Double Vision

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 1 of AFTERHOURS, it's five in the morning at The Exit Room, an exclusive after hours club on the Sunset Strip, where we meet newly-minted Oscar-winning screenwriter Casey Montana and over-the-hill goth-grunge rocker Bettie Black, who are both drowning their sorrows with a little binge-drinking ...


EXT. THE SUNSET STRIP - NIGHT
A CHYRON reads ‘August 16, 4:47 AM.’

An occasional CAR passes by.
An occasional HOOKER works the stroll.

A trio of WASTED PARTY GIRLS (18)
turn a corner and stagger down
a side street looking for their car.

CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON
a SMALL WHITE BUILDING
that was once a bank,
now a high-end designer boutique
at the foot of the Hollywood Hills
in the Sunset Plaza shopping district.

CAMERA GLIDES OVER to the side of the building,
where we see a STAIRCASE to the basement.

CAMERA GLIDES DOWN THE STAIRS
and STOPS at the door.

No window. No sign.
Just a small red buzzer.

INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - NIGHT
Plush and jazzy. Part Art Deco.
Part tiki lounge.

The dim, pin-spot lighting
makes the joint seem to glow.

Welcome to The Exit Room.
Hot and cold running decadence until dawn.

Standing behind the long, polished bar
is MIA TANAKA (20’s), mixologist deluxe,
shiny black hair down to her ass.

Looking every bit the wannabe actress she is.
Right now she’s cutting up lime wedges
and evesdropping on --

A pair of WOMEN
doing shots of top-shelf tequila.

They SLAM them down, then CRACK
their shot glasses on the bar.

The dark-haired chick grabs the bottle.
Pours two more.

DARK-HAIRED CHICK
(raises hers)
To the best fucking
screenwriter in HOLLYWOOD.

Meet BETTIE BLACK (40),
fading grungy-goth rock star.

Still good-looking, but now
a bit rough around the edges.

But still sexy in revealing,
ripped black threads.

If you squint your eyes.

She lights a new smoke
off the old one.
A crooked grin.

BLONDE BABE
(raises hers)
To the best poet since PATTI SMITH.

Meet CASEY MONTANA (20’s),
white-hot Oscar-winning screenwriter.

Sexy-dirty, working that
vintage pinup look.

The black and blue streaks
in her hair match her outfit.

BETTIE
Patti Smith? Really?

CASEY
Hey.
If you’re gonna compare me
to Quentin Tarantino --

They DOWN them.

BETTIE
Flattery will get your clit sucked.

Bettie pours two more.
They DOWN them.
CRACK their glasses.

CASEY
That’ll grow hair on your tits.

BETTIE
What are you working on now?

CASEY
That bottle. Keep pouring.

BETTIE
Ever seen Leaving Las Vegas?
Wanna write the rock star version?

CASEY
Only if Nic Cage plays you.

BETTIE
Pay him enough, he probably would.

They DOWN them.

BETTIE
Doctor says if I don’t
stop drinking, I’ll die.
(pours more)
Works for me.

CASEY
Hey.
Don’t talk like that.

BETTIE
(downs hers)
It’s the end of the road, baby.
My label says if I don’t go to rehab,
they’re dropping me.

CASEY
(downs hers)
But you don’t seriously mean --

BETTIE
(pours more)
You don’t know my pain.

CASEY
Well, if we’re playing
‘to tell the truth,’
I’m in a bit of a crisis myself.

They raise their shots.
Nod. SLAM them. CRACK.

BETTIE
Oh, yeah?
Having a hard time
spending all that money?

CASEY
No, that’s easy. It’s --
(beat)
I can’t come up with my next story.
I’m blocked.
(off her look)
It took me a year
to write the first one.
I wrote it longhand during
my lunch hour at work,
carefully crafting it.
Now they want another one
right away, and I can’t --
(beat)
Can you imagine the pressure
after winning the Oscar?

BETTIE
Hey.

CASEY
What.

BETTIE
There’s two of you.

CASEY
Two of me --

BETTIE
Got double vision.
See two of you.
(puts hand over one eye)
One --
(takes it off)
Two.

CASEY
I think that calls
for another drink --

Home Is Where The Heist Is

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In the final chapter of BABY HEISTER, after Jo successfully gets rid of the cops that were searching for her and the gang, Kelsey has a proposition for Simon, which he accepts ...


EXT. MARINA PIER - DAY
A row of boats gently bob in the water.
A SHERIFF’S BOAT slowly cruises by
at the end of the pier.

Across the way, we see a PATROL CAR
slowly cruising the waterfront.

EXT. HOUSEBOAT - DAY
A pair of COPS walk up the gangplank.
One of them KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCKS
on the front door. Sighs.

TIRED COP
I can’t believe we gotta check
EVERY single fucking boat.

BLASE COP
I say they’re long gone.

Tired Cop KNOCK-KNOCKS again.

TIRED COP
Anyone home? It’s the police.

The door FLIES OPEN.
Jo appears, wearing a sexy bathrobe,
holding a tray of freshly-baked cookies.
The cops stare.

JO
Hello, officer.
Sorry it took me a moment.
I was just taking these
cookies out of the oven.
Would you like one?
They’re chocolate chip --
(big smile)
And still warm.

TIRED COP
(takes a couple)
Yeah, sure. Thanks.

BLASE COP
(takes one, bites into it)
You seen anybody suspicious-looking
hangin’ around?

JO
You mean like those bank robbers?

BLASE COP
Yeah.

JO
No, I’m sorry.
I was sure hoping to, though.
(winks)
Gets kinda lonely all alone
here on the boat.
(nudges him)
If you know what I mean.

The cops exchange looks.

BLASE COP
Would you mind if we came in
and took a look around?

Jo reaches down.
Unties her robe.
It falls open.

JO
C’mon in, the water’s wet.

TIRED COP
(to Blase)
On second thought --

BLASE COP
(looks away)
Sorry we bothered you, Ma’am.
Have a good day.

They turn. Start walking away.

JO
Hey, wait a minute.
I’ve got a full liquor cabinet --
(watches them go)
Don’tcha wanna PARTY?

INT. HOUSEBOAT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Jo puts the plate of cookies
on the coffee table in front of the couch.

Walks over to a fake
Persian rug on the floor.

Pulls it aside. Reaches down.
Opens a trap door. Looks down.

JO
They’re gone.

Doc climbs up. Then Kelsey. Then Simon.

DOC
Thank god. Kinda cramped down there.

KELSEY
You baked cookies --

SIMON
(takes one)
Smells great.

Kelsey takes one.
Bites into it.
Looks at them.

DOC
So are you -- okay?
I understand if you’re -- upset.

JO
You probably -- have a lot of questions.
Want to -- talk about it.

She takes another bite. Thinking.

KELSEY
Can we talk later?
Right now I just wanna sleep for a year.
(takes another cookie)
After I have a bunch of these.

DOC
We thought we were doing
the right thing, Kelsey.

JO
We’re really sorry.

KELSEY
(softly)
I know.

DOC
We were hoping maybe
we could start over again.

KELSEY
I’d like that.

She chews some more.
Then, the barest hint of a smile.

KELSEY
So what do think about me and Simon
getting married?
(beat)
Mom? Dad?

Doc and Jo exchange glances.
Then look at her.

SIMON
Kelsey?

KELSEY
C’mon. We’d make a great team.
And we’d all be a family.

He looks at Doc. Speechless.

DOC
You’re on your own, kid.

She finishes her cookie.
Rubs her hands on her hips.

Goes to him.
Puts them on his.

KELSEY
You need to THINK about it?

SIMON
No, no -- I, I -- uh --

KELSEY
Then shut up and kiss me, wheelman.

She leans into him.
He drops his cookie.

They kiss. Softly. Tenderly.
Then more passionately.

Start to go at it,
hot and heavy.
No one else in the world.

Doc and Jo watch. Big smiles.
She taps him on the shoulder. He nods.
They start to leave, as we --

FADE TO BLACK

Mommie Dearest

Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 54 of BABY HEISTER, Kelsey is stunned to discover that her grandmother Jo is actually her mother, just as robbery/homicide Darryl Rooker walks into their houseboat hideout ...


INT. HOUSEBOAT - DAY

Flint suddenly appears in the doorway.
A bloody mess. He GRABS Kelsey.

KELSEY
HEY.

JAMS his gun against her head.

JO
Ducks down behind the couch.
Scampers away.

FLINT
Smiles at Kelsey.

FLINT
Getting a bit nippy out.
your nippies are nice and hard.

DOC
Put the gun down, Flint.
Let’s talk about this.

FLINT
There’s nothing to talk about, old man.
NOBODY crosses me, GOT it?

DOC
You can have the money.
Just let go of her.
Take me instead.

A GUN WITH A SILENCER
appears next to Flint’s head.

JO
Get your hands off
my fucking DAUGHTER.

Reveal JO.
Gripping the weapon.
Quivering with rage.

THWIP. THWIP. THWIP.
Flint’s head EXPLODES.

Kelsey SCREAMS.
His body hits the floor, THWUNK.

She looks at the body. Shudders.
Looks up, eyes bright with tears.

KELSEY
Doc?

DOC
It’s a long story.

KELSEY
Jo?

JO
I was forty.
Still the con artist about town.
Didn’t want to be -- tied down.

DOC
Chelle couldn’t have kids.

JO
We thought it would -- calm them down.

DOC
Didn’t work.
(mumbles to himself)
They were so reckless.

JO
We were going to tell you.
We were just waiting for the right --

DOC
After the funeral -- seemed too soon.
Then we both kept --

JO
Putting it off --

DOC
And here we are.

Kelsey stares at them.
Speechless. In shock.

SIMON
Oh, shit.

DOC
What’s wrong?

SIMON
Asshole must have left a trail
of blood leading right to us.
(off their looks)
I’ll go outside and clean it up.

Darryl Rooker appears in the doorway.
Aiming his gun.

DARRYL
Like following a trail of bread crumbs.
What was that old fairy tail?
(sickly smile)
Doc Hazard. We meet at last.

DOC
I’m tingly all over.

Darryl reaches into his jacket
for his cell phone.

DARRYL
Nobody move a muscle.
I’m gonna call for back up.

Everybody stares while he dials.
Listens. Makes a face.

DARRYL
Godammit. No reception --

KELSEY
(pulls hers out)
Wanna use mine?

He looks at her.
Then the phone.

DARRYL
Yeah. Just don’t try any --

FAST AS LIGHTNING she
SMASHES IT in his face, CRACK.

GRABS his head.
BANGS it against the wall.

And again. And again.
SCREAMS. Lets go.

His body hits the floor, THUMP.
Lights out.

She stares at Doc and Jo.
A tear slides down her cheek.

Float Your Boat

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 53 of BABY HEISTER, Doc, Kelsey, Joe and Simon hole up in a house boat in the marina while the cops start swarm the area searching for them, but just as they catch their breath, they get an unexpected visitor ...


INT. POLICE CRUISER - MOVING - DAY
Costello drives.
Darryl Rooker rides shotgun.

Talks on his cell phone.
Looks REALLY pissed off.

DARRYL
I KNOW he’s not answering
his fucking phone.
Where the fuck IS he?
(listens)
Marina Del Rey?
(listens)
Send as many units as you’ve got.
Then call the Sheriff’s.
(listens)
Copy THAT.

He CLICKS his phone shut.
Looks at Costello.

DARRYL
To the marina, and step on it.

COSTELLO
Think they’re gonna try
and get away in a boat?

DARRYL
Gee, ya think so?

INT. VW BUS - DAY
Simon sits behind the wheel.
Jo sits next to him.

Doc and Kelsey sit in
the back with the money,
which is now a massive amount.

Doc closes the curtains
on the back windows.

DOC
Okay, let’s go.

Simon starts the engine.
Drives out of the parking lot --
just as a trio of SQUAD CARS,
lights FLASHING, sirens BLARING
pass by them, ROAR over to
the truck and SCREECH to a halt.

EXT. MARINA PARKING LOT - DAY
A BEEFY COP opens the back door
to the semi, revealing the Dumpster.

Darryl Rooker looks out his window.
Sees it. Nods.

DARRYL
(to Costello)
Call the Marina Sheriffs.
Have them seal off the channel.

COSTELLO
Yes, sir.
(beat)
But what if they’re already at sea?

DARRYL
Then call the Coast Guard.
Have them stop EVERY BOAT.
I’ll call the FBI.
Have them send some choppers.

EXT. HOUSEBOAT - DAY
An old, wooden, two-story joint
from an era gone by.

It would be kinda quaint if
it didn’t look like
it was falling apart.

But it’s still oddly homey-looking.

INT. HOUSEBOAT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
‘That Seventies Boat.’
All knotty pine.

Curtains drawn.
Stuffed with old furniture.

Hanging plants.
Nautical shit.

Doc, Jo, Kelsey and Simon
walk around, inspecting the joint.

KELSEY
This is so COOL.

DOC
We can hole up here
for good long while.
Zulf stocked the
fridge and the pantry.
We got satellite TV, a full bar.

JO
I’ll do some cleaning
and spruce the place up.
It’ll feel like home.
(smiles at Kelsey)
Kelsey will help me.
Won’t you, hun?

KELSEY
Sure. Of course.

JO
C’mon, let me show you the galley.

KELSEY
Okay. Let me close the door.
(walks toward the door)
It’s starting to get a bit --

FLINT
Appears in the doorway.
bloody mess.

He GRABS Kelsey.

KELSEY
HEY.

JAMS his gun against her head.

JO
Ducks down behind the couch.
Scampers away.

FLINT
Smiles at Kelsey.

FLINT
Getting a bit nippy out.
Bet your nippies
are nice and hard --

Escape Route

Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 52 of BABY HEISTER, Doc, Kelsey, Jo and Simon escape the evil clutches of rogue cop Flint Cole and his henchmen, but then realize their ride isn't big enough to carry the four of them and the bags of money ...


INT. FLINT’S CROWN VIC - MOVING - DAY
The car sits in traffic
waiting for a red light.

DOC
Cut through that gas station.
Then take a right on Ocean Park.

FLINT
Alright, alright --

EXT. LINCOLN AVENUE - CONTINUOUS
The Crown Vic cuts diagonally
through a gas station,
starts heading west.

INT. SEMI TRAILER - DAY
A pile of garbage sits on
one side of the Dumpster truck.
The bags of money on the other.

Simon stands in the front
with a long two-by-four.
Jo, with a length of steel pipe.

And Kelsey, with a piece of glass
tied to a broom handle.

KELSEY
Okay.
This is how we’re gonna do it --

EXT. MARINA PARKING LOT - DAY
Flint’s Crown Vic pulls up
alongside the semi.
He and Doc get out.

Eb climbs down out of the cabin.
Walks over.

EB
How’d it go at the cop shop?

FLINT
Like taking candy from a retard.
Let’s open up the tin can.

They walk over to the truck.
He climbs up the back.

Unlocks the door.
Opens them, revealing --

The Dumpster truck.
Trash on the right.

Money bags on the left.
But no Kelsey, Simon or Jo.

EB
Hey. Where’d they go?

FLINT
Stupid redneck.
They’re hiding in the Dumpster.

KELSEY (O.C.)
We’re not hiding.
We’re resting.

FLINT
(pulls out his gun)
Just as well.
Makes it easier.

DOC
Makes WHAT easier?

FLINT
Did you REALLY think I was
gonna SHARE the money with YOU?
A career CRIMINAL?

DOC
You’re a fucking piece of shit,
you know that?

FLINT
That may be, but I’m a fucking
RICH piece of shit.
(to Eb)
Start unloading the bags into my car.
take care of the Dumpster-divers.

Eb nods. Climbs in.
Grabs a couple of bags.

Kelsey LEAPS up.
JABS her spear into his eye. CRUNCH.

EB
GAAA --

FLINT
FUCK.

Flint SHOOTS at her.
She DIVES back down.

Bullets PING, PING, PING
off the Dumpster.

Doc WHIPS OUT his gun.
SHOOTS Flint in the head. BANG.
He falls over, dead. THUMP.

DOC
Asshole.

Kelsey, Simon and Jo appear.
Climb down out of the truck.

KELSEY
I saw you empty the clip.

DOC
I did.
(beat)
But I still had one in the chamber.
(beat)
Throw ‘em in the Dumpster, quick.
Somebody might’ve heard the gunshots.

Kelsey and Simon pick up Flint.
Carry him up into the truck.

JO
We gotta problem, Doc.
His car ain’t big enough
to carry all the money
and the four of us.

DOC
I know, we gotta find a new ride.

An OLD, YELLOW VW HIPPIE BUS
comes into frame.

Covered in bumper stickers.
Pictures of dolphins.

Driven by the requisite
GREASY STONER DUDE (30’s).
He leans out the window.

GREASY STONER DUDE
You guys hear a gunshot?
I coulda sworn I heard a gunshot.

DOC
Car backfired.
Sorry if we scared you.

GREASY STONER DUDE
Right on.

Jo nudges Doc. Nods at the bus. Doc nods.
Walks over to Stoner’s car window.

DOC
I know this is gonna sound strange,
but I was wondering if we
could swap vehicles.

GREASY STONER DUDE
Huh?

DOC
We wanna go on a camping trip,
and our car just ain’t big enough.

GREASY STONER DUDE
What the fuck are YOU smoking --
and do you got any more?
This is my RIDE, bro. My baby.
She’s taken me to Woodstock,
Bonarroo, Coachella --

Kelsey appears. Holds up
a big wads of banded bills.

KELSEY
Will this take care of it?

GREASY STONER DUDE
(GRABS it)
DUDE, you gotta DEAL.

Leave The Driving To Us

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 51 of BABY HEISTER, rogue cop Flint Cole and master heister Doc Hazard head to the marina with Doc's stash, stolen back from the cops, but get stuck in traffic. Meanwhile, robbery/homicide chief Darryl Rooker, with help from the FBI, track down their location ...


INT. FLINT’S CROWN VIC - MOVING - DAY
Flint Drives.
Cigarette dangling on his lip.

Doc stares out the
passenger-side window.
Sullen.

FLINT
After all this time,
we’re finally partners.
Life sure is strange, huh?

DOC
It’ll be a cold day in Wasilla
when we become partners.

Flint sees his exit.
Hits the turn signal.

Starts making the turn
onto the off-ramp.

DOC
Don’t take Lincoln.
You’ll get stuck in traffic.
Ocean Avenue’s better.

FLINT
This is more direct.
sit back and
leave the driving to us.

EXT. FREEWAY OFF RAMP - LINCOLN AVENUE - DAY
Flint’s Crown Vic
turns off the ramp,
heads south on Lincoln.

Gets immediately caught
in traffic.

IN THE CAR
Doc smiles.
Shakes his head.

DOC
Good one, partner.

FLINT
Shut the fuck up.

DOC
What’s the hurry?
It’s not like we have
twenty million in
the back seat.

Flint glares at him.
His phone RINGS.
He picks up.

FLINT
This is Cole --

INTERCUT WITH:
INT. TASK FORCE HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Darryl Rooker sits at
his desk on the phone.

Costello stands next to him.
Fists clenched.

DARRYL
Any news?
You see them yet?

FLINT
I’m right behind ‘em,
but there’s too much traffic.
onna stay in pursuit until
they get off the freeway.

Darryl turns, looks at --

ANOTHER COP SITTING AT A NEARBY DESK
Wearing headphones, listening
on electronic tracking equipment.

He nods.
Gives a thumbs-up.

DARRYL
Grimaces in the phone.

DARRYL
Okay, just don’t
lose sight of them.

FLINT
You got it.
I’ll call you back
when I get the fuckers.

They both CLICK
their phones shut.

A STERN-LOOKING FBI AGENT
In a sharp suit appears
next to Headphone Cop.

STERN-LOOKING FBI AGENT
We cool?

HEADPHONE COP
Ice-cold.

Darryl comes into frame.
Anxious.

DARRYL
But that wasn’t long enough to --

STERN-LOOKING FBI AGENT
Not with your antiquated
piece-of-shit call-tracing.

But with OUR state-of-the-art
satellite def-jam, we can
triangulate his exact location
through his cell phone.
(to Headphones)
And the winner IS?

HEADPHONE COP
(reading the screen)
They’re on Lincoln Avenue
in Santa Monica,
heading south --
(smiles)
And it looks like
they’re stuck in traffic.

DARRYL
(to Costello)
Send as many units
as we’ve got.
We’re finally gonna
GET this fucker --

Submissive Bitches

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 50 of BABY HEISTER, Kelsey, Jo and Simon look for weapons in the semi they're being held captive in so they can fight their captor and escape. Meanwhile, the cops locate bad cop Flint Cole and master heister Doc Hazard, on their way to the police precinct to steal back Doc's cash ...


EXT. MARINA - PARKING LOT - DAY
The semi is parked
at the far end of a
parking lot near a commercial slip
where large vessels are berthed.

Boats for parties.
Fishing trips.
Whale watching.

Eb gets out of the cab.
Walks over to the rear doors.

Opens them.
Climbs up.
Pulls out his piece.

INT. SEMI TRAILER - CONTINUOUS
Simon climbs out of the
Dumpster truck cab.
Looks at Eb.

SIMON
Hey.
No need to point that at me.
We’re your submissive bitches,
remember?

EB
Jus’ making sure you ain’t
gonna pull no monkey-shines.
Now start takin’ the
money bags outta the dumpster.
They gonna be here soon.

Eb SLAMS the door shut.
The padlock CLICKS.

Kelsey and Jo climb
out of the truck.

KELSEY
Okay.
Let’s get started.

JO
Look for stuff
we can use as weapons.

KELSEY
But Flint said if
we tried anything --

JO
Honey, you don’t know Doc.
Not only IS he
gonna try something,
he’s gonna expect US to.
No way in HELL is he
gonna let them get away
with ONE DOLLAR
of our nest egg.

INT. TASK FORCE HEADQUARTERS - AT THAT MOMENT
Darryl Rooker sits at his desk
talking on the phone.

He SPITS OUT his coffee.
Face turns beet-red.

DARRYL
They WHAT?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. POLICE PRECINCT - OFFICE - DAY
A small, cramped space
filled with police shit.

Piles of file folders.
Plaques and framed
commendations on the walls.

Bald, Black Cop
sits behind his desk.
Glares at Rooker.

BALD, BLACK COP
You heard me.
They fucking SHOT Rodriguez
AND another officer.

DARRYL
And they just -- got away?

BALD, BLACK COP
Yeah.
But one of the officers
ID’d them.

DARRYL
Who the fuck WAS it?

BALD, BLACK COP
You’re never gonna believe it --
DARRYL
Fucking TRY me.

BALD, BLACK COP
Flint Cole -- and Doc Hazard.