The Usual Suspects Page #2

YELLOW 06/11/94

5.

HOCKNEY:

Can I help you?

Hockney's voice is gruff.

MAN:

Todd Hockney'

Hockney reaches for something just inside the door of the

Fire-bird.

HOCKNEY:

Who are you?

All six men INSTANTLY PRODUCE GUNS and aim them at Hockney.

MAN:

Police.

Hockney withdraws a filthy towel and wipes grease and sweat

from his forehead.

HOCKNEY:

We don't do gun repair.

S EXT. STREET - NEW YORK - DAY

FRED FENSTER, a tall, thin man in his thirties strolls

casually down the street. He is dressed conspicuously in a

loud suit and tie with shoes that have no hope of matching.

He smokes a cigarette and chews gum at the same time.

He happens to glance over his shoulder and notice a brown

Ford sedan with four men in it cruising along the curb. He

picks up his step a little. The Ford keeps up.

He looks ahead at the corner. He tries to look as comfortable

as he can, checking his watch as though remembering an

appointment he is late for. The Ford stays right on him.

SUDDENLY, he bolts. He gets no more than a few yards before

cars pour out of every conceivable nook and cranny. Brakes

are squealing, radios squawking, guns cocking. Fenster is

surrounded instantly. He stops short and flaps his hands on

his thighs in defeat.

6 INT. MONDINO'S RESTAURANT - DAY

An attractive man and woman walk quickly through the front of

a small New York cafe. They are charged with nervous, excited

energy.

YELLOW 06/11/94

5A.

The man is DEAN KEATON, a well dressed, sturdy looking man in

his forties with slightly graying hair. He looks much better

than he did in the opening scene. The woman with him is EDIE

FINNERAN, age thirty-three, poised and attractive - Easily

the calmer of the two.

BLUE 06/01/94

6.

They come to a staircase at the back of the restaurant

leading down to a dark room. Edie takes Keaton's arm and

stops him.

EDIE:

Let me look at you.

Keaton is uncomfortable in his suit, or perhaps the

situation. Still, he smiles with genuine warmth.

Edie straightens his tie and picks microscopic imperfections

from his lapel.

EDIE (CONT'D)

Now remember, this is another kind of

business. They don't earn your respect.

You owe it to them. Don't stare them down

but don't look away either. Confidence.

They are fools not to trust you. That's

the attitude.

KEATON:

I'm having a stroke.

EDIE:

You've come far. You're a good man. I

love you.

Keaton blinks then stammers, looking for a response.

PAUSE:

EDIE (CONT'D)

Live with it.

She kisses him and runs down the steps with Keaton close

behind. Keaton playfully grabs her ass and she nearly

stumbles down the stairs.

7 INT. RESTAURANT - DOWNSTAIRS

They come to the bottom of the steps giggling and jabbing

each other. Once off the stairs they instantly transform as

though hit with cold air. They assume a cool, professional

exterior and walk two feet apart. One would look at them and

see only two business associates here to ply their trade.

They walk across the dimly lit dining room to a table in the

far corner where two men are already waiting. The first is

MR. FORTIER, age thirty-five, the other is MR. RENAULT, age

sixty. Both men are impeccably dressed with a distinguished

air. They stand and smile.

YELLOW 06/11/94

7.

FORTIER:

Edie, nice to see you.

EDIE:

Sorry we're late.

FORTIER:

Nonsense. Sit, please.

RENAULT:

(struggling with English)

You must be Mr. Keaton.

EDIE:

I'm sorry. Dean Keaton

Renault's hand is already out.

RENAULT:

Monsieur Renault. A pleasure.

KEATON:

How do you do?

They shake hands. Keaton takes Fortier's hand next.

FORTIER:

Monsieur Fortier. So nice to finally meet

you.

Everyone sits at the table. All faces are smiling.

LOW ANGLE:
UNDER TABLE

Edie's hand reaches out and finds Keaton's leg. Her hand runs

high up his inner thigh and squeezes firmly.

Her face is absolutely calm, giving no hint of what her hand

is doing. Keaton smiles and clears his throat.

8 INT. MONDINO'S RESTAURANT 8'

Follow a waiter past the flight of steps.

PAN DOWN TO REVEAL:

Five sets of feet arriving at the bottom.

The feet in the middle wear shoes notably nicer than the

rest.

YELLOW 06/11/94

7A.

PAN UP TO REVEAL:

SPECIAL AGENT DAVID KUJAN (Pronounced Koo-yahn), U.S.

CUSTOMS. Thirtyish, dark-haired and determined.

9 SCENE DELETED

9'

PINK 06/07/94

8.

10 INT. RESTAURANT - DOWNSTAIRS 10

FORTIER:

Edie brought us your proposal and I'll be

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