Karma Police Extract

8/9/2019 Karma Police Extract

1/15

KARMA POLICE

EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT1 1

A man stares down the lens of a rifle. The sight focuses on awindow across the street. The room is empty save for a couchthat is barely visible in the darkness. A couple sit on thecouch kissing.

KISMET (V.O.)Eight-O-three remember?

MERCURIALYeh yeh. I still have a twominutes.

MERCURIAL places a cigarette in his mouth.

KISMET (V.O.)I dont hear a fat lady singing...

MERCURIAL(while lighting thecigarette)

I wouldnt hold it against you ifyou rattled off a few bars.

INT. BURLESQUE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS1A 1A

A slightly balding and overweight man follows a much youngerand better looking woman up tattered stairs. She pushes pastpatrons and slams him against a wall, kissing him-He cantbelieve his luck.

EXT. ROOFTOP1B 1B

Mercurial glances at his watch, flicks the cigarette away andtakes a coin out of his pocket and places it on the ledge.

MERCURIALBest seats in the house.

INT. BURLESQUE HOUSE PRIVATE BOOTH1C 1C

The woman forcefully opens the door. A couple already occupythe room, she grabs a man and pushes him out the room, thewoman shortly follows. She throws her man onto the couch. Heattempts to rise but she holds him down with her foot.


2/15

EXT. ROOFTOP1D 1D

Mercurial takes the safety off the rifle and tightens hisgrip on the trigger. He grunts in frustration as the womanblocks his shot. The watch nears the end of its countdown.

INT. BURLESQUE HOUSE PRIVATE BOOTH1E 1E

The woman puts her hand round the back of her dress,revealing a knife from within the folds.

EXT. ROOFTOP1F 1F

Mercurial watches as the knife appears and the woman raisesit to strike. The arch of her body reveals the mans head. In

the split second he takes the shot.

It hits its mark, spraying the woman in blood. Her face isdevoid of emotion as she looks toward him. Mercurials browcrinkles in incredulity-theres no way she knew it was him.He ditches the rifle and makes his exit.

EXT. ALLEYWAY - MOMENTS LATER1G 1G

MERCURIAL(lighting a cigarette)

What the hell was that?(BEAT)The path didnt document this kindof rift.

KISMET (V.O.)It cant be anything major,Destinial Paths dont missanything. Just another substanceabused stripper no doubt.

MERCURIALCheck again.

KISMET (V.O.)Very well.

(BEAT)Nothing.

MERCURIALIt better be.

KISMET (V.O.)You think my information ismistaken?

MERCURIALIt doesnt matter now-whats doneis done.

2. Peter Ingham 2010


3/15

Mercurial stops just outside the street observing thecommotion outside the Burlesque house. People flee from thescene and sirens can be heard in the distance.

KISMET (V.O.)I dont know about fat ladies buttheyre certainly loud.

Mercurial stares into the fray, looking out for something.

KISMET (V.O.) (CONT'D)You think she would come waltzingout the front door?

MERCURIALShe didnt seem to care aboutmaking a scene in the room.

KISMET (V.O.)It appears shes reckless, not anidiot.

MERCURIALDont the two go hand in hand?

KISMET (V.O.)Only an idiot would think-

MERCURIAL

Well Id love to stay here and actlike bickering school girls but Iwant to sign this off.

EXT. LAYLAS OFFICE - LATER8 8

The office is styled like an old private detectives room.There are a large stack of papers obscuring the person satbehind the vintage desk.

The door opens, Mercurial walks in and reclines on the couch.He takes out a cigarette and lights it.

LAYLAHey!

(Emerges from behindpapers)

What have I told you?

MERCURIAL(placid)

A lot of things. I cant bebothered listing them.

LAYLAOpen a damn window.



4/15

Layla, a young woman with red hair and devil wings walks overto a window and attempts to open it but its stuck. Mercurialvisibly sighs and walks over to open it easily.

MERCURIAL(patting her on the head)

Just stick to filing.

She bats his hand away angrily and sits walks over to afiling cabinet.

MERCURIAL (CONT'D)It went well in case you werewondering.

LAYLAFor once Ill agree with you on

that.(BEAT)

Here.

Layla hands him a thin folder with a picture of Wells withvital statistics and information on the cause of death. Hesits back on the couch and takes out a knife from his boot.He goes to prick his finger.

LAYLA (CONT'D)Anything we missed?

He looks to her briefly, pricks his finger and then pressesit against the paper.

MERCURIALYou never miss.

He hands her back the file.

KISMET (V.O.)NothingMercurial?

Merurial takes out the coin and rolls it around his knuckles.

MERCURIAL (V.O.)Nothing worth mentioning Kismet.

Layla finishes filing the document then walks over and opensa drawer.

LAYLAThis came from your not-so-secretadmirer.

Mercurial picks up the letter and inspects it.

LAYLA (CONT'D)She even smooched the envelope. Whydo Inever get ones like that?



5/15

MERCURIALCount yourself lucky.

He opens the envelope and scans it.

MERCURIAL (CONT'D)(leaning his head on thecouch arm)

She wants to see me. Never good.

LAYLAId recommend taking chocolates butyoud probably eat them.

MERCURIAL(smiling idiotically)

If I wanted something sweet I could

just take you.

LAYLAId like to be the reason for a fewlost teeth.

Smiling, Mercurial chucks a cigarette into his mouth andgrabs the door handle.

LAYLA (CONT'D)Check in with me later.

MERCURIAL(waving)Yeh, yeh.

Mercurial exits through the door.

INT. PANTHEON DE FORTUNA HALLWAY - NIGHT9 9

Mercurial enters through a large set of ornate glass doors.The foyer is adorned with flamboyant gold and marblearchitecture.

He walks over to an elevator, gets in and then checks hiswatch. He presses the top button which is the Greek numeralfor zero as he retrieves the letter from his pocket.

KISMET (V.O.)(patronisingly)

Im sure she just wants to have anice chat.

MERCURIALThat what the kids are calling itnowadays?

( BEAT. )As long as its quick I dont care.



6/15

KISMET (V.O.)Like a dog who spied a bone.

MERCURIALI just need to collect some data.

KISMET (V.O.)Layla could have dealt with it.

MERCURIALIts not her problem to deal with.

KISMET (V.O.)Moirais then?

MERCURIALHers neither. Ill-

KISMET (V.O.)You really think she wont find out?

MERCURIALIll deal with it.

KISMET (V.O.)On your head be it.

MERCURIALThat makes a change.

The elevator pings signalling its arrival. The doors openand Mercurial steps out.

INT. PANTHEON DE FORTUNA PENTHOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT10 10

Mercurial exits the elevator and begins to walk down thedarkened hallway. Various works of art hang on the wallspunctuated by archaic lamps.

He pauses in front of the large double doors as it VIOLENTLYswings open. DEUS stands before him, acknowledging him with a

disgusted look.

DEUSThe model Nizari managed to draghimself here on time.

MERCURIALYou timing me now? Moirai taughtyou a new trick?

DEUS(grabbing his shirt)

You should see the one where I ripout your throat.



7/15

MERCURIALIll get you a nice treat as areward.

MOIRAIBoth of you quiet! You can bitch ateach other when it doesnt infringeon my schedule.

(Deus and Mercurialexchange glances)

Deus get on with what I instructed.Mercurial. In here. Now.

Deus walks past Mercurial clipping his shoulder. Mercurialsmiles and brushes the area. He enters the THRONE ROOM.

INT. PANTHEON DE FORTUNA THRONE ROOM - NIGHT11 11

The room has large marble floors and a grand throne at itsback. There sits Moirai, in a red dress, legs crossed.

KISMET (V.O.)If I were you Id incinerate thecoat.

MERCURIAL (V.O.)You think I should take thatinitiative to everything hes

touched?

KISMET (V.O.)Well-

MOIRAIKismet! Shut the fuck up. If itwere up to me Id have thrown youdown a well millennia ago.

KISMET (V.O.)(Bordering a line betweensarcasm and obedience)

My sincerest apologies CommissionerMoirai.

MERCURIALWhat is it I can do for youCommissioner?

MOIRAIMoirai.

MERCURIALWhat is it I can do for you Moirai.



8/15

MOIRAI(Getting up from herthrone and walking overto him.)

Much. Better.

He stands still as she walks behind him, putting her hands onhis shoulders. His face doesnt change.

MOIRAI (CONT'D)There is something we need todiscuss.

MERCURIALA contract?

MOIRAI

No.(BEAT)

The same thing I discussed withDeus.

Mercurial tilts his head slightly towards her.

MOIRAI (CONT'D)It seems Deus ran into a littletrouble with his last contract.

MERCURIAL

Hes reckless, shouldnt you beaccustomed to that by now?

Moirai clamps down hard on his shoulder causing him togrimace SLIGHTLY.

MOIRAIThis time it wasnt hisrecklessness that caused the markto be missed.

MERCURIALThen what?

MOIRAISomeone interfered.

(BEAT)Awoman interfered.

Mercurial grabs Kismet tightly. Signalling him to shut thehell up.

MERCURIALWhats the got to do with-

MOIRAIIm making sure that nothing hasinterfered with your...work.



9/15

MERCURIALNothing has, youd be the first toknow if it ever did.

MOIRAIIm glad to hear it.

(BEAT)Arent you interested to know whathappened with Deus?

MERCURIALI care as much about Deus as I doabout-

MOIRAIWell just for the hell of it Illregale you.

She walks around to stand in front of Mercurial.

MOIRAI (CONT'D)It seems as though someone beat himto his mark.

MERCURIALHow did that happen? What about theSigns?

MOIRAI

There were no Signs.

MERCURIALMaybe he lost his touch...if itwere ever there to begin with.

MOIRAIHis coin didnt even pick up on therift in the Destinial path.

MERCURIALMaybe he should get a new one.

MOIRAIId stop being so glib, it doesntbefit you.

MERCURIALI thought they nevermiss...anything.

MOIRAIThey see the big picture.

MERCURIAL

But not the frame?

MOIRAIQuite the paradox.



10/15

MERCURIALSo what does it mean?

MOIRAIIts nothing to be concerned aboutat the moment.

MERCURIALIll keep my eyes open for a womanthen.

MOIRAIIf youd be so kind.

Mercurial turns his back and begins to walk.

MOIRAI (CONT'D)

Are we done?

MERCURIALId assumed so.

(BEAT)Layla will have something for me nodoubt.

MOIRAIIm sure youve always got time forme.

MERCURIAL(looking at his watch)My schedules pretty tight at themoment.

She snaps her fingers.

MOIRAIThere. I just freed you up for thenext half hour.

FADE OUT.

EXT. PANTHEON DE FORTUNA - NIGHT12 12

Mercurial exits the building, checks his watch and takes outhis cigarettes. The area is silent as he walks round thecorner and enters a secluded alley.

EXT. ALLEYWAY12A 12A

He leans up against the wall and lights up.

KISMET (V.O.)Women on the mind still?



11/15

MERCURIALI thought Moirai had bitten offyour tongue.

KISMET (V.O.)I do know when it is best not totalk.

MERCURIALGuess youll miss that daily wordquota.

KISMET (V.O.)I chose to make an exception today.

His momentary break is interrupted by the sound of a mobilephone ringing. Mercurial reaches into his pocket to retrieve

it.

MERCURIALMercurial.

The screen divides into half, the left showing Layla, theright showing Mercurial.

LAYLASomething just came up.

MERCURIAL

Not even a hello?

LAYLAIm sure with your diminishedenergy levels conversation is quitea strain.

MERCURIALYet somehow I manage.

LAYLATheres a client Id like you tomeet.

MERCURIALWhen and where.

LAYLAAt The Cillian downtown. Halfmidnight.

MERCURIALI could use a drink. See ya.

Mercurial puts the phone down and flicks the cigarette away.



12/15

INT. THE CILLIAN - NIGHT

A man enters the gloomy restaurant-come-bar and walks over tothe FEMALE CONCIERGE who stands by a podium. Even at thislate hour the place is still busy.

MANTable for Moiraity

FEMALE CONCIERGERight this way.

The woman guides the man through the labyrinth of tables andchairs. She flows through easily but he catches a few peopleon the way.

They arrive at a booth in a secluded area of the restaurant.

Mercurial sits there, a tumbler full of alcohol in one handand a fork stabbing at a piece of cake in the other.

The man sits down as the woman disappears to the front of therestaurant. Several seconds pass in silence while Mercurialeats and takes a few sups of his beverage. After he finishes,he pushes the empty plate aside.

He looks at his watch, takes out his cigarettes and lightsone.

MAN

Im-

MERCURIAL(dead pan)

Frank Dubleux(takes a drag)

Frankie to your friends...even theones that scam you.

Frankie attempts to formulate a sentence but the words arestuck in his throat.

MERCURIAL (CONT'D)

A little birdie told me.

KISMET (V.O.)Birdie?

FRANKIE(with renewed anger)

I want him dead. He took everythingfrom me.

MERCURIALWhat you want, and what you may get

are two very different things rightnow.



13/15

FRANKIEWhat-

Mercurial stubs out his cigarette and takes out Kismet fromhis pocket, placing it on the table.

MERCURIALYou know what this is?

Frankie goes to pick up the coin but Mercurial slaps his handaway.

MERCURIAL (CONT'D)(smirking)

You look with your eyes.

Frankie leans over slightly to inspect the coin.

FRANKIE(whispered)

Volentem fata, nolentem trahunt

He looks up at Mercurial.

MERCURIAL(smiling)

Fate leads the willing soul, butdrags along the unwilling one.

Frankie looks at Mercurial obviously not getting it.

MERCURIAL (CONT'D)Why dont you tell me the name.

Several seconds pass in silence.

FRANKIESorry Im just thinking.

MERCURIALYou werent supposed to come hereto think. You were supposed to have

made a decision.

FRANKIEDavid Blakely.

Mercurial picks up the coin and begins rolling it around hisknuckles.

KISMET (V.O.)I wish you wouldnt do that.

Mercurial smiles.

MERCURIALA man came to me once, said hiswife had cheated on him.


(MORE)


14/15

(he loads the coin ontohis thumb)

So I loaded the coin just likethis. His fate on top, hers on thebottom.

Mercurial sends the coin spinning in the air. Frankie iscaptivated, like a dog watching a bone. Mercurial SNATCHESthe coin from the air as Frankie recoils back in shock. Heputs his coin on the back of his hand and covers it up.

FRANKIEWhat happened to them?

Mercurial takes a quick glance at the coin.

MERCURIAL

Turned out, the man himself was aserial adulterer and wife beater.Seems he didn't like it when hiswife gave him a dose of his ownmedicine.

FRANKIESo what-

MERCURIALI shot him where he sat, whereyoure sitting.

FRANKIEBut how did-

MERCURIALThe coin tells me everything.

(BEAT)Do you think youll be going hometonight?

FRANKIE(BEAT, gulps)

Yes.

Mercurial places the coin on the table.

MERCURIALHeads.

FRANKIEIs that good?

MERCURIALFor you, yes.

FRANKIEWhen will they tell me what thepayment is?


MERCURIAL (CONT'D)


15/15

MERCURIALSoon.

FRANKIEWhat happens if I dont-cant pay?

MERCURIALYoud already be dead.

(BEAT, smiling)Lighten up. Grab a drink, have somecake, think of better times and allthat shit.

Mercurial hands him a menu, Frankie inspects it and thenlooks up to ask him something but hes disappeared.


Karma Police Extract

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