A Quick Come Up

by
John Conaboy

FADE IN:
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
The city is sleeping...
A BEAT UP CUTLASS passes under the light of a LONE STREET
LAMP before pulling over into the darkness. In the
passenger sits CHARLIE, a mature entrepreneur at the ripe
age of 18. He takes a hit from the blunt and passes it to
THOMAS, his disheveled friend.
THOMAS
You going in or what?
CHARLIE
No theyre going to deal to us
right on the street.
THOMAS
Do you see anybody around? My guy
brings it out to me all the time
man, relax.
CHARLIE
Yeah well these guys dont deliver,
trust me.
THOMAS
Are we buying weed from Escobars
grandson? Speaking of Escobar, hey
essay! Wake up!
Thomas hits RICARDO, asleep in the back seat, on the
leg. Ricardo barely opens his eyes as he takes the blunt
from Thomas.
RICARDO
What Puto?
THOMAS
Carlitos Way over here might need
you to translate tonight, you down?
RICARDO
Que? No hablo ingles motherfucker.
THOMAS
Yeah you dont know how to read
either douchebag.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

RICARDO
Chupa ma paloma.
CHARLIE
Ill be back soon.
Charlie exits the car, gives the street a quick glance, and
walks into a dark alleyway.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Smoke fills the air of the filthy apartment. THREE MEN AND
A WOMAN are glued to the couch, mesmerized by the rap video
on the TV.
In the kitchen sits TRE, his muscles cloaked with
illustrations of his youth. He throws a stack of HUNDRED
DOLLAR BILLS in a money counter and bands them up.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
TRE
Hey dont trip! Thats probably my
man.
LOOKOUT
(from the next room)
I hear you Tre.
Tre walks to the door and briefly peeks out the EYE-HOLE
before undoing 2 locks to reveal Charlie.
TRE
Young blood, whats good man?
CHARLIE
Same old, how have you been Tre?
TRE
Chilling, you know, come on in bro
grab a drink. Hey! Get the director
a beer.
LOOKOUT
Yeah I got you Tre.
Tre and Charlie walk into the kitchen. Tre continues about
his money counting as Charlie cracks his brew.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

3.
TRE
I saw that shit you did for my
cousin, man that was on point, for
real.
CHARLIE
Thank you man, I appreciate that.
TRE
Im telling you man, you got
talent. My cousin is starting to
put on thanks to those visuals.
CHARLIE
Just wait until the next one, were
stepping it up, trust me.
TRE
I believe it. Alright so how much
are you looking for bro, an O
right?
CHARLIE
Yes sir.
TRE
Bet that, hold on real quick.

Tre walks into a back room and comes out with TIGHTLY SEALED
BAG OF GREEN and tosses it on the table. Charlie hands him
the money.
(cont.)
So why the big purchase? Are you
going on vacation or something?
CHARLIE
Not at all man. Im actually just
looking for a quick come up.
The last hundred dollar bill FLICKS THROUGH THE MONEY
COUNTER. The air is silent as it reads $10,000. Tre reaches
into his pants and pulls out what must be the shiniest .38
REVOLVER ever made. He sets it on the table just hard
enough to demand its attention.
TRE
Oh okay...okay...why? If you dont
mind me asking. I mean...do I have
to worry about you down the road
youngblood?
TRE SPINS THE WEAPON like a bottle at a high school party,
but instead of waiting for the revolver to find its partner
he SLAMS his hand on it, the barrel points at Charlie.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

CHARLIE
(sweating, hands shaking)
Absolutely not Tre, I just need
some quick cash thats all, its a
one time thing and besides
were...uh, I... just selling it to
kids at school.
Tres finger CARESSES THE TRIGGER of the glowing gun. His
famous smile wiped from his face. The room is tense, an
uncomfortable pause sets in.
Tre bursts into laughter. Charlie exhales comfortably for
the first time since entering the apartment.
TRE
You alright yo, I fuck with
you. Im just curious, thats all,
I thought videos were your hustle.
Charlie smiles and takes a seat across from Tre.
CHARLIE
They are, but the thing is...
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Ricardo is awake as he and Thomas are sharing another blunt
in the parked Cutlass.
THOMAS
Pumpkin, thats what this needs.
RICARDO
What? Pumpkin? The fuck are you
talking about?
HEADLIGHTS APPEAR in the distance...
THOMAS
Blunts man, they got them in all
different flavors. From grape to
mango, but no pumpkin.
RICARDO
Pumpkin flavored blunts?
man.

Fuck that

The headlights GROW LARGER...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

THOMAS
Ricardo have you ever had a pumpkin
spiced latte?
RICARDO
No man Im straight, I dont do
those bitch drinks.
LARGER STILL...
THOMAS
Well if you can somehow learn to
read a menu you should order one,
it will seriously change your life
bro.
The headlights wane in growth, the car is slowing down.
RICARDO
Youre the dumbest white boy I
know.
The lights cut off right when the hood of a black SUV peaks
into the light.
THOMAS
(notices the parked SUV)
Yo, whos that?
Ricardo throws the blunt out the window and ducks his head.
RICARDO
Whos who?
THOMAS
A car just pulled up, shit!
the cops!

Its

RICARDO
Get down!
Thomas begins to laugh as Ricardo dives on the floor of the
cutlass
THOMAS
Get up estupido, its nobody. Well
it might be immigration so stay
down.
CUT TO:

6.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT - SUV

THREE MEN exit the SUV and walk to the back and POP THE
TRUNK. THE RINGLEADER grabs A SHOTGUN, the other (UNO) AN
ASSAULT RIFLE, the third (DOS) takes A NAIL GUN. All 3 of
them put on Kevlar vests and ski masks.
The trio, armed to the teeth, pass UNDER THE LAMP and into
the alleyway as Thomas is trying to light the roach; never
noticing the dangerous men.
They walk down the alley to the door of the apartment.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT NIGHT
Tre and Charlie are drinking and talking at the kitchen
table.
TRE
Youre the one who has the final
say, right?
Tre takes a stack of cash and double wraps a rubber band
around it, he places it into a DUFFEL BAG on the floor.
CHARLIE
It depends really, I write all of
your cousins videos, but sometimes
I just show up and shoot.
BOOM BOOM BOOM...
Three loud knocks HIT the door. The lookout immediately
GRABS HIS PISTOL and approaches the door.
TRE
The fuck? Hold on a second man
were not expecting anyone else
tonight.
CUT TO:
EXT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Dos HOLDS THE NAIL GUN AGAINST THE EYE-HOLE.
ear to the door, waiting to give the signal.
THREE FINGERS...

Uno has his

HE RAISES
CUT TO:

7.

INT. APARTMENT NIGHT

The lookout has his eye to the door and his FINGER ON THE
TRIGGER.
TRE
(from the kitchen)
Who is it yo?
LOOKOUT
I dont know man, I cant see.
TRE
Well tell them to fuck off!
CUT TO:
EXT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
TWO FINGERS...
ONE FINGER...
POP!
A BLOOD CURDLING SCREAM erupts from the apartment. The
Ringleader PUMPS a round into each hinge before SLAMMING his
boot in the door. VIOLENTLY KNOCKING it down.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT NIGHT
The lookouts face COLLIDES with the falling door.
masked men, GUNS UP, rush into the apartment...

The 3

UNO
Down everybody! Down on your
fucking knees!
DOS
Hands! Everybody eat the ground and
show me your hands.
UNO
Nothing funny! You pull any shit I
pull this trigger.
Tre grabs the .38 and RUNS to the edge of the kitchen.
looks back at a PETRIFIED Charlie

He

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

TRE
Young blood, Hide!
Charlie RUSHES into the back hallway.
Tre DUCKS OUT from behind the kitchen wall...
CRACK
The Ringleader PUMPS A SHELL INTO HIM before he can draw,
dead before his body hits the floor.
A MAN on the couch immediately REACHES FOR SOMETHING under
the cushion. Before he can grasp the HIDDEN PISTOL, the
barrel of Unos assault rifle is JAMMED IN HIS HEAD.
UNO
Ah ah ah, easy now fella.
over.

Hand it

The man reluctantly gives up the pistol. The lookout

clutches at his bloody face, SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY on the
floor, THE NAIL STICKING HALFWAY OUT OF HIS FACE.
RINGLEADER
Zip them, sit them, and keep them
put. This doesnt have to get any
messier.
Uno reaches in his pocket and pulls out a handful of
zip-ties. The masked men tie up the remaining dealers and
sit them on the couch. THE WOMANS HANDS BEGIN TO RUSTLE,
shes GRABBING FOR SOMETHING.
(cont.)
Sweep the house.
Dos nods his head and leaves the room. The Ringleader walks
into the kitchen, inspecting every inch,
he opens the
CABINET UNDER THE SINK. HE TAPS A KNUCKLE on the outside
before punching the roof of the cabinet.
A wooden plank falls loose and dozens of WHITE BRICKS spill
out onto the floor. He kneels down to get a closer look and
notices the DUFFEL BAG OF CASH next to the table.
He stuffs the bricks in the bag as Dos returns to the
kitchen, accompanied by a BLOODIED Charlie.
RINGLEADER
(to Charlie)
Well well, not your typical night
out huh kid? Put him with the
rest.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

Dos escorts Charlie into the living room and sits him on the
sofa. The woman REACHES INTO HER SLEEVE and pulls out a
SMALL RAZOR BLADE. She begins to SLICE AWAY at the zip-tie.
THUG 1
What? youre not going to tie up
the boy? I guess he dont pose much
a threat, but we do?
Dos looks back at Uno before pulling out a zip-tie.
shrugs and gives him a nod.

Uno

DOS
Hands.
Charlie holds his hands out, Dos begins to tie them
together. SUDDENLY THE WOMAN LUNGES AT HIM, stabbing him in
the arm with the blade. the woman sticks him with the blade
continuously. The room descends into chaos.
THUG 2
Get him girl! Fuck him up! Kill
that motherfucker!
THUG 1
Take his mask off!

Get his mask!

Uno grabs the woman by the hair and drags her off his
partner. She manages to RIP DOSS MASK OFF as shes dragged
away. Dos makes eye contact with the men on the couch
before covering his face. The thugs get up and beat the
unmasked assailant.
The ringleader enters the room and COCKS HIS SHOTGUN.
thugs stop and resume their places on the couch.

The

RINGLEADER
Dos, kitchen now. Uno, tie her up
and get their legs this time
please.
Uno knocks the woman out with the butt of his rifle and ties
her up. Dos and the Ringleader enter the kitchen.
DOS
They saw my face man were done,
were so fucked, God! Fuck that
bitch! how bad is my arm man I have
to go to the hospital man!
RINGLEADER
Hey. Hey! Calm down, get Uno, take
the goods, and go to the car. Ill
handle it.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.

DOS
What are you going to do man? They
fucking saw me, were finished.
RINGLEADER
Hey! Shut the fuck up, and go to
the fucking car. I said I will
handle it.
DOS
Alright, alright man I got it. Uno!
UNO
Yeah?
DOS
Come get this bag man I cant carry
it.
Uno enters the kitchen and hands Dos his mask, he grabs the
bag and the two exit the apartment.
THUG 2
(As theyre leaving)
You win tonight motherfuckers, but
tomorrow is a new day you
hear! You all are fucking dead!
The ringleader stands in the kitchen. He calmly pulls out a
pistol and ATTACHES A SILENCER to the barrel. He takes a
deep breath and walks into the living room.
CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK.
FOUR SHOTS, FOUR SECONDS, FOUR BODIES. A round in each head
covers the walls in blood as the bodies slump in the
couch. CHARLIE REMAINS ALIVE, eyes closed and breathing
heavily. His eyes open to reveal the ringleader standing in
front of him, smoke still rising from the barrel of his
pistol.
CHARLIE
(calmly)
Did you have to kill them?
The Ringleader pulls off his mask to reveal a bearded face
of a man no younger than 40.
RINGLEADER
(shrugging)
They saw his face, it had to be
done.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

11.

CHARLIE
Whatever man. What was the take?
RINGLEADER
About 25k plus 10 bricks, nice
little come up for you.
CHARLIE
(standing up)
There was at least 80 grand in that
bag, you can lie to your little
goons, but not me.
RINGLEADER
(laughing)
You really are the mastermind, so
whats our time frame?
CHARLIE
Split the money, do what you want
with the bricks, Ill come by
tomorrow for my cut.
RINGLEADER
Whatever you say boss, now I say we
get the fuck out of here before the
boys show up.
CHARLIE
Not until I get what I came for.
Charlie walks into the kitchen, nonchalantly steps over
Tres lifeless body and grabs the .38 revolver out of his
hand. He then takes the bag of weed off the table.
(cont.)
Go ahead and get out of here Im
going to take the back, Ill call
you tomorrow.
The men exit the apartment.
The city sleeps. A figure passes through the light of a
lone street lamp, and enters a parked cutlass. The car
drives into the darkness.
FADE OUT: