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American GangsterbySteven Zaillian FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT(AG16) July 27, 2006
 
EXT. JAZZ CLUB - DAY
11A tall, handsome man in a dark suit emerges from a LincolnTowncarand enters a small, basementR&B/Jazzclub.
INT. JAZZ CLUB - DAY
22He approaches a booth, says something in the din to the menthere, then calmly shoots them and exits.
AMERICAN GANGSTEREXT. HARLEM STREET - DAY (NOVEMBER)
33Bumpy Johnson, an elderly but still sturdy black man,elegantly dressed - cashmere overcoat, gloves, Homburg -stands in falling snow atop a flatbed truck - as he doesevery Thanksgiving - tossing down turkeys to the poor -like a benign king.
Legend: Harlem 
A younger man, the gunman from the club - Frank Lucas -Bumpy's driver/bodyguard/collector/protege - watches from below.
INT/EXT. STREET / DISCOUNT EMPORIUM - DAY (NOVEMBER)
44Whispering gunfire from a television set veiled byforeground snow: Soldiers in the jungles of Vietnamin1970. A rich, cultured, authoritative voice offers:BUMPY O/SThis is the problem. This is what’s wrong with America.The war footage multiplies by twenty: a stack of TVswithprice tags dangling from the knobs behind a display window.BUMPY O/SIt’s gotten so big you can’t find your way.People on the sidewalk, out of respect or fear, part to letFrank and Bumpy and Bumpy’s German shepherd pass.BUMPYThe corner grocery’s a supermarket.Candy store’s a MacDonald’s. And thisplace.
American Gangster 16 - 7.27.06 - SZ
1.(MORE)(CONT)
 
Where’s the pride of ownership here?Where’s the personal service? Doesanybody workhere?Inside, the emporium is vast, with aisles that seem tostretch off into infinity. The TVsgive way to a display window full of Japanese stereo componentry.BUMPYWhat right do they have cutting out thesuppliers, pushing all the middlemen out,buying direct from the manufacturer -Sonythis, Toshibathat, all them Chinks -putting
Americans
out of work?He’s not really asking Frank, so Frank doesn’t answer.BUMPYWhat am I supposed to do with a placelike this, Frank? Who am I supposed toask for, the assistant manager?(pause)This is the problem. This is the way itis now: You can’t find the heart ofanything to stick the knife.Bumpy stops before a display of cameras and stares in.They’re all pointed at him as a pain grips his chest and hesinks to his knees. Frank kneels down.FRANKWhat is it?Bumpy seems unable to speak, looks to Frank confused.FRANKSomebody call an ambulance!But the store suddenly seems empty. Frank yells into theemporium but can’t be heard above the Muzakand the cashregisters ringing up sales Bumpy will never see a piece of.Looking up at Frank, Bumpy manages weakly -BUMPYForget it, Frank. No one’s in charge.
EXT. BUMPY’S APARTMENT - DAY
55Limousines from the funeral disgorge mourners: family,friends,celebrities, politicians. Cops on horseback movethrough the enormous crowd that has gathered to watch. FBIagents in cars snap pictures with long lenses of Italian mobsters likeAlbertTosca.
American Gangster 16 - 7.27.06 - SZ
2.CONTINUED:44BUMPY (CONT'D)(CONT)
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