Grace - Douglas Ketcham

8/19/2019 Grace - Douglas Ketcham

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GRACE

Written by

Douglas Ketcham

2500 Deer Valley RoadSan Rafael CA, [email protected] 'Hatercles'


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EXT. NEVADA DESERT - NIGHT - AUGUST 1933

The landscape is desolate, with only mountains far back and along, thin road.

A jackrabbit sits in the middle of the road, crossing when a

truck carrying an OAKIE FAMILY drives by.Radio static is heard, as the truck passes by-

FORT ATKINS

A small base, consisting of a few one-story wooden buildings,surrounded by a wire fence. The radio noises continue,interspursed with VOICES.

NEWSCASTER #1-unemployment hit a record highaccording to latest reports, withno signs of stopping

NEWCASTER #2-esident Roosevelt visited theMidwest today, promising an end tothe Depression-

WHITE GUY DOING BLACK GUY VOICE #1I don’t know, Ralphie, Mr. Teasdalesaid if we ain’t delivered thisnote by 10 we’s fired.

INT. GUARD ROOM - NIGHT

The room is small, with a desk, a few chairs, a radio, andpulp magazines scattered around.

Two GUARDS, a couple of young lunks in their early 20s, are watching the radio, grinning widely.

WHITE GUY DOING BLACK GUY VOICE #2I knows that Otis, but I needs somefried chicken in my belly and like

my pappy always said, “pleasurebefore business!”

The guards break into uproarious LAUGHTER.

GUARD #1Listening to this makes me feellike I have a real connection withthe Negro community, you know?

GUARD #2Yeah.


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An ALARM BELL in the room goes off. The guards jump out oftheir seats and grab their guns.

CUT TO:

INT. FORT ATKINS - HANGAR - CELL - NIGHT

The room appears to have been converted from a jail room. Thejail cell is filled with hay, and the door has been torndown, a trail of blood on the floor.

The guards rush in, their shotguns loaded and ready. There'sa MOAN. They rush to the cell, where a woman lies face downon the hay.

GUARD #2Ms. Reid! Are you all right? Whathappened?

They turn her over.GUARD #1

Jesus...

LILLIAN REID (26)'s face has been slashed, as if by the clawsof a large animal.

LILLIANThought...was sick...

EXT. FORT ATKINS - CENTER - NIGHT

Alarms blare! The base is abuzz with activity, with soldiersscrambling and searching everywhere.

COLONEL FARNSWORTH (55), a confident life-long military man, walks through the middle, followed by some aides.

COLONEL FARNSWORTHI want every inch of this basechecked, I want you to go throughthe shit in the latrine!

AIDE

Are we sure it's still here,Colonel?

COLONEL FARNSWORTHSon, that electrified fence canturn a cow into 1,000 lbs of well-done burgers, if it tried to climbit believe me we would know.

(aside, to aide)

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(MORE)


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Damn it, now on top of everything I want a burger. Have them cook me up

one while they check the kitchen.

INT. FORT ATKINS - STORAGE - NIGHT

A door opens and a YOUNG, NERVOUS SOLDIER slowly enters apitch black room. He flicks the switch, but the bulb is out.

He slowly pulls out a flashlight. He turns it on and startsto shine it around the room.

He the aims it on the high end of a corner, revealing hairyfeet. There’s a growling...

EXT. STORAGE - NIGHT

The soldier's SCREAM is heard. Seconds later, a FIGURE leapsthrough the door.

The soldiers converge around the figure, but it grabs themand TOSSES them away, with effort.

As the soldiers close in on it, it LEAPS onto a WATER TOWER,and starts climbing.

The soldiers surround the water tower; Colonel Farsnworth(eating his burger) pushes his way to the front.

COLONEL FARNSWORTH(mouth still full)

Get a light on that thing!

INSERT: The figure, shrouded in shadow, grabs and tears atthe wood, throwing the pieces to the ground.

COLONEL FARNSWORTHHold your fire! Hold your fire,goddammit!

It's too dark to see, but the sounds and falling wood arestill present. Soldiers wheel in a SEARCHLIGHT.

EXT. FORT ATKINS - NIGHT

They aim the searchlight at the water tower, but the figureis not there; only the damaged structure holding it up almostcompletely demolished; the structure is now tilting.

COLONEL FARNSWORTHFall back!

The water tower FALLS, collapsing on the fence.

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COLONEL FARNSWORTH (CONT'D)


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The WATER TANK cracks open upon impact; the water crackles when exposed to the fence.

The water rushes throughout the base. A soldier coming intocontact with the water is ELECTROCUTED.

COLONEL FARNSWORTHFall back! That water'selectrified!

Amidst the chaos around him, Colonel Farnsworth looks at the moon, and sees a far-away figure, running into the horizon.

COLONEL FARNSWORTHAw nuts.

ROLL CREDITS

INT. SMALL TOWN BANK - LOBBY - DAY

It's a small, wooden room; less than ten patrons, plus thetellers and a guard.

The banker, a young woman named SYLVIA SIMS, hands a littleold lady a small stack of $1 bills.

SYLVIA Here you go, Mrs. Milius. Is thereanything else we can do for you?

Mrs. Milius ignores the question and counts the bills. Whenshe's done, she looks at Sylvia with suspicion.

MRS. MILIUSNo, I’m fine. Good bye.

Mrs. Milius leaves and leans over to the next in line, TOMMYPRESTON (28) a good ol' boy with a straw hat, nice clothes,and a shit-eating smile.

MRS. MILIUSYou watch yourself, young man.These people, they’ll cheat you atevery turn.

TOMMYI sure will, ma’am.

Tommy walks up to the teller.

TOMMYWhy hello there, ma'am, what mightyour name be?

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SYLVIA Sylvia Sims, sir.

TOMMYWell Ms. Sims, I hope you've beenhaving a pleasant day.

He tips his hat. Sylvia blushes despite herself.

SYLVIA Your name, please.

TOMMYMy name?

Tommy reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a HANDGUN.He FIRE it into the air a few times before pointing it atSylvia.

Those in the bank GASP and shout. The guard reaches for hisgun, but ROLAND KERTÉZ (38), a tall, well-built man withsilver hair and beard, points a gun at his head and cocks it.

ROLAND(Eastern European accent)

I'd think it good advice if youdrop the gun, good sir.

The guard does so.

Tommy is joined by JIMMY (17) a young go-getter with lots ofpluck, as well as a machine gun. He grabs Sylvia while Tommyjumps onto the counter, and again fires into the air.

TOMMYEveryone on their hands and knees!You all have the great honor to

witness a robbery by the TommyPreston Gang! You'll be walking outof this bank with a story you'll betelling your grandkids, assumingyou all do as you’re told! Yee-ha!

He fires into the air again then jumps down.

A portly man is now with Jimmy and Sylvia.

TOMMYWho's this, Jimmy?

JIMMYSays he's Mr. Burrough, the bank

manager.

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TOMMYAh, just the man I wanted to see.

MR. BURROUGHUh, there's something you should-

TOMMYIf I wanted to hear talk I'd go seea parrot. I just want you to lead

me to your vault, understand?

Burrough nods.

TOMMY(to crowd)

Now I'm going to leave you in thehands of my friend Roland. Any ofyou want to be a hero, well that'syour prerogative, but I should warnyou, he was in the war.

EXT. SMALL TOWN BANK - LOBBY - DAY

Outside the bank, in a 1929 Nash Special Six, are RUBY YATES(24, African-American) an intelligent young woman, and JONASDRISCOLL (52) a sort of old beloved uncle type.

JONASWhat's taking them so long?

RUBYThat horse's ass is showboatingagain.

A distant siren is heard. Jonas takes a swig out of a bottleof clear liquid.

JONASWrap it up, Tommy.

INT. SMALL TOWN BANK - VAULT ROOM - DAY

Tommy, Jimmy, and Sylvia wait as Mr. Burrough opens thevault.

TOMMYThis is it, Jimmy. We've hit thebig time. Wonder what they'll name

me? Bank Buster Preston, maybe. OrCool Guy Tommy.

JIMMYHey, how about Tommy Gun Tommy?

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TOMMYEh, on second thought I don't wanta nickname. Like Dillinger, he's sogood he doesn't need one.

The vault door is opened.

TOMMYAll right, 20 gs, come to papa-

The vault is completely empty.

TOMMYWhaa...

He goes into the vault, looks around.

He grabs Mr. Burrough by the neck.

TOMMYThere's supposed to be 20 gs inhere!

MR. BURROUGHThere-there was. But a few days ago

we were, um, robbed.

Tommy just looks at him, his mouth agape.

MR. BURROUGHIt was in all the papers.

The SCREECH of a megaphone is heard.

GOSLING(V.O, on megaphone)

Attention, Preston Gang. I repeat,attention, Preston Gang.

TOMMYAh Christ...

EXT. SMALL TOWN BANK - DAY

A group of bored policemen stand behind the person with the megaphone, RYAN GOSLING (22) a small, gawky boy wearing a too-big snazzy suit and glasses.

GOSLINGThis is Agent Ryan Gosling of theBureau of Investigation. We havethe bank surrounded. Come out withyour hands up or we'll, well, haveto shoot you.

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INT. SMALL TOWN BANK - VAULT ROOM - DAY

Tommy and the rest listen.

GOSLING(V.O, on megaphone)

Uh, that's all I guess.Tommy groans, then points his gun at Burrough and Sylvia.

TOMMYAll right you're coming on a littleride with us.

INT. SMALL TOWN BANK - HALLWAY - DAY

Tommy and Jimmy lead their hostages back to the lobby.

TOMMYNo don't worry Jimmy, this is justa temporary setback. We'll get outof here just fine, because we haveplenty of-

Tommy opens the door-


-and finds the lobby empty.

TOMMY-Hostages?

Tommy looks around, and sees Roland bound and gagged to achair.

Tommy rushes over and take the gag out of his mouth.

TOMMYDamn it Roland, what the hellhappened?

GUARD (OS)I did.

Hiding in the corner, the guard, armed with Roland's tommygun, OPENS FIRE.

Tommy stays inches ahead of the bullets to hide behind acolumn

Jimmy reaches for his gun but Sylvia grabs a vase and SMASHEShim over the head with it. Jimmy falls to the ground groaningin pain, while Sylvia and Burrough escape.

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INT. SMALL TOWN BANK - DAY

From across the street in their car, Ruby and Jonah watch asSylvia and Burrough come out the door, and are quicklyescorted away by policemen.

JONASHmm, events are not unfolding as wehoped. Perhaps it's time to call inMaura.

RUBYNot yet...


Tommy briefly pokes his head out from behind the column, onlyto be met by gunfire.

TOMMYDamn it Roland what the hellhappened?

ROLANDWell, the guard, he was in the war,too! We got to talking about

military hardware, and he wanted tosee the gun-

TOMMYI can take it from there, Roland.

Tommy thinks.

TOMMYListen pal, right now I have fivearmed men in the back wondering

where I am.

GUARDI was in here the whole time, I saweveryone come in.

TOMMY

Oh, yeah.GUARD

The police are coming in now.You're finished!


Gosling and the police are at the door of the bank.

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RUBYNow!

She HONKS the horn three times.

SHOTS RING OUT and hit several of the officers, who all

scatter, except for Gosling.INSERT: On the roof of a nearby building is MAURA FERGUSON(23) a young woman dressed in flapper wear and with a keentargeting eye.


The panic can be heard inside.

TOMMYRoland, Routine #54!

Roland BURSTS out of the ropes ala Superman, and tosses thechair at the guard, who groans. Tommy leaps out and opensFIRE, only to realize he's out of bullets.

The guard grins as he raises his gun. He’s about to fire when-

-The door OPENS, and Gosling enters.

GOSLINGStop!

He FIRES, shooting the guard in the shoulder.

The guard drops to the ground. Gosling looks on confused.

TOMMYThanks a lot, kid.

Tommy KNOCKS Gosling's head with the butt of his gun, and hefalls to the ground.


Tommy and Roland step out, and are met by a hail of bullets.They both duck as they cross the street.

Jimmy appears and opens fire.

JIMMYTake this you dirty pigs! Don't

worry about me, Mr. P, I'll be-

Jimmy is shot repeatedly in a sequence so violent it makesQuentin Tarantino look like Jim Henson.

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Tommy and Roland use the opportunity to get in the car.

TOMMYRuby, Jonas, let's get going.

ROLAND

What about Maura?TOMMY

Forget Maura, she's gone, she’s-

Tommy sees Maura has somehow appeared in the car. She’s calm,and doesn’t seem offended by Tommy's comment.

TOMMYOh, hi Maura. Glad to see you madeit.

Ruby turns the engine on, then pauses.

RUBYUhh...

TOMMYYou parallel parked?

RUBYYou said you were coming out withhostages, I didn't think we’d haveto make a quick getaway!

Their car BUMPS back and forth against the cars it's between,all three getting dents and such. One of the headlights fallsoff.

Finally, it gets out and speeds away.

Tommy leans out the window.

TOMMYSo long sucke-

Tommy hits a light post and falls out, his pants gettingcaught in the door which TEARS them off.

A pantless Tommy runs for the still-going car, jumping in theback, his legs kicking around. A bullet hits his butt.

The cops and on-lookers break into LAUGHTER. A photographertakes a photo.

EXT. DIRT ROAD - DAY

The Nash speeds along a road heading into the woods.

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INT. NASH SPECIAL SIX - DAY

In the back, Tommy GROANS in pain as Roland uses tweezers toextract the bullet from his behind.

ROLAND

Almost...Tommy grits his teeth, as Roland removes the bullet.

ROLANDThere!

Tommy sighs and sits down.

TOMMYWell, I know that didn't go as weplanned, but hey, we're all alive.

RUBYWhat about Jimmy?

TOMMYRight, right. Boy, that's a...areal damn shame, you know. But youknow, he believed in us. And I know

we'll all miss him.

MAURA I don't. He always bugged me. I'mglad he died instead of any of you.

TOMMYWell, Maura, that's not reallyrespectful of the dead, but I'msure all of us remaining appreciateit.

Tommy looks out the window.

TOMMYWhat’re we doing in the woods?

JONAS

We need to hide out, don’t we? Ihave a friend, Mike Pipper, with acabin out here. Don't worry, he'sone of those types who hates thegovernment and banks, he'll give usa royal welcome.

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JONASI believe hunger is making usirascible. Mike had a cellar thatI'm sure is still full ofpreserves.

Ruby and Tommy are still glaring, but walk away.EXT. CABIN - WEREWOLF POV - NIGHT

From behind trees, something watches the group. Tommy isfiddling with the MOTOROLA (an early car radio), and the reststand over a newly-dug grave.

EXT. CABIN - NIGHT

Roland pounds on the dirt with his shovel while Jonas, Ruby,and Maura stand over.

JONASAnd finally, though he was loatheto share it, Mike had a remarkablesinging voice. I, uh, don't supposeanyone else has anything to say...

MAURA (clears throat)

I didn't meet Mike until he was askeleton. He made Tommy scream,

which was funny.

JONASYes, well, amen.

TOMMYHey guys, over here!

They walk over.

NEWSCASTER(on car radio)

-countinues to blanketed by dust, with no end in sight. Meanwhile,

America continues to be terrorized

in a crime wave unseen since thedays of the Old West!

TOMMYI think they're going to mention usholding up that gas station.

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NEWSCASTERIn Missouri, Baby Face Nelsonintercepted a Federal Reserveshipment, killing three bystanders.In East Texas, Bonnie and Clydeshot and killed two Texas Rangers.

And in Kansas, John Dillinger walked out of the First NationalBank with $50,000

TOMMYHeheh, that aboy John.

NEWSCASTERElsewhere in Kansas, a small bank

was held up by a new group ofthieves, known as the Tommy PrestonGang. It seems the folks didn'tknow the bank had already beenrobbed. They got away, well, mostof them. In these grim times, let'shope we hear more from PantslessTommy Preston.

The newscaster LAUGHS before Tommy turns it off.

JONASWell, we got mentioned.That's...something, right?

ROLANDThis gang....it does not seem to be

working out, am I right? Perhaps weshould go separate ways?

TOMMYYou want out, Roland? You want togo back to hanging out at somecircus to get gawked at?

ROLANDI was just-

TOMMY

Anyone who wants to leave, leave!More money and glory for the restof us!

Tommy sulks off, dejectedly firing his gun into the air once.

JONASI suppose someone should talk tohim.

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All raise their fingers to their noses.

ALL EXCEPT RUBYOne-two-three not it!

RUBY

Not... ah nuts.EXT. WOODS - NIGHT

Tommy is sitting on the ground dejectedly, flipping pebbles,then shooting them.

RUBYHey.

TOMMYHey. You want to leave?

RUBYThat's Jonas' decision. You know Igo where he goes.

TOMMYDon't evade the question. Come on,I want your opinion.

Ruby squats down, like she was to talk to a child.

RUBYWell, we've been at this for a

month and the thing we're mostknown for is you losing your pants.

TOMMYI didn't lose them! They fell downbut I still have them!

RUBYMy point is, would just going backhome be the worst thing?

TOMMYGo home. Yeah, after all those of

years of talking big, about how I was going to be the baddest crooksince Jesse James... to just besome nobody in some hick town noone’s heard of.

RUBYThere are worse ways to end up, youknow. Some of us ain't got homes togo back to.

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TOMMYYeah, but...Jesus, I spent all mylife dreaming, and it's over in a

month?

EXT. CABIN - NIGHT

Roland stirs the pot while singing a Hungarian folk song.Jonas and Maura sit at the fire.

MAURA How did Mike die Jonas? Did he geteaten by a bear?

JONASNo, I'm afraid, like so many men,Mike sewed the seeds of his owndestruction. That last batch of

moonshine he brewed turnedpoisonous.

A growl is heard.

JONASHmm, somebody's hungry.

MAURA That wasn't me.

ROLANDNor I.

JONASHmm. Well I guess some wild beastis behind us.

As Jonas chuckles, a figure emerges from the dark behind him.

It is a WEREWOLF. It stands at 8 ft., and has silver-grayishhair. It's bipedal, and has a humanoid body, but the head isthat of a massive wolf, with pupil-less eyes, and hands withclawed fingers. Despite it’s size, it appears thin and

malnourished.

ROLAND(in Hungarian)Mary Mother of God...

The beast is approaching Maura, who's frozen in a state ofshock.

Roland launches himself at the Werewolf, knocking it to theground. Jonas and Maura run.

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Roland punches its face, but it then SMACKS him away with itsarm.

Tommy and Ruby rush up.

RUBY

What the hell is that?JONAS

Hell would appear to be theopportune word, my dear.

TOMMYGet the guns.

Jonas opens the trunk and tosses tommy guns to the rest.

TOMMYHey, Rin Tin Tin!

They open FIRE on the Werewolf.

The Werewolf is hit several times, and runs for cover.

TOMMYCome on.

The gang fans out into the woods.

Tommy hears a growling, and looks up. The Werewolf leaps downon him. He aims his gun, but the Werewolf grabs it and snapsit in two. The Werewolf then growls at Tommy until RubySHOOTS an ear off.

The Werewolf wails about while Ruby helps Tommy up.

RUBYWe're running low on bullets.

JONASIf we can't kill it, perhaps wecould trap it. Mike's cellar would

make an effective enclosure.

TOMMYAnd how do we get it there?

Jonas looks at the fire.

The Werewolf pounces near them, snarling. Ruby sticks a FIERYTORCH in its face. It recoils.

Tommy and Roland join Ruby, with their own torches. Theycorral the Werewolf towards the cabin.

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The Werewolf realizes it's being put in a corner. It sticksits foot out and TRIPS them. It then kicks up a layer of dustthat extinguishes the torches.

The Werewolf advances on the three, when a JUG is thrown atits feet, which EXPLODES on impact, releasing a mist. The

Werewolf is disoriented by the blast, and another jug isthrown, and another.

Throwing the jugs are Maura and Jonas, very much enjoyingthemselves.

JONASOl' Mike's did always pack a punch!

The Werewolf is overwhelmed by the fumes, and is staggeringnear the cellar.

RUBYNow!

Roland and Tommy push the Werewolf into the cellar. They shutthe door, and Roland places a boulder on top of it.

They all wait, to see if there's any reaction. There's not.The gang collapses in exhaustion.

INSERT: The sun rises.

EXT. CABIN - DAY

It's early morning, and the gang is packing up, save forTommy, who is looking at the cellar.

RUBYThis'd go faster if you'd help,Tommy.

TOMMYI was just thinking...If we killedthat thing, took its body...god,think of it, the reputation we'dget!

RUBYYou dumb ape, we didn't have anyluck killing it last night!

TOMMYWe can't hear it walking around, it

must be unconscious still. We openit and pump it full of lead, noanimal would be able to survive.

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He looks at the others.

TOMMYWell?

JONAS

Hmm, it would be quite a moralebooster for our group.

EXT. CABIN - CELLAR - DAY

The gang stands by the cellar with tommy guns. Maura holds astring tied to the cellar door.

TOMMYReady...

They lift the guns.

TOMMYAim...

They aim. Maura pulls the strings and the door OPENS.

INSERT: Lying on the cellar floor is an unconscious 12 yearold GIRL dressed in a dirty, torn, casual dress.

TOMMYStop! Stop! Don't shoot!

The gang put down their guns and crowd around the cellardoor. Ruby goes down into the cellar.

ROLANDI did not see anyone in here lastnight.

Ruby checks the girl.

RUBYShe's alive. There's nothing elsehere.

MAURA

Where did that wolf monster go?JONAS

I suppose, a creature like that,unknown to science, could possessfantastic abilities.

RUBYWe can speculate later, what are wegoing to do with this girl?

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We can't leave her here, especially with that thing around.

TOMMYAnd do what? We can't just go tothe police and walk away.

MAURA Ding dong ditch.

TOMMYWhat?

MAURA We drop the kid at the station,ring the doorbell and run.

TOMMYYeah...that could work.

Ruby comes up carrying the child.

RUBYGood lord.

The group looks. The girl's body is covered in BLACK TATTOOEDSYMBOLS.

EXT. SMALL TOWN - DAY

Blue Skies by Al Jolson plays.

The gang in their car enters a town that's been hit hard bythe Depression. Shops are closed and boarded up, people waitin line for a soup kitchen, others wander the streets drunk,etc.


The gang sits in the car, with the girl in the back laid onRuby and Maura's laps.

MAURA Boy, this cheerful song really

serves as an ironic contrast withour harsh economic reality.

Tommy turns the radio off and the song stops.

The girl begins to stir.

RUBYShe's waking up.

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RUBY (CONT'D)


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TOMMYWhat? Quick, sing her a lullaby orsomething.

JONASOoh I have one.

(in smooth, quiet voice)Oh, a drink in the morning is goodfor the sight, and twenty or thirtybetween that and night-

TOMMYThat's a drinking song you-

GIRLWh-where am I? Who are you people?

The gang are silent for a moment.

TOMMYWe're, ummm, park rangers.

GIRLI think you're bank robbers.

TOMMY(laughing)

Bank Robbers? Where'd you get asilly idea like that?

GIRLYour clothes. Your guns. Thatpicture on the dashboard of yourobbing a bank.

INSERT: A photo of Tommy proudly smiling with a gun, standingat a bank window next to a scared teller.

TOMMYDamn. Sorry guys that's on me.

RUDYLook, we don't want to hurt you. Wefound you in a cabin, how'd you get

there?GIRL

I...I don't know. Sometimes I endup places, and I don't know how Igot there.

JONASDo you have parents, siblings,someone to take care of you?

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RUBYWhy's that?

TOMMYWell, you’re black-

RUBYAll black women look alike?

TOMMYYeah, exactly.

Ruby groans and walks out with the girl. Grace bumps into aWEALTHY DOWAGER exiting.

MAURA So, what do you think happened tothe wolf monster?

ROLANDI think it just went to getpancakes.

TOMMYWhat?

ROLANDWhen my grandfather was a boy,there was a rash of killings in thevillage. Children were found in the

woods, their bodies mangled andtorn, as if by some huge wolf.Finally, the men scoured the woods,and found a monstrous beast. Theyshot out its left eye, and followedits trail of blood to-hey, hey!

Tommy is looking the other way out the window.

TOMMYOh sorry, I saw a dog and a catbeing friends. Go on, trail ofblood.

ROLANDThey tracked it to a house, andfound a man they all knew andrespected, lying on the floor, hisleft eye blown out!

JONASAre you suggesting that beast andthat young girl are one and thesame?

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MAURA Roland. The Principle of MassConservation would make itimpossible for that small girl totransform into that huge monster.

TOMMYYeah, Roland, the fucking principleof mass conservation! We have tothink scientifically. Obviously,some guy fucked a wolf, and this

was the result. Read Darwin.

MAURA How do you know it wasn't a woman

who had sex with a male wolf?

TOMMYWell, that’s just disgusting, Maura

INT. DINER - DAY

The girl, sitting at a booth, is going to town on a plate ofpancakes, not using forks or a knife, while Ruby sits on theother side and watches.

RUBYThey have forks here, you know.

The girl doesn't reply.

RUBYSo, you have a name?

GIRLMaya Buttreeks.

RUBYHmm. Anyway, I know how toughhaving no family can be.

GIRLI get by.

RUBYYou’re on your own, no money, spentlast night in a cellar and you’rescared of cops.

GIRLI ain’t scared of nothing! I satthrough Frankenstein, King Kong,and three and a half Joan Crawford

movies! ‘Sides, I’m a master thief.

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Look what I scored from that fatbroad.

The girl reaches into her pocket and pulls out a goldPOCKETWATCH. A hand reaches over and grabs it, as well as thegirl’s wrist.

WEALTHY DOWAGERAha! Once I realized this was

missing I knew that unseemly-looking child must be responsible.When the police get word of this-

RUBYThat ain’t your watch, lady.

WEALTHY DOWAGERReally? I suppose you’re the one

who lead this girl into dishonor. Afine way for your kind to showgratitude after all we’ve done foryou.

Ruby is silent, then slowly leans in.

RUBYAll right, I admit, this is your

watch. I’m a thief...a thief with agun. And if you make a big fuss,

well, I’ll just panic so much, Idon’t what I’ll do.

The Wealthy Dowager thinks for a moment.

WEALTHY DOWAGERHmmph. Well, I’ve never. I don’tcare if that watch contains theonly photo of my father, I’m notspending another minute in thisestablishment.

She walks away indignantly.

GIRL

You were going to shoot that ladyfor me?

RUBYHa! Course not. I just a know ascared white lady when I see one.

Beat.

GIRLGrace. My name is Grace.

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GIRL (CONT'D)


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RUBYGrace, huh? I had an aunt namedGrace.

GRACEReally?

RUBYYeah. She was a fat old woman whoalways yelled and choked to deathon the toilet while eating a potroast.

GRACEHmm. That’s how I hope I go out.

The two smile at each other.

Watching them is a MR. HOYT (53, white) an old bald man withglasses. He shows signs of recognition. He opens hisSCRAPBOOK, all of which contain articles and wanted postersof black woman criminals. He finally comes onto one of Ruby,

with a reward offer of $200.

EXT. DINER - DAY

Ruby and Grace walk out.

As they walk to the car, Gosling and police surround them.

GOSLINGHands up, all of you! Out of thecar.

Tommy and the others slowly leave the car with hands up.

GOSLINGWell Tommy, it's been a funrollercoaster, but we're finally atgrandma's house.

TOMMYWhat?

A officer roughly handles Ruby while handcuffing her. Shegrunts.

COPHey, shut up ya crow!

GRACELeave her alone.

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GRACEWhat are you talking about?

TOMMYYeah, Jonas, what?

JONASYou saw how she dealt with thoseofficers, and we all knowpersonally what it’s like to faceher, um, ugly side. Perhaps this isjust what we need.

TOMMYYou mean...let her join the gang?

GRACE'Let me'? Why would I want to joinyou idiots?

JONASFood, clothes, and frankly, dear,you seem like someone who likesspreading hell.

Grace thinks about it.

GRACEAll right, but I get a 25% cut ofeverything we take.

TOMMYWhy that's-

JONASAcceptable. Welcome to the TommyPreston Gang my dear.

INT. J. EDGAR HOOVER'S OFFICE - DAY

Ryan Gosling sits nervously, like a student called to theprincipals office.

J. EDGAR HOOVER (38) paces behind his desk with a newspaper

in hand.HOOVER

Damn it, Gosling, I know this isyour first case but after a month I

want some results!

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GOSLINGI'm sorry Uncle Edgar, but TommyPreston is the greatest thief sinceBilly the Kid; he's a criminalgenius!

Hoover looks at the newspaper, showing the photo of Tommypantsless.

HOOVERWell...be that as it may, I haveserious concerns, especially thislatest report. And it's DirectorHoover while you're on the job!

GOSLINGBut Unc-Director Hoover, it's true.The girl transformed into what mysources assure me is a Werewolf.

HOOVERSources?

GOSLINGUh, Billy Jensen. He's a 10-yearold who lives next door to me, hehas a book about monsters-

HOOVERRyan, I think I gave you too muchto do. You seem to be crackingunder the pressure. Do you know

what it would do to the Bureau'sreputation if this got out?

GOSLINGBut what about the police?

HOOVERI'm not interested in the reportsof obviously drunken hillbillies.You're an agent, you're supposed tobe better. Keep quiet aboutvampires and such and get me

results!A crushed Gosling gets up and leaves.

EXT. FIELD - DAY

It’s dusk. Ruby and Grace are outside the car. Roland cooksand Maura draws in the dirt with a stick while Tommy (holdingup a newspaper) and Jonas argue in the distance.

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JONASIt’s nothing short of suicide!

RUBYWhat is it this time?

TOMMYThey just opened this new bank,Kenton. Supposed to be unrobbable.Perfect way to get back on top.

JONASThat bank has the latest indefense, and they have Youngman andSon.

GRACEWho?

JONASA ruthless relic from the old west.Lives to kill, one of the mostdangerous individuals on thisplanet. And his son, who I haven't

met.

RUBYLook Tommy, maybe we should work upto it, start with knocking oversome gas-stations-

TOMMYNo! We gotta do something big,something that'll grab attention!

GRACEI think he’s right.

TOMMYShut up, kids don’t get any say in-

wait, I’m right?

GRACEYeah. I want to start my bank

robbing career with a bang.TOMMY

See? That’s what’s been wrong withthis gang. You people are all oldand scared. We need new blood, likeGeorgina here.

GRACEGrace.

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TOMMYRight, right.

INT. HUXLEY COLLEGE - CLASSROOM - DAY

It’s a typical classroom of an Ivy league school. A STUDENT

is standing up, reading aloud from a paper.STUDENT

“...and so, with its fabulous seas, majestic mountains, and five

flavors of ice cream, America’sfuture will see only greatness”

Some scattered applause. PROFESSOR DOMINIC KINCAID (55) alarge man in both size and personality, waits for it to diedown.

KINCAIDYes, very...interesting points,Harold. But I feel you overlookedsome things. You didn’t mention theDepression, for example.

STUDENTDepression? Oh it’s okay, theelectroshock therapy fixed that.

KINCAIDVery good, Harold, you may sit.

He does so. Kincaid starts to pace.

KINCAIDI know it’s hard to imagine acataclysm. But they do happen. Romefell. The Ottoman Empire endedafter 600 years. Who’s to sayAmerica isn’t in her twilight?

Silence for a moment.

KINCAIDYes, grim words I realize. I do not

say this to discourage you, to makeyou give up. Quite the opposite. Ibelieve a nation's fortune is tiedto its youth. The solutions tothese problems will be found byyou, the next generation.

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INT. HUXLEY COLLEGE - HALLWAY - DAY

Kincaid walks through the hallway, surrounded by andchatting with fellow teachers and guests. He enters hisoffice.

INT. HUXLEY COLLEGE - KINCAID'S OFFICE - DAYKincaid plops down in his chair.

Lillian walks in, her face covered in a WHITE MASK, wheelingin a dinner tray.

MISS REIDYour lunch is ready, sir.

KINCAIDSmells delicious.

MISS REIDYou’ll have to finish it soon, I’mafraid. Your meeting with the deanis at 3.

Kincaid starts to eat.

MISS REIDI was on the phone. Your partnersare concerned about whether we’llfind her in time. They’ve asked forAgent Miller to be dispatched. Itold them he was in China at thepresent, but I expect you’ll haveto deal with them face to facesoon.

KINCAIDOh, what a bunch of old women I’veallied myself with. The nerve ofthem, bothering you when you’vealready given so much, lost so muchfor this-

MISS REID

I knew what I was getting into,sir. I would do it all again.

Kincaid calms down and smiles at her, before leaning back.

KINCAIDAnd I appreciate it, my dear. We

will find her. With the fate ofAmerica hanging on it, we have noother choice.

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INT. KENTON BANK - LOBBY - DAY

The bank is modern, clean, an art-deco aesthetic. In thecenter stands a 20-FT MARBLE STATUE of an awkward, gawky man

with poor posture, bad hair and glasses, 'Our Founder' carvedat the bottom.

Standing on a chair is HANGMAN YOUNGMAN (60), who shows nosign of acknowledging the Wild West is over. He dresses likeWyatt Earp, has a wild beard, and eyes that conveyintelligence and ruthlessness. Right now he's carvingsomething.

On the other side stands SON (26), dressed nicely with ahandlebar mustache.

Tommy, Ruby, Roland and Grace are watching them as they walkup to the window.

BANK TELLERHello, how may I help you?

TOMMYI'd like to make a withdrawal.

Tommy pulls out his gun and fires into the air.

TOMMYAttention! Attent-

GUNFIRE bursts out at the gang, who barely have time to duck.The bullets blow chunks of the teller table. One big chunkhits Grace's forehead, knocking her out.

RUBYGrace!

Ruby and Roland grab Grace as the group goes for cover.

TOMMYC'mon Grace no time to sleep!

ROLANDYou don't understand what being

unconscious means, do you?Youngman and Son start to converge on them. Ruby opens fireand they duck.

Tommy grabs Grace and lifts her up.

TOMMYWe got a hostage!

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Youngman and Son lower their weapons.

Tommy aims his gun at a bank teller.

TOMMYGet me the manager!

INT. KENTON BANK - OUTSIDE OF VAULT - DAY

THE BANK MANAGER is opening the vault. Tommy and the gang arestill nervous, Youngman and Son eyeing them.

RUBY(to Roland)

She going to be all right?

ROLANDNot sure.

The vault door opens.INT. KENTON BANK - VAULT - DAY

The gang walks in.

TOMMYWhat the hell?

The room is empty, and at the other end is a another vaultdoor. Behind them, the vault door closes. The manager runsfor it, and Tommy and Ruby follow him into-

INT. KENTON BANK - 2ND VAULT - DAY

Tommy and Ruby run in to an identical room, but through thatvault door is the MONEY. However, it closes just after the

manager gets through. The vault door behind them closes too.

Ruby goes around the room, trying to find an escape. Tommyjust sits down and sulks.

TOMMYAh well, maybe prison isn’t as badas people always make it out to be.

RUBYOh shut up! You're supposed to beour leader, so act like it, damnit!

Tommy reaches into his pocket and pulls out STICKS OFDYNAMITE.

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RUBYYou had dynamite?

TOMMYYeah but no match.

Ruby thinks and looks down at the floor. She reaches in herpocket and pulls out a pocket knife, then starts needling thefloor with it.

TOMMYWhat are you-

RUBYIf we're lucky, there's Quartzitein the flooring-

Sparks start flying. Tommy holds the end of the dynamite andit lights.

TOMMYDamn Ruby, you're, really, uh,smart.

RUBYHuh? Thanks. How long do we have to

wait?

TOMMYA while. The payoff, though, it'sgoing to be-

The bank vault opens. Tommy and Ruby hug in triumph.

Triumph which vanishes when Youngman and Son are standingright outside.

The back vault door opens, and a growling Werewolf steps in.

Youngman and Son lose their dead expressions for a moment,but then FIRE! It hits the Werewolf's shoulder and she howlsin pain.

She reaches out and grabs Youngman then TOSSES HIM away.

Son aims and shoots her ear off.

The Werewolf staggers; Son aims for a killing shot but Rolandpunches him in the back of the head.

The gang gathers the loot.

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INT. KENTON BANK - LOBBY - DAY

The gang rushes out, carrying sacks of money.

TOMMYCome on, let's-

A LASSO wraps itself around the Werewolf.

Youngman is holding the rope and a cigar. He manages to holdas the Werewolf tries to wrestle free.

Youngman manipulates it so the Werewolf corals the gang intoone spot.

A SHOT hits the BANK CHANDELIER, sending it landing on theWerewolf, trapping it and the others.

Youngman and Son advance on the gang members when-

An explosion, followed by a VAULT DOOR shooting out and goingright through the legs of the statue.

A shadow covers Youngman and Son, and they have no time toflee before SPLAT!

The gang stares for a moment before running out.

INT. KINCAID MANSION - LIVING ROOM - DAY

The enormous room is white, and devoid of even a speck ofdust. The room is decorated with art and artifacts fromthroughout the world; some benign, but others seem sinister.

Kincaid sits in a fancy chair reading a book.

A tall, dour BUTLER arrives, followed by Agent Gosling.

BUTLERAgent Gosling is here, sir.

KINCAIDAh, excellent Richards, justexcellent.

Kincaid rises and greets Gosling.

KINCAIDDominic Kincaid. I’m so glad youcould make it on such short notice,I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.

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GOSLINGWell, I was inventorying my stampcollection, but that can wait.

The two sit. Kincaid pours two glasses of wine.

GOSLINGThis is about my report?

KINCAIDYes. You see, I represent a...acertain government agency thatcovers such events as, say, littlegirls turning into wolves.

GOSLINGYou mean you...believe me?

KINCAIDOh quite. We’ve been tracking thisgirl for some time now. Now thatshe’s thrown in with this band of

malcontents, I thought we couldcollaborate.

Kincaid hands the wine glass to Gosling, who declines.

GOSLINGUh, do you have any chocolate milk?

KINCAIDUh, I’ll have Richards check.

GOSLINGAnyway, I’d love to, but Unc-Director Hoover is pretty upset

with me. I think I’m being takenoff the case.

KINCAIDOh, I talked with Edgar earlier,he’s fine with this.

GOSLING

Really? How would this work?KINCAID

Well, I’ll give you a special squadof my best men. A hundred to start

with more to come later. You’llhave our full resources and the

most up-to-date technology.

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Anything else you need, we’ll payfor it. How do you like the soundof that?

Gosling is silent.

KINCAIDAgent Gosling?

GOSLINGOh sorry I was just looking at...

Gosling motions and Kincaid turns around too see an idol of a well-endowed fertility god.

KINCAIDOh.

GOSLINGBut yes, I accept.

EXT. ROAD - DAY

The Nash speeds down, bills flying out the window.


The gang is ecstatic as they lay the money around them,throwing it up and such.

TOMMYYahoo! We're in the money, justlike that popular song!

RUBYI'm going to buy a diamond to clean

my toenails!

Tommy reaches back and ruffles Grace's hair.

RUBYThey shot out your eye, how-

GRACE

Once I change back any woundsvanish.

TOMMYHey, I know this is the adrenalinetalking, but there's a bank two

miles from here, what do you say werob it?

Everyone CHEERS affirmatively.

40.

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MONTAGE - PRESTON GANG’S CRIME SPREE

-The gang robs bank after bank.

-A NEWSPAPER spins up with the headline 'Tommy Preston GangStrikes Again!' There's also an editorial column, 'If You Ask

Me' which says 'Girl Can Turn Into Wolf? Who Cares?'-At a bank, Gosling and men stand ready.

GOSLINGCome out with your hands up!

At a bank behind them, the gang casually exit, none of theagents turning around.

-Jonas and the Werewolf rob an Old West show.

-Gosling and the men stand outside an apartment.

GOSLINGAll right men, one, two, three-

They KICK in the door, only to find a NAKED FAT MAN dressedas a baby being spanked by several beautiful woman.

GOSLINGUh, my apologies, Mr. Mayor.

-Ruby and the Werewolf rob a Klan meeting.

-A newspaper spins up reporting on the Klan robbery, with theheadline 'Is Nothing Sacred?' There’s another ‘If You Ask Me’editorial, “Let’s see a girl change into a cocktail waitressthat minds her own damned business.”

-At a young girls beauty contest, the contestants standhelplessly as Tommy and Grace (in Werewolf form, still

wearing a dress and the winning tiara) walk off with cash.

-Gosling walks proudly, escorting someone out of view.

GOSLINGWell it was a long run Tommy, but

you couldn’t keep it up forever.‘Tommy’ is revealed to be an OVERWEIGHT HISPANIC gentlemen

wearing Tommy’s clothes, counting a wad of bills.

HISPANIC GENTLEMANSi. I mean, yee-haw.

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-In the Nash (Tommy and Ruby are in the front seats, Tommydriving, while the other four sit in the back), they pass anice cream truck.

GRACEHey, can we rob that ice cream

truck?TOMMY

You’re going to eat all that icecream yourself?

MAURA I’ll have some.

ROLANDSounds good

JONASMe too.

TOMMYCome on guys, the bank closes at 4.

RUBYAnd Grace, you already had twocandy bars for breakfast.

ALL EXCECPT TOMMY AND RUBY(chanting)

Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream! Ic-

TOMMYAll right, all right!

ALL EXCECPT TOMMY AND RUBYYay!

-They stand by the ice cream truck, guns pointed at the icecream man as he serves them.

-Newspaper spins up with the headline 'Authorities Powerlessto Stop Preston Gang'; the 'If You Ask Me' column says'Turning into a wolf would not have stopped my wife fromleaving me.'

END OF MONTAGEEXT. GREEN ARROW - NIGHT

A typical 30s bar, with signs “Voted Most Law-Abiding Bar1927” and “Crooked Cops Only, Please”

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INT. GREEN ARROW - NIGHT

A celebration is going on, and the gang is the center of it.Tommy walks through the room receiving congratulations. Anold lanky blind man, JOHNNY LATOS, grabs his arm.

JOHNNY LATOSCongratulations my friend.

TOMMYAh thanks Johnny.

JOHNNY LATOSYou know, I know you had a lot ofshit thrown your way, son, but Ialways knew, there was somethingthere, some spark. I said, “justyou watch, little Dickie Nixon isgoing to be somebody.”

TOMMYUh, Johnny, this is Tommy Preston.

JOHNNY LATOSTommy Preston?! What, theyFrankenstein you a new brain-er, I

mean, uh, good work, boy.

An annoyed Tommy walks away.

Grace sits at the front of the bar, talking to ERNIEKOWALSKI, a classic American bartender, bald, pudgy with afriendly face made of granite.

GRACEIt’s called a Witch’s Titty. 2ounces gin, 1 ounch Irish Whiskey,1 teaspoon of apple juice, and justa pinch of vodka.

ERNIEComing up.

JONAS

Ernie, this is a child. Just plainbeer.

MAURA Hey, the speech is starting!

Everyone gathers around the radio.

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CONGRESSMAN SKINNER(on radio)

Tommy Preston is the worst menacethis great nation has everproduced.

Everyone cheers.CONGRESSMAN SKINNER

Not only has he robbed our belovedbanks, he has mocked the police bynot allowing them to arrest him. Heis ruining our values, creating anation where children would ratherplay bank robber than do chores andrespect the elderly.

TOMMYWoo-hoo! Take that old people!

CONGRESSMAN SKINNERHe has even transgressed againstthe most basic laws of man and Godby engaging in race mixing withthat Negro woman! Oh and the whole

werewolf thing.

Everyone turns to look at Tommy and Ruby.

TOMMYThat’s crazy. I would never, justnever-

RUBYDamn right you would never. I’m notgoing to jail for taking advantageof a moron.

TOMMYYou-you-I-this is stupid.Everything is stupid.

He takes out a machine gun and fires at the radio, destroyingit. The shooting continues, taking out several bottles and a

signed picture of Eleanor Roosevelt.EXT. KINCAID MANOR - DAY

It is a bright day, and there’s a Halloween festival goingon, with tons of kids running around and laughing.

D.B. TAYLOR (51), a large imposing man in a Business suit,surveys the area.

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TAYLORWhere the hell is he?

Children’s laughter causes him to turn.

Kincaid, dressed in a magician’s garb, performs before a

group of children, putting a rabbit into a top hat, thenshowing the children the empty hat.

KINCAIDAs you can see, Autolycus hasvanished from our Earthly realm.However, as his supper time iscoming up, I think we should bringhim back...

He reaches in and pulls out...nothing. He looks shocked.

KINCAIDOh no, oh no...this horrible.Autolycus is lost somewhere beyondour understanding, it’s-

There’s movement in Kincaid’s pants. The children laugh.

KINCAIDWhy are you laughing, this is ahorrible state of affairs, I-I-

Kincaid looks down, then reaches into his pants and pulls outAutolycus. The children clap.

Taylor arrive.

KINCAIDWell hello there kids. Want to seea magic trick?

TAYLORYou know what I’m here for,Kincaid.

KINCAIDYes, yes. Just a moment children, I

have to deal with grown upbusiness.

INT. KINCAID MANOR - LIVING ROOM - DAY

The two walk in.

KINCAIDA simple trick but the childrenlove it.

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Perhaps they recognize thesymbolism: a version of journeyinginto the underworld beforereturning to life. Or maybe theyjust think the bunny is cute.

TAYLORScrew the bunny. It’s been monthsand that wolf girl of yours isstill free. I agreed to back thisventure because you presentedyourself as a man of competence,and yet you’re unable to round upthis band of hicks!

Kincaid stares at him sternly.

TAYLORI...I didn’t mean any offense-

KINCAIDNo, it’s quite all right. I admitthis Gosling has not worked out asI had hoped.

Kincaid picks up a newspaper, the headline of which reads“Tommy Preston Escapes Again” with the sub headline “’He saidhe just had to go to the bathroom' says agent.”

TAYLORListen, what about that ace agentof yours, Millman or something?

KINCAIDTrent Miller? He's been in Chinafor the past two monthsinvestigating a smuggling ring, buthe should be on top of that by now.

INT. DEATH HOUSE - CRYPT - DAY

In a dark, stone crypt, TRENT MILLER's eyes open. He looks tobe in his late 20s/early 30s, handsome, no-nonsense, and adress style you could set your watch to.

The room is filled with radio static, followed by-

DR. ZHANG(OS, on com)

Ah, awake at last.

MILLERDr. Zhang, I presume?

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DR. ZHANGYes. I've been watching you forsome time, Mr. Miller.

Lights go on, leading to an elevator.

DR. ZHANGPlease, join me upstairs.

Cautiously, Miller walks towards the elevator. He steps on astone, and arrows shoot out of the walls, just missing him.

DR. ZHANGI should mention, one in every fourtiles leads to what I like to call'a test of skill.'

He steps on a stone, and it and others crumble. Miller fallsbut grabs a long metal rod sticking out of the exposed floor.

Below, alligators hungrily watch him. One jumps up but notfar enough.

The rod is sliding off, and Miller tips over. An alligatorjumps up, and this time is just inches away from his feet.

Miller looks at the rod, and pulls it out, falling below.

He lands on an alligator, and uses the rod to pole-vaulthimself back up onto the ground.

DR. ZHANG(laughs)

Very impressive! I think you'reready for a real challenge!

A column rises suddenly out of the ground, followed by othersfrom all sides of the room. The room is being filled up.

Miller runs for the elevator, as the room gets smaller andsmaller.

DR. ZHANGBetter hurry!

Miller is now crawling through a narrow passage, the elevatornear, but the entrance is closing.

INT. DEATH HOUSE - ELEVATOR - DAY

Miller gets into the elevator just as the entrance closes.The elevator door closes and starts to go up.

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INT. DEATH HOUSE - GARDEN - DAY

The elevator opens and Miller walks out.

It's a indoor garden, with trees, a pond, and variousanimals.

DR. ZHANGWelcome to my garden. Serene, is itnot? You will find an entrance to

my room on the other side.

Miller walks across the garden, showing no interest in theplants or wildlife. There's a growl.

Standing above on a ledge is a NIAN, a creature from Chinese mythology that resembles a cross between a lion and a dog,

and which is larger than a tiger.

The Nian leaps down at Miller, who manages to move out of the way just in time.

DR. ZHANGMeet my Nian, a very rare specimen.Be careful, he likes to play rough.

The Nian takes a SWIPE at Miller, the force of which sendshim across the garden, as well as tearing his clothes.

Before Miller can get up, the Nian grabs his neck by thecollar of his shirt and shakes it, playing with him like acat with a mouse. He tosses him a few feet away.

The Nian advances on Miller. Miller takes off his red tie.

Miller jumps onto the Nian, and wraps the tie around itsface, covering its eyes.

The Nian goes crazy, jumping up and shaking. Miller holds onand manages to direct the beast, riding it across the garden.

The Nian increases in speed, until it HITS THE WALL, Millerleaping off just before. The Nian moans and fallsunconscious.

DR. ZHANGVery knowledgeable of you, Mr.Miller, knowing the Nian is enragedby the color red.

Miller walks up a large stair case.

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INT. DEATH HOUSE - STAIRCASE - DAY

Miller walks up the enormous, Gothic staircase, when a BEAMOF BLUE ENERGY shoots at him.

Miller looks up to the top of the staircase to see DR. ZHANG

(84), an elderly Chinese man dressed in a royal Mandarincostume, wearing a GAUNTLET, brimming with energy.

DR. ZHANGYou have provided me muchentertainment, Mr. Miller, but ourtime is at an end.

He fires another beam.

DR. ZHANGTell me, Mr. Miller, was all this

worth a few artifacts?

MILLERThose artifacts you stole belong tothe US by international law.

DR. ZHANGYes, priceless parts of our cultureand heritage, ending up in a museumfor white families to gawk at on aSunday afternoon.

He fires again.

DR. ZHANGI am no fool, Mr. Miller. I knowthe powers contained in these. AndI will use them to drive youinvaders out of my beloved country.

Miller pulls out an antique mirror, and holds it up to thenext beam, REFLECTING it, causing the beam to hit roof aboveZhang. Debris falls down on Zhang, pinning him to the ground.

INT. DEATH HOUSE - ZHANG'S ROOM - DAY

Zhang's room is a stylish mix of the old and new, ancientChinese art and artifacts alongside modern machines anddevices.

Walking up to the pinned Zhang, Miller first takes thegauntlet off Zhang before helping the doctor up.

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KINCAIDOf a sort. I just want to assureyou we still have the greatestconfidence in you.

GOSLING

We’re close to getting them, I feelit. I would have gotten themyesterday if they didn’t put onthose Groucho glasses.

KINCAIDWait, you saw them putting them on?

Miller walks towards them.

KINCAIDAh, here he is now. Welcome backMr. Miller. I hope your trip toChina was invigorating.

Miller just shrugs. Gosling fake coughs.

KINCAIDOh forgive me, this is AgentGosling from the Bureau ofInvestigation. He’s been handling

matters while you’ve been gone.

GOSLINGHi, I’m sure we’ll be best friends!

Gosling holds out his hand. After a moment, Millerreluctantly shakes it, something Gosling finds uncomfortable.

GOSLINGWow, that’s some grip. What my dadused to call a ‘good son’s grip.’So, what’s your favorite LittleRascals movie?

Miller glares.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY

You know what a carnival looks like, it's like that, exceptin the 30s. The gang walks in.

TOMMYAll right, we're in and out 15 min-

GRACEI want to ride the roller coaster.

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MAURA I want to go in the haunted house!

TOMMYGod dammit we're here to-ooh,bumper cars!

They rush away, unaware of Miller observing them from adistance.

EXT. CARNIVAL - GAME AREA - DAY

Tommy is filling up a clown balloon. The prize goes to a kidbesides him. Tommy begins to argue with both the kid andcarny.

Ruby and Grace watch as Tommy argues.

GRACEWhy is he our leader?

RUBYLook, I know Tommy looks like aputz, and acts likes a putz,and....look, his energy, it'sinfectious. He's just a big kid;saying no to him would be liketelling a kid Santa isn't real.

GRACESanta isn't real?

RUBYUh...let's get some ice cream.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DINING AREA - DAY

The gang is eating ice cream.

ROLANDAs much fun as this is, I wouldlike to settle things.

TOMMY

Ugh, my stomach hurts...RUBY

Look, I think Roland and I canhandle this guy, we'll be back in abit.

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INT. BIG TOP - DAY

PACKETT (60) the ringmaster, is an old Brit, who projects a mushy dignity; like all Brits, he's pure evil. Ruby and

Roland approach him.

PACKETTRoland, what a pleasure! Whatbrings you to our fair-

ROLANDShut up, Packett. We're here foryour money.

He and Ruby hold up guns.

PACKETTOh Roland, no bullet could hurt meas much as this betrayal does; I,

who took pity on a pennilessimmigrant-

ROLANDNext word is your last.

Packett stands aside, but looks up and nods to an acrobat. Hethrows a SANDBAG attached to a rope, which hits RolandDIRECTLY IN THE HEAD, knocking him out.

A Pierrot clown grabs Ruby.

MILLERExcellent work, Agent Reddington.

Miller and other agents surround them.

PACKETTYou see dearie, the law figuredyou’d show up here sooner or later.Being an honest citizen, Inaturally agreed to help.

Ruby tries to reach for her gun, but Miller grabs it.

MILLERMiss Yates, right now I believe youare useful to me alive. If I wereyou, I wouldn’t try to change myview.

EXT. CARNIVAL - DINING AREA - DAY

Tommy and Grace sit alone at the table.

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GRACEYou like Ruby, don't you?

TOMMYOf course I do, she's a fine lady.

GRACENo, I mean, you know...

TOMMYIt wouldn't work out. Me and her,

we, you know, play for differentteams, if you get me. It’sunnatural, like a bullfrog ridingan alligator. And in most placesit’s illegal, like a bullfrogriding an alligator.

GRACETommy, we're bank robbers.

This has not occurred to Tommy. He gets up.

TOMMYI'm going to check on Ruby andRoland.

INT. BIG TOP - DAY

Tommy walks into the darkened and seemingly-empty big top.

TOMMYRuby? Ruby? Oh, uh, Roland?

A spotlight goes on. Miller, Gosling and Packett stand on thetrapezes platform.

MILLERWelcome, Preston.

TOMMYGosling? What the hell is this?

GOSLING

I-MILLER

It’s the end of the line, Preston.

Two spotlights appear.

ONE shows Roland STRAPPED TO A BOARD, where STIRBA THE KNIFE-THROWER tosses knifes, as befits her name. One hits justinches away from Roland’s manhood.

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The second shows Ruby HANGING FROM A ROPE, above a CAGE OFTIGERS, attended by ZOROFF THE LION TAMER and his two lions.

TOMMYThe hell? Wouldn't just tying themup been easier?

PACKETTI insisted on being a littletheatrical. Frankly, a littleappreciation would be nice. Now,hand over your gun.

Tommy sees Zoroff by him. He holds out the gun, but insteadof taking it by hand the tamer uses his whip to grab it andtoss it up to Packett.

PACKETTI realize this an asshole thing todo, but I really want to see this.May I?

MILLERFine with me.

Packett SHOOTS THE ROPE, and Ruby falls into the tiger cage.

TOMMYRuby!

Tommy GRABS THE ROPE, and holds onto it with all his might.

Ruby, terrified, hovers just above the tiger cage.

Tommy continues to hold, but eventually gives out.

Ruby screams and falls-

Ruby opens her eyes. The tigers are completely ignoring her;they continue to lounge and lick their paws.

PACKETTNo, no! Eat her you stupid animals!

Tommy climbs above the cage, and helps Ruby out. No sooner isthat done when a ROAR breaks out; Zoroff cracks his whip astwo LIONS surround them.

Tommy gets in front of Ruby.

The lions POUNCE, but the WEREWOLF POUNCES ON THEM.

TOMMYThat a girl, Grace!

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Stirba THROWS A KNIFE aiming right for Roland's heart, butit's SHOT AWAY by Maura.

Jonas cuts Roland free. Roland glares at Packett, and headstowards him, when Reddington delivers a swift kick to hishead.

TOMMYAn evil clown...now I've seeneverything.

Roland keeps trying to land a punch on Reddington but he'stoo fast. Ian pulls out FILING WIRE, and jumps on Roland'sback and starts to CHOKE HIM.

The Werewolf sees this, and THROWS one of the lions at them.Roland manages to pick up Ian and throw him at the lion, whoboth collide.

As this all goes on, a LITTLE BOY pokes his head into thetent.

LITTLE BOYWow!

The kid rushes to the action, getting close to the Werewolf.

Above, Miller aims his rifle at the werewolf, the kidseemingly in the way.

GOSLINGThat kid is pretty close.

MILLERYes.

GOSLINGWhat if you hit him?

MILLERThen I’ll aim again.

As Miller squeezes the trigger, Gosling grabs the rifle and manages to jerk it to the side.

GOSLINGNo!

The bullet misses the Werewolf and hits an agent in the butt.

Enraged, Miller punches Gosling, sending him through the tent wall.

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EXT. CARNIVAL - TENT - DAY

Gosling falls into a FISH TANK conveniently located right bythe tent.

INT. BIG TOP - DAY

The Werewolf, seeing Miller and the rest, starts climbing thepole to get them.

Packett runs away in fear.

The kid watches, unaware of a lion behind him. Just as itprepares to swipe him, Tommy grabs him away.

TOMMYWow, gotta pay attention kid.

LITTLE BOYHey, you’re Tommy Preston! Wow, I want to be just like you when Igrow up.

TOMMYWell you can, just don’t payattention in school, be aggressiveto your loved ones, and drinkbourbon.

LITTLE BOYI will!

TOMMYAh you’re a good kid. Here.

He hands the kid a gun and ruffles his hair.

TOMMYRun along you little scamp.

The kid does so.

Above, the Werewolf reaches the top of the pole. Miller aimshis rifle, but before he can fire, the Werewolf grabs it and

breaks it in half.The Werewolf swipes at Miller, but he manages to dodge againand again.

The gang watch from below.

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JONASI have an idea that’s not verypractical, but will lookimpressive.

He motions towards a cannon.

TOMMYGrace, down here!

The Werewolf knocks Miller off the platform, sending himright into a cannon.

Ruby lights the string, setting the cannon off and sendingMiller right through the roof of the tent.

INT. PACKETT’S OFFICE - DAY

Packett is hurriedly searching through his office, lookingfor something, making a big mess in the process.

PACKETTWhere the hell-ah!

He picks up his quarry, a silver-colored briefcase.

RUBYGoing somewhere?

Packett turns to see the gang.

PACKETTUh, I was just getting Roland whatI owe him.

He opens the case and takes out a wad of bills.

PACKETTI think this is what I owe you.

ROLANDI’ll take the rest of that too.

PACKETT

But-ROLAND

I’m a thief, remember?

Packett grumbles as he hands over the case.

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EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY

The gang are heading out of the carnival and pass a STRENGTHTESTER.

CARNIVAL BARKER

Hey hit the thing, win a prize.Roland looks at Grace, who smiles. He takes the mallet.

ROLANDI am Roland, the strongest man inthe world!

Roland SWINGS THE MALLET down on STRENGTH TESTER. The weightgoes straight to the top, exits, lands on something thatsends it into the carny's balls. EVERYONE LAUGHS.

EXT. FIELD - DAY

In the middle of a field, just by the carnival, Miller,seemingly none the worse for wear, rises up from the groundand brushes the dust off his suit.

Packett appears behind him.

PACKETTYou bloody bastard. You’ve ruined

me! I’ve lost everything! You told me we couldn’t fail!

MILLERTo be frank, Mr. Packett, I wouldhave told you anything to ensureyour cooperation.

PACKETTYou, you... I’ll show you!

Packett takes out a handgun, fires, and hits Miller directlyin the spine. He does not even flinch.

MILLERThat was a poor decision, Packett.

You know too much now.He turns and walks towards Packett.

Packett fires again and again at Miller. All of the bulletshit him, but he keeps coming.

PACKETTYou’re, you’re not human...

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Miller grabs Packett’s head and squeezes it, until - CRACK.

Gosling comes over to him, carrying a squirming catfish.

GOSLINGHey Miller I think this fish wants

to be my friend. Hey what’s wrong with-

Miller grabs the fish and hurls it away, hitting a tree.

GOSLINGGillian Fish!

Miller grabs Gosling by his lapel and lifts him up.

MILLERMr. Gosling, I see you are veryused to looking like an idiot. I amnot. Now, I have been ordered tohelp you apprehend these criminals.I suggest you let me.

EXT. CLASSY LADY - DAY

The gang stand by a somewhat run down building advertisingitself as the Classy Lady, with a billboard of aprovocatively dressed middle-aged woman winking.

TOMMYSounds classy.

INT. CLASSY LADY - DAY

It’s an old hotel, grand in its day, but now somewhat rundown.

Tommy stands at the front, talking to a receptionist.

RECEPTIONISTThat’ll be $5 per night.

TOMMYHmm, and what if I gave you this

signed photo of Wallace Beery?Tommy takes out a photo of a dachshund. Ruby turns to Grace.

RUBYGrace, this could take a bit. Whydon’t you find something moreinteresting?

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Grace looks around, and sees a group of kids playing jacks.TONY (11) makes his move.

TONYI call this one Riding the Zebra.

He makes a basic move. STINKY JOHNSON (14) makes the next.STINKY

Yeah, well wait’ll you see theHanging Clown.

He makes the exact same move.

GRACEHere, let me have a turn.

STINKYBeat it, we don’t play with girls,girl.

GRACEOh really? I thought this was agame for toilet people.

STINKYNo one calls Stinky Robertson aJohnson person! You’re on!

What follows is a short montage of the kids playing jacks, with the thrill of victory and agony of defeat that entails.

At the end, a boy sadly turns in his decoder ring into a pileof kid junk.

BOYHow am I going to explain this to

mom...

Stinky goes up to Grace.

STINKYYou play good. I guess girls can do

more than fix dresses and scare

dogs.GRACE

Thanks. So, same time tomorrow?

STUDENTUh, sorry, it’s Thanksgiving. Ihave to hang out with the family,eat turkey, you know?

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The other kids murmur “Yeah” “Me too” etc.

GRACEOh. Yeah, I remember now, me too.

The kids walk away.

Grace looks glum; Ruby notices.

INT. CLASSY LADY - JONAS' ROOM - DAY

Tommy is incredulous.

TOMMYThanksgiving dinner? Sounds like ahassle.

RUBYI think Grace would like it.

TOMMYReally? Huh...I'll see what I cando.

Tommy gets up and leaves.

JONASYou and Tommy seem to be gettingfond of each other. I recall youkneeing him in the groin when youfirst met him.

RUBYWell, you hang around people longenough you grow fond of them, likea busted watch or a toothache.

JONASYou know, you'd have had brokenseveral hearts by now, had you notbeen forced to look after a foolishold man.

RUBY

Oh God.JONAS

(playingly mocking)A pure foolish old man, who can'teven chew his own mush.

He mimes chewing mush. Ruby laughs in spite of herself, andgets up to leave, followed by Jonas.

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JONASOh, this mush had a hair in it!

INT. CLASSY LADY - TOMMY’S ROOM - DAY

A table sits in the center of the room.

Maura and Roland enter the room, carrying pizza boxes.

ROLANDThanksgiving dinner everyone!

TOMMYWhat the hell? Where's the turkey?

MAURA It looked so sad, I had to set itfree.

TOMMYWait, you got a live turkey?

Roland shakes his heade.

They place the boxes on the table, opening them to reveal thepizza.

RUBYWhat is this?

MAURA It's called pizza. It's great!

Tommy suspiciously takes a bite, then grunts approvingly.

INT. CLASSY LADY - TOMMY’S ROOM - DAY

The gang sit around the table.

MAURA I'm grateful for Donald Duck, theThree Stooges, and WilliamFaulkner. Oh, I'm also glad Jimmy'sdead and we have Grace instead.

TOMMY(whispering, to Ruby)

Who's Jimmy?

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ROLANDI’m grateful to live in thiscountry, where you can believe andsay anything you want, as long asit doesn't rock the boat too much,and I’m grateful to be among you,

my friends. And of course, that wefound you, Grace.

RUBYI'm just grateful for, well,everyone I suppose. Especially you,Grace.

TOMMYWell, I'm grateful that I'm thebaddest guy in the country, andit’s all due to my intelligence,determination and charisma. AndGrace.

Jonas stands up.

JONASYou know, I've been involved in thefine art of stealing since I stole

my little brother's lollipop at age3. Since then I've known quite anumber of ne'er-do-wells; ButchCassidy, Al Capone, Harvey Bailey-

TOMMYJonas I'm starving!

JONAS-so now it means something when Isay I'm grateful that this is thebest damn gang there's ever been,that I feel as young as a teenager,and it's all thanks to this girl!

Grace is happy but a bit shy of all the attention.

GRACE

Thanks. I'm grateful that...I foundyou guys, that I'm...not aloneanymore. It's....really nice.

TOMMYThat's great, now, let's eat.

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INT. CLASSY LADY - TOMMY’S ROOM - NIGHT

Grace lies on a couch trying to stay awake while Tommy readsher a book.

TOMMY

“And so Ricky Rabbit and all hisfriends went down to the pound tohave a rabbit party” - jeez, thisauthor is not very clever.

GRACEHey, it’s a real...turd...

Grace drifts off to sleep.

Jonas picks her up as he, Maura and Roland leave.

JONASWe head out at noon?

TOMMYYeah. Night.

They leave. Ruby picks up a box.

TOMMYAren't you going too?

RUBYNah, I figured I'd help clean up.

TOMMYOh. Uh, I was just planning toleave it like this.

RUBYOh. Well then-

She drops the BOX.

RUBYDone.

They laugh.They lean in to kiss-

A small bomb bursts in through the window.

Tommy grabs Ruby.

TOMMYRun!

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INT. CLASSY LADY - HALLWAY - NIGHT

Tommy and Ruby get out just as the room explodes into flames.Other rooms do so as well.

EXT. CLASSY LADY - NIGHT

Agents continue to throw the devices in the apartment, asMiller and a confused Gosling look on.


Tommy and Ruby push through the hallway, now on fire andfilled with smoke and panicked tenants.

They run into Maura and Roland.

RUBYWhere's Jonas and Grace?

There's knocking at a door.

INT. CLASSY LADY - JONAS’S ROOM - NIGHT

The room is filled with smoke; Jonas pounds on the door whileGrace lies with a wet towel over her face.

As Jonas is about to pass out, the door is torn off itshinges by Roland. They then help get Jonas and Grace out.

EXT. CLASSY LADY - NIGHT

Gosling sees people coming out, coughing, some carryingunconscious people.

GOSLINGStop this. We're putting innocentpeople in danger.

MILLERNo one is innocent, Mr. Gosling

GOSLINGI meant more in the legal than

philosophical sense.MILLER

Oh. Well then yes, we areendangering innocent people. Whatof it?

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GOSLINGAs your superior officer in thisoperation I’m ordering you to standdown.

MILLER

You are not my superior inanything, Gosling. If you disagree with my approach you may file a

complaint. Until then I stronglyrecommend you be quiet.

Gosling looks like a deer in the headlights.


The gang is heading for the exit, when AGENTS appear. Tommygrabs a man.

TOMMYStand back, we got a hostag-

An agent SHOOTS the hostage, killing him instantly, toTommy's shock and horror.

TOMMYI-I was bluffing!

The Agents start firing at them. The gang ducks into a nearbyroom. Right before, Tommy looks through the flaming hallway;Miller stands at the end, his face blank, his coat waving; anangel of death.

Miller holds up his hand, and the agents stop as he calmly walks through the flames as if they weren’t there.

He turns down the same way the gang went, and walks up to theend door.

The Werewolf then bursts out the door, and charges down thehallway at Miller. The gang peek out behind her.

TOMMYGet ‘em, Grace!

She lunges, but Miller catches her and judo-throws her to theground. The gang is shocked.

Miller then delivers a sharp kick to her mouth. He moves todo so again, but the Werewolf kicks Miller, sending him intothe wall.

The Werewolf rushes up to him but he grabs her open mouth andstarts to pry it apart.

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MILLERGot you now you little-

The Werewolf gathers her strength and slams against the wall,Miller hitting it in front of her. The force breaks throughthe wall into-

EXT. CLASSY LADY - WALL - NIGHT

-the outside. The Werewolf holds on with her claws stickinginto the stone wall, but Miller is trying to drag her down.

Suddenly, a shoe hits Miller’s face. Then a vase.

The gang are throwing various items at Miller thorugh the window, trying to knock him down.

JONASAssaulting a child is low-gradeeven for a man of law!

Jonas hurls a bottle of gin at Miller, who drops and falls tothe ground.

Tommy and Roland begin to pull the Werewolf up.

TOMMYDon’t worry Grace, everything isfine now.

Agents show up behind them.

TOMMYGod damn dramatic irony!

The agents rush to the hole, but the gang is gone.

They look down to see the gang riding on the Werewolf as sheclimbs down.

The agents start FIRING. The Werewolf starts moving fast andfurious to avoid the bullets, as the gang struggles to holdon.

They get to the ground and head to the Nash.Once in it, the gang drives through the agents firing atthem.

EXT. ROAD - NIGHT

The Nash drives by an empty field.

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INT. NASH - DAY

The gang sits silently, shell-shocked.

TOMMYOkay, we’re all a little freaked

out, but we’re all alive. We areright?

No one answers.

TOMMYYeah, we are. Now, this was goingto happen sooner or later, butdon’t worry, I planned for it.

GRACEWhat is it?

TOMMYFirst, I turn myself in. Now, now,let me finish. Once in custody I’mgoing to start a line ofcommunication with the First Lady,put on the ol’ Preston charm, andshe’ll convince her husband to giveus all pardons. Heh, are you guyslucky to know me or what?

Tommy turns to see everyone staring at him in disbelief.

TOMMYAll right, plan b: we go to Mexicoand stay there till things blowover. Now, did anyone happen tosave any of the money?

MAURA Ooh! I hid these here earlier.

Maura reaches down and pulls out a bag.

TOMMYAh thata girl Maura. How much is in

there?MAURA

Oh, it’s not money. Just picturesof us.

She starts passing them out.

TOMMYDamn it Maura we need-

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Ruby hands him a photo and Tommy smiles.

TOMMYOh I remember this, when we robbedthat zoo.

INSERT: The picture shows Tommy pretending an elephant’strunk is his penis.

TOMMYHeheh, good Maura. Still, we’regoing to need some guns.

INT. J. EDGAR HOOVER’S OFFICE - DAY

Gosling barges into the room.

GOSLINGI'm sorry for not scheduling anappointment Director Hoover butthis is important-

Goslings realizes Miller and Kincaid are in the room withHoover. Hoover glares at him.

HOOVERAgent Gosling. We were just talkingabout you.

KINCAIDI'm Professor Kincaid, I'm anadviser to Agent Miller. We werejust sharing this information aboutyour conduct.

GOSLINGWhat conduct?

MILLERYou've ignored your duty and usedfunds to hold drug-fueled orgies.

GOSLINGWhat's an orgy?

HOOVERDon't play dumb, they have photos.

Hoover throws photos at Gosling, who picks them up and looksat them. He cringes at them.

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GOSLINGBut...these are fake! I haven'teven had sex....with thisparticular woman.

HOOVER

I don't want to hear another wordfrom you, you modern-day Caligula.You've shamed me and the entiredepartment. You're fired. Get thehell out of my sight.

Gosling stammers for a bit, before leaving.

EXT. GUN STORE - NIGHT

The Nash pulls up to a small store and get out.

TOMMYOkay, I know this guy and can getus a good deal.

INT. GUNSHOP - NIGHT

Tommy strolls up to the counter while the others look around.

At the counter is AL, a middle-aged balding man of averagebuild.

TOMMYHey, where’s Ralph?

ALVacation.

TOMMYThat sounds like Ralph. He’s alwaysgoing on about how he’d like totake a vacation. He’s funny that

way.

Maura is looking at a gun, when a drop of red liquid falls onher from an air vent.

JONASWhat the...?

Roland opens the air vent and a dead body falls out.

JONASDear God!

Tommy turns his head right before Al aims the gun at hishead.

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TOMMYListen I am trying to negotiatehere would you please be quiet?

Ruby grabs Tommy and shoves him down out before he’s hit.

Roland grabs a box of ammunition and hits Al square in thehead. Al falls and Tommy takes his gun, aiming it at histemple as Roland holds him down.

TOMMYAll right, what the hell’s goingon? You guys aren’t supposed tokill civilians, even if Hoover does

want us!

ALHoover?

Al starts to laugh, unnerving the gang.TOMMY

Stop-stop it! We’re the gangsters,see! Who are you guys?

ALYou think we give a shit about somebank robbing hicks? It’s the girl

we want.

TOMMYMaura? Listen, unless you want tolisten to a 5 hour talk about the‘semiotics’ of Donald Duck-

ALThe girl who turns into a wolf, youidiot!

TOMMYOh. That makes much more sense.

ALIf you’re smart, you’ll give her up

now. We’ll keep coming until we gether. You won’t have a moment’srest.

TOMMYYeah? Well, I haven’t been smartall my life and I ain’t startingnow!

He shoots Al in the head.

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TOMMYGet the guns and let’s go.

INT. BAR - DAY

Gosling sits at a bar, sad.

BARTENDERThe usual, Mr. Gosling.

GOSLINGNo, after the day I had, I needsomething to really knock me on myass. I'll take two scoops of icecream in my root beer float.

The phone rings. The bartender picks it up, listens, andhands it to Gosling.

BARTENDERIt's for you.

GOSLINGHello?

MYSTERIOUS VOICEThe symbols on the girl. Track themdown and you'll find your answers.

GOSLINGWho is this?

The line goes dead.

EXT. FIELD - NIGHT

The gang are out in a field, Roland cooking while Tommy andRuby talk.

Grace sits down, looking glum. Jonas sits down next to her.

JONASWhy so glum, Grace?

GRACEWe’re being hunted down likeanimals and it’s all because of me.

JONASOh, that. Well, let me tell you astory. Back when I was riding withButch Cassidy, banks would send allsorts of bounty hunters after us.

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There was one summer we had a nastyone after us, leading 50 men. Wouldnot let up. We spent months ofnights huddled in fear, wonderingif we would live to see the sunrise.

GRACEWhat did you do?

JONASWell, one night, I snuck off. And Inever saw any of them again.

GRACEYou didn’t feel guilty?

JONASAt the beginning. Luckily I metsomeone who helped.

He lifts up a bottle of clear alcohol and starts drinking.

JONASAh, that’s the stuff.

GRACEThis story isn’t really helping.

JONASIt’s not, isn’t it? Oh right.Anyway, after I left I figured I’dgo straight, become a farmer orcobbler or whatever. But Irealized, I missed it.

GRACERobbing banks?

JONASNo, fearing for my life. The worstthing in this life is feeling likea nobody. And let me tell you, younever feel like a nobody when a

bunch of people are out to killyou.

GRACEThat’s not really helpful either.

JONASOh. Well, ummm....everything’s apart of God’s plan, and things will

work themselves out.

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Tommy and Ruby walk back.

TOMMYOkay, so, the plan is to go Mexico.We can do this, as long as we keepcalm and don’t lose our heads.

There’s a rustling in the bushes.

TOMMYWhat is that, shoot to kill!

HAL, a middle-aged man in a sharp suit with a car salesman’sgrin, holds up his hands.

HALHold on, hold on! I’m here to help.

They lower their weapons.

HALThe name’s Hal. I represent a partyinterested in the services of theTommy Preston gang.

TOMMYWho?

Hal smiles.

INT. OCCULT BOOK STORE - DAY

Gosling walks in, carrying a notebook. In addition to oldbooks, the walls have spooky paintings such as Fuseli's TheNightmare and Goya's The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters.

At the front desk sits JACQUELINE BROOKS (26) a cool,gorgeous woman wearing dark clothing, reading a Weird Tales.

Gosling is intimidated, but walks up, trying to be smooth.

GOSLINGHello, I'm-

JACQUELINEListen, if you're worried Draculabit your dick, go a doctor, I'm notlooking at it.

GOSLINGWhat? No, I'm hoping you can help

me find out what these symbols mean.

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He opens the notebook and shows her sketches of the symbols.

JACQUELINEHmm...it'll take a while to gothrough the books, I'll have toclose the store.

GOSLINGPerhaps I can make it up to you,over dinner?

JACQUELINEOr you could just pay me in cash.

GOSLINGSure, sure.

INT. DILLINGER’S PAD - NIGHT

The large room is mostly empty, but has the look of aHollywood Arabic harem set, with pillows to sit on and Arabicand Oriental decorations. Smooth Jazz plays.

The people assembled are for the most part pretty and young,but are relatively multiethnic for the time period, chatting

while smoking and drinking wine. The atmosphere is Bohemian.

Tommy follows the man, mystified by the whole thing. Finally,they come to a stop in the center, where a man is talking toa crowd who hang on his every word.

The man is dressed like the Devil himself. He's calm, noinsecurity or anxiety. He's the coolest man in the room andhe knows it.

Tommy's mouth drops.

TOMMYIs that...?

HALYes sir. That's John Dillinger.

DILLINGER

So I tell the guy, 'well, I guessthat makes you the man with thespider dick.'

Everyone bursts out laughing.

HALMr. Dillinger, this is Mr. Preston

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DILLINGERAh, excellent, excellent. It'sTommy, right-

Dillinger reaches out to shake Tommy's hand, but Tommy kneelsdown and holds Dillinger's hand without eye contact.

TOMMYMr. Dillinger, sir , it is atremendous honor to be in yourpresence. You have been one of thegreatest inspirations in my life,along with Jesse James, Billy theKid and Susan B. Anthony. I belie-

DILLINGERRelax man, come on, get up.

Tommy slowly sits up.

DILLINGERI brought you here because I wantto talk business. But first, youlike Jesse James? 'Cause I got aprivate film collection, and I gota film that may interest you.

TOMMYThe 1927 Jesse James, with FredThomson?

DILLINGERHmm-hmm. I'll have them put it on.And here, to make it interesting.

Dillinger reaches into his pocket and pulls out a joint.

TOMMYIs that-

DILLINGERMarijuana. The devil's weed. Greencocaine. Most white men, just a

whiff of it turns them into

mindless killers, but if you're a master of your mind like me, itjust expands your mind, gives youintrospection, and an appreciationfor the cuisine of our Southernneighbors.

Tommy stares at the joint before slowly taking it and takinga puff. He coughs, then smiles.

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INT. KINCAID'S LAIR - NIGHT

It's a large cavern, almost Gothic but with cutting-edgetechnology.

Miller walks down the stairs and heads towards Kincaid. He

passes such things such as a stuffed yeti, a butterfly framecontaining dead FAERIES, old books with arcane markings, andvarious artifacts.

Kincaid and Ms. Reid both wear white lab coats and darkgoggles, and stand by a large electrical device, the sort ofthing you'd see in a Frankenstein movie. It shoots electricalrays into a large cocoon.

KINCAIDAh Mr. Miller, you're just in time.

MILLERSir, I would like to personallyapologize for our failure torecapture the girl.

KINCAIDYes,

Grace - Douglas Ketcham

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Transcript of Grace - Douglas Ketcham