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The Protector #3

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Oct 29th, 2018
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  1. The Protector
  2.  
  3.  
  4. INT. CAR - DAY
  5.  
  6. SUPERIMPOSE: HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
  7.  
  8. DONOVAN "DON" PAULSEN, (30) cries in a Ford Mustang.
  9.  
  10. DON
  11. Jackie...
  12.  
  13. He looks in his glove box and pulls out a photo.
  14.  
  15. The photo is faded. Don sets it down on the dashboard.
  16.  
  17. ASHLEY "ASH" PAULSEN, (19) knocks on the window.
  18.  
  19. Don unlocks the door.
  20.  
  21. DON (CONT’D)
  22. (grumbling)
  23. Any memorable parting words from
  24. your dear mother? Maybe about your
  25. brother?
  26.  
  27. Ash places her hand on his shoulder.
  28.  
  29. ASH
  30. Dad, she wasn't the person we knew.
  31.  
  32. He looks down at the flask of whiskey in his lap. Don passes
  33. it to Ash.
  34.  
  35. She shakes it.
  36.  
  37. ASH (CONT’D)
  38. Still full. I'm genuinely
  39. surprised.
  40.  
  41. DON
  42. Some things I have to deal with
  43. without this. The sandbox isn't one
  44. of those. This is.
  45.  
  46. Don opens the glovebox. A 1911 sits in there with three
  47. magazines next to it. He takes it, flicks the safety on and
  48. puts in the back of his waistband.
  49.  
  50. ASH
  51. That's a new one. I'm being
  52. serious.
  53.  
  54. Don sits back and lowers the visor. He collects himself and
  55. takes a sigh. A sealed envelope falls out.
  56.  
  57. He opens it up.
  58.  
  59. DON
  60. Here's the new plan.
  61.  
  62. He passes the envelope to Ash.
  63.  
  64. ASH
  65. You sure about this?
  66.  
  67. DON
  68. I have to be.
  69.  
  70. He cranks the engine and drives.
  71.  
  72. The two sit as Don drives through the rainy streets of
  73. Hartford.
  74.  
  75. ASH
  76. Did you have a plan if this did
  77. happen?
  78.  
  79. Don shrugs.
  80.  
  81. DON
  82. I have one more card to play. That
  83. job in Phoenix line up for you?
  84.  
  85. She nods.
  86.  
  87. ASH
  88. Some Ford dealership, nothing too
  89. crazy.
  90.  
  91. Don nods at this.
  92.  
  93. DON
  94. It's best we get going. Jackie can
  95. keep my stuff.
  96.  
  97. ASH
  98. Everything?
  99.  
  100. DON
  101. Yeah. Ain't nothing there I can't
  102. replace.
  103.  
  104. The envelope reads, "Knight Pharmaceuticals".
  105.  
  106. Next to it, lies a folded job offer letter:
  107.  
  108. Wrench opens it.
  109.  
  110. Mr. Donovan Paulsen,
  111.  
  112. You applied on OperatorWorks.net today for an opportunity in
  113. private security with a pharmaceutical company, Knight
  114. Pharmaceuticals located in Phoenix, Arizona.
  115.  
  116. I wanted to reach out and schedule time to meet with you so
  117. we could speak further about this career opportunity. Are you
  118. available today or tomorrow sometime?
  119.  
  120. We would need to allow a few hours to make sure you know all
  121. the details of the opportunity and I can answer any questions
  122. you may have.
  123.  
  124. Please let me know what your schedule looks like so we can
  125. set something up.
  126.  
  127. Sincerely,
  128.  
  129. (Fancy signature here)
  130.  
  131. Kim Williams
  132.  
  133.  
  134. EXT. CITY - NIGHT
  135.  
  136. SUPERIMPOSE: FOUR DAYS LATER
  137.  
  138. The mustang passes a "City of Los Angeles" sign.
  139.  
  140.  
  141. INT. CAR - NIGHT
  142.  
  143. Don's eyes widen as he looks around.
  144.  
  145. ASH
  146. You never talked much about growing
  147. up.
  148.  
  149. Don takes a nervous breath as he leans back in his seat.
  150.  
  151. DON
  152. I never wanted to.
  153.  
  154. Ash looks at downtown as the car rises on an overpass.
  155.  
  156. ASH
  157. What's so bad about this city? It
  158. ain't Chicago-
  159.  
  160. DON
  161. Oh, it's probably about the same or
  162. worse.
  163.  
  164. Ash sits back in her seat.
  165.  
  166. ASH
  167. What are we here for again?
  168.  
  169. DON
  170. A lot of illegal shit that I
  171. probably should've gotten out
  172. sooner.
  173.  
  174. ASH
  175. That sounds pretty cool, how
  176. illegal we talking?
  177.  
  178. They get back on the main highway.
  179.  
  180. DON
  181. Like the, "If caught I will never
  182. see the outside ever again"
  183. illegal.
  184.  
  185. A box sits by the freeway.
  186.  
  187. DON (CONT’D)
  188. (muttering)
  189. ...Contact my 2 o'clock.
  190.  
  191. Don's eyes widen as he presses the gas.
  192.  
  193. The speedometer jumps from 60 to 80.
  194.  
  195. He passes the box.
  196.  
  197. ASH
  198. Dad?
  199.  
  200. Don takes a deep breath as he takes one of his hands off the
  201. wheel. He takes another breath.
  202.  
  203. DON
  204. Don't worry about it.
  205.  
  206. His grip on the steering wheel tightens as he drives forward.
  207.  
  208.  
  209. EXT. STORAGE OFFICE - NIGHT
  210.  
  211. The mustang pulls up. A U-Haul truck sits there.
  212.  
  213. ASH
  214. This doesn't look very illegal.
  215.  
  216. DON
  217. Wait here.
  218.  
  219. Don steps out. RICKY, (early-20s) stands there.
  220.  
  221. DON (CONT’D)
  222. Sorry about the wait, just got back
  223. from Connecticut, long road trip
  224. and all.
  225.  
  226. He pulls out two one hundred dollar bills and passes it to
  227. him.
  228.  
  229. DON (CONT’D)
  230. Everything good?
  231.  
  232. Ricky nods.
  233.  
  234. RICKY
  235. Everything's in working order, sir.
  236.  
  237. DON
  238. Good, thanks for the help man.
  239.  
  240. Don goes back to the Mustang and opens the door.
  241.  
  242. DON (CONT’D)
  243. Follow me in, we gotta load some
  244. things into the truck.
  245.  
  246. ASH
  247. Some?!
  248.  
  249. Don looks back at the truck.
  250.  
  251. DON
  252. Y-Yeah, something like that.
  253.  
  254. Don pulls up to a storage unit, stops and faces the back of
  255. the truck toward the door.
  256.  
  257. He turns off the truck, takes the key out, and walks over to
  258. the unit.
  259.  
  260. Ash parks the same way next to him.
  261.  
  262. ASH
  263. You been Tony Montana behind my
  264. back?
  265.  
  266. Don opens the door to the unit and turns on a light.
  267.  
  268.  
  269. INT. STORAGE UNIT - NIGHT
  270.  
  271. ASH
  272. Oh. That kind of illegal.
  273.  
  274. Gun crates from World War One to Desert Storm are stacked
  275. across the room. A Maxim gun's barrel sticks out of a half
  276. opened crate. Wooden and dark green padlocked crates are
  277. unorganized and sit across the room.
  278.  
  279. DON
  280. Christ. Ash, help me get this
  281. loaded.
  282.  
  283. Don goes to pop the trunk of his Mustang and looks at a piece
  284. of paper that reads "Gun trust". Don pulls the ramp from the
  285. truck.
  286.  
  287. The two start to load crates into the back of the truck.
  288.  
  289. ASH
  290. You had these the whole time? What
  291. else were you hiding?
  292.  
  293. Don grabs a dolly, places three crates on top of it that
  294. read, "M1 Thompson", "M1 Garand", and "Springfield M1903".
  295.  
  296. DON
  297. We're gonna be here a while.
  298.  
  299.  
  300. EXT. STORAGE UNIT - DAY
  301.  
  302. The two load one last crate into the truck that reads, "1919
  303. Browning".
  304.  
  305. The truck is full at this point.
  306.  
  307. Don closes the door to the back.
  308.  
  309. The two look exhausted and sleep deprived.
  310.  
  311. DON
  312. Let's get...
  313.  
  314. A figure stands there and smokes a cigarette.
  315.  
  316. DON (CONT’D)
  317. ...Shit...
  318.  
  319. MARCUS, (30) walks toward them. He wears a pair of jeans and
  320. a black T-shirt.
  321.  
  322. MARCUS
  323. I swear, I could've sworn.
  324.  
  325. He throws down his cigarette.
  326.  
  327. MARCUS (CONT’D)
  328. Ain't those illegal?
  329.  
  330. Don tries to make his way to the truck but finds himself
  331. blocked as Marcus stands in his way of the driver's side
  332. door.
  333.  
  334. MARCUS (CONT’D)
  335. All that NFA, huh?
  336.  
  337. Don looks into his eyes.
  338.  
  339. DON
  340. Have a nice day, buddy.
  341.  
  342. He tries to gently push past him. Marcus stands in his way.
  343.  
  344. MARCUS
  345. I'm assuming the divorce didn't hit
  346. you too well either.
  347.  
  348. DON
  349. Fuck off.
  350.  
  351. Don looks down, not making any eye contact with Marcus.
  352.  
  353. MARCUS
  354. Well, don't get mad at me. Your
  355. sister and I fairly close.
  356.  
  357. DON
  358. If you're banging her, I don't
  359. care.
  360.  
  361. Marcus gives a grin.
  362.  
  363. MARCUS
  364. Well I am. Call me Marcus.
  365.  
  366. Don looks at him and glares.
  367.  
  368. DON
  369. Fuck off, Marcus.
  370.  
  371. Marcus steps back from the truck as Don gets in and drives
  372. away.
  373.  
  374.  
  375. INT. DINER - DAY
  376.  
  377. The two sit in the diner as Don looks at the list.
  378.  
  379. With a pen, he checks the guns off the list.
  380.  
  381. DON
  382. (muttering)
  383. Ithaca model 37s, Browning Hi-
  384. Powers, 1911A1s...
  385.  
  386. Ash sits there and eats, curiously watching Don put check
  387. marks next to the guns on the list.
  388.  
  389. ASH
  390. Everything there?
  391.  
  392. DON
  393. Surprisingly.
  394.  
  395. He sets the list down and massages his eyes.
  396.  
  397. ASH
  398. Dad.
  399.  
  400. Don's hand rests on a coffee cup.
  401.  
  402. ASH (CONT’D)
  403. You never told mom about all this-
  404. Why?
  405.  
  406. She finishes her meal.
  407.  
  408. DON
  409. I've had a lot happen before you
  410. showed up.
  411.  
  412. She nods. He looks at her.
  413.  
  414. DON (CONT’D)
  415. You want more to eat? I got more
  416. money if need be.
  417.  
  418. Don reaches for his wallet. Wrench shakes her head.
  419.  
  420. ASH
  421. I'm good, thanks dad.
  422.  
  423. Don looks out at the truck. His eyes widen as a police
  424. cruiser passes it. He watches it for a moment.
  425.  
  426. The lights and sirens come on.
  427.  
  428. DON
  429. Oh shit.
  430.  
  431. He stands up-
  432.  
  433. The cruiser drives off.
  434.  
  435. Ash's eyes widen as well.
  436.  
  437. Don sits down and takes a sigh of relief.
  438.  
  439. DON (CONT’D)
  440. Jesus christ. You want to stay here
  441. or get going?
  442.  
  443. ASH
  444. Let's get going.
  445.  
  446. DON
  447. You good to drive? We can tow the
  448. Mustang.
  449.  
  450. She nods.
  451.  
  452. ASH
  453. Should be. We'll find a hotel in
  454. Phoenix, right?
  455.  
  456. Don nods as he checks his bank account.
  457.  
  458. He sees $10,350 still in checking.
  459.  
  460. $601,453 sits in savings.
  461.  
  462. DON
  463. We'll be alright.
  464.  
  465.  
  466. EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
  467.  
  468. A highway sign for Phoenix sits there.
  469.  
  470. The U-Haul truck and the Mustang pass it.
  471.  
  472.  
  473. INT. HOTEL LOBBY - NIGHT
  474.  
  475. Don wears a tan three day pack.
  476.  
  477. Ash carries a duffel bag.
  478.  
  479. Don walks over the receptionist up front and shoots a weak
  480. smile.
  481.  
  482. DON
  483. Howdy there- Uh, just two rooms,
  484. one person in each of 'em.
  485.  
  486. ASH
  487. Wait, what? Dad!
  488.  
  489. Don chuckles at Wrench.
  490.  
  491. DON
  492. I think you can handle yourself.
  493. Anyway.
  494.  
  495. He looks back at the receptionist.
  496.  
  497. IND RECEPTIONIST
  498. Alright sir, anything else?
  499.  
  500. He passes him his debit card.
  501.  
  502. DON
  503. I'll pay this in advance.
  504.  
  505. The receptionist takes the card from him.
  506.  
  507. Don smiles at Ash.
  508.  
  509.  
  510. INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
  511.  
  512. Don goes into the room and goes into the minibar.
  513.  
  514. He digs out some whiskey and downs some of it.
  515.  
  516. Don sits there. The offer letter still sits next to him.
  517.  
  518. He downs one small bottle after another.
  519.  
  520. FADE TO BLACK.
  521.  
  522.  
  523. INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY
  524.  
  525. Don lays in his bed, now in a pair of shorts and an old black
  526. Army T-shirt.
  527.  
  528. DON
  529. (sleeping)
  530. I love you Jacqueline Miller...
  531.  
  532. Next to him are mini bottles of whiskey.
  533.  
  534. A knock at the door.
  535.  
  536. ASH
  537. (muffled)
  538. Dad!
  539.  
  540. DON
  541. Oh, shit.
  542.  
  543. Don opens his eyes, feels his head, and stands up.
  544.  
  545. He hobbles over to the door and opens it.
  546.  
  547. Ash stands there in a pair of slacks, a button up, and a pair
  548. of slip ons.
  549.  
  550. Don holds a look of confusion.
  551.  
  552. DON (CONT’D)
  553. Jesus, this is something new in
  554. comparison to the tomboy shit I see
  555. you normally wear.
  556.  
  557. ASH
  558. Job interview. Alright if I take
  559. the car?
  560.  
  561. Don nods.
  562.  
  563. DON
  564. Speaking of, I gotta do that
  565. myself. Just uh- Call me, tell me
  566. how it goes.
  567.  
  568. Don motions her inside.
  569.  
  570. He walks over to the night stand next to all of the emptied
  571. out mini bottles of Jameson.
  572.  
  573. ASH
  574. You drinking because of mom?
  575.  
  576. Don shakes his head.
  577.  
  578. DON
  579. Old memories.
  580.  
  581. Ash nods.
  582.  
  583. Don passes her the Mustang keys.
  584.  
  585. DON (CONT’D)
  586. You somehow manage to find a party,
  587. invite me.
  588.  
  589. ASH
  590. I don't think they want an old
  591. fossil like you at a party, dad.
  592.  
  593. DON
  594. Doesn't hurt to try. Don't crash my
  595. car.
  596.  
  597. ASH
  598. Don't fuck traps.
  599.  
  600. DON
  601. No promises here.
  602.  
  603. ASH
  604. None here either.
  605.  
  606. She takes the keys and steps out.
  607.  
  608. The door closes behind her.
  609.  
  610. Don sits there and sighs. He looks at himself in the mirror
  611. and notes the beard on his face.
  612.  
  613. DON
  614. I'm not getting the job with this
  615. damn thing.
  616.  
  617. He walks back to his bag and pulls out shaving cream and a
  618. razor.
  619.  
  620. Don shaves his beard and looks at his grown out hair.
  621.  
  622. DON (CONT’D)
  623. Haircut time.
  624.  
  625. Don walks back over to his night stand and takes out his
  626. phone.
  627.  
  628. He glances at his phone and thumbs dials a number.
  629.  
  630. A voice on the other end, KIM (mid-30s) picks up.
  631.  
  632. KIM (O.S.)
  633. Knight Pharmaceuticals, security
  634. division, Kim speaking.
  635.  
  636. DON
  637. (into phone)
  638. Howdy there, this is Donovan
  639. Paulsen.
  640.  
  641. KIM (O.S.)
  642. Oh, Mr. Paulsen. Been expecting
  643. your call.
  644.  
  645. DON
  646. (into phone)
  647. ...Yeah, I've had things going on.
  648.  
  649. KIM (O.S.)
  650. I'm sorry to hear that, are you
  651. able to come in anytime soon for an
  652. interview sometime this week?
  653.  
  654. DON
  655. I would, yes. When are you
  656. available?
  657.  
  658. KIM
  659. How about tomorrow at two?
  660.  
  661. Don puts this into his phone.
  662.  
  663. DON
  664. Sounds good.
  665.  
  666. KIM
  667. Alrightee then, Thursday at two.
  668. Have a good day, Mr. Paulsen.
  669.  
  670. DON
  671. Thanks, appreciate it.
  672.  
  673. Don hangs up the phone and takes a deep breath.
  674.  
  675. Don massages his eyes and his hands shake.
  676.  
  677. DON (CONT’D)
  678. Fuck...
  679.  
  680. He sits there and cries into a pillow for a moment.
  681.  
  682. DON (CONT’D)
  683. I'm not good enough, I'm not good
  684. enough, I'm not good enough...
  685.  
  686. JACQUELINE PAULSEN, (28) appears in front of him.
  687.  
  688. JACKIE
  689. No, you're fucking not. Maybe if
  690. you weren't such fucking trash
  691. you'd have that life Don. Maybe I
  692. wanted someone and something
  693. better, maybe someone that didn't
  694. kill people for eight years.
  695.  
  696. Don stays there. He curls up in a ball as Jackie continues to
  697. berate him.
  698.  
  699. JACKIE (CONT’D)
  700. You'd still have your kid if you
  701. hadn't reenlisted! Maybe then
  702. Wrench would actually like you as a
  703. dad! How about this Don? I can't
  704. believe you went as far as to name
  705. something that wasn't there.
  706.  
  707. She scoffs at him.
  708.  
  709. JACKIE (CONT’D)
  710. Naming an unborn kid. Life's about
  711. not getting attached Donny, get too
  712. attached and-
  713.  
  714. Don covers his head with a pillow.
  715.  
  716.  
  717. INT. JACKIE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
  718.  
  719. Jackie stands there with a bottle of whiskey in her hand.
  720.  
  721. JACKIE
  722. -Get too attached and you'll only
  723. wind up disappointed.
  724.  
  725. DON
  726. What?
  727.  
  728. JACKIE
  729. Yes Don, I did.
  730.  
  731. Don gives a confused look.
  732.  
  733. JACKIE (CONT’D)
  734. You don't have to worry about Ben
  735. OR ME anymore.
  736.  
  737. DON
  738. Jack, what did you do?
  739.  
  740. JACKIE
  741. Put the pieces together Sherlock, I
  742. know you're smarter than that. Have
  743. fun in court.
  744.  
  745. DON
  746. YOU FUCKING PSYCHOPATH!
  747.  
  748. JACKIE
  749. What? You didn't see this coming?
  750.  
  751. DON
  752. NO!
  753.  
  754. She laughs and pours herself another glass of whiskey.
  755.  
  756. Ash walks in on this.
  757.  
  758. ASH
  759. Dad?
  760.  
  761. Don holds his head.
  762.  
  763. JACKIE
  764. Your dad's only now realizing he's
  765. a shitty person, Ash.
  766.  
  767. ASH
  768. What?
  769.  
  770. JACKIE
  771. Your dad works a shitty security
  772. job, for some dead end security
  773. firm and doesn't make enough to
  774. provide. I got rid of this "Ben" he
  775. keeps talking about because he
  776. wouldn't be able to afford it.
  777.  
  778. Ash walks over to Don.
  779.  
  780. ASH
  781. You're a psychopath, mom!
  782.  
  783. The two argue as Don stands behind Ash. He sits on the floor
  784. and leans against the wall.
  785.  
  786. Their voices drown out.
  787.  
  788.  
  789. INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY
  790.  
  791. Don sits back. The room just stays silent. He takes a deep
  792. breath and stands up.
  793.  
  794. DON
  795. Let's go.
  796.  
  797.  
  798. INT. BARBER SHOP - DAY
  799.  
  800. Don gets his hair cut into a business professional style.
  801.  
  802. His hair falls down around him. He looks into the mirror in
  803. front of him.
  804.  
  805. A younger version of Don looks back for a split second.
  806.  
  807. Don takes a deep breath.
  808.  
  809. IND BARBER
  810. Hey buddy?
  811.  
  812. Don looks back at the barber.
  813.  
  814. IND BARBER (CONT’D)
  815. How's it look? You don't look like
  816. a hippie anymore- That's a plus.
  817.  
  818. Don looks into the mirror and grins.
  819.  
  820. DON
  821. Fuck man, that looks great.
  822.  
  823. IND BARBER
  824. That'll be 15.
  825.  
  826. He pulls the cloth from around Don and takes the paper off
  827. his neck.
  828.  
  829. DON
  830. Yeah, man.
  831.  
  832. Don takes out his wallet and gives the barber 25 dollars.
  833.  
  834. IND BARBER
  835. Have a good day, sir.
  836.  
  837. DON
  838. Thanks.
  839.  
  840.  
  841. INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
  842.  
  843. Ash comes back and finds Don on a laptop.
  844.  
  845. ASH
  846. Well this is a welcome change. Not
  847. on Steam, not watching anime,
  848. but...
  849.  
  850. She looks at the monitor.
  851.  
  852. ASH (CONT’D)
  853. Working on a resume...
  854.  
  855. Ash nods at this as she sets her bag down and loosens her
  856. hair.
  857.  
  858. Don stops what he does.
  859.  
  860. DON
  861. Do you knock?
  862.  
  863. She shrugs.
  864.  
  865. ASH
  866. Never had a need to.
  867.  
  868. DON
  869. What'd they say? How'd your
  870. interview go?
  871.  
  872. ASH
  873. They said yes.
  874.  
  875. DON
  876. Nice. Mine's tomorrow.
  877.  
  878. ASH
  879. Thanks dad.
  880.  
  881. Don shoots a weak grin.
  882.  
  883. ASH (CONT’D)
  884. I mean it. I didn't think any of
  885. this would actually work.
  886.  
  887. Don just shrugs at this.
  888.  
  889. DON
  890. Surprisingly, me neither.
  891.  
  892. ASH
  893. It all worked out though, right?
  894.  
  895. DON
  896. I guess you could say that, sure.
  897. Let's just see how tomorrow goes. I
  898. don't know too much about the job.
  899.  
  900. Don massages his eyes.
  901.  
  902. DON (CONT’D)
  903. Shouldn't you be getting ready for
  904. your first day of work?
  905.  
  906. Ash shrugs.
  907.  
  908. ASH
  909. I've worked off less sleep you
  910. know.
  911.  
  912. She takes a water bottle out of her hand bag and drinks from
  913. it.
  914.  
  915. DON
  916. Not asking you, go rest. I'll get
  917. us both apartments, just give me
  918. some time. Couple weeks. Max.
  919.  
  920. Ash nods at this.
  921.  
  922. DON (CONT’D)
  923. Get some sleep sweetheart.
  924.  
  925. Ash toward the door but stops.
  926.  
  927. ASH
  928. Dad? With what happened with mom...
  929. Don't be so hard on yourself.
  930.  
  931. DON
  932. Thanks Ash. And take a Lyft for
  933. tomorrow, I'll need the car.
  934.  
  935. ASH
  936. No problem dad.
  937.  
  938. She leaves the room. Don lies down in bed and falls asleep.
  939.  
  940. FADE TO BLACK.
  941.  
  942.  
  943. INT. HIGH SCHOOL - NIGHT
  944.  
  945. Vitamin C - Graduation plays.
  946.  
  947. Don dances with ROXANNE "ROXY" MILLS, (18).
  948.  
  949. He smiles as he holds her hand.
  950.  
  951. DON
  952. (whispering)
  953. As we go on... We remember...
  954.  
  955. Roxy smiles at him. Don sweeps her blonde hair with his hand
  956. and looks into her eyes with a smile.
  957.  
  958. Roxy looks at Don. The two slow dance together and look into
  959. each other's eyes.
  960.  
  961. Don continues to dance with her.
  962.  
  963. ROXY
  964. I love you Donny.
  965.  
  966. Don just stares into her eyes.
  967.  
  968. DON
  969. I'm good, yeah. It's great. I mean,
  970. I-I love you too.
  971.  
  972. Roxy giggles at Don.
  973.  
  974. She places her hand on his cheek.
  975.  
  976. ROXY
  977. I don't mind that, you know. It's
  978. cute on you.
  979.  
  980. She hugs him and places her mouth close to his ear.
  981.  
  982. ROXY (CONT’D)
  983. (whispering)
  984. Now let's stop by the motel and
  985. seal this deal...
  986.  
  987. DON
  988. That sounds like a plan sweetheart.
  989.  
  990. She grins at Don and gives Don a quick peck on the cheek.
  991.  
  992. The two make their way toward the door to
  993.  
  994.  
  995. INT. CAR - NIGHT
  996.  
  997. The two get into the car.
  998.  
  999. Don closes the door. He looks down and turns on the car.
  1000.  
  1001. His hands shake.
  1002.  
  1003. DON
  1004. Oh christ, oh christ...
  1005.  
  1006. ROXY
  1007. Baby, you're okay. Here...
  1008.  
  1009. Roxy holds his hand and turns Don's radio on.
  1010.  
  1011. RADIO
  1012. IT AIN'T MEEEE IT AIN'T MEEE-
  1013.  
  1014. She changes the station.
  1015.  
  1016. RADIO (CONT’D)
  1017. SHOW ME THE MEANING OF BEING
  1018. LONELY-
  1019.  
  1020. ROXY
  1021. Definitely not.
  1022.  
  1023. She changes it again.
  1024.  
  1025. RADIO
  1026. Well you done done me and you know
  1027. I felt it...
  1028.  
  1029. ROXY
  1030. Too cheesy.
  1031.  
  1032. DON
  1033. I got my IPod, aux cord should be
  1034. here...
  1035.  
  1036. Don lets go of her hand and reaches toward the backseat.
  1037.  
  1038. Don takes out an IPod Touch and tabs through it into a
  1039. playlist that reads, "Eurobeat".
  1040.  
  1041. DON (CONT’D)
  1042. You're alright with this, right?
  1043.  
  1044. She looks over and gives a grin.
  1045.  
  1046. ROXY
  1047. Course I am.
  1048.  
  1049. Don calms down as he tabs a song and sets his phone down.
  1050.  
  1051. He puts his car in gear.
  1052.  
  1053. Heartbeat by Nathalie plays.
  1054.  
  1055.  
  1056. INT. MOTEL - NIGHT
  1057.  
  1058. Don's hands shake as he lays in the bed.
  1059.  
  1060. DON
  1061. I-I've never done this before
  1062. Rox... What do I do?
  1063.  
  1064. She strips her clothes off in front of him.
  1065.  
  1066. ROXY
  1067. Neither have I baby... Just do what
  1068. feels right.
  1069.  
  1070. DON
  1071. Alright hun...
  1072.  
  1073. The two kiss.
  1074.  
  1075.  
  1076. INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY
  1077.  
  1078. Don wakes up. His phone alarm reads, "0445".
  1079.  
  1080. He takes a deep breath and shakes his head as he looks up at
  1081. a crumpled suit in front of him.
  1082.  
  1083. He goes into the shower.
  1084.  
  1085. Some time later, he steps out and begins to iron his suit,
  1086. extra careful to get the creases.
  1087.  
  1088. DON
  1089. Is it good enough?
  1090.  
  1091. He examines the creases in depth.
  1092.  
  1093. He gets his suit together and looks at his shoes. A little
  1094. bit dusty.
  1095.  
  1096. Don goes takes a cloth from his bag and dusts them off.
  1097.  
  1098. The shine still remains.
  1099.  
  1100. He puts on his clothes, looks in the mirror, and does his
  1101. hair.
  1102.  
  1103. Don adjusts his tie and makes his way out.
  1104.  
  1105.  
  1106. INT. DINER - DAY
  1107.  
  1108. Marcus sits across the way next to DAWN PAULSEN, (34).
  1109.  
  1110. DON
  1111. What the...
  1112.  
  1113. Don stands up and makes his way over to them.
  1114.  
  1115. DON (CONT’D)
  1116. Oh shit...
  1117.  
  1118. Marcus shoots Don a grin.
  1119.  
  1120. DON (CONT’D)
  1121. Hey...
  1122.  
  1123. Don looks over at her.
  1124.  
  1125. DON (CONT’D)
  1126. Been a while hasn't it?
  1127.  
  1128. Dawn just stares at her coffee cup.
  1129.  
  1130. DAWN
  1131. It has.
  1132.  
  1133. She turns to face him.
  1134.  
  1135. DAWN (CONT’D)
  1136. Life been treating you well?
  1137.  
  1138. Don puts his hands in his pockets.
  1139.  
  1140. DON
  1141. I've had a few things happen.
  1142.  
  1143. DAWN
  1144. Yeah, divorce hits everyone
  1145. differently, Michael.
  1146.  
  1147. Don rolls his eyes as his expression changes to that of
  1148. disgust.
  1149.  
  1150. DON
  1151. Thanks Michelle.
  1152.  
  1153. Don goes back. The waitress, ROSIE, (33) walks back.
  1154.  
  1155. ROSIE
  1156. What can I get ya today?
  1157.  
  1158. DON
  1159. Breakfast special and coffee.
  1160.  
  1161. ROSIE
  1162. Alrightee.
  1163.  
  1164. Don gets on his phone and begins to read.
  1165.  
  1166. He looks up "Knight Pharmaceuticals" on his phone.
  1167.  
  1168. A myriad of articles:
  1169. "Knight Pharmaceuticals looking to increase security
  1170. protocols"
  1171. "Knight Pharmaceuticals: A Helping Hand or a Force for Evil?"
  1172. "Sentinel Securities: Security Force or Private Army?"
  1173.  
  1174. He thumbs through these articles. His food arrives as he
  1175. takes his time to read through them.
  1176.  
  1177. He eats and continues to read.
  1178.  
  1179. Don places the phone in his pocket as he eats.
  1180.  
  1181. Marcus walks over to Don.
  1182.  
  1183. MARCUS
  1184. What's your plan now cowboy? Gonna
  1185. get a job, get that normal life
  1186. that you always talked about.
  1187. Didn't work out for you the first
  1188. time.
  1189.  
  1190. Don finishes his food and downs his coffee. He just shoots
  1191. Marcus a look of annoyance.
  1192.  
  1193. DON
  1194. What do you want?
  1195.  
  1196. MARCUS
  1197. Ain't the first time we've met
  1198. before.
  1199.  
  1200. DON
  1201. Nice, you're stalking me.
  1202.  
  1203. Marcus chuckles.
  1204.  
  1205. MARCUS
  1206. At least the sense of humor stuck
  1207. around.
  1208.  
  1209. Don cocks an eyebrow.
  1210.  
  1211. MARCUS (CONT’D)
  1212. Anyways, just wanted to tell you.
  1213. Stay out of my business and I'll
  1214. stay out of yours. You tend to have
  1215. a problem with that. Good luck with
  1216. your interview.
  1217.  
  1218. Marcus gives Don a grin and walks off.
  1219.  
  1220. DON
  1221. Wait. What?
  1222.  
  1223. He shakes his head.
  1224.  
  1225. DON (CONT’D)
  1226. Fucking guy...
  1227.  
  1228. Don finishes his food and walks out.
  1229.  
  1230.  
  1231. INT. CORPORATE WAITING ROOM - DAY
  1232.  
  1233. Don sits there, his resume in hand. He sits there as his leg
  1234. shakes.
  1235.  
  1236. Don looks over at the guys next to him.
  1237.  
  1238. IND APPLICANT 1
  1239. Me? I was infantry. Served eight
  1240. years, I got this in the bag man.
  1241.  
  1242. IND APPLICANT 2
  1243. Me? I was a fuckin' real operator
  1244. man, an MP! You don't see guys like
  1245. me anymore!
  1246.  
  1247. Don scoots away from these guys and looks down at his paper.
  1248.  
  1249. Kim walks in.
  1250.  
  1251. KIM
  1252. Mr. Paulsen, they're waiting to see
  1253. you now.
  1254.  
  1255. Don walks into the room, a chair sits in the middle of it.
  1256.  
  1257. Four older men in suits look at him. JASON WHITE, (43) sits
  1258. in the middle of them next to ANTHONY, (mid-20s).
  1259.  
  1260. The other two just watch.
  1261.  
  1262. WHITE
  1263. I'll take a look at that.
  1264.  
  1265. Don walks over and passes him his resume.
  1266.  
  1267. WHITE (CONT’D)
  1268. You can call me Agent White.
  1269.  
  1270. Don walks over, his resume in hand. He passes it to White who
  1271. reads it.
  1272.  
  1273. WHITE (CONT’D)
  1274. You used to be a pizza guy.
  1275. Interesting.
  1276.  
  1277. He flips through this.
  1278.  
  1279. WHITE (CONT’D)
  1280. Who reenlists?
  1281.  
  1282. Don shrugs.
  1283.  
  1284. DON
  1285. I was tired of carrying a rifle,
  1286. sir.
  1287.  
  1288. White takes a moment to look at Don.
  1289.  
  1290. WHITE
  1291. Four years with the 82nd and an
  1292. Army Cross with another four later.
  1293.  
  1294. DON
  1295. Y-Yes sir.
  1296.  
  1297. He looks through Don's resume some more.
  1298.  
  1299. WHITE
  1300. I understand that must have been a
  1301. difficult time for you, those first
  1302. four years.
  1303.  
  1304. DON
  1305. They were an adjustment sir, and
  1306. one I learned to work with well.
  1307.  
  1308. WHITE
  1309. I see, yes. What do you expect to
  1310. get from us Mr. Paulsen?
  1311.  
  1312. DON
  1313. I'd like the opportunity to protect
  1314. people again, Mr. White.
  1315.  
  1316. WHITE
  1317. I can tell judging by the Personal
  1318. Security Detail course you took in
  1319. Oceanside.
  1320.  
  1321. Don nods.
  1322.  
  1323. DON
  1324. There's no feeling like it- The
  1325. worst part is failing.
  1326.  
  1327. White jots something down on the resume.
  1328.  
  1329. WHITE
  1330. I'll be adding this to your file
  1331. and we'll be moving you up in the
  1332. hiring process. Are you available
  1333. for a few more hours?
  1334.  
  1335. DON
  1336. Yes sir.
  1337.  
  1338. WHITE
  1339. We'll be running you through an
  1340. assault course. Depending on how
  1341. you do, we'll have you started this
  1342. month.
  1343.  
  1344. DON
  1345. Thank you, sir.
  1346.  
  1347.  
  1348. EXT. ASSAULT COURSE - NIGHT
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