I have decided to cut a lot of the stuff with Perry, including all the stuff with Sofia. I like it, but this new direction is taking it away from that kind of movie. I need to make Perry a more suspicious character. I need all the suspicious characters I can find. Dino, Martin, Perry and now Saul will all be clearly capable of stealing Sam’s money.

I think this opening is working better. I want to know what’s going on with Sam. The woman is freaking me out a little and I want to know what Sam’s involvement is with her.

(pages 16-22)
INT. SAM’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS

Sam wakes up gasping for air and clutching his throat. His breathing
rate has quickened as he continues to suck in air. He looks around the room.

The phone rings, startling him.

Sam lets it ring several seconds before he answers.

SAM
Hello?

VOICE (PHONE/OVER)
Where the fuck is my money?

SAM
What? Who is this?

VOICE (PHONE/OVER)
You know who the fuck this is! Where is my fucking money?

SAM
What time is it?

Sam looks at the clock. It says 3:18.

VOICE (PHONE/OVER)
It’s time for you to pay me my fucking money!

SAM
Couldn’t this wait until tomorrow morning?

VOICE (PHONE/OVER)
Don’t fuck with me. Do I need to send someone over?

SAM
No, that isn’t necessary. I’ll bring your money.

CUT TO:

EXT. SAM’S HOUSE – MORNING

The sun begins to rise through the trees. Birds are chirping, grass is moist and the streets are silent.

INT. SAM’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS

Sam stirs in his bed, groggy and hung over. He climbs out of bed and drags himself into the bathroom.

INT. SAM’S BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS

Sam turns on the water and rinses his face. He lifts his head to look into the mirror and the Woman is behind him again. He panics and puts his hands over his head to protect himself, much like a boxer does. As he does this, he quickly swivels to face her, falling backwards, and smashes his head into the mirror breaking it. He looks for her, but she’s gone.

SAM
(screaming)
FUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

EXT. SAM’S HOUSE – MORNING

Sam exits his house, carrying a briefcase, and descends the front stairs. He takes his keys and hits the unlock button on his car. Then he remembers it isn’t there.

SAM
Shit.

Moments later, a taxi cab pulls up. Sam, sitting on the steps, gets up and walks over and climbs in.

INT. TAXI

The CAB DRIVER is a young white guy, 26.

Sam is leaning back with his eyes closed.

The Cab Driver looks in the mirror and sees Sam is looking a little rough.

CAB DRIVER
Rough night, huh?

Without opening his eyes, Sam replies.

SAM
Uh, yeah, rough night.

CAB DRIVER
Smart man, taking the taxi last night. No need to get a DUI. A cab ride is much cheaper.

SAM
Mmmmhmmm.

CAB DRIVER
I can’t believe people still drink and drive. I read about a DUI accident every day in the paper. You’d think people would use better judgement. Especially since the laws are so much stricter now. A DUI can really ruin your life.

SAM
Hey, look buddy, I just…

Sam opens his eyes. The Woman is sitting in the front seat of the Taxi looking back at Sam. Sam is frozen for a moment.

CAB DRIVER
Yeah?

SAM
(to the woman)
What do you want from me?

She doesn’t answer. She just stares at Sam.

CAB DRIVER
Uh, nothing.

Sam clutches the chain gate that separates the front and back seat of the taxi.

SAM
(to the woman)
Say something! What do you want? Please tell me what you want.

CAB DRIVER
Look, mister, I don’t know what you want. I don’t want anything.

SAM
(to the woman)
Say something, damn it!

Sam closes his eyes and slouches his head down. He’s gripping the cage so fiercely his knuckles are white.

SAM
(to the woman)
Please tell me what you want.

The Cab Driver looks back and realizes he’s talking to someone else.

The Driver parks the car.

CAB DRIVER
We’re here.

Sam looks up and the Woman is gone. He realizes he must look like an ass to the Cab Driver so he tries to compose himself by straightening his coat and tie.

Sam pulls out his wallet to pay. It’s empty.

SAM
Shit.

CUT TO:

INT. BANK – MORNING

Not the typical bank you go into. This one is set up up for the special interests of clients. It is more of a collection of offices with people who specialize in different banking needs.

Sam, still holding the briefcase, walks up to a room inside a bank. The title card on the door reads JEREMY FRANKLIN / WEALTH MANAGEMENT.

The office is sterile with generic motivational posters on the wall.

There’s a desk, monitor, photos of the family and some cabinets hung on the wall above the desk.

JEREMY FRANKLIN, 45, black guy in a nice suit is sitting behind the desk.

JEREMY
Mr. Goldstein.

Jeremy stands and extends his hand.

JEREMY
How are you doing today?

Sam shakes his hand.

SAM
I’m okay. You got the money ready?

JEREMY
Yes, sir. Have a seat.

They both sit down.

JEREMY
I know we’ve discussed this before, but I must again strongly advise against closing out these accounts.

Sam shakes his head in understanding. 

JEREMY
You’re taking massive losses on this money for taking it out early. You’re not at retirem…

SAM
(interrupting)
Mr. Franklin…

JEREMY
(interrupting)
Please call me Jeremy.

SAM
Jeremy, I wouldn’t take this money out if there wasn’t a reason to.

JEREMY
Isn’t there any other way to raise the money you need?
The Woman is sitting next to Sam. Sam is ignoring her.

SAM
I already have two mortgages on the house. Two other loans out there. This really is the only option.

WOMAN
So disappointing.

JEREMY
I see.

WOMAN
All that hard work and nothing to show for it.

SAM
So now you speak?

JEREMY
Excuse me?

SAM
Nothing. Sorry.

WOMAN
It serves you right.

JEREMY
I just need some signatures here and here and here.

Jeremy opens up a folder and points to where Sam needs to sign. Sam grabs the pen and starts signing.

WOMAN
People like you don’t deserve to have anything.

The Woman starts petting Sam’s head. Sam tries to pull away without being obvious to Jeremy.

SAM
I’m going to need cash, please.

JEREMY
Okay. I’m not sure if we have that much in the vault, but I can certainly go find out.

SAM
Put it in here please.

The Woman pulls Sam’s face towards her and is inches away from him.

WOMAN
MURDERERS don’t deserve to have anything.

SAM
I didn’t…

A tear descends Sam’s eye.

JEREMY
Excuse me?

SAM
Nothing.

JEREMY
I’ll be right back.

Jeremy grabs the check and exits.

The Woman is gone.

Sam begins to silently weep.

CUT TO: