Plainville Entertainment ©

Frank Miller’s
“S I N  C I T Y”
A DAME TO KILL FOR

Based on the Dark Horse Comic
“Frank Miller’s Sin City” 

An Adapted Screenplay 
By
Dustin Martin

8/21/05
Dustin Martin
301 Silver Grove St.
Las Vegas, NV
89144
Fade up from Black:

EXT: Hotel-Top-Night

We open up on a man crouching over a glassed top window. He holds a 35mm snapshot camera. This is Dwight.

Dwight (V.O)
It’s another hot night, dry and windless. The kind that makes people do sweaty, secret things…I wait and I listen…For a while it’s as quiet as it gets in Sin City. Coyote calls from the hills. Police sirens rising, falling, cutting through the traffic’s white noise roar…My right calf is beginning to cramp up and I’m thinking about going downstairs and getting my money back from the bellhop. 

We hear the sound of jingling keys coming into the hotel room. A man and a women’s voice we hear.

Man (O.S)
This is the last time, Sally. It’s got to be the last time.

Smash Cut to:

Medium shot of Dwight. He’s taking snapshots as we hear the clicks of the camera.

Sally (O.S)
What ever you say, Joey.

Joey (O.S)
I mean it, this time.

Dwight (V.O)
She glides out of her coat like it was Christmas wrapping. Playing it for all it’s worth. And it’s worth plenty. She’s got the kind of figure you notice. It’s her voice that spoils everything.

Smash Cut To:

Over-head shot.
The camera is looking downwards on Dwight and Joey and Sally are visible through the glass. 

Dwight(V.O)
A little girl’s voice, all squeaky and mousy and bubbly and bouncy with false innocence…

Sally
I had a dream about you last night Joey. It was a nice dream. Do you want to hear about it?

Smash Cut To:

INT: Hotel-Room-Night-Same

Sally’s tangling her finger’s down her hair while Joey is rubbing his hands on her back giving her a message. Dwight is visible through the glass.

Joey
No. No dreams tonight. I haven’t got the time. I haven’t got any time. I have to get home soon. And this is the end for us. The last time. I can’t go on taking the chance.

Sally
Whatever you say, Joey. You give the orders. You’re the boss.

Cut To:

Close-up shot of Dwight-Same 

He’s taking another picture. CLICK. 

Joey (O.S)
It’s Gloria, damn her. She’s asking all kinds of fuckin’ questions. She suspects something. She’ll sue. She’ll get everything.

Cut To:
INT: Hotel-Room-Same

He’s still messaging her back.

Sally
Everything you’ve worked so hard for.

Joey
You’re damn right I work hard. I work my fucking ass off. Night and day. I always have. Built my business up out of nothing. Nothing.

Sally
And nobody appreciates you, do they? Not like you deserve.

Joey
No. Nobody. Not the employees I keep off food stamps--And not Gloria, dam her. My own fucking wife. Living in that house I bought her. Wearing those clothes I bought her. With my money. My hard-earned money. And she doesn’t appreciate one god-damn thing…

Sally walks onto the bed and lays down. She looks so sexy. 

Joey cont’
She doesn’t even try to understand the kind of pressure I’m under. She doesn’t even try. She’s always coming at me. Always making demands. Never giving me a break. Just like all those fucking lazy bums who wouldn’t have a paycheck if I didn’t sign it--They can get sick, but me? Not a chance.

Joey starts to remove his belt from his pants. 

Sally
It’s because you’re so strong.

Joey
You’re damn right about that! But do I get any credit? Fuck No! They just take and take!…One of these days I’ll fire the whole pack of them! Show them who’s boss.

Sally
You can show me, Joey

Joey pulls out handcuffs. 

Joey
I will.

Cut To: 

CU shot of the bed railings. 

Joey attaches the handcuffs to Sally and the bed railing.

Cut To:

Overview shot.

Sally’s attached to the bed with Joey climbing towards her on the right side. He touches her leg smoothly. 

Joey
I’ll show you… I’ll show you who’s boss…

Cut To:

Medium Shot of the Bed railing.

Dwight (V.O)
Then she’s moaning and saying…

Sally
“BOSS”

Dwight (V.O) cont’
In time with his grunts. It’s all over quickly.

Cut To:

EXT: Hotel-Top-Night
 
Dwight keeps on taking photos. His camera clicks and clicks. The moaning of Joey and Sally can be heard where Dwight is standing at.

Dwight (V.O)
I get everything I need. The sad thing is that some of the compositions I pick are pretty good.

Cut To:

INT: Hotel-Room-Minutes Later 

Joey’s sitting on the side of the bed lighting up a cigarette. Sally on the other hand is lying down on the bed topless. 

Sally
Oh, god, Joey. That was just fucking incredible. You make me feel like a women. I know that sounds corny, but it’s true. So True. It takes a real man to make a girl fell like this.

Joey
I love you, baby. You know I love you.

Sally
I love you too, Joey. You’re all the man I’ll ever need. I count the minutes when you’re gone. I honestly do. My wrists hurt, Joey. Think you could get the keys? They’re right in my purse. 

Joey gets up and reaches for his coat.

Joey
You don’t have any idea how much I love you. How much I’ve sacrificed. It’s tearing me up inside…

Sally
Joey--What are you doing?

Joey pulls out a gun out of his coat and locks an loads it. 

Joey
It’s tearing me up! How much I love you--and what I have to do! But I’ve worked hard! Damn hard! And Gloria would get everything! It’s all her fault! I don’t have any choice.

He points the gun at Sally. She’s got a look on her face that is about to break in half.

Sally
Joey, no please. I won’t tell anybody. I swear to god.

Joey
I know you won’t want to talk Sally. I know that…

Cut To:

EXT: Hotel-Top-Same

Dwight’s still on the glass roof.

Dwight
Oh, my aching back…

Joey (O.S)
…But you’re only human. And Gloria will offer a lot of money. My money. My own money. And she’ll use it to bring me down…

Sally (O.S)
I’ll go away. I’ll leave town and go someplace she’ll never find me. 

Cut To:

INT: Hotel-Room-Same

Joey has the gun pointed to her head. With sweat dripping down his forehead he kinda like grins his teeth.

Joey
Yeah? And how will you get there? Fly? And who will pay for the ticket and god knows what else! An apartment? A car? Clothes? You’ll suck me dry and you’ll never stop!

Cut To:

EXT: Hotel-Top-Same

Dwight stands up. He looks down with a range of fire on his face.

Sally (O.S)
Joey--I beg you, baby…

Joey (O.S)
Don’t make this any harder than it is, damn you!

Dwight jumps through the glass of the ceiling window.

CRASH!

INT: Hotel-Room-Same

He crashes through. Dwight lands on Joey and he looses grip of his gun. Sally gives out a big scream.

Sally (Screaming)
HAAAAH!

Dwight just lets Joey have it. He’s beating the shit out of him. Glass is all over. Shattered into Joey’s face. 

Sally
KILL HIM! KILL HIM!

BAM! Joey’s unconscious. He’s dazed out. His beatings done. Dwight turns towards Sally.

Dwight
Nobody’s killing anybody. Not while I’m around.

Sally
Then can I get a ride?

Dwight (V.O)
She was using her real voice this time. A voice that’s left innocence a lifetime behind.

Dwight takes the keys and unlocks Sally from the bed frame. She dashes towards her purse and belongings. Dwight picks up Joey and puts the handcuffs around his hands and is attaching him on the bed frame. 

Sally kicks Joey in the gut. He coughs up blood. 

Dwight (V.O)
I can’t stand seeing a women in danger. So I left the asshole for housekeeping. 

Dwight has his arm around Sally’s shoulders. They both walk out together. Shuts the door.

Cut To:

EXT: Highway-Night

Cars are zooming by one after another. Dwight’s car drives by past through the frame wit the hood down. 

INT: Dwight’s Car-Moving-Night

Dwight is driving with his arm leaning over the side. Sally covered by her coat is startled.

Dwight (V.O)
I take Redondo over the hill, toward old town. It takes longer that way, but I figure with the way she’s shaking she could use the time to settle down. At first all she can do is sob and blow her nose and smoke cigarettes…She smoked six cigarettes…

Another car drives by cutting off Dwight. She’s blonde, beautiful, and in a rush.

Dwight (V.O)
…She’s just about pulled herself together when some crazy blonde cuts us off, making poor Sally almost jump out of her skin…Driving like a bat out of hell, that one. Crazy. There’s never a good reason for breaking the speed limit. 

EXT: Entrance to Old Town-Night 

Dwight pulls over towards the shoulder. Sally opens the door and walks out. Bright and fresh. She turns around and looks at Dwight.

Sally
Thanks for my life, Man!

Dwight doesn’t respond. He just looks at Sally as she enters the ghetto of Old Town.

Dwight (V.O)
The last I see of Sally, she’s fixed her makeup and she’s sauntering away like a pro, tossing me a wave and a wink. One hooker to another…Then she blends into the sea of flesh that is Old Town…where beauty is cheap, provided all you want to do is look. But if you’re ready to pay, you can have anything you can imagine. I hold tight to the wheel to keep my hands from shaking. I pull out and cut back over the hill. Out, away.

Dwight starts his car up and makes a u-turn. Disappearing into the streets and drives away. 

INT: Dwight’s Car-Moving-Night

Dwight pulls out a cigarette and lights it up. He reaches over towards the radio and turns it on.

Sports Announcer (V.O)
--And Gabriel’s wide open--He shots--SCORES!

Dwight (V.O)
I put the game on and pray it will chase away the memories. The damn Old Town memories, of drunken mornings and sweaty sex and stupid, bloody brawls…You can’t just pick and choose. You can’t take the good without the bad…Not once you let the monster out.

EXT: Agamemnon’s House-Night

Dwight pulls up the driveway and shuts off his car. He opens the door and walks towards the front door. 

Dwight (V.O)
The team’s up by twelve late in the third when I pull up to Agamemnon’s. I should be home in time to catch the fourth quarter replay at eleven. 

Dwight knocks on the door. With a loud bang. BANG! BANG! BANG! Agamemnon opens the door. He’s fat, ugly, and is eating like always. 

Agamemnon
Well, I’ll be god damned if it isn’t CLEAN LIVER, himself! What’ve you got for me, boy?

Dwight
The Canelli job. Two rolls.

Dwight walks right into his house. Agamemnon closes the door.

Cut To:

INT: Agamemnon’s House-Night

The place is a pigsty. Booze, food, magazines everywhere. Naked girls posted on the wall. The TV is running in the background.

Agamemnon
The Canelli job? God damn! I knew the twisted fuck couldn’t keep it in his pants much longer! You catch the game? Our boy Gabriel is kicking ass!

Dwight
Yeah. The Blues might just go all the way, this year. I’m hoping to catch the replay at eleven.

Cut To:

INT: Agamemnon’ House-Darkroom-Night

The room is filled with red light. Dwight’s mixing the chemicals and puts the photo paper in the pan. He uses the tongs to shake it so the image comes out faster.

Agamemnon is over looking Dwight’s photos. 

Dwight (V.O)
If I had to nail it down, I’d say the main reason Agamemnon makes me sick is how much he loves his job.
Agamemnon
Oh, yeah…Oh, yeah…You’re a fucking genius, kid…Oh, yeah…God, just look at the tits on her…

Agamemnon reaches for three of the photos. He’s looking deep into them one by one. 

Agamemnon cont’
…straight out of Playboy Magazine! And knowing you, you didn’t get yourself a piece of that, did you? Nah, not the boy scout.

He looks at a photo of Sally tied to handcuffs attach to the bed railing. 

Agamemnon cont’
Handcuffs. It’s funny, you know. How many of them go for the handcuffs. Especially the businessmen. And judges, too. You wouldn’t believe how many judges go for the handcuffs…Some of them like the gals to wear them, and some like to put them on themselves. I tell y, I could write a book…

Dwight (V.O)
Maybe tomorrow I’ll got to the times and crawl on my belly and beg Gilleran for my old job back. Maybe he’ll give me a break. He said I deserved a Pulitzer, once…But that was then.

EXT: Agamemnon’s House-Night

Dwight walks out of Agamemnon’s house and jumps into his car. He starts up the ignition, and drives off.

EXT: Highway-Night

Dwight’s car zooms by.

INT: Dwight’s Car-Moving-Night 

Dwight’s driving the wheel once again. 
Dwight (V.O)
I drive ten blocks out of my way and stop for gas I don’t need, screwing up my courage for the worst of it. The Wife.

INT: Lawyer’s Office-Night

Dwight hands over the photos in an envelope to the layer.

Dwight (V.O)
This one’s got a lawyer to pay the tab and do the talking, so it’s easier.

Lawyer
…in cash, as you requested. You may be called upon for a deposition. Please leave by the side exit.

EXT: Highway-Moving-Night

Dwight is driving in his Mustang so fast.

Dwight (V.O)
The Mustang shudders angry, acting like a wild horse it was named after. Begging to cut loose and show what it can do.

INT: Dwight’s Car-Moving-Night 

He has both hands on the wheel. The music is playing in the background. It’s coming from the radio. Just looking straight forward. The wind is blowing through is slick hair. 

Dwight (V.O)
I’ve got the radio tuned to some lonely hearts talk show, but I’m not listening. One more time, I sort through the broken pieces of my past. And like always, they come together to form the same, sorry picture.

Medium shot: Dwight’s Face 

Dwight (V.O)
I think about all the ways I’ve screwed up and what I’d give for one clear chance to wipe the slate clean. To dig my way out of the numb, grey hell I’ve made of my life…I’d give anything. Just to cut loose. Just to feel the fire. One more time.

Cut To:

EXT: Highway-Night

Dwight’s car is speeding fast. VROOM! The engine roars.

INT: Dwight’s Car-Night

Dwight steps on the brakes hard. The car screeches…

Dwight
NO!

Holding on with both hands on the wheel. 

Dwight cont’
No. Damn it. No. Never. Never.

He pulls over towards the shoulder off the side of the highway. Dwight steps out of the car and gets down on his knees with his hands over his face.

Dwight
Never lose control. Not for one second. Never. NEVER LET THE MONSTER OUT!

Fades to Black:

Fades up from Black:

INT: Dwight’s office-Night
 
Dwight is sitting in his office chair and watching the game on his portable TV. He’s watching the game.

Announcer (V.O)
--And it’s Donner on a fast break--And there’s Gabriel with a steal--What a steal! A steal--What a steal!--Tearing up court--He shoots--fouled hard--It needs a bounce--Yes! SCORE!

The phone rings on his desk. 

 Announcer (V.O) cont’
--And they’re calling a flagrant foul on Mark Donner! That’s it! He’s out of here! Gabriel shoots! The foul--Yes! SCORE!

The phone keeps on ringing. Finally Dwight reaches over and grabs it. He answers. 

Announcer (V.O) cont’ 
This one’s history, folks.

Dwight
Hello?

Cut To:

CU Shot of lips

A pare of red lips are speaking on the phone. With a beautiful voice, it’s a beautiful women’s voice.

Women 
Dwight? Is that you?

Cut TO:

INT: Dwight’s office-Night

Dwight
Ava.

Cut To:

INT: Phone booth-Night

She has a trench coat on covering her face.

Ava
I’m sorry to call. I know I’ve got no right. But I need to see you. Tonight. Please, Dwight. Don’t hang up on me please.

INT: Dwight’s office-Night

Dwight stands up and is speaking to her. The camera pulls back towards the ceiling.

Dwight (V.O)
She keeps talking. And like an idiot, I keep listening. 

Cut To:

EXT: Sin City-Moving-Night

We follow Dwight’s car through the rough terrains of Sin City. Disgusting, inhumane, trash. 

Dwight (V.O)
I should tell her to go to hell. Instead I give myself a shave I don’t need and I show up twenty minutes early.

EXT: Club Pecos-Night 

Dwight pulls up and parks is car on the side of the road. Crazed folks are everywhere. 

Dwight (V.O) cont’
What the hell could she want with me now?

A man is on the ground on his knees with a gun in his hand. He barfs on the pavement. 

Man
He’d deserve it…(Barfs)

Another who’s towering over him gets down on his knee and picks him up.

Man 2
Sure Bill. Let’s get you home.

Dwight just watches both drunks walk off.

Dwight (V.O)
You can’t drive two blocks in Sin City without coming across a saloon. This one’s a country joint, the bad kind. It’s not the kind of place I’d expect her to know about, let alone go to.

Dwight walks in the Club Pecos Saloon.

INT: Club Pecos Saloon-Night

He opens the door. The doors are made to be like the ones in western movies. With his hands in his pockets and a cool attitude on his smirky face.

Dwight (V.O)
I grab myself one last lungful of night air. Then I trade it in for smoky soup spiced with sweat, vomit, booze, and blood. I know the flavor well.

All of a sudden a man getting socked in the face flies through and out of the frame. Blood splats. The man who punched this sucker steps into frame. He’s a monster, big, buff, and with a messed up face. This is Marv.

Dwight
How’s it going Marv?

Marv
You know, Dwight. Same Old, same old.

Cut To:

Medium shot-Bar

Both Dwight and Marv pull up a chair at the bar. Marv pulls out a cigarette and lights it up. 

Marv
Haven’t seen you in a dog’s age, pal. You been out of town?

Dwight
No, just busy. You take care Marv.

Dwight gets up out of his chair and walks out of frame.

Dwight (V.O)
Marv’s a guy you got to be careful around. He doesn’t mean any harm, but he cause plenty.

Cut To:

Medium shot-Steadycam

We follow Dwight trough the bar. Pigs, whores, and pimps swindle down through the bar like a pigpen. 

Dwight (V.O)
Why here, Ava? It’s not like you. No, with you everything always had to be first class. All the way. And when I couldn’t foot the bill, you sure as hell found somebody who could.

He finds a booth with nobody sitting there. He sits down with his hands on the table. Looking around the joint. 

Cut To:

Wide shot-Same

A waitress walks up to Dwight and asks him what he like to drink.

Dwight (V.O)
I order up a ginger ale and stare at it for the better part of an hour…She’s late, like she always was.

Medium Shot on Dwight

He glares around the joint. The door opens and Ava’s shadow appears on the ground.

Dwight (V.O) cont’
And like always, she’s worth the wait.

Smash Cut To:

INT: Club Pecos Front Door-Same-Night

A beautiful women walks into frame with pearls on her neck and a leather coat that seemed to be expensive. Slowly walking towards the camera.

Medium Shot on Dwight 

Ava walks up and Dwight stands up. She hugs him, but he doesn’t respond to the hug.

Ava
Dwight…How long has it been? Four years?

Dwight
Sounds about right. Have a seat.
Both Dwight and Ava sit together in the booth. The waitress walks up and takes both their orders. She pulls out a box of cigarettes and light one up.

Dwight (V.O)
She asks for some kind of scotch nobody’s ever heard of, then settles for what they have. Not like her to drink hard shit. The cigarettes are a surprise, too. Used to be she couldn’t stand the smell of them.

Ava
So many times I’ve wanted to call you. I’ve found myself thinking about you…

Dwight
I’ve got places to be. How about you just tell me what you want.

CU on both Ava & Dwight

Ava moves close towards Dwight.

Dwight (V.O)
She moves close, all vulnerable, a deer caught in the headlights. I could slug her.

Ava
Don’t be cold, Dwight. I don’t think I could stand that, right now. I must still mean something to you. You came here. You must still care. Just a little bit.

Dwight
Sure. You called and I came running. You’ve still got that much of a hold on me and maybe you always will. But I’ve got no reason at all to be nice about it. Not after what you did to me. 

Ava
I guess I deserved that.
Dwight
There’s no guessing to it. You deserve that a whole lot more. You don’t know what I went through. How bad it got. Maybe if you’d fallen in love with the ass I could’ve handled it…But you didn’t love him. You’ve never loved anybody. Money was all you where after. You tossed me away--for cash. So let’s not screw around. I’m here. I’m listening. You just tell me what the fuck you it is you want.

Ava
There’s only one thing I want from you! And I want it so desperately I could scream! I want you to forgive me!

Dwight
Oh. Now I get it. You’ve got a conscience after all. And it’s bugging you. Fine. You’re forgiven. You got your wish. Go home. Sleep tight.

Ava
You’re right about me! I’m nothing but a selfish slut who threw away the only man she ever loved! Just like you said! But I was wrong, darling! Wrong!

Ava cont’
I’m in hell, Dwight. It’s worse than you can imagine…Oh, god…I wish I could go back in time. Back to the way it was. To you and me. I’m such a ass…Such a selfish stupid slut…

Dwight
You made your bed. Sleep in it.

Ava
Forgive me, darling. I beg you. I love you.

She kisses him on the lips. She wants to go down but Dwight just punches her. BAM!

Dwight
You do that again and I swear to hell I’ll kill you.

Ava
If you can’t forgive me, darling, then please--remember me. They say you never really die as long as somebody remembers you.

Dwight 
What the devil are you talking about?

A man in a trench coat appears. He’s big, with a muscular voice. An angry voice. 

Man
Mrs. Lord, you are due at home.

Ava grabs on to Dwight’s arm. Giving a good grip. 

Dwight (V.O)
She gasps and grabs my arm and suddenly I’m playing Lancelot.

Dwight
I’d say that’s up to Mrs. Lord.

Man
This is none of your concern, sir.

Standing behind the man is Marv. He looks angry and drops his beer bottle. With a cigarette hanging from his mouth. 

Marv
Is that ass of a clown giving you a hard time, Dwight? I’ll take him down for you if you got nothing going on tonight.

Ava
Never mind, Dwight. It’s too late. I’ll go with him.

Dwight
To late for what, Ava?

Ava
For everything. Just remember me, my love. Remember me.

Smash Cut To:

EXT: Front of Club Pecos-Night

Ava and the man walk out of the joint. Followed by Dwight and Marv. 

Wide Shot-Car-Night

Then man opens the door for Ava. Ava looks back one more time at Dwight’s face. She winks and the door is slammed shut.

The man walks around towards the driver seat. Opens then shuts the door. Starts the ignition and drives off into the darkness of Sin City.

Wide Shot-Marv & Dwight 

Both just stare out through streets.

Marv
Buddy, I don’t mean to poke my nose in where it don’t belong, but that there is a dame to kill for. Why’d you let her go?

Dwight doesn’t respond to the question. He glares outward facing the camera. 

Dwight (V.O)
The night air hasn’t gotten any colder. It just feels that way. Ava.

Smash Cut To Black:

Dwight (V.O) cont’
Damn!

T H E  E N D