Mraz Inc.
"This Living Hand, Part 2"
Written by Michael Mraz
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. BRENDAN’s STRONGHOLD- NIGHT
Radiohead’s “You And Whose Army” plays under the scene. There is no sound but the music. KRYSTAL is passed out, cuffed to the chair. Brendan lifts her head by the chin, and drops it. Her head falls limp. On “You think…”:
CUT TO:
INT. ANDREA’S OFFICE- SAME TIME
ANDREA stands in her darkened office, looking out over the city. She drinks a glass of champagne and smiles slightly. On the second set of “Come On”s:
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM- SAME TIME
MRAZ stands in tac gear. He slides a clip into his handgun and chambers a round.
CUT TO:
INT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
MICHENER stands in front of a crate; a laptop and an assault rifle sit on the crate in front of him.
ANGLE: On the small army of men that Andrea had assembled for the assault. The are moving around, organizing seemingly ready to go.
Michener wears a subtle look of triumph and concentration. He looks back at his computer and begins typing.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
EDDIE and MOUMIN watch from the rooftop skylight. They are now joined by a squad of MRAZ INC TACTICAL OPERATIVES.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM- SAME TIME
MARK fastens his tac gear and fits an earpiece to his ear.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC WAR ROOM- SAME TIME
On “Holy Roman Empire”, the camera resting on DUCKY and KEATING zooms out revealing a busy roomful of employees, buzzing about; prepping to run the missions.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM- SAME TIME
ERIC, kneeling down, slides a knife into his boot sheathe. He stands tall, ready to go.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD, WILLIAMSBURG- SAME TIME
JANICE leans up against a car. A small computer sits in front of her with intel data scrolling. She sits, intent on her gun clip, in which she is meticulously placing each individual bullet.
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
Brendan stands in a room with the MAN who was recording the interrogation. Their voices are the only sound in the duration of the Teaser.
BRENDAN
Make sure you make a copy of the tape.
MAN
Should I have it delivered?
BRENDAN
No. I’ll deliver it personally after we destroy Mraz Inc.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREETS- SAME TIME
A black van drives down the street.
MAN (V.O.)
What about the girl?
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
Brendan turns to him, manacingly.
BRENDAN
Prepare a cyanide drip.
CUT TO:
INT. VAN- SAME TIME
Mraz, Mark, and Eric sit in the van, their expressions hard, concentrated.
BRENDAN (V.O.)
We kill her within the hour.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD, WILLIAMSBURG- SAME TIME
At the build of the song, the van stops in front of the warehouse where Brendan is holed up. A Mraz Inc TAC SQUAD starts spilling out and fanning out. Eric leads them off. Janice walks up to meet Mark and Mraz.
The squad starts pouring over the building climbing up to the roof; surrounding it.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD ROOFTOP- SAME TIME
Eric and three others move over the roof stealthily. Eric sneaks up on a guard and breaks his neck, quickly and professionally.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD ROOFTOP,OPPOSITE SIDE- SAME TIME
Another group of men neutralize another GUARD. They place a charge on the ground and press a button. A small red light comes on.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD FIRE-ESCAPE- SAME TIME
Another team of THREE MEN climb down a fire-escape and infiltrate through a window.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD, REAR-BUILDING- SAME TIME
A team-stands near a wall with a charge attached to it. The charge goes off and the wall crumbles. They move into the building.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD, FRONT DOOR- SAME TIME
Mraz and Mark walk up to the front door, with their guns out. They stop in front of the dilapidated door. Mraz kicks the door in. The walk slowly in the front door into the darkness, with determination. The picture fades to black as the song fades.
SMASH CUT TO:
MAIN TITLES.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER
___________________________________________________________________________________
ACT ONE
INT. BRENDAN’s STRONGHOLD- NIGHT
Brendan walks down the hallway with a MAN following on his heels. He talks on his cellphone.
BRENDAN
I’ll be there in an hour. Be ready to move when I arrive.
CUT TO:
INT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
Michener, on the other side of the conversation, talks, still staring at the computer; with an annoyed look.
MICHENER
That’s cutting it close, Bradley. Andrea wants us moving out at 5 AM, before the bulk of Mraz’s staff is there.
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’s STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
BRENDAN
This is my plan, Michener. My operation. You’re nothing but hired help. You’ll follow my orders and we’ll move when I’m good and ready.
MICHENER (O.S.)
That’s cute. The dog thinks he got out of his leash. 1 hour. And try not to bring any unwanted guests.
Brendan scowls; his rage growing.
BRENDAN
I’ll remind you that it wasn’t me that got captured. My position is secure. None of Mraz’s people can find this place.
CUT TO:
INT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
MICHENER
(smiling)
So, you just happened to run into Mraz’s personal assassin? Dumb luck, right?
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’s STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
Brendan angrily snaps the phone shut.
BRENDAN
Arrogant pr-- Double our watch. I don’t want anyone within 2 blocks of this place. I don’t care if they’re bums, kids, or—
They turn a corner. Brendan’s eyes goes wide.
ANGLE ON: Mraz, gun in hand, followed closely by Mark.
BRENDAN (CONT.)
--Mraz…
Mraz aims his gun and fires off 3 quick shots. Brendan quickly grabs the Man he is talking to and uses him as a shield. After the man absorbs the bullets he pulls his own gun blind fires running back down the hallway. Mraz and Mark scatter to either side dodging the bullets. Mark taps his earpiece.
MARK
All units move. We have contact.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC WAR ROOM- SAME TIME
Keating watches a screen displaying a schematic of Brendan’s stronghold. Red dots indicating the location of the Mraz Inc teams are spread throughout the building.
KEATING
Mraz and Mark have engaged. Lethal force is authorized but try to keep casualties to a minimum. Ducky, can you get a read on enemy positions?
DUCKY
Yeah, the infrared readings just came up.
KEATING
And?
DUCKY
Keeping casualties to a minimum may have to take a backseat…
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD ROOM- SAME TIME
A Mraz Inc squad bursts into a room firing, making short, efficient work of 5 armed men. They quickly make their way through, securing the area.
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD HALLWAY- SAME TIME
Two armed GUARDS walk down the hall about 10 feet behind a third GAURD, surveying the area. Suddenly, there are 2 pops as darts appear in the backs of the 2 rear Guards. As they fall, the third Guard turns as the door next to him flies open. He catches a rifle butt in the face, knocking him unconscious. 3 Mraz Inc Squad members emerge from their offscreen positions and secure the men.
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- ANOTHER HALLWAY- SAME TIME
Eric and 2 Mraz Inc Squad members walk slowly, quietly down a hall. They hear sounds of commotion and duck into a open doorway.
ANGLE ON: Eric’s POV from inside the room he ducked into. A group of armed Guards sprint by yelling.
With the coast clear, they duck back out and continue down the hall.
CUT TO:
MAIN CONCOURSE- SAME TIME
Mraz and Mark move quickly down a hall lined with doors, trying to follow the path that Brendan took. They approach a large doorway. They both stop and exchange a glance. As they prep to make a move through the door, the door next to Mark slams open into him. A GUARD jumps out tackling him. As they begin to grapple, Mraz takes aim at the guard and is immediately knocked off his feet, his gun scattering across the floor.
ANGLE ON: Brendan, standing over him.
Brendan pounces. Straddling Mraz and trying to choke him. Mraz punches him in the face and uses the moment to roll Brendan over on his back.
MRAZ
You should have kept running.
He head-butts Brendan. Brendan elbows him in the stomach and flips Mraz forward into the wall. Brendan springs up, pulls Mraz up and pins him against the wall. They struggle but Brendan keeps him pinned.
BRENDAN
You’re too late. She’ll be dead in ten minutes and in less than an hour your headquarters will be slag. And you won’t get to either in time to stop it.
Mraz face fills with rage. Brendan just smiles triumphantly.
ANGLE ON: Mark, who has dispatched his assailant and is rising to his feet, and starting toward Mraz and Brendan. He stops short and winces when his earpiece shrieks with feedback.
KEATING (O.S.)
--repeat-- multiple contacts –extreme caution—center-- main—
MARK
Keating, you’re breaking up. Please repeat.
ANGLE ON: Mraz and Brendan.
BRENDAN
I doubt it’ll matter though. You probably won’t survive the next ten minutes.
Brendan swings Mraz around driving him into the closed double-doors of the large doorway.
The camera pulls back to a wide angle as Mark watches as Mraz and Brendan impact the doors. The doors fly open revealing a large room filled 20-30 GUARDS.
KEATING (O.S.)
--we have multiple hostiles in the center room connecting to the main concourse of the building—
ANGLE ON: Mark’s face going wide with surprise.
MARK
Oh hell.
Mark sprints into the room.
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- HALLWAY- SAME TIME
Eric and the two Tac Members approach a doorway. Above it a thick bunch of wires run through the wall. Eric points up.
ERIC
Bet next week’s pay this is the interrogation room.
They approach the door and open it. They enter, cautiously.
CUT TO:
INT. OUTER INTERROGATION ROOM- CONTINUOUS
The three walk into the outer room and see Krystal through the glass immediately. She doesn’t look conscious. It is unclear whether she is dead or alive. Eric looks down at the desk. There are empty syringes.
ERIC
Keep watch. I’m gonna get her out of there.
TAC MEMBER #1
It’s too quiet.
TAC MEMBER #2
They’re too busy dealing with the rest of the squad.
CUT TO:
INT. INNER INTERROGATION ROOM- CONTINUOUS
Eric enters the room and rushes straight to Krystal. The two team members continue talking in the background.
TAC MEMBER #1 (O.S.)
But why leave the prisoner unguarded?
TAC MEMBER #2 (O.S.)
(lowering his voice)
Think she’s even alive?
Eric kneels down and sets his gun beside him. He notices 2 more syringes on a tray next to him. These ones are full. He checks Krystal’s pulse. He snaps into action and moves to untie her from the chair.
TAC MEMBER #1 (O.S.)
SIR--?!
Eric turns in time to catch a pistol whip in the face. The attacking MAN puts him in a headlock then spins and fires two shots at the Tac members, catching one in the head and one in the throat. The man shot in the throat drops to the floor gurgling. Eric drives his forearm into the Man’s gun-arm, sending his pistol across the room. Still in a head-lock, he reaches for his own pistol but the man kicks it away and punches Eric in the face.
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN ROOM- SAME TIME
Mark sprints toward the room, as the men take notice and converge on Mraz, pulling him up by the arms. One tosses a pistol to Brendan.
MARK
Keating, divert all teams to our position-It’s a trap--must be their staging area. MRAZ, BLIND!
Mark tosses a cylinder into the room. The men are first distracted by Mark’s yell-then by the object entering the room. Mraz squeezes his eyes shut. The object-a flashbang grenade- explodes, blinding the men in the room momentarily. It erupts into chaos.
Mraz yanks the two men holding his arms forward slamming their heads together and sends a backward kick into the stomach of the man behind him.
Mark charges into the room and launches into an aerial roundhouse kick landing in the face of one man. He seizes the gun-arm of the man next to him, pulling it straight and breaking it at the elbow, following with as backhanded fist to his face. On the follow through, he grabs the next-nearest man by the arm, pulling him forward, off-balance, straight into his elbow, snapping the man’s head back. He engages the next man, slowly making his way to Mraz.
ANGLE ON: Brendan, lost in the swarm of men, comes to. He eyes Mark and Mraz, engaged with multiple men and starts to discreetly crawl away toward the door.
Mraz, holding a man in a headlock, swings him straight into the blind swing of another man. He grabs the puncher and drives his face down into his knee. Feeling a presence behind, he swings around with a backhanded fist. Mark, however is the presence and narrowly ducks the swing.
MARK
Jesus, Mraz! Nice way to show your gratitude!
He sends a jab at Mraz’s face. Mraz ducks and the jab lands in the face of an unseen attacked behind Mraz. Mraz rolls under the punch and sweeps the legs of a man behind Mark.
MRAZ
Gratitude for what?
MARK
Saving your ass! Or maybe you wanted Brendan to put a bullet in you.
Mraz begins to grapple with another man. Mark gets tackled backward slamming him back to back with Mraz. Mraz pushes his man back, getting separation. He casts a quick glance and a smirk back to Mark.
MRAZ
Maybe you could have found a moment to pick up your gun?
MARK
It’s just never enough for you, is it?
The man charges Mark; Mark sidesteps and Mraz whips a double-fisted punch backwards, close-lining the man and taking him off his feet. Mraz then swings forward catching his man with a double-fisted punch.
MRAZ
Speaking of Brendan, have you seen him?
They both survey the room.
MARK
Damn it!
MRAZ
These guys are recovering from the flash-bang.
MARK
Hey, Keating? What’s the word on back-up? This is about to get messy.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC WAR ROOM- SAME TIME
KEATING
Teams 3 and 4 are converging. But they were both coming from the far ends of the building. ETA 3 minutes.
MARK (O.S)
Good, 3 minutes. No sweat.
KEATING
Any luck on hailing Eric’s team?
DUCKY
No. No response. But see how the infrared dots notating the rest of his team are getting smaller?
KEATING
Yeah?
DUCKY
Only one reason for that. Unless they just took a sub-zero bath.
CUT TO:
INT. INNER INTERROGATION ROOM- SAME TIME
Eric launches up from a crouch, with a back-handed right swing. The man counters with a double-handed block. Eric follows with a hard left jab to the man’s ribs. The man winces but quickly counters, with a devastating,descending left-punch to Eric’s head. With Eric doubled over, the man kicks his square in the chest knocking him off his feet, near where his gun landed.
Eric slowly writhes for the gun and the man scrambles to get there first, but when he gets in Eric’s range, Eric drops his incapacitated “act”, kicks the man in the ribs with his right foot, and drives his left foot into the man’s shin, sending him to the ground. Eric rolls him over, punches him in the face, and begins to throttle him. The man gets his own grip around Eric’s throat. Eric releases one hand and reaches for the gun, just beyond the man’s head. His hand begins to grasp the handle as they wrestle, but the man sends a knee to his groin and flips him over, scattering the gun away-near Krystal’s unmoving form.
The man advances again. This time, in an effort to get the fight back on it’s feet, Eric launches upward, driving his shoulder into the man’s chest, then headbutts him under his chin. Eric lands a quick right cross, then a left cross, but his attempt at a second right is blocked, and the man hits him on the side of the head with an open-fisted left.
The man in quick succession right jabs Eric in the face, follows with left to the stomach, then a right elbow under the chin. The man swings again with a right-cross, Eric weakly deflects it, but the man simply gives him a shove to the chest, sending Eric to the ground, landing Eric near the 2 full syringes. The man straddles Eric and slams him into the ground, then grabs a syringe, and starts stabbing down toward Eric’s head. Eric struggles with his last ounces of strength to stop the needle’s trajectory. But it inches closer and closer until it comes within a centimeter or two of his eye.
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN ROOM- SAME TIME
ANGLE ON: Mraz, taking a brutal punch across face.
The next that comes in, Mraz catches by the wrist, and he sends an elbow into his attacker’s temple. Instantly, he is pinned from behind, as another man moves in from the front
MRAZ
How’s that back-up –
Mraz launches his feet up, kicking the man in front of him.
MRAZ (CONT)
-coming.
He uses his forward momentum to flip the man behind him, forward over his head.
ANGLE ON: Mark. He is engaged with three men. The man to his right flank, launches a punch which he easily blocks with his right, then quickly left jabs the man to his left in the face. The man behind him tackles him around the waste.
MARK
(Out of breath)
C’mon, Mraz. What’s the problem? Been sitting in your posh office chair too much?
He drives his elbow down into the head of the man wrapped around his waist.
MARK (CONT)
You don’t get out enough. I think you could use a work-out. This is a piece of ca—
Mark, forgetting to dispatch his first opponent, takes a punch in the face mid-quip.
MRAZ
Idiot.
Mraz gets tackled to the ground by three men. Mark slams his man into the wall and then catches a man behind him with a fist in the face without looking.
MARK
What was that you were saying?
Mraz struggles with the three men.
MRAZ
I hate you.
In anger, he throws a right cross, catching all three men in the face. He simultaneously kicks one in the groin, sends his right elbow into one’s face. Then comes back across with a left hitting the other two.
Mark punches a man in the throat, then in the face, but catches a punch in the kidney.
MARK
Rrrrr. What about Brendan?!
He grapples the man into a headlock and quickly snaps his neck.
Mraz gets driven into a wall.
MRAZ
Taken…care of.
He pile drive punches the man.
MRAZ
…back-up.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC WAR ROOM- SAME TIME
KEATING
Time-on-target, guys? I really don’t want to have to scrape my boss up off the floor.
TAC LEADER #1 (O.S)
90 seconds.
TAC LEADER #2 (O.S)
2 minutes.
KEATING
Hurry. Or I’ll be out of a job.
DUCKY
Should we send a team to Eric?
KEATING
…No…Mraz is the priority.
DUCKY
I thought Krystal was.
Keating shoots him a venomous look.
CUT TO:
INT. INNER INTERROGATION ROOM- SAME TIME
ANLGE ON: The needle a centimeter from Eric’s eye. All sound has dropped out, but Eric’s occasional deep breath and heart beat in slow motion. Two slow blinks of the eye. Slowly the breath steady’s, the heart-beat slows, and Eric’s brow furrows.
ANGLE ON: An overhead tight shot on the syringe going down. The world bursts out of slow-motion. Lightning-fast, Eric’s head twists to the left and the needle crashes into the concrete, narrowly missing. Eric palm smashes the man in the nose, breaking it. The man cries out, stunned.
He launches the man off of him – back toward the other side of the room. Eric locates the gun near Krystals and scrambles toward it on his hands and knees.
The man comes out of his shock and his eyes fill with victory.
ANGLE ON: The other gun, just a few feet away.
They both race to the guns. Eric gets to his and, in one-motion whips around and fires. Only to see the man wheel and shoot at the same time. Eric catches the bullet in the shoulder. His gun drops. He writhes. The man takes his hit in the stomach. With much strain, man grips his gun and starts crawling to the immobile Eric. Eric starts to worm towards his. But not quite fast enough—
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN ROOM- SAME TIME
The tides have turned. Mark and Mraz are tiring under the seemingly unweary army of henchmen. They have been moved apart by the men and can no longer team up. Mark breaks free of a man’s grapple, pushing him away. He right jabs another man twice in the face. But quickly two men are upon him. He headbutts one but cannot quite break free of the other.
Mraz elbows a man in the face and holds another at arms length, palming him in the face, but the man pushes him into the wall. He tries for a jab but the man ducks, punches Mraz in the stomach, and flips him. A few men dog-pile Mraz. He kicks one in the shin, but he is out-numbered.
CUT TO:
INT. INNER INTERROGATION ROOM- SAME TIME
The man has closes on Eric, still squirming toward his gun. The man levels the pistol at Eric’s head and cocks the gun. His finger tightens on the trigger. Then he lets out a sharp groan, the finger loosens, and his eyes go wide. He looks down.
ANGLE ON: Krystal, half-conscious. Her hand grasps the last syringe, which she has driven into the man’s thigh.
The man holds a moment, frozen, then falls, motionless. Krystal collapses.
CUT TO:
INT. MAIN ROOM- SAME TIME
The henchmen pull Mraz up, still struggling, and swing him around.
ANGLE ON: Mraz’s POV. Mark is in the same predicament, pinned against the wall by about 6 men. Mark takes a punch in the face then in the stomach.
Mraz takes a shot in the back sending him to his knees. One man grabs his hair. He lets out a growl.
Suddenly, an array of silenced shots pierce the hubbub. 12 men quickly fall. The other 8 turn dropping Mraz and Mark and holding their hands in the air.
ANGLE ON: A Mraz Inc. Tac team- three men- with their weapons trained.
The remaining henchmen back up, slowly. Mark slumps against the wall, panting. Mraz stays on a knee.
MARK
Took you long enough…
TAC LEADER #2
Thought you guys could handle yourselves for 3 minutes.
MARK
Sure…30 guys. No…problem.
MRAZ
I thought we…were limiting…lethal force?
TAC LEADER #2
Sorry, sir…
MARK
Neeeeever enough…
Tac Leader #2 begins to help Mraz to his feet. Something snaps with Mraz, he starts to try to move quickly.
MRAZ
Krystal…!
TAC LEADER #2
Secure, sir. The other team is with her. Keating diverted them. Eric’s wounded and his men are down, but it appears that he saved Miss Kelly’s life.
MRAZ
(to Mark)
Come on.
He starts down the hall, as fast as he can move.
TAC LEADER #2
Sir?
MARK
Secure these men. Prep them to be taken back to HQ for debriefing.
Mark starts running off after Mraz and stops short for a moment, groaning.
TAC LEADER #2
What about Bradley?
MRAZ (O.S.)
He’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.
CUT TO:
INT. BRENDAN’S CAR- SAME TIME
Brendan drives down the streets; the camera sinks down, revealing Janice, lying on the floor of the back seat.
FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT ONE
__________________________________________________________________________________
ACT TWO
EXT. BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD, WILLIAMSBURG- NIGHT
Mraz and Mark stand out front of the building with Keating. There is a bustle of activity. Tac Team Members are escorting prisoners into the Mraz Inc. vans. There are also two ambulances with lights flashing. Eric is being wheeled by on stretcher.
KEATING
Our medstaff says he’ll be alright. A couple months rehabbing.
MRAZ
And the word on Krystal?
KEATING
She’s been pumped full of a lot of drugs. She’ll sleep for a few days, but other than that only superficial damage. She’ll live.
MRAZ
Keating, there was no reason for you to come down here yourself. You need to be at Mraz Inc. coordinating the next step of the Op--
MARK
Actually, Mike, I ordered Mraz Inc. cleared out.
MRAZ
What?! Why the hell would you do that?!
MARK
Eddie radioed in that Andrea’s force was getting ready to move. We have 30 minutes, tops.
MRAZ
So let’s take them before they move.
MARK
Why? Mraz Inc. is secure and cleared out. We let them get that far, they’ll think they have us in the bag. Then we ambush. We’ll mow them down. They have nothing without their ace in the hole.
He looks to Keating.
KEATING
Besides, if they attack Mraz Inc., we can justify defense legally. It gives us the best chance to avoid any sticky publicity situations. Our “security staff subdued them”. He’s right.
MRAZ
Fine. It’s your call.
KEATING
All of our Ops staff is mobile here onsite. Ducky is in the van. Andy is working on trying to freeze and trace Brendan and Michener’s funds.
MRAZ
How close is he?
KEATING
Well, he froze the account Michener gave us for transfer and he’s trying to track its history.
MARK
What’s the word on Brendan?
MRAZ
Janice just went off radio-silence. He’s near the warehouse where Michener and Andrea’s men are staging but he made a quick stop.
CUT TO:
INT ANDREA’S PENTHOUSE- SAME TIME
Andrea stares out the window, fuming.
BRENDAN
I don’t know--
ANDREA
I TOLD you!
BRENDAN
What--
ANDREA
WHAT- did I tell you?!
BRENDAN
There was nothing I could do—I don’t know how--
ANDREA
Obviously, Janice followed you!
BRENDAN
I lost her. There was no way—
Andrea wheels to him, suddenly eerily calm.
ANDREA
Is she following you now?
BRENDAN
No. There’s no way--
ANDREA
There was no way before. What’s different now?
He is silent.
ANDREA (CONT.)
Is the girl dead?
BRENDAN
Yes.
ANDREA
And did she give you the information?
BRENDAN
She gave me information.
ANDREA
The codes?
BRENDAN
No, but—
ANDREA
BRENDAN!!
(back to calm)
Go. Proceed with the operation.
BRENDAN
But—
ANDREA
This was your operation. The captain goes down with the ship. Michener shouldn’t have to die alone. So, you’re going to keep him company. And, if you’re not completely worthless, you may just take one or two of them with you.
(she smiles sweetly)
Make it count.
Brendan, speechless, backs out of the apartment.
CUT TO:
EXT ANDREA’S PENTHOUSE- SAME TIME
Janice sits on the ledge with a listening device. She switches it off and begins to climb down.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC SUBLEVEL- SAME TIME
Eddie and Moumin stand in the center of 25 armed MRAZ INC TAC MEMBERS.
EDDIE
ETA of Michener and his men is 20 minutes. Their plan is to simple walk in the front door. We’re going to let them in, then we’re going to pin and flank them.
Moumin brings up a tactical layout on screen.
MOUMIN
We’re breaking into teams of five. We let these guys get in far enough to trip the security countermeasures. The lobby will go on lockdown. There are 40 guys. We’ll cover them from the 2nd floor from different vantages. They get one chance to stand down.
EDDIE
Which I don’t agree with. Most of these guys would kill you or me without a second thought. But even Mark is backing this one up. So they get one quick chance.
MOUMIN
OK, everyone head to your positions. And stand by for Eddie’s orders.
TAC OFFICER
Will we be receiving support from the Williamsburg team?
EDDIE
They’re just leaving now. Ducky will be providing mobile tech support but their ETA is 30 minutes. This’ll all be over by then.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC MOBILE SUPPORT VAN- SAME TIME
Ducky sits back staring at 5 terminals with different tactical displays. ANDY sits with his nose inches away from his laptop.
DUCKY
Are you ready to rock and roll, buddy?
ANDY
Yeah…Of course.
DUCKY
Doesn’t sound like it.
ANDY
Almost…got it…
DUCKY
Got what?
Andy jumps up and points at the screen.
ANDY
VOILA! HA!
DUCKY
What?!?!
ANDY
I knew I could beat you!
DUCKY
Earth to Andy Chmelko.
ANDY
I locked onto the wire-paths of Michener’s off-shore account. There’s an electronic paper trail that gets bounced through a few hundred portals, but managed to reverse the stream and lock onto the source grid.
DUCKY
Electronic paper- wha? Dude, I’m the tech-geek of this company and I didn’t understand a word of that.
ANDY
An electronic game of connect the dots, which I just won. And I have who’s been paying Michener for Mraz Inc secrets.
DUCKY
That’s great!
ANDY
That’s weird!
DUCKY
Why weird?
ANDY
I’ve seen this profile before.
CUT TO:
EXT MRAZ INC – SAME TIME
Janice stands across the street, inconspicuously.
JANICE
…they’re going ahead with it. He was talking to Andrea. Sounds like our boy Brendan has fallen out of favor.
MRAZ (O.S.)
Great. Peel off. We can take it from here. Good work, Janice.
JANICE
Negative. I’m still on Brendan’s tail.
MRAZ (O.S.)
Jan, your work is done…where are you?
JANICE
Outside your second home. Or is it your first home now?
MRAZ (O.S.)
Janice, get out of there. It’s too dangerous. You’ll get caught right in the middle of our tac op.
JANICE
Come on, Mikey. What’re you going to do? Fire me? You should know better. Tell me it’s dangerous I’m more likely to stay.
MRAZ (O.S.)
No. Eddie and Moumin have the situation in hand.
JANICE
And Brendan is my situation. Don’t worry, I won’t burn the place down.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC VAN– SAME TIME
MRAZ
Janice? Dammit!
MARK
What? Was that all about?
MRAZ
Janice.
MARK
(with realization)
Dammit!
CUT TO:
EXT STREETS- SAME TIME
Michener stands with the mercenary army, eying Mraz Inc from a few blocks away.
They are ready to move. Brendan walks up. Michener does not look back. He just smiles.
MICHENER
You’re late.
BRENDAN
Shut up.
MICHENER
You have the codes?
BRENDAN
Yes. We’re ready to go.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC- SAME TIME
Eddie is crouched with his team.
EDDIE
Stand by.
MOUMIN (O.S.)
Teams are ready.
FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT TWO
___________________________________________________________________________________
ACT THREE
EXT MRAZ INC- NIGHT
The group of Andrea’s men have lined against the outer walls of Mraz Inc, with Brendan and Michener on either side of the door.
BRENDAN
There’s an outer door code to open, then a security safeguard; a second code that has to be inputted within one minute after entry. Otherwise, a silent alarm will trip.
MICHENER
Well, stop stalling and enter the codes. I don’t want to be waiting at the front door when Mraz and Souza get back.
Brendan hesitates a moment, takes a breath to enter the code. The door beeps 3 times. He and Michener share a look. The door releases. Michener heads in and nods to the other men. They begin to file in after him, Brendan waits for the end.
Out of view of Michener, Brendan betrays a momentary expression confusion and relief.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC- SAME TIME
Moumin holds with his team, crouched on the second level, with binoculars.
ANGLE ON: The view from his binoculars. Men are filing in the front door. The line ends and Brendan moves in the door.
MOUMIN
The package is in the building.
EDDIE (O.S.)
Package confirmed.
MARK (O.S.)
Good.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC VAN- CONTINUOUS
MARK
Permission to move when ready.
MOUMIN (O.S.)
Roger.
EDDIE (O.S.)
With pleasure, champ.
MARK
The ambush is a go. We’ll be there in 7 minutes
Mraz looks over.
MRAZ
Could you drive faster?
Mark shoots him an annoyed look.
MARK
Weren’t you just complaining about my driving?
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC LOBBY- SAME TIME
Brendan closes the door behind him and surveys the empty lobby, still suspicious. Michener is at the other end of the lobby.
MICHENER
Clear! Brendan, get on that code.
BRENDAN
Right away.
Brendan heads back toward the door, slowly. He enters three numbers into the key pad. He pauses; his eyes narrow for a moment. He enters the remaining 2 numbers. There are 3 quick beeps again.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC LOBBY- SAME TIME
At Eddies position:
EDDIE
Lockdown engage in 5, 4, 3…
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC LOBBY- SAME TIME
Brendan slips quietly out the front door, while Michener and the men are otherwise occupied. He closes the door and looks in through the glass.
MICHENER
Brendan, are we—
He looks back and sees Brendan out the door.
MICHENER (CONT.)
BRENDAN?!
Floodlights flash on from above, illuminating the lobby floor and leaving the second floor in darkness. Steel doors drop down at all the exits. On last glimpse of Brendan is seen, watching calmly, before the steel trap closes. Rage fills Michener’s face.
MOUMIN (O.S.)
(unseen, from above)
Attention! You are covered from multiple positions. You have one minute to stand down, and place your weapons on the floor, or we will open fire. I repeat, you are covered from multiple positions.
MICHENER
Damn him! He set us up!
CUT TO:
EXT MRAZ INC- SAME TIME
Brendan runs down the street, toward an alley. The camera pulls out, revealing Janice, watching.
JANICE
Not this time, B.
She pursues.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC LOBBY- SAME TIME
The group of men seem torn. They still hold their weapons, waiting for an order from Michener.
MOUMIN (O.S.)
(unseen, from above)
30 seconds.
MAN 1
Michener?!
Michener still stands at the door where Brendan escaped.
MICHENER
Coward!!
He fires a round at the door.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC LOBBY- SAME TIME
Eddie is crouched at ready.
EDDIE
Enough for me, OPEN FIRE!
The lobby erupts in gunfire.
CUT TO:
EXT ALLEY – SAME TIME
Janice moves cautiously through the alley where Brendan went. He is nowhere to be seen. She creeps to the end and looks at the street at the other end: nothing.
JANICE
What the--
Janice turns but is sent sprawling to the ground, from a kick.
ANGLE ON: Brendan, dropping from the fire escape above. He stands over her, leveling his gun, smiling
BRENDAN
Looks like this time, I found you.
He cocks the gun. The opening chords of the final verse of Springsteen’s “Lost in the Flood” fade in.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC VAN- CONTINUOUS
Mark and Mraz are silent and tense. Mark is flooring it.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC LOBBY- SAME TIME
The battle plays out to the music of the song. There is no sound, only the visual. Muzzles flashes can be seen from multiple elevated positions in the lobby. The men on the floor frantically fire upward, but are quickly mowed down; taken off their feet by sprays of bullets.
ANGLE ON: A quick shot of Eddie firing down at the floor.
ANGLE ON: Moumin, ducked back down, reloading and yelling something.
Michener, staying low, makes his way across the floor, firing upward, blindly. He makes his way to the front security desk and takes cover, continuing to fire upward.
ANGLE ON: A man running for cover, firing, but falling to the floor, taking a hit in the leg.
ANGLE ON: Another man firing, taking three hits to the chest, his gun still firing as he falls an hits the ground.
ANGLE ON: Moumin, he begins to his team across the second floor balcony of the lobby. His team has ceased firing.
Michener steps out from behind the desk, aims upward an firing.
ANGLE ON: Eddie. Michener’s move has opened his back up to Eddie’s sights. Eddie aims and pops off a quick shot, hitting Michener in the shoulder. Michener falls. The first sound, other than music breaks through:
MOUMIN (O.S.)
Cease fire! Cease Fire!!
CUT TO:
EXT MRAZ INC. – SAME TIME
The Mraz Inc van brakes out front, tires squealing. Mraz and Mark jump out of the car. Mark runs toward the front. Mraz runs off to the side. Mark sees Mraz running away from the building and stops.
MARK
Where the hell are you going?!
MRAZ
Loose end! Secure the building!
Mark shakes his head and runs toward the door. He inputs the code. It beeps 3 times and the steel door begins to lift.
CUT TO:
EXT ALLEY – SAME TIME
Janice looks defiant, but trapped. Brendan still holds her at gunpoint.
BRENDAN
You are not going to make me look foolish again!
JANICE
I don’t know. It’s pretty easy, Brendan. I’m not sure I can help it.
Brendan pistol whips Janice, knocking her back.
BRENDAN
You and I are going to finish what we started months ago. I’m going to start with you, then Mraz, until I pull this whole organization down.
JANICE
Well, B, you can’t even take a walk without getting tailed by me. So if your going to carry out those big plans you might want to be a little more discreet.
Brendan fires a shot into the ground in front of her.
BRENDAN
I won’t have to worry about that anymore. Because it’s time for you to say goodnight.
He takes aim at her forehead. She smiles and leans toward the gun.
JANICE
By the way, I forgot to mention how much I love that scar.
BRENDAN
Heheh. Defiant to the last.
JANICE
Just sad I won’t be the one to take care of you for Andrea.
BRENDAN
Well, she did ask me to take a few of you with me.
His finger tightens on the trigger. A shot rings out. The gun falls from his hand. Three more shots. He looks down at his chest to find four bleeding wounds. He looks back up at Janice with surprise. She smiles at him, he falls to the ground, revealing Mraz, behind him aiming a gun.
MRAZ
Too bad. You disappoint her again.
He drops his aim.
JANICE
Thanks, Mikey.
MRAZ
Janice. Why do I always have to save your ass?
JANICE
Because you owe for all the times I’ve saved yours. How did you find me.
Mraz smiles and holds up his phone. There’s a map with a red blinking light.
MRAZ
Tracker in your cell.
Janice tosses her phone against the wall. The red light goes out. She smiles
JANICE
Remind me to never let you put my phone back together again.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC. LOBBY – SAME TIME
Mark walks in and surveys the scene. There are bodies strewn about. The rest of the team, including Moumin, are rounding up the remaining 15 or so men that have surrendered. Eddie makes his way to Mark.
MARK
Seems like you’ve got this pretty well in hand.
EDDIE
No casualties on our side. Michener fired off a shot, sparking the fire-fight. Mo was able to call a cease fire and get the remaining goons to surrender. Let’s wrap this up and grab a victory drink?
MARK
No way; Taylor is gonna scream at me for hours about this tomorrow. My hangover wouldn’t be able to take it.
EDDIE
Fair enough. Your loss.
Moumin walks by, dragging a prisoner.
MARK
Mo, you have bonus check coming your way.
MOUMIN
Why?
MARK
Exceptional performance.
MOUMIN
Sweet.
EDDIE
What’s the real reason?
MARK
Rather not say.
One of the Tac Team Members hauls Michener by.
MARK (CONT.)
Have fun in Sing-Sing, Michener. I’m gonna miss him.
Michener, enraged, breaks free of the man and seizes his sidearm. Before he can fire Souza, wheels and kicks the gun out his hand and knocks him out with a right cross. Eddie shoots him a look. Mark cocks his head and shrugs.
MARK (CONT.)
I’ve been wanting to shut that guy up all day.
Eddie chuckles and slaps him on the shoulder. They walk toward the rest of the group.
CUT TO BLACK.
END ACT THREE
______________________________________________________________________________
ACT FOUR
EXT MRAZ INC- DAY
The camera rotates around a scenic shot of the Mraz Inc building, with the sun glistening off the windows.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC MEDCENTER- SAME TIME
Mraz stands at Krystal’s bedside. She starts to come to, sees Mraz and smiles.
MRAZ
Hey there. You had a rough day.
KRYSTAL
Not bad for my first couples months, huh?
MRAZ
I’d say you definitely have made a splash within the ranks of the company.
KRYSTAL
Living Hand?
MRAZ
Was a failure.
KRYSTAL
And Brendan?
MRAZ
Dead. It’s going to take awhile for Andrea to recover from such a failure. She drained a lot of resources.
KRYSTAL
That’s good. When can I get back?
MRAZ
Heheh. Don’t worry about that too much, I think you deserve a bit of a rest.
He gives her hand a squeeze and leaves it there for a moment. Then he turns and starts heading toward the door. He stops short.
MRAZ (CONT.)
You also might want to pay Eric a visit when you feel a bit better. He was the one responsible for saving you.
KRYSTAL
I guess I’ll have to thank him.
Mraz gives a small laugh and starts toward the door again. It opens just as he gets there and Mark walks in. He looks a bit startled. He leans on the door.
MARK
Oh, hey, Mraz! How’s our champ doing?
MRAZ
I think she’ll be up and about soon. My office?
MARK
Yeah, I’ll be there in about ten.
Mraz exits and Mark slips the rest of the way into the room. He whips a bouquet of flowers out from behind his back, which he had obscured behind the door, and gives a slightly self-conscious smile.
KRYSTAL
Oh, how sweet!
MARK
Heh. I thought I’d get you some flowers for real this time, not leftovers from a bad date.
Krystal lets out a giggle.
MARK (CONT.)
I hear they speed up recovery.
KRYSTAL
Thank you!
MARK
Hey, just don’t go getting yourself kidnapped anymore.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC- SAME TIME
Mraz walks toward his office door. He spots Keating at her desk and changes course, toward her.
MRAZ
Hey.
KEATING
Hey!
MRAZ
I just wanted to say sorry.
KEATING
Sorry for what?
MRAZ
For not figuring out that you were the target earlier, for not being around after the attack, for--
KEATING
Hey, hey. It’s ok.
MRAZ
No, it’s not. Keat— Lauren, your better to me than I deserve. I should have been there. I should have made sure you were alright.
KEATING
Mike, you can’t protect everybody. I knew what I was getting into when I started working here. I’m a big girl.
MRAZ
I know.
KEATING
Stop worrying. I’m fine. I’ll be fine.
Mraz cracks a smile. He gives Keating a gentle kiss on the head, then looks at her, cracking a lopsided grin again.
MRAZ
What would I do without you?
Keating cracks a nervous smile. Mraz goes into his office and Keating watches until the door closes.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ’S OFFICE – SAME TIME
Mraz leans up against his window. The door opens and Mark strolls in. He sits at the desk.
MARK
Sorry, I’m late.
MRAZ
It’s ok. I’m used to it by now.
MARK
Did I miss anything?
MRAZ
You missed Taylor’s report.
MARK
Good.
MRAZ
He wants to see you in an hour.
MARK
Of course he does. I knew I shouldn’t have gone for that drink last night.
MRAZ
Only one?
Mark shrugs, obviously having stayed for more than one. There’s a knock at the door.
MRAZ (O.S.)
Come in.
Andy enters; he seems a bit more on edge than usual.
ANDY
You wanted to see me?
MRAZ
Yeah. Ducky said something about you finding an “electronic paper trail” in his sit-rep?
ANDY
Oh… yes… ummm…
Mraz and Mark both look at him, waiting.
MRAZ
Yes?
ANDY
… …didn’t pan out. I need more time to…work.
His eyes flick quickly to Mark then back to Mraz.
MRAZ
Ok.
ANDY
Should I go?
MRAZ
If there’s nothing else to report?
ANDY
No? No!
Andy exits.
MRAZ
That was weird.
MARK
Eh, it’s Andy.
MRAZ
Even for Andy… Well, I think Andrea may be quiet for awhile.
MARK
Never know, with her.
MRAZ
True.
MARK
Krystal acquitted herself well.
MRAZ
That she did. We can probably use her in the field more.
MARK
She took quite a bit from Brendan and didn’t snap. There aren’t many who can do that.
MRAZ
No, there aren’t.
There’s a silence.
MARK
Alright. What’s wrong?
MRAZ
Nothing. I just don’t like waiting on Andrea. I feel like the more we let her sit in hiding, the stronger she gets.
CUT TO:
INT ANDREA’S PENTHOUSE – DAY
Mraz’s voice continues as a V.O. as the scene progresses. Andrea sits staring out her window, as two figures come into frame.
MRAZ (V.O.)
The longer we leave her idle, the bigger chance she has of finding some unknown edge.
Andrea looks up. Her personal guard, BIRDO, has brought a visitor. It is the man recording Krystal’s interrogation earlier. He holds up a disk.
MRAZ (V.O.)
Some way in that we can’t foresee. Some bit of deadly information.
Andrea eyes the disk.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ’S OFFICE – SAME TIME
MARK
We’ll get her when she surfaces. You’re worrying too much again.
MRAZ
I hope so.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Episode 1.6 "This Living Hand, Part 1" written by Michael Mraz
Mraz Inc.
"This Living Hand, Part 1"
Written by Michael Mraz
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. MRAZ INC CONFERENCE ROOM- EVENING
MRAZ stands at the front of the room, addressing those in attendance. MARK is off to the side, surrounded by two ARMED MEN standing ready. Sitting and standing throughout are KEATING, KRYSTAL, TAYLOR, DUCKY, ANDY, and about half a dozen other EMPLOYEES. The room is tense.
MRAZ
We are on high alert. As senior staff and department heads, this information is being disclosed to you and only you and is not to be divulged to the rest of your staff. We do not want to create a panic; everything needs to remain running smoothly, despite the circumstances. Mark?
Mark steps forward. The two men flanking him stay in stride with him. He seems annoyed.
MARK
We’ve recently come across intelligence that has clarified the outline of an ambitious operation, code-named Operation: Living Hand, being staged by Andrea Davis to cripple Mraz Inc’s tactical readiness. Our sources informed us that Andrea has been amassing large amounts of men and artillery for a strike of some sort. Tactical has been monitoring their movements and we now believe action is imminent.
MRAZ
We think we’ve identified her main target and have decided to trigger their trap. For the purposes of the plan, Andrea’s people must continue to believe that we are ignorant of their activities. Everyone is to leave the premises tonight in their normal fashion. Keep to your routines; don’t do anything out of the ordinary. Dismissed.
The crowd begins to nervously disperse. Mark and Mraz exit the room. The two men follow them. Taylor also joins.
TAYLOR
Mike, you know these people have a right to know all of the facts. We’re a publicly traded company, not the government.
MRAZ
Taylor, the less you all know the better.
TAYLOR
These people are scared now. How can you guarantee that one of them isn’t the target?
MRAZ
We know who she’s after.
TAYLOR
Are you sure?!
MRAZ
Pretty sure.
TAYLOR
Pretty sure?!
MARK
Taylor, relax. Everyone is being closely monitored. You ask me, we have too much extra security.
He shoots Mraz a look. Taylor stops following.
TAYLOR
Fine. I hope you have another great lawyer lined up to deal with the inevitable lawsuits that are going to come out of this!
They reach Mraz’s office and enter.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ’S OFFICE- CONTINUOUS
Keating is already waiting for them in the office. The two men try to follow but Mark shuts the door in their faces.
MARK
Mraz, this ridiculous! I don’t need a security detail! The woman’s already tried to take me out twice in the past two months and failed. What makes you think this one is going to work?
MRAZ
(dryly)
Third time’s the charm.
KEATING
You think its Mark?
MRAZ
Santo hinted that whatever she’s doing is meant to hurt our operational status. She takes out Mark, she takes out tactical. She already tried with Trish, she technically succeeded with the bomb in her office. And we’re starting to think the car incident with Brendan while I was in Mexico, might have been another try-Mark just didn’t bite on that one because he had to divert to intercept the drug shipment.
Mraz’s intercom beeps. He presses a button.
MRAZ
Go ahead.
MOUMIN (O.S.)
The first few people have left the building. Brendan and his team are still in their van on the northwest corner. No movement at all.
KEATING
Brendan?
MARK
Moumin’s been trailing him. Earlier today, Brendan and five others set up in a van across the street from our main entrance.
KEATING
You’re staying, aren’t you?
MRAZ
Once everyone is safely away, Mark will exit the building- triggering their move. Then we take Brendan’s team out.
KEATING
I shouldn’t be going home. You need me here.
MRAZ
Lauren, you walking out the front door as if nothing is wrong is going to help us more than you know.
KRYSTAL (O.S)
Can I help with anything?
The three turn to see Krystal standing in the doorway.
MRAZ
Krystal…
There’s an awkward pause. Keating looks at Mraz.
KEATING
Come on, Krystal. These stubborn idiots are staying late tonight. Let’s get out of their way.
She leads Krystal out the door, leaving Mark and Mraz.
MRAZ
Don’t know what we would do without her…
MARK
Who? Keating or Krystal?
Mraz shoots Mark a glare.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC- SAME TIME
Krystal and Keating walk through the halls.
KRYSTAL
I don’t know why those two are always so mysterious. We just want to help.
KEATING
They aren’t mysterious. They’re just stupid and bullheaded. You’ll learn that, eventually. Let’s take the back way.
They head to the back elevator. Keating presses the down button. The door opens and they get in.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ’S OFFICE- CONTINUOUS
Mraz looks out his window. Mark sits on the opposite side of the desk, sipping a glass of Jameson.
MARK
Eddie is keeping tabs on their staging area. He said it looks like she’s hired a small army. They’re armed with AK-47s. Their weapons match the models that Santo gave us the transport papers for. The van serial number also matches the registration he gave us in the file. Maybe I was wrong about Santo. He came through for us this time. This definitely is Operation: Living Hand.
(pause)
Mraz?
Mraz is lost in thought, staring out the window.
MRAZ
Sorry… I was just—Just thinking about the poem. “This Living Hand”. Ridiculous. Why that poem?
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
Keating and Krystal exit the elevator, in conversation, and walk out the door.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ’S OFFICE- SAME TIME
MOUMIN walks into the office. Mraz still stares out the window. Mark has his feet up on Mraz’s desk.
MOUMIN
Krystal and Keating just exited out back. That’s the last of the staff. Brendan’s team is still stationary.
MARK
Thanks.
MRAZ
“…would, if it were cold and in the icy silence of the tomb, so haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights…” I don’t get it…
Mark seems almost bored, uninterested.
MARK
I don’t know, man. I don’t know Keats all that well.
MRAZ
Keats…Santo asked “what would someone do to hurt us?”
MOUMIN
(to himself)
Hmm… funny.
Mraz and Mark turn and look at Moumin. Moumin says nothing.
MRAZ
What?
MOUMIN
What?
MARK
What’s funny?
MOUMIN
I don’t know. I was just thinking its funny. Keats is almost like Keating. Weird.
Realization dawns on Mraz and Mark, they lock eyes and dash out of the office, leaving Moumin.
MOUMIN (CONT.)
What? What did I say?
CUT TO:
EXT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
Keating and Krystal step outside. Keating turns to Krystal.
KEATING
Well, I’m heading to the 6. Good--
KRYSTAL
(eyes going wide)
Get down!!
Krystal grabs Keating tossing her back toward the door and pulls a pistol out, firing.
ANGLE ON: Six ARMED MEN in masks converging. They are surprised by the gunfire. One man takes a few bullets and drops. The other 5 run in.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC. - SAME TIME
Mraz hits the back elevator button frantically. Mark stands by.
MRAZ
Come on! Come on!
The door opens; they get in.
CUT TO:
EXT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
Krystal drops one more man before the other 4 converge and knock her gun to the ground. She tries to wrestle away furiously. One man heads toward Keating but she manages to grab Krystal’s gun and shoot him in the shoulder.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR - SAME TIME
Mraz and Mark impatiently wait as the elevator slowly climbs down. Mark’s back is to the door.
MRAZ
Keats! KEATS!! What the hell?! How could we not have seen this?!
CUT TO:
EXT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
The man who was shot by Keating in the shoulder tries to get himself to his feet. He pulls his mask off. It is BRENDAN! He indicates Krystal.
BRENDAN
Leave her! She’s not who we came for!
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR - SAME TIME
MARK
I don’t know. We could be wrong…maybe we’re overthinking.
The door opens. Mraz sees Krystal struggling with the men just outside the door. Mark has his back to the door still.
MRAZ
DAMN IT! KRYSTAL!
Mraz pulls his gun out. Mark ducks down just in time as Mraz fires. Mark pulls his gun, as they both run out.
CUT TO:
EXT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
Brendan gets up and starts running as bullets whiz by. A van pulls up behind them.
BRENDAN
Damn! Forget it, take her and go!
MAN #1
But--
BRENDAN
I said go!
They throw Krystal in the back of the van and jump in, closing the doors. The van peels out, as Mraz and Mark run outside. Mraz drops to a knee and fires off a few shots at the van. Mark runs to Keating to check on her. Mraz stands up, watching the tail-lights of the van disappear.
MRAZ
DAMN it!
SMASH CUT TO:
MAIN TITLES.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER
___________________________________________________________________________________
ACT ONE
INT MRAZ INC CONFERENCE ROOM – NIGHT
Keating is sitting at an empty table, holding an ice-pack to the side of her head. Mark is sitting on the edge of the table.
MARK
-did they say anything else?
KEATING
No. They were obviously after me, but Krystal got in the way. When they saw you and Mraz coming, they panicked and just took her.
MARK
I’m sorry, Lauren. We should have figured this out earlier. All of the attempts on me must have just been feints trying to draw attention away from the obvious.
KEATING
It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m not the one they ended up getting. It’s Krystal we need to be worrying about. We should be working on that; not just sitting here.
She tries to stand but is a bit woozy. Mark jumps up and steadies her.
MARK
Hey, take it easy, champ. We need to make sure you’re alright first.
KEATING
We don’t have time. Where’s Mi—Mraz?
MARK
He’s not here. He’ll be back soon.
KEATING
What do you mean he’s not here? Where is he?
CUT TO:
INT APARTMENT BUILDING- SAME TIME
JANICE is walking up her stairwell. She turns the corner leading to her hallway. She jumps, slightly. Her hand goes inside her coat; then she relaxes.
ANGLE ON: Mraz, leaning up against the wall near her apartment door.
JANICE
Jesus, Mikey… what the hell?
MRAZ
I need your help. I couldn’t just call. Andrea might be monitoring our lines.
JANICE
You don’t look good. What’s going on?
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
EDDIE sits just outside a window, staring in intently with binoculars. ERIC stands leaning up against the wall.
ERIC
They’re sending Moumin out to relieve me; they want me to report back.
EDDIE
Too bad. Just when we were starting to have fun.
ERIC
(under his breath)
Ass.
(louder)
Mark said they got one of Brendan’s guys. Maybe we’ll get something out of him.
EDDIE
(quietly)
And maybe I’m the queen of France.
ERIC
What do you think they’re planning?
EDDIE
(sarcastically)
Probably something to do with this arsenal and small army gathered here in this building. Just a guess. Maybe an assault?
ERIC
You know, I wasn’t made a senior member of the tactical squad for lack of options, Eddie. I actually am qualified.
EDDIE
Funny, because I haven’t seen any evidence of that.
ERIC
If it weren’t for me the Governor would be dead!
Eddie finally breaks away from the binoculars.
EDDIE
And we wouldn’t have been dodging the press for the past 4 months, John Wayne!
ERIC
You, of all people, are lecturing me about being impulsive?!
EDDIE
No, truth is, I just think you’re an idiot!
VOICE (O.S.)
What the hell are you doing up here?
ANGLE ON: An ARMED MAN, holding an AK-47 trained on Eddie and Eric.
Eddie and Eric both stop dead. Turn and raise their hands.
CUT TO:
INT. JANICE’S APARTMENT- SAME TIME
Janice sits on the arm of her couch; Mraz stands.
JANICE
It took you guys a month to figure out Keats connected to Keating?
MRAZ
Not funny, Jan.
She stifles laughter.
JANICE
Sorry, Mikey.
MRAZ
They took Krystal instead…
JANICE
New girl?
MRAZ
Yes. We don’t know where she is or what they’re doing to her. I want her out of this.
JANICE
What do you want me to do?
MRAZ
Find Brendan.
JANICE
This’ll be fun. I’m game. Couldn’t you guys find him just as easily though?
MRAZ
We’re bracing for an assault. Andrea has a team of mercenaries that are just sitting around waiting. I can’t spare the manpower, unless I have something solid.
(he pauses, and smirks) Besides, no one else is as good as you.
JANICE
Flattery will get you nowhere, Michael. Besides, hunting down Brendan is more fun than what I had planned tonight.
MRAZ
When you find him, call me immediately. Do not make contact. Don’t attack.
JANICE
Less fun.
MRAZ
Sorry.
(pause)
And please find him fast, Jan.
JANICE
You’re really worried about the girl, aren’t you?
(no answer)
I’ll call you, Mikey.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
The man stands with his gun trained on Eddie and Eric. They still have their hands in the air.
ERIC
Take it easy, guy, we were just passing by.
MAN
On a rooftop?
EDDIE
Yeah, nice one, genius.
ERIC
Eddie, shut up!
EDDIE
Great, you gave him my name. You want to give him your business card while you’re at it?
MAN
Who do you work for?
EDDIE
Osama Bin-Laden. He likes how your boss runs things; wanted to invite you to dinner in his cave.
ERIC
This isn’t helping.
EDDIE
Do you have any bright ideas, Captain Obvious? You got us into this, you get us out.
ERIC
I got us into this?!
EDDIE
If you hadn’t opened your big mouth, he wouldn’t be here. What do you think brought him up here? The moonlight?
The man inches closer. He looks back and forth between the two arguing, getting annoyed.
MAN
Both of you shut up!
ERIC
(ignoring him)
You started the argument. If you’d just give me a little respect—
EDDIE
Jesus! Respect?! What are you? A woman?
MAN
I said shut it!
ERIC
Damn it, Eddie! Just let me do my job!
The man has crept a little too close. Eric snaps into action. He grabs the AK-47 by the barrel and yanks it forward, pulling the man off balance. He slams the butt of the gun back into the man’s stomach and then uppercuts with the barrel. He throws the gun to the ground.
ERIC (CONT.)
There! I fixed it.
The man isn’t quite as unconscious as Eric thought. He starts crawling to the gun, unseen by Eric and Eddie.
EDDIE
Least you could do.
ERIC
What do I have to do to prove myself, Eddie?!
EDDIE
Will you shut up? Do want to bring the rest of those guys up here?!
The man now has his hand on the gun. Suddenly, Moumin steps into frame, kicks the man in the head, and knocks the gun away. Eddie and Eric stop bickering.
EDDIE (CONT.)
Oh, hey, Mo.
MOUMIN
Idiots.
CUT TO:
INT BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
ANDREA and Brendan stand in a room, looking through a glass window. On the other side of glass, Krystal is alone and hand-cuffed to a chair in the center of the room.
ANDREA
This is unacceptable, Brendan.
BRENDAN
What did you want me to do?
ANDREA
Have some balls for once. Fire a few shots back at Mraz and Souza and kidnap the right person.
BRENDAN
If I’d stayed any longer, I might have gotten killed.
ANDREA
And the outcome would have been the same: failure. The difference is that you’re alive to feed me your pathetic excuses.
BRENDAN
I didn’t fail. We still managed to grab a key member of Mraz’s staff.
Andrea wheels and smacks Brendan in the face. Taken completely by surprise, he’s knocked to the ground. He favors his face, running his hand over the scar on his cheek.
ANDREA
Key?! She’s barely worked there three months! What is she going to tell you?!
Brendan jumps to his feet. He grabs Andrea by the wrist and pushes her to the wall.
BRENDAN
I can still get the information I need.
ANDREA
(easily wrenching away)
Get off me! Fine. The operation goes as planned.
ANGLE ON: Krystal, through the glass, Andrea and Brendan’s reflections can be seen. Andrea steps forward, scrutinizing Krystal.
ANDREA (CONT.)
Get what you can from her. Then get rid of her. Either way, Mraz is not escaping from this one unscathed. And Brendan, be a dear and do me a favor. If you screw this up: Don’t bother coming back.
FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT ONE
__________________________________________________________________________________
ACT TWO
INT MRAZ INC HOLDING ROOM B – NIGHT
CLOSE ON: The back of a MAN’s head. He has a ski-mask on. The mask is pulled off. The camera pulls back to reveal Mark and Mraz on either side of the man. Mark holds the ski-mask. Mraz has his arms crossed.
MRAZ
Corey Michener. Selling your skills to Brendan Bradley now, huh?
ANGLE ON: MICHENER, he stares straight forward, with a cocky smile on his face.
MICHENER
Come on, Mraz. You know I’d only do this if Andrea asked. Bradley isn’t even on my radar.
MARK
And what did she ask you to do?
MICHENER
Smooth, Souza. Did you think you’d lull me into that one? You’re interrogation technique is about as good as your pick-up lines.
MARK
You’re lucky Krystal’s bullet only grazed you or I’d be checking your threshold of pain right now.
MICHENER
(looking at Mraz)
Does he do anything well or do you just keep him around cuz he’s your pal?
Mark punches Michener in the face. He laughs it off, spitting out a bit of blood.
MRAZ
Enough, Mark!
MICHENER
Here comes the good cop-
MRAZ
Corey, don’t tempt me. This isn’t your style. You usually stick to the tech side of things. How’d you get stuck in the middle of a kidnapping?
MICHENER
I was sticking to the tech side of things, Mraz. How do you think we got to the other side of this building without you knowing? I was having fun playing pinball with your sensors.
MRAZ
So, you hacked our security systems? How’d you get in?
MICHENER
When you run a business as recklessly haphazard as you do, Mraz, it starts springing leaks. You don’t pay much. Anyone is buyable.
MARK
What’s that supposed to mean?!
MICHENER
Don’t be so dense, Souza! Now, are we here to talk about how easily I caught the Mraz Inc security system with it’s pants down or do you want to know what Andrea is planning?
MRAZ
You want to talk?
MICHENER
Depends. How much are you offering?
Michener smiles.
CUT TO:
INT BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
Brendan slaps Krystal, still cuffed to the chair. She is a bit bruised and bleeding; sweat runs down her forehead. It’s obvious this has been going on for some time.
BRENDAN
You’re going to start talking, now!
KRYSTAL
I told you! I don’t have that kind of information. I’m only an analyst.
BRENDAN
We know that’s not true. You’ve risen quickly. You’ve been at Mraz’s side over a dozen times publicly since you started working at Mraz Inc.
KRYSTAL
I’ve just been trying to help, as much as I can.
Brendan kneels down and grabs her by the chin.
BRENDAN
Now you can try to help me. I need the personnel security override keycodes.
KRYSTAL
I don’t have anything like that! You idiot, do you think they’d trust me with something like that in three months?!
Brendan takes in the outburst. He stands.
BRENDAN
I need that information. I need a way onto the Mraz Inc servers.
KRYSTAL
I’ll never tell you. I won’t betray them. Mike and Mark put their trust in me and I’m not going to let them down.
BRENDAN
Do you really want to die for them?
KRYSTAL
You wouldn’t…
BRENDAN
Andrea’s orders. You don’t give me what I need. I dispose of you. Mraz isn’t getting away from this one.
(he turns away)
But then, do you think it’ll really matter to them? You’re putting in so much effort to protect them, sacrificing yourself. You think they really care what happens to you?
KRYSTAL
I…
BRENDAN
You think they’re mounting a rescue? You don’t know anything, they’ll just replace you, forget this ever happened. Is that what you’re fighting for?
KRYSTAL
(in a low voice)
And what about you?
BRENDAN
What?
KRYSTAL
What about you? What happens if you don’t get this information? Only Keating has the information you need. You grabbed the wrong person, didn’t you? And now you’re stuck and your plans will fall apart. What will Andrea do to you?
Brendan is at a loss, unsure of how to respond.
BRENDAN
That’s enough for now. Think about what I said. Maybe you’ll start thinking clearly after a little break.
Brendan exits. Krystal looks up, eying him as he leaves.
CUT TO:
INT BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD – CONTINUOUS
Brendan exits the room and stops, taking a deep breath. There is a MAN in the room, recording the interrogation.
MAN
Where are you going?
BRENDAN
Out. I need to mix up some sodium pentathol. There’s something more to her. Something she’s not telling me. I can’t put my finger on it.
MAN
Seems like she had it all figured out to me.
BRENDAN
Shut up.
He exits.
CUT TO:
INT BAR- SAME TIME
Janice sits next to a MAN at the bar. She sips on a bottle of beer. He has a pint.
JANICE
Brendan Bradley.
MAN
He’s been all but invisible for the past week. Which I didn’t think was possible
for Bradley.
JANICE
So, you can’t help me?
MAN
I never said that. Brendan can’t do anything big without running his mouth a bit.
JANICE
What’s he up to?
MAN
I don’t know that. But he thinks that it’s going to solidify his reputation for a long time. I know he’s been seen in some bars in Williamsburg for the past two weeks and he’s been heading off toward the warehouses whenever he leaves. Best I can do.
JANICE
It’ll be good enough.
MAN
Word is you gave him that scar.
JANICE
You know me. I like leaving my mark.
MAN
Give him another for me.
JANICE
Will do. Thanks, Matty.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC HOLDING ROOM B – NIGHT
Andy stands in the room with a computer, next to Mraz. Michener is still in the chair. Mark stands to the side.
ANDY
Alright, Corey… um…Mr. Michener. I’m now transferring $250,000 to your offshore account.
MICHENER
Think of it as back-payment, Mraz. You’ve owed me for a long time.
MRAZ
You have what you want. Now, tell us what Andrea is doing.
MICHENER
Alright, here we go. Souza, you might want to get your notepad out for this: She’s planning on kidnapping Lauren Keating.
He laughs.
MRAZ
Enough with the games, Corey! We know that. Tell us something we can use. We gave you what you wanted!
MICHENER
Right, Mraz. I know your accounting systems almost as well as Andy does. And we all know he just put a dummy transaction through.
ANDY
That’s not true, Corey, I can show you the confirmation.
MICHENER
It’s a mock-up! I watched the keystrokes. They’re ingrained in my head.
ANDY
Corey, what reason would we have to—
MARK
Forget it, Andy. It’s no use-
ANDY
Mark-
MARK
Leave the room.
ANDY
Why, what—
MARK
I said LEAVE!!
Mark pulls his gun out, yanks Michener out of his chair and slams him into the two way mirror.
ANDY
JESUS!
MARK
I have had it with you playing with us. A girl’s life is at stake!
MICHENER
(defiantly)
What are you going to do?!
Mark aims his gun at Michener’s forehead.
MICHENER (CONT.)
You wouldn’t!
Mark fires a shot into the glass right next to Michener’s head. The glass shatters a bit cutting Michener’s face.
MARK
Try me!
Mraz yanks Mark away.
MRAZ
That’s far enough, Mark!
MARK
Fine, Mraz! Finish it your way! I’m done with this.
He storms out slamming the door. Mraz looks at Michener, who’s sitting on the floor laughing.
MICHENER
Brendan’s going to kill that girl, Mraz. And, by the time you find him, I’ll be long gone.
CUT TO:
EXT WILLIAMSBURG STREETS- NIGHT
Janice walks down the street; alert to everyone who passes. It is fairly crowded. She scans the crowd searching until something catches her eye.
ANGLE ON: Brendan, entering a drugstore.
JANICE
Yahtzee!
She walks toward the store and takes out her phone.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ’S OFFICE- SAME TIME
Mraz walks in. Mark is sitting in front of the desk. Keating stands to the side.
MARK
Was that too over-the-top?
KEATING
A little. You’re not supposed to shoot the double-sided glass.
MARK
I personally thought it was a damned good performance. I don’t know what you’re talking about.
KEATING
A little too good.
MARK
You’re just jealous. What do you think, Mraz?
MRAZ
Over-the-top.
MARK
Now I know it was good. I meant what do you think he’ll do?
MRAZ
I don’t know. I left Eric on watch. I guess we’ll let him stew a bit. I don’t think he’s going to tell us anything. We just don’t have time.
KEATING
Do we have any other leads? Anything from Janice?
MRAZ
Nothing ye—
The alarms sound.
MARK
What now…?
Mraz’s comm buzzes.
MRAZ
What happened?
ERIC (O.S.)
--t’s Eric. Bastard got the drop on me. Don’t know what happened. The cameras showed him just sitting there and then--
MRAZ
Come on!
Mraz grabs his gun and runs out. Keating follows. Mark runs after.
MARK
Just not a good day…
ANGLE ON: Mraz’s cell-phone, left on his desk. It buzzes. The caller ID reads: JANICE.
FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT TWO
________________________________________________________________________________
ACT THREE
EXT WILLIAMSBURG STREETS- NIGHT
Janice leans inconspicuously against the outside wall of the pharmacy. She has the phone to her ear. Brendan exits and starts down the street. Janice closes her phone and walks after him.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC- SAME TIME
Mraz and Mark run down the stairs. The alarms continue flashing.
MARK
How could he possibly have wired the cameras while he was locked in a holding room?
MRAZ
He probably had some kind of window built into the system.
MARK
Looks like we have to tighten security.
They reach the bottom of the stairwell. The door is labeled GARAGE and is ajar. Mraz and Mark barrel through the door.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC GARAGE- CONTINUOUS
As Mraz runs through the door, Michener can be seen getting into the passenger side of a black Mraz Inc Sedan. Another MAN stands outside the driver door and fires off a few quick shots as Mraz rounds the corner.
Mraz stops and ducks back just in time. Mark draws his gun and fires around the corner at the car. Mraz crouches low and squeezes off a few shots as the car squeals away.
MARK
He had someone waiting for him?!
MRAZ
Do we have any other cars?
MARK
Only Moumin’s.
MRAZ
Hope he won’t mind us borrowing it.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
Eddie sits on the rooftop looking in through the skylight. Moumin leans against the wall.
MOUMIN
I think maybe it’s time to start playing nice with Eric.
EDDIE
Why? It’s not my fault he’s a moron. Why should I have to pay for it?
Moumin pauses and decides not to pursue the conversation.
MOUMIN
They’re gonna start wondering where their guy disappeared to.
EDDIE
Good. Maybe we’ll get some action then. I’m tired of all this sitting around.
MOUMIN
Why would Andrea hire all of these men? It doesn’t make any sense.
Eddie jumps up to his feet and starts walking.
EDDIE
Let’s find out.
MOUMIN
What?
EDDIE
We’re not doing anything. Mraz and Mark don’t have any answers. So, we’ll get ‘em ourselves.
MOUMIN
Eddie, no; bad idea, Ed. What are you gonna do?
EDDIE
You’ll see.
MOUMIN
No, no. Not cool. I’m not going along with this.
Eddie doesn’t stop. Moumin reluctantly goes after him.
CUT TO:
EXT WILLIAMSBURG STREETS- NIGHT
Janice walks, keeping pace with Brendan. She grabs her phone again, looks down, and dials. She looks back up: Brendan is gone. She scans the crowd but can’t spot him.
JANICE
Dammit!
She slams her phone shut and quickens her pace. She makes her way around a newsstand. As she turns the corner, she stops in her tracks.
ANGLE ON: Brendan, holding a magazine, paying the newsstand clerk.
She tries to duck back but he looks up. They lock eyes in mutual surprise. Brendan’s hand goes to his scar. He goes to run. Janice grabs him by his collar. Brendan spins back and grabs her by the throat. Her free hand locks on his choke arm. She kicks him in the leg, buckling his knee. They both release. He starts running; Janice takes off after him.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
Eddie stands over the lifeless body of the man who caught them earlier. He holds the man’s handheld radio to his mouth and the man’s ID in his other hand.
EDDIE
Hey, this is…Fred…found something weird up here on the roof. Request 2 backup units to check this out.
MAN ON RADIO
Roger. Dispatching 2 men to the roof.
Eddie smiles at Moumin. Moumin scowls.
CUT TO:
EXT MANHATTAN STREETS – SAME TIME
Radiohead’s “The Trickster” plays under the scene. A 1975 Black Dodge Charger flies around the street corner and cuts recklessly through the streets.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
Mark is behind the wheel; Mraz is in the passenger seat.
MRAZ
Keep driving like this and Moumin is gonna kill you.
MARK
Do you want to catch Michener or not?!
ANGLE ON: The view through the windshield. The taillights of Michener’s Sedan can be seen just ahead. They turn off to the left.
MRAZ
He’s going for the FDR.
MARK
Great a lot more space to work with.
MRAZ
Less things to hit.
MARK
Do you want to drive?!
CUT TO:
EXT MANHATTAN STREETS – CONTINUOUS
The tires squeal, as Mark corners the Charger onto the FDR onramp. Up ahead Michener’s Sedan weaves around the moderate traffic on the FDR. The Charger weaves back and forth as well.
The Sedan speeds and squeezes through a small gap between two cars, passing them. The cars beep and the lead car slows down effectively blocking the Charger’s path.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
MRAZ
Dammit. They boxed us in.
MARK
No problem. Got an idea.
MRAZ
Wha-?
CUT TO:
EXT FDR – CONTINUOUS
Without warning, Mark swerves the Charger onto the shoulder of the freeway and speeds up trying to pass the line of cars.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
ANGLE ON: The view from the winshield. The shoulder is quickly turning into an exit ramp, cutting them off from the freeway.
CUT TO:
EXT FDR – CONTINUOUS
The Charger speeds up more just as they hit the ramp and pull just ahead of the line of cars. At the last possible second, it swerves back toward the lane.
The right side of the Charger doesn’t quite make it back in time and hits the front of the guard-rail, flipping the car up on only its left tires for a moment, with the right tires riding the guard-rail. The Charger swerves left more, running off the rail and landing back on the pavement hard. It fish tails for a moment and picks up speed again, starting to gain on the Sedan. Up ahead is a tunnel.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
MRAZ
Now I know why Massachusetts has so many car crashes each year.
MARK
Hey! We’re good drivers! We’re just impatient.
CUT TO:
EXT WILLIAMSBURG STREETS- NIGHT
Brendan runs at a full sprint through a crowd of people, around a corner, and into an alley.
Janice weaves through the same group of confused people and rounds the corner. She sprints down the alley, holding distance with Brendan but not gaining. She exits the alley as they head down a street. The area is getting noticeably more industrial.
Brendan runs into the middle of traffic. Cars come screeching to a halt. He runs to the side of a run-down, 2-story building and starts climb the fire escape.
Janice runs through the middle of the now stopped cars. As she nears the other side of the street, she jumps onto the hood of a car and hops from hood to hood, launching herself off the final car and grabbing hold of the fire escape, just as Brendan gets over the edge of the roof. Janice begins climbing.
Brendan runs toward the edge of the roof to his right and drops off the edge to a lower building. He leans back up against the wall, trying to hide himself from view. He waits for a moment, looking, but does not see Janice. He quietly moves along the wall and drops off the front of the building. He checks for Janice once more on the roof. Confident he’s lost her he starts jogging off down the street.
After a moment, Janice emerges from her hiding place behind a parked car (having never actually finished climbing onto the roof) and begins to silently tail him.
CUT TO:
INT FDR TUNNEL– SAME TIME
The Charger has now gained within about 2 car-lengths of the Sedan. In the opposite lane, the traffic has thinned out a bit.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
MRAZ
Get as close as you can.
MARK
No problem.
Mraz takes out his gun and rolls down the window. He puts himself halfway outside the open window.
CUT TO:
EXT FDR TUNNEL– CONTINUOUS
Mraz takes aim and fires off a few shots at the Sedan, shattering the back window. He fires again, this time hitting the side of the car. The Sedan’s passenger window opens and Michener emerges slightly, returning fire. The bullets embed in the front hood of the Charger. Mraz fires again and Michener counters; his shots spraying the windshield. The Charger swerves. Mraz nearly loses his grip and falls.
MRAZ
Mark! Steady! Please!
MARK (O.S)
You’re right! I’ll just take the bullets next time!
Corey fires again, spraying the windshield. The Charger holds steady.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
Mark ducks down behind the wheel, as windshield glass flies.
MARK
Well, this is just getting ridiculous!
He floors the pedal.
CUT TO:
INT FDR TUNNEL– CONTINUOUS
The Charger pulls up alongside the Sedan. Corey and Mraz takes shots at each other the whole time. Mraz is now more than halfway out the window, firing over the top of the charger. The cars ahead swerve to try to avoid the chase.
The Sedan moves in and side-swipes the Charger, nearly jolting Mraz out again.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
Mark pulls out his gun and fires out his window.
CUT TO:
INT FDR TUNNEL– CONTINUOUS
The Charger swerves away and slams into the right lane’s guard-rail. Mraz barely swings back inside, before getting crushed against the wall.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
MRAZ
Two hands! Two hands! Leave the shooting to me!
MARK
Then start hitting something!
Michener fires again. The bullets can be heard hitting the driver side door.
MARK (CONT.)
Moumin is not gonna be happy.
The cars race for the mouth of the tunnel. There are more vehicles ahead and only one lane to get through.
MRAZ
Gotta make it first!
MARK
I know!
CUT TO:
INT FDR TUNNEL– CONTINUOUS
The cars race forward. The Sedan swerves into the open lane, just beating the charger. Michener fires out the window, blowing the tire of the adjacent car. The car spins out directly in front of the Charger. Mark tries to miss it but clips the front end of the car. The Charger spins and flips over onto its roof, sliding down the FDR into the left lane’s guard rail, slamming to a halt.
CUT TO:
EXT FDR- CONTINUOUS
Mraz climbs through the passenger window. He walks down the FDR a few steps as the Sedan disappears in the distance. Mark crawls out and jogs up to him. They both stare after the car for a moment.
Suddenly, the Charger explodes behind them, causing them both to jump. They turn around in unison and take in the burning car for a moment.
MARK
I’m putting in for a raise for Moumin when we get back to the office.
MRAZ
Approved.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
Two men come up through a doorway onto the roof. Instantaneously, Eddie and Moumin pop out, knocking them to the ground. They train their guns on the men.
EDDIE
Surprise.
CUT TO:
EXT WHAREHOUSE, BROOKLYN- SAME TIME
Janice crouches behind a car outside the warehouse. After a few moments, Michener’s Sedan pulls up and parks. Michener and his accomplice get out. Janice pulls out her phone and dials.
CUT TO BLACK.
END ACT THREE
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ACT FOUR
INT MRAZ INC- NIGHT
The elevator door opens to the main floor of the office. Keating stands in front of the door. Her expression immediately morphs into one of shock.
ANGLE ON: Mraz and Mark, as they walk out of the elevator. Their clothes are tattered from the crash but they walk in as if nothing has happened.
KEATING
What happened?
MARK
Long story.
MRAZ
Talk to Andy and have him cut a $100,000 bonus check for Moumin.
KEATING
Why?
MRAZ
Because Moumin scares me when he’s mad.
KEATING
You left your phone. Janice has been calling non-stop.
Mraz stops walking and turns to her.
CUT TO:
INT BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
CLOSE ON: Andrea’s face.
ANDREA
Time’s up. I want her dead.
Brendan and Michener stand in the room with her.
ANDREA (CONT.)
Are you sure you weren’t followed?
BRENDAN
(nodding toward Michener)
Of course not. They have no clue where we are. How can we be sure he wasn’t followed?
MICHENER
Because I’m not relentlessly incompetent.
ANDREA
Stop bickering. Both of you. You had your chance to get the info out of her. We’re going ahead with Living Hand on the information Corey has.
BRENDAN
His information isn’t enough. We don’t have full access to their system overrides.
ANDREA
You have my orders. You’ll make it work. But I want her dead first. No traces. I can’t afford to get sloppy.
Andrea exits before Brendan can respond.
MICHENER
She just slips further and further out of your grasp. It’s sad.
BRENDAN
We’ll see who makes it through the day, Michener. You’ll be going in with us.
Brendan goes to leave.
MICHENER
Off to kill the girl?
BRENDAN
No, I still have some questions for her.
MICHENER
I didn’t know you had the ability to disobey Andrea.
BRENDAN
Living Hand is going to succeed, and it’s not going to be on your information.
He exits.
CUT TO:
INT INTERROGATION ROOM- CONTINUOUS
Brendan walks in with a needle in his hand. Krystal is nearly passed out. Her head hangs. He sticks the needle in her arm and injects her. Her eyes flutter.
BRENDAN
Andrea told me to kill you. But I don’t think you’re done talking.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC WAR ROOM- LATER
Mraz stands at the head of the room. Keating, Taylor, Andy, Mark, Eric, Ducky and about 30 others crowd the room.
MRAZ
Eddie and Moumin have come across the ultimate goal of Operation: Living Hand. Their plan was apparently to acquire Keating and extract our security overrides from her, using them to shut down our defense systems and lead an assault on this office. They instead botched their target, nabbing Krystal. We have confirmed that Brendan Bradley is now holding her in a warehouse in Williamsburg. Mark?
MARK
Eric and I will be leading a team of fifteen men to extract Krystal. The remaining members of the tac-squad will rendezvous with Eddie and Moumin near Living Hand’s staging area to pre-empt any possible strike. We move in an hour. Your assignments are in the Tac Room.
Most of the employees file out of the room. Ducky and Keating walk up to Mraz and Mark.
DUCKY
Janice’s recon confirms that the tracking equipment at Brendan’s facility is thermally-based. I’ve fitted the tac-gear for your team with a special lining designed to block your body-heat signatures. You’ll be virtually undetectable, except to us!
MARK
Perfect.
DUCKY
I’ve also thrown in a new goody I’ve been working on. Sonic charges. They cause a reaction similar to an explosion through high pitched sound waves. The frequency is above human hearing. Setting off these charges will cause most solid surfaces to crumble without a sound.
MRAZ
That’ll come in handy.
KEATING
Wait, you’ll be monitoring the mission from here, right?
MRAZ
No. I’ll be with Mark’s team.
KEATING
You can’t! It’s too high risk.
MRAZ
Krystal is in there and we need to get her out. The risk to me is irrelevant. She’s the priority.
KEATING
Right. Of course.
MRAZ
Besides, I’m with Souza and Eric. What could happen?
MARK
You expect Eric’s presence to instill confidence in her?
KEATING
Make sure he comes back, ok?
MARK
Actually I was planning on “accidentally” shooting him. He insulted my driving one too many times earlier.
Keating sighs, rolls her eyes, and walks away.
KEATING
Why do I bother? No salary is worth this.
MARK
What would we do without her? So, is Janice just holding ground until we get there or is she going to be an unexpected guest on my tac operation?
MRAZ
No. She has special orders. She’ll hold at the warehouse but she won’t interfere with the logistics of the plan.
MARK
Do I get to know what her special orders are?
MRAZ
I expect Brendan to cut and run at first sign of trouble. That’s not going to happen this time.
Taylor approaches.
TAYLOR
You are aware that there is no way we can sell this as legal if you get caught?
MRAZ
Andrea has taken this beyond that point now. We have to do anything to protect our own.
TAYLOR
Mike, this goes beyond bending the law for the common good. You’re choosing to snap the law in half.
MRAZ
We’re not breaking the rules. We’re just changing them.
FADE TO BLACK.
TO BE CONTINUED…
"This Living Hand, Part 1"
Written by Michael Mraz
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. MRAZ INC CONFERENCE ROOM- EVENING
MRAZ stands at the front of the room, addressing those in attendance. MARK is off to the side, surrounded by two ARMED MEN standing ready. Sitting and standing throughout are KEATING, KRYSTAL, TAYLOR, DUCKY, ANDY, and about half a dozen other EMPLOYEES. The room is tense.
MRAZ
We are on high alert. As senior staff and department heads, this information is being disclosed to you and only you and is not to be divulged to the rest of your staff. We do not want to create a panic; everything needs to remain running smoothly, despite the circumstances. Mark?
Mark steps forward. The two men flanking him stay in stride with him. He seems annoyed.
MARK
We’ve recently come across intelligence that has clarified the outline of an ambitious operation, code-named Operation: Living Hand, being staged by Andrea Davis to cripple Mraz Inc’s tactical readiness. Our sources informed us that Andrea has been amassing large amounts of men and artillery for a strike of some sort. Tactical has been monitoring their movements and we now believe action is imminent.
MRAZ
We think we’ve identified her main target and have decided to trigger their trap. For the purposes of the plan, Andrea’s people must continue to believe that we are ignorant of their activities. Everyone is to leave the premises tonight in their normal fashion. Keep to your routines; don’t do anything out of the ordinary. Dismissed.
The crowd begins to nervously disperse. Mark and Mraz exit the room. The two men follow them. Taylor also joins.
TAYLOR
Mike, you know these people have a right to know all of the facts. We’re a publicly traded company, not the government.
MRAZ
Taylor, the less you all know the better.
TAYLOR
These people are scared now. How can you guarantee that one of them isn’t the target?
MRAZ
We know who she’s after.
TAYLOR
Are you sure?!
MRAZ
Pretty sure.
TAYLOR
Pretty sure?!
MARK
Taylor, relax. Everyone is being closely monitored. You ask me, we have too much extra security.
He shoots Mraz a look. Taylor stops following.
TAYLOR
Fine. I hope you have another great lawyer lined up to deal with the inevitable lawsuits that are going to come out of this!
They reach Mraz’s office and enter.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ’S OFFICE- CONTINUOUS
Keating is already waiting for them in the office. The two men try to follow but Mark shuts the door in their faces.
MARK
Mraz, this ridiculous! I don’t need a security detail! The woman’s already tried to take me out twice in the past two months and failed. What makes you think this one is going to work?
MRAZ
(dryly)
Third time’s the charm.
KEATING
You think its Mark?
MRAZ
Santo hinted that whatever she’s doing is meant to hurt our operational status. She takes out Mark, she takes out tactical. She already tried with Trish, she technically succeeded with the bomb in her office. And we’re starting to think the car incident with Brendan while I was in Mexico, might have been another try-Mark just didn’t bite on that one because he had to divert to intercept the drug shipment.
Mraz’s intercom beeps. He presses a button.
MRAZ
Go ahead.
MOUMIN (O.S.)
The first few people have left the building. Brendan and his team are still in their van on the northwest corner. No movement at all.
KEATING
Brendan?
MARK
Moumin’s been trailing him. Earlier today, Brendan and five others set up in a van across the street from our main entrance.
KEATING
You’re staying, aren’t you?
MRAZ
Once everyone is safely away, Mark will exit the building- triggering their move. Then we take Brendan’s team out.
KEATING
I shouldn’t be going home. You need me here.
MRAZ
Lauren, you walking out the front door as if nothing is wrong is going to help us more than you know.
KRYSTAL (O.S)
Can I help with anything?
The three turn to see Krystal standing in the doorway.
MRAZ
Krystal…
There’s an awkward pause. Keating looks at Mraz.
KEATING
Come on, Krystal. These stubborn idiots are staying late tonight. Let’s get out of their way.
She leads Krystal out the door, leaving Mark and Mraz.
MRAZ
Don’t know what we would do without her…
MARK
Who? Keating or Krystal?
Mraz shoots Mark a glare.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC- SAME TIME
Krystal and Keating walk through the halls.
KRYSTAL
I don’t know why those two are always so mysterious. We just want to help.
KEATING
They aren’t mysterious. They’re just stupid and bullheaded. You’ll learn that, eventually. Let’s take the back way.
They head to the back elevator. Keating presses the down button. The door opens and they get in.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ’S OFFICE- CONTINUOUS
Mraz looks out his window. Mark sits on the opposite side of the desk, sipping a glass of Jameson.
MARK
Eddie is keeping tabs on their staging area. He said it looks like she’s hired a small army. They’re armed with AK-47s. Their weapons match the models that Santo gave us the transport papers for. The van serial number also matches the registration he gave us in the file. Maybe I was wrong about Santo. He came through for us this time. This definitely is Operation: Living Hand.
(pause)
Mraz?
Mraz is lost in thought, staring out the window.
MRAZ
Sorry… I was just—Just thinking about the poem. “This Living Hand”. Ridiculous. Why that poem?
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
Keating and Krystal exit the elevator, in conversation, and walk out the door.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ’S OFFICE- SAME TIME
MOUMIN walks into the office. Mraz still stares out the window. Mark has his feet up on Mraz’s desk.
MOUMIN
Krystal and Keating just exited out back. That’s the last of the staff. Brendan’s team is still stationary.
MARK
Thanks.
MRAZ
“…would, if it were cold and in the icy silence of the tomb, so haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights…” I don’t get it…
Mark seems almost bored, uninterested.
MARK
I don’t know, man. I don’t know Keats all that well.
MRAZ
Keats…Santo asked “what would someone do to hurt us?”
MOUMIN
(to himself)
Hmm… funny.
Mraz and Mark turn and look at Moumin. Moumin says nothing.
MRAZ
What?
MOUMIN
What?
MARK
What’s funny?
MOUMIN
I don’t know. I was just thinking its funny. Keats is almost like Keating. Weird.
Realization dawns on Mraz and Mark, they lock eyes and dash out of the office, leaving Moumin.
MOUMIN (CONT.)
What? What did I say?
CUT TO:
EXT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
Keating and Krystal step outside. Keating turns to Krystal.
KEATING
Well, I’m heading to the 6. Good--
KRYSTAL
(eyes going wide)
Get down!!
Krystal grabs Keating tossing her back toward the door and pulls a pistol out, firing.
ANGLE ON: Six ARMED MEN in masks converging. They are surprised by the gunfire. One man takes a few bullets and drops. The other 5 run in.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC. - SAME TIME
Mraz hits the back elevator button frantically. Mark stands by.
MRAZ
Come on! Come on!
The door opens; they get in.
CUT TO:
EXT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
Krystal drops one more man before the other 4 converge and knock her gun to the ground. She tries to wrestle away furiously. One man heads toward Keating but she manages to grab Krystal’s gun and shoot him in the shoulder.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR - SAME TIME
Mraz and Mark impatiently wait as the elevator slowly climbs down. Mark’s back is to the door.
MRAZ
Keats! KEATS!! What the hell?! How could we not have seen this?!
CUT TO:
EXT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
The man who was shot by Keating in the shoulder tries to get himself to his feet. He pulls his mask off. It is BRENDAN! He indicates Krystal.
BRENDAN
Leave her! She’s not who we came for!
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR - SAME TIME
MARK
I don’t know. We could be wrong…maybe we’re overthinking.
The door opens. Mraz sees Krystal struggling with the men just outside the door. Mark has his back to the door still.
MRAZ
DAMN IT! KRYSTAL!
Mraz pulls his gun out. Mark ducks down just in time as Mraz fires. Mark pulls his gun, as they both run out.
CUT TO:
EXT. MRAZ INC BACK EXIT- SAME TIME
Brendan gets up and starts running as bullets whiz by. A van pulls up behind them.
BRENDAN
Damn! Forget it, take her and go!
MAN #1
But--
BRENDAN
I said go!
They throw Krystal in the back of the van and jump in, closing the doors. The van peels out, as Mraz and Mark run outside. Mraz drops to a knee and fires off a few shots at the van. Mark runs to Keating to check on her. Mraz stands up, watching the tail-lights of the van disappear.
MRAZ
DAMN it!
SMASH CUT TO:
MAIN TITLES.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER
___________________________________________________________________________________
ACT ONE
INT MRAZ INC CONFERENCE ROOM – NIGHT
Keating is sitting at an empty table, holding an ice-pack to the side of her head. Mark is sitting on the edge of the table.
MARK
-did they say anything else?
KEATING
No. They were obviously after me, but Krystal got in the way. When they saw you and Mraz coming, they panicked and just took her.
MARK
I’m sorry, Lauren. We should have figured this out earlier. All of the attempts on me must have just been feints trying to draw attention away from the obvious.
KEATING
It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m not the one they ended up getting. It’s Krystal we need to be worrying about. We should be working on that; not just sitting here.
She tries to stand but is a bit woozy. Mark jumps up and steadies her.
MARK
Hey, take it easy, champ. We need to make sure you’re alright first.
KEATING
We don’t have time. Where’s Mi—Mraz?
MARK
He’s not here. He’ll be back soon.
KEATING
What do you mean he’s not here? Where is he?
CUT TO:
INT APARTMENT BUILDING- SAME TIME
JANICE is walking up her stairwell. She turns the corner leading to her hallway. She jumps, slightly. Her hand goes inside her coat; then she relaxes.
ANGLE ON: Mraz, leaning up against the wall near her apartment door.
JANICE
Jesus, Mikey… what the hell?
MRAZ
I need your help. I couldn’t just call. Andrea might be monitoring our lines.
JANICE
You don’t look good. What’s going on?
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
EDDIE sits just outside a window, staring in intently with binoculars. ERIC stands leaning up against the wall.
ERIC
They’re sending Moumin out to relieve me; they want me to report back.
EDDIE
Too bad. Just when we were starting to have fun.
ERIC
(under his breath)
Ass.
(louder)
Mark said they got one of Brendan’s guys. Maybe we’ll get something out of him.
EDDIE
(quietly)
And maybe I’m the queen of France.
ERIC
What do you think they’re planning?
EDDIE
(sarcastically)
Probably something to do with this arsenal and small army gathered here in this building. Just a guess. Maybe an assault?
ERIC
You know, I wasn’t made a senior member of the tactical squad for lack of options, Eddie. I actually am qualified.
EDDIE
Funny, because I haven’t seen any evidence of that.
ERIC
If it weren’t for me the Governor would be dead!
Eddie finally breaks away from the binoculars.
EDDIE
And we wouldn’t have been dodging the press for the past 4 months, John Wayne!
ERIC
You, of all people, are lecturing me about being impulsive?!
EDDIE
No, truth is, I just think you’re an idiot!
VOICE (O.S.)
What the hell are you doing up here?
ANGLE ON: An ARMED MAN, holding an AK-47 trained on Eddie and Eric.
Eddie and Eric both stop dead. Turn and raise their hands.
CUT TO:
INT. JANICE’S APARTMENT- SAME TIME
Janice sits on the arm of her couch; Mraz stands.
JANICE
It took you guys a month to figure out Keats connected to Keating?
MRAZ
Not funny, Jan.
She stifles laughter.
JANICE
Sorry, Mikey.
MRAZ
They took Krystal instead…
JANICE
New girl?
MRAZ
Yes. We don’t know where she is or what they’re doing to her. I want her out of this.
JANICE
What do you want me to do?
MRAZ
Find Brendan.
JANICE
This’ll be fun. I’m game. Couldn’t you guys find him just as easily though?
MRAZ
We’re bracing for an assault. Andrea has a team of mercenaries that are just sitting around waiting. I can’t spare the manpower, unless I have something solid.
(he pauses, and smirks) Besides, no one else is as good as you.
JANICE
Flattery will get you nowhere, Michael. Besides, hunting down Brendan is more fun than what I had planned tonight.
MRAZ
When you find him, call me immediately. Do not make contact. Don’t attack.
JANICE
Less fun.
MRAZ
Sorry.
(pause)
And please find him fast, Jan.
JANICE
You’re really worried about the girl, aren’t you?
(no answer)
I’ll call you, Mikey.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
The man stands with his gun trained on Eddie and Eric. They still have their hands in the air.
ERIC
Take it easy, guy, we were just passing by.
MAN
On a rooftop?
EDDIE
Yeah, nice one, genius.
ERIC
Eddie, shut up!
EDDIE
Great, you gave him my name. You want to give him your business card while you’re at it?
MAN
Who do you work for?
EDDIE
Osama Bin-Laden. He likes how your boss runs things; wanted to invite you to dinner in his cave.
ERIC
This isn’t helping.
EDDIE
Do you have any bright ideas, Captain Obvious? You got us into this, you get us out.
ERIC
I got us into this?!
EDDIE
If you hadn’t opened your big mouth, he wouldn’t be here. What do you think brought him up here? The moonlight?
The man inches closer. He looks back and forth between the two arguing, getting annoyed.
MAN
Both of you shut up!
ERIC
(ignoring him)
You started the argument. If you’d just give me a little respect—
EDDIE
Jesus! Respect?! What are you? A woman?
MAN
I said shut it!
ERIC
Damn it, Eddie! Just let me do my job!
The man has crept a little too close. Eric snaps into action. He grabs the AK-47 by the barrel and yanks it forward, pulling the man off balance. He slams the butt of the gun back into the man’s stomach and then uppercuts with the barrel. He throws the gun to the ground.
ERIC (CONT.)
There! I fixed it.
The man isn’t quite as unconscious as Eric thought. He starts crawling to the gun, unseen by Eric and Eddie.
EDDIE
Least you could do.
ERIC
What do I have to do to prove myself, Eddie?!
EDDIE
Will you shut up? Do want to bring the rest of those guys up here?!
The man now has his hand on the gun. Suddenly, Moumin steps into frame, kicks the man in the head, and knocks the gun away. Eddie and Eric stop bickering.
EDDIE (CONT.)
Oh, hey, Mo.
MOUMIN
Idiots.
CUT TO:
INT BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
ANDREA and Brendan stand in a room, looking through a glass window. On the other side of glass, Krystal is alone and hand-cuffed to a chair in the center of the room.
ANDREA
This is unacceptable, Brendan.
BRENDAN
What did you want me to do?
ANDREA
Have some balls for once. Fire a few shots back at Mraz and Souza and kidnap the right person.
BRENDAN
If I’d stayed any longer, I might have gotten killed.
ANDREA
And the outcome would have been the same: failure. The difference is that you’re alive to feed me your pathetic excuses.
BRENDAN
I didn’t fail. We still managed to grab a key member of Mraz’s staff.
Andrea wheels and smacks Brendan in the face. Taken completely by surprise, he’s knocked to the ground. He favors his face, running his hand over the scar on his cheek.
ANDREA
Key?! She’s barely worked there three months! What is she going to tell you?!
Brendan jumps to his feet. He grabs Andrea by the wrist and pushes her to the wall.
BRENDAN
I can still get the information I need.
ANDREA
(easily wrenching away)
Get off me! Fine. The operation goes as planned.
ANGLE ON: Krystal, through the glass, Andrea and Brendan’s reflections can be seen. Andrea steps forward, scrutinizing Krystal.
ANDREA (CONT.)
Get what you can from her. Then get rid of her. Either way, Mraz is not escaping from this one unscathed. And Brendan, be a dear and do me a favor. If you screw this up: Don’t bother coming back.
FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT ONE
__________________________________________________________________________________
ACT TWO
INT MRAZ INC HOLDING ROOM B – NIGHT
CLOSE ON: The back of a MAN’s head. He has a ski-mask on. The mask is pulled off. The camera pulls back to reveal Mark and Mraz on either side of the man. Mark holds the ski-mask. Mraz has his arms crossed.
MRAZ
Corey Michener. Selling your skills to Brendan Bradley now, huh?
ANGLE ON: MICHENER, he stares straight forward, with a cocky smile on his face.
MICHENER
Come on, Mraz. You know I’d only do this if Andrea asked. Bradley isn’t even on my radar.
MARK
And what did she ask you to do?
MICHENER
Smooth, Souza. Did you think you’d lull me into that one? You’re interrogation technique is about as good as your pick-up lines.
MARK
You’re lucky Krystal’s bullet only grazed you or I’d be checking your threshold of pain right now.
MICHENER
(looking at Mraz)
Does he do anything well or do you just keep him around cuz he’s your pal?
Mark punches Michener in the face. He laughs it off, spitting out a bit of blood.
MRAZ
Enough, Mark!
MICHENER
Here comes the good cop-
MRAZ
Corey, don’t tempt me. This isn’t your style. You usually stick to the tech side of things. How’d you get stuck in the middle of a kidnapping?
MICHENER
I was sticking to the tech side of things, Mraz. How do you think we got to the other side of this building without you knowing? I was having fun playing pinball with your sensors.
MRAZ
So, you hacked our security systems? How’d you get in?
MICHENER
When you run a business as recklessly haphazard as you do, Mraz, it starts springing leaks. You don’t pay much. Anyone is buyable.
MARK
What’s that supposed to mean?!
MICHENER
Don’t be so dense, Souza! Now, are we here to talk about how easily I caught the Mraz Inc security system with it’s pants down or do you want to know what Andrea is planning?
MRAZ
You want to talk?
MICHENER
Depends. How much are you offering?
Michener smiles.
CUT TO:
INT BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
Brendan slaps Krystal, still cuffed to the chair. She is a bit bruised and bleeding; sweat runs down her forehead. It’s obvious this has been going on for some time.
BRENDAN
You’re going to start talking, now!
KRYSTAL
I told you! I don’t have that kind of information. I’m only an analyst.
BRENDAN
We know that’s not true. You’ve risen quickly. You’ve been at Mraz’s side over a dozen times publicly since you started working at Mraz Inc.
KRYSTAL
I’ve just been trying to help, as much as I can.
Brendan kneels down and grabs her by the chin.
BRENDAN
Now you can try to help me. I need the personnel security override keycodes.
KRYSTAL
I don’t have anything like that! You idiot, do you think they’d trust me with something like that in three months?!
Brendan takes in the outburst. He stands.
BRENDAN
I need that information. I need a way onto the Mraz Inc servers.
KRYSTAL
I’ll never tell you. I won’t betray them. Mike and Mark put their trust in me and I’m not going to let them down.
BRENDAN
Do you really want to die for them?
KRYSTAL
You wouldn’t…
BRENDAN
Andrea’s orders. You don’t give me what I need. I dispose of you. Mraz isn’t getting away from this one.
(he turns away)
But then, do you think it’ll really matter to them? You’re putting in so much effort to protect them, sacrificing yourself. You think they really care what happens to you?
KRYSTAL
I…
BRENDAN
You think they’re mounting a rescue? You don’t know anything, they’ll just replace you, forget this ever happened. Is that what you’re fighting for?
KRYSTAL
(in a low voice)
And what about you?
BRENDAN
What?
KRYSTAL
What about you? What happens if you don’t get this information? Only Keating has the information you need. You grabbed the wrong person, didn’t you? And now you’re stuck and your plans will fall apart. What will Andrea do to you?
Brendan is at a loss, unsure of how to respond.
BRENDAN
That’s enough for now. Think about what I said. Maybe you’ll start thinking clearly after a little break.
Brendan exits. Krystal looks up, eying him as he leaves.
CUT TO:
INT BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD – CONTINUOUS
Brendan exits the room and stops, taking a deep breath. There is a MAN in the room, recording the interrogation.
MAN
Where are you going?
BRENDAN
Out. I need to mix up some sodium pentathol. There’s something more to her. Something she’s not telling me. I can’t put my finger on it.
MAN
Seems like she had it all figured out to me.
BRENDAN
Shut up.
He exits.
CUT TO:
INT BAR- SAME TIME
Janice sits next to a MAN at the bar. She sips on a bottle of beer. He has a pint.
JANICE
Brendan Bradley.
MAN
He’s been all but invisible for the past week. Which I didn’t think was possible
for Bradley.
JANICE
So, you can’t help me?
MAN
I never said that. Brendan can’t do anything big without running his mouth a bit.
JANICE
What’s he up to?
MAN
I don’t know that. But he thinks that it’s going to solidify his reputation for a long time. I know he’s been seen in some bars in Williamsburg for the past two weeks and he’s been heading off toward the warehouses whenever he leaves. Best I can do.
JANICE
It’ll be good enough.
MAN
Word is you gave him that scar.
JANICE
You know me. I like leaving my mark.
MAN
Give him another for me.
JANICE
Will do. Thanks, Matty.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC HOLDING ROOM B – NIGHT
Andy stands in the room with a computer, next to Mraz. Michener is still in the chair. Mark stands to the side.
ANDY
Alright, Corey… um…Mr. Michener. I’m now transferring $250,000 to your offshore account.
MICHENER
Think of it as back-payment, Mraz. You’ve owed me for a long time.
MRAZ
You have what you want. Now, tell us what Andrea is doing.
MICHENER
Alright, here we go. Souza, you might want to get your notepad out for this: She’s planning on kidnapping Lauren Keating.
He laughs.
MRAZ
Enough with the games, Corey! We know that. Tell us something we can use. We gave you what you wanted!
MICHENER
Right, Mraz. I know your accounting systems almost as well as Andy does. And we all know he just put a dummy transaction through.
ANDY
That’s not true, Corey, I can show you the confirmation.
MICHENER
It’s a mock-up! I watched the keystrokes. They’re ingrained in my head.
ANDY
Corey, what reason would we have to—
MARK
Forget it, Andy. It’s no use-
ANDY
Mark-
MARK
Leave the room.
ANDY
Why, what—
MARK
I said LEAVE!!
Mark pulls his gun out, yanks Michener out of his chair and slams him into the two way mirror.
ANDY
JESUS!
MARK
I have had it with you playing with us. A girl’s life is at stake!
MICHENER
(defiantly)
What are you going to do?!
Mark aims his gun at Michener’s forehead.
MICHENER (CONT.)
You wouldn’t!
Mark fires a shot into the glass right next to Michener’s head. The glass shatters a bit cutting Michener’s face.
MARK
Try me!
Mraz yanks Mark away.
MRAZ
That’s far enough, Mark!
MARK
Fine, Mraz! Finish it your way! I’m done with this.
He storms out slamming the door. Mraz looks at Michener, who’s sitting on the floor laughing.
MICHENER
Brendan’s going to kill that girl, Mraz. And, by the time you find him, I’ll be long gone.
CUT TO:
EXT WILLIAMSBURG STREETS- NIGHT
Janice walks down the street; alert to everyone who passes. It is fairly crowded. She scans the crowd searching until something catches her eye.
ANGLE ON: Brendan, entering a drugstore.
JANICE
Yahtzee!
She walks toward the store and takes out her phone.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ’S OFFICE- SAME TIME
Mraz walks in. Mark is sitting in front of the desk. Keating stands to the side.
MARK
Was that too over-the-top?
KEATING
A little. You’re not supposed to shoot the double-sided glass.
MARK
I personally thought it was a damned good performance. I don’t know what you’re talking about.
KEATING
A little too good.
MARK
You’re just jealous. What do you think, Mraz?
MRAZ
Over-the-top.
MARK
Now I know it was good. I meant what do you think he’ll do?
MRAZ
I don’t know. I left Eric on watch. I guess we’ll let him stew a bit. I don’t think he’s going to tell us anything. We just don’t have time.
KEATING
Do we have any other leads? Anything from Janice?
MRAZ
Nothing ye—
The alarms sound.
MARK
What now…?
Mraz’s comm buzzes.
MRAZ
What happened?
ERIC (O.S.)
--t’s Eric. Bastard got the drop on me. Don’t know what happened. The cameras showed him just sitting there and then--
MRAZ
Come on!
Mraz grabs his gun and runs out. Keating follows. Mark runs after.
MARK
Just not a good day…
ANGLE ON: Mraz’s cell-phone, left on his desk. It buzzes. The caller ID reads: JANICE.
FADE TO BLACK.
END ACT TWO
________________________________________________________________________________
ACT THREE
EXT WILLIAMSBURG STREETS- NIGHT
Janice leans inconspicuously against the outside wall of the pharmacy. She has the phone to her ear. Brendan exits and starts down the street. Janice closes her phone and walks after him.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC- SAME TIME
Mraz and Mark run down the stairs. The alarms continue flashing.
MARK
How could he possibly have wired the cameras while he was locked in a holding room?
MRAZ
He probably had some kind of window built into the system.
MARK
Looks like we have to tighten security.
They reach the bottom of the stairwell. The door is labeled GARAGE and is ajar. Mraz and Mark barrel through the door.
CUT TO:
INT. MRAZ INC GARAGE- CONTINUOUS
As Mraz runs through the door, Michener can be seen getting into the passenger side of a black Mraz Inc Sedan. Another MAN stands outside the driver door and fires off a few quick shots as Mraz rounds the corner.
Mraz stops and ducks back just in time. Mark draws his gun and fires around the corner at the car. Mraz crouches low and squeezes off a few shots as the car squeals away.
MARK
He had someone waiting for him?!
MRAZ
Do we have any other cars?
MARK
Only Moumin’s.
MRAZ
Hope he won’t mind us borrowing it.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
Eddie sits on the rooftop looking in through the skylight. Moumin leans against the wall.
MOUMIN
I think maybe it’s time to start playing nice with Eric.
EDDIE
Why? It’s not my fault he’s a moron. Why should I have to pay for it?
Moumin pauses and decides not to pursue the conversation.
MOUMIN
They’re gonna start wondering where their guy disappeared to.
EDDIE
Good. Maybe we’ll get some action then. I’m tired of all this sitting around.
MOUMIN
Why would Andrea hire all of these men? It doesn’t make any sense.
Eddie jumps up to his feet and starts walking.
EDDIE
Let’s find out.
MOUMIN
What?
EDDIE
We’re not doing anything. Mraz and Mark don’t have any answers. So, we’ll get ‘em ourselves.
MOUMIN
Eddie, no; bad idea, Ed. What are you gonna do?
EDDIE
You’ll see.
MOUMIN
No, no. Not cool. I’m not going along with this.
Eddie doesn’t stop. Moumin reluctantly goes after him.
CUT TO:
EXT WILLIAMSBURG STREETS- NIGHT
Janice walks, keeping pace with Brendan. She grabs her phone again, looks down, and dials. She looks back up: Brendan is gone. She scans the crowd but can’t spot him.
JANICE
Dammit!
She slams her phone shut and quickens her pace. She makes her way around a newsstand. As she turns the corner, she stops in her tracks.
ANGLE ON: Brendan, holding a magazine, paying the newsstand clerk.
She tries to duck back but he looks up. They lock eyes in mutual surprise. Brendan’s hand goes to his scar. He goes to run. Janice grabs him by his collar. Brendan spins back and grabs her by the throat. Her free hand locks on his choke arm. She kicks him in the leg, buckling his knee. They both release. He starts running; Janice takes off after him.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
Eddie stands over the lifeless body of the man who caught them earlier. He holds the man’s handheld radio to his mouth and the man’s ID in his other hand.
EDDIE
Hey, this is…Fred…found something weird up here on the roof. Request 2 backup units to check this out.
MAN ON RADIO
Roger. Dispatching 2 men to the roof.
Eddie smiles at Moumin. Moumin scowls.
CUT TO:
EXT MANHATTAN STREETS – SAME TIME
Radiohead’s “The Trickster” plays under the scene. A 1975 Black Dodge Charger flies around the street corner and cuts recklessly through the streets.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
Mark is behind the wheel; Mraz is in the passenger seat.
MRAZ
Keep driving like this and Moumin is gonna kill you.
MARK
Do you want to catch Michener or not?!
ANGLE ON: The view through the windshield. The taillights of Michener’s Sedan can be seen just ahead. They turn off to the left.
MRAZ
He’s going for the FDR.
MARK
Great a lot more space to work with.
MRAZ
Less things to hit.
MARK
Do you want to drive?!
CUT TO:
EXT MANHATTAN STREETS – CONTINUOUS
The tires squeal, as Mark corners the Charger onto the FDR onramp. Up ahead Michener’s Sedan weaves around the moderate traffic on the FDR. The Charger weaves back and forth as well.
The Sedan speeds and squeezes through a small gap between two cars, passing them. The cars beep and the lead car slows down effectively blocking the Charger’s path.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
MRAZ
Dammit. They boxed us in.
MARK
No problem. Got an idea.
MRAZ
Wha-?
CUT TO:
EXT FDR – CONTINUOUS
Without warning, Mark swerves the Charger onto the shoulder of the freeway and speeds up trying to pass the line of cars.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
ANGLE ON: The view from the winshield. The shoulder is quickly turning into an exit ramp, cutting them off from the freeway.
CUT TO:
EXT FDR – CONTINUOUS
The Charger speeds up more just as they hit the ramp and pull just ahead of the line of cars. At the last possible second, it swerves back toward the lane.
The right side of the Charger doesn’t quite make it back in time and hits the front of the guard-rail, flipping the car up on only its left tires for a moment, with the right tires riding the guard-rail. The Charger swerves left more, running off the rail and landing back on the pavement hard. It fish tails for a moment and picks up speed again, starting to gain on the Sedan. Up ahead is a tunnel.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
MRAZ
Now I know why Massachusetts has so many car crashes each year.
MARK
Hey! We’re good drivers! We’re just impatient.
CUT TO:
EXT WILLIAMSBURG STREETS- NIGHT
Brendan runs at a full sprint through a crowd of people, around a corner, and into an alley.
Janice weaves through the same group of confused people and rounds the corner. She sprints down the alley, holding distance with Brendan but not gaining. She exits the alley as they head down a street. The area is getting noticeably more industrial.
Brendan runs into the middle of traffic. Cars come screeching to a halt. He runs to the side of a run-down, 2-story building and starts climb the fire escape.
Janice runs through the middle of the now stopped cars. As she nears the other side of the street, she jumps onto the hood of a car and hops from hood to hood, launching herself off the final car and grabbing hold of the fire escape, just as Brendan gets over the edge of the roof. Janice begins climbing.
Brendan runs toward the edge of the roof to his right and drops off the edge to a lower building. He leans back up against the wall, trying to hide himself from view. He waits for a moment, looking, but does not see Janice. He quietly moves along the wall and drops off the front of the building. He checks for Janice once more on the roof. Confident he’s lost her he starts jogging off down the street.
After a moment, Janice emerges from her hiding place behind a parked car (having never actually finished climbing onto the roof) and begins to silently tail him.
CUT TO:
INT FDR TUNNEL– SAME TIME
The Charger has now gained within about 2 car-lengths of the Sedan. In the opposite lane, the traffic has thinned out a bit.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
MRAZ
Get as close as you can.
MARK
No problem.
Mraz takes out his gun and rolls down the window. He puts himself halfway outside the open window.
CUT TO:
EXT FDR TUNNEL– CONTINUOUS
Mraz takes aim and fires off a few shots at the Sedan, shattering the back window. He fires again, this time hitting the side of the car. The Sedan’s passenger window opens and Michener emerges slightly, returning fire. The bullets embed in the front hood of the Charger. Mraz fires again and Michener counters; his shots spraying the windshield. The Charger swerves. Mraz nearly loses his grip and falls.
MRAZ
Mark! Steady! Please!
MARK (O.S)
You’re right! I’ll just take the bullets next time!
Corey fires again, spraying the windshield. The Charger holds steady.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
Mark ducks down behind the wheel, as windshield glass flies.
MARK
Well, this is just getting ridiculous!
He floors the pedal.
CUT TO:
INT FDR TUNNEL– CONTINUOUS
The Charger pulls up alongside the Sedan. Corey and Mraz takes shots at each other the whole time. Mraz is now more than halfway out the window, firing over the top of the charger. The cars ahead swerve to try to avoid the chase.
The Sedan moves in and side-swipes the Charger, nearly jolting Mraz out again.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
Mark pulls out his gun and fires out his window.
CUT TO:
INT FDR TUNNEL– CONTINUOUS
The Charger swerves away and slams into the right lane’s guard-rail. Mraz barely swings back inside, before getting crushed against the wall.
CUT TO:
INT CAR – CONTINUOUS
MRAZ
Two hands! Two hands! Leave the shooting to me!
MARK
Then start hitting something!
Michener fires again. The bullets can be heard hitting the driver side door.
MARK (CONT.)
Moumin is not gonna be happy.
The cars race for the mouth of the tunnel. There are more vehicles ahead and only one lane to get through.
MRAZ
Gotta make it first!
MARK
I know!
CUT TO:
INT FDR TUNNEL– CONTINUOUS
The cars race forward. The Sedan swerves into the open lane, just beating the charger. Michener fires out the window, blowing the tire of the adjacent car. The car spins out directly in front of the Charger. Mark tries to miss it but clips the front end of the car. The Charger spins and flips over onto its roof, sliding down the FDR into the left lane’s guard rail, slamming to a halt.
CUT TO:
EXT FDR- CONTINUOUS
Mraz climbs through the passenger window. He walks down the FDR a few steps as the Sedan disappears in the distance. Mark crawls out and jogs up to him. They both stare after the car for a moment.
Suddenly, the Charger explodes behind them, causing them both to jump. They turn around in unison and take in the burning car for a moment.
MARK
I’m putting in for a raise for Moumin when we get back to the office.
MRAZ
Approved.
CUT TO:
EXT WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN- SAME TIME
Two men come up through a doorway onto the roof. Instantaneously, Eddie and Moumin pop out, knocking them to the ground. They train their guns on the men.
EDDIE
Surprise.
CUT TO:
EXT WHAREHOUSE, BROOKLYN- SAME TIME
Janice crouches behind a car outside the warehouse. After a few moments, Michener’s Sedan pulls up and parks. Michener and his accomplice get out. Janice pulls out her phone and dials.
CUT TO BLACK.
END ACT THREE
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ACT FOUR
INT MRAZ INC- NIGHT
The elevator door opens to the main floor of the office. Keating stands in front of the door. Her expression immediately morphs into one of shock.
ANGLE ON: Mraz and Mark, as they walk out of the elevator. Their clothes are tattered from the crash but they walk in as if nothing has happened.
KEATING
What happened?
MARK
Long story.
MRAZ
Talk to Andy and have him cut a $100,000 bonus check for Moumin.
KEATING
Why?
MRAZ
Because Moumin scares me when he’s mad.
KEATING
You left your phone. Janice has been calling non-stop.
Mraz stops walking and turns to her.
CUT TO:
INT BRENDAN’S STRONGHOLD- SAME TIME
CLOSE ON: Andrea’s face.
ANDREA
Time’s up. I want her dead.
Brendan and Michener stand in the room with her.
ANDREA (CONT.)
Are you sure you weren’t followed?
BRENDAN
(nodding toward Michener)
Of course not. They have no clue where we are. How can we be sure he wasn’t followed?
MICHENER
Because I’m not relentlessly incompetent.
ANDREA
Stop bickering. Both of you. You had your chance to get the info out of her. We’re going ahead with Living Hand on the information Corey has.
BRENDAN
His information isn’t enough. We don’t have full access to their system overrides.
ANDREA
You have my orders. You’ll make it work. But I want her dead first. No traces. I can’t afford to get sloppy.
Andrea exits before Brendan can respond.
MICHENER
She just slips further and further out of your grasp. It’s sad.
BRENDAN
We’ll see who makes it through the day, Michener. You’ll be going in with us.
Brendan goes to leave.
MICHENER
Off to kill the girl?
BRENDAN
No, I still have some questions for her.
MICHENER
I didn’t know you had the ability to disobey Andrea.
BRENDAN
Living Hand is going to succeed, and it’s not going to be on your information.
He exits.
CUT TO:
INT INTERROGATION ROOM- CONTINUOUS
Brendan walks in with a needle in his hand. Krystal is nearly passed out. Her head hangs. He sticks the needle in her arm and injects her. Her eyes flutter.
BRENDAN
Andrea told me to kill you. But I don’t think you’re done talking.
CUT TO:
INT MRAZ INC WAR ROOM- LATER
Mraz stands at the head of the room. Keating, Taylor, Andy, Mark, Eric, Ducky and about 30 others crowd the room.
MRAZ
Eddie and Moumin have come across the ultimate goal of Operation: Living Hand. Their plan was apparently to acquire Keating and extract our security overrides from her, using them to shut down our defense systems and lead an assault on this office. They instead botched their target, nabbing Krystal. We have confirmed that Brendan Bradley is now holding her in a warehouse in Williamsburg. Mark?
MARK
Eric and I will be leading a team of fifteen men to extract Krystal. The remaining members of the tac-squad will rendezvous with Eddie and Moumin near Living Hand’s staging area to pre-empt any possible strike. We move in an hour. Your assignments are in the Tac Room.
Most of the employees file out of the room. Ducky and Keating walk up to Mraz and Mark.
DUCKY
Janice’s recon confirms that the tracking equipment at Brendan’s facility is thermally-based. I’ve fitted the tac-gear for your team with a special lining designed to block your body-heat signatures. You’ll be virtually undetectable, except to us!
MARK
Perfect.
DUCKY
I’ve also thrown in a new goody I’ve been working on. Sonic charges. They cause a reaction similar to an explosion through high pitched sound waves. The frequency is above human hearing. Setting off these charges will cause most solid surfaces to crumble without a sound.
MRAZ
That’ll come in handy.
KEATING
Wait, you’ll be monitoring the mission from here, right?
MRAZ
No. I’ll be with Mark’s team.
KEATING
You can’t! It’s too high risk.
MRAZ
Krystal is in there and we need to get her out. The risk to me is irrelevant. She’s the priority.
KEATING
Right. Of course.
MRAZ
Besides, I’m with Souza and Eric. What could happen?
MARK
You expect Eric’s presence to instill confidence in her?
KEATING
Make sure he comes back, ok?
MARK
Actually I was planning on “accidentally” shooting him. He insulted my driving one too many times earlier.
Keating sighs, rolls her eyes, and walks away.
KEATING
Why do I bother? No salary is worth this.
MARK
What would we do without her? So, is Janice just holding ground until we get there or is she going to be an unexpected guest on my tac operation?
MRAZ
No. She has special orders. She’ll hold at the warehouse but she won’t interfere with the logistics of the plan.
MARK
Do I get to know what her special orders are?
MRAZ
I expect Brendan to cut and run at first sign of trouble. That’s not going to happen this time.
Taylor approaches.
TAYLOR
You are aware that there is no way we can sell this as legal if you get caught?
MRAZ
Andrea has taken this beyond that point now. We have to do anything to protect our own.
TAYLOR
Mike, this goes beyond bending the law for the common good. You’re choosing to snap the law in half.
MRAZ
We’re not breaking the rules. We’re just changing them.
FADE TO BLACK.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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