Passenger 57 Page #4

---

FIONA:

Pretty good pickings, huh?

MARTI:

It's got its rewards --if you can recognize the bullshit artists. Not that I'm an expert. Last week I met this guy. Cute. No ring. Says he's in town for one night and doesn't know a soul...

FIONA:

Sounds familiar.

MARTI:

We go out. Dinner. Dancing. Then a stroll on the beach. The moon's out. Very romantic. He takes my hand, looks deep into my eyes and says --

FIONA:

(imitating a male voice)

'Uh, Marti, I think I should tell you -- I'm married but my wife and I have an understanding.'

MARTI:

(nods)

Next thing, he's sitting in the surf checking for loose teeth. Like he's surprised I decked him.

FIONA:

Good for you.

They both laugh.

FIONA:

I probably would've cut his balls off.

Say what? Marti gives Fiona a look. Fiona smiles brightly as if to say, "Just kidding." Marti nods and goes back to work.

The smile fades from Fiona's face. She shoots a glance at the last food cart -- the one with the package inside. Obviously, Fiona knows what's inside it.

32 EXT. PARKING BAY 32

The Sky Cuisine truck drives away. It travels to a deserted spot under the terminal. The fat man gets out, looks around to make sure no one's watching.

He sheds his orange coveralls. Underneath he wears slacks and a sports jacket.

The Fat Man wads up the cover-alls and stuffs them into a large trash bin. He walks away. CAMERA MOVES CLOSER TO the bin. Beneath the cover-alls is the body of a man. Naked, his throat cut.

33 INT. DEPARTURE GATE 33

Observing the 747 through one of the big windows is a razor-thin young man wearing a black beret and a leather jacket. His face is sharp, ferret-like. His name is

VINCENT and he looks like a reject from the Ramones.

34 VINCENT'S POV - PARKING BAY BELOW 34

A dark sedan approaches the 747. It parks next to special boarding stairs that connect to the aircraft's upper entrance hatch, located behind the flight deck.

35 WOLFGANG 35

is removed from the sedan by two cops and two no-nonsense Federal Marshals, MANNING and DUNCAN. Wolfgang wears a coat draped over his shoulders to conceal the fact that his hands are cuffed and attached to a leather belt around his waist.

MANNING:

(to Wolfgang)

When we say walk, you walk. When we say sit, you sit. You want something, you ask. You have to take a leak, we'll hold your dick for you.

WOLFGANG:

Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

As they walk him to the boarding stairs, Wolfgang's eyes casually drift up to the terminal windows. He sees Vincent who flashes him a spooky smile.

35A INT. TERMINAL - TICKETING AND CHECK-IN 35A

Cutter waits while a FEMALE AIRLINES CLERK does the computer thing. Cutter is looking a little anxious. Just being inside an airport has quickened his pulse.

CLERK:

I can get you on the five o'clock flight if you'd like. It'll save you sitting around for an hour.

CUTTER:

Do it. Might as well get this over with.

CLERK:

(cheerful)

Sir, there's nothing to worry about. Statistically speaking, flying is still the safest form of travel.

Cutter gives her a dark look. He's not so sure.

36 OMITTED 36

37 INT. 747 - UPPER DECK 37

CAPTAIN, CO-PILOT and NAVIGATOR arrive and enter the cockpit, closing the door behind them.

PAN OVER TO Manning and Duncan as they bring Wolfgang on board, showing their orders to Fiona who checks them against the manifest. The upper deck can seat up to fifty passengers but it's empty for this flight.

FIONA:

We're underbooked so you'll have the upper deck all to yourselves.

WOLFGANG:

(reading her name tag)

'Fiona.' That's Irish, isn't it? I've always loved the Irish. They make such good bombs.

Wolfgang gives Fiona a lascivious look.

38 INT. MAIN CABIN 38

Passengers are boarding. In a SERIES OF SHOTS, we get to know the layout of the jumbo jet's main cabin. There are two different sections down here -- first class and beyond it, the much larger coach section.

A staircase behind first class leads to the flight deck and the upper deck (where Wolfgang, Manning and Duncan are settling in). This 747 can carry five hundred passengers but tonight's flight is spotty.

39 INT. BOARDING BRIDGE 39

Cutter walks down the jetway, surrounded by cheerful, chattering travelers. Cutter feels like a lamb on its way to the slaughter.

40 INT. 747 - MAIN CABIN 40

Marti welcomes passengers onboard, verbally numbering each one to get a head count.

MARTI:

55... 56...

Cutter appears... "57." He shows Marti his boarding pass. Between them, a slight flicker of attraction.

MARTI:

Hello, Mister... Cutter. Down the aisle and to your right.

Cutter moves on. Behind him is a Big American Indian, tall and powerfully built with a long black braid. The guy looks like a mountain of granite -- with a personality to match. Stoically, he shows Marti his boarding pass.

MARTI:

Hello, Mister... Elk Horn. Right down the aisle. Watch your head.

The next passenger is a long-haired kid wearing rimless glasses and lugging a big backpack. We'll call him the STUDENT. He smiles shyly and shows Marti his boarding pass.

MARTI:

Hello, Mister... Ernst.

41 COACH SECTION 41

Cutter find his seat near the rear of the plane. A window seat. His closest fellow passenger is a GRANDMOTHER across the aisle.

42 MAIN CABIN - UPPER GALLEY 42

The faint WHIRR of a MOTOR. The narrow elevator door opens and Fiona emerges, carrying a tray of complimentary champagne.

43 FIRST CLASS 43

Vincent finds his seat and settles in paying special attention to the spiral staircase that leads to the upper deck -- and Wolfgang. Fiona serves him a glass of champagne.

44 COACH 44

Cutter is doing fine until he hears the airtight HISS of the HATCH DOOR being sealed. The jet lurches into motion and backs away from the gate. Cutter remains calm, assuring himself that he'll be fine.

At the front of the cabin, Marti speaks into a MICROPHONE .

MARTI:

Ladies and gentlemen, we are now preparing for departure. Please make sure that all carry-on luggage is stored safely in the overhead compartments. Make sure your seatbelts are fastened and please extinguish all cigarettes.

45 EXT. TAXI LANE 45

The 747 rolls along a strip of concrete that parallels the take-off runway.

MARTI (V.O.)

Once we reach our cruising altitude, we'll be serving our complimentary beverages and then a little later, our dinner. Thank you and have a safe, enjoyable flight.

46 FLIGHT DECK 46

Captain, FIRST OFFICER and FLIGHT ENGINEER. Through the windscreen panels is the runway, stretching out to infinity.

TOWER (V.O.)

T.P. 694, you are clear for take off.

CAPTAIN:

Roger, tower.

The 747 starts down the runway, speed increasing knot by knot until everything beyond the windscreen starts to blur.

47 UPPER DECK 47

Wolfgang sits in a center row between Manning and Duncan. He closes his eyes and settles back to enjoy the take-off.

48 EXT. RUNWAY 48

The 747 leaves the runway and climbs into a dark and threatening sky.

49 INT. 747 - COACH 49

Climbing. Cabin vibrating. Cutter's eyes are clamped shut. But sensing something, he opens them. Across the aisle the Grandmother smiles at him, obviously amused by his discomfort.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes