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"Legend of the Golden Pagoda" - screenplay by Derek Paterson
This is an excerpt (first 20 pages) of a completed screenplay.
"Legend of the Golden Pagoda" (working title) - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE GOLDEN PAGODA - NIGHT
Rising into the night sky like some monstrous golden phallus
illuminated by searchlights.
This faux Imperial Chinese tower consists of seven floors,
each smaller than the other, each with its own carved balcony
roof edge.
At each corner of the first floor roof edge lurks a snarling
dragon, so realistically carved that they almost look alive.
INT. DARK JUNCTION OF CORRIDORS - NIGHT
A shaft of light shines down from above revealing four
corridors that lead off in different directions.
RAPID FOOTSTEPS. From out of one corridor runs SANDRA, 20s,
wearing a tight black combat suit and utility belt with pistol
holster and MP5 machine pistol. But her weapons of choice
right now are gleaming TWIN SWORDS inlaid with swirling silver
patterns.
She skids to a stop in the middle of the junction, looking
all around as she gasps for breath. The shaft of light plays
over her frightened, sweat-streaked face, her wary eyes.
A SHADOW leaps at her, possibly a man in swirling black robes
and hood, his face completely hidden. Sandra brings her
swords up and around to deflect the CLAWED HANDS that reach
for her throat. She ducks and slashes deep into the robes.
An animal-like SCREAM comes from the shadow as it stumbles
into one of the corridors and disappears!
A SECOND SHADOW comes at her from behind! Sandra spins and
slashes at the swirling black robes. The shadow SCREAMS and
leaps down another corridor.
Sandra looks around. They're gone. She examines her sword
blades. Slick with blood.
SANDRA
So you bastards bleed after all.
She crouches and examines something on the floor. It's an
INHUMAN SCALED CLAW, severed at the wrist. Its fingernails
are like long curved knives. It smokes and burns and
decomposes into a bubbling puddle. Sandra turns and runs
down a corridor.
INT. DARK T-JUNCTION - NIGHT
Three alert MEN dressed in black and armed with MP5s keep
watch while their team leader, GREG, 25, kneels beside a
WOUNDED MAN. They're a high-tech group linked by radio comms
and mini-computers strapped to their forearms. They each
wear infra red monocles over one eye.
The wounded man is on his way out. Greg grips his hand and
visibly suffers while his comrade dies. A final shuddering,
agonized gasp and it's over.
RAPID FOOTSTEPS. The three men take aim, then abort as Sandra
emerges from a corridor. She looks down at the dead man,
looks at Greg. He picks up a bullet casing. The floor's
littered with them.
GREG
His gun's empty. He didn't hit a
damn thing. Where's Mason?
SANDRA
He didn't make it.
Greg looks curiously at the swords Sandra's carrying.
SANDRA
Bullets don't stop them.
GREG
The hell does that mean?
SANDRA
Maybe they're wearing body armor, I
don't know. What I do know is, these
work.
She offers one to Greg. He swings it experimentally.
GREG
Any more where these came from?
SANDRA
Plenty. Whole bunch of statues and
weapon displays back there. Just
one thing.
She flips open the lid of her forearm computer and shows
him.
THE DISPLAY shows a graphic of the T-junction with six red
hot spots. One's slightly cooler, more orange, than the
other five. The corridor she came out of stretches into the
distance... and at the other end are fifty hot spots, a loose
group on the move, coming this way fast. Suddenly the fifty
hot spots disappear.
SANDRA
They're smashing the sensors. Let's
move.
GREG
We take his body with us.
SANDRA
He stays here.
Greg opens his mouth to argue -- but Sandra's look makes him
change his mind. He runs past the other three men, they
follow him.
Sandra pulls a spiked metal ball from a pouch on her belt
and throws it at the ceiling. It sticks there. She runs
after Greg and the others.
INT. DARK CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Running, Sandra flips open her computer.
THE DISPLAY shows the T-junction, with fifty hot spots
spilling out. Most turn to follow the team! Others cluster
around the fading orange spot, blotting it out.
Sandra makes a disgusted face.
INT. T-JUNCTION - NIGHT
EXCITED MONKEY CHATTERING. Mixed with CRUNCHING, CHEWING,
SLURPING noises. Like it's feeding time at the Zoo.
AN INHUMAN CLAW reaches up and pulls the spiked metal ball
from the ceiling. The claw closes about the ball, crushing
it. The claw opens again, pieces of twisted metal, plastic
and electronic components rain down.
INT. DARK CORRIDOR - NIGHT
SANDRA'S COMPUTER DISPLAY blacks out.
She slams the lid shut and keeps running, looking back over
her shoulder into the darkness behind.
INT. DARK CHAMBER - NIGHT
Doorways lead off in all directions. The team runs into the
chamber. Greg skids to a stop and looks around. Which way?!
Sandra arrives. They look to her for guidance. She checks
an ELECTRONIC COMPASS and slowly turns around.
SANDRA
Not getting any readings!
GREG
Take a guess!
One of the men, DAWKINS, looks up. His expression changes
to terror, he opens his mouth to scream--
WHAP! He's lifted up off the floor and vanishes into the
darkness above! All in the space of a heartbeat. His MP5
drops and CLATTERS on the floor.
Greg spins, sees Dawkins' MP5 lying there and points his MP5
skyward. His flashlight beam reveals--
A CREATURE THAT'S A CROSS BETWEEN A SPIDER AND A MONKEY.
The multiple legs grip the ceiling, it hangs upside down.
The monkey half holds Dawkins' limp body and chews his face.
Its yellow eyes blaze as it grins at Greg, its teeth stained
red with blood.
Greg and the other two men gape in horror. Sandra pushes
them aside and THROWS HER SWORD. It impales the monkey-thing
which SCREECHES and lets go of Dawkins. It scuttles across
the ceiling and disappears into the dark. Dawkins splats
onto the floor.
Sandra snatches the other sword from Greg's hand and points
to a doorway.
SANDRA
Go.
Greg and the two men reluctly circle around Dawkins and run
to the doorway. Sandra takes a hand grenade from her belt,
pulls the pin, drops it onto the body.
SANDRA
So long, Dawkins.
She runs to the doorway and exits.
INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Sandra sprints for her life. From behind her, through the
doorway, an EXPLOSION. The blast lights up the corridor and
slams her off the wall, she stumbles but keeps running.
ENRAGED ANIMAL SCREAMS follow her down the corridor.
INT. DARK CHAMBER - NIGHT
Smoke fills the air. Dozens of robed shadows lie scattered
on the floor, unmoving. They leap up, very much alive! And
run through the doorway.
INT. SANCTUM ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Greg and the two men stop and stare at a black onyx door
inlaid with golden Chinese-like symbols. Sandra catches up
with them.
GREG
Can you read this?
SANDRA
Yeah, it says "Way out."
She kicks the door open! And rushes inside.
INT. SANCTUM - NIGHT
Crowded with life-size jade and ivory statues of gods,
goddesses, demons, dragons, monkeys, cranes, tigers.
Greg and his men slam the door shut and slide a locking bar
into place. Just in time! LOUD BANGING shakes the door.
Everyone steps back. Sandra takes another grenade from her
belt, pulls the pin and jams it between the door and the
locking bar. If the door opens, it falls.
GREG
Think that'll stop them?
SANDRA
Do you?
They creep through the sea of statues, looking left, right,
back -- and up. The banging noises fade with distance.
Greg stops before a statue of a fierce-looking warrior wearing
bamboo armor and a wide straw hat. The warrior holds two
scimitars, great curved swords.
SANDRA
Keep together! Keep moving!
Greg takes a sword from the statue's hand. He lets his MP5
dangle and holds the sword in both hands.
GREG
Yeah! Just what the doc ordered!
One of his men, WILDE, nods approval. Greg moves on. Wilde
lets his MP5 dangle and reaches for the second scimitar.
The warrior statue comes alive and in one flowing deadly
movement CHOPS WILDE IN TWO from skull to crotch. The two
halves fall away from each other and splat on the floor.
The warrior statue returns to its former position.
Greg spins round -- peers into the darkness.
GREG
Wilde? Where the hell are you?
Sandra and the other man, PARKER, creep round a snarling
tiger statue.
A DISTANT EXPLOSION.
SANDRA
We got company.
Up ahead, another black doorway with inlaid golden symbols.
SANDRA
Found the exit. Let's go.
She walks ahead -- then spins round when she realizes Parker
isn't following her. There's no sign of him.
SANDRA
Parker, where the hell are you?
She jumps with fright as Greg appears beside her.
SANDRA
I've lost Parker!
GREG
I've lost Wilde! We have to look
for them.
He turns back but she grabs him, pulls him around.
SANDRA
It's every man for himself.
GREG
Then leave me. You're faster, you're
smarter. Get the hell out of here.
SANDRA
Are you kidding? You're my ace-in-
the-hole. If they're chasing your
ass, they're leaving mine alone.
She runs to the door, grips the huge handle, pulls it open.
Revealing a SQUARE SHAFT that might suit an elevator, only
there's no elevator. Just blackness.
Sandra takes a looped rope and grappling hook from her belt.
She sticks the hook over the top of the door and throws the
rope down the shaft.
EXCITED MONKEY CHATTERING grows in volume. Sandra and Greg
look back.
SANDRA'S MONOCLE POV - the chamber viewed in infra red.
Dozens of heat blooms are coming their way, fusing together
into a writhing mass of long arms and short legs.
SANDRA
We're outta here.
She holds the rope with one hand, grips the sword with the
other, and jumps down the shaft.
Greg EMPTIES HIS MP5 into the darkness. He throws the MP5
away and follows Sandra down the rope. He's still got his
scimitar.
Parker lies spread-eagled and torn to pieces beneath the
snarling tiger statue, whose claws and fangs are red with
blood. His final expression is sheer terror.
The rope goes taut, pulling on the door which BOOMS SHUT
just as the mass of GIBBERING SHADOWS comes out of the dark.
INT. SHAFT - NIGHT
The deafening BOOMING noise echoes up and down the shaft as
Sandra and Greg descend.
Sandra drops down until she's level with a square opening.
She shines her MP5 flashlight into the opening. Nothing.
GREG
Keep going!
SANDRA
Running out of rope!
She kicks off the shaft wall and swings back in, slipping
neatly through the square opening.
INT. STAIRWAY LANDING - NIGHT
Stairs lead up into darkness, and down into more darkness.
Sandra crouches, watching and listening.
Greg swings in through the square opening. He stumbles and
goes over on his ankle. His YELP of pain echoes up and down
the stairway. He leans against the wall and rubs his ankle
as Sandra stares at him.
GREG
Don't you worry about me, I'm right
behind you.
Sandra creeps downstairs. Greg moves after her, limping and
leaning against the stair wall.
INT. BOTTOM OF STAIRWAY - NIGHT
Giving access to a hallway that runs off in both directions,
into darkness.
Sandra descends from above, sword held ready.
A PATTER OF TINY FOOTSTEPS. Sandra tenses as a figure runs
out of the darkness and abruptly stops 10 feet away. She's
dressed in a blue silk robe tied at the waist. A blue dragon
mask covers the upper half of her face. BLUE DRAGON LADY'S
eyes, seen through the mask's round eyeholes, are merciless.
She carries a fan which she SNAPS OPEN.
Sandra spins as MORE FOOTSTEPS come from the other direction.
A second figure runs out of the darkness and suddenly stops.
She's dressed in bright yellow silk and wears a yellow dragon
half-mask. There's no mercy in YELLOW DRAGON LADY'S eyes
either. She SNAPS her fan open.
Greg limps downstairs, dragging his scimitar.
SANDRA
Stay there.
GREG
I'm not dead yet!
Blue Dragon Lady flicks her wrist and six gleaming 12-inch
blades shoot from her fan spines. She attacks! Sandra ducks
and weaves and blocks with her sword, their blades CLANG
together.
Yellow Dragon Lady dives forward into a smooth gliding roll.
Sandra jumps! Yellow Dragon Lady's gleaming fan blades miss
her legs by inches!
Greg unholsters his gun and SHOOTS at Blue Dragon Lady. She
holds her fan like a shield, Greg's bullets RICOCHET off the
steel mesh.
She runs at him and swipes the gun out of his hand. Her
second swipe knocks the sword out his other hand. Her third
swipe slashes open his combat suit and leaves six wet red
lines across his chest. Greg collapses back onto the
stairway.
Sandra kicks Blue Dragon Lady in the back, splatting her
against the wall. Sandra spins, blocks Yellow Dragon Lady's
thrust and kicks her in the belly so she doubles over. Sandra
brings her sword down on Yellow Dragon Lady's neck!
There's no sound, no blood. The yellow silk robe flutters
down, the mask and fan clatter onto the floor. Yellow Dragon
Lady is gone, only her clothes, mask and weapon remain.
Blue Dragon Lady slashes at Sandra a dozen times, driving
her back. Sandra blocks as best she can but the swirling
fan blades cut her shoulder and arms. Each wound drags a
YELL OF PAIN from Sandra's lips.
Bleeding and hurt, Greg slides to the bottom of the stairs,
snatches up his fallen gun and SHOOTS at Blue Dragon Lady's
back. She spins faster than the bullets and swats them out
of the air with her fan. Greg clicks empty!
Blue Dragon Lady runs at Greg, who grabs his fallen sword.
It takes all his strength to raise it.
The fan slashes! CLANG! Greg stares in disbelief at the
broken scimitar blade, cut in half. Blue Dragon Lady stands
poised on one foot as she raises her fan above her head, the
blades like a dragon's claws ready to strike.
Greg looks up into Blue Dragon Lady's eyes which gleam with
triumph. Then they WIDEN in surprise. Greg looks down at
the bloody sword growing out of her chest. It's Sandra's
sword, thrust into Blue Dragon Lady's back.
The blue silk robe flutters down, the mask and fan clatter
to the floor. Blue Dragon Lady is gone.
GREG
Where did they go?
SANDRA
How the hell should I know?
She puts her arm around him and lifts him up. Together they
hurry along the hallway.
INT. LONG HALLWAY - NIGHT
Sandra drags Greg, supporting him. His head's bowed, he can
hardly stand let alone walk.
SANDRA
Come on, we're nearly there.
GREG
Leave me.
SANDRA
Sounds like a damn good idea.
She continues to drag him until they reach...
INT. ENTRANCE HALLWAY - NIGHT
Guarded by giant Shiatzu dog statues. The scowling dogs
look down, watching their every move.
SANDRA
Look. Look there.
Greg raises his head.
UP AHEAD: a high doorway looking out over the brightly lit
city. The sky's filled with brilliant stars.
SANDRA
We made it. We made it!
HAN SUNG, 60s, a solid and dangerous Chinese in a silk suit,
steps out in front of them. So do four of his MEN, wearing
suits and carrying guns. They smile with amusement. Han
Sung doesn't smile.
HAN SUNG
I'm afraid not.
He raises his gun. BLAM! Greg's punched out of Sandra's
arms and sprawls on the floor, dead. Sandra stares at his
body, then turns to glare at Han Sung. Her face twists with
rage and she springs at him, raising her sword above her
head. BLAM! Han Sung's next bullet punches her back. Sandra
sprawls face-down, unmoving.
HAN SUNG
Give their bodies to the hairy ones.
Han Sung tosses the gun to one of his men and exits. His
men move in on the bodies.
They pause in sudden fear as an ANIMAL SCREAM echoes along
the hallway. An unmistakable roar of triumph!
EXT. GOLDEN PAGODA - NIGHT
The dragons grin their approval.
END TEASER
IDEAL PLACE FOR OPENING CREDITS
FADE IN:
EXT. APARTMENT BLOCK - NIGHT
A gleaming glass structure towering above the city.
EXT. PENTHOUSE - NIGHT
A couple of soft lights on inside. No shadows visible. The
balcony is deserted. The glass doors lie open, curtains
stir in the breeze.
Hanging from wires underneath the balcony like a black spider,
with a sheer drop beneath him, ADAM GREFF enjoys the view.
He seems entirely comfortable with his situation. You or I
would be screaming in terror.
RICK (V.O.)
Delta Leader this is Delta Base.
Launch the probe. Over.
Adam wears a "Say what?" expression. He taps his earphone
and talks softly into his radio mike.
ADAM (into radio)
You might want to repeat that, "Delta
Base."
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Stuffed with electronic gadgetry. There's barely room for
RICK, 30s, a serious tech-geek. If there's slight physical
resemblance between Rick and Adam it's because they're
cousins.
RICK (into radio)
Are you gonna hang there all night
or are you gonna launch the damn
probe? Over.
EXT. PENTHOUSE - NIGHT
Adam fishes inside his quilted jacket and brings out a
gleaming metal ball.
ADAM (into radio)
Preparing to "launch probe."
Using a lever arm built into his harness, Adam cranks himself
slightly higher so he can reach up and over the balcony edge.
He places the ball on the edge -- there's a big enough gap
underneath the balcony rail -- and gives it a tap.
ADAM (into radio)
Probe is launched. Repeat, probe is
launched.
He can hardly stop himself from laughing.
EXT. PENTHOUSE BALCONY - NIGHT
The metal ball rolls toward the open glass doors...
INT. PENTHOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
...and rolls inside, where it stops when it encounters thick
carpet pile.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick peers at a monitor that shows the penthouse interior
from the metal ball's floor level fish-eye lens POV. A
tastefully decorated room, expensive furniture, doors to
left and right and a long hallway ahead.
RICK (into radio)
We have an empty penthouse apartment.
Over.
EXT. PENTHOUSE - NIGHT
ADAM (into radio)
You're sure?
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick turns to a second monitor. It shows a section of hallway
with an elevator door.
INT. ENTRANCE HALLWAY WITH ELEVATOR - NIGHT
The very same hallway. Rick's monitor POV comes from a
security camera hanging in a corner.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick looks at a third monitor showing a section of underground
parking lot, and an elevator door.
INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Rick's monitor POV comes from a security camera hanging from
a support.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
I'm tapped into the building's
security system. Nothing to worry
about. His Lordship and Mrs. Lord
are out on the town tonight drinking
champagne and eating caviare. You
ever eat caviare? Over.
EXT. PENTHOUSE BALCONY - NIGHT
Adam pulls himself up and over the balcony rail. He lands
silently and creeps to the balcony doors.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick's watching the metal ball monitor. He jumps as Adam's
giant foot steps right in front of the ball.
RICK (into radio)
Oh-kay. Blueprints say the master
bedroom is to your left. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Adam creeps toward the door to the left.
INT. PENTHOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
Adam heads toward the bedroom door.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
This girl I went out with, her name
was... Samantha? She said she liked
it. Tasted fishy to me. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
Adam pauses outside the bedroom door.
ADAM (into radio)
Rick?
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
Yeah? Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
ADAM (into radio)
Shut the hell up.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam pushes open the door and looks inside. The master bed
is big enough for ten people. Adam's impressed. He moves
to another door and opens it revealing an empty bathroom.
ADAM (into radio)
They got gold taps.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
Delta Base advises turn off the water
before you unscrew them. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam walks to a corner where a flower vase stands on a carved
table. He lifts the table and vase aside, then lifts the
carpet to reveal a SAFE set into the floor. A cork of
gleaming steel with an electronic keypad.
ADAM (into radio)
Oooh mama.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick leans forward, concerned.
RICK (into radio)
Delta Leader report your situation,
over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam sits cross-legged on the floor.
ADAM (into radio)
I am looking at some serious personal
security. Only way I could bust
through this thing is with a laser
beam.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
Give me a visual please. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam pulls out a second metal ball and places it on the bed.
ADAM (into radio)
How's that?
INSERT CU RICK'S MONITOR - showing Adam's face upside-down.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick taps his keyboard.
INSERT CU METAL BALL - small WHINING NOISES from inside.
INSERT CU RICK'S MONITOR - the image rights itself and zooms
in on the floor safe.
RICK (into radio)
I'm good. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
ADAM (into radio)
You don't have to keep saying "over"
all the time. It's just you and me.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
You know, for someone who was in the
military, you know jack about radio
protocol. Over. No, wait. Attach
the scanner. Now I'm over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam shakes his head as he pulls three electronic gadgets
from a fat pouch on his belt. He wires them together and
places them on the floor safe. One goes over the keypad.
ADAM (into radio)
It's in place.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick studies a monitor that shows blocks and columns of
scrolling numbers.
RICK (into radio)
I'm receiving telemetry. Stand by,
Delta Leader. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam wanders the room. He picks up a jade dragon statuette
and examines the base.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
Maybe we do need a laser. My signals
are bouncing. Fuzz analysis suggests
layers of titanium and maybe depleted
uranium. The hatch must be six inches
thick. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam looks at a wall painting, a seascape with a China tea
clipper in full sail.
ADAM (into radio)
That doesn't make sense.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
Huh?
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam opens a bedside table drawer. There's a notebook, a
silver pen, a plastic case containing a three-inch CD, and a
dog-eared copy of the King James Bible.
ADAM (into radio)
I think you mean "Huh? Over."
INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT - NIGHT
A BLACK LIMO rolls up and stops near the elevator.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick's glued to the telemetry screen -- doesn't notice
anything else. If he'd only turn his head...
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam closes the drawer, heads back to the floor safe.
ADAM (into radio)
We're talking one and a half, two
cubic feet at most. Nothing could
fit into that space that justifies
the cost of a safe like this.
INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT - NIGHT
The black limo drives away.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
Use your imagination. Bearer bonds.
Company ownership certificates.
Fake passports. Maybe the biggest
damn diamonds you ever saw in your
life. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
ADAM (into radio)
Diamonds is why I'm here. How do I
get to them, genius?
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick types furiously, little windows pop up and close as the
columns of numbers are split up into blocks and analyzed.
RICK (into radio)
Believe it or not I'm working on
that very problem. The combination
is... twelve digits.
More typing. A window pops up with the number "7" in green.
RICK (into radio)
And the first digit is seven. Repeat,
the first digit is seven. Over.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
ADAM (into radio)
Color me impressed. How long before
you crack the other eleven? Should
I make myself a sandwich?
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rick glances at the monitor showing the underground parking
lot -- and four people standing in the elevator.
INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT - NIGHT
The elevator doors slide shut, cutting off our view of the
four people. SIR ROGER TREMAYNE, 70, a stiff upper lip
Englishman with white hair; his beautiful young Chinese wife
LEI PING, 20s; and two hulking Chinese BODYGUARDS.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
O-o-o-o-oh, shit.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
ADAM (into radio)
Rick, you okay?
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
Delta Base this is Delta... Delta
Leader, Delta Leader, come in. Ah
hell, Adam, talk to me for Christ's
sake!
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
ADAM (into radio)
Whassup my man?
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
Elevator's on its way up. I think
it might be him.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam snatches up the electronic gadgets and stuffs them into
his belt pouch.
ADAM (into radio)
You "think" it might be him?
He kicks the carpet back over the floor safe and restores
the table with the flower vase. He hurries to the door.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
RICK (into radio)
I can't be sure, someone got into
the elevator. Stand by. Over.
Sweating, Rick peers at the monitor showing the entrance
elevator hallway. On the monitor, the elevator doors slide
open.
RICK (into radio)
Oh, man...
INT. ENTRANCE HALLWAY WITH ELEVATOR - NIGHT
The elevator doors slide open. The bodyguards step out.
One of them opens the penthouse apartment door and goes
inside. Sir Roger and Lei Ping exit the elevator arm in
arm. The second bodyguard escorts them to the door.
INT. PENTHOUSE MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Adam hurries back into the bedroom and SLAPS his hand down
on the bed mattress, the metal ball flicks up into the air
and he catches it, puts it inside his jacket. He exits.
INT. PENTHOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT
Adam exits the bedroom, heads for the living room.
INT. PENTHOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Adam enters and is INSTANTLY ATTACKED by the 1st Bodyguard
who throws a flurry of ferocious punches that Adam only just
avoids. Adam grabs a crystal lamp and smashes it over the
1st Bodyguard's head. The 1st Bodyguard shakes off the debris
like an angry bear and stalks toward Adam.
Adam tosses the metal ball at the 1st Bodyguard.
ADAM
Fire in the hole!
The 1st Bodyguard pitches the ball through the open balcony
doors. Adam turns his head to watch and nods his appreciation
of the perfect throw.
The 1st Bodyguard reaches inside his jacket for a gun. Adam
pushes down on the 1st Bodyguard's wrist, stopping the draw,
and punches the surprised guy, snapping his head back. The
1st Bodyguard falls backward over a couch, his gun spins
through the air.
Adam snatches the gun out of the air, ejects the magazine,
throws the gun over his shoulder.
ADAM (into radio)
I'm blown, coming down fast.
(puzzled pause)
Delta Base, respond. Over.
Adam unhooks a coiled rope from his belt and heads for the
balcony, but the 2nd Bodyguard leaps in from the hall. Adam
has to turn and block a dozen elbow and knee strikes.
The 2nd Bodyguard spin-kicks, Adam drops fast and punches
him in the nuts. The 2nd Bodyguard clutches his crotch,
spins out of control and demolishes a thick glass coffee
table on his way to the floor.
The 1st Bodyguard rises, Adam backfists him, driving him
against the wall. The bodyguard wipes blood from his lips,
glares at Adam and charges. Adam sidesteps and gives the
1st Bodyguard a helpful push -- right through the open balcony
doors! The curtains flutter, the 1st Bodyguard vanishes.
The 2nd Bodyguard grabs Adam's ankle and yanks him off his
feet. Adam spins in the air and lands like a cat on all
fours. The 2nd Bodyguard rises again but Adam smashes a
chunk of broken glass over his skull. The 2nd Bodyguard
collapses onto what's left of the coffee table.
SIR ROGER (O.S.)
That's quite enough of that.
Sir Roger is perfectly at ease, one hand in his jacket pocket.
Lei Ping stands to one side in marksman's stance, aiming a
gun at Adam.
SIR ROGER
My wife is a crack shot. I'd advise
you to stand very still.
Sir Roger takes a cellphone from his pocket, punches a number,
holds the phone to his ear and listens.
SIR ROGER (into phone)
Why don't you bring him up and we'll
have a cosy little chat, hmm?
He slips the phone into his pocket, and indicates a chair.
SIR ROGER
Take a seat, won't you? There's no
reason we can't be civilized about
this.
Adam sits down. Out on the balcony, the 1st Bodyguard heaves
himself up and over the rail. He brushes himself down and
tidies his hair before coming inside.
SIR ROGER
Put the kettle on, there's a good
fellow.
The 1st Bodyguard gives Adam a dark look, and heads for the
kitchen.
Sir Roger sits down on a couch. Lei Ping doesn't move an
inch, she keeps Adam covered.
SIR ROGER
Shall I assume your being here isn't
accidental? By which I mean, you're
not robbing every apartment in this
building, are you? Just this one.
Adam doesn't answer.
SIR ROGER
So you knew I was in town and you
assumed, rightly as it happens, that
my wife would have brought her jewelry
with her.
Adam looks away, feeling like a chump.
SIR ROGER
I don't like heights myself. I've
never even stepped out onto the
balcony. Can't help but admire
someone who's brave enough to climb
up the side of a building. And all
because of a few shiny baubles.
ADAM
You should keep your windows closed.
SIR ROGER
And risk trapping the dragon spirits
inside? That would be a grave
mistake. They must be able to leave
when they wish.
CLAUDE, 30s, a huge Belgian mercenary carrying an Uzi machine
pistol, enters pushing Rick in front of him. Rick's relieved
to see Adam but his relief vanishes when he sees Sir Roger,
and Lei Ping aiming the gun.
SIR ROGER
Please sit down. And put that away,
Claude. You're being rude to our
guests.
Claude throws Rick into a chair and slips his Uzi inside his
jacket. He leans down to whisper into Sir Roger's ear. Sir
Roger listens with increasing interest, watching Adam and
Rick. He dismisses Claude with a little wave.
SIR ROGER
See what's delaying the tea, there's
a good fellow.
Claude exits to the kitchen.
SIR ROGER
Would you do me the courtesy of
telling me your names?
Adam and Rick glance at each other. Adam shrugs.
ADAM
I'm Adam Greff.
RICK
And I'm saying nothing till my lawyer
gets here.
ADAM
His name's Rick Harrington. We
realize we've made a huge mistake.
If you let us go, we'll spread the
word that your security is
impenetrable and your apartment is
guarded. You won't ever be bothered
again, I can guarantee it.
SIR ROGER
That sounds like a reasonable deal.
I'm tempted to take you up on it.
Sir Roger makes another phone call.
SIR ROGER (into phone)
Adam Greff and Rick Harrington.
He puts his phone away and smiles.
SIR ROGER
Ah, here comes the tea...
Claude returns with a silver tray, teapot and cups.
SIR ROGER
Unfortunately we don't seem to have
a table any more...
Lei Ping, without taking her gun off Adam, walks to a lamp
table, puts the lamp down on the floor, and using her foot
flicks the table into the air. It tumbles end over end and
lands perfectly, right way up, in front of Sir Roger.
Adam looks at the table, looks at Lei Ping. Her stony
expression gives nothing away. Claude puts the tray down.
SIR ROGER
Tea, Mr. Greff?
ADAM
I'd love a cup.
SIR ROGER
Mr. Harrington?
RICK
I'll pass.
Claude pours two cups. He adds cream into Sir Roger's cup,
stirs it, offers the cup and saucer to Sir Roger. Then looks
enquiringly at Adam.
ADAM
As is.
Claude gives him the cup. Adam takes a quick sip and is
pleasantly surprised.
ADAM
Wonderful.
(to Rick)
You don't know what you're missing.
RICK
Color me disappointed.
Claude moves to stand behind Sir Roger.
ADAM
Who's your supplier?
SIR ROGER
I am. The Chinese tea trade is still
very much alive. It's just that no
one talks about it these days.
ADAM
You were in Hong Kong?
SIR ROGER
For a considerable number of years.
And in fact I still am. The Chinese
Government has no qualms about dealing
with foreigners. It wanted to take
back ownership of Hong Kong, but it
also wanted the British to stay. We
are a conduit to international
business. And we love China dearly.
They know and respect this.
ADAM
It wasn't that long ago you were
milking the place dry.
SIR ROGER
Times have changed, Mr. Greff. We
acknowledge the uncouth methods our
ancestors employed. They made the
mistake of treating the Chinese as
barbarians. Not realizing, of course,
it is they who were the barbarians.
RICK
This is all very nice...
ADAM
So how can we get out of this mess?
Assuming that's possible.
RICK
We didn't take anything. All you
have on us... on him... is entering
your apartment.
SIR ROGER
I don't like to bother the police,
Mr. Harrington. Which ensures they
don't bother me.
RICK
Then what say we just walk on out of
here, and I don't file a complaint
about your guys messing up my van?
Sir Roger's phone RINGS, he holds it to his ear and listens.
ADAM
Hey.
RICK
What?
Adam puts his finger to his lips. Shh!
Adam notices Lei Ping hasn't moved an inch.
Sir Roger listens some more... then puts his phone away.
SIR ROGER
Tell me, what do you know about a
man named Han Sung?
ADAM
If you mean the gentleman who is
allegedly involved with the Chinese
Tongs...?
SIR ROGER
There's no need for diplomacy. Han
Sung and I are... old rivals. We
have little love for each other.
And he is not "involved" with the
Tongs. King Dragon Han Sung runs
them.
ADAM
I heard that too.
RICK
No kidding. The guy's crazy. He
wiped out the other Tong bosses.
Chopped them into little pieces and
served them up in his restaurant...
Rick realizes they're staring at him. He shuts up.
SIR ROGER
Are you familiar with Han Sung's
nightclub?
ADAM
I hear it's a wild place, but I
haven't been there.
Sir Roger sips his tea. Adam puts his cup and saucer down
on the table.
ADAM
What exactly are you proposing?
SIR ROGER
You've shown yourself to be a
resourceful man. Your military and
police records confirm this.
ADAM
I repeat my question.
SIR ROGER
Han Sung has something I want.
ADAM
And you think I'm going to go fetch
it for you?
SIR ROGER
Hear me out, Mr. Greff. You haven't
heard what's involved. Or what the
rewards are.
ADAM
If it's anything to do with Han Sung,
the "rewards" involve my steaming
entrails and a whole lot of pain.
SIR ROGER
Perhaps. And then again, perhaps
not. You have skills which few men
possess.
RICK
Damn right. They don't call him
"The Human Fly" for nothing.
Sir Roger chuckles. Lei Ping cracks a smile. Adam winces.
ADAM
I didn't pick the nickname.
RICK
I did. I called him that. I was
the first.
Adam gives him a withering look.
RICK
Hey come on, it's like a superhero.
SIR ROGER
You served with your Ranger Division
for seven years. For two of those
years you were attached to special
operations. A curious mix of hostage
rescue, political kidnapping, covert
intelligence gathering, and
assassination.
ADAM
Mind telling me who was on the other
end of that call?
The 2nd Bodyguard begins to regain consciousness. Sir Roger
motions to Claude who lifts the dazed man and drags him out.
SIR ROGER
That should not concern you, Mr.
Greff. What should concern you is
the fact you have been caught in the
act, so to speak. As I said, I don't
like to bother the police.
Adam glances at Lei Ping. She's still covering him.
ADAM
A powerful man like you prefers to
implement his own justice system.
SIR ROGER
Very well put.
ADAM
And the only thing you're worried
about at the moment... is whether we
leave bloodstains on the carpet,
right?
SIR ROGER
You're catching on, Mr. Greff.
Claude returns and stands behind Sir Roger's couch, glaring
hostility at Adam and Rick.
ADAM
So, let's talk about Han Sung.
SIR ROGER
Before we do, let me warn you that
my wife is a human lie detector.
Should you attempt to deceive me,
this conversation will come to an
abrupt end regardless of the carpet
cleaning bill.
RICK
Now wait a minute, you can't just go
around threatening people. You're
not above the law. No one is. Any
shooting goes on here, the cops are
gonna bust down your door and throw
you and Quick Draw McGraw over there
in the slammer.
ADAM
Rick, old buddy, why don't you let
me do the talking?
Rick stands up. Claude looks to Sir Roger for a cue but Sir
Roger doesn't react.
RICK
That's all you've been doing, and
you know where it's got us? Nowhere.
(to Sir Roger)
We're walking out of here. Nobody
better try to stop us.
Lei Ping lowers her gun and extends one leg behind her as if
she's getting ready to push something. She twists her
shoulder and hip and extends her arm straight toward Rick,
palm outward, and lets out a WHOOSHING breath.
Rick's slammed back into his chair as if Lei Ping hit him,
but she's 20 feet away! He rubs his chest in pain and stares
at her, bewildered.
RICK
Hell did you hit me with?
Adam bows his head toward Lei Ping in acknowledgement.
ADAM
One of the most impressive
demonstrations of Gong Chi I've ever
seen. Please accept my admiration.
RICK
Gong what? She damn near bust my
ribs!
Adam kicks the table, sending it, the teapot and the tray
flying toward Lei Ping. In the same motion he jumps onto
Sir Roger's couch, leaps past him and SLAMS into Claude,
knocking him backward.
Lei Ping punches the table, turning it into matchwood. She
punches the teapot, shattering it. She punches the tray,
putting a fist-sized dent into the silver. She tilts her
head left and right, avoiding cups and saucers and teaspoons.
Nothing touches her. They break and clink behind her.
Claude lies on his back on the floor, stunned. He lifts his
head in time to meet Adam's fist coming down. WHAP! Claude
goes for a nap.
BLAM! The gunshot makes Adam spin round. Lei Ping shot
Rick in the shoulder! Blood seeps between his fingers.
RICK
Ah, Jesus!
The two bruised Chinese bodyguards appear, guns drawn. Sir
Roger shakes his head, and they withdraw. Sir Roger sips
his tea as if nothing's happening.
SIR ROGER
My wife could as easily have shot
him between the eyes. Do sit down,
Mr. Greff. Let's have no more
unpleasantness, hmm?
Adam unwillingly returns to his chair.
ADAM
Takes a lot to ruffle your feathers.
SIR ROGER
A lifetime in the Orient has taught
me patience. It's also taught me to
find a man's weakness and use it to
control him.
Adam glances at Rick. And nods defeat to Sir Roger.
RICK
I need a doctor. I'm bleeding to
death here.
SIR ROGER
Your cousin's technical expertise
may prove useful. But you, Mr. Greff,
will be my primary agent in this
matter.
ADAM
Why don't you quit pussyfooting around
and tell me what it is you want me
to steal?
SIR ROGER
Gold, Mr. Greff. A fortune in gold
bullion.
ADAM
Fort Knox is a little out of my
league.
SIR ROGER
It's sitting in crates in one of the
upper rooms in Han Sung's nightclub,
waiting to be shipped back to the
old country.
ADAM
Let me just stop you there and tell
you, this is pretty tough jerky you're
asking me to chew.
SIR ROGER
Why? The Tongs only deal in gold
and silver. Paper money means nothing
to them. The bullion is Han Sung's
annual tribute to his masters. It's
the price he must pay for retaining
his rank and influence. Stealing
the gold from him serves two purposes.
One, it will cause Han Sung acute
embarrassment. The High Dragon Lords
will question his competence. He'll
lose face, and with the Chinese, as
you know, face is everything. Two,
it will make both of us very rich
indeed.
ADAM
How rich is "very rich"?
SIR ROGER
Its value is conservatively estimated
at two hundred million dollars. I'm
willing to offer you a cash equivalent
of twenty-five percent upon successful
completion of the job.
ADAM
Fifty million bucks. That's a lot
of money.
SIR ROGER
Consider it extreme hazard pay.
ADAM
Just for argument's sake, let's
suppose the gold exists. I'm guessing
it's not just sitting there waiting
to be snatched by anyone who happens
to be passing. Han Sung has a couple
of his boys keeping an eye on it,
right?
SIR ROGER
There will be guards, yes.
ADAM
So I get past these guards and reach
the gold. What am I supposed to do
with it? Two hundred million dollars
worth of gold bullion must weigh
upward of two tons.
SIR ROGER
Closer to three, actually. But don't
you see, Mr. Greff? That's all part
of the challenge.
Sir Roger looks at Rick, who's still holding his bleeding
shoulder.
SIR ROGER
And what do you say, Mr. Harrington?
RICK
You had me at "gold."
SIR ROGER
Very sensible. We'll get that scratch
attended to in a moment, never fear.
RICK
Thanks...
ADAM
I'll need time to think about it.
SIR ROGER
Alas there is precious little time
to think. The bullion will be taken
to the docks at 4 a.m. tomorrow
morning and loaded aboard one of Han
Sung's tankers. I must have your
answer now.
ADAM
Why not arrange an ambush when he
moves the gold? Set up a crossfire
with a couple of sniper teams--
SIR ROGER
He'll expect that! Every hired gun
in town will be on hand to protect
the convoy. It addition to which,
we may expect the convoy's firepower
to be considerable. No, Mr. Greff,
if we are to relieve Han Sung of
his wealth it must be done either
tonight or tomorrow night. You'll
need some time to "case the joint,"
as they say, and prepare a plan. I
should imagine tomorrow night is the
optimum choice. Don't you agree?
Sir Roger sips his tea. Adam is speechless.
end excerpt
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