1. GRIDLOCK
written by
Barry Canty
WGA REGISTERED
(310) 867-1041
Cantybp10@yahoo.com

2. INT. PACKED COURTROOM - MORNING
KEITH MORRIS (28)
Defendant. Black. Short and lean with a calmness about him.
Keith stands facing the JURY.
MARK GREEN (29)
Prosecuting attorney. White. A dandy in a $3,500 suit,
channeling Ari Gold from Entourage.
FRANCISCO PALADAR (38), a muscular cholo gangbanger with too
many prison tats for his suit to conceal.
ELISA MORRIS (27), Keith’s wife, Latino, is on the opposite
side of the gallery.
Everyone waits for the JUDGE to speak.
JUDGE
What is your verdict?
A collective holding of the breath...
JURY FOREMAN
Guilty.
Francisco’s supporters CHEER and Keith’s BOO loudly. Keith
glances over his shoulder and gives his wife a subtle nod.
Elisa shakes her head no vigorously, but Keith insists. She
finally gives in. Francisco is the only to notice this.
ELISA
No!!!!!!
Elisa screams and flails ABOUT. A raucous ensues.
Two BAILIFFS hurry toward Keith with handcuffs. He extends
his arms and, when the men are within reach, head butts one
and snatches his weapon, then punches the other and takes his
gun as well.
Keith leaps over the defense table and grabs Mark Green. The
courtroom falls silent.
MARK
Everybody stay calm. He’s not gonna...
Keith cocks one of the guns and presses the barrel against
Mark’s head.
(CONTINUED)

3. 2.
CONTINUED:
KEITH
Francisco, I didn’t kill your boy.
(beat)
I was set up. I just don’t by who yet.
Keith takes handcuffs and bullet clips from the Bailiffs,
then drags Mark toward the exit.
INSERT TITLE CARD: 45 MINUTES EARLIER
EXT. L.A. COUNTY SUPERIOR COURTHOUSE - MORNING
A large contingent of NEWS TRUCKS and POLICE OFFICERS are
here. The usual gridlock is worsened by rubberneckers and
construction. Reporter LAUREN SANCHEZ, sporting a Santa
Claus hat, files a story.
LAUREN
Good morning and Merry Christmas Eve, Los
Angeles, I’m Lauren Sanchez. I am
outside this downtown courthouse to cover
the final day of a murder trial that has
captured the attention of the entire
city.
INT. COURTROOM - CONTINUOUS
Keith Morris is at the defense table with his LAWYERS.
LAUREN (V.O.)
Keith Morris, a former member of the
Bethune Park Crips, who had become a well-
respected gang intervention worker, will
learn if he will be found guilty of
killing Carlos Paladar.
Francisco Paladar sits in a near catatonic state.
LAUREN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
The 15-year-old victim was the son of
Francisco Paladar, alleged leader of the
largest Latino gang in the city, the
Hooper Avenue Lords.
Next to Francisco is MANUELA PALADAR (30), his Lady Macbeth-
esque, second wife. Manuela is joined by her two young
DAUGHTERS and Francisco’s right hand man, NESTOR (36).
LAUREN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Prosecuting attorney Mark Green asserts
the killing was over drug-trafficking
territory in South Los Angeles.
(CONTINUED)

4. 3.
CONTINUED:
Mark Green stands to give his closing argument.
LAUREN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Green, the controversial Harvard-trained
lawyer, and son of famed criminal defense
attorney and civil rights activist Walter
Green, has legal problems of his own. He
is currently under investigation by the
California State Bar Association for a
host of ethics violations.
(beat)
Green is due to receive a ruling the day
after Christmas to determine if his
license to practice law will be revoked.
Keith smiles to Elisa as she holds their son SHANE (5).
Keith’s mother VIOLET (65) is here as well.
LAUREN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Morris has been free on bail since the
killing took place, with a $1 million
bond secured by Father Edmond Hines, a
friend of the Morris family.
FATHER EDMOND HINES (60) sits next to Violet and watches
Mark’s highly theatrical performance come to an end.
LAUREN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Both sides have now made their closing
arguments and jury deliberations are
under way.
INT. DEFENSE WAITING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Keith, Elisa and Shane enter with Father Hines and Violet.
Everyone takes a seat and waits for Keith to say something.
ELISA
What are you thinking, baby?
KEITH
(upbeat)
That we’re gonna have a good Christmas.
I know the jury will see I’m not a
murderer.
INT. PROSECUTION WAITING AREA - SAME TIME
Manuela and Nestor stand before Francisco.
(CONTINUED)

5. 4.
CONTINUED:
MANUELA
If he ends up at Folsom or Pelican Bay,
we already have a list of people who want
the contract. He can be dead by
Valentine’s Day.
NESTOR
Corcoran or Soledad too. Don’t matter
where he’s sent.
They wait for Francisco to respond, but he’s not interested.
Manuela kneels before him and caresses his face.
MANUELA
I know I wasn’t Carlito’s mother, but I
grew to love him like a son. It will be
an honor to do this for you.
FRANCISCO
(pulling away)
Never make any arrangements in the name
of Hooper Ave. behind my back again.
INT. COURTHOUSE CORRIDOR - SAME TIME
Mark talks on his Bluetooth while texting.
MARK
I’m gonna be partying extra hard to
celebrate the verdict. Got six girls
flying in from Vegas at noon.
(beat)
Yeah, I got a nasty blonde for you.
Later.
Mark hangs up and lights a cigarette under a No Smoking sign.
He gets a tap on the shoulder and whips around to his female
ASSISTANT. She holds a can of Red Bull and three airplane
bottles of vodka.
MARK (CONT’D)
Don’t fucking sneak up on me like that!
Mark snatches the drinks and dismisses the cowering
Assistant. He pours the liquor into the Red Bull can and
reads a text message he doesn’t like. Mark places a call.
MARK (CONT’D)
What do you mean you’re having a problem
filling my order?
(beat)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

6. 5.
CONTINUED:
MARK (CONT’D)
Listen, you asshole, I’ve got $3,000 in
my pocket right now, and I expect you to
have everything I asked for.
Mark pulls out the wad of thirty C-notes for emphasis.
MARK (CONT’D)
I know you doctors can’t afford to turn
down any money these days, so have all my
fucking drugs when I see you.
INT. DEFENSE WAITING AREA - MOMENTS LATER
On the TV: EARL DOZIER (42), black, muscular, dressed in a
Santa Claus outfit, hands out gifts to needy children.
VIOLET
How can they treat the biggest Bethune
Park Crip there is like a hero, when you
outta the gang and looking at 15 years
for something you didn’t do?!
KEITH
Mama...
VIOLET
I always thought that Earl Dozier was
involved with what happened to your
brothers. He was so jealous of Shane and
Lamont.
Keith’s son Shane, named for his late uncle, starts to cry.
KEITH
Mama, please.
VIOLET
(hugging her grandson)
I’m sorry, Shane...I’m sorry, baby.
INT. COURTHOUSE CORRIDOR - SAME TIME
Mark is on another call as he sips his vodka Red Bull.
MARK
They’re not gonna disbar me.
(beat)
Well if you’re so sure, how about we make
a little wager?
(beat)
If I’m right, you let me bang that new
paralegal of yours, and if I’m wrong, you
can hit my...
(CONTINUED)

7. 6.
CONTINUED:
Mark’s Assistant reappears, a smile on her face. Mark checks
the time on his gaudy designer watch.
MARK (CONT’D)
That’s gotta be a record.
(into phone)
I need go. See ya tonight.
Mark follows his Assistant’s ass back to the courtroom.
DISSOLVE
BACK TO PRESENT
EXT. L.A. COUNTY SUPERIOR COURTHOUSE - DAY
A dozen COPS have their pistols and assault rifles pointed
toward the front entrance. A HELICOPTER buzzes overhead and
TV CAMERAMEN position themselves to capture Keith’s exit.
Keith bursts through the doors with two guns to Mark’s head.
VOICE FROM BULLHORN
Put down your weapons!
KEITH
(to Mark)
You better not stop moving your feet
until I say so.
They run five blocks through the heavy morning traffic,
followed by POLICE in cruisers, on foot and in the air. Mark
is amused by Keith’s moxie.
MARK
This is ballsy, Morris, very fucking
ballsy. But at least you’re saving me
from having to do cardio today.
They cross the street toward a SUBWAY ENTRANCE.
KEITH
Hold on to the rail. You ain’t no good
to me with a broken leg.
Keith and Mark disappear down the escalator.
INT. SUBWAY PLATFORM - MOMENTS LATER
The POLICE arrive and enter a few of the cars on the crowded
EASTBOUND TRAIN.

8. 7.
INT. EASTBOUND TRAIN CAR #3 - SAME TIME
Keith hides in a corner with Mark as passengers board. A
TEENAGER in an Oakland Raiders baseball cap and jacket gets
on.
KEITH
Psst. How much for the outfit?
TEENAGER
A hundred dollars.
KEITH
Give it to him.
Mark resists and Keith presses a gun against his kidney.
KEITH (CONT’D)
Now.
Mark pulls out his $3,000 wad.
KEITH (CONT’D)
Why you carrying a knot like that?
TEENAGER
I think I’ma need two hundred now.
Mark throws two bills at the kid and Keith takes the clothes.
INT. SUBWAY PLATFORM - SAME TIME
The crowded WESTBOUND TRAIN arrives as the eastbound prepares
to depart. The police continue searching.
INT. EASTBOUND TRAIN CAR #3 - SAME TIME
Keith has his foot in the door to prevent it from closing.
As the westbound passengers disembark, Keith and Mark sprint
across the platform to the other train, using the people as
cover.
INT. WESTBOUND TRAIN - CONTINUOUS
Keith throws Mark into a seat and sits on top of him as he
tugs his hat low. The train pulls away from the station.
CUT TO:

9. 8.
EXT. L.A. COUNTY SUPERIOR COURTHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Francisco walks out, flanked by Manuela and Nestor. They
whisper to him and gesticulate angrily as they reach the
sidewalk. Francisco stops, nods to Manuela and rides off in
a black SUV. Manuela makes a phone call.
Keith’s wife Elisa, Father Edmond, Violet and Shane exit.
SHANE
Where’d daddy go, grandma?
Violet doesn’t have an answer.
FATHER EDMOND
I have no idea what Keith’s plan might
be, but I sure hope it’s a good one.
SHANE
Mom!
Elisa turns to look. Manuela runs toward her and Shane with
two armed HOOPER AVENUE GANG MEMBERS.
ELISA
Run, baby!
Elisa steps toward Manuela and meets her with a fierce right
hook, but is quickly overpowered by the other gang members.
They carry her toward the street while Manuela recovers and
chases down Shane.
The POLICE notice the commotion and draw their guns, but the
Hooper Avenue members spray the area with automatic gunfire
and everyone is forced to seek cover.
Another black SUV screeches to the curb and four additional
GANG MEMBERS jump out to help with Elisa. She plants a heel
in the face of one and backhands another, but they manage to
corral her.
MANUELA
Hold that bitch up!
Manuela drags Shane over and punches Elisa in the mouth as
hard as she can.
MANUELA (CONT’D)
Let’s go!
Elisa is tossed into the vehicle, Manuela hops up front with
Shane and they speed away.
(CONTINUED)

10. 9.
CONTINUED:
VIOLET
Shane!!!
CUT TO:
INT. WESTBOUND TRAIN- MOMENTS LATER
Keith holds a gun to Mark’s kidney. Over the PA system the
CONDUCTOR prepares to make an announcement.
CONDUCTOR (O.S.)
Due to an emergency, the Transit
Authority has asked that all passengers
please exit the train at the next stop.
Mark smirks and shakes his head at Keith as they arrive at
the Wilshire/Normandie station. Keith quickly pulls Mark to
his feet and they blend in with the other passengers.
INT. SUBWAY PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Three TRANSIT COPS are at the bottom of the stairs leading to
the street, and another three are in the middle of the
platform.
Keith slowly leads Mark toward the exit. He spots four young
GANGBANGERS behind them and exchanges nods. The Gangbangers
square off, two to a side.
GANGBANGER #1
Where you from, fool?
GANGBANGER #3
Yo, knock that nigga out!
The Gangbangers throw wild punches and pretend to scuffle.
All six Transit Cops rush over to the fight. Keith and Mark
slip past them unnoticed.
EXT. CORNER OF WILSHIRE AND NORMANDIE - CONTINUOUS
Keith and Mark emerge from the subway as two police
helicopters fly north and south. Keith loses the Raiders
gear and scans the street for cops as they walk.
MARK
Okay, so you thought this through a
little better than I expected, but do you
think you’ll have surrendered by 6:00?
My party for sending you to prison
doesn’t start until nine, but I have
early dinner plans.
(CONTINUED)

11. 10.
CONTINUED:
Keith ignores the lawyer, too focused for chit chat. He
spots an old RED TOYOTA on a side street and they turn.
MARK (CONT’D)
Your counsel was a joke, by the way. Did
you know he went to the same law school
as Marcia Clark? She’s the hack that
couldn’t get an O.J. conviction.
They reach the Toyota. Keith releases Mark’s arm and points
the gun at him. Mark isn’t fazed.
MARK (CONT’D)
If you let me go, I’ll get a defense
attorney friend to rep you, pro bono, the
first time you’re up for parole. He owes
me for making his fourth DUI go away.
Keith feels under the body of the car and pulls out a casing
with the automobile’s key inside. He unlocks the doors.
KEITH
Get in.
MARK
I knew I should’ve asked for higher bail.
Mark’s Blackberry rings. He takes it out and doesn’t
recognize the number.
MARK (CONT’D)
Let me see who this is. Should just be a
confirmation call for my reservation.
(beat)
So are we set on the 6:00 hostage
release? If I cancel, it’ll be a month
before I can get a table at this place
again.
KEITH
Don’t you...
Mark answers.
MARK
This is Mark Green.
(a confused beat)
Sure.
(to Keith)
It’s for you.
Keith snatches the mobile as he and Mark get in the car.
(CONTINUED)

12. 11.
CONTINUED: (2)
KEITH
Who is this?
INT./EXT. TOYOTA - CONTINUOUS
Keith puts the phone on speaker and starts the car.
CUT TO:
INT. SOUTH LOS ANGELES HOME - SAME TIME
Francisco on the other end. Elisa and Shane are surrounded
by Manuela, Nestor and other HOOPER AVENUE GANG MEMBERS.
FRANCISCO
I saw you look at Elisa before she
started screaming in court.
INTERCUT KEITH AND FRANCISCO --
Keith drives west on Wilshire.
FRANCISCO (CONT’D)
It was a good plan, but I got a plan now
too, bro.
ELISA
We’re okay, baby. I know you’re
innocent!
Manuela SLAPS Elisa, but Francisco stops her before she can
hit her again. He motions for everyone to leave.
KEITH
Where’s my son?
FRANCISCO
He’s here.
Francisco pulls a chair next to Elisa and hands her a towel
to wipe the blood from her lip.
FRANCISCO (CONT’D)
I never thought it made sense that you’d
stop banging and then seven years later
up and decide to kill my Carlito.
SHANE
My daddy didn’t kill nobody!
ELISA
Shane!
(CONTINUED)

13. 12.
CONTINUED:
KEITH
Can I speak to my son, Francisco?
Francisco hands the phone to the feisty boy.
SHANE
Are you okay, daddy?
(beat)
Yes sir...yes sir...yes sir. I love you
too, daddy.
Shane gives the phone back to Francisco.
SHANE (CONT’D)
(correcting his grammar)
My daddy didn’t kill anybody.
KEITH
What you want from me?
Manuela and Nestor crack the door to listen.
FRANCISCO
I want you to prove to me somebody set
you up. And I’m giving you til midnight
to do it.
KEITH
And if I can’t?
Francisco walks away from Elisa and Shane.
FRANCISCO
Killing your son will make us even.
Killing your wife will be your
punishment.
Francisco hangs up.
Keith is in shock and drops the phone in Mark’s lap. He puts
the guns away and they ride in silence.
MARK
What’re you gonna do now?
Keith stares straight ahead and begins to pick up speed.
MARK (CONT’D)
Listen, it’s 11:00. There’s no fucking
way, even if you were actually innocent,
you could prove it in thirteen hours.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

14. 13.
CONTINUED: (2)
MARK (CONT’D)
You need to just call the cops and save
the lives of your wife and son, even if
you’ve already ruined your own.
Keith RUNS TWO RED LIGHTS, narrowly missing being struck by a
truck.
MARK (CONT’D)
Fuck, watch out!
(beat)
This is a lose-lose situation, man.
You’re gonna end up in prison for life
and your family is gonna be dead. Are
you listening to me, asshole?!
Keith doesn’t take his eyes off the road and runs another
light. He barrels through traffic at 80 m.p.h.
Without Keith noticing, Mark fastens his seat belt and locks
his door. He then SLAMS HIS ELBOW into Keith’s face and
grabs the steering wheel with two hands. They fight over
control of the vehicle and continue TRADING PUNCHES.
Pedestrians scramble to avoid being struck and several sign
posts are toppled as the vehicle CAREENS BACK AND FORTH
across the six lanes.
Mark TURNS THE CAR violently to the right and they head down
a small one-way alley. Keith manages to create enough space
between them and hammers the attorney with a POWERFUL
UPPERCUT.
Unfortunately, by the time Keith gets his hands back on the
wheel, they’re speeding straight toward the side of a BRICK
BUILDING.
They CRASH into the structure. Both men are thrown against
the dashboard and knocked unconscious.
CUT TO:
EXT. CENTURY CITY - DAY
A high-rise on Avenue of the Stars.
INT. CENTURY CITY HIGH-RISE - CONTINUOUS
EARL DOZIER, black, 42, muscular, OG, wears a tailored suit
and sits at the head of a conference table.
Gang members representing various areas of L.A. are here:
VARRIO NUEVA ESTRADA from Boyle Heights, FADED LOCOS from
Lynwood, TINY RASCAL CAMBODIAN GANG from Long Beach, MUERTOS
102 from Inglewood and ALHAMBRA HELL SIDE from Arcadia.
(CONTINUED)

15. 14.
CONTINUED:
EARL
I wanna begin by thanking you all for
agreeing to come to this meeting today.
It has been a very profitable year for
Bethune Park, and it can be primarily
attributed to you allowing us to join you
in diversifying our sources of revenue.
(beat)
My vision for broadening my gang’s
business beyond simple narcotics peddling
has meshed perfectly with the
opportunities you have presented. I look
forward to taking further advantage of
the various strengths we each bring to
the table, as we continue to phase out of
traditional street gang pursuits.
(beat)
Unless anyone else has something they
need to say, we can get started.
There’s a knock on the door. Earl’s ASSISTANT enters and
whispers in his ear.
EARL (CONT’D)
Excuse me for a moment. But please,
begin.
EXT. CENTURY CITY BOARDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Earl and the Assistant stride toward a flat screen television
playing news footage of Keith’s escape.
EARL
What time did this happen?
ASSISTANT
About an hour ago.
Earl types out a message on his Blackberry then makes a call.
EARL
Thank you.
INT. BOARDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The heads of the various gangs read reports about Keith on
their Smartphones. They all admire his audacity, yet hope
Francisco can now get his revenge.
Earl re-enters, hiding his concern behind a smile.
(CONTINUED)

16. 15.
CONTINUED:
EARL
Shall we return to business, gentlemen?
CUT TO:
EXT. NICKERSON GARDENS - MOMENTS LATER
The crime and drug infested public housing complex on the
border of Watts and Compton.
EXT. NICKERSON GARDENS APT. #6 - CONTINUOUS
Loud hip-hop comes from the second floor unit.
INT. NICKERSON GARDENS APT. #6 - CONTINUOUS
Two girls, KOOL AID, black, 16, and HOT SAUCE, Latina, 16,
dressed in Santa’s helper outfits sit before a video camera.
KOOL AID
What up?! She’s Hot Sauce.
HOT SAUCE
And she’s Kool Aid.
KOOL AID HOT SAUCE
And we’re here with our And we’re here with our
Christmas Eve edition of Christmas Eve edition of
Southofthe10Freewaynews.com! Southofthe10Freewaynews.com!
KOOL AID
Letting you know what’s good...
HOT SAUCE
...in tha muthafuckin’ hood!
KOOL AID
I like your outfit, Hot.
HOT SAUCE
I like yours too, Kool. And the boys
look handsome as well.
RUBEN and ANDRE, both 16 months old, are in elf uniforms.
KOOL AID
We’re blessed to have such good looking
sons, aren’t we?
HOT SAUCE
Yes, ma’am.
(CONTINUED)

17. 16.
CONTINUED:
KOOL AID
I just hope they can grow up to be
men...without having to worry about being
gunned down by some coward like that punk
Keith Morris who escaped today!
HOT SAUCE
Bitch ass nigga! Well, we gonna relay a
little message from Earl Dozier of the
Bethune Parks Crips. The gang that mark
ass busta Keith Morris used to be with.
KOOL AID
Earl just hit us up so we could spread
the word about the reward he’s putting up
for the capture of that punk bitch Keith
Morris. As a show of black/brown unity in
these here streets.
(to Hot Sauce)
Should I tell ‘em how much the reward is?
HOT SAUCE
I think you should.
KOOL AID
I don’t know, I’m too excited just
thinking about it! You do it.
HOT SAUCE
For real?
KOOL AID
Fa sho’.
HOT SAUCE
Half a million dollars dead, $1 million
alive! That’s right, any gang that can
kill or capture Keith Morris by the end
of the day is gonna be swimming in a sea
of muthafuckin’ dead Presidents.
(beat)
Now that’s the kinda Christmas gift
that’ll get you love from all the mommies
and hood rats around the way!
(beat)
Why you think Earl’s giving out more if
he’s alive?
KOOL AID
Girl, you know how niggas is. They
probably got some old neighborhood beef
we ain’t heard about or something like
that.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

18. 17.
CONTINUED: (2)
KOOL AID (CONT'D)
(beat)
Oooh, can I dedicate a song to Keith
Morris?
HOT SAUCE
Yessir.
KOOL AID
“100 Miles and Running” from them niggas
from Compton and South Central - NWA!
START MONTAGE
Note: This is where the title sequence will begin.
On Adams Boulevard, BLACK GANG MEMBERS hold an iPad and watch
Kool Aid and Hot Sauce. Still photos of Keith and video
footage from today’s escape are shown.
HOT SAUCE (V.O.)
Westside Rollin 20 Bloods, where you at?
The gang members cheer at being called out.
On a street corner in Compton, LATINO GANG MEMBERS crowd
around an iPhone.
KOOL AID (V.O.)
Florenica 13, where the fuck you at?
BLACK GANG MEMBERS at the corner of Broadway and 11th watch
Kool Aid and Hot Sauce on a Blackberry.
HOT SAUCE (V.O.)
Broadway Gangster Crips, holla if you
hear me!
The Crips comply.
In the backyard of a house in Carson, a SAMOAN TEENAGER runs
out holding a laptop to show his UNCLES. Kool Aid and Hot
Sauce are on the monitor.
KOOL AID (V.O.)
Samoan Warriors Bounty Hunters!
The Samoans slap each other five and prepare to head out.
HOT SAUCE (V.O.)
Virginia Street! Garden Grove Town Mob!
KOOL AID (V.O.)
Who the fuck is that?
(CONTINUED)

19. 18.
CONTINUED: (3)
HOT SAUCE (V.O.)
Them crazy ass Vietnamese in Cerritos.
KOOL AID (V.O.)
Aight, aight. I got some more Asians for
you. Sonny Side Wah Ching in Torrance
and Bahalana Gang in Hawthorne!
We see gangs in their respective territories hearing
themselves name checked. MOCK WANTED POSTERS with Keith’s
mug shot are posted all over L.A. County.
HOT SAUCE (V.O.)
Good luck, muthafuckas!
DISSOLVE
EXT. KOREATOWN ALLEY - MOMENTS LATER
Keith and Mark slowly regain consciousness from the crash and
tumble from the passenger side of the Toyota. Keith is first
to his feet as the sound of SIRENS gets closer.
KEITH
I knew I should’ve taken somebody else.
Your dumb ass almost killed me.
MARK
Where are the fucking cops?
Keith jerks Mark up by his lapels.
KEITH
C’mon.
They head down the alley and see six drunk KOREAN MEN
stumbling from the rear of a building with a group of WOMEN.
They’ve been partying since last night.
One of the men watches a video on his phone. He compares the
images he’s viewing to the black man thirty feet away and
shows the others.
MARK
What’s happening?
The Korean Men form a line across the alley.
KEITH
They’re from the Korean Killers gang.
(CONTINUED)

20. 19.
CONTINUED:
MARK
I prosecuted a case against them. They
run all the prostitutes in K-town. They
were trying to squeeze out their
competition by posing as johns, then
beating and raping the women when they
showed up.
KEITH
How do you rape a hooker?
MARK
The Korean Killers did it pretty
brutally.
KEITH
(to Korean Killers)
We just passing through.
No one budges. Keith pulls out the two 9 millimeters and
points them straight ahead.
The Koreans turn the phone around and show the trespassers
news footage of Keith escaping the courthouse. Each Korean
man takes out a GLOCK and aims it at the fugitive.
MARK
Guess they’ve become vigilantes. Well,
it was nice spending this time with you.
Oh, and that offer to refer you to a
lawyer? Bullshit.
(to Korean Killers)
Yobosayo! Hey, no hard feelings about
the case, huh?
Keith lowers his weapons, slaps a handcuff around Mark’s
wrist, the other around his own, then chucks the key.
KEITH
They got no reason to have a problem with
me.
MARK
Handcuffs? Are you serious?
The Koreans hustle Keith and Mark inside.
INT. KARAOKE BAR - MOMENTS LATER
Keith and Mark are at a booth inside a large neon-lit karaoke
room as a LADY sings a Korean ballad.
(CONTINUED)

21. 20.
CONTINUED:
Just outside the door are two armed KOREAN MEN. A TALL
KOREAN, the leader of the crew, is trying to make a phone
call but having trouble getting a signal.
TALL KOREAN
I get better coverage outside.
Tall Korean puts his gun on a table next to Keith’s pistols
and exits. The Lady finishes her song and Mark applauds.
MARK
(re: Lady)
Yeah, she’s a ho. Probably shipped her
in from Seoul for the holiday rush.
A WAITRESS enters with food and beer.
MARK (CONT’D)
But you gotta love the service at these
places. Do you like Korean food?
Keith ignores the question and Mark digs in. Mark pulls out
a small packet of cocaine and dumps it on the table.
MARK (CONT’D)
Because of you, I haven’t had my usual
three Red Bulls for the morning. But
this’ll do.
Mark separates the coke into lines with his chopsticks, licks
them clean then offers the Waitress some. She declines and
backs out of the room.
MARK (CONT’D)
You must’ve done something to really piss
Earl Dozier off for him to be offering a
million bucks for you alive. Why does he
give a shit about Francisco’s son?
(beat)
Makes you wonder if he wants to do you
himself for some reason. You two have
history?
Keith doesn’t respond. Mark snorts a line, lights a
cigarette and tastes his beer. His phone rings.
MARK (CONT’D)
It’s my office.
Keith hits the call ignore button.
(CONTINUED)

22. 21.
CONTINUED: (2)
KEITH
You know the only difference between you
and the crackheads me and my brothers
used to sell rock to?
MARK
Hmm, let’s see. Education, income level,
ethnicity?
KEITH
The only difference is, they had good a
good reason to be high all the time.
Being a homeless drug addict in the ‘hood
will do that to a person.
(beat)
What’s your reason?
MARK
You sure are self-righteous for a former
gang member and convicted murderer. When
you write your prison memoirs about how
you’ve found God, will you send me an
autographed copy?
KEITH
If I really killed Carlos Paladar, what’s
my motive? You thought about that?
MARK
Listen, you people don’t think like the
rest of us, so how am I supposed to know
what your reasons were? But you were
found passed out drunk next to the body,
with the murder weapon in your hand. Now
I don’t watch much “CSI”, but that’s good
enough evidence for me.
(beat)
And by “you people” I’m not singling out
blacks. I mean all you poor bastards
living south of the 10 Freeway. With
your school race riots, drive by
shootings...
Keith SLAMS MARK’S HEAD INTO THE TABLE. Mark THROWS KEITH TO
THE FLOOR and the two handcuffed men grapple.
The Koreans notice the commotion and rush in. They separate
the men, but Keith manages to grab the legs of two of the
Koreans and UPEND THEM. He lunges for their weapons as they
fall to the ground, but the guns are kicked under the table.
Three more Koreans run in as Keith stands and pulls Mark up
with him.
(CONTINUED)

23. 22.
CONTINUED: (3)
MARK (CONT’D)
I’m a hostage! What the fuck are you
doing?!
Keith throws Mark into the men as they prepare to draw their
guns. Mark is PUNCHED IN THE FACE and responds with an ELBOW
and HEAD BUTT. He SWEEPS THE LEGS of the third man and
reaches for their guns as they hit the floor.
Keith jerks Mark away from the pistols and drags him out of
the karaoke room into the long hallway.
KEITH
Where’d dude on the phone go?
The Tall Korean re-enters from the far end, oblivious to
what’s happening.
TALL KOREAN
I left him a voicemail!
Keith and Mark turn around as the Tall Korean realizes what’s
going on. He looks toward the three guns on the table in the
middle of the hallway.
Keith sprints as fast as he can toward the weapons, dragging
Mark with him. The Korean is able to move faster, however,
and reaches the table first. He picks up two guns and raises
one toward each man’s face.
TALL KOREAN (CONT’D)
Earl Dozier’s men are on the way.
Mark doubles over in pain.
MARK
I think you broke my fucking wrist!
TALL KOREAN
Shut up.
The Korean PISTOL WHIPS Mark, sending him to his knees, then
points both guns at Keith. Mark spits out blood and checks
to make sure he still has all this teeth.
MARK
You fucking asshole.
Mark rises up and delivers a PUNCH to the Korean’s chin that
lifts him off the ground, causing him to loose his grip on
the weapons. Keith catches the GUNS in mid-air.
(CONTINUED)

24. 23.
CONTINUED: (4)
KEITH
Let’s go!
EXT. KARAOKE BAR - CONTINUOUS
Mark and Keith run out to the busy sidewalk on Wilshire.
Keith rolls a dumpster over to block the exit and hails a
cab. Both men do a quick check for injuries.
KEITH
You got some skills with ya hands. For a
lawyer.
MARK
I’ve been taking Krav Maga since high
school.
KEITH
Ain’t that what they use in the Israeli
army?
MARK
Yeah. You’re not so bad either.
KEITH
I was a Junior Golden Gloves champ. Had
eight knock outs in ten fights.
MARK
(re: handcuffs)
So what’re we gonna do about this? It’s
like a bad movie.
Keith shows Mark a key.
KEITH
I only pretended to throw it.
Keith unlocks the handcuffs and flings them into the
dumpster. He returns to his unsuccessful attempts at hailing
a cab. Mark chuckles.
MARK
You think it’s because you’re black,
don’t you?
Keith takes Mark’s wad of cash from his jacket. He waves the
money in the air and several CABS change lanes and make U-
turns to get pick them up.
(CONTINUED)

25. 24.
CONTINUED:
KEITH
Nah, I don’t.
CUT TO:
EXT. OG INDUSTRIES HEADQUARTERS - MOMENTS LATER
An industrial building in South Los Angeles. The sign reads:
Jobs, Not Jails.
INT. OG INDUSTRIES HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Keith’s mother, Violet, is here with Father Edmond, her eyes
red from crying. FORMER GANG MEMBERS in OG Industry shirts
are at a table across the room on their phones and computers.
VIOLET
What am I supposed to do now, Father? My
son and grandbaby are gone.
FATHER EDMOND
They’re not gone yet, Violet. I’ve known
Francisco Paladar since he was in the
sixth grade, he may want to avenge his
son’s death, but he would never do it by
harming another child.
VIOLET
How do you know that? He ain’t nothing
but a gangster like the rest of ‘em.
(beat)
I’m looking at losing the only family I
got left in one day. All the innocent
black folk LAPD has killed over the
years, you think they gonna resist a
chance to shoot a man on the run that’s
already been found guilty?
One of the OG Industries Employees motions that a fresh pot
of coffee is ready and Father Edmond waves him over.
VIOLET (CONT’D)
And I want to apologize to you on behalf
of my son.
FATHER EDMOND
For what?
VIOLET
Father, you’re too kind. But we both
know since you put this place up for his
bail, that if Keith doesn’t turn himself
in, you’re gonna lose it.
(CONTINUED)

26. 25.
CONTINUED:
Two beefy FORMER GANG MEMBERS, black and Latino, arrive with
coffee and water. An alert goes off on Father Edmond’s
mobile phone in the other room, but he ignores it.
VIOLET (CONT’D)
Go take your medication, Father. I’ll be
okay.
FATHER EDMOND
Be right back.
Father Edmond kisses Violet’s hands and exits. Violet spots
a PHOTO of Keith smiling with several former gang members in
OG Industry paraphernalia.
FORMER GANG MEMBER
You need anything else, Ms. Violet?
VIOLET
I’m fine, baby. But thank you.
FORMER GANG MEMBER #2
(low)
Me and some of the boys were talking, and
we think it might be a good idea if we
put together kind of a search party to
make sure nobody tries to hurt Keith.
VIOLET
Why? So the police can have a reason to
shoot you too?
FORMER GANG MEMBER #1
Well, it’s not just the police, Ms.
Violet. It’s the other gangs.
VIOLET
What’re you talking about?
The Former Gang Members make sure Father Edmond isn’t coming
and wave over FORMER GANG MEMBER #4 with his laptop. He
plays the video from Kool Aid and Hot Sauce.
VIOLET (CONT’D)
Oh, my God. What has this city turned
into? And on Christmas Eve.
FORMER GANG MEMBER #2
Keith went and talked to the principal
when they tried to expel my little
brother, Pablo. And he’s helped
everybody in here in some way work to
become a better father, son or brother.
(CONTINUED)

27. 26.
CONTINUED: (2)
The Former Gang Members nod to that.
FORMER GANG MEMBER #2 (CONT’D)
We owe it to him and to you to make sure
nothing happens to him.
He scribbles down his phone number and slips it to Violet.
FORMER GANG MEMBER #1
Father Edmond would be mad if he found
out, but you can reach us at that number
if you want our help.
FATHER EDMOND (O.S.)
Can we please be alone?
The former gang members quickly close the computer and exit
without making eye contact with Father Edmond.
VIOLET
They just wanna help, Father.
Violet gives Father Edmond the phone number. He’s proud of
his men, but concerned about them getting involved.
FATHER EDMOND
We all do. We just don’t know how.
CUT TO:
INT./EXT. CAB (MOVING) - MOMENTS LATER
Keith and Mark travel south on Crenshaw Boulevard.
MARK
So make me laugh, Tupac, tell me how
you’re innocent.
Keith isn’t taking the bait.
KEITH
What part of town you grow up in, Mark?
MARK
All over the Westside. The white people
westside.
(forming a ‘W’ with his
fingers)
Not the “Westside”.
KEITH
Public or private school?
(CONTINUED)

28. 27.
CONTINUED:
Mark gives Keith a look that says he should know the answer.
KEITH (CONT’D)
Harvard-Westlake?
MARK
All of my alma maters have Harvard in the
name. Where’d you go?
KEITH
Morningside High in Inglewood.
MARK
Sorry, dude. But, hey, at least you can
say you went to the same school as a
Lakers legend.
KEITH
Who?
MARK
You mean to tell me that at a fucked up
school like that, you don’t know that
Byron Scott, one of the greatest shooters
to ever play for the L.A. Lakers, went
there?
KEITH
For real? Nah, I ain’t know that.
MARK
(mild disgust)
Are you not a Lakers fan?
KEITH
My brothers and me used to sell weed in
the parking lot back when they played at
the Forum. I been riding with the Lake
Show all my life.
MARK
All right, you scared for a second.
Keith sees a Fat Burger up ahead. He motions to the CAB
DRIVER.
KEITH
Can you hit that drive through?
(to Mark)
Watching you eat made me hungry.
CAB DRIVER
They shut down last week.
(CONTINUED)

29. 28.
CONTINUED: (2)
MARK
You should be happy. In-N-Out is the
best burger in L.A.
KEITH
White people always go on about how good
In-N-Out is, but down here we know Fat
Burger is the shit. The only advantage
ya’ll got is prices.
MARK
And employees. In-N-Out hires nothing
but high school students with at least a
B average, and well-adjusted adults. Fat
Burger gets the drop outs and parolees.
Keith laughs at the truth.
KEITH
So tell me this, man. Why are you a
prosecutor and a Republican, when your
pops was a Democrat and a defense
attorney?
(beat)
I mean, he repped Black Panthers and
people in the Chicano movement, for free,
and here you are sending they grandkids
to prison. It don’t make sense to me.
Mark turns serious.
MARK
Listen. You might be holding a gun right
now, but if you ever make another comment
about my father we’re going at it.
Understand?
An intense beat.
KEITH
Whatever. Sounds to me like somebody’s
got some unresolved issues ‘bout trying
to live up to they daddy’s career.
The cab slows down.
KEITH (CONT’D)
What’s going on?
(CONTINUED)

30. 29.
CONTINUED: (3)
CAB DRIVER
They set up check points all over the
city to look for a guy who kidnapped some
lawyer this morning. Let’s hope he’s
already killed him, huh?
Keith and the Cab Driver laugh. Mark doesn’t.
KEITH
You can let us out here.
Keith peels off a $100 bill from Mark’s wad and gives the
rest back to him. He pays the cabbie.
KEITH (CONT’D)
Keep the change.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Keith and Mark exit the cab and get off Crenshaw. As they
walk through this working class neighborhood, the markings on
the tagged walls begin to worry Keith.
MARK
What?
Keith doesn’t answer and stops at a TACO TRUCK to order food.
MARK (CONT’D)
Can you read gang graffiti?
KEITH
It’s my job to be able to.
The food is ready in no time and Keith motions for Mark to
pay. Mark pulls out another $100 bill and the CASHIER says
something he can’t understand in Spanish.
MARK
What?
KEITH
He wants to know if you have anything
smaller.
MARK
No, I don’t.
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER --
Keith and Mark walk away from the taco truck carrying $50
worth of food in plastic bags. Keith chows down.
(CONTINUED)

31. 30.
CONTINUED:
KEITH
People always argue about the best
Mexican restaurant in L.A., but to me,
can’t nothing beat a taco truck.
MARK
The last time I ate something from a
roach coach I got food poisoning.
KEITH
You ain’t use enough hot sauce. Tapatio
can kill any germ.
The walk a bit further as Keith continues stuffing his face.
MARK
So what do the walls say?
Keith tries to decide if he should tell Mark.
KEITH
That we’re in 18th Street gang territory.
MARK
Are they bad ass?
KEITH
They can be. They’re down with the
Mexican Mafia.
MARK
So then they hate black people, right?
Keith looks up the street and a group of 18TH STREET MEMBERS
sit on their tricked out low-rider bicycles, watching a group
of CHILDREN open Christmas gifts.
18TH STREET MEMBER #1
Yo, only open one, I told you!
18th Street Member #1 slaps the kid on the back of the head.
MARK
You didn’t answer my question about them
hating black people.
KEITH
We about to find out.
Keith tries to keep the gang members from noticing them as
they pass on the opposite sidewalk.
(CONTINUED)

32. 31.
CONTINUED: (2)
18TH STREET MEMBER #2
(re: Keith and Mark)
Yo.
18th Street Member #1 spots the intruders.
18TH STREET MEMBER #1
Ah shit, Christmas done come a day early
to the hood this year!
A few 18th Street pedal over and cut Keith and Mark off.
18TH STREET MEMBER #1 (CONT’D)
Is that them fools with a price on they
head walking down my street?
Keith pulls Mark to keep walking, but he stops.
MARK
Correction. “Fool”, singular, with a
price on his head. The money is for him,
the criminal, not me, the lawyer.
18th Street Member #1 rides over with the rest of the crew.
18TH STREET MEMBER #1
Word is, that you helped him escape the
Korean Killers, right as some niggas from
Bethune Park was on their way. So no,
“fools”, plural.
The 18th Street Members laugh.
MARK
You’re not getting more money for handing
me over to Earl Dozier.
18TH STREET MEMBER #2
(raising a gun to Mark’s face)
Well I guess we should just blast you
then.
Keith plays it cool.
KEITH
Your bikes are cute. Back in the day, me
and my brothers used to come to this
neighborhood and jack ones just like
that. Matter of fact, the kids we used
to beat up look kinda like ya’ll.
(CONTINUED)

33. 32.
CONTINUED: (3)
18TH STREET MEMBER #2
(pointing his gun at Keith)
Fuck you!
KEITH
What you think, Mark?
Mark can tell Keith has something in mind.
MARK
Yeah, the bicycles are pretty cute. I
used to race them...when I was a 10-year-
old.
Keith throws a stiff RIGHT CROSS that hits 18th Street Member
#2 square on the jaw as he FIRES. The bullet strikes another
member of the gang as Mark and Keith dive behind a row of
cars.
They get to their knees as the vehicle they’re behind is
PELTED WITH GUNFIRE. Keith FIRES across the hood of the car
without looking.
MARK (CONT’D)
Be careful, they’re kids over there!
The 18th Street Members run behind a row of cars as well.
KEITH
How am I gonna get out of this one?
MARK
Don’t you mean how are we?
(beat)
Give me one of the guns. I go to the
firing range all the time with my cop
friends.
KEITH
No, we’re gonna take those.
Keith has spotted two bikes that were abandoned in the chaos.
MARK
Are you fucking out of your mind?
KEITH
You’re asking that to a man who just
kidnapped a lawyer from inside a
courtroom?
Mark realizes it was a stupid question.
(CONTINUED)

34. 33.
CONTINUED: (4)
KEITH (CONT’D)
Now, these gangbangers are always bad
shots, so don’t worry about getting hit.
I’ma cover you while you grab the bikes.
MARK
No way.
Keith cocks the hammers of both weapons.
KEITH
On three?
MARK
Fuck!
KEITH
One, two, three!
Keith stands and UNLOADS on the 18th Street members as Mark
hunches low, grabs the bikes and drags them behind the car.
KEITH (CONT’D)
You aight?
Mark looks at his suit jacket.
MARK
I think I lost a button.
(beat)
What now?
Keith crouches low on one of the bikes. He can’t be seen
over the hood of the car.
KEITH
We ride out of here. You ready?
Mark prepares to get on his bike.
MARK
But I’m taller than you.
KEITH
Better get in front then.
Mark starts pedaling with Keith close behind. The 18th
Street Members see them and continue in the same direction
behind their row of cars.
KEITH (CONT’D)
Keep going!
(CONTINUED)

35. 34.
CONTINUED: (5)
Keith steers with one hand and FIRES with the other. They
reach the end of the block and lose their cover from the
vehicles. The 18th Street Members ride toward them.
MARK
Shit!
Keith and Mark cross the street, narrowly missing being hit
by a BUS. Unfortunately for the 18th Street Members, the
driver can’t stop in time and CRASHES INTO THEM in the middle
of the intersection.
Mark and Keith skid to a stop as another BUS approaches from
the opposite direction. Keith tucks his guns and sees two
POLICE SQUAD CARS speeding in their direction.
KEITH
Perfect timing.
The bus pulls to a stop in front of them.
CUT TO:
INT. BOARDROOM - 10 MINUTES LATER
Earl and the other gang leaders are still in their meeting.
FADED LOCOS MEMBER
We need to be expanding the number of
countries we do business with. Once we
get all the gangs in the city into this
and establish rules for who works in what
area, it’ll be all good, bro.
VIRGINA AVENUE MEMBER
Our meth sales are down cause they been
raiding all the labs in Tijuana. We
can’t survive on just moving weed.
CAMBODIAN GANG MEMBER
Our experience in Southeast Asia can be
put to good use, but we have to make sure
all the Latinos are down first. What’s
the word from Hooper Ave.?
MUERTOS 102 MEMBER
My people who are close to Francisco say
he’s been shook ever since his son got
killed. They think once Nestor takes
over, we’ll be good to go.
CAMBODIAN GANG MEMBER
But when’s that gonna happen?
(CONTINUED)

36. 35.
CONTINUED:
The Muertos 102 Member shrugs his shoulders. Earl’s
Assistant enters and makes a beeline to his boss.
EARL
(to the others)
Go ahead.
The Assistant whispers bad news to Earl. He takes a moment
to regain his cool.
EARL (CONT’D)
My sources are telling me there is a
strong chance there will be a change in
power within Hooper Avenue very soon.
(beat)
So I think we should be confident our
goal of expansion will remain on
schedule.
MUERTOS 102 MEMBER
Why the fuck you sound so sure, bro?
Earl flashes a white-toothed smile.
EARL
Instincts.
CUT TO:
EXT. BUS (MOVING) - MOMENTS LATER
The packed bus travels south on Crenshaw. Two tricked-out
bicycles are on the front rack.
INT. BUS (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS
Mark and Keith take a seat in the rear of the mostly empty
vehicle. Mark is pissed.
MARK
Okay, it’s about fucking time you tell me
what your plan is. That’s my second near
death experience in two hours.
Keith stares out the window as the bus stops to pick up more
passengers.
Mark senses an opportunity to escape and takes three quick
steps toward the front of the bus, before he hears the sound
of a GUN BEING COCKED. He turns around and sees Keith aiming
without even bothering to look at him.
(CONTINUED)

37. 36.
CONTINUED:
KEITH
I’m already getting locked up for killing
the son of a shot caller. Shooting a
lawyer will give me an even bigger rep
going in.
Mark returns to his seat. A beat.
MARK
You know this is my first time on a bus
in L.A.?
KEITH
Should I pretend to be surprised?
Mark’s phone rings and he quickly silences it.
MARK
At least tell me what the fuck you’re
doing, man. Why would someone wanna set
you up? You’re just some gang
intervention worker, a nobody. Why not
just kill you?
(beat)
I’m trained to consider all possible
explanations for a crime, but you’re not
giving me anything.
Keith ponders the request. A beat.
KEITH
About a week after I convinced your boys
at LAPD to go by a house on my street
where I’d been seeing a lot of Bethune
Park members hanging, I went to Monique
Oliver’s birthday party.
MARK
(remembering)
This was the night of the shooting.
KEITH
Right.
FLASHBACK
INT. MONIQUE OLIVER’S APARTMENT (FLASHBACK) - NIGHT
Keith dances in the crowded living room of this South Central
home. He puffs a joint and chugs a bottle of champagne.
(CONTINUED)

38. 37.
CONTINUED:
KEITH (V.O.)
I found out later that Monique’s birthday
was five months before that.
Keith feels his phone vibrate and checks the text message.
KEITH (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Elisa hit me up at 1:30 for me to be home
in 15 minutes. So I did what any smart
husband does.
MARK (V.O.)
What’s that?
KEITH (V.O.)
Got ready to have my ass home in 15
minutes.
Keith prepares to leave, but MONIQUE forces a drink into his
hand.
MARK (V.O.)
Then what?
KEITH (V.O.)
Shit!
END FLASHBACK
EXT. BUS - SAME TIME
Another police checkpoint. Keith pulls Mark to the floor of
the bus with him.
POLICE OFFICERS force vehicles to slow down long enough to
peer inside. This isn’t sitting well with the IMPATIENT
MOTORISTS and they curse the officers in an assortment of
languages.
The cops take one look at the overcrowded bus and wave it
through.
INT. BUS (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS
Keith gets back to his feet and helps Mark up.
MARK
I hope you have a lot of money on your
books when you get to prison, cause I’ll
be sending you a dry cleaning bill.
(CONTINUED)

39. 38.
CONTINUED:
KEITH
You know how they couldn’t find a match
for the other DNA on the murder weapon?
MARK
All the guns down here are hot, it
doesn’t mean there was another shooter.
KEITH
That’s true, but stolen weapons are
usually handled by criminals...with DNA
on file. The fact that it was
untraceable probably means it was a from
a new gang member with no record yet.
MARK
It’s a possibility, but most people
around there have been arrested at least
once by the time they’re old enough to
wipe their own asses, so it’s unlikely.
KEITH
What my lawyers ain’t point out, though,
is the analysis of the DNA showed the
person has sickle cell.
MARK
Sickle cell anemia? The blood disorder?
KEITH
Yeah. Which only effects black people,
so we know the killer ain’t Latino.
(beat)
People with sickle cell are easy to spot
cause they’re usually real skinny and
look young for their age. I gotta cousin
who’s 25 and has it. Looks like she
ain’t even hit puberty yet.
MARK
Is that the one that causes the nasty
high pitched cough?
KEITH
Yep. But my lawyer wasn’t trying to go
to Watts and do a door-to-door check for
skinny black people with funny coughs.
(beat)
So I had a nurse friend put together a
list of everybody in the area who’s been
treated for sickle cell. She finally
finished it last night.
(CONTINUED)

40. 39.
CONTINUED: (2)
MARK
So we’re going to meet a nurse?
KEITH
Yeah.
Mark starts to chuckle then laughs full on.
MARK
That’s your plan?
Keith goes stoned faced again.
MARK (CONT’D)
Well, alrighty then.
Mark lights a cigarette.
KEITH
You can’t smoke.
MARK
The way it smells in here, this is like
an air freshener.
Mark takes out a medicine bottle and pops a pill. He then
sprinkles some cocaine on the back of his hand.
MARK (CONT’D)
You want some? Actually, after hearing
your plan, maybe you shouldn’t.
Keith blows the powder off, snatches the rest of the drugs
and chucks everything out the window.
MARK (CONT’D)
What the fuck?!
CUT TO:
INT. SOUTH LOS ANGELES HOME - MOMENTS LATER
Francisco, Manuela and Nestor sit before a laptop on the
kitchen table. The video of Kool Aid and Hot Sauce plays.
FRANCISCO
When did they put this video up?
NESTOR
About an hour after he escaped.
(CONTINUED)

41. 40.
CONTINUED:
FRANCISCO
Why would Earl Dozier give out that much
for somebody that used to be in his gang?
Manuela and Nestor exchange a quick glance.
MANUELA
Maybe he still wants to work with us, and
he thinks this will make it harder for
you to say no again.
FRANCISCO
I’ll never be down with that, he’s
wasting his money.
MANUELA
But he’s offering to help us, right? So
if Keith can’t prove he didn’t kill
Carlito, he’ll be taken care of without
Hooper Ave. getting blamed.
FRANCISCO
Turn it off.
Francisco joins Elisa and Shane in the living room.
FRANCISCO (CONT’D)
I’m sorry this had to happen.
Francisco notices Shane peeking at the large Christmas tree
in the corner.
FRANCISCO (CONT’D)
So what’s Santa bringing you this year?
Elisa nods to Shane that it’s okay to answer.
SHANE
A football, a skateboard...
ELISA
Some books.
SHANE
(gag)
Some books. New Nikes and a Wii.
FRANCISCO
I like the Wii, but my kids have Xbox.
Shane’s interest is piqued.
(CONTINUED)

42. 41.
CONTINUED: (2)
SHANE
What games do they have?
FRANCISCO
There’s so many, I can’t keep track, bro.
If it’s okay with your mama, you can go
in the other room and check it out.
Elisa nods it’s okay. Shane starts to run out of the room.
ELISA
Shane. No running inside.
Shane slows down and exits. Francisco turns to Elisa.
FRANCISCO
What year did you graduate from
Morningside?
ELISA
You trying to guess my age, Francisco?
FRANCISCO
Nah, nah, not at all.
ELISA
I was a year behind Helena.
Francisco glances at one of the many photos of himself with
his late wife, HELENA, and son CARLOS.
FRANCISCO
That’s right, you two were homegirls. I
forgot about that. Damn, I’m getting
old.
ELISA
I’m sorry I didn’t make it to her
funeral.
FRANCISCO
Man, I was so out of it that day, I can’t
remember who was there.
ELISA
She was a good woman.
FRANCISCO
A good wife and mother too.
(CONTINUED)

43. 42.
CONTINUED: (3)
Manuela and Nestor watch Francisco and Elisa from the
kitchen. They don’t like what they’re seeing.
CUT TO:
EXT. SOUTH LOS ANGELES - MOMENTS LATER
An unincorporated area between Watts and Compton that’s so
bad, neither area wants to claim it. A bus stops in front of
a liquor store where a MOCK WANTED POSTER with Keith’s photo
has been posted.
Keith and Mark get off the bus. They take their bikes down
and start pedaling.
MARK
(re: poster)
I see they really love you down here.
(beat)
So where are we going now?
KEITH
Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital. Aka
“Killer King”, the worst hospital in
L.A., right in the middle of the part of
town where you most likely to need some
medical attention.
MARK
You always know you’re in a bad area when
the buildings or streets are named for
black people.
Keith rolls his eyes.
MARK (CONT’D)
Come on, even Chris Rock joked about it
when he did the bit on MLK Boulevards.
(mimicking Chris Rock)
“I don’t care where you live in America,
if you’re on Martin Luther King
Boulevard, there’s some violence going
on!”
(beat)
Is Bethune Park named after Mary McLeod
Bethune?
KEITH
Yeah.
MARK
See. Why aren’t any of those names used
where white people live?
(CONTINUED)

44. 43.
CONTINUED:
KEITH
I’m just impressed you know who Mary
McLeod Bethune was. Most people don’t
know much more than King or Malcolm X.
MARK
All of my teachers growing up may have
been white, but they were a bunch of
fucking liberals.
Mark’s Blackberry rings, and when he sees the caller ID he
stops riding to answer.
MARK (CONT’D)
Speaking of liberal.
KEITH
Yo, don’t...
Mark picks up.
MARK
Hey, dad.
CUT TO:
EXT. MALIBU MANSION - SAME TIME
WALTER GREEN, white, 82, long hair, eccentric, sits before a
large flat screen TV next to a pool. The Pacific Ocean is in
the background. He drinks Scotch and puffs a joint.
WALTER
I’d always hoped one day you’d take after
me. And you sure picked a helluva way to
do it!
INTERCUT WALTER AND MARK --
MARK
What are you talking about?
WALTER
My sources are telling me you found out
this Keith Morris is really innocent and
you’re helping him.
MARK
What “sources”?
(to Keith)
You gotta hear this.
Mark puts the phone on speaker.
(CONTINUED)

45. 44.
CONTINUED:
WALTER
Reminds me of when I was representing the
Black Panther Bobby Seale and he got
arrested in Alabama for helping blacks
register to vote. We had to break him
out of jail and sneak him onto a flight
to Oakland by hiding him in the bathroom.
(beat)
Oh, hey, do you remember my old partner
Saul Weinberg?
MARK
Yes, dad.
WALTER
I happened to mention to him in passing
that you voted for Obama and he almost
shit himself. And not just because of
his fecal incontinence either.
Walter laughs at his joke and Keith can’t resist either.
MARK
That’s great. Well, dad, as you know,
I’m sort of busy today. So what’s up?
Silence on the other end.
MARK (CONT’D)
Hello?
WALTER
I’m here.
MARK
Everything okay?
A beat. Walter lets out a painful sigh.
MARK (CONT’D)
Dad, what’s wrong?
A long beat.
WALTER
You’re gonna be disbarred, Mark.
Mark takes the phone off speaker and turns away from Keith.
MARK
How do you know?
(CONTINUED)

46. 45.
CONTINUED: (2)
WALTER
Courtesy call from an old friend.
Mark and Walter share a moment of silence.
MARK
Well thanks for the heads up. I’ll talk
to you later.
WALTER
Try not to get killed today, huh.
MARK
Will do.
Mark resumes pedaling. Keith follows him a few blocks
without a word.
KEITH
You gonna be alright?
The former attorney nods.
KEITH (CONT’D)
So does this mean you’re not a lawyer
anymore?
MARK
And they timed it so the D.A. could get
one last guilty verdict out of me, since
they know I don’t lose.
KEITH
Sorry, man.
MARK
And don’t go being impressed that I voted
for the double Ivy League graduate over
some senile POW.
(beat)
Barack Obama has more in common with me
than he does most black people. And the
only reason they voted for him is because
of his skin color. Now how is that not
racist?
EXT. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOSPITAL - MOMENTS LATER
A dilapidated structure, clearly of a lesser quality than
medical facilities elsewhere in the city. The patients
entering and exiting are exclusively black and Latino.
(CONTINUED)

47. 46.
CONTINUED:
Keith and Mark approach on their bicycles. Over by the
entrance, a CHEVY MALIBU skids to a stop. Two BLACK GANG
MEMBERS jump out and pull a GUNSHOT VICTIM from the back
seat. They dump their friend and speed off.
MARK
Who are they?
KEITH
Eight Tray Gangsta Crips. They got the
largest territory of any black gang in
L.A. And they also got beef with anybody
from my neighborhood.
Keith pulls Mark behind a row of ambulances.
MARK
Even though they’re both Crip?
KEITH
Different cliques, though. Blood and
Crip is just a label, almost like a last
name. You might have the same last name
as somebody, but ya’ll don’t get along.
They wait for the gangbangers to turn the corner.
MARK
Why’s it taking so long for someone to
come out?
KEITH
The county shut down the emergency room
here over a year ago. I guess the Eight
Trays don’t keep up with the news.
Keith notices keys have been left in the ignitions of all the
idle ambulances.
KEITH (CONT’D)
Let’s go.
They walk toward the entrance as the Gunshot Victim writhes
in pain, with no one stopping to help.
As they get closer, the massive stomach wound is visible.
Keith’s eyes are straight ahead, focused on his mission, but
Mark can’t ignore the blood and the young kid’s screams. He
stops.
MARK
We gotta do something.
(CONTINUED)

48. 47.
CONTINUED: (2)
KEITH
We ain’t got to do shit. Bring your ass!
MARK
You’re just gonna let him die here?
Keith glares at Mark then pulls out a gun.
KEITH
Want me to put him out of his misery?
MARK
What the fuck is wrong with you?! The
least we can do is take him inside.
Keith reluctantly puts the weapon away.
KEITH
Give me your damn phone.
Mark tosses Keith his mobile. Keith dials 911.
MARK
You’re calling 911 from outside a
hospital?
KEITH
It’s called “Killer King” because of all
the patients that died here.
(into phone)
Yeah, we need an ambulance at...
GUN SHOTS strike the ground next to them. The Eight Trays
FIRE as they speed back toward the hospital.
INT. CHEVY MALIBU (MOVING) - SAME TIME
Two EIGHT TRAY CRIPS.
EIGHT TRAY #1
Don’t kill the nigga, that’s half a
million dollars you shooting at!
EIGHT TRAY #2
I’m just trying to wound him!
EXT. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
Keith and Mark take cover as the gangbangers continue their
assault. The gunshot victim takes a killshot to the head.
(CONTINUED)

49. 48.
CONTINUED:
They run for the entrance and get through the first set of
doors, but see two POLICE OFFICERS approaching. Keith turns
Mark back around.
MARK
You’re gonna get me shot!
KEITH
To the ambulances!
The Eight Trays shoot out several ambulance windshields, but
Mark and Keith are able to make it safely inside one of the
vehicles.
INT. AMBULANCE - CONTINUOUS
Keith pushes Mark behind the wheel. Keith lowers the window
to return fire.
KEITH
Drive!
Mark guns it out of the parking lot.
The Eight Trays follow and the Police Officers jump in their
cruiser and pursue as well.
Mark weaves through traffic and hits the siren.
MARK
Where are we going?
KEITH
To my neighborhood. They won’t follow us
in.
MARK
What about the cops?
KEITH
You don’t need to worry about the police.
I’m the one who’s on the run, remember.
Mark sees Mary McLeod Bethune Park and accelerates.
The Eight Trays take a few more shots, but make a U-turn in
the middle of the street to stop from entering the
neighborhood. The police continue after the gangbangers.
KEITH (CONT’D)
That was pretty good. Since your career
as a lawyer is done, you should look into
work as a stunt driver.
(CONTINUED)

50. 49.
CONTINUED:
MARK
Fuck you.
KEITH
Welcome to my hood, by the way. Turn
left up here, we gotta ditch this ride.
INT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
Mark slowly brings the ambulance to a stop. Keith walks
around to Mark’s side and opens the door.
KEITH
I wanna apologize for back there.
MARK
What for?
KEITH
Not stopping to help that kid.
A beat.
MARK
So when are you gonna let me go?
KEITH
Well, seeing as how my plan is shot, I...
Keith spots a POLICE CRUISER. It’s the same cops from the
hospital. He yanks Mark out of the ambulance.
KEITH (CONT’D)
Come on!
The cops FIRE but miss.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - CONTINUOUS
Keith and Mark sprint past a row of faded bungalows with
unkept yards. Keith points toward a boarded up residence
around the corner.
KEITH
There, that house is abandoned!
They run to the back yard and Keith kicks in the door. The
cops pass the house unawares as Mark and Keith disappear
inside.
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Keith and Mark are walloped by a disgusting odor.
(CONTINUED)

51. 50.
CONTINUED:
MARK
Fuck, is that dog shit?
They cover their noses and continue toward the living room.
The house is partially lit by sun coming through cracks in
the boarded up windows. Piles of old shoes and two machetes
are next to discarded fast food bags.
Keith and Mark cover their faces.
MARK (CONT’D)
Oh, my God. Is there a dead animal in
here?
(beat)
What is all this?
KEITH
Probably squatters.
They hear a CAR without a muffler pull up out back.
MARK
Can we please get outta here?
KEITH
Front door.
They head toward the door, but it’s chained shut.
MARK
Since when did squatters start locking
themselves in?
The back door is being opened.
Keith goes to a bedroom with five bolt locks on the door. He
quickly turns them all and pulls Mark inside, as four GANG
MEMBERS, two black, two Latino, enter. The Gang Members wear
face masks to protect themselves from the stench.
INSIDE THE BEDROOM --
Mark and Keith are in total darkness.
BLACK GANG MEMBER (O.S.)
So what time we supposed to make the
drop?
INTERCUT GANG MEMBERS WITH KEITH AND MARK --
(CONTINUED)

52. 51.
CONTINUED: (2)
LATINO GANG MEMBER
I thought you knew, bro. That’s why we
came here now.
BLACK GANG MEMBER
Nah.
LATINO GANG MEMBER #2
You said you got a message from your man.
KEITH
I recognize his voice.
MARK
Which one?
BLACK GANG MEMBER
(exiting)
Let me make a call.
KEITH
His. His name’s Vaughn P. He’s a
Bethune Park Crip.
LATINO GANG MEMBER
Ya’ll need to clean this place up, bro.
Once Manuela gets everything straight
with Nestor and ya’ll fools are down with
Hooper Ave., things are gonna change,
bro.
LATINO GANG MEMBER #2
(re: Black Gang Member)
Who’s he calling?
BLACK GANG MEMBER #2
Earl Dozier.
LATINO GANG MEMBER
Earl’s too busy trying to get Keith
Morris before he finds out he set him up.
BLACK GANG MEMBER #2
I’m glad that nigga fled though, cause
even if a gang don’t get him, LAPD will
bust a cap in that ass for kidnapping the
lawyer.
(beat)
He almost fucked everything up when his
wannabe Neighborhood Watch ass told
5-O bout our first distribution spot. We
was lucky we cleared it out before they
showed up.
(CONTINUED)

53. 52.
CONTINUED: (3)
KEITH
Remember the Crip house I told you about
on my street? But what were they
distributing?
Black Gang Member #1 reenters.
BLACK GANG MEMBER
We gotta hit Home Depot and get supplies.
LATINO GANG MEMBER
What time is the fuckin’ drop, bro?
BLACK GANG MEMBER
In an hour.
All four exit. Keith searches for the door handle and Mark
flips on his lighter so they can see.
MARK
Motherfucker!
Keith turns to see what Mark is reacting to: A group of
twenty LATINO IMMIGRANTS, age 8 to 50, bound, gagged and
barefoot. Keith finds the light switch.
KEITH
What in the hell?
MARK
Now we know what they’re distributing:
Humans.
Mark opens the bedroom door.
KEITH
Francisco can’t be down with this.
MARK
You sure?
KEITH
Yeah. Somebody’s gotta be going behind
his back.
MARK
Manuela and Nestor, maybe?
KEITH
Maybe.
(CONTINUED)

54. 53.
CONTINUED: (4)
MARK
Well somebody with Hooper Ave. knows
what’s going on. Let’s get them out of
here.
Keith and Mark untie the immigrants and receive profuse
thanks in Spanish.
KEITH
So you know I’m innocent now, right?
Mark doesn’t respond and Keith heads toward the second
bedroom. He flips the locks and turns on the light.
KEITH (CONT’D)
Asians!
Twenty ASIANS are here. Mark comes over.
MARK
You’re kidding me.
Mark walks over to a third bedroom and turns the five locks
on the door. Twenty AFRICANS are inside.
MARK (CONT’D)
Jesus...
Mark steps away. Keith walks over and enters the bedroom.
INSIDE THE BEDROOM --
Keith removes tape from the mouth of an AFRICAN MAN wearing
an old Shaquille O’Neal Lakers jersey.
KEITH
You speak English?
AFRICAN MAN
Yes.
KEITH
Where you from?
AFRICAN MAN
We are all from Sudan.
KEITH
How long you been here?
AFRICAN MAN
Twenty-six days. When we arrived they
increased the smuggling fee.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

55. 54.
CONTINUED: (5)
AFRICAN MAN (CONT'D)
They are holding us until our relatives
pay the extra money.
(beat)
They rape the women and beat us if we try
to escape.
Keith can’t believe what he’s hearing. He takes a seat in
the living room while Mark continues freeing the captives.
After a few minutes, Mark joins him.
MARK
You all right?
KEITH
It’s just crazy to be seeing this in
2011. It’s like slavery, man.
Mark takes out a pack of cigarettes and offers Keith one.
Keith accepts and Mark lights them both.
MARK
We come across a lot of it at the
District Attorney’s office.
(beat)
Because we’re on the Pacific Ocean and
border a much poorer country, California
is a major hub. It’s mostly people from
Asia, Russia and Mexico, but I have heard
of Africans being trafficked too.
KEITH
How do they do it?
MARK
The smugglers -- they call them
snakeheads -- charge thousands of dollars
to get them into the country, I’ve read
about people from China paying as much as
30K.
(beat)
But when they get here, they take away
their passports and make them work in
sweatshops, farms, massage parlors, on
street corners as prostitutes, even live-
in maids. It’s happening all over L.A.,
and nobody seems to know about it.
KEITH
It can’t be that hard to escape, though.
(CONTINUED)

56. 55.
CONTINUED: (6)
MARK
Maybe, but if they go to the cops they’ll
be deported, and there’s always the
chance the smugglers might kill their
family back home.
KEITH
So they shit outta luck no matter how you
slice it.
MARK
Pretty much.
The sound of the back door opening.
BLACK GANG MEMBER (O.S.)
I know where it is, ya’ll was rushing me,
that’s why I forgot it.
A mobile phone sits on a nearby table.
They put out their cigarettes and Keith is quickly back on
his feet. He thinks for a moment then hands Mark one of his
guns.
KEITH
Let’s hide in there.
Keith turns toward a bedroom.
MARK
Keith?
KEITH
What?
Keith pivots back around and is met by the BUTT OF THE GUN he
just handed Mark. He crumples to the floor.
Mark picks up Keith’s pistol and SHOOTS THE CHAINS off the
front door. Mark looks back at Keith and they lock eyes -
Keith is more hurt than angry.
The Black Gang Member enters with his weapon drawn.
BLACK GANG MEMBER
What the fuck is going on?
He recognizes Keith.
BLACK GANG MEMBER (CONT’D)
Oh shit, get ya’ll asses in here! Ya’ll
not gonna believe this!
(CONTINUED)

57. 56.
CONTINUED: (7)
Keith gets a hand on one of the MACHETES. He HURLS IT at
the gangbanger and stands up in time to land two PUNCHES to
his midsection as he fires wildly. Unfortunately, the three
others enter and are able to overpower Keith, pummeling him
into submission.
LATINO GANG MEMBER
What happened to the front door, bro?
The smuggled Asians start to wander out of their room.
BLACK GANG MEMBER #2
Get the fuck back in there! Ya’ll
muthafuckas trying to escape?
The immigrants are quickly locked back inside the bedroom.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - SAME TIME
Mark is a block away from the abandoned house and still
running, but he gradually slows down and eventually stops.
He contemplates going back. A beat.
MARK
Fuck him. I got my own shit to deal
with.
Mark continues on and makes a phone call.
MARK (CONT’D)
Yeah, I need a taxi at...
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Keith lies unconscious, surrounded by the four Gang Members.
LATINO GANG MEMBER
Let’s take him to the kitchen.
They pick up Keith’s limp body.
BLACK GANG MEMBER
Yo, you think since we down with Earl, we
still gonna get the million dollars?
LATINO GANG MEMBER #2
We better.
BLACK GANG MEMBER #2
Hell yeah, we gonna get that shit. Even
splitting it four ways, we still gon’ be
rich.
(CONTINUED)

58. 57.
CONTINUED:
They are about to enter the kitchen when they hear:
MARK (O.S.)
The only thing you’re gonna be splitting
four ways is a Public Defender.
Mark stands in the door, both pistols cocked and pointed
straight ahead. All four gangbangers move to turn around.
MARK (CONT’D)
Ah, ah, ah. Only one of you has your gun
drawn, and I seriously doubt the other
three can get ‘em out of those baggy
jeans fast enough.
(beat)
My cop friends tell me they like to aim
for Achilles’ and hamstrings -- they’re
supposed to be a bitch to rehab.
Latino Gang Member reaches for his gun and Mark FIRES,
striking him in his hamstring. He howls in pain.
MARK (CONT’D)
Guess you won’t be playing futbol with
the homies this summer.
Keith comes to.
MARK (CONT’D)
You back with us, Mr. Morris?
Keith is groggy but manages to stand up.
KEITH
I’m straight.
MARK
All right, boys. You can either put your
guns down or end up with permanent limps.
They all place their weapons on the floor.
MARK (CONT’D)
Pick up your homeboy.
(to Keith)
Let’s lock ‘em in there.
Mark points them to the bedroom with the Latino immigrants.
KEITH
(to the immigrants)
Come on, you can go.
(CONTINUED)

59. 58.
CONTINUED: (2)
The immigrants stream out. The men shake hands with Keith
and one of the women slaps a Latino Gang Member. Keith
pushes the gangbangers inside and locks the door while Mark
opens the other rooms.
MARK
Everybody else can come out too!
The Africans and Asians trickle into the living room.
EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
The 60 immigrants stream out of the front door and into the
street. Keith and Mark exit behind them.
KEITH
I was handling my business in there, I
ain’t need you to help me.
MARK
Yeah, I could tell.
KEITH
For real, though. You gotta know I’m
innocent now, right? That’s why you came
back.
MARK
I don’t’ know what the fuck you’re
talking about. I just needed you to show
me which bus to catch. It’s not like cab
drivers will come to this part of town.
Mark stops walking and puts a gun in Keith’s hand. Partners.
MARK (CONT’D)
So now what’s the plan?
EXT. SOUTH LOS ANGELES STREET - MOMENTS LATER
Keith and Mark travel on foot. Keith has Mark’s Blackberry
to his ear.
MARK
You’re killing me on my minutes today.
Don’t you have a phone?
KEITH
Sorry, but when I was kidnapping you, I
forgot to grab it.
Mark’s other line beeps and Keith checks the ID.
(CONTINUED)