The document is a script for a film involving two gang leaders, Benjamin and Spencer, meeting at a bar owned by Pete. They discuss the recent deaths of other gang leaders. Another gang leader, Anthony, arrives and reveals he was responsible for the deaths. He says Spencer has been manipulating the gangs. A confrontation ensues where Anthony shoots and kills Spencer. Anthony removes Spencer's cuff links, symbolizing his death, and declares "checkmate".
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1 1SCENE 1. INT. BAR. EVENING
CUT FROM BLACK
The bar is almost completely deserted. BENJAMIN is sitting at
the bar in the middle seat, looking at his POCKET WATCH. An
OLD MAN is sitting on the far left side of the bar, close to
the exit, having a drink. PETE is stationed behind the bar,
preparing to start cleaning as he take one last glance at the
time.
PETE
Time o' the bar lads!
The old man grunts and mumbles, and neither him not Benjamin
move out of their seats. Pete approaches the old man.
PETE
Come on you too old man, finish it up.
OLD MAN
And if I refuse?
PETE
Then I wont serve you tomorrow, haway.
The old man finishes his drink and stumbles out of his chair.
With some assistance from Pete he stumbles to the door,
clenching Pete's arm for support on the way. The old man
kicks open the door and exits. Pete turns back to the bar,
looking directly at Benjamin.
PETE
I'm not gonna have to help you out the
door too am I?
BENJAMIN
That won't be necessary.
Benjamin takes a drink from his HIP FLASK and lifts up his
left arm to show a BLUE CUFF LINK on his sleeve. Pete sees
the cuff link and his face grows slightly worried.
PETE
Benjamin! Good to see you but... what
are you doing here?
BENJAMIN
Just some business that needs seeing
to and I'm meeting-
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SPENCER enters the room from the second entrance, striding
slowly towards Benjamin and touching his WHITE CANE to the
ground with each step.
PETE
Spencer?
Benjamin gestures in Spencer's direction without breaking eye
contact with Pete.
BENJAMIN
Him.
SPENCER
Good evening gentlemen.
PETE
I see you still dress like you've been
to a funeral.
SPENCER
How do you know i haven't.
Pete's face freezes in a worried expression and an
uncomfortable silence follows. Spencer laughs dryly at his
own joke, and Pete shortly follows with a nervous laugh.
Spencer takes a seat next to Benjamin. Pete leans on the
counter.
PETE
So can I get yous two anything?
SPENCER
Well, this is a special occasion after
all...
BENJAMIN
Why don't you fix us up with a bottle
of Joe's.
Pete leans on the counter closer to Benjamin and Spencer.
PETE
You know that's the most expensive
booze I've got?
SPENCER
I think you owe us after the last... 6
times?
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BENJAMIN
7, maybe.
SPENCER
Regardless i think we deserve it after
the protection we give you.
Pete sighs and proceeds to grab the bottle of Joe's and two
shot glasses.
PETE
Fine but I swear this is the last
time.
SPENCER
That's what you say every time.
Pete pours the drink into both shot glasses. Benjamin and
Spencer both take a small sip of the liquid. Benjamin's face
begins to contort with disgust and Spencer begins to cough.
BENJAMIN
Not bad.
PETE
What can I say, I only do the best.
Pete walks away to the far left of the bar to clean some
glasses. Benjamin and Spencer lean closer to each other.
BENJAMIN
(whisper)
If that's his best drink I'd hate to
try the worst.
SPENCER
(whisper)
Yeah, not bad... for bottled piss.
2 2SCENE 2. INT. BAR. EVENING
Pete is stationed at the far left side of the bar, cleaning
some UTENSILS. Benjamin and Spencer are sitting alongside
each other at the bar, with their glasses still mostly full.
BENJAMIN
So what you been up to?
SPENCER
well...
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Spencer places a WALLET on the bar.
BENJAMIN
Oh, I see you've been pick pocketing
again...
PETE (O.S)
They say old habits die hard!
Benjamin opens the wallet and picks out an ID CARD.
BENJAMIN
Richard D Swine.
SPENCER
Swine? What type of bloody name is
that?
Benjamin examines the contents of the wallet.
BENJAMIN
Hate to say this old friend, but you
got absolutely sod all.
SPENCER
Damn it.
BENJAMIN
Did you pull a gun on him?
SPENCER
No! Imagine the headlines, "blind man
pulls gun on innocent victim."
BENJAMIN
You don't still follow that stupid
rule do you?
SPENCER
Its not stupid, the mind is a much
more powerful weapon you know?
BENJAMIN
I beg to differ.
Benjamin gestures to the GUN on his person.
SPENCER
Then beg.
Spencer takes a sip of his drink. Benjamin pauses
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momentarily.
BENJAMIN
I know a few of the others would
disagree with you on that too... or at
least the ones that are still with us.
SPENCER
Maybe the ones that aren't regret not
following my "stupid" rule. But I'm
not getting into this.
Benjamin scowls at Spencer for a short period. Pete walks
over to Benjamin and Spencer now holding his own BOTTLE OF
ALCOHOL.
PETE
So have yous heard the news about
Jimmy?
SPENCER
Mac?
BENJAMIN
From the black death?
PETE
Yeah that's the one. He died.
BENJAMIN
What? how?
PETE
The other week... his car went up in
flames, supposedly it was rigged to
explode. Nasty way to go.
SPENCER
It is indeed, thought nothing could
kill that man.
BENJAMIN
Shame though, he was a nice lad.
Benjamin and Spencer raise their shot glasses. Pete raises
his bottle.
BENJAMIN
To Jimmy Mac, a true gent if you knew
him, but not so much if you crossed
him.
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They all take take a drink in unison.
PETE
It's a shame to see another pair of
cuff links added to the board.
Pete gestures to a board behind him. The board is filled with
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS depicting articles relating to the other
gangs, and has a pair of RED CUFF LINKS and a pair of ORANGE
CUFF LINKS hanging on it.
PETE
First Scarlett, then there was
Terrance and now Jimmy... once they
retrieve his cuff links that is.
BENJAMIN
Still hard to believe they're gone and
there's only half of us left now,
maybe another 10 years and there will
be none of us at all. I still
remembered how it all started.
Benjamin notions Pete to refill his glass. Pete grabs the
bottle of Joe's and begins to pour. The glass is shown being
filled and Benjamin's hand grabs the glass.
CUT TO
FLASHBACK:
Benjamin picks up the glass, taking a smell of its contents
and showing visible disgust on his face. He places the glass
on the table. Benjamin, Spencer, TERRANCE, SCARLETT, GG,
JIMMY MAC and an OBSCURED FIGURE are sitting stationed around
a circular table. Each have a full shot glass placed in front
of them, as well as a single pair of CUFF LINKS for each
individual.
BENJAMIN V.O
We decided to affiliate our gangs to
help drive business, put an end to the
fighting, share immunity and all that.
The majority of the gangs agreed with
the proposition that was made.
Benjamin and Spencer finish their speech and put on their
cuff links.
BENJAMIN V.O
Terrance.
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Terrance puts on her cuff links.
Scarlett.
Scarlett puts on her cuff links.
GG.
GG puts on his cuff links.
We even got Jimmy Mac to join.
Jimmy puts his cuff links on.
But there was one who refused to join,
we tried negotiating and reasoning
with him but through our best efforts
we still couldn't convince him.
The person throws the cuff links to the middle of the table,
finishes his drink and exits the scene.
BACK TO PRESENT
BENJAMIN
You don't suppose he was behind it all
do you?
PETE
Don't suppose it was who?
The door of the bar creaks open and all speech is brought to
a halt. Benjamin and Spencer turn around to face the
intruder. ANTHONY walks in slowly through the entrance
towards Benjamin and Spencer, and as his face comes into the
light Benjamin, Spencer and Pete gain worried expressions on
their faces.
BENJAMIN
Anthony.
3 3SCENE 3. INT. BAR. EVENING
Benjamin and Spencer continue to sit at their seats at the
bar, while Anthony stands opposite them. Pete is stationed
behind the bar, slowly backing out of the scene and
emotionally frozen.
ANTHONY
Benjamin
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Anthony nods at Benjamin.
ANTHONY
Spencer, long time no see.
Spencer remains unfazed. Benjamin slowly expresses his
growing worry.
ANTHONY
Evening Pete mate
Pete continues nervously cleaning a glass as he backs out.
ANTHONY
I see yous are having a little drink,
mind if i join?
Anthony picks up the bottle of Joe's and drinks the whole
bottle. He holds the bottle to his side with a slight look of
agony on his face.
ANTHONY
Still shite!
Anthony drops the bottle to the floor and pete jumps in fear
as it smashes. Spencer jolts to his side as it smashes and
his expression grows more agitated.
SPENCER
Right! cut the crap, why are you here?
ANTHONY
I'm just here to see old friends, have
a few drinks have a good time. Also...
Anthony reaches into his coat pocket.
ANTHONY
I came to drop these off
Anthony places a pair of BLACK CUFF LINKS on the bar.
Benjamin looks closely at the cuff links, which appear to be
somewhat burned. Benjamin looks at Pete, who looks at the
board of cuff links hanging behind them.
SPENCER
What? What did he just do?
BENJAMIN
He just brought in a pair of cuff
links...
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A short period of silence follows.
BENJAMIN
A black Pair.
Spencer's face stiffens up with controlled anger.
SPENCER
Jimmy Mac's.
Spencer turns his head to his side to face Anthony.
SPENCER
So that was you?
Benjamin begins to slowly reach for the gun on his person as
Spencer and Anthony converse.
ANTHONY
You'll be surprised how easy it is to
rig a car to explode.... or to make a
murder look like a suicide.
SPENCER
You'll be surprised how hard it is to
kill a cockroach
ANTHONY
Interesting words coming from you
Spencer
SPENCER
Listen Anthony, thank you for bringing
these cuff links in and as much as i
adore your company I'm afraid its time
for you to go now...
ANTHONY
I'm not going yet I've got one more
thing to do
Anthony quickly pulls out his REVOLVER, pressing the barrel
right between Spencer's eyes. Benjamin immediately aims his
own gun at Anthony from his seat.
BENJAMIN
Drop it Anthony!
Anthony doesn't take his eyes off Spencer.
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ANTHONY
I see you're as trigger happy as
always... but it seems you've lost
your wits.
The sound of a gun being cocked is heard, and Benjamin turns
his head while still aiming at Anthony to notice Pete aiming
at him with his own PISTOL from behind the bar.
PETE
I'm sorry lads.
BENJAMIN
I'd be lying if i said I was shocked.
ANTHONY
Well done mate, didn't think you'd
actually do it.
PETE
Did i really have any other choice?
SPENCER
What is this about Anthony?
ANTHONY
You know exactly what this is about.
BENJAMIN
WHAT? exactly. is this about? And I'd
wipe that smile off your face-
SPENCER
(interrupting)
Just let him speak Benjamin.
ANTHONY
Listen Benjamin, im not a good guy but
I'm a saint compared to this rat.
SPENCER
How exactly? You're the one pointing a
gun, I've never taken a life.
ANTHONY
No! you just send other people to take
them for you and if you had the
courage to do it yourself they
wouldn't have died.
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BENJAMIN
What do you mean by that?
ANTHONY
Open your eyes Benjamin, cause you
seem to be seeing less than this idiot
here!
BENJAMIN
What am I not seeing?!
ANTHONY
You don't see what's been happening,
Scarlet, Terrance and Jimmy Mac all
dying one by one.
BENJAMIN
I just see a lunatic on a killing
spree.
ANTHONY
No you see someone protecting
themselves... Do you really think i
would kill them without a reason?
BENJAMIN
Someone like you doesn't need a reason
and you never liked any of us anyway,
that's why you didn't agree to our
terms 10 years ago and left.
ANTHONY
I didn't join this stupid club because
i could see what was going to happen,
you can't have 7 gang leaders work
together without something going
wrong. Someone always wants to be at
the top of the pyramid and Spencer had
his throne placed their since the
start.
BENJAMIN
We are all one, all equal, we share
each gangs resources and ever since
the affiliation we have had nothing
but peace and prosperity between the
gangs.
ANTHONY
On the surface it seems like that but
behind the curtain I seen who is
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pulling the strings. Listen, me doing
this isn't just going to benefit me,
it's going to free you.
SPENCER
You want to know what i think Anthony?
ANTHONY
I don't really care what you think at
this point.
SPENCER
Well I think you shouldn't have spat
your dummy out all them years back,
you ran off because you hate being
told what to do and you were a threat
to us. I did what what was necessary.
Benjamin looks at Spencer and loosens the grip on his gun
slightly.
BENJAMIN
What did you do Spencer?
SPENCER
Like i said, what was necessary.
ANTHONY
You either tell him Spencer or I do.
SPENCER
Let's just say you need to sacrifice a
few pawns to get to the king or in
this case, that prick.
Benjamin begins to slowly lower his gun. Pete holds his gun
tight whilst his hands shake from time to time.
ANTHONY
And that's all he sees you as, a
pawn... don't think for one second
that because you and him have these
little gatherings means he sees you as
friend and I'm sorry but I'm not
leaving till I do what is necessary.
SPENCER
It's easy to pin the blame on me, you
were all running riot in my city.
There had to be order and someone had
to step in and take charge but if you
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think you can destroy everything I've
built over the years then I say be my
guest. Go on Anthony do it. Pull the
trigger. Cause I think this game has
went on long enough and you need to
accept that you lost-
Anthony pulls his trigger and silence fills the room.
Spencer's body topples to the floor. Pete drops his gun out
of fear and Anthony lowers his gun to his side and gazes at
the corpse.
4 4SCENE 4. INT. BAR. EVENING
Benjamin is still sitting in his seat while Anthony stands
above Spencer's lifeless body. Pete is still stationed behind
the bar. Benjamin and Pete's faces are expressionless.
Benjamin slowly puts away his gun, and Anthony kneels down to
Spencer's body. He removes the cuff links from Spencer's
sleeves, and gets back up. He places Spencer's PURPLE CUFF
LINKS on the bar beside Jimmy Mac's.
ANTHONY
Checkmate.
Anthony picks up Spencer's shot glass and raises it in the
air, closing his eyes momentarily as he does so. He then
places the glass back on the bar, upside down. He looks at
Benjamin, who looks back at him still expressionless. Anthony
slowly walks out of the bar and Benjamin's gaze follows him
as he walks. Once Anthony has left the room Benjamin looks
sombrely at the ground, and takes one last look at his pocket
watch. Benjamin closes the watch.
CUT TO BLACK.
5 5SCENE 5. EXT. STREET. EVENING.
The old man is stumbling along the street, as a single car
passes by and breaks the silence. As he walks, the old man
mumbles incomprehensibly under his breath. Anthony exits out
of the bar's doors. He sees the old man and nods in his
direction.
ANTHONY
Thanks for the tip!
The old man nods sloppily back at Anthony, and Anthony
continues walking away down the street. The old man watches
Anthony leave.
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OLD MAN
(To himself)
Thank YOU old friend.
Suddenly the old man adjusts his position and stands up
straight, stopping his drunken manner completely.
OLD MAN
I think it's time for a change of
management around here.
The old man reaches into his BAG and takes out a GOLD
VENDETTA MASK, and slowly puts it on his face.
CUT TO BLACK.