EYE OF SIMON

Pursuer, rookie Agent Harris, FBI, watches the recovered documentary video taped chase of Pursued Cop killer, Simon Folger.
The chase, that started in New York went across the US and ended up in Los Angeles is concluded with Simon's fatal shooting. As Agent Harris views the "cat and mouse" chase he revisits those moment that are fast becoming his fading memories.


A screenplay by Nicholas Loizides
(All material copywrited and WGAw registered)
contact: TO NICKLOZ.COM
INT. N.Y.C. - PARTY / CARTELLI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SIMON’S FLASHBACK
Simon walks into a large building.
SIMON (V.O.)
It was a Saturday night. I remember I was in a pissed off mood cuz the market down the street had closed early. You see they sold this imported chocolate, smashing stuff, top class. And it made me bloody late to this huge banquet honoring this rather dodgy New York underground organization. It was wall to wall hoods and the like. The music was so loud you couldn’t hear yourself think. The drugs and liquor were flowing, it was like bloody Mardi Gras.
Simon moves through the crowd dodging back and forth around crazy people laughing, drinking and dancing. He moves up on two clean shaven suits.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Quite frankly, I couldn’t care less about the whole affair. The only reason I was there was because I was working for these Two questionable ex-cops. QUINTEN and MCCARTHY. These two geezers always dressed like they were ritzy business men or something.
The two men turn to face Simon.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Anyway, they now own the territory they helped to clean up donkey's years ago.
QUINTEN
Simon. You enjoying the party?
SIMON
Sure.
MC CARTHY
We have a small job for you.
SIMON (V.O.)
I was pretty skint after the divorce and for a buck or two I’d run around town doing these odd, “jobs”. Cushy number, really.
Quinten pulls an envelope from his inside pocket.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT’D)
I kept my mouth shut and did what they asked, as long as I wasn’t duffing up anyone, I’d do anything they’d throw at me.
He hands the envelope to Simon.
QUINTEN
It’s an easy one. Take the envelope to this address. Make sure a guy called Cartelli receives it.
MC CARTHY
Personally, right.
QUINTEN
You’ve met him before.
(beat)
He’s a little jumpy, so be straight.
SIMON
What happened to Dan?
There’s tension in the air.
QUINTEN
Who said anything about Dan?
SIMON
No, I was just wondering--
QUINTEN
Don’t worry about Dan?
SIMON
I thought--
MC CARTHY
He’s just sick.
QUINTEN
I said, it’s not a hard job. Just make sure Cartelli gets the envelope. Okay?
SIMON (V.O.)
It was never talked about, but the word out on the street, was that Cartelli was this really mean geezer-crazy hit-man. He wasn’t scared of anyone, cuz he had ties right up to the top.
(beat)
But the job wasn’t hard. Just deliver an envelope. Right?
QUINTEN
Here’s fifty for the run.
SIMON (V.O.)
Fifty bucks was a little high, but like I said. I needed the dosh.
SIMON (CONT’D)
Tar very much, guv.
Simon puts the envelope away.
MC CARTHY
Good. Now, go have a drink on your way out.
McCarthy pats Simon on the back.
SIMON (V.O.)
Now that was really wired.
Simon turns back and smiles nervously.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT’D)
In the two years I’ve worked for these fucks, they never, ever, made physical contact with me or anybody, for that matter. A pat on the back by anyone else, no problem. But this friendly gesture made me real nervous, especially delivering an envelope to a dodgy fuck like Cartelli.
Simon looks around as he walks out. Everyone is having a great time.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT’D)
But I figured maybe they were all pissed up and in a good mood.
Simon leaves.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And twenty minutes later I was standing outside Cartelli's Apartment.
The door opens and BRUNO CARTELLI, a big built Italian man, rough, rude, aggressive and very suspicious stands in the doorway.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I knew when he opened the door it would all go pear-shaped. He was built like a brick shit-house, yeah he could definitely do some damage. And at that precise moment in time I realized, I should've had that bevvy on the way out of the bar before coming over.
SIMON (CONT'D)
You don't know me.
CARTELLI
So why the fuck are you standing here, then?
Simon leans in to Cartelli.
SIMON
My name is Simon. Quinten and McCarthy sent me. Simon.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Well, he thinks for a moment, grunts then lets me in. So far so good. Right?
Cartelli shuts the door behind Simon and locks it, CLUNK.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Wrong.

CARTELLI
Where's the usual guy?
SIMON
He ain't working tonight. I was sent instead. All I have to do is give you an envelope.

SIMON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
We don't exactly hit it off, in fact I was getting a really bad feeling about the thing. Stop me if I'm wrong.
Cartelli doesn't respond right away then sniggers and pushes Simon up against the wall.
CARTELLI
I only deal with Dan, and you don't even know his name!
SIMON
I don't want any aggro mate, all right? And I do know Dan.
Cartelli glares at Simon.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Honest! What do you want me to say?
CARTELLI
Nothing! If you knew Dan, you'd have said Dan in the beginning. But you didn't...
SIMON
I'll call McCarthy right now, Okay? And you can speak to him yourself.
Simon reaches for his cell phone.
Cartelli explodes.
He pulls out a gun and sticks it in Simon's face.
SIMON (CONT'D)
What the fuck are you doing you stupid tosser! I was just getting my--
CARTELLI
You're making all the right moves for a dead man!
He grabs Simon by the throat and shoves the gun into his gut.
SIMON (V.O.)
He went ape-shit on me, totally ballistic. So I nutted him.
Simon head butts Cartelli and goes for he gun.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
But that didn't help much, it just made him even more pissed off. And then I'm not sure what happened next--

Simon and Cartelli struggle-the whole thing is a blur.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
--except my military training kicked in and then it was good-night Vienna for him.
The gun goes off and Cartelli drops to the floor.
Simon looks at the blood on his hand.
He backs out of the room.
SIMON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I was going to go to the cops but bollocks-to-that after seeing the news. They where all his old mates. I had to get out of the city real sharpish.
Simon grabs his stuff on the way out of his apartment. We see the same khaki backpack he stored the parachute in that he used in Denver. "US ARMY" is written on the side.
SIMON (CONT'D)
I had no idea Cartelli was playing both sides of the fence.
Sweat beads down Simons brow as he wraps up his story.

SIMON (CONT'D)
I had to run, I had to...
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