BLACK RAIN


                             by

                       Craig Bolotin

                             &

                        Warren Lewis




                                             November 1987






	A BLACK SCREEN:

	Various voices:	  "Big six"... "That's six the hard way"...
			  "Seven or eleven"... "Play two"...

	FADE IN:

	EXT.  UPPER EAST SIDE - NEW YORK CITY - NIGHT

	One of the pristine blocks of brownstones where even the
	garbage seems gift wrapped.  The VOICES continue over as
	we move in on a particular building where a DOORMAN is
	holding open the door for a dowager and her poodle.

	The voices continue:  "Hit me"... "Double down"... "Let it
	ride"... "Hit me"... "Anymore for the come out"...
	"Card"...

	In contrast to the outside of this sedate, quiet
	brownstone, we go inside to find...


	INT.  BROWNSTONE APARTMENT

	... a miniature Las Vegas, complete with music, drinks,
	tuxedoed dealers and croupiers:  roulette, craps, Black
	Jack.  Wall to wall people.  The fact that casino gambling
	happens to be illegal in New York doesn't stop these
	Connecticut slummers, hollow-cheek nightlifers, and junior
	wiseguys from having a good time.

	AT THE CARD TABLE

	NICK CONKLIN, holding a dollar cigar, is trying to pull a
	winning hand.  In his late thirties, Nick has the sort of
	quiet good looks that takes an extra glance to appreciate.
	His Moe Ginsburg rent-a-tux is too tight, his ruffled
	shirt, out of date; Nick could care less.

	Two other players are still in the game.  One of them is a
	lithe DEBUTANTE surrounded by an entourage of giggling
	friends and tuxedoed men.  The pot is huge.

	Nick flips two one hundred dollar chips onto the pot.

					NICK
			One, and one on top.

					DEALER
			House sees.

					PLAYER ONE
				(hesitates)
			I'm out.

	Disgusted, he throws down his cards.

	It's down to Nick and the debutante.  The cocky deb gives
	Nick a long look, confident she can win.

					DEBUTANTE
				(her eyes still on
				 Nick)
			I see the deuce, and one to chase
			them home.

	She throws her chips on the pot.  Nick hesitates, then
	decides to match it.

					NICK
			Call.

					DEBUTANTE
				(showing her hand)
			Ladies, aces wired.  Sorry sport.

	Nick turns over his cards, Jacks and tens, not good enough
	to win.  Elated, the deb gets up from the table and joins
	her giggling friends.  Nick walks over to her.

					NICK
			Very nice, Barbie.
				(pointing toward her
				 boyfriend)
			Now, I'd take Ken over there and go
			home.

					DEBUTANTE
			Why's that?

					NICK
			It's time.  That's all.

					BOYFRIEND
			The lady wants to play.  Someone
			should teach you to be a better
			loser, loser.

					NICK
			Listen, Ken --

					BOYFRIEND
			My name is not Ken --

					NICK
			-- I'm offering you the benefit of
			my experience.

					DEBUTANTE
			Looks like you have a lot of
			experience in places like this.  It
			was nice of them to relax the dress
			code for you.

	That draws a laugh from her friends.  The entourage heads
	for the bar.

	CHARLIE SKLOARIS, twenty-three, steps in front of the
	debutante, blocking her path.

	She steps to the side.  Charlie steps with her.  Charlie's
	pushing it, he's always pushing it.  She's not amused.
	Finally, Charlie lets her pass.  He comes up to Nick.

					CHARLIE
			Typical New York woman, big
			attitude, small apartment, no tits.

	Only two things count to Charlie:  his job and his women,
	but not necessarily in that order.

					CHARLIE
			I think she got to you, pappy.

					NICK
				(checking his watch)
			You want a popsicle, go to Good
			Humor.  And don't call me 'pappy.'

					CHARLIE
				(glancing at the
				 door)
			Still, you gotta wonder how she'd
			look in handcuffs.

	Nick, wary, eyes this kid.  Charlie shrugs, spreads his
	arms defensively.  The SOUND of pounding on the front
	door.

	THE DOOR

	splinters.  The bouncer steps back as four helmeted
	emergency service officers -- the first members of the
	raiding party -- rush in.

	Pandemonium.  People rush for the exit -- any exit.

	AT THE BAR

	Nick and Charlie hold up their glasses.

					NICK
				(calmly)
			Alley oop.

	They down their drinks, then set them down.

	Charlie pulls out the Binaca, offering Nick a spritz, but
	Nick is already pulling out his POLICE BADGE and hanging
	it around his neck.  Charlie quickly follows suit.

	A HALF DOZEN COPS

	line the patrons up against the wall.  The Asst. D.A.,
	PATTY ZACHARA, climbs onto the crap table.  A petite,
	nervous woman, Patty has dressed in a Channel suit for the
	occasion.

					ZACHARA
			Settle down.  Hey, quiet... Please.

	Not a prayer.

					NICK
			SHUT THE HELL UP, GODDAMNIT!

	That quiets them.

					NICK
			My name is Conklin.  Let's do this
			fast so I can go home.

	Zachara, annoyed, looks at Nick.

					NICK
				(softer)
			It's all yours.

					ZACHARA
				(reads)
			Under section 216 of the New York
			State Penal code, I serve notice
			that this premise and it's
			occupants...

	NICK

	catches the Debutante's eye across the room.  She smiles
	at him, he was right.  He shrugs, spreads his hands.
	That's life.

	A well groomed middle aged man, who we'll come to know as
	CAVELLO, suddenly bolts from the crowd lined up against
	the wall.

	Charlie spins around to stop him --

					CHARLIE
			Whoa -- where do you think you're
			going, hotdog.

	Cavello butts him with his head, sending Charlie to the
	floor.  Then, crosses his arms in front of his face and
	plunges through the WINDOW.

	Nick, not missing a beat, gives a small sigh as he
	follows.

					NICK
				(sighs)
			Fabulous...

	He takes off after him.


	EXT.  STREET UPPER EAST SIDE - NIGHT

	Nick, short of breath, chases Cavello down the residential
	street, past the dog-walkers, past the doormen, past the
	fur-coated women climbing out of taxies... Unfortunately,
	Cavello has a good half block on him.

	From nowhere, Charlie blasts past leaving Nick a half
	block behind, silently cursing his age.

	AT THE CORNER

	a limo jerks to a halt, and Cavello jumps in.  The limo
	streaks away.

	CHARLIE

	turns to see Nick, hands on knees, gasping for air.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  LOCKER ROOM - TWO EIGHT PRECINCT - NIGHT

	Now in their street clothes, Charlie and Nick stand in
	front of the mirrors.  Charlie is working his brush and
	hair dryer as if his life depended on it.  Nick, in
	contrast, shoves his hair back with his fingers and
	glowers at himself in the mirror.

					CHARLIE
				(over the dryer)
			... It's not like you were slow or
			anything... I think you did just
			fine.  I think you did great.

					NICK
			Thanks.

	Nick turns to leave.

					CHARLIE
			Hey, hey, where you goin'?

					NICK
			Home.


	EXT.  POLICE PARKING LOT - NIGHT

	Nick strides out the door.  Charlie hurries after him.

					CHARLIE
			Wait up.  You know the guy who did
			the Weismuller through the window --

					NICK
			-- Cavello.  Ronnie Cavello.

	Charlie trails Nick to his motorcycle:  a Harley hog
	complete with wide gleaming fenders and twin tanks.  The
	bike is held together with tape and baling wire.

					CHARLIE
			You know him?

	Nick tries to kick-start this behemoth, but it's not easy.

					NICK
			He works for Frank Abolofia.
			Atlantic City.  Casinos.

					CHARLIE
			So why dive through the glass for a
			nickel and dime bust?

	Charlie puts his foot up on Nick's fender to tie his shoe.
	Nick, spotting an ankle holster peeking from Charlie's
	sock, grabs Charlie's foot.  Charlie teeters.

					NICK
			What's this?

					CHARLIE
			Let go...

	Nick pulls out a Beretta 32.

					CHARLIE
			Back-up.

					NICK
			Get rid of it.

					CHARLIE
			Why?

					NICK
			It's not regulation.  And the only
			way you're gonna stop anybody with
			it is to show it to him, and while
			he's laughing, you can shove it down
			his throat.

					CHARLIE
				(looking at Nick's
				 bike)
			I'll get rid of it when you get rid
			of the egg-beater.

	The Harley comes to life spitting a cloud of blue smoke.
	Nick puts on his paint-flecked helmet, slides down some
	ski goggles.

					CHARLIE
			Nick, let's go hunting.  Bag
			Cavello.

					NICK
			Charlie...

	Nick pops the bike into gear.

					NICK
			... You still got shaving cream on
			your ear.

	Nick rolls out and disappears in a haze of blue smoke.


	EXT.  BELT PARKWAY - VERRAZANO BRIDGE - NIGHT

	WE FIND Nick, a lonely, solitary figure bobbing in and out
	of the lights and shadows.  The SOUND of wind whips
	through his helmet; cold air stings his cheeks... The tail
	lights of Nick's bike disappear into the night.


	EXT.  SUBURBAN STREET - STATEN ISLAND - NIGHT

	Civil service heaven.  Nick hits the cut switch and glides
	past the manicured lawns and well kept houses of this
	development.  A basketball net in every driveway, a Buick
	or Chrysler in every garage.

	One house sticks out.  The lawn is brown, paint is peeling
	off the garage door and newspapers are scattered on the
	driveway.  Nick glides once around the cul de sac looking
	at the house.  His house.  It's as inviting as an open
	grave.  He shoots away.


	INT.  EL GRECO DINER - STATEN ISLAND - NIGHT

	A hanger sized roadhouse, wall to wall red velvet.

	Nick's the sole figure at the counter, coffee and the
	Daily News in front of him.  A NURSE walks in and sits
	down a half dozen seats away.  Nick look up.

					NICK
			Short shift?

					CONNIE
			Yeah... I came to save you.  If
			you're hopeless, I'll pull the plug.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  CONNIE'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

	Nick and Connie are in bed.  They're both looking up at
	the ceiling.  They've just made love.

					CONNIE
			It's getting too cold even for me,
			Nick.

					NICK
			Connie...

					CONNIE
			All right, how's the new partner?

					NICK
			High spirits, desire, commitment.

					CONNIE
			You'll take care of that.

					NICK
			Give me a break, would you?

					CONNIE
			If you give me one.

	Nick kisses her.  The first suggestion of real affection.
	The SOUND of someone KNOCKING on the door.  Reluctantly,
	they stop.  Connie gets up and puts on her robe.

					NICK
			Are you expecting anyone?

					CONNIE
			I wasn't expecting you.

	She disappears down the hallway.  We HEAR the door open,
	then telling someone to wait.

					CONNIE
				(poking her head in
				 the room)
			Imagine a small, greasy Boy Scout.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  CONNIE'S APARTMENT

	Nick, wearing only his pants, is doing a slow burn.
	Charlie is holding his hands up defensively.

					CHARLIE
			... I found the goombah... Cavello.
			He's --

					NICK
			-- I should tear your head off.

					CHARLIE
			Whoa, I knew you were going to say
			that.  I absolutely anticipated
			that, Nick.  But I said to myself,
			Charlie, Charlie, we can move up on
			this, so go find Nicklaus... He'll
			be pissed for a moment, but then
			it'll dawn on him --

					NICK
			-- Hey, I got a better chance of
			being hit by a bus then moving up.

	Charlie looks away momentarily, letting it slide.  He
	knows he's on sensitive ground.

					CHARLIE
			... Look... they told me at the
			Greek's you were here.  I'm sorry, I
			never imagined...

					CHARLIE
				(buddy buddy)
			I like her.  She's nice.
				(lowering his voice)
			For her age.

	The bedroom door opens.  Connie enters, dumps Nick's
	clothes on the couch, tosses his gun on top of the pile.
	Without a word, she goes back inside and slams the door
	behind her.

	Nick, pissed, slowly turns to face Charlie.  Charlie
	shrugs.  Nick's got nothing better to do than go.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  LIME HOUSE - CHINATOWN - NIGHT

	The Lime House is a little piece of Italy in the heart of
	Chinatown, and tonight, it's packed.  Any selection on the
	jukebox that isn't Frank Sinatra is Jerry Vale.  Behind
	the bar are two fat BROTHERS.  One pours drinks, the other
	dishes out Scungilli.  It's three a.m.  It's always three
	a.m. at the Lime House.

	AT THE BACK TABLE

	Our man CAVELLO is unloading steaming Scungilli onto an
	already heaping plate in front of an imperious looking
	JAPANESE MAN.  The Japanese Man, in his mid-fifties, wears
	a gray suit, and not a strand of his jet black hair is out
	of place.

	A Japanese TRANSLATOR, doing his best to translate
	Cavello's heavily accented English, sits between them.

	AT THE BAR

	Charlie is looking straight ahead, afraid Cavello might
	peg him.  Nick is at ease.

					CHARLIE
			What are they doing now?

					NICK
			Eating Scungilli, just like the last
			time you asked.

					CHARLIE
			Who do you think the Jap is?

					NICK
			Maybe Cavello's buying a Subaru.
			How would I know?

					CHARLIE
			I don't blame you for being sore.
			It'll pass when we bag him.

	Charlie, trying to relax, gestures toward his foot.

					CHARLIE
			Whatdaya think?  'Bostonians'.
			Eighty-five bucks.
				(lowering his voice)
			Girls go for shoes.  Second place
			they look.
				(off Nick's
				 reaction)
			Hey, I read it in a magazine.

	Nick's attention is drawn to a trio walking in the door.

					NICK
				(dead serious)
			Charlie, don't do anything.  Promise
			me?

					CHARLIE
			What?

	WHAT THEY SEE:  TWO BODYGUARDS are making a quick sweep of
	the bar.  FRANK ABOLOFIA, s stocky man with silver grey
	hair, sweeps in behind them.  Abolofia has mitts like a
	meat packer and a fifty dollar manicure.  A heavyweight
	Mafioso.

					NICK
			Frank Abolofia.

					CHARLIE
			The Wolf?

	Abolofia walks to Cavello's table.  All rise and shake
	hands.  The two hitters take seats at the bar.  The two
	brothers scramble to serve their distinguished guests.

					NICK
				(in a whisper)
			Some party.

					CHARLIE
			Maybe we should do something?

					NICK
			Charlie, take your gum, stick it
			under your ass and keep it warm.

	Nick turns away, resumes his drink.

	NICK'S POV IN THE MIRROR BEHIND THE BAR:  two new Japanese
	men step in the door.  Early twenties, spiky hair, dark
	Versace suits.

	NUMBER ONE

	wears tortoise shell shades.  He coolly checks out the
	room then nods to --

	NUMBER TWO

	who pulls a Spas 12, automatic shotgun from under his
	coat, and spits out three rounds.  A window shatters.
	Everyone hits the floor.

	NUMBER ONE

	slowly walks toward Cavello's table.

	NUMBER TWO

	covers the floor.  Abolofia's bodyguards show their empty
	hands.

	NICK AND CHARLIE

	on the floor.  They don't have the artillery for this guy
	either.

	AT THE TABLE

	Our Japanese businessman knows these people.  He eyes them
	contemptuously.

	Abolofia has put enough people in this situation to be
	philosophical about it.  He stops chewing.  A tiny
	hand motion to his bodyguards is enough to stop any
	precipitous action.

					NUMBER ONE
				(in Japanese)
			Give it to me.

	The Japanese businessman looking straight ahead.  A long,
	silent pause... Then, still not facing him:

					BUSINESSMAN
				(in Japanese)
			Go to hell.

	Number One slips his fingers beneath his shades, massaging
	his eyes.  IN A FLASH, he pulls a shuto from under his
	coat.  The 18 inch blade gleams like a neon tube.

	He presses the tip of the blade against the businessman's
	throat.

	CHARLIE

	his hand close around the grip of the Beretta.  He unsnaps
	the ankle holster.  The SNAP can be heard across the room.
	Nick's hand closes around Charlie's and squeezes till the
	knuckles turn white.

					CHARLIE
				(in a whisper)
			What are you doing?

					NICK
			Saving your life.

	NUMBER TWO

	levels the scattergun at Nick and Charlie.

	AT THE TABLE - NUMBER ONE

	calmly holds the blade at the man's throat as he reaches
	into the man's jacket and removes a small, rectangular,
	plastic-wrapped parcel.

	He feels its weight, then flips it to NUMBER TWO.

	Abolofia, realizing that whatever is going on doesn't
	affect him or his, resumes eating.

					ABOLOFIA
			You people are wild... Wild.

	NUMBER ONE backs the blade off.  The man raises his napkin
	to the small wound.  A droplet of blood has stained his
	shirt collar.  NUMBER ONE turns around as if to leave.

	What happens next could be a whim, an after thought.
	Number One spins around and THRUSTS the blade deep into
	the man's chest.  He withdraws it with a half twist, and
	in the same motion fatally slashes the translator's throat
	before the old man's body hits the floor.

	Blood pours from the businessman's mouth onto his
	Scungilli, spreading across the white cloth and onto the
	floor.

	CAVELLO

	reaches for a gun under his coat.  But NUMBER TWO pumps
	two rounds into his face.  At this range, there's not much
	left.

	The killers slowly back out the door, covering the room
	with the scattergun.  The minute the door shuts, Nick
	leaps up, pulling his shield and revolver.

					NICK
				(shouting)
			Police officers.  Everybody stay
			put.
				(to Charlie)
			Get back up.

	Abolofia's eyebrows rise at this development.

	Nick bolts out the door leaving Charlie in charge.  He's
	never been in charge before.

					CHARLIE
				(nervously showing
				 shield)
			Police.


	EXT.  THE LIME HOUSE - NIGHT

	A Lincoln tears around the corner to pick the killers up.

	Nick flies out the Lime House door and hits the ground.

	Number Two pumps out shells as fast as he can squeeze the
	trigger.  He's wild.  The front windows of the Lime House
	shatter.

	The LIMO DRIVER jerks to a halt.  Number Two tosses the
	package to him.

	Nick empties his revolver.  Number Two goes down.

	The driver floors the accelerator, leaving Number One to
	take off on foot.  Nick follows, reloading as he runs.


	INT.  THE LIME HOUSE

	Everyone's frozen on the floor.

					CHARLIE
			Call 911.  Tell them an officer
			needs assistance.  Say ten thirteen.

	Nothing from the owner who looks at Abolofia.  Charlie
	grabs the owner by his collar and shoves him toward the
	phone.

					CHARLIE
			Do it, you dumb bastard!

	Suddenly Charlie feels something wet at his feet.  He
	looks down to see that he's standing in a pool of blood
	from the massacre.  So much for his new shoes.

	He wheels around, then quickly backs out the door.


	EXT.  STREET - DOWN THE BLOCK FROM THE LIME HOUSE

	Deserted.  The wail of police sirens in the distance.
	Charlie has his gun out.  He's drenched in sweat.  Where
	is his partner?

					CHARLIE
			NICK...!  Shit... SHIT!!

								 CUT TO:

	ANOTHER STREET - ALLEY - NIGHT

	Nick, gun drawn, slowly rounds the corner to the alley:
	it's the ad hoc drugstore for the night.  Drugs going up
	and down in pails, two dozen junkies buying, shooting,
	slumped on the ground.  Everyone scatters -- the one's
	that can.

	AN ABANDONED PAIL

	swings slowly back and forth from three stories up.  Nick
	cautiously moves down the alley, holding the gun in both
	hands.  A Junkie steps out of a doorway, Nick swings his
	gun and nearly blows him away.

	NUMBER ONE

	We see his eyes first as he steps out of the darkness at
	the back of the alley.  From now on we'll call him KOBO.
	His sunglasses are on his forehead; his hands dropped
	casually at his side.  A very cool character.

	Kobo slowly raises his hand, and making a gun with his
	finger, slowly points and "shoots" at Nick... He lowers
	his hand.

					NICK
			On the ground, man.  NOW!!

	Kobo cups his hands around his ear.  He doesn't understand
	English.  Nick, keeping his gun fixed, comes up to him and
	kicks out his legs.

	Kobo falls flat on his chest.

	Nick pulls out his cuffs.  But Kobo lunges for Nick's
	ankle and yanks it toward him.  Nick stumbles backward;
	Kobo's on his feet.  Before Nick can stand, Kobo lands a
	brutal kick to the side of Nick's head.

	Nick gets up, barrels into him.  Kobo knees Nick in the
	solar plexus, then lands two more well placed kicks in
	Nick's back.  It's not that Nick's a bad fighter, it's
	that this kid is so damn fast.

	Nick slowly gets to his feet.  KOBO lands two more brutal
	shots to the side of Nick's head.  He's a bloody mess.

	TWO POLICE CARS

	stop at the end of the alley.  FOUR OFFICERS climb out.

	CHARLIE

	joins the cops as they run down the alley to find Nick
	getting pummeled.

	Charlie shoots at Kobo.  Misses.  Kobo turns to see the
	five cops, guns drawn.

	Nick, on one knee, spits out blood and a few teeth.

	Kobo calmly slips the shuto out of his coat pocket and
	drops it next to Nick.  The blade gleams in the light.
	That was next.  Nick got lucky.

	Kobo towers imperiously above Nick.  Their eyes lock.  We
	hold then...

								 FADE TO BLACK.

	FADE IN:

	NICK'S LIVING ROOM - STATEN ISLAND - MORNING

	There isn't a stick of furniture, but that's not the half
	of it.  In the middle of the room is a motorcycle on a
	centerstand.  A drop cloth is spread around it, tools
	neatly aligned.  It's a Harley -- but this one is in
	perfect condition.

	A phone RINGS insistently from off screen, then stops.

					NICK (O.S.)
			Yeah... sure, sure I'll be down.

	Nick walks in, naked.  Every muscle aches.  One side of
	his face is completely swollen.  He has a band-aid over
	his right eye; some blood caked on his earlobe.  He stops
	to twist a spark plug in with a ratchet, but it snaps.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  EIGHT - THREE PRECINCT - DAY

	CAPT. OLIVER, early forties, walks between Charlie and
	Nick as they head toward the Medical Examiner's room.
	Oliver doesn't face Nick as he speaks; no love lost
	between these two.

					OLIVER
			How big a package we talking about?

					NICK
				(holding up his
				 hands)
			This by this...

					OLIVER
			Dope?

					NICK
			Not in that company.

					OLIVER
			The old man was a Japanese paper
			manufacturer.  Hotel room and rental
			car were full of it.

					CHARLIE
			Full of what?

					OLIVER
				(annoyed)
			Art and stationary paper.  Cavello
			had five hundred thousand in his
			attache case.

	Nick rubs the back of his neck in obvious pain.

					OLIVER
			One guy do all the damage?

					NICK
			Yeah.

					OLIVER
			Thought you knew your way around
			dark alleys, detective.

	Oliver goes through the swinging doors into the Examiner's
	room.  Charlie shoots Nick a look.  Nick let's it slide.


	INT.  MEDICAL EXAMINATION ROOM

	A TECHIE is showing the night's harvest to Charlie, Nick
	and Oliver.  They're standing over the body of the middle-
	aged Japanese man.

					TECHIE
			... The old man's suit was Japanese.
			The hitter's was Saville row.  No
			I.D.  We're doing a peel now.

	AT ANOTHER TABLE

	Another techie is carefully removing the skin from Number
	Two's fingertips.

	Charlie shuts his eyes and turns away, trying not to throw
	up.

					TECHIE
			There's something you got to see.

	He whips back the sheet, the body is nude.  A towel covers
	the genitals.  Except for the feet, hands, neck, and face,
	the body is covered with elaborate tattoos:  flowers and
	blood, dragons and snakes.

					TECHIE
			What's wrong with this picture?

					CHARLIE
				(nervously)
			I got a tattoo.  Birdie on the ball.
			We all got them when we finished
			basic at Camp Lejune.

					NICK
			Charlie.

					TECHIE
			I thought you guys were trained
			observers?

	They look up surprised.  The techie picks up a hand.  The
	third and forth fingers have been neatly amputated.

					TECHIE
			Eight fingers.
				(ironically)
			Hey, it was a trick question.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  INTERROGATION ROOM

	ABOLOFIA is seated in chair next to his LAWYER.  Nick,
	Oliver, and a third detective are grilling him.

					ABOLOFIA
			He was with a friend, sure.  I shake
			hands with the guy and a minute
			later he's bleeding all over my
			socks.

					ATTORNEY
			Will that do officers?  My client
			has had a terrible shock.

					NICK
			Yeah, he's not used to seeing other
			people do the killing.

					ATTORNEY
			I won't tolerate harassment!

					OLIVER
			What about the package?

					ATTORNEY
			We know nothing about it.

	Silence.  Abolofia looks at Nick, then at Oliver.

					ABOLOFIA
			Hard to believe a trained police
			officer could let this kind of thing
			happen right in front of his face.

					NICK
			I did make a mistake.  I let the
			wrong guy get hit.

	Abolofia doesn't blink an eye, goes for the jugular.

					ABOLOFIA
			Cheer up, Nick.  I'm sure it's
			easier to pick a dead man's pocket.

	Nick springs from his feet.  Oliver grabs Nick before he
	can get close to Abolofia.

					ATTORNEY
			That's it, we're through!

								 CUT TO:

	KOBO

	the Japanese killer who smashed in Nick's face last night.
	He's sitting in an interrogation room an hour later with a
	DETECTIVE and a JAPANESE TRANSLATOR.  He won't talk.

	OBSERVATION ROOM

	Nick and Oliver watching through the glass.

					OLIVER
			Doesn't speak a word of English.
			And he won't speak Japanese either.
			No papers.  The Japanese embassy is
			very interested.

					NICK
			Why?

					OLIVER
			He's wanted in Japan.  They want him
			first.  Then we can have him.

					NICK
			What?

	Oliver nods.  That's the way it is.

	ON KOBO

	he turns and looks at Nick.  He can't possibly see him
	through the one way glass but he knows Nick's there.

	ON NICK

	looking at him.

	ON KOBO

	making a cutting mark across his forehead, right where
	Nick's bandage is.  It's uncanny.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  OLIVER'S OFFICE - LATER

	Nick is sitting in front of Oliver's desk.  The sunlight
	makes him wince; wincing makes his face hurt.

					OLIVER
			Japanese embassy talks to state
			department.  State talks to police
			plaza.  They to me and me to you.
			Shit rolls down hill.

	Oliver drops a file folder on the desk.  Nick opens it:
	petty cash, vouchers and plane tickets.

					OLIVER
			You and Charlie are taking the Jap
			home, tonight.

					NICK
			What...?  What if I say no?

					OLIVER
			Check your gun before you leave.
			They're not allowed in Japan.  It's
			a nice, safe country.

					NICK
			Why me?

					OLIVER
			They said send a detective if I
			could spare one.
				(then)
			I can always spare you.

	Nick bridles at the insult.  Oliver's had a hard-on for
	Nick for years, and Nick's tired of it.

					NICK
				(soft)
			You got something to say to me,
			Captain?

	Oliver doesn't want to get into it.

					OLIVER
			Yeah.  Have a wonderful flight.

								 CUT TO:

	THE ORANGE SUN

	on the tail of a Japan Airlines 747.  A driving rain
	storm.  The plane taxies down the runway and disappears
	into the black rain.


	INT.  AIRLINER

	Kobo, handcuffed and shackled, is in the center seat.
	Nick and Charlie sit on either side.  Charlie is holding
	"Bachelors Japan" in one hand.  Nick's in a sour mood.

					CHARLIE
			... Nick, you're the one that's
			always saying you never go anywhere.

					NICK
			I was thinking the Poconos, Charlie.
			Maybe Vegas.

					CHARLIE
			What are you missing?  Riding your
			motorcycle to the nurse's house.
			That shit is sadder than Ethiopia.

					NICK
			Beats forty hours on a plane.

					CHARLIE
			They say we got to turn around and
			come right back.  That's what they
			say.  I got a plan.

	The last thing Nick wants to hear -- too late.

					CHARLIE
			I call, right?  I say I got the
			dreaded thirty six-hour Asian shits
			from some raw clam and we stretch it
			into three days.  You and I become a
			driving force on the local Geisha
			scene.

					NICK
			Not a prayer.

					CHARLIE
				(grinning)
			Hey, come on, big guy like you, cop
			from New York.  You're gonna be the
			biggest thing to hit town since
			Godzilla.

	Nick can't help but smile at this kid.  Charlie looks down
	at the guide book.

					CHARLIE
			Says here, it's very impolite to
			touch someone while you're talking
			to them...
				(nudges Kobo)
			Guess that means you can't talk and
			screw at the same time, huh, hotdog?
			What's the matter, no -- speaky-the-
			language?  Understand this:  You
			will never ever fuck with my partner
			again.

	Nothing from Kobo who is looking straight ahead.  He
	doesn't understand.

					NICK
			Shut-up, Charlie.

	A beat, then Charlie reads a Japanese phrase from the
	book.  A slight facial response from Kobo.  Charlie tries
	it again.  This time Kobo laughs openly.

					NICK
			What'd you say?

					CHARLIE
			Where is the subway station, please.

	Kobo keeps laughing; it's obviously not what Charlie said.

					NICK
			Get a new book.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  AIRLINER - LATER

	The cabin is now darkened.  Kobo and Nick are asleep.  Not
	Charlie, he's still at his book, and listening to U2 on
	his Walkman.  Nick rolls over and opens his eyes to see
	Charlie watching him.  He shuts them hoping to avoid talk.
	Too late.

					CHARLIE
			Nick... You up?

					NICK
			No.

	Charlie removes his headphones.

					CHARLIE
			Nick, have I been a good partner?

					NICK
			Number five with a bullet.

	Nick shuts his eyes.

					CHARLIE
			I just want you to know... I mean
			anybody who says you ever took has
			got to deal with me.

					NICK
			Go to sleep, Charlie.

					CHARLIE
			You didn't take, did you...?  You
			hear things.

	Nick opens his eyes.

					NICK
			I worked the three nine in Queens,
			Charlie.

					CHARLIE
				(surprised)
			I didn't know.

					NICK
			The lieutenant was on the pad along
			with the rest of the squad.  I was
			new, didn't know shit.  When the
			feathers flew, I got called in front
			of the special prosecutor.  It's on
			the top of my personnel file.  They
			think I'm dirty or I cut a deal.
			Doesn't leave you with a lot of
			friends either way.

	Nick shuts his eyes.

					NICK
			I might as well have done something.
			I've been paying for it every
			goddamn day since I got
			transferred...

	HOLD on Nick then...

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  NARITA AIRPORT - JAPAN - DAY

	Nick and Charlie, with Kobo between them, are a strange
	sight in a sea of Japanese faces.  Kobo's hands are cuffed
	behind his back.  Nick also has Kobo cuffed to his wrist.
	The cops are rumpled, exhausted, showing two days of
	stubble.  Kobo looks sharp and wide awake.

	A pair of attractive teenage girls walks past them.

					CHARLIE
			Whoa.  Nick, we're in paradise.

	A PAIR

	of white gloved hands belonging to a Tokyo police officer
	holds up a small, hand letter sign that says:
	CONKLIN/SKLOARIS.  The man holding the sign is NAGASHIMA.
	Two other police officers in spotless tan uniforms stand
	at his side.

	Nick, holding Kobo by his arm, steps up to the police and
	show his I.D.  Nagashima bows.

					NAGASHIMA
			Officers Conklin and -- and...
				(he can't say
				 Charlie's name)
			... gentlemen, welcome.  I am
			assistant inspector Nagashima.

	They show their I.D.

					NICK
			You going to take this crap off our
			hands?

					NAGASHIMA
				(confused)
			Crap...?  Oh, the prisoner.  Yes.

	He barks some orders to the officers who immediately take
	Kobo by the arms and put cuffs on him.  Nick unfastens
	his cuff when they're through.

	In contrast to Nagashima's gentility, the cops are rough
	with the prisoner.

					CHARLIE
				(extends his hand)
			Charlie.  Kon-ich-iwa.

	Nagashima shakes his hand.  Bows.  Charlie bows back.
	Nick wouldn't bow if his life depended on it.  Nagashima
	hands Nick an official looking document.

					NAGASHIMA
			If you will please give this to the
			customs inspector he will expidate
			-- expedite you.  We have a car and
			a driver outside.

					NICK
			Right.

					CHARLIE
				(bows)
			Arigato.

	Nick grabs Charlie by the arm and starts for the customs
	line.

					NICK
			Givin' you a book is like givin' a
			baby a gun.

					CHARLIE
			Hey, when in Rome --

					NICK
			In Rome, I'll bow.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  CUSTOMS BOOTH - DAY

	NICK and CHARLIE make their way through the crowd toward
	the head of a long line.  They dump their bags on the
	counter.  The INSPECTOR, furious that they have taken cuts
	in line, barks at them in Japanese.

					NICK
			Inspector Nagashima told me to give
			you this.

	He hands the Inspector the official looking document.  The
	Inspector scans the paper.  Hands it back to them.

					INSPECTOR
				(broken English)
			You must get in line behind the
			rest.

					NICK
			We're cops.  Pol-ice-men.

	The Inspector signals a nearby POLICEMAN.  The Inspector
	says something in Japanese.  Hands the policeman the
	document.  The policeman shakes his head, amused, points
	to the end of the line.

					NICK
			Fellas, get serious.

	From off screen someone CALLS OUT:

					MAN (O.S.)
			Nick!

	Nick and Charlie turn to see KOBO, their prisoner,
	standing on the other side of the thick plastic divider.
	The handcuffs are off.  The three alleged 'policemen' are
	heading out the door behind him.  It was a set-up:  Nick
	and Charlie have been had.

					KOBO
				(perfect English)
			Thanks for the ride, detective.

	He slowly backs away from the glass as if he had all the
	time in the world, finally disappearing in the crowd.

								 CUT TO:

	NICK AND CHARLIE

	trying to shove past the customs inspectors who are
	wrestling them aside.

					NICK
			Cops!  He's our prisoner!

	Two more policemen arrive.  Nick and Charlie are thrown up
	against the wall.  Out come the cuffs.  SNAP!

					NICK
			What's going on?  We're the good
			guys!

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  TOKYO POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

	Fifty identical desks.  Fifty identical phones.  Fifty
	identically dressed men in white shirts and ties working
	under the fluorescent lights of this large open room.

	We GLIDE PAST the rows of desk to find INSPECTOR OHASHI,
	mid forties, sitting behind a perfectly arranged desk.
	Ohashi prides himself on order.

	Nick and Charlie are standing in front of him.

					NICK
			Get me something like an Identi-Kit
			and I'll give you a description.

	Ohashi remains poker faced.  He continues to arrange
	papers and apply his hanko (personal seal) to the bottom
	of a stack of official papers.

					CHARLIE
			There must be some witnesses from
			the airport?

	Still nothing from the good inspector.

					NICK
			What is it, tea time?

	Still nothing from Ohashi.  Finally:

					OHASHI
				(quiet rage)
			You lost a man we wanted for some
			time.  It was very incompetent on
			your part, officer.

					NICK
			Incompetent is letting people waltz
			through a secure area wearing your
			uniforms, carrying official
			documents.

	Ohashi bows slightly, we're not sure why.

					NICK
			I want a gun.

					OHASHI
			It is not allowed.

					NICK
			We're police officers.

					OHASHI
			You're foreigners.

					NICK
			Work with me.  I want your best
			detective.

	Pause.  Ohashi returns to his papers.  Nick can't believe
	it.

					NICK
			Hey, inspector, I don't intend to
			take the rap for this.

					OHASHI
				(not looking up)
			Do you know what this is?

	Ohashi holds up the document that was handed to Nick at
	the airport.

					OHASHI
			It's a laundry list.  Go home,
			detective.

	Nick studies him for a beat, then turns away.  To Charlie:

					NICK
			Let's go.

					CHARLIE
			Nick, we can't just --

					NICK
			I said let's go, Charlie.

	Reluctantly they head towards the door, passing long rows
	of bureaucrats, telephones ringing off the hook.  Nick
	stops at the door, spots a fuse box nearby.  He glances
	back to make sure no one is looking.

	Nick pulls out his handcuffs.  Charlie can't figure out
	what the hell he's doing.  Nick attaches one cuff to the
	main lever then yanks it down.

	The lights go out.  The fan's stop; so do the typewriters;
	so does the air conditioning.  Dead silence.

	Nick attaches the other cuff to a pipe, snaps it shut.
	Now it's impossible to left the main lever.

	From the far end of the room:

					OHASHI
			What are you doing?!

	Nick drops the key down the water fountain drain.

					NICK
			Your best detective, Ohashi.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  POLICE STATION - DAY

	Nick and Charlie cross the street.  Charlie's trying to
	read the name from the piece of paper Ohashi has given
	them.

					CHARLIE
			... Detective Ich-iro Matsu-moto.
			Hey, we're getting Mr. Moto on our
			side.

					NICK
			Let's grab some food.

					CHARLIE
			First decent idea you've had.

	Charlie pulls out his 'Footloose in Tokyo" book, flips
	through the pages.

					CHARLIE
			Food... Food, here we go.  Tokyo
			offers a wide variety of food.  It's
			best to sample the local
			specialties, including sashaimi,
			soba, and world renown Kobe beef...

	Nick goes into a restaurant.  Charlie drops the book,
	disgusted with Nick's choice.  Charlie reluctantly follows
	him in.  REVEAL it's a Shakey's Pizza restaurant.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  HOUSING PROJECT - SHIN OKUBO - DAY

	Rows of post-modern buildings of odd shaped windows and
	brightly painted concrete walls.  Nick and Charlie are
	searching for the Japanese cop's building.  They can't
	speak the language; they can't read the signs; and half
	the buildings don't have numbers.  It's a nightmare.

					CHARLIE
			This should be it...

					NICK
			You said that in the last two
			places.

	Charlie holds out the paper to a passing man.

					CHARLIE
			Kore?  Doku?  Kore doku?

	The man gestures toward the building Charlie was pointing
	to.

					NICK
			Okay, you were right.

	Charlie grins, satisfied.


	INT.  HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - CORRIDOR - DAY

	The boys are knocking on a door.  Nick turns the handle.
	It's unlocked.

	THE APARTMENT

	A four tatami room.  An unholy mess:  Food packages, beer
	bottles, stacks of papers and file folders.  Framed
	pictures of long dead relatives hang on the wall.

					CHARLIE
			This the right place?

					NICK
			I hope not.

	A WOMAN now appears at the door.  Middle aged, wizened
	face, in a full traditional Kimono.

					CHARLIE
			Konichiwa.  Ichiro Matsumoto?

	The woman babbles bird-like in rapid Japanese.  She bows.
	They're in the right place.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  SIDE STREET - MINIMAI MURAMATSU - NIGHT

	The jammed streets are barely wide enough to get a
	motorcycle down.  It's a bad neighborhood, one of the
	poorest in Tokyo.

	We spot the small kimono clad WOMAN, clip-clopping on
	wooden geta, leading Nick and Charlie through this
	labyrinth.

					CHARLIE
				(looking around)
			Getting very weird.

					NICK
			I'd feel better if we had some heat.

					CHARLIE
			Maybe we should bail?

	Seeing they've stopped, the woman gestures for them to
	hurry up, then disappears around the corner.

					NICK
				(looking at the maze
				 of streets)
			Think we could find our way back?

								 CUT TO:

	A GARISH PINK SIGN - PINK SARON BAR

	A poor man's idea of a bar.  The woman points inside,
	chirps away in Japanese, bows, then hurries off leaving
	Nick and Charlie on their own.

	INSIDE PINK SARON

	Nick and Charlie disappear into darkness as the woven
	flaps shut behind them.  A vintage wurlitzer juke box
	glows across the room.  An Enka plays.  (Haunting Japanese
	blues.)

					MAN'S VOICE (FROM THE DARKNESS)
			Big shots from New York.  I like
			your style!

	ICHIRO MATSUMOTO steps into a pool of light just inches
	from them.  He is a short overweight man looking every
	minute of his fifty-five years.  His white short sleeve
	shirt is too tight; his narrow tie spotted in the middle;
	his collar soaked in sweat.  He's not drunk yet, but he's
	been at it a while.  Call him Ich.

					ICH
				(bowing)
			Detective Ichiro Matsumoto.  I'm the
			man you're looking for.

	This is Ohashi's best man?  Well, at least he speaks
	English.

					ICH
			The man you are looking for, Kobo,
			was a member of the Samaguchi-gummi.
			A Yakuza.

	Ich nods, offers them what's left of his Sapphoro beer.
	They shake their heads.  Ich finishes it.

					NICK
			Where do we start looking for this
			guy?

					ICH
			Where would you look for the mafia?

					CHARLIE
			The back room at Lombardi's after
			the Columbus Day Parade.  Under the
			bed.  In the mayor's office.
			Everywhere.

	Ich heads for the door without saying a word.

					NICK
			Where're you going, Ichiro?

					ICH
				(stops, faces them)
			The mayor's office, under the bed,
			the back room at Lombardi's.
				(tucking in his
				 shirt tail)
			And call me Ich.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  ICHIBANKAN BAR BUILDING - KABUKI CHO - NIGHT

	Imagine an ultra modern indoor shopping mall, except there
	aren't any stores.  The only product sold here is
	pleasure:  Bars, hostess clubs, Turkish baths.  A post-
	modern red light district with music piped in and
	automated doormen.


	INT.  LAS VEGAS WELCOME CLUB

	Hip, younger Japanese are wedged together at the long
	chrome bar.  The GUYS sport leather jackets and Raybans.
	The GIRLS are decked out in fifties American party dresses
	and short cropped hair.  Jerry Lee Lewis wails in the
	background.

	Nick, Ich and Charlie are at one end of the long bar.  Ich
	is drinking them both under the table.

					ICH
				(singing)
			"Goodness, gracious, great balls of
			fire."
				(raising glass for
				 toast)
			To the killer.  Jerry Lee Lewis.

					NICK
				(checking his watch)
			Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Dinky Doo
			And The Don't's.  Let's book,
			Charlie.  If he starts on Motown,
			we'll be here all night.

					ICH
			No, this is the place for the young
			Yakuza.

					NICK
			That's what you said in the last
			three piss pots.

	Ich sets down his drink, pours more sake for Nick and
	Charlie then for himself.  He's having a great time.

					ICH
			I love you people.  The music, the
			clothes, the movies... Japanese
			respect only what is Japanese.

	Nick glances at Charlie.

					NICK
			It's incredible.  Hit him or
			something.

					CHARLIE
			I don't think he'd feel it.

					ICH
				(beginning to slur
				 his words)
			Americans change everything.  When I
			was young the city was wood and
			paper... I was ten when the bombers
			came.  I lived underground for three
			days.  When I came up, the city was
			gone... A ball of fire.

	Nick gets to his feet.  Ich grabs him by the arm, stopping
	him.

					ICH
			It began to rain, Nick.  You know
			what color the rain was?

	Ich doesn't give him a chance to answer.

					ICH
			Black... It was black from the ash.
			Very impressive.  You Americans, you
			could make black rain.

	Ich polishes off his drink.  An awkward silence.  Charlie,
	wanting to lighten the mood --

					CHARLIE
				(leaning close)
			Say Ich, between friends, where can
			I grab some squish around here?

	Nick sighs, digs in his pocket for some yen for the bill.

					ICH
			Squid?

					CHARLIE
			Pussy, ass, soft personnel.

	Ich looks up to see a picturesque, blood-haired American
	WOMEN in a tight silk blouse and skirt.  She works here
	and has obviously heard Charlie.

					ICH
			Ah, Joyce...
				(in Japanese)
			How are you tonight?

					JOYCE
				(in Japanese)
			Hello, Ich.  Johnny Walker?

	Ich nods.  Joyce's Japanese is impeccable.  She's a part-
	time bartender, translator, model.  One of Japan's western
	wanderers.  She's sliding past thirty, but only her weary
	eyes give it away.  She is about to pour Ich another
	drink.

					NICK
			Don't give him any more.

					JOYCE
			He gets as much as he wants.

	Charlie extends his hand to Joyce.  She ignores it.

					CHARLIE
			Hello hello, Charlie Skloaris.  New
			York City.

	She refills Ich's glass.

					CHARLIE
			My partner and I are cops.
				(lowering his voice)
			We're on a very big assignment here.
				(nothing from Joyce)
			When do you get off?

					JOYCE
			Right when you're being tucked into
			bed.

	Cold.

					ICH
			You should be nicer to my American
			friends, Joyce.

					JOYCE
			They wouldn't appreciate it, Ich.
			Trust me.

	She says something in Japanese to Ich as she eyes the
	cops.  Then, she walks off.

					ICH
			Joyce can be nice.

					CHARLIE
				(brightening)
			What'd she say?

					ICH
				(big smile)
			That I should let you pay for the
			drinks.
				(raising his glass)
			Kampai.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  ICHIBANKAN BAR BUILDING - NIGHT

	Charlie and Nick are trying to help a besotted Ich find a
	taxi, but no one will take him.  Ich is shouting half
	English, half Japanese phrases.

					ICH
			... We got to keep looking.  Track
			him down!  Great balls of fire!

					NICK
				(frustrated, to a
				 cabbie)
			What's the problem here?

	The cabbie ignores them.

					WOMAN (O.S.)
			You don't speak the language.  I'll
			drop him off.

	They turn to see Joyce standing behind them.

					ICH
			Ah, Joyce...

	The rest is slurred Japanese.  Joyce speaks to a cabbie in
	Japanese.  The rear door swings open.  She helps Ich in.
	Joyce climbs in.

					ICH
				(out the window)
			See you tomorrow!

	The taxi pulls away.  Nick and Charlie watch it go.

					NICK
			Not a prayer.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  STREET - FOUR A.M.

	An early morning wind jostles the red paper lantern and
	plucks at the tails of dragon-like banners hanging outside
	the shops.  Nick and Charlie are walking down this narrow
	sidestreet on the way back to their hotel.

					CHARLIE
			... He's a sorry old guy, but I like
			him.

					NICK
			He couldn't find his ass with both
			hands.

	A brand new Kawasaki 1000 motorcycle with windshield and
	full farings gleams under a street light.

					CHARLIE
			Now that's the kind of motorcycle I
			want to see you on.

					NICK
				(muttering)
			Sure, a rice burning crotch
			rocket...

					CHARLIE
			Nick, how we gonna bag this guy
			without any help?  Maybe I should
			work on that girl Joyce, she speaks
			the language.

	Nick glances over at his partner, smiles.  But before he
	can respond --

	The DULL ROAR of a half dozen motorcycles in the distance
	breaks the pre-dawn stillness.

	TWENTY BOSOZOKU (BIKERS)

	on their multi-cylinder high tech street bombers, creep
	around the corner and slowly ride toward Nick and Charlie.

	We get a better look at them:  turbo punk Elvis-samurai
	hybrids -- some wearing a slipper under their headbands,
	courtesy of their girlfriends; some in leopard skin pants.
	And tattoos...

	They head straight for Nick and Charlie, then, at the last
	moment, split and float away IN SLOW MOTION, as if the
	cops didn't exist.

	Suddenly, the street is empty again.  Silent except for
	the SOUND of the wind beating against paper lanterns,
	rustling the wind chimes...

	Hold on Nick and Charlie standing in the middle of the
	street, realizing just how far away from home they are.

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	EXT.  HOTEL - THE NEXT MORNING

	A rocket shaped building:  a mixture of Dutch Gable and
	Japanese Minka roof.  The mid-day sun beats down on a
	particular room.


	INT.  HOTEL ROOM

	Nick and Charlie are sacked out.  They never bothered to
	pull the curtains.  THE SOUND OF KNOCKING at the door.

					ICH (O.S.)
			Nick!

					NICK
			Give us a break...

					ICH (O.S.)
			It's Ichiro.  Ich.

					NICK
			Leave the rice cake outside and go
			home!

	But Ich persists.

	AT THE DOOR

	As Nick opens up.  Ich bows.  He's now clean shaven and
	has put on a clean shirt.

					ICH
			There's been a murder.  Yakuza.  You
			should come.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  PRINTING PLANT - DAY

	The murder scene.  NO SOUND.

	A SERIES OF SHOTS:

	A BODY FROM THE WAIST DOWN in the claws of six foot
	working robotic.  The tattooed covered legs swing back and
	forth like a pendulum.

	THE TORSO is wedged in between two enormous printing
	rollers.

	THE HEAD is resting in the middle of a conveyer belt.
	It's been drenched in black printer's ink which has begun
	to congeal.

	WE SLOWLY TRACK PAST Ich, Charlie, and Nick, watching.
	Charlie has the dry heaves.

	REAL SOUND as we reveal the full crime scene.  Instead of
	the usual cigar smoke, camera flashes and radio chatter,
	there is order and quiet.  A slow underwater dance.

	INSPECTOR OHASHI

	quietly gives an order.  Someone turns off the robotic.
	The severed legs stop swinging.

	Nick, Charlie and Ich walk over to Ohashi.  Ich bows
	deeply.  Ohashi doesn't acknowledge any of them, talks to
	a man holding a tape measurer.

					NICK
			Could you fill me in?

					OHASHI
			Why don't you ask your chief
			detective?

	Ich looks down at the floor.

					NICK
			Because I want you to tell me.

					OHASHI
			The young are eating the old,
			something that usually doesn't
			happen here.

					NICK
			Can we skip the poetry, inspector?

	Ohashi pauses.  Ich looks at Nick as if to warn him he
	can't speak to Ohashi that way.

					OHASHI
			There's a war, detective, between
			two rival groups.  The man who
			escaped, Kobo, leads the younger
			group.  They did this.

					ICH
			Kobo's a wild boy.  He was a
			lieutenant in the Sammaguchi-gummi.

					OHASHI
				(in Japanese)
			Excellent, Officer Matsumoto.  How
			is your investigation going?

					ICH
				(in Japanese)
			Well, sir.  Thank you for giving me
			the opportunity to work with these
			distinguished gentlemen.

	He bows.  It's pathetic.

					POLICE LIEUTENANT
			Looking for clues in the bottom of a
			sake bottle, Matsumoto?

	Laughter all around.

					OHASHI
			He's an officer of great
			distinction.

	Another sarcastic dig.  Ich stoically stands and takes it.

					CHARLIE
			Hey, Ich has been helpful.

					OHASHI
				(ignoring him, to
				 Nick)
			Have you changed your mind and
			decided to go home, detective?

					NICK
			Not until one of us bags Kobo.
				(looking at the
				 corpse)
			And it doesn't look like you're
			doing so hot.

	Ohashi coolly flicks the ashes of his cigarette and we --

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  PRINTING PLANT - DAY

	Ich, Nick, and Charlie are threading their way through the
	crowd toward the subway entrance.

	TWO BIKERS, their hair slicked back, watch the trio from
	the top of two different subway entrances.

	As soon as Ich, Nick and Charlie go down the steps, they
	climb off their bikes and follow.


	INT.  SUBWAY STATION

	Nick, Ich and Charlie are riding the people mover that
	stretches the length of this endless tunnel.  They're
	sandwiched between the legions of SALARYMEN (white collar
	workers) who all wear identical blue suits and white
	shirts.

	Nick looks over at Ich, who is still suffering in silence
	from the recent humiliation.

					NICK
			You know, Inspector, you take shit
			once, you take shit forever.

					ICH
				(beat)
			I don't deserve Ohashi's respect.

					NICK
			Why the hell not?

					ICH
			I don't, that's all.

	Ich looks away, obviously uncomfortable.

					CHARLIE
			You cool, Ich?

					ICH
			Cool?

					CHARLIE
			You all right?  You okay?

	Ich nods.

					CHARLIE
			What does Ichiro mean, anyway?

					ICH
				(smiling)
			What does Charlie mean?

					CHARLIE
			Hey, all right.

	Charlie slaps Ich on the back.

	NICK smiles at Charlie's remark.  He can't help but like
	this wide-eyed goofy kid.

	Something makes Nick's smile fade.

	NICK'S POV

	KOBO, their escaped prisoner, hurrying in the opposite
	direction.  His Kamali suit looks like it just came from
	the cleaners.

					NICK
			Charlie!

	Charlie spots him.  In a flash, the two men jump the
	railing and charge after him, leaving Ich in their wake.

	Ich can't possibly make it over the side.  He furiously
	shoves his way through the Salarymen, trying to get to the
	end of the walkway.

	CHASE SEQUENCE

	-- Nick barreling through the mass of faceless Salarymen.

	-- Kobo, hurrying ahead, occasionally glancing back.

	-- Charlie catching up to Nick.  They've lost him.  They
	   spin around.  A half dozen tunnels spin out in all
	   directions.

	-- Nick and Charlie spotting Kobo.  He's waiting for them
	   near the turnstile.

	Nick suddenly realizes it's a set-up.  Before he can say
	anything, Charlie sprints ahead, recklessly shoving
	people out of the way.

					NICK
				(calling after him)
			It's a set-up...!  Charlie!

	Charlie hasn't heard him.

	AT THE TURNSTILE

	Kobo hands a ticket to the turnstile guard and disappears
	onto the platform.  Charlie doesn't have a ticket.  The
	guard points to the automatic ticket machine.  Screw it.
	Charlie leaps over the turnstile.

	The GUARD blows his shrill whistle to signal the subway
	police.

	THE PLATFORM

	Charlie pushes through the crowd -- a wall of blank faces.
	Kobo is gone.

	NICK

	shoving through the crowd.  He spots Charlie.  Shouts at
	him to wait.  Charlie can't hear his partner.

	THE SUBWAY

	pulls in.  An immaculately uniformed CONDUCTOR blows his
	whistle and waves his white-gloved hands to keep the crowd
	back.

	A LEATHER JACKETED BOY shoves Charlie from behind; he
	stumbles forward toward the track.  Someone catches him at
	the last moment.  Charlie turns around to see it's Kobo.

	Kobo smiles, it's all a big joke.

	What follows happens in a flash:

	ON NICK

					NICK
			Charlie!

	Nick is close enough to see, too far to do anything.  He's
	blocked by TWO MORE LEATHER BOYS.  He tries to shove past,
	but they grab him.

	KOBO

	holding Charlie by his coat lapels.  An express train
	tears into the station.  Kobo casually glances at

	NICK

	trying to struggle free.

	KOBO

	his eyes still on Nick, drops Charlie in front of the
	speeding express as if he were a sack of laundry.

	NICK

					NICK
			NO!!

	A woman SCREAMS.

	The train barrels through the station.

	Kobo starts toward Nick.  He's next.

	A pair of SUBWAY POLICEMEN burst through the crowd
	searching for Charlie because he vaulted the turnstile.

	NICK

	manages to break free of the leatherboys holding him.
	They flee into the crowd as the police close in.

	ACROSS THE PLATFORM - KOBO

	slips into the wave of commuters being shoved into a
	train by white-gloved MEN.  It's their job to shove
	commuters into the already packed cars.

	Nick goes for Kobo, but the crowd closes in front of him.
	He can't get through.

	THE SUBWAY DOORS

	slam shut.  The train pulls out leaving Nick standing on
	the empty platform.

	THE LAST CAR

	streaks past him.  Kobo stands in the rear window, getting
	smaller and smaller until the train disappears down the
	tracks.

					ICH
			Nick!

	Ich, out of breath, is standing on the platform.  Nick
	looks at him with disgust -- where the hell was he.

	STAY on Nick, his head bowed, being surrounded by the sea
	of blue-suited commuters.

								 FADE TO WHITE.

	FADE IN:

	NICK'S FACE against a white wall.  That's all we see.
	Ohashi's voice OFF SCREEN.

					OHASHI (O.S.)
			... You ignored me.  I don't care
			about what you want.  Get on a
			plane, detective Conklin.  Go home.

	We HEAR a door open and SLAM shut off screen.  Hold on
	Nick, frozen in place, then:

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  CENTRAL SECTION - TOKYO POLICE H.Q. - DAY

	Again, the fifty desks, fifty faceless men working.
	Typewriters CLACKING, phones RINGING.  We MOVE down the
	rows to find Nick sitting behind one of the desks.  He's
	on the phone to New York.

					OLIVER (V.O.) (PHONE)
			It's not your job.

					NICK
			He was my partner.

					OLIVER (V.O.) (PHONE)
			They're blaming it on you.  Christ,
			Conklin, you didn't even tell me you
			lost the prisoner!

					NICK
			I planned on catching him, Captain.

					OLIVER (V.O.) (PHONE)
			How?  You don't know the place.  You
			don't know the language.  Get on the
			plane.

					NICK
			He killed a police officer.

					OLIVER (V.O.) (PHONE)
			Your plane's at nine a.m.  Be on it.
			That's orders.  Period.

	Oliver hangs up.  A moment of long distance hum cross
	talk.  Nick doesn't move.  Pull back through the rows of
	cops busily working... SOUND FADES.

	Charlie Parker's alto sax FADE UP as we --

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  SHINJUKU - NIGHT

	The MUSIC continues.  The sax screams as the melody is
	abandoned.

	Nick is drunk.  Roaring angry drunk.  He doesn't know
	where he is.  He doesn't care.  He plows down the street,
	occasionally grabbing a passerby, then letting them go.

	Nick begins to laugh.  A couple is staring at him, Nick
	yells at them, but we DON'T HEAR HIM.  He stumbles on...
	drop back to find.

	ICH

	following in his wake.  He bows and apologizes to the
	offended.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  LAS VEGAS WELCOME BAR - NIGHT

	Nick is thrown onto the street.  He tries to reenter and
	is thrown out again.  We spot JOYCE inside watching; she
	turns back to her customers.


	EXT.  GINZA - NIGHT

	Nick is hassling a news vendor who pointedly ignores him
	and continues selling his papers.  Ich appears and
	apologizes to the news vendor.


	EXT.  STREET - TWO A.M.

	Nick's sitting on the curb, his head in his hands.  People
	step around him.

	Across the street, out of Nick's sight, Ich is watching
	his partner, feeling every barb of Nick's shame.

	Charlie Parker continues over the slow...

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	NICK --

	asleep, the futon tangled around him.  He opens his eyes.
	A woman is making tea in the kitchenette.  This is the
	kimonoed woman who led Nick and Charlie to Ich the other
	night.

	A RADIO is on softly in the background.  The Charlie
	Parker tune we've been listening to over the previous cuts
	ends, and the announcer comes on:

					RADIO
			... That was the Bird, from the Blue
			Note years.  1230 hours and 72
			degrees in central Osaka.  This is
			specialist Doug Dale, Tapestries in
			Jazz, on the Far East Network, armed
			forces radio...

	Nick slowly sits up to see

	ICH

	seated at a low table looking at him from across the room.

	Nick spots his clothes and luggage stacked in the corner.
	Nick now realizes he's in Ich's apartment.  It's spotless.
	Everything is now in its proper place.

					NICK
			What happened?

					ICH
			They made you leave your hotel...
				(looks away)
			... you caused a disturbance.

	Nick's eyes fall on Charlie's things:  his sports clothes,
	his tour book, his shoes which Ich has stacked on the
	table.

					ICH
			It may be too soon to talk about it.
			When someone we care for dies we...
				(beat)
			... keep something of their's.  A
			tie, a pen.

					NICK
			Why weren't you at the platform?

					ICH
			I couldn't keep up.  My shame is
			complete.

	Nick slowly shuts his eyes, his head pounding.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  PUBLIC BATH - DAY

	The neighborhood bathhouse.  Thick with steam and
	neighborhood kids.

	Nick walks toward the huge pool of water.  Ich is beside
	him.  Nick's about to climb in when Ich stops him, hands
	him a pail and a washcloth and points to the faucets along
	the wall where a dozen men squat on small stools as they
	wash themselves.

								 CUT TO:

	NICK

	as he pours a pail of water over his head, it runs down
	his face in slow motion.

								 CUT TO:

	THE POOL

	Nick soaking, on one side.  Ich is soaking nearby.

					ICH
			You must leave?

					NICK
			Yeah...

					ICH
			I'll get him for you, Nick.

	Nick looks at this thick bellied, alcoholic cop.  Not a
	very reassuring thought.

	TWO MEN carrying plastic pails cross in front of the tub.
	Young, muscular Yakuza, their bodies covered with
	exquisite tattoos.  They stare openly at Nick.  One makes
	a joke.  Both laugh obscenely as they slip into the hot
	tub.

					NICK
			Yakuza?

	Ich nods.  Nick eyes them for a long beat, then climbs out
	of the tub.

								 CUT TO:

	NICK

	Nick tossing two bags into a taxi in front of Ich's
	apartment building.

	ICH

	Ich watching Nick through the window from inside his
	apartment.  He glances back and sees Charlie's "Members
	Only" coat hanging on a hook.

	When he turns back, Nick's taxi has disappeared.


	EXT.  NARITA AIRPORT

	The brightest object in the frame is a yellow forklift
	carrying a jostling aluminum coffin toward the open belly
	of the cargo plane.  Nick watches it from the edge of the
	tarmac.

	AIRPORT CHECK IN GATE

	Nick hands the clerk his ticket.

					NICK
			... Smoking.

					CLERK
			Aisle or window?

	Nick spots a folded newspaper someone has left on the
	counter.  He can't read it, of course, but there's a
	picture of the subway platform where Charlie was killed,
	swarming with police.  Nick continues to stare at the
	paper.

					CLERK
			Aisle or window, sir?

					NICK
				(looks up)
			I want to cash it in.  Yen.

								 CUT TO:

	ICH'S APARTMENT - DAY

	Nick steps in, drops the two suitcases.

					NICK
			Ichiro?

	The woman steps out of the kitchen, babbles something in
	Japanese.  Nick doesn't have a clue.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  LAS VEGAS WELCOME BAR - AFTERNOON

	Only a handful of patrons.  Joyce is straightening bottles
	behind the bar.

					NICK (O.S.)
			What's tricks?

	She looks up, surprised to see Nick standing in front of
	her.

					JOYCE
			Ich said you left.

					NICK
			There was a change in plans.

	Beat.

					JOYCE
			I'm sorry about your friend.

	Nick's surprised at how fast she heard.

					JOYCE
			Dead gaiijin's are big news.

					NICK
			Gaiijin?

					JOYCE
			An outside person.  A foreigner.  A
			barbarian.  You, me.
				(beat)
			More you.

					NICK
			I could use some help.  Show me
			around.  I'll pay you for your time.

					JOYCE
			I don't give tours.

	Nick smiles.

					NICK
			You can count on the truth from
			people who don't like you.

					JOYCE
			You have a helluva way of asking for
			help.

					NICK
			You have a helluva way of answering.

	Draw.

					JOYCE
			Look, you need Ich.  I've been here
			five years and I still can't read
			all the street signs.

					NICK
			Maybe I'm a quicker learner.

					JOYCE
			I don't think so.

	From OFF SCREEN:

					ICH (O.S.)
			Nicklaus-san.

	Nick turns to see Ich, leaning against the door frame.
	He's already had a few drinks too many.  He's delighted to
	see Nick.

					ICH
			I've continued working on the case!

					NICK
			I can see that.

	Ich ambles into the room, slips down into a chair.  He
	spills the contents of the large manila envelope he's been
	carrying onto the table:  a wallet, a set of keys, playing
	cards, etc.

					ICH
				(signaling to Joyce)
			Joyce... A drink please.
				(to Nick)
			Kobo has disappeared.  My superiors
			don't trust me.

	Nick walks over to the table and looks at the items.

					ICH
			Kobo's.  Taken off him when he was
			arrested in New York.

	Nick sits down.  Joyce gives Ich his scotch.

					ICH
			I knew you'd come back.  You feel
			you have a debt you can never pay.
			But you will, even if it costs you
			your life.  Giri.  Honor.

	Nick picks up various items off the table.

					NICK
			How'd you get this?

					ICH
			I stole them.

	Ich drapes his arm over Nick's shoulder.

					ICH
			Partners, Nicklaus-san?

	Ich reaches for his drink.  Nick gets there first.  He
	holds it up as if he were proposing a toast, then
	purposefully spills his drink out.

					NICK
			Partners.

	Ich has just had his last drink on duty.

								 CUT TO:

	THE TABLE - LATER

	All the contents of the envelope are spread out on the
	table:  credit cards, matchbooks from New York City,
	choice clipping from Screw magazine, sugarless gum, cuff
	links...

	Nick's holding up a series of photos.

	CLOSE ON PHOTO

	of a naked women and Kobo screwing on a Tatami mat.
	Another photo.  Then another.  Each photo is more
	pornographic than the next.

	Joyce picks them up as Nick sets them down.

					JOYCE
			Busy man.

	Nick holds out several of the same girl in various poses.

					NICK
			Know her?

					ICH
				(shaking his head)
			We can ask someone I used to work
			with.  A criminal.  Someone I pay
			money to...

					NICK
			A snitch?

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  PACHINKO PARLOR - DAY

	The largest in Tokyo.  Endless rows of men sitting in
	front of the machines (horizontal pinball games) furiously
	punching the flippers.  The NOISE from the metal balls is
	deafening.

	A MAN

	in a Hawaiian shirt, his arms covered with tattoos, is
	starting a new game.

	Ich moves up to the vacant machine beside him, puts in his
	change.  Ich doesn't face the man as they speak in
	Japanese.  The man in the Hawaiian shirt walks off.

	ON NICK

	as the man in the Hawaiian shirt walks past him.  This is
	the snitch.  Nick glances back at Ich.  Ich nods --
	they're in business.

								 CUT TO:

	A CRAMPED ROOM - REAR OF PACHINKO PARLOR

	We HEAR the clattering of the machines outside.  The man
	in the Hawaiian shirt, mid-fifties and badly in need of a
	shower, is sitting on the floor studying the photos.  Ich
	and Nick tower above him.

	The man says something to Nick in Japanese, then continues
	to study the photos.

					NICK
			What's he saying?

					ICH
				(looking up)
			He says they're very nice.  He wants
			to know if you have anymore.

	Nick sighs.

					ICH
			I'll ask him again.

	Ich asks in Japanese.  The man shrugs.

					NICK
			My turn.

	He grabs the man by his shirt collar and shoves him
	against the wall.  The photos spill to the floor.

					NICK
			Who is she?

	He bangs the man's head back against the wall.  The man
	starts babbling in Japanese.

	Ich, horrified, tries to pull Nick off him.

					ICH
			Nick, stop.

	Nick bangs the snitches head against the wall again.  Ich
	gets Nick away.  The man is terrified.

					ICH
			This man must be treated with
			respect.

	Ich bows to the man, apologizes in Japanese.

					NICK
			Aw, for Christ's sake.

	They continue speaking in Japanese.  They bow to one
	another again.  Ich gives the man a glass of water, then
	motions for him to sit down.

	Nick, impatient, starts for the guy again.  Ich stops him.
	The snitch holds up one of the photos, and starts
	babbling.

					NICK
				(to Ich)
			Now we're making progress.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  SEIBU DEPARTMENT STORE - DAY

	CLOSE ON A SALESGIRL behind the cosmetic counter.  She is
	wearing the store uniform:  blue and white dress and white
	gloves.  A doll.  We shouldn't recognize her at first.
	Then --

	INSERT A PHOTO

	one of Kobo's porno pics.  It's the same face.

	REVEAL NICK

	holding the photo, standing in the crowded store.  Ich is
	beside him.

					NICK
			That's Kobo's girl?  He's sure?

	Ich glances back at the man in the Hawaiian shirt standing
	by the door.  The man nods.

					ICH
			He's sure.

	They watch the girl help a customer choose an eyeliner.

					ICH
			Nick, no one's seen Kobo in three
			days.  He might not even be in
			Tokyo.

					NICK
			Only one way to find out... Get her
			up in the morning and put her to bed
			at night.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  SOBA RESTAURANT - DAY

	NICK

	is struggling with his chopsticks and bowl of noodles.
	From O.S. A LOUD SLURPING SOUND.  The sound stops, then
	starts again.  Nick can't eat.  He sets his bowl down and
	looks over at

	ICH

	slurping his noodles.  It is considered polite to slurp
	soba noodles as loud as possible.

	Ich stops.  Looks at Nick, then resumes his slurping.

					NICK
			Think you could keep it to a dull
			roar?

	They're sitting by the window across from the Seibu
	department store watching the entrance.

					ICH
			It's good manners.

	Nick nods.  Picks up his bowl.  Again the LOUD slurping
	off screen.  Nick starts to eat the noodles.  He can't
	continue with Ich slurping.  He sets the bowl down.

	Ich grins, resumes slurping and we --

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  DEPARTMENT STORE - SIX P.M.

	The SALESGIRLS are lined up at the door bowing and
	thanking the last customers for shopping in their store.
	Standard practice.

	The GIRL whom Nick and Ich have been watching comes out
	wearing her uniform and heads down the street.

	NICK AND ICH

	waiting in the restaurant, get up to follow.

								 CUT TO:

	THE GIRL

	stepping out of the laundry carrying her wash.  She walks
	past a doorway where...

	NICK is standing.

	ICH now walks past his partner picking up the tail.  No
	acknowledgement between them.


	EXT.  STREET CAR STATION

	There are dozens of street cars waiting to pull out.  The
	girl is on one of them.  Ich has lost her.  Nick and Ich
	hurry from car to car.

					ICH
			You said you could keep up with her!
			'No problem, Nick-san.'

					NICK
				(cutting Ich off)
			No.  Don't say anything.  Don't do
			anything, and for Christ's sake,
			don't apologize!

					ICH
			Nick...

	Nick hurries toward another car to check it out.

					NICK
			What'd I tell you?

					ICH
			There she is!

	They spot the girl sitting in the window of one of the
	street cars, about to turn onto the main street.

	The two cops race for the car.  Nick leaps on.  Ich is a
	few steps behind.  Nick sticks out his hand, pulls Ich up.
	They stand looking at one another, both breathing hard,
	both out of shape.

								 CUT TO:

	NIGHTCLUB DISTRICT - NIGHT

	Narrow streets with exploding neon ideograph signs as far
	as the eye can see.

	We spot our girl hurrying down the street.  Nick, a half
	block behind, is bumping into people, trying not to lose
	her.

	She crosses the street and Ich picks her up.  Nick drops
	off.

	ON A SIDE STREET

	around the corner the girl disappears into a three story
	apartment building above an electronics store.

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	EXT.  GIRL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

	We're watching our girl inside her apartment.  She flips
	off the TV and climbs into bed.

								 CUT TO:

	A STOREROOM - NIGHT

	We've been watching the girl from a window across the
	street.  It's a storeroom full of shipping crates, not
	much else.  Ich is sitting on the floor, legs crossed,
	back erect, watching Nick.  Nick glances over.  Ich
	continues to watch him.  Nick returns to the window.

					ICH
			You dislike me.

	Nick keeps looking out the window.

					NICK
			Did I say that?

					ICH
			You toler -- yes, tolerate me.   

					NICK
			Are we getting married?

	Pause.

					ICH
			I'm a joke.  They sent you to me to
			make a fool of you.

	Nick looks over at Ich.  Ich is looking away.  Nick looks
	out the window, then back at his partner.

					NICK
			You're doing fine, Ich.  Now drop
			it, okay?

					ICH
			Sure.

	The girl switches off her light across the street.

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	THE STOREROOM - MORNING

	Ich is sleeping on his back looking like a grounded whale.

	Nick, exhausted, is sitting by the window his head resting
	against the sill.

	NICK'S POV OF THE STREET

	as the girl, dressed in her store uniform, comes out of
	the apartment and heads for work.

	NICK

	nudges the sleeping Ich with his foot.  Ich opens his
	eyes.

					NICK
			Let's book.

	Ich is groggy, nonplused.

					NICK
			Let's go.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  HALLWAY - GIRL'S APARTMENT BUILDING

	Ich, tucking in his shirt, comes down the hall to see --

	Nick, on his knees, examining the lock on the girl's
	apartment door.  He slides his NYPD card into the jam and
	lightly raps the knob plate.

					ICH
			You can't do this.

	Nick uses his sleeve to wipe prints off the knob and jam.

					NICK
			Call a cop.

	The door swings open.  Nick walks in.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  GIRL'S APARTMENT

	A cheesebox with a few vintage pieces of American deco
	furniture.

	Ich, very uptight, stands at the door while Nick goes over
	the place.

	Nick opens the closet.  It's packed with expensive
	dresses, pants, sweaters...

					ICH
			Nick...

					NICK
				(facing him)
			If you're gonna give me a hard time,
			wait outside.

	Nick goes through her chest of drawers:  on the top, a lot
	of high quality lingerie.

	INSERT PHOTO:  The girl and Kobo posing in a vintage
	Corvette.

	Nick replaces the picture, and carefully rearranges the
	drawer so it appears untouched.  He pulls open another
	drawer.  Then another.  Under the jeans and Mickey Mouse
	T-shirts, he finds:

	A BANK STACK OF U.S. CURRENCY

	in hundreds.  The bottom of the drawer is lined with
	stacks.  Nick holds them up for Ich to see.

					NICK
			Not too shabby for a perfume pusher.

	Ich, shocked, tries to play it cool.

					ICH
			Too bad it's not in yen.

	Nick shoves the drawer shut.

								 CUT TO:

	THE GIRL - DUSK - TWO DAYS LATER

	The GIRL buys fruit from a stand as NICK watches from one
	end of the block; ICH, listening to his transistor radio,
	waits at the other.

	THE GIRL

	suddenly turns and finds herself facing

	NICK

	a few yards away.   Nick smiles, then walks into the
	store, hoping he hasn't been made.

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	EXT.  GIRL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

	Rain pours down.


	INT.  STOREROOM - NIGHT

	Nick, leaning against the wall, watches the girl's
	apartment across the street.  The girl walks in, turns on
	her light, then disappears into the bathroom.

	Ich walks in, exhausted, soaked to the skin.  He tosses
	his cap in the corner.  Struck out again.

					ICH
			Work, lunch, groceries, laundry...
			Fabulous...

					NICK
				(looking back out
				 the window)
			Four goddamn days.  This is going
			nowhere...

	A KNOCK at the door.

					JOYCE (O.S.)
			It's me.

	Ich opens the door.  Joyce, dressed for work, is carrying
	two odons (box dinners).  Joyce and Ich exchange greetings
	in Japanese.

					JOYCE
			What's the latest?

	Nick shrugs.

					ICH
			We'll get him, Joyce.

	Joyce peeks out the window.  The girl is getting
	undressed.

					JOYCE
			She ever pull down her shades?

					NICK
				(right back at her)
			Sure, but then I just pull out the
			photos.

	Ich opens one of the box dinners and sets it on the ledge
	in front of Nick.

					ICH
				(enthusiastically)
			Chikuwa, Hampen, Kobu, Konnayaku,
			Ganmodoki --

					NICK
			Ichiro --

					ICH
				(realizing)
			Broiled fish paste cake, Kelp roll,
			soybean curd, devils tongue --

					NICK
			Smells like Bayonne at low tide.

	Joyce hands Ich a flask of hot sake in tinfoil.

					NICK
			Whoa whoa...

	Nick grabs the flask.  Dumps it out the window.

					JOYCE
			Don't be an ass.

					NICK
			He's on duty.

					JOYCE
			I paid for that.

	Nick tosses a few thousand yen on the table.  Then,
	spotting something out the window.

					NICK
			Alley oop!

	Nick grabs his coat and goes out the door.  Joyce slips
	Ich another flask of sake.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  STREET - GINZA DISTRICT - NIGHT

	It's our GIRL standing alone on the corner of the street
	but you wouldn't know it at first.  She's wearing tight
	leather pants, red leather jacket, earrings, bright red
	lipstick, and she's dumped the pony-tail, allowing her
	hair to fall to her waist.

	NICK AND ICH

	watching in a doorway down the block.  Nick's shivering,
	his hands thrust in his army surplus jacket.  Ich doesn't
	mind the cold.  He's had his sake.

	THREE BOSOZOKU

	riding their bikes come around the corner drive past her,
	then circle back.

	One of the RIDERS stops to talk to her, then drives off.
	She hurries off in the opposite direction.

					ICH
			Yakuza.

					NICK
			Good.  Very good...

								 CUT TO:

	A SUBWAY STATION

	The girl waits until the last minute, then after glancing
	back, steps in the car.  The train pulls out.  The cars
	race past until we see --

	Nick and Ich standing inside of the last car.  It
	disappears into the tunnel.

								 CUT TO:

	THE SHINZOA DISTRICT - NIGHT

	The girl, on the move, pushing through the crowd.  Drop
	back to find Ich twenty yards behind.  She crosses the
	street.  Nick, pretending to be looking in a store window,
	picks her up.

	AROUND THE CORNER

	Nick has lost her.  It's a cul de sac with a dozen
	buildings.  He's standing in the middle of the street.
	Ich catches up to him.

					NICK
			She disappeared... shit!

					ICH
			You were too far behind.

	Nick does a double-take.

					ICH
				(recalling Nick's
				 words)
			Don't say anything more.  Don't do
			anything.  And, for Christ's sake,
			don't apologize!

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	EXT.  STREET - SHINZOA DISTRICT - NIGHT - LATER

	NICK

	dropping another cigarette butt to the ground.  There's a
	small pile at his feet.  He's leaning against the wall
	watching one end of the block.  TRACK over to reveal Ich,
	his back to Nick's, watching the other end.

	Ich glances back at Nick.  Nick ignores him.  Ich turns
	back.

					ICH
			Nicklaus-san!

	Nick turns to see the GIRL walk out of a bath house.
	She's wearing her ponytail again, with a black dress.  She
	climbs into a taxi.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  PINK SARON HOSTESS CLUB - NIGHT

	The girl climbs out of the taxi and goes inside.

	Nick and Ich are watching from across the street.


	INT.  HOSTESS CLUB

	Packed with Salarymen from the nearby brewery and
	hostesses in silk dresses selling cheap champagne at
	expensive prices.

	NICK AND ICH

	Walk in.  Everything seems normal.

	The BOUNCER in a white tux, stops them.  This is not a
	place frequented by Gaiijin.

	Ich beseeches the Bouncer to let his good friend in,
	promising that his friend will spend lots of money.

	Nick, thinking he's in, takes a step forward.  The Bouncer
	shoves him back.

					NICK
			Hey, no hands, huh?

	He bats his hands away.  Ich grabs Nick by the shoulders,
	preventing a fight.

					ICH
			You can't come in.  They don't
			want --

					NICK
			Gaiijin.

					ICH
			I'll check it out.

	Nick, unsure, turns to go, but before he does:

					NICK
			If I smell one drop of Scotch on
			your breath, my friend --

					ICH
			You can trust me.

	Nick hesitates, he's not so sure, then shoves the door
	open.


	EXT.  HOSTESS CLUB

	Nick waiting under the pink neon sign.


	INT.  HOSTESS CLUB - LATER

	Ich is sitting at the crowded bar.  A HOSTESS has her arm
	around his neck.  He checks out the room, searching for
	the girl.  He notices two THUGS standing outside a sliding
	door.  Ich finishes his drink.

					ICH
				(in Japanese)
			Let me up.

					HOSTESS
				(shoving him down)
			Sit, sweetie.
				(to bartender)
			Another Seagrams!

	Ich relents.  Then, spotting something across the room:

	WHAT HE SEES:  A rice paper door slides open, momentarily
	revealing a DOZEN men with close cropped hair sitting on
	tatami mats, playing poker.  Some have their coats off,
	revealing arms covered with tattoos.  Yakuza.

	A hostess, serving drinks, steps but leaving the door
	partially open.

	The hostess slides the door open to the adjacent room, but
	Ich CANNOT see inside.  She slides it shut.

	Ich's hostess wants him to buy another drink, but Ich
	shakes his head, gets to his feet, and pretending to be
	drunk, stumbles toward the sliding doors.

	Ich bumps into a table; slaps a stranger on the shoulder;
	then starts singing along with Frank Sinatra on the
	stereo.  He's a little too loud, a little off key.

	The bodyguards eye Ich suspiciously.  He stumbles past
	them, then grabs the sliding door and yanks it open.

	INSIDE THE ROOM

	A low table.  Kobo is at one end.  An older,
	distinguished, sliver-haired man in his seventies whom we
	will come to know as SUGAI is at the other.  Ich can't
	believe his eyes:  Sugai is the head of the largest Yakuza
	syndicate in Japan.

	A half dozen LIEUTENANTS sit on either side of the table.
	Half are older, dressed in conservative suits; the other
	half are younger wearing $700 Issy Miyake jackets.

	SUGAI AND KOBO

	are having a heated discussion.  The GIRL Ich and Nick
	have been following walks over to Kobo and sits beside
	him.  This makes Sugai even more irate.  He's on his feet,
	red faced and screaming.

	FOUR GUARDS

	seeing Ich, pull out their Beretta's.  Two more grab him
	and fling him head first against the wall.

					ICH
				(drunken, in Japanese)
			I have to piss, gentlemen... I'm so
			sorry but I have to --

	The bodyguards hurry him towards the door.


	EXT.  HOSTESS CLUB

	Nick checks his watch, it's been an hour - where the hell
	is Ich?

	Ich comes stumbling up the steps, still affecting his
	drunken, pigeon-toed walk.  Nick, of course, thinks Ich
	has gotten drunk again.  Two of the bodyguards are
	watching from inside.

					NICK
			I don't believe it...
				(grabs him)
			Son-of-a-bitch --   

	Ich, knowing they're being watched, grabs Nick by the
	sleeve and drags him off still pretending to be drunk.

					ICH
				(under his breath)
			I'm not drunk...

					NICK
			We're through.  I mean it.  This is
			the end of the line, Matsumoto.

					ICH
			Nick --

					NICK
			Shut-up.

	No longer fearing he's being watched, Ich abruptly stops
	his affected walk, and sounding very sober --

					ICH
			You shut-up!
				(then)
			Kobo is inside.  He's with Sugai,
			the head of the Summaguchi-clan.

	ACROSS THE STREET

	Ich is dialing on the police call box as he fills Nick in
	on Sugai.

					ICH
			... A Godfather.  His man was killed
			at the printing plant.

					NICK
			I want to yank Kobo.

					ICH
			Not without a small army, Nicklaus-
			san.

	Ich quickly speaks on the police phone, then hangs up,
	pleased with himself.

					NICK
			Ich, my name is Nick.  Not Nicklaus,
			not Nicklaus-san, not Nick-san.
			Nick.

					ICH
			San is an honorable title.

	Ich realizes it's better to drop it.

								 CUT TO:

	THE HOSTESS CLUB - MINUTES LATER

	Drunken Salarymen spill out the door.

	ICH AND NICK

	are standing across the street waiting for the cops to
	arrive.

	Nick freezes.

	THE GIRL

	they've been following steps out and lights a cigarette.
	TIME SLOWS.  She looks up and spots the two men through
	the traffic.  Nick turns away, afraid he's been made.
	When he looks back, she's gone back inside.

					NICK
			Shit...

	Nick races across the street toward the club.  Horns
	BLARE.

					ICH
				(doesn't understand)
			Nick?!

	IN FRONT OF THE CLUB

	Nick reaches the curb just as the front doors to the club
	BURST OPEN.  He's too late.  Three bodyguards burst out,
	checking the street.  A red and white Debonnaire pulls up.

	Sugai, surrounded by a half-dozen additional bodyguards,
	comes out and slips into the car.  It tears off down the
	street.

	SIRENS AND POLICE CARS

	from either end of the street peel around the corner.
	It's a madhouse.  The remaining lieutenants and bodyguards
	fan out, trying to elude arrest.

	Nick hurries down the steps.

	INSIDE THE CLUB

	The patrons are still in place, but the two side rooms are
	empty.

	Nick spots KOBO going out the rear entrance.  He starts
	after him but is confronted by the bouncer who stopped him
	earlier.  Nick connects to the guy's jaw before his
	adversary can raise his hands.  The bouncer staggers back.
	Nick flies out the rear door.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  FRONT OF CLUB - NIGHT

	Several lieutenants and bodyguards toss their guns --
	possession is a felony in Japan -- as the police close in.


	INT.  HOSTESS CLUB - NIGHT

	Ich hurries in, but Nick's long gone.


	EXT.  REAR OF HOSTESS CLUB - NEARBY STREETS - NIGHT

	SILENCE.  The narrow streets are deserted.  Nick slowly
	makes his way down the street.  The SOUND of a GUNSHOT.
	Nick ducks for cover -- it's a car BACKFIRING.  He
	continues on.

	Nick's POV of a woman giving a man a blow-job in a narrow
	alley.  The man's face is hidden by the shadow.

	Nick continues on.

					JAPANESE MAN (FROM THE DARKNESS)
			People like Charlie are a dime a
			dozen.

	Nick turns back to see Kobo as he steps into the light.

	Kobo tosses a handful of change at Nick.

					KOBO
			Keep the change.

					NICK
			I'm taking you back.

	The girl takes off down the block.

					KOBO
			Here I am.

	From across the street, a dozen bodyguards appear from
	various doorways and alleys.

					KOBO
			Charlie was a rookie...

	Kobo traces his finger across the spot where he cut Nick
	in New York.

					KOBO
			... But you can take care of
			yourself.  You're 'the biggest thing
			to hit this town since Godzilla.'

	Nick glances at the guards, then back at Kobo.  He is
	unarmed.  To make a move would be suicide.  More POLICE
	SIRENS in the b.g. closing in.

					KOBO
			What's the matter.  I'm right in
			front of you, Nick.
				(takes a step closer)
			But I was right in front of you when
			you let Charlie die.

	Kobo takes a step forward.  His face is inches from
	Nick's.

					KOBO
			Walk away again.  Maybe you'll get
			used to it.

	Nick doesn't budge.

	A LONG BEAT, then... Nick turns and slowly walk off.
	After a dozen yards Nick looks back.

	The street is empty, except for a street sweeper pushing
	his wet broom down the block.


	EXT.  HOSTESS CLUB - NIGHT

	A half dozen bodyguards are being frisked, then shoved
	into police cars.

	Ohashi is talking to the enraged nightclub owner.  Nick
	steps up to him.  Ich hurries over.

					ICH
			Nick!

					NICK
				(to Ohashi)
			A few minutes faster, we might've
			nailed him.

	Ohashi doesn't say a word, hands Nick a document.

					NICK
			What's this?

					OHASHI
			Your visa has expired.  Be on a
			plane in twenty-four hours or you
			will be deported.

					NICK
			While you were hanging out at the
			visa office, we found the son-of-a-
			bitch.

					OHASHI
			Look.

	Ohashi directs Nick's attention across the street where a
	SURVEILLANCE VAN is parked.  The rear doors are open
	revealing a van full of surveillance equipment and cops.

					OHASHI
			You ruined an on-going investigation
			that could have gotten us more than
			one runner.
				(to Ich, in Japanese)
			I want a full report in the morning,
			officer.

	Ich bows as Ohashi walks off.

					NICK
			Maybe if you'd work with us --

	Ohashi ignores him, continues walking toward his waiting
	car.

					NICK
				(shouting)
			Hey...!
				(Ohashi keeps
				 walking)
			HEY, I'M TALKING TO YOU, INSPECTOR!

					OHASHI
				(his back toward
				 Nick)
			Twenty-four hours, detective.

	Ohashi slips into his car.  Nick storms up to the car and
	slams his fist on the window.

					NICK
			Ohashi!

	Ohashi faces straight ahead, ignoring Nick.  Nick takes
	the extradition paper and spikes it on the car antenna.

	Ich grabs Nick by his arm, pulling him back from the car.
	The car pulls away.

					ICH
			Nick, stop!

	Nick whirls, and before he realizes what he's doing,
	punches Ich below his left eye.  Ich stumbles back over
	the curb and lands on his ass.

					NICK
			Damnit, Ichiro, I'm tired of people
			telling me what I can and can't do.
			No one ever solved anything sitting
			on their ass.

	Nick, beside himself with frustration, watches Ohashi's
	car disappear down the block.

	ON ICH

	looking up at

	NICK

	who walks off without looking back at his partner.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  ICH'S BATHROOM - SEVERAL HOURS LATER

	Nick, standing beside the tub, dumps a pail of hot water
	over his head, rinsing himself off.  He grabs a towel and
	walks out of the room.


	INT.  ICH'S APARTMENT

	Ich, holding an ice pack to his face, is lying on a tatami
	mat against the wall looking up at the ceiling.  An open
	bottle of Seagrams beside him.

	Nick stretches out on another tatami on the opposite side
	of the room and looks up at the ceiling, too.

					NICK
			The ice help?

	Nothing from Ich.

					NICK
			Where does this Sugai live?

					ICH
				(cold)
			A resort city, Beppu.

					NICK
			I want to go talk to him.

					ICH
			What...?  Why?

					NICK
			Because he knows how to get to our
			man.

					ICH
			He'll never speak to a Gaiijin.

					NICK
			I'll be a nice Gaiijin.

	Nick gets up and goes to the closet.  He slides open the
	door.  All of his and Charlie's clothes have been neatly
	hung up.

	He shoves Charlie's jacket aside.  Something's wrong with
	the way it hangs.  He pulls the jacket out, runs his hand
	over the coat, feeling something heavy in the lining.

	Nick rips the lining open.  Charlie's .32 Beretta and a
	spare clip tumble out.

					NICK
			The little bastard.  God bless him.

	Ich takes a drink from his bottle.

					ICH
			It's very small.

					NICK
			Big enough.

					ICH
			It's illegal, Nick.

					NICK
			It's a new deal.
				(putting it in his
				 waist band)
			... coming with me tomorrow?

					ICH
			Sugai's not going to be impressed
			with your gun, Nick.
				(beat)
			No.  I won't put myself in danger
			for you anymore.

	Nick picks up the liquor cap which rolled across the
	floor.  He tosses it to Ich.  Ich reaches for it, but
	misses.

					NICK
			Sure, pal.  You've got better things
			to do.

	Nick walks out shutting the door behind him.  Stay on Ich
	watching the door, then --

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  LAS VEGAS BAR - CLOSING TIME

	The last customers find their way to the street, some with
	a little encouragement from a BOUNCER.

	Joyce steps out.  Nick comes up to her.

					NICK
			You know where I can get a decent
			cup of coffee this time of night?
			I'm buying.

					JOYCE
			Somebody must be suffering
			somewhere, you're being so nice.

	Joyce takes off down the street.  Nick watches her for a
	beat.

					NICK
			I need your help, Joyce.

					JOYCE
			Where's Ich?

					NICK
			Unavailable.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  KARAOKE BAR - NIGHT

	On the stage, a young professional looking man is singing
	along to "SUMMERTIME" blasting from the stereo.  The
	Japanese way of letting it all hang out.

	We find Joyce and Nick at a corner table having a drink.

					JOYCE
			I've heard of Sugai.  I've also
			heard of the emperor.  They're both
			national treasures.  One's a hood.

					NICK
			I need someone to translate for me.

					JOYCE
			My Japanese isn't that hot...
			Besides, you'll never get in.

					NICK
			It's my last shot.  I have to be on
			a plane home tomorrow night.

					JOYCE
			And I'm supposed to care?

					NICK
			You could fake it.

	Joyce finishes her drink, sets it down.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  STREET - NIGHT

	The neon flickers on the rain slicked pavement.  Nick and
	Joyce walk down the deserted street.  She's carrying an
	umbrella.

					JOYCE
			You're wrong to sell Ich short.

					NICK
			He drinks.

					JOYCE
			He's got a reason.

	Nick shrugs, everyone's got a reason.

					JOYCE
			His son hooked up with some bikers.
			Yakuza kids.  A cop shot him running
			from a robbery.

	Nick looks over for the first time.

					JOYCE
			A father doesn't out live that kind
			of thing here, much less a police
			officer...

	Pause.

					NICK
			Where's the wife?

					JOYCE
			You met her.

	Nick looks surprised.

					JOYCE
			The woman in the apartment.  She
			won't speak to him.  But she won't
			leave either.  Japan... Nice, huh?

	Before Nick can respond, something catches his eye:  What
	he sees --

	A MAN

	partially shadowed, standing in the alley.

	Nick grabs his gun.  The man steps out zipping up his
	trousers.  It's a drunken Salaryman.  Nick lowers his gun.
	The Salaryman staggers down the street singing to himself.

					JOYCE
			Not wound too tight...

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  JOYCE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

	A three story modern building on a quiet street.  She's
	searching for her keys.

					JOYCE
			I'd invite you up but I know you'd
			hate the incense.
				(as if to explain)
			I chant.

					NICK
			What do you chant?

					JOYCE
			'Nam oyo ranged kyo.'  You think
			it's dumb of course.

					NICK
			Not if it works.
				(holding the door
				 open for her)
			I'll meet you at the train?

					JOYCE
			I don't remember saying yes.

					NICK
			I don't remember you saying no.

	Joyce smiles, heads inside.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  ICH'S APARTMENT - DAWN

	Ich is sleeping.

	Nick slips into his leather motorcycle jacket.  He drops
	Charlie's gun into his pocket.  He glances down at Ich,
	seeing if he's awake.  He's not.  Nick walks out.

	Ich opens his eyes.  He's been awake the whole time.

								 CUT TO:

	THE YANAKA CEMETERY - DAY

	Ich, wearing a blue suit, is pouring water over a simple
	stone with a wooden dipper.  Next, he places incense in a
	holder and folds his hands in prayer.

	The photo on the stone is of a young man wearing a school
	uniform.  Ich's son.

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	A BULLET TRAIN - DAY

	It's bull's-eye nose cone scuds across the endless rice
	paddies west of Tokyo.  Women in straw hats stand in the
	knee deep water pruning the rice by hand.  Old Japan
	rubbing shoulders with the new.


	INT.  TRAIN - DAY

	CLOSE ON NICK looking out the window as the countryside
	shoots past at 140 mph.  From O.S. several children
	chanting:  "Harrow, Harrow."

	Nick looks over to see three uniformed school children
	thrusting their notebooks and pens at him.

	JOYCE

	is sitting across from Nick.

					JOYCE
			They want your autograph.

					NICK
			Who am I supposed to be?

					JOYCE
			This little guy thinks you're Robert
			Redford... the other one thinks
			you're Charles Bronson...

					NICK
			Tell them I'm not.

	She does, but the kids insist.

					JOYCE
			They'll never go away.

	Nick, reluctantly signs.  Joyce takes one of the kid's
	notebooks before passing it back.

					JOYCE
			Mick Jagger?

	Joyce smiles, surprised at his choice.  Then, she looks up
	shocked to see --

	ICH

	carrying a gift wrapped package under his arm.  He's
	wearing his hat, blue suit and tie.

	Ich sits ACROSS the aisle from Nick and Joyce.  He doesn't
	say a word.  Faces straight ahead.

	Nick looks at Joyce, then back at Ich.

					NICK
			I'm sorry, Ichiro.  I lost it last
			night.  I shouldn't have hit you.

	Still nothing from Ich.

					NICK
			What's in the box?

					ICH
				(still not facing
				 him)
			For Sugai.  Caviar, French cheese,
			ham... If you come to apologize for
			interrupting his meeting, Sugai may
			feel obligated to see you.

					NICK
			So I bring some cheese?

					JOYCE
			Gifts are expected here.

	Nick nods, looks back out the window.  He'll never
	understand this country.  He looks back to see --

	Joyce looking annoyed at him.  Nick gets the message.

					NICK
			Hey, Ich... Thanks.  I'm glad you're
			here.  I mean it.

	Ich still won't acknowledge Nick.


	EXT.  BULLET TRAIN

	The Bullet Train disappearing into the foothills.


	EXT.  BEPPU - DAWN

	Plumes of white steam spindle skyward from every street
	corner.  If you didn't know it was steam, you'd think the
	city was on fire.  Beppu is a resort famous for it's
	geothermal baths.


	EXT.  SUGAI'S HOUSE

	The only traditional house we'll see in our story.  It's
	surrounded by a pool of blood red steaming water from the
	hot springs.

	AT THE GATE

	CLOSE ON A 1000 yen bill as it is dropped on the ground.
	A pair of dice rolls over it.  A handful of GUARDS wearing
	suits and ties are playing craps.

	OUTSIDE THE GATE

	Ich is sitting on the ground leaning against the wall,
	sound asleep.  Nick is standing nearby.  He checks his
	watch.  Tired of waiting, he walks over to --

	JOYCE

	reading the Manichi Daily.

					NICK
				(impatiently)
			They took the gift an hour ago.

	The phone rings inside the gate.  A guard picks it up.

					JOYCE
				(certain it's bad
				 news)
			All's not lost.  There's a famous
			temple here.  We could chant.

	The guard hangs up, calls out to Joyce.  Joyce responds in
	Japanese.  The guard opens the gate.

					NICK
			We're in?

					JOYCE
			The cheese...


	INT.  A ROOM IN SUGAI'S HOUSE

	A vast, austere, traditional room with sliding rice paper
	doors and tatami mats on the floor.

	Ich and Joyce, drinking tea, are sitting with their feet
	beneath them in the traditional manor.

	Nick, smoking, is in a semi-sprawl; using his tea cup as
	an ashtray.

	A LIEUTENANT enters.  He says something and beckons.  They
	all rise.  He says something else.

					JOYCE
				(to Nick)
			Just you.


	INT.  ANOTHER ROOM - SUGAI'S HOUSE

	Nick enters, ducking his head in the low doorway.  the
	shoji slides shut behind him.

	The furnishings are minimal but elegant.  There's a
	butsudan, a tokonoma, and a low, long table in the middle
	of the room.  No chairs.  Nick sits on the floor.

	A door slides open at the far end of the room.  Sugai,
	wearing a kimono over western style suit, walks in.  Nick
	stands up to shake his hand.  Sugai ignores it, and sits
	in the traditional position:  feet tucked beneath him.

					SUGAI
			I'll spare you the ritual.

	He tosses him a palm sized bundle.  Nick catches it.
	Inside, are brand new greenbacks:  hundreds.

					NICK
			This supposed to impress me?

	He sets it down.

					SUGAI
			Pick it up.  Look at it.

	Nick hesitates, then picks it up again.  He runs his
	fingers over the face of the bill and snaps the paper.

					SUGAI
			Seven years work by the finest
			engraver.  Mass produced,
			sequentially numbered.  The best
			there has ever been, Mr. Conklin.

					NICK
			I'm impressed.  But let's use the
			short form.  I'm looking for --

					SUGAI
			-- Kobo... I know.  He killed two of
			my partners.  One in New York, one
			at the printing plant.

	Sugai fills a cup of tea for Nick and hands it to him.

					NICK
			I don't drink tea.

	Sugai hands it to him anyway.

					SUGAI
			I took Kobo from the street.  I gave
			him a home, a future... But my ways
			were too slow for him... I served
			seven years in prison for my boss
			when I was a young man.  Kobo
			wouldn't serve seven minutes for his
			Oyabun.
				(sipping his tea)
			He was supposed to take over this
			syndicate when I retired.

					NICK
			I want him.

					SUGAI
			He'll be dealt with.

	Sugai sets a plastic wrapped object on a table before
	Nick.  Nick recognizes it from the restaurant massacre in
	New York.

	CLOSE UP:  Nick's fingers tear at the plastic.  A block of
	black iridescent polymer.  The negative image of a $100.00
	bill.  A printing plate.

					SUGAI
			Our associates in New York were
			close to closing a deal with us.

					NICK
			The families who control the
			casinos?

					SUGAI
			Yes.  Unlike our syndicates, your
			criminals don't understand the words
			'honor' and 'duty'... We can't
			afford not to deal with them.

	Sugai takes the plate back.

					SUGAI
			Imagine if your families could pay
			their gambling and drug debts with
			perfect counterfeit bought for cents
			on the dollar.

					NICK
			The Feds would be onto you in a
			month.

					SUGAI
			Not with these bills.  And even if
			it only took them six months, do you
			know what our profit margin would
			be?

	Nick looks at a child playing near one of the hot pools in
	Sugai's garden.

					NICK
			Why tell me this?

					SUGAI
			The other plate is currently in New
			York, in the hands of Kobo's man.
			Find it for me.

					NICK
			You trust me?

					SUGAI
			I'll pay you.

	Nick laughs at Sugai's audaciousness.

					NICK
				(indicating the
				 counterfeit bills)
			With these?

					SUGAI
			Swiss bank deposit.  Gold bullion.
			Whatever you want.  You know the
			city and the police.

					NICK
			If I say no?

					SUGAI
			You're smarter than Kobo.  You know
			the price of deceit.  Think about
			it.

					NICK
			I don't have to.

	Sugai cools.  Without a word he gets to his feet and
	starts toward the door.

					NICK
			I have ten hours to grab my man.

	ON SUGAI

	still walking with his back to Nick.

					NICK (O.S.)
			You won't get hurt.

	Sugai turns to see Nick, across the room, pointing the
	Beretta at his head.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  ROOM - SUGAI'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

	The room where Ich and Joyce are waiting.  Sugai enters.
	Their surprise turns to shock when they see Nick behind
	him holding a gun to the old man's head.

					ICH
			No...

					NICK
			Let's go.  Him first.

					ICH
			Nick, you can't do this.

					NICK
			It's done.
				(to Joyce)
			You don't have to come.

	She hasn't moved a muscle.


	INT SUGAI'S HOUSE - ENTRANCE WAY

	Sugai watches calmly as Nick, Ich, and Joyce put their
	shoes on.  Nick keeps the gun on him.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  SUGAI'S COURTYARD

	Nick steps out of the house.  He now has one end of a wire
	coat hanger loosely wrapped around Sugai's neck, the other
	end around his wrist.  His gun is pressed just beneath
	Sugai's ear.  If nick gets shot, so does Sugai.

	A handful of guards stand in the courtyard, one is
	polishing Sugai's Debonnaire car.  They spot Nick and
	Sugai coming, and immediately pull their guns.

					NICK
			Explain to them.  They shoot me,
			they kill you.
				(Sugai hesitates)
			DO IT!

	Sugai explains to his lieutenants.  They stand helpless as
	Nick walks Sugai toward the car.

					NICK
			Grab the keys, Ich, and get inside.

					ICH
			No.

					NICK
			Not now, man, okay, not now.  Work
			with me.

	Ich takes the keys from the man polishing the car.  He
	gets inside.  Joyce hurries in bedside him.

					ICH
			You don't know what you're doing.

	Nick slides Sugai in the back seat, carefully reaches over
	and shuts the door.

					NICK
			Start it.

					ICH
				(terrified)
			I can't...

					JOYCE
			Slide over.

	Joyce, furious at Nick, starts the car, gets behind the
	wheel.  Ich gets in on the other side.

	She spins the car around.  The gate opens.  They tear off.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  STREET - BEPPU - DAY

	The car bursts through the funnels of steam from the hot-
	springs beneath the street.  It tears down the narrow
	block dodging traffic.  Joyce is concentrating hard on the
	road.

					NICK
				(to Ich)
			Where's somewhere safe?

	Nothing from Ich.  He's still apoplectic.

					JOYCE
				(angrily)
			You came up with the first part.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  KUDAN LOVE HOTEL - BEPPU

	A four story concrete hotel, strictly for making love.
	"Love Hotels" exist all over Japan.  Each have various
	themes:  western, fifties drive in, Star Wars, etc., each
	complete with music and lighting effects.


	INT.  HOTEL ROOM

	Western style.  Plastic five foot cacti in front of the
	western vista on the walls.  A hitching post at the head
	of the bed.  Cowboy hats and boots at the other end.

	Sugai hangs up the phone and turns to Nick and Joyce who
	are sitting nearby.  Ich hangs up the extension.

					SUGAI
			Kobo will meet me here tomorrow.
			Ten a.m.

	Ich nods, confirming that what Sugai says is true.

					NICK
			Good.

					SUGAI
			He'll find out you took me.  I'm
			unprotected.  He'll kill us.  All of
			us.  You don't stand a chance.

	Ich, knowing Sugai is right, looks at Nick.  Nick flips
	Ich the gun.

					NICK
			Not if we're careful.

	Ich checks to make sure the gun is loaded, then watches as
	Nick escorts Joyce out of the room.

								 CUT TO:

	A HOTEL ROOM ACROSS THE HALL

	Fifties theme.  The front end of a pink chevy curves
	around the bed.  A "Drive-In" movie screen along one wall.

	Nick is dropping change into the vintage Wurlitzer.  Joyce
	steps in, leaving the door open.

					JOYCE
			You're out of your mind.  I'm
			leaving.

	Nick doesn't respond.

					JOYCE
			You'll get Ich killed.

					NICK
			No one's keeping him here.

					JOYCE
			Bullshit, Nick.  And don't tell me
			this is all just about Charlie.
			It's not.

					NICK
			Why would you care?

	That pushes her over the line.

					JOYCE
			Bastard...

	She moves toward him, enraged.  Nick grabs her arm.

					JOYCE
			Let go.

	He won't.

					JOYCE
			You're out of your mind.

	He grips her tighter.

								 CUT TO:

	THE ROOM - LATER

	Nick and Joyce, only partially undressed, are making love
	on the floor.  The Drifters singing "Under The Boardwalk"
	can be heard on the Wurlitzer.  The fifties decor, the
	music, it's all pretty incongruous.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  LOVE HOTEL - DAWN

	Nick is putting Joyce in a taxi.  He shuts the door.

					JOYCE
			I still think you're a bastard.

					NICK
			What if I chant?

					JOYCE
			Wouldn't help.
				(beat)
			Watch out for Ich.

	He nods.  The cab drives off.  Nick watches her taxi until
	it is out of sight, around a corner, then heads inside.

								 CUT TO:

	NICK - LATER

	walking into Sugai's room.  Sugai's asleep on the bed.
	Ich is vigilantly sitting awake in the corner, the gun
	resting on the table in front of him.

					NICK
			Better wake him up.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  LOVE HOTEL - LATER

	Quiet.  The wind twirls a discarded newspaper in the
	parking lot.

	INSIDE THE LOVE HOTEL - HALLWAY

	A YOUNG GIGGLING COUPLE step out of a door, arm in arm,
	and disappear down the hall.  STAR WARS MUSIC from one
	room.  HAWAIIAN MUSIC from another.

	THE CAMERA FINDS the closed elevator door.  It opens, Kobo
	steps out, followed by a half-dozen more men all carrying
	Sig-Saur assault rifles -- very heavy artillery.

								 CUT TO:

	SUGAI

	wearing his hat and coat is sitting on the couch, his back
	to us, facing out the window.

	Drop down to --

	THE ROOM BENEATH HIM

	A couple are making love in the Hawaiian theme room.

	The door burst open.  Two men, cradling Sig-Saur rifles in
	their arms, step in.  They aim at the ceiling, blasting
	into Sugai's room above.

	THE GIRL

	starts screaming.  The men ignore her and continue to pump
	bullets into the ceiling.

	KOBO AND HIS MEN

	stop in front of every door long enough to blast into the
	room.  They make their way down the hall.

	A naked man steps into the hallway and is matter-of-factly
	gunned down.

	Kobo and his men stop in front of Sugai's room.


	INT.  SUGAI'S ROOM

	Sugai, wearing his hat, is slumped down on the couch which
	has been splintered by the bullets from below.

	OUTSIDE THE ROOM

	Kobo signals the men.  All six open-up through the door.

	INSIDE THE ROOM

	The door, what's left of it, is kicked open.  The six men
	step in, shooting in all directions:  into the bathroom
	door, into the closet... Windows shatter, mirrors fall,
	total destruction.  They stop.  SILENCE.

	Kobo walks up to Sugai who is slumped on the couch.  He
	lifts up his hat.  It's a cowboy mannequin wearing Sugai's
	clothes.

	THE ELEVATOR DOOR

	opens.  A DOZEN of Sugai's men carrying machine pistols
	come out.

	THE OUTSIDE BALCONY

	Nick and Ich lie on their bellies, guns out.

	INSIDE THE ROOM

	Kobo's men turn.  Sugai's men open-up.  Three of Kobo's
	hitters go down.  The others try to flee into the
	adjoining room.

	Kobo goes for the balcony.

	THE BALCONY

	as Kobo steps out.  He steps right into --

	NICK

	who slams the side of Kobo's head with the butt of his
	gun.

	THE ROOM   

	Nick and Ich drag Kobo in by his jacket collar.  Sugai,
	very much alive, walks in from the hallway.  Nothing is
	said.  Sugai looks at Kobo for a long beat, then walks
	out.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  SUGAI'S HOUSE - DAY

	KOBO

	standing alone in the middle of a tatami room.  His face
	is badly beaten.  His hands are bound.  Two guards stand
	near the wall.  Nick and Ich stand across the room.

	SUGAI

	wearing a western suit, is asking Kobo questions in
	Japanese.  Sugai barks at him again.  Kobo refuses to
	answer.  Sugai pulls up a shuto -- an 18 inch knife --
	from it's scabbard.

					SUGAI
				(in Japanese)
			Contact your associate in New York
			and tell him to hand my plate over
			to Abolofia.

	Nothing from Kobo.

					SUGAI
			You have betrayed the syndicate and
			personally dishonored me.  I would
			rather the deal fell through than...

	The guards walk over and turn Kobo around.  His back is to
	Sugai.  Sugai runs the sword across the nape of Kobo's
	neck drawing blood.  The guards tighten their grip on
	Kobo's arms.

	NICK

	can't believe Sugai's going to kill him.  Nick starts to
	get up, Ich stops him.

	Kobo realizes Sugai isn't just threatening him.

					KOBO
			No... I'll arrange it.

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	THE ROOM - LATER

	Kobo is led back into the room by two guards.  The guards
	shove him down to the floor.  His hands are still bound.

	Nick walks over and stands above him.  He doesn't say a
	word.  Just stands above him.  Then, Nick pulls spare
	change from his pocket and slowly drops the coins, one by
	one, in front of Kobo's face, like Kobo did to him.  He
	walks away.

	Sugai steps in.

					SUGAI
			Abolofia's person has received the
			plate.  It's done.

	A door opens at the far end of the room.  It's Kobo's
	girlfriend, the one Nick and Ich had been following.

	She starts toward Kobo; a lieutenant intercepts her.

					SUGAI
				(in Japanese)
			I wanted you to see him like this.

					GIRL
				(in Japanese)
			Let him go, father.

	ON ICH

	realizing she's Sugai's daughter.

					GIRL
				(in Japanese)
			You're too old...

					SUGAI
				(in Japanese)
			That's enough.

	Sugai turns away and picks up the sword.  The guards
	clutch Kobo.  Sugai's going to kill Kobo after all.

	The girl screams at him to stop.  Sugai's oblivious.

					NICK (O.S.)
			That wasn't our deal.

					SUGAI
			You want him dead too.

					NICK
			After a court convicts him.  He
			belongs to me.

	There's a long pause.  Then, something unusual happens.
	Sugai tells the lieutenant to unfasten Kobo's wrist.  When
	he does, Sugai hands Kobo the sword and demands that he
	cut off his finger.

	This is Yubitsume:  the ritual act within the Yakuza of
	slicing the joint of the little finger to atone for a
	mistake.

	Kobo, not believing in this ancient tradition, refuses.
	Sugai nods to a guard who places Kobo's finger on the
	table.

	KOBO

	stares defiantly at Sugai.  He doesn't even wince as the
	blade slices off his finger.  The guard hands Sugai the
	finger in a handkerchief.

					SUGAI
				(looking at Nick)
			If anything happens to Abolofia or
			my plate, detective...

	HOLD on Nick then --

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  TRAIN - DAY

	as it bursts out of a tunnel on it's way to Tokyo.


	INT.  TRAIN - DAY

	Kobo is sitting by the window, his hands cuffed in front
	of him.  Another pair of cuffs chain him to the arm rest.

	Nick pours a drink from an airline-sized bottle of Scotch.
	He holds it out to... Ich.  It's his first drink in a
	week.

					NICK
			Just one, compadre... Kampai.

					ICH
			Kampai.

	They clink glasses.  Ich drinks it down.

					NICK
			It took 12 years to make it, you
			could take five minutes to drink it.

	Ich slows down.

					NICK
			You did great, Ichiro.

					ICH
			I called Ohashi, he'll be waiting.
				(smiling)
			I like him waiting.

	Ich gets up.

					ICH
			Needs ice.

	He heads for the bar car, leaving Kobo and Nick alone.

	Kobo looks out the window at the people working the rice
	paddies, then back down the aisle at the Salarymen in
	their identical suits, then at the women separated from
	them.

					KOBO
			Ugly... A couple of thousand years
			they've been bound by these little
			rules.  Looking in.  Always afraid.
			Ugly little lives...

					NICK
			Save it, I already took the tour.

					KOBO
			You are a lucky man.  Where you come
			from a man can stand out.  It's
			expected.  Here a man is made to
			look a fool for standing out.

	Nick isn't paying much attention.

					KOBO
			I like your friend, Joyce.  You're
			lucky.

					NICK
			Guess I'm on a roll.

					KOBO
			She's such a long way home for you.

					NICK
			Time, I've got plenty of.

	A raucous SALARYMAN comes down the aisle, singing an Enka,
	swaying with the train, bumping into seats.  A common
	enough sight and ignored by the rest of the passengers.
	The Salaryman stumbles and falls across Nick's lap.

					NICK
				(helping him up)
			Hey, hey, come on, blow...

	The Salaryman bows deep.  Nick ignores it.  The man moves
	on.  Kobo looks out the window, the train begins to SLOW
	as it approaches the next station.

					KOBO
				(matter-of-factly)
			This is my stop.

					NICK
			I'm amused.

					KOBO
			Don't be.

	Nick looks up to see Kobo calmly fingering a lock of blond
	hair tied with black ribbon.  Joyce's ribbon.  Joyce's
	hair.

					KOBO
			I have her.

	Nick looks down the car.  The drunk Salaryman who stumbled
	over Nick is quite sober.  He made the hand-off to Kobo.
	Kobo holds out his wrists.  Nick hesitates.

					KOBO
				(matter-of-factly)
			I'll kill her.

	Nick, reluctantly, unlocks both sets of cuffs.  The train
	pulls into the station.

					KOBO
			I want the plate from your pal,
			Sugai.  When you get it, you get
			her.

	Kobo gets up, starts down the aisle.

					NICK
			Sugai won't give it to me, you know
			that.

					KOBO
			Then take it from him.

	Kobo gets off the train.

	NICK

	follows him to the door.

	THE STATION

	Kobo get into a waiting Jaguar.  Four guards nearby.

	INSIDE THE TRAIN

	Nick runs down the length of the car trying to keep the
	Jaguar in sight as the train pulls out... the car is gone.

	NICK

	bursts into the packed bar car.

					NICK
			Ichiro?!

	Everyone turns around.  No Ich.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  TRAIN - TRAIN STATION - TOKYO

	It slows into the station.


	INT.  TRAIN

	Nick shoves past the passengers lined up in the vestibule,
	ignoring a conductor's angry shouts.


	INT.  TERMINAL - MOMENTS LATER

	The train stops.  Nick flies out and starts running,
	dodging the crowd.

	Three uniformed policemen, including Ohashi's assistant,
	hurry toward him; they're dismayed to find that Kobo is
	gone.

					NICK
			Where's Ohashi?

	Instead of offering him help, the policemen grab him and
	slap a pair of handcuffs on Nick's wrists.

					NICK
			What the hell are you doing?!

								 CUT TO:

	HOLDING CELL - TOKYO POLICE STATION

	Nick, waiting alone in the cell.  It's been hours.  A door
	at the end of the hall opens.

	Ohashi stops in front of his cell.

					OHASHI
			Your plane leaves at six.  Two
			officers will escort you.

					NICK
			For God's sake, Ohashi, I need your
			help.  Let me out of here!

					OHASHI
			You had my help, detective.

					NICK
			If anything happens to her while I'm
			here --

					OHASHI
			-- Do you know where she is,
			detective?  Do you know how to find
			her?  Even where to start?  We will
			find them.

					NICK
			I have to get to Sugai.

					OHASHI
			Goodbye, officer.

	Ohashi keeps walking.

					NICK
			OHASHI!

	The LOUD clank of metal on metal.  Ohashi's gone.

					NICK
				(yelling at the top
				 of his lungs)
			OHASHI!!

	HOLD on Nick, his fingers squeezing the bars in rage,
	then --

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  ROAD - DAY

	Flood rice paddies stretch to the distance on either side
	of the road.  We PAN over to Kobo at a phone kiosk outside
	a gas station.

					KOBO
				(in Japanese)
			Yes.  Do it.


	INT.  SUGAI'S HOUSE - AT THAT MOMENT

	Kobo's girl, Sugai's daughter, hangs up the phone.  She's
	been on the other end of the line.


	INT.  SUGAI'S ROOM

	The door swings open.  Sugai is sitting on the floor.  The
	girl is carrying a tray of tea.  Beneath the tray, we spot
	something else -- the butt of a short-bladed tanto.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  NARITA AIRPORT - TOKYO - DAY

	A police car rolls through the service gate.  We see Nick
	inside the car along with two police guards.


	INT.  HOLDING ROOM - NARITA AIRPORT

	A white room.  No chairs.  Jet engines can be HEARD
	through the walls.  Nick is sitting on the floor,
	defeated.  He doesn't look up when he hears someone enter.

					ICH (O.S.)
			I'll tell you one thing.  You can't
			solve a thing sitting on your ass.

	Nick looks up.  Ich is in uniform.  A revolver and batton
	hang from his white web gear.  His undershirt bulges
	through his khaki shirt.  He looks ridiculous.  Nick has
	never seen a more beautiful sight.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  POLICE CAR

	Ich is driving.  Nick is seated behind a cage in the back
	seat.  His hands are cuffed.  Ich is driving through the
	freight area towards a perimeter guard.

					NICK
			I was ready to have your ass for
			taking off on me.

					ICH
			I followed them.  An hour from the
			train station.

					NICK
			How many men?

					ICH
			I couldn't tell.

					NICK
			Joyce?

					ICH
			I don't know.

					NICK
			We need the plate to negotiate with.

	Ich nods.


	EXT.  AT THE GATE - TOKYO AIRPORT

	The car slows.  Ich speaks rapidly to the guard showing
	him his papers.  The guard takes a good hard look at Nick.
	Time stands still... He waves them through.  Nick can
	breath again.

					NICK
			You know, Ichiro, you just burned
			your bridges.

	Ich is silent for a moment.  He hands Nick's Beretta back
	through the partition.  So it goes.

					ICH
			Rest.

	Nick looks for Ich's eyes in the rearview mirror.  The
	little cop keeps driving, his eyes on the road.

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	EXT.  STREET - BEPUKU - DAY

	Nick and Ich are standing outside their car.  The Police
	radio crackles from inside.

	WHAT THEY SEE:

	A large crowd gathered outside of Sugai's estate.  Police
	have cordoned off the area.  An empty ambulance is parked
	out front with various other cars:  Debonnaire's,
	Cadillac's... A boy in shorts is endlessly bouncing a ball
	against the compound wall.  Whatever happened is long
	over.

	Ich flips off the radio.

					ICH
			Someone attacked him.

					NICK
			Now we've got nothing to negotiate
			with.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  ROAD - DUSK

	The police car streaks across endless fields.

	INSIDE THE CAR

	Nick is at the wheel.  He rubs the sleep from his eyes.
	Ich is slumped down in the seat watching the road.

	Ich pulls out a cigarette.  Nick lights it for him.

					NICK
			Joyce told me about your family.
			It's tough...

	Ich looks up surprised.

					ICH
			Thank you.
				(beat)
			You have one?

					NICK
			A wife.  She left.

					ICH
			I'm sorry.

					NICK
			Me too.

	Ich glances over at Nick, then back at the road.

	Nicks rubs out his cigarette and presses down on the
	accelerator.

								 DISSOLVE TO:

	EXT.  KOBO'S HIDEOUT - DAWN

	A small, contemporary house perched on a dry piece of
	land.  A paved road, lined with dense foliage runs on a
	berm between the flooded rice paddies.

	ON NICK AND ICH

	sitting in the car watching from a hillside turnoff.
	There's no easy way in.

					NICK
			Let's go.

	Ich hands Charlie his shuto -- an 18 inch long knife.

					NICK
			What's that for?

					ICH
			Luck.

	Nick tucks the shuto inside his jacket.

					NICK
			Thanks.

	Nick opens up his door and climbs out.

					ICH
			You know, Nick, we can't lose.

					NICK
				(stopping)
			Why's that?

					ICH
			Because we're the biggest things to
			hit this town since Godzilla.

								 CUT TO:

	THE DIRT ROAD

	leading to the house lined with foliage.  The rice paddies
	on either side.

								 CUT TO:

	NICK AND ICH

	making their way through the waist high water.

	TWO WORKERS

	with their hoes make their way into the water.  They don't
	see our cops.

	OUR COPS

	making their way along the edge of the road.  The SOUND of
	a motorcycle coming.

	THE MOTORCYCLE RIDER

	slows and drops a gear as he turns off the main road and
	onto the dirt berm toward the house.  He's one of Kobo's
	Bosozoku -- a long way from the streets of Tokyo.

	The rider comes around the bend to see --

	A COP

	standing in a uniform.  Ich.  For a moment he doesn't know
	what to do.  Then, he draws a pistol from his belt and
	accelerates toward Ich.

	ICH

	stands his ground as the bike closes in.  The biker takes
	aim.

	Ich drops off to the side as --

	NICK

	rises from a ditch and swings a hoe at the rider as he
	passes, catching the man across the face.  The rider drops
	like a swatted fly.  The biker's momentum carries it a few
	yards before it falls and skids to a halt.

	Nick hurries to the bike.

	Ich drags the biker off the road, then catches up to his
	partner.

	NICK AND ICH

	raise the heavy bike.  Nick mounts.  He takes the riders
	helmet and goggles from Ich, and puts them on.

					ICH
			What are you going to do?

	Nick doesn't know exactly.  He taps the bike into gear, it
	torques like a mule.  There's a lot more juice here
	than he's used to.

	Nick fishtails for a minute, then gets the hang of it.

	Ich heads off taking another route.


	INT.  HOUSE

	KOBO AND SUGAI'S DAUGHTER

	are putting the last of their belongings into a suitcase.
	She hands him the plate -- Sugai's plate.

	Kobo kisses her as he slips it into his breast pocket.
	The SOUND of a motorcycle approaching from outside.


	EXT.  THE HOUSE

	Kobo steps out, and not recognizing Nick, raises his hand
	to greet what he thinks is one of his men.

	ON NICK

	bearing down on Kobo.

	ON KOBO

	as Nick keeps coming.  He is unable to see clearly until
	Nick is almost on top of him.

	NICK

	dumps the bike at the foot of the stairs and leaps on
	Kobo.

	Nick and Kobo roll off the narrow porch.  Nick breaks
	free.  He isn't fighting fair this time.  He slams his
	foot into Kobo's face and ribs.  Kobo tries to get up, but
	Nick knees him in the chin.

	A woman cries out in Japanese.  Nick turns to see

	JOYCE

	standing at the top of the steps.  A biker is pressing the
	muzzle of a Sig-Saur assault rifle on her.  Kobo's girl is
	beside them holding a small pistol.

	KOBO

	gets to his feet.  The biker tosses Kobo the rifle.  Kobo
	works the charging lever and holds the weapon at his side.
	He has all the time in the world.

	Kobo whirls and kicks Nick in the groin.  Nick falls to
	his knees in agony.

	Kobo towers above Nick as he did in the alley in New York.

					KOBO
			Still on your knees, Nick?

	Kobo walks off, his back to Nick.

					KOBO
			There's nothing you can do for me
			anymore.  I have the plate.  Sugai's
			dead.  No there is something.

	He walks up to the steps to Joyce.

					KOBO
			You can tell me who I should shoot
			first.

	Nick struggles to get to his feet.  Kobo turns and faces
	Nick at the foot of the steps.

	ICH

	appears behind Kobo and takes him down with an amazing
	display of baton work that shows a lifetime of training.

	He grabs the gun.  A biker bursts out of the door.  Ich
	fires, hitting him in the thigh.  He drops his gun.

	SUGAI'S DAUGHTER

	grabs the gun.

	NICK

	tackles her, and wrestles the gun away.  She grabs for it.
	Nick slugs her.

	A GUN BLAST

	Ich is hit in the back of his shoulder, falls onto the
	porch.

	KOBO

	the shooter, is holding a pistol -- a Glock 17 automatic.
	He fires at

	NICK AND JOYCE

	who scramble for cover.

	KOBO

	continues firing as he climbs onto a motorcycle.  He pops
	the clutch and flies off down the road.  Nick fires after
	him, but Kobo's gone.

					NICK
				(to Ich)
			You all right?

					ICH
			Yes...

					NICK
				(to Joyce)
			Call for help.

	Nick mounts the other bike, and puts the turbo charged
	rocket into gear.

	THE ROAD

	Rain pours down as Kobo turns onto the main road.  He
	opens up the throttle, and in less than a second, he's a
	screaming dot in the distance.

	NICK

	comes around the same corner.  His bike fishtails and
	slides out from under him.

	FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD

	Kobo tears past a police car.  The police car takes off
	after him.

	THE FOOTHILLS

	A series of steep switchbacks traverse the steep, densely
	forested hills.

	Kobo's bike flies up the road.  The police car can't keep
	up, begins losing ground.

	THE POLICE CAR

	going flat out, falling further and further behind.
	Kobo's going to escape.

	SUDDENLY

	Nick, bent low, shoots past the cop car.  His left arm is
	scraped and bloody.

	ON KOBO

	glancing back, to see Nick gaining on him.  Kobo's
	pleased.  He gives it more gas.

	NICK

	pulling eight-five... ninety... one hundred.  The rain
	stings his face.  It's hard to keep his eye open.

	THE FOOTHILLS

	Kobo leaning into one of the steep turns, climbing higher
	and higher toward the clouds clinging to the top of the
	peak.

	NICK

	is gaining on him.  He HEARS something coming up behind
	him.

	A BOSOZOKU

	the one Ich shot in the leg, is closing fast on his tail.

	ON NICK

	as the biker draws even.

	THE BIKER

	pulls out his long knife and slashes at Nick's shoulder.

	Nick drops back causing him to miss.  The biker drops
	back.  Nick tries to speed up, but the biker sticks with
	him.  He's a good rider, this boy.  Very, very good.

	The biker moves in again, blade drawn.

	NICK SEES

	something the biker doesn't.

	A TRUCK

	coming around the corner.

	NICK

	swerves to avoid it at the last moment.  The biker reacts
	too late and runs --

	INTO THE GLEAMING

	radiator of the two ton truck, and disappears beneath its
	wheels.

	ON KOBO

	around the bend, glancing back.  Empty road.  He eases up
	on the throttle -- a free man... He circles back only to
	see

	NICK

	burst around the corner charging toward him at a hundred-
	and-twenty miles per hour, in the driving rain.

	KOBO

	waits and waits.  Nick draws closer.  Then, Kobo tears off
	back down the mountain, shooting past Nick.

	Nick brakes... He slows down, and starts to turn, but the
	wheels whirl on the gravel and the bike goes into a skid,
	heading right for the edge of the road.

								 CUT TO:

	NICK'S MOTORCYCLE

	flying over the edge of the road, and down the cliff.

								 CUT TO:

	THE EDGE OF THE ROAD

	Nick, lying on his stomach at the edge of the cliff, his
	arm is probably broken.

	He tries to get up with a one arm push up.  It's hopeless.
	His head falls into a puddle of water.

	The WHINE of an approaching motorcycle.  Kobo has come
	back for him.

	Nick, in excruciating pain, struggles for his gun.

	KOBO

	bearing down on Nick.

	NICK

	struggling to get his gun.  Finally he does.  But it's
	caked in mud.  If the barrel is stuffed it will explode.
	Nick has to take the chance.

	ON KOBO

	Closer and closer.

	NICK

	aims as best he can and fires.  The mud caked gun explodes
	in his hand.  Nick screams in agony.

	KOBO

	pulls his bike up inches in front of Nick's head.  Nick
	seems to be bleeding everywhere:  his hand, his nose, his
	mouth, the side of his head...

	Kobo's face and neck is caked in blood from when Nick beat
	him.

	The rain pours down.

	He picks up the gun.  Points it at Nick, squeezes the
	trigger.

					KOBO
				(slowly)
			Bang... bang...

	He tosses the gun in front of Nick's face.

					KOBO
			... You're dead.

	The sound of approaching Police SIRENS.

	Kobo swings the bike around, goes a hundred yards down the
	road, then swings back.

	Kobo guns the engine.  He gain speed... thirty, thirty-
	five.

	NICK

	struggles to get up.  He can't.

	KOBO

	opening the throttle.

	NICK

	crawling a few inches, that's it.

	KOBO

	twenty yards away.

	NICK

	reaches into his coat and pulls Ich's 18 inch shuto out.

	He rolls away at the last moment, slashing Kobo's ankle as
	he races past.

	KOBO

	screams in pain.  He tries to stop too suddenly.  The bike
	flips over.  Kobo flies into the air then hits the
	pavement on his side and rolls a few yards down the road.
	He stops on his back.  It's lucky he's alive.

	The SOUND of fast approaching police SIRENS.

	THE PLATE

	has fallen out of Kobo's jacket.  It rests in the road,
	halfway between the two men.

	KOBO

	crawls toward it on his belly.

	NICK

	mustering all his strength, struggles across the road on
	all fours.

	KOBO

	crawling snake-like.

	NICK

	still moving, his arms and legs feel like lead.

	KOBO'S FINGERS

	as they reach for the plate.

	NICK

	grabs Kobo's wrist forcing him to drop the plate.  Nick
	picks up a rock.  It looks as if he's going to smash
	Kobo's head.  Instead, he brings it down on the plate,
	shattering it in a half-dozen pieces.

	Nick tosses the pieces in front of Kobo's face.

					NICK
			Keep the change.

	Nick, exhausted, slowly falls onto his back.  He looks
	over at Kobo, their faces are inches apart.  Nick makes a
	slashing mark with his index finger above his eyebrows.
	The same gesture Kobo made to Nick through the two-way
	mirror in New York.

	Nick passes out.  His eyes shut... the screen...

								FADES TO BLACK.

	BLACK SCREEN

	The SOUND of three police cars screeching to a halt.  The
	SOUNDS of the police SIRENS winding down.

	The SIRENS get softer mixing with the SOUND of RINGING
	phones, CLACKING typewriters, VOICES...


	FADE IN:

	INT.  TOKYO POLICE HEADQUARTERS

	Fifty identical desks.  Fifty identically dressed men in
	white shirts and ties work under fluorescent lights.

	OHASHI

	is at his desk studying a report.

	Suddenly, the lights go out.  The fan's stop, so do the
	electric typewriters.

	Ohashi looks up to see --

	ICH

	walking toward him down the long aisle, his left arm is
	bandaged, his right hand handcuffed to Kobo on crutches.

	Ich silently leads the captured man down the long aisle to
	Ohashi's desk.

	ICH

	stops in front of the desk and snaps to attention.

					ICH
			Constable Ichiro Matsumoto presents
			captured prisoner Kobo, Chief
			Inspector Ohashi.

	Ich salutes.

					OHASHI
			Inspector Ohashi will take charge of
			the prisoner.

	Ich uncuffs Kobo and steps aside to reveal --

	NICK

	standing at the far end of the room by the fuse box.  He's
	also bandaged and on crutches.

	Nick looks at Ohashi without saying a word, then flips the
	main switch up.  The lights and fans start working.

	He turns and walks out the door.

								 CUT TO:

	EXT.  POLICE COURTYARD - A FEW DAYS LATER

	A small decoration ceremony.

	ON ICHIRO

	getting two golden suns pinned to the lapel of his dress
	uniform.

	In the far corner

	NICK, JOYCE AND

	Ichiro's wife, dressed in a formal kimono, watch the
	ceremony.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  JAPANESE RESTAURANT - TOKYO - DAY

	Joyce and Nick are sitting alone at a table.  Nick's left
	arm in in a sling.

					NICK
			Can't make you change your mind?

					JOYCE
			Last time you asked me to come along
			I nearly got a hole in my head.

					NICK
			Might be different in New York.

					JOYCE
			Maybe.  If I come visit, we can find
			out.

					NICK
			I'd like that.

	Ich sits down with two fresh bowls of soba noodles.  Nick
	hesitates.

					ICH
			You can do it.

	Nick picks up his chopsticks with his good hand.  He
	begins to slurp the noodles.

					ICH
			Louder, pal, louder.

					NICK
			Joyce, give the assistant Chief
			Inspector a drink, would you?

	As Joyce refills all their cups we...

								 SLOWLY DISSOLVE TO:

	EXT.  EIGHT THREE PRECINCT - NEW YORK CITY - DAY

	It's raining.  A sun shower.


	INT.  POLICE STATION

	Capt. Oliver is standing by the window watching the rain
	pour down.

					OLIVER
			... Remember, counterfeiting is the
			Feds.  They'll be all over
			Abolofia's place.  Stick tight.
			You I.D. the other plate, he does
			real time.

					NICK
			Right.

	Reveal Nick sitting in front of Oliver's desk, his one arm
	is still in a sling.  Nick gets to his feet.

					OLIVER
				(still not facing
				 him)
			You know, Nick, if you'd held on to
			that plate, you could've been a very
			rich man.

	Oliver turns to face Nick.  Nick just looks at him, then:

					NICK
			Never crossed my mind.

	Oliver nods; he believes him.

					OLIVER
			Be careful on the run.

								 CUT TO:

	INT.  SQUAD BAY - NIGHT

	In contrast to the Japanese police station -- it's chaos.
	Cops are in every imaginable kind of dress, trash cans
	over flow, a handcuffed prisoner screams abuse to anyone
	who will listen.

	THE RAIDING PARTY

	a dozen men in all, are donning flak jackets and
	windbreakers with POLICE and TREASURY stenciled on the
	back.

	NICK

	walks in with two heavy bullet proof vests slung over his
	shoulder.  He squeezes past the raiding party to find

	ICH

	sitting at a desk, thumbing through a Frommer's guide to
	New York City.  Nick drops one of the vests on the desk.
	It lands like a ton of bricks.  Ich continues to read.

	A Sergeant walks in.

					SERGEANT
			Saddle up.  Hard team in the first
			unit.  Conklin, your RMP awaits.

	The cops and treasury men, grabbing their gear, head for
	the door.

	Nick is struggling to get into his vest using one arm.

					NICK
			Sure you want to come?  Probably
			better than the Greyline Tour.

	Ich stands up, shoves the guidebook in his back pocket.
	He helps Nick fasten the strap in back.

					ICH
			You wouldn't make it without me.

	Nick smiles, takes the Frommer's out of Ich's pocket and
	tosses it into the trash.

	Nick hands him a shotgun, takes another one off the rack
	for himself.

	We watch from behind as the two men head down the long
	hallway toward the exit.

					ICH
			Think we'll get him, Nick?

					NICK
			We can't lose.

					ICH
			How can you be so sure?

	Nick opens the door at the far end of the hallway.  They
	step out into the sunlit rain.

					NICK
			Cause you're the biggest thing to
			hit this town since...

	Before Nick can finish his line, the door SLAMS SHUT
	behind them.

								 FADE TO BLACK.

					THE END