"YESTERDAY'S CHILD"
Written by Lee Maddux
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. VIDEO PARLOR - NIGHT
The place is crowded and noisy. BEN TRAN, a
seventeen-year-old Amerasian plays at a game, while a tall,
thin white TEENAGER waits impatiently for a turn behind hid
TEENAGER
You gonna play that one all night?
A 2ND TEENAGER, a little bigger and bulkier than the first
approaches and speaks to the 1st Teenager.
2ND TEENAGER
What's the problem, Man?
1ST TEENAGER
The Dink's been playing ny
favorite Machine all night.
Ben hears, bristles, but keeps playing.
2ND TEENAGER
Yeah? Well, you know you gotta be
polite with these people. You
gotta say: 'Excuse me, dink, but I
was wondering it I could have a
turn.
Both teenagers laugh. Very funny material. Ben, furious,
makes a point of ignoring them, and racking up an even
higher score. The 1st Teenager reaches out and grabs Ben's
arm
1ST TEENAGER
Hey, you listenin', slope?
Suddenly, a hand wearing open-fingered leather gloves clamps
down hard on the 1st Teenager's wrist and spins him around.
The 1st Teenager finds himself looking up at SLICE, a large
man in his early twenties, hair in a pony tail, worn leather
jacket, ear ring, and a scar above his right eyebrow.
SLICE
Who you talkin' to, pencil neck?
(nods to Ben)
You talkin' to my friend, here?
2ND TEENAGER
Hey!
He moves toward Slice, but a second man, DANNY MARTIN, not
as large as Slice, but with something in his eyes that makes
you watch his hands, steps into the fray, grabs the 2nd
Teenager by the hair and pulls hard. The 2nd Teenager yells
in pain. Danny puts his face close the the boy's and speaks
very softly.
DANNY
Go..,away.
He releases the 2nd Teenager. Slice releases the 1st boy.
With a hateful glance at Ben, the two teenagers move on.
Ben, still angry, watches them go as Slice and Danny grin.
DANNY
You've got to be more particular
about the company you keep, Ben.
He winks at Slice and slaps Ben on the shoulder.
BEN
Hi, guys. What are you doing
here?
DANNY
What are we doing here. Slice?
HYE, we're looking for you.
Ben is shyly pleased.
DANNY
We were just out cruising and
Slice here says: Let's check out
the parlor and see if our main
Man, Ben is hanging out there.
Danny nods toward the exit and turns to leave.
DANNY
So, come on. Let's go for a ride.
Ben accompanies them out of the parlor.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Danny keeps Ben engaged in conversation, while Slice, a
couple of steps behind, checks out various cars parked along
the curb.
DANNY
So, how're things, Ben?
BEN
Okay, I guess.
DANNY
How's your old nan? He still
working at the sane place?
BEN
Yaah.
Slice stops at a late model American sedan, peers in,
produces a "Slim Jim" and slides it between the car window
and the door. He pops open the lock in about four seconds
while Ben's back is still turned.
DANNY
That's what I like about you
people. Really industrious,
SLICE
Hey!
Ben and Danny turn to see slice holding open the door.
DANNY
(smiles)
Walked right past it.
They return to the car. Slice holds the door for Ben,
BEN
This isn't your car.
DANNY
It belongs to a friend.
Confused, Ben gets in. Slice gets in front, reaches over
and unlocks it for Danny, who gets behind the wheel.
IN THE CAB
Slice hands Danny a tool, and Danny breaks the ignition lock
with it.
Ben's eyes widen. Danny looks over at him.
DANNY
He lets ae borrow it.
Danny pulls out the ignition wires, crosses them. The motor
roars to life. With another disturbing grin, Danny throws
the car into gear.
THE CAR
roars away from the curb in a squeal of tires.
EXT. MARTIN MOTORS - NEW CAR COMPOUND - NIGHT #1
The stolen sedan is parked outside a cyclone fence which
protects the newest shipment of German imports until they
can be dealer prepped.
IN THE SEDAN
Slice and Danny diligently wipe off any fingerprints as they
check out the lot. Then Danny jumps out.
DANNY
Let's go.
OUTSIDE THE FENCE
Ben is seriously worried. Slice and Danny are noticeably
tenser as well as they make one last check of the
surroundings.
BEN
What're we doing here?
DANNY
Trading up.
Ben doesn't understand this slang term. Slice climbs over
the fence, followed by Danny. They drop down on the other
side.
DANNY
(to Ben)
Come on!
But Ben draws the line.
BEN
Hey, you guys, I don't think this
is such a good idea.
DANNY
(coaxing whisper)
Hey, just having a little fun!
BEH
I... I gotta go. see you
around.
Nervous, Ben turns away and starts walking/
DANNY
(whispers)
Ben!
But Ben keeps walking now.
SLICE
(to Danny)
What now, Einstein.
DANNY
We'll grab him on the way out.
They move stealthily to one particular car, check the
paperwork glued on the window with a pen light.
DANNY
This is it.
Slice and Danny repeat the same routine as earlier, and have
the motor running in about thirty seconds. Slice meanwhile
runs to the gate, and knocks the padlock off it with a
hammer.
BEN
is a few dozen yards away, still walking along the sidewalk
outside the car dealership, when he hears the motor turn
over. He stops, and turns to watch.
A SALESMAN
runs from the nearby sales office, sees what is happening,
and begins running toward the compound, throwing away a
paper cup of coffee as he runs. The man is in his
mid-forties, his name is FRANZ REIGLE.
IN THE COMPOUND
Danny races between two rows of cars toward the gate, where
Slice is waiting. But Reigle jumps into the glare of the
headlights, aiming a snub-nosed revolver at the windshield.
REIGLE
(thick German
accent)
Stop you little punk!
Reigle fires once, starring the windshield. Danny jams on
the brakes and rolls out of the car. He comes up with a
forty-five automatic and fires three or four rounds as he
hits the ground. Reigle takes a slug in the chest, lifts
off the ground and falls hard.
A stunned moment. Slice's eyes are wide in disbelief.
SLICE
Oh man. oh man!
DANNY
Get in!
BEN
stands rooted to the sidewalk. He has witnessed the whole
thing. He can't believe his eyes.
WIDER
A moment later Danny squeals to a stop next to the stunned
youth.
DANNY
(menacing)
Get in the damn car.
Ben, horrified, backs away.
BEN
No.
DANNY
(to Slice)
Grab him.
Slice gets out of the car, but at that moment, he sees an
armed SECURITY GUARD rushing toward them, his revolver
drawn. Slice dives back into the car as the Security Guard
opens fire. Ben throws himself to the ground.
Danny hangs a screaming U-turn and the stolen car disappears
into the night. Ben still lies on the ground as the
Security Guard gets the drop on him.
SECURITY GUARD
Don't move, jerk off!
Ben freezes as the Guard's flashlight beam hits him full in
the face.
EXT. PARKER CENTER - MORNING - DAY #2
INT. SQUAD ROOM - MORNING - DAY #2
Hunter enters the Squad Room with a bakery bag and crosses
to McCall sifting through a stack of files at her desk. He
drops the bag on her desk.
HUNTER
Cheer up and have a bran muffin.
It'll help your cholesterol.
MCCALL
It's not ay cholesterol I'm
worried about, it's my blood
pressure. Kimmins and McGovern
are on TDY at the Academy, and we
caught their overload.
Hunter checks a file and frowns.
HUNTER
I hope McGovern's not teaching
typing at the Academy.
McCall separates the files into two stacks as a woman DESK
SERGEANT approaches Hunter.
DESK SERGEANT
Hunter, there's somebody at the
desk asking for you.
Hunter sets the files back on McCall's desk.
HUNTER
(to McCall)
Don't forget your muffin.
MCCALL
Don't forget your files.
She drops his half of the load back on his desk as he
leaves.
INT. PARKER CENTER - LOBBY - MORNING - DAY #2
NGUYEN TRAN, a Vietnamese man in his early fifties, waits in
the lobby. Hunter enters and is directed to him by the Desk
Sergeant. The man is concerned and apprehensive as Hunter
approaches,
HUNTER
I'm Sergeant Hunter. You asked
for me?
NGUYEN
(distinct accent)
I apologize for taking you away
from your duties, Sergeant. My
name is Nguyen Tran.
HUNTER
How can I help you Mr. Tran?
NGUYEN
I was hoping to speak to you about
my son. He was arrested last
night. There was a shooting. He
was with the boys who did it.
HUNTER
Was that the shooting at the
Martin Motors Agency?
NGUYEN
Yes... but Ben is innocent.
HUNTER
Mr. Tran, I'a sorry but that case
is assigned to another detective.
I'd be happy to get him for you.
NGUYEN
Please... I think you would like
to look into Ben's case
personally.
HUNTER
Why is that?
NGUYEN
Ben's mother is someone you knew
while in Vietnam.
A long beat.
HUNTER
Are we talking about Lin Ngheim?
NGUYEN
Yes.
On Hunter's stunned reaction:
INT. PARKER CENTER - LUNCH ROOM - MORNING DAY #2
The lunchroom is nearly empty except for Nguyen and Hunter
who sit over untouched coffee at a table.
HUNTER
When my tour was up, I asked her
to marry me and return to the
States. But she wouldn't leave
her parents behind.
NGUYEN
I know.
HUNTER
Someone wrote me five or six years
ago to tell me she had died in a
refugee camp. The letter never
mentioned a child.
NSUYEN
I wrote that letter.
Hunter looks up, studies the quiet man in front of hin.
NGUYEN
She spoke often of you. She told
me you wanted to become a
policeman in Los Angeles. So that
is where I sent the letter. You
are a man who makes his dreams
reality, Sergeant.
HUNTER
(sad)
Not all of then.
(beat)
I... ah... wrote her three or four
times after I returned home.
Asked her to change her mind. She
never answered them. When Saigon
fell, I wrote again. My letters
were returned unopened.
NGUYEN
Yes. The regime was very hard on
anyone who had affiliations with
the Americans. She was sent to a
re-education camp for several
years. Of course she was not
allowed any letters.
(beat)
I was sent to the camp as well
because I served in the ARVN.
That is where I first met Lin...
and the child.
A long, long moment as the meaning of this sinks in.
HUNTER
Ben?
(beat)
The boy isn't yours?
NGUYEN
Ben is seventeen years old,
Sergeant. He was born in 1972,
eight months after you left.
EXT. JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER - AFTERNOON - DAY #2
To establish.
INT. JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER - INTERROGATION ROOM
Hunter is lost in thought as he waits in the room.
Footsteps, then the door swings open and Ben is ushered into
the room by a JDC officer.
Ben is sullen and angry. He glares at Hunter, who can't
help staring for a moment. Ben notices,
HUNTER
Ben, I'm Sergeant Hunter. Take a
seat.
Ben sits. Hunter continues standing, studying the boy.
HUNTER
Ben... you're in a lot of
trouble... you know that.
BEN
I didn't have anything to do with
that guy getting shot. I said
that to the other detective.
Where is he?
HUNTER
I've been assigned to your case.
I know what you said to the other
detective. I just don't believe
it.
BEN
Believe anything you like.
HUNTER
Why'd those guys stop to talk to
you if you weren't involved, Ben?
What were you doing there that
time of night?
Ben remains silent. Hunter ponders, then opens the file in
front of him and tries another tack.
HUNTER
Okay.... Says here you had a
pretty tough time in Vietnam...
and in the camp.
BEN
I don't want to talk about that,
HUNTER
You learned not to trust many
people. Especially people in
authority... like the police.
BEN
And you think it's real different
here for people like me, right?
Everyone bends over backward
treating me so well.
Ben is smart enough to know he's not helping himself, but
something is working on him and he can't shut up.
BEN
(bitter sarcasm)
You know what I like? I like that
crap about "give me your poor and
your huddled masses..." That's
good. Like... send the dinks over
as long as they aren't too young
or too old or too sick! We can
use all the cheap labor we can
get! Just don't let them get out
of line.
(beat, very quiet)
But I should trust you. Who the
hell are you, anyway?
Ben sits back, seething. Hunter doesn't speak. This hurts.
But it also gives hin some insights into Ben. He closes the
file.
HUNTER
Ben... you're a bright kid...
brighter than most who come in
here. So I'm going to lay
something out for you.
(beat)
You can sit here in Juvie and
blame everybody and everything for
how you got here... just like all
the losers who come through this
place. Or you can help get
yourself out of this mess. It's
up to you,
Hunter looks to see if bis words have had any effect. He
knocks at the door to be let out. The door is opened by the
JDC officer. As Hunter steps out:
BEN
Wait a minute...
Hunter steps back into the room. Ben studies the table top,
then....
BEN
Okay.
Hunter nods to the officer, who closes the door, leaving
Hunter once more alone with his son.
INT. DEVANE'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON - DAY #2
Devane listens to Hunter's report. McCall sits on the
couch, puzzled by something and observing her partner
closely.
DEVANE
Slice and Speed? Sounds like
something out of an Our Gang
Comedy.
HUNTER
Those were the names they used
around Ben. They were jerking him
around is my guess.
DEVANE
So why would two hip guys in their
twenties be interested in hanging
out with a Vietnamese teenager?
HUNTER
That's what I want to find out. I
want the boy to look at mug books.
DEVANE
Fine. Set the papers from Juvie
and bring bios around.
HUNTER
I also want him released into his
father's custody.
Now Devane is curious. He exchanges a glance with MeCall.
DEVANE
Yeah? Well you'll have to talk
with the Assistant D.A. about
that. Who's got that case?
MCCALL
Barnie Schwartz.
(to Hunter)
Your favorite person.
Hunter swallows that one. He doesn't like the taste.
HUNTER
I'll go see him, now.
McCall is more than a little astonished.
MCCALL
Okay. Sure. And I'll just get
the statements froa Martin Motors
all by myself... like a big girl.
But Hunter is preoccupied and misses the sarcasm.
HUNTER
I appreciate that.
As if in another world. Hunter leaves the office, leaving a
bewildered Devane and McCall behind.
INT. MARTIN MOTORS SHOW ROOM - AFTERNOON - DAY #2
CLOSE ON BOOKING PICTURE
of Ben Tran.
STONE (O.S.)
No, I've never seen the kid around
here.
WIDER
McCall takes back the photo. JACK STONE, a man in his
mid-thirties with premature grey hair, stands with her. He
is the Sales Manager for Martin Motors.
MCCALL
How about two white males, early
twenties, hip dressers. One has
an earring and a scar over his
eyebrow.
Stone ponders that one. Shakes his head.
STOKE
Jeesh! We get all kinds of
lookers in here, you know? Sure
doesn't sound like anybody I've
seen recently. You think they
came in here to... what... 'case
the joint' or something?
MCCALL
It's possible. Wasn't it unusual
for a salesman to be working that
late?
STONE
You mean, Franz? Nah, not really.
He'd had a big day. Had lots of
paperwork to finish up.
(shakes his head)
A big day. When I heard about
this it aade me sick. Such a nice
guy.
MCCALL
Franz Reigle? What kind of name
is that?
STONE
I don't know... German.. I think.
He sounded like a count talking to
the customers with that accent of
his.
A steel-haired patrician in an expensive suit, KEN MARTIN,
enters the showroom, while a young salesman hustles to park
his top of the line luxury sedan, which was left idling just
outside.
STONE
Here's Mr. Martin, now.
DeeDee extends her hand to be shaken.
MCCALL
DeeDee McCall. We spoke on the
phone.
KEN MARTIN
Yes, of course. Anything new,
since then?
MCCALL
The stolen car hasn't turned up
yet. There were no prints on the
vehicle left at the scene. We are
interviewing a witness who may
give us something.
KEN MARTIN
I'm sure you're doing all you can.
I've kept Franz's desk locked as
you requested. This way.
Stone hangs back.
STONE
Ah... Mr. Martin, the guys on the
floor have chipped in for a
wreath. Just let us know where to
send it.
KEN MARTIN
Julie's making arrangements now.
Talk to her, Jack.
MCCALL AND MARTIN
Walk toward a row of sales offices, just off the floor.
MCCALL
Why are you making the funeral
arrangements, Mr. Martin? Didn't
Reigle have any family?
KEN MARTIN
We get a lot of rolling stones in
this business. Sergeant. Franz
was Austrian. Never even spoke of
his family back home. I'm afraid
I don't know much more about him
than his monthly sales report.
I'll handle his funeral costs.
It's the least I can do.
(pauses at office
door)
Here we are.
INSIDE THE SALES OFFICE.
There are two desks crowded into a minimum of space. One is
empty, the other occupied by a young salesman, diligently
bent over a sales form. He looks up with a smile. It is
Danny Martin.
KEN MARTIN
Franz's desk is right here. This
is my nephew, Danny Martin.
DANNY
Hi, Uncle Ken. Got a customer for
me?
KEN MARTIN
Afraid not, Danny. This is
Sergeant McCall with LAPD.
DANNY
Oh, right. I hope you catch the
yahoos who did this, Sergeant.
Franz was a great guy. Taught me
everything I know.
KEN MARTIN
They have a witness,
DANNY
They do? Good. Good.
And on Danny's sincere, grim expression.
EXT. COURT BUILDING - AFTERNOON - DAY #2
To establish, as we hear:
BARNIE SCHWARTZ (V.O.)
Let ae see if I've got this
right....
INT. SCHWARTZ*S OFFICE
which is a mass of stacked paperwork in the smallest
possible space. BARNIE SCHWARTZ is a harried Assistant
D.A., enjoying his moment of gloating as he sits with his
worn shoes on the desk. Hunter stands in front of him.
SCHWARTZ
Last time we run into each other,
you chew me a new bodily orifice
because I give immunity to some
slimebag in order to catch a
bigger slimebag... But now, I
gotta do you a favor and give some
pimple-faced little killer a
break.
HUNTER
He's not a killer, Barnie. And
his stepfather is as decent as
they come. Just agree to release
Ben into his custody.
SCHWARTZ
And you'll vouch for the kid?
HUNTER
All the way.
There is a savage grin lurking somewhere near Sehwartz's
large mouth.
SCHWARTZ
Okay, Sergeant, you got it.
(beat)
But I got your marker. And I'll
call it in... bet on that.
HUNTER
I wouldn't have it any other way,
Schwartz. Make it soon.
And Hunter leaves the office. Now Schwartz grins. He loves
this.
EXT. THE TRAN HOUSE - DUSK - DAY #2
Hunter drives up to the very modest older home in a poor but
clean neighborhood. He gets out and opens the door for
Nguyen and Ben. Ben is as sullen as before. Nguyen is
deeply grateful.
NGUYEN
Sergeant Hunter, I can never repay
you for this,
HUNTER
I wish you wouldn't think of it
that way.
The two men understand each other, but can't speak: in front
of the boy.
NGUYEN
Thank you.
HUNTER
I'd like to have a word with Ben
about tomorrow.
NGUYEN
Of course.
Nguyen hesitates between a handshake and a bow, but Hunter
simply extends his hand. Nguyen takes it, shakes it
formally, and slowly moves toward the house. When he is out
of earshot;
BEN
Unbelievable. He nearly bowed to
you.
HUNTER
(patient)
It's just the way he was brought
up. You've got a real nice
father... and he's worried about
you, Ben.
BEN
(explodes)
Hey! Look at my face. Look at
it! Do I look like his son to
you?
HUNTER
You're not being fair to him. Or
your mother.
This stupefies Ben. He glares.
BEN
My mother? What the hell do you
know about my mother? She's dead
because... he couldn't do anything
but watch her die! Because the
American authorities didn't want
us coming into the good old U.S.
of A until they were good and
ready. So she rotted and died in
that camp!
(long beat, turns
away)
What the hell do you care...
right?
Ben stalks toward the bouse.
HUNTER
Hey!
(Ben turns)
I care. I do care.
Ben's glare turns to one of suspicious puzzlement.
HUNTER
Look.... I'll come by to get you
tomorrow aorning. We'll... get an
early jump on those mug books.
Ben turns and goes inside. Hunter stands watching him, torn
in two.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
************************************************************
FADE IN:
EXT. LAPD IMPOUND YARD - MORNING - DAY #3
McCall is checking out the stolen imported car from Martin
Motors. The car is already covered with fine fingerprint
dust. In addition to the starred windshield, there are
other signs of vandalism: two windows smashed, dents, and
the left headlight punched in.
Hunter enters the impound yard and joins her.
HUNTER
Where did they find it?
MCCALL
Behind an abandoned warehouse
about ten miles from Martin
Motors. Not a print on it.
Hunter examines the vandalism, stooping to look at the
headlight.
HUNTER
This doesn't look like an
accident. More like vandalism.
MCCALL
You'd think they'd have better
things to do than stand around
bashing in headlights.
HUNTER
Yeah.
Hunter sees something in the headlight.
HUNTER
You see that... snagged on the
broken glass?
MCCALL
(getting close)
Looks like a piece of cloth.
(beat)
Do you suppose they could have hit
someone?
HUNTER
I don't know. Let's get the lab
on it. And have them sniff the
car for drugs. We may have more
here than grand theft auto.
(rises)
I'm bringing Ben Tran in to look
at mug books.
They begin walking.
MCCALL
I... ah checked Ben for any other
priors. I even called his school.
He's clean, doesn't cause trouble
at school. It doesn't fit into
the picture.
HUNTER
Ben doesn't think he fits into
anybody's picture.
MCCALL
You mean because he's Amerasian?
Hunter is very uncomfortable, now.
HUNTER
Yaah, I guess so.
MCCALL
How'd he meet these guys?
HUNTER
The one called Slice was buying an
earring in the jewelry store
where his stepfather works. Ben
works part time after school
there. According to Ben, they
just struck up a conversation.
(checks watch)
I'd better go by and get him.
MCCALL
Sure.
(beat)
Just... you've still got a
partner, remember? Good listener.
Doesn't charge much by the hour.
This gets a little smile from Hunter.
HUNTER
Maybe later.
McCall, concerned, watches him leave.
INT. SQUAD ROOM - AFTERNOON - DAY #3
The remains of a fast food lunch are spread across Hunter's
desk. Ben sits in Hunter's chair, poring over mug books.
He looks bored and tired.
REVERSE ANGLE
finds Hunter in Devane's office, peering out at Ben.
IN DEVANE'S OFFICE
Devane pours himself a cup of coffee as he looks through a
report.
DBVAME
Search for drugs... negative. No
latent prints, no hair or
fibers... just that piece of torn
cloth on the headlamp... hundred
per cent soft cotton.
(beat)
They don't think it's from
clothing. Wonder how they know
that?
(looks up)
Nothing here convinces me we have
anything more than a 529 that went
very sour..
HUNTER
So what's Ben doing in the middle
of it?
Devane eyes Hunter, a little annoyed.
DEVANE
You know. Hunter, when you asked
for this case as a favor, I didn't
ask questions. But now I am....
Did you know this kid? Is he some
kind of family friend?
HUNTER
I met him yesterday tor the first
time.
(long beat)
Charlie... he's my son.
Charlie stands frozen for a long, long Boaent. Finally he
takes a sip of coffee to clear his windpipe.
DEVANE
Oh.
HUNTER
I didn't know. I didn't know he
existed.
DEVANE
The mother was...?
HUNTER
Somebody very special. I wanted
to marry her.
DEVANE
You met her in Nam?
Hunter nods, Sips at his own coffee.
HUNTER
You know, I've never been bittar
about the War.... It was just
something that happened. I came
through it when others didn't.
(turns back to look
at Ben)
But now I feel like it stole a
part of My life.
(beat)
I want that part back.
Devane joins Hunter, looking out the window.
HUNTER'S DESK - THEIR POV
Ben turns the page, rubs his face, tries to focus.
HUNTER (O.S.)
And I know I'll never get it back.
DEVANE (O.S.)
Does he know?
HUNTER (O.S.)
No.
RESUME SCENE
Devane can't think of anything to say, he turns back to his
desk, makes a show of looking at some paperwork.
DEVANE
I... ah... was looking over your
overtime here a while ago.
You're way over the departaent
limits, you know?
HUNTER
Since when do we worry about that
in homicide?
DEVANE
Since now. Take the rest of the
afternoon off. Take the boy back
hone. He's burnt out, anyway.
HUNTER
Look... Charlie, if you want to
put someone else on the case...
if you don't think I can be
objective about this one... I'll
understand.
DEVANE
If I see that happening, I'll pull
you... not before.
(beat)
Go talk to your son.
IN THE SQUAD ROOM
Ben has taken a pencil and is doodling in the mug book. He
doesn't see Hunter come up behind him.
HUNTER
Find something?
Ben looks embarrassed as Hunter picks up the book to study
it.
INSERT A SHEET OF MUG SHOTS
many with strange curlicue mustaches penciled in.
RESUME SCENE
Hunter fights back a smile.
HUNTER
Maybe we've seen enough mug shots
for one day. Come on. I'll take
you home.
BEN
I promised my... my father I'd
come by the shop,
HUNTER
It's on the way.
They leave the squadroom.
EXT. JEWEL MART - LONG SHOT - LATE AFTERNOON - DAY #3
Hunter's vehicle is parked outside the Jewel Mart, a big
downtown jewelry enporium. Hunter comes out with Nguyen and
Ben, opening the car doors for them.
INT. VEHICLE - AM UNSEEN WATCHER'S POV
who observes from across the street through the windshield
as Hunter gats into his car and drives off with Ben and
Nguyen.
REVERSE ANGLE
as Slice, looking very worried, starts up the car and drives
the other way.
EXT. STREET CORNER - LATE AFTERNOON DAY #3
Slice pulls up to the corner, where Danny Martin stands
waiting. Danny gets in and they drive off.
EXT. TRAN HOME - NIGHT O
Hunter's empty vehicle is parked out front.
I»T. TRAN KITCHEN - NIGHT #3
Nguyen has served a simple, traditional Vietnamese meal to
Hunter. Ben sits at the table, putting up with it. Hunter
wields bis chopsticks well, holding a small rice bowl inches
below his chin.
HUNTER
This is really great, Nguyen. I
haven't bad authentic Vietnamese
food for....
(beat; reaembers)
For a long time.
NGUYEN
It is very hard to get all the
ingredients here. And I will
never be as good a cook as Lin.
He shoots a look at Ben. Then, to cover,
NGUYEN
Lin was Ben's mother.
BEN
were you in Vietnm
HUNTER
Yes, I was.
BEN
So was By real father.
This cuts Nguyen like a knife, and is meant to. But
unwittingly, it has the same effect on Hunter.
BEN
He was killed by the communists.
A stunned moment; then:
HUNTER
I didn't know that.
BEN
My mother told me.
Hunter's eyes seek Nguyen's.
NGUYEN
She... she wanted Ben to know that
his father hadn't abandoned him.
Hunter understands. He nods but doesn't trust himself to
speak.
NGUYEN
Could you serve more tea, Ben?
Ben rises, takes the Vietnamese porcelain tea kettle,
hesitates, then puts it on the table.
BEN
Where do you think you are, old
man?
Ben storms out of the rooa,
NGUYEN
Ben! Ben!
HUNTER
It's all right, it's my fault.
NGUYEN
You are our guest. He has shamed
our household.
HUNTER
I have no right to be here.
Hunter rises. Nguyen puts a firm hand on his arm.
NGUYEN
Please... stay. There are many
things we need to... discuss.
Hunter nods and sits while Nguyen solemnly pours them both
tea.
EXT. TRAN HOUSE - ON SLICE'S CAR NIGHT #3
Slice's car is parked well down the block from the Tran
residence.
INT. SLICE'S CAR
Danny and Slice study Hunter's car, still parked out front.
SLICE
That's the car. Belongs to a
detective. The cops have gotta
know.
DANNY
They know what the little gook
told them: exactly nothing. Which
is what we told hin.
Slice doesn't look at all reassured. Something Is eating at
him. To cover, he speaks up.
SLICE
Maybe. Meanwhile, I guess we
don't do nothing.
DANNY
Hey, like they say, diamonds are
forever. The stones don't have a
shelf life. We wait six nonths...
a year. We find another cutter.
We sell them. Elegant and
simple... that's my style.
SLICE
Yeah, that was real elegant,
blowing away old Franz.
DANNY
Old Franz lost his cool.
(beat; ice)
Don't lose yours.
(beat)
Let's blow.
Slice eyes Danny with apprehension as he starts up and
drives away.
INT. TRAN LIVING ROOM - LATER - NIGHT #3
ON PHOTO
of Lin, young, smiling, pretty, a snapshot taken somewhere
in Saigon.
NGUYEN (O.S.)
This is my favorite picture of
her. It was taken years before we
met. I think, secretly, it was
her favorite. She was a little
vain about it.
WIDER
to reveal Hunter standing next to Nguyen, admiring the photo
in a simple frame. Nguyen replaces it on a shelf with other
mementoes of another world, another time. Hunter asks the
question that has been eating at him all night.
HUNTER
Why didn't she write to tell me we
had a son?
Nguyen moves back to the simply furnished room and sits
before replying.
NGUYEN
I think... she did not want you to
feel obligated to return. And...
when the Americans left, she felt
responsible for her family. She
could not abandon them. After the
communists took power, it was too
late. What could you do?
Hunter sits. He knows what he is hearing is the truth, but
it still hurts.
HUNTER
At least she would have known I
was trying to do something. That
I cared.
NGUYEN
She knew that. She understood you
very well, I can see that now.
(beat)
You must try to understand Lin.
Ours is a very cruel society
sometimes. Amerasian children
where treated abominably. She
agreed to marry me because the boy
needed a father and a name. I
think she was genuinely fond of
me... or perhaps only grateful. I
will never know.
Nguyen looks up at Hunter.
NGUYEN
But I do know that she never
stopped loving you.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HUNTER'S KITCHEN - NIGHT #3
Hunter stands at the refrigerator door, drinking straight
from a quart carton of milk. He closes the door and, lost
in thought, moves to his
LIVING ROOM
where he takes a photo album, and settles in his favorite
chair. He switches on a lamp and opens the albun, flipping
a few pages, then stops and looks.
THE PHOTO ALBUM PAGE
Show a half dozen snapshots of Lin.
HOLD ON
one photo: the same one that Nguyen had showed hia. Under
the snap, in Hunter's handwriting, it says simply "Lin,
Saigon, 1971.
DISSOLVE TO;
INT. SQUAD ROOM - MORNING - DAY #4
Ben is once more in Hunter's chair. Hunter stands looking
over his shoulder as they open the mug book.
HUNTER
Okay, Ben. 1 know this is boring,
but try and stick with it. And...
no art work.
This elicits a small smile from Ben. Hunter turns away to
spot McCall, standing a dozen feet away, watching them. One
look tells Hunter everything. He crosses to her.
HUNTER
Charlie told you.
MCCALL
Yeah.
HUNTER
Let's go for a walk.
They move into
THE CORRIDOR
McCall takes a half dozen steps, then stops to confront.
She is hurt... maybe even a little angry.
MCCALL
I don't know, Rick.... We've been
partners since the Stone Age, but
you don't confide in me about
this. Why?
HUNTER
I was going to... today. Trying
to talk to you about Lin.... I
needed to get my own head straight
first. Do you understand?
A beat, then.
MCCALL
Of course I do.. Does Ben know
you're his father?
HUNTER
No. And I don't think I want Min
to. Nguyen's been a father... and
a mother to him. They're going
through some rough times together
right now. I'd only complicate
things. I haven't got any right
to do that.
MCCALL
OH. So How are you holding up?
HUNTER
Me? Fine.
McCall doesn't believe that for a second.
MCCALL
Good.
BEN (O.S.)
Sergeant Hunteri
McCall and Hunter turn to see Ben at t&« wid Of the
corridor, looking excited.
BEN
I found one of them!
Hunter takes the mug book from his hands.
HUNTER
(reads)
Ron Potter.
(to Ben)
You're sure?
BEN
I'm sure.
EXT. SLICE'S APARTMENT - LONG SHOT - MORNING - DAY #4
An LAPD raid team, headed by Hunter and McCall break down
the door to an apartment and rush in. A few monents later,
Hunter and McCall withdraw again, holstering their weapons.
Obviously the place is empty. The converse MOS.
REVERSE ANGLE
to discover Danny Martin, half a block away in a car
watching. Danny hangs a U-turn and gets out of there.
EXT. PARK - AFTERNOON - DAY #4
In an isolated corner of the park, Danny hammers Slice hard
across the head. Slice falls back on a park bench, starts
to charge back hard, but Danny kicks him back into the
bench.
DANNY
You dumb...!
SLICE
I'd'a told you I had a record, but
I knew you wouldn't cut me in.
DANNY
You knew the kid was looking at
mug books!
(grabs Slice)
You're going away, Ron, where, if
you're very lucky, even I won't
find you.
SLICE
While you keep the ice all for
yourself. Forget it. I get my
share of the diamonds first.
DANNY
Yeah, like you've got enough
contacts to have them re-cut. You
try and fence those stones as is,
the cops will be on you in a
twenty-four carat minute.
SLICE
Well who brought the heat down on
us in the first place? You wanted
to suck the kid in so we could use
his old man as the cutter. And I
didn't off that dude.
Danny steps back; gets that scary look on his face again.
DANNY
So.... Is that what you're going
to tell them, Ron? Huh? When
they run you down are you going
to whine and cry and tell then it
was all my idea?
Slice is frightened.
SLICE
Chill out, Danny. You know I
wouldn't do that.
DANNY
Yeah.... I know.
The forty-five automatic leaps into Danny's hand. He fires
at point blank range sending Slice flying over the bench.
Slice lies in a heap on the grass.
DANNY
Now you chill out.
Danny looks around, sees he hasn't been observed, then races
back to his car and drives away.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
***********************************************************
FADE IN:
EXT. TRAN HOUSE - LONG SHOT - AFTERNOON - DAY #4
A black and white is stationed outside the house. Hunter's
vehicle arrives. Hunter speaks MOS with the officer,
standing next to his vehicle, then heads for the front door.
INT. TRAN LIVINg ROOM
Nguyen opens the door for Hunter, who steps inside.
NGUYEN
Sergeant Hunter. Why is there a
policenan outside? What's wrong?
Ben steps into the room, clearly worried.
HUNTER
Ron Peters, the man Ben
identified, was found shot to
death in Griffith Park. It looks
like he may have been shot with
the same weapon that killed the
salesman at Martin Motors.
Ben is stunned. He sits,
BEN
Did I get him killed?
HUNTER
No, Ben. But it looks like the
shooter at Martin Motors is trying
to cover his tracks. Ron Peters
could identify him. So can you.
I'm keeping you under surveillance
until this guy is caught.
On Nguyen's expression:
INT. MARTIN MOTORS SHOW ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON - DAY #4
MeCall is showing a mug shot photo to Stone.
INSERT PHOTO
of Ron Potter, a.k.a. "Slice."
STONE (O.S.)
I've never seen him.
RESUME SCENE
He keeps the photo.
STONE
But I'll show it around at our
sales meeting tomorrow morning.
Maybe somebody has.
MCCALL
I'd appreciate that. He may have
cone in pretending to be a
customer, just to cheek out your
security.
Stone nods, his mind elsewhere.
STONE
I... understand you found the car.
Is there any chance of our getting
it back, soon.
(apologetic)
We pay interest on every car,
whether or not it's on the floor.
MCCALL
I'm afraid you won't get it back
for awhile. Besides, there has
been some damage to the car.
STONE
Damage?
MCCALL
Vandalism. Nothing much: a few
dents and cracked windows. One of
the headlights was broken.
STONE
Doesn't sound too serious.
MCCALL
No. Let me know if any of your
sales people has talked to this
man.
STONE
I certainly will, Sergeant.
As McCall leaves, hold on Stone, watching her;
EXT. DANNY MARTIN'S APARTMENT COMPLEX - LATE AFTERNOON DAY #4
To establish. It's a modern, singles complex.
EXT. DANNY'S CARPORT
Danny pulls into the carport in his imported car, and climbs
out.
A large, blond DUTCHMAN, well-dressed, polite, steps up
behind Danny and screws a Walther PPK into his ear. He
speaks with a slight Dutch accent.
DUTCHMAN
Hello, Danny boy.
INT. TRAN LIVING ROOM - EVENING - DAY #4
Nguyen stands in the doorway, where a uniformed officer
waits. Ben and Hunter are in the room.
NGUYEN
I won't be more than two hours.
BEN
You don't have to go at all.
NGUYEN
I promised Mr. Zeidt I'd re-cut
that diamond. The client is
comming for the ring tomorrow.
With all this going on....
HUNTER
Officer Chaney will drive you to
the Jewelry Mart.
NGUYEN
You're very kind.
Nguyen looks toward Ben apprehensively. Hunter understands.
HUNTER
1'll be here with Ben until you
get back.
Nguyen nods and leaves with the officer.
BEN
He has such a sense of duty... to
rich fat cat customers.
Hunter has about had it. He moves to Ben.
HUNTER
What's with you? Your stepfather
is as decent as they come! He's
done nothing but love you... and
your mother.
BEN
When my mother was dying in that
camp, what did he do? I was the
one who went out onto the
street... made money as a vendor
to buy medicine for her on the
black market.
HUNTER
Because he let you. He knew if
you couldn't feel you were doing
something to help your mother,
you'd go crazy.
BEN
What are you talking about?
HUNTER
The whole time you were hawking
Japanese radios on the street, he
was out there, watching over you.
BEN
What are you talking about? I
never saw him once.
HUNTER
Your father fought the VC in the
Mekong Delta. You don't think he
could follow a twelve year old?
Ben is touched, and shaken by this.
BEN
(quietly)
I told you, he's not my real
father-
A beat. Then:
HUNTER
He loves you like your real
father, Ben. He told me at night,
in the camp, he was afraid to
sleep. They were kidnapping boys
your age, selling them. How do
you think be feels now?
BEN
What do you mean?
HUNTER
He fulfilled a promise to your
mother... he brought you to
America, where she thought you'd
be safe.
BEN
And I screwed up, is that it?
Hunter backs off. He sits on the sofa, and picks up a
magazine. Ben studies Hunter for a long moment.
BEN
Why do you care?
HUNTER
What?
BEN
Why do you care about me... about
my family? What's it to you?
Ben fixes Hunter with a last angry look, then storms into
the kitchen.
INT. FRANZ'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - NIGHT #4
Jack Stone sits on the lid of the john, while the Dutchman,
his sleeves rolled up, ducks Danny's head into a bathtub
full of water. Danny's hands are handcuffed behind him, and
he is powerless to resist. Finally, after what seems
minutes. The Dutchman lets Danny up for a desperate gasp for
air.
STONE
Tell me again you don't know
anything about the diamonds, Danny
boy. Tell the Dutchman here. He
works for the people those stones
belong to. They're very
concerned. So am I. You've
damaged my reputation as a
reliable middleman, Danny. You've
raised doubts in their minds.
(beat; whisper)
Where are the diamonds?
Danny remains silent. Stone shrugs and nods. The Dutchman
once more begins to force Danny's head under the water.
DANNY
No! Wait! I'll tell you.
(beat)
1'll tell you where they are.
Stone nods again, and Danny is allowed to slump soddenly to
the floor.
DANNY
In my car. Behind the radio.
DUTCHMAN
His car's outside,
STONE
Check it out.
The Dutchman leaves. Stone remains calmly sitting, studying
Danny.
STONE
So, What put you on to our little
enterprise, Danny?
DANNY
I heard you talking one night,
with Franz... in the office next
door. You didn't know I was
there.
STONE
And you saw an opportunity to get
ahead.
Stone tries to keep his calm demeanor, but he's growing
angry.
STONE
You think you can fence diamonds
like car stereos, Danny? And
you're supposed to be smart.
DANNY
Hey, I had a cutter all lined up.
The dink's old man. We were going
to hold the kid hostage while the
old man did the diamonds for us.
Stone stands; thinking about something. Then!
STONE
Meanwhile, you whacked my cutter.
DANNY
(puzzled)
What? Franz?
The Dutchman reenters, with a soft cloth bag. Stone opens
it, and takes out several wrapped gemstone diamonds.
STONE
Besides your buddy, who else was
in on this?
DANNY
Nobody. And Ron's dead.
STONE
You killed him?
DANNY
Yeah. He was getting squirrelly.
This genuinely surprises Stone, he turns to look down on
Danny.
STONE
You really are a ruthless little
bastard, aren't you?
He bends down over Danny, and speaks with that unsettling,
quiet sarcasm.
STONE
I'm shocked. I'm really shocked.
EXT. NIGHTTIME CRIME SCENE - NIGHT #4
In the background, red-flashing lights, a coroner's van,
headlamps and lights for the official camcorder. McCall is
at a pay phone.
MCCALL
(on phone)
Hunter? It's me.
INTERCUT WITH HUNTER IN TRAN LIVING ROOM
HUNTER
What's up. Dee Dee?
MCCALL
You'd better come to the corner of
Melrose and Lavina. It's
connected to the Martin Motors
case.
HUNTER
Ah... I promised Nguyen Tran I'd
keep an eye on Ben.
MCCALL
Maybe you should bring Ben along.
See you in twenty.
McCall hangs up and heads back to the crime scene.
INT. CUTTING ROOM - THE JEWEL MART - NIGHT #4
Nguyen finishes putting away his cutting tools, takes a
diamond from the stand and carefully places it in a safe,
which he locks. Then he throws the alarm switch and leaves
by the back entrance.
EXT. BEHIND THE JEWELRY MART - NIGHT #4
Nguyen turns from the heavily armored door and finds himself
confronted with a large silhouette, the Dutchman.
NGUYEN
I cannot reopen the door, now,
The alarm will go off.
The Dutchman produces a pistol and waves toward a waiting
car.
DUTCHMAN
Come on. Hurry.
He shoves Nguyen into the car, and climbs in next to him.
INT. THE DUTCHMAN'S CAR
Nguyen is face to face with Jack Stone in the back seat.
Jack is his old affable self.
STONE
Good evening Mr. Tran. We have a
little job for you. Cutting
diamonds.
Tran looks from Stone to the Dutchman, who gets behind the
wheel.
NGUYEN
I don't have my tools. And I
can't turn off the alarm now,
until morning.
STONE
We have the tools.
(beat)
And we have you.
The Dutchman puts the car in gear and drives off.
EXT. CRIME SCENE - NIGHT #4
Ben stands between Hunter and McCall in front of a body bag
on a gurney. Hunter unzips the bag enough to reveal Danny
Martin's face, astonishment still showing in his dead eyes.
Ben lets out an involuntary animal cry.
HUNTER
Speed?
BEN
Yeah.
Hunter re-zips the bag. They move away from the body,
MCCALL
Real name Danny Martin; Ken
Martin's nephew. He was a
salesman at the car lot.
HUNTER
So, if he wanted to go joy riding,
he didn't need to steal a car.
MCCALL
One other thing. He was killed
with a small caliber weapon. Not
a forty-five. They left him in
the trunk of his car, like
professional hitters.
HUNTER
Which means we've got a new set of
players. And a brand new game.
(to Ben)
Come on. We'll swing by and pick
up your father. Thanks DeeDee.
McCall turns back to the crime scene as Ben walks back with
Hunter toward l-W-1-56. Suddenly, the teenager's shoulder's
start heaving as he begins to sob. Hunter puts his hand on
the boy's shoulder.
HUNTER
Hey. Hey, now.
Ben waves him off.
BEN
I just thought they liked me! I
finally ran into some cool guys...
and I thought they just wanted to
hang out with me!
(beat; choking)
They're dead! What were they
doing? What the hell's going on?
Oh, Man!
Ben is lost, sobbing uncontrollably. Hunter takes the boy's
shoulders again. This tisae^ Ben holds onto Hunter tightly.
Hunter puts his anas around bis son and lets the boy cry.
EXT. JEWELRY MART - NIGHT #4
Hunter's vehicle parks in front of the well lit emporium.
IN THE CAR
Ben sits subdued. Hunter looks into the jewelry store. The
front is grilled off. No one inside.
HUNTER
I can't see your dad.
BEN
He works in the back. There's a
buzzer.
HUNTER AND BEN - CONTINUOUS
as they climb out of the car and start around the back. Ben
is lost in thought. He stops. Hunter does too, puzzled.
HUNTER
What's the matter?
BEN
There's something going on, here.
HUNTER
What do you mean?
NGUYEN
My stepfather asked you to take my
case, didn't he?
(beat)
Didn't be?
HUNTER
That's right.
BEN
And last night you and he had this
long talk. I couldn't hear what
you were saying, but... you're not
just some cop. Or do you think
I'm just a stupid gook who doesn't
notice anything?
HUNTER
Don't you use that kind of
language, you understand?
BEN
Why not? What's it to you?
Ben can read Hunter's face, now.
BEN
My real father wasn't killed, was
he?
(screams)
Was he?!
HUNTER
No, Ben. He wasn't.
(beat)
I never knew. Your mother never
told me.
But Ben wheels and runs around the building.
HUNTER
Ben!
Hunter follows him to
THE BACK OF THE JEWELRY MART
Where Ben rushes to the big rear door, leans on the buzzer.
Then he begins banging hard on the door.
BEN
Open up! Open up, you lying...
Open the door.
Ben sets off the jewelry store's burglar alarm. Hunter
arrives.
HUNTER
Ben, stop it! Now!
But Ben keeps banging on the door. Hunter strides toward
him, then stops, he stoops to find
NGUYEN'S KEYS
lying on the paveaent, gleaning dully in the light.
RESUME SCEME
HUNTER
Ben! Come here!
The urgency in Hunter's voice cuts through Ben's irrational
outburst. He wheels, stomps over to where Hunter is
kneeling, then stops, horrified as he realizes.
BEN
They're my... my father's!
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
*************************************************************
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
INT. SQUAD ROOM - NIGHT #4
Ken Martin is present, unshaven, and uncharacteristically
rumpled. He seems genuinely distraught. Hunter and Devane
are present as he his questioned.
MARTIN
I just don't see why you think
Martin Motors is involved?
DEVANE
One of your new cars is used to
smuggle in gemstones, probably
stolen diamonds, which then have
to be expertly re-cut. You come
up with something else that
explains three murders and a
missing diamond cutter, you let us
know, right now.
MARTIN
And you think Danny was part of
this?
HUNTER
We think Danny killed Reigle and
Ron Potter. Now we need to know
who killed him.
Martin tries to think.
MARTIN
This is unbelievable.
DEVANE
We want to run a complete
background check on all your
employees. He'll need their names
and addresses.
MARTIN
Of course.
(beat)
First I wonder if I could make a
phone call.
DEVANE
To your lawyer?
MARTIN
No. To my sister... Danny's
mother.
INT. HUNTER'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT #4
It's now the wee hours of the morning. McCall sits on the
couch with her umpteenth cup of coffee. She is studying
the photo album Hunter has left out. The sound of a key in
the lock, then a weary Hunter enters.
HUNTER
Where is he?
MCCALL
Asleep on your bed. Even
teenager's have to sleep once in a
while.
(beat)
Underneath all that anger, he's a
good kid. Rick.
HUNTER
Yaah. Thanks for keeping an eye
on him.
He sees the album on the coffee table.
MCCALL
you... ah, left this open. She
was very pretty.
HUNTER
(realises)
Did Ben see these?
MCCALL
He was looking at them while I
fixed us a snack. Then he just
went into the bedroom.
Nods to an untouched plate.
MCCALL
Want a salami on stale rye with
mustard and horseradish?
Hunter smiles as he sits next to her on the couch,
MCCALL
Get anything from Martin?
HUNTER
If he's in on it, he has me
fooled. We've already rousted
most of his employees and
questioned them. So far, nothing.
MCCALL
What about Stone, the sales
manager?
HUNTER
Can't find him. Martin thinks
he's probably sleeping over at a
girlfriend's.
He pulls the plate over, and examines the sandwich.
HUNTER
I even asked Interpol to check out
Franz Reigle.
MCCALL,
Good idea.
(sees what he's
doing)
It's four a.m. You're not really
planning to eat that, are you?
HUNTER
Needs jalapena peppers. Did you
see any in the fridge?
Her face shows horror, then realizes she's been taken. They
share a little smile.
INT. REIGLE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT #4
Stone and the Dutchman, in shirtsleeves, watch over Nguyen,
who sits at a neat diamond cutter's bench, set up in
Reigle's dinette area,
STONE
You're taking your sweet time.
NGUYEN
I could work faster if I had my
own tools.
STONE
Sure. Reigle's tools were made by
a master craftsman. You'll just
have to muddle along with them.
Stone goes to the couch, where the Dutchman is sprawled,
whacks his feet, until the big man sits up, then sits next
to him and picks up a magazine.
STONE
If you do a really good job, we
can make this a regular thing.
Cut you in.
The Dutchman keeps a poker face as he hears this. Nguyen
doesn't believe this any more than the Dutchman, but he, too
keeps his thoughts to himself.
STONE
On the other hand, you screw up
this job, even one stone, and The
Dutchman will break all your
fingers.
Stone says this so politely, that it takes a moment for the
menace to register. Nguyen carefully places his chisel on
the stone resting in the mount, and neatly cracks it. Stone
smiles.
INT. HUNTER'S KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING - DAY #5
Hunter, already dressed for work, fixes a simple breakfast,
He turns to find Ben standing in the door.
HUNTER
Sleep well?
BEN
Where did you sleep?
HUNTER
I've got a hidabed. Breakfast?
BEN
I'm not very hungry.
HUNTER
You should eat.
BEN
I kept having this dream. We were
all back in the camp and my
father.... I mean....
HUNTER
I know who you mean.
BEN
He was watching over me while I
slept. Then I would wake up and
see his face. Only I was really
still asleep. Then I woke up
here, and he was gone.
A silence. Hunter puts his hand on Ben's shoulder.
HUNTER
We're going to find him, Ben.
The phone rings. Hunter picks up the kitchen extension.
HUNTER
Hello?
INTERCUT WITH DEVANE IN HIS OFFICE
on the phone, with McCall standing in front of him.
DEVANE
Hunter, Interpol just got back to
us with background on Reigle. He
was a diamond cutter in Austria,
suspected of working with a group
Dutch smugglers then things got
too hot for him in Europe.
HUNTER
Who hired him at Martin Motors?
DEVANE
Jack Stone brought him on. Told
Martin he was a veteran car
salesman over there.
HUNTER
They could have Nguyen at Reigle's
apartment. It's the one place we
didn't think to look.
DEVANE
That's our guess. 44 Belson Plaza,
Marina Del Rey. And wait for
backup. Including McCall and a
deskbound captain who misses the
action.
HUNTER
Send a black and white around to
my place to keep an eye on Ben.
DEVANE
Will do. See you there.
Hunter hangs up and looks at Ben.
HUNTER
We think we know where your father
is.
BEN
I want to come.
HUNTER
He'd never forgive me if I put you
in any danger. He's got enough to
worry about, don't you think?
BEN
(nods)
I guess,
Hunter slips on his coat. At the door.
BEN
I... I don't know what to call
you.
HUNTER
Call me Rick.
With a wink, Hunter is gone.
INT. REIGLE'S APARTMENT - EARLY MORNING - DAY #5
NGUYEN
studies the last large diamond carefully through his
jeweler's glass, then places it carefully on the mount,
picks up his mallet and chisel, takes careful aim, and
neatly slices the diamond into two smaller gemstones.
WIDER
to reveal Stone leaning over the table, nodding his
approval. The Dutchman stands behind Nguyen, his hands out
of sight.
STONE
Nice. Very nice. I want to
congratulate you, Mr. Tran,
You're a real artist.
This is the signal for the Dutchman, he raises a snail
caliber silenced automatic and is about to aim it at the
back of Nguyen's head, when;
NGUYEN
sweeps the diamonds fron the table and jumps up, slashing
backward with the razor sharp cutting tool.
THE DUTCHMAN
Clutches his slashed face and screams in pain as
STONE
Scrambles for the scattered diamonds,
STONE
You little yellow bastard!
NGUYEN
bolts for the door.
THE DUTCHMAN
still clutches his face as he raises the pistol with one
hand and fires.
NGUYEN
falls to the floor as;
THE FRONT DOOR
crashes inward under the blow of a battering ram.
Hunter and Devane are the first into the room, with the raid
team behind them.
THE DUTCHMAN
drops the pistol, snatches up a UZI fully automatic machine
pistol from the counter behind him, and begins to spray the
doorway with lead as;
HUNTER AND DEVANE
each drop to one knee and open fire.
THE DUTCHMAN
goes down... hard.
VARIOUS ANGLES
As the raid team sweeps past Hunter and Devane into the
room. Two uniforms cover a cowering Jack Stone with M-16's.
STONE
No! Please! No!
McCall steps into the room, and sees Nguyen lying prostrate.
MCCALL
Hunter!
She goes to Nguyen. Hunter leans in close to him,
DEVANE
(to officer)
Get those paramedics up here!
The officer charges out the door.
NGUYEN AND HUNTER
Nguyen's eyes flutter open. Hunter has his face very close.
HUNTER
You're going to make it, you hear
me? You've got a fine son who
needs you around.
Nguyen has understood. Hunter continues to comfort him, as;
DISSOLVE TO;
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON - DAY #6
Nguyen is wired to a heart monitor and attached to two IV's,
but he is resting comfortably, and is alert. Hunter stands
where Nguyen can see him without turning his head.
HUNTER
They tell me you'll be out of here
in a week.
NGUYEN
It takes more than one little
bullet to kill a tough old bird
like me.
A weak smile. Hunter returns it. Then:
NGUYEN
I talked with Ben. I'm glad he
knows.
HUNTER
It won't change anything between
you two.
NGUYEN
I don't agree.
(beat)
I think now, things will be much
better.
HUNTER
Nguyen... I want to thank you.
NGUYEN
For what?
HUNTER
for letting me into my son's life.
You didn't have to.
NGUYEN
Lin would have wanted it.
A silence. Nguyen can barely keep his eyes open.
HUNTER
You need to sleep. I'll be
around.
Nguyen can barely nod; then sleep overtakes him. Hunter
stands silently in front of the sleeping man.
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON - DAY #6
Ben sits slumped on a couch, staring into space. He doesn't
notice Hunter approaching until he's almost next to him.
HUNTER
He's asleep.
BEN
I'll just wait around here until
he wakes up again, I don't want
to go home.
HUNTER
Sure.
Hunter sits next to Ben. Neither talks for a moment.
HUNTER
Look, Ben... We've missed
seventeen years. We're never
going to make that up.
(beat)
But, we still have a lifetime to
get to know each other.
Ben remains silent.
HUNTER
If that's not what you want, I
understand.
BEN
What do you want?
HUNTER
I lost your mother. I don't want
to lose you.
This is pretty heavy stuff for a seventeen year old. He
can't respond. Hunter puts his hand on the boy's shoulder
as he rises.
HUNTER
Look... I'll let you think about
it. I'll stop in to see your
father again in the morning.
As Hunter starts toward the elevators, Ben turns, and calls
to him.
BEN
Rick,
Hunter turns.
BEN
I'm knda hungry.
HUNTER
They make a mean double
cheeseburger at the coamissary
here.
(smiles)
Come on. My treat.
Ben joins Hunter. They begin walking side by side down the
corridor as we FREEZE FRAME,
FADE OUT
THE END