Movie Critiques
Resources
Top 20 Problems
Human Condition
Advanced
What Kind World?
Read for Fun
Home Page
Reference Shelf
Story Ideas
Mission
Notices
-->
7 Boiling - Riverboat Justice 

EXT. CALIANO'S ESTATE - NIGHT 

Adrian and Dino walk alongside the estate side walls. They both wear back packs and gas masks. Using a grappling hook, they scale the wall and enter the grounds. They soon hear dogs barking at them and string a net between two trees, waiting in back of the net. The two dogs rush them but are stopped short by the net. They pull the rear part of the net forward, trapping the dogs. Adrian injects them with a sedative, then wraps them in the net. 

The guards, MARSHALL and PHILIP, are approaching by this time with flashlights. Adrian moves toward the guards and begins dropping smoke and tear gas bombs. Dino circles toward the gate house and drops more tear gas bombs. 

MARSHALL 
It's a fire!
The guards run for the gate house and phone the fire department. 

Adrian and Dino approach the house, then throw smoke bombs through the windows. Soon smoke is pouring from the windows. Caliano, Andrew, and two tough looking men (motorcycle riders) vacate the house and meet with the two guards at the gate, dressed in their night clothes or hastily pulled on slacks.

CALIANO 
What the Hell is going on?
MARSHALL 
I don't know. With this smoke in my 
eyes, I can't see a thing. 
ANDREW 
I think it's some kind of hazardous waste 
fumes. Maybe a truck overturned. 
CALIANO 
Does hazardous waste come flying 
through your windows?
MARSHALL 
I didn't hear an explosion.
PHILIP 
Whatever it is, it got the dogs.
MARSHALL 
The fire department is on it's way.
CALIANO 
All right, everybody just stay put and 
keep your eyes open.
SIREN in the background and FLASHING LIGHTS precede the arrival of the fire trucks. The trucks enter the gate and proceed to the house. Two firemen, and the firemen TODD and PAUL, survey the scene.
FIREMAN 1 
It looks like the smoke comes from the 
house and drifts across the yard.
FIREMAN 2 
Todd, Paul, go in and make a survey. 
Watch out for any kind of chemicals. 
This doesn't look like an ordinary fire.
TODD 
This is Anthony Caliano's place. He 
probably accidentally dropped too many 
people into his acid vat.
Todd and Paul enter the house with hoses spraying mist in front them. Dino, dressed as a fireman, sneaks into the side basement entrance. He quickly locates a security control panel marked "SECURITY ALARM." He removes the box face, clips leads and puts a device in series with it. He then exits into the shadows. 

Adrian enters the garage, dressed as a fireman. He goes to each motorcycle and empties a bottle of powder into each gas tank. He opens the limo rear door and puts a device under the seat. As he starts to leave, he hears voices approaching (ad lib). He gets in the back seat of the limo and pulls the door partly closed. Andrew and a motorcycle rider enter and look around with flashlights. While they are looking around, he exits the limo on the other side, holding the light button in on the door to prevent the light from coming on. 

MOTORCYCLE RIDER 
The bikes look OK. I'll tell Caliano. He's 
nervous as a cat.
ANDREW 
I'll stay on guard here.
The motorcycle rider leaves. Andrew notices the door on the limo is cracked open. He goes to investigate. Adrian sneaks to the garage door in a crouched position, then stands, facing Andrew. 
ADRIAN 
Any smoke or fire in here?
ANDREW 
It seems OK.
Adrian goes to the rear wall and feels it.
ADRIAN 
The wall is cool, but you had better stand 
outside. It's not safe to be anywhere 
inside a house if there's a fire.
Andrew begins walking out as he speaks.
ANDREW 
Some fire. I haven't seen a flame 
anywhere. Just makes my eyes burn.
ADRIAN 
Could be trash burning next door. If 
there's plastic in it, the fumes are 
poisonous. Could be fatal. 
ANDREW 
Shit.
ADRIAN 
You should head for fresh air.
As Andrew heads back for Caliano, Adrian waits for a moment, then disappears into the shadows. He and Dino meet at the wall where they came in, and go out the same way. 

SHOT: Borden watching the activity inside the estate through binoculars, from atop his car. He shuts the gas valve on both of their Harleys and leaves.

EXT. OUTSIDE OF CALIANO'S ESTATE 

Adrian and Dino try to start their Harleys. They won't start. Hurriedly they try to push them away from the area. Adrian reaches down and checks the gas valve. He reaches over and turns Dino's valve. Andrew and Bobby leave the estate gates in a car and are on them almost instantly. They pass closely by Adrian and he shoves his Harley over into their car, blocking the driver's door. 

ADRIAN 
Go!
Dino starts his bike while Adrian picks his up. Andrew exits the car and comes toward Dino. Dino does a wheely over him, escaping. As Adrian gets on his Harley, Bobby pulls him off. Both men get on him and hold him down. Caliano comes toward them.
CALIANO 
Well, well, well. We've caught us a real 
bad ass. What do you say now Mr... 
(Beat) 
Bobby, check his pockets and see who 
he is.
Bobby checks Adrian's pockets and finds nothing. Bobby shrugs to Caliano.
CALIANO 
Take him to the basement and beat him 
until he talks. Then shoot him. 
(Beat. Smiles at Adrian) 
Have a nice day, Mr. Nobody.
Caliano walks back into the estate. Bobby takes Adrian's belt and ties Adrian's hands behind his back while Andrew gets in the car. Bobby puts Adrian in the back seat of their car. Bobby gets in the front seat with Andrew and the car goes down the street to the corner to turn around. Adrian, laying down in the back seat, has already gotten the belt off his hands. At the corner, he kicks open the door and pretends to exit, but gets on the car floor. Andrew and Bobby exit the car in pursuit of Adrian. While their paths meet behind the car, Adrian jumps over the seat, puts the car in gear and races back for his Harley. Andrew and Bobby shoot the windows out as the car speeds away. Then Bobby angrily throws his pistol onto the pavement. 
BOBBY 
Pick it up and shoot me. Get it over with 
now, so I won't have to suffer.
ANDREW 
Then who will shoot me? 
Bobby walks away and Andrew watches him go. As Adrian passes the estate gate, two guys on motorcycles pursue. They go a mile when their engines seize.

INT. TELEPHONE SWITCHING STATION - NIGHT 

Dino is sitting in front of a solid state telephone switching panel with a set of headphones which is plugged into a numeric display on the panel, and has a telephone handset in his hand. TELEPHONE RINGING SOUND. Dino checks the number on the numeric display and plugs in his telephone handset.

DINO 
Go ahead.
Dino records the numbers on a pad as Benny dictates.
BENNY (V.O.) 
Cardinals by one. Orioles by two. 
Sox by one. Yankees by two.
DINO 
Got it.
Dino presses disconnect on the handset, then dials. 
RING.
BOOKIE (V.O.) 
Go ahead.
DINO 
(Voice like Benny) 
Cardinals by two. Orioles by two. 
Indians by one. Yankees by one.
BOOKIE (V.O.) 
Got it.
Dino smiles and presses disconnect on the handset.
DINO 
Boom! You sure did.
INT. CALIANO'S RECREATION ROOM - NIGHT 

Caliano is relaxing and watching the wrap up of the Cardinals game on television, drinking a beer. Grandfather clock says 11:05. TELEPHONE RINGS. Caliano gets up from the couch to answer the phone, leaving the Cardinals game wrap up, complaining as he goes (ad lib).

CALIANO 
Hello.
BOOKIE 
Boss, you gotta get down here quick. We 
got problems.
CALIANO 
Like what?
BOOKIE 
Things have been running against the 
odds all day. Now tonight, every game is 
losing big. I think we've been screwed 
over. 
CALIANO 
How?
BOOKIE 
Who knows? But I've got to pay off all 
these bets, and I can't come close to 
covering them. Money is supposed to go 
the other way.
CALIANO 
How much?
BOOKIE 
So far, looks like a Hundred and twenty 
five thousand.
Caliano drops the phone. He picks it back up.
CALIANO 
(Yelling) 
Now listen to me, you ignorant... 
ignorant... Somebody down there is pulling a scam. 
I'm going to be down there all right, and 
I'm going to take the place apart. I'm not 
coughing up a hundred twenty grand. If it 
comes out of anyone's pocket, it's going 
to be yours. Now you get with the other 
two guys and figure out what is 
happening.
BOOKIE 
Boss, I gotta cover these bets! 
Caliano throws the phone at the wall. Cardinals baseball is still on. 
CALIANO 
Baseball! Idiotic game!
He throws a vase at the TV, breaking the tube. He goes to his bar and pours himself a double, and more. He is about to drink it, pauses, reflects a moment, then grows doubly angry.
CALIANO 
The guy on the motorcycle! He's the 
one! 
He kicks the bar, hurting his foot. He kicks it with the other foot, and hurts it, too. He calmly takes his drink from the bar, hobbling around, and sits it on an end table. Then, raging, he vents his anger on the bar, first upsetting the bar, sending glasses and bottles everywhere. He takes the bottles and throws them with all his might at the bar, one by one, breaking them and the bar. When he is finished, he takes his drink, sits and sips it, and lights a cigar while muttering to himself.
CALIANO 
(Muttering) 
Motorcycle man, you're dead. You're 
more than dead. I'm going to make you 
beg to die. I'm going to pull your teeth 
out. I'm going to strangle you. I'm going 
to shoot you so full of holes the fish in 
the Mississippi will swim in and out of 
them. 
   I'm going to take my time and enjoy 
making each one while you beg for 
death. 
   Then before you die, I'm putting cement 
shoes on you and I'm going to hold your 
head under water and watch you fight for 
air.
Caliano picks up the phone and calls Andrew. 
ANDREW (V.O.) 
Yeah.
CALIANO 
Do you still have that plate number?
ANDREW (V.O.) 
Yeah, boss, but you know the address 
was fake.
CALIANO 
Put the word out on the street. Five 
Thousand dollar reward for bringing me 
this plate. We're going to find this guy no 
matter what it takes.
INT. RESTAURANT TELEPHONE AREA - NIGHT 
Adrian dials the phone. It rings.
LORA (V.O.) 
Hello.
ADRIAN 
It's me.
LORA (V.O.) 
Don't call me. Caliano might find out. 
What the Hell have you done, anyway? 
Caliano's mad as Hell, one of his men 
disappeared and another looks like he 
tangled with a bear. He came through 
here in a rage.
ADRIAN 
I didn't touch his men. 
LORA (V.O.) 
(Laughs) 
You don't have to touch anyone. You 
just get close and everything is 
disrupted. 
A WOMAN steps up to the next phone and fishes in her purse for a number. Overhears conversation.
ADRIAN 
Meet me for dinner?
LORA (V.O.) 
Hah! No way. And don't call me.
CLICK, as Lora hangs up. Adrian smiles and speaks to the woman at the next phone.
ADRIAN 
She laughed. That's progress.
The woman shakes her head.

INT. DINING ROOM OF CALIANO'S TOWNHOUSE - DAY 

Caliano is talking on the phone. He is distraught. His accent is more Italian and less business.

CALIANO 
Leo, I need some advice.
LEO (V.O.) 
What's going on, Anthony? This I gotta' 
hear, you never asked for advice long as 
I've known you.
CALIANO 
Hey, Leo, it's nothing I can't handle. It's 
just sometimes two heads are better than 
one. You know what I mean.
LEO (V.O.) 
Yeah. Something's got you rattled, that's 
what you mean.
CALIANO 
I'm OK. Look, I've got this shadow 
keeps following me around. He's smart. 
Knows just where to find me and how to 
shake my men. Never hurts anyone, just 
like a mosquito. 
LEO (V.O.) 
So ignore him. If he hasn't hurt you, he 
isn't going to.
CALIANO 
He wrecked my estate house, cost my 
bookies a Hundred grand in payoffs, and 
I've spent a fortune in car repairs.
Leo laughs heartily and Caliano burns.
LEO (V.O.) 
So what have you done about it?
CALIANO 
I had him once, but he got away. I'm 
looking for his license plate on the 
streets. But until then...
LEO 
He's got you on the run. 
(Laughs)
CALIANO 
Nah, Nah.
LEO 
Look, Anthony, you operate all by 
yourself down there in St. Louis and you 
never let anyone around. We're family. 
Let me send some guys down to help. I 
got specialists.
CALIANO 
I didn't call for a sales pitch. I do you 
enough favors.
LEO 
Yeah, but you're getting a reputation as 
a loner - you're not a team player. I can 
scrape together an army if you need 
them. 
   What do you need? 
CALIANO 
I may need some bikers. Some good 
bikers. That is, if I can't get this guy stopped. 
What do you think I ought to do?
LEO 
All right. You're letting this guy get the 
best of you. He can't keep up a 
campaign of terror forever. Best thing to 
do is get completely out of town, take a 
vacation, relax, let the guy run out of 
steam.
Realization shows on Caliano's face.
EXT. ZIGLER'S BUSINESS - DAY 

Adrian watches as Lora leaves Zigler's business, gets in her car and drives away. He waits a few moments, then follows. At the first stop light, he pulls up beside her, taps on her window and smiles at her. She rolls down her window with a fearful look on her face. 

ADRIAN 
It's OK, no one followed you. 
Lora shakes her head and looks disgusted.
ADRIAN 
Park in that grocery parking lot over 
there, hop on the back, and we'll have 
dinner. 
LORA 
If you're wanting more help, the answer 
is no.
Adrian shakes his head. Lora has a pained expression, but does as Adrian asked. 

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT 

Adrian and Lora are in a private booth in a nice restaurant. Their food has been served and they are beginning to eat. Lora is straight faced and distant, picking at her food.

ADRIAN 
When I was a boy, my dad got me 
interested in motorcycles. He was a 
motorcycle cop. He had a friend who was 
also a motorcycle cop and he had a son 
the same age. We used to ride in 
contests every weekend. Every evening 
we would compete with each other. 
Adrian sees Lora remains distant and tries to get her into the conversation. 
ADRIAN 
Do you like motorcycles?
Lora barely answers with a shrug.
ADRIAN 
What do you like?
Lora smiles weakly. 
LORA 
Safety. That's the first thing. What if one 
of Caliano's men comes looking for me 
at home and wants to know where I've 
been. 
ADRIAN 
Shopping. It's Friday evening and you 
have your paycheck. After dinner, we'll 
go buy you a nice blouse so you can 
prove it.
Lora shifts and sighs. The conversation lags. Adrian picks it up.
ADRIAN 
So, I took up doing stunts. Motorcycle 
stunts. I worked with a daredevil all one 
summer. I was going to go to Hollywood 
and become a motorcycle stunt man. 
Lora doesn't respond. The moment hangs again.
ADRIAN 
But... I didn't. The next thing that came 
along was magic. I had this magic show 
in college. I guess I did all the boy things 
and I never grew up. 
   Look, I'm telling you everything about 
myself.... It takes two to communicate. 
LORA 
You can lead a horse to water...
ADRIAN 
Uh, you were the one who came to me 
and asked for help, remember. And we 
kind of had something going... I think.
Lora smiles slightly. Adrian is encouraged and continues.
ADRIAN 
I assume you still want Caliano off your 
back, and off Zigler's?
Lora turns serious again.
LORA 
I'm scared to death you're going to ask 
me to do something dangerous and 
Caliano will catch me. That's it, long and 
short.
ADRIAN 
Do you think within the next five years 
Caliano is not going to terrorize you or 
maybe hurt you? That's what he does to 
people; That's how he gets them to work 
for him. Is that what you want to look 
forward to?
Lora shakes her head no. Adrian moves closer. 
DISSOLVE 
MEDIUM SHOT, RESTAURANT BACKGROUND SOUND ONLY. Adrian and Lora are finishing dinner and the waiter is serving another beverage. Lora is smiling and chatting with Adrian and the waiter. The waiter leaves.
LORA 
I think I'm feeling better.
ADRIAN 
I think you need a couple of days out of 
town. How about we go over to Lake Of 
The Ozarks, maybe explore some caves?
LORA 
Unnnnh. I don't think so. We might be 
found out.
ADRIAN 
Do you have a sister, mother, uncle, 
anyone who lives out of town?
LORA 
Sure.
ADRIAN 
Ready made excuse. Go home with your 
new blouse and tell your roomy you're 
going to visit for the weekend. Easy as 
that.
LORA 
(Laughs) 
You're something. OK, let's do it. 
Besides, Caliano has left town. His 
goons aren't going to do much with him 
gone. 
ADRIAN 
Out of town? Where?
LORA 
Word is, he's on vacation.
ADRIAN 
He'll be back. I'll see to that.
INT. TELEPHONE SWITCHING STATION - DAY 

Dino is sitting at an electronic switch bank with a set of headphones on and holding a handset. He hears the call come through to the bookies. RING sound over headphone.

BOOKIE 
Hello.
BENNIE 
Steadfast 7 to 1. Makeway 5 to 1 
Lonely Dancer 2 to 1. Freight Train 3 to 
1.
BOOKIE 
Got em.
CLICK. Dino watches a display for numbers. He sees a correct one being dialed and plugs in his handset. Handset: RING.
DINO 
(Imitating Benny) 
Bennie.
BOOKIE 
Here's the odds back at you. 
Steadfast 7 to 1. Makeway 5 to 1 -
DINO 
Hold it. They're wrong.
BOOKIE 
You know, I didn't think that guy 
sounded like you.
DINO 
Steadfast 4 to 1. Makeway 7 to 1 
Lonely Dancer 3 to 1. Freight Train 2 to 1.
CLICK. Dino laughs to himself.

INT. NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, ROUGH AREA - NIGHT 

Adrian is sitting at a table drinking wine, alone. The bar is in a low income type area. He is dressed in flashy type clothing indicative of new money. He watches the door and checks his watch like he is expecting someone. The bar has few patrons, but two men sit at a table, talking. Dino enters the bar dressed like a construction laborer. Adrian pretends not to see him. Dino looks around for a moment, then spots Adrian. He draws a pistol and rushes over to him. 

DINO 
You son of a bitch! I'm gonna' kill you! 
Dino points the gun at Adrian's head, a few inches from it. Adrian leans back, eyes wide, taken by surprise. Everyone in the bar is watching.
ADRIAN 
Hey, wait! What is this? I didn't do 
anything. What's wrong with you?
DINO 
You killed my daughter!
ADRIAN 
That's impossible! I've never hurt 
anyone! 
DINO 
You're the one sold her drugs.
Dino moves the gun closer. Adrian leans farther back.
ADRIAN 
I don't sell drugs. 
DINO 
You sell 'em. Take me to Caliano! I'm 
gonna kill all you god damned drug 
dealers. 
ADRIAN 
I don't know any Caliano. I'm telling you, 
I don't sell drugs; you gotta' believe me. 
I'm sorry if your daughter O.D'ed on 
drugs, but I didn't do it.
DINO 
She didn't overdose. The drugs are 
poisoned. It's all over town how people 
are dying from poison drugs from 
Anthony Caliano. AND YOU'RE 
GONNA' DIE!
Dino thrusts the barrel closer to Adrian's forehead. Adrian leans farther back and his chair falls backward. Dino moves toward him and Adrian trips him with his leg. They scuffle a moment and the gun goes off. Adrian runs outside, revealing Dino with a bleeding wound in his side. Dino gets to his feet, wincing and holding his side, then chases after Adrian. 

The TWO MEN sitting at a table look at each other and one nods toward the phone. The other goes to the phone and calls.

BUDDY 
Ron, this is Buddy. Get you're drugs off 
the street, right now, don't sell anymore. 
(Beat for response) 
I don't care! We're not gonna' be up for 
murder. Caliano's drugs are poisoned. 
They're going back.
EXT. SWIMMING POOL AT SWANKY HOTEL - DAY 

Caliano is sitting beside the pool sleeping and watching women in bikinis walk past. He finishes his drink, sits up looking refreshed and smiling. He picks up a portable phone and dials. 

ANDREW (V.O.) 
(Strained) 
Yeah.
CALIANO 
This is Anthony. How are things going 
Andrew.
ANDREW (V.O.) 
(Panic) 
Boss! I've been trying to reach you all 
morning. Get on a plane and get back 
here, now! All Hell has broken loose.
CALIANO 
What? What?
ANDREW (V.O.) 
Last night the odds were off again! 
Another hundred grand! But today's 
even worse. Every drug dealer in town is 
calling wanting his money back. Word on 
the street is your drugs are poisoned.
CALIANO 
I'm coming Andrew! And the first person 
I'm going to kill is you!
Two women in bikinis overhear and step quickly away.
ANDREW (V.O.) 
Yeah! Find me!
CLICK. Caliano dials again.
JOEY (V.O.) 
Joey.
CALIANO 
Joey, get me on the next flight back. 
Meet me at the airport. Bring Julio. If 
you see Andrew, handcuff him to the 
basement!
Caliano throws the phone into the pool, kicks his chair in, then purposely pushes the two women in bikinis into the pool and leaves. 

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - DAY 

Lora is driving down the street, returning from work. Adrian is sitting on his motorcycle along an empty curb. Lora sees him as she comes near and he waves her to the curb. She pulls over. 

LORA 
What have you been up to, you bad boy? 
Adrian smiles. 
LORA 
Zigler says something very big has 
happened. He doesn't know what. No 
drug money came in today, and two of 
Caliano's goons came in and took every 
penny they could get their hands on. 
They even took the cash from my purse. 
I'm broke.
Adrian laughs. He leans in the window and gives her a kiss.

INT. RESTAURANT - DAY 

Lora and Adrian are having lunch.

LORA 
Why are you doing this for us? Is it 
because of your father?
ADRIAN 
Partly. My mother died, of cancer, when 
I was sixteen. She made me promise two 
things. She wanted me to always help 
other people. She said that was as 
important as anything I could want for 
myself.
LORA 
You work very hard at it. What was the 
other promise?
ADRIAN 
She said she was the only female in the 
family, so why should she stick around 
and be a minority?
Beat. Lora looks puzzled.
ADRIAN 
She wanted me to always keep a sense 
of humor. 
   Want to push Caliano over the edge? 
LORA 
God, no. I'm scared to death.
ADRIAN 
I need Zigler to call Caliano and tell him 
the business is going down the tubes.
LORA 
Uh, uh. I'm not crossing Caliano.
ADRIAN 
I know, it's dangerous. But talk to Zigler, 
OK?
LORA 
(Hesitant) 
I'll see. No promises. I've got to go. 
Adrian winks at her. She suppresses a smile and walks away.

Next: 8 Vulnerable

Other distribution restrictions: None

Main Page
Page URL:  http://www.visualwriter.com/RivJust/7boiling.htm