diff --git "a/scripts/8 Mile.txt" "b/scripts/8 Mile.txt" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/scripts/8 Mile.txt" @@ -0,0 +1,6725 @@ + 1. + + + + If you have the guts to be yourself...other people'll pay + your price. + + - RABBIT ANGSTROM + + John Updike, "Rabbit, Run" + + +1 1. 1 + + Run it under a harsh green fluorescent light. CLOSE ON AN + ANGRY BLONDE PUNK, his head flying in and out of frame. + Hard against SOME GIRL'S face. Banging against a dirty + mirror. Sweating. Moaning. + + GIRL + Jim. Jim. Jimmy. Jimmy. Jimmy, oh + god. Fuck me. Rabbit. Rabbit, yes, + oh yes. Jimmy. Rabbit. Fuck. Fuck. + Fuck. + + He's fucking her on top of a nasty sink. Fast. And furious. + Her short skirt hiked up high around her waist - A wool cap + pulled down tight over his face. This is Jim, James, B, + Bunny, Rabbit, B-Rabbit & Jinny Smith Jr. To us he's just + plain JIMMY. + + GIRL + Oh, Rabbit, fuck yes, oh yes. + + They're in a desolate bathroom. Wet. Full of noise. Beats + thumping through the walls. Fists banging on the door. + + The girl moan-moaning. It’s all so fucking loud. CLOSE ON + JIMMY, catching sight of himself bouncing up & down in the + mirror. Ignoring the girl, he's somewhere else. Gone. + Always moving. We hear her coming. Jimmy stops. Stares. The + harsh light crowns his head, a burning halo. He doesn't + look so good, cold sweat. + + JIMMY + - I gotta run. + + She jumps off the sink, yanks down her skirt. + + GIRL + (pissed) + Why? You still nervous? You’re + lucky I ran into you 'cause I'm + tryin' to help calm you down. But + it's like you ain't even fuckin' + here - + 2. + + + JIMMY + (pulls up his pants; + distracted) + - What? Wasn’t it good for you? + + GIRL + Yeah. You know I love the way you + fuck me, Rabbit. Why do you always + gotta ask? + + Before Jimmy can answer a queer look crosses his face. He + rushes for a dirty stall and we hear him puking his fucking + brains out. + + +2 2. 2 + + Jimmy, leaving the bathroom. Still a little green. No sign + of the girl. A line of guys waiting outside. + + They scream, shout, Jimmy just laughs and gives 'em all the + finger. Heads down the corridor alone into the darkness. + + +3 3. 3 + + An underground hip-hop club, THE SHELTER. A basement cave. + You can see the noise and the heat. Wall-to-wall kids, all + that sex. Mashing to the beat. Mostly black. Some white. + + Whatever. Jimmy wipes his mouth, slips on headphones, + getting back into character. We hear his music, the song + being pumped into his head. Angry. Defiant. Beautiful. + + He makes his way through cue crowd, a hip-hop gladiator. + + Walking tall. All attitude. Everybody around him dancing to + a different beat. We're sampling Tony Manero strutting down + the block from the opening of "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER." + + Jimmy (Tony) checks out the girls, smiles their way, + heading backstage. But this ain’t no fucking disco. Before + he gets far some BIG RAD DUDE stops him-- Shines a + flashlight in his face. Hollas some shit at him. Jimmy + tears off his headphones. The song cuts out-- + + JIMMY + (yells over the music) + - Yo what the fuck you call me? + + BIG BAD DUDE + Where ya goin', dawg - you ain't + backstage, are ya? + 3. + + + JIMMY + What you say about me? + (gets right up in the big + man's face) + Do you even know who I am? + + The big dude shines the light bright back in Jimmy's face. + He's security. + + BIG BAD DUDE + Fuck no. You wanna go backstage or + what? + + JIMMY + I ain't goin' nowhere 'til you tell + me what the fuck you said, man - + + Before the big guy can respond, a skinny black superstar + pulls Jimmy away. It's THE FUTURE aka Future, Fuche & David + Porter. Also in his 20s, the Future's all good. + + FUTURE + (to the Big Bad Dude) + It's all good, brotha. He's with me + - + + Future drags Jimmy past the big guy backstage. Laughing at + him with love. + + FUTURE + - You crazy muthafucka. Why didn't + ya just tell 'im you backstage for + the battle, Jimmy? + + JIMMY + He said some shit - + (pulls away from Future; + spots something on his + shirt) + Fuck. + + +4 4. 4 + + Outside the club. Downtown Detroit. Bleak winter night. + Cold, as hell. A mess of kids waiting to get in. Jimmy + hustles up some stairs. Future right on his tail. + + FUTURE + Where ya runnin' to? + + JIMMY + I fuckin’ puked on my shirt. + 4. + + + FUTURE + (laughs) + First timers always crazy - + youknowhatlmsayin'? Didn't fucking + Mary calm you down? + + A needy white guy in his late 20s with a big head, + "CHEDDER" BOB ZUROWSKY aka Head, standing near the top of + the line sees Jimmy & Future heading in the opposite + direction. He’s slow. + + CHEDDER BOB + Hey Rabbit - where ya--? + + Jimmy turns, gestures "one-minute-I'll be-right back" and + keeps walking away. Future laughs, follows. + + Chedder Bob grabs two black guys huddled against the wall + smokin' dope; a short roly-poly freak in his early 20s + named SOL GEORGE aka Mista Kingpin & Mista and his laid- + back older brother. DJ IZ aka Israel George, Izzy & Iz, a + pseudo­intellectual with dreads and glasses. + + They’re Jimmy £ Future's crew, RU466 ("Real Unforgiven For + Killin" - also the abortion pill). + + CHEDDER ROB + C'mon. Rabbit an' Future're goin' + without us - + + +5 5. 5 + + Jimmy & Future head into a dark alley next to the club. + + The crew follows. We can still hear the music booming + through the walls. A lone spotlight pierces the gloom. + + Jimmy stops at a dumpster near the back. + + SOL + - T'night's the night, boy. You on + your way up, yo. Next stop - Deal. + + DJ IZ + (goes to hug Jimmy) + No doubt no doubt - S'up, brotha? + + JIMMY + (pulls back) + Puked on my shirt. + + Cheddar Bob tries to get a closer look at Jimmy's T-shirt. + 5. + + + CHEDDER BOB + Lemme see - + + JIMMY + (pushes him away) + Puck off, Chedder Bob - + +Jimmy scrapes the dumpster away from the wall. Grabs a +trash bag hidden behind it. + + SOL + (laughs) + Now listen, Bunny - if you battle + that muthafucka Papa Doc, nigga was + talkin' some serious shit, yo - + +Jimmy opens the trash bag, starts rooting around inside. + +All the guys stop and stare. + + JIMMY + (pulls out some clean + clothes front the bag) + Fuckin' Janeane an' I jus’ broke up + an' shit, an' she took the house + an' the goddamn car - + + FUTURE + - Again? + + DJ IZ + Maybe it’s 'cause you keep fuckin’ + all those other girls for a minute + - + + SOL + Yeah, Rabbit - + + CHEDDER BOB + No you just need to forget that + Janeane bitch. Rabbit. Just think + about all the fine bitches you + gonna get t'night after you win - + + JIMMY + (looking through the + garbage bag) + She says she’s pregnant, whatever, + yo - + +A long beat. + + FUTURE + 6. + + + - Now that's the heaviest influence + in that movie right there, man. + + CHEDDER BOB + I bet that bitch is lyin'. Rabbit. + + SOL + (to Chedder Bob) + Lemme ask you a question, bitch - I + bet you probably never even bust in + a bitch before. Have you? + + CHEDDER BOB + (turns red; to Jimmy) + You gonna stay at your mom’s? + + JIMMY + - fuck. Bob. + (pulls out a clean T- + shirt from the bag) + Yo can I please get some privacy + here, please - + +The three guys acquiesce, walk toward the lit mouth of the +alley. The Future stays. + + JIMMY + (laughs) + - my lucky shirt. + (peels off the dirty + shirt; shivering in the + cold) + It's my birthday in a couple weeks, + Fuche - An' it's like, I gotta do + somethin', ya know? Somethin' real. + (puts on the clean T) + - I mean all I ever wanted to do + was rap, yo - be an emcee. But I + know they ain't gonna like me in + there - + + FUTURE + If you rap, you rap muthafucka. It + don't matter. You just gotta stop + givin' a fuck what other people + gonna say, Jim - + +Jinny hides the garbage bag back behind the dumpster. + + JIMMY + - People can't talk shit about me + like that, yo. + 7. + + + FUTURE + Just wreck those mics an’ gain some + respect, youhearwhatlmsayin'? + + JIMMY + It's like do or die time for me + now. Fuche. + + FUTURE + (laughs) + I know whatchya sayin' - I'm tryin' + to get straight with the Lord these + days. + + They both head back up the alley toward their friends and + the light. + + JIMMY + Are you high? + + FUTURE + You're B-Rabbit, yo. I believe in + you thoroughly. + (jumps; shouts out) + B-RABBIT, yo - youknowhatlmsayin'? + B-RABBIT! B-RABBIT! + + They meet up with the rest of the crew. And they all shout + out, jumping, laughing, barking, 'B-RABBIT! B-RABBIT! B-- + + SLAM TO: + + +6 6. 6 + + CLOSE ON A FREESTYLE BATTLE, up on fit age in the club. + Spotlights glare. DJ spins. Two emcees squaring off. One- + on-one. Two 60 second scoreboard clocks tick down... It's + Fight Music. And right now one very short brother named + LIL' TIC (Little Lunatic) is battling Jimmy. Up in his + face. + + He's spittin' about-- + + 1. Jimmy's name - B-Rabbit. + + 2. Jinny's skin color - White. + + 3. Jimmy's inexperience - 1st battle. + + Jimmy just stands there, his wool cap pulled down tight. + Bouncing a little to the beat. Shaking out the nerves. + 8. + + + Lil' Tic's killin' him. The clocks hit o. Time. The CROWD + goes crazy. Judge and jury. Future takes center stage, he's + hosting the battle. + + SPLIT SCREEN; + + CUT SPLIT SCREEN: + + CUT SPLIT SCREEN: + + Future hands him the mic. All eyes on Jimmy, Under the + blinding hot lights. The beat kicks in. The clocks start... + + CLOSE ON JIMMY, bobbing his head up & down collecting his + thoughts, opens his mouth to rap and-- + + People start booing him right away. + + Calling him names. Booing. Booing. + + Booing Jimmy. And nothing comes out of his mouth. + + Mute. Burning up under the lights. Failure. + + Jimmy freezes. + + And the picture FREEZES. + + REWINDS. And PLAYS again- + + Jimmy opens his mouth to rap and nothing comes out. Freeze. + + Failure. Rewind. Play. We're SCRATCHING the film. + + Back & forth. + + Forth & back. + + SLAM TO: + + MAIN TITLE: + + fight music + + We still hear the scratching which leads us into our title + song, the song we first heard playing in Jimmy’s + headphones... + + +7 7. 7 + 9. + + + Poor Detroit. Jimmy runs through the diseased streets of + his life past all the crack whores and dead ends. Holding + onto his garbage bag full of clothes, headphones back on + his head. His breath visible in the night air. He and it + the only white around. We still hear our title song. + + Jimmy runs. Runs through a busy intersection, right on by + the entrance of a ratty trailer park, running down a side + street. Running up to a big vacant field down at the end. + Urban blight. Lying grass. A graveyard for shopping carts, + broken appliances, used needles & other shit. + + Jimmy stops. + + And screams out at the top of his lungs. + + Loud and long. + + Then he runs to a chain link fence at the edge of the + field, looks both ways making sure no one sees him, and + hops over it. + + +8 8. 8 + + Jimmy makes his way through the maze of trailers. Up to a + drab double-wide mobile home. A beat-to-shit big-ass '79 + Lincoln abandoned in front. Down. And out. + + +9 9. 9 + + Jimmy lets himself in. Drops the garbage bag. He's cold, + blowing on his hands trying to warm himself up. The place + is a dump. All white trash. + + The title song still blaring in his headphones and on our + soundtrack. + + JIMMY + Mom? + + He heads for his man's bedroom. As he gets closer, we hear + some noise. Moans. And grunts. A breathless scream. + + We hear sex. Raw. And loud. + + Not Jimmy. All he hears is music. + + JIMMY + Mom? + 10. + + + He slides open the flimsy vinyl bedroom door and sees his + mom fucking some guy.' On top. Riding away-- + + Jimmy pulls off his headphones. The title sang ends. + + JIMMY + (in shock) + Mom!?! + + STEPHANIE + Rabbit? + + +10 10. 10 + + Later. Jimmy's eating cereal in the lousy kitchen, dry no + milk. A small TV, beer bottles & comic books litter the + countertops. A rusty electric space heater vibrates heat. + It's almost quiet for the first time in the movie. + + His mother, STEPHANIE, slinks in wearing an oversized + "Osborne High" sweatshirt and little else. Her hair's a sex + mess, she slurs her words a little maybe a little drunk. + She's a young 40, small & sexy in that bleached blonde + trailer trash sorta way. + + STEPHANIE + You okay, baby - Wan'me ta make ya + somethin' ? + (ruffles his hair) + - Dontchya think maybe ya shoulda + knocked or maybe called first or + somethin'? + + JIMMY + Yo - the phone's disconnected. + + STEPHANIE + (defensive) + Yeah I know, Rabbit. I know, I jus' + gotta run down to the - um - the + phone place tomorrow - + + JIMMY + (mouth full of dry + cereal) + - An' there's no milk. Ever. + + STEPHANIE + Hey - I been busy, ya know. + + JIMMY + 11. + + + Still goin1 to bingo or get a job + yet? + +A thick lame white dude. GREG MINOR, stumbles into the +kitchen on one good leg like he owns the place. Just a few +years older than Jimmy, all Grog's got on is a two-day +beard, pair of "Osborne High" sweatpants, and a shit-eatin’ +grin. + + GREG + (slaps Jimmy on the back + of his head) + Rabbit - what the fuck you doin' + here? How 'bout knockin'? + +Jimmy doesn't react. Too tired to fight. It's clear that +Greg makes him uncomfortable. Makes him feel like he's back +in high school. Jimmy seems to shrink when he's around. + + JIMMY + (turns to his mom) + Janeane an' I broke up - + + STEPHANIE + None of those girls are right for + you, baby. She say she's pregnant? + +Jimmy nods. + + STEPHANIE + Right. I bet she took the car too - + + JIMMY + (doesn't want to talk + about it; gets up) + - I gotta work in the mornin'. + + STEPHANIE + - You and Future still at that + Little Caesars in Warren? + +She lights a cigarette. Greg takes it from her, smokes. + + JIMMY + No I - ahh - I-- + + GREG + C'mon, man, you got fired from + Little Caesars? Nobody gets fired + from Little Caesars - + + JIMMY + - yo I'm too tired for this shit- + 12. + + + STEPHANIE + You stayin' here, baby? + + JIMMY + - just for a few weeks 'til I save + enough to get my own place. + + GREG + Just like Bob Zurowsky. All your + friends still livin' at home - + aren't they, Rabbit? + (laughs) + Guys're a bunch a fucking losers - + + Without skipping a beat Jimmy grabs a beer bottle £ fires + it at Greg's head! It just misses, smashing against the + wall-- + + Greg bolts up, cigarette still stuck in his mouth-- + + Jimmy instinctively takes a step back. + + Violence about to break. + + Stephanie jumps in the middle-- + + STEPHANIE + (screams at Jimmy) + YOU STOP IT! JAMES SMITH JUNIOR! + STOPIT NOW! + + Just then a sleepy little angel appears in the doorway of + the kitchen, six-year-old LILY, Jimmy’s little half-sister. + + She lights up when she sees Jimmy. Runs to him. + + He gives her a big hug. Violence broken. Greg laughs, gets + himself a cold beer from the 'fridge instead. + + JIMMY + Yo - shouldn't you be sleepin', + Lily? + + LILY + You woke me up ya know. + (whispers to him) + - will you sing to me? + + JIMMY + C’mon - back to bed. It's late. + + +11 11. 11 + 13. + + + Jimmy carries Lily into her little girl bedroom. Neat, + clean. A mountain of scuffed animals on her bed. As he puts + her down, we hear him quietly sweetly lovingly rapping to + her. And he's good. Real good. Suddenly they hear Stephanie + shout out from the kitchen -- + + STEPHANIE (OS) + Rabbit Ya Better Clean AllthisShit + Upinhere Or I'll KickYouout For + Good! + + Jimmy & Lily look at each other, share a laugh. + + +12 12. 12 + + Later. Jimmy's picking up the broken beer bottle in the + tiny kitchen. Stephanie stands in the doorway watching. + + STEPHANIE + - Rabbit, if you're gonna stay here + you better get along or-- + + JIMMY + What'd I do? Yo he started this + shit - + + STEPHANIE + - don't fuck this up for me, baby. + You're not in high school anymore, + okay? + + Rabbit pushes the last bits of broken glass against the + wall with his foot. It’s been a long night. + + JIMMY + (sarcastic) + Forget it, whatever. I love Greg. + Can I get a ride to work in the + mornin’? + + Stephanie goes over to the kitchen table, grabs her car + keys and tosses them to Jimmy. + + JIMMY + - you're lettin' me take the car? + + STEPHANIE + Nope. I'm givin' it to ya - It's + your birthday present. + + JIMMY + 14. + + + - thanks. My birthday's not for two + weeks, yo - + + STEPHANIE + (laughs; almost + flirtatious) + You're still my lil' Rabbit, right? + + +13 13. 13 + + The next morning, cold & clear outside the trailer. Jimmy, + trying to start the big-ass '79 Lincoln. Click. Nothing. + + Click. Click. It's dead. + + JIMMY + (jumps out, checks his + watch) + Shiiit - + + He's late, Jimmy pops the hood, looks underneath. Just then + a chubby charismatic white hipster named WINK EPSTEIN aka + 3rd Person, ambles up. Early 20s, soul patch, and the + harmonies of hip-hop verbalization. + + WINK + Yo Bunny you back home - + + JIMMY + - ain't my home, Wink. How the fuck + you know I was here? + + WINK + (smiles) + Please. Who ya'think you talkin' + to? + + JIMMY + (slams down the hood) + Don't tell nobody, okay? + (checks his watch; dirty + hands) + Yo I gotta run - gimme a ride to + work? I'm gonna be fuckin' late - + + WINK + My mow's got the car - + (kicks the Lincoln) + Yo you should just blow this shit + up, B. + 15. + + +14 14. 14 + + Jimmy hops the fence at the edge of the dirty trailer park. + + Wink hot on his heels. + + WINK + - Why we goin' this way? + + JIMMY + (just gives him a look) + Yo where were you last night? + + They head through the vacant field together. + + WINK + I heard ya got caught out. People + sayin' some fucked up shit, boy. + + Jimmy stops before he hits the street, wipes his dirty + hands on his pants, wanting to run away from Wink and last + night and the trailer park and everything else in his + fucking life. + + JIMMY + - like what? + + He checks up & down the busy intersection making sure no + one sees him, and hustles away from the trailer park, wink + follows. + + WINK + You just gotta bounce wit' Wink, B. + You tha franchise, baby. They just + jealous, like Janeane - + + JIMMY + You talked to ’er? + + WINK + Forget it. An' fuck battlin' down + at the Shelter, yo. Justa bunch a + losers who ain’t got deals. + + JIMMY + - What else am I gonna do? + + WINK + Stay home, Bunny. You ain’t goin' + nowhere down at that club. And you + know 3rd Person's gotchya - + + JIMMY + 16. + + + Who? + + WINK + 3rd Person. + (laughs; pounds his + chest) + Wink's all 3rd Person now. 'Bout to + blow up, for real. An' I'm takin' + you wit' me, B. + +They make it to the bus stop, a few people waiting. + + JIMMY + - how we gonna do that? I'm bakin' + the fuckin' bus to work, man. + +Jimmy anxiously looks down the street for his bus. + +Wink puts his arm around Jimmy's shoulder, bringing him in +close. + + WINK + Don't tell no one, but I jus' + recorded a demo up at Paisley Park. + + JIMMY + - Paisley Park? + + WINK + With Prince. The Artist. 3rd + Person? Prince gave me that name. + + JIMMY + You're full a shit, yo - How the + fuck you know Prince? + +Wink pulls out an envelope from his pocket. + + WINK + - He's friends with Lee Darucher, + man. Serious. I just recorded at + Paisley Park, yo. + +Wink opens the envelope, shows Jimmy some photographs. + +CLOSE ON PHOTOGRAPHS OF WINK & PRINCE, hanging out in a +giant studio control room. The massive console all lit up +with bright bright lights. + + JIMMY + (impressed) + Shiiit. That's really Prince. You + ain't lyin' - + 17. + + + WINK + Yeah an' I'm takin' a song down to + 96.3. try to get it on. They + playin' one local demo every Friday + night now - + +Jimmy's bus finally arrives. Belching black exhaust. + + WINK + (puts away the + photographs) + - And yo you got next, Bunny. For + real. Recordin' at Paisley Park - + we can both fly outta here. Right? + +Jimmy on the bus, looking out the window. Poverty. Hard +times & pain. He slips on his headphones, pulls out a pen +and starts writing on his dirty hand. + +CLOSE ON JIMMY’S HAND, letters. + +Words. + +Rhymes. + +CLOSE ON JIMMY'S face, closing his eyes. + +And we hear the opening lines to the song, a cappella. + +And then a beat kicks in, the bass line, and a groove. + +And as the words & music come together in a song, Jimmy's +set free. He opens his eyes... + +The bus, the poor, Detroit, it's all ANIMATED. By E. Crumb. +And Jimmy, he's a Superman. Costume, muscles, the whole +deal. SUPERJIMMY. He's rapping the song for all to hear. +Jumps up & bursts through the window of the bus, flying +away for good. Escaping his earthly bonds & dull reality. + +SuperJimmy flying & rapping over the animated bad streets +of Detroit heading up toward the sun, leaving the earth +behind, flying Icarus high. He flies up up around & around +the globe faster & faster. A blur. Going BACH IN TIME to +last night. + +LAST NIGHT. SuperJimmy flies onstage in the Shelter, grabs +the mic from LIL' TIC with one hand & with the other +squeezes Tic's animated head right off. Blood gushing +everywhere as SuperJimmy just freestyles cool to the crowd. + 18. + + + The rhymes and the blood flowing fast. The audience + applauds screaming - going crazy - loving all of SuperJimmy + and his music. He finishes & waves goodbye, flying off BACK + INTO THE FUTURE, heading for the suburbs and the nice part + of town... + + TODAY. The nice part of town. SuperJimmy flies over a five- + star hotel. Up-scale, grand. Still singing his song. He + darts down toward the back of the hotel and heads through a + big open window, flying into a locker room in the basement. + + He dives at a locker changing super fast out of his + costume. And into his uniform... Shirt. Tie. Vest. + + Becoming JIMMY THE BELLMAN. RACE TO REALITY (film). He + takes off his headphones, glancing at his reflection in a + locker room mirror, the song cutting out-- + + +16 16. 16 + + Jimmy hurries up to the front of the fancy hotel lobby, his + tie’s a mess, collar askew. He's late. + + Slides into position next to his friend Chedder Bob, and a + thin black bellman in his early 30s named PAUL, who's + greeting guests at the door. Classical music plays in the + background. + + PAUL + (to Jimmy) + Mr. Springer wants to see you in + his office, James - + + CHEDDER BOB + (to Paul) + Fuck you, homo - + (straightens out Jimmy’s + tie & collar) + You okay? + + JIMMY + Axe you drunk? + + CHEDDER BOB + (he is) + Shhhhhh. You okay about last night? + + JIMMY + Fuck last night, bitch - + + +17 17. 17 + 19. + + +CLOSE ON JIMMY, taking shit. Pissed off. Beat. + + MR. SPRINGER (OS) + - is that why you were late again, + Mr. Smith? Well? + +Jimmy doesn't say anything just looks down at his hands... +They’re still smudged dirty, lyrics scrawled all over them +like strange tattoos. He shifts in his seat and hides his +hands under his legs. + + MR. SPRINGER (OS) + What do you have to say for + yourself, Mr. Smith? + +Jimmy and his boss, MR. SPRINGER, a dark-skinned white man +in his late 40s with a mustache, are sitting right across +from each other in a cramped basement office. The door +behind Mr. Springer’s desk isn't closed all the way. + + JIMMY + - You can call me Jimmy. + + MR. SPRINGER + Okay. Jinny. You know we were + hesitant to take you on in the + first place, Jimmy, because you're + friends with Mr. Zurowsky. But,-- + Are you sure you can cut it here, + Jimmy? + +Before Jimmy can answer that bullshit question the phone +rings. Mr. Springer snaps it up. + + MR. SPRINGER (INTO THE PHONE) + Rooms division - + (some air goes out of + him; whipped) + - Yes, hon, I'll be home at + seven... Yes...Yes, of course I + will...Yes? + +As Mr. Springer continues to tolerate his wife, Jimmy +notices a girl sitting down outside the office. He shifts +in his seat trying to get a better look through the door. + +And catches sight of a HONEY-DIPPED GIRL, maybe 18 or so, +so sexy and indifferent she’s obscene, impossible. Short +hair. Long legs. Oh God... + +Mr. Springer hangs up the phone, all business. Jimmy can't +keep his eyes off of the girl, the girl. + 20. + + + MR. SPRINGER + Okay, Mr. Smith. I have another + meeting now so - If you're late + again we’re gonna have to let you + go. You have to do better,-- I know + you can be a better bellman - + + Jimmy snaps out of it. Gets up. Shoves his dirty hands in + his pockets and heads out. Time to eat more shit. + + JIMMY + Yes, sir. I will - + + When he gets to the door he turns back to Mr. Springer. + + The girl's now standing right behind him in the doorway. + + JIMMY + I guess it's not the right time to + ask for extra shifts, Mr. Springer. + Is it? But I - ahh - really need + the money. + + MR. SPRINGER + - I'm sure you do, but let's just + see how this week works out first, + Jimmy, Okay? + + MH. SPRINGER + (motions the girl in) + Miss? + + Jimmy leaves humiliated, still managing to smile at the + girl as she enters the office. Heading out, he turns back + around pulling his dirty hands from of his pockets & throws + up a middle finger in the direction of Mr. Springer’s + office-- + + The Honey-Dipped Girl looks up as she closes the door, sees + Jimmy flipping her off. And gives him the finger right + back! + + +18 18. 18 + + Dusk. Darkness falling visible on the ratty trailer park. + Jimmy’s working under the hood of the Lincoln. The Future’s + kickin' back in the front seat. They hear LYNYRD SKYNYRD's + ’Sweet Home Alabama’ drift out of the mobile home. + + JIMMY + 21. + + + - yo you shoulda seen this girl. + Future. She was,-- I mean. Shit. + She's perfect, yo. + + FUTURE + Perfect? Perfect got a name? + +Jimmy shrugs, puts up the hood on his hooded sweatshirt. +It's getting cold. They hear Greg inside the trailer start +singing along with Lynyrd Skynyrd. + + FUTURE + - Who the fuck is that? + + JIMMY + That dude Greg Minor’s practically + livin' with my mom, yo. Met at + Bingo up in Windsor. Neither of 'em + ever fucking win - + + FUTURE + - we went to school with 'im, + right? + + JIMMY + He was a senior with Chedder Bob, + man. I save some money an' get the + fuck outta here, yo - + +They listen to Greg sing; he's terrible. Hear him turn up +the stereo inside. And Future starts singing along at the +top of his lungs, off-key, making up the words as he +goes... Then he begins to freestyle over the rock & roll +beat. Jimmy takes a turn. Rapping over “Sweet Home +Alabama." They go back & forth spittin' out verses over the +music. + + FUTURE + - Yo there’s another battle next + week, Jinny. Winner's takin' my + place as host. I'm signin' you up - + + JIMMY + Don't. + + FUTURE + You gotta come down, ride those + mics, youknowhat I'm sayin'? Keep + workin’ at it. That's the only way + you gon get any betta’. + + JIMMY + 22. + + + Don't sign me up, yo. I'm just + gonna play it by ear - + (goes back to work under + the hood) + Try it now - + +Future tries to turn the car over. Click. Click. Shit. + +Jimmy keeps working on the car. + + FUTURE + You gotta let those people know you + ain't playin', youknowhatlmsayin'? + Ya know they say, that man, "Ill, + ill, ill, ill." + + JIMMY + Fuck, I don't wanna get booed + again, Fuche. It's gonna kill me. + An' anyway, Wink says he knows + Prince - Says I can record a demo + up at Paisley Park an' shit, yo - + + FUTURE + (busts out laughing) + Wink says he knows Prince? What the + fuck does Prince gotta do with our + music, Jimmy? Wink’s jus' talk. + There will be no action, only + talking, + + JIMMY + - Na, he had pictures, yo. This + could be a real opportunity for me + - + +Greg limps out of the trailer singing 'Sweet Home Alabama' +to himself, sees Jimmy and Future working on the car. They +throw him a look. He just laughs and heads back inside +singing his ass off. + + FUTURE + - yo, that dude mentally ill? + + JIMMY + Car accident, man. S'pposed to get + some big settlement soon - + + FUTURE + Fuck. Hear what Wink‘s callin' + himself now? + + JIMMY + 23. + + + 3rd Person. + (motions to the car) + Try it again - + + FUTURE + 3rd Person? Shit. I don't wanna + bring too much negativity towards + my positive, but he is not a good + rapper. That muthafucka's weak. I'd + rather listen to funky ol’ Greg + sing - + + Future tries to start the car. It groans. Sputters. Spits. + And starts. Jimmy smiles, he fixed it. The Future's up. + + FUTURE + Yo son, we goin' out t'night! + + JIMMY + (slams down the hood) + - I dunno, people talkin' shit, yo + - ya know about last night an'-- + + FUTURE + (laughs) + Fuck last night. + + JIMMY + I thought you wanted to start + gettin' straight with the Lord. + + FUTURE + C'mon it's Saturday night, yo - + + +19 19. 19 + + Night. The whole gang's riding in the big-ass '79 Lincoln. + Jimmy and Future up front, hip-hop thumping from the car's + shitty radio, tinny speakers tuned to 96.3. Sol, DJ Iz and + Chedder Bob in the back seat gettin' high. + + DJ IZ + Yo boy, this is your mom's birthday + present? If it was me I’d-- + + JIMMY + (cute him off; on edge) + Don't fuckin' start, Izzy - + + Sol smokes, exhales. + + SOL + 24. + + + we betta' than this, fellas - we + gotta get us a deal - Go platinum, + get cheesed out. + +Chedder Rob pulls out a bottle of vodka from inside his +coat. + + FUTURE + - Stealin' from your mom again, + head? + + CHEDDER BOB + She don't notice, she's too lit up + most a the time. Where's Wink? + +He takes a drink and passes the bottle to Sol who hands him +the joint. + + SOL + - meetin' us there. Fuck, we need + to be Elidin' in Navs, 600s an' + Double Rs. + + CHEDDER BOB + Yeah an' get us all the hot bitches + - + + DJ IZ + - no we gotta save up, put our + money into Savings Bonds every week + if we wanna make it. No doubt. Keep + stackin' it, an’ then build our own + studio. Cut a demo an' get it on + 96.3 - + +Beat. What? Bonds? + + FUTURE + What the fuck you talkin’ 'bout, + Iz? + + SOL + (to DJ Iz) + Lemme ask you a question - How the + fuck're we brothers? Nigga we need + a muthafuckin' deal, fine women an' + cars - not no muthafuckin' Savings + Bonds, fool. + + JIMMY + Fuck. That's all you motherfuckers + ever do is talk bullshit - + (mimics Sol) + 25. + + + "We gotta get us a deal - " + (mimics Chedder Bob) + "Get us all the hot bitches - " + (mimics DJ Iz) + "Put our money into savings bonds-" + (in his own voice) + Just shutthefuckup. I'm tired of + everything. None a you ever do shit + about nothin' - WE ALL STILL BROKE + AS FUCK LIVIN' WITH OUR MOMS! + (laughs) + Right, Fuche? + + SOL + Now hold on there, Bunny - + + FUTURE + Yo, I'm jus' tryin' to get straight + with the Lord. + (laughs) + And big titties. I'd like to get + straight with that Big Titty Mary, + man youknowhatlmsayin'? + + JIMMY + I hit that - + + CHEDDER BOB + - I heard she got VD. + + SOL + So what, nigga - I'd still fuck-- + + Before Sol can finish the car goes black. Cuts off. The + radio. The lights. The steering wheel. The brakes. + Everything, dead. All the power's gone. Jimmy tries to + maintain control of the car. The guys are screaming. + + The ’79 Lincoln gently coasts to the side of the road. + + +20 20. 20 + + Later. Dark side of the road. Silhouetted against the sky, + the guys stand around the car like hunters examining kill. + + FUTURE + That was crazy - + + Jimmy hops in, starts up the car. Lights. + + The car running. + 26. + + + JIMMY + - Jus' must be a short in the + electrical system, yo, whatever. + Let’s go - + + SOL + Uh-uh. I'm not gettin' back in that + piece a shit - + + DJ IZ + (quiet so Jimmy can't + hear) + - it's a fuckin' deathtrap. I think + his mom must be tryin' to kill 'im. + + CHEDDER BOB + (laughs; whispers) + You think Rabbit's mom's tryin' to + kill 'im? + + Jimmy's ears are so good he hears everything. He jumps back + out of the car-- + + JIMMY + What you say? + + CHEDDER BOB + Nothin’, Rabbit - + + JIMMY + I hear everythin', yo - my mom + ain't tryin' to kill me. Fuckin’ + kill your own self, bitch - + + CHEDDER BOB + - Hey I don't wanna die. Rabbit. + (thinks about it) + I mean, I dunno what the fuck I'm + livin' for, but I really don't + wanna die. + + +21 21. 21 + + They pull into the crowded parking lot of a seedy Chinese + restaurant, STANLEY'S CAFE. Red neon. Kids banging out + talking groping and getting high. Noise and hip-hop fill + the air. Jimmy gets out of the car first, keeps moving. The + other four slip out with attitude and head for the + restaurant. + + Jimmy leads the way. Future right behind him, a few steps + in front of Sol & DJ Iz, Chedder Bob pulling up the rear. + 27. + + +CLOSE ON JIMMY, looking around the parking lot. Outside +himself. Stops. + +His friends catch up to him. + + FUTURE + You okay, Jim? + + SOL + Yeah c'mon, B. Where ya goin' - + +They all keep moving. Jimmy stays there for a minute. +Throws up his sweatshirt hood, hiding. And finally follows +after them. + +They pass by a group of kids hanging out under a +streetlight at the edge of the parking lot. Kids spittin' +out verses. Kickin' some rhymes. In a circle. This is a +cipha. It's not competitive, just people checking each +other out. Free. And easy. + +RU486 joins in, Future leading the way. + +Jimmy still trailing behind. + + FUTURE + RU486 is here, my people - Let us + show you the way - + + SOL + Gonna kick some serious shit - + + FUTURE + Yeah, Mista. + +Jimmy looks out from under his hood. Checks the crowd. +Future joins in the cipha, spits some alien shit. He is a +motherfucking star. Finishes. Now Sol's up (Mista Kingpin). +A freak. + +A bigger crowd gathers. Bouncing. We see Wink hustle up, +smiling and handing out flyers. + +Future pulls off Jinny's hood, pushes him forward. His +turn. CLOSE ON JIMMY, starting out slowly, unsure, +hesitant. Working into it. Faster. Quicker. Forgetting the +crowd. The words flow setting him free. Easily the best. +The Future laughs, he knows. + +While Jimmy's rapping, we see the Honey-Dipped Girl from +work join the crowd. She's with a group of hip young kids. +They all listen to Jimmy. He doesn't see her. + 28. + + +Jimmy finishes. DJ Iz steps up & smooths out some rhymes. + +Jimmy spots two guys heading in his direction; a solid +black dude with a baseball cap pulled down tight over his +face named PAPA DOC, aka Papa, and his sidekick LC LYCKETY- +SPLYT aka LC & Lyckety-Splyt, a very skinny black clown. +They’re both part of RU486'S rival crew, LEADAZ OF THA FREE +WORLD, aka tha Free World. Aka the enemy. + +Jimmy looks for someplace to run. + +LC Lyckety-Splyt jumps onto the hood of a car near the +middle of the cipha-- + + LC LYCKETY-SPLYT + (hyping; screaming) + LISTEN UP NOW - LEADAZ OF THA FREE + WORLD IN THA MUTHATUCKIN’ HOUSE an’ + shit! ME AN' PAPA DOC - WE’LL + BATTLE ANY MUTHAFUCKAS HERE - + +Papa Doc steps up on the car with Lyckety Splyt. They now +have everybody’s full attention. Cipha over, Jimmy takes a +step back into the crowd. His friends all up in arms-- + + SOL + Yo, told y'all - Papa Doc an' LC + Lyckety-Splyt been talkin' shit - + + FUTURE + Fuck tha Free World, man - + + CHEDDER BOR + (yells out) + Yeah, Man. Fuck ’Em. + +LC Lyckety-Splyt looking for someone to challenge, still +working the crowd over, eyes Jimmy and his crew. + + LC LYCKETY-SPLYT + Yo all you muthafuckas are weak an' + shit - Lookit RU486, boy - + (points to Sol) + Mista Kingpin - + (freestyles a few rhymes + about him; points to the + Future) + The Fu-- + +Before LC can even say his name Future points right back at +him £ yells out-- + + FUTURE + 29. + + + Shut Up Bitch - + +Papa Doc takes a step toward the Future. + + PAPA DOC + (menacing) + What tha fuck you gonna do about + it? + +Jimmy stands up for his friend. + + JIMMY + Yeah? C'mon motherfucker - + + LC LYCKETY-SPLYT + (points to Jimmy) + Yo Rabbit - B-Rabbit - You don't + wanna battle me, white boy - You + should be afraid. Caught your act + at Shelter last night - + (opens his mouth & + nothing comes out & does + it again, then falls over + on the car, choking) + AAAAAAAAAAAAH - + +Some people in the crowd laugh. Humiliating Jimmy. And he +just fucking loses it, all that anger. + +Jimmy yanks LC Lyckety-Splyt off the car by his neck +slamming his head hard into the ground. The violence real. +Ugly. Loud. Fast. Starts kicking him in the face— + +Papa Doc dives off the hood, tackling Jinny to the ground— +Jimmy shoves him away, gets up ready to fight. Future, Sol +and DJ Iz run up getting Jimmy's back-- Chedder Bob trying +to act all tough and shit just stands over Lyckety-Splyt. + +And Wink jumps right into the middle of it all-- Pushing +Papa Doc away from the fight, staying in the middle. +Breaking it up. It's clear from the way Wink talks to Papa +Doc they know each other. They're friends. + + WINK + - Yo what tha fuck. Papa? Please. + LC's full a shit, yo - Actin' up + like that - + + PAPA DOC + Stay outta this. Wink. It’s none a + your fucking business - + + WINK + 30. + + + Just chill, yo - + + Papa goes over to help up Lyckety-Splyt. Future drags Jimmy + away from the fight. + + JIMMY + (insane with anger) + Fucking Motherfuckers! I’ll fucking + kill those fucking pussies - + + Sol, DJ Iz and Cheddar Bob help to hold Jimmy back, trying + to calm him down. + + FUTURE + - Not here, Jim. Don’t worry. We'll + rush 'em later, + youhearwhatlmsayin'? + + SOL + Fuck yeah. + + CHEDDER BOB + - they don't even know who they + talkin' to, do they? + + +22 22. 22 + + CLOSE ON JIMMY, bouncing up & down. Still wired, on edge. + It's later. He’s inside Stanley's Cafe. Old-school Chinese. + Red. Crowded. Hip-hop music. We hear Sol talkin’ on & on in + the background. + + SOL (OS) + - This gon be your only opportunity + to blow the both of us. 'Cause + after we go platinum, you won't + even be able to get to me an' the + Future, baby - + + Jimmy's standing next to Sol & Future, both sitting on one + side of a booth, a real PRETTY GIRL squeezed in between + them. + + Cbedder Bob alone on the other side. Chinese take-out's + open. Restaurant's closed. Red booths line the mirrored + walls, tables cleared out for a DJ and a dance floor. + + CHEDDER BOB + (to Jimmy) + - do you think I got a big head? + + JIMMY + 31. + + + What? + + PRETTY GIRL + (flirting with Future) + And why’re you the Future? + + FUTURE + I had a lotta names, baby - the + most jealous names. I used to be + called Maximum, Brimstone, + Godfather D, Devastating D, + Everlasting D - None of 'em worked, + youknowhatImsayin'? 'Til one day + someone said I was the future of + hip-hop in Detroit. And that was + it. You gotta find your name. + Sometimes it finds you an' shit - + + SOL + (to the Pretty Girl) + - Let's jus' go an' make this + happen so ya can hurry an' tell all + your friends our names. Say ya blew + both the Future and Mista Kingpin! + +Future laughs. And the girl cracks up too. Wink walks up to +the table. All the guys look at him. Beat. + + WINK + - Yo yo I’m sorry fellas, ya know I + didn't know Papa an' LC were such + muthafuckas till tonight. And I + dunno what to say, I'ma - ahh - + (pulls out a flyer from + his jacket, hands it to + Jimmy) + And I'm promotin' a show with them + next week ya know - and - + + CHEDDER BOB + Tha fuckin’ Free World? + + FUTURE + (to Jimmy) + Hear what I'm sayin'? + +Jimmy reads the flyer. Chedder Bob looks at it over his +shoulder. + + WINK + (straight to Jimmy) + 32. + + + - If ya wan' I'll pull outta tha + show. You're my friend, yo. And I + don't wantchya bein' mad at me - + + Jinny looks up and sees the girl, the Honey-Dipped Girl, + the girl (wearing a sexy little concert T-shirt) on the + other side of the crowded dance floor... He can't believe + it. She disappears into the crush. Jimmy balls up the flyer + and throws it away. + + JIMMY + Fuckit, whatever - + (looks over to Future) + A’ight? + + CHEDDER BOB + - yeah, whatever. Fuckit. + + FUTURE + (to Wink) + That okay wit' you, Benedict + Arnold? + + WINK + Hey fuck you, man - + + The Future laughs. Jimmy starts to walk away. + + CHEDDER BOB + Where ya goin', Rabbit? + + JIMMY + (keeps walking, looking + out for the girl) + You gotta see this girl, she's - + + WINK + (follows after him) + Yeah? + + FUTURE + Yo Jimmy, slide us your car keys - + + JIMMY + (stops) + What for? + + SOL + We gon be famous! + + +23 23. 23 + 33. + + +Jimny, Wink and Chedder Bob snake their way through the +mess of bodies packing the dance floor tight. All bumpin' & +grindin'. Booming music. They have to shout to be heard-- + + WINK + - I Dunno Why Future Don't Like Me. + + JIMMY + (looking for the girl) + It's Not Like That - Ya Know, He + Just Thinks sometimes You Talk Some + Bullshit - + + WINK + Who Tha Puck Is He To Say What's + Real? Just ’Cause He Hosts Those + Batties? I Know He's Your Friend, B + - But The Guy’s Still Fuckin’ + Workin* At Little Caesars. + + JIMMY + So? + + WINK + You Still Wanna Record At Paisley + Park Or What? + + JIMMY + Yeah. But I'm Gonna Need To Get + Some Songs Together First. + + WINK + Cool. Have Sol & DJ Iz Bring Their + Shit Over to My House - + + CHEDDER BOB + (to Jimmy) + - Will You Teach Me Howta Write + Rhymes Like You, Rabbit? That's A + Way To Get The Ladies - Right? I + Mean I Wanna Be An Emcee Like,-- + (points into the dance + floor) + Shiiit, Is That That Bitch Janeane? + + JIMMY + Fuck Off - + + WINK + Where? + 34. + + +Chedder Bob points again. Jimmy spots his ex-girlfriend +JANEANE GASKELL, a pretty 20 something bombshell smoking £ +drinking on the edge of the dance floor. + + CHEDDER BOB + Thought She Was Pregnant, yo - + +Jimmy turns around. Starts heading the other way. + + JIMMY + - I Gotta Go. + + WINK + What About Your Other Girl, Bunny? + +Jimmy stops. Gives another quick look over the dance floor. + +Sees the Honey-Dipped Girl dancing with her friends right +near Janeane. He turns back around, lowers his voice. + + JIMMY + Fuck. There she is, man - that girl + in the concert T next to Janeane - + Whaddaya think? + + WINK + (checks her out; wow) + Yeah. + (leans in) + Don't worry - Wink's gotchya. + + JIMMY + What? + + WINK + I'ma go invite her & her friends to + an after hours party, yo - + + JIMMY + Where at? + + WINK + My house, dawg. + + JIMMY + - what about your mom? + + WINK + Please. She's workin' nights now. + Just meet me outside - I'll take + care a the whole thing for ya, B - + 35. + + +24 24. 24 + + Later. Jimmy, DJ Iz and Chedder Bob standing in front of + the restaurant, off to the side. In the bitter cold. The + joint's closing, kids streaming out. + + DJ IZ + Shit it's sold. Where the fuck's + Wink wit' your girl, yo? + + Jimmy throws up his hood keeping his head low. Hiding. + + JIMMY + (to Chedder Bob) + - You seen Janeane yet? + + CHEDDER BOB + Nope. + + Wink walks out with the Honey-Dipped Girl, three of her + girlfriends and a couple guys. They're all very young, arms + around each other, high on Ecstasy. Touching, in love. + + WINK + Yo Jimmy is it okay if some of us + ride wit' you? + + JIMMY + (hides a smile under his + hood) + Yeah. + + +25 25. 25 + + Jimmy and his friends, the girl and one of her girlfriends, + all walk up to the big-ass ‘79 Lincoln. The windows all + steamed up. + + DJ IZ + C’mon, Let's go, I'm cold - + + Just then a naked foot slides against the foggy rear window + smudging a view. A girl's ass flashes into frame, a head + bobbing up 4 down, hands grabbing. A scream. + + CHEDDER BOB + Are they killin’ that bitch or + what? + + DJ Iz opens the back door, a pretty naked leg spills out. + + DJ IZ + 36. + + + - She ain’t dead yet. + +DJ Iz jumps right in. More screams— + + SOL (OS) + What the fuck, yo? Can't you knock + first? + + DJ IZ (OS) + It's a car, nigga - An' it's + muthafuckin' cold out - + +While Sol & DJ Iz argue, everybody starts piling into the +car. Jimmy and the Honey-Dipped girl suddenly find +themselves standing next to each other. Alone. Eyes meet. +Time for names. She’s ALEXANDRA LATOURNO, Alex & Al, and +she shivers just a little bit in the cold. + + JIMMY + (slips off his hood) + - hey. + + ALEX + (big eyes; fucked up) + You're Jimmy Smith Jr. - right? + + JIMMY + (smiles; flattered she + knows his name) + Yeah - + + ALEX + You went to Osborne with my older + sister, Janice Latourno - + + JIMMY + (no idea who she is) + - yeah I think I remember her. + + ALEX + My name's Alex. + + JIMMY + - yo you don't look like an Alex. + +She smiles at him. Oh god, she smiled at him. + + ALEX + (smiling at him) + It's Alexandra. But nobody ever + calls me that ya know. Sounds like + an old actress or whatever - + 37. + + + Alex slides into the Lincoln. Before Jimmy gets in he hears + someone call out "Hey Rabbit!" from across the parking lot. + It's Janeane. He jumps into the car, + + FUTURE + (laughs, shouts out from + the back seat) + Quick. It’s the baby mama drama! + + And Jimmy peels out before Janeane gets close -- + + +26 26. 26 + + Fast car flying. Nine people packed inside tight. Future & + Sol with their girl on their laps playing around in the + back seat next to DJ Iz & Chedder Bob squeezed together. Up + front. Wink flirting with Alex's girlfriend, Alex on her + lap sittingthisclosetoJimmy driving. + + It's crazy, loud. 96.3 on the radio. Fighting, tickling, + laughing, singing. Everybody doing their own thing. Jimmy + trying to stay cool. So close. To her. It’s agony. + + ALEX + (low under the music) + - So you work at the hotel? That + Springer guy always such a dick - + or ya know just with you? + + Jimmy laughs, shrugs his shoulders. + + ALEX + What are you, like a bellboy - + + JIMMY + No, yo - bell man. + + ALEX + (smiles) + - Whatever. I'm justa tea girl. Not + for long ya know - + + There's a commotion in the back between Sol and DJ Iz + jockeying for position. + + DJ IZ + - yo what kinda shit you pullin', + Sol? + + PRETTY GIRL + Who's Sol? + 38. + + +Future grabs the girl and starts kissing her in the jam. +Sol pushes DJ Iz. + + SOL + Shut up, Izzy - + +Sol and DJ Iz fight in close quarters. Chedder Bob sees +Future and the girl gain' at it hands all over each other. +He starts barking. Chaos. + +Everybody in front turns to see what's going on in the +back. Alex leaning even closer to Jimmy when she looks, her +face brushes against his, her hand on his shoulder, +steadying. Oh... Jimmy swerves the car + +She falls against him, on him. Over him. He straightens it +back out trying to concentrate on the road. She leans over, +a short distance, almost kissing his face. + + ALEX + (laughs) + - Lucky you rap better than you + drive, Jimmy. + + JIMMY + Huh? + + ALEX + I heard you were a real dope + rapper. + + JIMMY + (giving her shit) + - "dope rapper?" + + ALEX + (pushes him; joking) + Shit yeah - + + JIMMY + (hides a smile) + - ya know. + + ALEX + So are you like signed or anything, + whatever yet? Ya know what's your + deal? + +SPLIT SCREES: + + WINK + 39. + + + Not yet, but he's recordin' with me + & Prince at Paisley Park. He jus' + needs to get some songs together - + - Really? + + JIMMY + Well - I dunno - + + ALEX + - Really? + +CUT SPLIT SCREEN; + + JIMMY + - Yeah. It's cool. + + ALEX + (touches Jimmy's arm) + Prince? + +CUTSPLIT SCREEN: + + FUTURE (OS) + (calls out from + underneath the Pretty + Girl) + - Did I hear one a you muthafuckas + say Prince? + + JIMMY + (looks down at Alex + touching his arm) + Well I - um - + +CUT SPLIT SCREEN: + + WINK + Yo don't be jealous, Future - I’m + 3rd Person now, man - + + FUTURE (OS) + (laughs) + Jealous? You crazy, muthafucka? + Fuck Prince - + +CUT SPLIT SCREEN: + + FUTURE + (squeezes the Pretty Girl + out of the way; to Alex) + - If you really wanna see Jimmy + trip, baby, c'mon out to the next + battle - + 40. + + + JIMMY + - yo, man, whatever. + + CHEDDER BOB + (leans in, drunk) + Yeah he's gonna kill those Free + World muth-er-fuck-ers - + + CUT SPLIT SCREEN; + + JIMMY + Yo shut-up, Bob - + + ALEX + When's that? + + CUT SPLIT SCREEN: + + FUTURE + - Next weekend. + + ALEX + Yeah? Shit, Jimmy - all that and + Prince too? + + CUT SPLIT SCREEN: + + JIMMY + (looks like he wants to + run; stuck) + + END SPLIT SCREEN: + + Jimmy looks like he wants to run, but he's stuck between + Wink and Future's plans for him, going nowhere. + + So he just hits the gas, he can't run but he can drive + faster. Kick it into HIGH SPEED. He hear another song, + letting us into Jimmy's head-- + + +27 27. 27 + 41. + + +HIGH SPEED. Speeding up & down the streets of Detroit, +driving into a neighborhood of small two-story brick +houses, parking in front of Wink‘s room’s house, a bunch of +other kids parking heading inside smoking laughing drinking +yelling cranking music dancing partying inside. Sol making +out with Pretty Girl while Wink leads a little girl past DJ +Iz who’s all over some other girl in the corner near +Chedder Bob hanging out drunk alone watching a bunch of +young girls dancing in the living room in front of a big +picture window, including Alex who's moving slow & sexy +playfully touching her friends and herself kissing them +laughing high on E. + +CLOSE ON ALEX, moving slow & sexy playfully touching her +friends and herself kissing them laughing high on E-- Jump +to REGULAR SPEED. + +Say it again. Alex moving slow & sexy, playfully touching +her friends and herself, kissing them, laughing high on E. +Jimmy & Future hanging out drinking on the couch, watching +Alex dance. They talk over the music never taking their +eyes off of her. + + JIMMY + Yo Fuche - Why'd you say that shit + in the car? + + FUTURE + Damn - you weren’t fuckin’ around, + were ya, James - she is perfect, yo + - What’s her name? + + JIMMY + - I told you I ain't gonna battle, + yo. + +Sol walks by holding hands with the Pretty Girl, laughing. + + JIMMY + She really blow the both of ya? + + FUTURE + Hell yeah - I'ma sinner, James. + What’s your girl's name? + + JIMMY + - Alex. + + FUTURE + You sho as hell gonna battle if + Alex is there, boy - you gon care + what she says, youknowhatlmsayin’? + 42. + + + JIMMY + - I dun no. + + FUTURE + Youknowhatlmsayin' - + + They sit and watch Alex dance sexy with her friends. Course + he knows what he's saying. + + FUTURE + You know what I'm sayin'. + (lights up a cigarette) + We all weak in the flesh, yo - + That's the devil right there, ain't + it? + (laughs) + Just like wink. Tryin' to keep us + all in division an' shit wit' all + his Paisley-fuckin'-Prince talk. + You gotta come to church with me in + the mornin', yo - + + JIMMY + (shakes his head no) + - You ever meet Wink's mom? + + FUTURE + Uh-uh. I don't think she exists, + man. No one's ever seen 'er - + right? + + They look at each other and crack up laughing. All of a + sudden they see Chedder Bob race across the room and jump + into the middle of all the young girls dancing spilling his + drink barking, jumping & dancing like a freak. + + Jimmy & Future hop up off the couch and join Chedder Bob + and the girls jumping & dancing a laughing. And then Sol & + DJ Iz join in. And Wink. And before ya know it the whole + crew's loving each other and dancing and Alex moves closer + to Jimmy. + + Moves in and starts kissing him hot & heavy so high needing + to touch him and then they're all over each other and -- + + CUT TO: + + +28 28. 28 + + Morning. Jimmy getting cut of the skinny trailer shower, + singing PRINCE'S "Sexy M.F." to himself. Grabs a towel. + Dancing silly and sexy, motherfucker. + 43. + + + Suddenly he hears his mother scream out "No!" Hears the + front door slam shut! + + +29 29. 29 + + Jimmy runs out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his + waist. His mother’s holding onto a piece of paper. Freaking + out. Lily's on the couch. The TV on. + + JIMMY + What's the matter? + + STEPHANIE + - I just got served, goddamnit. + We’re gettin’ evicted. Why me? + + STEPHANIE + (leans against the wall; + trying not to cry) + Shit - + + JIMMY + (uncomfortable) + C'mon, not in front a ya know - + + He motions to Lily, leads his mom toward her bedroom. + + JIMMY + - How many months late're you? + + STEPHANIE + - oh God Greg can't find out- + + JIMMY + Fuck Greg - + + They walk into her bedroom. It's a mess. He slides the + flimsy vinyl door shut. + + STEPHANIE + Shit - Okay,-- Three months late - + (losing it) + So we got - what - thirty days to + come up with the money, right - + + JIMMY + Whaddaya mean "we? + + STEPHANIE + (snaps) + - Hey you need to start chippin' + in, Rabbit, if you're livin' here. + 44. + + + JIMMY + Fuck that, yo I'm savin' money to + get the fuck outta here, Mom. + When's Greg gettin' his settlement + check? Get the money from him - + + STEPHANIE + No I think he might ask me an' Lily + to move away with him someplace + nice, and I just don't wanna freak + him out, baby, and-- + + JIMMY + Yo I don't need this. I got a lotta + shit goin' on right now. I'm goin' + to Paisley Park. Maybe even + recordin' with Prince an' shit. + + Beat. + + STEPHANIE + (starts to smile) + - Really? Prince? + + JIMMY + Yeah. Maybe. + + STEPHANIE + (still smiling; gives him + a big hug) + I knew you were a genius. We gonna + be rich. Rabbit! + + +30 30. 30 + + Jimmy the bellman, unloading luggage from a cart into a + suite. A hip guest in his early 30s named MR. LEONARD is + across the room talking on the phone like Jimmy isn't even + there. + + MR. LEONARD (INTO THE PHONE) + - I didn't sleep with her. I’m in + love with you...of course I think + you're beautiful...Hold on - + (puts his hand over the + phone; to Jimmy) + Hey busboy - + + Jimmy stops, did the guy just call him "busboy?" Jimmy + holds his tongue, continues unloading the luggage cart. Mr. + Leonard snaps his fingers, motions him over-- + 45. + + + MR. LEONARD + Busboy - + + JIMMY + Excuse me - my name is Jimmy, Mr. + Leonard. And I'm a bellman, not a + busboy - + + MR. LEONARD + (doesn't give a shit) + Sorry - can you get me a pack a + Marlboros, man? + + JIMMY + Sure, Mr. Leonard - + + MR. LEONARD (INTO THE PHONE) + - sorry, sweetie, I just gotta find + some money for the busboy...You + sure you're okay? + + Mr. Leonard turns his back on Jinny, looking around the + nightstand for cigarette money. + + Jinny closes his eyes; we hear an angry song thump on the + soundtrack. He opens up... + + The roan is ANIMATED. SuperJimmy flies at MR. LEONARD. + Grabs the phone out of his hand. Starts strangling him to + death with the chord, rapping out about calling him a + busboy. + + Mr. Leonard turns cartoon blue. And dies. SuperJimmy just + picks him up & throws him out the window still spitting. + Mr. Leonard crashes down to the ground. + + Ana SuperJimmy flies up up & away into the sky. + + +31 31. 31 + + BACK TO reality (film). Jimmy, wheeling the cart back to + the front lobby. Pissed off. Runs into EARL, a quiet old + bellman in his 60s, tired. Classical music in the + background. + + EARL + What’s the matter? + + JIMMY + Some fuckin’ guest just called me a + busboy - + 46. + + + EARL + - Huh? + + JIMMY + (raises his voice) + Some Sonuvabitch Called Me A + Busboy, A Busboy, Earl. And now I'm + gettin' 'im cigarettes - + (laughs, leans in closer) + Lemme ask you, man, how you put up + with all this shit for like 30 + years? + +Just then, Mr. Springer walks by. Slows down. Checking up +on Jinttry and Earl. + + MR. SPRINGER + (already knows the + answer) + On time today, Mr. Smith? + + JIMMY + Yessir - + +Mr. Springer smiles, continues on his way. + +And Jimmy flips him off behind his back. + + EARL + (takes the cart from + Jinny) + - sometimes it helps to be hard a + hearing, Jim. + + JIMMY + Yeah - + + EARL + (smiles) + Or ya could just rip out their + vocal chords. + +What? Earl walks off with the cart. Jimmy watches him for a +moment. Shakes his head, gets moving. + +He passes by the lobby lounge and sees Alex shadowing an +older woman, getting trained. Serving tea to wealthy old +ladies, mothers & daughters. It’s formal afternoon tea, and +Alex is a "tea girl' dressed in a short black skirt, black +hose, black shoes, and white blouse. Sexy in that French +maid way. + +Alex looks up and sees Jimmy. + 47. + + + She smiles and discreetly gives him the finger. Flirting. + + He laughs. + + +32 32. 32 + + Jimmy, heading into the hotel's gift shop. + + He hears someone call out "Rabbit!" + + Shit. It's Janeane. + + Jimmy looks around. No place to run. No place to hide. + + Janeane finally catches up to him. + + JANEANE + Why haven't you called? + + JIMMY + Yo Janeane - shit, I can’t talk now + - I’m working - + (to the salesperson) + Can I get a pack a Marlboros? + + JANEANE + - I don't care. I'm your + girlfriend. Rabbit. + + JIMMY + (looks around; lowers his + voice) + Keep your voice down. Shit. I work + here, yo. + + Jimmy pays for the cigarettes and heads out of the store. + Janean follows after him. + + JIMMY + - An' you're not my girlfriend + anymore. We broke up. + + JANEANE + But you took off this time without + even sayin’ a word. We weren't even + fighting - + + JIMMY + At least I left you the car an’ + shit. + + JANEANE + 48. + + + Was it 'cause I said I was + pregnant? + +Jimmy heads down the hallway back toward the front lobby. + + JIMMY + (getting pissed) + I can't talk now, Janeane - You + gotta get the fuck outta here - + + JANEANE + I just wanna be your girlfriend. + Rabbit - + + JIMMY + - you're gonna get me fired. + + JANEANE + (stops; starts to lose + it) + - Just tell me why you left,-- + What'd I do, What'd I do - tell me, + an’ I’ll leave you alone, Rabbit - + +Jimmy pulls Janeane aside, fast. Trying to calm her down. +He looks over to the lounge to see if anybody's watching +them. Alex is working. No one notices him & Janeane. + + JIMMY + (keeping an eye on Alex; + talks fast) + - you didn't do anything, Janeane. + It's my shit. I just had to get + out,-- I felt all trapped an' shit + - ya know the dishes were pilin' + up, you were always outta + cigarettes, an’ the TV was always + goin' - and, and, and I knew you + weren't pregnant, you jus' told me + that shit to get me to stay, but - + + JANEANE + (pushes him away) + Fuck You, you ain't willin' to do + the work, Rabbit - what're you + runnin' from? + + JIMMY + - Nothin'. + +And Jimmy just walks away. The classical music playing in +the background. Janeane keeps up the fight, eyes red-- + 49. + + + JANEANE + (calls after him) + Why do you always gotta run away? + +He doesn't answer, keeps walking. + + JANEANE + RABBIIIIT! + +Everyone in the place looks over at Janeane. Jimmy turns +red. He hurries back, putting his arm around Janeane and +quickly leads her out toward the front door, desperately +trying to avoid any further embarrassment. + + JIMMY + Janeane, you gotta go - + + JANEANE + I'm your girlfriend, Rabbit - you + can't do this to me - + +Everybody’s now watching them. + +Jimmy hustles her outside, out into the cold. + +Storm clouds loom overhead. It's gonna rain, maybe snow. + + JIMMY + C'mon, baby, go home - + + JANEANE + - Ya know everybody's callin' you a + loser from the other night. + + JIMMY + Who told ya that? + + JANEANE + (she grabs his arm; + holding on) + I heard ya got booed off stage at + the Shelter. Froze up. They're all + talkin' about it - + + JIMMY + (yanks his arm away; + hard) + Fuck you, Janeane. Go home. + +Jimmy heads straight back inside. + +Alex is waiting for him by the door, standing next to Paul, +the other bellman. + 50. + + + ALEX + Is everything, ya know, okay? + + JIMMY + (keeps walking; head + down) + Yeah - + (quiet so Paul can't + hear) + - Did everybody hear that shit or + what? + + Alex looks at him. + + ALEX + (hides a smile) + Yeah. + + Jimmy just shakes his head, walks to the elevators. + + Alex follows after him. + + ALEX + Was that your girlfriend? + + JIMMY + No - + + Alex just laughs. + + ALEX + Hey, can you gimme a ride home or + whatever after work? + + +33 33. 33 + + After work. Pouring rain. Dark, it's getting darker, + Jimmy’s car is parked in an empty lot near the hotel. He + and Alex are inside the Lincoln. Out of uniform. Jimmy + can’t get the car started. Click. Click. Dead. + + He looks over at Alex. He’s still fucked up from his fight + with Janeane. The windows fogging up. It’s the first time + they’re all alone. Silence. Tension. Are they gonna kiss? + + Alex lights up a cigarette, inhales deeply. Jimmy tries + again. Click. Nothing. Exhales. + + JIMMY + - I think there’s an umbrella in + the trunk, yo. + 51. + + + And we hear a more upbeat jazzy version of our opening + title song... + + +34 34. 34 + + Jimmy & Alex walking in the rain, sharing an umbrella. + Heading for a crowded bus stop. Bright headlights + intermittently cut the darkness. Jimmy's lost in his own + world. We still hear the song. + + A car drives by and splashes a puddle all over Jimmy. + + JIMMY + Fuck - + (looks down at his wet + clothes) + Fuck fuck fuck fuck - + + Alex cracks up. Jinny throws a fit. + + Which make Alex laugh even harder. + + We hear the song. + + He looks at her laughing, pulls away the umbrella and into + a puddle, splashing Alex. + + She’s soaked. Kicks water right back at him. + + We hear the song. + + They make their way down the street jumping and kicking + water back & forth at each other... + + And Jimmy starts singin’ in the rain, just singin’ in the + rain. Showing off for Alex. Trying to impress her. Singing + along to the song. Splashing in puddles. Playing with the + umbrella. + + Singin' and dancin' in the rain, just sampling some old + fucking movie. + + Jimmy finishes the song just as the bus pulls up. They run + to make it, drenched and laughing. + + +35 35. 35 + + Jimmy and Alex on the crowded bus. Standing up, packed + tight. Dripping wet. And cold. + 52. + + + ALEX + (leans into him) + - I hate the bus, ya know, it’s + such a drag. Makes me look like a + laser. But I'm saving up my money + so - + +Swinging back & forth, Alex grabs onto Jimmy for support - +She shivers a bit. Turning him on. He shoves his hands into +his pockets, covering. Excited riding the bus. + + JIMMY + - How was work? + + ALEX + Ya know. Serving tea to rich ladies + and their daughters all dressed up, + thinking they're better than me - + +Jimmy smiles. He knows. + + ALEX + - And I know that look, 'cause I + used to have this “I’m better than + you attitude" that made me like a + real bitch. But I’m not gonna be + doing this that long ya know. I can + hardly wait to get outta this + shithole before I kill somebody - + + JIMMY + (laughs) + - you know where ya goin'? + + ALEX + New York or Germany - I won this + modeling contest and this guy was + all, “Hey would ya like to come to + New York?" And I was all like sure + why not - I just gotta put my book + together. + + JIMMY + What if the guy's full a shit, yo? + Then what? + + ALEX + - Hey, I'm not an idiot. He's with + Elite. And I just know I wanna get + famous. If I don't make it as a + model, I'll just become an actress + or whatever - + (laughs) + 53. + + + - It's gotta be exciting for you - + recording with Prince and + everything. + + JIMMY + I dunno about Prince. But Paisley + Park sounds cool. + + ALEX + When’re you goin'? I wanna come - + + JIMMY + I dunno, yo. Soon. + (leans in closer) + - You wanna do somethin' tomorrow + night? + + ALEX + (raises her voice; + fucking with him) + You asking me out on a date, Jimmy? + +People look over at them. Listen in. Eye Jimmy. + + JIMMY + (looks around) + Yeah - + +Beat. + + ALEX + Okay. + +He smiles. + + ALEX + - But I can't tomorrow night. + + JIMMY + Why not? + + ALEX + Wink invited me to his show. + + JIMMY + The Free World show? + + ALEX + (nods her head yes) + - Ya know I saw you fight those + guys in the parking lot the other + night at Stanley's Cafe. + 54. + + + JIMMY + (surprised) + - You were there? + + ALEX + Yeah. Me and all my friends - They + think you're crazy. + + JIMMY + (snaps) + They don't even fuckin' know me - + + Alex just looks at him. + + An awkward beat. + + JIMMY + (trying to stay cool) + - and you heard all that shit + Lyckety-Splyt said? + + ALEX + Yeah. + + The bus pulls over for a stop, the doors open. + + Jimmy wants to go. + + JIMMY + - This's my stop, yo. + + ALEX + (looks out the window) + Nice neighborhood. + + Jimmy heads out the door. In a hurry. + + Hurting Alex's feelings. + + JIMMY + Thanks, I'll see ya later, yo. + + Jimmy gets off the bus in the rain, stays on the sidewalk. + Waits for it to drive away. And then screams out. Angry. + Loud. + + Beat. + + +36 36. 36 + 55. + + +Later. Chedder Bob driving Jimmy and Future in some old +beater. He's a terrible driver. The rain has let up. The +world is grey, blue. + + JIMMY + (hard; on edge) + - head down to the Shelter, Bob. + + CHEDDER BOB + I thought we were goin' to Wink's, + mom's house. + + JIMMY + I wanna jump those Free World + motherfuckers first - It's time + they got theirs. + + CHEDDER BOB + (looks at Jimmy) + But Sol & DJ Iz're already settin' + up all their shit at Wink's. + + FUTURE + What? + +Chedder Bob almost rear-ends the car in front of them. + + JIMMY + Watch the road, fool! Where'd ya + get this car from anyway? + + CHEDDER BOB + Stole it from my sister. + + FUTURE + (shakes his head at + Jimmy) + Yo I can't believe you’re takin' + this Wink bullshit serious, Jim. + + JIMMY + Back off, yo - + + CHEDDER BOB + (to Future) + Maybe you jus' jealous - like Wink + keeps sayin’. + + FUTURE + Yo I don't give a tuck what any man + says. I only need God. I went back + to church the other day - + (to Jimmy; pointed) + 56. + + + YouhearwhatImsayin’? + + +37 37. 37 + + The car's parked across the street down from the Shelter. + + The guys are sitting low, staking out the joint. + + Jinny and Future not talking. Still tense. + + CHEDDER BOB + (to Future) + Ya know Rabbit's gonna teach me + howta write rhymes, yo - + + Beat. + + FUTURE + You? + + CHEDDER BOB + MC Bob. + + JIMMY + What? + + CHEDDER BOB + That a good name, homes? + + JIMMY + What's the matter with Chedder Bob? + + CHEDDER BOB + I dunno. I like MC Bob - + + FUTURE + (laughs) + How about Big Fat Head Bob? + + They see a white van pull up in trout of the Shelter and + park. Papa Doc, LC Lyckety-Splyt and the rest of THA FREE + WORLD (two black guys and a white guy named E) pile out. + + JIMMY + About time. + + FUTURE + Yeah, dawg. + + JIMMY + (to Chedder Bob) + 57. + + + You ready? + + CHEDDER BOB + (nods; serious) + Yeah. + (pats his belt) + I’m ready. + + They all slide out of the car. + + +38 38. 38 + + Jimmy and Future walk up to the club. Chedder Bob a step + back. Tha Free World's unloading equipment for their show. + Stacking speakers and mixers and turntables. + + They all stop when they see Jimmy and Future. Jimmy just + walks right up to Papa Doc. Shoves him-- + + JIMMY + C'mon motherfucker. Lets go. + + PAPA DOC + (laughs) + You're gonna fuck wit' us? + + LC Lyckety-Splyt jumps in, talking trash. + + LC LYCKETY-SPLYT + Yeah, boy - you don't wanna fuck + wit' us! You can't even battle us - + + JIMMY + Get the tuck outta here - + + He shoves Lyckety-Splyt, wheels and punches Papa Doc in the + face. It's on. Future grabs E-- + + The other guys close in. + + All hell's about to break loose and-- + + Bang! A gunshot! + + JIMMY + - What the fuck? + + Everybody freezes. Turns around. + + Chedder Bob is standing there, holding a .38 up in the air. + 58. + + + Everybody checks. + + Nobody was shot. + + CHEDDER BOB + (waving the gun in the + air; hysterical) + Yeah fuck with us - huh? You wanna + fuck with us? Yeah? + + Tha Free World just stands there. + + Jimmy and Future stare at Chedder Bob. + + Beat. + + They bear police sirens in the distance. + + CHEDDER BOB + You don't wanna fuck with us! + (to Jimmy; panicked) + We-should-go-now - + + Chedder Bob backs away, keeping the gun on Cha Free World. + + Jimmy just shakes his head. He and Future follow after + Chedder Bob. The sirens getting closer. + + They make a run for the car. + + +39 39. 39 + + Speeding in Chedder Bob's sister's car. He's still holding + onto the gun. Jimmy in the front seat. Future in the back- + Pumped up. And freaking out- + + JIMMY + (yelling at Chedder Bob) + Where the fuck ya get that, man? + + CHEDDER BOB + - it's my dad's. + + FUTURE + You know how to use it? + + CHEDDER BOB + Just point an' shoot, homey. + + He points the gun into the back seat. + 59. + + + FUTURE + (leans out of the way) + - Yeah, well, don’t be pointin' it + at me, "homey." + + JIMMY + (slaps Chedder Bob on the + head) + Put that shit away, fool - Before + you fuckin' shoot one of us! + + Suddenly the white van appears behind them. + + CHEDDER BOB + Oh shit! + + +40 40. 40 + + The old car whips around a turn. Chedder Bob weaving in and + out of traffic. Driving like a maniac. The white van still + on their tail. + + CHEDDER BOB + (panicking) + Fuck fuck fuck - + + JIMMY + What'd ya think was gonna happen? + You pulled a gun on ’em - + + CHEDDER BOB + (looks at Jimmy) + I dunno - + + FUTURE + Watch the fucking road. Head! + + Chedder Bob takes another turn fast. Almost hits a car. + Speeds up. + + The van still there. Gaining. Gaining. + + CHEDDER BOB + (hands Jimmy the .38) + Here. Shoot at 'em. + + JIMMY + I ain't gonna shoot at anybody, you + idiot! Just fucking drive - + + Chedder Bob floors it. A light up ahead changes from yellow + to red. + 60. + + +Chedder Bob doesn't slow. + +Runs the red light-- + +Zigzags fast between two cars! + +The van follows-- + +A horn beeps! + +The van brakes! Skids just missing an oncoming car-- + +And sideswipes a parked car! Crashing to a stop. + +The guys look back. See tha Free World jump out of their +car. Up in aims. + + JIMMY + Turn the car around, Chedder Bob - + turn the fuck around. + + CHEDDER BOB + Why? + + JIMMY + Just do it - + +Chedder Bob whips a U-turn, speeds back toward tha Free +World. + +Jimmy grabs the wheel from him, heads straight for Papa +Doc. + +Chedder Bob freaks. + +Papa Doc doesn't move. + +Jimmy just keeps his hand on the wheel. Playing chicken. + +Gonna run him right over-- + +And Papa Doc jumps out of the way just in time! + +Jinny spins the car around, takes his hand off the wheel +and leans out the window-- + + JIMMY + Yo - + +He smiles. And gives them all the finger. + 61. + + +41 41. 41 + + Jimmy, Future and Chedder Bob walk up to Wink's mother's + house. Laughing. All hopped up. + + JIMMY + We fuckin’ showed those guys - + + FUTURE + - That shit was crazy. + + CHEDDER BOB + (beside himself) + Yeah, I can hardly wait to tell + everybody! + + Jimmy stops - + + JIMMY + Fuck. Don’t say shit to Wink, Bob. + + FUTURE + Why not? + + Jimmy checks inside the big picture window. + + Doesn’t see anybody. + + JIMMY + You know - + + FUTURE + Yeah, you don’t wanna fuck up your + chances with 'im - is that it? + + JIMMY + Fuck you, Ruche - + + FUTURE + (shakes his head) + - I can't believe you give a shit + what that little bitch is gonna + think, Jimmy. + + +42 42. 42 + + Inside Wink's mom's house, Jinny, Future and Chedder Bob + make their way down some dark stairs, descending into the + fluorescent lit basement. Panelled walls, couch, card + table, shitty TV. + 62. + + +Sol and DJ IZ are setting up equipment. A crate of records, +a mixer, two turntables £ a microphone. Wink's got his arm +around some pretty YOUNG GIRL, carrying on. + + WINK + - Yo where the fuck you guys been? + +Beat. + + JIMMY + (looks at Future) + Around. + +Future sits down on the couch, smokes a cigarette. Pissed +off. + + DJ IZ + (hooking up the mixer) + We're almost all hooked up here. + + SOL + Yeah. An' Wink was jus' cellin’ us + how he got in wit' Prince. + + CHEDDER BOE + Isn’t he just called the Artist + now? + + WINK + Naw he’s Prince again, dawg - And + he's friends wit Lee Darucher. + + DJ IZ + Isn't that Moochie? + + SOL + Moochie is Lee Darucher? + + WINK + No. Lee Darucher's a concert + promoter, man. He’s tight with + those guys down at 96.3 - And yo he + says they're gonna play some 3rd + Person this Friday. Said they + flipped over my songs an' shit. + +Everybody stops, + +Beat. + + JIMMY + (impressed) + 63. + + +Shiiit. They’re gonna play it on +the radio? + + FUTURE +So? Doesn’t even raise my fuckin' +eyebrow. + + WINK + (to Future) +C'mon, man it's 96.3 - + + FUTURE +Prince is a faggot. + + YOUNG GIRL +- Prince isn't gay. Michael Jackson +is gay. + + SOL +Michael Jackson is not gay. Maybe +Tito - + + JIMMY +Tito? + + SOL +Hell, yeah. But not Michael - No. +You see, Michael just never had a +childhood or nothin', yo - + + DJ IZ + (going through his stack + of records) +- no no, Michael has some serious +self-image issues, man. + (pulls out MICHAEL + JACKSON'S "Thriller") +He used to be black. Now he's just +tryin' to make himself white to +please White America. Get that +white love an' shit - no doubt no +doubt. + + SOL +What the fuck're you talkin' about? + + FUTURE +- It’s always easier for a white +man to succeed in a Black man’s +medium - + (looks straight at Wink; + fucking with him) +YouknowhatImsayin'? + 64. + + + WINK + (to Future) + Why do you always gotta give me + shit? Just 'cause you host those + battles? Like that’s some big + fucking deal - + +Future jumps up off the couch, gets right in Wink’s face. + +Right between all the equipment (turntables t microphone) - +- + + DC IZ + - Be careful, yo. That shit cost us + a fortune. + + SOL + Why else you think we still livin’ + at home, dawg? + + FUTURE + (laughs at Wink) + - If you’re so good why don’t you + spit for us right now, 3rd Person? + + WINK + What? + +Future grabs the mic and hands it to Wink. + + FUTURE + You couldn’t freestyle if your life + depended on it, bitch - C'mon. Rap + somethin' for us. You're gonna be + on the radio - + +Future flips on the turntables. Puts on Michael Jackson +"Wanna He Startin’ Somethin'." + + WINK + (puts down the mic) + You’re psycho, man - + + FUTURE + Am I? Just ’cause you recorded at + Paisley Park don’t mean you any + good. Anybody can record at Paisley + Park if you got the money, right? + +Jimmy steps in between the two. Michael Jackson singing in +the background. + + JIMMY + 65. + + + Leave 'im alone, Fuche. This is + bullshit. I’m fuckin’ sick a you + two always talkin’ shit about each + other - Just tryin' to pump your + own, selves up. Ya know? + (walks away) + I'm outta here - + + +43 43. 43 + + It's late. But Jimmy's still going home the back way. + Through the field. Over the fence. + + +44 44. 44 + + Inside the trailer, Jimmy walks past the kitchen. + + Stephanie’s at the table all alone watching TV. + + JIMMY + Hey, didya win at bingo tonight? + + STEPHANIE + - no. Did you hear from Prince yet? + + JIMMY + No. Fuck - + (shakes his head) + You guys never win. + + STEPHANIE + (whispers) + Shhh - Greg's sleepin’. I know you + don't like him an' he don’t like + you but - + + Stephanie sits there. Beat. + + JIMMY + (whispers) + You alright? + + STEPHANIE + (whispers) + I’m havin' a, a - ahh - a problem + with Greg - + + JIMMY + (whispers) + What. Did he find out about the + eviction? + 66. + + +Stephanie shakes her head no. + + JIMMY + (whispers) + His settlement check‘s not comin*? + + STEPHANIE + (belligerent) + No. No. It's coming. It's me and + Greg's sex life. It's good, I mean, + ya know, real good, but the-- + + JIMMY + Yo I don't wanna hear this shit - + + STEPHANIE + (just keeps talking) + But see the problem is Greg doesn't + like to go-- + + JIMMY + (cutting her off) + Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom I don't + wanna hear it yo - + +Jimmy heads for the bathroom. Getting ready for bed. He +peels off his shirt. Stephanie follows after him. + + STEPHANIE + Hey you've got a nice body, Rabbit + - + + JIMMY + (stops) + What? + + STEPHANIE + Greg won't go down on me. + + JIMMY + Mom! + + STEPHANIE + (whispers) + He won’t go down on me. I mean I + keep askin' him an' like I have no + problem goin' down on — + +Jimmy puts his hands over his ears, running into the +bathroom-- + + JIMMY + Mom, stop, I'm not hearin' this - + 67. + + + He closes the door in her face. + + +45 45. 45 + + Early morning, behind the hotel. Jimmy's getting out of + Sol' s mother's shitty car. Sol drove him to work. Garbage + bags line the filthy alley. Sun rising. Harsh reality. + Jimmy pauses for a moment before he closes the door. + + JIMMY + - Hey Sol, ya ever wonder at what + point ya just say “fuckit." When ya + know ya gotta stop livin' up here - + (gestures over his head, + then drops his hand down + low) + And start livin' down here. + + Beat. + + SOL + (looks at him half­ + asleep) + - It's fuckin' 6:30 in the morning, + dawg. + + JIMMY + (laughs) + Thanks for the rider yo - and thank + ‐ + your mom for tendin' you the car­ + l'll see ya after work. + + +46 46. 46 + + Hours later. Jimmy the bellman, finishes loading luggage + into a brand spanking new Porsche parked in front of the + hotel. Everything's SILENT. Except we hear Jimmy rapping a + song to himself. Quiet. Simple. Poetry. + + He closes the trunk and quickly looks around, never + stopping his music. Everything else still silent. Jimmy + slips into the sports car. Checking out the interior. + Suddenly the passenger side door swings open, SOUND + crashing back-- + + And Alex jumps in, holding onto her "French maid" uniform. + + Jimmy can't believe his eyes. He looks again. She's still + there. + + ALEX + 68. + + + C'mon, let's get outta here - + + JIMMY + Where to? + + ALEX + (laughs) + Anywhere in this car - + +She leans over to give him a kiss, all turned on. Looks up. + +And stops. + + ALEX + Uh-oh - + +Jimmy follows her eyes... + +A chubby guest, MR. KOSKO, is standing there watching them +about to kiss in his new Porsche. Alex just laughs, gets +out of the car and heads for the hotel leaving Jimmy +behind. + +Jimmy quickly jumps out-- + + JIMMY + I can explain, Mr. Kosko - I-- + + MR. KOSKO + (dismissive) + Don't. You're just a terrible + bellman - + +A frantic woman. Mr. Kosko’s wife, hurries up to the car. + + JIMMY + (trying to stay cool) + - Your wife's luggage is all loaded + up, sir. Will there be anything + else? + +Mr. Kosko's cell phone rings. + + MR. KOSKO + There's a blue suit in my room I + need dry cleaned. Do you think you + can handle that? + + JIMMY + (forces a smile) + - Yessir. Room 722, right? + 69. + + +47 47. 47 + + Jimmy, running back into the hotel. Looks for Alex. Chedder + Bob and Paul are in the middle of an argument-- + + PAUL + Call me a faggot again and I'll + beat your ass - + + CHEDDER’BOB + But you're gay - + + PAUL + (hard) + So? + + Chedder Bob backs down. + + JIMMY + (laughs) + Yo Chedder Bob, didya see Alex come + in - + + CHEDDER BOE + MC Bob. + + JIMMY + Whatever. Didya see her? + + Cbedder Bob points down the hall. + + +48 48. 48 + + Jimmyy runs down the hallway. Catches up to Alex. She's + walking backwards, still holding onto her uniform. A + crooked smile pasted on her face. + + ALES + Hey. Why'd ya take off like that + yesterday? + + JIMMY + - It was jus' my stop, yo. And then + I hadda show those Free World + motherfuckers what was up - + + ALEX + (impressed) + You did? + + JIMMY + Yeah I did. + 70. + + + She turns back around. They head down the hall together. + + ALEX + - Ya know we shoulda just stolen + that fucker's Porsche. + + JIMMY + (laughs) + You ever steal a car before? + + ALEK + No. But I figure you have, right? + And then we coulda just taken off + for good, whatever - + + She turns down another hallway, toward the hotel’s giant + kitchen, waiters & waitresses busy coming & going. + + JIMMY + Where ya goin', yo? + + ALEX + Pickin’ up a little somethin1 for + tonight, "yo" - + + +49 49. 49 + + In the kitchen. Busy & bright. Alex walks up to a thin + white prep cook, pulls him aside to the comer and whispers + into his ear. Jimmy talks to the other prep cook, CLIO, a + cool black chick. A cheap boom box whines in the + background. + + JIMMY + - Clio, can you make me a + hamburger? + + CLIO + Sure thing, Rabbit. + + Alex makes her way over, slipping some pills (E) into her + front pocket - + + ALEX + - Hey why do some people call you + Rabbit? + + JIMMY + That's jus’ one a my names ~ + + CLIO + (laughs) + 71. + + + 'Cause he's fast - and likes to + fuck a lot. + + ALEX + Yeah? + + JIMMY + - Yeah. + +Alex smiles. + + CLIO + Tell ya what, Rabbit - I'll battle + ya for the hamburger - + +Some of the other kitchen help overhear. Get excited. + +Jimmy notices. Unsure. + + JIMMY + Oh I dunno - + + ALEX + (pushes him) + C'mon, "Rabbit" - + +Jimmy looks at her. He cares what she says. + + JIMMY + A'ight, a’ight - + +Some of the other cooks and dishwashers pipe in. A couple +of 'em start banging on the counters getting a beat +together. Gathering around Jimmy and Clio. And Clio goes +first, battling Jimmy. + +Freestyling about-- + +1. Jimmy being a bellman. + +2. Always late. + +3. And white. + +She's pretty good. Finishes. Now it’s Jinny's turn. + +Alex watching. He looks at her. + +Opens his mouth to spit and he goes off, freestyling like +mad. + +He's fast and clear. + 72. + + + Words flowing, focused, kicking Clio’s ass. + + Showing off in front of Alex. + + He finishes. The kitchen goes crazy. He looks over to Alex. + + And she's hot. In love. + + By now, more waiters & waitresses are hanging around + getting into it, clapping, dancing. Someone turns up the + boom box, more music. Can anyone say "Hot Lunch" - shit, + we're sampling "FAME." + + A teenage PUERTO-RICAN DISHWASHER jumps in to battle Jimmy. + Everybody clapping and moving, whooping and hollering. + + Music everywhere. + + Jimmy battles the dishwasher. + + Back & forth. + + The rhymes flow. + + It's all good. + + +50 50. 50 + + Jimmy & Alex leave the kitchen. She's exhilarated. + + He's wolfing down his hamburger. + + ALEX + That was,-- Ya know, that was + amazing - + + Jimmy smiles as they head down the hall, a bounce in his + step. + + ALEX + You're definitely gonna make it. + Not like all those losers back + there. + + JIMMY + They're not really losers, yo - + + ALEX + They're not recording with Prince - + + JIMMY + 73. + + + (between bites) + I should probably get back to work + an' shit - + + ALEX + No I think me & you should-- + +Alex sees the older woman we saw training her the other +day, the tea director, her boss, heading their way. + + ALEX + Shit. There's my boss, I'm late - + C'mon - + +She grabs Jimmy's free hand, turns around and takes off +running in the opposite direction-- + +Running together, Jimmy still with a mouthful of hamburger, +running down the hall. + +They turn down another hallway, hauling ass and see-- + +Mr. Springer getting off an elevator. + +They screech to a stop. + +Searching for an escape route, nowhere left to run. + +Or hide. Caught between two authority figures. + +Mr. Springer sees them, waves and heads in their direction. + +Alex checks around for her boss. Jimmy stuck with a +mouthful of food. Chews hard, fast to swallow. + +Mr. Springer getting closer. + +Jimmy doesn't knew what to do with the hamburger in his +hand. + +Puts it behind his back. + +Mr. Springer walks up. And Jinny stuffs the sandwich into +his back pocket. + + MR. SPRINGER + Mr. Smith, Miss Latoumo - + + ALEX + Hey, Mr. Springer - + +Jimmy smiles, swallowing the last of his food. + 74. + + + MR, SPRINGER + (to Jimmy) + I just wanted to say, Mr. Smith, + you’ve been doing a much better job + - + + JIMMY + - thanks. So how 'bout those extra + shifts? + + Alex catches a glimpse of her boss turning the corner. + + ALEX + (so innocent) + Excuse me, Mr. Springer - But I + gotta go change for work. I don't + ya know wanna be late - + + MR. SPRINGER + And where are you going, Mr. Smith? + + JIMMY + I'm running an errand for a guest, + sir. + + MR. SPRINGER + (looks at both of them) + Okay. Well, get to work - + + They walk slowly away from Mr. Springer, Jimmy keeping his + hands behind his ass covering the hamburger in his pocket. + + They round the next corner, then take off running again-- + + Down the hall. Take a turn. + + Up to another bank or elevators. + + They jump into an open elevator, just as the doors close. + + +51 51. 51 + + In the elevator, Jimmy & Alex catching their breath. + + It's empty. + + They look at each other and start laughing. + + Their eyes meet. + + Still out of breath. + 75. + + + JIMMY + (crooked smile) + - what do you think we should do + now? + + ALRX + What do you think we should do? + + He leans in closer. Both of them having a hard time + catching their breath. Excited, turned on. + + JIMMY + You know - + + ALEX + - yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah I think + you should fuck me. + + He slides his hands down her pants. She moans. + + They kiss, still out of breath, pulling at each other's + clothes-- + + +52 52. 52 + + Jimmy, opening the door to room 722. He pulls her inside + and they fall in on and all over each other. Breathing + heavy. + + He pushes her up against the door. Pulls up her shirt. + + Her face hot and red. + + ALEX + (whispering) + I want it all! + + JIMMY + - yeah. + + ALEX + Everything. + + She pulls down her pants. No underwear. + + ALEX + (slowly) + I wantchya to do everything to me + Jimmy. Take me everywhere. Promise. + + She kisses him. + 76. + + + ALEX + Fucking promise me, Jimmy. + + She moans. + + And he fucks her, hanging against the door in rhythm with + their breathing and moaning. + + JIMMY + How does this feel, do you like it? + + Fucking her harder. + + ALEX + Yes yes yes. + + +53 53. 53 + + Sitting down, against the door. Both sweaty, hot & wet. + + Disheveled. Happy. Alter sex. He looks at her. + + Beat. + + JIMMY + (stands up, pulling up + his pants) + - I gotta get back to work, yo. + + ALEX + Uh-uh, Rabbit. + + JIMMY + Why? Wasn't that good for you? + + ALEX + Yeah. But - + + JIMMY + (sits back down) + - oh this is the part where I'm + supposed to like open up an' share + same shit with you - right? + + ALEX + (smiles) + Yeah. + + JIMMY + But I don’t want to - + 77. + + + ALEX + Like why dontchya wanna battle on + Stage again? Wink says the last + time you tried you-- + + JIMMY + (snaps) + Fuck. I don't want people talkin' + shit about me no care - what's so + fuckin' hard to understand about + that? You ever been booed before, + have a whole crowd label you? + + ALEX + No - + + JIMMY + Well it sucks. And I got enough to + worry about - if I'm ever gonna + really do anything, ya know - I'ma— + (beat) + I'm just tired a - ahh - I - + + Before Jimmy can finish, he hears someone talking at the + door. Good ears. He motions to Alex to be quiet. + + It's Mr. Kosko. + + They look at each other. Shit. + + Grab their clothes, hop into the closet fast. + + +54 54. 54 + + Inside the closet, trying to stay quiet. Darkness. + + They hear Mr. Kosko come into the room, arguing on the + phone. + + Upset. + + JIMMY + (mouths to Alex) + Oh fuck - fuck. + + Alex’s eyes go wide. A naughty smile. + + They can still hear Mr. Kosko babbling away on the phone. + + And Alex leans over and quietly goes down on Jimmy. + + CLOSE ON JIMMY, biting onto his bottom lip. + 78. + + + Having to stay quiet. + + It's so fucking good. + + Alex's head bobbing in and out of frame. + + Up & down. + + +55 55. 55 + + After work, late afternoon. Jimmy fixing his car in the + hotel parking lot. He can't stop smiling. + + Future, Sol and DJ Iz hanging out. + + Sol's sitting on the hood of his mother’s car in the middle + of telling a story-- + + SOL + - you won't believe what happened + ta me this mornin', yo. + + JIMMY + Bitch, it ain’t gonna beat what + happened to me - + + SOL + Yo lemme finish, dawg. So I was up + 6:30 in the mornin' with my mom's + car an’ nuthin’ to do, so I decide + to do laundry. + + DJ IZ + What? + + SOL + (ignores him) + 79. + + + - An’ there was this girl in the + laundromat, an' she wasn't that + good lookin' - not ugly - just not + good lookin’, ya know what I mean? + So we get to talking an' we hit it + off. I’m talkin' all this shit an’ + she’s givin' it right back to me, + ya know we're really gettin1 into + it. An1 then she says a good man + like me must have a good woman + somewhere, an' I tell her the + truth, I tell her that me an’ my + woman just broke up - an' she asks + why, an' I say that she did me + wrong ya know. An' she says she + know women like that. But that’s + not her, that‘s not how she treats + her man. An’ then she says she's + lookin’ for a good man. + +Sol jumps off the hood of the car, and starts talking to it +like it was the woman in the laundromat. + + SOL + (all cool an' shit) + - So I say, “What would you do with + a good man?" An' she tells me, I + mean she tells me exactly what she + would do with a good man. And I + mean it includes muthafuckin' + everything - everything, man - anal + sex, everything. + (moves his hips back & + forth, humping the car) + So man, I know this's the girl for + me, yo. 6:30 in the mornin' at the + laundromat an' I'm talkin' about + fuckin' this girl in the ass - + shit, she wasn't that good lookin' + man, but she wasn't ugly either- + Know what I mean, Future? Maybe me + & you can both do 'er - + + FUTURE + C'mon, Mista - I'm tryin’ to flip + the script with that shit. You know + that - + + DJ IZ + (to Sol) + So what happened? + + SOL + 80. + + + (stops humping the car) + - I got 'er number an' finished my + laundry. + + JIMMY + (laughs) + That's it? C'mon, Guess who I + fucked at work this afternoon? + + SOL + Chedder Bob? + + Beat. + + JIMMY + Alex. + + FUTURE + Get the fuck outta here - + + SOL + She's so fucking het, dawg. We + should share her - + + JIMMY + (shakes his head no) + She's on me, yo. We fucked this + afternoon in this dude’s room. An' + then he came back. An' we hid in + the closet, an' get this - She + sucked my dick until he left. + Serious. I'm in love - + + The guys all gather around, whooping and hollering high- + fiving Jinny. He’s the man. + + DJ IZ + Shit. When ya gonna see 'er again? + + JIMMY + - I think she's goin' to Wink's + show tonight. Hopefully I'll see + 'er after that. + + +56 56. 56 + + The sun goes down. Jimmy parks the newly-fixed Lincoln in + front of the drab double-wide mobile home. Slips on his + headphones. Getting lost in his own world. + + +57 57 57 + 81. + + + Jimmy hurries into the trailer, tuning out. Walks past the + kitchen. Sees Alex and Wink hanging out drinking cheap + champagne with Stephanie. + + What? + + Jimmy pulls off his headphones. Horrified. + + STEPHANIE + - Hey, Rabbit - C'mon in we're + havin' a party! Greg’s settlement + check's comin' in tomorra! Our + luck's changin' - + (pours Wink more cheap + champagne; flirting) + Dontchya love the car I gave Rabbit + for his birthday, Wink? I love + being generous - + + She grabs Wink's hand. He smiles at her. + + ALEX + (to Stephanie) + You call him Rabbit too? + + STEPHANIE + (hisses) + - I gave 'im that nickname. When he + was little he had these buck teeth + and big ears and he was so cute, + wike a wittle wabbit - + (to Jimmy) + Right, baby? + + Jimmy turns red, turns back around. And leaves. + + +59 58. 59 + + Jimmy, walking away from the trailer. Fast. It's almost + dark. Walking through the trailer park. + + Getting the fuck outta there. + + Out toward the field. + + Wink runs out after him. Catches up to him at the chain + link fence. + + WINK + Yo where ya goin’, B - What's the + matter? + 82. + + + JIMMY + (grabs Wink & throws him + up against the fence) + - I thought I fucking told you not + to tell nobody I was living here! + + WINK + You got nothin1 to be embarrassed + about, B. And I didn't think ya’d + mind if it was Al - + +Jimmy pushes Wink harder up against the fence. + + WINK + - Shit, yo. We were goin’ to my + show an' she said we hadda come get + you. What was I supposed to do? + +Jimmy's so fucking angry it looks like he's gonna cry. + + WINK + C'mon, Bunny. Chill out. Al really + likes you, man - Really, I’m + helpin' 'er find a photographer for + her book that's all - + +A long beat. + + WINK + - Did Chedder Bob really shoot at + those guys yesterday? + + JIMMY + Fuckit. + +Jimmy lets him go and turns around, heading back to the +trailer. Wink follows after him. + + WINK + - I got some good news, yo. Spoke + to Lee Darucher today. We can get + into Paisley Park on Monday if you + can get your shit together in time + - + +Jimmy stops. + + JIMMY + This Monday? + + WINK + (smiles) + Yeah, dawg - you got four days. + 83. + + +Jimmy softens. Thinks. + + JIMMY + Yeah - yeah, I can do that - + +Jimmy sees Alex heading their way. + +Too late to run. Alex walks up. Looks to Wink. + +Then Jimmy. + +Beat. + + ALEX + Everything okay? + +Jimmy can’t look at her. Caught in a lie. So embarrassed. + + JIMMY + (looks down) + Yeah. + + ALEX + (uncomfortable) + Do you hafta stay home tonight? + + JIMMY + (still staring at the + ground; dying) + - Yeah I should work on some songs + for my demo an' shit. Wink jus' + told me we‘re goin' to Paisley Park + on Monday, so - + + ALEX + Okay. + + JIMMY + (finally looks up at her) + Yeah. + +Okay. It’s awkward. + +Beat. + + WINK + (to Jimmy) + Yo B - don't forget, tomorrow night + we’re all goin’ down to 96.3, + right? + + JIMMY + Yeah okay - + 84. + + + The three of them stand there for a moment. + + Beat. + + +59 59. 59 + + CLOSE ON A PENCIL, scratching on a wall. Words. Flying fast + & furious. Rhymes pouring out about all the shit Jimmy + sees. + + Jimmy and Lily are hanging out in her little girl room. + + Stuffed animals. She's drawing. He's a giant. Both in their + own worlds. He shakes his right fist back & forth, in + rhythm. And quickly scribbles some more shit on the wall + above her bed, puking out his feelings. + + CLOSE ON JIMMY'S FACE, closing his eyes. We hear the song + he’s working on. Opens his eyes... + + The trailer park is ANIMATED. Back to the Adventures of + Super Jimmy by R. Crumb. He flies out the window, rapping + the song, flying up over dirty Detroit, heading for the + Shelter, the place where he cartoon kills. Storms into the + club, sees WINK sitting with ALEX. And somebody else... + It's animated PRINCE! + + LEADAZ OF THA FREE WORLD are playing on stage. PAPA DOC, LC + LYCKETY-SPLYT, R and the other two guys. When they see + SuperJimmy enter they make a run for it! SuperJimmy chases + after them-- + + Running through the club, Lyckety-Splyt grabs Alex hostage. + Papa Doc pulls out an animated gun and holds it to her + head. Wink covers. SuperJimmy stops. He’s still rapping the + song. It's a standoff. + + SuperJimmy makes eye contact with Prince. They exchange + smiles. And Prince starts singing along with him. A super + duet. + + Tha Free World can’t help themselves. The song’s too good. + Getting into the beat. Bouncing. Papa Doc lovers the gun-- + + And Super Jimmy rushes then. Beating them all to the + ground. Prince jumps in and helps out. + + They beat the shit out of tha Free World. Blood everywhere. + + And SuperJimmy grabs Alex, rescuing her. Taking her away. + + They fly out the door and into the dark alley- + 85. + + + She can’t keep her hands off of him, kissing him. + + Pulling at his costume. + + He pulls off her shirt and yanks down her animated jeans + and starts fucking her up against the wall, super fast and + super hard-- + + Suddenly we hear someone shout out-- + + GREG (VO) + You are such a fucking LOSER! + + +60 60. 60 + + CLOSE ON JIMMY, startled awake. BACK TO REALITY (film). The + next day. He's under a blanket, on the ratty couch. Greg + and Stephanie are in the middle of a fight-- + + GREG + - Just like Rabbit was in high + school, Jesus, the both of ya are, + ya know - fucked - + + Jimmy sits up. + + JIMMY + Yo did you just call me a loser? + + Greg laughs yeah, limps up to Jimmy showing him the + eviction papers. + + GREG + Didjya know your mom’s gettin' + evicted? + + Stephanie fellows after him, holding Lily in her arms. + + JIMMY + (grabs the papers from + Greg) + That's none a your fucking + business, Greg - + + STEPHANIE + Stay outta this, Rabbit - + (puts Lily down; to Greg) + Don't worry, baby - I'm gonna take + care a it - it's gonna be okay - + Okay? + + She goes to hug him. He shoves her away. Hard. + 86. + + + GREG + - You're so fucking stupid + sometimes! + + JIMMY + (jumps off the couch) + Keep your fucking hands off my mom, + asshole! + +Jimmy jacks Greg up against the wall-- + +Greg shoves him away. + + GREG + Get off me - + +Stephanie pulls Jimmy away from Greg. + + STEPHANIE + Rabbit! Stop it! + +Beat. Jimmy looks at his mom. He wants to kill Greg. + + JIMMY + (to Stephanie) + How can you let him do that to you? + + STEPHANIE + (pleading with Jimmy) + Don't do this. Please - + + GREG + - How the fuck can I go out with + someone who's homeless? + +Lily starts to cry. + + JIMMY + (to Stephanie) + Are you just gonna let 'im talk to + you like that? + + STEPHANIE + Stay out of it, Rabbit - + +She goes to calm Lily down, + + GREG + - With two homeless fucking kids. + + JIMMY + (flips him off) + Fuck you. I'm outta here - + 87. + + +61 61 61 + + Grey skies. Storm clouds overhead. + + Jimmy walks up to Wink’s mother’s house. Still wired. + + Looks inside the big picture window. + + Wink’s passed out on the couch, the TV blaring. + + +62 62. 62 + + Wink and Jimmy descending into the basement. Wink’s still + half asleep. It's dark down there. + + WINK + - It went good last night - that + shit was sold out - but they ain’t + as good as you, Bunny - + + JIMMY + - did Alex like it? + + WINK + Yeah. A lil' bit, ya know - but she + was kinda drunk so. Where the + fuck's everybody else? + + JIMMY + Sol's mom's droppin1 'em all off + an' shit on her way to work - + + Wink turns on the light. The equipment's still all set up. + + WINK + Even Future? + + JIMMY + Yeah. Why? + + The doorbell rings. + + WINK + - ‘Cause I heard he signed you up + to battle this weekend. + + JIMMY + (surprised) + What? + + WINK + 88. + + + He's killin' you, yo. Runnin’ your + life an' shit, B - You don't wanna + he a loser your whole life workin' + at some Little Caesars when you're + like 40, now - Do you? + +Wink runs back up the stairs, leaving Jimmy behind. + +Starts pacing the room... + +Getting more and more agitated. + +He sees the photographs of Wink & Prince on top of DJ Iz's +records. Picks one up. Hears the guys upstairs. + + SOL (OS) + Where's your mom, dawg? + + WINK (OS) + Workin' - + +Wink leads Sol, DJ Iz and Future down the stairs. + +Jimmy stuffs the photograph into his front pocket. + +As soon as he sees Future, Jimmy speaks up. + + JIMMY + (angry) + - yo did you fucking sign me up to + battle down at the Shelter this + weekend? + + FUTURE + What? + + JIMMY + You heard me. Did you sign me up - + +Future walks down to the bottom of the stairs. + +Looks at Jimmy. + +Beat. + + FUTURE + Jimmy, you gotta come down. You + gotta come down. That's the only + way you gon get over the other + night, youknowhatlmsayin'? An' the + winner takes my place as host, yo - + That’s instant respect - + 89. + + +Jimmy picks up one of the records and wings it at Future-- + +He ducks. It misses. + +Jimmy walks up in his face. + + JIMMY + Fuck the other night. I'm fuckin' + tired of you always tellin' me what + to do, always thinkin' you know + what's best for me. Well Fuck You. + I told you not to sign me up - + + FUTURE + You wanna fight me? Is that it? + +Jimmy pushes him. + + JIMMY + Why not? You ain't the future a + shit, bitch. You're just David + fuckin' Porter - + +Future looks at him. + +Turns and walks away. + + FUTURE + Do whatever the fuck ya want, man - + (laughs) + - I don't give a shit about what + you & Prince gonna do. + +Future leaves. + +The guys all just stand there. + +That was heavy. + +Beat. + + SOL + Shit. + + DJ IZ + What are we gonna do now? + + WINK + I wanna go get high - + + JIMMY + (turns away) + 90. + + + - No let's do some fuckin' work. + + Kick into HIGH SPEED, as the guys start making music. We + hear some song play over-- + + +63 63. 63 + + HIGH SPEED. Writing lyrics back & forth fucking around in + the make-shift basement studio bouncing beats and hooks and + shit all off each other bobbing their heads together + getting it right all perfectly choreographed like a dance + or a symphony running faster £ faster until they're all + just a blur of non-stop music. + + Suddenly Wink jumps in the middle of it all. + + Puts up his hands. Stop. Stop. + + STOP-- Jump to REGULAR SPEED. + + The song ends. + + JIMMY + What? + + WINK + Al jus' called from work, yo - She + needs a ride to this photographer I + set 'er up with. + + JIMMY + - Does she want me to pick 'er up? + + WINK + I dunno. + + SOL + Can we come? + + +64 64. 64 + + It's gonna rain soon. Jimmy and Wink sit in the front seat + of the car parked at the hotel. Chedder Bob's ducking + through the rear window, dressed in his bellman's uniform, + rapping for Sol & DJ Iz. He sucks. + + Wink leans over to Jimmy, who's keeping an eye out the + window for Alex. Fidgety. Embarrassed. + + WINK + You comin’ to 96.3? + 91. + + + JIMMY + (distracted) + Yeah - + + WINK + Cool. But the radio DJ was at the + show last night an’ she invited + Papa Doc & Lyckety-Splyt up. So ya + know they might be there. + + JIMMY + (sees Alex leaving the + hotel) + Fuckit then - + + WINK + (defensive) + Yo there was nuthin' I could do + about it, B - + + Before Jimmy can respond Alex walks up to the car, holding + onto a garment bag. All the guys quiet down. + + CHEDDER BOB + - Gotta go, homes. Ya know ya can't + leave old Earl all alone for long. + + Chedder Bob hustles back to the hotel. Wink pops out of the + car, letting Alex into the front seat. Then sits right back + down next to her. + + Jimmy throws him a look. + + It starts to rain. + + +65 65. 65 + + Rain spits. Jimmy, driving next to Alex and Wink. He can't + even look at her. Doesn’t know what to say. Music low. + + Alex lights up a cigarette, excited. Sol and DJ Iz lean in. + + She’s the center of attention-- + + ALEX + - I saw this model on a TV show and + she was sayin' that looks alone + don't mean anything if you don't + have confidence and self-esteem. Ya + know like a confidence in yourself + that you're you and everything. + 92. + + +Jimmy finally looks at her. And Wink smiles. + + WINK + Yeah, Al. And this guy's gonna help + you do that. + + ALEX + (to Wink; excited) + - yeah I just wish I had more time + to ya know,-- I mean if I had known + it was today r wouldn't have gone + out drinkin' last night - + +Wink turns up the stereo, making sure it's on 96.3. + + WINK + Don't worry, yo. I'm sure there’ll + be make-up & hair people there. + This is a professional photo shoot + - + +Sol leans forward, all smooth and shit. + + SOL + So how soon we gonna see this + pictorial in a magazine, Alex? + + DJ IZ + Pictorials are Playboy, yo. In + fashion it's called an editorial, + Sol. + + SOL + Shut up, Iz. Who gives a fuck - + + JIMMY + (yells at Sol; on edge) + It’s just for her book, fool - so + she can get a job- + + SOL + - Damn. That's one book I'd read. + + DJ IZ + No doubt. + +Alex laughs. Jimmy’s still uncomfortable. + + JIMMY + (to Sol £ DJ Iz) + Alex won a modeling contest and + this guy from Elite asked 'er to + come to New York City - + 93. + + + ALEX + It's no big deal - + + SOL + (impressed) + You won a contest? For Elite? I + heard a them. Shit - that's the big + time, yo. Who were the judges? + Anybody famous? + + WINK + (points out the window) + Hey it's right over here, B - + + +66 66. 66 + + Still spitting rain. Downtown Detroit, bleak industrial + buildings. Fog. Lonely & blue. Alex crossing the street to + a run-down warehouse, leaving the guys behind in the car. + + Jimmy jumps out and catches up to her. + + JIMMY + - Is everything okay? + + Alex doesn't stop walking. + + ALEX + With what? + + JIMMY + Us - + + ALEX + (without skipping a beat; + cold) + Yeah. But I really gotta go - + + They walk together. + + JIMMY + You want me to come up - + + ALEX + No that's okay. + + JIMMY + - You sure everything's okay? + + ALEX + 94. + + + I'm justa little hungover from last + night or whatever and ya know I'm + worried that I won't photograph + good. This is really important to + me - Okay? + + Jimmy stops. + + And she just keeps walking up to the building. + + JIMMY + (calls out after her) + Am I gonna see you later? + + ALEX + You goin' to the radio station? + + JIMMY + - No. + + ALEX + (not listening!) + Okay. I'll see ya later then - + maybe we can talk about goin' to + see Prince next week. + + He stands there, watching her go. And we hear a some kinda + remake of THE WHO's "Love Reign O'er Me." + + +67 67. 67 + + The sun dies in the sky. Jimmy standing in the drizzle, out + in the fog covered field next to the trailer park. + + Headphones on. White out. You can’t see any trash. + + It's almost beautiful. Otherworldly. And SILENT. + + All we hear is "Love Reign O'er Me’ in Jimmy's head. + + Jimmy closes his eyes and screams. + + But we don't hear it, only the song. + + He screams loud and long. + + Screams his fucking heart out. + + He opens his eyes and sees a giant shape emerge from the + fog... + 95. + + + It's a HORSE. + + A big brown horse. + + Jimmy can't believe it's real. + + The horse looks at him, and then begins to graze in the + field. + + Another horse appears from the fog. + + And then another. + + And another. One of them has a blue blanket on, "DETROIT + MOUNTED POLICE." + + Jimmy stands there. With the horses, snorting and pulling + up dead grass in the fog. + + Jimmy takes off his headphones, SOUND comes rushing in. + + The song fades away. He hears police sirens off in the + distance. Jimmy walks up to the big brown horse. It looks + back up at him. + + Jimmy's now face to face with the horse. The horse goes + back to grazing. Jimmy rubs its head. The police sirens + getting closer. Darkness closing in. + + Jimmy just keeps patting the horse's head. + + The song's playing. + + The sirens wailing. + + +68 68. 68 + + Later. Still wet and foggy. Jimmy walks up the trailer. + + Sees his mom passed out on the front steps. + + He steps. The song ends. + + He looks at her for a moment. + + Then puts an arm under her, struggles to help her up to her + feet. You can tell he's done this before. + + STEPHANIE + (coming to; mumbles) + Greg left me - + 96. + + + JIMMY + what? + + Jimmy drags his mom inside. + + STEPHANIE + We're gonna go to bingo but, he + came over and said now that he had + money he, that he couldn’t be with + someone like me - + + +69 69. 69 + + Jimmy, putting Stephanie down in her unmade bed. Goes to + take off her wet shoes. + + She gets back up. + + STEPHANIE + - I gotta go to bingo it's Friday + night. Maybe he'll be there - + + JIMMY + You ain't goin' nowhere, Mom - + (gently pushes her back + down) + And you're better off without 'im. + + STEPHANIE + (snaps) + Yeah ya know Rabbit it’s your fault + he left me - + + Stephanie stumbles out of bed. + + STEPHANIE + You ruined it, you fuckeditallup - + that's why Greg really left, it's + 'cause a you, an' now what? Who's + gonna want me? Where we gonna live? + we got not money. What about + Prince? + + JIMMY + What? + + STEPHANIE + You an' Prince. We can be rich - + + JIMMY + (shakes his head; + disgusted) + 97. + + + why does everybody keep bringin' up + Prince all the fuckin' time - ya + know? + (beat) + - shit. Fuck him and fuck Greg too. + + STEPHANIE + No no no. I don't have anybody now, + James. Why did ya do this to me? + Why? + (pushes Jimmy out) + Just get the fuck out! + + JIMMY + It's pouring rain - + + STEPHANIE + (screaming; pushing) + I DON'T CARE I WANT YOU OUT OF MY + FUCKING HOUSE GET OUT GET OUT GET + OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT OF MY + FUCKING HOUSE! + + She keeps pushing Jimmy out the door. + + +70 70. 70 + + Night. Jimmy, driving in the rain. A downpour. + + He turns on 96.3. They're playing Wink's song... + + And it's terrible. Bad rhymes. Weak voice. + + Jimmy stares at the radio. + + He shakes his head. + + Can't help but laugh to himself. Future was right. + + Jimmy shuts off the radio. + + Suddenly the car goes black. Cuts off. + + The lights. The steering wheel. The brakes. It's dead. + + Again. + + The Lincoln silently coasts to the side of the road. + + Stops. + 98. + + + And Jinny just sits there, in the dark. + + JIMMY + Fuck - + + +71 71. 71 + + Jimmy, walking down the dark side of the road. Pouring + rain. Empty neighborhood. Pouring rain. + + He walks up to Wink's mother's house. Soaking wet. Pears + voices. Pouring rain. Takes a quick look in the window + before he heads inside. + + Sees Wink on top of some naked girl. + + Jimmy takes a closer look. Pouring rain wherever he goes. + + The naked girl rolls on top of Wink. + + It's Alex. + + The girl is Alex. + + Alex. + + SPLIT SCREEN: + + CUT SPLIT SCREEN: + + CUT SPLIT SCREEN: + + END SPLIT SCREEN: + + JIMMY + (staring into the sun; + drowning) + + +72 72. 72 + + Jimmy, busting into Wink'k mother’s house. Enraged. + Surprising Wink & Alex on the couch-- + + She screams covering herself up. + + Wink pulls up his pants, gets tangled up with Alex. + + WINK + Yo, B - I can-- + 99. + + + Jimmy grabs Wink up off the couch, and slams him onto the + ground. Starts hitting him. All that rage. + + It isn't a fight. It's a beating. + + Alex stands on the couch, freaking out. + + ALEX + Leave him alone - STOP IT! + + Jimmy pounding Wink. Over. And over. And over again. + + It's loud. Wild. And out of control. + + Blood splatters on Jimmy's shirt. + + Alex jumps off the couch, screaming, crying. + + Tries pulling Jimmy off of Wink-- + + ALEX + LEAVE HIM ALONE! Just fuckin' get + out! Get out! GET OUT! + + Jimmy gets up, out of breath. Worked up. Looks at her. + + Beat. Beat. + + Beat. + + Is he gonna fucking hit her? + + We hear CONTROL MACHETE bang out ”Si Senior.” + + And Jimmy takes off. Running away. + + +73 73. 73 + + Jimmy running down the dead streets of Wink's mother's + neighborhood in the cold rain. We still hear the song + pumping -- + + JUMP CUT: + + Jimmy running, crores the street. Almost gets hits by a + car, slamming on its brakes. Jimmy just keeps running-- + + JUMP CUT: + + Running through another shitty neighborhood-- + 100. + + + JUMP CUT: + + 92- + +Jimmy runs up to a plain old house on a street called +Novaro. Falling apart porch. Lights on inside. The song +blasting on the soundtrack. Jinny knocks on the door, +screams. Out of breath. + + JIMMY + Janeane - fuckin’ Janeane let me in + - I’M FUCKING SORRY - LET ME IN, + PLEASE LET ME IN - + +He knocks again. + +Janeane cracks open the door. + + JANEANE + - What are you doing here, Rabbit? + +Beat. + +Beat. + + JIMMY + (catching his breath) + I dunno. I was runnin' and, and + this is just where I ended up - and + I'm sorry, Janeane - + (beat) + You were right and, I'm really + sorry. + +She looks at him for a moment - + +And shuts the door in his face. + +Jimmy just stands there. + +He puts his hands in his pockets. Cold. And wet. Feels +something in one of them... + +Pulls out the photograph of Wink & Prince. + +And rips it up into little pieces. + +Throwing it in the air. + +Jimmy sits down on the porch steps. Out of the rain. + +Exhausted. + 101. + + + The song finishes. + + +74 74. 74 + + Later. Jimmy still sitting on the porch. Shivering, And + cold. The rain's letting up. The white van pulls over in + front of the house. Dented side. Stereo booming, bass + thumping. Bright lights shine in Jimmy's face. + + Jimmy just sits there. + + Papa Doc, LC Lyckety-Splyt and the rest of tha Free World + jump out of the van. They all walk up toward the porch. + + Papa Doc leading the way, his hat pulled down over his + eyes. + + PAPA DOC + Yo wassup, man. You ready to go + down? + + Jimmy gets up. Sees Alex and Wink get out of the van. + + Wink's a mess. Broken nose. All bloody and shit. + + Jimmy takes a few steps toward Papa Doc. + + JIMMY + (never taking his eyes + off Alex) + What? + + Papa and the rest of tha Free World surround Jimmy. Wink + makes his way over, blood all over his shirt. + + Alex stays near the van. + + PAPA DOC + You heard me. You ready to go? + + Before Jimmy can respond, E, the white guy, hits Jimmy in + the back of the head. + + Jimmy falls onto his knees. + + LC LYCKETY-SPLYT + C’mon, Rabbit, get back up - Get + up, bitch - + + Jimmy gets up, turns around and smashes E. + 102. + + + Then takes a swing at Lyckety-Splyt-- + + Papa Doc kicks Jimmy in the balls. + + Jimmy falls onto his knees again. Papa hits him in the + face. + + PAPA DOC + You like talkin’ shit? Huh? You + fuckin' faggot! You like it? + + Jimmy falls to the ground. And then they're on him like + animals. Wink too. All six of 'em. Kicking him. Yelling at + him. + + LC LYCKETY-SPLYT + Fuck you muthafucka! + + PAPA DOC + Yeah, faggot - + + Jimmy tries to get back up. + + Alex just stands there watching. Silent. + + WINK + (holding his nose; + kicking Jinny in the + ribs}) + You're gonna fuck with Wink, huh? + You don't know who you're fucking + with! You fucking loser - + + The light inside the house goes off. It's now almost pitch + black. The front lawn lit up only by the van's highbeams. + + Jinny tries to get up again. Drops. Falling. + + Giving up. The ground. + + Going down. + + Letting go. + + Falling, falling. + + CUT TO: + + +75 75. 75 + + The sun rises. The rain's stopped. + 103. + + + It's a new day. The next morning. Light. + + Jimmy limps up to the trailer park. His eye black. + + His body beat. + + Instead of running past the entrance like he always does, + Jimmy just walks right in through the front gate. + + At the busy intersection. + + For the whole fucking world to see. + + +76 76. 76 + + Jimmy limps into the trailer. He looks like shit. Bloody + shirt. Hurt ribs. Face a mess. Stephanie is in the kitchen, + pouring milk for Lily's cereal. + + They both look up at him. Horrified. + + And run to him. + + STEPHANIE + Ohmygod - + + LILY + Jimmy! + + Lily grabs him around the waist. Stephanie hugs him, + smothering him. + + JIMMY + (winces in pain) + - Easy, easy, I'm okay. I’m a'ight. + I gust came by to pick up my stuff + an1 shit like you wanted - + + STEPHANIE + Ohmygod - What happened to you? + + JIMMY + I fell - + + STEPHANIE + What happened? + + JIMMY + (stronger) + I fell. + 104. + + +Stephanie looks at him. He fell, + + STEPHANIE + Okay. Okay. Siddown. I'll make ya + some breakfast - + + JIMMY + What? + + STEPHANIE + I'm makin' breakfast - + +Jimmy goes to the sink to wash up, clean off the blood. + +Lily doesn't leave his side. + + JIMMY + (to Stephanie) + What’s gotten into you? I thought + you wanted me out. + + STEPHANIE + - Do you want some goddamn cereal + or not? + +She holds up the milk. + + JIMMY + Why the fuck're you in such a good + mood? + + STEPHANIE + I went to bingo last night - + + JIMMY + Shit + + STEPHANIE + And I won. $3200! + + JIMMY + You're fucking kiddin1 me - + + STEPHANIE + (tries not to smile; + can't help it) + Nope. We’re good - + +No eviction. + +Jinny looks at her. + 105. + + + And busts out laughing. + + Laughing. Laughing so hard he’s almost crying. + + +77 77. 77 + + Later. Jimmy, making his way through a crowded bus. + + There’s one empty seat between two older black women. + + Jinny sits down between them. + + He just sits there looking off, stuck between the two + women. + + We’re sampling the "5:15" scene from "QUADROPHENIA." + Jimmy’s weary. And in pain. Riding the bus. + + No fantasy. No music. No love. + + Just reality. + + Sitting on the bus. + + Looking straight ahead. + + +78 78. 78 + + The hotel's basement locker room. Jimmy taking off his + shirt, getting ready for work. Purple black & blue covering + his body. Bruised ribs. Chedder Bob’s standing next to him, + changing out of his uniform. Done for the day. + + CHEDDER BOB + (staring at Jimmy's + bruises) + - Ya know that fuckin' bitch didn’t + show up for work. Rabbit. I bet + she’s gonna get fuckin' fired. + + Jimmy doesn't respond. + + CHEDDER BOB + And didya hear old Earl strangled + some guest yesterday? + + JIMMY + What + + CHEDDER BOB + 106. + + + He tried to kill some dude who kept + snappin' his fingers at 'im - + +Chedder Bob tries to get a closer look at Jimmy's ribs. + + JIMMY + (pushes him away) + Fuck off, Chedder Bob - + + CHEDDER BOB + C'mon, homes - MC Bob. + (points to Jimmy’s black + eye, bruised body) + And that's some fucked up shit + right there, Rabbit. You shoulda + just come by my house. I'da grabbed + my gun and - + (mimes shooting off a gun + in each hand) + Bam! Bam! Bam! Shoot that Alex + bitch right in the fuckin' stomach, + yo - Just like tha Free World got + it. + +Jimmy ignores him, starts putting on his uniform. + + CHEDDER BOB + - Ya know there's a battle tonight. + Rabbit. A big one. + + JIMMY + Yeah. + + CHEDDER BOB + I also heard you got into a fight + with Future. + + JIMMY + Yeah. + +He finishes getting dressed. + + CHEDDER BOB + You gonna go down there anyway or + whatever? + +Jimmy glances at himself in the locker room mirror. + +Sees his black eye. + + JIMMY + - Yeah. + 107. + + + (looks back at Chedder + Bob) + What the fuck. + + +79 79. 79 + + CLOSE ON JIMMY THE BEULMAN, working the front with Paul. He + looks over to the tea girls serving. Alex isn't there. + Classical music plays in the background. Alex isn't there. + + Fuckit. Jimmy turns back and opens the door for some + guests, forcing a smile. Welcoming them to the hotel. + + Mr. Springer walks up. + + MR. SPRINGER + - Can I talk to you, Mr. Smith? + + +80 80. 80 + + Mr. Springer's cramped basement office. Jimmy winces when + he sits down. + + MR. SPRINGER + Is everything okay, Mr. Smith? + + JIMMY + Yeah. I just fell down some stairs + an' shit - + + Mr. Springer stares at him. + + Seat. + + MR. SPRINGER + Well, you've been on time all week. + + JIMMY + - Yeah? + (laughs) + What can I tell ya, it‘s been one + helluva long week, Mr. Springer - + + MR. SPRINGER + (smiles) + I don't know if you heard but, + there was a, an incident with Earl + - + + JIMMY + 108. + + + Yeah. Did he really try an' kill + somebody for snapping their fingers + at 'im? + + Beat. + + MR. SPRINGER + - do you really wanna be doing this + for the rest of your life, Mr. + Smith? + + JIMMY + Not really. But I need the money - + + MR. SPRINGER + Okay then. You can have Earl's + shifts. You've earned it - + + Jimmy nods his head yes. Hides a smile. + + MR. SPRINGER + Good. I need you to work tonight. + + JIMMY + Tonight? + + The phone rings. We hear CURTIS MAYFIELD & LAURYN HILL sing + "Here But I’m Gone" on the soundtrack. + + MR. SPRINGER + Do you want the extra shifts or + not, Mr. Smith? + + +81 81. 81 + + Later. Jimmy's leaving a room on the 7th floor with the + luggage cart, stuffing some money into his pocket. The + guest closes the door behind him. We still hear Curtis & + Lauryn. + + Jimmy walks down the hall... + + Passes by room 722. + + The room he fucked Alex in. + + The door's open. + + Jimmy stops. Takes a peek inside. + + The maid is cleaning the bathroom, just out of sight. + 109. + + + The closet doors are all open. + + Empty. + + +82 82. 82 + + CLOSE ON jimmy, riding the elevator. + + Going down. The song plays on. + + +83 83. 83 + + Jimmy walks outside of the hotel. Out into the cold night. + + Paul’s leaning against the wall waiting for a ride, + checking up & down the street, smoking a cigarette. The + song ends. + + JIMMY + - Big plans tonight? + + PAUL + Just goin' fencing with some + friends. But they're late - Why're + you still here? + + JIMMY + I'm pickin' up Earl’s shift - + + PAUL + (laughs) + Crazy what happened, huh? + + Paul snaps his fingers, Jimmy laughs, stands there for a + moment. You can see their breath white in the cold. + + Paul offers him a drag off his cigarette. + + Jimmy takes it. Smokes. + + JIMMY + - Yo Paul - You ever get tired of + takin’ shit from everybody, people + always tryin1 to label you? + + Hands the cigarette back to Paul. + + PAUL + Nah. I don't give a shit what + anybody says. + 110. + + + (beat) + Except for Chedder Bob. That guy + drives me nuts - + + JIMMY + (laughs) + Yeah. Me too - + + Beat. + + PAUL + - Were you in a fight or something? + + JIMMY + Yeah. These six fucking guys jumped + me. Kicked my ass, whatever. + + PAUL + That's fucked. You gonna get 'em + back? + + JIMMY + Shit yeah. But they down at the + Shelter tonight and I wanna battle + 'em first, ya know - rip those + motherfuckers from head to toe - + + Paul finishes his cigarette. Flicks it away, + + PAUL + Hey if ya want, I'll cover for ya. + + JIMMY + Really? + + PAUL + Yeah, Lucky for you, my friends are + late, so - + + Beat. + + JIMMY + (looks at Paul; smiles) + - Thanks, man. Just for a couple + hours, yo - I'll come right back. + + +84 84. 84 + + Jimmy hustles down the street to the Shelter. Back in his + own clothes. Out of breath. In pain. There's a mob scene + out front waiting to get in. Twice the size of the last + crowd. + 111. + + +He passes by Sol, DJ Iz and Chedder Bob, who's drinking +from a brown paper bag. + + CHEDDER BOB + (sees him; calls out) + Yo Rabbit - wait up! + +Jimmy doesn't stop. Keeps on moving, heading down the dark +alley next to the club. + +The other guys follow after him. + + SOL + Damn, B - We gon fuck up Wink or + what? I heard he's sayin' you blew + up 'cause they didn't want you down + at Paisley Park - + + DJ IZ + (to Sol) + - but all our shit’s still at + Wink's house, yo. If we had our own + studio we wouldn't need Prince and- + - + + SOL + Just shutthefuckup, Iz. + + CHEDDER BOB + Don't worry. Rabbit - I got your + back, I know the real reason you + blew up, right? + + JIMMY + (snaps) + - I don't wanna hear any more a + that shit! + + SOL + Yo what's the matter, Rabbit? + +They're at the back door. Jimmy stops. Looks at his +friends. + + JIMMY + - Can't I ever get any fuckin' + privacy? + + SOL + Yeah. Cool - + + CHEDDER BOB + Yeah. Can I come? + 112. + + + JIMMY + (looks at Chedder Bob for + a moment; smiles) + - sure, "MC" Bob. + + +85 85. 85 + + Jimmy, sitting backstage on a cheap folding-chair dissin' + Chedder Bob. Practicing his freestyle. Making fun of him. + People coming & going all around them in the small + backstage area. + + Jimmy's flowing, Chedder Bob just sits there drinking, + taking it- Loving it. Seeing how Jimmy rhymes. + + He takes a break. + + CHEDDER BOB + (drunk) + - Ya know I love you, Rabbit. + + JIMMY + Yo, stop. I don't wanna hear that. + + CHEDDER BOB + Hey whaddaya want for your + birthday? + + Papa Doc, LC Lyckety-Splyt, E and the other two guys from + tha Free World walk backstage. They stop when they see + Jimmy and Chedder Bob. + + Chedder Bob jumps to his feet. Jimmy doesn't. + + He just sits there. Cool. + + LC LYCKETY-SPLYT + Looky who it is - You really goo + try an' battle us, black eye bitch? + You should be afraid, very afraid - + + Jimmy nods his head, smiles a little. Like a guy who knows + something. Doesn't say shit. + + LC LYCKETY-SPLYT + Didn't you already die out there on + stage? + (opens his mouth fc + nothing comes out; + choking) + - Didn't he, E? Looks dead to me. + 113. + + + E + Got a black eye. + + PAPA DOC + Yo, some guys jus' like gettin' + their ass kicked - right, Rabbit? + + JIMMY + (still sitting down) + - Yeah that's why it took six a you + motherfuckers. What kinda pussy + shit is that? + + CHEDDER BOB + Yeah. And how's your car? + + The Future comes backstage. + + Papa Doc just walks away. + + PAPA DOC + (laughing at Jimmy) + We'll see you on stage, faggot - + + The rest of tha Free World follows after him. + + Future looks at Jimmy's face. + + Shakes his head. + + JIMMY + (to Future) + - I gotta get some fuckin' privacy. + + Jimmy and Future hanging in the desolate bathroom. + + Sack where we started. + + +86 86. 86 + + Under the harsh green fluorescent light. + + FUTURE + - You know I didn't! like that + wthafucka Wink from jump, yo. + Fucking backstabber. That Judas'll + get his, youknowhatlmsayin' - + + JIMMY + 114. + + + Yeah. An1 I'm sorry about all that + shit I said before. You know I + didn't mean it - I just,-- ya know + - + + FUTURE + Yeah. I know. I didn’t even trip, + yo. I’m all about forgiveness now. + Let's go fuck ’em up - + + JIMMY + Fuckit. I'm gonna battle ’em first + - + + FUTURE + (smiles) + - We gon flip the script on this + shit for real now, Jimmy - Aren’t + we? + + Jimmy nods his head- He knows what time it is. + + He slips on his headphones, bounces up & down to the music. + + Bouncing. + + Bouncing. + + Bouncing. + + Bouncing. + + Bouncing. + + FUTURE + (Lights a cigarette) + - Yo you got Lyckety-Splyt in the + first round. You okay wit' that? + + Bouncing. + + JIMMY + - I don’t give a fuck who it is. Ya + know? + + +87 87. 87 + + Jimmy walks on stage. Under the toxic glare of the lights. + 115. + + +People crowded along the edges. The DJ spinnin'. The big +scoreboard clocks on the wall set at 60. LC Lyckety-Splyt's +already there, standing next to Future. Shit-eating grin on +his skinny little face. + +We see the crowd from Jimmy's point of view. It's a mob +scene. Rowdy. Overflowing. Electric. People get ready. + +Jinny sees Alex hanging out with Wink (white bandage over +his nose), Papa Doc and the other two Free world black +guys. + +Everybody looking at him. + +Future smiles Jimmy's way and introduces Lyckety-Splyt. + +He's going first. + +The DJ lays down a beat - + +And LC Lyckety-Splyt's all over Jimmy. + +Freestylin' about-- + +1. Jimmy's failure in the last battle. + +2. Jimmy being white. + +3. Jimmy's black eye. + +Jimmy just bobs his head to the beat, looking down, not +reacting to a thing Lyckety-Splyt spits. + +The clocks tick down to 0. The crowd shouts. + +Lyckety-Splyt laughs. + +It's now Jimmy's turn. All the lights are on hint. +Blinding. + +The Future hands him the mic. + +Some people start booing. + +Yell shit at him. + +Booing Jimmy. + +Jimmy bounces, collecting his thoughts, tuning out the +world. + +Not hearing it. This is it. It's just him. + 116. + + + The beat. + + Beat. + + And Jimmy just goes off — + + All the anger pouring out of every muscle in his body. + + Into this moment. Forgetting about his pain. + + Jimmy's spitting fire. + + Right up in Lyckety-Splyt's face. + + Ripping into him. + + Destroying him. + + Cutting him. + + If words could kill. + + He's so good. + + Jimmy finishes. + + Beat. + + And the crowd goes fucking crazy. Much louder than they + were for LC Lyckety-Splyt, Vocal. Approving. Screaming. + + Jimmy won the round! + + The Future laughs. + + And Jinny just walks off stage, passing by the Big Bad Dude + from the beginning of the movie. They pound fists. + + The dude knows who he is now. + + +88 88. 88 + + Jinny makes his way through the noise and the crush, + heading toward the bathroom. He sees Alex still with Wink, + Papa Doc and the other guys. + + Jimmy and Alex make eye contact through all the bodies in + traffic. + + Beat. A moment. + 117. + + + She smiles at him, awkward. And gives him the finger. + + Flirting. + + Jimmy just laughs at her. Puts on his headphones. + + And walks away. + + CLOSE ON JIMMY, walking away. Laughing. + + Never looking back. + + Holding his head up, black eye and all. + + CUT TO: + + +89 89. 89 + + Later. Jimmy, battling E on stage. + + In a zone. Fast. Flowing. + + Clear & strong. + + Touching a higher self. + + Time up. + + The crowd fucking loves it. + + He exchanges pounds with Future, who takes the mic and + hands it to E. + + E's up. + + Starts freestyling-- + + And Jimmy sits down on the stage. + + CLOSE ON JIMMY, just sitting there. Quiet. Looking out at + all the people. Ignoring E's rap. Not hearing it. + + Not listening. Not caring. We stay on Jimmy the whole time. + + E finishes. Scattered applause. Jimmy won again. + + Jimmy gets up, walks off. + + Sol, DJ Iz and Chedder Bob greet him at the edge of the + stage. They all gather around him. + 118. + + + Future runs up. + + FUTURE + - You are a fucking genius, man. + You in the finals, Jim. You an' + Papa Doc. Yessir, it's a fucking + blessing, youhearwhatImsayin'? + + SOL + You're gonna whoop that nigga's ass + - + + DJ IZ + He ain’t got no vocabulary. + + Jimmy nods his head, game face on. + + CHEDDER BOB + (still drunk) + - You worried about what he's gonna + say, Rabbit? + + JIMMY + What? + + CHEDDER BOB + Like about Wink & that Alex bitch + gettin' it on ya know - And ya know + you not goin' to Paisley Park and + them heatin' you up and ya know + givin' you a black eye and shit - + + Beat. Jimmy doesn't respond, + + FUTURE + (pushes Chedder Bob) + Yo - shutthefuckup, fool! + + +90 90. 90 + + The finals. The crowd's in a frenzy. + + Jimmy vs. Papa Doc. + + Both of them on stage. + + Neither one looking at the other. + + The showdown. + + This is it. + 119. + + +Future hypes the championship. + + FUTURE + Give it up y'all - The championship + round, for the right to take my + place as host on all the open mic + battles. That's the sweetest part + about it, youknowhatlmsayin'? + +CLOSE ON JIMMY, head already down. Staring at the floor. + +Lost in his own world. Total concentration on his face. + +He hears Future finish. Jimmy looks back up. + +People scream. Shout. Ready for blood. + +And Future introduces him. + +Jimmy's up first-- + +The DJ lays down the beat... + +And Jimmy pauses. + +He stares at Papa Doc. + +Long, + +And hard. + +Suddenly a smile comes to Jimmy’s face. A shining sun. + +Beat. + +And Jimmy freestyles about himself, from his side-- + +1. About not going to Paisley Park - how it's not real. + +2. About getting his ass kicked - by 6 guys. + +3. About Wink fucking Alex - and how she blew him in a +closet. + +About all the bullshit. + +Making fun of it all. + +Taking away all of Papa Doc’s material. + +And turning it back on himself. + 120. + + + He's a genius. + + Letting everybody know he just doesn’t give a fuck. + + About anything. + + He's found his true voice. + + He kills. Finishes. + + JIMMY + (yells out at the + audience, giving them all + the finger) + Fuck you - You dunno who I am? I + know who I am - + + The crowd goes nuts. Bouncing off the walls. High-fiving + and screaming joy. All horn again. + + Future can't stop laughing. He hands the mic to Papa Doc. + + Papa Doc just stands there. The beat goes on. + + The crowd still wild over Jimmy. + + And Papa Doc just stands there. + + Stares out at the crowd. + + Freezes. + + He's got nothing. + + He knows he‘s already beat. + + It's over. + + +91 91. 91 + + The lights come up. Hight over. Jimmy and his friends walk + through the crowd. They're jumping up fc down all around + him, so excited. Shouting his name out loud, laughing, + barking, "B-RABBIT! B-RABBIT’ B-RABBIT?" + + Everybody else reaching out wanting to congratulate Jimmy, + tell him how good he is, loving him, basking in his glow. + + Jimmy just keeps walking out. Not getting caught up in it + all. + 121. + + +92 92. 92 + + The crowd flowing out of the club. Hanging outside. + + Freezing. Buzzing, Jimmy and his crew make their way + through all the people, + + CHEDDER BOB + Yo where we headed, Rabbit? + + DJ IZ + You on your way, hoy - + + SOL + Gonna get that big deal now fa sho + - + + CHEDDER BOB + Yeah. Fuck Wink. Fuck Prince. Fuck + tha Free World, RU486 IS THE + FUCKING SHIT! + + Jimmy heads off, leaving the crowd and the club behind. + + The guys follow. + + JIMMY + I gotta get back to work, yo - + + SOL + (laughs) + C'man, dawg. I told that girl from + the laundromat who wasn’t that good + lookin' we'd meet up with her later + - I need a second opinion, yo - + + CHEDDER BOB + (excited) + Yeah. We gonna get all the hot + bitches now you won, Rabbit! + + FUTURE + Cool that, cool that. That was some + alien shit ya did back there, man - + youknowhatimsayin' ? + + DJ IZ + No doubt, no doubt, he's the new + host - + + JIMMY + (keeps walking) + Fuckit. + 122. + + + (to Chedder Bob) + MC Bob, you can be the new host. + I’m late for work, yo. I'll see you + guys tomorrow - + +The guys stop. Don’t know what to say. + +Jimmy just keeps walking down the street into the winter +night. + +Beat. + +Future runs after him. Catches up. + + FUTURE + - You okay, Jimmy? + + JIMMY + Yeah - I’m just done wit' all the + bullshit, ya know what I'm sayin'? + + FUTURE + - yeah. I think I do. + +Jimmy and Future walk down the street together: + + JIMMY + - Yo Fuche, you ever seen a horse + before? + + FUTURE + You mean like the four legged kind? + + JIMMY + Yeah - + + FUTURE + Why? + +Beat. + + JIMMY + Fuckit, man - I gotta run. + +Jinny says goodbye to the Future, and takes off running +down the street. On his own. + +Away from his friends. + +Away from the crowd. + +Away from the club. + 123. + + +Running by himself down the dirty streets of Detroit. + +Heading in the opposite direction of everybody else. + +Sweet wind licks his face. Cold breath slips his mouth. + +We hear our closing credit song. + +And the scene beings to ANIMATE. + +But this tine he isn't a superhero flying up in the sky. + +This time he's just plain Jimmy. Running. + +A little smile comes to Jimmy's face. + +He runs, feet solid on the ground. + +Faster. + +Lighter. + +Free. + +He runs, Jimmy runs. + \ No newline at end of file