LIBERTY AND JUSTICE (screenplay)

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE screenplay by Sam Bass and Jillian Bass Registered WGAw Sam Bass – Jillian Bass 2018 Broadway Little Rock, AR. 72206 501/240-3253 501/952-2056 sambass155@sbcglobal.net 2 "LIBERTY AND JUSTICE" FADE IN: EXT. IRAQI DESERT, WINTER – DUSK A harsh wind blows across the rugged landscape boiling dust in its wake. LIBERTY KING, a mid-twenties woman Marine Sergeant runs across the scant desert toward a bare dirt hill. She fires her automatic rifle to keep her eager enemy at bay. Bullets fly all around Liberty as she moves. Several insurrectionists quickly move closer hoping to get a better shot at their prey. Liberty’s raises her full automatic assault rifle and fires again. Her rapid-fire bullets hit the two men that are shooting at her. They fall back and to the ground motionless. Two more enemies that are very close stand and fire their weapons at Liberty. She is hit in the forearm, but manages to shoot back as she ducks for cover. Her bullets hit the two terrorist and they fall dead. Everything is quiet. Liberty suddenly hears a loud Arabic language being spoken coming from behind a scant hillside that hides her enemy. Liberty looks around the lifeless area with rifle ready. She hears a subtle click and quickly turns ready for anything. Her eyes catch the remote sight of eight Marines coming up behind her. Liberty is relieved. She looks down on the ground. Liberty can see her I.D. wallet open on the rough ground before her. 3 CLOSE ON PHOTOGRAPH – a photograph is visible in the open wallet of Liberty’s large family; mother, father, brothers, sisters and cousins. Liberty pick’s it up and smiles as she looks at it and puts it snuggly in her front pocket. CORPORAL TONY GOLDEN, a late twenties soldier yells out to her. TONY You all right Sergeant King? Liberty turns toward Tony’s voice while still down behind the dune. LIBERTY Got a hole in my arm. But I’m going home, that makes me all right. Suddenly ten insurrectionists charge Liberty. To their surprise the Marines pop up and start shooting. Five Rebels fall right away. Two Marines are wounded. Tony and KATIE JEFFERS, a cute and smaller woman Marine, dispatch the remaining rebels. The remaining Marines check their wounded and the enemy bodies. Katie and Tony go to Liberty. Liberty smiles at the sight of them while Tony checks her wound. Katie kneels next to Liberty. KATIE What the hell you doing out here. Liberty is grim. 4 LIBERTY My last Recon our tours up. We’re out of here tomorrow. Tony smiles. TONY I don’t know if that hometown of yours can stand both of you at the same time. Maybe one of you should re-up. The girls grin and speak in unison. LIBERTY AND KATIE Bull shit. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS, MARKET STREET BUS STATION – NIGHT Liberty, Katie and Tony Golden outfitted in their dress uniforms step off of the bus. SUB-TITLE APPEARS – TWO MONTHS LATER The bus driver gets off behind them and speaks. BUS DRIVER We’ll be here for a fifteen-minute folks. Liberty takes off her burat, she is an average build shapely woman and pretty eyes. She and Tony look at each other. TONY Well this is it. Liberty smiles. LIBERTY Yeah, end of the line. Tony smiles at Katie and Liberty. Tony turns to Liberty. 5 TONY Hey I almost forgot. My wife told me to give you this for covering my ass the last two years. It is a gold engraved locket. Liberty looks at it and takes it in hand. Close in the locket. CLOSE ON THE LOCKET – “Liberty, our guardian angel.” Tony smiles. He hugs Liberty then Katie. Liberty is touched by the gesture. LIBERTY I always got you covered. You guys are great. Tony is sad. TONY Listen, you saved me more than once and thanks to you I can go home to my wife and kids. We love you Liberty, Katie I’ll miss you. She smiles. KATIE Thanks Tony. Tony goes in his pocket and comes out with a silver dollar. TONY Remember this? Katie looks it over. 6 KATIE Your lucky dollar. Tony hands it to Katie. TONY Luck for your new life. Katie takes the coin and hugs Tony. Liberty smiles acting silly. LIBERTY Ah shucks, Jethro. They hug and Tony gets on the bus as the bus driver gets aboard. TONY Keep in touch. Don’t make us come looking for you. Liberty and Katie watch as the bus backs up. Katie looks at the dollar and then Tony looking out the window smiling. KATIE Hey, this dollar has two heads. (she folds her hand on the dollar) Guess that’s why it’s lucky. I The bus moves away. Tony waves. Liberty and Katie wave back and turn to see Liberty’s dad, mom and a few family members walking toward them. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. LITTLE ROCK AR., MARKET ST. RESTAURANT DISTRICT – DUSK Liberty walks from a bar with her war buddy and old high school friend Katie. They are laughing and talking fully 7 charged by the drinks they just had. The two walk down the main street. LIBERTY It feels so good to be free. Liberty and Katie look at each other and giggle. KATIE Dam right, I hope somebody doesn’t stop payment on my reality check. We been out for a month and it seems like a couple a days. They see Liberty’s mother and father walking from a restaurant. Liberty stops beside her mother, ALISON KING an attractive forty something woman. She and her daughter look more like sisters than mother and daughter. Liberty's mother puts her arm around Liberty and pulls her to her side. ALISON Where have you two been? Liberty and Katie shrug their shoulders. Liberty’s father THOMAS KING, a handsome man with graying brown hair and blue eyes answers his ringing cell phone. MR. KING Hello, yes. Thomas is obviously in poor health and gently hands the phone to Liberty. He turns and speaks to Alison. MR. KING (continuing) For you baby. (Liberty takes the phone.) (Thomas talks to Alison and Katie.) It’s her friend from New York. Katie, Alison and Thomas watch Liberty talk on the phone. 8 Liberty has a stunned look on her face. LIBERTY Stay put, I’ll be there tomorrow. Liberty folds the phone and hands it to her dad. She looks at her parents and Katie. LIBERTY (continuing) Some bastard killed Tony. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. KING RANCH HOUSE OUTSIDE OF LITTLE ROCK AR. - MORNING Liberty and Katie exit the front door of the house. The girls throw backpacks and a sea bag in the back of Liberty’s Ford pick-up. Liberty reaches inside her truck and checks an automatic nine-millimeter pistol she has. Liberty puts it in the console. Liberty and Katie open the doors and jump in the pick-up. Liberty starts her truck and waves to her parents. Her parents wave. MR. KING Be careful. Those city thugs are like wild animals, don’t trust’em. Liberty waves and drives on. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTAL STREET - DAY Liberty’s truck turns the corner and cruises down the street as Liberty and Katie look at addresses. Rough looking men and women are walking the street in both directions. 9 Liberty turns her truck into a parking space. An overgrown teenager across the street yells out. TEENAGER Hey, no parking here bitches. Liberty and Katie get out of the pick-up wearing blue jeans and tee-shirts looking around. A carload of teenage boys across the street starts yelling. Liberty looks harshly at the group. LIBERTY Don’t screw with the truck. HUMPTY, an overgrown teen walks in front of Liberty. HUMPTY Hey you hillbilly wenches ain’t parking here. Liberty smiles and looks up at the building they are standing in front of. LIBERTY What’s your name toad? We’re here to see Tony Golden’s widow. Don’t get in the way. Katie chuckles. GIB LEWIS, a very rustic biker type and heavyset man motors around the corner riding his Fat Boy Harley. He cruises slowly past looking at Liberty and Katie listening. GIB Shot the worthless bitch. Gib rides on slowly. Humpty is angry and glares at Gib, but is confront him. He just waits for Gib to pass. HUMPTY Don’t know any Tony. hesitant to 10 Katie is cool as she turns to Humpty. KATIE If ignorance is bliss you must be having orgasms. Three teenage boys start crossing the street toward Liberty and Katie. Liberty glances at Katie. Katie immediately goes to the truck and gets inside. She picks up a shotgun and pumps a shell in it while watching the boys. The three rough boys slowly back up and lean on their car. Humpty is still staring at Liberty. LIBERTY What’s it gonna be you big boy? Humpty wants to back down but can’t find a way. Katie continues to watch diligently. Humpty is stressed. HUMPTY All right park. This ain’t over. Humpty walks away. Liberty glares at Humpty. LIBERTY Better be, toad. I’ll cut your winkie off. Humpty glares back as he walks. Katie puts the gun in a bag and walks to Liberty. They move inside the building. The boys cuss and whistle at them. 11 Katie casually shoots them the finger as she moves inside. INT. HIGHRISE APARTMENT BUILDING LOBBY Katie looks at Liberty. KATIE Glad I came. Always wanted to be assaulted in the city. Liberty and Katie look at each other with doubt. LIBERTY AND KATIE P.O.V. INSIDE TO OUTSIDE - DICKEY PRINCE, a twenty something young man that is tall with a dark complexion stops his nineteen sixty-five black Mustang convertible outside and yells out. DICKEY Hey. Liberty opens the door looking at Dickey. Dickey yells again. DICKEY (continuing) Hey I overheard. The Golden’s apartment is two twelve up there. His head gestures in the direction. Liberty and Katie look at him and wave. KATIE Thanks. They start to walk up the steps. LIBERTY We’re here, hell begins now. Dickey smiles and yells to them. 12 DICKEY My names, Dickey. Liberty and Katie keep walking. BACK TO SCENE LIBERTY I bet that’s right. Liberty and Katie stop in front of the Golden’s apartment door and knock. In a moment the door opens with a security chain on it and a half of a face is visible. Liberty looks closer. LIBERTY Hanna Golden? The door unlocks. HANNA GOLDEN, a twenty something attractive woman carrying a three-year-old boy opens the door wide. A six year old girl stands beside her. HANNA Hi, Liberty? Liberty smiles. LIBERTY Yes, this is Katie. Hanna smiles. HANNA Come in. This is Tony junior and Ester. Liberty and Katie go inside. INT. GOLDEN’S APARTMENT Hanna sets Tony down and looks at Ester. 13 HANNA Take your brother and go play. Hanna smiles and takes her brothers hand as they go to a backroom. Hanna gestures for Liberty and Katie to sit at her small breakfast table and they do. LIBERTY What happened to Tony? Hanna is almost crying. HANNA It simple, when Tony came home he was determined to clean up the neighborhood. The criminals didn’t like it and they killed him. Liberty pats her arm. LIBERTY Don’t worry we here now. You and the kids will be all right. We’ll make sure of that. Right now we’re going out to see what we can find. Hanna smiles. HANNA Good, you two stay here so we know what’s going on. Katie and Liberty smile as they walk out. EXT. GOLDEN’S APARTMENT Dickey drives past the girls again. Dickey stops in front of Liberty and Katie. Katie and Liberty smile. Dickey turns off his engine and looks at the girls. DICKEY What's up? 14 Katie and Liberty smile and overlap their dialogue. LIBERTY AND KATIE Nothing! What's up with you? Dickey smiles a large pearl white toothed smile. DICKEY Nada, you wanta cruise? Liberty is leery. LIBERTY Who are you? Liberty almost laughs. DICKEY Dickey Prince, I'm from the neighborhood. Katie looks at Liberty. KATIE His gene pool needs some chlorine, but we can kick his ass if he does anything stupid. Liberty nods. Katie is ready to go. She looks at Dickey. KATIE (continuing) Okay Dick, let's go. Just think out of a million sperms he was the fastest. There’s no trouble here. A police car drives by. A young policeman, is on the passenger side. The black and white stops behind Dickey’s car. Liberty looks up and speaks. LIBERTY Hi, what’s up officer? Doug smiles. 15 POLICEMAN Dickey move the car out of the street. Liberty smiles. She walks toward Dickey’s car while looking at the policeman. The cop watches Liberty. POLICEMAN Come here. Katie walks on to patrolman’s car. Liberty stops and walks to the window. The policeman looks serious at Liberty. POLICEMAN (continuing) Don't jack with that flake. He’s trouble. I know who you are. Tony and Hanna told me about you. Liberty tries to be serious. LIBERTY Well, okay, but we're just talking. The cop smiles. POLICEMAN Get the info. but be careful. (hands her a card) If he goes bad call me. The patrol car pulls around Dickey’s car and drives away. POLICEMAN (continuing) Later Dick. Dickey just stares at the cop. Liberty looks toward Katie and Dickey. 16 Katie looks at Liberty and motions for her to come to the car. KATIE What did the cop want? Liberty smiles as she walks to Dickey’s car. LIBERTY What cops do best. Just being an asshole. Katie gets into Dickey’s car and speaks as she sits down in the front seat. KATIE Come on, let's go. Liberty is thinking. She shakes off her thought and gets in the back seat. Dickey puts the power top down and they drive away. INT. DICKEY'S CAR - NIGHT Dickey looks in the rear view mirror as he drives. Dickey, Liberty and Katie drive out of sight with loud rock and roll music playing from the radio DISSOLVE TO: Dickey opens a beer and hands it to Katie as he drives. She is trying to find a new radio station while she takes the beer. Dickey opens another beer and pats the steering wheel in time with the music Katie has just found. DICKEY You want a beer Liberty? Liberty is reluctant. LIBERTY I guess so. 17 Dickey hands her the beer he just opened. Dickey opens another one for himself. He turns up the beer can and takes a big drink. DICKEY What a life! Sex, drugs and rock and roll! Katie is amused. KATIE Save your breath. You’ll need it to blow up your date. Dickey turns a corner. The vehicle speeds into the darkness. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. PARKING AREA (OVERLOOKING THE CITY) - NIGHT Dickey rolls the car to a stop. They are talking in inaudible tones under the sound of the loud music. Dickey breaks out a joint and starts smoking it. Katie smiles. Dickey turns to Liberty. DICKEY You want some of this? Liberty jerks the grass from him and throws it outside. LIBERTY No, I don't smoke. Did you know Tony? Dickey smiles. DICKEY Yeah, he was a good guy. I liked him. 18 Liberty looks away very uncomfortable. LIBERTY Dickey do you know what happened to Tony? Dickey answers Liberty innocently. DICKEY No I heard some gang bastard shot’em. Katie looks at Liberty. KATIE Hey it’s late. Let’s get back to Hanna’s. Liberty is thinking about Tony. LIBERTY Yeah let’s go. Dickey wants to stay and relaxes in his seat. DICKEY Come on we just met. Let’s hang’ out. Katie is impatient. KATIE I bet when you were young your parents moved a lot. You probably found’em anyway. Come on let's go. Dickey laughs. He starts his car and drives away. DISSOLVE TO: INT. GOLDEN’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - MORNING Liberty is sleeping on the sofa and Katie on the floor. The phone rings. 19 Noises are made as Hanna walks past Liberty's sofa. She answers the phone. HANNA (0.S.) Hello. Liberty wakes up and looks toward Hanna. Dickey’s voice speaks on the other end. DICKEY (TELEPHONE V.0.) Hi, It's Dickey. Hanna is surprised. HANNA Oh, hello. What do you need Dickey? Liberty turns on her side watching. DICKEY (TELEPHONE V.0.) I'm sorry about last night. I must have seemed pretty crude. I would like to apologize. Hanna begins to soften. HANNA Listen, I’m busy now could I ignore you some other time? Dickey voice turns to a less sincere tone. DICKEY (TELEPHONE V.0.) Funny, I called about something else also. There is a party at my house tomorrow night. Would you like to go, with me? Hanna is caught off guard. HANNA Well, people say I have know taste. Hold on you want Liberty. 20 Hanna looks at Liberty handing her the phone. HANNA (continuing) It’s Dickey. He wants to take you out. Liberty puts the phone to her ear. Dickey is happy. DICKEY (TELEPHONE V.0.) Who was I talking to? Liberty smiles. LIBERTY Come at seven. Dickey’s voice is up beat. DICKEY (TELEPHONE V.0.) I'll be there. Liberty smiles. The phone buzzes and she hangs up. Liberty stares at the wall for a few seconds then rolls over on her back. LIBERTY Katie. KATIE (O.S.) Hello. Liberty blurts out her statement. LIBERTY Katie? That slug Dickey called. Katie answers. KATIE (0.S.) What’s up? Is he dead? LIBERTY No, he called me for a date. 21 Katie is awake now. KATIE (O.S.) What would that be? A naked Dickey chasing you around a room. Liberty needs advice. LIBERTY Come on Katie, do you think he knows something?. Liberty stares at the ceiling. KATIE (0.S.) Go, he knows something. Liberty smiles, lies back and closes her eyes. DISSOLVE TO NIGHT: The sun is going down outside showing though the front window. Liberty is busy getting ready to go out with Dickey. She sits on the sofa in front of the coffee table in her black bra and panties. Liberty begins to brush her hair. The doorbell rings down stairs. Liberty continues brushing her hair. Hanna speaks from her bedroom. HANNA Liberty your friend is here. Liberty looks toward the door. LIBERTY Thanks Hanna. Liberty gets-up and slips on a short dress lying on the chair nearest her. She zips up and walks out of the room. INT. FOYER GOLDEN’S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT 22 Liberty quickly walks down the stairs toward Dickey and opens the door. DICKEY Hi Liberty. Liberty smiles. LIBERTY Hi Dickey, I see you made it. Dickey nods acknowledging. DICKEY You look so pretty. Liberty is embarrassed. She pulls on Dickey. LIBERTY Come on let's get going. They turn and walk toward his car. EXT. GOLDEN’S APARTMENTS Dickey and Liberty walk down the sidewalk. Dickey opens the door of his car for Liberty. She gets in and sits down. Dickey walks around and gets in the car. INT. DICKEY'S CAR - NIGHT Dickey starts the car. He smiles at her and drive away. Dickey is driving and trying to tune a station in on the radio. DICKEY I'm glad you came Liberty. Liberty smiles. They stop in front of a large two story well landscaped home. 23 EXT. DICKEY'S HOME - NIGHT The streets and most of Dickey’s driveway are packed with cars. Dickey gets out, walks to Liberty's side and opens her door. Liberty gets out looking up at the house. LIBERTY Is this your house? Dickey smile. DICKEY Yeah, are you ready? Liberty looks around almost reluctantly now. LIBERTY Yes, there sure are a lot of expensive cars here? Dickey smiles, they turn and walk to the front door of the house. Dickey opens the door. Thirty people are inside drinking and talking. Loud music fills the air. Dickey and Liberty walk inside past Gib Lewis the security doorman. INT. DICKEY'S HOME - NIGHT Dickey and Liberty walk through the crowd of people. The two of them are greeted as they walk past people sitting down and dancing as they move toward a big oak wet bar. Dickey and Liberty stop at the bar. She is looking around in awe. Dickey watches her. 24 DICKEY What would you like? Liberty sits on a barstool. LIBERTY Jack straight up. Dickey is amused. The nearby bartender acknowledges her request. BARTENDER Okay what about you Dickey? Dickey smirks. DICKEY Yeah, scotch and soda. The bartender acknowledges and starts mixing the drinks. Liberty puts her hand on Dickey’s arm to get his attention. LIBERTY Gees Dickey, how'd you get this big house at your age. Dickey smiles his almost evil smile. He takes her hand and they walk toward a long hallway. DICKEY Connections honey. Let’s go for a walk. Liberty has an after thought as she follows Dickey. LIBERTY You must have a lot of money? Dickey answers confidently. DICKEY I do all right. They stop at his bedroom door. Dickey opens the door. 25 They see a shadowed silhouette of a man and woman having sex in the middle of Dickey’s bed. Dickey and Liberty watch for a moment. Dickey closes the door. DICKEY (continuing) Sorry. Liberty is a little embarrassed. Dickey smiles and takes Liberty's hand and they walk back down the hall. Dickey stops beside a dark corner under his staircase and pulls Liberty into him. They can see the people down the long hall but no one can see them. Dickey kisses Liberty passionately. She pulls back and stops. LIBERTY I'm not sure about this. Dickey looks into her eyes. DICKEY It's okay honey, I just want to kiss you. They kiss again passionately. Dickey pulls Liberty close to him. He is rough and holds her tight. Liberty pulls away as much as she can. LIBERTY No Dickey, bacteria is the only culture you have. Dickey smiles that evil smile. DICKEY We'll take it slow. 26 Dickey starts to kiss her again. Liberty try to stops him. LIBERTY Dickey, a closed mouth gathers no foot. Dickey covers her mouth with his and kisses her with deep lust for her body. A dark silhouette of their bodies is visible as Liberty begins to give in and Dickey pushes her dress up. He pushes between her legs and kisses her deeper. LIBERTY (continuing) No Dickey. Dickey is grinding his body against hers. DICKEY It's okay, Liberty. Liberty still resists. Dickey pushes Liberty hard against the wall. Liberty persist in pushing him away. LIBERTY Stop Dickey. Dickey is too passionate to hear. Liberty breaks free slamming him against the wall and burst past Dickey. Dickey turns and watches Liberty. She walks back to the bar. Dickey strolls into the party area and starts to talk with a small group. Liberty watches him defiantly. 27 JOHN COLBURN, a well dress handsome man in his thirties with light hair and blue eyes is sitting beside Liberty. JOHN Trouble in paradise? Liberty looks at him. LIBERTY No… hell on earth. John smiles. A very attractive woman steps beside him and puts her hand on his shoulder. Dickey walks past a woman that knows him and they kiss as he passes. Liberty turns back to the bar. She orders a drink from the bartender. LIBERTY Give me something. The bartender looks at her with a question on his face. BARTENDER Okay. The bartender sets a drink in front of her. Dickey walks beside Liberty. DICKEY You want to start over? She turns to him. Liberty is tired of all of the games. LIBERTY It's late, I'm going home. Dickey tries to be nice. DICKEY Come on, I'll take you. 28 They get up and walk to the front door past Gib Lewis. Liberty waits as Dickey goes after the car. Gib is looking closer at Liberty. GIB This scenes not for you. Liberty smiles but doesn’t know what to say. CUT TO: EXT. GOLDEN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT Dickey’s car stops in front of Liberty's house. She gets out and runs to the front door. Dickey’s car drives down the street. Liberty walks inside. INT. GOLDEN'S APARTMENT Hanna is waiting on the sofa in the living room. HANNA Is that you Liberty? Liberty smiles. LIBERTY Yes. Alison stands and walks beside Liberty. HANNA Did he tell you anything? Liberty looks at her mother. LIBERTY Not yet. Hanna puts her arm around Liberty. 29 HANNA You be careful. These bastards are mean as mad rats and I think Dickey may be in with them. Liberty turns and looks at Hanna with a sincere look on her face. LIBERTY I know, Hanna. Hanna smiles. HANNA All right, just be careful. Hanna smiles and goes to her bedroom. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. GOLDEN'S APARTMENT - MORNING Katie is at the front door. She opens it and yells back inside. KATIE Liberty, come on. Your brother’s here. Liberty yells down from up stairs. LIBERTY (V.0.) Okay I'm coming. Liberty hurries down the stairs and walks out the front door closing it. She goes to ROBERT, her brother an average man in his early thirties. LIBERTY Hi Robert, what brings you here? Liberty starts walking toward the car. ROBERT Your friend, Hanna called dad. 30 Liberty looks a little put out. LIBERTY What’d she say? Robert smiles as Katie walks up. ROBERT Let’s go for a drive. Robert, Liberty and Katie walk to his sedan. Liberty gets in the back and Katie gets in the front. Robert starts the car and drives down the street. INT. ROBERT KING VEHICLE - DAY Robert looks in the back seat at Liberty. ROBERT I know you two mean well, but dad talked to Hanna then a police detective called’em. The cops respect what you’re doing and they liked Tony, but they are worried about you being involved in Tony’s murder case considering the people involved. Liberty speaks up. LIBERTY We’re getting information. Soon we’ll know the son-of-a-bitch that killed Tony and then he’s dead, end of case. Tony’s widow is happy the cop’s are happy. Robert smiles. ROBERT Listen, I know you girls are hardcore combat veterans, but this is the hood not out in the woods on a hunt or combat 31 where you know your enemy. Liberty's brother smiles and glances back at Liberty while he drives. KATIE Tony was our friend and you don’t let friends down. Liberty rebuts. LIBERTY Robert, These jackals need to be dead. They got no morals. Robert reasons with his sister. ROBERT Don't go too fast. What you’re saying is against the law. Liberty is almost modest. LIBERTY Here it’s the law of the concrete jungle. Robert turns into a factory parking lot. Liberty looks at a sign as the car passes it. CLOSE ON THE SIGN – CARDIGO MANUFACTURING. The car stops and Robert turns to Katie and Liberty. ROBERT Here we are. Liberty speaks up. LIBERTY For what? Robert gets out. EXT. FACTORY PARKING LOT 32 Liberty and Katie get out. KATIE What’s this place? Robert smiles and looks at an unmarked police car. A policeman and POLICE COMMISSIONER CONSTANTINE get out of the car and walk to Robert, Katie and Liberty. Liberty glances at her brother. ROBERT Girls this is police commissioner Constantine. Katie is not interested in them. KATIE What the hell is this? Robert intervenes. MR. KING They are friends. Tony was their friend. He was going to be a cop. The commissioner interrupts. COMMISSONER Let me explain. Tony was very close to us and he was about to bust this gang of thugs wide open when they killed him. Now we want revenge. You are inside with Dickey. All we ask is you kill them, get your revenge and we get even as well as stop the crime wave. In short we cover your ass while you do the work. Robert opens his trunk and looks down. ROBERT I wish you wouldn’t do this but I know you won’t stop until 33 Tony’s killers are put down. So use these and I’ll back you up. They all look in the trunk. The trunk is full of automatic weapons, knives and miscellaneous weapons. Liberty smiles and hugs her brother. LIBERTY You’re one of a kind. Liberty looks at the commissioner and the policeman. The commissioner is kindly. COMMISSIONER Good luck, I’ll give you the information and keep you covered. Liberty and Katie nod. DISSOLVE TO: INT. LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY STORE - DAY Liberty walks through the front door and moves to the counter. Katie walks behind her and goes to cover the back door. A teenage female clerk looks up from reading a magazine behind the counter. FEMALE CLERK Hi, you need somethin? Liberty looks around the vacant store and takes a picture from her pocket. LIBERTY Yeah, You know this guy? The clerk smirks. 34 FEMALE CLERK Yeah, he owns this store. you don’t wanta know him. Liberty goes behind the counter and starts pulling out street bags of cocaine and marijuana putting them on top of the counter. Katie watches with vigilance. KATIE We want to talk to him about Tony Golden. The clerk coolly watches. FEMALE CLERK Tootie ain’t gonna like this. Liberty takes some lighter fluid and pours it on the dope then sets it on fire. The clerk moves back. Liberty turns to her. LIBERTY Where is Tootie? The clerk nods toward Katie. TOOTIE, a thin drug-out middle-aged man stands holding Katie with a gun to her head. Liberty stops and just looks at the situation waiting. Tootie is angry grinding the gun barrel into Katie’s head as he speaks. TOOTIE Why you burnin my dope? Katie is brave and defiant. KATIE Shoot the bastard. 35 The clerk backs away. Liberty is still just casually looking. LIBERTY You know Tony Golden? Tootie smirks. TOOTIE Yeah, he was a turn coat bastard. Liberty appears angry and narrows her eyes staring at Tootie. LIBERTY That’s why I’m burnin your dope. Suddenly Katie elbows Tootie in the ribs and ducks. Liberty goes behind her back and pulls out a nine-millimeter automatic and fires two shoots hitting Tootie in the head. He falls to the floor dead. Katie smiles and looks down at the thug. KATIE One down. The clerk is frozen in place. Katie recovers and scans the room with her revolver drawn and ready. A thug rushes in from the back room with a shotgun ready to fire. Katie fires her weapon. The thug drops to the floor dead. Suddenly six more thugs come in and start shooting. 36 Liberty and the clerk hit the floor for cover. Liberty begins to fire back as does Katie. Two thugs drop as Katie fires her weapon. Liberty sees a CO2 canister behind the counter. She hears sirens. Liberty fires her weapon into the canister. It blows up and in the confusion Liberty and Katie run out of the store. EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY STORE Robert speeds to the front of the store and stops. Liberty and Katie get in the car and they drive away. Police cars enter the parking lot to see a smoking building. INT. ROBERT’S SEDAN Robert watches the road as he drives. ROBERT One down? Liberty and Katie smile at each other. Suddenly an older sedan slams into Robert’s car. Liberty rolls her window down and comes out with a pump shotgun. The passenger appears shocked as shotgun pellets cut holes into the door and window also hitting the driver causing his to crash into a light pole. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. GHETTO CITY STREET Robert cruises slowly down the street toward the dealers on a street corner. 37 As he gets next to them Katie rolls the tinted window down and shoots the two men. One is able to shoot back before he goes down. INT. ROBERT’S SEDAN Robert is watching the two criminals. ROBERT Three down. It is quiet and then Katie looks at her stomach. She has a bullet in her stomach and bleeding badly. Liberty leans over and looks. She begins to help Katie. LIBERTY Get her to the hospital. Robert turns and speeds down the street. EXT. CITY HOSPITAL Robert slides in front of the hospital emergency room doors. He jumps out and goes around the car as Liberty gets out. They pull Katie out and help her inside. INT. CITY HOSPITAL A nurse brings a gurney and Katie is put on it as Liberty and her dad watch. A trashy looking girl walks down the hall past Liberty and her dad. Liberty watches her move past. Robert speaks to himself. ROBERT This is going to be a long summer. DISSOLVE TO: INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 38 Liberty is sitting with Katie that is lying in a hospital bed. LIBERTY Your going be okay. The cops took care of everything. NURSE CARSON, A middle-aged nurse walks into the room. Liberty looks up. NURSE CARSON Liberty King, you have a phone call at the nurse’s station in the hall. Liberty is surprised. She pats Katie and walks out of the room. INT. HOSPITAL, HALL - DAY Liberty walks from the room to the nurse’s station. NURSE ALLEN, a motherly looking nurse looks up and smiles. NURSE ALLEN Yes? Liberty answers. LIBERTY I'm Liberty King. The nurse dials her phone. NURSE ALLEN Just a minute dear and I'll be with you. The secretary starts talking on the phone. NURSE ALLEN (continuing) Hello, yes, Ms. King is here. All right. 39 The nurse puts her phone on hold and looks at Liberty. NURSE ALLEN (continuing) You may take your call on that phone. She points to a phone sitting on a coffee table next to the lobby sofa. Liberty looks concerned and goes to the phone and picks it up. LIBERTY Hello, mother?… What is it mom. What? Oh God no. Okay, okay, I'll get Robert and we’ll be home soon as possible, okay, bye. Liberty has large tears in her eyes and running down her face. Nurse Allen walks to Liberty and puts her arm around her. NURSE ALLEN I'm sorry honey. Liberty stands and cries as the nurse comforts her. LIBERTY I've got to get home, my daddy died. The nurse continues to comfort her. NURSE ALLEN I know dear. Your father is here. He was shot while trying to find you. Your brother is taking him home. Liberty sits down. LIBERTY I’m staying here. Tell Robert to take my friend Katie home with 40 daddy. Tell them I’ll be home in the fall. The nurse nods as Liberty cries. DISSOLVE TO: EXT.CITY HOSPITAL - DAY Nurse Allen and Liberty walk through the doorway. Liberty looks up. She sees Dickey waiting for her on the street sitting in his car. Liberty goes to Dickey crying and hugs him. DICKEY I'm sorry Liberty. I came to take you home. Hanna packed your bags, are you ready? Liberty looks at him with determination. LIBERTY Katie’s going home with dad and My brother. I can’t go back. The nurse speaks as she goes inside. NURSE ALLEN Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. Good luck honey. Dickey acknowledges for Liberty. She gets in his car and they ride away. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. LIBERTY'S FAMILY HOME - AFTERNOON A police car stops and Katie gets out. A policeman gets her bags from the trunk. Katie walks to the front door favoring her wounds. DISSOLVE TO: 41 INT. FUNERAL CHAPEL - DAY Katie and Liberty’s mother are dressed in black, sitting in the family pew, crying. All of Mr. King’s friends are filing into the chapel. Katie looks at Liberty’s mother. KATIE It's okay Ms. King I'll take care of you. Alison hugs Katie. ALISON I know you will honey. Liberty will be home soon. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CEMETERY - DAY Katie and Ms. King are walking together to a funeral limousine. Mr. King’s casket is being lowered into his grave in the background. Mr. King’s remaining friends are leaving the burial site. Katie opens the back door of the limousine and Ms. King gets inside. Katie looks in at her. KATIE I'm here for you Ms. King till Liberty gets home. Alison smiles with confidence. Katie smiles with tears in her eyes and gets in the limousine with her. 42 The long black limousine drives away. DISSOLVE TO: INT. GOLDEN’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM Liberty is staring at the wall crying. EXT. LIBERTY'S FAMILY HOME - DAY The black limousine stops. The funeral director gets out and opens the back door. Katie and Ms. King get out of the back and walk with the funeral director to the front door. Katie opens the door. She and Mrs. King walk inside. The funeral director watches until the door closes. He turns and walks to the limousine. INT. LIBERTY'S FAMILY HOME Katie and Ms. King walk into the kitchen with their arms around each other’s waist. Katie sits at the kitchen table, staring into space. Ms. King goes to the cabinet and starts making coffee. ALISON Liberty’s father always liked to have coffee when he came home from a trip. Katie smiles at the comment. KATIE Yes, Liberty said they talked when he came home. Alison smiles. ALISON He was always so… Alison breaks down and start crying. Katie looks up and goes to Ms. King. 43 KATIE It's okay Alison, I'll be here. Alison cries and talks. ALISON What am I going to do? The money is almost gone and we have house payments and bills. Katie comforts her. KATIE Don't worry, Liberty will help you. She’ll be back soon. Alison dries her tears and talks to Katie. ALISON I'm hate this. Katie smiles and hugs Ms. King. She stares into the distance as she speaks to her. KATIE I'm know, I’m sorry. Alison cries harder then sobs. ALISON We'll get through somehow. Katie continues to stare and hold her. DISSOLVE TO: INT. STORE FRONTS, NEW YORK CITY - DAY Liberty walks past store windows looking at the clothes as she passes. SUB-TITLE APPEARS - ONE MONTH LATER Liberty continues looking in the store windows as she walks slowly along. 44 Liberty walks into a gift wrapping shop. She watches for a moment as drugs are being wrapped in empty boxes and people are paying with hundred dollar bills. Suddenly Liberty moves into the back room. Three drug dealers sit in the back counting money and sorting dope. She quickly draws a razor sharp knife and cuts the dealer nearest her across the neck. He drops to the floor gurgling from his death wound. Before the others can move she has stabbed a second dealer in top of the head. The third dealer goes for his gun and Liberty sidekicks him against the wall then grabs his neck and breaks it. She hears a click and turns to look. A counter clerk is holding an automatic weapon ready to fire. Suddenly a shot is heard. The clerk falls to the floor and Katie walks in. Liberty smiles. Katie raises an eyebrow and winks. KATIE Got ya covered. They take the drug money and quickly exit the backdoor. EXT. PARKING AREA Liberty and Katie move to Liberty’s pick-up. They get inside and drive away. INT. LIBERTY’S TRUCK Liberty is smiling at her friend. LIBERTY You crazy person what are you doing? Katie turns to Liberty with a smile. 45 KATIE I’m back to finish our job. You know complete the mission. Liberty smiles. LIBERTY Yeah. Katie smiles and answers. KATIE Let’s kick ass. Liberty looks a little serious. LIBERTY I've been working odd jobs to survive. With this money I can finish the job I came here for. Katie is serious. KATIE Liberty, I never told you I was sorry about your dad. Liberty is sad. LIBERTY Thanks Katie, Do you think he would approve of what we’re doing? Katie cheers up. KATIE Sure, He was behind you a hundred percent. Hey, I got somebody we need to see. Dickey told me about her before I left. She can help us get to the big boys, the bosses. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. LARGE OFFICE BUILDING 46 Liberty’s truck stops in the parking lot. Liberty and Katie get out. They walk to building. INT. LARGE OFFICE BUILDING Liberty and Katie move inside and cross the hall to an office and go in. INT. LARGE OFFICE BUILDING, OFFICE ROXANNE, a pretty dark haired middle-aged woman is standing nearby beside the front desk. Roxanne acknowledges and walks to Liberty and Katie. ROXANNE You must be Liberty and Katie. Katie gestures toward Liberty. KATIE (continuing) Yes, I understand you can help us. Roxanne smiles. ROXANNE Yes. Liberty smiles. She sees John Colburn. John is doing a photo shoot across the room. Roxanne reaches into her pocket and hands Liberty a business card. ROXANNE I can help you and me. Katie smiles. Dickey walks from the back room. DICKEY Hi Liberty, I'm sorry about your… 47 Liberty interrupts. LIBERTY That's okay, thanks for the thought. Dickey is sad. DICKEY I'm really sorry. Liberty tries to answer cheerfully. LIBERTY Thank you, Dickey. Dickey tries to cheer her up. DICKEY Okay well, Roxanne will set you up. Liberty nods and smiles. DISSOLVE TO: INT. DICKEY'S HOUSE - DAY Liberty and Dickey are lying on the floor listening to an album. Dickey kisses Liberty tenderly on the neck. DICKEY I missed you. Liberty is not impressed by his comment. LIBERTY Yeah, me too. Dickey kisses Liberty again. They embrace. Dickey tries to pull Liberty closer before she moves away from him. Liberty resists. 48 Liberty pushes him back. LIBERTY No Dickey, not now I can't! Liberty sits up. Dickey is surprised. DISSOLVE TO: INT. PHOTO STUDIO - DAY Katie is sitting with Roxanne watching Liberty. Liberty is posing for a photo shot in the same position she was in at Dickey's house. SUB-TITLE APPEARS - SIX MONTHS LATER. The photographer is snapping pictures and giving Liberty instructions. PHOTOGRAPHER That's it honey, look sexy. Okay show'em you're hot. Looks good. Liberty is enjoying herself and gets in a sexy pose. She pulls her silk halter top off her shoulder and poses again. PHOTOGRAPHER (continuing) That's it, make me want you. Good, good! The photographer shots three more shots and stops. PHOTOGRAPHER (continuing) Okay that's it. You're good, thanks Liberty. Liberty smiles and stops. She gets up and puts on her robe. John Colburn walks to her photographer and shakes his hand. They talk in inaudible tones. 49 Roxanne speaks out to three other people working in the studio as Liberty dresses. ROXANNE Good, good! Okay everybody that's it, wrap it! Liberty walks to Roxanne and Katie and sits as Roxanne walks away. Liberty looks at Katie. LIBERTY When are we going to hook up with the bad guys? Katie smiles and stands. KATIE I don’t know, but as good as you are, you could do this as a profession. Liberty is grateful. LIBERTY Thanks Katie, but we want the hook up. Katie smiles and speaks. ROXANNE I'll get us hooked somehow. Give me a few days. Liberty looks at Katie as Dickey walks up behind them. LIBERTY Hey Dickey. Katie is smiling and sarcastic. KATIE Hi Dick. Dickey smiles a mischievous grin. Liberty is mildly surprised. 50 LIBERTY How'd you know we were here? Dickey points toward Roxanne with a sleazy smile on his face. Dickey sits down. DICKEY I didn't know you girls liked modeling so much. I could help you make a lot more money dancing. Liberty tries to appear sincere. LIBERTY And you know some people that could get us started? Dickey pulls a business card from his shirt pocket and hands it to Katie. DICKEY Sure! you two meet me at this address. Ten o'clock tonight, I'll show you how to make real bucks. Walk on the wild side. Katie looks at the card. Dickey smiles. DICKEY (continuing) Well okay, I'll see you tonight. Dickey walks out. Liberty looks at Katie. LIBERTY I never took him for a killer. Katie is confident. 51 KATIE Dickey doesn’t have the nerve, but I bet he’s in it somehow. It’s worth checking out. Liberty smiles while thinking. LIBERTY Yes it is. Liberty gets her purse and walks toward the front door. Katie gets up and walks out with her. CUT TO: INT. KATIE'S CAR Katie looks at Liberty as she drives away. KATIE Where to? Liberty looks straight ahead. LIBERTY Twenty forty fifty first street. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT Katie's vehicle lights come on as they speed through city traffic. The street is busy. They see a bright neon sign. CLOSE ON THE SIGN - DANCERS Katie's vehicle turns into a parking lot near the bar. Katie and Liberty get out of the vehicle talking as they move toward the front door. LIBERTY Could this be the hook up? 52 Katie is disgusted. KATIE It's got Dickey written all over the place. It’s just sleazy. They stop in front of the club looking around. Two rough looking men watch them in the background smiling. LIBERTY Let's go. INT. DANCER CLUB They walk inside past Gib Lewis the doorman cautiously looking the place over. Gib speaks. GIB These places are not for you. Go home before you get hooked. Liberty nods and Katie looks at him like he’s nuts. Gib just smiles. Bright neon light glow in the dark background. Four strippers are dancing on the brightly-lit stage to a sexy rock song. A young beautiful stripper is putting a stack of folded money in her g-string. Fifteen men, two women and six strippers sit in surrounding tables. They cheer as the strippers grind to the music in lewd gestures. A few turn and look as Liberty and Katie enter the bar. Katie punches Liberty as they move forward. KATIE Will ya look at that? It’s a strip joint, imagine that. Gestures toward the stripper with the money. 53 KATIE (continuing) See that girl, she's got enough bucks to start a bank. Liberty is disgusted. LIBERTY Look at those men watching her. They look… hungry. Katie appears tough. KATIE Don't worry they're harmless. Just a bunch of horny married guys. Katie sees Dickey. KATIE (continuing) Come on there's dumb ass. Dickey waves them over to a secluded booth. Katie and Liberty walk over and sit with Dickey. DICKEY What’d you think? Dickey gestures toward the stage. DICKEY (continuing) Great isn't it? Liberty shrugs her shoulders. Katie smiles. KATIE Sleaze, pure sleaze, you shoulda told us. Dickey smiles. 54 DICKEY I know, but you wouldn't have come if I had told you and you would miss this opportunity. Liberty cautiously looks around the room Katie smiles. KATIE You're right about that, what’d these girls make. Dickey is happy with the interest Katie shows. DICKEY That job pays plenty and it's easy. I take forty percent of your tips and you'll clear two grand a week before taxes. Dickey smiles with false pride. Katie looks at Liberty. KATIE Probably two hundred Katie turns back to Dickey. KATIE (continuing) Do they have to sleep with anybody? Dickey starts his sales pitch. DICKEY No, you dance one song, just for a taste and I'll give you a hundred each and you can keep the tips. Dickey goes in his shirt pocket and pulls out a few one hundred dollar bills. 55 Katie is interested. KATIE Do we have to take off our clothes? Dickey is happy. DICKEY No, just wear a skimpy costume. Liberty pulls on Katie to go. LIBERTY Katie, I don't… Dickey interrupts to close his sale on Katie and now Liberty. DICKEY Don't worry about it. I'll go two hundred to prime your spirit. Dickey puts his hand on Liberty's leg. She moves away looking around the room. Katie is more confident. KATIE Come on Liberty. Two hundred just for looking pretty, let's do it. Give the money to your mom? Liberty looks as if she is at cross-purposes. Dickey pushes harder. DICKEY Stop anytime you want Liberty. Katie speaks low to Liberty. KATIE These scum don't know you. Take 56 the money for wiggling you ass for three minutes. Katie looks at Dickey. KATIE What's in it for you Dickey? Dickey has a greedy grin on his face. DICKEY Helping you out and I got an interest in this place, great asses make me money. Liberty interrupts. LIBERTY Let's do this before I change my mind. Katie takes the five one hundred-dollar bills from Dickey’s hand. Dickey pulls one bill back and smiles. Katie puts two of the bills in Liberty's hand. Liberty appears unsettled about the transaction. Dickey waves to GENIE, a pretty middle aged woman dressed in a tuxedo that is standing near the front door. The woman acknowledges and walks to Dickey. Dickey looks up as the woman arrives. DICKEY Katie, Liberty this is Genie, she'll help you get started. They all exchange looks and Genie acknowledges to Dickey. DICKEY (continuing) Get them set up for the next set. Dickey motions for another nearby stripper to come to his table. 57 DICKEY (continuing) The stripper stops beside Dickey. Cover these two they're dancing with you next set. The stripper smiles and kisses Dickey on the cheek. STRIPPER Sure Dickey. The set on the stage ends and the stripper turns and walks to the stage and starts dancing as the M. C. introduces her. M. C. And here she is Shana, the shameless. Katie and Liberty giggle with each other. Genie interrupts. GENIE Let's go girls. Katie and Liberty get up and follow Genie as Dickey gives a huge smile of approval. LIBERTY This is bad. I can feel it. Genie, Katie and Liberty walk to the back dressing room behind the stage. INT. DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT Genie, Katie and Liberty walk into the dressing room. Genie turns to Katie and Liberty. GENIE All right girls don't be modest. Get your cloths off and I'll get your costumes. Katie and Liberty look at each other and start undressing. 58 Genie is looking at two dozen costumes hanging in a corner from a clothing rod. GENIE (continuing) You dance three songs and take everything off at the end of the second one. Katie and Liberty look at each other. KATIE Dickey said, one song. Genie turns and looks very mean at the girls. GENIE Look girl, Don't screw up my program here. Dickey just owns the place. I run it. You bitches got it! They both nod as Genie hands them each a tiny costume from the rack. As Katie and Liberty put on their costumes Genie looks them over. GENIE (continuing) Good solid boobs, you'll make money. Katie gets braver. KATIE So how do you make money here? Genie answers without hesitation. GENIE Tips and screwin after hours. If you only dance you make seven hundred or so a week. If you get on your back enough we'll move you to a better club and you'll make 59 five times that. Liberty is surprised. Katie rolls her eyes. KATIE Said the hook to the fish. Genie continues. GENIE If you start, understand I'm the house mother and I don't allow drugs and go to the doctor for check ups. Use a rubber. Katie and Liberty nod in a surprised look and finish putting on their costumes. GENIE (continuing) Let's go. Katie and Liberty follow. KATIE Here we go. Liberty acknowledges with a nod. INT. BODY DANCER CLUB STAGE - NIGHT Katie and Liberty get on stage and try to appear sexy. They begin to dance to the music. The stripper that was dancing before them begins to dance in front of Katie and Liberty trying to give them some ideas. They begin to catch on and move to the music. Katie closes her eyes and starts to get into the song and move her body seductively. Katie looks at Liberty dancing and smiling at her newfound interest. Katie talks to Liberty to encourage her. 60 KATIE Go Liberty. You're lookin good! Liberty is graceful and reluctant. The audience is going wild. Men are putting money on the stage and holding it up for Liberty to dance more seductively. Gib Lewis is watching them dance doing his job as the club bouncer. A man starts to go on the stage. Genie is watching and nods for him to stop the man. Gib gently pulls the man back to his seat. Katie and Liberty smile a thank you to him as he goes back to his position against the wall. Gib waves in acknowledgment. Liberty and Katie are getting into the attention and throw Gib a kiss while they dance wildly. Liberty and Katie yell and squeal to the audience as they pick up the money. LIBERTY AND KATIE Thanks, all right, yeah! Liberty and Katie suddenly become more modest as the crowd’s tempo picks up and they realize what they are doing. The crowd begins to chant. CROWD More, more, more! Gib watches them closely. DISSOLVE TO: INT. STRIP CLUB DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT 61 Dickey is waiting in the dressing room as Liberty and Katie walk in. Genie comes in behind them. Dickey smiles. DICKEY They loved you. Katie smiles as she counts the cash she got from the crowd and Dickey. KATIE He’s lyin his lips are moving. Liberty is holding the tip money in her hand looking at Dickey. Dickey speaks up. DICKEY Are you going to work? Liberty looks at the money. Dickey looks at Katie. She nods yes. They all laugh, Dickey turns to a table and opens a bottle of Champaign. Katie hits him playfully for planning their acceptance ahead of time. Dickey smiles as he passes out the drinks. DICKEY (continuing) I knew it would be too good to resist. Gib watches from the wall. Liberty takes her drink and sits at a dressing room table staring at the money while Dickey, Genie and Katie toast their association in the background. DISSOLVE TO: INT. GOLDEN’S APARTMENT LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Liberty is sitting on the sofa holding a thick bundle of money just looking at it, a shoebox is sitting in front of 62 her. She lies the money down beside her and looks at the family picture in the box. CLOSE ON - a black and white picture of her father and mother together. Liberty stares at the picture sadly. FLASHBACK – Liberty’s father smiles at her as they walk together. BACK TO SCENE LIBERTY It's really hard without you daddy. Liberty holds the picture as tears run down her face, just looking at it quietly. Hanna comes in and sits with Liberty. HANNA I’m sorry everything has turned out like it has. Liberty looks at her. LIBERTY Don’t worry Hanna I’ll fix everything. (hands her the money.) Katie and I are moving take this money for you and Tony’s kids. It’ll get you by until you can do better. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DICKEY’S STRIP CLUB - DAY Liberty pulls into the club parking lot. Katie is walking across the parking lot and sees her. They meet near the front entrance. KATIE Don't see much of you anymore. 63 Liberty looks a little sad. LIBERTY I know, this thing has gone to fast and we haven’t done our part. Now, I’ve moved in with Dickey, the enemy. Shit, I'm on overload! I don’t know the good guys from the bad. Katie is concerned. KATIE You know you always have me. Liberty brushes it off. LIBERTY We’ll work it out. Like in the old days, right. Katie smiles and puts her arm around Liberty as they walk inside together. INT. DICKEY’S STRIP CLUB - DAY The club is closed. A two man clean up crew is vacuuming and carrying out the trash. Dickey is sitting in a dark corner drinking tequila shooters and doing a line of cocaine while two of his henchmen stand guard. Katie and Liberty walk past Dickey on their way to the dressing room. KATIE Hi Dick. Dickey looks up in a drugged stupor. DICKEY Sit down girls and have a line. He pushes a plate of cocaine across the table. 64 DICKEY (continuing) A little dust? Katie and Liberty shake their heads no. Dickey abruptly stands and grabs Liberty by the hair and pulls her close to him. He roughly puts a pill in her mouth and shoves her. Liberty spits the pill out on the floor and hits him across the face. She stands ready for a fight. Dickey laughs. DICKEY (continuing) That'll make you dance better. You stupid wench. Liberty walks away very angry. Katie starts to follow. Dickey grabs her. He watches Liberty go into the back room out of sight. He looks very mean at Katie and slaps her hard. DICKEY (continuing) Go to my office and get ready for me baby! Katie is frightened and is pleading. She looks at the henchmen and back at Dickey. KATIE Dickey, come on give me a break! Dickey smirks with an evil smile and shoves her. DICKEY Get your ass in there now! Don't 65 make my people teach you a hard lesson. Katie looks at Dickey and his men. She is too frightened to resist. KATIE Okay Dickey take it easy. Dickey pushes her and Katie walks toward his office. People are beginning to filter into the club talking and ordering drinks. Genie walks to the front door and greets them as they enter. Katie walks past her not speaking on her way to Dickey’s office followed by his two men. Dickey cleans up his paraphernalia and walks toward his office. Genie watches as Gib comes in. He takes his position near the stage. DISSOLVE TO: INT. DICKEY’S STRIP CLUB STAGE - AFTERNOON Liberty is dancing to a strong rock-n-roll song. John Colburn walks in looking around. He begins to watch Liberty. Liberty flows with the music in her own world. John continues to watch and smiles at her. Liberty looks at him, their eyes meet and the music stops. Liberty is interested but looks away. While she waits for the next song. John leans toward her. JOHN Roxanne told me you'd be here. I have a job for you. 66 He hands her his business card. JOHN (continuing) Call me. John turns and walks away. Liberty watches him walk out as the music starts to play again. Liberty holds John's business card in her hand while she looks at it and then him. CLOSE ON THE BUSINESS CARD - JOHN COLBURN, PHOTOGRAPHER/PRODUCER, 501/555-0111. Liberty smiles and puts the card in her g-string. She starts dancing for the crowd. INT. DICKEY'S STRIP CLUB, OFFICE - LATE AFTERNOON Katie is standing in front of Dickey’s desk, her eyes are glazed and her speech is thick from taking a lot of drugs. Dickey’s henchmen watch her closely. Dickey’s sits in his office chair behind his desk with a twisted smile on his face. DICKEY I thought I told you to strip! Katie is slightly up-set and nervous. KATIE Please Dickey, don't get rough, I've seen Liberty. Dickey is angry. DICKEY Leave Liberty out of this. Strip damn it! Katie is about to panic. She looks at Dickey’s men. 67 KATIE Please Dickey, don't do this. Dickey is standing in front of her looking discussed. Katie pulls back a little from Dickey. He looks directly into her eyes in a stupor. DICKEY Do it. Katie is afraid to resist. She backs out and into Liberty. Katie is surprised. KATIE I’m sorry. Katie stands by her friend. Liberty is angry. LIBERTY It’s okay. Leave her alone Dickey! Dickey smirks and slurs his speech as he tries to grab her. DICKEY Both of you strip. Liberty is hard in her statement. LIBERTY No Dickey, I'm pregnant. I won't be knocked around anymore! Dickey is very angry. DICKEY You stupid bitch! Get the hell out of here and don't come back! Pregnant idiot. Liberty turns and walk from the office. Katie follows her. 68 Dickey walks to the door and slams it behind them. EXT. DICKEY’S STRIP CLUB HALL - NIGHT Katie looks at Liberty with tears streaming down her face. KATIE I'm sorry Liberty, for the first time I didn't know what to do! Liberty comforts her. LIBERTY It's okay, I was leaving anyway and this is the right time. We need to remember why we came. DISSOLVE TO: INT. DICKEY'S HOUSE - NIGHT Liberty is packing her suitcase and a clothing bag lying on the bed. She throws her clothes in the bags as she speaks to herself. LIBERTY That son-of-a-bitch, screw him! Liberty zips up her bags, grabs them and walks out. EXT. DICKEY'S HOUSE - NIGHT Liberty walks out the front door, she opens the trunk of her car and puts her bags inside still talking to herself. LIBERTY Brainless pig! Liberty gets into her car, backs from the driveway and moves down the street. EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT Liberty drives through the parking lot and stops near the entrance. She gets her cell phone out. She dials while she looks at a small address book. 69 The phone rings, she raps her fingernails on the car console, it rings again. Liberty smiles. LIBERTY Gib this is Liberty. Gib voice perks up. GIB (TELEPHONE V.0.) Hi. Liberty is happy she has connected with her friend. LIBERTY Listen, I need help you're the only person I can call, you and Mary Ann are the only friends I have. Gib's voice sounds concerned. GIB (TELEPHONE V.0.) Sure Liberty, what's wrong? Liberty sounds sincere. LIBERTY Dickey freaked out and I left. Gib has concern in his voice. GIB (TELEPHONE V.O.) Where’s Katie? Liberty is sad. LIBERTY She went to her boyfriend’s house. I couldn’t crowd in. Gib is kind. GIB (TELEPHONE V.0.) 70 Good, I wondered when you were going to get tired of his stuff. Do you need a place to stay? Liberty is pleased she doesn't have to ask and smiles. LIBERTY Yeah and probably someone to keep him from killing me. Gib is kind and reassuring. GIB (TELEPHONE V.0.) Come on over, we'll get this sorted out, don't you worry. Liberty is happier. LIBERTY Thanks Gib, tell Mary Ann thanks, I'll be there in two minutes. Liberty hangs up the phone and stares at it for a moment. She starts her car and drives away. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT Liberty slows down and turns onto a side street. Her car moves down the street a short half of a block and stops in Gib's drive in front a small white vinyl sided home. The porch light goes on. Liberty gets out of her car and walks to the front door. Gib opens the door and she goes inside. DISSOLVE TO: INT. GIB'S HOME - MORNING 71 Gib's large hand shakes Liberty while she sleeps on the couch. Gib grabs Liberty's shoulder as he kneels and shakes her a little harder. GIB Liberty wake up, are you okay? Liberty wakes up and rubs her eyes. LIBERTY Sure, thanks Gib for letting me stay, I didn't know where to go. Gib looks very kind and fatherly toward her. GIB It's okay Liberty you can always come here. Did that bastard Dickey rough you up again? Liberty tires to wake up better. LIBERTY No, but he's so far gone on drugs I can't cope with him anymore. He'll come after me. Gib speaks fatherly again. GIB He's always been that way Liberty. Stay here till you get straightened out, I'll take care of Dickey. Mary Ann's at work already she wants you to call her. Liberty smiles and hugs Gib. LIBERTY Thanks Gib. I've got to get a new job. Gib pats her on the shoulder as he stands. Liberty smiles. 72 GIB Mary Ann can get you on at the restaurant. Liberty smiles again. LIBERTY Thanks Gib, I’ll go see her. Gib walks away and out the front door. Liberty picks up John Colburn's business card and looks at it. EXT. TEN STORY OFFICE BUILDING - DAY Liberty is hurrying down the sidewalk toward the front doors of the office building. She passes a businessman that looks at her and smiles. Liberty confidently smiles back and walks inside. INT. TEN STORY OFFICE BUILDING Liberty rushes to catch an elevator going up. She gets on and the doors close. INT. TEN STORY OFFICE BUILDING FIFTH FLOOR The elevator doors open and Liberty gets off, she walks down the hall looking at John Colburn's business and office doors for the right number. She finds it and walks inside. INT. JOHN COLBURN'S OFFICE Liberty walks into the office foyer. A secretary looks up and greets her. SECRETARY May I help you? Liberty put on her best front. 73 LIBERTY Hi, I'm Liberty King, Mr. Colburn ask to see me. The secretary smiles. SECRETARY All right I'll let him know you're here. The secretary gets on the phone and speaks in a muffled tone. Liberty sits down, crosses her beautiful legs in an almost seductive manner and gets comfortable as she pick up a magazine and flips through it. John walks into the room. Liberty looks up smiles, stands and greets him. JOHN Have you been waiting long? Liberty appreciates the consideration. LIBERTY No I just got here. John puts out his hand to shake. JOHN In case you forgot, I'm John. Liberty smiles and shakes his hand. LIBERTY I'm Liberty. They stop shaking hands as John looks into Liberty's eyes. JOHN Come into my studio, we'll talk. 74 John turns and walks to his studio and Liberty smiles and follows. INT. STUDIO John and Liberty walk inside. John turns to Liberty and gestures toward a chair for her to sit in. JOHN Have a seat. John waits for her to sit director’s chair near her. Thank you. John and Liberty are facing each other he looks at her until she feels a little uncomfortable. JOHN Well Liberty, I came out to see you after Roxanne told me where to find you. I had looked at your portfolio and liked what I saw. Liberty smiles and is embarrassed. John smiles at her trying to make her comfortable. JOHN I have a job for you if you are interested? Liberty is still slightly uncomfortable and on the defensive. LIBERTY What do I have to do? I've quit stripping. I don’t want that. John is pleasantly surprised. JOHN Good, we don't do that here. Your job would be photo work for posters down and then sits in his LIBERTY 75 and that sort of thing. He points to a poster on the wall of a pretty lady in a bathing suit. JOHN (continuing) You want to try it? Liberty is happy for the change. LIBERTY Sure, I really like that kind of work. John stands. Liberty gets up. JOHN Give me your phone number and I'll have someone call when we are ready. Let me show you around the studio. John and Liberty smile at each other as they talk and walk together. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DICKEY’S STRIP CLUB PARKING LOT - DAY Liberty drives to a parking place and stops with Dickey right behind her. Dickey gets out of his car in a drug stupor motioning and yelling at Liberty. DICKEY Come here you bitch! Where the hell have you been? Liberty is frightened but decides to defend herself, she gets out of her car. 76 LIBERTY Dickey, I left you a month ago, leave me alone! Dickey grabs Liberty and shakes her pushing her against her car. DICKEY Listen bitch, you do what I say! Liberty is struggling with him. LIBERTY Dickey I just came for my check, let me go! Dickey hits Liberty with his fist two times very hard. Liberty hits the side of her car and wilts to the ground. She recovers and hits Dickey with her fist. He falls back and recovers attacking Liberty. She takes a knife out and cuts Dickey across the neck. He begins to bleed slightly. The loud sound of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle accelerating is heard in the background. Gib speeds by on his motorcycle and kicks Dickey to the ground. Dickey is weakly getting up holding his throat. DICKEY You son-of-a-bitch! Gib spins his motorcycle around and stops. He gets off and walks to Dickey. GIB Dickey I warned your young ass about punchin Liberty! 77 Gib looks at Liberty’s hand with the knife and then at Dickey’s bleeding throat. Gib grabs Dickey and slaps his open handed with a powerful blow, again and again until his nose and mouth are bleeding. Gib throws Dickey to the ground. GIB (continuing) Crawl you weasel! Gib kicks Dickey in the butt as he crawls to his car. GIB (continuing) Get the hell out of here sleaze-bag! Gib turns to Liberty and takes her knife with his huge hand. Liberty smiles. GIB (continuing) It's okay Liberty I'm here. You don’t have to fight anymore. Gib suddenly looks around as he hears an automobile roaring toward Liberty and him. GIB P.O.V. Dickey has a wild look on his bloody face as his speeding car bears down on them. BACK TO SCENE Gib pushes Liberty behind a parked car. He jumps for cover but is slightly hit by the speeding car. Dickey’s car speed on past them. Dickey tries to turn in order to miss a concrete wall directly in front of him. His car crashes straight into the wall at high speed. Smoke bellows from under the hood and inside Dickey’s car. 78 Dickey’s bloody face is crushed against the steering wheel. Gib goes to Liberty as she sits up from her fall. GIB You okay baby? Liberty is recovering and crying. LIBERTY Yes I think so? They go to Dickey. Dickey looks up at them dying. DICKEY I’m sorry, it was me, I killed Tony. Jack Amver ordered it. Tony was hard against us. One night he came to my office and said he had the goods he needed to put me away. I shot him like Jack said. I always liked Tony it was hard for me. Dickey slowly closes his eyes and dies. Liberty is staring at Dickey. LIBERTY Rest in peace, Tony. Go to hell Dickey. Gib nods. A police car speeds up and stops with lights and sires on near Dickey’s car. Two policemen exit the vehicles. A Policemen checks out Dickey. The other policeman checks Liberty and Gib. The policemen pulls Dickey from the smoking car and moves him to a safe distance away. 79 The policeman checks Dickey’s vital signs and shakes his head. The policeman gets up and walks to Liberty and the others talking to his partner. POLICEMAN Are they okay? The policeman nods. The waiting policemen gets down to business. POLICEMAN What happened here? Gib speaks up to protect Liberty. GIB Dickey was drugged out and went nuts like he usually does and tried to kill us. He hit the wall while he was trying to run us down. The Policeman looks at Liberty. POLICEMAN Is that the way you see it? Liberty nods her head. POLICEMAN (continuing) We've had trouble with Dickey before, come by the station and we'll get a statement and make a report. Gib solemnly acknowledges. GIB All right Gib looks at Liberty. GIB 80 (continuing) Come-on let’s go home. The policeman speaks as they walk away. POLICEMAN Better go by the hospital for an ex-ray. Liberty speaks to him. LIBERTY I'm all right. I just what to go home now. The policeman nods and watches them walk away. DISSOLVE TO: INT. GIB'S HOME - DAY Liberty, Gib and MARY ANN (Gib's girlfriend) a nice looking dark skinned middle-aged woman, with large kind eyes and a trim build walks through the front door of the house. Katie is waiting on the sofa. She stands and goes to Liberty hugging her. KATIE Mary Ann called. Mary Ann looks at Liberty. GIB Sit down I'll get coffee for us. Liberty and Mary Ann sit together on the sofa and Gib walks into the kitchen while Katie sits in a chair near Liberty. Liberty looks at Mary Ann. LIBERTY Thanks for everything Mary Ann. I know I'm imposing on you and Gib. But I don’t know what to do. 81 Mary Ann smiles and hugs Liberty, then looks at her. MARY ANN Don't you worry. Gib walks into the room with the coffee. Gib sets the coffee down on the table in front of them and speaks. GIB (continuing) Hell Liberty, Mary Ann and me talked it over and we want you to stay here for good. With you expecting and all. Gib sits beside Mary Ann and looks at Liberty. Katie smiles. Liberty is happy. DISSOLVE TO: INT. BLUE COLLAR RESTAURANT - NOON A pregnant Liberty and her friend Mary Ann are waiting tables in a packed restaurant. They are happy and friendly with the customers. Katie is waiting tables across the room. SUB-TITLE APPEARS - SIX MONTHS LATER. Mary Ann pauses. She and Liberty walk around a corner near the kitchen. MARY ANN Makin some bucks today. Mary Ann passes Liberty and smiles over her shoulder. Liberty sets her tray of food down she had just picked up and holds her stomach in pain. The cook and Mary Ann go to Liberty. Katie comes over. DISSOLVE TO: 82 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT Liberty is in a hospital bed with her new baby beside her. Katie, Gib and Mary Ann are next to her looking at the new baby. MARY ANN Does you mother know about her new grand-daughter? Liberty looks concerned. LIBERTY Know I'm afraid to tell her. Gib is happy. KATIE I'll tell her she’s not that bad. Liberty replies anxiously. LIBERTY Yes she is. After Dad died she got mean. John walks into the hospital room with a large bouquet of flowers. JOHN I heard you were here. Liberty is very happy to see John. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CITY PARK - DAY Liberty is pushing RANDI her two-year-old blonde and blueeyed baby in a stroller with John beside her. SUB-TITLE APPEARS - TWO YEARS LATER. 83 Gib is wearing an elephant trunked cap trying to entertain Randi while Mary Ann laughs and walks with them. INT. JOHN'S STUDIO - DAY Liberty is posing in an elegant evening gown for John as he snaps picture of her. JOHN That’s good honey. Couple of more and we're finished. John points to a series of posters and calendars of Liberty on the wall. JOHN (continuing) Give a look like that! Liberty is poised and throws her hair back on her shoulders. John snaps two more pictures. DISSOLVE TO: INT. JOHN AND LIBERTY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Liberty, Katie, John, Gib, Mary Ann and Randi are having dinner. John taps his water glass with his spoon. JOHN I have something I want to tell you. Everyone gets quiet. JOHN (continuing) You know all of those scripts, letters and miscellaneous junk I've been mailing off for the last hundred years? Well I've finally got a job. Since Liberty and I moved in together my luck 84 has been perfect. Liberty is excited and squeals with delight. LIBERTY Where’s the job? John smiles and continues. JOHN In Hollywood, and in celebration… Liberty is almost shocked by the news of the location. JOHN (continuing) I brought Champaign! Gib looks happy for his friend. GIB Hey man congrads! Mary Ann chimes in as she notices Liberty being quiet. MARY ANN We're happy for you John. Liberty quickly changes her look to happiness for John. Katie hugs her. LIBERTY I'm glad. John smiles at her and holds her hand. JOHN Here's to everyone that is dear to me. Thank you for your support, I love you all! They all laugh and toast. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CITY PARK - DAY 85 Liberty, John and Randi are in the park sitting on the grass. Randi is playing, Liberty and John are talking while picking through a picnic basket. John looks at Liberty seriously. JOHN Liberty, I'll go out and get settled then you and Randi can come when I'm… Liberty gives John a hug interrupting him. LIBERTY I can't wait, we finally made it. We can have a house and everything. Liberty smiles and giggles as she kisses John lightly on the cheek. John is happy about Liberty's enthusiasm. JOHN It'll be great! Liberty touches John's hand and looks into his eyes. LIBERTY Let's go home! FLIP FRAME INT. LIBERTY AND JOHN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Liberty and John are in bed. John is looking at the wall thinking. Liberty's head is on her hand held up by her elbow looking at John. Liberty moves to get up, she stand and walks to the dresser. LIBERTY John are you sure you have everything ready for your trip? John laugh slightly. 86 JOHN I swear Liberty you are going to give me a nervous breakdown. Quit worrying and come back to bed. Liberty brushes her hair looking into the mirror. LIBERTY I'm sad and happy. Katie went back home and now you are leaving. John is playful. JOHN Come back to bed, I'll show you what to do. Liberty moves across the room and grabs a pillow from the bed and hits John with it. LIBERTY Is sex all you ever think about? John grabs her by the arm and pulls her onto the bed. JOHN Better than hunting! Liberty smiles and looks seductive. LIBERTY Okay hot shot, prepare to die! DISSOLVE TO MORNING: John and Liberty are sleeping. The radio alarm goes off. John wakes up and turns it off. Liberty opens her eyes and pulls John toward her. JOHN 87 Honey I got to get ready. Liberty kisses John and looks into his eyes. LIBERTY I am ready! Liberty kisses John again he kisses her passionately and looks at her. JOHN Come on I got to get a shower. John gets up and walks into the bathroom. Liberty looks at the bathroom door as she hears the shower go on. Randi opens the bedroom door and is watching her mother. Liberty smiles at the sight of her daughter. LIBERTY Come in baby, you can get in here with mommy. Randi runs to the bed and jumps in. John's voice echoes from the bathroom. Liberty and Randi smile at each other looking at the bathroom door. JOHN (V.0.) Better get ready, we're leaving in forty-five minutes. Liberty yells out to him as she and Randi giggle with each other. LIBERTY We'll be ready! John walks out of the bathroom with a large heavy towel wrapped around him. He leans on the door sill. JOHN Sure you will. 88 INT. AIRPORT GATE - DAY John is leaning in a similar position on the ticket counter at the departure area. Liberty, Randi, Mary Ann and Gib are patiently waiting behind him. John gets his ticket and turns to them. JOHN Well this is it. Gib speaks up. GIB Go get'em Tiger! Mary Ann hugs John. Gib joins in. MARY ANN We'll miss you John. John looks almost sad. JOHN I'll miss you two. Liberty holds John as Randi squeezes in between them. John picks Randi up and looks at her lovingly. JOHN Good bye little one, I love you, I'll see you real soon. You be good and help mommy okay? Randi nods sadly. RANDI Bye daddy, I love you. Liberty and John look at each other. John kisses Randi on the cheek and she smiles very big. Liberty and John embraces and enjoy their last moments together. 89 LIBERTY I love you John, I'll miss you, call me all of the time okay? Randi nods in agreement looking at her mother. John looks at each of them. JOHN I love you, all of you. John turns and boards the airplane. Liberty and Randi are holding hands watching sadly. Gib and Mary Ann and Katie are standing with them teary eyed. Liberty's eyes get large tears in them. John's plane is taxiing away from the terminal. A large aircraft takes off in the background. DISSOLVE TO: INT. RESTAURANT - DAY Liberty and Mary Ann are sitting at a table talking over a meal. SUB-TITLE APPEARS – SIX MONTHS LATER Liberty looks at Mary Ann over the table earnestly. LIBERTY Mary Ann, I'm going back into dancing. Just long enough to get money so Randi and I can go to John. I miss him. Mary Ann is looking concerned. She puts her fork down. MARY ANN Bad idea, you know what could happen. Just wait, John will send money when he gets going. Liberty listens but her mind is made up. 90 LIBERTY I know, but I older now and I can handle myself at the clubs. May Ann smiles. MARY ANN Well honey I got two words for you, dumb ass. Liberty smiles and throws some money on the table. They get up and walk outside. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ECSTASY MEN’S CLUB Liberty walks through the front doors wearing a long coat and heels. She looks around the dark room as she walks. The music is loud. Two girls dance on stage with neon lights flashing behind them. Liberty walks on to the bar. Know one is there. LIBERTY Hello, anybody back there? A bartender walks up from the back room. BARTENDER Yeah? Liberty smiles. LIBERTY I’m here to audition for the job. The bartender looks toward a dark corner. BARTENDER Over there, Charles Manson in the dark. 91 Liberty smiles and walks toward the man. She sees more women standing near the stage waiting to do they audition dances. She stops near the man. LIBERTY Hi, I’m Liberty King. The man JACK AMVER, a handsome man for his middle-age puts his drink down and looks at her smiling. JACK Hi, I’m Jack Amver. You ever dance before? Liberty smiles confidently and nods yes knowing he is the man she is after. JACK (continuing) Put your costume on and show me your routine. The dressing room over there behind the stage. Liberty smiles and walks toward the dressing room and stops at the stage. She takes off her coat and reveals her silver sequin costume. A dancer is coming off of the stage. Liberty looks at the Disc jockey seductively. LIBERTY Play something hot. The D.J. puts on a C.D. D.J. You got it baby. Liberty gracefully walks on the stage and the music starts to play. She struts and turns to the music in her reveling costume finally the music ends. She bends over and winks at Jack looking back toward him through her legs. Liberty steps from the stage and puts on her light coat and walks toward Jack. 92 Jacks walks to Liberty. JACK Good work, you got the job honey. Liberty smiles and talks while she breathes hard. LIBERTY Great, when do I start? Jack is happy. JACK Tonight at seven. Liberty smiles as she walks out and speaks. LIBERTY See you then. EXT. ECTASY MEN’S CLUB Liberty walks out with her phone to her ear. LIBERTY Hi, Mary Ann tell the manager I’m quitting. I don’t have time to tell him myself, I got to go home and get ready for my new job. Okay, Thanks, bye. Liberty walks into a fast food restaurant. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ECSTASY MEN’S CLUB - NIGHT Liberty walks in wearing a short coat with her costume obviously underneath. She stops near the stage smoothing out her fish net stockings and flirting with a nearby customer. Jack walks to Liberty and greets her. JACK Come in the office and I’ll 93 go over the schedule and our rules with you. Liberty smiles. LIBERTY I’ll be there in a minute. Jack is rude as he looks back at her. JACK Now. Jack looks at a nearby girl and nods his head for her to take the stage. The girl gets on stage and starts dancing. Liberty turns and walks with Jack. INT. ECSTASY MEN’S CLUB, JACK’S PRIVATE OFFICE Liberty and Jack enter his office. Jack turns and motions for her to sit in a chair in front of his desk. She sits down. JACK I have a few rules, nothing heavy. work from seven to one. You keep all of your tips and don’t screw the customers unless I okay it. I keep half if you do. Liberty is insulted. LIBERTY Mr. Amver, I don’t… Jack is harsh and forceful. JACK Yes you do, if I say you do. 94 Jack stands over Liberty. He takes a hundred dollar bill from his pocket and puts it in Liberty’s bra. JACK (continuing) Here this is for your first customer. Liberty stand and jerks the money out throwing it on the floor. She comes out with a stiletto knife and pushes the button. The blade slams out to Jack’s surprise. LIBERTY You know I would have preferred a better time for this, but I guess this is good as any. Jack is surprised and watches her cautiously. JACK What the hell are you talking about? Liberty looks discussed at Jack. LIBERTY I know about you ordering Tony killed cause he was changing the neighborhood against you and Dickey. Dickey was just your front man. You’re the demon seed of it all. People die just to fill your pockets. Jack suddenly grabs Liberty and knocks the knife from her hand. He hits her and then grabs her hair jerking her next to him. He slams her face on the desk with her body bent over it. She fights him and Jack hits her again and again until she is too weak to fight. Tears and salvia fly from Liberty’s face as Jack slaps her. Jack pushes his body against her to help hold her down. LIBERTY 95 Let go you son-of-a-bitch. Jack begins to rape her. JACK I rule here. Always have, always will. Jack stops and throws her to the floor. Liberty gets up with a vengeance. She grabs a paper spike from the desk and slams it into Jack’s eye. He screams and falls backward with Liberty dead on him. She grabs her knife and stabs him in the neck then in the side of the head. Jack falls to the floor dead. Liberty stands over him bleeding and exhausted. LIBERTY That’s for my Dad and Toney you sorry bastard. She exits the office. INT. ECSTASY MEN’S CLUB, HALL Liberty moves weakly down the hall and out the backdoor. DISSOLVE TO: INT. GIB AND MARY ANN’S HOUSE – MORNING Liberty is sleeping on the sofa. SUB-TITLE APPEARS – SIX MONTHS LATER Her cell phone rings and Liberty wakes to answer it. LIBERTY Hello. John’s voice is happy. JOHN (TELEPHONE V.O.) Hi Liberty, how’s Randi and 96 everybody? Liberty ties to be cheerful. LIBERTY Everybody’s okay. John is still happy. JOHN (TELEPHONE V.O.) Hey, it won’t be long till you two can come out. Liberty smiles. LIBERTY I know. JOHN (TELEPHONE V.O.) Are you all right? LIBERTY Yes honey, I was just asleep. JOHN (TELEPHONE V.O.) Okay, well I’ll see you soon. I love you. Liberty smiles again. LIBERTY Okay, we love you too, bye. John hangs up and the dial tone is heard. Liberty looks at the phone for a few seconds. Tears run down her face emotionless. MARY ANN (O.S.) Liberty, we’re all going to the park wanta come? Liberty wipes the tears from her face. LIBERTY Sure give me five minutes. 97 EXT. CITY PARK Gib and Randi are playing soccer while Mary Ann watches. Gib trips and falls and they laugh. Liberty is preparing food at a picnic table. She looks up. LIBERTY Lunch is ready. Randi, Gib and Mary Ann stop what they are doing and start walking to the picnic table. Gib jogs on ahead. GIB Hey Liberty when are you going to California. Liberty is uncomfortable with the question. LIBERTY I’m not. Tears begin to roll down her face. She tries to control her emotions. LIBERTY (continuing) I’ve made such a mess of everything. I’m pregnant and I don’t know if the baby is John’s or that asshole at the bar. Gib is firm. GIB You been screwin around on John? Liberty is hurt by the question. LIBERTY No, I love him. The bastard at The bar raped me the first day I worked there. Now I can go, but no John, no life. I’ve ruined everything. I should’ve stayed 98 home. Gib just stands looking kindly at her. GIB That guy’s dead, no one will ever know. Randi and Mary Ann walk up. Liberty hardly notices. LIBERTY I will. Mary Ann and Randi comfort her. GIB Tell John, he’ll understand. Liberty looks at Gib crying. LIBERTY No, I’ve made up my mind. I can’t face John. He’ll never understand what I did for the police and Tony. He’ll think I’m awful. Mary Ann looks at Gib. MARY ANN What’s wrong? Gib is serious. GIB I’ll tell ya later. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. COUNTY HOSPITAL – NIGHT Gib speeds his pick up to the emergency entrance with Mary Ann, the very pregnant Liberty and Randi crammed inside. He stops and gets out. A nurse meets the truck and Liberty gets 99 out with everyone else and gets in the wheel chair. They all go inside. INT. COUNTY HOSPITAL Liberty is put on a gurney and wheeled to a birthing room. Gib, Randi, Katie and Mary Ann walk toward the waiting room. DISSOLVE TO: Gib, Randi and Mary Ann are happily looking through a glass at the new baby in the nursery with a nurse holding him up for them to see. EXT. GIB AND MARY ANN’S HOME Gib drives his truck into the driveway With Randi, Mary Ann, Liberty and the new baby inside. They all get out and go inside. FLIP FRAME Gib and JOHNATHAN, a handsome six year old boy walks out of the house. The boy is carrying school books and Gib is holding his hand as they walk to the waiting school bus. The boy gets on the bus and Gib waves good bye. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. LIBERTY’S GARDEN HOME A very cute and well kept little home sits near the sidewalk. A school bus stops and a ten year old boy and the fourteen year old Randi get off the bus and go inside. INT. LIBERTY’S GARDEN HOME Randi and Jonathan move inside and drop their books by the front door. Liberty walks inside from outside through the back door. She is looking older. 100 LIBERTY Hi, my little ones. The children both talk at the same time - overlapping dialogue. JOHNATHAN AND RANDI Hi mom. How was your day? Guess what happened? Liberty looks at Jonathan. LIBERTY How was school today? Jonathan speaks up. JOHNATHAN We got a new coach, you should meet him. Randi chimes in. RANDI Lay off dork. She can find her own men. Liberty’s cell phone rings. She answers it and the children go off to their rooms. LIBERTY Hello. Gib is on the phone. GIB (TELEPHONE V.O.) Hi Liberty. Just called to let you know I talked with John. He’s coming out for a visit When he finishes his next film He’s directing. John said he want’s to see you just to say hello. You know if you want to, Sure doesn’t seem like ten years. 101 LIBERTY Has it been that long? It would be wonderful to see John. Does he know about Jonathan? Gib is serious. GIB (TELEPHONE V.O.) I don’t lie to my friend. He knows everything. What he doesn’t know is why you have been like you have for all of these years. LIBERTY I don’t know either sometimes when we are young we make mistakes. GIB (TELEPHONE V.O.) Yeah, big ones. Hey I wonder if he’s changed. Liberty smiles. LIBERTY Yeah, I wonder. GIB (TELEPHONE V.O.) Gotta run, see ya soon. Liberty is in thought. LIBERTY Bye. Randi and Jonathan come in from outside through the back door. JOHNATHAN Was that Uncle Gib? He’s taking me to the zoo this weekend. Liberty is playful. LIBERTY What makes you think that was Gib? 102 Randi smiles. RANDI Easy, he and Mary Ann are the only calls you get. Liberty sits down. LIBERTY Yes, it was Gib. He said John is coming to visit. Jonathan is curious. JOHNATHAN Who is John? Liberty looks kindly at him. LIBERTY I’ll tell you all about him some day. Randi chimes in. RANDI He’s mom’s old boyfriend. John is still curious. JOHNATHAN Mom, has a boyfriend? Randi is smiling. RANDI Not now. (she looks at Liberty) Mom are we ever going to see him. I know you still like John. After all this time you still talk about him. Liberty is thinking. 103 LIBERTY It’s complicated. Besides we’re just friends now. You know life Jonathan thinks it’s funny. JOHNATHAN Ooh, kiss, kiss. Randi glares at her brother. RANDI Shut up geek. This is serious for mom. Liberty gets up talking as she goes to the kitchen. LIBERTY Come get out of here so I can fix us something to eat. The kids leave. Liberty looks out the kitchen window staring into space. DISSOLVE TO: INT. RESTAURANT Liberty is serving food to customers. The cook yells over to her. COOK Liberty telephone. Liberty goes to an old pay telephone hanging on the wall and picks it up. LIBERTY Hello. Mary Ann is on the phone. MARY ANN (TELEPHONE V.O.) Hey, thought I’d let you know, 104 John can’t come. He’s been called to Europe to finish a film. Almost forgot, tell the kids we’ll Pick’em up this weekend. You should go see your mom since she moved here. Liberty is visibly disappointed. LIBERTY Your right, thanks Mary Ann. Mary Ann is in a rush. MARY ANN Okay, see you soon honey. Liberty hangs up. INT. HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM Liberty, Randi, Gib and Mary Ann sit together in the auditorium waiting for Jonathan to graduate from high school. SUB-TITLE APPEARS – SEVEN YEARS LATER Jonathan now seventeen walks across the stage to receive his diploma. Liberty watches proudly. Jonathan looks toward his mother and smiles with braces on his teeth. Randi yells out. RANDI Way ta go gator mouth. Liberty looks at Randi. LIBERTY Don’t talk that way about your Brother. He’s a man now. Randi is trying to be funny. 105 RANDI Yeah, the fabulous six dollar man. The principle gives out the last diploma. PRINCIPLE Ladies and gentlemen, the class of nineteen eighty-six. The seniors jump up and cheer. DISSOLVE TO: INT. CITIZEN’S BANK – DAY Rachel is sitting in a chair next to a bank officer’s desk. The officer is holding a file folder. BANKER Miss King, our bank is just the trustee for your children’s college education trust. Liberty is surprised. LIBERTY We don’t have a trust. We don’t even have money. The banker smiles. BANKER Your daughter has received this money since she started college. there is no loan. Now your son will have the same benefits. Liberty is pushing for information. LIBERTY I thought we were getting loans. Did my dad do this? The banker remains professional BANKER 106 Our instructions were to advance you any amount of money needed from the trust as a loan to be forgiven when the notes come due. Liberty is at a loss to completely understand. LIBERTY But who, how. The banker smiles. BANKER The famous director, John Colburn, I assume you know him. He said he was family. Liberty is very happy. LIBERTY That he is. (she smiles) Thank you, I’ve got to go to work. The banker nods. BANKER I’ll make the deposit for Jonathan’s School. Liberty smiles and walks out. EXT. CITY STREET Liberty walks down the street. She takes out her cell phone and dials as she walks. The phone rings. LIBERTY Hi, this is Liberty King. May I speak with John Colburn please? OPERATOR (TELEPHONE V.O.) I’m sorry, Mr. Colburn is on the set now, would you like to leave a message? 107 Liberty is happy. LIBERTY Yes, tell him Liberty, Randi and Jonathan love him and want to see him soon. OPERATOR (TELPHONE V.O.) Yes ma’am I’ll give him the message. Liberty smiles and hangs up. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. MOVIE SET A lady walks to John’s director’s chair. She hands him a stack of telephone messages. LADY Your phone messages, Mr. Colburn. John takes them in hand. JOHN Thank you. The lady leaves and John stands. He lies the messages on a small table next to his chair and walks toward the set. JOHN Set the shot up from this angle. CLOSE ON TELEPHONE MESSAGES - a breeze comes up and blows them away while John works on the set in the background. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CITY STREET A young adult Randi and Jonathan walk with their older mother. JOHNATHAN Mom, since we’re taking you to 108 lunch. I think something extra nice is in order since Randi is buying. Liberty is amused. LIBERTY Better be careful. She might sue you. Randi chimes in. RANDI Don’t watch your step. I’m looking for a starting place for my new law degree or maybe slow your contractor license down. John is amused. JOHNATHAN That little title, assistant D.A. has gone to your head. On your pay I guess I should spring for lunch. Randi changes the subject. RANDI Mom, Grandmother is coming for Christmas dinner. You two haven’t spoken for years and I think it’s time that stopped. Gib and Mary Ann are coming to. Jonathan puts in his part. JONATHAN She’s tame now. It’s settled then, Christmas at your house with the dysfunctional’s. Liberty has an uneasy smile of acknowledgement and they walk inside the restaurant. INT. LIBERTY’S GARDEN HOME 109 Grandmother King, Gib and Mary Ann come inside carrying gifts. The house decorated with a beautiful Christmas tree and lights. Randi, Jonathan and Liberty greet them. Liberty stops and looks at her mother waiting. They hug and everything is okay. Jonathan looks outside. JONATHAN P.O.V. Katie stops her car out front. She and her husband get out and walk to the house. BACK TO SCENE Jonathan looks at everyone. JONATHAN Katie’s here. The telephone rings and Liberty answers. LIBERTY Hello. Jonathan and Gib go to the door and greet Katie and her husband. Liberty listens to an unfamiliar voice on the telephone. MAN (TELEPHONE V.O.) Ms. King, this is Ben Mailer. I have a delivery for you. I just wanted to be sure you are going to be there. Liberty is curious. LIBERTY Yes, what… The man cuts her off. 110 MAN (TELEPHONE V.O.) All right then, I’ll see you in a few minutes. The phone goes dead. Liberty looks at the phone curiously. Randi looks at her mom. RANDI Who was that? Liberty looks at her. LIBERTY I don’t know, a man making a delivery. Said he’d be right over. Randi is curious. RANDI What is it? Liberty smiles. LIBERTY I don’t know. He hung up. It’s probably Santa with a fruit cake. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. LIBERTY’S GARDEN HOME A new black Jaguar pulls up outside and parks in front of the house. A man gets out. Another Jaguar stops nearby. The man goes to the car and gets in and they drive away. OUTSIDE TO INSIDE Randi looks out the window. BACK TO SCENE 111 INT. LIBERTY’S GARDEN HOME Liberty looks toward Randi. LIBERTY What is it sweetie. Randi looks back at her mom. RANDI Just somebody parking their car in front of our house. Great car. Liberty smiles. LIBERTY That okay. People do it all the time. Randi is still watching. RANDI P.O.V. INSIDE TO OUTSIDE – a yellow cab pulls up and a man with gray hair gets out looking at a piece of paper and then at the house. He walks toward the house. BACK TO SCENE Randi looks back at her mom. RANDI Mom, do you know a tall man with gray hair and good looking? Liberty comes over to look out the window. LIBERTY No, maybe our neighbor down the street. Liberty looks out the window beside Randi. RANDI I don’t think so. 112 Liberty is suddenly speechless for a second. LIBERTY It’s John, it’s John! Randi raises her eyebrows. RANDI I know John. Liberty and Randi bolt out the front door. Everyone else see the commotion and follows. EXT. LIBERTY’S GARDEN HOME Liberty slows down walking toward John. Randi stops to wait and see. John opens his arms and Liberty runs to him. They embrace and kiss. Liberty looks up at him. LIBERTY I didn’t think I’d see you again. John smiles. JOHN I could never forget you. Liberty happy. LIBERTY Seems like yesterday. John is sincere. JOHN Liberty, I love you. I’ve thought about you for twenty years. Liberty is sad. LIBERTY I love you so much. I should have 113 never let you go. Everyone is watching intently. John smiles at Liberty. JOHN Listen, Gib told me everything. I Recently contacted Randi and Jonathan. Through D.N.A. we know Jonathan is my son and Randi is now my wonderful daughter. There’s only one thing left. Liberty stares up into John’s eyes. JOHN (continuing) We’ve wasted so much time. Marry me. Liberty is shocked. LIBERTY Yes, oh yes. I’m so sorry I let one bad decision turn my life into a dreadful saga. John smiles lovingly. JOHN Sometimes, it takes a lifetime to make a good decision. They kiss and look at the family. Gib puts his arm around Mary Ann and beams like a proud father. Randi, Jonathan and the grandmother are smiling with their arms around each other. Katie is pleased for her friend while she stands with her husband. 114 John takes a Christmas bow from his coat pocket and puts on the Jaguar and gives Liberty the keys. John embraces Liberty and kisses her again. They are silhouetted against the family background and the Christmas lights. FADE OUT. THE END