"NATURAL BORN KILLERS" WRITTEN BY QUENTIN TARANTINO INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY A coffee shop somewhere in New Mexico. MICKEY KNOX, his back turned to us, is sitting at the counter finishing his meal. We hear the PING...BANG...of a pinball machine being played OFF SCREEN. MABEL, a waitress, comes over and fills Mickey's coffee cup. MICKEY What kind of pies do you have? MABEL Apple, pecan, cherry, and key lime. MICKEY Which do you recommend? MABEL The key lime is great, but it's an acquired taste. MICKEY I haven't had a key lime pie in ten years. MABEL When ya had it, did ya like it? MICKEY No, but that don't mean much. I was a completely different person ten years ago. Let's give key lime a day in court. And a large glass of milk. Mabel turns to her right. MABEL (to someone O.S.) Should I make that two pieces? CAMERA PULLS BACK and we see for the first time MALLORY KNOX, Mickey's wife, sitting on a counter stool next to him. Her back is to the camera as well. MALLORY Nada, Rosey. MABEL (annoyed) My name's not Rosey. (points at name tag) It's Mabel. Mabel exits FRAME. MALLORY Whatever. Mallory hops from the stool, walks over and grabs the JAR next to the cash register, then dumping out the coins on the counter, she selects a quarter. MABEL Hey, what the hell do you think you're doin'? Mallory saunters past the COWBOY playing pinball. As his eyes follow Mallory, he loses his ball. She walks to the jukebox in the back, inserts the quarter, selects a song, punches the buttons, a needle lands on a record, and a good God almighty rockabilly tune cuts through the coffee shop. Mabel brings Mickey his pie and milk. MABEL (to Mickey) She ought not be doing that. That's for Jerry's kids, not rock 'n roll. CAMERA moves around to a CU of Mickey. This is the first time we see him. As he takes a bite of green pie: MICKEY I can't take her anywhere. Mallory starts doing a slow seductive fandango around the coffee shop. She's really cooking and smoking. Pinball Cowboy and Mabel are starting to wonder just who the hell these people are. Mickey isn't paying much attention. He's too busy enjoying his pie and milk. EXT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY A dirty pickup truck, sporting a Confederate flag decal, pulls up to the coffee shop. SONNY, OTIS, and EARL, three tough-looking rednecks, pile out. Steam rises from beneath the pickup's hood. EARL Goddamn this sumbitch is runnin' hot. Y'all go inside. I'm gonna check 'er out. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY The LOUDNESS of the Rockabilly song slaps Sonny and Otis in their faces as they walk inside the door. The sexy sight of Mallory doing the ubang stomp stops them in their tracks. SONNY Good God almighty. What the hell is that? OTIS That's a bitch outta hell, son. Otis and Sonny exchange looks. SONNY Take a run at 'er, kiddo. Otis heads toward Mallory. Sonny moves over to the counter next to Mickey. SONNY Miller, Mabel. MABEL Comin' up. Otis stands in front of Mallory, trying to copy what she's doing. Her eyes are closed at the moment, so she doesn't see him. Mabel sets the Miller down in front of Sonny. Sonny takes a swig, enjoying the floor show. SONNY (to Mickey) That's some sweet piece of meat, ain't it? Mickey turns from his pie and looks at Sonny. His expression betrays nothing. MICKEY Her name's Mallory. The needle lifts off the record. The song ends. Mallory opens her eyes and sees Otis. OTIS Hells Bells! Don't stop now sugar. I'm just getting warmed up. Otis gives her his best shit-eating grin before turning to Sonny. Sonny gurgles out a laugh. SONNY Hey, I think she's sweet on you. Otis turns to Mallory as she PUNCHES him hard in the face spinning him around. Sonny spews his mouthful of Highlife. Mallory grabs the back of Otis' head and SMASHES it down on the table, cracking the linoleum. Otis buckles, dropping to his knees. Sonny jumps off the counter stool, but Mickey's hand clutches hold of his shoulder. Sonny spins around toward Mickey, loaded for bear, and points his finger at him, threateningly. Before any threat can be made, Mickey whips a large buck knife out from its sheath, and in a flash, SLICES off Sonny's finger. Sonny's finger drops on his boot. He grabs his aching hand. Blood flows from the wound. MICKEY Just because my woman's mopping up the floor with your buddy is no reason for you to join in. Mickey makes five lightning quick SLASHING SWINGS. The buck knife slips back into its sheath. At first, there seems to be no difference with Sonny. Finally, blood flows from the slices made in his face and chest. Sonny collapses. The SHORT-ORDER COOK charges out of the kitchen at Mickey, wielding a meat cleaver and screaming. Mickey whips out a .45 automatic from a shoulder holster inside his jacket and FIRES. BULLET'S POV: Heading fast toward Short-Order Cook's face. It HITS. Short-Order Cook puts his hands to his face and falls to the ground, screaming. Mickey spots Earl, who's standing outside the plate glass window. Earl's watched the whole shebang. Earl mouths 'Fuck!' He turns and runs for it. Mickey hurls the knife through the plate glass window, which SHATTERS. The knife PLUNGES deep into Earls back. He hits the ground dead. Mickey turns to Mallory. She's sitting on op of Otis, SLAMMING his head repeatedly on the floor. MICKEY Honey. Mallory looks up at Mickey. She gets off Otis and moves to Mickey's side. Mickey trains his .45 on Pinball Cowboy, who's shaking in his cowboy boots. Mickey aims at Mabel, who's clutching the coffee pot, crying. MICKEY (to Mallory) Pick one. Mallory does eanie, meanie, minie, moe, pointing back and forth from Mabel to Pinball Cowboy. MALLORY Eanie, meanie, minie, moe, catch a nigger by the tow. If he hollers, let him go. Eanie, meanie, minie, moe. My mom told me to pick the best one and you are it. She ends, pointing at Mabel. Mabel's crying. She screams. MABEL NO! Mickey FIRES the .45. The bullet CHINKS through the coffee pot Mabel's holding and explodes, THUNKING her in the chest. She hits the floor dead. Mickey and Mallory join hands and walk over to the Pinball Cowboy who stands in a pool of his own urine. MALLORY When you tell people what went on here, tell 'em Mickey and Mallory Knox did this. Understand? Pinball Cowboy nods yes. The two killers plant a big wet kiss on each other's mouths. Then, holding hands, Mickey and Mallory walk out of the cafe. CREDIT SEQUENCE: INT. COUPE DE VILLE - MOVING - DAY Mickey and Mallory in a flashy '68 Cadillac Coupe De Ville. Duane Eddy's 'REBEL ROUSER' blares on the soundtrack. The B.G. is an outrageous PROCESS SHOT. The titles splash over this image 50's style. When this sequence is over, we CUT TO BLACK. END CREDIT SEQUENCE Over black screen, we hear: CAPTAIN SQUERI Send Scagnetti in here. INT. POLICE STATION (SQUERI'S OFFICE) - DAY CAMERA is position in the middle of the office. The door is in the middle of the frame. JACK SCAGNETTI flings the door open and steps inside Squeri's office. Squeri's never seen. SCAGNETTI You wanted to see me, Capt'n? CAPTAIN SQUERI (O.S.) Scagnetti, go up to interrogation room C. Dewight McClusky, chairman of the prison board, is waiting to meet you. You're gonna deliver two prisoners from the county jail to Nystrom Insane Asylum in Bakersfield. SCAGNETTI This is bullshit. I'm a detective. You want an errand boy, call Jerry Lewis. Scagnetti spins around and leaves the room, SLAMMING the door shut behind him. Captain Squeri shouts after him. CAPTAIN SQUERI (O.S.) Jack! INT. POLICE STATION CORRIDOR - DAY Police Detective Scagnetti walks rapidly down the hallway, wearing an old, wrinkly, black suit jacket. PEOPLE walk by in the F.G. and B.G. Scagnetti slips an already tied tie over his head. INT. INTERROGATION ROOM C - DAY DEWIGHT MCCLUSKY, a man in his fifties, wearing a business suit, stands in the F.G. reading a book with his back to the door. In the B.G., Scagnetti enters the room. SCAGNETTI Jack Scagnetti. You wanted to see me? McClusky turns toward Scagnetti. MCCLUSKY Congratulations on the Curtis Fox case, Scagnetti. You put an end to a nightmare. The ladies of this city can get to sleep again, and they have you to thank. SCAGNETTI Thank you, sir. MCCLUSKY Dewight McClusky of the California Prison Board. Take a seat please. Scagnetti lowers into a chair in front of the interrogation table. MCCLUSKY (referring to book) This is damn good reading. I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't found you. This would make a better movie than that 'Serpico' shit. McClusky puts the book down, we see the title: 'CURTIS FOX: The Capture and Death of a Serial Killer'. Author: Jack Scagnetti. McClusky sits on the edge of the table, facing Scagnetti. He lifts a file off the table, then tosses it in Scagnetti's lap. MCCLUSKY I think you'll find that good reading as well. Mickey and Mallory's file. You familiar with them? Scagnetti opens it. It's the files, reports, and photographs of Mickey and Mallory Knox. Scagnetti's face lights up. SCAGNETTI Who isn't? MCCLUSKY You been followin' the news coverage? SCAGNETTI They've been separated since their incarceration in a couple of penitentiaries--- MCCLUSKY Susanville, Soledade. SCAGNETTI They've killed a shitload of inmates and guards--- MCCLUSKY Five inmates, eight guards and one psychiatrist all in one year's time... Very good. You do keep up with the headlines. Scagnetti nods. MCCLUSKY Look, our situation in a nutshell is, no prison wants 'em, no prison will take 'em. I'm even talkin' hellholes, where the warden's as hard as a bar of iron. No one wants those fuckin' assholes behind their walls, dealin' with 'em day in, day out. SCAGNETTI I can appreciate that. MCCLUSKY So can we. So the solution to our little problem is we had them deemed crazy. And we're shippin' 'em to Nystrom Asylum for the criminally insane. SCAGNETTI Lobotomy Bay? MCCLUSKY You've heard of it? SCAGNETTI So, how do I fit into this scheme? MCCLUSKY The public loves you Jack...You don't mind if I call you Jack, do you? SCAGNETTI By all means. MCCLUSKY You're a celebrated cop. Twenty-six years on the force, a best-seller out on paperback... McClusky grabs Scagnetti's book and reads from the back cover. MCCLUSKY A modern day Pat Garret. A hell bent lawman with a deadly axe to grind with maniacs. McClusky lowers the book. MCCLUSKY You're a breathing icon of justice and that's why you were chosen to deliver Mr. and Mrs. Knox. We, the prison board we, knows that once you get them on the road if anything should happen, an escape attempt, an accident, fire, anything...Jack 'Supercop' Scagnetti would be there to look out for his public's best interests. SCAGNETTI I see. MCCLUSKY You write the script Jack, call it, 'Showdown in Mojave: The extermination of Mickey and Mallory', whatever... Have we found our man? Hold on Scagnetti. CUT TO: INT. COUNTY JAIL - CELL BLOCK CORRIDOR - DAY SCAGNETTI'S POV: McClusky stands next to a big iron door. He BANGS on it with is fist. We stay on Scagnetti's POV through this scene. MCCLUSKY Pete, open it up! I'm comin' through with a visitor! A BUZZER SOUNDS McClusky opens the door and we follow him down the corridor. As soon as the door opens, we can hear a female voice singing the song 'Long Time Woman'. McClusky turns to Scagnetti as they walk. MCCLUSKY Well, Jack, I'll tell ya, in all my years with the penal institution, and I'll tell ya that's no small number, Mickey and Mallory Knox are without a doubt the most twisted, depraved group of fucks it's ever been my displeasure to lay my eyes on. I mean, those two rat shits are a walkin' reminder of just how fucked up our system really is. The song 'Long Time Woman' is getting louder as they proceed. SCAGNETTI (O.S.) Who's the song bird? MCCLUSKY Mickey's better half herself. Mallory Knox. This little lady drowned her father in a fish tank. INSERT: INT. A LIVING ROOM - NIGHT CU of a home aquarium with fish swimming around. Suddenly Mallory's FATHER'S head is shoved into the tank. BACK TO: PRISON CORRIDOR MCCLUSKY While the two together burned her mother alive in her bed. INSERT: INT. A BEDROOM - NIGHT MEDIUM CU of Mallory's MOTHER lying asleep in bed, mouth open. What looks like a gas nozzle appears at the top of the FRAME, pouring gasoline all over her face. She coughs and gags. CAMERA PANS up and we see Mickey holding a gas can. CU of Mallory with a lit match by her face. She tosses it in front of her. We hear the SOUNDS of Mallory's mother igniting. BACK TO: PRISON CORRIDOR Still SCAGNETTI'S POV: SCAGNETTI (O.S.) Why? McClusky's still walking ahead of us. MCCLUSKY Because they wouldn't give them their blessing for marriage. SCAGNETTI (O.S.) Ain't love grand. McClusky laughs. MCCLUSKY Ain't love grand. That's a good one. Still SCAGNETTI'S POV: We look down from McClusky to Mallory's file in our hands. It contains her picture and lists her color of hair, color of eyes, height, weight, race, etc. Beneath that is a column which reads: PSYCHIATRIC REMARKS. As we read the remarks, we hear a DOCTOR'S VOICE read aloud. FEMALE PSYCHIATRIST (V.O.) When pressed about the reason for the murders...patient became hostile... INSERT: INT. A PSYCHIATRIST'S OFFICE - DAY Looking trashy, wild, and animalistic, Mallory's a sex machine dressed in a prison gown. She sits in a chair, looking directly at the CAMERA. MALLORY I don't owe you an explanation! I don't owe you shit! I'm not here for your entertainment. If I don't tell you what you wanna hear, what are you gonna do? Throw me in jail? I'm already there, you stupid pigfucker. You gonna give me some more time? I've already got life. What else you got to threaten me with? Death? I'd like to see you fuckin' try. I haven't met one motherfucker here who's shown me shit! BACK TO DEATH ROW CORRIDOR: Still on SCAGNETTI'S POV: We look up from the fill and see McClusky's leaning against a cell door. We hear somebody signing 'Long Time Woman' inside the cell. We move to McClusky, who looking into the CAMERA, gestures toward the cell. MCCLUSKY Here she is...you know her, you love her, you can't live without her...Mallory Knox. We PAN from McClusky to the inside of the cell where we see Mallory, her back to us, singing and dancing. INT. PRISON (MALLORY KNOX'S CELL) - DAY CU of Mallory's face singing 'Long Time Woman'. MALLORY (singing) 99 years is a long, long time. Look at me, I will never be free, I'm a long time woman... MCCLUSKY (O.S.) Hey, Knox! Somebody out here wants to meet you. Mallory just keeps on truckin'. MALLORY (singing) Been workin' on the road now. Been workin' by the sea. Been workin' in the cane fields. and I wanna be free... MALLORY'S POV: We stare at McClusky and Scagnetti for a second. Then, like a bull, we charge/DOLLY straight at them. Mallory screams O.S. We SMASH headfirst into the bars. Mallory's POV flings up, looking at the ceiling, then falls backward. MEDIUM TIGHT SHOT of floor, Mallory falls into FRAME, out cold. CU on Scagnetti through the cell bars. SCAGNETTI Jesus Christ! CAMERA PANS over to CU on McClusky. MCCLUSKY Don't worry about it. She does that all the time. BACK TO: Mallory on the floor, still unconscious with blood trickling down her scalp. MCCLUSKY (O.S.) Follow me. INT. PRISON (LONG CORRIDOR) - DAY CAMERA is at the end of a long corridor. McClusky and Scagnetti approach from the other end. Scagnetti's studying the files. PHIL WURLITZER comes up behind the two men. WURLITZER You duckin' me Dewight? MCCLUSKY Hey, Phil, how the hell are ya? WURLITZER (to Scagnetti) This son of a bitch is chairman of the prison board, but it's like pullin' teeth to get him down to a prison. MCCLUSKY The only reason I'm here now is to set him straight, and I'm on the next flight out. (to Scagnetti) Jack, this is the superintendent of the jail. Phil Wurlitzer. He's the man who's got the power of the pen here. Wurlitzer shakes hands with Scagnetti. WURLITZER Pleased to meet ya, Jack. I read your book. I'm impressed. Good work on Curtis Fox. SCAGNETTI Thanks. MCCLUSKY From now on, you'll be dealin' with Phil. He can answer all the questions you got about the arrangements. I'm gonna be bidding you good luck and adieu in about twenty minutes. My flight back to Sacramento leaves LAX in a hour. WURLITZER And I want you to know, we'll all cry a river when you're gone. They all laugh. SCAGNETTI What's the travelling arrangements? WURLITZER Well, Mickey and Mallory can't be together. So, we'll put you on one of our prison busses and you'll take Mallory first, then you'll come back for Mickey. SCAGNETTI And where do you keep Mickey? WURLITZER We got his stinkin' ass in the deepest, darkest cell in the whole place. But it just so happens that right now he's got a special visitor. SCAGNETTI Who? WURLITZER Wayne Gayle. SCAGNETTI (surprised) Wayne Gayle! INT. JAIL - VISITING AREA - DAY WAYNE GAYLE, a young, energetic, commando journalist a'la Geraldo Rivera is sitting on the visitor side of the county jail visiting area. Wayne is alone and the visiting area is empty. Apparently some arrangement was made for the visit. Wayne has a miniature tape recorder in his hand and is testing it. WAYNE (into recorder) Testing one...two...three... testing...one...three...over, over, over, Mickey Knox meeting. Wayne shuts off the recorder, rewinds and plays it back. It works beautifully. He hits the record button and conceals the recorder in his sport coat jacket. The door opens on the prisoner side and Mickey Knox is lead into the room by two SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES. Mickey's wearing the country jail blue jump-suit. He has a thick and wide leather belt around his waist with a metal ring built into each side. Long sturdy chains with handcuffs on each end are wrapped across his body and through the rings, binding his arms to his sides. His hands and feet are double cuffed. The Deputies both have their guns drawn, ready to blow Mickey in half at the slightest provocation. For a man wrapped and bound in chains, Mickey seems strangely in control of his environment. Even restrained as he is by the symbols of society (the chains, jail, guards, guns, jump-suit), he remains a dangerous, intimidating, and fascinating figure. Wayne takes in the image of Mickey. WAYNE (to himself) Showtime. Mickey's roughly shoved into his seat on the prisoner's side of the glass. The Deputies move to their place, off to the side by the wall. WAYNE Hello Mickey. We've never been introduced, but I'm Wayne Gayle. I don't know if you've ever heard of me or remember me. I was one of the reporters outside the courthouse during your trial--- MICKEY Everybody knows who you are. You're famous. Wayne pauses and retorts. WAYNE I could say the same thing about you. (smiles) I want to thank you very much for seeing me... Mickey is silent. WAYNE I have a television show. It's very popular. Every week we do a profile on a different serial killer. You don't mind if I call you a serial killer, do you? Mickey shakes his head no. WAYNE The episode we did on Mickey and Mallory was one of our most popular ones. MICKEY Did you ever do one on Wayne Gacy? WAYNE Yes. MICKEY Whose ratings were higher? WAYNE Yours. MICKEY How 'bout Ted Bundy? Ever do one on him? WAYNE Yes. Yours got the larger Nielson share. MICKEY Good...yuppie piece of shit. WAYNE What I'd like to do--- MICKEY How 'bout Manson? WAYNE Manson beat you. MICKEY Yeah, it's pretty hard to beat the king. WAYNE We've been waiting to do a follow up episode on you for a long time. And that time has definitely come. (pause) I feel it's apparent to anyone who's hip to what's going on that the prison board has thrown the constitution straight out the fuckin' window. You and Mallory may be killers, but you're not insane. You belong in a prison, not in an asylum. The prison board is blatantly railroading you into a hospital for the sole purpose of turning you into vegetables. Now some people are saying, 'So what?' I am not one of those people. If we avert our eyes while they do this to you, we give them permission to do it again whenever they see fit. Today they wipe clean your mind because they feel your actions are dangerous, tomorrow they wipe clean my mind because they feel what I say is dangerous. Where does it all stop? No response from Mickey. WAYNE My problem Mickey, is that you don't exactly inspire empathy. I'm all alone on this. I need your help. I want what the prison board is doing to be the focus of our follow up episode. Now I have interviews with chairman of the prison board Dewight McClusky about this issue. And I'm tellin' ya, Mickey, he looks bad. The two psychologists they used for their psychiatric kangaroo court won't talk to us, which always looks bad. I have an interview with both the judge of your trial, Bert Steinsma, and the psychologist and author, Emil Reinghold, both of which discount the notion that you're insane. You put that all together, and what the state is doing becomes obvious. But the network isn't satisfied. They feel the show needs another element. It needs you. In order to put the show on the air, I need to get an interview with you. You haven't talked to the press since your trial. Now, a few days before you get transferred to an asylum, you grant an interview on television with Wayne Gayle. We're talkin' a media event here. Every son of a bitch out the with a TV set's gonna tune in to see that. We'll make their motives so blatant, we'll shame 'em into dropping the whole thing. At least for a little while, the publicity would keep them from just giving you and Mallory lobotomies. Well, whatta ya say? MICKEY Have you talked to Mallory about this? WAYNE She won't even see me, Mickey. Now you're not supposed to know anything about what's going on with her, but I'm gonna tell ya somethin'. Since you two've been sentenced, Mallory hasn't spoken one word. MICKEY She doesn't talk? WAYNE Not to anybody. She sings. MICKEY She sings? What does she sing? WAYNE Songs. 'He's A Rebel', 'Leader Of The Pack', 'Town Without Pity', that Dusty Springfield song 'I Only Want To Be With You'. That's what I hear anyway. Her behaviour was the main thing the doctors' report used against you. So even if she would see me, which she won't, I couldn't put her on camera anyway. If I ask her, 'Mallory, are you insane?' And she starts singing 'Dead Skunk In The Middle Of The Road', that blows our whole case. Mickey cracks a smile. The guards come over to take him away. DEPUTY SHERIFF (O.S.) Time, motherfucker! They grab Mickey, and jerk him from the chair. Wayne stands. WAYNE Wait a minute, Mickey, I need an answer. Mickey doesn't respond. He just leaves with the guards. WAYNE (yells after him) Just think about it. But don't think too long. INT. MICKEY'S CELL - DAY MEDIUM CU of Mickey curled up by his bed, writing Mallory a letter. MICKEY (V.O.) Dearest Mallory. My cell is so cold. At night I get the chills. I pretend you're lying next to me, holding me from behind with your leg draped over mine and your arms wrapped tightly around me. I lie in my cell... DISSOLVE TO: WIDE SHOT in cell behind Mickey. We slowly DOLLY back. MICKEY (V.O.) ...and imagine kissing you. Not making love, just kissing for hours and hours on end. I remember everything about our time. I remember every joke you ever told. CU of the letter being written over the WIDE SHOT. MICKEY (V.O.) I remember every secret you ever shared. Shared or revealed? I think shared is proper. I remember every single time you laughed. ECU of Mickey, mouthing the words as he writes, we can hear Mallory's laugh - a distant haunting echo. MICKEY I remember every meal we ever ate. I remember your cooking. I especially remember your casseroles. I remember watching David Letterman. We hear the echo of television laughter. MICKEY I remember driving fast...faster, man, fast behind the wheel of the Coupe de Ville. The sound of the Coupe de Ville swells until we... CUT TO: EXT. COUPE DE VILLE - NIGHT CAMERA sits on the hood looking down at Mickey and Mallory, driving fast -- SLOW MOTION. A hurricane of wind whips through their hair. Mallory laughs wildly as she wraps her arms around Mickey and kisses. MICKEY (V.O.) You, baby, by my side. Your bare feet up on the dash, singing along with the radio 'Needles And Pins', 'He's A Rebel', 'You're My World', 'Ring Of Fire', 'Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes', 'Groove Me'... DISSOLVE TO: EXT. COUPE DE VILLE - NIGHT Coupe de Ville parked on the road side. Mickey is in the drivers seat with his feet on the dash watching Mallory dance on the hood of the car. MICKEY (V.O.) And your dancing, my God, your dancing. I lie on my bed and go over every day, every minute of our happiness. Every day take a day of our time and go through it hour by hour. I don't jump ahead either. I take it as it comes, and I live that day again. That way when I get to our first kiss... DISSOLVE TO: INT. A BEDROOM - NIGHT The screen erupts with fire. Mickey and Mallory's faces appear in the flame kissing passionately. MICKEY (V.O.) The killing of your parents, our wedding...They're not just memories. I feel that joy again... DISSOLVE TO: INT. RESTAURANT - DAY MEDIUM CU of Wayne holding a piece of paper in front of his face and reading from it out loud. We hear Wayne's VOICE over Mallory's singing before the last scene DISSOLVES. WAYNE (reading out loud) 'After taking a few days to reflect on your offer, I've come to the conclusion that you are one hundred percent correct. A national TV interview would be very advantageous to both Mallory and I. The only obstacle is they're shipping me out to the funny farm in four days. However, that is your problem and not mine. I feel confident you'll manage. Here's to us making television history. Sincerely, Mickey Knox.' Wayne drops the letter down from in front of his face. WAYNE Am I a God or what? We now see the restaurant adorned with the standard Denny's decorum. Wayne's team is gathered in a booth that surrounds the remains of a greasy meal. In response to his last remark, they all pretend they are praying to him. The team consists of SCOTT, the cameraman, who wears wild t-shirts (presently a t-shirt with the movie 'She Devils On Wheels' splashed on the front); ROGER, the soundman, who wears wild Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts; and UNRULY JULIE, Wayne's assistant, a young lady who wears Bermuda shorts, a baseball jersey, and a dark sports coat no matter how hot the weather is at any time. Roger's never seen without his recorder, Scott's never without his camera, and Unruly Julie always has her giant notebook. These dishevelled film types are all in their twenties and are a marked contrast to Wayne's stylish yuppie demeanour. Unruly Julie pops the cork on a champagne bottle. The guys hold out coffee mugs, while Julie fills. Julie, however drinks straight from the bottle. NOTE: This scene is to be played at a rapid fire 'His Girl Friday' pace. WAYNE Drink up! This is a celebration. This is the day we received word we were gonna make television history. We're gonna have the first sit down, in depth interview with the most charismatic serial killer ever, one day before he's being shipped to a mental hospital for the rest of his life. This is one of those golden moments that happens maybe only four times in a lucky journalist's career. This is Wallace with Noriega, this is Elton John confessing his bi-sexuality to the Rolling Stone, this is the tearful reporting of the Hindenberg disaster, this is Truffaut setting the record straight on Hitchcock, this is a Robert Capa photo, this is Woodward and Bernstien meeting Deep Throat in an underground parking lot, this is John Reid reporting 'The Ten Days That Shook The World', this is the hippies' bloody palms at Kent State, the Maysles brothers at Altamont, this is the Nixon/Frost interviews... ROGER This is Raymond Burr witnessing the destruction of Tokyo by Godzilla. Everybody laughs. SCOTT What's the schedule, mein fuehre? As Wayne talks, Unruly Julie writes furiously in her notebook. She never speaks, just writes. WAYNE We got tonight and tomorrow to get our shit together. The day after that they're shippin' Mallory. That's when we do the Mickey Knox interview, 'cause the next day he goes. SCOTT Would the network really not run it without the interview? WAYNE Are you kidding? The last thing they expected was Mickey Knox to get up close and personal. They wanted a follow up episode and would've taken anything I had given them. I'm not gonna tell Mickey Knox that. I'm gonna make him think his grey matter depends on it. When I told Woody and the brass about this coup, they practically shit a brick. I'm talkin' an adobe brick. They want to expand the show to a hour, and they want it on immediately. ROGER How immediate is immediately? WAYNE Next week's episode. Wayne's team all spit out mouthfuls of champagne. ROGER We don't got enough footage for a hour follow up. SCOTT (pointing at Roger) What he said. WAYNE Rape and pillage the first episode, just change the order a bit. Those sons of bitches out there ain't gonna know the difference. All that shit is just filler for the interview anyway. We film a new intro. Show some old footage from the first episode so the get a brief history of Mickey and Mallory. We introduce a new angle... what the prison board is up to. We see some of that new shit, then the rest of the show is the interview. Now what's so fuckin' hard about that? Oh, Julie make a note: I need Woody to get me thirty seconds of the 'Live at Five' broadcast to promote next weeks show. We'll do a feed right from the jail while we're wrapping up with Mickey. Unruly Julie scribbles in her notebook. Wayne snaps at Scott. WAYNE You too Scott, Betacam and a remote, keep it simple. Scott closes his eyes in concentration, and repeats Wayne. SCOTT Betacam with remote and two-way comm link. Got it. (opens eyes) How about the interview...What camera do you want to use? Wayne closes his eyes. WAYNE I see...high contrast sixteen millimetre black and white, and I mean black and white, where the black's black and the white's white. This is for posterity, so fuck video. Film! Film! Film! Wayne pounds on the table. CU of Unruly Julie writing in her notebook: 'Film...film...film!' WAYNE So Unruly Julie's comin' with me and planning the interview. (points at Roger & Scott) You two go down to the editing bay, take the old footage and the new footage, put it together, and see what we got. Get it into shape so when we finish the interview, we can just stick it in. SCOTT When do you want the assembly? WAYNE Tomorrow. CUT TO: TITLE CARD: 'TOMORROW' CUT TO: INT. TV STATION CORRIDOR - DAY CAMERA leads Wayne, who's talking to Unruly Julie. As they march quickly through the halls Julie writes furiously in her notebook. WAYNE At that point I'll ask him if he believes in God. If he says yes, I'll ask him what he thinks God would make of his actions. And is he worried about burning in hell? If he says no, I'll say, 'Well, Mickey, what do you believe in?' And hopefully he'll say something like a live round of ammo, the expression on the face of a man he just split up the middle, Mallory's eyes, sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. He's bound to say something provocative. Wayne and Unruly Julie enter the video editing room. Scott and Roger are sitting at the editing bay. Everybody is wearing, and looks like they slept in, the same clothes as the night before, except Wayne, who's in another sweater and looks alert and snappy. WAYNE Okay, boys, let's have it. SCOTT Well, basically, what we did was put part of the old show on first... ROGER But we changed the order around so it wasn't super obvious... SCOTT Then we added the new shit to the tail... ROGER So we film the interview, and we can just slap it on at the end. Wayne and Unruly Julie grab chairs and sit. WAYNE Okay, let's see it. CU of video monitor screen. We see a show rewinding. ROGER (O.S.) Now we got to film a new intro for the follow up episode. But we put the intro for the first episode at the beginning temporarily so you can see it with some scope. WAYNE (V.O.) I hear ya. Play. CU of Roger's hand pressing a play button. CUT TO: Static. Then the opening slate for 'AMERICAN MANIACS' fills the SCREEN. BEGIN: HIGHWAY - DAY EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY WAYNE GAYLE is standing in the middle of an empty highway. The CAMERA looks up from the ground. With a WIDE ANGLE lens, he looks practically mythic. Wayne speaks into the camera. WAYNE Hello. Welcome to 'American Maniacs'. I'm your host Wayne Gayle. And this is Highway 58. Wayne walks toward the CAMERA. We DOLLY back. WAYNE To some the fastest distance between point A and point B. To others a beautiful stretch to the American landscape. But to Mickey and Mallory Knox, it was a candy land of murder and mayhem. While we hear Wayne's narration, we see a MONTAGE of home 8mm movie footage. These are films of Mickey and Mallory living a normal life. HOME MOVIE - Mickey shaking hands with the JUDGE who married them. Mallory stands happily by Mickey's side. HOME MOVIE - Mallory hamming up the sex angle, as she poses by Bob's Big Boy. HOME MOVIE - Mallory sitting on Mickey's lap at home. HOME MOVIE - CU of Mallory asleep in bed. Mickey (holding camera) tickles her under her chin. Mallory slaps herself in the face with a handful of shaving cream. HOME MOVIE - Mickey and Mallory posing with Santa Claus. HOME MOVIE - Mickey being surprised in the toilet. WAYNE (V.O.) After living a very routine, drab, nothing out-of-the-ordinary-ever- happens kind of life, the sweethearts shocked the entire nation with a cross-country crime and murder spree that lasted only three weeks, but left--- PHOTO: BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS of bloody victims -- MEN and WOMEN. PHOTO: BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS of a bloodstained police chalk outline. WAYNE (V.O.) ---forty-eight known bodies in its wake. Including--- HOME MOVE FOOTAGE of Mallory and her PARENTS during happier times. All three are smiling. Mallory's in the middle with her arms around them. Mallory's father is eating a chicken drumstick. Mallory takes a bite out of it while he's holding it. WAYNE (V.O.) ---Mallory's very own parents. PHOTO: COLOR POSTCARD of Los Angeles. WAYNE (V.O.) They started their crime wave in Los Angeles. Wayne Gayle stands in front of a Circle K convenience store. He speaks to us. WAYNE And they were finally apprehended here at this Circle K in St. Paul, Minnesota. CUT TO: EXT. CIRCLE K - DAY This sequence is filmed in 16MM COLOR, cinema verite a'la 'COPS.' The CAMERA runs behind three blue windbreaker clad COPS, as they run up to the Circle K, shouting obscenities. In front of the store three windbreaker cops have Mickey on the ground, beating him with nightsticks. One COP lies on the ground near them, holding his hands over his face, screaming. To the left Mallory is slugging it out with a windbreaker COP, matching each other blow for blow. Meanwhile, the three cops we ran with reach the action and join in. CUT TO: MONTAGE NEWSPAPER-- Newspaper or magazine COLOR AD for a 7/11 store. NEWSPAPER-- Newspaper or magazine COLOR AD for a gas station. WAYNE (V.O.) They started off robbing 7/11 type stores and gas stations and later graduated to banks and the big time. EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - DAY Wayne Gayle walks down the street. The CAMERA walks with him. He speaks into the camera. WAYNE Mickey and Mallory's idea of an armed robbery was a little different than most. It was an assault, actually. EXT. 7/11 STORE - DAY Wayne interviews BISHOP, a young blonde kid with a 'Flock of Sea Gulls' haircut. Bishop's name appears on the SCREEN. BISHOP Well. I knew that Mickey and Mallory kill everybody when they're through, except for one clerk. There were a couple of people in the store then, and I was working with Stevo. And I like Stevo, you know? But I was thinking, what could I do to make them pick me to be the clerk that gets to live? INT. 7/11 STORE - DAY This scene is shot through the STORE'S BLACK & WHITE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERA. The date and time of day are burned into the edges of the frame. Mickey and Mallory charge into a 7/11 store, cocking their shotguns and shouting things. Mickey SHOOTS a CUSTOMER who lies on the ground screaming. Mallory BLASTS a FEMALE CUSTOMER who lies on the ground screaming. Mickey points his shotgun at Bishop the store clerk and screams: MICKEY Money! Money! Money! Fast! Fast! Faster! Faster! Faster than that! Bishop stuffs money in a bag as Mallory guards the door, shotgun ready. STEVO, the other store clerk, walks in from the back room carrying boxes and wearing a walkman. Mickey and Mallory spin around and shoot him. As all this mayhem happens before our disbelieving eyes, Wayne's narration happens over it. WAYNE (V.O.) They'd storm in with shotguns, and kill every customer in the place right off the bat. CUT TO: Smiling PHOTOS of other VICTIMS. We CUT from each photo to the next photo after shotgun FIRE. EXT. BLEACHERS - DAY Wayne Gayle sitting on football bleachers. He stares into the CAMERA for a few beats. Then, after his dramatic silence, he talks. WAYNE Sick, isn't it? (mournful pause) After killing numerous people, the would always leave one clerk alive. One clerk...to give them the money, and tell the tale of--- PHOTO: BLACK & WHITE snapshot of Mickey and Mallory standing next to each other, guns in hand, smiling for the camera. WAYNE (V.O.) Mickey and Mallory. PHOTO: Police Academy BLACK & WHITE snapshot of OFFICER GERALD NASH. WAYNE (V.O.) Patrolman Gerald Nash was just one of the twelve peace officers that Mickey and Mallory murdered during their reign of terror. PHOTO: BLACK & WHITE photo of Gerald Nash and his partner DALE WRIGLEY, dressed in their uniforms, arms around each other. WAYNE (V.O.) Gerald and his partner Dale Wrigley were parked at... PHOTO: BLACK & WHITE snapshot of donut shop. WAYNE (V.O.) ...this donut shop, Alfie's Donuts. When--- Interview with Dale Wrigley. Dale's name appears below him on the SCREEN. DALE This '68 Cadillac Coupe De Ville pulled up about three spaces away. Gerald came walking out with our coffee and--- (begins to tear up) my bear claw. When the driver of the car asked him something, Gerald started giving him what looked like street directions. When he finished, the driver waved him 'thanks,' brought up a shotgun and--- PHOTO: BLACK & WHITE of donut shop. WIDER PHOTO: Alfie's donut and parking lot. On this photo, a white grease pencil circles where Gerald was shot. We hear a SHOTGUN BLAST and a SCREAM over this. PHOTO: BLACK & WHITE of Mickey and Mallory. We hear LAUGHTER and a car PEELING OUT over this. EXT. BLEACHERS - DAY Wayne talks to us. WAYNE Apparently bored with banditry and murder, the two outlaws proved what renaissance psychopaths they really are. To break up the monotony in between bank jobs, or what have you, they started butchering whole households at random. CUT TO: MONTAGE of newspaper front page stories and headlines of family households butchered by the Knoxs. INT. WAYNE'S STUDIO - DAY Wayne, dressed in a pink shirt and suspenders, talks to us in front of a blue screen that has 'WAYNE GAYLE'S AMERICAN MANIACS' logo behind him. WAYNE Unfortunately, the story didn't end with their capture. It just became more surreal. Their subsequent trial turned into a sick circus... CUT TO: EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY The CAMERA captures the crowd in front of the courthouse. They're a very mixed lot. WAYNE (V.O.) ...As spectators, reporters, law students, tourists, gawkers, the interested, the curious, the devoted, and the demented were drawn to the Los Angeles county courthouse like moths to a flame. INT. WAYNE'S STUDIO - DAY Wayne talks to us. WAYNE The Mickey and Mallory Knox murder trial was so event filled it made the crime spree that took place before pale by comparison. The first point was the decision of Mickey's to act as his own council. Now this in itself is not unheard of, for instance, Ted Bundy acted as his own council as well. What was unexpected was how well Mickey's performance would be. INT. JUDGE'S DEN - DAY Wayne interviews JUDGE BURT STEINSMA in his den at home. WAYNE (V.O.) We spoke with Burt Steinsma, who was the presiding judge during the Knox trial. JUDGE STEINSMA Mickey was surprisingly effective. When I was told I was to be the judge of this trial and then I was told Mickey Knox would be handling his own defence, I got a headache that lasted five days. But at first I breathed a sigh of relief. Mickey showed up very prepared, and proved to be an excellent amateur lawyer. INT. WANDA BISBING'S OFFICE - DAY Interview with state prosecutor WANDA BISBING, an attractive woman in her forties. WAYNE (V.O.) However, this opinion isn't shared by the state's prosecutor on this case, Wanda Bisbing. Wayne's with Bisbing. WAYNE Judge Steinsma said that Mickey showed up very prepared and proved to be an excellent amateur attorney. BISBING Oh, that's rich. Well, considering that Mickey Knox turn his court into a mockery and personally made him look like a fool, I'd say that's very benevolent of Judge Steinsma. As far as Mickey being an excellent amateur lawyer, maybe I'm old fashioned, but when I went to law school, we were taught the object was to win the case, which I did. INT. WAYNE'S STUDIO - DAY Wayne talks to us. WAYNE The nation caught fire to Mickey and Mallory fever, Mickey and Mallory mania, if you will, as the merits to Mickey's talent as a defence attorney became apparent. Law students from all ends of the country converged on Los Angeles as legal history took a new course. But that was only the lemon next to the pie. And that pie is you, the American people. That pie is the way the strangely charismatic, and make no mistake, they are charismatic, Mickey and Mallory have captured the public's interest, fear, and in some cases, admiration. CUT TO: EXT. COURTHOUSE STEPS - DAY Wayne interviews three long-haired guys: CHUCK, STEVE, and JEFF. WAYNE What do you think of Mickey and Mallory? CHUCK Hot. JEFF Hot. STEVE Totally hot. CHUCK Mickey and Mallory's the best thing to happen to mass murder since Manson. STEVE Forty-eight people known. They're way cooler than Manson. CUT TO: Wayne interviewing MORGAN and PAGE, two young girls. WAYNE What do you think of Mickey and Mallory? MORGAN Well, he's just...I dunno... charismatic. PAGE They're so romantic. CUT TO: Wayne interviewing an INTENSE COP. INTENSE COP I'm here to watch the judge give those two shit asses (BLEEP) the stiffest sentence the law allows. I want to see their faces when the state says 'they are the worst scum sucking, degenerate, douche bag, filthy, I don't know what's ever shit (BLEEP) out. (referring to crowd behind him) And these assholes (BLEEP) are making heroes outta sickos. You wanna know who a hero is? You wanna know? I'll tell ya who a Goddamn hero is. Mike Griffin. Mike fuckin' (BLEEP) Griffin is who these misguided assholes (BLEEP) should be revering. You know why Mike Jerome Griffin is a hero? I'll tell ya why. Because he was killed in the line of duty. Do you want to know how he died? WAYNE Yes. INTENSE COP I'll tell you. Mike Jerome Griffin was killed in the line of duty by those two anti-heroes. CUT TO: Wayne interviewing RUSSELL VOSSLER, Harvard law student. WAYNE Tell me, Mr. Vossler, how many days of the trial have you attended? RUSSELL Ahhh yesss, I've been fortunate enough to attend two days. Law history in the making. I've been a participant. WAYNE And you being a Harvard law student, what is your opinion of Mickey Knox's performance? RUSSELL Ahhh, Mickey's pistolero savvy in the courtroom trial rivals, dare I say conquers that of master Melvin Belli. He's like a magnificent loose cannon, firing point blank in the prosecutor's face. It is my anticipation--- BACK TO: The long-haired guys, Chuck, Jeff & Steve as Wayne speaks. WAYNE You're talking about a man and a woman who killed innocent people. STEVE Don't get us wrong... CHUCK We respect human life an' all. JEFF It's a tragedy. STEVE But...if I was a serial killer, which I'm not, but if I was, I'd be like Mickey. CUT TO: Wayne talking with MARVIN, a black man. MARVIN They're like that crazy mother in the first Dirty Harry movie. Member that crazy ass mother? They're like him. Mickey and Mallory be doin' some cold-blooded shit. When I hear about some of the shit they be doin' on TV, I say 'Damn, that's fucked (BLEEP) up.' BACK TO: The two young girls, Morgan & Page as Wayne speaks. PAGE (laughing and blushing) We sit in the courtroom all day and try to catch Mickey's eye. CUT TO: INT. GOLD'S GYM - DAY Wayne's sitting in the gym. Behind him MUSCLE MEN are working out. Their GRUNTING sounds fill the background. Wayne looks up and just OFF CAMERA to the people he's interviewing. WAYNE What do you think of Mickey and Mallory? ECU on SIMON and NORMAN HUN, two brothers/bodybuilders, in a head SHOT. SIMON I admire them. NORMAN I do, too. WAYNE (confused) But how can you say that? SIMON They're mesmerising. NORMAN Hypnotizing. SIMON Have you seen 'Pumping Iron?' WAYNE Yes. NORMAN Then you've seen the scene where Arnold Schwartzenegger is talking to Lou Ferigno. WAYNE Yes. SIMON Through the power of the simple word--- NORMAN And a snake-eye glare. SIMON ---and a snake-eye glare, Arnold was able to totally psyche out any confidence Ferigno had. NORMAN He squashed him mentally before physically defeating him. SIMON He had the edge. The mind's edge. NORMAN Mickey and Mallory have that edge. SIMON Only on a much grander scale. NORMAN They've hypnotized the nation. SIMON Schwartzenegger was the king of the edge before they came along. The CU of the brothers ZOOMS back. WAYNE You say this and yet...you two are both victims of Mickey and Mallory. SHOT has zoomed back to reveal that both Simon and Norman are in wheelchairs (their legs maimed or gone). SIMON Yes. NORMAN Yes. WAYNE How can you say that you 'admire' them? NORMAN It's like this, Wayne. Two people are standing in a dark room waiting for the other to attack. These two people can't see each other, yet they know they're there. Now, they can either stand in the dark room forever waiting until they die of boredom, or one of them can make the first move. WAYNE Why can't they just shake hands and be friends? NORMAN They can't because neither knows if the other is a deranged senseless killer like the Knoxs. So, you may as well make the first move. WAYNE And they made the first move? NORMAN Unfortunately, yes. SIMON But you see, that's okay, Wayne. WAYNE Why? SIMON They passed the 'edge' along to us. WAYNE How so? SIMON By taking away our legs. Now we have to fight harder to get ahead than anyone else you'll find in this gym. Probably the whole city. They gave us the fighting spirit. Before this happened I was content. Now I'm pissed off. Now I'm half a man and I've got to work like the devil to get whole again. WAYNE But you'll never be whole again. SIMON Never is a very long time, Wayne. A word only the weak use. I'm not a sore loser. Even if I don't have a leg to stand on, I'm going to get up and fight this world until I'm on top again. NORMAN That's the Mickey and Mallory way. SIMON That's the way of the world. NORMAN They're shocking the world into remembering the primal law. SIMON Survival of the fittest. WAYNE One last question. Usually Mickey and Mallory kill all of their victims. Why did they let you two survive? The brothers pause, then turn to Wayne. NORMAN They had us tied down during one of their house raids, you've seen the headlines, and they were taking a chainsaw to our legs before they were gonna kill us. SIMON Just for fun, I guess. NORMAN And then Mallory stops Mickey and says, 'Hey, these are the Brothers Hun.' SIMON Mickey stops sawin' on my leg and says, 'Oh my God, I'm your biggest fan!' NORMAN Apparently, they've seen all our films. SIMON They were especially influenced by 'Conquering Huns of Neptune.' NORMAN So, Mallory calls 911 and they took off. SIMON They actually apologized. INT. WAYNE'S STUDIO - DAY Wayne talks. WAYNE The couple proved so popular that a motion picture glamorizing their exploits was made... CUT TO: A POSTER for the Mickey and Mallory movie called 'Thrill Killers' is shown. It has a drawing of the Movie Mickey and Movie Mallory in a romantic pose a'la 'Gone With The Wind,' both with guns in their hands. Around them are smaller drawings of cars, people shooting, people fighting, explosions, etc. The adlines are: 'RIPPED FROM TODAY'S HEADLINES --THE TRUE STORY OF MICKEY AND MALLORY.' 'THE COUPLE THAT LIVED FOR LOVE AND LOVED TO KILL.' The poster lists the credits: 'Starring Jessie Alexander Warwick and Buffy St.McQueen.' 'Written and Directed by Neil Pope.' WAYNE (V.O.) The Movie 'Thrill Killers' proved to be a tremendous box office success, making stars out of the before then unknown--- CUT TO: STILLS of Movie Mickey and Movie Mallory holding weapons, posing together, creating mayhem. WAYNE (V.O.) ---actors Jessie Alexander Warwick and Buffy St.McQueen. CUT TO: MOVIE TRAILER FOR 'THRILL KILLERS': SHOT Movie Mickey dressed in a fastfood uniform. ANNOUNCER (V.O.) Meet Mickey Knox! MOVIE MICKEY I'm gettin' off this minimum wage train. Break my back for you and throw away my youth for nothing. when I'm thirty, have a big wall drop down in front of me called the future. Realize I've been doin' time in a burger flippin' jail. He rips off his uniform. MOVIE MICKEY Listen to me Jimmy-dick, I want cash, lots of it, cars, fast cars! And I want it now! Not later, now! I wanna wail, baby, wail! SHOT of Movie Mallory on her hands and knees crawling toward CAMERA. ANNOUNCER (V.O.) And his lovely wife Mallory. MOVIE MALLORY I need ya, Mickey. I gotta have ya. I'm no good for no one else. when I'm with you, I burn, baby. Burn like blue flame. SHOT of Movie Mickey and Movie Mallory driving fast and laughing their heads off. ANNOUNCER (V.O.) Together they're the Thrill Killers. The true story of the couple that shocked the world... SHOT of the Movie Knoxs FIRING guns. ANNOUNCER (V.O.) ...with a bloodlust of violence... SHOT of Movie Mickey and Movie Mallory kissing. ANNOUNCER (V.O.) ...and unbridled passion. SHOT of Movie Mallory with a knife to a COP'S throat. Movie Mickey holds a shotgun. MOVIE COP When society catches up with you, I'd hate to be in your boots. MOVIE MICKEY Let me telly ya about society and its boots. It uses those boots for steppin' on people like me and her! CUT TO: INT. EDITING ROOM - DAY Wayne enters an editing room where filmmaker NEIL POPE is working at a movieola. WAYNE (V.O.) We talked with Neil Pope, writer and director of 'Thrill Killers' for his take on the Mickey and Mallory phenomena. Pope stops the movieola, turns toward the CAMERA, and greets Wayne M.O.S. CUT INTO INTERVIEW: NEIL POPE It is my belief that Mickey and Mallory Knox are a cultural phenomena that could only exist in our sexually repressed society. A flower that could only bloom amidst a grotesque fast food culture. A what I tried to do with 'Thrill Killers' was trace the root of the problem all the way down the vine to the original bad seed. Yet amidst the violence and murder and carnage, you've got the structure of a Wagnerian love story. EXT. ALLEY - DAY In a back alley, the conclusion of 'Thrill Killers' plays out. The sound of SIRENS and CHOPPERS are nearing. Movie Mickey, shotgun in hand, runs down the alley stopping at a dumpster, where the wounded and bloody Movie Mallory sits propped up against a brick wall. On the bottom of the SCREEN, the subtitle appears: SCENE FROM 'THRILL KILLERS' (1990). MOVIE MALLORY Mickey, honey, listen to me. Movie Mallory holds out her hand for him to take it. He does. MOVIE MALLORY I can't go. I'm too fucked up. MOVIE MICKEY I'm not saying it's not gonna hurt, but-- MOVIE MALLORY I can't run with you, Mickey! I really want to. If I could, I would, but I can't. I gotta stay here. But you can still get out of here. MOVIE MICKEY No fuckin' way! No fuckin' way! MOVIE MALLORY If they stay, they'll catch you, and they don't have to catch you--- MOVIE MICKEY No fuckin' way! MOVIE MALLORY Mickey, you're wasting time! MOVIE MICKEY I don't give a damn if a million United States marines, all whistling the halls of Montezuma, are gonna come marchin' down this alley any second. There ain't not fuckin' way in hell I'm leaving you. And that's that! Movie Mallory grabs his hand with both of hers. She's crying. The SIREN and CHOPPER sounds are getting closer. MOVIE MALLORY Mickey, my love, if you leave me, they'll catch me and take me to the hospital. If you stay, you'll make 'em kill you. Then it'd be like I killed you. I could bear anything, but I couldn't bear that. So please, please, for me, my handsome husband, run for your life. The SIRENS and CHOPPERS draw closer. MOVIE MICKEY I can't do it. You're my wife, you're my partner. A fella doesn't run when his partner can't run with him. Mallory, my angel, if I could of left ya, I'd of left ya a long time ago. They kiss. MOVIE MALLORY Well, hell, if you won't leave, give me a gun so I can go out shooting. Movie Mickey hands her his .44 Magnum from his belt. MOVIE MICKEY Sit tight. I'm gonna make it a little tougher for 'em. Movie Mickey runs to the end of the alley, peers around the corner at the arriving COPS. MOVIE MICKEY (to himself) Time to get naked and boogie. Movie Mallory is out of movie Mickey's view. She cocks the .44, then places the barrel under her chin. MOVIE MALLORY Mickey! Movie Mickey's busy. He doesn't turn around. MOVIE MICKEY Yeah baby. MOVIE MALLORY You made every day like kindergarten. Movie Mallory pulls the trigger. BANG! DOLLY down the alley to a CU on Mickey as he spins around. Movie Mallory literally blew her head clean off. Her headless body, gun in hand, remains upright in her sitting position. Movie Mickey runs toward her, screaming her name in SLOW MOTION. MOVIE MICKEY Mallory! CUT TO: BACK TO: THE POPE INTERVIEW WAYNE (O.S.) Why did you kill Mallory? Both of them are still alive. NEIL POPE It was dramatic license, no doubt. But I felt an operatic love story needed an operatic ending. The two of them kill for each other. They offer the death of their victims to each other like other lovers offer flowers or bon bons. So what more natural, what more organic, what more poetic than Mallory offering her death to Mickey? It's where it's been leading since day one. We worked it in the movie by using a what if they escaped situation. I think it works beautifully. You'd be surprised. People come up to me at the end of the movie in tears. EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY Actor JESSIE ALEXANDER WARWICK sits on his motorcycle and talks to the CAMERA. He's dressed in a Levi's jacket, jeans, a bandanna is wrapped around his head, and as he talks he bogarts a smoke. His name appears at the bottom of the SCREEN. JESSIE One thing about Mickey for sure, he's definitely a man who has his moments. It was wild playin' him. It was one of those get-it-out-of-your-system performances. INT. BUFFY ST. MCQUEEN'S HOME - DAY This interview is SHOT in Buffy's house a'la Barbara Walters. BUFFY sits on the couch in her living room with a cat in her lap. From time to time, she sips from a coffee cup. Her name appears at the bottom of the SCREEN. BUFFY I didn't play Mallory, the murderer. I didn't play her as a butcher. I played her as a woman in love, who also happens to murder people. I didn't want her to be at arm's length from the audience or myself. If you play her as this wild maniac, the audience never has to deal with her. If you see a decapitation in a movie, you just say 'Oh wow, a neat special effect.' Because you can't relate to a decapitation. It doesn't mean anything to anybody because it's not personal. Decapitations don't fall into most people's realm of life experiences. But if you show somebody in a movie getting a paper cut, the whole audience squirms. Because everybody can relate to a paper cut. WAYNE (O.S.) Did you meet the real Mallory Knox? BUFFY I tried to, but she wouldn't see me. But I read some letters she wrote to Mickey before the murder spree. They helped me out a lot. EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY Jessie talks to CAMERA. WAYNE (O.S) You met Mickey Knox, didn't you? JESSIE Yeah, I visited him when he was up in Susanville. He's a little cerebral for my taste, but all in all, we got along. INT. OFFICE - DAY Wayne, sitting in a chair in front of a desk, interviews DR. REINGHOLD, who sits behind the desk. WAYNE (V.O.) To get a psychiatric view on the strange attraction Mickey and Mallory seems to have, we talked with Doctor Emil Reinghold, noted psychologist and author. Wayne begins his interview. WAYNE Can you shed some light, Doctor Reinghold, on why the public has taken a pair of sociopaths so close to their bosom? DR. REINGHOLD Well, for one, the media has done a tremendous job of turning the husband and wife mass murderers into celebrities. But it's the country's youth who have turned the couple into the ultimate anti-heroes. Basically, the very thing that makes them most lethal is the exact same thing that captures the public's hearts and minds -- Mickey and Mallory's operatic devotion to each other. In a world where people can't seem to make the simplest relationships work and the slightest emotional commitment is considered devastating, Mick and Mallory have a do-or-die romance of a Shakespearean magnitude. To the country's youth, 75 percent of which are coming from broken homes, that's appealing. They have an 'us against the world' posture which always appeals to youth. And they've taken that posture seventeen steps beyond. It's not 'us against the world,' it's 'we're gonna kill the world.' They're exciting. I read their file and I find myself turning the page like it was a paperback. Why do disillusioned youths get into Mickey and Mallory? Why do disillusioned housewives read romance novels? Why are you filming this special? Because you know as well as I do, you say 'tonight at nine Charles Manson speaks,' everybody's going to tune in to hear what he says. Mickey and Mallory have shocked a country numb with violence. They've created a world where only two exist and anybody who inadvertently enters that world is murdered. EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY SHOTS of the crowd. WAYNE (V.O.) This attitude from the young towards their ultimate anti-heroes is nation wide. And spreading. TWO LONDON TEENS BOY and GIRL, dressed like the Knox's. TITLE CARD: 'LONDON' LONDON BOY You take all the great figures from the States...Elvis, Jack Keroac, Bukowski, James Dean, Jim Morrison, Angela Davis, Jack Nicholson, Jim Thompson, Martin Scorcese...add a bloody pale of nitro and you got Mickey and Mallory. They're like rebels without a cause, except they have a cause. Only nobody knows what it is. LONDON GIRL (screaming) Their cause is each utter! TWO JAPANESE TEENS a BOY and GIRL, dressed like the Knox's. They speak in Japanese, which is translated in English. TITLE CARD: 'JAPAN' As Japanese boy and girl speak, we hear: TRANSLATOR (V.O.) Keep the faith, Mickey and Mallory, keep the faith. TWO FRENCH TEENS a BOY and GIRL, dressed like the Knox's. They speak in French, and we hear the translation in English. TITLE CARD: 'FRANCE' TRANSLATOR (V.O.) Mickey and Mallory have a love that's L.A.M.F. FRENCH BOY (in English) They are super cool! INT. WAYNE'S STUDIO - DAY WAYNE And as to almost give this whole misplaced admiration scenario a cherry on the top, the rock band Redd Kross entered the charts last week at number 13 with their song 'Natural Born Killers, The Saga of Mickey and Mallory.' CUT TO: A CLIP from the Redd Kross video of 'Natural Born Killers.' BACK TO: WAYNE'S STUDIO WAYNE The third wicked twist to this story is Grace Mulberry. CUT TO: FRONT PAGE NEWSPAPER - Headline reads: 'MICKEY AND MALLORY KILL SIX TEENS DURING SLUMBER PARTY!' In smaller bold face under it: 'One Teen Escapes Killer's Clutches.' On the front page is a PHOTO of the teen who escaped. It's seventeen year old GRACE MULBERRY. CAMERA moves in CU of the photo. WAYNE (V.O.) Of the six teens murdered that night, seventeen year old Grace Mulberry was the lucky one left to tell the tale. And this haunted young lady summoned up the courage to take the stand, tell what she saw that horrible night, and then allow herself to be cross-examined by the man who killed her brother and girlfriends. EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY All kinds of PEOPLE are gathered around. It's a real media event. Grace's sedan pulls up to the courthouse. The many spectators and reporters surround the car. Grace, HER FATHER, and BISBING emerge from the sedan, and start walking up the courthouse steps. Microphones and cameras are thrust at her as REPORTERS ask questions. Grace is afraid to face the crowd. Her head darts in the direction of each question, but she doesn't answer. She remains silent and scared. FEMALE ORIENTAL REPORTER Miss Mulberry! How does it feel to be the only survivor of Mickey and Mallory's reign of terror? FAT MALE REPORTER Miss Mulberry! Has the experience marked you? Some scruffy TRANSIENT sticks his head in Grace's face. TRANSIENT Did ya watch your brother get stabbed up? WAYNE How do you feel about Mickey cross- examining you? Grace, her father, and Bisbing shove their way through the crowd. After Grace and her entourage enter the courthouse, we hear the cry of: VOICE (O.S.) Mickey and Mallory! CAMERA whips toward the bottom of the steps as the car carrying Mickey and Mallory pulls up. The reporters race down the steps they just raced up. The Mickey and Mallory fans go apeshit. Mickey and Mallory, handcuffed, are being led up the steps by SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES. Wayne Gayle and other reporters film them and shoot out questions. Microphones are thrust into their faces. WAYNE Mickey, how do you feel about cross- examining Grace Mulberry? MICKEY I'm keen with anticipation. FEMALE ORIENTAL REPORTER What do you think of this turn out, Mallory? MALLORY I ain't never had so much fun. A CUTE REPORTER, a Tawny Little type, steps forward. CUTE REPORTER Do you have any regrets? MALLORY Not a one. MICKEY Yeah, I always regretted we never got around to looking up my old history teacher, Miss Bainbridge. Now there's a big bad bitch not good for herself or nobody. BLACK REPORTER What's your favorite pastime? MICKEY You mean aside from what I'm being tried for? Mallory playfully elbows Mickey in his ribs. MICKEY Oh, I'd say watching TV. All the reporters in unison: REPORTERS What's your favorite show? MICKEY 'Have Gun Will Travel.' CUTE REPORTER Do you have anything to say to your fans? MICKEY (looking in CAMERA) You ain't seen nothin' yet. CUT TO: EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY Wayne by himself standing on the courthouse steps. WAYNE (to CAMERA) No, apparently we had not seen everything. Grace Mulberry gave her tearful testimony. Then it became Mickey Knox's turn for cross- examination. CUT TO: COURT SKETCHES: An artist SKETCH of Mickey cross-examining Grace on the stand. BISBING (V.O.) Grace was terrified of Mickey. You have to understand most of their victims were normal people with normal lives that nothing out of the ordinary ever happens to. COURT SKETCH of Mickey looking like the devil himself. BISBING (V.O.) Then out of the blue, they're dealing with the devil incarnate. It was extremely difficult for us to find survivors who would take the stand and testify when they knew Mickey would be cross-examining them. COURT SKETCH of terrified Grace. CAMERA closes in Grace's face. BISBING (V.O.) Grace was every bit as terrified, every bit as haunted. But she felt her brother Tim and her five girlfriends were counting on her. CUT TO: INT. COURTROOM - DAY COURT SKETCH - CU of Grace staring intently. CAMERA widens to include Bisbing standing before the bench as Mickey sits with Mallory at the defence table. Judge Steinsma looks down at Grace. The distinct sounds of a court in session can be heard in the B.G. The color of the scene FADES to Black & White as the CAMERA cranes up to reveal the COURT ARTIST drawing while court is in session. OFF SCREEN: Bisbing is wrapping up her examination of Grace who is at the witness stand. Judge Steinsma resides at his bench. CAMERA dollies into a MED. OVERHEAD TWO-SHOT of Mickey and Mallory who are sketching on a pad of paper. CAMERA reveals the drawing of a man stabbing a woman. Mickey is doing the actual drawing, but every once and a while Mallory takes to pencil and adds some touches, as Grace finishes her tearful testimony. BISBING (O.S.) No further questions, your honor. Emotional pause, the silence. JUDGE STEINSMA (O.S.) Would you care to cross examine the witness, Mr. Knox? Mickey scratches out the drawing. Still holding the pencil he stands and leaves frame. MICKEY (O.S) As a matter of fact, your honor, I would. NOTE: The following scene is to be played with EXTREME CLOSE UPS. Not once is the courtroom seen in detail. However courtroom sound can be heard vividly in the B.G. CU of Mallory, who grins at Mickey like a Cheshire cat. CU of Grace's eyes as they look downward. CU of Judge Steinsma as he shuffles paper on his bench. CU of Mickey's feet crossing the court floor. CU of Bisbing as her eyes follow Mickey across the court. Mickey enters the frame, with a pencil pressed to his lips in though. Mickey is looking straight into the CAMERA. Mickey's POV of Grace sitting on the witness stand, staring into her lap. ECU of Grace's finger rolling a large, male-style, High School class ring around her palm. CU of Mickey glancing to the ring. Mickey smiles. Mickey's POV of Grace as she pulls from a reserve of strength. Clenching the ring tight in her fist, her eyes come up and lock hatefully on Mickey. CU Mickey as he walks forward towards Grace. MICKEY That's one helluva story, Miss Mulberry. CU of Grace. GRACE Yes it is. At this point Mickey begins to pace from right to left, but always remaining in CU. MICKEY Grace...I hope you don't mind if I call you Grace... BACK TO: Grace as we DOLLY from a MED CU into a ECU. MICKEY Grace. I'd like to talk to you about your late brother Tim, if you feel up to it. CONTINUE DOLLY: Once locked onto her eyes, her head drops forward and we... CUT TO: INT. GRACE'S HOME - NIGHT ECU of Grace's eyes as her head is pulled back into frame. Her eyes are wide with fear. The CAMERA pulls back to reveal a gag in her mouth and a knife pressed against her throat. She's back at the night of the murder. Mickey's wearing a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt, which is covered with blood. Blood is smeared on his face, and he's holding a knife pressed to his lips, also covered with blood. But he's walking and talking with the same manner and poise as in the courtroom. MICKEY Grace...I hope you don't mind if I call you Grace... TWO SHOT revealing that Grace is bound and gagged with Mallory right behind her, holding the knife and cracking gum. MALLORY Naw, she don't mind. MICKEY Grace. I'd like to talk to you about your murdered brother Tim, if you feel up to it. CUT TO: INT. COURTROOM - DAY CU of Grace in a daze. MICKEY (O.S.) Did you get along? Mickey waits for an answer that doesn't come. MICKEY Miss Mulberry? Back to Grace. GRACE More or less. MICKEY More or less... BACK TO: Mickey. MICKEY What do you mean by that? BACK TO: Grace. GRACE Well, he's my older brother. When we were growing up, there were times we could of very well done without each other. But when it counted, we were close. CU of Bisbing listening. Grace is doing better than she thought. CAMERA PANS from shadows to find Mickey, the pan continues through his line. MICKEY I'd like to talk about Tim's martial arts abilities. How long had he been studying? PAN CONTINUES back into the shadows, then 180 degrees to find Grace. GRACE He started when he was in the seventh grade, so that would make it nine years. PAN CONTINUES back into shadows, then... DISSOLVE TO: INT. MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL - DAY CAMERA PANS from darkness into a well lit martial arts class room in full session. TIM MULBERRY and expert martial artist is competing against a lesser opponent while their master looks on. CAMERA PANS back into shadows, then... DISSOLVE TO: INT. COURTROOM - DAY CAMERA PANS from darkness and locks on a CU of Mickey. MICKEY When you study the martial arts, they give out belts that come in different colors to signify what level you're at in your training. Am I correct on that point? GRACE Yes you are. MICKEY What was the color of Tim's belt? GRACE The style of fighting that Tim studied didn't believe in belts. MICKEY Is that a fact? Well then, Grace, could you tell us what form of martial arts it was that Tim was schooled in? GRACE Tim studied several styles, but his favorite was Jeet Kune Do. MICKEY Jeet Kune Do...Now I did some research on that form of fighting, and I found out that Jeet Kune Do was a style developed by Bruce Lee. Did you know that? GRACE Yes, I did. That's why Tim studied it. Because it was Bruce Lee's fighting style. CU of COURT CLERK'S HANDS typing in SLOW MOTION. MICKEY Now, while I freely admit total ignorance on the subject, I have heard of Bruce Lee. And I was under the impression that Bruce Lee was one of the, if not the greatest fighter in the history of martial arts. GRACE That's what Tim said. MICKEY So, I think it would be safe to say that anybody who studied the fighting style that Bruce Lee, arguably the greatest martial artist of all times, developed for nine years, that would be a fella who could defend himself. Would you describe Tim that way, Grace? GRACE Yes, I would. Mickey points at Grace with the pencil in his hand. MICKEY Point of fact, weren't Tim's hands registered as lethal weapons? GRACE Yes, they were. CU of Mickey's hand holding the pencil. MICKEY That means his hands are considered a weapon like a gun or a knife. Am I correct on that point? GRACE Yes, you are. CU of Mallory cracking a slight smile. MICKEY Yet, in your testimony just now, you described that Tim... CAMERA moves into a tight CU of Grace. Her eyes widen. MICKEY (O.S.) ...kicked me four times in the head. CUT TO: INT. GRACE'S HOME - NIGHT INSERT: The night of the Murder. Tim cuts loose and hammers Mickey with four punishing kicks to the head. CUT TO: INT. COURTROOM - DAY CU of Mickey. MICKEY And his trained martial artists kicks had little to no effect. CUT TO: INT. GRACE'S HOME - NIGHT CAMERA is LOW ANGLE as Tim backs up after his attack. We notice the High School Ring he wears on his right fist as he steps into a fighting stance, ready for Mickey to drop. Mickey, however, spits out a stream of blood, and smiles at him. CUT TO: INT. COURTROOM - DAY CU of Mickey. MICKEY Then, after shrugging off four blows to the head like I was Superman, I lifted Tim-nine-years-of-Jeet-Kune-Do-Mulberry off the ground and threw him across the room. Mickey, with arms raised over his head, pantomimes throwing Tim's body. CUT TO: INT. GRACE'S HOME - NIGHT WIDE SHOT as Tim flies into FRAME, CRASHING into the living room wall. CUT TO: INT. COURTROOM - DAY We quickly PAN down a number of items with white evidence tags on them. We stop at Mickey's Buck Knife. Mickey's hand comes into FRAME and picks up the knife. MICKEY Then I took... CU of Mickey as he brings the knife into FRAME. MICKEY ...this knife and proceeded to tear him limb from limb. And this man, whose hands are lethal weapons--- CU of Bisbing as she stands. BISBING Objection, defence is intimidating the witness with the murder weapon. JUDGE STEINSMA (O.S.) Sustained. Mr. Knox, put the knife down. Mickey is locked on Grace. MICKEY (cont'd) --had little to no defence. GRACE (yelling) I don't know how you did it, but you did it! JUDGE STEINSMA Mr. Knox! The knife! Mickey glances to the judge, then slowly places the knife back on the table. MICKEY How do you think a human being could possibly be capable of doing something like that? Mickey locks eyes with eyes. GRACE (yelling) I don't know! Mickey is on top of her. MICKEY Now...I don't believe that Grace. I think you have a definite opinion on how I was able to do those things you described. Now, I'm going to ask you again. And I want you to remember you are under oath. Grace collects herself. MICKEY (O.S.) In your opinion, Miss Mulberry, how was I able to murder you brother Tim Mulberry in the manner you described. The Judge looks down at Grace. Grace looks back into her open palm. CU of the ring. BACK TO: Mickey bearing down on her, waiting for an answer. BACK TO: Grace as we slowly DOLLY closer she looks up at Mickey timidly. GRACE (softly) You're not human. Mickey smiles. GRACE I thought about it a lot. And the only thing I could figure is that you're not human. Bisbing hides her disappointment by looking down. Mickey straightens up as Grace continues. GRACE You're a vampire, or the devil, or a monster, or cyborg, or something like that. But you're not human. Grace breaks down. Putting her hands to her head to stop the pain. CU of Mickey smiling down at her. CU Mallory smiling proudly at Mickey. CU Judge Steinsma betraying no emotion looks down at Grace. CU of Grace sobbing, she tries to collect herself by clutching the ring tighter. Mickey rolls his pencil in his hand the CAMERA tilts up as he leans into a CU. MICKEY (softly) Thank you. Grace, there is one other thing... GRACE (softly into her lap) What... Mickey smiles. MICKEY You're right. Grace tearfully looks up and meets Mickey's demonic glare as he plunges his pencil deep into her chest. Grace's eyes go wide as Mickey's vicious attack continues. CAMERA whips to CU of Bisbing jumping up screaming as pandemonium breaks out behind her in SLOW MOTION. CU pencil puncturing Grace's blood soaked chest in SLOW MOTION. CU Judge Steinsma slams his gavel while directing the Sheriff Deputies in SLOW MOTION. CU of the Sheriff Deputies are running to Mickey in SLOW MOTION. ECU of Grace a tear rolls out of her widen eye in SLOW MOTION. CU of Mickey. His attack is unending in SLOW MOTION. MED Grace goes limp. As the Sheriff Deputies reach Mickey from all sides the pencil breaks off inside Grace in SLOW MOTION. CU the bloody eraser end of the pencil in Mickey's hand in SLOW MOTION. SIDE ANGLE as Grace's head falls back into a CU. Her mouth plops open and as her eyelids close, they pinch out a tear that rolls down her cheek in SLOW MOTION. CU of Mickey's torso as the Sheriff Deputies wrestle him away from Grace. Mickey still has the bloody end of the pencil. CU of Grace's hand dropping into frame and as her fist opens, the ring falls in SLOW MOTION. CU of the ring hitting the floor and rolling out of frame. DOLLY along side the rolling ring on the floor until it hits a shoe and stops. ECU of Mickey's eyes looking down at his feet. ECU of Mickey dropping the bloody pencil stub. CAMERA follows it in SLOW MOTION. CU of bloody pencil stub hitting the floor next to the ring in SLOW MOTION. CU of Mickey looking over to Mallory. CU of Mallory surrounded by Sheriff Deputies. She smiles at Mickey. MALLORY Show off. Mickey smiles and glances toward Judge. MICKEY No further questions your honor. Mickey turns forward still wrestling the Deputies. Mickey's POV of a Sheriff Deputy stepping in front of him with a riot club. DEPUTY #1 Light's out Prick. Deputy swings the club. CUT TO BLACK: EXT. COURTHOUSE REAR - DAY Mickey, dressed in county blues, is led out of the courtroom by sheriffs deputies. He's cuffed hand and leg. Reporters throw out questions, photographers shoot photos, Mickey is somewhere else, no mugging to the crowd this time. WAYNE (V.O.) After the deadly brewhaha in the courtroom, the judge, honorable Burt Steinsma, passed down a sentence that was to make legal history. INT. JUDGE'S DEN - DAY Interview with Judge Steinsma in his den at home. M.O.S. SHOT of Wayne and Judge talking. WAYNE (V.O.) We spoke with retired Judge Steinsma at his home in Baltimore, Maryland. The interview: WAYNE Was there any vengeance on your part with your unique sentence? JUDGE STEINSMA Yes, unquestionably. After they did what they did in my court, and judge worth his robe will tell you the same thing. It couldn't help but affect my decision. That's why they have judges. We're supposed to be fair to a fault, but when it's showtime, we have to make a decision. That's why we don't just input all the facts into a computer for the appropriate punishment. I couldn't give them the death penalty. See, California hops back and forth on that issue. Mickey and Mallory went to court when it was out of favor, which is actually good because it leaves more room for imagination. Anybody can give somebody the chair. When you have someone who deserves to die and you can't kill them, you have to be creative. And if the bastards had let it stand, it would of been the perfect sentence. It hit 'em right where they lived. Far more punishing than the death sentence. WAYNE Would you please describe for our viewers what your sentence was? JUDGE STEINSMA Well, in a rogue's gallery of killers, Mickey and Mallory are very unique. I've seen a lot of killers in my day and they're a very cold lot. They have no more feelings about taking a person's life than squashing a tiny bug. It's all the same to them. Well, Mickey and Mallory were that 'kill 'em to watch their expression change' attitude personified. Except with each other. And, since they lived only for each other, I wanted to attack that, at its very root. So, in a nutshell, my sentence was double life for each without any possibility for parole. That would be fairly standard in their case. The twist I added was that the husband and wife would have no contact or correspondence with each other for the rest of their lives. And they would never receive any word or information about the other. So, basically once the cell door slams shut, Mickey and Mallory will completely disappear from each other's life. They'll never know when the other dies. But alas, the best laid plans of mice and men... CUT TO: EXT. COURTHOUSE REAR - DAY Mallory in tears, hysterically actually, is cuffed hand to foot, and being dragged by sheriff's deputies into the prison bus. Reporters throw out questions, photographers shoot photos, TV news people capture the moment on video. The bus pulls out onto the street. CUT TO: PHOTO: Mickey in prison uniform being led by guards. PHOTO: Shot though bars of Mallory in her cell. Her back is to the camera. WAYNE (V.O.) The sentence was never to reach that point. Because after only a year, Mickey and Mallory created so much mayhem that it was decided... INSERT: FRONT PAGE NEWSPAPER: 'MICKEY AND MALLORY TO BE TRANSFERRED TO ASYLUM.' WAYNE (V.O.) ...that they were mentally ill and needed to be transferred to a state mental hospital. CAMERA move into the picture of Mickey and Mallory on the front page of the newspaper. CUT TO: PHOTO: of Dewight McClusky. WAYNE (V.O.) We talked with Dewight McClusky, chairman of the California State Prison Board, about this curious turn of events in the Mickey and Mallory case. INT. MCCLUSKY'S OFFICE - DAY Wayne's interviewing McClusky. WAYNE Why are Mickey and Mallory being moved to an asylum? And who made the decision? MCCLUSKY The prison board made the decision. A board of which I belong. We're the who. The why is simple. Mickey and Mallory are mentally ill and need to be under a doctor's care, where hopefully they'll receive the help they need. WAYNE Mickey and Mallory were deemed competent in a mental examination before their trial. I'm confused. What's changed? MCCLUSKY Well, since that time, they've killed one person during their trail. And since their incarceration, they've killed one psychologist along with several guards and inmates. WAYNE When they were found competent before, they had already killed fifty people. Other than the fact they're a disciplinary problem, which frankly shouldn't surprise anyone, I still don't see where this situation is any different then it was before. So, I ask you again, Mr. McClusky, what's changed? MCCLUSKY What's changed, Mr. Gayle, is our minds. We felt they were competent a year ago. A year has passed, sir, a year where they were under close observation, day in and day out, and their behaviour has led us to believe we were wrong. WAYNE Who is we? MCCLUSKY The prison board and the doctors who examined them. WAYNE Were any of the doctors who made the first evaluation on the Knoxs mental state asked to re-examine them? MCCLUSKY Using the same doctors is not common practice. WAYNE I take it by your answer it was a whole new team? MCCLUSKY Now that you bring it up, yes. They were different men. I hadn't really thought that much about it. Since many psychiatric opinions are, by a rule, sought out for this kind of situation. What do you think normally happens? The Knoxs are assigned a family psychologist that takes care of them throughout the rest of their lives? The state doesn't work like that. PHOTO: of DR. ALBERT RODRIGUEZ. WAYNE (V.O.) The two psychiatric opinions the board sought were those of Albert Rodriguez... PHOTO: of DR. FELIX VARGUS. WAYNE (V.O.) ...and Dr. Felix Vargus. Both of the good doctors, for whatever reason, refused to be interviewed. INT. DR. REINGHOLD'S OFFICE - DAY Back with Dr. Reinghold. He's laughing. DR. REINGHOLD It's a funny situation actually. If anyone besides Mickey and Mallory give a damn, what the prison board is doing would be considered an outrage. The prison board is basically saying, 'We can't handle these guys.' They've moved 'em around twice since their sentence started. They were a handful everywhere they went. Now the prisons they're at now want them outta there. But no other prison's gonna be stupid enough to take 'em. So the prison board is left scratching their heads wondering what they're gonna do. Well, what they decided to do was to set up a kangaroo medical court that found them crazy. Then they get them transferred to Nystrom Medical Asylum or Lobotomy Bay as it's referred to in the psychiatric circle. Put 'em on a strict dope and electro shock diet, and Mickey and Mallory cease to be a problem to anybody except the orderlies who clean out the bedpans, which if you want to see them get theirs, that's all well and good. But there's something being said here. Forget the immorality for a second. Forget the corruption and the skulduggery involved. What the board is saying is 'we give up.' Mickey and Mallory ran amuck in polite society. They were put in an alternative society and they ran amuck there, too. All the powers that be, can't deal with these two kids. And whatever can't be assimilated has to be terminated. WAYNE So, in your opinion Mickey and Mallory are not insane? DR. REINGHOLD Insane, no. Psychotic, yes. A menace to living creatures, yes. But to suggest that they're insane gives the impression that they don't know right from wrong. Mickey and Mallory know the difference between right and wrong. They just don't give a damn. FREEZE FRAME on Dr. Reinghold. INT. EDITING BAY - DAY Wayne's just finished viewing the show. He puts his hands on Scott and Roger's shoulders. WAYNE Good work, my brothers. Fan-fuckin'- tastic! I think that interview stuff's too long, we can lose some of that. Keep the girls, keep the long hairs, keep the Hun brothers, keep the black guy, keep the movie shit, and keep the cop at the donut shop. Lose the rest. And cut the interview with the prison board fellow before that. Cut it after I ask, 'I take it by your answer it was a whole new team.' Don't even let him answer. Fuck him. Then cut to me talking about the two chicken shit psychiatrists and straight in Dr. Reinghold laughing. SCOTT Okay. Wayne puts his arm around Unruly Julie. WAYNE Children, we have a show. (to Scott & Roger) You two get some long well overdue sleep. 'Cause tomorrow, bright and early, county jail and then journey's end...Mickey Knox. CUT TO: TITLE CARD: 'TOMORROW--BRIGHT AND EARLY.' INT. MICKEY'S CELL - DAY Mickey's pacing back and forth in his cell, trying out different jokes. MICKEY There's this Italian guy, a French guy, and a Polish guy. And they're all talkin' about how they fuck their wives--- JUMP CUT: MICKEY ...You know, I'm gonna just rip off your dress and squeeze your titties. Then Little Red Riding Hood whips out her .357, sticks it in the Big Bad Wolf's face and says, 'No you're not. You're gonna eat me...just like the story says.' JUMP CUT: MICKEY (with a lisp) ...Fairy boat! I knew things were good in here, but I didn't know we had our own Navy. JUMP CUT: MICKEY ...So this guy wants to take little Johnny's sister to the drive-in. But the mother says, 'Only if you take little Johnny along---' JUMP CUT: MICKEY ...And the Polish guy says, 'That's nothing. When I get through with my Hanna, I get up, wipe my dick on the curtain, and she hits the roof!' JUMP CUT: Mickey's pretending he's calming down a hysterical audience. MICKEY No...please...thank you...you're too kind...no...please... INT. NEWS VAN - MOVING - DAY Through Scott's CAMERA, we're filming this in BLACK AND WHITE - 16mm. NOTE: Everytime we're viewing through Scott's CAMERA, we are filming handheld in 16mm BLACK AND WHITE. Until otherwise specified, the SHOTS stay in Scott's CAMERA. Scott's filming the back of the newsvan. Roger's sitting in the back eating donuts as is Wayne. Unruly Julie's up front driving. WAYNE (with mouthful of donut) How's it working, Scotty? SCOTT (O.S.) Perfecto! Roger's picking through a box of donuts. Scott PANS over to him, then slowly ZOOMS in on him. ROGER Where the fuck's the chocolate cream filled? Did anyone get my chocolate cream filled? If you did, it's mine. CU of Roger, looking into CAMERA. ROGER I pointed at a chocolate cream filled. You saw me do it, didn't you? Wayne starts talking. We PAN from Roger to a CU of Wayne. WAYNE You were there. Did you see him put it in a box? We PAN back to a CU of Roger. ROGER At the time, I was too busy explaining to Scott the finer points of film. We ZOOM back to a WIDE SHOT. SCOTT (O.S.) Yeah, right. You know what he said? He said, Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom is Spielberg's best film. Wayne starts laughing. We hear Scott laugh too. WAYNE (to Roger) You can't be serious? ROGER (preoccupied) I'm as serious about that as I am about going back to the donut store, and dipping that stupid Mexican's head into the batter for forgetting my chocolate cream filled. Gimme that other box. WAYNE Huh uh. This dozen is for Mickey. ROGER That dumbass probably put my chocolate cream filled in there by mistake. WAYNE Roger, no. ROGER What's the big deal? Take out my chocolate cream filled, put one of these roasted coconut--- WAYNE Roger, do you understand what the word 'no' means? It's important we establish a rapport. Something as simple as a dozen donuts can mean the world to somebody who hasn't had a donut in a year. ROGER So you're giving a man who butchers whole families, little babies included, my chocolate cream filled? Unruly Julie HONKS the horn. Wayne gets up and looks out the windshield. WAYNE Okay, guys, we're here. L.A. County Jail. Julie, just park in the front. ROGER Wayne--- WAYNE Roger, I'm starting to get pissed. Just drop this fuckin' donut shit, and gather your gear. The van stops. Wayne slides open the panel door, and steps out. EXT. LOS ANGELES COUNTY JAIL - DAY BACK TO: COLOR 35mm. Wayne hops out of the van and is approached by Superintendent Phil Wurlitzer who's followed by two DEPUTY SHERIFFS. WAYNE (aside to Scott) Here's the welcome wagon. Wurlitzer reaches them and shakes Wayne's hand. WURLITZER Hello, Mr. Gayle. I'm Phil Wurlitzer. We talked on the phone. It's a pleasure to meet you. WAYNE Same here. Let me introduce my crew. Scott...Roger...and Unruly Julie ...this is...I'm sorry. What's your title again? WURLITZER I'm the superintendent here at L.A. County Jail. Me and my deputies are who you'll be working with while you're here. WAYNE That sounds great. Look, I don't want any of this to intimidate you. This is not going to be a big deal. This is going to be very easy. (to his crew) I need to talk with Mr. Wurlitzer. You guys get your equipment ready, power up the van and confirm a transmission code for the remote. Julie come with me. Julie tosses the keys to Roger and shadows Wayne as he speaks confidentially to Wurlitzer. WAYNE The main thing I need is a big room, shut off from the population, so we can get some privacy...with a few electrical outlets. INT. SUPPLY ROOM - DAY Wayne and his crew have set up in the food supply room off from the cafeteria. Being big, roomy, and unpopulated, it's perfect for an interview. There's eight L.A. County DEPUTY SHERIFFS around the room along with Wurlitzer. Roger's setting up his sound equipment while Unruly Julie is checking her notebook. Wurlitzer and a few Deputies talk among themselves. CAMERA moves from person to person without cutting. WURLITZER (to two Deputies) This is just for an interview, I was on the set of 'Dukes of Hazzard' once. It was a much bigger deal than this. They had a crew of maybe seventy-five people. CAMERA moves to Wayne and Scott. WAYNE We're gonna be talking over here. But I want enough freedom so if I wanna get up and move around, we can. Wayne grabs Scott and walks him to the left. WAYNE Take him and walk him over this way. (pretending Scott's Mickey) So, Mickey, killing Mallory's parents, what the hell was that all about? (pauses--to Scott) Then maybe take him to the window. He walks Scott to the window. WAYNE (pretending Scott's Mickey) So, Mickey, if you were let outta jail today, what's the first thing you'd do? (pause--to Scott) Little shit like that. I don't wanna have to feel I gotta stay in the chairs. We're after a cinema verite, anything can happen, truth twenty-four times a second kindda feel. End of single SHOT. Wurlitzer's talking with Deputies. WURLITZER And when it's lunch time, they don't just go to McDonalds. They got cooks there servin' great food. Swedish meatballs... Wayne walks over to Wurlitzer and Deputies. WURLITZER How's everything coming, Mr. Gayle? WAYNE Everything's coming along just fine. Phil, I wanted to know if I could have a small word with you. WURLITZER By all means. Wayne puts his hand on Wurlitzer's shoulder. They walk around the room. WAYNE You met the kids I have working for me? Great bunch, aren't they? WURLITZER Oh yes, indeed. Top flight. WAYNE Scott, genius cameraman, Roger, magician with sound. Unruly Julie, I could sooner do without my arm than Unruly Julie. WURLITZER Is that her real name? WAYNE Just a little nickname. Yep, they're my kids and they're all I need. After working together these past coupla years, we're like well-oiled machinery. No, more like a Formula race car. No, scratch that one, too. What we're really like is a Swiss watch. Small, intricate, compact...it shouldn't work as well as it does, but it does. Because of the craftsmanship, the expertise, and the artist's loving hand. Wayne gives Wurlitzer a moment to digest this. WURLITZER I see. WAYNE Now, Phil, I don't know if you've ever been on a set before--- WURLITZER (proudly) Ya know, I was. WAYNE (acting surprised) Really? WURLITZER I was on the 'Dukes of Hazzard' set about eight years ago. WAYNE (still acting surprised) Well...small world. Well, then, you know firsthand how Hollywood does things. Lights all over the place, generators, a hundred and fifty crew members--- WURLITZER Oh, that 'Dukes of Hazzard' show, there was probably ninety-five people there, maybe more. WAYNE See what I mean? It's a funny business, isn't it? WURLITZER It sure is. WAYNE They got a asshole over here. (pointing to his left) A asshole sitting down reading a magazine over there. (points to his right) A asshole perched up there. (points straight up) Assholes everywhere. Hey, maybe if we were doin' that kiss, kiss, bang, bang stuff we'd need all those assholes, too. What we're about is intimacy. We're about two people having a conversation. Say I was interviewing you. All I want you to worry about is what I ask you. I want a trust to develop. If you're thinking about all this... (indicates the hustle and bustle of a set) ...you're not going to relax, a trust won't develop, we'll be talking a each other instead of to each other, there will be no chance for intimacy. Wayne gives Wurlitzer a chance to take this in. WAYNE That's why my crew is only three...an invisible three. (switching gears) Which brings me to what I wanted to talk to you about. I have to get Mickey Knox to relax...Mickey Knox to share what he's never shared before... Mickey Knox to open doors which 'till today have been closed. Well, how can we expect him to do that when we got Los Angeles County Sheriffs up the walls. Suddenly, things get short between the two men. WURLITZER (snorts) Well, just what the hell do you expect me to do? WAYNE Lose 'em. WURLITZER Mr. Gayle, do you have the slightest idea how dangerous Knox is? WAYNE Mr. Wurlitzer, I assure you, I am very familiar with Mickey Knox's career. They're out and out angry. WURLITZER Since he and his wife have been in custody, they've killed--- WAYNE Don't recite the fact to me. I'm sure I know 'em better than you do. WURLITZER Well, let me let you in on one more fact you obviously don't know. If I were to take my men away, Mickey Knox would snap your neck like a twig. WAYNE One...I can take care of myself. I grew up in a tough neighbourhood, and I've handled some pretty rough customers in my day. Mickey Knox doesn't scare me. Two...I'm a journalist, and I'm prepared to take that risk. Three...it ain't gonna happen. Believe me when I tell you, it is in Mickey Knox's own best interest to play this game according to Hoyle. (pause) Wait a minute. We've gotten into a advisory relationship here, which is not what I want. (pause) But seriously, Phil, look at this. Wayne scans the room, counting the deputy sheriffs. WAYNE (counting) We got one...two...three...four ...five...six...seven...eight. I mean Jesus Christ, Phil, that's too much. Let's lose some of these guys. WURLITZER Wayne, if it was anybody else--- WAYNE Phil, I'm just scared he's gonna clam up on me with all these sheriffs all over the place. They hate him. He hates them. What kinda intimacy am I gonna create with all this hate in the air. Even you and I feel it. WURLITZER What are we talking about? WAYNE Two guys? WURLITZER Okay. I'll take two guys off. WAYNE No, no, no, no, no, no, I mean only two guys. WURLITZER I can't do that. Five guys. WAYNE Three. WURLITZER I'll cut it in half. Four guys, but that's it. INT. MICKEY'S CELL - DAY Mickey lays on his bed with his hands behind his head. CAMERA DOLLIES BACK to include the bars of Mickey's cell door in the F.G. as two DEPUTY SHERIFFS enter FRAME and slide it open. The deputies each carry shotguns and a shit load of chains and shackles. DEPUTY #1 On your feet! Turn your face to the wall. Mickey gets up. MICKEY Now what you're supposed to say is: 'Five minutes, Mr. Knox.' OFF SCREEN the cell door slams closed. CUT TO: INT. MALLORY'S CELL - DAY CU of Mallory asleep in her bunk. The echo of Mickey's cell door makes her up with a jolt. SCAGNETTI (O.S.) Rise and shine, Mallory! Mallory springs out of bed, and into a fighting stance. CAMERA WHIP PANS to Scagnetti, inside her cell, flanked by two deputies with shotguns. The deputies are BINGHAM and WASHINGTON. SCAGNETTI Beautiful day for a drive, isn't it? CUT TO: INT. JAIL CORRIDOR - DAY CU of Mallory's bare feet walking in front of Bingham and Washington's shiny black shoes. The SOUND of Mallory's bare feet slapping the concrete floor, along with the clip-clop-clip-clop of the deputies' shoes, reverberates throughout the scene. Mallory walks slightly ahead of the two shotgun wielding deputies, when Scagnetti slips in beside her. He lights up a cigarette with his Zippo, and talks a long drag. SCAGNETTI It's a long trip to Bakersfield. Long and hot. Ever been to Bakersfield? Mallory looks straight ahead. SCAGNETTI See, I've been there twice. And I'm not lookin' forward to goin' back. But I'm in and out. You, on the other hand, sweetheart, are gonna spend the rest of your life there. Now that's what I call cruel and inhuman punishment. Mallory shows no emotion, just keeps on walking. SCAGNETTI Course you're not gonna give a shit. 'Cause when the good doctor's get through givin' you the zap... (he puts his finger next to his temple, pantomimes being electrocuted) ...You won't know where the hell you are. They'll just put you on a window sill, and water you every other day. Mallory lets out a big yawn. INT. SUPPLY ROOM - DAY Wayne stands at the window speaking to Scott, Roger and Unruly Julie. One the other side of the room Wurlitzer and his entourage of deputies are yucking it up, and occasionally bursting into laughter. WAYNE (to his crew) And when he gets here, its no dick'n around time. Make him up, clip a mike on him, then leave him alone. I don't want you talking to him. I don't want you getting in his face. I want you hiding behind your gear. You are invisible. CAMERA PANS to the door as two deputies lead Mickey into the supply room. Mickey is shackled head to toe, it's a wonder how he can still walk. WAYNE (to his crew) Okay, break. Wayne's team disburses. WURLITZER Okay, boys, lets start undoing him. Two deputies hold shotguns to Mickey's head, while two others start unlocking the chains. As they do, Mickey looks at Wayne. Wayne approaches Mickey. MICKEY (to Wayne) Okay now, before we get started here, there's a few things we have to get clear about. WAYNE All right, Mickey. MICKEY Let's discuss it when I'm unbound. CAMERA holds on Mickey standing still as the two deputies remove the chains. INT. HOLDING CELL - DAY CAMERA is inside a holding cell fixed on the cell door. The cell door is unlocked, then opened. The two deputies bring Mallory inside. Scagnetti wanders in, trailing behind. Bingham pumps his shotgun slide and places the barrel next to Mallory's head. Washington unlocks the cuffs around Mallory's wrists. Mallory's silent. Scagnetti leans up against the wall, smoking his cigarette. BINGHAM Turn around and face the wall! Mallory does. Bingham and Washington move to the door. SCAGNETTI Wait outside for a second, fellas. BINGHAM We're not supposed--- SCAGNETTI Don't worry about it. Bingham and Washington move outside. Scagnetti takes out his gun and tosses it to Washington. Before they can protest, Scagnetti closes the door. Mallory stands in the middle of the cell, motionless, her back to him. Scagnetti walks up behind her. Mallory doesn't move. SCAGNETTI Want a smoke? Mallory's steel eyes glare at Scagnetti. SCAGNETTI C'mon, I already lit one for you. I know you smoke. Mallory doesn't respond. Scagnetti takes the cigarette from his mouth and puts it between Mallory's lips. Hold on C.U. of Mallory. SCAGNETTI I was reading the file on you. You know what it said during your trial, whenever they put you on the stand, no matter what they asked, your answer was always the same...'I love Mickey.' It also says that when they gave you a polygraph, 'I love Mickey' was the only thing you said that registered as the truth. Scagnetti appears at the side of frame next to Mallory. SCAGNETTI Who are you supposed to be? Squeaky Fromme? Is that it? Is Mickey your Charles Manson? Is Mickey Jesus? Is that the attraction? Or does he just got a big dick? Scagnetti changes to Mallory's other ear. SCAGNETTI That's it, isn't it? Mickey's got a big donkey dick. Scagnetti presses closer. SCAGNETTI Can you remember the last time you fucked? Huh? What I want you to do is close your eyes and remember... remember the last time ol' Mickey gave you the high hard one. Are ya thinkin' about it? Good. Remember it. Don't ever forget it cause it ain't never gonna happen again. Cause when they get through with all that electroshock shit they got lined up for you two, Mick's dick ain't gonna be worth shit. Mallory spits the lit cigarette unto Scagnetti's face. Scagnetti spins her around and slaps her. SCAGNETTI Look. You're gonna sit here for a couple hours while I finish up the arrangements. The reason they picked me to be your chaperone is they know I won't hesitate to put a bullet in you. 