-Countess in Jess Franco's
"La Comtesse Noire"
FADE IN:
EXT. LIQUOR STORE - DAY
A convenience store in a Texas Suburb. No other businesses
surround it.
CLOSE-UP: A light switch is flipped on.
The sign on top of the store lights up. It reads: "BENNY'S
WORLD OF LIQUOR."
SUBTITLE APPEARS AT BOTTOM OF SCREEN:
BIG SPRING, TEXAS
109 MILES WEST OF ABILENE
345 MILES EAST OF THE MEXICAN BORDER
A Texas Ranger patrol car pulls into the parking lot and a
real live Texas Ranger, EARL MCGRAW, steps out. McGraw is
in full ranger uniform - button shirt, cowboy hat, boots,
mirrored shades, tin star and a colt revolver on his hip.
It's about an hour and a half before sundown and McGraw is
off duty for the day.
The only other car in the parking lot is a 1975 Plymouth
(Charley Varrick's car).
INT. BENNY'S WORLD OF LIQUOR - DAY
A young Hawaiian Shirt wearing man named PETE sits on a
stool behind the counter.
A few CUSTOMERS fiddle about.
A MAN wearing a black suit, black tie, and wire rim glasses
holds hands with a PRETTY BLONDE GIRL in cutoffs and bare
feet. They look through magazines.
Another black suit wearing MAN holds hands with a RED-HEADED
GIRL in a prep school uniform. They look through the beer
cooler in the back of the store. Both girls are around
seventeen.
MCGRAW enters the store.
MCGRAW
Hot goddamn day!
PETE
Haven't felt it a bit. Been inside
with the air conditioner blastin'
all day long.
MCGRAW
Not even for lunch?
PETE
I'm by myself today, ate my lunch
outta the microwave.
McGraw walk over to the beer cooler, as if done ritually
every night (it is), takes out a beer, pops it open and
joins Pete by the front counter.
MCGRAW
Jesus Christ man, that microwave
food'll kill ya as quick as a
bullet. Those burritos are only
fit for a hippie high on weed. Pull
me down a bottle of Jack Daniels.
I'm gettin' tanked tonight.
PETE
Whatsamatter?
MCGRAW
Awww, it's just been a shit ass
day. Every inch of it hot and
miserable. First off, Nadine at
the Blue Chip got some sorta sick,
so that Mongoloid boy of her's was
workin' the grill. That fuckin'
idiot don't know rat shit from Rice
Krispies. I ate breakfast at nine,
was pukin' up pigs in a blanket
like a sick dog by ten thirty.
PETE
Isn't there a law or something
against retards serving food to
the public?
MCGRAW
Well, if there ain't there sure
oughta be. Who knows what goes on
inside a mongoloids mind?
PETE
You could sue the shit out of her,
ya know. That kid belongs under a
circus tent, not flippin' burgers.
You could own that fuckin' place.
MCGRAW
What the hell would I do with that
grease pit? Besides, Nadine's got
enough of a cross to bear just
taking care of that potato head.
Then all this Albiene shit
happened. You heard about that
bank robbery in Abilene, didn't ya?
PETE
That's all that's been on the box
all day. They killed some people,
didn't they?
MCGRAW
Four Rangers, three cops, and two
civilians. And they took a lady
bank teller as a hostage.
Pete doesn't say anything.
MCGRAW
They'll probably make a run for the
border, which would bring 'em this
way. And if we get our hands on
those shit asses, we're talking
payback time. We'll get 'em all
right. I gotta piss. I'm gonna use
your commode.
PETE
Knock yourself out.
McGraw drops his last drip of beer, crushes the can and
exits in the bathroom.
The black suited man by the beer cooler turns around and,
with the prep school girl in tow, walks rapidly toward Pete.
We see that the girl is crying.
BLACK SUITED MAN #1
(to Pete)
Do you think I'm fuckin' playing
with you, asshole?
(points to the tearful
prep school girl)
Do you want this little girl to
die?
(pointing to the blonde
with the other guy)
Or that little girl? Or your bosom
buddy with the badge? Or yourself?
I don't wanna do it, but I'll turn
this fuckin' store into the Wild
Bunch if I even think you're
fuckin' with me.
The two men in black suits are the notorious Abilene bank
robbers, SETH and RICHARD GECKO, "The Gecko Brothers." And
the other customers are all being held hostage. Seth is the
one with the prep girl. Richard is the one with the blonde.
Everybody speaks low and fast.
PETE
What do you want from me? I did
what you said.
SETH
Letting him use your toilet? No
store does that.
PETE
He comes in here every day and we
bullshit. He's used my toilet a
thousand times. If I told him no,
he'd know something was up.
SETH
I want that son-of-a-bitch out outta
here, in his car, and down the road
or you can change the name of this
place to "Benny's World of Blood."
Richard, holding tightly the hand of the terrified girl,
leans Weiter to Seth's ear and whispers something. Seth looks
at Pete.
SETH
Were you giving that pig signals?
PETE
Was? Are you kidding? I didn't do
anything!
Richard whispers something else in Seth's ear.
SETH
He says you were scratching.
PETE
I wasn't scratching!
SETH
You callin' him a liar?
Pete controls himself.
PETE
I'm not calling him a liar, okay?
I'm simply saying that if I was
scratching, and if I did scratch,
it's not because I was signaling
the cop, it's because I'm fuckin'
scared shitless.
Richard speaks for the first time in a low calm voice to
Seth.
RICHARD
The Ranger's taking a piss. Why
don't I just go in there, blow his
head off and get outta here.
PETE
Don't do that! Look, you asked me
to act natural, and I'm acting as
natural -- in fact, under the
circumstances, I think I ought get
a fuckin' Academy Award for how
natural I'm acting. You asked me to
get rid of him
yeah, well, your best better get a
helluva lot fuckin' better, or
you're gonna feel a helluva fuckin' lot
worse.
The toilet FLUSHES.
SETH
Everybody be cool.
Everybody goes back to what they were doing.
McGraw steps back out of the back. He appears to be unaware of
the situation.
MCGRAW
Yeah, and I'm gonna be right back at it
tomorrow. So tonight I'm gonna sit in
front of the box and just drink booze.
How much is the bottle?
PETE
Six-fifty.
Out of nowhere Richard WHIPS out his forty-five automatic
and SHOOTS McGraw in the head.
McGraw goes down screaming.
Richard stands over him and SHOOTS him twice more.
Seth charges forward.
SETH
(to Richard)
What the fuck was that about?
RICHARD
(in a low monotone)
He signaled the Ranger.
PETE
(hysterical)
I didn't.
(to Seth)
You gotta believe me, I didn't.
RICHARD
(to Seth)
When they were talkin', he mouthed
the words "Help Us."
PETE
You fuckin' liar, I didn't say
shit!
Richard SHOOTS Pete and Pete falls down behind the counter.
Seth grabs Richard and throws him up against the wall.
SETH
What the fuck is wrong with you --
RICHARD
Seth, he did it. You were by the
beer cooler with your back turned.
I was by the magazines, I could see
his face. And I saw him mouth:
Richard mouths the words, "Help Us."
While Pete lies on the floor behind the counter bleeding
from his bullet wound, he opens his floor safe and pulls out
a gun from it.
Seth releases his brother.
SETH
Start the car.
RICHARD
You believe me don'tcha?
SETH
Shut up and start the car.
Richard walks away from Seth and crosses the counter...
...when Pete SPRINGS up, gun in hand, and SHOOTS Richard in
the shoulder.
Richard FALLS to his knees, howling.
Both Pete and Seth SPRAY the store with gunfire.
Seth DIVES down an aisle. He reloads.
Pete DUCKS behind the counter. He reloads.
Richard has crawled to safety behind an aisle.
The two girls have run out screaming.
SETH
(yelling)
Richie? You okay?
RICHARD
(yelling)
I'm not dead, but I'm definitely
shot! I told you that bastard
said, "Help us!"
PETE
(yelling)
I never said help us!
SETH
(yelling)
Well that don't matter now, 'cause
you got about two fuckin' seconds
to live! Richie!
RICHARD
(yelling)
Yeah?
SETH
(yelling)
When I count three, shoot out the
bottles behind him!
RICHARD
Gotcha!
SETH
One... Two... Three.
The two brothers start FIRING toward the counter.
They HIT the bottles of alcohol on the shelf behind Pete.
Pete is crouched on the ground as glass, debris and alcohol
RAIN down on him.
Seth grabs a roll of paper towels from off a shelf.
Richard keeps FIRING.
Seth douses the paper towels with lighter fluid, sets it on
fire with his Zippo, then tosses it.
The flaming roll of paper towels FLIES through the air.
The fireball lands behind the counter.
The entire counter area immediately BURSTS INTO FLAMES.
Pete screams from behind the counter.
Seth smiles to himself and stands.
Richard shakes his head in amusement and stands.
Pete runs out from behind the counter, ENGULFED IN FLAMES,
still holding his weapon and FIRING.
Seth and Richard hit the ground FIRING their .45's.
Pete, the human torch, FALLS like a tree into the Hostess
Pastry display.
Seth and Richard rise from the rubble.
EXT. BENNY'S WORLD OF LIQUOR - DAY
They exit the store squabbling. The store is bursting into flames.
SETH
What did I tell you? What did I
tell you? Buy the road map and
leave.
RICHARD
What am I supposed to do, Seth? He
recognized us.
SETH
He didn't recognize shit.
Both Seth and Richard stand on opposite sides of the car.
RICHARD
Seth, I'm telling you, the way he
looked at us -- you especially -- I
knew he knew.
They both climb in the car (Seth behind the wheel). Seth
starts it op. The souped up engine ROARS to life. We can
hear Seth mumbling under the motor.
SETH
Low profile. Do you know what the
words "low profile" mean?
CLOSE-UP: SETH'S FOOT PUNCHES GAS.
The Plymouth tears out of the parking lot backwards, hits
the street, and speeds off down the road.
We CRANE UP HIGH to see the car leaving a trail of dust
behind it, as the store burns out of control.
"MIRIMAX PRESENTS"
TITLE SEQUENCE.
Raunchy, honky-tonk MUSIC fills the theater.
CREDIT SEQUENCE ENDS.
CUT TO:
EXT. EMMA AND PETE'S GRAVY TRAIN - DAY
Emma and Pete's Gravy Train is a truck stop of of Highway
290.
SUBTITLE APPEARS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN':
FORT STOCKTON 238 MILES FROM THE MEXICAN BORDER
INT. EMMA AND PETE'S GRAVY TRAIN - DAY
Emma and Pete's PATRONS are made up of regulars, truckers,
cowboys and road-weary travelers. The CAMERA DOLLIES
through the maze of tables, patrons, and waitresses.
It stops when it gets to a table occupied by the FULLER
FAMILY. The Fullers definitely fall into the road-weary
category. The members of the unit consist of the father,
JACOB, age 44, an ex-preacher, a good man with rough edges,
and his two children, KATE, age 19, is a young beauty who
possesses what can only be described as as an apple pie
sensuality. She is dressed like a nice Christian girl,
complete with crucifix. SCOTT, age 16, is a Jacob's
Vietnamese adopted son. Scott is a likable, long-haired kid
who always wears a t-shirt with the name of the heavy metal
garage band he plays guitar for, "Precinct 13." The three
of them are wolfing down a late lunch.
JACOB
We got about two more hours of
daylight left. That'll get us into
El-Paso, which is right Weiter to the
border. We'll stop at a motel --
SCOTT
Stop? We're not going to actually
stop at a motel, are we?
Scott and Kate speak together, obviously repeating something
that Jacob has said about three hundred times.
SCOTT AND KATE
We've got a Winnebago. We don't
need those overpriced roach havens.
We're self contained.
JACOB
Okay, Okay, maybe I was a little
overzealous, but give me a break,
I just bought it.
Scott and Kate continue the impersonation.
SCOTT
Why, just look at all this. You
got your kitchen --
KATE
-- you got your microwave --
SCOTT
-- you got your sink --
KATE
-- you got your shower --
SCOTT
-- see this, television!
KATE
Feel this, real wood paneling.
That's real wood, too, not that
fake stuff.
JACOB
Unless you two wiseacres wanna be
introduced to the joys of
hitchhiking, what say we drop this?
SCOTT
(to Kate)
The truth hurts.
KATE
(to Scott)
It's the bitterest of pills.
JACOB
You two ought to start a stand-up
act, because you're just wasting
your humor on me.
KATE
Ain't it the truth.
SCOTT
Why do you want to stop?
JACOB
I'm exhausted.
SCOTT
Lie in the back, dad, I'll drive us
into Mexico.
Jacob gives Scott a look that says, "You aren't touching my
new motor Startseite."
JACOB
I just bet you would. Don't even
think about it. Besides, I want to
have one night's sleep in an
honest-to-goodness bed. The beds
in the Startseite are okay, but they're
not like a real bed.
KATE
Hey, if we go to a motel, we can
swim.
SCOTT
I'll be right back. I'm gonna go
to the bathroom.
Scott gets up from the table and walks out back to the restroom.
Jacob and Kate are left alone. There's an awkward moment of
silence before...
KATE
Dad, when I called the machine to
check our messages there was
one from Bethel Baptist. Mr.
Franklin said he wouldn't
permanently replace you until we
came back. He said when we come
Startseite, if you still feel the same
way --
JACOB
That's very nice of Ted, but I'll
call him tomorrow and tell him not
to bother waiting.
KATE
I didn't want to talk about this in
front of Scott because he gets
upset. But you don't believe in
God anymore?
JACOB
Not enough to be a pastor. Look, I
know this is hard on you kids.
After Jenny's death, this is
probably the last thing you need.
But I can't do it any longer. My
congregation needs spiritual
leadership. Well, they can't get
that from me anymore. My faith is
gone. To answer your question,
yes, I do believe in Jesus. But do I love
them? No. After Jenny died, I
just thought, what's the point?
KATE
(pushing him)
It's just, all our lives you've
been a pastor. For twenty years
you've preached trust in the lord.
And then one day you wake up and
say fuck him?
JACOB
I didn't say fuck him. I'm just
not connected anymore.
KATE
That happens, you'll get it back.
JACOB
Kate, give your old man a little
credit. Every person who chooses
the service of God as their life's
work has something in common. I
don't care if you're a preacher, a
priest, a nun, a rabbi or a
Buddhist monk. Many, many times
during your life you'll look at
your reflection in the mirror and
ask yourself, am I a fool? We've
all done it. I'm not going through
a lapse. What I've experienced is
closer to awakening. I'm not
trying to shake your faith. I've
just decided not to devote my life
to God anymore.
KATE
What do you think Mom would say?
JACOB
Mom's got nothing to say, she's
dead.
CUT TO:
CLOSE UP: COUNTER BELL. A hand slams down on it. RING.
INT. LOBBY - DEW DROP INN - DAY
Seth stands at the front desk of the Dew Drop Inn. A
standard issue Texas motel. Richard sits outside in the
car. Nobody responds to the bell. Seth BANGS it
impatiently five times.
TEXAS VOICE (O.S.)
Hold your horses!
An OLD TIMER walks through a curtain behind the counter.
He's eating a BBQ rib.
OLD TIMER
(rough)
Watcha want?
SETH
Watcha think I want, ya mean old
bastard? I wanna room.
EXT. COURTYARD - DEW DROP INN - DAY
Richard sits in the car listening to Merle Haggard on the
radio. He watches from his perspective, Seth taking the
walking outside and getting in the car. Seth starts
it up, and drives them to their room.
RICHARD
Do they have cable?
SETH
No.
RICHARD
Do they have an X-Rated channel?
SETH
No.
RICHARD
Do they have a waterbed?
SETH
They don't have anything except
four walls and a roof, and that's
all we need.
Their car drives up to room #9, but they park backing up the
trunk close to the door.
The two brothers get out of the car.
SETH
(tossing Richie the motel
keys)
Open the door. We gotta do this
fast.
Richie opens the door.
Seth goes to the trunk, looks around the courtyard. It's
empty.
CLOSE UP: KEY going into the trunk lock, turning.
TRUNK POV: Seth looking into the camera.
SETH'S POV: A WOMAN in her late forties is lying scrunched
up in the trunk.
She is the HOSTAGE BANK TELLER from Abilene. She's stiff,
scared and looks an absolute mess.
SETH
Don't say a word.
The two brothers, quick as lightening, yank the woman out of
the trunk and whisk her into the motel room. SETH closes
the trunk, looks around for any Johnny eye-witnesses,
doesn't see any, slams the door.
INT. SETH AND RICHARD'S ROOM - DAY
Seth turns from the door, see's the hostage woman standing
SETH
You. Plant yourself in that chair.
She sits down in the chair.
HOSTAGE
What are you planning on doing
with --
SETH
-- I said plant yourself. Plants
don't talk. You wanna get on my
good side? Just sit still and
don't make a peep.
She shuts up.
Richard slowly takes off his jacket. He winces from his
wound.
SETH
Let me help you.
He helps him get his jacket off. Richie's white shirt is
bloody around the shoulder area. His wound is wrapped up
underneath.
SETH
How's it feel?
RICHARD
How ya think, it hurts like a
son-of-a-bitch.
Richie goes over to the bed and lies down on it. Seth takes
the pillow and stacks them for Richie to prop his back up
against.
SETH
I got both rooms on either side of
us, so we don't gotta worry about
eavesdropping assholes. How's that
feel? You okay?
RICHARD
Feels good.
SETH
I'm gonna go get the money.
He heads for the door.
EXT. COURTYARD - MOTEL - DAY
Seth goes into the car, takes out a big suitcase. He scans
the perimeter with his eyes, goes back inside.
INT. MOTEL ROOM #9 - DAY
Seth comes back in, lays the suitcase on the bed. Richie
has the T.V. remote control in his hand and he's flipping
stations. Seth looks at his watch.
SETH
It's about five o'clock.
(to hostage)
What time does it get dark around
here?
HOSTAGE
About seven.
SETH
Good. I'm going towards the border
to check things out while it's
still daylight. Call Carlos and
arrange the rendezvous.
RICHARD
Hey, when you talk to him, see if
you can arrange a better deal than
thirty percent.
SETH
That's their standard deal,
brother. They ain't about to
change it for us.
RICHARD
Did you even to try to negotiate?
SETH
These guys ain't spic firecracker
salesman from Tijuna. They don't
even know the meaning of the word
barter. You wanna stay in El Ray?
You give them thirty percent of
your loot. It's Drehbuchure. So it
is written, so shall it be done.
You want sanctuary, you pay the
price, and the price is thirty
percent.
RICHARD
All I'm saying --
SETH
-- This conversation is over.
Richie shrugs and turns back to T.V.. Seth turns to the
hostage, grabs a chair and slides it up in front of her.
SETH
Now, we need to have a talk.
What's your name?
HOSTAGE
Gloria.
He shakes her hand.
SETH
Hello, Gloria, I'm Seth and that's
my brother Richie. Let's cut to
the chase. I'm gonna ask you a
question and all I want is a yes or
no answer. Do you want to live
through this?
GLORIA
Yes.
SETH
Good. Then let me explain the
house rules. Follow the rules,
we'll get along like a house on
fire. Rule number one: No noise,
no question. You make a noise...
(he holds up his .45)
...Mr. 45 makes a noise. You ask
a question, Mr. 45 answers it.
Now are you absolutely, positively
clear about rule number one?
GLORIA
Yes.
SETH
Rule number two: You do what we
say, when we say it. If you don't
see rule number one.
Seth takes the .45, places the barrel Weiter to the woman's
cheek. She squirms and shuts her eyes. He pulls back the
hammer.
SETH
Rule number three: Don't you ever
try and fuckin' run on us. 'Cause
I got five little friends, and they
all run faster'n you can. Got it?
She nods her head yes.
He takes the gun away and replaces the hammer.
SETH
Open your eyes.
She does.
SETH
Gloria, you hang in there, follow
the rules, and don't fuck with us,
you'll get out of this alive. I
give you my word. Okay?
She nods her head yes.
Seth rises.
SETH
I'll be back in a bit.
He exits.
Richard looks to the T.V., then looks to Gloria sitting
across the room in the chair.
RICHARD
Wanna come up here on the bed and
watch T.V. with me?
You can tell she doesn't want to.
He pats the empty space Weiter to him.
RICHARD
Come on.
She gets out of her chair, walks across the bed and sits
Weiter to him.
EXT. PHONE BOOTH - DAY
A phone booth outside of a gas station. Seth is in the
middle of a conversation with the party on the other end.
Seth speaks Spanish and his dialog is subtitled into English
beneath him.
SETH
Things are real hot here.
Crossing's gonna be a bitch.
(pause)
Don't worry, we'll get across. But
when we do, where do we go?
(pause)
Can we make it as close to the
border as possible? Texas wants
our balls. The quicker we're in
your protection, the better I'll
feel.
(pause)
Okay, where?
(pause; he says it in
English)
The Titty Twister?
(he laughs)
I love it already. Okay, Carlos,
I'll see you and your men at the
(in English) "Titty Twister"
tomorrow morning.
(pause)
Bye, my friend.
Seth hangs up the phone, lights up a cigarette with his
Zippo lighter and exits frame. After Seth exits, leaving the frame empty,
a subtitle appears:
EL PASO
5 MILES FROM THE MEXICAN BORDER
CUT TO:
INT. SETH AND RICHARD'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Richard lies on the bed by himself, propped up by pillows, watching T.V.,
taking on hits from a water bong in the
shape of a wizard.
ON T.V.
A local newsDie Macherer named KELLY HOUGE is reporting a story
about the brothers.
KELLY HOUGE
(talking to camera)
This bloody crime spree started
just a week ago today. The oldest
of the two brothers...
MUG SHOT OF SETH
KELLY HOUGE (V.O)
Seth Gecko was serving time in
Rolling's Kansas State Penitentiary
bank robbery in which two law
enforcement officers lost their
lives.
BACK TO KELLY
KELLY HOUGE
Having served eight years of his
twenty-two year sentence, Seth
Gecko was brought to Wichita
Municipal court house for his first
parole hearing. It was while at
the court house that this man...
MUG SHOT OF RICHARD GECKO
Kelly Houge (V.O.)
... his younger brother Richard
Gecko, a known armed robber and sex
offender, pulled off a daring
daylight escape.
BACK TO KELLY
KELLY HOUGE
Resulting in the death of four
Wichita law enforcement officers,
and this woman...
PHOTO OF WOMAN SMILING
KELLY HOUGE (V.O.)
Heide Vogel, sixth grade teacher
who was run over by the Geckos
during a high speed pursuit through
downtown Wichita.
MAP OF AMERICA
A red line travels from Wichita to Oklahoma.
KELLY HOUGE (V.O.)
From there the brothers traveled
from Kansas through Oklahoma...
The red line enters Texas and the camera moves into Texas.
KELLY HOUGE (V.O.)
... into the great state of Texas,
And then finally...
WE ZOOM in on a red-circled Abilene.
KELLY HOUGE (V.O.)
...into Abilene.
We hear GUNFIRE and SCREAMS.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE CRIMINAL COURT BUILDING - DAY
Kelly Houge walks down the court house steps of the criminal
courts building of Abilene. She talks to the camera. Cops,
lawyers and citizens bustle in the b.g.
KELLY HOUGE
The list of the dead climbed up
three more notches since our last
teleDie Macher.
CUT TO:
PHOTO: OFFICER SHERMAN GOODELL in full police uniform.
KELLY HOUGE (V.O.)
Officer Sherman Goodell, who was in
intensive care following the gun
battle outside of the Valley
Federal bank building...
CUT TO:
EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY
Kelly Houge standing on the court house steps talking into
the camera.
KELLY HOUGE
...died about forty-five minutes
ago at Hopkins General hospital.
And about six hours ago, during a
daylight liquor store robbery in
Big Springs, the Gecko brothers
killed another Texas Ranger...
CUT TO:
PHOTO: EARL MCGRAW in uniform.
KELLY HOUGE (V.O.)
...Earl McGraw.
CUT TO:
PHOTO: PETE in a Hawaiian shirt holding up a big fish.
KELLY HOUGE (V.O.)
...and liquor store clerk Pete
Bottoms.
CUT TO:
VIDEO FOOTAGE: Of Benny's World of Liquor burning down.
KELLY HOUGE (V.O.)
Then they proceeded to burn the
store down to the ground.
CUT TO:
VIDEO GRAPHIC: Picture of the Gecko brothers with a tally
underneath:
THE GECKO BROTHERS
WICHITA JAIL BREAK
VALLEY FEDERAL BANK ROBBERY
BIG SPRINGS CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY
DEATH TOLL
13
TEXAS RANGERS POLICE OFFICERS CIVILIANS
4 7 2
KELLY HOUGE
That changes the death toll to
fifteen.
(It changes under "death
toll")
Five Texas Rangers...
(it changes)
Eight police officers
(it changes)
Three civilians.
(it changes)
CUT TO:
BACK TO KELLY
KELLY HOUGE
And one hostage...
CUT TO:
PHOTO: GLORIA HILL
KELLY HOUGE
... bank teller and mother of four,
Gloria Hill.
KELLY TO CAMERA
KELLY HOUGE
Heading the case to bring these
fugitives to justice is F.B.I.
agent Stanley Chase. We talked
with agent Chase earlier this
afternoon.
CUT TO:
VIDEO INTERVIEW
Kelly Houge interviewing STANLEY CHASE of the F.B.I.
STANLEY CHASE
For the time being we are very
confident we will aprehend the
fugitives in the Weiter forty-eight
hours. The Bureau, local law
enforcement and the Texas Rangers
have all joined forces in forming a
dragnet to snare Seth and Richard
Gecko.
KELLY HOUGE
Agent Chase, does it appear that
they are heading for Mexico.
STANLEY CHASE
Yes, it does, Kelly. We have
already alerted the Mexican
authorities. They intend to
cooperate every way possible in
bringing these fugitives to
justice.
KELLY HOUGE
Are you optimistic about the safety
of the hostage they took in
Abilene, Gloria Hill?
STANLEY CHASE
We've received no news one way or
the other. We can only hope for
the best.
KELLY HOUGE
What about the report from an
eyewitness at the liquor store who
said one of the brothers was shot?
STANLEY CHASE
This can't be confirmed at this
time, but we do believe it to be
true. We have reason to believe it
was the youngest brother Richard,
and he was shot in the vicinity of
his neck and shoulders by the
store's clerk.
KELLY HOUGE
Is it safe to assume that because
the death count involved and the
loss of life of law enforcement
officers, that the Bureau, the
Rangers and the Police force are
taking this manhunt personally?
STANLEY CHASE
I would say that's a very safe
assumption.
CUT TO:
Richard smiles.
RICHARD
(NewsDie Macherer's voice)
Is it safe to assume since the law
enforcement authorities in the
great state of Texas are
homosexuals of a sick and deviate
nature, that they will be too busy
fucking each other up the ass to
actually catch the Gecko brothers?
(in an FBI voice)
I would say that's a very safe assumption.
He changes a channel on the television. We
see a Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoon on the screen.
CASPER
Would you play with me?
A big burly COP turns around.
COP
Sure, little boy... A GHOST!!!
The cop heads for the hills. Casper cries.
Seth enters the room carrying a six pack of beer and two
take-out bags of Big Kahuna burgers.
RICHARD
Shit, I started to get worried.
Where the fuck ya been?
SETH
Sight seein'.
RICHARD
What'd ya see?
SETH
Cops.
RICHARD
Didya look at the border?
Seth dumps the burgers on the bed. Both men pop open beers
and Richard goes to town on a hamburger. Seth flips off the
T.V.
SETH
Yeah, I saw the border. Through
binoculars from on top of a high
building. That's about as close
as I risked getting. What's the
T.V. say?
RICHARD
They're going to apprehend us in
forty-eight hours.
Seth sits down and takes a hit off his beer.
SETH
(to himself)
I gotta figure a way to get across
that goddamn border. Longer we
fuck around El Paso our lives ain't
worth a shit.
RICHARD
Look, fuck the border. Let's just
dig in and wait for things to cool
down.
SETH
Richie, it's gonna get a lot
fuckin' worse before it gets any
fuckin' better. We showed our ass
in Texas. We killed Texas fuckin'
Rangers. They ain't gonna stop
lookin' till they find us, and when
they find us, they're gonna kill
us. Texans take it very personal
when ya kill their law enforcement
officers. The El Paso police have
already started a motel and hotel
search for us.
RICHARD
How do you know?
SETH
I heard it on the radio. We gotta
get our asses into Mexico tonight.
Carlos is gonna meet us tomorrow
morning at a rendezvous on the
other side, then Carlos and his
boys will escort us to El Ray
and --
Seth stops talking and looks around.
SETH
Where's the woman?
RICHARD
Was?
Seth's out of his chair.
SETH
What'd ya mean, Was? The fuckin'
woman, the hostage. Where the fuck
is she, Richard!?
RICHARD
She's in the other room.
SETH
What the fuck is she doin' there?!
He goes to the door of the adjoining room.
RICHARD
Seth, before you open the door, let
me explain what happened.
Seth stops and looks at his brother. He knows what he
means. He can't say anything, only point at his younger
sibling. Then he BURSTS open the door.
The dead, naked body of Gloria Hill lies on the bed. It's
obvious Richard raped and killed her.
Seth covers his eyes with his hands. He slowly enters the room with the
dead body.
SETH
(to himself)
Oh, Richard, what's wrong with you?
Richard rises from the bed.
RICHARD
Now, Seth, before you flip out, let
me just explain what happened.
Seth slowly turns to his brother, then walks toward him.
Richard backs up.
SETH
Yeah, explain it to me. I need an
explanation. What's the matter
with you?
RICHARD
(low and calm)
There's nothing wrong with me,
brother. That woman tried to
escape and I did what I had to do.
SETH
No.
(pause)
That woman wouldn't of said shit if
she had a mouthful.
RICHARD
Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong,
wrong, wrong! Once you left, she
became a whole different person.
SETH
(slowly approaching)
Is it me? Is it my fault?
RICHARD
It's not your fault, it's her
fault!
Seth grabs Richard and THROWS him in the corner of the room,
holding tightly to his wrist.
SETH
Is this my fault? Do you think
this is what I am?
RICHARD
Was?
SETH
This is not me! I am a
professional fucking thief. I
steal money. You try to stop me,
god help you. But I don't kill
people I don't have to, and I don't
rape women. What you doin' ain't
how it's done. Do you understand?
RICHARD
Seth, if you were me --
SETH
Just say yes! Nothing else, just
say yes.
RICHARD
Yes.
SETH
Yes, Seth, I understand.
RICHARD
Yes, Seth, I understand.
Seth hugs his little brother. Tight.
SETH
(whispers in Richie's
ear)
We get into Mexico, it's gonna be
sweet Rosemary, 100 proof liquor,
and rice and beans. None of this
shit's gonna matter.
17 INT. MOTOR Startseite - NIGHT 17
Scott and Kate are in the front seat of their parked motor
Startseite. The motor Startseite's parked in front of the Dew Drop
Inn's front office. We see Jacob inside getting a room from
the Old Timer.
KATE
I can't believe he's stopping here.
This place looks totally cruddy.
Jacob walks out of the office. Kate yells from the motor
Startseite.
KATE
Dad, why are we stopping here?
He opens the meter Startseite door and climbs in.
JACOB
There's nothing wrong with this
place.
KATE
It's a flop house.
JACOB
It's not a flop house. It's basic
and simple. That doesn't make it a
flop house.
KATE
If it doesn't have a pool, we're
looking for a new place.
Starting the huge car and slowly maneuvering it through the
courtyard.
JACOB
It has a bed. That's all I care
about.
KATE
Other places have beds, they also
have cable T.V., a gym, room
service...
EXT. COURTYARD - NIGHT
18 18
Seth walks out of room #9 with a beer in his hand. He's
thinking about how he's going to get over the border
tonight. Lost in thought, he steps out in the path of the
Fuller's motor Startseite.
Jacob slams on the brakes.
Seth jumps back, startled.
Both Kate and Scott are TOSSED out of their seats onto the
floor. THUD... THUD...
KATE
Owww, my head.
Jacob (pissed) honks his horn at Seth and yells out the
window.
JACOB
Watch where you're going!
THROUGH WINDSHIELD
Seth just stands right in their way without moving, gazing
up at the giant motor Startseite.
JACOB BEHIND THE WHEEL
Kate and Scott join him up front looking at this weirdo.
SCOTT
What's this guy's problem?
JACOB
I have no idea.
Seth continues standing in their way, making no attempt to
move. Not threatening, just looking at them.
HONK!
JACOB
Anytime, man.
The horn snaps Seth back to this world. A smile breaks out
on the escaped fugitive's face and he politely steps to one
side to let them pass.
Pass they do!
KATE
Creepy guy.
SETH
The Sword of Damocles is lifted from above Seth's head.
He's just solved a problem that a mere thirty seconds ago
seemed unsolvable. He knows exactly how he's going to cross
the border. Whistling a happy tune, he turns and walks back
into room #9.
INT. FULLERS' MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
The Fullers are in room 12. It's identical to the one that
the Gecko boys are in, except that the paintings above the
beds are different. Jacob has fallen asleep in his clothes
on the bed.
Scott sits in a chair, headphones on, playing an unplugged
electric guitar. Kate is nowhere in sight.
KNOCK... KNOCK... KNOCK... on the door.
Scott doesn't hear shit but his music.
Jacob stirs a bit, but doesn't wake up.
POUND... POUND... POUND... on the door.
Jacob SPRINGS UP. He looks over at Scott, who, lost in
guitar heaven, is oblivious of the knocker, then to the
door.
JACOB
(yelling)
Was?
From the other side of the door comes a friendly voice.
VOICE (O.S.)
I'm your neighbor in room 9, I
hate to disturb you, but I'd like
to ask a favor.
Jacob swings his feet to the floor, stands up and walks to
the door. As he passes Scott, he says, in his direction --
JACOB
I hope none of this is disturbing
you.
Scott can't hear him, but when he sees his dad look at him,
he smiles.
Jacob opens the door and sees...
... Richard Gecko standing in the doorway, looking like the
nicest guy in the entire world.
RICHARD
Hi there, I'm from room 9, my name
is Don Cornelius. No, not the Don
Cornelius from Soul Train. Me and
my lady friend need some ice and we
don't seem to have an ice bucket.
Could we possibly borrow yours?
I'11 bring it right back.
JACOB
(still partially asleep)
Sure.
We follow Jacob as he turns to the dresser to get the motel
ice bucket. He grabs it, turns back to the door, takes a
couple of steps towards it, then stops:in his tracks.
He sees Richard and Seth both inside the room with the door
closed, both with .45's in their hands, both aimed at him.
JACOB
What is this?
Seth SLUGS Jacob in the mouth, KNOCKING him to the ground.
SETH
It's called a punch.
Scott suddenly becomes aware of what's going on around him
and instinctively stands. Richard shoves his .45 in Scott's
mouth.
RICHARD
Sit down.
Scott lowers himself back down onto his seat.
RICHARD
Good boy.
Jacob lifts his head off the floor and wipes blood away from
his lip. He looks at his opponent who stands over him.
SETH
(to Jacob)
What's your name?
JACOB
Jacob.
SETH
Okay, Jacob, get up and sit your
ass down on the bed. Make a wrong
move and I'11 shoot you in the
face.
Jacob rises and sits on the edge of the bed.
SETH
(to Richard)
Okay, move the Jap over there.
Keeping the gun in Scott's mouth, Richard makes Scott
RICHARD
Upsy daisy.
.., guiding him over to the bed by his father.
Richard removes the gun from Scott's mouth and stands Weiter
to his brother, looking down at their two hostages.
SETH
(to his hostages)
What's the story with you two? You
a couple of fags?
JACOB
He's my son.
SETH
How does that happen? You don't
look Japanese.
JACOB
Neither does he. He looks
Vietnamese.
SETH
Oh, well, excuse me all to hell.
JACOB
What's this about, money?
SETH
It's about money, all right, but
not yours. You see, me and my
brother here are in a little hot
water and we need your assistance.
The door to room #12 opens and a dripping wet, bikini clad
Kate walks in.
The brothers spin their guns in her direction.
Kate, startled, screams.
Jacob and Scott get on their feet and move forward.
Seth spins back towards the two men, gun ready to spit.
SETH
(to Scott and Jacob)
Stop!
Jacob and Scott freeze.
Richard moves like quicksilver, shutting the door and
positioning himself behind the terrified Kate.
KATE
What's going on?
RICHARD
We're having a wet bikini contest,
and you just won.
JACOB
(to Kate)
It's okay, honey. Everything's
going to be all right.
SETH
Just listen to daddy, sugar, and
don't do nothin' stupid.
(he turns to Jacob and
Scott who are still
standing)
You two, Simon says sit the fuck
down!
They slowly sit.
Richard can't take his eyes off the dripping wet Kate.
Both Jacob and Seth see this and neither men like it. Both
for their own reasons.
SETH
(to Jacob)
Where are the keys to the motor
Startseite?
JACOB
On the dresser.
SETH
Richie, take the keys. Start that
big bastard up, and drive it up
front,
Richard doesn't move from his position behind Kate.
Kate feels his eyes on her.
She slowly turns and looks at him,
He looks in her face.
CU KATE
She smiles at him.
KATE
Richie, will you do me a favor and
eat my pussy?
CU RICHARD
RICHARD
Sure.
SETH (O.S.)
Richard!
Richard's eyes go to Seth.
Everybody is where they were. Kate never turned around.
SETH
Not when you get around to it, now.
Without saying a word, he takes the keys and leaves the
room.
SETH
(pointing at Kate)
You, Gidget, go in the bathroom and
put on some clothes.
She grabs some clothes from the floor and moves towards the
bathroom.
Seth GRABS her wrist.
SETH
You got three minutes. One second
longer, I shoot your father in the
face. Do you understand what I
just said?
KATE
Yes.
SETH
Do you believe me?
KATE
Yes.
SETH
You damn well better. Go.
She goes into the bathroom.
JACOB
Look, if you want the motor Startseite,
just take it and get out.
Seth grabs a chair and slides it up to his two male
hostages.
SETH
Sorry, Pops, it ain't gonna be that
easy.
We hear the motor Startseite "HONK" twice outside.
SETH
Get ready to move out, we're all
going on a little ride.
Jacob shakes his head "no."
JACOB
Not a chance.
SETH
come again?
JACOB
If you're taking people, take me.
But my kids aren't going anywhere
with you.
SETH
Sorry, I need everybody.
JACOB
My children are not going with you,
and that's that.
SETH
(angry)
That's not fuckin' that...
(holds up his gun)
this is fuckin' this.
(he calms down and looks
at Scott)
Go sit over there.
Scott gets up and walks to the other side of the room,
leaving the two men alone. Seth speaks in a quiet,
conversational tone.
SETH
I ain't got time to fuck around
with you, so I'11 make this simple.
Take your kids and get in the car,
or I'11 execute all three of you
right now.
(he cocks the gun and
puts it right in Jacob's
face
What's it gonna be, yes or no
answer?
Jacob looks at him.
JACOB
Yes.
SETH
Good.
(to Scott)
Your old man's all right, he just
saved your life.
Seth BANGS on the bathroom door.
SETH
Times up, Princess.
The bathroom door opens. Kate stands there, wearing a
Bullwinkle t-shirt, jeans and bare feet.
SETH
Okay, ramblers, let's get to
rambling.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT 20
20
The motor Startseite with the powder keg interior drives through
the Lone Star night.
21 21
INT. MOTOR Startseite NIGHT
Richard's in the back bed area with a gun trained on Rate
and Scott. The two scared siblings hold hands.
KATE
Excuse me,
Richard zeros in on her.
RICHARD
Was?
KATE
where are you taking us?
RICHARD
Mexico.
KATE
What's in Mexico?
RICHARD
Mexicans.
He doesn't smile.
In the front part of the motor Startseite, Jacob sits behind the
wheel, driving into the night. Seth sits in the passenger
seat, going through Jacob's wallet and talking to him
calmly.
SETH
(reading his driver's
license
Jacob Fuller. Jacob, that's
biblical, ain't it? What am I
askin' for, of course it is.
(motioning behind him)
What are their names?
JACOB
Scott and Kate.
Seth repeats the names as he thumbs through the wallet.
SETH
Scott and Kate... Kate and Scott...
Scott Fuller... Kate Fuller...
Seth comes to a snapshot of Jacob and his wife.
SETH
Who's this?
JACOB
My wife.
SETH
Where is the little lady?
JACOB
In heaven.
SETH
She's dead?
JACOB
Yes, she is.
SETH
How'd she die?
JACOB
Auto wreck.
SETH
Come on, gimme some more details.
How'd it happen? Some fuckin'
drunk kill her?
JACOB
No. It was a rainy night, the
brakes on the car weren't great.
She had to stop suddenly. She slid
on the road, she crashed, she died.
SETH
Died instantly?
JACOB
Not quite. She was trapped in the
wreck for about six hours before
she passed on.
SETH
Whewww! Those acts of God really
stick it in and break it off, don't
they?
JACOB
Yes they do.
Seth looks back at the wallet. He sees Jacob's minister's
license.
SETH
Is this real?
JACOB
Yes.
SETH
I've seen one of these before. A
friend of mine had himself declared
a minister of his own religion. A
way to fuck the I.R.S. Is that
what you're doing, or are you the
real McCoy?
JACOB
Real McCoy.
SETH
You're a preacher?
JACOB
I was a minister.
SETH
Was? As in not anymore?
JACOB
Yes.
SETH
Why'd ya quit?
JACOB
I think I've gotten about as up
close and personal with you as I'm
gonna get. Now if you need me like
I think you need me, you're not
gonna kill me 'cause I won't answer
your stupid, prying questions. So,
with all due respect, mind your own
business.
SETH
I seem to have touched a nerve.
Don't be so sensitive, Pops, let's
keep this friendly. But you're
right, enough with the getting to
know you shit. Now, there's two
ways we can play this hand.
SETH ( )
One way is me and you go round an'
round all fuckin' night. The other
way, is we reach some sort of an
understanding. Now, if we go down
that first path at the end of the
day, I'11 win. But we go down the
second, we'll both win. Now, I
don't give a rat's ass about you or
your fuckin' family. Y'all can
live forever or die this second and
I don't care which. The only
things I do care about are me
that son-of-a-bitch in the back,
and our money. And right now I
need to get those three things into
Mexico. Now, stop me if I'm wrong,
but I take it you don't give a shit
about seeing me and my brother
receiving justice, or the bank
getting its money back. Right now
all you care about is the safety of
your daughter, your son and
possibly yourself. Am I correct?
JACOB
Yes.
SETH
I thought so. You help us get
across the border without incident,
stay with us the rest of the night
without trying anything funny, and
in the morning we'll let you and
your family go. That way everybody
gets what they want. You and your
kids get out of this alive and we
get into Mexico. Everybody's
happy.
JACOB
How do I know you'll keep your
word?
SETH
Jesus Christ, Pops, don't start
with this shit.
JACOB
You want me to sit here and be
passive.The only way being
passive in this
situation makes sense is if I
believe you'll let us go. I'm not
there yet. You have to convince me
you're telling the truth.
SETH
Look, dickhead, the only thing you
need to be convinced about is that
you're stuck in a situation with a
coupla real mean motorscooters. I
don't wanna hafta worry about you
all fuckin' night. And I don't
think you wanna be worrying about
my brother's intentions toward your
daughter all night. You notice the
way he looked at her, didn't ya?
JACOB
Yes.
SETH
Didn't like it, did ya?
JACOB
No, I didn't.
SETH
Didn't think so. So, as I was
saying, I'm willing to make a deal.
You behave, get us into Mexico, and
don't try to escape. I'11 keep my
brother off your daughter and let
you all loose in the morning.
JACOB
You won't let him touch her?
SETH
I can handle Richie, don't worry.
The two men look at each other for some measure of trust.
Seth sticks out his hand.
SETH
I give you my word.
Seth can't help but think about the last time he gave his
word.
SETH
(hand sticks out)
My words, my law. Better you not
take it, and that's just where we
are, then take it and not mean it.
Jacob takes his hand, but looks right into Seth.
JACOB
If he touches her, I'11 kill him.
I don't give a fuck how many guns
you have, nothing will stop me from
killing him.
SETH
Fair enough. You break your word,
I'11 kill all of you.
(calling to the back)
Kate, honey!
KATE
Yeah.
SETH
You must have a bible in here,
don'tcha?
KATE
Yeah, we got a bible.
SETH
Get it and bring it up here, will
ya, please?
Kate goes into a drawer, pulls out a bible and brings it up
front.
SETH
Hold it right there, sweetie pie.
(to Jacob)
Put your hand on it.
Jacob does.
SETH
Swear to God, on the Bible, you
won't try to escape and you'll get
us across the border.
JACOB
I swear to God I won't try to
escape and I'11 do my best to get
you into Mexico.
SETH
You best better get it done, Pops.
Seth places his hand on the Bible.
SETH
I swear to God I'11 let you loose
in the morning. And your daughter
will be safe. And I also swear if
you do anything to fuck me up, I'11
slit all your throats.
TIME CUT TO:
22 INT. MOTOR Startseite - NIGHT 22
Richard's in the back with Kate and Scott. Richard,
expressionless, looks at Kate's bare feet.
SLOW ZOOM KATE'S BARE FEET
EX CU KATE'S TOES. They wiggle.
His eyes go to her hands.
SLOW ZOOM KATE'S HANDS
EX CU KATE'S FINGERS
His eyes go to her neck.
SLOW ZOOM NAPE OF KATE'S NECK
EX CU KATE'S ADAM'S APPLE. She swallows.
His eyes move up.
SIDE PROFILE OF KATE, SLOW ZOOM TO KATE'S LIPS
Back to Richard.
RICHARD
Didya mean what you said back
there?
Kate turns to him.
KATE
Was?
RICHARD
In the room. Were you serious, or
were you just foolin' around? I'm
just bringing it up, 'cause if you
really want me to do that for you I
will,
KATE
Do Was?
RICHARD
(in a whisper)
What you said to me in the room.
KATE
(whispers back)
What did I say?
RICHARD
(whisper)
You asked me if I would --
SETH (O.S.)
Richard!
RICHARD
(to Seth)
Was?
Seth and Jacob.
SETH
I told you to watch those kids, I
didn't say talk to 'em. You guys
ain't got nothin' to say to one
another. So cut the chatter.
Richard turns to Kate.
RICHARD
(quiet)
We'll talk later.
Kate still hasn't a clue what he means.
CUT TO:
23 EXT. THE MEXICAN BORDER - NIGHT 23
Automobiles are lined up, waiting one by one to go into
Mexico. Cop cars with their red and blue lights flashing
are all over the place. Border Patrol men and Police are
stopping all cars. Pulling up to the end of the line is the
Fuller's mobile Startseite.
441 CONTINUED: 44
From across the room, Fate sees her daddy ignite. She cries
out. In the thick of the battle, Seth yells:
SETH
Fight now, cry later.
Kate takes his advice and hits a vamp square in the face
with a holy water balloon, which melts his head.
A bat-thing lands on the back of Scott's neck. He screams
as it bites into him. He drops the .45.
Kate sees Scott get bit.
KATE
Oh my god.
Another bat-thing lands on Scott's arm and takes a bite.
Scott screams.
KATE
You bastards!
She goes to spray them when her Uzi runs out of water.
Now seven bat-things are on Scott biting and sucking blood.
Scott is in agony.
SCOTT
Kill me Kate!
Kate runs for her brother, does a DIVE and a ROLL, coming up
by the .45, SNATCHING it in one motion and FIRING three
times.
One... two... three bat-things are hit, shoot flames, then
all of them EXPLODE, BLOWING UP Scott.
The remaining vamps approach.
All the humans have left is a few bullets and one holy
balloon.
SETH
How many bullets left, kid?
KATE
Not many.
SETH
Well, when you run out of weapons,
just start cold cocking 'em. Make
'em sing for their supper.
(CONTINUED)
24' INT. MOBILE Startseite - NIGHT 24
Jacob at the wheel, Seth in the passenger seat. Seth jumps
up and goes into action.
SETH
Okay everybody, it's show time.
Richie, take Kate in the bathroom.
Richard grabs the terrified Kate and drags her in the
bathroom,
SETH
Scott, you come up front with your
daddy.
Scott does. Seth, keeping low, gets behind Jacob.
JACOB
I'm telling you, don't hurt her.
SETH
As long as you're cool, she'll be
cool. What're ya gonna say?
JACOB
I don't have the slightest idea.
SETH
Well, you just keep thinkin' of
that gun Weiter to Kate's temple.
Seth disappears into the bathroom with Kate and Richard,
closing the door behind him.
Father and son are alone for the first time since this whole
thing began.
SCOTT
What are you gonna do?
JACOB
I'm gonna try and get us across the
border.
SCOTT
No, dad, you gotta tell 'em that
they're back there.
Jacob is surprised to hear Scott say this.
25 INT. BATHROOM - MOBILE Startseite - NIGHT 25
The bathroom, which consists of a shower, a toilet and a
small sink, is a tight fit with three people in it.
Richard has his back against the wall, with his arm around
Kate, holding her in front of him. One hand is over her
mouth, the other holds a .45 against her head.
Kate's eyes are wide with fear.
Seth stands, .45 in hand, ready to fire if the wrong person
should open the door.
Everybody talks low and quiet.
RICHARD
This isn't gonna work.
SETH
Shut up. It's gonna work just
fine,
RICHARD
I just want to go on record as
saying this is a bad idea.
SETH
Duly noted. Now, shut up.
Everyone's quiet for a second, till Richard breaks it.
RICHARD
(to himself)
They're gonna search the van.
SETH
(offhand)
As long as you don't act like a
fuckin' nut, we'll be just fine.
RICHARD
What does that mean?
SETH
(distracted)
Was?
Richard lets Kate go, she quickly moves to the side.
RICHARD
You just called me a fuckin' nut.
SETH
No, I didn't.
RICHARD
Yes, you did. You said as long as
I don't act like a fuckin' nut,
implying that I've been acting like
a fuckin' nut.
SETH
Take a pill, kid. I just meant
stay cool.
RICHARD
You meant that, but you meant the
other, too.
Kate can't believe what she's watching.
Neither can Seth.
SETH
(serious as a heart
attack)
This ain't the time, Richard.
RICHARD
(his voice rising)
Fuck those spic pigs! You called
me a fuckin' nut, and where I come
from, that stops the train on its
tracks.
SETH
(real quiet and violent)
Keep your voice down.
RICHARD
(quiet back)
Or Was?
26 BACK TO JACOB AND SCOTT 26
JACOB
Have you forgotten about your
sister?
SCOTT
They're gonna kill us. They get us
across the border, they're gonna
take us out in the desert and shoot
us.
JACOB
If they get over the border,
they're gonna let us go.
SCOTT
Dad, I watch those reality shows.
They never let anybody go. Any cop
will tell you, in a situation like
this, you get a chance, you go for
it. This is our chance.
JACOB
What about Kate?
SCOTT
They're gonna kill her anyway. At
least now with all these cops we've
got a fighting chance.
JACOB
Son, I have this situation under
control. I know exactly what I'm
doing. You're going to have to
trust me on this.
SCOTT
If trusting you means trusting
those fuckin' killers, I can't do
that. If you don't tell the cops,
I will.
Jacob grabs Scott by the front of his shirt, and yanks him
to him.
JACOB
Now, you listen to me. You ain't
gonna do a goddamn fucking thing,
you hear me! Nobody cares what you
think, I'm running this show, I
make the decisions.
SCOTT
He's running the show.
JACOB
I'm running the show. I make the
plays, and you back the plays I
make. Stop thinking with your
fucking balls. Kate in a room with
a couple of desperate men with
nothing to fucking lose ain't the
time to "go for it." I need your
cover. Cover my ass.
There's a HONK behind them.
They both look out the window.
It's their turn with the BORDER PATROL GUARDS.
JACOB takes the wheel and drives up.
A stern BORDER GUARD approaches JACOB'S window.
BORDER GUARD
How many with you?
JACOB
Just my son and I.
BORDER GUARD
What is your purpose in Mexico?
JACOB
Vacation. I'm taking him to see
his first bullfight.
27 BACK TO BATHROOM
27
RICHARD
I'm curious. What was the nuttiest
thing I did?
SETH
This ain't the time.
RICHARD
oh, I know, was it possibly when
your ass was rotting in jail and I
broke it out? Yeah, you're right,
that was pretty fuckin' nutty. Not
to mention stupid. But you know
Was? I can fix that right now.
SETH HAULS off and PUNCHES Richard smack in the head.
Richard HITS the floor,
Guard, Jacob, and Scott hear Richard fall in the bathroom.
BORDER GUARD
What was that?
JACOB
Oh, that's just my daughter in the
bathroom.
BORDER GUARD
You said it was just you and your
son.
JACOB
I meant me, my son and my daughter.
CU BORDER GUARD
BORDER GUARD
Open the door. I'm coming aboard.
29 BACK TO BATHROOM 29
CU KATE
We can only see Kate's face. It's scared. We hear rustling
around the bathroom, but we don't know what it is.
Then it's quiet. Then we hear talking outside the door, but
we can't make it out. Then we hear a knock.
KATE
I'm in the bathroom.
BORDER GUARD (O.S.)
It's the Border Patrol. Open up.
KATE
It's open.
We hear the door open and see the light change on Kate's
face. She's looking up.
BORDER GUARD in the doorway looking in.
HE SEES: Kate by herself, pants around her ankles, sitting
on the toilet.
KATE
Do you mind? Shut the fucking
door.
BORDER GUARD
Excuse me.
He closes the door.
Kate lets out a breath.
We wait a beat, Seth pulls back the curtain in the shower,
we see Richie on the floor of the shower knocked out.
Seth and Kate meet eyes.
He gives her the O.K. signal.
CUT TO:
30 BACK WINDOW MOTOR Startseite 30
We see through the back window of the motor Startseite, the border
getting smaller as we drive away from it.
Scott knocks on the bathroom door.
SCOTT
It's clear.
Seth BURSTS out of the bathroom.
SETH
Goddamn, that was. intense!
Seth goes to the back window. He sees the border getting
farther and farther away. No cars following.
SETH
(to himself)
We did it.
(pause)
We're in Mexico.
Seth throws his head back and SCREAMS for joy.
Kate, emerging from the bathroom, reacts to Seth's scream,
along with Scott.
Seth is so happy that he does a little jig in the back of
the van.
Everybody else is still tense as shit. But Seth lets go of
all his tension, and becomes a new man before our eyes. he
turns to Kate.
SETH
(loud and happy)
Come here, Kate!
Kate, nervous, takes a step back.
He charges for her. GRABS her, hugs her around her waist,
and spins her around. When he lets her go, she stumbles
dizzily onto the bed.
SETH
(to Kate)
You were magnificent! You told him
to shut the fucking door.
SETH ( )
I'm hiding in the shower, and I'm
thinking to myself, "Did I just
fuckin' hear what I just fuckin'
heard? And what does he do -- he
shuts the fucking door!
Kate kind of half smiles.
SETH
If I was a bit younger, baby, I'd
fuckin' marry you!
Seth goes up front and slaps Jacob on the back.
SETH
I gotta hand it to ya, Pops, you
raised a fuckin' woman.
Jacob doesn't share Seth's enthusiasm, but he is relieved.
JACOB
We did our part, we gotcha in
Mexico. Now it's time for your
part, letting us go.
SETH
Pops, when you're right, you're
right, and you are right.
KATE
(suddenly brightens)
You're gonna let us go?
SE?'H
In the morning, darlin', in the
morning, we are G-O-N-E and you are
F-R-E-E. Now, I know I put you
guys through hell, and I know I've
been one rough pecker, but from
here on end you guys are in my cool
book. Scotty, help me pick Richie
up, and lay him down. Jacob, keep
going on this road till you get to
a sign that says, "Digayo." When
you get to Digayo, turn this big
bastard left, go on down for a few
miles, then you see a bar called,
"The Titty Twister." From what I
hear, you can't miss it.
JACOB
Then?
SETH
Then stop, 'cause that's where
we're going.
He slaps him once again on the back, and leaves to attend to
Richard.
CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP RICHARD without glasses. Unconscious, Seth slaps 31
31
his face.
SETH (O.S.)
C'mon, kid, wake up. Don't make a
career out of it.
Richard starts coming to and opens his eyes.
Seth sits at the foot of the bed.
SETH
You okay?
RICHARD
(disoriented)
Yeah, I think so. What happened?
SETH
I don't know, you just passed out.
RICHARD
I did?
SETH
Yeah, we were just standing there.
You said something about your
shoulder hurting, then you just hit
the ground like a sack of potatoes.
RICHARD
Really?
SETH
Yeah, when you fell your head
smacked the toilet hard. It scared
the shit outta me. Sure you're
okay?
RICHARD
Yeah, I guess. I'm just a little
fucked up.
SETH
Well, let me tell ya something,
gonna clear your head right up. We
are officially Mexicans.
RICHARD
Was?
SETH
We are...
(singing)
"South of the border down Mexico
way. "
RICHARD
We are?
SETH
Yep. We're heading for the
rendezvous right now. We get
there, we pound booze till Carlos
shows up, he escorts us to El Ray.
And then me and you, brother, kick
fuckin' back. How ya like them
apples?
Slowly shaking the cobwebs out of his head.
RICHARD
Far out.
(pause)
Where are my glasses?
SETH
They broke when you fell.
RICHARD
Oh, fuck, Seth, that's my only
pair!
SETH
Don't worry about it, we'll get you
some glasses.
RICHARD
Whatdya mean, don't worry about it.
Of course I'm gonna worry about it,
I can't fuckin' see.
SETH
When we get to El Ray, I'11 take
care of it.
RICHARD
Yeah, like a Mexican
hole-in-the-wall's gonna have my
fuckin' preDrehbuchion.
SETH
It's not a big deal, unless you
make it a big deal. Now, I'm real
happy, Richie, stop bringing me
down with bullshit.
Jacob calls to the back.
JACOB
Guys! We're here.
CUT TO:
32 A neon sign that flashes: 32
"THE TITTY TWISTER
Hiker/Trucker bar, Dusk till Dawn"
Underneath the joint's proud name on the sign, and on top of
"Biker/Trucker bar, Dusk till Dawn" is a well-endowed woman,
whose breast is being twisted by a neon and.
33 33
EXT. THE TITTY TWISTER NIGHT
The neon sign sits on top of the rudest, sleaziest, most
crab-infested, strip joint, honk>
Kate runs off to get the money, leaving Seth, Scott, Carlos, Danny, and Manny together. Carlos offers everyone a fancy imported cigarette. Everybody accepts, Scott included. Manny lights everyone's smoke.
SETH
I got a joke for you guys. Little Red Riding Hood is walkin' through the forest and she comes across Little Bo Peep, and Little Bo Peep says: "Little Red Riding Hood, are you crazy? Don't you know the Big Bad Wolf is walking these woods and if he finds you he's gonna pull down your dress and squeeze your titties." Then Little Red Riding Hood hitches up her skirt and taps a .357 Magnum she has holstered on her thigh and says: "No he won't."
As Seth goes on, the Audio goes out for Scott. He can see Seth tell his joke in an animated way, but he can't hear anything. Then, inside his head, he hears Jacob's voice say:
JACOB'S VOICE (VO)
Thirst!
The sound is back on. Seth moves to the punchline. Scott is acting funny, he's hearing voices and is as hot as hell.
SETH
Then finallyh she comes across the Big Bad Wolf and the Big Bad Wolf's laughing and says: "Little Red Riding Hood, you know better than to be walking around these woods alone. You know I'm just gonna have to pull down your dress and squeeze your titties." Then Little Red Riding Hood whips out her .357, cocks it, sticks it in the Big Bad Wolf's face and says: "No you won't. You're gonna eat me, just like the story says."
Carlos lets out a hearty laugh.
Danny and Manny laugh like Crazy.
Seth is laughing at his own joke.
Scott turns into a bloodthirsty vampire and knocks Seth out cold, sending him flying over the Mercedes. Then he attacks Carlos, Danny and Manny.
CUT TO:
INT. WINNEBAGO
Kate has the suitcase full of money and heads out the door, only to see Scott covered in blood, draining the last drops from Carlos's throat. She lets out a scream. Scott turns, hearing her. His body is beginning to smoke from the destructive effects of the sun. He stands and begins walking toward her. His face is no longer that of innocent youth, but now a twisted incarnation of evil.
KATE
No Scott. Not you.
SCOTT
It's about time I became a man.
Kate turns and climbs into the winnebago, slamming the door in her brother's face. Scott pounds at it, then rips it from its hinges. His body billowing smoke, ignites in a ball of flame as he enters the motor Startseite.
The camera travels the length of the vehicles exterior. All the way the camper shakes and rocks. We can hear screaming from within as the camera dollies to the rear of the camper. Just the the windows SMASHES and Kate struggles to climb through, falling with the suitcase to the ground. She scurries away. Suddenly, fire erupts from the windows and the winnebago EXPLODES in a massive fireball.
Kate hobbles over to where Carlos and the others lie, looking around for Seth. She finds him just regaining consciousness behind the car.
SETH
(groggy)
Argh...What the fuck hit me?
KATE
Are you all right?
SETH
Yeah, are you? What happened?
Then from down the road, a slew of Mexican police and Border Patrol cars pull in, skidding to a stop. Officers jump out and position themselves behind their vehicles. From one of the cars emerges Chase, his drawn gun pointing right at Seth.
CHASE
All right, Gecko. Let the girl and the money go.
Kate looks at Seth, who nods. She picks up the suitcase and walks away as he put his hand into the air.
SETH
How'd ya find me?
CHASE
You fucked up, kidnapping the family, leaving your car at the Dew Drop. It was just a matter of time.
Kate moves over and stands along side one of the officers. Chase motions the Federales to take him prisoner. They move in and begin to cuff him when suddenly, from behind the Mercedes, Carlos, Danny and Manny jump up, scaring the shit out of the officers.
Kate knocks the gun fron the officer's hand and quickly picks it up from the ground, holding him at bay.
The other officers fire at the three amigos, but their guns do nothing as the three approach, their bodies smoking. Seth jumps up and runs toward Kate, who's still holding several officers at gun point. Seth grabs the gun and motions them away from a car.
The officers continue to fire at the vamps. BAM, BAM, BAM! BOOM! Danny explodes. BOOM! Manny explodes. BOOM! Up goes Carlos in a fireball. The officers look at their guns as if they were some sort of super weapons.
Seth and Kate climb in the car, slam the door and start it up. Chase regains his senses and turns, FIRING at the car. Click, click. His guy runs out of bullets.
Seth shoots out the tires on the other cars.
SETH
(to Chase)
Better luck Weiter time, asshole.
VARROOMM! He guns the engine and hits the siren. The car rips out, spitting dirt as it zips down the road.
CHASE
FUCK!
CUT TO
INT. POLICE CAR - DAY
SETH
Thanks for the hand back there. Why'd you do it?
KATE
I don't know.
SETH
You could have gone with them, they'd have taken you back Startseite.
KATE
I don't have a Startseite now.
SETH
What about family?
KATE
You're my family now.
Kate turns to Seth, they both laugh maniacally.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
The car speeds down the road and into the distance.
THE END
A very special thanks to Tim Hewitt
for providing the final three pages of the Drehbuch
Kale