RONIN Page #25

A WOODS -

A forest, really. Filled with ancient trees, almost mythic

in appearance, and for all the light of the chateau this

place is darkness visible -- light comes here and dies. And

in this woods, looking out, we find - Vincent and Sam.

Heavily armed, they've just humped God knows how many miles

through the woods to get here. Both men exhausted from the

walk -- Sam from his wound, Vincent from his smoking habit.

They collapse and Vincent takes out his cigarettes. Even

though they're screened from the chateau back here, Sam

reaches over and takes the cigarettes out of Vincent's hands.

SAM:

Not here. They might see it.

VINCENT:

If I'm going to die for the CIA, I'm

going to go out smoking.

(takes the cigarettes back and

lights one)

Besides, there's half a forest between us

and them, they can't see a goddamned

thing.

Vincent offers one to Sam, who declines with a shake of

his head.

SAM:

Time to quit.

VINCENT:

Just like that?

SAM:

Not just like that... Just before I turn

around and it's six months from now and

the first thing I do when I wake up in

the morning is light a cigarette.

VINCENT:

(obviously he does this)

What of it?

(almost to himself)

Samurai pain in the ass.

SAM:

(he hates this)

Would you stop with that...

VINCENT:

Why? You've got more force of will than

anyone I've ever seen. You handle a gun

like it's a part of you, you perform

surgery on yourself without anesthesia...

(quick beat)

And most amazing of all, you quit

smoking, just like that.

SAM:

(qith a cynical laugh)

The mark of a true Samurai.

(seriously)

What I do for the Company, Vincent, is no

different than what you do. We're both

hired guns, and this is a job -- like any

other job.

VINCENT:

Why then, Sam, don't you act like this is

a job like any other? Surely, if you are

a hired gun, you realize that some times

you just have to walk away without

getting what you came for.

SAM:

Because I don't walk away.

VINCENT:

Why not?

SAM:

It's the one thing I've got left to hold

onto.

(beat)

Jean-Pierre is one of your closest

friends, is he not?

VINCENT:

Closest and oldest.

SAM:

And yet you would have killed him to save

my life.

(quick beat)

You have a sense of honor, Vincent, that

I can't even remember anymore. I don't

know that I ever even had it to begin

with. All I know to do, Vincent, is to

finish my job.

VINCENT:

And when you finish? What then? This

package, whatever it is, do you give it

to the CIA? Do you really think they

deserve it?

SAM:

That's a good question.

VINCENT:

Do you have a good answer?

SAM:

(he's really just considering

this)

No, I don't.

INT. THE CHATEAU - MEANWHILE

ARMED RUSSIAN MOBSTERS everywhere -- a convention of the goon

squad.

MOVING THROUGH the Chateau itself, and from in here we see

the side of France we haven't yet seen in this film: culture.

Each room could be a museum, as we move through -

A GALLERY, filled with paintings by Renaissance Masters -

A PARLOR, with antique furniture, the youngest piece of which

is two hundred years old -

A BALLROOM, empty and barren, but lit by the dazzling light

of an exquisite chandelier -

A KITCHEN, where a cigarette smoking CHEF is putting the

finishing touches on what is perhaps the most amazing meal

you've ever seen. Now - A SERVANT takes the tray and carries

it out to -

A DINING ROOM, and the table is set for a formal dinner for

twenty, with crystal and china at every place setting, and

yet the table is occupied by only one man -

MIKHAEL RACHEV, Russian Gangster Supreme, called Mikhi. Now -

The Servant sets the food down in front of Mikhi, and as this

chief hood starts to eat a lonely and solitary dinner we PULL

BACK, MOVING DOWN the length of the way-too-long table.

EXT. THE CHATEAU WALLS - NIGHT

A TAXI pulls up to the Main Gate and Gregor gets out.

Attached to his wrist, by that same handcuff: the Briefcase.

Gregor is admitted by a Guard as we -

CUT TO:

INT. THE DINING ROOM/CHATEAU - A LITTLE LATER

Mikhi the Gangster is eating his dinner as Gregor is ushered

into the room. THREE THUGS hang back behind Gregor, watching

to see what Mikhi wants. Now -

Mikhi waves the Thugs out of the room, leaving Gregor alone

with the gangster. Mikhi takes a last few bites of dinner as

he motions for Gregor to sit.

MIKHI:

(in Russian, English subtitles)

Sit, sit...

(offering a cigarette)

Would you like one?

GREGOR:

(in English)

No, Mikhi, I wouldn't.

(letting that sink in for a

minute)

Since I won't speak your language, and

you can't speak mine, English will do

nicely.

MIKHI:

(makes no never mind to him)

Whatever you wish...

(lights his own cigarette)

This has all been a terrible mistake,

Gregor. I wanted to play straight with

you, but Edvard insisted we try and kill

you.

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