Hacked Cast Players: Eric Laugel: Lawrence Monroe A.J. Rickert-Epstein: Mitch Delant Grant Simpson: Brandon Howard Kyle Gebhart: Officer 2 Brian Haas: Garud Josh Kreig: Harrison Shrugue/Don Stilz Aaron Innes: Officer Bill Heidrich: Sam Crane Other: Seater (Male) Anchorperson (Either) Jane Freedman (Female) Thug (Male) Thug 2 (Male) 911 Operator (Female) Shadow Man/Silver/Harrison Shrugue (Male) Act 1 Scene 1 Act I. Scene I (Monroe’s office, lights are turned down, and Monroe and Howard are huddled around the one source of light, a glowing computer screen. Howard is quickly typing at the computer.) Howard: (while typing) String code.... Alpha access... Beta password... BINGO! I’m in the server. Monroe: Scoot over, this is where I step in. (While typing) Cost me a lot of called-in favors to get this, but here it is (Hits enter) Files unencrypted. (While typing) Transferring files now...finished. Abort. (Howard takes keyboard and types for about 7 seconds, then throws it to the desk.) Howard: Finally. We got the info on MontroTech’s project #28. Monroe: Herron’ll pay us $15 thousand for this, but we can double that by selling it to him in small pieces. (Fade out on them congratulating each other) Scene 2 Scene II (Cluttered office, Monroe works on the computer while Howard watches recorded movie. Shot of Bill Gates in commercial. Howard pulls out nerf dart gun and shoots Gates, pausing the tape as he does so.) Howard: Bill Gates, what a corporate hack. Microsoft and its damn monopoly, somebody needs to teach that piece of shit a lesson. Monroe: Amen, man. (Internet call manager identifies call, from anonymous person, Howard disconnects) Incoming call. (Phone rings) Howard: I got it. (Reaches over and picks up phone) Talk to me. Deep Voice: I heard you’re good with computers. Howard: Yes, my associate and I have been known to make a...repair every now and then (High-fives Monroe) Deep Voice: I need some...heavy maintenance work. Scene 3 Scene III Deep Voice: (Voice-over from previous scene) Meet me at these coordinates...(fades out) Monroe: You sure this is the right place? Howard: That’s what the guy said. (Thug walks in) Thug: This way, gentlemen. (They follow him down a hallway, stop at a door that is buzzed open. They walk into a room, with a man sitting in the shadows. Thug guards door) Shadow Man: (Spins around in chair) I’ve been expecting you. Monroe: Shouldn’t you be stroking a white cat while you’re saying that? Thug: (Pulls out concealed firearm and bashes Monroe in back, forcing him to his knees, and pulls his head back, towards his gun) Shut up! Shadow Man: (Waving off Thug) Please, we’re all friends here. (Thug grudgingly takes away gun and releases Monroe’s hair, returning to his original stance) Howard: (As Monroe is getting up) So what do you want? We came for business, not to let some little shit beat us up. (Thug pulls out gun, pointing at Howard, SM quickly pulls gun from under desk and shoots thug) SM: It’s so hard to find good help these days. (Pushes button under desk) (Thug 2 comes in, drags out body of Thug and takes his place) SM: Now, to business. Gentlemen, my dear friend Sam Herron said you were the best of the best. Perhaps you are familiar with Shrugue Enterprises. Monroe: Didn’t they create the I-Trek 446? SM: You’re well read. (Tosses them a manila folder full of papers, Howard takes the papers and starts reading) The I-Trek 446. The most advanced anti-burglary system, available only to the highest bidder. A digital spectrum running over all walls and floors, controlled by one central box, connected via phone line to authorities. Harrison Shrugue started the company with inherited money. Howard: (Holding up picture, but not showing it to the camera) This him? SM: Indeed it is. Because of this particular individual, I have lost millions of dollars and hundreds of employees. Oh, were he just out of the way... Howard: (Throwing papers onto desk) Hold on, man. We hack computers, and we’re damn good at it! But if you think we’re some scumbags that’ll pull hits for you... SM: Calm down, kind sir. We’re not enemies. Monroe: (Upset) Look, whoever you are, this experience has been less than... enlightening. So, if you have a point, get to it, or we’ll take our business elsewhere. SM: A man of business. I respect that. (Waves hand, Monroe and Howard turn around to see Thug 2 holstering two guns) As I was saying, Shrugue has been a major threat to my operations. And, as those papers will show, an I-Trek 546 is currently in the works. It operates with twice the intelligence of its predecessor, and will use a clear gas filled with a laser that retinal scans anyone entering any room, yet is completely nontoxic, completely scentless, and completely undetectable. While still in the testing stages, this product poses a tremendous threat to my business. I need you two to sneak into his office, and destroy all files relating in any way to the development of I-Trek 546. Howard: So, what? You want a petty little virus? SM: Hardly. The Shrugue computers are equipped with so many anti-virus programs that you couldn’t get the disks in before the cops would be on their way to your coordinates. No, gentlemen, I have something a bit more effective. (Pulls out suitcase, puts it on table, opens it towards Howard and Monroe, camera does not show contents of suitcase) You guys heard of C4? Power wise, I guess you could call this stuff C8. I not only want the files gone, I want any trace of the I-Trek 546 project obliterated. Monroe: It sounds like what you need are some professional thieves with a good knowledge of explosives. SM: These are no ordinary explosives. Once placed upon a hard drive, they send in an undetectable probe that can only be used to activate the explosives in DOS mode on the computer. You must have explosives placed on the hard drive of the computer in Shrugue’s office, and the network router to all the other computers must be functioning. You only need to type in the command at Shrugue’s computer, the network will do the rest. Monroe: (Closes the suitcase, picks it up and puts it on the floor next to him) So what exactly are you asking us to do? SM: Step one: Take the I-Trek 446 system installed in the facility out of commission. Since it is connected to the phone line, accomplished hackers such as yourselves should be able to hack into the central controls and turn off the power with no problem. Howard: You can’t expect us to be able to just shut this thing down without us having proper knowledge of the system. SM: Of course not. In those papers you will find detailed descriptions and diagrams of the I-Trek 446, and an actual unit will be sent to you in the upcoming week. Shutting this system down will be no easy task, but I trust you two can do it. Monroe: Alrighty, we take down the security system, then what? SM: That brings us to step 2: Gain access to the computer system. Unfortunately, you boys are on your own on this one. I have sent in nearly a dozen well-reputed computer tamperers, and none have had any luck in finding the master password, which will provide access to all the computers. Howard: No problem. We’ll just stop by Garud’s house and borrow a few of his gadgets. SM: Oh, I’m afraid that’s out of the question. The only tools you may borrow from anyone are screwdrivers and ratchets. Monroe: Jeez, how the hell do you expect us to get into one of the best guarded buildings around with a couple of lousy ratchets and screwdrivers? SM: Lucky for you, my friends, because I have a few...specialty...tools. (Pulls out a screwdriver and a ratchet, puts them on desk, picks up screwdriver) This one fits into any usb port and acts as a power switch. The actual power switches can only be flipped by a man in Switzerland, who Shrugue calls every day and every night to make absolutely sure the computers cannot be tampered with. (Puts it down, picks up ratchet) This ratchet forces a dose of Giaconn, a drug that induces a narcoleptic attack on anyone that it comes in contact with, through the skin. Simply push the button for one second while touching an opponent’s skin to induce the seizure, more than one second would be fatal. This one’s only for desperate measures. (Puts tools away) I won’t bore you with the details of the others. They will be included with the package shipped to you next week. Howard: So we know why and who we’re doing this to, now just tell when, where, how much, and who you are. SM: The operation will take place in 2 months. Directions to Shrugue’s headquarters and the other supplies will be mailed to you in a package addressed to "Enid Hortnshek." For your services, you will be paid a sum of ten million dollars, to be paid in full once the operation is complete and successful. And as for who I am, if you don’t know, I can’t be connected to any of this. But, you can call me Mr. Silver. Monroe: And how do we find you to get our money? Silver: Oh you don’t find me, I find you. (Nods to Thug 2) This meeting never happened. (Spins around in chair) Good day, gentlemen. Howard: (Walking toward desk) Hey, I’m not done talking to you. (Spins chair, revealing Silver is gone) Thug 2: Gentlemen, I think it’s time for you to vacate the premises. Scene 4 Scene IV (Back at Monroe’s office, Howard lounging while Monroe kicks ass on Unreal Tournament. Howard flips on TV, Friends music plays) Howard: (Turns off TV with disgust) Man, I hate that show. (Looks to Monroe, who is engrossed in the game, switches off monitor) Don’t you think we should talk about this? Monroe: What’s to talk about? TEN MILLION DOLLARS! We could move out of this crappy excuse for an office. We could move to some country where our records would be wiped clean, like Uruguay. Hell, we could buy Uruguay. No question, this job was a blessing. Howard: Well, do we know anyone who works for Shrugue? Maybe we can go in with some clue as to what to do. And while we’re at it, let’s call Herron to make sure this Silver guy will pay up. Monroe: Hey man, this guy had the equipment, had the pictures. This guy is for real. I just hope the package gets here soon, so we can check out this 446 thing. We can check with Garud about past or present employees, he would know more than anyone. Scene 5 Scene V (Monroe and Howard in front of house, knock on door, Garud opens the door) Garud: Hey, guys, what’s up? Howard: (shakes Garud’s hand) Nothin’ much, man. Monroe: It’s been a while. Garud: You got that right. So you guys pull off that Herron gig? Howard: It was cake. Monroe: Listen man, we gotta talk. Garud: Sure, man. Need some more specialty items? Monroe: Not exactly, we need information. Garud: Alrighty, come on in, grab a couple of MDs. Howard: (Goes to fridge, pulls out two Mountain Dews, throws one to Monroe) Say, Garud, you ever heard of Shrugue Enterprises? Garud: Ah, the creator of the infamous I-Trek 446. Owned and founded by Harrison Shrugue, 1990. Remained a mediocre operation until the creation of the I-Trek 1.01, 1994. Shrugue Enterprise stock soared from $10 a share to $150 over a span of 3 weeks. Stocks hit their all time peak in September of 2000, at more than $400 a share. Shrugue refuses to split the stocks, and he himself owns 65% of all stock, which adds up to about 65000 shares. Rumors are floating that an I-Trek 546 is in the works, but no confirmed sources. Monroe: Thanks, Rain Man. You know anyone who works there? Garud: (Thinks) What for? You planning to infiltrate the most heavily guarded building outside of Fort Knox? The guy offering the money’s got to be crapping you. Who is this dude? Howard: He wouldn’t tell us his real name...but he used an alibi...some color...gold? No...bronze? Garud: (nervously) Mr. Silver? Monroe: That’s it. Garud: Holy shit, get the hell out of here. (stands up, pushes Monroe and Howard toward door) Get out now! Go! Howard: Whoa, what the hell is wrong with you? Garud: (slams Howard against wall, in a raspy whisper) Silver doesn’t like to leave loose ends. Were you followed? Monroe: Why would we... Garud: No loose ends! And you’re looking at Señor Loose End if I help you guys out! Shit, I’m probably dead where I stand! (Opens door, pushes them out, slams door) Howard: Well, that went well. I don’t know, man, Garud... Monroe: With $10 million we can buy new friends! Ones that don’t give us Mountain Dew rip-offs. [shot over Howard’s shoulder, looking at can, realizing it is Citrus Drop] Scene 6 Scene VI (Monroe and Howard return to front of their office, find a box on the step. They look at each other, nod, and Howard picks it up) Scene 7 Scene VII (Back in office, Howard tosses box onto bed. Monroe cuts open tape, opens box. Shot is over top of box, at Monroe and Howard, so contents can’t be seen) Monroe: (Takes out hard drive shaped device) I guess this is the dreaded security system. (Inspects it) Nice. Howard: (Takes out pencil case, opens it to show many screwdrivers) Now this is what I’m interested in. (Picks up a screwdriver, reloads like a shotgun [No noise, will be inserted later]) Monroe: (Pushing down barrel of screwdriver) Jeez! Don’t point that thing at me! (Plugs phone cord into jack on I-Trek 446) Let’s crack this thing. Scene 8 Scene VIII (Multiple shots of Howard and Monroe trying to crack the computer, Hippos’ "Something" plays in background. Finally, they crack it, give each other high fives. Switch to outside shot, with cans on the fence, Howard and Monroe practice shooting cans off the fence with the screwdrivers.) Scene 9 Scene IX (In the office, Monroe goes around collecting screwdrivers, floor layouts. Howard sits at computer) Howard: Well, here I go. (Starts typing, stares at monitor confusedly) Dammit! Monroe: (Drops bag he is carrying) What? Is it the syntax? (Goes over to Howard) Howard: No, these guys have updated firmware, so the eighth strand of the binary code is different. Is the unencrypter working yet? Monroe: I don’t know, try it. (Howard reaches down to switch and flips it) Howard: (Waits) Yes! (Types) Done. Systems will be down in 30 minutes. (Unencrypter sparks, explodes) Monroe: Shit! Oh well, you did all the stuff, right? Howard: Oh yeah, now let’s get going. (He walks out, Monroe picks up bag and follows him) Scene 10 Scene X (Back parking lot of school, Monroe and Howard drive up in car, park, get out, each carrying briefcase, and walk up to back door.) Monroe: (Looks at watch, nods. Pulls out screwdriver from his briefcase, puts it in prying position) Cross your fingers. (Twists end of knob, door pops open) Jackpot. (They walk in, go up stairs to Audio Video room, break in door, door closes just as security guard walks by. Inside room, they walk to office, where computer is glowing in the dark.) Howard: The guy didn’t even shut off the computers yet. Talk about a break. Monroe: It’s not over yet, we still gotta find out the password. (Sits down, puts on rubber gloves) Hook me up. Howard: (Looks confused) I thought you had it. Monroe: (Annoyed) Well, I guess we’ll have to do this the hard way. (Spins in chair toward computer) Howard: Try Shrugue. Monroe: (Types) Negative. Howard: Harrison. Monroe: (Types) Negative. Scene 11 Scene XI (Shrugue walks up stairs in library, humming "Strangers in the Night," rubbing back of his neck with his right hand, gets to top and runs into Security Guard) Shrugue: Hey, Jack. Security Guard: Hey, Mr. S. Working late again? Shrugue: Nah, I’m just going to turn off the computers and head home. You almost off? SG: I wish. Got 2 more hours. Have a good night, sir. Shrugue: You too, Jack, you too. (Jack walks off down the stairs, Shrugue walks toward AV Room, rubbing back of his neck) Scene 12 Scene XII (Back in Shrugue’s office) Howard: (Tiredly) When did Silver say he started the company? Monroe: 1990. (Types) Negative! (Door handle starts to shake, Monroe and Howard look at each other, hide under desk. Shrugue enters, walks to chair, rubbing back of his neck, sits in chair, starts humming "Strangers in the Night." Howard gets out, puts ratchet on Shrugue’s neck, holds down button. Monroe gets up.) Monroe: Silver said ONE second! (Shrugue falls to ground, Monroe checks for pulse) HE’S DEAD! Howard: (Hissing) Shut up! Someone’ll hear you! Let’s just keep trying. (Monroe reluctantly gets into chair, starts typing. Howard takes Shrugue’s wallet from his jacket pocket) Well, well, how much money does a billionaire carry around? Monroe: (Slams fist on desk) Dammit! Howard: (Rifling through wallet, shot overhead of Shrugue on floor) This guy doesn’t carry any cash! All he’s got is a blank check. And it’s not even his! Monroe: (Spins around) What’s the name? Howard: (Holds it near monitor to see it) Horace Tyrell. Monroe: (Types) Sweet! It worked! Howard: (Throws suitcase on desk) I got the explosives. (Applies to back of computer. Looks at Shrugue.) This guy’s gonna be toast. Monroe: (Types) Let’s get out of here! Scene 13 Scene XIII (Camera is seeing what Monroe is seeing. Monroe and Howard run out of office, go toward back stairs. Security Guard yells at them, Howard pulls screwdriver out of coat, shoots security guard. They run down the stairs, exit the back door, run to car, jump in, Howard drives car off) Monroe: You think it worked? Howard: I don’t know. We should have heard something by now. (Exploding noise [inserted later], Monroe and Howard jerk forward. Howard pulls to side of road, looks over his shoulder) Howard: My dear lord! Check that out! Monroe: No, if I see it I’ll never get it out of my mind. You think you killed that security guard? Howard: If the gun didn’t do it, the explosion sure did. Monroe: Let’s get out of here, man Howard: (Looking at explosion) Yeah...(Turns around)...Well, I guess Shrugue’s one with the computers now. (Camera is behind car as car drives off.) (Back in car, from back seat, Monroe turns around, looks at building [flash picture of burning building for 7-10 frames at a time]) Act 2 Scene 1 Act II. Scene I (Back in the office, Monroe asleep on mattress on floor and Howard asleep on the couch, Monroe wakes up from a nightmare, looks around) Monroe: Tell me it was just a dream. Howard: (with eyes closed, makes exploding noise) He’s toast. Monroe: (Groans, gets off couch, goes to computer) Hey, we got a message. Howard: (Getting up, rubbing his eyes) Which hot lady is looking for me now? Monroe: Garud. I think you two have a definite chemistry. Howard: Ha ha. (Monroe plays message) Garud’s Voice: WAsup, it’s Garud. I hope you guys didn’t take the Silver job, but sorry I snapped at you. Hey, someone’s in the driveway. Maybe it’s you. Talk to you later. Or, maybe in a few seconds. Monroe: Well, I guess we should probably go over and make amends. Howard: Yeah, let’s even bring him a real Mountain Dew. Scene 2 Scene II (Monroe and Howard pull up to Garud’s house, only to see it crawling with cops) Howard: What the hell? (Gets out of car with Mountain Dew in hand, Monroe follows. They approach house, Officer stops them.) Officer: I’ll have to ask you gentlemen to leave the crime scene. Monroe: What happened? We know the guy who lives here. Officer: Have you had any contact with Mr. Haas in the last two days? Howard: He just left us a message yesterday. Officer: (Looks at them over his sunglasses) Come with me. (Shot of Crane talking with Officer 2, Officer 2 takes notes) Crane: The first thing you gotta do is sanction off the area with police tape. Have you done that? Officer 2: (Stops writing, looks stupid) Um...no...(runs off) Crane: God, what did I do to deserve this? (Officer approaches with Monroe and Howard) Officer: These are friends of the victim. Monroe: Victim? What the hell happened to Garud? Crane: Good work, Jansen. Now maybe you should go help your intellectually superior chief over there tie his shoe. (Officer runs off) Howard: Judging from the black coat, I assume you’re in charge. Either that or you’re related to Silent Bob. Crane: I don’t follow you, and frankly I don’t care. The name’s Sam Crane. Forgive me for not caring enough to ask your names. What do you know about (flips notepad) Garudd Haaf? Monroe: Garud Haas. We’re friends with him. Howard: Okay, Señor Crime-Solver-Higher-Than-Thou Guy, what happened to him? Crane: Boys, I’ll be frank... Monroe: I thought your name was Sam. (Howard snickers, they low-five) Crane: (Gives them an idiot look) ANYway, I’ll dumb this down for you two scholars. (Makes hand into shape of gun, puts it to his head, shoots, fake dies) (Howard and Monroe gasp, Howard drops can of Dew, slow motion shot of it falling, hitting the ground, and bouncing.) Howard: Who shot him? Crane: Glad to see you’ve joined the conversation. And to answer the question, we don’t know. No fingerprints. We’ve got some tire tracks, but they’re standard issue Michelin. You know if this guy had any enemies? (Monroe and Howard exchange glances. Flashback to multiple images of Garud cracking computers. Uses names like Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Judge Reinhold) Crane: (Looking at them oddly) Well? Howard: (Turns away from Monroe) No, none that I can think of. (Looks at watch) Ah, jeez, we gotta go. Monroe: Adios, Sammy. (Crane watches them go, squints eyes into "They know something they’re not telling me" look, turns and walks away. Officer 2 walks into shot, sees Dew, picks it up, it explodes on him.) Scene 3 Scene III (Monroe and Howard return to office. Howard types on computer while Monroe waks out) Monroe: (Pacing) Oh my god, someone killed Garud. That message, those were probably the last words he ever said. If we had answered the phone, we would have heard him get shot...(trips over computer cord, breaking it) Howard: (Stands up in anger) GOD! You broke the frickin’ cord! (Picks up pill bottle, tosses it to Monroe) Take 2 of those. Monroe: (Pops pills) What’s in these? Howard: (Inspecting computer) Nothing illegal. Monroe: (Hysterical) Oh, great, so the cops can’t prove anything! Howard: (Yelling) Dude, take a walk! You’re starting to piss me off. Clear your head. I’ll call some guy to come fix the cord. Monroe: No, I can help... Howard: JUST GO!! (Monroe, looking hurt, leaves room. Howard picks up phone, starts dialing) Scene 4 Scene IV [SCENE WHERE MONROE WALKS THRUGH NEIGHBORHOOD, THINKS HE SEES SHRUGUE EVERYWHERE HE GOES, FREAKS, AND GOES BACK TO OFFICE] Scene 5 Scene V (Monroe walks into office, sees Howard watching guy fix computer cord) Monroe: (indicating to repair guy) He’s new. (Howard and Delant turn around, acknowledging him) Howard: Yeah, but he came with a good reputation. Meet Mitch Delant, of "Delant & Freedman." Delant: (goes to shake hands with Monroe) Good to meet you. Monroe: You too. I’m Lawrence Monroe, by the way. Who’s the "Freedman"? Delant: Oh, my partner. She’s off on another job. (Goes back to wire, meddles with it) I think I got it. Let’s check. (Flips switch, computer boots up) Howard: Sweet. Good work. How long you been in the business? Delant: You mean computer repair? (Howard and Monroe exchange a puzzled "What an idiot" look) Howard: Yeah. Delant: Oh, I’ve been at it for a while. As far back as I can remember, actually. Monroe: Were you one of those early graduate-ers? Delant: Done with high school at 12, finished college at Schweppes University when I was 14 with a masters in about everything computer-related you can think of. Howard: Boy, I thought it was a written law that all geniuses had to wear thick glasses. Delant: Well, I’ve had 20-20 since I was born. Howard: You graduated at 14...that means you haven’t been to school in more than a decade. Times sure have changed since then. Delant: Oh, obviously. I get another masters every 2 years or so just to keep well read. How about you guys? Monroe: The ever-familiar story: We’ve been friends since we were kids. One day my pop came home with a primitive 486 that took up half the room, with quite possibly the oldest dinosaur of a modem. Howard: We worked on that thing for hours a day. What else were we gonna do, we grew up in West Chester? Man, I remember being so bored...Anyway, that was back when banks didn’t think they needed security systems. Needless to say, we were able to avoid the shame of after school jobs. Monroe: We can trust you with this info, right? Delant: Oh, please guys, everyone dabbles in a few secret cash-making projects. But if you had so much money, how come you’re stuck in this...less than posh office? No offense. Monroe: None taken. Well, as I’m sure you know computers then weren’t quite what computers are now, so after only two months the modem blew. We didn’t tell our parents we had stolen more than $825,000 from the government, so it sat in the bank account until we moved out. When we finally accessed it, we had more than 1.2 million dollars. We avoided taxes by putting it in a Guatemalan bank account. As for how we managed to lose it, a lot of bad investments and keeping up to date in this rapidly changing industry have tapped us dry. And anything we earn goes to paying off debts. Delant: Yeah. Oh, hey, did you guys hear about that explosion down at Shrugue Enterprises? (Monroe and Howard exchange short glance, go to short, discolored flashback of Howard looking at Shrugue, saying "This guy’s gonna be toast," back to original shot of Howard and Monroe) Howard: (Back to Delant) Yeah, it’s been on the news since yesterday. Poor guy. You heard Shrugue was in there when it blew. Delant: Yeah. Hey, I wonder what the company website looks like. I read somewhere they update it everyday. (Turns to computer) You got a nice DSL on here. (Types, looks confused) Man, this is slow. Let me check something. (Kneels down to check computer, site appears on screen) Howard: Hey Mitch, it’s up. Delant: Okay, just a- (Sparks fly from computer, Delant spasms in pain, jerks back) Monroe: Oh my God! (Leans down to Delant) Are you okay? (Sits Delant up) Delant: (Disoriented) What? Oh, yeah, I think I’m okay. (Tries to get up) Howard: Whoa, take it easy, man. You sure you’re okay? Delant: Yeah, fine. Monroe: Okay. (Helps Delant to his feet) So how much do we owe you? Delant: Tell you what, I’ve got tomorrow off, how bout you guys take me and my partner out to dinner tomorrow and we’ll call it even. Howard: Sure. How about Capallano’s around 7? Delant: Yeah, I’ll be there. (Turns to leave) Monroe: Take it easy man. Howard: For a minute there, man, I thought you were toast. Delant: (Turns around, with "possessed" sort of look on his face) "This guy’s gonna be toast..."[Shot of Howard with "How did he know I said that" look on his face, back to Delant] (Eyes clear, angry look on his face) Soon you’ll be toast too. (Leaves) (Monroe and Howard exchange confused/scared glances, laugh nervously, look at computer screen, which reads "Shrugue Enterprises Main Office Explodes. Founder Harrison Shrugue Inside During Explosion, but Remains Not Accounted For.") Scene 6 Scene VI (The next night, Monroe & Howard preparing to go out) Monroe: (Stares at Howard, waiting for him to speak) Are we gonna talk about yesterday? Howard: (Distracted) What about it? Monroe: "Soon you’ll be toast too"? Howard: (Stops buttoning his shirt) Probably just something from the shock. He was pretty unsteady. (Looks to Monroe) We going or not? Scene 7 Scene VII (Howard and Monroe pull up to restaurant, get out and go in) Seater: May I help you, gentlemen? Monroe: Maybe. We’re meeting someone. Mitch Delant? Seater: (Looks at list) No, I’m sorry, no one is here by that name. Monroe: (Turns to Howard) Are we early? Howard: (Looks at watch) No, we’re 10 minutes late. (To Seater) Wait, is there anyone here by the name of...Freeman? Seater: (Looks at list) There’s a Freedman. Monroe: Yeah, that’s it. Seater: Right this way, gentlemen. (Leads them to table where Freedman sits, Seater leaves) Howard: (To Freedman) This must be Freedman. (Pouring on charm, takes her hand) Brandon Howard. Charmed. (Freedman blushes, takes away hand) Monroe: Lawrence Monroe. (Gives her hand a good shake) Starved. What’s good here, Freedman? Freedman: Please, call me Jane. And everything’s good, except the sea bass. Howard: Really. (Keep eye contact with her) What are you going to have? Freedman: (A little annoyed) Well, I don’t know yet. (Opens menu in front of her face to block Howard’s gaze, Monroe reaches over and smacks Howard in back of head) Monroe: (To Freedman) So Jane, where’s Mitch? Freedman: (Lowers menu, glad to be talking to someone) He’s in the bathroom. He should be back soon. (Delant walks up, wearing glasses just like Shrugue, rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand) Delant: He sure should. Hey guys. Monroe: How’s it going? Delant: Oh, I’m fine. (Sits down) How’s the computer working? Howard: Oh, great. (Adjusts his sit, glances quickly at Monroe, to Delant) So, what’s with the glasses? Delant: (Hand goes to glasses) Oh, you like them? (Flashback to discolored shot of Shrugue on floor wearing his glasses, audience realizes they are the same glasses, Howard saying "This guy doesn’t carry any cash!", back to Delant’s face, then to Monroe and Howard) Monroe: They’re nice, but I thought your vision was 20-20 plus. Delant: Yeah, well, maybe that little zap from the computer gave my retinas a little jolt. These (points to glasses) seem to help, though. Freedman: Little zap from a computer? Howard: You should have seen it, this guy got slammed by a pretty bad current. Delant: Yeah, lucky I don’t sue you for all your money. (All have a good laugh) [Dissolve to indicate time passage, all have dirty plates in front of them] Monroe: So how long have you two been together? (Delant and Freedman exchange smiles) Delant: What are you implying? Monroe: Oh, nothing...Just, how long have you two been in business? Freedman: Oh, we’ve been partners...BUSINESS partners...for years. How many cities you figure we’ve left together? Delant: At least 17, but who’s counting, right? (Looks at watch) Oh, jeez, we better go, I got that appointment early tomorrow. (Gets up, Freedman does the same) Howard: (Gets up) Anyone we know? Monroe: Probably not. (Gets up) Who would want an appointment that early in the morning? Delant: (Turns to them, with same angry look in his eyes) Horace Tyrell. (Flashback of discolored shot where Monroe spins around and asks "What’s the name?" and Howard squints and says "Horace Tyrell", back to shot of Delant, who spins around and exits, rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand. To shot of Howard & Monroe, then to Freedman) Freedman: Sorry about that. He’s been really moody lately. He’s just really not been acting like himself. (Turns, walks after Delant) Monroe: (Frightened, to Howard) Horace Tyrell? Howard: Glasses? (Shot of them looking at each other, scared, both reach into pockets, grab money, throw it on the table, walk out) Act 3 Scene 1 Act III. Scene I (Howard & Monroe pull up to their house, see a car in the driveway. Get out of car, see Crane sitting on front steps, approach Crane) Crane: Hey boys, have a good night? Howard: Listen, we told you, we don’t know anything about Garud’s murder! Crane: Oh, no, that case is closed. Well, not closed, but he was such a minor player in the events of the world that his case isn’t top priority. (Howard shoots "Let me hit this guy" look to Monroe, Monroe shakes his head) Monroe: (To Crane) So, if the case is closed, what are you doing here? Crane: (Stands up) Did Mr. Haas mention anything to you about Harrison Shrugue? Howard: (Uncomfortably) Why do you ask? Crane: (Matter-of-factly) Well, it’s not uncommon for one of the big time crime bosses in this town, like Geretti or more likely this Mr. Silver guy, to hire small potatoes shlubs like Mr. Haas to carry out their dirty work. Silver promises them a large cash payment if they take out one of his rivals, and if the police catch the guy in the act, he can’t be connected to Silver. Monroe: I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t follow how Garud’s death could be linked to this. Crane: If he told you guys anything about this, Silver would see it as a breach in protocol, and would start knocking off anyone who knew about it, starting with Mr. Haas. Silver wouldn’t pay for a job to be done half-assed. So, if Haas did tell you something about this, it would be in your best interests to tell me, because Silver would be coming for you guys next. (Shot of Howard & Monroe, Garud’s voice echoing "No loose ends! And you’re looking at Señor Loose End if I help you guys out! Shit, I’m probably dead where I stand!") Crane: Well? Monroe: I don’t know if you’re not hearing us or what, but we told you that we don’t know anything! Crane: (Under his breath) Obviously. (To Monroe & Howard, while walking to his car) Well, if either of you have a sudden flash of memory, call me. (Gets in car, drives away) Scene 2 Scene II (Monroe & Howard enter office, Howard shoves Monroe in the shoulder) Howard: (Angry) What the hell did you say that for? Monroe: What? Howard: "We don’t know anything"? Man, we could have put the blame on Garud and gotten off scott-free! Monroe: (Angry) Oh yeah, scott-free! We would just be taken downtown and thrown in jail for accessory to murder! Howard: (Taken aback, he hadn’t thought of that) Well, you heard what Crane said, Silver is going for all the loose ends, and that means we’re next! We could have at least taken the police protection he was offering. Monroe: Let me spell it out for you: Police Protection = Jail Cell. He can throw around all the sweet-talk, but he would have tossed our asses in jail. Besides, how do we even know it was Silver’s goons that killed him? Garud’s had his hands in plenty of underground missions. Howard: If Silver was happy with the job we’d done, he would have sent the money by now. Where’s the money? Monroe: It’ll get here! He’s probably just waiting for the publicity to die down a little. Howard: Yeah, well, the second it gets here, I’m getting the hell out of this city, out of this state. Go somewhere where we can do all our work online, and not worry about having to break into any offices. I hear Alaska’s very nice. Monroe: I’m totally with you, but until the money gets here, just chill, man. For now let’s get some rest. (Howard lays down on couch and Monroe on mattress on floor) Scene 3 Scene III (The next morning, Monroe watches TV without actually watching it, Howard types on computer) Monroe: (Shuts off TV, tentatively to Howard) There was something I meant to talk to you about last night, but when we talked with Crane I kind of forgot. Howard: (Spins chair to face Monroe) Delant, right? Monroe: (Inhales and exhales deeply) Yeah. (Pauses) Did it seem like he was... (Knock at door, Monroe & Howard exchange glances, go to answer door. Open door, see it is Freedman) Monroe: Hey, how’s it going? Freedman: (Polite, but obviously with something on her mind) Fine, thanks. It is okay for me to come in? Howard: Of course. (Leads her in) How did you know how to find us, anyway? Freedman: Oh, I looked at Mitch’s records. Monroe: (Slowly, as if he already knows the answer) Why didn’t you just ask him? Freedman: (Walks over and sits on the couch) What exactly happened with him yesterday? Howard: (Slowly, uncomfortably) Well, Lawrence tripped over the power cord for our computer, so I called one of my friends and he recommended you guys to fix it. Monroe went out for a walk... Freedman: (Slightly impatient) Can you get to the point? Monroe: Okay, I get back, he introduces himself and then he mentions the Shrugue Enterprises explosion, and he wonders what the website will look like. He goes there, and says something about the connection being slow. He bends down and starts fiddling with the computer, the website pops up, and he gets this bad shock. Howard: He’s stunned for a while, but he gets up and seems okay, then he says to pay for it we should take you guys out to dinner. Freedman: (Looks between them, waiting for more) That’s it? (Delant’s echoing voice "Soon you’ll be toast too.") Monroe: Yeah, that’s it. Why do you ask? Freedman: (Puts fingers to her temple) He’s been acting...well...not like himself. The glasses, for example. I’ve known him for years, and never has he even needed to squint to see anything. And he keeps forgetting things, like when he has appointments, or phone numbers he called everyday. And... Howard: And...? Freedman: (Staring into space) His walk. Monroe: His walk? Freedman: (Focuses on Monroe) He use to always walk everywhere with his hands in his pockets. He claimed he had bad circulation in his hands, and it was a running joke that if he ever walked without having his hands in his pockets that they would freeze and fall off. (Monroe & Howard exchange a "She is nuts" look) Oh, I know you think I’m just being neurotic, but I know his mannerisms. Now, whenever he walks he’s rubbing his neck with one of his hands. It’s a small thing, but it’s just not him. I can’t see how a little electric shock could have changed one of those innate idiosyncrasies. (Shot of Monroe’s face, goes to discolored flashback of Shrugue entering his office, rubbing neck, back to Monroe’s face) Freedman: Mr. Monroe? Monroe: Excuse me? Howard: We told you everything that happened. Monroe: (Trying to cover) Yeah, I wish we could tell you more, but all that happened was Mitch took a bad jolt from the computer. Freedman: (Looks between them, not believing that is all) Alright, it was just a shot in the dark anyway. (Gets up, walks toward door) Thanks anyway. Howard: (Calling to her) No problem. (Freedman leaves) Howard: He did walk like that, didn’t he? Monroe: Delant? Howard: (Shakes head) Shrugue. (Looks at Monroe with an "I’m scared" look on his face, goes and grabs two beer bottles [full of ginger ale], hands one to Monroe) If we’re gonna talk about this, I think these will get us in the mood. (They open them, take drinks, shot of Howard putting his on the table) Scene 4 Scene IV (Fade from last scene where bottle is mostly full to bottle empty, with another by it, mostly empty) Howard: (Voice just slightly slurred) Hey, you know what? Maybe Silver didn’t kill Garud, maybe it was Delant...I mean, Shrugue...I mean, you know what I mean. Monroe: No, that’s impossible, because Delant didn’t get zapped until later. Howard: Oh yeah. (Thinks) I guess that means Silver is still after us. Monroe: Assuming he didn’t get killed for one of his own deals gone awry... Howard: Which you know isn’t true. Monroe: ...Yeah, I guess Silver is after us. (Gets up) You thirsty? Howard: Sure thing, man. (Monroe walks toward cooler, steps on remote, turns on TV, with anchorperson) Anchorperson: Thanks Maureen. Well, the crime boss known as Mr. Silver was finally caught last night. (Howard & Monroe turn toward TV, engrossed in story) An ex-employee identified Silver’s body, which was found in a dumpster outside a building that police believe was Silver’s center of operations. Police accredit the find to an anonymous phone call placed late last night. [911 call] 911 Operator: 911, please state your emergency. Delant’s Voice: (Calmly) There seems to be a dead body in a trash receptacle outside 13689 East Porter. 911 Operator: May I have your name, Sir? (No Answer) Sir? Delant’s Voice: (Humming "Strangers in the Night") 911 Operator: Sir, may I have your name? Delant’s Voice: (Continues uninterrupted humming) Anchorperson: More on this story as it develops. Coming up next, Neil Thasmond with a look at what you can expect for the weekend. Monroe: (Reaches out with shaking hand and turns off TV, LOUD phone ring) Howard: (Slowly reaches out and hits speakerphone button) Hello? Freedman’s Voice: You have to help me! Mitch has gone crazy, he tied me up, and he’ll be back soon! He’s coming for you guys, you have to hurry! (Howard and Monroe exchange glance, and run for door) Scene 5 Scene V (In car, Howard driving, shot from camera in back seat, switching between Monroe and Howard as each talks) Monroe: (Pauses) So what exactly is the plan? Howard: Bust in the door, untie the girl, and we ride off into the sunset. (Pause) Oh, and you’ll be there too. Monroe: This isn’t the time for jokes, Brandon! Howard: What the hell do you want me to say?! Have you even realized we don't even know where the hell he has her tied up? The girl said get the hell out of the house, so I got the hell out of the house. Monroe: (Starts to say something, stops, looks forward) [All of a sudden, bright lights flash from behind car, Monroe turns around] Howard: Jackass. [Car pulls to right, pulls up alongside Monroe. Shot of Monroe's face] Monroe: (Eyes wide open, astonished) NOOO!! [Shot of Delant, driving other car, crazy look in eye] Monroe: Go, go, GO! Howard: What the...? (Glances over to see Delant) Shit! (Floors gas, Delant matches speed) Delant: (Pulls out gun, yelling) Don't even think about trying to get away, unless you have a strong desire to go down in flames! Just do what I tell you! [Wipe to next screen] Scene 6 Scene VI (Howard and Monroe still in car, looking somewhat tired/stressed) Delant: (Yelling) Ok, turn in here! Howard: Finally. Monroe: You're really happy to be stopping somewhere? (Howard doesn't respond) (They pull into a familiar parking lot, the cars stop) Monroe: Isn't this.. Howard: Silver... Delant: (Next to Howard's window, interrupting) Get out of the car! (Monroe and Howard get out of the car, walk into building in front of Delant) Scene 7 Scene VII (Monroe and Howard are walking down hallway, Delant behind them. Stop at door at end of hallway) Delant: (Yelling through door) It's me! They're here! (Buzzing noise, doors open. Howard and Monroe are ushered in. Silver is sitting in shadows) Silver: Good to see you again, gentlemen. Howard: Really? Well, I guess it would be good to see anyone considering YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD! Monroe: (A bit more timid than Howard) We...we did your job...(trying to muster up strength) Where's our money? Silver: Ah, but why would I pay money when you didn't complete the job? Howard: What do you mean? We torched the place! Monroe: It was all over the news! Silver: You torched the OFFICE, but you didn't get rid of all the information on I-Trek 546. Monroe: But we killed Shrugue! Without Shrugue, the company will be in such a state of chaos that it'll all fall apart in a matter of months. So who cares if there's still a little bit of information floating around, with Shrugue gone, no one will know how it works. Silver: You didn't kill Shrugue. Howard: Right, because the guy's found a way to live without having a pulse. Silver: (Pulls out picture of the man they killed in the office) You killed this man. Monroe: Right, and... Silver: This isn't Shrugue. (Howard and Monroe are dumbfounded. Delant walks in front of them to a file cabinet, pulls out picture, hands it to Monroe) Delant: This is Shrugue. [Over-the-shoulder shot of picture] Monroe: But, the picture you gave us before... Silver: ...was of someone else. (Flips on lights, revealing he is the man in the picture) Why would I want to take a chance on Shrugue being killed? Howard: But, we heard a security guard talking to... Shrugue: ...the man in the picture you had. Don Stilz. [Shot of Monroe's sweating face, to flashback of Security Guard talking to other person, calling him "Mr. S" and "Sir", back to Monroe's face] Monroe: But, why would you want to destroy your own building? Shrugue: What did you hear Stilz saying while he was talking to the security guard? Monroe: I don't know, just small talk. Asked him how he was doing. Shrugue: Exactly. Stilz was Executive Vice President... Delant: (Interrupting) Meaning if something were to happen to you, he would be in charge of the company, right? Shrugue: (Annoyed at having been interrupted) ...Shut up. Anyway, the man was a boyscout. All the day, nice to this guy, nice to that guy. No drive. Wouldn't step on anyone. Or so he wanted everyone to believe. He even fooled me. Until 3 weeks ago, when I find out he knew about...well, let's just say all of my practices aren't exactly "Legal," and that rat bastard comes up to me and says he's going to go to the Feds and turn me in. Howard: So we know why you had us take out your building, but why such an intricate dance? Monroe: Yeah, why Delant? Why have him copy...Stilz's mannerisms? The Silver's body and 911 call? You had enough information to turn us into the cops at any time. Howard: Not to mention you fucking KILLED Garud! Shrugue: (Not really interested) You spoke when you weren't supposed to. It's not the first time it's happened. Howard: You...Garud knew about you, well, he knew about Silver...you've done this BEFORE? Shrugue: I create security systems. What better way to test them than by having some lab rats...that's you two...break into one of my labs equipped with them. Most of the time there aren't explosions, but you two were an exception. Howard: Lucky us. Shrugue: Of course, you two weren't supposed to live through the explosion. Somehow my explosives guy set the timer for about 50 seconds too long. I didn't give him a chance to apologize. Monroe: And I assume you have the same treatment in store for us. Shrugue: Of course, you know far too much. As for my...temporary partner here (points to Delant), after so many people killed, I need to find a way to have a litttle fun. I mean, having you two believe that somehow the ghost of Stilz had inhabitted...(starts laughing)...had inhabitted his body...(points to Delant, starts laughing even harder, eventually gets himself under control) Well, let's just say Mr. Delant here was more than happy to help out when I offered him a substantial cash payment. Delant: (Bragging) A cool million bucks. Howard: I guess you'll be splitting that with Freedman. She deserves at least that much for our lovely call. Delant: (Confused, nervously laughs, to Shrugue) What...what is he talking about? Shrugue: (Not really interested) Didn't you wonder how I knew they would be out of their house when you picked them up tonight? I had to bend the rules a little bit. Delant: You..(Enraged, starts waving around gun)..You told me you would leave her out of it! Shrugue: Hey, MORON! Put the gun down. Delant: You bastard! Give me one reason I shouldn't shoot you right now! Shrugue: Tsk, tsk. (Hits buzzer, door behind him opens, Thug 2 with gun to Freedman's head, Freedman tied in chair) If I were you, I would put the gun down. Delant: Jane! Freedman: Mitch! Shrugue: Gun! Down, now. (Delant looks at Freedman again, Thug 2 cocks gun, Delant looks to Shrugue, grudgingly drops gun) Shrugue: Kick it too me, and stand next to Mr. Monroe and Mr. Howard. (Delant does so.) Well, it seems as if past enemies are now allies. Pity as allies you all shall die. But, of course, not here. I prefer never to use a location twice. Howard: But you made an exception for us. How nice. Shrugue: (Getting up) All part of the dance, my friend. (To Thug 2) Bring Ms. Freedman with us. (Thug 2 starts untying Freedman) She'll ride with me in Mr. Delant's car, and the three of you will follow us in Mr. Howard's car. (Tosses walkie talkie to Monroe) I'll give you directions through this channel. (Thug 2 finishes untying Freedman, stands her up. Shrugue motions for him to advance) You are to stay here for 45 minutes before departing. Bruno here will keep you company until then. (Thug 2 brings Freedman to Shrugue. Shrugue pulls egg timer from pocket and sets it for 45 minutes) See you soon, gentlemen. (Shrugue leaves with Freedman. Howard, Monroe, and Delant look at each other nervously) Scene 8 Scene VIII (40 minutes have passed, Delant sits on floor, facing the door. Howard and Monroe are facing each other,, Howard sitting on the floor, Monroe leaning against a wall. Thug 2 stands rigidly where he had been standing 40 minutes ago.) Monroe: (To Delant) So why'd you really do it? Delant: (Waken from a trance) Do it? Howard: Sell us down the river in the Exxon Valdez. Delant: I..I don't know. (Buries head in hands) The guy comes up to me, says he'll give me $750,000 to scare a couple of guys. (Looks up) With that kind of money, I could start up a legitimate business. No more of this hacking shit, living from one job to the next, being paid $10,000 for a good job, and using $6,000 of that to replace components damaged in the hacking procedure and another $2,500 to blackmailers. (Looks at Howard and Monroe) With $750,000 I could get out of here, buy an office in a small town, do for it what Kellogg did for Battle Creek, Michigan. Howard: Fill it full of cereal? Monroe: Howard. Delant: (Ignoring Monroe) Put it on the map! If I just had the money, I've got enough know-how in here (points to head) to make a name for myself. Jane's getting sick of this moving around stuff. She doesn't even know about the blackmailers. That's why I made him up the ante to an even million, I could use the $250,000 extra to make it so that the blackmailers lost my number, and we'd be free and clear. Monroe: So, in order for you to live the easy life, you bump off two innocent hack... Delant: (Interrupting)...I'd hardly call you two innocent! Besides, when he approached me with the offer, he never said anything about anyone being hurt. I was just supposed to scare you. (Drops head back into hands) Then he kept changing the rules. Now he's got Jane. (Egg timer sounds VERY loudly, Thug 2 grabs it and stops it. Walkie talkie squeals in Monroe's pocket, Monroe answers it) Shrugue's Voice: It's that time, boys. Hop in the car. Howard: (Grabs walkie talkie) What's to keep me and Monroe from taking off? We barely know this girl, and we aren't going to do any favors for the guy who set us up. Shrugue's Voice: Ah, but Ms. Freedman's life will only be spared upon the arrival of all three of you. (Calling to Bruno) Bruno, open my top desk drawer and through the weapon to Mr. Delant. (Bruno does so) Now, knowing what Mr. Delant has on the line, I doubt he would let you out of his sight if your eyelids caught on fire. Now get in the car and get onto I-75 going south. I'll call again when you need more instructions. Howard: Is he for real? (Monroe motions for him to shut up, points behind his shoulder where Delant is aiming the gun at them) Delant: Get in the car. Scene 9 Scene IX [Scene of Delant, Howard, and Monroe in the car. Howard is driving, Monroe and Delant are in the back seat. Scene is about 15-20 minutes long (or however long it actually takes to get to the lot), but will be sped up in post-editing. Every 5 minutes or so Monroe speaks with walkie talkie. They pull into the lot, at which point time returns to normal, and they get out of the car]