P A R A D I S E

                          A screenplay by Jordan Mounteer

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

FADE IN
EXT. HIGHWAY – DAY
A black Citreon is CRUISING down the road at a 100 km/h.  The song 'Highway to Hell' by AC/DC chimes in.
INT. CITREON – DAY
Chaser Castor (26) is bobbing his head to the music.  He has a thick sheaf of black hair that clambers into his eyes.  His fair features reflect in his rear view mirror.  He smiles and a voice-over initiates.
CHASER (V.O.)
What makes us do evil, you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.  You can ask a shrink the same question and get a three hour lecture on the psychoanalytical implications of the human mind...but that isn't exactly the answer you're looking for, is it?
(beat)
Didn't think so.  You gotta laugh at the irony though, don't ya think?  Me talking to you about evil?  Huhuh..funny how these things work out.  But then, that's why I'm here, I guess.  But back to the topic at hand.  The root of evil...the, whaddya call it? Motivation?  You taught me a lot of about how to answer this, y'know.  Goes something like this...
EXT. CHASER'S HOUSE – DAY
Castor gets out of his car, and we see he's dressed in a black leather jacket and baggy blue jeans.  He pockets his keys and walks to the front door of the house.  It's in a very decrepit and ragged state, with the exterior walls peeling back like dried flesh.
INT. CHASER'S HOUSE – DAY
CHASER enters the house.  We see his cheap furniture strewn across the room, garbage littering his carpet, and the food in his fridge laid out haphazardly on the kitchen tiles.
CHASER
Shit.  Fucking kids.
He walks over, sighs nonchalantly, and picks up a beer can on the floor.  It's somewhat full, so he downs it in one noisy gulp.  Then he notices a clean, crisp white envelope on the table, apparently undisturbed by the ransacking of his house.  He opens it up and reads it.
LUCIEN (V.O.)
Castor.  Looks like you've been decorating.  Not exactly my style, but to each his own I suppose.  We need to talk.  You know where to find me.  Lou.  
Castor snarls and drops the letter. He sits down on his couch, slurps his beer, and looks at the damaged ceiling.
EXT. CASTOR'S YARD – DAY
Castor emerges from his house and shields his eyes against the sun.  He lifts the empty beer bottle in his hand and tosses it at a battered metal garbage can at the far end of the yard glint.  The bottle shatters on the pavement four feet from the can.
Castor shakes his head, rather impishly.  Barefoot, he steps into his yard which is covered with beer bottles, plastic bags, and other items.  Then he notices the side of his house has the word 'UGARIT' spray painted across it, along with other vulgarities.
His next door neighbour, George, peers over the fence.  George is trim and his hair is nicely combed.  He has an impeccable green T-shirt on and an annoying smile emanates from his perfect features.
GEORGE
Hey ho, neighbour!  How are you this beautfiul October morning?  Whoa...haha..looks like you've been busy.  Painting the house, I see.
CASTOR
(Sarcastically)
Yeah, well, it needed a touch up.  Don't suppose you happened to see the punks who did this?
GEORGE
(Confused)
But...I thought you just said you did?
There is a long drawn out pause as Castor looks pitifully at George.
CASTOR
I was being sarcastic, George.  I didn't actually spray paint my house.  Nor did I ransack my own house.
GEORGE
Oh.  Well, then.  Haha...you got me there, boy.  But uh...no, didn't see anything.  Ah, I need to get going.  The ol' wife is making her legendary stir fry.  Yum, yum! 
George smiles stupidly and walks inside.  Chaser just makes a disgusted face.
CASTOR
(Under his breath)
Legendary shithead...
He shakes his head, spits on his lawn, and walks over to his car.  His bare feet contact the pavement and sizzle but he just shrugs it off and gets in his vehicle.
EXT. PIZZA REO'S – DAY
Chaser parks his car and steps out.  This side of town is run down and unpopulated.  Slowly he saunters into the building.
INT. PIZZA REO'S – DAY
The inside is reminiscent of a greasy spoon restaurant, and the idyllic fat chef behind the counter recognizes Castor and motions to the back room
INT. BACK ROOM – DAY
Lucien 'Cypher' Chambers (54) is a burly, overweight monolith of fat and muscle.  His eyes are hollow and cold like flint, and his face is scarred with the wrinkles of an elderly man.  His meticulous black suit rubs noisily against the office chair he's sitting in.  Tendrils of blue smoke drift toward the ceiling from the stubby cigarette in his mouth.
Lucien
(looks up)
It would seem that my instincts about you have proven, once again, to be invariably correct.  I love being right.  I dropped you with a shiny hook 5 years ago, and even after all this time, all I have to do is give a little tug, and in you come...
CASTOR 
You can cut the crap, Lucien
Lucien
Where's your shoes?  You look like shit.
CASTOR
Feel like shit.  Can't find my shoes.
LUcien
While we're playing looky-feely, can I get you something?  Coffee?  Doughnut?  Shower?  You could use all three, by the looks of you.
CASTOR
I'm good.
Lucien
Suit yourself.
Slowly, reluctantly, Chase sits down.  He notices the serpent pendant that's hanging around the fat mans next.
CASTOR
Mind telling me why the hell I'm here, now?  I remember saying that I never wanted to hear or see you ever again...
Lucien
(Sips his drink)
Oh, I'm sorry.  I didn't care.  After all these years, I figure you should have at least a sliver of understanding....about how things work.
CASTOR
As I recall, that's the very reason I quit.  
LUCIEN
(ignoring him)
Well then I should welcome you back. Nobody ever quits the game once they've rolled the dice.  Which brings me to 'why the hell you're here'.
CASTOR 
(vehemently)
Your problem is, Lou, you just don't fuckin' listen.
Chaser gets up to leave as Lucien crosses his arms.
Lucien
You walk out that door, Castor, and you won't be walking back.  And trust me, when I say you won't be walking back, I mean you physically 'won't' be able to.  Now sit the fuck back down.
(beat)
I'm giving you a chance, man.  To take back that piece of shit that's your god forsaken life.  The payoff...well, it ain't in pennies alright?  
CASTOR
You offer me a hit, and I don't take it, and then you threaten to make me a hit?  Is that how things work?
LUCIEN
Life sucks, huh?  Its a win-lose scenario, and it goes pretty high on both those spectrums depending on your choice.
(beat)
But its different this time.  I'm just the manager.  You ever heard of Pallas Santiago?
CASTOR
Yeah.  A little.
LUCIEn
He's the celebrity of the underworld.  Did a major score down in Turkey a decade ago.  Took off with 2 million.
(beat)
He disappeared for awhile after that, and popped up about a year go looking for fresh blood.  I met him last week...
Lucien pauses after finishing his sentence, and stares with a sallow face at Chaser.  
CASTOR
Lucien, whenever you go quiet waiting for me to 'ooh' and 'ahh' at what you have to say, don't you ever consider I'm just gonna call you an asshole?
LUCIEN
It crosses my mind.  Anyways, his agent and affiliates managed to catch wind of you, somehow.  Apparently he was pretty impressed with your track record.  Obviously, you're not described as 'foul mouthed' and 'insolent' in those files.
(beat)
Santiago has his own hit planned.  Pretty ambitious plan, but I'm not going to argue over his methods.  He has a way of succeeding...unexpectedly.  He waited till the second tequila to mention your name, and I told him I knew you.  He said he wanted you to join his team, 20% benefits and all that lingo.  
(beat)
Guys like him pay fancy lawyers to say 'we want you to kill somebody' in fancy sentences so its considered a little more...socially acceptable.
CAsTOR
(smugly)
Not playing the head honcho anymore, huh Lou?  You losing your touch or something?
LUCIEN
I just found it a little more profitable..and whole hell of a lot safer, to enter into management.
(beat)
He's got one other merc already under his wing.  You'll be the third and final.  What do you say?
CASTOR 
(distraught, because he has no choice)
Heh...how many scopes you have trained on me if I say no?  You son-of-a-bitch.  So what, am I supposed to play another follow-the-leader routine?
LUCIEN
(levelly)
Something like that.  The guy hasn't even met you, but he wants you to lead up as second in command.  Cheer up.  At least I'm giving you a choice this time.
CASTOR
I promised myself there'd never be a next time.  Why are you so intent on having me in again?? I didn't exactly make you proud, now did I?
INT. SHED – AFTERNOON
Chaser is tied to a chair with rope.  Lyza (21) walks into the room, clothed in leather pants and a leather T-shirt, both black.  She's walking around the room, pacing, her dazzling long red hair swinging about.
LYZA
Hmmmm....you're a pretty stubborn one, aren't ya gorgeous?
CASTOR
(groaning)
It complements my overwhelming charm..
Lyza
(giggles)
That must be it.  But I'm getting tired, hon.  I don't wanna have to keep this up all day, okee dokee?
Lyza comes up to him and sits on him, straddling him with her arms wrapped around his head.
LYZA (CONT'D)
Please talk.  Pleassseee??
CAStOR
Suck it.
Lyza smiles, disappointed like, and looks over at a glass table right next to them.  With a lightning fast punch she sends her fist right through it, and redraws it slowly, a chunk of glass in her hand.
LYZA
You wouldn't want me to have to use this on you.  Glass is such a pretty thing.  When you paint it red, it gets even prettier....like me!
Slowly she draws the piece of glass towards his crotch and pokes him.  
LyZA (CONT'D)
Do you think I'm pretty, Chase?
(beat)
I think you do.  Tee hee.  Maybe thats why you're not talking, huh?  You shy?  
She jumps up and runs the glass blade along his throat, drawing rivulets of blood.  Chase mumbles something under his breath, grimacing.
LyZA (CONT'D)
(suddenly transformed)
I think I'll kill you.  A little girl like me...well, baby, lets just say you really wore me out!  You know I love you, don't you Chase?  I wouldn't do anything to hurt you...unless it was absolutely necessary.
As she finishes her sentence, she pokes in a little, causing him to gasp, and a fresh stream of blood to coalesce under his chin.
CASTOR
(Whispers quietly)
Ok...okay....I'll...I'll talk already.  Just...jus don't...please.  C...come here....closer.
Lyza leans in close to Chaser to hear what he's saying.  As soon as she gets close, he leans into his ear...
CASTOR (CONT'D)
(Whispers)
Go fuck yourself...you...sick...bitch...
Lyz snarls, sits back on his lap, and punches Chaser ferociously in the face.  The glass in her hand trails over his neck.  Castor almost falls backwards with the chair, and a fresh stream of blood begins to dribble down his chin.
LYZA
Fucker.
Before he can say anything, she rips off his shirt and slashes his chest.  
LYZA (CONT'D)
Hows that feel??  That better??
He is convulsing incredibly, the blade puncturing his chest in a dozen places as she brings the glass down again and again.  His convulsions increase and the legs of the chair he's tied to snap.  Chaser falls backwards.
INT. BaCK ROOM - DAY
Lou stuffs his cigarette into an ashtray.
LUCIEN
No.  You were a goddamn disappointment.  But Santiago wants you.  And I want Santiago.  Which means, Santiago will 
have you.  Let him deal with you, if he feels like it....
(beat)
Look on the bright side, old friend.  You start cooperating and you might end up spending the rest of your life in Belize or sumpin'.
Lou finishes his drink, then sits back with his hands behind his head.  Chaser just looks straight ahead, dazed, and completely helpless to refuse.
LUCIEN (CONT'D)
I'm finished with you.  Come back to my place tomorrow....he wants to meet you.
Chaser gets up, flustered, and irritated, and heads toward the door.
FADE OUT
EXT. PARKING LOT – DAY
A very large, windowless, red van is parked obliquely across two parking spaces.  Two black 6's are painted across it.  Pallas Santiago (34) walks over to the van, unlocks it, and places two armfuls of groceries inside.  He reaches into his white linen shirt and pulls out a pack of cigarettes.  He takes a long draw and exhales slowly.
An old woman, probably in her 70's walks by with a cart of groceries.  Santiago looks at her, licks his lips, and winks at her.  She blushes, gives him a terrified look, and hurries away.  He chuckles and gets into his van.
I/E. CITY ROAD – DAY
The van is driving down the road rather erratically when a voice over ensues.
LUCIEN (V.O.)
Contestant number one, the man willing to put up with your sorry ass, is Pallas Santiago.  He's been in the business the entire life and knows every angle.  He's pulled off a hundred tricks and not a single botch up.  Turkey was his finest yet...but he claims he's gonna be able to top that, with your help of course.
INT. VAN – DAY
Santiago is smoking a cigarette and puffs the smoke out the window.  He's playing 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' on the radio.
LUCIEN (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Experienced, cool, calm.  And dangerously brutal.  He's got all the essentials nailed down.  His methods are a little...unorthodox, but he gets the job done, and respects the chain of command.
He pulls a revolver out of the glove compartment and checks the chambers.  All six are full.  He sniffs and places the gun in his pants.
LUCIEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The guy's a mystic.  Tends to get a little philosophical at times....just like you, sonny boy.  His ideals might differ a little, but you two should get along famously.  He's also got a bit of a condition you might have to deal with from time to time.
INT. JACOB'S APARTMENT – DAY
Jacob Gulliver (21) is reading through a plethora of pornography magazines that litter his apartment.
LUCIEN (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Second up is Jacob Gulliver.  Turns out this guy is a modern day Casanova.  Rebellious, carnal, but Santiago has managed to tame the little bastard.
A young woman in her underwear walks into the room and kisses Jacob on the lips.
LUCIEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Essentially, he's a horn dog and doesn't like to listen.  Feel free to blow his balls off if you need his attention.  The women find him irresistible for some reason.  
I/E. CITREON - DAY
Chaser is holding his head in contempt, pissed off to the extreme.
He makes up the last of your team.
EXT. CHASER'S HOUSE – EVENING
Chaser gets out of his car again, notices his mail box has been tipped over, and remorsefully kicks at it.
INT. CHASER'S HOUSE – EVENING
On the floor are the remnants of his refrigerator.  He picks up a carton of milk, sniffs it, and grimaces.  He reaches down and picks up a can with some beans left in the bottom and slams the empty fridge shut.
EXT. CHASER'S HOUSE ROOF – EVENING
The roof is pretty torn up, but he finds a nice place and leans back, digging at the can of beans with a plastic fork, and looking up at the sky.
CASTOR (V.O.)
They say life ain't fair.  Well, that's true for the most part.  But I guess that depends on your point of view.  I live in a frickin' cesspool, but that don't necessarily mean that life is unfair, now does it?
EXT. I-73 HIGHWAY - MORNING
A black Citreon speeds past a highway sign, an ebon blur of steel and rubber.  Chaser, wearing his black leather jacket and black pants, hits the radio and cranks up Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick In The Wall'.
Either way, I'm fed up, fair or not.  So now I have to play the game...the game of life.  Sounds clichéd, huh?  Sure.  But it's the best goddamn analogy I've ever heard.  And like every other game, there's rules....rules that you play by, rules that you invent.  And just like every other game, you've gotta compete against a panel of equally fed up, equally temperamental contestants.  Normally not a problem, 'cept the goons I'm likely to get involved with pack shotguns, revolvers, and an even deadlier attitude towards guys like me.
A birds eye shot looking down at the streets of a metropolitan area is established, the buildings becoming mere two-dimensional squares as the camera follows the Citreon.
CASTOR (V.O.) (CONT'D)
All I can think of is Monopoly.  Going around in circles, eking out a living, and trying to swindle your neighbours.  Whether your the shoe, the cannon, the dog...we're all in the same boat.  Like Lucien said, all we can do is wait for the fall of the dice.
EXT. PANDEMONIUM – MORNING
At the entrance, a meek bellboy emerges.  Chaser tepidly views the kid before tossing him his keys.
INT. PANDEMONIUM
PANDEMONIUM is a huge club, filled even at this hour with a plethora of questionable characters, female and male.  A Samoan Bouncer stands guard, and as Chase enters, a scrawny punk with spiked hair tries to worm past the brute.
The Bouncer catches him by the head, reels him around, and tries to force the idiot back.  The punk, stupidly, offers resistance by punching the huge guy in the gut.  The Bouncer doesn't even feel it, but replies by launching his fist into the guys nose.
Blood spatters and bone cracks in a sickening display as the punk is reeled back, clutching his nose that has been shattered all but completely, and now hangs like a fleshy bag of cartilage off his face.
CASTOR
(cuts in cautiously)
Hey.  I need to speak with Lucien.
BOUNCER
(recognizes him)
Hey, you gotta name?
CASTOR
Yeah, but only for my friends.
BOUNCER
(coldly)
You wanna see Lucien, or should I break your nose too?
CASTOR
Castor.  Chaser.
BOUNCER
(nods)
Huh....alright, get inside.  The boss is waiting for you.
Chaser is allowed to pass into the main room.  The theme of PANDEMONIUM seems to focus on the classical Gothic architecture of England, and decorative items display a state-of-the-art visual assemblage.  Fire jets and demon heads sprout from the ceilings and walls, and below a crushing throng of dancing people stamp and holler to the loud techno music ushered through hidden speakers.
Chaser spots Lucien down by one of the valet tables, immersed in conversation with two scantily clad women.  Both are attired in similar devil-woman costumes, their variations subtle and revealing.  The chubby man spots Chaser almost instantly and motions for him to come over.
LUCIEN
Chase!!  Glad you could make it!  May I introduce Laurely and Sophia.  Ladies, meet Chaser Castor.  I take it you have come to a decision regarding my..ah...offer?
CASTOR
I have.
LUCIEN
Excellent.  Uhm...ladies, will you excuse us please?  Mr. Castor and I have some details to attend to.  Will you join me in my office, Castor?
Lucien gets up and the two follow a walkway that leads over top of PANDEMONIUM.
LUCIEN (CONT'D)
How do you like it?  The club, I mean.
CASTOR
It reeks of you.
LUCIEN
Hahhahah!  Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven, no?
Lucien laughs and steps into his office.
INT. LUCIEN'S OFFICE – DAY
The interior of his office is very lavish, and a giant, aquamarine aquarium situated behind his desk emanates a blue glow.  There are three chairs on the opposite side of the desk, and one of them seats a mysterious figure.  As they approach, they realize it is Pallas Santiago.  He has a big wide brimmed hat on, white pants, and a flamboyant Hawaiian shirt.
Lucien sits down in his big over chair and motions for Chaser to sit likewise.
LUCIEN
Chase, I want you to meet Pallas Santiago...
PALLAS
(looks up coolly)
This the chicken you got under your wing, Lucy?
LUCIEN
Not for long.  Pallas, this is Chaser Castor.  
PALLAS
Ah...so he ain't a total loss after all.  
LUCIEN
Don't mind, Santiago.  He's got a few issues with his social reputation.  If you'll excuse me for a moment, gentlemen, I'll get your files.
Lucien gets up and leaves the room.  Pallas lights a cigarette but doesn't say anything.  Finally he looks over at Chaser.
PALLAS
You like Star Trek?
CASTOR
What?
PALLAS
Star Trek.  You know, 'boldly going where no man has gone before'?  You have T.V.? 
CASTOR
I never watched that show.
PALLAS
That's a shame.  I'm quite fond of Picard, personally.  How 'bout you?  You don't have to be a Trekkie to have a favourite character...
CASTOR.
I'm not exactly one for small talk.
PALLAS 
Ah, me neither.  That's good.  I was just checking, y'know?  Just so long as we got an understanding.  I'm not a big talker, either.  Actions speak louder than words, ain't that a famous saying?
CASTOR
I believe so.
PALLAS
Heh.  Small talk is for guys playing it foolish, pretending like they have good intentions, and trying to break the ice.  But you and me, see...we don't have to rely on that.  We got an...uh, evolved sense of understanding.  I'm glad about that.  
Pallas looks grimly at an ajar door where Lucien has disappeared to. 
PALLAS (CONT'D)
Unlike some of these guys, all they wanna do is talk, and about the goddamn stupidest things.
CASTOR
Like Star Trek?
PALLAS
(suddenly serious)
Hey!  Hey, you wanna talk garbage about me fine, but you leave Star Trek outta this, okay?  That's my second rule.
CASTOR
(mockingly)
What was the first?
PALLAs
(coldly)
I haven't told you yet.
Just then Lucien reappears, two folders in his hand, and hands them to the sitting men.
LUCIEN
Here you are gentlemen.
PAlLAS
(sarcastically)
Why don't you tell my friend here, what we've got behind door number one?
LUCIEN
(flashes a seething glare at Pallas)
We need to get some info.  Charles Shestower.  You three are gonna make him talk.
Int. OFFICE room - Day
A skinny, rather lanky, man with huge circular glasses and in the late stages of male pattern baldness is sitting at the head of a large table, surrounded by silent, watching executives sitting in apparent idle neutrality.  
Charles Shestower (60) has his arms enfolded around his back and his clean shaven face is set in a cast of stone as he looks blankly across the table.
LUCIEN (V.O.)
A year ago some techie friends of Pallas took in an interest in a large stockpile of offshore accounts with this fellow's name below them.  The intel figures he's got at least a half a billion dollars in unmarked bills under his nails.  
FADE TO:
I/E. GRAY BUILDING - DAY
Charles Shestower walks down the granite steps of the building, attired in a black and gray suit, and gets inside a limousine.
LUCIEN (V.O.)
Problem is, the old miser didn't take into consideration the fact that his banking complications are taken care of by a sub-committee, a group of rich old geezers who watch the finances of their patrons like hawks.  For some reason, they haven't caught onto the large sum, though....but that makes it even more dangerous for Shesty here to extricate it.
FADE TO:
INT. CHARLES LIMO - DAY
Charles gets in and presses a button on his seat.  The limo takes off.
LUCIEN (V.O.)
Which means, with Charles unable to get to it, that money is fair game for whoever gets to it first.
BACK TO:
INT. LUCIEN'S OFFICE - DAY
Pallas takes his cigarette and exhales a stream of blue smoke.
PALLAS
(strangely intimately, as though dreaming)
It's a date.  Perfection.
CASTOR
(sweating his shorts)
Wait, wait.  I didn't sign up for this.  A 'talking' gig?  Is this what you meant by 'right down my alley'?  'Cause this is the farthest thing from, Lucien.
Lucien sighs and tubs his temples
LucIEN
(quietly)
Kid, I was counting on being able to rely on you.  Now what you're demonstrating...well that ain't reliance on your behalf.  I said I could make your problems disappear, get you back up on your feet...and I'll stick to that promise, if you stick to doing what I tell you to do until you get to where you wanna be.
CASTOR
(rubs his head and makes a sucking sound with his teeth)
Right now I wanna be back in my shithole house drinking month old milk and watching anime.
Suddenly a strange voice initiates over the dialogue.  
Rabbit (O.S.)
He's not easily enticed.  Can you trust him, Santiago?  Do you know who he really is?
PALLAS
What??
Lucien and Chaser look at him.
CASTOR
(disturbed)
I said I'd rather not be here.
LUCIEN
(eyeing Pallas uncertainly)
You know that's not true.  Now, I have means to 'persuade' you to do this for me, but that wouldn't do me much good, would it?  A job is only as good as the people handling it.  And Santiago here...needs a third man.
With that, Lucien walks over to a bar and fills up several glasses with a copper colored fluid.  Pallas flicks his cigarette butt, and looks callously over at Chaser.
PALLAS
(whispers)
Hey, pardner.  I suggest you evaluate your situation, here.  Now, Lucien over there....god knows what he's ever thinking.  But I know you....seen what you're capable of.  And judging by Lucy boys recent obsequiousness, I'd say I could ask for just about anything from him, and get it.  I want you, I'll have you.  Even if it's gotta be him that delivers you.  I'm starting to figure you for a bloody coward.
CASTOR
(outraged)
You've only had five minutes to get to know me to figure me.  That means I don't care what the hell you think...
Lucien returns his desk, carrying three shot glasses of whiskey.  He offers one to Pallas, and one to Chaser.
LUCIEN
So what'll it be, Chase?
PALLAS
(cuts in)
Do yourself a favour, my friend, and pretend Lucy boy here's a big, bad red brute we all know and love.  Now, you gonna play the Devil's Advocate or you gonna play the stupid kid who spits in his face?
Castor sits back in his chair, extremely agitated, furtively pondering the circumstances and consequences.  His eye wanders to the painting behind Lucien, a colorful watercolor portrait of flame.  
CASTOR (V.O.)
When you get stuck in something big enough, you think more clearly than ever before.  Things start to make sense when, logically, they shouldn't.  Looking at a representation of the Ninth Bolgia, I had one of those moments.
Chaser swallows, looks once at Pallas and Lucien who are staring at him anxiously, and grabs the shot glass.
CASTOR (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Like understanding that the line between life and death is as simple as reaching for a glass of whiskey or choosing water.
LUCIEN
Welcome to the team.  
Castor finishes off the whiskey without even tasting it and slams the shot glass back down on Lucien's desk.
CASTOR
I'm not a fool.
LUCIEN
(sagely)
No...you're not.  Hmmmm, well gentlemen, guess we're all heading down the same road.  
CASTOR
I've got a question, though.  What makes you think this guy won't have protection?
LUCIEN
Nothing.  He might have an army in his garage, or he might not.  That's for you three to deal with and me to stop caring about.  Which brings me to my next topic.
He reaches into his desk again and pulls out a revolver.  Chaser visibly stiffens as the gun comes into view.  Lucien holds it up, a chrome burnished maiden of death, and then slides it across to Chaser.
LUCIEN (CONT'D)
As of now, we assume absolutely no identity...none of us.  You realize the potential threat that one can attribute to a name, of course.  Amazing, isn't it?  How dangerous identity can be?  How secure anonymity is, in the end?  This is yours, Castor.  You...along with Pallas and Jacob, will make up the 'Three 6's'.  That's how you'll be known...in here, out there, wherever.  Secondly, each of you now has an alias-
(beat)
Santiago...you're aka is Baal.  Castor, you're Beelzebub.
PALLAS
(clears his throat)
A little off topic, Lucien...but if we're supposed to be three, where's the other guy that one and two makes trois?  I thought you arranged for him to meet me here.
The old man sneers and slams his desk shut.  From a separate drawer he pulls out a box of ammo.
LUCIEN
(chokes on the name)
Jacob aka Belial.  I should be asking you  that, Baal.  He's your ward, not mine.  That idiot decided he'd rather play the rebellious teenager and skip out on this little meeting.  You still want him, I suggest you head downtown.  Give Charles a little visit, courtesy of Lucien Chambers, aka Cypher.    
Santiago reaches into his pants and takes out his revolver.  He grabs a handful of bullets and begins to insert them into the chambers of his gun.  Chaser still seems dejected and just watches.
LUCIEN (CONT'D)
Load up, Beelzebub buddy.  This be the medicine of the sickly weal, and you shall be the vessels of that medicine.
Chaser almost looks sick as he shifts his weight in his chair.  He frowns at the box of ammo, licks his lips, and grabs a handful on his way out.
EXt. PANDEMONIUM - DAY
Santiago follows Chaser into the street, and takes off his dark glasses when he sees the Citreon.
PALLAS
Nice car.
CASTOR
Yeah, whatever.
Chaser gets in, and Santiago jumps uninvited into the passenger seat.  Chaser looks at him sickeningly and revs the engine.
INT. CITREON - DAY
Santiago reaches into his pants again, checks his gun, and puts it away.  Chase seems quite unhappy and just stares at the road ahead, completely uninvolved with anything else save the musings of his conscience.
PALLAS
So what number is this?
Castor
What are you talking about?
PALLAS
What number?  How many little career moves you busted with Lucien?
CASTOR
This is my third.
PALLASE
(surprised)
Third?  Jeeesus!  You must've instilled some serious faith in that old bastard.  Hahah!  Number 30 and he still doesn't trust me by myself.  But at long last, I get to run my own show.  Hah...hey, you mind if I ask you a question?
CASTOR
I thought you weren't into small talk?
PALLAS
I'm not, that's the honest too goodness truth.  It sickens the hell out of me.  But what we got going here, me and you...this isn't small talk.  It's discussion.  Small talk deals with superficialities, things that nobody would ever really care about in their right mind, like the weather or what we did this weekend.  You gotta get past that....that's why I like you.  You don't talk much, but you know what it means to really 'talk'.
Chaser swallows and twitches his left eye.  He looks back at his passenger, who just looks back at him and chuckles to himself.
PAlLAS (CONT'D)
Hahahah!  You think I'm nuts, right?  Hmmm, that's all right.  Makes it easier to talk to each other.  Nobody ever talks sense to people who they think can understand them.  We're strange that way.  But damn, I just keep waffling like Aunt Jemima, don't I?  The question.  You wanna answer?
CASTOR
(eyes his passenger most seriously, like he's lost his mind)
Maybe I haven't told you...but it's not just small talk I don't like.
PALLAS
Okay, okay, I'll make it quick.  I wanna know...in your opinion...and I want you to be honest....why do you think we kill each other?
Chaser can't stand it and whirls around to glare at Santiago.  But his face is completely frozen, and his sincerity that is beyond doubt forces Chase to shake his head in complete disbelief.
CASTOR
You going existential on me?  What the hell kind of a question is that? 
PALLAS
A fucking question.  The answering kind, I figure.  
CASTOR
What would make you think I'd even wanna talk to you?  In there...you and Lucien were playing me for a fool, waiting to see if I'd play puppet for the puppeteer.
PALLAS
(sardonically)
And you played the game well.  You didn't play like a fool.  What else did you want?
CASTOR
To be able to stand up, give you two the bird, and walk out alive.
PALLAS
(laughs)
Hahahah!  High hopes, Chaser.  I can call you Chaser, right?  Ah, forget it.  Now, you gonna answer my question?  I just wanna know what you think about it...
Chaser reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pair of shades that he nestles on the bridge of his nose.
CASTOR
And if I told you I didn't?
PALLAS
I'd call you a fucking liar and ask the question again.
CASTOR
You wanna know why people kill each other, and you need me to answer that for you?  How should I know why people kill?  Just being pissed off...anger.
PALLAS
It's never as simple as it appears.  You think that's it then?  Pure untempered rage, the reactant of war?   
CASTOR
You don't sound convinced.
PALLAS
(puts his hands behind his head)
Just expecting a more...detailed reply.  Sure, when you're dealing with everyday situations, everyday people, I'd buy that wrath theory.  But, let me rephrase...why do you kill people?
CASTOR
(twitches uncomfortably)
You're pretty psychotic, aren't you?
PALLAS
See...being earnest as always.  Huh.  I'm just stating, that someone like you can't use that excuse as incentive.  Let me tell you why people like us kill other people.  
CASTOR
People like us...
PALLAS
That's right.  Like us.  You take your average Joe.  Sure, rage and macabre amusement'll be his dish, but I'm not talking about them.  I'm talking about us.  People in our line of work.  You don't mind if I just....rant, do ya?  Good.  We kill...because we do.  It's a choice, nothing complicated.  It's a job, and we do it because we're told too.  There's no emotion...there can't be.  A few mil is all the motivation anybody should ever need.
CastoR
(blatantly sarcastic)
How...noble.  I admit, I kinda figured you for a shallow jerk from the start.
PAllaS
Heh, we just gotta get to know me better.  Let me tell you, it's all about the job, man.  The job, the money, the reputation.  People...like me, like you...we don't need anything else.  Can't afford anything else.  In this line of work, you survive by lacking in emotion...and motivation, to some degree.  When you're standing over a guy, holding a rod to his temple.  Well, let's just say things like sympathy, compassion, and goodwill are pure poison.  Take it from a pro.  You start developing a conscience on the scene and it'll be the last scene you're responsible for.  So if you're getting any thoughts about those kinda ideals, I suggest you get out at the nearest gas station and piss that stuff outta ya.  Keep your mind on the job.
CASTOR
Look whose going philosophical now.  Sounds like you're reciting a manual.
PALLAS
Sorry to be long winded.  I'm just trying to draw comparisons to other people.  I'm just trying to instill the fact that we's got a job, just like everybody else.  We get paid for it, we don't especially like it, and we never get the full hour at our coffee breaks.  But we generally feel good at the end of the day.
CASTOR
'Cept most people don't kill other people as their day job.
PALLAS
How do you know?  Burger flippers at Mickey D's contaminate thousands each day, poisoning the chubby guys with unsaturated fats.  The media bombards us with propaganda and lies every day.  And the president...I won't even get started.  Our methods are a little more final, a little less painful, so that makes us criminals and villains.  We're harbingers of death, you and I, just like every other stinking civilian.  But we just got the short end of the stick when the literal definition of death is painted in neon letters.  You wanna look at death as the end of life, fine...but if you wanna look at it like me, death is just a degree of the quality of life.
CASTOR
You normally mind-fuck people like this on a first date?
He smiles and sits back in the seat, his arms behind his head, and goes to sleep.  Chaser notices that Santiago has a clay idol of something or someone around his neck.
CASTOR (CONT'D)
What's that thing around your neck?
PALLAS
(doesn't open his eyes)
My baby Ashley of the Ra.  She keeps an eye on me, I keep her candle burning.  
CASTOR
Not everybody that has a for-hire guardian angel over their head.
PaLLAS
Not everybody that needs one.
CUT TO:
EXT. CIRCA NIGHT CLUB - EVENING
The black Citreon pulls up on the curb of the street where a huge flashing sign of the 'Circa Night Club' is flashing it's neon advertisement.  Santiago sticks his gun into his pants again, flinching.
PALLAS
Ooohh...that's some cold steel on the privates.  You coming?
Chase watches him get out, and then fumbles in his back seat and retrieves his revolver.  He loads it with his complimentary bullets, and conceals it in the confines of his belt before following Santiago into the club.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
(whispers hoarsely)
You ever killed anyone before?
Chase is about to reply when-
FADE TO:
EXT. SHED - MORNING
There is a CU of a chair in the middle of the shed, still bearing tentacles of white rope.  The shot DOLLY'S out and we see Lyza on the floor.
Next to her we see Chaser, his eyes glazed over in a fiery temperament. Chaser's bare upper body is tipped with crimson streaks where he was slashed, but flecks of blood that are not his own dot his flesh. 
She appears to be wounded, because one side of her face is scratched up beyond recognition, her eye completely obscured by red.  A piece of reddened glass is stickng out oh her abdomen, and rises and falls with each gasping breath she takes.  She looks up at the staggering figure of Chaser.
LYZA
(gasping)
Didn't think...you had the balls, hon.  
She looks at the blood that covers her body, holds her fingers up above her head and studies them with her one good eye.
LYZA (CONT'D)
How about now Chase?  Am I...pretty...now?
She rolls over, smiling....
...and Chase retches, runs for the door, and terrible vomiting sounds are emitted from outside.
EXT. CIRCA NIGHT CLUB - Evening
Chaser falters for a moment.
CASTOR
(shakily)
I....uh...kinda, yeah.
PALLAS
(vacillating on his confidence in Castor)
Uh huh.  Alright, forget it.  Just...stay close, 'k?
CASTOR
You expecting a brawl?
PALLAS
I always expect a 'brawl'.  That's why I'm still alive.
INT. CIRCA NIGHT CLUB - EVENING
Santiago and Chase step into the night club.  Flaring laser light shows, loud music, and strobe flashes join a large company of dancing scantily clad women and men.  
They walk over to the bar, and a brawny bartender greets them.  Santiago flips out a 20 dollar bill and shoves it toward the Bartender.
BARTENDER
What can I get you?
PALLAS
Hmmm....what should I have.  You got a favourite, Beelzebub?

CASTOR
No..not really.
PALLAS
Hmm...lets stay in character and you can get me a bloody mary.  Fits the occasion I 'd say.  You want something?  Hey, Beelzebub....you want something?
CASTOR 
Uh..oh, no thank you.
Santiago waves the Bartender away.
PALLAS
So....seen our guy around?
INT. CIRCA NIGHT CLUB OFFICE - EVENING
A lanky black guy with huge sunglasses is resting his feet on an osage orange wood table.  He's got very colorful and overly ostentatious clothing on.  He's obviously sleeping, because his snores are the only thing audible in the office.  Suddenly, a black woman enters the office, clad only in a skin tight red leather suit that is revealing even by club standards.  The black guy stirs and jumps to his feet.  We see his orange suit has the words 'To Be Or Not To Be' sewn onto it.
WOMAN
(amused)
Ah ah....you, uh...sleeping on the job, Jiggy?
Jiggy
'Dis be mine place, Laetitia.  Should you have a problem with the management....wellll, you can just suck my-
WOMaN
Shut up, you pervert.  You don't own anything.  Your brother owns the place....and if I wanted, I could get your ass outta here faster than it takes to snap my fingers.  So screw you.  Some guys downstairs just came in and security recognizes one of 'em as that Santiago dogg.  You gonna check it out, or should I make a phone call?
JIGGY
No!  No, I mean...yay, I'll take care of it.  Don't you have a little faith in me?  Show me to them, fair maiden.
The woman simply gives him the finger and walks out.
INT. CIRCA NIGHT CLUB - EVENING
Jacob Gulliver is at a circular table, surrounded by a group of very attractive women.  He's wearing a golden chain around his neck, and his suit is black and blue, the softest of silks.  They are laughing and giggling among each other shamelessly.
Santiago suddenly appears and looms over the table.  Gulliver looks up slowly, his reflexes retarded by his drunken stupor.  However, it's apparent that the two know each other.
JACOB
(taunting)
Ahhhh....Pallas!  Pallas, ol' boy!  Hahahah!  Has the Infernal Serpent's right hand man come to call on me, it's greatest warrior!?
PALLAS
(distastefully)
I work for myself now, Jacob.   Still making love to that sweet golden virgin, I see.
JACOB
(holds up his Whiskey)
This?  Hahahah!  You bet...second love of my life...right after these ladies.
PALLAS
I was talking about your sister, asshole.  Get up....we're leaving.
JACOB
Ah, no.  No, I don't think so.  I'm...quite comfortable, you could say...right where I am.
Santiago steps over the table, lifts Gulliver up by the collar, and looks him fiercely in the eye.  His female cohorts start screaming and leave the premises immediately.
Just then Jiggy and several gigantic bruisers step up behind the scene.  The skinny man takes off his sunglasses and wrinkles his lips.
JIGGY
Well, well, well....looky here who decided to enter onto neutral ground.  Somebody's smiling down on me tonight.  Looks like...one, two, three of the stupidest 6's I've ever laid eyes on...
With Jiggy's sudden appearance, Santiago drops Gulliver and jumps down next to the 'owner' of the club, who flinches a little.
PALLAS
(dangerously)
You wanna start something Jiggy, that's fine by me.  But right now, I got more important things to deal with.  And when I got something on my mind, like right now, I don't like being disrupted.  Ruins my concentration, see?  Get's me hella frustrated.  And when I get frustrated, bullets fly.
JIGGY
(swallows and licks his lips which have suddenly become chapped)
Do you need some more incentive to flee this place?  I don't want you here, Santa....and I ain't the only person.
PALLAS
Let me collect one of your patrons and I'll be more than happy to 'flee'.
JIGGY
You think I can excuse you so easily?  I'm afraid it don't work that way.  I can't have you walking up in clubs and makin' off with paying customers.  Plus, this isn't the first time you've made trouble here.  It's gotta stop, and down here we play a dirty game of Gangster Justice.
PALLAS
That so?  Then let me suggest that you make the first move.  Justice always gets off the first swing.  All I ask is that when you're done you give me ample time to retort.  But let me remind you to think clearly...I got two times thrice trying to escape my trigger finger, and none have your name on 'em.
JIGGY 
What's that supposed to mean, pray tell?
Santiago pulls out his gun in a heartbeat and lands the barrel against Jiggy's forehead.  Jiggy recoils suddenly under the threat of the revolver, just as Santiago's eyes scan the metal balcony where a handful of affiliates have trained AK-47's on the vicinity.  Santiago brings his eyes back to Jiggy, who is still playing it cool.
PALLAS
It meant that I gave two heartbeats to kill me easy.  You waited too long, and now the heartbeats are gonna be passing even quicker.  But I'm a fair man...it's your move.  And for God's sake, don't whimper this time.
JIGGY
You don't frighten me Baal.  You ain't getting outta her alive, Pallas.
PALLAS
(coolly cocks his revolver)
That much...we have in common.
JIGGY
(his glasses fall away to reveal eyes stained with fear)
C'mon, man, you don't wanna do this.  You really gonna splatter me all over my place? 
PALLAS
I was thinking about it.  And you have no idea what I want.  Now....what's it gonna be, Jiggy?  We both wake up to Breakfast Television or a clammy coffin?  
JIGGY
(starts to sweat profusely)
Geeezus, Pall...you're a fucking loon, you know that?  A fucking loon!!  You kill me and you die too!  I can't let you outta here, 'G.  Big bro don't much like you, and he'd like me less if I walked you to the door.  I'm already a dead man, don't you see?  You understand my predicament, now?
PALLAS 
Lucidly.  But like you said, it's your predicament.
Jiggy falls to his knees, looking up the barrel of the gun and closes his eyes.  A small smile spreads across Santiago's lips as he holds the gun taut on the black man's head for a several moments.  
Then unexpectedly he whirls around and slams into Chaser, and the combined wait of both of them slide under the table, just as the 'snipers' with the AK's open fire.  Jiggy, realizing he isn't dead, scrambles out of the way as a storm of machine gun fire pounds down.
Under the table, Santiago and Chaser are joined by a somewhat sober Gulliver.  Santiago checks the chambers of his revolver as Gulliver pulls out a similar weapon and does likewise.  Chaser simply watches in disbelief.  He has so much adrenaline he could take a hundred bullets in the chest and keep on plowing.  Santiago holds him back.
CUE: 'Call to Dance' by Leahy
PALLAS (CONT'D)
Take it easy, kiddo.  Nature never betrayed the heart that loved her.  And if I've got their Nature understood....we just gotta wait.  Let 'em get it out of their system.  And while we're wallowing on a filthy floor,  I'd like you to meet Jacob Gulliver.  Son of a bitch, on his mothers side, and I'm not too sure about his daddy.  
JaCOB
Call me Belial.  By the way, I could do worse.
PALLAS
Not much worse, o' worthless one.  How many you got?
JaCOB
Full.  Plus 24 casings should we need it.
Bullets fall like rain, splattering on the floor and tabletop, creating a symphony of staccato notes.  Jiggy is at the far corner of the club, firing off a tiny P4 and screaming over the tumult.
PALLAS
I got 13 spares, how 'bout you Beelz?
CASTOR
Uh..uh...just what's in my gun.
PALLAS
Hmmm....'k, let's do this old fashioned and get it over with in 18 shots.  We get out of here, Jake, and I'm gonna smoke your ass.
JACOB
(lightheartedly)
There might not be enough left if you haven't learned to shoot straight since last time.
PALLAS
You're a real scumbag, you know that?  Fine. Beelz, aim for the pricks on the ledge, okay?  You, too.  I'll take out Jiggy's company.  On three then?
JaCOB
Better make it six.  Three isn't exactly a good number to start on.  I trust the odds of 6 a lot better...
Santiago sneers at Gulliver and waits for an intermission in the gunfire.
PALLAS
6...5....4....3....2....1...NOW!
All three rise up from behind the table, guns raised.  In slow motion the three advance.  Gulliver fires off several shots at the ledge, taking one of the 'sniper's in the chest, while Chaser wings another in the knee.
Santiago keeps a straight face as he marches forward in slow motion, battling a hail of broken tile, glass, liquor, and bullets.  Two muzzle flashes expel both of Jiggy's bodyguard's.  
Meanwhile, his companions launch themselves over tables, firing at the rows of men that appear from locked doorways.  Gulliver fires off a quick succession that flies through flesh and bone and sinew, exiting the bodies of three of Jiggy's men in a grim, pink cloud.
Chaser gets caught up and tears off the 10th rib of another gunman, and he screams and staggers forward, his entrails very nearly falling from the hole in his side.  Chaser isn't prepared and gets pinned down.  However, where there is one, there are bound to be more, and two more guys in tanktops burst through the doors and look towards him.  He can't reach his gun, so he clutches at the 9mm of the dead guy laying on top of him, and knocks out their knee caps with a stream of metal.
Finally, Santiago reaches Jiggy, who has dropped his P4, and stands over him.  A single remaining bodyguard trains his machine gun on the armed man.  Santiago flinches, then ducks and turns around in a fluid movement, discharging a single shot that nearly takes off the head of the bodyguard, and returning to his original position over Jiggy.
Unfortunately, Jiggy took advantage of the moment and picked up a discarded AK-47 while Santiago was whirling around, and now both point their barrels down the others line of sight.
JIGGY
Hah!  You thought you had me nailed, huh?  Didn't yah, Pallas??
PALLAS
(without any emotion)
I count 12 dead.  And you should be so lucky to be the last standing.  But this isn't over quite yet....you see, I've still got a bullet.  And this mistress has got your name written allll over it.  
Jiggy smiles, tenses for a moment, and pulls down on the trigger of the AK in his arms.  There's a millisecond pause and then-
CLICK
The black man trembles, looks at the useless thing in his hands, and lets it clatter to the floor.  Slowly, he gets down on his knees, shaking in heavy spasms, and looks up at the expressionless gaze of his would-be executioner.
JIGGY
(petrified out of his skull)
Hmm...Huh..uhh...K'...c'mon...Pallas, man, it's me.  Jus-...fuck.  Don't kill me, man...please don't kill me!  God....please......don't...c'mon Pallas.
Santiago pauses for a moment.
SANTIAGO
The names Baal.
P.O.V. JIGGY looking up at Santiago.
The blackness of the barrel of Santiago's revolver is like a chasm of bottomless night.  
JIGGY (O.S.) 
Ahh.....damn, man....please don't...please....I beg you...
PALLAS
They say that mercy is the sign of a great man.
There is a slight pause, then Santiago pulls back and the revolver erupts in a fountain of flame, and all becomes darkness.
FaDE TO BLACK.
pallas (O.S.) (CONT'D)
'Guess I'm just a good one.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
The black Citreon is a shadowy streak across the vacant streets of an unknown metropolis.  
I/e. CITREON - NIGHT
Chaser is driving, his attention focused on the road.  He lights up a cigarette and holds his hand out the window.  He looks at Gulliver, who has fallen asleep and dozes lightly over the soft music of 'Crystal Ball' by the Styx.
pALLAS
(lights up)
You're pretty quiet, Cas.
CASTOR
I'm not much of a talker, remember?
paLLAS
I remember.  But you gotta remember, that I know better.  People who don't like to talk, don't talk in a certain way.  People who don't talk because they've got something on their minds also talk in a certain way.
CASTOR
(snaps back)
If I've got something to say to you, Baal, I'll say it, alright?!  Just....shut up.
PALLAS
Heheh.  Yeah...right.  You never seen shit like that before...am I right?
CASTOR
No.
PALLAS
Ah, that's alright.  The first times always the hardest.  But after that, it's smooth sailing-
CASTOR
(enraged)
What the fuck is wrong with you?  I mean...fuck...geezus fucking Christ man!  You're a goddamn psychotic murderer!  You...you...took that guys head off!!  What kind of a twisted psychopath are you?  I mean....fuck-
Santiago doesn't even flinch against Chaser's raving temper, even when he pulls the Citreon over to the side of the road and puts his head against the steering wheel.  Gulliver just happens to wake up then.
JaCOB
Hey guys, what's going on?
pALLAS
(sighs)
Junior here is battling his ethics.  Guess it's the first time he's ever really witnessed our art.  Kinda beginning to wonder why Cypher spoke so highly of you.  This may...uh...take awhile.  You should catch whatever sleep you can.
JaCOB
Uh...right.  'K.
pALLAS
Listen kid.....you're in with us, you ride with us...you understand?  Killing....it's a motherfucking aspect of being alive.  We shake of this mortal coil.  Now if you can't handle that....well, shit...that's just too bad.  You deal.  Now toughen up!  
Chaser just ignores Santiago and gets out of the car hastily.  He stumbles over to the side of the road and chokes up a stomach full of vomit.
Another mysterious voice initiates that only Santiago can hear.
Wolf
You're a demon.  The blood of the innocent spills in your coffers...not his.  Belial and Baal are one....Beelzebub is one.
pALLAS
Ah, shit.  I'm driving.
Santiago gets in the drivers seat and takes off with Chaser in the passenger seat, who is barely conscious of what is going on around him and holds his hands in his head.
Pallas (CONT'D)
Better get some shut eye.  'Cause when that fateful sun rises...there's no rest for the wicked.
FAdE OUT.
EXT. CITYSCAPE hORIZON - DAWN
The sun is just beginning to rise over the buildings.
CASTOR (V.O.)
You talk to just about anybody, and they'll tell you they're biggest fear is of dying.  But I don't believe that.  
INT. CiTREON - DAWN
The Citreon is doing a 120 clicks down the empty streets of the city, the driver completely ignoring the presence of a brake or comparative speed limit.  Chaser looks out the window with drowsy eyes at the passing buildings.
CASTOR (V.O.)
I don't believe anybody is afraid of exiting this world.  No....they're biggest fear is how they'll spend the last few minutes of their life before they die.  Some famous guy once said that 'Death is peaceful, life is pleasant.  It's the transition that's troublesome.' Whether they worry about passing on some wisdom or sentiments to their children, saying goodbye in just the right way, or whether they worry about living a dozen lifetimes waiting for a sharp silver bullet to poke it's head out of that dark ridged barrel of a gun.
INT. HEaven Belt POLICE STATION - MORNING
Michael (45) is tall, 6'3, and muscular despite his declining years.  A thick lawn of auburn hair grows on his head, and his meticulous beard and cheeks are specked with two days worth of unwanted growth.
A skinny secretary smiles at him as he passes, and he smiles back uncomfortably before entering his office.  An older looking man is waiting for him.  Michael looks at the Chief Inspector sourly, and blinks a few times.
CHIEF INSPECTOR
You been down to the Circa, Lieutenant?
MICHAEL
Just got back, sir.
CHIEF INSPECTOR
 What'd you think?
MICHAEL
Looked pretty professional.  Pretty merciless.  The boys said that is looked like some bar fight got out of control...
CHIEF INSPECTOR
What do you think?
MICHAEL
(lowers his eyes in thought)
My..professional opinion, is that it wasn't done by amateurs.  According to forensics, and witnesses, however many were left, it was a misunderstanding between the bars owner and three other guys.
CHIEF INSPECTOR
I saw the same report, Lieutenant.  Came to the same conclusion.  One of the bouncers called them 'The Three 6's' before he died in intensive.  Whoever did it, whether they planned for it or not, knew exactly what they were doing.  But the department is writing it off as a random shooting, just another bookkeeping memento.
MICHAEL
(intuitively)
I see.  
(pause)
You were waiting in my office for over half an hour to tell me that?
CHIEF INSPECTOR
(hesitantly)
Actually, no.  The head of the department just wants it out of the way.  But I don't.  
MICHAEL
You always were the instinct buff, Fred.  You really think there's more to it?
CHIEF INSPECTOR
Ya.  But I don't know what.  Something big is going down, Mike.  Something's stirring, and I'm not sure what yet.
MICHAEL
And you want me to follow up on it?
CHIEF INSPECTOR
Without saying it so bluntly, yes.  You've got the authority to take it on.  It wouldn't be so unnatural for you to take on the case.  And if I'm right...
Michael wrinkles his eyebrows, thinking.  
MICHAEL
Give me some time to think about it.
CHIEF INSPECTOR
Don't take too long.  You saw the Circa, Mike.  You know as well as I do something else is going on.
The Chief Inspector nods and dismisses himself as Michael leans back in his chair, contemplating.
I/E. Wong's store - Late morning
Both Chaser and Santiago are in the convenience store, and through the store window, Gulliver appears to be checking himself out in the car mirror.
Santiago picks out a root beer from the refrigerator and walks over to Chaser, bumping into him purposefully.
PaLLAS
Hey man, maybe I was a little rough last night.  But all in all, what are you gonna do?  It was me or them.  You got off your shots too-
CaSTOR
(cuts in very abruptly)
Why'd you choose me, Baal?  
pallAS
What?  That was quite a change in subject-
CASTOR
You heard me.  Why did you choose me?
pallAS
(serenely)
I like your style.  It's got a funky sort of vibe.  And I needed someone strong...someone to keep Belial under control, someone to keep me in control.  You're the responsible one, that isn't a mystery.  And where we're going....you're the glue to hold us.
(beat)
You ain't got a taste for blood.  That's fine.  Leave that to me and Belial, and we won't think the lesser.  Just keep your head, tell us we're all doing a good job, pat us on the back, and you'll end up a richer man.
Santiago smiles, slaps him on the back, and walks over to the cash register where he pays for his root beer.
I/E. Purgatory Boulevard - later
The Citreon pulls up to the house of Charles Shestower.  Inside the car, Santiago lights up a cigarette and puts on a pair of dark glasses.  Chaser and Gulliver already have shades on.
INT. Citreon - DAy
Santiago looks slowly towards the house.  Gulliver is checking his gun, cocks it back and looks at the leader.
Jacob
Is he home?
paLLAS
Should be.  
Jacob
When you wanna do this?  I wanna go..
paLLAS
(automatically locks Gullivers door)
Just give me a moment.
He opens up his gun, pulls out a bullet and begins to etch something on the side of it with his keys.  He closes his eyes and puts the barrel vertically against his head, muttering something.
Gulliver turns around to Chaser.
jacob
Old St. Nick here has his own private religion.  Ever bullet in that gun, is sanctified by whatever holiness he's talking to right now, which happens to go by the name Ashely.  Personally autographed to the recipient of such a blessed missile.
CASTOR
Right.  I figured a case like him would have to have some religious issues.
Santiago opens his eyes suddenly at that, stares straight ahead, and speaks very cooly.
pallaS
(kisses his Ashley of Ra figurine)
Let's get in character...
The Three 6's get out of the Citreon and start heading toward the mansion in slow motion, and a flock of doves fly across their paths, flapping wildly. 
Santiago hops up the granite steps and gesticulates for the others to fall in line on either side of the large wooden door.
CASTOR 
So this is how interrogation works?  You stroll up to the front door, let yourselves in, and conk him on the head?  I always figured it was a little more...complex. 
paLLAS
Everybody does.
Santiago knocks again, and from inside there are footsteps approaching.  The door opens and Mrs. Shestower (60 something) looks up at Santiago, who abruptly falls into her and covers her mouth with his hand as he steps inside.
The other two quickly follow him in, making sure that nobody is watching them.
INT. Shestowers home - seconds later
The interior of the home is pretty lavish, suited to the tastes of an aristocrat, with decorative furniture and paintings on the walls.
Mr. Shestower, sitting at the dinner table eating some sort of pate is up on his feet instantly.  A servant drops his platter and tries to run towards Santiago, but the '6' member splatters his brains across the farthest wall.  Mrs. Shestower screams.
paLLAS
(still holding Mrs. Shestower)
Belial....find some rope here for the Mr. and Mrs.  Beelz, get that chair and bring it over here, will ya?
Santiago pulls out his gun and motions for Mrs. Shestower and Mr. Shestower to sit down on the chair.
MR. SHESTOWER
What do you want?  I-I have money!  Do you want money?
paLLAS
You could say that.  
Gulliver returns shortly and Santiago motions for him to tie them up.
palLAS (CONT'D)
Please excuse us, ma'am.  I must apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.  You have to understand that people like us have to take certain precautions.  I hope you understand...
Gulliver then pulls out a roll of duct tape and puts it across Mr. And Mrs. Shestowers mouth.  She is still staring at them all incredulously.
jacob
(finishing tying his knot)
Anybody else home?
CASTOR
(kind of dazed)
I dunno...I'll check.
paLLAS
(flops down on the couch)
Belial, go help him check the place out.  You don't mind if I make myself at home?
INT. Master bedroom - DAy
Gulliver and Chaser are going through each room just to make sure that no servants or other people are skulking around the mansion.  Just then Gulliver sees that there is a figure going through the closet in the bedroom and runs forward to grab her.
She is totally taken off guard as he slams his body into her and sends her smashing into the far wall.  He's suddenly surprised when she faces him with a small, fragile, teenage face.  Shes wearing a leather vest and blue jeans, and her long brown hair is tied back against her scalp.  She can't be more than 16 years old.
Fazed, but not for long, Gulliver claps a hand over her mouth before she can say anything and brings a strong arm around her waist, just as Chaser enters.
CASTOR
What the hell?
jacob
(teasingly)
Mrs. S didn't mention this little gem.  She's a fisty one, hey.  Smells nice.
The flailing girl struggles as Gulliver begins to feel her up.  Chaser watches in disbelief and steps forward, slamming his butt against the side of Gulliver's head.  The girl manages to escape his grip as her captor falls the ground, almost blacking out.  
jacob (CONT'D)
(cradling his bleeding head)
What the fuck, Beelz?  Whose fuckin' side you on?  Don't stand there, get her!
Chaser sneers at his fallen companion and hurries after her.  She almost makes it to the spiral staircase that leads to the bottom floor, but he's too fast and grabs the edge of her vest.  Tipped off balance, she stumbles and hits the floor hard.
He's on her in an instant and puts a gentle hand against her lips.
CASTOR
(almost pleading)
Please....don't scream.  I have a gun.
At that, she gets up slowly, bruised, and staring down a revolver.
GIRL
(talking rapidly)
Please don't hurt me!  I didn't mean to...I just...fuck please don't hurt me...
CASTOR
Just be quiet.  Start walking...down the stairs.
INT. Shestower living room - A few moments later
The girl, followed by Chaser, and then by an angry Gulliver, enter one by one into the living room, much to Santiago's surprise.
paLLAS
And who is this?
CASTOR
She was in the bedroom.
PALLAS
(brings over another chair)
Huh...we're gonna run out of chairs at this rate.  
(beat)
Sit down, girly.
She has tears in her eyes as Santiago ties her to the chair.  Gulliver sits on a padded Lay-Z-Boy and holds his head again, frowning.
GirL
(fearfully)
What are you doing?
paLLAS
Just making sure you can't run anywhere.  
GirL
I...I don't understand.  Please...I-I'm sorry....please, don't kill me.  Just...oh, god...
He tightens the ropes a little and stands up.
pALLAS
Lets see if you're parents here have any taste.  You got a name girl? 
Girl
(more disturbed about the parent ordeal than anything else)
What...what are you talking about??
PALLAS
(doesn't understand her befuddlement over the parents comment)
A name!  You got one?
She nods.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
What is it?
Girl
...Sam....Samantha...
paLLAS
Samantha.  You ever been really scared before?
She nods.
pallas (CONT'D)
You scared like that right now?
She nods again and closes her eyes.
Pallas (CONT'D)
You look smart....pretty sharp.  You get good grades?  
Girl
Yeah...I guess.
pallas
(proudly)
I thought so.  Well I want you to be extra smart right now.  That means being as quiet as a mouse.
With that he places a finger to his lips and places a piece of duct tape over her mouth.  
pallas (CONT'D)
Mr. S, you never told me you had such a pretty daughter...tsk, tsk.  Such a pretty little thing.  So fragile..
Samantha's eyes contort, and she looks completely befuddled, and so does Mr. and Mrs. Shestower, who try and murmur something through their gags.  But Santiago only notices Gulliver's head and looks back at Chaser.
pallas (CONT'D)
Well, well, well.  Samantha!  Did you knock up poor Belial here??
jacob
(vehemently)
You got your little lap dog here to thank for that!  Fucker pistol whipped me...
CASTOR
Maybe you should try keeping your hands to yourself.  She's a frickin' kid!
pallas
Sorry I asked.  I don't have time for this, you two.  You wanna duke it out, go in the other room away from the ladies.  Right now we got a job to do. 
jacob
Just keep him outta my way.
SANTIAGO
This is how it's gonna work.  You think you can do a better job of prisoner management?
CASTOR
I do.
paLLAS
Then you look over them both.  We might have to relocate them in a bit.  It's settled.  You and Bel start tearing each other apart, I'll just a hole in both of you and finish this myself.  We understood?
CastoR
Fine, whatever.  
paLLAS
That's not what I asked.
CASTOR
Yeah.  We understood.
paLLAS
Bel....you think about deflowering Sam again, I'll permanently make it a whole lot harder for you be able to get some.  Capiche?
jacob
Whatever you say, Baal.
Santiago nods in approval.

paLLAS
(pulls out a switchblade)
Good....then lets get started.  This is your department.  
Santiago tosses the blade to Gulliver, who catches it almost automatically and switches it open.  He touches the tip of the blade and smiles slightly.  
paLLAS (CONT'D)
You, cut some blindfolds and put 'em on these two.
Chaser obeys but seems completely confused, and doesn't really know what is transpiring.  The curtains make a good blindfold, and he tears them up and begins to tie them to Samantha and Mrs. Shestower.
CASTOR
(tying the last knot)
What are you doing...
As he finishes saying this, Gulliver jumps forward and stabs the blade into Mr. Shestowers left shoulder.  Blood spurts from the wound and the aristocrat screams through the duct tape gag.  Mrs. Shestower seems agitated and begins to sob under the blindfold.
palLAS
(sitting on the couch and watching stoically)
Encouraging him to be more cooperative...
Fade ouT:
INT. ShED – MORNING
In staggered slow motion Chaser relives his experience with Lyza while she slaps him, rips his hair, and jabs him glass.
Castor (V.O.) 
Talk about the game taking an unexpected turn.  The dice fell, alright, but who woulda thought I'd end up with snake eyes first roll?
(beat)
Feels like Lucien's looking over my shoulder.  I told that serpent I was too old, I'd lost my taste for blood....but that doesn't make much difference now.  It's like hitting the apex of a rollercoaster, where it hasn't even begun yet, but you feel sicker and more nauseous than you'll ever feel actually going down those loops and curves.  
(beat)
Just like I knew Belial wasn't even getting warmed up.
FADE IN:
INT. SHESTOWER LIVING ROOM - DAy
jacob
This is how it works, Mr. S.  We know you've got a substantial amount of dough and we want it.  And we've got...how much time, Baal?
palLAS
As long as it takes.
jacob
As long as it takes.  Fantastic!  But lucky you....you get complete control over that time.  You start nodding, and we'll take that gag offya.  The sooner the cat rolls off your tongue, the sooner this....will end. 
As Gulliver shouts 'this', he swipes his fist across Mr. Shestowers cheek, drawing a ribbon of blood.  The shot cuts to a CU of Chaser who is trying not to show any emotion, keeping his feelings backed behind a wall of stolidity.  He looks at Mrs. Shestower, who is sobbing again.  Then he turns to Samantha, whose face is moist with tears that have escaped the blindfold.  Her mouth is quivering with utter fear.
Chaser swallows, feels a lump grow in his throat as Gulliver continues to strike at an already battered Mr. Shestower.  He lowers his head, battling with compassion, with righteousness, but also with the consequences of dishonoring Lucien and Santiago.
Then he looks over at Santiago, who has been watching him all along, and quietly smokes his cigarette in silence.  Chaser looks up, attempts to reconcile his expression to one of stale apathy.  
paLLAS
(stands up)
I gotta use the mens room.  Don't make me miss anything.
CUT TO:
INT. SHESTOWER BATHROOM - DAY
The bathroom is pretty large, like the rest of the mansion, and is a pallid sanitary white wherever Santiago looks.  
He empties his bladder, washes his hands, and splashes his face with cold water.  
Rabbit (O.S.)
He'll betray you.
Santiago isn't stirred, but looks up into the mirror where a gigantic white rabbit is standing behind him.  It cocks its head at Santiago.
RABBIT (CONT'D)
You know he'll betray you.  You see it in his eyes.  Destroy him...before he destroys you.
Wolf (O.S.)
What if he's innocent?  What if you're wrong?  You chose him because he was the best.  What if he still is?
Santiago turns his head as the camera angle swivels a few degrees so we can see a giant wolf standing beside him opposite the rabbit.
PALLAS
(in a childlike state)
I'm not gonna shoot him.  It's a sin to kill a legend isn't it?  Something....no, no he's not the enemy...not him...
RABBIT
Do you know who the enemy is??
PALLAS
Shut up!! Just..shut up!
RABBIT
You can't keep us quiet....we're in danger.  The new one is a threat.  Make him make the old man talk....you must not let him-
With that Santiago whirls around and points his gun at the Rabbit.  However, the Rabbit is gone....but through the shower curtain he sees a shape.
Savagely he tears the curtain back to reveal another butler, squatting in the tub, a strange electronic device clutched in death grip.  Santiago notices the device and pries it from the butlers hand.
pALLAS
What is this?  What is this?!
Butler
The cops...they're...they're coming...
Viciously Santiago snarls, raises the gun, and splatters the mans brains across the tiled wall.  The device has a red LED that is blinking.
pALLAS
Shit!  Shit, shit, shit!!
Rather shaken, he clears his throat, looks once at the scarlet speckled floor, and walks back to the living room. 
CUT TO:
INT. SHESTOWER LIVING ROOM
Chaser is standing, his gun halfway pulled from its holster, and Gulliver takes a break in his interrogation of Mr. Shestower.
jacob
What the hell was going on in there??
PALLAS
(holds up the switch)
We've got a problem.  Cops are on their way.
jacob
What?  Ah fu-
CASTOR
How?
PALLAS
The butlers here have remote-control kill switches.  SHIT!
jacob
This fucks us over pretty good.
Santiago nods, his face reddened with ultimate rancor.  Then slowly looks up at the blindfolded Mrs. Shestower and Samantha.   
PALLAS 
(looks at the ladies)
Yeah....yeah well.  Guess there's nothing else to do.  We'll just have to warp things up a bit then.
With that Santiago rushes over to Mrs. Shestower and pulls her hair back.  Mr. Shestower stares, through the one eye he can still open, and struggles ferociously.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
Alright, Mr. S.  The codes.  The offshore accounts.  Now!  Or Mommy and her daughter or gonna have a facelift.
Santiago motions to Gulliver, who tosses him the switchblade, and he presses it against Mrs. Shestowers pale neck.  Mr. Shestower squirms again and speaks through the duct tape.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
Oh??  How 'bout the girl?  You like her better maybe??
CASTOR
(angry, and afraid of Santiago's change in attitude)
What the FUCK are you doing Baal??
PalLAS
I thought I made that crystal clear.  If Ebenezer doesn't start nodding, I'm gonna pull a Predator on these two beauties.
Chaser falls back in line, and his mouth and eyes twitch as he confronts what he has feared.  He doesn't want to see Samantha or Mrs. Shestower killed in cold blood, but he doesn't want to be the odd man out of the Three 6's with Santiago and Gulliver's guns trained on him.
Time seems to pass slowly as he looks back and forth too Mr. Shestower, Mrs. Shestower, Samantha, Gulliver, and Santiago.  The leader of the Three 6's is staring at him, as though he wants Chaser to react.
Samantha, the blade against her throat is sobbing incredibly, her young flesh pallid and etched with terror.  Chaser can't stand it.
CaSTOR
(hastily)
Wait!  Wait, Baal...maybe, maybe there's another way.  A better way...let's talk, in the kitchen.
Santiago is almost sick, and beyond disappointed, as he lowers the knife and shoves Samantha's head forward.  His  fears have been confirmed.
INT. SHESTOWER KITCHEN - DAY
The kitchen is huge, cabinets and appliances arranged in the manner of an opulent businessman.  Santiago reaches for an apple in a wooden basket and takes a chunk off of it with his teeth.
PALLAS
(in a tone that shows his confidence in Chaser is waning)
You wanted to say something...
CASTOR
This isn't right.
PALLAS
Do tell.
CASTOR
Do tell?  Baal, jeezus!  They didn't do anything!  You're gonna butcher the only innocent people in this house...
PALLAS
Your losing heart.  Let me tell you something, Beelzebub:  you signed on for this.  You knew that blood was included in the deal-
CASTOR
(interrupts)
I was more concerned about my own at the time.
 PALLAS
Don't interrupt.  I told you already, you got a stomach that ain't made for this, fine.  That's why you ain't doing the surgery.
Santiago turns around again, looks through the cupboards till he finds a box of cereal and opens it up savagely with a knife from the counter.
Chaser swallows again, nervous as hell, and lowers his eyes in thought.  Suddenly his eyes perk up.
CASTOR
'K then...how 'bout we kidnap him instead?
PALLAS
What?
CASTOR
Kidnapping.  You wanna hurt, Mr. S...take him somewhere safe and make him talk.  That way...you can make sure he's telling the truth.  Ain't as dirty, ain't as bloody...
PALLAS
Ain't as quick.
CASTOR
No...but a whole helluva lot more reliable.  That way we....can leave the others out of it.
PaLLAS
You're letting your emotions get the best of you.  You're a big softie, you know that.  You like her, don't you?  Sam....
CASTOR
I don't wanna see her killed by you.  Murdering children isn't at the top of my list of priorities......making sure you don't, is.
Pallas takes a drag on his cigarette,  and defiantly buries it into the apple core already browning on the plastic counter.  Then he pulls out his gun and starts to walk back to the living room, but Chaser grabs his arm.
CastoR (CONT'D)
(whispering)
C'mon, San-
Pallas
Baal.
CastOR
Baal.  I swear to God man, I'm with you the rest of the way.  But this....it ain't honorable.  It isn't necessary.  You got any kids?
PALLAS
One.  A girl.
CastoR
How does it weigh on your mind slicing the throat of one of her classmates?  You like that feeling?
PALLAS
Fuck you.  Fuck you, Beelz!
CASTOR
(desperately)
Don't do this.  There's another way.  And I'll be right behind you, man.  But you carry on this shit, I don't know how long I can keep my cool....
(pause)
You kill them, you'd better be sure as hell you're willing to kill me.  That's my first rule.
Pallas
(breathes out wisps of smoke through his nostrils)
Funny.  I didn't think you had any.  
CASTOR
What was yours again?
PaLLAS
Ask me again sometime.  
(beat)
Fine, Beelz....we'll do it your way.  But we'll take his daughter.  We'll leave a note.  We really wanna hurt him, we'll take away his heart.  He knows we'll dice her up good if he doesn't pay up, and he won't want the cops intervening where his accounts are concerned.
Castor grumblingly accepts, seeing no other way to keep Santiago from going on a killing spree.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
Looks like you've spared her life a little longer.  But next time, it's my way...or the highway, face up in a ditch with a bullet in your cranium.  
(pause)
You'd better be right about Mr. S's conscience...or you'll be facing my lack of one.  C'mon, lets go...
Santiago flicks his cigarette against a cabinet, and with a winking smile that hides death and brutality, walks back into the living room.  Chaser draws himself up, wipes his mouth, and follows him in.
INT. SHESTOWER LIVING ROOM - DAY
Gulliver is waiting expectantly, but as Santiago strolls in he takes out his gun and smacks Mr. Shestower in the back of the head.  The old man is reeled unconscious and his head lolls against the chair he's tied too.  Santiago flips the blade out and slices the rope thats tying his arms to the chair.
jacob
Nice shot.  What're we doing??
SaNTIAGO
(takes out a cell phone and puts it in Mrs. Shestowers lap)
The best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley.  Hey, Mrs. S!  You still with us?  When your husband comes too and finds his bonds have been cut, you're going to tell him that you're daughter is now in our custody.  You're going to tell him that we'll be watching, and that if he wants his little princess back, he's gonna have to remember those access codes quick.
(beat)
We'll keep in touch.
Jacob
Whoa, whoa!  Who legislated this plot twist??
PALLAS
Mr. Compassion.  C'mon, get Samantha up...now!
Chaser slashes her bonds and gets her up, but she's naturally extremely shaky and can barely stand so he has to brace her up.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
Let's go.  That means you to, Bel.  Move!
I/E. CiTREON - Day
The Three 6's move out of the mansion and head towards the black Citreon.  Samantha has had the blindfold removed but her gag is still on and she is crying, naturally.  Santiago opens the trunk and forces her inside.
Chaser looks at her with pity in his eyes, and it seems that she sees that.  But in her position, it does little to comfort her.
PALLAS
Remember what I said about being as quiet as a mouse?  That still applies okay??  We're taking you somewhere safe, Sammy....so you just sit back here and be a good girl.  Bye, bye.
With that he shuts the door and all three of them get into the car and start driving.
jacob
Somebody wanna fill me in now?
Nobody responds.
jacob(CONT'D)
Hello? Am I talking to myself here??
Another long pause.
jacob (CONT'D)
Fine, you know...whatever.  Can you at
least tell me where the hell we're going now?
PALLAS
Somewhere we can carry this out.  Ransom is the name of the game now.
jacob
That's a risky name.  Why didn't we take Mr. S??  I was just finishing up the exercise routine.
Pallas pauses for a moment, trying to explain his motives without introducing the fact that he wanted to, and still wants to, test Chasers allegiance. 
PallAS
Can you stab him in the heart without killing him?  He'll talk...don't worry about that.  After today, giving us the numbers will be like a burden off his shoulders.
jacob
Ah....alright compatriots.  I always liked this style of warfare best.  You know sometimes you gotta wonder what-
As Gulliver goes off talking about something completely irrelevant, Santiago is plagued by the Rabbit and Wolfs voice.  Gullivers speech has become a steady whispering in the background, overcome by his phantom visitors presence.  He looks up into the mirror and sees the Wolf and Rabbit sitting next to Gulliver. 
Rabbit
Good idea, my dear Santiago.  Brilliant.  The girl will prove to be...most stimulating to Mr. Shestower.
(beat)
And it reeks of hidden motives.
Wolf
You still don't like him?  It was you that wanted to slice off their faces.  It was you who has brought Samantha into the fray.  Whose the real monster?
Santiago shakes his head, rubs his eyes, and Gullivers speech comes roaring back.
jacob
-can you do?  There wasn't any other way.  We'll see if Sammy Sweetbottom feels the same way, won't we Beelzebub??
CASTOR
(dangerously)
I hit you once, Belial.  Don't give me a reason to shoot you.  You worthless little shit.
jacob
Oooo...testy, testy.  Gotta say though, she does remind me of my earlier glories.
Chaser doesn't reply, because he knows that Jacob is just trying to provoke him.  But his eyes turn into splinters of cold flint, and his right hand drifts conscientiously towards his gun.  
INT. SHESTOWER LIVING ROOM - Day
Michael has arrived at the Shestower residence where Mrs. Shestower is sobbing quietly in a chair, while another officer is consoling her.  Mr. Shestower is standing, sighing.
MiCHAEL
Do you have any idea why they assaulted you?  
MR. Shestower
(covering his tracks)
No.  I...I don't know.....
Michael
So what happened after he came back and said that he had killed Eugene in the bathroom?
Mr. Shestower
They started swearing and...they threatened to kill Martha and the girl.  Then two of them talked and came back and.....that's all I remember.  I came too right before you arrived and untied her...but, they were gone, with the girl.
Michael
(writing on a notepad)
And...this girl.  You say she wasn't one of your staff?
MR. SHESTOWER
I'd never seen her before!  I....I have no idea who she was...but they called her my daughter.  She said her name as Samantha...They.....they must've thought that I was her father...or something....I'm sorry, I-
Michael
It's okay.  If I have any further questions I'll let you know.  You've been more than helpful.  
Mr. Shestower sits down, obviously still in shock, and sporting a hefty bruise on the back of his head.  Michael looks uncomfortably at the cringing old man and follows one of the inspectors into the bathroom.
CUT TO:
Int. SheSTOWER BATHROOM - DAy
The splayed body of Eugene, along with his remnant brain material, is plattered across  the tub, and his eyes are frozen in a silent scream.
Michael
(holds his mouth)
Geeeezus.....bit the whole bullet....
Inpector
It was a point blank shot...the exit wound made sure to implode the wound the bullet made....he was dead before he heard the bullet.  Judging by the force he got blown back with, we're looking a pretty powerful pistol of some sort.
Michael
(picks up his ringing cellphone)
I'm gonna need an ID on the shell casing and bullet, think you can do that??
(beat)
Hello?  Fred.  Yeah I'm at the Shestowers.  Looks like the Three 6's struck again.  Killed two of the servants and trussed up the Shesty's for a little questioning.  No, didn't get much more from them but that.
(beat)
Well here's the doozy.  The 6's found a young girl in one of the rooms and brought her down thinking she was the Shestowers daughter.  No...thats the problem.  They'd never even seen her before....
(pause)
I'll keep in touch.  Right now we've got a case of mistaken identity.  Lets hope whoever has her doesn't catch on anytime soon.  Fine....bye.
Michael hangs up, winces at the sight of Eugene again, and looks at the other cellphone retrieved by the forensics team.  The cellphone that Santiago gave Mrs. Shestower.
Michael (CONT'D)
Think your guys can work a tracer on this?
Inspector
That the gift they left behind?  Yeah, for sure....I can hook one up in an hour.  Think they'll call?
Michael
We've got a missing girl named Samantha whose life is on the line.  I think we'd better all pray they do.
I/E. Citreon - day
The Three 6's are cruising down a suburban road, apparently content with the musings of their own minds.  The silence is almost eery.
Then Santiago swerves down a narrow alley and parks right beside a dumpster, where a shabby apartment complex is located.
CASTOR
What's this place?
PALLAS
Father Deacon Mohammed.  We need a pad, he's the supplier.  Belial, you come with me.  Beelz...stay and watch the car.
CASTOR
Lucky me.
INT. FATHER MOHAMMED'S APARTMENT - DAy
The halls of the complex are filthy, filled with human excrement, garbage, dead animals, and rotting police tape.  Santiago saunters through the waste, not even turning a second glance to retch at the atrocious stench of the place.
JACOB
You think Mohammed is gonna help us??
PaLLAS
(takes out his gun)
I think so.  
JacoB
Amazing how everything is put into perspective with a little force.
Santiago stops in his path, pauses, and turns around to face Gulliver face to face.
PALLAS
You suspect something too...
Jacob
Why, what do you mean?
Pallas
You think I was wrong.  To bring Beelzebub into the circle...
Jacob
You know I'd never say that out loud.  But if we're speaking frankly, I think you're bloody moron.  
Pallas
Is that insurgence creeping into your voice??
Jacob
No, that's a gentle caution.  Insurgence is the priority of someone else we know.  
Pallas
I want you to watch him.  I want you to make sure he stays true.  Can you do that?
Jacob nods.  Pallas nods back militarily and continues forward till he reaches Room 13, an bursts through the door.
Father Deacon Mohammed (71) is a skinny, unkempt, completely decrepit looking individual who is praying at a crude shrine made of bones and refuge from the dump.  He looks up at them, winks through flaps of soggy skin that cling to his eyelids, and cackles.
DEacon
The Demons are among us!!  They walk....they interact...they exist among our ranks!!  Unknown...hidden...
Pallas
Hello, Deacon.
Deacon
You would only be here if the Archangels of Sanctuary were throwing you down....DOWN!!  Down to bottomless perdition, there to dwell in adamantine chains and penal fire.
Pallas
And you would help us to escape that Fate?
DEacon
(grinning)
For you.....to be strapped to that burning lake would be a suiting Fate....but...
Pallas
(holds his gun at his side)
But you don't want to suffer that either.  
DEacon
(views the gun)
Defeated am I.  Oh of Heaven's greatest outcast angels, should it be by YOU...
Pallas
The Wayside Warehouse....you still have the keys??
Deacon
You would do better to dwell in Pandemonium....or where the Serpents tongue would lick away your sanity.
Pallas
(points the gun at Deacon)
Too late.  But maybe not for you...where's the keys?
Slowly, cautiously, Deacon reaches for the keys and tosses them to Santiago.
PallAS (CONT'D)
Nice doing business with you...
Deacon
Always a pleasure.  All debts have been paid, then?
PALLAS
(devilishly)
We'll see about that.
Ext. WAYSIDE WAREHOUSE - AFTERNOON
The warehouse is extremely large, a giant barn of a building built of blackened wood.  Next to the shore of a lake, its beach is a mottled wasteland of mud and garbage, just like the Deacon's vicinity.
The black Citreon pulls up to the warehouse and the Three 6's get out.  Castor opens the trunk and pulls out Samantha who is curled in the fetal position, and leads her towards the structure.
INT. WAYSIDE WAREHOUSE - Subsequently
The warehouse is divided into several quadrants, separated by concrete walls.  Most of the rooms have boxes or erroneous junk in them, but overall its a neglected infrastructure, as the crumbling pillars and cracking beams suggest.
The four of them reach one of the rooms that has a steel blast door and deposit Samantha there.  Castor looks at her, angry with himself, and follows Gulliver and Santiago through a maze of tunnels that leads to a small enclosure overlooking the beach.  
INT. WAYSIDE WAREHOUSE OFFICES - AFTERNOON
A miniature kitchen, a black and white television, and a pair of lawn chairs are all that makes it habitable.
JACOB
Wow...these the digs you normally use, Baal?  I must say....I liked Mr. S's place better....sorry...
PALLAS
It's temporary.
JACOB
(turns on the T.V.)
Yeah, knowing your fancies I woulda come to that resolution...
PallAS
Turn off the T.V....we're on a generator here. 
Jacob
Screw you.  You bring me to a place like this, I'm gonna be making the calls...
Pallas
You wanna grapple with the leadership, Bel, you just tell me.  We'll sort this out the way you're used to...
Gulliver snorts, realizing that he's not match for Santiago, but not wanting to concede defeat, and turns his attention back to the television, however hesitantly.
CaSTOR
What is this place?  Doesn't look like any warehouse I've ever seen.
PALLAS
I used this place for other interrogations.  Don't know about its original owner, but we found a lot of surgical tools and appliances when we first came here.  We call this the Sleeper Complex.

Chaser sits down, looks out the window rather nervously, and stands up again.  As he begins to pace, back and forth, back and forth, back and-
JACOB
Goddamn it, Beelz!  Stop doing that...you're making me uneasy.  Sit down and light up or something...
Pallas
(to Chaser exclusively)
You wanna go down to her, go.  
Chaser looks at Santiago, hurt, and shyly turns around and heads down the stairs to the quadrants.  Santiago watches after him, and a frown spreads across his lips.
BaCK TO:
Int. SAm's Prison - AFTERNOON
Inside, Samantha is lying on the floor, her hands and feet bound.  As she struggles with futile effort, the bonds bite into her wrists and legs and she begins to cry.
But stubbornness pays off as the piece of duct tape on her mouth breaks away and she spits it away from her.  Now, lying in a bare cement room, no hope of escape, with only bloodthirsty criminals as company.  
She looks up at the blast door, more tears swelling in her eyes as she rolls around on the floor.
Samantha
Help!  Can anybody here me!!  Please help me!!  Please......
As she realizes the continued futility of screaming for help, the sledgehammer of reality slams down on her, and she sobs again through closed eyes.
But suddenly...
Her eyes catch a flitting movement through the blast shield window and goes silent.  Eyes wide with anticipation she stumbles backwards, crawling on her elbows as she props herself against the far wall.
The door opens...
Chaser walks in, looks at Samantha, sighs, and shuts the door behind him with a CLICK.
CASTOR
Are you okay??
Samantha doesn't respond.
CASTOR (CONT'D)
(approaches)
My names Chase.
Samantha blanches and plasters herself to the wall, trembling uncontrollably.
Samantha
(weakly)
Wha..what's going on?  Why am...I here?  I....I don't-
CASTOR
Understand.  You're scared.
Samantha
(can barely speak)
No shit...
(pause)
Are you gonna fuck me??
CASTOR
No.  No I'm not gonna fuck you.
Samantha
(pries herself up)
Okay....then what?  Are you....some...cult or something...
CASTOR
No.  Nothing like that.
Chaser lowers his eyes, furrows his brow, trying hard to tell her that she'll be okay, but not believing it himself.  He's suddenly filled with a burning desire to let her go, but knows the price of losing their mark.  Samantha is still trembling beyond description, despite her attempts to mask it.  
Suddenly he remembers himself and pulls out a sandwich and apple from his jacket that he stole from the kitchen in the warehouse.
CASTOR (CONT'D)
Here.  I...I thought you might be hungry.
Samantha
How am I supposed to eat with my hands tied??
Chaser notices the bonds and flips out his knife.
CastOR
Turn around and I'll cut them.
Samantha
You aren't afraid I'll try and get away?
CastoR
(dangerously)
I think you'd rather have me looking after you, then my 'friends' looking for you.
The shuts up Samantha and she begins to gnaw at the apple ravenously.  Chaser backs up, lets her have her space, and watches concerned.
Samantha
(eating the apple)
You just gonna watch me eat?
He's about to respond, but can't find the words, and remains in silence.
Samantha (CONT'D)
Alright, if that's how you get your kicks, go for it.  
(pause)
What's your name again?  Ben, Belk....
CASTOR
I never told you.
Samantha
(touches her ears)
No...but even after you blindfold me I still have these.  I heard the others calling you something like that...
CastoR
My names Chase.  
Samantha doesn't look up but finishes the sandwich and continues to look at the floor.  Then suddenly her cordial attitude changes to one of fear and suspicion again.
Samantha
You never told me...why I was here?  
(pause)
The others...they're gonna kill me, aren't they?
CasTOR
I'm....gonna do what I can not to let that happen.
Samantha
(lowers her eyes in hesitation)
Why...why did they call me his daughter?  That old man....why?
CAstoR
(very confused all of the sudden)
What are you talking about?
Samantha
You....you think I'm his daughter too, don't you?  Oh shit.....oh shit...
Samantha breaks down again, but this time it is more out of panic than anything else.
CAstoR
Samantha!  Calm down....talk to me.  What are you talking about?
Samantha
(weeping)
When you went with that other guy.  The older one, and you started talking to him.  About...about kidnapping and access codes and ransom...
I'm not...I'm not who you think I am.    
Chaser is very confused and almost feeling panic as well.
CAstoR
What do you mean you're not his daughter?  
SAmantha
(remembering back)
I was in the house.  My name.....my name is Samantha Coleridge.  I...I didn't mean to!  I thought you were the owners at first when....
(beat)
I'm a thief....I...work the streets.  Just...you know, little things, make a living...
Chaser stands up, eerily silent as he looks down at the girl.  Slowly he starts to turn around, facing the wall and puts his hands against it.  He closes his eyes and sighs.
CASTOR
A child-thief making a run on the Shestowers.  SHIT!!  FUCK!!!  Oh..no...crap!
Samantha curls up, hugs her knees as Chaser begins to vent and voice every known swear word in his vocabulary.  
CastoR (CONT'D)
So, what?  You were just rooting through the bedroom for a fresh pair of jeans?  I mean....geeezus Christ!
(pause)
Great.  Now what?  
SAmantha
(barely able to speak)
Are you gonna kill me??
Chaser suddenly comes to his senses and looks down on her with pity and compassion.  Her bright young eyes look at him with an emotion so undescribable, yet lucidly evident.
CastoR
(sniffs)
I couldn't even if I wanted to.  But...the others.....if they find out.  It's all over.  
CUT TO:
INT. WAYSIDE WAREHOUSE Offices - Afternoon
Gulliver is laughing at some ridiculous Looney Tunes cartoon and is in hysterics, while Santiago is looking out of the window onto the beach, oddly discontent.
Jacob
(laughing)
You know why I love cartoons, Baal?  It's the simplicity of things.  No complex issues, no insoluble problems....whatever happens, it can all be solved by a cinematic plunge offa cliff or a giant stick of dynamite.  Ha ha ha!!  
That's the other cool thing about cartoons....nobody EVER dies.  They can't.  They can be turned into ashes or zapped out of existence, but they're reconstituted as soon as you get back from the commercials.
(beat)
Stupid animals.  They never learn....
PALLAS
Neither do you.  Why are you still watching that junk?  It's guys like you that pollute the gene pool.  You want a taste of reality step outside...
Jacob
And miss living in my artificial, synthetic world of Paradise??  No thanks...
(pause)
Will you stop pacing, please?  You're just as bad as Beelzebub.
Santiago snarls and reaches into his jacket to retrieve the phone.  As he begins to type in a phone number he looks back at Gulliver.
PALLAS
Bel....why don't you go check on the quarry?
JACOB
Nah, that's okay.  I'm good just-
Pallas
Get your ass down there now.
Gulliver grumbles, turns off the T.V., and starts to head down the passageway, not happy at being ordered around in such a manner.
JACOB
(taunting)
Yessss, masster...what ever you say.
Santiago watches his employee make off down the stairs to the quadrant sectors before lifting the cell phone to his ear.
There's a short pause...
PALLAS
Cypher.  Yeah I'll hold.
(pause)
Hey.  Yeah, I know.  Things kinda didn't go as planned.  I'm aware of that but...no, we decided to take his daughter.
(beat)
Yeah, I said 'daughter'.  We'll play the old ransom game.
There is a long pause as Santiago's eyes slowly rise and his face changes to one of fury.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
He doesn't have a daughter.  Wha....whaddya mean he doesn't have a daughter?  We pulled her right out of the bedroom.  She definitely wasn't one of the staff.  Right...right, fine.  
Well then who the hell did we bring in?  Yeah I think I might.  Yeah....bye.
Santiago slams the phone down on the counter and pulls out his gun, obviously extremely angry, but beyond any kind of rancour that allows him to shout or scream.  Just to kill.  
BACK TO:
INT. SaM'S PRISON - AFTERNOON
Samantha
If....if they find out....what will happen to me?
Chaser looks down at her but refuses to voice an answer, fearing what it might mean himself.
CASTOR
I've gotta try and tell him....maybe, maybe he'll understand.  We can go back, get Mr. S....everything's Fixed.  That's what we'll do.
(pause)
Right, and maybe the Easter Bunny will pay us a visit.  
Samantha
Well....well then what??
He doesn't reply instantly, but licks his lips, his eyes reflecting the maddening conflict waging inside his skull.  Then all of the sudden the door opens....
...and Gulliver steps inside.
CASTOR
Bel!  What...what are you doing here?
JACOB
(looking at Samantha)
Checking up on you.
CASTOR
Well, I'm fine.  You can excuse yourself.
JACOB
Hey hey!  Why the rudeness?  I'm just inspecting the merchandise.  You two been getting on okay?  Why don't you share?  I just thought the lady could use a change of scenery, that's all.
CastOR
(in a lethal overtone)
I warned you once, Belial.
JACOB
Ahaha!  Maybe I don't like to listen to cowards.  Why don't you leave Beelz?  
With that Gulliver pulls out his gun and points it at Chaer.
CASTOR
What the fuck!!  What are you doing?
JACOB
Aw, I thought that was self evident.
CaSTOR
You bearing a grudge from the bump on your head??
JaCOB
(touches his head)
Oh, that!  Hell, no.  I've gotten worse cracks from Baal.  But uh...lets just say I don't especially like you.  
(beat)
I heard what you two were talking about.  Mind you, only the last coupla sentences but um.....what do you suppose our Alpha will think of things now??  What you think he'll think of the li'l bitch?
CASTOR
It's not what you think...
JACOB
Oh, isn't it?!  Looks like the ol' switcheroo made things sour.  Even sumpin' as sweet as Sammy can do that.  I also know..for a fact, where things go from here.
CASTOR
No.  It doesn't have to swing that way.  We can fix things....
JacOB
(puts the gun in his left hand)
Not likely.  So let me answer my own question.  Baal is gonna come down here...he's gonna hear everything you have to say....and then he's gonna cap your ass.  Then...after I'm done with her....she'll join you in a very shallow grave.
CaSTOR
....so that's it.
Gulliver nods and, still training his gun on Chaser, approaches Samantha.  He grins a perverted grin and kicks her in the ribs.  She gasps and keels over, her eyes tight with pain, and coughs.  Chaser bolts forward, then stops as his nemesis enunciates the presence of bullets in the chamber.
JACOB
No no no....
With that he reaches down and tears at Sam's clothing.  She is still huddled over in pain as he wrestles her one handed to get her vest off.  She fights back too, but he wings her one with a closed fist.
Chaser watches the twisted individual go about in his makeshift rape, and begins to shake with rage.  His fists are trembling as he crunches them together.  A single drop of blood oozes out from between his fingers where his nails have bit into flesh.
And still Gulliver has the gun trained on him.  He's making progress as he beats down Samantha again and again, and his hands trail all over her body, running up and down her legs and chest.  
But suddenly, Samantha finds some courage and as his hand goes over her neck, she bites into his hand.  Blood and tendon erupt from the wounded hand as Gulliver screams.
The gun falls from his hand as he clutches his wounded appendage...
And Chaser leaps forward, slamming with mind numbing force into Gulliver's body, that hurtles against the cement wall, easily crushing his back and ribs as Chaser's emotions are vented in one single gasp of wrath.
And then all of the sudden Chaser is on top of him, pounding at his face and chest, knuckles bruised yet unfeeling as they pummel deep into Gulliver's face.  
Somehow Gulliver finds enough strength to lurch forward, sending Chaser sprawling across the floor.
JACOb (CONT'D)
(in a voice disabled by a ruptured nasal cavity and missing teeth)
That...bitch!!  That fuckin' bitch!!  You asshole, Chaser!!  What have you done to my face?!!  You motherfuc-
BLAM!
BLAM!
BLAM!
Three bullets tear through skin and flesh and bone, demolishing both of Gulliver's knees in a horrible display of visceral carnage.
Unable to be supported by his weight, the stubbles of his legs crunch down and spray bloody junks across the hard floor.  
The man known as Jacob Gulliver writhes on the floor, blinded by pain and tears, and almost perfectly silent as he grapples with what Chaser has done to him.
CASTOR
(drops the gun)
I warned you.
Samantha breaks the trance as she looks up from the shield of her hands that she had been using to deflect Gulliver's blows.  
Chaser moves over to her and helps her up, feeling nauseous as he looks upon her bruised cheek and eye, and the grisly gash across her forehead and neck.
CASTOR (CONT'D)
You okay??  C'mon....we're getting outta here.
She tries to smile but keels over as he tries to walk her out.  With ease granted by his flowing reservoir of adrenaline, he picks her up and exits the room, leaving Gulliver to his own misery.
FadE IN:
INT. Sam'S PRISON - Moments later
Gulliver is still convulsing on the floor, the puddle of his blood now extending across the whole floor, when Santiago opens the door and steps inside.
PAlLAS
.....shiiit....
JACOB
...San....they...bitch.......bit me....
Pallas
(leans down)
Where'd they go?
Jacob
(coughing blood)
Away....bastard blew off my legs......
PalLAS
(viewing the carnage)
I know, I know.  Don't worry, I'll find them....you just rest.
With that Santiago reaches into his pocket, pulls out his gun, and checks the chambers.
JACOB
What.....are you....do...
PALLAS
(holding the gun to his head and muttering)
Shhhhh....
With merciful intentions, Santiago points the gun at Gulliver and fires of two shots into his head.  The head snaps back and all is silent.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
(gets out his cell phone again)
Yeah, it's me again.  We've got another problem.  The Three 6's are down to two.  Probably made off already.
(beat)
I'm gonna need some help.  No, fuck that, Cypher!  I thought he was good, and I wasn't wrong.  You were wrong about his commitment.  No..no fuck it.  It ain't about you either.  I'm not gonna argue who points the finger at who.
(pause)
Call L.P.  Tell her to meet me at the Axis.  I don't give a wild shit anymore.  Just tell her to bring her friends.  This isn't about Mr. S anymore.  
(beat)
I'll call in when I've finished. Right... 
Santiago hangs up, stuffs the phone back into his jacket, and walks out the door.  
I/E. CITREON - AFTERNOON
Samantha and Chaser are fronting 120 km/h down the freeway, making no exceptions to the maximum speed signs that whip past.  Sam has another coat on and caresses the bumps that have begun to swell on her face.
Chaser still harbors facial expressions of uncontained rage, and looks frantically at Samantha every so often.  Suddenly he notices the phone sitting on the dashboard and picks it up.
SamanTHA
That you're phone?
CASTOR
No.  I mean...it's the one we were going to use to chat with Mr. S.  Do you have a place that you can go?  I'll drop you off....they'll be chasing me, not you.
Samantha
(solemnly)
No.  Not really.  Don't exactly have a stable residence, y'know?
CASTOR
You're an orphan.
SamanthA
No, that means you're parents are dead.  Mine are just into abandonment.  Lucky me, huh?
CASTOR
(doesn't share in her weak laughter at the macabre joke)
I'm...sorry.
Samantha is about to break but catches herself and changes the subject.
SAMANTHA
Hey, you got a phone call to make or what??
CastOR
Right...lets see whose listening on the other hand, shall we?
The phone rings 6 times...
SPLIT SCREEN
RIGHT SIDE                                     LEFT SIDE
MICHAEL
Hello?
CASTOR
Who is this?
Michael
You first.
CasTOR
I don't think so.  I'm the one asking questions right now.  
MichaeL
You're one of the Three 6's?
CaSTOR
Not anymore.  But that doesn't matter.  We screwed up....big time.  
Michael
I was wondering how long it would take you to figure that out.
CaSTOR
Be thankful it was me who struck the pot of gold.  You didn't answer my question?  What's your name?
MicHAEL
Michael.  You can call me Mike.
CASTOR
Alright Mike.  I take it your not one of Mr. S's butlers?
Michael
No.  I'm a cop.
CasTOR
Convenient.  Here's the deal:  I have some goods I have to drop off in your custody.  Then I have to disappear...can you live with that?
Michael
....I'm not making any promises.
CASTOR
If you did, it would be rather hard to change the address we're going to meet at.
Michael
Where do you suggest?
CaSTOR
Geryon Park.  9 o'clock.  
Chaser and Michael both hang up at the same time, Michaels screen sliding off the screen so that Chasers remains.
Samantha doesn't stop gazing out the window at the passing trees and buildings, but her words seem to stare him in the face.
SamanthA
I'm not going with him, you know..
CASTOR
(calmly)
Well you're not staying with me.  You get out at Geryon Park.  You wanna make it easy on yourself, you'll go with 'Mike'.  You wanna play teenage rebel you can take off by yourself...the choice is yours.
SamANTHA
I've already made my choice.  
CASTOR
As long as it's one of the ones in the menu, good for you.
SamanthA
(turns around angrily)
You can't just drop me off!!  Those guys'll find me!
CasTOR
You'll be safer with the cops than with me.
SamantHA
I feel safer here.
CASTOR
I'm not gonna take chances with them...
SamANTHA
Is this where you go all sentimental telling me that you'd die if you ever exposed me to danger where I might be at risk of getting killed?  'Cause I don't need that bullshit.  You know these jerks....which means you're the only one who knows how to avoid them.
CASTOR
Things are a little more complicated than you think.
SAmANTHA
No they're not.  I thought you were a hardened criminal, Chase...
CASTOR
Guess we both figured wrong.
SamANTHA
I can help you, man.  I know people.  I can find us stuff, y'know??
CaSTOR
(hands her a piece of paper and a worn pencil)
Okay, you wanna help?  Write down some of these 'names' and accompanying 'services'...
SAmANTHA
No.
CASTOR
Whaddya mean 'no?
SAmANTHA
No.  I'll show you them, but only if you agree to take me with you.  C'mon....I live in the closest thing to a ghetto around here..been living there for awhile.  I'm tough.  I'll prove it to you...if you'll let me.
(beat)
Or are you gonna be like the rest and just abandon me?
Cu of samantha's face.
She pouts her lip out and makes a giant doe-eyed face as he turns to question her again.  He notices the giant swelling bruises and the reddened gash on her face.
CASTOR
(finally accepts it, with no other choice)
So I ask you again, and allow me to rephrase....will you show me your friends?
They both smile and Chaser smiles as he plows ahead through the sudden rainstorm that has erupted.
INT. Michaels apartment - Declining day
Michael is putting on his black trenchcoat and cocks back a P4 pistol before concealing it in his breast pocket.  Taking a final look out the window where raindrops cause hairs of water to flow down the glass, he puts on his hat and is out the door.
I/e. Michaels car - Minutes later
His car is a fancy black Stingray, matching the shade of his hat and coat.  He unlocks it, gets inside, and brushes the water off his coat before turning on the engine and pulling out.
CASTOR (V.O.)
We're still on the board.  And right now the dice are in a new contestants palsied palms.  Lets hope he can up the ante.
I don't know what happened to Jacob...but I'm willing to bet he's a playing a harp by Santiago's hand.
Santiago.  And Cypher.  They're the only ones left.  And me.  And if anybody is ever gonna advance to GO and collect $200 dollars.....one of us will be laying down a Royal Flush.
I was never any good at cards.
The shot ZOOMS OUT from the car heading down the drenched avenue of a pent up apartment district and focuses on the gray and growling sky.
FaDE TO:

EXT. GERYON PARK - EVENING
Chaser and Samantha are walking, discreetly, to the park bench in the center of the grassy lot, where a statue of a dying angel overlooks a small limestone or marble pond.
As she sits down on the bench, Chaser checks his gun and puts it back in his pocket.
SAmANTHA
He's a cop, dude.  What's he gonna do?  Shoot you?  You've been hanging around the wrong kinda peeps for too long...
CASTOR
I don't know if you've noticed, but I did partake in your abduction and an interrogation scheme....things like that that cops don't exactly approve of. 
(pause)
I'm just being prepared.  
SamANTHA
(makes room for Chase to sit down)
So...what's your story?
(He wrinkles his eyebrow)
I mean.....what was someone like you doing with those guys??
CASTOR
Someone like me?  You think you know me that well?
SAmANTHA
I know that if you wanted to do something to me you would have already.  Unless you're one of those psycho junkies that gets his kicks by getting to know his prey first.
CastOR
(smirks at the humour)
I don't think you have to worry about that from me.
SAmANTHA
I know.  I was just making my point:  you don't have to know a persons favourite color or what way he likes his eggs cooked to really know them.  At least...well, enough to know that they won't kill you in cold blood, hahaha.
CASTOR
Heh.  I used to work for a man named Lucien.  I was his....cherished hit man.
SamANTHA
(interrupts)
You mean...like killing people?  Garrotes and scopes?
CASTOR
For me, just a scope.  I couldn't...couldn't handle the real thing.  Shutting down lives, for me, had to be done at a distance...
(beat)
You picked one hell of a coward to 'defend' you, you know.  Ha ha ha.  Anyways, I just couldn't keep up with the killings so I quit.  Closed the book.  Started a new life.
SAmANTHA
So you are a killer.
CuT TO:
A brief flashback ensues as Chaser remembers back to his encounter with Lyza.  She is trying to fend off his blows as he thrashes at her viciously.
BACK TO:
He starts to breathe harder, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as he fights back the nausea that his past now procures.
CASTOR
No.  Was.
SamANTHA
.....and what if you have to again?
CASTOR
(becomes contemplative)
If I have to kill, I have to kill.  I can't escape that, no matter how much I want to.  But killing with a sense of humanity....is at least forgivable to the ruthlessness of those I might have to dispel.
SamANTHA
That makes it okay?
CASTOR
No.  It doesn't....
The two are shunned into silence as they grapple with their own dilemmas, left only to the trickling of the fountain and the stillness of the air.  Only a small spray of rain plummets from the sky, pattering ever so slightly on the grass and pavement.
Chaser lifts his head, reaches slowly for his gun, and whirls around, much to the surprise of Samantha who ducks and lets out a squeal of surprise.
A dark figure in a black trench coat and mysterious hat lifts his hands in a jolting maneuver.
MICHAEL
Don't shoot!  Don't shoot!  It's me.
CASTOR
Mike.
Michael
Ya.  You never told me your name.
CaSTOR
For now, call me Castor.
MiCHAEL
(looks at Samantha)
Alright, Castor.  Whose this?
CASTOR 
Samantha.  
MicHAEL
She the one that's coming in?
CaSTOR
There's been a change of plan.  She stays with me. 
MichAEL
(hesitates)
...okay.  Okay, but I'm gonna need some assurances first.
CASTOR
Don't worry.  I'll take care of her.
MichAEL
Whose gonna take care of you?  Why did you call me here?
CASTOR
Like I said, I was one of the Three 6's.  There's one still standing, not including me.  And behind him is a sponsor who might be holding a grudge.
Michael
And that means what to me?
CASTOR
It means he'll be looking for his lost sheep.
MiChael
(coldly)
Why shouldn't I let him find you?  It's no skin off my nose...
CaSTOR
Because I can lead you to the shepherd and his flock.  And because of Samantha.  I'm figuring right about now the best way that both us can stay away from Gates...is to make an alliance with the wolves.
Michael takes it into consideration, obviously not thrilled at having to put up with a criminal he has attached horrible crimes too, but also feeling an obligation to Samantha and knowing what it would mean to bring down Cypher's cartel.
MICHAEL
What do you want me to do?
CASTOR
(hands him a piece of paper)
You have our phone.  When I've arranged the game to fit my purposes, I'll call you.  Go to that address...and have the infantry at your heels.
Michael
I might have difficulty there.
CASTOR
I think you'll surprise me nicely.  You want to get to the bottom of the Three 6's...you want to get to the bottom of crime in this city....you're going to have to trust me.  
You have no idea how deep this goes.
Michael
This sounds like a private vendetta.  You want me as a contingency plan, in case things don't go the way you want.
I wouldn't want to help you, even if I could.
CASTOR
You look like a veteran, Mike.  Things don't always revolve the way they teach in books.
You want to bust the crime capital, I'm your ticket.  If not, then have it your way.  But if you do, this is gonna go down the way I say.
I just have to make sure all involved parties are present for the festivities.  I trust that you can deliver on those terms...
Chaser smiles grimly and turns to walk away as Mike looks down at the piece of paper, getting moist in damp air.  He looks back up at the retreating pair and yells after them.
MiCHAEL
(yelling)
Hey!  What is this place??
CASTOR
(yells back without turning around)
The Halls of the Damned.  Where the demons hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know us all...
Michael doesn't respond, doesn't know how too, but looks back at the piece of paper.
CU of the piece of paper.  An address is written down in big, black letters.
PANDEMONIUM...
CUT TO:
INT. L.P.'s FLAT (BATHROOM) - NIGHT
We achieve a shot of the bedroom window in the three room apartment, where the fingernail of the moon is breaching the horizon in an opalescent augury of what is to come.  
In the bathroom Santiago is fiddling with some pills in an orange container.  He swallows them back with a glass of water and sits on the toilet, eyes clenched tightly.
RABBIT (O.S.)
Didn't I tell you, you stupid idiot?  Didn't I tell you he was wrong?  Now look...look what has been done.
The Wolf appears, leaning against the door.
Wolf
You can't blame him, Pal.  Jacob...you knew Jacob too.  Why do you think Chaser had to resort to...alternative methods?  Because Jacob was a fucking pedophile.
(beat)
You gonna hold the only good man of the Three 6's in a vice for that?
Rabbit
That's not the point!  Gulliver was your man, your team.  That asshole forced you to kill him.  Now he's off with that bitch of a woman, taunting you.
PALLAS
No.  No, he had to do what he had to do.  Jake...Jake pressed too hard.  Did something...something that was over the line.  It wasn't Chase's fault, dammit!!
Rabbit
Oh?  Then whose was it?  Why you playing coy, Baal?  You're gonna kill that shitwad that double crossed you.  You're gonna make sure he dies in a horrible way, ain't that right?
PaLLAS
Shut up!!  Shut up!!!
Wolf
That's not the way of righteousness.  Ashley would agree.  C'mon man...it's just getting out of control.  Let it go.  Just walk away and-
With that the Rabbit leaps forward and slams its oblong head into the Wolf's neck.  There is a crunch as the Wolf tries to get away, and then a river of blood bursts like a broken dam down the Wolf's chest.  Staggering, he falls back and is motionless.
The Rabbit lifts his head, his. white fur drenched with the blood of the Wolf where his teeth tore apart the neck.  He doesn't seem to notice the blood that stains his jowls.
RabBIT
Ah....finally.  That guy was really starting to piss me off.  Do this, the truth, the light, the wings of angels, blah blah blah shut the fuck up.
(pause)
Hey, you don't mind if I light up do ya?
The Rabbit doesn't wait for an answer but pulls a cigarette from the medicine cabinet and begins to puff away.  Santiago is totally taken off guard by the gruesome act.
PALLAS
Why the fuck did you do that??!!
RaBBIT
I thought I said.  I didn't like him.  Hated that predators stinking guts.  Hey, mind if I ask you a question?
(beat)
Why you even care?  This bastard didn't bring you nothing but shame and sorrow.  Trust me on this.  You know what Chaser did to you....and deep down it stings, don't it?  Like a lemon on a burn.  So I tell you what...
(beat)
I'm gonna give you some advice that canine wouldn't ever have thought of.  Go with your gut, Pally.  You want to slam him down, you wanna feel his blood...then do it.  Ain't nobody but NOBODY in your way.  Anymore that is...HAHAHA!
Santiago doesn't speak but almost feels sick watching the bloodied Rabbit guffaw and cackle with such utter nonchalance and cruelty.  As though emphasizing this, he bends down and sticks a finger in the Wolf's leaking fluids, holding it against the mirror where he writes "Showdown on Mt. Carmel"
INT. l.p.'S FLAT (BEDROOM) - LATER
Santiago is sitting on the floor, distraught, his back against the queen size bed.  On the carpet is his revolver, and next to it are 5 bullets.
He has a file in his hand and is using it to mark up the sixth bullet in between his fingers. 
There are soft footsteps on the carpet and L.P. (30) struts in, her red leather full jump suit folding around the luscious contours of her body.  Santiago doesn't even notice as she walks in and throws down a heavy flechette on the bed.
L.P.
Sorry I'm late.  You carving vengeance?
The camera PANS DOWN and ZOOMS IN on the bullet that has a crude 'B' carved onto the side.
PALLAS
I intend to make sure that that Yahweh receives a specially consecrated gift.
It's then that L.P. notices the little figurine around Santiago's neck.
L.p.
Thought you got rid of the little lady a long time ago.  Didn't you tell me something about how all she brought you was misery?  Why you holding on?
PaLLAS
(touches the figurine)
I don't really know.  Just feel comfortable knowing there's something looking out for number one for me.  Hehehe...I guess I shoulda retired her awhile ago.
L.p.
'Cause she seems to be laxing her duties on you?  Ha ha ha.
(pause)
Maybe you were just interpreting her wrong.  Kinda like...um....reading ancient Egyptian pictographs, but not getting the hidden euphemisms..er...idolism..
PALLAS
Symbolism.
L.p.
(laughs)
Yeah, exactly.  What ever Egyptian symbolism looks like.
She roots around on the top of her dresser and pulls out a dusty volume of 'The Lord of the Flies', and blows the particulate matter off of it.
L.p. (CONT'D)
Why don't you do something useful, like expand that thing you call a mind?
In an almost flirting manner she trails the book over his nose and drops it in his lap.  Then she opens the door to the bathroom and begins to disrobe the dark red cat suit.  We only see her back as she peels it down to her thighs and looks over her shoulder.
Santiago looks up at her, smiles formally, and turns his head too look at the cover of the book as she closes the door.
He wipes his finger across the laminate, and then goes to the very last page where he reads it.  Unexpectedly he tears out the last page, folds it into his pants pocket, and subsequently deposits the remnants in a waste basket.
L.P. (O.S.) (CONT'D)
(in the shower)
So what happened to your partnership, pardner?  Cypher told me that you had a spell of bad luck.  Some asshole twitched your project.
PALLAS
You could say that.  
L.P.
Is that where I come in?
PalLAS
If the Panther is up to one more hunt...
L.P.
And if she isn't?
PaLLAS
(rhetorically)
Then I guess I'll have to settle for second place.
L.P.
That's not the Haddu I remember.  What happened to the good old days, huh?
PALLAS
They ended.
L.p.
All good things do, lover.
PALLAS
And what of bad things?
L.p.
(pauses)
I'll leave that to your discretion.  Ahh....nothing feels better than a hot a shower, I tell ya.  Hey, I'm gonna order out...you like Chinese?
PALLAS
(whispers to himself)
The dish of revenge is sweeter still.  
L.p.
Hey!  You still out there??
PALLAS
Yah!  Chinese is great.
L.P. steps out of the shower and opens the door.  A towel is tied around her as she walks across the bedroom and begins to look through her drawers for suitable clothing.
PALLAS (CONT'D)
You getting dolled up for take out??
L.p.
(pulling on a red satin dress)
Why not?  It's not every day we get to see each other, and on the eve of such a fabulous adventure.  Ha ha, come on Santiago, lighten up.
PALLAS
(puts the bullets in his gun, but makes sure to place the carved on in his pocket)
That's kinda hard, considering the circumstances.  You're a well informed girl.  How much influence do you think I have left in this city?
L.p.
(disappointed)
Always business, huh Haddu?  I'd guess...50...60..64..66?  That I know of, anyways.  You got any other clandestine ventures and consorts I don't know about?
PALLAS
(doesn't even smirk)
That's not funny, L.  
L.p.
Nothing ever is with you.  That's the problem.
PaLLAS
Is my brother still in good standing?
L.p.
(turns from Santiago to look through a phone directory for Chinese take out)
Moloch?  He's around.  
Santiago nods, puts the revolver on a table, and sits down on the small couch situated near an old fake-wood paneled television.  L.P. looks up at him staring into nowhere, then sadly returns her gaze to the phone book.
PALLAS
You know, I never woulda thought Castor had it in him.  I mean, I knew he was outta the line for awhile....but he played me good.  He played me very good.  Me an Jake both saw him as a coward, but you know what?  
L.p.
I couldn't guess.
PALLAS
That man has got to be one of the bravest men I've ever known.  I should feel angry, don't you think....my whole retirement fund shot to fuckin' fantasy world...but all I got in me is regret.  That I hadn't seen what Chase-man was capable of....couldn't have seen what he was capable of.  He and I understood each other.  He wouldn't ever admit it to anyone, but we had a link L.
(beat)
And that modern day Braveheart, no matter how much I should hate him, is the one person in this cosmos I can really respect.
(pause)
And believe me, I'm gonna feel nothin' but ecstasy personally delivering him my signature...but a part of me is kinda gonna be sad.  Not a big part, mind you...but a part.
L.P. smiles weakly and brings a stylish phone up to her ear.
L.p.
Yes.  I'd like to order some Chop Suey.
EXT. Cityscape - NIGHT
The moon rises and clouds dissipate and emerge in the haunting night sky as time drifts by as swiftly as the bullets that promise to greet the new sun.
FADE IN:
EXt. NORTHWEST BRIDGE - EARLY MORNING
The Northwest Bridge is a gigantic structure of grey brick with tall monolithic pillars that drape burly dread knots of steel cable.  Traffic is limited, and only the occasional car passes.
A LONG SHOT of Chaser standing on the bridge, overlooking the effervescent water below, is established, just as a breath of wind stirs his tussled hair.
There's a CU of his face, and then it PANS across and we see Samantha, hands in pockets, braving the chilly wind to approach him.
SAmANTHA
Good morning.
CASTOR
(still looking out over the water)
Hey.
SamANTHA
Didn't see you at breakfast.
CASTOR
I know.  Wasn't hungry.
SamANTHA
So I gathered.
(pause)
It's pretty.
CaSTOR
(turning around, banished from his trance)
What?
SamANTHA
The ocean.  It's pretty.  It can be peaceful, or violent, but it's always pretty.  It's funny that way.  Even if it's tearing ships apart, or crashing waves down on cities....you can't help but be in awe.
(beat)
But no matter what happens, we're taught that if Nature did it, then you can't be mad at it.  Ever wonder why?
CASTOR
(shakes head)
No.
SamANTHA
There used to be a..a saying that my mom used to say a lot.  Nature is red in tooth and claw.  You ever heard that before?
CASTOR
Yeah.  Yeah actually.  My...ex-girlfriend, big literature buff, used to say that too.
SamANTHA
(smiles)
Hum..it took me awhile to like, figure out what it was saying.  When I did, I was already in the gutter.  Hahaha....heh..and then it really made sense.  What about you?  Do you believe it?
CASTOR
(looks with pity on Samantha)
I think...there's more to it.  Nature tends to restrict our memories to its 'red' aspects.  But...if you want to, if you look hard enough....sometimes It isn't always draped in crimson.
SamANTHA
That's pretty deep of you.
CASTOR
(laughs hoarsely)
Hahahahahah....yeah, I guess it is.  Who woulda thought me going all poetic and sensitive. 
SamanthA
(reaches for his hand)
I would have.  Maybe you were right.  About the 'not being red thing'.    
CASTOR
Does the ocean always have to be a killer?
SamaNTHA
(brims with a smile)
No.  
CASTOR
(smiles back and takes her hand)
C'mon.  Lets go get some breakfast.  I'm famished.
Samantha laughs quietly as Chaser, still holding her hand, starts to walk off the bridge, leading her towards a final destiny that none of them can know.
EXT. CARMEL INDUSTRies - EARLY MORNING
The large skyscraper of Carmel Industries stands out from the other large skyscrapers and buildings that dwell in the heart of the city.  Its glass walls spiral up the sides like translucent reflective scales on some serpentine behemoth.
CASTOR (V.O.)
A warrior without fear is the ultimate enemy.  A line from Sun Tzu's masterpiece.  Someone who fears nothing, not pain, not death, will fight because he has nothing to lose.
The way I see it, there's two types of soldiers.  There's Sun Tzu's ideal, and then there's mine.  
I'm talking about someone who lives on fear, drinks in it, breathes with it.  Someone who would fight because he has too, because he doesn't have a choice.  But consequently,  also someone who has everything to lose.  
FADE TO:
INT. Citreon - EARLY MORNING
Chase has his window down, Sam sitting shotgun with her head propped on her arm.
CASTOR (V.O.)
Where the line is drawn between spilling blood out of whim, and out of necessity, is me.  So far I've spilt in both.  The transition from a killer, into a killer.  I don't know how well Sun Tzu's infantry held up, but I'm willing to bet that they found their end at the pitchforks of farmers willing to die to save their families and home and country.
Well Sunny, this farmer is one acrimonious motherfucker.
I/E. Ezekiel Comix - EARLY morning
Samantha and Chaser pull up to the curb next to a pretty worn down building with an aging plastic sign that says "Ezekiel Comix".
CASTOR
You sure this is the guy?
SAmANTHA
Totally.  He and I are pretty tight.
Chaser make an expression of disbelief and follows his younger counterpart into the fluorescent lighted shop.  
Ezekiel (19) is a tough looking punk with jet black hair and black eyeliner.  Piercings inhabit his face like metallic parasites, and a ragged moth-eaten shirt with the words "Read or Die" is draped across his bony frame.  He brightens at Samantha's appearance, and then gives Chaser a dirty look.
Ezekiel
Sam!  Hey, man!  Wassup?  Havn't seen you around.  
SamANTHA
I just been busy.
Ezekiel
Whose this?
SamanthA
This is Chase.  He's a friend.
Ezekiel
(looks suspiciously at Chaser)
A friend like a 'I know his name' friend, or a 'paying' kind of friend?
SamANTHA
(with some humour, and a slight amount of spite)
You know I ain't never been into that kind of shitty work, Ez.  He's a friend friend.  
(beat)
Hows business down in the Hub?
EzekiEL
(accepts the change of subject and waves his hand across his store)
It's good, it's good.  Some guy is gonna pay me $200 for a limited edition Superman.  Gotta say....I'll be sorry to see her go, but a guy's gotta have money, right?  What about you?
SamANTHA
(looking through comics)
Uh...not too hot recently.  
(pause)
Listen uh...you still in the information game?
Ezekiel
(looks at Chaser)
Why?
SamANTHA
Don't worry.  He ain't a cop.  I was just wondering what you've been hearing maybe.
Ezekiel
Streets have been pretty quiet lately.  You heard about the blood bath at the Circa though?  That was pretty clammy news...
SamANTHA
(uneasily)
Uh...yah!  Yah...
EzekieL
Aside from that, not a peep.  Why?  You in trouble or something Sam?
SamANTHA
.....I....yeah, sorta.  You ever heard about these cats called the Three 6's?
EzekIEL
Yeah, hell yeah.  Pretty fucked up trio.  They're the ones the cops think did in the Circa.  There's like a schism now apparently.  
(beat)
Listen....I was done on Main right?  Well a little bird told me dem not getting along too well.  One of the 6's blasted another one so now it's a friggin' shootout between the remaining two.
(beat)
....Sam, what kind of trouble you in?  What you know about the Three 6's?
SamANTHA
I...can't tell you.  Sorry.  I jus' don't want one of 'em to find me.
Ezekiel
Awwwww, no.  You know you can stay here right?  Any of those assholes step in here I'll blow their fucking heads off.
SamANTHA
Thanks Ez, but the best thing is to keep moving.
EzeKIEL
You sure?    
SamANTHA
(puts a hand on his shoulder)
Ya.  Ya, I'm sure.  
EZEKIEL
(very concerned)
Hey man...you better not get her in any deep, you hear?  You get my unofficial sis in the way of any bullets, I'll take you down myself...
CASTOR
Don't worry.  She won't be in any danger.
EZEKIEL
(looks back at Samantha)
Well if you need anything...anything, you call me eh?
SamANTHA
(seductively pauses)
...actually, y'know.  Hmmm... Hey...you still got some guns?
Ezekiel looks around, at Samantha, at Chaser, and then pulls out a key from his pocket and walks to the back of the store where he opens a hidden door.  
Chaser and Samantha follow him in where a small cache of guns are stored on racks.
EZEKIEL
I'm only doing this 'cause I don't wanna see you riddled.  Here we go...
SamANTHA 
(looks around at the arsenal)
Whoa....holy-...i didn't know you had this many.
There's a CU of a mini-rocket launcher on one of the walls, and Chaser runs his eyes by it curiously.  He obviously has an affinity for such instruments.
CASTOR
(still eyeing the launcher)
This is quite a store.  All this is military.  How'd someone like you get this?
EZEKIEL
Someone like me?  And what sort of someone do you think I am?  All this belongs to my brother.  He wanted a place to store it...so I thought this was a pretty damn good hiding spot. 
CastoR
(picks up a few of the guns and tests their weight)
This'll do....
EzeKIEL 
Supposedly I don't have any.  But the way the gangs around here like to play bully, I got it covered.  I can lend you whatever you need.  What you got in mind?
Chaser steps forward and picks up an HK MP7, an FN Herstal F2000, a Beretta, and an automatic Five-seveN Tactical pistol.
EzeKIEL (CONT'D)
Heyyy...dude, that's some expensive stuff.  You know how to handle these?
Quite expertly Chaser cocks the gun back, inserts a clip, slams it down, and tosses it to Ezekiel.
CASTOR
You got any grenades?
EXT. L.P.'S FLAT - EARLY MORNING
On the small patio that overlooks a waking city L.P. is standing, a loose waving night robe of cherry hue swaying as rays of sunshine escape from the horizon.
Santiago is suddenly behind her, his arms around her waist.  She looks up and smiles at him.
L.p.
Now isn't that better?
PALLAS
(manages a smile)
Yes.  You have that tendency with people.
L.p.
To make them ever so charmed by grace and beauty, I know.
PALLAS
Well aside from that...I was referring to your tendency to change a person.
L.p.
Ohhh....that!
PalLAS
We have to go soon.
L.p.
(earnestly)
What does Ashely say to all this?
PaLLAS
What she always says.
L.p.
Sounds like a broken record, in that case.
He's about to retort when his phone rings.  He slips it out of his pocket and places it to his ear.
CASTOR (O.S.)
I wanna talk.  PANDEMONIUM.  7 on the face of 12.  I wanna make a deal.  Put away our differences, and we can both walk away.
PALLAS
Differences are all we have in common, Chase.
Castor (O.S.)
Don't suppose there's anyway to remedy that?
PALLAS
(looks back at L.P.)
PANDEMONIUM.  You really are an idiot, Beelz.  You wanna meet in the lions den, that's fine by me.
CASTOR (O.S.)
Me and you both wanna have a chat with Lucien.  I figure I'm just making his job easier by having two appointments turned into one. 
PALLAS
I don't know how thrilled Cypher is gonna be to see you.
CASTOR (O.S.)
Probably the same amount you'll feel towards me when we meet.  Lets give Lucien a...surprise visit.
PALLAS
(pauses)
I gotta admit, Chase, I'm really starting to loathe you.  But then again ol' Lou swindled me by coughing you up, din't he?  And I was the shithead above it all who saw no fallacy in the scheme.  Not quite sure who too nestle a bullet in right now.  So I guess...we'll...just to have to see.
Pallas hangs up and faces L.P.  
PALLAS (CONT'D)
Let's go see Moloch.
CUT TO:
INT. MOLOCH'S TAVERN - MORNING
The tavern is quite empty, and only a few unassuming lowlifes inhabit the smoky fluorescent aura of the bar.  Moloch (33) is a tall grungy man, his muscular face unshaven and his thick black hair gelled into spikes.
His white dirty T-shirt is specked with stains of whiskey and other varieties of alcohol.  He looks up between the smoke of his cigarette, frowns as L.P. and Santiago march into the tavern.
The two of them take a seat on the stools around the counter.
L.p.
Whats up, Mol?
Moloch
Hadn't figured on seeing the two of you in here.  La Pantera....and a sacrilegious gutter rat.
PALLAS
(tucks Ashley of the Ra back in his shirt)
We have a proposition.
Moloch
(drying his shot glasses)
Why else would you come in here.  You want some money or something?  'Cause I don't got any...not this time.
PALLAS
No.  Different kind of proposition.
Moloch
(turns around suspiciously)
Keep talking. 
PalLAS
Hows your gun hand these days?
Moloch
Same as it always was.
PalLAS
That means down your pants.  
Moloch
(not thrilled, but not angry)
Fuck you.  What you doing here, Pallas?  Comin' into my bar, not ordering anything, and pissing me off.  That sounds like you...but you never were any good at making friends.
PALLAS
Sorry 'bout that.  It's my nature.
Moloch
So is taking a hike.  You want my help, spill it.  Then I'll let you know if I'm up to it.  Hows that sound?
PALLAS
There's a demon in this city.  Used to work with me...but now he's gotta die.  I figured...maybe you owed me one.
Moloch
Owe you one?  Ha ha ha!!  The only thing I owe you is the ten dollars I stole from you in Grade 6.  
(pause)
Who is this....demon?
PALLAS
Goes by Chaser.  The only thing I know better than my family is my ability to recognize a good shot.  You fit both of those criteria.  I could use an extra crosshair.  IF...you're not too busy with the brothel and bar...
Moloch grins, puts away his glasses, and reaches under his table, pulling up a sawed off shotgun, which he slams down on the table.  The lowlifes in the bar look up slowly, lose interest, and return to their drinks.
MolOCH
After this, all debts have been paid....
PALLAS
Works for me.
Moloch and Santiago slap their hands together and hold them there.  An oath of brotherhood.
INT. Citreon - MORNING
Chaser lifts the phone up to his ear again.  He puts on a pair of shades that cover his eyes and looks out the window to his side.
                   SPLIT SCREEN
LEFT SIDE                              RIGHT SIDE

CASTOR
Michael.
Michael
Hey, it's you.  I was wondering if you were gonna..check in.  I've got a couple men I can trust.  We'll be waiting for your signal.  Looks like I ended up trusting you after all.
Michael is fiddling with a                                            SWAS automatic rifle. 
CASTOR
If you haven't already stormed the palace, I'd say there's a good chance of that.
MICHAEL
Haha!  Maybe.  Mind if I ask where you're gonna be while we're...as you put it, storming the palace?  I don't suppose I'll be getting to meet you again.
CASTOR
You know what they say about second dates.
Michael
...No...not really.
CASTOR
I'll leave it that way.  Just hold your men back until I give the hey-ho.  I have some...priorities to rectify.
Michael
Priorities.  Can't say I really like to endorse information from a criminal, nor condone some random vendetta killings.
CastOR
Not random, Mikey.  And it isn't vendetta.  You know how these things work.  Chop off a dozen tentacles and they grow right back, bitchy as hell from their reincarnation.
(beat)
If I don't take the head off...and I mean me.....those tentacles are gonna grow from Lucien and find me.
Michael 
(tests him)
Or I could just bust in there without your order and take Lucien and you.  Might look pretty ravishing on my record.
CASTOR
That's a risk I'm going to have to take.
Michael
I take it by time you finally ring in the cavalry...you're not gonna be anywhere we can find you?
CASTOR
That's the idea.
Michael
So when we take out this...Lucien...how am I supposed to thank you?
CaSTOR
If it makes the headlines, I'll take it as thanks enough.
(pause)
Can't believe I'm actually trusting a cop.  I must be crazy.
Michael
Can't believe I'm trusting someone like you.  Don't sweat it Castor.  I ain't so loyal to the manual that I can't make some...necessary exceptions.
(pause)
You probably picked the right red-and-blue to do business with.  You gonna leave Lucien alive?
CASTOR
That's gonna be dependent on him.
Michael
(once again serious)
And...the girl?  Samantha?

                              Michael drops what he's          doing, concerned for the well-being of Sam.
CASTOR
She doesn't have anyone.  No home, nothing.  Maybe I can change that.
Michael
You're not quite the devil I've made you out to be.
CASTOR
I'd hate to ruin that illusion by showing you my bad side.
Michael
Well....I'll be seeing you around, I suppose?
Chaser tugs at his jacket,                            concealing the revolver in                               his pants.
CastoR
(smiles to himself)
For your own protection....I should hope not.
Michael
(to himself)
Ah...
Michael's half of the screen moves to the left, filled by Chaser's, who puts away the phone and sets it on the dashboard.
Samantha looks over to him while he's doing this.
SamantHA
Did you mean what you said?
Quickly he whirls around, as though surprised that she is in the car with him.
SamanthA (CONT'D)
About me....changing all that?
CASTOR
I've never...been the fatherly type.  Hell, I've never even been the marital type to lead down the road of offspring.  But....if you want, I'd be willing to give it a shot.
SamantHA
(brimming with a smile)
I'd like that.
Chaser laughs with Samantha as they head towards PANDEMONIUM.
INT. Lucien's office - morning
Lucien is sitting at his desk, fiddling with a Glock automatic and drinking back a shot glass of some very hard alcohol.  
INT. FATHER MOHAMMED'S APARTMENT - Same time
Deacon looks up past his shrine that he is praying at and begins to mutter in a very guttural voice.
Deacon
The coming of the end is close at hand.  Where the parties of darkness convene on cursed ground to hold their conference of death.  
Where the finality of all shall be decided, thou mightiest of demons rise to meet the call of some unbitten revenge.
Hark, dreaded angels!!  Do you fear where light meets dark, where the undecided roam, and chaos is the tranquility?
BACK TO:
Int. LucieN'S OFFICE - Simultaneously
Apparently expecting someone, or something, Lucien slips the Glock back into his desk and runs his callused hand through across his hair.
Deacon (O.S.)
Here....HERE is where the battle began.  Where it ends, who knows?  Swords shall clash, and venom spewed, lightning cast, and hell fire unleashed!  Hark, dreaded angels!!  To survive the beckon of a war already waged, hark!!
EXT. HEaven Belt POLICE STATION- SIMULTANEOUSLY
Michael and several armed to the teeth and armored SWAT members are preparing for the bust while his Inspector looks on. 
With battle hardened experience Michael picks up a bullet proof Kevlar vest and straps it on, then grabs his MP5 and stands up.
CHIEF INSPECTOR
You planning on going in with the cavalry?
MiCHAEL
I am cavalry.
Chief INSPECTOR
Huh.  No point in talking you out of it then.  
Michael
I'm not looking forward to seeing how this turns out in the Department sector.
Chief inSPECTOR
You go nail this sucker.  Let me take care of the paperwork.  I've personally taken responsibility for this operation, just so you know.
Michael
Why'd you do that?  This whole thing is my idea.
ChiEF INSPECTOR
What they don't know, won't hurt them.  Or you.
MichAEL
Thanks.  Guess I'll be extra careful not to screw this up.
ChieF INSPECTOR
(laughs)
Ha ha ha!  Try not too, anyways.  
(pause)
Good luck, Mike.
MiCHAEL
Thank you..sir.
Michael salutes informally, and hops into the back of the SWAT van, MP5 loose at his side.
INT. SWAT VAN - SECONDs lATER
The inside has a dozen similarly suited SWAT elite units and a tactical tech team with video monitors and surveillance equipment.  Larry (25) is the main operator and is a tall, dorky, red haired kid with big glasses.
Larry
All systems go, sir.  We've got three sniper units at strategic grid points surrounding PANDEMONIUM waiting for us.  Contingency enforcers are laid down and secondary gunners in helicopters are standing by.
MicHAEL
Good.  Any word from Recon?
Larry
According to latest triangulations and blueprints we've assembled, we shouldn't have much trouble.  The club is cut into 9 partitions.  The only security they have are in these first three rooms.  The largest room is this one, where our civilian count is the highest.
Michael
Any idea where the mark is gonna be?
Larry
(fingering the screen)
Probably in one of these two rooms.  They appear to be offices.  
Michael
Alright.  Echo Team, you'll stake out this corridor and achieve containment.  Storm Team, I want you here and here to 'detain' any enforcements.  Bravo, you're with us.  We'll try and get to the offices. 
A very large set man with glassy eyes and a crew cut approaches the model and nods.
Squad leader
What about these access junctions?
Michael
We'll cut them off here...and...here.  I'm thinking the guys at PANDEMONIUM are probably gonna be specially hired by Lucien himself.  
That means they're not gonna stiffen at the mention of SWAT.  Aim to kill.  Got it?
SquAD LEADER
Yes sir.
EXT. PANDEMONIUM ALLEYWAY - 6:50 AM
The Citreon is parked facing down the narrow alleyway while Chaser checks his watch and flips open the trunk.  He fits the machine gun and the uzi into his heavy trenchcoat and slips the handguns into his belt.  He rolls over his wrist and looks at his watch.  It reads 6:50.
SamANTHA
(concerned)
World War Three isn't supposed to be for another hundred years, man.  What you expecting?
CASTOR
I'm expecting Lucien, Santiago, and a few of his friends.  
SamANTHA
(licks her lips)
You know....we could just leave, walk away.  
CASTOR
I gotta do this.  
SamANTHA
(getting emotional)
Playing the hero again, huh?  C'mon Chase..please....you know we don't have to do this.  You're just gonna get fuckin' killed and I'll be alone again!
CASTOR
I promise, kiddo, I won't get killed.  How's that?
SamANTHA
How the hell can you promise that?  You live by the gun, you're gonna die by the gun.  That's why you're going in there.....to kill them.  Delegate my ass, Chase!  I know what you're planning...that's why you're making me stay here.
CASTOR
(bitterly)
After this, I won't have to live like that.  But if I don't go.....I'll be having my finger on a trigger another 60 years.  I gotta end this, Sam....one way or aonther.
(pause)
You stay here.
Samantha doesn't argue, but a few tears run down her cheeks as the uncertainty of Chasers immortality begins to contend with the fact that a shoot-out is imminent.
As though to reassure her, Chaser bends down and caresses her cheek with a smile.  But as he turns around, his face is grim and set, and his hand never wavers far from the concealed guns he carries.
                   SPLIT SCREEN
      LEFT SIDE                        RIGHT SIDE
Chaser reaches the main        Santiago, Moloch, and L.P entrance and gets in           reach a fire escape exit without any hassle.  In        where they enter the club  the complex he begins to       and find themselves on the  explore around, evading        dance floor.  Wading past bouncers, til he reaches       the swarming throng, they     an access door that leads      look suspiciously across  to Lucien's office.  He        the huge room, fingers             looks inconspicuously          brushing their arsenal.    around him before he           Finally they reach the         fiddles with the lock,         main entrance to Lucien's   then decides to bodycheck      office and Santiago opens  the door.  Finding             the door nervously.
In response Lucien aka Cypher reachs into his desk and pulls out the Glock, pointing it at Chaser, and with his other hand grabs the shotgun on his desk and points it at Santiago and his crew.
Santiago, L.P., and Moloch all take out guns, L and Moloch training theirs on Lucien, while the man known as Baal points his revolver at the man known as Beelzebub. 
Half expecting this, Chaser unsheathes the machine gun from his jacket, aims it at Santiago, and concentrates a Beretta on Lucien.
There's a bit of a pause as the predicament dawns on all three parties.
LuCIEN
(sizes up his foes)
Looks like we got ourselves a good old fashioned stalemate.
A professional assassin, a seductive feline, and a barkeeper against a rogue contract killer with a conscience against a disappointed old man with a shotgun.
CaSTOR
(icily)
I like those odds.
Santiago looks at the triangle that has been formed, bites his lower lip.
SANTIAGO
So whose gonna sneeze first?  
CASTOR
(in the same, whispering, deadly tone)
I couldn't care less.
LuCIEN
We could all put our guns down at the same time, and talk about this like gentlemen.
SANTIAGO
That's a problem, pops.  No one here is a gentlemen.
LuCIEN
That is a problem.  
(beat)
However, we can't hold our guns level forever.  Sooner or later...someone's gonna give.
CASTOR
Then lets wait and see.
Lucien sighs and shakes his head.
LuCIEN
Considering I've got a heavyass shotgun pinpointed with one hand, I might have to volunteer to be the first.
CASTOR
I like those odds even better.
MolOCH
How accurate do you think you'll be, old man?  Your arm tired yet?
LucIEN
I think I'll last long enough to blast your ass into a steamy red mist.  
SaNTIAGO
Shut the fuck up!! All of you!!
CASTOR
Or what, Baal?  You'll shoot one of us?  
SanTIAGO
There's only two ways this is gonna go down:  we're all gonna fuckin' die right here, or one of us is gonna be the bigger man and give us all a chance at survival.
CASTOR
(eyes narrowed)
What makes you think for a second that I care what happens to me as long as I get some of your blood on the carpet?
SANTIAGO
I think you wanna see that precious Samantha again, Castor.  That's what I think...whether or not my death is worth that much I'm not sure yet.
L.p.
Santiago's right!  Let's talk this out!
LuciEN
La Pantera always was the whining heretic that'd follow you anywhere, San.  Tell your cat to catch her tongue.
L.p.
Fuck you, Luc.  
SANTIAGO
So what'll it be?  Lucien, Castor?  You gonna be the ones to show respect?
LucIEN
Why don't you stop playing the mediator and practice what you're preaching?
CaSTOR
I wouldn't mind that either.
There is a long pause as Santiago swallows, but keeps his gun trained on Chaser.  Chaser smiles, almost evilly, which seems to upset his former partners stolidity.
Then suddenly with an unexpected gesture Chaser drops the Beretta trained on Lucien and puts it back in it's holster.
SANTIAGO
We suppose to clap now?
CASTOR
No.  But right now I've got my full attention on you three.  So if Cypher wants to drop me, he can do it...but I'll be sure to take at least two of you with me.
Moloch
Sounds like an invitation to execution.
CastoR
It's meant to elucidate the motivation you should be lending to making sure he doesn't drop me.
There is a slight pause in which nobody speaks, and then Chaser reaches into his back pocket and pulls out the cell phone meant to be used to contact Michael with the go-signal.
SANTIAGO
What's that?
Never leaving his eyes from Santiago he punches in a pre-dialed number and lets it ring in his hand.  
CASTOR
In approximately two minutes PANDEMONIUM will no longer belong to Mr. Chambers.
L.p.
What-
CastoR
(talking into phone that is below his waist in his hand)
You ready to make history, Mike?
MoLOCH
I don't...
CASTOR
(watching each person in the room)
The Feds.  Looks like a made a deal with both devils.  That was the signal for them to advance.  Right now they're currently taking care of Lucien's personal guard, and making their way here.
LuCIEN
(steaming)
You sonof-
SANTIAGO
You're bluffing.
CasTOR
(glances at watch)
In...1 minute and 15 seconds we'll know for sure.
There is a drawn out pause as CU's of everyone in the room is established in beat with a rapidly excited heartbeat.  
A sniper laser scope crosses the room that instant and lands on the back of Lucien's neck.  Santiago, L.P., Moloch, and Chaser are the only ones that see it.
CASTOR (CONT'D)
Believe me now?
Staggering with indecision, Santiago braces his arm, but beads of sweat begin to accumulate on his brow. 
Moloch loses himself just then...
MoLOCH
Ahhhhrrr!!
He unleashes two shots.
BLAM!
BLAM!
One of them strikes Lucien in the right scapula, and he topples over, just as a sniper bullet erupts a geyser of wood splinters from the desk, missing its intended target.
SanTIAGO
(swivels around)
No!
L.P. loses control as well, firing off a shotgun blast at the desk, just as Chaser dives toward the far wall.  Santiago makes three profound arguements, one of them grazing Chaser's left rib as he topples to the floor.
Santiago sees the danger he's in and leaps towards the other wall while Chaser fires shots from his revolver in his general direction.  
On the floor, Lucien manages to grab his shotgun and fire it off at L.P. and Moloch who are still futiely shooting at the desk and where Chaser landed moments earlier.
The shotgun blast from Lucien strikes Moloch straight in the chest, causing a fountain of blood to ejaculate from the gaping wound in his chest, simultaneously sending the body spiraling into far wall.  
Part of the blast catches L.P. in the side of the face and she topples over, screaming in utter agony as blood rolls down her face.  Her left eye is a gory mess of sticky fluids and scalding shrapnel.
Chaser gets up again and dives through the door he originally came from as Lucien turns around with amazing agility and lobs off a dozen shots from the automatic Glock at him.
Distraught over the carnage, Santiago whirls around with his revolver and shoots at Lucien, causing a second spring of crimson liquid to gush from his side.  However Chaser is standing up again, oblvious to the Glock bullet holes in the wall next to him, and fires at Santiago.
Santiago's hand makes as sickening crunch as the bullet literally rips it to shreds, and the wounded man topples over, grimacing as he clutches at the wound.
Lucien recovers in time to fire off both the Glock and the shotgun at Chaser again, who dodges to the side as the wall next to him crumbles from the impact.
With some hidden door or trap exit the fat man makes his getaway, trailing blood as he vanishes from the room.  Chaser realizes that his mark is gone, for now, and gets up to survey the room.  
Moloch is dead, his chest still jetting red, his eyes open.  L.P. is cradling her head, sobbing with pain, her hair drenched and crusted with the already drying fluids she's excreting.
Santiago seems defeated.  He's holding his hand, but he's not even grimacing, not even caring anymore, as he looks straight ahead.  As Chaser approaches, though, he looks up at the standing member of the Three 6's......and smiles weakly.
SANTIAGO (CONT'D)
You know.....I uh....didn't see it this way.  That fat shithead...moved like a snake, didn't he?
Chaser nods solemnly.
SaNTIAGO (CONT'D)
(looks at Moloch and the twitching L.P.)
Yeah.  Fucked us over pretty good.  Hah!  Eheh...yeah.  Well...Beelz....good job...good fuckin' job, man.  
(pause)
You're still standing...but why the fuck did you have to blow up my hand, man?  I almost.....I almost nailed him...almost.
CASTOR
I'm sorry.
SANTIAGO
Heh...don't worry about it.  I still got 'im though right?  Still.....got one in.
CASTOR
Yeah.  You did.
SANTIAGO
(nods)
Good.  Good.  
(pause)
Still....guess I wasn't meant....to kill him.  ....Fate reserved that for...someone else.  You gonna follow...him?
Chaser nods.
SANTIAGO (CONT'D)
(starts crying)
Yeah...boy, that fucker knows how to run, don't he?  ....Fuck.....fuck...do me a favor.  Do me a favor...huh, Beelz?
CASTOR
What is it?
SANTIAGO
Kill him.  Make sure....he dies, okay buddy?  Don't....don't let him get away.
With that Santiago reaches into his shirt and pulls out the folded page from 'The Lord of the Flies', and puts it in Chasers oustretched palm.  His bloodied fingers leave smudge marks on the paper.
SANTIAGO (CONT'D)
That's uh....a.......a present.  For you.....keep it.  
(beat)
You ever....read that book?
Chaser nods again.
SANTIAGO (CONT'D)
Good book.  I liked it....lotta people, don't like it though.  You know why?  Because it's too real...too...real for them to take.
(beat)
Huh...heheheh....yeahhh...well, you'd better get going.  He's...uh...probably..probably in the garage.  You can catch him...yeah.
Castor nods again and stands up, looking down on the wounded man with pity and compassion, but not enough to fill him with any regret.
Santiago is staring into nothingness once again, where a man sized Rabbit covered in blood is watching him intently.  He swallows, almost beguiled, and then lifts his head towards Chaser.
SANTIAGO (CONT'D)
Uh...can...can you do me one more favor?   Kick me my gun...the one..over there...
Santiago reaches into his shirt pocket and pulls out the bullet that has 'B' carved onto it, holds it up to the light, and grins.
SANTIAGO (CONT'D)
Walk away, Chase.
His eyes almost filled with what could be called fear, he fits the bullet into the chamber of the revolver, one bullet in the gun.  Chaser nods with understanding, and then slowly turns away and starts walking out of the room.  Santiago, behind him, puts the gun to his forehead....his breath a stuttered gasp, and clenches the trigger.
BAM!
Chaser stops for a moment, his face apathetic, and keeps walking out of the door.
INT. LUCIEN'S GARAGE - 4 MINUTES LATER
Lucien, holding his bleeding side and trying to tourniquet his shoulder with his vest, makes it to the garage where he jumps into a Jaguar XJ8, and hightails it out of the cement garage.
EXT. PaNDEMONIUM ALLEYWAY - Same time
Grasping his ribs where he was razed, Chaser makes it to the Citreon and hops inside.
SamANTHA
Ohhh my god!!  Chase, you're bleeding man.  
CaSTOR
It's just a fleshwound.
SamANTHA
That's exactly what they all say, and then like 20 minutes later they're dead.  Let me see.
CASTOR
No...we...gotta go.  Lucien made it out.  We...have to follow him.
Samantha gives him a worried look where blood is pooling in the leather seat, and rips off a cuff of her sweater to help stop the bleeding.  
Chaser grunts a little as he pressed it to his side with one hand and starts the car up with his other.  Ever determinate, he bites his tongue and slams on the gas, rocketing him out of the alleyway.
INT. LuCIEN'S OFFICE - Same Time
Michael and his Bravo team burst through the door of the office, guns raised.  But only the corpses of Moloch and Santiago remain.  
L.P. is still curled up, crying very softly, her red jump suit the same color as the blood on the floor.  Michael stomachs his way past the slaughter.
SqUAD LEADER
Geeezusss!  What the fuck went on here?
MichAEL
(without any mercy)
What had to.  Uhhh....what a mess.
(beat)
Any sign of Chambers?
SqUAD LEADER
I don't see him.
Michael
(whispers to himself)
Where are you, Castor?
SquAD LEADER
He must've escaped. 
Michael
(waits for the Squad Leader to direct his team to keep searching)
Yeah.  
(pause)
But not for long.
Michael stoops down, pries the revolver from Santiago's good hand, and looks at it.
EXT. CITY HIGHWAY - MORNING
The Jaguar blazes out of the underground parking lot just as the black Citreon rounds the corner in pursuit.
The two cars take off, one chasing the other through the busy streets.  Cars and trucks honk and squeal out of they way as they evade the speeding vehicles.
Lucien guns the gas and takes air over a speed bump, regaining composure and screeching a turn to the left as he lands.  Chaser repeats his process, never letting the speedy little car out of his sight.
A trolley car, unable to turn, heads straight for the Jaguar, while a giant commercial truck blocks the other side, funneling Lucien's only route.
The Jaguar skims the trolley, sending showers of sparks into the air, and destroying the side of the car, but it keeps on going.  Chaser slams on his brakes, skids to the right, and bushwacks through the grassy park that intersects the block.
Coming out right next to the Jaguar, Lucien tries to slam into the Citreon's side, but Chaser stabilizes it and the bigger car begins to win.  Furious, the old man brings out the Glock, sticky with his own blood, and fires at the enemy car.
Samantha ducks as the window shatters, and Chaser fires back with his Beretta.  Another bus appears in front of them, forcing them to split off.
As the chase continues unrelentlessly, it's clear that they're fast approaching the harbor.  On a downhill straightaway, Samantha suddenly notices her driver is growing tired and hits his knee.
SamANTHA
Don't fall asleep!!
CASTOR
...ah....sorry.  
SamANTHA
Ahhh!  Chase, he's frickin' insane!  You're gonna get us both killed!!
CASTOR
Take the wheel, Sam.
SamANTHA
Wha?
CASTOR 
I'm gonna try and slow him down.

Samantha grudgingly grabs the wheel as he reaches behind him and grabs a mini-rocket launcher, suspectedly borrowed from Ezekiel.  
SamANTHA
Hey man, what are you gonna do??  You're gonna blow us up!!
As though in response to this, Lucien fires his Glock off and spiderwebs the windshield of the Citreon in three different places.
CASTOR
(aiming the rocket launcher out his window)
Hold it steady...
And he fires. 
The missile trails a leash of smoke as it speeds toward the Jaguar, and impacts with an orange explosion that rocks the car and sends it spiraling against a telephone pole.  Chaser discards the launcher and brakes the Citreon.
From the smoking wreckage, a damaged Lucien stumbles and bumbles through the building next to him.  Chaser looks up and sees Carmel Industries written in metallic block letters across the entrance.
Still groaning, hand on his wounded ribs, he gets out of the car and grabs the HK MP7 in the backseat.  His hand across his ribs seeps bloody droplets that collect and run down his shirt.
CASTOR (CONT'D)
I'll be right back...
Samantha is almost sick with anticipation and fear and dumbly watches him go, following madness into Carmel Industries.
INT. Carmel industries - MORNING
Lucien, still holding onto the Glock amazingly, makes his way to an elevator where security guards emerge, but the coldness of the man known as Cypher allows him to shoot first.
The two security guards topple over, bleeding away their last minutes of life as Lucien stumbles into the elevator and hits the top floor dial.
Seconds later Chaser arrives, much to the screaming chagrin of the civilians who only see another bleeding man with a gun.  He sees the dead security guards and jumps into the next elevator.
EXT. CARMEL INDUSTRIES ROOF - MORNING
The roof of the biggest building around is a gigantic arena of gravel and ventilation ducts.
There is only one door to the roof.  A blue, aluminum rectangle.  And Chaser slams it open, gun in hand.  Speckles of blood dot the pavement where Lucien had been moments earlier.
The roof is apparently empty, and Chaser's feet crunch on the gravel as he slowly advances, actively seeking his prey.  Against a duct, Lucien awaits, a flow of blood from his head saturating his eyebrow.
Bullets bite into the gravel roof as Chaser tucks and rolls against another duct and Lucien fires off the last of his clip.
Lucien
You come to finish me off, Chase?  That it??
Chaser doesn't reply, but checks his own clip.  Then jumps up and runs toward Lucien's position.  The old man blasts away another shot that misses Chase just as the younger man flattens himself against another duct.
CASTOR
You're running out of bullets.
LucIEN
Oh...I know.  But it only takes one.
CASTOR
Then you'd better make them count.
LucieN
Tell me this at least.  Why'd you come after me?  Really?  Who was it for?
CASTOR
(remembers his past)
This time...myself.
LuCIEN
Hmmm....I don't know about that.  You're not that selfish, Chase.  Or maybe you're hunting for all of them.  Yeah, that sounds like you.
(beat)
Just making sure I don't end up hiring another one like you...and another...and another.  Til they're all as dead or useless as you.  Then finding another to do my dirty work.
(beat)
The good of the many, outweighs the good of the one.  Am I the lucky 'one'?
CASTOR
(to himself, but loud enough Lucien can hear him)
Spock was my favourite character.
With that he leaps up again and throws him through the air, landing with a thud on the gravel and dispensing a philharmonic of bullets into the metal of Lucien's duct.
The old man is still nimble, despite his loss of blood, and ducks and crouches behind another duct.  
LuCIEN 
I gotta give you credit, Chase!!  You're one persistent sonofabitch.    
CASTOR
Just like cartoons.
LucIEN
Yeah.
CASTOR
I never learn.
LucIEN
I'll admit to that.  How'd you know I'd be up here?
CASTOR
(rising and focusing his gun on Lucien's position)
I figure...you'd be somewhere you can see the sun.  Where eagles dare to fly...
LucIEN
Ah...I'm so predictable.
Unexpectedly he turns around, faces Chaser, and fires off his last three shots.  Chaser ducks and whirls as he does, completing a full 360 degree turn as he comes to a stop crouching.  Three shots are expelled, three shots find home.
Lucien coughs and stumbles back, gurgling as he hits the gravel and drops the gun.  Unsympathetically, Chaser is upon him and kicks the gun away, puts the barrel of the MP7 against his last combatants head.
LuCIEN (CONT'D)
(taps his chest and laughs)
You....got me.
Chaser reaches down and rips the shirt off of Lucien's chest.  A bullet proof vest with three indents in it.  Furiously he presses harder on the gun, forcing Lucien to scringe.
CASTOR (V.O.)
The game is never as simple as being able to win. It never is.  You can beat all the opponents, win the most points, and you can still lose.  Winners, losers.  
It's funny that way....how playing the game makes you eligible to be both.  
And the funnier part...or maybe it isn't as funny as it is scary...is that it's not one of the games you can walk away from, cut your losses on, choose to forfeit.
You see it to the end, no matter what that might look like.  If you're the one that makes it end, or are just one of the guys that experiences it.
LucIEN
(mocking)
You not gonna kill me, Chase?
CASTOR
(takes awhile to respond)
They say that when a man dies, his whole life flashes before his eyes.  
LucienH
Huh?
CasTOR
(still reciting as though he's in a state of epiphany)
All of the dreams...the fantasies...memories....regrets.  All of it.  It kinda makes you think, don't it?
Your whole life...50, 60, 70, 80 years of it, all compacted to an infintesimal moment before it all goes dark.
Like...watching the longest movie in history in the shortest amount of time comprehendable.  Watching life through the eyes of a child, to the eyes of an old man.
Huh...that's kinda hard to grasp isn't it?  Wrapping your mind around something like that...that astronomical.  I used to think about that a lot...but..now I don't even try.  I just ...let it be.  Sometimes it's scary though...guys like us, when we dream about the end.  Our end.  'Cause we're numb to death, we hardly ever think about it, take it for granted, y'know?
(pause)
I wake up a lot...sweating, thinking about it.  My whole life, flashing before my eyes.  Kind of unsettling don't you think?  Well...for you and me at least.  All the worst parts of our life, the most sinful, gruesome, brutal fractions of our years cast in the same vividness as everything else.
That's gotta be a thing you don't look forward too.  Living each death...each kill...each act of terror over again.
Chaser leans down very close to Lucien, who hasn't dared move or interrupt.
CASTOR (CONT'D)
Do you fear that Lucien?  Are you afraid of what you'll see?
It's very clear that he does, and Chaser lowers the machine gun, shaking his head.  He stands up, takes a deep breath, and sighs.  The sun is a golden orb of milky light, illuminating the buildings in its splendor.
LuCIEN
(almost prideful)
What I've done....you should see through these eyes.  Evil ain't known a closer consort.
CASTOR 
Santiago asked me once, what makes us do evil.  I didn't have an answer.  But I wish he was here now.  I'd tell him....what makes us do evil, you ask?  You can ask a shrink the same question and get a three hour lecture on the psychoanalytical implications of the human mind...but that isn't exactly the answer you're looking for, is it?
(beat)
Didn't think so.  You gotta laugh at the irony though, don't ya think?  Me talking to you about evil?  Huhuh..funny how these things work out.  But then, that's why I'm here, I guess.  But back to the topic at hand.  The root of evil...the, whaddya call it? Motivation?  You taught me a lot of about how to answer this, y'know.  Goes something like this...
Chaser spits to the side and clears his throat.
CASTOR (CONT'D)
We just enjoy the hell out of it.  Who wants to admit something like that though?  But we do, Luc....we start doing it, we enjoy it so goddamn much we have trouble stopping.
Nature's macabre practical joke on the human race, no less.  But sometimes....people get a little carried away.  Like you....  
(beat)
But not me.  
With that Chaser turns around to walk away.
LucIEN
(extremely vexed)
Chase!!! Chase!!!  Where you going?? What do you think you're doing??!!
Chaser lets a smile escape his lips.
CASTOR
(smiling)
I promised someone I wouldn't kill anymore.  Not in vengeance.  Not this time.
And...for the first time in a long while, I'm gonna keep that promise.
As Chaser smiles at him and turns back to walk away, Lucien reaches for a concealed mini-pistol in the back of his belt.  One shot.
KAPOW!
Chaser stiffens, eyes grow wide.  He starts to breathe heavily.  Then...ever so hesitantly, looks down at his chest.  Nothing.  No blood.  No wound.  He spins around where Lucien is on his knees, a tiny gun in his hand.  He looks up at Chaser, smiles...and blood courses from his lips as he jerks and falls over the side of the Carmel Industries building.
Samantha is standing by the door, a Steyr M-A1 clutched in both hands.  She doesn't even flinch as the gun is dropped.  Her face portrays a lack of innocence, a maturity, that splays her transformation from a little girl into a woman who has tasted death....and found it bitter.
Chaser sighs, looks at her with the same pity and compassion he once had for Santiago, and runs over to her.  They embrace, and she clutches at him like some wild beast.  But she doesn't cry.  
Chaser hugs her tightly as well and sways, and a giant smile comes to his lips.  Samantha looks up at him and smiles too, and soon they are both laughing and crying, not sure what to feel.
For there is happiness in their lives, the promise of a future that holds only good things for them.  But there is sadness also, for the things they have seen, and done.  Yet in the end, perhaps these horrible things survive only to better the individuals.  
They're emotions evident, but not yet abated, Chaser draws away and walks over to the edge of the building where a commotion is filling the street below.  Slowly he takes the piece of folded paper from his pocket, unfolds it, and stares at it.  He manages a tiny brief smile, and lets it fall, a drifting requiem to the dead.
DeaCON (V.O.)
And he wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air...
Turning back he's smiling again, despite the wound at his side that still smarts with wet blood, and allows Samantha to half support him off the roof.
fADE TO BLACK.

SIX MONTHS LATER
EXT. Paradise PARK - AFTERNOON
Michael is walking across the green grass of the park.  Doves and pigeons chirp away, and children are playing a game of soccer.  People are walking their dogs, and lovers kiss beneath the fronds of a willow tree.
Taking in the sights, he sits down on a park bench and opens the newspaper at his side.  The headline is "Hell Frozen Over: The Pandemonium Bust".  He laughs when he reads it, and shakes his head.  
Just then his phone rings, and he brings it up to his ear.
Michael
'Ello?
CASTOR (O.S.)
Hey Mike.
Michael
(sort of surprised)
Castor.
CaSTOR (O.S.)
That's right.  
MiCHAEL
I didn't expect to hear from you again.
CASTOR (O.S.)
I saw the newspaper, figured I'd thank you personally.
MiCHAEL
Looks to me like you handled it pretty well yourself.
CASTOR (O.S.)
Well...I guess everyone found a little redemption that day.
MichAEL
By killing?
CasTOR (O.S.)
The most potent salvation is generally through death.  They found peace, and so did I.  That's all the really matters.  "Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum", as it were.  
MicHAEL
(pauses for a moment)
Never heard that expression.
CASTOR (o.s.) 
Look it up sometime.
MICHAEL
I will.
(pause)
So where you heading?  What you gonna do now?
MicHAEL (CONT'D)
(pauses for a moment)
So where you heading?  What you gonna do now?
CASTOR (O.S.)
I'm not really sure.  But...I think I'll figure something out.  I have someone else now to help me decide.
EXT. EMPTY ARIZONA ROAD - afTERNOON
The black Citreon zooms down the desert road, apparently re-modified so that it's now a convertible.  Inside, Chaser is driving and talking on the phone, a new silk shirt and glasses on his head.  Samantha is sitting in the passenger seat, her hand out the window, playing with the wind that rushes by.
She looks over to him and giggles when he mentions 'someone' and returns her attention to the scenery around them.
CASTOR
What about you?
Michael (O.S.)
Just retired actually.  Found that bit of Paradise we all search for, and sometimes in the end, actually find.
CASTOR
Sounds nice.
MichAEL (O.S.)
(waits for another pause)
Soo...I guess that's it then.  Oh, by the way, the uh..case was closed about three months ago.  You're free, as far as anyone involved is concerned.
CaSTOR
I appreciate that.
MichAEL
So long, Castor.
CASTOR
You too.  
(beat)
Maybe I'll find that Paradise you were talking about.  I'd like to believe I'm on the right road.
Castor hangs up, smiling.
BACK TO:
EXT. paRADISE PARK - AFTErnoon
Michael hangs up as well, puts the phone back on his belt, and looks at the sunny vista before him.  Laughing quietly to himself he lifts the newspaper up again and starts reading.
BaCK TO:
Ext. emPTY ARIZONA ROAD - afTERNOON
Samantha looks up at Chaser, who smiles back and hugs her teasingly with one arm.  She giggles and frees herself, looking at the giant stone monoliths of the Arizona desert.  The sun is the same warm, golden discus of light.
CasTOR  (V.O.)
And so...all our revels now are ended.  The game...is over.  And everything is as it should be.  I can't imagine what divine intervention could even incur such luck on my behalf.  But nevertheless I am grateful.
For me, there is only the future.  The undiscovered country.  And Paradise.
Cheerfully she reaches down and turns on the radio, finding the right station, and leans back into her chair and tries to sleep. 
CUE: "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin.
To wherever the Citreon is heading, it's apparent that Chaser considers it Paradise, and the camera steadily ZOOMS OUT so we can see the long road ahead, and then PANS UP to the blue sky.
FADE TO:
CUE CREDITS
The End.