It’s a dead-end.
DRIVER #1
That’s the idea.
SOUND
THE VAN SLOWS AND CORNERS. DRIVING ON.
DRIVER #2
He’s still there.
DRIVER #1
Maybe he’s lost.
DRIVER #2
(doubtful) Maybe. . .
DRIVER #1
Pull over. Let’s help him out.
SOUND
THE VAN STOPS. BEHIND THEM, JIM’S CAR PULLS OVER, IDLING. DRIVER #2 SETS THE HAND-BRAKE AND SWITCHES OFF THE VAN. DRIVER #1 OPENS HIS DOOR AND CLIMBS OUT.
DRIVER #2
What if he’s a cop?
DRIVER #1
In a beat-up Toyota? Gimme the tire iron. Under the seat.
SOUND
FUMBLING FOR A TIRE IRON.
DRIVER #2
I’ll watch your back.
DRIVER #1
Watch this. Time to go to school.
SOUND
FOLLOWING DRIVER #1 AS HE WALKS BACK TO THE CAR. SHOES ON PAVEMENT. CRICKETS.
DRIVER #1
You lost?
SOUND
JIM’S CAR WINDOW ROLLS DOWN.
JIM
(from inside his car) Sorry?
DRIVER #1
Lemme give you a hand, college boy.
JIM
That’s all right.
DRIVER #1
I insist.
SOUND
THE CAR DOOR OPENS. JIM GETS OUT.
JIM
Didn’t I see you, before?
DRIVER #1
Before what?
JIM
Back on Pico, at the Stop ’N Start.
DRIVER #1
What about it?
JIM
You dropped off an old friend of mine.
DRIVER #1
Did I?
JIM
Haven’t seen Juano lately. What’s he up to?
DRIVER #1
You must think you’re a pretty big man. Following people around in the middle
DRIVER #1 (cont’d)
of the night, asking questions. . .
JIM
The only thing I want to know is –
SOUND
DRIVER #1 SWINGS THE TIRE IRON. JIM GRUNTS AND FALLS. THE TIRE IRON HITS THE PAVEMENT AFTER HIM WITH A CLANG.
DRIVER #1
(calling) Paulie! Get ridda this piece of crap.
DRIVER #2
How?
DRIVER #1
Shoot him with a trank. Then put him in with the rest of the creeps.
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
THRU TO:
SOUND
IN THE BACK OF THE VAN – MOVING – LATER.
FADE IN THE RUMBLE OF THE ENGINE.
A TRUCK BLASTS ITS HORN AND PASSES.
NARRATOR
He came to in the back of the van. The wheels were humming and there was a sweet, sickening smell in the air. It reminded him of high school biology class – and something else. He tried to remember what it was. After a while he heard voices. They slipped in and out of a dream. The tranquilizer was wearing off. . .
SOUND
JIM COMES TO AND TRIES TO SIT UP IN THE STEEL INTERIOR.
JIM
(groans) What in the –?
VOICES
Going home. . .
Soon. . .
Yes, soon. . .
JIM
Who are you?
VOICES
Soup of the day. . .
Coming right up. . .
Take your ticket. . .
Yes, sir. . .
Please, sir. . .
Right this way. . .
JIM
Where are we?
VOICES
Heading home now. . .
Room for you, too. . .
It’s coming. . .
Be here soon. . .
JIM
Where?
VOICES
Here. . .
Always here. . .
Soon. . .
Yes. . .
Soon. . .
(low) Can you understand what I’m saying? We have to get out of here – now.
VOICES
So cold. . .
Let us rest.
Yes. . .
rest. . .
Good to rest. . .
SOUND
A FIST BANGS ON THE WIRE PARTITION.
DRIVER #2
(off) Cool it back there!
SOUND
THE VOICES QUIET DOWN.
CUT TO:
IN THE VAN – FRONT SEAT.
DRIVER #1
Step on it, kid. We’re runnin’ late.
DRIVER #2
It’s coming up.
DRIVER #1
Look in the map book.
DRIVER #2
I think I see the sign.
DRIVER #1
Shouldn’ta let you drive. . .
DRIVER #2
There. “Tiny’s Self-Serve Gas. We Never Close.”
DRIVER #1
Pull up to the booth.
SOUND
THE VAN SLOWS, TURNS IN AND STOPS.
THEY OPEN THEIR DOORS AND GET OUT.
ATTENDANT
Finally!
DRIVER #1
What’s happening, vato? [vaah-toe]
ATTENDANT
You bring my relief?
DRIVER #2
Sure did.
ATTENDANT
A nice one?
DRIVER #1
Special, just for you. Give him the nice one, Paulie.
DRIVER #2
You got it.
SOUND
OPENING THE VAN DOOR.
DRIVER #1
(low) How’s the college boy?
DRIVER #2
(low) Havin’ sweet dreams.
ATTENDANT
You’re not giving me a dude, are you?
DRIVER #1
Relax. Introduce him to the swing shift.
SOUND
DRIVER #2 HELPS A YOUNG WOMAN OUT OF THE VAN. HER FLAT SHOES ON THE METAL FLOORBOARD AND THEN THE PAVEMENT.
DRIVER #2
You’re up, sweets.
GAS STATION GIRL
(dazed) Which pump, please? No credit cards. . .
DRIVER #1
Ain’t she fine?
ATTENDANT
Whoa.
DRIVER #2
You don’t like her?
ATTENDANT
(sniffing) Pew. She reeks.
DRIVER #1
So? She sits behind the glass.
ATTENDANT
She’ll stink up the booth. Tiny says clean uniforms.
DRIVER #2
Give her yours. You’re goin’ home.
ATTENDANT
No way. I’d have to wash it.
GAS STATION GIRL
Exact change only. Free air and water. . .
DRIVER #2
Might be worth it.
ATTENDANT
How come?
DRIVER #2
You get to put it on her.
MUSIC.
EPISODE SCORE (DARK).
SOUND
BRIDGE THRU TO:
IN THE VAN – MOVING AGAIN – LATER.
AS A SIREN PASSES.
THE VAN SLOWS AND TURNS INTO ANOTHER LOT.
DRIVER #1
Roll your window down and talk to the plastic chicken.
SOUND
VAN WINDOW ROLLING DOWN.
FAST-FOOD GUY
(from a tiny speaker) Welcome to El Polio Muerto. Take your order? Chinken tenders, hot wings. . .
DRIVER #2
Sounds good to me!
DRIVER #1
On the way out.
FAST-FOOD GUY
That you guys?
DRIVER #2
Big as life.
FAST-FOOD GUY
You’re late.
Good help’s hard to find.
FAST-FOOD GUY
Come around to the side.
SOUND
THE VAN DRIVES SLOWLY THRU THE LOT.
DRIVER #2
Get him ready.
DRIVER #1
(calling) Wake up back there, Chicky-Boy!
CHICKY-BOY
(off, groggy, from behind them) Take your order. Chicken tenders. . . chicken wings. . . clucky bucket. Take your order. . .
DRIVER #2
Order me one clucky bucket, to go!
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
BRIDGE THRU TO:
SOUND
IN THE VAN – MOVING – LATER.
DRIVER #2
All done, boss?
DRIVER #1
One more stop.
DRIVER #2
We don’t have any more. ’Cept for College Boy. . .
DRIVER #1
GO up in the hills.
DRIVER #2
Oh, I get it. Another “accident”. But Manny, it’s too soon, after last night. . .
DRIVER #1
Take the road up the canyon, past the cemetery.
DRIVER #2
What’s up there?
DRIVER #1
You like TV, Paulie?
DRIVER #2
I guess. The ones with the car chases.
DRIVER #1
Well, where do you think they film those car chases? Not in Hollywood – too much
DRIVER #1 (cont’d)
traffic. They like to get away from it all. Do anything they want.
DRIVER #2
You mean we’re goin’ to a movie set?
DRIVER #1
Second-unit. That’s where the real action is.
DRIVER #2
Man, oh, man. . .!
DRIVER #1
Hang a right. Go till you see lights and a generator truck.
SOUND
THE VAN TURNS, BOUNCING OVER ROCKY DIRT.
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
QUICK BRIDGE THRU TO:
SOUND
EXT. – NIGHT – MOVIE LOCATION.
OUTDOOR ATMOSPHERE. IN THE B.G. AN ELECTRIC DRILL, HAMMERS ON METAL AND WOOD, FOOTSTEPS ON DIRT. AND IN THE DISTANCE, A FAINT RUMBLE OF THUNDER.
DIRECTOR
(calling) Let’s go, people! Last shot of the night.
CREW #1
(off) All set up over here.
CREW #2
(off) Give me one minute.
DIRECTOR
Camera?
CREW #3
(off) Ready.
DIRECTOR
Is the ramp clear?
CREW #3
All the way to the end.
DIRECTOR
You sure it’ll hold?
CREW #1
Definitely.
DIRECTOR
Somebody dust the hood of the car. I want it to shine.
CREW #1
Yes, sir.
DIRECTOR
Where’s the dummy? I can’t see the dummy.
CREW #2
He keeps fallin’ over.
DIRECTOR
Well, wire him up! Flares for the pyro.
CREW #2
Check.
DIRECTOR
Push the button, soon as it goes off the ramp and touches down. This isn’t a run-through. I need it in one. Now. . . let’s make it real!
CREW #2
Switches set.
CREW #1
On your count. . .
CREW #3
Wait.
DIRECTOR
Now what?
CREW #3
The dummy.
DIRECTOR
What’s wrong with it?
CREW #3
Check the monitor. He’s not lookin’ so real.
DIRECTOR
What happened to the hat? Somebody put it on him. Pull it down low.
CREW #3
Can’t. It won’t match.
DIRECTOR
Why not?
CREW #3
He lost the hat in the previous scene.
DIRECTOR
So turn the head away.
CREW #3
He’s supposed to be watchin’ the road.
DIRECTOR
Then – think of something. That’s your job!
CREW #3
Give me a hint.
DIRECTOR
Let the car go by. Pan from behind, so the face doesn’t show.
CREW #3
Then they’ll see the end of the ramp.
CREW #1
I can lay a few more feet.
DIRECTOR
There’s no time. One more hour and we lose the dark.
CREW #2
How’s this? Camera angle from in front. When the burn starts, we can’t see him through the windshield, ’cause of all the smoke.
DIRECTOR
Then what’s the point of the shot? Read the script! He goes off the end, comes down, and catches fire! We see him burning in the wreck! This isn’t some Old Starsky and Hutch – it’s hi-def!
SOUND
THE VAN ARRIVES OVER A BUMPY ACCESS ROAD, PUMPING MUFFLED MUSIC, AND STOPS.
CREW #1
Who’s that?
DIRECTOR
(surprised) I don’t believe it. The cavalry.
SOUND
THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND THE DRIVERS GET OUT. THEY WALK UP TO THE DIRECTOR.
DRIVER #1
Hey, big guy.
DIRECTOR
How did you know?
DRIVER #1
I got ESP. This is Paulino, my new boy.
DRIVER #2
Hi! I seen your show lots of times. . .!
DIRECTOR
I should’ve called you in the first place. Walk with me.
SOUND
THEY WALK OVER TWIGS AND GRAVEL, BACK TO THE VAN.
DRIVER #1
What do you need?
DIRECTOR
What’s in the van tonight?
DRIVER #2
One male. Fresh as a daisy.
DIRECTOR
You want him back?
DRIVER #1
Why? You gonna take him home?
DIRECTOR
Car crash. A real torch job.
DRIVER #1
Crispy-critter time.
DIRECTOR
There won’t be much left.
DRIVER #1
No problem. He was gonna get cremated anyway.
DRIVER #2
Is this for Streets of Pacoima? That’s
DRIVER #2 (cont’d)
my favorite show. I watch it all the time. . .
DRIVER #1
Shut up, Paulie. (to the director) One time only, huh? Cost you extra.
DIRECTOR
Invoice the studio. Make it for “Overtime craft services.”
DRIVER #1
This one’s off the books.
DIRECTOR
Then send the bill to my secretary.
DRIVER #1
Aren’t you gonna ask how much?
DIRECTOR
What choice do I have? We’re over-schedule. Either it’s in the can tonight – or I am. (calling) Donnie!
CREW #4
(off) Yo!
DIRECTOR
Wannna earn a bonus?
SOUND
A CREWMAN HURRIES OVER.
CREW #4
Sure!
SOUND
THE BACK DOOR OF THE VAN OPENS.
DRIVER #1
He’s all yours.
CREW #4
Huh?
DIRECTOR
Strap him in the car.
DRIVER #2
Let’s go, sweetmeat.
SOUND
DRAGGING JIM OUT.
JIM
(groggy) What. . .
DIRECTOR
Take the mask off the dummy and put it
DIRECTOR (cont’d)
over his head
.
CREW #4
Him? But – but he’s. . .
DIRECTOR
You’ve got a lot to learn about the business, son. Let me explain it to you. (confidentially) The man is a terminal cancer patient, all right? He wants to cash in his life insurance policy. Or would you rather see his family on the street?
CREW #4
No, but – I mean –