FADE IN:
INT. COFFEE SHOP -- DAY
Pimpled NICK in jeans and tie (early 20s) meets stern-looking MICK
in slicked-up suit (mid-30s). Mick takes a puff at his cigarette
with the grim expression, keeping his eyes away from Nick. Nick
solicits.
NICK
I swear I can make it. Last time, I was screwed up 'cause that's
my first job. I'm now better. I am up to your work this time.
Please give me a chance.
MICK
(briskly)
Have you ever risked yourself?
NICK
Pardon me?
Mick darts a scornful gaze at Nick. Nick is taken aback and drops
his eyes.
MICK
Hmm. You're real man.
NICK
But our business is nothing to do with... In business, we have to
be honest...
MICK
Honest?
(laughs for a while)
You deserve a museum.
Mick pushes the butt into the ash tray. Nick looks up at him in
surprise.
NICK
Wait. Please, I need job. Listen to me...
MICK
Sissy.
Mick stands up and stares at Nick.
MICK
I only trust man. Kill anybody if you want my job.
Mick takes off. Nick stays there with his eyes on the table.
INT. ANOTHER COFFEE SHOP -- EVENING
Pretty ASHLEY in business suit (early 20s) gobbles a chocolate
cake at the table. When Nick trudges into the shop, Ashley waves
to him with an adorable smile. Nick takes a seat across the table
from Ashley.
ASHLEY
What's up, Nick?
NICK
(mumbles)
Okay.
ASHLEY
(chuckling)
You look awful. Didn't you say you'd have something to delight
me?
Nick sighs with his eyes down.
ASHLEY
C'mon! Cheer up! Did you come back from funeral ceremony? More
grit.
NICK
(gloomily)
I met somebody for a job, a kind of.
ASHLEY
Oh...
(beat)
Don't mind. You're nice person. Best of all, very honest.
You're gonna get chance soon. Do you want chocolate too?
NICK
(weakly)
I gotta take precaution for diabetes.
ASHLEY
Oh... So, how about pop?
NICK
I don't like to be carbonized.
ASHLEY
I see. It's good to be careful about your health. Then, what do
you want to drink?
Ashley stares at Nick but Nick doesn't respond.
ASHLEY
(snickers)
Phew. You need more energy.
Ashley steals a glance at Nick and turns away. Nick still keeps
his eyes on the table, disappointedly.
EXT. STREET -- NIGHT
Nick strolls on Granville Street.
NICK (V.O.)
I need more power. I know. But how? And why? Only the outlaws
are worth respect? I hate bastard who spits over nice people and
tramples down their feeling without remorse. They are punks. But
most people admire this kind of bastards. Incredible!
The bus stops and people race into board before Nick.
EXT. ANOTHER STREET -- NIGHT
Nick gets off the bus without tie.
NICK (V.O.)
Nothing exciting would happen in my life. Why should I always
suffer? Is it sin to be sensitive? Is it crime not to be
violent? Why do the people respect only rude and greedy asshole?
Disgusting! At least, most rich guys are arrogant type.
EXT. NICK'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
Nick walks toward his house on the sidewalk.
NICK (V.O.)
My father is god'mn honest. He's been working for company and
feed us. So what? He will spend the rest of life this way
without dream. He is okay but... Oh, I hate this neighbourhood.
I wish to get a chance and make my own way for high life.
Nick opens the door and enters the house.
INT. NICK'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
Nick comes in and heads for his room.
NICK (V.O.)
I don't like to end up in salaried-worker and live in such small
house with a naggy woman.
MOTHER
Nick. Is it you?
His MOTHER comes up and speaks to Nick from his back.
MOTHER
Nick. Come here. We have something to talk with you.
Nick keeps making headway.
MOTHER
Your father lost his job.
Nick looks back at his Mother in surprise.
INT. NICK'S HOUSE -- LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT
Nick sits at the table across his FATHER and Mother.
NICK
Do you know what you're saying?
MOTHER
Nick, you're old enough.
NICK
I gotta go to school!
MOTHER
You can work. Except school, you can find something you'd do...
NICK
How can you say that? You're ruining my life. I would be a bum
without school.
Father starts crying down. Mother comforts him.
MOTHER
Oh, darling. It's okay. Nick doesn't like to study. He'll give
up school.
NICK
Studying is not all we're expecting from school. I will look
smart. I can meet smart friends and get connection. It's the
duty of parent to send me school.
MOTHER
Stop it, Nick. Your daddy is suffering. You gotta say something
encouraging. You should challenge another goal...
Nick runs out of the living room.
MOTHER
Wait. Nick. We don't finish yet.
Father more furiously cries.
EXT. NICK'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
Nick walks away on the sidewalk in front of his house.
NICK (V.O.)
He is not my father any more.
EXT. DOWNTOWN -- STREET -- NIGHT
Nick saunters on the street.
NICK (V.O.)
I will kill. Why not? I will kill.
On the street, a bunch of PUNKs loiter. Some are drunk and loudly
laugh.
NICK (V.O.)
Disgusting! Everything is disgusting. It's much better to
destroy all of them. If I bust them, they will change their
attitude.
Nick approaches the Punks, staring at them. They recognize Nick
and stare back at him.
PUNK 1
What?
Nick is frightened and shows them flattering smile.
NICK
Hello, sir.
Nick turns back and dash off.
PUNK 1
Hey. Wait.
The Punks run after Nick.
EXT. DOWNTOWN -- ANOTHER STREET -- NIGHT
Nick walks up, panting. He sees the gun shop in front of him.
NICK (V.O.)
I need a gun. If I have a gun, it's easy. I will kill. I need a
gun.
Nick walks back and forth in front of the gun shop. At last he
enters the bar nearby.
INT. BAR -- NIGHT
Nick comes in and sits at the table. Sensual waitress CLAIRE
comes along and speaks to him with a smile.
CLAIRE
Hi. How are you doing?
NICK
Better if I drink.
CLAIRE
What do you want to drink?
NICK
Orange juice.
(beat)
Vodka.
CLAIRE
Hmm, manly. Straight?
NICK
What else?
CLAIRE
Okay. Wait a second.
Claire smiles and heads for the counter. The Punks come in and
look for seats. Nick turns away, hiding himself. The Punks take
seats between Nick and the counter. Claire comes back, bringing a
shot of vodka. The Punks flirt with Claire.
PUNK 1
Hey, so early. It's ours, isn't it?
CLAIRE
No. I'll be back after I put it down over there.
PUNK 2
C'mon, we are thirsty. Give us booze.
They yell out and laugh.
CLAIRE
Okay, okay. We have lots of guests.
Claire heads for Nick. The Punks see Nick stare at them. Nick
turns away, frightened.
EXT. ALLEY -- NIGHT
Nick is knocked down on the pavement. He moans. The Punks kicks
up his belly. Then, Nick cannot move.
PUNK 2
Wussy, eh.
PUNK 1
Be a man.
They take off, leaving Nick there. Nick stands up, checking
bruise on his face. He moans and finds a cell phone on the road.
He picks it up and puts into his pocket.
EXT. DOWNTOWN -- ANOTHER STREET -- NIGHT
Nick walks back and forth in front of the gun shop, holding his
beaten face. The gun shop is closed.
NICK (V.O.)
I gotta kill anybody. If I do, they cannot speak to me like that.
Nick looks into the dark shop. A cat screams behind him. Nick is
frightened and turns back to see the cat there.
EXT. DOWNTOWN -- BRIDGE -- NIGHT
Nick leans over the railing of bridge, looking down the street
beneath his feet.
NICK (V.O.)
Suicide is not escape from our life. It's a challenge to the
taboo. Without the acceptance of death, nobody can be big. I can
defy the fear of death but these morons stick to the stupid life
and bluff. I am much better.
Nick tries to climb over the railing but gets scared when he looks
down.
NICK (V.O.)
But the problem is that they are still there after I'm gone.
Nick starts walking down on the bridge.
NICK (V.O.)
It's disgusting to imagine that they laugh at me after I've
crushed down.
EXT. DOWNTOWN -- ANOTHER STREET -- NIGHT
Nick trudges on the street.
NICK (V.O.)
Where should I go? Nowhere to stay tonight.
Nick stops.
NICK (V.O.)
Wait! I'd stop aging in the next world if I die right now. I
could push them around when they come up after they get senile.
Let's bully them and get them lick my sole.
Nick turns around. The car stops beside Nick and Claire speaks to
him from the driver seat.
CLAIRE
Hey. Are you all right?
Nick cannot recognize her. Claire continues.
CLAIRE
I was worried about you. They're bimbos. I hate those low life.
Come on in. I'll give you a ride.
NICK
No thanks.
CLAIRE
C'mon. Are you scared?
Nick shrugs and gets into the car.
CLAIRE (O.S.)
Where do you live?
The car starts.
INT. BIG APARTMENT -- NIGHT
The living room is big but nasty and littered, filled with the
smoke of marijuana. A GIRL and MAN lie on the bed, whispering and
giggling. The door is opened and Claire and Nick come in. Nick
stands behind Claire and looks around the room with curiosity.
CLAIRE
Come in. You can sleep on this sofa.
Nick comes in and sniffs. Claire points at the sofa beside the
bed. The Girl and Man on the bed stops making love and look at
Nick.
CLAIRE
Never mind, guys. You can go on in your business.
Claire goes into the next room. The couple resumes making out
beside Nick. Nick turns away in amazement. The Girl moans. Nick
steals a glance at them.
MOMENT LATER
Claire in revealing dress comes out of the next room. We hear the
couple make love on the bed. Nick lies on the sofa, covering his
head with a pillow.
CLAIRE
What are you doing, Nick?
NICK
I'm sleepy.
CLAIRE
You can sleep here. Leave my bed open, okay.
Claire takes off. Nick raises his head, seeing her off. The
couple stops making love.
MAN (O.S.)
Whay the hell is he doing there?
GIRL (O.S.)
Nothing.
MAN (O.S.)
Nothing? Look! He's watching us.
GIRL (O.S.)
(giggles)
Are you nervous? You can leave here if you pay money.
MAN (O.S.)
God damn.
They restart sex. The bed screeches. The Girl moans. The floor
shakes. Nick bounces, covering his head with the pillow. The
cell phone rings.
GIRL
(moaning)
Answer the god damn phone. I can't concentrate.
Nick pulls out the cell phone from his pocket and presses the
button.
ANGLE ON - LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY
the cell phone shows a string of text message:
BUST OUT. BASTARD TURNED US IN. COPS GONNA SHAKE ROOM.
BACK TO SCENE:
Nick reads the message on the display in surprise. He looks at
the couple in front of him and realizes what it means. He runs
out of the room where the couple still makes love.
EXT. BIG APARTMENT -- CONTINUOUS
The door is slammed open and Nick dashes out, holding the cell
phone in his hand.
Nick runs through down the street. He runs into Claire coming
back with a JOHN.
NICK
C'mon, Claire. Let's go.
Nick drags Claire, grabbing her arm. Claire resists.
CLAIRE
Quit it!
NICK
They're coming. Run.
CLAIRE
Who? I've just picked up a John.
NICK
Cops're coming.
CLAIRE
(in surprise)
So soon?
Claire takes the Nick's words seriously. The siren wails. Claire
realizes that Nick is right and they run away together, leaving
the John there.
EXT. PARK -- MORNING
Claire lies down on the bench. Claire tosses.
CLAIRE
I can't sleep here.
Nick sneezes, lying on the grass beside the bench.
NICK
Neither can I.
Nick stands up.
NICK
I don't know why I gotta sleep here.
Claire also stands up and starts walking.
CLAIRE
Okay. Time to go. They don't watch any more.
NICK
Where are you going?
CLAIRE
My place.
NICK
You're getting back to that apartment?
CLAIRE
No. It's theirs. I said my place.
NICK
How come you took me there?
Claire keeps walking without reply. Nick follows her.
CLAIRE
How did you know that?
NICK
What?
CLAIRE
Raid.
NICK
Uh, a hunch.
CLAIRE
Hmm. You can come with me.
NICK
Eh?
CLAIRE
Nowhere to go, right?
Claire keeps walking. Nick momentarily hesitates and follows her.
INT. CLAIRE'S APARTMENT -- MORNING
The room is small but neat. Claire and Nick come in.
CLAIRE
Wow. Here we are.
Claire throws herself onto the bed and lies on her back. Nick
sits on the sofa. Nick yarns and soon falls asleep.
LATER -- DAY
Nick wakes up. Claire is not there and speaks with somebody
(male) under their breath in the next room.
CLAIRE (O.S.)
But you missed it. The cops nabbed them. Who said we were safe?
PUNK 1 (O.S.)
We're supposed to use that boy for decoy. But they busted too
early.
CLAIRE (O.S.)
The pimp ran. Girls are always victims. What were you guys
doing?
PUNK 1 (O.S.)
I couldn't get a tip from boss.
CLAIRE (O.S.)
I escaped a slammer within a hairbreath.
PUNK 1 (O.S.)
How did he know cops'd knock off?
CLAIRE (O.S.)
I dunno. Right guy is better than macho.
Nick smiles and closes his eyes when he hears them coming into the
room.
PUNK 1
I gotta find my cell phone. Or boss'd kill me. I can't tell him
that.
CLAIRE
No more boob.
They open the door and go out. Nick is surprised and opens the
eyes to look at them. The door is opened again and Claire comes
back. Nick quickly closes the eyes and lies down.
Claire enters the next room again. Nick opens his eyes and thinks
about it. He nods and smiles. Claire comes back in better
clothes. Nick yarns and stretches on the sofa.
NICK
Yeaaaaah.
CLAIRE
Are you up?
NICK
Where are you off to?
CLAIRE
Work, of course. You?
NICK
No. I don't work.
CLAIRE
No work? How do you get money?
NICK
Uh, I'm making a film. I mean, actor.
CLAIRE
Hmm. Another starving actor. Do you want job?
NICK
What kind of job?
CLAIRE
Come on. I'll show you.
Claire takes off. Nick follows her in a rush.
INT. WAREHOUSE -- DAY
The big and dark warehouse of gardener's. There are many plant
pots and others stored. The Punks work to carry some into the
truck. Claire and Nick come in. Nick is stunned when he sees the
Punks but the Punks obediently work there. Claire introduces Nick
to the FOREMAN.
CLAIRE
Hi.
FOREMAN
How're you doing?
CLAIRE
It's Nick. Could you use him here?
The Foreman gives Nick a stare and sneers.
CLAIRE
He's looking for job.
FOREMAN
Okay. Come on, buddy.
The Foreman pats Nick on his shoulder and takes him to the truck.
INT. TRUCK -- DAY
The Foreman drives the truck. Nick uncomfortably takes a seat,
sandwiched by the Foreman and Punk 2.
NICK (V.O.)
I want to go to school.
EXT. STREET -- DAY
The truck parks in front of a big building. Well-dressed workers
go in and out. Nick and Punk 2 carry out the plant pot from the
truck. The pedestrians look down on them. Nick feels ashamed of
his work.
PUNK 2
Hey. Push it. Break your balls.
They carry the plant pot into the building.
EXT. BAR -- NIGHT
In front of the bar, Nick and Claire brawl.
NICK
I hate them. They push me around.
CLAIRE
Take it. You said you need job.
NICK
Not this kind of job. Why should I work for such dupe, uh,
unintelligent people?
CLAIRE
What the hell do you think you are? You had nowhere to go, eh?
So I offered you the bed and job. How can you gripe at me right
this? Go anywhere you want to. Jackass.
Nick turns around and strides ahead. Claire yells out to his
back.
CLAIRE
You have no spunk, smarty.
Nick makes no reply and indignantly keeps walking.
EXT. STREET -- CONTINUOUS
Nick turns the corner and walks up. He stops there and stares at
a couple in front of him in astonishment.
NICK
Life sucks.
Nick sees Mick walk with Ashley arm in arm. They recognize Nick
as well but Mick totally ignores him and Ashley rather perks
herself up, giving Nick a glance with teaser smile.
Nick is dumbstruck there. They go into a hotel.
NICK (V.O.)
I need a gun.
The cell phone rings and Nick takes it out and check.
ANGLE ON -- LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY
the cell phone shows the text message:
REVENGE! ROSCOE IN TOY TRAIN. WHO'LL GET DOG?
BACK TO THE SCENE:
Nick stands on the street and seriously keeps his eyes on the cell
phone. Claire walks up to Nick from his behind.
CLAIRE (O.S.)
That dog destroyed our lives. He threatened us to do that and
ratted us on.
Claire stands next to Nick and both stare at the hotel where the
two has just entered.
INT. BAR -- NIGHT
On the floor, Nick and Claire dance. We see them joyfully dance
for a while.
MOMENT LATER
Nick and Claire talk at the table.
NICK
I don't like to be a leg man.
CLAIRE
I know.
NICK
I needed job so I met Mick for an interview. He brushed me off.
CLAIRE
It's his trick. That slimy jackal lures anybody with job and
hooks us when we take the bait.
NICK
I just wanted to be an actor.
CLAIRE
So did I.
Nick looks Claire in her face.
CLAIRE
Mick has the double-level life. He is a fabulous film producer by
day and pimp by night. He holds anyone by the balls and straps
us. He will get anything he wants. Sometimes, with violence.
INT. TRUCK -- MORNING
As before, Nick is seated between Foreman and Punk 2.
NICK (V.O.)
Life sucks. Everybody is wacho. Sneaky and nutty. I hate them.
PUNK 2
Are they rich?
FOREMAN
Yeah. Very.
PUNK 2
Incredible to buy such big tree.
FOREMAN
They pay us good money.
PUNK 2
Smart fellows get everything. I want to be smart.
CLAIRE (V.O.)
Mick is a beast. He takes everything.
EXT. GARDEN -- DAY
At the garden of big house, Nick and Punk 2 set the Christmas tree
and decorate it. Foreman talks with glamorous WOMAN. Cute BOY
stays around there. Punk 2 brings a pile of boxes and puts them
on the turf.
FOREMAN
(to Woman)
We will put the illumination light. You can decorate toys and
others.
Punk 2 takes some boxes. A toy train box is revealed at the top
of pile. Nick recognizes it. Punk 2 tries to take it too. Nick
interrupts.
NICK
I'll take care of this.
PUNK 2
(Bluntly)
Okay. Be careful.
LATER
They finish decorating the tree and clean up there to leave.
Foreman talks with Woman and Boy runs around. Punk 2 and Nick
bring the empty boxes out.
BOY
Merry Christmas!
Boy runs up to the tree and finds the toy train box there. He
picks it up and runs to the Woman. Foreman finishes talking with
Woman and leaves there. Boy runs up to her. Nick notices he has
the box and approaches them.
BOY
Mammy, I found train. Can I decorate it on the tree?
He opens the box and finds the revolver in it. The Boy is
delighted and tries to take it out.
WOMAN
(grunts)
The Woman is stunned and snatches up the Boy away from the box.
Nick picks it up and smiles at her.
INT. OFFICE OF GARDENER -- NIGHT
Small and messy office. The Punk 1 speaks on the phone. Other
Punks overhear around him.
PUNK 1
Mick is there? Yes. Sure. I will get him. I swear.
Nick comes in, bringing the toy train box. Punk 1 hangs up.
PUNK 2
What did he say?
PUNK 1
The dog is at the party. We gotta go.
PUNK 2
But we don't have roscoe.
PUNK 1
Uh, okay. Let her do that.
PUNK 2
You mean...
Punk 1 dials the telephone.
PUNK 1
Claire also hates the bastard.
Nick is surprised while overhearing them.
EXT. WAREHOUSE -- NIGHT
Outside the warehouse, the Punks get together with motorbikes.
PUNK 1
Okay. Let's go.
They start the motorbikes.
EXT. STREET -- CONTINUOUS
The Punks run through with the motorbikes, making terrible noises.
Nick comes up and raises the hand to pick up a taxi. A taxi stops
in front of him and he gets in.
INT. TAXI -- CONTINUOUS
Nick slips into the rear seat.
NICK
Trail them. Hurry up. Go.
The taxi starts.
EXT. CONVENTION HALL -- NIGHT
We see the sign "Children's Film Festival." At the corner before
the hall, the Punks meet Claire. The taxi runs through beside
them.
INT. TAXI -- CONTINUOUS
Nick sees Punk 1 hand the knife to Claire. Claire puts it into
her handbag.
NICK
Wait. Stop.
The taxi keeps on running and Nick looks back.
EXT. STREET -- MOMENTS LATER
The taxi parks at the next corner.
NICK (O.S.)
I didn't mean that. Please wait.
(screams)
I wasn't aware I had no money. Well, how about this?
We hear the driver scream. Nick gets out holding the gun in his
hand. The taxi dashes off. He hides the gun and hurries up to
the entrance.
There are many people there. Nick comes in and looks around.
Among the crowd, he finds Mick and Claire at the corner. He walks
toward them. They brawl. Suddenly Mick slaps Claire on her
cheek. Nick pushes somebody in front of him and dashes toward
them. Claire yells out and puts her hand into the handbag,
staring at Mick.
NICK
Don't, Claire.
Nick takes out the gun and triggers it to blow away Mick on his
back. The people scream and run away. Nick is too excited to
control himself. He keeps shooting until the gun clinks.
CLAIRE
Run. Nick, run.
Nick storms out of the hall, passing the Punks who rush into the
hall. The Punks see Mick lie down on the floor, bleeding. Claire
takes out a cigarette from her handbag and exchanges sly smile
with the Punks. The people are running around them.
DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Cut.
The camera retreats.
INT. STUDIO -- CONTINUOUS
As the camera further goes back, we see DIRECTOR and CAMERA
OPERATOR and others working on the set of hall.
SFX STAFF (O.S.)
Sound okay.
DIRECTOR
Check the lens.
Nick stands behind the camera.
DIRECTOR
Good job.
NICK
Thank you.
On the set, people are relaxed. Claire and Punks smoke cigarette
and talk. Mick walks up to Nick with a smile and offers his hand.
MICK
Perfect! I was moved.
NICK
Thanks. Can I get next job?
MICK
Kill more under different situations.
NICK
Of course. I'm killing snobs and crooks I want to kill. I can't
do this in my real life.
MICK
Very good. Very good. You got it.
CAMERA OPERATOR
Lens is clean.
AD
Okay. Let's move to the next scene. Outdoor location. Nick will
mow down the punks.
The Staffs start getting ready to leave the set.
NICK
My father lost the job. I couldn't go ahead without your job.
Nick and Mick head for the exit. The staffs still keep working.
MICK (O.S.)
So, how many are you going to kill today? So exciting.
FADE OUT: