Assassins Page #25

Rath can't argue the facts.

NICOLAI:

The Cold War was ending. I needed

to die. To leave no past behind.

You delivered me.

(looks to Electra)

You, my darling, must be the mark.

ELECTRA:

And you, my darling, must be the

contractor.

NICOLAI:

(nods; to Rath)

I'm disappointed, Robert. You

were supposed to kill her.

Rath is the only one aware that Bain has come to.

With his free hand, Nicolai pulls the disc from his

pocket, looks to Electra.

NICOLAI:

You're a thief. A good one.

ELECTRA:

(looks to Rath)

I'm retired.

NICOLAI:

I had to use both my best to

track you down.

ELECTRA:

(re:
disc)

Let me guess. There's something

on there that would bring you

back to life.

NICOLAI:

(nods)

You're very good. Also a shame.

Rath and Nicolai regard each other grimly. A moment of

truth is at hand.

ELECTRA:

(scared)

Hey, can't you two just kiss and

make up?

Nicolai smiles at her, picks the briefcase up off the

ground. At the same time, Bain's hand moves almost

imperceptibly to his gun a few inches away.

NICOLAI:

This is sad for me, Robert.

Sentimental, but I didn't want

to find you alive.

(a beat)

First things first.

Nicolai motions Rath to take a step aside. Nicolai moves

forward. Leaning over Bain, he holds the .22 to the base

of his skull. The coup-de-grace.

NICOLAI:

Always make sure. You should've

known better.

As Nicolai's finger tightens, Rath dives for his own gun.

Nicolai swings his aim for Rath enabling Bain to grab

his own .22.

Bain FIRES from the rubble, drills Nicolai up through the

chest cavity.

Nicolai drops. Rath rolls to his feet, aims at Bain who

swings his aim to Rath. But neither man fires.

ELECTRA:

Don't do this.

Finally, Bain sticks out his free hand.

BAIN:

Ayudame...

(sighs)

Help me up, will you?

Rath takes his hand, pulls Bain, bloody, covered in soot,

to his feet. As Rath stares down at Nicolai.

RATH:

I'm gone.

Bain considers the implications.

BAIN:

That would make me number one.

RATH:

I can live with that. Can you?

BAIN:

Absolutamente. Companeros.

Bain turns his aim away. Rath does the same. Electra

breathes a sigh of relief. Rath moves toward her.

BAIN:

I'm sorry, Rath.

Rath freezes as he hears the HAMMER COCK behind him.

Bain has him dead, the .22 aimed at the back of Rath's

head.

BAIN:

As long as you're out there,

I'll never be number one.

Feeling like a fool, Rath looks across at Electra.

beat. In a moment of compassion, Bain turns his aim away.

BAIN:

You want to say goodbye?

Rath has nothing to say. He just looks at her.

In response, Electra raises her sunglasses, slides them

on. Like she's withdrawing away at the end. But wait.

That's not it at all.

Rath's eyes flicker wide as he sees Bain in the lens

reflection. Rath knows eactly where he's standing.

Bain realizes as well. As he moves to fire...

The side of Rath's coat blossoms as Rath SHOOTS through

it. Like a Wild West trick shooter.

Hit in the chest, the gun slips from Bain's hand. His

eyes flicker from his wound to Rath. Rath stares back.

Bain goes down hard. He's dead.

Rath and Electra come together. A beat and they start

out. On the way, Electra scoops up the briefcase.

moment more and they're gone.

FREEZE FRAME.

FADE TO BLACK.

THE END:

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