Dead Heat (1988) Movie Script

Now this is something

quite spectacular.

It's from Brazil.

Come on.

Isn't it an absolutely exquisite piece?

Yeah, but I was

looking for something

a bit more suspenseful.

All right!

Nobody move!

Purse on the counter, lady. ?ome on!

You wanna be dead?

Here's the chance of a lifetime!

On the floor, grandma!

You!

Hug the rug!

Ah, you cheap, old bitch!

Quit dicking around, Smitty!

Come on!

You idiot!

What are you doing?!

Just lookin.

You asshole!

Shut your mouth

and fill the bag.

Doug.

What?

I thought that we were

going plain clothes today.

Why didn't you tell me

we were going undercover?

You didn't ask.

Why, what's the matter, Rodge?

I look like an FBI Agent on

the Rose bowl float.

You look great, man, relax.

Five adam 38.

Doug.

Five adam 38.

Doug.

Dispatcher-

Five adam 38, please respond.

Five adam 38-what?

Two eleven in progress

at Melrose place,

proceed immediately.

You didn't say, "may I."

Whoa!

All right,

here comes dirty harry!

Hate to lose them this time.

Roger, Roger, well, you can't

get em if you're dead, man!

Good morning, Detective.

Got a bit of a situation here.

That being?

Two eleven-perps in

the jewelry store

with automatic weapons.

We're gonna to take 'em

when they exit the premises.

Couldn't of said it better myself, lieutenant.

Come on!

Think it's our cash

and dash boys?

I wouldn't know.

Who else would pull

a clown-assed stunt, Roger?

How much you figure is here?

Too much-leave it.

Freeze! Drop your weapons!

Hey, Roger, little too early in

the morning for this, isn't it?

Why aren't these guys dead?

We've hit 'em

about 50 times each.

Maybe they're just

flesh wounds.

Will you cover me, please.

Can I borrow your car,

lieutenant?

Absolutely not!

Come on! Come on!

Shit!

Uh-oh.

You're under arrest.

You have the right to remain

disgusting-

Are you sure that's necessary?

You can't be too careful.

Mortis!

That was the stupidist, most

dumb-fucked stunt I ever saw.

Please, don't thank me,

lieutenant.

I get my thanks

from helping others.

You better believe the captain's

gonna hear about this.

Gee, you think he'll want

a word with us?

Unauthorized use

of a city vehicle.

Reckless endangerment

of property and lives.

Use of a non-regulation firearm...

That was me, not Bigelow, sir.

Disrespectful conduct, flippant

and tasteless verbal remarks-

That was me.

And 18 parking tickets so

far this month.

Need I point that you guys are already on

probation, twice!

And that this morning's cowboy

adventure puts both of you

on the endangered spiecies list

and that your badges

go into the shitter if you screw

up just one more time!

Captain, this man deserves a

medal and I think I deserve one

for saving his life.

Look, I couldn't help noticing

that in spite of Herzog's whining,

you guys did the job he didn't, so I'm

prepared to cut a little slack.

Thank you, sir.

But, it would be nice if you

could earn it

by nailing the rest of these

"cash and dash" fuckers

to the wall

with a 12" railroad spike!

Well, we're working

on that, sir.

Work harder!

Fine, man - captain Mayberry-

make a really good gym teacher.

Just be glad we're

still employed.

Call me thursday.

I love this job, Roger.

I love the power,

I love the little badges-

I love being a human target for

anyone within sniping range

of a donut shop.

It does have its perks.

So what did you learn from this

little adventure, Dorothy?

Well, so far we've had six robberies: three banks,

two jewlery stores,

and a goldsmith shop.

All in the past three weeks

and all in the same

nine-block radius.

Beverly Hills jewelery store robbery

ended in bloodshed today.

Part of what police are calling

the most violent string

of robberies in city history.

Six incidents in the last

two weeks have been linked

to the so called

"cash and dash" gang

which has, thus far,

eluded capture

although two of its alleged

members were killed-

in today's battle with police.

Hey, Roger, how many do you

think are in the gang?

It's hard to say.

Descriptions are

always different

so there's gotta be

a bunch of 'em.

Maybe they take turns.

Are you sure

it's the same folks?

The MOs are the same.

Perpetrators are heavily armed

and work in pairs,

often striking in broad daylight

with reckless disregard

for their personal safety.

Yeah, if you shoot 'em,

they don't die.

Some drugs do that.

PCP. Users can shrug off all sorts of physical trama.

Yeah, but bullets, Rodge?

It's possible.

Nah, it's bullshit man.

Mortis.

It's Smythers,

I've got something for you.

Get down to the morgue

as fast as you can.

Do you ever wonder

about your death day, Roger?

Let's say your death day was,

I don't know, april 23rd

and somehow you knew that.

You could have

a death day party.

You have passed weird, Bigelow.

You are approaching degenerate.

You can get totally ripped, man.

Pig out-invite all your

friends.

Get yourself a beautiful lady,

right-right in the heat of passion, just as you-

Sorry, did I interrupt last night's conquest?

Hardly.

Hi, Roger.

Hello, Rebecca.

So how've you been?

I have a home phone, Roger.

Using the mutilated remains

of street scum as an excuse

to ask after my health

is not exactly

what I would call-thoughtful.

And you call me degenerate.

So what's the story

on these John Doe's?

What's so unbelievable?

I'll show you.

Hey nice shot, Rodge.

Thanks, is there

enough here to identify?

I wondered that myself.

The teeth and fingerprints

are practically worthless

but I noticed one thing.

What?

Stitches-you can see

where the cut was made-

traversing the sternum and

incised with an electric saw.

They had surgery?

Nope.

They had autopsies.

They've been here

before, fellas.

I certified them myself.

I even took pictures.

Well, we all make mistakes,

Dr. Smythers.

Dr. McNab,

I am not in the habit

of signing a death certificate

for someone

who just doesn't feel well.

Why, I would hope not,

but the fact remains

that I think you screwed up if

these two boys got up

after you were done

and strolled out of here.

I never forget a body, doctor.

Well, in five years

she'll be damned good,

but right now she's too quick

to jump to fanciful conclusions

without really digging for

the truth and that, gentlemen,

is what autopsies are all about.

Asshole.

I beg your pardon?

It's fascinating.

Yes, isn't it?

You've got to admit

it is very strange.

Strange, yes...

Excuse me.

Hey, doctor, what is

the for anyway?

You wouldn't wanna know.

Knock, knock.

Come to read me my rights?

Was that one sugar, or two?

Two, but I gave it up.

I thought

we gave those up, too.

Yeah, well, I kicked one bad

habit and picked up another.

Whoa-hey.

I came in here to give you

some moral support.

Don't you believe

in fish that swim?

No, they're just as pretty

and I don't have to feed them.

What about those corpses-

- do you believe me?

There's definitely something very weird going on here.

I'll say.

Look, is there anything else

that you find strange

about these guys?

You mean besides that fact

that they won't stay dead

yeah.

Yes, I did turn up something

unusual in their skin tissue.

Like what?

Trace quantities of

sulfathiazole.

A drug once used in bacterial

infections-

pretty obscure stuff.

Dante Pharmaceuticals.

Recent purchaser

of 50 kilos of sulfathiazole.

You do the talking, Roger.

I'm not sure how to phrase this

Well, let's just tell

the truth.

We're looking for someone

who hijacks dead bodies

and brings them back to life

to rob jewelry stores.

Good afternoon-police

Detectives Mortis and Bigelow.

Good afternoon.

Police Detective Mortis

and Bigelow.

Sorry to interrupt

your erection, pal,

but we'd like to speak with

the management of this facility.

Ms. James to the front, please.

Thank you.

There.

What can I do for you?

I'm Detective Mortis and this is Detective Bigelow, LAPD

Do you manage this facility?

I'm in charge of public

relations. Randi James.

How do you do?

What's this

all about, officer?

Well, we're not at liberty to

disclose the details, ms. James

but we are interested in a

recent purchase you've made

of a drug called

"sulfathiazole."

And, if you know any zombies.

Beg your pardon?

What's the drug

typically used for?

Quite a number of things-

- let me show you

our basic product line.

Most of our products are over

the counter items-

not terribly interesting

to the layman-

cosmetics, personal hygiene,

toiletries, and so on-

items everyone uses, but nobody

like to talk about.

Tampons, hemorrhoid cream,

stuff for crabs-

among others.

Hello.

Hi.

I'm going do some

research, Roger.

Right this way, gentlemen.

All of our products

are thoroughly tested

before released

to the general public.

Great, the dog gets skin cancer

so we don't have too.

You were telling us about

sulfathiazole.

Uh, yes-nothing really special about it.

It was widely used up until

the '40s when it was replaced

by other compounds.

Well, we still use it as an

antiseptic agent

in an herbal skin ointment.

I hope I don't offend you, but you ever see

any of these guys before?

Never. No-I can't say

I regret it, either.

Hey, what's that?

Sad but neccesary.

When we have to kill an animal,

it goes in here.

The room is airtight.

A piston evacuates the air

in a period of a few seconds.

The animal perishes

quickly and quietly.

Didn't I see one of these

at disneyland?

Well, that's just about it,

gentlemen.

I don't know if I've been any

help to you.

Hey, what's in here?

Uh, toxic waste products-

- properly disposed of,

I assure you.

Well, I think that's all

we need to see.

Uh, you know, ms. James, I gotta

take a leak so bad

my teeth are floating.

Is there a little boys' room around here?

I just gotta, pee pee.

Down the hall.

Just give me a second.

No admittance, my ass.

What the hell is this?

Well, thanks

for all your help, Ms. James.

Not at all.

Listen, um, about my partner-

he's-

A neanderthal?

Yes, but a nice neanderthal.

It's alright-

the world's full of them.

No!

Excuse me!

What is this thing?

Very ugly.

Doug! Doug!

Help!

Doug!

Roger!

Yes, sir.

What's going on here, Doug,

I heard on the radio

there was a shooting.

Doug, where's Roger?

He, uh, got locked

in the decompression room.

Died the way

dogs are supposed to die.

If I'd just got that

fucking door open.

I have to see him, Doug.

God, Roger, you thought

you were indestructible.

What exactly happened here,

Doug?

Forget it, Becky, you wouldn't

believe me.

Try me.

They must use the sulfathiazole

as some sort

of preservative

until they get them on here.

Becky, can we just get the hell

out of here, please?

This is how they do it, Doug.

This is how they resurrect

the dead!

Get outta here.

Looks like he's in

remarkably good condition.

He's dead, Becky.

It doesn't matter, Doug.

Someone has found a way to

revitalize dead tissue,

the way a starfish

grows new limbs.

After all, what really

separates life from death?

But the soul, Becky,

what about the soul?

Looks like they may have found

a way around that, too, Doug.

What if he wakes up like

some mindless idiot?

Then I hope

you'll shoot him in the head.

Thanks a lot.

Hi, guys.

You're alive.

Of course I'm alive.

Wow, I must've taken

a hell of a shot there.

Hey, uh, Roger-Roger,

how you feeling?

I feel...

?ey, what is this place?

What are you

doing here, Rebecca?

Roger, we'll explain that to yo

u later, but please,

just tell us how you feel.

Well, come to think of it,

I feel terrific.

I feel incredible.

Hoo hoo, it's great to be alive!

Mortis!

I thought you were dead!

Oh, ah, sorry

to disappoint you, doctor.

What's the last thing

you remember?

Well, we were uh...

we were at the research place

and, uh, we were looking around.

Then Doug was fighting

this thing.

I got locked in that room and

I guess I must've blacked out.

It was like I was rushing toward

this weird light or something.

Then I looked down and I saw

myself-my body-

just lying there.

But when I reached out to touch

it-it was-

like I got hit

with 10,000 volts.

Well, it's uncommon,

but it's happened before-

clinically dead people reviving

at the last possible moment.

Roger was dead for an hour.

What?!

Don't you see?

We literally brought him back-

Oh my god.

What is it?

I'm not getting a heartbeat

oh, don't be ridiculous.

May I borrow those please?

Well, obviously there's

something wrong with this thing.

Give me that damn thing-

- something wrong with it-

you're faking it.

He's faking it.

I don't know what's going here

, but I want Mortis

back in the labs for some tests.

He doesn't need tests-he's-

- he's dead.

Dead?!

That's ridiculous!

Becky, we've both seen this guy

shit-faced,

he's looked

a hell of a lot worse.

Listen, this is crazy, I never

felt better in my life!

Without a heartbeat

that's hard to believe.

Dr. Smythers, I have two corpses

in the next room

that I doubt are going

to make a come back.

Now you know where I am after

you finish with this nonsense.

My god you're cold!

Ow!

What the hell is this?

I cut the artery,

how come I'm not bleeding

Now wait a minute.

I'm no deader than you are!

Roger, this is

the resurrection machine.

I still don't believe it.

I'm sorry, Doug, I just

don't believe it.

Minute by minute, Roger,

that's the only way

to take this.

It's the only way

to live anyhow.

Easy for you to say.

Roger, you haven't heard

the worst of it.

I'm dead, Rebecca,

how much worse can it get?

I've been scanning

the lab report.

The resurrection process has

an unfortunate side effect.

Which is what?

Progressive decay of re-animated tissue

irreversible cell damage.

You've got 10 to 12 hours, tops

?nd then what?

All of the cells of your body will dissolve

Into a-kind of-organic stew.

Becky, can't you just pop him

back him back in for a recharge?

This thing isn't a toaster oven, Doug.

Come back to the lab,

maybe we can do something.

The most important thing for me

to do right now

is to nail whoever

did this to me.

You understand that, don't you?

I'll personally rip his heart

out with my bare hands, Roger.

Hold the heart

in the palm of my hand

and we'll watch it

stop beating together.

That's good, Doug,

but let's find him first.

Where do we start?

Let's find Randi James.

Roger.

We'll meet you at the lab.

Ten to twelve hours-

don't throw it away!

You know, the weird thing is,

I feel fine.

I feel like I could run

in the boston marathon.

No you couldn't, Roger.

It's not open to dead people.

You think they check?

Oh, they're very strict now

Oh shit.

What's the matter?

Find me a drug store.

I got to fix my face.

So what color did you get?

Uh, mulberry wine.

It's a good choice.

Brings out your eyes.

Go to hell.

Missed a spot.

Where?

Right there.

Don't touch it,

I almost got it straight here.

I love it when you get angry.

How do women do this?

I don't know.

Tribal memory, I guess.

Looks guilty to me.

You left without saying goodbye.

Let go of me.

Going on a trip?

Is it any of your business?

What happened to you?

Cut myself shaving.

Mind if we ask you

a whole lot of questions?

Look, I don't know anything

about what happened

in there today.

I-I got scared

and I left, okay?

Let's talk about it inside.

Hey, nice pad.

Now, would you mind telling us

what this is all about?

I told you-I'm their

public relations person.

At least I was

until you two showed up.

How about if I work her over a bit?

Oh, I get it.

You're the tough cop and your

partner here, he's the nice cop

because he's not too scary with lipstick on.

Miss James, I got locked in that

room where they killed

the animals and some nutcase

decompressed me,

so I am not in a very good mood.

Now, all I want is to find him.

I'm truly sorry,

but I can't help you.

I don't know anything.

Hey, get out of there.

Oh, looks like

the lady's going somewhere.

Extra panties, dead give away.

Where were you headed,

miss James?

Away from here.

Hey, what's this?

That's personal.

Must be a tape machine

around here somewhere.

Here we go.

We have something

on the monitor, captain.

Princess, this may be

the last time that I ever talk to you,

and I want you

to know certain things

that I was unable to say

until now.

Get down!

Are you all right?

Yeah.

Remember the good old days

when guns killed people?

You're just jealous,

that's all.

Go for the door.

Now.

Where's this go?

Out back to the patio.

Shit.

That's really disgusting.

What the hell is going on?

Kind of looks like somebody

wants you dead.

Just about managed it, too.

But why? I didn't

do anything.

Maybe it's what you know.

I don't know a goddamn thing.

I-I play tour guide,

and I write press releases.

Roger, you were underwater

in that jacuzzi

for five straight minutes.

That's right, I was.

Can you teach my girlfriend

how to do that?

Damn. They're dead.

They always die on me.

I'd say there were

extenuating circumstances.

No, you don't understand.

The blue damsels

were my favorite.

My favorites always die.

Princess, I hope

you understand what

I am trying to tell you...

Hey, I recognize that guy.

... further questions,

just contact my lawyer.

And always remember how-

- how very special you are.

That's Arthur Loudermilk.

Didn't he just die?

Two weeks ago.

He's my father.

Hey, why aren't you dead

or even hurt?

Kind of a long story.

They can't kill me.

I'm dead already.

I'm a walking corpse,

just like those killers.

Oh, this is nonsense.

I can't deal with this.

Well, you're going to hav

e to deal with it.

Look, miss James,

we need your help,

and I think that you

need ours, too.

Please.

All right.

Dante Pharmaceuticals was

my father's private think tank.

Anything that interested him,

from mosquitoes to microchips,

they researched it for him.

So he bankrolled

the resurrection project.

No. He wouldn't-

Use human leftovers to rob jewelry stores?

Go ahead.

Well, last week I did deliver

some sulfathiazole to a guy

named Thule in ?hinatown.

Where in ?hinatown?

Would you like me

to write it down?

You don't have to.

You're coming with us.

Oh, forget it.

I know my rights.

Are you sure?

Let me remind you just in case.

You have the right

to remain silent.

Anything you say

can be used against you.

What are you doing?

Right now you are

our primary suspect.

Now, would you rather come with

us or cool your heels in jail?

All right.

Roger, maybe you ought to get

yourself a change of clothes.

Being dead isn't something you should advertise.

I might have something

in my closet.

Something for that unexpected

overnight guest, miss James?

From an ex-boyfriend,

mr. Bigelow, a very ex.

You okay in there, Roger?

Great.

Fabulous.

Not a word.

How many tickets is that

this month, so far I mean?

What the hell do you care?

Good point.

Roger, there's a place here

that's got great egg rolls-

Doug...

Egg-foo-young

Doug, let's talk to this

guy first and eat later, okay?

I'm dying for some chop suey.

This is great.

I am starving.

Good afternoon.

Police Detectives Mortis

and Bigelow.

We'd like to speak to mr. Thule, please.

Good afternoon.

Police Detectives Mortis

and Bigelow.

We'd like to speak

with mr. Thule, please.

Yeah.

Listen, Mongo, we're cops

and if Thule's not out here in 10 seconds,

we're going to kick some honorable ass.

Ah, miss James,

always a pleasure.

Mr. Thule, something terrible

has happened.

Yes, I know.

Are these your friends,

the police Detectives?

You got it right the first time,

pops.

We're looking for the man

who takes deliveries

from Dante Pharmaceuticals.

You have found him.

How may I help you?

What did Dante send you?

Nothing of any importance.

Maybe more important

than you think.

Your friend takes one more step,

he'll find himself dead.

Life and death

are both expressions

of the same eternal spirit.

You ought to write fortune

cookies, pal.

Let me illustrate.

I don't know what it is,

but suddenly I've lost my appetite.

That's it. From now on,

I'm a vegetarian.

All right, this

little piggy's going to market.

That's gross.

You're kidding.

Just one shot?

We're not all zombies, Doug

?ow do you fight this thing?

Maybe we could drown it in A1 sauce.

Oh, no.

Okay, now I'm gonna puke.

Thule's gone.

Guy makes one hell of a

diversion, doesn't he?

Hey, you're hurt.

Lady, I'm fucking dead.

Well, that doesn't give you

the right to be rude.

You know, you can never find

anything good until you really

trash a place.

Stumbling over any clues,

Detectives?

Zombie duck heads.

What a concept.

This could replace

the whoopee cushion.

Imagine what you could do with a

search warrant?

Hey, Doug. Doug.

Take a look at this.

Dates and initials.

What do you think it means?

I don't know,

but that last one, "APL,"

Arthur P. Loudermilk.

My father?

Oh, God, you're right.

He died on June 12th.

This is a list

of death dates.

These folks are all

recently deceased.

Who do you think they were?

One way to find out.

You're quite the seamstress.

Just hope it doesn't

get infected.

Yeah, well,

I'll take my chances.

After you.

Thank you.

So this is what

a library looks like.

You know, I've never seen one

of these things from the inside.

Okay, these should cover

the dates in question.

I got dibs on March.

It's amazing the people who have

died in the last three months,

people I never even heard of.

Here's one,

"George Nelson Canfield,

"the Denim king and inventor

of sweat-to-fit blue jeans

died February 12th."

Crap.

What is it?

The Lakers won yesterday,

but they didn't make

the point spread. I had 10 bucks

riding on that game.

"Oliver Lang, microchip wizard,

March 4th."

Here's another.

"Howard Davidson, commodities broker, April 3rd."

You see any pattern?

They all sound

like a bunch of wussies to me.

Yes, and they all had

a nice hunk of disposable cash

when they kicked off.

So rich dead people.

What does it mean?

I'm not sure,

but it looks like your father

was one of the victims.

That's crazy.

Well, this is not

what you'd call a routine case.

I guess they can have their obituaries back.

Hey, Rodge, what's up, man?

You look all freaked out

all of a sudden.

These obituaries,

they're writing new ones

all the time.

They're writing mine.

Hey, now,

take it easy.

Roger Mortis,

beloved husband to nobody,

father of none,

who always thought he'd go out

in a blaze of glory.

Roger.

I got to get out of here.

Roger.

Hey, Roger.

Damn.

Hey, Rodge,

that was quite a chase.

Not bad for a guy

in your condition.

I guess being dead

agrees with you.

Come on, Rodge,

we don't got time for this.

I can't do it.

I can't live a lifetime

in six hours.

Nobody's got all the time

they need, Roger, nobody.

You remember

when we were in training?

They always told us you can't be a

good cop if you're a dead cop

Here's your chance

to prove them wrong.

You're good and you're dead.

I'm good and I'm dead.

Come on, Rodge.

Let's go find those suckers

and trash their ass, man.

Come on, Rodge.

It's "asses."

It's plural.

It's plural?

You know what I heard once?

What's that?

I heard that the population of

the world is so big now

that half of all the people

who ever lived

are still alive today.

Come on.

It's true.

If you took all the people

who have died since

the beginning of history

and all the people

who are alive right now,

it'd be about the same number.

So if anybody ever asked you

when you're going to die,

you can just say, well,

I don't know.

So far it's only happened

to half of us.

Not only that,

if you multiply the population

of Rhode Island by the square

root of my ex-wife's weight-

well, you two sure know

how to show a girl a good time.

Don't mention it.

Roger, I think I may have

some good news.

Rebecca Smythers,

Randi James.

Hello.

Well, you work here.

Yes, actually I do.

Rebecca's an expert in all sorts

of forensic pathology.

My, what a

unique accomplishment.

Chillier than usual

in here today.

Wherever did you find

the time to make

such a nice, new friend?

Randi was head of PR for Dante Pharmaceuticals.

I see.

So what's the big news,

Becky?

Sit up on the table.

Some shirt.

Unbutton it.

Roger, you've been shot.

Oh, yeah, I meant

to tell you about that.

It's amazing you lived

as long as you did.

So how you feeling?

Great.

Picture of health.

Subject Mortis, comma, Roger;

post-mortem follow-up July 6,

approximate time 1845.

Do you have to talk

into that thing?

This is not an autopsy.

Hey, Rodge, you are dead.

This is a morgue.

She is a coroner.

Thanks.

Eighty-seven point two

degrees fahrenheit.

Since you died, you've been

steadily cooling off.

So what's the verdict?

How long have I got not to live?

Well, decomposition

is progressing more rapidly

than I'd hoped.

It's even starting to show in

your face.

I'd say maybe three

or four hours.

Then what the hell

am I doing here?

Roger, I think

I can buy you a chance.

I found something

in Dante's files

about a special process

they've been testing

to extend the resurrection

period beyond 12 hours.

Can you guarantee that?

No.

Then I can't take that chance.

Rebecca, it's my job.

Your job?

Christ, haven't you

learned anything?

You spent ten years

out on the street

risking your neck and now you're

dead and it's still not enough.

Well, I guess I'm just

a glutton for punishment.

So you two, what's next?

I want to take a look

at Loudermilk's grave.

Why don't you pay a call

on Loudermilk's lawyer?

We'll hit the cemetery

and meet you back at Randi's.

If you don't mind,

I think I'll skip the trip

to my father's resting place.

Oh, I mind very much.

I want you where I can see you.

Miss James?

That chick digs me.

I could tell.

I'm not giving up hope,

Roger.

You go ahead, man.

I'll catch up with you later at Randi's.

Okay.

Hey, nice wheels.

There must be a lot of money

in carving up dead people.

A little early for your post-mortem,

aren't you, Detective?

Just stopped by to reserve

a body bag.

Oh, that's a good-

I love that guy.

I can tell.

Just over there

on the right, Roger.

Maybe I should

pick one out.

I wonder if they

take mastercard?

Nice place to spend

the rest of your life,

swaying palms and the smell

of jasmine, quiet neighbors.

Very funny, Roger.

Roger, what is it?

Shooting star.

So now what?

I haven't got a key.

Allow me.

Isn't that illegal?

Yeah.

Looks like

he's resting comfortably.

What's your real relationship

with Loudermilk, Randi?

What do you mean?

Outside it says

"Arthur P. Loudermilk,

beloved husband to Loretta."

It doesn't mention

any darling daughter.

All right.

I met him in the hospital.

I was there for drug rehab,

and he took me under his wing.

The daughter he never had?

Yeah.

Yeah, and he got me

that great house and set me up

with a job at Dante and-

and I bet he never even knew

what kind of snake hole

he was dropping me in.

So this whole zombie thing came

as a complete surprise to you?

I swear.

You believe me, don't you?

Looks like he left something for us.

Doug ought to be back by now.

You knew how desperately his

brother tried to reach me, yet-

home sweet home.

Doug must have left

the tv on.

I found George Reynolds, Mrs. Phillips.

He's been dead for five months.

Then he didn't steal the bill of sale.

No, he didn't,

but you could have stolen it.

I'll see if he's

in the kitchen.

How dare you!

You knew who I was

when I came here today,

but you were surprised

to see me alive,

weren't you?

But I'm not alive,

Mrs. Phillips.

Sure, I can stand here

and talk to you.

I can breathe and I can move,

but I'm not alive.

Because I did take that poison

and nothing can save me.

What are you going to do?

If I kill you now, I have

nothing to lose.

No.

No, you've got to listen to me.

You've got to give me a chance.

But I didn't have a chance.

Oh, God.

Roger?

It's Doug.

Let's get him down.

Randi?

I'm sorry, Roger.

I didn't want to tell you

I didn't think you'd understand.

What are you talking about?

I lied about the drugs.

I was in the hospital because

I was dying, too.

I was dead.

What do you mean?

They brought me back,

Roger, just like you.

Only they said I'd have

a normal life span

as long as I helped them.

Helped who?

They lied to me.

Who, Randi?

Sorry, Roger.

I'm sorry, Roger.

Please forgive me.

Hello, this is Rebecca.

Rebecca, listen-

I'm not here to take your call

but leave me a message,

and I'll get back to you

later on.

Rebecca, Doug's dead.

Randi's dead.

I wish, well, I wish-

Wait a minute.

Numbers to letters,

numbers to letters.

B-o-d-y, body.

Damn, that's it!

Roger, what are you doing here?

What do you think, McNab?

Well, you have to be

more specific than that.

Okay, you want specific,

here it comes.

You killed me

and you killed Doug

and maybe you didn't kill Randi,

but you should have had

the decency to let her

stay dead.

What on earth are

you talking about?

Revenge, McNab,

and you're on the receiving end

unless you come up

with some real fast answers.

But-but this doesn't make any sense,

I was helping you!

I don't think so.

Loudermilk's think-tank built

a machine for resurrecting

people and you've been

trying it out, haven't you?

That's absurd.

Oh, of course, Roger,

you're losing your mind.

Your brain is deteriorating.

When you buried him alive,

Loudermilk wanted to point

the finger at you, but he was

afraid to write "it's McNab,"

in case you came back

and erased it.

So he tried something

just a little bit subtler.

It's a coded message usin

the numbers-to-letters scheme

found on any telephone.

Here's what it spells.

"Body doc."

Sounds a bit like you,

doesn't it?

Well that's what happens

when you die, Roger.

Your synapses misfire leading to all sorts

of demented conclusions.

My mind, McNab,

has never been sharper.

Neither has my aim.

Son-of-a-bitch.

And how many others

have you buried alive, McNab?

Canfield, the blue jeans king?

Oliver Lang?

Howard Preston?

You take their money and you

brick them up, is that it?

That's a lie!

Nice watch.

Nice ring, too.

I got a hell of a hunch,

if we wanted to,

we could trace them both back

to those jewelry store hold ups.

Give me that!

When you resurrected

those robbers, you wanted

to test them.

So you sent them out to do what

they do best, rob something.

And when I stumbled on to

all of this, you murdered me.

Circumstantial evidence-

wouldn't hold up in any court.

I'm not waiting

for any courts, McNab.

Roger, Roger,

I can help you.

Like you helped Randi James?

Good evening, doctor.

Well it's about time,

where the hell have you been?

This bastard almost killed me!

Give me my diamond ring.

You see Roger,

every job has its little perks.

It just takes a while

to discover them.

No amount of money's

going to make up

for what happens to you, McNab.

It seems our Detective

is in rather poor condition.

Not as poor

as you'll be, Thule.

Silence him.

Thank you.

How do you wish this man killed?

Roger, I've come

to love you like a son.

You're honest; trust-worthy, dependable,

like a frigging boy scout.

Ironic isn't it, Roger?

You're going to spend

your last moments on earth

inches from freedom, right here

in front of the county morgue.

For this very reason, doctor,

we should waste no time.

Yes, yes, yes.

Put him in the van;

lock him to the side rail.

I hope you don't mind

sharing the bed space.

Yes, I know it's a nuisance,

but then Smythers was

always a nuisance.

I'll send you to hell, McNab!

You can't keep me here!

This van is lined

in stainless steel,

soundproof in case you're

thinking of calling for help.

And its custom made, the perfect

place to disintegrate,

which I figure will happen

in precisely forty-five minutes

Let's go, doctor.

We're expected back at the lab.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, get the

door, get the door.

Happy trails, Roger.

Well Rebecca, I always thought

we'd end up together,

but never like this.

Rebecca, you and I

are going for a ride.

Oh wow, this is going

to be great.

Holy-

whoaaaaaa- yeah!

Little bit more line

over here.

That's going over there

Got it.

People, you got

to stay back.

Jesus h. Christ!

Take it easy, mister.

You're not well.

That's far enough.

Detective Mortis,

homicide.

You're a cop?

Surprise.

I need your gun, officer.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen,

last week, all of us

were shocked and saddened

by the news of the untimely

death of Arthur P. Loudermilk.

I would like to take

this opportunity

to review his many

accomplishments.

But wait; why not let Arthur

tell you himself?

Ladies and gentlemen,

Arthur P. Loudermilk!

Friends and associates,

how nice to see you again.

I saw you buried, Arthur!

Dammit, I saw you buried!

Oh, I'm afraid you have been mislead, Walter.

The man in my grave

is a volunteer,

personally selected

by Dr. McNab.

As you will see,

ladies and gentlemen,

the demonstration

that you are about to witness

makes burial

somewhat unnecessary.

Did you become the world's

largest jet manufacturer

just so that you could leave

your fortune to a wolf pack

of scavenging relatives?

Gertrude Bellman, are you

prepared to become

a memorial plaque

on the cornerstone

of a library building?

We all die, Arthur.

Rest assured, Gertrude,

that you can afford not to.

Harry Latham-

how many of those rich bozo's

you suppose

he's got in there tonight, huh?

Isn't it frustrating

all of that money,

all of that raw power,

just within your grasp,

and then it's all gone, poof!

Suddenly, you're six foot under

and the mob

of money grubbing nobodies are

devouring all that it is yours,

like rodents

after a lump of cheese.

Isn't it sad?

Everybody dies, rich and poor.

Death doesn't discriminate,

at least, not until now.

This is ridiculous.

Well, let's face it.

Poor people are supposed to die,

but the same rule

doesn't apply to us.

We're rich.

God wants us to live forever,

and even if he doesn't,

we can always buy him off.

It'll cost all of you

half of your fortune,

but you have forever

to make it back!

What the fuck?

Think of what I'm offering, sir

life without end.

Your personal savings

compounded daily

for a million glorious years.

What's your gimmick, Arthur

No gimmick.

Eternal life.

Bullshit.

Well, I know that it's absurd,

impossible,

but aside from the proof

of my being here,

I plan for you a very graphic

little demonstration.

This man has been dead

for hours.

Come on, inspect him

for yourself.

Sit down.

Well, now that you

are satisfied with this

poor man's unfortunate

condition,

I would like to treat you to

a little product demonstration.

Dr. McNab, if you would?

Of course.

This model incorporates

all of our most advanced

refinements, the first

to afford eternal life

without any limitations.

That's okay, don't get up

Get him, get him, get him!

I told you not to get up.

What do you want?

Not you, old man.

I want him.

You're dead, McNab.

You're even deader than I am.

Oh, I don't think so.

Doug.

Doug, you're alive.

He can't understand

a word you said, Roger.

He's been brain dead too

long, which means

that he's mindless

and totally obedient.

Kill this guy, would you?

Now Doug stop, Doug, it's me.

It's me, Roger.

Kill this guy, would you?

Doug, Doug, don't.

Kill this guy, would you?

Hey Doug,

do you realize that we both

have the same

death day?

Doug, you know what we could do?

We could throw

a death day party.

We could invite all our

friends, get really ripped.

Well, do something!

Kill him, kill him,

you brain dead son-of-a-bitch

Doug!

Remember the lipstick?

Mulberry wine?

Brings out my eyes?

Roger? Roger!

Hiya, Doug.

Welcome to zombie land.

Roger, he said I should-

- he said I should hurt you.

But I'm going to hurt him

Kill that guy would you?

Oh no.

Kill him!

Why can't you kill him?

Shut up, you old fart!

Oh no, you bastards

aren't going to take me.

You cheated me.

God damn you, McNab,

you cheated me!

It's over Rodge,

forget it, man.

Not just yet.

Hi doc.

Want to see what happens when

you resurrect somebody twice?

Not really.

No wait,

save the machine!

It's short circuiting!

We can fix it!

I can make you normal again,

immortal!

I'll give you anything you want.

Money, power, eternal life,

riches beyond your wildest

dreams to save the machine!

No, no, stop! Stop!

Wait, wait,

you don't understand!

You'll live forever, forever!

Man, Roger,

you are a mess.

I've seen meatloaf

that looks better than you.

You're not exactly

a Forest Lawn poster child

yourself, Doug.

Hey, we really trashed

their ass, didn't we?

That's asses, Roger.

Hey Rodge, you think

we'll be reincarnated?

As what?

I don't know.

Maybe you get a choice;

you can be whatever you want?

Oh, you mean like a statesman

or a president

or a prize winning novelist?

Personally, I'd like to come

back as the seat

on a girl's bike.

Now that is truly inspiring.

Thank you.

You know, Doug?

What's that?

This could be the end

of a beautiful friendship.

Dead Heat (1988) - full transcript