eulo, joseph spr15 - dsts-treatment and pilot script

TV/Web Series Treatment & Pilot Script

http://www.trafico-series.tv

Joseph A. Eulo Creator & Director

[email protected] 908.956.7967

a First Frame Films production

117 W. Third Ave, Suite 9 Roselle, New Jersey 07203

2015 by Joseph A. Eulo & First Frame Films LLC

Premise trfico is a 7 to 15 minute character driven American crime drama TV/web series about the dark invisible side of human trafficking within the United States. Its the story of Ricardo Rodriguez, the abandoned son of a sex slave, who infiltrates a violent and furtive human sex trafficking ring to find his mother and exact revenge. Ricardo soon finds himself deep within in a world where no one is who they seem and every body has a price. Logline Every body has a price. Synopsis The series takes an unflinching look into the lives of the women and children who are bought, sold, and forced to serve in the sex trade, the pimps, johns, and criminals responsible, and those dedicated to bringing the trafficking trade to its end. The series is set in a small central New Jersey town just twenty miles from New York City and the worlds busiest transportation corridor. The story is told through the lives of a multi-ethnic cast of characters: a runaway teen estranged from her mother; an Ecuadorian shoe-shop owner with a score to settle; his pregnant neurotic daughter; two vice detectives in too deep; a black FBI Agent trying to prove herself; a sadistic grifter who pimps out young girls; a Hispanic undercover seeking revenge; a ruthless pimp who finds pleasure in violence; and an ambitious politician that will do anything to rise to power. Setting trfico is set in small working class town of Roselle, New Jersey an immigrant enclave with in twenty miles of New York City and a stones throw away from worlds busiest transportation corridor. Roselle s citizens are a mix of hardworking immigrants: Mexicans, Cubans, Haitian, Indian, and blacks from all South America and Africa. At first glance Roselle would seem to be pleasant place to live, with its 1940s style facades, and friendly merchants. However a longer look reveals the towns social ills. Roselle once populated by NYC professionals looking for quiet and safe place to raise their families, is now just a waypoint for commuters headed to and from the New York City. Roselle, sits in the middle between one the countrys wealthiest and poorest towns on the eastern seaboard. At the heart of the downtown business district is Roselle Shoe Repair owned by Luis Andrade, a local craftsman, and well-respected businessman. And the A&B Dinette, a greasy spoon, where the locals grab breakfast. Across the street is the Town Hall a one-stop shop for the municipality of Roselle. The building is home to the courthouse, the Roselle Police Department and a field office for the States Anti-trafficking task force. The industrial area, is populated with warehouses, Auto Repair shops, and storage.

Themes In essence, trfico, is a journey into the human condition. As such, the series focuses on several major themes. First, trfico, is the about the potential for good and evil within the human heart. Its a a also a story about redemption, revenge, and greed. Typical Episode Depending on the network, each season of trfico will consist of 13 half hour (20-25 minute) episodes. In addition, each half hour episode will be edited to 3-4 seven to ten minute web episodes for distribution online. Episodes 1,7, and 13 (the series premiere, climax, and finale) will be 15 minutes in length with the remaining episodes being 5-7 minutes in length. The Series will follow a three act story structure for each Season/episode using the following formula (Act I, 30%, Act II 50%, Act III 20%).. Each episode will begin with a cold opening, followed by title sequences featuring visuals of previous episodes and end with a cliffhanger. Most episodes (short or long form) will begin with a Ricardo in dialogue with other characters in various places. Ricardo will use these moments to find out about the ring and to gather information about his mother. Series Development At first, Ricardo has trouble gaining the trust of the other members of the ring. He knows nothing about the operation and its power structure. It is Mickey Casey, his ex-cell mate, who vouches for him, and who is responsible for him. In the beginning he is tested, tormented, and ridiculed. He is assigned demeaning tasks, and is constantly tested. After proving himself reliable and trust worthy, Ricardo is exposed to more of the inner workings of the ring: the pimps, brothels, clientele, and victims. How they are captured, commodified, brainwashed, transported, disposed of, and delivered to the clients, and how the ring deals with betrayal. In his quest to find his mother, Ricardo is exposed to the dark places of the human heart. After some time passes, and Ricardo develops the requisite skills to survive the inner politics of the ring, Ricardo begins to assimilate. As this suggests, over the course of the series, Ricardo gradually sheds his newbie status and successfully becomes accepted, but not without a cost, and trusted by the others in the ring.

1START OF ACT #1

INT. ANTONIO'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

SOUNDS of Flies buzzing about. Mixed with Heavy Breathing.

It's dark. Except for a single beam of sunlight coming through the draped living room window. The sunlight cuts through the particles of dust, musty air, and insects flying in and out of its path.

We follow the shaft of light to the pained, unconscious face of RICARDO RODRIGUEZ (33) Upside down, writhing on the hardwood floor, fighting the demons in his dream and losing.

ANGLE ON RICARDO'S FACE -- eyes rapidly moving back and forth under his eyelids -- face tight --- struggling --

SUDDENLY

FLASHBACK!

We are in Ricardo's dream, We see everything from his Point of View -- lightning flash fragmented images mingled with the sound of a soft Spanish ballad -- WHITE DUST BEING BLOWN INTO OUR POV -- a CURVED KNIFE placed into our hand - A BADLY BEATEN FACE of a man, laughing at us (We'll know him later as Mickey)-- children running..laughing...

A YOUNG BLONDE GIRL in ripped clothing looks up at us. We see her face, her eyes pleading (We'll know her later as Maxine)-- a CROSS -- Extreme Close up of MOTHER MARY, then a plastic wrapped face of JESUS -- WOMEN BOUND AND GAGGED in the back of a VAN --- A YOUNG ASIAN WOMAN'S FACE, eyes wide, empty, a single tear streaks down her cheek --- FLASH OF LIGHT

--- A MIRROR, reflection, a young Hispanic boy's face, glaring at us (We'll know him later as Gonzalo) -- A motherly figure in white, long flowing dark hair, reaches her hand out to us (Ricardo's mother Sophia) her voice echoes Ricardo's name --- a child's outstretched hand reaches for her... a child's fingers morph into a mans hand, his...our fingertips are about to touch...hers...then...

BACK TO:

RICARDO awakens suddenly -- Gasping for air -- His eyes bloodshot -- full of fear, panic, dread...

Kneeling over him is LUIS ANDRADE (76), grandfatherly old man with thinning grey hair, glasses, a navy fedora, heavy coat, winter boots...

2LUISEasy..Easy!..Easy! Ricky its me, .. Luis...Sophia's father.(beat)are you ok?

Ricardo sits up -- Looks around -- dazed -- confused -- then recognition

RICARDO(uncertain)

Um...I...you?

LUIS(stands)

Sophia asked me to check on your dad...(beat)That was a hell of a dream...

Ricardo looks up at Luis, shakes his head, rubs his eyes.

RICARDO(to himself)

Where am..I.?

Luis reaches for the light switch and toggles it up and down ...nothing.

LUISpower is out... can't see a thing (looks over to the window)

Something catches Ricardo's eye..It's the curved knife from his dream...FUCK!!!

Luis steps closer to Ricardo.

LUIS You're bleeding. Here -

Ricardo tries to get up. Luis offers Ricardo his handkerchief. Ricardo pushes Luis away revealing his bloody hand.

Ricardo sits back down and studies his open-palmed hand. Its in focus and bloody but dry...

ANGLE ON CU of Ricardo's Face -- PANIC -- CONFUSION

Luis takes a step toward the window. Pieces of broken Glass crunch under his boots. He bumps into ...

3ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ (56) on the floor, face down under the window sill. Empty beer cans and a half empty bottle of Jack lies about next to him.

LUIS(disapointed to Antonio, in Spanish)

Ahh Shit... not again

Luis kneels down..

LUIS (CONT'D)I thought the doc told you to.....

He pulls on Antonio's shoulder. Antonio's dead empty eyes stare past him.

Luis stands up abruptly and covers his nose and mouth with the handkerchief.

Antonio's neck is cut from ear to ear. Flies buzz around the pool of congealed blood underneath Antonio's Body.

Luis backs away to the door. He looks over to Ricardo on the floor.

LUIS(to ricardo)

Shit...What happened Ricky ...

Ricardo struggles to all-fours. His legs buckle as he tries to stand, but falls smack-bang into the wall and uses it for support.

RICARDOI....I....can't...remember....

LUIS(to ricardo)

What did you do Ricky...?

Luis' voice echoes...

ANGLE ON ...CU of Ricardo as he grabs his head with both hands and slides back down to the floor. His eyes are closed tight, a high pitched tone, the kind that follows a blast, or an explosion, rings in his ears, our ears, it quickly gets louder then..

FLASHBACK TO:

A man turns to us and places a CURVED KNIFE into our hand --

4We see him. (We'll know him later as Gio) --- a FLASH --- we are behind a man with the Knife in our hand, its Antonio, our arm is around Antonio's neck, SUPER SLOW MOTION Staccato style.. Antonio's face is violently contorted, both of his hands trying to pry off our arm, we rip our arm back, the knife blade rips open flesh, blood spatters everywhere --- FLASH.

BACK TO:

Ricardo lunges toward Antonio's corpse in a half crawl.

RICARDO(angry, distraught)

Nooooo.

Luis bends down to pick up the knife..

LUIS Tell me what happened...

Ricardo lies on the floor. Tears streak down his face.

RICARDOI don't...I can't.....

LUISI'm going to help you Ricky...

Luis wraps the knife in the handkerchief and puts it into his pocket..

Ricardo begins to shiver, his teeth chatter.

Luis sees Ricardo's JACKET on the floor. He picks it up and covers Ricardo's shoulders with it as he and the jacket give a warm hug.

LUISAlright, Ricky. It'll be alright. I will handle everything..

A small clear ziplock baggie with a white powdery substance falls out of Ricardo's jacket pocket.

Ricardo picks it up and holds it up in front of his WHAT THE FUCK face and examines it.

Luis looks from the ziplock bag to Ricardo.

LUIS(crosses himself...looks over to ricardo)

(MORE)

5Shit...May God have Mercy! LUIS (CONT'D)

SMASH CUT TO: MAIN TITLES

END TEASER

EXT. RIVER BREAK OF DAWN

The morning sun casts a soft golden glow on a passing BARGE on the river carrying cargo.

A HOMELESS man pushes a cart into frame, on his way to check the dumpsters, he picks up a half empty tin PBR can, dumps it, then tosses it into his cart.

Seagulls call out to each other, as they fly across the frame

A wake from the passing barge breaks against the rocks under a dilapidated dock.

The homeless man struggles to climb up the side of the rusty green metal dumpster.

He is startle by the short haired blond girl leaning agaist the dumpster wall with her back to him.

HOMELESS MANHey, this is my dumptster...you got to find your own...

The homeless man approaches her slowly..he mumbles under his breath.

HOMELESS MANHey

He grabs her should and swings her around. She falls on her back, Her eyes stare straignt up, but they are empty, and cold.

(Drone Shot) from close-up of the girl in the dumpster to a wide shot (300-400 ft) of the homeless man frantically getting out of the dumpster and going back the way he came.

EXT. ROSELLE - CITY SIGN - MORNING

6A police car wipes the frame to reveal the "Welcome to Roselle" city sign shimmering in the morning sun.

EXT. POLICE STATION - CONTINUOUS

A handful of uniformed cops enter the Police Station. Sgt. Det ISABELLA MARCHELLO (35) busty, beautiful, but stern in dark slacks, blouse, holster, badge, and sunglasses, scans the parking lot. She rushes past the uniformed officers and enters the building.

EXT. FISH MARKET

LUKE DEMPSEY, late 30s, a bruiser of a Big man leans against the storefront, smoking. Wearing a black leather jacket, jeans, tight white t-shirt - and one FUCKER of a black eye.

He holds an ice pack to his bruised right hand, and checks the action on the street: A bus passes by.

He takes one long, last, drag from his smoke and enters the market...

EXT. SHOE SHOP - ENTRANCE

LUIS ANDRADE walks up to the front door, unlocks it, and enters. The bells from the top of the door chime. Luis shuts the door and flips the sign to OPEN.

EXT. WAREHOUSE - ENTRANCE

GIO ARGENTI, 40's, sharply dressed, out of place in this grimy, dirty warehouse, steps up to a heavy sliding door and pounds with his fist.

BANG, BANG, BANG.

Sounds of Footsteps. Metal on metal grinding then...

The Heavy Door slides open and reveals FERNANDO ORTIZ (30s) slicked back hair, cigar in his mouth, dressed like a cheap vaquero, complete with tacky oversized Belt Buckle and snake skin boots.

Fernando nods. Gio steps inside. Fernando checks outside, then slides the heavy door shut. A magic-markered sign on the door reads: FUCK OFF

EXT. ANTONIO'S APARTMENT -WINDOW

Curtains are drawn on every single window of this apartment building except ONE. Ricardo, stands in the middle of it,

7looks about, then pulls the drapes shut.

EXT./INT. DINER - FRONT WINDOW

Its busy, customers are eating, eggs frying, a pot of coffee brews.

A plate of eggs and bacon is served to a UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICER sitting at the counter reading the sports section of the STAR-LEDGER newspaper.

DETECTIVE DOMINICK CAVELLA struts in like he owns the place and sits at the counter.

He's in his 40's and looks it - with an expanding waistline, he looks more like a mafia don than a cop, his .45 caliber handgun exactly where it should be.

He sits at the counter, and motions to the WAITRESS.

DOMINICK Hey Hon...the usual ...

The waitress drops off a mug and pours coffee into it..

WAITRESSAnything for your Partner?...

DETECTIVE JACOB WEISS also in his late 40s, walks in with cocky confident stride and A RACETRACK PROGRAM in his hand.

He is a mishmash of 1970s throwbacks complete with a fonzi styled leather jacket, elvis side burns and a handlebar mustache.

DOMINICK For him?...Yeah..a side order of common sense...

He sits next to his partner at the counter his BADGE dangling from a chain around his neck.

JACOB(mockingly)

its because I'm a Jew, right?

Both the waitress and Dominick laugh..

JACOB(to the waitress)Green Tea...lemon...little bit of honey...

8Jacob turns to Dominick on the stool..

JACOB(looking at racing program)

Write this down..Give me 5k on AMERICAN HERO in the 3rd to win... another 5 on EASY RIDER in the 4th to show and...a grand on...(looks up)What you're not writing this down?

DOMINICKNew Policy...No Credit...Cash Bets only.

JACOBCome on Nick...Im your Partner..

DOMINICK(angry)

You still owe me 10k from last week you fucking degenerate.(beat)if it was anyone else...

JACOB(interrupts)

Come on man..I got a system.. ..guaranteed to pick winners

The uniformed policeman gets up from the counter and approaches....

DOMINICKYou Couldn't pick the winner of a one-horse race. (beat)Cash Bets Only from now on..and while we are at it..give me this week's Vig.

JACOBAlright...Alright..You Fuck!

Jacob pulls a few bills out of his wallet and hold it out to Dominick. Dominick snatches the cash from his hand and counts it.

DOMINICK(to the uniformed cop)hey Jonesy, spread on the Jets is

(MORE)

914 points.....you in?.DOMINICK (CONT'D)

UNIFORMED COPput me down for 500.

DOMINICK(sarcastically)

500?...Is your wife still wearing your jock strap...maybe you should give her your gun too? (beat)She all ready has your balls.

Jacob Laughs.

UNIFORMED COPFuck you....Nick(beat) Put me down for a grand.

Dominick pulls out his note pad, and scribbles.

DOMINICKDone...

JACOB(hits Dominick on the shoulder)

Hey!...what about your policy!

DOMINICKthat's only for the dead beats...Like you..

INT. SHOE SHOP WORKBENCH

Shoes, handbags, and other leather goods align the walls of the Shoe Shop. Behind the workbench are different shoe-repairing tools.

The rough calloused hands of LUIS ANDRADE are tenderly working on a shoe with a small hammer.

GONZALO,(15), Hispanic, wearing a craftsman apron, jeans and t-shirt, buffs shoes at the rear of the shop.

The door's bells chime.

FRONT ENTRANCE

DUNCAN MCCALLISTER, 35, tall, arrogant, wearing a light grey designer suit, confidently walks toward the counter. He is carrying a briefcase and a new pair of expensive shoes.

He stops and places the shoes on the counter.

10

LUIScan I help you?

DUNCAN I need you to mend the sole on this right shoe.

DUNCAN glances to Manuel and Manuel nods in return.

DUNCAN Just the right one.

LUIS(looks over his shoulder to Manuel)

Ok?

DUNCAN By tomorrow morning.

LUISno problem.

DUNCANGood.

Luis hands Duncan a receipt ticket. The shoes sits on the counter.

Duncan eyes the shoes before he turns around to leave. As he reaches the door, he turns back around to face Luis.

DUNCAN(with contempt)And be careful... They're custom made.

EXT./INT. POLICE STATION ENTRANCE

Special Agent DAMIAN HOWARD (45), wearing a wrinkled suit, enters the police station.

Agent Isabella Marchello is standing by the front desk.

11

She hurries to meet him.

ISABELLAWe found another girl this morning.

DAMIANShiitt...Where?

ISABELLASouth West side of the Arthur Kill River.

Damian lets out his breath and walks away from Isabella.

She follows him closely.

HALLWAY

ISABELLAWe can't ignore this.

Damian stops in front of his office door.

DAMIAN(in frustration)I'm not ignoring anything...

ISABELLAWe have to include this finding in the briefing, We can't leave this out.

DAMIAN(gravely nods)

This doesn't look good.

Isabella, tight-lipped, serious....

ISABELLAIt doesn't look good because it isn't. (beat)We can't save every runaway that gets caught up in this life.

Damian crosses his arms looks straight at her.

DAMIANIf not us, then who..

ISABELLALook, If you don't wanna find your self eating your gun..then you're going to have to find a way to

(MORE)

12

detach yourself from the case...ISABELLA (CONT'D)

DAMIANThey have names Isabella! They are just children. (beat)they could be mine ...they could be yours...

ISABELLABut they're not....you're too attached and its taking a toll...the team sees it...the brass sees it...(beat)why do you think they are here?

Damian's arms are crossed. Defensive.

ISABELLAYou're not the only one who gives a shit...Damian...Your ass is on the line here..and so is ours.

Damian looks away..

ISABELLAStop beating yourself up over the Katie Ortiz case, that was 10 years ago...

Damian fighting to maintain composure. Isabella steps closer..

ISABELLA You cant bring katie back to life...she's gone...

DAMIAN(changes the subject)

Who is the girl?

ISABELLA(steps back, shaking her head)

Clarkson and Watson arrived on the scene 3 hours ago...we think its the Finley girl..Ceremi is contacting next of kin to make a positive ID..

An Awkward moment.

13

DAMIAN(nods)

Let me know when you make the ID.

Damian enters his office and closes the door behind him.Isabella turns, sighs, and walks away.

END OF ACT #1

START OF ACT #2

NT. POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

Federal Agents JOHN CERAMI, TRISHA WATSON, and CLARK BARNES are seated at the conference table. ISABELLA MARCHELLO stands behind them keeping an eye on...

SPECIAL AGENT ERICA SANCHEZ, 50's, standing in front of the bulletin board, arms crossed. She looks at her watch then...

Damian Howard walks into the room. He stops in front of the Bulletin Board at the head of the table.

Agent Clark Barnes hands Isabella a FOLDER with A 8x10 PHOTO of a short blonde-haired teen smiling (its maxine).

Behind HIM is a cork board with notes, maps, pictures of several women, young and old pinned to it, all of these things circled, highlighted, and written on. The board looks worked.

Seated at the far end of the table is FEDERAL PROSECUTOR DAVE COOVER, a short bald man in his 50s, and two assistant attorneys.

ERICA SANCHEZ(to Damian)

Ready?

JORGE RIVERA, a long-haired, bearded man, wearing an 80's t-shirt, hurries into the room carrying a folder of photographs and documents

DAMIAN(to Jorge)

Thanks.(to Erica)

Yes ma'am...

Erica nods and sits...

14

DAMIANLets get to it...We have a list of suspects we believe to be involved in a Human Trafficking Ring operating along the northeast corridor. (beat)Thanks to our informants we were able to reduce our list of suspects considerably - down to five-all have priors.

ISABELLA(cutting in)

we believe that only two of them, are key players.

DAMIANWe're looking to check the king, not the pawns...

Isabella opens a folder, she spreads out surveillance PHOTOS of RICARDO RODRIGUEZ, GIO ARGENTI, FERNANDO ORTIZ, LUKE DEMPSEY and MICKEY CASEY on the conference table.

ERICA SANCHEZIs our undercover coming to this meeting? I'd like to hear what he has to say.

DAMIANOur undercover hasn't reported in.

ERICA SANCHEZSince When?

DAMIANSince the Superbowl Sting..

ERICA SANCHEZDo you think his cover has been blown?

DAMIANAre you asking if I think he's dead?

Agent John Ceremi shifts in his seat...

CEREMIWe...

15

DAMIAN(Damian cuts Ceremi Off)

No..WE don't..

ERICA SANCHEZ(looking at Ceremi)

This ring is notoriously known to be swift and violent. (to Damian)I am ASKING if you think your investigation has been compromised?

DAMIANOur Agent has been deep undercover for the last five years,...he WILL make contact... when he's ready...

ERICA SANCHEZ(looks at Ceremi)

What makes you so sure he is alive.

WATSON (looks at Damian)Based on intelligence...(beat) We are not all 100 percent sure that he is..

ERICA SANCHEZYou can all speak freely here...I need to know everything to make a proper assessment...(to Ceremi)

INT. DINER DAY

DET. JACK WEISS and DET. DOMINICK CAVELLA sit at the counter of the busy Diner drinking coffee and talking to each other animatedly, laughing.

CEREMI (V.O.)We believe there is a leak in the local Police department.(beat) We have been selective of the Intel we share with them...however..(beat)Some of us, believe there is a possibility that our agent's cover has been blown.

INTERCUT WITH...CU of Eric Sanchez..

16

ERICA SANCHEZWhat supports your conclusion?

BARNSOur undercover has always checked in on time like clockwork. He has never been late, or missed a debriefing...

ERICA SANCHEZWhat happened...

CEREMIHe failed to report in...

ERICA SANCHEZWhen was that...

DAMIANFour days ago...(beat)But that does not mean he is dead or that our investigation is compromised...

INT. FISH MARKET DAY

A closed sign hangs in the window. LUKE sits impatiently in in front of the store.

A NINE MILLIMETER PISTOL sticks out of his waistband, his t-shirt grips onto his muscles like an extra layer of skin.

He walks over to an old radio, flips it on, and searches the channels, he settles on a broadcast of the Yankee/Red Sox game.

A meth pipe and ziplock bag of blue meth sits on the table next to his cellphone.

A bat on the floor at his feet.

The game plays on the radio, Luke picks up the bat, and swings it in a mock-homerun fashion.

LUKE Take that you fucking Yanks...

He leans the bat against the freezer door, picks up the pipe, the zippo, lights it up and takes a hit.

CEREMI (V.O.)Our Undercover was seen last with

(MORE)

17

Luke Dempsy. An Ex prize fighter CEREMI (V.O.) (CONT'D)

turned Muscle. A ruthless bare knuckle brawler and addict..crystal meth is his vice.

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

ANGLE ON 8x10 photograph of LUKE DEMSPY

ERICA SANCHEZAny Known Associates?

CEREMIFernando Ortiz a low life Pimp..from Queens

ISABELLAHe uses violence to keep his girls in line. He operates a strip club on the west side...Dempsey works for him as a driver...

CEREMI(interrupting)

Our informant witnessed an exchange between him and Ricardo.

ERICA SANCHEZWho is Ricardo?

INT. ANTONIO'S APARTMENT BATHROOM - DAY

Ricardo staggers to the sink turns on the hot water and splashes it into his face.

He scrubs the dried blood off of his hands with a tooth brush.

DAMIAN (V.O.)Ricardo Rodriguez, a Roselle Native,..served five years in Leavenworth for selling crystal meth to vets home from Iraq.

(MORE)

18

(beat)DAMIAN (V.O.) (CONT'D)

His Parole officer says he is clean. Our informant reports he is a driver.

INTERCUT TO an ECU of a mug shot of Ricardo being pinned on the bulletin board.

JOHN CEREMIHe is Ex Army, three tours in Iraq, two in Afghanistan. Recon, counter intelligence, two Purple hearts, a bronze star...he is trained and dangerous.

CU Photos of Ricardo in Uniform...

WATSONHe was wounded on his last mission in Iraq..., got hooked on pain killers, graduated to crank, heroin ...turned to selling to support his habit.

INTER CUT TO CU of Ricardo, staring past us into the mirror, steam rising from the hot water..

ISABELLA(V.O.)HIS father is Antonio Rodriguez a retired local beat cop.

His record connects him to drug trafficking. He isn't high on our list.

INT. WAREHOUSE ROOM OFFICE - DAY

GIO ARGENTI hovers over a young girl, TATIANA, handcuffed to the headboard bars of a bed.

FERNANDO ORTIZ, leans against the wall next to the door.

DAMIAN (V.O.)Fernando Ortiz. He's one we're watching out for. He's been seen exiting a local bar with Fernando, and Mickey.

(beat)One of the girls rescued during the Superbowl Sting...ID'ed his mug shot..

19

GIOWho's this?

Gio un zips up his pants, unties his belt, it hangs there unbuckled from his waist.

FERNANDOTati...Mickey scooped her up in Nebraska..

Tati is crying, sitting on the bed, knees tucked in..

GIOShhhh...don't cry Darlin..Im not gonna hurt you...

Gio grabs her face...

GIOToo much....

Fernando opens the door...

FERNANDO(to tati)

Be nice...

Fernando Exits...

INT. WAREHOUSE - BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS

Fernando stands over LEJLA, his hand is around her Neck. she looks up to him her eyes full of fear.

FERNANDOI buy you nice clothes...pretty things...I put you up in a fancy apartment, Am I not good to you?

LEJLAYou are baby..you are..

FERNANDO...all you have to do is make me happy...and what makes me happy? (gripping her neck)

Fernando slaps her..

LEJLA(whimpering)

Make that Money..

20

FERNANDORight..make that money...You think just because your my bottom, that you get a pass?

LEJLA(pleading)

No Daddy noo..

FERNANDOYou were nothing when I met you... Oh you need a reminder where you came from?

LEJLA(pleading)

No Daddy.

FERNANDOI think you do..

Fernando drags LEJLA by her long dark hair down to a dank and dingy poorly lit basement. Her lip is split and her face bruised.

ROLAND ORTEGA, big muscular dark skinned cuban man sits on the stool reading a paper.

Fernando throws Lejla to the floor in front of Roland.

FERNANDO Put this bitch back in the box..

Roland grabs the girl by her hair, slides the rusty door open to a darkened room behind him.

Shes tries to pull away, but she is no match to Roland's size, and strength.

Roland throws LEJLA into the room, She hits the floor hard. The door slams shuts behind her.

LEJLA crawls back to the wall...

Leaning against the back wall, barely moving, are three girls CAMILLE (13), ADRIANA (14), and ANNIE (8).

Camille's arms are wrapped around Annie. She is Rocking back and forth.

CAMILIE(to Annie)sshhhh...its over...sshhhh...its

(MORE)

21

ok.. CAMILIE (CONT'D)

Roland sits back down on his stool, and grabs his paper.

Fernando hits a button and puts the phone up to his ear.

INT. POLICE STATION DAY

Isabella pins up a photo of MICKEY CASEY, early 30's, wearing a white fedora and wife beater, onto the evidence board.

BARNESMickey Casey. A sadistic SOB who like to receive pain as much as he likes giving it...

CEREMIHe is a grifter and Pimp, travels from city to city with his brothers Jack, and Loki.(beat) Several girls rescued in the Superbowl sting have refused to ID him.

WATSONThey are trying to protect him. Mickey has brainwashed them into believing that he is the only one who cares for and loves them.

CEREMIMickey and his crew have rap sheets in Vegas, Oklahoma, Atlantic City and Philly, and now they are here.

Slow push into Mickey's photograph.

INT. FISH MARKET - WALK IN FREEZER - DAY

ECU of Mickey's Casey's face, the left side is beaten. His left eyes is swollen shut. lip split.

22

He lies unconscious in a ice filled metal tub.

The baseball game from the radio can be heard through the vents.

CUT TO..LUKE...Out side the freezer. The radio replays the sharp SMACK Sound of a bat knocking a baseball out of the park.

LUKE Jumps up in Excitement.

LUKEYEAH...Suck on it..you fuckin Yankees!

BACK TO... Mickey's Face his eyes open..he is dazed, confused. and looks around the room...

He slowly pulls himself out of the ice.

CU of his abdomen. It's marked with blue surgical cut lines, like his was being prepped for surgery...or slaughter.

He is totally naked except for the celtic tattoo over right chest and a dirty pair of boxer shorts...

Mickey looks up, hanging there is a body wrapped in plastic hanging above him.

MICKEYShit.

ISABELLAWe had him dead to rights on a case 10 years ago...until the witness went missing..

ERICA SANCHEZThe Ortiz Case..?

DAMIANYes...But we convicted him on pandering.

DAMIANDid five years in Leavenworth(beat)was released nine months ago.

WATSONCasey finds pleasure in violence. When a victim fails to please him ..he DISCARDS them.

23

ERICA SANCHEZYou mean..Murders them..


DAMIANOur informant says that Mickey likes to go to Atlantic City to find new girls...and dispose old ones.

ERICA SANCHEZwhat did you discover in Atlanic City?

BARNESA female victim was found in a motel room on the black horse pike, 5 miles outside Atlantic City. She was strangled.(Beat)The body, and the room was wiped clean...there is no forensic evidence to tie Mickey to the scene.

ERICA SANCHEZNo DNA, fibers, semen...not even a single fingerprint..

JOHN CERAMINone

DAMIANA witness places Mickey in the bar with the victim the night before...

ERICA SANCHEZAny other evidence...

Isabella pins up one last photo, It shows a picture of a short-haired blonde smiling into the camera and Mickey Casey behind her, peaking over her shoulder.

ISABELLAJust this photo of Casey with the Finley girl from Ocean City...

Erica Sanchez stands. Walks to the bulletin board. She examines the photograph of Mickey and Maxine.

(beat)

24

Damian stands silently, waiting for a response.

ERICA SANCHEZCircumstantial...at best.

(pause)But what I get out of all this is that you don't have any hard evidence to make an arrest.

DAMIANWe do now.. Maxine's body was found this morning floating in the the Arthur Kill.

ERICA SANCHEZWhy wasn't I informed about this earlier?

ISABELLAWe were waiting for a positive ID.

Isabella hands Erica the folder delivered by Jorge.

ISABELLA (CON'T)Forensics found hair and semen...

Erica flips through the sheet and looks over it quickly, then returns the sheet to the folder.

ERICA SANCHEZ(to prosecutor)

Get an Arrest warrant...for Mickey Casey...

Prosecutor nods...picks up the phone.

ERICA SANCHEZ(to Damian)

You reported everything?

DAMIANYes..

ERICA SANCHEZI am taking charge of the Task Force...Watson you're 2nd in command..Howard..I need you on the team to guide me during the transition..

DAMIANYes..Ma'am

25

ERICA SANCHEZMarchello...Come with me.

Erica and Isabella quickly exit the room.

The evidence bulletin board looms. Damian Howard stands and faces it...

INT. CLINIC DAY

SOPHIA ANDRADE, early 30's, in a white a lab coat, meticoulsly organizes her medical supplies, she is putting everything in its proper place.

Every container is properly and perfectively labeled indicating its contents. Color coded and Organized in perfect Alphabetical order.

Sophia lines up the surgical knives, and nudges the final thermometer into perfect position.

Finally satisfied. She exits.

The waiting room is full with patients, young and old. The phone behind the busy receptionist desk rings continually.

STEPHANI, the receptionist, dressed in nurse's scrubs, picks up the phone and hands a patient at the window a clipboard.

STEPHANIPlease sign in. Your name and the date. Thank you.

(to the phone)Dr. Andrade's office?

Sophia walks into the waiting room with a patient's chart in hand.

BZZZZZZ. BZZZZZZ.

She reaches in to her lab coat and retrieves her cell phone. She ducks into the back room once again and answers it.

SOPHIA(on the phone)

Hello?(she listens)

OK.

SOPHIA hangs up, takes off her lab coat and stethoscope.

CUT TO: Stefanie at the desk...

26

STEPHANI(to a patient,at the window in spanish)

Yes the Doctor will see you today...but all these people are in front of you...sign in and take a seat..

SOPHIAStephanie, please cancel my appointments for today.

STEPHANIWhat about everyone here?

Sophia puts her hand on Stephanie's shoulder.

SOPHIA(tenderly)

reschedule..It's an emergency.

Stephani hangs up the phone. And follows Sophia to the door. She throws on her coat.

SOPHIA(on her way out)

Double book me..I'll stay late.

INT. SHOE SHOP WORK BENCH

Luis trims the sole of a shoe.

Manuel is polishing Duncan's expensive right shoe. He looks around, makes sure no one is paying attention to him, and discreetly removes the paper toe stuffing and pulls out a several rolls of cash. 100s, wrapped in rubber bands.


baseball game playing from the radio

Luke raises the pipe to his lips...

BZZZZZZZ. BZZZZZZZ.

His phone vibrates on the table. He puts down the pipe and the lighter, and picks up his phone.

LUKE(phone in one hand, bat in the other)

Yeah?

27

INT. WAREHOUSE DAY

FERNANDO tucks in his shirt, buttons his pants as he talks to Luke.

FERNANDO(on the phone)

Everything ok over there?

INTER CUT LUKE/FERNANDO

LUKE(pacing)

No yeah.

FERNANDOIs it no or yes?

LUKEYeah. Just here waiting.

FERNANDOHe saying anything?

LUKENah, he just laughs. But He ain't laughing anymore though.

FERNANDOAlright. We'll be there soon.

LUKEGood fucking riddance.


Luke hangs up his phone, puts it in his pocket, and places the bat against the freezer door behind him, and sits back down.

Sport scores are announced in the background and Luke grabs the sports section of a day-old newspaper.

INT. ANTONIO'S APARTMENT BATHROOM

RICARDO stands at the sink of his bathroom, the last trail of blood streams down the drain.

He looks up and stares at his own reflection in the mirror.

FLASHBACK

A bright light, followed by A sudden rush of blurry images, Carla's Face, a gloved hand, a curved knife, the sound of

28

children giggling, and playing echoes into reality..

BACK TO:

A look of Recognition washes over Ricardo's face.

He exits with a determined strut, enters the living room, opens the front door and slams it shut behind him

EXT. SHOE SHOP SIDEWALK - DAY

Sophia, turns the East corner sidewalk at 2nd and Chestnut and walks toward the Diner. She stops in front of the Shoe Shop and looks inside.


Mickey tries to stand and, instead, falls out of the tub. His limbs are shaking.

He pauses on the cold ground, looks down at the wounds on his body, and notices the surgical lines across his abdomen. His fingers trace the lines and his jaw locks.

MICKEY(angry,whispering)

Fuck.

EXT. SHOE SHOP SIDEWALK - DAY

Luis is seen through the open door of his Shoe Shop. He tilts his head towards the Diner. Sophia nods and continues to walk.


MICKEY gently opens the unlocked freezer from the inside and peeks into the Fishmarket.

Jake is sitting with the paper in his hands nodding off.

Mickey reaches for the bloody bat leaning against the freezer.

Mickey creeps up behind Jake and raises the bat.

Mickey hovers over him as the rage builds.

29

SUNDDELY..

FLASHBACK TO:

Luke beating Mickey with the bat, Mickey Laughing. Ricardo watching. Blood splattering. Luke's face contorted in pure fury.

BACK TO:

Mickey swiftly brings the bat onto Jake's head with all his might.

Jake is falls off the chair. blood flows and finds it way to the drain in the middle of the floor.

A cheer of the baseball crowd from the radio.

Mickey laughing uncontrollably, maniacally.

Blood splatter across his torse and face He drops the bat, and spits on Jake's corpse.

MICKEYYou hit like a Bitch!

INT. DINER DAY

Sophia walks into the Diner and sits down near the back. DOMINICK and JACK are still inside. They slap a fiver on the counter.

CAPT MARK WALLACE , 50's, wearing his street clothes, just slacks, a polo, enters into the Diner, spots Jack and Dominick and walks over to them.

CAPT WALLACEYou two.

DOMINICKUs two?

JACKWhadda you want?

CAPT WALLACE(with a long, cold stare, pacing)

I know what you been into lately.

DOMINICKOh, yeah. Jake's into men. You

(MORE)

30

interested?DOMINICK (CONT'D)

JACKShut up, Nick. And it's Jack, you fuck.

DOMINICKPlay nice, Jake.

CAPT WALLACE(raised brow)

Keep it clean. You hear me? I'm not cleaning up your mess anymore..

DOMINICKNo worries Cap'n, Jack is potty trained now.

CAPT WALLACEI'm serious this time Nick..its out of my hands..I got Internal Affairs breathing down my neck...I got six months to retirement Nick...Im not going to risk my pension for anyone. Consider this your last favor...Internal Affairs is looking at you both...Clean it up...

Ryan quickly leaves the way he came. Out the front door and across the street to the Police Station.

JACKFuck this...Im moving to Vegas.


Mickey is now wearing Luke's boots. He pulls off Luke's leather jacket and throws it on, across his bare chest and shoulders.

Mickey spots the meth pipe on the counter, lights it, and takes a hit.

He drops the pipe, it shatters on the floor, he pulls the .45 pistol from Luke's waistband and exits.

INT. WAREHOUSE DAY

Fernando walks out of the brothel's room and, by the entrance, stops at his mother. Carla Ortiz, 60's, wearing a long dress and too much makeup.

31

She is counting money. Janine, 20's, split lip, black eye, wearing half-ripped short shorts, giant heels, and just a bra, is ball gagged and tied up in a corner.

Fernando gives Carla a kiss on the cheek, the kind a loving son would give his mother, like a good Hispanic boy, and exits.

EXT. STREET DAY

Ricardo stomps toward the shoe shop.

EXT. FISH MARKET DAY

Mickey, no shirt, wearing only a pair of dirty, bloody boxer shorts, Luke's leather jacket, and boots, turns the West corner of 2nd and Chestnut.

Mickey crosses the street and heads toward the shoe shop, limping, but determined. He grips the 9mm pistol in his hand.

INT. SHOE SHOP DAY

Luis grabs his coat from the back of the bathroom door, puts it on, and exits the Shoe Shop.

EXT. DINER DAY

Luis bumps into Jack as he and Dominick exit from the Diner. They exchange excuse me, sorry nods.

INT. DINER - DAY

Sophia's POV, Luis enters the Diner, bumping into Dominick and Jake as they walk out.

EXT. DINER - SIDEWALK - DAY

Behind Luis, seen through the Diner window, is Mickey now raising the 9mm pistol toward Dominick and Jake , his face contorted, his hand trembling.

INT. DINER - DAY

Luis approaches Sophia sitting at the booth at the back of the Diner.

Just as Luis is about to sit down.

BANG.BANG.

Luis flinches, ducks and turns around to face the Diner's

32

front window.

A BARRAGE OF GUNSHOTS FOLLOW.

Customers and employees panic and duck for cover. Luis walks toward the window and looks outside.

Dominick, is seen through the window. He levels his revolver and fires off the last shot, hitting Mickey in the chest.

Mickey falls to the sidewalk..still alive.


Erica Sanchez, Damian, Isabella, and the rest of the task force Rush out to the street.

EXT. DINER - SIDEWALK DAY

In front of the Diner, Jack lays motionless, on the ground blood oozing from a wound in his shoulder.

DOMINICK stands, gun raised. He painfully moves toward MICKEY on the ground.

Police cars swarm in, Uniformed officers around. Officer Jonesy reaches for his radio.."Officers down" Sirens, screech.

AGENTS DAMIAN and ISABELLA, CERMI, BARNS, ERICA SANCHEZ,and WATSON rush to secure the scene from the station across the street Damian bends down to Jack, puts fingers to his neck....

DAMIAN(to Dominick)

What happened?

Dominick does not lower his gun.

DOMINICKThis asshole shot my partner!

ISABELLALower it... I said Lower it..Detective.

Dominick lowers his gun.

Isabella kneels by Mickey, barely alive. Mickey breathes heavily, on the brink of death. He groans when Isabella touches his chest.

33

Isabella recognizes the tattoo on Mickeys chest a tear streaks down her face. She rubs her hand gently across his TATTOO.

ISABELLAI need a BUS...now...

ERICA SANCHEZ(looks down at Mickey)

Shit...

Sophia and Luis exit the Diner.

Ricardo hurries down the street from a distance but stops in his tracks when he sees the scene in front of him.

No one sees him, except for Sophia.

They lock eyes and then Ricardo turns around and leaves in the direction he came.

Damian gestures to Sophia to go back inside.

DAMIANPlease go back inside miss.

SOPHIAI'm a doctor.

Damian doesn't force Sophia away, but instead he allows her to move forward. She quickly walks over to Jack, bends to his side, and checks him out with Damian.

Fernando pulls up by the corner then quickly drives past.

DAMIAN(standing)

Isabella?

Mickey pulls Isabella down to his face by the collar of her shirt with a bloody hand.

Isabella is fearful, but then her expression softens and she frowns as Mickey whispers into her ear.

DAMIAN(standing)

Isabella?

He exhales his last breath, releases his grip and falls back to the ground.

Isabella sits up, pauses, then looks behind her in shock.

34

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF FILM

DSTS-Ttafico-Treatment and PilotDirecting Class - Pilot Script

eulo, joseph spr15 - dsts-treatment and pilot script

Documents