In Like Sin
A BLACK TITLE SCREEN APPEARS THAT READS...
For Love and Bullets
EXT. PARKING LOT – NIGHT
The ground shimmers with fresh puddles under a lone street lamp.
There’s only one car, a black Dodge Neon, parked towards the back.
Inside the car waits SONNY, 30.
INT. DODGE NEON – NIGHT
Sonny reaches into his jacket and pulls out a cigarette and a Zippo lighter. A flame bursts from the Zippo as he flicks it on and he takes a few puffs from the cigarette.
Sonny reaches into the backseat of the car and pulls out a long lensed camera from a leather satchel. He places it in the passenger seat.
SONNY (V.O.)
This is the last time, Sonny. This is the last job. Take dad’s advice and get out now. Do it for Gwen. What if she got killed? This is the last time.
EXT. PARKING LOT – NIGHT
A red sports utility vehicle pulls into a spot by the street lamp and parks.
Driving the car is BRUCE MALONE, 28, and sitting next to him is GWEN, 29.
SONNY (V.O.)
Right on time. Good job baby.
INT. RED SUV – NIGHT
Gwen’s lips shine in the light as she moves seductively closer to Bruce. Bruce seems uncomfortable and stiff.
GWEN
What’s a matter, Brucey baby?
BRUCE
I don’t know about this. My wife, she’ll-
GWEN
Shhh. Just relax.
Her lips move to Bruce’s neck.
INT. DODGE NEON – NIGHT
The camera CLICKS with the push of Sonny’s finger. With every movement Gwen makes, Sonny takes a picture. He takes the camera from his eye and throws his cigarette out the window.
SONNY (V.O.)
That’s the way baby. Just a few more.
The camera returns to his eye as he is continues taking pictures.
INT. RED SUV – NIGHT
Gwen is finished with his neck as she slowly moves her hand to his face. Their lips move in for a kiss.
BRUCE
No, I can’t! I’m married! We’ve had a few problems, but I love her. I can’t make a mistake like this. You’re a beautiful woman, but this can’t continue. I am sorry, Daisy.
GWEN
It’s alright Mr. Malone. If you ever need anything, though-
She hands him a small business card and sends him a wink. Bruce cannot take his eyes off of her bright lips. She gets out of the car and Bruce speeds off.
She watches the S.U.V. fade off into the surrounding city as she turns and smiles towards Sonny. Sonny pulls his car up to Gwen.
SONNY
Beautiful job, doll.
GWEN
I would never let you down.
SONNY
He knows nothing about you, right?
GWEN
I told him my name was Daisy, he thinks I’m a local hooker. The fool was delusional.
SONNY
Baby, you’re the greatest.
They embrace through the window and Gwen gets into the car. They drive off.
INT. DODGE NEON – NIGHT
Sonny and Gwen’s dark figures sit in the car, only visible when passing under a street light. Gwen watches out her open window with a look of excitement. Sonny’s eyes occasionally shift from the road to Gwen.
SONNY (V.O.)
Her smell intoxicates me. No wonder she can do what she does. No man would turn her down. She’s the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and she’s all mine.
Gwen looks back at Sonny and slowly puts her head on his shoulder.
GWEN
So, how much you think were going to make off this one?
SONNY
I dunno. I am guessing around five grand. We got some good pictures.
GWEN
Wow. That’s enough, don’t you think?
SONNY
Yeah, were almost out baby.
Gwen shrieks with glee.
GWEN
I love you, Sonny.
SONNY
I love you, too.
Gwen moves in for a kiss.
INT. ATTIC BEDROOM – NIGHT
The only light in the square room are moon beams shining through a small circular window.
A twin bed sits in the corner and Sonny and Gwen’s clothes clutter the ground.
Gwen’s hand clutches the sheets that surround her as she gazes longingly at Sonny. Sonny thrusts slowly underneath a blanket. Gwen bites her lower lip. Sweat drips from Sonny’s face as pleasure ignites inside him with one last slow thrust. Gwen leans up slowly for a kiss.
INT. FAMILY ROOM – NIGHT
Gwen walks down the stairs in a long tshirt and goes into the bathroom. Sonny follows downward, but exits the house onto the porch.
EXT. FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
Sonny leans against the hand rail as he lights a cigarette.
SONNY (V.O.)
I feel so cliche’ smoking a cigarette after what just happened. God knows I can’t smoke inside. The old broad who owns this place wont allow it. It doesn’t matter. Gwen and I get room and board for cheap. With the money we’ll be making tomorrow, though, we’ll be out of here soon enough.
He takes a drag from his cigarette as Gwen sneaks up behind him. She slides her arms around his waist.
GWEN
What are you doing?
SONNY
Just thinking.
GWEN
About what?
SONNY
About what I am going to say to Bruce’s wife.
GWEN
Oh, I thought I did something wrong.
SONNY
Oh, God no baby. You’re an angel.
GWEN
Alright, well I leave you to your thinking.
SONNY
I will be back up in a few.
He kisses her hand as she re-enters the house. He takes the last puff from his cigarette, flicks it away, pulls a cell phone from his pants pocket, and dials a number.
MRS. MALONE (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
Hello?
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Mrs. Malone?
SONNY (V.O.)
This is the hardest part.
MRS. MALONE (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
Yes?
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
I have something I think you should know.
INT. BIG OFFICE – DAY
A desk sits towards the back while a huge lamp illuminates the room.
SCARLETT MALONE, the 27 year old wife of Bruce Malone, sits at the desk glaring down at the pictures of her husband with Gwen. She looks up at Sonny through a black vale and hits extra ashes off of her cigarette into an ash tray. Sonny sits in a round chair in front of the desk.
MRS. MALONE
Dead.
SONNY (V.O.)
Music to my ears.
MRS. MALONE
I want him dead.
SONNY
Now, Mrs. Malone-
MRS. MALONE
Scarlett, please.
SONNY
Alright, Scarlett. You are positive you want to go through this?
MRS. MALONE
The lying bastard deserves it. I knew he wasn’t being faithful to me, going on and on about how he loves me. He probably just wanted my money.
SONNY (V.O.)
Poor bastard probably did love her. Oh well, a job's a job.
SONNY
Now, what price we talking about here?
MRS. MALONE
Ten thousand and I want the job done right. The body should never be found.
SONNY
Scarlett, for ten thousand, it will be as if he never existed.
MRS. MALONE
Good. You bring me his wallet and you can collect the reward.
She licks her lips.
SONNY (V.O.)
She’s tempting me. This whole thing is an escape for her. She will finally be free to do whoever and whatever she wants.
SONNY
The money will do, Mrs. Malone.
MRS. MALONE
(Smug)
Who offered anything more?
SONNY
There will be a phone call for your husband tonight around ten. Allow him to answer it.
MRS. MALONE
Will do.
SONNY
It’s been a pleasure.
Sonny exits the room. Scarlett picks up one of the pictures and burns a hole through Bruce’s head with her cigarette.
MRS. MALONE (V.O.)
He finally fucked up. The bastard has finally gave me a reason to lose his ass. I will admit this is a bit drastic, but past husbands have been through worse. That dumb bastard.
She smiles an evil grin and puts the cigarette out.
INT./EXT. DODGE NEON/CITY OF QUINCY – DAY
Sonny drives his car through a busy city as he takes a few hits off a cigarette. He seems to have a cautious excitement in his attitude.
SONNY (V.O.)
Quincy streets make me sick. This whole damn city makes me sick. That’s why were getting out. I can finally live a normal life with the girl of my dreams. Grow old together, have some kids, sleep at night and work at day, try the normal life for a change. Sounds like bliss to me.
Sonny’s cell phone rings in his jacket pocket.
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Hello?
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
Baby?
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Sweetheart! I have the best news! That broad’s giving us ten grand to knock off her old man! Isn’t that great?!
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
Yeah baby.
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Gwen, what’s wrong?
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
He called again.
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Who?
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
The Fat Man.
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Tell him to fuck off! Were out of this shit now!
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
I tried. He wouldn’t listen. He wants to meet us.
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Hell no! I never worked for the Fat Man, and I am not going to start now.
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
I told him we would meet him tonight at the bistro on the corner of eleven and thirty eight.
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Why would you do that?
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
He said if we didn’t meet him, that he would come over now to talk. I am here alone, Sonny! It scared the shit out of me. Maybe he just needs to hear no in person.
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
It’s OK doll. I hope that’s all it takes. What time tonight?
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
I told him seven. I figured that gave us plenty of time before the hit.
SONNY (ON THE PHONE)
Alright, that sounds fine. I will be home in a few. I love you Gwen.
GWEN (V.O.) ON THE PHONE
I love you too.
Sonny hangs up his phone and puts it back in his jacket.
SONNY (V.O.)
The Fat Man. The fucking Fat Man. He found out about our deal months ago and has been trying to get a piece of the action ever since. He got control of half of Quincy once his father passed. The Yakuza and Cartel run the other half. He thinks he’s hot shit and can push everyone around. Not this time.
Sonny reaches over to his glove box and pulls out a nine millimeter hand gun.
SONNY (V.O.)
Not this time.
He puts the gun inside his jacket.
INT. FAMILY ROOM – DAY
Sonny is rushing around the house with a duffle bag in his hand, collecting random things as he goes.
SONNY
Where’s our ski masks?
GWEN
Honey, calm down. They’re already in your bag.
SONNY
You’re right.
GWEN
Please, just sit down. Everything will be fine.
SONNY
No, it wont. The Fat Man will not stop until we do his bidding, just as his father did to mine.
GWEN
Just let me talk to him. You know I can get us out of anything.
SONNY
You are a pro with that tongue.
Gwen smiles and moves close to Sonny, putting her arms around his neck.
SONNY
No! There is no time for that!
He pushes Gwen off.
SONNY
There’s too much to do!
SONNY (V.O.)
Don’t you ever push her off again, you bastard.
He continues rushing around the house. Gwen sits down on a couch towards the back of the room in defeat.
GWEN
(Whispering)
Please God, let everything turn out OK.
Sonny stops rushing with a full duffle bag.
SONNY
You ready?
GWEN
Yeah.
Sonny searches through his pockets.
SONNY
Where’s my keys?!
Gwen dangles them in front of his face.
SONNY
Thanks babe. Lets go.
He snatches the keys and they exit the house.