Watchmen Page #16

DAN:

I don't know. But it can't hurt to be

safe. Besides, I've already had one

wanted person visit me, another one won't

make a difference.

They look at each other. Laurie smiles.

LAURIE:

Okay.

(BEAT)

So this guy who tried to kill Adrian--who

was he?

INT. LIVING ROOM - APARTMENT - SAME TIME

DAN (V.0.)

Some local low-life named Roy Chess

(CONTINUED)

60.

CONTINUED:

Rorschach investigates the apartment of ROY CHESS, Adrian's

would-be assassin. The place is decent but messy.

Rorschach spots a PORNO MAG on the coffee table. On the couch

nearby, a pair of PANTS. Rorschach picks them up, reaches

into the pockets. He pulls out some cash, credit cards--

--and an ID for Pyramid Industries. It says Chess was a

security guard

. and then Rorschach remembers the pension check he saw

at Moloch's house. From Pyramid Industries.

Rorschach sees a LAPTOP over on the kitchen table. The

computer is on and shows the SERVER for Pyramid Industries.

Rorschach navigates the server until he finds the EMPLOYEE

DIRECTORY.

Once in the directory he pauses for a second. Then he types

in a name:
"Jane Slater."

A photo of Janey Slater pops up--"Status: RETIRED."

Rorschach stares at the screen, excited at the connection.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

We're in Rorschach's POV as he walks down the street. From

the non-reaction of passers by, he obviously doesn't have his

mask on.

RORSCHACH (V.O.)

Rorschach's Journal, October 19th.

Someone tried to kill Adrian Veidt.

Proves mask killer theory--the murderer

is closing in. Pyramid Industries is the

key.

Rorschach approaches a TRASH CAN. He rummages through it and

finds an ENVELOPE. He opens it and finds a NOTE that reads:

"Tonight 11:30, M."

RORSCHACH (V.O.) (CONT'D)

Checked mail drop, got a message from

Moloch. Was just going to pay him a

visit.

Rorschach turns down an alley, approaches a DUMPSTER. He

reaches behind the dumpster.

RORSCHACH (V.0.) (CONT'D)

My things are where I left them. My coat.

My gloves

(CONTINUED)

61.

CONTINUED:

Still in his POV, we watch him put each article on. Then he

pulls out his MASK.

RORSCHACH (V.0.) (CONT'D)

. my face.

Rorschach pulls his mask on, FILLING THE SCREEN

INT. MOLOCH'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

CLOSE ON:
MOLOCH'S EYES staring fearfully out the rainy

window. Rorschach APPEARS in the darkness behind him.

RORSCHACH:

Somebody tried to shoot the world's

smartest man today, Moloch.

Moloch sits at the kitchen table. CLOSE ON: MOLOCH'S HAND. An

ignored CIGARETTE smolders. In his other hand, a NOTE.

RORSCHACH (CONT'D)

The hitman worked for Pyramid Industries.

So did Janey Slater and everyone else Dr.

Manhattan allegedly gave cancer to. And

last time I was here, I saw a pension

check sent to you from the same company--

obviously a front set up by whoever it is

that killed the Comedian, that pushed Dr.

Manhattan over the edge, that wants us

masks dead. Is that why you left me a

note in my mail drop? You have something

to confess?

Rorschach turns. A HOLE gapes between Moloch's staring eyes.

A PISTOL lies on the table--Moloch's dead.

Rorschach carefully pulls the NOTE from Moloch's hand. It's

the note Rorschach had left in Moloch's refrigerator, the one

that reads:
"LOOK BEHIND YOU."

Behind Rorschach, BLINDING LIGHT GLARES THROUGH THE WINDOW.

DET. FINE (O.S.)

(over LOUDSPEAKERS)

RORSCHACH, THIS IS THE POLICE!

RORSCHACH:

No.

DET. FINE (O.S.)

WE KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE.

(CONTINUED)

62.

CONTINUED:

RORSCHACH:

No. No, no, no

DET. FINE (O.S.)

IF THERE'S ANYONE IN THERE WITH YOU, SEND

THEM OUT UNHARMED.

Moloch's corpse stares at Rorschach. Rorschach TEARS OPEN the

cupboards, pulling items off the shelves.

RORSCHACH:

Framed. Set up. Walked right into it.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

DET. FINE (O.S.)

LET'S MAKE THIS A NICE, CLEAN SURRENDER.

RORSCHACH:

Heh. Never. Never surrender.

Rorschach takes an AEROSOL CAN and a PEPPER SHAKER.

DET. FINE (O.S.)

ALRIGHT. I HOPE YOU'RE READY, "HERO."

Rorschach's mask DISAPPEARS back into darkness.

RORSCHACH:

When you are

INT. MOLOCH'S BROWNSTONE - FOYER - CONTINUOUS

CRASH! Moloch's door is SMASHED OPEN. Armed SWAT COPS swarm

in, but no more than three can fit in the narrow entry way.

SWAT COP 1

It's a bum tip, I'm telling you.

SWAT COP 2-

Keep your eyes open.

SWAT Cop 1 moves down the hall, carelessly ahead of formation-

--BEHIND HIM, Rorschach APPEARS out of the darkness. He

IGNITES the AEROSOL CAN'S STREAM, SPRAYING THE COPS WITH

FIRE. They fall back, screaming, shooting. SWAT Cop 1 catches

the worst of it--he DROPS AND ROLLS on the floor, trying to

extinguish the flames on him.

Rorschach BOLTS upstairs, IGNITING the staircase behind him.

Pandemonium.

(CONTINUED)

63.

CONTINUED:

SWAT COP 3

Where'd he go?

SWAT COP 2

Upstairs! He's upstairs! Go!

INT. MOLOCH'S BROWNSTONE - SECOND FLOOR - CONTINUOUS

SWAT COPS top the 2nd floor landing, already lit by fire.

SWAT COP 3

Where is he?!

(into radio)

Send the second team in! Graves is down!

And we need a fire unit. All this smoke--

SWAT COP 2

Stay calm, the file says he never goes

armed.

Rorschach APPEARS, blowing PEPPER INTO COP 2'S EYES.

SWAT COP 2 (CONT'D)

AHH! I CAN'T SEE!

SWAT COP 3

Get out of the way! I don't have room to--

SWAT Cop 3 CLEARS his line of fire and finds Rorschach

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