A Tough Nut

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In Chapter 39 of WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, it's a clusterfuck of epic proportions when Carrie, Jenny, Modi and Nikki converge at Gay Flender's mansion and start accusing each other of murder. Meanwhile, Bernie and Aya do the horizontal tango in their police cruiser ...


INT. FLENDER LIVING ROOM - AT THAT MOMENT
Carrie holds her gun on Modi and Gay,
seated on the couch.

Jenny stands by the fireplace,
watching.

CARRIE
(to Modi)
You’re the one
who shot at us.

MODI
I don’t know what
you’re talking about.

CARRIE
Your shoes are muddy --
and it’s a hell
of a coincidence
that you got here
just after we did.
(hands the gun to Jenny)
Cover him.
(to Modi)
Put ‘em up, asshole.

Modi glares. Raises his hands.
Turns, and RUSHES Jenny.

She CRACKS him on the head
with the gun.
Modi REELS back.

MODI
OW! Fucking BITCH!

JENNY
Fuck you, ASSHOLE -- STAY BACK.

MODI
(feels head, sees blood)
I’m gonna fucking kill you --

CARRIE
Careful what you say, Mr. Boss-man.
I’ve got this all on tape.

Carrie pulls the dictaphone
out of her jacket pocket.

Places it on the coffee table
in front of Gay.

CARRIE
Okay.
Start from the beginning.
Why did you try to frame me
for your husband’s murder?

GAY
There was no frame --
you see, we --
(sighs)
It’s kind of complicated.

CARRIE
(aims gun against her head)
Maybe this will simplify things.

FEMALE VOICE (O.C.)
Well, isn’t this a fun little group.

Nikki stands in the doorway.
Blood on her face. Her dress.

GAY
Nichol -- Nikki.
What are you doing here?

NIKKI
My father’s dead,
my mother won’t speak to me,
and -- you were always so --
supportive --

She trails off.
Eyes wide.

Reaches in her bag.
Pulls out a snifter.

HONKS a hit.
Then another.

CARRIE
You’re Yavo’s son --

NIKKI
I’m his DAUGHTER.

MODI
Nice wig.

CARRIE
(to Modi)
Shut up and bleed.
(to Nikki)
Sorry, babe -- but you
got us at a bad time.
(stares, narrows her eyes)
Wait a minute.
Something’s not right.

NIKKI
No SHIT.
Someone KILLED my father.
He was SHOT in the HEAD.

Carrie eyes Nikki.
Slowly nods her head.

CARRIE
Well, whaddaya know.
YOU killed him.

NIKKI
That’s RIDICULOUS.
Why would I -- kill my own FATHER?

CARRIE
I don’t know.
The blood on your dress?
The fact that you’re
acting way too nonchalant?
Not to mention the fact
that the details about his death
weren’t released to the media?

Nikki pulls out a REVOLVER.
Walks toward Carrie.

NIKKI
Stupid bitch.
Now look what you’ve done.

CARRIE
Don’t do anything stupid.
I’ve got this all on tape --

Jenny GRABS Nikki from behind.
PINS her arms.

NIKKI
Hey!

Carrie dashes over, wrestles
the gun out of Nikki’s hand.

CARRIE
(to Jenny)
Nice work, doll.
Didn’t know you had it in you --

PUSH IN ON Jenny.
Eyes burning.

JENNY
Me neither --

EXT. SANTA MONICA - CUL DE SAC - NIGHT
Bernie’s undercover cruiser is parked
at the end of the street
behind a garbage dumpster.
The car is ROCKING.

INT. UNMARKED CAR - CONTINUOUS
Bernie and Aya are making love
in the back seat.

He SHRIEKS with pleasure, COMING.
Aya WAILS like a banshee.

Like howling dogs,
they climax together.

Silence.

BERNIE
Wish I had a cigarette.

AYA
I’ve got some. Hold on.

Aya pushes herself up.
Her blouse is open.
A splendid view.

She leans over the seat,
grabs her purse.
Pulls out a pack.

BERNIE
(takes one from her)
I shouldn’t.

AYA
(lights his, then hers)
Neither should I.
(exhales)
So what exactly did Carrie do?
Why was she suspended?

BERNIE
She cracked up her car,
smashed into a seven-eleven,
blood alcohol level
twice the legal limit --
and her DATE for the evening
was the CHIEF’S
sixteen-year-old DAUGHTER.

AYA
Wow. That explains alot.
(dreamy)
So -- what do we do now?

BERNIE
We get the fuck over
to Gay Flender’s joint.
If Lipshitz finds out --

AYA
No. I mean about us.

BERNIE
Us?

AYA
(hurt)
Yeah. US.

Bernie leans in.
Softly kisses her.

BERNIE
Tell you what.
Let’s crack this case,
then go away somewhere.
Maybe -- Cabo?

AYA
I’d love that.

BERNIE
(drinks her in)
You’re not such a tough nut
after all.

PUSH IN ON Aya.
Eyes dancing with mischief.

AYA
Tell anyone and I’ll
fucking kill you.