Copyright 2000, 2011 by Ronald L. Ecker
All Rights Reserved
This online version has been divided into three Web pages.
FADE IN:
EXT. "THE WRONG PLACE" TAVERN - NIGHT
A warm Southern night. A neon sign identifies "The Wrong
Place." LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS inside.
A roadside sign in front reads "Henry Watts and the Volts."
INT. TAVERN - NIGHT
On stage, 30-ish good ol' boy HENRY WATTS, backed by the
Volts -- your typical down-home country band -- sings an
old-fashioned cheating song for the patrons.
HENRY
"If only I could take your lovin'
home,
If only my home, dear, could be
your own..."
30-ish AL FINDLAY sits at a table. He looks like an ordinary
fellow with more than his share of troubles. Gazing off as
if depressed, Al pays no attention to Henry and the band.
Al also pays no attention to his 30-ish wife MARY sitting
beside him. She and Henry gaze at each other as if Henry
is singing their song.
HENRY
"Darlin', we'd be through
With secret rendezvous,
If only I could take your lovin'
home."
The waitress PHYLLIS, 35, sets down a mug of beer for Al.
The one he has is almost empty.
PHYLLIS
What's the matter, Al?
AL
I got airplane troubles.
Phyllis looks at Mary, amorously looking at Henry.
PHYLLIS
That's all, huh?
Al watches Phyllis move off, then looks at Mary.
AL
I wonder what she meant by that.
At another table sits CHUCKIE TENBRINK, 21 with a cocktail.
Of average build, he looks like the rich kid that he is.
Beside Chuckie sits fairly attractive SADIE, 34, drinking
beer in her plain blouse and jeans. She and Chuckie look
like an odd match who may not have come here together.
SADIE
Henry's good. He sings like they
used to in Nashville.
CHUCKIE
That's why he'll never make it.
SADIE
Chuckie, why are you home anyway?
Aren't you going to college?
CHUCKIE
I flunked out.
SADIE
How'd you do that? Too much
partying?
CHUCKIE
That was part of it.
SADIE
What was the rest?
CHUCKIE
They have a thing there about going
to class.
SADIE
What are you going to do now?
CHUCKIE
Probably get disinherited. Ain't
that some shit?
SADIE
You're kidding.
CHUCKIE
My sister in Chicago could get
every damn cent.
Good old boy CARL, 37, with a beer in hand, sits down with Al
and Mary.
CARL
Al, I'm ready for my flying lesson
tomorrow... What's wrong?
MARY
Al is about to be grounded.
CARL
What?
MARY
The bank gave him one month today
to come up with some cash or they
take his airplane.
CARL
Shit fire and save your matches!
Al, why don't you go work at the
paper mill, like everybody else,
'stead of trying to run that
airport?
Al frowns with resentment.
AL
I'm a flyer, that's why. I don't
make toilet paper. And nobody's
gonna clip my wings.
MARY
Sure, Al. Keep dreaming. You
think that money's going to fall
out of the sky? You'll see toilet
paper falling first.
CARL
Let's hope it ain't used.
Good ol' boy REUBEN, 38, walks in. He looks kind of mean.
Sadie doesn't notice Reuben as she looks with concern at
Chuckie.
SADIE
I thought you were going to take
over the paper mill for your dad.
CHUCKIE
Without a degree? Who wants it
anyway. I hate that damn stinking
pulp mill.
SADIE
It does stink, don't it? Perryville
is like the armpit of the world.
CHUCKIE
No armpit smells that bad. Let me
smell yours.
Sadie laughs and shoves Chuckie away as he tries to smell it.
Reuben walks up to the table.
REUBEN
What are you doing trying to smell
my girl's armpit?
SADIE
He didn't mean nothin', Reuben.
(to Chuckie)
This is Reuben.
CHUCKIE
I'll smell any armpit I want to.
Chuckie finishes his drink.
REUBEN
How would you like to have your ass
stomped, buddy?
Chuckie calmly rises. He takes out some money to pay for his
drinks.
CHUCKIE
Do you know who I am?
REUBEN
I don't give a damn who you are.
CHUCKIE
I'm Chuckie Tenbrink.
REUBEN
Well that's different. Why didn't
you say so? I just don't like
nobody seeing what Sadie here
smells like.
SADIE
You make me sound like a landfill
or something.
Chuckie leaves the money on the table. He looks at Reuben.
CHUCKIE
Another mill worker on the old
man's payroll.
Chuckie puts a hand on Reuben's shoulder.
CHUCKIE
I feel your pain. How would you
like a raise?
REUBEN
That would be cool.
Chuckie sucker-punches Reuben in the jaw, knocking him out.
CHUCKIE
(to Sadie)
Keep 'em shaved, honey.
Chuckie walks toward the door, everyone watching him.
EXT. TAVERN PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Chuckie is about to open the door of his Lexus, parked by an
SUV.
The SUV side door opens, and from inside CURLY, a 30-ish,
dumb-looking brute, aims a pistol at Chuckie.
CURLY
Get in here.
Chuckie looks at Curly like he's crazy.
CHUCKIE
Do you know who I am?
CURLY
Of course I know who you are. Why
do you think we're doing this? Now
get your ass in here.
CHUCKIE
Shove it, buddy. I don't take
candy from strangers.
Chuckie starts to open his car door. Curly FIRES, blasting a
hole in the car window.
As Chuckie turns to get into the SUV,
CHUCKIE
You got any Snickers in there?
EXT. AIRPORT ROAD - DAY
A sign by the highway reads,
PERRYVILLE AIRPORT
LEARN TO FLY
OR JUST DROP BY!
AL FINDLAY, MGR.
EXT. AIRPORT - DAY
There's a small, rundown, single-story terminal building.
Two single-engine planes sit by the weedy runway.
Near the terminal building there's a house trailer with a
pickup truck beside it.
An SUV drives up. It looks like the one Curly was in.
INT. SUV - DAY
BRYNA, 28, an average-looking woman in jeans, cuts the
engine. She pulls her shirttail out and opens the door.
EXT. SUV - DAY
Getting out of the van and facing the building, Bryna pulls
her shirttail down over a pistol worn in a belt holster in
the small of her back.
INT. TERMINAL BUILDING - DAY
Al sits hung over at a desk behind the counter. He's reading
the obituaries in a newspaper. Mary pours two cups of coffee.
Through the front window Mary sees Bryna walk toward the
entrance.
MARY
Someone's coming in, Al.
AL
Good. Maybe they want a flying
lesson. I feel lucky today.
MARY
Yeah, you look it.
Al manages a friendly smile as Bryna comes in. She looks
around.
AL
Hi. What can we do you for?
BRYNA
How much do you charge for a plane
ride?
AL
How much have you got? Just
kidding. No destination?
BRYNA
Nah, just around. I was passing
by, saw your sign. I've never
flown before.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Curly carefully aims his pistol. He FIRES.
He misses the target, a bottle set on a tree limb.
40-ish MAC, handsome and suave compared to the brutish Curly,
steps out the door of a nearby cabin.
MAC
Curly, what the hell are you doing?
You trying to draw some attention?
CURLY
(aggravated)
No, I was tryin' to hit that damn
bottle.
MAC
Come on inside.
INT. CABIN - DAY
Mac walks from the door to a couch where Chuckie sits
blindfolded. As Mac sits down,
CHUCKIE
Where did you find that guy?
MAC
Cross City Correctional Institution.
We both graduated on the same day.
Mac takes a folded piece of paper and a pen from his shirt
pocket.
MAC
Okay, Chuckie, we need your father's
telephone number.
CHUCKIE
You kidding? You've planned all
this, and you don't even have the
number?
Curly comes in.
MAC
Your home has an unlisted number.
We thought for sure you would know
what it is.
CURLY
You do want Mommy and Daddy to know
you're alive, don't you?
CHUCKIE
How much are you clowns going to
ask him for?
Mac and Curly exchange looks.
MAC
We aren't going to ask him for
anything.
CHUCKIE
Sorry, wrong choice of words. How
much are you going to demand?
MAC
One million dollars.
CHUCKIE
One million? You don't know what
the hell you're doing. What kind
of crooks are you?
CURLY
What do you mean?
CHUCKIE
Let me tell you what you should do.
MAC
Okay, go ahead.
CHUCKIE
Ask him for two instead of one.
A beat. Mac chuckles.
MAC
Two instead of one.
CHUCKIE
That's right.
MAC
You think you're worth twice what
we want.
CHUCKIE
What I'm worth isn't the point.
Let me tell you the situation I'm
in.
EXT. AL'S PLANE - DAY
Flying at about 2,000 feet.
INT. AL'S PLANE - FLYING - DAY
Al gives Bryna her plane ride.
AL
I left the Navy to become an
airline pilot. But I couldn't get
a job. Airline pilots were being
laid off. So I tried to get back
in the Navy. Guess what. The Navy
had signed up the laid-off airline
pilots.
Al looks at Bryna, who doesn't seem to be paying attention.
AL
Then I heard about the old hometown
looking for an airport manager.
What a joke. I sell some gas, give
two or three flying lessons a week.
I can't even pay for this airplane.
Bryna still seems to pay no attention.
AL
I see you're not crying yet, ma'am.
That's good. A positive outlook
on life.
Al tips the left wing, and points down to the large paper
mill below.
AL
That mill down there, that's
Tenbrink Pulp and Paper.
Bryna, leaning forward with feigned interest, has sneaked
from her pocket a small, folded piece of paper with some
two-sided tape attached.
While Al looks down at the mill, Bryna tapes the paper to
the underside of the instrument panel.
AL
That mill is the lifeblood of
Perryville. Everybody and his
brother works there.
Bryna nods understandingly, looking down at the mill.
INT. CABIN - DAY
Mac calmly paces as he and Curly listen to blindfolded
Chuckie.
CHUCKIE
Cut me in -- two million, four
equal shares -- then you don't have
to worry about having to get rid of
me, and getting caught anyway, or
me identifying you later, and all
that shit. I go home free and
pretend that you got it all. This
job is simple if you have my help.
Mac paces, saying nothing. Curly frowns skeptically.
CHUCKIE
I can't pass up this chance. I'm
facing a potential lifetime of
poverty. You guys are like godsends.
Now are you going to cut me in? If
not, then go ahead and shoot my ass
now.
INT. TENBRINK MANSION - DAY
Sheriff LANNY, 50-ish, and Sheriff's Deputy JUNIOR, 35, are
with CHARLES TENBRINK, mid-60s, and 50-ish MRS. TENBRINK.
Tenbrink seems calm under the circumstances, while pleasant
looking Mrs. Tenbrink seems very worried.
LANNY
What I think we should do, Mister
Tenbrink, is call in the F.B.I.
TENBRINK
Not yet. He could be off on a
binge somewhere. It would not be
the first time. If he's been
abducted, we should hear from the
culprits soon.
The PHONE RINGS. As Mrs. Tenbrink anxiously goes to answer,
LANNY
You may have said the magic word.
MRS. TENBRINK
(into phone)
Hello.
(listens)
Chuckie! Where are you?
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. CABIN - DAY
Chuckie, still blindfolded, speaks on a cell phone. Mac and
Curly hover close by.
CHUCKIE
I don't know, Mom -- but I'm okay.
Is Dad there?
Mrs. Tenbrink hands the phone to her husband.
TENBRINK
Chuckie?
CHUCKIE
I'm okay, Dad. I'm afraid I've
been kidnapped. I'm okay now, but
we need to take these guys
seriously.
Tenbrink sighs resignedly.
TENBRINK
Okay, let's hear their demands.
Chuckie hands the cell phone to Mac.
MAC
Mister Tenbrink? The price for
your son's safe return is... two
million dollars.
Chuckie looks relieved.
MAC
Now listen carefully. No F.B.I.,
no public knowledge, or your son
will be dead. Have two million
dollars in cash, in a duffel bag,
by ten a.m. day after tomorrow.
TENBRINK
Now wait a minute. That won't be
easy.
MAC
You've got all day tomorrow to
arrange it. A man with your
millions, Mister Tenbrink, can do
it. We'll be in touch.
Mac ends the call with a smile.
INT. "THE WRONG PLACE" TAVERN - NIGHT
Henry, backed by the Volts, sings for the patrons. He looks
right at Mary, who looks at him lustfully, while Al sits by
Mary and glumly looks off, drinking his beer.
HENRY
"Dear, it's such a shame
To have to play this game,
The cheatin' kind where lovers slip
around..."
Phyllis and another 30-ish WAITRESS watch Al and Mary.
PHYLLIS
I wonder if Al knows and doesn't
care.
WAITRESS
Or would Al care if he knew.
PHYLLIS
I think all he cares about is that
airport. He can't make a go of it.
WAITRESS
What about his wife?
A MAN (O.S.)
More beer over here!
PHYLLIS
I guess he can't make a go of that
either.
Phyllis moves off.
EXT. CABIN - NIGHT
Dimly lit in the wilderness. The SUV is parked nearby.
INT. CABIN - NIGHT
Chuckie, blindfold off, hands free, is huddled with Mac over
an aeronautical chart, Mac explaining the plan.
Across the room Bryna and Curly play cards.
CURLY
Look at 'em. Like long-lost
brothers. I'm telling you, Bryna,
this is a big mistake.
BRYNA
Why do you say that?
CURLY
Before we each had a third of a
million. Now we only get a fourth
of two.
BRYNA
A fourth of two is more than a
third of one.
CURLY
How can a fourth be more than a
third?
BRYNA
There's more money involved. How
far did you go in school, Curly?
CURLY
I got as much as I could. How far
did you go?
BRYNA
I was a virgin.
CURLY
(smiles)
Mac took care of that, eh?
BRYNA
Mac will take care of you if you
get fresh with me. Remember that,
asshole.
Mac and Chuckie finish with the chart.
CHUCKIE
It's a good plan. I like it. You
must be a flyer.
MAC
Used to be. I got grounded by a
judge. You a flyer?
CHUCKIE
Yeah. I fly my dad's plane. We
have our own strip.
MAC
This Al Findlay out at the airport.
You know him?
CHUCKIE
Not personally. I've seen him
around.
MAC
Think there'll be any problem day
after tomorrow?
CHUCKIE
Well, there's always Murphy's Law.
You know what that is?
MAC
Yeah. Whatever can go wrong will.
CHUCKIE
But with me involved, this plan
looks really good. We'll kick
Mister Murphy's ass.
EXT. FINDLAY TRAILER - DAY
It's morning.
SUPERIMPOSE: "TWO DAYS LATER."
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Al lies snoring away.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY
Sheriff Lanny nervously paces. Deputy Junior waits at a
desk.
The countrified dispatcher GLENDA, 23, sits checking her
Lotto ticket with the numbers on her computer screen.
GLENDA
Damn, I haven't gotten one Lotto
number out of six in a month.
The PHONE RINGS, Junior answers.
JUNIOR
Sheriff's Office.
(listens)
Yes, Mister Tenbrink, he's right
here.
Junior hands the phone to anxious Lanny.
LANNY
Yessir, Mister Tenbrink.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. TENBRINK MANSION - DAY
Tenbrink, set to leave, is on the phone. Mrs. Tenbrink
worriedly stands by.
TENBRINK
They just called. I'm to go with
the money to Perryville.
(glances at watch)
I need to start now. I'm to check
in alone, by ten thirty, at the
Periwinkle Motel.
LANNY
That rathole?
TENBRINK
I'm to request Room Two. There I'm
to await further instructions.
LANNY
Okay, Mr. Tenbrink. We'll have the
place under surveillance.
TENBRINK
Don't do anything to screw up this
deal, or you won't be county
sheriff after the next election.
LANNY
(awkwardly)
Well, uh, I just want to perform my
duty, Mister Tenbrink, as an
ossifer of the law.
TENBRINK
Just remember that my son's life is
at stake. That may not sound like
much, and it isn't.
Mrs. Tenbrink looks offended.
TENBRINK
But, well, I have to perform my
duty as a father.
LANNY
Yes, sir, Mister Tenbrink.
Tenbrink hangs up. As Lanny does likewise,
LANNY
That guy's a straight shooter.
Deputy JIMMY PAUL, 32, walks into the office.
LANNY
Jimmy Paul, put on some civvies.
You're going undercover.
Jimmy Paul looks pleased.
LANNY
Just be sure you stay undercover
till we make our move.
(uncertainly, to himself)
Whenever that is.
INT. CABIN - DAY
Mac talks on his cell phone while Chuckie, Curly, and Bryna
sit listening.
MAC
I'm Charles Tenbrink's executive
secretary. Now something's come
up, an important deal that the boss
is working on personally, and on
the Q.T. He'll be in Perryville
shortly, and he'll need an
airplane. His own plane is
undergoing maintenance.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING - DAY
Al, in a bathrobe, looks hung over as he talks on the phone
at the desk. Mary pours him some coffee.
AL
Where's he need to go?
MAC
On the Q.T., Mister Findlay. The
boss will fill you in once you're
airborne. He doesn't want you to
discuss this beforehand with
anyone -- not even with him,
understand? -- till after you've
taken off.
AL
I won't mention it to him. We'll
talk about the weather, or the
stink from his pulp mill. Is he
going to come here, or...
(takes notes)
"Periwinkle Motel. Room Two. At
eleven fifteen." Are you sure he
said The Periwinkle?
(listens)
Okay. Now my fee will be -- let's
see, depending on where we're
going, which I don't even know...
MAC
Your fee will be one thousand
dollars.
AL
(brightly)
That's just what I had in mind.
MAC
Have a good trip. And Mister
Findlay: Not a word, till you're
airborne.
AL
I won't even tell my wife I'm
taking Mister Tenbrink somewhere.
MAC
Goodbye.
They hang up.
MARY
What was that all about?
AL
I'm taking Mister Tenbrink somewhere.
MARY
Where?
AL
They wouldn't say where. It's a
hush-hush deal. He'll tell me when
we're airborne.
MARY
What's he paying you?
AL
One thousand bucks.
MARY
(sarcastically)
We're going to be rich.
AL
Is that all you've got to say?
MARY
No. Why don't you take it, Al, and
buy us two tickets -- on anything --
to get us out of here?
AL
'Cause everything's tied up here.
I'm in too deep. We can't get out
from under.
MARY
Maybe you can't, buster, but one of
these days I'm --
AL
Yeah, why don't you go back to your
mama in Pensacola?
MARY
Because you can't get there from
here!
Mary heads for the trailer.
AL
I've got to get ready. You go fill
up the plane.
As Mary goes out the door,
MARY
Fill it up yourself!
EXT. PERIWINKLE MOTEL - DAY
A seedy dump. A tired old sign identifies "Periwinkle
Motel." No sign of a guest.
EXT. STREET - DAY
An unmarked car parks along the curb near the motel. There
is light traffic on the small-town street.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - DAY
In street clothes behind the wheel sits Deputy Jimmy Paul,
his cap brim low over his eyes as he watches the motel.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY
Lanny is on the phone.
LANNY
Remember what I told you: When
Mister Tenbrink checks in, whoever
contacts him, whoever calls,
or comes in person, or anything
else -- you just play along like
everything's normal.
INT. MOTEL OFFICE - DAY
The motel owner is a little old man named SAM, who sits
listening on the phone, his little old WIFE standing by.
SAM
I understand, Sheriff.
(listens)
We both understand.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY
Lanny grabs his hat as Junior waits.
LANNY
Let's go.
On their way out they pass dispatcher Glenda, who chews gum
and reads a paperback.
LANNY
Me and Junior's gonna patrol like
everything's normal.
EXT. LIMOUSINE - DAY
The limo moves along the highway to Perryville.
INT. LIMO - MOVING - DAY
A CHAUFFEUR, 47, drives while Tenbrink sits in back with a
packed duffel bag.
INT. FINDLAY TRAILER - DAY
Al adjusts his tie at a mirror. He and Mary argue.
AL
I'm telling you for the last time.
Get off my back or I'll fire you.
MARY
Fire me? I'm your wife!
AL
That doesn't mean I've got to keep
you on the payroll.
Al heads for the front door, Mary right behind him.
MARY
Payroll? When's the last time I
got paid anything?
AL
When's the last time you did a
day's work?
MARY
When's the last time there was a
day's work to do around here?
EXT. TRAILER - DAY
Al comes out of the trailer and heads for his pickup truck.
Mary yells after him from the doorway,
MARY
You talk about working your ass
off! Doing what?
AL
Trying to keep you off of it!
Al gets in his truck and starts the engine.
AL
And I'll tell you something else!
MARY
Yeah?
AL
That plane better be ready when I
get back!
Al heads for the highway.
EXT. MOTEL - DAY
The limo pulls in from the street.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - DAY
Jimmy Paul sits up, watching the limo. He picks up his radio
mike.
INT. LANNY'S PATROL CAR - MOVING - DAY
Lanny drives, Junior beside him. They're patrolling like
everything's normal. On the radio they hear,
JIMMY PAUL (V.O.)
Tenbrink ten-ninety-seven.
Lanny and Junior exchange tense looks and keep patrolling.
EXT. MOTEL - DAY
Sam gives the Chauffeur a room key at the office door.
Sam and his Wife watch as Tenbrink and the Chauffeur, the
duffel bag in hand, head toward Room Two.
EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY
Al's truck comes into town.
INT. AL'S TRUCK - MOVING - DAY
Al waves hi to a friend on the street as he drives.
INT. LIMO - DAY
The Chauffeur gets into the limo. He glances toward Room
Two, then takes a satisfying snort from a flask.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
Dismal. As he looks around, Tenbrink takes a pill from a
prescription bottle.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Entering, Tenbrink looks at the rather grimy sink, and sees
no glass or cup.
He pops the pill in his mouth and manages to swallow it dry.
EXT. MOTEL - DAY
Al's truck pulls in. The limo is gone.
INT. MOTEL OFFICE - DAY
Sam and his Wife look puzzled by Al's arrival.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - DAY
Jimmy Paul watches.
INT. MOTEL OFFICE - DAY
Sam and his Wife watch Al approach the office door.
SAM
Remember, everything's normal.
Al enters. He nods hello with a smile.
AL
How are y'all doin'?
SAM
Fine, Al. What brings you here?
AL
Mister Tenbrink checked in?
Sam looks surprised. Al seems proud of his mission.
SAM
Yeah.
AL
Room Two?
Sam looks more surprised.
SAM
Yeah.
Al starts to go, then looks at the couple with what could be
construed as a concern for their safety.
AL
Did he tell you where we're going?
Sam shakes his head "no." Al smiles again, as if perhaps
relieved.
AL
That's good, Sam, that's good. And
my lips are sealed.
Sam and his Wife watch Al leave and head for Room Two.
SAM
Al Findlay's involved.
WIFE
It's enough to make you lose your
faith in humanity.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - DAY
Jimmy Paul looks incredulous at what he sees.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
Tenbrink opens the door. There stands Al. Tenbrink looks
him over.
AL
Mister Tenbrink. I'm here to, uh,
take you to, uh, your destination.
TENBRINK
Very well.
Tenbrink gestures toward the duffel bag.
TENBRINK
Am I to carry this, or are you?
AL
Oh, no, sir, you let me take care
of that.
Al comes in for the bag.
EXT. MOTEL - DAY
Al puts the duffel bag in the bed of his truck. He opens the
passenger door for Tenbrink.
TENBRINK
Could I ask you where my son is?
AL
You could ask me, Mister Tenbrink,
but I'm afraid I couldn't tell you.
Tenbrink seems to accept that and gets in the truck. Al,
with a wondering look, closes the door and heads for the
driver's side.
INT. LANNY'S PATROL CAR - MOVING - DAY
Lanny and Junior patrol as Lanny picks up his radio mike.
LANNY
Jimmy Paul, did I hear you correct?
Did you say "Al Findlay"?
JIMMY PAUL (V.O.)
That's A-ffirmative, Sheriff.
EXT. MOTEL - DAY
Al's truck leaves.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jimmy Paul's unmarked car follows Al's truck.
INT. PATROL CAR - MOVING - DAY
Lanny and Junior patrol.
LANNY
Damn. If they use an airplane,
what are we going to do? How are
we going to put a tail on an
airplane?
JUNIOR
An airplane already has one.
Lanny glares at Junior.
JUNIOR
Sorry, Sheriff. I couldn't resist.
INT. AL'S TRUCK - MOVING - DAY
Tenbrink studies him as Al drives.
TENBRINK
I've seen you before.
AL
Could be. Al Findlay. I run the
airport.
TENBRINK
"Al Findlay."
AL
Right.
TENBRINK
You "run the airport."
AL
Yep.
TENBRINK
Well, Al -- mind if I call you Al?
AL
Please do.
TENBRINK
Aren't you being rather brazen?
AL
I wouldn't call it brazen. Foolish
maybe. Yeah, I guess I was a fool
for thinking it would ever work.
TENBRINK
Then why go through with it?
AL
It's like I told my wife: I'm
already in so deep, there's no way
out. If she wants out, she can
high-tail it to Pensacola.
TENBRINK
You're right. There's no way out.
Just remember you asked for it.
Al looks incredulous and offended.
AL
Okay, I asked for it. Do I look
worried? If they want me, they
know where to find me.
TENBRINK
I'm sure they will.
AL
Fine. Just let 'em try clipping my
wings. They'll have to drag me out
of that plane. They might as well
shoot me.
TENBRINK
You're a bigger fool than I thought.
The sooner they get you the better.
AL
Thanks for the encouraging words.
TENBRINK
Don't mention it. The last thing I
want to hear from you is a sob
story.
AL
You're so full of shit it's
unbelievable.
TENBRINK
Look what's talking. Now about
this deal --
AL
You can stick it up your ass. And
that duffel bag with it.
Al starts braking the truck.
TENBRINK
What are you --
AL
The deal's off.
TENBRINK
But --
AL
It's not worth putting up with your
crap. I don't work at your goddamn
mill, see.
Al turns the truck hard left.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
Al's truck makes a U-turn, heading back for town.
INT. AL'S TRUCK - MOVING - DAY
Tenbrink looks incredulously at Al.
TENBRINK
What do you think you're doing?
AL
I'm taking you back to your classy
motel. Unless you'd rather walk.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - MOVING - DAY
Driving, Jimmy Paul quizzically watches Al's truck approach
from the opposite direction.
Jimmy Paul pulls down his cap brim, pulls in his chin.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
The truck and unmarked car pass each other.
The unmarked car pulls over and starts making a U-turn.
INT. AL'S TRUCK - MOVING - DAY
Al and Tenbrink as before.
TENBRINK
But you can't do this.
AL
You watch me.
INT. PATROL CAR - MOVING - DAY
Lanny and Junior patrol. Lanny looks pleased.
LANNY
(into mike)
Ten four. Stay with 'em, ya hear?
JUNIOR
They're turning away from the
airport?
LANNY
That's more like it, I tell you.
Anything but that airport.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - MOVING - DAY
Jimmy Paul, driving, looks ahead with disbelief. Al's truck
is making another U-turn.
Jimmy Paul pulls down his cap brim, pulls in his chin.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
The truck and unmarked car pass each other.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - MOVING - DAY
Jimmy Paul doggedly pulls over and makes another U-turn.
INT. AL'S TRUCK - MOVING - DAY
Al looks amazed by what Tenbrink has told him.
TENBRINK
And that's who I thought you were.
AL
Wow. I can't believe it, Mister
Tenbrink. Why do they get me
involved?
TENBRINK
Just do what they told you.
AL
But we don't even know where we're
going.
TENBRINK
I assume they will let us know.
AL
But -- but they can't once we're
up, without people hearing 'em on
the radio.
TENBRINK
(impatiently)
They told you to give me a plane
ride. That's what you're going to
do.
INT. PATROL CAR - MOVING - DAY
Lanny hangs up his mike with aggravation.
LANNY
They're going to that airport. How
are we gonna tail 'em?
JUNIOR
In the movies, I've seen 'em use
helicopters.
LANNY
To chase airplanes?
JUNIOR
Well, no, I think they were just
chasin' people.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY
Lanny, hustling in, Junior behind him, goes straight to
Glenda, still reading.
LANNY
Who owns those airplanes out at
Findlay's?
GLENDA
Let's see, there's Al's, and --
Henry Watts owns one, and --
LANNY
That's right, by God, Henry Watts.
Get Henry on the phone right now.
INT. TERMINAL BUILDING - DAY
Mary, lazing as she talks on the phone, notes Al's truck
arrive.
MARY
Here's Al now, with Mister Big.
They should be gone in, say, ten
minutes, Henry. See ya later?
Mary smiles and hangs up.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY
Glenda chats on the phone.
GLENDA
Is that one of those pay sites, or
is it free?
(listens)
Let me write it down... "Dubya
dubya dubya dot grossout -- "
A TOILET FLUSHES.
GLENDA
" -- dot com."
Lanny comes out of the john.
GLENDA
Sheriff, I've finally got Henry.
Lanny hustles over and takes the receiver.
LANNY
Henry? This is the sheriff. Get
your ass out to the airport. I'm
deputizing you. I want you to tail
Al Findlay's plane.
HENRY (V.O.)
(filtered, on phone)
Tail Al's plane?
LANNY
Henry, this is a matter of life and
death. Get your ass on the move.
EXT. AIRPORT - DAY
Al's plane takes off.
INT. TERMINAL BUILDING - DAY
Mary primps. She looks out the front window and sees Henry's
truck come barreling down the road, SCREECHING to a halt in
front of the building.
Henry jumps out of the truck and runs for the entrance. Mary
watches, looking enthralled by her lover's apparent zeal.
Henry runs in to the counter, Mary waiting behind it.
MARY
How long has it been, Henry?
Henry breathes heavily from his run.
HENRY
Where did Al say he was going?
MARY
Al doesn't know where he's going.
HENRY
Then to hell with it.
MARY
What are you talking about?
HENRY
I wish I knew.
LATER
While Henry hovers over her shoulder, Mary makes a "Gone
Fishing" sign with a marker.
HENRY
I've wrote a new song, Mary.
You're gonna like it.
Henry sings seductively, a cappella, his hands roaming Mary's
shoulders and arms, while Mary makes her sign.
HENRY
"You're bewitchin', babe, in almost
every which-a-way -- "
The PHONE RINGS. Mary starts to pick up the receiver.
HENRY
If that's the sheriff, I'm not
here.
MARY
Why? What have you done?
HENRY
It's what I ain't done. He'll
pitch a fit.
MARY
(into phone)
Hello.
INT. CABIN - DAY
Mac is on the cell phone.
MAC
I have a message for Al Findlay.
It's urgent. Would you be kind
enough to deliver it, please?
Go to Part 2Back to beginning of script