Bound
(1996)
by Larry and Andy Wachowski.
Draft script.
FADE IN:
Inside a closet.
It is a large closet with double doors, a crisp line of light
cutting down through the center of the darkness.
As we begin to descend, voices echo in our head.
VIOLET (V.O.)
I had this image of you, inside of
me, like a part of me.
We move past a shelf filled with hatboxes and handbags. It
is a woman's closet.
CORKY (V.O.)
You planned this whole thing, didn't
you?
CAESAR (V.O.)
Where's the fucking money?
We glide over the tightly packed hangers, close enough to
feel the different fabrics and descend past the dresses to
the racks of high heels.
VIOLET (V.O.)
We make our own choices, we pay our
own prices.
CAESAR (V.O.)
All part of the business.
VIOLET (V.O.)
All part of the business.
CORKY (V.O.)
What choice?
We slide along the delicate taper of a stiletto heel and
reach the bottom of the closet, where we find a pair of black
Dr. Martens boots that are tied together with a white rope.
VIOLET (V.O.)
I want out.
We move up the boots and we see it is a woman who is bound,
lying motionless on the floor of the closet, the rope coiling
tightly around her wrists.
The crack at the bottom of the door lights her face. She is
gagged and unconscious, a trickle of blood running down her
forehead. Her name is CORKY.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Like a part of me.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR - DAY
Leaning against the back of the elevator is Corky, a very
butch-looking woman with short hair and a black leather
jacket. She is a lesbian and wants people to know it.
As the doors begin to slide shut, a woman yells.
WOMAN
Wait! Hold the elevator.
Corky pushes the "open" button. A couple steps into the
elevator. His name is CAESAR, a middle-aged Italian, wearing
an expensive suit and sunglasses.
She is VIOLET; a piece of sexual candy that would melt in
your mouth.
She hears it again, a guttural sound.
CORKY
Thanks again for this opportunity,
Mr. Bianchinni. Goodbye.
She hangs up the phone and walks toward the wall.
As she gets closer, we hear a bed rocking, tapping against
the wall.
The man's breathing grows more and more labored until finally
it swells --
DISSOLVING INTO:
INT. BATHROOM - MORNING
The whining motor of a high-powered drain-rod.
The spiral cable whips wildly, spiraling deeper into the tub
drain, black goo splattering everywhere.
The machine is so loud Corky almost cannot hear someone
pounding on the apartment door.
Killing the motor, she stands and goes to the door.
Behind the door is Violet, wearing jeans, a white T-shirt
and cowboy boots.
VIOLET
Hi. My name is Violet. We sort of
met in the elevator --
CORKY
Yeah, sure. I'm Corky.
VIOLET
I heard you working in here and I
just wondered if you'd like a cup of
coffee?
She is holding two cups of coffee: one black, one with cream.
CORKY
Sure. Come on in. Give me a minute.
Violet steps inside as Corky goes back to the bathroom to
wash off the drain dreck.
VIOLET
What happened to Rajeev?
Corky calls from the bathroom, scrubbing her hands vigorously.
CORKY
Who?
VIOLET
Rajeev, the man who usually works on
the building.
CORKY
Oh, he went home to India, but as
far as I know he'll be back.
She wipes her hands on her overalls, returning to the main
room.
VIOLET
So this is temporary for you?
CORKY
Pretty much. One day at a time.
Violet hands her the cup of black coffee.
VIOLET
I guessed you were straight black.
CORKY
Good guess.
They both sip from the piping hot mugs.
CORKY
Mmmm ... thanks, I needed this.
VIOLET
My pleasure ... but to be honest, I
did have a slightly ulterior motive
here. I was wondering if I could
ask a small favor?
CORKY
A favor?
VIOLET
Yeah, see, I'm kind of a night person,
so I was wondering if it wasn't a
terrible inconvenience if you could
wait a bit before using power tools.
CORKY
Oh, I'm sorry --
VIOLET
No, it isn't your fault. The walls
here are just so thin.
CORKY
Are they really?
VIOLET
Yes, it really causes problems.
Sometimes it's like you're in the
same room. But if it's too much
trouble, I understand ...
CORKY
No, no trouble. There's other work
to do.
VIOLET
You're doing everything yourself?
CORKY
Yeah.
VIOLET
That is so amazing. I'm in awe of
people who can fix things. My dad
was like that. We never had anything
new. Whenever something broke he
would open it up, tinker with it and
it would work. His hands were magic.
She looks at Corky's hands cupped around the mug.
VIOLET
Yeah ... I bet your car is twenty
years old.
Corky smiles.
CORKY
Truck.
VIOLET
Truck. Of course.
CORKY
'63 Chevy.
VIOLET
I knew it.
VIOLET SIPS
VIOLET
So, how do you know the owner, Mr.
Bianchinni?
CORKY
I don't, really. I was referred to
him.
VIOLET
Oh, really.
Corky suddenly feels she has revealed something.
CORKY
Do you know him?
VIOLET
No, but Caesar does. He likes him.
Says he's a good Italian.
CORKY
Caesar is your husband?
VIOLET
Oh no, no. I'm not the marrying
kind.
Smiling, she says nothing else.
VIOLET
I should be going. You can drop the
cup off anytime.
CORKY
Thanks.
VIOLET
My pleasure.
CORKY watches her leave.
EXT. THE WATERING HOLE - NIGHT
A dirty bar hidden away on a dark street, its cracked, moon-
white sign the only evidence it exists.
Corky's truck swings into a space in front of a couple of
large motorcycles. She flips her collar and heads for the
door.
INT. THE WATERING HOLE - NIGHT
The smell of leather and cigarette smoke fills Corky's nose
as she crosses to the bar.
BARTENDER
Well, well ...
Corky sits as the fat bartender waddles over.
BARTENDER
Been awhile, Cork.
CORKY
Five years, two months, sixteen days.
How you doing, Sue?
Corky puts a cigarette in her mouth and lights it.
SUE
Like shit. Now that we're all caught
up, how about a drink?
Sue opens the refrigerator and pulls out two Old Styles.
CORKY
Thanks.
They click the bottles together and drink.
SUE
You got a job yet?
CORKY
Yeah. Some plumbing, painting and
shit.
Sue laughs.
SUE
I mean a J-O-B. A real job.
CORKY
Not for me, Sue. I'm straight and
narrow. I'm just here to get laid
or drunk and hopefully both.
Corky gets off the stool.
CORKY
Thanks for the beer.
Looking around, she sees a woman alone at one of the back
tables. Through the smoky din, she bears a slight resemblance
to Violet.
The woman is dressed all in black, including a leather jacket.
Smiling, Corky slides into the chair beside her. There is
no one smoother.
CORKY
Hi.
WOMAN
Hello.
CORKY
You know ... that outfit would look
great on my bedroom floor.
The woman smiles just as someone taps Corky on the shoulder.
She turns and is face-to-face with a large bull of a woman
in a heavy leather Chicago Police jacket. She is more wide
than fat.
WOMAN COP
Hey, Jesse. What's happening here?
CORKY
Nothing ... yet.
WOMAN COP
Who's this?
Her coat opens as she puts her hands on her hips. A service
revolver is clipped to her belt.
She squints at Corky, her head nodding in recognition.
WOMAN COP
Wait, I know you.
CORKY
I don't think so.
WOMAN COP
I didn't know you were out.
Corky smiles at the woman in black.
CORKY
When you get tired of Cagney and
Lacey, come find me.
She heads for the exit.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
The neighborhood would be politely described as "rough."
Corky's truck does not stand out parked alone on the littered
street.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
It is a hole but it is home.
Corky is lying on her futon staring up at the ceiling, a
beer resting on her stomach; a folk singer quietly croons
from the radio.
We see the ceiling, a circle of light hovering over the small
desk lamp. We move in on the spot, which slowly fills up
the screen until there is nothing but the white light.
Suddenly a wet paint roller loaded with white paint cuts a
swath across the ceiling.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - DAY
Corky is painting the ceiling. The folk ballad has become
an angry Riot Grrrl anthem.
She is working hard, the roller sucking back and forth.
Sweat covers her face.
Dropping the roller down, she reloads it in the tray when
the phone rings. She stops and answers it.
CORKY
Hello? Oh, hi, Mr. Bianchinni ...
yes, everything is going fine. I
got the tub drain all cleaned out.
She listens for a moment.
CORKY
What apartment?
She glances at the main wall.
CORKY
All right, all right, I guess I could
take a look. Yeah, you're welcome,
goodbye.
She hangs up and looks again at the wall, feeling... curious.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Corky knocks and after a moment Violet opens the door. She
seems surprised.
VIOLET
Oh no. Shit. I didn't know he would
call you. God, you must think |I'm
a total nuisance.
CORKY
Not exactly.
VIOLET
I'm sorry, I usually would call
Rajeev, but I didn't know what to do
so I called Mr. Bianchinni.
CORKY
He said you lost something.
VIOLET
Yeah, come on in.
She steps back and Corky walks inside.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Violet leads her through the apartment. It is expensively
furnished with very masculine tastes; a lot of gray and black
leather.
VIOLET
I was doing some dishes and just as
I pulled the stopper my earring fell
in.
Corky looks at her blankly.
VIOLET
It's one of my favorites. That's
why I got upset. I know it probably
seems ridiculous to you.
An eyebrow goes up.
VIOLET
I'm sorry, look, forget it. I
shouldn't have called...
CORKY
I told Bianchinni I would take a
look. Is it that sink?
Violet nods.
She opens the sink cabinet and pulls out a pair of channel
locks from her back pocket. The teeth of the channel locks
open and bite onto the pressure nut.
CORKY
Do you have a pot or a bucket?
VIOLET
Sure.
She hands one down to her. Corky slides it under the curved
pipe.
As she works, Corky feels herself staring at Violet, at the
hem of her dress curving tightly around her thighs.
Water begins to trickle into the pan.
The nut slides loose and Corky tips the trap. Water splashes
into the pan with a soft metal "tink."
VIOLET
Did you find it?
Corky fishes into gray water and pulls out the earring.
Violet screams, a huge smile on her face, half-falling as
she tries to hug Corky.
VIOLET
I can't believe it! You did it!
Corky leans back under and replaces the trap.
VIOLET
Thank you so much. You have to let
me pay you something --
CORKY
No. Mr. Bianchinni asked me to do
it. I did it.
Corky checks the drain by running the water.
VIOLET
If you won't take money, how about a
drink? It's getting late. You can't
work all night.
Corky eyes her for a moment.
CORKY
Okay, one drink.
VIOLET
What do you want?
CORKY
A beer?
VIOLET
A beer. Of course.
She smiles and turns to the bar.
VIOLET
Sit down.
Corky sits on the black leather couch and Violet returns
with two bottles of Heineken. Corky sneers.
VIOLET
Thanks again.
They clink the bottles and swig.
VIOLET
You seem uncomfortable. Do I make
you nervous, Corky?
CORKY
No.
She looks at Violet, then takes another long pull on the
bottle.
VIOLET
Thirsty, maybe.
Violet smiles, her eyes again talking for her.
CORKY
Curious, maybe.
VIOLET
Curious? That's funny, I'm feeling
a bit curious myself right now.
Violet notices the tattoo on Corky's arm.
VIOLET
That's a great tattoo.
She reaches over and touches it.
VIOLET
Beautiful labrys.
Corky is a bit suprised that she knows what it is. She nods,
rubbing it as if trying to hide it.
VIOLET
Are you surprised that I know what
it is?
CORKY
Maybe.
VIOLET
I have a tattoo, would you like to
see it?
She moves closer, sliding over the leather cushions as she
opens the front of her dress.
VIOLET
A woman in upstate New York did it
for me.
She is not wearing a bra.
VIOLET
Here. Do you like it?
Set against the soft white skin of her breast is a bright
green-stemmed violet.
VIOLET
It took her all day to do it. She
promised me it wouldn't hurt, but it
was sore for a long time after. I
couldn't even touch it.
Corky looks up from Violet's breast to her dark eyes.
VIOLET
But now I love the way it feels.
She runs her fingers softly over the slightly scarred skin.
VIOLET
Here, touch it.
Corky feels the blood pounding in her ears as Violet takes
her hand and places it on her breast.
CORKY
What are you doing?
Violet looks at her.
VIOLET
Isn't it obvious? I'm trying to
seduce you.
CORKY
Why?
VIOLET
Because I want to. I've wanted to
since I first saw you in the elevator.
Corky watches her, trying to figure her out even as her thumb
presses into Violet's nipple.
Inhaling sharply, Violet closes her eyes; she can feel Corky
staring at her.
VIOLET
You don't believe me. But I can
prove it to you.
She takes Corky's wrist and begins pulling her hand down her
body.
VIOLET
You can't believe me because of what
you see ...
She forces Corky's hand between her legs, up under her dress.
VIOLET
But you can believe what you feel.
Violet opens her eyes, a wanton smile on her lips.
VIOLET
You see ... I've been thinking about
you all day.
Corky's forearm flexes and Violet moans.
With both hands, Violet takes hold of Corky's forearm.
CORKY
You planned this whole thing?
Violet's head swims; she is unable to breathe.
CORKY
You dropped that earring down the
drain on purpose, didn't you?
VIOLET
If I say yes, will you take your
hand away?
CORKY
No.
VIOLET
... yes.
Now it is Corky who smiles.
Violet shivers, her thighs rubbing, her hips thrusting against
Corky's hand.
VIOLET
Please, Corky ... please ...
Her eyes barely open.
VIOLET
... kiss me.
In a single motion, Corky takes hold of the back of her neck
and covers Violet's open mouth with her own.
With her hand still stuffed between Violet's legs, Corky
lays her back onto the couch as the kiss becomes more --
More desperate, more hungry until --
We hear the front door unlock and open.
CAESAR
Violet?
Violet's eyes pop open and she pushes Corky back.
CAESAR
Violet, you home?
They scramble to compose themselves.
VIOLET
Yeah. In here, C.
He comes around the corner and in the dim light sees the two
figures sitting close on the couch.
CAESAR
What's this?
He mistakes Corky for a man.
CAESAR
What the fuck is this?
Violet stands as Caesar barrels toward the couch.
VIOLET
I didn't expect --
CAESAR
What the fuck is going on?
Corky stands and turns, Caesar suddenly realizing that she
is a woman.
CAESAR
Oh, shit ...
VIOLET
Caesar, this is Corky. Corky, Caesar.
CAESAR
I'm sorry, Christ, I thought ...
it's fucking dark in here.
He reaches to the wall for the lights.
VIOLET
She is working for Bianchinni.
Caesar extends his hand.
CAESAR
Oh, right, right. Don mentioned
that to me. Hi, welcome to the
family.
Corky shakes his hand.
CAESAR
You're helping Rajeev?
CORKY
No. Rajeev's in India.
VIOLET
She's doing the work herself.
CAESAR
No shit. Bianchinni hired you? You
know he's a good friend of mine.
|Family, really.
CORKY
That's what Violet said.
He looks at her as if he knows something.
CAESAR
So, you just got out?
VIOLET
Jesus, Caesar!
CAESAR
What? It ain't no big fuckin' deal.
I know who Don hires. Did you know
he did time himself?
Corky shakes her head.
CAESAR
Thirteen fucking years. See, there
ain't no secrets here.
Corky doesn't like this man.
CAESAR
How many'd you do?
CORKY
Five.
He whistles.
CAESAR
Not bad. What for?
VIOLET
That's none of your goddamn business,
Caesar.
CAESAR
You're right. You don't have to
tell me, if you don't want to. I
just hope you understand you're among
good people here.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a thick fold of
money and peels several hundreds. Corky stares at it.
CAESAR
Come on, come on. if you understand
what I'm talking about you're going
to take the money. if you don't,
I'm going to have to worry about
you.
Corky takes it. Caesar smiles.
CAESAR
Good. I hate to worry. I got ulcers.
CORKY
I should be going.
CAESAR
What? How about a drink?
CORKY
My brushes, I have to clean my
brushes. Thanks, though.
CAESAR
Another time.
CORKY
Sure.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Close on the paintbrush, Corky's fingers pushing through and
separating the black bristles under the running water.
When the brush is clean, she flicks it dry and resets the
edge.
She goes to the sink to wash her hands when she stops,
noticing her left hand.
It is the hand that was between Violet's legs.
She is about to smell her finger when she sees herself in
the mirror.
CORKY
What are you doing?
She drops her hand.
CORKY
What am I doing? I'm fucking up,
that's what I'm doing.
She scrubs her hands clean.
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
It is late, the area burnished with amber street light.
Corky walks from the building to her truck.
She climbs inside and slides the key into the ignition, when
suddenly the passenger door opens and --
Violet gets in. Stunned, Corky stares at her.
VIOLET
I had to see you.
CORKY
Look, I don't think this is a good
idea.
VIOLET
I wanted to apologize.
CORKY
Don't apologize, please. I can't
stand women who apologize for wanting
sex.
Violet smiles.
VIOLET
I'm not apologizing for what I did --
She slides across the seat.
VIOLET
I'm apologizing for what I didn't
do.
She kisses Corky, and if Corky is trying to resist, we can't
tell.
The windshield is beginning to steam when Violet, panting,
breaks the kiss.
VIOLET
Do you have a bed somewhere?
Unable to speak, Corky reaches over and starts the engine.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The sex.
There is nothing flower-scented or out-of-focus about it.
It is sweaty, slippery, body-grinding, bed-squeaking lesbian
sex --
Pungent and potent --
And when it is over, neither woman can move.
Finally, Corky's eyes flutter open.
CORKY
I can see again.
Violet smiles.
Slowly, Corky gets up and goes to the fridge. She grabs a
beer and presses it to her sweating forebead.
After a moment, she lowers it, gently pressing the cold can
elsewhere. Eyes closed, she lets out a long "Ahh."
Violet hears the sizzle-pop of the beer as Corky returns to
the bed.
She holds the beer to Violet's lips and tilts the can,
watching Violet's throat as she drinks.
Violet's eyes open.
VIOLET
... I needed that.
CORKY
Tell me about it.
Corky hands her the beer as Violet sits up a bit.
CORKY
Caesar's Mafia, isn't he?
VIOLET
You have to ask?
CORKY
No.
VIOLET
Funny, nobody calls it that anymore.
Caesar calls it "The |Business."
CORKY
How did you meet him?
VIOLET
They took over a club I was working
at. Caesar started managing it.
CORKY
He's a launderer?
VIOLET
Basically.
CORKY
How long have you been with him?
VIOLET
Almost five years.
CORKY
Five years is a long time.
VIOLET
Yes, it is.
Corky stares at her beer. She knows what Violet is thinking.
CORKY
The redistribution of wealth.
VIOLET
What?
CORKY
Isn't that what you wanted to know?
What I did time for?
VIOLET
The redistribution of wealth?
CORKY
That's what I tell someone when I'm
trying to get them in my bed.
VIOLET
I'm already in your bed.
CORKY
My cellmate would say she did her
time for getting caught. She was
always more honest than me.
Corky sips her beer.
CORKY
I started stealing when I was little.
We were piss-poor, which is not an
excuse, just a fact.
It isn't like her to talk about this, especially with someone
she just met.
CORKY
The first time I remember so vividly.
A bunch of us kids were at Waxman's
Drugstore, when Mr. Waxman, who was
a mean old prick, always worrying
about us robbing him, dropped a roll
of quarters.
We can almost hear the coins tinkling on the tile floor.
CORKY
I can still hear that sound, those
quarters, because right then something
clicked inside of me. Some instinct
took over and as everyone, including
Waxman, dove down, I reached up and
emptied the cash register.
Violet smiles. She likes this woman.
CORKY
I gave most of the money to my mom.
I told her I found it at the
trainyard. She was so happy she
cried, calling me her lucky charm.
Fifteen years later, I guess my luck
ran out.
Sbe swallows that with beer.
CORKY
Sometimes I tell myself that I didn't
have a choice, that stealing was
surviving. Usually I can admit that's
bullshit. I did it because it was a
way out. It was easy and I was good
at it, real good.
She glances at Violet.
CORKY
I don't usually talk this much. I
guess I have been rehabilitated.
Violet laughs.
VIOLET
You didn't have to tell me if you
didn't want to.
CORKY
I guess I wanted to.
VIOLET
I'm glad you did.
CORKY
So am I.
EXT. PARKING LOT DAY
Corky gets out of her truck carrying her tools. Grinning
like someone who has been well-laid, she whistles off to
work.
EXT. LOBBY - DAY
Between the main doors she sees a man. His name is SHELLY
and he is an overdressed accountant.
He is very nervous, talking to someone through the intercom.
SHELLY
I know he's gone. Please. I have
to talk to you.
Fiddling with her keys, Corky recognizes the voice that
answers him.
VIOLET (V.O.)
What do you want, Shelly?
Shelly glances over his shoulder at Corky, answering in a
hushed voice.
SHELLY
I have to leave. Tonight.
For a moment the intercom is silent. Then the door buzzes
and Shelly pushes inside. Corky follows him to the elevator.
INT. ELEVATOR - DAY
Corky glares at Shelly and begins pumping the trigger of her
circular saw.
Shelly hides behind his sunglasses, watching the elevator
numbers go up. The doors open and he scurries out.
INT. HALL - DAY
She watches him enter Caesar's apartment, her smile now
completely gone.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - DAY
It is later. Through the wall we listen to the same sound
as before of two people making love. We drop down and find
Corky's brush, still wet with paint, abandoned in her tray.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Her face glistening with sweat, Violet climaxes, letting the
orgasm spread through her like melting butter.
VIOLET
I had this image of you, inside of
me ...
She flattens her palms against the soft cradle of her pelvis.
VIOLET
Like a part of me ...
As she opens her eyes, we see that her lover is Corky. Violet
watches as she gets off the bed and begins to get dressed.
VIOLET
You are so beautiful.
Corky does not answer as she yanks her pants on. Violet
sits up. She can feel that something is wrong.
VIOLET
What's wrong?
CORKY
Nothing.
Violet pulls the sheet around her.
VIOLET
Yes there is. I felt it this morning
when I brought you the coffee.
CORKY
Shit, here we go.
VIOLET
You didn't want to see me, did you?
CORKY
If there is one thing I can't stand
about sleeping with women, it's all
the fucking mind reading.
VIOLET
What are you afraid of?
CORKY
I'm not afraid of anything.
VIOLET
I don't understand - ?
CORKY
I know! You can't understand, because
we're different, Violet. We're
different.
VIOLET
We're not that different, Corky.
CORKY
How can you sit in that bed and say
that?
VIOLET
Because it's the truth.
CORKY
Let me guess. This is where you
tell me that what matters is on the
inside. That inside you, there is a
little dyke just like me?
VIOLET
Oh no, she's nothing like you. She's
a lot smarter than you.
CORKY
Is that what her daddy tells her?
VIOLET
I know what I am. I don't need to
have it tattooed on my shoulder.
CORKY
What are you saying? That you don't
have sex with men?
VIOLET
I don't.
CORKY
For Christ's sake, Violet! I heard
you! Thin walls, remember?
VIOLET
What you heard wasn't sex.
CORKY
What the fuck was it?
VIOLET
All my life, everyone has been telling
me that when I have sex, I'm not
really having sex. Not real sex.
But they're wrong. I know what is
and isn't sex and what you heard was
definitely not sex.
CORKY
What was it then?
VIOLET
Work.
That knocks Corky back.
VIOLET
You made certain choices in your
life that you paid for. You said
you made them because you were good
at something and it was easy. Do
you think you're the only one that's
good at something?
Violet stare pins Corky to the wall.
VIOLET
We make our own choices and we pay
our own prices. I think we're more
alike than you want to admit.
CORKY
What about that guy this morning?
VIOLET
You mean Shelly?
CORKY
Don't tell me, you're a workaholic.
VIOLET
No. Shelly knows what I am. He saw
me in a bar with another woman.
CORKY
I suppose he just wants to watch.
That's all Violet can take.
VIOLET
Fuck it! I think you better leave.
CORKY
I think so, too.
Violet turns away.
VIOLET
Try not to steal anything on the way
out.
That stings but Corky walks out without looking back.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
It is dark now. Corky is standing above the paint tray that
has skinned over. She picks up the brush. It is dry with
paint.
CORKY
Shit.
She throws the brush across the room.
EXT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
A green-and-white street sign juts in the foreground of
Caesar's upscale apartment building.
The sign reads: "FRANKLIN STREET."
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY
The rusty Chevy glides to a stop in a parking space near the
service entrance. In its payload is a boxed bathroom vanity
and sink.
Corky climbs out of the cab and into the back, unhooking the
bungee cords that hold down the boxes.
She looks up as a black Lincoln Town Car screeches into a
spot not far from her truck. THREE SERIOUS-LOOKING MEN get
out, leading a fourth, Shelly.
He is the only one who seems to notice Corky.
They enter the building, the door closing behind them.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Corky's legs jut out from the old wicker vanity as she
finishes detaching its anchors and pipe work.
She stands, giving it a yank and pulling it away from the
wall, when voices begin to filter in from the next-door
apartment.
She listens - a rising string of warbling sobs drowned out
by an angry voice.
ANGRY VOICE
Shut the fuck up! You piece of shit!
We hear a scream.
ANGRY VOICE
You're going to tell us! You're
going to fuckin' tell us! just a
matter of fuckin' time!
Each sentence is punctuated with grunts and thuds.
ANGRY VOICE
Where is it? Where the fuck is it?!
We begin to close in on Corky as she listens to each thud,
watching something that disturbs her.
ANGRY VOICE
You shit! You piece of shit!
With each thud the water in the toilet shimmers like a struck
cymbal. As we move closer, the sound swells until --
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. CAESAR'S BATHROOM DAY
Where blood splatters the toilet, heavy drops hitting the
water and spreading like inverted mushroom clouds.
ANGRY VOICE
Did that hurt? News flash, fucko:
I'm just getting started.
The angry voice belongs to JOHNNIE MARZZONE. Shelly is
kneeling in front of the toilet, hands tied behind his back
with electrical wire.
Johnnie Marzzone is a flashy young man in Armani slacks,
silk shirt and silver-tipped cowboy boots. His tie is tucked
in, as if torture were a fine-dining experience.
Caesar and two other men are crammed in the small bathroom.
JOHNNIE
You got nerve trying to fuck us!
Nobody fucks me! Nobody fucks my
father! Nobody! Nobody!
Shelly screams as Jobnnie repeatedly rams his face into the
toilet.
CAESAR
Whoa, whoa. Come on, he's making
too much noise.
JOHNNIE
You hear that, bitch? Be quiet!
CAESAR
Here, put this in his mouth.
Caesar hands a towel to Johnnie, who stuffs it into Shelly's
mouth.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - DAY
Like Corky, Violet can hear the beating. She is trying to
block it out but cannot.
Standing at the bar, she runs the blender, grinding ice cubes,
trying to drown out the sounds of the bathroom.
The bathroom door opens.
JOHNNIE
Prick! I can go all night! All
night!
Caesar steps out, shutting the door, masking the sounds behind
him. Violet moves toward him.
VIOLET
Caesar, I'm leaving.
CAESAR
What? Oh, come on, I didn't use one
of the good towels.
The door opens again as someone else steps out.
VIOLET
Caesar, I'm serious. This is too
much. I have to get out of here.
CAESAR
Why? 'Cause you know him?
She nods.
CAESAR
You women are so fucking sensitive.
He takes hold of her.
CAESAR
But I don't want you to go. I like
you here. You know this isn't easy
for me, either.
He embraces her. Over his shoulder she sees MICKEY MALNANO
in the hallway, staring at her.
He is an older man, hair graying, built like a fireplug.
Sinewy mass strains at his Brooks Brothers suit.
CAESAR
Now why don't you go watch some TV
or something?
MICKEY
Are you okay, Violet?
CAESAR
Mickey, why is Johnnie here? You
know how I feel about that fucking
psycho.
Mickey continues to stare at Violet, who looks up at him
with her big doe eyes.
MICKEY
Caesar, didn't I tell you to get
something?
CAESAR
Sure, Mickey. Sure.
He goes to the kitchen.
Mickey moves closer to Violet, lifting her chin the way a
father would do to his little girl.
MICKEY
You shouldn't have to see this. Why
don't you get out of here? Go for a
walk.
VIOLET
Caesar wants me to stay.
MICKEY
Don't worry about Caesar. I'll handle
Caesar. You just get out of here,
okay?
She smiles.
VIOLET
Thanks, Mickey.
Caesar returns from the kitchen. He is holding a pair of
tin snips. Mickey takes them.
MICKEY
Thanks, C. Now let's end this thing.
Violet watches them return to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Mickey takes off his coat and hands it to a large man named
LOU. He slaps Johnnie on the back.
MICKEY
Hey, Johnnie, ease up, okay.
Johnnie hits Shelly once more.
JOHNNIE
Prick.
Johnnie checks his hair in the mirror, carefully. Then he
begins putting on the rings he had removed for the beating.
Mickey kneels down next to Shelly's ear and motions to Lou,
who lifts Shelly's bound arms.
MICKEY
Shelly, I'm going to ask you ten
times. You understand? Ten times.
Mickey grabs Shelly's pinky finger, putting it between the
metal blades.
MICKEY
One. Where is our money?
Shelly whimpers, red-faced and sobbing. There is a sick
crunch and Shelly howls into his gag as his pinky finger
bounces to the floor amid the expensive leather footwear.
CAESAR
Aw ... Christ.
We hear Caesar retrieve a tissue and his hand enters the
frame, scooping up the pinky.
He plunks the severed finger into the toilet and it sinks to
the bottom.
Caesar drops the toilet seat down and flushes.
INT. BATHROOM - EMPTY APARTMENT - DAY
Corky can't stand it anymore. She throws her tools down,
leaves the bathroom and finds --
Violet waiting in the main room. Both women stand apart in
silence.
Violet seems on the verge of saying something but doesn't
know how to start. Her lip begins to quiver; her eyes search
the room, returning to Corky each time.
The violence in the next room can still be heard.
CORKY
Violet? Are you all right?
Almost unnoticeably, Violet shakes her bead. Corky puts her
arm around her.
CORKY
Come on. Let's go.
INT. BAR - DAY
It is the kind of bar businessmen drink at in the afternoon.
Dark wood and padded leather.
The bartender, joking with a cluster of men, does not notice
Corky as she moves up to the bar.
CORKY
Excuse me.
The bartender glances over.
CORKY
Draft beer and a TNT.
Corky eyes the men, who stare into their drinks.
The bartender says nothing as he puts the drinks in front of
her.
Corky heads for her table, ignoring the whispers and snickers.
Corky and Violet, the only women in the room, sit close
together at a far corner table.
Violet's voice is hushed.
VIOLET
Shelly was skimming from the business.
He came to see me yesterday because
he was afraid Caesar figured it out.
He wanted to run but he wanted me to
come with him.
CORKY
Even though he knew about you?
VIOLET
Yes.
CORKY
He was in love with you, right?
VIOLET
That's what he told himself. But it
wasn't even about me, it was about
Caesar. He wanted what Caesar had.
That's how they are. I understand
them.
She glances around the room; a man at the bar smiles at her.
VIOLET
For Shelly, taking the money was a
way to take from Caesar. He could
have run at any time, but he didn't
because he didn't want out.
CORKY
Sounds like he wanted to get caught.
VIOLET
Maybe he did. He would brag to me
all the time. He was never afraid
of Caesar because he didn't know
him. Not like I do.
Two men sit down near them, laughing.
VIOLET
Caesar lives for these moments. He
tells me it's just the business, but
I know it's more than that. He likes
it. The violence. I'll catch him
in the bathroom mirror touching his
scars. He says they remind him who
he his. They're all like that.
Except maybe Mickey.
CORKY
Mickey?
VIOLET
He's the part of the business that
the rest of them pretend to be.
|But Mickey doesn't like it like
they do. I suppose that's why he's
good at it.
Violet stares at her glass, at the melting ice.
VIOLET
I used to be able to block it out.
I would tell myself that I wasn't
really there so nothing really
mattered. But I can't do it anymore.
She downs the last of her drink.
VIOLET
I've been making the same mistake
Shelly made. But now I know what |I
want.
She turns to Corky.
VIOLET
I want out. I want a new life. I
see what I've been waiting for, but
I need you, Corky.
CORKY
For what?
VIOLET
You made a choice once. Do you think
you would make that same choice again?
CORKY
What choice?
VIOLET
If those quarters fell to the floor,
would you still reach up to that
cash register?
Corky stares at her, knowing where this is going. She glances
around the crowded bar.
CORKY
Not here.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Corky's truck sits in a gravel parking lot.
INT. CORKY'S TRUCK - DAY
Through the back window of the truck, Violet and Corky are
silhouettes against the street light.
VIOLET
Caesar is going to get the money and
bring --
CORKY
How much money?
VIOLET
Shelly said it was over two million
dollars.
Corky quietly swallows that pill. It begins to rain.
VIOLET
Caesar will bring it to the apartment
to count and go through |Shelly's
books to figure out how he did it.
CORKY
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Do
you have any idea what you are saying?
You are asking me to help you fuck
the mob.
Violet nods.
CORKY
These people are serious, Violet.
If you want to know how serious, ask
Shelly. They're worse than any cop
because they have lots of money and
no rules. You fuck them, you've got
to do it right.
VIOLET
That's why I need your help. You
said you were good.
CORKY
I am, but ...
She knows Violet is challenging her.
CORKY
All right, let's say for the moment
that I believe everything you are
saying.
VIOLET
You think I'm lying?
CORKY
I didn't say that, but since you
did, let's say that you are. It
would have been easy to set Shelly
up. You could have got him killed
knowing that Caesar would bring the
money to the apartment.
Violet stares, her face poker-blank.
CORKY
All you would need to keep yourself
clean would be someone unconnected,
someone like me.
VIOLET
Is that what you think?
CORKY
I'm just making a point. You have
no idea what you're asking. How
much trust two people need to do
something like this.
She moves closer to Violet, the sound of the rain beating
against the metal cab.
CORKY
For me, stealing is a lot like sex.
Two people that want the same thing
sit in a room and they talk, they
start to plan and it's like flirting,
a kind of foreplay, because the more
they talk about it, the wetter they
get.
She stops.
CORKY
The difference is, I can have sex
with someone I just met, someone I
hardly know, but to steal I need to
know someone like I know myself.
VIOLET
Do you think you know me like that?
CORKY
I think ...
They are close enough to kiss.
CORKY
We're going to find out.
Corky pulls back.
CORKY
But first, I want to see this money.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Violet springs from the couch as the front door crashes open,
Caesar charging in. He is doubled over, clutching something
to his stomach.
He rushes to the kitchen, dumping a bloody bundle into the
double sink. There is blood everywhere, smeared up and down
Caesar's front.
VIOLET
Oh my God ...
Violet takes a step toward him, unsure of what has happened.
CAESAR
Don't worry. It ain't mine.
He pulls a bottle of whiskey and a glass from the cupboard.
VIOLET
Caesar, what happened?
CAESAR
It was unbelievable! Un-fucking-
believable!
He pours himeslf a shot, belting it back.
CAESAR
Goddammit, look at this shirt! It's
ruined!
He begins unbuttoning the bloody shirt.
CAESAR
It started when Shelly took us to
the money. I tell you, Mickey Malnato
knows his shit, he does. Shelly
takes us right there.
He throws down another shot.
CAESAR
So Shelly's down on his knees and
he's pulling out this bag of money
from a safe in the floor and I'm
staring at it like "holy fuck!" I
mean, look at it --
He tears open the bloody bag, wet money bricks spilling out.
CAESAR
And all I can think is how the fuck
did he do this when - Bang! Johnnie
caps him. Blood sprays everywhere,
all over the money. We've no idea
if this is even all of it.
Caesar is exasperated.
CAESAR
And right then I go through the roof
and - Boom! I belt the dumb fuck as
hard as I can. I didn't care whose
son he was, I just wanted to hit him
again. Knock some sense into that
dumb son of a bitch.
He looks at the pile of bloody money.
CAESAR
Just look at this mess I got to deal
with.
VIOLET
What are you going to do with it?
CAESAR
I told them to run it through the
cycles. But I guess Gino has plans
for it because he's coming here
tomorrow night to pick this shit up.
Searching through a sink cabinet, he can't find what he needs.
CAESAR
Where the hell's the laundry
detergent?
VIOLET
Ummm ... in the linen closet.
Caesar walks down the ball to the bathroom. Violet's eyes
do not move from the pile of money.
Corky seems to come from nowhere. She whispers.
CORKY
Come to my place in the morning.
Early, okay?
Violet nods.
INT. CLOSET - NIGHT
Corky's hands twitch, and then flex against the ropes that
bind them.
A reflex echoes through her body, muscles spasm and limbs
jerk against their bonds.
As if in a dream, she struggles, trying to get free, fighting
toward the edge of consciousness until --
She seems to succumb, slipping back into stillness.
We move toward her face, her closed eyes as we again hear
the voices in her head.
VIOLET (V.O.)
You're having second thoughts.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Violet is on the bed, Corky at the window.
CORKY
... no.
She turns to Violet.
CORKY
You said he washed the money?
VIOLET
Yeah.
CORKY
Then what? Exactly.
VIOLET
He hung it up.
CORKY
What?
VIOLET
To let it dry.
She begins to focus on the memory.
VIOLET
It was unreal ...
Moving in on her face.
MATCH CUT TO:
Benjamin Franklin's face on a hundred-dollar bill.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Franklin's face rotates as we pull back, seeing rows of bills
carefully paper-clipped to lines of string.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Hundreds, paper-clipped everywhere
like leaves.
Eyes filled with green, Violet turns inside the laundry lines
of money until she sees Caesar.
Wearing his undershirt, he is across the room standing at
the ironing board, ironing every single bill.
He seems to have one eye on her, one eye on his work.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Then one by one, he ironed all of
it.
He sprays starch across several bills and presses the steaming
iron to them.
CORKY (V.O.)
Did he sleep?
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Violet is in bed, unable to sleep, listening to the machine-
shuffle of Caesar's bill counter.
VIOLET (V.O.)
No. But neither did I.
We move past her, floating toward the wall.
VIOLET (V.O.)
All night long I listened to that
sound.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
We drift across Caesar's desk, past bricks of bound bills,
as Caesar folds the paper tape around another stack.
CORKY (V.O.)
What sound?
He hits the counter again and we hear the sound, now very
loud as hundreds blur by, fluttering beneath us.
VIOLET (V.O.)
The sound of money.
The sound rolls into thunder --
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
That seems to shake the apartment.
CORKY
And where is it now?
VIOLET
In his office. I saw it this morning.
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Violet cautiously enters the office with a cup of coffee.
Working furiously at the computer, Caesar jumps when he sees
her, bloodshot eyes animal-wide.
He checks his watch as she sets the coffee in front of him.
VIOLET
I need to go to the store.
He nods automatically, back in his work, as she sees the
briefcase filled with perfect rows of hundreds.
VIOLET (V.O.)
It's in a case, on his desk.
CORKY (V.O.)
Does the case lock?
We see the open top with its silver flip-over locks.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Violet is trying to remember.
VIOLET
Yes.
CORKY
Good.
Corky begins to pace, ordering the information in her head.
CORKY
All right, now, tell me about Johnnie.
VIOLET
Johnnie?
CORKY
It sounded like he and Caesar don't
like each other.
VIOLET
Like each other? They hate each
other.
CORKY
Why?
VIOLET
It started way before I was around.
I think basically it's because he
thinks Johnnie is a complete idiot.
But Johnnie runs Chicago because
Gino is his father.
CORKY
Who is Gino?
Violet suddenly feels that she has made a mistake.
VIOLET
Gino Marzzone.
CORKY
Marzzone? As in Angelo Marzzone,
head of the Marzzone family?
VIOLET
That's his brother.
CORKY
... shit.
Corky covers her mouth.
CORKY
Gino Marzzone is coming tonight to
pick up the money?
VIOLET
Yeah.
CORKY
And Johnnie is his son, that's Johnnie
Marzzone?
VIOLET
Yeah.
CORKY
Sweet Jesus.
Eyes wide, she paces, pulling at her lip, mumbling.
Suddenly she freezes as it clicks into place. She looks at
Violet.
CORKY
It's perfect.
She's pacing again.
CORKY
Gino Marzzone is coming to your
apartment. It's a big deal, isn't
it? That means Caesar will be ready.
He doesn't want to look like an idiot.
Gino has been there before?
VIOLET
Yeah, twice.
CORKY
What happened?
VIOLET
Not much, really. Caesar was nervous,
kept cleaning the apartment. |The
first time, he picked out the dress
he wanted me to wear.
Something occurs to Corky.
CORKY
Does Johnnie hit on you?
VIOLET
Johnnie hits on anything in high
heels.
CORKY
Has Caesar ever seen him?
VIOLET
He does it right in front of him.
CORKY
It's getting better and better.
Keep going.
VIOLET
Gino doesn't know English, or at
least he pretends he doesn't, so he
doesn't talk much. He gets right to
the point. Both times they talked
for about five minutes, had one drink
and then they left.
CORKY
What did Gino drink?
VIOLET
Scotch, Glenlivet. I remember that
Caesar made a huge deal about it.
Corky smiles, the wheels rolling.
CORKY
All right ...
She turns from the window and gets onto the bed.
CORKY
I have an idea to make this work.
INT. CAESAR'S APARTMENT - DAY
Violet is getting dressed, lining her lips with lip-pencil.
CORKY (V.O.)
You'll go back and get ready, take
your time, make it real.
As she works on her face, we see the room behind her and the
discarded dresses scattered about.
CORKY (V.O.)
The more attractive you are, the
more believable it will be.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Corky breaks her thought-train.
CORKY
What time did you say they would be
there?
VIOLET
The plane is in at seven, so I'd say
about eight.
CORKY
Any bodyguards?
VIOLET
Gino travels with a big man named
Roy. Caesar calls him the driver.
CORKY
Fine.
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Caesar again checks his watch.
CORKY (V.O.)
At some point Caesar is going to
quit. I'd guess sometime around
six, making sure he's got time to
get ready.
The watch reads 6:10. Caesar rubs his eyes, his temples.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Violet is at the bar in a sexy dress and high heels.
CAESAR
Un-fucking-believable, what this guy
did. Shelly is one smart-ass
mothefucker, I mean, he was one smart-
ass motherfucker.
He laughs as Violet smiles, handing him an enormous drink.
CORKY (V.O.)
As soon as he is done, you'll be
right there to put a big drink in
his hand.
He takes the drink.
CORKY (V.O.)
We want him to come down, to relax,
feel in control again.
VIOLET
Poor boy, has to work so hard.
She gives him a woman's sympathy pout; he knows what it,
loves it anyway.
Smiling, he slides his hand down over her ass.
CAESAR
You look good enough to eat.
She smiles and waits for the kiss she knows is coming.
INT. CORKY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Both women are starting to feel it, to believe it.
VIOLET
Where will you be?
CORKY
Waiting in the apartment next door.
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT
Corky sits on the floor of the dark apartment. She has taken
off her boots, which are beside her.
VIOLET (V.O.)
Waiting for what?
Through the wall we can hear the shower.
CORKY (V.O.)
For the shower. That will be our
signal.
Corky opens a thin box filled with needle-thin lock picks.
She selects several and slips them into her multi-pierced
ears like earrings.
CORKY (V.O.)
When he's done with his shower, you
will go to the bar.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
In slow motion, Caesar drops the shower plunger and water
chokes from the faucet.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Behind the bar, Violet pulls out the bottle of Glenlivet.
CORKY (V.O.)
You'll get out the Scotch that Gino
drinks.
Violet steps out from the bar, her eyes on the bedroom, when
the bottle slips from her hands.
We watch it slowly fall --
CORKY (V.O.)
And as you do, the bottle will slip
from your hands. -- and shatter
against the hardwood floor.
CORKY (V.O.)
An accident.
VIOLET
Shit! Oh shit!
Caesar yells from the bathroom.
CAESAR (V.O.)
What happened?!
INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Hearing Caesar, Corky gets up, moving quietly toward the
door.
CAESAR (V.O.)
V! What the fuck was it?! Violet?
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Caesar enters, a towel wrapped around him, hair still
dripping.
CAESAR
V, what? You can't hear me?
Violet looks terribly upset as she begins to clean up.
VIOLET
Caesar, it slipped ... I was trying
to get ready ...
Caesar realizing what happened.
CAESAR
Oh, fucking Christ ... You gotta be
kidding me!
He rushes at her.
CAESAR
Fuck! Fuck! How d
|