FADE IN:

EXT. PARKING LOT OF AN UPSCALE APARTMENT AND TOWNHOME COMPLEX ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DAY

We see an expensive silverish BMW convertible sitting in the semi-crowded parking lot.

EXT. FRONT DOOR OF ONE OF THE TOWNHOMES - DAY

A strikingly beautiful blonde with piercing blue-green eyes and a robust tan, BRITTANY GOLDBERG, opens the door for RANDY RIVERA, a medium-height puerto rican man with short dark wavy hair.

INT. FRONT ROOM OF THE TOWNHOME - DAY

RANDY
Is Phillip ready?

BRITTANY
He's in the bedroom.

BRITTANY points over by the sofa to signal for RANDY to have a seat. An extremely handsome African-American male, PHILLIP FIGUEROA, standing over six feet tall, enters the front room and pulls BRITTANY under his long arms.

PHILLIP
Randy, this is Brittany Goldberg. She's the policewoman who I was telling you about. We work on the force together.

RANDY
Pleased to meet you, Brittany.

BRITTANY
Same here.

RANDY
Understand you're going out to Los Angeles with Phillip.

BRITTANY
Yes, that's right. 

RANDY
I'd do anything to get out of Kansas City for awhile.

EXT. PARKING LOT OF CITADEL HEIGHTS COMPLEX - DAY

PHILLIP, RANDY, AND BRITTANY are climbing inside her fancy BMW.

EXT.  PARKING LOT JUST ACROSS SIXTY-THIRD STREET - DAY

Two detectives with the KCPD, CARLO RUGGIERO and JAMES KRAMER, are sitting unnoticed in a blue unmarked car. RUGGIERO is a heavy-set man with brownish wavy hair and KRAMER is a thin-built man with a bushy mustache. RUGGIERO turns to stare seriously into the face of KRAMER.

RUGGIERO
Do you think Figueroa's dealing dope?

KRAMER
I think the prick's guilty of sin.

RUGGIERO
Can't believe they'd let a cocksucking prick like him on the force.

KRAMER
He's letting dealers get away with selling crack.

RUGGIERO
The department's gonna be watching every move that he makes.

INT. AN UPBEAT NIGHTCLUB CALLED QUINCY'S - NIGHT

PHILLIP, RANDY, and BRITTANY are strolling around the crowded nightclub. In the very back near the restrooms there are a group of FOUR BLACK WOMEN closely watching the trio move through the crowd.

FIRST BLACK WOMAN
What's up with him and the white girl?

SECOND BLACK WOMAN
The same thing that's up with all these black men and white women.

THIRD BLACK WOMAN
Feel like bumrushing him and snatching him away from that white girl.

FOURTH BLACK WOMAN
Gotta give it to him, she's a cute white girl with a nice shape.

FIRST BLACK WOMAN
Isn't he a police officer?

THIRD BLACK WOMAN
I saw him arresting somebody before.

INT.  LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are taking their luggage off the baggage carousel. They are moving through the immensely thick crowd.

EXT.  FRONT OF LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are loading their luggage into the back of a taxicab. The DRIVER is gladly helping them along.

PHILLIP
Sir, can you recommend a nice hotel for my girlfriend and I?

DRIVER
There are lots of them around L.A.

PHILLIP
Got any nice ones on the beach?

DRIVER
Yes, there are.

PHILLIP
Any of them nice and least expensive?

DRIVER
You'll love the Marina Pacific.

PHILLIP
We'll go there.

EXT.  MARINA PACIFIC HOTEL AND SUITES - DAY

The DRIVER pulls up in front of the hotel and helps them pull the luggage out of the spacious trunk.

DRIVER
Where are you guys from?

BRITTANY AND PHILLIP
(in a pleasant unison)
Kansas City, Missouri.

DRIVER
Show-me state, huh?

PHILLIP
Yeah.

DRIVER
Enjoy your stay in Los Angeles.

PHILLIP
We'll try, sir.

INT.  FANCY ROOM INSIDE THE MARINA HOTEL - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY travel erotically inside the bathroom and look down at a huge jacuzzi whirlpool built into the floor.

PHILLIP
This is the type of shit you see on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

BRITTANY
Let's order some champagne.

PHILLIP
Dom Perignon or Cristal?

BRITTANY
Why not?

PHILLIP and BRITTANY drop their robes to the floor and are standing in the total nude. They step into the bubbly jacuzzi and make toasts by tapping their glasses.

PHILLIP
To a beautiful lady that I have the pleasure of being with.

BRITTANY
To a handsome man that I also have the pleasure of being with.

BRITTANY lathers up a washcloth and glides it across the back and chest of PHILLIP. She runs her tongue and lucious pinkish lips at the base of his neck and inside his ear canal. The sensation causes PHILLIP to tremble.

PHILLIP
Oh, Brittany, it feels so good, baby!

BRITTANY
You like that, baby?

PHILLIP
Oh God, Brittany!

Water is splashing over the sides of the jacuzzi as PHILLIP is caressing the breasts of BRITTANY with his hot tongue.

BRITTANY
Yes, yes, Phillip, go ahead and do it, baby!

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are making steamy love inside the jacuzzi. She sinks her nails into his back and then grasps his firm buttocks.

INT. HOTEL ROOM OF PHILLIP AND BRITTANY - NIGHT

PHILLIP is reaching into a pair of his slacks for a folded up piece of paper. He picks up the phone to make a call.

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
MoFrog there?

A rather young African-American male, nicknamed MOFROG, speaks loudly into the phone

MOFROG
(over the phone)
MoFrog speaking.

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
This is Phillip Figueroa from Kansas City, Missouri. Dale told me to look you up when I got out to L.A.

MOFROG
(over the phone)
You're from Kansas?

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
No, I'm from Missouri. Kansas is right across the river.

MOFROG
(over the phone)
I know Dale Cherry real well.

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
I'm a police officer with the KCPD.

MOFROG
(over the phone)
You're five-o, huh?

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
Yes, I am.

MOFROG
(over the phone)
That's cool, dude.

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
Dale told me that you could show me and my lady around L.A.

MOFROG
(over the phone)
Be glad to show you around the city of angels. Where are you staying?

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
The Marina Pacific. Right here on Venice Beach.

MOFROG
(over the phone)
What do you and your lady want to do?

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
We thought about going to a club.

MOFROG
(over the phone)
Plenty of them here in L.A.

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
Which club do the celebrities go to?

MOFROG
(over the phone)
The Palace and Paradise Twenty-Four.

PHILLIP
(into the phone)
Alright, let's go to one of those clubs.

PHILLIP hangs up and he and BRITTANY began to dress themselves.

EXT. FRONT OF THE MARINA HOTEL - NIGHT

A charcoal grey Mercedes-Benz with gold spoked rims drives up in front of the hotel. A tall, well-dressed, and muscularly-built man with a dark complexion and bald head steps out of the expensive automobile. MOFROG walks over to PHILLIP and BRITTANY with his arm extended out.

MOFROG
Are you Phillip?

PHILLIP extends his hand out to the man with the bulging, frog-like eyes.

PHILLIP
You must be MoFrog?

MOFROG
That's me. Who's the pretty lady standing next to you?

PHILLIP pulls BRITTANY under his arms. She's wearing a black glitter evening dress with matching black stockings.

PHILLIP
This is my woman, Brittany.

MOFROG
You're a very pretty lady.

BRITTANY cuts a shyful smile and stares up at PHILLIP.

BRITTANY
Oh, thank you.

MOFROG glances at PHILLIP and is quite impressed with the two-piece black suit he is wearing.

MOFROG
You're awfully sharp.

PHILLIP
Thanks.

All three climb into the plush and spacious Mercedes.

EXT. NEAR THE CORNER OF HOLLYWOOD AND VINE - NIGHT

PHILLIP and BRITTANY have sad expressions on their faces as they watch the hookers and runaways and druggies stroll the busy boulevard.

EXT. PARADISE 24 NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

MOFROG parks behind a long row of exotic luxury and sports cars just outside the popular nightclub. A long line of stunningly beautiful women wait to go inside.

MOFROG
Well, here's Paradise Twenty-Four.

PHILLIP
Looks like a nice club.

MOFROG
It's all the way live.

PHILLIP and BRITTANY get out of the car and hold hands as they walk to get a place in line. Seconds later, two detectives, ERNEST MCDANIEL AND JEFFREY PORTERFIELD, drive up in a dark blue Chevy Caprice Classic and park four car lengths behind MOFROG.

INT. V.I.P. SECTION INSIDE PARADISE 24 - NIGHT

PHILLIP and MOFROG are sitting at a table for four conversing since BRITTANY has excused herself to go to the restroom.

MOFROG
Where'd you meet the cute snowbunny?

PHILLIP
Snowbunny?

MOFROG
The white girl that you're with.

PHILLIP
She works on the police force with me back in Kansas City.

MOFROG
She's packaged really nice. Got that long pretty blonde hair. Got those green eyes that'll hypnotize any man. Got a true black woman's ass.

PHILLIP smiles and nods his head as BRITTANY is returning to the table. He grabs BRITTANY by the hand and they proceed to the dancefloor. The thumping concert speakers and array of colorful laser lights has the club rocking. They dance until they tire out and return to the v.i.p. section especially reserved by MOFROG.

PHILLIP
Do you notice all these mixed couples in here?

BRITTANY
I think it's neat.

PHILLIP
People in Kansas City would freak out if they saw this many interracial couples in one place.

PHILLIP and BRITTANY look across the v.i.p. section and notice a table of five rather attractive BLACK WOMEN staring very hard over at them. They are displaying noticably hostile gestures at the attractive couple.

FIRST BLACK WOMAN
Wonder how that blonde-haired, blue-eyed white devil pulled that fine ass brother?

SECOND BLACK WOMAN
Probably from sucking a mean dick.

THIRD BLACK WOMAN
If his tongue and dick can match that pretty face and nice body, then I can see how she pulled his fine ass.

PHILLIP and BRITTANY begin to feel uncomfortable and turn to look the opposite direction.

BRITTANY
L.A. might be faster than Kansas City, but they're both alike in some respects.

EXT. DOWN THE STREET FROM PARADISE 24 - NIGHT

The two men who trailed MOFROG to the nightclub, DETECTIVES MCDANIEL AND PORTERFIELD, get out of the Chevy and are writing down his license plate number and make of the car on a small notepad.

INT. BATHROOM OF THE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

MOFROG is in between one of the bathroom stalls trying to make a drug transaction with a crack addict.

ADDICT
I need about a grand of the base.

MOFROG
There ain't no freebies here. You get me the thousand and I'll get you the base.

ADDICT
Where can I meet you tomorrow?

MOFROG
Where else, fool? Meet me in the hood.

ADDICT
I'll be there, Mo.

EXT. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are walking and staring down at the names of stars.

BRITTANY
Let's find Michael Jackson's star.

PHILLIP
Does Prince have a star anywhere along here?

BRITTANY
Sure he does.

PHILLIP
What about Madonna?

BRITTANY
Guess she does.

PHILLIP
I'd really love to see Pacino and DeNiro's star on the walk of fame.

BRITTANY
They've got to be here somewhere.

PHILLIP
I should have a star etched in stone.

BRITTANY
Wonder how famous you have to be to get one of these stars?

PHILLIP and BRITTANY continue to stroll down Hollywood Boulevard with their hands interlocked.

BRITTANY (CONT'D)
(happily yells)
Look Phillip! Here's Michael Jackson's star.

PHILLIP
It sure is.

BRITTANY bends down and places both hands around the edges of the star. PHILLIP snaps a quick photo of her.

INT. WAX MUSEUM ON THE BOULEVARD - DAY

PHILLIP is snapping many photos of BRITTANY as she poses in front of the famous wax figures.

INT. MEN'S UPSCALE CLOTHING STORE ON THE BOULEVARD - DAY

PHILLIP comes out of the dressing room and stands in front of the mirror.

PHILLIP
If I wore this back to Kansas City, people will wonder where I got it from.

BRITTANY
L.A. has got some nice clothes.

PHILLIP
This is some expensive shit.

BRITTANY
How much is the jacket to that Versace suit jacket?

PHILLIP is dangling around with the price tag.

PHILLIP
Five-hundred and ninety-five dollars.

BRITTANY
And the Versace pants?

PHILLIP
Five-hundred and fifty-five dollars.

BRITTANY
I'll charge it on my platinum card.

PHILLIP
Are you sure it's no problem?

BRITTANY
We came out to L.A. to shop and have fun. Remember?

PHILLIP
This Versace suit is over a thousand dollars, Britt.

BRITTANY
Don't worry about the cost, Phillip.

BRITTANY reaches into her purse and hands the cashier her platinum Master Card.

EXT. VENICE BEACH - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY arrive at Venice Beach and detectives MCDANIEL and PORTERFIELD are only several feet behind them. They get out of the car and minutes later MCDANIEL and PORTERFIELD are writing the license plate number and the make and model of the Hertz rent-a-car.

EXT. MINUTES LATER ON THE BEACH - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are moving from one vendor stand or shop to the next. She is either handing PHILLIP cash or bringing out her credit card and charging items on it.

PHILLIP
Randy would've loved coming out to California.

BRITTANY
The weather is so pleasant out here.

PHILLIP
Randy would have a field day here in L.A.

BRITTANY rattles her shopping bag and shoots PHILLIP a very disapproving stare.

BRITTANY
Phillip Antonio Figueroa!

PHILLIP
What?

BRITTANY
Are you staring at those women's asses?

PHILLIP
What man isn't? They're all over the place.

BRITTANY
Keep your eyes to yourself.

PHILLIP and BRITTANY stop to watch a FIREMAN perform an act for the many tourists.

FIREMAN
Now, please observe, this is real fire. If you don't believe it's real, then when you see my black ass burn up, then you'll definitely believe it.

The crowd sounds off with thunderous laughter. The FIREMAN is touching the tip of his tongue with the fire. He lies flat on his back and balances the torch with his tongue. The crowd cheers and claps aggressively. BRITTANY and PHILLIP drop a few dollars in a large silver bucket.

PHILLIP
Was that real fire?

BRITTANY
It had to be.

PHILLIP
Real fire would burn a hole straight through his tongue.

BRITTANY
He could've put something over his tongue to keep it from getting burned.

While PHILLIP and BRITTANY are moving along the massive Venice Beach crowd, detectives MCDANIEL and PORTERFIELD are trailing them without being notice.

PHILLIP
Let's go over to MoFrog's house.

BRITTANY
Where does he live?

PHILLIP
In South Central L.A.

BRITTANY
It's crazy over in that area, Phillip!

PHILLIP
It's not all that bad.

BRITTANY
Don't the crips and bloods run that part of Los Angeles?

PHILLIP
Don't let those goddam movies scare you, Britt. Besides, we're both police officers.

BRITTANY
Phillip, I want to make it back to Kansas City alive.

PHILLIP
Trust me, we will.

EXT. CRIME RIDDLED NEIGHBORHOOD OF COMPTON - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are riding through a very bady area of Compton, California. PHILLIP is cruising down the street while looking at a small white piece of paper with an address written on it. Young boys are on the corners selling crack-cocaine. PHILLIP finds the address of MoFrog and parks the car out front. Groups of people are trafficking in and out of the residence.

BRITTANY
Is this the house?

PHILLIP
It's the address MoFrog gave me.

BRITTANY
That's a drug house, Phillip.

PHILLIP
You're right, Britt.

BRITTANY
People are going there to buy crack.

PHILLIP
MoFrog's a dope dealer?

BRITTANY jerks her head over to PHILLIP and grabs his hand.

BRITTANY
Does Magic Johnson hit home runs for the New York Yankees? When MoFrog picked us up from the hotel, I wondered about the clothes and jewelry and that nice Mercedes.

PHILLIP
Please don't be like white America and stereotype all black people.

BRITTANY
I'm not stereotyping all black people. After three years on the force, I know when someone's dealing drugs.

PHILLIP
Can't black people drive nice cars and live in nice houses without selling drugs?

BRITTANY
This section of Los Angeles is notorious for drug trafficking.

PHILLIP
Let's just go inside and say hello to MoFrog. Let's thank him for taking us to the club last night.

Detectives MCDANIEL and PORTERFIELD are parked in an alley just west of MoFrog's residence. They are surveilling BRITTANY and PHILLIP very closely.

MCDANIEL
Guess Ruggiero and Kramer back in Kansas City were right about this Figueroa guy.

PORTERFIELD
We'll see just how right they were. 

INT. RESIDENCE OF MOFROG - DAY

MOFROG enters the front room to greet PHILLIP and BRITTANY.

MOFROG
Hey, hey, my man. What's happening?

PHILLIP
We just stopped by to say hello and thank you for taking us to the club last night.

MOFROG
You're welcome, brotha. How nice of you to stop in on me.

PHILLIP
(looks around)
Do you live here?

MOFROG
I live in the valley.

Many people are now coming and going through the backdoor with small packets containing crack-cocaine.

PHILLIP
We'll be leaving for Kansas City tomorrow afternoon.

MOFROG turns his full attention to BRITTANY. His attraction for her is growing even stronger.

MOFROG
How are you doing, beautiful lady?

BRITTANY
(irritably)
Fine.

MOFROG
Enjoying yourself in L.A.?

BRITTANY
Phillip and I are having a blast.

PHILLIP extends his hand out to MOFROG.

PHILLIP
Again, thanks for taking us to the club last night.

MOFROG
Anytime, my brotha.

PHILLIP and BRITTANY exit the home expeditiously and then are driving off.

EXT. INSIDE THE CAR OF DETECTIVES MCDANIEL AND PORTERFILED -DAY

Detective MCDANIEL reaches for his walkie talkie and radios for backup as they are trailing PHILLIP and BRITTANY. Detective PORTERFIELD switches on the siren while speeding down Willowbrook Avenue. PHILLIP slows the car down and parks at the curb.

PHILLIP
What's going on?

BRITTANY
I don't know.

PHILLIP
What'd we do wrong?

BRITTANY
(shouts loudly)
Nothing!

PHILLIP
Why are they rushing up on us like that?

BRITTANY
We'll soon find out.

Officers with the California Highway Patrol and detectives MCDANIEL and PORTERFIELD of the LAPD are standing on both sides of the car with rifles cocked and pistols drawn at PHILLIP and BRITTANY. PHILLIP has his hands folded at the back of his head and BRITTANY has her arms crossed in total disgust.

MCDANIEL
(commanding yell)
Keep your hands up where we can see them!

PHILLIP
Is there a problem?

MCDANIEL
Just keep your hands up.

PHILLIP
Why are you pulling us over?

PORTERFIELD
We'll ask the questions here, buddy. Sit there and keep your mouth closed.

PHILLIP
I'm a police officer.

PORTERFIELD
Sure you are. I'm an archbishop running a kiddie porno shop.

Detective MCDANIEL is moving closer to the driver's side of the car.

MCDANIEL
What were you doing coming out of that drug house?

PHILLIP
What drug house?

MCDANIEL
Off Willowbrook.

PHILLIP
We didn't know that it was a drug house.

Detective PORTERFIELD moves closer to the window where BRITTANY is sitting.

PORTERFIELD
We're taking you two over to the division for questioning.

PHILLIP
Who are you guys?

MCDANIEL
I'm detective Ernest McDaniel with the LAPD Narcotics Bureau of Special Investigations.

PORTERFIELD
I'm his partner, detective Jeffrey Porterfield.

BRITTANY is becoming furious and takes a couple of hostile breaths.

BRITTANY
(frustratingly)
Why are you really taking us in?

MCDANIEL
Just cooperate for now and you'll find out later.

PHILLIP and BRITTANY step out of the car and the two detectives pat them down. They reach into their pants pockets and finds their photo identifications which tells that they really are police officers with the KCPD.

INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT ON WILLOWBROOK - DAY

PHILLIP and MCDANIEL are sitting across from one another in a small interrogation room.

MCDANIEL
What is your association with Maurice Jackson?

PHILLIP
(shrugs shoulders)
Maurice Jackson?

MCDANIEL
You were seen coming out of one of his drug houses.

PHILLIP
You're speaking of MoFrog

MCDANIEL
Yes, that's the street name that he goes by.

PHILLIP
My girlfriend and I met him when we got out here to L.A.

MCDANIEL
(disapproving grunt)
Girlfriend, huh?

PHILLIP
That's right.

MCDANIEL
Where exactly do you know him from?

PHILLIP
Through a friend of mine's back in Kansas City.

MCDANIEL
What's your friend's name?

PHILLIP
Dale Cherry.

MCDANIEL
What's his association with Maurice Jackson?

PHILLIP
They're just friends.

MCDANIEL
(croons loudly)
Maurice Jackson is one of the most notorious drug dealers here in the Los Angeles area!

PHILLIP
I didn't know that.

MCDANIEL
He's running a fifty-thousand dollar a day guns-and-drugs operation right out of that house and many other houses throughout the Los Angeles area.

PHILLIP
We weren't aware of that, detective. Sounds like something right out of that movie Scarface.

MCDANIEL
The DEA and the LAPD is ready to set up a sting operation through our Undercover Buy Program.

PHILLIP
(very surprisingly)
Really?

MCDANIEL
If there's anything you haven't told me, officer Figueroa, then I'd suggest you tell me now.

PHILLIP
I've told you everything that I know.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM ON OPPOSITE FLOOR - DAY

Detective PORTERFIELD and BRITTANY are on the floor above PHILLIP and detective MCDANIEL, sitting across from one another in a larger interrogation room.

PORTERFIELD
Officer Goldberg, why were you inside the home of Maurice Jackson?

BRITTANY
Who's that?

PORTERFIELD
Think, officer Goldberg, think.

BRITTANY
The guy they call MoFrog?

PORTERFIELD
Why were you inside that home?

BRITTANY
My boyfriend and I dropped by to say hello to him.

PORTERFIELD
(quite sarcastically)
He's your boyfriend, huh?

BRITTANY
Yes, that's right. 

PORTERFIELD
Where do you know Maurice Jackson from?

BRITTANY
He knows a friend of my boyfriend's back in Kansas City.

PORTERFIELD
What's his friend's name?

BRITTANY
Dale Cherry, I believe.

PORTERFIELD
Maurice is connected with the crips and bloods street gangs here in Los Angeles.

BRITTANY
I'm from Kansas City, but I'm quite familiar with those gangs, detective.

PORTERFIELD
He's helping the Nicaraguan Contra leaders supply tons of cocaine here in Los Angeles and the bay area up near Oakland and San Francisco, right to the crips and bloods.

BRITTANY
So, why haven't you made any arrests?

PORTERFIELD
We're working with the DEA in setting up a powerful sting operation.

BRITTANY
Guess that'll get some of the drugs off the streets.

PORTERFIELD
We have an undercover buy program that obtains records and coordinates information concerning narcotics suspects and drug trafficking.

EXT. FRONT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are leaving the police department and walking towards their car.

PHILLIP
I never would've suspected that MoFrog was dealing drugs.

BRITTANY
We've busted into enough crack houses back in Kansas City to know that, Phillip.

PHILLIP
Did they ask you any questions about Dale Cherry?

BRITTANY
They sure did.

PHILLIP
(furiously)
Sonofabitch!

BRITTANY
What's wrong?

PHILLIP
I'm going to break my foot off in Dale's ass when I get back to Kansas City!

BRITTANY
Why?

PHILLIP
The motherfucker should've told us that MoFrog was a drug dealer.

BRITTANY
Are you suspecting Dale's dealing drugs, too?

PHILLIP
It's a strong possibility.

BRITTANY
We should've been informed before we got out here.

PHILLIP
We're in deep shit when we get back home.

BRITTANY
Why?

PHILLIP
The department's going to be asking us a lot of questions.

BRITTANY
You think word'll get back to the chief?

PHILLIP
Of course it will.

EXT. WILSHIRE BOULEVARD - DAY

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are riding down Wilshire admiring all the expensive and exotic automobiles.

EXT. RODEO DRIVE - DAY

They are driving down Rodeo Drive looking at the expensive stores and cross-sectioning the wealthy shoppers.

INT. GUCCI STORE - DAY

BRITTANY hands one of the cashiers her platinum Master Card while purchasing a Gucci watch and gold bracelet for PHILLIP.

INT. BALLY SHOE STORE - DAY

BRITTANY once again is handing a cashier her credit card as she is purchasing a couple of pairs of shoes for PHILLIP.

INT. POLO SHOP - DAY

PHILLIP is browsing through a rack of shirts and pants with BRITTANY walking behind him.

INT. APARTMENT OF RANDY RIVERA - DAY

RANDY is inside his apartment at Universal Towers on the west side of downtown Kansas City, Missouri talking on the phone with PHILLIP.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Tell me about California.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
It was cool.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Doesn't sound like you and Brittany had fun.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
The cops out there busted us coming out of a dope house.

RANDY
(into the phone)
A dope house!

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Do you know my friend Dale Cherry?

RANDY
(into the phone)
Vaguely.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
He hooked us up with some guy named MoFrog.

RANDY
(into the phone)
What a name.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
He's the spitting image of a bullfrog, Randy.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Did he show you guys a good time?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
This MoFrog turned out to be one of the biggest drug dealers out in L.A. 

RANDY
(into the phone)
What became of the cops busting you and Brittany coming out of this drug house?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Two narcotics detectives and the California Highway Patrol whipped out guns and rifles on us.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Wow! Didn't they know that you all were police officers?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
We told them that we were.

RANDY
(into the phone)
What'd they do after that?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Checked our identifications and took us in for questioning.

RANDY
(into the phone)
That's deep, Phil.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
As the Pacific Ocean.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Are you being followed?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Good question, Randy.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Watch your back, Phil.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Absolutely. Look, I've got a meeting with the chief of police at the headquarters. Call me later if you get the chance.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Talk to you soon.

RANDY hangs up the phone and heads for the front door.

INT. FIFTH FLOOR OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

PHILLIP steps into a mid-size office wearing his neatly pressed blue police uniform and the chief of police, MEYER KIRKPATRICK, a chubby and double-chinned man with brown wavy hair, is sitting behind a large desk.

KIRKPATRICK
Have a seat, officer Figueroa. I've got an important matter to discuss with you.

PHILLIP
Yes, chief Kirkpatrick.

KIRKPATRICK
The department received information from two narcotics detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department concerning the issue about you and officer Goldberg having been seen coming out of a notorious drug house.

PHILLIP
Detectives Porterfield and McDaniel?

KIRKPATRICK
Explain why you were coming out of that drug house.

PHILLIP
Officer Goldberg and I didn't know that it was a drug house.

KIRKPATRICK
According to detectives Porterfield and McDaniel, and the highway patrol, you were seen around Los Angeles with a known drug dealer.

PHILLIP
We didn't know he was a known drug dealer.

KIRKPATRICK
How's that, officer Figueroa?

PHILLIP
A friend of mine's gave us his number before we got out of L.A.

KIRKPATRICK
Why didn't your friend tell you that this guy was a dope dealer?

PHILLIP
I couldn't begin to tell you, chief Kirkpatrick.

KIRKPATRICK
Maurice Jackson is the prime target of a major sting operation.

PHILLIP
Detective McDaniel told me.

KIRKPATRICK
He's helping the Nicaraguan Contra leaders dump tons of cocaine into Southern California.

PHILLIP
Yes, the detective told me that, too.

KIRKPATRICK
Being a police officer, do you screen the people that you associate with?

PHILLIP
Yes sir, I certainly try.

KIRKPATRICK
Do you screen the places that you frequent?

PHILLIP
I try and do that too, sir.

KIRKPATRICK
Weren't you informed about the code of ethics as a police officer?

PHILLIP
Yes sir, chief Kirkpatrick, I was.

KIRKPATRICK
When you're a servant of the law, you can't keep company with certain people or frequent certain places. Is that understood, officer Figueroa?

PHILLIP
Yes it is, chief Kirkpatrick.

KIRKPATRICK
No charges will be filed or disciplinary action taken, because there is a lack real evidence to prove there was a criminal conspiracy implemented.

PHILLIP
Okay.

KIRKPATRICK
Keep your nose clean and go out and arrest the bad guys.

PHILLIP
Will do, sir.

INT. FIFTH FLOOR OF HEADQUARTERS, TWO HOURS LATER - DAY

Chief MEYER KIRKPATRICK and BRITTANY are sitting across from one another inside his office.

KIRKPATRICK
Explain to me why you were coming out of that drug house out in Los Angeles, officer Goldberg.

BRITTANY
We weren't aware that that guy was a big-time drug dealer.

KIRKPATRICK
(suspicious stare)
What was your reason for being out in Los Angeles?

BRITTANY
We were vacationing out there.

KIRKPATRICK
I could've easily taken disciplinary action against you and officer Figueroa.

BRITTANY
I'm aware of that, chief.

KIRKPATRICK
Go out and arrest the bad guys.

BRITTANY
You've got it, chief.

INT. FIFTH FLOOR OF HEADQUARTERS, LATE EVENING - DAY

Chief KIRKPATRICK has summoned drug task force detective CARLO RUGGIERO and some lower-ranking police officers to his office.

KIRKPATRICK
I believe that Figueroa's mixed up in drugs.

RUGGIERO
Has this got to do with what happened out in Los Angeles?

KIRKPATRICK
Precisely, Ruggiero.

RUGGIERO
Something's gotta be done about that prick.

KIRKPATRICK
Figueroa claims that he didn't know it was a known drug house.

RUGGIERO
Figueroa is nothing but trouble, chief.

KIRKPATRICK
Goldberg's got a bright future with the police department and I'm not going to let Figueroa ruin it for her.

RUGGIERO
What does she see in that worthless nigger?

KIRKPATRICK
I want you men to keep a close eye on Figueroa. I want logs kept of his every more, that includes going and coming to work and what he does while on duty.

RUGGIERO
What about officer Goldberg?

KIRKPATRICK
Don't worry about her.

EXT. CORNER OF PROSPECT AVENUE AND MEYER BOULEVARD - DAY

PHILLIP and his partner, CRAIG FINCH, are riding in a police squad car in a very bad neighborhood of Kansas City. A dispatcher radios them on a call.

DISPATCHER
Attention unit fourteen.

PHILLIP
This is fourteen, go ahead.

DISPATCHER
We have a four-fifteen at Sixty-Ninth and Prospect.

PHILLIP
Ten-four.

INT. RUNDOWN HOUSE AT SIXTY-NINTH AND PROSPECT - DAY

PHILLIP and CRAIG are standing in the front room of a trashy and smelly residence. They're holding their billyclubs tightly while listening to a hysterical WOMAN.

PHILLIP
What's the problem, mam?

WOMAN
(cries loudly)
My sister's husband is back there beating her!

PHILLIP
We'll check it out.

PHILLIP and CRAIG step to the back room to check things out. A highly intoxicated MAN stands between the two officers.

PHILLIP (CONT'D)
What's the problem?

MAN
(slurred speech)
Ain't no problem, officer.

PHILLIP
Why did we get a call to his house?

MAN
Everything's okay here, officer.

The drunk MAN reaches to touch PHILLIP on the shoulder.

PHILLIP
Sir, don't touch me.

The man is still trying to make contact with PHILLIP.

MAN
But, officer.....

PHILLIP
Touch me again, you're going to jail.

MAN
Everything's fine here, officer.

PHILLIP
Why is your wife's face bruised up like that?

MAN
She fell down the stairs.

PHILLIP
You're lying!

MAN
No such thing happened.

PHILLIP looks across the room at the assaulted WOMAN.

PHILLIP
Mam, did he physically assault you?

WOMAN
(cries profusely)
Yes, yes, he did!

PHILLIP
Do you want to press charges?

WOMAN
Yes, I do!

EXT. FRONT OF HOUSE ON PROSPECT AVENUE - DAY

PHILLIP and CRAIG are placing the MAN in the back of their squad car.

INT. SOUTHERN PATROL DIVISION ON SIXTY-THIRD STREET - DAY

PHILLIP and CRAIG are escorting the MAN over to one of the booking officers at the division.

EXT. TROOST AVENUE AND SIXTY-THIRD STREET - DAY

BRITTANY and her partner, officer REX IRWIN, are patrolling an area of Kansas City that is also very bad. They both hear a DISPATCHER come over their radio.

DISPATCHER
Attention unit nine.

BRITTANY
Unit nine, go ahead.

DISPATCHER
We have a six-forty-seven near the vicinity of Swope Parkway and Sixty-Seventh Street.

BRITTANY
Do you have a description of the suspect?

DISPATCHER
Negative.

BRITTANY
Ten-four. 

EXT. SIXTY-SEVEN HUNDRED BLOCK OF SWOPE PARKWAY - DAY

BRITTANY and REX are cautiously approacing what appears to be a VARGRANT.

BRITTANY
Sir, we received a call about somone looking suspicious.

She firmly grasps the handle of her gun.

VARGRANT
I wasn't doing nothing wrong, officer.

BRITTANY
Residents near the park called about a suspicious person.

VAGRANT
(slurpy speech)
Spissish?

BRITTANY
That's the call we received.

VAGRANT
Can't a man walk freely around Kansas City?

BRITTANY
You can't walk around like you're about to commit a crime.

VAGRANT
Alright, I'll leave from around here.

EXT. CORNER OF SEVENTY-FIFTH AND TROOST AVENUE - DAY

PHILLIP is writing a speeding ticket for a motorist near a busy intersection. Detectives RUGGIERO and KRAMER are one block west keeping him under close surveillance.

INT. APARTMENT OF PHILLIP - NIGHT

PHILLIP and a well-known drug dealer, DALE CHERRY, a tall and slender-built African American male, are sitting on a sofa inside his apartment having a discussion.

PHILLIP
Why didn't you tell me MoFrog was a drug dealer?

DALE
Nobody out in L.A. knows what he does.

PHILLIP
(sarcastically)
Nobody but the goddam LAPD and the DEA!

DALE
MoFrog operates lowkey, Phil.

PHILLIP
Brittany and I got pulled over with guns and rifles shoved in our faces.

DALE
Whoa!

PHILLIP
The chief of police got deep off into my ass today.

DALE
Somebody's trying to set you up.

PHILLIP
Set me up?

DALE
Of course they are.

PHILLIP
I'll bet Brittany and I were followed out to L.A.

DALE
She's a pretty white girl with a killer body on her.

PHILLIP
You're right.

DALE
Sounds like they're trying to railroad you.

PHILLIP
You think so, Dale?

DALE
Brothers end up getting into trouble behind these white girls.

PHILLIP
Some Dale, not all.

DALE
Look, Phillip. I'm sorry for not telling you everything you should've known about MoFrog.

PHILLIP
Don't worry, I've got everything under control.

EXT. PARKING LOT OF APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT

DALE is getting into his shiny black Mercedes and RUGGIERO and KRAMER are still across the street making notes of the make and model of his car and the license plate numbers. RUGGIERO snaps a couple of photos of DALE and his car.

INT. APARTMENT AGAIN OF PHILLIP, NEXT DAY - DAY

RANDY is sitting on the sofa in the front room of PHILLIP'S residence. Up very close, RANDY is reading an article inside the metro section of The Kansas City Times newspaper that reads:  "KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI POLICE OFFICERS PHILLIP FIGUEROA AND BRITTANY GOLDBERG WERE SPOTTED BY LAPD NARCOTICS DETECTIVES AND THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL LEAVING A KNOWN DRUG HOUSE".

RANDY
How did the newspaper people find out about you and Brittany?

PHILLIP
The same way they find out about everything else.

RANDY
Does Brittany know about it?

PHILLIP
She's the one who called me and told me about it.

RANDY
The whole fucking world's gonna know when they're finished.

PHILLIP
(frustratingly)
Shit yeah!

RANDY
What did the police department here have to say?

PHILLIP
The chief of police got deep off into my ass and Brittany's ass too.

RANDY
Are they suspecting of you dealing drugs?

PHILLIP
Hope not.

RANDY
Yeah, me too. 

A very hard knock comes at the front door. PHILLIP opens it and the mother of his eldest son, RENEE BUTLER, a very attractive and curvaceously-built woman, storms into his apartment and throws a copy of The Kansas City Times at him.

RENEE
(shouts furiously)
I read that shit in the paper about you and that white girl!

PHILLIP
So.

RENEE
Everybody in Kansas City's talking about it.

RANDY folds a copy of the same paper and slips it under one of the sofa pillows.

RENEE (CONT'D)
They all want to know what you were doing out in L.A. with that white girl police officer.

PHILLIP
(snarls)
People need to mind their own goddam business!

RENEE
I personally want to know why you went out to L.A. with that white girl.

PHILLIP
Look, Renee, that's my fucking business! Okay?

RENEE
You have time to go out to L.A. with some slutty-whorish white bitch, but you can't spend time with your son.

PHILLIP
Drop it, Renee. Okay?

EXT. PARKING LOT OF APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT

PHILLIP, RANDY, and RENEE are getting inside his Mazada 626. Approximately two blocks south, detectives RUGGIERO and KRAMER are using powerful binoculars to take down the license plate numbers and the make of RANDY'S car.

INT. QUINCY'S NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

PHILLIP, RANDY, and RENEE are walking around the crowded dancefloor of the popular nightclub. PHILLIP is suddenly spotted by a high school classmate, JANICE, a tall and slender woman with long blonde curly hair and glossy hazel eyes.

JANICE
(a surprising shout)
Phillip!

PHILLIP
Janice!

The two come up and give one another a rather tight hug.

JANICE
Good to see you.

PHILLIP
What's been going on?

JANICE
Working hard.

PHILLIP
You married yet?

JANICE
Not yet. And yourself?

PHILLIP
No.

JANICE
Any children?

PHILLIP
A son.

JANICE
Ever see anybody from school?

PHILLIP
A few people here and there. You know how that goes.

JANICE
Take care of yourself, Phillip.

PHILLIP
You do the same, Janice.

At this point, RENEE is furious and it shows in her hateful facial expression.

RENEE
(yells lightly)
I'm ready to go!

PHILLIP
We just got here.

RENEE
I don't care.

PHILLIP
What's wrong with you, Renee?

RENEE
Take me home, Phillip.

PHILLIP
Fine.

EXT. INTERSTATE SEVENTY WEST - NIGHT

RANDY is driving up the highway while RENEE sits up front still in a hostile mood and PHILLIP sits in the back in a semi-tranquil mood.

PHILLIP
What's your problem?

RENEE
You hugging on that fucking white girl!

PHILLIP
Janice and I went to school together.

RENEE
Don't think for one second that I don't know about you and that white bitch Brittany.

PHILLIP
So?

RENEE
You and that white devil can go straight to hell.

PHILLIP
What's with all this bitterness that you black women have against white women?

RENEE
I think you and all these other black men can answer that question.

PHILLIP
You need to get a grip, baby.

RENEE
I've got a grip, a handle, and a hold. 

RENEE jerks her hands over to the door and quickly rolls her window down. RANDY looks over at her in a strange manner.

RANDY
Are you cold, Renee?

RENEE
Phillip done sat in here and farted.

PHILLIP moves up closer to the right side of RENEE'S face.

PHILLIP
You're smelling your upper lip.

RENEE
I know your farts, Phillip.

EXT. PARKING LOT OF APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT

RENEE jumps out of the Mazda and rushes over to her car and speeds out of the parking lot. RUGGIERO and KRAMER are in the same spot with their binoculars taking down the make of her car and the license plate numbers.

INT. APARTMENT OF RANDY - DAY

RANDY is looking at the front cover of three individual copies of the The Kansas City Times newspapers.

RANDY
(voice over)
Dam! Reading these stories has got me afraid to walk out the door. Is it that much craziness going on in Kansas City?

All three newspapers are sitting next to one another on the glass table. Randy averts his eyes to all three ads as they simultaneously read:

         "KANSAS CITY BECOMES HAVEN FOR CRIME"

         "HORRORS OF HOMICIDES IN KC TOP FBI LIST"

         "MURDER RATE IN KC JUMPS TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH" 

INT. SOUTHERN PATROL DIVISION - DAY

Detective RUGGIERO approaches BRITTANY as she stands at the report desk talking with a clerk.

RUGGIERO
Good afternoon, officer Goldberg.

BRITTANY
How are you doing, detective Ruggiero?

RUGGIERO
Can I speak with you privately?

BRITTANY
Sure.

RUGGIERO and BRITTANY step into a private room in the back of the division.

RUGGIERO
Are you dating officer Figueroa?

BRITTANY
(extremely arrogantly)
What business is that of yours? 

RUGGIERO
Figueroa's trouble.

BRITTANY
Trouble? How?

RUGGIERO
He's mixed up in drugs.

BRITTANY
(offensively)
That's a lie, detective, Ruggiero. Where in heaven's name are you getting this information?

RUGGIERO
Listen to me, officer Goldberg.

BRITTANY
Why?

RUGGIERO
He's the reason that you got into that horseshit out in Los Angeles. When he goes down, you're going down with him.

BRITTANY
Who says Phillip's going down?

RUGGIERO
You deserve better than someone like Figueroa, officer Goldberg. He's nothing but dirt and you know it.

BRITTANY
Let me worry about that, detective Ruggiero. 

BRITTANY rushes out of the room and right out the division. 

EXT. SXITY-SECOND AND PROSPECT AVENUE - DAY

A shiny black BMW with smoked windows and a large moonroof is speeding up near Sixty-Second Street right on Prospect Avenue, which is one of the most notorious streets in Kansas City, Missouri that stretches for several miles north and south. The car is doing about eighty miles per hour and is peeling excessive rubber. A young African-American woman, TERESA, and her two year old daughter, DELILAH, are watching the BMW speed up the crime-riddled busy avenue. Two men wearing black stocking caps and dark sunglasses descend from the roof holding a Kalashnikov AK47 7.62mm and a .357 magnum. They simultaneously fires volleys of rounds up at the residence. Within seconds, the bullet-ridden bodies of TERESA and DELILAH slump to the ground and streams of their blood trickle down the porch stairs. A NEIGHBOR from next door runs out of her house to rush to their comfort.

NEIGHBOR
(yells uncontrollably)
Oh my God! Somebody call an ambulance! Somebody get the police out here!

A WOMAN from a few houses down is running frantically up the street crying.

WOMAN
(shouts loudly)
Some goddam fools done shot up this girl and her baby!

EXT. CORNER OF TROOST AVENUE AND GREGORY BOULEVARD - DAY

PHILLIP and CRAIG are waiting for a red light to change at the busy intersection. A DISPATCHER suddenly comes over the radio.

DISPATCHER
Dispatcher eight to unit fourteen.

PHILLIP
This is fourteen, dispatcher eight, go ahead.

DISPATCHER
We have a one-eighty-seven near Sixty-Second and Prospect.

PHILLIP
We're en route to the scene.

DISPATCHER
Code three, unit fourteen, code three.

PHILLIP
Ten-four.

PHILLIP quickly switches on the siren and lights to the squad car and rushes towards the scene.

EXT. NEAR SIXTY-THIRD AND PROSPECT, AGAIN - DAY

PHILLIP and CRAIG arrive at the bloody murder scene of the double homicide. Crime scene tape covers the perimeter and a large host of squad cars, fire trucks, and ambulances are arriving. TERESA'S mother and DELILAH'S grandmother, LORRAINE, is crying frantically and nearly falling to the ground as she looks at the massacred bodies of her dead relatives.

LORRAINE
(cries furiously)
Why did they have to kill my babies!

PHILLIP steps over and tries to comfort LORRAINE.

PHILLIP
Try and calm down, mam. 

LORRAINE
But they killed my babies!

PHILLIP
We're going to take care of it.

Many of the neighbors are standing amongst one another crying and nodding their heads in total shock. Patrol officers and patrol sergeants are trying to keep the loud and restless crowd under control. News vans from every local news station in Kansas City are arriving at the murder scene with their reporters and camera crews. A homicide detective with the KCPD, JERRY OVERSTREET, is speaking with PHILLIP for some answers.

OVERSTREET
What've we got here, officer Figueroa?

PHILLIP
The next door neighbor said she heard gunshots and that a car sped up Prospect and shot everyone sitting on the porch.

OVERSTREET
Drive-by shooting?

PHILLIP
Yes, detective.

OVERSTREET
Look officer Figueroa, I don't want anybody touching anything until the coroners and crime lab people finish their work.

PHILLIP
Certainly, detective.

OVERSTREET
Where's the neighbor who heard the gunshots?

PHILLIP points over to where the crying and distraught NEIGHBOR is standing.

PHILLIP
She's right over there, detective Overstreet.

OVERSTREET walks over and begins to question the shook up NEIGHBOR.

OVERSTREET
Mam, give me a thorough description of what happened.

NEIGHBOR
(trembles slightly)
I heard somebody shooting and then ran outside to see what happened.

OVERSTREET
What'd you do after running outside?

NEIGHBOR
Looked around to see what had happened.

OVERSTREET
Were there any gunmen around?

NEIGHBOR
No, but there was a car speeding up the street.

OVERSTREET
What make and model of car was it?

NEIGHBOR
I have poor eyesight, Mr. Overstreet. I couldn't see that far.

OVERSTREET
Did you get a description of anyone inside the car?

NEIGHBOR
Mr. Overstreet, they were too far away.

OVERSTREET
We're going to need you to come down to headquarters and give a statement.

NEIGHBOR
Gladly, sir.

OVERSTREET
Thanks for your cooperation.

NEIGHBOR
It all just happened so fast. Seems like they didn't even have time to scream. 

Other neighbors along Prospect are being questioned by more homicide detectives. An attractive and graceful reporter with KCTB News Channel Seven, STEPHANIE HARRISON, is guiding her camera crews over towards PHILLIP for an interview. 

STEPHANIE
Officer Figueroa, explain to us what happened here at Sixty-Second and Prospect.

PHILLIP
Unfortunately, a drive-by shooting claimed two innocent lives.

STEPHANIE
Does the police have any leads or suspects?

PHILLIP
Not at this present time.

STEPHANIE
Is it fair to say that this double homicide is drug related?

PHILLIP
We're not for sure at this time.

STEPHANIE
Are there any witnesses who might help solve this case?

PHILLIP
Neighbors are being questioned and hopefully they'll help us solve these two senseless homicides.

STEPHANIE
Thank you, officer Figueroa.

PHILLIP
You're welcome.

STEPHANIE turns to look directly into one of the cameras before they're shut off.

STEPHANIE
This is Stephanie Harrison reporting live from Sixty-Second and Prospect. Back to you guys downtown.

Another homicide DETECTIVE discovers a spray painted slogan at the very corner of Sixty-Third Street and Prospect Avenue. He quickly summons for OVERSTREET to come up to the busy corner.

DETECTIVE
Hey, Jerry, check this out.

OVERSTREET looks down at the concrete and shakes his head.

OVERSTREET
Who in the hell's Double A?

DETECTIVE
Good question.

OVERSTREET
Must be a death wish message.

Spray painted in large black letters is the slogan: "Double A, Rest In Peace, Sucker!"

DETECTIVE
Someone's sending out a message.

OVERSTREET
Guess some street punks are letting this Double A character know that he's a marked man.

DETECTIVE
At least they gave him a warning.

OVERSTREET
I'll bet my life on it that whoever spray painted this slogan had something to do with these two killings.

DETECTIVE
Must agree with you, Jerry.

OVERSTREET
Question some of these people and find out if they know anyone who goes by that street name.

DETECTIVE
You've got it, boss.

Crime lab workers begin to snap photos of the vicious slogan. Empty shells and cartridges are dropped into plastic sacks while the slain victims are already in bodybags and being placed into the coroner's van. BRITTANY and PHILLIP are standing slightly against the crime scene tape conversing privately.

BRITTANY
Come by my place after you stop by Dale's.

PHILLIP
Is everything okay?

BRITTANY
I'll tell you when I see you later.

PHILLIP
Okay.

INT. UNIVERSAL TOWERS - NIGHT

RANDY is sitting at the middle of his sofa eating a turkey club sandwich while he watches the ten o'clock edition of the Channel Seven News. He jumps to his feet when he sees STEPHANIE HARRISON interviewing PHILLIP.

RANDY
Dam, that's Phillip!

He flips to all the local news stations and the same double homicide story is being reported.

EXT. BRENTWOOD APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT

PHILLIP is knocking at the door of DALE CHERRY at a semi-exclusive complex just off Bannister Road. Detectives RUGGIERO and KRAMER are across the street snapping photos of him standing outside the door and then move their cameras over to snap some other photos of his red corvette and Dale's black Mercedes-Benz.

INT. FRONT ROOM OF DALE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

PHILLIP is in a hostile mood as he is speaking with DALE about the horrific murders that occurred earlier.

PHILLIP
You heard about the woman and her daughter who got killed on Sixty-Second and Prospect today?

DALE
Saw it on Channel Seven News.

PHILLIP slowly lowers his head to his knees.

PHILLIP
Know anything about it?

DALE
Nothing at all.

PHILLIP
Don't think I don't know that you've got your boys running dope in some of those houses around that vicinity of Prospect.

DALE
What about it?

PHILLIP
(shouts)
Man! Two innocent people got killed today!

DALE
(unsympathetically)
So.

PHILLIP
You had some of your dope boys to shoot up that house. Didn't you, Dale?

DALE
That's a bunch of motherfucking bullshit!

PHILLIP
One of those guys who deals for you owes you a lot of money. Am I right, Dale?

DALE
I don't know nothing about those two people getting killed.

PHILLIP
(screams ferociously)
You're a lying-motherfucking-sack-of-goddam-lowlife-horseshit!

DALE
I'm not bullshitting with you, Phil.

PHILLIP
I'm a police officer now, Dale. I can't do the same shit that we used to do when we were a lot younger. Why can't you get that through your iron cast skull?

DALE
I'm being straight with you, man.

PHILLIP
If you're lying, I'll find out. If it turns out that you had something to do with those two murders, you're going to wish that you never existed.

EXT. WHISPERING OAKS APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT

PHILLIP has driven out to Shawnee Mission, Kansas to visit with BRITTANY. While he is standing at her front door knocking, RUGGIERO and KRAMER are snapping even more photos of him.

INT. FRONT ROOM OF BRITTANY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

BRITTANY is sitting seductively across the lap of PHILLIP wearing some sexy evening wear, as he sits comfortably on her plush velour sofa.

PHILLIP
What did you have to tell me?

BRITTANY
Detective Ruggiero made some subversive comments about you?

PHILLIP
Comments like what?

BRITTANY
He said you're trouble and you're into drugs.

PHILLIP
(very surprisingly)
Are you serious, Britt?

BRITTANY
Yes, Phillip, I am.

PHILLIP
What would make him say that I'm into drugs?

BRITTANY
For starters, the trip we took out to L.A.

PHILLIP
For Godsake's, people just won't give it a rest.

BRITTANY
He blames you for the reason why we got into that trouble out in California.

PHILLIP
Did he say anything else?

BRITTANY suddenly pauses and nods her head.

BRITTANY
He said that when you go down, I'm going down with you.

PHILLIP
I believe that the department's going to try and set me up. How they're going to do it and where they're going to do it remains to be seen.

BRITTANY
How? Are you starting to have premonitions about all this?

PHILLIP
The sneaky bastards probably got something up their sleeves.

BRITTANY
Better keep your guards up.

PHILLIP
Every since that bullshit happened out in L.A., things have gotten bent out of shape here in Kansas City. Going out there is one trip we'll both live to regret.

BRITTANY leans forward to kiss PHILLIP and erotically glides her tongue along the base of his neck.

BRITTANY
Let's forget about those losers and make mad love to one another.

PHILLIP
Sounds like a sexy plan to me.

PHILLIP and BRITTANY undress into the total nude and begin to make passionate love on the huge sofa.

INT. EXCLUSIVE MANSION OUT IN MISSION HILLS, KANSAS - DAY

BRITTANY and her father, DON GOLDBERG, a fifty-seven year old wealthy Jewish entrepeneur, are in the exquisitely decorated guest room standing over by the fireplace. DON is holding up a statement for credit card purchases.

DON
Can you explain this?

BRITTANY
Explain what, dad?

DON
Nearly maxing out this platinum card.

BRITTANY
You didn't give me any limits as to how much I could spend.

DON
But nearly all of it wasn't to be spent on that black guy who's on the police force with you.

BRITTANY
The black guy Phillip?

DON
The one who you vacationed out in Los Angeles with.

BRITTANY
News has traveled all over town.

DON
What all did you buy him? Is this guy your prince charming or something?

BRITTANY
Why are you worried about who I spend it on, dad?

DON holds the statement up closer to his face for clearer viewing purposes.

DON
Let's see, you charged a double occupancy room along with room service at The Marina Pacific Hotel in Los Angeles. You charged a two-piece men's Versace suit that costed over a thousand dollars, a watch and bracelet at the Gucci shop, shirts and slacks from the Polo shop, and men's shoes from Bally's. You two just had a really good time out there. Didn't you?

BRITTANY
Would it make you feel better, dad, if I would've maxed out that platinum card on a wealthy-aristocratic guy with PhDs from Harvard and Yale?

DON
Your in investment in him would've been more substantial than that black guy that you went out there with. 

BRITTANY
How did you find out about Phillip and I going out to L.A.?

DON
They've even told me that he drives your car.

BRITTANY
Who's they, dad?  A detective named Carlo Ruggiero? Better yet, a jerk named Carlo Ruggiero who wants to date me but I refuse to date him.

DON
If you plan on keeping this platinum card, then I'd suggest you spend it wisely, young lady.

BRITTANY
You're trying to tell me that you don't want me dating Phillip? Why don't you just spit it on out, dad?

DON
(hesitates)
Well......

BRITTANY
Because he's black? Right?

DON
(hesitates stronger)
Well.....I'd.....

BRITTANY
I didn't think you did. 

DON
You don't need to be frequenting places in the inner-city around those type of people. Especially since there's ruthless people who recognize cops out of uniform.

BRITTANY
Remember dad, I'm a police officer. It's my job to be in the inner-city around those type of people.

DON
Haven't you heard about all the bodies of those black girls they've been finding in Gillham and Swope Park, the ones who've been raped and strangled and junk shoved down their throats?  What about the white girls they've been finding floating in the Missouri River with their arms and legs cut off?

BRITTANY
Unfortunately dad, those same women were linked to drugs and prostitution.

DON
Honey, please be careful. I don't want to be watching the news or reading in the paper about something drastic happening to my only daughter.

BRITTANY
I'm always careful, dad.

BRITTANY exits the guest room and DON picks up the phone to call RUGGIERO on his mobile phone inside the detective's car.

DON
(into the phone)
Hey, Carlo, thanks for all the information.

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
Anything for a dear friend, Don.

DON
(into the phone)
I'll be getting the money to you real soon.

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
Anytime's fine. 

DON
(into the phone)
Hope I talked some sense into my daughter. Her future's in jeopardy and she doesn't care if it goes down the drain.

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
Don't worry, Don, Figueroa won't be around too much longer.

DON
(into the phone)
Sure hope he doesn't. I can't afford to allow her to bring shame into this family.

INT. FIFTH FLOOR OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

Chief KIRKPATRICK is in his office leaning back in his black leather recliner. RUGGIERO opens a large manila folder and he hands over to his boss some vital papers and color photos.

KIRKPATRICK
What do you have for me, Carlo?

RUGGIERO
Figueroa's been keeping company with a known dope dealer.

KIRKPATRICK is holding one photo in each hand up to the bright ceiling light.

KIRKPATRICK
How well-known is this dealer?

RUGGIERO
Got several dope houses operating along Prospect.

KIRKPATRICK
Possibly in the vicinity where that double homicide took place?

RUGGIERO
Very possible, chief.

KIRKPATRICK
Who's the fella who owns the black Mercedes?

RUGGIERO produces photos of DALE CHERRY and hands them over to KIRKPATRICK. 

RUGGIERO
His name's Dale Cherry.

KIRKPATRICK
Any prior convictions?

RUGGIERO
Indicted and convicted for narcotics trafficking back in eighty-two.

KIRKPATRICK
How much time did he serve?

RUGGIERO
Three and a half years on a five year sentence.

KIRKPATRICK
Where did he serve his time?

RUGGIERO
Leavenworth.

KIRKPATRICK
Didn't you say that this Dale Cherry fella is operating a lot of dope houses around Kansas City?

RUGGIERO
Absolutely, chief. He probably stays away from the houses that his lowlevel dealers are operating for him.

KIRKPATRICK
I'm going to have Figueroa moved to the Northern Patrol Division down at the north end.

RUGGIERO
How about placing him at a post or at a beat?

KIRKPATRICK
That's a thought.

RUGGIERO
Hey, chief, how's that investigation of that double homicide that happened on Sixty-Second and Prospect coming along?

KIRKPATRICK
Overstreet and other homicide detectives are working hard on it. They hope to bring it under raps pretty soon.

RUGGIERO
Any leads so far?

KIRKPATRICK
Overstreet and his guys are still trying to figure out who this 'Double A' character is.

RUGGIERO
Double A?

KIRKPATRICK opens one of the drawers to his desk and hands RUGGIERO a photo of the death warranted slogan that was spray painted on the concrete at the double homicide scene.

RUGGIERO (CONT'D)
(hissfully repeats)
Double A, Rest In Peace, Sucker? 

KIRKPATRICK
We find out who this Double A fella is, we can put this case under raps.

RUGGIERO
Sounds like Double A is marked for death.

KIRKPATRICK
Listen, I want Figueroa put under tighter surveillance. I want the patrol supervisor, the watch commander, the desk sergeant, and everybody else to keep a closer eye on him, even when he's not out patrolling the streets.

RUGGIERO
Right away, chief.

INT.   PHILLIP'S APARTMENT - DAY

RANDY is sitting on the sofa in the front room of PHILLIP'S apartment staring at the front page of a recent copy of the Los Angeles Time. A large color photo of the notorious L.A. drug dealer named MoFrog is on the upper middle section.

RANDY
Is this the guy they call MoFrog?

PHILLIP
Yeah, that's him.

RANDY
Same guy who showed you and Brittany around L.A.?

PHILLIP
Yeah.

RANDY
Shucks, he looks just like a frog.

PHILLIP
Guess that's where he got that nickname from.

RANDY
This L.A. Times is talking about the same things that go on here in Kansas City.

PHILLIP
What things?

RANDY
Homeless people, drugs, AIDS, crack-addicted babies, abusive homes, screwed-up lives, insane bastards, and even corrupt police officers.

PHILLIP
Crack was put out there to kill off black people.

RANDY
Genocide?

PHILLIP
Nothing but the system keeping us down.

A series of thunderous knocks suddenly sound off at the front door. PHILLIP opens the door and RENEE storms through very angrily

RENEE
Why are you still screwing around with that white bitch on the police force?

PHILLIP
Brittany's not a bitch.

RENEE
She's a blonde-haired, blue-eyed devil!

PHILLIP
You know, that's the reason why I'm with Brittany now. You black women give off so much negative attitude.

RENEE
Really? I know plenty of white girls with fucked up attitudes.

PHILLIP
Not nearly as much as you dam black women.

RENEE
There's a shitload of white girls who can roll their eyes much better than any black woman. If you don't think so, then ask some of these white boys who are dating or married to them.

PHILLIP
If you came here to argue, then why don't you just leave.

RENEE
Why don't you get some money from that rich white bitch?

PHILLIP
I don't need her money. Okay? I get up and go to work everyday to earn my living.

RENEE
All these other black men are using white girls for their money. Why don't you get on the bandwagon and cash in, too?

PHILLIP
Why don't you shut your fucking mouth!

RENEE
You'll shut me up when you start spending time with your son and paying child support.

PHILLIP stares over at RANDY with a sorrowful, guilty expression. RENEE jerks open the front door and storms outside.

INT. THE HURRICANE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

PHILLIP and BRITTANY are inside a packed nightclub in the popular Westport section of Kansas City. They are standing far off near the restrooms having a very private conversation.

PHILLIP
What's wrong, Britt?

Brittany has her head lowered in complete sadness while she sips on a cocktail.

BRITTANY
I'll tell you later.

PHILLIP
You can tell me now.

BRITTANY
I don't want to talk about it now.

PHILLIP
Why are you acting so different tonight?

BRITTANY
I'll explain it all later.

INT. WHISPERING OAKS APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT

PHILLIP is gently holding BRITTANY in his arms as they are in the front room sitting on the sofa, comforting her while she cries on his shoulder.

PHILLIP
Are you pregnant, Britt?

She consistently cries as they both rock back and forth on the plush velour sofa.

BRITTANY
Yes, Phillip, I am.

PHILLIP
When did you find out?

BRITTANY
I found out when I went to the doctor the other day.

PHILLIP
How far along are you?

BRITTANY
A little over six weeks.

PHILLIP
Dam! I'm not ready for all of this. 

BRITTANY
I don't know what to do, Phillip!

PHILLIP takes a deep breath and stares into her eyes.

PHILLIP
You'll just have to get an abortion. 

BRITTANY strongly pulls away from PHILLIP, profusely wiping her watery eyes.

BRITTANY
No fucking way!

PHILLIP
Why not?

BRITTANY
My family's Catholic.

PHILLIP
So.

BRITTANY
Abortion's murder, Phillip.

PHILLIP
It's no worse than the people who get killed everyday out on the streets.

BRITTANY
A lot of those people are criminals, anyway.

PHILLIP
True.

BRITTANY
The Catholic church is totally against abortion.

PHILLIP
Who cares what they're against?

BRITTANY
My morals are against abortion.

PHILLIP
I'll pay for the abortion.

BRITTANY
I don't have any say in this?

PHILLIP
You're not ready to be a mother, Britt. You've got your whole career ahead of you.

BRITTANY
We made this child growing inside of me together and we're going to deal with it together.

PHILLIP
(snarls)
Shiiiitttt!

BRITTANY
I'm having this baby, Phillip.

PHILLIP
But, I'm not ready to be a father again.

BRITTANY steps up to PHILLIP and tightly wraps her arms around him.

BRITTANY
Will you marry me?

PHILLIP
(rejectful voice)
I can't do that, Britt.

BRITTANY
Why not?

PHILLIP
That'll screw up both of our careers as police officers.

BRITTANY
How?

PHILLIP
Look at the bullshit that the department's trying to do to me. Right now, my future with them isn't looking too bright.

BRITTANY
Whether you marry me or not, I'm still having this baby.

INT. RANDY'S APARTMENT - DAY

RANDY is home at Universal Towers on his lunchbreak talking with PHILLIP on the telephone.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Guess what?

RANDY
(into the phone)
I'm all ears.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Brittany is pregnant.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Say what!

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Look, I need a big favor from you.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Anything, Phil, anything.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
I need to borrow three-hundred dollars.

RANDY
(into the phone)
I can get you two-hundred.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
I'm trying to talk Brittany into getting an abortion.

RANDY
(into the phone)
She's from one of those rich Jewish families. Can't they pay for it?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
That's beside the point, Randy.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Is Brittany against getting an abortion?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Says she's Catholic and it's totally against her religious beliefs.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Guess that's a good enough reason.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
I wanna make an appointment for her to go to planned parenthood. Guess all that fucking we've been doing finally caught up with us.

RANDY
(into the phone)
Not practicing safe sex has it's consequences, Phil.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
That's certainly the truth.

RANDY
(into the phone)
How soon do you need the money?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Soon as possible.

RANDY
(into the phone)
You've got it.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Thanks a mill, Randy.

RANDY hangs up the phone and walks out the door.

INT. SOUTHERN PATROL DIVISION - DAY

Senior Patrol officer, STEWART BAYLESS, is speaking with police officers inside the briefing and roll call room.  PHILLIP and other fellow officers listen and take notes on his briefing.

STEWART
The double homicide that occurred at the Sixty-Second hundred block of Prospect remains unsolved. We know that there's several drug houses operating in that area.

PHILLIP sits in his chair with a very suspenseful look on his face.

STEWART (CONT'D)
This slogan was spray painted on the sidewalks all along Prospect. The department has learned that this Double A subject is a black male, twenty-five years of age, standing five feet nine and weighs approximately one-hundred and sixy-five pounds. He uses the alias name "Double A" out on the streets among his drug associates.

STEWART produces another photo, which is the suspect, Double A, and once again it's passed around among the officers.

STEWART (CONT'D)
The real name of this subject is Anthony Anderson. He has prior narcotics convictions and still roams the streets of Kansas City. This suspect is to be apprehended with precaution.

PHILLIP stares hard at the photo of the spray painted slogan, 'Double A, Rest In Peace, Sucker'.

EXT. ONE BLOCK WEST OF FIFTY FIFTH AND PROSPECT - DAY

PHILLIP and CRAIG are checking the car of a SUSPECT after responding to a 911 call from a suspicious neighbor. PHILLIP finds a ziploc storage bag filled with smaller cellophane bags of crack-cocaine. He abruptly flashes the bag in front of the SUSPECT, who is against the car in handcuffs.

PHILLIP
You know how much time you can get for this?

SUSPECT
No.

RUGGIERO and KRAMER are two blocks away in an unmarked car snapping photos of PHILLIP holding the ziploc bag.

PHILLIP
You've got enough dope here to put you away for at least fifty years.

SUSPECT
I'm just our here trying to survive, brother.

PHILLIP
Are you working for Dale Cherry?

SUSPECT
Yeah, I'm helping him sell the product.

PHILLIP
I'm going to give your black ass a break this time.

SUSPECT
Thanks a lot, brother. I'm getting out of this game for good.

PHILLIP
I'm going to get rid of this fucking dope. Now, get the hell out of here.

While PHILLIP is uncuffing the SUSPECT, CRAIG is staring at him in total bewilderment.

CRAIG
Do you realize what you just did?

PHILLIP
Let it go, Craig.

CRAIG
If we got caught doing this, not only will we get fired, we'll end up in jail with all the rest of them crack pushing motherfuckers.

PHILLIP
Forget it happened, Craig.

CRAIG
I've got a wife and three kids to support.

PHILLIP
Nobody saw nothing, so let it ride. 

EXT. CORNER OF PROSPECT AND GREGORY BOULEVARD - DAY

FOUR OFFICERS in two separate squad cars swoop in on ANTHONY "DOUBLE A" ANDERSON at a very busy intersection. The officers jump out with their semi-automatic pistols drawn.

FOUR OFFICERS
(in a commanding unison)
Hold it right there! Get your hands up in the air!

DOUBLE A is handcuffed and thrown into the back of one of the squad cars.

INT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS, THIRD FLOOR - DAY

Detective OVERSTREET questions DOUBLE A from opposite sides of a table inside a small and dim interrogation room.

OVERSTREET
We know why that house on Sixty-Second and Prospect was shot up.

DOUBLE
Why?

OVERSTREET
Because of you.

DOUBLE A
You can't prove it.

OVERSTREET
You're accessory to that double homicide, Anthony.

DOUBLE A
How's that?

OVERSTREET
(shouts authoritatively)
Don't you even care who killed your girlfriend and your daughter? Now, cooperate with me in every way!

DOUBLE A sits there motionless shedding light tears.

DOUBLE A
Alright, I'll be straight with you, detective.

OVERSTREET
Do you have any idea who spray-painted those threatening slogans on the sidewalk?

DOUBLE A
I know who the person is.

OVERSTREET
Well, who was it?

DOUBLE A
Somebody that I owed a lot of money for drugs.

OVERSTREET
Do you have a name?

DOUBLE A
Dale Cherry.

OVERSTREET
So, he's fully responsible for shooting up that house on Sixty-Second and Prospect?

DOUBLE A
Can't be no one else but him.

OVERSTREET
We believe Dale's responsible for other murders around Kansas City.

DOUBLE A jumps out of the chair and points a wavering finger at OVERSTREET.

DOUBLE A
He fucking killed my girlfriend and my baby girl!

OVERSTREET
Hey, hey, calm down, Anthony.

DOUBLE A
I'm going to get even with them motherfuckers!

OVERSTREET
Now, now, take it easy, guy. These people are still very serious about killing you.

DOUBLE A
What is the police department going to do now?

OVERSTREET
We believe that you can help us bring Dale Cherry down.

DOUBLE A
How?

OVERSTREET
By going undercover as an informant.

DOUBLE A
They'll kill me!

OVERSTREET
You won't have any direct contact with Dale or his closest associates.

DOUBLE A
This is all sounding too scary, detective.

OVERSTREET
Our narcotics division will have you under twenty-four hour surveillance, especially during the controlled buys.

DOUBLE A
I don't want to be screwed around, detective.

OVERSTREET
You'll get the best protection possible.

DOUBLE A
Let's do this for my lady and my baby girl. God rest both of their souls.

INT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS, HOURS LATER - DAY

RUGGIERO once again is meeting privately with KIRKPATRICK in his office. They are exchanging color photos back and forth.

KIRKPATRICK
What's Figueroa doing here?

RUGGIERO
Letting dope dealers go scott free.

KIRKPATRICK
What's he holding in his hand?

RUGGIERO
That's a bag full of dope, chief.

KIRKPATRICK
Who's the fella they've pulled over?

RUGGIERO
Believed to be a known dealer around the Fifty-Fifth and Prospect area.

KIRKPATRICK
Did Figueroa and Finch make an arrest?

RUGGIERO
Neither one of them did. James and I closely surveilled everything at the scene.

KIRKPATRICK
Figueroa's protecting these drug-punks around Kansas City?

RUGGIERO
He certainly is, chief.

KIRKPATRICK
I want officer Finch in my office right now.

RUGGIERO
Right away, chief.

CRAIG walks into KIRKPATRICK'S office less than an hour after he was summoned and takes a seat.

KIRKPATRICK
The department has received information that officer Figueroa is protecting drug dealers.

CRAIG
That's quite true, sir.

KIRKPATRICK
Explain it to me, officer Finch.

CRAIG
We received a call near Fifty-Fifth and Prospect.

KIRKPATRICK
What type of call were you responding to?

CRAIG
A ten-sixty-six, sir.

KIRKPATRICK
Alright, go ahead.

CRAIG
We arrived at the scene and the suspect was sitting in an early model Lincoln Continental.

KIRKPATRICK
What happened next?

CRAIG
We had him to step out of the car and handcuffed him. Then, we did our routine search and seizure of his car. Officer Figueroa found a large ziploc storage bag full of crack-cocaine.

KIRKPATRICK
Continue.

CRAIG
He told the suspect that he was looking at some serious time for having that much drugs in his possession.

KIRKPATRICK
What was the suspect's name?

CRAIG
I don't remember.

KIRKPATRICK
Didn't you check him for identification?

CRAIG
I would've checked him myself, but officer Figueroa took charge.

KIRKPATRICK
Go ahead.

CRAIG
He mentioned some guy named Dale Cherry.

KIRKPATRICK
Were you aware that Dale Cherry is under investigation?

CRAIG
No sir, I wasn't.

KIRKPATRICK
Did officer Figueroa say anything significant about Dale Cherry?

CRAIG
He asked the suspect whether or not he was selling drugs for Dale.

KIRKPATRICK
His answer being?

CRAIG
He said that he was selling the product for Dale.

KIRKPATRICK
The product being drugs of course?

CRAIG
Yes sir.

KIRKPATRICK
What happened next?

CRAIG
Officer Figueroa told this guy that he'd give him a break this time.

KIRKPATRICK
He didn't bother to arrest him or write a report about the incident?

CRAIG
No sir.

KIRKPATRICK
Officer Figueroa will be assigned to the Northern Patrol Division starting next week. For strict confidential purposes, he's under close surveillance by the department. We believe he's been involved with drug trafficking for quite some time. Make sure you keep that under your belt. Is that understood, officer Finch?

CRAIG
I will, sir.

KIRKPATRICK
Keep your nose clean. You've got a bright future with the police department.

CRAIG
Will do, sir.

KIRKPATRICK
Now go out and arrest the bad guys. 

EXT. CORNER OF PROSPECT AND THIRTY-FIFTH STREET - DAY

PHILLIP has been transferred to the Northern Patrol Division. He and his new partner, officer RICHARD YEARBY, are receiving a call from one of the DISPATCHERS as they are cruising pass a busy intersection.

DISPATCHER
Dispatcher twenty-five to unit fourteen.

PHILLIP
Go ahead.

DISPATCHER
We have a four-fifteen at the corner of Thirty-Ninth and Prospect.

PHILLIP
Ten-four.

EXT. CORNER OF PROSPECT AND THIRTY-NINTH STREET - DAY

PHILLIP and RICHARD arrive at the scene of a domestic disturbance involving a CRACK-ADDICTED MAN and a CRACK-ADDICTED WOMAN.

PHILLIP
What's the problem here?

CRACK-ADDICTED WOMAN
He stole some shit out of my apartment!

PHILLIP
What things?

CRACK-ADDICTED WOMAN
(stutters profusely)
He....he....

The CRACK-ADDICTED MAN steps up to PHILLIP and starts shouting.

CRACK-ADDICTED MAN
She's a fucking liar, officer!

PHILLIP
Watch your mouth.

CRACK-ADDICTED MAN
Sorry.

PHILLIP
We're going to end up taking both of you to jail.

CRACK-ADDICTED MAN
For what?

PHILLIP
For disturbing the peace.

PHILLIP and RICHARD escorts the CRACK-ADDICTED MAN over to the side of their squad car and frisks him. PHILLIP stuffs his hands down into his pockets and finds four small bags of crack-cocaine and an overused crack pipe.

PHILLIP (CONT'D)
Look at what I found here. Is this what you stole from her?

CRACK-ADDICTED MAN
No sir, officer. None of that stuff belongs to her.

PHILLIP
Do you know how much time this'll get you?

CRACK-ADDICTED MAN
Time?

PHILLIP
You wanna go around stealing other people's drugs so you can get high?

CRACK-ADDICTED MAN
No I don't, officer.

PHILLIP
You need to get cleaned up and find something better else to do with your life.

CRACK-ADDICTED MAN
(a weak outcry)
I'm trying my hardest to stop getting high, officer.

PHILLIP
I'm going to give you a break this time.

CRACK-ADDICTED MAN
You won't never have to worry about seeing me again, officer. 

PHILLIP holds the bags of crack and the pipe in his palm for wide-open viewing purposes. RUGGIERO and KRAMER are on the side of an abandoned building just down the block. They are snapping a series of photos of PHILLIP holding the drugs and paraphernalia.

PHILLIP
I guess you think it's legal to use and sell crack. This is enough to have you arrested, prosecuted, and sent to jail for a long time. You two need to get a grip on it.

The CRACK-ADDICTED MAN and the CRACK-ADDICTED WOMAN are looking at PHILLIP with regretful expressions. PHILLIP drops the drugs and pipe on the ground and crushes them into the dirt with the hard sole of his shoe.

RICHARD
You're going to just let them go?

PHILLIP
Don't worry about, Rich.

RICHARD
But we can get into deep shit for this.

PHILLIP
Let it go, Rich, let it go.

RICHARD
You're putting our jobs in jeopardy, Phillip.

PHILLIP
Everything'll be fine, Rich. 

RUGGIERO and KRAMER are still snapping photos with their high-powered zoom lens camera and using their binoculars.

RUGGIERO
That prick Figueroa is nothing but a drug dealer in a police uniform.

KRAMER
If every cop on the force was like Figueroa, dealers would take over the entire city.

RUGGIERO
How much more evidence does the chief need for us to haul Figueroa's ass in?

KRAMER
Not much more, Carlo. Not much more, my friend.

RUGGIERO
We'll make him sorry that he ever became a police officer.

INT. PRIVATE ROOM INSIDE FAST STOP LIQUORS AND DELI - DAY

Notorious drug dealer DALE CHERRY and a liquor store owner, TOMMY GALLUCCIO, a baggy-eyed and balding Italian man, are in a secretive room discussing a major drug transaction.

DALE
My partner out in L.A. got busted.

GALLUCCIO
What partner?

DALE
MoFrog.

GALLUCCIO
Didn't he keep you supplied?

DALE
With at least ten keys a pop.

GALLUCCIO
This'll screw up the coke pipeline that came out of L.A. and right here into Kansas City.

DALE
MoFrog getting busted by the feds might hurt all of us, Tommy.

GALLUCCIO
What are we going to do now?

DALE
Have to find new connections.

GALLUCCIO
Where from, Dale?

DALE
My boys make runs out to California and down to Florida all the time.

GALLUCCIO
Where do they get their supply from?

DALE
Where else? The fucking Colombians and the Cubans.

GALLUCCIO
How were they getting it to MoFrog's boys?

DALE
Boats and planes are pushing that shit straight through Florida, Texas, and California.

GALLUCCIO
Let me know when you hear something.

DALE
I'll contact some people out in California and get back with you.  The good thing is that MoFrog's still got some of his boys out on the streets.

GALLUCCIO
Sounds good.

EXT. PROSPECT AND THRITY-FIFTH STREET - DAY

The owner of Fast Stop Liquors and Deli, TOMMY GALLUCCIO, stands at a very busy corner engaged in a furious debate with an alcoholic-vagrant, nicknamed SOUPBONE among his street associates, and the two men can't come to a peaceful resolution.

GALLUCCIO
What the fuck did I tell you about panhandling in front of my store?

SOUPBONE
I wasn't panhandling.

GALLUCCIO
All you ever do is interrupt business in front of here. You're always harassing my fucking customers.

SOUPBONE
I ain't harassed nobody.

GALLUCCIO
Customers make complaints about you all the time. Everyday goddam day it's the same bullshit with you.

SOUPBONE
You don't own this sidewalk. This property belongs to the city.

GALLUCCIO
All of this property around here is mine's. All of this here belongs to me, you fucking prick.

SOUPBONE is swaying back and forth from being quite intoxicated.

SOUPBONE
(slurpy voice)
Fuck you!

GALLUCCIO
What did you say, you fucking nigger?

SOUPBONE
You heard me the first time.

GALLUCCIO
Go ahead, you fucking moolie, say it again.

SOUPBONE
I said fuck you.

SOUPBONE reaches into his pocket for a pint of gin. GALLUCCIO becomes fearful that it may be a weapon.

SOUPBONE (CONT'D)
Keep fucking with me, I'll kill your dago ass.

GALLUCCIO
Wait right here.

GALLUCCIO storms into the store and returns to the corner with a baseball bat drawn high over his shoulders.

GALLUCCIO (CONT'D)
What the fuck did you say you'll do to me?

SOUPBONE is still sliding the bottle out of his pocket. GALLUCCIO projects his full attention to his hand and pants pocket.

SOUPBONE
I said I'll kill your ass.

GALLUCCIO swiftly strikes SOUPBONE in the back of his head with the most powerful blow.

GALLUCCIO
Nobody calls me a dago, you fucking nigger? What're you going to do, take a gun out and blow my brains all over this nice and clean sidewalk?

GALLUCCIO strikes SOUPBONE a couple of more times in the back and on the side of his head with even more severe blows.

GALLUCCIO (CONT'D)
I'll kill you! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!

SOUPBONE quickly slumbers to the ground holding the back of his severely fractured skull, trying hard to stop the excessive bleeding. He is dead after a few short minutes of lying stretched across the concrete. Blood has soaked his entire shirt and a small puddle has stained the sidewalk. Neighbors from around Prospect and customers from inside the store form a massive crowd around the brutally beaten SOUPBONE and look down at him with sympathy. A witness to whole incident, RONALD JACKSON, who stood several yards up the steet, walks up to GALLUCCIO holding a small sack.

RONALD
You didn't have to kill Soupbone.

GALLUCCIO
(huffing and puffing)
He threatened to kill me first.

By now, GALLUCCIO is sweating profusely while holding the bloody bat in his left hand. 

RONALD
You beat him like he was some type of animal.

GALLUCCIO
Besides, he was reaching for something in his pocket.

RONALD
But you still didn't have to do him like that.

GALLUCCIO
I did what I had to do.

Two CLERKS from inside the store come out and escorts GALLUCCIO away from the angry crowd. A stirred up WOMAN among the people penetrates her way up to the slain body of SOUPBONE.

WOMAN
Call an ambulance! Call the police! This man's head is split wide open! 

EXT. NEAR VICINITY OF PROSPECT AND THIRTY-FIRST STREET - DAY

PHILLIP and RICHARD are patrolling the north vicinity of Thirty-First to Twenty-Seventh and Prospect. A DISPATCHER clearly comes over their radio to announce the tragic homicide.

DISPATCHER
Dispatcher thirty-one to unit fourteen.

PHILLIP
Go ahead, thirty-one.

DISPATCHER
We have a one-eighty-seven at the corner of Thirty-Fifth and Prospect.

PHILLIP
Ten-four.

RICHARD
Wonder what that homicide is about?

PHILLIP
We'll soon find out.

PHILLIP switches on the sirens and they rush towards the scene. 

EXT. CORNER OF PROSPECT AND THIRTY-FIFTH STREET, LATER - DAY

PHILLIP AND RICHARD arrive at the scene of the bloody homicide and ambulances and squad cars are parked all along Prospect.  They begin to assist other officers in processing the scene. Mild chaos has broken out and officers are trying to disperse the rowdy crowd. Homicide detective ROBERT NOLL from the Northern Patrol Division arrives and comes up to PHILLIP for details.

ROBERT
What do we have here, Figueroa?

PHILLIP
Some vagrant who panhandled regularly here in front of Fast Stop Liquors.

ROBERT
What was the motive?

PHILLIP
The owner says he interrupted business and threatened to kill him.

PHILLIP and ROBERT go over to the stretcher where SOUPBONE has been placed in a bodybag. PHILLIP opens the bag and ROBERT notices the wide open split in the back of his skull.

ROBERT
Jeeeezzzzuuuussss!

PHILLIP
Same thing I said, detective Noll.

ROBERT
Where's the owner now?

PHILLIP
Inside the store talking with other detectives.

ROBERT
Any witnesses?

PHILLIP
A couple, I think.

ROBERT
Okay Figueroa, I want you and the other guys from the NPD to finish processing the scene and let's get the body fingerprinted.

PHILLIP
Right away detective Noll.

A highly upset BYSTANDER from among the crowd steps forward and glances over at all the officers and detectives processing the scene.

BYSTANDER
Why are they sending all those white police officers into our neighborhood, anyway?

PHILLIP
Alright, calm down people.

BYSTANDER
We all should bust through that crime scene tape and straighten their asses out.

People in the crowd are shouting and becoming more restless.

PHILLIP
Go home and calm down, people.

BYSTANDER
Those white police officers were treating Soupbone like a dog before they put him in the bodybag and onto that stretcher.

For precautionary measures, officers are gripping the handles of their pistols and billyclubs.

PHILLIP
Either go home or we're going to start making arrests.

BYSTANDER
Dead black people don't mean nothing to white people.

ROBERT turns to four uniform officers for further instructions.

ROBERT
Guys, I'd appreciate it if you could finish your work at the morgue. Let's get the body in the coroner's van and close up the scene. To be frank with you, I don't want to die at this corner on Prospect.

The same BYSTANDER shouts a rageful militant statement.

BYSTANDER
The most frightening thing in the world is a white man with a badge and a gun!

INT. AUTOPSY ROOM - EVENING

Dr. ANTHONY MCKINNIS, a highly skilled Jackson County medical examiner, is inside an autopsy room at the Harry S. Truman Medical Center closely examining the severe fractures across SOUPBONE'S skull.

INT. MORGUE - EVENING

The mother and brother of SOUPBONE, LULA MAE and TERRANCE, are at the morgue inside the hospital standing at the cooler that holds the body of SOUPBONE. One of the workers pulls back the white sheet for them to view the body.

LULA MAE
My baby! Why did something like this have to happen to Soupbone?

TERRANCE
Because that bastard who owns that liquor store thinks he can kill black people and get away with it.

LULA MAE
(cries uncontrollably)
Look at where he beat open the back of Soupbone's head!

TERRANCE
I see it, mamma. He beat Soupbone like he was an animal.

LULA MAE
We're going to leave it in God's hands.

TERRANCE
Slavery time is long over, mamma. White people have dominated us long enough.

LULA MAE
Hush talking that foolishness, boy.

TERRANCE
They can beat us, they can cheat us, they can rob us, they can rape us, and they can definitely kill us. They'll look at Soupbone as one less  worthless nigger they have to deal with.

LULA MAE
Stop all the crazy talk, boy.

EXT. PROSPECT AND THIRTY-FIFTH STREET, NEXT DAY - DAY

CITIZENS AND POLITICAL ACTIVISTS of the black community are in front of Fast Stop Liquors and Deli rallying by holding up signs with political messages and loudly chanting protesting remarks.

CITIZENS AND POLITICAL ACTIVISTS
(in a powerful unison)
Close Fast Stop, now! Take them out of business! Close Fast Stop, now! Take them out of business, now!

EXT. BENTON BOULEVARD AND THIRTY-FIRST STREET - DAY

A powerful black community leader, ELEANOR BABCOCK, is on a stage at a small park speaking to a massive crowd of supporters.

ELEANOR
The savage murder of Victor "Soupbone" Edwards is a threat to the entire black community. We are here to urge you citizens of the white and black community to stop patronizing Fast Stop Liquors and Deli. In order for the system to work for all of us, we must take a stand and make it work. We are taxpayers in this system and we must hold our leaders accountable, because we are the same people who pay their salaries.

LULA MAE and TERRANCE and many others respond with a thunderous applause and whistles. PHILLIP and other fellow officers are on standby to keep the rally peaceful.

ELEANOR (CONT'D)
The unfortunate legacy that has been left to us as minority people is a lack of accessible health care, restricted education, poverty, high unemployment rates, job discrimination, poor government subsidized housing, and absolute disenfranchisement.

The crowds responds again with more aggressive applauses and whistles.

EXT. PROSPECT AND THIRTY-FIFTH STREET - NIGHT

It is three-thirty a.m. and TERRANCE and four of his cohorts jump out of an earlier model Cadillac Fleetwood with automatic pistols and submachine guns drawn. They viciously fire many volleys of rounds at Fast Stop Liquors and Deli.

TERRANCE
This is for my brother, you lowlife-cocksucking-motherfuckaaaahhhh!!!!

After shards of glass, wood, plaster, and metal fall to the ground, the store is practically demolished. TERRANCE and his cohorts jump into the running car and speed off down Prospect. Minutes later, vagrants and drug addicts along Prospect run in and out of the store with bottles of liquor and grocery items. Some of them discover many small bags of crack-cocaine on a shelf under the counter.

INT. THE KC CONNECTION NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

PHILLIP and DALE are standing at the bar of an exclusive nightclub holding cocktails while checking out the beautiful women going along the aisles. DOUBLE A is standing a few feet away disguised in some dark shades and a black bolero hat.

EXT. CORNER OF BROADWAY AND KNICKERBOCKER - NIGHT

PHILLIP and DALE are getting into his black Mercedes on the side of the nightclub. RUGGIERO and KRAMER are taking photos of the twosome getting into the car with specialized cameras used for night photography.

INT. APARTMENT OF PHILLIP - NIGHT

PHILLIP steps into his bedroom and peeks out the window. His suspicions are correct, because three police squad cars are parked in the back with their lights and engines shut off.

PHILLIP
(voice over)
Those sneaky bastards are up to something. 

INT. MISSION HILLS MANSION OF DON GOLDBERG - DAY

BRITTANY and her father DON are inside the massive living room of his exclusive mansion sipping on cups of peppermint cappuccino.

DON
What are you going to do now that you're pregnant with a black man's child?

BRITTANY
I'm going to have this baby, dad.

DON
Do you realize what interracial children go through?

BRITTANY
They're no different than any other children.

DON
I've talked with interracial children before.

BRITTANY
So?

DON
They don't know where they belong in this society.

BRITTANY
Why can't we as human beings make babies that aren't black, white, brown, red, or yellow? Why can't we just make babies that are human beings like everyone else?

DON
Sweetheart, people need to stick with their own kind.

BRITTANY
People all the over world are mixed with everything under the sun. That doesn't make them any less of a person.

DON
And they're confused.

BRITTANY
Only in your eyes, dad. I can't understand why you can't be with somebody because of the color of their skin.

DON
Won't you get an abortion, honey?

BRITTANY
Dad, I'm nearly four months.

DON
You're bringing shame to this family. I wanted you to go to a top college and get a medical or law degree.

BRITTANY
What about what I want?

DON
You're ruining your future, darling.

BRITTANY
I'm still not getting the abortion, dad.

DON
Stop and think about your future.

BRITTANY
You know, Phillip wanted me to get an abortion, too.

DON
Is Phillip going to be a part of this child's life?

BRITTANY
Of course he will.

DON
Sources tell me that this Phillip guy has a lot of children running around all over Kansas City by many different women.

BRITTANY
Sources like detective Ruggiero?

DON
Well?

BRITTANY
I already know that, dad.

DON
For chrissake, he's nothing but a babymaking machine. He'll desert you just like he did all those other women and children.

BRITTANY'S mouth drops as she momentarily stares off into space. She sadly walks out of the room and leaves her parents home. DON gets on the phone to contact RUGGIERO on his mobile phone inside the detective car.

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
This is Carlo.

DON
(into the phone)
Carlo, this is Don.

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
What's up?

DON
(into the phone)
How close are you guys to putting this Phillip sonofabitch behind bars?

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
Only a matter of time, Don.

DON
(into the phone)
Can you believe that that sonofabitch got my daughter almost four months pregnant?

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
You're kidding!

DON
(into the phone)
I've been trying to talk some sense into her. She won't go and get an abortion.

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
Don't worry, Don. Once we set the trap in place, he'll go straight for the bait.

DON
(into the phone)
Then it's a done deal?

RUGGIERO
(over the phone)
Absolutely.

INT. OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS HOME OF GALLUCCIO - DAY

RUGGIERO and his cousin, TOMMY GALLUCCIO, are sitting on a large leather sofa in the private study of his home sipping on cocktails.

GALLUCCIO
What are my chances of beating this case?

RUGGIERO
Dam good, Tommy.

GALLUCCIO
What did you have planned?

RUGGIERO
I found out who the jury foreman is.

GALLUCCIO
How?

RUGGIERO
I've got plenty of connections up in the Jackson County Courthouse. Clerks, judges, administrators, you name it, I'm in good with all of them.

GALLUCCIO
You contacted this foreman yet?

RUGGIERO
Not yet.

GALLUCCIO
Can he be bought?

RUGGIERO
Absolutely, Tommy.

GALLUCCIO
Let's hope that we got that type of muscle.

RUGGIERO
That was a worthless drunk nigger that you took out. Besides, that prick threatened to kill you.

GALLUCCIO
When uncle Angie goes, I'm due to take over the family.

RUGGIERO
I'll wait for the payoff money to reach the foreman before the trial starts.

INT. INDEPENDENCE CENTER SHOPPING MALL - DAY

RUGGIERO and the jury foreman, JOHN MCREYNOLDS, are taking a walk on the first level of the busy mall. Their voices are slightly drowned out by the surrounding noise.

RUGGIERO
Will you be ready by Monday?

MCREYNOLDS
Ready as I'll ever be.

RUGGIERO
I've already authorized payments.

MCREYNOLDS
Sounds good.

RUGGIERO
What are you going to do when it comes time for jury deliberations?

MCREYNOLDS
Convince the other jurors to vote not guilty.

RUGGIERO
The purpose is to throw this case. A hung jury, right?

MCREYNOLDS
Right.

INT. JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE - DAY

Inside a packed Courtroom B on the fourth floor, Jackson County Prosecutor LARRY WILHELM is cross-examining witness RONALD JACKSON, who is on the witness stand.

LARRY
Mr. Jackson, I ask that you study the defendant, Mr. Galluccio, very carefully. Is he the same man that you witnessed brutally beating Victor Edwards with the baseball bat?

RONALD
Yes, he is.

LARRY
Would you say that he was trying to kill him with the baseball bat?

RONALD
Yes, he was.

LARRY
Why?

RONALD
Because he kept beating Victor across the head, making him bleed badly until he was dead.

LARRY
Mr. Jackson, did Victor possess any type of weapon to defend himself?

RONALD
None whatsoever.

LARRY
It's understood, Mr. Jackson, that Mr. Galluccio shouted out racial slurs at Victor Edwards while he was brutally assaulting him with the baseball bat. Isn't that true, Mr. Jackson?

RONALD
Yes, that's very true.

LARRY
What exactly were the racial slurs that he shouted towards him?

RONALD
He kept calling him a nigger over and over again.

LARRY
Like he was thrilled senselessly  about killing a black man?

GALLUCCIO'S attorney, the hotheaded and arrogant MICHAEL CUTLER, jumps up from over at the defense table.

CUTLER
Objection your honor! Mr. Wilhelm's questioning has become a racially biased circus!

JUDGE CURLS
Sustained. Continue, Mr. Wilhelm.

LARRY
There'll be no further questioning, your honor.

MICHAEL CUTLER approaches the witness stand straightening his tie.

CUTLER
What were you doing that day on Prospect when Thomas Galluccio supposedly murdered Victor Edwards?

RONALD
I had just come out of Fast Stop after buying my mother some laxatives.

CUTLER
Was buying laxatives for your mother the only thing you were trying to buy?

RONALD
Yes.

CUTLER
Didn't you come around on Prospect to buy drugs, Mr. Jackson?

RONALD
Drugs?

CUTLER
Isn't that area around Prospect a high trafficking area for drugs? A vicinity where my client, Tommy Galluccio, doesn't tolerate dealers trying to make transactions?

LARRY quickly arises from over at the prosecutor's table.

LARRY
Objection your honor! The witness has never had any prior drug convictions!

JUDGE CURLS
Sustained. Continue, Mr. Cutler.

CUTLER
Didn't you, Mr. Jackson?

RONALD
No way.

CUTLER
You didn't stop in front of Fast Stop Liquors to offer help or show concern for Victor Edwards. You wanted to sell drugs to neighborhood children and other people along Prospect. Didn't you, Mr. Jackson?

RONALD
That's not true at all. I've never sold drugs a day in my life.

CUTLER
Why didn't you offer to help Victor Edwards after he was dead?

RONALD
I knew it was too late when I walked up to him on the sidewalk.

CUTLER
So, you only wanted to be a cheap spectator?

RONALD
That's not true.

CUTLER
You got a thrill out of watching a dead man lying on the sidewalk. Didn't you?

RONALD
No sir, I didn't.

CUTLER
There'll be no further questions, your honor.

INT. JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, SECOND DAY OF TRIAL - DAY

TOMMY GALLUCCIO is on the witness stand and is ready to be cross-examined by LARRY WILHELM.

LARRY
Mr. Galluccio, weren't most of your customers African Americans?

GALLUCCIO
Yes, they were.

LARRY
Wasn't it because of these same African Americans patronizing your stores that you remained in business?

GALLUCCIO
Yes, I'd have to say that's true.

LARRY
Isn't it true, Mr. Galluccio, that you hired convicted drug dealers to work for you in your store?

GALLUCCIO
No, that's definitely not true.

LARRY
Also, Mr. Galluccio, didn't these same convicted drug dealers sell crack-cocaine out of your liquor store?

GALLUCCIO
Absolutely not!

LARRY
Didn't you hire these same convicted drug dealers because they were African Americans, and could attract other African Americans from around Prospect to your store to buy large quantities of crack-cocaine?

GALLUCCIO
That's definitely not true.

LARRY
Aren't you laundering drug money through your liquor stores?

GALLUCCIO
That's the biggest lie ever told.

By now, Larry is pumped up and galloping around the witness stand.

LARRY
Mr. Galluccio, aren't you a made member of the Galluccio crime family? A notorious mafia family that has an enduring legacy of organized crime right here in Kansas City, Missouri? A brutally murderous organized crime family that is heavily involved with narcotics, prostitution, gambling, loansharking, construction bidrigging, and corrupt teamsters union officials, dating all the way back to the days of the Pendergast Political Machine? Aren't these all facts, Mr. Galluccio?

CUTLER barbarously jumps away from the defense table.

CUTLER
Objection your honor! None of these absurd allegations are pertinent, whatsoever, to this trial at hand!

JUDGE CURLS
Sustained. You may continue, Mr. Wilhelm.

LARRY
Thank you, your honor. Why did citizens of the African American community rally against your store?

GALLUCCIO
Everybody knows why?

LARRY
Was it because everybody in the African American community knew that your assault on Victor Edwards was vigilant and barbaric and very much racist?

GALLUCCIO
I may be a lot of things, sir, but I'm not a racist.

LARRY
You wanted to make an example out of Victor Edwards by settling your dispute in a brutal manner. Didn't you Mr. Galluccio?

GALLUCCIO
No, I didn't.

LARRY
There'll be no further questions, your honor.

INT. JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, THIRD DAY OF TRIAL - DAY

The rolling and wandering eyes of LULA MAE, TERRANCE, RUGGIERO, KRAMER, PHILLIP, RICHARD, GALLUCCIO, LARRY, CUTLER, and all the rest of the courtroom are planted on jury foreman JOHN MCREYNOLDS as he holds the verdict sheet in both hands.

MCREYNOLDS
We the jury, find the defendant, Thomas Anthony Galluccio, not guilty on all counts.

GALLUCCIO embraces CUTLER rather tightly and then turns to wink up at MCREYNOLDS and back at RUGGIERO. Half of the courtroom is cheering while the other half is yelling and using profane language.

JUDGE CURLS
Order in the court! Order in the court!  I want order right now or I'll have you all removed from this courtroom!

TERRANCE catches LULA MAE before she slumbers to the floor. She breaks out into a quick rush of tears.

TERRANCE
That's bullshit! Somebody got paid under the table!

PHILLIP steps up to LULA MAE wearing his police uniform and bends down to her with a consoling gesture on his face.

PHILLIP
Mam, I'm sorry for what happened to your son.

LULA MAE
Thank you, son.

TERRANCE moves up respectfully in PHILLIP'S face.

TERRANCE
Officer, we're going over to city hall so they can look deeper into this crap.

PHILLIP
Good luck in whatever actions you take.

TERRANCE
Thanks.

EXT. JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE - DAY

A hungry news press of ANCHORMEN and ANCHORWOMEN are interviewing LARRY WILHELM on the front steps of the courthouse.

ANCHORMAN
Mr. Wilhelm, what are your views on the outcome of the trial?

LARRY
The U.S. Department of Justice will be receiving a notorized civil rights declaration.

ANCHORMAN
Was there a miscarriage of justice, Mr. Wilhelm?

LARRY
Absolutely.

ANCHORWOMAN
When do you plan on filing this declaration?

LARRY
Soon. That's all I have to say.

LARRY rushes away and the camera crews follow in pursuit.

INT. DRUG HOUSE ON PROSPECT - DAY

DOUBLE A is wired down and is inside a notorious drug house making a transaction with one of DALE'S most loyal dealers, a young man with a serious overbite named BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY.

DOUBLE A
Where can I get some eight balls from?

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
How soon do you need it?

DOUBLE A sort of steps back wiping his face because BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY is spitting out mists of saliva and bits of food particles.

DOUBLE A
Soon as you can get it.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
All it takes is a phone call.

DOUBLE A
(voice raises two octaves)
Think Dale Cherry can hook me up?

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
Where do you know Dale from?

DOUBLE A
Everybody in Kansas City knows Dale.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
You're right.

DOUBLE A
Let me get four dime rocks right now.

EXT. BEHIND AN ABANDONED BUILDING ON PROSPECT - DAY

A crew of audio surveillance detectives are in an unmarked van listening to and taping the conversation between DOUBLE A and BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY. 

INT. FIFTH FLOOR OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

Chief MEYER KIRKPATRICK is sitting comfortably behind the desk in his office. He his flanked by detectives RUGGIERO and KRAMER and other narcotics detectives from the Northern and Southern Patrol Divisions during a very secretive meeting.

KIRKPATRICK
Men, it's time to make our move on Figueroa. If we keep him on the force, there'll be more drugs floating around Kansas City than we'll know what to do with.

RUGGIERO
What did you have in mind, chief? 

KIRKPATRICK
Setting Figueroa up on a reverse sting operation.

RUGGIERO
Brilliant idea, chief.

KIRKPATRICK
Every officer that we've teamed him up with has admitted that he's letting these dealers go scott free, only to sell more dope out on the streets.

KRAMER
What location did you have in mind?

KIRKPATRICK
Somewhere along Prospect.

RUGGIERO
But what would be the perfect spot?

KIRKPATRICK
Pick a spot between the vicinity of Thirty-First Street and Thirty-Ninth Street, somewhere parallel to Prospect. Dope is pretty rampant in those areas.

RUGGIERO
Perfect!

KRAMER
We've got the tiger by the tail and now we can ride it on out of this department.

KIRKPATRICK
Find an apartment building that's heavy with dope. Pick out an empty apartment in that same building and plant the dope and money in there.

RUGGIERO
No problem, chief.

KIRKPATRICK
Listen closely. I want some of our best men to plant the dope and money in there. I want effective surveillance cameras inside the apartment that'll record Figueroa's every move.

RUGGIERO
You've got it, chief.

INT. A CRACK-INFESTED APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

Two undercover narcotics detectives are planting five-hundred dollars in marked currency and many small bags of counterfeit crack-cocaine on a table inside an apartment furnished with worn sofas and a table. A member of the surveillance crew is installing an undetectable camera in a dark corner on the ceiling.

EXT. VICINITY OF PROSPECT AND LINWOOD BOULEVARD - DAY

PHILLIP is driving alone around in his squad car since the patrol supervisor at the NPD received orders from chief KIRKPATRICK to allow him to go solo. A DISPATCHER suddenly comes over the radio.

DISPATCHER
Dispatcher nineteen to unit fourteen.

PHILLIP
Go ahead.

DISPATCHER
We have a four-fifteen at Thirty-Eight, Thirty-Nine Prospect.

PHILLIP
Is that a residence or an apartment building?

DISPATCHER
It's an apartment building.

PHILLIP
Do you have an apartment number?

DISPATCHER
It's apartment Three A in that building.

PHILLIP
Ten-four.

INT. THIRD FLOOR OF CRACK-INFESTED BUILDING - DAY

PHILLIP is cautiously walking into apartment Three A with his service revolver planted firmly in his left hand. He observes everything inside and suddenly notices the large roll of cash and drugs on the table.

INT. NORTHERN PATROL DIVISION - DAY

RUGGIERO and KRAMER are inside the video and conference room at the NPD closely watching a monitor that displays every move that PHILLIP is making inside Apartment Three A.

RUGGIERO
(quite anxiously)
Come on, come on, Figueroa! Go ahead and grab the bait! 

KRAMER
(excitingly)
Do it, do it, Figueroa!

INT.  THIRD FLOOR OF CRACK-INFESTED BUILDING, AGAIN - DAY

PHILLIP grabs the items and walks out in the hallway where a WOMAN and her child is standing around with suspenseful looks on their faces.

WOMAN
What's wrong, officer?

PHILLIP
We got a call about a disturbance.

WOMAN
Everything's been quiet around here.

PHILLIP
Did you see anybody fighting or arguing inside that apartment?

WOMAN
Nobody lives there, officer.

PHILLIP
Are you sure?

WOMAN
I've been living here for two years and nobody has lived in that apartment for over a year.

PHILLIP
Wow! That's strange.

PHILLIP has his suspicions but kindly reaches out to give the WOMAN the large roll of cash.

WOMAN
What's this?

PHILLIP
Take it and do something good for you and your child.

WOMAN
Jesus! Thank you so very much, officer. God bless you always.

EXT. BACK OF CRACK-INFESTED BUILDING - DAY

PHILLIP is in the very back of the decaying building dropping the crack to the ground. He crushes it with the hard sole of his shoe.

INT. NORTHERN PATROL DIVISION - DAY

PHILLIP walks into the NPD and RUGGIERO and KRAMER along with other narcotics detectives are waiting diligently for him with venemous stares on their faces. They escort him into a private room into the very back of the division.

RUGGIERO
Alright officer Figueroa, where's the goods?

PHILLIP
What goods?

KRAMER
The same goods that you took out of apartment Three A at Thirty-Eight, Thirty-Nine Prospect.

PHILLIP
What are you talking about?

RUGGIERO
You're not dealing with no dummies here, Figueroa.

PHILLIP
So, this was all a setup?

RUGGIERO
Alright Figueroa, I want you to strip down into your birthday suit.

PHILLIP
(shouts)
Say what!

RUGGIERO
Strip down to absolutely nothing at all.

RUGGIERO and KRAMER and the other detectives are thoroughly checking every piece of his clothing items. They are checking his utility belt and unscrew his flashlight.

RUGGIERO (CONT'D)
Now, bend over and spread'em.

PHILLIP
(whines)
Come on, now!

RUGGIERO
Spread'em, Figueroa!

PHILLIP bends forward and embarrassingly spreads his buttocks apart. RUGGIERO and KRAMER are shining bright flashlights on and around his buttocks and they find nothing.

RUGGIERO (CONT'D)
You're nothing but a thief, Figueroa.

PHILLIP
A thief? What did I steal?

RUGGIERO
Five-hundred dollars in cash and five ounces of crack-cocaine.

PHILLIP
That's a bullshit lie and you know it!

RUGGIERO
You can't squeal your way out of this one.

PHILLIP is escorted into another private room where KRAMER turns on a video monitor that replays his presence at apartment Three A during the entire reverse sting operation. RUGGIERO pauses the videotape as it is closing in on PHILLIP confiscating the money and drugs off the table.

RUGGIERO (CONT'D)
Either that's you Figueroa, or you've got an identical twin brother running around Kansas City in a police uniform.

PHILLIP
I'll bet you're getting a rise out of this.

RUGGIERO
Only doing my job.

PHILLIP
Brittany was right about you.

RUGGIERO
Officer Goldberg's got nothing to do with this.

PHILLIP
You couldn't have her, so you'd do anything to keep me from being with her.

RUGGIERO
Whatever you say.

INT. APARTMENT OF RANDY - DAY

RANDY is sitting on his plush leather sofa reading a fresh copy of the The Kansas City Times. He stares strongly at a front page headline that reads in big bold letters:  "KC COP PROTECTED KNOWN DRUG DEALERS".  He picks up the phone and dials PHILLIP'S residence. After many rings no one answers.

EXT. CITADEL HEIGHTS APARTMENT COMPLEX - DAY

RANDY stands at the door of PHILLIP'S apartment knocking aggressively.

RANDY
Phillip! Are you in there!

He knocks several more times with stronger force and nervously waits for a response.

RANDY (CONT'D)
Phillip, if you're in there, then open up. I really need to talk with you.

INT. FRONT ROOM OF PHILLIP'S APARTMENT - DAY

PHILLIP is quietly sitting on his sofa slowly loading bullets into his .38 service revolver. The room is pitch black as a result of the lights being off and the blinds closed. He places the gun up to his right temple and plants his index finger on the trigger.

EXT. OUTSIDE OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEX - DAY

RANDY rushes to the side of the building and jumps up to an open window and climbs through. He cautiously walks from the bedroom and into the front room, only to find PHILLIP sitting motionless with the gun pressed up to his head.

RANDY
My God! Listen to me, Phil. Take the gun away from your head and put it down on the table.

RANDY is slowly walking towards the sofa trembling.

RANDY (CONT'D)
Don't do it, Phil. It's not worth it in the end. You've got too much to live for.

Tears are streaming down PHILLIP'S face as he moves his finger around the trigger.

PHILLIP
I'm ready to check out for good, Randy.

RANDY has come close enough to take the gun out of his hand. He gives PHILLIP a tight hug and kisses him on the cheek.

RANDY
It's going to be alright.

PHILLIP
Those motherfuckers set me up!

RANDY
I know. Everybody in Kansas City's talking about it.

PHILLIP
I should've quit the force a long time ago.

RANDY
Listen Phil, don't ever try and take yourself out again. Never, man!

PHILLIP
I'm sorry, Randy.

RANDY
What's so bad that you have to take yourself out?

PHILLIP
Brittany's pregnant and won't get an abortion. Renee filed child support papers on me. Now the goddamn police department set me up on this reverse sting operation. It's all crashing down on me at the same time.

RANDY
Don't let them bastards bring you down. You're a giant, Phil, and you shouldn't let small people get the best of you.

PHILLIP
I love you, man.

RANDY
I love you too, Phil.

INT. CITY HALL - DAY

PHILLIP is inside the offices of civil rights attorney DAVID MCCONNELL on the twentieth floor of city hall explaining the details of the reverse sting operation.

DAVID
Since you've been a police officer, have there been any sting operations set up involving white officers?

PHILLIP
The department gets the same information on white officers. But they don't do sting operations on the corrupt white cops on the force.

DAVID
What information exactly do they get on white police officers?

PHILLIP
There are white cops out there stealing drugs and money after they bust into drug houses. The department knows about it, but they don't care when somebody white does it.

DAVID
Tell you what you can do.

PHILLIP
What?

DAVID
You can file a title seven under the federal statutes under the civil rights acts of nineteen sixty-four.

PHILLIP
Will it do any good?

DAVID
We're hoping so.

PHILLIP
They've done their damage, and now it's time for me to do my damage.

DAVID
You'll have to fill out an intake form and a charge of discrimination form.

PHILLIP
What exactly do I have to write down on these forms?

DAVID
Give a narrative describing the reverse sting operation and whether or not you have witnesses to help you prove your case.

PHILLIP
I'm ready to stick it to them.

DAVID
I must warn you beforehand, Phillip. The police department filed a theft charge against you over at the Jackson County Courthouse. They're going to come back at you with something much stronger than you filing this lawsuit.

INT. FIFTH FLOOR OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

A civil rights representative from the Missouri Human Rights Commission, VANESSA DOWNING, is speaking with chief Meyer Kirkpatrick.

KIRKPATRICK
Officer Figueroa is filing this suit because he feels that he's been racially discriminated against. Is that correct, Miss Downing?

VANESSA
The lawsuit is for punitive damages that officer Figueroa suffered.

KIRKPATRICK
Two-million dollars? Is that correct?

VANESSA
Yes, it is. What was your reason for the reverse sting operation on officer Phillip Figueroa?

KIRKPATRICK
We received information from other officers and narcotics detectives that officer Figueroa protected known drug dealers around Kansas City.

VANESSA
Do you have any hard proof?

KIRKPATRICK
We have actual surveillance photos of him holding substantial contents of crack-cocaine in his hand, and then giving it right back to these dealers.

VANESSA
Are you aware, chief Kirkpatrick, that there have been many discrimination suits against the police department from black police officers?

KIRKPATRICK
Yes, I'm aware of that.

VANESSA
Why's that?

KIRKPATRICK
The basis for most lawsuits filed by African-American officers have been the lack of promotion with the department and sometimes racial discrimination. Attorneys representing the police department have looked into these matters.

VANESSA
And the outcome?

KIRKPATRICK
An increase in promotions of African-American officers based on education and experience, Miss Downing.

INT. CITADEL HEIGHTS APARTMENT COMPLEX - DAY

PHILLIP and DALE are in his front room sitting on the sofa drinking beer and watching television.

DALE
What are you going to do now?

PHILLIP
I've got a two-million dollar lawsuit against the department.

DALE
Couple'a mill, huh?

PHILLIP
That's right.

DALE
Ready to make some money in the meantime?

PHILLIP
Doing what?

DALE
Sending me some customers.

PHILLIP
More crackheads?

DALE
What else?

PHILLIP
Might as well since they've already accused me of being a goddam drug dealer.

DALE
Since you used to be a police officer, I know that you know where the crackheads are.

PHILLIP
I've arrested a lot of them over the years.

DALE
Won't you send some of them to my spots.

PHILLIP
What's in it for me?

DALE
I'll cut you a sweet percentage.

PHILLIP
Sounds good.

INT. A DRUG HOUSE OFF PROSPECT - DAY

PHILLIP, DALE, and BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY are in a private room inside one of DALE'S most profitable drug houses. All three are standing over a long table looking down at large quantities of crack-cocaine and big sums of cash.

DALE
Here's the deal, Bobby. Phillip is going to be sending you a lot of crackheads. With his help, we can make a killing off those dopeheads.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
Aren't you a police officer?

PHILLIP
Former police officer.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
What happened?

PHILLIP
I resigned.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
For what?

PHILLIP
The fuckers set me up.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
Why are you switching camps?

PHILLIP
It's not about switching camps. I'm doing this until I get my lawsuit.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
What lawsuit?

PHILLIP steps away from BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY wiping his face from the mists of saliva and tiny food particles.

PHILLIP
Two-million big ones against the police department, baby.

DALE
Phillip is not going to get us busted. He used to work the streets and I know he can send us a lot of customers.

A light knock comes to the front door. BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY grabs his nine millimeter and cautiously answers. He trustfully allows DOUBLE A entry to purchase more drugs. PHILLIP and DALE are checking DOUBLE A out quite thoroughly, and PHILLIP'S suspicions begin to arise. 

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
Whaddaya need?

DOUBLE A
Need four dime rocks.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
Anything else?

DOUBLE A
No, but I'll be back later for four more dime rocks.

DOUBLE A hands over two fresh twenty dollar bills in exchange for the small bags of drugs.

BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY
Bring some more baseheads who've got money with you next time.

DOUBLE A
Will do.

DOUBLE A exits the house stuffing the drugs into his pocket and PHILLIP is studying him quite closely.

PHILLIP
That guy sort of looks familiar.

DALE
Familiar? How?

PHILLIP
Seems like I've seen his face somewhere before.

DALE
Kansas City's a small place, Phil. Everybody knows everybody here.

PHILLIP
True. Now, how much do I get for every customer? 

DALE
Let's say if a basehead spends a hundred dollars. I'll break you off twenty-five dollars of that.

PHILLIP
So, I'll get twenty-five percent of the take?

DALE
See your good with dollars and cents.

PHILLIP
That's fair.

DALE
Belive me, the dollars'll start adding up.

INT. THIRD FLOOR OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

KIRKPATRICK, RUGGIERO, KRAMER, DOUBLE A and other narcotics detectives are all seated around a large table inside a dim interrogation room.

KIRKPATRICK
Did you see former police officer Phillip Figueroa in a drug house off Prospect?

DOUBLE A
Yes sir, chief, that's right.

KIRKPATRICK
Who all were present in the home?

DOUBLE A
Phillip, Dale, and some guy they call Buck-Tooth Bobby. He runs this drug house for Dale.

RUGGIERO
What were they talking about?

DOUBLE A
Phillip told Dale that he'd send him some crack customers.

RUGGIERO
Too bad your cassette monitor didn't pick none of this up.

KIRKPATRICK
Got that right. Alright, continue.

DOUBLE A
Dale agreed to split some of the money with Phillip.

KIRKPATRICK
Like a percentage for every customer?

DOUBLE A
Exactly.

RUGGIERO
Did Figueroa mention anything about the police department.

DOUBLE A
Not while I was there.

KIRKPATRICK
You're definitely going to be instrumental in helping us bring them down.

DOUBLE A
What's your next move?

RUGGIERO
We're piecing together a plan now.

DOUBLE A
What plan?

RUGGIERO
We're not sure at this moment.

KIRKPATRICK, RUGGIERO, KRAMER, and the others are all exchanging smirks of deviousness.

INT. THIRD FLOOR OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS, NEXT DAY - DAY

From orders handed down to him, DOUBLE A attempts to call PHILLIP from inside a police headquarters room where extra phones have been installed and wiretapped. RUGGIERO and KRAMER and KIRKPATRICK listen on as the phone is ringing.

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
Can I speak with Phillip?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Who's this?

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
My name is Anthony.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Anthony? Where do I know you from?

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
Met you at one of Dale's houses off Prospect.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Where Buck-Tooth Bobby works?

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
Yeah, that's right.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
How did you get my number?

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
Buck-tooth Bobby gave it to me.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
What the fuck's he doing giving out my number?

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
Can't tell you that. Look, I need a lot of eight balls and he told me to get in touch with you.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Talk to me, then.

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
I need the good shit.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
How much exactly do you need?

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
About five-grand worth's.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Shit, that's a lot. How soon do you need it?

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
Soon as possible.

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
Let me get in touch with Dale.

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
Where can I make the pick up at?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
The house off Prospect that Buck-tooth Bobby works at.

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
When?

PHILLIP
(over the phone)
A half-hour, at least. Let me get in touch with Dale.

DOUBLE A
(into the phone)
See ya there in a half-hour.

INT. BASEMENT OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

Members of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force are taping a fresh concealed sophisticated recording device to the chest of DOUBLE A. RUGGIERO hands him five-thousand dollars in pre-recorded Drug Enforcement Unit Funds.

EXT. SIDE STREET OFF PROSPECT - DAY

Audio and Video surveillance crews of the drug task force are parked in unmarked surveillance vans down the street. RUGGIERO and KRAMER are snapping photos of PHILLIP and DALE getting out of his Mercedes and going up to the drug house.  Minutes later, DOUBLE A arrives at the house for their meeting. The audio crew immediately switch on their equipment.

INT. DRUG HOUSE OFF PROSPECT - DAY

PHILLIP, DALE, BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY, and DOUBLE A are all in a secretive room in the very back of the house ready to conduct the transaction.

DALE
You wanting to spend five G's on some eight balls?

DOUBLE A
Yeah, that's right.

DALE
Are you doing the dope or you're selling it?

DOUBLE A
Got a lot of friends who put their money with mine's. We just want to have this huge getting high party.

DALE
Phillip called me up and told me that you was ready to spend some serious cash.

DOUBLE A
Yeah, I called Phillip up when I got all the money hustled up.

PHILLIP glances over at DALE with a bursting smile.

PHILLIP
See Dale, I told you that I'd send you the big spenders. I can send you a lot more crackheads from around the city.

DALE
Let's see the cash.

DOUBLE A reaches into his deep pockets and pulls out fifty one-hundred dollar bills. DALE is counting the money while Buck-tooth Bobby is sorting through the many small sacks of crack-cocaine. He hands thems over to DOUBLE A.

DALE (CONT'D)
See Phil, I told you I'd take care of you.

DALE peels off thirteen-hundred dollars of the money and hands it over to PHILLIP. 

PHILLIP
Could use more customers like him.

DALE
Let's get out of here and go spend some of this money.

Drug Task Force agents kick the door down with drug-sniffing German Shepards. RUGGIERO and KRAMER and other agents point their pistols directly into the faces of PHILLIP and DALE and BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY.

RUGGIERO AND KRAMER
(simultaneously shouts)
Get your hands up!

PHILLIP
What's this bullshit about?

PHILLIP and DALE have their arms held up high.

RUGGIERO
It's about you finally going where you belong.

PHILLIP
I don't know what you're talking about.

RUGGIERO
Tell it to the judge, Figueroa.

PHILLIP
You don't even have a search warrant.

RUGGIERO flashes a signed document before PHILLIP.

RUGGIERO
What's this?

RUGGIERO reaches into PHILLIP'S pocket and pulls out thirteen hundred dollars of the marked currency.

PHILLIP
This bullshit was planned from the very beginning.

RUGGIERO
You screwed yourself, Figueroa.

The canines are going all through the house sniffing for more drugs. PHILLIP, DALE, and BUCK-TOOTH BOBBY are handcuffed, read their rights, and led out to the waiting squad cars.

EXT. OUT NEAR THE STREET - DAY

An ANCHORWOMAN from NewsChannel Seven rushes up into the face of PHILLIP with a microphone.

ANCHORWOMAN
Mr. Figueroa, what do you basically want people to know?

PHILLIP
Basically, that I'm innocent and I'm not a drug dealer.

ANCHORWOMAN
How do you feel about your former colleagues arresting you?

PHILLIP
Not good.

ANCHORWOMAN
What do you plan to do?

PHILLIP
Get a good lawyer to help me fight this case.

INT. FOURTH FLOOR LOBBY OF FEDERAL COURTHOUSE - DAY

RENEE and RANDY and many others are patiently waiting in the hallway for the courtroom doors to open. RENEE stares at BRITTANY, who is now eight and a half months pregnant, with a vicious expression.

RENEE
What is that white bitch doing here!

RANDY
Cool it, Renee.

RENEE
I hate that white bitch!

RANDY
Let it go, Renee.

BRITTANY moves around the massive crowd with her large belly showing and steps up close to RENEE.

BRITTANY
Excuse me, but were you talking about me?

RENEE
What are you doing here, anyway?

BRITTANY
Phillip is the father of this baby that I'm pregnant with.

RENEE
He won't be nobody's father if they send him to jail.

BRITTANY
He's not going to jail.

RENEE
You're the goddam reason why he got into this trouble in the first place.

BRITTANY
That's a lie and you know it.

RENEE
You're the reason why they set him up on those sting operations.

BRITTANY
Where did those lies hatch from?

RENEE
Things went wrong for Phillip when you all went out to California.

BRITTANY
That's the furthest from the truth.

RENEE
You know fucking well it's true, miss-all-american-blonde-haired-blue-eyed white girl!

BRITTANY
Get your facts straight, miss-gotta-lotta-bad-attitude black girl!

BRITTANY and RENEE become engaged in a heated shouting match and one of the courthouse CLERKS jumps in between them.

CLERK
Either you lower your voices now, or I'm going to have the guards escort you out of this courthouse.

The arguing ceases and people start pouring into the courtroom once the doors open.

INT. COURTROOM A - DAY

A BALIFF stands before the packed courtroom to announce the entrance of the presiding judge, DAVID RUMINSKI.

BALIFF
All rise! This court is now in session. The honorable David Ruminski presiding.

RUMINSKI steps up to the bench and takes a seat.

RUMINSKI
We're ready for the jury.

The jury comes in and take their seats. Federal U.S. Prosecutor from the Western District of Missouri, WALLACE DANBERRY, is bringing his opening statement to a close.

DANBERRY
We will bring you evidence to prove that Phillip Figueroa either distributed crack-cocaine himself or he aided or abbedded others, specifically Dale Cherry and Bobby Jordan. Thank you for your time.

Judge RUMINSKI glances over at PHILLIP'S attorney, the aggressive and shrewd NELSON BERNSTEIN.

RUMINSKI
Mr. Bernstein, are you ready to proceed with your opening statement on behalf of the defendant?

BERNSTEIN
Yes, your honor.

RUMINSKI
Alright, you may proceed.

Several minutes have passed and BERNSTEIN is coming to the close of his opening statement.

BERNSTEIN
On the tapes, you will hear Phillip talk about suing the police department and that he was waiting on a settlement. Why would he risk a large settlement of money for a small amount of money, which was only thirteen-hundred dollars? Evidence will show that the police department set my client up because he refused to follow their orders. I thank you very much for your time.

RUMINSKI turns back to DANBERRY with a slight gesture.

RUMINSKI
Mr. Danberry, are you ready for your first witness?

DANBERRY
Yes, your honor. The government calls detective Carlo Ruggiero.

RUGGIERO is sworn in and takes a seat at the witness stand.

DANBERRY (CONT'D)
Please state your full name.

RUGGIERO
Detective Carlo Thomas Ruggiero.

DANBERRY
How are you employeed, Mr. Ruggiero?

RUGGIERO
With the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

DANBERRY
Which department on the KCPD?

RUGGIERO
I'm currently assigned with the drug enforcement unit.

DANBERRY
How long have you been assigned to this unit?

RUGGIERO
Approximately, ten years.

DANBERRY
Did you have any personal dealings with former police officer Phillip Figueroa?

RUGGIERO
No, I did not.

DANBERRY
Did you play a direct role in the obtaining of the tapes in this case?

RUGGIERO
Yes, I did.

DANBERRY
Can you tell us what your role was in regards to those tapes?

RUGGIERO
I placed a micro-cassette recorder on our informant. I helped turn it on and off and then recovered it after the transaction.

DANBERRY
Are you referring to Anthony Anderson, sometimes called 'Double A' among his street associates, when you speak of the informant?

RUGGIERO
Yes, I am.

DANBERRY
Let us show you what's been marked for identification as plaintiff exhibits B-1D, and B-2D, and B-3D. Can you identify those exhibits?

DANBERRY moves over to the exhibit table and points individually at the drugs, marked currency, and the audio tapes.

RUGGIERO
Yes, those are the copies that the FBI made off the original micro-cassette copies.

DANBERRY
There'll be no further questioning.

DANBERRY exits the floor and BERNSTEIN approaches the witness stand.

BERNSTEIN
Detective Ruggiero, did you send those tapes to the FBI offices in Washington?

RUGGIERO
Yes, I did.

BERNSTEIN
Did the FBI do anything to enhance these tapes for this case?

RUGGIERO
Yes.

BERNSTEIN
When you first listened to the tapes, are you saying they were inaudible?

RUGGIERO
Yes.

BERNSTEIN
But you're saying now that they're clear?

RUGGIERO
Yes.

BERNSTEIN
Also, who made the tapes for plaintiff's exhibit B-1D, B-2D, and B-3D?

RUGGIERO
The office of the FBI in Washington, D.C.

BERNSTEIN
Is the quality the same as those from the original cassette?

RUGGIERO
I feel that they're better.

BERNSTEIN
We're going to have an objection here, detective Ruggiero. These tapes have been altered and tampered with and......

DANBERRY jumps out of his seat with his arm gestured at RUMINSKY.

DANBERRY
Your honor, may I approach the bench?

RUMINSKI
Come up, please. I'm ready to rule.

DANBERRY
Your honor, we'd like to recall detective Ruggiero after our next witness, Anthony Anderson, has testified.

RUMINSKI
Your request is granted, Mr. Danberry. We'll meet back here in the courtroom after a ten minute recess.

After the short recess, DOUBLE A is called to the witness stand by prosecutor DANBERRY.

DANBERRY
Tell us your full name, please.

DOUBLE A
Anthony Jerome Anderson.

DANBERRY
At one point and time, did you come into contact with an individual named Phillip Figueroa?

DOUBLE A
Yes.

DANBERRY
Do you see the person that you know as Phillip Figueroa here in the courtroom today?

DOUBLE A
Yes, I do.

DANBERRY
For the record, could you describe him in words?

DOUBLE A
He's the gentleman sitting over there wearing the dark gray suit.

DANBERRY
How would you describe your association with Mr. Figueroa? Close? Not close? Casual? Not so casual?

DOUBLE A
Not close at all.

DANBERRY
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

DOUBLE A
Yes, I have.

DANBERRY
What have you been convicted of?

DOUBLE A
Dealing drugs and being accessory to murder.

DANBERRY
Were you punished for those crimes?

DOUBLE A
No.

DANBERRY
Instead, you became an informant, which was offered as leniency for those crimes?

DOUBLE A
Yes.

Spectators are in their seats chanting "oooohhhhs" and "aaaahhhhs" while turning to stare at one another in total disbelief. DANBERRY continues with his cross-examination and the first day of the trial ends.

INT. COURTROOM A AT FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, SECOND DAY - DAY

BERNSTEIN is cross-examining DOUBLE A while he's up on the witness stand.

BERNSTEIN
Mr. Anderson, did you sell drugs to minors and pregnant women?

DOUBLE A
No.

BERNSTEIN
Isn't it true that you knew my client, Phillip Figueroa, couldn't sell dope to people, because most people around Kansas City knew that he was an ex-policeman?

DOUBLE A
Yes.

BERNSTEIN
Didn't you tell us that Phillip was going to get in touch with Dale, and then see if Dale could come up with five-thousand dollars worth of dope?

DOUBLE A
Yes.

BERNSTEIN
Mr. Anderson, earlier this year, there was a double homicide that occurred on Sixty-Second and Prospect in which you.......

DANBERRY aggressively scoots back in his chair.

DANBERRY
Your honor, may we approach the bench?

RUMINSKI
Yes, come up please.

DANBERRY and BERNSTEIN are standing before RUMINSKI.

DANBERRY
Your honor, it's evident that the witness feels intimidated, and it would be helpful if counsel would ask questions, rather than statements in regards to what the previous evidence was.

BERNSTEIN
I have no objection to that.

They step away from the bench and BERNSTEIN continues.

BERNSTEIN (CONT'D)
Didn't detective Ruggiero entice you to get Phillip to talk about drug activity on the tape?

DOUBLE A
He told me to get more 'dope talk' out of the conversation with Phillip.

BERNSTEIN
During the whole transaction, not once did you, personally, talk about drugs with Phillip?

DOUBLE A
No.

BERNSTEIN
So, you and the police department initiated this criminal transaction?

DOUBLE A
What do you mean by initiated?

BERNSTEIN
What I'm saying, Mr. Anderson, is that you began by contacting Phillip from the beginning and trying to get him to buy drugs from you.

DOUBLE A
Well, yes I did.

BERNSTEIN
Did Phillip Figueroa ever leave the residence to go pick up and drugs himself?

DOUBLE A
No, he didn't.

BERNSTEIN
What were part of the instructions given to you before the controlled buy took place?

DOUBLE A
The detectives told me to get Phillip's phone number.

BERNSTEIN
And how did you obtain his phone number?

DOUBLE A
From Bobby Jordan.

BERNSTEIN
Who, of course, went by the alias 'Buck-tooth Bobby'?

The courtroom erupts into a mild laughter.

DOUBLE A
Yes, everybody called him that.

BERNSTEIN
How did Bobby obtain the number?

DOUBLE A
From Dale Cherry, I guess.

BERNSTEIN
And Dale obtained the number from he and Phillip being friends?

DOUBLE A
Yes, I believe so.

INT. COURTROOM A OF FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, THIRD DAY - DAY

PHILLIP and BERNSTEIN stand majestically at the defense table while they nervously wait for the JURY FOREMAN to read from the verdict sheet.

JURY FOREMAN
We the jury, finds the defendant, Phillip Antonio Figueroa, guilty of conspiracy to distribute a cocaine base as charged in count one.

All expression leaves PHILLIP'S face as BERNSTEIN places his arm around him. Mild pandemonium has broken out in the courtroom. RUMINKSI is sort of fidgeting up at the bench.

RUMINSKI
Order in the court! Order in the court!

RUMINSKI glances out at PHILLIP with his arm tilted upwards.

RUMINSKI (CONT'D)
Having been found guilty, Mr. Figueroa, this court hereby sentences you to serve five years at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas.

EXT. BACK ENTRANCE OF FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, DAYS LATER - DAY

PHILLIP is being escorted into the back of a U.S. Marshal's van in the back part of the courthouse. He is wearing handcuffs and prison issued khakis.

INT. FLASHBACK - FIFTH GRADE CLASSROOM AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY

Ten year old PHILLIP and his young classmates are listening to their instructor, SUSAN HOLLINSHED, inquire about their future occupations.

SUSAN
Alright, students, do any of you know what you want to be when you grow up?

PHILLIP quickly throws his hand high up in the air.

SUSAN (CONT'D)
Yes, Phillip?

PHILLIP
I want to be a police officer when I grow up, Mrs. Hollinshed.

SUSAN
Tell us why.

PHILLIP
I want to put the bad guys away.

SUSAN
Great! You're going to keep our streets safe from drugs and guns and violence?

PHILLIP
Yes, Mrs. Hollinshed.

SUSAN
Class, let's hear it for Phillip.

All the other students are clapping and cheering and whistling for PHILLIP.

SUSAN (CONT'D)
Bad guys, watch out for Phillip.

INT. CELL BLOCK INSIDE LEAVENWORTH FEDERAL PENITENTIARY - DAY

Guards inside the penitentiary are leading PHILLIP to his jail cell. Once inside the cell, they lock it and he falls down onto his cot.

 

FADE OUT