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This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express 
written permission of the author.

FRAMED

INT. AMY'S HOUSE – EARLY MORNING

GUS LEERY, 25 lies on a couch with his girlfriend AMY. Amy is very 
pretty redhead. Skinny, but tall. Amy's about Gus's age. Blankets are 
scattered all over the floor beside the couch.

Amy's dressed only in her pajama tops. Gus, only in his briefs.

Gus smiles.

They make out on the couch.

TIME CUT:

Now, they're both seated. But still dressed the same. Gus gets up. 
Walks towards the 

KITCHEN

He stretches. Limbers up. Obviously getting ready for a day of work. 
Unless of course, it's a weekend today.

Gus walks to the ref. Opens it.

Gus grabs a milk carton. A glass. Pours milk into it. Now, it's very 
clear that these two lovers have been close and sweethearts for a very 
long time already. If they weren't he wouldn't be snooping around her 
fridge, looking for some milk.

Gus sets the glass, now filled with milk onto the counter. 

He turns back to the ref. Opens up the freezer.

INSIDE

he sees bacon, frozen, wrapped up in cellophane.

He pulls the bacon out of the freezer, sets on the counter beside the 
sink.

Gus turns to his milk glass.

He drinks from it. 

He goes to the sink, washes the glass, sets it back to the rack of 
dishes.

Gus grabs the bacon, rinses it with the faucet water as well. Then he 
lets it sets it beside the sink. It's gonna thaw in an hour and thirty. 

Then he makes his way back to the---

INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY

Amy's now has pajama bottoms on.
As she walks closer to Gus, a halo of sunlight appears on her cheek. 
Both of them kiss. 

Gus walks towards the T.V. set. 

Gus bends down.

He puts his face close to the screen. It's okay, it's off anyway. He 
just stares at it.

Gus stands. Makes his way to the side of the couch where his jeans lay. 
He picks them up.

Gus puts his jeans on. He coughs.

BESIDE THE T.V. SITS A DVD PLAYER, IT'S A SMALL ONE, AS SMALL AS A VCR. 
IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY HUGE SPEAKERS HOOKED UP TO IT.

Two DVDs rest on the glass table just in front of the couch:

SPY GAME, OCEAN'S ELEVEN, AND THE PATRIOT --- Roland Emmerich's Patriot 
that is. The one with Mel.

Gus is still groggy. He yawns and stretches.

Amy smiles at him. Walks to the kitchen.

INT. KITCHEN

Amy's at the sink. She runs the faucet. Throws water all over her face, 
cleanses her eyes.

Amy sees the bacon, still having to be thawed resting on the counter 
beside the sink. 

Amy takes a breath.

INT. BATHROOM 

Both Amy and Gus are naked, and are huddled under the hot spray of the 
shower. They start to kiss. Now, how many times have they kissed, just 
this morning?

INT. LIVING R00M – DAY

Now, both of them are already showered. 

Amy's hair is still messy though. She wipes it with a towel. Amy is now 
in a white robe.

Gus is wearing black pants. And a polo shirt. The jeans Gus was wearing 
earlier rests on the floor. He picks it up. Stares at it while it's on 
his arms. Then he just throws it off a corner. Guess his just gonna 
leave it here.

The three DVDs are still on the glass table.

Gus turns to them, gathers them up, stacks them and sets them on top of 
the T.V.

Well, looks like Amy owns those DVDs. She must be into movies lately.

On one corner of the living room rests a BACKPACK. Gus picks it up. 
Slings it on his shoulders. It doesn't seem heavy. Maybe there's 
nothing inside. 

INT. VIDEO SHOP – DAY

It's a video shop within a mall. About four, or five customers are 
around.

No, six. One more enters. A FAT, HAIRY, MIDDLE AGED MAN.

Gus talks to the SALESLADY whose elbows rest on a desk. They have a 
brief chat about something. By the looks, this Saleslady already knows 
Gus. He's a valued customer. Gus still carries the backpack.

Then Gus backs away from the Saleslady's desk. He just nods as he does 
so.

Gus turns to one of the shelves with DVDs stationed on it.

He just stares at the wide selection of movies in front of him. He sees 
an AMERICAN PIE DVD. Picks it up.

Gus flips the American Pie box, and looks at the box. 

He starts reading the synopsis at the back. For two seconds. Literally. 
Looks like he wasn't reading anything at all.

Gus walks towards another shelf. Again, looking at the various DVDs for 
sale.

Gus frowns. A thought has obviously crossed his head.

Gus scratches his head. Gus clears his throat.

Gus walks back to the counter with his best friend Saleslady. He talks 
to her. Briefly.

Then he turns back to the shelves.

HIS HANDS run through the row of DVDs on one of the shelves, then his 
fingers finally pause on one:

GIRL INTERRUPTED.

He picks it up.

Looks at the poster in the front of the box with Angelina Jolie's face 
on it.

He fans it momentarily. Sets it back on the shelf.

Another tape catches his eye.

ANYWHERE BUT HERE.

Natalie Portman's and Susan Sarandon's face on the box cover. He grabs 
hold of it. Flips it. Reads the synopsis at the back of the plastic 
box.

This time he actually read it. He nods. Looks like this is the one 
Amy's looking for.

A pause. He just stays there for a long moment. Frowns. Does he really 
have to pick up this ANYWHERE BUT HERE copy? He shakes his head slowly. 
Replaces it back.

Looks like he ain't buying it.

Stationed near the entrace are TWO VERTICAL METAL DETECTORS. They're 
the ones that beep if a shoplifter decides to pull some shit. The 
SECURITY GUARD leans agains the wall near the entrance.

His name is SALVO.

He looks kind of depressed. He is sweaty. And somewhat disoriented. 
Salvo is clearly upset about something.

Salvo digs into his pocket. Pulls out his wallet.

He looks at the PHOTOGRAPH OF HIS BEST FRIEND (Male):

HIS BEST FRIEND IS ALSO A SECURITY GUARD, BUT THE BACKGROUND IN THE 
PICTURE LETS WHOEVER LOOKS AT IT KNOW THAT IT ISN'T THE VIDEO SHOP. 

So his friend is also a security guard...but he doesn't work here. 
Salvo is teary eyed. Right now, it's easy to tell that his thoughts are 
cluttered. He's tired. And obviously having a headache too.

Salvo rubs his temples.

Salvo ceases his leaning on the wall, and begins walking back and 
forth, still restless. He's probably thinking about his best friend. 
But what happened?

Well, his friend has probably been killed.

Salvo begins shaking his head as he goes on walking back and forth. The 
fat, middle-aged man bumps into him, forcing his body to jerk backwards 
slightly. The fat man apologizes as he leaves the shop.

INSERT FLASHBACK:

INT. APPLIANCE STORE – DAY

A MAN, A THIEF IN FACT COMES RUNNING OUT OF THE APPLIANCE STORE, 
CARRYING A SONY DISCMAN. THE THIEF IS WEARING A SKI-MASK.

Salvo's best friend, yes the one in the picture tries to apprehend
the ski masked man, but the guy just stabs him in the throat with a 
SWITCHBLADE. The ski masked man flees.

Salvo's friend begins gripping his throat, he coughs blood. Blood 
gushes out of his neck.

A WHITE FLASH

Now, Salvo's friend's body lays dead on the floor of the entrance of 
the appliance store.
 
Salvo watches in shock.

Appliance store, video shop...well the two friends were in the same 
league. Sucks to be Salvo today.

INT. THE VIDEO SHOP – DAY

Salvo's still disturbed. Still standing near the entrance.

BARNEY MALKOVICH, 22, crewcut, tall, well-built scans the shelves with 
DVDs mounted. Just like what Gus was doing earlier.

Barney frowns. He's...confused. But about what?

Barney continues on with what he's doing.

Gus still talking to the Saleslady. Barney sees Gus. A man whose mild-
mannered personality gets revealed just by his looks. Barney notices 
Gus carrying the satchel. 

Barney moves on to another shelf. With more DVDs.

Barney looks to the wide choice of movies.

Which one should he buy? Barney frowns. 

Barney scratches his head. Shakes his head. Bites his lips...his face 
tenses. Well, he's up to something all right.

Barney sees the BLADE II DVD. Wesley Snipes with the shades, in the 
background the eerie eyes of Blade's rival. Barney nods slowly. He 
knows that Blade II is a cool movie.

Barney looks to Gus. What the fuck is he up to?

Barney snatches the Blade II copy out of its place, and hides it under 
his long T-shirt. Tucks it at the front of his pants. Barney is a 
kleptomaniac.

Gus moves closer towards Barney. Just what he wanted. 

Barney does a little bit of sleight of hand and pulls down the zipper 
of Gus's backpack slowly. Slightly. Leaving just a small opening.

Gus, after just getting done with a chat with his favorite Saleslady 
proceeds, searching for maybe, another movie.
Barney does some more sleight of hand. Barney slips two DVDs into Gus's 
backpack. Now they drop inside.

Barney backs off from Gus. Way off. But keeps his eyes on him.

Barney coughs. Should he have done this? Or is he about to make the 
biggest mistake of his life? Nah, he's obviously done this a lot of 
times before. He's still quite nervous though.

Barney looks down, to his shirt, where the Blade II copy should be. It 
doesn't show. Good.

Gus walks slowly towards the entrance. Great, great, great. Just as 
Barney has planned.

Barney follows Gus closely. Gus doesn't notice. Gus is beside a TEENAGE 
GIRL who's also about to exit.

Gus finally reaches in between the vertical metal detectors. BEEP, 
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! Oh, shit, the DVDs planted in his bag!

Barney scurries out of the video shop. 

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!

The beeping goes on. Deafening most of the customers. But the beeping 
stops as Gus backs away from the detectors. Making him the perpetrator. 
Oh, fuck.

Salvo eyes Gus incredulously. Gus is pale, mouth wide open still 
startled by the loud beeps.

Gus frowns. Something's not right.

Salvo scratches his head. He's still disoriented despite the fact that 
something very wrong has just happened and it concerns his profession. 
And the job of the friend that he just lost...this morning. Or was it 
this morning?

Salvo steps closer to Gus.

Barney stands

ACROSS THE VIDEO SHOP, in front of an ANTIQUE BOOK SHOP. He sees the 
man he just set up standing alongside Salvo, the security guard.

Barney eyes the shop, and both men carefully. Curious. Barney's just 
curious.

Salvo touches Gus's hand. He has something to do with him.

Salvo says something to Gus, but from where Barney is standing, he 
can't hear a thing.

Barney frowns. Oh, this is gonna get tense. Barney bites his lip, 
suddenly, he's kinda excited. He wants to see Gus Leery go down. Even 
if he doesn't know him.
Salvo raises both his brows. Something he has to say. He points to 
Gus's backpack. Oh shit.

Gus just nods. Gus takes a breath. Nervous, although he's sure that he 
didn't do a fucking thing in the world. Gus hands the backpack to 
Salvo. Slowly, very slowly.

Salvo takes the backpack in his hands.

Sweat drips from Salvo's forehead. He still can't get his mind off his 
best friend security guard.

He passes the backpack to his other hand and wipes the perspiration on 
his forehead. Takes a breath. Barney notices that a word comes out of 
his mouth. Of course, it can't be heard, but it's clear: FUCK.

Salvo opens the backpack.

AND TO HIS SURPRISE! TWO DVDs are INSIDE! Salvo pulls out the two 
tapes, he's in shock. THIS SHOPLIFTING, BABYFACED MOTHERFUCKER! Salvo 
sighs. Looks to Gus, who is also surprised. Gus doesn't move. In any 
way, he stays still. He's been set up.

But the man who set Gus up is standing just across the video shop. He 
doesn't know it. Sucks to be him.

Gus's face tightens.

Salvo steps close to Gus. Closer. As if trying to intimidate him. In 
some way, Salvo is really pissed off at Gus for for pulling some shit 
the same day that his friend has died. 

Salvo shakes his head. Clearly showing instant disdain to Gus.

Gus breathes heavy. Barney smiles. He notes this. Barney's obviously 
one saddistic motherfucker. He's always been like this. But no one can 
tell how many people this Barney guy has set up. Has he ever framed 
somebody before for the bullshit he pulls?

Barney nods slowly.

Salvo starts to negotiate with Gus. Saying a few words. That Gus takes. 
Gus simply nods.

Then Gus starts to yell. Still, it can't be heard from across, where 
Barney stands, but he can make out the words:

I'VE BEEN FUCKING SET UP! SOMEONE FUCKING SET ME UP! I DON'T DO THIS! 
YOU THINK I'M STUPID!

At least that's how Barney reads Gus's lips.

Gus starts to lose himself. Even if it doesn't itch, Gus scratches his 
hair. Aggressively, that is.

Now Gus's hair is messed up.

Who the fuck did this? Gus raises his brows as he tries to negotiate 
with the...zealous security guard. Zealous and emotionally unstable 
would be more like it.

Gus begins shaking his head. Aggressively, strongly disaggreeing to 
whatever Salvo's giving him.

Barney frowns. Gets even more excited.

Gus starts to get angry.

Salvo already is. Salvo starts pointing his finger to Gus, clearly 
looking down on him, who he is. Clearly showing his disrepect to Gus. 
Salvo starts yelling at Gus. But again, from this far, where Barney 
stands, it can't be heard.

Salvo doesn't stop pointing his finger on Gus.

Gus grabs hold of Salvo's hand, the one with the pointing finger, and 
wards it off.

He's not taking any of this guy's bullshit.

Gus makes a slow attempt to walk away from the shop. Very slowly. But 
Salvo blocks him and prevents him from doing so.

This is so much bullshit.

People in the shop start to watch both men argue, curiously. They all 
have eyebrows raised. Most of them, their mouths half-open. Wondering 
what the fuck is going on.

Meanwhile, Barney squints. His thoughts are somewhere else. But just 
for awhile. He maintains his focus on the two arguing men from across 
this antique book shop.

Now, both their yells can be heard. By Barney that is. But what they're 
saying can't be made out. It's too noisy. In fact, some loud music 
blares from the stereo inside the video shop. It's even louder than 
their yelling.

Salvo begins to get physical.

Salvo pushes Gus.

Then some words that can be made out come out of Gus:

HEY, HEY, WATCH IT!

Yup, that's what he said.

Gus shakes his head again. Like he has always been, he disapproves at 
whatever Salvo tells him. He was being set up.

Gus tries to tell Salvo that.

But Salvo merely sighs, and ignores what Gus tries to tell him.
Again, words that can be made out:

SOMEONE SET ME UP. I'M SURE.

Salvo pushes Gus again, forcing him to fall back, nearly toppling the 
metal detector behind him. This is way too much from this motherfucker. 
Who is he? Gus glances quickly at the guard's name tag: SALVO. Yeah, 
this Salvo is too much.

Gus TAKES A SWING AT SALVO'S FACE. Real hard.

Meanwhile, BARNEY

fists his right hand. This things getting better and better, cooler to 
watch. He should see this before he leaves with his shanghaid Blade II 
copy.

Barney gets more excited.

Finally a word Gus is saying can be clearly heard:

MOTHERFUCKER!

Salvo rubs his face. That really hurt. Salvo goes back to his ugly and 
irritating habit of pointing finger.

Salvo shakes his head. That wasn't good, pal. That's what his face 
tells Gus.

Salvo pulls his BERETTA SERVICE PISTOL on Gus. He points it to his 
forehead.

THROUGH THE WINDOW,
 
Barney sees Gus's best friend Saleslady trying to talk Salvo, no yell 
at Salvo to stop.

Salvo replaces the Beretta into his side holster.

Gus tries to throw another punch. But Salvo catches Gus's arm. Gus 
kicks Salvo in the knee. Hard. Salvo lets go of his grip of Gus's arm. 
Things are getting tense around here.

Salvo doesn't react.

They just stay like that for a quick moment.

Finally Gus tries to apologize. He's deeply sorry for what he did to 
the security guard in front of him.

But Salvo doesn't seem to take apologies.

Salvo just sighs. Salvo bites his lip. His face tightens. He's clearly 
very mad at Gus. 

Or maybe he isn't that mad, he's just upset that he lost his best 
friend today. To him, this man picked the wrong day.
Salvo pulls his gun again on Gus.

He presses it against Gus's cheek. Gus turns pale. Scared, what the 
fuck is this? Security Guard Brutality?

Salvo presses the gun even harder on Gus's face. His index on the 
trigger. He can shoot him right about any time now.

Then he withdraws it. Holsters it again.

What the fuck was that all about?

Gus takes a series of deep breaths. Heavy deep breaths. He's a little 
relieved that this bastard didn't put a cap through his cheek! He could 
have done it anytime he wanted to!

Gus can't take no more of this shit.

Gus lets go of his backpack, drops it to the floor. Then he PUSHES 
Salvo, forcing him to fall on his back with a THUD!

This is not good.
 
Gus RUNS!

Barney still watches. This is getting better and better every minute, 
this is like a movie. 

Salvo gets, up follows not far from Gus's back! 

Salvo whips out his gun. Aims it straight at Gus's back, right about 
any minute Salvo can drill Gus in the lung if he wants to. But he 
won't. Salvo knows he could get arrested if he even tries it.

INT. MALL, HALLWAY – DAY

The chase goes on.

Gus is a fast runner. Salvo starts yelling, gun still in hand. Some 
people in crowds start to panic.

Salvo follows Gus's every turn.

Salvo ceases running for awhile. He executes proper shooting stance, 
while carefully eyeing the SIGHT OF HIS BERETTA. He pulls the 
trigger...no, he doesn't fire the gun. Instead, he replaces it and goes 
on running.

When will this come to an end?

Gus looks back.

Salvo still behind him, in mad pursuit.

Gus glances at his back again, Salvo still doing the same. What the 
fuck is it with this guy? He already told him that he has been set up. 
And right about now, Gus is wondering if his face looks like a 
criminal, or whether he is charming like Amy tells him most of the 
time.

Gus glances back, again.

Salvo is still behind, but now he is meters back. Looks like he is 
tired of running. But no, he is not.

Gus ceases the run too.

Gus makes eye to eye contact with Salvo. Almost trying to intimidate 
the unintimidatable guard.

Gus points a finger at Salvo, just like Salvo did to him earlier. Gus 
is what-----threatening Salvo?

Salvo remains calm. He takes a series of breaths. But he doesn't react 
at all. 

Fuck him if he doesn't do a thing.

Gus runs towards the EXIT.

Gus exits the building.

EXT. MALL – DAY

Gus is finally out of the mall.

Every eight seconds, he looks to his back if that maniacal security 
guard is still following him. But he's not. Looks like the son of a 
bitch got tired.

Gus is sweaty. He stops his stride at a corner. Wipes the sweat of his 
face. His cheek, with a handkerchief.

Gus replaces the hanky to his pocket.

Daylight illuminates the city, plexiglass windows of tall buildings can 
only magnify the sun's semi-blinding light. Is the O-Zone Layer 
seriously fucked up nowadays? Gus squints his eyes, somewhat having 
difficulty seeing. Must be just the sweat on his eye brows.

Gus grabs his hanky once again.

Wipes his eyebrows.

Gus replaces the hanky into his pocket. Takes a deep breath. Runs. But 
where is he going? 

Gus walks to a sidewalk.

He looks to his GRAY SEDAN. 

INT. SEDAN – DAY

Gus enters. 

Digs into his pocket for the car keys. Fires up the engines. He warms 
the car up a little bit. He doesn't want it to stall while he's on his 
way home.

He's in a hurry. That bastard can come out any minute. Any second.

The car starts to run. He drives it carefully.

Gus darts his eyes in almost every direction. He's afraid, but in a 
way, he's also more alert this time.

He speeds up a little bit, but he's still in the territorry of the 
mall.

A MOTORBIKE, SPEEDS PAST THE FRONT OF GUS'S CAR! THEN GUS HITS THE 
HELMETED RIDER AND THE MOTOR!

THE MOTORBIKE SKIDS ON CONCRETE SURFACE, SPARKING AS IT DOES SO. 

Oh, shit. What has Gus gotten himself into this time???

Gus gets out of his vehicle.

The Motorbiker starts yelling. Gus is a little deaf right now, he's 
disoriented, and he doesn't even know where his thoughts are but he can 
easily hear the guy saying FUCK again and again. He can't hear any 
other word the Motorbiker is saying.

EXT. STREET – DAY

Gus approaches the fallen Motorbiker.

Gus tries to apologize to the helmeted man. But the man doesn't accept 
any apology.

Gus just shrugs, simply.

The Motorbiker takes the dust of his knees, takes off his helmet, 
checks if it ever got damaged too.

The man then turns to his bike. Stands it up. Leans it against post.

A COP approaches the scene.

Several bystanders can only watch.

The Cop begins speaking with Gus. Gus raises his brows, and starts 
reasoning out.

He points to the Driver of the Motorbike.

Says something about him. The Cop nods, calmly. The Cop tries his best 
not to be biased in this situation.

The Cop checks the bumper of Gus's Sedan. There's some damage but its 
minimum. He's sure that Gus wouldn't worry about it.
The Cop pays no attention to the Motorbike guy so far.

He thoroughly listens to Gus as Gus tries to reason out. Gus takes a 
deep breath. Suddenly, Gus is anxious.

The Cop frowns.

The Cop steps forward, closer to Gus. Not again, first Salvo, then this 
guy.

The Motorbiker sits on the sidewalk, merely watching Gus and the 
Cop...negotiate, or argue, whatever.

The street suddenly gets noisier, horns honking everywhere, music 
blaring from the radio components of teenage punks hanging around by 
the sidewalk.

Because of the noise, Gus and the Cop yell at each other.

Gus shakes his head. He says something like: I SHOULD HAVE BEEN 
WATCHFUL.

But again and again, because of the noise, what he's saying can't be 
heard.

The Cop nods, agrees to something Gus just said.

Gus sighs.

The Motorbike guy continues to watch. He scratches his messed up hair 
as he plainly stares at the two.

Gus turns around, checks his bumper and hood.

Oh fuck, it's dented.

Gus sighs again.

Gus steps closer to the Cop. Gus tries to tell the Cop something, the 
officer nods and then shrugs.

Gus shakes his head one more time, clearly hating himself for being 
careless.

The Cop points to the Motorbike guy.

Then starts nodding, and starts talking about something.

Gus takes a breath.

Suddenly, from across the street, Salvo stands! He looks at the two 
having some sort of an argument.

Gus turns to see Salvo. Oh shit.

Salvo approaches the two of them.

Salvo introduces himself to the Cop. Salvo says something to the Cop. 
Something Gus doesn't like.

Salvo gestures the Cop to move a few steps far from Gus. He has to tell 
him something. A secret of some sort.

Salvo whispers to the calm police officer. Something Gus doesn't want 
told to anybody. This is bullshit. The Cop shifts his head, and eyes 
Gus momentarily.

Oh great, now the Cop knows that Gus is a shoplifter. This is bad. This 
is so bad.

The Cop simply nods to Salvo about what he was just told. Somehow, the 
Cop totally agrees with Mr. Salvo. Bullshit.

Gus sighs. Bites his lips. Tenses.

The Cop then nods at Salvo. Salvo turns around, walks to Gus. Salvo 
puts his arms around Gus's waist, holding him at bay. Salvo wants to 
make sure that Gus can't escape this time.

Gus makes an effort to break free from Salvo, but Salvo merely pulls 
the back of his polo shirt, pulling him back.

Gus takes a breath. He finally manages to break Salvo's grasp. He turns 
to face Salvo eye to eye.

Gus says something. Declares something flat out.

They continue to walk towards the mall. Slowly.

Salvo just shakes his head. Gus tries to do a little more convincing to 
Salvo. Salvo just doesn't buy a thing. He thinks, no, KNOWS that Gus is 
a fucking liar.

Salvo sighs.

Both of them continue to walk to the mall. Side by side.

Gus and Salvo stop walking. They talk about something. And that 
something obviously can't be talked about if they are moving. Gus tries 
to do a little more reasoning out.

Salvo shakes his head, again and again.

Gus raises a brow.

A pause. They just stay like that for awhile. But Salvo shakes his 
head, takes a breath.

Gus sighs, and closes his eyes momentarily. Will this ever end?

Gus raises both his arms, tries to explain something. Something he 
probably hasn't said earlier.

They continue to talk.
FROM ACROSS THE STREET

sits a HOTDOG STAND. The VENDOR is fat, and his arms are hairy. But is 
clean shaven, and is wearing a chef's hat, and apron, all the 
paraphernalia of a cook.

Barney approaches the vendor.

Barney raises his hand, points a finger. Says something. Probably what 
he's gonna order.

While the Vendor prepares Barney's HOTDOG, Barney watches both Salvo 
and Gus at the other side of the street. Isn't Mr. Malkovich worried 
that the security guard could find out who he is and his cover would be 
blown? Obviously Barney is not.

Barney takes a breath as he watches the two, in a heated argument. For 
how long has this been going on?

Barney turns back around, he says something to the Vendor. 

What he said can be made out:

COKE!

But the Vendor shakes his head. Barney raises a brow, somewhat confused 
then the Vendor says:

PEPSI.

Barney nods.

Barney turns around, only to see that both Gus and Salvo are still at 
the other side of the road. Still standing on the same spot, still 
arguing.

Barney frowns.

Barney glances back, to check if his hotdog is ready. It's still 
cooking on the pan. The hotdog simmers with the oil.

The Vendor grabs a plastic cup, and presses it against a Pepsi 
Dispenser. Pepsi fills the glass full. The Vendor hands the cup of 
Pepsi, after he puts on a lid and straw to Barney.

Barney turns to looking at the two men again. Takes a sip at his drink.

Barney takes a breath. It's getting hot. Nah, must be the hotdog 
cooking behind him.

Barney takes a step sideways, just a little bit far from the simmering 
pan.

Barney frowns again.

Now Gus and Salvo have stopped. Talking to each other. They're just 
staring at each other right now. Now what?
Barney notices Gus saying FUCK again. Gus bites his lip, very 
frustrated. He can't take no more of this shit.

Both continue to argue.

Gus and Salvo then proceed walking. Towards the mall. Gus and Salvo 
enter.

They disappear into the entrance filled with a CROWD OF TEENAGERS. 
Barney shifts his gaze, trying to see where they're about to head. But 
no, he can't make anything out.

The Vendor yells to Barney.

Barney turns around, raises a brow. He walks towards the Vendor, now 
with an outstretched hand holding a hotdog sandwich placed on 
cellophane, napkins underneath.

Barney takes it from the Vendor. Nods.

Barney starts eating the hotdog.

Barney frowns. Should he go in to check on the two men? Barney's 
obviously a very curious...thief.

Barney takes a breath.

INT. MALL – DAY

Both Gus and Salvo are inside the mall, walking. Both of them are still 
arguing.

Gus and Salvo are standing side by side, like two associates trying to 
sell something. Salvo yells at Gus.

Gus moves a few steps away from Salvo. Gus raises his eye brow, 
confused. Confused about what Salvo just told him.

They continue to walk.

Gus frowns.

Then Gus starts pointing his finger to Salvo, and shaking his head, 
this time there's a disagreement. Heck, there always is. Salvo then 
pushes Gus on the chest. Gus staggers back. Then Gus fixes up his polo 
shirt. He tells Salvo to WATCH IT.

EXT. STREET – DAY

The street outside the mall. The hotdog stand. BARNEY

finishes eating his hotdog. He throws off the cellophane wrapper, 
leaves the napkins on his hand. He cleans up his hands with the 
napkins.

Barney tosses the napkins onto the street. The napkins fly with the 
wind.

INT. MALL – DAY

Gus and Salvo are yelling at each other. Their yells get louder, some 
people start to look at them. Study the both of them in confusion. Both 
of them are talking so fast. The only thing that people can make out 
when listening is: FUCK.

Gus pushes Salvo back.

Salvo raises his right hand. Points a finger to Gus. Salvo shakes his 
head. Showing that he just didn't want to take what Gus just did to 
him. Gus says: FUCK YOU TOO.

They are standing right in front of an 

ARCADE.

Loud music from video games defeans both Gus and Salvo. But mostly, the 
senior citizen customers passing by every now and then.

Gus starts shaking his head.

Both continue walking. Far from the arcade. But they don't stop 
talking. Arguing. It goes on and on.

Could this lead to a fist fight? Maybe.

Gus takes a deep breath. He's already very, very, very irritated. But 
what can he do?

Gus glances back. At nothing. He wonders if he can run really fast, 
find a cab on the road and ride home. But he can't. Gus knows right 
now, that Salvo could turn him in...to the cops. To the mall's Manager 
right now. Anytime.

Gus shakes his head again.

EXT. THE STREET – DAY

Barney again.

Barney sips from his Pepsi cup. He stops. Looks to the street. He's 
also thinking about something. Heck, he could be lost in his thoughts 
too. But what's on his mind?

Barney looks down. To the concrete floor of the sidewalk. There's 
nothing to look at there.

Barney shifts his gaze back to the street, where the mall is right in 
front of him.

He probably wants to get in. Check on whatever happened to Gus. But 
why?

INT. MALL – DAY

Gus and Salvo are still walking. Slowly. Right now, it's hard to tell 
what particular place they are going. But obviously, they're headed for 
the video shop.

Oh shit, that's where Gus left his backpack.

EXT. THE STREET – DAY

The Vendor is still around. So is Barney. The Vendor doesn't look at 
Barney, and he probably doesn't know that he's still hanging around.

Barney lifts up his shirt, pulls out the Blade II DVD that he took from 
the video shop.

He looks at the back flap. Sees the images from the movie. Wesley 
Snipes firing that gun of his.

Then he flips it, and plainly stares at the front of the plastic case. 
The movie's theatrical poster.

Barney turns to the Vendor. Starts a conversation. No, not an argument, 
just a little chat. Barney displays his DVD proudly to the Vendor. The 
Vendor raises eye brows and nods. Then shrugs.

Barney talks about something.

The Vendor just nods. All the time. Then the Vendor starts to talk. 
About something.

Barney shrugs. Says his goodbye to the Vendor.

Barney begins to walk, FAR from the Hotdog Stand.

Now the Vendor can't see him. Or see what he is doing. Barney slips the 
DVD back under his shirt. Takes a breath. Barney wipes some sweat of 
his forehead. Man, it is getting hot.

INT. MEN'S ROOM 

Salvo and Gus enter. Luckily, there's no one inside. Salvo bends down 
and does a split-second glance at all of the stalls. No one.

Salvo nods, raises a brow.

THE DOORKNOB HAS A LOCK THAT LOCKS FROM THE INSIDE.

Salvo moves towards the door. He presses the lock of the doorknob. Now 
the door is shut.

Salvo starts yelling at Gus once again.

Gus argues.

Salvo yells even louder and it is

EXT. MEN'S ROOM

even heard from outside the Men's Room. But no one's about to enter. So 
Salvo must be lucky.

FARTHER AWAY

from the Men's Room. Salvo and Gus's loud voices are still heard. But 
no one pays attention, or even notices. The shoppers proceed with what 
they are doing, minding their own business.

A BLOND WOMAN, about 33, pretty heads for the bathroom. She sees the 
SIGN above indicating the MAN/WOMAN symbol. She approaches the Men's 
Room not knowing what she's doing---

as the woman twists the knob, the door doesn't open.

INT. MEN'S ROOM

Gus and Salvo still arguing. Not noticing the knob turning.

EXT. MEN'S ROOM

The woman hears the loud voices coming from inside, she frowns, 
confused. The woman looks at the sign pasted on the door: GENTS. Nah, 
she was going for the wrong room.

The woman proceeds further, and finally locates the LADIES ROOM

where she enters.

INT. MEN'S ROOM

Gus punches Salvo in the face. Salvo falls back, on the shiny, tiled 
floor.

Gus lets his foot LAND HARD ON SALVO'S CHEST.

Salvo shouts in pain.

Gus kicks the side of Salvo's body, forcing him to turn 360. Now Salvo 
is lying prone.

Gus attempts to throw another kick, but Salvo extends his left foot 
backwards, blocking Gus's blow, throwing him backwards. Salvo gets up 
quickly.

Salvo goes for Gus, bends down. PUNCHES HIM REAL HARD IN THE FACE.

Gus manages to get up. Gus grabs Salvo by his uniform, turns around 
throws him back, to the far wall.

Gus hits Salvo in the face with a backhand blow.

Salvo charges, but Gus does a lower frontal kick to Salvo's stomach, 
forcing him to lean back, against the wall again.

NOW, THERE'S BLOOD ON THE BATHROOM WALL, WHERE SALVO IS LEANING. It 
could be Gus's or Salvo's. Now things are really turning for the worst.
Salvo charges forward throwing a punch while doing so. The punch hits 
Gus hard on the face.

Gus GROANS.

Gus starts rubbing his face. Salvo pauses. For a moment. Looks like he 
has done too much. Salvo could get fired for this.

Gus takes advantage of this, kicks Salvo HARD ON THE KNEE! Salvo GROANS 
LOUDLY.

Gus heads for the door, unlocks it, gets out.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MALL – LATER

Gus is still inside. His polo shirt is all messed up. In fact there's 
blood on the chest portion.

A LADY passes him by and sees the blood. She stares at it. Gus looks 
down to his chest. The blood. Gus just sighs. He tries to rub it off, 
but it won't come off. Now it's just a stain on his clothes. Fuck this.

Gus frowns.

Gus has to do something.

Gus sees A ROW OF PUBLIC PAYPHONES STATIONED ON THE WALL. THERE ARE 
ONLY THREE PAYPHONES and each of them are occupied. The other two 
payphones have people behind the users lining up.

Gus approaches the payphone with nobody lining up behind the GUY using 
it.

Gus rubs his temples. Oh, great, now his having a headache! Gus blinks 
his eyes.

Sweat is falling from his forehead. Gus pulls out a hanky and wipes his 
face, his forehead.

Gus looks down, to his bloody chest.

Gus sighs again.

Gus shakes his head.

TWO MEN look at him incredulously, the blood on his chest, the messed 
up polo, the messed up hair.

Gus tries to wipe off the blood with the hanky. None of what he's doing 
is working.

Gus coughs.

Gus makes an attempt to fix his hair, but it won't work. Gus fixes up 
his polo. This time he manages to do it well. But he either way, he
still looks like shit.

Gus replaces the hanky to his pocket. Gus scratches his hair. All 
right, now he's getting the itches.

A long moment goes by.

Gus still stands behind the Guy using the payphone. He looks to the two 
other payphones, now three, no four people line up behind the PEOPLE 
USING THEM. But the GIRL who used the payphone beside him has now left. 

This fucker in front of him is taking way too long.

Another long moment goes by.

Gus scratches his head. Gus glances back. His eyes dart in all 
directions. He's kind of worried that Salvo might creep up from behind 
him, and assault him with his baton. Oh shit.

Gus scratches his head again.

Gus takes a long breath. Now the guy beside him, the one using the 
payphone beside him leaves.

It's just that this son of a bitch is taking long. But he'd rather wait 
here than line up on the other side.

Gus looks up. He sees the glass ceiling of the mall that basks in the 
sunlight.

Now, there's no particular reason of his looking up. It's just that 
he's probably...restless.

Gus scratches again.  He says FUCK, but his voice doesn't come out of 
him. He's already starting to get irritated with this...guy in front of 
him.

The Guy holds the receiver in front of his face. Stares at it. Beat. 
Well, the call has expired. Good. Gus raises his eyebrow, anxious to 
start using the phone.

But the Guy digs into his pocket.

The Guy slips two coins into the payphone. Dials the same number he 
obviously dialed earlier.

The Guy begins speaking to the receiver once again.

What the fuck?

Gus frowns.

Doesn't this asshole have a cell?

Gus taps the Guy's shoulder. The Guy glances back, to Gus, but doesn't 
pay any attention to him.

Gus takes a breath.

Gus taps the Guy's back once again. This time the guy turns around, 
yells at him.

Gus shakes his head.

Gus PUNCHES THE GUY IN THE FACE!

Then Gus kicks him. Hard. In the stomach. The Guy blanches and just 
runs off.

Gus slams the receiver down, ending the call.

The people on the other payphones just stare at him in confusion. But 
also, they're intimated by him. So, now they know that Gus just hits 
people, kicks them. Great.

Gus drops two coins into the phone.

Gus dials up a number. Amy's number.

INT. AMY'S HOUSE – DAY

Amy picks up the phone. Says hello.

SPLIT SCREEN SEQUENCE – OF AMY'S HOUSE, AND INT. THE MALL, PUBLIC 
PAYPHONE – DAY with Gus.

Gus smiles at the very moment he hears Amy's voice. Gus says something. 
Something that's difficult to say.

Amy frowns. Then raises eyebrows. Amy's in shock at what Gus is telling 
her.

People in the other payphones continue to stare at Gus, still confused.

Gus coughs. Goes on talking. 
 
Amy shakes her head. Gus sighs. With his palms, he wipes more 
perspiration from his forehead.

Amy grabs the telephone and walks towards the couch. Amy sits. Leans 
against some thick pillows. Goes on listening to Gus.

Amy reclines her body.

Gus goes on talking.

Amy frowns again. She begins speaking back to Gus. Amy talks fast, 
somewhat panicked.

Amy touches her hair, pulls some away the strands covering her face. 
Amy frowns.

Amy coughs.

Gus goes on talking. Gus starts to nod.

Amy just listens, mouth slightly open. Amy's still disturbed at 
whatever the fuck Gus is telling him.

Then Amy nods.

Amy hangs up. So does Gus.

INT. MALL – DAY

Gus sighs. He leaves the payphone booths.

INT. BAR – DAY

It's a bar just inside the mall. Gus enters. Gus finds a seat. Gus 
walks towards the bar tender's counter where a row of stools are 
stationed.

Gus sits down. Gus rubs his temples. He's still uncomfortable, if he 
leaves, Salvo can call the cops and tell them a bunch of fucking lies. 
And when that happens, while he's at home,  the next thing that he'll 
know is that police officers are knocking on his doorstep.

The bar tender walks towards him.

The bar tender says something. Gus just nods, points a finger. Gus 
orders whiskey. Fuck, does Gus wanna get drunk? Or does he really 
drink?

The bar tender turns around and heads for the kitchen. He's gonna get 
Gus's order.

Gus coughs.

Gus grabs hold of the hanky on his pocket and wipes some sweat of his 
neck.

Gus closes his eyes momentarily. Takes a breath.

Gus wipes sweat off his forehead.

Gus replaces the hanky back to his pocket. Gus closes his eyes again. 
Rubs his temples.

Gus pulls the sleeves of his polo shirt up, all the way up to his 
elbows. Looks like he's feeling warm.

Gus looks to his chest again.

Where the bloodstain is.

Gus just shakes his head. Now could this be his blood? Or could it be 
Salvo's?

Gus frowns.

Gus tries to rub it off. Tries harder. Gus doesn't stop trying to rub 
off the blood with his fingers.

Gus goes on.

But nothing happens, it still wouldn't come off. Gus glances to his 
right, a RESTROOM. Gus just stares at the restroom for a long time. Gus 
frowns. Nah, why bother. He might make the stain worse.

The bar tender returns with the whiskey. It's poured on a shot glass. 
Gus takes a sip.

The bar tender doesn't draw attention away from Gus, he's still in 
front of him. Leaning against the wooden bar counter. But Gus, glances 
left, where he can see the view of the mall.

Gus just hopes Salvo won't come barging in with a bunch of security 
personell ready to take him in. Fuck that.

Gus takes another sip. Gus closes his eyes. Gus shakes his head while 
his eyes are closed. He's somewhat dizzy.

What an idiot.

So, he's kinda dizzy, and now he's drinking. Gus takes a breath. The 
bar tender doesn't walk away from Gus. He just stands in front of him.

Obviously Mr. Bar Tender here wants to say something to Gus.

Gus doesn't shift his position. Gus touches his hair, tries to fix it 
up, it's still messed up.

Gus shakes his head again. But this time, more...aggresively. He really 
is dizzy.

Gus frowns, but his gaze is just fixed on the mall. He doesn't shift 
the position of his neck.

Gus coughs.

Gus grabs the shot glass. Takes another sip of the whiskey. The bar 
tender just stares at him. Always was staring at him. 

Gus coughs again.

Gus shifts his head. Now he's staring up front, where the bar tender 
still stands.

Gus frowns. Looks to his left again.

Gus takes another sip from the shot glass.

The whiskey isn't empty yet, because Gus just takes very little sips. 
Gus wipes his lips.

Gus frowns again.

Gus then darts his eyes to the bar tender. Raises a brow. It's too 
much. The son of a bitch has been staring at him ever since he was 
given the shot glass with the whiskey.

The bar tender points to Gus's chest. The bar tender says something. 
Gus nods.

Gus laughs.

The bar tender laughs too.

Gus touches his chest, where the bloodstain is. He tries to explain 
something.

Gus laughs again.

The bar tender just nods.

The bar tender then points to Gus's hair. Which is still messed up. Gus 
laughs a little this time.

The bar tender whips out a comb from his apron pocket. The bar tender 
makes a gesture as if handing it out to Gus. Gus raises his palm to the 
bar tender. Shakes his head.

The bar tender replaces the comb inside his pocket.

Gus finishes the last of his whiskey. Coughs. Gus takes a breath. Gets 
up from the stool.

INT. MALL – DAY

Gus is walking towards the entrance. Gus glances back at regular 
intervals. As always, he doesn't want Salvo to just sneak up on him and 
pull some shit.

Gus scratches his hair.

Gus continues to walk towards the entrance, some people block his view 
of what he really wants to see. The people are in a pack. Now Gus can't 
see a thing. But what the fuck does he have to see?

Gus jumps up.

The pack of people breaks up. Now Gus can see. His car, just across the 
street.

The same police officer standing in front of it. The biker is gone. 

Of course, the hotdog stand is still there, to the right, just across 
the street, but Barney isn't there anymore. Like Gus could care, Gus 
doesn't have a fucking clue in the world that Barney Malkovich is the 
guy who set him up.

What makes matters worse is that not just one police officer stands in 
front of his car, but FIVE OTHERS!

The police officer Gus met earlier is pointing to the bumper. Trying to 
explain things thoroughly to each of the five officers.

Gus steps closer. Just a little bit closer to the entrance.

Gus tries to be careful not to let that cop find out that he's standing 
just right on the mall entrance.

Gus frowns.

The cop goes on with his explaining.

Gus steps even closer to the entrance. He takes another step. Closer. 
Closer. Closer.

Then THREE PEOPLE walk by him, one of them hits Gus on the shoulder. 
The WOMAN who hit him apologizes.

But Gus couldn't care. His mind is racing elsewhere, though he 
continues to stare at what once was his car and the six police officers 
surrounding it, discussing things.

Gus closes his eyes. Rubs his temples.

Gus shakes his head.

Gus turns around, walks a few steps forward. Then turns back around. 
Now Gus is restless.

How the fuck is this situation gonna end?

Gus takes another long deep breath.

Gus rubs his temples again. Gus shakes his head. Gus rubs his palms 
together. Then Gus puts his palms against his cheeks. Is he getting 
cold or what?

Gus is breathing heavy.

Gus sees A TOW TRUCK PASS BY HIS CAR! Oh fuck! Now, what is he gonna 
do?

Gus walks back and forth, for a moment.

The TRUCK DRIVER lodges a hook underneath Gus's car's bumper. 
Motherfucker is gonna tow it away!

Gus swallows.

The tow truck finally tows Gus's car out of the sidewalk. The six 
police officers nod at each other.

So, Gus knows what they're thinking.

The bastards are gonna wait for the security guard to deal with the 
bastard who caused the accident and the bastard who also happened to be 
a shoplifter.  Gus knows that.

Gus frowns. Shakes his head. The perspiration on his forehead 
increases. He's all sweaty now.

Gus whips out his trusty hanky once again to disappear the sweat. Gus 
keeps the hanky.

All right, enough of this bullshit.

Gus scurries out into the exit. He bumps a TEENAGE GIRL while doing it. 
Gus disappears into the exit. Into the sidewalk.

EXT. SIDEWALK – DAY

Gus starts to run. Gus desperately wants to get the fuck out of the 
mall. Far from it.

Gus sees an alley ahead of him.

Gus goes on running.

As Gus passes by the alley, SALVO EMERGES, GRABS HIM BY THE WAIST AND 
HOLDS HIM AT BAY!

Salvo pulls his service pistol on Gus. Presses it against the back of 
Gus's head.

Salvo lets go of his grasp of Gus. But the idea is simple: If Gus runs, 
naturally Salvo will blow his fucking head off.

Gus turns around, only to find that a pistol is pointed at his nose. It 
could fire anytime.

Salvo doesn't withdraw the gun. Yet.

Gus starts sweating. Then Gus frowns. Oh fuck, this guy's a maniac! 
Salvo's a fucking maniac! A lunatic!

Salvo withdraws the gun. Holsters it back.

Salvo grabs hold of Gus's right arm.  Salvo yells something at Gus. 
Something Gus flinches at as he hears it.

Gus frowns.

Salvo whispers something to Gus. Obviously Salvo told him that if he 
runs, he would be shot.

Salvo draws Gus closer to him.
Gus stares at Salvo in the eye. Gus sighs. Gus closes his eyes 
momentarily. How the fuck did Salvo know that he would be running out 
and away from the mall???

Gus frowns.

Salvo doesn't let go if his grasp.

Salvo starts speaking. Salvo says some important words to Gus. Gus just 
takes a series of heavy breaths.

Gus just hopes that this will all end.

Both of them start walking. Towards the mall entrance. Oh shit, not 
again.

INT. MALL – DAY

Now, both of them are inside. Both of them argue. Once again. Gus 
couldn't help it.

Gus loses it.

Gus pushes Salvo, Salvo almost falls on his back, but manages to have 
balance.

Salvo SLAPS GUS HARD ON THE HEAD. Just like a teenage boy physically 
abusing a little kid.

Gus says FUCK.

Gus starts rubbing his head. Salvo's slap hurt him a lot. Gus takes a 
breath.

Both of them continue on with their walking.

Gus doesn't have a fucking clue as to where both them are headed. Gus 
can only play along with this fucker in uniform.

INT. MEN'S ROOM 

Same Men's Room. Gus and Salvo enter. There's a GUY INSIDE ONE OF THE 
STALLS, THEY JUST WAIT.

The guy FLUSHES THE TOILET.

The guy walks out without even washing his hands. A GIRL, about 15, 
enters the bathroom.

The girl just stares at both Gus and Salvo. Whoops, Men's Room. The 
girl backs up, closes the door.

Salvo walks towards the door.

At least, now that he's sure that no one's inside. What the fuck is he 
gonna do this time?

Salvo locks the door.

Salvo charges at Gus and suckerpunches him in the face. Gus SHOUTS in 
pain. Fuck, this guy's just here to get back at him!

Is Salvo really doing his job? Gus doesn't think so.

Salvo hits Gus again, this time in the stomach. Gus starts limping, now 
Gus is bent down having difficulty in moving.

Gus moves closer towards Salvo.

Gus throws an uppercut to Salvo's chin, Salvo is knocked back, Salvo 
falls to the floor on his back.

But Salvo gets up instantly and kicks Gus's elbow. Gus screams. It 
fucking hurt! Is there any way to stop this guy?

Gus pushes Salvo, up against the wall near the door. Gus throws several 
punches to Salvo's face.

Gus kicks Salvo in the stomach with his knee.

Salvo slumps forward.

Gus kicks Salvo again, this time, harder. In the face! Salvo drops to 
the ground. Lying prone.

Gus unlocks the door.

Gus exits the bathroom.

EXT. STREET – DAY

Gus finds a cab. Signals for it. The cab halts. Gus gets in. The back 
seat.

INT. CAB

Gus says something to the driver. Obviously he's about to go home. Gus 
can't take no more of this bullshit.

The cab starts up.

EXT. STREETS – DAY

The cab runs towards the streets of this city. It runs at average 
speed. Surely, the driver doesn't wanna get pulled over.

The cab continues to run.

INT. CAB

Gus is still tense.

Gus takes some heavy breaths. Gus closes his eyes, leans his back on 
the seat of the vehicle. He's really tired.
A moment goes by.

Gus opens his eyes. It's still far from Amy's home. Still far. Gus digs 
into his right hand pants pocket where his wallet should be.

Gus doesn't feel it, it isn't there!

Gus digs into his left pocket. None either. Gus touches the chest 
pocket of his polo. Surely, he didn't put his wallet in this pocket. 
Gus frowns. Oh shit.

INT. MEN'S ROOM

The Men's Room where Gus and Salvo just had a fight.

Now, Salvo's still inside, but not alone. Salvo's HOLDING GUS'S WALLET! 
Salvo probably snatched it out while fighting off Gus. 

Salvo sees Gus's driver's liscence. Gus's name is on it.

Salvo continues studying Gus's wallet. Looks like this son of a bitch 
is also a thief as well.

In one portion of the wallet, there's a 5 x 5 PICTURE OF AMY. Salvo 
pulls it out, flips it: AMY is written with a pen at the back of it. 
Salvo slips it back in. Salvo folds the wallet. Pockets it. Is he gonna 
return it to Gus?

Does Salvo have a little bit of courtesy?

INT. CAB – DAY

The cab is now at a halt. It doesn't move. Gus is arguing with the 
driver.

Gus tries to keep explaining something. Gus points to his pockets. He's 
explaining about the wallet all right!

The driver yells at Gus. 

From outside the cab, of course what the driver is yelling can't be 
heard.

But as usual, it can be made out:

OUTTA HERE!

Gus steps out of the cab.

The cab speeds out, away from the curb. Gus sees a PHONE BOOTH in one 
corner of the sidewalk he's standing on.

EXT. SIDEWALK – DAY

Gus walks towards the phone booth.

Gus enters.
SPLIT – SCREEN SEQUENCE

INT. PHONE BOOTH / INT. AMY'S HOUSE – DAY

Amy's seated on a couch. Gus dials up a number. Amy's phone rings. Amy 
heads for the telephone. Answers it.

Gus says hello to Amy.

Gus starts saying a few things. Amy the listener. Amy frowns, and 
suddenly Amy's face gets worried.

Gus says a few more words to Amy.

A long moment goes by. Both of them still talk.

Gus hangs up. So does Amy.

INT. PHONE BOOTH – DAY

Gus sighs.

EXT. STREET – DAY

Gus is on the street, with messed up clothes and messed up hair. What a 
day. Gus walks, slowly. Gus is walking back towards the mall. But it's 
gonna be a long trip. He doesn't have his wallet so he can't signal for 
a cab.

Gus just sighs.

Gus continues on walking.

TIME CUT

Gus still walks. Now he's getting sweaty, and getting even more tired.

INT. VIDEO SHOP – DAY

It's the video shop.

Now, Salvo is back in business.  Salvo leans against the wall, in front 
of the metal detectors.

Well, Salvo can only hope that Gus would come back...for his wallet.

Gus stands in front of the video shop. Salvo's eye catches him. Gus 
makes a gesture for Salvo to come forward. Gus this time is really 
pissed and is trying to intimidate Salvo.

From across the video shop, just to the left of the antique bookshop, 
stands Barney!

How was this guy? Could he have been watching Gus's trouble all along?



INT. MEN'S ROOM

Same Men's Room. This time, Gus becomes the boss. He confronts Salvo 
boldly. Salvo smiles wickedly.

Salvo pulls out Gus's wallet from his pocket. Salvo holds it tightly, 
Gus tries to grab it, but Salvo retracts his arms, and tries to keep 
the wallet away from Gus.

Now, they're like two fucking kids playing a little game.

Salvo takes a breath. Suddenly, Salvo whips out his handgun, points it 
to Gus's head.

Well, Salvo looks like the guy who's ready to throw his life away after 
all.

Salvo pulls the trigger. Before the gun can go off, SOMEONE MARCHES IN 
THE RESTROOM, AND PULLS SALVO'S BATON OUT OF ITS HARNESS!

The man starts beating up Salvo.

Salvo's head cracks open. Salvo falls to the floor. Dead.

The man's Barney.

Barney simply shrugs. Drops the baton. Barney steps closer to Gus. 
Barney whispers something.

Barney sort of apologizes. Then Gus just snaps at him, eyebrows raised, 
confused.

Barney just nods.

INSERT FLASHBACK:

INT. MEN'S ROOM

Another one.  A man takes off a ski mask---

the man's Barney.  Barney drops the switchblade to a trash receptacle. 

INSERT FLASHBACK:

INT. APPLIANCE STORE – DAY

Barney, still with the ski mask running the switchblade to Salvo's best 
friend's throat.

END FLASHBACK

INT. MEN'S ROOM

Barney just nods. Turns around. Walks out the door. Now Gus is mad. Gus 
is really mad. Now that he knows who set him up. Now that he knows why. 
Oh fuck.

Gus frowns. 

Gus bends down and grabs Salvo's pistol.

INT. MALL – DAY

Just outside of the Men's Room. Gus searches desperately for somebody. 
It's obvious who.

SMASH TO BLACK!!!

THE END

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