"MY COUSIN VINNY" (1992)

"MY COUSIN VINNY"

Original Screenplay

by

Dale Launer

REVISION #1 (BLUE) January 7, 1991

REVISED #2 /PINK) January 23, 1991

REVISED #3 (GREEN) February 7, 1991

REVISED #4(YELLOWl February a, 1991

REVISED #5 /GOLDENROD) February 27, 1991

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 •••

••• andlocal 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 8' 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, bull• for sale, a cattle crossing sign -- a black silhouette of a cow on a round yellow background with a black border, grain silo• -- 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 a1 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 (anda line drawn for the route), a variety of socks, sweaters, etc. etc.

X2 CONTINUED:

FRONTSEAT

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.

J(3 EXT. OFF THE ROAD - WOODS - STAN AND BILL - NIGHT

"Camped. out." Bill's heating up a can of "beans and franks" over 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.

v( 4 EXT. SAC-O-SUDS CONVENIENCE STORE - MORNING

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

v< 5 INT. SAC-O-SUDS - CAMERA PANS OVER BEANS

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.

3"

5 CONTINUED:

They walk down the aisle,balancing the precarious'load of cans.

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.

4 •

5 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.

..

EXT, SAC-O-SUDS

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.

y 7 INT, BUICK - BILL AND STAN - 20 MINUTES I.ATER

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

Bill shakes his head at the thought. It was a dumb thing.

You know what the minimum age for execution is in Alabama?

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

7 CONTINUED:

REAR-VIEW MIRROR -There's a cop behind them.

BILL

I Calm down. There's a cop behind \. us, that's all. Nothing's wrong.

There's no problem. (more)

...,,

- 6.

7 CONTINUED: ( 2)

Stan ig:crushed. He slams the dashboard with his fist.

MIRROR - The Sheriff's car door opens.

Stan looks at Bill for comment.

--~--·-----------------------------~,,__---=-,. ... The DEPUTY hides behind the door.

7 •

7 CONTINUED: (3)

DEPUTY fl * SHOWME YOUR HANDS.

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

DEPUTY fl GET OUT OF THE CAR AND PUT YOUR

HANDSON YOUR HEAD. *

y 8 INT. LINEUP - BILL AND STAN AND OTHERS

Stan and Bill are led into a makeshift lineup room, where they "~ stand along a group of men - none looking remotely like Bill or Stan. Bright, blinding lights. They have to squint.

VOICE (firmly) KEEP QUIET.

v\' 9 EXT. SAC-0-SUDS - DAY

SHERIFF FARLEY -a man aged around 50 - iswatchi.ngthe dead body of the Cashierbeing photographed.

--~----------------.--........-__.._..-,....,~.,,.·-···" ---............-....·~----.--.,--

8,

9 CONTINUED:

A Deputy enters and whispers to Farley.

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

( -x 10 INT. HOLDING ROOM - BILL

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

10 CONTINUED:

BILL

(

No. I mean, it wasn't planned out. It just ••• happened•••

The Sheriff scribbles somethingon a pad.

(

10 CONTINUED: (2)

Bill is floored.

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

J(11 STAN'S ROOM - CLOSE ON STAN

(

Stan scoffs. Door slams and echoes.

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Farley's back, but thistime with the Deputy 14and cassette • recorder.

CLOSE SHOT - THE CASSETTETURNING - LATER

l 2 •

12 CONTINUED:

Farley nods. Bill is thoroughly dumbfounded.

Another Deputy comes in.

,- FARLEY

I'm in the middle of a damn confession.

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

But they're gone.

X 13 INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

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

2/7/91 13,

13 CONTINUED:

BILL

1 No, I'm being booked formurder. *

You're being booked foraccessory to murder.

He leads. Dazed, th~y follow.

BILL

r ,, Isthere anyway you cancontact

your parents?

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14•

13 CONTINUED: ( 2)

(

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13 CONTINUED: (3)

Stanand Bill are escorted into prison van. cra~e down from high angle to 2 shot of Stan and Bill as the van doors slam shut.

y( -l4A INT.VAN- STAN AND BILL - DAY

DRIVER

our jail has been ~_ondemnedthat's 1 *

,•• why we're bringin you all out *

to the state correct_ional

facilities.

thru OMITTED

Draft2/4/91

EXT, PRISON - DAY

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 namedNORTON - ("Only God can condemn NORTON." "If NORTON dies, sodoes humanity" etc.) Norton's going to be executed ina fewdays.

STAN ANDBILL - DAY

DRIVER

r jail has been condemned

why we're bringin' you all

out to t ..-.....,_t.ate correctional

facilities.

The van stops in frontof the administration building.

J(is INT. MAIN CELL BLOCKOF 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 youngmen. 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.

Draft 2/4/91

16A.

19 CONTINUED:

Bill looks at Stan.

.....~j ..l

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.

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

'

___ .,.,.,.···-·---·-----·--·-..--.....,.....__........_..__....,...o__

......___,.,._......,_,.~--------~-

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22 CONTINUED:

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

The streets around the courthousehave all the little stores that service the small community of 2000;Western Auto, EZ Finance company, a single floor, 3000 squarefoot 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'shard to tell ifthey've been abandoned or not. There are a few peoplewalking past. The setting is quiet, benign, serene. We HEAR BIRDS CHIRPING. It is small town in every way.

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

••• aperfectly-restored, but muddied-around-the-wheels1961 Cadillac coupe de Ville convertible. As the car approaches, we can identify the music - hip-hop - it'sTone Loc's Funky cold Medina. The car parks in front of thecourthouse and stops. Silence. The driver's door opens andout steps VINCENT LA GUARDIA GAMBONE, a tough New York Italian-American. He's been up driving for twenty hours straightand he looks it- unshaven, wrinkled clothes and bloodshot eyes. He looks unquestionably tough - you'd want him on your side ina gang fight. He's wearing Ray-Bans, and aweathered black leather blazer. He carries a deck of cards in his shirtpocket.

Getting down on his knees, he checks outthe 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 dressedfor a New York club than the deep south, which in these parts, looksdownright trampy. She's got a small, instant-everythingcamera - and she takes pictures of anything that looks interesting.

VINNY

(thick Brooklyn accent) Boy, do you stick out.

LISA

(same accent) Me? What about you?

VINNY

I fit in more than you •••

She walks 'round the car into view -wearing~ short black skirt, black tights and shoes, she's gotlong legs.

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22 CONTINUED: ( 2)

VINNY *

LISA

(dryly) Oh yeah, you 'blend',

As Vinny looks around the car, Lisa glances around at the neighborhood, taking pictures.

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.

2 0.

22 CONTINUED: ( 3)

star laughs at the joke. Vinny's amused at Star's amusement. Lisa says nothing.

Bill'• asleep, Stan is pacing. WE HEARA BRUTALFIGHT BEING BROKEN UP SOMEPLACE - and it's really brutal - we hear the sound of flesh smacking against cement, clothes ripping. Stan freezes in horror.

23 CONTINUED:

Then we hear silence as his voice is mysteriously muffled. Stan turns away in horror, his face against the back wall of * the c~ll.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.

GUARD * Here, I've got somebody for you, *

I VINNY

You must be Stan.

' " {Extends his hand)

How ya doin'?

I' {looks at Bill, fondly)

Hey, he's sleepin', cute little 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. *

-~----~-.-~------------ ...............·----·----------........

21A.

23 CONTINUED: (2)

--- ...---..-..r.-.,....·•-"'"--...._.,..__~----,-......--,.,.,,__,.-----

---·---·---~------

CONTINUED: (2)

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

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

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I ) 23 CONTINUED: (4)

Vinnysits on thebad next toBill. Stangrabs Vinny andballs a fist. Bill stirs,wakes,sees Vinny,smiles warmly.

Vinnyand Bill embracewarmly.

INT, CONFERENCE ROOM - VINNY, STAN AND BILL

Bill's waxing enthusiastic. Stan is hoping against hope.

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24 CONTINUED::

' l

STAN looks at Bill,with a hopeless 'whatis this?' expression.

,,- STAN ,.- Six years? That's a lotta studying.

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24 CONTINUED: (2)

VINNY

No, that's it, that's as bad as * it gets, it don't get no worse * than this. *

,..- ,.-

Vinny walks through the empty courtroom.

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.

I I

Vinny looks up and sees the judge's law diploma - from Yale -sununacum laude.

The judge's sul:)tlyelitistresponse makes Vinny instantly feel he has somehow flunked the first question.

2 8.

25 CONTINUED:

i -~- . -~·

25 CONTINUED: ( 2)

Vinny's trying to impressthe judgehas a deleterious effect -the judge has a fearof appearing backwards.

He takes an official-looking, 700 pagebook titled Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure off a shelf, andputs it on the desk in frontof Vinny.

VINNY

(picks up book)

No problem.

-----~----~~-----

JO.

26 OMITTED

-

Stan's upset and Bill's optimistic.

They think - for the moment they have no options.

· J<'2s 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.

-----·-------'lill.DY..'.Ji_c_~r-~l':?12~.attheHotel.VinnyandLisagetout, and look at 1t. --,----.-,,...,._..__·--·-~----~---~

2/7/91

It's small, and barely furnished, Lisa'son the bed, wearing a robe, looking over the room. Vinny comes outof the bathroom, he's holding the book on court procedure, He sits on the bed,

Vinny shakes hi• head - ca.n'tthinkof anything, and starts reading. Lisa's frustrated.

Vinny keeps reading. Lisa looksaround, wondering what to do. She feels anxious. Vinny picks up on it. He pulls out the pack of cards from his shirt pocket and gives itto 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 him. •

VINNY'S P.o.v. - CLOSESHOT- PRINT INBOOK

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

,••

X.30 EX'!'.HOTEL- EARLY IN THE MORNING (DAWN)

It's quiet and peaceful - just whatyou'd expect early in the morning in a small town. WE HEARTHE SHRIEKING BLAST OF A STEAM WHISTLE - from the nearby mill. It'ssuch a powerful blast of sound••• thehotel windows vibrate slightly.

V31 INT. VINNY'S HOTELROOM - MORNING

Vinny jumps out of bed. Lisa coversher ears.

2/7/91 )2.

31 CONTINUED:

Vinny goes to the window,opens it. He seesthe Beechum Saw Mill Company, all litup. It's even louder••. Vinnyyells,but we can't hear him. Finallyit stops. Lisa'shands come down off her ears.

BAAAAA09001111 THE WHISTLEBLOWS AGAIN, '

CLOSESHOT- STEAM WHISTLE- It's ~n oldbrass whistle, abouttwo teat tall and ahalf a toot thick, anenormous blast ofsteam bursts from its mouth,sending a grayplume into the air.

THE BLASTSTOPS. Vinny closesthe window.

32 OMITTED *

X 33 INT. WAHZOODINER - VINNY ANDLISA - EARLY MORNING

The placeis empty, Vinny andLisa come in and sitdown. JUNIUS,~ heavy-set, graying blackman in a too-small, 'stay-prest'shirt is at the griddlebehind the counter.

,- JUNIUS ·'. '·

It's a whistle.

3 3 •

33 CONTINUED:

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. Vinny looks at the breakfast. Vinny points to some kind of greasy-looking grain on the plate.

VINNY

i Oh, sure, I heard of grits. ' (stares at it)

I've just never actually seen a grit before.•• or,had it served on my plate•.• oreaten one before.

3 4.

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.

It comes from corn. Hominy

grits.

(this means nothing to * him)

I/' 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 flag. 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 looksat Vinny. He has .3:strongAlabama accent.

34A.

34 CONTINUED:

'(

...

•

·-----------~------------- -----......-···-----~-----

)5.

34 CONTINUED:

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

The judge enters and everyone rises. The Judge sits.

J6.

Vinny isseated.

I' He told me to sit here, is this•••

The judge squints at Vinny's clothes. Vinny self-consciously checks his fly - but it's closed. The judge interrupts again.

) 7.

34 CONTINUED: (3)

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.

...:-•1'>

)8.

34 CONTINUED: (5)

(

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 ..incontempt. I hope I've been clear. Now... (slowly) ••• HOWDO YOURCLIENTS PLEAD?

The judge waits for Vinny's next words.

-

34 CONTINUED: ( 6)

The judge makes a motion with his hands that the ball is in Vinny's court.

) .

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34 CONTINUED: (7)

The Judge exits.

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

'

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 protesters to the parking lot.

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37 CONTINUED:

VINNY • Well ••• it•a all proceduralcrap. I'm goMa have to learnit as I go.

I,

'i VINNY

(scoffs) Nah ••• they teach precedents, contracts, interpretations••• you're supposed to learnprocedure

I

from the firm that hiresyou, or

) ' else you go to court and watch.

I

I I VINNY I Between the garage and thenight ,' school, where am I goingto find

,.- the ti■e? (guilty) I'd planned on taking afew months off this su11111ertodo it. (beat) But it's no big deal.

They reachthe car and get in.

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OMITTED •

Vinny is buying some greasy food for them both.

be so sure, when you don't know what it is you're supposed to know.

They sit at picnic tables and eat. '

Lisa gives him a questioning look.

I·

,..

42A,

39 CONTINUED:

LISA

You know what I think? Honestly?

I think, once you're out there,

doing the thing out there, I think

you'll be great. Really great.

(beat)

If you don't fuck up. *

VINNY

I won't fuck up. *

-

J9 CONTINUED: (2)

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

r

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 star~s at Vinny.

44, -

41 CONTINUED:

J.•l":is not amused, but the guys are.

J.T. is silent,Vinny's gothim confused.

do I~ to killyou? What if Ijust ••• kickthe everlovin'shit out of you?

Vinny looks over at another guy andnotices he is wearing a neck brace. He gives him a silent, friendlysmile.

---··-·------------------------..:..----;.:..------

- 45.

41 CONTINUED: ( 2)

,·r latter)

••• Ikick your ass and get;•• $200! (beat) I'm goin' with••• optionB -kicking your ass and getting $200.

J,T, We gonna fight now?

VINNY

:'-. Yes, but first, show me the money.

J,T. Ihave the money.

---------------------------·---~----------

- 46.

EXT, POOL HALL - DAY *

Vinny and Lisa come out and get into the Caddy. *

Vinny and Lisa drive away. *

42A OMITTED *

\X'43 EXT. EXERCISE YARD - STAN ANDBILL - DAY

They're arguing.

---~-----------------·---------

''('":-rt,·(.,"<•·~...:

".

43 CONTINUED:

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

"-,- STAN No, you're wrong. *

that just seems ••• right. * - ' STAN (with deep disbelief) Why? Why do you think that?

Bill takes a moment to gather his thoughts, then •••

------~-------------·------------------------

43 CONTINUED: (2)

Vinny finishes the introduction. CAMERA PULLS BACKTO FULL SHOT of the room. Vinny's on the bed, reading. Lisa's nearby playing solitaire. WE HEAR A DRIP COMING FROMTHE BATHROOM. It annoys Vinny.

{CONTINUED)

44 CONTINUED:

Bill's right, this guy loves to argue - and he's apparently met his match.

44 CONTINUED: (2)

Vinny listens, we hear the drip continue.

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

44 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 intothe bathroom. WE HEARTHE SHOWER go on.

Vinny fol9s page 20 in the book and sets it on the night stand next to a clock that reads 2:00.

WE HEARTHE STEAMWHISTLE.

( 47 INT. HOTEL

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 firstwitness, CONSTANCE RILEY, a skinny black woman, around 60.

VINNY AND THE BOYS

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

5 2.

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 doom. •

WITNESS STAND - SAM TIPTON - LATER THAT DAY

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

Trotter shows the photo of the Buick to Tipton.

48 CONTINUED: (2)

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

WITNESS STAND - ERNIE CRANE - LATER

This witness, ERNIE CRANEis 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 theirheads like condemned men. ' '' WITNESS STAND- SHERIFF FARLEY -LATER

Looking at his notes, quoting.

,'f.·11.'f••

4 8 CONTINUED: ( 3)

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

I.

I'

----·---~----------~-------~-----------

55,

48 CONTINUED: ( 4)

•·,

Vinny is back in the van.

Vinny didn't know. He doesn't want to admit it.

Hiding his own ignorance, Vinny pretends Stan is naive.

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

\ They argue.

..- ....--~...------·-----------~----------------------

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50 CONTINUED:

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

okay, I'm bound to fuck up a

little,

,.-

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' 51 CONTINUED:

VINNY * Hey, I know I've fucked up, You

think like fuckin' up? This

case is important to me. * (beat) You ragging on me is not going

to give me some kind of "spontaneous knowledge".

all the travellers' checks are * gone, Vinny,

(waits fo~ response, doesn't get one, so,,,) So, what're we gonna do about

eatin'? Huh? Get serious now,

wake up. *

..-

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57A.

51 CONTINUED: (2)

She stands and stares at him.

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 head ■• Vinny pulls a pack.of playing cards from his shirt pocket and walks back into the pool hall.

CLOSE SHO'l'-POOL TABLE

We see Vinny's hands expertly playing 3 card monte on a worn-looking pool table, along ■ idesucker'shand 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.

57B,

X 53A EXT, FAST FOOD CHICKEN PLACE - DAY

Vinny and Lisa go in -

or·aft2/4/91 J -iar.

Vinny'swallet is packed with one dollar bills. CAMERA PULLS BACK. Vinny drops the bills on the counter.

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

~55 Shabbier thanthe first. Vinny and Lisa arrive in theCaddy, which soundsnoisier and is shaking a little. They lookat it skepticallyand go in.

'\56 INT. HOTEL ROOM -NIGHT

Vinny keeps readingand his excitement wi.ndsdown. He's exhausted. He putsthe book aside and sighs.

VINNY * (beat) * You know what itis ... (difficulty) I'm...scared.

2/7/91

58A.

56 CONTINUED:

LISA

You know what I think? Honestly? * I think, once you're out there, * doing the thing out there, I think * you'll be great. Really great.

(beat)

It you don't tuck up. *

f'

,.-

,.-

56 CONTINUED:

Vinny returns to reading the book.

CAMERA PANS TO TRAVELCLOCK

It's three o'clock.

X. 57 EXT. HOTEL - EARLY MORNING

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 DOWNTO A SIGN OVER A BUILDING NEXT DOOR THAT READS 'JOHNSON'S PORK PRODUCTS,' Pigs are being slaughtered. Vinny slams the window shut.

v\_5a INT. HOTELROOM

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 guard.

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

\'

little experience you had.

59 CONTINUED:

He indicates brick two feet thick.

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

Bill sighs, he doesn'tknow what to say, sohe says nothing -- a sign toVinny thathe needs more.

2/7/91

59 CONTINUED: (2)

think you should give it tome. *

t Stan's steaming from something Bill just told him.

him? What'd he do before he was

a lawyer, was he a fuckin'

comedian?

2/7/91

61A.

60 CONTINUED:

..~

60 CONTINUED:

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

Bill makes the signof the cross.

v\'61 EXT, ANOTHER HOTEL, THE THIRD - NIGHT

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

J,T, doesn't do it. Vinny was right.

Disgusted, Vinny walks off.

2/7/91

Vinny comes in, weary. Lisa's there, she looksmoody.

people. He deserved to die.

LISA

' It you don't win this case,

that'll be Stan and Bill, you know?

Vinny nods, acknowledging her opinion in lieuot an apology,

LISA * I went over to the Sac-o-suds and * there was a deputy.there and he

pointed out this and that so I

took a bunch ot pictures ••• *

Lisa takes ten rolls ot undeveloP,edfilmand puts them ina * large ashtray on the table. Vinny glancesat then!',thinksto * himself that it was a wasted effort, and returns to struggling * with his book. *

2/7/91

63A.

62 CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED) •

..-

' '

,.-

62 CONTINUED:

Lisa gives up, and sits down, frustrated.

The lights are out. Vi.nny andLisa areasleep. We hear a distant train whistle. Things in the room rattle andvibrate a little.

,.X63A EXT. HOTEL - NIGHT

The hotel isbeside the railroad. The barriers come down, lights flashing,bells ringing, electronicbeepers beeping.

X 63B INT. HOTELROOM - NIGHT

Vinny wakes up. Red light flashing through the window.

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

I INT. HOTELROOM - NIGHT I' Everything inthe room is vibrating - lamps, pictures, the works, Vinny is appalled.

X 63E EXT, HOTEL.-NIGHT

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

\)( 63F INT. VINNYAT THE WINDOW - NIGHT

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

'{63G INT. HOTEL LOBBY - MORNING *

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

VINNY

Fine. *

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".

,Y 65 INT. TROTTER'S OFFICE - VINNY AND TROTTER

TRO'l"l'ER (pours Vinny a handful of peanuts)

winning most of my cases, but my 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'a doin' and I'm a happier man now. (beat) How about you?

--------------------#-•--------------------~

65 CONTINUED: -·

-~---------~·--------------------------

66 OMITTED

INT,HOTELROOM - VINNY AND LISA - DAY

Vinny's going through a couple of suitcases looking for somethingto wear. Lisa watches - repulsed ...

___________________ _.....____,__....___________ _

67 CONTINUED:

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

67 CONTINUED: ( 2)

~-/B TROTTER'S 4X4 CHEVY SUBURBAN

I I Trotter is driving Vinny out intothe country.

I

Vinny can't believe what has just transpired.

----~~--------~--------------------------~

EXT, TROTTER'S HUNTINGCABIN - DAY

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

Suddenly, Vinny looks sick. A deep pain in his stomach.

70 OMITTED

X 11 INT. VINNY AND LISA'S HOTELROOM(THIRD HOTEL) *

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

71 CONTINUED:

He sees h-.Lsbookis open. He's sμspicious ••.

---·-----------·,c,od --------~--,,,..··----·-··-

7 2.

71 CONTIN1JED: ( 2)

Vinny nods.

-

71 CONTINUED: ( 3)

--------------,~~---------·~-··------------~

•

only one window is lit: Vinny's.

,X 12 INT.THE HOTELROOM -NIGHT

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.

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

----~----~---__, ...,.---------------~--~---------

:-.-: - ::- 74A,

EXT, HOTEL - NIGHT *

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

The whacking continues.

j 72B INT, HOTELROOM - NIGHT *

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 ji~ging, so do the lamps. Vinny opens an eye again. We hear a train whistle.

X 72C EXT. HOTEL - NIGHT

The same freight train is thundering past.

~ 720 INT, HOTELROOM - NIGHT

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

J<._73 INT.HOTELLOBBY- MORNING *

Vinny isat the Reception Desk.

Vinny turns and leaves.

·----.-~,.,,.,..._.,,..,.._..__~-~~..--.,...""'-·-·------~--~~_,,,..._,.,._..,,,.__________

74B.

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

---- j_..~·--~- ...._....__,,_,,,----~----·

74 CONTINUED:

EXT, COURTHOUSE - DAY

Vinny comes out of the Courthouse with Lisa.

76 CONTINUED: ( 2)

VINNY ...... How do you feel about prosecutors?

76A OMITTED *

76B OMITTED *

y.;6C EXT. PRISON YARD - DAY

The guard escorts Stan and Bill across a yard.

GUARD

That's death row in there.

STAN

It is?

----~~~---·-..--..---~--------·

75 CONTINUED:

Vinny's sick.

Twelve men anq..women sitin the jury box as Trotter qualifies their suitability as JURORS. The first JUROR is a grim middle-aged woman. Stan, Bill, Vinny, Lisa and Gibbons watch. • More than 30 other potential jurors sit in the public seats, • waiting, •

LATER

Vinny iswearing a standard, ill-fitting, off-the-rack suit, and isbadly in need of sleep. JUROR 12 is a grim middle-aged man.

77A.

f/46c CONTINUED:

Stan and Bill look at each other indismay.

BILL ~,..:.; Don't you ever worry that you might execute an innocentman?

STAN/BILL (earnestly) No. No.

76D OMITTED *

X 76E INT. PRISON CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

Stan enters and talks to the waiting Gibbons.

.... -,,".:

' --

'

79 •

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

tX77

Vinny and Tipton at the kitchen table.

X 78 EXT. MRS. RILEY'S VERANDA - DAY *

Vinny sitswith Riley on rocking chairs,with a note pad. *

v/. 79 INT. CRANE'SBEDROOM -DAY

Vinny andCrane. Vinny aims Lisa's camera at something offscreen.

✓

Vinny exits Crane's house. *

r

"--

---------------~------------.~ ....,.,,................._________

Bl.

79B thru OMITTED

81A OMITTED *

\.

'. .., ;...~-·-.

- 83.

86 CONTINUED: (2)

INT, CABIN - DAY

Vinny comes in and answers the phone.

EXT, ESTABLISHING-THE CABIN - NIGHT

The light goes out.

---........-..--..~..--.,._-----~---~----~-------------------

~ .:_,.7'1--.~"·,:l::'"~t.•~-~-i..

- 84.

::Xas INT. THE CABIN - NIGHT

WE HEARA SCATTERING,SCRATCHY SOUND. It sounds like asevered 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 HEARANOTHER ONE. Vinny looks right. Vinny creeps out of bed, WE HEARKREEEEEEEECH!!! - itsounds likea witch being burned alive. Lisa jumps and sees Vinny.

KREEEEEEEECH!ll

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

X BSA EXT. A TREEBRANCH JUST OUTSIDECABIN *

The witch's hand isreally 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'sbeak open and •••KREEEEEEEEECHII!

In the background we see the door to Trotter's hunting cabin flyopen, revealing Vinny in tne doorway in a Dirty Harry crouch, arm outstretched holding the 44. aimed in nearlythe opposite direction of the owl. SCREEEEEEECHIII. Vinny unloads the gun intothe darkness.

CLOSE SHOT - OWL

Looks over, deadpan, unfazed.

WIDE SHOT - THE VALLEY THE CABIN IS IN

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

----. ·-----=------------------------------

'

84A.

BSB INT. THE CABIN - NIGHT *

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

I'

VINNY

r Goodnight.

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. I1

'

_...,.'-

):o INT, CADDY - VINNY AND LISA

cuddled up in blankets. They're feeling close.

LISA * (beat) This is so romantic -- out in the field here, under the stars, quiet.,no one around for miles••• thisis~ romantic.

Looks at Lisae$:ld what the Hell -- who's he to argue about what's romantic? As he pulls Lisa closer•••

A HUGELIGHTNINGBOLT CRACKS NEARBY. And it starts to rain. THEN WE HEAR MORE THUNDER.

2/7/91

)('92 INT./EXT.CADDY - DAY

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

CLOSESHOT - RIGHT REAR TIRE

••• justspinsand 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 tour - but • it'sst.nck. 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?

,....

I

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•.•

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 •••

•k-.--;.

95 CONTINUED:

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.

JUDGE * Mr. Gambone - are you mocking me with this outfit?

--------·-----~---------~-·-- ...-~---------------

88, -

95 CONTINUED: (2)

{ remember) I What'd I just say? 'What?'

The Judge stares him down,Vinny doesn't look at him -he's fightingjust to keep his eyesopen.

I I LATER -COURT - TROTTERON FLOOR

Trotter has the floor. He isgiving his opening statement. I ' II'

TROTTER

II Your Honor, Counsel,Members of I , the jury. The evidence in this *

case will show that at 9:30 in *

I' the morning on January 4th - that

both defendants Stanley Rothenstein and WilliamGambone were seen getting out of a 1964, metallic green, Buick Skylark convertible, with a white top. The evidence will show that they were seen entering the sac-0-Suds convenience store in Wahzoo City. (more)

-~--~-----------

,

BSA.

95 CONTINUED: ( 3)

......__..--...--~~-.....,__.,.......,,....-----------~~-------------

-~•.....r.-:;'j-.~.....I ..-'-~

9 5 CONTINUED: ( 4)

Stan and Bill exchange looks of doom.

TROTTER ,r_,' Now let's get down to 11le lick-log. Your verdict is going to depend on what you think of the sworn testimony ••• Not what l 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 l'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.

')4-;:~~,:~ ·-_:";

95 CONTINUED: ( 6)

Vinny wakes up. Not knowing where he is ...

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 •••

Objection sustained.,the entire opening statement, with the exception of ••• (dryly) 'thankyou• will be stricken from the record. (tojury) You will please disregard * counsel's entire opening * statement. * (toVinny) * And you, Mr. Gambone. (firmly, barely containing his anger) You will not use that kind of language in my court. Do you understand me?

- Vinny returns to hls tahie, witfioutIook~i~n~g:-=s~a~cmk~.-.-.-----~•~-

_,_'1•·

'

90A.

95 CONTINUED: (7)

Q

'

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. p.j.cksit up for him. Gibbons walks onto the floor and he "'1>dc 11)ylooks terrified. This is a man who has a terrible case of ~ge fright, His brow beads up instantly with sweat, he ~ in the eye.

~ - can't believe what's happening.

~.JOL ...is nodding off, he jerks himself awake. Trying his best t.:::s::::;:;ayawake.

r;;- G_;::..:==rro•~sitsdown nexttoStan.

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.

( JUDGE

(to Gibbons) Your witness.

9J.

96 CONTIN1JED:

Trotter sits. Gibbons rises and approaches the witness.

Bill and Stan exchange looks - Stan's looking positive about his man. Vinny isresting his head inhis hands. Bill sighs and nudgeshim.

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

96 CONTINUED: (2)

..

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. VINNYrises and approaches the witness. Rain has stopped. Gradually, sunshine comes in through the windows.

( into the Sac-o-suds, what angle

was your point of view?

96 CONTINUED: ( 3)

entered the store were ... *

JUDGE * (interrupting) * Two what? Whatwas that word? *

VINNY * What word? *

JUDGE * Two what?

VINNY * What? *

JUDGE * Did you say "youts"? *

VINNY * Yes, two youts. *

96 CONTINUED: (4) •

,JUDGE • What is a yout? •

VINNY

I'm so sorry, your honor, two • youths. Is it possible the two

youths who entered the store were

not the same youths you saw

leaving the store?

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

96 CONTINUED: ( 5)

TIPTON * No self-respecting southerner uses instant grits. I take pride in my grits.

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,

---~·-..,-----------··--•• ..--ff-·...--~--~---·------ -~~"-··--•.,..____..,___

9 8 .

96 CONTINUED: ( 6)

Tipton shrugs.

STAN looks at his attorney.

Bill is jubilant. Lisa is proud.

..x97 EXT. BEHINDTHE 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.

0 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.

J<.100 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.

101 CONTINUED:

101 CONTINUED: (2)

I,

COURT - LATER

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

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.

'( out.

(more)

10).

101 CONTINUED: (4)

Vinny takes a tape measure out of his pocket. *

VINNY

Okay. Hold this.

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

VINNY * This is fifty feet. Half the * distance. * (slowly waves two fingers)

( Mrs. Riley, can you see how many

fingers I have showing?

Mrs. Riley squints, and so does the Judge.

104,

101 CONTINUED: (5)

The phone rings. Vinny answers.

TROTTER " Youdid good today,·yankee. I likethe competition. It makes things fun. You like competition, too?

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.

(

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

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

( objection'.

2/7/91

103 CONTINUED:

Vinny throws his arms up in agesture of despair.

we comparedthe tire marks they're the same model andsize tire; Michelinmodel XGV, size 75-R, 14 inchwheel.

..~ WILBUR

The car leaving theconvenience * store spun its reartires dramatically, and lefta residue of _rubber on theasphalt. I took a sample ofthat rubberand analyzed it. I alsotook a sample of rubber from therear tires of the defendants' Buickand analyzed that too.

2/7/91

107;

103 CONTINUED: (2)

TROTTER * What werethe results of this analysis?

The Judge ishanded a fax - He reads it.

Vinny rises.

,

·•'"'•:-~~~~--(

v\04 INT. JUDGE'S CHAMBERS - VINNY AND THE JUDGE - DAY

They enter the chambers. The judge is relishing the moment.

York and asked what he knew about Jerry Gallo. And do you want to know what he replied?

r

VINN'l I'm not Jerry Gallo, I'm Jerry £allo. C-A-L-L-0. .,. ..... ·l;•.

The judge ponders: is he mistaken or is Vinny lying? -.,..~~':It"':••:!--::.-

- --------------- (moret--------------------

2/7/91

L04 CONTINUED:

INT,RESTAURANT

' '

A greasy spoon, Lisa enters with an envelope of newly

developedsnapshots, Vinny is eating and going over the new

evidence, Looking at the photos, chemical analysis, etc, He can'tbelieve what he's up against.

the judge say?

-~- ,.~

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 ...

Sha 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) HJIIII•••Ididn't know I looked like that fr0111behind. Gee, and I thought I couldn't feelworse than I did a second ago. (next photo) •'- Here'• 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 inmy ear.

Lisa is staring at him, if looks could kill

"-:~---~---·-

2/7/91

llOA.

\ i 105 CONTINUED: (2) *

VINNY * Here's a case-cracker- me in the

shower.

LISA

That's it, I'moutta here.

Lisa just getsup and walks out, leaving her photographs. Vinny follows her to the street,still holding them.

He punches thewall. Then he returns to the table, frustrated.

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

/ ✓ '\106 INT, COURTHOUSE LOBBY

Vinny enters. Lisa isdialing a phone call,

He goes on intothe courtroom.

,..- ,.-

2/7/91

Vinny's at the table. On the table isa small stack of tire evidence and Lisa'sphotos. Vinny looks downbeat. The bailiff* sits Stan and Billwith him.

STl'\N Did you findanything?

Stan goes cold.

Vinny shakeshis head. Stan looks at Bill. Very bad news.

LATER- WITNESS STAND - WILBUR

Vinny takes out the police photos and shows them to Wilbur, * who is still on thestand. •·

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107 CONTINUED:

VINNYsits down. He's abroken man. He staresat Lisa's

photos. The tire photo ison top. He picks itup, stares * harderand harder. *

' TROTTER (O.S.) * Your honor, theprosecution rests.

Vinnygrabs the rolice photoand compares itwith Lisa's. • Lisa'sis a much wider angle: WE SEE BOTHPHOTOS. Lisa's is * a fullshot of the tire marksleft by the killer'scar - two, 20 footlength tire marks -about ten feet in,one tire track goesup a curb and comes down anotherten feet.

VINNY- stares some more.

Vinny- looks so happy he cancry.

Vinny scrawlsa hurried note He jumps up and stopsbeside the Sheriff,handing him the note.

112A.

107 CONTINUED: ( 2) *

VINNY * Can you trace this forme? *

SHERIFF * Not my job. You do your own * investigatin'. *

VINNY * Please. I've only got three * minutes. *

He hurries out of the courtroom. The Sheriff stares at the * note. •

,_X108 INT. COURTHOUSE LOBBY - DAY

Vinny comes out into the lobby. *

Lisa's still on the phone. She ignores him. In the background,* Sheriff comes out of the courtroom. *

0 And we gotta make up and get back

to the courtroom, there's not much time, everyone's waiting.

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? *

thru OMITTED

,X 112 EX'l',COURTHOUSB- DAY - LONGSHOT

Lisa stomps out of the front doors. Vinny runs out and drags herback in kicking and screaming.

(

Vinny and Lisa burst in.

LISA••• isshocked. She tries to leave. He holds on to her.

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.

115,

113 CONTINUED:

( profession?

113 CONTINUED: (2)

(

( She sits, gives the judge a 'look' that was previously used for Vinny.

113 CONTINUED: (3)

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

,• TROTTER Alright,.• (to Lisa) Being an expert in general automotive knowledge, can you tell me.•. whatwould be the correct ignition timing for a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, with a 327

( cubic inch engine, and a four

barrel carburetor?

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

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113 CONTINUED: (4)

The judge and jury are impressed. Vinny•s·proud.

Vinny gE1tSup.

my fiancee took outside the

Sac-o-suc:111.canwe agree on

this?

TROTTER

(glancing at it)

Yes.

photograph of the tire marks as

evidence.

The Judge looks at Trotter.

Vinny shows Lisa her photograph. *

2/7/91

118A.

113 CONTINUED: (6)

LISA

'louknow I did. *

VINNY * And what is it of? *

LISA * You know what it's of. *

,.-

113 CONTINUED: (5)

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

(

( simply by looking at a photograph!

llJ CONTINUED: (6)

(

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 nothinq.

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

....~-'·.,·"

llJ CONTINUED: (7)

VINNY

,- And, because both cars were made

by G.H., were both available in

(

Metallic Hint Green paint?

Vinny goes and sits down with the boys. The boys are elated -they pat Vinny on the back. Vinny and Lisa exchange loving looks. Trotter is having an animated conversation with Wilbur.

Trotter and Wilbur appear to be arguing. Wilbur isshaking his* head, Trotter is pressing, Wilbur continues to shakehis head. *

( Wilbur shakes his head some more. The Judge doesn't like it. *

------~---------------~-,~--~~·(CONTINUED)

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113 , CONTINUED: (9)

Wilburand Trotter have clearlyhad a falling out.

Vinny seethis and on a hunch,he rises and ...

Trotter looksJ.;ikeaquarterbackwho dropped the ballas Wilbur takes thestand.

You realize you're stillunder oath?

(' VINNY

(approachesstand) Mr. Wilbur, what'dyou think ot Ms. Vito's testimony?

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12]•'

Trotter'ssick. The Sheriff entersat the back.

Vinny turnsand sees the Sheriffat the back. The Sheriffnods" at him.

There is ahubbub in the court. The Sheriff takes thestand.

Georgia,for driving a stolen

metallic!!!.in!:green1964 Pontiac Tempestwith a white convertible top,Michelin model XGVtires, sizeIi!:... with Positraction.

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113 CONTINUED: (11)

Vinny sitsdown.

Trotter justsits there. He sighs,then looks at Vinnyand smilesdefeatedly. He stands.

TRO'I"l'ER In light of Ms. Vito's,and Mr. Wilbur's testimony ••• *

-•••the State would liketo dismiss all charges •••

Vinny jumpsup, kisses Lisa. Stanand Bill jump, doubl~nigh five each other,then both hug Vinny.

TRO'I"l'ER ..- •••against William Gambone and StanleyRothenstein.

(more)

Page 125 is omitted.

2/7/91

Page 125 is omitted.

llJA OMITTED ll4 OMITTED

ll4A EXT. - COURTHOUSE - THAT AFTERNOON

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

ViMy glances at his watch and whispers urgently to Lisa.

l 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 ViMy, He chooses his words

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 ••• l

Vinny can't take it. He tries to wrap things up - so he gives Bill a c,uickhllt'T.thPn..•

114A CONTINUED:

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

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

I ' VINNY '-

Thanks.

Lisa drives up inthe caddy and waits at the curb. Vinny sees her.

2/7/91

14A CONTINUED: (2)

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

(shakes Vinny's hand, mimicking Vinny) 11w.tnsome,lose some ••• "• Your

'

courtroom manner may be rather unconventional, but you're one hell of a trial lawyer. I'm honored to shake your hand.

judge.

He gets into the car. The Judge waves as they drive away.

115 OMITTED

~llSA INT. - CADDY- DAY

Vinny's impressed, then he wonders who Lisawould know in the clerk's office. She wouldn't know anybody.

115A CONTINUED:

-c··

angry) Judge Malloy?

(

know who he is!

( •

----~--=-~---•.-.,... ...,....~".J.,i-._,_.:.-,____,__________~

--------

128B.

115A CONTINUED: (2)

- LISA

This could be a signof things to come; you win yourcases - but with "someone else'shelp". Right? You win~ after~ and then afterwards,you have to go up to someone and say ... "thank you". Oh my God -what a fuckin' nightmare!

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

- Vinny gives her a questioning look. (He doesn't believe her).

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

_____ ,,··-----~---..r-,.,,,.---......~-......_.....,._.,..,...,.,,..'"-""'"··----~.,,.....,...........,,...r-..--.....-~~-----