Lesson 8

[Blair Marino]

LOGLINE: John tries to disrupt his brother Nick’s plan to crash a train into the Chicago O’Hare station.
ESSENCE: Finishing at all costs.
SCENE:
INT. UNDERGROUND BASE – DAY

Wall-to-wall video monitors and a central computer station fill a cavernous room. Twenty-eight-year-old NICK, wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans, sits typing away at a computer. Twenty-five-year-old JOHN, sporting a hoody and black Chucks, peeks inside the room from a large doorway. Nick stands up and walks over to a cabinet. He sees a shadow by the doorway as John tries to hide.

NICK
(sing-songy)
Whoever that is, I see you.

John takes a deep breath and steps out from hiding.

NICK
Well Well Well, brother. What a pleasant surprise.

JOHN
What the hell is this place?

NICK
I’m giving Lex Luthor vibes aren’t I?

JOHN
Minus the smarts.

NICK
Ouch.

John looks at one of the large monitors showing the interior of a train control system.

JOHN
What exactly are you doing down here?

NICK
You think I’m giving that up so easily? I’ve already given too much by inviting you to the island.

JOHN
Why can’t you tell me? You’re my big brother. We’ve always been close.

NICK
That is true, but then you had to jet off to Europe to find yourself. You left me to my own devices.

JOHN
I’m back now.

NICK
A lot has happened since you left. I’ve made a few enemies along the way.

John walks over to the computer station. Nick follows him.

NICK
Stop right there.

John halts and studies several monitors showing passengers inside a train. Nick sits down in front of a computer and clicks away.

JOHN
Why are you monitoring a train?

Nick scoffs.

NICK
Sooo many questions. Patience, brother.

John slowly moves towards Nick. He strains to look over Nick’s shoulder at the computer monitor. Nick types some numbers on the keyboard.

JOHN
Are you going to blow up the train?

Nick turns around smiling.

NICK
Okay, you got me, I will tell you. I don’t have the smarts for explosives. I do however know how to hack into the train’s control system and crash it into O’Hare.

JOHN
Oh my god. I knew you had somewhat of a dark side, but this is crazy.

John glances around the room for some kind of makeshift weapon.

NICK
Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

John sees a pair of scissors on one of the desks. He dashes to the desk and grabs the scissors.

JOHN
You’re right.

Nick turns around and sees John threateningly hold the scissors.

NICK
Are you going to stop me, baby brother?

JOHN
I’m going to try.

John lunges at Nick and stabs him in the hand with the scissors. Nick grabs the scissors out of the wound and collapses on the ground. He drops the scissors.

NICK
(laughing)
Well, I didn’t see that coming.

JOHN
You have to stop the train!

Nick uses his good hand to cover up the gash while a pool of blood builds up on the floor.

NICK
Well, it’s too late for that. I have already set the coordinates to by-pass the brake system and accelerate the train.

Nick sees the blood on the floor.

NICK
Whoa, that’s a lot of blood. I am feeling pretty woozy here.

John sees the train passengers looking distressed on the speeding train.

JOHN
Tell me how to stop the train and I will help you with your hand.

NICK
Oh will you, now?

Nick lies down on the floor in pain. He starts to laugh.

NICK
I see that I have gotten myself in quite the pickle. I didn’t know you had it in you.

John picks up the scissors.

JOHN
I will do it again if I have to.

NICK
Okay, okay.

Nick strains to breathe.

NICK
Go to the computer and open up the file that says ‘Chicago’.

John walks over to the computer and sits down. He moves the mouse around and finds the correct folder.

JOHN
Okay, I found it and it’s open.

NICK
Okay, click on the window that says “setup”.

John clicks on the window.

JOHN
Done.

Nick coughs and clears his throat.

NICK
Now type in the numbers three, seven, six, and two.

John types on the keyboard.

JOHN
Okay.

Nick starts laughing. John frantically looks at the video monitor of the train.

JOHN
It’s not stopping!

Nick smirks.

NICK
That’s because you just made it speed up even more.

John looks on in horror as the train crashes into the O’Hare station. Nick turns onto his back and smiles.

[Deb Johnson]

Logline: John, a new bakeshop owner is suspicious of his friend and mentor, Nick, who he believes is sabotaging his business.

Essence: Getting to the truth of the matter.

Scene:

EXT. BAKERY SHOP – DOWNTOWN DISTRICT – DAY
It's rush hour. Pedestrians and vehicles pass in a constant stream. A delivery truck has its back hatch open and is filled with trays of fresh baked pies.
John, mid 30's, mild mannered, jeans, full apron, and has a stack of un-brushed hair that stands tall, loads a tray onto the truck. He's followed by ABNER, mid-40's, short and efficient, who carries a second tray.
Nick, mid 40's, saunters up eating a banana. He's rotund and wears a suit and tie.
NICK
My, my, my, what have we here?
John turns to see Nick. He's a mixture of joy and sadness.
JOHN
I've got 10 new vendors.
NICK
I certainly hope this batch tastes better than the last one!
JOHN
You know, I think somebody sabotaged my last batch. I almost had to close my doors.
NICK
You must feel awful; but you shouldn't blame anyone but yourself.
JOHN
I followed the recipe you gave me to the T.
NICK
Why sabotage? Did someone say something?
JOHN
You know I keep my own counsel.
NICK
To your detriment, my boy.
JOHN
I think someone may have switched my spices. Do you know anything about it?
Nick tosses the banana peel to the ground.
NICK
Don't you think I'd tell you if I knew anything as ridiculous as that?
JOHN
All I'm saying is, yes, I think maybe you did know or do know something.
NICK
Why me? What about Abner? He's got a chip on his shoulder a mile wide!
Abner exits the store with another tray of pies and slips on the banana peel. Two pies fall from the tray and are ruined.
ABNER
(indignant)
Who dropped this banana peel?
Nick looks away. John helps Abner up.
JOHN
Never mind that. Get this cleaned up! We've got to be on the road in ten minutes!
Nick ushers John around the corner to the alley.
NICK
Perhaps we should continue our conversation in private.
ABNER (O.S.)
Who did it? C'mon!
JOHN
(calling)
Abner, please! (to Nick) You know Abner wouldn't do anything like that. He needs this job.
NICK
Well, whatever the problem, it looks like you fixed it. 10 new vendors! That's impressive. You're well on your way.
JOHN
If you did, do something, Nick, just know, I wouldn't press charges or, you know, expose you or anything. I'd keep it between us. I just want to know what happened.
NICK
John, John, so distrusting. I'm the one who got you started here! Put you on your feet! Why would I do anything to hurt you?
JOHN
I did some digging and found this.
John takes a sales order from his back pocket and shows it to Nick. Nick begins to fidget with his tie.
JOHN
These are the baking supplies that I ordered through you – to get your discount. It says Cumin was delivered here. I never ordered Cumin. Why would a baker order Cumin?
NICK
Maybe there was a typo, or it was shipped in error! You can't blame me for something like that.
JOHN
And how did Cumin end up in my pie spice cannister?
NICK
You spend too much time on your own listening to true crime podcasts.
JOHN
Why do you keep tugging your tie?
NICK
What do you mean?
JOHN
Whenever we play poker and you tug your tie, I know your bluffing.
NICK
You're a mad dog. Even if it what your saying is true – what would I have to do with it?
JOHN
Nick. For the sake of our friendship, just come clean!
NICK
You're barking up the wrong tree.
John pulls out his phone.
JOHN
You asked for it. Look.
Insert: Phone – showing surveillance footage of Nick mixing spices into a large spice cannister.
NICK
When did you install security cameras?
JOHN
The day I bought the place.
NICK
Well, good for you. There. You see, there's your evidence. Obviously someone did sabotage your spices.
JOHN
Nick! That's you!
NICK
Again with the accusations. Have you ever heard of deep fake? It's everywhere. Are you trying to frame me? Is that what this is all about?
JOHN
Please. I'm begging you. For the sake of our friendship. Please just admit that you did this!
NICK
If you were a friend to me, you wouldn't be so quick to judge me. Where is all this coming from? Are you afraid of failure so you're looking for a scapegoat?
JOHN
You honestly expect me to believe you had nothing to do with this.
NICK
Yes.
JOHN
Fine. Fine. I'm sorry. I've got to get going.
NICK
Honestly, John, I'm going to look into this. I'm going to help you find out who did this.
John produces another piece of paper from his apron and gives it to Nick.
JOHN
Here's our new business agreement giving you 50% of the company. I was going to rip it to shreds in front of you, as a dramatic gesture, but now there's no reason. We're in this together.
NICK
You're cutting me in on your profits?
JOHN
50%.
NICK
I thought once you got going, you wanted to be on your own.
JOHN
I came to realize I wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for you. We're partners.
NICK
That's the kindest most generous thing anyone has ever done for me.
Nick cries. John hands him a tissue.
JOHN
It's okay buddy. I'm sorry about everything.
Nick sobs.
JOHN
Nick. Get a hold of yourself!
NICK
You were right. It was me. I was jealous of your success and I sabotaged your spices.
JOHN
You what?
NICK
It's true. All of it. I ordered the cumin and cut it into your spices. I thought if I could ruin your business, you'd come back and work for me.

John is incredulous. He grabs Nick by the tie and pushes him up against the wall.
JOHN
You son of a bitch! You're going to jail!
Nick pushes John off of him.
NICK
What about our friendship? What about you not wanting to cause a fuss?
JOHN
You lying, conniving son of a bitch. I trusted you!
John starts swinging and Nick grabs him. They tumble and find themselves at the entrance of the alleyway.
They both stop and can't believe their eyes.
The entire street is in shambles. Cars have stopped in gridlock. The people in the streets throw pies at each other. There is pie everywhere.
JOHN
My pies!
A pie hits Nick in the face.
NICK
You mean, our pies.
A pie hits John in the face.
JOHN
We're ruined.

[Yvonne Arnett]

YVONNE ARNETT

LOGLINE: Two Homicide Detectives are investigating the death of a woman only to
discover that one of them is guilty of the crime.
ESSENCE: The ultimate betrayal of a friend.

INT: CRIME SCENE IN AN UPSCALE LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Homicide Detectives, John and Nick, are dressed in white homicide coveralls. They are
standing over the body of a young woman laying in a pool of blood on a white throw rug
in front of a sofa. An end table is turned over and a lamp is laying on the floor. The sofa
and walls are showing signs of blood splatter. There is a trail of blood leading from the
bedroom. It’s a messy scene. They are waiting for a Forensic team and Coroner to
arrive. John, puzzled by the scene, looks about in disbelief.
NICK
“This is where she bled out. Looks like the initial attack started in a backroom and
moved to here. She took quite a beating.”
Nick turns and notices that John hasn’t moved. In fact he looks sick.
NICK
“Hey buddy, You don’t look so good.”
JOHN
“Ahh, I’m fine.“
Nick scans the room.
NICK
“You see anything that looks like a weapon?”
Nick walks to the other side of the room and spots something sticking out from beneath
a window curtain. He pulls the curtain aside to expose a metal sculpture. A dark stain
is visible on one dented edge.
NICK
“This is a nasty weapon, John. I’ll have the Forensic team bag it when they arrive.”
JOHN
“You check out the kitchen and I’ll have a look at the bedroom and see if her assailant
left anything behind.”
John walks around the blood trail into the bedroom. The walls, ceiling and bed are
polka dotted with blood. He leans against the door to compose himself and takes two
deep breaths before continuing. He opens the night stand and sees a cell phone. He
removes it and scans through the it. Nick hollers from the living room.
NICK
“Look what I found!”
John enters the living room with the phone. Nick holds up a photo of John and the
murdered woman.
NICK
“You care to explain?”
John tries to reach for it, but Nick is too quick and steps back. He places the photo in a
clear plastic bag.
JOHN
“Where did you find that?”
NICK
In a drawer over there.
He points to a side table. John swallows hard.
JOHN
“Yeah, I knew her. . . we were friends. So what? I know lots of people.”
NICK
“You shouldn’t be here tromping all over the crime scene.”
JOHN
What? You think I did this?”
Nick places his hand on John’s shoulder.
NICK
“John, I’m here for you. We’ve worked together for ten years and I consider you a good
friend. Just tell me what happened.”
JOHN
“That’s what I’m trying to say. Nothing happened. I – I don’t understand.”
NICK
“It’s not looking good for you.”
JOHN
“No – no! For God’s sake Nick, someone beat her to death. I didn’t do that. I couldn’t.”
NICK
“When were you here?”
JOHN
Last night. We had a glass of wine and talked. That’s all.”
NICK
“Did you have a fight? Maybe it got out of hand and you hit her too hard.”
John is sitting down on in a chair with his head in his hands
JOHN
“No, no. I didn’t.”
NICK
“It will be easier if you just confess. I’ll help you find a good lawyer.”
JOHN
“Wait. I have to think. It must have happened after I left last night. That was about
eleven, so she was killed after that.”
NICK
“But, it’s your finger prints and DNA that will be all over the place.”
JOHN
“Not necessarily. The killer had to leave something behind. We just have to find it.”
NICK
“The rest of our Forensic team will be here soon, so you need to work on your story. I
only believe you because you’re my friend.”
JOHN
“Wait a minute!”
John opens the cell phone he is holding and notices lots of call from one phone number.
Curious, he taps the number. It begins to ring.
JOHN
“She said someone was following her. Harassing her. We agued about it. I thought she
was over reacting. She also said. . .”
Nick reaches into a side pocket to retrieve his phone. John slowly turns his head
towards Nick who is fumbling with his phone. They look at each other.
JOHN
“. . .she said it was someone I knew and trusted.”
NICK
“I had too, don’t you see? You took the one woman I loved from me. If I couldn’t have
her. . . you couldn’t.”
John leaps out of his chair and lounges for Nick’
JOHN
“You son-of-a bitch. I’ll kill you!”
The Forensic team enters the room with cameras and equipment.

[Firdaus Bilimoria]

Firdaus
LOGLINE: Nick, a crooked Narc cop who is now a stool for IAD and wearing a wire, tries to get his mentor John to incriminate himself, while John tries to confirm his own suspicions about Nick before he decides to take action.
ESSENCE: Two corrupt cops in an existential struggle for self-preservation, grapple with their core values, friendship and affection for each other.

SCENE
EXT. TIMMONS SQUARE, DAY
It is a large square in the urban underbelly of a beaten down city. It looks desolate even with the car traffic and the dealers, hookers and junkies shuffling around the street.
NICK, 30s, in jeans, leather jacket and sneakers, out of place and obviously a cop from his confident stride and demeanor, crosses the main intersection.
He passes a parked non-descript minivan with two guys in the front. One of them is intently watching the rearview mirror, while the casually throws a cigarette out the passenger window.
NICK glances at the man in the passenger seat and subtly flashes his middle finger before he scratches the side of his face.
Nick continues walking and turns into an alleyway.
EXT. ALLEYWAY, DAY
JOHN, 40s, fellow cop, muscular frame, in jeans, hoodies and sneakers, stands at the back of a Chinese restaurant halfway into the alley, watches NICK as he approaches.
NICK
I thought you hate Chinese food.
JOHN
What’s up Nick?
NICK
You tell me. You wanted to meet here.
John watches Nick’s face and the street behind him from which he entered the alley.
JOHN
Some of the best busts are behind stinky restaurants.
Nick shrugs, he watches John casually. We sense an undercurrent of tension and expectation.
NICK
Are we making a bust on the fly, like the one last month?
JOHN
Spontaneity my friend is the road to success.
NICK
Hey I appreciate success, pretty happy with my share from that one.
John doesn’t respond. He holds Nick’s eye then nods and looks away.
NICK
Hey I’m looking to buy some investment property, on a cash basis, so another bust or two like that, and I’m a happy boy!
(almost too casually)
What do you do with your share John?
John is inscrutable.
JOHN
Remember the time we took on the Dicksy Brothers crew?
NICK
You saved my life.
JOHN
When you save someone, you feel responsible for them.
NICK
I owe you big time.
John nods.
JOHN
Montoya is nervous about something.
Nick stays silent. He stares intently at John.
JOHN
IAD is sniffing around.
NICK
The Cap is being paranoid, they are always sniffing around.
JOHN
Something’s different this time.
(beat)
Have they talked to you?
NICK
I run into them every now and then…
(shrugs)
They are always showing up.
John nods thoughtfully. Nick waits.
JOHN
Big part of this job, is loyalty. And love for your fellow narc.
NICK
(chuckles)
Love for your fellow narc, I’m going to write that down.
JOHN
Do the right thing by your fellow officers, clean up the mess in the town, and hold your head high. What do you think?
Nick is startled by the question.
NICK
Yeah…
JOHN
No one thought you’d last long, but you did.
NICK
I was trained by the best.
John paces for a moment.
JOHN
The other week, after the bust on Dunby Street…
Nick almost flinches.
JOHN
You were gone a full day after that…
NICK
I had a bad cold. Or was it an all-nighter with this girl I just started seeing.
John regards Nick carefully, taking in his nervousness.
JOHN
Joshua said he thought IAD was tailing us after the bust. But we lost them, and you were in your car. You called and said something came up, and would see us later.
NICK
(fidgets)
Yeah something came up, the girl… she texted me something and I thought since we were done I would catch up later.
JOHN
We thought you ran off with the loot, but next day you brought it in.
NICK
Yeah!
JOHN
Is that when IAD turned you?
Nick and John look at each with visceral anger. Nick is the first one to look away.
He shakes his head and grimaces.
NICK
Listen I didn’t want to get involved in your business, but I should have told you sooner. Angie…
JOHN
(blank)
What about Angie?
NICK
(makes a face)
You guys broke up, but I bet you didn’t know about her and Montoya. I think that’s why she left.
John takes this in.
JOHN
Montoya’s seeing Angie?
NICK
Was seeing her. I mean it must be that loyalty crap, right? Sleep with your fellow officer’s woman, make her break up with him and stop seeing her too, so the show can go on…
John stares at Nick for a long moment, then looks away. Nick waits.
JOHN
We have a bust coming up soon, we meet the team in a half-hour.
Nick takes this in. He suddenly gets animated.
NICK
Come on man! Admit it, just between the two of us. We are both corrupt cops who steal from the dealers, and report to a corrupt Captain who has ruined our lives… Come’on this guy messed up the one good thing you had going, and you are going to kill me for him?
JOHN
(as is speaking to an unseen listener)
Why would I kill you? And why would I admit to all this bullshit that’s just not true.
John grabs Nick and rips open his jacket collar to reveal a taped mike on Nick’s chest. He smiles grimly at Nick.
Nick pushes him away. He is scared.
NICK
If you think I’m going on another bust with you guys to get shot in the line of duty, you are crazy!
They stare at each other.
JOHN
You should call the mental health hotline. They might help you.
Nick nods, relieved at the way out presented to him. John punches Nick hard catching him by surprise, and Nick goes down.