This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. 
This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express 
written permission of the author.

PRETENTIOUS

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS – DAY

A CAR parks up on the curb.  It's a gray car, and inside are ROBERT and 
AMANDA MILLSON, Amanda - Robert's daughter. Robert is a cop.

Amanda is bringing a backpack.

INT. THE CAR - DAY

Robert is looking at the crowded entrance of the school.  Amanda is 15, 
later she has yet to experience prom night.

Amanda keeps checking her watch. Robert on the other hand won't worry 
about what's on Amanda's head. Considering how jammed up the campus is 
with the bustling crowd of teens.

ROBERT
You sure you wanna get in?

AMANDA
Sure.

ROBERT
Aren't you glad I drove you?

AMANDA
Not really.

ROBERT
You're early. I asked you if
you wanted to get in, because its
too tight in the hallways when you arrive
at this hour. This time of the day.


AMANDA
How's work?

ROBERT
Why do you ask?

AMANDA
You ask me about school, I ask
you about work.

ROBERT
Fairly productive.

AMANDA
Cool.

ROBERT
And school?

AMANDA
Same.

ROBERT
Do you have any boyfriends?

AMANDA
No.

ROBERT
Are you planning to attract
at least one?

AMANDA
Do you recommend it?

ROBERT 
I didn't say that.

AMANDA
What were you saying?

ROBERT
I was asking. Not telling.

AMANDA
I'm fine. Trust me.

ROBERT
Eat well.

AMANDA
I'm not like mom.


ROBERT
Don't be.


Robert checks his watch. It's still too early.

ROBERT
We ARE early.

AMANDA
Yup.

ROBERT
What else can you tell me about?

AMANDA 
Nothing!

ROBERT
How's Jackie?

AMANDA
Jackie hasn't changed since the 
last time you saw her. Jackie never
does.

ROBERT
And when was the last time I
saw her?

AMANDA
Five months.

ROBERT
That wasn't too long ago.

AMANDA
Yeah, I know.

ROBERT
Need any money?

AMANDA
No.

ROBERT
Sure?

AMANDA
I promise.

ROBERT
Its nice to have someone
who doesn't have any problems.

AMANDA
Do you need money?

ROBERT
No. Don't need any.

AMANDA
Good.

ROBERT
What about Friday. Are you going
anywhere?

AMANDA
Not going anywhere.

ROBERT
Nice.

AMANDA
Oh, I'm not sure. I might go out
with Jackie, Rob, and Donald.

ROBERT
Whatever.

AMANDA
And you?

ROBERT
I don't go anywhere.

AMANDA
You should.

ROBERT
Why?

AMANDA
You're depressed.

ROBERT
I AM NOT DEPRESSED.

AMANDA
I can easily tell.

ROBERT
Are you depressed?

AMANDA
Never was.
ROBERT
You sure there's nothing bothering
you.

AMANDA
Socially, none. But why'd you bother
to move me in this school anyways?

ROBERT
I heard that the principal in your
previous high school said that rats
bother everyone.

AMANDA
Did you hear me complaining about rats?

ROBERT
He said that they chew on your books.

AMANDA
What?

ROBERT
Yes, they do.

AMANDA
Listen to me, I don't like it here.
Can I go back to my old school?

ROBERT
No. No. No. Conversation has ended,
get out of the car. Geez, five minutes
have passed, I hate it when I talk to
you. I supress things psychomatically.

AMANDA
Psycho-what?

ROBERT
Go!

INT. GIRL'S ROOM, CAMPUS – DAY

Amanda and Jackie are standing in front of the mirror.

JACKIE
You think your dad is a fucking
asshole!

AMANDA
Absolutely, Jackie.

JACKIE
Get over it, at least he didn't
send you to a fucking Catholic
School. And you have me and four
other people as your friends.

AMANDA
I still can't get over it.

JACKIE
Why not?

AMANDA
I'm just not used to it here.

JACKIE
I am.

They get out of the bathroom, and start walking towards the cafeteria.

AMANDA
Good for you.

JACKIE
You going out with us this weekend?

AMANDA
Not sure.

JACKIE
You smoke?

AMANDA
I've tried it, but Dad doesn't allow
it. He does smoke, not allowing me to
is just so lame.

JACKIE
It's not the end of the world. You
still have access to cigarretes,
don't you?

AMANDA
I do.

JACKIE
So, smoke up some more!

AMANDA
Sure.

JACKIE
Ever catch any movies?

AMANDA
Not too many on my list.

JACKIE
Wanna go out this Saturday,
we'll go to the cinema.

AMANDA
I'm never really sure about anything,
Jackie.

JACKIE
How much money do you save on
weekends?

AMANDA
Fifty five bucks will be on
my credit card.

JACKIE
You have a credit card?

AMANDA
Fuck. I meant my wallet.

JACKIE
Right.

AMANDA
You, how much money do you
have?

JACKIE
300 bucks. I get 300 every
weekend. I don't spend any
Saturday and Sunday, 600 comes
the following week.

AMANDA
Fuck me!

JACKIE
That's right.



AMANDA
You're rich?

JACKIE
My parents give me about
80 bucks every day.

AMANDA
That's 80, let me see---

JACKIE
Right.

AMANDA
Fuck! You spend 100 on weekdays.

AMANDA
What do you buy with a hundred?

JACKIE
You don't have to know.

AMANDA
I lied. I won't have 55 bucks.

JACKIE
Sucks to be you.

AMANDA
No. I have 805 dollars in my
backpack.

JACKIE
What?

AMANDA
Yes.

JACKIE
Where'd you get it?

AMANDA
Hard work. I've been saving up.

JACKIE
No way, Amanda.

AMANDA
Yes.

JACKIE
What are you gonna use it for?

AMANDA
All of a sudden, you're shocked.
I thought I was impressed by your
900 every three weeks, but, no.

JACKIE
Come on. Don't spend it all.

AMANDA
I will.

JACKIE
You're gonna buy something.

AMANDA
More than one thing.

JACKIE
What?

AMANDA
All right.

JACKIE
What? A DVD player?

AMANDA
Possibly. I'm getting bored of
VHS.

JACKIE
What else can you buy? Amy,
I'm happy for you.

AMANDA
That's nice.

JACKIE
Come on, buy something.

AMANDA
A new car.

JACKIE
Bah, way too expensive.

AMANDA
Fuck my Dad. He'll kill me or
take some if he finds out.


JACKIE
Right. Right. Right. The
infamous Robert Millson.

AMANDA
I've been thinking, Jackie.

JACKIE
What?

AMANDA
What if I run away from home?

JACKIE
What?

AMANDA
If I got kidnapped by a generous
guy, he releases me, I'll run off
to a new place.

JACKIE
What place?

AMANDA
Colorado.

JACKIE and AMANDA
Shit.

AMANDA
I'll enroll myself in Arizona State
University. It's good enough.

JACKIE
Fuck that, Amanda. And besides,
why would any body want to kidnap you?

INT. MILLSON RESIDENCE – NIGHT

Amanda and Robert are eating dinner.

ROBERT
How was school?

AMANDA
It still sucked.

ROBERT
I hate it when you say that
word.



AMANDA
It's not good to lie to your
elders.

ROBERT
Bullshit.

AMANDA
And its not good to curse while
eating.

ROBERT
Fuck that, Amy. I curse all the
time.

AMANDA
Yeah, right.

ROBERT
And Jackie?

AMANDA
We're going out this Friday.

ROBERT
Don't ask money from me.

AMANDA
You sound that you've just had
a bad day.

ROBERT
Really?

AMANDA
You do.

ROBERT
Nah. I'm just tired.

AMANDA
You don't have to worry about
me.

ROBERT
Good, because I guess I'm
low on budget this week.

AMANDA
Really?


ROBERT
I could use some money right 
now.

AMANDA
Let me guess, you want me to
lend you some from the allowance.

ROBERT
Your allowance.

AMANDA
My allowance?

ROBERT
No. You don't have to.

AMANDA
I'm sure that there's something
else you're not telling me.

ROBERT
What?

AMANDA
Be honest with me.

ROBERT
Honest?

AMANDA
Yes.

ROBERT
I am honest.

AMANDA
Look, there's just one thing
that you aren't telling me,
something you want to.

ROBERT
Trust me, Amanda. I'm fine.

AMANDA
Are you sure?

ROBERT
Turn on the radio, will 'ya?

Amanda heads for the radio component.

AMANDA
Want me to play some CD's?

ROBERT
Your CD's?

AMANDA
Yup.

ROBERT
Don't bother. Just tune it
in to where ever. Whatever floats
your boat, tonight.

AMANDA
All right.

It's barely audible, but J.Lo's AIN'T IT FUNNY is playing on the radio.

Amanda thinks J.Lo is cool – her songs. Robert doesn't have a clue to 
who Jennifer Lopez is. Ja Rule, Snoop, no fucking way for Detective 
Millson.

Amanda takes her seat.

AMANDA
That fine with you?

ROBERT
Yeah, perfectly fine.

AMANDA
There's something else.

ROBERT
What?

AMANDA
You haven't been having
any hobbies lately.

ROBERT
Does it matter? My job is my
hobby.

AMANDA
You enjoy it.

ROBERT
I chose it.

AMANDA
I'm glad to hear that you're
having a lot of fun with work.

ROBERT
Yup.

AMANDA
I don't have fun, despite
the lots of hobbies that I 
have.

ROBERT
You should.

AMANDA
I try.

ROBERT
Look, maybe I got upset
because I saw three stiffs,
stiffs of big-assed men.

AMANDA
What?

ROBERT
Nah, never mind.

AMANDA 
I know what stiffs are.

ROBERT
Really?

AMANDA
What happended?

ROBERT
Homicide.

AMANDA
What else?

ROBERT
I dropped out of the case.
I don't wanna see dead bodies
for awhile, Amanda.

AMANDA
Who does?

ROBERT
Janet and Dennis seem to have
a knack for keeping cool in front
of dead bodies. You know them, right?

AMANDA
How soon can you forget? You invited
them more than once. It's just that I
never bothered to interact with them.

Amanda's plate is empty.

ROBERT
You're done so early?

AMANDA
Yup. Keep a healthy diet?

ROBERT
Diet?

AMANDA
What's wrong?

ROBERT
Mom used to be strict with her
own diet. Shit, Amanda don't make
me lose you.

AMANDA
What? Suddenly, you're talking about
death.

ROBERT
I'm sorry, I just want you to eat more
tonight.

AMANDA
I can't get any boyfriends if I do.

ROBERT
Shit.

The radio is still on. After three songs, the Jockey finally speaks. He 
sounds like a young, black man, he talks fast, he talks funny.

JOCKEY
All right. Now, we've just
played Garbage for you, hope
you enjoyed that song. Now,
we have a contest.
JOCKEY
(continued)
It only lasts tonight. It's 
called MONEY LINE TRIVIA. Sounds
like a lame assed contest doesn't
it?

AMANDA
Stop worrying about my!---

ROBERT
Listen up, I think I heard
something about a contest on
T.V.

JOCKEY
The question is who was the
scientist who died a virgin
after suffering many years of
acute insomnia born out of
sexual frustration?

AMANDA
I know!

JOCKEY
Well, the first caller to
phone us tonight will go
on local T.V. and win five 
hundred thousand dollars.

AMANDA
Sir Isaac Newton.

ROBERT
Shut up.

JOCKEY
Call 575-8000. And call fast!

ROBERT
Amy?

AMANDA
Sir Isaac Newton.

ROBERT
How did you know that?

AMANDA
The book of useless sexual
trivia?

ROBERT
You read that?

AMANDA
Dad. Call. Sir Isaac Newton.

Robert immediately heads for the phone and calls.

ROBERT
Hello.

The Jockey's voice is filtered.

JOCKEY
Yes.

ROBERT
The answer is Isaac Newton.

JOCKEY
The guy who had insomnia born
out of sexual frustration is,
I'm sorry sir, but---

ROBERT
No!!!

JOCKEY
Hey, you're right!

ROBERT
Yes, yes, yes!

JOCKEY
I'll play more music but I
need to talk to you some more.

AMANDA
Dad?

ROBERT
We won! 

AMANDA
Yes! I knew it. Isaac Newton.

JOCKEY
So, tell me.

ROBERT
I'm Robert Millson.
JOCKEY 
Good evening, Robert.

ROBERT
Good evening.

JOCKEY
Where do you work?

ROBERT
I'm a cop.

JOCKEY
Really?

ROBERT
I hate it. I see stiffs
every week. In fact, I'm trying
to shake off the images of the
bodies I just saw this morning.

JOCKEY
Well, I hope winning helps shake
it off.

ROBERT
Sure does.

JOCKEY
Tell me more about yourself, do
you have a child?

AMANDA
No!

ROBERT
Her name is Amanda, she's 15.

JOCKEY
Very good.

ROBERT
Right.

JOCKEY
Tell me more about yourself.

ROBERT
I'm, sad.

JOCKEY
What?

ROBERT
I lost my wife three years
ago. She had anorexia.

JOCKEY
Well, that's too bad.

ROBERT
It still sucks.

AMANDA
Dad, what are you doing?

Robert momentarily covers the headset.

ROBERT
It's okay!

AMANDA
Shit.

ROBERT
I miss her.

JOCKEY
Are you sexually frustrated?

ROBERT
What?

JOCKEY
No offense, but that's got
something to do with your trivia
question. I was gonna ask it any
ways.

ROBERT
Sexually frustrated?

JOCKEY
Yeah.

ROBERT
You sure you wanna discuss this?

JOCKEY
Sometimes, there is a Sir Isaac
Newton within us.



ROBERT
No. A man has to have an unlimited
supply of porno to avoid sexual frustration.

AMANDA
Shit.

JOCKEY
Excuse me?

ROBERT
Never mind.

JOCKEY
What?

ROBERT
No. I'm extremely happy. Tonight.
I've won something, and I know not
everybody succeeds in winning something,
and, its just a blessing.

JOCKEY
Sure?

ROBERT
Sure.

FADE IN ON:

A T.V. SCREEN

Robert is in the T.V. screen cameras are flashing in front of him, and 
he is standing before a building that appears to be a radio station.

A T.V. HOST is standing in front of him, bringing a microphone.


ROBERT
Well, I've heard about the
contest immediately, then my 
daughter chimed in with the answer
to the question.

HOST
What question?

ROBERT
The person who died a virgin.

HOST
And?


ROBERT
My daughter's intelligence. Sir
Isaac Newton was the answer.

HOST
And your daughter is?

ROBERT
Amanda.

HOST
Can I see a picture of her?

ROBERT
Sure.

Robert pulls out his wallet, and shows Amanda while she's still 13.  
It's very clear on the T.V. screen.

HOST
You love her?

ROBERT
Always.

HOST
Do you have any problems?

ROBERT
Long ago.

HOST 
What?

ROBERT
I lost my wife. Anorexia.

HOST
I'm sorry to hear that.

ROBERT
Yeah.

HOST
But there's no reason to be
sad, especially when we're giving
you a check of 500,000 dollars.


ROBERT
This is the coolest thing that
has ever happened to me.

HOST
How cooler can it get?

ROBERT
Umm hmmm.

HOST
How old is your daughter?

ROBERT
I dunno, 14-15?

HOST
You don't know how old your
daughter is?

ROBERT
I'm sorry. I'm just too busy,
we did have a birthday party,
but my mind is always on work.

HOST
Where do you work?

ROBERT
Ummm, on a---

HOST
You're an accountant, a consultant,
a computer web designer.

ROBERT
I'm a cop.

HOST
Wow!

ROBERT
The job sucks!

HOST
At least you're working.

ROBERT
What?



HOST
Aren't you aware that lots of
people are unemployed these days?

ROBERT
I'm aware of that. And I've placed
those motherfuckers behind bars.

HOST
Right.

ROBERT
Shit, you forgot to bleep the screen
when I said the f-word.

The host laughs out loud.

HOST
We didn't bleep you either when you
said the s-word. That's fine.

ROBERT
Gee, I'm sorry.

HOST
That's okay.

ROBERT
Yup.

HOST
So, tell me more about yourself.

ROBERT
I'm a very simple man, I have
a fairly decent salary. I live
in good residence. I'm happy
with my daughter so far, and every
thing is super.

HOST
That's good to hear.

ROBERT
Are there other winners of
the contest?

HOST
No. No other winners. Just you.



ROBERT
I feel admired.

HOST
You are, Mr. Millson.

ROBERT
This doesn't happen all the
time.

HOST
Who says it does?

HOST
But you must be anxious to receive
your check.  Here.

The Host hands him a check, and Robert takes a look at it.

ROBERT
God! I love this.

HOST
You will. You do.

ROBERT
Thanks a lot, guys.

HOST
Don't thank us. Thank yourself.
In face, thank your daughter.

ROBERT
Thank you, Amanda.

HOST
How often do you work?

ROBERT
I don't work too hard.

HOST
Uh-oh, Captain, cut down his
pay for the month. Ahhh, just
kidding.







ROBERT
No, really, I never do work
that hard. But I go to the precinct
five days a week, and I just have
a knack for entertaining people,
studying different cases, since
I chose the job.

HOST
And tell me about Amanda.

ROBERT
I already told you about her.

HOST
Tell us where she goes to school.
Where does she study?



INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Kevin Doyle is one fucked up man, he smokes, he drinks and he's 
watching the T.V. advertisment of a man who just won a contest on the 
radio.

Kevin Doyle has a GLOCK 19 handgun. He keeps it with him. He's a 
hobbyist when it comes to the world of firearms, and he's so damn good 
at telling each gun apart from another.

INT. THE PRECINT – NIGHT

JANET CAPSHAW, Robert's friend and fellow cop in the precinct is 
dressed in casual attire.  She is talking with Robert.

JANET
What are you gonna do with
the money, Robert? You can quit
working here, invest on something
else. I mean, considering that you
hate your job, all that.

ROBERT
I don't know what I'm gonna do 
with the money.

JANET
Better think of something fast.




ROBERT
It's with me now. They say
I can cash it within 5 months
time.

JANET
I'm glad you dropped the case
on the Parker murders.

ROBERT
It was shit.

JANET
I know.

ROBERT
What am I gonna do?

JANET
Split it with me.

ROBERT
No way, Janet. No way.

Janet laughs.

JANET
Naughty, naughty, Robert.

ROBERT
Likewise, Janet.

ROBERT
Seriously, my minds thinking
about what to do with it, I
can give one fourth or one
eighth of it to Amanda. Rest
of the money is mine. Or I can---

JANET
What? One eighth?

ROBERT
She's still a child. What more
can a child do with say 90,000
dollars?

JANET
That's one eighth of it?



ROBERT
I guess so.

JANET
She can do lots of things!
And, Bob, she's not a child,
she's fifteen and she's already
mature.

ROBERT
What?

JANET
She hates school.

ROBERT
That's right.

JANET
So, let her move to another
school. Somewhere where she can
get along perfectly.

ROBERT
That decision sucks.

JANET
Why?

ROBERT
I've spent a lot.

JANET
A lot on what?

ROBERT
The school she's in right
now. Manhattan is her favorite
place, and I try to keep telling
her that, sometimes, school
doesn't matter. Just get over it.

JANET
Well.

ROBERT
Hmmmm, what else could I do
with the money.




JANET
Why'd you move her out
in the first place?

ROBERT
Her other school had rats
that chew on her books, I guess
that's just why she flunked. I
want her to be happier. I don't
want her to drop out of school.

JANET
Move her away from her school
right now.

DENNIS STONE, another cop enters the room, cheerful, carrying THREE 
BOXES OF CHINESE FOOD.

Dennis takes a seat.

DENNIS
Anyone wanna eat?

ROBERT
Thanks, Dennis. Not yet.

DENNIS
What's up, Mr. Multi-
Millionaire?

ROBERT
Nothing, Mr. thousandnaire.

Dennis laughs.

DENNIS
Hoooho, shit. Thousandnaire.

JANET
He still can't make up his
mind about what to spend
on.

DENNIS
Oh, the 500,000 bucks?

ROBERT
Yup.

DENNIS
Spend it on a house. Buy
a big house.

ROBERT
You think that's a good idea,
Dennis?

DENNIS
I don't know. Your house is big
enough, and I can't think of a
way to make it better. Except maybe
for a swimming pool, and a home
theatre?

ROBERT
I'm not fond of movies.

DENNIS
Well, I'll bet Amanda is.

ROBERT
No. I'll think of something
else.

DENNIS
Like what?

ROBERT
I don't know.

JANET
See, his mind is totally blank!

ROBERT
Right.

DENNIS
I'd spend that all on a huge
airplane I can ride with my
wife and kids.

ROBERT
Good idea. An airplane. Nah,---

JANET
Come on, why not invest a business?

DENNIS
That's right. Quit this fucked up
job.

ROBERT
All jobs are fucked up.

DENNIS
Seriously, Robert. A better
job makes for better comfortability.
All that, so I suggest, you open
a huge mall, and 500,000 or two times
that amount could keep coming back to
'ya every month.

ROBERT
That's cool. But it's still a risky
idea.

DENNIS
Why?

ROBERT
I don't want to take risks.

JANET
Well, think of something good
to spend it on.

INT. THE CAMPUS CAFETERIA – DAY

Jackie and Amanda are eating.

JACKIE
Friday's not far from today.

AMANDA
I know that.

JACKIE
What are your plans.

AMANDA
My plans are your plans.

JACKIE
I thought your dad was pretty
fucking famous, I mean him being
on T.V.

AMANDA
Really?

JACKIE
I envy you.

AMANDA
I envy you. You don't have any
family problems.

JACKIE
Well, I don't, but I have some
problems. We all do.

AMANDA
Yup.

JACKIE
What's your dad gonna do with the
money?

AMANDA
I've asked him that myself.

JACKIE
And?

AMANDA
He doesn't have a fucking clue
about what he's gonna do.

JACKIE
I'd spend it on a car. Three or
five cars. A van.

AMANDA
You like cars?

JACKIE
My older brother does. He's
a pretty fucked up guy, and---

AMANDA
The only thing you worry about
is your brother.

JACKIE
We don't live together anymore.

AMANDA
But, he doesn't boss you around.

JACKIE
He doesn't.

AMANDA
That's a good thing.

JACKIE
But, I'm just glad that I don't
get to see him every day.

AMANDA
Why?

JACKIE
He sucks.

AMANDA
My dad sucks.

JACKIE
Hey, you have 805 dollars in your
pocket.

AMANDA
So?

JACKIE
Spend it now!

AMANDA
No way.

WE HEAR: The bell ring.

EXT. THE CAMPUS – LATER

Amanda walks away from the school. Everyone's dismissed.

On the sidewalk, a VAN is parked, and Kevin Doyle is on the driver's 
seat.

Kevin gets out of the car, and starts approaching Amanda.

Amanda sees him coming to her, and starts to run.

Kevin catches up, and grabs her by the waist.

Kevin points a gun to her waist. It's a GLOCK 19.

AMANDA
Who the fuck are you?

KEVIN
I'm Kevin.

AMANDA
Fuck. Let me go. What are
you doing?

Kevin points to the van.

KEVIN
See that? We're going for 
a ride.

AMANDA
What?

KEVIN
You make another fucking sound,
I'll shoot you.

AMANDA
You won't.

KEVIN
I'm fucking suicidal, shooting 
you won't matter, get in the fucking
van.

Amanda and Kevin get inside the van, Kevin drives away.

EXT.  MIDTOWN MANHATTAN – LATE DAY

Amanda is on the passenger seat of the vehicle driven by Kevin.

INT. THE VAN – LATE DAY

Amanda pulls away her back pack from her, and sets it on the floor of 
the vehicle.

KEVIN
What the fuck is that?

AMANDA
Relax. It's my bag.

KEVIN
Don't try anything stupid,
Amanda. I'll kill you.

AMANDA
I never even told you my
name.

KEVIN
Your dad did. On T.V.

AMANDA
You're not gonna get the
five hundred thousand, my
dad's gonna arrest you.

KEVIN
Not really.

AMANDA
And where are we going?

KEVIN
We're gonna drive in circles
until dark. I don't want anyone
to see me abducting you and taking
you to my place.

AMANDA
Stupid.

KEVIN
Amy. Shut the fuck up!

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Amanda is still held at bay by Kevin.

KEVIN
Don't fucking move.

Kevin locks the door from inside.  Amanda studies the place. It sucks, 
why can't this guy get a more decent place to stay in?

AMANDA
You have a bathroom?

KEVIN
Why?

AMANDA
I have to go to the bathroom.

KEVIN
Yeah, sure. Its over there.

Kevin points to the bathroom.

Amanda drops her bag.

Amanda gets inside the bathroom.

Kevin goes to the kitchen.

ON THE KITCHEN,

Kevin grabs a case full of bullets.

He dislodges the magazine of his pistol and starts loading it.  He 
slaps the mag back into the pistol.

Amanda gets out of the bathroom, and takes a look at the kitchen.

She can see Kevin busy with his gun.

AMANDA
You fucking bastard. You
never loaded your gun!

KEVIN
Shut your mouth. Its loaded
now.

AMANDA
You're gonna be sorry when I
tell my daddy about this.

KEVIN 
I don't give a fuck about Robert
Millson.

AMANDA
You'll give a fuck soon. You will.

KEVIN
I'll kill you.

AMANDA
You're stupid, you should have
picked up a ski mask at the local
sports shop. Now, I can press charges
and tell the cops about how you look
like.

KEVIN
I'll kill your dad, and I'll
kill you, whether he gives me
the money or not. And that's
final.

AMANDA
Fuck you.

KEVIN
Right.

AMANDA
You're a dumbass kidnapper.


Kevin runs toward Amanda, and he cocks his gun.

He points it to Amanda's forehead.

AMANDA
Shit. No!

KEVIN
Oh, yes. I'm gonna ask
for the money, and I'll 
kill you even before I 
get it.

AMANDA
Can't you just kidnap
someone else?

KEVIN
Look, I'm sick and tired of
your bullshit, if you upset 
me, I might change my mind 
about sparing your life, girl.

AMANDA
Fuck you.

Kevin lowers the gun, and tucks it on his belt, he takes of the leather 
jacket he was wearing, and only his black t-shirt is left on.

KEVIN
Now, tell me what your dad's
phone number is.

AMANDA
His cellphone?

KEVIN
No! The FUCKING TELEPHONE. THE
NUMBER OF YOUR RESIDENCE.

INT. MILLSON RESIDENCE – NIGHT

Robert gets in the house.

He sets his coat on the rack, and takes a seat on the couch.

ROBERT
Amy, are you done with
supper?


No answer.

ROBERT
Amy? 

ROBERT
Amy? Had a bad day in
school, right? Well, I'm
in the mood to here all about
how fucked up you were on
campus. Just answer me.

Robert stands up and roams around the house.  Amanda isn't anywhere, 
not even in her room.

ROBERT
Not home yet.

The hours pass, no sign of Amanda. No phone call.

Robert goes back to the couch and takes a little rest.

The phone rings. Robert picks it up.

KEVIN
(filtered)
Is this Robert Millson?

ROBERT
Yes.

KEVIN
(filtered)
Are you sure?

ROBERT
Look, I really hate it when
people try to question how 
smart I am in regular conversations
you fucking asshole.

KEVIN 
(filtered)
Who's the fucking asshole, now?

ROBERT
What?

KEVIN
(filtered)
Who's the fucking asshole.

ROBERT
What are you talking about?

KEVIN
(filtered) 
I'm talking about your daughter.

ROBERT
What the fuck have you done with her?

KEVIN
(filtered)
Hello, Mr. Millson.

ROBERT
What the fuck have you done with her?

KEVIN
(filtered)
I haven't done anything yet.

ROBERT
Listen, pal. Tell me something---


KEVIN
(filtered)
I took her.

ROBERT
What?

KEVIN
(filtered)
I took her, and I think I'm
gonna kill her soon. I'm gonna
kill her.

ROBERT
What the fuck do you want from
me?

KEVIN
(filtered)
Guess what.

ROBERT
Did I send you to prison once?

KEVIN
(filtered)
You're a fucking asshole.

ROBERT
What?

KEVIN
(filtered)
I don't want much.

ROBERT
What do you want!

KEVIN
(filtered)
Nothing more than 500,000
dollars.

Robert momentarily lets go of the headset.

ROBERT
Shit.

Robert puts the headset back to his ears.

ROBERT
I won't.





KEVIN
(filtered)
Then I'll kill her, its that
simple. If you want your daughter
to live, its up to you. If you want
her dead, its your fault.

ROBERT
How soon do you want it?

KEVIN
(filtered)
Five hours.

ROBERT
Shit.

KEVIN
(filtered)
Start moving now.

ROBERT
Moving?

KEVIN
(filtered)
I'm giving you lots of time.

ROBERT
But how the fuck am I supposed to
find you?

KEVIN
(filtered) 
You don't have to.

ROBERT
Look, whoever you are, don't fuck
with me. Don't bullshit me, now tell
me where you live. I won't arrest you,
I'll give you the money, let my daughter
go.

KEVIN
(filtered)
If only it were that easy. You think
I'm fucking stupid, Robert?

ROBERT
How am I supposed to give it to you?
I haven't cashed it in yet.

KEVIN
(filtered)
AHHH, SHIT!



KEVIN
(filtered)
Well, cash it in tonight.

ROBERT
I can't, I can't cash checks
in my bank when its 9:30 in the evening,
the cashiers won't answer my questions
for God's sakes, do you have a watch?

KEVIN
(filtered)
Your daughter won't matter. Cash
in the money, give it to me, if not
I'll kill her.



ROBERT
What's your name?

KEVIN
(filtered)
Kevin Doyle.

ROBERT
What?

KEVIN
(filtered)
Whoops, shouldn't have
said it.

ROBERT
If I do cash the money, how
am I supposed to give it to you?

David hears it. He knows where to drop the money.

ROBERT
Don't you say that to me, motherfucker,
the only person who's gonna be shot will---

Kevin hangs up.

Robert panics.

ROBERT
Ho, shit!

Robert goes back to the living room, puts his coat back on and walks 
out the door.

INT. THE PRECINCT – NIGHT

Robert hurries towards the office of Janet Capshaw.

Robert feels a little warm, and he's sweaty, he takes off his coat and 
tosses it to a desk.

ROBERT
Shit. Shit. Shit.

Robert sees Janet.

ROBERT
Janet!

JANET
Robert? I'm about to go home.
If you want someone to date tonight,
try me, I think I'm gonna go catch
a movie and ---

ROBERT
Janet, have you eaten?

JANET
What?

ROBERT
Have you eaten?

JANET
What? Why?

ROBERT
Answer the question.

JANET
I eat before dark.

ROBERT
Good, something bad has just
happened.

JANET
What?

ROBERT
Amanda has been kidnapped, and
the guy who kidnapped her wants
my money. He wants the 500,000.

JANET
Or else.



ROBERT
Help me out, okay?


JANET
How?

ROBERT
I don't know. Help me find him!

JANET
Were you able to trace the call?

ROBERT
I don't have a tracking device, no
I never traced any call.

JANET
How are we supposed to find him?

ROBERT
I don't know.

Behind Janet and Robert are THREE computers. They don't notice them, 
but they are the computers that contain virtually all the files of 
convicts.

JANET
Robert, have you eaten?

ROBERT
It doesn't matter.

JANET
Are you hungry? Lets get some
food for 'ya, you can't figure anything
out when your stomach is empty.

ROBERT
Janet, fuck that. I can't eat.

JANET
I'm sorry to hear this, I'll stay
and listen to whatever you can 
talk about, but I'm not sure if I
can help out.

ROBERT
That's okay, Janet. I guess
I should just go back home and
wait if he ever calls again.

JANET
What makes you think that?


ROBERT
I've seen this movie before.

JANET
What if it's a different movie?

Janet sighs.

JANET
Robert, what can I do?

ROBERT
I don't know what you can do,
just find him!

JANET
We should tell Dennis about this.

ROBERT
Later.

JANET
Now.

ROBERT
Later!

JANET
There's no time to waste.

ROBERT
You're in the same league
with Stone, there's no help
if we tell him. I don't need
two Janet Capshaw's to help me
out.

JANET
Your saying I'm full of shit?
You asked me for help, and now
your saying that I'm full of shit.

ROBERT
I'm sorry.

JANET
That's all right.

ROBERT
What can we do?


JANET
Nothing.

ROBERT
Shit. Why did I ever win
that money?

JANET
What does he want you to do?

ROBERT
Drop it at the West End avenue
park, right in front of the huge
high rise apartment. That shouldn't
be too hard, but I don't wanna pay.

JANET
You have to pay.

ROBERT
No.

JANET
Do you know his name?

ROBERT
Waittt! Yes, he said it was
Kevin Doyle! Kevin Doyle!

JANET
Kevin Doyle?

ROBERT
Yes!

JANET
We'll go over the records.

LATER.

ON A KEYBOARD,

Janet's hands type D-O-Y-L-E

A file suddenly materializes on the screen.

Janet starts reading it.





JANET
Doyle, Joe. A carpenter, arrested
once for the burglary of three grocery
stores in one night.  High-profile
shoplifter.  

ROBERT
Great, that's Joe Doyle. Not
Kevin Doyle. Maybe this Kevin Doyle
doesn't have a criminal record at all.

JANET
That's impossible.

ROBERT
It's possible, why'd he bother to
give me his name if he doesn't have a
criminal record, we can't find him---

JANET
Its not his real name.

ROBERT
It can't be. He said Whoops.

JANET
What?

ROBERT
Whoops I shouldn't have given you
my name.

JANET
He's a careless bastard. But 
considering that you have clues
to his identity, you shouldn't lose
hope in finding him.

ROBERT
I'll lose all hope if he gave me
an alias. Kevin Doyle, what do I
know? I don't know any Mr. Doyle.

JANET
Were there people who have
been following you?

ROBERT
What?

JANET
Stalking you.

ROBERT
Nah, no one stalks me. I'll shoot
anyone who tries to follow me.

JANET
All we can do is wait, why don't
you go back home. He might call again.
And what if he lives right next to you?

ROBERT
Impossible, he wouldn't dare kidnap
the kid of a cop, especially if that 
cop is a neighbor.

JANET
Robert, get some sleep. I'll tell
anyone who's awake to keep watch on
this case. I'll let someone stand
guard on your house and---

Robert laughs.

ROBERT
I can take care of myself.

JANET
My point is that, you need some
rest, Robert.

ROBERT
Do I look bad?

JANET
You look like shit, tonight.

ROBERT
Thank you, Janet.

JANET
Robert, what if Kevin Doyle
and Joe Doyle are brothers?

ROBERT
What?

JANET
Consider that. We'll track
Joe down, interrogate him and
bingo, Kevin will start kissing
the ass of jail wardens when
we catch him.
ROBERT
But you're not sure if Kevin
and Joe are brothers.

JANET
Right.

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

The apartment is huge, Kevin lives here alone, but the building is 
obviously cheap because of the way it looks.

Amanda is leaning against the staircase, and Kevin is taking a seat on 
a wooden chair.

AMANDA
You're a lame-assed guy.

KEVIN
Why?

AMANDA
You told them your name.
You told my dad your name,
I have no doubt that he'll
check your criminal records,
and you're dead meat if he finds
your name.

KEVIN
He would have found it by now.

AMANDA
Start praying.

KEVIN
I don't have any criminal records.

AMANDA
Really?

KEVIN
What about you? Do you have
any criminal records?

AMANDA
I've tried stealing some things
but I never do get caught.

Kevin starts holding his Glock 19 in front of Amanda.


KEVIN
All I'm trying to tell you 
right now, is that I want
you to be nice. Extra nice to
me or I'll shoot you. I 
have warned you for the bloody
millionth time that your life
won't matter before or after
I get the money.

AMANDA
My dad hasn't cashed the check.
Loser.

KEVIN
I told him to cash it. Start praying
that he does, and goes through with
it or else.

AMANDA
Or else what?

KEVIN
You don't matter to me.

AMANDA
What?

KEVIN
I guess I shouldn't have kidnapped
you.

AMANDA
So, why don't you let me go?

KEVIN
I won't. I'll wait.

AMANDA
Be fair.

KEVIN
You're as good as dead, from
the moment I took you, you're
a dead girl, Amanda.

AMANDA
If you shoot me, you're going
to jail.

KEVIN
Not really?

AMANDA
Yeah?

KEVIN
I'm gonna move to another place.

AMANDA
Where?

KEVIN
Far from Manhattan.

AMANDA
You have to. This house is
a shit hole.

KEVIN
Call it whatever you want, 
Amanda.

AMANDA
Whatever I want.

INT. THE PRECINCT – NIGHT

Dennis is seated on a metal table. Robert is standing, roaming back and 
forth, restless.

ROBERT
I don't know which one is 
easier to abduct, the daughter
of a cop who, lets say, won a
loterry, or the daughter of 
a man who's always rich.

DENNIS
It all depends on how accessible
a child is to a kidnapper.

ROBERT
Fuck.

DENNIS
You sure you don't want to
go home and wait for another
call?

ROBERT
I don't think he's gonna
call back. He made his point.

DENNIS
He could call back. Maybe
there's something he forgot
to tell you, maybe---

ROBERT
No. There's nothing he forgot
to tell me, he told me everything
I needed to know about meeting
his demands.

DENNIS
What should we start doing?

ROBERT
Perhaps, we can post pictures
of Amanda, and label MISSING CHILD,
then I'll reward half of the money,
half of five hundred thousand to 
the person who can find my daughter.

DENNIS
It's unfair.

ROBERT
Why?

DENNIS
You're gonna sacrifice your money
as the reward for the person who'll
give back your daughter. I mean what
if the kidnapper poses as someone who
is volunteers to put his ass on the line,
frame somebody, and take your money?

ROBERT
You're right. Rewards wouldn't help.

DENNIS
What other ideas do you have?

ROBERT
None.

DENNIS
Are you sure.

ROBERT
I'm sure, I don't have a clue
as to what I'm gonna do next.


DENNIS
Hmmm...

ROBERT
I've got a headache. I think I'll
drop by the pharmacy, and pick
up something that can make me feel
better.

DENNIS
Robert, you're sleepy. Go to sleep.
Picking up some aspirins might make
things worse, things don't get any
better when you resort to drugs.

ROBERT
Bull shit. It's not drugs.

INT. PHARMACY – NIGHT

MICHELE, the clerk in the pharmacy greets Robert.

ROBERT
It's not a good evening.

MICHELE
Why?

ROBERT
Nothing. I'm just fucked up
tonight.

MICHELE
Tell me about it.

ROBERT
I can't. I can't tell anyone
outside the precinct.

MICHELE
Michele, let me guess, dealing
with dead people again? Stiffs.

ROBERT
It's different.

MICHELE
Why are you here?




ROBERT
I have a headache, can you give
me some aspirins?

MICHELE
What?

ROBERT
The brand. The ones I usually
buy, I guess I'll pick some up.

MICHELE
Sure thing.

Michele goes through the shelves, and finally spots the bottle of 
aspirins Robert is looking for. Michele hands it to Robert.

ROBERT
Thanks.

Robert hands her a wad of cash, Michele keeps the money.

A MAN enters the pharmacy. He is JOE DOYLE, he has a hammer hung on his 
belt, and he is one tough-looking son of a bitch.  Robert observes him.

Robert doesn't leave the pharmacy, and keeps eyeing Joe.

Joe drops the hammer on the desk and starts talking to Michele.

JOE
I'll work tomorrow. Maybe
tonight, I'm not sure. I'm
not sure, I'm really tired,
and I don't give a fuck about
what your boss says about me.
He can fire me if he wants, fuck
him.

That was harsh talk.  Robert moves closer to him.

MICHELE
No problem, Joe.

Robert suddenly flinches.

INSERT FLASHBACK: Joe's face on a computer screen. His file being 
opened by Janet.

ROBERT
Joe?

Joe goes out for a cigarrete. He lights it up, and throws off the match 
he used.

ROBERT
Michele, what's that guy's full
name?

MICHELE
Joe Doyle.

ROBERT
Fuck me.

MICHELE
Why?

Joe enters the pharmacy again.

ROBERT
Sir. Excuse me.

JOE
What? Have I done anything wrong?

ROBERT
No. I just think you've done
something wrong. I mean, the
way you look---

JOE
What? Fuck you! I don't care
if you don't like the way I dress,
just back off from me, Mister.

ROBERT
You look like a thief. A robber.

JOE
So?

ROBERT
I'm a cop. And I hate people who
steal.

JOE
Have a burglarized anything in
the pharmacy?

ROBERT
No.

JOE
Look, sir I just wanna know
why you're touching me.

ROBERT
What's your name?

JOE
Joe.

ROBERT
Your last name.

JOE
Joe. Joe Doyle. What's wrong?

ROBERT
Fuck me. Step outside with me,
Joe.

JOE
What?

Robert pulls out his gun, he places his fingers on the trigger. Ready 
to fire.

JOE
Fuck you!

Joe and Robert step out of the pharmacy.

EXT. THE SIDEWALK – NIGHT

Robert and Joe are face to face, Robert still has his gun pointed on 
him.

JOE
I didn't steal anything.

ROBERT
But you did, your criminal
records show everything. Everything.

JOE
What the fuck do you want from
me?

ROBERT
I am Detective Robert Millson, my
daughter has been kidnapped and the
ransom wanted by the guy that took 
her is the 500,000 dollars I won from
a radio station contest.

JOE
And you think I took her?

ROBERT
Your name's Joe Doyle.

JOE
So?

ROBERT
A man named Kevin Doyle phoned
me. Told me that my girl was kidnapped
and he hung up. You are Kevin Doyle's
brother.

JOE
No. I don't know any Kevin Doyle.

ROBERT
Don't you lie to me.

Joe pulls out a WALTHER PPK concealed on his jacket.

JOE
You listen, motherfucker. Not
every cop who tries to take me
in can succeed. I'll shoot you and
it won't matter. I'll run.

ROBERT
You have a gun. I wasn't surprised.

JOE
I'll shoot you.

Joe can see Robert's gray car parked firmly along the edge of the 
sidewalk.

JOE
That's a nice car. I want
to have your car. 

ROBERT
See, a crime has been commited.
You're planning to rob me of my
vehicle.

JOE
I didn't rob you yet.



EXT. THE STREET – NIGHT

The argument reaches the street. Robert lets his gun touch Joe's neck.

ROBERT
Don't fuck with me. I know
you know who Kevin Doyle is.

Joe suddenly runs.  He disappears into a crowd of crossing pedestrians.

ROBERT
Shit.

Robert gets inside his car. He starts the engines, starts driving.

INT. THE CAR – NIGHT

Robert is tracking Joe and he hopes that Joe will stumble. He can catch 
him again if that happens. Robert won't shoot, Joe hasn't done anything 
wrong, and he just hopes that threatening him will work.

Joe signals for a cab. He enters the cab.

ROBERT
No!

Robert gets out of his car, and starts running towards the cab. There's 
a little traffic jam on the street.

EXT. THE STREET – NIGHT

Robert bangs the trunk of the cab with his gun.

DRIVER
(V.O.)
What the fuck are you doing,
sir? And hey! That's a gun.

Robert points his gun to the window on the back passenger seat where 
Joe is also holding his gun.

Joe's gun is staring Robert in the face. Joe can shoot anytime, but 
will he bother?

Robert makes a mental note of the cab's plate number SMD 785.

The cab shoots its way out of the jammed and bustling street. The cab 
gladly doesn't bump any other vehicles.

INT. THE CAB – NIGHT

The driver panics.

DRIVER
Jeez, sir, who was that?

JOE
Someone who has a grudge.

DRIVER
And put that gun away! Please!

JOE
Don't worry, I won't shoot you.

DRIVER
All right. All right. I'll
calm down, but where to, sir?

INT. THE PRECINCT – NIGHT

Janet and Robert are talking once again.

JANET
Nope. He doesn't have an address.

ROBERT
What?

JANET
It's not on his file.

ROBERT
What?

JANET
He probably didn't have a house
when the cops took him in long ago.
He probably stays in cheap-assed
hotels every night.

ROBERT
I can't take this.

JANET
Why?

ROBERT
I almost had him.



JANET
But you're not even sure if
Joe is Kevin Doyle's brother.

ROBERT
I'm sure. They're dirty fingers
that wear the same glove.

JANET
You can never be sure.

ROBERT
Yes, I can. 

JANET
What time is it?

ROBERT
Ten Fifty Eight.

JANET
Jesus, Bob, get some sleep.

ROBERT
Not that I've come this close
to solving the puzzle.

JANET
Robert. You need some rest.

ROBERT
I can't sleep.

Robert brings out the aspirins that he bought from the pharmacy.

ROBERT
You have a glass of water?

JANET
Sure.

Janet picks up a glass, and pours in some water from a water dispenser. 
She hands it to Robert.

Robert has an aspirin on his palm.

He sips the water, and swallows the aspirin.

ROBERT
Thanks.

JANET
What's the aspirin for?

ROBERT
Headache.

JANET
Whooo.

ROBERT
I came that close. I guess
he's a fucking carpenter who
works in Michele's pharmacy.

JANET
What?

ROBERT
That's right. But now, he's
on his way home.

JANET
You know the cab's plate number?

ROBERT
Sure. SMD 785.

JANET
Do you know the company of
the cab that drove Joe?

ROBERT
Wait. Bingo. Got it, it was---

JANET
Come on, Robert.

ROBERT
It was---wait, wait, wait. Capitol
Cabs!

Robert gets in one of the offices in the building, and looks for a 
telephone.

He finds one.

Robert picks up the headset. The phone works.


Robert reaches for a directory that is laid alongside the telephone on 
the table.  He searches for the phone number of CAPITOL CABS.

He finds the number. He starts dialing.  A woman answers the phone.

WOMAN
Hello? Capitol Cabs.

ROBERT
Ummm, yes, this is Robert Millson
of the---

WOMAN
I don't need to know your name,
sir. All I need to know is if you
want a cab, and if you do, give me
your address, then---

ROBERT
Look, I don't need a fucking cab.

WOMAN
Excuse me?

ROBERT
Fuck the cab!

WOMAN
Sir? Is this some sort of joke.

ROBERT
No joke. I need to know something.
Like I said, I am Robert Millson
of the police department, and I
need to know who the driver is of a 
certain cab.

WOMAN
What cab?

ROBERT
The cab that let in a kidnapper.

WOMAN
One of our drivers got kidnapped?





ROBERT
NO! I MEAN THE BROTHER OF A KIDNAPPER.
The brother of a kidnapper rode one of
your cabs this evening.

WOMAN
And what cab did he ride?

ROBERT
I don't know. The cab that
has the plate number of SMD
785.

WOMAN
So, let me get this straight,
you're chasing the brother of 
a kidnapper? Now how could you
know that he's the brother of a
kidnapper.

ROBERT
I don't know. I just need to 
find him tonight.

WOMAN
(filtered)
In that case, if you're not sure
about what you're doing, I guess I'm
gonna have to dismiss you as an unworthy
caller of Capitol Cabs. You're not a 
customer. So---

ROBERT
Hold on!  I just need to know the
driver's name of the cab that had
the plate number SMD 785. Please.

WOMAN
Hold on a second.

Robert waits.

Three minutes have passed.

WOMAN
Hello?

ROBERT
Yes.



WOMAN
His name's Mitch.  Come over
to the Capitol Cabs building.
You can meet him, he's still here.

EXT. CAPITOL CABS – PARKING LOT

Robert sees the back of the car with the huge scratch. It's the one 
that he crushed with his gun.

MITCH
See what you fucking did, man?

ROBERT
I see it.

MITCH
You're gonna pay for this. I
don't have the money to pay
for whatever damage happens 
to my cab while I'm driving. It's
work! You know. I can't stand
going on the rode with a dented-
assed trunk. You're gonna pay.

ROBERT
Yes, I'll pay.

MITCH
You better do it fast, man! Pay
fast. Or I am gonna kick your ass
and maybe even blow your brains out
to kingdom come.

ROBERT
No.

Robert pulls out his gun. Then, he replaces it in his holster. That was 
just to scare the guy.

MITCH
Ahhh, Jesus, man! You're gonna
shoot me?

ROBERT
Relax, I'm a cop, and---

MITCH
Cops shoot people, cops shoot
motherfucker, don't try to be nice
to me. Don't start cheering me up.

ROBERT
Look. We haven't even gotten
down to business yet.

MITCH
Business? What? You're gonna
arrest me. That's just fucking
great!

ROBERT
I chased you. I crushed the back
of your hood with my gun. While
I was at it, someone rode your cab.
Someone with a gun. Can you tell me
where you took him.

MITCH
Why?

ROBERT
Just tell me where you took him.

MITCH
Why? Man, I ain't part of this,
if you're killing somebody, the cops
come right to me, and they are gonna
bust my ass. Now, I don't like that.
So, I ain't telling you what you need
to know.

ROBERT
Hey, asshole, listen to me---

MITCH
Asshole? You callin' me an asshole!

ROBERT
Look. Look. Mitch, I just need to
know where you took him, does it
even hurt to give me the name of a
street?

MITCH
No.

ROBERT
So, tell me where he lives. Where
you took him.

MITCH
All, right, all right, he lives---

EXT. AN APARTMENT BUILDING, SIDEWALK – NIGHT

It's a brownstone. It looks fairly decent. And it looks like a 
carpenter with a decent salary can afford living here. Why didn't this 
address show up in the Joe Doyle's file?

INT. THE APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT

Robert steps into the foyer.  Then, a big - TOUGH-LOOKING MAN appears 
from one of the rooms just near the doorway.

His name is ERNIE.

ERNIE
I don't know you.

Robert flashes his badge.

ERNIE
What have I done wrong?

ROBERT
Nothing.

ERNIE
What do you want from me,
officer?

ROBERT
I need to know something about
Joe Doyle.

ERNIE
Is this a sting?

ROBERT
No sting. Just let me know
his room number.

ERNIE
Room number. This isn't a hotel.

ROBERT
Look, I know this isn't a hotel.
Just let me know. Guide me where
I can find the guy. I need to find
him fast. It's an emergency.

ERNIE
I'm Ernie, by the way.


ROBERT
Detective Robert Millson, the guy
I'm looking for is a former thief,
I think he got arrested once or twice,
and I'm here to make a follow-up on 
him.

ERNIE
A follow up? What sort of follow-up?

ROBERT
Something that involves kidnapping.

ERNIE
Hey, buddy! I'm the landlord, do
I look like shit to you?

ROBERT
Just tell me what room he is in.

ERNIE
All right. The third floor, you
take the flight of stairs and you
turn left. The ninth room when you
start walking forward.

ROBERT
That's all I needed to know.

ON THE THIRD FLOOR,

Robert scans the hallway.  It's clean, he starts walking towards the 
ninth room.

He reaches the door. This is Joe Doyle's door. It's made of wood.

Robert knocks.

No one answers. Looks like Robert isn't here?

Robert knocks again.

Still, no luck.

ROBERT
Hey, Joe! Joe Doyle. Open
the door. I won't hurt you,
I just need to ask you a few
questions. That's all.



Robert does some more knocking.  It seems as if no one lives in the 
room behind these wooden walls.  Robert was yelling and pounding the 
walls, the door. No one got disturbed.

FROM INSIDE DOYLE'S ROOM,

Robert is holding a couple of bullets, along with his Walther. He's 
gonna kill Robert tonight.

He loads about 8 rounds into the gun.

OUTSIDE THE ROOM,

BANG! BANG! Gunshots ring from inside the room, and bullet-holes are 
born in the walls.

Robert ducks, and lies down for about five seconds. Then he gets back 
on his feet.

ROBERT
Shit.

BANG! Another round comes through from the door.

Robert sees an axe and a fire extinguisher mounted on glass. Robert 
kicks the glass and grabs the axe.

He starts assaulting the doorknob with the axe. CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK!  
One more blow. The doorknob comes off.

Robert kicks the door, and executes the proper shooting stance. 

INSIDE THE ROOM,

Robert is standing approximately 3 meters away from Joe.

Joe has his gun aimed at Robert, his trigger finger trembling.

Robert comes closer.

Joe backs off. Joe is close to the window.

ROBERT
Listen to me, Joe. I don't
have any plans on arresting you,
or putting a cap on your chest. 
You just need to listen to me for
a few minutes, and maybe answer a few
questions.



JOE
No. I don't answer questions.

ROBERT
Joe. Don't make me shoot you.

JOE
You can't, if you do, you'll
know about Kevin.

ROBERT
Kevin! You motherfucker! You're
the brother of a kidnapper.

Joe fires his gun once, but misses Robert who flinches and staggers 
back.

Joe jumps into the window, and makes his way into the fire escape.

Robert stands up and takes a peek at the window.

ROBERT'S POV,

Joe is already running in an alley, his gun still at hand.

EXT. THE APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT

Robert runs towards the sidewalk, and turns his attention to the alley 
that Joe ran into.  No one there.

He checks the far end of the sidewalk. The street. No sign of Joe.

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Amanda is still seated on the floor, leaning against the railing of the 
staircase.

The door is not too far from her.

AMANDA'S POV,

Amanda is a little dizzy, but she's anxious to touch the doorknob, 
twist it and scram.

Where's Kevin?

Kevin is in the kitchen. He's not doing anything, he's just sitting, 
waiting for the right time to get out and claim his ransom. Or waiting 
to kill Amanda.


Slowly, very slowly. Amanda stands up and makes her way towards the 
door. She twists the knob.

Finally, Amanda steps out of the building, the doorway left standing 
ajar.

EXT. THE SIDEWALK – NIGHT

Luckily, Amanda didn't forget her back pack. She walks slowly, and ---

KEVIN
Hey!

Kevin spots her. Kevin is holding his gun. He can shoot Amanda anytime.

Amanda tries to run, but Kevin catches her.

KEVIN
What the fuck were you thinking?

AMANDA
Let me go!

Amanda is held in the arms by Kevin.  Kevin presses his gun against 
Amanda's forehead.

KEVIN
You want me to shoot you, bitch!

AMANDA
Fuck you!

KEVIN
I swear I'm still gonna get
my money if I killed you right
now. How many times have I told
you that you and your dad are as
good as dead?

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Kevin drags Amanda upstairs, it's a little creepy, only a bluish light 
illuminates the place.

Kevin forces Amanda to sit against the railing of the staircase.

Kevin replaces his gun into his waist.



KEVIN
I told you, girl. Running won't
work. It won't help. I'm not changing
my mind about killing you both. You
and your dad.

AMANDA
Why don't you shoot me now?

KEVIN
I don't want to go through with
that yet.

AMANDA
Listen, if you let me go, I swear
I won't bother to tell my dad where
you live.

KEVIN
Hey, hey, don't start with that. I'm
moving to a new place. That won't 
matter. I just need to kill you to be
sure.

A chair is stationed behind Kevin, and can fall down the stairs any 
time.

KEVIN
Do you understand that?

Kevin picks up the chair. Hurls it, and it starts dropping making 
horrid noise as it tumbles down the stairs.

KEVIN
Do you fucking understand that?

INT. THE PRECINCT – NIGHT

Back with Janet and Robert. They're just standing. Both are restless 
now.

JANET
Why didn't you shoot him?

ROBERT
I can't.

JANET
Why not?

ROBERT
I couldn't.

JANET
You should have reacted quickly.

ROBERT
If I shot him, it'll be police 
brutality.

JANET
Shit.

ROBERT
There's one other thing.

JANET
What?

ROBERT
He's Kevin Doyle's brother.

JANET
What?

ROBERT
He made a mistake. He shouldn't
have spoken. I couldn't think of
a way where I can get back to him
right now.

JANET
Well, thank God you know he's
Kevin's brother.

ROBERT
You're right, why didn't I shoot
him?

JANET
You need to develop your instincts
even more.

ROBERT
Nahhh, if I shot him. He'd probably
die, and he won't be able to tell me
where Kevin is.

JANET
Wait a minute.

ROBERT
What?

JANET
What if Kevin Doyle doesn't exist?

ROBERT
What?

JANET
He's making you chase him to divert
attention from where your daughter is.
He's the kidnapper.

ROBERT
He said, that I'LL KNOW ABOUT KEVIN.

JANET
He deliberately said that too!

ROBERT
No. We just need to find him.
I'm gonna do that alone, if any
you guys right here won't help.

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Amanda is still upstairs. Kevin has his back turned on her, he is 
relaxed.

Amanda sees a knife on the far end of the floor.

Amanda picks it up. She walks towards Kevin.

Kevin turns around and sees her wielding the knife.

KEVIN
Hey! What are you doing with
that?

Suddenly, Amanda gets scared.

KEVIN
What are you gonna do with that
thing.

As Amanda starts backing away, Kevin approaches her slowly, calmly.






KEVIN
You think you can fucking kill me
with that thing?

Kevin backhands Amanda's wrists. The knife falls out of her hand, into 
the floor.

AMANDA
Aaaaaaaahhhh!

That blow to her wrist hurts so bad.  Amanda drops to the floor, and 
starts leaning against the railings once again.

KEVIN
Don't fuck with me.

AMANDA
It hurts.

KEVIN
You started it.

AMANDA
Fuck.

KEVIN
Do you even like being kidnapped?

AMANDA 
Not too much.

Amanda continues to rub both wrists together. They are sore.

Kevin calms down.

KEVIN
Do you like your dad?

AMANDA
What?

KEVIN
Do you like him. 

AMANDA
That's none of your business.

KEVIN
Let me know.



AMANDA
I don't like him. He's arrogant,
he sent me to a new school and I
guess its because he gave a fuck about
who my friends where in the previous
campus that I stayed in.

KEVIN
So, if I let you go?

AMANDA
Will you?

KEVIN
No. Never.

AMANDA
I don't know.

KEVIN
Will you go back to him if I
let you go?

AMANDA
I don't know. Did I say anything
about running?

KEVIN
You sound like the kid---you look
like the type of kid who runs away
easy.

INT. THE PHARMACY – NIGHT

Michele is still working. She's gonna sleep late, because two days 
after her work shift, two more clerks will take her place. But of all 
the people who work in this pharmacy, Michele is Robert's closest 
friend.

Joe enters the pharmacy.  He doesn't have anything in his hands except 
dirt.

Joe simply stares Michele in the eye, and heads for the back of the 
counter.

There's a sink. Joe starts washing his hands.

Joe goes in front of the counter and---

MICHELE
You're not gonna kill me, are
you?
JOE
Relax, Michele, I won't bother
doing that. I've got someone else
to kill.

MICHELE
Get out!

JOE
What?

MICHELE
You heard me. Get out.

Michele goes for the telephone and starts picking up the headset.

MICHELE
Get out before I call the cops.

Joe doesn't react wildly.

JOE
Look. I'm not gonna hurt you
or anybody, and for sure, I 
won't let you see somebody get
hurt. I know what disturbs you
Michele. I had a lot of girlfriends
in high school.

MICHELE
Get out.

JOE
I'm working.

Joe starts climbing the stairs that leads to the second floor of the 
pharmacy building.

ON THE SECOND FLOOR,

There's nothing but empty shelves.  Joe lied about working. He tosses 
his hammer to the floor and takes a rest. He is seated on one of the 
old metal chairs that have been around ever since he started working on 
the construction of the building.

He's here to make the place look better.

Robert sees a METAL BASEBALL BAT. He picks it up.

He goes downstairs.

DOWNSTAIRS,
Robert carries the bat and lays it on a corner.  Michele is minding her 
own business. 

He is hiding behind one of the shelves where there are lots of medicine 
bottles.

He brings out his Walther.  Only three rounds are left. Shooting 
anybody ain't worth the price of going to jail. Maybe he can kill 
somebody, but forensics experts can easily identify where a bullet came 
from and who held it, who held the victim. Will he kill Robert tonight 
if he comes back?

Joe picks up the phone and dials Kevin's number.

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

The phone rings.  Kevin walks down the stairs, and picks up the 
headset.

INT. THE PHARMACY – NIGHT 

Joe on the phone.

KEVIN
Hello?

JOE
It's Joe.

KEVIN
How are you, man?

JOE
Not so good.

KEVIN
What do 'ya need?

JOE
Nothing, just let her go.

KEVIN
What?

JOE
Let this Amanda girl go.

KEVIN
What?



JOE
I know all about it. Right now,
I'm on the run from a cop who knows
all about 'ya, buddy. Let her go.
I don't feel like going to jail again.

KEVIN
Just shut your mouth. Nothing bad
could happen to you.

JOE
Look, the cop I'm running away from
is really pissed. I might have no 
choice but to kill him.

KEVIN
Kill him, then.

Kevin hangs up.

JOE
Hello? ..... ahhhh, shit.

Joe drops the headset.

INT. THE PRECINCT – NIGHT

Dennis is seated on one of the chairs, and he's still anxious on 
helping Robert out.

Dennis is sipping a cup of coffee.

Robert starts rubbing his forehead.

ROBERT
Fuck.

DENNIS
You okay?

ROBERT
No.

Robert brings out the bottle of aspirins from the pharmacy.

He replaces it into his pocket.

ROBERT
Shit, Michele. I need a refund.



DENNIS
Robert?

ROBERT
I think I'm going back to the
pharmacy. These aspirins don't
work for me. See if I can get
a refund.

INT. THE PHARMACY – NIGHT

Robert is speaking with Michele.

Robert tosses the aspirin bottle to the desk on the counter.

MICHELE
But, you've already opened it.

ROBERT
I don't care. I never got my
money's worth.

MICHELE
Robert, look. Keep those aspirins,
maybe you might be needing them.
And what time is it? Get some sleep!
That's what's causing your headache.
You need to crash.

ROBERT
All right.

Robert places the aspirins back into his pocket and nods.

ROBERT
Say, Michele. You know where
Joe---the carpenter went? Know
where I can find him?

Michele suddenly grows tense.

MICHELE
Shit. Why are you asking me that?

ROBERT
I need to find him. I need him,
now.

MICHELE
Do I have to answer that?


ROBERT
Yes.

MICHELE
I won't.

ROBERT
You know where he is, don't 
you. You know where he is.
He's here.

Michele takes a series of deep breaths until she nods, very, very 
slowly.

ROBERT
Where?

Robert is plainly staring at the clerk in front of him. No expressions 
on his face, but we can clearly make out that tension is rising from 
both of them.

Behind Robert,  Joe is moving very slowly, carrying the metal bat.

Michele sees this, sweats, becomes catatonic.

Joe goes for a swing, but Robert spins, and the bat hits the desk with 
a CLUNK.  Robert pulls out his trusty Glock 19, and shoots Joe on the 
lung.

Joe drops. Clutching his lungs. He's on the floor. Blood starts pouring 
from his back.

JOE
Ummmphhhh!

Robert bends down, and makes his gun stare Joe right in the face. He's 
ready for a kill anytime.

ROBERT
Now! Tell me where Amanda is!
Tell me where Kevin took her!

Joe coughs blood.

ROBERT
Tell me where he is, motherfucker.
You're gonna die, and there's no
more use for lies here.




Joe dies.  Robert gets back on his feet slowly, and replaces his gun 
back into his holster.

ROBERT
Ahhhh, fuck!

EXT. THE PHARMACY – NIGHT

Cops arrive.  Joe Doyle's body is collected. Janet approaches Robert.

JANET
I'm sorry.

ROBERT
It's all my fault. But---
hey---ummm,----he was coming
to me with the baseball bat.
He tried to kill me.

JANET
It's not your fault.

ROBERT
Now, how am I gonna find Amanda.

JANET
You know where Joe's house is.
Get some sleep, we'll go there
tomorrow, and we can look for some
clues.

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Kevin and Amanda are still on top of the staircase. Kevin has nothing 
in his mind.

Amanda can see Kevin's gun tucked losely on his pants.

Kevin leans forward on the railing of the stairs and relaxes.

Amanda suddenly feels anxious.

Amanda tries to grab the Glock 19.

Kevin turns around. Kevin stares at her for a moment.

Amanda pretends to start resting her arms into the railings, but still 
appears reckless. If only she can get that gun.


Finally, Amanda pulls out the gun from Kevin's pants, and fires! It 
injures Kevin's thighs.

KEVIN
Arghhhhh! Fuck!

Kevin pulls the gun out of her hands but slips backwards and tumbles 
down the stairs.

KEVIN
What the fuck have you done,
bitch!

As Kevin is lying in front of the staircase, the gun slips out of his 
hand and spins as it skids slightly into the concrete floor.

KEVIN
You fucking bitch! I'll kill
you. I'll fucking kill you,
arghhhhh!

Amanda hurries down the stairs, and reaches for the Glock. She shoots 
Kevin's head.

Amanda drops the gun and looks at Kevin's dead body in shock.

FADE OUT.

EXT. MILLSON RESIDENCE – DAY

Amanda is standing in front of her house.  She has her backpack. It's 
got money, good enough for her to run away from Robert after a horrible 
ordeal. What did dad do to help?

INT. MILLSON HOUSE – DAY

Amanda enters the house. Robert is not in. He's gone to work.  She sets 
down her backpack.

INT. THE BATHROOM – DAY

Amanda is taking a shower. She's shaking under the cold spray. 

INT. THE HOUSE – DAY

She's all dressed in new clothes, and some new things are packed into 
her bag.

EXT. MILLSON HOUSE – DAY

Amanda gets out of the house and starts walking away. She doesn't want 
to see her father anymore. Robert Millson, the man

who did nothing to save her from a kidnapper. The man who brought her 
to a fucked up school. Now she'll just pretend that this is her daily 
routine, when she knows that this is nothing she has ever done before.  
Not every kid can shoot a man with a gun. Not every kid can pretend to 
be missing, but run away from home.

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – DAY

Some teenage kids enter the unlocked door.

They flinch as they see Kevin's dead body soaking with blood on the 
floor.

A gun is also present, and its laying right behind his blasted head.

The two kids are MICHAEL and DAVID.

They get out of the house.

EXT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – DAY

David and Michael are standing out of the doorway, its hard to shake 
off the image of a dead man in someone's brain.

DAVID
God. Hey, dude we gotta call
the cops.



MICHAEL
What? They might think we killed
the guy.

DAVID
Listen up, we have to call the cops,
I have no doubt people have seen us
enter the apartment, and they'll be
witnesses that we saw the murder. We
need to tell the cops before anybody
else does.

INT. THE PRECINCT – DAY

Janet suddenly approaches Robert. Robert's clothes are neatly pressed, 
his hair combed, but his face is still pale. He hasn't slept.

JANET
Robert, this just in. A 187.



ROBERT
What?

JANET
Some kids called and told us
about a dead man.

INT. KEVIN DOYLE'S APARTMENT – DAY

Kevin's body is still there. His blood hasn't gone dry, it's even more 
gruesome than last night.

ROBERT
(V.O.)
I don't think I wanna see
another dead body today.

JANET
(V.O.)
It's your job.

ROBERT
(V.O.) 
I dropped yesterday morning's case,
I'll drop this one, and I don't think
I'll bother to work as soon as I find
Amanda. I need to find ---

INT. THE PRECINCT – DAY

Back with Janet and Robert.

ROBERT
---her first.


JANET
All right. It's your choice.

Janet walks away.

ROBERT
Ahhh, who cares. What's the 
address of this dead guy?

Robert turns around and tries to approach Janet who has gone out of the 
office he's standing in.

FADE OUT: THE END

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