?!

LAINIE
Nothin'! Nothin', I swear. They
told me. Said they knew you done
it...that you killed somebody and
they had proof. And they'd be
back in an hour to see me again.

CUTTER
Dammit!

LAINIE
That's why I called, Jake...I
knew you'd want me to. I did good,
didn't I...didn't I?

CUTTER
You done fine. I'll take care of
everything.

STAY ON CUTTER
as he reaches for his gunbelt that hangs-nearby.

CUTTER
I'll take care of everything.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE

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

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. EASTERLAND RANCH - NIGHT

Establishing.

INT. MAIN HOUSE

A fully dressed Jake Cutter is coming down the steps heading
for the front door.

EASTERLAND'S VOICE
Jake!

Cutter spins, startled. He sees Old Man Easterland coming
down the steps toward him, belting his robe.

EASTERLAND
Where you goin', boy?

CUTTER
I, uh...just goin' out for a bit.

EASTERLAND
I asked you somethin'. Who was
that callin'?

CUTTER
Just business...I am the sheriff -

EASTERLAND
Only long as I say you are.

CUTTER
(sharply)
What the hell does that mean?

EASTERLAND
Don't raise your voice to me --!

CUTTER
What're you givin' me the third
degree for!? I'm goin' out!
(reaches for door)

EASTERLAND
I don't think you should. Whatever
you're into...I can only protect you
so far...I can only keep so much
from your mama. Go back to bed and
we'll work out whatever it is...if
we still can.

CUTTER
I don't need you or anybody else to
work nothin' out! I can work it out
myself! I got everything under
control.

EASTERLAND
(takes a step forward)
Jake -

Cutter's hand snaps to his bolstered gun, Easterland freezes.
He can't believe it. Cutter's eyes dart down to his hand on
the butt of his revolver. He laughs one of his quiet laughs,
slowly lowers his hand.
(softly)
I do...I have it all under control.

Cutter spins and exits the house. Hold on Easterland...
his shoulders sagging, looking much older than when we first
saw him.

CUT TO

EXT. MAIN STREET - NIGHT

Cutter's police car pulls up the street and parks in front
of the hospital. He gets out, looks around, heads to the
doors.

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR

Cutter enters. The place is quiet. He moves past the nurse's
station, sees no one. He moves along, hears a noise and ducks
around a corner.

HIS POV - A NURSE

making her rounds, she moves down the corridor, then out of
sight.

CUTTER

He slips back out of his hiding place, moves to Lainie's
room. He sees the empty chair his deputy once occupied.

CUTTER
(hard whisper)
Phillips! Phillips, dammit,
where are you?

INT. THE ROOM

The only light slanting in through the blinds. The door
opens and Cutter slips inside, moves across the room --
quietly unholsters his gun as he nears the sleeping figure
of Lainie.

ANGLE - UP AT CUTTER

as he hovers over the sleeping form, picks up a pillow and
brings up his pistol:

THE FIGURE IN THE BED

suddenly springs up, sending Cutter and gun flying -- it's
Dee Dee! Cutter sits half dazed against the wall as Hunter
blows out of the closet.

DEE DEE
My, what big teeth you've got,
Grandpa.

Cutter looks from one to the other, suddenly, unexpectedly
charges into Dee Dee snatches her up and throws her at
Hunter.

HUNTER AND DEE DEE

go down in a heap as Cutter dives for his gun which is on
the floor. Dee Dee sends a table over, clocking Cutter and
sending his gun skidding under the bed. Cutter gives up on
the gun and turns as Hunter is on his feet.

CUTTER AND HUNTER

as Cutter lets out a wild animal yell - we realize this guy
has lost it all -- and charges Hunter. The two crash back-
ward through the doorway into the corridor. Dee Dee runs to
the door in time to see:

INT. CORRIDOR

the struggling men crash headlong through a glass window into
one of the labs. They smash into a closet door, knocking it
open and revealing a still snoring Deputy Phillips.

THE FIGHT

as Hunter bruised ribs and all, does his best against Cutter
who has become a crazed, fighting animal. They smash around
the lab, busting cabinets and countertops of lab equipment,
beakers, specimen jars, etc. Play this as:

INT. LAINIE'S ROOM

Dee Dee scrambles around desperately, finally shoves the
heavy hospital bed aside and grabs up the gun. She bolts
out the door:

INT. CORRIDOR

She emerges as the battle rages on. She tries to get a
bead on Cutter but he and Hunter are locked in combat.

HUNTER AND CUTTER

Hunter gets sent flying across the corridor into a wall.
Cutter pounces on him but Hunter manages to get the upper
hand and clock Cutter.

CUTTER

hits the deck. Hunter is on top of him, getting him in a
headblock. Dee Dee moves in, gun trained on the captured
Sheriff.

EASTERLAND
Hold it!

Hunter and Dee Dee freeze - look up to see;

CHUCK EASTERLAND

backed by his three sons and a couple other people from the
hospital staff staring at them. Cutter smiles viciously at
the sight:

CUTTER
You're dead now, Hunter! You're
gonna face it now!

EASTERLAND
What in the Lord...?

LAINIE'S VOICE
It was Jake!

Everyone looks up as Lainie emerges from one of the other
Rooms, stands there shivering and pointing at Cutter:

LAINIE
It was him who attacked me ---

CUTTER
(anguished)
N00000!!!!!

Hunter continues to hold Cutter in a restraint.

CUTTER
She's lyin'!!!

LAINIE
He followed me after I delivered
that man in the cell his food...
and... and when I said no, he...
(looks at Easterland)
He...said he'd kill me...
(and she breaks
down into sobs)

CUTTER
I'll get you! I told you I would!
You don't know who you're messin'
with! Tell 'em! Tell 'em!

ON EASTERLAND AND HIS SONS

What they're seeing is too sick for them to believe.
Easterland slowly turns and walks off down the corridor.
A beat, then his sons do likewise.

ON HUNTER AND CUTTER

CUTTER
She's lyin'! I swear, Pa...!
I swear, I swear, I swear...

And slowly his wails of anguish turn to heaving sobs.
Hunter slowly releases Cutter who sinks to the floor, a
pitiful, moaning sight.

ANGLE - LAINIE

as Hunter and Dee Dee move to her. Hunter putting an arm
around the girl. And as Cutter remains huddled on the
hospital floor, we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT FOUR

TAG

FADE IN

EXT. EASTERLAND RANCH - DAY

Easterland is walking Dee Dee and Hunter down from the main
house.

HUNTER
We appreciate you loaning us a
vehicle to get back to L.A.,
Mister Easterland...

EASTERLAND
I can't say that I appreciate
what you had to do, Sergeant
Hunter...Dee Dee...but...one part
of me thanks you.

DEE DEE
We understand, Mister Easterland.
And I'm sure Wally's sister will
be grateful for what you've done.

EASTERLAND
Aw, I know money ain't gonna make
this all go away or pay back for
her loss... It just makes me feel
like I'm doin' somethin'. Amazin'.
With everything I have, and all
my assets to call on, I can't make
this ever right.
(beat; then)
And you just have your police
department send me the bill for
your vehicle that went and got
wrecked. I'll reimburse them for
its full value.

HUNTER
Keep the money and buy a cup'a
coffee down at Pop Clemens with
it.

Easterland's sons pull up in a battered old pick-up.

LUCAS
She don't look like much but
she'll get ya home.

DEE DEE
I guess it's this or horseback.

Little Bob opens the cab door of the pick-up for Dee Dee.

LITTLE BOB
No hard feelings...

DEE DEE
(climbing in)
You have a terrible sense of
humor.

Hunter starts the engine -- it grinds and grinds and grinds
and finally catches. They sit there -- the pick-up banging
and rattling.

DEE DEE
Well, Pa...what sayin' we pull
up stakes and head fer that land
o'plenty I hear tell of.

HUNTER
Works for me.

Hunter puts it in gear and the pick-up rolls off down the
driveway and out the Easterland gate. And as it does, we
hear:

HUNTER AND DEE DEE
A hundred bottles of beer on
the wall,
A hundred bottles of beer,
If one'a those bottles should
happen to fall,

Ninety-nine bottles a'beer on
the wall.

FREEZE FRAME

FADE OUT

THE END