"DRIVE" (2011)

DRIVE

Written by Hossein Amini

Based on the novel by James Sallis

Green Revisions – 09.24.10 Yellow Revisions – 09.22.10 Pink Draft – 09.17.10 Blue Draft – 08.26.10 White Production Draft – 07.23.10

We’re close on a maze of metal rods, tubes, and wires. It’s only as we pull out that we realize it’s the engine of a car. Over the image we hear a voice talking on a phone.

DRIVER O/S ...hundred thousand streets in this city, you don’t need to know the route. You give me a time and place, I give you a five minute window. Those five minutes I’m yours. Whatever goes down I’m yours. Minute either side you’re on your own...

As the engine ignites and roars to life we DISSOLVE TO:

A map of downtown L.A. spread out on a bed, dozens of different routes marked in pencil. The voice continues -

DRIVER O/S ...One last thing. You won’t be able to reach me at this number again...

DRIVER hangs up the phone. He folds his map of LA and slips it in his duffel bag. A few clothes and other essentials are neatly packed inside. He zips the bag shut and takes one last look at a cheap TV set. On screen, a movie is playing. On a radio, the LA Clippers are taking a pounding from the New York Knicks.

Driver strides through a dimly lit car park, carrying his duffel bag. A YOUNG COUPLE emerge from their car after a late night out. Driver lowers his eyes, avoiding their gaze as he makes his way towards a sleek 1970’s Chevelle

The Clippers-Knicks game plays on the car radio now. Driver is only half listening, focused on the road. We see his face in the passing neon lights. Feline good looks. Impassive blue eyes. Something almost melancholy in his unwavering gaze. He drives carefully, letting other cars overtake.

Driver glides into the parking lot of another low-rent apartment block.

9/24/10 2

Clutching his duffel bag Driver heads towards the car park elevator. Hurrying out in the opposite direction he sees a pretty GIRL in her 20’s wearing a waitress outfit. Their eyes meet briefly, before Driver walks on.

Driver heads down the hallway and unlocks the door to his new apartment. It’s not all that different from his last one. Clean, sparse, and anonymous. He doesn’t even bother to walk in. He tosses his duffel bag inside and locks the door again.

Driver’s back on the road, the basketball game still playing on the radio. He drives past a row of brightly lit Mexican food shacks on Silver Lake Boulevard and turns into a run down garage lit up with a neon sign -Shannon’s Picture Car Warehouse - vintage cars.

SHANNON, the owner of the garage, has a distinctive limp. Driver follows him past rows of vintage cars.

As Shannon grins we feel the familiarity between them.

They head past more cars -- Fords, Dodges, Buicks -- until they arrive at a plain looking Impala.

Driver casts his eyes over the unimpressive vehicle then holds out his hand for the keys.

9/24/10 3

The basketball game is approaching the end of the third quarter. Driver’s behind the wheel of the Impala now, cruising past rows of dingy toy stores on 3rd Street. He glances at his watch. It’s 9:50. He checks his mirror then turns into a side street.

A vast electronics superstore dominates the deserted street. Under the pale yellow glow of the street lamps, Driver sees signs advertising a‘huge blow out weekend sale’. He pulls over, making sure he has a good view of the entrance. On the radio, the basketball commentator is getting more excited.

Driver reaches under the seat and pulls out a small handheld scanner. He switches it on, tuning it to the right frequency. Crackling police dispatches are interspersed with the basketball commentary now.

Out of the corner of his eye Driver sees two MEN approach. He doesn’t react, expecting them. They cut through the fence with bolt cutters and approach the main building. Driver watches them pull on their masks, then one of them takes out a shotgun and blasts the lock to the front door. Instantly the alarm shrills. The only thing Driver does is to turn on his stop watch.

The stop watching keeps ticking away, the siren blaring, the commentary continuing, the police scanner crackling.

The storefront is hidden in shadow, impossible to tell what’s going on inside. Driver looks at his stop watch. Almost three minutes. One of the masked men emerges now, carrying a duffel bag. He hurries over and gets in the back of Driver’s car without a word. There’s no sign of the other robber.

9/24/10 4

The commentary continues, so does the crackling on the police scanner. Four minutes. Still no sign of the second armed robber. His companion in the back starts to look nervous, wondering what’s happened to his partner.

Driver doesn’t betray a hint of nerves. Four and half minutes on his stop watch. Thirty seconds more and he’s on his way.

Suddenly the second robber appears from the shadows, running as fast as he can to the getaway car. He jumps into the back seat a few seconds short of five minutes and Driver screeches off.

Driver thunders over the 1st Street bridge towards Boyle Heights, then eases his foot off the gas, slowing to a steady speed. In the back seat the two armed robbers rip off their masks, looking pumped up with adrenalin. Driver studies them in his rear view mirror, then swerves right on Mission Street as his police scanner crackles to life.

Driver swings sharply into 4th Street now, crossing the L.A. River again, heading back in the same direction he came.

Up ahead, the lights of Downtown L.A. glitter against the night sky. Hovering between the neon green glow of the skyscrapers Driver sees the red and white glint of a police helicopter. He switches off his headlights, turning left on Santa Fe Avenue.

The armed robbers watch in tense silence as Driver weaves in and out of the industrial alleyways with his lights switched off. It’s as if he’s trying to find his way out of the maze or probing to see if there’s anyone out there.

The armed robbers look relieved when suddenly a police car glides past at the end of the alleyway, its lights also off.

9/24/10 5

It’s like catching a glimpse of a passing shark’s fin. Driver taps the brakes gently, his car sliding to a stop. He stays there a moment, then eases the Impala forward, turning in the same direction as the black-and-white.

It’s a high-risk strategy but Driver follows the black-and-white at a distance, hidden in the darkness, knowing other squad cars won’t be checking the same route. The police car makes its way through the dimly lit industrial zone, unaware it’s being shadowed. Driver turns his car radio up a whisper.

Driver turns the sound back down. Up ahead, the police car swings left, disappearing from view. Driver slows down too, anticipating the next obstacle. He doesn’t have long to wait. In the distance he suddenly sees the piercing beam of a police chopper’s search-lights, sweeping the area one more time.

Driver floors the gas, speeding straight towards the approaching helicopter. The armed robbers are too stunned to protest. They just sit there, watching the sweeping searchlights getting closer and closer.

Then suddenly it becomes clear what Driver’s doing. Up ahead, there’s a small underpass below the 7th Street bridge. Driver slides the car under the safety of the bridge just before the chopper’s searchlights spot them.

The roar of the helicopter thunders overhead. The underpass is crammed with dirty mattresses and shopping carts. Sleeping HOBOS can be seen under dirty blankets. Driver waits for the echo of the helicopter to fade, then moves forward again.

Gloomy yellow street-lamps shine down on the industrial zone. Rows of delivery trucks are parked outside the meat-packing factories. Driver cruises cautiously down the deserted street. The crackling of the police scanner and the droning of the basketball commentary add to the tension. Finally up ahead he sees car-lights streaming back and forth on Broadway.

9/24/10 6

The armed robbers lie flat on the back seat, paying Driver more respect now.

There’s a steady flow of traffic on Broadway. Driver falls in behind the other cars. On the radio, the basketball game is still playing.

The passing head-lamps light up Driver’s face. There’s not a trace of emotion in his eyes -- even when he spots a patrol car approaching in the opposite direction.

The two cars pass each other slowly. Driver sees the cops in the Black-and-White peering at the Impala as they head past. He turns down the basketball game and focuses on the scanner.

In the back seat, the armed robbers wait nervously for the police dispatch to respond.

As soon as he hears this Driver swerves sharply into the next street.

Driver guns around the block now, building up speed.

9/24/10 7

Driver bursts out onto Pico now. A squad car headed in the opposite direction slows down as it sees him but is caught up in the flow of traffic, unable to turn round and give chase.

Driver threads his way through the vehicles in front of him, so smooth and effortless it’s hard to tell how fast he’s going. He glances up as he hears the dull rumble of a police chopper overhead. The helicopter is almost directly above him, swinging its search-beam back and forth to get a lock on his position.

Driver pushes the car as fast as it will go, but there’s no way of outrunning the chopper. Blue light floods the asphalt around him as he guns down Figueroa.

Even now Driver doesn’t panic, turning his attention back to the basketball game.

Driver swerves sharply towards the sparkling lights of the Staples Centre.

The terraced parking lot looms up ahead. A sign above the barrier says‘Season Ticket Holders Only’. Driver punches in a ticket and roars into the parking lot.

The Impala screeches from one level to the next. With a game going on, the parking lot is almost full. Finally Driver pulls into a free parking space.

Driver glances in his side mirror. Behind him, dozens of FANS are already streaming out into the parking lot before the game is over, hoping to avoid the inevitable traffic.

9/24/10 8

The jubilant commentary continues, but Driver isn’t listening anymore. The game has served its purpose. More fans flood into the parking lot. Dozens of cars pull out of their places.

Driver glances at the armed robbers and nods. It’s time. They climb out of the car, merging in with the crowd. Driver watches them disappear, then slips on a Clippers cap, climbs out of the Impala himself and heads towards another car.

Outside the parking lot, the police are waiting, stopping anything that looks like an Impala, shining their flashlights into the windows. Wearing his Clippers cap and a Clippers sticker on his new car, Driver calmly drives past them, making his getaway.

Driver’s face is fixed ahead, sunglasses hiding his eyes. As we PULL OUT we see to our surprise that he’s wearing a policeman’s uniform. It’s only as we pull out further that we see several other ‘POLICE OFFICERS’ sitting in the same fold up chairs, reading car magazines and scripts as they’re powdered by MAKE-UP GIRLS, and realize we’re on a movie set.

Driver glances up from his script and sees another STUNTMAN being fitted with an SFX mask. The stuntman now looks identical to the STAR of the movie who stands nearby.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR O/S I need you guys to sign this contract...

Driver takes the form along with all the other stuntmen and signs it without a glance.

Shannon is discussing a car stunt with another AD, using two toy cars on the hood of a cop car to demonstrate the danger.

9/24/10 9

Driver heads off, disinterested in the negotiations.

For all his charm we sense something of the hustler about Shannon.

Driver approaches a buffet table laid out with food. He’s about to help himself when JACK, the caterer, stops him.

Driver sits at the wheel of the Black-and-White while a STUNT SUPERVISOR checks his harness. Shannon leans into the window with a smile.

Driver doesn’t seem to care, focussed on the job.

2ND UNIT DIRECTOR O/S Camera ready, sound ready...

Shannon joins the rest of the crew, looking on.

2ND UNIT DIRECTOR O/S ...ACTION!...

Driver floors the gas, screeching out of the alleyway. He swerves between several oil drums then straightens up on the main road.

In his rear view mirror he sees a black Dodge Charger appear on cue, bearing down on him.

9/24/10 10

Driver slows to forty, like he’s supposed to, but the black Charger keeps coming at speed.

Driver’s eyes stay fixed on his rear view mirror, judging the other car’s speed and angle of approach to perfection.

The Charger slams into the back of Driver’s car at sixty miles an hour, hitting him just above the left rear wheel.

Driver’s reactions are quick as lightning, counter-steering as his Black-and-White goes careening off the road. He keeps the car upright long enough to slow it down before it finally flips end over end.

Up ahead, the Charger skids to a showy stop.

2ND UNIT DIRECTOR O/S ...And CUT!...

Some clapping and cheering breaks out, but most the crew couldn’t care less, returning to their cell-phones and shot lists. Only Shannon seems interested in Driver, limping over and helping him out of his battered Black-and-White.

Driver spits out some fake candyglass from the shattered windscreen.

A New York style pizza-by-the-slice restaurant. A WAITER takes a delivery of Chinese food at the door and carries it over to a table where Shannon is sitting with an old friend, BERNIE ROSE.

From the way the waiter hurries off we get a sense of Bernie’s power and authority. He turns back to Shannon, resuming their conversation.

9/24/10 11

Bernie shakes his head but clearly has a soft spot for Shannon.

Bernie looks at his friend in mild exasperation then turns away as the waiter returns with a handful of chop sticks.

9/24/10 12

Bernie waits for the waiter to leave then continues.

Shannon hesitates but only for a second.

Bernie Rose can’t help grinning at his nerve.

He stares at his friend with quiet conviction.

Bernie Rose considers him quietly.

9/24/10 13

Shannon’s about to reply when they’re interrupted by a big bull of a man with a gruff voice.

Shannon smiles, intimidated by Nino, giving up his seat respectfully. Nino doesn’t even acknowledge him.

Bernie senses things are only going to get worse and dismisses Shannon gently.

Driver stands in the elevator as it climbs slowly. It reaches the ground floor then the doors slide open. Driver finds himself face to face with the pretty girl he saw the other night. She looks a little startled to see him, then recovers

9/24/10 14

She joins him in the elevator, carrying a grocery bag with some milk and Fruit Loops cereal.

Driver presses the fourth floor button even though it’s already lit. The doors shut and the elevator starts to climb. Driver stares out quietly. Irene takes a glance at him, feeling awkward in the silence. She looks relieved as the elevator doors finally open. Driver steps aside to let her out first.

Driver and Irene walk down the corridor in the same direction, only a few feet apart. She seems more aware of his presence than he is of hers. She reaches the door to her apartment first.

Driver looks at her just long enough not to seem impolite, then continues down the corridor, not even glancing back.

Bright sunlight. In the distance we see a trail of dust moving across the flatland. Everything is silent, then slowly the hum of an engine rises as the stock car turns towards us. It shimmers in the heat waves, the noise of its engine getting louder as it picks up speed.

Shannon stands with his friend Bernie Rose at the edge of the makeshift track, staring at the glittering car with its colorful signage advertising everything from Snickers to Cheerios.

Shannon smiles to himself.

9/24/10 15

Even in the cramped space of the roll cage there’s something effortless about the way Driver controls the car. His eyes are fixed in concentration, his body tensing only slightly as he lifts his foot off the gas and turns the wheel.

The glinting vehicle is lost in a cloud of dust, then reappears again, moving even faster now. The STOCK CAR’S OWNER, a bearded hot-rodder with a t-shirt that says,“Drive it like you stole it”,joins Shannon with a confident smile.

Bernie Rose pays no attention to their banter, his eyes fixed thoughtfully on the stock car as it finally slows to a stop.

Driver climbs out of the car. As he looks up he sees Shannon limping over with the stock car’s owner, a couple of MECHANICS, and Bernie Rose.

Driver shrugs. Shannon grins, turning to Bernie now.

One look at Bernie Rose and Driver senses the power and authority behind his deceptively gentle eyes.

The old mobster holds out his hand, meeting Driver’s gaze.

9/24/10 16

He gives Driver a big grin and a warm handshake, sizing him up. Driver smiles politely, gazing back at him. The stock car’s owner interrupts the moment between them, holding a stopwatch.

Bernie’s still studying him.

Their eyes stay on each other, then Driver follows the stock car owner and his mechanics back to the car. Bernie Rose stares after him quietly, thinking to himself. Shannon can feel he’s getting interested.

Tinny supermarket music plays in the background. Driver walks past the vast selection of instant coffee brands, bemused by the choice. Suddenly he notices something out of the corner of his eye. At the far end of the aisle his pretty neighbor, Irene, is browsing through the confectionery section. Standing next to her is a young boy of six or seven, (BENICIO). He grabs a multi-pack of snickers and puts it in Irene’s shopping basket. Irene calmly picks it out, replaces it on the shelf, and takes a single snicker bar for him instead. As Driver watches them, the boy turns around and notices him. Driver heads down another aisle before Irene sees him too, keeping to himself to himself.

Driver heads out of the supermarket with a small bag of groceries when he spots Irene and Benicio again in the car park. Irene sits in a battered Oldsmobile, trying to start the engine. She tries several times then gets out in frustration, opening the hood and peering at the engine she has no idea how to fix. Benicio peers in too, trying to be helpful.

9/24/10 17

Driver hesitates, all his instincts telling him to continue to his car and drive away, but as he feels Irene’s increasing frustration he can’t help himself, finally heading over to help.

Irene looks over and sees him coming, surprised at first, then smiling. We watch from a distance as they talk now.

35a INT. ELEVATOR/ APARTMENT BLOCK/ ECHO PARK - DAY. 35a

Driver, Irene and Benicio stand in silence in the elevator, Driver clutching some of Irene’s grocery bags.

Driver carries Irene’s grocery bags into the kitchen for her.

Driver places the bags on the kitchen counter.

She pours him a glass of water and hands it to him.

She walks out of the room, leaving Driver alone with Benicio. The little boy stares at him fixedly.

36a INT. BATHROOM/ IRENE’S APARTMENT - DAY. 36a

Irene closes the bathroom door behind her, looking at herself in the mirror, feeling a little uncertain.

Benicio’s still staring at Driver. Feeling a little awkward, Driver takes a long piece of string from his pocket, tugs it gently, then holds up two pieces of string.

9/24/10 18

Benicio keeps staring at him, puzzled by the magic trick. Irene walks back into the room, smiling.

Driver smiles back awkwardly, not sure how else to respond. Irene switches on the TV for Benicio, sitting him down on the couch.

Driver has a sip of water, glancing around the room. He notices a few photographs on a side table. Most of them are of Benicio and Irene, but one of them shows the little boy standing next to a strikingly handsome Latino man.

Irene turns around and sees him looking at the picture.

Driver takes in the significance of this, then looks back at her.

Driver hesitates.

9/24/10 19

He nods, a little embarrassed.

He seems thrown by her concern.

She smiles softly and he realizes she’s teasing him.

BENICIO O/S Mama, I don’t like this...

Irene takes the remote and changes the channel for him. Driver watches her quietly, then drains his glass of water.

He catches the disappointment in her eyes, but she covers it with another good humored smile.

9/24/10 20

She takes his empty glass and walks him to the door.

Passing traffic roars by on the busy street. Irene and Benicio are walking home from the bus stop, chatting happily. They look like they’ve just come back from the beach, Irene carrying a basket full of towels, Benicio clutching a dusty soccer ball.

Driver watches them from the window of his apartment, blowing gently on a cup of coffee.

The reflection of passing neon rolls down the Camaro’s windscreen. Driver’s cruising down Hollywood Boulevard, shut off from the world outside, listening to ‘Purple Rain’. The HOOKERS and HIPSTERS have taken over the streets while up above airbrushed movie stars stare down from their lofty billboards.

It’s early morning and Driver’s been driving all night, unable to sleep. He heads across the parking lot towards a garishly lit mini-mall. Up ahead a small group of GANGBANGERS are hanging out with intent. They see him coming and look over intimidatingly. Driver’s only reaction is to bunch his car keys in his hand, the longest key sliding between his second and third fingers like a weapon. The gangbangers don’t see it but the unflinching look in his eyes unnerves them and they look away, letting him pass.

Jukebox music plays in the bar and grill. Driver sits on his own, working his way through a plate of bacon and eggs.

Driver looks up and sees a burly REDNECK with an unkempt beard and a wrestler’s physique. The redneck slides into the seat opposite him.

9/24/10 21

Driver stares into the redneck’s coked-up eyes, then looks back down at his food.

Driver doesn’t seem to hear him.

Driver looks up quietly, fixing him with his icy gaze. The Redneck’s smile slowly fades. He considers his response for a moment, then decides against it, standing up.

Driver carries on eating as if the man didn’t exist.

The loud stutter of an unhealthy engine. Shannon sits in the second hand race car he bought in Montecito, revving the engine.

Driver smiles, popping the hood. As Shannon limps out of the vehicle he sees a battered Oldsmobile drive into the forecourt. He takes one look at the owner, then runs his hand through his white hair, breaking into a friendly smile.

WOMAN’S VOICE O/S I’ve got a problem with my car.

SHANNON O/S I can imagine. That thing must be older than I am...

Driver turns around in surprise now, recognizing Irene’s voice.

9/24/10 22

A mischievous smile lights up Shannon’s face as he watches them.

Driver ignores the sly look in the old man’s eyes.

Driver is still watching Irene quietly.

Shannon gives Driver another sly look as he takes her car keys.

The Oldsmobile’s engine looks like it hasn’t been serviced in years. Shannon is bent over the hood.

She glances round and sees Benicio standing in the forecourt with Driver, watching him work on his own car now.

9/24/10 23

Driver’s so busy tuning the engine he hardly notices the boy. His lack of interest finally gets a rise out of Benicio.

Benicio watches him sullenly, more intrigued than he lets on.

Benicio considers a moment, then turns and calls out to Irene.

Irene looks over in surprise, not sure what to say.

Driver and Benicio sit in the Chevelle, driving in silence.

Benicio shakes his head.

Shannon’s got his tool kit out, examining the Olds. Irene looks at the forecourt but there’s no sign of Driver and her son.

9/24/10 24

Shannon smiles to himself, sensing her interest in Driver.

The car roars along the drainage canals. In the passenger seat Benicio looks tense but exhilarated. The car glides past a landscape of abandoned shopping carts, garbage bags, and shredded tires, picking up speed all the time.

Driver’s parked the car now in an area of the drainage canal which looks like an oasis. He leans against the vehicle, soft rock playing on his radio as he watches Benicio climb a tree.

Benicio is asleep in the back of Driver’s car now. Driver’s giving him and Irene a ride back to their apartment. Irene looks at Driver, waiting for him to say something, but he keeps his eyes fixed on the road.

Cradling the sleeping Benicio in his arms Driver lays him down on his bed. Irene takes off her son’s clothes and puts on his pyjamas, careful not to wake him. Driver slips out of the room, uncomfortable with the intimate moment between mother and son.

Irene walks out of the bedroom, smiling at Driver gratefully.

9/24/10 25

He stares back at her in the silence, both of them looking a little uncertain.

Their eyes stay on each other, the attraction palpable. Driver finally breaks the tension, making a tentative move towards the door. Irene opens it for him, looking up into his eyes. Driver knows he could kiss her, wants to, but something inside holds him back. Instead he just offers his help.

50a INT. DENTISTS/ NORTH HOLLYWOOD - DAY. 50a

Benicio sits in a dentist’s chair, looking nervous. Irene sits beside him, mimicking his expression, trying to make him relax.

Irene emerges with Benicio from the dentists. The little boy is clutching his mouth, making a show of being in pain. Irene teases him gently as they walk. Driver waits for them in his car, watching them quietly.

Soft rock plays on the car radio. Irene sits in the passenger seat with a smile. Driver looks at her curiously as he drives, no idea why she’s grinning. Benicio suddenly leans forward and changes the radio to a different station -- hard rock blaring out. Driver lets it go for a moment, then changes it back. Benicio responds, until it becomes a game, Irene laughing now.

The roar of machinery. We see quick shots of Driver’s day in the garage -- fixing cars, taking out some fruit he’s left to ripen in his tool box for lunch, working on more engines and frames. At the end of the day Driver and Shannon examine the stock car.

9/24/10 26

He grins, looking at Driver.

On the TV, a Japanese cartoon is playing, a masked hero confronting the villains, the screen flickering from color to black and white. Driver and Benicio sit on the couch, watching the cartoon. From their relaxed body language it’s clear some time has passed and they know each other a little better.

Irene calls out from her bedroom.

IRENE O/S I’m almost ready...

Driver looks back at the screen. Werewolves appear now, surrounding the hero.

Just as the fight begins the color on the TV screen flickers.

9/24/10 27

Benicio watches curiously as Driver gets off the couch and kneels beside the TV.

Benicio nods. Driver suddenly gives the TV set a hard smack and the interference stops.

Benicio grins. Driver smiles back then looks away as he hears the phone ring. Irene walks out of her bedroom, dressed in her waitress’s uniform, and answers it.

Driver sees the look of surprise on Irene’s face as she listens to the voice on the other end. The doorbell suddenly rings. Irene catches Driver’s eye and asks him to open it. He heads over, checks the spy-hole, then opens the door. A YOUNG WOMAN who’s sitting for Benicio walks in, looking at Driver curiously.

Irene’s friend heads past Driver and scolds Benicio affectionately.

IRENE’S FRIEND It’s 8:30. Teeth. Pyjamas. TV off.

Driver looks back at Irene now. She puts down the phone, forcing a smile but still looking distracted.

Irene sits next to Driver in the passenger seat, staring out of the window at the glittering fountain in Echo Park.

9/24/10 28

She looks at Driver, watching him quietly, then looks away again.

Irene takes a long time to answer, still staring out of the window.

She tries to sound casual. Driver takes the news quietly, even though it hits him like a sledgehammer.

Driver knows she’s trying to explain herself but doesn’t say anything, driving in silence.

Up ahead the traffic lights turn red and the car slows to a stop.

Inside, the silence is unbearable. Irene pauses, then looks at Driver. He’s even more handsome in the shadowy half-light, something achingly lonely and melancholy about his stillness.

She hesitates, then moves her hand towards his, brushing the back of his hand, then slipping her fingers between his.

The gesture is tiny but charged with emotion. They both stare out in silence, fingers clasped, then Irene gently withdraws her hand, as if nothing’s happened.

Outside the lights change to green.

The sound of laughter. A sign over the door says,Welcome home Dad. Inside the apartment there’s a small party going on.

9/24/10 29

Irene’s husband, STANDARD, has been released from jail and his FRIENDS and FAMILY are here to celebrate. Holding Benicio in his arms he makes a thank you speech to his guests.

His self-deprecating humor gets a chorus of laughter and agreement from the guests. Irene is standing next to her friend Cindy, looking a little uncomfortable.

He raises his glass to her.

More applause. Irene stares back at Standard’s handsome face, feeling even more uncomfortable.

Driver lies on his bed, gazing up at the ceiling, listening to the sound of the party echoing down the corridor.

It’s nighttime and the party’s getting louder. Standard’s on the phone to someone, trying to hear them over the music.

He heads into the bedroom to take the call. The voice on the other end is accented and unfriendly.

MAN’S VOICE ON THE PHONE Can you hear me now, you cunt?

Standard pauses, looking concerned.

9/24/10 30

MAN’S VOICE ON THE PHONE You’re gonna come see me tomorrow, you understand?...

Across the crowded room, Irene is looking for Standard. She sees him in the bedroom, switching off his phone, and heads over.

He gives her a warm smile.

The noise of the party is finally too much for Driver. He gets off the bed and slips on his jacket.

Irene is finding the party overwhelming too. She heads out into the corridor to have a cigarette when she sees Driver across the hallway, locking the door to his own apartment. She hesitates, then calls out.

He turns around and sees her standing there with a smile.

Their eyes stay on each other, the music pounding in the background.

9/24/10 31

Another awkward silence, so much she wants to say but can’t.

Suddenly she turns around as she hears her apartment door open. Standard stands there with Benicio, holding a bag of trash. He pauses, then smiles.

He grins at his wife, then looks over at Driver, his smile hiding whatever he feels inside.

Driver seems unsure how to respond.

Standard rests his hand gently on Benicio’s head, still staring at Driver.

9/24/10 32

He’s still smiling but there’s a slight edge to his voice. Irene looks uncomfortable.

His eyes are still fixed on Driver.

Standard doesn’t respond, still holding Driver’s gaze.

He slips his arm around his son now and continues down the corridor, brushing past Driver on his way to empty the trash. Driver looks at Irene, then heads off in the same direction as Standard and Benicio to take the elevator. The two men stand there in charged silence, one emptying the trash, the other waiting for the elevator, only Benicio oblivious to the tension.

Brooding movie stars look down from the billboards. Driver is in his car now, soft rock playing on the radio.

Standard is helping his son get ready for school, interacting with him affectionately. Irene watches them from the doorway, looking thoughtful.

Anonymous streets roll by, Driver’s eyes fixed on the road.

9/24/10 33

Standard, Irene and Benicio are having dinner at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant. We still sense the distance between Standard and Irene, but Benicio seems completely unaware of it, talking excitedly as he eats his pizza. Standard reaches out and takes Irene’s hand gently as he listens to his son.

A noise of hammering and drills. The corporate signage has been scraped off the race car and the seats ripped out. Bernie Rose has bought his partner Nino to the garage to take a look at his investment.

Shannon smiles nervously, worried Nino’s going to sabotage his deal with Bernie.

At the far end of the garage Driver hears them laughing, too busy working on his car to pay any attention. Shannon opens the door of the Thunderbird and invites Nino to take a seat.

9/24/10 34

He sits heavily in the car and starts prodding and pressing all the control buttons as if he wants to break them.

Bernie Rose shakes his head at his partner’s foul language then looks away, observing Driver quietly.

Driver applies a blow torch to his car, so absorbed in his work he doesn’t hear Bernie Rose approach.

BERNIE ROSE O/S How you doing?...

Driver hears him and turns off the blow torch, standing up respectfully. Bernie Rose gives him a friendly smile.

There’s something gently challenging in his gaze.

Driver smiles but doesn’t respond. Bernie Rose finds him as hard to talk to as everyone else. Across the garage, Nino sits in the T-Bird with Shannon, still fucking with him. Bernie watches them.

9/24/10 35

Driver shakes his head.

He’s about to continue when they’re interrupted by a familiar voice.

STANDARD O/S Hey!...

Driver turns around and sees Irene’s husband, Standard, heading towards him with a confident smile.

Bernie Rose barely raises his voice but it’s full of quiet menace and authority. Standard pauses, stung, but instinctively senses this is someone you don’t mess with.

Bernie Rose watches him leave with a look of contempt, then turns back to Driver with a smile, resuming their conversation.

Their eyes stay on each other with just a hint of tension.

Driver nods. Bernie Rose studies him a moment, then finally walks away.

Driver joins Standard in the forecourt of the garage, the midday sun blazing down on them.

9/24/10 36

Driver senses the quiet pride in his voice, and lets it go.

Standard counts out some bills from his tattered wallet, his eyes lowered.

Even though he smiles Driver senses just a hint of tension on his handsome face.

Standard considers the car a moment, something clearly bothering him, then looks back at Driver.

Driver isn’t sure what he’s getting at.

He smiles ironically, his gaze still fixed on Driver.

9/24/10 37

It’s a thinly veiled message that he’s back and here to stay. Driver stares back at him when Shannon emerges from the garage with Bernie Rose and Nino, calling out.

Driver and Standard stare at each other a moment longer then Driver breaks off.

Driver walks off, leaving Standard alone with his thoughts. Shannon watches Standard curiously as Driver approaches.

Nino can’t resist another dig at Shannon.

As they continue their banter, Driver glances at Standard. He’s walking back to his car, dialling someone on his cell phone.

Passing traffic blurs past. Through the windows of a Mexican restaurant we see Irene at work, serving tables in her waitress’s uniform.

9/24/10 38

Driver’s parked across the street, watching her from his car. He hesitates, conflicted, then finally gets out of the car.

Irene walks out of the kitchen with a tray of food, then stops as she sees Driver sitting at a booth. She looks surprised to see him, but pleased, serving her table first then heading over.

Their eyes stay on each other, oblivious to the noise.

She smiles, glancing at the tables she’s supposed to serve.

His concern touches her and makes her uncomfortable at the same time.

Driver stares back at her with his intense gaze.

From the way she says it she could almost be talking about herself.

9/24/10 39

His gentle gaze is finally too much for her. She grins, excusing herself.

It’s only when she has her back turned that we see how hard this is for her. Driver watches her walk away, lost in thought.

Irene piles some plates of tacos on her tray, bracing herself to go back out and face Driver -- but when she finally walks out again he’s no longer there.

Driver leans out of his car window and inserts a key to open the gates of the underground car park.

As Driver descends into the darkness of the car park, he sees a group of SHADOWY FIGURES walking in the opposite direction, heading up the ramp, one of them being pushed in a wheelchair. Their leader, a large, balding man, (COOK), glances in Driver’s direction then looks away.

Driver cruises past the mysterious group and winds his way further down the car park. Suddenly he notices something else in the shadows. A figure lies sprawled against one of the pillars. A smaller figure kneels a few feet away. Driver stops his car now, climbing out to see what’s happened.

The prone figure groans in pain. As Driver approaches he realizes it’s Standard. His face is covered in blood and he clutches his ribs. The smaller figure is Benicio. He stares at his father helplessly, then looks up at Driver in tears. Driver kneels beside Standard, checking nothing’s broken.

Driver glances at Benicio. He looks terrified. Standard raises his head painfully and looks at his son.

9/24/10 40

Driver watches the boy struggling to hold back his tears.

Benicio nods, too choked-up to speak. Standard turns to Driver.

Standard is bent over the sink, splashing water on his face. As he turns off the tap he notices how neatly Driver’s laid out his toothbrush, shaving cream, and razor. He finally turns around and looks at Driver.

He’s still shaken but tries to pass it off with a smile.

Driver watches him, unconvinced.

Standard looks at him in surprise now.

Driver doesn’t answer, waiting for him to continue. Standard hesitates, still not sure whether to trust him.

9/24/10 41

Standard takes another glance at the items laid out neatly by the sink.

Driver begins to see how worried he is.

Standard stares back at him.

A beat, then he finally opens up.

Driver stares at him in surprise now, more concerned than he shows.

He sounds upset, angry with himself.

Driver stares at his battered face and the blood stains on his t- shirt, then walks out of the bathroom to check on Benicio.

9/24/10 42

Benicio is watching a baseball game on TV, his back to Driver.

The little boy nods without turning round, still frightened by his ordeal.

Benicio shakes his head, trying to hide his tears. Driver heads over, then stops as he notices something in Benicio’s hand. The little boy is clutching it as if he’s afraid to let go.

Benicio holds out his hand to reveal a small bullet. Driver stares at it, then looks at him.

Driver gazes at the little boy’s frightened face in concern now, his eyes faraway, thinking to himself.

An outdoor food shack in a park. COOK, the leader of the group of men who beat Standard up in the parking lot, sits at a table with his girlfriend, BLANCHE, a stunning blonde with short cropped hair.

Standard sits next to Driver, holding his ground even though he’s clearly intimidated by the Albanian.

9/24/10 43

He grins, looking at Driver now. Blanche doesn’t even seem to hear them, hung-over from the previous night.

Driver stares at him quietly, finding it hard to conceal his contempt.

Blanche gets up from the table before Cook can respond.

Standard looks worried, trying to diffuse the tension.

Driver looks him calmly in the eye.

Standard seems surprised by Driver’s professional patter. So does Cook. Even Blanche looks interested for once.

9/24/10 44

Standard hesitates, but has no choice. As he leaves to fetch Blanche her drink, Cook starts to write something down on the palm of his hand.

He holds up the palm of his hand to Driver, the wordsFuck Off written in marker pen.

Driver looks at him, all his instincts telling him to walk away, but he stays where he is, thinking of Irene and Benicio.

Driver stares back at him with his clear blue eyes.

Cook looks surprised at first, then laughs at his nerve.

The midday sun beats down on a maze of cars. Driver strolls past rows of glittering vehicles until he spots an old model Mustang.

Driver sits at the dinner table with Standard, Irene and Benicio now. Standard’s in high spirits, beaming at his wife.

9/24/10 45

Irene smiles awkwardly, glancing at Driver. Benicio grins, eager to please his dad.

He ruffles his son’s hair then pours himself another shot of tequila. Irene notices he’s drinking, turning to Driver.

Their eyes stay on each as she serves him. Standard sees the look between them but his only reaction is to drain his glass and tuck into his food.

Irene looks at Standard as he pours himself another drink.

9/24/10 46

He raises his glass to Driver now. Driver senses how nervous he is about the job ahead, and how uncomfortable he is depending on someone his wife clearly admires.

Irene stops and looks at him in surprise.

His quiet confidence concerns her even more.

Standard gets up from the table, lifting Benicio up in his arms and carrying him back to his bedroom. Driver watches them. Even in this kind of mood Standard’s clearly devoted to his son. Irene waits until they’re gone, then turns back to Driver.

9/24/10 47

She hesitates, torn, then looks up at him again, needing to confide in someone.

Driver sees the deep concern in her eyes and feels even more torn. Irene gets up, clearing away some plates.

Driver strides through the parking lot and climbs in his car.

Driver sits in the car as if it’s his retreat from the world. He stares out, then turns on a stop watch, listening to it tick, finding his balance again in the familiarity of the ritual.

The pawn shop is nothing much to look at from the outside, another anonymous LA store front. Driver’s parked the car a hundred yards from the entrance, his police scanner crackling. Standard sits beside him in the passenger seat, looking tense.

He tries to make light of it but doesn’t sound convincing. Out of his window he sees Blanche cross the street and enter the pawn shop and looks even more nervous now.

Driver glances at him, sensing his anxiety.

Standard’s still staring ahead, but Driver can sense his fear.

9/24/10 48

Standard considers a moment, then shakes his head.

He forces a smile, slips on his sunglasses, then finally opens the door.

Driver watches him cross the street with a strong sense of foreboding. Standard enters the pawn shop. Driver starts his stopwatch now, listening to the seconds tick away.

He casts his eyes around the street, observing the smallest details -- the number plates of other vehicles; the windows of overlooking buildings.

The white hot sun blazes down, reflecting on the pawn shop windows, hiding everything inside.

The police scanner crackles but picks up no activity. Driver listens to his stop watch, in his own world. He starts the engine and sets off, cruising slowly past the pawn shop, heading for the corner where he told Standard he’d be waiting.

He pulls over by the curb when suddenly he notices something. Parked a hundred yards down the road he sees another vehicle glinting in the sunlight. To the ordinary eye it’s no different from the other cars parked nearby, but to Driver it stands out. For one, it’s a Chrysler. Secondly, it has reinforced bumpers and racing tires.

Driver’s stopwatch shows four minutes now. He looks away from the Chrysler, gazing at the doors of the pawn shop, expecting Standard and Blanche to burst out at any moment.

But there’s no sign of them.

The seconds tick away. Five minutes. Driver hesitates, all his instincts telling him to drive off, but he stays where he is, thinking of Irene.

Suddenly he sees Standard and Blanche emerge from the pawn shop, Standard clutching a big black gym bag in his hand.

9/24/10 49

He smiles at Driver as he approaches when suddenly he hears the crack of gunshots behind him. Driver sees the look of panic on his face as he spins around.

A GUY IN A SUIT strides out of the pawn shop. Crouching low in an expert firing position he squeezes off several shots. The force of the bullets sends Standard flying.

Driver sees him hit the sidewalk, arterial blood pumping from his neck. Blanche screams, grabbing the gym bag and leaping into the back seat of the car. Driver hesitates, takes one last look at Standard’s lifeless body, then hits the gas as more gunshots crack behind him.

As Driver’s car roars down the street, the Chrysler suddenly comes to life, pulling out of its parking place.

Driver glances in his rear-view mirror and sees the Chrysler on his tail. It doesn’t seem to be trying to close the gap, just following at a discreet distance. In the back seat, Blanche zips open the gym bag, then stares in shock.

There are literally stacks of hundred dollar bills crammed inside the gym bag. Driver catches her reaction in the mirror, but his attention is focussed on the Chrysler. Up ahead, at an intersection, the lights turn red. Driver thinks about running them, but decides against it, braking sharply. The Chrysler draws up beside him, its windows glinting in the sunlight.

Driver ignores her, still watching the Chrysler out of the corner of his eye. The lights change to green but Driver doesn’t move. Nor does the Chrysler. Behind them, other cars start honking their horns. Suddenly Driver roars off, swerving left at speed.

The Chrysler reacts, screeching off in pursuit.

Driver floors the gas. On speed and power his vehicle may be no match for the Chrysler, but in traffic the odds are even. He weaves his way past the slower cars, putting obstacles between himself and the Chrysler. The pursuing car matches him move for move, staying on his tail.

In the back seat, Blanche looks terrified, buckling herself in.

9/24/10 49A

Driver swerves left then suddenly makes a hard right onto a deserted canyon road. The mustang somehow manages to make the same turn. It gets close enough to "pit" Driver, its nose pressing against the rear corner of Driver's vehicle.

Driver’s almost run off the road, but manages to save it and regains control of his car.

The Mustang pulls out wide to build momentum and smash into him. As it moves in to deliver the knockout blow, Driver pulls the Emergency Brake and spins 180 degrees, causing the Mustang to miss and lose control for a brief moment.

Now the two cars are nose to nose, barrelling down the road, Driver heading in reverse as fast as he can, the Mustang closing fast.

It rams Driver’s front bumper. BAM! The two cars separated for an instant.

The Mustang guns it, ready to smash into Driver again...

Driver clocks an upcoming three way intersection dotted with construction equipment. In a last ditch attempt to evade his pursuer he throws a reverse 180, then incredibly keeps going, spinning 270 degrees.

The Mustang tries to make the same turn, but this time the maneuver is beyond his ability. Driver’s suckered him into a corner he can't control.

The Mustang crashes into the construction equipment in a sickening crunch of metal on metal.

Driver guns the motor and speeds away.

9/24/10 50

Purple neon spills onto the forecourt of a seedy motel.

The black gym bag lies open on a double bed, full to the brim with stacks of cash. Blanche sits on the bed, looking pale.

She glances at the bag, staring at how much more money there is. Driver switches on the cheap TV set with the remote, flicking through the news channels. There’s no mention of the robbery yet. He zips up the bag and heads out.

Blanche nods, too shaken to protest.

Driver hesitates, then dials a number on his cell-phone. Benicio answers.

BENICIO’S VOICE ON THE PHONE Hello?...

Driver hears the tremor in his voice.

BENICIO’S VOICE ON THE PHONE Yeah?...

9/24/10 51

There’s an uncomfortable silence. Driver can feel the little boy trying to hold it together.

BENICIO’S VOICE ON THE PHONE She’s talking to the police...

85a INT. IRENE’S APARTMENT/ ECHO PARK - DAY. 85a

In the living room we can see Irene sitting on the couch with a male and female POLICE OFFICER, looking dazed, taking in the news of Standard’s death.

INTERCUT

Driver pauses, still on the phone to Benicio.

A soap opera plays on the TV. Driver walks back into the motel room. Blanche lies on the bed, looking more relaxed. Driver picks up the remote and flicks through the channels until he finally finds a breaking news story on the robbery. There is a police mug-shot of Standard on screen.

Driver listens to the report in silence. Blanche seems upset again, confronted with the reality of what’s happened.

Driver switches off the TV, staring at the blank screen in surprise. He turns to Blanche.

9/24/10 52

This time she takes a fraction too long to answer.

Driver suddenly slaps her -- hard.

He raises his hand to slap her again and this time she talks, tears welling in her eyes.

Driver stares at her quietly, beginning to put the pieces together in his head.

She nods guiltily.

She nods, terrified, tears running down her face.

Driver nods distractedly, his mind racing. Blanche heads over to the bathroom.

9/24/10 53

As she disappears inside Driver notices something on the bed where she’s just been lying. It’s her cell phone. Still flipped open as if she’s called someone recently.

Driver reaches for the cell phone when he notices the silhouette of a MAN crossing the curtains. Someone’s outside. The door handle of the motel room starts to turn, slowly -- then suddenly there’s the roar of a shotgun from the bathroom.

Driver reacts in an instant, rushing towards the bathroom door. He has to barge it open, something obstructing his way.

Driver almost trips over Blanche’s sprawled body as he bursts through. One quick glance and he knows she’s dead - half her head blown off. Another quick glance and he sees her killer, a big burly HITMAN, trying to climb through the same bathroom window where he just shot her.

Driver moves like lightning, grabbing the man’s arms before he can get off another shot and pulling him through the window. The hitman lands heavily in a sea of broken glass, cutting his forehead open, blinded momentarily by the blood in his eyes.

Driver takes his opportunity and slams the man’s face back into the glass strewn floor, stunning him for a few more seconds as they struggle. Crawling away, he grabs the towel rack and pulls the metal bar off the wall. Using it as a spear he impales the hitman and grabs his shotgun.

In the bedroom, the 2nd HITMAN finally kicks the door open. Driver bursts through the bathroom door at the same time -- firing the 1st shooter’s shotgun. The force of the blast picks up the 2nd hitman and flings him against the wall like a rag doll.

The startling explosion of violence is over just as suddenly as it began. Driver slumps to the floor in exhaustion, his hand and his arm ripped open by the broken glass. There’s blood splatter all over the wall. Neon lights from outside flashing on the dead man’s face. But no panicked footsteps or sirens yet.

Driver crawls over to the dead hitman and rifles through his pockets. All he finds are a set of car keys.

Shannon stands in his office, listening silently on the phone, looking like he’s been punched in the gut.

9/24/10 54

All he hears is silence on the other end.

He leans back against a car.

DRIVER’S VOICE ON THE PHONE One million I guess...

He looks dazed by the thought of so much money.

DRIVER’S VOICE ON THE PHONE I’m hurt. I need a doctor to patch me up...

An underworld doctor, “DOC”, a shabbily dressed old man who looks well past his prime takes out a small bottle of scotch along with his surgical tools, preparing for Driver’s arrival. Shannon watches him uncertainly then heads downstairs as he hears a noise in the garage.

Shannon arrives downstairs to see Driver walking unsteadily towards him in the gloom. Shannon can’t help glancing at his hands, expecting him to be carrying the bag with the money, but there’s no sign of it.

Scissoring Driver’s blood soaked shirt away Doc examines the shards of glass embedded in his arm, then notices the deep scars running down his back.

9/24/10 55

Driver looks up at him warily from Shannon’s pull out bed.

Doc picks up his bottle of scotch from among his bowls of Peroxide and Betadine, takes a drink, then offers it to Driver.

Driver shakes his head, closing his eyes. Shannon watches him quietly, concerned for him but also curious about the money.

Shannon hesitates, but can’t help himself.

Driver doesn’t answer, gritting his teeth as Doc pulls out the largest shard of glass.

Shannon nods, coming back down to earth.

9/24/10 56

Driver grimaces again as Doc pulls out another shard of glass.

Driver doesn’t reply, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

An elegant apartment full of framed photographs of beautiful grandchildren and movie posters from Hollywood’s golden age. Bernie is in his silk pyjamas, looking like he’s just woken up.

Shannon looks tense but tries to hide it. From next door they can hear the sound of raised voices. Bernie Rose grabs the TV remote and turns up the volume to drown out his neighbors.

Shannon doesn’t understand, looking confused.

Even though they’re close, Shannon’s wary of giving away too much information.

9/24/10 57

Bernie Rose pours himself a cup of coffee in the kitchenette.

Shannon smiles back but Bernie senses how distracted he is.

Sunlight pours through a doorway. Driver heads down some stairs, passing some half naked STRIPPERS at the bar. There’s a handful of CLIENTS watching a pole dance, but otherwise the place is empty. Driver turns down a long corridor. A couple of STRIPPERS emerge from their changing room, surprised to see him, but he puts them at ease with a friendly smile.

Driver smiles gratefully, then heads towards an office at the end of the corridor. He knocks on the door. A voice calls back.

9/24/10 58

COOK O/S It’s open...

Driver takes a hammer out of his jacket, then starts turning the door handle as if he can’t get in.

COOK O/S It’s open, goddamit!...

He hears Cook striding impatiently towards the door now. He waits, then suddenly kicks the door open, right in Cook’s face.

Before Cook can recover, Driver storms into the office, smashing him across the shoulder with the hammer. Cook collapses in a heap. Driver’s about to hit him again, when he sees that Cook’s left hand is broken and there are cuts and bruises on his face. Someone’s clearly given him a beating since the robbery.

Driver smashes the hammer into Cook’s right hand now, breaking it too. Cook screams. Some of the strippers have gathered at the door but Driver couldn’t care less.

Driver smashes the hammer into the metal plates supporting Cook’s left hand. He screams like a stuck pig.

The strippers look stunned and riveted at the same time. Driver bends over Cook and rifles through his pockets. Finally he finds what he’s looking for. Cook’s cell phone. He scrolls down the call log and finds the same number appearing again and again.

9/24/10 59

The kitchen is busy, CHEFS taking out hot pizzas from the oven and slicing them up in takeaway boxes. In the background we hear the phone ringing.

An impeccably dressed MAN IN A TAN SUIT answers the phone.

(INTERCUT)

Driver leans against his car, talking on Cook’s cell phone.

Tan Suit looks curious now.

There’s a pause on the other line now.

TAN SUIT O/S Please hold...

Tan Suit walks into the dining area. A large bull of a man sits on his own in the empty restaurant with his back to us. It’s only when he hears Tan Suit approach and turns around that we realize it’s Nino, Bernie’s partner.

Driver hears a heavy chesty voice come on the line.

9/24/10 60

NINO O/S You have something that fucking belongs to me?...

The voice is unmistakable. Driver stares quietly.

(INTERCUT)

Nino’s thinking to himself, looking more concerned than he sounds.

Nino begins to relax now, still calculating.

Driver switches the cell phone off.

9/24/10 61

Nino hangs up. Behind him we see that Tan Suit is also in the room, waiting for his orders.

Irene is sitting on the couch next to Benicio, talking to him gently as he watches TV.

The little boy nods, watching his Japanese cartoon. Irene’s friend, Cindy, is also there, gazing at them both in sympathy. Irene looks up at her.

Irene gets up to leave when the buzzer rings. She walks over and opens the door then stops in surprise. Driver stands there.

She looks at him in a daze.

He stares back at her in silence.

His eyes stay on her, as if he’s trying to tell her something more. She looks confused, staring back at him curiously when a small voice interrupts.

BENICIO O/S Hey...

Driver looks over at the little boy.

9/24/10 62

Irene begins to see the guilt in his eyes and slowly it hits her. She stares in disbelief, reeling.

Benicio nods. Driver keeps staring at the boy but can’t find any more words of comfort. Irene watches him, still stunned. He looks back at her.

She stares at him in dismay, close to tears.

She wants to say no but can’t.

Driver and Irene head down the long corridor in silence.

Driver misunderstands, thinking she’s talking about Standard.

She walks faster now, striding towards the elevator. Driver follows her.

She turns around and slaps him hard.

9/24/10 63

Her eyes well up with tears, staring at him in anger and frustration.

She stares at him in deep disappointment.

She turns away when the elevator bell rings. The doors open, revealing TAN SUIT. Neither Driver or Irene recognizes him but we do. He smiles, pretending to look confused.

She steps into the elevator. Driver follows her in.

Tan Suit presses the button and the doors slide shut.

Driver and Irene ride down in silence, their eyes fixed on each other. Tan Suit watches them quietly, considering a move, but Driver glances at him and he smiles, biding his time. The lights on the panel descend. The elevator bell finally rings as they reach the lower level. Tan Suit hesitates, but Driver waits for him to go out first. He nods goodnight and heads off into the darkness of the parking lot. Driver follows Irene, the two of them heading in the opposite direction.

The overhead lights flicker, the huge underground car park hidden in shadow. Driver walks alongside Irene in silence. In the distance Tan Suit’s footsteps slowly fade.

9/24/10 64

Irene can’t believe what she’s hearing.

She’s almost too stunned to speak, walking even faster now.

She shakes her head, fighting her feelings for him.

She stops and looks at him.

She holds his gaze with regret. Driver’s about to respond when suddenly he catches a fleeting movement out of the corner of his eye.

A beat -- then he suddenly lunges -- grabbing Irene and pulling her to the ground. In the same instant Tan Suit appears out of the darkness, opening fire with his automatic.

Bullets spark as they hit the concrete floor and the other parked vehicles. Driver drags Irene behind a car now, covering her with his body as Tan Suit fires another burst.

More sparks light up the darkness, the bullets penetrating the car with ease, narrowly missing Driver and Irene.

Driver moves again, dragging the terrified Irene behind him. Tan Suit loses sight of them in the darkness, striding past rows of parked cars.

9/24/10 65

Driver turns to Irene as they take cover behind a pillar. She looks terrified -- not just of Tan Suit but of him. It’s as if all her worst fears have been confirmed.

Driver stares back at her, then hears Tan Suit’s footsteps approaching.

He holds her gaze apologetically, then gets to his feet and runs, trying to draw Tan Suit’s fire.

Tan Suit hears him and opens up again, more bullets lighting up the darkness. Driver keeps moving. Tan Suit strides after him, reloading, when suddenly his gun jams.

Crouching behind another vehicle, Driver sees this and takes his chance, darting out after his pursuer. Tan Suit sees him coming and runs, the hunter becoming the hunted now.

Still lying on the ground, Irene listens to their echoing footsteps.

Driver runs after Tan Suit through the darkness, gaining all the time. Tan Suit looks desperate now, tiring. He turns to face his pursuer but Driver’s on him in a flash, hurling him against a car.

Tan Suit slams into the car, losing his balance. Driver grabs him, swinging him around, smashing him into another car.

Irene’s watching from the shadows, stunned by the violence. She picks herself up and runs towards the elevator.

Driver keeps slamming Tan Suit against the car, beating the resistance out of him. As his body begins to slump, Driver grabs him by the throat and rams his head into a car window.

The glass splinters with blood, the force of the blow shattering Tan Suit’s skull.

Driver looks around for Irene now and sees her standing in the elevator, framed against the light.

She stares back at him, but makes no attempt to step out.

Driver stands there, his hands covered in Tan Suit’s blood. The elevator doors finally close, hiding Irene from view.

108a EXT. LA STREET - NIGHT. 108a

Shannon gets out of his car. Driver is waiting for him by his own car, silhouetted against the streetlight. Shannon stares at him a moment, then notices the blood stains on his shirt.

9/24/10 66

Shannon takes a moment to reply, looking dazed.

Driver doesn’t seem to hear him.

Shannon says nothing now, knowing he’s right.

Shannon takes this in slowly.

Driver doesn’t answer, but from his silence Shannon can guess.

He stares at Driver with quiet regret.

9/24/10 67

Bernie Rose looks quietly furious.

Nino and Cook sit opposite him, both of Cook’s hands broken now.

He looks at Cook’s broken hands.

Nino doesn’t look at Cook, a clear indication he should do as he’s told. Cook stands up, humiliated, and walks over to the windows. Bernie Rose waits for Nino to explain.

The lights in the restaurant gradually fade as Cook shuts the blinds.

9/24/10 68

Cook sits back down at the table, having closed the blinds. Nino looks almost embarrassed for once.

He stares at Bernie, genuinely indignant now.

9/24/10 69

There’s a hint of sympathy in Bernie’s eyes.

He calls Nino by his childhood name now, emphasizing the fact that they’re both outsiders in this organization. For the first time Nino’s tough guy act slips and he looks anxious.

He doesn’t even bother to look at Cook.

The two friends stare at each other as if Cook didn’t exist.

He stares at Bernie apologetically, appealing to their friendship.

He stares out quietly, torn.

9/24/10 70

Nino nods in gratitude.

Cook hesitates, thinking Bernie’s fucking with him for having two broken hands. He stares back dumbly and it’s the final straw. Bernie suddenly grabs a stainless steel fork and rams it in his eye. As Cook screams, Bernie takes a knife and buries it in his neck. He twists the knife deeper for good measure, then with one powerful sweep of his arm clears Cook off the table.

Cook’s not dead yet, just writhing on the floor, choking on his own blood. Bernie Rose keeps his eyes fixed on Nino.

110a EXT. TRAILER/ FILM SET/ SAN PEDRO/ LOS ANGELES - MORNING.110a

The CREW are setting up for their first shot of the day. In the background we see a DIRECTOR blocking out an action scene. Driver walks past without even a glance, heading towards the make-up trailer. He opens the door and walks in, looking around the trailer until he finds what he’s looking for -- the SFX mask he saw previously on the film set.

Shannon limps down the steps from his office with a suitcase in his hand. He heads into the main garage then suddenly stops. Bernie Rose stands beside the stock car, waiting for him.

Bernie Rose heads towards him with his hands in his coat pockets.

9/24/10 71

He stops, facing Shannon.

He stares at his old friend.

Bernie Rose smiles, not believing a word.

Bernie Rose can’t help grinning, fond of Shannon despite everything.

He looks almost apologetic.

9/24/10 72

Bernie Rose watches him with a mixture of affection and regret.

Shannon shrugs, no idea himself.

Bernie Rose holds his gaze, then looks away, admiring the shiny stock car.

Shannon smiles, reconciled with himself. Bernie Rose grins, and extends his hand. They shake hands firmly, like old friends, when suddenly Shannon recoils, as if he’s been stung.

We see now that his shirt sleeve is covered in blood, his vein cut all the way from his elbow to his wrist. He looks dazed, paralysed with shock.

Bernie Rose holds a razor knife in his hand, the blade wet with Shannon’s blood. He takes Shannon gently by the arm and sits him down against the boot of the stock car.

Shannon stares out numbly, the life ebbing out of him. Bernie Rose watches him quietly, wiping his bloody razor with a handkerchief.

9/24/10 73

111a INT. BERNIE ROSE’S APARTMENT - DAY. 111a

Bernie Rose replaces the razor knife in a small lacquered box full of other knives. From next door he can hear his neighbors arguing again. He stands there a moment, deflated, then suddenly storms towards his front door.

111b EXT. CORRIDOR/ BERNIE ROSE’S NEIGHBORS’ APARTMENT - DAY. 111b

A loud knocking. Bernie Rose’s neighbor opens his door.

There’s something threatening in the old mobster’s eyes now. The husband moves to close the door but Bernie jams it open with his elbow, shoves him aside, then looks over at the wife.

The woman nods without meeting his eyes.

Bernie doesn’t give him time to finish, clamping a powerful hand on his throat.

9/24/10 74

He jerks the husband’s neck forward, making him nod.

He lets go of the terrified man and storms out again.

Sunlight glints on the parked vehicles by the curb. Driver slows down as he approaches the sign for Shannon’s Custom Kings, glancing out of the window to see if anyone’s staking out the garage. Satisfied there’s no-one there, he drives through.

Driver pulls open the garage door and sees the rows of vintage cars shimmering in the shafts of sunlight. As he heads past the vehicles he suddenly spots a figure slumped against the stock car. Shannon’s eyes have been closed, his head resting gently against the trunk of the car.

Driver kneels down and lifts him up in his arms, holding him for a second, then lays him down on the floor. He turns back and opens the car boot now, revealing the black gym bag full of money.

Driver’s car roars out of the garage.

Nino stands in the kitchen, wearing a beautiful suit but no shoes or socks, listening on his cell phone. We hold on the curious image for a moment, then reveal a beautifully dressed WOMAN polishing his shoes. And now we see more of Nino’s MEN, also smartly dressed and accompanied by GORGEOUS WOMEN, getting ready for an event. Nino’s talking to his wife on the phone.

Two big Lincoln Towncars are parked outside. Across the road we recognize Driver’s car. He opens the trunk. When he closes it again we see that he’s wearing the eerily convincing SFX mask. He crosses the road, entering the pizzeria.

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Several of Nino’s men look up as Driver enters but none of them recognize him.

NINO’S GUY We’re closed...

Driver stares past them at Nino in the kitchen, surrounded by more of his men. We feel his mind calculating then he walks out again.

Nino emerges with his bodyguards now, heading towards one of the white Lincolns.

Across the road Driver climbs into his car, still wearing the mask. He starts his car, setting off after Nino’s Lincoln.

Driver drifts in behind a couple of other cars, keeping them between himself and the Lincoln.

The sunlight is fading fast. The neon cityscape has come to life and the streets are a sea of glittering lights.

The CHAUFFEUR checks his mirror as he turns into another street, seeing only the anonymous glare of headlights behind him.

Driver slows down and lets another car turn in front of him, keeping it between himself and Nino’s car.

The streets are less crowded in this residential area. As the car in front of Driver pulls into its front drive, Driver takes the next turning, making sure the Lincoln doesn’t spot him.

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Driver cruises along another residential street. At every intersection we glimpse the Lincoln heading in the same direction down a parallel street.

The Lincoln turns back into traffic on San Vincente.

Nino’s talking on a cell phone in the back seat.

Driver merges in with the traffic, weaving between the cars in front of him until he has Nino’s Lincoln back in his sights.

The sun has almost set, the red backlights of the cars blinking in the fading light.

Nino’s car turns into 7th Street.

This time there are no other vehicles turning into the same street. Driver has no choice, settling in behind the Lincoln.

The chauffeur glances in his rear-view mirror and spots Driver’s car for the first time. For now he doesn’t give it much thought. In the back seat Nino finally says goodbye on the phone.

Both cars head into Entrada Drive.

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The chauffeur checks his mirror again and notices Driver’s car still on his tail. Just as a precaution he slows down, seeing if the pursuing car will overtake.

Driver has to decide in an instant whether to take up the invitation. He overtakes the Lincoln, speeding ahead.

Nino’s chauffeur sees Driver’s car disappear up ahead, relaxing now.

Driver puts his foot on the gas, taking sharp turns on small side streets, driving fast around the block until he’s back on the Lincoln’s tail, keeping a safe distance now.

Nino’s chauffeur turns right into the Pacific Coast Highway.

Driver follows the Lincoln at a distance, keeping the winding corners of the PCH between himself and his prey.

From above we see Driver’s car gliding along the open highway, the rising hills on one side, the churning ocean on the other, no vehicles in sight.

In the back seat Nino dials another number on his cell-phone.

The headlights of Driver’s car sweep ahead of it on the open road. From above it looks like a shark closing in on its prey.

Bernie Rose stands by the window, listening to the phone in silence.

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Nino sounds apologetic.

In his rear view mirror the chauffeur sees the headlights of the car behind getting closer.

Driver stares ahead, his eyes fixed on the Lincoln’s backlights.

Bernie Rose doesn’t speak, looking weary.

NINO O/S Bernie?...

NINO O/S You’re the only fucking person in the world I trust. I love you, man...

Bernie shakes his head, the same old apologies.

In the front seat Nino’s chauffeur checks his mirror curiously.

The lights of the car behind have vanished.

Even from above we can’t see Driver’s car with its lights off - no idea how close it is to Nino’s car.

Even though he’s still angry, Bernie can’t help forgiving his childhood friend.

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Nino grins.

Suddenly blazing headlights explode to life behind him.

Driver rams the Lincoln at over a hundred miles an hour, hitting it just above the left rear wheel.

The impact is momentous. The huge Continental is lifted up in the air and spun round at the same time. It slams back into the tarmac then flips end over end for a hundred yards.

Bernie Rose is left holding the phone as the line goes dead.

The collision has barely knocked Driver off course. His car skids to a stop near the overturned wreck.

Among the carnage, we see Nino, bloodied but still alive. He unbuckles his seat belt and crawls out of the twisted wreck.

Driver gets out of his car, calmly walking over to the pulverized Lincoln. He sees Nino stumbling off towards the beach but doesn’t hurry after him yet. He checks to make sure the other passengers are dead, then heads on.

Nino stumbles through the sand, running for his life now. He looks behind him and sees Driver calmly pursuing him. He keeps running, but he’s badly injured, slowing all the time. Fear clouds reason and he staggers towards the crashing waves.

Driver slows down as he watches the gangster wade into the ocean, a pathetic last attempt to evade him. The crashing waves and the undertow are an impenetrable wall. Every time Nino tries to wade out further, the ocean drags him back.

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Driver stares at his trapped prey. Nino’s attempts become more and more feeble as the ocean exhausts him and snuffs out any hope of escape. Finally he retreats back into the shallow water, barely able to keep his footing. He turns around and faces Driver, the crashing waves still smashing into his back.

They stay like that for a moment. Gazing at each other. Driver silhouetted against the white sand. Nino trapped in the ocean. Then Driver wades out into the water. Nino has no fight left in him, staring at the masked man. Driver stares back at him then grabs him by the throat, forcing his head under the water. Nino splutters as Driver lets him up again.

Driver shoves his face back under the water, keeping it there until Nino’s body finally stops thrashing.

A phone shrills. Bernie Rose answers it.

DRIVER’S VOICE ON THE PHONE He’s dead.

Bernie Rose stares out in silence. Whatever he thinks of Nino, a part of him has died. We feel the regret in his eyes but there’s no trace of emotion in his voice.

Driver is no longer wearing a mask, framed against the ocean. He catches the veiled threat in Bernie’s words but doesn’t respond.

INTERCUT

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DRIVER’S VOICE ON THE PHONE I can find it.

Bernie pauses, staring out.

BERNIE’S VOICE ON THE PHONE I’ll see you there at one.

A charged silence, then the line goes dead.

A large Chinese restaurant. We follow Driver through the crowd. He sees Bernie Rose sitting at a table on his own, pouring himself a glass of wine. The mobster’s dressed for the occasion, wearing a jacket and tie. He smiles at Driver as he sits down.

Driver doesn’t smile, gazing back at him across the table. Bernie Rose doesn’t seem to care.

He delivers the last line with a pointed smile, then turns away, calling over a WAITRESS.

He waits for the waitress to leave, then turns back to Driver.

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Driver holds his gaze, the tension palpable, laughter and conversation drifting over from the other tables.

Driver nods. Bernie Rose studies him quietly.

Driver hesitates, betraying a hint of concern. Bernie sees it and smiles.

He smiles again, looking into Driver’s eyes with just a hint of sympathy.

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Their eyes are fixed on each other, deadly enemies but kindred spirits of a kind.

Driver stares back at him quietly.

He keeps staring at Driver, then smiles.

Driver’s car is parked at the back of the parking lot, half hidden by a fenced area for garbage. Driver pops the trunk, taking out the black gym bag with the cash. Bernie Rose doesn’t even look at it, still admiring the car.

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He grins, then holds out his hand for the gym bag.

Driver reaches out to give him the bag, when suddenly Bernie’s hand snakes out of his pocket, twisting a switch-blade into Driver’s gut. He pulls it out, ready to stab again, but this time Driver catches his wrist, slowly forcing the knife up to his throat.

Their eyes are fixed on each other for a moment, with something like regret, then the blade pierces Bernie Rose’s neck, sinking deeper and deeper. Driver holds the old man in his arms as he dies. They stay like that, locked in a fatal embrace, then Driver lowers Bernie Rose gently to the ground, out of sight.

Blood seeping through his shirt, Driver picks up the gym bag and puts it back in the trunk, slamming the door shut.

We’re looking down on an enormous parking lot, hundreds of different colored vehicles gleaming down below. Driver pulls into the lot, searching for a place to park.

Driver climbs out of his car, wearing a jacket over his blood- soaked shirt. He walks to the back of the car, kneels down, and hides the keys behind the left rear wheel, drops of blood dripping on the tarmac beneath him. He gets up again, then sets off through the maze of parked vehicles, dialling a number on his cell-phone.

Irene and Benicio sit in the park.

(INTERCUT)

The blazing sun beats down. Driver walks through a long corridor of glinting cars.

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Irene stares in surprise.

DRIVER’S VOICE ON THE PHONE Don’t hang up...

She says nothing but stays on the line.

Driver continues painfully through the maze of cars.

Irene looks confused as she hears the quiet urgency in his voice, then reaches inside her handbag.

Sunlight glitters on the roofs of the parked cars, dazzling Driver’s eyes.

IRENE’S VOICE ON THE PHONE ...JJT 108...

Irene writes down the details, looking even more confused.

DRIVER’S VOICE ON THE PHONE There’s a bag in the trunk with some money. Keys are under the left rear wheel...

Driver walks with difficulty, finding it hard to breathe.

All around him the Chevys, Dodges, and Fords glitter in the sunlight.

Blood seeps through Driver’s shirt, dripping on the tarmac.

Irene hears his labored breathing now, looking concerned.

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Driver’s skin looks deathly pale, his eyes a haunting shade of blue. He keeps walking through the maze of cars, casting his eyes from one vehicle to the next, looking for the perfect ride.

Finally he spots a beautiful white Camaro up ahead.

For the first time we see the Echo Park fountain sparkling in the background.

Irene can no longer hold back her tears, heartbroken.

Driver stops in front of the white Camaro, unsteady on his feet.

He pauses.

Irene smiles sadly.

From above we see the maze of vehicles stretching out forever -- Chevys, Chryslers, Fords -- the history of America on wheels. Driver switches off his cell-phone reluctantly then heads towards the Camaro.

Driver climbs into the front seat of the Camaro, catching his breath. He sits there a moment, sheltering from the world outside, then pulls out a pocket knife, opening the blades until he finds the screwdriver. He starts with the left side of the steering column, then gets to work on the section below the turn signal.

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His face shows the strain, but his fingers are as steady as ever. A master at work. Finally he breaks into the ignition device, leaning back in the seat to take a rest.

We’re gazing down at the white Camaro from above, waiting for it to move.

Driver’s face is completely still now. So are his eyes. He looks almost at peace. There’s a long pause, then slowly he leans forward and turns on the ignition. As the engine comes to life, we CUT TO BLACK.