Copyright 2001 by Bob Ray
WRECKED
First Draft
EXT. DOWNTOWN AUSTIN, NIGHT
NATHAN is floating amidst the soft blurry lights. everything moving at a snails pace. A beautiful woman approaches him, kisses his neck and whispers into his ear.
The loud static buzzing of an alarm clock floods the audio.
INT. NATHAN'S BEDROOM, MORNING
Nathan flinches and swats at the alarm clock.
The clock reads: 7:30
The buzzing stops and Nathan's wife SUZY rolls over and kisses his neck. She whispers in his ear.
SUZY
Turn it off Honey.
NATHAN
One more snooze.
SUZY
Turn it off and spend the day in bed with me.
NATHAN
I wish I could, but there's been a lot of tension down at work.
Nathan sits up and rubs his face.
NATHAN
There are rumor of cutbacks. People are on edge. You know how it is.
SUZY
I know, but I wish we could spend just one day in bed together.
Nathan slides out of bed and goes through the morning rituals. Shower, shave, suit, loafers, kiss, briefcase, exit stage left.
EXT. I-35, MORNING
Drive. Traffic. Tons of it.
INT. NATHAN'S CAR, MORNING
Nathan rides it out.
RADIO
And in further local news, there was another round of layoffs today. 1,500 people found themselves without a job this morning at Austin's Bell computers. That brings the total number of layoffs in the Austin high tech field up to 13,000. Rumors that several other tech companies will be cutting back on personnel this week in order to decrease their expenditure and bring higher profits back to their shareholders. Of those rumored are industry giant Motograter, software manufacturer Aus-Tech--
Tires screech and a horn blares. Nathan snaps too. The driver next to him is yelling and flipping the bird.
EXT. PARKING LOT, MORNING
Nathan cruises the lot and finds a spot, on the far side of the hot slab. As he's walking through the sea of parked cars, he sees his boss, MR. KINSLOW, pulls into a reserved spot next to the front door.
Mr. Kinslow strolls into the building and disappears behind the glass doors. Nathan enters the building and makes his way through the lobby. As Nathan approaches the elevators, he catches a glimpse of Mr. Kinslow standing inside the elevator, the doors beginning to close. Mr. Kinslow sees Nathan coming and looks down at his watch. As the doors close, Mr Kinslow looks back up and addresses Nathan.
MR. KINSLOW
You're late, Nathan. That'll be noted.
The doors slam shut.
INT. OFFICE WORKSTATION, DAY
Nathan sits down at his desk and turns on his computer. His monitor hums and comes to life and the Aus-Tech logo welcomes Nathan to another day of work. TAMMY, Mr. Kinslow's sensitive secretary shuffles up to Nathan's workstation.
TAMMY
I'm sorry to have to say this to you Nathan, but Mr. Kinslow says for me to tell you that you need to disintermediate the customized infrastructures by the end of the day and he said that sleeping in late is not an excuse for not getting the job done. I'm sorry, Nathan, I didn't want it to sound so mean...
NATHAN
It's okay, Tammy. I'll take care of it.
Slowly build to rapid cuts and time lapse movement as the busy worker bees toil away. Coffee, sitting, typing, stretching, typing, routing cable, typing, bathroom break, more typing.
An Asian fellow named SAM KWON approaches Nathan.
SAM
Hey there Nathan, how's it hanging?
NATHAN
A little to the left, but alright Sam.
Nathan kicks back and relaxes a bit.
NATHAN
But there's no question in my mind that I'd rather be in bed right now.
SAM
Yeah, sleep. I heard that.
NATHAN
Sleep, right.
SAM
Say man, I was wondering if you could give me a hand later on. I'm trying to implement the holistic supply chains for the Smith project and I'm having a bit of trouble getting the synergistic vortals up and running to capacity.
NATHAN
Alice might be a better person to ask about that. She's really on top of that kind of stuff. But if you keep having problems with it, I'd be happy to lend a hand.
SAM
Hey Alice!
Alice's head pops up from behind her cubicle.
ALICE
Sam, what's up.
SAM
I got a question for ya. Hold up.
(to Nathan)
Thanks Nathan.
Sam starts to walk away.
SAM
Hey you wanna grab a beer after work? Blow off some steam?
NATHAN
I think I'm heading home tonight. It's Suzy's last day off until next week.
SAM
Right on, thanks for the lead.
Nathan gets up and stretches.
INT. BATHROOM, DAY
Henry finishes pissing as Nathan enters the bathroom. Henry seems worried.
HENRY
Oh man, Nathan, did you hear? Sally down in accounting told me that there are going to be more layoffs today.
NATHAN
Henry, hold on a sec. You're giving me stage fright.
Nathan starts to piss.
HENRY
She said last quarter's earnings were down and they'll be cutting back on personnel. Have you heard anything?
NATHAN
No, I haven't heard anything. The whole industry's in a funk. Over at Bell they put in random drug testing so they could fire people and they wouldn't have to pay severance. My friend Steve got fired for wearing his badge in the wrong place.
Nathan finishes up and zips his trousers.
NATHAN
It's fucking cut-throat.
Nathan starts washing his hands.
HENRY
Oh, man. This is bad. I've got a mortgage. The kids... Oh man... What am I gunna do?
NATHAN
Hang in there Henry. It'll work out.
HENRY
I don't know this time, Nathan. I don't know. I think Mr. Kinslow has it out for me. I'm headed back, I want to make sure they see me working hard.
NATHAN
Hang in there, Henry.
Henry exits the bathroom. Nathan cleans up and exits.
INT. AUS-TECH HALLWAY, DAY
Nathan emerges from the bathroom and starts walking down the hall. As he passes Mr. Kinslow's door he overhears his boss giving instructions.
MR. KINSLOW
No One said it would be easy, Tammy. You're going to need to make a decision here. You either take care of the business at hand or you'll be writing your name on that list the next time I dictate who is to be laid off. Do we understand one another?
TAMMY
Yes sir, Mr. Kinslow.
MR. KINSLOW
Now pull yourself together so I can finish up the unpleasantries and get out of here.
TAMMY
Yes sir, Mr. Kinslow.
MR. KINSLOW
And Tammy, wait until I've left the parking lot. I don't want any of these basket case types boo-hooing to me about their future and their families and such.
Kinslow sits back in his chair.
MR. KINSLOW
Now, where were we? The list.
TAMMY
Henry Huffstutler.
MR. KINSLOW
Right. Huffstuttler. Add Alice Jenkins, Sam Kwon...
A mobile phone rings.
MR. KINSLOW
Give me a few minutes, Tammy. I've got to take this.
TAMMY
Yes sir, I'll be at my desk, typing up these.
Nathan hears the door knob turning and he quickly leaps back into stride and walks away. A visibly shaken Tammy emerges from Mr. Kinslow's office.
INT. OFFICE, DAY
Nathan walks back into the main office. Henry Huffstutler is walking toward Nathan. Sam Kwon pops up from behind his cubicle divider.
SAM
Hey, Huffstutler.
Henry turns to Sam.
HENRY
Yeah.
SAM
Could you drop this file on Tammy's desk for me please.
HENRY
Sure thing Sam.
Nathan takes the file and holds it near his chest. He passes Henry on his way to his desk.
White flash.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET CORNER, DAY
Lead in with Nathan's pov. He sees Henry, dirty, unshaven and apparently homeless, stands on the corner holding a cardboard sign that reads "Hungry, broke, 2 children, please help."
White flash.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE, DAY
Nathan snaps back and watches Henry as he walks down the hall. Nathan continues walking and passes Sam, who leans out from behind his divider.
SAM
Hey, Nathan.
Nathan turns toward Sam.
White flash.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET, DAY
Sam sits up in the passenger's seat of a luxury car. He wipes his mouth and the driver tosses him $20. Sam hops out and is dressed in full drag, tattered and torn.
SAM
Nathan, I really need some help. I can't relink the fucking supply chains...
White flash.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE, DAY
Nathan reels from vision.
SAM
And even if I could relink, we'd only be running at half capacity. So what do you think? Can you give me a hand with this or what? I mean, no hurry. I got plenty of other shit to do, but you know. Whenever.
Nathan is a bit shaken.
NATHAN
Sure Sam, I'll email you a step by step.
Nathan continues toward his desk. He sits and stares at his monitor and time passes. Alice leans in on Nathan's monitor.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET, DAY
Nathan is driving down the street and he stops at a red light. Alice starts washing his windshield. She leans in the window and shakes a paper cup full of spare change at him.
ALICE
Hey, Nathan, we got Sam's problem fixed. So don't sweat it... Nathan...
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE, DAY
ALICE
Nathan?
Nathan snaps back to reality. Alice is leaning over his monitor, waving her hand in his face.
ALICE
Nathan, you alright?
NATHAN
Yeah, Alice. What were you saying?
ALICE
Sam's taken care of. Problem solved. I just wanted you to know so you didn't waste time emailing him the step by step.
NATHAN
Oh, yeah. Thanks Alice.
Alice walks away, back to her desk. The office workers continue to toil away.
Nathan looks up from his monitor and, through the window he sees Mr. Kinslow exit the building. Kinslow hops in his car and takes off, exiting the parking lot. Tammy emerges from around the corner. A stack of pink slips in her hand and she's crying.
Tammy approaches Alice Jenkins, Nathan can't hear the exchange, but Tammy hands a pink slip to Alice and Alice .
CUT TO:
INT. MR. KINSLOW'S APARTMENT, DAY
Alice killing Mr. Kinslow with an ax.
needs work------lame.
maybe she has something in her hand and she kills him w/ it in the vision -----letter opener? stapler???
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE, DAY
Tammy walks up to Henry and hands him his pink slip. He cries and covers his face.
CUT TO:
INT. MR. KINSLOW'S APARTMENT, DAY
Flash of Henry crying. He uncovers his face and grabs Mr. Kinslow's shoulders. Sobbing, he grabs Mr. Kinslow by the shirt.
maybe Harry leans in and hugs Tammy & that matches the cut to him strangling Kinslow
HENRY
Please, please... don't let me go... please Mr. Kinslow...
Henry grabs his tie and falls to his knees.
HENRY
Please Mr. Kinslow... I've got kids... a wife...
Henry starts choking Mr. Kinslow with his tie.
HENRY
You can't fire me, Mr Kinslow.
Mr. Kinslow falls to his knees and Henry pulls tighter on the necktie. Mr. Kinslow falls to the ground. Red faced and still. Henry is still crying.
HENRY
Please... I need this job.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE, DAY
Tammy stands before Sam as Sam reads the pink slip.
SAM
You gotta be shitting me. No fucking way. No fucking way! You can't fucking fire me!
CUT TO:
INT. MR. KINSLOW'S APARTMENT, DAY
Shots of Sam beating Mr. Kinslow to death with a golf club and yelling.
maybe Sam is doing something that mimics the motion of a golf club and that's the transition to the Kinslow murder
SAM
No fucking way! You think you can fucking fire me?!
Mr. Kinslow tries to crawl away. Sam follows him, beating him with the club.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE, DAY
Tammy approaches Nathan. She accidentally drops the stack of pink slips. She leans down and picks them up. When she stands up, the background has changed.
INT. MR. KINSLOW'S APARTMENT, DAY
Tammy stands back up, pink slips in hand. Nathan's POV as Tammy stands into frame and hands the pink slip to Nathan. Nathan lifts his gun and Tammy squeals and ducks. Mr. Kinslow is sitting on his couch watching TV. Nathan fires.
White flash.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET, NIGHT
Nathan sits in his car. Thinking. Hard.
He opens the door and crosses the street.
INT. LIQUOR STORE, NIGHT
He pushes open the door to the liquor store and notices the Protected by Smith & Wesson sign hanging in the front door window. He enters and heads for the whiskey isle.
CLERK
Just the booze? You need ice? Cola?
He sets down the bottle on the counter and lays down the cash for it.
CLERK
Just the booze, then. Out to get some serious shitfaced, huh?
Nathan picks up his change and returns to his car.
EXT. STREET, NIGHT
Nathan sits in his car, drinking.
HENRY
Think of my kids, Nathan.
Nathan looks over to see Henry leaning in the passenger window, dirty and in his poverty clothes.
HENRY
My wife. What will she think. We can't pay the bills on her wages. Do it for me, Nathan.
Nathan takes another slug from the bottle. Henry is gone.
ALICE
I know that jackass enjoyed every minute of it.
Nathan sees Alice standing outside of his driver's side window.
ALICE
I see him drive by here every fucking day. His car all cleaned and waxed. How do you think he pays for that? With our wages, Nathan. With our money.
Alice disappears and time passes.
SAM
Just fucking look at me, Nathan.
Nathan looks in his rear view mirror and sees Sam all dressed up in drag.
SAM
I wear a fucking dress and suck dick for twenty bucks a pop. I fucking suck dick, man. Oh, Jesus...
Sam starts moaning and crying.
SAM
I don't like sucking dick... I'm not even fucking gay...
Sam continues to sob. Nathan turns to look over the back seat and Sam is gone.
Just then, Nathan sees his boss driving up. He watches as Kinslow pulls into the parking garage to his condos.
Nathan starts to breath heavy. He takes one last gasp and digs the gun from his glove box.
Nathan hops out of his car and puts the gun in his suit pocket. He marches up to the building.
INT. CONDO LOBBY, NIGHT
Nathan walks up to the elevator and pushes the up button.
INT. CONDO ELEVATOR, NIGHT
The doors open, Nathan enters and pushes the 8 button. He waits and rides, listening to soothing elevator music.
The bell rings and the doors open and Nathan steps into the hallway.
INT. CONDO HALLWAY, NIGHT
Nathan starts walking down the hall and he sees Mr. Kinslow entering his room. Nathan runs up to the room and sticks his foot the door and the jamb. Nathan pushes the door back open as he pulls his pistol from his coat. Nathan unloads a slug into Mr. Kinslow's back.
Kinslow falls forward and against the wall. Nathan shoots again, but misses as Kinslow scrambles around the corner. Nathan follows. He rounds the corner to see that the hallway is empty. Nathan turns into the kitchen and stumbles upon Kinslow holding a double barreled shotgun.
Kinslow fires and nails Nathan in the crotch. Nathan screams as he returns fire and hits Kinslow in the chest. Kinslow is knocked back by the force of the impact and he empties his second barrel into the ceiling. Nathan fires twice more and Kinslow falls to the ground. Nathan falls to his knees and fires again hitting Kinslow in the chest.
Nathan is loosing buckets of blood. His head droops and he realizes that he is nearing the end. He lifts his head and puts the barrel of his gun in his mouth. He pulls the trigger. The chamber is empty and the clicking of the hammer echoes through the room.
The sizzling sounds of cooking flesh fills the air. Nathan screams and yanks the gun from his mouth and grabs his swollen red lips. He folds over, moaning in pain.
INT. CONDO ELEVATOR, NIGHT
Nathan's bloody hands paw at the numbered buttons. He takes a swipe at the lobby button, but ends up smearing blood across the buttons for the fourth, third, second floor as well as the Lobby. All the buttons light up.
The doors open to the fourth floor and Harry stands swaying in the box, gun dangling from his near limo hand. The doors quietly close.
CUT TO:
INT. CONDO 3RD FLOOR HALLWAY, NIGHT
The doors open and Nathan bleeds and sways. The doors close.
CUT TO:
INT. CONDO 2ND FLOOR HALLWAY, NIGHT
The doors open and Nathan leans on the wall. The doors close.
CUT TO:
INT. CONDO LOBBY, NIGHT
The doors open and Nathan falls out and onto the floor. A women on the pay phone freaks out.
WOMAN
Oh my God.
She hangs up and dials 911.
Nathan picks himself up and staggers across the lobby, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. He stumbles out onto the street and rests on his car. He looks up and remembers the Protected by Smith & Wesson sign on the Liquor Store door and makes his way across the street.
Nathan enters the store yelling through his swollen lips.
NATHAN
Gimme the fuckin cash! I got a fuckin gun!
The clerk freaks and pulls the big ass six shooter out from under the cash drawer and starts firing at Nathan. Bottles of booze explode as the clerk unloads his gun without hitting Nathan.
The clerk clicks through several empty chambers before screaming like a girl and running out the back door.
EXT. STREET, NIGHT
Nathan falls into the side of his car, smearing blood all over it. He opens the door and collapses in the seat. He puts the gun on his lap and digs for his keys.
He nods out and comes back to. The keys are in the ignition and the car is running. His foot has the gas pedal pinned to the floor and the engine is revving like mad. He can hear someone yelling. Nathan looks out the driver side window and sees a cop standing there with her gun drawn. Her voice is muffled by the glass.
COP
Put the gun down and get out of the car!
Nathan looks at her, confused. Then down at the gun, still in his hand. He slowly picks up the gun as the woman's yelling becomes more intense.
COP
Sir, put the gun down or I will fire!! Drop the gun!!
Nathan slowly aims the gun at the cop and she fires.
BANG! The screen is covered in red. The bang of the gun turns into the buzzing of the alarm clock.
INT. NATHAN'S BEDROOM, MORNING
Pull back from a totally red screen to reveal the red digital numbers of the alarm clock.
The clock reads: 7:39
Nathan rolls over and swats at the alarm clock. The buzzing stops and Nathan's wife SUZY rolls over and kisses his neck. She whispers in his ear.
SUZY
Turn it off Honey.
NATHAN
One more snooze.
SUZY
Turn it off and spend the day in bed with me.
NATHAN
I wish I could, but there's been a lot of tension down at work.
Nathan sits up and rubs his face.
NATHAN
There are rumor of cutbacks. People are on edge. You know how it is.
SUZY
I know, but I wish we could spend just one day in bed together.
Nathan slides out of bed and goes through the morning rituals. Shower, shave, suit, loafers...
Nathan opens a drawer and digs something out. He steps over to the bed, leans over and kisses his wife goodbye, hiding something behind his back. She holds his face and kisses him gently.
SUZY
I love you, Nathan.
NATHAN
I love you too.
Suzy kisses him again and lets him slide out of her hands. He crosses the room and opens his briefcase. Nathan drops his handgun into the briefcase.
SUZY
Be careful.
He snaps it shut.
CUT TO RED.
FADE OUT