Raising the Stakes

Good morning, co-conspirators. It's a lovely day ... to die. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to investigate three murders. The body count is rising, and we need your help in solving these most heinous of crimes. So strap on your favorite piece, stock up on your ammo of choice, and get it on ...

I haven't been talking much about my writing career on here, because I'm a firm believer in the karma of not jinxing something. I've got four screenplays circling around Hollywood right now, and pretty soon, some little fishie is gonna take the bait. I'll keep you posted when things become more concrete, but for now -- let's just say things are percolating. Add to that two possible 'work for hire' gig possibilities that have popped in the last week. Keep your fingers crossed, cause mommy needs to keep Bobby D. the Wonder Dog in kibble. Not mention the landlord ...

Screened a great flick last night -- a British film called FORMULA 51, with Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, and the always delicious Emily Mortimer. Great caper crime flick in the tradition of SNATCH, but with dialogue you can understand. Mix in Sam Jackson for some great fun -- he's a hoot as a master chemist who has created the perfect party drug and is now selling it to the highest bidder. Problem is, he wears a kilt, and carries a bag of golf clubs. A real hoot, with great action. Check it out if you haven't. A sleeper.

Onto today's joint from WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, and the plot is thickening.

In part 1, homicide dick Bernie Keko is getting to know his new partner, Israeli dick Aya Meier.
In part 2, private eye Carrie Love and witness Jenny Lane stop at her place for a nightcap.
In part 3, we got backto Bernie and Aya, who learn about Roland Yavo's death, and head off to the scene of the crime.

Let the bloodletting begin ...


EXT. MUNICIPAL BUILDING - PARKING LOT - AT THAT MOMENT
Aya sits behind the wheel of a nondescript unmarked sedan.
Bernie comes up to her window.

BERNIE
Slide over. I’m driving.

AYA
No. I’m driving.

BERNIE
I ALWAYS drive.

AYA
Hurry up, get in.
We have a grieving widow to interview,
and we don’t have time for your misogyny.

Bernie does a slow burn.
Walks around the car. Gets in.

Aya puts the car in gear, and TEARS off.

INT./EXT. UNMARKED CAR - MOVING - CONTINUOUS

AYA
In Israel, everyone serves in the Army.
I’ve killed a man with my bare hands.

BERNIE
Palestinian soldier?

AYA
No, my godfather. He tried to rape me.

BERNIE
Shit. Wow.
(beat)
I’m sorry.

AYA
Don’t be. He was a slave trafficker.
He would have kicked the can sooner or later.

BERNIE
It’s kicked the bucket.
Kick the can is a kid’s game.

Bernie checks her out.
This might not be so bad after all.

BERNIE (CONT’D)
So, I guess you -- played basketball?

AYA
No.
(beat)
But I bet you play a mean game of miniature golf --

INT. JENNY’S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Jenny and Carrie walk down a dimly lit corridor.

JENNY
I’ve been trying to get the landlord to fix the light.
They get to her door.

CARRIE
One quick drink for the road.
I gotta find a place to crash tonight.

Jenny puts her key in, rattles the lock. Flustered.

JENNY
The lock -- sticks.

INT. JENNY’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Cute. Cozy. Homey, like a senior-year dorm room.
Plants. Stuffed bookcases.
An Italian LA FEMME NIKITA poster.

CARRIE
La Femme Nikita, great flick.

JENNY
I LOVE Luc Besson.

CARRIE
Have you seen Leon?
I mean, thirteen-year old Natalie Portman?
Hello.

JENNY
You mean The Professional?

CARRIEThat’s the Hollywood title.
The original title was Leon.
And in the original script, they make love.
(meaningfully)
Raising the stakes --

Pause.

JENNY
So -- what do you want?
I’ve got beer, wine, scotch --

CARRIE
Scotch. Make it a triple.
(off Jenny’s look)
My version of one drink --

INT. UNMARKED CAR - AT THAT MOMENT
Aya and Bernie sit in the car,
parked in front of a designer coffee joint.
Sipping java.

AYA
Isn’t it a little late to be visiting the widow?

BERNIE
Element of surprise.
In case there’s any monkey business,
catches ‘em off guard.

The police radio SQUEALS.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
All units in the vicinity of Ocean Avenue and Colorado.
We’ve got a 10-54 at the Hotel California,
1670 Ocean Avenue. See the night clerk.

BERNIE
Shit. That’s right nearby --
(grabs the transmitter)
This is unit three-twelve.
We’ve got it. On our way.
(to Aya)
Come on, let’s go.

Aya starts the car.
Pulls out of the parking lot.

INT./EXT. UNMARKED CAR - MOVING - CONTINUOUS
BERNIETake Wilshire all the way to the ocean.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
Bernie, it’s me, Roger.

BERNIE
(into the transmitter)
Hey, Roger. Who’s the stiff? Some tourist?

ROGER (V.O.)
You know that movie producer
that got snuffed this morning?

BERNIE
Yeah?

ROGER (V.O.)
It’s his partner.

BERNIE
Great. Now it’s a double feature.