A week late and a few dollars short here it is:
Tussle Part 1
By Adan Gutierrez
A Black-Eyed Production
INTERIOR MICHAEL’S BEDROOM
Michael wakes up he is wearing boxer shorts and a t-shirt with a very dirty collar and neck area. Michael flips through a small book on the night stand. Michael locates the phone number he was looking for and dials it. The other voice on the line is not heard.
PHONE
Hello?
MICHAEL
Hey have you heard anything.
PHONE
No. You still haven’t heard from him?
MICHAEL
No.
PHONE
Well I was hoping I wouldn’t have to tell you this-
MICHAEL
I know my brother’s no saint, but I need to find him.
PHONE
I’m gonna give you this number but you need to know these people are dangerous-
MICHAEL
Just give me the number....please.
PHONE
Ok, (345) 345 - 3456
Michael fumbles for a pen and writes down the number.
MICHAEL
Thanks-
PHONE
Their small time but dangerous...be careful..
Michael sighs..
PHONE
..how was it?
MICHAEL sharply.
I don’t have time for this. I’ve gotta go.
PHONE
..ok bye.
Michael stares at the number he wrote down for a few seconds then sighs again. He picks up the phone and dials a number.
PHONE
Hello?
MICHAEL
Hey...I’m sorry.
PHONE
it’s ok.
MICHAEL
Thanks again.
PHONE
No Problem
Michael begins to stare at the phone number he wrote down earlier. Then...
MICHAEL urgently.
I’ll talk to you soon.
PHONE
bye-
Michael sets down the phone and sits for a few moments with his face in his hands. Michael picks up the phone and hits one digit.
MICHAEL
I need the reverse directory listing for-
CUT TO STOREFRONT EXTERIOR.
Michael slowly approaches the door of a used furniture store giving the building a once-over as he walks up.
INTERIOR USED FURNITURE STORE
Offscreen a faceless female hispanic voice talks to Michael.
RECEPTIONIST
Can I help you?
MICHAEL
Tell your manager I’m hear to talk to him about Matt Foster.
RECEPTIONIST
And you are?
MICHAEL
Just tell him.
Receptionist clicks her teeth. And we hear her pick up the phone and the following dialogue in spanish.
RECEPTIONIST
There’s some fucking white-boy down here with an attitude says he wants to talk to you about Matt Foster.
PHONE
Send him up in 5 minutes.
RECEPTIONIST
Why do you want to see him?
PHONE
Just Send Him in.
RECEPTIONIST
Well then fuck you too, I’m going to lunch.
We hear the receptionist slam down the phone.
RECEPTIONIST
Go up the stairs in 5 minutes...Joto.
MICHAEL
Thanks...I’m sorry.
RECEPTIONIST
Whatever.
INTERIOR PAID’S OFFICE
We see a door shutting as someone is exiting and Paid is doing a line of coke off his deskand putting something in his pocket. Paid stares off for a bit, until Michael comes up the stairs.
PAID
Sit down.
MICHAEL
No thanks. This wont take long.
Michael pauses expecting harsh words. Paid just looks at him expectantly.
MICHAEL
I’m looking for-
Paid as if suddenly snapping-to begins to show anger.
PAID
You come in here demanding to see me ignore my hospitality. Get to the fucking point.
Michael is perplexed by the sudden change of mood continues on.
MICHAEL
Matt Foster is my brother. I was told you might know where I can find him.
At hearing this, Paid hesitates and then changes his mood suddenly smiling.
PAID
Please sit down. I’m so sorry for my rudeness. I’ve got a lot on my mind.
Pause between both. Then Michael sits down cautiously.
PAID
So you’re looking for Matt. Well that’s great I think I can help you with that. You see-
MICHAEL
Look, No offense but I don’t want anything to do with what’s going on here. I just want to see my brother, it’s been a long time and I need to find him.
A hint of frustration creeps along Paid’s face but a smile rushes up to hide it.
PAID
Heh. Of Course. Well obviously you’re somewhat aware of I do but I must explain a bit. Matt does work for me, but it appears he has gotten himself involved with some people beyond my reach. Well not quite beyond my reach but it would be best if I didn’t otherwise there would be trouble for everyone involved, your brother included. I have no reason to suspect he is in danger, but the people he is dealing with are mohaows, wetbacks who don’t know anything of common courtesy. And Matt as good as he is will eventually step on somebody’s toes given too much time. Unfortunately I was unable to warn him of this before he got involved. I was made aware of a party where Matt was to be working today. I was planning on going to get him there, But it would be a lot less stressful for everyone if merely his brother showed up. Here’s the address, you should be able to catch him there around 10:30.
Paid scribbles down the address and hands the slip of paper to Michael. Then offers his hand.
PAID
I’m Pedro but everyone calls me Paid. It’s been a pleasure.
Michael pockets the paper after glancing at it. Then takes paid’s hand and nods slightly.
MICHAEL
Thanks.
Michael stands and exits. Paid sighs of frustration and picks up the phone and dials two digits.
PAID
Primo! Did you see that fucking Joto? In here like he owned the place. Fuck that bitch.
PHONE
Yeah I saw what do you want to do?
PAID
Go see Don Carlos and put El Ojo on that fucking gringo. I don’t want that little bitch Matt’s head hitting a pillow tonight.
PHONE
and his tribute?
PAID
...bust him off the corner boys’ stash.
Paid hangs up the phone.
EXTERIOR WOODED AREA. NIGHT.
An SUV pulls into a dark wooded area. Headlights stab into the darkness of the woods.
EXTERIOR WOODED AREA SMALL CAMPFIRE.
The hooded figure of Don Carlos seated by the campfire brings a liquor bottle to his lips. Hesitates, Then hides it behind a small bedroll. After a short time, Jaime’s legs come into frame. Don Carlos moves suddenly as if surprised. All we see of the two characters are the bottom half of Don Carlos’s face the rest is obscured by a dark hood and Jaime’s legs.
DON CARLOS
Welcome, Mijo.
Don Carlos speaks without looking up. He appears to be staring into the fire.
JAIME
Damn. Is it really necessary you live all the way out here?
DON CARLOS
There are many strong powers in the city. I require space that is mas pura. Eventually it will be they who hide.
Pause.
JAIME
Paid want you to put El Ojo on this gringo. But he’s a waste of time he’s the brother of some chump Paid’s got beef with. I don’t see-
Jaime is interrupted by Don Carlos’s laughing.
DON CARLOS
You see very little future Emperor. The gringo is very important. I will do as your cousin asks. You will retrieve the brother and bring him back to young Pedro. You must handle the following situations very delicately. I see they will be very pivotal to your ascent.
Pause. Jaime’s feet shuffle a bit.
JAIME
Finally I’m tired of being his bitch.
DON CARLOS
That attitude is what will fuck all this up for us. You must remain patient. You are jealous of trash.
Don Carlos extends his hand and offers an Aztec style amulet up to Jaime.
DON CARLOS
Black-market drugs are only a temporary means. Our People need a leader.
Jaime throws a small bag with a white powder substance in it and takes the amulet from Don Carlos and leaves.
EXTERIOR SUBURBAN DOOR.
Loud music blares out of the slightly ajar door. It is apparent a party is going on inside. Michael opens the door slowly and proceeds to slice the pie of the interior. Camera tracks Michael’s path as he rounds the corner he sees Matt.
MICHAEL
Matt come on it’s time to go.
MATT
Holy shit, bro! What the hell ... hold on give me a couple of minutes.
Michael has attracted the attention of the whole party a majority of them are Mexican they don’t look happy to see an uninvited gringo making a fuss.
MICHAEL
No time! Let’s go.
At this point the camera begins to move backwards slowly into the door way.
MEXICAN #1
Look man we are taking care of some business here.
MEXICAN #2
You should leave.
MICHAEL
I’m not leaving without him and we’re leaving now.
MATT
Alright good to see you too bro..shit!..chill out I’ll take care of this.
Pause noises grunts of a struggle. One of the mexicans stumbles backwards into view, hits the wall and pauses.
MEXICAN #2
aww! Fuck!
A very painful cry follows and the mexican against the wall growls and charges back out of view. Very suddenly he flies back against the wall off his feet.
MICHAEL
Get UP!
Matt comes around the corner with Michael closely behind.
QUICK CUT TO INTERIOR OF CAR
MATT
WHAT the FUCK was all that?
MICHAEL
I should ask you the same. But I guess I got all that figured out.
MATT
Shit, I mean it’s good to see you but fuck man..when’d you get back? How’d you find me?
MICHAEL
Yesterday. The place looked like you hadn’t been there in days. So I made some calls and had the pleasure of speaking with Paid.
MATT
Paid? Fuck man..he helped you find me?
MICHAEL
Yeah..
MATT
That’s strange maybe he hasn’t found out yet...
Michael drives on in silence his eyes dart in and out of the rearview.
MATT
Where the hell you going?
MICHAEL
I’m taking the scenic route....I wanna see what’s changed since I been gone.
MATT
It’s only been a year..
MICHAEL
Yeah..I guess.
MATT
SO.. How was it?
Michael is still distracted responds slowly and absently.
MICHAEL
It was just like all the other jobs..hard. Except this one was in Iraq.
MATT
I couldn’t do that shit..fuck that.
No response from Michael.
MATT
So you talked to Paid? What did he say about me?
MICHAEL
He seemed pretty fond of you..kind of.
MATT
Shit! I’m gonna have to lay low for a while.
Michael looks over at Matt and shakes his head.
MATT
Don’t pull that shit. You do what you have to do. I do what I do.
MICHAEL
What the hell does that mean?
MATT
Nobody could throw those wetbacks around with a straight face like you did without something fucked up on the inside. Jesus.
INTERIOR Michael’s Bedroom. Same shot as the opening of the movie. Michael wakes up realizes immediately Matt is gone.
INTERIOR Paid’s Office. Paid is snorting a line of coke as Michael comes up the stairs.
PAID
What the fuck do you want?
MICHAEL
I’m here for Matt.
PAID
JAIME! Get in here!
Jaime enters through the side door. Michael does not take his gaze from Paid.
MICHAEL
I just-
Michael is interrupted by Jaime grabbing him from behind and picking him up. A fight ensues that ends with Jaime being sent over the ledge. Michael then grabs a letter opener from Paid’s desk and stabs Paid’s hand to the desk. Michael strikes Paid twice quickly rendering him unconscious. Michael exits.
INTERIOR Used Furniture store lobby Michael walks past Jaime’s body on the floor in the ruins of a table. As Michael exits Jaime stirs slightly squeezing the amulet that Don Carlos gave him.
THE END.
