Copyright Dylan - Star Spawn BBS 1995 all rights reserved.



                                                    FADE IN:

     

     EXT.  -  MULHOLLAND DRIVE  -  NIGHT

     

     A RED MG MIDGET whips through the curves, top down to let in

     the light of the bright moon.

     

     MARTY CASTLE, in his early thirties, drives as though he's

     chased by demons.  THE TIRES SQUEAL as the car twists to

     follow the road. 

     

     DARCY HALE slumps in the passenger's seat, her shoulder

     harness strapped a little too tightly across her frame.

     

     Marty reaches over and shakes her.  

     

             MARTY

                    Come on, Darcy.  you've gotta

                    stay awake.  You've gotta stay

                    with me.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'm awake.  I'm awake.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Good girl.  Hang in there. 

                    Stay awake.

                    

                    He returns his hand to the wheel.  His hand leaves a dark

     smear of blood on the leather wheel-grip.

     

     

     INT.  -  A HOSPITAL WAITING AREA -  NIGHT

     

     THIS WAITING ROOM SEQUENCE TAKES PLACE ENTIRELY M.O.S. UNDER

     MUSIC. 

     

     MARTY sits in a vinyl covered chair.  He stands.  He paces

     the length of the room.  He sits again.  He stands again,

     starts to pace, changes his mind, sits.

     

     A DOCTOR joins him.  The doctor speaks with him quietly for

     a moment [STILL M.O.S] and departs.

     

     Marty sits heavily.  He lets out a controlled breath, rubs

     his eyes then, making a decision, stands sharply and calls

     after the doctor.  THIS WE DO HEAR:

     

             MARTY

                    Dr. Murrow?

                    

                    Doctor MURROW turns back to face him.

     

             MARTY  (cont'd)

                    Let me tell her, huh?

                    

                    Murrow hesitates.

     

             MARTY  (cont'd)

                    Please?

                    

     It is an unusual request but Murrow nods his acquiescence.

     

     Marty nods a "thank you" and heads for the nurse's desk.

     

     The NURSE points him in the right direction and he starts

     down a long corridor.

     

     

     

     INT.  -  DARCY'S HOSPITAL ROOM  -  DAWN

     

     Darcy, unconscious, with an I.V. running into her arm,

     breathes deeply.  A HEART MONITOR BEEPS rhythmically.

     

     Marty sits beside her bed.  Dark bags underline his eyes. 

     He grasps Darcy's hand, pressing it to his cheek.

     

     Beyond the window, the sun creeps from below the horizon.

     

     A hidden frame supports the sheets toward the foot of

     Darcy's bed, keeping them from pressing down on her.

     

             MARTY

                    You're gonna be fine, Baby. 

                    The Doctor said you'll be

                    coming around and you'll be

                    just fine.

                    

     He bites his lip.  He looks away now as he speaks.  It is

     the only way he can keep making words.

     

             MARTY  (cont'd)

                    And I'll stick with you.  I'll

                    take care of you, get you all

                    better.  Everything'll be

                    okay, Darcy.  I really love

                    you.

                    

     She stirs in her sleep, moans just a little.

     

                    MARTY     (cont'd)

                    Just lie still.  Sleep now. 

                    Get your rest.  I'm right

                    here.  I'm not going anywhere.

                    

                    DARCY

                         (MUMBLING)

                    Marty?  's at you?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah.  It's me, Sweetie.  Stay

                    asleep.

                    

     Her eyes open.  She takes him in without moving.  He moves

     quickly to wipe away his tears before she sees them.

     

                    DARCY

                    It hurts, Marty.  My legs feel

                    real heavy.  And they're on

                    fire.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Uh...  you should really sleep

                    some, Darce.  You've been

                    through a hell of a night. 

                    

     Darcy senses that something's wrong.  She grips his hand

     tightly.

     

             DARCY

                    What's wrong, Marty?  What's

                    the matter?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Come on, Baby.  I'm serious. 

                    You're real doped up, right

                    now.  You should--

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'm fine, Marty.  I'm awake. 

                    See?

                         (she manages a tired

                                             smile)

                    I'm a little bleary, but I'm

                    fine.  Now, what the hell

                    happened?

                         (beat)

                    Is something wrong with my

                    legs, Marty?  

                    

     Marty takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.

     

             DARCY

                    Marty...?

                    

     He looks away, avoiding her eyes.

     

             DARCY  (cont'd)

                    Just tell me, Marty.  I want

                    to know.

                    

                    DARCY     (cont'd)

                         (Her eyes widen with

                                             fear as she

                                             realizes...).

                    They're gonna be scarred

                    aren't they.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (tightly)

                    Look.  Darcy--

                    

     She speaks over him very fast with nearly hysterical good

     cheer.

     

             DARCY

                    It's okay, Marty.  They can do

                    plastic surgery.  You know? 

                    They can do just about

                    anything nowadays.

                    

     Marty grips her hand, staring into her eyes, trying to break

     in on her rambling little monologue.

     

             DARCY  (cont'd)

                    Hey!  Maybe as long as they're

                    at it that can throw in a

                    little lyposuction, get my

                    thighs into shape.  It'll be--

                    

                    MARTY

                         (SHARPLY)

                    Darcy!

                    

     She goes silent, watching him, waiting, then...

     

             MARTY  (cont'd)

                    They couldn't save 'em, Darcy. 

                    I'm sorry.

                    

                    DARCY

                         (DULLY)

                    No.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?

                    

                    

                    

                    DARCY

                    It's not true.  It's not,

                    Marty.  It's not true.  Don't

                    lie to me.

                    

     Marty reaches across and hugs her tightly, pressing her face

     to his chest.  She pushes him away, ashen, but completely

     non-emotional.  She straightens the sheet that covers her.  

     

             MARTY

                    I'm sorry, Honey.  I really

                    am.  It was a shot gun blast. 

                    At about thirty feet.  You

                    were lucky it came in low. 

                    There just wasn't... just

                    wasn't enough for the doctor's

                    to--

                    

     Darcy points a finger at him accusingly.

     

             DARCY

                    Lucky?  You say--

                         (she begins to laugh

                                             sharply)

                    You're playing a joke on me. 

                    Aren't you?  You got me this

                    time, Man.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (pleading)

                    Darcy.  Please.  I wouldn't. 

                    I'm not.  I'm--  I'm sorry.

                    

                    DARCY

                    No.  No.  No, no, no.

                         (beat as she

                                             realizes...)

                    You are!  I can feel them.

                    

     Marty can say nothing.  He hangs his head sadly.

     

             MARTY

                    Maybe I'd better go...  get

                    you a nurse or the doctor.

                    

     Beat, then...

             DARCY

                    I want to see.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Darcy, I don't--

                    

                    DARCY

                         (SHARPLY)

                    Show me.

                    

     Marty folds back the covers for her.  It takes a lot of

     narcotized effort, but Darcy manages to sit up.  She looks

     down at herself.  She shudders.  She begins to shiver

     uncontrollably.

     

     She lies back down, hugging her chest and shaking.

     

             DARCY

                    Get a doctor.  Get me some

                    pain killers or something,

                    Marty.  Please.  Oh, God.

                    

     Again Marty takes her in his arms.  She does not push him

     away.  She holds him, trembling. 

     

             MARTY

                    It's alright.  You're alive. 

                    That's what matters.  You're

                    going to be fine.  We'll get

                    you the best legs money can

                    buy.

                    

     The tears begin to flow now, wetting the front of his shirt.

     

     

                    MARTY

                         (Cont'd)

                    Should I hold you, or get you

                    pain pills?

                    

                    DARCY

                    You have to promise me

                    something, Marty.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Whatever you need.

                    

                    DARCY

                    You leave Farnsworth for me.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Darcy...  I don't think you're

                    gonna be--

                    

     And suddenly her strength has returned.  She grasps Marty's

     lapels and holds on, keeping herself right in his face.

     

     

                    DARCY

                    You promise me.  

                    

     He takes her wrists and pries her grip loose.  He takes her

     hands gently in his own.

     

             MARTY

                    I promise.  Okay?

                    

     He holds eye contact until she nods "okay".  She releases

     her grip.

     

             DARCY

                    I'm going to sleep now, Marty. 

                    I think I need to sleep.

                    

                    MARTY

                    All right.  I'll be right out

                    in the hall, Darce.  Call if

                    you need me.

                    

     Darcy allows herself to relax again and the exhaustion

     sweeps her.

     

             DARCY

                         (a little weakly)

                    Marty?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Thank you for telling me...

                    you know?

                    

     He nods.

     

             DARCY  (cont'd)

                    Really.  Thank you.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Shhh.  Just sleep now.  Okay? 

                    

     Her eyes drift closed.

     

             MARTY  (cont'd)

                    Good girl.

                    

     He moves her hair a little so it isn't in her face as she

     dreams.  He leans close to her ear.

     

     

                    MARTY     (cont'd)

                    Sleep tight, Darce.  I really

                    do love you.

                         (he kisses her

                                             gently)

                    G'night.

                    

     

     

     INT.  -  THE HALLWAY  -  CONTINUOUS

     

     He takes a few steps down the hall.  He stops, leans with

     his back to the wall for a moment.  Again he lets out his

     long, slow, pained breath.  He lets his feet slide out from

     under him until he sits on the linoleum with his back to the

     cold, white wall.  He lets his eyes drift closed.

     

                                                    JUMP TO:

     

     SAME SHOT

     

     Marty lies on his side on the linoleum floor, sleeping

     deeply.  A NURSE walks past, looks at him, decides not to

     wake him, walks on.

     

     A horrible scream comes from Darcy's room.  Marty gets to

     his feet and through the door before he's even awake.

     

     

     

     

     INT.  -  DARCY'S HOSPITAL ROOM  -  CONTINUOUS

     

     He comes to her side at once.

     

     She grabs his hand and squeezes.

     

             DARCY

                    It hurts, Marty.  My legs

                    hurt.  Oh, God, Marty.  Oh,

                    God.  I woke up and they hurt,

                    Marty.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (holding her

                                             tightly)

                    I know, baby.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I--  I-- woke up and they hurt

                    and I-- I tried to rub them, 

                    

                              DARCY

                         (cont'd)

                    Marty.  They're gone.  Oh,

                    god.  They're really just

                    gone.

                    

                    MARTY

                    I know, Baby.  Hold on.  Just

                    hold on.  We'll get through

                    this.  You know we will.  Just

                    hold on.

                    

     And hold on she does.

     

                                                DISSOLVE TO:

     

     EXT.  -  MULHOLLAND DRIVE  -  DAY

     

     Marty's enormous pink plymouth lumbers around the curves. 

     He hangs one hand out the window, catching the wind.

     

     The rough beginnings of a heavy moustache have appeared on

     his lip.  Other than that he's clean shaven.

     

                ****************************                

     

     FLASHBACK

     

     

     EXT. - MULHOLLAND - NIGHT

     

     The red m.G. Spins through exactly the same strip of 

     highway.  It does not lumber at all.  It darts.

     

     Darcy, her dark eyes intent on the pavement ahead, steers

     through the tight twists of the road.

     

     Marty passengers.  The wind makes his long hair dance.  He

     tightens his seat belt and grips the dashboard. 

     

             MARTY

                    Darcy?  Do you think we could

                    slow down a little?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Not a chance.  If word's been

                    leaked to Farnsworth he can

                    have the site clean and clear

                    before we even get there. 

                    This guy's not slipping

                    through.  Not if I can help

                    it.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Okay.  Okay.

                    

                    DARCY

                    You're my partner, Marty.  You

                    have to trust me.

                    

                    MARTY

                    I trust you.  I trust you.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'm a hell of a driver.

                    

     And she turns the car through a squealingly sharp right hand

     turn and on up the hill to the high side of Mulholland.

     

                ****************************                

     

     THE PINK PLYMOUTH makes the same right hand turn much more

     slowly in BRIGHT DAYLIGHT.

     

                ****************************                

     

     THE M.G. continues up the side road.

     

             MARTY

                    Come on, Darce.  You go

                    through cars like I go through

                    coffee.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Well...  like coffee goes

                    through you.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (LAUGHING)

                    Cute.

                    

                    ****************************            

     

     Marty pulls the plymouth off to the side of the road,

     parking in an available, shaded spot near to the Farnsworth

     Estate.

     

                ****************************

     

     Darcy pulls the red M.G. off onto the side of the road and

     indicates Farnsworth's driveway.  She makes no move to get

     out of the car.

     

             DARCY

                    That's the place.

                    

     Marty nods.

     

             DARCY

                    You ready for this?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah.  Yeah.  This is gonna be

                    good.

                    

                    DARCY

                    You're sure we shouldn't call

                    for some back-up?

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?  And share the glory? 

                    Farnsworth is ours.

                    

     Darcy nods.

     

             DARCY

                    Yeah.  We put in the legwork.

                    

                    MARTY

                    We spotted the evidence.

                    

                    DARCY

                    We're the best team the firm's

                    got.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Right.

                         (BEAT)

                    

                    

                    So.  Are we confident now?

                    

                    DARCY

                         (WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM)

                    Let's do it.

                    

                         MARTY

                    Wait a minute.

                    

                    DARCY

                    What?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Were you in love with Calhoun?

                    

                    DARCY

                    What?  No.  Not at all.  I

                    mean...

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?  What do you mean?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I thought I was.  I was young.

                    

                    MARTY

                    It was last year.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I was fairly young.  I thought

                    maybe I could grow to be in

                    love with him.  I was wrong.

                         (BEAT)

                    What's this about, Marty?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Look.  We've been partners

                    for... what?  Eight months?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Nine and a half.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Right.

                    

          Beat, then...

          

             DARCY

                    This better be going

                    somewhere, Marty.

                    

                    MARTY

                    If we come out of this one

                    okay, will you marry me?

                    

     Darcy now looks at him--  really looks at him; takes him in.

     

             DARCY

                    That's the sweetest thing

                    you've ever said to me.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (SHARPLY)

                    Don't editorialize.  Just

                    answer.

                         (THEN, SOFTER)

                    Please.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I don't know, Marty.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What do you mean you don't

                    know?  How can you not know? 

                    We've been living together

                    since last August.

                    

                    DARCY

                    That's our cover, Marty. 

                    Don't you think maybe we

                    should spend some time

                    together off-hours first? 

                    Find out if we're romantically

                    compatible?  Maybe go out for

                    a drink?  Dance?  Sleep

                    together?

                    

     Beat.

     

             MARTY

                    Man.  I really am in love with

                    you, Darcy.  I don't want to

                    just be partners until the

                    firm says otherwise.

                    

     Darcy smiles.  She takes his hand.  She kisses it gently.

     

             DARCY

                    I promise I'll think about it. 

                    Okay?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Yeah.  It is the best offer

                    I've had all day.

                    

     And now Marty smiles.

     

             MARTY

                    Alright.  Now, let's do it.

                    

     And they turn from each other to get out of the car.

     

                ****************************                

     

     Marty grips the steering wheel with the motor turned off. He

     puffs out his cheeks and lets out a breath.  

     

     He gets out of the car and walks up the driveway to the

     abandoned estate.  He has to step over a weather-beaten,

     plastic-tape police line.

     

     THE GATE hangs ajar.

     

     A LOCAL SECURITY CAR pulls up the driveway behind him.  Its

     loudspeaker blares:

     

             GUARD

                         (AMPLIFIED)

                    This is private property and

                    currently the object of a

                    police investigation.  Please

                    stop right where you are.

                    

     Marty turns around irritably, reaching for his I.D.

     

     THE GUARD pops out of his car drawing his gun swiftly.

     

             MARTY

                    Relax.  Relax.  I'm the

                    assessor.  The police sent me

                    up to look at the property. 

                    They're thinking they might be

                    able to put it up for auction.

                    

     He casually approaches the guard.

     

             GUARD

                    Really?  This place?  What do

                    you think it'll go for?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Hard to say off hand.  What do

                    you say we take a look around?

                    

     THE GUARD puts his gun away and walks him up toward the

     house.

     

                ****************************                

     

     

     EXT.  -  THE FARNSWORTH ESTATE  -  NIGHT

     

     Marty moves swiftly across the grassy lawn toward the main

     house.

     

     Masked in shadow, Darcy moves much more slowly, stealthily,

     gracefully along a line of shrubs.  She holds a WALTHER P-38

     just to the outside of her right ear, the barrel pointed

     upward.  She watches Marty's progress.

     

     Speeding up to match Marty's pace she reaches a position

     from which she can see...

     

     THE GUEST HOUSE.  Two men, DAMON and KARL BORWICZ come out

     of it carrying a big, wooden crate.  They put the crate in

     the back of a station wagon with a bunch of other big,

     wooden crates.

     

     Darcy tries to warn Marty with a hand signal, but his focus

     is elsewhere.

     

     Marty reaches the edge of the house, comes around the corner

     and sees the men.  He ducks back into shadow, but it is a

     moment too late.

     

     Karl spots him, signals his buddy and grabs a SHOT GUN from

     the back of the station wagon.  Damon runs back into the

     guest house.

     

     Karl, carrying the gun, begins to move toward the darkness

     that hides Marty.

     

             DARCY

                         (SOFTLY)

                    Damn.

                    

     And she steps sharply out of concealment leveling her gun.

     

             DARCY

                    Hold it, Mister.  Don't make a

                    move.

                    

     Karl dives to the side, rolling as he fires a half-aimed

     blast in her direction.

     

     The low-fired pellets throw Darcy backward.  they tear her

     legs from beneath her as--

     

     Marty, still in the shadows fires twice, very fast, dropping

     the gunman before he can regain his sense of direction.

     

             DARCY

                    I'm hit, Marty!!  Come back

                    for me!  Get Farnsworth.

                    

     Farnsworth, a man in his forties and a dark blue linen suit,

     emerges from the guest house.  Damon follows him closely. 

     They both get into the station wagon.

     

     Marty looks from them to the shadowed figure of his injured

     partner.  He makes the decision, heads for Darcy.

     

     The station wagon squeals away.

     

     Marty races across the grass.  

     

             MARTY

                    Thanks for the rescue.  I owe

                    you one.

                    

                    DARCY

                    What the hell are you doing? 

                    Go get him.

                    

     Marty kneels beside her, tearing a long strip of cotton from

     the bottom of his shirt.

     

             MARTY

                    We'll get him tomorrow.  We

                    have to get you to a hospital. 

                    Do you think you can--  uh-- 

                    Oh boy.

                    

     Darcy tries to sit up, but can't quite manage.

     

             DARCY

                    What is it?  What's the

                    matter?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Nothing.  Look.  I've got to

                    stop the bleeding and carry

                    you back to the car.  We've

                    got to get you all fixed up. 

                    Okay?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Is it bad?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah.  Yeah.  It looks pretty

                    bad.  Just lay back.

                    

     Marty works swiftly with the strip of cotton, his hands

     leaving frame and returning covered in blood.

     

             DARCY

                         (SHARP AND LOUD)

                    Don't touch my leg!  God, it

                    hurts!

                    

     Marty tears another strip from his shirt.

     

             MARTY

                    I'm not touching.  I'm not

                    touching.

                    

                ****************************                

     

     

     

     INT.  -  THE HOSPITAL ROOM  -  DAY

     

     Darcy sleeps restlessly.  Sweat drips down the sides of her

     face.  Her hair is straggly and unkempt.  She kicks and

     struggles about under the sheets.  She wakes up sharply in

     bed.  

     

     The I.V. is gone.  An empty lunch tray sits on a small

     bedside table surrounded by a huge accumulation of flowers.

     Darcy knocks over a vase, reaching for the NURSE'S BELL. 

     She presses the little button many, many times, very fast.

     

             DARCY

                    Come on.  Come on.  Come on.

                    

     

     INT.  -  FARNSWORTH'S GUEST HOUSE  -  DAY

     

     Marty opens a desk.  He begins to go through the drawers

     carefully.

     

             GUARD

                         (WATCHING Marty

                                             CAREFULLY)

                    You have to go through the

                    drawers in the guest house?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Anything that might be

                    valuable goes on the block. 

                    You know? --

                    Ah ha!

                    

     He pulls a black appointments book from the drawer and looks

     through it.

     

     

     INT.  -  THE HOSPITAL ROOM  -  DAY

     

     A NURSE comes in.  She is in no rush.  She picks up the

     flowers and the bigger pieces of the broken vase.

     

     Darcy sits up in bed, propping a pillow behind her.  There

     is no sluggishness in her movements, no slurring in her

     speech when she speaks.

     

             NURSE

                    Did you ring for me?

                    

                    

                    DARCY

                    I need the doctor.  I need to

                    talk to him.

                    

                    NURSE

                    Your doctor isn't in today.  I

                    can have the doctor on duty

                    stop by.

                    

     

     EXT.  -  MULHOLLAND  -  DAY

     

     Marty drives the plymouth, still fingering through the pages

     of the black appointment book as he drives.

     

     His car phone purrs.  He snatches up the receiver.

     

             MARTY

                    Castle here.

                         (HE BRIGHTENS AND

                                             SOFTENS)

                    Hey, Kiddo.  How you feeling?

                         (BEAT)

                    She said what?

                         (BEAT)

                    Okay.  Look.  I'll get right

                    there.  The doctor may be a

                    little behind me.  Okay?

                    Stay cool.  Breathe deep.

                    

     He presses the 'hang up' button.  He immediately dials a new

     number.

     

             MARTY

                    This is Marty Castle.  I have

                    an emergency pick up I need

                    executed immediately.

                         (BEAT)

                    Code  -  uh  -  seven-oh-one,

                    red.

                         (BEAT)

                    That's right.  The guy's name

                    is Phil Murrow.  Doctor Phil

                    Murrow.  Bring him to me at

                    the hospital.  Fast.  Thanks.

                    

     And again he hangs up.

     

     The plymouth accelerates around a curve.

     

     

     

     EXT.  -  A GOLF COURSE  -  DAY

     

     DR. MURROW tees off.  Watching him are DR. WILLIS AND A

     CADDIE.  The ball veers off to the right, bouncing off the

     green.

     

     The small party heads off across the course.

     

     A big, military style HELICOPTER thud-thud-thuds over the

     horizon.  The three golfers stop walking to watch its

     approach.

     

     

     EXT.  -  THE HOSPITAL  -  DAY

     

     THE PLYMOUTH swerves wildly to avoid an oncoming ambulance. 

     It skids to a stop, parked poorly across a parking space and

     a half.

     

     

     EXT.  -  THE GOLF COURSE  -  DAY

     

     The big chopper sets down on the green.  Three guys in blue

     suits, DAVE, MILT AND MIKE step out of it.  They all carry

     dangerous looking guns.

     

     Dave shouts over the noise of the helicopter's motor.

     

                    DAVE

                    Is one of you gentlemen Dr.

                    Murrow?

                    

     The three golfers look at each other.  The caddie points at

     Murrow.  Willis follows suit.

     

     

     INT.  -  THE HOSPITAL  -  DAY

     

     Marty sprints down the linoleum hallway.  He slides a little

     making the turn into Darcy's room.

     

     

     INT.  -  DARCY'S ROOM  -  CONTINUOUS

     

     Marty moves directly to Darcy's side. Darcy does not look at

     him as he takes her hand.  She sits with her head back, her

     eyes pressed tightly closed.

     

             DARCY

                    Where's the damn doctor,

                    Marty?  What kind of a place

                    is this?

                    

                    MARTY

                    It's his day off, Kiddo.  I've

                    got him on the way.  Just hold

                    on to my hand.  What's the

                    matter?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I have to talk to the doctor. 

                    I think--

                    

     The door opens behind Marty and the Dave pushes the doctor

     into the room.

     

            MURROW

                    Take it easy.  What's wrong

                    with you?

                    

                    DAVE

                    This the guy, Castle?

                    

                    MARTY

                    That's the guy.  Leave us

                    alone.  Thanks for the

                    delivery.

                    

                    DAVE

                    My pleasure.  Well--  my job.

                    

     Marty nods at him and he departs.

     

            MURROW

                    You think someone could tell

                    me what the hell is going on?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Your patient needs you.

                    

     Murrow just looks at him coldly.

     

             DARCY

                    What the hell did you do to

                    me, Murrow?

                    

                    MURROW

                         (TO Marty)

                    You dragged me back here so

                    she can release her rage at

                    me?  

                         (TO Darcy)

                    I did everything I could. 

                    Okay?  I did everything I 

                    

                              MURROW

                         (cont'd)

                    could.  Christ. 

                    Recriminations I don't need.

                    

                    DARCY

                    No, you idiot.  You did

                    something wrong.  You have to

                    fix it.

                    

                    MURROW

                    What's she talking about?

                    

                    

                    MARTY

                    What am I?  Kreskin?

                    

                    DARCY

                    It's been three weeks and they

                    still hurt.  The nurse said

                    I'm supposed to be checked out

                    for rehab today and I'm not

                    getting better.

                    

     Murrow offers her only a small smile and a shake of his

     head.

            MURROW

                    For this you pulled me off the

                    golf course?  Miss Hale.  I

                    didn't make a mistake.  You're

                    fine.  It'll hurt for a while,

                    yet.  It may get worse as you

                    learn to use your prostheses. 

                    Listen.  Right now your stumps

                    are a bundle of jangled nerves

                    and muscles.  Your body can't

                    adjust to that sort of thing

                    over night.  I can get you a

                    shot if you like--

                    

                    DARCY

                    No!  No more shots.  I just

                    want it to stop hurting.  Make

                    it stop hurting.

                    

     Another nurse comes in.  Dr. Murrow's presence surprises

     her.

     

           NURSE #2

                    Dr. Murrow.  What are you

                    doing here today?

                    

                    MURROW

                    Nothing.  I'm out of here.

                         (TO Darcy)

                    The next time you think you

                    need me...?

                    

                    DARCY

                    What?

                    

                    MURROW

                    Just have me paged.  Okay?

                    

     And he goes.

     

     Darcy looks away from Marty and the nurse, embarrassed,

     upset, in pain.

     

           NURSE #2

                    How are we feeling on the big

                    day?

                    

                    DARCY

                    You look fine.  I feel

                    terrible.  Is it time to go?

                    

                    NURSE #2

                    We'll have someone drive you

                    in a little while.  Right now

                    it's time to take off the

                    bandages.

                         (TO Marty)

                    Could we have a little

                    privacy?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Darce?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Go ahead.  I'll be fine.  I'll

                    be fine.

                    

     And he goes.

     

     The nurse approaches the bed and folds down the sheets.

     

           NURSE #2

                    You want to watch, or lie

                    back?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I want to see.

                    

     The nurse nods and gets down to work, snipping the bandages

     with a small pair of scissors.  She begins unwrapping the

     gauze.

     

     Darcy looks away, wincing.

     

           NURSE #2

                    I thought you wanted to see.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'll see when you're through--

                    Ow!  Ow!  Ow!  Gently!

                    

     

     INT.  -  THE HOSPITAL CAFETERIA  -  DAY

     

     Marty pours coffee from the spigot of an institutional-sized

     coffee machine.  He adds cream and pays for the drink

     distractedly as he moves past the cashier.

     

     He finds a table and sips his coffee.  He runs a hand

     through his long hair.

     

     

     INT.  -  THE HOSPITAL ROOM  -  DAY

     

     Darcy still looks out the window.  The nurse throws a big

     wad of gauze into a plastic trash bucket.

     

           NURSE #2

                    It looks like the doctor did a

                    pretty good job.  You ready to

                    see?

                    

                    Darcy nods slowly.  It takes effort, but she forces herself

     to turn her head, to look at her own body.

     

     She begins to speak, but can't make words.  She squeezes an

     edge of her pillow tightly.  Tears stream.

     

                    NURSE

                    Miss, Hale?

                    

                    DARCY

                         (SOFTLY)

                    Why didn't you tell me?

                    

                    NURSE #2

                    What didn't we tell you?

                    

                    

                    

                    DARCY

                    You-- you didn't tell me they

                    were going to be so ugly.

                    

                    NURSE #2

                         (ALMOST IRRITABLY)

                    What did you expect them to

                    look like?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Get out.

                    

                    NURSE #2

                    Alright.  Shall I send your

                    boyfriend back?

                    

                    DARCY

                    He's not my boyfriend.  He's

                    my partner.

                    

                    NURSE #2

                    Whatever.  Should I get him?

                    

                    DARCY

                    No.  

                         (HALF BEAT)

                    No.  Don't get him.

                    

     

     INT.  -  THE CAFETERIA  -  DAY

     

     Marty begins to pour fresh coffee into the cup.  He checks

     his watch, furrows his brow.  He puts the half-filled cup

     onto the tray-bussing counter and leaves the cafeteria.

     

                                                    JUMP TO:

      THE NURSES STATION

     

     Marty leans across the desk putting himself in the nurse's

     face.  He speaks far louder than he needs to.

     

             MARTY

                    What?!?  How could she check

                    out?  I've been waiting down

                    in the lunch room for three

                    hours.

                    

                    NURSE #2

                         (SHRUGGING)

                    They drove her over to rehab

                    about two thirty.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Where?

                    

     

     EXT.  -  RANCHO PARK REHAB  -  DAY

     

     THE PLYMOUTH pulls into a parking space in front of a sign

     that says: RANCHO PARK PHYSICAL REHABILITATION FACILITY

     

     MARTY gets out of the car and jogs the few steps to the

     entrance of the imposing, brick main building.

     

     

     INT.  -  RANCHO PARK  -  CONTINUOUS

     

     He strides up to the front desk.  At the far end of the

     reception area, french doors look out on the recreation

     yard.

     

             MARTY

                    Hi.  I'm Marty Castle.  I'm

                    looking for a recent arrival.

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                    Client's name?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Client?

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                    We don't like the word

                    'patient', here.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Ah.  Darcy Hale.

                    

     The receptionist goes over a computer printout.  It takes

     her just a moment, then--

     

         RECEPTIONIST

                    Here she is.  I'll ring her

                    for you.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Thank you.

                    

     The receptionist dials a number.  She waits, the receiver to

     her ear.

     

         RECEPTIONIST

                    Miss Hale?  There's a

                    gentleman here to see you.

                              RECEPTIONIST

                         (CONT'D -- TO Marty)

                    What did you say your name

                    was?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Marty.  Marty Castle.  She

                    knows me.

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                         (INTO THE PHONE)

                    He says his name is Marty

                    Castle.

                         (BEAT)

                    Alright.  I'll tell him.

                    

     She hangs up the phone.

     

         RECEPTIONIST

                    She says she can't see you.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?!?!

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                    She says--

                    

                    MARTY

                    What room is she in?

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                    I'm afraid I can't just give

                    out that kind of information.

                    

     Marty works his jaw angrily.

     

             MARTY

                    This is ridiculous.

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                    I know, Mr. Castle.  But rules

                    are rules.

                    

                    MARTY

                    But I'm her fianc­.

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                    Maybe you were her fianc­. 

                    Maybe you still are.  Maybe

                    she just needs some time.  You

                    just have to be patient.

                    

     Marty kicks the receptionist's desk hard.  The sound

     startles the woman.

     

             MARTY

                    I'm starting to understand why

                    you don't like that word.

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                    If you need to talk I can

                    recommend a support therapist.

                    

     Marty shakes his head and walks out numbly.

     

     

     INT.  -  FIRM HEADQUARTERS, L.A.  -  DAY

     

     A small bookstore fronts for the firm.  

     

     Marty wears a sweater.  The moustache has come in thick and

     clearly defined.  Marty keeps it trimmed down to make him a

     little swashbuckling.  He carries a manilla file folder, he

     moves past the rows of books to the back of the shop where

     he approaches the woman at the rear counter.

     

             MARTY

                    Good morning, Kelly.  Any new

                    first editions?

                    

                    KELLY

                    Mallory.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Couldn't be a first edition. 

                    It was too long ago.

                    

                    KELLY

                    Go ahead through.

                    

     She pushes a small button behind the counter and, with a

     soft buzz, a small door marked "employees only" comes open. 

     Marty passes through it into...

     

     

     INT.  -  A CORRIDOR  -  CONTINUOUS  

     

     Offices line the corridor to the left and right.  About

     halfway down the hall Marty turns into one of them.

     

     

     INT.  -  CALHOUN'S OFFICE  -  CONTINUOUS

     

     Marty drops the folder on Calhoun's desk.   

     

     CALHOUN leans back in his leather swivel chair, smoking a

     cigarette.  Even now, when he is quite serious and

     concerned, the laugh lines show around his eyes.

     

            CALHOUN

                    Marty.

                    

     It is a deadpan greeting, somber.

     

                    MARTY

                    There's the full report on the

                    Farnsworth investigation,

                    Calhoun.  Sorry it's not a

                    closed case, yet.

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Great.

                         (BEAT)

                    How's she doing?

                    

                    MARTY

                    I have no idea.  She won't see

                    me.

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Still?

                    

     Marty shakes his head "no".

     

            CALHOUN

                         (CONTINUED)

                    I know how hard this has been

                    on you.  I'm trying to find

                    you a new partner.

                    

                    MARTY

                    No.

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    What do you mean, "no".

                    

                    MARTY

                    I'm still in the middle of a

                    case.  I can't be breaking in

                    a new partner.

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    You can't be out on your own,

                    Marty.  Not going after

                    Farnsworth.

                    

                    

                    MARTY

                    I'm not going after him yet. 

                    Right now I'm just trying to

                    put together the pieces.  Find

                    a way to nail him.  His next

                    shipment isn't for another six

                    months.

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Do you have a date?

                    

                    MARTY

                    December twenty forth.  Snow

                    for Christmas.

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    And that's when it's time to

                    go after him?

                    

                    MARTY

                    That's when it's time.  And

                    that's when I'll need back up.

                    

     Beat.

     

            CALHOUN

                    Alright.  Okay.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Done.

                    

     Calhoun nods his unhappy acquiescence.

     

            CALHOUN

                    Okay.  Alright.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Thank you.

                    

     

     

     INT.  -  FARNSWORTH'S ESTATE  -  NIGHT

     

     Damon bursts into Farnsworth's pompously decorated study. 

     Farnsworth sits at his desk going over a big ledger.  He

     occasionally takes a large cigar from his ashtray and draws

     on it thoughtfully.

     

             DAMON

                    You wanted to see me?

                    

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                    I did.  We have a problem.  I

                    have an assignment for you.  

                    

                    DAMON

                    I can't, Mr. Farnsworth.  I'm

                    in the middle of some business

                    of my own.

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                    You work for me.  You don't

                    have any business of your own.

                    I need you to take out the guy

                    who shot Karl.

                    

     A LARGE PARROT flutters clumsily from a perch and walks

     across the desk.  Farnsworth jabs at it with the lit cigar. 

     The parrot squawks and departs the desk.

     

             DAMON

                    But he's a fed.

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                    Probably.  What's your point? 

                    The man killed your brother. 

                    You don't want to go after

                    him?

                    

                    DAMON

                    I've never done a hit without

                    Karl there.

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                         (MOCK POUTY)

                    Awww.  Poor little Damon lost

                    his big Brother.  You're

                    right.  We should let this fed

                    go.  We should just throw a

                    multi-million dollar

                    franchising business down the

                    tubes.  We should just wait

                    here 'til the white hats show

                    up to arrest us.  That's a

                    good plan.  

                    

                    DAMON

                    You got a better one?

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                    Yes, I do.  You go down and

                    make sure this guy doesn't

                    give us any trouble.   There       FARNSWORTH

                         (cont'd)

                    are high school kids out there

                    who depend on us for their

                    blow.  You get me?

                    

                    DAMON

                         (NODDING COLDLY)

                    I get you.

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                    Understand me on this, Damon,

                    'cause I'm not saying it

                    twice.  If you blow this, if

                    you do anything to jeopardize

                    my operation I will eat your

                    heart.  Clear?

                    

                    DAMON

                    How am I going to find him?

                    

     He brings the cigar dangerously close Damon's hand where it

     rests on the edge of the desk.  Damon pulls away, sharply.

     

          FARNSWORTH

                    You'll think of something.

                    

     

     INT.  -  POINT PERFECT -  DAY

     

     Marty pours fresh coffee into a mug.  He leans against the

     counter sipping it.  He wears a bathrobe of thick terry-cloth.

     

     UNDER THE SONG HOLE IN MY HEART (By Dylan Brody and Eduardo Ponsdomenech) HE

     GOES THROUGH HIS MORNING RITUAL:

     

     

     Still in the bathrobe he pours birdseed into a feeder

     hanging outside his window.

     

     He takes the newspaper in from his front porch.  A couple of

     construction guys hammer away, doing some sort of remodeling

     job on the porch.

     

     He finishes the last sip of coffee and refills the cup.

     

     He sets the water temperature in his shower.

     

     Wet haired and wrapped in a towel he shaves around the

     moustache.

     

     He pulls on a pair of expensive, tailored slacks.

     

     Shirtless, he pours the last half-a-cup of coffee into his

     mug.

     

     He sets the SECURITY ALARM by pressing a six digit code into

     a KEY PAD NEAR THE DOOR.

     

     Fully dressed he emerges from the house and gets into his

     car.  A MECHANIC lies on his back working underneath the MG.

     

     

     

     INT.  -  DARCY'S ROOM (RANCHO PARK)  -  DAY

     

     FLOWERS BY THE BED AND A BIG, STUPID, MOTEL-STYLE PAINTING

     decorate Darcy' room.

     

     Darcy sits in a wheelchair staring out the window.  The

     chair is slightly taller than one generally expects,

     designed not to be back-heavy.  She wears a too thin,

     institutional blue bathrobe.

     

     Below her, on the yard, in bathrobes identical to Darcy's,

     people move about, some in wheelchairs, some on crutches,

     some in pairs and groups.

     

     WILLY, a young physical therapist comes in.

     

     

                    WILLY

                    Time to work out.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I don't feel like it.

                    

     Beat.

     

             WILLY

                    You want to go sit outside?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I want to die.

                    

     Nothing shocks of offends Willy.  He's heard this before.

     

             WILLY

                    Sorry.  Can't help you there. 

                    All I can do is get you ready

                    for your new legs when they

                    arrive.  Come on.

                    

     He turns and walks out.

     

             DARCY

                    Hey!  Willy.  What?  You're

                    just going to leave me here?

                    

                    WILLY

                    I told you to come on.

                    

     She stares an accusation at him. 

     

             WILLY

                    Hey.  If you're ready to start

                    thinking suicide, you're

                    certainly ready to stop being

                    pushed around.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Prick.

                    

     With effort and determination she wheels herself into the

     hall.  Willy holds the door for her, smiling.

     

     One of the tires jams against the door frame.  Darcy backs

     up a little to re-aim her approach.

     

             WILLY

                    Atta girl.

                    

     

     INT/EXT  -  POINT PERFECT  -  NIGHT

     

     Marty sits out on the ocean-side deck.  Whiskers darken his

     face is dark.  He inputs the information from the little

     black book to his LAPTOP COMPUTER.  

     

     AN UNBROKEN PIZZA waits in an open box in front of him.  He

     stops what he is doing and stares out at the ocean.

     

     He picks up a slice of the pizza.  He holds it, staring out

     to sea.  He does not take a bite.

     

     

     INT.  -  THE PHYSICAL THERAPY ROOM  -  DAY

     

     Darcy lies on her back, sweating.  Willy stands over her, 

     dressed differently from when we last saw him.

     

                    WILLY

                    Atta girl.  Don't stop now. 

                    Only ten more to go.  Lift.

                    

     Darcy strains, raising her stumps from the padded surface of

     the cot.  She wears weights strapped around them.

     

             DARCY

                    Can we stop now?  It's really

                    starting to burn.

                    

                    WILLY

                    Good.  It's working.

                    Alright.  Let 'em down.

                    

     She does so.

             WILLY

                    And...  again.

                    

                    DARCY

                         (STRAINING)

                    Willy.

                    

                    WILLY

                    I'll tell you what.  You

                    finish out the set and I'll

                    give you an amazing present.

                    

                    DARCY

                    A present?

                    

                    WILLY

                    Your legs came in today.

                    

                    DARCY

                         (EXCITED)

                    Let me see!!

                    

                    WILLY

                    First you finish out the set.

                    

     Darcy strains again, lifting...  lifting...

     

     

     INT.  -  THE RECEPTION AREA  -  DAY

     

     Marty stands before the reception desk.  He is well dressed

     and carries a bouquet of flowers.

     

     The receptionist looks at him sternly.

     

         RECEPTIONIST

                    Mr. Castle, what makes you

                    think today's going to be any

                    different from the last sixty

                    days?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Sixty-two.  Just ring her

                    room.

                    

     The receptionist picks up the receiver unhappily and dials. 

     She waits.  She listens.

     

         RECEPTIONIST

                    She's not there.

                    

     Marty shakes his head sadly.

     

             MARTY

                    Alright.  Make sure she gets

                    the flowers.

                    

                    RECEPTIONIST

                    I always do.

                    

     He puts the flowers on her desk and walks out.

     

     

     INT.  -  DARCY'S ROOM  -  DAY

     

     Darcy sits on the edge of the bed.  She holds an artificial

     leg and examines it closely.  She explores the way it bends. 

     Another lies on the bed beside her, attached to the first by

     the leather harness which will hold them on.

     

     Willy sits in her wheelchair, his feet on the floor pushing

     him back and forth rhythmically a little as he watches her.

     

             WILLY

                    Now, don't start thinking this

                    is going to be easy.  It's

                    going to take time for you to

                    learn to use them.

                    

                    DARCY

                    How am I going to balance on

                    them?

                    

                    WILLY

                    I'll teach you how to put 'em

                    on and we'll find out.  How's

                    that sound?

                    

     

     EXT.  -  A DESERTED PIER  -  NIGHT

     

     

     

     Farnsworth walks the length of the dock.  A few paces behind

     him walk DAMON and LOWRY.  Lowry is quite tall and has a

     twisted, broken nose.

     

     Farnsworth stands at the very end of the pier, the ocean

     wind tugging at the corners of his jacket.

     

     Damon takes the two steps to reach him.

     

             DAMON

                    Mr. Farnsworth?

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                    I'm just thinking.  Just

                    thinking.

                         (BEAT)

                    Have you tracked down this

                    fed?

                    

                    DAMON

                    Sort of.  I found where he

                    lives, but I haven't actually

                    spotted him, yet.  Timing

                    problems.  You know?

                    

     Farnsworth nods.

     

          FARNSWORTH

                    No more problems.  You go to

                    his home.  You stake it out

                    until you see him.  I'll have

                    Lowry cover for you with me.

                    

                    DAMON

                    I can give Lowry the address. 

                    You don't have to--

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                         (ALMOST A THREAT)

                    Damon.

                    

                    DAMON

                         (MOST THREATENED)

                    Yes, sir.  Of course.  I'm

                    sorry.

                    

     Farnsworth nods.  He walks back toward Lowry.

     

     

     

     

     

     INT. - THE PHYSICAL THERAPY ROOM  -  DAY

     

     Between a set of parallel bars, Darcy stands.  She holds the

     bars, white knuckled.  Sweating, she pulls herself along,

     the heavy mechanical legs dragging forward in tandem.

     

     She shakes her head in frustration.  She takes another stab

     at it, leaning hard, trying to get her legs to move

     independently.  The attempt nearly tips her over and it

     takes great strength and effort for her to regain her

     balance.

     

     

     INT.  -  POINT PERFECT  -  DAY

     

     Marty sips coffee.  At the sound of a car horn he runs to

     his front door.  He keys his code into the security pad. A

     singles green light replaces the row of red ones. He pops

     open the door and steps out.

     

     Rain patters hard on the roof of the porch.

     

     He shouts toward the driveway.

     

             MARTY

                    Is it done, Brian?

                    

     The mechanic approaches him, soaked.  He speaks with a thick

     scottish accent.

     

           MECHANIC

                    That it is, Mr. Castle.  I'll

                    have to test it all out

                    tomorrow and make final

                    adjustments, but the worst is

                    over.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Terrific.  Come on in.  I'll

                    cut you a check.

                    

     ACROSS THE STREET

     

     Parked in a black porsche, Damon witnesses the exchange

     through the cross hairs of a rifle.  The door shuts,

     however, before he can get off a shot.

     

     He sets aside the gun and sips from a styrofoam cup of

     coffee.

     

     

     

     INSIDE

     

     Marty writes a check.  Even as he writes he walks to the

     window.  Before signing the check he pushes aside the blinds

     a tiny, little bit to peer out at the porsche.

     

             MARTY

                         (SIGNING THE CHECK)

                    Damn.  I hate working alone.

                    

                    MECHANIC

                    I beg your pardon?

                    

     Marty hands him the check.

     

             MARTY

                    I want you to do me a favor.

                    

     He goes to the kitchen and pours the remainder of the pot of

     coffee into a thermos.  The mechanic follows him.

     

     

     INT.  -  THE PHYSICAL THERAPY ROOM  -  DAY

     

     Darcy sits on a simple bench.  Willy hands her a set of

     canes.

     

                    DARCY

                    I'm not sure I'm ready for

                    this, Willy.

                    

                    WILLY

                         (LAUGHING A LITTLE)

                    You're ready.  Trust me.

                    

     Darcy shrugs.

     

             DARCY

                    I'll give it a shot.  But

                    you'd better be ready to catch

                    me.

                    

     Willy nods.

     

             WILLY

                    Yeah, yeah.  Get up.

                    

     Leaning heavily on the canes, pushing down hard with her

     hands, and rocking forward for momentum she stands up. 

     Awkwardly, slowly...

     

     She takes a step.

     

     

     EXT.  -   THE ROADSIDE  -  DAY

     

     THE RAIN still comes down in buckets as the mechanic pulls

     his tow-truck onto the shoulder of the road, THE PLYMOUTH

     hooked up to the back.

     

     He gets out, off-loads Marty's car.

     

     He gets into the plymouth and picks up the phone.  He takes

     a moment to figure out how to transmit, and dials.

     

           MECHANIC

                         (INTO THE PHONE)

                    Mr. Castle?  I did like you

                    asked.

                         (BEAT)

                    Okay.  Where should I leave

                    the key?

                    Alright.  You got it.

                    

     He puts the key under the mat, gets back into the truck and

     pulls away, leaving the plymouth.

     

     

     INT.  -  PHYSICAL THERAPY  -  DAY

     

     Darcy takes another step.

     

                    WILLY

                    That's it.  Lift.  Each step. 

                    Lift.  Lift.  Lift.

                    

                    DARCY

                         (STRAINING)

                    I'm lifting.  I'm lifting.

                    

     

     EXT.  -  POINT PERFECT  -  DAY

     

     In the porsche, Damon pours a fresh cup of coffee from a

     thermos into the styrofoam cup.

     

     

     INT.  -  PHYSICAL REHAB  -  DAY

     

     Darcy doesn't take a step.  She stands, leaning on the

     canes, biting her lip.

     

             WILLY

                    What's this?  A union break?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I have to stop.  They hurt too

                    much.  I have to stop, now.

                    

                    WILLY

                    What hurt too much?

                    

                    DARCY

                    My legs.  They hurt.

                    

                    WILLY

                    Your what?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Willy!  Why do you do this to

                    me?

                    

                    WILLY

                    'cause words are important. 

                    'cause it's not just

                    semantics.  It's denial and it

                    gets in the way of the work at

                    hand.  What hurts?

                    

     Darcy throws one of her canes at him.  She misses and the

     cane clatters against the wall.  Willy calmly picks it up.

     

             WILLY

                    Wow.  You think you're ready

                    to work with just one?

                    

                    DARCY

                    You bastard.

                    

                    WILLY

                    What hurts?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Give me my cane.

                    

                    WILLY

                    What hurts?

                    

                    DARCY

                         (SCREAMS)

                    My stumps.  Okay?  My stumps

                    hurt.  Now give me my damn

                    cane!

                    

     Willy smiles.  He hands her the cane.

     

     

                    WILLY

                    Good girl.  Alright.  I think

                    that's enough work for today.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Do you know how much I hate

                    you?

                    

                    WILLY

                         (STILL SMILING)

                    Yup.  I've done this before.

                    

     

     EXT.  -  POINT PERFECT  -  NIGHT

     

     Marty climbs over the edge of the deck.  The ocean pounds

     against the rocks far beneath him.  The rain still comes

     down and his footing slips a little on the wet wood, but he

     recovers, managing to lower himself down onto the craggy

     cliff.  

     

     He struggles over the complex surface in the dark, walking,

     climbing, sometimes crawling away from the house.

     

     He then claws his way back up to the top, and peers through

     the brush at the edge of the road.

     

     The porsche still sits across from the house.

     

     

     INT.  -  DARCY'S ROOM (REHAB CENTER) -  NIGHT

     

     Darcy lies in bed.  She stares at the ceiling in the

     darkness.  She rolls over and checks the clock.  She picks

     up the phone and dials "0".

     

             DARCY

                         (SOFTLY.  A LITTLE

                                             SHAKILY)

                    Yeah, this is Darcy Hale

                    again, up in four-oh-eight.

                         (BEAT)

                    I know.  But you're sure no

                    one brought by flowers for me

                    today?

                         (BEAT)

                    Alright.  Yeah.  I'm sorry.

                    

     She hangs up and goes back to staring at the ceiling.

     

     THE FOLLOWING TRANSPIRES UNDER THE SONG WET SHOES AND NOW

     THE BLUES (By Eduardo Ponsdomenech and Dylan Brody)

     

     

     

     MARTY walks along the roadside in the pouring rain.

     

     DARCY sits at her window in the wheelchair, staring out at

     the rain.  A tear rolls down her cheek.

     

     Marty puts up the collar of his jacket, trying to fend off

     the terrible, wet cold.

     

     Damon sits in his porsche, watching the house.  He begins to

     drift off, but catches himself and keeps himself awake,

     shaking his head to clear it.

     

     Darcy sleeps in the wheelchair, still facing the window.

     

     Marty slips on the slick pavement.  He gets up and keeps

     walking.

     

     Lightning cuts the sky.

     

     Marty comes around a curve and finds his plymouth.  He gets

     in and starts the engine.  He backs the car into off-road

     concealment.  He turns the heat up to full blast and, taking

     the car out of gear, revs the engine.

     

     Damon takes a couple of pills, washing them down with the

     coffee.

     

     Marty, his engine off now,  reaches under the seat and

     locates the thermos.  He unscrews the cap-cup and pours

     coffee into it.

     

     THE SUN peers over the horizon.

     

     IN PHYSICAL THERAPY Darcy stands, leaning on the canes. 

     Hands on, Willy helps her lift her leg.

     

     Marty rubs his tired eyes, sitting in the plymouth.

     

     In her room, Darcy hangs up the phone.  Biting her lip she

     wheels to the window and looks out at the night sky.

     

     IN HIS CAR, (DAY) Marty receives a pizza from a delivery

     boy.  He pays cash and tips well.  Beard growth and bags

     under his eyes make him very dark.

     

     

     INT.  -  THE PORSCHE  -  DAY

     

     Damon picks up the car phone.  He dials.

     

             DAMON

                    Yeah.  It's Damon.

                         (BEAT)

                    Listen.  He hasn't been out of

                    his house in four days.  A

                    mechanic towed his car away,

                    and he just isn't coming out.

                         (BEAT)

                    I was just thinking, with that

                    shipment happening tonight...

                         (BEAT)

                    That's what I was thinking. 

                    Thank you, sir.

                    

     He starts the car and drives off down the road.

     

     IN THE PLYMOUTH

     

     Marty sees the porsche as it winds down the road.  He lets

     it pass, waits a moment or two, then starts up his engine.

     

     

     EXT.  -  A FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH  -  DAY

     

     The porsche goes through the service lane.  

     

     Parked across the street, Marty watches as Damon collects

     his food, pays for it, and parks to eat it.

     

     Marty dials his phone.

     

                    MARTY

                    Hey, Sal.  I need you to run a

                    make on some plates, if you

                    would.  Thanks.

                    

     

     EXT.  -  THE RANCHO PARK REHAB CENTER  -  DAY

     

     Willy and Darcy move along the walkway, past the trees and

     picnic tables.  Other clients go about their business.

     

     Darcy has become quite adept at walking with the canes now,

     though Willy must slow his pace somewhat for her to keep up. 

     She lifts her feet, one at a time, taking small but real

     steps.  

     

     They don't talk.  They just walk.  Then--

     

             DARCY

                         (stopping)

                    I think I'm ready to try this.

                    

                    WILLY

                    You're sure?

                    

                    DARCY

                    You don't think so?

                    

                    WILLY

                    Your call.  Most people need a

                    little more time.

                    

     Darcy takes but a moment to think.

     

             DARCY

                    I want to try.

                    

                    WILLY

                    Alright.  Let's do it.

                    

     He takes a few more steps and stops.  He turns to her.  He

     nods.

     

     Darcy lifts one of the canes.  She leans on the other one,

     setting her balance.  She adjusts her weight and lifts the

     other cane.  She stands, teetering.  She sets down the cane

     to steady herself and almost immediately lifts it again. 

     Balanced now, she nods to Willy.

     

     It is not so much with strength or effort that she manages,

     but rather sheer force of will.  Keeping the canes aloft,

     she lifts her right leg and takes a small step.  Quickly,

     she twists to bring her left leg forward and resets herself,

     barely tapping the ground with a cane to get steady.

     

     She shakes her head "no", unsatisfied.

     

     She takes another step, this time starting with the left. 

     This one goes a little better.  She lets out a small giggle

     and takes another step.

     

     She takes two more steps in a row but only out of over-confidence.  Her balance goes and, before she can get a cane

     to the ground she falls forward.  

     

     Willy steps in quickly and catches her under the arms.  He

     helps her get her feet back under her.  He holds her firmly.

     

             WILLY

                    That was terrific.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Don't patronize me.

                    

                    WILLY

                         (CHUCKLING)

                    I'm not, Darcy.  For a first

                    try, that was amazing.

                    

     She looks into his eyes.

     

             DARCY

                    Well then, thank you, kind

                    sir.

                    

                    WILLY

                    My pleasure, pretty lady.

                    

     They stay this way for a moment.  Willy lets her go and

     begins walking again.  She uses the canes to walk with him.

     

             DARCY

                    Willy?

                    

                    WILLY

                    Yeah?

                    

                    DARCY

                         (PAUSE)

                    Do you really think I'm

                    pretty?

                    

                    WILLY

                    They don't come any prettier.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Willy?

                    

                    WILLY

                    Yeah?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'm seriously in love with

                    you.

                    

     Willy laughs.

     

             DARCY

                    What's funny about that?

                    

                    WILLY

                    You're not in love with me. 

                    You just think you're in love

                    with me 'cause I'm helping you

                    and I'm good at it and I don't

                    put up with your bull.

                    

                    DARCY

                    No.  I'm pretty sure I'm in

                    love with you.

                    

                    WILLY

                    No.  Trust me.  You're in love

                    with this guy who hasn't

                    brought you flowers in five

                    days.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Seven.

                    

                    WILLY

                    See?

                    

                    DARCY

                    What?

                    

     

     EXT.  -  THE PIER  -  NIGHT

     

     THE PORSCHE pulls up behind a LONG BLACK LIMO.  Damon gets

     out and walks up the dock to meet Farnsworth and Lowry.

     

     Back on shore, Marty pulls his plymouth up next to the old

     pier offices.  He shuts off the engine and gets out,

     slinging a camera over his shoulder.  He jumps to reach the

     bottom rung of a fire escape and climbs up to the roof of

     the building.

     

     a boat pulls up at the pier.  Farnsworth supervises as

     wooden crates are unloaded from it. 

     

     Marty snaps photos through a telephoto lens.

     

     THE FOLLOWING MONTAGE TAKES PLACE UNDER THE SONG I GUESS ALL

     THE STORIES ARE TRUE (By Eduardo Ponsdomenech and Dylan Brody):

     

     

     INT - DARCY'S ROOM (REHAB) - DAY

     

     Darcy, her legs laid across her lap, dresses them in knee

     socks and sneakers.

     

     

     INT. - A 24 HOUR PHOTO PLACE - DAY

     

     Marty drops off a roll of film at the counter.

     

     

     

     INT. - DARCY'S ROOM (REHAB) - DAY

     

     Darcy picks up the phone and dials a full, seven digit

     number.  She waits.

     

     

     INT. - POINT PERFECT - DAY

     

     The phone rings in the empty house.

     

     

     EXT. - POINT PERFECT - DAY

     

     Damon sits across the street again in the porsche.  He

     shaves with an electric razor.

     

     

     INT. - DARCY'S ROOM - DAY

     

     Darcy hangs up.  She tries another number.

     

     

     INT. - A RESTAURANT - DAY

     

     Marty eats a cheese burger.  He sips a chocolate shake.

     

     

     INT. - THE PLYMOUTH - DAY

     

     The phone purrs in the empty car.

     

     

     INT. - DARCY'S ROOM (REHAB) - EVENING

     

     Clearly in pain, Darcy forces herself to pace in the room in

     small, struggling, caneless steps.  Tears stream, but she

     does not stop.

     

     

     EXT.  -  THE ROAD TO POINT PERFECT  -  NIGHT

     

     Marty slowly drives the plymouth up the road.  He pulls off

     to the side before rounding the last curve.  He gets out and

     walks from there, peering around the bole of a tree to see--

     

     the porsche is in place.

     

             MARTY

                    damn.

                    

     He turns to walk away.

     

     Damon, in the porsche, catches the tail end of Marty's

     movement in his peripheral vision.  Uncertain, he starts up

     the porsche and creeps down the road.

     

     Marty walks back to his car and lies down in back.  He is

     instantly asleep.

     

     Damon sees him get into the plymouth and parks in a new

     place, the porsche concealed, from which he can keep on eye

     on the car.

     

     

     INT.  -  PHYSICAL THERAPY  -  DAY

     

     Darcy sits in the jacuzzi, her head back, her eyes closed. 

     Beside the little pool her wheelchair sits with her bathrobe

     and night gown draped across the back.

     

     Willy bounces in cheerfully.

     

             WILLY

                    Hey, Darce.

                    

     He notices the chair.

     

             WILLY  (CONT'D)

                         (SCOLDING

                                             PARENTALLY)

                    What's this?  You're not

                    wearing your legs today?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I think something's really

                    wrong, Will.  They feel funny.

                    

                    WILLY

                    Funny?

                    

                    DARCY

                    The cups are getting loose or

                    something.

                    

                    WILLY

                    We'll probably need to get you

                    refitted.   In the mean time

                    wear extra socks under them.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Can't I just wait 'til I've

                    got ones that fit right?

                    

                    

                    

                    WILLY

                         (STERN.  FATHERLY)

                    Darcy.  You know better than

                    that.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Alright.  Alright.

                    

     THE WALL PHONE rings.

     

     Willy grabs it on the second ring.

     

             WILLY

                    Physical Therapy.  Willy

                    speaking.

                         (BEAT)

                    Yeah.  She's right here.

                    

     This get's Darcy's attention.

     

             DARCY

                    Tell him I'm ready to see him.

                    

                    WILLY

                    It's not him.  Hang on a sec.

                         (INTO THE PHONE)

                    She can't really get to the

                    phone right now.  What's up?

                         (BEAT)

                    I'll tell her.  Thanks.

                    

     He hangs up.

     

             DARCY

                    What is it?

                    

                    WILLY

                    Someone sent you a Christmas

                    gift.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Who?

                    

                    WILLY

                    I could take a guess.

                    

     

     EXT.  -  THE RANCHO PARK PARKING LOT  -  DAY

     

     Darcy walks out with willy to discover--

     

     the red M.G.  Willy admires it.

     

             DARCY

                    My car!

                    

                    WILLY

                    Good car.

                    

     She goes to it and opens the driver's door.  HAND CONTROLS

     for the clutch and brake adorn the steering wheel.   Darcy

     sits sideways in the driver's seat and, using her hands,

     lifts her legs in one at a time so she can turn to take the

     wheel.

     

             WILLY

                    Pretty sharp, Darcy.

                    

     She finds a note taped to the dash, pulls it free and reads.

     

             WILLY

                    What does it say?

                    

                    DARCY

                    It says he wants to see me. 

                    He's coming by tomorrow. 

                    Thank god.  I thought he'd

                    given up on me.

                    

     Something occurs to her.  Something both troublesome and

     exciting.

     

             DARCY  (cont'd)

                    Can we go for a ride?

                    

                    WILLY

                    Well, I don't--

                    

                    DARCY

                    Willy.  I have to get some

                    decent clothes.

                    

     

     EXT. - THE RECREATION YARD (RANCHO PARK) - DAY

     

     Darcy sits at a picnic table.  She wears a bright, color

     blocked sweater.  Her legs are obscured by the placement of

     the table and the empty bench opposite her.

     

     A small make up mirror reflects her features as she applies

     make up carefully.  Her hair falls, brushed and washed, in a

     small cascade over her shoulders.

     

     

     

     Marty comes from the big building and scans the lawn for 

     her.   Failing to spot her, he lets out a distinctive

     whistle.

     

     Darcy looks up at once from her work and returns the

     whistle, waving to him.

     

     

     EXT.  -  RANCHO PARK PARKING LOT  -  DAY

     

     THE BLACK PORSCHE pulls into a spot.  Damon gets out and

     grabs a long, black case from behind the driver's seat.  He

     walks off across the parking lot with it, looking for a way

     around the main building.

     

     THE RECREATION YARD

     

     Marty runs across the lawn to Darcy and sits across the

     table from her.

     

     For a long moment they just look at each other, smiling.

     

             DARCY

                    So I guess you're pretty mad

                    at me.  Huh?

                    

     He shakes his head "no".

     

             DARCY

                    Well you should be.  I've been

                    pretty awful to you.

                    

                    MARTY

                    I doubt you've been having the

                    time of your life, yourself. 

                    You needed time.  I can

                    understand that.

                         (BEAT)

                    I was mad for a while.

                    

     He hands her the little black book.

     

             MARTY

                    I got this off the old

                    Farnsworth estate.  Take a

                    look.  Names.  Dates.  The

                    works.

                    

                    DARCY

                    You want me to transcribe it

                    for you?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Already did.  New shipment

                    already came in.  It should be

                    stored wherever Farnsworth is

                    staying now.  

                    

                    DARCY

                    Cool.  You going to nail him?

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?  No.  I could've nailed

                    him at the drop if I'd wanted

                    to.  I left him for you.

                    

                    DARCY

                    For me?  What are you talking

                    about?  What am I supposed to

                    do?

                    

     Marty is silent for a moment.

     

             MARTY

                    You made me promise.  That

                    first night in the hospital.

                    

     Darcy shakes her head in disbelief.

     

             DARCY

                    I must have been in shock or

                    something.  Delirious.

                    

                    MARTY

                    You made me promise, Darcy.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Would you stop saying that,

                    Marty?  Christ.  I just

                    learned how to walk.  I can't

                    be out chasing bad guys.

                    

     Marty falls silent for a moment.  He purses his lips

     fighting back emotion, reaction.

     

             MARTY

                         (CONTROLLED)

                    Fine.  So this means you don't

                    want to be my partner any

                    more?

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    DARCY

                    Marty.  Don't be stupid.  What

                    kind of partner would I make,

                    now.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Your were best damn partner

                    I've ever had, Darce.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Yeah.  Well, not any more. 

                    I'm staying here.  Maybe the

                    firm has some paper work or

                    something I could pick up, but

                    I'm staying here.  I can't go

                    out there again.  I went out

                    yesterday.  To get these

                    clothes.

                    

                    MARTY

                    You're looking great.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Thanks.  But it was awful. 

                    People stared at me.

                    

                    MARTY

                    People have always stared at

                    you.

                    

                    DARCY

                    No.  They used to gaze.  Now

                    they just stare.

                    

     Marty makes a snap decision.  He shrugs and stands.

     

             MARTY

                    Alright, then.  I'll let

                    Farnsworth get away and find a

                    new partner.

                    

     He starts to walk away.

     

             DARCY

                    Wait a minute, Marty.  What do

                    you mean "let Farnsworth get

                    away?"

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    MARTY

                    I promised I'd leave him for

                    you.  If you don't want to

                    take him down my hands are

                    tied.

                    

     Again he turns to walk away.

     

             DARCY

                    Get back here!  You can't just

                    walk away.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (HE STOPS.  TURNS)

                    Why's that?

                    

                    DARCY

                    You have to nail Farnsworth.

                    

     Marty shakes his head.

     

             MARTY

                    Nope.  Can't do it, Darce. 

                    Can't do it.  I love you. 

                    Really.  Madly.  I can't break

                    a promise.  Farnsworth is

                    yours if you want him.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I can't leave, Marty.

                    

                    MARTY

                    I know.  People stare.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'm in the middle of recovery.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Your physical therapist says

                    you've been ready to get out

                    on your own for over a month. 

                    He says you've been walking

                    without canes for weeks.

                    

     Beat.

     

             DARCY

                    You talked to Willy.

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    MARTY

                         (DISREGARDING THE

                                             COMMENT)

                    But if you want to stay here,

                    go ahead.  I'll get over it. 

                    I'm sure Farnsworth won't

                    mind.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Did he put you up to this?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Farnsworth?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Willy.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Nope.  See you later.

                    

     He turns to go.  

     

     Darcy stands.  She wears a simple black skirt that entirely

     conceals her legs.

     

             DARCY

                    Wait!

                    

     Marty turns for a third time, now.  He does not stare.  He

     gazes.

     

             DARCY

                         (CONTINUED)

                    Walk me to my room.  I'll get

                    my stuff.

                    

     She comes around the table and joins him, carrying her

     mirror and little bag of cosmetics.  They walk together

     along the pavement.

     

     She keeps the pace, but it is clear from her gait that

     something is wrong...  Clear enough so that people might

     stare.

     

     Marty ckecks her out as she walks next to him.  She notices.

     

             DARCY

                    See?  Now you're staring.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Did you get taller?

                    

     

     INT.  -  HER ROOM  -  DAY

     

     The lock snicks open and Darcy comes in with Marty behind

     her.

     

             DARCY

                    I don't have much stuff.  A

                    hairbrush.  This make-up and

                    stuff.  All the flowers.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Leave them.  I've got tons at

                    home for you.

                    

     She goes to the window and looks out for a last time at the

     recreation yard.

     

             DARCY

                    I've kind of grown to like

                    this place.  Good people.  You

                    know?

                    

     She turns to him.

     

     A HIGH CALIBER BULLET shatters through a window panel.

     

     The sudden adrenalin startles Darcy's balance.  She falls

     forward.  Catching herself on her hands, she finds herself

     face to face with Marty who has hit the deck rather more

     deliberately.

     

             DARCY

                    Alright.  Can I just say

                    something?  I've been trying

                    not to bitch, trying to have a

                    really good attitude, but can

                    I just say something?

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Not having legs really sucks.

                    

     Marty chuckles.  He kisses her hand.

     

             MARTY

                    So does not having a partner. 

                    Seems like we're all making a

                    forced recovery.

                    

     Darcy nods.

     

             DARCY

                    You got any kind of a plan?

                    

                    MARTY

                         (MAKING NO MOVE TO

                                             GET UP)

                    Me?  Of course.

                    

     Beat.

     

             DARCY

                    Well?  What is it?

                    

                    MARTY

                         (HE BEGINS TO STAND)

                    Well, first of all--

                    

     Another shot shatters more glass.  Marty drops back down.

     

             MARTY

                         (WITHOUT MISSING A

                                             BEAT)

                    --I'm gonna lie here on the

                    floor with you for another

                    couple of minutes.

                    

     They lie face to face on the floor.

     

             DARCY

                    So far I don't think much of

                    your plan.

                    

                    MARTY

                    You got something better?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I think so.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What've you got?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Give me a second to get out of

                    these things.

                    

     Marty, a little uncomfortable, looks away as Darcy begins to

     unstrap her legs.

     

     AS SOON AS SHE'S FREE OF THEM SHE CRAWLS AROUND THE BED AND

     pulls her wheelchair toward her out of the window's sight

     lines.  With a little help from Marty she lifts herself into

     it.

     

     She lets out a long slow breath.

     

             DARCY

                    Alright.  You ready?

                    

                    MARTY

                    For what?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'm going to draw some fire,

                    see if I can't get the door

                    open.

                    

                    MARTY

                    You're going to do what?

                    

     But she's already about her business.  With a powerful push

     against the wheels she propels herself directly across the

     firing line.

     

     Two more shots blast through the room, but Darcy's move is

     too swift.  They both miss.

     

     Darcy turns herself around awkwardly, staying as close as

     she can to the far wall.

     

             DARCY

                    Not too shabby.

                    

     Marty gives her a thumbs up.

     

             DARCY

                    This time I'll get the door. 

                    As soon as I'm out of the way,

                    go for it.  I'll follow in a

                    second.  Alright?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Alright.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Alright.  Here we go.

                    

     She rolls herself across the firing line again and, bullets

     piercing the wall behind her, manages to pop the door open

     as she glides by.

     

     Marty launches himself into a low roll that takes him out of

     the room.

     

             DARCY

                    You ready for me?

                    

     IN THE HALLWAY  -  CONTINUOUS

     

     Marty pulls his gun from behind his belt.  He checks the

     chamber.

     

             MARTY

                    Give me a second here.  I'll

                    give you some cover.

                    

     He slides the action back, cocking the gun.

     

             MARTY

                    Alright.  Stay low.  One...

                    

                    DARCY

                         (WITHIN THE ROOM)

                    Two...

                    

                    MARTY

                    Three!

                    

     He slams himself against the wall of the hallway opposite

     the door and squeezes off a full clip's worth of shots

     through the doorway and the broken window beyond.

     

     Darcy, ducking in her chair, wheels out below his line of

     fire.

     

     As soon as she is safely in the hall and out of danger,

     Marty joins behind the door jam.

     

     People begin to peer out of their rooms, responding to the

     sounds of gunfire.

     

             MARTY

                    You okay?

                    

                    DARCY

                         (GRINNING)

                    I'm great.  This is great. 

                         (THEN, SCORNFULLY)

                    'paperwork'.  I was born for

                    this.

                    

     He nods.  He smiles.

     

             MARTY

                    Let's get you out of here. 

                    This place isn't safe.

                    

                    DARCY

                    We can't just leave, Marty.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What's the matter?

                    

                    DARCY

                    My legs are in there.

                    

     Marty, sitting on the floor, presses his head back against

     the wall.

     

             MARTY

                    Damn.  Alright.  Give me a

                    second.  I'll figure something

                    out.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Give me your gun.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'll give you cover.  Give me

                    your gun.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Are you kidding?

                    

                    DARCY

                    You want to give me cover

                    again?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Alright.  Alright.  Here.

                    

     He slides a new clip into the gun and hands it to her.

     

             DARCY

                    Alright.  One...

                    

                    MARTY

                    Wait a minute.

                    

                    DARCY

                    What is it?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Don't forget to set your

                    brakes before you start

                    squeezing off shots, okay?

                    

     Darcy laughs.  She nods.

     

             DARCY

                    Got it.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Alright.  Count again.

                    

                    DARCY

                    One...

                    

                    MARTY

                    Two...

                    

     

     EXT.  -  THE 101 FREEWAY -  DAY

     

     The big pink plymouth moves slowly in the perpetual traffic.

     

     Marty drives.  Darcy passengers.  Her new legs and the

     folded wheelchair take up most of the back.

     

     Marty hangs up the car phone.

     

             MARTY

                    Calhoun's going to take care

                    of the Rancho expenses and

                    explanations for us.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I don't envy him the job.

                    

     Marty checks the rear view mirror.

     

             MARTY

                    Listen.  I don't want to alarm

                    you--

                    

                    DARCY

                    We're being followed?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah.  There's a--

                    

                    DARCY

                    Black Mazda about four car

                    lengths back.

                    

                    MARTY

                    So I guess you're not alarmed.

                    

     Darcy points out the vanity mirror.

     

     

                    DARCY

                    Picked us up as we left Rancho

                    Park.  I figure him for the

                    gunman.

                    Beat.

     

             MARTY

                    Ordinarily I'd let him catch

                    us, but--

                    

                    DARCY

                    That's cool with me.  Let's do

                    it.

                    

     Marty turns to her.  He looks at her, trying to decide.

     

             DARCY

                         (SHARPLY)

                    Watch the road!

                    

     Marty returns his focus to find that the traffic ahead of

     him has slowed sharply.  He hits the breaks and brings the

     huge vehicle to a squealing stall.  He turns the key,

     restarting the engine.

     

     Darcy laughs at him, snapping her seat belt off.

     

             DARCY

                    Take the Barham exit.  Find a

                    place that you can give me a

                    minute.

                    

     

     EXT.  -  THE BARHAM EXIT  -  DAY

     

     The plymouth pulls off the highway and stays in the farthest

     left of the exit lanes.  Reaching an intersection it stops

     for a red light.

     

     THE BLACK MAZDA pulls off the freeway as well, a few cars

     behind.

     

     The light turns green.  The plymouth doesn't move.

     

     One of the cars behind the plymouth begins to honk.  The

     others join the chorus.

     

     Still, Marty waits.

     

     The light turns yellow.

     

     Marty waits.

     

     At the last possible moment he guns the engine, making the

     left turn with a quick squeal of the tires as the light

     turns red.  

     

     The next car in line stays on his tail making it through the

     turn behind him.  A couple of cars and the mazda are left

     waiting for the light to change again.

     

     The plymouth pulls off the road into a mini-mart's parking

     lot.  It pulls around behind the store.

     

     After a moment, it re-emerges.

     

     Marty, alone now in the car, waits.

     

     The mazda finally makes the left.  It almost passes by the

     mini-mart altogether, but, at the second entrance to the

     little lot, turns in.

     

     It pulls up headlights-to-headlights with the plymouth.

     

     DIETRICH, a man in far too nice a suit, gets out of it.  He

     approaches Marty's car drawing a small hand gun from a

     shoulder holster.

     

     Marty rolls down his window.  He smiles at dietrich.

     

     dietrich does not smile back.  His mouth is a horizontal

     line.  His voice is a monotone.

     

           DIETRICH

                    Step out of the car.  Keep

                    your hands above your head.

                    

     Marty shakes his head, still smiling.

     

             MARTY

                    I don't think so, Chief.

                    

     Dietrich brandishes the gun making sure the threat is

     obvious.

           DIETRICH

                    Rethinking that?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Nope.

                    

     He gestures toward the mini-mart.  Darcy, back in her

     wheelchair, rounds the corner and sets her brakes, leveling

     Marty's gun at Dietrich.

     

     

                    

                    DARCY

                         (PROJECTING TO

                                             DIETRICH)

                    Put the gun on the roof of the

                    car and step away with your

                    hands locked behind your head.

                    

     Dietrich takes her in.

     

           DIETRICH

                         (TO Marty)

                    Oh, boy.  Look.  I think I've

                    made a mistake, here.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Looks like it.

                    

                    DIETRICH

                    No.  No.  No.  You guys are--

                    

                    DARCY

                         (SHARPLY)

                    Do it!

                    

     Dietrich puts the gun on the roof of the car and backs away,

     talking.  He links his fingers behind his neck.

     

           DIETRICH

                         (PROJECTING TO HER,

                                             VERY NERVOUS)

                    Don't get nervous, Hale.  I'm

                    with the Firm.  First

                    editions.  Mallory.  Too long

                    ago.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Partner?

                    

                    MARTY

                    I'm on it.

                    

     He pushes the door open, keeping an eye on Dietrich.  He

     ducks to avoid walking through Darcy's sights.

     

     He approaches Dietrich from the side and frisks him

     efficiently.  Finding the wallet, he goes through it

     quickly.

     

     He holds up a small stack of business cards for Darcy to

     see.

     

     

                    MARTY

                    He's got business cards from

                    the book store.

                         (HE PULLS A

                                             LAMINATED CARD FROM

                                             THE WALLET)

                    The I.D.'s Legit, Darcy.  Get

                    over here.

                    

     He steps away from dietrich and takes the man's gun from the

     roof of his car.  He cocks and levels it.

     

     Darcy sets Marty's gun in her lap and rolls to join them. 

     Once in place, she takes up the gun again.

     

     Marty unloads Dietrich's gun, pops the last bullet out of

     the chamber and puts it back in his holster for him.

     

     Very casually, completely relaxed, he sits on the hood of

     his car, drawing one knee up to his chest.

     

             MARTY

                    Got a story to tell us, Mr.-- 

                    Uh--

                         (HE GLANCES AT THE

                                             CARD)

                    --Dietrich?

                    

                    DIETRICH

                    Calhoun sent me to the center

                    to bring Miss Hale some paper

                    work.

                    

                    DARCY

                    So you figured you might as

                    well get in some target

                    practice?

                    

                    DIETRICH

                    I never fired a shot.  You can

                    check the clip.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Marty?

                    

                    MARTY

                    He's right on that.  The

                    barrel was clean.  Looked like

                    it'd never been fired.

                    

                    

                    

                    DIETRICH

                    I got out of the Academy in

                    September.  I carry packages. 

                    Can I put my hands down, now?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Sure.

                    

                    DARCY

                    No.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Oops.  I was wrong.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Why are you following us?

                    

                    DIETRICH

                         (HE AVOIDS LOOKING

                                             AT HER.  HE TALKS

                                             ONLY TO Marty)

                    I was getting out of my car at

                    the Rehab Place.  I heard

                    shots.  I get back in the car

                    to call for local police back-

                    up.  By the time I'm done with

                    the patch-through there's a

                    big, pink Plymouth squealing

                    away from the scene.

                    

     BEAT.

     

             DARCY

                    So.  Three months out of the

                    Academy and you abandoned an

                    assignment to engage in a

                    mobile pursuit for no real

                    reason?

                    

     Beat.

     

     He turns to her now and speaks softly, embarrassed.

     

           DIETRICH

                    Yeah.  Yes, Ma'am.  I--  uh-- 

                    I guess I was stalling.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Stalling?

                    

                    

                    

                    DIETRICH

                    Well...   I figured you

                    probably weren't going any

                    where and-- well-- I didn't

                    really want to go inside.  It

                    gives me the creeps in those

                    places.  Everybody's--  well-- 

                    you know.

                    

     Marty bites his lip.

     

             DARCY

                         (SHE SPEAKS SHARPLY,

                                             HOLDING THE GUN

                                             STEADY, AIMED)

                    Everybody's what?

                    

                    DIETRICH

                         (ON THE VERGE OF

                                             TEARS)

                    Please.  Come on.  Just let me

                    give you this package and get

                    out of here.

                    

     Beat.

     

             MARTY

                    Darcy?

                    

     She is silent for a moment, steady, then...

     

                    DARCY

                    Fine.

                    

     Very fast, Dietrich unlocks his fingers and runs back to his

     car.  He brings out a manilla envelope.  He pauses

     uncomfortably, then moves toward Darcy.

     

             DARCY

                    Uh-uh.  Just toss it in our

                    car.

                    

                    DIETRICH

                         (RELIEVED)

                    Thank you.

                    

                    DARCY

                    It wasn't for your sake.  I

                    don't particularly want to get

                    near you, either.

                    

                    

     Dietrich winces.  He does as he's been told.  He returns to

     his car and drives off.

     

     Darcy goes to the passenger's door of the plymouth and opens

     it.

     

     Marty moves around the car to help her, but she waves him

     away, managing her transfer to the car seat most gracefully.

     

     Marty shrugs and starts back around.

     

             DARCY

                    Hey!

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?

                    

                    DARCY

                    You think you could throw my

                    chair in the back for me?  I

                    spent a bunch of money on it.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (SMILING

                                             APOLOGETICALLY)

                    Sorry.  I'm on it.

                    

                    DARCY

                         (SOFTLY)

                    Thanks.

                    

     She closes her door and rests her head back against the

     high, leathery seat.  She shuts her eyes tightly and bites

     her lip.

     

     Marty folds the chair and throws it in the back.

     

     He joins her in the car.  He makes a move for the ignition,

     but she reaches out and takes his hand.  She squeezes it.

     

             MARTY

                    Pain?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Sort of.  Marty.  Uh.  God.  I

                    don't--  I--

                    

     She begins to cry and he turns to take her in his arms.

     

             MARTY

                    What is it, Kiddo?  What can I

                    do?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I don't disgust you, do I?

                    

     He chuckles a little, sympathetic chuckle.

     

             MARTY

                    No.  No, Darcy.  You don't

                    disgust me.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Not even a little?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Darcy.  No.  You humble me. 

                    You back me up.  You impress

                    the hell out of me.  And about

                    ninety-two percent of the time

                    you turn me on.  But you have

                    never disgusted me.

                    

                    DARCY

                         (LAUGHING A LITTLE

                                             THROUGH THE TEARS.)

                    Marty.  You sleep more than

                    eight percent of the time.

                    

                    MARTY

                    You fill my dreams.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Really?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Really.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Still?

                    

                    MARTY

                    For ever.  You still owe me an

                    answer on that proposal.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I thought that was contingent

                    on us coming out of it okay.

                    

                    MARTY

                    You look okay to me.

                    

     He dries her tears.  He kisses her.  It is a slow, sweet

     kiss.  Darcy pulls away sharply, uncomfortably.  She adjusts

     her skirt making sure her stumps are hidden.

     

             DARCY

                    Let's see what Calhoun sent

                    me, Huh?

                    

     She locates and opens the manilla folder.  She pulls out

     some paperwork.

     

             DARCY

                    Son of a bitch.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What is it?

                    

                    DARCY

                    That bastard expects me to

                    take a pension and retire.

                    

     They make eye contact and, reaching awkwardly for the back

     seat--

     

             DARCY

                    Give me my damn legs.

                    

     

     INT.  -  CALHOUN'S OFFICE  -  DAY

     

            CALHOUN

                    What do you mean?  Of course

                    you have to go on pension.

                    

     Marty sits in the visitor's chair.  Darcy stands.

     

             DARCY

                    I can't, Cal.  I'm in the

                    middle of an assignment.   

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Talk to your partner, Castle.

                    

                    MARTY

                    If she still wants to work...

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Shut up, Castle.  You're not

                    helping.

                    

     Marty gets up and goes to the window.  He creates a gap in

     the vertical blinds and looks out.

     

     

                    

                    

                    DARCY

                    So.  Do you want to make this

                    easy on me, or do I have to

                    make it hard on you?

                    

     Calhoun snorts at the question.

     

            CALHOUN

                    Look, Hale.  I'm really in no

                    mood for this.  I hate to see

                    any operative taken out of

                    action like this. 

                    Especially...  well, you know.

                    

                    DARCY

                    One you used to sleep with?

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    I was thinking 'one as good as

                    you,' but the other applies.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Fine.  I'm not out of action. 

                    I'm still officially on active

                    duty.

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Exactly.  And I need you to

                    sign these papers so I can

                    take you off duty.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Well, I'm not signing.  So

                    you've got two options.  You

                    keep me on salary--  on duty--

                    or you fire me.  No pension. 

                    No money.  Nothing.  You ready

                    to put me out on the street

                    like that, Cal?

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Of course not, Darcy.  You

                    know I could never do that.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Good.  Then put me back on the

                    roster.  

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Look, Darcy.  You know the

                    rules.  A disabled agent goes 

                              CALHOUN

                         (cont'd)

                    on pension and relaxes.  The

                    end.  You're obviously

                    disabled, here.

                    

     She circles the desk with just the slightest limp 'til she

     stands very close to him.

     

             DARCY

                    Am I, Cal?  I just shanghaied

                    one of your rookies and sent

                    him back to you with his tail

                    between his legs.

                    

     She sits on the edge of his desk.

     

             DARCY  (CONT'D)

                    Now it's pretty clear to me

                    that the story here isn't

                    about me losing my legs.  It's

                    about this guy Farnsworth

                    distributing a hundred and

                    fifty kilos a week.  And Marty

                    and I are the only ones who

                    know the nuances of the case.

                    

     Calhoun simply looks at her for a moment then picks up the

     phone.

     

            CALHOUN

                         (INTO THE PHONE)

                    Sal?  Call Personnel and

                    Placement.  Tell 'em to take

                    Darcy Hale off disability and

                    put her back on the boards.

                         (BEAT)

                    You heard me.

                         (BEAT)

                    Yep.  She's still on the

                    Farnsworth assignment.

                         (BEAT)

                    Don't argue, Sal.

                         (BEAT)

                    Right

                    

     He hangs up.

     

                    DARCY

                    Thank you, Cal.

                    

                    

                    MARTY

                    Well, I hate to say it, Cal,

                    but for once I think you're a

                    human being.

                    

                    CALHOUN

                    Thanks.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Don't mention it.  Ever.

                    

     

     EXT.  -  THE BOOK STORE  -  DAY

     

     Marty and Darcy move side by side toward the plymouth.  They

     walk like partners.  She hardly limps. 

     

     People pass on the street.  They don't stare.  There is

     nothing to stare at.

     

             MARTY

                    You seem to be learning that

                    walking thing pretty damn

                    fast.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I think getting pissed off at

                    Cal helped a lot.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What's the next move?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Next move?  What next move? 

                    Marty, I knew you were coming

                    to the center, I was going to

                    show you my new legs today.  I

                    couldn't sleep last night.  I

                    spent the morning obsessing

                    over my make-up, trying to

                    figure a way to blow you off

                    and justify staying at Rancho.

                    

     They reach the car and Marty circles to the driver's side.  

     

             DARCY  (CONT'D)

                    I've avoided being shot,

                    followed and retired.  And

                    I've learned to walk

                    convincingly.

                    

     

     She gets in on the passenger's side.  Marty slides into the

     driver's seat.

     

             DARCY  (CONT'D)

                    It's my first day out of rehab

                    and I'm already flying in the

                    face of socially accepted

                    customs and Central Firm

                    Procedure and winning.  It's

                    nearly six-thirty and I

                    haven't eaten lunch yet.  Next

                    move is you drive me back to

                    my car.  I race you home.  I

                    light a couple of candles and

                    drop into a warm bath while

                    you choose some music,

                    activate the perimeter

                    security, and put together a

                    huge sandwich and a glass of

                    wine for me.

                    

                    MARTY

                    And you think about my

                    proposal?

                    

     She nods.

             MARTY

                         (CONTINUED)

                    Done deal.  Good plan.

                    

     He starts the engine.

     

     

     EXT.  -  POINT PERFECT  -  EVENING

     

     The porsche is nowhere to be seen.

     

     The work on the porch has been completed.  A ramp now runs

     alongside the stairs.

     

     Darcy gets out of the red M.G. as Marty pulls up in the

     plymouth.  She leans on the roof of her car looking at the

     ramp.  She smiles sheepishly, hiding behind a hand.

     

             DARCY

                    You got me a ramp.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (BEAMING)

                    Uh-huh.  You like it?

                    

                    

                    DARCY

                    Well...  uh...

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?

                    

                    DARCY

                         (SHEEPISHLY)

                    It's really great.  I mean... 

                    It's really great.  And I

                    thank you.  But I think I can

                    manage the stairs.

                    

     Marty shakes his head, bemused.  He follows her, watching

     carefully, ready to catch her as she does indeed manage the

     stairs.

     

             MARTY

                    You are amazing.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Oooh.  The incredible stair

                    climbing woman.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Get inside, you.

                    

     Unnoticed by either of them, a WHITE LIMO pulls up across

     the street as they pass inside the house.

     

     JUMP TO:

     

     THE WICK OF A CANDLE

     

     is ignited by the flame of a match.

     

     A CD 

     

     slides into a cd player and...

     

     THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE UNDER THE SONG TIME STANDS (By Dylan

     Brody and Eduardo Ponsdomenech)

     

     Marty's fingers type in the security code and the green

     light goes red.

     

     Steaming hot water pours from the shining gold-chrome bath

     faucet.  

     

     Marty pulls bread out of the refrigerator.  He opens the

     freezer for a moment, then, shaking his head oddly, closes

     it again without reaching in.

     

     Happy in her bubble bath, Darcy scrubs her back with a

     brush.  She is lit dimly, but warmly by the candle's dance.

     

     Marty slices a big sandwich in half and places it carefully

     on a plate.  He goes to the freezer, pulls out a little box

     from the very back and sets it decoratively on the plate.

     

     Darcy stands before the mirror in a white, plush bathrobe.

     She brushes out her hair.  She backs up a couple of steps to

     examine the line of her body in the candle-light.

     

     Marty sets the elegant looking plate and a glass of white

     wine on a table on the ocean-side deck.  He lights a candle

     to complete the arrangement.  He looks at it for a moment,

     then removes the little ring box.  The sun hangs bright

     above the ocean.

     

     The freezer opens and Marty puts the ring all the way back

     behind the ice trays.

     

     Darcy enters behind him as he closes the freezer.  He turns

     to her, startled.  She beckons to him and he comes to her

     right away.  She spreads her arms and he wraps her in his

     own.  They dance, slowly, nicely in the kitchen.

     

     

     

     EXT.  -  POINT PERFECT  -  EVENING

     

     The rear door of the WHITE LIMO opens and a man gets out. 

     Thin, his hair greying, he wears a long, black trench coat. 

     He shuts the door and leans back against it.  He lights a

     cigarette and blows smoke slowly.

     

     ON THE DECK

     

     Darcy swirls her wine gently in the glass.  She watches the

     last edge of the sun as it is quenched by the sea.

     

     Marty watches her.

     

             MARTY

                         (SOFTLY)

                    What are you thinking about?

                    

                    DARCY

                    My legs.

                    

     She pulls at an edge of her robe, hiding the exposed joint

     of her mechanical knee.

     

     

                    MARTY

                    You're doing great with them.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I mean my old ones.  I really

                    liked them. 

                    

     She takes a bite of her sandwich.

     

             MARTY

                    You want to talk about it?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I want to talk about

                    Farnsworth.

                    

     She takes another big bite.

     

     Beat.

     

             MARTY

                    I think I want to talk about

                    it.

                    

     She sets down the sandwich.  She gives him her full

     attention.

     

             MARTY

                         (STRUGGLING FOR

                                             WORDS)

                    Look.  I know--  I know how

                    hard this has got to be for

                    you.  And I'm certainly ready

                    to be patient, and supportive

                    and helpful in any way I can. 

                    You know?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Uh-huh?

                    

                    MARTY

                    But I was--  I've been really

                    in love with you since before

                    this happened.  

                    

     He takes her hand, and she grasps his in return, squeezing

     it affectionately.

     

             MARTY  (CONT'D)

                    I used to watch you move

                    around the house, here-- and

                    out in the field.  You know?            MARTY

                         (cont'd)

                    And I could pretty much figure

                    out what you looked like under

                    all those damn clothes,

                    imagine the lines, wrap my

                    mind around the curves.

                    

     He kisses her hand once, then holds it against his cheek.

     

             MARTY  (CONT'D)

                    But now I'm at a really

                    frightening loss.  You were in

                    the bathtub, there, and I was

                    in the kitchen making

                    sandwiches and my heart

                    started pounding.  'cause I

                    didn't know how you'd be

                    dressed when you came out.  We

                    left the wheel chair in the

                    car and I was desperately

                    afraid you were going to come--  I don't know--  You know-- 

                    crawling out here on your-- 

                    on your--

                    

                    DARCY

                         (GENTLY)

                    Stumps?

                    

     Marty nods, clutching her hand, pressing his eyes closed so

     he can speak without seeing her.

     

             MARTY

                    Exactly.  I was afraid of it,

                    'cause I thought there was a

                    good chance I would embarrass

                    myself and you and just stand

                    there, fixated, staring.  

                    

     He allows his eyes to open.  They meet hers.

     

             MARTY  (CONT'D)

                    And then you came out in the

                    bathrobe, standing up, and I

                    found I was disappointed

                    'cause I still haven't gotten

                    a chance to--  

                    

     He shifts his gaze out to the starlit ocean.

     

     

                    MARTY     (CONT'D)

                    well--  to figure out how the

                    hell the woman I love is

                    designed.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Don't ever be afraid of

                    embarrassing me, Marty.  I'm

                    having a kind of a hard time

                    myself.  I really used to love

                    showing off my legs.  And you

                    never used to worry about

                    fixating.

                    

                    MARTY

                    I tried not to be so obvious.

                    

                    DARCY

                    You failed miserably.

                    In any case, things are a

                    little different, now. 

                    Suddenly I'm trying to figure

                    out what I can wear to hide my

                    legs.  And neither of us is

                    sure how I'll react if you

                    stare at them.

                    

                    MARTY

                    So, are you saying you'll show

                    me when you're ready?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'm saying I think we can help

                    each other.

                    

     She places his hand on the hardness of her concealed knee

     and runs it up to the lip of the prosthesis.

     

             MARTY

                    Really?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'll show you how these go on

                    and off.  Come on inside.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (SMILING SHEEPISHLY)

                    Your room or mine?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Mine.  I need to feel really

                    at home right now.

                    

     Keeping hold of his hand she stands, pulls him to his feet

     and leads him in toward the bedroom.

     

     

     EXT.  -  POINT PERFECT  -  NIGHT

     

     The man in the dark trench coat stubs out his cigarette

     against the insole of his shoe and flicks the butt across

     the street into a garbage can.  He heads for the house.

     

     

     INT.  -  AT THE BEDROOM DOORWAY 

     

     Darcy stops and turns gently into Marty's arms.  They kiss. 

     She looks up into his eyes for a moment, running her fingers

     through his hair.  They kiss again, for a long, long time.

     

     Reluctantly they suspend the kiss moving into 

     

     THE BEDROOM and...

     

     The door bell rings.

     

     They stop.

     

             DARCY

                         (WHISPERING)

                    Ignore it.

                    

     They continue toward the bed, his arm around her waist, his

     hand drifting down along her hip.

     

     It rings again.

     

     They stop.

     

             MARTY

                    I can't.

                         (HE TURNS AWAY FROM

                                             HER.)

                    Don't start without me.

                    

     He goes to the front door.  He stands with his back pressed

     to the wall beside the door.  He draws his gun and shouts.

     

             MARTY

                    Who is it?

                    

                    WILLIAM

                         (OFF)

                    Are you Marty Castle?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Who is it, please?

                    

                    WILLIAM

                         (OFF, IMPATIENTLY)

                    Mr. Calhoun told me I should

                    say I'm looking for first

                    editions.

                    

                    MARTY

                    You like Mallory?

                    

                    WILLIAM

                         (OFF)

                    You can't get first edition

                    Mallory.  It was too long ago.

                    

     Marty neutralizes the security system and opens the door.

     

     WILLIAM comes in.

     

            WILLIAM

                         (COLDLY)

                    You used to be Darcy Hale's

                    partner.  That right?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Who the hell are you?  What's

                    this about?

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    I just wanted to take a good

                    long look at the guy let my

                    little girl get her ass shot

                    off.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (ANGRY.  DEFENSIVE.)

                    Hey.  I didn't let anyone get--

                         (HE STOPS.  SOFTENS)

                    You're William Hale?

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    That's right.  And let me tell

                    you something, young man.  You

                    may think you're the hottest--

                    

                    DARCY

                    Dad?

                    

     She emerges from the bedroom.

     

            WILLIAM

                    Darcy!

                    

     He runs to her and embraces her tightly.

     

            WILLIAM (CONT'D)

                    I'm so glad you're alright.  I

                    got back in town this

                    afternoon and they told me

                    you'd gone and gotten your

                    legs shot off or something.  

                    I was so afraid I was going to

                    come back and find you pushing

                    yourself around on a

                    skateboard. 

                    

     Darcy stiffens.  She pushes him away a little.  

     

     Marty gives Darcy a supportive "stay cool" nod.

     

     He goes on.

     

            WILLIAM (CONT'D)

                    I smoked three cigarettes

                    outside before I had the

                    courage to come in.

                         (TO Marty)

                    I was going to beat the living

                    tar out of you, son.  Find out

                    where Darcy was and beat the

                    tar out of you.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Dad?

                    

     He turns to his daughter.

     

            WILLIAM

                    What is it, Sweetie?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I want you to promise you

                    won't get upset.

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    What's the matter?

                    

     She opens enough of the bathrobe to reveal part of her legs.

     

     William's eyes widen.  He turns sharply toward Marty,

     drawing back a fist.  He glances back at his daughter.  He

     turns back to Marty.  Even as he begins to throw a punch,

     his knees go rubbery.  His eyes roll up.  He collapses in a

     dead faint

     

             DARCY

                    How do you think he's taking

                    it?

                    

     Marty kneels over William, making sure his breathing's okay.

     

     William twitches once, twice, snaps awake and drives a fist

     hard across Marty's jaw.  The surprise blow does the trick

     and, with a sloppy twist Marty replaces William in the

     unconscious-on-the-floor position.

     

             DARCY

                    Dad!!!

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    He had it coming.

                    

     He stands up.

     

     Darcy sits on the floor beside Marty making sure his

     breathing's okay.

     

             DARCY

                    I think he's the man I'm gonna

                    marry.

                    

     Beat.

     

            WILLIAM

                    Really?  He asked you?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Uh-huh.

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    Oh.

                         (BEAT)

                    I probably shouldn't have

                    punched him then, huh?

                    

     Darcy shakes her head.

     

                    DARCY

                    Probably not.  

                    

     

     

     

     

     EXT.  -  THE SEA-SIDE DECK  -  NIGHT

     

     Damon climbs over the railing, jimmies the lock on the

     sliding glass door, and enters silently.  He shuts the door

     behind him.

     

     

     INT.  -  BY THE FRONT DOOR  -  NIGHT

     

     Marty comes to with his head in Darcy's lap.  He puts a hand

     to his jaw and rubs it a little.

     

             MARTY

                    Wow.  What happened?

                    

                    DARCY

                    My father caught you with a

                    sucker punch.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Ah.  How long was I out?

                    

                    DARCY

                    About a minute and a half.  I

                    sent Dad to bed in your room. 

                    You think you're ready to

                    stand up?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah.  Yeah.  Give me a

                    second.  Did you reset

                    security?

                    

     She comes to her feet and punches in the security code.  The

     indicator lights change color.  She helps Marty stand up.

     

     Together they head into the bedroom and close the door.

     

     THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE UNDER THE SONG THROUGH THE STORM

     (By Eduardo Ponsdomenech and Dylan Brody)

     

     IN THE KITCHEN    Damon moves silently past the pantry.

     

     IN DARCY'S ROOM    Shadows wrap the scene.  Marty sits on

     the edge of the bed.  Darcy stands before him.  He unties

     her robe and lets it fall open.

     

     IN MARTY'S ROOM    William lies awake in bed, staring at the

     ceiling, his brow furrowed, his light on.

     

     AT THE KITCHEN DOOR    Damon looks out of the darkened room

     trying to figure out which way to go.

     

     IN DARCY'S ROOM    Sitting beside him now, Darcy directs his

     hand to the release mechanism at her right thigh.  He gently

     undoes the catch.

     

     IN MARTY'S ROOM    William slides out from under the covers

     and pulls on his pants.

     

     IN DARCY'S ROOM    Marty supports Darcy in his arms,

     lowering her to the bed.

     

     IN THE KITCHEN    Damon moves stealthily through the room

     toward the living room in the darkness.

     

     The living room lights come on suddenly, spilling into the

     kitchen.

     

     Damon backs up and hides behind the door.

     

     William comes into the kitchen and,  as he searches for the

     light switch, he's hit from behind.  He crumples with a loud

     thud.

     

     IN DARCY'S ROOM

     

     Marty freezes mid-motion, hearing the sound.  He and Darcy

     are very close.

     

             DARCY

                         (WHISPERING)

                    Don't stop.

                    

                    MARTY

                         (WHISPERING BACK)

                    I thought I heard something.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Probably my father.  He tends

                    to go bump in the night.

                    DAMON

     

     Moves through the living room.  He moves to Darcy's door and

     stands to one side with his back to the door.  Slowly enough

     to afford almost complete silence he pops open his revolver

     and makes sure it's fully loaded.  He slides it shut with a

     soft click.

     

     He turns sharply, kicks the door open and blasts four shots,

     very fast into the bed.

     

     He turns on the lights to check his work.

     

     The injured mattress is empty.

     

     Darcy and Marty stand to his right and left respectively. 

     Each has a gun cocked and aimed.

     

     Marty takes away the revolver and tosses it to the bed.

     

     There is a long tableau, then...

     

             DARCY

                    Deal with this, partner.  I

                    have to go check on my Dad.

                    

     She carefully releases the hammer of her gun, drops the

     weapon into her bathrobe pocket, and goes.

     

             MARTY

                    Get going.  I don't want you

                    in the bedroom.

                    

     Damon, responding to Marty's gesture as much as his words,

     moves ahead of him through the doorway and into--

     

     THE LIVING ROOM  -  CONTINUOUS

     

     

                    

                    DAMON

                    I saw my brother blow her to

                    bits.

                    MARTY

                    Only bits of her.  Sit there.

                    

     Damon takes the indicated seat.  Marty sits opposite him.

     

             MARTY  (cont'd)

                    We've got some questions to

                    ask you.

                    

     Darcy comes from the kitchen with her father who holds his

     the sides of his head as though keeping it from falling

     apart.

     

            WILLIAM

                         (TO Marty)

                    D'you hit me?

                    

                    MARTY

                    No.  It was him.

                    

     William takes in the intruder.  He looks to Darcy.

     

     

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    This have to do with your

                    work?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Yeah.  Yeah, it does.

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    What's wrong with these

                    people?  They've still got you

                    on the job?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I turned down the pension.

                         (TO Marty)

                    Do we know who this moron is,

                    yet?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Sort of.  This is Karl's

                    brother.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Karl?

                    

                    MARTY

                    The guy -- I shot.

                    

     Darcy looks at the man.  She pulls the gun back out of her

     pocket, and holds it loosely at her side.

     

            WILLIAM

                    You carry a gun in your

                    bathrobe?

                    

                    DARCY

                    Dad.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Not always, Mr. Hale.  This is

                    sort of an unusual night.

                    

                    DARCY

                         (TO DAMON)

                    So tell me.  What's your name?

                    

                    DAMON

                    None of your business.

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    DARCY

                         (SHRUGGING)

                    Okay.

                         (THEN, TO Marty)

                    Take him out and kill him.

                    

                    DAMON

                    What?

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    What?

                    

                    MARTY

                    I'm all over it.

                    

     He gets up, gestures for Damon to do the same.  Damon does

     not comply.

     

             DAMON

                    Where are we going?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Out back.

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    Darcy!  This is disgraceful.   

                    DARCY

                    Can this wait a few minutes,

                    Dad?

                    

     Marty takes Damon by the shoulder and pulls him to his feet

     roughly.

     

             DAMON

                    Hey!  Wait a minute.  You guys

                    are feds.  You can't just kill

                    people.

                    

                    MARTY

                    We're not feds.  We're

                    purveyors of antique books and

                    manuscripts.  We can kill

                    anyone we like.  We have a

                    deck overlooking the ocean.

                    

                    DAMON

                    Wait a minute.  Wait a minute. 

                    Wait a minute.  Damon.  Okay? 

                    My name's Damon.  Damon

                    Borwicz.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Too late.  Let's go.

                    

     He pushes him back toward the deck.  Damon resists.

     

             DAMON

                    Hold it.  Hold it.  Hold it. 

                    What is it with you people? 

                    We can do business here. 

                    

     Darcy moves in on him threateningly.

     

             DARCY

                    Business?  You want to do

                    business?  Your brother's

                    dying act was to mess up my

                    life.  Your boss is supplying

                    thousands of kids a week with

                    cocaine; and you just put four

                    bullets into the best mattress

                    I've ever owned.  You want to

                    do business?  Fine.  Give me a

                    new bed, I'll cut off your

                    legs, we'll let you live and

                    calls it quits.  How's that

                    sound?

                    

     She pushes him backward so that he falls to the floor.  He

     starts to get up, but she stands over him,  her gun in his

     face.  He stays down.

     

             DAMON

                         (NEARLY GIBBERING)

                    What's she talking about? 

                    Don't let her hurt me.  What's

                    wrong with her?

                    

                    MARTY

                    She's upset, Damon.  She gets

                    like this.

                    

     Her grip on the gun steadies now.  Her thumb runs slowly

     along the ridges of the hammer.

     

     Damon puts his hands on his head and tries to make himself

     very, very small.

     

             DAMON

                    Stop her!

                    

                    

                    

                    MARTY

                         (CALMLY)

                    I can't stop her, Damon.  Not

                    when she's like this.  I think

                    you should try not to make her

                    mad.

                    

                    DAMON

                    Do something!  This is crazy.

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    He's really right, Honey.  You

                    should put down the gun.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Dad.

                    

     Marty turns to William.

     

                    MARTY

                    I'm sorry.  Mr. Hale?

                    

                    WILLIAM

                    What?

                    

                    MARTY

                         (SOFTLY)

                    I owe you a really good kayo

                    punch.  I'm willing to hold

                    off 'til some time when you're

                    having a better night.  If you

                    shut up.  Now.

                    

     William nods slowly, goes silent and steps back a little

     from the action of the scene.

     

             DARCY

                    I want Farnsworth.

                    

                    DAMON

                    Farnsworth?

                    

                    DARCY

                         (FRIGHTENINGLY

                                             SERIOUS)

                    Farnsworth.  I want him

                    wounded, naked, and strapped

                    to my fender.

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    DAMON

                    I -- I -- I don't know any

                    Farnsworth.  I don't know what

                    you're talking about.

                    

     She squeezes off a shot that leaves a perfect hole in the

     floor just a few inches from his groin.

     

     Damon's body jerks spastically with the blast of adrenalin.

     

     William starts at the sudden sound.

     

     Marty bites his lip, a little amused.

     

             DAMON

                         (SHRILL)

                    He'll kill me!  You don't

                    understand!

                    

     This shot comes a half an inch closer.  Damon skitters at

     the floor trying to push himself backward.  His shoes slip

     on the polished hardwood.

     

             DAMON

                         (VERY FAST)

                    He's got a place in Malibu. 

                    I'll give you the address. 

                    I'll give you the address. 

                    I'll give you the address.

                    

                    WILLIAM

                         (SOFTLY TO Marty)

                    Ah.  She's very good at this.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yup.   You think you can keep

                    him covered for a while? 

                    We'll call in for a pick-up.

                    

     William nods.

     

     

     EXT.  -  MALIBU CANYON  -  NIGHT

     

     Darcy drives the red M.G.  Marty passengers.  The hand

     controls do nothing to slow Darcy down.  Marty grips the

     dashboard.

     

     She pulls off the road, parking against a high, stone wall.

     

     They make no move to get out of the car.

     

             DARCY

                    You ready for this?

                    

                    MARTY

                    I'm ready.

                    

                    DARCY

                    And we shouldn't call in for

                    back-up?

                    

                    MARTY

                    You're the best back up I've

                    ever had.  The only back up

                    I'll ever need.

                         (BEAT)

                    Let's do it.

                    

     He starts to get out of the car but is stopped by--

     

             DARCY

                    Wait.

                    

                    MARTY

                    What?

                    

                    DARCY

                    If we get out of this okay...?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah?

                    

                    DARCY

                    I would love to marry you.

                    

     Marty smiles broadly.

     

             MARTY

                    Thank you.  Yes.  Thank you.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Do I get a kiss?

                    

     He kisses her.  Their lips part for a moment, though they

     remain less than an inch from each other.

     

             MARTY

                    I don't know about you, but

                    I'm confident, now.

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    DARCY

                    Me too.

                         (BEAT)

                    Alright.  Let's do it.

                    

     They turn from each other to get out of the car.

     

     AT THE WALL

     

     Darcy links her fingers together and holds her hands out. 

     Marty steps into them and, with a hop and a good lift from

     Darcy, reaches the top of the wall.  He climbs up.

     

     Lying on the flat, stone surface he reaches down.  Darcy

     reaches up for his hand and, with a little help, scales the

     wall.

     

     Marty hangs from the far side of the wall and drops to the

     grounds of Farnsworth's Malibu estate.

     

     Darcy hangs down, and Marty goes to her.  He reaches up and,

     as she drops to her feet, catches at her waist, helping her

     to land gently.  She gives him a silent thumbs up, and

     together they begin to move across the grounds.

     

     Unnoticed by either of them, Marty's foot crosses an infra-red trigger.

     

     

     INT.  -  FARNSWORTH'S ROOM  -  NIGHT

     

     The sound of an alarm startles Farnsworth from his sleep. 

     He sits up sharply and leaps out of bed.  He wears cheap,

     polyester pajamas with pictures of the cast from the A-TEAM

     repeated in a print pattern.

     

     He throws on a bathrobe and runs from the room.

     

     

     EXT.  -  THE FRONT DOOR  -  NIGHT

     

     Lowry emerges through the front door, an uzi at the ready. 

     He scans the darkness of the grounds.  Seeing nothing, he

     steps to the shadowy edge of the porch and hits a switch.

     

     Flood lights bathe the estate in white light.

     

     ON THE GROUNDS

     

     Darcy and Marty are caught flat footed.  In the middle of

     the yard, brightly lit, there is no time to think.

     

     Marty dives and rolls, making himself a most difficult

     target as automatic gunfire tears up the green around him. 

     This option isn't available to Darcy.

     

     Even as Marty moves, her walther is out and firing once,

     twice--

     

     and Lowry is downed on the porch, his uzi falling from his

     grip.

     

     Marty comes to his feet.

     

             MARTY

                    That's two I owe you.  Let's

                    get some cover, huh?

                    

     They move quickly, now, crossing the grass toward the house

     and ducking into the shadows at the edge of the porch.

     

     The station wagon pulls around from behind the house,

     speeding away along the driveway.

     

     Darcy and Marty fire repeatedly at the car until a tire

     blows and it comes to a listing stop.

     

     Darcy drops the clip from her gun and slaps in a new

     magazine.  Marty does the same.  They approach the car,

     their aim never straying.

     

     IN THE CAR

     

     Farnsworth pulls a tiny, little, double-barreled derringer

     from the glove box.  He palms it.

     

     He waits.

     

     Darcy appears in the window, her gun aimed directly at him,

     her expression hard, cold.

     

     

                    DARCY

                    Lock your hands behind your

                    head.  Get out.

                    

     With her free hand she pulls the door open for him. 

     Farnsworth steps out, his hands locked behind his head, the

     little gun still concealed.  Darcy frisks him.

     

             DARCY

                    He's clean.

                    

     

     Marty puts his own gun back behind his waistband and opens

     the rear door of the station wagon.  It is again filled with

     the big wooden crates.

     

     He uses the tire iron to pry one open and pulls out a big

     plastic bag of cocaine.  He bites through a corner of the

     bag and tastes it.

     

                    MARTY

                    Not exactly clean, Darcy. 

                    Looks like we got him before

                    he even managed to start

                    distributing it.

                    

     Darcy places her gun against Farnsworth's thigh.

     

             DARCY

                    You don't care how many lives

                    you ruin, do you?

                    

     Farnsworth says nothing.  His eyes lock on hers.  His lip

     twitches a little.

     

                    MARTY

                         (A WARNING)

                    Darcy.  We've got him cold. 

                    We can put him away for

                    twenty-five years.  Maybe

                    more.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Good.  He can use the first

                    year learning how to walk

                    again.

                         (TO FARNSWORTH)

                    It's not that hard.  I'm sure

                    they've got a real strong

                    prison rehab program.

                    

                    FARNSWORTH

                    I'm not going to prison.  I

                    can't take confined spaces.

                    

     Darcy turns to Marty.

     

             DARCY

                    You may not want to watch

                    this, Marty.

                    

     She cocks the gun.

     

     Behind her, Farnsworth brings the derringer to bear.

     

     Marty grabs for his own gun, shouting.

     

             MARTY

                    Watch it, Darce!  

                    

     She spins back to Farnsworth.  Her balance blown by the

     sudden move, she falls backward as the first shot from the

     derringer catches Marty in the arm.

     

     She fires fast from the ground, one clean shot that leaves a

     perfect, centered hole in Farnsworth's throat.

     

     He clutches at it with one hand while leveling the derringer

     at Darcy with the other.  Darcy's second shot catches him in

     the heart and he falls back, the second chamber still un-fired.

     

             DARCY

                         (GETTING TO HER

                                             FEET)

                    You okay, Partner?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Yeah.  Yeah.  Clean wound. 

                    Straight through.  I ought to

                    get to a doctor, though.

                    

                    DARCY

                    No sweat.  I'll take you.

                    

     She goes to him and helps to his feet.  She binds the wound.

     

             DARCY

                    Does it hurt much?

                    

                    MARTY

                    Only in my pride.  That's

                    three I owe you.

                    

                    DARCY

                    I'll tell you what.  You can

                    pay me back on our honeymoon.

                    

                    MARTY

                    Done deal. Good plan.

                    

                    DARCY

                    Assuming we don't have another

                    assignment by then.

                    

                    

                    

                    MARTY

                    We'll talk to Calhoun about

                    it.

                    

     He smiles at her, she at him.

     

     They kiss long and softly on the brightly lit driveway.  As

     they kiss they put their guns away, tucking them behind

     their waist bands so that their arms are free to hold each

     other.

     

                             END

     

                                HOLE IN MY HEART

     

          (By Dylan Brody and Eduardo Ponsdomenech)

     

     

     Everything's fine.

     The whole world is rosy

     except for this hole in my heart.

     

     

     Look at this smile.

     I beg you believe me.

     I couldn't be falling apart.

     

     

          Don't really mind 

          being here all alone

          Just can't believe 

          how this old house has grown.

     

     

     The sun is so bright.

     I've got no troubles.

     Except for this hole in my heart.

     

     Everything's fine

     without you here

     except for this hole......

                        I GUESS ALL THE STORIES ARE TRUE

     

     by: Eduardo Ponsdomenech

     and Dylan Brody         

     

     

          (intro)

          Papa would read to me from romantic books.

          I should have taken 

          a closer look

     

     

     Friends keep advising me.

     What should I do?

     Roses, surprising me,

     come from you.

     Even the city 

     seems suddenly new        

     I guess all the stories are true.

     

     

     Keep myself up at night...

     is she alone?

     Tell myself I'm alright

     on my own.

     Just keep on dialing

     and never get through

     I guess all the stories are true.

     

     

     I always thought I was so wise--

     could not be taken by surprise

          by a pair of blue eyes.

     

     

     I read my diaries.

     Why was I blue?

     Never had fantasies

     lovely as you.

     Seeing you smiling

     I suddenly knew

     I guess all the stories are true.

     

                          WET SHOES AND NOW THE BLUES  

     (by Eduardo Ponsdomenech and Dylan Brody)

     

     Walk alone

     down the boulevard.

     Rains so hard these days.

     Everyone I meet

     is soaking wet

     overworked and underpaid

          No rays.

          Just these brooding grays.

          puddles thunder and haze.

     

     Seven nights   

     and as many days

     since the sun's even shown.

     Hard to know what's right,

     when you're left

     cold, afraid and all alone.

          I'm dazed

          walkin' through a maze

          of puddles thunder and haze.

     

     I got some walkin' to do.

     I got some things to work through,

     wet shoes and now the blues.

     

     I got some things to work through.

     I got the start of a flu,

     wet shoes and now the blues.

     

     Met a man

     down that avenue.

     He was pale as a ghost.

     Freezing cold

     what's a man to do?

     So I gave him my coat.

          Always

          hoping it's a phase

          puddles thunder and haze.

     

     I got some walkin' to do.

     I got the whole avenue,

     wet shoes, and now the blues.

     

     I got some walkin' to do.

     I got the start of a flue,

     wet shoes and now the blues

     

          

     

     

     

     

                      THROUGH THE STORM

     

                         by: Eduardo Ponsdomenech

     and Dylan Brody         

     

     

          (instrumental intro)

     

     

     

     (oh) You don't know where to go.

     You feel a cold wind blow.

     Let me in to keep you warm.

     

     

     So, You think you might get burned.

     Forget the fear you've learned

     I'll take you through the storm.

     

     

     I'll lead you through the haze.

     I know the way to brighter days

     I'll be the one who stays.

     

     

     And in your heart you'll know

     that when the cold winds blow

     I'm the one to keep you warm

     

     

     I'll take you through the storm.

     I'm here to keep you warm.

     I'll take you through the storm.

     

     

                                   TIME STANDS

     by: Eduardo Ponsdomenech

     and Dylan Brody         

     

     

     She smiled behind me

     reflecting in a window;

     and when I turned,

     she didn't look away.

     

     Her eyes remind me

     of diamond under shadow,

     sunsets and slow days.

     

     

     And time

     stands still.

     While I wait for her to say,

     "I will."

     I will

     say I'll always stay.

     

     

     Her love defined me

     and washed away my sorrow.

     The things I've learned

     I never could repay.

     

     In dreams she finds me

     and when I wake tomorrow

     only the dreams fade.

     

     

     And time

     stands still.

     While I wait for her to say,

     "I will."

     I will

     say I'll always stay.

     

     Once spells are woven,

     they can't be broken.

     

     And time

     stands still.

     While I wait for her to say,

     "I will."

     I will

     say I'll always stay.