the racketeers

8/14/2019 The Racketeers

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THE RACKETEERS

by

Ilanna Sharon Mandel

WGA Registration #1232357


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POLICE OFFICER(shouts out)

Frazee, this one is for you!

SEVERAL OF THE PEOPLE STANDING AROUND hear Frazees namecalled and laugh either to themselves or openly. SARGEANTFRAZEE (50S) walks out of his office. He is a largefellow, overweight and somewhat slovenly in appearance.Hes carrying A CUP OF COFFEE which spills onto the flooras he walks. This elicits more laughs.

FRAZEEWhat have we got here?

(points to Darren and Mark)

OFFICEROh, this ones for you, Frazee!

Definitely.

Frazee and the officer exchange dirty looks. There is stillsnickering around the squad room. Frazee looks at Darrenand Mark, shakes his head and gestures towards the officerthen Darren and Mark.

FRAZEEThanks a lot, Sheehan. Okay, you two

clowns come with me.

Darren and Mark shuffle after Frazee who is obviouslyannoyed at having to deal with them. He leads them into hissmall office which is messy and cluttered. He pushes a fewpapers around on his desk and makes a small space for a padand pen. He sits down and motions for them to sit down intwo chairs opposite him.

FRAZEE(obviously annoyed)

Okay, whats the scam? Whadda you two want?Maybe you can fool the officer out there

but Ive been in the force for 25 years, andI dont take no shit. So, whats the deal with you two?

DARREN(looking offended)

No scam, officer. Were gonna be up front about


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Everything', I can assure you. But uh25 years in theforce?

Thats a long time man. How come you still a sergeant andno one made you a Dick?

FRAZEE(flushes a little shows embarrassment)

Whats it to you shithead? (beat) Anyway, uhwhat do you want? I got work to do.

Darren and Mark shift around in their seats a bit. Theyreobviously nervous but they try to appear confident.

DARRENWell, sergeant, the thing is we may not be

the best people in the world, but were honest.And, lately its come to our attention that we got

a drug dealer operating in our immediate neighborhood.

FRAZEEDrug dealer, huh?

DARRENThats right, sir. Aint that right, Mark?

MARKYup, thats right. (beat) Drug dealers,

and nasty buggers too.

Frazee sits back in his chair, crosses his arms over hischest. He shakes his head and its obvious he doesntbelieve anything he hears.

FRAZEEYou got drug dealers, call the cops.

MARKYou are the cops.

FRAZEEI mean, whyd you come all the way down here?

Call 911 you goof-heads. Now, get out of here.I told you, I got work to do.

DARRENSargeant, if youll just give us a few minutes? Please?


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FRAZEEWhat the hell? Okay go.

DARRENThing is, this dealers using kids.

Hes not just selling drugs, if you know what mean.

Frazee sits up. Hes obviously very interested now.

FRAZEEYoure sayin hes got a porn ring with kids?

DARRENI guess thats what you could call it, sir.

I know the kids sell the drugs for him, cause I seenthem running around the streets. Hell, I mean heck,

they tried to sell em to me.Tell him Mark.

(He nudges Mark with his elbow).

MARKOh, yeah (beat), he uh(beat) hes got

kids doing his dirty work. Poor kids too.

DARRENHes just takin advantage of them, but I thinkwe can help. That is, if the police want us to.

FRAZEE

What can you do?

DARRENWell be informers for you. Watch this guy night and day.

Well get all the proof you need to put him away.And, if I may say so sergeant, if we do this together

then its a feather in your cap. Right?Detective Frazee sounds good, dont you think?

FRAZEE(softly as if to himself)

Yeah, right. Hmmmm. Kids in a drug ring, huh?

DARRENLike my good friend Mark said, its nasty doing

that to kids theyre innocent in all this.Hes just abusing them. We wanna help.

And, if you use us, you dont have no expensiveSurveillance. Plus, you get the credit.


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FRAZEEYeah? And, whats in this for you boys?

DARRENMaybe a little help with some unfortunate financial debts?

MARKYeah, not much. I mean, we aint looking

to get rich or nothin.

FRAZEE(sarcastically)

Course not. (beat)(quietly)

Okay, but if we do this, its on the Q.T.It would have to be my sting. Capiche?

DARRENYeah, Sargeant, we capiche.

(he smiles and shows a mouthful of bad teeth)

Frazee shows Darren and Mark out of his office and closesthe door. From behind the door, we can hear him saying tohimself.

FRAZEEDetective Frazee. I like the sound of that.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

EXT. EVENING SEEDY NEIGHBORHOOD IN L.A.

Darren and Mark are just hanging around. Its dusk and thestreets are pretty quiet. We hear a couple arguing in thebackground but we dont see them.

MARKDont you think we laid it on a little thick?

I mean kiddie porn?

DARREN(laughs)

What the hell? This stupid idiot is from England.He dont know nothin. By the time the cops


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get through with him; hell be some guyslittle girlfriend in the joint.

MARK(shivers a bit)

Think so? Really?

DARRENMark, shut up! Youre worse than a chick.

Course it happens better him than us, right?

Mark nods his head up and down but hes obviously notcompletely on board with the plan.

MARK(shivers with disgust)

Shit! Some guys girlfriend! That aint no life.

DARREN(whispering)

Shut up! There he is.

Darren points to a TALL, GANGLY MAN . THIS IS ANTHONY. Hesin his forties, carrying a beer in one hand and a cigarettein the other. Hes on foot and as soon as he turns his backDarren and Mark head after him.

EXT. STREETS OF LA CONTINUOUS

In a series of very brief vignettes, Darren and Mark trailAnthony around various places in their neighborhood. Heheads to a fast food place to get something to eat, walksaround a bit. Finally they see him giving a small envelopeto a YOUNG KID ABOUT 13 OR 14. The kid takes the envelopeand gives Anthony money in exchange.

Once the exchange is complete, the kid runs off and Anthonylooks around to make sure all is ok. He happens to seeDarren and Mark staring at him. He gets suspicious and

walks away. Darren and Mark follow.

Anthony is ahead of Darren and Mark by about half a block.Hes very aware now that theyre following him. He startsto get nervous and picks up the pace. Darren and Mark keepfollowing him. A few moments later, Anthony meets up with

ANOTHER KID ABOUT THE SAME AGE and the same transactiontakes place. Darren and Mark look at one another. The look


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DARRENYeah, but every time you go to him its the third degree.

Are you working, Mark? When are you going to make realchange in your life, Mark? I dont see how this money

can help you make meaningful change, Mark.

MARKSo, Ill put up with this shit for a couple of hours.

I bet I get the money though.

DARRENWhatll you tell him its for?

MARKI dunno. Ill think of somethin.

Darren and Mark walk off into the night.

EXT. THEIR APARTMENT BUILDING A COUPLE HOURS LATER

Darren sees Mark walking towards him with a big smile onhis face.

DARRENYou got it?

MARK

Yup and a little extra.

DARRENWhatd you say?

MARKLets just say I poured it on thick.

My brother would have said no, but my sisterin law gave him the look. He caved after that.

(they both laugh).

DARRENNow what?

Just then Anthony comes out of the building.

ANTHONYYeah, now what boys?


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DARRENHey man, hows it going?

ANTHONYI dont know you tell me. Why the fuck were you

two tailing me earlier? Hmmm?

DARRENWhat? Whatre you talking about? We werent tailing

you.(laughs nervously)

Anthony takes out a gun.

ANTHONYThis says you were.

DARRENOkay, lets keep our heads.

No need to get all mafia on each others asses.

ANTHONYCourse not. (beat) Ill just blow your asses off

and leave them in the dumpster.

MARK(panicking)

I told you this was a stupid idea and

DARREN(interrupting)

Shut up!

ANTHONYWhat idea?

MARK

Well, you see we need money, so Darren thought

ANTHONY(interrupting)

Didnt I just tell you to shut up?

MARKI dont wanna die and


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ANTHONYBoth of you shut up! Youre getting on my nerves.

(beat)Now, what was the plan?

Darren and Mark look at one another. They are bothterrified. Anthony slaps Darrens face hard. Mark isshocked. Darren is furious but knows he cant do anything.

ANTHONY(contd)

Now then, my American friend. What was the plan?Dont make me use this. I dont want to blow you away

but your asses dont mean nothin to me.

DARREN(nonchalant)

Were doing some work for the cops. Thats all.

ANTHONY(shakes his head in acknowledgement)

Shit! Just what I need. What have you told them?

DARREN(confidently)

Everything. Were just getting proof.But theyre doing surveillance and police got your name,

man. So if anything happens to us, theyll know.They know where you live, where you hang out, the whole

deal. Killin me will only get you a death sentence.But a simple drug conviction (beat) you might even beat

that.

Anthony starts pacing around the sidewalk. Hes agitatedand angry.

ANTHONYShit! You stupid shit! Why! I aint

done nothin to you. Whats the deal? Yougot a hard on for some cop?

DARREN(smiling broadly)Nah. Not my type.


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ANTHONYWhats in it for you?

DARRENMoney.

(shrugs)

ANTHONYListen, how about if I make it more profitable

to keep the cops out of this? Whadda ya say?

DARRENNah. Cops give money and they dont shoot me after.

ANTHONYWho says Ill shoot you?

MARK(suddenly confident)

We do! We may look stupid but were not.I mean, were not stupid. We deal with the cops

then were safe.

ANTHONYLook guys, Im small potatoes. But I can deliver something

much bigger and worth more money.

Darren and Mark start to walk off. Anthony goes after them.

ANTHONY(contd.)

Im serious guys, I can get you someone whos really worthit.

DARRENRight. Like youre not just trying to save your ass.

ANTHONY

Course I am. Wouldnt you?(beat)

(yelling now)Wouldnt you?

Darren stops and turns around. Mark keeps walking.

DARREN


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Sure I would. But this is your problem, not mine.

ANTHONYIt is if I tell the cops I had better info.

and you turned it down.

Now Mark stops as well. He yells back at Darren.

MARKLets go. We did what we had to.

DARRENJust a minute!

(beat)Whatre you talkin about?

ANTHONYRussian mafia.

Marks walks back to join them.

MARKLets go. We dont need this scum bag.

ANTHONYYeah, you do. Cause I can get you the real bucks.

MARK

SuresureCmon Darren, lets go.

DARRENJust a second. You know Russian mafia?

How? Where did you meet them?

ANTHONYI never said I met them. I said I know about them.

DARRENYoure more pathetic than we are.

ANTHONYThats not possible.

DARRENI think it is. How are you gonna help us get a Russian

mafia guy when you dont even know one?


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ANTHONYI know where they hang out. Thats why.

MARKYeah, right. Darren, come on!(he tugs at Darrens sleeve)

This guys just yankin our chain.He doesnt know any Russian mafia.

Darren pulls away. He is obviously thinking things over.

DARRENWe dont know that for sure.

ANTHONY(sensing the opportunity)

Good thinking. (beat) Hey, you guys hungry? (beat) Imstarved. How about goin and gettin a pizza on me, of

course. Theres a great little place just round the corner.

DARRENGiovannis Pizza yeah, I know that place. Sure, lets go.

Darren and Anthony head off. Mark is not pleased. He waitsfor a few seconds and sees they are not stopping. He runsto catch up.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

INT. PIZZA JOINT CONTINUOUS

Darren, Mark and Anthony are eating pizza, drinking beersand having a robust discussion. Its obvious that Mark isslow to catch on but bit by bit he is getting on board.Anthony orders more beers to make sure that Darren and Markloosen up, which they do. Eventually, the three of them

are talking and laughing together as if theyre oldfriends. Once they finish eating and drinking, they walkout together.

ANTHONYSo, arent you boys glad you listened to me?

DARREN


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Yeah, this is gonna work out just fine.

MARKYep, just fine.

ANTHONYWell, lets get to it.

DARRENRight now?

(burps)Im not sure Im up to this.

ANTHONYYou dont have to do nothin. Ill drive us down there inmy truck, just to let you know Im not cheating your ass.

Know what I mean?

DARREN(looks at Mark)

Whadda ya think?

MARKCouldnt hurt. I never seen any Russia mafia before.

(beat)They dont know you, right?

ANTHONYRight.

(grins)

They head off back to their building. In the back is abeaten down truck, but it manages to work and they driveoff into the night.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

EXT. Bar CONTINUOUS

The three guys stand outside a rather cheesy looking bar.There are a few customers inside. Theres a tv on, and somemusic is playing as well.

ANTHONYThis is it.


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MARKThis dont look like much. I mean if theyre mafia, dont

they have the money to go someplace nice?

ANTHONYQuiet! Dont say that word out loud. Just stay cool. And

follow my lead. (beat) But dont say that word again ever!

MARKFine chill out.

DARRENMark, shut up!

MARKYou shut up!

ANTHONYAre you guys on board or what?

They both nod. Its clear theyre a little drunk.

ANTHONY(contd.)

Ok then, shut up and follow my lead.

The three head inside and order another round of beers.Mark is especially anxious. He keeps looking around ateveryone in the bar, even though Anthony and Darren try tostop him from being so obvious.

A few moments after they sit down, A VERY TALL, DARK-HAIRED, WELL BUILT MAN, walks in WITH TWO MUSCULAR BODYGUARDS. THIS IS ALEXEI AND HE IS RUSSIAN MAFIA. They lookaround and Alexei sees Anthony. As he does, an angryexpression crosses his face. He strides over to Anthonystable.

ALEXEIWell, well, if it isnt my stupid friend. Where have you

been, Tony? (beat) And, who are they?(points to Darren and Mark)


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ANTHONY(very nervous)

No place special, Alexei. (beat) These guys? No one. Wejust met and were having a drink. Thats all.

Darren and Mark nod but say nothing. They are very nervous.They look around for someone to help but its obvious thatno one is going to interfere. A few people actually leaveas quietly as possible.

DARREN(quivering)

I thought you said

ANTHONY(interrupting)

Shut up, right now!

Alexei looks over at one of his guards. He respondsimmediately by pulling over A CHAIR and Alexei sits downopposite Anthony. As soon as he sits down, THE BARTENDER responds by bringing a BOTTLE OF VODKA . Anthony pourshimself and his two guards a drink. Then he pours himselfanother.

ALEXEIIm not happy, Tony. Do you know why?

ANTHONYIuhno, Im not sure. What did I do?

ALEXEIYou didnt make your quota this month. I need profits.

You know that.

ANTHONY(pulls out a wad of money)

Ive got most of it. And somethin even better.

Alexei grabs the cash. He hands it over to one of theguards who checks it. After he does, he whispers somethingto Alexei. Alexei nods and gives him a small smile. Darrenand Mark try not to look at one another. They areabsolutely terrified but trying desperately to stay calm.


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ALEXEIOk, you got most of it. But I need more. And, youre out of

time. So, either I have to kill you or kill those stupidkids you work with. Cause maybe theyre taking my money.

And I told you what happens when people take my money.Didnt I, Tony?

(he slaps Tonys face).

ANTHONY(stammering and talking quickly)

Yes, you did, Alexei. And I deserved that. But dont touchthose kids. Its not them. Its me. Really, its me.

Theyre just kids. Theyd never take your money. I promise.

ALEXEI(laughs loudly)

Oh, youre so loyal.(angry)

But youre supposed to be loyal to me, not them.(slaps Anthonys face again very hard)

I dont give a shit about those kids. As long as I get mymoney. I cant live on loyalty. I cant buy Vodka on

loyalty. I cant do shit on loyalty. Am I clear?

ANTHONY

Yes, absolutely. Ill work harder to make up the shortfall.Like I said, Ive got something good for you.

Alexei pours himself and his bodyguards another set ofdrinks.

ALEXEIWhats better than money? I can get fucked anytime I want,

so what else is there?(he and his bodyguards laugh)

ANTHONYThese two.

Now Darren and Mark are petrified. They realize thatAnthony means to use them in some horrible way.


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ALEXEIThese two losers?(points to them)

What would I want with them?

ANTHONYTheyre cops. Theyre tryin to take your operation down.

They might look like nobodies but theyre undercover. Imade them out earlier this evening. Thats gotta be worth

something.Alexei is uncertain about this turn of events. He and hisbodyguards whisper together for a few moments.

ALEXEIYou sayin these guys are narcs?

ANTHONYI dont know if theyre narcs or not, but theyre

undercover for sure. And, theyre cops. They told me so.

Alexei stares long and hard at Darren and Mark. He is notconvinced. He looks at his bodyguards. They shake theirheads very slightly.

ALEXEIYou tryin to tell me these two guys are narcs? Undercover

cops? Whatre you trying to pull, asshole?

ANTHONYNothin. I swear. Theyre cops. They just make themselves

out to look this way.

ALEXEINo way. Theyre too stupid. Look at them.

Darren and Mark smile at this turn of events.

ALEXEIWho are you guys?

(he pulls out a gun)And no bullshit.

DARRENNobodywere just hanging out here and this guy joins us

for some beers. Were on welfare, man.

MARK


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Welfareyupwelfare.

Alexei stares at Anthony. Hes furious. He waves his gun atAnthony.

ALEXEIGet up!

ANTHONYWh.wh.whatwhywhatd I do? Ididnt do

ALEXEI(interrupts)

Shut up! You fuckin snake. Youre short on money and nowyoure tryin to tell me these two idiot assholes areundercover. (beat) I think you ratted me out. I think

youre tellin people about me. An I dont like that. Itold you you have to keep your mouth shut! Now get up!

The burly bodyguards grab Anthony and drag him outside.Anthony is sputtering and proclaiming his innocence thewhole time. Alexei looks at Darren and Mark.

ALEXEIWelfare, huh?

DARRENYup. WelfareIn fact, that Tony guy said hed pay for our

beers. Cause weuh(looks to Mark for help)

MARK(shouts uncontrollably)Yeah, he said hed pay!

ALEXEIOkay. Keep it down.

(shakes his head)

One of the bodyguards comes back in. He and Alexei whispertogether again. The bodyguard points to Darren and Mark asif to suggest what do we do about them? Alexei thinks fora moment. He laughs.

ALEXEIThese guys? Theyre nobody.


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The bodyguard looks unconvinced. Alexei stares hard at thebodyguard and he backs off immediately. He pulls out a wadof money from his pocket.

ALEXEI(contd.)

Tell you what you nice welfare boys. Beers on me.

Alexei and the bodyguard smile. They walk out laughing.Darren and Mark heave a huge sigh of relief. Then Marklooks at Darren, with a funny expression on his face.

DARRENWhats the matter? Were in the clear.

MARKI justI uh

He jumps out of his chair and runs to the bathroom.

INT. BATHROOM CONTINUOUS

We hear Mark throwing up and see Darren coming in to checkon him.

DARRENYou okay, man?

(beat)

Mark, talk to me.

Mark comes out. He is very pale and shaking. Darren grabshold of him.

DARREN(concerned)

You okay. (beat) Say somethin.

MARK(shaking)

Holy shit!(beat)

Im not feeling

He runs back into the stall and we hear him throwing upagain. Darren just stands there looking relieved.


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(beat)No, I think I have a better plan.

FRAZEESir?

CHIEFAs for you two.

(points at Darren and Mark)I have a special plan that will keep you safe.

DARRENThank you, sir!

MARKYes, thank you!

Frazee, Darren and Mark exit the chiefs office. The chiefhas a broad smile on his face.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

EXT. NEXT MORNING STREETS OF LA

We see Sargeant Frazee walking the street in the earlymorning hours. He has a huge frown on his face. Hes been

reduced to checking parking meters.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

INT. AIRPORT CONTINOUS

Darren and Mark are sitting in an airport waiting area.They have big parkas and snow boots on. They look reallydefeated. We hear a voice over the loudspeaker system.

VOICEWelcome to Air Canada Flight 1019 to Sudbury, Ontario via

Toronto. All passengers can now board.

Darren and Mark get up. They walk slowly and are obviouslydejected.


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MARKI hear the Canadian Witness Protection Program is very

good. I mean itll be cold, but

DARENShut up!

FADE OUT.

THE END.

the racketeers

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