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6 Attacked - Riverboat Justice 

EXT. ZIGLER CONCESSIONS - DAY 

Adrian sits on his Harley outside the building near Lora's car. Lora and two others leave the building and go to their separate cars. Lora sees Adrian, pauses, and goes to him.

LORA 
Obviously you have a friend on the 
riverboat. 
Adrian shrugs noncommittally. Lora's body language indicates displeasure.
LORA 
I don't like games. Who are you? 
ADRIAN 
I would really rather not say.
LORA 
I see. Are you working undercover?
ADRIAN 
I'm not with the police, if that's what you 
mean?
LORA 
How can I be sure? I mean.... I'm an 
honest person, I just can't deal with the 
police right now.
ADRIAN 
Suppose we go to a nice public 
restaurant and kind of break the ice.
LORA 
You drive. 
Lora gets on the back of the Harley.
EXT. RESTAURANT PARKING LOT - DAY 

Adrian and Lora ride in on the Harley. A young business type in an expensive car zooms in and parks haphazardly in a handicapped space, without handicapped tags, taking up two spaces, and quickly enters the restaurant. An elderly woman parks and hobbles away from her car, from the far end of the parking lot, toward the entrance. Adrian parks and removes a bumper sticker from his saddle bags and sticks it on the back of the car. It says: MENTALLY HANDICAPPED - Parks In Handicapped Spaces. Lora laughs.

LORA 
He'll just wash it off.
ADRIAN 
It's a space age adhesive. He'll have to 
remove the bumper.
LORA 
I guess you're really not a cop.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY 

Adrian and Lora are seated, having coffee and a donut.

LORA 
(Solemn) 
I know someone who is in deep trouble. 
Desperate trouble. You seem so capable. 
I thought maybe you could help some 
way... I don't know how.
ADRIAN 
Let's talk about it.
LORA 
Look, this isn't a police type matter. If 
the police get involved, it would only 
make matters worse.
ADRIAN 
OK. I won't involve the police.
LORA 
If you aren't the police, then who are 
you?
ADRIAN 
I worked undercover for a branch of the 
military and I stepped on the wrong toes. 
They want me dead, so I protect my 
identity. 
   Now, who are you? Are you working 
for Anthony Caliano?
LORA 
Anthony Caliano is threatening to kill 
this man's wife if he doesn't cooperate... 
Cooperate by doing illegal things for 
him. 
   He wants out. 
ADRIAN 
You're talking about Zigler. Is he 
involved in organized crime?
LORA 
Yes, but he didn't get himself involved. 
He fought with Caliano. Caliano ruined 
his business, then loaned him money to 
get it going again. But the interest is so 
high he can never repay it. Now Caliano 
makes him do whatever he wants him to. 
(Desperate) 
Can you help him.
ADRIAN 
It depends. What part did Zigler play in 
the accident that killed the undercover 
police officer?
LORA 
He had nothing to do with that. Caliano 
took Zigler way out in the country and 
made him walk back nude for not 
discovering the undercover policeman. 
Zig was scared to death Caliano was 
going to make him do something and.... 
he was going to leave the country 
instead of killing the man. But somebody 
else did it.
ADRIAN 
Are Zigler's concessions fronts for 
drugs? 
LORA 
I've told you too much already.
ADRIAN 
You haven't told me anything the police 
don't already know. 
(Beat) 
Look, I think I can arrange some help if 
you're willing to help me.
LORA 
The concessions are all legitimate. All 
Zigler does is launder money. He does 
that by taking money for fake 
concessions. 
   The fake ones are actually Caliano's 
operations, gambling and drugs.
ADRIAN 
Gambling? Can you get me the 
telephone numbers for Caliano's 
bookies.
LORA 
(Nervous) 
I don't know. Why?
ADRIAN 
For good faith. You want something from 
me, you be willing to do something for 
me.
LORA 
I'll try. But no promises. Where can I 
find you?
ADRIAN 
You can't. If you want to see me, be here 
between five and six. I'll see you.
LORA 
Please help us.
INT. NELSON'S GARAGE - NIGHT 

Nelson and Dino are making smoke bombs at a workbench.

NELSON 
Are you sure these smoke bombs 
won't start a fire?
DINO 
Yes. That's the third time you've 
asked - don't you trust me.
The two look at each other, but Nelson says nothing. MOTORCYCLE ENGINE SOUNDS from outside.
DINO 
Look, both the smoke and the tear gas 
bombs are insulated so they can't start a 
fire. 
Adrian enters. Nelson still looks dubious and searches for words. 
NELSON 
I believe you... But you guys make 
these things for wars... people get hurt... 
I'm a cop. I can't let people get hurt.
ADRIAN 
Dino has been trained on those... He 
likes things that go boom. It's kind of 
like dropping a punch line on an 
audience. Big reaction, no pain. 
Adrian picks up one of the bombs and looks it over. 
ADRIAN 
Nice! These aren't standard military 
issue. 
DINO 
They aren't cheap to make, either. 
They're built to Nelson's standards.
NELSON 
What is this contraption over here?
Adrian follows Nelson to a large objecting lying flat on the floor. Adrian pushes a remote control button. A pre-shaped poster with life size stalks of wheat rises from the floor.
NELSON 
That looks very realistic. What's it for?
Adrian pushes another button on the remote. Individual vanes turn on the poster, changing it to a police car. 
ADRIAN 
The rounded edges give it a three 
dimensional appearance. 
NELSON 
You guys are spooky. I'm leaving it to 
you.
Nelson leaves.
DINO 
What did Lora want?
ADRIAN 
Help. Without the police. She's afraid 
Caliano will kill them all if the police 
become involved. She thinks I can do 
something - contrary to someone else 
I know.
DINO 
Lora's counting on you? This is getting 
more and more crazy.
ADRIAN 
So, are you with me or not.
DINO 
Oh, I wouldn't miss seeing this insane 
scheme unfold for anything.
INT. ZIGLER'S BUSINESS - DAY 

Zigler and Lora are sitting in Zigler's office. Andrew and Bobby are standing. Zigler is behind his desk looking disheveled and fearful. Lora is sitting at a table, head bent over with her hands in her hair, and hair mussed. The office furniture and desk implements are out of place. 

LORA 
I'm telling you I haven't talked to 
anyone about anything. Not even my 
room mate.
Bobby angrily sweeps the implements from her table. 
BOBBY 
Boss says this guy, whoever he is, knows 
our movements too well. He has to be 
getting information from inside. We 
think it's you. You got some kind of 
contact with this motorcycle guy.
ANDREW 
You're a gutsy little broad. 
Lora does nothing. Bobby watches her 
for a moment, then pulls her up by the 
hair and twists her arm behind her. Lora 
cries out in pain.
BOBBY 
You're just the type. Now who is this 
guy and what are you telling him?
Zigler rises.
ZIGLER 
Leave her alone! Can't you see she 
doesn't know anything?
Andrew hits him in the stomach backhanded. Zigler folds. Bobby pulls Lora's hand up harder.
BOBBY 
Come on lady. Tell us about it.
LORA 
I don't know. I don't know.
ANDREW 
Who is this guy on the motorcycle who 
rescued you?
LORA 
I don't know. I've never seen him before 
in my life.
ANDREW 
So he just comes out of thin air? 
What's his name?
LORA 
He wouldn't tell me. Maybe he's a cop. 
He wouldn't be the first one, now would 
he?
Andrew stands in front of her for a 
moment. 
ANDREW 
I don't like your attitude, lady. You 
aren't like Zigler, here, you aren't 
broken yet. I can see it in your eyes, you 
got a wild spirit. 
   Well maybe you're talking to someone 
and maybe you're not. But I want you to 
know, we're watching you. 
Andrew nods to Bobby and Bobby turns her loose. Then Andrew helps them straighten themselves up and is all smiles. Bobby picks things up from the floor.

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT 

Lora is sitting in a booth, drinking coffee, checking her watch, waiting. Adrian walks by the window, sees Lora, and checks things out. He enters and sits with Lora.

ADRIAN 
Did you bring the numbers?
LORA 
What is this, hit and run? Are you always 
this abrupt?
Lora passes him a piece of paper.
ADRIAN 
Sorry, I didn't want to presume on your 
time.
LORA 
I don't think I can do this anymore. 
Caliano's men came and told me they 
were watching me. They used a little 
pain for emphasis. They think some guy 
on a motorcycle is getting inside 
information. 
   Are you the guy who is bothering 
them?
ADRIAN 
It doesn't pay to know too much. From 
now on, I'll find you.
LORA 
Are you sure you can help us?
Adrian smiles and waves the numbers.
LORA 
(Smiling, admiring Adrian) 
About my time. Presume a little. I might 
like it.
ADRIAN 
(Smiling in return, admiring her) 
All right then, how about dinner?
LORA 
I'd like that.
ADRIAN 
How did you get hooked up with Zigler? 
LORA 
I was running a concession stand about 
three years ago. He brought me inside. 
Zig's a teddy bear really; wouldn't harm 
a flea. He's night and day from Anthony 
Caliano.
ADRIAN 
How long has Caliano had his hooks 
in Zigler?
LORA 
One year. One year of total, absolute 
Hell. 
   You're the one who's going to help us, 
aren't you? You're the one who stole our 
records. You're going to get Caliano one 
way or another, aren't you?
ADRIAN 
If you're right, you're very perceptive. If 
not, you have a very overactive 
imagination gland.
Lora laughs.
LORA 
You like being a mystery, don't you? 
(Beat) 
I love mysteries. 
INT. NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT 

Adrian and Lora are dancing and laughing. 

DISSOLVE 
Adrian and Lora are dancing a close Latin dance. 
DISSOLVE 
Adrian and Lora are dancing a slow close dance and pause to kiss. 

EXT. LORA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 

Adrian rides up on his motorcycle with Lora on the rear. They get off and walk toward the entrance. Lora stops and they face each other. Her fingers dance up and down his sides. 

LORA 
I had a wonderful time. I hope you need 
information again very soon.
ADRIAN 
You liked the Latin dancing?
LORA 
Hot, hot, hot.
They admire each other for a moment, then kiss - a peck, then passionately.
LORA 
(Teasing) 
Can't come inside. My roommates' in 
there. You should have taken me to your 
place.
ADRIAN 
Can't do that.
LORA 
Well, mystery man. What are you 
going to do about that next time?
ADRIAN 
I'll have a plan.
Adrian winks and smiles at her. Lora plants another kiss on him and walks seductively toward her door. As she moves toward the door, Adrian notices movement between cars. He dives for her and pulls her to the ground just as shots ring out, piercing the door. He kicks the door open, but pulls her into the bushes beside the porch. After a moment, two men dressed in camouflage clothing run in the dark door opening carrying guns. 
ADRIAN 
Quickly, run around the corner of the 
building. I'll pick you up.
Lora runs quickly to the end of the building. Adrian starts his cycle and the two men are immediately out the door. Adrian races zig-zag down the street in a hail of bullets, crouched low, using parked cars for cover. After rounding the corner, he stops and pulls Lora onto the back and races out of there. 

EXT. HIGHWAY AT NELSON'S HOUSE - NIGHT 

Adrian silently coasts up with Lora on 
the back. He stops short. 
LORA 
Caliano is trying to kill me!
ADRIAN 
I don't think that was Caliano's men, 
unless he's using military types. 
   I'm going to check out Nelson's house. 
I'll be right back. You stay here, and 
if I'm not back within half an hour, just 
get out of town.
Adrian sneaks behind the house, using trees for cover. Behind the garage he sees a man looking toward the road with night glasses. Another man crouches behind a fuel tank beside the house. Adrian enters the house through the rear door.

INT. DINO'S BEDROOM 

Adrian enters and wakes Dino, who is sleeping under his bed. Adrian motions him to be silent and follow him, then hands him some clothes. 

ADRIAN 
Is Nelson here?
DINO 
No, he's on the boat.
ADRIAN 
Two military types are between the 
house and garage. While I divert them, 
you get on your cycle and get out of 
here. 
DINO 
Look, let's just run. Save your ass, we 
can get my Harley later.
ADRIAN 
Lora is a few hundred feet up the road, 
so we need both bikes. They fired on us 
outside Lora's apartment.
EXT. NELSON'S HOUSE - NIGHT 

Adrian enters the garage through the side door. After a moment he returns with some equipment and motions for Dino to go in. Adrian fastens a wire to the garage then tosses smoke bombs toward the front. The two men begin searching. The space between the garage and house begin to fill with smoke. The two men cautiously move toward the rear. As they exit the space, Adrian raises the wire making them fall. He tosses a net over them. 

ADRIAN 
Go!
The men fire wildly in the air. Dino starts his Harley and races out of the garage. Adrian runs toward the trees.

EXT. RIVERBOAT - NIGHT 

Two men, BORDEN and another mercenary type in diving gear, dive from a cabin cruiser on the river. They carry transceivers and the men on the cruiser watch through binoculars and let the divers know when it is safe to board. They board the boat from the water and check Adrian's cabin. They wait. 

Adrian and Dino sneak aboard the boat. At a passage corner, Dino waits while Adrian sneaks to their cabin door. He sees the telltale piece of paper on the floor and goes back to Dino. Adrian sees the cruiser anchored on the river. He and Dino go to their prop room in the hold. Adrian takes Dino's remote control and turns the hotbed heater unit on. 

Dino launches the shadow hawk from the upper level, with Adrian watching the monitor and operating the controls from their prop room. They gas the cabin cruiser and watch the men slump down. Adrian glides the plane back to them, brings it to a near hover and Dino catches it in a net. 

Adrian and Dino approach their cabin carrying equipment. They remove their shoes and tiptoe for the last twenty feet. They stand a powerful light on a head height stand in front of the door. Dino stands to one side of the door with the light switch in hand. Adrian crouches down, quickly opens the door slightly, reaches around the frame and turns the lights off. Two bullets immediately pierce the metal door. Adrian kicks the door open and somersaults in. Dino turns on the blindingly powerful light which strobes about every two seconds. Inside Adrian stays low on the floor, close to the wall and furniture, moving when the light is off. He pulls a body bag over one man's head and cinches it below his waste. Borden almost catches him with his gun sight, but Adrian moves. Adrian runs across the hotbed, the STROBE catches him mid-bed. Borden follows. 

SOUNDS OF SLIPPING AND FALLING. After a moment.

BORDEN 
Shit! What is this?
LIGHT STROBES showing Adrian behind Borden, removing his gun from his hand. The lights go on. Adrian handcuffs Borden. Borden tries to raise his feet, but they are stuck to the carpet.
BORDEN 
What the Hell is this on my feet?
ADRIAN 
Your shoes melted on the hotbed. That 
made you slip and fall, and now you are 
stuck to the carpet. 
Dino checks the hotbed temperature. 
DINO 
Did you go across this, Adrian?
Adrian nods.
DINO 
It's at thirteen hundred degrees. How did 
you do it?
EXT. RIVER - NIGHT 

Adrian, in a wet suit, guides a motor boat to the cabin cruiser and boards it. The men on board are in a happy daze. 

ADRIAN 
Hi, guys. It's party time.
MAN 1 
Let's do it.
ADRIAN 
Did you get the guy?
MAN 1 
Not yet.
ADRIAN 
Who are you doing this for?
MAN 1 
Alfredo Burtini.
ADRIAN 
Doesn't he sell weapons?
MAN 1 
Yeah. Lots of them.
ADRIAN 
I would like to talk to him, but I 
lost his number. Do you have it?
MAN 1 
Sure 203-555-1212.
ADRIAN 
Does he ever work for Senator Paulson? 
MAN 1 
All the time. 
ADRIAN 
We're going to play a game now. 
I tie you up, you try to get loose. 
Sound OK?
MAN 1 
Sure, let's do it. 
Adrian pulls the motorboat to within a hundred feet upstream of the riverboat. He waits for the watchman to pass on his twenty minute round, then slips over the side and swims to the riverboat. He releases the starboard entrance rope. He enters his cabin and fastens the end of a rope to the two men and unfastens their leg chains, then swims back while Dino watches the two. Adrian brings the boat to within fifty feet of the riverboat, with the speedboat alongside, and Dino throws him the line, which is attached to the two men. Adrian tugs the two men through the water to the boat. He puts them with the other two men on the cruiser who are now sober but still tied up. 

EXT. RIVERBOAT - DAWN 

Cecillia, dressed in a robe, makes an early morning stroll around the deck. Dino is standing at the rail looking toward the cabin cruiser. 

CECILLIA 
Did you stay on board last night?
DINO 
One of those restless nights. 
Cecillia gives him a puzzled look and walks on. She goes to the pilot house, takes binoculars, and looks closely at the cruiser. She sees the men tied up and recognizes Adrian. She goes back in the pilot house and starts to dial the phone. Dino appears beside her and depresses the disconnect.
DINO 
That could get a lot of innocent people 
hurt.
CECILLIA 
What is going on?
DINO 
Some people you don't want to meet are 
being.... decommissioned.
CECILLIA 
He's not.... killing them?!
DINO 
Adrian wouldn't hurt anyone.
CECILLIA 
Those are arms dealers, aren't they? Or 
drug dealers? Those people wouldn't 
hesitate to sink a boat full of people. The 
police should be involved.
DINO 
(Mad Doctor) 
Vhat? You vant to turn zis boat into vorld 
var tree? Ve can do zis very qvietly vith 
very minor surgery. Vatch and see. 
Cecillia smiles and shakes her head. Dino gives her back the binoculars. 
DINO 
I can say it with y's, too. Yat? You yant 
to turn zis boat into yorld yar tree?"
EXT. CABIN CRUISER - DAY 

The men have come out of their daze and are still restrained. 

ADRIAN 
We have a little problem here. You are 
supposed to kill me for exposing an arms 
deal. But while you were under the spell 
of Dino's special incense, I got all the 
information from you about who you 
work for, who supplies arms, etc. 
That information is now with a friend. 
   So I have something you want and you 
have something I want. Let's make a 
deal. 
MAN 1 
OK, you hold all the cards, what do 
you want?
ADRIAN 
You tell Senator Paulson and Alfredo 
that we're dead; chained to anchors at 
the bottom of the Mississippi. To prove 
it, you give him Dino and my driver's 
licenses. 
  In return, nobody ever finds out what 
boneheads you are, and this letter 
doesn't get mailed. But if anything ever 
happens to us, this letter will be mailed.
BORDEN 
No deal. I came to kill you. I always 
complete my mission.
ADRIAN 
(To other three) 
Deal? 
The other three agree. 
ADRIAN 
(Looks at Borden) 
There's one in every crowd. What do you 
do with someone who is determined to 
kill you? What's his name? 
MAN 2 
Borden.
Borden kicks man 2.
ADRIAN 
You see, Borden, if I turn you over to the 
police, that ruins it for everyone. If I just 
turn you loose you might get lucky and 
hurt me. So, what's it going to be, do I 
have to get nasty?
Borden sneers at him contemptuously.
DISSOLVE 
Three of the men are handcuffed to the 
rail along the side of the craft. Borden is 
at the rear with each hand handcuffed to 
a piece of rope. 
ADRIAN 
Mariners used to keel-haul sailors who 
needed punished. They would pass him 
under the ship, dragging him against the 
barnacles on the bottom. Sometimes he 
bled to death. Sometimes he drowned. 
Never knew how it was going to turn out. 
   I think attempted murder by an 
unrepentant killer demands something 
like being keel-hauled.
Adrian pushes Borden overboard, followed by an anchor which is chained to the guys feet. He disappears under water. Adrian pushes the cruiser throttle forward. Borden's head pops out of the water and he coughs and spits and catches his breath.
ADRIAN 
You going to track me down and kill me? 
BORDEN 
Yes! 
Adrian backs down on the throttle and Borden's head goes underwater. He watches his watch, then pulls the guy up. 
ADRIAN 
Change your mind?
BORDEN 
No!
ADRIAN 
I didn't think you would. But if you ever 
consider coming after me, remember 
what I can do to you. 
Adrian increases the throttle and locks the wheel to take the boat in a circle. He drops the keys at the rear of the boat. 
ADRIAN 
It's up to you guys now. You want him, 
you save him. 
Adrian jumps into the other boat and heads for shore. 

EXT. RIVERBOAT - DAY 

Cecillia and Dino are standing on deck watching the cabin cruiser pull away as Adrian walks toward them.

DINO 
He went under twice before he finally 
pulled himself up the chain to the cruiser. 
I think you made a friend for life.
ADRIAN 
There's just no working with some 
people. 
CECILLIA 
(Cynical) 
That was a nice performance. Just what 
did it accomplish?
ADRIAN 
We're officially dead to the arms 
dealers. They saved face.
CECILLIA 
That's great, no arms dealers now, just 
the mob. Life is sweet.
Cecillia walks away shaking her head.

EXT. PHONE BOOTH - NIGHT 

Adrian dials a number.

VOICE (V.O.) 
Central Intelligence Agency. 
ADRIAN 
3319 please.
ROBERTS (V.O.) 
Agent Roberts.
ADRIAN 
This is Adrian. 
ROBERTS (V.O.) 
Adrian! Where have you been, we've 
had agents combing half the country for 
you.
ADRIAN 
St. Louis. Undercover. The Arms 
Dealers found us. All but one has been 
neutralized - I'm officially dead in their 
book. 
ROBERTS (V.O.) 
Good for you. Were you able to get us 
any information about who runs them?
ADRIAN 
Yes, I have names and telephone 
numbers for you, Senator Paulson 
among them.
ROBERTS 
Paulson? My God. Well, we suspected.
ADRIAN 
Let me give you the numbers, then I 
want out of this. I'm on an assignment to 
get a mobster out of St. Louis, and that's 
all I can handle.
ROBERTS (V.O.) 
The mob? Do you ever do anything 
easy? 
   All right, fax us your report and we're 
with you. Thanks for your help, Adrian, 
and good luck.
Adrian dials another number.
LORA (V.O.) 
Hello.
ADRIAN 
Still find me intriguing?
LORA (V.O.) 
Yeah, whatever. 
ADRIAN 
What's wrong?
LORA (V.O.) 
Look, you're too hot to handle. I was 
scared to death just getting you 
numbers. 
   But arms dealers? I don't have a death 
wish. I'm out of it.
ADRIAN 
I never said it would be easy. Look, the 
arms dealers are gone. 
LORA (V.O.) 
Zig and I... we're just regular people. 
This isn't a game to us. I can't eat, I 
can't sleep... 
I see now what these people can do.
ADRIAN 
You've got to hang in there. I'll need you 
later.
LORA (V.O.) 
I feel sick. Good-bye.
CLICK as Lora hangs up. Adrian looks at the phone and sighs, then hangs it up.
 

Next: 7, Boiling

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