Mission: Impossible Page #12

She looks from the scanner to ETHAN as if she's trying to

make up her mind about something.

MATTHIAS:

Forty-four. Forty-five.

ETHAN:

I'd say you've got about two minutes.

MAX still doubts it. The OTHER MAN goes to the windows --

--nothing happens. He opens the French doors that lead out

onto a balcony.

EXT. MAX'S APARTMENT - BALCONY - DAY

The OTHER MAN comes out on the balcony. Nothing out here but

a beautiful day. He walks to the railing and looks down at

the street.

Down below, the dog that's still barking is tied to a street

sign. WOOF. WOOF. WOOF. Abruptly, it stops.

INT. MAX'S APARTMENT - DAY

Back inside:

MATTHIAS:

Fifty-seven. Fifty-nine.

EXT. MAX'S APARTMENT

A pollution control van and a taxi arrive amidst other street

activity. KITTRIDGE and the FEMALE CZECH AGENT exit the taxi

as BARNES and TWO OTHER UNDERCOVER MALE IMF agents leave the

van.

INT. MAX'S BUILDING - LOBBY - DAY

Led by KITTRIDGE, the FIVE IMF AGENTS wearing Kevlar-lined

trenchcoats creep through the lobby of the building and hit

the stairs. They climb them silently.

INT. MAX'S BUILDING HALLWAY - DAY

A CLEANING WOMAN is vacuuming the hall carpeting when the

AGENTS come up the stairs, guns drawn. Her jaw drops and she

turns off the vacuum cleaner.

FEMALE IMF:

(in czech)

Switch it on. Keep cleaning.

KITTRIDGE looks at her sharply and gestures. She turns the

vacuum back on. They reach the door of a certain apartment

and --

INT. APARTMENT - DAY

-- KICK through it. The AGENTS swarm into MAX'S apartment,

guns waving in all directions. KITTRIDGE sweeps in between

them and takes command of the place --

--but there's nobody here. TWO AGENTS race into the bedroom,

and just as quickly out again.

EXT. POWDER TOWER - TOP SHOT - DAY

MAX, ETHAN, MATTHIAS and the OTHER MAN move quickly across

the bridge that connects Max's apartment to the tower.

EXT. MAX'S APARTMENT BALCONY - DAY

KITTRIDGE kicks open the door to the balcony, comes outside,

and looks around. Nobody in sight.

KITTRIDGE:

GOD D-

INT. MAX'S CAR - ETHAN AND MAX - DAY

MAX:

Oh dear, Gunther will never let me use

one of his apartments again.

(turns to Ethan)

Phew, sorry I doubted you, dear boy.

You're a good sport. Do accept the

compliment.

ETHAN:

Thanks, Max. Or is it Maxine?

INT. CAR - MOVING - DAY

MAX:

I don't have to tell you what a comfort

anonymity can be in my profession -- like

a warm blanket.

(abruptly)

My deal with Job was subject to a

successful boot scan. Obviously it

didn't pass muster. Deal's off.

ETHAN:

What was your deal with Job?

MAX:

Six million dollars. I'll give you the

same. But I want the complete list now,

not just Eastern Europe. I won't do this

piecemeal, it's too dangerous. I want

the entire list, the true name of every

non-official cover agent throughout the

world.

ETHAN:

Ten million. Ten million in negotiable

U.S. Treasury certificates, in bearer

form, coupons attached. And one more

thing -- your personal assurance that Job

will be at the exchange.

MAX:

Done. Bring it to me in London. I want

it by the end of the week.

ETHAN:

How will you make sure Job will be there?

MAX:

How will you make sure I'll have the list

in three days? It's been a delight. Now

where can I drop you dear boy?

ETHAN:

I'm not being dropped anywhere without my

money.

MAX manages to laugh without coughing. Then, with an

admonishing forefinger:

MAX:

I'm going to have to front you

personally. Don't lose that money

without losing your life.

ETHAN:

I wouldn't dream of it.

MAX settles back and regards ETHAN. A theatrical sigh. She

fancies this guy.

CUT TO:

INT. MAX'S APARTMENT - DAY

KITTRIDGE waits on the balcony for his AGENTS to complete

their search. HARRY BARNES, a middle-aged, gray suited,

somewhat gray-faced bureaucrat, comes to join Kittridge.

KITTRIDGE:

The man's gone black, Barnes. He's under

until he decides to surface.

BARNES:

Look we can use someone from the Embassy

and we can get the local authorities

involved. Close off his transportation.

KITTRIDGE:

What can we do, Barnes? Put a guy at the

airport? How many identities do you

think Hunt has? How many times has he

slipped past custom, in how many

countries? These guys are trained to be

ghosts. We taught them how to do it, for

Christ's sake!

BARNES:

So what do you suggest?

KITTRIDGE:

Let's not waste time chasing him. Make

him come to us. Everybodyís got pressure

points. Find out something that's

important to him personally and you

squeeze.

CUT TO:

INT. SAFE HOUSE - DAY

ETHAN enters the living room. CLAIRE walks out of the

bedroom holding a gun.

ETHAN reaches into his jacket and holds up a hefty wad of

currency.

CLAIRE:

Max made a deal with you?

ETHAN:

I deliver the NOC list, Max delivers Job.

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