Animal Kingdom Page #18

white car wasn't it? Millions of white

cars in the world. Why was that one so

familiar? Probably looked very similar

to that one that guy drives on that

show, some show you watch all the

time. You know?

(beat)

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

Animal Kingdom - GREEN REVISIONS 104.

HOPPER(CONT'D)

CONTINUED:
(2)

Now, we also want to make sure youdon't perjure yourself in the process,

mate, so we need to be careful how weplay it. This may involve you havingto answer some questions about thedeath of Nicole. My guess is you maynot like it. Do you think you'll be OKwith it?

J:

I'll be fine with it.

161 EXT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT 161

J walks the drive to the safe house. New model cars parkedoutside. The front door is busted. J enters.

162 INT. SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT 162

The house feels crowded with men in suits who fall silent as J

enters. Leckie pushes to the front and leads J by the arm intothe kitchen. He's clearly been worried.

LECKIE:

Where have you been?

J:

Hiding.

LECKIE:

You shouldn’t have left the house.

Where did you go?

J:

I was hiding.

LECKIE:

It was the Drug Squad who raided the

house today. They'd been told

something funny was going on here. OK?

It was a mix up. You’re in no danger.

I need you to understand that.

J:

OK.

LECKIE:

Did anyone see you today?

J:

No.

LECKIE:

Are you sure?

(CONTINUED)

Animal Kingdom - GREEN REVISIONS 105.

CONTINUED:

J:

Nobody saw me.

Leckie looks frazzled. He puts his hand on J's shoulder.

163 INT. SERVICED APARTMENT - DAY 163

J stands looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows of a high-riseserviced apartment at the city sprawling to the horizon. He isdressed for court - pants and round neck jumper over a collaredshirt and tie. He looks healthy and strong. He scuffs his shoenervously against the tiled floor.

Leckie appears beside him and looks out the window a moment. Hethen straightens J’s collar.

LECKIE:

You ready?

J nods. Leckie turns and nods to two SOG officers in full gear -

flak jackets, helmets, shotguns. The four stand waiting insidethe front door. One SOG pulls the apartment door open. Outsideis another SOG. He hand-signals to someone off screen.

Leckie gently guides J from the window to the door, out into thehall of the building towards the elevator.

164 INT. VAN - DAY 164

J in the back of a mini-van. Leckie is beside him. As the van

pulls out of an underground car park onto the street the SOGofficer in the front seat leans into his personal radio.

SOG:

We’re on the move.

RADIO VOICE (O.S.)

Copy that.

Leckie watches J. J looks out the window. The radio crackles.

165 EXT. BACK OF SUPREME COURT - DAY 165

The vans are admitted through the back gates of the courtbuilding. The gates are quickly closed by court officers.

The van stops at the back entrance. A SOG emerges first,

followed by J, then another two SOGs. J is hurried inside.

Animal Kingdom - GREEN REVISIONS 106.

166 INT. SUPREME COURT / HOLDING AREA - DAY 166

J sits in a holding area. There is quiet and tense anticipation.

He is clearly the centre of concern. He sits and waits. A courtwarden approaches.

COURT WARDEN:

OK. They're ready for you now.

J stands and is escorted down a hall. He and the warden wait

outside a door. The door opens. J enters.

169 INT. SUPREME COURT / HOLDING AREA - DAY 169

Inside the holding area, the air is muted and tense. Radioscrackle. Wardens and cops sit in silence, waiting.

170 INT. NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA / CAFE - DAY 170

FLASHBACK:
Hopper sits opposite J at a quiet table. Ezra andSmurf sit at the next table. Ezra takes notes. Smurf watches.

HOPPER:

Your girlfriend Nicole died from aheroin overdose. Is this true?

J:

Yes.

HOPPER:

Is it true that you believe youruncles were responsible for this?

J:

Yes.

HOPPER:

How?

J:

They injected her.

HOPPER:

Maybe don't rush your answers, mate.

The more you hesitate, the moreuncertain you'll appear.

SMURF:

How's he gonna remember all this?

HOPPER:

He doesn't have to remember it. It's

better if he doesn't.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

Animal Kingdom - GREEN REVISIONS 107.

HOPPER(CONT'D)

CONTINUED:

We don't want him reciting lines. Allhe needs to do here is get into theswing of the thing. He just needs towrap his head around the flavour ofit.

(beat, to J)

You understand that, mate?

J nods.

HOPPER (CONT'D)

So, you're saying they forciblyinjected her with what's known as ahot shot?

J:

Yes.

HOPPER:

Did you see them do this?

J:

No.

HOPPER:

What did you see?

J:

I came home and found her bracelet

thing in the backyard.

HOPPER:

But you didn’t actually see her there,

nor did you see anyone inject her. Wasshe known to you to be a user ofheroin?

J:

Sometimes, yeah.

HOPPER:

Was she? This is me talking now.

J:

No.

HOPPER:

Then say no. You don't need to lie...

Was there any reason why she mighthave wanted to use heroin on this

particular night?

J:

Maybe.

(CONTINUED)

Animal Kingdom - GREEN REVISIONS 108.

CONTINUED:
(2)

HOPPER:

Why maybe?

J:

I broke up with her.

HOPPER:

That night?

J:

Yes.

HOPPER:

So to an extent you feel responsiblefor Nicole’s death.

J:

I dunno. Maybe to an extent.

HOPPER:

But you want your uncles put away forit. Even though you didn’t see them doit and she was justifiably upset onthis particular night because youended the relationship.

J looks coolly to Ezra taking notes and Smurf watching.

HOPPER (CONT'D)

You’re looking for someone to blamefor something you feel responsiblefor. Would you agree with that? Blahblah blah.

J looks to Hopper, defiant. He holds it.

HOPPER (CONT'D)

That's good, mate. You feel OK?

SMURF:

Are you OK, sweetheart?

J:

I'm fine. Can you find us a drink,

Smurf?

SMURF:

Of course. I'm sure I saw a drink

machine somewhere.

171 INT. SUPREME COURT / HOLDING AREA - DAY 171

Commotion. J is led from the court, through back corridors.

Animal Kingdom - GREEN REVISIONS 109.

172 INT. SOG VAN - DAY 172

The van drives through the back gate of the court, J surroundedby SOGs with shotguns. J is pensive. Heavily armed SOG presenceis oppressive - gum chewing, guns on laps.

173 INT. CAR - DAY 173

BROADCAST VIDEO FOOTAGE: A REPORTER sits at the wheel of a car,

the video shot from the passenger seat. The reporter checks hishair in the rearview and scours the street over the cameraman‘s

shoulder.

REPORTER:

(nervous energy)

Here they come.

He starts the car. The video camera POV shifts to the emptybackseat. Moments later, the back door opens. Darren, Smurf andPope pile in and the car pulls away. The boys wear suits. Darrencries. Smurf hugs him. Pope smiles. It's all chaotic.

REPORTER (O.C.)

Let's get away from here a bit.

(then, to backseat)

How do you feel?

DARREN:

We’re over the moon! We’re very overthe moon! Fantastic!

Smurf kisses Darren's head. Darren is crying tears of joy.

REPORTER (O.C.)

What about you, Andrew? Has justicebeen done today?

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