eli (into phone)
(beat)
Hey, man, we sorted it.
(beat)
No problem. Except for one thing. Ice got spotted doing the collection. By the dad, of all people.
(beat)
Not quite. He followed us and we grabbed him. At the McDonald’s. I know one of the guys there, phoned us while the dad was there, asking questions. So we went and got him.
(beat)
Got him right here. Kicking off. Understandable. If it was my kid. . .
(beat)
I thought we’d just keep him here all night.
(beat)
Fair enough. Will do.
He jabs a button to hang up. Then faces Nick.
ice
I didn’t get bleeding spotted, I tell ya.
nick
Who was that? Top rung? What’s that guy want with my son?
Nick turns his head towards a clock on the wall.
insert:
Clock, showing: 09.21.
eli
That was a higher rung, yes. Now look, got nothing personal against you, pal. You got caught up in this. But tonight’s quite important to the people who have your baby. By the way, he’s really not here. We handed him over in
(MORE)
(CONT.)
that McDonald’s car park. He’s with the people who wanted him by now. My involvement is over. Nothing more you can get from me. And I feel for you. But this is business, it’s money. Another set of guys might have cut your kid’s head off for the money we’ve been paid. So think cup half-full.
nick
You’re insane. Where’s my son, please!
eli
Now you’re pushing your luck. You’re being very calm about this, and that’s good, a good attitude. Because there’s no point to kicking and screaming. I have the same attitude. Being calm. Now listen carefully. The guy I answer to, he just told me he needs you out of the way. So we now have to go do that. You ain’t gonna like it. But you’re going to go with us with that same calm attitude, because if you lose it, I lose mine, too.
nick (pleading)
Help me, then. If you’re only after the money. I can pay.
eli
You wanna go rescue him, be my guest, and good luck with it. I almost hope you do. But I can’t help. And now I’m offended that you think I’ll double-cross a paying client. And talking to you is boring me now.
(to zack and ice)
Grab him. We dump him.
The three guys grab Nick. They haul him off the hook and replace the blindfold Nick’s kicking and SHOUTING and they have to carry him out of the room.
FADE IN:
EXT. BRIDGE - NIGHT
The Ford Focus pulls up. The bridge is remote. It spans a river. There’s no buildings around, just trees, and because of this it is very dark.
When the car stops, Zack and Eli exit the front and head to the back to let Ice out, as before. All three reach in, unlock the cage, and drag Nick out. His hands are cuffed behind his back. Eli yanks off his blindfold. Nick takes in his new surroundings with SHOCK.
ice
It’s game over for you, arse.
The three men lead him, still handcuffed, to the railing, his back to it. Eli lifts Nick and plants him on his arse on the railing. Zack has Nick’s collar, balancing him in such a way that, should he let go, Nick would tumble into the river. A guy with his hands cuffed behind his back, in danger of falling fifty feet to a raging black river – safe to say Nick is scared.
ice
Any last words before you go to hell?
Eli pushes Ice aside.
eli
I love this spot. Looks serene in the day, dangerous as hell at night. I’ve brought four people up here in the past. Four twats who needed teaching a lesson. In the water they went, pleading for their lives. But no one can hear anything out here.
nick
Please. I didn’t do anything to you. I don’t know who you are. I just want my child back. My baby.
ice
Aren’t dads supposed to be super mad on defending their kids? Like, shouldn’t you be tearing them cuffs off and tearing our heads off?
nick
You don’t have to do this. Please.
The river is LOUD, like a rumbling belly, wanting to eat.
eli
Just like that. That’s how they pleaded. I don’t like it, just so you know. Idiots like Ice here, they might get off on hearing people with fear in their voices. But that’s because Ice is a hundred pounds soaking wet and couldn’t fight his way out of a spider web. I don’t need to play that part. When I chucked those guys in the river, it was to make them think they were dead. But all four survived. I’m telling you what I never told them, because you’re an okay guy. About two hundred metres downriver, the river turns sharply, but part of the current can’t make the turn in time and slams the far bank. The bank there is collapsed because of it, like a little muddy beach. That’s where they washed up, thanking the good Lord that he’d spared them. And then they vanished, left the city. To make Eli continue to think they were dead. A fresh start. So, my friend, don’t worry that you’re about to die. Kick your feet to stay on the surface, and twenty seconds later you’ll wash up. But you’re in the middle of nowhere. You ain’t getting back tonight. And that’s all that matters. Anyway, nice knowing you. Goodbye.
Eli salutes and turns away.
ice
Why’d ya tell him that? Anyway, before we drop him, can I say a few things?
eli
Why, Ice? What’s the point of insulting some guy who’s done nothing to you and who you won’t see again?
ice
Nah, man, I just want to remind him not to mess with the big boys. Honest. In case he comes back for revenge.
zack
Maybe one of the big boys should remind him of that.
Eli and Zack laugh.
ice
Very bloody humorous, you.
eli
Make it quick, drop him, and get in the car. Be done by the time I beat my high score.
Zack
You’re gonna let him lecture this guy while my arm’s burning here?
Eli extends his bottom lip at Zack, as if imitating a baby about to cry. Zack’s not happy. Eli starts playing with his phone as he moves to the car and gets in.
Silence as Ice watches Eli, perhaps making sure he’s distracted. Because Ice wears an expression that says he’s up to something shifty.
zack
Get on with your heroic speech.
nick
How can you be sure I’ll survive this? Why don’t you just let me go? I’m cuffed and -