New Terminal Hotel (2010) Movie Script
1
Nice place
you got here, malek.
You're moving up
in the world.
Hmm. Suits my work.
Your work?
I guess if your work's
panhandling.
You know, you used
to be a writer.
Guess i ain't
paying you enough.
What the fuck are you
doing down here?
Eh, different strokes,
i guess.
Speaking of...
i don't want to spend
all night in this shithole.
Let's do it.
Shit's good, huh?
It'll knock you out.
Come to daddy.
Ohh.
Where'd you get this?
What's wrong?
Ohh. Nothing's wrong.
It's the best goddamn blow
i've ever had in my life!
Ha! Hh. Sometimes i
wonder where you writers
Come up with some of that
sick shit you come up with.
Whew. What, you got
somewhere to be?
Oh, no, no.
I was, uh...
just thinking
about this girl.
Oh, yeah?
Ere.
Take some and go
fuck her brains out.
Oh, no. It's all yours,
mr. Glissberg.
Ha!
Call me stan.
You know what, malek?
I rethought
my opinion of you.
You're not just some
shithead genre guy.
You're a shithead genre
guy who's gonna go far.
Hey, stanley...
guess what?
I'm still thinking
about that girl.
You remember katherin.
You ready to talk?
It's been
a half an hour, don.
You're not gonna say
anything?
I haven't decided.
you really are an asshole.
Everybody has one.
An opinion, i mean.
What is it?
You just didn't think
i'd find you down here?
What's going on?
Hmm. I'm tired.
You should be.
It's the middle of the night.
What are you doing
down here?
Jesus christ, don.
Hey.
You need
another drink?
No, i just need
more ice.
Right.
I'm just
gonna leave.
Hmm, so soon?
It's fucking
bizarre, don.
Please tell me
what you're doing here.
Well, she didn't ask.
Oh, please, spare me the
cryptic fucking bullshit.
This is supposed to be a
professional relationship.
I'm not your babysitter and
i'm definitely not your fan.
Well, since you
put it that way,
Maybe you shouldn't
be my agent.
Really? S that what this is about?
Do you want me
to cut you loose,
Tear up your contract?
'Cause we can do that.
I definitely don't need
to track my writers down
At the edge of skid row
in some fucking crack den
In the middle
of the night.
I know you're
a fucking great writer.
But there's a line
of good writers
That stretch
from here to torrance
That would kill
to fill your shoes.
Think they're any good?
You know i can
throw a stone
And hit
a good writer here.
What about a killer?
What?
A killer. Could you
find a great killer?
I can find anything
i need.
And when i do,
rest assured
There's always someone
or something better
Just around the corner,
ready to fill their shoes.
Hmm. You're
probably right.
But, you know,
right now,
I'm about the best
you'll find anywhere.
Really? Ell, the proof's
in the pudding, don,
And you haven't written a
thing in two fucking years.
Look in the bathroom.
What?
Look in the bathroom.
Why?
It's my latest work.
Yeah? Ou want me to flush it for you?
My work is in
the bathroom, ava.
Don, if it's
a shit joke...
you and i are done,
okay?
Absolutely
fucking ridiculous.
Stanley.
Don, what the fuck
is this?
Told ya.
My newest creation.
More performance art
than narrative, really.
All right-
But there is a story,
If you're paying
attention.
I am paying attention.
I got it.
It's an intro.
Stanley, what the fuck
are you doing
Down here
in this part of town?
I've never seen a guy
in your position
Go this far for a gag.
All right, fine.
I'm intrigued.
Do you have
a script?
In the refrigerator.
Oh. You guys
are too much.
Good job, stanley.
I'll tell you, this
is a fucking first.
All right,
where is it?
Right here.
Of course it is.
Okay.
What?
I get the joke.
The joke's over.
It's not funny
anyway.
What is this?
Uh, open it.
What do you think?
What the fuck is it?
It's glissberg's
appendix.
Are you guys kidding? I mean,
really, it's a fucking joke?
Does it look
like i'm kidding?
You wanted to see
what i'm up to.
Here it is.
Hope you like it.
You ain't seen
nothin' yet.
Okay, let me
get this straight.
Black market
body parts,
Stolen organs,
a man in a tub.
Retelling of
burke & hare?
We can do this, as long
as you stay in the present.
Contemporary
is where it's at.
If we do a period
piece, i can't sell it,
I can't pitch it.
Nobody wants that,
Especially not from you
on this comeback thing.
So is that
where we're going?
If you insist.
All right.
It's good, don. It's
pretty fucking good.
I like
the scenery-
Shitty, seedy
hotel thing.
I like it. It can
attract names.
Yeah.
What do you think,
asshole?
Oh. Mumbling.
Well, you know,
that died with brando.
But you're not bad at
this whole acting thing.
I can get you,
you know, classes,
Get you
maybe a discount...
for your new calling.
aren't you freezing?
Awesome. Okay.
It'll be really
bad for business
If the head of
your studio dies
While acting out a
scene from your script.
Isn't any press
good press?
Yes, it is.
But any funding is
not easy to come by,
Especially when you
haven't had a screen credit
In two years.
Be smart
about this, don.
You have one of hollywood's
most powerful men
Buried up to
his neck in ice
In a crack den on skid row at 2:00 a. M.
It's not smart.
Take him out of there,
dry him off,
Get him warm, make sure
he's at the office tomorrow.
We'll seen the deal.
I'm already sold.
Get him to sign
the deal,
And then we can discuss
why you went behind my back
After my percentage
is in the bag.
If you insist.
I do insist.
Now, please...
can i have
the screenplay?
Come back tomorrow.
Fuck you, don.
I'm still fine-Tuning.
When?
Tomorrow?
What time? No, 8:00.
And don't pull my dick.
I'm not going back down here
To see another
fucking stage play.
I'll take
any draft you have,
But i'm not leaving
empty-Handed.
Stanley,
i'm leaving.
Just don't die
before tomorrow.
Oh, you don't look
so good.
Can you hear me?
Do you feel anything?!
you're not...
gonna get away
with this.
I already have,
you son of a bitch.
Fuck... you.
I'd be real careful
what you say to me,
You rotten prick.
I can pick you apart
for weeks
And keep you awake for
every second of it.
Let's see what
we can remove today.
Don't...
kill me.
What?
I don't want...
to die.
Don't worry, stanley.
You're not gonna die.
Not for a long time.
Bartender, can i have
a shot, please?
Vodka.
Hello, how are you?
I'm fucking loving
your ponytail, man.
Didn't that go out
in, like, 1978
On a thursday afternoon
or something?
Yeah, that's what
i thought.
God bless you.
My new album's
coming out, man.
Please buy it, listen to it and love it.
Yeah?
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Yeah?
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Hello. Yeah, you.
Drinkin' the beer
all alone.
You see really deep
in thought, man.
Want to come over, sit
down and have a little chat?
Hey, come on over. Let me
buy you a drink, will ya?
I'm not trying to
annoy you, but come on.
All alone.
I'm a lone.
All right, don't.
Cheers.
ou have
something for me?
Beer?
Script.
Come in.
Where's it at, don?
Mm. I need your opinion
on something first.
No, no, we're not
doing that.
Put a script
in my hand,
And then
we can talk.
We can talk about
whatever the fuck you want.
Hmm.
Where is it?
Um...
it's still
at the printers.
What printers?
I'll go pick it up.
Around the corner. There's
nothing around the corner.
What's it called?
Uh, i forgot.
Jesus, don.
You're gonna have
to find someone else
To represent you.
Hmm. That's what
you want?
Obviously that's
not what i want.
I came down here
again, alone.
You think this is
fucking fun?
It looks like night of
the living dead out there.
It's because
i believe in you
And i believe that
you put out good shit.
But you're dicking me
around here
And making me look
like an asshole, don,
Playing
these fucking games.
Oh, and by the way, i
called stanley's office today
To get the deal done and all
that shit, and he wasn't there.
Why? Aybe you killed him.
Your little game fucking
might've killed somebody.
I didn't kill him.
How do you know?
You talk to him?
We spoke today.
What'd he say?
Hmm. Well, he's tough
to understand sometimes.
Right.
Please just put
a script in my hand
So i can go home.
Oh! Ell, would you look at that?
Well, i guess i have
some explaining to-
Aah! Jeez! Aah!
What the fuck
did you do?!
Oh, my god!
Jesus christ!
Calm down!
I can't fucking calm down.
Sit down and i'll
explain everything.
Is this fucking
for real, don?
Don't worry. I'm not
gonna do anything to you.
Goddamn, this shit burns!
What did you do to him?
Fuck him! Ou don't like
him any more than i do.
What the fuck does that
have to do with anything?
Well, you don't have
to be so upset, for one.
Upset?! Don, what the fuck
did you do?!
I did to him
Exactly what
he did to me.
I'm tearing him apart,
piece by piece.
You gonna call the police?
Look, ava, nobody knows
that he's here,
And no one has to know.
Are you gonna kill him?
Yes!
We can't stay in here.
It needs to air out.
Here.
What?!
Hey, spitz.
It's don.
Hold on!
God damn it.
Shit!
How you doing?
What do you want?!
I need a favor.
What kind of favor?
A big one.
Can you help me out?
Well, it might help if you didn't
show up to beg empty-Handed.
Where's your
fuckin' decorum?
Right. Um...
what are you drinking?
Well, bring it in!
Ohh.
Here, take
the fuckin' thing!
How the hell long are
you gonna have it again?
Uh, i'm not sure.
A couple hours.
Couple of hours? Take
it as long as you want.
I don't care.
All right, spitz.
Thanks a lot.
Go fuck yourself.
Hey, shut
the fuckin' door!
Faggot.
It's time go back
to work,
You fat fuck.
Hey, it's ava.
No. Heard what?
Is he alive?
Jesus christ.
What hospital is he at?
Fuck, that's insane.
Oh, my god.
Um, all right.
I'm not gonna come in.
Just take messages for me.
And, um... yeah,
i gotta make calls.
All right.
Fuck.
Who is it?
t's me.
Ava?
Open the door, don.
Are you alone?
In the universe?
They found stanley outside
the studio this morning.
Oh, my god.
You're kidding.
Your idea of a joke?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
He's in intensive care.
He's alive.
They don't know the
extent of the injuries yet.
What do you think
happened?
Are you fucking nuts?
Take off your shirt.
What? Ou think i'm wired?
Why would i
think that?
Cut the shit, don.
Take off your shirt.
Satisfied?
Ood?
Why'd you come
back here, ava?
I don't know. You
kidnapped stanley glissberg,
Turned him into
a game of operation,
And then dropped him off
at the studio's doorstep.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I haven't talked
to anyone.
You're giving me
an intro, aren't you?
Oh, damn it.
I didn't think
you'd come back.
Neither did i.
Why did you?
I don't know.
Peter called
an hour ago,
Said they found stanley
at the bus stop.
Security didn't even
recognize him.
It took
an assistant to.
He was like
a fucking zombie.
Then the medics came
and took him away.
That's classic.
What about
the cameras?
I used protection.
Don, he's still alive.
He can tell them
things.
I wouldn't worry
about that.
Even if he can't talk,
He can't point you out,
he can write your name.
He has motor functions.
Not anymore,
he doesn't.
Why? What did you do?
Just something
i've been reading up on.
Worked like a charm.
Anyway...
he won't be pointing
any more fingers.
He'll have
a tough enough time
Remember he has any.
Well, now what?
I'm gonna go back
to sleep.
I've been burning
both ends.
And then?
Well, then...
i got something else
i need to take care of.
Are you gonna
stay here?
Why all the questions?
I'm just saying i'd like
to know where to find you,
In case i need you.
After all, you're
still my client, right?
So... dissecting the head
of starlight studios
Hasn't hurt my career
after all.
That's yet to be
determined, don.
Do you have a script?
Yes. It just hasn't
been written.
Well, how about this?
You write the script,
Then you come and give
it to me when you're done.
That's why i'm here.
And that's what
i'm here for.
Hey, ava!
Yeah?
Don't be a stranger.
I won't.
Oh, jesus. Fuck.
Aah!
You owe me, remember?
What the hell happened?
It doesn't matter!
I'm cashing in.
Move!
What's going on,
spitz?
Fuckin' whore cut me!
Who cut you?
Go see for your
goddamn self!
You go to my room and
make that bitch disappear.
Make who disappear?
Some fuckin' cunt!
What do i care?
Jesus christ! You got
anything for this?
You need stitches.
I am not going to
the fuckin' hospital,
You fuckin' idiot.
Do you have any glue?
Krazy glue!
Nah, fuck it.
I got some.
Go to my room
and get it...
It's okay, it's okay.
It's okay!
I'm not gonna hurt you!
It's okay! 'M not gonna hurt you!
Listen to me.
Listen to me!
I'm getting you
out of here.
I'm getting you
out of here.
Who are you?
It doesn't matter.
You need
to get dressed.
I'm not leaving
till i get paid.
How much?
Did i kill a cripple?
No.
But i don't think
He's gonna make it
to morning.
Good.
Sick fucking bastard.
I hope he dies.
Are you
a betting girl?
yeah,
you like that?
Yeah, i know you
fuckin' do, you pig.
Yeah! Take it!
What the fuck
is this shit?
Oh, man. This is
complete shit.
Fucking cunt.
Well?
She's gone.
Gone?
Gone gone?
Or is she gonna come back
later with her nigger pimp
To finish
the fuckin' job?
I didn't kill her, if
that's what you're asking.
Yeah, that's what
i'm asking!
Fuck!
If i had
my fuckin' legs,
I'd have chopped the
bitch up in the bathtub
And let the trash men
get in the fuckin' morning.
But i settled.
'Cause i ain't half
the man i used to be.
Well, we need to do
something about that.
Yeah. Heh.
Where the hell
you goin'?
We are
stitching you up.
We?
Me.
You are gonna
sit still
And shut up.
Yeah.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What the hell
is all this shit?
You know...
you have
your hobbies,
I have mine.
Like stitching?
Among other things.
Whoa!
Ain't you got something
for the pain?
You're holding it.
Look, if we don't
close that up,
It's gonna get
infected.
Or you'll slip into a
coma from loss of blood.
It's your call.
Okay.
Fuck it.
All right, hold still.
No sudden moves.
Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah.
Ah, yeah.
Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh.
There.
There you are.
That-That ain't so bad.
Yeah, the first couple
are the worst.
Then your body will
start to numb itself.
I know.
So you, uh-
You probably save
a fortune
In fuckin'
medical bills. Ha!
Huh. You could
say that.
Yeah?
Hat's good.
'Cause i'm into the fuckin'
county for thousands, man,
With some of the shit
i've been through and into.
Oh! And then there's
the surgery
After the accident.
I'm in fuckin' debt
to the state
And they fuckin'
know it.
Oh, they tell you
what they're gonna do
And what you're
gonna owe,
And that's about
fuckin' it.
Military service...
ain't worth shit.
Fuck 'em.
And they never fuckin'
did anything anyway!
I'm never gonna get out
of this fuckin' chair,
And i have to pay
for the cocksucker!
All they wanted to do
was fuckin' keep me alive
So they could get
my goddamn money.
Commerce, right?
But... a man
has got to eat.
Hmm? Nd this man's got to drink.
And he's gotta have
entertainment.
Ah, i can't even
fuckin' do that.
They took it away
from me, too.
I can't get
a fuckin'-
All i can do
is eat pussy.
And i gotta
pay for that.
Did you tape
that girl, spitz?
What girl?
The one who did this.
Yeah.
Why?
Hmm...
i happened to see
some of it.
And i saw those tapes
under your bed
With all the girls'
names on them.
Why'd you go fuckin' around,
rootin' in my room?
You told me to look
for krazy glue.
Oh, yeah.
They all hookers?
What do you think?
I don't know.
I don't know, either.
All righty.
I'm gonna give you
a shot.
A shot of what?
Something to keep that
from getting infected.
I don't trust you
to take care of it.
Yeah, well,
fuck you, too.
Oh. Ha ha!
Now you're
taking me back.
Yeah, i used to-
I haven't rode the rails
in, like, seven years,
But, you know, i'd be
willing to get back on,
Just for a ride or two.
Just-Just-
Oh.
Somebody knows
what he's doing.
That's good, man.
All right.
That'll take effect
in a couple of minutes.
What effect is that?
Oh...
you'll, uh...
lose all muscle
function,
But remain totally
conscious,
Unable to move
or talk.
What-What do you mean?
I mean in a couple
of minutes,
You're gonna be
completely paralyzed.
You'll be aware of
everything happening to you,
But you won't be able
to do a thing about it.
Fuckin' comedian,
right?
Right?
You know...
just so you know, uh...
you really fuckin'
owed me, but...
our deal is square,
brother.
You saved my ass
tonight.
Right?
Mm-Hmm.
Yeah.
Hmm. All right.
Is she gone?
She's gone.
Yeah.
All right.
I'm gonna, uh...
go on back to,
uh, my room
And, uh-
Right.
Thanks, doc!
Thanks.
So how are things going
with sheldon gwynn?
I'm really amazed that
you were able to sign him.
How were you able
to do that?
We just talked to him.
You know, he was really
distrustful of the industry,
And we told him that we're not
about just collecting names,
Racking up numbers, that we
actually care about our talent,
That we want to get
great writers,
Showcase their work
to the world,
That kind of thing.
And he bought
that bullshit?
It's not bullshit.
It's the truth.
Have you sold him yet?
Uh, no, but we're
pretty close.
What are you
waiting for?
The right deal.
The right deal?
Why not strike
while the iron's hot?
Because i want to make sure our
talent gets what they're worth.
I thought you weren't
about the numbers, ava.
I'm not, but i'm not
a pushover, either.
I want to make sure they
get what they deserve.
What's going on
with don malek?
He's writing.
Any idea what?
Oh, i trust don.
And you think
he can come back?
Oh, i know he can.
He had promise,
i'll say that.
But two years
- That's a long time in this town.
If anybody deserves
a break, it's don malek.
If all writers
took a break
Whenever they felt
like they deserved one,
You and i would be brokering
mcmuffin deals at mcdonald's.
Wouldn't we?
Nurturing talent...
is about
nurturing them,
Not sucking every last drop
of blood from their body
And then moving on
to the next victim.
I like your style,
miss collins.
Ava, i wanted to be
the first one
To let you know this.
Jane schimmel wants
out of her contract.
She's coming with me.
Is that right?
Yes.
And why didn't she
tell me this?
Because i'm telling you.
Well, i'm telling you
to go fuck yourself.
Why do you have to be
so unprofessional?
Unprofessional? Ha ha!
I don't think you know
the definition.
You know what? I wanted to sit
down with you, as your friend,
And let you know
what's happening here.
I didn't have to.
I could've let it hit your
desk on monday in the trades,
But i didn't want that.
It's 'cause i wanted
to do the right thing.
Do the right thing?
Be my friend?
God, you're a pompous
fuckin' asshole.
you know, if that's the way you
want it, fine.
Ha! Jesus christ!
You are one smug
son of a bitch.
If you want jane,
take her.
Good luck with that.
You want a war
with me,
I highly advise
against it.
It's not war, ava.
It's just business.
So don't take it
personal.
Oh, i don't take
anything personally.
I'll let you know
when i do.
Thanks for
the cocktail.
Fucking cocksucker.
Thank you.
Well, hello.
How are you?
Fantastic.
You got a fine ass.
By the way,
i'm jasper.
Yeah!
It's me, open up.
What the hell
happened to you?
Nothin'. I feel great.
Who the hell
is this?
Ha ha ha ha!
A friend.
Do you always just sit
in silence like this?
Better than watching
the brain drain.
Maybe, but you're
missing a lot of press
On your friend.
Any leads?
No. I doubt it.
Unless he did
something stupid,
Like drive up showing
his license plates
Or left traces
of d. N.A.
Hmm. Stanley wasn't
my friend's type.
And i have it
on good authority
That he takes
the subway.
You didn't take him
on the subway.
Do you know how many
surveillance cameras are in there?
Little cameras
are watching us
Wherever we go now,
aren't they?
Orwellian babylon.
What's a boy to do?
Straighten up
and walk tall.
Don't be a loner.
don't keep to yourself.
Join the workforce.
Be an upstanding
citizen.
God-Fearing.
Have pure thoughts.
Are your thoughts pure?
Not even close.
Well, what are we
gonna do about that?
Haven't decided.
Do you know
carter ball?
From c. A.A.?
Yeah.
Yeah, i met with him
a couple of times
Before i signed
with you. Why?
He's a piece of shit.
Problems?
He's stealing
my clients-
Namely
jane schimmel.
Got her convinced that
her career took a shit
Because of bad
representation,
Not her $400-A-Day
drug habit.
Got in her ear, told her
what she wanted to hear.
Doesn't matter.
It's his problem now.
He asked me about you.
Hmm. Yeah?
Yeah.
Hmm. Well,
i couldn't care less.
I don't play
that game anymore.
He does.
Well, good for him.
What would you do
if he, um...
sought you out?
If he finds me here,
I'll be suitably
impressed.
What if, say, he...
found you here...
looking
to talk to you?
Now, how would he
find that out?
I don't know. Maybe...
a little bird
would tell him.
I already told you,
i'm not for hire.
And i'm not hiring.
I just was wondering
what you would do
If someone
like carter ball
Just happened
to show up.
The more pressing
question is...
what would you like
to see happen?
Bartender, can i have
a shot, please? Vodka.
How are you? You know
my friend spitz?
He was in a wheelchair.
You can't mistake him.
He's been gone
for a little bit,
And i'm getting
a creepy vibe from you.
You want to
have a seat?
I'll take that
as a no.
All right,
all right.
Cheers to you
being mute.
Hmm, you know...
i just thought
about something.
I saw you wearing, like,
a mask or something.
Something on
your face, a mask.
And you were-
It is you.
I know i'm pretty pissed
out of my head right now,
But it has
to be you, yeah?
You really don't
talk at all, do you?
Kind of a rebel with
a cause, aren't you?
All right, all right.
I won't say
a word to you.
Hey, do you like
my piece?
Nice, huh? Yeah.
Silence is golden,
isn't it?
Well,
here's to silence.
Cheers for me.
A toast?
Okay. Here's to
your silence, man.
Here's to
your silence.
It's like
the wizard of oz.
Hocus-Pocus.
Fucking suspicious.
Something weird.
Still jacked, gonna crash,
And nobody knows.
Who cares? Ou're in a bar?
They're all drunk hoes!
What the fuck?! No!
Is that me or you?
I don't know.
It's yours.
Your timing couldn't be
any better today.
I got a meeting
in an hour,
And it's a big one.
I know.
Fuck, i have an appointment later, too.
Yeah?
Ho is it?
Oh, come on. You know nothing
leaves this room, right?
Right.
So who is it?
Do you know don malek?
I do.
I almost signed up
when he first started.
How long have you
been seeing him?
Couple of months.
He's a nice guy.
I'm surprised he's not
a gazillionaire
By the way
that he works.
His place
is creepy.
Why, where is it?
Silver lake?
Skid row. He rents
fuckin' weekly.
Skid row?
Does he have a habit?
Yeah, writing. I've never
seen anyone like he does.
He sits around on
a bunch of unsold shit.
He likes the ambience
down there.
Really?
What's the name
of this place?
The new terminal hotel.
New terminal hotel.
Well...
delightful as always,
rebecca.
Hey, baby.
I'm good.
It was real chill.
Yeah, i gave him
the info.
No, he didn't suspect
a thing.
All right. Bye.
There he is!
Ou!
Caught holding
the bag here.
What do you know
about this?!
I don't know what you're
talking about, mr. Diangelo.
You know what
i'm talking about.
Scumbag.
This guy knows something.
How goes it today,
partner?
Fine.
Mr. Diangelo, step in here
with the officers.
He's a fuckin' perv!
Get going.
He did it! I'll bet!
Quiet, now.
Is spitz okay?
You guys hang out?
No.
We don't hang out, but
i see him all the time.
yeah, he sees him!
I seen him pushing him around!
Heh.
You push him around?
You mean, like,
wheel him?
Yeah, whenever he needs
a hand and i'm around.
He's in a wheelchair?
Mm-Hmm.
Find me a wheelchair
in there, okay?
If it's not there,
it's gotta be someplace.
Unless, of course,
what we have here
Is a chair-Jacking.
Is spitz okay?
No. He's dead.
Trash man had a hell of
a surprise this morning.
Spilled your buddy's parts
all over the back alley.
Must have been ripening
in the dumpster
For several hours,
looks like.
Oh, my god.
What's your name?
Don malek.
Malek.
M- A-L-E-C?
"K".
"K".
How long have you
lived here?
Uh, a couple
of months.
When's the last time you
saw spitz, if you recall?
Uh... a couple
of days ago?
Did you see or hear
anything strange lately?
I mean, anyone suspicious
catch your eye?
Anything odd?
Heh heh.
Well, odd things
happen here
Just about every day,
so, uh...
No. Not any one thing
in particular
That i can
think of, no.
Mind if my officers get
your contact information?
No.
Good.
I might want to talk to you
again sometime, mr. Malek,
Or maybe not.
Is that okay with you? Sure.
And, since we
have talked,
If you would suddenly
check out or disappear,
It might seem a little
suspicious, right?
I mean, i might
have to put you
High on the top
of my priority list
If something
like that happened.
Well, if my neighbors
are turning up in pieces,
Is it okay for me
to stay here?
Good point.
Well, we'll see.
In the meantime,
keep your eyes open,
And give me a call if you
want to talk about anything,
Anything at all.
Somebody's been
working out!
Finding out
what room you were in
Was really interesting.
All i did was drop your
name at the front desk
And the whole guy
down there is, like,
"He did it. It was him. "
Anything going on
i should know about?
Um... ahem.
My neighbor was
murdered last night.
My god. Wow.
Don, if you don't
mind me asking,
What the hell are you
doing here, man?
I like the ambience.
Yeah, that's
what i hear.
But people are
getting married.
And did you hear
about stanley?
Yeah, ava told me.
Crazy, huh?
I've said it before-
If anybody had enemies,
It was stanley glissberg.
I wonder if it was
a tryst gone bad.
You know, stanley used
so many people.
He traded promises for sex
and he broke them all.
So it's not hard
to imagine him
Burning
the wrong person.
And what about that dunlap girl
fiasco a couple of years back?
The wannabe actress.
Talk about bad mojo.
God. Ohh.
Anybody could've come
out of the woodwork
To collect on that one.
And let's face it
- He killed that girl, and we all know it.
I mean, you kill a chick
in the real world,
You go to prison.
Kill a chick
in hollywood, well...
you pay your $200 fine
at window number 4.
They don't prosecute
guys like stanley.
Anyways,
nobody in this town
Is losing sleep
over stanley glissberg.
That's part of his legacy
that won't make it
Into the television
retrospective at year's end.
And those of us
who knew the man
Knew what a prick
he was, right?
I am this character.
I know i can do it.
Mmm.
Of course you can.
You think i got it?
Heh.
What?
I don't think i've ever
seen you this excited.
Wait till i get
the phone call.
If i get
that phone call-
Ohh! Can't take the suspense.
You're this close,
whichever way it goes.
I don't want
to be that close.
I want the part.
Relax.
We'll find out
tomorrow.
It's my third callback.
Is that good or bad?
Well, the other option
being no callbacks,
It's good.
But it also means
you have some competition.
Fuck her.
I wonder who it is.
I believe
you got the part.
So...
grapevine tells me you've
been writing like a fiend.
Is that true?
You could say that.
Anything you'd
like to share?
How are things going
with ava, by the way?
In what regard?
Are you happy?
Is that why
you're here?
Listen, let me
cut to the chase.
I do want
to represent you.
Say the word, and i'll
buy out your contract.
My agency's had
a banner year,
And our purse strings
are loose, don.
I want to put you back up
on top where you belong.
You write, i want
to know about it.
You have a draft,
i want to option it, okay?
Your current situation
Doesn't seem particularly
fruitful, anyways.
And, no offense to ava,
But don needs
to take care of don.
You want to
read something?
Oh, i'd love to.
I gotta stop by
the printers.
Can you come back
tomorrow?
Yeah. What time?
8:00?
Is it safe?
Not particularly.
Then you're on.
I believe we can do
great things together.
We'll see.
Want another drink?
You really kill
the cripple?
He's dead.
How'd you do it?
Long story.
Heh. You're weird.
Hmm.
You don't look like
you belong here.
What do you do?
Hmm.
I don't know anymore.
Well, what do you do
to make money?
I sell cars.
Bullshit.
What do you really do?
don!
Heh.
Hold on!
It's my agent.
Excuse you.
Excuse me?
That's what i said,
bitch.
We need to talk.
About what?
That's the company
you keep?
Yeah.
Where is everything?
Uh...
it's, uh-
I'm closed
for business.
Not closed
for all business.
Did i interrupt?
Just in time.
We were
about to bond.
God forbid.
How are you?
If i didn't
know better,
I'd think that was
genuine concern, ava.
Where's my script?
Same place it was
yesterday.
You know, funny-
Carter ball wanted
to read it, too.
Ah, so he is trying
to snipe my clients.
You told him
where i was.
No, i didn't. /
Our mutual friend did.
Exactly how many
people know i'm here?
Exactly...
three.
You...
carter ball, um-
Who's the third?
It's confidential.
What is she, an escort?
What would make you
think that?
What possible other confidential
link between you and ball
Between you and ball
could there be?
So he was here?
This afternoon.
I don't suppose he's sitting
at a bus stop right now.
Is that what you want?
I want a lot of things.
What'd you talk about?
I'm sure you have
a pretty good idea.
Look...
i can't say that i
didn't see it coming,
But, uh, i'm not
particularly happy
About these people
knowing i'm here, ava.
I want you
to forget about me.
So what are you gonna
do for a living?
Hmm, i'll make it.
This business isn't
for me anymore.
I'm only contemplating
where to go from here.
No script?
You have a remarkable
one-Track mind.
You know that?
It's job territory.
And you do it well.
You deserve people
who want to be here.
That's not me anymore.
I still think you have
a hell of a story to tell.
And with your style-
I mean, don't you want to take
a shot at your masterpiece?
Most writers are lucky
if they get one shot.
It's from your passion.
And this-
It's quintessential.
You've reached
the fringes of...
existence.
It's a razor
blade's edge.
Channel it with
your words onto paper
And give it to me.
"You can throw a stone
and hit a great writer. "
I want your story.
Well, you can't
win them all.
I know about
katherin, don.
Who?
Katherin dunlap-
The girl stanley was
exonerated of murdering
A few years ago.
I know she was
your girlfriend,
That you guys
were engaged.
I'm sorry.
Don, i know.
She was
an aspiring actress
Working in
a coffee shop.
She served
the right person,
And before she knew
what hit her,
She was auditioning
for the lead
In a starlight
production.
She caught the eye
of stanley.
Stanley pulled that
shit he always pulls.
Invites her back
to the house...
for a callback.
She shows up high
on something.
He dismisses her,
but she won't leave.
She's aggressive,
borderline-Psychotic.
She knows she's
blown her chance.
She won't accept it.
He calls security,
but before he knew it,
She throws herself off
the second-Floor balcony
Into the foyer...
to her death.
That's all just minutes
before security got there.
Only you and i know...
that's not
what happened.
I know that's why
you did it, don.
That's why i haven't
gone to the police.
I know the bastard
got what he deserves.
Maybe you
should write.
You've got quite an
imagination, you know that?
What happens?
He's dead,
she's avenged.
But you had to stop
somebody else.
Somebody else
got in your way.
You know, if you just
took care of this one...
teeny little problem,
Things could be a lot
better for both of us.
By "little problem",
Are you talking
about carter ball?
What's in a name?
I already told you,
i'm not for hire.
So work on spec.
Like i said, i haven't
gone to the police,
And i don't want to.
But if you leave me
no other choice,
It's, uh, not the end
of the world.
No, that happened
a long time ago.
Let's work together.
What makes you so sure
you're gonna walk out of here?
A third party
knows where i'm at.
If, for some reason,
i disappear,
This was my last-Known
destination.
I know i'm talking
to a murderer.
But you're
a strangely noble one.
Now, this redefines our
professional relationship.
Change is necessary
In the life of a successful
business venture.
Carter ball is gonna be paying
me another visit tomorrow night.
Wow. How convenient.
Care to join us?
Nah. Plans.
I insist.
Are you sure you're
in any position
To make demands?
You want someone dead,
But you want to keep
your distance?
I'm not a hit man!
I think
you're missing out.
You want
to be partners?
You gotta get
your hands dirty.
I'll spin the web,
But you're
the black widow.
Take it or leave it.
What time?
Don malek,
good evening.
Detective turkovich.
Looks like
you just woke up.
Ohh. Actually, i was
just going to bed.
Good, i'm glad
i caught you.
Mind if i have
a quick word with you?
I told you
this might happen.
Minimal.
The way i like it.
How come?
No reason.
I've got everything
i need.
You're a writer.
Mm-Hmm.
You wrote
some of those...
stanley glissberg
productions, didn't you?
Yeah.
How do you feel about
what happened over there?
Hmm. Whew.
Tragedy.
Yeah, i'll say.
Hey, hope you don't
mind me asking-
Why am i staying here
On a screenwriter's
salary?
Just wondering.
Well, actually, i'm
working on a new story,
And, uh...
the ambience
is perfect.
Hmm. Ambience.
It helps me to write.
Going somewhere?
No.
What's in the boxes?
oh, yeah.
Things. Um, there's
no storage space.
No storage?
Stanley glissberg ever
come up here and see you?
no way.
This, uh, really wasn't
stanley's kind of place.
He wasn't
up here once?
Uh-Uh.
The reason
i ask was, um...
i recently saw the
security camera footage,
And what surfaced was
you walking up in here
With stanley glissberg...
on the night
of the 14th.
Does that jog
your memory?
Oh! Yeah, yeah, yeah!
That's right.
I remember.
What do you remember?
He did come here,
but...
he didn't normally.
So he was here.
Yes.
It just slipped your
mind. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Ha ha ha!
Hh.
Whew! It's been
a rough couple of days.
That's understandable.
You wouldn't
happen to remember
How long he stayed,
would you?
Hmm. A few minutes.
A few minutes? 'Cause
the tape doesn't show him
Ever leaving
the hotel.
I didn't walk him out.
He could've gone...
out the back door.
And why would he
do that?
That's where
he parked his car.
Then why not come in
from the back?
It's exit-Only.
You can only get back in
with a master key.
Why park in the back?
Stanley was, uh,
Real paranoid
about his car.
And, you know, there's almost
always some sketchy people
Hanging out in front
at night.
Was there a sketchy bunch
that night?
Mm-Hmm.
Anyone you knew?
Um... not by name.
Would you
recognize them.
Some of them.
Gang-Affiliated?
I wouldn't know.
Did glissberg and spitz
ever meet?
No.
'Cause you said
That you didn't walk
glissberg out that night
And he had to navigate
the building by himself,
Only if to get his car.
I wonder if glissberg and spitz
ran into each other that night.
I guess it's possible,
but, uh...
i can't imagine what they
would have to say to each other.
The reason i say this is, the
hotel now figures prominently
In both of these
men's deaths.
We know spitz died
on the premises.
And now, after
viewing the tape,
This was the last
location known
That stanley glissberg
was seen alive.
And you hung out
with both of them.
Again, i wouldn't
say necessarily
That i hung out
with them.
Why did glissberg
come see you that night?
He wanted some blow,
and i had some.
Cocaine.
You a dealer?
Mm-Mm.
Addict?
No.
Recreational?
Yeah.
Oh. Where do you
get your stuff.
Outside.
Pick a corner.
Steady supplier?
No, no. I don't do
that much.
No bad debt?
No.
Well, listen, you know,
There is one more
strong link
Between these two murders,
mr. Malek.
What's that?
Both these men-
Glissberg and spitz-
Had recently-Stitched
wounds on their bodies,
Laced by the same style
In the exact same
sutured thread,
Which would lead
anyone to believe
That both of these men
met their fate
By the same hand.
Well, you'd know better
than me, detective.
And right now, the only
common link i have
Between these
two murders...
is you.
Wastebasket?
Uh, in the bathroom.
Be right back.
Aaah!
Hey, knock, knock,
buddy.
It's carter.
You're unlocked
out here.
I didn't mean to catch you
with your pants down, dude.
Let's do this.
Stop it!
Aah!
Somebody help!
Nice place
you got here, malek.
You're moving up
in the world.
Hmm. Suits my work.
Your work?
I guess if your work's
panhandling.
You know, you used
to be a writer.
Guess i ain't
paying you enough.
What the fuck are you
doing down here?
Eh, different strokes,
i guess.
Speaking of...
i don't want to spend
all night in this shithole.
Let's do it.
Shit's good, huh?
It'll knock you out.
Come to daddy.
Ohh.
Where'd you get this?
What's wrong?
Ohh. Nothing's wrong.
It's the best goddamn blow
i've ever had in my life!
Ha! Hh. Sometimes i
wonder where you writers
Come up with some of that
sick shit you come up with.
Whew. What, you got
somewhere to be?
Oh, no, no.
I was, uh...
just thinking
about this girl.
Oh, yeah?
Ere.
Take some and go
fuck her brains out.
Oh, no. It's all yours,
mr. Glissberg.
Ha!
Call me stan.
You know what, malek?
I rethought
my opinion of you.
You're not just some
shithead genre guy.
You're a shithead genre
guy who's gonna go far.
Hey, stanley...
guess what?
I'm still thinking
about that girl.
You remember katherin.
You ready to talk?
It's been
a half an hour, don.
You're not gonna say
anything?
I haven't decided.
you really are an asshole.
Everybody has one.
An opinion, i mean.
What is it?
You just didn't think
i'd find you down here?
What's going on?
Hmm. I'm tired.
You should be.
It's the middle of the night.
What are you doing
down here?
Jesus christ, don.
Hey.
You need
another drink?
No, i just need
more ice.
Right.
I'm just
gonna leave.
Hmm, so soon?
It's fucking
bizarre, don.
Please tell me
what you're doing here.
Well, she didn't ask.
Oh, please, spare me the
cryptic fucking bullshit.
This is supposed to be a
professional relationship.
I'm not your babysitter and
i'm definitely not your fan.
Well, since you
put it that way,
Maybe you shouldn't
be my agent.
Really? S that what this is about?
Do you want me
to cut you loose,
Tear up your contract?
'Cause we can do that.
I definitely don't need
to track my writers down
At the edge of skid row
in some fucking crack den
In the middle
of the night.
I know you're
a fucking great writer.
But there's a line
of good writers
That stretch
from here to torrance
That would kill
to fill your shoes.
Think they're any good?
You know i can
throw a stone
And hit
a good writer here.
What about a killer?
What?
A killer. Could you
find a great killer?
I can find anything
i need.
And when i do,
rest assured
There's always someone
or something better
Just around the corner,
ready to fill their shoes.
Hmm. You're
probably right.
But, you know,
right now,
I'm about the best
you'll find anywhere.
Really? Ell, the proof's
in the pudding, don,
And you haven't written a
thing in two fucking years.
Look in the bathroom.
What?
Look in the bathroom.
Why?
It's my latest work.
Yeah? Ou want me to flush it for you?
My work is in
the bathroom, ava.
Don, if it's
a shit joke...
you and i are done,
okay?
Absolutely
fucking ridiculous.
Stanley.
Don, what the fuck
is this?
Told ya.
My newest creation.
More performance art
than narrative, really.
All right-
But there is a story,
If you're paying
attention.
I am paying attention.
I got it.
It's an intro.
Stanley, what the fuck
are you doing
Down here
in this part of town?
I've never seen a guy
in your position
Go this far for a gag.
All right, fine.
I'm intrigued.
Do you have
a script?
In the refrigerator.
Oh. You guys
are too much.
Good job, stanley.
I'll tell you, this
is a fucking first.
All right,
where is it?
Right here.
Of course it is.
Okay.
What?
I get the joke.
The joke's over.
It's not funny
anyway.
What is this?
Uh, open it.
What do you think?
What the fuck is it?
It's glissberg's
appendix.
Are you guys kidding? I mean,
really, it's a fucking joke?
Does it look
like i'm kidding?
You wanted to see
what i'm up to.
Here it is.
Hope you like it.
You ain't seen
nothin' yet.
Okay, let me
get this straight.
Black market
body parts,
Stolen organs,
a man in a tub.
Retelling of
burke & hare?
We can do this, as long
as you stay in the present.
Contemporary
is where it's at.
If we do a period
piece, i can't sell it,
I can't pitch it.
Nobody wants that,
Especially not from you
on this comeback thing.
So is that
where we're going?
If you insist.
All right.
It's good, don. It's
pretty fucking good.
I like
the scenery-
Shitty, seedy
hotel thing.
I like it. It can
attract names.
Yeah.
What do you think,
asshole?
Oh. Mumbling.
Well, you know,
that died with brando.
But you're not bad at
this whole acting thing.
I can get you,
you know, classes,
Get you
maybe a discount...
for your new calling.
aren't you freezing?
Awesome. Okay.
It'll be really
bad for business
If the head of
your studio dies
While acting out a
scene from your script.
Isn't any press
good press?
Yes, it is.
But any funding is
not easy to come by,
Especially when you
haven't had a screen credit
In two years.
Be smart
about this, don.
You have one of hollywood's
most powerful men
Buried up to
his neck in ice
In a crack den on skid row at 2:00 a. M.
It's not smart.
Take him out of there,
dry him off,
Get him warm, make sure
he's at the office tomorrow.
We'll seen the deal.
I'm already sold.
Get him to sign
the deal,
And then we can discuss
why you went behind my back
After my percentage
is in the bag.
If you insist.
I do insist.
Now, please...
can i have
the screenplay?
Come back tomorrow.
Fuck you, don.
I'm still fine-Tuning.
When?
Tomorrow?
What time? No, 8:00.
And don't pull my dick.
I'm not going back down here
To see another
fucking stage play.
I'll take
any draft you have,
But i'm not leaving
empty-Handed.
Stanley,
i'm leaving.
Just don't die
before tomorrow.
Oh, you don't look
so good.
Can you hear me?
Do you feel anything?!
you're not...
gonna get away
with this.
I already have,
you son of a bitch.
Fuck... you.
I'd be real careful
what you say to me,
You rotten prick.
I can pick you apart
for weeks
And keep you awake for
every second of it.
Let's see what
we can remove today.
Don't...
kill me.
What?
I don't want...
to die.
Don't worry, stanley.
You're not gonna die.
Not for a long time.
Bartender, can i have
a shot, please?
Vodka.
Hello, how are you?
I'm fucking loving
your ponytail, man.
Didn't that go out
in, like, 1978
On a thursday afternoon
or something?
Yeah, that's what
i thought.
God bless you.
My new album's
coming out, man.
Please buy it, listen to it and love it.
Yeah?
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Yeah?
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Hello. Yeah, you.
Drinkin' the beer
all alone.
You see really deep
in thought, man.
Want to come over, sit
down and have a little chat?
Hey, come on over. Let me
buy you a drink, will ya?
I'm not trying to
annoy you, but come on.
All alone.
I'm a lone.
All right, don't.
Cheers.
ou have
something for me?
Beer?
Script.
Come in.
Where's it at, don?
Mm. I need your opinion
on something first.
No, no, we're not
doing that.
Put a script
in my hand,
And then
we can talk.
We can talk about
whatever the fuck you want.
Hmm.
Where is it?
Um...
it's still
at the printers.
What printers?
I'll go pick it up.
Around the corner. There's
nothing around the corner.
What's it called?
Uh, i forgot.
Jesus, don.
You're gonna have
to find someone else
To represent you.
Hmm. That's what
you want?
Obviously that's
not what i want.
I came down here
again, alone.
You think this is
fucking fun?
It looks like night of
the living dead out there.
It's because
i believe in you
And i believe that
you put out good shit.
But you're dicking me
around here
And making me look
like an asshole, don,
Playing
these fucking games.
Oh, and by the way, i
called stanley's office today
To get the deal done and all
that shit, and he wasn't there.
Why? Aybe you killed him.
Your little game fucking
might've killed somebody.
I didn't kill him.
How do you know?
You talk to him?
We spoke today.
What'd he say?
Hmm. Well, he's tough
to understand sometimes.
Right.
Please just put
a script in my hand
So i can go home.
Oh! Ell, would you look at that?
Well, i guess i have
some explaining to-
Aah! Jeez! Aah!
What the fuck
did you do?!
Oh, my god!
Jesus christ!
Calm down!
I can't fucking calm down.
Sit down and i'll
explain everything.
Is this fucking
for real, don?
Don't worry. I'm not
gonna do anything to you.
Goddamn, this shit burns!
What did you do to him?
Fuck him! Ou don't like
him any more than i do.
What the fuck does that
have to do with anything?
Well, you don't have
to be so upset, for one.
Upset?! Don, what the fuck
did you do?!
I did to him
Exactly what
he did to me.
I'm tearing him apart,
piece by piece.
You gonna call the police?
Look, ava, nobody knows
that he's here,
And no one has to know.
Are you gonna kill him?
Yes!
We can't stay in here.
It needs to air out.
Here.
What?!
Hey, spitz.
It's don.
Hold on!
God damn it.
Shit!
How you doing?
What do you want?!
I need a favor.
What kind of favor?
A big one.
Can you help me out?
Well, it might help if you didn't
show up to beg empty-Handed.
Where's your
fuckin' decorum?
Right. Um...
what are you drinking?
Well, bring it in!
Ohh.
Here, take
the fuckin' thing!
How the hell long are
you gonna have it again?
Uh, i'm not sure.
A couple hours.
Couple of hours? Take
it as long as you want.
I don't care.
All right, spitz.
Thanks a lot.
Go fuck yourself.
Hey, shut
the fuckin' door!
Faggot.
It's time go back
to work,
You fat fuck.
Hey, it's ava.
No. Heard what?
Is he alive?
Jesus christ.
What hospital is he at?
Fuck, that's insane.
Oh, my god.
Um, all right.
I'm not gonna come in.
Just take messages for me.
And, um... yeah,
i gotta make calls.
All right.
Fuck.
Who is it?
t's me.
Ava?
Open the door, don.
Are you alone?
In the universe?
They found stanley outside
the studio this morning.
Oh, my god.
You're kidding.
Your idea of a joke?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
He's in intensive care.
He's alive.
They don't know the
extent of the injuries yet.
What do you think
happened?
Are you fucking nuts?
Take off your shirt.
What? Ou think i'm wired?
Why would i
think that?
Cut the shit, don.
Take off your shirt.
Satisfied?
Ood?
Why'd you come
back here, ava?
I don't know. You
kidnapped stanley glissberg,
Turned him into
a game of operation,
And then dropped him off
at the studio's doorstep.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I haven't talked
to anyone.
You're giving me
an intro, aren't you?
Oh, damn it.
I didn't think
you'd come back.
Neither did i.
Why did you?
I don't know.
Peter called
an hour ago,
Said they found stanley
at the bus stop.
Security didn't even
recognize him.
It took
an assistant to.
He was like
a fucking zombie.
Then the medics came
and took him away.
That's classic.
What about
the cameras?
I used protection.
Don, he's still alive.
He can tell them
things.
I wouldn't worry
about that.
Even if he can't talk,
He can't point you out,
he can write your name.
He has motor functions.
Not anymore,
he doesn't.
Why? What did you do?
Just something
i've been reading up on.
Worked like a charm.
Anyway...
he won't be pointing
any more fingers.
He'll have
a tough enough time
Remember he has any.
Well, now what?
I'm gonna go back
to sleep.
I've been burning
both ends.
And then?
Well, then...
i got something else
i need to take care of.
Are you gonna
stay here?
Why all the questions?
I'm just saying i'd like
to know where to find you,
In case i need you.
After all, you're
still my client, right?
So... dissecting the head
of starlight studios
Hasn't hurt my career
after all.
That's yet to be
determined, don.
Do you have a script?
Yes. It just hasn't
been written.
Well, how about this?
You write the script,
Then you come and give
it to me when you're done.
That's why i'm here.
And that's what
i'm here for.
Hey, ava!
Yeah?
Don't be a stranger.
I won't.
Oh, jesus. Fuck.
Aah!
You owe me, remember?
What the hell happened?
It doesn't matter!
I'm cashing in.
Move!
What's going on,
spitz?
Fuckin' whore cut me!
Who cut you?
Go see for your
goddamn self!
You go to my room and
make that bitch disappear.
Make who disappear?
Some fuckin' cunt!
What do i care?
Jesus christ! You got
anything for this?
You need stitches.
I am not going to
the fuckin' hospital,
You fuckin' idiot.
Do you have any glue?
Krazy glue!
Nah, fuck it.
I got some.
Go to my room
and get it...
It's okay, it's okay.
It's okay!
I'm not gonna hurt you!
It's okay! 'M not gonna hurt you!
Listen to me.
Listen to me!
I'm getting you
out of here.
I'm getting you
out of here.
Who are you?
It doesn't matter.
You need
to get dressed.
I'm not leaving
till i get paid.
How much?
Did i kill a cripple?
No.
But i don't think
He's gonna make it
to morning.
Good.
Sick fucking bastard.
I hope he dies.
Are you
a betting girl?
yeah,
you like that?
Yeah, i know you
fuckin' do, you pig.
Yeah! Take it!
What the fuck
is this shit?
Oh, man. This is
complete shit.
Fucking cunt.
Well?
She's gone.
Gone?
Gone gone?
Or is she gonna come back
later with her nigger pimp
To finish
the fuckin' job?
I didn't kill her, if
that's what you're asking.
Yeah, that's what
i'm asking!
Fuck!
If i had
my fuckin' legs,
I'd have chopped the
bitch up in the bathtub
And let the trash men
get in the fuckin' morning.
But i settled.
'Cause i ain't half
the man i used to be.
Well, we need to do
something about that.
Yeah. Heh.
Where the hell
you goin'?
We are
stitching you up.
We?
Me.
You are gonna
sit still
And shut up.
Yeah.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What the hell
is all this shit?
You know...
you have
your hobbies,
I have mine.
Like stitching?
Among other things.
Whoa!
Ain't you got something
for the pain?
You're holding it.
Look, if we don't
close that up,
It's gonna get
infected.
Or you'll slip into a
coma from loss of blood.
It's your call.
Okay.
Fuck it.
All right, hold still.
No sudden moves.
Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah.
Ah, yeah.
Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh.
There.
There you are.
That-That ain't so bad.
Yeah, the first couple
are the worst.
Then your body will
start to numb itself.
I know.
So you, uh-
You probably save
a fortune
In fuckin'
medical bills. Ha!
Huh. You could
say that.
Yeah?
Hat's good.
'Cause i'm into the fuckin'
county for thousands, man,
With some of the shit
i've been through and into.
Oh! And then there's
the surgery
After the accident.
I'm in fuckin' debt
to the state
And they fuckin'
know it.
Oh, they tell you
what they're gonna do
And what you're
gonna owe,
And that's about
fuckin' it.
Military service...
ain't worth shit.
Fuck 'em.
And they never fuckin'
did anything anyway!
I'm never gonna get out
of this fuckin' chair,
And i have to pay
for the cocksucker!
All they wanted to do
was fuckin' keep me alive
So they could get
my goddamn money.
Commerce, right?
But... a man
has got to eat.
Hmm? Nd this man's got to drink.
And he's gotta have
entertainment.
Ah, i can't even
fuckin' do that.
They took it away
from me, too.
I can't get
a fuckin'-
All i can do
is eat pussy.
And i gotta
pay for that.
Did you tape
that girl, spitz?
What girl?
The one who did this.
Yeah.
Why?
Hmm...
i happened to see
some of it.
And i saw those tapes
under your bed
With all the girls'
names on them.
Why'd you go fuckin' around,
rootin' in my room?
You told me to look
for krazy glue.
Oh, yeah.
They all hookers?
What do you think?
I don't know.
I don't know, either.
All righty.
I'm gonna give you
a shot.
A shot of what?
Something to keep that
from getting infected.
I don't trust you
to take care of it.
Yeah, well,
fuck you, too.
Oh. Ha ha!
Now you're
taking me back.
Yeah, i used to-
I haven't rode the rails
in, like, seven years,
But, you know, i'd be
willing to get back on,
Just for a ride or two.
Just-Just-
Oh.
Somebody knows
what he's doing.
That's good, man.
All right.
That'll take effect
in a couple of minutes.
What effect is that?
Oh...
you'll, uh...
lose all muscle
function,
But remain totally
conscious,
Unable to move
or talk.
What-What do you mean?
I mean in a couple
of minutes,
You're gonna be
completely paralyzed.
You'll be aware of
everything happening to you,
But you won't be able
to do a thing about it.
Fuckin' comedian,
right?
Right?
You know...
just so you know, uh...
you really fuckin'
owed me, but...
our deal is square,
brother.
You saved my ass
tonight.
Right?
Mm-Hmm.
Yeah.
Hmm. All right.
Is she gone?
She's gone.
Yeah.
All right.
I'm gonna, uh...
go on back to,
uh, my room
And, uh-
Right.
Thanks, doc!
Thanks.
So how are things going
with sheldon gwynn?
I'm really amazed that
you were able to sign him.
How were you able
to do that?
We just talked to him.
You know, he was really
distrustful of the industry,
And we told him that we're not
about just collecting names,
Racking up numbers, that we
actually care about our talent,
That we want to get
great writers,
Showcase their work
to the world,
That kind of thing.
And he bought
that bullshit?
It's not bullshit.
It's the truth.
Have you sold him yet?
Uh, no, but we're
pretty close.
What are you
waiting for?
The right deal.
The right deal?
Why not strike
while the iron's hot?
Because i want to make sure our
talent gets what they're worth.
I thought you weren't
about the numbers, ava.
I'm not, but i'm not
a pushover, either.
I want to make sure they
get what they deserve.
What's going on
with don malek?
He's writing.
Any idea what?
Oh, i trust don.
And you think
he can come back?
Oh, i know he can.
He had promise,
i'll say that.
But two years
- That's a long time in this town.
If anybody deserves
a break, it's don malek.
If all writers
took a break
Whenever they felt
like they deserved one,
You and i would be brokering
mcmuffin deals at mcdonald's.
Wouldn't we?
Nurturing talent...
is about
nurturing them,
Not sucking every last drop
of blood from their body
And then moving on
to the next victim.
I like your style,
miss collins.
Ava, i wanted to be
the first one
To let you know this.
Jane schimmel wants
out of her contract.
She's coming with me.
Is that right?
Yes.
And why didn't she
tell me this?
Because i'm telling you.
Well, i'm telling you
to go fuck yourself.
Why do you have to be
so unprofessional?
Unprofessional? Ha ha!
I don't think you know
the definition.
You know what? I wanted to sit
down with you, as your friend,
And let you know
what's happening here.
I didn't have to.
I could've let it hit your
desk on monday in the trades,
But i didn't want that.
It's 'cause i wanted
to do the right thing.
Do the right thing?
Be my friend?
God, you're a pompous
fuckin' asshole.
you know, if that's the way you
want it, fine.
Ha! Jesus christ!
You are one smug
son of a bitch.
If you want jane,
take her.
Good luck with that.
You want a war
with me,
I highly advise
against it.
It's not war, ava.
It's just business.
So don't take it
personal.
Oh, i don't take
anything personally.
I'll let you know
when i do.
Thanks for
the cocktail.
Fucking cocksucker.
Thank you.
Well, hello.
How are you?
Fantastic.
You got a fine ass.
By the way,
i'm jasper.
Yeah!
It's me, open up.
What the hell
happened to you?
Nothin'. I feel great.
Who the hell
is this?
Ha ha ha ha!
A friend.
Do you always just sit
in silence like this?
Better than watching
the brain drain.
Maybe, but you're
missing a lot of press
On your friend.
Any leads?
No. I doubt it.
Unless he did
something stupid,
Like drive up showing
his license plates
Or left traces
of d. N.A.
Hmm. Stanley wasn't
my friend's type.
And i have it
on good authority
That he takes
the subway.
You didn't take him
on the subway.
Do you know how many
surveillance cameras are in there?
Little cameras
are watching us
Wherever we go now,
aren't they?
Orwellian babylon.
What's a boy to do?
Straighten up
and walk tall.
Don't be a loner.
don't keep to yourself.
Join the workforce.
Be an upstanding
citizen.
God-Fearing.
Have pure thoughts.
Are your thoughts pure?
Not even close.
Well, what are we
gonna do about that?
Haven't decided.
Do you know
carter ball?
From c. A.A.?
Yeah.
Yeah, i met with him
a couple of times
Before i signed
with you. Why?
He's a piece of shit.
Problems?
He's stealing
my clients-
Namely
jane schimmel.
Got her convinced that
her career took a shit
Because of bad
representation,
Not her $400-A-Day
drug habit.
Got in her ear, told her
what she wanted to hear.
Doesn't matter.
It's his problem now.
He asked me about you.
Hmm. Yeah?
Yeah.
Hmm. Well,
i couldn't care less.
I don't play
that game anymore.
He does.
Well, good for him.
What would you do
if he, um...
sought you out?
If he finds me here,
I'll be suitably
impressed.
What if, say, he...
found you here...
looking
to talk to you?
Now, how would he
find that out?
I don't know. Maybe...
a little bird
would tell him.
I already told you,
i'm not for hire.
And i'm not hiring.
I just was wondering
what you would do
If someone
like carter ball
Just happened
to show up.
The more pressing
question is...
what would you like
to see happen?
Bartender, can i have
a shot, please? Vodka.
How are you? You know
my friend spitz?
He was in a wheelchair.
You can't mistake him.
He's been gone
for a little bit,
And i'm getting
a creepy vibe from you.
You want to
have a seat?
I'll take that
as a no.
All right,
all right.
Cheers to you
being mute.
Hmm, you know...
i just thought
about something.
I saw you wearing, like,
a mask or something.
Something on
your face, a mask.
And you were-
It is you.
I know i'm pretty pissed
out of my head right now,
But it has
to be you, yeah?
You really don't
talk at all, do you?
Kind of a rebel with
a cause, aren't you?
All right, all right.
I won't say
a word to you.
Hey, do you like
my piece?
Nice, huh? Yeah.
Silence is golden,
isn't it?
Well,
here's to silence.
Cheers for me.
A toast?
Okay. Here's to
your silence, man.
Here's to
your silence.
It's like
the wizard of oz.
Hocus-Pocus.
Fucking suspicious.
Something weird.
Still jacked, gonna crash,
And nobody knows.
Who cares? Ou're in a bar?
They're all drunk hoes!
What the fuck?! No!
Is that me or you?
I don't know.
It's yours.
Your timing couldn't be
any better today.
I got a meeting
in an hour,
And it's a big one.
I know.
Fuck, i have an appointment later, too.
Yeah?
Ho is it?
Oh, come on. You know nothing
leaves this room, right?
Right.
So who is it?
Do you know don malek?
I do.
I almost signed up
when he first started.
How long have you
been seeing him?
Couple of months.
He's a nice guy.
I'm surprised he's not
a gazillionaire
By the way
that he works.
His place
is creepy.
Why, where is it?
Silver lake?
Skid row. He rents
fuckin' weekly.
Skid row?
Does he have a habit?
Yeah, writing. I've never
seen anyone like he does.
He sits around on
a bunch of unsold shit.
He likes the ambience
down there.
Really?
What's the name
of this place?
The new terminal hotel.
New terminal hotel.
Well...
delightful as always,
rebecca.
Hey, baby.
I'm good.
It was real chill.
Yeah, i gave him
the info.
No, he didn't suspect
a thing.
All right. Bye.
There he is!
Ou!
Caught holding
the bag here.
What do you know
about this?!
I don't know what you're
talking about, mr. Diangelo.
You know what
i'm talking about.
Scumbag.
This guy knows something.
How goes it today,
partner?
Fine.
Mr. Diangelo, step in here
with the officers.
He's a fuckin' perv!
Get going.
He did it! I'll bet!
Quiet, now.
Is spitz okay?
You guys hang out?
No.
We don't hang out, but
i see him all the time.
yeah, he sees him!
I seen him pushing him around!
Heh.
You push him around?
You mean, like,
wheel him?
Yeah, whenever he needs
a hand and i'm around.
He's in a wheelchair?
Mm-Hmm.
Find me a wheelchair
in there, okay?
If it's not there,
it's gotta be someplace.
Unless, of course,
what we have here
Is a chair-Jacking.
Is spitz okay?
No. He's dead.
Trash man had a hell of
a surprise this morning.
Spilled your buddy's parts
all over the back alley.
Must have been ripening
in the dumpster
For several hours,
looks like.
Oh, my god.
What's your name?
Don malek.
Malek.
M- A-L-E-C?
"K".
"K".
How long have you
lived here?
Uh, a couple
of months.
When's the last time you
saw spitz, if you recall?
Uh... a couple
of days ago?
Did you see or hear
anything strange lately?
I mean, anyone suspicious
catch your eye?
Anything odd?
Heh heh.
Well, odd things
happen here
Just about every day,
so, uh...
No. Not any one thing
in particular
That i can
think of, no.
Mind if my officers get
your contact information?
No.
Good.
I might want to talk to you
again sometime, mr. Malek,
Or maybe not.
Is that okay with you? Sure.
And, since we
have talked,
If you would suddenly
check out or disappear,
It might seem a little
suspicious, right?
I mean, i might
have to put you
High on the top
of my priority list
If something
like that happened.
Well, if my neighbors
are turning up in pieces,
Is it okay for me
to stay here?
Good point.
Well, we'll see.
In the meantime,
keep your eyes open,
And give me a call if you
want to talk about anything,
Anything at all.
Somebody's been
working out!
Finding out
what room you were in
Was really interesting.
All i did was drop your
name at the front desk
And the whole guy
down there is, like,
"He did it. It was him. "
Anything going on
i should know about?
Um... ahem.
My neighbor was
murdered last night.
My god. Wow.
Don, if you don't
mind me asking,
What the hell are you
doing here, man?
I like the ambience.
Yeah, that's
what i hear.
But people are
getting married.
And did you hear
about stanley?
Yeah, ava told me.
Crazy, huh?
I've said it before-
If anybody had enemies,
It was stanley glissberg.
I wonder if it was
a tryst gone bad.
You know, stanley used
so many people.
He traded promises for sex
and he broke them all.
So it's not hard
to imagine him
Burning
the wrong person.
And what about that dunlap girl
fiasco a couple of years back?
The wannabe actress.
Talk about bad mojo.
God. Ohh.
Anybody could've come
out of the woodwork
To collect on that one.
And let's face it
- He killed that girl, and we all know it.
I mean, you kill a chick
in the real world,
You go to prison.
Kill a chick
in hollywood, well...
you pay your $200 fine
at window number 4.
They don't prosecute
guys like stanley.
Anyways,
nobody in this town
Is losing sleep
over stanley glissberg.
That's part of his legacy
that won't make it
Into the television
retrospective at year's end.
And those of us
who knew the man
Knew what a prick
he was, right?
I am this character.
I know i can do it.
Mmm.
Of course you can.
You think i got it?
Heh.
What?
I don't think i've ever
seen you this excited.
Wait till i get
the phone call.
If i get
that phone call-
Ohh! Can't take the suspense.
You're this close,
whichever way it goes.
I don't want
to be that close.
I want the part.
Relax.
We'll find out
tomorrow.
It's my third callback.
Is that good or bad?
Well, the other option
being no callbacks,
It's good.
But it also means
you have some competition.
Fuck her.
I wonder who it is.
I believe
you got the part.
So...
grapevine tells me you've
been writing like a fiend.
Is that true?
You could say that.
Anything you'd
like to share?
How are things going
with ava, by the way?
In what regard?
Are you happy?
Is that why
you're here?
Listen, let me
cut to the chase.
I do want
to represent you.
Say the word, and i'll
buy out your contract.
My agency's had
a banner year,
And our purse strings
are loose, don.
I want to put you back up
on top where you belong.
You write, i want
to know about it.
You have a draft,
i want to option it, okay?
Your current situation
Doesn't seem particularly
fruitful, anyways.
And, no offense to ava,
But don needs
to take care of don.
You want to
read something?
Oh, i'd love to.
I gotta stop by
the printers.
Can you come back
tomorrow?
Yeah. What time?
8:00?
Is it safe?
Not particularly.
Then you're on.
I believe we can do
great things together.
We'll see.
Want another drink?
You really kill
the cripple?
He's dead.
How'd you do it?
Long story.
Heh. You're weird.
Hmm.
You don't look like
you belong here.
What do you do?
Hmm.
I don't know anymore.
Well, what do you do
to make money?
I sell cars.
Bullshit.
What do you really do?
don!
Heh.
Hold on!
It's my agent.
Excuse you.
Excuse me?
That's what i said,
bitch.
We need to talk.
About what?
That's the company
you keep?
Yeah.
Where is everything?
Uh...
it's, uh-
I'm closed
for business.
Not closed
for all business.
Did i interrupt?
Just in time.
We were
about to bond.
God forbid.
How are you?
If i didn't
know better,
I'd think that was
genuine concern, ava.
Where's my script?
Same place it was
yesterday.
You know, funny-
Carter ball wanted
to read it, too.
Ah, so he is trying
to snipe my clients.
You told him
where i was.
No, i didn't. /
Our mutual friend did.
Exactly how many
people know i'm here?
Exactly...
three.
You...
carter ball, um-
Who's the third?
It's confidential.
What is she, an escort?
What would make you
think that?
What possible other confidential
link between you and ball
Between you and ball
could there be?
So he was here?
This afternoon.
I don't suppose he's sitting
at a bus stop right now.
Is that what you want?
I want a lot of things.
What'd you talk about?
I'm sure you have
a pretty good idea.
Look...
i can't say that i
didn't see it coming,
But, uh, i'm not
particularly happy
About these people
knowing i'm here, ava.
I want you
to forget about me.
So what are you gonna
do for a living?
Hmm, i'll make it.
This business isn't
for me anymore.
I'm only contemplating
where to go from here.
No script?
You have a remarkable
one-Track mind.
You know that?
It's job territory.
And you do it well.
You deserve people
who want to be here.
That's not me anymore.
I still think you have
a hell of a story to tell.
And with your style-
I mean, don't you want to take
a shot at your masterpiece?
Most writers are lucky
if they get one shot.
It's from your passion.
And this-
It's quintessential.
You've reached
the fringes of...
existence.
It's a razor
blade's edge.
Channel it with
your words onto paper
And give it to me.
"You can throw a stone
and hit a great writer. "
I want your story.
Well, you can't
win them all.
I know about
katherin, don.
Who?
Katherin dunlap-
The girl stanley was
exonerated of murdering
A few years ago.
I know she was
your girlfriend,
That you guys
were engaged.
I'm sorry.
Don, i know.
She was
an aspiring actress
Working in
a coffee shop.
She served
the right person,
And before she knew
what hit her,
She was auditioning
for the lead
In a starlight
production.
She caught the eye
of stanley.
Stanley pulled that
shit he always pulls.
Invites her back
to the house...
for a callback.
She shows up high
on something.
He dismisses her,
but she won't leave.
She's aggressive,
borderline-Psychotic.
She knows she's
blown her chance.
She won't accept it.
He calls security,
but before he knew it,
She throws herself off
the second-Floor balcony
Into the foyer...
to her death.
That's all just minutes
before security got there.
Only you and i know...
that's not
what happened.
I know that's why
you did it, don.
That's why i haven't
gone to the police.
I know the bastard
got what he deserves.
Maybe you
should write.
You've got quite an
imagination, you know that?
What happens?
He's dead,
she's avenged.
But you had to stop
somebody else.
Somebody else
got in your way.
You know, if you just
took care of this one...
teeny little problem,
Things could be a lot
better for both of us.
By "little problem",
Are you talking
about carter ball?
What's in a name?
I already told you,
i'm not for hire.
So work on spec.
Like i said, i haven't
gone to the police,
And i don't want to.
But if you leave me
no other choice,
It's, uh, not the end
of the world.
No, that happened
a long time ago.
Let's work together.
What makes you so sure
you're gonna walk out of here?
A third party
knows where i'm at.
If, for some reason,
i disappear,
This was my last-Known
destination.
I know i'm talking
to a murderer.
But you're
a strangely noble one.
Now, this redefines our
professional relationship.
Change is necessary
In the life of a successful
business venture.
Carter ball is gonna be paying
me another visit tomorrow night.
Wow. How convenient.
Care to join us?
Nah. Plans.
I insist.
Are you sure you're
in any position
To make demands?
You want someone dead,
But you want to keep
your distance?
I'm not a hit man!
I think
you're missing out.
You want
to be partners?
You gotta get
your hands dirty.
I'll spin the web,
But you're
the black widow.
Take it or leave it.
What time?
Don malek,
good evening.
Detective turkovich.
Looks like
you just woke up.
Ohh. Actually, i was
just going to bed.
Good, i'm glad
i caught you.
Mind if i have
a quick word with you?
I told you
this might happen.
Minimal.
The way i like it.
How come?
No reason.
I've got everything
i need.
You're a writer.
Mm-Hmm.
You wrote
some of those...
stanley glissberg
productions, didn't you?
Yeah.
How do you feel about
what happened over there?
Hmm. Whew.
Tragedy.
Yeah, i'll say.
Hey, hope you don't
mind me asking-
Why am i staying here
On a screenwriter's
salary?
Just wondering.
Well, actually, i'm
working on a new story,
And, uh...
the ambience
is perfect.
Hmm. Ambience.
It helps me to write.
Going somewhere?
No.
What's in the boxes?
oh, yeah.
Things. Um, there's
no storage space.
No storage?
Stanley glissberg ever
come up here and see you?
no way.
This, uh, really wasn't
stanley's kind of place.
He wasn't
up here once?
Uh-Uh.
The reason
i ask was, um...
i recently saw the
security camera footage,
And what surfaced was
you walking up in here
With stanley glissberg...
on the night
of the 14th.
Does that jog
your memory?
Oh! Yeah, yeah, yeah!
That's right.
I remember.
What do you remember?
He did come here,
but...
he didn't normally.
So he was here.
Yes.
It just slipped your
mind. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Ha ha ha!
Hh.
Whew! It's been
a rough couple of days.
That's understandable.
You wouldn't
happen to remember
How long he stayed,
would you?
Hmm. A few minutes.
A few minutes? 'Cause
the tape doesn't show him
Ever leaving
the hotel.
I didn't walk him out.
He could've gone...
out the back door.
And why would he
do that?
That's where
he parked his car.
Then why not come in
from the back?
It's exit-Only.
You can only get back in
with a master key.
Why park in the back?
Stanley was, uh,
Real paranoid
about his car.
And, you know, there's almost
always some sketchy people
Hanging out in front
at night.
Was there a sketchy bunch
that night?
Mm-Hmm.
Anyone you knew?
Um... not by name.
Would you
recognize them.
Some of them.
Gang-Affiliated?
I wouldn't know.
Did glissberg and spitz
ever meet?
No.
'Cause you said
That you didn't walk
glissberg out that night
And he had to navigate
the building by himself,
Only if to get his car.
I wonder if glissberg and spitz
ran into each other that night.
I guess it's possible,
but, uh...
i can't imagine what they
would have to say to each other.
The reason i say this is, the
hotel now figures prominently
In both of these
men's deaths.
We know spitz died
on the premises.
And now, after
viewing the tape,
This was the last
location known
That stanley glissberg
was seen alive.
And you hung out
with both of them.
Again, i wouldn't
say necessarily
That i hung out
with them.
Why did glissberg
come see you that night?
He wanted some blow,
and i had some.
Cocaine.
You a dealer?
Mm-Mm.
Addict?
No.
Recreational?
Yeah.
Oh. Where do you
get your stuff.
Outside.
Pick a corner.
Steady supplier?
No, no. I don't do
that much.
No bad debt?
No.
Well, listen, you know,
There is one more
strong link
Between these two murders,
mr. Malek.
What's that?
Both these men-
Glissberg and spitz-
Had recently-Stitched
wounds on their bodies,
Laced by the same style
In the exact same
sutured thread,
Which would lead
anyone to believe
That both of these men
met their fate
By the same hand.
Well, you'd know better
than me, detective.
And right now, the only
common link i have
Between these
two murders...
is you.
Wastebasket?
Uh, in the bathroom.
Be right back.
Aaah!
Hey, knock, knock,
buddy.
It's carter.
You're unlocked
out here.
I didn't mean to catch you
with your pants down, dude.
Let's do this.
Stop it!
Aah!
Somebody help!