Deathmatch

by
Lewis Dowling

Lewis Dowling 121 Talbot Road

Southsea
Portsmouth
PO4 0HD
INT. IRISH BAR - CCTV
The screen flicks, and white lines stretch across the
length. TWO MEN are displayed, black and white, their
movements jerky and broken. There is no sound, and sometimes
the screen is filled with static.
The two men break into a fight, their movements blinded by
the poor quality of the video. The screen is engulfed in
bright white light. Flames are seen, roaring and rising
higher and higher.

The screen flickers again; then there is nothing but static.

The static remains for a few moments longer, before it is
switched off.
INT. HOTEL SECURITY ROOM - NIGHT

JESSICA wipes away the sleep form her eyes, and stares at
the dark glass of the security monitor quizzically.
The light keeps flickering on and off. Jessica glares at the
bulb, and it flickers again, as though to spite her.

The room is small and cramped. It contains a set of monitors

against the front wall, either broken or containing static.
Against the left wall are a few bookshelves filled with
hundreds of videos.

Jessica sits in the only chair, pondering the black monitor.

She’s been watching the video since she arrived, the same
incident over and over.
She presses rewind, and waits for the video to reverse a few
minutes, before hitting play again. It springs to life, and
the figures are already moving.
INT. IRISH BAR - CCTV
The figures collide, mouth words to each other. Next they
are brawling.
INT. HOTEL SECURITY ROOM - NIGHT
Jessica rewinds the video again, heavily bashing the buttons
on the remote.
 2.

INT. IRISH BAR - CCTV

The figures collide. The culprit moves his palms upwards,
apologetically.
INT. HOTEL SECURITY ROOM - NIGHT

JESSICA
That’s it! They knew each other!
Jessica smiles to herself.

CRAIG
You what?
JESSICA
Sorry?

CRAIG
How’d you figure that out?
Jessica turns to see CRAIG. He is short, slightly plumb and
his hair is balding on the top, so he only has hair covering
the sides. What little he has left is jet black and thick
though. He is wearing an old, tatty suit. He wears no tie,
and his pasty white chest can be seen.
Jessica grins, rubbing her eyes triumphantly.

JESSICA
Oh, it was easy once I’d woken up.
She turns back to the paused image, and points
enthusiastically.

JESSICA
See here, the first man? He starts
off with his palms off,
apologizing.

Craig leans forward, uncomfortably close to Jessica. She

frowns, and shuffles away distastefully.
JESSICA
We can assume he was sorry.

Craig nods, and leans closer. Jessica shuffles further away,

almost falling off the chair.
JESSICA
But look, as soon as they face each
other, he’s the one that throws the
first punch, watch.
 3.

Jessica presses play.

INT. IRISH BAR - CCTV
The figures collide. The culprit moves his palms upwards,
apologetically. When he notices the other, he clenches his
fist. The video jerks, and the brawl begins.
INT. HOTEL SECURITY ROOM - NIGHT
CRAIG
Well, I’ll be damned.
Jessica smiled again, and switched the screen off. She then
quickly stands, escaping Craig’s advances.
JESSICA
Now to figure out why. What did you
say your name was?
She takes a notebook out of her jacket pocket, which was
hanging over the back of her chair, and a pencil. She leafs
through the pages, looks at the nib. Satisfied it’s sharp,
she looks back at the American and smiles sweetly.
CRAIG
Craig.
Jessica scribbles in her notebook.

JESSICA
Last name?
CRAIG
Long.

JESSICA
And you served the first gentleman,
am I correct?
CRAIG
Yes.
Beads of sweat begin to trickle down his forehead, from the
stifling heat of the room. There is no air conditioning. He
takes a handkerchief from his pocket, and wipes his brow,
before scrunching it back inside his pocket.
JESSICA
You’re not in any trouble Craig.
Now then, was there anything
peculiar about this gentleman?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.

CRAIG
Well, he was British.

Jessica nods, and jots down a note.

JESSICA
How’d you know that?
CRAIG
His accent.
JESSICA
Right, I see. Was there anything
else?

Craig ponders for a moment, sitting down in the chair.

CRAIG
Well, he only drank Guinness.
JESSICA
That’s not too unusual for a Brit,
I don’t think.
CRAIG
I suppose not. That’s it, to be
honest. He kept quiet most of the
night.
JESSICA
I see.
She jots down some notes, and leans against the wall.

JESSICA
Had you ever met the gentleman
before?

CRAIG
No I hadn’t.
JESSICA
What about the suspect?

CRAIG
Who?
JESSICA
The man who started the fight.

CRAIG
Oh, well I’d never seen him until
he threw that punch. He’d only just
come in as far as I know.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.

JESSICA
Do you know anything about him?
Craig shakes his head, and he slumps his shoulders, staring
at the floor.

JESSICA
Okay, it’s okay. What happened once
they started fighting?
Craig takes a deep breath.

CRAIG
Well --
There is a knock at the door, and Jessica sighs with
annoyance.

JESSICA
Please, hold that thought. Who is
it?
CHARLIE
Charlie Thaw, forensics
investigation.
JESSICA
Oh Charlie, come in.

Jessica smiles, as the door opens to the room. CHARLIE

squeezes through, pushing a cane before him. The cane is
metallic, and is supported by a wooden handle at the top.
Charlie leans against his cane, and adjusts his suit for a
moment. Charlie looks grand and impressive, despite his age.
He has long red, shoulder-length hair, tied in a ponytail.
He has a deep, commanding voice.
He steps forward, and admires the noticeboard, and the half
naked celebrities on the calendar.

CHARLIE
Hello Jessica.
JESSICA
Hi Charlie, how’s the back?

CHARLIE
Sciatica is playing up again.
Charlie turns, and leans against his cane once again.
Jessica smiles nervously. He grins back and winks.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.

CHARLIE
Nothing to worry about darling,
just a slight pain. Nothing I can’t
handle. Now then, to business.

He stands up straighter, preparing himself. Jessica holds

out a finger, to stop him.
JESSICA
Wait a minute, Charlie. I don’t
want to keep Craig, here, any
longer than necessary.
She nods to Craig, indicating for him to continue. Craig
takes a deep breath and begins to speak.
CRAIG
Well, I got the first guy a drink.
And when it was nearing closing
time, I asked if he’d like one
before we kicked out, you see?
Jessica continued to make notes, nodding encouragingly.
Charlie rubbed his back, waiting patiently.
CRAIG
So, I then poured him another, and
he finished that one too. Well,
when he got up to leave, leaving
behind a nice tip actually, he
bumped into that other feller, you
see? Well, that’s when it kicked
off, you see?

Jessica nods, scratching at her pad, waiting for Craig to

continue.
CRAIG
Well, they then got a bit more
violent than most. And that first
guy, the guy with the drinks. Well
he jumps over the damn bar and
grabs me around the head.
Craig stops for a moment, trembling slightly.

JESSICA
Please, at your own pace.
CRAIG
I was shit scared, so I kept quiet,
and then is all goes black. Next
thing I know, the damn place is on
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.

CRAIG (cont’d)
fire, and I’m coughing from the
smoke.
JESSICA
I see. And that is when you managed
to escape, and called us? Correct?
CRAIG
Yeah, that’s right.

Jessica nods, and closes her notebook. She offers her hand,
which Craig shakes shakily.
JESSICA
Thank you very much, Craig. You’ve
been exceptionally helpful. Before
you go, did you see anything else
that could help?
CRAIG
Sorry, I was unconscious.

JESSICA
Not your fault, not your fault at
all.
Jessica pats Craig on the shoulder and smiles sweetly.
Charlie opens the door, and allows Craig to squeeze past.
Craig waves, and wanders down the corridor. Charlie shuts
the door, patiently waiting for Jessica to speak.
Jessica looks to the mirror on the back of the door.

Jessica is quite a beautiful woman, with high cheekbones and

a petite chin. She has long blond hair, that shimmers in the
light. She looks into her own bright, wide eyes, and sighs.
Slight bags shadow them, yet even without makeup she looks
dazzling.

Charlie waits a moment, before coughing subtly. Jessica

snaps out of her trance, and fiddles with her shirt for a
moment. She offers the chair to Charlie, he declines,
shaking his head slowly. Jessica shrugs, and sits down.

JESSICA
What’s the news then?
CHARLIE
Yes, news.

Charlie scratches his old frail nose, before taking out a

notebook.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.

CHARLIE
As you know, the suspect escaped
through the backdoor of the
establishment.

JESSICA
Yes.
CHARLIE
And the other victim escaped
through the window of the bathroom.

JESSICA
Yes.
CHARLIE
However, there have been some
breaking developments since they
escaped.
JESSICA
Okay.

Jessica sighs, rubbing her forehead.

JESSICA
Which are?
CHARLIE
Well, the suspect is now a
murderer.
Jessica raises an eyebrow, startled.
JESSICA
What happened?
CHARLIE
We aren’t sure on the details, it
may have been self defense. But it
appears that he met someone else in
the alleyway. There must have been
a fight, because the deceased has a
knife wound in his chest, straight
through the heart, and a cracked
skull too.

Jessica nods, and leans back in her chair exasperatedly,

covering her mouth.
JESSICA
Any assumptions at this point?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.

CHARLIE
Unfortunately none based on this
evidence. However, we have managed
to trace the blood down the
alleyway to the window where the
victim --
JESSICA
I don’t believe he was a victim.
CHARLIE
Why not?
JESSICA
He injured the barman, Craig. And,
they must have known each other
previously.

CHARLIE
Are we not decided that the suspect
threw the first punch?
JESSICA
Yes, but the ’victim’ was the one
that attacked the barman.
CHARLIE
I see.

There is silence for a moment, while Charlie ponders.

CHARLIE
The initial suspect appears to have
climbed up the fire escape into the
adjacent building, followed by the
murder suspect.
Jessica stands up, rubbing the back of her neck, and pacing
the small office.

CHARLIE
He then, must have smashed through
the window and come in. We’re
unsure what happened next, but on
of the suspects has now encountered
the police, stationed around the
perimeter.
JESSICA
What! And you don’t know which? Why
didn’t you tell me sooner.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.

CHARLIE
I’m sorry. We unfortunately don’t
know which suspect it is. But
they’re both wanted for assault, or
worse.

Jessica rubs her eyes, as Charlie shuffles slightly with his

cane.
JESSICA
What is the situation there?

CHARLIE
We’ve cornered the suspect against
a wall, and have him surrounded.
However, we’re not approaching, in
case he’s armed.

JESSICA
You don’t know if he’s armed?
CHARLIE
He’s blocked the line of sight,
using a dumpster he managed to
move. We’re waiting for your orders
on this one.
Jessica sighs, and slapped the broken monitor.

JESSICA
What about helicopter support?
CHARLIE
For a man hiding behind a dumpster.
You know we’ll never persuade the
captain.
JESSICA
Where is he?

CHARLIE
After you, Jessica.
Charlie opens the door, and sweeps his hand across. Jessica
smiles, and picks up her suit jacket.

JESSICA
Thank you.
She walks slowly out the room, followed by Charlie.
 11.

INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Charlie and Jessica walk down the corridor, towards the
elevator at the end. The corridor is damp and miserable,
wallpaper hanging from the walls.
Charlie limps with each step, but Jessica strides ahead,
thinking deeply. She reaches the elevator and calls it.
Charlie arrives at the doors open.

INT. HOTEL ELEVATOR - NIGHT

Charlie presses the button for the foyer, and stands in the
corner.

JESSICA
Have we got any idea what started
this?
CHARLIE
Unfortunately not. I’d assume, from
your prediction, that the two knew
each other. I can’t see what caused
it though. A lover maybe? Seems to
be the only rational explanation.
JESSICA
I suppose.
The elevator is slow, and judders worryingly. Jessica
glances about nervously.

CHARLIE
How’s Dave?
JESSICA
He’s okay, a bit pissed I had to
leave so early. But okay.

CHARLIE
Sounds like there’s more to that
story.
JESSICA
Yeah. Oh, Charlie.
Jessica sighs, brushing her hair away from her face.
JESSICA
Yes, there’s a story. He wants me
to quit. To stop this ’stupid and
dangerous job’.
She coughs nervously, and looks to Charlie for support.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.

JESSICA
I like this job Charlie. I don’t
want to need to quit yet. Why can’t
he understand that?

CHARLIE
I’m sure it’s just because he cares
for you.
Before Charlie can reconcile Jessica further, the lift
shudders to a stop, and the metallic doors creak open.
Jessica steps out, and Charlie limps after her.
EXT. OUTSIDE DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT
There are police cars surrounding the dumpster. Every
officer has their gun drawn, pointing at the green, grimy
bin. Jessica gets out of her car, with Charlie close behind,
and strides to the nearest high ranking officer. She pats
him on the shoulder.
JESSICA
What’s the situation?

HIGH RANKING OFFICER

We’ve got him surrounded, but I
haven’t ordered my men in because
witnesses say he might have a
weapon.

Jessica nods, and Charlie walks to the front of the defense.

The cars have created a barricade, the officers leaning
against their bonnets. In the middle of the alleyway,
blocked off on one side with the police, the other by a
wall, is a dumpster. Sirens ring, and lights flash.
JESSICA
Thank you, nobody moves until I
give the order.

HIGH RANKING OFFICER

Yes Ma’am.
Jessica strides over to Charlie, at the front of the line.
JESSICA
See anything?
CHARLIE
No, too dark in that alley.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.

Jessica looks to the nearest recruit, SAM. He is nervous and

new, young and short. Jessica beckons him over. Sam rushes
over and stands to attention enthusiastically. Jessica
allows herself a small smirk.

JESSICA
At ease, what’s your name?
SAM
Sam Dylan, Ma’am.

JESSICA
Has anyone made contact with the
suspect?
Sam shakes his head, looking ashamed.

JESSICA
That’s a good thing, Sam.
CHARLIE
I suppose someone should try and
talk to him, though.

They begin to walk back, behind the huge line of squad cars.
Sam follows, eagerly.
SAM
I could do it!

Charlie stops, Sam almost bumping into his back.

CHARLIE
You would risk your life to
communicate with this suspect?

SAM
Yes Sir!
CHARLIE
And you would do it without regret?
SAM
Yes Sir!
Charlie pauses.

CHARLIE
Do not interrupt me again.
Charlie looks toward Jessica, pointing his cane at the
recruit.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.

CHARLIE
It would seem we have a volunteer.
Before Jessica can agree, Sam beams a smile and rushes off
towards the dumpster.

JESSICA
Wait! Wait!
Sam ignores Jessica, and runs quickly. Jessica attempts to
follow, but Charlie catches her arms and holds her back.

JESSICA
Get off me, Charlie.
CHARLIE
If he’s a good officer, he’ll be
fine.
Jessica struggles a moment, before relenting. She glares at
Charlie.
JESSICA
And if he isn’t?
EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT
Sam slows down, and is creeping slowly towards the dumpster.
Behind him the cars continue to flash and ring. He takes it
slowly, only speaking when he’s next to the shadows.
SAM
This is Sam Dylan of the New York
Police Department. Please put any
weapon you might have down and put
your hands behind your head.
Sam draws his weapon, and inches foward slowly.
SAM
Put down any weapon you might have,
and put your hands behind your
head.
He aims high, where he expects the head to be.

EXT. OUTSIDE DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT

Jessica cross her fingers behind her back.
JESSICA
Please God.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.

CHARLIE
I thought you weren’t religious.
JESSICA
I like to keep an open mind.

EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT

SAM
This is your last warning, put down
your weapon and put your hands
behind your head!
STEWART
(Cold, harsh voice. Irish
accent)
No.

Sam hesitates, before turning the corner to face his

adversary.
INT. IRISH BAR - NIGHT

The bar is dark. Craig is busy with customers. He pours

pints, and anxiously looks to his watch.
Craig holds a glass in one hand, the other frantically
wiping the inside with a dirty cloth.

There are only a few customers sitting on the stools; a

business man relaxing before returning home; a vicar sipping
gently on a port; and STEWART.
Stewart is thin, short and muscular. He wears a sleeveless
t-shirt, his arms toned, his skin tanned; his clothes are
worn and torn; his short cropped hair spiked upwards; his
face rough and scarred; and his deep blue eyes never appear
to blink.
Stewart holds an almost empty Guinness. He bring it to his
lips, and drinks it slowly. He slams the glass down, and
stretches his neck. Once his neck has clicked he rests his
elbows on the bar and rests his chin in his hands.
Craig bows his head slightly to Stewart. Stewart nods back
slightly, checking the clock on the wall. It is almost
eleven, nearly closing time.
CRAIG
Another?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.

STEWART
Yes.
Craig pours the pint slowly.
CRAIG
You British then?
STEWART
(offended)
Irish.

CRAIG
What brings you here?
STEWART
Alcohol.

Stewart frowns, and stares at the clock.

CRAIG
Anything else?

STEWART
If you must know, I’ve had an
argument with the missus.
Craig finishes the pint, and puts it down carefully. Holding
his hand out to shake.

CRAIG
The name’s Craig.
Stewart looks at the hand, and places a few notes in it,
more than enough to pay for everyone in the bar.

STEWART
Stewart. Care to join me?
Craig looks to the time, and shakes his head.

CRAIG
I -- No. I couldn’t.
STEWART
Fine. Suit yourself.

Stewart takes the pint, and drinks it swiftly in one huge

mouthful. He slams the glass down again, and wipes his mouth
with his left hand.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.

STEWART
Keep the change, laddie.
CRAIG
Thank you stew.

Stewart winces at the truncation of his name, and scowls.

STEWART
My name’s Stewart.

CRAIG
Stewart.
Stewart smiles, and begins to walk to the exit.
STEWART
See you soon.
CRAIG
Okay Stewart.
INT. IRISH BAR - DOORWAY - NIGHT

The door opens to the bar, and another man enters, BEN. His
eyes dart around the bar quickly, as he hurries inside. He
searches for his target, spotting it in the corner.
Ben is a handsome man; smooth skin; soft features; slightly
feminine. He wears a shirt, open at the collar, but no tie.
He runs quickly at his target, the toilet, clutching himself
tightly.
INT. IRISH BAR - NIGHT

Ben runs towards the toilets, just as Stewart walks

drunkenly towards the exit. Stewart collides into Ben,
staggers and raises his hands apologetically. Ben too,
raises his hands.

STEWART
Sorry lad, didn’t mean to crash
into you like that.
BEN
(Posh, English accent)
Not a problem.
They turn to face each other, and stop in their tracks.
Their eyes lock together.

The clock ticks overhead, as their eyes stay locked.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.

Stewart smirks, as Ben sighs.

It begins.
INT. IRISH BAR - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart clenches his fist, swinging it at Ben’s face, just

as Ben does the same. Ben catches the punch, and throws a
jab at Stewart’s kidneys. This too is blocked, as Stewart’s
other hand smashes downwards.

The two continue to fight like this for a short while, like
a brutal dance. The other customers quickly run away,
fleeing the bar.
Craig stares at the two, transfixed.

Eventually Stewart manages to grab hold of Ben’s arm, and

flips Ben over his hip, smashing his back against the floor.
INT. IRISH BAR - BEN POV - NIGHT
Ben quickly rolls away, avoiding an incoming punch, and
tearing his hand away from Stewart’s grip. He jumps, landing
on a table, and expertly topples it over; creating a
barricade between himself and Stewart.
INT. IRISH BAR - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart dives, launching himself over the bar, rolling next

to Craig. Craig screams, as Stewart kicks his kneecaps.
Craig hits the floor, hard, and begins weeping to himself.
Stewart grabs his throat, and glares into his eyes. Craig
tries to back away, but Stewart’s grip is too hard.
STEWART
(Whispers, his tones hoarse
and harsh)
You don’t know me. Understand?

Craig nods, crying soundlessly. Stewart strikes him across

the jaw, and Craig collapses.
INT. IRISH BAR - BEN POV - NIGHT

Ben searches manically for a weapon, his hands grabbing

useless objects; a box of matches; some beermats; a glass.
Frustrated, he picks up the glass and throws it over his
table, towards Stewart.
 19.

INT. IRISH BAR - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart slides across to the edge of the bar, his back
firmly beside it. The glass shatters next to Craig. Stewart
reaches up, grasping the first thing he can. It’s a bottle,
filled with gin. He throws it towards Ben, blindly. Another
glass hits against the shelves, smashing other bottles and
spewing their contents all over Stewart.

INT. IRISH BAR - BEN POV - NIGHT

Ben sniffs, and looks down. He scrambles to pick them up,
lights one and lets it burn up the wood. More bottles smash
around him.

INT. IRISH BAR - STEWART POV - NIGHT

A match lands next to Stewart, and he quickly stamps it out,
his eyes wide.
STEWART
Shit!
He spots another match land further along, landing neatly on
the alcohol.
STEWART
Fucker.
Stewart stands up, and vaults the bar, leaping into the
bathrooms.

EXT. IRISH BAR ALLEYWAY - BEN POV - NIGHT

Ben runs, smashing his shoulder into the fire-door, and
fleeing into the alleyway behind the building. Behind him,
just as he manages to turn the corner, the flames erupt, and
the bar ignites. The inferno spits out the door, licking
Ben’s feet as he dives out the way.
He stops for a moment, leaning forward onto his knees,
gasping for breath.
He hears a muffled voice, his ears ringing from the
explosion. It’s a young voice, from what he can hear. His
ears stop ringing, and he can hear clearly again.
MUGGER
Give me your money.

The MUGGER is wearing baggy jeans and a white hoodie, he

also wears a baseball hat, underneath the hood.
Firmly in the youth’s hand is a knife.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.

Ben stands, and reveals his chest.

BEN
If you want my money, you’ll have
to take it by force.

The Mugger backs away slightly, then thrusts forwards

determinedly.
There is a snap, a crack and a tear. The youth’s arm is
suddenly bent, his legs kicked out from underneath him. He
hits the floor hard, his head cracking noisily.
Before the Mugger manages to say anything, the knife, still
in his hand, plunges into his chest.
The Mugger screams, for a second, before collapsing into
death.
Ben stands up, regretfully, and pulls the knife from the
Mugger’s chest.
He stares at the fire, as it begins to take complete hold of
the building, around the corner. He then sets off, towards
the bathroom windows.
INT. IRISH BAR BATHROOMS - STEWART POV - NIGHT
Stewart lands heavily in the bathroom, and slides across the
tiles. He spins, and kicks open the first door, leading into
the men’s toilet. He stands, leaps once again, into the
room.
He searches about frantically, kicking the tiles before
staring at the windows.

They are high up, almost out of reach, but they are open.
He runs towards the wall, jumps, kicks, and his fingers
manage to grip the edge of the windowsill.

He dangles for a moment, before heaving himself upwards, and

climbs through the window.
EXT. IRISH BAR ALLEYWAY - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart drops, as he rolls through the window. He manages to

spin and catch the ledge, dangling for a moment, before
dropping to the floor, landing like a frog. He pants
heavily, and watches as fire spurts through the window.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.

STEWART
Fuck. That was close.

He stands up, looks about, spots the fire-escape, and runs

towards it.
EXT. FIRE ESCAPE - STEWART POV - NIGHT
The escape is made of cheap, rusty metal, and as Stewart
climbs his palms tear and bleed. He ignores the pain, and
continues regardless. Once he reaches the top, he kicks a
window, and dives through the shards of glass.
EXT. IRISH BAR ALLEYWAY - BEN POV - NIGHT

Ben rounds the corner, and hears the smash above. He stares
at the noise, and noices a leg vanish through the window. He
tightens his grip on the knife, and runs towards the escape.
EXT. FIRE ESCAPE - BEN POV - NIGHT

Ben jumps, and climbs with expert skill, reaching the window
quickly and without hurting himself.
He crouches, and peers through. There is no sign of Stewart,
just a corridor, the carpet red and the wallpaper yellow and
orange.

Ben crawls through the window.

INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - BEN POV - NIGHT

Ben runs along the corridor, speeding past the doors. He

reaches the end, where it forks. To his left, nothing; to
his right, a slightly open window; to his front metal doors.
He runs towards the open window. He heaves it open, glances
down, but there is nothing.

BEN
Shit, the lift.
He grunts, turns and runs back to the elevator. He kicks the
metal, and presses the button, tapping it repeatedly.

INT. HOTEL ELEVATOR - BEN POV - NIGHT

The doors open, and Ben hurries inside, pressing for the
foyer.

ELEVATOR VOICE
Door’s closing.
It slowly sinks, as Ben glares at the numbers at the top.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.

Finally it stops, and opens up.

ELEVATOR VOICE
First Floor.
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart slides on the carpet, and hits the wall heavily,

bruising his shoulder. He sprints down to the end of the
corridor, darting to the left. He opens the window, climbs
out, and closes it behind himself.

EXT. SIDE OF HOTEL - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart creeps along the edge of the buidling, shuffling
along, his fingers in the tight gaps between bricks. He
climbs down, then jumps, landing in a crouch. He then darts
off down the alleyway.
INT. HOTEL FOYER - BEN POV - NIGHT
Ben walks out of the elevator, and looks through the glass
doors, and sees police and firemen speeding through the
street.
He shakes his head, and stashes his knife away in his jeans.
He calmly exits.
EXT. HOTEL - BEN POV - NIGHT

Ben walks calmly, watching the police speed past, sirens

blaring. He stares up at the huge buildings, and sighs.
BEN
Great, it’s going to be a rough
night tonight.
EXT. HOTEL ALLEYWAY - STEWART POV - NIGHT
Stewart rushes out, and notices the police cars parking
ahead. His feet skid on the stones, and the police rush out
of their vehicles, drawing their weapons.
STEWART
Now what?

Stewart notices a dumpster, green and large. It runs towards

it, and with one tug spins it between him and the police.
They stop advancing, muttering things into their radios.
Stewart can’t hear.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.

Stewart clenches his fist, and crouches. He goes to poke his

head around the corner, but retreats. He rummages around,
looking for something metallic or shiny.
He finds a shard of broken glass, and a black DVD case. He
tears the artwork from the box, leaving only the black
plastic, and sticks the shard of glass on top.
STEWART
Crude, but perfect.

Stewart smiles, and pokes the makeshift mirror around the

corner.
The police are already manoevuring into their mandatory
positions. He creeps back, and stares at the blank brick
wall ahead. He can hear their guns cocking, and their
sirents blaring.
Time passes.
EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart hears a commotion, and peers around his corner,

hidden in his tiny crook between the wall and the garbage
bins.
STEWART
Come on, give me a chance.
Anything.
In his mirror he can see Jessica arrive, and overhear their
voices.

EXT. OUTSIDE DUMPSTER ALLEY - STEWART POV - NIGHT

CHARLIE
You would risk your life to
communicate with this suspect?

SAM
Yes Sir!
CHARLIE
And you would do it without regret?

SAM
Yes Sir!
Charlie pauses.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.

CHARLIE
Do not interrupt me again.
Charlie looks toward Jessica, pointing his cane at the
recruit.

CHARLIE
It would seem we have a volunteer.
Before Jessica can agree, Sam beams a smile and rushes off
towards the dumpster.

JESSICA
Wait! Wait!
EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - STEWART POV - NIGHT

SAM
This is Sam Dylan of the New York
Police Department. Please put any
weapon you might have down and put
your hands behind your head.

Sam draws his weapon, and inches foward slowly.

Steward surpresses a chuckle, and stows away his makeshift
mirror.
SAM
Put down any weapon you might have,
and put your hands behind your
head.
Sam aims high, where he expects the head to be.

Stewart is crouched, well below Sam’s aim.

SAM
This is your last warning, put down
your weapon and put your hands
behind your head!
STEWART
No.
Sam hesitates, before turning the corner to face his
adversary.
 25.

EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT

Sam turns the corner, to face his adversary, his gun held
steady. He doesn’t see anything, except shadows and
darkness. He blinks, and lowers his gun.

EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Sam lowers his gun, Stewart does not hesitate.
Stewart kicks out, his foot smashing into Sam’s kneecaps.
Sam collapses, with a scream. Stewart drags him back,
stealing the gun and radio, and roughly pulls him by the
neck. He stangles him, his arm tight against Sam’s throat,
the gun pointed to his temple.
Stewart edges out slightly, making sure a sniper can’t see
his head.
He retreats, his arm tight against Sam’s throat, stifling
his voice.
STEWART
Keep quiet, or you die.
EXT. OUTSIDE DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT
JESSICA
Shit! Charlie! What the fuck now?

CHARLIE
It’ll be fine, these men are
trained professionals.
Jessica slaps Charlie, and glares at him. Before Charlie can
speak another series of running footsteps can be heard.
JESSICA
What’s that?

CHARLIE
Oh, Christ!
JESSICA
The fool. Come back! Nobody move!

Jessica watches, as a YOUNG RECRUIT runs towards the

dumpster. Everyone else freezes, and looks back to Jessica.
Charlie grips her arm tightly again, stopping her from
chasing after the recruit.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.

JESSICA
Let go!
CHARLIE
You’ll get hurt. Just stay calm.

Jessica glares, and shakes off the grip.

JESSICA
Everyone, get ready to advance.

Then there is a crack of bones, then silence.

Then a gunshot. Then another.
JESSICA
Shit! What was that?

Everyone ducks, and takes cover. Charlie pulls Jessica away.

CHARLIE
It was him, take cover.

EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT

The Young Recruit arrives at the dumpster.
JESSICA
Come back! Nobody move! Let go!

CHARLIE
You’ll get hurt. Just stay calm.
The Young Recruit steps up to the Dumpster, his arm shaky
and trembling. He inches forward, step by step.

JESSICA
Everyone, get ready to advance.
EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart sighs.
STEWART
Sorry, Mr Dylan. This is it.

SAM
What is --
Stewart breaks Sam’s neck, and throws the body to the floor.
 27.

EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT

Sam’s body thumps to the floor, right in front of the Young
Recruit, who stares at it, mistified.
EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - STEWART POV - NIGHT

Stewart steps out in the confusion, and fires a bullet,

straight through the centre of the Young Recruit’s head. His
second shot strikes a car, and he watches as everyone ducks
for cover.

He grabs the dumpster, and pulls with a mighty heave.

EXT. OUTSIDE DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT
JESSICA
Shoot him! Don’t let him keep
firing!
The police open fire.
EXT. DUMPSTER ALLEY - STEWART POV - NIGHT

The dumpster trundles along on tiny wheel, towards the

opposite wall. Bullets smash into the bricks, and into the
metal dumpster. Stewart calmly follows the dumpster as it
rolls.

It reaches a gap, tiny and hardly noticable, but enough for

him to squeeze through. Stewart glances at the bullet holes
behind him, and grins.
STEWART
Pathetic.

He squeezes into the gap, and vanishes into the darkness.

EXT. OUTSIDE DUMPSTER ALLEY - NIGHT
Police run towards the dumpster, stop and stare. There is
nothing there. Paramedics rush forward, to attend to Sam and
the Young Recruit.
Jessica turns to Charlie and kicks the nearest car.

JESSICA
Where the fuck did he go?
CHARLIE
Apparently there was a gap in the
buildings.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.

JESSICA
You what?
CHARLIE
We missed it.

JESSICA
So where did he go?
CHARLIE
Well, when our men arrived at the
other side, all they found were a
few tire marks, some shards of
glass and a black DVD case.
JESSICA
You’re telling me that he’s got a
car now!
CHARLIE
Yes, Jessica. There’s nothing we
can do now. We’ll look up the CCTV,
we’ll catch him sooner or later.

JESSICA
Jesus! This is a nightmare.
Jessica storms towards her car, and Charlie follows. Jessica
opens her door, and leans against her roof. Charlie walks
around to the other side, and opens the door.
JESSICA
What do you think your doing?
CHARLIE
Getting in.
JESSICA
No! You, are going to go tell a
very upset Mrs Dylan why her son is
in hospital. I am going to catch
this son-of-a-bitch. Understand.
Go!
Charlie says nothing, but shuts the door calmly.

JESSICA
I’ll see you back at the presinct.
CHARLIE
Sorry, Jessica.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.

JESSICA
Too late now.
Jessica gets inside, starts the engine, and roars away,
tears filling her eyes.