Reckless

Extreme Measures

EXT. SKY - DAY

The sky is cloudless, clear, blue.  An American flag flaps in the breeze.

A bell CLANGS loudly, spoiling the placidity of the day.

CEMETERY

We see that the flag is flying above a small gathering.  A funeral is in process.

JACK Bell and CHIEF MCCREA stand above the open grave.  PALLBEARERS lower a casket into the earth.  A PASTOR speaks.

PASTOR

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Jack breaks down crying.

JACK

God.  Oh god.  Why?  Why?

Chief McCrea puts a hand on Jack’s shoulder.

CHIEF MCCREA

She was a good woman, Jack.  She’ll be missed.

JACK

She was my moral compass, Paddy.

CHIEF MCCREA

I know she was, Jack.

(beat)

Why don’t you take some time off, Jack.  To mourn her properly.

JACK

First Barbara and now this.

CHIEF MCCREA

It’s a lot to deal with Jack, I know.

(beat)

If you ever need anyone, you know, to talk to, you know where to find me.

JACK

Thanks, chief.

The casket is in place.  Jack throws a handful of earth onto it.

GRAVE MARKER

The inscription reads, “Martha Bell, Beloved Mother.”

INT. DIVE BAR

Jack sits alone at the bar.  He drinks whiskey and smokes a cigarette.

He motions the BARTENDER to top off his bottle.  The Bartender pours Jack another whiskey.

JACK

Leave the bottle.

BARTENDER

I’m afraid I can’t do that, sir.

JACK

And why’s that, may I ask?

BARTENDER

The last time I did you drank the whole bottle, filled it with some mysterious yellow liquid, and claimed to only drink one shot.

JACK

It’s hard to be honest on an honest cop’s salary.

The bartender walks off.  Jack stares into the smoke and haze above his head.  It swirls dreamily.

INT. MEN’S WAREHOUSE - DAY

Jack is shopping with his MOTHER.  He is trying on a suit.  She grabs the fabric near his crotch, checking the fit.

JACK’S MOTHER

Are you sure you don’t need a little more room in the crotch?

JACK

Jeez, ma.  What kind of question is that?

JACK’S MOTHER

You could always have it altered.  You want to look good for your promotion.  I’m going to find an employee.

(beat)

I’m so proud of you, son.  Detective Jack Bell.  It has a nice ring to it.

A store EMPLOYEE, a man in his thirties, approaches.

EMPLOYEE

Are you finding everything all right?

JACK’S MOTHER

Do you think you could let out the crotch of these slacks?

The employee produces a measuring tape.

EMPLOYEE

Let me see.

He begins to take Jack’s measurements.  Jack swats the Employee’s hand away from his crotch.

JACK

Mom, why don’t you go and pick me out a couple of ties?

JACK’S MOTHER

Okay, hon.

She goes to the other side of the store, leaving Jack and the Employee alone.

JACK

I think we’d better do this by the fitting rooms.

He grabs the Employee by the wrist and pulls him toward the fitting rooms.

OUTSIDE FITTING ROOMS

JACK

Don’t think I don’t know who you are.

EMPLOYEE

(confused)

I’m afraid I don’t follow you.

JACK

Trying to lead the straight and narrow life, eh?  Don’t think for a minute that I forgot what you did to that Pep Squad.

The Employee is startled, grows nervous.

JACK (CONT’D)

And poor Benny.  I think it affected him most of all.  The poor kid can’t so much as look at a megaphone without bursting into tears.  His tumbling days are over.

EMPLOYEE

(lying)

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Jack pulls him behind the curtain, into the fitting room.

INSIDE FITTING ROOM

JACK

Don’t you recognize me out of my uniform, punk?

EMPLOYEE

(frightened)

Uh, uh . . .

JACK

I’m officer Jack Bell of the Las Vegas Police Department.

Jack takes the measuring tape from the Employee.

JACK (CONT’D)

Well, you’re not going to forget me ever again.

He wraps the tape around the Employee’s neck and begins to strangle him.

JACK (CONT’D)

I guarantee it.

The employee struggles, turns red, turns blue, then as Jack releases the measuring tape, falls over dead.

Jack adjusts his suit and exits.

OUTSIDE FITTING ROOM

Jack comes face to face with his mother.

JACK’S MOTHER

Oh, there you are!  Did everything turn out all right?

JACK

I think I’ll take the suit as is.

She pinches his cheek.

JACK’S MOTHER

I’m so proud of you, honey.  You’ll make a great detective.