Dead Bang (1989) Movie Script

[plane engine revving]

Shit.

[water flowing]

Hi, daddy.

- Hi, daddy.

- Merry Christmas.

Christina, it's time to go in.

We're going in again.

- Come on, kids. Come on.

- What?

(male #1)

'If you want a Slurpee,

you're out of luck.'

(male #2)

No, no. You're the one

that's out of luck.

We don't carry no more

than $50 cash.

It's the store policy.

(male #2)

It's okay.

Just take out

what's over there.

- 'Is there anything else?'

- No, there's nothing.

Your wallet?

Oh, I forgot that.

Here you are.

- 'Do you believe in God?'

- Yes. Yes, I do.

That's nice..

...because I have the

instrument...of your salvation.

Please.

I didn't look at you.

I can't identify you.

No.

But I can identify you.

You are a dead nigger.

No. Please, no.

[gunshots]

(dispatcher on radio)

'Attention, all units.'

'Armed robbery just occurred

at convenience store.'

'Foothill and Loma. Store

manager seriously wounded.'

'Following description

of one suspect'

'male, Caucasian, 18 to 25,

5'10" to 6'2", medium build.'

'Nothing further.'

This is Kimble.

I'm making a stop

at the intersection

of Foothill and Noble.

Possible suspect matching the

description of the stop and rob.

Good morning.

'Is there any problem, officer''

No. You're just up a little

early this morning, aren't ya?

It's the Santa Anas.

I find it difficult to sleep

when the winds start blowing in

from the desert.

- Yeah.

- Hey, by the way.

Merry Christmas.

Yeah, Merry Christmas.

You got some ID on ya?

ID? Sure. Ah, is

a driver's license okay?

That'll be fine.

What? Wait a minute.

[gunshots]

(male #3)

'Homicide?'

(male #4)

Yeah, that's us, alright.

Our day begins

when yours ends.

But I'm glad to see somebody's

out here crushing crime.

Personally, I was hoping

to get one full night's sleep

before Christmas.

Fat, fucking chance.

- You Homicide?

- Yeah. You the handling unit?

- Yup.

- What you got?

Pictures of the casings

and the body.

Take some overalls,

and then step out of the way.

The officer that was involved

in the shooting over here..

What's his name?

(male #5)

'Gary Kimble.'

(male #6)

'I'm telling you,

I got it covered.'

'Oh, okay. How does 20 pounds

of ice sound?'

'I think that ought to do it.'

'I got-I got five cases of beer

being delivered by 5 o'clock.'

'Yes. Three quarts of bourbon

and the plastic glasses.'

'Okay?'

'I-I'll be there

no later than 7:00.'

'What? Plenty women. Foxes.

All shapes and sizes, okay?'

'Okay. Take care.'

'Hey, Beck, still living

in Heartbreak Hotel?'

No, I got a suite

at the Bonaventure.

(Bilson)

We're having a party tonight.

The Lonely Guys

Christmas Eve Ball.

'A little something for

the bachelors, the divorced'

'and the disenfranchised.'

'It's gonna be over

at Brubaker's place.'

'We're gonna have

plenty of booze'

'maybe even some fine women.'

'You really ought to drop by.'

[telephone ringing]

'Homicide. Bilson.'

'Yes, I invited Eileen.'

'I told you I'd invite Eileen

and I did invite Eileen.'

'Yes, she's very anxious

to see you.'

'Why else would you

think she's coming?'

'Yes, and she's coming

for the same reason.'

'Seven o'clock, I said I'd be

there at seven o'clock, okay?'

Mr. Webly, this is Jerry Beck,

Sheriff's Homicide.

I'd like to talk to you

about one of your people.

A...Robert Bobby Burns.

I need his package.

His package? Come on,

this is Christmas Eve day.

Yeah, I'm aware of that.

I'm halfway out of my office.

Got last minute shopping to do.

I'm sorry to hear that,

but I have a suspect

and I don't even know

what he looks like.

What makes you so sure Burns

is your guy, if I may ask?

Because I checked the parole

index and his name comes up.

He's a convicted robber,

he's recently paroled.

And he's at the top

of my list.

I...This is Christmas Eve day.

I have a family. Don't you?

I used to have a family.

I don't have a family now.

What I do have is a dead cop

and I need that package.

You don't understand. I'm

leaving now to do my shopping.

I am going. I told the wife

two minutes ago, I am leaving.

I understand.

Tell you what, you

go do your shopping

and I'll see you tomorrow

morning. How's that?

Tomorrow morning

is Christmas morning.

Sorry, Webly, but you can't

have it both ways.

How's your office

around 8 o'clock sound?

Fuck you.

Have it your way.

8:30.

And fuck you.

- Here you go.

- Oh, thanks, Gates.

- I'm Ed Gates.

- Nice to meet you.

Excuse me a second, thanks.

First Christmas

away from home?

That obvious, huh?

Lucky guess.

I'm Linda.

Jerry Beck.

I've heard your name.

Um, I know,

you're the one

working on the murder of

the sergeant that was killed.

How's it coming?

It's coming.

You don't sound convinced.

Well, right now I'm not

convinced of a lot of things.

'Tis the season to be jolly.

That least of all.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to sound glib.

[clears throat]

Well, it was nice meeting you.

Merry Christmas.

Ah, Linda?

Don't go.

(female #1)

'Carol. Carol, come here.'

Ah...I--

- Good morning.

- I have to go.

Well, you're certainly

dressed for it.

- I was gonna fix breakfast.

- Oh..

- Ah, you want a cup of coffee?

- No, thank you.

[airplane engine revving]

Yeah. I'll get you

an Alka-Seltzer.

- What?

What?

Oh, Alka-Seltzer.

Here, it'll fix you right up.

- No, thank you.

- Here you go.

Oh, what was that?

That is the Burbank Airport.

The world's quietest airport.

At least that's what they say

if you complain.

What's your hurry?

Well, you said you had

an 8:30 appointment.

Um, ah..

Well..

...thank you for

a lovely evening, really.

What happened?

Nothing. It's-it's

nothing to do with you.

I'm the only one here.

Ah, what I mean is,

it's not you, it's-it's me.

Great.

[airplane engine revving]

You look like shit.

- Thanks. I feel like shit.

- You must be Beck.

Don't bust my balls, Webly.

I'm in no mood.

You're in no mood?

I'm in no mood.

My wife is in no mood.

Today is Christmas, Beck.

Well, judging by the weight,

Mr. Burns has kept pretty busy.

Eight arrests, five convictions

in California, two in Texas.

'It's all in there.'

'Notice we're

the only ones in here.'

Hey.

If Bobby had wanted

to go the other way

he could have been

anything he wanted.

He's extremely bright.

IQ of a 135.

His younger brother, John

on some scholarship to

the University of New Mexico.

Uh, School of

Chemical Engineering.

Don't underestimate Bobby. Also,

don't underestimate his mother.

She's a Hells Angels old lady if

you're thinking of dropping by.

Well, good luck.

If I were you I would give

AA some thought.

Alcoholism is a disease,

you know.

Thank you, Webly.

I'll keep that in mind.

- Where's your car?

- I jogged over.

I live 1.4 miles from here.

I jog over three times a week--

- You jogged over?

- Yeah. You should try it.

Very good for

the cardiovascular system.

Webly, jump in.

Let me drive you home.

It's Christmas.

Give your system a break.

That's my street.

That's Radford. Hang a left.

'Hey, you gotta make

a left right here. Left.'

Jeez, what you-you

past my street.

Need a little favor, Webly.

Need you to drop

by mom's with me.

You know the rules.

Convict gives up his right

to search and seizure

but only in the presence

of a parole officer. That's you.

This is kidnapping, Beck.

Are you aware of this

that this is kidnapping?

No, no, no.

Kidnapping is a felony.

This is just a little favor.

With you, I can walk right

into mom's place

and if he's there,

he's mine.

Like it or not,

that's the way it is.

You are a real asshole.

You know, in case you haven't

noticed, it's daylight.

[knocking]

[knocking continues]

What the fuck

do you want, asshole?

- Sheriff's Homicide.

- Go fuck yourself.

You son of a bitch..

Ah!

You wanna give me

a hand here, Webly?

- Is that alright?

- Yes. That's just lovely.

- Good.

- Thank you.

This is an exciting

life you lead.

Sheriff's Homicide. Now, you

guys calm down and cooperate

or I'll rip your heads off

and tear this place apart.

(male #7)

'What the fuck?'

Go back to sleep there, Sluggo.

'It's Christmas morning.

What's going on..'

Alright.

- I'm looking for Bobby Burns.

- Who?

Don't lie to me, asshole.

Robert Bobby Burns.

- Still in the joint.

- You must be John, aren't you?

His brother.

Where is he?

You wouldn't tell me

if you knew, would you?

Well, no.

Not really, officer.

Are you okay?

You don't look very good.

Nothing a month in Hawaii

wouldn't cure.

Have you seen him?

Look, he's my brother.

I-I don't know what

you think he's done

but he's got his own life.

His job is to do

what he wants to do

and your job is to find him,

if you think you need to.

Other than that, I really

can't tell you much.

I go back to school in two days,

just here on Christmas break.

Is your mom in there?

She awake?

Merry Christmas, huh?

Yeah.

[glass clinking]

[dramatic music]

[creaking]

Uh.

[panting]

[panting continues]

- Oh!

- Ah!

- Hey!

- A-ah!

Hey, where are you...

where are you going?

Hey.

[dramatic music continues]

[panting]

[panting continues]

[breathing heavily]

[tires screeching]

[screeching continues]

[honking]

[crash]

[honking]

[crash]

[panting]

Ah!

A-ah!

[panting continues]

Shit.

[police sirens]

Well, well,

what have we here, guys?

A little domestic spat

on our good Lord's birthday?

- Sheriff's Homicide.

- You gotta be kidding.

Oh, God. Do me a favor,

cuff this asshole.

What are you doing

to this man?

- Who are you?

- Elliot Webly, parole officer.

Good God.

What have you done now?

I got sick, Webly.

What the hell does it look like?

I don't mind helping, guys, but

you threw up all over this guy.

Jesus. Son of a bitch. You

fucking threw up on me, man.

Jesus, shut him the fuck up.

My head's killing me.

- Shut him up.

- What've you got on him?

I don't know.

Put him through the machine.

(male #8)

'Get me outta this.

Come on. Jesus Christ.'

'Oh, man, you're a real asshole.

You know that?'

- I got him, didn't I?

- 'It's all over me, man.'

'C'mon. Let me up.'

'Why don't you just shit on me,

while you're at it?'

Think this will wash out

of my tie?

(dispatcher on radio)

'Seventy at Roscoe

and Laurel Terrace.'

'Check. Ellis, James.

Male, Caucasian.'

'Date of birth: 2-12-59.'

'No wants or warrants.'

'Currently on parole

for armed robbery.'

Alright. I'll take it from here.

- Have a nice day.

- Sorry, I have other plans.

Ah, honey, I'm telling you

the truth, sweetie.

I-I think the man is actually

physically dangerous.

Uh-huh, wait, wait a minute,

he's doing something.

Me? I'm at a Chinese restaurant.

Honey, sweetie, I don't think

the Chinese celebrate Christmas.

How long is your tail, parolee?

I got three more years,

if you violate me.

Shit. You're bought

and paid for.

When Bobby got out of the joint,

he called me.

We hung out together.

No big deal.

How long ago was that?

I don't know.

A month ago.

He's waiting for some

guys to show up.

He was doing a hell of a lot

more than that.

He was capering, wasn't he?

You know, I don't

have to tell you shit.

Not without a PO, I don't.

I got a PO.

He's on the phone

lying to his wife.

Now keep talking.

When did these guys show up?

- Two days ago.

- Who were they?

I don't know,

I never seen them before.

[thud]

Damn you! You better come up

with something better than that.

That's all I know,

I swear.

What is going on here?

I'll be finished

in a minute.

- Keep an eye out for the cops.

- I will not.

I will not be

a party to this, Beck.

I will not allow this

to happen under my aegis.

- Under your what?

- My aegis.

My...ah, auspice.

I'm responsible here.

You hear that? He's responsible

here, but I'm not.

Now, goddamn it,

I need some answers.

I got a splitting headache.

I'm seeing double.

Shit, I think

I'm gonna throw up.

He-he took off in a wagon.

A brown-maroon...

maroon Ford wagon.

He said something about

going north to Bakersfield.

But that's all.

That's all.

He didn't say any more

and I didn't ask. That's it.

- Are you sure?

- Yeah. Don't puke. Don't puke.

Good.

What's gonna happen now?

You wanna book this guy

for parole violation?

I certainly do not.

It's your lucky day.

[pager beeping]

[breathing heavily]

- How's the little woman?

- Wonderful.

Good. Uncuff him,

will you?

Yeah. This is Jerry Beck.

Beck, this is John.

Yeah. I've got a positive ID

on your suspect.

What?

The stop-and-rob manager

made him for sure.

It's Burns, alright.

He's got that tattoo

on that right arm of his.

The circle, the cross,

the lightning bolts.

It's Burns, for sure.

[dramatic music]

[piano music]

[music continues]

Hi. It's me.

Merry Christmas.

How are the kids?

Good.

Are you okay?

Well, it hasn't exactly been

a joyous holiday season

for me either.

I didn't mean anything by that.

I just meant I know how

you feel, that's all.

By the way

you didn't have to

get a restraining order

to keep me from stopping

by the kids school.

All you had to do was ask.

It's not exactly like

I've been hanging out

in an overcoat

with sunglasses, you know.

Fine.

Are the kids there?

Because I'm their father.

I'd like to talk to them.

I'd like to wish them

Merry Christmas.

Oh, goddamn it, Gloria.

Do we have to do this over

every goddamn little thing?

I'm their father.

I wanna talk to them

and I'd like to stop by later

and give them their...

their presents.

Is that alright?

I am their goddamn

father, Gloria.

How can they be in bed...

They're not in bed!

I can hear them

in the fuckin' background!

Gloria.

Gloria, Gloria, don't hang up.

Gloria?

Goddamn!

Jesus!

Damn. Son of a bitch.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Got a minute?

- Oh, you startled me.

- That makes two of us.

What happened to you?

How'd you find out?

- I'm a cop, remember?

- I'm sorry.

You're sorry?

It's not what you think.

How do you know

what I'm thinkin'?

It's all over your face.

You wanna come inside?

I'll make some coffee.

- That's bullshit.

- Don't be rude.

I'm sorry.

I don't know what more--

I didn't come here for apology.

Nothing that complicated.

I just wanna know why?

I wanted to tell you.

I intended to.

The next thing I knew,

we were in bed.

Bullshit. It didn't

happen that fast.

Well, for me it did.

- Bullshit. Bullshit.

- You keep saying that.

That's because you keep lyin'.

He was your husband. Goddamn--

- Who're you to judge me?

- I don't know.

Who do you have to be?

- Hi, Linda.

- Hi, Nancy. Hi, Alma.

- Merry Christmas.

Yes, he was my husband. Was.

We'd been separated

for eight months.

God, why am I explaining

myself to you?

I don't have to explain

myself to you.

Well, it'd be damned nice

if somebody did.

Look. What exactly

do you wanna know?

Why did you jump in and out

of bed with me so fast?

If you wanted somethin',

why didn't you just ask?

Would've saved us

a lot of time and energy.

I didn't plan it.

I didn't expect it.

It was Christmas Eve

and I was alone.

That's all?

No.

That's not all.

No. I wanted something else.

At least, I thought I did.

I wanted you to find the man

who killed Gary.

That's my job.

Find him

and kill him.

- That's not my job.

- He deserves to die.

He may.

Not the way

you got in mind.

See you around.

[Spanish music]

[indistinct chattering]

[chattering continues]

Merry Christmas

to you too.

[door slams]

Fuckin' door was locked.

That's against the law

to keep an exit door locked

during business hours.

Right?

- Ain't that right?

- You're right, Ray.

I'm right.

Sleepy

why don't we get everybody

and get them down on the floor?

(Sleepy)

'Turn down. Down.'

(Raymond)

'Move it.'

[indistinct Spanish chatter]

Raymond!

Cash register.

[cash register rattling]

Fucking thing won't open.

[speaking Spanish]

Shh. How does

the cash register open?

It sticks a little.

It sticks, Raymond.

You gotta hit it on the side.

[banging]

[clinking]

Bingo.

(Sleepy)

'This asshole's got pesos.'

'What the fuck are we

gonna do with pesos?'

[Spanish song]

A-ah!

'A-ah! No!'

'A-ah!'

[gunshot]

[people screaming]

[gunshots]

[soft Spanish music]

Jerry, 41.

Yeah, Beck here.

Walker Hillard here.

Chief of Police

in Cottonwood, Arizona.

We got this little Mexican bar

right outside of the..

Hey, come on, come on,

come on, now down.

No, I'm talking

to the dog.

Look, we got this little Mexican

bar right outside of town.

It got robbed last night.

After they robbed it, they

laid everybody on the floor

and they shot 'em all.

'Now, I saw

your teletype.'

'I wondered if it could

have anything to do with that.'

Sit tight, chief.

I'll be right out.

(chief #1)

'Beck, this could

be your lucky day.'

'I got a report

from one of my boys.'

He spotted

a maroon Ford wagon

heading out to the Steadman

ranch this morning.

You're kiddin'?

- I figure it's worth a shot.

- Go on.

Lombard, tow this thing

out of here.

Uh, chief,

that's my car.

[dramatic music]

You know, if this turns out

to be the right station wagon.

Looks like

we could be overmatched.

How's that?

Well, we've got a few handguns

and maybe a shotgun or two.

It says here

on your deputy's report..

"The bad guys

used automatics.

Maybe a MAC-10 or two."

That's what

I call overmatched.

Did you read this?

Let me give you a piece

of advice, Beck.

You're a big city cop.

If I was in the big city,

I'd listen to you.

But this ain't the big city.

This is Cottonwood.

Population 2,231 and I'm

the Chief of Police.

This is my town,

my territory.

To make it real simple

nobody's gonna

fuck with me here.

[music continues]

Dorothy, we're arriving

at the Steadman place.

Have Bonnie send over

a couple of steak sandwiches

from the office about 12:30.

Thank you. What?

Fries or baked?

- What?

- Fries. Fries.

- Oh, fries, yeah.

- Thanks, Hon. Fries.

[gunshots]

You don't need the gun, chief.

Just tell 'em who you are.

- Ah, fuck you, Beck.

- Fuck you too, chief.

And your goddamn

French fries.

[gunshots]

[gunshots continue]

[gunshots]

[gunshots continue]

[gunshot]

[gunshots]

(chief #1)

'Jackson. Get my hat.'

'Ah, never mind the hat.

Get up here. Get up here.'

'Go on up the highway

and flag down a car.'

'It could be hours

before it dawns on Dorothy'

'that something's wrong.'

(Jackson)

'Sir, I got two years seniority

on Randall--'

(chief #1)

'Because I'm sending you,

now get the fuck out of here.'

[helicopter hovering]

Gentleman, who's Beck?

- I'm Beck.

- Arthur Kressler, FBI.

I got your message about

the break in the Kimble case

and I flew right out.

They said you were out of radio

contact. What happened here?

(Beck)

'Now, here's another one.

Listen to this.'

"This is a time to put

our differences aside

"and concentrate

on what we share.

Our common vision of a new

America, purged of the--"

Sounds like typical

white-supremacy rhetoric to me.

Yeah?

You mean they

just sit around

and write this shit

all the time?

Half of them

are in prison anyway.

I suppose it helps them

pass the time of day.

Is that tape

on your glasses?

Yeah. I lost one of those

little screws. Fell out.

You know,

what struck me

is they keep

talking about

this big meeting

that they're gonna have

where they unite

and create

one organization,

one power structure.

You know what,

they..

They get real

carried away, man.

Like they're the fuckin'

Knights of the Round Table

looking for King Arthur.

God Almighty.

Look, Beck, I understand

what you're saying.

All I'm trying

to do is tell you

what the bureau's position is

on matters of this kind.

That is that these groups have

no unity or central authority.

'They're fragmented,

territorial and isolated.'

Come on. I'll give you a lift

back in the chopper.

I wanna get out an APB

as soon as possible

on that station wagon.

'Excuse me?'

You don't wanna take

any of these letters?

Of course, I'll take them.

But I doubt they're

gonna carry much weight.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

(Beck)

'I called the captain's office''

'The secretary said she's sure

the money went out yesterday.'

'Yes, they're double-checking.'

'Meanwhile, I'm

in Oklahoma City.'

It is 36 fucking degrees here

and I am freezing my ass off.

Reimburse what, Henry?

Do you have any idea what

a goddamn divorce

costs these days?

Do you have an idea what

these asshole lawyers cost?

My credit cards are maxed out.

I can't reimburse shit.

Yes, alright.

Alright.

I'm on my way

to Bogan now.

Yeah.

[instrumental music]

(male #9)

Yeah, it's like I told you

I'd pick you up at the dance.

No. No, that's

what I said.

Until the divorce goes through

that's the way its gotta be.

Look, honey, I got some

business I gotta take care of.

I'll see you later.

Okay?

Cute sign, chief.

Yeah.

Fucking ACLU,

the commie-Jew bastards

'made us take it down.

Used to be out front.'

Don't make no difference.

Ain't no nigger gonna stay

in this town after sundown.

Oh, by the way,

I briefed my boys.

'No sign of a maroon

Ford wagon so far.'

Are you cold?

Does it show?

Yeah, blue lips

give you away every time.

You California boys

got it too easy.

All that sunshine

and pussy thins the blood.

[chuckles]

Yeah, that's us.

Land of milk and honey.

Morning briefings

on the beach.

And every once in a while

some asshole kills a cop

and everybody

gets pissed off.

No more beach,

no more sunshine

and pussy until

the guy's caught.

Yeah, we draw straws

out of our banana daiquiris.

Which is why

I'm here, chief.

Short straw.

You know a man

named Gebhardt?

Why?

Well, I'd like

to pay him a visit.

I have reason to believe that

Bobby Burns might contact him.

Well, I think you got

your names mixed up.

Mmm, I don't think so, chief.

I got his name, address

and phone number

out of Bobby's

phone book.

Maybe they have

somethin' else in common.

Maybe they like

to hunt ducks.

Oh, I think they've got a little

Dead Bang (1989) - full transcript