Assassins Page #3

Rath looks away, can't hold her gaze.

RATH:

I don't know.

An awkward beat. Then...

CLERK:

Should I wrap it?

Rath nods.

BACK ROOM:

CLOSE as she finishes tying the box.

STORE:

She steps out. Her smile fades as she sees he's gone.

The sale is lost.

CLERK:

Damn!

She plops the bow on the counter, then notices a wad of

$100 bills sticking out from her textbook.

CLERK:

(softly)

Damn...

She pulls them along with a note written on the back of

a store business card. She reads it.

INSERT CARD:
Your daughter is wrong.

She steps to the window, looks out. Rath's lonely figure

exits to the street outside.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Outside it is raining. Rath is at the window looking at

a faded photo of his next target, Alan Branch. On the

street below a fire truck and an ambulance race along --

SIRENS BLARING. Rath crosses to his bed. He reviews

photos, scribbles notes as he scans articles, one head-

line:
"Billionaire Recluse Linked to Financing of

Central American Death Squads." A photo of a brother.

An obituary mentions "car accident."

Rath sketches a diagram on a legal pad.

Satisfied with what he's got, he calls up a box on his

computer screen and dials an Internet number. A beat

and he enters the access code.

Rath picks up the photos of Branch. Studies the eyes --

circled, the only thing that matters. They're cruel

eyes.

The network comes on line. Rath takes a brath, lets it

out slow. Types:

Rath:
I have my bid.

EXT. AIRPORT - RUNWAY 32 - DAY

An American Airlines 757 approaches right to left,

descends toward the runway.

INT. AMERICAN AIRLINES 757 - DAY

Staring pensively out the window, Rath barely notices as

the plane touches down.

EXT. AIRPORT - RUNWAY 8 - DAY

Someone else is here. Left to right, an Avianca

Airlines jumbo 747 glides silently down, its landing

gear reaching out like talons. As it touches down...

INT. AMERICAN TERMINAL - DAY

Rath walks, blends in perfectly with the crowd.

INT. INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL - DAY

Tired travelers trudge, clogs the concourse. But one

man moves briskly. Singular of purpose. Dressed

stylishly, we don't quite see his face. He's BAIN, a

presence, and for whatever reason, no one ever seems to

be in his way.

INT. LUGGAGE CAROUSEL - DAY

Rath reaches down, picks up a case.

INT. CUSTOMS - DAY

A glass booth. A similar case is checked off. The

CUSTOMS OFFICER looks up at Bain, who we still only see

in glimpses. And reflections.

OFFICER:

Is your visit business or pleasure?

BAIN:

Both.

EXT. AMERICAN TERMINAL - DAY

Rath gets into a hotel courtesy van, blending in with

everyone else.

EXT. INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL - DAY

Seen FROM BEHIND, Bain cuts a swath, raises a hand for

a cab which immediately scoots forward to meet him.

EXT. CITYSCAPE - DAY

Pretty, but with a sense of foreboding. It isn't big

enough for the two of them. Bain's cab moves briskly along.

EXT. OAKWOOD CEMETERY - SUNSET

The sky glows red. The taxi waits, parked just inside

the gates. In the distance, Bain moves among...

HEADSTONES:

There are rows of chairs set up. A fresh grave has been

dug. Preps for a service tomorrow. Perfectly at home,

Bain wanders as though looking for something specific.

An old CARETAKER in a pair of worn coveralls watches from

a mausoleum. His voice dies on the wind.

CARETAKER:

Can I help you?

Bain turns. It's our first good look. His features are

strong, refined. He looks like a fine young man. He's

not. He smiles warmly.

BAIN:

I'm looking for someone.

CARETAKER:

(steps over)

What's the name? I'll check the

plot map for you.

BAIN:

He's not dead yet.

Turning, Bain heads off. The Caretaker just shrugs.

INT. DRUG STORE - MAGIC HOUR

FROM OUTSIDE we see Rath move down the aisles. Selecting

an odd array of items. Rolls of gauze. A box of plaster

of paris. A sling... He pays and exits onto the busy

sidewalk.

EXT. OAKWOOD CEMETERY - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)

A crowd of onlookers. Police lines. Private security

guards control entrance into the service area itself.

The media are here in full force.

REPORTER #1

... Just witnessed the arrival of

recluse billionaire Alan Branch.

Here attending the funeral of his

brother, Samuel Branch, who died

last week in a tragic car accident...

We MOVE PAST Reporter #1 TO...

REPORTER #2

Alan Branch has not been seen since

testifying at a Senate hearing ten

years ago. At the time he was

questioned for his alleged

financing of right wing death

squads throughout South and

Central America. Branch was

born in...

SECURITY TABLE:

Seated, a "Security Systems" tech checks a name against

a driver's license with Rath's picture. It carries the

name Paul Gray -- the name Rath typed into the computer.

He looks up and hands the license back to Rath.

As he turns we see that under his jacket, his right arm

is in a cast, in a sling close to his side. He moves

past a hearse and several limousines as he joins other

latecomers who are walking up a hill towards a group at

a gravesite.

EXT. GRAVESIDE - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)

As a soloist finishes the last notes of "Ave Maria." The

PRIEST invites those assembled to stand. All do except

for Alan Branch in his wheelchair. He is ten years older

than the photo -- now frail but with the same eyes. His

BODYGUARDS stand on either side.

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