THE RACKETEERS

by

Ilanna Sharon Mandel

WGA Registration #1232357

1
EXT. LA POLICE STATION – DAY

TWO VERY SCRUFFY MEN (30’S) are standing outside the police
station. One of them, DARREN is smoking and the other, MARK
is looking around as if he expects to be arrested.

DARREN
I’m telling you this can’t miss!
Police need guys like us.

MARK
Guys like us? Unemployed guys on welfare?

DARREN
Stop being such a wuss! Shit man, you’re scared
of your own piss. Just follow my lead.

MARK
I am not. And, the last time I followed you anywhere
I spent the night sleeping on a log in a wet park
with a dog licking me.

DARREN
(laughs)
Yup, and it’s the best you’d had in a long time.

MARK
Shut up!

DARREN
You shut up, or you’re out of this whole thing.

MARK
(begrudgingly)
Promise?

Darren grabs Mark by the sleeve and drags him up the stairs
and they disappear into the station.

INT. POLICE STATION – A FEW MOMENTS LATER

Darren and Mark are standing AT THE COUNTER. A FEMALE

POLICE OFFICER (late 40’s) is listening to their story and
rolling her eyes.

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 POLICE OFFICER
(shouts out)
Frazee, this one is for you!

SEVERAL OF THE PEOPLE STANDING AROUND hear Frazee’s name

called and laugh either to themselves or openly. SARGEANT
FRAZEE (50’S) walks out of his office. He is a large
fellow, overweight and somewhat slovenly in appearance.
He’s carrying A CUP OF COFFEE which spills onto the floor
as he walks. This elicits more laughs.

FRAZEE
What have we got here?
(points to Darren and Mark)

OFFICER
Oh, this one’s for you, Frazee!
Definitely.

Frazee and the officer exchange dirty looks. There is still

snickering around the squad room. Frazee looks at Darren
and Mark, shakes his head and gestures towards the officer
then Darren and Mark.

FRAZEE
Thanks a lot, Sheehan. Okay, you two
clowns come with me.

Darren and Mark shuffle after Frazee who is obviously

annoyed at having to deal with them. He leads them into his
small office which is messy and cluttered. He pushes a few
papers around on his desk and makes a small space for a pad
and pen. He sits down and motions for them to sit down in
two chairs opposite him.

FRAZEE
(obviously annoyed)
Okay, what’s the scam? Whadda you two want?
Maybe you can fool the officer out there
but I’ve been in the force for 25 years, and
I don’t take no shit. So, what’s the deal with you two?

DARREN
(looking offended)
No scam, officer. We’re gonna be up front about

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 Everything', I can assure you. But uh…25 years in the
force?
That’s a long time man. How come you still a sergeant and
no one made you a Dick?

FRAZEE
(flushes a little – shows embarrassment)
What’s it to you shithead? (beat) Anyway, uh…
what do you want? I got work to do.

Darren and Mark shift around in their seats a bit. They’re

obviously nervous but they try to appear confident.

DARREN
Well, sergeant, the thing is we may not be
the best people in the world, but we’re honest.
And, lately it’s come to our attention that we got
a drug dealer operating in our immediate neighborhood.

FRAZEE
Drug dealer, huh?

DARREN
That’s right, sir. Ain’t that right, Mark?

MARK
Yup, that’s right. (beat) Drug dealers,
and nasty buggers too.

Frazee sits back in his chair, crosses his arms over his
chest. He shakes his head and it’s obvious he doesn’t
believe anything he hears.

FRAZEE
You got drug dealers, call the cops.

MARK
You are the cops.

FRAZEE
I mean, why’d you come all the way down here?
Call 911 you goof-heads. Now, get out of here.
I told you, I got work to do.

DARREN
Sargeant, if you’ll just give us a few minutes? Please?

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 FRAZEE
What the hell? Okay – go.
DARREN
Thing is, this dealer’s using kids.
He’s not just selling drugs, if you know what mean.

Frazee sits up. He’s obviously very interested now.

FRAZEE
You’re sayin’ he’s got a porn ring with kids?

DARREN
I guess that’s what you could call it, sir.
I know the kids sell the drugs for him, cause I seen
them running around the streets. Hell, I mean heck,
they tried to sell ‘em to me.
Tell him Mark.
(He nudges Mark with his elbow).

MARK
Oh, yeah (beat), he uh…(beat) he’s got
kids doing his dirty work. Poor kids too.

DARREN
He’s just takin’ advantage of them, but I think
we can help. That is, if the police want us to.

FRAZEE
What can you do?

DARREN
We’ll be informers for you. Watch this guy night and day.
We’ll get all the proof you need to put him away.
And, if I may say so sergeant, if we do this together
then it’s a feather in your cap. Right?
Detective Frazee sounds good, don’t you think?

FRAZEE
(softly as if to himself)
Yeah, right. Hmmmm. Kids in a drug ring, huh?

DARREN
Like my good friend Mark said, it’s nasty doing
that to kids – they’re innocent in all this.
He’s just abusing them. We wanna help.
And, if you use us, you don’t have no expensive
Surveillance. Plus, you get the credit.

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 FRAZEE
Yeah? And, what’s in this for you boys?

DARREN
Maybe a little help with some unfortunate financial debts?

MARK
Yeah, not much. I mean, we ain’t looking’
to get rich or nothin’.

FRAZEE
(sarcastically)
Course not. (beat)
(quietly)
Okay, but if we do this, it’s on the Q.T.
It would have to be my sting. Capiche?

DARREN
Yeah, Sargeant, we capiche.
(he smiles and shows a mouthful of bad teeth)

Frazee shows Darren and Mark out of his office and closes
the door. From behind the door, we can hear him saying to
himself.

FRAZEE
Detective Frazee. I like the sound of that.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

EXT. EVENING – SEEDY NEIGHBORHOOD IN L.A.

Darren and Mark are just hanging around. It’s dusk and the
streets are pretty quiet. We hear a couple arguing in the
background but we don’t see them.

MARK
Don’t you think we laid it on a little thick?
I mean kiddie porn?

DARREN
(laughs)
What the hell? This stupid idiot is from England.
He don’t know nothin’. By the time the cops

6
 get through with him; he’ll be some guys’
little girlfriend in the joint.

MARK
(shivers a bit)
Think so? Really?

DARREN
Mark, shut up! You’re worse than a chick.
Course it happens – better him than us, right?

Mark nods his head up and down but he’s obviously not
completely on board ‘with the plan’.

MARK
(shivers with disgust)
Shit! Some guy’s girlfriend! That ain’t no life.

DARREN
(whispering)
Shut up! There he is.

Darren points to a TALL, GANGLY MAN. THIS IS ANTHONY. He’s

in his forties, carrying a beer in one hand and a cigarette
in the other. He’s on foot and as soon as he turns his back
Darren and Mark head after him.

EXT. STREETS OF LA – CONTINUOUS

In a series of very brief vignettes, Darren and Mark trail

Anthony around various places in their neighborhood. He
heads to a fast food place to get something to eat, walks
around a bit. Finally they see him giving a small envelope
to a YOUNG KID ABOUT 13 OR 14. The kid takes the envelope
and gives Anthony money in exchange.

Once the exchange is complete, the kid runs off and Anthony
looks around to make sure all is ok. He happens to see
Darren and Mark staring at him. He gets suspicious and
walks away. Darren and Mark follow.

Anthony is ahead of Darren and Mark by about half a block.

He’s very aware now that they’re following him. He starts
to get nervous and picks up the pace. Darren and Mark keep
following him. A few moments later, Anthony meets up with
ANOTHER KID ABOUT THE SAME AGE and the same transaction
takes place. Darren and Mark look at one another. The look

7
says ‘they have the goods’ on Anthony. But, just as soon as
the transaction is complete, a car comes by, and Anthony
gets in. The kid runs off and the car speeds away.

DARREN
Yes! This is fantastic!
We got him man, we got him!

MARK
What’re you talkin’ about? We don’t got nothin’.

DARREN
What? We saw him. We saw everything.

MARK
So what? It’s still his word against ours.
We gotta get proof. Without proof, we don’t got nothin’.

DARREN
Shit, you’re right. You got a camera?

MARK
Oh sure. I’ll just go and pick up my equipment.
No! Do you?

DARREN
(annoyed)
No.

The two of them sit down on the sidewalk looking dejected.

MARK
Ok, let’s think this through. All we need are
a few photographs of him doing his crap.
That’s all really. We could get one of
those little ones from the drugstore.

DARREN
Man, I can’t afford that. Every cent I got
is for the rent. I’m empty.

MARK
I’ll ask my brother. I’ll say it’s for
I don’t know…an emergency. He’s helped
me out before.

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 DARREN
Yeah, but every time you go to him it’s the third degree.
Are you working, Mark? When are you going to make real
change in your life, Mark? I don’t see how this money
can help you make meaningful change, Mark.

MARK
So, I’ll put up with this shit for a couple of hours.
I bet I get the money though.

DARREN
What’ll you tell him it’s for?

MARK
I dunno. I’ll think of somethin’.

Darren and Mark walk off into the night.

EXT. THEIR APARTMENT BUILDING – A COUPLE HOURS LATER

Darren sees Mark walking towards him with a big smile on

his face.

DARREN
You got it?

MARK
Yup and a little extra.

DARREN
What’d you say?

MARK
Let’s just say I poured it on thick.
My brother would have said no, but my sister
in law gave him ‘the look’. He caved after that.
(they both laugh).

DARREN
Now what?

Just then Anthony comes out of the building.

ANTHONY
Yeah, now what boys?

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 DARREN
Hey man, how’s it going?

ANTHONY
I don’t know you tell me. Why the fuck were you
two tailing me earlier? Hmmm?

DARREN
What? What’re you talking about? We weren’t tailing
you.
(laughs nervously)

Anthony takes out a gun.

ANTHONY
This says you were.

DARREN
Okay, let’s keep our heads.
No need to get all mafia on each others’ asses.

ANTHONY
Course not. (beat) I’ll just blow your asses off
and leave them in the dumpster.

MARK
(panicking)

I told you this was a stupid idea and…

DARREN
(interrupting)
Shut up!

ANTHONY
What idea?

MARK
Well, you see we need money, so Darren thought…

ANTHONY
(interrupting)
Didn’t I just tell you to shut up?

MARK
I don’t wanna die and…

10
 ANTHONY
Both of you shut up! You’re getting’ on my nerves.
(beat)
Now, what was the plan?

Darren and Mark look at one another. They are both

terrified. Anthony slaps Darren’s face hard. Mark is
shocked. Darren is furious but knows he can’t do anything.

ANTHONY
(cont’d)
Now then, my American friend. What was the plan?
Don’t make me use this. I don’t want to blow you away
but your asses don’t mean nothin’ to me.

DARREN
(nonchalant)
We’re doing some work for the cops. That’s all.

ANTHONY
(shakes his head in acknowledgement)
Shit! Just what I need. What have you told them?

DARREN
(confidently)
Everything. We’re just getting proof.
But they’re doing surveillance and police got your name,
man. So if anything happens to us, they’ll know.
They know where you live, where you hang out, the whole
deal. Killin’ me will only get you a death sentence.
But a simple drug conviction (beat) you might even beat
that.

Anthony starts pacing around the sidewalk. He’s agitated

and angry.

ANTHONY
Shit! You stupid shit! Why! I ain’t
done nothin’ to you. What’s the deal? You
got a hard on for some cop?

DARREN
(smiling broadly)
Nah. Not my type.

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 ANTHONY
What’s in it for you?

DARREN
Money.
(shrugs)

ANTHONY
Listen, how about if I make it more profitable
to keep the cops out of this? Whadda ya say?

DARREN
Nah. Cops give money and they don’t shoot me after.

ANTHONY
Who says I’ll shoot you?

MARK
(suddenly confident)
We do! We may look stupid but we’re not.
I mean, we’re not stupid. We deal with the cops
then we’re safe.

ANTHONY
Look guys, I’m small potatoes. But I can deliver something
much bigger and worth more money.

Darren and Mark start to walk off. Anthony goes after them.

ANTHONY
(cont’d.)
I’m serious guys, I can get you someone who’s really worth
it.

DARREN
Right. Like you’re not just trying to save your ass.

ANTHONY
Course I am. Wouldn’t you?
(beat)
(yelling now)
Wouldn’t you?

Darren stops and turns around. Mark keeps walking.

DARREN

12
 Sure I would. But this is your problem, not mine.

ANTHONY
It is if I tell the cops I had better info.
and you turned it down.

Now Mark stops as well. He yells back at Darren.

MARK
Let’s go. We did what we had to.

DARREN
Just a minute!
(beat)
What’re you talkin’ about?

ANTHONY
Russian mafia.

Marks walks back to join them.

MARK
Let’s go. We don’t need this scum bag.

ANTHONY
Yeah, you do. Cause I can get you the real bucks.

MARK
Sure…sure…C’mon Darren, let’s go.

DARREN
Just a second. You know Russian mafia?
How? Where did you meet them?

ANTHONY
I never said I met them. I said I know about them.

DARREN
You’re more pathetic than we are.

ANTHONY
That’s not possible.

DARREN
I think it is. How are you gonna help us get a Russian
mafia guy when you don’t even know one?

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 ANTHONY
I know where they hang out. That’s why.

MARK
Yeah, right. Darren, come on!
(he tugs at Darren’s sleeve)
This guy’s just yankin’ our chain.
He doesn’t know any Russian mafia.

Darren pulls away. He is obviously thinking things over.

DARREN
We don’t know that for sure.

ANTHONY
(sensing the opportunity)
Good thinking. (beat) Hey, you guys hungry? (beat) I’m
starved. How about goin’ and gettin’ a pizza – on me, of
course. There’s a great little place just round the corner.

DARREN
Giovanni’s Pizza – yeah, I know that place. Sure, let’s go.

Darren and Anthony head off. Mark is not pleased. He waits

for a few seconds and sees they are not stopping. He runs
to catch up.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

INT. PIZZA JOINT – CONTINUOUS

Darren, Mark and Anthony are eating pizza, drinking beers

and having a robust discussion. It’s obvious that Mark is
slow to catch on but bit by bit he is getting on board.
Anthony orders more beers to make sure that Darren and Mark
‘loosen up’, which they do. Eventually, the three of them
are talking and laughing together as if they’re old
friends. Once they finish eating and drinking, they walk
out together.

ANTHONY
So, aren’t you boys glad you listened to me?

DARREN

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 Yeah, this is gonna work out just fine.

MARK
Yep, just fine.
ANTHONY
Well, let’s get to it.

DARREN
Right now?
(burps)
I’m not sure I’m up to this.

ANTHONY
You don’t have to do nothin’. I’ll drive us down there in
my truck, just to let you know I’m not cheating your ass.
Know what I mean?

DARREN
(looks at Mark)
Whadda ya think?

MARK
Couldn’t hurt. I never seen any Russia mafia before.
(beat)
They don’t know you, right?

ANTHONY
Right.
(grins)

They head off back to their building. In the back is a

beaten down truck, but it manages to work and they drive
off into the night.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

EXT. Bar – CONTINUOUS

The three guys stand outside a rather ‘cheesy’ looking bar.

There are a few customers inside. There’s a tv on, and some
music is playing as well.

ANTHONY
This is it.

15
 MARK
This don’t look like much. I mean if they’re mafia, don’t
they have the money to go someplace nice?

ANTHONY
Quiet! Don’t say that word out loud. Just stay cool. And
follow my lead. (beat) But don’t say that word again –
ever!

MARK
Fine – chill out.

DARREN
Mark, shut up!

MARK
You shut up!

ANTHONY
Are you guys on board or what?

They both nod. It’s clear they’re a little drunk.

ANTHONY
(cont’d.)
Ok then, shut up and follow my lead.

The three head inside and order another round of beers.

Mark is especially anxious. He keeps looking around at
everyone in the bar, even though Anthony and Darren try to
stop him from being so obvious.

A few moments after they sit down, A VERY TALL, DARK-

HAIRED, WELL BUILT MAN, walks in WITH TWO MUSCULAR BODY
GUARDS. THIS IS ALEXEI AND HE IS RUSSIAN MAFIA. They look
around and Alexei sees Anthony. As he does, an angry
expression crosses his face. He strides over to Anthony’s
table.

ALEXEI
Well, well, if it isn’t my stupid friend. Where have you
been, Tony? (beat) And, who are they?
(points to Darren and Mark)

16
 ANTHONY
(very nervous)
No place special, Alexei. (beat) These guys? No one. We
just met and we’re having a drink. That’s all.

Darren and Mark nod but say nothing. They are very nervous.
They look around for someone to help but it’s obvious that
no one is going to interfere. A few people actually leave
as quietly as possible.
DARREN
(quivering)
I thought you said…

ANTHONY
(interrupting)
Shut up, right now!

Alexei looks over at one of his guards. He responds

immediately by pulling over A CHAIR and Alexei sits down
opposite Anthony. As soon as he sits down, THE BARTENDER
responds by bringing a BOTTLE OF VODKA. Anthony pours
himself and his two guards a drink. Then he pours himself
another.

ALEXEI
I’m not happy, Tony. Do you know why?

ANTHONY
I…uh…no, I’m not sure. What did I do?

ALEXEI
You didn’t make your quota this month. I need profits.
You know that.

ANTHONY
(pulls out a wad of money)
I’ve got most of it. And somethin’ even better.

Alexei grabs the cash. He hands it over to one of the

guards who checks it. After he does, he whispers something
to Alexei. Alexei nods and gives him a small smile. Darren
and Mark try not to look at one another. They are
absolutely terrified but trying desperately to stay calm.

17
 ALEXEI
Ok, you got most of it. But I need more. And, you’re out of
time. So, either I have to kill you or kill those stupid
kids you work with. Cause maybe they’re taking my money.
And I told you what happens when people take my money.
Didn’t I, Tony?
(he slaps Tony’s face).

ANTHONY
(stammering and talking quickly)
Yes, you did, Alexei. And I deserved that. But don’t touch
those kids. It’s not them. It’s me. Really, it’s me.
They’re just kids. They’d never take your money. I promise.

ALEXEI
(laughs loudly)
Oh, you’re so loyal.
(angry)
But you’re supposed to be loyal to me, not them.
(slaps Anthony’s face again very hard)
I don’t give a shit about those kids. As long as I get my
money. I can’t live on loyalty. I can’t buy Vodka on
loyalty. I can’t do shit on loyalty. Am I clear?

ANTHONY
Yes, absolutely. I’ll work harder to make up the shortfall.
Like I said, I’ve got something good for you.

Alexei pours himself and his bodyguards another set of

drinks.

ALEXEI
What’s better than money? I can get fucked anytime I want,
so what else is there?
(he and his bodyguards laugh)

ANTHONY
These two.

Now Darren and Mark are petrified. They realize that

Anthony means to use them in some horrible way.

18
 ALEXEI
These two losers?
(points to them)
What would I want with them?

ANTHONY
They’re cops. They’re tryin’ to take your operation down.
They might look like nobodies but they’re undercover. I
made them out earlier this evening. That’s gotta be worth
something.
Alexei is uncertain about this turn of events. He and his
bodyguards whisper together for a few moments.

ALEXEI
You sayin’ these guys are narcs?

ANTHONY
I don’t know if they’re narcs or not, but they’re
undercover for sure. And, they’re cops. They told me so.

Alexei stares long and hard at Darren and Mark. He is not

convinced. He looks at his bodyguards. They shake their
heads very slightly.

ALEXEI
You tryin’ to tell me these two guys are narcs? Undercover
cops? What’re you trying to pull, asshole?

ANTHONY
Nothin’. I swear. They’re cops. They just make themselves
out to look this way.

ALEXEI
No way. They’re too stupid. Look at them.

Darren and Mark smile at this turn of events.

ALEXEI
Who are you guys?
(he pulls out a gun)
And no bullshit.

DARREN
No…body…we’re just hanging out here and this guy joins us
for some beers. We’re on welfare, man.

MARK

19
 Welfare…yup…welfare.

Alexei stares at Anthony. He’s furious. He waves his gun at

Anthony.

ALEXEI
Get up!

ANTHONY
Wh….wh….what…why…what’d I do? I…didn’t do…

ALEXEI
(interrupts)
Shut up! You fuckin’ snake. You’re short on money and now
you’re tryin’ to tell me these two idiot assholes are
undercover. (beat) I think you ratted me out. I think
you’re tellin’ people about me. An’ I don’t like that. I
told you – you have to keep your mouth shut! Now get up!

The burly bodyguards grab Anthony and drag him outside.

Anthony is sputtering and proclaiming his innocence the
whole time. Alexei looks at Darren and Mark.

ALEXEI
Welfare, huh?

DARREN
Yup. Wel…fare…In fact, that Tony guy said he’d pay for our
beers. Cause we…uh…
(looks to Mark for help)

MARK
(shouts uncontrollably)
Yeah, he said he’d pay!

ALEXEI
Okay. Keep it down.
(shakes his head)

One of the bodyguards comes back in. He and Alexei whisper

together again. The bodyguard points to Darren and Mark as
if to suggest “what do we do about them?” Alexei thinks for
a moment. He laughs.

ALEXEI
These guys? They’re nobody.

20
The bodyguard looks unconvinced. Alexei stares hard at the
bodyguard and he backs off immediately. He pulls out a wad
of money from his pocket.

ALEXEI
(cont’d.)
Tell you what you nice welfare boys. Beer’s on me.

Alexei and the bodyguard smile. They walk out laughing.

Darren and Mark heave a huge sigh of relief. Then Mark
looks at Darren, with a funny expression on his face.

DARREN
What’s the matter? We’re in the clear.

MARK
I just…I uh…

He jumps out of his chair and runs to the bathroom.

INT. BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS

We hear Mark throwing up and see Darren coming in to check

on him.

DARREN
You okay, man?
(beat)
Mark, talk to me.

Mark comes out. He is very pale and shaking. Darren grabs

hold of him.

DARREN
(concerned)
You okay. (beat) Say somethin’.

MARK
(shaking)
Holy… shit!
(beat)
I’m not feeling…

He runs back into the stall and we hear him throwing up

again. Darren just stands there looking relieved.

21
INT. POLICE CHIEF’S OFFICE – LATER THAT NIGHT

Darren, Mark and Sargeant Frazee are all sitting opposite

the CHIEF OF POLICE. He is a TALL, MUSCULAR MAN, IN HIS
50’S. VERY HARD EDGED.

CHIEF
(furious)
You stupid idiots. What the hell did you think you’re
doing? Trying to finger the Russian mafia? Have you any
idea how dangerous they are?

FRAZEE
Sir, if I may?

CHIEF
Sure, go ahead. I can’t wait.

FRAZEE
You see, sir. These two civilians suggested they had
information on a drug dealer. Now, apparently they did. But
they let it go to their heads and tried to snitch on
someone bigger. I should never have worked with them.

CHIEF
Really? Hmmm. I can’t imagine why.
(beat)
Do you realize how much danger you’re all in?
Do you have any idea what these guys do to someone who rats
them out?

DARREN
I have some idea, sir.

CHIEF
Shut up!

DARREN
Yes, sir.

The police chief paces around his office. It’s clear he’s
not sure what to do.

CHIEF
Frazee, I oughta throw you off the force. You’ve been a
pain in the ass ever since I got here and this is…

22
 (beat)
No, I think I have a better plan.

FRAZEE
Sir?

CHIEF
As for you two.
(points at Darren and Mark)
I have a special plan that will keep you safe.

DARREN
Thank you, sir!

MARK
Yes, thank you!

Frazee, Darren and Mark exit the chief’s office. The chief
has a broad smile on his face.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

EXT. NEXT MORNING – STREETS OF LA

We see Sargeant Frazee walking the street in the early

morning hours. He has a huge frown on his face. He’s been
reduced to checking parking meters.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

INT. AIRPORT – CONTINOUS

Darren and Mark are sitting in an airport waiting area.

They have big parkas and snow boots on. They look really
defeated. We hear a voice over the loudspeaker system.

VOICE
Welcome to Air Canada Flight 1019 to Sudbury, Ontario via
Toronto. All passengers can now board.

Darren and Mark get up. They walk slowly and are obviously
dejected.

23
 MARK
I hear the Canadian Witness Protection Program is very
good. I mean it’ll be cold, but…

DAREN
Shut up!
FADE OUT.

THE END.

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