Fatal Instinct

FADE IN ON:

EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER - NIGHT

The sultry dampness of a blistering summer hangs in the night

air. People stroll the boardwalk looking for a cool breeze.

The soft rhythms of a jazz concert float from the band shell.

CLOSE SHOT - A PAIR OF SEXY HIGH HEELS

and a woman's shapely legs, walking along the wooden pier.

OPENING TITLES & CREDITS OVER.

After several steps, a discarded piece of gum sticks to one

of her shoes, stretching out stickily. Two steps later, a

piece of paper sticks to the gum, flopping awkwardly with

each step.

The MOVING CAMERA PANS UP her gorgeous legs and sensuous

body. She wears a loose summer dress that floats like gossamer

around her soft curves. Her hair is long and blond.

NED (V.O.)

To some guys, women are like a cheap

puzzle... with pieces that just don't

fit. They think the soul of a woman

is darker than a back alley... more

tangled than a telephone cord... and

colder than a Klondike Bar in Canada.

But those guys don't even have a

clue.

She stops at the railing. We see an incredibly beautiful

face and cool, alluring eyes. This is LOLA CAIN. The term

"femme fatale" was coined for her. She's on display... and

knows it.

NED (V.O.)

When you know women the way I do,

you understand exactly what what

makes them tick... what makes them

hum... what makes them jiggle up and

down when they walk. And it's not

the kind of thing you can learn from

a correspondence course.

The CAMERA MOVES with her as she walks on, passing TWO MEN

whose eyes are glued to her. We HOLD ON THEM.

One is NED RAVINE, in his thirties, stalwart, handsome, hair

trimmed neatly, but with a feel of loose ends about him...

coat slung over his shoulder, sleeves rolled up, the sweat

dampening his shirt. He's a cop. A plain clothes detective

who's been around the block a few times and still gets lost.

Next to him is ARCH, his partner. Older, if not in years, at

least in mileage. Dependable, solid, with no great aspirations

except to reach the end of a shift intact. He's eating Nachos

from a cardboard container, licking the cheese off his

fingers.

The CAMERA PUSHES IN to NED. His eyes are fixed on Lola.

ANGLE - LOLA - NED'S POV

She walks to the other side of the pier... as more paper

sticks to the gum on her shoe. She stands at the railing.

NED (V.O.)

There are two kinds of women in this

world... and I've known 'em both.

ANGLE - ARCH

Arch heaves an exasperated sigh and looks toward Ned. The

CAMERA PULLS BACK to INCLUDE NED. It isn't "voice-over"

narration at all. Ned is actually talking out loud.

NED (V.O.)

One will take you for a fast ride on

a bumpy road with no seat belt. But

the other kind...

ARCH:

(interrupts)

Jeez... knock off the chatter, will

ya.

NED:

Just trying to keep you awake, Arch.

ARCH:

I'm awake! Where do you come up with

all that crap about women?

NED:

It's true. Women are very complex,

but if you know how to read 'em...

they're an open book. You can always

tell the rotten apples from the

peaches.

ARCH:

Are you kiddin'?

NED:

I'd stake my career on it. Anybody

ever proves me wrong, I'll throw

away my badge.

ARCH:

Aayyhh... women are trouble...

NED:

I used to believe that too. Until I

married Lana. Now, she... is a peach.

ARCH:

Yeah, well you're a lucky stiff,

pal. Ya hold down two jobs. Got a

beautiful wife waitin' for ya at

home. Everything a guy could ever

want, including NO kids.

NED:

I'd love to have kids.

ARCH:

What?! Rug-rats? Give me a break!

(looks around)

Jeez, I hate stakeouts. What makes

you think Milo's gonna show up here?

NED:

Logic. He knocked off all those banks.

He's got cash. He's gonna want to

spend it. This is one of the few

places that still takes cash. Sooner

or later... he's gotta turn up.

ARCH:

And how we s'posed to recognize this

scumbag?

NED:

The "Support Hose Bandit"? When you

see him... you'll know him.

In the b.g., MILO CRUMLEY, the "Support Hose Bandit", ambles

by casually, unnoticed, sucking on a cherry Snow-Cone through

the panty-hose pulled down over his head.

ARCH:

These are the best damn Nachos in

North America. Maybe the world!

He pops the last chip in his mouth, licks his fingers and

turns the container over.

ARCH:

I'm empty. I'm gonna get a refill.

You want some?

Ned shakes his head. Arch heads off to the Nacho stand. Ned

steps over to the railing... gazes out at the ocean.

A SAXOPHONE begins to wail a scorching, romantic melody... a

recurrent tune that will come to be known as LOLA'S THEME.

A beat later... Lola moves to Ned's side at the railing. He

tries to ignore her presence, peering into the darkness.

Lola digs in her purse for a pack of cigarettes.

LOLA:

Got a light?

NED:

Sure.

Ned pulls out a small flashlight, shines it in her purse.

She pulls a cigarette out of the pack, puts it to her lips...

her eyes on Ned, sizing him up.

LOLA:

How about a match?

NED:

No thanks. I have plenty.

He pulls out a handful of matchbooks, shows her, then stuffs

them back in his pocket.

He turns and walks along the pier. She falls into step beside

him, lighting her own cigarette. A saxophone player named

DIZZY follows behind them, continuing to play. He's the actual

source of the romantic THEME MUSIC we've been hearing.

LOLA:

You really are incredibly stupid,

aren't you? I like that in a man.

NED:

I'd be insulted, but I know you're

serious.

LOLA:

You sound so sure of yourself.

NED:

I'm not as dumb as I look.

LOLA:

Let me buy you a drink, Mr. uh...

NED:

Ravine. Ned Ravine. And you are...?

LOLA:

Thirsty. What about that drink?

NED:

I'm on duty.

LOLA:

Brain surgeon?

NED:

Cop.

LOLA:

Oooo... and I bet you have a big

gun.

NED:

You lose.

Lola looks toward a nearby hot dog vendor.

LOLA:

If I can't buy you a drink...

(nods toward vendor)

...let me buy you one of those.

NED:

Who can say no to a weiner?

LOLA:

Not me.

Lola turns to the hot dog VENDOR, raising two fingers.

LOLA:

Two dogs. Hot.

She takes them... hands one to Ned. He picks up the plastic

mustard container to put mustard on her hot dog first.

NED:

You come here often?

LOLA:

Only when I'm in heat.

Ned REACTS to this, squeezing the container. A stream of

mustard squirts out, hitting the front of Lola's dress.

NED:

Oh! Sorry.

Flustered, he stuffs his hot dog into his inside jacket

pocket, then tries to wipe the mustard off Lola's dress,

smearing it all over her, making it worse. She watches him

with a cool, detached gaze as he fumbles ingenuously.

Suddenly, Ned stops, looking off. He sees... Milo Crumley

going into the PUBLIC RESTROOM. Ned starts to leave. Lola

grabs his hand, holding it tightly against her breast.

LOLA:

Where ya going?

NED:

Get something to wipe it off.

LOLA:

That's okay. You're doing just fine.

NED:

I'll get you a wet paper towel.

He heads for the men's room... signaling to Arch, who's

waiting in line at the Nacho stand. Arch motions at the long

line... all UNIFORMED COPS... shrugging helplessly.

INT. MEN'S ROOM ON PIER - NIGHT

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