'70S COP SHOW-STYLE CREDIT SEQUENCE
It's a MONTAGE OF IMAGES AND '70s CLICHS (all pulled from
this episode) complete with bass-heavy funky THEME SONG.
NOTE: The cast features '70s era hairstyles and wardrobe as
described in the body of the episode.
We begin with --
THE CAR JUMP (SCENE 9)
Nick's car (a '70s muscle car) jumps a street lip. As it's
about to land --
INSIDE CAR (SCENE 10)
Nick and Kate JERK forward in reaction to landing.
ALLEY (SCENE 17)
Nick and Kate, hop out of Nick's car, guns drawn.
SPECIAL UNIT 2 TITLE GRAPHIC
A DISCO BALL fills the frame. Sparkling. The TITLES begin
small at the center of the screen then GROW OUT to fill frame.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Special Unit 2...
BOTTOM OF SCREEN
In small titles is the Roman Numeral Copyright which reads:
Copyright MCMLXXVI (1976).
BEGIN CAST INTRODUCTIONS:
NICK
It's the TWO STANDARD I.D. SHOTS: "At work" and "At play" --
Work: Nick jumps into a HOOD SLIDE (SCENE 32).
Play: Boogying on the disco floor in a white leisure suit.
He spins around to face camera (SCENE 19). FREEZE.
CARD: Starring Michael Landes as Officer Nick O'Malley
KATE
Work: Kate pulls her 5-point SU2 BADGE and flings it, like a
Chinese throwing star (SCENE 92).
Play: On the back of Kate's head. As she turns towards the
camera, her feathered hair does that '70s hair flip (SCENE
86). FREEZE.
CARD: Alexondra Lee as Officer Kate Benson
CAPTAIN PAGE
Bursts out his office, report in hand, SCREAMING. We can't
tell where his afro ends and the door frame begins (SCENE
7). FREEZE.
CARD: Richard Gant as Captain Page
JONATHAN
Jonathan - with bad '70s moustache - looks up from a "Quincy,
M.E." lab microscope, flashes a dorky smile (SCENE 25).
CARD: Jonathan Togo as Jonathan
CARL
Carl sits in a bar booth. Steak dinner and bottle of Chianti
before him. A hot woman lights his cigar (SCENE 14). FREEZE.
CARD: And Danny Woodburn as "Pimp Daddy" Carl
ALLEY
Camera is at ground level. Nick's car speeds past, stirring
up litter (SCENE 17). FREEZE.
NEW GRAPHIC
"Created by Evan Katz" starts in the CENTER OF THE SCREEN
and BLOWS OUT with the litter to fill the screen --
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
An Evan Katz Production.
"Created by Evan Katz" DISSOLVES and --
NEW GRAPHIC
"The Fly" blows out to fill the screen --
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Tonight's episode: "The Fly".
END CREDIT SEQUENCE
ACT ONE
ON BLACK:
A PHONE RINGS. But it's that old-style bell ring --
FADE IN:
INT. NICK'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Although we don't know where we are yet. But what's really
disorienting is the carpet. It's SHAG PILE. Super thick.
Even worse, it's LIME. We SNAKE over the green sea, moving
past vinyl LP's, to find a discarded red dress with fringe...
past white leisure suit pants... black wing-tip collared
shirt... white leisure suit jacket... shoulder holster --
Move up a night stand, past disco trophies, a flip-clock
(reads 2:15 AM), an 8-TRACK player (WINGS' Band On The Run
cassette inside). We stop on the ringing ROTARY PHONE.
WATER BED
Wiggles and ripples as A HAND reaches from under the covers
answers the phone then pulls it under the covers.
NICK (O.S.)
(from under covers)
O'Malley...Yup...Be right there.
NICK'S HEAD pops out from under the covers. He has coifed
hair with a part in the middle and pork chops. A gold rope
chain around his neck. He pats the other side of the bed.
We hear a WOMAN'S MUFFLED GROAN.
NICK
Wake up, Mary Kay Lady. I have to *
leave for work.
A HOT BRUNETTE peaks her head from under the covers. As she
YAWNS we hear a second FEMALE VOICE off-screen.
RED HEAD (O.S.)
Isn't there anything we can do to
make you stay?
BEADED DOORWAY
It parts, revealing a HOT REDHEAD in giant '70s bra and panty
hose. She poses in the doorway with carnal body language.
Nick takes one long look and lets out a sigh.
NICK
Right idea, baby. Wrong time.
BRUNETTE IN BED
You sure, Nicky?
NICK
(putting on shoulder
holster)
I'll make it up to you.
(to the other girl)
Both of you.
OMITTED
INT. PARKING GARAGE - NIGHT
Nick's CHEVY VENTURA pulls up curb-side. Hot spokes. Door
opens and two stylish shoes with pointed toes and Cuban heels *
step out.
It's that SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER opening credit shot. Still
on the SHOES. It's a confident walk, owning every step. We
move up bellbottoms, to a Starsky-style cardigan. The gold
rope chain tips us off it's
NICK
Eating a chili dog, fully loaded. He walks by TWO COPS in
dated police outfits.
COP #1
Hold it right there, buddy boy.
Where do you think you're going?
Nick unflaps his wallet. Revealing a DATED SU2 SHIELD.
NICK
Special Unit 2.
COP #1
Oh yeah. We heard of you guys.
What do you do anyway?
NICK
Your job. Only better.
KATE (O.S.)
Hey Nick.
SNAP ZOOM
To KATE looking foxy in bell-bottom Ditto jeans and a FEMININE
SYMBOL MEDALLION. Her lips are highly glossed and hair
feathered back, a la FARRAH FAWCETT.
KATE
That's disgusting. How can you eat
that garbage for breakfast?
NICK
Cut me some slack, Kate. It's got
all four food groups:
(pointing each out)
Bread, vegetables, meat and mustard.
KATE
So how'd the tournament go last night?
NICK
You're looking at the new Disco King
of the greater Chicago area.
KATE
Right on. What'd you win?
NICK
Some Mary Kay products. Here. *
He pulls some from his pocket. Hands them to Kate.
KATE
Out of sight. Thanks.
They get to the BODY. Her belongings littered everywhere.
But something else catches Nick's eye --
WHITE DUST
In typical detective style, he dips finger into the dust
then rubs it along his upper gum line.
NICK
She's a Pixie alright.
KATE
(reads from pad)
Was. Age twenty-five. Stewardess.
Just got off of her flight from Key
West.
NICK
Anything stolen?
KATE
Nothing materialistic, anyway.
NICK
What do you mean?
Kate lifts the sheet AWAY from camera. The gruesomeness
affects Nick. He quickly looks away, covering his mouth.
KATE
Just her wings.
INT. SU2 PRECINCT - DAY
Not our normal set, just a SMALL HOLE IN THE WALL -- a bullpen
with a few desks. Dated equipment (typewriters, rotary
phones) and furniture (file cabinets, old coffee machine,
crappy desk and chairs).
Nick and Kate enter. Nick carries a pizza box and eats two
slices of pizza stacked on top of each other.
CAPTAIN PAGE (O.S.)
Benson! O'Malley!
WHIP PAN TO
CAPTAIN PAGE bursts out of his office. He's a '70s bad ass,
dressed in SHAFT-like attire: White turtle neck, black leather
jacket, slacks, and platform shoes. Capping it off is a
HUGE AFRO. He waves a stack of reports which are anchored
to his LOW-TECH HOOK HAND. In '70s police chief style, he
yells instead of talks.
CAPTAIN PAGE
Look at my ass! Does it look any
different to you?!
NICK
No, sir.
CAPTAIN PAGE
Well it should, because it just got
chewed out by the Commissioner!
(waving report)
You care to explain these expenses??
Nick grabs the report off of Captain Page's artificial hook.
NICK
Oh these. That was when we chased
down the Loan Shark Link.
(reminisces)
Now that was a car chase.
Captain Page "hooks" the bill from Nick.
CAPTAIN PAGE
Hot dog cart: Seventy-eight dollars.
Hot dogs in the cart: eleven dollars.
Glass storefront window: ninety-nine
dollars. Should I go on?
(continues anyway)
City Mailbox: Ten dollars.
NICK
Ten bucks?! That's outrageous.
CAPTAIN PAGE
No. What's outrageous is how you
guys hand in your daily reports!
Once a week is not daily. It's
weekly. If I wanted them handed in
that way, they'd be called "Weekly
Reports!"
KATE
Sir, have you had a chance to review
my request?
CAPTAIN PAGE
Yes. And that sort of feminist
propaganda has no place in the
workplace.
KATE
Tell me why I should only get sixty
cents on every dollar Nick makes. I
work my tail off just as hard. We
fight the same Links. And just like
him, I'm out there putting my life
on the line every day. It's not
fair.
CAPTAIN PAGE
Life's not fair, Benson.
(holds up his hook)
I found that out the day the Commies
took my hand in Korea.
(then)
Consider this matter closed.
(turns his attention)
Jonathan, where are we?!
INT. SU2 PRECINCT - JONATHAN'S AREA - MOMENTS LATER
Complete with all the typical nerdy science decorations ('70s
microscope, big fat calculator, etc.).
JONATHAN's hair is blown out (think Leif Garrett). He sports
a cheesy mustache, a shirt that says "DISCO SUCKS" and a
big, fat BELT BUCKLE. He hangs up the phone excited.
JONATHAN
You guys ever heard of "The Force?"
CAPTAIN PAGE
The police force?
JONATHAN
No, sir. "The Force." It's with
you now and you don't even know it.
But next summer, you'll know it.
NICK
What the hell are you talking about?
JONATHAN
See, there's this movie coming out
next summer called The Star Wars.
It's set a long long time ago in a
universe far far away. And it's got
this droid in it. Name's R2D2 and
he talks like this.
Jonathan makes a bunch of mechanical noises.
NICK
Sounds stupid to me.
JONATHAN
Stick it in your ear, O'Malley.
CAPTAIN PAGE
Jonathan!
JONATHAN
Last night's victim is the third
Pixie found this week with her wings
clipped.
CAPTAIN PAGE
(shakes head)
It's a damn shame.
Jonathan turns on the slide projector. But we can't see the
image yet.
JONATHAN
Hit the lights.
JONATHAN
(Kate does; continuing)
Unlike most Links, Pixies tend to be
harmless.
CAPTAIN PAGE
Which is exactly why Special Unit 2
has allowed them to assimilate into
society.
JONATHAN
Due to their good looks and
willingness to please, Pixies have
carved a niche for themselves in the
workforce.
ON WALL
It's a hot image of a Dallas Cowboys' Cheerleader. (The
slide show will match hot women and their occupations.)
JONATHAN
Some of the occupations they fill
include cheerleaders, cruise
directors, game show models and, of
course, stewardesses.
Jonathan changes slides to reveal a scientific, Michaelangelo-
ish anatomical sketch of a Pixie.
JONATHAN
(points wings out
with pen)
Over the years, as Pixies have become
part of our society, they've had
less and less use for their wings.
KATE
So why would anyone want them?
NICK
Since the victims are Links, I think
it's safe to assume that the killer
is also a Link.
CAPTAIN PAGE
Good point. But what kind of Link
is anyone's guess.
Captain Page walks into the projection, waves his artificial
hook in the air to rally the troops.
CAPTAIN PAGE
We need to pound the pavement, people.
Put our ear to the streets. And
find this creep before it claims
more lives.
NICK
Let's book. I know just the guy who
can help us.
EXT. CHICAGO STREET - DAY (STOCK - 02:06:35:06-06:37:06)
The horizon of the street lip. Still. Then Nick's car FLIES
over in typical '70s cop show fashion. All four tires lift
off the ground. The engine revs louder. As the nose dips --
INT. NICK'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Kate and Nick bounce around hard as the car lands. Nick's
coif is too perfect to move.
NICK
Listen. About what happened back
there. I can understand if you're
still bent out of shape about that
raise.
KATE
The whole thing bakes my noodle.
It's not that I'm mad at Captain
Page. He's from another era. But
it's just another example of men
trying to keep women down.
NICK
I think you have a point. But you
are blowing this out of proportion a
little.
EXT. CHICAGO STREET - DAY (STOCK 02:05:18:18-05:22:20)
Nick's car skids wide as they fishtail around a turn.
INT. NICK'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
NICK
It's really not that bad out there.
KATE
Oh really?
NICK
Yeah. What can men do today that
women can't?
KATE
Okay. How do you feel about a female
president?
Nick weighs the thought. Nods.
NICK
President Cheryl Tiegs. I'd vote
for her.
KATE
My point exactly.
NICK
I'll talk to the Captain. See if
that helps.
EXT. P. DADDY'S SUPPER CLUB - ALLEY ENTRANCE - DAY
Nick's car screeches to a halt. Nick and Kate step out.
Approach the door to what looks like a speakeasy. A burly
BOUNCER (think Jim Brown), guards the door from his stool.
NICK
You know who we're looking for.
The Bouncer stands and his face rises OUT OF FRAME (his lower
jaw is visible). He talks with a deep voice.
BOUNCER
Haven't seen him for days.
NICK
Then I guess you wouldn't mind if we
took a look around.
The Bouncer bumps Nick, blocking him from the door.
BOUNCER
What's the password?
KATE
(flashes badge)
Chicago P.D.
BOUNCER
Unless you have a warrant or the
password, you ain't gettin' in.
NICK
I just remembered the password.
Smith & Wesson.
Nick pulls his GUN. It's a retro SU2 gun - more like Dirty
Harry's .44 with a yellow SU2 stripe. He SHOOTS the door.
INT. P. DADDY'S SUPPER CLUB - BACK ROOM - CONTINUOUS
BLAM! The door comes flying off the hinges. It's worse
than a dive BAR, it's all gutter, baby. Inside is a full-
fledged gambling operation. LOWLIFES, hover at a bar and
gather around POOL, CRAPS and ROULETTE TABLES. CHALKBOARD-
covered walls list odds of 1976 gambling events: (I.E.
Baltimore Colts vs. L.A. Rams, Evel Knievel Grand Canyon
Jump; Ali-Frazier fight; '76 Olympics; even the Miss Chicago
Beauty Pageant.) In the back corner booth and in regal form
is --
"PIMP DADDY" CARL
In true pimp uniform: Fur coat, fedora with peacock feather;
suit and silk tie; platform shoes with gold buckles. He's
making the most of his good fortune. A steak dinner with
baked potato and a bottle of Chianti. Draping over him is
TRIXIE, a hot blonde. She fills Carl's glass with wine then
flips a Zippo to light his cigar.
Nick and Kate enter. The GAMBLERS grab their chips and bolt.
CARL
That's the fourth door this month!
NICK
I'm not good with passwords.
CARL
You fuzz have to stop showing up
like this. It's bad for bid'ness.
KATE
Well well well, Carl. What have we
here?
NICK
(eyes Trixie)
Pimping.
CARL
Hey! You know I gave up pimping!
Trixie and me. We're in love.
TRIXIE
We're gonna open a bed-and-breakfast
together. Ain't that right, Carl?
CARL
That's right, babykins.
Nick and Kate eye all the gambling tables.
NICK
This bed-and-breakfast? Is it going
to house an illegal gambling operation
too?
KATE
I don't know, Nick. Captain Page
isn't gonna like this.
CARL
Hey now, there's no reason to get
hasty. I'm an entrepreneur. Let's
make a deal.
NICK
Someone's killing Pixies for their
wings. We need to know who and why.
Carl and Trixie exchange looks. We register shock and sadness
in Trixie's eyes. Concern in Carl's.
CARL
(slips Trixie a wad
of bills)
Trixie-doll, go put a tune in the
jukebox.
(she hesitates)
It's all right, honey.
She looks at Nick and Kate, then slides out of the booth.
CARL
I wish she didn't hear that.
(eyes follow Trixie
out)
Trixie's a Pixie. She's a fragile
girl. This is really gonna freak
her out.
Carl steps out of the booth, he has a pimp daddy cane with
an ivory handle. It's for style, not purpose.
CARL
I wish I could help you, but I don't
know nothing.
NICK
Forgive me if I don't believe you.
Nick SHOOTS a POOL TABLE with his .44. Balls fly everywhere.
CARL
I'm telling ya. My mind's a blank.
You can blow up every pool table in
the joint--
BANG. BANG. Nick systematically levels the pool tables.
CARL
It was a figure of speech!
One table left. Carl stares at it.
CARL
Okay. I may know a guy who may know
something. He's a real Jive Turkey.
INT. NICK'S CAR - DAY
Nick drives, Kate rides gun. Carl in the back.
CARL
(thumbing through 8-
tracks)
O'Malley, we need to talk about your
music collection.
NICK
They're not mine, they're Kate's.
KATE
And get your grubby mitts off them,
Carl. They're in order.
CARL
In order of what? How much they
suck?
(thumbing through)
Captain & Tenille, Peaches & Herb...
Whoa, the Village People??
Carl starts cracking up.
NICK
Don't knock the Village People.
They're the best group since the
Beatles.
CARL
Nick. I hate to be the one to break
this to you. They're gay.
NICK
They're not gay.
KATE
Nick I think they are gay.
NICK
Get out of town. One of them's a
cop.
CARL
(leans back in his
seat)
I rest my case.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Nick's car screeches to a halt.
INT. NICK'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Nick climbs over the seat and grabs Carl by the fur coat.
NICK
I ought to knock your block off.
CARL
Be cool, man. Respect the threads.
NICK
Not until you respect the Village
People.
They brawl. It's a bitch-slap that turns to punches. Nick's
punch turns Carl's head and POV out the car window --
CARL
Look over there. It's the Jive
Turkey.
EXT. STREET CORNER - CONTINUOUS
The JIVE TURKEY, wearing a scarf and a ski hat with an
oversized pom pom PUSHES DRUGS to a JUNKIE. *
Behind them, STREET THUGS warm themselves by a barrel with a *
fire inside. *
'70S ZOOM IN
On the Jive Turkey as he sees Nick's car. His eyes go wide --
EXT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
The CAMERA is at GROUND LEVEL. Loose paper litters the alley.
The Jive Turkey runs OVER CAMERA. He's followed by Nick's
car which STIRS up the litter, BLOWING IT into the camera.
NICK'S CAR *
Skids to a stop. He and Kate jump out and chase after the *
Jive Turkey. *
THE JIVE TURKEY *
Knocks over trash cans to slow them down. Nick and Kate *
jump over them. Nick catches up, grabs the Jive Turkey and *
slams him against the wall. FEATHERS fly out from under his *
coat. Nick yanks his scarf off revealing a GOBBLER. He's *
actually a REAL Jive Turkey. *
NICK
My partner and I have a bet. She
thinks turkeys can fly. But I'm
more of an optimist.
Nick looks up to the roof. The Jive Turkey gets the hint.
NICK
Start talking, Turkey.
JIVE TURKEY
You flub my flim-flam on the sunny
side up and this bird'll slam your
ham into a Quaker state!
Nick's confused. So is Kate. Carl rejoins them. *
CARL
Allow me. Aside from a few
unpleasantries aimed at you, he
basically said he'll tell you anything
you cats want to know.
Nick hoists the Jive Turkey back onto his feet. Carl moves
to the Jive Turkey to begin discussions. (The translation
plays like a verbal tennis match: Kate and Nick turn their
heads back and forth in the direction of whoever's talking.)
NICK
Ask him who's clipping the Pixie
wings.
CARL
(to Jive Turkey)
Bacon's sizzlin' with Pixie grillin'.
The flapjacks on their backs is the
pirate's booty, you dig?
JIVE TURKEY
Oh snack. Two negatives don't make
a positive. Cracker Jack this riddle
like playin' with anotha' brotha's
fiddle.
CARL
(to Nick and Kate)
He says it wasn't him. He's only
supposed to push the stuff.
KATE
What stuff?
CARL
(to Jive Turkey)
Slip a tip and grease the pan, what
recipe's being cooked up by the man?
JIVE TURKEY
Ingredient's da thang, chef. Powdered
sugar can be sweet, but honey west
is this chick's best breast!
Carl soaks it all in. There's gravity to J.T.'s slang.
CARL
(to Nick and Kate)
This is bad. They're using the dust
from the wings to make a new drug
called "Angel Dust."
KATE
Why don't they just call it "Pixie
Dust?"
CARL
What fool would want to admit he's
getting high on Pixie Dust?
NICK
Good point. Ask him if he knows
who's dealing the stuff.
CARL
(to Jive Turkey)
This whack jack'll slap you upside
the head, so dribble and drive, slam
dunk this punk ass so we can all go
home for biscuits and gravy.
JIVE TURKEY
Square root of two-fitty oh-oh is
the pavement and turf for the cat's
meow.
CARL
(to Nick and Kate)
All he knows is a pusher man's looking
to move about 50 kilos of the junk.
NICK
When?
CARL
(to Jive Turkey)
Milkman's quizzin' to smack it, tag
it and clock it.
JIVE TURKEY
Hippity happ's a slippery groove.
End zone is nine ways 'til fun day.
CARL
(to Nick and Kate)
Sunday.
KATE
That's just a few days from now.
NICK
50 kilos sounds a lot more than three
Pixies worth. Is he going to strike
again?
CARL
(to Jive Turkey)
Hey batter, batter. Carlton Fisk
swings and a miss is two extra beef
pattys and extra cheese. But what's
in the secret sauce?
JIVE TURKEY
Your Big Mac attack'll quack some
bills. But a flame broiled whopper
is the disco duck's thrills, see?
CARL
(to Nick and Kate;
grave)
He's going to score more wings
tonight. Some dance club called the
Disco Inferno. You know it?
Kate doesn't, looks to Nick whose face registers a history.
NICK
Yeah. I know it.
Nick throws the Jive Turkey his scarf back.
NICK
(to Carl; re: Jive
Turkey)
Tell him he can go.
CARL
(to Jive Turkey)
Slap me five, Jive.
JIVE TURKEY
And gimme change, P. Daddy.
Carl and the Jive Turkey do a hand-jive hand shake. Then
Carl gets a devious look in his eye.
CARL
When's the stork gonna land with
mixed greens in a salad bowl??
Jefferson's b-diddy is the zoom zoom
on Franklin's liberty bell!
Before the Jive Turkey can answer, Nick cuts in:
NICK
And Carl, you can forget about
counterfeiting plates.
CARL
What the?
(then; betrayed)
I thought you didn't speak Jive??
NICK
I may have taken a semester in
college.
INT. DISCO INFERNO - NIGHT
TIGHT ON
A glittery sign reads: Ladies' Night. Then TILT DOWN to
see another sentence below: It's always Ladies' Night.
DANCERS in retro outfits (some with contest numbers on their
back) boogie on the dance floor. Colored lights above flash
to the music.
Nick and Kate enter, dressed for undercover duty. Kate wears
a rhinestone tube top and above-the-knee "glitter socks."
She carries a suede purse with fringe. Nick is in his THREE-
PIECE WHITE LEISURE SUIT, shirt unbuttoned down to the vest.
A HOT DISCO GIRL notices Nick and approaches.
HOT DISCO GIRL
Nice chest.
NICK
Thanks. I've had it since I was a
kid.
HOT DISCO GIRL
You boogie, don't you?
NICK
Yeah. I boogie.
HOT DISCO GIRL
I knew it. I'd recognize that Disco
Sausage anywhere. You were tearing
up the floor at Boogie Wonderland
last Saturday night.
Nick nods modestly.
HOT DISCO GIRL
What was that move you did with your
finger?
NICK
The windmill.
HOT DISCO GIRL
I'd love it if you showed it to me.
NICK
The move or the sausage?
KATE
Nick.
As the Hot Disco Girl dances off --
NICK
Now this is my kind of undercover
work.
Something catches Kate's eye.
KATE
Nick. Over there. Isn't that Trixie?
'70S ZOOM IN
Trixie, on the dance floor practicing her moves, bobbing and
weaving to the song. She stops as Nick and Kate approach.
TRIXIE
Aren't you guys Carl's friends?
NICK
"Friends" may be a strong word.
TRIXIE
I was just practicing my moves.
Getting ready for the talent portion
of the Miss Chicago Pageant. Winner
bags five hundred big ones. A head
start towards that bed-and-breakfast.
KATE
Trixie, we're gonna level with you.
We're not here to dance tonight.
TRIXIE
You're not?
KATE
No. We got a hot tip some Pixies
may be targeted here. Tonight.
Trixie's face fills with anxiety.
NICK
Don't worry. You'll be safe. Just
as long as you stick with us.
KATE
Are there any other Pixies here
tonight?
(off Trixie's nod)
Can you point them out?
DANCE FLOOR
We focus on the dancers as she points them out.
TRIXIE (O.S.)
You can't miss 'em. The blonde, the
brunette and the red head.
NICK AND KATE
NICK
Of course, they're the only ones
wearing shirts with backs to cover
their wings.
KATE
We'd better split up.
NICK
Good idea. You watch Trixie and the
perimeter. I'll go down to the floor
to keep a closer eye on the girls.
KATE
I'll be on my walkie-talkie.
(breaks it out)
Channel 9.
They synchronize their walkie-talkies then part ways.
DANCE FLOOR
Legs part allowing Nick, the Disco Knight in shining white
polyester, to saunter to the center.
CUE: JUNGLE BOOGIE by Kool and The Gang. Nick's foot taps
on the floor to the beat. It's begun.
DISCO BALL
From above looking down, the crowd circles Nick, clapping.
NICK
Looks at the THREE PIXIES. They're drawn to his hip thrusts
like a cobra to the flute. As much as this seems like
pleasure, it's ALL WORK. Nick keeps a close eye on the Pixies
AT ALL TIMES.
His eyes mark Pixie #1. She rsvp's with a smile and they --
CALIFORNIA HUSTLE (a.K.a. "THE BUS STOP")
Nick ends the dance with a "bump," sending Pixie #1 back
into the crowd.
PIXIE #2
Nick gestures "come hither." She "Latin Crawls" to Nick.
Their bodies come together like static cling. As Nick scans
over her shoulder at the crowd --
'70S ZOOM IN
Kate tails Trixie to the LADIES' ROOM. Trixie looks around,
then enters quickly. Kate skates up and stands guard.
NICK
He spins Pixie #2 in place, her dress blossoms out. She
twirls back into the crowd.
PIXIE #3
Nick dials her number with the CHA CHA (fisted hands spin
over each other -- imagine unwrapping an Ace bandage from a
wrist) and she comes calling. He grabs her hands and they --
SPOT TURN
Arms crossed over another, hands gripping the hands of the
dance partner whose arms are also crossed. The two dancers
arch back for support in order to spin in place.
NICK'S POV
Pixie #3 spins, the crowd whizzes by clapping. Nick thinks
he sees something and has to end the dance. He busts into --
THE WINDMILL
And the crowd goes nuts. Nick finishes, finger pointed in
the air up at the disco ball. As Nick exits the floor, hands
reach to touch the disco king. He pulls his WALKIE TALKIE.
NICK
(into walkie-talkie)
Kate? Do you read?
KATE
In front of the LADIES' ROOM. Smiling from Nick's show.
KATE
I'm here. Now that was quite a show.
NICK (O.S.)
It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta
do it.
(then)
I lost sight of Trixie, though.
KATE
I've got her covered. She's in the
Ladies' room.
(thinks)
But she's been in there for some
time. I'm gonna check on her.
NICK
Hears Kate's voice over the walkie-talkie.
KATE (O.S.)
Trixie's A-WOL. Repeat. Trixie's
gone!
EXT. THE DISCO INFERNO - BACK ALLEY - NIGHT
Trixie lights a cigarette. Takes a couple of puffs.
THE FLY
Standing in the shadows. Trixie reflects in his sunglass
lenses. The Fly pulls his silver cigarette case, takes out
a sugar cube and as he pops it in his mouth --
THE FLY'S POV
For the FIRST TIME, we see through The Fly's eyes. And like
a fly, it's like a dizzying KALEIDOSCOPE.
TRIXIE
The Fly sneaks up behind her, his hand reaches towards her.
Like the teaser, we expect him to rip her wings off. When,
he taps her on the shoulder. She spins around... relieved.
THE FLY
Trixie, baby. You late, girl.
TRIXIE
I'm sorry, Fly.
THE FLY
I can let it slide. Just as long as
you got what's rightfully mine.
TRIXIE
About that. I think we should lay
on the down low. Pigs are inside
sniffing around.
THE FLY
Pigs? What pigs?
TRIXIE
Some honkey cop and his foxy partner.
They were poking around about that
Pixie you iced last night...
THE FLY
Keep talking --
TRIXIE
I didn't tell them a thing. I swear.
THE FLY
That's my girl. I know Trixie
wouldn't rat out The Fly.
To emphasize his threat, The Fly drags his long pinky finger
nail down her face. Trixie's eyes well up with tears.
TRIXIE
I didn't know you were gonna kill
them. I can't keep doing this. I
want out.
THE FLY
It's that fool Carl, isn't it? I
knew hanging out with him would be
bad news.
TRIXIE
Carl doesn't know anything about
this.
THE FLY
We have a deal, dove.
THE FLY
I give you junk. You tell me where
the Pixies are.
TRIXIE
Not anymore. I'm getting clean. I
got dreams.
THE FLY
You may have wings, Trixie. But a
ho like you can't fly her way out of
the gutter.
TRIXIE
You'll see. I have a plan. A good
one. I'm gonna make a better life
for myself.
THE FLY
Must I remind you, who put all those
nice threads on that sweet baby back
of yours? Who put that color TV in
yo' living room? And who sprinkles
frost on yo' flakes?
(menacing)
After all I done for you, you think
I'm gonna let you play me like a
sucka?
Trixie knees The Fly in the groin and runs away. The Fly
recovers and as he CROUCHES, BEGIN "SIX-MILLION DOLLAR MAN"-
STYLE SLO MO JUMP UP --
CAMERA UP as The Fly jumps over camera, then --
LANDS, knees bent, in front of Trixie. END SLO-MO.
THE FLY
You know what they say, girl. Every
time a bell rings, a Pixie loses her
wings.
(grins)
Ding..ding.
Trixie swings her arms, grabbing The Fly's hair.
ALLEY WALL
Bright red neon from bar signs cast both their shadows up
the wall. We watch the violence play out through their
silhouettes. The Fly knocks Trixie to the ground.
EXT. DISCO INFERNO - BACK ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
Nick and Kate run out, guns drawn. Then they hear SCREAMS
and turn to see --
TRIXIE'S BODY
On the ground. Her shirt torn. Wings gone. Nick kicks a
trash can in frustration --
COMMERCIAL BREAK CARD
EXT. CHICAGO SKYLINE - 1970'S STOCK - NIGHT
As we go to commercial, we cut to a FREEZE FRAME of The Fly
jumping over camera. SUPERIMPOSE TITLES: SPECIAL UNIT 2.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Don't go away. Special Unit 2 will
be right back.
END OF ACT ONE
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