Watchmen Page #4

DAN:

This little stain, is that bean juice or--

RORSCHACH:

Human bean juice. It belonged to the

Comedian. He's dead.

DAN:

The Comedian?

Nervous now, Dan glances out the window.

DAN (cont'd)

Let's talk downstairs.

INT. DAN'S HOUSE - HALLWAY - LATE NIGHT/EARLY MORNING

Rorschach follows Dan to a CLOSET, at the end of the hall.

Dan opens the closet, revealing an old BOOKSHELF. With some

difficulty, Dan PULLS OPEN the HINGED BOOKSHELF with a RUSTY

CREAK. STEEL STAIRS lead down into the dark.

INT. DAN'S OWL-CHAMBER - NIGHT

The two men descend into Dan's WORKSHOP--the dusty remnants

of a hero's LAB; Old computers and an OWL-COSTUME, hanging in

a locker. No-one has been down here for years. In the center

of the space, an OVAL VEHICLE the size of a subway car is

covered by a dusty TARP--the Owl-Ship.

DAN:

How did it happen?

(CONTINUED)

12

CONTINUED:

RORSCHACH:

Murder. Someone threw him out a window.

DAN:

Maybe it was a burglary. The killer might

not have known who Blake was.

RORSCHACH:

An ordinary burglar? Kill the Comedian?

Ridiculous.

DAN:

You're right. I heard he was working for

the government. Maybe it was a political

killing.

RORSCHACH:

Maybe. Or maybe someone's decided to kill

off costumed heroes.

DAN:

You don't think that's . a little

paranoid?

RORSCHACH:

Is that what they're saying about me now?

That I'm paranoid?

DAN:

I-'m just saying the Comedian made a lot

of enemies over the years, even amongst

his friends, if he had any. The man

wasn't exactly endearing. Just because

something happened to him doesn't mean it

involves us.

RORSCHACH:

One of our own has been murdered. I

thought you might be interested. An

attack on one is an attack on all of us,

right?

Dan hesitates.

DAN:

I'm out, Rorschach. I've been out, we've

all been out. Except you. You know that.

RORSCHACH:

Yes. I know that. Anyways, I thought I'd

let you know. Just in case.

(CONTINUED)

13.

CONTINUED:
(2)

DAN:

Yeah, thanks. You can take the tunnel out

to the warehouse on Fleet street--

Rorschach turns to walk off down a long, dark TUNNEL.

RORSCHACH:

I remember. Used to come here a lot.

Back when we were partners.

DAN:

Yeah. Those were good times, Rorschach.

Great times.

(more to himself)

What ever happened to them?

RORSCHACH:

You quit.

Rorschach disappears into the SUBWAY TUNNEL, leaving Dan to

reminisce alone. Dan glances at his old costume hanging.

INT. SLEAZY MOTEL ROOM - EARLY MORNING

The kind of room you rent by the hour. Or the minute even. A

cheap looking HOOKER enters with an ARMY OFFICER, giggling.

She playfully pushes the Officer onto the bed.

HOOKER:

So tell me what you wanna do. Sir.

ARMY OFFICER:

Seeing that I don't have to be back to

base till Friday--everything.

He puts a stack of BILLS on the dresser. Then takes his

UNIFORM off like he can't wait. The Hooker gets on top of him-

--when the DOOR FLIES OFF THE HINGES. Rorschach steps in,

yanks the Hooker off--

--the officer gets to his feet, throws a punch, which

Rorschach dodges. Rorschach GRABS the guy's arm, then KICKS

the Officer on the side of his KNEE, tearing the joint to

shreds. The Officer cries out in pain, falls to the floor--

Rorschach nails him in the head with a BLACK JACK, knocking

him out.

The Hooker screams. Rorschach grabs her by the hair and SLAMS

her face into the wall.

RORSCHACH:

Quiet, whore.

(CONTINUED)

14.

CONTINUED:

Nose broken and bleeding, the Hooker quiets to a whimper.

Rorschach takes the officer's uniform and ID. Then leaves.

EXT. VEIDT ENTERPRISES - MORNING

A mammoth, shining skyscraper. At the 50th-floor there is a

HUGE V-SHAPED HOLE where WATER FALLS.

INT. VEIDT ENTERPRISES - LOBBY - MORNING

A mammoth lobby. The decor is Egyptian and marble. Dan

approaches a beautiful ASSISTANT behind an imposing desk.

DAN:

I'm here to see Adrian Veidt.

ASSISTANT:

Do you have an appointment?

DAN:

No, uh, just tell him Dan Dreiberg is

here to see him.

ASSISTANT:

I'm sorry, Mr. Veidt doesn't see anyone

without an appointment.

DAN:

I understand, but if you would just tell

Adrian that Dan Dreiberg is here, I'm an

old friend.

ASSISTANT:

Well, Mr. Veidt is very busy at the

MOMENT--

DAN:

Just tell him I'm here. I assure you

he'll see me.

Dan glares at her. She glares right back. A game of chicken.

She reluctantly gets up, goes inside the office.

Once she's gone, Dan's glare disappears, replaced by

nervousness. Because he's not sure if Adrian will see him--

it's been a long time. He glances at the SECURITY GUARDS

eyeing him. Finally, the Assistant returns.

ASSISTANT:

Go on in, Mr. Dreiberg.

15.

INT. ADRIAN VEIDT'S OFFICE - MORNING

Dan enters the enormous office--there are three TV feeds

PROJECTED onto the walls, architectural models of real estate

developments, poster size ad campaigns for "Nostalgia"

perfume--all reflecting the financial empire of Veidt

Enterprises owned by--

--ADRIAN VEIDT, late 30s, movie star looks, is at the far end

of the office, SPRINTING on a treadmill as journalist DOUG

ROTH holds a tape recorder to him. Adrian sees Dan

approaching, smiles wide. He holds up a finger, telling Dan

to hold on a sec. Dan nods, takes a seat on the couch. Picks

up a Fortune magazine with Adrian on the cover.

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