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Lesson 14
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LOGLINE: Nancy and Squire must get the evidence against her father before the trial.
ESSENCE: Who is betraying who?
SCENE:
INT. MECHANICS SHOP – EVENING
NANCY, a 30 something woman, very put together, is opening drawers and cabinets, searching through papers, in a violent manner.
NANCY
Where the hell is it?
SQUIRE, a 28 year old man, lounges against a tool case, lazily pointing a gun at SAM, a 50 year old mechanic who is sitting at attention in an old chair.
SQUIRE
The guy doesn’t know anything, Nancy. What would a mechanic know about your father’s business?
Nancy marches over to Sam, stepping on a board that is not quite sitting correctly, we can see a corner of a piece of paper sticking out.
Nancy takes her gun out and presses it again Sam’s throat.
NANCY
You know what happens to people who betray my father.
Sam’s eyes swing to Squire and open even more. He keeps his eyes on Squire.
SAM
I’d never betray your father. He’s always been good to me.
NANCY
And once I break you, he’ll be really good to me.
SAM
You know me Nancy, I wouldn’t hurt you or your dad.
Squire reaches out and touches Nancy’s shoulder. Nancy looks at her shoulder, then Squire.
SQUIRE
Let me try.
NANCY
Have at it.
Squire circles Sam, stopping behind him and getting closer. In his ear, as he looks at Nancy beguilingly.
SQUIRE
You know, Sam, we don’t want to hurt you. We want to treat you real good. If you make our job easy, we could make it worth your while.
He purrs in his ear, still looking at Nancy.
NANCY
What are you doing? Getting the evidence or trying to make a date?
SQUIRE
This is pointless. I was supposed to be in Cabo this weekend! This guy knows nothing.
Squire points his gun at Sam again.
SQUIRE (CONT’D)
Let’s just finish this.
NANCY
No!
Squire jerks a bit and pulls the trigger, the bullet barely misses Nancy who jumps to the side just in time.
NANCY (CONT’D)
Hey!
SQUIRE
Oops, sorry.
NANCY
We’re here for a reason.
SQUIRE
Are we really? Think about it. Would daddy send you when Pete is in town?
NANCY
I’m as capable as Pete.
SQUIRE
Of course you are, why do you think I like being your partner, besides the obvious.
Squire strokes her hair a bit, she backs away.
SQUIRE (CONT’D)
It’s not working, Nancy. Let’s kill this guy, together.
Sam’s eyes gets bigger. Squire puts a finger in front of his lips to shush him.
SQUIRE (CONT’D)
Let’s do him and the beers are on me.
NANCY
No! We have a job to do. You need to stop it and get your head turned back around.
Squire turns his back to smile at his gun. Sam makes facial gestures to Nancy toward the loose board. She sees the corner of paper. She looks at Sam who nods toward Squire.
NANCY (CONT’D)
You’re in a hurry to get out of here.
SQUIRE
Whatever he had, it’s gone now.
NANCY
You seemed like you were quite at home when you were whispering in his ear.
SQUIRE
It’s my flawless charm.
NANCY
Maybe you’re right. There’s nothing here.
Squire relaxes a little and gets into Sam’s face.
Nancy moves over to side. She takes out her gun and ensures Squire is in her sights.
NANCY (CONT’D)
Wait a minute. That board is loose. I see paper.
Squire moves like Bruce Lee, bringing up his gun. But Nancy’s was already pointed.
NANCY (CONT’D)
What’s going on Squire? You trying to take over?
SQUIRE
I should be the heir.
SQUIRE (CONT’D)
(to Sam)
You kept it here?
SAM
I told you I didn’t want to do this. I would never hurt you Nancy.
NANCY
I know.
SQUIRE
You are dead.
Nancy brings up her gun and points it at his forehead.
NANCY
You know what happens to people who betray my father.
SQUIRE
Wait!
The gun fires.
FADE OUT
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Logline: Nancy overhears about the accident Squire has had and hatches a scheme to make money.
Essence: Greed
Scene:
INT. HOSPITAL WARD – DAY
NANCY – Woman late 20’s – lovely – nice golden hair – wears hospital gown.
SQUIRE – Man around 30 – hansom – full head of dark hair – wears hospital gown.
Nancy limps into Squire’s hospital room. She sees him as he lies in his hospital bed. She limps over to him and sits.
Squire lies in a back brace and has bandages on his cuts. He looks towards her the best he can.
SQUIRE
Who are you?
NANCY
I’m Nancy Saunders. I’m in the room next door.
SQUIRE
Pleased to meet you. I’m sorry I’m not in a better position to greet lovely ladies.
NANCY
I over heard you had an accident at the subway station on 5th avenue.
SQUIRE
Some idiot pushed me on to the tracks. I was fortunate that no train was arriving at the time.
NANCY
(she looks at his wrist ID)
How badly are you hurt? Squire Fahey? That is your name isn’t it?
SQUIRE
That right. I’m waiting the results of the X-Rays and MRI.
(tries to look her way)
Who are you anyway?
NANCY
I maybe the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Are you in pain?
SQUIRE
Some pain. I don’t mean to be impolite but should you be in here?
She looks around then towards the door. She looks back at Squire.
NANCY
I’m a lawyer. I’m here getting my foot and ankle fixed when I heard them bring you in.
SQUIRE
I’ve never met a lawyer as beautiful as you.
NANCY
Listen to me. Last year, a man fell off the subway platform and sued the transit system for millions.
SQUIRE
Did you say millions?
NANCY
It was millions for injury, pain and suffering.
SQUIRE
For millions? Wow!
He pauses.
SQUIRE
I could get that sports car or maybe a house in Westchester.
NANCY
Earth to Squire. Come down for a moment.
(she moves closer to him)
Here’s what we can do.
SQUIRE
What’s with this we? I’m the one hurt not you.
NANCY
You’re going to need a lawyer, aren’t you?
SQUIRE
I guess so.
NANCY
You know so. Only a fool would take on the system by themselves.
SQUIRE
A million dollars. I got nothing to lose. What do I do?
NANCY
You have to play it up. Pain and suffering.
He begins to moan. Nancy looks around the corner at the door. She gets up and opens the door wider.
NANCY
Come on. Pain and suffering.
He moans louder. Just at that moment, the Doctor comes in.
The Doctor looks at Nancy then moves over to Squire as he moans.
DOCTOR
I’m Doctor Brackett. Are you in pain?
SQUIRE
Unbelievable, Doctor. It’s my back and neck.
He glances over at Nancy as she nods.
DOCTOR
That’s odd. Your X-rays and MRI don’t show any broken bones or muscle tears.
SQUIRE
(moans)
Can you give me something for the pain?
NANCY
Sometimes X-rays and MRI’s don’t show everything
DOCTOR
(looks over at her)
Who are you?
NANCY
I’m his lawyer.
DOCTOR
Uh huh. I see.
(to Squire)
Well Mr. Fahey, I’m going to recommend your release. All I can see here are some bumps and bruises.
SQUIRE
What about the pain?
He moans.
DOCTOR
I’ll administer some morphine. It’ll knock you out for a while and when you wake up, I bet you will feel much better.
(he looks over at Nancy)
Won’t he.
The Doctor takes out a syringe of morphine.
SQUIRE
Wait a minute, maybe the pain is getting better.
He injects Squire’s I.V. as Squire quiets. The Doctor looks over at Nancy.
DOCTOR
Perhaps you could use some?
Nancy shakes her head and limps out of the room at a fast pace.
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Logline: While planning a retirement party, Squire turns on the charm to begin planning a blackmail campaign.
Essence: Squire is trying to get Nancy involved in a scheme to blackmail the Exec., Mr. Roberts and Squire’s manager, Karen.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM – EVENING
Nancy is scanning her open laptop and taking notes furiously. NANCY (mid-30s) tall blonde with a ponytail.
SQUIRE (mid-30s) strolls in with his hands in his pockets, tie hanging loosely from his neck.
Nancy glances at him.
NANCY
You’re late.
SQUIRE
Five minutes.
NANCY
Eight minutes.
SQUIRE
And here I was looking forward to spending some quality time with you.
She laughs.
NANCY
That’s not happening ever again. Sit, we have a lot to do.
SQUIRE
I have something that could save us some time.
NANCY
What?
SQUIRE
Karen gave me a list of items that are, as she put it, must-haves for the event.
He taps his smartphone and her laptop chimes.
NANCY
Great. Well, let’s have a look.
Squire slides into a chair next to her, leaning in.
NANCY
Is she kidding? This is a retirement party, not a royal ball.
Why’d she send these to you and not both of us?
SQUIRE
I have no idea. She gave this to me verbally just a few minutes ago. That’s why I was late.
NANCY
Dammit, I’ve already done a ton of work on this. And this completely screws me.
SQUIRE
Sorry, not my call.
NANCY
Well, some of these items just won’t do. Mr. Roberts hates sushi and he’ll never go for a live rock band. I thought she knew him better than that. And, it is his retirement party.
Squire runs a finger down her arm.
SQUIRE
Has it occurred to you that Karen might just be playing to the incoming executive’s tastes, Not Roberts? She ignores his touch.
NANCY
I don’t care, we’re sending Roberts off in style.
SQUIRE
Whatever you say.
He leans back in his chair.
SQUIRE
What do you want me to work on?
NANCY
How about you find this old video game she wants? I’ve almost finished with a caterer’s menu.
SQUIRE
You should add those Swedish meatballs. You know Roberts loves those.
She smiles and becomes animated.
NANCY
That’s a great idea. I forgot about those.
Squire scans his phone when his eyes shift to Nancy.
SQUIRE
What do you think these changes will mean for us? Do you think there will be a promotion or two in the works?
NANCY
It makes sense they’ll promote from within. That’s how they’ve always done it in the past.
SQUIRE
Well, I promise I won’t forget you if you don’t forget me.
NANCY
Honey, you were forgotten after that last little stunt of yours.
SQUIRE
Oh, come on, I didn’t know you we’re that serious.
She turns to him, a stern look on her face.
NANCY
I’m always serious.
SQUIRE
Look, I’m serious here. If I’m promoted to director, I can bring you along. What happened is in the past, and I want to make amends.
NANCY
I was under the impression Karen had you under her little finger.
SQUIRE
So does she. But truth be told, I don’t think she’s going anywhere. She’s Roberts’s little plaything and she’s done when he leaves.
NANCY
What makes you so sure?
He pulls his phone up next to her ear and clicks a button.
Audio emanates from the phone. Two people breathing heavily.
KAREN (O.S.)
Are you sure about this?
ROBERTS (O.S.)
This last bit of marketing data will make us millions from the right competitor. Just a little longer, you and I will be set up for life and be rid of this shit hole company forever.
SQUIRE
I’ve already got the ball rolling. I’m this close to being set up and I can take you along with me.
Nancy stares at him, expressionless.
NANCY
Did you hear that, sir?
The conference room door opens. Mr. Roberts steps in, holding his cell phone. Following him are two security guards, dressed in black suits.
ROBERTS
That I did.
Roberts looks from Nancy to Squire. The color runs out of Squires’s face.
ROBERTS
I had a hell of a time imagining who had squealed. I never thought of you.
Squire looks to Nancy and back again.
SQUIRE
I, ah . . .
ROBERTS
Yeah, save it.
Roberts turns to the black suits.
ROBERTS
Take out down by the docks and hold him at site b. I’ll be in contact later with further instructions.
The two suits pull Squire from his chair and haul him through the door.
Roberts sits down next to Nancy.
ROBERTS
Now, let’s discuss what you want.
He runs a finger down her arm. She smiles and cuddles up real close. -
William Whelan – Assignment Lesson #14: QE Cycle #3
Logline: Two CNO officers discuss the approach to notifying a young, attractive women that her husband has died in combat.
Essence: Nancy is uncomfortable with the way Squire performs his job.
EXT. ESTABLISHING SHOT – CAR TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY – DAY
INT. CAR – DAY
Nancy drives while Squire rides shotgun. Squire checks his cell phone occasionally for directions.
NANCY
I don’t want a repeat of what happened last time.
SQUIRE
What are you talking about?
NANCY
You know damn well what I am talking about.
SQUIRE
I wouldn’t say I didn’t know what you were talking about if I knew what you were talking about.
NANCY
Don’t play dumb with me — you know what I’m referring to.
SQUIRE
Jesus, I see it’s going to be one of those days where you talk in riddles all shift.
NANCY
I’m talking about what happened two months ago.
SQUIRE
You lost me — you have got to be more specific.
NANCY
Memphis.
SQUIRE
You mean the young widow with the toddler.
NANCY
No, I mean the young, hot, widow with the rockin’ body you were trying to hit on.
SQUIRE
I wasn’t trying to hit on her — I was comforting her.
NANCY
Holding her hand, putting your arm around her, and hugging her is against regulations — you were putting the Squire moves on her. I know them when I see them.
SQUIRE
She was crying uncontrollably, words weren’t cutting it, what was I supposed to do.
NANCY
You were just supposed to keep talking in that calm, bed side manner you have — that’s why you got the job in the first place.
SQUIRE
It worked, didn’t it? Or did you want to sit there and listen to her cry for an hour?
NANCY
You are lucky it worked — and that’s the only reason I didn’t report you. Just don’t let it happen again.
SQUIRE
So that’s a warning shot across my bow because today’s client is young and attractive, and I need to be on my best behavior.
NANCY
You got it, Captain.
SQUIRE
I think you are jealous.
NANCY
I knew you’d go there. No, I’m not jealous — I just don’t want you taking advantage of anyone when they’re most vulnerable.
SQUIRE
You expect me to believe that — after you asked that I be assigned to you…Major.
NANCY
Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t ask -– I was told you were being assigned as my partner. The brass knew your reputation — they figured I could straighten you out. I’m still hoping to get you to see the error of your ways.
SQUIRE
I think it’s more than duty that made you take me on as your partner.
NANCY
Your right — you remind me of my ex-husband. If this partnership doesn’t work out I’ll know it was me not him that was the problem.
SQUIRE
See I was right — you do have a thing for me.
NANCY
If I do it’s purely professional — don’t think you are getting into my pants.
Squire checks his phone.
SQUIRE
This is our exit.
The car exits off the highway and pulls into an industrial neighborhood full of warehouses. Nancy looks around.
NANCY
You sure that was the right exit? It’s all warehouses around here — not a house in sight.
SQUIRE
I put in the address exactly as you gave it to me.
NANCY
Which was?
SQUIRE
2336 Maple Street.
NANCY
I said Drive not Street. There you go screwin’ up again.
SQUIRE
Don’t screw with me. You said Street not Drive,
NANCY
Don’t tell me what I said — put in the correct address and see how far away we are from her house.
Squire enters the address in his phone.
SQUIRE
It’s across town — says forty-five minutes with the heavy traffic.
NANCY
It’s gonna be your ass not mine if she hears about her spouse’s death on the news and not from us first — and you know for the brass that’s a big, fat no no.
SQUIRE
You set me up didn’t you? You gave me the wrong address on purpose.
NANCY
WTF you talking about?
SQUIRE
You know what I’m talking about. I know a woman scorned when I see one.
NANCY
You never give it a rest do you. Just STFU and pay attention to the directions so you don’t screw up again.
SQUIRE
Is that an order?
NANCY
Yes, that’s an order.
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