Shut Up And Bleed

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In Chapter 40 of WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, private eye Carrie Love confronts the widow Gay Flender about her husband's murder, but they get interrupted by Roland Yavo's trangendered daughter Nikki, who's armed and dangerous ... and coked to the gills.


INT. FLENDER LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
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 --