Chameleon (2019) - full transcript

You really believe

we can just switch out
our lives?

The decisions we've already
made this late in the game?

I mean, you really think
we can change?

What makes you believe

you'll be able
to acclimate back

into society competently
without reoffending?

I'm sitting here
before you both today

a fully rehabilitated person
without a doubt.

I've taken ownership for
my wrongdoings in the past,

and my good behavior
in here



and my letter of support
acknowledges that.

What specific plans do you have upon
release if we grant your parole?

I plan to start
a new life

for myself
in a more rural area,

and then
I just look forward

to giving back
to the community.

Is there anything else
you'd like to add?

I would really
appreciate it

if you could find it
in your hearts to grant me

this opportunity to start
an honest life for myself.

That's all I want.

We'll take everything
under consideration.

Thank you so much
for your time.

Just drop me a
line, huh, playboy?



We'll get up
when I get out.

Whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa.

Hey, come on. Faster!
It keeps pilling up. Let's go!

- Really the only job you can find?
- Yeah.

I... I've been
in prison before,

so that makes it hard
to get a job.

This is just a onetime thing.
Cool?

Yeah. Yeah, that's cool.

Good night.

Look, I'm just...
I'm looking after you, okay?

No,
you're not looking after me.

- You're young.
- You're micromanaging me...

Look, just calm down,
all right?

I just want you to go on and do your
job, all right?

- I'm doing my job!
- All right, just calm... all right!

Hello?

Yeah, can I speak

to motherfucking Patrick,
please?

Who is this?

Man, don't break my heart.
I just got out, man.

Haha, Dolph.

Yeah, I'm finally
up out of there.

I heard you was in L.A.

- Hello?
- That's cool, man.

Um, let me know when
you get out here,

and I'll show you around.

Hell yeah, you will.

Shit, everything good
over there?

Shh, it could be worse.

That plan you talked about.
Let's do it.

It's time to make
some money, man.

You haven't
changed a bit.

Hey, baby,
people don't change, man.

Shit.

You know, smoking's
actually illegal

in certain areas
in L.A.

- For real?
- Yeah.

Hey, they're
gonna have more

than smoke
to worry about

after we're finish with they
asses, right?

Hey, but this place is nice as
shit, though.

Yeah, it's nice.
I like it.

I wonder where they get all
this goddamn money from.

Just people using people out
here, man.

- That's all it is.
- Mm.

Well, we're gonna fit
right on in.

Oh, yeah.

What you
been up to, bro?

Just, you know,

trying keep to the
straight and narrow.

So you'd rather be broke

and stay broke instead of
making some quick fucking cash?

Now, that's
the real prison.

I know the real you.

A damn criminal,
just like me.

Come on, man,
you ain't seen your boy in a minute.

Just indulge me.

I don't know,
maybe get close

to one of these
trophy wives

until you have access
to her rich husband's money.

See,
that's what I'm talking about, man.

You're a single
con artist, man.

No hesitation.

There's a lot of them out
here, man.

Don't know how
good they got it.

Check it out.

Get them to committing,
they have something to lose right there.

Throw them in the back of a van.

Husband forks over the dough.

We good.
Easy money.

Man, we'll be set
for the long haul, man.

I'm not going back to
that life because... hey!

It's life
if we get caught.

Man, fuck prison.

- I'm with you on that.
- Yeah.

But don't forget you had me
protecting you in there, man.

And like you said,
you owe me.

Your words.

You're talking
about kidnapping.

Do you know what
that means?

Ain't nothing gonna
happen to nobody.

Believe me.

Didn't I make sure ain't nothing
happened to you in prison?

Huh?

Yes or no?

Yeah.

Bet.

Now, partner,
when I get back,

we're gonna have to get
the fuck up out of here

'cause we ain't
paying for this.

Man, look.

We're gonna need some
upfront money too.

It felt so real
at the time.

He had really convinced
me that we were in love.

I had no idea
that people

were capable of such
terrible things.

You.
Where were you, on break?

Here, here.

You see that?

Other end of the room.

It's Jimmy Sales
and his wife Jenna.

How'd you pick these two?

Seemed like
pretty shitty people

who could do
with some humbling.

Hmm.

What about the asshole?
What does he do?

"What the hell?

Is that it?"

He's, like,
a music producer or something.

Definitely an asshole.
What about the broad?

Actress. She's good.

Got a couple of credits,
but nothing big.

Hmm. Sound easily enough.
What next?

When he goes
to the bathroom,

I'm gonna go
over there.

Say that I recognize
her from something.

Introduce myself
as a young successful agent

who'd like to, you know,
get her some meetings.

Give her a call
by the end of the week

and take her for a
drink, and yeah,

the rest should be pretty easy.
Theoretically.

Hmm.

That's some
cold-blooded shit.

Then it's my turn.

What's your idea?

I was thinking, um...
maybe we could get

out of town
for the weekend?

I mean, yeah.

I'm sure I can come up
with some kind of story.

Make something
happen.

This is nice.

You like it?

Hey, baby.

Did you miss me?

Come...

What the fuck?
What the fuck?

Shh! Shh shh shh.
Shh shh shh.

Fuck off!

Hello? Rebecca?

This isn't your wife.

Well, who the hell
is this?

Look, man,
you don't know who I am,

but I've been having
an affair with your wife.

Something's happened
to her,

and there was a note
on the table.

How long
does that last?

The amount
I gave her?

She's gonna be out
a couple more hours.

Is she gonna be
all right?

Yeah, man.
You all right?

Getting second
thoughts or some shit?

Are there
any side effects?

Vomiting
or whatever.

She'll be all new
by the time

she head back to
Brentwood for pilates.

It's the ransom note.
You talk to the husband?

Yeah, man,
he's on his way.

Sounded scared
shitless.

He's got
the money, though.

Well, there it is.
Time to get paid, lover boy.

What the hell
is that for?

Just in case.

You're not starting
to actually feel

for these
bitches, are you?

Just don't do
anything stupid.

Let's get the money
and get back to L.A.

Hey, man.

Did you bring
the money?

Yeah, I got
the money.

Who the hell would do
something like this to me?

Where's
the note?

The ransom note,
where is it?

- James?
- Yeah.

Yeah, I... you want
to come inside,

and I'll show you
where I found the note?

You got
the money?

Yeah, in hundreds
like you said.

Where the fuck
is she?

- What the fuck has been going on?
- I...

I don't know.
I don't know.

I just...
If we just follow the instructions.

Hey.

I could only come
up with most of it.

Okay?

No, no,
you hang on to that for now.

Do you want
to come inside?

I'll show you where
I found the note.

This is our daughter's
college education.

- Where'd you find this?
- Right there.

And how long have
you known my wife?

Um, just about
two months.

Look, um,
I've only got about $4,500

in my
bank account.

Yeah, I'll take
care of it.

Which car
are we taking?

We're not going to
take the Porsche.

Take
the Beamer.

You remember where
they said to go?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Goddamn!

Your husband
must really love you

to get you that big
fucking rock.

What the...

What the...

Please, open the door!
Are you there?

Are you there?

Please!

He was
very handsome,

very sweet,
very charming.

I thought
we were in love.

What a piece
of shit.

I just feel sorry
for the next poor girl.

Yeah.

Drinks on you?

Congratulations,
motherfucker.

Hey, we're on our way
to having a couple

of trophy wives
ourselves.

- Question.
- You may proceed.

When the girls
are in the van...

Yeah?

...I don't know, do you...
do anything to do them

beyond what
we talk about?

What you mean?
Like, do I rape them?

Well, yeah.

The third one,
I did.

Hey, man, I'm just
fucking with you, dawg.

Come on, man.

It's not funny, man.

Man, look...
you find that next one yet?

I'm not doing it
anymore, man.

The fuck you mean?

I'm done.
It's wrong, man.

We've been pushing
our luck far enough.

We should...
we should just quit while we're ahead.

And then do what?
What you wanna do?

You want to do
a different kind of job?

I don't know,
I just don't want

to terrorize these
people anymore.

Look, you said it
yourself, man.

These motherfuckers
deserve it.

I don't know.

You said that.

All right,
look, one more.

We do one more,
and then you can go back

to whatever
it is the fuck

you was doing
before this shit.

Man, we can be set
for years, man.

Come on, now.

Don't you ever, you know, think that
all this might come back around?

Consequences are for
motherfuckers that get caught.

We not getting caught.

But I... does your
conscious ever bother you?

Morality is some
man-made bullshit.

Shit's for suckers, man.

What the hell
do you believe in, then?

Survival of the fittest.

They're having a good
goddamn time.

Fuck, man,
you killing me with this shit.

Man, get that money
and go invest

in some stocks
or something, man.

And look at it
this way.

Man, you won't even
have to owe me no more.

We'll be done.

Now, come on, now.

I gotta sit here and beg a
motherfucker to make some money?

There you go.
Man the fuck up.

There's a bathroom
back there

if you wanna go fix
your dress or something.

What
can I do for you?

Four rosés, soda,
and a lime, please.

Four rosés.
Soda. Lime.

Got you.
Be right back.

Can I have one
of those as well?

And a Grey Goose
as well, please?

Four rosés. Soda.
Grey Goose.

All right,
be right back.

Can I help you
with something?

Sorry, I didn't
mean to stare.

My sweet? Please.

Excuse me,
uh, who are they?

That's Frank Emerson.

Who's Frank Emerson?

Frank Emerson,
the big tech guy.

They come here
all the time.

Know her name?

Uh, Rebecca?
Becky? Bridget?

I don't know,
one of those White girl names.

Cool. Thanks, man.

Oh, yeah, no problem.

Last burner.
Number's on the back.

Cool. I think
Rebecca's the one.

The one?

The last one.

Fuck Rebecca, man.

This Frank Emerson,
you say he's a big tech guy or whatever?

Ain't this the type of shit
we've been waiting on?

It's about time we double
down on this ransom.

Yeah, just let me worry about Mrs.
Emerson first.

Do your thing,
playboy.

Do your thing.

Oh, you know what,
he didn't bring me valet, either.

I'm gonna hit that
and get that.

Okay.

Excuse me?

You've been
staring. Again.

- You don't like it?
- No, I don't.

It's actually making me
really uncomfortable.

- May I?
- No.

What are you doing?
Are you crazy?

I'll go crazy

if I don't
see you again.

You already
are crazy.

My husband's coming
back any second.

- Come on, seriously...
- Look, look, look.

If you just give me your
number, I'll leave.

I don't even
know you.

Joseph. Joe.

Well, you have a lot of
nerve, Joseph.

I'm married.

I know,
and you're also very beautiful.

Boy.

I bet you
say that a lot.

You're not half as charming
as you think you are, Joseph.

I'm gonna give you
my number,

and if you change your
mind, you can call me.

If not, that's fine.

Okay, fine,
just hand it over.

Give it to me and leave.

You gonna call me?

- I'm not gonna call you.
- That's fine.

Just take... just take it.
It's lovely meeting you.

- Bye.
- Have a good night.

All right, I'm good.

Yeah.

Patrick, it sounds like
you're in there.

Maybe.

Definitely
a tough one.

Now, that's
for sure.

You sound like
a fucking schoolgirl.

What, you like her
or something?

What? No.

Well, it sounds
like you like her.

Oh, unknown number, man.
This could be her.

- Shh shh shh.
- Hey, don't fuck it up, man.

We asking for more
money this time.

Not many men would have

the balls to come up
to me in public.

Let alone demand
my phone number

while my husband
is in the bathroom.

It... it was effective.

What does
your husband do?

Frank?

- Why?
- I'm just curious.

Frank is...
well, he makes a lot of money.

He's smart and
extremely private.

- Mm-hmm.
- And he has gone to considerable lengths

to keep it
that way.

So very wealthy man who
doesn't like attention.

That's very
un-L.A. of him.

Yeah, that's not
the only thing

he doesn't want
these days.

Let's not talk about
your husband anymore.

What?

Well... I was thinking, um...
would you want

to maybe
get out of town

or something
for a few days?

And go
where?

Have you ever
been to Big Bear?

And what would
we do there?

We could do
whatever you want.

Okay. Let's go
to Big Bear.

I think your ass
in love or something.

What are you talking about, man?

I'm gonna rob her.
I want to.

Then what the fuck
taking so long?

I'm almost there.

Shit,
I can't tell.

With the last
couple ones,

they've been getting
pretty rough.

Yeah, I know.
And what about it?

I'm not running
a fucking day care.

This ain't
no hospice.

We're fucking
kidnapping them.

No, I'm just
saying...

that Rebecca's
finally agreed to go

to Big Bear with me,
so if you just don't mind

taking it easy
on her

when she's
in your... possession.

How about this,
you drug and kidnap her?

Clean up the piss, the vomit.

Sit in the goddamn
van all day...

while I go do
the fucking,

the cuddling,
and the laying up.

Huh?

How about it?

If you wanna call this one
off, man, I'm down.

Oh, no,
no, no.

Definitely not calling this one off.
Mm-mm.

Whatever happens...

I just... I want to be with
you, and I'll give up

the things I have here
and everything.

What do you
mean, "Whatever happens"?

Uncharted waters, I guess.

Hey, sweetheart,
where are you?

Uh, this isn't
your wife.

Who the hell is this?

Look,
Rebecca and I been having an affair.

I swear to God,
I am going to kill you!

We left L.A.
a day ago.

I woke up this morning.
I went for a run.

I just got back,
and she's not here.

And there was
a note.

"$50,000 in cash
or she dies.

Tell no one,
or she dies."

It's got an address.

It says, "Bring money
and her phone. 7:00 a.m."

Text me the address.

You stay right there.

I'm gonna be there
in five hours.

Where's this note?

You know...
my wife's cheating on me with you,

and I'm sitting here
sharing a bottle with you.

Make no sense.

Look, we need to talk about
what we're gonna do tomorrow.

Mmm.

Oh, shi... Ow!

Hey, you know,
I wonder if that woman ever loved me.

You know she's gonna leave you, too, right?

She's just a manipulative
bitch, anyway.

You don't know
that yet.

You ain't learned that
yet, but I have.

Oh, hell,
it don't matter.

We all end up
alone, anyway.

You know, we forgot
to go to the bank.

The money's
in the back.

What do we
do now?

Just relax.

Okay, here.

Whoa.

Take the keys
out of the ignition

and throw them
out the window.

Yeah, no, we want
to see her first.

No.

Put the fucking
blindfold on!

Keys.

Here, tie this around your waist.
Tight.

- Do you have the money?
- Yes.

Wait up.
What are you doing?

- What are you doing?
- What do you think I'm doing?

What the... Look, just...
I'll go.

You just don't
do anything stupid.

Yeah, well,
that's the least you can do.

- Now!
- Pop the trunk, would you?

- What's happening?
- That's it.

Keep going.
Keep walking to me.

That's it.
I'm here.

Just follow
my voice.

That's it.

Keep walking.
Go to your husband.

10 more feet.
10 more feet.

I'll shoot her.
Get the fucking money!

This way.
Go, go.

Frank!
Frank!

Frank!

Frank, help!

Frank,
help!

- You're okay?
- Yeah.

When you think
that you know someone.

I mean, really know
someone that you want

to be with,
and you find out

they've been lying to
you the whole time...

I don't know what
to say about him.

I don't know where
he could be.

Why don't you tell me
something about him?

Why can't you
find him?

Is there anything
else you can tell me?

It felt so real
at the time.

He had really convinced
me that we were in love.

I had no idea that
people were capable

of such
terrible things.

I'll describe him
for you as best I can.

The gun, the van...

The most of the time,
he was wearing a mask.

He was a black guy.

And I was most of
the time blindfolded.

How do people even
become such animals?

He even took
my wedding ring.

I just feel sorry
for the next poor girl.

Can you tell us anything?
Anything at all?

A name?

I told you everything
that I know.

I don't want to keep
reliving this anymore.

I just want you
to find them.

I know,
and we will.

Look, thank you
for coming in.

Okay, it really does help.
A lot.

All four victims have one
major thing in common.

It's the same lover.

This guy takes each
and every one of them

on these
romantic getaways

where they're
kidnapped, right?

He contacts their
husband for the ransom.

Ransom note says if you
contact the police, she's dead.

Look at this.

Three separate sketches from
three different victims.

Sierra Nevada, San Simeon,
Ojai, Palm Desert.

It's the same guy.

Find a match.

You find
this creep yet?

Not yet.

The only way to
draw these guys out

is to set them up
by going undercover.

Elaborate, Detective.

Well, we become
their next marks.

Dress up
in the fancy clothes.

We got
the rich husband, Frank.

We make them believe
that their conning us.

Get them vulnerable,
you know?

Make them believe
in the illusion,

and then when the time
is right, we move in.

All the victims met this
guy at high-end restaurants.

Mostly Brentwood,
Beverly Hills.

We target this guy
when he's on the prowl

for his next victim,
and that's when we assume

our roles as rich
husband and wife.

And tell me why
we shouldn't just save

the department
time and money

and take this guy
down now?

These guys
are too smart, sir.

We hav to catch
them in the act.

Both of them.

I mean, the guy in the van

who's drugging
these women,

we have
to get him.

You know, sir,
I do agree with that.

Go on.

The crimes are happening
outside of the county.

I mean, technically,
if we bust them,

we have to catch them
in the act, right?

- But more importantly...
- Get them within our county so we can make the arrest.

You're sure
about this?

Yes, sir.

And you're all right with
this, Frank?

Yes, sir.

Well, then,
get on it before the Feds get wind.

I don't want them
taking credit for this.

- Yes, sir.
- Hold on.

Tell me more about
this Shead guy.

Well,
Patrick Shead.

He, uh,
his father relocated the family

to the States when
he got a new job,

but shortly after
that, he made some

bad investments,
went bankrupt.

Mother leaves
his father

for his business
partner, disappears.

His father sinks into a deep
depression, alcoholism.

Suffers an untimely death, leaving
a young Patrick to fend for himself.

18, he slides into a life

of petty crime,
all nonviolent offenses.

14 years and several
small convictions,

he's sent to Lompoc.

He spent about
two and a half years there.

He just got released
on good behavior.

He's teamed up
with what we think

is a known associate,
and they've been

pulling these cons
ever since.

What are
we doing, man?

What the fuck
are you doing?

You got too sloppy,
falling for the mark.

Give me
the burner.

Yeah, here.

I'm taking
the rest.

Now, get the fuck out.

You serious?

Is this your plan
all along?

You did it
to yourself.

You're really
doing this?

Don't make me
say it again.

That was good work, Detective.

It's not over yet.

Look, go home.
Get some sleep.

No chance.

We have our proof.
Let's go make the arrest.

Let us
know when they land.

- I want to wrap this up.
- Yes, sir.

- Detective?
- It's him.

Does he still
buy your cover?

Yeah.

Answer it.

Joe, is that you?

Rebecca...
there's a few things

that I haven't really been
upfront with you about.

I really would prefer
to tell you in person.

I'm at Union Station.

I'm going to go to a motel
near the airport tomorrow,

and I'll give you
a call then.

I look forward
to seeing you.

Bye.

Joe...

Everything
okay?

He's at
Union Station.

He leaves
tomorrow, LAX.

Whoa, GPS just landed
at the Toy District.

How accurate
is that?

- Accurate.
- Patrick's... Shead's lying.

He's just trying
to throw us off.

Hold up.

You're gonna stay
here on this one.

Get some rest.

Saddle up.

Take it easy.

Hey, excuse me, sir?
Just a minute.

I need
to talk to you.

Sir?
Hey, stop!

Stop, LAPD!

Stop!

Freeze!

Freeze!

Hey! Freeze!

Freeze, mother fucker!

- Freeze!
- Drop it!

Freeze!

Drop it! Drop it!

Hey, it's me.

I'm at the Buena Vista Hotel
near the airport.

Yeah.

Room 406.

Okay, see you soon.

Good morning.

Was that him?

I know you're heavily
invested in this case, but...

I'm fine.

Let's just
get this done.

1-26. All units
proceed with caution.

Patrick?

Hello? Patrick?

Are you there?
It's me.

Hello?

What the fuck?

All clear!

Check under.

We're all clear.
Dinner's gone out.

10-26.
The room's empty.

Are you sure
he gave you

the right
room number?

He can't
run forever.

I'm sorry that
we only got the one.

Well, you did some really
good work here, Rebecca.

I'm gonna recommend
you for a promotion,

and I'm gonna make
sure that you get it.

Thank you, sir.

Now, we're officially turning
this case over to the Bureau.

So you can go home.

Spend some time
with your family.

Could I take you
to, um,

another special place
when we get back?

Another time?

What's wrong
with this place?

Nothing.

There's nothing wrong
with this place,

just, um...
it's like a little resort.

You're moving
really fast for me.

That's not a no.

It does
sound nice.

I know I am moving
very quickly,

but I don't know,
I just never felt this way

about anyone before, and...
I really do like you.

Yes, I'll go.

You will?

You really believe

we can just switch out
our lives?

The decisions
we've already made

this late in the game?

I mean, you really think
we can change?

We certainly can't have it
both ways.

Patrick.