Script I Working On: "Running Out of Luck (working title)

[antiarte]

INT/EXT. RENTAL CAR/STREET - LATE NIGHT

TERRI and MURPHY, a young couple, is in the middle of a discussion. Murphy drives.

TERRI
It's not my fault, baby. This stuff
happens.

MURPHY
Just forget about it...

There's a pay phone up ahead.

MURPHY
...I'll call from here.

TERRI
Are you sure? Let's go to a gas station
better. I don't think it's safe to-

MURPHY
(interrupting)
I don't even know where's the closest
one. Just let me...

TERRI
Whatever.

He stops by the pay phone and gets out of the car. Terri keeps her eyes on him.

Long beat.

EXT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS

It's dark. A man lurks behind the shadows. He sticks his head out carefully. He's RODNEY, mid 20's, white, average height.

RODNEY'S POV: Murphy talks on the pay phone. The driver's door is opened, so the light in the car is on. Terri waits in the passenger's seat.

FREDDY (O.S.)
(beat)
What?

ON RODNEY

RODNEY
(to someone behind him)
Shhh.

He looks both ways, then takes out his gun.

RODNEY
Keep it cool, man.

He steps out the alley. FREDDY, smaller and skinnier, early 20's, follows him. He's armed, too.

STREET - CONTINUOUS

They walk calmly towards the car.

Murphy is with his back towards them. Terri looks at him. Rodney points to Freddy toward Terri. Freddy gets it. Rodney [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] the gun and approaches Murphy. Terri sees him.

TERRI
(calling out)
Murphy!

She doesn't notice Freddy standing by her window.

Murphy turns around and meets Rodney's weapon.

RODNEY
Nice and quiet, mother[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]er! Just
give me your [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing money quickly!

Freddy taps on the car with his gun. Terri sees him and screams, scared.

RODNEY
(with his eyes on Murphy)
Shut the [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] up, [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]! Freddy!

FREDDY
(to Terri)
Get out the [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing door.

She opens the door and gets out. Freddy grabs her and pins her against the car. She cries, even more scared now. He takes her chain and earrings.

Murphy hands his wallet and watch to Rodney.

MURPHY
Please, man, just don't hurt us. You
can take the car, too, if you-

RODNEY
Shut your [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing mouth. Give me the keys.

MURPHY
They're in the car, dude. Just take them.

Freddy continues to search Terri. He touches her all over.

TERRI
(screaming)
No, let me go! Murphy!

FREDDY
Shut the [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] up, [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]!

TERRI
No, let me go!

FREDDY
Shut up!

She continues screaming for help.

RODNEY
Fingers, shut the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] up!

Freddy tries gagging her with his mouth. But she bites him and breaks free. She runs away, down the street.

RODNEY
([bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]ed off)
[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth], Freddy! Go get her!

Murphy watches her.

MURPHY
Baby, don't run! Come back!

RODNEY
Freddy! Go!

She runs, her silouhette against the dim light in the street.

Freddy looks at Rodney, annoyed.

FREDDY
Stop yelling my [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing name, RODNEY!
[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]!

He runs after Terri, but stops after a few steps, annoyed.

FREDDY
Ah, [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] it.

He shoots her.

She falls.

Murphy watches terrified.

Rodney looks at Freddy. He could kill him with that look.

Terri struggles to get up. And then falls down again.

Long beat.

She won't get up again.

RODNEY
(to himself)
Stupid mother[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]er...

Murphy runs.

MURPHY
(yelling)
Baby! No!

It seems he's going to Terri, but goes after Freddy instead. Freddy's caught by surprise. His first instinct is to shoot at Murphy.

Murphy falls on the concrete. Dead.

FREDDY
(softly, to Murphy)
Stupid mother[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]er...

He stares at the dead body.

RODNEY
Fingers, let's go!

Rodney runs to the alley. Freddy follows him.

JUMP CUT TO:

EXT. EMPTY BACKSTREET - LATER

Rodney and Freddy are tired from running. They stop to rest.

RODNEY
That was some stupid [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth], Fingers!
What the [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] were you thinking!

FREDDY
Ah, [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] that, man. You sound like my
moms.

RODNEY
You couldn't hold the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]! It's a
[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse], Fingers! A [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing woman!

FREDDY
Didn't you see her? She was fast as hell.
I wasn't about to-

Rodney grabs Freddy by the shirt and slams against the ground.

RODNEY
Stupid-ass mother[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]er!

Freddy gets up, angered. He wipes his clothes.

FREDDY
[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] you think you are?! She [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing ran! I
don't do running!

Rodney pushes him hard. Freddy jumps him and punches him. Freddy punches back. Freddy takes out his weapon, but Rodney grabs his arm before he could do anything. They struggle for it. Rodney is stronger. He ends up shooting Freddy in the arm.

Freddy steps back, wounded. He sits down on the ground.

FREDDY
[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]! That hurts, D!

RODNEY
Just my [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing luck!

FREDDY
What's Creep going to say when he sees
this, man. He's going to want your white
ass, D! Torch that ass!

Rodney picks up Freddy's weapon. He puts it in his coat, then looks around.

There's no one around.

Rodney sighs, scratches his head with Freddy's gun in his hand.

RODNEY
I don't know, Fingers. You [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ed
yourself up.

FREDDY
Let's just go to a hospital, man. This
[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] burns. I'll tell them-

Rodney shoots him in the head. He falls flat. Dead.

Rodney breathes in, relaxes, then grabs the chain and earrings from Freddy's pockets.

He trots away.

OVER BLACK
TITLE: Running Out of Luck

 

[antiarte]

(continued)

LAURA'S MONTAGE:

1) INT. LAURA'S APARTMENT - MORNING

An upbeat pop-rock song plays in the background. LAURA, early 20's, brunette, wakes up. She's in a bunk bed, lower bunk. She goes to the BATHROOM. The place is small, almost a single room.

LATER: Laura is dressed for work, very elegant. She eats breakfast.

2) EXT. MAIN STREET - LATER

Laura calls for a cab. It takes her a couple of tries to finally stop one.

3) EXT. PUBLICITY AGENCY - MUCH LATER

She now walks toward the entrance. She says "hi" to a couple of people as she goes.

4) INT. PUBLICITY AGENCY - LATER

Laura steps out the levator. She walks down the hallway, a smile on her face, ready for work. She greets some workmates. People go back and forth. A normal day in the job. She finally reaches her desk, sits down. She turns on her computer. As she waits, someone off-screen leaves a yogurt on her desk.

LINDSAY (O.S.)
Morning, stranger.

LAURA
(smiling)
Lind! I didn't see you there.

They hug and kiss. Laura sits back down.

LINDSAY (O.S.)
So are we still on for tonight?

LAURA
Sure.

LINDSAY (O.S.)
Great. By the way, did I tell you Murphy
is taking me on a trip. He didn't say where
or when. It's a surprise.

LAURA
Where could he take you that you haven't seen
yet?

LINDSAY (O.S.)
I've never been to Italy- at night. I'd
love to see Milan at night. But seriously...

Laura eyes the computer, then back at her friend.

LINDSAY (O.S.)
...I don't care. I am so in love. I really
hope this date goes well for you, Laura. I
think you more than deserve it, especially
after what Audrey did to you. I mean, it is
so great being in love and being loved back.
You definitely deserve it.

LAURA
(smiles)
Well, I don't know.

LINDSAY (O.S.)
Listen, there's this conference. I have to go.
I'll see you in lunch.

LAURA
Yeah.

LINDSAY (O.S.)
Don't go without me.

LAURA
Okay.

LINDSAY (O.S.)
Later.

LAURA
Later.

Laura grabs the yogurt and puts it inside a drawer.

5) INT. RESTAURANT - NOON

Laura eats lunch. Her phone rings.

LAURA
Hello.
(listens)
Oh, okay. Yeah. See you tonight then. Okay.
Bye.

She hangs up, puts the phone next to the plate, then sighs loudly.

LAURA
(softly)
What-[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]ing-ever.

The song stops.

BACK TO SCENES:

INT. LAURA'S APARTMENT - EVENING

Laura is in the BATHROOM. She had just showered, only wears a towel. She looks for something under the sink but it's not there.

LAURA
(annoyed)
Seriously...

She goes out to...

BUILDING HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

She knocks on her neighbor's door. Moments later, a woman opens. She looks a Laura in a towel.

LAURA'S NEIGHBOR
Again?

LAURA
I'm so sorry. I promise I won't bother
you anymore.

The woman goes inside and comes back with a hair dryer. She gives it to Laura.

LAURA'S NEIGHBOR
Don't keep it this time.

LAURA
I won't. Thank you so-

The woman slams the door shut.

LAURA'S APARTMENY - CONTINUOUS

Laura comes back in.

She goes to the BATHROOM, dries her feet, and steps over the rug. She then plugs the hair dryer and stands in front of the mirror.

She closes her eyes and dries her hair.

Long beat.

JUMP CUT TO:

She's dressed already. She applies make up. Once she's done, she takes a good look in the mirror. Long beat. She finally sighs softly. She doesn't like what she sees.

She sits on a chair, puts on her shoes. Then there's a KNOCK ON THE DOOR. She checks her watch.

LAURA
She's early?

BUILDING HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

She opens the door, surprised by the visitor.

LAURA
(beat)
Hey.

LAURA'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

It's Rodney.

RODNEY
(smiles slightly)
'Sup, Laurie.