Dark Streets (2008) Movie Script

A bullet's kiss is a cold way to meet betrayal.

Some things never

change in this city.

Blackouts. Lights out.

Everything stops.

Like this gig I had at this spot called the Tower.

Lot of cats were involved

in the ups and downs.

Hey, man, some were righteous,

some were straight-up crooks,

the rest were just dreamers who were

dancing around in their own world.

That was Chaz Davenport.

Wide-eyed rich kid who ate cereal from a silver spoon.

I ain't saying that's a bad thing, see,

'cause he could have did the family route.

Had the power, prestige,

been an instant wheel in the big city,

but, like I said,

Chaz was a dreamer.

I guess his dream was to

find life on his own.

He opened up the Tower,

this paradise for wolves who led lambs to the slaughter.

See, Chaz was cursed

and blessed with a big heart.

Big hearts break

hard downtown fast.

Welcome to the blues.

* I had a dream last night

* There were no shadows,

no sign of light

* My heart, it was aching

* I was lost and alone

* Blind to the rain

* I was soaked to the bone

* The broken sidewalk,

forever I roam

* 'Cause now these dark,

dark streets

* Are my home

* I ask God for nothing

and I got it in spades

* Moments of pleasure

how memories fade

* I have no pride,

I have no shame

* I cut the deal

and I take the blame

* Nightmares that haunt me

the night winds that roam

* Now these dark, dark,

dark streets

* They're my home

See, this all went down a long time ago on Gotham's dark streets.

That unreal world

in the back of your mind...

Darkness has no face.

Day and night embrace.

Come with me to this place

where shadows dance,

and romance is

an eager breath away.

Good evening and welcome to the grand opening of the Tower!

I am Prince Royale.

Now let's make it warm

for Miss Crystal LaBelle.

* If you're feeling lonely when the blue hour comes around

* Come in from the street now

Lay your troubles down

* Step in through my doorway

Come in from the rain

* 'Cause when I hold you in my arms all your heartaches fade

* Twilight calls,

nothing's what it seems

* Twilight calls,

you can live your dreams

* Twilight calls,

you come to me

* Twilight calls,

nothing's what it seems

* Twilight calls,

you can live your dreams

* Twilight calls,

nothing's what it seems

* Twilight calls,

when you come to me

* When twilight calls,

you come to me

* Come to me

* Yeah, you come to me

Congratulations,

Mr. Davenport.

Ladies, you were incredible.

Best champagne all around.

Good night.

Ain't he the dreamiest?

Come back to earth.

A Davenport ain't havin'

nothin' real to do with you.

Or you either.

Get a load

of Lady Rockefeller.

You think 'cause you knew him way back,

he thinks you're any different than us?

You don't know nothin'.

Sometimes things ain't

always like they seem.

Somewhere along the way,

Chaz's dad took the deep six on his own bullet.

Left Chaz holding

a bag of bills.

And to find out that he was nixed out of the will

was like a kick in the face

when he was down.

* Why, oh, why

* Why do you treat me

like you do?

* I wanna know, babe

* I said why, oh, why

* Why do you treat me

like you do?

* I said, you know,

you know, baby

* That you treated me

wrong for

* For such a long, long time

* You're gonna look

around for me

* I said I'll be gone

Let's have a drink.

Just the two of us.

* Yeah, one of

* One of these sunny days

* You'll look around for me,

yeah and I'll be gone

* Yes, I will

* You treated me,

you treated me wrong

* You treated me wrong

far too long *

Yeah, the blues, man.

Once it's in you, it's got you.

It had Chaz bad,

so bad he wanted to bottle it, package it

and take it on uptown

to his rich friends.

But this city's

cold-blooded.

Just grabs hope by the throat

and it don't let go.

Come in.

Okay, 60 pounds of ice,

12 cases of ginger ale,

12 jars maraschino cherries.

You wanna roll for it?

No, sir.

Just put it on my account, will you?

They told me I gotta collect.

* Now that's what I do

* I'm taking it slow

* Just living on the

layaway plan

This came in the mail.

Sure is heavy.

* I'm telling you how

* You might miss your chance

if you don't take it now

* You can have it today

and you don't have to pay

* You can afford it

on the layaway plan

* That's what I do

* I'm taking it slow

Hey, isn't that

from your father?

* Business after pleasure

* Just living on

the layaway plan *

Yes, it is

from my father.

Who the hell is

Gloria Martin?

See you later.

The Wonder Wheel.

Delores? Chaz.

I'm fine, fine. Is my uncle in?

Hey, say, Delores,

did you ever hear of a Gloria Martin?

No? All right.

Well, tell him I called. Thanks.

Hey, sweetie,

here's a little something to cheer you up.

You know I always share.

You're all cleaned up now, huh?

Chaz straightened you out, didn't he?

You see,

Crystal used to know him back when he went to that fancy college.

He used to let her

in through the window.

We're on in 30, girls.

Don't miss your cues.

Well, more for us.

Mr. Davenport.

Thanks for the job.

I won't forget.

That's all right, Tommy,

just hand 'em the towels.

Everything

was popping.

More nights like this,

and the sharks would be paid in full.

Again?

With darkness comes nightmares that pull you face to face

with the Angel of Death.

Nice club.

Be nicer with electricity.

You can do a lot

with a place like this.

That was the idea,

Lieutenant.

Maybe you can arrest me

some customers.

That would be illegal.

Can I do something

for you?

Hope you're not afraid

of the dark.

I'm only afraid of

losing my shirt.

Good night,

Mr. Davenport.

Night, Rose.

Maybe you shouldn't take

your shirt off so much.

They always say women look better in candlelight.

I don't know.

What do you think, mister?

I got a friend who sings.

Okay. All right, listen, Lieutenant,

you know what I need?

I need enough juice

to keep this place lit up.

Singers I got.

Yeah, I'll bring

her around.

* In this dirty town

* You know your life

ain't worth a damn

* You can lose it in a second

* When you tangle with the man

* 'Cause they'll take you out

* And they'll carry you

on down

* Only the gutter

for your burying ground *

Boss.

Boss!

Hey, you might wanna lay off

that hooch, man.

Hmm.

What can I do for you?

Power's back on.

Yeah, there's someone

here to see you.

Who? Not a who,

it's more like a what.

Please. Sit down.

I brought you a warning.

Did you?

'Cause I didn't receive it...

Shut up!

A warning,

I came to talk with you.

This ain't no joke, playboy.

Pay up!

I'll be back,

and the next time I won't be so sweet.

Chaz?

You sing beautiful, miss.

You okay?

Yeah, yeah, fine.

What was that all about?

Just... Nothing.

Consolidated Power.

I remember Chaz telling me

about being a kid,

playing in those long marble hallways

with his folks before his old lady died.

One day, you're king of the throne,

next day, you're begging for a loan.

Governor Shipman,

what exactly is being done about the blackouts?

Every assemblyman in the state is losing sleep over this.

Good afternoon, Mr.

Davenport. Afternoon, Mike.

We were all shocked

about your father.

So was I.

* When love wants to leave

* Well, it's up

and out that door

* You can make

a sinner believe

* Love can make

a rich man so poor

* Love knows no rules

* What's right

and what is wrong

* Even though

you've never known it

* You can miss it

when it's gone

* You can lose somebody

* You've barely known

Chaz!

I thought I heard someone.

Delores.

The true love of my life.

Your uncle was just talking about you before he went out of town.

He's meeting with the governor.

When will he be back, D?

It's hard to tell, you know,

with this power crisis. Isn't it awful?

You know,

your uncle is working himself to the bone.

Do you need him?

Just wanted to say hello.

And invite him to my club.

Yes, your new nightclub.

That must be

very exciting for you.

I forgot about Frank.

My father's best friends were always the

men who got their hands dirty at the plant.

Your father was

the salt of the earth.

So, I tried to stop in to see Leonard,

but his door was locked.

Leonard died.

He died?

Car accident. Right after

your father's funeral.

They hired a new company attorney,

but nothing like Leonard, though.

You know, 35 years.

Yes?

That switchboard can track me down in the ladies' room.

I'll tell your uncle

to call you.

Yes, he's just leaving.

Yes.

He didn't know.

Like I always said,

you wanna dance with the devil,

you gotta ride on the horn.

Well, if it ain't

Sleeping Beauty.

I guess I missed last call.

You got the dough?

I got. Oh...

What do you mean, "Oh"?

You got it or not?

No. I got it,

I got it. I can get it, okay?

Got is now.

Get is in the future!

It ain't polite to

point them things at people.

Guess it's good

I came by.

Grab his arm.

Maybe you need some protection from this sort of thing.

Five, six,

seven and...

* Send me your kiss

* 'Cause only you know

how to thrill me like this

* There's not another who could give me such bliss when we kiss

* So, baby, drive me crazy

* Send me your charms

* 'Cause all I want

is just to be in your arms

* And all your loving is what I'm dreaming of heaven above

* So, baby,

send me your love

I guess I should thank you.

Not necessary.

There's only one problem.

Now that you

killed King Kong,

his employer is probably

gonna be a little bit annoyed.

I'm guessing you

owe some money.

You're obviously

clairvoyant.

No, Methodist.

I got some juice in this town.

I'll make some calls.

See if I can't buy you

a little bit more time.

Yeah, but when he finds out

his ape is dead...

Maybe I say you paid him

and he decided to take a little Mexican vacation with the dough.

You see?

* Baby, send me your kiss

* 'Cause only you know

how to thrill me like this

This is Madelaine.

* There's not another

who could give me such bliss

She's gonna be

auditioning for you.

* So, baby

* Come on

and send me your kiss

* Send me your kiss

Hello, Mr. Davenport.

And I can sing, too.

So how do you know

the Lieutenant?

He's an old friend.

You have

interesting friends.

If this isn't a good time,

we can certainly...

Time...

Actually,

it's a perfect time.

* I'm a lady far from home

* Just a stranger

wherever I roam

* There ain't nowhere

I've ever known

* That's a place

I can call my own

* If you need sweet company

* Come and spend

some time with me

* In the morning

when you're gone

* I want a place

I can call my own *

Thank you.

I'll see you tomorrow?

Yes.

We don't need

another singer.

Wasn't she great?

What about my numbers?

Well, you're a great belter,

but we've got a real chanteuse now.

She can chanteuse

my ass.

* Well, I know a lot of women

with a crazy plan

* Don't mind me at all

being the backdoor man

* Don't get what I want,

but I get what I can

* Loving on the layaway plan

You might be a high roller,

furs and rings.

But when it comes up snake eyes,

it don't mean a thing.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Miss Madelaine Bondurant.

* No one wins

the game of life

* No matter how they try

* We're all dreamers in the night as the world is passing by

* True love's never true

* Love is just a lie

* Seems to me they're nothing more than one long goodbye

* Every dream has an end

when morning has to start

* And there ain't no way

to mend a lonely broken heart

* 'Cause true love's

never true

* Love is just a lie

* Seems to me there's nothing more than one long,

sad goodbye *

Tell me.

Where are you at home?

Here.

No white picket fence?

No dogs in the yard?

This is what I want.

Listen, Chaz,

I'm a singer and I'm good.

I plan on being much more than just another nightclub act

and I'm not going to be part

of your little stable.

No, of course not.

They're all out to pasture now.

You're the one I'm betting on.

You really shouldn't

gamble, Chaz.

I have to go.

I have to rehearse.

Hey, man, someone said

you left this at the bar.

Yeah, I thought it

might be good luck.

The band wants to know

when they're getting paid.

They'll get paid.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Cool.

"Gloria, darling, if you receive this,

then I am dead.

"They think you know something and they'll come after you, too.

"Take the money

and go somewhere safe.

"Love, Arthur."

Your father,

what are you talking about?

I'm gonna find out

who killed him.

You've been drinkin' like a fish and now you're talkin' stupid.

Stop it.

Hope on

a book of matches.

Hey, some hope beats

no hope at all. Right?

Thanks for squeezing in a dance with the boss.

Well, you have to promise not to step on my toes next time.

Hey, Davenport,

who's the doll?

The doll is Miss Bondurant

to you, Harry.

How do you do,

Miss Bondurant?

Better be careful, honey,

the camera don't lie. Only people do.

Hello, Crystal.

How'd you like a page 6 spread in the Friday edition?

What, did you run out

of dead bodies to snap?

Just hard to find

good stories in the dark.

Listen.

Just arrange a little date with the cutie over there.

Rosie?

Maybe a half hour,

somewhere discreet.

Get out of my club.

You know,

I didn't think we should run your father's dead mug on the front page,

but my editor insisted

on it.

Out.

Speakin' of these blackouts,

Davenport,

isn't keepin' the lights on

your family business?

Scumbag.

I can't believe we're taking 23 and 24 off the grid.

I mean, that ain't right.

Excuse me.

This station is closed to the public.

Well, you must be new here.

I'm Charles Davenport.

I'm afraid you're gonna have to leave.

Safety regulations.

No, no. I'm just looking for somebody who works here.

Frank Levitt?

You say Frank Levitt?

You know him?

Yeah, he packed his lunchbox up about a month ago.

I ain't seen him since.

Do you know where he went?

No.

This is private property.

You're trespassing.

All right, I'm gone,

all right? Good.

Wouldn't want you to get electrocuted or something.

Chaz, how does this look?

We're down a girl.

What happened to Darlene?

She still hasn't shown up.

Maybe she overslept.

Yeah, well, she's sleepin' now.

Yeah, eternally.

What?

Christ.

Where have you been?

I was out.

You might wanna try

being in once in a while.

Especially when

there's a rehearsal.

Hello?

Wait, Gloria?

Yeah. No, I've been

trying to reach you.

All right. Okay.

I'll be there.

Oh, my, another dame?

Hey.

See you soon.

Sure.

Excuse me. I'm looking

for a Gloria Martin?

Right behind you.

She fell down the stairs.

Gloria? It's Charles.

Charles Davenport? Can you hear me?

Gloria?

They murdered your father.

They're going to

try to kill you.

Who killed my father?

Hey, mister, that's enough.

The governor.

What about the governor?

Your father loved you.

He loved you so much.

* In this dirty, old town

* You know your life

ain't worth a damn

* You can lose it in a second

* If you tangle with the man

* 'Cause they'll take you out

* And they'll carry you

on down

* Only the gutter

for your burying ground

* And if you are rich or poor

* Sure it don't make

no never mind *

Gloria Martin?

Yes, yes,

friend of the family.

When did she die?

No. Thanks.

So what do you

want to talk about?

I was thinking about

what you said to me before.

About needing protection.

What do you

need protecting from?

I don't know.

I know this is going to

sound crazy.

But... There's a woman...

Seems there always is with you.

No. No, no.

This is different.

She's dead.

She fell down some stairs,

but I know she was pushed.

She said the

governor is involved.

You think the

governor pushed her?

Just... He had

something to do with it,

and I think they're

trying to kill me, too.

Why?

I don't know.

All right.

Don't tell me.

We all have

our little secrets.

I'll keep my eyes

open around here.

You can owe me

when you get your big payday.

As I've said repeatedly,

we are doing everything in our power

to end these blackouts, folks.

We cannot let private power companies take control of our state.

Governor. Governor.

- What's the real deal, Governor?

Governor. Come on, guys,

I've a flight to catch.

Governor, I'm Charles Davenport.

Davenport?

Let him through.

Sir, sir. One

Dark Streets (2008) - full transcript