THE PERFECT LIE
written by Andrew Watson
EXT. THE CITY SKYLINE - NIGHT
The city has an ambient, relaxed look to it. This is the city as we know it in the middle of the night.
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INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
A young man, JASON, lies still, facedown, on an expensive-looking silk duvet and mattress set. The curtains are open, the wind blowing onto JASON's face from the swinging windows. The quiet, calm nature of the room is quickly changed by the sound of the phone. JASON gradually begins to rise from his motionless state on the bed. He stumbles towards the phone, situated on the left side of the bed, overlooking the windows. JASON grabs the receiver and slumps down on the edge of the bed.
JASON
...Hello?
DRIVER
Mr Vaughn?...This is your morning wake-up call sir.
JASON
...Morning...
(he yawns and glances at the clock)
...Come on, its 3.30.
DRIVER
Welcome to the movies.
JASON
Yeah...the rough side...give me ten.
(he puts down the phone)
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EXT. JASON'S HOUSE - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER
A long, black car is waiting outside. JASON walks over to the car, visibly checking it out, before entering cautiously.
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INT. THE CAR
The car leaves and JASON looks around, clearly new to the whole idea of being chauffeured around. As his gaze moves from the car's interior to its mirror, he locks eyes with that of the driver's, who quickly diverts his own gaze towards the road in front of him.
JASON
Evening.
The driver stays silent.
Nice night huh?
Pause.
Don't get to see this side 'the city much...any idea where we're going?
DRIVER
(shakes his head)
JASON
(nodding head)
Just the driver...all 'bout the money...Friday Night...3.30...fuck.
(he takes some peanuts from the seat in front of him and proceeds to eat them)
Know what time we wrapped?
The driver stares at the mirror blankly.
Nine... should have read the terms...greedy
(he laughs)
They pay you to play dead? Can you talk?
The driver lets out a rare smile.
DRIVER
Only when I want to.
JASON
That's more like it...What's your name?
DRIVER
Rupert.
JASON
(he takes out a cigarette)
You mind if I smoke...Rupert?
RUPERT
I won't tell...
JASON
Who?
RUPERT
The wife.
JASON
Your good. You married?
RUPERT
Four years.
JASON
Two more than me. How's it feel?
They both laugh.
Tell you what...I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, okay? We all have our problems...
RUPERT
You mean...
JASON
...Couple nights ago...me and this girl...
RUPERT
Jessica...
JASON
...Right the other lead...She comes up to me...looking pretty hot...ballroom scene...black strapless dress...all good right? Says she feels a connection...I'm a nice guy...she's a nice girl...and we just clicked.
Pause.
RUPERT
You slept with her.
JASON
...Yeah.
RUPERT
(lets out a restrained laugh)
JASON
Haven't you ever been tempted?
RUPERT
Morals Mr Vaughn.
JASON
She'd kill you...
RUPERT
And there's that.
They laugh again.
JASON
...I wonder...
RUPERT
What would you be if you weren't an actor?
JASON
Psychiatrist...I don't know...maybe I'm the one that needs the help...How about you?
RUPERT
Professional killer.
JASON
Jesus! Man...Really? Guess the pay's gotta be good...To put a price on someone's life...don't know if I could do that...
RUPERT
You're getting five million to do this picture.
JASON
...You've got the look...
RUPERT
And I've got the gun.
(he pulls out a pistol)
JASON
...Shit!
RUPERT
Protection.
JASON
...Against? For what?
RUPERT
Your protection.
JASON
...We nearly there?
RUPERT
Its just up here...two big gates on the right.
JASON
(looking up the road)
Nice. Very...
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EXT. TWO BIG GATES
The car arrives outside the two gates.
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INT. THE CAR
JASON
Thanks for the lift.
RUPERT
...They asked me to give you this...
RUPERT slowly opens the glove compartment in front of him, as JASON watches anxiously from behind. As RUPERT turns around, JASON sits up straight, alert and attentive. RUPERT hands him a large pad of paper.
JASON
What's this?
RUPERT
The script...
JASON
Oh...just...they never normally give it to me till...
RUPERT
...think they had a feeling you'd be late...
...You gonna tell her?
JASON
What good would that do?
The driver's fists clench on the wheel.
Right...the night is calling...well...it was nice meeting you Rupert.
RUPERT
Have a good night sir.
JASON
(heading towards the car door)
You too.
JASON pulls the door handle but finds that it won't open.
You gonna let me out?
RUPERT
Hold on...
RUPERT turns round to try and correct the situation.
JASON
(stares at the front of the car blankly)
RUPERT rapidly turns round and shoots JASON in the head.
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EXT. THE CAR - SEVERAL SECONDS LATER
In the distance, a dark, female figure leisurely walks towards the car. As she arrives at it, she leans into the window on the right of the car.
WOMAN
He dead?
RUPERT
(turning round)
Looks like it.
WOMAN
He do it?
RUPERT
Mrs Vaughn...your husband's been a bad boy.
MRS VAUGHN
(handing him money)
Well done Mr Scott.
RUPERT
Keep it. Your husband's given me a break...besides...seems as though we'll be seeing more of each other.
MRS VAUGHN
Clever boy.
RUPERT
You free next week?
MRS VAUGHN
Looks like it...I'll be seeing you.
They kiss - kinda like in one of those old film noirs.
RUPERT
Goodnight Nicki.
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EXT. THE CAR
NICKI walks off into the distance, as RUPERT drives off into the city.
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INT. A HOUSE - NIGHT
The following week. NICKI is reading the newspaper. It reads:
Nicki Vaughn grieves for loss of movie star husband. Jason Vaughn will now be replaced by upcoming talent Rupert Scott in the motion picture "Nighthawks".
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NICKI smiles.
FADE TO:
Black.
2004. Copyright. Black Diesel Cinema. All Rights Reserved.