Fade In: 68th Street Between

FADE in: 68TH Street between 5th and 6th in an upstairs parking lot -- early morning 5:30am, New York, New York. Two friends, Sam and Jacob, are one behind the other. Jacob looks at Sam worried. A man simply called "The Boss" motions for them to start the meeting.

The Boss

Looks like you need to tell me what's going on Sam.

Sam

Oh you mean the product? Look man, I don't know what they told you, but I'm not messing with the quality. You can check for yourself, the stuff's good, real good. Customers have never been happier.

The Boss

That's not what I've been hearing from my boys.

Jacob looks down to his faded, white high top Nikes. Focus on Jacob's face as his eyes move side to side, a bead of sweat forming on his left brow. His hands in his pocket fidgeting for a piece of gum, the gun in his other pocket. The boss is behind Jacob, Jacob facing Sam.

Jacob

I told him Boss, I told him it's just for fun, you know? The girls, the sex, the ex...just for kicks.

Sam

Um, mind telling me what's going on Jacob?

Jacob

Nothing man, we're just going to have a little meeting is all. Nothing to worry about. Boss here likes you, all he wants to do is talk.

The Boss

That's right. All I want to do is talk. My man here on the other hand might want to do something else.

Jacob looks behind him and sees the Boss put his hand in the shape of a gun, points it to Sam, and shoots the air with it. A smile forming on the left side of his face as Jacob turns back and utters something. Camera zooms into Jacob's pocket. Jacob takes out the gun and shakily points it to Sam.

Jacob

It didn't have to end this way. It was supposed to be fun, you and I. it's supposed be us two after college, side by side. Remember, you're supposed to be my best man. You're supposed to come cut my lawn with that lawn mower that keeps breaking down. Mr. Fix it, remember, remember?

Sam

It can still be that way. You don't have to do this... Sigh I can't believe I sound like those damn action movies, the Jacob, you love Lethal Weapon. We should watch it again on Saturday.

Jacob

Damn it Sam

Sam smiles and closes his eyes, holding onto the cross on his neck. Screen fades out to black followed by a gunshot. Camera pans slowly to the tense hand of Jacob, then moves up to his eyes, fear and worry showing through bloodshot eyes, pupils dilated.

Act 2: Scene 1: "Beginning" Rewind the events all the way to the beginning of the story. Location: Sam's house. A wrench on the coffee table beside the sofa. Sam and Jacob watching Lethal Weapon, passing a blunt to each other as a client knocks on the door.

Jacob

Come in, it's open bro.

A black guy with glasses and suspenders comes in motioning to Jacob, an a OKAY sign with his hands close to his lips.

Sam

Sup Urkel, what do you want, the usual?

Duncan

I'll have whatever you're having now.

Jacob

This stuff's laced. You sure you want some?

Duncan

Look man, I got a test for Bio tomorrow. The usual just won't do. I need some strong stuff. I'm sure you potheads smoke some of the good stuff.

Jacob

Whatever, it'll be extra okay? Oh and let me know how the test goes. I need to take that class next semester.

Sam

Pfft, you, Bio, right. I'll get a BMW way before you take Bio, Mr. I want to be an artist.

Jacob

Artists need to learn some science. How else will we know how to flip burgers when we inevtiably face the realization that our degrees mean diddly squat.

Duncan

Can you guys zip it and give me the weed?

As Jacob gives Duncan a baggie of marijuana, another customer comes in. This time it's Nancy, a 20-year-old college cheerleader. Her uniform is still on.

Nancy

I need some ex-Jacob. Hook me up.

Jacob

Why of course my lovely. Want to take some now and watch a movie?

Nancy

Eww no. I need it for my boyfriend. Ugh I have to keep this straight act up until senior year. Then I can eat all the pussy I want. Oooh, is that Lethal Weapon on?

Scene 2: "Making Bills" Sam and Jacob sit on the sofa counting a day's work. Stacks of singles on one side, stacks of fives on the other, stacks of tens in an envelope and larger bills in a cookie jar.

Sam

Why do we need to count singles, but you won't count 20's or 100's?

Jacob

I told you man, the singles are for the strip club and the big bills are for when I need to bail myself out of jail.

Sam

Okay...but why don't you at least count them?

Jacob

You sell too. You count them for me by taking your half. it's simple math bro. I just write down whatever you counted. I even got my lil bro making spread sheets. I'm precise.

Sam

That's what she said.

Jacob

That's what your mom said.

Sam

Haha okay I'm getting tired counting this. Let's take the 10's and go get some pizza. I got the onliest munchies.

Jacob

Dude this time get one half with no cheese, unless you want me to fart the alphabet.

Scene 3: "Party scene" Sam and Jacob in an apartment party at the rich kid Steve's place. Someone breaks a vase near Jacob and high fives him.

Sam

So you're gonna talk to my dad for me? He's a real tight ass but he loves you like a son. I'm sure you can convince him to help put half on that down payment for the car.

Jacob

No bro, you know he just spent $5,000 on your sister's school. What I can do though is score you some coke from that chick over there. She totally owes me for scoring her some free Jamaican sativa. That stuff got her through her brother's barmitzvah or so she said, I wasn't paying attention. All I saw was her head going up and down, nodding. Never knew a chick who could talk and blow at the same time.

A football guy with a sports jacket on walks over to the kitchen counter of the apartment and stares at Sam.

Sam

I see what you did thar. Yeah, I don't feel like blow right now- Oh no...not again! How many times is that Luke guy gonna follow me? it's like I saved his life or something. All I did was give him some ex. Geez it must be my swag. Hey Jacob I just got a text from my dad about some gift? Pause to re-read text Perhaps you'll take Bio after all.

Luke the stalker moves behind an Asian guy and pretends to go for a drink at the nearby table.

Scene 4: "I want out": Sam and Jacob exit out of the 183rd st D. train station in Bronx, NY at 1:00am.

Jacob

I don't know why the fuck this damn customer wants to meet us here. Me and the ghetto don't do well. Shit that guy's looking at me funny.

A homeless man passes them and screams that Barack needs to give him some change. A short, fat Italian guy with a Red Sox cap goes up to the friends and motions to give him the drugs.

Customer

Give me the stuff alright.

Jacob

Do you know you're in New York with Yankee Stadium a mile away? Whatever, look no problem. My man here has it, now where's the money?

Customer

I told you man, I ain't got it right now, but I'm good for it. Just do me a solid. I really need it bad.

Jacob

Are you kidding me? This isn't crack I'm selling. I don't believe you when you say you need it. Give me the money or I'm leaving.

Sam sees the knife point out of the customer's jacket. He nudges Jacob to go.

Jacob

Looks like we got a little problem here, the Red Sox?

Customer

Yeah, unless you want to die tonight, give me everything you have on you.

Jacob

You think I'm just going to give you everything? Alright, here take it from me then.

Jacob pulls a gun out of his pocket and shoots the customer in the face, point blank. Camera zooms to his hand and the spatter of blood on his jacket.Sam and Jacob see guys coming from across the street

Sam

We need to get out of here. Run with me to my Rick's place in 174th st. He has a car to take us back to my house.

Back at Sam's house, Sam looks into the bathroom mirror and looks down to the blood on his pant leg.

Sam

This is too much. I need to stop before I...Jacob. come in here.

Sam closes the door behind him. Shot of the door closing behind Jacob and Jacob looking as though someone punched him in the crotch.

Jacob

Yeah? What's up? Oh and if you're going to tell me that the cops will find out I did it, this isn't Law and Order okay? it's difficult to catch someone committing a crime unless you're stupid or unlucky.

Sam

We need to talk. Look man, it's not fun anymore. I...want out.

Scene 5: "Warning": Jacob goes to the Boss's office in the upper west side, 86th street. The receptionist tells him to go inside and he closes the door behind him. The mustachioed boss clasps his hands while turning off the flatscreen.

Jacob

Hey boss, I had a bit of a problem doing a deal in the Bronx.

The Boss

What kind of problem? Did the customer not pay?

Jacob

I accidentally killed the guy. I had to. He was trying to kill me.

The Boss

Was Sam with you? How come he's not here now?

Jacob

He had to take care of something. You know him, always trying to get with the ladies.

The Boss

No I don't know him. To me he's just a liability. I heard from my guy at 174th that Sam wants to leave the business, get his pink slip.

Jacob

I- I don't know anything about that. That guy must be on drugs or something. There's no way my man would leave, it's been too good to him.

Jacob positions his hand to the back of his head. The boss stares him down and causes Jacob to feel uneasy.

The Boss

I want you to take care of it. You're the one who brought him in. You're the one who's going to take him out. And don't do it so loud either. Here, take this.

The Boss hands Jacob a handgun equipped with a silencer from one of his drawers on his desk.

The Boss

Meet me at 68th st, near Hunter. The parking lot nearby is nice and empty. The camera on the 3rd floor is broken. No one will know. We'll put the body in the trunk of my car and take him to the city dump. Be there at 5:30am tomorrow. Tell him he needs to meet you to pick up some new product. If he refuses, tell him he'll get an extra $10,000. I'll bring the money. And if you do what I want you to do kid, that $10,000 is yours. If you don't, my men will find you and give you a nice little bow tie.