The Late Shift Read online

  It’s a dead-end.

  DRIVER #1

  That’s the idea.

  SOUND

  THE VAN SLOWS AND CORNERS. DRIVING ON.

  DRIVER #2

  He’s still there.

  DRIVER #1

  Maybe he’s lost.

  DRIVER #2

  (doubtful) Maybe. . .

  DRIVER #1

  Pull over. Let’s help him out.

  SOUND

  THE VAN STOPS. BEHIND THEM, JIM’S CAR PULLS OVER, IDLING. DRIVER #2 SETS THE HAND-BRAKE AND SWITCHES OFF THE VAN. DRIVER #1 OPENS HIS DOOR AND CLIMBS OUT.

  DRIVER #2

  What if he’s a cop?

  DRIVER #1

  In a beat-up Toyota? Gimme the tire iron. Under the seat.

  SOUND

  FUMBLING FOR A TIRE IRON.

  DRIVER #2

  I’ll watch your back.

  DRIVER #1

  Watch this. Time to go to school.

  SOUND

  FOLLOWING DRIVER #1 AS HE WALKS BACK TO THE CAR. SHOES ON PAVEMENT. CRICKETS.

  DRIVER #1

  You lost?

  SOUND

  JIM’S CAR WINDOW ROLLS DOWN.

  JIM

  (from inside his car) Sorry?

  DRIVER #1

  Lemme give you a hand, college boy.

  JIM

  That’s all right.

  DRIVER #1

  I insist.

  SOUND

  THE CAR DOOR OPENS. JIM GETS OUT.

  JIM

  Didn’t I see you, before?

  DRIVER #1

  Before what?

  JIM

  Back on Pico, at the Stop ’N Start.

  DRIVER #1

  What about it?

  JIM

  You dropped off an old friend of mine.

  DRIVER #1

  Did I?

  JIM

  Haven’t seen Juano lately. What’s he up to?

  DRIVER #1

  You must think you’re a pretty big man. Following people around in the middle

  DRIVER #1 (cont’d)

  of the night, asking questions. . .

  JIM

  The only thing I want to know is –

  SOUND

  DRIVER #1 SWINGS THE TIRE IRON. JIM GRUNTS AND FALLS. THE TIRE IRON HITS THE PAVEMENT AFTER HIM WITH A CLANG.

  DRIVER #1

  (calling) Paulie! Get ridda this piece of crap.

  DRIVER #2

  How?

  DRIVER #1

  Shoot him with a trank. Then put him in with the rest of the creeps.

  MUSIC

  EPISODE SCORE.

  THRU TO:

  SOUND

  IN THE BACK OF THE VAN – MOVING – LATER.

  FADE IN THE RUMBLE OF THE ENGINE.

  A TRUCK BLASTS ITS HORN AND PASSES.

  NARRATOR

  He came to in the back of the van. The wheels were humming and there was a sweet, sickening smell in the air. It reminded him of high school biology class – and something else. He tried to remember what it was. After a while he heard voices. They slipped in and out of a dream. The tranquilizer was wearing off. . .

  SOUND

  JIM COMES TO AND TRIES TO SIT UP IN THE STEEL INTERIOR.

  JIM

  (groans) What in the –?

  VOICES

  Going home. . .

  Soon. . .

  Yes, soon. . .

  JIM

  Who are you?

  VOICES

  Soup of the day. . .

  Coming right up. . .

  Take your ticket. . .

  Yes, sir. . .

  Please, sir. . .

  Right this way. . .

  JIM

  Where are we?

  VOICES

  Heading home now. . .

  Room for you, too. . .

  It’s coming. . .

  Be here soon. . .

  JIM

  Where?

  VOICES

  Here. . .

  Always here. . .

  Soon. . .

  Yes. . .

  Soon. . .

  JIM

  (low) Can you understand what I’m saying? We have to get out of here – now.

  VOICES

  So cold. . .

  Let us rest.

  Yes. . .

  rest. . .

  Good to rest. . .

  SOUND

  A FIST BANGS ON THE WIRE PARTITION.

  DRIVER #2

  (off) Cool it back there!

  SOUND

  THE VOICES QUIET DOWN.

  CUT TO:

  IN THE VAN – FRONT SEAT.

  DRIVER #1

  Step on it, kid. We’re runnin’ late.

  DRIVER #2

  It’s coming up.

  DRIVER #1

  Look in the map book.

  DRIVER #2

  I think I see the sign.

  DRIVER #1

  Shouldn’ta let you drive. . .

  DRIVER #2

  There. “Tiny’s Self-Serve Gas. We Never Close.”

  DRIVER #1

  Pull up to the booth.

  SOUND

  THE VAN SLOWS, TURNS IN AND STOPS.

  THEY OPEN THEIR DOORS AND GET OUT.

  ATTENDANT

  Finally!

  DRIVER #1

  What’s happening, vato? [vaah-toe]

  ATTENDANT

  You bring my relief?

  DRIVER #2

  Sure did.

  ATTENDANT

  A nice one?

  DRIVER #1

  Special, just for you. Give him the nice one, Paulie.

  DRIVER #2

  You got it.

  SOUND

  OPENING THE VAN DOOR.

  DRIVER #1

  (low) How’s the college boy?

  DRIVER #2

  (low) Havin’ sweet dreams.

  ATTENDANT

  You’re not giving me a dude, are you?

  DRIVER #1

  Relax. Introduce him to the swing shift.

  SOUND

  DRIVER #2 HELPS A YOUNG WOMAN OUT OF THE VAN. HER FLAT SHOES ON THE METAL FLOORBOARD AND THEN THE PAVEMENT.

  DRIVER #2

  You’re up, sweets.

  GAS STATION GIRL

  (dazed) Which pump, please? No credit cards. . .

  DRIVER #1

  Ain’t she fine?

  ATTENDANT

  Whoa.

  DRIVER #2

  You don’t like her?

  ATTENDANT

  (sniffing) Pew. She reeks.

  DRIVER #1

  So? She sits behind the glass.

  ATTENDANT

  She’ll stink up the booth. Tiny says clean uniforms.

  DRIVER #2

  Give her yours. You’re goin’ home.

  ATTENDANT

  No way. I’d have to wash it.

  GAS STATION GIRL

  Exact change only. Free air and water. . .

  DRIVER #2

  Might be worth it.

  ATTENDANT

  How come?

  DRIVER #2

  You get to put it on her.

  MUSIC.

  EPISODE SCORE (DARK).

  SOUND

  BRIDGE THRU TO:

  IN THE VAN – MOVING AGAIN – LATER.

  AS A SIREN PASSES.

  THE VAN SLOWS AND TURNS INTO ANOTHER LOT.

  DRIVER #1

  Roll your window down and talk to the plastic chicken.

  SOUND

  VAN WINDOW ROLLING DOWN.

  FAST-FOOD GUY

  (from a tiny speaker) Welcome to El Polio Muerto. Take your order? Chinken tenders, hot wings. . .

  DRIVER #2

  Sounds good to me!

  DRIVER #1

  On the way out.

  FAST-FOOD GUY

  That you guys?

  DRIVER #2

  Big as life.

  FAST-FOOD GUY

  You’re late.

  DRIVER #2
/>   Good help’s hard to find.

  FAST-FOOD GUY

  Come around to the side.

  SOUND

  THE VAN DRIVES SLOWLY THRU THE LOT.

  DRIVER #2

  Get him ready.

  DRIVER #1

  (calling) Wake up back there, Chicky-Boy!

  CHICKY-BOY

  (off, groggy, from behind them) Take your order. Chicken tenders. . . chicken wings. . . clucky bucket. Take your order. . .

  DRIVER #2

  Order me one clucky bucket, to go!

  MUSIC

  EPISODE SCORE.

  BRIDGE THRU TO:

  SOUND

  IN THE VAN – MOVING – LATER.

  DRIVER #2

  All done, boss?

  DRIVER #1

  One more stop.

  DRIVER #2

  We don’t have any more. ’Cept for College Boy. . .

  DRIVER #1

  GO up in the hills.

  DRIVER #2

  Oh, I get it. Another “accident”. But Manny, it’s too soon, after last night. . .

  DRIVER #1

  Take the road up the canyon, past the cemetery.

  DRIVER #2

  What’s up there?

  DRIVER #1

  You like TV, Paulie?

  DRIVER #2

  I guess. The ones with the car chases.

  DRIVER #1

  Well, where do you think they film those car chases? Not in Hollywood – too much

  DRIVER #1 (cont’d)

  traffic. They like to get away from it all. Do anything they want.

  DRIVER #2

  You mean we’re goin’ to a movie set?

  DRIVER #1

  Second-unit. That’s where the real action is.

  DRIVER #2

  Man, oh, man. . .!

  DRIVER #1

  Hang a right. Go till you see lights and a generator truck.

  SOUND

  THE VAN TURNS, BOUNCING OVER ROCKY DIRT.

  MUSIC

  EPISODE SCORE.

  QUICK BRIDGE THRU TO:

  SOUND

  EXT. – NIGHT – MOVIE LOCATION.

  OUTDOOR ATMOSPHERE. IN THE B.G. AN ELECTRIC DRILL, HAMMERS ON METAL AND WOOD, FOOTSTEPS ON DIRT. AND IN THE DISTANCE, A FAINT RUMBLE OF THUNDER.

  DIRECTOR

  (calling) Let’s go, people! Last shot of the night.

  CREW #1

  (off) All set up over here.

  CREW #2

  (off) Give me one minute.

  DIRECTOR

  Camera?

  CREW #3

  (off) Ready.

  DIRECTOR

  Is the ramp clear?

  CREW #3

  All the way to the end.

  DIRECTOR

  You sure it’ll hold?

  CREW #1

  Definitely.

  DIRECTOR

  Somebody dust the hood of the car. I want it to shine.

  CREW #1

  Yes, sir.

  DIRECTOR

  Where’s the dummy? I can’t see the dummy.

  CREW #2

  He keeps fallin’ over.

  DIRECTOR

  Well, wire him up! Flares for the pyro.

  CREW #2

  Check.

  DIRECTOR

  Push the button, soon as it goes off the ramp and touches down. This isn’t a run-through. I need it in one. Now. . . let’s make it real!

  CREW #2

  Switches set.

  CREW #1

  On your count. . .

  CREW #3

  Wait.

  DIRECTOR

  Now what?

  CREW #3

  The dummy.

  DIRECTOR

  What’s wrong with it?

  CREW #3

  Check the monitor. He’s not lookin’ so real.

  DIRECTOR

  What happened to the hat? Somebody put it on him. Pull it down low.

  CREW #3

  Can’t. It won’t match.

  DIRECTOR

  Why not?

  CREW #3

  He lost the hat in the previous scene.

  DIRECTOR

  So turn the head away.

  CREW #3

  He’s supposed to be watchin’ the road.

  DIRECTOR

  Then – think of something. That’s your job!

  CREW #3

  Give me a hint.

  DIRECTOR

  Let the car go by. Pan from behind, so the face doesn’t show.

  CREW #3

  Then they’ll see the end of the ramp.

  CREW #1

  I can lay a few more feet.

  DIRECTOR

  There’s no time. One more hour and we lose the dark.

  CREW #2

  How’s this? Camera angle from in front. When the burn starts, we can’t see him through the windshield, ’cause of all the smoke.

  DIRECTOR

  Then what’s the point of the shot? Read the script! He goes off the end, comes down, and catches fire! We see him burning in the wreck! This isn’t some Old Starsky and Hutch – it’s hi-def!

  SOUND

  THE VAN ARRIVES OVER A BUMPY ACCESS ROAD, PUMPING MUFFLED MUSIC, AND STOPS.

  CREW #1

  Who’s that?

  DIRECTOR

  (surprised) I don’t believe it. The cavalry.

  SOUND

  THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND THE DRIVERS GET OUT. THEY WALK UP TO THE DIRECTOR.

  DRIVER #1

  Hey, big guy.

  DIRECTOR

  How did you know?

  DRIVER #1

  I got ESP. This is Paulino, my new boy.

  DRIVER #2

  Hi! I seen your show lots of times. . .!

  DIRECTOR

  I should’ve called you in the first place. Walk with me.

  SOUND

  THEY WALK OVER TWIGS AND GRAVEL, BACK TO THE VAN.

  DRIVER #1

  What do you need?

  DIRECTOR

  What’s in the van tonight?

  DRIVER #2

  One male. Fresh as a daisy.

  DIRECTOR

  You want him back?

  DRIVER #1

  Why? You gonna take him home?

  DIRECTOR

  Car crash. A real torch job.

  DRIVER #1

  Crispy-critter time.

  DIRECTOR

  There won’t be much left.

  DRIVER #1

  No problem. He was gonna get cremated anyway.

  DRIVER #2

  Is this for Streets of Pacoima? That’s

  DRIVER #2 (cont’d)

  my favorite show. I watch it all the time. . .

  DRIVER #1

  Shut up, Paulie. (to the director) One time only, huh? Cost you extra.

  DIRECTOR

  Invoice the studio. Make it for “Overtime craft services.”

  DRIVER #1

  This one’s off the books.

  DIRECTOR

  Then send the bill to my secretary.

  DRIVER #1

  Aren’t you gonna ask how much?

  DIRECTOR

  What choice do I have? We’re over-schedule. Either it’s in the can tonight – or I am. (calling) Donnie!

  CREW #4

  (off) Yo!

  DIRECTOR

  Wannna earn a bonus?

  SOUND

  A CREWMAN HURRIES OVER.

  CREW #4

  Sure!

  SOUND

  THE BACK DOOR OF THE VAN OPENS.

  DRIVER #1

  He’s all yours.

  CREW #4

  Huh?

  DIRECTOR

  Strap him in the car.

  DRIVER #2

  Let’s go, sweetmeat.

  SOUND

  DRAGGING JIM OUT.

  JIM

  (groggy) What. . .

  DIRECTOR

  Take the mask off the dummy and put it

  DIRECTOR (cont’d)

  over his head
.

  CREW #4

  Him? But – but he’s. . .

  DIRECTOR

  You’ve got a lot to learn about the business, son. Let me explain it to you. (confidentially) The man is a terminal cancer patient, all right? He wants to cash in his life insurance policy. Or would you rather see his family on the street?

  CREW #4

  No, but – I mean –