Short screenplay from the Done Deal "Touch of Noir" contest,
Feb 2008
"Mistaken Identity"
FADE IN:
EXT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
Heavy rain drums on a parked sedan. Thunder rumbles.
A uniformed, gold-braided COP comes downstairs and unlocks
the sedan. He waves up at a window, a WOMAN waves back.
A GUN BARKS THREE TIMES, the Cop grimaces, slumps against
his car, slides down.
FOOTSTEPS recede into the night. A woman SCREAMS.
EXT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT
A sign in the window, "WAITRESS WANTED - APPLY WITHIN"
MAISY, a cute blonde, reads the sign. She goes to open the
door but a tough-looking GOON yanks it open from inside.
GOON #1
The Boss is waiting for you.
Maisy is puzzled for a moment. She nods and goes inside.
INT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT - PRIVATE BOOTH - NIGHT
Two alert GOONS flank THE BOSS, a portly fellow with mean
piggy eyes. He's eating a heap of pasta. Maisy approaches.
THE BOSS
Sit down.
Maisy sits. The Boss keeps eating.
THE BOSS
They say you're the best.
MAISY
They do? Well, I've had experience--
The Boss pushes an envelope and a sellotaped brown paper
parcel towards her. Curious, Maisy peeks into the envelope.
Money, lots of it. Gulp.
The Boss pushes a B/W photograph toward Daisy.
THE BOSS
The address is on the back.
The photograph shows a handsome Italian-looking guy. Maisy
turns it over and reads the back. She's a little puzzled.
THE BOSS
I want you to do him tonight.
MAISY
Do him?
THE BOSS
Yeah. Tonight. You got a problem
with that?
Maisy's HEARTBEAT POUNDS like a jackhammer. She licks her
lips. She can't resist, she takes the envelope.
MAISY
I got no problem.
Heart still POUNDING, Maisy gets up, turns to go.
THE BOSS
Hey!
Maisy freezes. She looks back, the Boss indicates the parcel.
THE BOSS
Make sure this gets left behind.
Even more puzzled, Maisy picks up the parcel. The Boss jerks
his head, the door's that way! He watches Maisy exit.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
As Maisy walks along, she tears open the parcel.
She's so busy she doesn't notice a truck has collided with a
car. COPS pull an unconscious BLONDE WOMAN from the car.
There's blood all over her busted windshield.
Maisy finally gets the parcel open. Inside, a gun.
Maisy realizes what she's holding. She quickly slips the
gun into her purse, and hurries along.
EXT. BLACK ORCHID NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
Maisy watches from across the street. She checks the back
of the photograph. It says "Black Orchid Nightclub." She
turns over the photograph, stares at the picture of the
handsome Italian-looking guy.
INT. BLACK ORCHID NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
SAL, the guy in the photograph, schmoozes with CUSTOMERS who
enjoy the live entertainment, a four-piece JAZZ BAND.
Sal glances round and notices Maisy, looking kinda lost. He
likes what he sees. He approaches Maisy, turns on the charm.
SAL
Welcome to the Black Orchid Club.
Are you looking for your husband?
MAISY
Oh no, I'm not--
Maisy realizes it's him, the guy.
SAL
I always like to ask first. In case
the husband takes a swing at me.
MAISY
Does that happen a lot?
SAL
More often than I care to admit.
MAISY
Are you coming on to me?
SAL
Would you want me to?
MAISY
I'm taking the Fifth.
SAL
That's my favorite Amendment. Can I
interest you in a drink?
MAISY
That would be real nice.
Sal attracts a passing WAITRESS.
SAL
Ask John to make one of my special
martinis. I'll be in my office.
The Waitress gives Maisy a knowing smile as she walks away.
INT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT - PRIVATE BOOTH - NIGHT
The Boss looks up in surprise as Goon #1 brings a beautiful
Blonde Woman to his table. Or she would be beautiful, only
her bruised face is covered in fresh scars and stitches.
THE BOSS
Holy mackerel, who the heck are you?
GOON #1
She says she's the hitter, Boss.
FRANKENSTEIN BLONDE
I got held up in traffic.
THE BOSS
That's impossible! The job's been
taken. She was here, she's got...
The Boss realizes he's been had. He tears off his napkin
and throws it down.
THE BOSS
Looks like I'm gonna have to take
care of business myself!
FRANKENSTEIN BLONDE
Hey, what about me?
THE BOSS
You blew your chance, lady. Do me a
favor and cover that face, will ya?
You're making me puke.
The Boss exits along with his Goons. Frankenstein Blonde's
eyes narrow.
INT. SAL'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Maisy admires the plush fittings as Sal closes the door.
MAISY
You're pretty sure of yourself.
SAL
You can walk out any time you want.
MAISY
What if I don't want?
Sal grabs Maisy and kisses her hard. Maisy loves it, but
her purse gets in the way.
SAL
Here, let me--
Sal takes the purse... but wonders at the weight. He searches
inside. He pulls out the gun.
MAISY
Oh, wow, that. I can explain.
Sal finds the envelope, weighs it in his hand.
SAL
Unless I miss my bet, there's ten
big ones here. That's the going
rate for a hit.
Sal chucks the gun and the envelope onto the desk. Maisy
backs up as Sal advances on her.
MAISY
If you'd just give me a second--
Sal traps Maisy against the wall, he puts his hand over her
mouth. Maisy's eyes widen in fear.
SAL
You should'a walked out when you had
the chance.
EXT/INT. CAR DRIVING THROUGH CITY STREETS - NIGHT
Grim-faced, The Boss and his Goons sway from side to side as
their car screeches round corners.
INT. SAL'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Maisy is roughly thrown onto a couch.
MAISY
You gotta believe me. I don't even
know how to shoot a gun.
Sal slaps her hard, Maisy YELPS and covers her face.
SAL
Start talking. Who sent you?
EXT. DARK ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
The Boss and his Goons spill out of the car. Goon #1 knocks
on a door. A COOK opens it. Goon #1 aims his gun.
GOON #1
Health inspector.
INT. SAL'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Maisy huddles on the couch, sobbing.
SAL
Some tough nut you turned out to be.
MAISY
Why won't you listen? I came here
to warn you, not kill you.
WHAM! the door slams open, Goon #1 covers Sal. The Boss
enters. Sal looks at Maisy, she shrugs and spreads her hands,
I tried to tell you!
The Boss advances on Maisy and slaps her hard, she YELPS.
THE BOSS
Play me for a sap, would you? This
is all your fault. Now I gotta get
my hands dirty.
MAISY
You're crazy. What's this all about?
THE BOSS
Ain't you heard? The Chief of Police
stopped three lead angels tonight.
(indicates Sal)
Hanging the blame on this piece of
meat's gonna take the heat off me.
SAL
You're a blockhead, Gazzini. Why
should the cops think I did it?
THE BOSS
Maybe 'cause you handled the gun,
wise guy.
Sal stares at the gun on his desk, realizing--
THE BOSS
Don't worry, I'll take good care of
your club while you're on Death Row.
Yeah, I always liked this place.
Sal lunges for the gun -- Goon #1 SHOOTS THREE TIMES. Sal
grimaces and collapses, clutching his chest.
MAISY
My God, you shot him!
THE BOSS
Looks like he's skipping Death Row.
Don't worry sweetheart, you'll be
keeping him company soon.
The Boss slips the envelope inside his coat pocket.
THE BOSS
(to Goon #1)
Make it look like she shot him and
he shot her. A lover's quarrel.
GOON #1
Sure thing, Boss.
These are Goon #1's last words, THREE BULLETS from a silenced
gun spin him round and chop him down.
Frankenstein Blonde stands in the doorway, her smoking gun
aimed at The Boss.
FRANKENSTEIN BLONDE
Swell little party we got here.
THE BOSS
Okay. Maybe we should talk.
Slowly and carefully he takes out the envelope.
THE BOSS
Ten grand, to turn and walk away.
Frankenstein Blonde walks over to Maisy and slaps her hard.
MAISY
Hey! Would everybody quit with the
slapping? I don't like it one bit!
THE BOSS
So, do we have a deal?
FRANKENSTEIN BLONDE
Okay. As long as I get to play with
her first. She wants to be me...
stick her nose in my business...
Frankenstein Blonde pulls out a knife.
FRANKENSTEIN BLONDE
...I'll make her look just like me,
only prettier.
MAISY
Geez Louise!
Noticed only by Maisy... Sal painfully heaves himself up...
climbs his desk... reaches over the top... grabs the gun.
THE BOSS
Whatever. Have your fun. As long
as the cops find the gun--
The Boss freezes. He's looking at the gun in question...
and Sal's angry, sweating face as he hangs onto the desk.
The Boss turns and runs for the door -- BLAM, he goes sailing
into the wall, slides down.
Frankenstein Blonde spins and throws her knife -- it hits
Sal in the heart! Sal looks down... he looks at Maisy... a
moment of tragic understanding. Maisy covers her mouth.
Sal slides off the desk, BLAM! the gun goes off.
Frankenstein Blonde touches her chest, examines her bloody
fingertips in surprise. She keels over, dead.
Maisy kneels on the floor and cradles Sal's head. His eyelids
flutter, he closes his eyes, he's gone.
Maisy grabs the envelope and angrily shakes it -- it bursts
open, scattering money everywhere. Maisy hunches over Sal
and sobs as bills rain down on them like confetti.
FADE OUT
10/07
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