"MY COUSIN VINNY" (1992)

It’s a sunny, winter day on a paved country in south/western Alabama. In the distance, peaking over a loping hill we see a faded metallic green, 1964 Buick Skylark with a white convertible top and New York plates. As it approaches, we see two young men in the car, both with dark hair and sunglasses. They look cool.

CLOSE SHOT ~ RADIO

A hand turns the dial in search of something contemporary -- finding nothing but country music...

---and local ads with southern accents, farm reports, evangelists, gospel singers, and a woman with marital problems seeks guidance from a radio preacher.

ON THE ROAD

The two-lane paved country road passes through huge fields of cotton plants - little shrubs with little, fluffy tufts of white. On the side of the road, every 100 yards or so, we see 8’ X B’ X 20’ trussed-up, squared-off bales of cotton covered with plastic tarps ~ waiting to be picked up and trucked off.

Up ahead they approach a long bed truck filled with logs on the way to a sawmill -- this is also lumber country. They overtake the truck.

They also pass a lot of things you see in the deep south that you don’t see up north -- little, ramshackle fruit stands with weather-beaten signs saying "We accept food stamps," crude hand-lettered signs offering Vidalia onions, pecans, propane, bulls for sale, a cattle crossing sign -~ a black silhouette of a cow on a round yellow background with a black border, grain silos ~-- big and small.

A Rolling Stone magazine, a People magazine, and a variety of textbooks: The Rhetoric of No, Introduction to Physics, Introduction to Political Science, and a WELCOME TO UCLA pamphlet -- these are college kids. Also in the back seat is a! old (broken) "ghetto blaster" with a tape coming out of it, som empty soda cans, junk food wrappers, empty Sterno cans, an empt cooler, a map to the south (and a line drawn for the route),

a variety of socks, sweaters, etc. etc.

WX 2

X 4

FRONT SEAT

Driving the car is BILL GAMBINO, 21, Italian-American descent, from New York, optimistic and carefree. The passenger is STAN ROTHSTEIN, also 21, Jewish, pessimistic, analytical and precise. They’re bright, college kids in need of a shower and a Shave, but they could be confused for derelicts.

"Camped out." Bill’s heating up a can of "beans and franks" ever a can of Sterno.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Tucked into sleeping bags. WE HEAR BUGS IN THE AIR. Stan slaps at the bugs. Bill is fast asleep. TITLES END.

Like a 7-11. Stan and Bill drive up, park and enter.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL Bill and Stan in the canned vegetable section, looking over the beans. They’re holding cans of beans, Sterno, tortillas -- anything cheap, all cradled in one arm, using their free hands to pick things off the shelves.

They look more.

.

.

They walk

down the aisle, balancing the precarious ‘load of cans.

(moving on) Beans have protein.

He reaches for it, almost dropping what he has - and there’s little room for more. So he puts the can in his jacket pocket.

MICROWAVE

- Stan is heating up a burrito.

The COUNTERMAN/CASHIER is a wiry, unfriendly guy. He serves Bill a slush drink -=- about two thirds full, then adds up the grocery tab.

X 6

CONTINUED: (2)

The Cashier looks at the drink, he sighs, then fills it back up and gives it back to Bill without comment. The Cashier then puts the groceries into a brown paper bag as Stan and Bill dig in their pockets.

Stan and Bill exit, get in their car and leave. Bill drives. Nearby are row houses <- small, box-like houses with severely peeling paint on dusty-~gray, old bare wood, meager-looking porches, Windows covered with rusted screens and sagging, rusty metal roofs. :

Driving along. Bill remembers about the tuna in his pocket. He reaches into his POCKET...and pulls out the can of tuna. He motions for Stan to look.

What if someone saw? Bill shakes his head at the thought. It was a dumb thing. STAN The laws are medieval down here. You know what the minimum age for execution is in Alabama?

Bill can’t believe it. He glances in the mirror.

REAR~VIEW

MIRROR ~ There’s a cop behind them. BILL

There’s a cop behind us. STAN

A cop? BILL

There’s nothing to worry about.

BILL

There’s nothing to worry about until there’s something to worry about.

(more)

7 CONTINUED: (2)

Stan is‘crushed. He slams the dashboard with his fist.

STAN

Nothing? You’re getting pulled over aren’t you? You stole something, didn’t you?

(doomed) We’re fucked.

(Bill keeps his eye on

the mirror)

MIRROR - The Sheriff’s car door opens. Stan looks at Bill for comment.

a NT a oe

The DEPUTY hides behind the door.

Fv2ys14

7 CONTINUED: (3)

DEPUTY #1 SHOW ME YOUR HANDS.

Stan and Bill exchange dumbfounded looks. They put their hands up. The deputy rests his pistol on the door.

DEPUTY #1 GET OUT OF THE CAR AND PUT YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD.

Stan and Bill are led into a makeshift lineup room, where they

rary stand along a group of men - none looking remotely like Bill or Stan. Bright, blinding lights. They have to squint.

XK 9 EXT. SAC-O-SUDS ~ DAY

SHERIFF FARLEY - a man aged around 50 - is watching the dead body of the Cashier being photographed.

Fanart’ erat TAN Ee OE a Re ON, ate. AE NE

A Deputy enters and whispers to Farley.

Farley leaves the shop. He passes a woman, who is very upset.

Bill is alone in a small windowless room. Farley enters, holding a clipboard. Bill is filled with deep remorse. A sign says: NO GUNS ALLOWED IN THE CELLS.

FARLEY

Hello Bill, I’m Sheriff Farley. BILL

Hi. FARLEY

You know why you/’re here?

The Sheriff scribbles something on a pad.

X 10a

Bill is floored.

Farley leaves Bill’s room, enters Stan’s. Door slams shut.

STAN’S ROOM ~ CLOSE ON STAN

Stan scoffs. Door slams and echoes.

KX 12

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il,

BILL’S ROOM

Farley’s back, but this time with the Deputy #4 and cassette recorder.

CLOSE SHOT ~ THE CASSETTE TURNING - LATER

groceries. And then what? ° BILL

We went out to the car. That’s

it. " a FARLEY

But...when did you shoot him? BILL

What? FARLEY

At what point did you shoot the

clerk?

t

Another Deputy comes in.

Frustrated, Farley sighs and exits, taking the Deputy with him.

But they’re gone.

Bill’s handcuffed, sitting on a bench, when Stan, who is handcuffed too, is led in. Bill’s scared.

u

He

leads.

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BILL

You think we’re being booked for shoplifting?

DEPUTY SHERIFF #3 Time to make your phone calls.

Dazed, they follow.

STAN

How? Call the Chilean Consulate? What’re they going to do? Send a guide into the mountains looking for them?

(beat) We have to call an attorney -~ a great attorney -- do you know any great attorneys?

Bill picks up the phone and dials.

13,

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(2)

‘ STAN Tell her what we think ...

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13 CONTINUED: (3)

X 14 EXT. BACK OF COURTHOUSE = DAY

Stan and Bill are escorted into prison van.

Crane down fron

high angle to 2 shot of Stan and Bill as the van doors slam

shut.

-14A INT. VAN - STAN AND BILL ~ DAY

thru) OMITTED

» » +

Draft 2/4/91 16,

A few dozen, one story, bleak-looking bungalows, a couple administration buildings surrounded by barbed-wired fence. Just outside the fence, a dozen ACLU members demonstrate against the death penalty. Placards mention a guy named NORTON - ("Only God can condemn NORTON." "If NORTON dies, so does humanity" etc.) Norton’s going to be executed in a few days.

} DRIVER a r jail has been condemned tha why we're bringin’ you all out to t tate correctional facilities.

The van stops in front of the administration building.

X18 INT. MAIN CELL BLOCK OF PRISON - LATE AFTERNOON

As Stan and Bill are led to a cell. The other inmates <- big, vicious-looking men - spark up when they see the slightly-built, clean-cut-looking young men. They hoot, cheer, and wolf-whistle.

19 STAN AND BILL’S CELL

A tiny room with a toilet, a chair, a sink and a DOUBLE bunk bed. Bill and Stan enter ~- the door is shut behind them. Bill sits. Stan paces - terrified. He sees a folded cot against

the wall. STAN You know what happens in these places? BILL Yeah... STAN

And sometimes there’s a big guy no one wants to tangle with who’ll ‘protect you’ - but you have to become his sex slave and do anything he wants.

* * Hh we

Draft 2/4/91

Bill looks at Stan.

16a.

X22

Bill’s on the phone ~ he looks elated. He hangs up and grins at a GUARD.

Stan is nearly catatonic with fear. Bill is led to the cell and is strikingly optimistic by contrast.

Stan pumps Bill for positive-sounding information. STAN Great. So, what’s the story? He‘s some kind of a hot shot attorney? BILL Wait till you meet hin!

It’s a typical, small town Alabama courtyard - a colonial~style courthouse in the middle, surrounded by grass.

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2/8/91

18,

A cannon, or a statue of Rober: E. Lee.

The streets around the courthouse have all the little stores that service the small community of 2000; Western Auto, EZ Finance company, a single floor, 3000 square foot department store, a "package" store (liquor store). Many of the signs are done in hand lettering.

Some of the stores are so run down it’s hard to tell if they’ve been abandoned or not. There are a few people walking past. The setting is quiet, benign, serene. We HEAR BIRDS CHIRPING. It is small town in every way.

THEN, WE HEAR IN THE DISTANCE THE BASS FROM A HIGH-POWERED CAR STEREO (THUMPA THUMPA THUMPA). An obese woman in a floral-print dress stops and turns toward the sound. It is unusual indeed. She watches unapprovingly as she sees...

».-a perfectly-restored, but muddied-around-the-wheels 1961 Cadillac Coupe de Ville convertible. As the car approaches,

we can identify the music - hip-hop - it’s Tone Loc’s Funky Cold Medina. The car parks in front of the courthouse and stops. Silence. The driver’s door opens and out steps VINCENT LA GUARDIA GAMBONE, a tough New York Italian-American. He’s been up driving for twenty hours straight and he looks it - unshaven, wrinkled clothes and bIoodshot eyes. He looks unquestionably tough - you’d want him on your side in a gang fight. He’s wearing Ray-Bans, and a weathered black leather blazer. He carries a deck of cards in his shirt pocket.

Getting down on his knees, he checks out the front end of the car for something is wrong.

The passenger door opens and LISA, Vinny’s girlfriend, gets out and stretches. Lisa’s pretty, with perfectly-coiffed, jet-black hair. She’s more appropriately dressed for a New York club than the deep south, which in these parts, looks downright trampy. She’s got a small, instant-everything camera - and she takes pictures of anything that looks interesting.

She walks ‘round the car into view - wearing very short black skirt, black tights and shoes, she’s got long legs.

2/8/91

22 CONTINUED: (2)

Oh yeah, you ‘blend’.

As Vinny looks around the car, Lisa glances around at the

neighborhood, taking pictures. LISA

I bet the Chinese food here is

terrible.

Getting up, indicating car’s front suspension.

A black man with a gold STAR imbedded into his tooth is walking past. He stops and watches as Vinny looks over the wheels.

CONTINUED: (3)

Star laughs at the joke. Vinmy’s amused at Star’s amusement. Lisa says nothing.

Bill’s asleep, Stan is pacing. WE HEAR A BRUTAL FIGHT BEING BROKEN UP SOMEPLACE - and it’s really brutal - we hear the sound of flesh smacking against cement, clothes ripping. Stan freezes in horror.

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NO! OH GOD, NO! STOP! HELP! HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!

Then we hear silence as his voice is mysteriously muffled. Stan turns away in horror, his face against the back wall of the cell. WE HEAR FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING. The guard opens the cell, lets Vinny in. Vinny slips the guard a tip. The Guard closes the cell door. Stan doesn’t know that Vinny is Vinny. He suspects the worst.

guy.

Despite his raunchy appearance, Vinny’s friendly - which Stan misconstrues to be a cat playing with a mouse. He avoids meeting Vinny’s eyes.

He sits. Vinny steps behind him and starts massaging his shoulders.

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21A.

(2)

CN i ee ee ac ee

CONTINUED: (2)

Stan says nothing. Vinny comes over and puts his hand on Stan’s shoulder, massaging it, being comforting. Stan’s worst fears are confirmed.

Stan squirms away from Vinny, keeping his back to the wall.

My alternatives? To what? To you? I don’t know ~- Suicide < Death.

VINNY

No. It’s either me...

(joking, points to

prison block) +..Or them! You’re gettin’ fucked one way or the other!

(Stan doesn’t laugh,

he’s almost in tears) Hey, hey, hey, lighten up, don’t worry, I’m going to help you.

+

2/7/91

CONTINUED: (4)

shit!

What the fuck’s your problen? I didn’t come down here just to gat jerked off...

Vinny sits on the bed next to Bill. Stan grabs Vinny and balls a fist. Bill stirs, wakes, sees Vinny, smiles warmly.

Vinny and Bill embrace warmly. STAN

(stunned, realizes) Oh! Vinny? This is Vinny?

ver INT. CONFERENCE ROOM ~ VINNY, STAN AND BILL

Bill’s waxing enthusiastic.

He has lots of questions to ask you. Go on, Stan.

What kind of law do you practice?

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Stan is hoping against hope.

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24 CONTINUED::

STAN looks at Bill, with a hopeless ‘what is this?’ expression.

ue STAN ‘ Six years? That’s a lotta studying.

2/7/91

(2) VINNY No, I’m afraid not. STAN (hopefully)

Three time’s a charm?

STAN ’ (aghast) Six times ...it just gets worse and worse.

* =

+ + +

Vinny walks through the empty courtroom.

X25 INT. JUDGE’S CHAMBERS - JUDGE AND VINNY ~ LATE AFTERNOON

The most noticeable thing about the judge’s chambers is the vast expanse of books lining the walls. Vinny’s seated in front of JUDGE CHAMBERLAIN HALLER. Vinny is wearing a shirt and pants, no jacket or tie.

Vinny looks up and sees the judge’s law diploma - from Yale -summa cum laude.

The judge’s subtly elitist response makes Vinny instantly feel he has somehow flunked the first question.

( VINNY (succumbs to lying big) I’d say about...oh...six...almost six...sixteen years.

Of course not, lemme see, most recently I had an ax murder -which I won on grounds of temporary insanity - would you like to hear the facts of the case?

25 CONTINUED:

Vinny’s trying to impress the judge has a deleterious effect

are

(2)

-the judge has a fear of appearing backwards.

He takes an official-looking, 700 page book titled Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure off a shelf, and puts it on the desk in

JUDGE

Well...we don’t have any ‘serial killers’ in Beechum County, but what we do have is every bit as sophisticated a system of justice as they do in the rest of the country.

(beat) You being from New York and all, might have the impression that ~ law is practiced with a degree of informality down here. It isn’t.

(explaining) I tell you this because I want you to know when it comes to procedure, I’m not a patient man. I advise you sir, when you come into my courtroom, you are to know the letter of the law - I will react harshly when I find you don’t. Don’t think being from New York that you’re gonna get special treatment. You won’t. You will be given no leeway whatsoever.

front of Vinny.

Gaus 30.

26 OMITTED

Stan’s upset and Bill’s optimistic.

They think - for the moment they have no options.

Koa EXT. HOTEL - AFTER SUNSET

A beautiful red sunset contrasts with an ugly weather-beaten sign in handdrawn paint that simply says HOTEL. Next door, but sharing the same building of the hotel, is a greasy spoon with one of those beat-up, simple, no-frills standard issue Coca Cola signs common throughout the south -the kind with white below that reads Wahzoo Grill in very simple black script.

meen cae me rae... Vinny's_car stops at the Hotel. Vinny and Lisa get out, and look at it. er me ~

X30

VW31

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It’s small, and barely furnished. Lisa’s on the bed, wearing a robe, looking over the room. Vinny comes out of the bathroon, he’s holding the book on court procedure. He sits on the bed.

Vinny shakes his head ~ can’t think of anything, and starts reading. Lisa’s frustrated.

LISA ’ Nothing? ’

VINNY , No. .

Vinny keeps reading. Lisa looks around, wondering what to do. She feels anxious. Vinny picks up on it. He pulls out the pack ef cards from his shirt pocket and gives it to Lisa. She looks at him, she doesn’t get it. -

Not exactly what she had in mind. Vinny turns back to the book. It’s difficult for him to read. She takes a picture of hin.

VINNY’S P.0.V. = CLOSE SHOT ~ PRINT IN BOOK

Some of the letters are reversed - Vinny wasn’t kidding when he said he was a little dyslexic.

on

It’s quiet and peaceful - just what you’d expect early in the morning in a small town. WE HEAR THE SHRIEKING BLAST OF A STEAM

WHISTLE - from the nearby mill. It’s such a powerful blast of sound...the hotel windows vibrate slightly.

Vinny jumps out of bed. Lisa covers her ears.

2/7/91

Vinny goes to the window, opens it. He sees the Beechum Saw Mill Company, all lit up. It’s even louder...Vinny yells, but we can’t hear him. Pinally it stops. Lisa’s hands come down off her ears.

BAAAAAOQOO! 11! THE WHISTLE BLOWS AGAIN.

CLOSE SHOT ~- STEAM WHISTLE =~ It’s an old brass whistle, about two feet tall and a half a foot thick, an enormous blast of steam bursts from its mouth, sending a gray plume into the

air.

THE BLAST STOPS. Vinny closes the window. OMITTED

The place is empty. Vinny and Lisa come in and sit down. JUNIUS, a heavy-set, graying black man in a: too-small, ‘stay~prest’ shirt is at the griddle behind the counter.

JUNIUS a“ It’s a whistle.

Junius spoons a fist-sized slug of lard onto the griddle. Lisa

and Vinny exchange disgusted looks.

Junius stares at him. Doesn’t get it. MINUTES LATER

Junius serves them breakfast - eggs, bacon and grits. looks at the breakfast. Vinny points to some kind of greasy~looking grain on the plate.

Vinny

33. CONTINUED: (2) Vinny notices Lisa’s watching him, but not eating.

Lisa takes out her camera, poised to document Vinny’s first taste of grits. Vinny stares at grits, looks at Junius.

How do you cook a grit?

Vinny tries a small portion of it. Lisa snaps a picture. Vinny shows no expression of like or dislike. He swallows. He thinks.

It’s lined with old, dark wood, has water stains here and peeling paint there - this is a poor county and repairs are a long time coming. There’s also an Alabama and United States flaq. Vinny and Lisa come in, approach the gate and stop. Vinny’s wearing his black leather blazer.

He looks to the bailiff, who waves him in, points to the table on the right. Vinny goes and sits.

JIM TROTTER, the D.A., a formidable-looking man with salt and pepper hair comes in. Something about him is supremely confident. He looks at Vinny. He has a strong Alabama accent.

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(>)

A

J4A.

34 CONTINUED:

The lady bailiff leads Stan and Bill in, and sits them down with Vinny. Bill whispers to Vinny.

I...I didn’t wanna tell you. She’s in the hospital. Right after she spoke to you she spoke to me. Right after she spoke to me she had a heart attack.

VINNY

She’s gonna be fine, in a couple

of weeks she’ll be out. ~ STAN

But will we? BAILIFF

Here ye, hear ye, here ye. All

rise. The judge enters and everyone rises. The Judge sits.

(2)

Vinny is seated.

The judge

squints at Vinny’s clothes. Vinny self-consciously

checks his fly - but it’s closed. The judge interrupts again.

(3) VINNY I apologize, sir, but this is how I dress. JUDGE

Next time you come into my courtroom, you will look ‘lawyerly’ - and I mean you’ll comb your hair, and wear a suit and tie ~- and that suit better be made out of some kind of...cloth. Do you understand me?

Vinny’s taken back by all this. He capitulates.

The judge

gestures for Vinny to continue.

Stan doesn’t like what’s going on. He looks at Bill, who is

confused.

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The judge

(5)

JUDGE

Once again the communication process has broken down. It appears to me that you want to skip the arraignment process, go directly to trial, skip that and get a dismissal. I’m not about to revamp the entire judicial process because you find yourself in the unique position of defending clients who say they ‘didn’t do it’. The only thing being tried today is my patience.

(slowly,

condescendingly) Now, the next words out of your mouth will either be ‘guilty’, or ‘not guilty’. If I hear anything other than ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’, you’ll be in contempt. I don’t want to hear commentary, argument or opinion, I don’t even want to hear you clear your throat - because if you do, you will be in contempt. I hope I’ve been clear. Now...

(slowly) »«»HOW DO YOUR CLIENTS PLEAD?

waits for Vinny’s next words.

The judge

39,

(8)

makes a motion with his hands that the ball is in

Vinny’s court.

we

en

X 35

VX 37

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CONTINUED: (7) The Judge exits.

The bailiff comes over and leads Vinny, Bill and Stan from the room. As Vinny leaves, he yells

Stan is depressed. Bill is very uncomfortable. CAMERA PANS TO BACK SEAT. Vinny’s in the back, watching the scenery, cheerfully whistling "Dixie". Stan looks at Vinny, baffled.

Vinny waits patiently. The guard unlocks the cell.

Lisa’s waiting with folded arms, leaning against the wall, holding a camera - as Vinny comes out she takes a picture of him. They walk through the pack of protestors to the parking lot.

se

~=~— SS Oe

2/7/91

Because it didn’t look like you knew what you were doin’ in that courtroom today. Why is that?

VINNY |. . Well ... it’s all procedural crap. I’m gonna have to learn it as I go.

VINNY

Between the garage and the night school, where am I going to find the time?

(guilty) I‘d planned on taking a few months off this summer to do it.

(beat) But it’s no big deal.

They reach the car and get in.

2/7/91

38 OMITTED

J a 39 EXT. ROADSIDE BAR-B-Q - DAY Vinny is buying some greasy food for them both.

They sit at picnic tables and eat. VINNY (CONT. ) It’s a procedure, that’s all. Like ... rebuilding a carburetor has a procedure. Lisa gives him a questioning look.

-

ERratt*874/91 ¢

42A.,

OF FF OF OF

39 CONTINUED: (2)

LISA

There is one problen.

(thinks) We can’t afford to bail you out again - I already cashed in half the traveler’s checks. I didn’t want to bounce a check so I tried hustling the money, but I got stiffed, so I had to cash in the traveler’s checks...

hustle? ¢

X 40 EXT. POOL HALL

A crudely lettered sign reads: "Pool and Chicken." Vinny’s Cadillac parks out front. They get out.

It’s a pretty rag-tag room, teeming with rednecks. Vinny and Lisa enter. The place goes quiet - a stranger is in their midst. Lisa points to a guy. Vinny approaches him.

But J.T. just stares at Vinny.

Fee A Rm

41 CONTINUED:

VINNY

A ‘counter-offer’. That’s what we lawyers - I’m a lawyer - that’s what we lawyers call a counter-offer. Okay.

(beat) Let me see. It’s a tough choice; get my ass kicked or...collect $200...hmm...

(to himself) --e-I could use a good ass~kicking...

{then, decisively) Nah...I’1l take the 200 dollars.

g.2. is not amused, but the guys are.

J.T. is silent, Vinny’s got him confused.

Vinny looks over at another guy and notices he is wearing a neck brace. He gives him a silent, friendly smile.

_ (CONTINUED)

(2)

et aa

42A

Vinny and Lisa come out and get into the Caddy.

Vinny and Lisa drive away.

OMITTED

VINNY

What are you doin’ bettin’ guys

with no money? that.

LISA

You know better/‘n

I was in a hurry, my man was in jail. What was I supposed to do?

Run a credit check?

They’re arguing.

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_ STAN You saw what happened in there. Do you want to stay with him after that?

Bill is tongue-tied - he can’t seem to explain what he wants to explain.

STAN re No, you’re wrong. -

STAN ee (with deep disbelief) oe Why? Why do you think that? Bill takes a moment to gather his thoughts, then...

CONTINUED: (2)

Vinny finishes the introduction. CAMERA PULLS BACK TO FULL SHOT of the room. Vinny’s on the bed, reading. Lisa’s nearby playing solitaire. WE HEAR A DRIP COMING FROM THE BATHROOM. It annoys Vinny.

VINNY

Is that a drip I hear? LISA

Yeah? VINNY

Well, weren’t you the last one to use the bathroom?

Why didn’t you turn it off?

49,

Bill’s right, this guy loves to argue ~ and he’s apparently met

his match.

CONTINUED: (2)

LISA

{tosses him People

magazine) Look in the manual, you’ll see that particular model faucet requires a range of 10 to 16 foot pounds of torque. I routinely twist to the maximum allowable torquage.

Because, a split-second before the torque wrench was applied to the faucet handle, it had been calibrated by top members of the state and federal department of weights and measures to be dead-on balls~accurate.

(tosses him directions

from Tampon box) Here’s the certificate of validation.

Vinny listens, we hear the drip continue. VINNY Well, I guess the goddamn thing is broken.

Vinny pulls Lisa down onto the bed. This whole thing is some weird kind of foreplay for them.

CONTINUED: (3)

They start kissing, getting a little entangled when suddenly Vinny stops.

He picks up the book. Lisa’s revved-up, her motor’s running, she’s frustrated but she understands. Still - she goes into the bathroom. WE HEAR THE SHOWER go on.

CLOSE SHOT ~ NIGHT STAND - LATER

Vinny folds page 20 in the book and sets it on the night stand next to a clock that reads 2:00.

WE HEAR THE STEAM WHISTLE.

Vinny wakes with a jerk. He forgot about the whistle.

The preliminary hearing has started. Trotter has the floor with a witness on the stand. His first witness, CONSTANCE RILEY, a skinny black woman, around 60.

VINNY AND THE BOYS

Vinny sits with the boys. Lisa is right behind them in the public section, leaning forward, almost with them, not missing a beat. Vinny looks tired. He writes an occasional note.

D2.

48 CONTINUED: TROTTER AND WITNESS STAND

Bill and Stan look at each other, dumbfounded. Trotter shows a photo of the Buick to Riley.

Stan and Bill exchange reactions of doon. WITNESS STAND ~ SAM TIPTON - LATER THAT DAY

Trotter has another witness on the stand - SAM TIPTON, a tough=looking, obese man of 45.

TIPTON

I was making breakfast. I saw...

(indicating Stan and

Bill) ...those boys there go into the store. Then later, I heard a gunshot, looked out the window, and they ran out and got in their car and drove off.

Trotter shows the photo of the Buick to Tipton.

CONTINUED: (2)

Stan and Bill can’t believe what’s happening, they sink in their chairs.

WITNESS STAND ~ ERNIE CRANE ~ LATER

This witness, ERNIE CRANE is a tall, gangly kinda creepy 25 year old boy. Trotter holds the photo of the Buick. He points to Stan and Bill and the photo.

Stan and Bill feel defeated, hanging their heads like condemned men. .

WITNESS STAND - SHERIFF FARLEY - LATER Looking at his notes, quoting.

Do you have anything to add?

48 CONTINUED:

Stan and Bill slump in their seats, resigned to fate.

(3)

to go to trial.

Ve

54,

iw

X 49

ED ob Ee, OO A

a

CONTINUED: (4)

JUDGE

I’m setting this matter for trial this Monday, February 2nd, 10 a.m. Mr. Gambone, stand up.

(Vinny stands) Now didn’t I tell you the next time you appear in my court that you dress appropriately?

Vinny is back in the van.

Vinny didn’t know. He doesn’t want to admit it. STAN If you put up some kind of a fight, maybe you could’ve had the case thrown out. Hiding his own ignorance, vinny pretends Stan is naive. VINNY Stan...you’re in Ala-fuckin’~bama. You’re from New York. You killed a good ole boy. There’s just no way this isn’t going to trial.

Meanwhile up front, Stan gives Bill a look of disgust.

They argue.

’

2/7/91

STAN

.»-if this was a conspiracy, they’d have to get all those people to lie - you think that’s what‘’s happening?

(Bill shrugs) I think we should meet with this public defender, see what he’s like. If he’s honest, then we

go with hin. BILL (sadly) ; All right.

| vx 51 EXT. THE PRISON ~ DAY — VINNY AND LISA

are walking from the prison through a still larger crowd of Protesters.

little.

2/7/91

VINNY

Hey, I know I’ve fucked up. You think like fuckin’ up? This case is important to ne.

(beat) You ragging on me is not going to give me some kind of "spontaneous knowledge".

LISA

This learning procedure by fuckin’ up and getting thrown in jail is expensive. We haye no money, all the travellers’ checks are ‘ gone, Vinny.

(waits for. response,

doesn’t get one, so...) So, what’re we gonna do about eatin’? Huh? Get serious now, wake up.

+e &

2/7/91

57A.

CONTINUED: (2)

She stands and stares at hin.

He gets into the car.

Vinny enters and stops. Everybody looks up. It’s silent. He addresses the group.

They all exchange looks, and shake their heads. Vinny pulls a pack, of playing cards from his shirt pocket and walks back into the pool hall.

CLOSE SHOT - POOL TABLE

We see Vinny’s hands expertly playing 3 card monte on a worn~looking pool table, alongside sucker’s hand dropping a few one dollar bills.

-

Stan at a table. GIBBONS enters -- a gentle, tidy-looking man holding a briefcase comes in. They shake hands and sit down to talk.

» Oa.

x

53A

Vinny and Lisa go in -

Xo ‘C we

, draft 2/4/91

Vinny‘s wallet is packed with one dollar bills. CAMERA PULLS BACK. Vinny drops the bills on the counter.

Vinny and Lisa eat the chicken. Vinny looks smug. Lisa takes a picture.

Shabbier than the first. Vinny and Lisa arrive in the Caddy,

which sounds noisier and is shaking a little. They look at it skeptically and go in.

Vinny keeps reading and his excitement winds down. He’s exhausted. He puts the book aside and sighs.

VINNY

Why the fuck did I get into this?

(beat, remembering) ‘Sure, no problem, I can win the case’ ~- I’ve already sent myself to jail twice.

(beat, shrugs) I can win this thing. If I can keep my ass awake and out of jail.

cma mm mmm ern

2/7/91

58A.

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Vinny returns to reading the book. CAMERA PANS TO TRAVEL CLOCK

It’s three o’clock.

It’s about six o’clock in the morning and we hear the sound of pigs squealing. Vinny sticks his head out the window - he’s being woken up by the sound. He looks down.

CAMERA PANS DOWN TO A SIGN OVER A BUILDING NEXT DOOR THAT READS ‘JOHNSON’S PORK PRODUCTS.’ Pigs are being slaughtered. Vinny slams the window shut.

Vinny covers his head with the pillow trying to block out the sound. It doesn’t work. He gets up.

Vinny waits. Tired, he rests his head in his hands, and almost dozes when Bill’s led in by a quard.

Bill feels terrible. Vinny rises and paces, collecting his thoughts.

VINNY

Maybe I could’ve handled the preliminary a little better. I admit it - but what’s most important is winning the case.

(sincerely) I can do it. Here’s how. The district attorney has to build a case. Building a case is like building a house, and each piece of evidence is one more building block. He wants to make a brick bunker of a building with serious, solid-looking, bricks like this..

He indicates brick two feet thick.

He pulls playing cards from shirt pocket and takes out an ace.

VINNY

He’1l show you how the brick’s got straight sides, he’ll show you it’s got the right shape, he’/11 show it in a special way so it appears to have everything a brick should have. But, there’s one thing he won’t show you. When you look at the bricks from the right angle...?

(turns the card to thin

side) ...they’re as thin as this playing card. His whole case will be a magic trick -~ which is an illusion.

(turns the card,

revealing it to be a

joker) It has to be an illusion -- ‘cause you’re innocent.

(beat) Nobody, I mean nobody pulls the wool over the eyes of a Gambino.

Bill sighs, he doesn’t know what to say, so he says nothing --

a sign to

Vinny that he needs more.

2/7/91

59 CONTINUED: (2)

, 60 INT. CELL - NIGHT

tT

Stan’s steaming from something Bill just told hin.

STAN

He could still fuck things up! Cross~examination is not just knowing what to say, but what not to say. What if he asks all the possible questions and the witness has all the answers? He’ll end up proving the prosecution’s case!

(beat) . How did he ever talk you into it?’ ..-

+ + + ©

2/7/91

61A.

X 61

At that point the lights go dim. They both look up. Stan checks his watch. Norton was just electrocuted.

Bill makes the sign of the cross.

Vinny gets out of his car. This hotel looks worse than the last. Crossing the street, he runs into J.T. He’s got a wad of money.

J.T.

Hey little girl, look what I got. VINNY

What? J.T.

It’s two hundred bucks.

J.T. doesn’t do it. Vinny was right.

Disgusted, Vinny walks off.

2/7/91

63 .

Vinny comes in, weary. Lisa’s there, she looks moody.

Vinny nods, acknowledging her opinion in lieu of an apology.

He picks up the book and starts reading.

Lisa takes ten rolls of undeveloped film and puts them ina large ashtray on the table. Vinny glances at thenf, thinks to himself that it was a wasted effort, and returns to struggling with his book.

*e¢ @ @ &

*ee &

2/7/91

LISA

I’m a fast reader ~- it’d probably be quicker’n you readin’ it.

63A.,

Vinny wakes up. Red light flashing through the window.

The train, whistle blowing deafeningly, thunders past. It is a freight train. The lights and bells are still going strong.

Everything in the room is vibrating - lamps, pictures, the works. Vinny is appalled.

The train goes on and on and on and on... CAMERA cranes up and over the train to see Vinny at the window.

He staggers back to bed and lies there, wide awake. CAMERA moves slowly in to a BIG CLOSE UP.

, | tote > ar ed oe

\'63¢ INT. HOTEL LOBBY ~ MORNING

65,

Vinny comes downstairs and punches the bell. The CLERK appears.

He leaves. 63H OMITTED 64 OMITTED

Vinny comes up the stairs of the courthouse and, across from the courtroom, enters a door that reads: District Attorney, Beechum County".

x 65 INT. TROTTER’S OFFICE - VINNY AND TROTTER

of peanuts) -»-L was making plenty of money, winning most of ny cases, but ny clients were guilty as Hell. After getting one fellow off some very serious charges for the fourth time, my conscience got to me; wouldn’t I better serve justice putting the guilty in jail? So that’s what I’m doin’ and I’m a happier man now.

(beat) How about you?

VINNY

I gotta bullshit traffic ticket. I went to court, got the policeman on the stand ... uh just argued with him until he admitted he was wrong. The whole time the Judge ~ this Judge Malloy ~- he was smilin’ and laughin’. Afterwards he invited me to "lunch". I was so impressed with him - he had this great old Cadillac. And then he tells me he thinks I’d be a good "litigator".

(laughs) I didn’t know what a litigator was. I'd never even thought of being a lawyer. But Judge Malloy “he was from Brooklyn too ~ he did it, so suddenly it seemed possible. I went to law school.

(fondly) He‘’d help from time to time. Real nice man, you know? To go out of his way and do that. He wanted his son to follow in his footsteps, ... but he became a musician. So when I graduated, he was so proud of me ... he gave me his old Cadillac.

(thinking, honestly) I think it was just to piss off his son.

(beat, with a sly Look) So, this is quite a case we got ahead of us. How do you feel about it?

A cs ET NE LD WAP HN. NOE HITE,

et

&

OMITTED

Vinny‘s going through a couple of suitcases looking for something to wear. Lisa watches ~ repulsed...

VINNY

Two guys out in the woods, guns, on the hunt -- it’s a ‘bonding’ thing, show him I'm one of the boys. He’s not going to let nme look at his files, but he might drop his guard enough to finesse a little information out of hin.

(pulls out some pants) What should I wear?

oe id

I don’t know. I suppose, I’ma man’s man, right? I could hunt deer.

He’s got her in a logical full-nelson.

(then slaps her head)

. BAM!

(more)

Ee eer oo _-_— lS

ita essere -

Vinny can’t believe what has just transpired.

a od “eee a

(2)

Yeah. I would hate to die at the hands of a guy wearin’ polka dot pants. I think as I was lying there, with just moments left to live, I would think, ‘That son of a bitch couldn’t just shoot me, but he has to add insult to- injury by wearing polka dot pants.’

X 68 Pe: XT) TROTTER’S 4X4 CHEVY SUBURBAN Trotter is driving Vinny out into the country.

TROTTER

I‘1l have my secretary do it. (picks up the radio phone) Shirley, will you xerox all the files on the Gambone/Rothenstein case for Mr. Gambone? Thank you.

“TO 669,

— er ee —_—

Aes

They get out of the Chevy and walk to the cabin.

Suddenly,

OMITTED

Vinny looks sick. A deep pain in his stomach.

Vinny kicks the door open and enters triumphantly holding two big stacks of documents. Lisa looks up. She‘s reading.

eerie mete

He sees his book is open.

VINNY

But that’s not all! He’s lettin’ us use his hunting cabin when

he gets back-- it’s out in the woods and it’s quiet, he sleeps like a baby out there.

VINNY

You reading this book? LISA

Yeah. VINNY

(closes book) Do me a favor? Don’t read the book.

to book) He has to - by law...you/’re entitled. It’s called disclosure, you dickhead.

(waves the book at him) He has to show you everything or it could be a mistrial. He has to give you a list of all his witnesses. You can talk to all of his witnesses. He’s not allowed any surprises. They didn’t teach you that in law school either?

(Vinny is stunned) So, you shoot anything out in the,

He’s syspicious...

~~ oods?

LI I TR ae

71 CONTINUED: (2)

Vinny nods.

it...? LISA Yeah? VINNY (suddenly, with mock viciousness)

+..we both raped it first!

aus

(3)

Well, if the deer was attacking....

atte. AA cA SP raat

Only one window is lit: Vinny’s.

Lisa is already asleep. Vinny switches off the light. He

shuts his eyes. The clock says 2:30 a.m. All of a sudden Vinny opens an eye ~ there’s something in the bed. He throws the covers back and jumps out of bed. Lisa wakes up.

In a flash, Lisa’s out of the bed, along side Vinny.

Vinny yanks back the sheet ~- a tarantula-sized cockroach scampers towards Vinny.

Vinny jumps back - it goes under the bed. Vinny picks up a shoe and hands it to Lisa.

Liga grabs the bed and lifts it. Vinny dives out of sight. We hear him frantically whacking the floor.

X 72¢

4 72D

ae TAK.

The only light on is in Vinny’s window. We hear the whacking.

The whacking continues.

They get back into bed. Vinny switches off the light. Lisa falls asleep. So does Vinny - apparently. But the ashtray on the night table starts jigging, so do the lamps. Vinny opens an eye again. We hear a train whistle.

The same freight train is thundering past.

The room is jumping. Vinny is rigid - he has a catatonic stare.

Vinny is at the Reception Desk.

Vinny turns and leaves.

MMM tt

74B.

Xx 74 INT. JUOGE’S CHAMBERS - VINNY AND JUDGE -~- DAY

The Judge looks like the cat that got the canary. Vinny looks like the canary ~- he’s exhausted.

JUDGE

Mr. Gambone, I’m not going to let you take part in jury selection tomorrow. I just got a fax from the New York State Office of Judicial Records ~they have no . records of any Vincent Gambone - trying any case in any court in the entire state of New York.

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Xr

Vinny comes out of the Courthouse with Lisa.

You think that was a smart move?

VINNY

No,

76A

76B

Nee

om

77,

CONTINUED: (2)

JUROR #2 They should be shot in the cradle.

JUROR #2 Not really.

VINNY ae How do you feel about prosecutors?

JUROR #2 They should be drowned at birth.

JUROR #2

Yeah, I’d say that. VINNY (to Judge)

I like this guy. OMITTED OMITTED

The guard escorts Stan and 8ill across a yard.

ait’ 76

BECAUSE HE’S DEAD!

Vinny’s sick.

76,

Twelve men and..women sit in the jury box as Trotter qualifies

their suitability as JURORS.

The first JUROR is a grin

middle-aged woman. Stan, Bill, Vinny, Lisa and Gibbons watch. More than 30 other potential jurors sit in the public seats,

waiting. TROTTER Can you participate in an endeavor in which the ultimate result might be death by electrocution? JUROR I think it should be left up to the victim’s families rather than the courts. TROTTER The defendants are charged with robbing a convenience store, tying up the clerk, and shooting hin point-blank in the back of the head. (lets fact sink in, then) If sufficient evidence is offered to prove these facts, would you... JUROR (interrupts) Fry ‘en. TROTTER (to the Judge) He’ll do. LATER

Vinny is wearing a standard, ill-fitting, off-the-rack suit, and

is badly in need of sleep.

JUROR #2 is a grim middle-aged man.

t x t

Nec CONTINUED:

GUARD

The chair ain’t workin’ like it used to. The guy we fried last week, Norton...it took us three attempts and his head caught fire. See, there’s no money in the budget to get it looked at.

(chuckles) I say it’d be cheaper to have it fixed than to run up those extra electric bills.

Stan and Bill look at each other in dismay.

BILL sys Don’t you ever worry that ydu might execute an innocent man?

OMITTED

Stan enters and talks to the waiting Gibbons.

oom

a

76F

wan

Bill comes to Lisa. They talk through a wire mesh.

Vinny and Tipton at the kitchen table.

Vinny sits with Riley on rocking chairs, with a note pad.

Vinny and Crane. Vinny aims Lisa’s camera at something offscreen.

Vv

779A

Vinny exits Crane’s house.

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79B thru

81A

OMITTED

OMITTED

87A

VINNY

Lisa, I don’t need this now.

(counting on fingers) I got a Judge who’s aching to put me in jail, some idiot who wants to fight me for two hundred dollars, slaughtered pigs, giant cockroaches, giant whistles, no Sleep in five days, no money, a ‘dress code’ problem, and a little murder case which holds in the balance not just the lives of two innocent kids, a...

(stomps floor) .--biological clock, my career, ~} your life, our marriage, and what else? Can we pile a little more crap onto the outcome of this case?! Is that possible! I don’t think it is!

(He makes ‘ring ring’

sound, and goes

indoors)

Vinny comes in and answers the phone.

VINNY

Yeah? Yeah? Got it.

(hangs up, to Lisa) I was wrong. That was the President. The Kremlin called says I don’t win the case, the Russians will bomb the U.S. We'll retaliate ~total nuclear annihilation!

The light

goes out.

X aaa

C arateems ance tonaliication ath,

WE HEAR A SCATTERING, SCRATCHY SOUND. It sounds like a severed witches hand, with scrawny, bony fingers and long yellow fingernails clattering over the roof like a giant frightened cockroach. Vinny jerks awake. WE HEAR IT AGAIN. Vinny looks to the left. WE HEAR ANOTHER ONE. Vinny looks right. Vinny creeps out of bed, WE HEAR KREEEEEEEECH!!! - it sounds like a witch being burned alive. Lisa jumps and sees Vinny.

Is it trying to get in?!

Vinny runs over to the gun cabinet, slides it open and reaches in. KREEEEECH!!! He lifts the gun into view - it’s a huge Colt 44. magnum. He aims at the door. KREEEEECH!!!

The witch’s hand is really just a branch moving back and forth across the roof. CAMERA PANS TO ANOTHER BRANCH, TO A SCREECH OWL. Nothing unusual, actually. Just a screech owl doing what a screech owl does ~ it’s beak open and ... KREEEEEEREEECH! ! !

In the background we see the door to Trotter’s hunting cabin fly open, revealing Vinny in the doorway in a Dirty Harry crouch, arm outstretched holding the 44. aimed in nearly the opposite direction of the owl. SCREEEEEEECH!!!. Vinny unloads the gun into the darkness. -

From far away, we HEAR the screech, soon followed by THE SOUND OF A 44. BEING FIRED SSIX TIMES.

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88B

var

Lisa is asleep, Vinny opens his eyes. There is no sound.

Vinny rolls over and looks up. Hanging from the deer’s antlers above the fireplace is a snake! Vinny stares at the antlers. The snake stares at Vinny. Gradually, Vinny realizes that the antlers are moving and that he is looking at a snake. Terrified, Vinny tries to speak but no sound comes out of his mouth. Suddenly the snake drops out of the antlers and onto the bed. Vinny and Lisa scream and scatter.

Vinny’s Caddy’s parked in the middle of nowhere.

Cuddled up in blankets. They’re feeling close.

Looks at Lisa ged -- what the Hell ~-- who’s he to argue about what’s romantic? As he pulls Lisa closer...

A HUGE LIGHTNING BOLT CRACKS NEARBY. And it starts to rain. THEN WE HEAR MORE THUNDER.

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2/7/91

8s.

It is still raining and thundering. An exhausted, red-eyed Vinny wakes up. He starts the car.

CLOSE SHOT ~ RIGHT REAR TIRE

..-just spins and spins. The other tire does nothing. Vinny gets out of the car and steps into serious mud. He falls over, * he gets up. Opens the trunk, and pulls on a two by four - but * it’s stuck. He yanks it harder -won’t budge. He yanks it real hard and finally it moves, but something in pink plastic flies out with it and lands in the mud. Lisa can’t see since the trunk is up.

‘ VINNY What’s in this plastic thing?

Y

ef

Vinny’s Caddy - very muddied - parks across the street from the hotel. Vinny gets out. He slams the door - he’s pissed. Lisa gets out. It’s still raining.

Lisa hustles off. Vinny heads toward the hotel. As he crosses the street, we see J.T. and Neckbrace coming the opposite way. As Vinny approaches him, J.T. snickers at Vinny’s predicament. As Vinny passes...

So, you going to kick the shit out of me?

BAM! Vinny cold cocks him solidly, dropping the guy into a heap. Vinny scoops up the money and moves on.

Lisa runs up to Johnson’s Department Store in the rain, but the door is locked. She looks at a sign hanging from the window. It reads ‘CLOSED <- FLU.’ Lisa looks around, sees...

SHOT ~ BUTLER’S SECOND HAND STORE.

The court is quiet and waiting. Rain beats against the window panes. The Judge checks his watch impatiently. Trotter is waiting at his table, papers neatly stacked, perfectly groomed, perfectly patient, eminently confident. Stan and Gibbons sit next to each other. Stan looks over at Bill and shakes his head. Bill’s sitting by himself, feeling pretty foolish, wondering where Vinny is. Then, WE HEAR A DOOR OPEN. The Judge looks up and squints, Trotter looks up, confused, Stan looks up and shakes his head. Finally Bill looks up and sees...

VINNY

...in his new suit - a too-small, midnight blue, silver-threaded tuxedo, carrying his book on procedure, an umbrella and a briefcase. He looks pretty damn silly in it. Vinny sits down next to Bill. Vinny’s so tired, he’s at wit’s end. He’s in

a rotten mood. ee

VINNY

I bought a suit. You’ve seen it. Now it’s covered in mud and this town doesn’t have a goddamn one hour cleaners, I had to buy a new suit. Except the only store you can buy a new suit in - has the flu. Get that? The whole store has the flu! So I had to get this from the 2nd hand store. So, it’s either the leather jacket which I know you don’t like, or this. So, I’m wearing this ridiculous thing...

(indicates new suit) -.-for you!

te ER ed RR no “TI A,

CONTINUED: (2)

VINNY , What?

The Judge stares him down, Vinny doesn’t look at him - he’s fighting just to keep his eyes open.

LATER ~ COURT ~ TROTTER ON FLOOR Trotter has the floor. He is giving his opening statement.

(more)

ll Ae at a An oR

mE °

(more)

x SO vor Son gg Bi CONTINUED: (4)

Stan and Bill exchange looks of doom.

_ TROTTER = Now let’s get down to e lick-log. Your verdict is going to depend on what you think of

the sworn testimony ... Not what I think, because what I think don’t count. You’re the jury, it’s your job to decide who’s tellin’ the truth. The Truth: that’s what "verdict" means, it’s a word that came down from England and all our 1/’il ole ancestors.

We shall be asking you to return

a verdict of Murder in the First Degree for William Gambone, and

a verdict of accessory to First Degree Murder for Stanley Rothenstein for helpin’ Gambone commit this heinous crime.

He sits down.

Vinny is next to Bill. His head is resting in his hands. His eyes cannot be seen. He says nothing.

We can hear Vinny’s breathing slowly and deeply - he’s asleep. Bill’s foot nudges Vinny’s foot. But Vinny is out.

“Vinny. Vinny.

- tame tet

CONTINUED: (6) Vinny wakes up. Not knowing where he is...

VINNY

Wha...!

{looks up realizes he’s in court, momentarily intimidated, humiliated)

Oh...

Vinny rises, goes to the jury box and leans dramatically on the railing, both hands separated. He motions to Trotter.

Vinny walks back to his chair, Trotter rises...

_ , _SUDGE Objection sustained, the entire opening statement, with the exception of...

(dryly) ‘thank you’ will be stricken from the record. .

(to jury) You will please disregard counsel’s entire opening , statement.

(to Vinny) And you, Mr. Gambone.

(firmly, barely

containing his anger) You will not use that kind of language in my court. Do you understand me?

ne

Vinny returns to his table, without looking back. . -

* + &

95 CONTINUED: (7)

CONTINUED: (5)

He sits down at the table, once again resting his head in his hands, valiantly trying to stay awake. Bill looks scared.

Stan and Gibbons look over at Vinny.

The Judge points to Gibbons, Stan’s attorney.

As Gibbons gets up, he drops a pen. He picks it up and clumsily Puts it back on the table, but drops it again. Stan stops him

and picks it up for him. Gibbons walks onto the floor and he suddemily looks terrified. This is a man who has a terrible case of s=age fright. His brow beads up instantly with sweat, he cescssaantly wipes his palms off on his trousers and can’t look

anycee in the eye.

S735 — Can’t believe what’s happening. VoORS=_...is nodding off, he jerks himself awake. Trying his best t= s==may awake.

Gl===-mns sits down next to Stan.

sometimes.

95 CONTINUED: (6)

Stan stares at him, the same look he gave the electric chair.

Trotter is finishing up with Tipton on the stand.

Trotter shows a picture of the car to Tipton.

96 CONTINUED: Trotter sits. Gibbons rises and approaches the witness.

Bill and Stan exchange looks - Stan’s looking positive about his man. Vinny is resting his head in his hands. Bill sighs and nudges hin.

Bill and Stan exchange looks again. This time Stan’s frustrated. Bill looks at Vinny, who’s fallen asleep again.

CONTINUED: (2)

(looks at Bill) Blue.

Gibbons sits down. Stan’s feeling defeated. ~

Bill nudges Vinny under the table. Vinny jerks awake.

Vinny’s day in court has finally arrived - he’s been waiting for this moment for ten years. Slowly, the thought (nearly) sobers and wakens him. He pours some water from the pitcher onto his hand and splashes it on his face to help wake himself up. Stan and Bill exchange looks and shudders with sympathetic dread. VINNY rises and approaches the witness. Rain has stopped. Gradually, sunshine comes in through the windows.

(3)

VINNY

Would you say you got a better shot of them going in, but not much comin’ out?

Is it possible the two youts who entered the store were ...

Did you say “youts"?

(4)

No. Why would they get into the same car?

TIPTON

Five minutes.

STAN AND BILL are confused, but intrigued by Vinny’s line of questioning - it sounds like it’s leading someplace. Vinny and

Tipton:

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CONTINUED: (5)

; VINNY “How do you make your grits? Regular, creamy or al dente?

Vinny beams - he knows he’s got Tipton on the ropes.

The JURY responds to this ~- they know their grits.

STAN AND BILL - are riveted.

LA EOL catenin lh A AI ARN NL OEE A A A EEN aN

96 CONTINUED: (6)

Perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist on your stove?

Tipton shrugs.

STAN looks at his attorney.

f=

Bill is jubilant. Lisa is proud.

VK 97 EXT. BEHIND THE COURTHOUSE —- DAY

Bill, Stan and Vinny are being put into the police van. Lisa is watching. Van and street are wet, but the sun is out.

VINNY

Lisa, don’t bail me out. I’m going to sleep tonight in prison.

Xx 98 INT. VAN ON WAY BACK TO PRISON =~ STAN AND BILL

Vinny’s curled-up, asleep in the back seat CAMERA PANS TO FRONT SEAT. Bill and Stan are proud.

WE HEAR SOMEONE SCREAM, GET BRUTALLY BEATEN. Vinny sleeps.

X100 INT. VAN - MORNING

Vinny’s still asleep. CAMERA PANS TO STAN AND BILL.

Court’s back in session. Beams of sunshine light up Vinny. Vinny’s got Crane on the stand. Vinny picks up an envelope, opens it, takes out a stack of photos and hands them to Crane.

(points, photo 42)

..ethis crud-covered screen,

(points, photo 43) ».ethese trees with...

(points, photo #4) «..these leaves on them, and trough...

(more)

1O1

CONTINUED: (2)

COURT ~- LATER

Vinny’s got CONSTANCE RILEY, the skinny black woman. treats her with courtesy.

Vinny

She opens her purse, takes out her glasses and puts them on. They are ammazingly thick and make her eyes look huge - one hinge is broken, repaired with a safety pin. The jury is struck

by how thick they are.

101 CONTINUED: (3)

Vinny looks at the jury and smiles -working the same reaction as he has.

CONTINUED: (4)

Vinny takes a tape measure out of his pocket.

(She takes one end of the tape measure. He takes the other, walks fifty feet away from her, up the aisle).

Mrs. Riley squints, and so does the Judge.

X02

CONTINUED: (5)

The phone rings. Vinny answers.

Vinny hangs up, grabs the Court Procedure book and turns to Lisa.

GEORGE WILBUR, 60, is an earnest, honest, intelligent-looking engineer. He is on the stand.

WILBUR

I’m a Special Automotive Instructor of Forensic Studies for the Federal Bureau of Investigation,

VINNY

Your Honor, may we approach the bench?

{Judge nods) I object to this witness being called at this time, we’ve been given no prior notice that he’d testify, no discovery of any tests he has conducted or reports he has prepared and, as the court is aware, the defense is entitled to advance notice of all witnesses who will testify, particularly those who will give scientific evidence so that we can properly prepare for cross-examination as well as to give the defense the opportunity to have the witness’ reports reviewed by a defense expert who might then be in a position to contradict the veracity of his conclusions.

This speech is said with great speed and fluency almost in one breath, yet with total clarity.

2/7/91

vinny throws his arms up in a gesture of despair.

These are photographs of the tires belonging to the defendants’ car.

(shows other photos) And these are photographs of tire marks made by the assailants’ car as it fled the Sac-0-Suds ’ convenience store. Are you familiar with these?

WILBUR

o The car leaving the convenience store spun its rear tires dramatically, and left a residue of rubber on the asphalt. I took a sample of that rubber and analyzed it. I also took a sample of rubber from the rear tires of the defendants’ Buick and analyzed that too.

106..

-

The Judge

2/7/91

107;

(2)

is handed a fax =< He reads it. ’ JUDGE (to bailiff) Court will take a 60 minute recess for lunch.

Vinny rises.

JUDGE

Request denied. VINNY

Thanks. ' JUDGE

And Mr. Gambone - I’d like to speak to you.

108. ,

A os INT. JUDGE’S CHAMBERS ~ VINNY AND THE JUDGE <- DAY They enter the chambers. The judge is relishing the moment.

I’m aware of that.

The judge ponders: is he mistaken or is Vinny lying? tue cs

JUDGE oo 2

Alright. -- eS,

(picks up phone and 7 -

dials) ae Let’s get this cleared up right se now. > (to phone) fee Hello, this is Judge Chamberlain r Haller, can I speak to the clerk?

(beat) ~ Okay. 1/1] be here.

(more)

2/7/91

109,

He’s going to call back after three. That gives you a stay of execution ~- unless by some miracle you win this case in the next...

(checks his watch) --.90 minutes.

(beat) Why don‘t you go to Lunch?

A greasy spoon. Lisa enters with an envelope of newly developed snapshots. Vinny is eating and going over the new evidence. Looking at the photos, chemical analysis, etc. He can’t believe what he’s up against.

~~,

2/7/91

105 CONTINUED:

Lisa goes quiet. Vinny is running scenarios, ideas, etc. through his mind, but nothing’s right. She’s afraid to ask...

She gives him a ‘look’,

VINNY : \ Look how you’re looking at me what’s that look supposed to mean? I’m a piece of shit because I can’t find a way to let you help me, is that it?

Lisa says nothing. He grabs the photos.

VINNY : Alright. You‘re helping, these are lots of help here.

(flips thru photos

sarcastically)

Thank you. Oh! These are going to be a lot of help, oh yeah! Very creative. Very artistic. Here’s a good shot of our first hotel room. That’s gotta intimidate Trotter,

(another photo)

Hmm ... I didn’t know I locked like that from behind. Gee, and I thought I couldn’t feel worse than I did a second ago.

(next photo) ot Here’s a good one of the tire marks - could we get a little farther away? Did you shoot it from up a tree? Look at this, we've got the tire marks in, that garbage can, what’s that - dog shit? Maybe that’s a clue.

(next photo)

Oh! Here’s one of me reading. Here’s another of me reading, and - oh! This one has a twist, me reading with my finger in my ear.

Lisa is staring at him, if looks could kill ...

my me ee ot

J/\106

2/7/91

110A, CONTINUED: (2) * VINNY * Here’s a case~cracker ~ me in the * shower. * LISA * That’s it, I’m outta here. *

Lisa just gets up and walks out, leaving her photographs. Vinny follows her to the street, still holding then. *

Lisa. I’m sorry. ;

¥ He punches the wall. Then he returns to the table, frustrated. VINNY . I’m missing something. I‘n missing something.

Vinny sips his coffee. CAMERA TILTS TO LISA’S TIRE TRACK PHOTOS. *

Vinny enters. Lisa is dialing a phone call.

He goes on into the courtroon.

2/7/91

Vinny’s at the table. On the table is a small stack of tire evidence and Lisa’s photos. Vinny looks downbeat. The bailiff * sits Stan and Bill with him.

Stan goes cold.

STAN : ’ Enough to...?

Vinny shakes his head. Stan looks at Bill. Very had news. LATER =~ WITNESS STAND ~ WILBUR

Vinny takes out the police photos and shows them to Wilbur, x who is still on the stand. ; * VINNY

Is it possible that two separate cars could be driving on Michelin model XGV 75r 14's?

But two faded green 1964 Buick Skylark convertibles...?

_ 107

2/7/91

VINNY sits down. He’s a broken man. He stares at Lisa’s photos. The tire photo is on top. He picks it up, stares harder and harder. ; ' TROTTER (0.S.) Your honor, the prosecution rests.

Vinny grabs the rolice photo and compares it with Lisa’s. Lisa’s is a much wider angle: WE SEE BOTH PHOTOS. Lisa’s is a full shot of the tire marks left by the killer’s car <- two, 20 foot length tire marks ~ about ten feet in, one tire track goes up a curb and comes down another ten feet.

VINNY ~ stares some more.

JUDGE , Mr. Gambone? JI will ask you one more time, and one more time only. If I ask you again...

Vinny - looks so happy he can cry.

Vinny scrawls a hurried note He jumps up and stops beside the Sheriff, handing him the note.

ia

are ESA oF . So Sage ee ee et re '€ on: are ess ° ‘ 112A. —

107 CONTINUED: (2)

note.

te —_ ram TTS,

.¥

VA 108

thru

X 112

Vinny comes out into the lobby.

Lisa’s still on the phone. She ignores him. In the background, Sheriff comes out of the courtroon.

Vinny grabs the phone and cuts her off.

She storms off towards the front doors. Vinny goes to follow her but is stopped by the Sheriff, who is still holding the note. SHERIFF Tell me why? OMITTED

Lisa stomps out of the front doors. Vinny runs out and drags her back in kicking and screaming. : ;

» &

ita INT. COURTROOM ~ DAY

Vinny and

LISA...is

Lisa burst in.

shocked. She tries to leave. He holds on to her.

brandishing the book

on court procedure) © This witness is an expert in the area of automobiles and is being called as a witness to rebut the testimony of George Wilbur.

LISA shakes her head and turns and walks out.

The bailiff runs outside and comes back with a very pissed-off Lisa. She glares at Vinny as she passes him. She’s led to the

stand.

Lisa glares at Vinny. She sits there, the quintessential unfriendly witness, arms folded, and staring at Vinny.

TROTTER

Your Honor, I object to this witness - improper foundation. I’m not aware of this person’s qualifications. I’d like the opportunity to voir dire the witness to the extent of her expertise.

JUDGE

Granted.

(to jurors, explaining) The prosecution is going to ask Ms. Vito a few questions to determine if she is qualified to testify as an expert on the subject of tire mark identification.

(to Trotter) Mr. Trotter, you may proceed.

LISA

I’m an out-of-work hairdresser.

113 CONTINUED:

She sits, Vinny.

116,

(2)

gives the judge a ‘look’ that was previously used for

113 CONTINUED:

(3)

Trotter sees this has a healthy challenge - stump the witness.

The judge listening

TROTTER

Alright... (to Lisa)

Being an expert in general automotive knowledge, can you tell me...what would be the correct ignition timing for a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, with a 327 cubic inch engine, and a four barrel carburetor?

leans forward, ready to be impressed. The jury too is intently.

LISA

It’s a bullshit question. It’s impossible to answer.

2/7/91

113 CONTINUED: (4)

The judge and jury are impressed. Vinny’s proud.

She’s acceptable.

e

Vinny gets up.

Vinny shows Lisa her photograph.

VINNY

mits. aev. or. F ‘ 7 so.

*eo + +

e

2/7/91

118A,

(6)

CONTINUED: (5)

Lisa leoks at the photo again, but this time...INSERT TIRE PHOTO...something occurs to her ~ what she sees in the picture in incontrovertible proof of the boys’ innocence ~- it dawns on her, Vinny will win the case ~- and she can help. She looks at Vinny, smug as he can be. Vinny shrugs amiably.

(6) VINNY I would love to hear this. JUDGE So would I. LISA

{referring to photo) The car that made these two, equal length tire makes, had Positraction - You can’t make those marks without Positraction, which was not available ona ‘64 Skylark.

LISA

It’s a limited slip differential that distributes power equally to both the right and left tires.

{Trotter and Wilbur

quietly exchange

words.) The Skylark had a regular differential which...anyone’s who’s ever been stuck in the mud in Alabama knows that when you step on the gas, one tire spins and the other does nothing.

The jury knows that, and so does the judge, and the bailiff. Trotter knows it too, and his lack of expression says so.

CONTINUED: (7)

LISA (Cont‘d)

This mark is flat, which means

this car had... (demonstrates with fingers)

+.-an independent rear suspension.

(in sun)

Now, in the sixties, there were

only two other cars made in

America with an independent rear

suspension, Positraction and

enough power to make these marks. One was the Corvette, which cannot be confused with a Buick Skylark. The other car, however, had the same body length, height, width, weight, wheelbase, AND wheel track

as the 1964 Buick Special, ~ and that was the 1963 Pontiac Tempest.

VINNY

And, because both cars were nade by G.M., were both available in

Metallic Mint Green paint?

Vinny goes and sits down with the boys. -they pat Vinny on the back. Vinny and

very

The boys are elated Lisa exchange loving

looks. Trotter is having an animated conversation with Wilbur.

JUDGE

Mr. Trotter? Would you like to

question Ms. Vito?

Trotter and Wilbur appear to be arguing.

Wilbur is shaking his

head, Trotter is pressing, Wilbur continues to shake his head.

Wilbur shakes his head some more. The Judge doesn’t like it.

* + +

* &

2/7/91 l22.

113. . CONTINUED: (9)

Wilbur and Trotter have clearly had a falling out.

Vinny see this and on a hunch, he rises and...

Trotter looks like b quarterback who dropped the ball as Wilbur takes the stand.

. JUDGE You realize you’re still under oath?

CONTINUED: (10)

2/7/92

WILBUR

I’d have to say that.

Trotter’s sick.

The Sheriff enters at the back.

VINNY

Is there anyway in the world that Buick driven by the defendants could’ve made those tire marks?

Actually, no.

VINNY

Thank you. No more questions.

Vinny turns and sees the Sheriff at the back. The Sheriff nods’

at him.

Your honor, I call ... Sheriff Farley.

There is a hubbub in the court. The Sheriff takes the stand.

VINNY

Sheriff Farley. Er...ah... {he doesn’t know what exactly to ask)

What did you just find out?

SHERIFF

On a hunch ... . (smiles at Vinny) ~-. I took it upon syself to check

out if

there was any information

on a ‘63 Pontiac Tempest stolen or abandoned recently.

(holds up paper) This computer read-out confirms that two boys who fit the defendants’ description were arrested two days ago by Sheriff Tillman in Jasper County, Georgia, for driving a stolen metallic mint green 1964 Pontiac

Tempest with a white convertible

ichelin model XGV tires,

size 75r ... with Positraction.

2/7/91

113. CONTINUED: (11)

Vinny sits down. JUDGE (smiles) Mr. Trotter?

Trotter just sits there. He sighs, then looks at Vinny and smiles defeatedly. He stands.

Vinny jumps up, kisses Lisa. Stan and Bill jump, double high five each other, then both hug Vinny.

(more)

Page 125 is omitted.

2/7/92

Page 125 is omitted.

113A OMITTED 114 OMITTED

Vinny is surrounded by an enthusiastic and admiring crowd including Stan, Bill, Star, Sheriff Farley, and others.

Vinny glances at his watch and whispers urgently to Lisa. —

) VINNY I’ve got to get out of here by three. Are the bags in the car?

She nods and goes.

She goes, he turns in a rush and runs into Stan, who has an impromptu thank you speech for Vinny. He chooses his words _"carefully" which feels endless for Vinny °

(glances nervously at courthouse) ose I hope we can do it again sometime.

Vinny shakes his hand and then turns to Bill, who stumbles trying to find the appropriate words, but nothing seems appropriate, so instead, he simply embraces vinny.

Bill stops, looks at Vinny, and...

Vinny can’t take it. He tries to wrap things up - so he gives Bill a avick hua. then ...

114A CONTINUED:

Ae x

Bill embraces him again. Vinny checks his watch. It’s 3:00. Bill stops, tries to speak again.

~-» I’11 see yah.

Vinny pushes him away and ducks another foot closer to the car, and runs into Trotter.

Lisa her.

TROTTER

Vinny, you did a terrific job. VINNY

Thanks. TROTTER

And there’s and open invitation whenever you feel like coming down here.

drives up in the caddy and waits at the curb. Vinny sees

14A

2/7/91

CONTINUED: (2)

Vinny hurries to the curb, followed by the small crowd. As he reaches the car the Judge steps into FRAME and interrupts hin. The Judge is holding a sheet of fax paper. Vinny thinks he’s

doomed.

OMITTED

Vinny’s impressed, then he wonders who Lisa would know in the Clerk’s office. She wouldn’t know anybody.

115A

128A.

AREY ee ee ee eee e

ar A

atl 128B.

115A CONTINUED: (2)

Vinny gives her a "look" - pretending he’s angry, but he’s not at all angry. In fact he feels desperately romantic. And Lisa know it.

Vinny gives her a questioning look. (He doesn’t believe her). LISA

You can’t win a case by yourself. You’re fuckin’ useless.

CAMERA PULLS BACK AS THEY CONTINUE TO ARGUE. AND THE CAR DRIVES OFF INTO THE DISTANCE.

LISA (0.S.)

You don’t get it, do you? That’s not romant I want a wedding in church with bridesmaids and flowers.

VINNY (0.S.)

You’ve said many times that being spontaneous is romantic.

Ss TL CN ER a EE EI of lg A Te Ta OT EW er me to