Short screenplay from the Done Deal "End Of Summer" contest.
"The Last Temptation"
FADE IN:
EXT. SKY - DAY
A swollen angry sun blasts out dazzling yellow sunlight.
EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - DAY
The highway and the horizon are blurred by shimmering heat.
A DUST CLOUD comes closer.
Made by TWO CARS as they race side by side. Still too far
away to make out details, but moving fast.
The sound of their ENGINES becomes louder and louder.
Full open throttle. Growling like tigers on heat.
EXT. GARAGE - DAY
A shabby broken down building sits alone in the wilderness.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
It's dark here because it's so bright outside. Wooden
crates, empty oil drums and other junk form a tangled
jungle.
In the shadows, BENNETT, 20, looks through a crack in a
boarded-up window. Sweat glistens on his shaven head and
face. He wears a sweatstained orange overall with TRAFFIC
stenciled across the shoulders.
A dull CLANG comes from the other side of the garage.
Bennett's eyes swivel to look, the rest of him stays still.
HARTLEY, 18, dressed and shaved like Bennett, has kicked
over a can. His defiant gaze meets Bennett's ice cold
gaze. Hartley shifts position, losing himself in the
shadows.
In another hiding place, MACKENZIE, 18, attractive despite
the sweatstains and no hair, shakes her head in disapproval.
EXT. GARAGE - DAY
Two classics, a blue Dodge Viper and a black Ford Mustang,
kick up dust as they approach.
------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Bennett watches... not a muscle moving.
The growl of the car engines fills the garage.
EXT. GARAGE - DAY
In the approaching Viper, GOATEE BEARD, 20s, and REDHEAD,
19, wearing tee shirts and sunglasses.
In the Mustang, COWBOY HAT and BLONDE GIRL, 20s.
Cowboy Hat cuts out and overtakes at the last moment,
roaring into the garage first.
Goatee Beard and Redhead laugh.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Cowboy Hat parks his Mustang and hops out, opens the door
for Blonde Girl.
The Viper rolls inside. The engine's switched off. Goatee
Beard and Redhead climb out.
Bennett raises his fist -- pumps it.
Everyone jumps out from hiding, Hartley and MacKenzie cover
'em with shotguns. It's an arrest. The prisoners realize
they've walked into a trap.
BENNETT
Traffic Division. You're under
arrest for violation of the
Atmospheric Pollution Laws--
COWBOY HAT
Now hold on--
Hartley slaps his shotgun against Cowboy Hat's head. Cowboy
Hat collapses in agony. Blonde Girl moves to help but
Redhead stops her.
BENNETT
For violation of the Atmospheric
Pollution Laws, Article Seven,
Subsection Nineteen. To wit,
illegal exhaust emissions causing
ozone layer breakdown.
Goatee Beard takes a half step forward.
Hartley takes aim but Bennett shakes his head, don't shoot.
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3.
GOATEE BEARD
I'm the one you want. These are
my cars. They just came along for
the ride. Why not let them go?
Bennett and Goatee Beard stare at each other. Regret shows
in Bennett's eyes, and in his deep sigh.
BENNETT
No can do.
Goatee Beard sighs too, and steps back.
HARTLEY
You want me to disable the cars?
BENNETT
I'll do it.
HARTLEY
Only take me a minute.
BENNETT
(firmer)
I said I'll do it.
Hartley shrugs, you're the boss.
BENNETT (CONT'D)
Anything else to say before we
carry out sentence?
Redhead pushes up her sunglasses.
REDHEAD
If you're going to murder us, get
on with it.
Until now the shadows have hidden her face. Now Bennett
sees her clearly, and she sees him. A flash of mutual
recognition and surprise.
BENNETT'S B/W FLASHBACK - him and the Redhead, together in
a fast racing car, engine howling, wind in her hair,
laughing--
Bennett stares at her, saying nothing.
MacKenzie's gaze flicks between Bennett and the Redhead.
She catches on, they know each other.
MACKENZIE
(to Hartley)
Go check the cars for weapons.
Hartley's confused, MacKenzie pushes him toward the cars.
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4.
HARTLEY
All right, all right...
Redhead looks at Goatee Beard, seeking his permission. He
nods, and indicates she should talk to Bennett.
MacKenzie signals it's OK for Goatee Beard and Blonde Girl
to help Cowboy Hat stand up. They do.
Redhead and Bennett step away so they're out of earshot.
BENNETT'S B/W FLASHBACK - him and Redhead naked in bed,
making love.
Bennett examines her closely. Her skin's blistered red, a
real bad case of sunburn. She smiles.
BENNETT
I almost didn't recognize you.
REDHEAD
Guess it must be the skin cancer.
She looks him up and down.
REDHEAD (CONT'D)
Never thought I'd see the day you
wore traffic cop uniform. Wasn't
so long ago you were a racer
yourself.
Bennett tears his collar open, shows her the metal band
around his neck, locked by a flashing electronic gizmo.
BENNETT
That was before they caught me and
put this on. You wanna guess what
happens if I go too fast?
REDHEAD
So now you turn other racers in.
BENNETT
You think I enjoy it?
REDHEAD
Maybe.
BENNETT
You know me better than that.
REDHEAD
I used to.
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5.
BENNETT
What about you. It's killing you
and you still do it. Why?
REDHEAD
Because I won't give it up. Not
for anything. Especially not some
goon cop like you.
Bennett flinches as if she's slapped him.
BENNETT
We're trying to save the planet.
REDHEAD
The planet's screwed.
BENNETT
They're trying to fix it.
REDHEAD
Yeah? Good luck with that.
With a nod, Bennett indicates Hartley and MacKenzie.
BENNETT
If I tell them you're on a "wanted"
list... and I have to take you in
for questioning... will you play
along?
REDHEAD
You'd do that for l'il old me?
BENNETT
My lieutenant owes me a favor.
Maybe... maybe I can convince him
to look the other way. Before you
get processed.
REDHEAD
But no guarantees.
Bennett can't look her in the eye. No guarantees.
Blonde Girl glances at the entrance, judging distance.
She sees Hartley's view is blocked by Goatee Beard and
Cowboy Hat, and MacKenzie's distracted by Bennett and
Redhead.
Blonde Girl makes her move, runs for the door!
Hartley spins -- BLAM!
The blast throws Blonde Girl outside.
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6.
EXT. GARAGE - DAY
Blonde Girl hits the ground hard. Her shocked blue eyes
are open but unseeing.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Redhead closes her eyes and shudders in horror, knowing
what's happened. Her breathing comes in little gasps.
Goatee Beard is left holding Cowboy Hat. He stares at
Bennett, willing something to happen fast.
BENNETT
We could make it work. You and
me.
REDHEAD
Just like old times, huh?
BENNETT
It's different now. But dammit
I'm the only chance you've got.
Redhead sucks in a deep breath. Makes her decision.
REDHEAD
I'd rather die free than live
underground like a rat.
BENNETT
It's not as bad as you think.
REDHEAD
Isn't it? Thanks, but no thanks.
So long, Bennett.
She turns away, holding eye contact until the last moment--
BENNETT'S B/W FLASHBACK - Redhead laughs with all the joy
of life as they speed along the highway--
Redhead rejoins Goatee Beard, takes his hand, kisses him.
A tender moment, possibly their last.
MacKenzie looks at Bennett, waiting for orders, shotgun
ready.
Bennett can't do it. MacKenzie realizes. She lowers her
shotgun...
Hartley herds them toward the entrance at gunpoint. Goatee
Beard resists but Hartley savagely clubs him. Goatee Beard,
Redhead and Cowboy Hat stumble outside.
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7.
MacKenzie looks at Bennett -- is this what you want?
THREE RAPID SHOTS from outside. Each shot makes Bennett
flinch. He turns away and screws his eyes tight shut.
Hartley comes back inside, reloading his shotgun. He sits
on one of the cars and grins, pleased with himself.
MacKenzie tosses Hartley a radio.
MACKENZIE
Call it in.
HARTLEY
Anything you say.
MacKenzie joins Bennett.
MACKENZIE
Who was she?
BENNETT
Someone.
MACKENZIE
I'm sorry.
BENNETT
Forget it.
HARTLEY
(into radio)
Five Niner Charlie, receiving,
over.
MACKENZIE
What about the cars?
BENNETT
I said I'd take care of them.
MacKenzie shrugs, okay.
HARTLEY
(into radio)
This is Five Niner Charlie reporting
four repeat four racers fried and
ready to collect. Vehicles have
been apprehended...
He looks over at Bennett.
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8.
HARTLEY (CONT'D)
(into radio)
...and disabled. Put 'em up on
the board. Let those other drag-
ass teams read 'em and weep. Five
Niner Charlie, over and out.
BENNETT
(to MacKenzie)
You better get moving. I want you
back at the pick-up point before
high noon. I'll hitch a ride with
the garbage truck.
MACKENZIE
Ten-four. Tell the driver to keep
his speed down.
They grin weakly at each other. Old joke.
MacKenzie picks up Hartley on her way out.
EXT. GARAGE - DAY
MacKenzie and Hartley step into glaring sunlight and shield
their eyes.
They sling their shotguns over their shoulders, then unfold
umbrellas painted gleaming silver.
They hold them high to protect themselves from the sun,
and jog away.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Bennett stands at the entrance watching them go.
He turns away and slowly walks up to the cars.
He runs his hand lovingly over the Viper's hood, along her
side, over her tail.
He moves to the Mustang. Caresses the metal from end to
end.
He's in love with these cars.
Bennett closes his eyes.
BENNETT'S B/W FLASHBACK - him and the Redhead, together in
a fast racing car, engine howling, wind in her hair,
laughing--
------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
Bennett looks at the Mustang's dash. The keys are still
in the ignition.
EXT. SKY - DAY
A swollen angry sun blasts out dazzling yellow sunlight.
EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - DAY
The highway and the horizon are blurred by shimmering heat.
A DUST CLOUD comes closer. Made by a single car. Still
too far away to make out details, but moving fast.
The sound of its ENGINE becomes louder and louder. Full
open throttle. Growling like a tiger on heat.
The Mustang flashes past! Bennett at the wheel.
...And zooms away into the distance, becoming lost in the
heat haze.
A faraway BOOM reaches us.
FADE OUT
The End.
09/05
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