THE MECHANIC
Written by
Karl Gajdusek & Lewis John Carlino
DRAFT: 07/17/2009
"Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you, is the nature of my game."
The Rolling Stones, 1968
1.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - NIGHT
CLOSE on the needle of a precision-weighted 33rpm turntable.
It comes down, touches vinyl. The Rolling Stones "Sympathy
for the Devil" purrs out...
ARTHUR BISHOP (40's) Sitting in a comfortable wooden chair,
stares right through us. Lean, hard, in perfect physical
shape. In this moment, carrying the stillness of someone
utterly in balance. For all we know, he's been sitting this
way for hours.
BISHOP (V.O.)
Every man has a death that's right
for him. Every one.
REVERSE to find a wall of photographs, charts, official
documents. In the center A PHOTOGRAPH of a man, mid-40's,
East-Indian, dressed like the billionaire he is. Dodi Fayed
meets Bill Gates. THE MARK.
BISHOP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
For every man, there's a way to
leave this earth which is so right
for them, it's almost as if they
carry it with them.
MOVING over the wall. MORE PHOTOGRAPHS. The Mark escorted
from a bullet-proof sedan by ear-wired men. Entertaining at
a palatial estate. Magazine covers: "The billion-dollar
lifestyle." "The new Playboy." ...passing over smaller
articles: "What does this man do with your money?"
BISHOP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
When the right death overtakes a
man, there will be grief in those
who knew him, but there will also
be a sense of inevitability.
Because they will know, that of
course...
CLOSE ON BISHOP. Statue-like, except his eyes which dart
across the wall in front of him, making connections...
EXT. RURAL RACETRACK - DAY
VINTAGE RACE CARS speed by, a blur of color. But all we hear
is the Rolling Stones' song. And...
BISHOP (V.O.)
...Of course, this was always going
to happen this way.
WHOMP! The SOUND OF THE RACE floods in as the cars blow by,
revealing Bishop amidst onlookers, watching, calculating.
2.
BISHOP'S P.O.V.: Two cars TANGLE in a corner, SPIN to a
stop, crushing a half-million in beautiful restored antique.
The Mark climbs from his wreck, tosses his helmet, pissed.
Bishop raises a camera, takes a picture.
EXT. BISHOP'S STUDY - DAY
Bishop at his wall again, this time actively engaged, working
it. A picture of the Mark in his vintage car goes up,
underneath, Bishop tacks a stats page: "Fatality in auto
accidents by type of impact. Head on, Side rear,..."
Off to the side, bank statements, cash transfers. Saudi
Arabia. Chechnya. United Arab Emirates.
Bishop tacks more photos up. The Mark, getting off a private
plane, the Mark, playing Polo...
EXT. POLO GROUNDS - DAY
WHACK! A Rider SLAMS a ball forward, spurs his horse
onwards, bearing down on the ball... and SLAM! Another Rider
comes in from the side, sends the man crashing off his horse.
The second man, the Mark, takes a second to gloat over his
fallen opponent before CHARGING onwards.
IN THE STANDS. Bishop watches, takes a note on a pad.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - DAY
Bishop keeps working, the wall completely covered now. Lists
of possible deaths have been ordered, drawbacks circled.
Bishop scans over various magazine covers featuring the Mark.
One with a vintage hunting rifle slung low in his arms,
unbroken. "American Dream or American Nightmare?"
Bishop stares at this. Eyes moving over the wall, accident
stats, a copy of a hunting-club reprimand... he's arrived.
INT. RIVERWAY - NIGHT
Bishop stands in front of a moving riverway, his body
sheathed in a black slicksuit, backpack on. He slips into
the water and starts to SWIM.
We STAY with Bishop as he SWIMS HARD, powerfully, not tiring.
Finally, we PULL AWAY, across miles of water, realizing this
is what Bishop will swim without stopping.
3.
EXT. ISLAND SHORE - NIGHT
A pair of ARMED SECURITY patrol a wooded shore. One lifts a
pair of binoculars, scans the shore as BEHIND THEM, a form
moves from behind a tree, blends into the woods.
ON BISHOP. Moving fast, silent, towards a LIT STRUCTURE in
the distance...
INT. HIDEAWAY - NIGHT
BLACK. The SENSE that someone is in here with us...
A LOW GREEN GLOW illuminates Bishop in a TINY, CRAMPED,
COMPARTMENT. No way to know what or where. The glow, coming
from his watch, illuminates his face, crammed and
claustrophobic. An eye checks the time, the light goes out.
Just the sound of his breathing...
EXT. SPORTS CLUB WOODS - MORNING
CRACK! CRACK! PLUMES OF SMOKE rise from the end of vintage
hunting rifles. Game birds scatter into the air. Dogs BARK,
tear through underbrush. MEN dressed in traditional hunting
livery move through foggy woods, followed by STEWARDS.
This is old school hunting, old school weapons. Camera finds
The Mark, raising his weapon, sights... BLAM! A PHEASANT
falls, dogs race after it. The Mark starts forward but is
interrupted by his Steward reminding him to break his weapon
as the other hunters have.
The Mark pushes the man back, ignoring him, hurrying on. At
a small distance, two unhappy private security guards follow.
INT. HIDEAWAY - NO TIME
BLACKNESS. A soft BEEPING, almost inaudible. A low rustle
of cloth, then the green glow illuminates Bishop's face as he
checks the time again. Hasn't moved in HOURS.
EXT. SPORTS CLUB WOODS - MORNING
The Mark stumbles forward, over-eager to get to his prize.
He's worked his way ahead of the field. The MIST has grown
thicker. Human forms move on all sides, hard to distinguish.
CRACK! CRACK! Guns go off around them. Dogs rush by. The
Mark brings the weapon to his face... BLAM!! The shot echoes
through the foggy woods.
4.
INT. SPORTING CLUB - DAY
The Mark, pleased with himself as always, bursts into the
lodge, gun over his shoulder. A round of APPLAUSE as his
Steward holds up the morning's catch.
He pushes on into the locker rooms as one security takes
station at the door. The second emerges from the lockers,
having just done his sweep.
INT. LOCKER ROOM, SPORTING CLUB - DAY
The Mark leans his vintage hunting rifle against the wall,
opens his locker. He kicks off his boots, pulls off his
shirt. Takes a second to rub his face with his hands. It
can be exhausting being him.
Behind the Mark, a locker door opens and closes. Like a
ghost did it. He doesn't sense a thing, reaches for his
weapon, accidentally knocks it to the side. It LANDS, HARD.
The Mark WINCES, half expecting it to fire. But no.
He starts to lean down for it when another man's gloved hands
reach it first. The Mark smiles down at the well-dressed man
crouched by the gun, a little confused.
Bishop looks up, smiles back. He puts out a gloved hand.
Before the Mark can consider, he's taken Bishop's hand.
Bishop holds tight. The Mark's smile... fades.
Even though we know it's coming, Bishop's actions are so fast
and final we're taken by surprise. He PULLS the Mark in as
at the same time he cocks the rifle's hammer, slams the gun
into position, barrel pointed up and BOOM!
The shot hits the Mark in the face, obliterates him, sends a
plume of gore up against the ceiling.
One, two seconds before the Mark's SECURITY rush into the
room, guns lined. First sees the mess, puts a hand to his
mouth. Second starts on the radio.
The room is empty.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - AFTERNOON
A vintage 1972 Shelby Cobra parked by the edge of the river.
Bishop emerges from the water, pops the trunk of the car.
Towel and large rock inside. He towels off, tosses the suit
and the rock into his pack, pack goes into the river. He
grabs a sweater from inside the trunk.
5.
INT. BISHOP'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Bishop gets behind the wheel, dressed. He checks himself in
the rearview, finds a bead of sweat traveling from his brow.
Wipes it away, irritated, and starts the car.
EXT. LOCAL GROCERY - EVENING
Establishing. A quaint local convenience store off a two-
lane road, nestled amidst trees. Bishop's vintage car pulls
up and he gets out.
INT. LOCAL GROCERY - CONTINUOUS
Door jingles as Bishop steps in, smiles to the GROCER, a
friendly beefy guy in his 60's who checks the clock. 7:00 on
the nose.
GROCER
'Evening, Arthur. Got your weekly
right here.
The man hoists two bags of groceries onto the counter.
Bishop comes forward, sees the Owner's DAUGHTER behind the
counter. 12, precocious, reading a dog-eared kid's book.
BISHOP
Hey, Sophie. I got something for
you, wanna see?
The girl smiles, puts down the book and comes over. Bishop
crouches in front of her. He puts out two empty hands, shows
them back and front, then tickles one ear with a hand while
the other "appears" a small daisy.
The girl sees it, smiles... a little disappointed.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
I'm just kidding.
Bishop reaches into his jacket, pulls out the next
installment in the kid's book she's reading: A series
featuring a young female Harry-Potter like character on the
cover: LUNA CROMWELL.
Sophie BEAMS, takes it. A quick hug and she's back to her
seat, opening the new book.
GROCER
What do you say, honey?
SOPHIE
Thank you, Bishop.
6.
BISHOP
You're very welcome.
And she's back into the book. Bishop smiles, a little sad.
It was nice... but the moment's over. He stands and collects
his groceries.
GROCER
See you next week, Arthur.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - EVENING
A ranch-style compound, nestled in the hills. Warm, rustic,
and inviting.
Bishop's Cobra drives past the MAIN HOUSE, a large craftsman,
into a BARN where he parks next to a collection of other
beautiful vintage cars. He gets out, crosses the dirt drive
towards his home. A STUDIO separate from the main house.
Two horses graze in an attached paddock.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - EVENING
Bishop's enters, flicking on lights. The home is beautiful,
ordered. Everything a model of design and elegance. The
walls are home to a collection of original and slightly
sociopathic art. Lucian Freud, de Chirico, Zak Smith,
Francis Bacon. Isolation, beauty, unrest...
INT. BISHOP'S KITCHEN - EVENING
Bishop unpacks his groceries. Organic. Raw. Supplements.
Vitamins. Nothing looks delicious. His fridge is ordered.
Glass containers in rows, lightly hued liquids in each.
He opens a can of Friskies, sets it down for a mutt-like
tabby-cat who lopes over and eats. Bishop scratches her
behind the ears.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - EVENING
Bishop flicks on lights illuminating the WALL covered with
charts, documents, photographs of the Mark.
He goes to a gas fireplace built into the side of the room,
fires up the flames. A sideboard holds a collection of Vinyl
Albums. Mint condition, collector. Fingers play over
titles... Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Bob Dylan...
The turntable needle hits Young's "Needle and the Damage
Done." Music croons sweet into the room as pages, photos,
everything goes into the fire.
7.
One photo in particular: The Mark, busy on the phone as a
young girl pulls at his suit jacket. He was a criminal
bastard, but also a father.
Bishop stares down at the picture, consumed by fire,
reflected in his eyes.
INT. BISHOP'S GYM - NIGHT
Bishop, running on a treadmill, full-tilt. A controlled
sprint without end. The gym has all manner of customized
exercise equipment. Weights, machines, a climbing wall, an
infinite lap-pool.
Bishop jumps off the treadmill, immediately takes his pulse,
checks it against a clock on the wall, jots a note.
Bishop, pressing weights. 300+ pounds. Reps over and over,
Muscles HARD, STRAINING. In his eyes, almost a relaxed
intensity. The rest of the world, turned off.
Bishop RACKS the weights, LOUD. Immediately taking his
pulse, checking the clock...
INT. BISHOP'S GYM - LATER
Bishop sits at a small desk, plotting the evening's work-out
in a book. He traces columns, enters points on a graph.
THE BOOK. Doesn't matter how impressive the numbers are,
they've peaked and are now starting their inevitable slide...
ON BISHOP. Staring at the book.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - NIGHT
Bishops stands in front of his phone. He scrolls through the
last ten calls that have come through. They all read
"McKenna, Harry." Over and over. Three days' worth.
INT. BISHOP'S DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Bishop eats dinner, alone at the end of a beautiful antique
table. Hanging on the wall across from him, a vivid
disturbing painting of three women.
ON HIS PLATE. His food is a meal we might expect an
astronaut to eat. Raw Spinach, a collection of supplements.
He crunches through something that looks like cardboard,
chews, stares at the painting. In his study, the phone
rings. He eyeballs it, lets it ring.
8.
INT. DEN, BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop sits on the couch in front of the television, his cat
curls under his arm, purring. Bishop flips channels through
an endless display of over-amped human behavior. People HAW
and WINK in the sitcoms, people YELL on the talk-shows,
people CRY and LUST on the dramas. Flip. Flip.
A news channel shows a PICTURE of The Mark. "Billionaire tech
mogul dead in tragic accident." Two ANCHORS discuss...
MALE NEWS ANCHOR
...here's a guy at the top of his
game. And yes there were questions
about the money: Where did it all
go. Were some of his friends less
than friendly to the US? But in
the end, it's not the feds who
catch up with him --
FEMALE NEWS ANCHOR
It's that age old adage that boys
will be boys. These dangerous
hobbies come with the risk of
accidents like this --
Bishops punches off the tv, heads for the door.
EXT. HIGH-END APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Bishop pulls up in his car, looks up. Hundred of lit windows
above him, lives going on behind each. He heads forward, the
doorman holding the door for him.
EXT. CORRIDOR, HIGH-RISE - MOMENTS LATER
Bishop gets out of the elevator, stops in front of a door.
Beat. He rings the bell.
WOMAN'S VOICE
(FROM INSIDE)
It's open!
Bishop pushes the door open, steps into...
INT. HIGH RISE APARTMENT - NIGHT
Beautifully, warmly furnished. Sofas surround a living area,
a gas fire flickering. Throws and rugs. Art on the walls,
tasteful and human. An open bottle of wine on a granite
counter top.
THE VIEW. Over all the city, thousands of lights twinkle.
9.
WOMAN'S VOICE
I'll just be a minute.
We catch a GLIMPSE of the WOMAN. A towel over her hair,
wearing a skirt and a bra, crossing from the bathroom into
her bedroom. Even in the small glimpse, she's beautiful.
Bishop looks down at a coffee table. Magazines, newspaper.
A picture of the first Mark's elaborate funeral.
BISHOP
I'm sorry I was away so long this
time. I had some complications...
He turns. She's emerged from the bedroom. 30's. Long dark
hair, damp from the shower. Buttoning a shirt, the curve of
her breasts caught as she does. A comfortable, sophisticated
air about her. Effortlessly attractive.
WOMAN
You don't have to apologize. I'm
just glad you're here now.
(BEAT)
Are you hungry?
She starts to move by him, his hand catches her arm and she
is in his arms, holding him TIGHT, kissing him.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. I just... miss you. I
never thought I was going to be a
"woman who waits." But I do. I
wait for you.
He nods. She breaks off, pours red wine in a glass.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
Were you in Europe? Africa?
(BEAT)
Was there another woman?
BISHOP
No.
WOMAN
Liar. It's alright. I don't mind.
(Suddenly shifting gears)
I... I made something for you.
She picks up a remote, fire up a large flatscreen TV. Hits a
button. A moment, then an IMAGE flickers to life.
ON THE TV: The WOMAN, sitting in this same living room. She
wears a long sleeve shirt over panties. Sips a glass of
wine. Smiles warm at the camera. The silence of late night.
10.
WOMAN ON CAMERA
Hey, you. Just got back from the
weekend at the lake with Julianne
and Barry and their kids. Their
oldest is five. You'd like him.
(BEAT)
Everybody spoke about you, of
course. We should go up there
sometime, just the two of us...
ON THE TV: She reaches towards the camera and the image
JUMPS AHEAD. Another night, late. The WOMAN enters the
frame, now wearing a stunning black party dress.
WOMAN ON CAMERA (CONT'D)
(announcing, giggling)
I, just got back from seeing the
most boring opening at the Pierre
Grochet gallery. And of course
everyone's asking where you are and
of course I made your apologies,
but what I was thinking...
ON THE TV: She winks at the camera, happily drunk. Raises
her dress a little, suggestive...
WOMAN ON CAMERA (CONT'D)
(WHISPER)
Why weren't you here to take me
home and make love to me...?
She blows a kiss. Closes her eyes...
ON BISHOP: Watching. Emotion breaks the surface.
The WOMAN raises the remote. Turns off the image. Looks at
Bishop. Plain, not demanding. But caring.
BISHOP
I'm not a man who... It wouldn't
be good for you, if I was around
all the time.
WOMAN
I know. I know.
She moves to him and they are kissing fierce.
INT. BEDROOM, HIGH RISE APARTMENT - NIGHT
Bishop and the woman make love. She's the aggressor at
first, pulling away Bishop's clothing, climbing on top of
him, pulling her own clothes away...
11.
Bishop grabs the woman who LAUGHS in ecstacy. He reverses
her, throwing her down on the bed, climbing on top. The two
of them, eye to eye as they fuck...
INT. BEDROOM, HIGH RISE APARTMENT - EARLY MORNING
Early morning light filters into the room. Bishop, awake,
staring at the sleeping woman. His eyes click over to the
clock which reaches 6:00 am. As if he's been waiting, Bishop
rises and dresses, silently.
INT. HIGH-RISE APARTMENT - EARLY MORNING
Bishop stands in front of the plate glass windows. He turns
and moves to a music box on a shelf, opens it. A melancholy
tune plays. He admires the machinery as he removes twenty
$100 bills from his wallet, tucks them under the box...
WOMAN'S VOICE
Stay for breakfast?
He turns. She's standing in the doorway, tying a robe around
herself. A cool professionalism inhabits her demeanor. Not
crass or mean-spirited, but the romance is gone.
BISHOP
Do I ever?
WOMAN
No. But there's a first time for
everything.
Bishop goes to the DVD player, slots out the DVD they watched
the night before and pockets it.
BISHOP
Thank you. This was a good one.
See you next time.
WOMAN
Bishop... You all right?
He turns, studies her. This is new ground. He nods and
leaves. She stares a moment at the door after he's gone.
EXT. WOODS - MORNING
Bishop, running. Full-tilt again, a maintained sprint. He
maneuvers through trees, over rocks. Below him, through the
woods, his home comes into view...
... a BLACK BENTLEY sits parked in front of the house. A MAN
on a cell phone stands by it.
12.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
The man wears a mid-level suit, a hired professional.
MAN
(into a phone)
Yes, I just got here. No, not yet.
He turns, REACTS as Bishop is there, CLOSE, barely sweating.
MAN (CONT'D)
(INTO PHONE)
Hold on, I got him.
The man holds his cell phone out for Bishop. A beat, Bishop
studying the angles... he takes the phone.
MCKENNA (O.S.)
Arthur? Jesus Christ, Arthur, is
that you?
BISHOP
...How are you, Harry?
MCKENNA (O.S.)
Oh you know, I'm God Damn perfect.
I'm redecorating my fucking office
and I wanted your advice on the god
forsaken curtains is how I am.
(beat, serious)
This is... this is something,
Arthur. I need to see you, for old
time's sake.
INT. BENTLEY - DAY
Bishop sits in the back, looks out at the city moving around
them as the man drives. They approach the armored gates of a
business tower: MCKENNA HOLDING CORP. The driver nods at
SECURITY who recognize the car, open the gate. The car drops
down into the garage under the building.
INT. PARKING GARAGE - DAY
Bishop and the man exit the Bentley. Four more ARMED
SECURITY down here, seated around a table, eating delivery
from a local Deli. Two stand, one steps forward.
SECURITY
Sorry, gotta do this...
Patient, Bishop puts his arms out as the man searches him.
13.
INT. MCKENNA HOLDING CORP. - DAY
Bishop steps out of the elevator into a top-level wonderland
of money manipulation. Desks, crushed with monitors, manned
by casually brilliant MIT-grads. Flat screens track the
markets. All of this overseen by a witch's tit of a MANAGER
who eyeballs Bishop coolly.
A tapping gets Bishop's attention. The corner office is
glass-walled. HARRY MCKENNA is tapping on it, gesturing
Bishop inside.
INT. OFFICE, MCKENNA HOLDING CORP - MOMENTS LATER
The office is high-tech. Harry less so. 60's. Overweight
and doesn't give a shit. Cigars in a ashtray, ash-burns on
the Persian rugs. A man to be reckoned with, in his time.
The time has perhaps passed.
Harry comes out from behind his desk, points Bishop to a big
leather sofa. Bishop perches on the arm.
BISHOP
I like the new digs.
McKenna LAUGHS, like a grunt. Fiddles with his hearing aid,
turning it up. Bishop's eyes track.
MCKENNA
Has it really been that long?
Jesus.
(BEAT)
You know how they say youth is lost
on the young? They're right. If I
had my nineteen year old body back,
I wouldn't be here, I'll tell you
that. I'd be out there, making it
my personal life mission to bang
every stewardess who ever dared put
on one of those whatchamacallit
skirts.
BISHOP
Times have changed, Harry. They
don't wear skirts anymore.
McKenna eyeballs Bishop, shakes his head. He goes to the
glass wall, points out at the screens, financial markets.
MCKENNA
You know what all that is?
(off Bishop's nod)
That's their money, getting moved,
exchanged. Made clean and neat and
proper for Uncle Sam. And I have
always been extremely careful.
14.
McKenna goes to his desk, tosses legal papers on the table
between them.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
You know what that is? That's a
God damn subpoena from the Justice
Department. We get a new face in
the white house, all of a sudden
they want to look at my records.
They got accountants want to go
through MY BOOKS. Are you kidding
me? I got the left hand coming
after me for what I did for the
right hand.
Bishop looks over the papers, nods.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
So I call them up. I say "hey, you
guys gotta get your own house in
order..."
BISHOP
And...
MCKENNA
And? And that's the point!
Nothing. I tell them they have a
problem here and instead of dealing
with it I get silence, zippo, fuck-
all. What are they, twelve?
BISHOP
...I don't see how I can --
MCKENNA
That's bullshit, Arthur. Your
father -- they still talk about the
guy like he walked on water. You,
they'll listen to. You --
BISHOP
I'm not a part of that.
McKenna stares out the window at the street below, nervous.
Shakes a pill out of as small vial, pops it. He chuckles,
shakes his head.
MCKENNA
You remember that fishing trip we
all took, back in the day. You
were, what? About eight, right?
(Off Bishop's nod)
You fell out of the boat...
couldn't swim a stroke. City kid.
(Animated, laughing)
You're in the water, splashing
around.
(MORE)
15.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
You got these big eyes like
saucers, like you're sure you're
gonna drown. Splashing...
swallowing water... just STARING at
your father and he's not making a
move. Remember? Just looking down
at you like...
Suddenly it's gotten less funny.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
I finally had to grab you by the
hair, pull you back into the boat.
You're shivering like hell and he --
your dad -- gives one of those
laughs. Those big laughs everyone
loved him for.
(BEAT)
Anyway, the whole time you're in
the water, you didn't cry out. Not
once. You were a tough
sonofabitch, even then.
BISHOP
That was a long time ago, Harry.
McKenna turns from the window, takes in all his monitors,
charts. Stock lines tick up and down, graphs flow, pulse...
MCKENNA
Well, I'm in the water this time,
Arthur. You think it's easy for me
to ask? It cuts like hell. But
that's what I'm doing.
Bishop eyes the barely open doorway into a small room off the
office. Pillows and blankets on a sofa. Some clothes strewn
about. McKenna's been sleeping here.
A long beat. Bishop... nods. The tension seems to DRAIN
from McKenna. He claps Bishop on the back, nods back.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
...Thank you. Thank you.
THROUGH THE GLASS WALL OF THE OFFICE. Bishop's eyes track as
elevator doors open and STEVE MCKENNA steps out, a beautiful
young woman with him, LOUISE. She's a trophy, the woman you
get for being top dog and the one you regret getting.
Gorgeous, self-obsessed, entitled. She flops onto a leather
sofa as Steve moves towards the office.
Steve's young, mid-20's, strikingly handsome, wearing the
casual uniform of wealth not earned. But there's something
else that arrests Bishop immediately. Unwasted motion,
detachment, observing the world around him... from above.
16.
Even as Steve nods to one of his father's security and pushes
into the room, he picks up Bishop. The two men lock eyes, a
strange reflection not of appearance, but of nature.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
And here's the prodigal son,
arrived to bilk me for ransom.
(TO STEVE)
Steve, this is Arthur Bishop.
Steve shakes Bishop's hand. Strong. Observant.
STEVE
Hey. Nice to meet you. You work
for my father?
MCKENNA
No, quite the opposite. Arthur's
doing me a little favor.
STEVE
So you're a criminal?
MCKENNA
That's enough.
STEVE
Relax, relax. I'm kidding.
A last beat between Steve and Bishop, then Steve lets it go,
turns his attention to his father.
STEVE (CONT'D)
I need you to make a donation to
Louise's charity. She's mounting
some kind of fundraiser and she
wants to make sure we do our part.
MCKENNA
What's it for?
STEVE
I have no idea. And don't pretend
you care, either. Write the check,
go to the party, smile when the
ORPHANS-SLASH-HOMELESS-WIDOWS THANK
you and call you a great and
generous man.
MCKENNA
(TO BISHOP)
You ever think of having kids,
Arthur?
BISHOP
Nope.
17.
Wearily, McKenna brings out his checkbook.
MCKENNA
Wise man. How much?
STEVE
Thirty thousand.
(Suddenly, to Bishop)
You know, I can't tell what you're
thinking, Mr. Bishop. Usually, I'm
very good with that, with people.
Sort of like a bullshit detector I
developed. But you're very... hard
to read.
BISHOP
Sorry.
STEVE
Don't be. So what are you
thinking?
BISHOP
I was thinking that a son, should
be more grateful to his father.
STEVE
(NODDING)
I agree. I agree. I often wonder
why I'm not.
McKenna tears the check out, hands it to Steve.
MCKENNA
There. Now go away.
STEVE
Thank you, dad. Are we going to
see you at the house any time soon?
MCKENNA
Yeah, this is just a few more days.
We got this... situation.
Steve hears the dark in his father's tone, tracks it.
STEVE
Anything I can do?
MCKENNA
You? Yeah, you can earn some
money. Get married.
(BEAT)
No, it's going to be okay now.
Arthur's helping me out.
Steve glances between the two men. Ego slightly bruised.
18.
STEVE
Well it's good to meet you Mr.
Bishop. My father seems to trust
you, which is... unusual.
Bishop and McKenna watch as he hits the atrium, hands Louise
the check who goes out of her mind, jumping up and down,
giving him a kiss that speaks of more to come, trotting off.
Steve glances back one more time, then follows her.
MCKENNA
We will take from our children for
a lifetime what we would not suffer
from another man for an instant.
Explain that to me.
(off Bishop's silence)
Okay. Okay, call me when you hear
something.
BISHOP
You take care of yourself, Harry.
MCKENNA
Well, that's your job now, isn't
it?
INT. PARKING GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Bishop exits the elevator. Security holds the door to the
Bentley open for him. Bishop shakes his head, walks out.
INT. ARTIST'S STUDIO - AFTERNOON
Bishop exits an old freight elevator, enters this HUGE loft
space. Old architecture divided by free-standing walls hung
with PAINTINGS from the same artist who's work hangs in
Bishop's home. Intense, slightly surreal, deeply haunting.
Nudes, raw. Men's faces, distraught, alone.
A matronly ART DEALER comes forward familiar, takes his hand.
ART DEALER
Arthur. Glad you're here. Right
this way.
As they move across the space Bishop catches sight of a
MODEL, lying nude in a pool of blue paint. Across from her,
The ARTIST is full-focused on her. He's roughly Bishop's
age. Cigarette dangles off a lip, tattoos on his arms.
Fully comfortable and committed to the alternative life.
The model senses Bishop's gaze, looks over, unashamed.
19.
ART DEALER (CONT'D)
This way.
Bishop follows the Dealer into another area where they
approach a canvas. It's a portrait of a young boy, alone.
The effect is of rage-filled isolation.
ART DEALER (CONT'D)
Zak is almost finished. It will
make a wonderful addition to your
collection.
Bishop looks at the canvas. Nods. Glances back to where the
artist is carefully adjusting his model's position.
ART DEALER (CONT'D)
Do you want to meet him?
BISHOP
...No.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop enters his home, sets his things down. Stares at his
phone a beat, then on impulse picks it up and dials. The
voice that answers is female, official.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Good evening, Mr. Bishop. How can
I help you?
BISHOP
Yes. I'd like to speak to Dean.
There's a brief pause on the phone, then.
WOMAN'S VOICE
...Mr. Dean is not available right
now. Can I take a message?
BISHOP
No. Just tell him I called.
Bishop hangs up, stares at the phone.
The doorbell rings. Bishop opens it to find a DHL COURIER on
his doorstep. Bishop is suddenly casual, friendly. The
public face of Bishop.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Hello, Don. They make you drive
all the way out here this evening?
DON
That's the job.
20.
The man gestures to the open barn door, the classic cars.
DON (CONT'D)
You find tires for that old
FleetMaster?
BISHOP
(SIGNING)
No, not yet. Maybe when I do,
we'll take it out for a spin. Say
hello to the wife for me.
DON
Will do. Good night, Arthur.
The man heads back towards his truck. Bishop tears away the
strip that seals the envelope, a small USB jump-drive slides
into his hands. The friendly grin on Bishop's face...
evaporates.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Bishop fires up a computer hooked to a printer. He slots the
USB drive into the computer. Nothing seems to happen, just a
low pulsing red light on the drive.
Almost instantly, his phone rings and he answers. Silence.
BISHOP
(INTO PHONE)
We should all be so lucky.
Click. The phone goes dead. Almost at the same time, the
glowing red light on the jump-drive turns GREEN.
Bishop's PRINTER fires up. It starts printing out pages. A
few medical charts... and then a photograph: Harry McKenna.
The new mark.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Bishop eats. Lost in thought. Eyes play over his art...
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Bishop hits the study, work-mode. All hesitation gone.
Pages are tacked up, other ripped down and tossed. He takes
out a thick pen, circles words: "Syncope cardiac spasms..."
"Prognosis..." "Poor eustachian tube function..."
21.
INT. PUBLIC LIBRARY - DAY
Bishop sits at a desk under a reading lamp, making notes out
of a stack of books. Medical textbooks. Charts. A diagram
of the central nervous system. Stress tests. The technical
specs for an electronic device.
INT. PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE - DAY
Bishop receives a SET OF PLANS from an attendant. Spreads
them out over a counter. In the corner, a large photocopier.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - EVENING
Bishop sits at his desk, a Jeweler's Loup over one eye,
working with soldering iron and electronic tools, meticulous.
Behind him, tacked to the wall, are copies of the building
plans. Heavily inked. Routes in and out penned in.
Locations of security. Photographs. He's done his recon.
Sitting in the sun on a window ledge: an open jar of
Mayonnaise, turning rancid. A fly buzzes around it.
THROUGH THE JEWELER'S LOUP: Bishop is working on a hearing
aide. Tweezers adjust a tiny chip, slot it into place...
Phone rings. Bishop eyes it for a beat. Snaps it up. The
voice on the other end is world weary, professional. DEAN.
DEAN (O.S.)
Bishop. I heard you called. Hey,
you get the stuff I sent you?
BISHOP
That's what I called about. I know
him. I think there might be a
MISUNDERSTANDING --
DEAN (O.S.)
Hold on a second.
A long pause. Just air on the line. Bishop stares at his
work in front of him, his research on McKenna tacked to the
wall. Dean's voice comes back as suddenly as it departed.
DEAN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
No, it's been decided. This one's
a go. You take care of yourself,
Bishop.
The line goes dead. Bishop stares at the phone for a second,
sets it down. He looks up at Harry's picture on the wall.
22.
EXT. CITYSCAPE - MORNING
The sun rises over the city, shafts of light illuminating the
top floor plate glass of McKenna Holding Corp. The SOUND OF
A PHONE RINGING, being picked up.
MCKENNA'S VOICE
Hello?
BISHOP'S VOICE
They want to talk. I'm picking you
up in an hour.
MCKENNA'S VOICE
ARTHUR --
BISHOP'S VOICE
Send your people home. I don't
want anyone I don't know near you
today. I'm serious.
MCKENNA'S VOICE
...Thank you, Arthur.
INT. DELI - MORNING
Bishop hangs up his phone, watches as three bags of food are
put up on the TO GO counter. "McKenna Garage" scrawled.
Bishop approaches the counter, reaches over the bags for his
own food, pushing his drink onto the floor.
BISHOP
I'm sorry. My bad.
The guy at the counter shrugs, turns for a mop. Bishop
quickly reaches into the McKenna bag, switches a wrapped
sandwich for one he brought.
EXT. MCKENNA HOLDING CORP. - DAY
A white van passes the entrance to the underground garage,
pulls into the Alley behind the building and stops.
INT. WHITE VAN - CONTINUOUS
Bishop kills the engine, pushes aside a curtain and heads
into the back of the van which is empty aside for a heavy
acetylene torch. The bottom of the van is covered by a thick
black matt which Bishop kicks with his foot.
The matt falls aside revealing a large HOLE in the bottom of
the van, right down to the pavement and the welded steel
cover Bishop has parked on top of.
23.
Bishop picks up the torch, SPARKS IT.
INT. PARKING GARAGE - MORNING
The four SECURITY are eating their delivered lunch. Security
#1 puts a hand to his gut. Security #2 looks over.
SECURITY #2
Hey, you okay?
SECURITY #1
Actually, call central. I'm not --
And with that, he's suddenly up and MOVING towards the
bathroom. Security #2 raises his radio.
INT. ELEVATOR LOBBY, MCKENNA HOLDING CORP. - DAY
Elevator doors open. Another SECURITY GUARD steps out,
checks in by radio and heads down a corridor.
IN THE ELEVATOR behind him, Bishop drops through the ceiling
hatch, dressed casual. He hits a button, doors close.
INT. MCKENNA'S OFFICE - MORNING
Elevator doors open and Bishop steps out into the office.
Deserted. Monitors glow, tracking markets and trades. But
the human element is gone.
Except for Harry, alone, silhouetted at one of his large
plate windows, watching the sun rise over the city.
MCKENNA
You ever wonder what the last day
of your life will feel like,
Arthur?
BISHOP
You keep standing next to that
window, maybe you'll be able to
tell me.
McKenna looks over, smiles weary. He looks exhausted. He
goes to his desk, picks up a tie, looks to Bishop.
MCKENNA
This turns out alright, I'm going
to send you a dozen Thai hookers
and a case of Cuban Esplandidos.
You can return the hookers if you
want, but the cigars...
24.
BISHOP
(SMILING)
I don't smoke.
MCKENNA
You will, my friend. For these,
you will.
INT. ELEVATOR - MOMENTS LATER
Bishop and McKenna heading down. McKenna watches the
numbers. Bishop studies McKenna... then, casually:
BISHOP
Why the change of security?
MCKENNA
...What?
Beat. Bishop SLAPS the STOP button. Elevator jerks to a
halt. Bishop gets a finger into the doors, PRIES them open.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
Arthur...?
McKenna looks at the effort, sighs. Lets Bishop help him
down. Halfway through, BALANCE SHIFTS, McKenna starts to
fall. Bishop STEADIES him. McKenna STARES at Bishop,
concerned. Bishop nods, heading towards the STAIRS,
pocketing a small hearing aide as he goes.
ON MCKENNA, touching the hearing aide in his ear...
BISHOP
Come on...
INT. STAIRWELL - MOMENTS LATER
Bishop and McKenna reach the bottom of the stairwell.
McKenna's winded, steadying himself against a wall. Bishop
cracks the door, peers out.
BISHOP
What the hell...?
McKenna moves in, pushes Bishop aside.
MCKENNA'S P.O.V.: His SECURITY. Only there are two new
faces in the garage. Replacements packing weaponry.
MCKENNA
This isn't good, Arthur...
25.
BISHOP
Listen to me. Stay here. I'm
going to check it out.
MCKENNA
Bishop, those men are armed...
BISHOP
Harry, relax. I know what I'm
doing.
And Bishop slips out the door, shutting it behind him.
INT. PARKING GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
The moment he's out, he turns and sinks down in front of it,
blocking it with his back. He opens his jacket, brings out a
small TRANSMITTER. Waits a beat, then flicks a switch.
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
McKenna there, STARING at the door. Nothing. He approaches
the steel door, tries the handle. Can't open it. Nervous,
he carefully puts his head against the door to listen...
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! The SOUND OF GUNFIRE, VOICES fill
McKenna's ears. He staggers back, crouched, terrified...
CLOSE ON HIS HEARING AIDE: The sounds of gunfire is coming
from it. BLAM! BLAM! More shots, then the sound of
POUNDING on the door.
BISHOP'S VOICE
Harry! It's a trap! RUN!!!
The door flies opens and Bishop LURCHES IN, gun raised.
McKenna starts up the stairs, breathing hard. Behind him, he
can see Bishop, gun lined back at the door. BLAM! BLAM!
Gunshots assault his eardrums.
INT. PARKING GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
On the other side of the door, Security hears the door slam,
looks over for a moment, but there's nothing else.
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
McKenna picks up the pace, hauling himself upwards. Sweat
POURING off him, eyes wild. He stops, tries to catch his
breath. Shooting PAIN through his right arm, he grabs it
just as MORE GUNFIRE SOUNDS from below.
26.
Bishop comes rushing up the stairs. His shirt stained with
blood. Gun in his hand.
BISHOP
Come on! If we can get to the roof
I can hold them off! Come on!
McKenna GULPS AIR, staggers on...
EXT. ROOFTOP, MCKENNA HOLDING CORP - MOMENTS LATER
Door BLOWS open, McKenna staggers onto the rooftop. The
manic victory of having made it clashing with the tragic
knowledge that his heart is rebelling.
He falls to his knees, clutching his right arm. PAIN
coursing through his body. Unaware for the moment that
everything has gone silent.
FEET come into his view. He looks up, sees Bishop standing
over him. Bishop's face is a death mask. Emotion removed.
Harry stares into his eyes... and understands.
MCKENNA
...You.
Bishop nods. McKenna CACKLES which turns into a scream as
PAIN sends him reeling. He falls, hitting his head. Blood
rolls down his face.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
You bastard. You... Sonofabitch.
You didn't have the balls... The
balls to AARRRGHHHH!
He CONVULSES. Tears stream down his face. His body HEAVING,
not giving up the ghost.
ON BISHOP. We know it's in there. But it doesn't show.
Instead he checks his watch, calculates time...
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
Oh God. Oh, Jesus Christ help me.
ARRGHHHH!!! ARRRRGHHHHHH!!!!
Please... Please... Please...
McKenna stops struggling, stares up at Bishop. Tears
streaming down his face.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
Please, Arthur, put me out of my
misery. Your father...
Bishop checks his watch again, doesn't meet McKenna's eyes.
Checks the stair door, looks over the building edge...
27.
MCKENNA (CONT'D)
Please. I'm scared. I'm really
god damn scared...
Suddenly Bishop MOVES. Lightening fast, wrapping up
McKenna's head, fingers PRESSING expertly along arteries.
McKenna STARES UP one horrible second, then goes limp in his
arms, dead.
Bishop releases, stands, stares down. For the first time,
uncertainty in his face. Why did he do that? He looks at
the body, at his hands, out at the city. Wipes his forehead
with the back of a hand, furious at himself.
He reaches down, removes the hearing aide from McKenna's ear,
replaces it with the original, turns away.
SEEN FROM FAR ABOVE. McKenna's body, alone on the rooftop.
EXT. ROOFTOP, MCKENNA HOLDING CORP - NIGHT
WITH STEVE as he pushes through doors into a MASS of Police,
detectives, private security, lawyers, all milling about on
phones, gathered around a figure on the ground...
INT. ARTIST'S STUDIO - NIGHT
The Art Dealer hands Bishop the finished painting, wrapped.
At the far end of the studio the Artist and his friends smoke
and drink and laugh. Bishop nods thanks, turns and leaves.
EXT. ROOFTOP, MCKENNA HOLDING CORP - NIGHT
Steve stares down at his dead father. A COP draws a line
around the body. Steve is expressionless.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop backs off from the wall where he has just hung the new
painting of the boy. It stares back at him.
EXT. ROOFTOP, MCKENNA HOLDING CORP - EARLY MORNING
Blue-gray morning. Cold wind blows across the rooftop.
Steve watches the last police leave. He's alone. He stares
down at the outline where his father lay.
28.
EXT. CEMTERY - DAY
A funeral in progress, hundreds of flower arrangements,
decorations, fit for a head of state. A few dozen attendees.
At the front, Steve McKenna sits in front of his father's
coffin, cold. His girlfriend Louise next to him, weeping.
She cries at funerals.
Bishop stands at the back. His eyes scan over the
proceedings. Sixth-sense, Steve suddenly turns his head,
makes eye contact with Bishop.
PRIEST
His good works comfort all of us,
even in his going. We commit his
remains to your earth, oh Father,
and we pray you vouchsafe him
eternal life and that you bring
comfort to those who have been left
behind. His only son, Steve, who
is himself devoted to --
The Priest falters as Steve rises, moves away from the event.
Bishop tracks him as he wanders through gravestones.
PRIEST (CONT'D)
...Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost...
EXT. CEMTERY - DAY (LATER)
At the gravesite, men fill in the hole with dirt. Nearby,
six limousines are lined up. But only the one directly after
the hearse has its door open for Louise who stands, waiting,
looking for Steve.
Bishop watches the dirt hit the coffin. Then looks over as
Steve approaches through mausoleums.
BISHOP
My condolences.
STEVE
(NODS)
Yeah, Harry was a popular guy.
Good to see so many of his friends
here. Touching.
Bishop considers, tracks the attendees who pass by a suited
man as they leave... Each of them receiving and pocketing an
envelope as they do. Bishop looks back to Steve.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Best grief money can buy. Give me
a ride home?
29.
Bishop nods to the head limo where Louise is waving
impatiently at Steve to come.
BISHOP
Looks like you have one.
STEVE
Yeah, all of that. Empty limos.
Fake guests. All so that the
papers print what an important and
respected man Harry was.
Steve takes in the one or two guests, already counting their
money a few yards away. Shakes his head.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Well, I hope it's what Harry would
have wanted. But it's not for me.
Beat. Bishop nods.
INT. BISHOP'S CAR - DAY
Bishop steers the car into the hills, past high-end estates.
STEVE
You know, what I don't get is you.
Harry didn't have any friends.
BISHOP
Your dad worked with my father a
long time ago.
STEVE
So?
BISHOP
So, just paying my respects.
STEVE
So your old man was into all that?
BISHOP
(SMALL NOD)
Yeah, he was into all that.
STEVE
Well, that is refreshingly honest,
Mr. Bishop. What about you?
Bishop doesn't answer, steers the car up a manicured drive.
P.O.V. - THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD: An ESTATE. A main house,
lawns, pools, guest houses.
30.
EXT. MCKENNA ESTATE - AFTERNOON
Steve and Bishop get out of the car. The McKenna estate was
modeled neoclassical for a wanna-be emperor. Now a week of
youth with limitless credit has left its mark. A SOUND
SYSTEM has been set up poolside. A DJ spins a trance-like
deep groove. YOUNG WOMEN lounge around the pool in bikinis,
less. Beautiful and bored. YOUNG MEN, most dressed modern
hip-hop, mostly white, eyeball the women, fist-bump each
other, drink beers.
Steve takes the whole thing in, nods, somehow pleased.
STEVE
Why is it so comforting, when
people surpass even our lowest
expectations?
(BEAT)
Come on in, meet the crowd.
BISHOP
No, thanks. I've got to --
STEVE
Please. A favor to me. None of
these people even remembered what
today was.
Bishop nods. They move into the scene. People recognize
Steve, hug or bump-fists. Steve's friendly, but stays locked
on Bishop. Bishop observes it all, not uncomfortable.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Do you believe in fate, Mr. Bishop?
BISHOP
Why?
A basketball hoop has been set up near the pool. Young men
take turns dunking and then landing in the water.
STEVE
I think maybe we're all doomed to
become our fathers. I'll probably
die spoiled, corrupt, lonely and
alone. Runs in the blood. What
would that make you?
BISHOP
You're still young. You can do
pretty much whatever you please.
AT THE HOT TUB, two girls kiss each other, filmed in DV by an
young entrepreneur.
31.
STEVE
You think so? Just chuck all this
and go help the children in South
America, something like that?
BISHOP
Maybe.
STEVE
Well look at you, Mr. Bishop.
You're a dreamer.
Steve heads inside. A beat, Bishop follows.
INT. MCKENNA ESTATE - AFTERNOON
As soon as they enter, Steve finds himself locked up by two
BEAUTIES who whisper excitedly in his ear.
BEAUTY #1
Well? Do you want to...?
STEVE
No, in fact I'm pretty sure that's
illegal in this state.
(TO BISHOP)
Come on, this way.
Steve leaves the Beauties disappointed, moves up some stairs.
Bishop follows.
INT. MCKENNA ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
Steve and Bishop move into another room where two HUGE
flatscreens have converted the room into a Wii court. Young
muscle-bound posers play a first person head-to-head shoot-em
game. Others drink, CHEER.
Two bump fists with Steve. One fronts cool at Bishop, fakes
a punch at him. Bishop just watches, doesn't do a thing.
The kid smiles, nods...
On the floor, paintings of Harry McKenna, discarded.
INT. MASTER SUITE, MCKENNA ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
This used to be Harry's realm. Now Steve's taken it over.
Giant ornate king bed. Huge balcony overlooking the estate.
Steve goes to the railing of the balcony, looks down at the
grounds, the people. Bishop hangs back, glances into a
private study, untouched from when Harry ruled there.
Papers, books, a portrait of Harry over the desk.
32.
STEVE
You know, I went up there. To
where my father died.
BISHOP
Oh?
STEVE
Hell of a place to die. Lonely...
Bishop comes abreast of Steve, also looks down. Removed from
the party and the pool area, a separate area of the estate
contains an outdoor gym. Weights, exercise equipment, a
fighting matt and martial arts equipment all present.
BISHOP
(off the gym area)
That all yours?
STEVE
If the body is weak, the mind can't
be strong.
Bishop nods, impressed. Something about this young man.
Engaged, observing Bishop, but not needy.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Steve! Steve, man. It's Louise.
At the door, a FRIEND of Steve's is held back by security.
FRIEND
She's up in the bungalow. I think
she might really do it this time.
STEVE
(TO BISHOP)
My girlfriend thinks that my
father's death is a good time to
kill herself. She thinks I'm not
showing the appropriate human
reaction.
BISHOP
I'll let myself out.
STEVE
No, please. You've seen this much.
Aren't you interested? I am.
Off Bishop...
33.
EXT. BUNGALOW, MCKENNA ESTATE - EARLY EVENING
Steve and Bishop push through a guarded gate, up a small path
arriving at a beautiful bungalow, set back in the gardens.
Candle light glows inside.
INT. BUNGALOW, MCKENNA ESTATE - EARLY EVENING
Louise is nude, immersed in the water of a jacuzzi located in
the center of the room. On the side, she has a bottle of
scotch, some pills, and two razor blades.
She looks up at Steve, streaked eyes dart to Bishop.
LOUISE
Who's he?
STEVE
A friend. Would have thought you'd
have started by now.
LOUISE
This isn't about me. It's about
you. You need to watch.
Steve crouches down, pours himself a shot from her whiskey
bottle. Something angry and cold in his eyes.
STEVE
Okay. I'm here. I'm watching.
LOUISE
You don't believe I'll do it.
STEVE
No, I know you, Louise. You'll do
just about anything if it'll get
you enough attention.
LOUISE
You think you can hide behind that
cool attitude. Like nothing
matters to you. But I know you.
You care. You feel.
STEVE
Do I?
Louise blinks, scared a little. But she pushes the fear
away, picks up one of the razor blades. A beat, then with a
quick gesture, she slices across one wrist. Blood rises to
the surface, runs down her arms into the water.
Steve doesn't move. Neither does Bishop. Louise picks up
the second blade with the cut hand. Fingers fumble, but she
gets it. Slices across her other wrist.
34.
Blood runs... stains the water rose.
STEVE (CONT'D)
...Wow.
LOUISE
How long will it take?
STEVE
(HE SHRUGS)
Mr. Bishop?
Bishop rises, looks down at her in the tub.
BISHOP
How much do you weigh?
LOUISE
A hundred and ten.
His eyes take in her body, the flow from her wrists...
BISHOP
You're a hundred and twenty-five.
It'll take an hour and a half,
maybe two. When you get cold...
then you'll know you're close.
Steve takes in Bishop in this moment, nods. Glances at the
clock: 9:30. Then he refills his drink, heads out to the
patio outside. Sits facing away from them.
LOUISE
He'll stop it. He thinks he's
above it all. But he's not. No
one is.
Bishop nods. Not clear if he's agreeing or observing.
EXT. BUNGALOW, MCKENNA ESTATE - EVENING
Bishop sits with Steve on the patio. From inside, Louise's
soft crying can be heard. Seen through the trees in front of
them, young people dance, splash, party.
LOUISE
(FROM INSIDE)
Steve! Steve! I know you feel
this. I know you'll stop me.
STEVE
(CALLING BACK)
If you don't care anything about
your life, why should I?
Steve looks to Bishop. He checks his watch. 10:30.
35.
LOUISE
I'm getting cold. Please. I'm
frightened. I'm scared, Steve.
Bishop looks at Steve who just keeps staring outwards.
STEVE
You can help her if you want.
The sounds of water, splashing. Louise arrives on the patio,
a blood-stained robe loosely pulled on around her. Mascara
eyes ran. She stares down at Steve.
LOUISE
You're a bastard.
STEVE
You know what the kick of it is,
Louise? If you actually had the
stones, then there's be something
for us. But in 30 seconds when you
run down that path and all of those
people go crazy saving your life...
Well, then we'll be done.
(BEAT)
I know. Catch-22. Life's not
fair.
LOUISE
(REALIZING)
What happened to you?
STEVE
Maybe nothing. Maybe you never
really knew me.
A beat. Louise, looking between the two men. She SWAYS on
her feet and Bishop puts a hand out, steadies her.
LOUISE
You're a bastard, too. Both of
you. Like looking in some dark
mirror.
STEVE
Go on, Louise. You'll do fine.
The world's gonna love you.
Louise steps away, turns, stumbling down the path into the
dark. A beat, the men just watching after her and then a
SCREAM from below. COMMOTION, ACTION. People rush to
Louise, help her to the ground. Others pulling out cell
phones, call for help. Louise's LOUD cries drift back.
BISHOP
Would you have let her do it?
36.
STEVE
We'll never know, will we?
Steve rises, heads up a small path.
EXT. ESTATE GROUNDS - NIGHT
Steve and Bishop, walking high above the estate. Far below
them, the lights of an ambulance in the driveway.
BISHOP
You didn't answer my question.
STEVE
Everybody dies.
BISHOP
Sure. But it's a whole other world
when you're personally involved.
There's a very big tab that has to
be picked up.
STEVE
Such as?
Bishop stops, looks down at the action far below them.
BISHOP
Governments, cops, the military...
we give young men a licence and
send them into it blind, thinking
it'll all be okay. Because someone
told them they had permission.
(BEAT)
But when you cross over that line,
you do it alone. Most people, they
stay that way from then on. Alone.
STEVE
Everybody can kill. You take a
mother, protecting her child...
BISHOP
Sure. But that's instinct. What
I'm talking about is up here...
(tapping his head)
Knowledge of foresight. Intention.
A person who knows that the only
way to truly be free of man's laws,
is to break his highest one.
Beat. It sits there, between them.
STEVE
Why are you telling me all this?
37.
BISHOP
Why did you want me to see that
little stunt with your girlfriend?
Bishop stares down the hill at the commotion. Ants swarming.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
These aren't your people, are they?
You don't have "people." Your life
is crowded, but you're alone.
Steve unconsciously nods, then:
STEVE
You know, you're right. You grow
up spoiled, rich, like me... Only
thing you really learn to recognize
in people is when someone wants
something from you.
(BEAT)
What do you want, Mr. Bishop? What
are you doing here?
Bishop considers Steve, thrown. Then...
BISHOP
Thanks for the tour. It's been
interesting.
STEVE
Yes, it has.
Bishop turns, heads back down towards the estate. Steve
watches him go.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop stares down at the line of supplements and pills set
out in front of him, something gnawing at him. His cat
nuzzles around his legs, purring. He scoops up the lot,
washes them down with water.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - NIGHT (LATER)
Bishop sits on his sofa, antsy. On the TV, the day's news
plays out in silence. Anti-American PROTESTS in a Middle-
Eastern country. Words scroll: "...Official resistance to US
eavesdropping policy..." "...Break down of high-level..."
Bishop rises, goes to a stack of DVD's. Grabs one, slots it.
ON THE TV: The WOMAN, speaking to him from her beautiful
apartment. Similar to the one we saw. She leans against a
large plate glass windows, shirt and panties, sipping wine.
38.
WOMAN ON TV
Hey, you. Jesus, what a night. We
went to opening of Fernando's new
restaurant and Betty was there
wearing -- well, whatever we call
those things she wears...
ON THE STACK OF DVDs. There must be twenty of them.
WOMAN ON TV (CONT'D)
I miss you. Everybody says hi, of
course. But with me... it's like I
feel you there with me, even when
you're not.
ON THE TV: She pulls her shirt off over her head, faces the
camera again, topless.
WOMAN ON TV (CONT'D)
I feel the way you touch me...
Bishop rises, blows out of the room.
INT. BISHOP'S GYM - NIGHT
SLAM! Dropping in on Bishop, SPRINTING on the treadmill.
FASTER than we've seen him go before. ON and ON.
He hits the weights, slots extra 45's onto the press bar.
The weights CLANG into place.
ON BISHOP, PRESSING the enormous weight. One, two, three...
He RACKS the weights, disgusted. Gets up, throws on more
weight. He PRESSES it again. Five... six... RACKS it
again, angry. Adds MORE WEIGHT. Back under the bar.
Pressing. Muscles distending, STRAINING. Seven... Eight...
He CRIES OUT as something GIVES in his shoulder. The Weight
SETTLES down on him, crushing him. A moment in his eyes, the
weight pressing the air out of his lunges. He LAUGHS MANIC,
SURGES up against the weight, tossing it off, the weights
slamming into the floor, BOOM!
EXT. SUSHI RESTAURANT - EVENING
Bishop's car pulls up fast. He gets out, tosses the valet
his keys, heads in, weirdly focused.
INT. SUSHI RESTAURANT - EVENING
Bishop sits alone at a reserved table at the back, a plate of
sashimi in front of him. He looks out at the restaurant.
39.
BISHOP'S P.O.V.: Laughter, smiles, hands touching, hands
waving mid-story, lips parting. Woman's hands touching their
necks, eyes sparkling, men laughing, wallets flashing...
Bishop rises suddenly, his hand going to his wallet, trying
to get out of there. ROOM SWAYS. He steadies himself, moves
towards the exit. People look over, alarmed as he grabs
backs of chairs to steady himself. VERTIGO LOOMING, sounds
DISTORTING and suddenly he's FALLING into blackness...
INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - MORNING
Bishop, shirtless. A FEMALE DOCTOR is examining the injury.
Professional, but attractive. And attracted to him. Her
hands on his shoulder, gentle. Her other hand on his back.
Her eyes play over his form: SCARS, WOUNDS, healed. A
battlefield for a body.
FEMALE DOCTOR
Quite a collection you have here.
Military?
BISHOP
Something like that.
FEMALE DOCTOR
Does this hurt?
Bishop smiles, recognizing the nature of the touch.
BISHOP
Yes, a little.
The doctor lets her hands rest just a fraction too long, then
moves across the room, writes in a chart.
FEMALE DOCTOR
Any next of kin, anybody we can
notify?
(off his shake no)
How about an acquaintance?
BISHOP
Am I going to die?
FEMALE DOCTOR
(SMILE)
No, not today.
Bishop reaches for his shirt, slips it on.
FEMALE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
You damaged your deltoid muscle.
But that doesn't explain the
anxiety attack.
(MORE)
40.
FEMALE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Any unusual stress recently?
Something at work?
(off his shake no)
I'm prescribing Cataflam for the
pain and Paxil for the stress and
I'm going to give you my card. If
you have any other episodes... or
if you need anything else, don't
hesitate to give me a call.
She holds out her card. He looks at her, lets her stay that
way for a moment, then takes the card. She looks away.
FEMALE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
You can pay at the desk.
INT. FRONT DESK, EMERGENCY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Bishop pays cash. He crumples the prescriptions, tosses it
in the trash, starts to toss the doctor's card.
Beat. He can see her down the hall, speaking with another
doctor. Pretty, real. A moment, he pockets the card.
INT. OFFICE, MCKENNA HOLDING CORP. - DAY
Steve sits in his father's office chair, staring back at us,
occasionally nodding. We REVERSE to find a collection of
Investigators, a Forensic Doc, and a hardened SECURITY
SPECIALIST. The Doc is in the middle of a presentation.
BOARDS hold diagrams, conclusions, crime scene photos, all
about Harry McKenna.
The Doc demonstrates the precise hold, the pressure points
that killed Harry McKenna. Steve watches, impassive.
EXT. WOODS - AFTERNOON
Bishop runs through the woods, full-tilt. Finally stops in
front of his house. He feels his injured shoulder, winces...
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - EVENING
Bishop sits on his sofa in front of the TV: A bureaucrat at
a press conference. A female diplomat pushes through photogs
with her hand up, shielding her face. Words scroll: "US
Intelligence under scrutiny... High level meeting..."
Bishop hits the remote and the TV goes to static, white noise
again. His eyes... relax, almost asleep. We stay on his
face, a glimpse into his only moments of peace...
41.
BANG! BANG! BANG! POUNDING on his front door. Bishop's
eyes POP open. He's on his feet, instantly alert, moving
past a sideboard. He touches a hidden catch, a "click" and
he reaches underneath, comes out with a handgun.
EXT. FRONT DOOR, BISHOP'S HOME - MOMENTS LATER
Steve is there, pounding on the door.
STEVE
Mr. Bishop! Arthur! Please, I
need to speak with you.
The front door opens. Bishop, fronting sleepy. Steve is
ENERGIZED, LIT, eyes blazing.
BISHOP
What time is it?
STEVE
I wanna show you something.
Please. It'll be... It'll be
interesting.
INT. BENTLEY - EVENING
Steve drives, too fast. Bishop is shotgun. The rear area
usually reserved for passengers is empty.
BISHOP
Gonna tell me what the big surprise
is?
STEVE
I'd rather show you. I know,
melodramatic. But I think it'll be
worth it to you.
Bishop TENSES, almost imperceptible as Steve pilots the car
into the underground structure beneath McKenna Holding Corp.
INT. PARKING GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Car screeches to a stop. Steve grabs a case, is out.
Bishops takes in the area. Two of Steve's SECURITY there,
looking stern. Bishop checks the gun he has concealed in his
waistband, reaches for his door.
EXT. ROOFTOP, MCKENNA ENTERPRISES - EVENING
Elevator opens at the very top. Steve pushes out onto the
roof. Bishop follows. Security lighting floods on,
illuminating the desolate surface in eerie even light.
42.
Steve opens his case, starts tossing down PHOTOGRAPHS:
CLOSE ON THE PICTURES: Harry McKenna. Dead on the roof.
Other details. The doors, the elevator shaft, everything.
PAPERS, coroner's documents. Medical photographs.
BISHOP
(CAREFUL)
Maybe it's time you start talking.
STEVE
(off the papers)
You know what that says? My dad
didn't die of a heart attack. I
mean, he was dying of a heart
attack, but that's not what killed
him. The blood flow to his brain
was cut off, his brain died before
his body. Somebody killed him.
On Bishop, considering Steve.
BISHOP
What do the police think?
STEVE
(LAUGHING)
The police? They don't want to
hear about this. I mean, they'll
look into it. But they don't very
much like the idea that they
totally missed this one and it'd be
just easier for everyone if I would
shut the hell up.
BISHOP
...What do you want?
STEVE
They killed him. Here, on the roof
of his own building. His own
security all around. Why here?
Why even kill him, if he was
already dying?
BISHOP
You tell me.
STEVE
To make a point. That no one's
safe. That they can get to anyone,
whenever they want to.
BISHOP
So what am I doing here?
Bishop, supremely alert, listening. Tracking shadows...
43.
STEVE
I got my black belt in Karate when
I was nineteen. I've studied Judo
since I was six.
BISHOP
I'm impressed.
STEVE
No, you're not. Most people are,
but you're not. If I came at you
right now, I'd wind up dead as my
father, wouldn't I?
Bishop doesn't answer. Steve breaks away, looks down at the
place where his father died.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Same as if I tried to exact justice
for my father. These men, what
this is... It's something you know
about, isn't it?
(BEAT)
Something you could teach me.
BISHOP
I didn't get the impression you
even liked Harry very much.
Steve SURGES forward. Real anger, intensity boiling over.
STEVE
You really going to stand there and
judge how much I loved my father?
What the hell do you know about it?
Bishop, hearing this. A nerve touched.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Besides, this isn't just about
Harry. Harry's dead, may he rest
in peace. But this is about me.
They came here and they killed my
father. They did that to me.
BISHOP
You want revenge.
Steve doesn't answer. A long moment between them. Steve
turns, looks out over the city.
STEVE
You know the word "Nemesis"? It's
not actually a word. It's a name.
She was one of the Greek goddesses.
Of anger. Retribution against any
mortal who became too proud.
(MORE)
44.
STEVE (CONT'D)
The executor of divine justice.
It's a beautiful idea, don't you
think? Justice.
BISHOP
Justice?
A beat. Bishop shakes his head, turns, starts to walk back
towards the elevators. Steve collects his papers, angry.
STEVE
(CALLING AFTER)
Fine. Fine. In case you haven't
noticed, I now have a couple of
million dollars to spend on this,
so I will find them myself and I'll
deal with them myself and if I wind
up dead trying, you can bury me
right next to dear old dad --
BISHOP
Jesus, stop your whining.
SLAP! No one's ever spoken to Steve that way. He STARES. A
stillness between them, even the wind slows, waiting...
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Corner of sixth and Grand.
Tomorrow morning. 7:00 am. Don't
be late.
STEVE
I won't.
Beat. Bishop nods, starts to leave, turns back...
BISHOP
And Steve... no more surprises like
this, okay?
Steve nods. Bishop goes. On Steve, watching as the elevator
doors erase the older man.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop stands in the middle of his home, still. Thinking.
Then he moves to his office, grabs a newspaper.
He moves to his Study, turns to a page, slaps it down on the
glass on his scanner. Hits a button, the white light of the
scanner passes.
45.
INT. BISHOP'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Big King bed, never used. A huge painting by the Artist on
the wall across from the bed. Landscape. Empty. Ruined.
Bishop hoists the painting down off the wall. He has a print-
out from his computer, tacks it in the center of the blank
space left by the painting: The picture of Steve, scanned
from the McKenna Obituary, enlarged. Tacked alone on the
wall. A start.
EXT. CORNER OF SIXTH AND GRAND - MORNING
Bishop stands on the corner, waiting. He checks his watch:
6:58. Steve's Bentley pulls up to the corner, parks in a
handicapped space. Steve gets out, nods to Bishop.
Bishop takes in Steve, the Bentley, a metermaid ten yards
away, already moving towards them.
INT. STERILE HALLWAY - MORNING
Bishop enters this linoleum-lined hallway, slips the bored
ATTENDANT $100. The man hits a button, a door CLICKS open.
INT. MORGUE - MORNING
As they enter, fluorescent lights flicker on. Cheap,
overused. Some burnt out, others shorting.
ROWS OF GURNEYS line the room. Bodies, covered in green
morgue drapes. Steve's eyes play over it. He swallows.
Bishop is cold, business-like.
BISHOP
Stay focused. This is a test.
Bishop moves down the rows, pulling drapes away as he does.
Nude BODIES are revealed. Men, women, teens. In some, the
reason for their death is obvious. Others aren't telling.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
You want to know about killing,
look around.
Steve does, a little creeped out, but keeping it cool.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
The act of killing, is an end in
itself. Any other motive keeps it
from being pure.
STEVE
The psychopath has no motive.
46.
BISHOP
No, he's driven, compelled, by his
sickness. He's as much the victim
as those he kills.
More drapes fall. Dead eyes stare up at them.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
But when you make your own law,
you're responsible to no one else
but yourself. Maybe you're free...
STEVE
I understand.
BISHOP
Do you? This isn't some idea
anymore. This is the real thing.
You still with me?
STEVE
I am.
Another drape falls. A beautiful woman. No signs of injury.
BISHOP
Ever heard the term "Mechanic" used
outside of its normal meaning?
STEVE
My father used it. A dealer... a
guy who works the tables.
Bishops smiles, shakes his head.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Or a... killer. A hit man.
Bishop just stares. Steve shakes his head, looks away from
Bishop, winds up staring at a dead man. Laughs to himself.
BISHOP
What are you thinking?
STEVE
I had you pegged as... a security
consultant. Maybe ex-military.
Someone who... protects people.
BISHOP
Maybe I do.
STEVE
Or maybe you just get paid to kill
people.
Bishop nods his head yes.
47.
STEVE (CONT'D)
So why let me in? I mean, I know
what I want. What do you get out
of it?
BISHOP
...Times are changing. Security is
better trained, more lethal.
Sometimes I could use a partner.
STEVE
Bullshit.
Bishop nods, smiles. He moves away from the tables, leaves
Steve standing in the middle of it all.
BISHOP
In this... there isn't room for
those who are outside of it.
There's too much isolation.
Friendships can't work. Eventually
everyone expects you to account.
The isolation... becomes a
liability. You stand out.
Standing out... isn't good.
Steve smiles, shakes his head.
STEVE
You need a... friend?
BISHOP
An associate.
(BEAT)
I'm offering to teach you something
that most people can't be taught.
STEVE
Because you think I'm a natural.
BISHOP
That remains to be seen.
(taps his head)
But you're alone in there, aren't
you? That's... the prerequisite.
Steve continues to stare at the bodies. Bishops starts
towards the exit.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Think it over.
STEVE
Bishop...
(BEAT)
When I find the men who murdered my
father. You help me to kill them.
48.
BISHOP
You may never find them.
STEVE
You didn't answer my question.
A beat. Bishop nods.
INT. BISHOP'S GYM - DAY
Dropping into the middle of a FIGHT. Steve and Bishop,
attacking each other, mixed martial arts.
Steve is the aggressor, moves in knocking Bishop's defenses
away. HITTING Bishop who takes the punch, steps back...
Steve's still on him. Kicking, two, three times. Bishop
catches a kick, tosses Steve back. He lands cat-like on his
feet, comes back at Bishop, strong. Hitting, pushing Bishop
back against a wall, seeming to dominate the fight.
BUZZ! A buzzer goes off. Bishop drops his guard, would be
flattened if Steve didn't pull his punch, walks out.
EXT. BISHOP'S RANGE - CONTINUOUS
Behind Bishop's gym is a rifle range. An assortment of
weapons lie on a table. In front of them, some trees, some
old cars... some bottles sitting on the limbs of the trees.
Bishop picks up a handgun, checks his pulse. Steve has
obviously learned from him, does the same.
Bishop raises the gun. BLAM! BLAM! Two bottles shatter at
30 yards. He tosses Steve the gun. Steve keeps two fingers
on his pulse.
STEVE
I'm still at 130.
BISHOP
Too fast.
STEVE
I know. I'm working on it.
Bishop nods, picks up the rifle, sights. BLAM! 1,000 yards
away, the bullet IMPACTS the head-rest of an abandoned car.
Bishop looks to Steve who gives up, raises the handgun.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! Three shots. Three misses. Steve
tosses down the gun, frustrated.
BISHOP
You were still over 100.
49.
STEVE
What am I supposed to do?
BISHOP
There are no perfect situations.
You fought me at 100%, so you were
winning. But in doing so, you gave
up your shooting option.
(BEAT)
It's all about choices. Always.
Bishop starts to leave.
STEVE
Bishop... What's your 100% look
like?
Bishop smiles.
EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - DAY
Two cars BLISTERING down the highway. Bishop's Cobra and
Steve in a classic Maserati. They JOCKEY for position, WEAVE
in and out of the other cars on the road.
WITH BISHOP. Portrait of control. Expertly working the
tuned car, coaxing power and speed out of it.
WITH STEVE. Careless, going for broke, not caring if he has
the space to make his moves. He SWERVES his car, right at
Bishop...
... who has to PEEL away, off the highway, onto the smooth
dirt-pack. He DOWNSHIFTS, blasts back onto the road,
catching air. Steve LAUGHS out load as they CREST the top of
a rise...
LOOMING AHEAD: An existing accident. A beer truck jack-
knifed across the freeway. Bishop BRAKES, fighting for
control.
Steve SWERVES his car, too fast, it goes into a SPIN... CLIPS
another car, gains air and PLOWS ass-backwards into the side
of the beer truck.
BISHOP'S CAR slides to a stop. Bishop gets out, tracks:
STEVE, climbing out of the Maserati onto the hood protruding
from the side of the truck. LAUGHING, WHOOOPING at the sky.
Bishop approaches, sees that hundreds of bottles of BEER have
cascaded out of the punctured truck.
Steve wipes blood from a cut on his forehead, grabs a beer
and cracks it, swigs as he sits on the Maserati hood. He
grabs another, tosses it to Bishop.
50.
STEVE
Come on up, man. The view is
beautiful.
Bishop takes in the situation, the small crowd gathering...
he jumps up, sits on the hood of the car with Steve, both
leaning back against the cracked windshield.
BISHOP
You lost control.
STEVE
You think?
Steve puts out his beer. A hesitation, then Bishop clinks
beers with him. They both drink. Stretched out in front of
them, the highway seems to go on forever.
STEVE (CONT'D)
You ever think about just... going?
Leaving. Never turning back?
BISHOP
...Sometimes.
STEVE
Why don't you?
BISHOP
I have... responsibilities. I have
a cat.
A beat. Steve LAUGHS loud. Bishop laughs. Maybe the first
time in ages. They drink, watch the sun move lower in the
sky as emergency vehicles approach.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - EVENING
Steve comes in from the guest-house, showered. Sees Bishop
at the dining room table, takes in the place for the first
time. The art on the walls.
STEVE
You know, looking at these, a
person might think maybe there's a
screw or two loose up there...
Steve catches sight of a manila envelope in front of his
empty place.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Is this what I think it is?
BISHOP
(SHAKING NO)
Don't be so eager. Open it.
51.
PLANS, diagrams. Pictures. They're of an outdoor area.
Steve's eyes scan over them, interested.
STEVE
Who's the Mark?
BISHOP
...I am.
INT. OUTDOOR MARKET - DAY
A huge square filled with VENDORS selling all manner of food
and good out of CARTS and STALLS. Music, voices, crowds of
people. Bishop moves through. Dressed average, just a guy
in the crowd. He watches a couple argue. Moves on...
BISHOP (V.O.)
It's not good enough to simply
follow your Mark and attack him.
Most of these people know they're
targets. They'll be watching for
you.
... A moment, then Steve enters the frame, tracking Bishop.
BISHOP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
You need to understand the
location, control the situation.
You're looking for escapes,
security, police presence...
Bishop passes two COPS, squeezes between two parked produce
trucks towards the row of shops that border the square.
INT. WATCH REPAIR SHOP - CONTINUOUS
Bishop stands in front of a case, watches the precision
instruments tick. From behind a counter, the Chinese OWNER
notices him, puts down the watch he's repairing, approaches.
60's, authoritative, a LOUP on his forehead.
OWNER
Interest you in anything?
Bishop takes in the man, eyes check polished reflective
surfaces, back to the man. Bishop points to a watch.
BISHOP
That's a beauty.
OWNER
(BEAMING)
You know your instruments...
52.
EXT. OUTDOOR MARKET - CONTINUOUS
Concealed amidst exotic Guatemalan wraps, Steve tracks the
Watch Shop. The attractive older woman running the stall
eyes him. He looks right through her.
STEVE'S P.O.V.: Bishop exits, heading back into the market.
BISHOP (V.O.)
Most of all, you need to answer
this question: "How does this man
die here today?"
Bishop passes a butcher cutting into a slab of meat. Steve
follows behind Bishop, lost in the sea of people.
BISHOP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Everybody, everyday, has a way to
die. You have to find it.
EXT. CURIOS STALL, OUTDOOR MARKET - MOMENTS LATER
Bishop stands in front of stall filled with classic toys,
rocking horses, vintage dolls. His gaze finds a large, still-
boxed doll of the "Luna Cromwell" character that the Grocery
Owner's Daughter is obsessed with. Almost life-sized.
SALESMAN
They don't make that anymore.
That's a classic. I can let you
have it for three hundred...
INT. OUTDOOR MARKET - MOMENTS LATER
Bishop turns away from the stand carrying the doll. A GROUP
of teens RUNS by Bishop, buffeting him for a moment.
Slightly off kilter, he checks his surroundings. Nothing.
Bishop starts again, aware for the first time that a MAN is
headed his direction, passing a knife-sharpening stand,
blades gleaming, his face hidden by a low hat...
Bishop tracks the figure out of the corner of his eye, turns
and pushes through the tight space between two stalls, out
the back where trucks are parked. Bishops glances back for
the man, squeezes between two large trucks...
...coming out the other side when POP! A loud SOUND makes
Bishop glance over. A HISSING coming from one of the trucks
which starts to ROLL backwards and
Suddenly HANDS are on Bishop from behind, PUSHING HIM
backwards, into the space between the two trucks! A FLASH, A
SPLIT SECOND to stare into Steve's face, holding him there to
be crushed and...
53.
CRASH! The one truck SLAMS into the second, the vice closed,
metal crumpling.
Bishop, at the last minute pulled back by Steve who's holding
him there, smiling. A beat. Bishop checks the surroundings,
nods. Steve release him.
BISHOP
...Good. Very good.
STEVE
Good? That's all you got? How
about God damn perfect, man?
BISHOP
Don't get cocky.
STEVE
Broad daylight. A thousand
witnesses. Man takes a wrong step.
Excuse me if I take a moment to
appreciate myself. Because that
was poetry.
(laughing, smiling)
You just can't bring yourself to be
impressed, can you?
Bishops considers, notices that the Luna Cromwell doll has
fallen in the gutter. Picks it up, tries to dry it.
STEVE (CONT'D)
(hand to his ear)
What's that? You're what? Oh, you
are impressed? No, come on, you
don't have to say that. Really,
I'm fine with -- You what? You've
never seen someone better? Wow.
BISHOP
All right. You did very well.
STEVE
Damn straight I did. And now, in
celebration of me, I'm taking you
to a restaurant where the
waitresses... what?
Something about Bishop's serious gaze has stopped Steve.
Bishop reaches into his jacket, places a gun in Steve's
hands. A confused beat, Steve conceals the weapon.
STEVE (CONT'D)
...Bishop?
54.
BISHOP
There's a man behind me. Look up
once, then look away. Don't look
back.
Steve glances up. We realize we're right in front of the
watch store. The OWNER is pulling the steel grate down over
his store, closing for the day.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
You got him?
STEVE
Yeah. Look...
BISHOP
You did good here. Really good.
But this was just a game. That
man... is your graduation.
STEVE
Who is he?
BISHOP
He owns the watch store.
STEVE
I know. I meant... what did he do?
Bishop comes close, FOCUSED.
BISHOP
I've taught you how to kill without
anyone knowing there was a murder.
I've taught you to be invisible.
But that's strategy, not killing.
The real test... it's the actual
killing, isn't it?
STEVE
Bishop...
BISHOP
Do you want this? Be very sure.
Because you can walk away.
STEVE
No. I'm ready.
Bishop studies him... nods. Turns to go.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Bishop... We're right here, where
you wanted us to wind up. You knew
where I'd hit you, didn't you?
55.
BISHOP
...School's out.
Bishop leaves. Steve watches him go. Stuck. Helpless. He
turns back. The Owner is headed home for the day.
INT. SUSHI RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Bishop sits back at his reserved table in the rear of the
place. In a chair next to him, the doll is awkwardly
perched. Around him, people LAUGH. Lovers NUZZLE..
He reaches into his breast pocket, slides out a new DHL
envelope, tears it open. A new jump-drive slides onto the
table. He eats, takes pills, his eyes locked on the drive.
BISHOP
(to Luna doll)
Who do you think that is, Luna?
He takes a card out of his wallet, studies it. It's from the
flirtatious doctor. He pulls out his phone, dials.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
Steve sits in a nondescript car, lights out, parked.
STEVE'S P.O.V.: Two stories up, a lit apartment. The WATCH
STORE OWNER crosses by one of the lit windows.
INT. WATCH STORE OWNER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The Owner has a delicate vintage Brietlang in his hands. He
places it on a patch of velvet, watch-repair tools laid next
to it. He moves to an old stereo, puts the needle of a turn-
table down on spinning vinyl. The lonely sounds of Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 2 fill the room.
He returns to his desk, sits. A tiny noise from the hall. A
"click." He looks up, sees nothing, settles in to work...
TRACKING ACROSS THE ROOM
To the front HALLWAY. Steve stands in the hallway,
motionless. He's just closed the front door behind him. In
his hands, a lock-pick set which he now pockets and pulls out
the gun Bishop gave him.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
CLOSE ON BISHOP. No way to tell where he is. He's holding
the Luna doll. He reaches forward, knocks on a door.
56.
WOMAN'S VOICE
(FROM INSIDE)
It's open!
INT. HIGH RISE APARTMENT - NIGHT
The WOMAN's apartment. Not the doctor's, the same we've been
to before. Everything eerily identical to the last time.
Sofas, gas fire, throws and rugs, open bottle of wine.
WOMAN'S VOICE
I'll just be a minute.
A GLIMPSE of the woman in her bedroom, topless in front of a
vanity. She glances back, smiles warm. Laughs a little when
she sees the doll.
BISHOP
It's for a friend.
Bishop awkwardly sets the doll down near the front door,
moves on, into the apartment. Restless.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
I'm sorry I was away so long this
time. I had some complications --
WOMAN'S VOICE
Don't be.
He turns. She's emerged from the bedroom, adjusting the
dress she's just pulled on. Beautiful. She comes up to him,
kisses him. He doesn't respond. She backs off, moves to the
kitchen to pour two wines,
WOMAN
You know who I saw yesterday?
(BEAT)
Bradley Fliescher. He and Ginny
have this little cottage up the
coast they hardly use. I was
thinking, maybe next week you and I
should go.
Approaching, handing him a wine.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
You and me, the whole weekend.
What would we... do?
She approaches him, sexy. Touches him, intimate. He stares
at her, blank. She recovers fast, moves off.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
Of course why do we need that? We
have each other right here.
57.
INT. WATCH STORE OWNER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Carefully, slowly, Steve makes his way down the hall towards
the lit living room.
IN THE LIVING ROOM
The owner pauses, enjoying the crescendo of the music. Eyes
closed for a moment. Then they open...
... Steve is standing in the doorway to the living room, the
gun pointed at the owner. The owner sees him, becomes
motionless. The two men staring across the space between
them... and then everything happens very fast.
The Owner LURCHES to the side with surprising speed and
agility just as Steve FIRES! The bullet catches the Owner in
the side, SPINNING him around. He CRASHES to the floor...
... but only for an INSTANT. THEN he's BACK ON HIS FEET,
MOVING across the room! Steve tracks, pulls the trigger
again but the gun only "clicks" empty.
The man reaches a coat rack, grabs it in one fluid motion and
is MOVING back at Steve who barely has time to drop the gun
and BLOCK the rack as it SLICES through the air at him.
The Owner HITS and HITS again. Skilled, professional,
martial-arts trained. Steve blocking one, two, the third hit
connects, sends Steve REELING back, crashing through the
watch-repair table.
The Owner leaps at him with the rack. Steve is BARELY able
to catch the end before it impales him. The two men,
BREATHING, STRUGGLING, the Owner FORCING the point lower
towards Steve's face...
... Blood pools on Steve's shirt. Steve and the Owner both
track it. The man is bleeding badly from the bullet wound.
A split-second calculation and the man abandons the coat-
rack, races across the room as Steve clambers to his feet.
The man reaches the far wall, hits a RELEASE. The wood
paneling slides open, revealing a CAR-15 fully automatic
assault rifle with a silencer. The man grabs it, opens up!
Bullets CHEW through furniture, drywall, glass searching for
Steve who DIVES into the hallway, retreating as the man comes
forward, firing in deadly precise BURSTS.
Steve hides behind a wall which ERUPTS, blown to bits. He
stumbles through a doorway into a KITCHEN.
58.
INT. HIGH RISE APARTMENT - NIGHT
Stillness. The woman and Bishop, staring forward, watching
another of her videos. Another late-night diary. She's in a
long shirt and panties, leaning close to the camera.
WOMAN ON CAMERA
(QUIET)
Do you know what I dreamed? I
dreamed you and I had a child...
Bishops turns from the screen, walks away. Beat, she
silences the TV, moves to join him.
WOMAN
I know, it's crazy. I don't want
to pin you down. I know you need
your freedom. I just... sometimes
I miss you so much...
He's staring at her, oddly.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
What?
A beat. His eyes move down to her sofa where another man's
tie has been discarded. A moment, then she shakes her head,
angry with herself. The pretense dropping. The real woman
scooping up the tie, tossing in a drawer.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. Really, I am. I
just... You didn't give me any
warning this time.
(BEAT)
I'm sorry, Bishop. It won't happen
again.
BISHOP
(NODDING)
It's okay. Really. It's okay.
INT. WATCH STORE OWNER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
WITH THE OWNER. Holding the CAR-15. Listening for his
target. His hand moves to the wound in his side, comes away
covered in blood. Another decision, the man slides the
weapon over his shoulder, retreats...
...MOVING with the man, through his apartment. He reaches
his BATHROOM, blows inside. Tosses the toilet tank to the
side, reaches in and comes out with a military-grade STIM
needle which he JAMS into his own thigh.
A MOMENT with the Owner, feeling the drug course through his
system, giving him strength...
59.
Steve comes out of nowhere, HITS the man in the head with a
heavy copper pot, sending him reeling back into the tub.
Steve starts forward, DIVES to the side as the man opens back
up, full auto, bullets CHEWING everything... CAR-15 finally
clicks empty.
Steve rises... and the Man is on him, kicking him. Steve,
rolling away. The man PULLING him back. WHAM! WHAM! Steve
takes brutal punches to the head and face. Blocks one and
they GRAPPLE, rolling in the tight space of the hallway, the
man coming up on top, pinning Steve's arm, SLAMMING him in
the ribs. Something SNAPS.
Steve SCREAMS, surges up with the man... smashing him THROUGH
a small table, winding up on top of him, his hand around the
owners throat...
The two men... eye to eye. Fierce, deadly. Steve SQUEEZING
the life out of him. The man's free arm HITTING Steve, OVER
and OVER. Brutal body blows. Steve takes the punishment...
continues to Squeeze...
...Finally, the man weakening. In his face... a dull
resignation.
OWNER
(WEAKLY)
Who... are... you?
Steve doesn't answer, just keeps PRESSING. And finally...
the man's eyes film over. He dies.
Steve just KEEPS PRESSING. Locked. Horrified. Staring into
the dead man's face. Finally, he rolls off. Flops back
against the wall, broken, bleeding, weeping...
He SCREAMS. From the heart, the guts, releasing EVERYTHING.
INT. HIGH RISE APARTMENT - NIGHT
Bishop sitting at the woman's dining room table. Carefully,
she comes and takes the seat opposite him. No pretense. The
professional, not the actor.
WOMAN
Hey, Bishop. You okay?
He stares into his wine. Raises the glass to drink. His
hand shakes.
BISHOP
Do you remember, what you wanted to
be, when you were a little girl?
She hears it, it wounds her. Looks down.
60.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, I didn't mean... I was
thinking of me.
She looks up, clear eyes. She's tough.
WOMAN
No, it's okay. I wanted to be a
Marine Biologist. I used to watch
those Jaques Cousteau movies and
just... dream.
BISHOP
What happened?
WOMAN
(BEAT)
I was beautiful.
He hears the simple truth of it, nods, respectful. He rises
and goes to the music box on the mantle, takes out his wallet
and removes the twenty $100 bills.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
Don't worry about it this time. On
the house.
A beat. Then he slides the money under the box as before.
BISHOP
We all gotta make a living.
He leaves, grabbing the doll as he goes. She watches him go,
strangely. Sadness breaking through her cool.
INT. LOCAL GROCERY - NIGHT
Bell jingles as Bishop pushes in, holding the large Luna
Cromwell doll. The Grocer looks up, smiling as he sees
Bishop, then confused as he takes in the doll.
A SQUEAL of delight as Sophie appears, running, grabbing the
doll out of Bishop's hands.
SOPHIE
Thank you, thank you! Bishop! Mom!
MOM!
She takes off back into the living quarters of the house.
The two men exchange looks, uncomfortable.
BISHOP
I saw that in a... I'm sorry, I
probably should have asked.
A small beat that says "Yes, you should have."
61.
GROCER
Don't worry about it, Bishop. You
have a good night.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop pulls up in his vintage Cobra. Shuts down the
powerful engine, emerges into the night and moves to his
porch. The front door has been BLOWN OPEN by gunfire.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop moves in silent, alert. He reaches down under his
sideboard for his gun. REACTS as his hand finds nothing.
STEVE (O.S.)
...Can I ask you a question?
STEVE sits on his sofa in the dark, head lowered.
BISHOP
Go ahead.
STEVE
Are you surprised to see me?
Beat. Steve reaches over, turns on a table lamp as he looks
up. His face is BRUISED, bloody. His clothing, stained and
ripped. In his hand, Bishop's gun from the sideboard.
Bishop TENSES, doesn't react. Steve spits blood, smiles.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Guy owns a watch-store, yet keeps a
million dollar apartment.
Supposedly sits on his ass all day,
yet takes stairs double-time.
(BEAT)
It was sitting there, right in
front of my face, wasn't it?
Bishop doesn't respond.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Was that the man who killed my
father?
BISHOP
There's a code, to what we do. It
may not be rational, but it
matters. The man's name was Harry
Xiao. He was a Mechanic. Last
year a US Representative died in a
fire... along with his wife and two
children.
(MORE)
62.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
A few months ago, a CEO vacationing
in Costa Rica was found dead with
his wife. Because the woman was
tortured, the authorities believed
it was drug related.
STEVE
Bishop! --
BISHOP
Civilian casualties are very
effective at hiding intent, but
there's a line ---
STEVE
I don't give a damn about that!
You haven't answer my question:
Did he kill my father?
Bishop doesn't react, then...
BISHOP
You should put that behind you now.
Steve nods, swallowing emotion. Bishop starts to move and
Steve is suddenly there, still angry, pointing the gun right
in Bishop's face.
STEVE
I could have died today!
BISHOP
You didn't.
STEVE
Blind fucking luck! Look at me!
You tried to kill me! That man
was... he was unstoppable.
BISHOP
But you stopped him.
STEVE
Fuck you! You sonofabitch! Give
me one good reason I don't blow you
away right now! ONE GOD DAMN
REASON!
FAST, Bishop SLAPS the gun away, PINS Steve up against the
wall. Cold.
BISHOP
Now I'm sorry if you got a little
scared. But this isn't coaching
girl's softball, is it? This is
life or death. Every time you go
into this, somebody dies.
(MORE)
63.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Every time, it's you or the other
man. So stop your crying.
He releases Steve who falls to the floor, sucking air.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
You got what you came for,
congratulations. You're done Go
back to your friends, your women,
your whole beautiful life.
(POINTING)
That used to be my front door. Try
to close it on the way out.
Bishop starts to go. Steve's words stop him.
STEVE
Bishop. Those things... they don't
mean anything to me. This, makes
sense. I don't know why. But I
think I was meant to do this.
(BEAT)
And like you said, you could use
someone.
Bishop studies Steve a long beat. Shakes his head, goes into
his study. Steve follows.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Bishop fires up the computer hooked to the printer. He
glances over. Steve is standing in the doorway. Bishop
tosses Steve the jump-drive. Steve studies it, slots it into
the computer.
Almost instantly, the phone rings. Bishop punches on
SPEAKER. The same silence.
BISHOP
We should all be so lucky.
The phone goes dead. The light on the drive turns GREEN.
Bishop's PRINTER fires up. It starts printing out pages...
ON BISHOP and STEVE. Watching the pages feed out.
PHOTOS: A new Mark at an elegant gathering of powerful men
and women. Tall, powerful, entitled. His arm around a
Turkish beauty in an elegant black one-piece. Emerging from
a limousine at a large public event. Security EVERYWHERE.
The same beauty on his arm. Charts. Height, weight, medical
history. Bank accounts, figures. Leases, deeds of property.
A LAST PHOTO: Peeling out of the printer... THE WOMAN, the
beauty, in a diplomatic power-suit.
64.
A second to realize: She's the mark. More pictures, we've
seen this woman on television recently.
ON BISHOP AND STEVE, reacting. Then Bishop gestures towards
the large empty wall, waiting.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
You get started. I'll make coffee.
STEVE
Bishop... Nemesis. Devine
Retribution. ...What did she do?
Beat. Unsaid questions asked, unanswered.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Okay. Okay. Forget I asked.
EXT. EMBASSY - DAY
Seen through 30x telescope. The images MAGNIFIED, FLAT. The
view unstable, moving. Just the low SOUND OF WIND.
Panning over upper-floor windows, hesitating on a pair of
armed security, making their rounds. Camera "clicks" then
move on. Finds the ENTRANCE. A line of people moving
through a metal detector. One young man in particular...
EXT. ENTRANCE, EMBASSY - DAY
Steve collects his cell phone from the other side of a metal
detector, slots a bluetooth and heads in. Bishop's voice
fills his ears.
BISHOP (O.S.)
Slow down as soon as you get
inside. Security station will be
to your left...
Steve passes through a door, pauses as two guards talk in the
open doorway to a security control room. Monitors visible.
BISHOP (O.S.) (CONT'D)
How many views?
STEVE
(eyes moving fast)
Sixteen, no, eighteen. Four second
intervals.
One of the men notices Steve who starts forward to ask a
question. The man points him down the hallway towards the
consulat's reception. Steve's eyes track monitors.
65.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Make that four and a half seconds.
INT. BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION - CONTINUOUS
Bishop is sighting through a camera affixed to the telescope,
headphones on. He's on the 14th floor of a skyscraper under
construction. Cement pillars and steel-work.
STEVE (O.S.)
These guys are packing Israeli-made
Uzis. Couple are actual military.
Bishop takes in the other buildings across the street, then
moves his sight up the embassy, adjusts a control
P.O.V. - THROUGH THE SCOPE: Large tinted glass windows
suddenly turn transparent. Bishop scans, find The Mark's
HUSBAND on the bed watching TV, bored. He scans again...
finds The Mark in the adjoining room, on the phone and ANGRY.
Bishop touches a switch on the telescope and a small LASER
projects. The woman's voice fills Bishop's headset:
TURKISH ENVOY'S VOICE
No, we're literally locked in here.
I'm supposed to be presenting at
the UN but I can't do that if
everyone is going to panic about
security...
INT. BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION - CONTINUOUS
Bishop's scope zoomed in TIGHT on the Mark, staring at
herself in the bathroom mirror. She's brave.
TURKISH ENVOY'S VOICE
...This is America. People don't
just kill people here.
Then she shuts the door. Bishop moves his focus upwards to a
glassed-in terreriam-like structure on the rooftop. An
indoor swimming pool. "Click." "Click." More pictures.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - EVENING
The SAME pictures, now tacked up. MOVING over the wall.
Meticulous study, days of work: BLUEPRINTS of the building.
Service corridors highlighted, surveillance cameras marked,
pictures tacked to locations.
Magazine and newspaper clippings about the Mark, showcasing
her beauty.
66.
Headlines: "The new (and beautiful) face of Turkey." "The
face that said "no" to America." Other materials: Doctor's
reports. Time-tables, intervals circled, holes noted.
Steve and Bishop studying everything. Bishop, almost trance-
like. Steve pacing.
BISHOP
Work it again.
STEVE
She never leaves. It's like they
know we're coming.
BISHOP
Maybe they do.
Steve nods, continues pacing, scoops up Bishop's cat and
strokes her. Bishop watches him.
STEVE
Falls off the rooftop.
BISHOP
Falls or jumps?
Steve moves to the wall of pictures, his gaze lingering on
shots of her on vacation is a swimsuit.
STEVE
(SMILING)
I tell you one thing, killing her
is not the first thing that jumps
to mind... what?
Bishop HEARS this, frowns, moves forward. His eyes scan:
The Mark at the pool, getting ready to swim. The security...
BISHOP
Nothing. I'm going for a run. You
wanna come?
STEVE
Let me ask you something. You ever
not feel like running 5 miles?
EXT. WOODS - MOMENTS LATER
Bishops sprints/runs through the woods around his house.
Body pushed to limit. In his eyes, his mind somewhere far-
off, working...
67.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - EVENING
Steve, alone in Bishop's home. He moves from room to room.
He hits the kitchen, looks in the fridge, makes a face at the
empty shelves, the bottles of supplements.
He moves on, pauses to stare at the gas fireplace in the
study... moves on towards Bishop's bedroom, takes in the king
bed. Runs a finger across the headboard, dusty. He STARES
at the large painting across from the bed...
BISHOP (O.S.)
You like it?
Steve REACTS. Didn't hear Bishop come in.
STEVE
I don't know. Feels disturbed.
BISHOP
Always made me feel... understood.
(BEAT)
Come on.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Steve follows Bishop to the wall of research on the female
mark. Bishop points to some OLD RESEARCH on the Mark,
glamorous. She was a model.
BISHOP
The Mark is a beautiful woman.
Before arriving at her current
position, she enjoyed the way men
looked at her. That's gone now.
She needs to be taken seriously.
She hates that men only see the
beauty. Magazines, heads of state,
all focusing how what a piece of
tail she was. Like you did.
Steve SQUINTS... Bishop slaps a picture of the pool, the
Mark swimming. Two SECURITY AGENTS positioned.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Why is he standing here? Wouldn't
he get better coverage... here?
STEVE
...He can't see her.
BISHOP
He can't see her. Neither of them
can.
Beat. PHONE RINGS. Bishop snaps it up.
68.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Bishop.
DEAN (O.S.)
Hey, Bishop. Catch you at a bad
time?
Bishop doesn't respond. Waits...
DEAN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Always the conversationalist.
Anyway, just calling to say we'd
like you to go ahead with this one.
As soon as you can.
Click. Phone goes dead. Bishop hangs it up. Steve looks at
him, anticipating... Bishop nods.
INT. RESTAURANT - DUSK
Nice downtown joint. Businesspeople dine. Second-story
tinted glass looking out over downtown. TRACKING over faces,
laughing, drinking, relieved to be done for the week...
Finding Bishop, sitting alone, watching the people. The
flirtations, the animosities... He looks down at the street
below where a UPS driver has exited the building.
Steve breaks the frame, sits down across from Bishop.
BISHOP
Run it again.
STEVE
Patrol number three moves down the
service corridor at 18:50. Five
minute window after to make it up
top. Three minute climb to
position. That's 18:54. Three
minute window to engage. Shake,
stir, add lime and enjoy.
Bishop smiles, looks away.
STEVE (CONT'D)
How'd you get into it?
Bishop looks back, surprised. Checks his watch.
BISHOP
...This business, it's not like
there's a degree you can go get.
It's like most trades, it gets
passed down.
(BEAT)
(MORE)
69.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
My father was very good, better
than I'll ever be. But no one
controls 100%. The nature of the
work is that some people know who
you are and what you do.
(BEAT)
A man told his girlfriend, to
impress her. The girlfriend told
some people she owned money to...
Bishop finishes his glass of water.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
I was young. It took me four
months to find the people, another
to find the girl, and she gave me
the Man. That's how I... "got into
it."
STEVE
You ever wish you just... walked
away? Let it go?
BISHOP
Sure. Every day. But I wasn't
wired that way.
(BEAT)
What about you?
Beat. Steve and Bishop, oddly locked... BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Three SMALL EXPLOSIONS in the kitchen. FLAMES shoot out of
the galley. A cook stumbles out, on fire. A waiter douses
him with water. People SCREAM! Alarms BLARE!
Steve and Bishop. They haven't moved a muscle.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Here we go...
And they're MOVING.
INT. SECURITY STATION, EMBASSY - EVENING
SECURITY takes a call as another man studies his monitor:
People fleeing the building across the street, smoke.
SECURITY
Fire in the restaurant.
(into radio, Turkish)
Patrols two and five, we're closing
down the front entrance.
70.
INT. SUITE, EMBASSY - EVENING
The MARK stands at her closet, starting to unbutton her shirt
to change for her swim. She pulls it closed as one of her
security knocks and pushes into the room from a balcony.
SECURITY PRO
Excuse me, 'mam. There's a fire
next door, nothing to worry about.
The Mark nods. The man locks the door behind him, crosses
the room, leaves through the main door, professional.
INT. STAIRWELL - EVENING
Steve and Bishop push UPWARDS through a stream of people
flooding DOWN the emergency stairs. They reach a heavy door,
locked and alarmed. Beat. Three people burst out from the
inside. Steve catches the door and they're through...
INT. LAW OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
A few LAWYERS and a SECRETARY still collecting their things
look up as Bishop and Steve push in, holding up badges.
STEVE
Hey! You need to get out! Whole
building is going up!
Bishop and Steve move on as the startled employees leave.
They move down five doors, push into...
INT. LAWYER'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
A private office. Desk, computer, a handwritten note reads
"Leave mail here, will be back Wednesday." A box from UPS
which Bishop TEARS open. Inside, what looks like a large
WEAPON. Steve goes to the windows, pushes them open.
P.O.V. - THE EMBASSY ACROSS: Changing its security pattern.
Men are leaving posts on exterior patios, locking doors.
Below, the excess manpower is channeled to the front.
Bishop turns, FIRES OUT THE WINDOW. A Cable streaks across,
SINKS into the wall of the embassy 30 feet away. Bishop
HOOKS the cable on this side, tosses the gun in the box.
Steve seals it with tape, slaps a return label on it.
He crosses the hall, tosses it in the MAIL ROOM. When he
returns, Bishop's already secured the cable outside.
BISHOP
Ready?
71.
Steve hooks on as well, they're both wearing harnesses under
their clothing. He steps out onto the ledge with Bishop,
closes the window behind him.
Bishop lets himself fall backwards.
EXT. STREETS - NIGHT
Flashing light of the fire trucks. No one sees the two
figures sliding silently from building to building above,
disappearing over a 4th story railing.
EXT. BALCONY, EMBASSY - NIGHT
Steve lands next to Bishop who unfastens the cord they used
to cross, spools it back to them. A look. No way back now,
and no trace left behind.
Jackets strip, reverse to the pattern of the embassy
Security. A quick lock pick, and they slip inside.
INT. ROOF LEVEL, EMBASSY - NIGHT
Elevator doors open and the Mark gets out. She nods to the
guard on duty, heads into a changing room.
INT. SECURITY CONTROL ROOM, EMBASSY - NIGHT
Two guards monitor screens: Corridors, rooms, entrances and
exits. Pairs of guards make their rounds.
CLOSING IN ON ONE PAIR. Something about them... The guard
squints just as the image CHANGES, showing another part of
the embassy. The guard hits a toggle, returns the previous
image... But Bishop and Steve are gone.
INT. CHANGING ROOM, EMBASSY - NIGHT
The Mark pulls the straps of her swimsuit up over her
shoulders. Stares in a mirror as she tucks strands of hair
under a swim cap.
INT. INDOOR POOL - NIGHT
Quiet, lit from overhead by large halogen lights hanging from
the hanger-like beam structure. Dark shadows in the corners.
The low sound of water lapping, light reflecting off the
water, moving over walls.
72.
The Mark enters, and hangs up her robe. She goes to the edge
of the pool, looks down into the water, then glances up at
the GUARD who's stationed across the space. He nods back to
her, moves to the lower space, giving her a little privacy.
EXT. POOL STRUCTURE - NIGHT
A second guard looks in, rudely checks out the Mark as she
DIVES into the water and out of sight. He shrugs, looks back
out at the roof, lifting a cigarette to light... pauses.
ACROSS THE ROOF, an access door is open.
INT. INDOOR POOL - NIGHT
The Mark swims, hard. Cutting through the water. She
reaches the far wall and kick-turns against it.
UNDERWATER. Her body passing above us. Silhouetted by the
strong halogen lights above her. ONLY THE THROBBING SILENCE
OF UNDERWATER.
ACROSS THE SPACE. The indoor guard checks in on his radio.
Looks up as the DOOR nearest him swings open. He rises,
approaches the door, curious. Looks out.
HIS P.O.V.: The rooftop, lit by security lights, the
strobing of the firetrucks below. Dark shadows. He hears a
RUSTLING, a BANGING. Torn, he glances backwards. Can't see
the Mark in the pool from here, but can hear her strokes.
WITH THE MARK
She kicks hard, dives under... And we're in her P.O.V. The
far wall approaching, then we REVOLVE as she turns, now
looking UP at the surface as she backstrokes to the surface,
BREAKING THE SURFACE, now swimming face up to the bright
lights hanging from the girdered ceiling.
EXT. POOL STRUCTURE - NIGHT
The second Guard tests the door. Seems fine. Takes out his
flashlight and plays it over the roof. Sees nothing. We
REVERSE to find Steve there, tucked away, just out of sight.
ACROSS THE ROOF
The first guard reaches the source of the noise: A plastic
bag, caught in a revolving air vent. He pulls it free.
73.
INT. INDOOR POOL - CONTINUOUS
With the Mark, coming out of another turn, still backstroke,
looking up. She makes it half way across the pool... pauses.
She slows... floating, staring upwards into the light.
HER P.O.V. The lights. But it's like she senses something
beyond them, puts a hand up to shield her eyes...
AND BISHOP DROPS FROM THE CEILING, FREE-FALL, COMING STRAIGHT
DOWN AT HER!!!!
She opens her mouth to scream...
WHUUMPH! He goes in, taking her with him underwater, his
momentum carrying them both several feet under. She TWISTS
in his arms, fighting. Screaming, bubbles FLOWING from her
mouth!
ABOVE THE SURFACE. It's silent. No sign of the violent
struggle going on below the surface.
ACROSS THE ROOM. Guard number one returns, glances up
towards the pool. Doesn't hear anything. He sits back in
his chair.
UNDERWATER. The struggle is violent, silent, terrible in
it's inevitable conclusion. The Mark writhes and jerks but
Bishop holds her tight, always pulling her away from the
surface. Finally, the fight goes out of her. She goes limp
in his arms.
He turns her, stares into her unseeing eyes. Then lets her
go, rising slowly to the surface.
AT THE SURFACE. Bishop just breaks, breathing in, silent.
He raises himself slightly, sees the guard at his post.
ACROSS THE ROOM. The guard glances back towards the pool,
hasn't heard anything for a little bit...
BAM! BAM! BAM! A new noise from outside gets his attention
again. He heads out, hand on his sidearm...
EXT. POOL STRUCTURE, ROOFTOP - NIGHT
The guard approaches the same door Guard #2 already checked,
banging in the wind. Open again. He starts to move towards
it when a FIGURE looms, he almost draws his weapon, breathes
relief when he makes Guard #2.
GUARD #2 (TURKISH)
It's the second time it's come
open. She still swimming?
74.
INT. POOL STRUCTURE - NIGHT
The two Guards come into the pool area. On the far wall, the
shower is running, a towel has fallen over the drain and the
water is flowing down and into the pool.
One of the men steps forward, concerned...
GUARD #2 (TURKISH)
Oh hell...
The Mark floats face-up in the pool, just under the surface.
INT. CHANGING ROOM, EMBASSY - NIGHT
Bishop has already shed his wet clothing, pulls on dry
clothes as Steve comes into the room. They barely
acknowledge each other, business. Bishop stuffs the wet
clothes in a bag, dumps it into a LAUNDRY chute.
STEVE
How did it go --
BISHOP
Not yet.
As if on cue, an ALARM BLARES. Excited voices come on over
an embassy wide PA System. VOICES from the next room.
Bishop opens the chute again as Steve cracks a glowstick,
puts it between his teeth, swings his legs in, and DROPS.
ACROSS THE ROOM. The door to the dressing room opens, armed
guards flood in, along with Embassy officials speaking on
radios. The room is empty.
INT. LAUNDRY CHUTE - CONTINUOUS
Tight, PITCH BLACK except for the eerie glow coming from the
glowsticks Bishop and Steve have in their teeth. They slide
FAST, the sides of the tube RUSHING up at them. And then
suddenly a dim LIGHT at the bottom, rising fast...
INT. SERVICE ROOM, EMABASSY - CONTINUOUS
Steve lands hard in a cart of towels. Rises and pushes
himself out of the way just in time for Bishop who grabs the
pack he tossed down, shoulders it, and they're MOVING again,
now through sub-corridors.
STEVE
Alright, you gotta admire that.
You gotta admit, we are a spooky
good team...
75.
They PUSH through a set of old doors, move fifteen feet to a
metal roll-down door.
STEVE (CONT'D)
It's like one moment we're there...
the next moment...
He ROLLS UP the door. STARES at a NEW WALL OF CEMENT BRICKS.
STEVE (CONT'D)
...we're fucked.
Bishop takes in the problem, starts to solve it. He tracks
left right, considering options...
STEVE (CONT'D)
There wasn't any sign of this on
the plans. I went over them fifty
times!! This isn't supposed to be
here! This can't be here!
Bishop holds up a finger. "Shhhhhh" They LISTEN. A soft
"beeping." Both men PEER around the edge of the metal door
to where a small box with a red light BLINKS.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Bishop... what do we do!?
BISHOP
Duck...
Steve looks at Bishop and BOOM! Doors BLOW OPEN, THREE
GUARDS burst through, machine guns raised and SPITTING...
Steve hits the deck. Watching Bishop, it's like everything
we've seen so far was in slow motion. This is the real
thing, unleashed.
Bishop WRAPS the first man up, uses his Kevlar vest as a
shield to catch the fire from the other two. The man SCREAMS
as his arm breaks. Bishop gets control of his weapon,
focuses it on the other two. One is BLOWN back. The other
DIVES for cover.
Fluid, Bishop REVERSES the man, pushes him AWAY from him,
coming up with TWO of the man's Flash-bangs in each hand.
Each hand DIALS the grenade's timers to two different
settings, simultaneously POPPING the levers.
Second attacker FIRES a burst which Bishop DUCKS, the bullets
stitching across the first attacker, SLAMMING him back, his
rounds TEARING into the ceiling, showering Steve in debris.
Bishop THROWS the first grenade which reaches the attacker
just as he rises for another shot. BOOM!
76.
Another down as ANOTHER ATTACKER dives through the door at
Bishop who wraps the man up, his fingers finding pressure
points on the man who goes limp in his arms, dead.
ON STEVE. On the floor, witnessing everything. Even in the
chaos, recognizing the move.
Bishop SHOVES the last grenade down the front of the dead
attacker's clothes, wheels him around, PRESSING him against
the concrete brick wall...
... TWO more Security kick open a door, guns fire! Bishop
goes horizontal, his legs CRUSHING the one man against the
metal Grate even as he returns fire at the other two who fall
back and BOOM! The grenade goes off! Bishop is HURLED
against the far wall. SMOKE AND DEBRIS fill the space.
Bishop MOVES, hauling Steve to his feet and shoving him into
the ragged hole blown in the brick wall even as bullets trace
after them. A bullet catches Bishop in the side, he sprawls,
then LEAPS towards the hole...
INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING STRUCTURE - NIGHT
Cover in the floor is tossed aside. Bishop and Steve emerge,
move 6 feet to a non-descript Buick. Climb in. The keys are
waiting, Bishop starts it up, drives up the ramp.
Next to him, Steve is catatonic, lost. As he drives, Bishop
RIPS a strip from his shirt, pads the wound in his side.
BISHOP
Hey! Hey! You still here?
STEVE
...It was my fault. I was in
charge of the exit. I looked at
every work order, every entry in
the building logs...
BISHOP
No one controls 100% That's the
nature of the beast.
Steve swallows, nods as Bishop brings the Buick around a last
corner, ACCELERATING at the closed gate in front of them, a
Turkish guard waving his arms frantically...
EXT. STREETS - NIGHT
Firetrucks and ambulances already crowd the streets. There's
just no time or extra manpower left to react to the Buick
which plows through the gate of the locked garage.
77.
INT. BUICK- CONTINUOUS
Two blocks behind, a single police car follows. Bishop takes
a hard turn, moving FAST.
BISHOP
Hey! You did good in there. You
hear me?. It was asking a lot.
You came through.
Steve nods, processing, accepting. Another TURN. Bishop
slides the car to a stop in a covered lot. Across from them,
Bishop's own Cobra waits.
Behind them, the police car tears by, lost.
INT. BISHOP'S CAR - NIGHT
Bishop drives down the small lane leading to his home. Steve
is staring out his window, deep in thought. Finally, looks
over. For the first time takes in Bishop's injuries.
STEVE
You're bleeding.
BISHOP
...Yup.
STEVE
So back there. That was one
hundred percent?
Bishop looks over, gives nothing. Tiny smile.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Door opens and Bishop and Steve come in. Steve plops in a
chair, head in his hands. A beat, and then MUSIC filters in.
Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done." He raises his
head, sees light glowing from the study.
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Bishop sits in a chair, eyes closed. Steve comes in, stares
at Bishop. Looks over and admires the surface of the
spinning record...
STEVE
Do you think you know it, when
you've made the mistake you won't
survive? Or will it be like the
Marks? Wake up on top of the
world, never know...
78.
Steve glances into the open cabinet where Bishop keeps his
vinyl, FREEZES. Comes out with an signed album.
STEVE (CONT'D)
...Oh my God. This is a signed
Hendrix Axis, 1967 release. This
has gotta be worth... we have to
play this. You have to play this.
BISHOP
(shaking head no)
That one... is for a special
moment. Haven't found it yet.
STEVE
You haven't found the... Are you
kidding? You have to -- what?
Bishop's eyes SHOOT open. He looks out the window where a
series of SEDANS are pulling up. Men get out, approach.
BISHOP
This could get... interesting.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop steps out of his home. One of the several men there
steps forward.
MAN
Mr. Bishop? Mr. Dean would like a
moment of your time.
Off Bishop who... nods.
EXT. AIRSTRIP - NIGHT
Sedan pulls up, Bishop is escorted onto a private jet.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Steve stands in the middle of Bishop's home. Home alone.
-- Steve stares at the classic vinyl on Bishop's turntable.
-- Steve, wiring his IPod to Bishop's stereo. Nine Inch
Nails' "Piggy" comes blasting out, insults the speakers.
-- Steve moves to the bedroom, STARES at the haunting
painting. He reaches forward, takes it down. Nothing.
Blank wall behind.
79.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - NIGHT
Steve blasts in, lights glow on, illuminate the wall of
research on the Female Mark. He goes to the gas fireplace,
flames flicker up. Steve RIPS down the pictures of the
woman. Moves to the fire and feeds the first one in.
ON STEVE, watching. His eyes... Tracking to the side.
STEVE'S P.O.V.: Down, below the fire, stuck to the side of
the interior cavity... a scrap of paper...
Steve kills the fire, reaches in, carefully removes the scrap
of paper. A corner of a photograph. A few buildings,
distant, out of focus. Almost nothing.
INT. BATHROOM, PRIVATE JET - EARLY MORNING
Bishop, shirtless, stares in the mirror. He checks the wound
in his side, splashes Vodka from a handful of mini bottles,
painfully re-wraps the wound.
INT. PRIVATE JET - EARLY MORNING
Bishop emerges from the bathroom, peers out at the grey
monoliths of Washington D.C., below.
EXT. ROOFTOP, MCKENNA HOLDING CORP - MORNING
Gray morning. Wind blows. Steve stands alone, holding the
scrap of photograph, now in a plastic envelope. He stares at
where the chalk line has almost completely faded, then looks
up, taking in the views, vantage points. A half mile away a
building under construction rises high.
EXT. AIRFIELD - MORNING
Bishop steps off the plane. Another sedan and driver waits.
EXT. OPEN CONSTRUCTION FLOOR - MORNING
P.O.V. THROUGH A CAMERA: The McKenna Holding Corp building.
Image focuses on the rooftop, shutter clicks.
Steve lowers the camera, looks at the display. He removes
the scrap from Bishop's fireplace, compares it... the same
buildings in the corner of the frame. Perfect match.
ON STEVE. No remaining doubt. Bishop killed his father.
80.
WIDER. The SECURITY PROFESSIONAL is up here with Steve,
hanging back. Steve nods to him.
STEVE
Do it. I don't care what it costs.
I/E. SEDAN - MORNING
Driver pulls the sedan to a stop in front of a large
nondescript building. Bishop steps out, alone on the street,
passes through the morning commuters, and goes in.
INT. NATIONAL SECURITY BUILDING - MORNING
Bishop passes through a SECURITY CHECKPOINT. Post 9/11,
hyper-conscious. Metal detector. Smart guards backed up by
battle-ready US Marines. Bishop collects his ID, waits for a
door to "click" open.
INT. WAITING ROOM, NSA BUILDING - MORNING
Bishop sits in a fluorescent lit room, now with a bar-code
badge on his coat. A few other people also wait. Bishop
checks his wound, pulls his coat closed to mask where blood
has stained his shirt.
A door opens and a plain woman nods to Bishop.
INT. DEAN'S OFFICE - MORNING
Bishop sits in a chair. Through blinds, views of gray DC.
WIDER. We realize that the plain woman is sitting across
from Bishop, watching him. Finally, the door opens and DEAN
enters. Pasty white, slightly balding. It's hard to locate
where the sense of power come from, but it's there, innate.
He motions to the woman who leaves. Dean sits at his desk,
taps his fingers on it.
DEAN
You look like shit.
(BEAT)
How does Harry McKenna's son figure
in?
BISHOP
He's going to be working with me
from now on.
DEAN
You sure that's wise?
81.
BISHOP
Do I need your permission?
DEAN
No... And for the record, I don't
believe you'd ask for it.
Dean grabs a remote control on his desk, points it at the set
of flatscreens on the wall which hum to life, muted.
News reports featuring the killing of the Turkish Embassador.
Shots of the woman, smiling. Helicopter shots of the pool
structure. Words scroll: "Terror on our soil."
"Assassination!" "US Envoy ejected from Turkey..."
DEAN (CONT'D)
(POINTING)
That was my baby. But my baby has
turned into an epic shit-storm and
so when the man who caused said
epic shit storm suddenly decides to
do some soul-searching...
(PLAINLY)
What are you doing, Bishop?
BISHOP
The mistake was mine, not the
kid's.
DEAN
I DON'T CARE.
Dean leans in, intense. Bishop watches the screens. A
screen changes to a commercial for a Bahamas resort.
DEAN (CONT'D)
I am on some very fucking thin ice
right now which means you are on
some very fucking this ice as well.
BISHOP
Someone I trained. That could be
worth a lot to you.
Dean laughs, rises with nervous energy and goes to the
interior blinds, raises one. From here they can see out over
the office. Glimpses of a dozen conversations. Other men
and women at work. More than a couple glance over towards
Dean's office. A predatory vibe.
DEAN
And here I thought we were both
going to live forever.
Bishop smiles. Dean stares at him. Bishop stares back.
Suddenly, this becomes the moment, the decision...
82.
DEAN (CONT'D)
You know, in this business, you
only get one mistake.
(off the flatscreens)
So nothing more like that. You
take full responsibility.
BISHOP
Yes.
The two men, face to face. Then Dean's phone rings. He
turns to it, snaps it up.
DEAN
(ON PHONE)
Hey, Stanley. Yes, we're all
sorted out. I just need you to --
BISHOP
The hit, on the woman. What was
the reason?
Dean looks back, surprised, angered.
DEAN
(ON PHONE)
I'm calling you back.
Dean clicks off, takes in this change of rules. A dead
seriousness infects his voice. Fear.
DEAN (CONT'D)
You know, this foul-up, McKenna's
son, it's all got some people's
panties in a real twirl.
(BEAT)
This isn't the time for questions.
This is the time for survival.
Everyone... is expendable.
Beat. Dean turns away, picks up the phone again.
DEAN (CONT'D)
(INTO PHONE)
Yeah, get me Stan again...
EXT. MCKENNA ESTATE - AFTERNOON
Steve lays out by his pool, sunglasses, baking under the sun
as his group of hangers-on swarm around him. Play, dance,
splash. He's immune to all of it. Louise climbs from the
pool, water drips off her perfect form. She nestles in
behind Steve, her hands running over his body.
He stares straight ahead, as if she didn't exist.
83.
LOUISE
Come on, baby. What's the matter?
Finally, something does catch his attention: At the gate, a
DHL Van pulling up, the driver heading toward him. Steve
lowers his glasses.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - EVENING
Seen from far away, the sedan pulls up. Bishop gets out.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop enters, looks around. No sign of Steve, or any
disturbance. He moves through the house.
BISHOP
Steve! Steve...!?
LATER
Bishop tense, in his study, holding the phone which rings...
rings... Steve's voice comes on the voicemail: "Hi, this is
Steve. You know what to do."
LATER
Bishop, sitting on his couch. On the TV in front of him,
images from a protest in Turkey, an American flag burning.
Bishop's eyes flick to the stack of DVDs from the woman. No.
He keeps watching the news images.
His phone rings. He snatches it up.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Bishop.
STEVE (O.S.)
You're still alive.
BISHOP
Seems that way.
STEVE (O.S.)
Hey, can you meet me? Something I
want to talk with you about.
Bishop, silent.
STEVE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
It's important. Come up to the
house. Please, okay?
BISHOP
Okay.
84.
EXT. MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT
Bishop's sportscar pulls up in front of the large estate.
Bishop gets out, surveys the grounds. Weirdly quiet. The
windows of the house, dark. The grounds, empty.
He moves to the gates to the back yard, finds them open. He
pushes through, cautious.
EXT. MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT
Bishop moves towards the darkened pool area. As he
approaches, Steve comes into view, standing by himself on the
edge of the diving board in the center of the dark space.
STEVE
There you are. Thanks for coming.
BISHOP
What's on your mind?
Steve just smiles, shakes his head. Bishop stares at him,
tense, confused. Each trying to read the other.
Then Steve raises a bottle of whiskey to his mouth, drinks.
Bishop takes a step forward and...
... LIGHTS WASH THE SPACE! Explosions! SOUND FILLS THE AIR!
VOICES
SURPRISE!
Bishop ducks, rolls, his hand moving under his jacket...
... but not coming out with his gun. He takes in a surprise
party, opening in front of him. Beautiful woman, LAUGHING,
blowing horns. Men, pouring champagne. STREAMERS falling to
the ground where seconds before they blew into the air, a
large BANNER, illuminated behind Steve: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ARTHUR!" And Steve, standing on the board, master of
ceremonies, staring back at Bishop... oddly cool,
dispassionate. Then he smiles.
Bishop rises. Women come to him, touch him, put a party hat
on him and give him small kisses with wishes of "Happy
Birthday" as he moves to the pool edge across from Steve.
BISHOP
It's not my birthday.
STEVE
When was the last time you
celebrated your real birthday?
No response from Bishop. Steve nods, swigs the bottle again.
He's lit, something fierce and fiery in his eyes.
85.
STEVE (CONT'D)
See? You're overdue, buddy.
BISHOP
Who are these people?
STEVE
They think you're a friend of mine,
a producer, from Canada.
(BEAT)
In other words, they're all your
best friends.
EXT. POOL AREA, MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT (LATER)
Bishop sits on an outdoor sofa, surrounded by several
gorgeous aspiring MODELS. Steve sits across from him, Louise
under his arm. Bishop watches as one of the models ties a
cherry-stem into a knot with her tongue, presents it to the
group to a round of applause.
MODEL
(TO BISHOP)
So what movies have you made?
STEVE
(JUMPING IN)
Oh, he makes the really violent,
disturbing stuff. You wouldn't
know it to look at him, I know, but
what's locked up away in there...
(tapping his head)
Frightening, man.
MODEL
God, I love those. Which ones --
BISHOP
Mr. KcKenna has a creative
relationship with the truth. I
don't actually...
The model glances around, unsure...
MODEL
Oh, okay. That's funny. So what
do you do?
STEVE
Yes, Mr. Bishop. What do you do?
Bishop doesn't respond. He's just staring down.
BISHOP'S P.O.V.: Discarded, lying beneath the sofa the
models are perched on: The tear-strip from a DHL Envelope.
86.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Come on, Mr. Bishop. We're all
waiting.
Bishop looks up at Steve who SMILES back. A beat, and then
Bishop is up and moving through the crowd, pushing by people
LAUGHING, DANCING. He almost runs into a bright blue-haired
woman on the arm of a jockish RAPPER.
BISHOP
Excuse me...
He comes up short, realizes he's staring into the face of the
Woman. She's utterly different than we've seen her.
Tonight, she's the clubbing party-girl. Dark lipstick,
bright blue wig, heavy eye-liner.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Hi.
WOMAN
Hi... This is strange.
The Rapper she's with has found a group of his buddies. High-
fives all around. He glances around for his date...
BISHOP
Is he your...?
WOMAN
No, just a job.
(off his nod)
I have to...
BISHOP
I know. Go on.
She nods, turns away. He also turns, starts moving through
the crowd, pushing through DANCING BODIES...
... and suddenly she's back with him. No words. Lights and
sound and dance around them. She leans forward, kisses
Bishop once. Backs off, smiles, turns away and makes her way
back to the guy she came in with who tucks her under his arm
without missing a beat, mid-story with his posse.
Bishop... staring. Turns away as the MUSIC STOPS. Steve's
voice fills the outdoor space, amplified.
STEVE
Ladies and gentlemen! The man of
the hour!
A SPOTLIGHT hits Bishop. He squints up as the crowd makes
space for him. Steve's near the DJ, speaking on a mic.
87.
STEVE (CONT'D)
I know that not many of you know my
friend. My good, dear... friend.
I mean, he's a man of few words...
And he's an art lover! Did you
know that? His home is covered
with work. It's amazing, what you
can find in there. Amazing.
A weird beat. Steve, smiling fierce.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Happy birthday, Arthur.
Behind Steve, a covered object. Steve now turns to it, pulls
the cover off a PORTRAIT of Bishop, clearly done by the
Artist he collects. The image is twisted, vivid, disturbing.
As the crowd erupts in APPLAUSE the ARTIST himself now comes
forward, Steve's arm around his shoulder and bumping fists
before the Artist heads on towards Bishop, shaking Bishop's
hand. Faces BEAM. People CLAP. On Bishop, just looking at
Steve who stares back... unreadable.
EXT. MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT
Bishop bangs out a door into the front drive, makes it to his
car, fumbles for his keys. Sweating, off-kilter.
STEVE (O.S.)
Hey, you forgot something.
Steve's there, holding the portrait. Bishop nods, takes it.
BISHOP
Sorry... Sorry for leaving. I'm
just not used to --
STEVE
No worries, man. It's your party.
You can leave it.
(BEAT)
It's true, isn't it? What you said
to me the first time we met.
BISHOP
What's that?
STEVE
This thing we do. Finally, you
always do it alone.
Bishop nods unconsciously, starts towards his car, forces
himself to stop.
88.
BISHOP
Steve... thank you.
STEVE
Uh-oh. I can feel some male
bonding coming. We gonna hug it
out, Bishop?
BISHOP
No, I'm serious. Thank you.
People don't... Anyway, it's been
a long time, since someone did
something for me.
Steve looks back, nods. Strangely dark.
STEVE
Happy Birthday, Arthur.
Steve raises a hand, shoots Bishop with a finger. A wink,
and he turns and is gone, back to the party.
Bishop climbs into his car, pulls away.
INT. BISHOP'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
Bishop drives the car out of McKenna's estate, pulls out onto
the street. He starts to accelerate away... then STOPS the
car in the middle of the street.
ON BISHOP. Fighting what his guts are screaming at him.
Losing it, POUNDING on the steering wheel. Suddenly still...
EXT. POOL AREA, MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT
Party rages on, oblivious to the absence of its recipient.
Suddenly faces turn UPWARDS... to where Steve is looking down
on everyone from a third story balcony over the pool.
STEVE
(CALLING OUT)
Are you all having fun!
SHOUTS and NODS. LAUGHTER.
STEVE (CONT'D)
I despise each and every one of
you!
MORE SHOUTS, LAUGHTER. Steve LEAPS out into space. Perfect
huge swam dive... falling... HITTING the water. A moment of
silence... did he? Was that deep enough...?
Steve ERUPTS out of the water. Party ROARS back into life.
89.
EXT. GROUNDS, MCKENNA ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
High above the festivities. Bishop slips over the wall,
makes his way down towards the estate.
INT. MCKENNA ESTATE - MOMENTS LATER
Dark and empty in here, party raging outside. Bishop enters
Steve's bedroom. Messy, the bed unmade. A woman's
underthings lying on the floor.
Bishop surveys the room, checks drawers, peers down into the
party below. He can see Steve in the middle of it all,
Louise on his arm, his hand on her ass.
Bishop moves to the office door, locked. He slides a pick-
set out of his pocket, gets to work.
INT. OFFICE, MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT
The door lock "clicks" and Bishop enters, closes the door
after himself and locks it, turns around...
The room has been STRIPPED of everything that was in here
last time. GONE are the paintings, the portraits, the
mementos. All traces of Harry McKenna, removed.
Instead, a SINGLE desk inhabits the center of the room, a
small computer monitor and keyboard centered on it. Bishop
comes around, touches a key on the keyboard. The monitor
glows to life with a single "PASSWORD" prompt.
Bishop stares at it. He sits, staring, concentrating...
EXT. POOL AREA, MCKENNA ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
Steve has moved to the edge of the raised patio, looking down
into the valley. His eyes still, deep, impossible to read.
LOUISE
Hey! Hey baby! Karen's got some
amazing E. You need to come try...
Steve turns those cool eyes on her. She shrinks. We think
he might slap her, then:
STEVE
Give me a moment. I'll be right
there. We'll do that amazing E.
And he looks away, back down over the view. A resigned
loneliness settling into his features.
90.
INT. OFFICE, MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT (LATER)
Bishop, just staring at the password prompt which throbs in
front of him. Beat. His eyes flick across to the few books
lying on the desk. Weaponry, physiology... Greek Mythology.
Bishop reaches forward, types "Nemesis." Hits ENTER. A
moment... and then our minds are blown.
The entire wall of the room in front of Bishop glows to life.
It's a one large high-resolution monitor. On it, glows an
infinitely detailed work-up on Bishop. A photograph on him
glows at the center of the screen, changing every three or
four seconds to another.
This is Bishop's method, brought into the 21st century.
Accounts, Medical charts, psych profile, associates,
residence...
Bishop approaches... takes it in. Touches "Accounts" and the
window SPREADS OUT across the whole wall. Multiple windows,
all of Bishop's money, displayed in real time, the numbers
subtly changing with the flow of foreign markets.
Another window above is labeled "Associates." Bishop touches
this one and the financial windows are replaced with a
collage of FACES. Not too many. We recognize the Store
Owner and his Daughter. Steve himself. An older man "Gerald
Bishop," Bishop's father. And a photo of the Woman.
Bishop touches the woman and multiple images propagate out
from the single. Many stills, but several are in motion,
looping: Childhood movies. A commercial done as a teen. A
blue movie when she was 20. Bishop's eyes settle on a video
image: He and the woman, caught just an hour ago in the
middle of the dancing party. The woman leaning to him,
kissing him.
Bishop stares at the image, then touches another image
labeled "Residence." INSTANTLY, the images are replaced with
images of the interior and exterior of Bishop's home.
Bishop stares at them, confused. SQUINTS... realizing that
in one of the images, the trees lightly sway in the breeze.
BISHOP
Huh.
His eyes dart to an image of his DINING ROOM. It looks like
a still, until suddenly Bishops' cat passes through the
frame. Bishops' eyes dart, moving from frame to frame. The
whole interior of his life. His living room, bedroom, study,
gym. All live feeds.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Son of a bitch...
91.
INT. BEDROOM, MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT (LATER)
Door BURSTS open, Steve pushing in, his arms wrapped around
Louise and another gorgeous woman from the party. As the two
women hit the bed, start undressing each other, Steve takes a
moment -- sensing. Something not right. He pulls keys from
his pocket, unlocks the study door, peers in.
STEVE'S P.O.V.: THE STUDY - EMPTY
LOUISE (O.S.)
Come on, Steve. We need you.
INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Low end. Mean men and loose women. Metal on the juke. Duct-
taped naugahyde. Bartender on parole. Eyes raise as Bishop
pushes in, scattered focus, hits the bar.
BISHOP
Whiskey. Neat. Lots of it.
Bishop fumbles in his pocket, brings out a thick wad of cash.
$100s and $20s. Eyes track. At a booth, two EX CONS lock
onto Bishop, one sporting a middle-finger raised FU tattoo on
his bare shoulder. Bishop pushes $100 forward.
BARTENDER
That's too much.
Bishop grabs the shot, down it. Pushes the empty shot and
the cash back at the bartender.
BISHOP
I'm not going anywhere.
AN HOUR LATER
Another shot is put down on the bar, empty. Bishop wipes
watery eyes, nods to the bartender to hit it again.
Bishop stares at the drink, then his attention is drawn to
the bar TV. Footage from the protests in Turkey is narrated
by a news anchor, speaking.
FEMALE NEWS ANCHOR
...Intelligence services can listen
to our calls. But what about the
rest of the world?
(MORE)
92.
FEMALE NEWS ANCHOR (CONT'D)
Well, today the answer seems to be
'No" as outrage over the
assassination of the Turkish envoy
Bahar Miryem has forced the US to
reverse its position, now saying
that it will not make it support of
Turkey's EU bid contingent on its
cooperation in the security
agreement. Miryem had always
advocated for Turkish autonomy from
--
Bartender hits a remote, annoyed. Channel changes to a 70's
Charles Bronson flick. Bishop blinks, shakes his head...
He collects himself, weaves out of the bar. The Ex-Cons
watch him go.
EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
Bishop weaves his way into an alley to piss. Relieves
himself on a wall. Done, he zips up, turns...
WHAM! One of the Ex-Cons catches him across the face with a
punch. Bishop reels back against the wall.
BISHOP
...More.
WHAM! WHAM! Bishop takes the punches, no defense. Face
punished. The guy backs off, slightly winded.
EX CON
Dude, you don't want any more, give
us that money.
Bishop shakes his head. WHAM! WHAM! Two more hits to the
body. Bishop just keeps taking the punishment. Seems to
relish it. Spits blood.
BISHOP
Look, I'll give you my money, but
you have to promise me you won't
spend it all on lipstick and
tampons.
Ex Con #2 pulls a gun, puts it to Bishop's head.
EX CON #2
You wanna die right here,
motherfucker?
Bishop raises his eyes to the man. Not so drunk after all.
BISHOP
...Thank you.
93.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop sits at his dining room table, staring straight ahead.
His face is cut, his flesh swollen. He STARES. If paranoia
and loneliness had a face, this is it.
REVERSE to find the Artist's portrait of him, hung on the
wall across, a surreal and distorted mirror. He chews his
food steady, even, acutely aware he's being watched.
We LINGER on the small camera eye tucked in the high corner
of the room, staring down...
INT. OFFICE, MCKENNA ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
Steve sits half-naked in the office chair, the high-tech wall
illuminated in front of him. In the bed in the other room,
the two women are asleep, nude, draped over each other.
Steve watches Bishop leave his table. He hits a control and
the image SHIFTS, picks up Bishop checking his mail, grabbing
a baseball cap from a rack as Bishop moves to his den,
settles into a chair facing the television. Can't see his
face, just the back of the cap on his head, the tv screen,
set to white static. He touches a key and the IMAGE ZOOMS IN
on Bishop, moving slightly...
LOUISE (O.S.)
(SLEEPY)
Steve...? Where are you, baby?
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
The TV purrs static, white flickering light fills the room.
We SLOWLY TURN, reversing, to find: The baseball cap, held
up at the top of the chair by a pillow. No sign of Bishop.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Bishop moves through shadows. He knows the positions of the
cameras, avoids them, heads towards his BARN.
INT. BARN - NIGHT
Bishop enters, turns on lights. He threads his way through
his collection of beautiful automobiles until he reaches the
far wall. He ROLLS up a large steel door...
... revealing a wall, COVERED with his research on Steve.
Lots of it, weeks of work. He moves forward to a paper that
lists stats about Steve that includes a blank space for
"Occupation:" Bishop fills it in: "Mechanic."
94.
Suddenly LIGHTS wash across the space. Bishop glances out:
A VAN is making it's way up the drive.
INT. OFFICE, MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT
The wall-sized monitor glows Steve's face as he watches the
DHL driver get out, makes his way to the door, knock...
Steve's eyes flick to what he can see of Bishop, asleep in
the chair. No movement... Steve LEANS FORWARD, interested.
The DHL Driver knocks again, rings the bell. Still no
motion... and then Bishop RISES from the chair, makes his way
to the door.
Steve watches Bishop signing, closing the door and moving
into his living room where he opens the package, considers
the small jump-drive that slides into his hands.
ON STEVE. Watching.
INT. BISHOP'S STUDY - MORNING
CLOSE on Bishop's weighted RP turntable. The needle coming
down... touching spinning vinyl. Stones' "Sympathy for the
Devil" croons out.
ON BISHOP, tacking up pages, photographs, financials. We
don't get a clear look, but some pages are redacted, there's
government letterhead. Personnel files, budgets,
itineraries. Many stamped "CLASSIFIED."
Bishop draws lines, connections. Tosses some pages down,
pins others higher. Working it. He backs off, stares
through us.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - MORNING
Steve pushes in, looks around, tracks towards the study.
STEVE
Hello? Bishop?
He enters the study, sees the WALL, the night's work. In the
center, a photograph of Dean, Bishop's boss.
BISHOP (O.S.)
There you are.
Bishop is leaning in from outside. Nods to Steve.
STEVE
So who is he?
95.
BISHOP
...US Government. NSA. Very well
protected.
STEVE
What happened to you?
BISHOP
You should see the other guy.
Bishop TOSSES Steve an object, goes back outside. Steve
looks at it. A WELDER'S helmet with visor.
EXT. BISHOP'S BACK PATIO - MORNING
Steve comes out to find Bishop working intently on a chemical
project. He's pouring a black plastic-like substance into a
shallow mold creating a Quarter-sized object. EXTREME CARE.
STEVE
What's that?
BISHOP
This... is liquid Semtex with a
built in combustible. Very
volatile. Nice and shiny once it
dries. But don't... scratch it.
Bishop takes a knife, scratches the surface of the coin-sized
disc, then backs off, by Steve, back into
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
STEVE
So that's how we take him out?
BISHOP
(shaking his head)
No. That's just to focus the mind.
STEVE
You makes bombs to focus your mind.
BISHOP
What do you do?
(beat, off the Wall)
This one's different. They want it
fast, and they don't want it to
look like an accident. Someone
wants to send a message.
STEVE
Like with my father.
96.
BISHOP
Yes. Like that.
STEVE
Didn't think that was your style.
BISHOP
(BEAT)
First time for everything.
Steve looks at Bishop. BOOM! Outside the explosion
CONCUSSES against the house. A window CRACKS. Steve
crouches, hands covering his head.
STEVE
Jesus...
Bishop puts a hand out.
BISHOP
There's something I haven't told
you.
STEVE
What?
BISHOP
...I broke a rule. I brought you
in without asking. So this hit, is
a test. Of us, of our arrangement.
(beat, off Dean's picture)
If that man is breathing three days
from now... then they'll need to
make an example of us. Do you
understand?
Steve ... nods. Takes Bishop's hand who pulls him up.
STEVE
So what you're saying is you and I
are stuck with each other.
BISHOP
I'm sorry.
STEVE
...For what?
BISHOP
For getting you into this --
STEVE
I knew what I was doing.
Bishop considers, nods.
97.
BISHOP
Get packed.
INT. TENEMENT - DAY
Steve and Bishop push in, backpacks on. Trash, bad lighting,
sad people in dirty hallways. They start up a long flight
of stairs.
EXT. ROOFTOP, TENEMENT - DAY
Steve and Bishop push out onto this dilapidated rooftop,
Washington DC spread out around them. They unpack gear from
the backpacks. Tripod, camera and telescope are quickly
assembled.
Bishop steps back, lets Steve take the first look. Bishop
takes notes.
STEVE
...I count six... no seven at the
main door.
P.O.V. THROUGH THE TELESCOPE: The front entrance of the NSA
building. The security check Bishop went through.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Jesus they've got US Marines in
there. Two at the door, one...
maybe another two out of sight.
Bishop considers Steve, locked to the telescope, the sharp
point of the pen in his hand...
BISHOP (O.S.)
Fifth floor, corner office.
P.O.V. THROUGH THE TELESCOPE: Steve finds Dean, at his desk,
talking on the phone. Animated.
STEVE
... Alright, got him. He's at his
desk. We could take the shot right
from here.
BISHOP
Glass is three inches thick...
Steve moves his hand to turn on the laser Bishop used before
to listen with...
BISHOP (CONT'D)
And has laser sensors.
98.
Steve laughs, suddenly walks away from the telescope. Bishop
goes to it, takes up the watch.
STEVE
Alright, fine. What are we doing
here? Who is this guy?
P.O.V. THROUGH THE TELESCOPE: Dean shouts into the phone,
slams it down. Leaves his office. Bishop pulls away from
the telescope, hunkers down to wait.
BISHOP
Starting to get it?
STEVE
Yeah, I'm getting that this isn't a
job. It's just a really
complicated... suicide.
Bishop smiles. Steve moves off, restless.
EXT. ROOFTOP, TENEMENT - NIGHT
Whole day has passed. Bishop hasn't moved, stares across at
the NSA building, the corner office. Steve sits nearby.
STEVE
You know, you can front sonofabitch
all you want, Bishop. You're
scared, too. You don't really know
how we're going to pull it off, do
you? You ever think there's some
things that just can't be done?
BISHOP
Everyone has a death --
STEVE
Really? Because, this guy? I look
at this guy, I don't see his death.
I see my death. And I don't
particularly like the view.
Bishop notes the lights going back on in Dean's office,
returns to the telescope and starts jotting notes in a book.
P.O.V. THROUGH THE TELESCOPE: Dean back at his desk. He
looks exhausted.
STEVE (CONT'D)
And you know, as much as I like the
quality time, unless you can read
lips, I don't exactly see what
we're doing here...
99.
Steve glances at Bishop's pad where he's transcribing words:
"No, no, tomorrow. I'm sick of this, this is my life we're
taking about. You're bringing me in. Give me a time and a
place..."
STEVE (CONT'D)
You read lips.
Bishop glances at Steve, puts his eye back to the camera.
P.O.V. THROUGH THE LENS: EXTREME CLOSE on Dean's desk. A
piece of paper on the blotter. "Click." "Click."
Bishop pulls the memory-card from the camera.
BISHOP
(INNOCENTLY)
You any good with computers?
INT. BISHOP'S BARN - DAY
Bishop is working on his classic Mustang. He's got the
steering column apart, working the mechanism. Focused.
INT. OFFICE, MCKENNA ESTATE - NIGHT
Steve is in front of the electronic wall of info on Bishop.
His hospital report open. In a separate window, video feed
of the real Bishop in his barn working on his car.
Steve marks the injury on Bishop, then opens a new window.
Multiple images of the scrap of paper on Dean's desk. Steve
gets to work enlarging, rotating, skewing the images...
Music and LAUGHTER filter in from outside. Steve becomes
aware of the noise from outside, frowns.
EXT. MCKENNA ESTATE - MOMENTS LATER
Steve emerges onto the high balcony overlooking the never-
ending party. He raises a GUN and fires into the air.
Faces, startled look up at him.
STEVE
Everybody out. I'm serious. Get
the fuck off my property.
A moment, then people start to flee. Only Louise, drink in
hand, moves towards Steve, confused.
LOUISE
Steve, baby...?
100.
Steve levels the gun at her.
STEVE
You, too.
INT. OFFICE, MCKENNA ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
Steve comes back into his office, facing the wall. He tosses
the gun on the table, gets back to work. Glances at one of
the other open windows that shows Bishop at his fridge,
pouring himself filtered water.
Steve's hands fly. The images are pieced together, enlarged,
skewed until nonsensical markings resolve into an address.
Steve punches it into a search window, waits a beat, then
eyes scan over the list of returns, lock onto something.
He picks up the phone, punches a number. Watches as Bishop's
phone rings, watches Bishop answer it.
BISHOP (O.S.)
Did you get it?
STEVE
It's the US Attorney's office in
New York. He's running. He's
trying to get out.
Steve, trying to read Bishop's face, ZOOMING in.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Do you think we're hitting him
because of what he's done, or
because he's trying to get away
with what he's done?
BISHOP (O.S.)
Does it make a difference?
STEVE
...No, I don't suppose it does.
A beat. The two men, far separated.
BISHOP (O.S.)
Do the angles. Find us a shot.
EXT. DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - MORNING
Steve and Bishop step out of the airport with bags, hail a
taxi and climb in, headed into DC.
101.
STEVE (V.O.)
Security's going to have the actual
street locked down. But there's a
residential street, perpendicular.
EXT. DC STREETS - MORNING
Upscale streets lined with brownstone walk-ups. Steve and
Bishop walk with roller bags and a shoulder tube past mothers
and Nanny's ushering their children to school.
STEVE (V.O.)
High-end people. They'll put up
with a sweep, but they're not going
to allow an agent to spend the day.
They reach an address. Bishop puts on a hat, some
sunglasses, slaps a badge onto his jacket that reads "DC
Municipal Utilities." He trots up the the half-flight, rings
the bell of an elegant brownstone.
INT. DC FLAT - MORNING
Nice. Lace curtains. Classic living room. Magazine racks,
grand piano, original art.
STEVE
Besides, the angle isn't right, too
flat. Except when they hit the
stairs. It'll spread the group
vertically. It's... the shot.
Steve and Bishop work in quiet efficient silence. Each opens
their bag, removes a series of innocuous objects, begins to
dismantle them for the more important parts they conceal.
From a clock, a firing mechanism. From the tube, an aluminum
barrel holds a fishing rod. The rod is discarded, the barrel
is attached to a hard plastic stock. AA Batteries are opened
and slender shells are removed from each.
As this strange choreography continues in silence, we PAN
ACROSS to the dining room where a WOMAN and a MAN are bound
and tied, pillowcases cinched over their heads. Their
bindings allow them to hold each other's hands which they
do, tight. They're terrified, but okay.
Back in the living room, Bishop adds the last piece to the
home-made rifle, a telescope, lifted from a child's gift box,
snaps it on top of the rifle.
102.
INT. GOVERNMENT LIMO - DAY
Dean squints in the back of his limo as it pulls into
daylight. He's on the phone, eyes darting, nervous.
DEAN (O.S.)
Look, I don't care. Find her, I
need to talk to her right now...
INT. DC FLAT - DAY
Bishop puts the rifle to his shoulder, sights. Behind him,
Steve slips a blade from the crease of his suitcase,
considers it, looks back to Bishop.
STEVE
You ever worry about the right and
wrong of it all? I'm not talking
about God, just...
(tapping his chest)
Whatever you feel here.
BISHOP'S P.O.V. THROUGH THE SCOPE: The US Attorney building.
The security detail. The steps leading to the street.
BISHOP
It's a little late for --
STEVE
Come on. You're telling me you've
never done anything just because it
was the right thing to do, even if
it didn't make any sense? You
never took a chance like that?
Bishop pulls his eye away from the scope a touch.
BISHOP
Once I did...
STEVE
How'd that work out for you?
Beat. Then suddenly Bishop's view is obscured by a large
truck, which has stopped trying to make the turn.
BISHOP
We have a problem...
Bishop moves the scope, precisely looking for alternatives.
Nothing. He sets the rifle down, thinking as Steve takes in
the new situation.
STEVE
There's no shot. What do we do?
There's no shot.
103.
A moment more, and then Bishop MOVES. We travel with him, to
the entryway. Keys, hats, jackets, sunglasses. Bishop grabs
a hat, tosses one to Steve.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Bishop...?
And Bishop's out.
EXT. US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - DAY
The TRUCK, wedged in. The security detail, suspicious of the
truck. COPS get involved. Men speak into radios.
EXT. DC BROWNSTONE - AFTERNOON
MOVING with Bishop, Steve following. Hats and sunglasses.
They descend the steps onto the sidewalk, closing on the US
Attorney building ahead. Steve comes abreast of him as they
move down the street.
BISHOP
On your four. You see him?
Coming up, a MAN in a jogging suit stretches, touches his ear
where's he's wired.
Steve and Bishop come abreast of him. WHAM! Steve pushes
him down into the garbage alley between two homes. WHAM!
WHAM! The man drops. Steve comes back, the man's gun
palmed. Offers it to Bishop.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
No. You're the shooter.
STEVE
When?
BISHOP
You'll know when.
WITH THEM, MOVING, taking the corner onto the main street in
front of the large building.
INT. GOVERNMENT LIMO - CONTINUOUS
Dean's eyes track the outside, the limo making the final turn
onto the street. Security visible ahead.
DEAN
(ON PHONE)
Hey... Listen, I need you to go out
of town for a few days. No, I
know, but you have to trust me.
(MORE)
104.
DEAN (CONT'D)
Just go -- no, don't tell me where.
Just go, okay. Okay? Yes, I'll
call you soon, I gotta go...
EXT. DC STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Steve and Bishop, MOVING. They pass directly behind a
COMMAND VEHICLE. Security on headsets, watching monitors.
LOCAL POLICE are also working, one COP in particular guarding
the corner of the perimeter.
Bishop nods to Steve who heads up the stairs towards the
building. Bishop checks his watch, looks down the street
where DEAN'S LIMO and escort have turned the corner.
Bishop moves to the cop, stands in front of him. The guy
patiently puts a hand on him, moving him on.
Bishop doesn't move. The cop FROWNS.
A needle hits a record's surface. "Pleased to meet you, hope
you guess my name..."
I/E. GOVERNMENT LIMO - CONTINUOUS
Suddenly dropping into Dean's POV as his limo pulls up to the
steps. Chaotic motion, LIGHT STREAMING IN as the car door
opens, security handlers reach in. We MOVE, fast up steps
lined by City POLICE. One of the police turning his head,
staring at Dean. Bishop.
ON DEAN. Suddenly frozen. His handlers unsure what's going
on, alert that something's not right.
DEAN
...Bishop?
Bishop does NOTHING. Security reads Dean's fear, closes on
Bishop even as Dean himself starts to BACK AWAY, separating
himself from his own security, now turning to RUN...
... Straight into Steve, gun raised. A small moment frozen
in time as Dean understands his end...
BANG BANG! - BANG! Steve double-taps Dean in the chest, then
one to head. And CHAOS begins its rule.
Security which were closing on Bishop now REVERSE, draw
weapons and FIRE at Steve who drops down in the small cement
crease between stairs and statues.
ON STEVE. Ducked low, bullet shattering granite and marble
around him, LAUGHING. The first glimpse of something WRONG
inside this young man.
105.
ACROSS THE STEPS
Bishop, for the moment forgotten by the security who have
reversed to deal with Steve, suddenly ANIMATES.
Perfect timing, the security REVERSING again as Bishop draws
his gun and FIRES, over and over, clipping officers and
security in the legs as he SPRINTS down the steps towards...
INT. GOVERNMENT LIMO - CONTINUOUS
Bishop lands inside the limo, pulls the door shut as bullets
"thunk" into armored sides and spider bullet-proof glass.
The DRIVER looks back through the opening, surprised, just in
time for Bishop to grab him by the collar and HAUL him into
the back at the same time slipping through the opening and
sliding into the driver's position.
As he slams the shifter into REVERSE men line up in front,
OPEN UP with weapons.
EXT. DC STREET - CONTINUOUS
WHEELS SMOKE, Limo ACCELERATES backwards, angling UP THE
STEPS. Security DIVE ASIDE as the Limo clears the rail,
comes down HARD just across from the small alcove Steve's
pressed into. The passenger door opens.
BISHOP
Get in.
Security are standing up, opening up, as Steve DIVES forward.
INT. GOVERNMENT LIMO - CONTINUOUS
Steve lands awkward in the front seat as Bishop throws the
limo into drive, floors it DOWN the steps of the building,
men diving aside, swerving onto the street.
STEVE
Thanks.
BISHOP
Behind you.
Steve has half a second to puzzle this one as the Driver
grabs him from behind, HAULS him backwards.
Bishop eyes his mirrors, counting the number of vehicles
pursuing. Eyes makes calculations, gets distracted for a
moment from the RAGING FISTFIGHT between Steve and the Driver
occurring in the rear compartment.
106.
Bishop raises the divider, steps on the gas.
EXT. DC STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Engine WHINES, Limo surges forward, pursuit cars dropping
off. There are no turns, no spins. This is straight-line
acceleration circa FRENCH CONNECTION. Bishop guides the limo
faster and faster, blasting across intersections, timing his
spacing to inches, no margin for error.
Around him, pursuit cars aren't as good, they VEER off into
crashes, clip traffic, SPIN out of control.
INT. GOVERNMENT LIMO - CONTINUOUS
In front of Bishop, intersection after intersection of cross-
cutting traffic. Bishop speeds up or slows just a fraction,
making space for the limo, BARELY.
He notices a hand-held automatic weapon secured to the dash,
grabs it, checks his mirrors.
IN THE REARVIEW: Bishop watches a pursuit car T-BONED by a
truck, then his view is blocked by STEVE and the DRIVER as
they wrestle and fight.
Over his initial surprise, the Driver's trained, and good.
He locks Steve up, SLAMS him against the window, choking him.
UP AHEAD. Bishop sees a traffic jam LOOMING ahead, the limo
closing at 100 mph, no alternatives. He lowers the divider.
BISHOP
Get in front.
STEVE
Working on that...
BISHOP
Now!
Bishop HAULS UP the E-Brake, putting the Limo into a SPIN.
The shift in force tosses Steve and Guard across the rear
space. Steve dives forward towards the front as...
EXT. DC STREETS - CONTINUOUS
The Limo goes into a 4-wheel ROTATION, angling towards the
hard corner of a building and WHAM! Limo clips the building
halfway, SHEERS the limo in half. The rear section crumples
against the building as the front section SKIDS down the
building face, comes to rest against a GROCERY.
107.
Bishop and Steve recover, roll out of the now exposed rear of
the driver's compartment and into
INT. GROCERY - CONTINUOUS
Bishop and Steve slide in as POLICE CARS slide to a stop
outside. Small glimpses of COPS and SWAT taking positions.
Steve peeks over a counter. A few cops fire. A glass window
SHEERS, fruit catches rounds.
STEVE
We have got to go!
Steve's pointing at the rear exit. It looks far away.
STEVE (CONT'D)
You go for it, I'll cover you.
Bishop takes in the exit, the gun in Steve's hand...
EXT. GROCERY - CONTINUOUS
More COPS arrive, take positions. There must be thirty guns
pointed in their direction.
INT. GROCERY - CONTINUOUS
Bishop cranes around, tracks cop and SWAT...
BISHOP
I'm sorry I brought you into this.
STEVE
Not now, Bishop, we have to --
BISHOP
It was... It was the only thing I
knew how to teach you.
Steve looks at him oddly, moved. Then...
STEVE
Don't worry about it, Bishop. I
brought myself into this.
Bishop considers this, nods. And he's UP AND FIRING towards
the SWAT.
BISHOP
Go!
108.
ON STEVE. Clear shot at Bishop. A micro-second hesitation,
and then he's RUNNING for the rear exit.
EXT. GROCERY - CONTINUOUS
Cops and FBI REACT to the shots, ALL open up.
INT. GROCERY - CONTINUOUS
The WINDOW'S ERUPT in a hail of gunfire from the outside.
Bishop hits the ground, rolls towards the rear exit. Bottles
and produce EXPLODING under the assault. Steve reaches the
exit, glances back to see Bishop on his tail, room being
chewed-up behind him.
INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
Steve BLOWS down a corridor. A SWAT member suddenly comes
out of as side-door, raising his weapon...
Steve FLATTENS him, comes up with the man's weapon, reverses,
lining it straight at Bishop... who hits the ground, as Steve
FIRES rounds pushing back pursuing SWAT behind Bishop.
More SWAT push in, shields raised, guns lined. Bishop SLAMS
into them from the side. Pushes one through a door, breaks
anothers knee as he disarms him, moves after Steve.
EXT. ALLEY ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS
Steve and Bishop emerge almost simultaneously, race up the
alley as SWAT emerges behind them, rounds tracing after them.
They clear the alley, onto...
EXT. DC STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Pedestrians and shoppers crowd the small streets. Bishop and
Steve tear through people on opposite sides of the street as
overhead a helicopter clatters.
Behind them, SWAT and COPS give chase.
UP AHEAD, a van skids to a halt, SWAT pouring out. Bishop
and Steve duck into...
109.
INT. RETAIL BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Travel agency. Displays fly as they muscle through to the
back, then through service corridors, back into a RESTAURANT,
headed for the front door...
TWO COP cars close from outside. Bishop raises his weapon,
OPENS UP into the metal of the cars. The COPS panic,
REVERSE, SLAMMING into parked cars. The cops piling out and
taking position as RESTAURANT PATRONS scream and flee.
Bishops checks his fire. PURE INSTINCT, swings his weapon to
lock onto Steve who's also raised his weapon at Bishop. The
two of them, suddenly lining weapons into each other's faces.
Breathing had... eyes locked as beyond them another police
reinforcement arrive, takes position...
The SOUND of a cop, distant outside, CHAMBERING a round into
a shotgun...
Both men DIVE to the ground, roll even as they switch to
single-shot mode to preserve ammo. BANG BANG BANG, they fire
back at their attackers, precise, as the cops open up.
WITH THE COPS
Firing. Bullets find exposed legs and arms, men stumble back
or fall to the ground, screaming.
STEVE AND BISHOP
Almost at the same exact moment, the men switch their aim
back to each other. Both men, controlling emotion and body.
Gasping for breath, bleeding.
BISHOP
...Why?
STEVE
You don't know?
Tense beat. Glimpsed through shattered windows, SWAT
arrives, takes the perimeter. They're being surrounded.
Suddenly an SUV pulls into view between the restaurant and
the SWAT and Police position, a confused and frightened WOMAN
at the wheel. Police SHOUT at her, confusing her more.
Steve makes a decision. Lowers his weapon, grabs a napkin,
ties it to hide his features.
STEVE (CONT'D)
Cover me.
And with that Steve is RUNNING towards the outside...
110.
... BEHIND STEVE, Bishop steps out, gun in each hand. Clean
shot of Steve's back. He opens up. Bullets tracing around
Steve, pushing the men back just long enough for Steve to
reach the SUV, haul open the door.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
The WOMAN screams as Steve pushes her aside, takes the wheel.
She scratches back, one hand ripping the bandana away from
Steve's face. He STARES at her for one deadly second.
INT. RESTAURANT - CONTINUOUS
Bishop FLINCHES as the sound of the SHOT come from the SUV.
The passenger door opens and the woman climbs out as the SUV
ACCELERATES away, cops and SWAT firing after it.
BISHOP'S P.O.V.: The woman watches her car go, then turns
and sits on the pavement. Her hand moves to her chest, comes
away bloody.
ON BISHOP. Angry like we've never seen him. Cold. Furious.
The stupid waste of it all. He meets the woman's gaze. She
dies looking at him.
Helicopters clatter above, bullets plink into dishware and
hardwood. Bishop just stares at the woman for a long beat,
then he turns away, back into the building.
It is... over.
EXT. DC STREETS - DAY (LATER)
SWAT approaches the SUV, slammed against another car.
Shielded men throw the door open. It's empty.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY (LATER)
SWAT move into the restaurant Bishop was last seen in. Guns
lined, checking corners. But there's no sign of Bishop.
INT. DC FLAT - AFTERNOON
Bishop enters the flat. Cool afternoon breeze blows through
curtains. He stops, stares at the couple who owned the flat
who now lie motionless. Small holes in the red-stained
pillowcases over their heads. Steve has been here.
Bishop swallows, angry. He forces himself back to the task
at hand. Breaking down the never-fired weapon. He works
efficiently, silently.
111.
INT. AIRPORT - EVENING
Bishop sits at the gate, waiting to board his plane. He
watches families get ready, college kids laughing.
On the silent TVs, CNN shows footage of the aftermath of the
gunfight in the street. "Eight dead." A US Attorney
speaking at a press conference.
US ATTORNEY
...Something is wrong in this
country. But today because of the
actions of a few cowardly men, we
may never know the true face of --
A voice announces boarding, drowning out the TV. Bishop
collects his things.
INT. LOCAL GROCERY - NIGHT
Grocer glances at Bishop's two grocery bags, then to the
clock: 7:10. Sophie reads her book with her doll. A CAR
speeds by outside. Sophie tracks it, looks at her father.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Key in the lock, Bishop enters, stands in his living room.
TENSE. WAITING. Nothing.
INT. BISHOP'S GYM - NIGHT
Bishop stands in front of his machines, still. Reaches out,
touches one. Waiting.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME- NIGHT
Bishop sits across from the portrait of himself, finishes the
last bite of his dinner. He takes the plate, walks into the
kitchen and to the sink, washes the plate...
His cat curls around his legs, purrs. Bishop takes a scrap
off the plate, bends down and feeds it to her.
She starts to eat, then her EYES NARROW... WHAM! Steve hits
him from out of nowhere. Bishop sprawls as Steve LOOMS, gun
lined!
WHAM! Bishop hits Steve with the fridge door, knocks the gun
out of his hands, it skitters along the floor. Bishop moves
towards it, Steve swings a knife. Bishop catches the blow,
but Steve HAULS down on the bad shoulder. Bishop SCREAMS as
something gives, stumbles back as Steve swings again, Bishop
turning, catching the blade in his shoulder.
112.
Bishop reels back against the wall as Steve picks up the gun
and BANG! BANG! BANG! Fires as Bishop flees the room.
Steve follows, keeping his shots controlled. Slugs chew into
walls, furniture as Bishop dives out the front door.
Steve advances, re-loading.
STEVE
You know, when they came to me... I
said "Are you sure?" Bishop?" But
They're right, aren't they?
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
Steve steps out onto the porch.
STEVE
...You don't really like the work
anymore.
Bishop's voice comes from the darkness near the barn.
BISHOP
Maybe not.
BLAM! BLAM! Steve SHOOTS as Bishop MOVES, finds cover.
STEVE
Yeah. That's... what did you call
it? That's a prerequisite.
(BEAT)
Besides, I guess I had other
reasons.
BISHOP
If it matters, today we killed the
man who ordered the hit on your
father.
STEVE
Yeah, but not the man who actually
killed him.
Steve advances, clearing the side of the barn, LINES his
weapon on Bishop, who's standing next to the barn.
BISHOP
Why'd you kill those other people?
STEVE
(shakes his head)
You really going moral high ground
on me? Seriously? You might want
to check your soapbox there,
partner.
113.
BLAM! Steve fires just as Bishop SLIDES back, into the barn
through a side door. Steve LAUGHS, slides towards the front.
STEVE (CONT'D)
(CALLING OUT)
But that's the difference between
us, isn't it? You're all alone,
but you still... like people. You
wish they liked you. Whereas I
have people everywhere... and all I
ever want, is to be alone.
Steve hears BANGING coming from the barn.
STEVE (CONT'D)
There's no weapons in there,
Bishop! I've... what did you teach
me? I've controlled the situation.
One hundred percent.
BOOM! The barn door blast outwards as Bishop's vintage
Mustang come careening out of the barn at Steve...
Who STANDS HIS GROUND. He aims, fires five times through the
windscreen. The rounds IMPACTING Bishop as the car LOOMS at
Steve who steps aside at the last moment, the car barely
missing him, continuing on and IMPACTING against the side of
the house... the propane tank.
Steve squints and BOOOOOM! The propane tank ERUPTS in flame.
Steve is knocked back.
When he rises, the interior of the car is an inferno. The
body is slumped against the wheel, the fire consuming him,
cleansing him.
Steve. Bleeding, bruised, victorious.
INT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Steve enters the study, looking down at Bishop's record
player, looks back at the wall of work on Dean. Smoke seeps
through the walls, pushes through cracks in sills.
Steve opens Bishop's record collection, takes the pristine
collector's Hendrix. The one never played.
He moves into the living room. FLAMES lick across the walls.
Through the smoke, he sees the portrait of Bishop staring
back at him. He raises the album in thanks.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - NIGHT
Steve now stands outside Bishop's home, watching. The whole
place is an inferno.
114.
INSIDE. Pictures bubble and peel before turning black in the
heat. The stack of DVDs melts, dripping down...
IN THE BARN. Flaming beams crash down, crumple classic cars.
Steve watches it all. The fire reflected in his eyes.
EXT. MCKENNA ESTATE - DAY
A hot gorgeous day. Slight breeze blows through trees,
ripples the water on the pool which is suddenly CUT THROUGH
by the figure of Steve, swimming laps, hard.
He gets out at the far end, looks over his grounds. There's
no one here anymore. The place is deserted except for ear-
wired SECURITY who patrol the grounds.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - DAY
POLICE and FIRE pick through the smouldering rubble. A
DETECTIVE watches as the door to Bishop's fire-ravaged car is
pried off.
INT. MCKENNA ESTATE - DAY
Steve trots in from outside, pulling on a loose shirt. The
house is spotless, transformed. No sign of a frivolous young
man's pursuits. Art and culture and wealth.
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - DAY
The door to the car gives suddenly, falls to the ground. The
Detective pulls a handkerchief, puts it over his nose and
mouth as he peers in at the body...
INT. MCKENNA'S OFFICE - DAY
Steve busts in, dragging his father's 80's turntable with
him. The portrait of Bishop has been hung here in his
office. He glances at it, then breaks the seal on the
Hendrix album, stares at the grooves before seating it on the
turntable and hitting a switch. Player starts up, needle
swings over...
Steve moves to his computer and punches in the password.
On the wall-sized screen, the Bishop research glows to life.
All the connections, people, history that made Bishop.
Bishop's cat jumps into his lap, purring, and Steve strokes
her. Finally, a decision. He hits a button and the prompt
"DELETE FILE?" Appears on the screen.
115.
Needle comes down, touches the record, the sweet sound of
Hendrix's "Little Wing" fill the world.
Steve's finger still hovers over "ENTER." Bishop's cat jumps
down, trots away. He watches the cat go, hits the button.
The wall-sized screen goes blank. Just a cool white nothing.
Steve SMILES, nods, leaning back... when a voice comes from
the record player, overlayed above the song.
BISHOP'S VOICE
...Steve, if you hear this, then it
means you found the right moment to
play the record. Good for you. It
also means you had to scratch the
needle across the surface of the
record.
Steve's eyes LOCK on the record player, the needle scratching
across its surface, from the surface of the record, the
smallest trace of smoke...
BISHOP'S VOICE (CONT'D)
Sorry it has to end this way.
Steve's eyes dart to the portrait of Bishop. Its cold eyes
stare back.
EXT. MCKENNA ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
KABOOOM! The windows of Steve's office blow out of the
estate's 2nd story.
FADE TO:
EXT. BISHOP'S HOME - DAY
The Detective, handkerchief over his face, leans over the
body. Burnt beyond recognition. CAMERA moves away, down to
the body's shoulder...
BISHOP (V.O.)
Every man has a death that's right
for them. Every one.
... where a form, a heat shadow, has burnt into the charred
remains of a shirt. A fist, middle-finger raised. We know
this tattoo. It was on the ex-con who tried to mug Bishop
outside the bar. This is not Bishop.
BISHOP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
A death so right that when it
arrives, those who knew him will
say "Yes, this is right..."
116.
The detective leans the body forward, and the shadow
disintegrates into ash.
EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY
A brand new Maserati crests the hill, moving FAST. Brakes
lock up, it slides to a stop in a patch of dirt.
BISHOP (V.O.)
"...This was always going to happen
this way."
Bishop gets out. Shaved, healthy, clean. He climbs onto the
roof of the car, stares at the highway which winds away into
the distance.
Freedom, laid out before him. He stares at it, wanting,
needing. He blinks.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END
