Best Seller Page #2

before they go back on, start talking.

It's all a question of capital.

How does an ambitious man get started?

Capital. Now, David Madlock is an

unusual man. He got unusual financing.

You wrote about that particular source

of financing in your first book, in fact.

- The depository case.

- That's right.

- You were in on that?

- That's right.

Yeah, well, two cops died that day.

And one of them was a nice old man

waiting for his pension.

That is twice you've embarrassed me.

Now try to control yourself, please.

I drove. That's all I did.

The three who were inside died. The one

you stabbed died of peritonitis in a week later, ok.

- That still leaves you.

- You want me, here I am,

but I got 12 people who'll swear

I was in Chicago that day, all day.

- All right, tell me about the money.

- 2 1972 million dollars, tax free.

Seed money.

It's the American way, Dennis.

Kappa International was formed

six months later - on venture capital.

Can't let this one get by you, Dennis.

Bestseller

So you started as a shooter for

this guy and became a defector.

Defector? No, no. He threw me out!

I wanted something...

more than I had.

I'm a businessman, an executive.

I wanted...

respect.

He offered money.

I help him get started,

he offers me a handout?!

- Why don't you testify against him?

- He can buy his way out of anything.

- Except for the book.

- Exactly, Dennis.

Together you and I could do such a

number on him. I can tie him in to all of it.

You need me.

We need each other.

How'd you find out?

She felt this bump.

Right here, inside her elbow.

Malignant?

They opened her up, took one look,

sewed her back up again.

After that she lost weight,

started losing her hair...

After a little while she'd look at me,

didn't know who I was.

And all the money went.

I just wanted her to stay alive.

But she didn't.

After that you couldn't work?

I should have sold the house.

But I couldn't.

It was her house.

That's right. It was her house.

And you loved her more than you could

ever love anyone in your life?

Just don't talk about her, all right?

Hey, Dennis...

I understand.

She's the clean part of your life,

I'm the dirty part. The criminal.

But you and I know things other

people don't. Don't we, Dennis? Hm?

How it feels to kill a man, for instance.

Cop. Killer. Two sides of the same coin.

- We have a natural bond, you and I.

- No.

No, I don't have anything

in common with you.

We'll see.

We'll see.

Hey.

- You OK?

- Yeah, I'm fine.

I just couldn't fall asIeep, that's all.

You go back to bed.

Can I have a sip?

- Yeah. Just a sip, though.

- OK.

- Thanks.

- You're weIcome, princess.

- 'Night.

- 'Night.

- I'm fine.

- OK.

(PA) Ladies and gentlemen, your attention

please. I'd like to propose a toast

to my good friend David Madlock, for his

continuing generosity and compassion.

Thank you, Senator. Thank you.

There he is.

Denis, what do you think this place is worth?

15, 20 million dollars?

He donates it to the state like that...

for the common foIk to enjoy.

The man is the history of America

incarnate. A modern robber baron.

Well, they buiIt this country.

They deserve special treatment.

I just wanted to return something

to this extraordinary city,

which has given me so much.

Thank you.

More than anyone

will ever know, eh, David?

Yes, more than anyone will ever know.

What a deIightfuI surprise.

I'm so gIad you could come.

- WouIdn't miss it.

- You must be Lt Meechum.

I admire your work,

especially your Iast book.

- Thank you very much. Nice to meet you.

- When will we see another one?

Dennis is working on something new,

as a matter of fact. Non-fiction.

I look forward to it.

I'm a great fan of yours.

It's been too long, Cleve. Much too long.

- Pretty smooth.

- He's incredible, isn't he?

Here it comes.

David! David, we must be leaving.

We'll see you around, I hope.

We've got him on the run.

OK, so you know the guy.

What's that prove?

You're a hard man to convince. I like that.

Yeah.

What the hell you doin' here?

You think I'm approving overtime?

Relax. It's on me.

I'm going to need a few days, Monksy,

out of town. I think I'm onto something.

What?

I can't tell you. Look, make it sick leave

if you want. I'm way overdue.

Just what the department needs.

A mystery crime-fighter.

I gotta play this one out, Monks.

I want this guy.

I mean, I really want him.

Beltzer was an auditor for the IRS.

He fell in his shower.

- Cracked his skull. They found him dead.

- And you killed him? Why?

It's the service I perform.

It was the profession I was in.

- Why did he have to die?

- Because he carried this at all times.

He was a meticulous, fussy man,

and somehow he got it into his head

that Kappa International kept two sets

of books. He had a nose for that.

See? Kappa. Kappa. Again, Kappa.

He was not going to close that audit.

Two years later, it was a member of the SEC.

Fell asleep at the wheel, hit a divider. Dead.

- Cleve, you're full of sh*t.

- What is that supposed to mean?

What is that supposed to mean? You could've forged that.

Or picked it up in a public toilet, for Christ's sake.

- This isn't evidence, it's bullshit.

- Next time I'll take pictures(!)

- Stop wasting my time.

- Fine.

Let's get the hell out of here.

We're going to the airport.

What about the other stops?

Tell it to the Manhattan DA.

I'm not interested any more.

Hey, mind if I go for a pack of butts?

Get out.

You're interested again, aren't you?

Come on.

It wasn't even my cab. I was just toId

to pick you guys up and ditch you.

- I didn't know it was a torch job.

- Yeah, right.

- Who were they?

- I don't know. I never saw them before...

- Not good enough.

- Take it easy.

He tried to kill us.

- Pearlman?

- No.

- Brennan?

- No.

- Thorn?

- No.

Don't be an a**hole. Talk to the man.

No, no.

It was Thorn and Pearlman.

- You're making me a dead man.

- Maybe.

Hey! Cab!

- What the hell was that all about?

- Nothin'. Forget it.

Brooklyn Heights.

- See him?

- Yep.

Mrs Foster

- Yes?

- My name is Bowen. Allen Bowen.

This is Mr GiIbert, my associate.

And we're very sorry to disturb you,

but we're in town for the evening,

you know, on business, and...

My father used to own this house.

I grew up here.

- Oh, that Mr Bowen.

- Yes.

WouId you think it strange if I were

to ask you, could I see my old room?

- Well, I don't know. It's...

- No. You're absolutely right.

I mean, it's very late and we are strangers.

Thank you. Thank you anyway.

Wait.

- Of course you can come in, son.

- You sure?

- Yes. You seem like nice boys.

- Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Like some coffee?

I was just making some.

No, thanks. Don't trouble yourseIf.

We don't have time.

That'd be lovely. Thank you.

Is this different? There used to be

wallpaper with blue cornflowers on it.

Yes. White went better with the furniture.

You just go on up. Make yourself at home.

- You sure it's all right?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes