BOSS

Pilot

by

David Polk

Contact:
David Polk
176 Dusty Rose Court
Simi Valley, CA 93065
805.428.5775
dpolk@mac.com
 2.

TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. TORI’S LOFT – LATE AFTERNOON

PAN the dimly lit, spacious loft and we see that it’s
decorated with avant-garde artwork, but decidedly feminine.
We hear a toilet FLUSH, etc., and then –

TORI (O.S.)
You’ll be there tonight, right?

The bathroom door opens and out steps IAN SOMMERS, 30, All-
American good looks, shirtless, in slacks.

IAN
(smiles)
It is a command appearance for the
help, isn’t it?

He takes his shirt from a chair, puts it on, buttons from

the bottom. Reverse and we see VICTORIA “TORI” PORTER, 27,
pretty, sexy, but not overtly so. She’s sitting in bed
naked, sheet pulled up around her knees.

TORI
Look, I know you’re nervous; so am I.
But remember, Mom is totally behind us.
She’ll make sure Dad is reasonable when
we break the news to him.

IAN
I’ve worked for your father for three
years. “Reasonable” is not the word
that comes to mind when I think of how
he’s going to react.

TORI
Stop it. Ian, darling, the last thing
Mom and Dad want is for me to end up
with someone in the business. When Dad
understands that we’re in love, he’ll
let you out. I know he will.

He crosses to her, leans over and they kiss. They gaze

into each other’s eyes. Her sincerity is as deep as her
love for him. A RINGING cell phone interrupts the glow.

IAN
Speaking of “reasonable.”
 3.

He takes the phone from a side table, answers.

IAN
(into phone)
Yes.
(reacts almost imperceptibly)
Everything’s all set.

He clicks off. Tori is out of bed now, fastening the last

buttons of his shirt, smoothing his collar.

TORI
Wear a tie tonight. Mom thinks it
makes you look more grown up.

IAN
Sure I’m not quitting one boss just to
work for another?

Her smile is luminous. He kisses her full on the lips,

pulls on his sports coat then exits. She falls back in
bed, looks up at the ceiling and smiles. Life is good.

INT. NEIMAN MARCUS, MEN’S FINE APPAREL – LATE AFTERNOON

A SALESMAN discreetly checks out a customer. She’s

VALENTINA “TINA” PORTER, 17 going on 27, beautiful, sexy as
hell and knows it. She’s talking animatedly on her cell
phone, one eye on the salesman.

TINA
(into phone)
She’ll say yes, trust me. And Dad
won’t dare make a stink after she does.
(winks at the salesman)
Just book the suite, Bree... You’re
sure Brad’s going to be there that
weekend? Positive?

VIC (O.S.)
Is that Bree? Say “hey” for me.

Tina smirks. Reverse and we see that the object of her

scorn is her gangly kid brother, VIC PORTER JR., 15.
Suddenly, Tina’s frown turns to an inviting smile as
Salesman #1 makes his way to her.

TINA
(into phone)
Incoming. Gotta go. Call you later.
 4.

She flips her phone closed.

SALESMAN #1
Are you being helped, Miss? Sir?

Even though he’s in his 30s, Tina reels him in with

flirtatious eyes. She takes two shirts from a display.

TINA
I always have a hard time choosing.

SALESMAN #1
They’re both very nice. What style of
suit does your boyfriend normally wear?

Now it’s Vic who rolls his eyes, disgusted by the thought.

TINA
Him? Oh, he’s my brother...I don’t
have a boyfriend.

SALESMAN #1
I find that very hard to believe.

CLOSE ON two TIES in a man’s hands.

SALESMAN #2 (O.S.)
Imported silk, hand sewn, of course.
The Brioni is a somewhat more
contemporary look.

Pull back and we see ALEXIS PORTER, late 40s but with an
ageless beauty that puts her in a class with Deneuve,
considering the ties.

ALEXIS
It’s my son’s decision.

She looks over at Vic and Tina, who is still flirting with
Salesman #1 at a different display. Without having to be
told, Salesman #2 gets his coworker’s attention and he
guides Vic and Tina over.

ALEXIS
I’ve narrowed them to two, Junie, but
it’s a gift from you, so you decide.

Vic reacts to “Junie”. He points, not caring which tie.

VIC
That one.
 5.

ALEXIS
Are you sure, Junie dear?

TINA
Yeah, “Junie”, are you sure?

VIC
Mom, I wish you’d stop calling me that.

TINA
Why? It’s what you are, “Junior.”

VIC
Oh, well in that case, “Slut” –

ALEXIS
Vic!

TINA
Yeah, “Dick”...

ALEXIS
Both of you, please...
(to Salesman #2)
We’ll take this one.

SALESMAN #2
Splendid choice, Ma’am.

The salesmen quickly excuse themselves. Alexis glares at

her children, who begin bickering at one another. Then –

TINA
(to Alexis)
I don’t know why I had to come anyway.
I bought Daddy a present weeks ago.

VIC
Maybe you came to hit on the salesman,
you little tease.

TINA
Sorry, I should’ve known he was your
type.

ALEXIS
(at her limit but still
tightly controlled)
I said that’s enough!

The teens ease up, knowing they’re on very thin ice.

 6.

ALEXIS
Tina, you’re here because I want to
make sure you return the seven thousand
dollars in purchases you made without
your father’s or my permission. And
Vic, if you’d been more thoughtful you
wouldn’t have waited until the day of
your father’s birthday to buy a gift.

Her children properly chastised, Alexis walks off to pay.

INT. PORTER’S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON

Richly decorated with antiques, mahogany and leather.

CLOSE ON A WHISKEY TUMBLER

as whiskey flows over ice cubes. A man’s hand takes the

glass across the room. Another man’s hand, this one with a
jeweled SIGNET RING, takes it.

PORTER (O.S.)
Thank you, Boothe.

BOOTHE (O.S.)
Sure thing, Boss.

ON THE GLASS as it’s raised to the signet ring man’s lips.

REVEAL a distinguished gentleman of 50. This is VICTOR
PORTER. Though his handmade suit, shirt and tie say CEO,
one look into his piercing blue eyes and we know beneath
the executive veneer is a man capable of great menace.

PORTER
So you know the stuff’s good?

VAN KAMP
Triple-checked it myself. Even went
through Casper’s people. It’s as good
as what comes out of the factory. Only
it’s counterfeit and untraceable.

VAN KAMP, 55, who could be an investment banker, sits

across the mahogany desk from Porter. BOOTHE, early 40s,
impossibly handsome, sits next to Van Kamp.

BOOTHE
We guarantee clearance through customs,
provide protection from local law
(MORE)
 7.

BOOTHE (CONT’D.)
enforcement and keep barriers to
competition high, we could clear twenty
million in the first year.

VAN KAMP
After that, we can exercise an option
for a five percent royalty on all
shipments to the East Coast.

PORTER
With twenty million to seed our new
lines of business, we can do without
the royalties and the risks that come
with them.

Van Kamp and Boothe cover their reactions.

INT. MERCEDES SEDAN – MOVING – SUNSET

Porter is in the back seat on his cell phone.

PORTER
(into phone)
Thanks for digging up the extra dirt on
Wu. I knew I could count on you,
Fortune.
(listens)
No, you’ve done all I need you to do on
this deal. Just sit tight and stay
cool. Take some time off. You could
use a vacation.
(listens, then)
Listen, Fortune, you’re out because I
say so...Besides, I have more important
things in mind for you... Try the
Caribbean for about six months. There
are plenty of beautiful women there to
take your mind off business.

He clicks off. We realize that Ian is next to him.

PORTER
Cheeks tells me you were late again.

Ian glances in the rearview mirror, where he briefly locks

eyes with the driver, TOMMY “CHEEKS” RISOLLO.

IAN
Sorry, Boss. I got caught up.
 8.

PORTER
I’m sure you did. Do I look like a fool
to you?

IAN
Sir? No sir, of course not.

PORTER
Are you sure? Because I think that’s
what you must think when you say things
to me like “I got caught up.”

Again Ian exchanges a look with Cheeks.

PORTER
You think I can’t see what’s going on
right under my own nose?

IAN
Of course you do, Boss. Listen, Mr.
Porter, I can explain...

The weight of Ian’s peril is written clearly on his face.

PORTER
Since when do I need you to explain
anything to me? I know all about you
and my daughter, Ian. I’ve known since
you started sneaking around a year ago.

IAN
(mustering his courage)
Then you must know that Tori and I care
for each other very much. We love each
other, Boss. We want to get married
and start a family.

Beat. Porter looks at him with hard eyes.

PORTER
You think I sent Victoria to the best
private schools, studies abroad,
ballet, everything, just so she could
end up a widow of some two-bit hustler?

IAN
Mr. Porter, with all due respect, I
think I’ve proven I’m more than just
some punk who’s looking for a meal
ticket.
 9.

PORTER
Family? You talk about my daughter and
family as though you have “rights.” Do
I have to remind you that the only
rights you have I gave to you?

IAN
No, Mr. Porter, of course not...

PORTER
Be clear about this. Very clear. The
only reason you’re not floating in the
harbor with your balls stuffed down
your throat is because my wife is
sentimental about her daughters
“finding love.” That and I’m sure Tori
will come to her senses and kick you to
the curb after she’s had her fun.

EXT./INT. HOODS’ MERCEDES SEDAN – MOVING – SAME

A gray, winter day. The car trails Porter’s as it cruises

down an Interstate in the middle of Harbor City, a
metropolis that looks an awful lot like Boston. Inside,
four well-dressed HOODS keep their eye on Porter’s car.

EXT./INT. UNMARKED FBI SEDAN – MOVING – CONTINUOUS

Trailing the hoods’ sedan at a discreet distance. Inside

are two FBI AGENTS.

EXT. FBI HELICOPTER – IN FLIGHT – CONTINUOUS

FBI Special Agent PHIL HSU, early 40s, looks down at

Porter’s Mercedes as it makes its way along the expressway.
In his eyes we read the intensity of a man whose work is
his life. Below, Porter’s car exits the expressway.

HSU
(into headset microphone)
Okay, unit two, peel off. Peel off! I
don’t want him to make the tail.

EXT. REAR OF WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

Porter’s Mercedes is parked, lights out, engine running.

 10.

INT./EXT. PORTER’S MERCEDES – CONTINUOUS

Cheeks Risollo, who we now see is a 40-ish bear of a man

with huge jowls, reads Sports Illustrated. In the back
seat, Porter waits patiently as Ian works on a thin, HIGH-
TECH TABLET. A 3-D graphic display depicts police
surveillance on the ground and in the air. When he’s done,
Ian looks up at Porter and nods. “All clear.”

PORTER
Alright, let’s go.

Cheeks tosses the magazine aside, cuts the engine and gets
out of the car. He scans the area, then opens Porter’s
door. Porter and his men go inside the warehouse.

INT. FBI HELICOPTER – IN FLIGHT – CONTINUOUS

HSU
(into headset)
Alright, wake up people. Everybody on
their toes. All units hold your
position until my signal.

INT. FBI CARS/SURVEILLANCE VAN – CONTINUOUS

QUICK CUTS of AGENTS waiting to move out and TECHS

monitoring surveillance equipment. In the van, we hear
Porter and two other men, one of them speaking Chinese.

INT. WAREHOUSE – CONTINUOUS

CHINESE HOODS and Porter’s men stand guard while Porter and
Ian sit across from WU, 50s, a shrewd triad boss, and his
INTERPRETER. Porter and Wu make polite small talk through
the interpreter. As they do, Ian taps away on his tablet.
ON THE TABLET we see what appear to be sound recording
measurements. When Ian’s satisfied, he nods at Porter.

PORTER
Mr. Wu, now that the air is clear,
let’s get down to brass tacks. I’m
prepared to use my considerable
influence with our political and law
enforcement friends to ensure your
merchandise can reach customers.

The interpreter interprets. Wu responds in Chinese.

 11.

INTERPRETER
Mr. Wu is very appreciative of your
cooperation. As discussed with your
Mr. Van Kamp, our arrangement calls for
delivering ten shipments of computer
chips over the course of the year, with
payment of one million dollars each...

INT. SURVEILLANCE VAN/FBI HELICOPTER – CONTINUOUS

Hsu and his agents listen closely but they don’t hear any
of what we’ve just seen. Instead, they’re listening to a
completely fabricated conversation digitally created from
samplings of the voices of Porter, Wu and the interpreter.

INT. WAREHOUSE – CONTINUOUS

The negotiation has suddenly gone south.

PORTER
What’s this about ten million? It was
my understanding that payment for the
shipments would total twenty million
the first year.

The interpreter conveys the message. Wu reacts.

INTERPRETER
Mr. Porter, twenty million is out of
the question...

EXT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

The meeting over, Wu’s and Porter’s men make their way out
of the warehouse and head to cars in the darkened alley.

INT. PORTER’S MERCEDES – MOVING – LATER

Porter seethes as the car cruises down a boulevard.

IAN
The triad wants to do a deal as badly
as we do... Harbor City is their way
into the U.S. market and yours is the
only outfit in the Syndicate with the
political clout to grease the skids for
them. They’ll be back, Boss.
 12.

PORTER
This would never have happened if I’d
let Fortune handle the deal. God damn
Van Kamp’s got some explaining to do.

Cheeks glances in the rearview. Not good for Van Kamp.

SAME SCENE – MOMENTS LATER

PORTER
(to Ian, thoughtfully)
You did good tonight, Ian.

IAN
Thank you, Mr. Porter.

PORTER
You might not think it, but a man in
this business needs a family. A good
woman you can confide in, someone to
ease your conscience and raise your
children. It’s important, Ian. And
I’ll tell you something else that’s
important. Surrounding yourself with
good men can be the difference between
life and death. But any man, no matter
how good he is, can be replaced...or
bought. A good woman, on the other
hand, is worth a hundred good men. You
remember that, Ian.

IAN
Yes sir. I’ll remember.

PORTER
Cheeks, we’ll make it home in time for
the party won’t we? Alexis will have
my head if I’m late.

CHEEKS
Sure thing, Mr. P. No worries.

Porter seems at ease for the first time.

PORTER
After do we this deal, I’m going to
want you to move out West, look into
starting up a software firm.

IAN
...Okay, sure, Mr. Porter.
 13.

PORTER
I remember Tori couldn’t stop talking
about how much she loved California
when she was out there for grad school.
You two can settle out there... It’ll
give me and Alexis a reason to get to
the West Coast a couple times a year.

IAN
Sure thing, Boss.

Ian glances in the rearview mirror, catches Cheeks’ smiling

eyes. Just then, ALL HELL BREAKS LOSE! The Mercedes is
slammed by another car at high speed. Airbags pop out,
pinning a dazed Cheeks in his seat.

EXT. PORTER’S MERCEDES – SAME

ASSASSINS in ski caps with AK-47s jump out of two black

SUVs around Porter’s car. Porter’s men are already out of
their trailing car, blasting away with machine guns.
Cheeks squeezes out of the Mercedes and is riddled with
bullets. He drops to the snowy street, dead.

Ian spills out of the car, crouching behind the door, his
only shield. Porter steps out with a .45. He calmly blows
away a couple of gunmen before taking a round to the
shoulder. He grabs an AK-47 next to a dead assassin and
opens up. The LEAD ASSASSIN shoots him in the chest.

Ian sees this and tries to run. The lead assassin takes
aim and shoots Ian in the leg. He howls in agony.

We hear SIRENS approaching. The lead assassin steps up to

a dying Porter, who peers into his killer’s eyes.

PORTER
F—you!

The lead assassin calmly takes aim with a silenced handgun.

CLOSE ON THE SILENCER

as two rounds fire and we...

SMASH TO BLACK.

END OF TEASER
 14.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. MCMASTERS ADVERTISING AGENCY – NIGHT

An elevator door opens and a Chinese DELIVERYMAN steps off

with bags of takeout food. He crosses to a young, HIP
RECEPTIONIST. We notice that the reception area is
decorated with funky artwork reminiscent of the style in
Tori’s loft.

A STAFFER walks past in a hurry, almost colliding with the

deliveryman before disappearing into an office. Though
it’s nighttime, it could be midday judging from the buzz of
activity in the narrow halls and small offices.

DELIVERYMAN
Here you go. That’s one sixty five
eighteen...Plus tip.

HIP RECEPTIONIST
Thanks.

She gives him a credit card. As he fills out the slip –

DELIVERYMAN
Saving another big client?

HIP RECEPTIONIST
It’s Thursday, isn’t it?

CAMERA tracks through the main corridor. In offices off to

either side, we glimpse young staffers busily working.

TORI’S OFFICE

Tori, casually dressed with an artist’s flair, is

critically regarding STORYBOARDS of an ad. MEGHAN, 27, and
an obviously gay GREG, 25, stand beside her, anxiously
awaiting her judgment. Tori takes off her designer
glasses, gently pokes her bottom lip with a temple arm.

MCMASTERS (O.S.)
Well, does it have magic?

Tori and her two staffers turn to PERRY MCMASTERS, 35,

dashing Brit and namesake of the agency.
 15.

TORI
“Magic” is not the word I had in mind.
(Meghan’s and Greg’s faces
fall, beat)
“Brilliant” is what I was thinking.

Meghan and Greg beam, relieved. McMasters smiles at Tori

and it’s obvious his admiration goes beyond professional.

MCMASTERS
It seems our brilliant creative
director and her crack team have saved
our collective hides yet again.

TORI
It would seem so.

MCMASTERS
I’ll get on the phone to Mr. Thompson.
It’s only five thirty on the West
Coast.

MEGHAN
I’ll have Ruth clean up the file and
upload it to the server right away.

Meghan and Greg move past McMasters out of the office. He

stands in the doorway, his eyes glued on Tori.

MCMASTERS
What do you say we celebrate after I’m
done talking to Kyle. A drink
downstairs at Muskie’s?

TORI
Perry, I’m sorry but I can’t.

MCMASTERS
(raises hands in surrender)
I’m talking strictly professional here,
Victoria. Honestly...

TORI
I know, Perry, but I have plans.
(cell phone RINGS)
Speak of the Devil.

Tori goes to her art table desk, finds her cell phone
underneath a mess of drawings, and answers.
 16.

INT. PORTER HOME – NIGHT

Alexis holds a phone to her ear. Behind her we see a buzz

of activity in a large, formal dining room as caterers
busily put the finishing touches on a lavish spread.

ALEXIS
You’re lucky your father is running
behind schedule, dear.

INTERCUT:

INT. TORI’S OFFICE – SAME

TORI
I’m sorry, Mom, but I’m on my way now.
There shouldn’t be much traffic, so
I’ll make it in under an hour...Mom,
you’ll still talk to Dad with me and
Ian after the party?

ALEXIS
Yes, of course I will dear. Drive
safely.

Tori clicks off and begins gathering her things.

MCMASTERS
So things have gotten that serious
between you and the mysterious Ian?

TORI
Yes, they have.

MCMASTERS
Well, he’s quite a lucky chap then...I
seem to recall something about him
being in the “software” business.

She pauses and their eyes meet.

TORI
That’s right.

MCMASTERS
That’s a good business to be in these
days, with everything so virtual.

TORI
(walks toward door)
Yes, it is. Goodnight, Perry.
 17.

MCMASTERS
Goodnight, Victoria.
(then, before she passes)
It is a good business to be in, isn’t
it, Victoria?

They stare at each other for a beat. She gets his meaning
and understands his concern. Appreciates it. Then –

TORI
Don’t hesitate to call if there’s a
problem with the Thompson file, Perry.

She passes him and walks to the elevator.

MCMASTERS
(smiles, calls after her)
You know I wouldn’t think of
hesitating, Victoria.

Their eyes meet as the elevator doors close.

INT. MINI COOPER – MOVING – NIGHT

Tori is behind the wheel, singing along to The Pretenders’

“Brass in Pocket” on the car stereo. A flurry of red brake
lights urgently pop on up ahead. We become aware of SIRENS
BLARING. Tori slows and stops. A convoy of police cars,
tactical vans and ambulances rush past going in the
opposite direction. Traffic starts to flow again. Sensing
something bad, Tori switches to news radio.

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
...confirmed reports that reputed mob
boss, Victor “Mad Dog” Porter, was
gunned down earlier this evening on
Chelsea Boulevard in Harbor City’s West
End District. Porter and several of
his men were killed in a wild shootout
that left at least eight dead and...

Tori grips the wheel tightly. Her heart races and her head
spins. This can’t be happening! God this can’t be
happening! OFF Tori’s stunned disbelief...

EXT. PORTER HOME - NIGHT

A McMansion in an affluent suburban neighborhood. Outside

the home it’s a media circus as satellite trucks,
 18.

television cameras, photographers and reporters crowd the

street, blocking the driveway. News helicopters circle
overhead. BODYGUARDS with bulges in their overcoats patrol
conspicuously. One of them looks up and sees a Mini Cooper
slowly making its way past the throngs. He signals to
another man and together they make a beeline to the end of
the driveway and clear a path for the car to come in.

INT. MINI COOPER – SAME

Tori ignores the flashing cameras and shouted questions of

REPORTERS who are jammed against her small car as she
creeps past them toward the driveway of her parents’ home.

EXT. DRIVEWAY – CONTINUOUS

BODYGUARD #1 opens the door and Tori gets out.

TORI
Where’s my mother?

BODYGUARD #1
She’s inside, Miss Porter. They’re all
safe inside.

Tori strides to the house, leaving the bodyguard behind.

INT. PORTER HOME – CONTINUOUS

Subdued party guests crowd the elegant home. A BANNER:

“Happy 50th Victor”. Tori passes guests and the banner
without noticing them on her way to the

LIVING ROOM

Where we find Tina sitting in an oversized chair, bawling.

BREE PERRILLO, 17, olive-skinned, pretty, tries to console
her. Vic is next to Alexis on the sofa. He’s trying to be
the Man of the Family, holding back tears, but he loses
that battle when he looks up and sees Tori approaching. He
stands and they embrace. She kisses him and wipes away his
tears, then looks down at her mother. Alexis looks up at
her with clear, sad eyes. She knew this day would come.
Without a word between them, we know that Tori did too.

LIVING ROOM – LATER

Alexis peeks out the heavy curtains at the hordes outside.

 19.

ALEXIS
(to herself)
And we’re the mob?

Tori comes behind her, puts a gentle hand on her shoulder.

TORI
Mom, you should go upstairs and rest.

Alexis turns and looks at Vic and Tina, who has stopped
crying but is still being cradled by Bree.

TORI
Don’t worry. I’ll take care of them.

Alexis looks into Tori’s eyes and only now realizes that
not only has her daughter lost a father, she’s also lost
the man she loves. She touches Tori’s face tenderly.

ALEXIS
Oh, Tori darling.

EXT. PORTER HOME - NIGHT

The wee hours. The street is empty. All the guests have
left and the last of the news crews is packing up to leave.
But bodyguards continue to make their presence known.

INT. PORTER HOME, LIVING ROOM – SAME

Tori is alone. She peeks out the heavy curtains, sees the
circus has ended. For now. She goes to a table and pours
herself a brandy. She takes a drink, then another. The
warm, strong liquor allows her to sigh, and for the first
time tears well up in her eyes. Just as one is about to
roll down her cheek, Tori senses a presence behind her.

WIDEN and we notice a SHADOWED FIGURE standing in the

arched doorway. Tori turns and the figure steps into the
light of the dimly lit room. FORTUNE DOUGLASS, 34, black,
handsome, looks like he stepped off the cover of GQ. Tori
crosses to him and throws her arms around his neck, buries
her face in his shoulder.

TORI
Fortune... Oh, Fortune! You came!

FORTUNE
Where else would I be?
 20.

They look at each other. Her tears stream down but she
doesn’t care: with him, it’s okay. He wipes them away,
holds her face in his hands.

FORTUNE
Listen, I know this is tough, but you
and Mrs. P, the kids, you’ll get
through this.
(she nods, beat)
How ‘bout a little bit of good news on
an awful day?
(off her reaction)
Ian made it. He’s alive.

Tori can hardly believe it. Suddenly her tears of sorrow

are tears of joy and, almost as quickly, tears of guilt.

FORTUNE
Hey...Tori, it’s okay. He would’ve
wanted you to be happy about Ian.

She embraces him tightly and the tears come again.

EXT. GRAVESITE – DAY

A crappy day for a funeral but dozens are in attendance to

see Victor Porter laid to rest. INTERCUT television news
coverage of somber mourners paying their respects:

CNN REPORTER (V.O.)

He was born in Harbor City’s tough West
End and that’s where he met his demise.
But in the half-century between his
birth and violent death, Victor “Mad
Dog” Porter rose to the heights of
criminal society. Porter ran one of
the most profitable units of the
Syndicate’s five “outfits,” organized
gangs that operate similarly to the
Italian Mafia’s major crime families.
The Porter outfit’s illicit operations
range from drug trafficking, extortion,
money laundering and illegal gambling,
among other forms of racketeering.
Porter’s meteoric rise up the list of
“Who’s Who” in American crime began
some thirty years ago, when the young
tough’s brutality in Harbor City’s last
big gang wars earned him notorious
respect and the nickname “Mad Dog.”
 21.

THE PORTER FAMILY

walks through a light snowfall toward waiting limousines.

Ian, using a cane, and Fortune are with them.

FRANK MARIN, 55, ruddy with an impressive shock of white

hair, steps into their path. His wife ELLEN, late 40s,
attractive but weary-looking, is with him.

MARIN
Alexis, my deepest sympathies.

He takes her hand and kisses it respectfully, then

acknowledges Tori, Tina and Vic with a nod each.

ALEXIS
Thank you, Frank, Ellen. Thank you so
much for coming.

Ellen steps up and embraces her, kisses her cheeks. Marin

moves close to Alexis, looks her square in the eyes.

MARIN
I swear on my mother, God rest her
soul, that justice will be done.

We see in Marin’s face that he’s a man who has seen – and
done – things. Alexis knows that no response is required.
She continues on to her limousine. As he passes, Fortune
exchanges a brief look of acknowledgment with Marin.

In the distance, Hsu, the determined G-man, watches the

exchange between Marin and the Porters.

INT. FBI OFFICES – DAY

Hsu pulls off his overcoat as he enters. We remember

MACGREGOR, 39 and stoic, from the surveillance operation.

MACGREGOR
Well, Boss?

HSU
What we expected. Hoods three levels
deep from the five outfits showed up to
tip their hats to “the Great Man”.

MACGREGOR
Sounds like a real tearfest. Sorry I
missed it.
 22.

HSU
I hope you found more important things
to do with your time.

INT. HSU’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS

Hsu takes a seat behind his messy, metal desk.

MACGREGOR
Zero contact by the bosses or any of
their underbosses with Wu’s people
since the hit. It’s looking like the
Chinese decided they don’t need the
Syndicate’s protection to make a market
in microchips on the East Coast.

HSU
It just doesn’t figure. There’s no way
Wu can land that much merchandise
without Porter greasing the skids.
Bumping him off doesn’t make sense.

Agent JENKINS, an attractive, serious African-American

woman in her early 30s, enters.

JENKINS
The chips are onboard the Morocco Star,
due in port in two weeks.

HSU
No way the Syndicate lets that much
cabbage spoil in some cargo container
on a dock that they run.

MACGREGOR
What about your contact inside?
Anything from him since the Porter hit?

HSU
Nothing that explains why the triad
would whack him.

JENKINS
Now’d be a good time for him to earn
that hazard pay. A year getting cozy
inside the Porter outfit has got to pay
off for us sooner or later.

MACGREGOR
Preferably sooner.
 23.

HSU
Let me worry about our mole on the
inside.

A desk intercom BUZZES. Hsu punches the button.

HSU
(to intercom)
Yeah?

FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)

Your wife’s on line two.

HSU
(to intercom)
Ex-wife.

Jenkins and MacGregor are already on their way out. After

they’ve left, Hsu takes a breath and picks up the phone.

HSU
Yeah, Liz, what is it?

INT. MARIN MOTORS – DAY

BMWs and Porsches gleam on the showroom floor. Frank Marin

enters from outside and passes the vacant reception desk.
He’s greeted with quiet respect by the staff as he makes
his way across the floor. He nods politely back.

NATE’S OFFICE

NATE MARIN, 30, is pawing a SEXY RECEPTIONIST when Marin

barges in, startling the amorous pair.

MARIN
Beat it.

The receptionist leaves without a word.

NATE
Pop...I, I wasn’t expecting you.

MARIN
You think I made you general manager
just so you can drill the help?

NATE
No, Pop, ‘course not. What can I do
for you today?
 24.

MARIN
You can tell me where the hell my money
is. The Kuwaiti’s took delivery of six
thousand Mercedes parts last week and
we netted two hundred fifty grand.

NATE
That’s right. I checked the books
myself.

MARIN
(snarls)
Figures.
(off Nate’s confusion)
You idiot! Stuff that hot should’ve
brought in over three hundred grand!

NATE
But, Pop, that’s just it, it was too
hot. We had to give ‘em a discount to
move it that fast. I thought –

Marin smacks Nate with a lighting-fast backhand.

MARIN
I don’t pay you to think! I pay you to
get my freakin’ money! You got that?!

NATE
(rubbing his reddened face)
Yeah, Pop. I’m sorry.

MARIN
You got that right...If you weren’t my
son I’d put two in your head myself.
(then)
I put you here to make sure the parts
get top dollar and that there’s no
skimming. Now you put that peanut-
sized brain of yours to work figuring
out how to get my fifty grand by the
end of next week...or else.

NATE
Okay, Pop. I’ll work the books here at
the dealership...

MARIN
Moron! I look like I care how you get
the money?! Now get the hell out of
here! I’ve got business to handle!
 25.

Nate pauses – it’s his office – but then he leaves.

MARIN
And while you’re out there, fire that
slut receptionist. This is supposed to
be a classy joint.

After the door closes, Marin dials his cell phone.

MARIN
(into phone)
The shipment’s due in four days. I
want it stuck in customs after it
lands. Show them chinks they still
need us.
(listens, then testily)
I don’t give a rat’s ass how! Just do
it! You’re Porter’s man, throw his
name around to your people downtown.
Let ’em know the time for mourning is
over and it’s time to get back to
business as usual.
(listens)
Listen, everything is going just the
way it’s supposed to. You just keep
holding up your end of things and
everybody gets what they paid for.
You’ll run the Porter outfit and I’ll
get that ten million plus royalties
from the triad.

Marin closes his phone. OFF his cold look of greed we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

 26.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. PHYSICAL THERAPY ROOM – DAY

Ian lay on a table while his THERAPIST, an Asian woman of

about 30, stretches and massages his leg. Ian groans in
pain as she does.

The door opens and Tori comes in.

TORI
(smiling)
He still being a big crybaby?

THERAPIST
Yes.

IAN
Admit it, you like inflicting pain.
It’s how you get OWF! –

The therapist pushes his leg down at an impossible angle.

TORI
I don’t know about her, but it’s pretty
entertaining for me.

He looks at Tori and they share a smile.

INT. ROCCO’S BISTRO – LATE AFTERNOON

A cozy out of the way place. Ian and Tori talk over wine.
She stares pensively in her glass.

TORI
I still can’t believe he’s gone.

He reaches over and puts his hand on hers.

IAN
I know... I miss him too. Your father
was a great man, Tori.

Their eyes meet. Her expression changes slightly.

TORI
My father was a killer and a
thief...but I loved him...
 27.

She fights tears and looks away, out the window into the
street. Parked directly across the street is an SUV. We
recognize Bodyguard #1 behind the wheel.

IAN
The people who killed your father are
going to pay. I promise you that, Tori.

She turns her head and looks him in the eyes.

TORI
You think that’s what I want, Ian?
More killing? I thought the plan was
for us to get out.

IAN
It’s still the plan. I told you, your
dad was going to set us up on the West
Coast in a legitimate business.

TORI
Only you’ve got to take care of a
little thing before we leave?
(off his reaction)
I know how it works, Ian. I’ve been
part of this world a lot longer than
you have. Since I was twelve I’ve
known my father wasn’t just another
“businessman.”
(beat)
I know what my father was, Ian. And
I’m sorry for the pain and suffering
that he caused. But I stopped feeling
guilty for his sins years ago. All I
want to remember about him is that he
was a good father to me and my sister
and brother, and that he truly wanted a
better life for us. Now that he’s
gone, Ian, maybe we can finally move
out from under the dark cloud that
covered him his whole life.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – SUNSET

Ian and Tori enter the building arm in arm. The SUV with
Bodyguard #1 and another Porter man parks out front. It’s
clear they’re going to settle in for the night.

CAMERA PANS across the street to a dark sedan. Behind the

tinted windows someone else is also watching the building.
 28.

INT. IAN’S APARTMENT - LATER

Ian rests on the sofa while Tori kneels on the floor,

massaging his leg. Her hands stop around the gunshot
wound. A beat as she stares at it.

IAN
Another inch or two to the left, I’m
not here today.

TORI
I don’t even want to think about that.

She resumes the massage.

IAN
You know, you’re almost better at that
than Stacey.

TORI
Almost?
(off his reaction)
Don’t think I haven’t noticed the
chemistry between you and her.

IAN
C’mon, babe, now you’re just being
silly. She’s a physical therapist, not
some sex parlor masseuse.

She looks up at him, dead serious.

TORI
I’m not being silly and you know it. A
woman can sense these things, Ian.

IAN
There’s no “chemistry” between me and
my therapist. Whatever it is you’re
“sensing” is definitely one way and I’m
definitely not interested.

She shrugs, looks away. He reaches down and pulls her next
to him on the sofa. Their faces are close.

IAN
Where’s this coming from, huh?

TORI
There’s nothing stopping you from
fooling around now.
 29.

IAN
That’s what you think? That I’ve been
faithful to you because of your father?

TORI
A lot of father’s threaten to break a
guy’s legs if he breaks his daughter’s
heart. For my dad, the legs would’ve
just been the beginning.

IAN
(cups her face with his hand)
Guess that means I’ll have to work on
my tough guy act if we have girls.

He smiles and she melts into his kiss.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL CORRIDOR – DAY

Students dressed in typical private school uniforms move

about the corridor on their way to classes. We find Tina
and Bree talking at Tina’s locker. They’ve pushed the
dress code to the limit, with skirts shorter, necklines
lower and heels higher than any other girl we’ve seen.
They’re smokin’ hot jail bait. Bree glances up.

BREE
Don’t look now but...

BRAD (O.S.)
Hello, ladies.

Tina turns to face BRAD HOFSTRA, 18, dreamy jock type.

TINA/BREE
Hi, Brad.

BRAD
Sorry about your dad, Valentina. How
are you holding up?

TINA
Better now. Thanks.
(then)
So are you going up to your folks’
place in New Hampshire this weekend?

BRAD
Sure. Why? You thinking about doing a
little skiing?
 30.

TINA
A little...and a few other things.

BRAD
(getting her drift)
Nice. Well maybe we’ll hook up on the
slopes then.

TINA
Maybe we will.

Brad heads off down the corridor. Tina and Bree share a
knowing smile. Just then, Vic comes up to them.

VIC
Are you smoking crack again? No way is
Mom going to let you go to New
Hampshire after what happened to Dad.

Tina slams her locker shut and rolls her eyes as she walks
away with Bree. Vic tags behind.

VIC
Seriously, Tina, you can’t go.

TINA
Says who?

VIC
Says Mom when she finds out.

TINA
Who says she’s going to find out?

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PORTICO – CONTINUOUS

As the three walk along we see the trappings of an

exclusive, upper echelon prep school.

VIC
Even you’re not that stupid. You
seriously think you’re going to sneak
all the way up to New Hampshire, stay
for a long weekend and Mom’s not going
to figure it out?

TINA
We’ll fix it with Bree’s folks so she
thinks I’m staying at Bree’s house.
 31.

Bree reacts. That’s news to her.

BREE
Really?

TINA
(looks at her)
It’s okay, right?

BREE
Um, well...

VIC
No, it’s not okay! I can’t believe
you, Tina. Not only are you reckless
with your own life, you don’t even give
a shit about putting your best friend
and her family in danger too. All so
you can hook up with some joker in a
letterman jacket.

Tina stops and faces her younger brother.

TINA
Look, Dad may be dead but he sure as
hell didn’t leave you in charge,
“Junie,” especially not of me.

VIC
I told you to stop calling me that!

TINA
Whatever. “Junie.”

VIC
I’m the man of the family now and you
should show me some respect.

TINA
Please!

BREE
Tina, Vic does have a point. I mean,
about it maybe not being so safe.

TINA
Oh! Don’t encourage him!

They come to a black Mercedes sedan and a bodyguard opens

the rear door. Tina climbs into the back seat, followed by
Bree and then Vic. The door is closed and they drive off.
 32.

EXT. WEST END SAVINGS AND LOAN – DAY

A black Mercedes sedan pulls up to an old art deco bank

building in a run down part of town. Fortune gets out of
the back seat, flips up the collar of his overcoat against
the cold, and walks into the building.

INT. BANK CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

Porter’s underbosses sit around a large meeting table: Van

Kamp, Ian, Boothe, KREIGER, 40s, and COBURN, 30s. Van Kamp
has assumed the mantle of leadership.

VAN KAMP
Look, its simple math. If we don’t do
a deal with the Chinese, we’re out ten
million. Now as much as I hate that
bastard Wu for whacking Victor, the
fact is it was business, not personal.
Victor’s terms for the deal were
unreasonable. The Chinese did what they
felt they had to do to negotiate more
reasonable terms. We would’ve done the
same thing in their shoes.

KREIGER
We’re still in the driver’s seat. They
need our protection to clear customs
and the clock’s ticking. The shipment
is due in port in less than 48 hours.
So we don’t have to give away the whole
store to seal a deal with them.

Ian shifts uncomfortably. It’s not his wounded leg.

VAN KAMP
You’ve got something on your mind,
Sommers, spit it out.

IAN
I’m just thinking of the message it
sends to the other outfits. Our boss
gets hit in a public way and we don’t
retaliate at all? I know I’m not in
the muscle end of the business, but it
shows weakness. We could end up taking
it in the shorts from the other outfits
and the Chinese too.
 33.

COBURN
I’m with Ian on this. We’re supposed
to just let those slope-eyed bastards
come into our town and pound us in the
ass without so much as a kiss
goodnight? We’ve got to take back a
little respect before we do any deals.

VAN KAMP
Listen, I appreciate the sentiment. I
was your age once too, you know. That
was around the last time we had a war.
The cops get stupid, politicians get
scared and a lot of people who pay us
get dead. Trust me, nobody wins.

Fortune enters. He’s one smooth dude.

FORTUNE
Gentlemen. My apologies.

VAN KAMP
Fortune. How’re things downtown?

FORTUNE
Mayor O’Dell sends his regards.

VAN KAMP
He’s a good man.

BOOTHE
I voted for him three times in the last
election.

VAN KAMP
The boys and me were just discussing
our options with the Chinese. I say
it’s time we bury the dead and make
some money. Sommers and Coburn here
say we ought to teach our little yellow
friends a lesson before we invite them
to the table. You went to Princeton,
graduated Harvard Law, what would you
advise us to do, Fortune?

Fortune takes a couple of beats, but only for effect.

FORTUNE
I don’t have to tell you gentlemen how
delicate the situation is. By their
(MORE)
 34.

FORTUNE (CONT’D.)
actions, the Chinese have already
demonstrated that they’re willing to
take a short-term profit loss and shop
around for another partner. If we seek
revenge, it’ll mean all out war.

COBURN
But the other bosses will back us.
They know what happened to Victor can
happen to them if they do nothing.

FORTUNE
If we go to war with Wu and the triad,
the other bosses will have ten million
reasons to become Switzerland.

IAN
So you’re saying we forget about what
they did to Victor and do the deal?

FORTUNE
I’m saying we do the deal...it’s what I
would’ve advised Victor to do.

Silence as Fortune’s words hang heavy in the room.

AN HOUR LATER

The meeting ended, the underbosses file out of the room.

VAN KAMP
Fortune, can I have a minute?

FORTUNE
Sure.

VAN KAMP
Thanks for the support on the deal.

FORTUNE
Like I said, it’s the smart play.
Victor would do the same thing.

VAN KAMP
I know he cut you out of the microchip
deal. I want you to know I was against
him doing that. A man of your talent
and intellect should reap the benefits
of a deal this big, especially after
all you’ve contributed to the outfit.
 35.

FORTUNE
Victor had his reasons. I respected
that. And he was the Boss.

VAN KAMP
Smart and a good soldier. It’s why
Victor relied on you so heavily...It’s
why I’m going to rely on you too.

FORTUNE
Whatever I can do to help.

VAN KAMP
(smiles, satisfied)
Tell me something, Fortune. You knew
about Victor’s scheme to go legit?

FORTUNE
I knew he was figuring the angles.

VAN KAMP
And he asked for your advice, right?
What did you advise him to do?

FORTUNE
I told him this isn’t a Hollywood movie
where you wake up and find yourself in
another life. We all made our choices.

VAN KAMP
You know I respected the hell out of
Victor. But that crazy scheme of his
was going to land us all broke, in
prison or dead... Stick with me,
Fortune, and you’ll get rich, never go
to jail and live for a long, long time.

INT. FORTUNE’S SEDAN – MOVING – AFTERNOON

In the back seat, Fortune holds a cell phone to his ear.

FORTUNE
(into phone)
We need to meet. You know the place.

He clicks off and stares pensively out the window as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

 36.

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. STARBUCKS - DAY

Tori and Tina sip lattes at a corner table.

TORI
I agree with Vic. It’s too risky. You
should know better, Tina.

TINA
We’re civilians, Tori. Besides, we’ve
got so many gorillas around us it’s
starting to feel like we’re in the zoo.

She glances out the window at Bodyguard #1.

TORI
Who says the triad plays by the same
rules as the Syndicate? If you want to
get with this Brad guy do it here,
close to home where there’s protection.

TINA
Maybe you don’t mind a bunch of
crooked-nosed goons spying on you when
you and Ian bump bellies, but I prefer
to do my lovin’ in private.

TORI
That’s not what I heard.

TINA
I suppose Junie told you about that,
too. Little rat...So I like to have
fun? You didn’t when you were my age?

TORI
If by “fun” you mean getting coked up
and hosting an orgy by our pool when I
was sixteen, no, I didn’t.

Tina shoots her a resentful glare.

TORI
Look, Tina, I’m not judging. I just
don’t want you to get hurt or to worry
Mom unnecessarily. She’s been through
enough already.
 37.

EXT. STARBUCKS – LATER

Tina and Tori hug and kiss goodbye. Tori watches her get
into a Porsche Boxster and pull off. A black SUV trails.
Tori turns and walks down the street. Bodyguard #1 follows.

ACROSS THE STREET we notice the same sedan that was parked
across from Ian’s apartment. After a couple of beats, it
pulls out of its parking spot and follows Tori.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY

Vic and two of his BUDDIES walk down the corridor talking.
He says something to them and peels away, headed to the
boys bathroom. A couple of beats after Vic enters, a
JANITOR comes into frame and places an “Out of Order” sign
on the door.

INT. BOYS BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS

Vic is in a stall taking a wicked dump. The Janitor, who

we now see is athletic and in his 30s, walks to the stall
door and pulls a BIG GUN with a silencer from his jumpsuit.
He points it at the stall door –

INSIDE STALL

Vic takes a big wad of tissue and wipes his ass.

THE JANITOR

as his finger tightens on the trigger – a garrote is flung

around his neck and jerked tightly. The Janitor’s hand
flies up and he reflexively pulls the trigger.

INSIDE STALL

Bullets explode through the door, just missing Vic’s head

and smashing into the porcelain tile.

VIC
Shit!

THE JANITOR

struggles mightily against his ATTACKER, a man in his early

30s, medium build but obviously very strong. The janitor
points the gun over his shoulder and fires, missing. The
attacker jerks the noose again and the gun falls to the
 38.

floor with a clack, firing another round. The janitor

fights like a madman, smashing his body and his attacker’s
body against the walls and stall doors.

Vic sticks his head out of the stall and sees the men
fighting furiously. He’s about to make a run for it when
the men fall against the exit door, blocking Vic’s escape.
He scrambles to a corner of the bathroom, not knowing what
else to do.

Finally, the attacker viciously bashes the janitor’s head

into a urinal repeatedly. The janitor falls to his knees.
Now it’s the attacker who reaches into his leather jacket
and pulls out a silenced gun. He takes a step back, points
it at the back of the janitor’s head, pulls the trigger.

Vic watches, more fascinated than frightened, as the

janitor’s brains, flesh and skull bits splatter onto the
urinal and his body slumps to the floor. The attacker
turns his head and looks at Vic with piercing gray eyes.

INT. WHOLE FOODS MARKET - DAY

The Porter family’s Filipina cook, CORINNE, 55, squeezes a

zucchini. Alexis comes up to her with the shopping cart.

ALEXIS
I think we’ve got everything.

CORINNE
These aren’t good for my zucchini
bread. Not good at all. I told you we
should go to the Farmer’s Market. They
have the best vegetables.

ALEXIS
Oh, you’ll make due, Corinne, you
always do.

CORINNE
Okay, but I don’t want to hear any
complaints.

Corinne shrugs and tosses the zucchini in the basket.

Alexis smiles. It’s clear from their body language that
the women have a close but prickly relationship.
 39.

EXT. WHOLE FOODS MARKET – DAY

Alexis and Corinne exit and go to a waiting Mercedes sedan.

Two bodyguards appear; BODYGUARD #2 opens the rear door for
the women, the other takes the shopping cart and heads to
the open trunk. Alexis stops, remembering something.

ALEXIS
I promised Vic he could have hot
caramel on his ice cream tonight.

CORINNE
(turns to go back inside)
I’ll get it.

ALEXIS
No, I’ll go back in. I know exactly
what he likes and where to find it.

CORINNE
(harrumphs)
Like I don’t?

Alexis makes a face, smiles and goes back inside, followed

by Bodyguard #2. Corinne frowns, shakes her head
disapprovingly then gets in the back seat.

INT. WHOLE FOODS MARKET – CONTINUOUS

Alexis is searching the frozen desserts section. We hear a

loud BOOM then SCREAMS and sounds of panic. Alexis looks
toward the front of the store. Bodyguard #2 moves close
and takes her arm.

BODYGUARD #2
Stay here, Mrs. P.

EXT. WHOLE FOODS MARKET – CONTINUOUS

Bodyguard #2 pushes through the shocked bystanders to find

the Mercedes ablaze, blown up by a car bomb. Inside we see
the burning bodies of Corinne and the other bodyguard.
Alexis makes her way out, stands beside Bodyguard #2 and
looks on in stunned horror.

ALEXIS
Oh my God... Corinne...
 40.

INT. PORSCHE BOXSTER – MOVING – DAY

The stereo blares as Tina weaves through downtown traffic.

She checks her rearview mirror and we see the black SUV
with her bodyguards trying to keep up.

She looks ahead at a yellow traffic light. She guns it

just as the light turns red, flying through the
intersection, narrowly misses being broadsided by a truck.
She looks in the rearview again...

EXT. INTERSECTION – SAME

The black SUV is stuck at the light as cross traffic

passes. Inside the bodyguards react. “F--!”

INT. PORSCHE BOXSTER – MOVING – SAME

Tina smiles to herself and cruises on.

INT. MCMASTERS ADVERTISING AGENCY – DAY

Tori steps off the elevator, latte in hand. McMasters

comes toward her, slipping on his overcoat.

TORI
Aren’t we meeting on the Stay Soft
account in ten minutes?

MCMASTERS
Maybe you are, but I’ve got a more
pressing engagement.

TORI
What’s her name?

MCMASTERS
Jealous are we? Anyway, those
“brainstorming” meetings are boring as
bloody hell.
(punches button, doors open)
I don’t need to see the sausage being
made, Tori. I’m sure you and your
creative geniuses will serve up
something delicious when I return.

He gets in the elevator, turns and winks at her. She can

only shake her head as the elevator doors close on him.
 41.

HIP RECEPTIONIST
I guess having your name on the door
has its privileges.

TORI
Yeah, I guess. Any messages?

HIP RECEPTIONIST
(hands over message slips)
Ms. Butler at Stay Soft, your
manicurist confirmed your appointment
for tonight...And of course, Ian.

Tori gives her a look as she takes the message slips.

HIP RECEPTIONIST
Are we ever going to meet this hunk of
a man or do you plan on hiding him
forever?

TORI
How do you know he’s a hunk? You’ve
never seen him.

HIP RECEPTIONIST
But I talk to him almost every day and
believe me, I can tell. Even through
the phone, I can tell.

Tori smiles, turns and walks off down the hallway.

INT. MEETING ROOM – LATER

Tori and the CREATIVE STAFF are brainstorming ideas for the
Stay Soft campaign. Sketches and catch phrases are strewn
all about the walls and whiteboards. In this scene, we see
that Tori has an easy rapport with her coworkers and that
they genuinely like and admire her despite her mob ties.

INT. RECEPTION AREA – SAME

The elevator doors open and a BIKE MESSENGER steps off and
goes to the Hip Receptionist. They have a pleasant but
efficient exchange and he leaves a shoebox-sized PACKAGE.
The Hip Receptionist takes the package down the hall to –
 42.

INT. TORI’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS

The Hip Receptionist places the package in the center of

Tori’s artist’s drawing board, which serves as her desk.
The office still has floral arrangements from those who
paid their respects to her father. As the Hip Receptionist
exits, HOLD on the package.

INT. METING ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON

The Creative staff is laughing, none more heartily than

their boss, Tori. Greg continues his ribald joke:

GREG
...And I said to him, “Honey, it may be
called ‘Stay Soft’, but women put it on
so men can stay hard and that’s what I
need from you right now!”

After the laughter dies down, Meghan and Tori share a look,
then a smile. Meghan’s happy that her boss is getting back
to normal.

TORI
Alright...I think that’s a sign that
we’ve run out of ideas for the
afternoon. We’ve got enough solid
concepts to share with Perry when he
comes in. Jane, would you mind
checking to see if he’s back yet?

JANE, a cute redhead, makes her way through the agency.

She pokes her head in McMasters’ office. Empty. She
continues to reception. The Hip Receptionist ends a call.

JANE
Any ETA on when Perry is due back?

HIP RECEPTIONIST
Nope. Must be a redhead this time. He
usually takes more time with redheads.

The elevator doors open and off step two men: Fortune
Douglass and the attacker from Vic’s high school bathroom,
still just as lethal looking. He is BORIS SIMONOVA. They
bring an ominous vibe. The girls tense with anxiety.

HIP RECEPTIONIST
(haltingly)
Can I help you gentlemen?
 43.

FORTUNE
We need to see Victoria Porter. Right
away, please.

They pause, wanting to protect Tori.

HIP RECEPTIONIST
I...I can see if she’s...in. Who
should I say –

FORTUNE
(smooth but direct)
Miss, I know she’s here. You’ll be
doing her a favor if you’d just tell me
where she is. Now. Please.

The girls are frozen with fear.

TORI (O.S.)
Fortune!

Tori is coming down the hall with the Creative staff. The
Hip Receptionist and Jane look at her with dread.

TORI
What are you doing here?

FORTUNE
Tori, we have to leave. Now.

TORI
What? But I’ve got –

He takes her arm and guides her toward the elevator.

TORI
Fortune! What’s going on?

The Hip Receptionist is about to dial 9-1-1 but one look

into Boris’ cold, killer’s eyes and she freezes.

FORTUNE
Tell you later.

MEGHAN
Tori! What do you want us to do?!

TORI
It’s alright, Meghan. Everybody, it’s
alright.
 44.

The elevator doors open and Fortune, Tori and Boris get in.
Immediately after the doors close, the Hip Receptionist
dials 9-1-1 as the other staffers fret.

INT./EXT. GROUND FLOOR LOBBY – MINUTES LATER

A few people file out of the elevator. Fortune, Tori and

Boris come out and move quickly through the lobby and out
the revolving doors to the sidewalk.

TORI
You need to tell me what’s going on,
Fortune! Not later, now!

MCMASTERS

is walking down the sidewalk. He sees Tori and his smile

quickly turns to a look of concern as he clocks the tense
exchange between her and Fortune. Then –

KABOOM! McMasters, Tori, Fortune, Boris and everyone on

the sidewalk look up. Ten stories above, the windows in
the McMasters Agency are blown out by a massive bomb
explosion. People take cover on the street from the debris
raining down. When McMasters looks for Tori, all he sees
is a black SUV speeding away.

EXT. SAFE HOUSE – ESTABLISHING - SUNSET

A rustic home on a rocky cape facing the bay.

ON PIXELATED TV SCREEN

Images of the aftermath of the bombing: rescue workers

helping the wounded, the dead being rolled out in body bags
on stretchers, survivors shell shocked and crying.

NEWS ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

...the explosion left six people dead
and more than a dozen wounded, many of
them employees of the McMasters
Advertising Agency. No demands have
been made, but Police have not ruled
out terrorism in the worst bombing
episode in Harbor City’s history...

Perry McMaster’s appears on screen, overwhelmed with grief.

 45.

INT. SAFE HOUSE – SUNSET

Tori stands in front of the large plasma screen t.v.,

numbly watching news coverage of the bombing. When
McMasters appears on screen it’s too much for her. She
flicks off the set and wipes tears from her reddened eyes.
A door closes behind her and she turns to Fortune.

FORTUNE
Your mom’s asleep and Vic’s resting in
his room. How are you holding up?

TORI
This doesn’t make any sense, Fortune!
We’re civilians! No one in the
Syndicate violates that rule. No one.
I don’t believe Van Kamp would approve
a hit on my family.

FORTUNE
It was hard for me to get my head
around too, Tori. But it’s the only
explanation that makes sense.

TORI
Why?! Why, Fortune?! My father was
good to his men, especially Van Kamp!

Fortune stares at her for a beat, then moves to a bar.

FORTUNE
Drink?

TORI
Yeah, sure.

FORTUNE
(as he pours)
Four years down at Smith, then grad
school out West, I’m surprised you
followed the business so closely.

He hands her a glass of brandy. He holds a scotch-rocks.

FORTUNE
Or was this knowledge gained more
recently? Say the last year or so?

TORI
Of course Ian and I talk. That’s what
lovers do, Fortune.
 46.

FORTUNE
Not if they’re in this business.

Beat. There’s deep meaning in this exchange. She takes a

drink and he motions for them to sit on the sofa.

FORTUNE
Your father put together a plan to move
out of the rackets in five years. The
triad microchip deal would net twenty
million dollars, enough to cash the
Porter outfit out of the Syndicate and
begin investing in legal businesses.
Van Kamp was against the plan. He knew
there was always more money to be made
running our illicit operations than
going straight. So he negotiated a
bogus deal with the Chinese: he told
them your father’s asking price for his
political and commercial protection was
ten million. Van Kamp misled both
sides enough so that by the time they
got to the negotiating table they were
too far apart to make a deal that
either side could live with.

TORI
So he arranges a hit on my father after
the deal goes bad and makes it look
like the triad is behind it.

FORTUNE
Yes, and –

TORI
(interrupts)
And rather than start a war and risk
missing out on their cut of ten million
dollars, the other four outfits stay on
the sidelines until somebody has the
sense to let bygones be bygones and do
a deal with Chinese.

Fortune looks at her, impressed.

FORTUNE
You learn to think like that from your
mob boyfriend?

TORI
My mob boss father.
 47.

A knock on the door. Boris enters, whispers in Fortune’s

ear then turns and exits. Tori eyes him curiously
throughout the exchange.

FORTUNE
Good news. We’ve found Tina at that
ski lodge in New Hampshire.

TORI
So your man is on his way up there to
get her now?

FORTUNE
Boris? No, Boris is your man. He
stays with you from now on.

TORI
But if he’s as good as you say he is –
ex-Russian Special Forces, Bratva,
etcetera – that’s who I want to bring
my sister back home safely.

FORTUNE
Trust me, Tina will be in good hands.
And so will you.

EXT. CONDO PATIO – NIGHT

Tina and Brad are in the hot tub, kissing passionately. In

the b.g., through the sliding glass wall door, we see Bree
and RICK, 19, necking on the sofa inside the condo.

INT. CONDO – CONTINUOUS

Rick runs his hand underneath Bree’s skirt. She nudges it

away, again.

RICK
C’mon, Bree, baby...

BREE
No, Rick...please.

Rick presses his muscular body against her. Bree reaches

between his legs and he think’s he’s won. Then –

RICK
(in agony)
Owwwww!
 48.

Bree pushes him off of her and gets to her feet. Rick is
holding his balls with both hands.

RICK
Jesus! You little tease!

BREE
I told you no!

RICK
Why’d you invite me up here if you
didn’t want to hook up?!

She grabs his coat and throws it at him.

BREE
Don’t let the doorknob hit you on the
way out, “Playa.”

Rick’s pain and frustration turn to anger and humiliation.

He lunges off the sofa and grabs Bree. She screams.

EXT. CONDO DECK – CONTINUOUS

Tina hears Bree’s scream and pulls away from Brad.

BRAD
What? Oh c’mon, beautiful. They’re
just having fun in there...

INT. CONDO - CONTINUOUS

Rick has Bree pinned against the wall, trying to force

himself on her from behind. She shouts a Spanish
expletive, stomps on the top of his foot, spins around and
knees him in the balls. Rick keels over onto the floor.

Tina rushes in with a towel wrapped around her. SUDDENLY,

the front door of the condo bursts open. Two HOODS rush
in. Brad comes in from the deck and immediately raises his
hands, scared shitless. Bree glances at her purse on the
chair. HOOD #1 clocks her and senses danger.

HOOD #1
Don’t even think about it, sister.

TINA
Who are you?!
 49.

HOOD #2
Mr. Douglass sent us. We’re here to
take you to your mother, Miss Porter.

BRAD
Jesus, I didn’t even touch her. Tina,
tell them I didn’t even touch you!

TINA
Oh shut up, Brad!

HOOD #1
(wraps his coat around Tina)
Sorry, no time to get your things.

TINA
What about, Bree? We can’t just leave
her with these assholes.

HOOD #2
Sorry, Miss Porter. Sorry, Miss
Perrillo.

They hurry Tina out of the condo. Bree looks at the two
assholes as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

 50.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. CROWN AND ANCHOR SALOON – NIGHT

A cozy joint full of West End locals.

BACK ROOM

Van Kamp and Alderman FITCH DUNLEVY, early 40s,

conservative, ambitious, talk over cigars and whiskey.
Cigar smoke hangs in the dimly lit room.

DUNLEVY
Mayor O’Dell hasn’t exactly covered
himself in glory after this bombing
downtown.... Still, campaigning against
an incumbent with powerful friends is
an expensive proposition...

Beat.

VAN KAMP
Well, as you can see, the Porter
outfit’s undergone a few changes
recently... What if I were to tell you
we’re interested in a change at City
Hall? And that we’d be willing to put
our influence with the unions and the
media behind a new, younger, more
“visionary” candidate?

DUNLEVY
I’d say that candidate would be very
grateful for the support. I’d also ask
what, exactly, that candidate would be
expected to do to repay such a debt.

VAN KAMP
A certain shipment is stuck on a
freighter in the harbor. It needs to
get unstuck. If memory serves, you’re
chairman of the Port Authority
Committee, correct?

DUNLEVY
Yes, but whatever this shipment is, it
would still have to pass U.S. Customs
once it was cleared to make port.
 51.

VAN KAMP
One of the advantages of having friends
in the outfit is that we have friends
everywhere. And our friends help each
other.
(beat)
So, Alderman, would you like to be our
friend?

A long beat as Dunlevy takes a sip of his whiskey and a

puff of his cigar. Finally –

DUNLEVY
You can never have enough friends in
politics.

A sly smile curls Van Kamp’s lips and just as it does the
door BURSTS open. Van Kamp and Dunlevy turn and their eyes
go wide with fright.

CLOSE ON A SILENCED SIG 550 MACHINE GUN MUZZLE

as it opens fire.

Reverse to see Van Kamp and Dunlevy on the floor, dead. We

hear the footsteps of their assassin exit the room.

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

A stylish room with a magnificent high-rise view of Harbor

City’s skyline. We find Fortune and a beautiful black
woman post-coital in bed. A cell phone RINGS and he takes
it from the night table, answers.

FORTUNE
(into phone)
Yes?

He reacts, gives the woman a look. She gets out of bed and
exits to the bathroom without a word.

FORTUNE
(into phone)
When?
(listens)
Any ideas who?
(listens)
No, don’t do anything. I’m on my way.
 52.

INT. CROWN AND ANCHOR, BACK ROOM – NIGHT

The room is now a police crime scene. CSI and homicide

DETECTIVES hover over the bodies of Van Kamp and Dunlevy.
FBI Agents Hsu and MacGregor stroll in unannounced and, as
far as DET. GOLDBLUM is concerned, uninvited.

DET. GOLDBLUM
This is a city matter.

HSU
Danny, you sound unhappy to see me.

DET. GOLDBLUM
Very perceptive, Hsu. Guess that’s why
you Feds make the big bucks.

Hsu walks over, looks down at the bodies impassively.

HSU
A crooked pol gets whacked, it’s city
business. A crooked pol gets whacked
with a Syndicate underboss, it’s my
business.

DET. GOLDBLUM
Maybe it’s your business but it’s my
investigation.

HSU
Just like the Porter hit? How’s that
investigation goin’ by the way?

DET. GOLDBLUM
(clocking Hsu’s criticism)
It’s goin’.

MACGREGOR
(casual)
Yeah, nowhere.

Goldblum and the local cops react.

DET. GOLDBLUM
You got something to say, MacGregor,
say it.

MacGregor shrugs.
 53.

DET. GOLDBLUM
It’s a small sandbox we got here,
MacGregor. You ought to watch where
you piss.

MACGREGOR
I’ll keep that in mind, Goldblum.

HSU
So what do you think, Danny? Somebody
got a special beef with the Porter
outfit?

DET. GOLDBLUM
Could be. I hear Mad Dog got crosswise
with a few Chinese nationals. They
could be out for revenge.

MACGREGOR
(sarcastic)
Really, Detective? That’s what you
hear.

OFF Goldblum glowering at MacGregor...

EXT. CROWN AND ANCHOR, CITY STREET – NIGHT

Hsu and MacGregor walk to their car.

MACGREGOR
The one thing I hate more than a
crooked cop – well, actually there’s
nothing I hate more than a crooked cop.

Hsu isn’t listening. He’s already on his cell phone.

HSU
(into phone)
Listen, I need intel and I need it
fast.
(listens, then irritated)
Then get back in touch! Look, with Mad
Dog and his top guy out of the picture,
the two people inside the Syndicate who
knew the most about the microchip deal
are dead. But there’s got to be a
reason why whoever’s doing the killing
wants the Porter family out of the
picture too. I want to know why.
 54.

EXT. SAFE HOUSE – NIGHT

Tori stands with her back to the house, looking pensively

onto the bay. The full moon makes it a beautiful sight.
Fortune comes up behind her and drapes a leather jacket
over her shoulders.

TORI
How is he?

FORTUNE
Ian’s fine. And he knows you’re safe.
I’m sorry you can’t talk to him, but
until –

TORI
I know the drill, Fortune. It’s not
the first time my family’s gone under
ground. Tina and Vic are too young to
remember, but I have vivid memories,
unfortunately.
(then, focused)
So now what? Even if Van Kamp was
involved in the hit on my father, it’s
obvious he’s not the one pulling the
strings. And we know it’s not the
triad. Every day those microchips float
in the harbor is a day they’re out
millions of dollars.

Fortune takes a drag on a cigarette. She watches him

closely.

FORTUNE
So the other bosses didn’t just sit on
the sideline waiting for somebody else
in the Porter outfit to do the deal.
At least one of them decided to do one
of his own...

TORI
...Only none of them has the political
clout that Daddy had, so the only way
to level the field and lower the price
tag was to immobilize the Porter outfit
and keep the merchandise out of the
triad’s reach long enough to force a
deal with better terms. And of the
four remaining bosses...
 55.

FORTUNE
Marin.

They look at each other. Beat.

TORI
If it is Marin – and none of the other
bosses would’ve had the nerve to even
think of killing my father – he
obviously feels he has to eliminate my
whole family in order to consolidate
the Porter outfit into his own. The
only way that the other bosses would
allow that is if there’s enough profit
in it for them... But if he doesn’t do
the deal and –

FORTUNE
(interrupts)
And he’s exposed for going after
civilians...
(off her knowing nod)
Okay, so you’ve dreamed up a solution.
Just how do you propose we go about
executing it?

TORI
We do a deal with the triad before he
can.

FORTUNE
Look, Victoria, my only job right now
is to keep you and your family safe. I
don’t have time to negotiate with the
Chinese.

TORI
Who said anything about you doing the
negotiating?

Something so ludicrous calls for a deep drag on his

cigarette.

TORI
(re: cigarette)
You really should stop. Those things
will kill you.
 56.

EXT. MARIN MOTORS – DAY

A Mercedes pulls into the parking lot and Frank Marin steps
out of the back seat. Before he makes it to the entrance
he looks up at Hsu and MacGregor approaching.

MARIN
Well, if it isn’t Charlie Chan and his
Number One son. Top ‘O the Mornin’ to
you, boys.

HSU
Top of the morning to you, Frank.

MacGregor nods glumly.

MARIN
So what brings you here? Finally
interested in trading in that old
Hyundai for a real automobile? I’m
sure I can put you in one of these
babies without landing you in the poor
house...or in Leavenworth.

HSU
No thanks, Frank, but I appreciate the
offer. We just stopped by to pass
along a little information.

MARIN
Oh, really? I’m curious as to what
kind of information the FBI would have
that would be of interest to an honest
car dealer like myself?

HSU
Well, I understand that there’s been a
lot of talk – in certain business
circles – about a shipment of some kind
that’s been stuck in the harbor.

MARIN
Mercedes, Porsches...Audis?

HSU
Not exactly. In any event, word is the
shipment cleared Customs early this
morning. Apparently, with so many
mobsters dropping dead lately, the
wheels of bureaucracy were free to turn
on their own.
 57.

MARIN
Again, I wonder, how any of this could
possibly matter to me?

HSU
Oh, maybe it doesn’t. If not, I’m sure
you don’t care that, at least according
to my sources, a deal for the shipment
was made this morning.

Marin expertly covers his concern.

MARIN
Like I said, Charlie, if it doesn’t
concern luxury automobiles, it doesn’t
concern me.
(then, brightly)
Now, you sure I can’t have one of my
guys take you on a test drive? You’d
look great behind the wheel of the new
Nine Fifty.

INT. MARIN’S OFFICE – MINUTES LATER

Marin is on his cell phone, livid.

MARIN
What do you mean you don’t know?! I
pay you to know, damnit! You think
setting Porter up was the end of your
job?! Well it was just the beginning!
(listens)
Porter owns the politicians that I want
to own! They’re the only outfit that
could’ve moved a shipment that hot
through Customs! Your job was to tell
me what’s going on in that outfit! How
the hell could this happen without you
knowing?!

INT. HIGH-RISE CONSTRUCTION SITE – EARLIER (DAWN)

On the concrete floor in front of an empty shaft we see

“25th floor” spray-painted in orange. A construction
elevator rises into the shaft. The triad leader Wu, his
interpreter and five other triad hoods file off. Reverse
to find Tori, Fortune and Boris waiting. Wu and the
interpreter cross to them as the hoods spread out, keeping
their eyes peeled for danger.
 58.

Wu glances at Tori – she’s dressed all in black – then

levels his eyes at Fortune. He speaks in Chinese and his
interpreter translates.

FORTUNE
Actually, my Boss is responsible for
getting your shipment into port. She’s
known the mayor since she was a child.
(looks at Tori)
I’d like to introduce you to Victoria
Porter, Victor Porter’s daughter. She
has full authority to act on behalf of
all our business endeavors.

Wu fixes his eyes on Tori again; she holds his stare.

WU
(in Chinese, subtitled)
Hmmph! The best position for a woman
in business is bent over a desk with
her skirt hiked over her ass.

TORI
(in Chinese, subtitled)
Any man I do business with will be
satisfied, regardless of the position I
choose to take. The question, Mr. Wu,
is will I be satisfied doing business
with you?

Fortune is just as stunned as everyone else, but covers his

surprise at learning that Tori speaks fluent Chinese. Wu
and his interpreter look at her with different eyes. Tori
turns and walks to a makeshift project table, sits in a
chair and crosses her legs for effect. She looks at Wu.

TORI
(in Chinese, subtitled)
Gentlemen, shall we discuss terms?

INT. TORI’S MERCEDES SEDAN – MOVING – ONE HOUR LATER

Fortune and Tori are in the back seat. He’s staring at

her, only now revealing his astonishment.

FORTUNE
You speak Chinese?!

TORI
Actually, that was Mandarin.
 59.

FORTUNE
Whatever. When’d you learn “Mandarin?”

TORI
Grad school in San Francisco. I took
an accelerated language course one
summer... Of course, sleeping with my
tutor helped me master the dialects.

FORTUNE
He must’ve been one hell of a teacher.

TORI
Yes...she was.

She looks at him, enjoying his befuddlement.

INT. MARIN’S MERCEDES SEDAN – MOVING – DAY

Marin broods in the back seat. His cell phone rings and he
answers it immediately, ready to open up with all barrels.

MARIN
(into phone)
Well!
(realizes, softens)
Fortune? Congratulations on the deal
with the Chinese! I always knew you
were the brains in Porter’s outfit.
(listens, beat)
Certainly. Of course. I’m glad to
hear she wants to do the right thing.
Let me assure you, the bosses will
appreciate fairness on this.
(listens)
Yes, sure. I think that’s a great
idea! Terrific symbolism! It’s
obvious that Victor’s investment in
your education and grooming is paying
off, even after he’s gone. Well done,
Fortune. Well done.

He flips his phone closed and his phony smile melts into a
foul grimace.

INT. SAFE HOUSE, TINA’S ROOM - SUNSET

Tina is on her bed speaking in hushed tones on her cell

phone. She stops abruptly at a knock on the door.
 60.

VIC (O.S.)
Tina, Mom wants us all down for dinner.

TINA
Alright, I’ll be down in just a sec.

VIC (O.S.)
She said now.

TINA
Bite me, ‘tard!

Vic barges in. He stops in his tracks when he sees that

she’s on the phone.

TINA
What the hell?! Who do you think –

VIC
What the hell do you think you’re
doing?! No phones, Tina!

TINA
(jumps up and closes door)
Shut up! Stop yelling! It’s just
Bree, you ape.

VIC
It doesn’t matter who it is. You know
the rules, no phones. They can be
tracked on GPS.

TINA
C’mon, Junie! We haven’t talked in
days. How was I supposed to know if
she was even alright after what
happened up at the lodge?

He grabs the phone from her. She’s about to fight for it,
but something about him has changed. He’s not her “little”
brother anymore. Vic turns off the phone and pockets it.

VIC
Sorry, Tina, but the family comes
first. You should know that.

They stare at each other for a couple of beats, then she

opens the door and heads downstairs for dinner.
 61.

INT. SAFE HOUSE, DEN – NIGHT

Fortune and Tori sit across from each other on sofas. A

fire is dying in the fireplace.

FORTUNE
It’s where Marin met your father ten
years ago to pledge his loyalty. They
met outside, like in the old days. But
he won’t bother making it to this
meeting. You understand that, right?

TORI
Yes, I do. Even though we outsmarted
him on the microchip deal, he still
underestimates us. And that’s his
Achilles heel; his ego. It’s a very
common weakness in men.

She smiles, then senses there’s something he’s not saying.

TORI
What is it, Fortune?

FORTUNE
(beat)
You trust me on this?

She looks in his eyes for a long beat and we know there’s
history there we’ll have to learn about some other time.

TORI
I trust you on this.

A knock on the door and they turn as Boris enters. He

whispers in Fortune’s ear, then hands him a DIGITAL
RECORDER. Fortune looks at Tori with a grave expression.

TORI
What’s wrong?

FORTUNE
When we figured out Marin was pulling
the strings, I had Boris do some
serious black ops type surveillance on
him – stuff the CIA and Russian spooks
use. This is what he picked up after
Marin found out about our deal with the
Chinese.

Fortune plays the recording:

 62.

MARIN (V.O.)
What do you mean you don’t know?! I
pay you to know, damnit! You think
setting Porter up was the end of your
job?! Well it was just the beginning!

IAN (V.O.)
I’ve tapped every conceivable source to
find out who got the shipment cleared.
No way was it one of Victor’s
underbosses.

MARIN (V.O.)
Porter owns the politicians that I want
to own! They’re the only outfit that
could’ve moved a shipment that hot
through Customs! Your job was to tell
me what’s going on in that outfit! How
the hell could this happen without you
knowing?!

CLOSE ON TORI

staring at the recording device in utter disbelief.

TORI
...No...there’s some kind of mistake.
It’s a digital recording. Anyone
could’ve dropped Ian’s voice into that
conversation or totally fabricated it
for that matter. Ian did it all the
time. He told me so. It’s how Dad got
so many politicians in his pocket.

Boris stares at Tori with impassive eyes.

FORTUNE
You’re right. It’s easy to do. And
someone could have done it...but they
didn’t. When Boris told me about this,
I had him do a scrub of Ian’s
electronic activities for the last
three years. Turns out he’s been
working for Marin the whole time.

The life is rapidly draining out of Tori, but her eyes

remain fixed on the recorder. Fortune gives Boris a signal
and he leaves them alone.

FORTUNE
Tori, I’m sorry...
 63.

INT. SAFE HOUSE, ALEXIS’ BEDROOM – LATER

Alexis is asleep. We hear the door to her room open and

close. Sensing a presence, Alexis’ eyes flutter open. She
looks up and focuses on Tori, standing over her bed.

ALEXIS
Tori, darling. Are you alright?

Without a word, Tori lay down in her mother’s arms and

cries her eyes out.

EXT. TORI’S LOFT BUILDING – DAWN

A cold morning. Tori comes out of the building in a sleek

running suit, stretches and starts jogging.

EXT. CITY STREETS – CONTINUOUS

We’re with Tori as she jogs along the mostly empty

sidewalks and streets of the city’s downtown, passing the
occasional HOMELESS PERSON sleeping or scavenging.

EXT. MID-RISE BUILDING – ESTABLISHING

Another nondescript building in the midst of Harbor City’s

sleeping financial district. From a distance, we notice
movement on the –

EXT. ROOF OF MID-RISE BUILDING – CONTINUOUS

QUICK CUTS of a SNIPER RIFLE being assembled – the stock,

barrel, support legs, etc. – by an as yet unseen sniper.

EXT. CITY STREETS – CONTINUOUS

Tori jogs along. About 75 yards up ahead is a tunnel.

TORI’S FACE

a light glistening of sweat covers her face. We’re not

sure if it’s from the run or nerves. Her eyes are fixed on
the tunnel entrance. She reacts subtly when she sees a MAN
silhouetted on the opposite end of the tunnel.
 64.

SNIPER SCOPE POV - TORI

as she closes the distance to the tunnel.

EXT. CITY STREETS – CONTINUOUS

Tori takes a breath and pushes on toward the tunnel. The

sun crests over the horizon, seemingly waking the city
itself.

EXT. ROOF, MID-RISE BUILDING – CONTINUOUS

SNIPER’S FINGER

as it tightens on the trigger.

SNIPER SCOPE POV – TORI

about 25 yards from the tunnel. Suddenly, a BLINDING FLASH

of sunlight fills the scope.

The SNIPER, dark and mustachioed, reacts, pulling his eye

away from the scope. Then he looks in it again and swivels
his rifle to find the source of the distraction. He
does...

SNIPER SCOPE POV – BORIS

atop a building a mile away, aiming his sniper rifle. The

sniper sees another FLASH, this one from the muzzle of
Boris’ rifle. It’s the last thing he ever sees.

THE SNIPER

is killed by the round that enters his scope and blows out
the back of his head.

EXT. BORIS’ ROOFTOP – CONTINUOUS

Seeing that he’s made the kill, Boris calmly removes his
shooting glasses. In his hand is the POCKET MIRROR he used
to flash sun into the sniper’s scope. He tosses it off the
top of the building.
 65.

EXT. TUNNEL ENTRANCE – CONTINUOUS

Tori runs into the tunnel and the man on the other end
rushes out of frame. Winded and relieved, Tori stops and
puts her hands on her knees.

INT. STARBUCKS – DAY

A healthy rush hour crowd is lined up for lattes, mochas

and drips. Marin breezes in and makes his way to the front
of the line, smiling and back slapping CUSTOMERS as he
does. MARY, a barista, greets him warmly.

MARY
‘Morning, Mr. Marin. That grande
triple shot, no-whip Machiotto will be
right up.

MARIN
Top O’ the Mornin’ to you, Mary.
Thanks, Hon.

Marin takes his coffee from the bar and heads outside.

EXT. STARBUCKS – CONTINUOUS

He doesn’t get two feet before –

TORI (O.S.)
Missed you at the tunnel, Frank.

He turns to Tori, still in her jogging suit but no longer

sweating.

MARIN
(startled)
Victoria! Well...I must’ve just gotten
the times mixed up. I think I had our
meeting down for eight thirty. Yeah...

TORI
Well, as you can see I’m free now. Why
don’t we meet in your office? It’s
just a couple of blocks down, isn’t it?

MARIN
Yeah. It is. That’s a good idea.
I’ll give you a lift. It’s the least I
can do after all that running, huh?
 66.

He raises his hand and signals for his Mercedes to pull up,
but it doesn’t. Marin looks more closely and sees why.

HIS DRIVER

is slumped over the steering wheel. Dead.

TORI (O.S.)
Why don’t I give you a lift instead?

Another sedan pulls up to the curb. Bodyguard #1 is behind

the wheel. Boris gets out of the back and holds the door
open. Another of Tori’s men is waiting in the back seat.

Marin looks at Boris then at Tori. She holds a pleasant

smile but her eyes are cold. She cocks her head, almost
cutely, toward the car. Marin understands he’s a dead man.

He climbs in the back seat and tosses his coffee at Boris’

feet. Boris glances down, unperturbed, closes the door and
the car drives away. Then Boris follows Tori into the
Starbucks. We watch from outside and hear as Mary greets
her warmly and she orders a no-whip, skinny latte.

INT. IAN’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Ian is almost ready to head out for the evening, in jeans

and an expensive white shirt. Just as he throws on a sport
coat, there’s a knock at the door. Immediately on guard,
he pulls a WALTHER out of a drawer, checks the chamber. He
looks through the peephole and is relieved. He sticks the
gun in the small of his back and opens the door.

IAN
(thrilled to see her)
Babe! I thought I was picking you up,
not the other way around!

Tori steps inside. She’s in pearls, overcoat and heels. In

a word: elegant. He leans in for a peck on the lips but
gets a cheek instead. Tori peels off her gloves.

TORI
I couldn’t wait to see you, Ian.
There’s something we need to talk
about.
 67.

IAN
(holding her waist)
I missed you too, Tori. You look
incredible. Maybe I should change. I
mean, it’s just Luigi’s, but I could
throw on a tie.

TORI
That won’t be necessary, darling.

He looks at her, in her eyes, and senses a change that goes

beyond the clothes. He steps away from her.

IAN
You said we need to talk. What’s on
your mind, Tori?

TORI
Frank Marin is dead, Ian.

IAN
What?!
(then realizing)
Tori, what do you think you know?

TORI
That you betrayed my father, then
fingered Van Kamp and Dunlevy so that
Marin could have more bargaining power
with the triad.

IAN
(even, believable)
Wait a minute, Tori. Whose feeding you
this nonsense? Think about what you’re
saying. I was there with your father.
Remember? I was almost killed myself,
for Christ’s sake!

TORI
Ian, darling, please, don’t insult my
intelligence. Marksmen are a dime a
dozen... I know you made a deal with
Marin to give up my father in exchange
for Marin taking out the underbosses in
Daddy’s outfit. Even though you talked
so much about getting out and starting
fresh, the fact is you wanted to take
over Daddy’s outfit all along. Only
you didn’t want to wait your turn.
 68.

She looks at him. He knows he’s through, that there’s

nothing more to say, except –

IAN
(beat)
Tori, you have to believe that I never,
ever used you. Everything between us,
the hopes and the dreams, every word I
ever said, was real and genuine.
Please believe that.

An instant of emotion registers in her eyes but it’s gone

before she blinks.

TORI
I believe you, Ian...I do, darling.
And I love you. Which is why this is
so difficult for me.

The door opens and Boris steps inside. He closes it and

stares impassively at Ian. For a brief moment, Ian thinks
of reaching for the Walther behind his back, but knows it’s
futile.

Tori puts on her gloves and smoothes them. She moves close
to Ian, looks deeply into his eyes, touches his face gently
with her gloved hand and kisses his lips softly.

TORI
Goodbye, Ian darling.

She turns and walks to the door, stops and looks at Boris.

IAN
Tori, I never meant to hurt you.

TORI
(still facing Boris)
But you broke my heart.

Tori calmly pulls a SILENCED GUN from the shoulder holster

inside Boris’ leather jacket, turns and fires.

We hear the sound of Ian’s body hitting the floor. CLOSE

ON Tori as she lowers her aim and fires a second time,
completing the mob-style “two to the head” killing.

She hands the gun to Boris. He opens the door for her and
she walks out. Boris looks at Ian’s body for a beat, then
exits the apartment, closing the door behind him. Reverse
and HOLD on Ian’s body...
 69.

EXT. PORTER HOME – NIGHT

Cars are in the driveway, one of them Tina’s Porsche.

Bodyguards lurk discreetly in the shadows.

INT. PORTER HOME, KITCHEN – NIGHT

Alexis is at the counter, reading a magazine. From

somewhere in the house –

TINA (O.S.)
(shouting)
Jesus Christ, Vic! Turn on the light
or sit down you pig! Disgusting!

VIC (O.S.)
(shouting)
I’m not gonna sit down! I’m not a
girl, douche!

Alexis smiles to herself and turns the page.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET – NIGHT

A Nissan 260-Z is parked, lights out, engine off. CAMERA

MOVES IN on the car from behind as someone approaches on
foot.

INT. NISSAN 260-Z - CONTINUOUS

Bree Castillo is behind the wheel. Waiting. She’s

startled when the passenger door opens and Hsu sits next to
her.

HSU
(pointedly)
Okay, what have you got?

Bree is really 25-year-old FBI agent Connie Fernandez.

BREE
Marin’s dead. Probably taking a dirt
nap next to Jimmy Hoffa.

HSU
One down, three to go.
 70.

BREE
Four.
(off Hsu’s look)
The Porter outfit’s got a new boss...

EXT. THE PALM – ESTABLISHING – NIGHT

A Mercedes pulls to the curb and a VALET opens the rear

door. ANGLE ON a woman’s sexy legs and expensive “Jimmy
Choo’s” as she climbs out and walks toward us.

WIDEN ANGLE and we see the woman is Tori, not long after
putting two holes in Ian’s head. With her are Fortune and
Boris. Doors open as she continues into –

INT. THE PALM - CONTINUOUS

A five-star restaurant where the well-dressed and powerful

go to move and shake. The MAITRE D’ greets Tori and
another STAFFER takes her coat. As she moves across the
restaurant, a few SAVVY DINERS steal glances at her,
recognizing power when they see it. Hsu is one of them.

Fortune and Boris follow Tori up a flight of stairs leading

to private dining rooms.

SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY

We follow as they walk down a dimly lit hallway to a door

guarded by a HEAVYSET MAN. He opens the door. From a POV
outside of the room, we see the Porter outfit underbosses.
They stand as Tori, Fortune and Boris enter. Each
underboss steps forward in turn to kiss Tori’s hand.

After the last underboss has paid his respects, Tori sits
at the head of the table as Boris closes the door and we...

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF EPISODE