Almost Paradise (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 8 - Lone Wolf - full transcript

You got cement in your boots
back there or what?

Just carrying the heavy burden
that is your career.

- What was that?
- Moving as fast as I can.

Hey, man, you sure they ain'’t got
some kind of underground tunnel for VIPs?

Yes, I checked twice.

I just don'’t want somebody
recognizing me and causing a scene.

- Aah! August Crowe!
- That'’s right.

- Here we go.
- I love your music!

- And I love you.
- Where have you been?

- Uh...
- You had those two huge albums and then disappeared.

- That'’s right.
- August hasn'’t gone anywhere.



Actually he'’s performing
in Cebu this weekend.

All right. Hey, thanks,
brother. Maybe ask first.

- Yeah.
- Big fan. Big fan, man.

August Crowe, I love you.
What are you doing here?

- Oh, I'’m just... yeah, yeah.
- You got a show?

- Huge fan.
- Okay, it'’s time that we leave.

- August Crowe!
- Wow, okay.

- August Crowe returned!
- Okay, all right. Hey.

Nice... oh!
Get back here, damn it!

Give me my hat, kid!

Officers, hey, that kid'’s
got my hat. Go after him.

- Mr. August Crowe?
- Yeah, that'’s me.

We'’re here to escort you
to the police station.

Police station, hang on.
What are you talking about?



- All right, sir, let'’s go.
- I...

Shel?

August, what have
you done this time?

My name is Alex Walker.
I'’m ex-DEA.

I quit the agency because my
friend and partner betrayed me.

One of my first assignments
took me to an isolated beach

right here on this island.

I sold what little I had

and bought myself a gift shop.

Just peace.
No stress, no drama.

Boy, was I wrong.

So am I under arrest? '’Cause
I'm the one missing a hat.

We brought you here
for your own safety.

Hell, the only one
that needs protection

is the kid that ran off
with my damn hat.

What August is saying is that it'’s
been a long trip, Captain Ocampo,

and we'’d love to get to our
hotel as soon as possible.

Have you heard of
the Soloko kidnappers?

It says they go after celebrities
and visiting dignitaries.

They'’ve successfully
committed kidnappings

on six different islands
here in the Philippines

over the last three years.

I think I saw a travel warning,
but I didn'’t see anything

like that happening in
this part of the Philippines.

They go where all
the good targets show up.

You think I'’m a good target?

Well, hell, I guess they ain'’t
called my accountant lately.

You need to take
this threat seriously.

- Jeez, is he...
- Trying to kidnap your client? Yes.

Well, I don'’t know. I mean, he
might be coming in for a selfie.

Oh, yeah. Look at that.
That'’s a gun.

So now you can understand
our concern?

Listen, and I appreciate y'’all

looking out for me,
I do, all right?

But I'’m a man of the people.

I mean,
I can'’t be walking around

with the police pushing
my fans out of the way.

- He has an image to maintain.
- That'’s right.

We have a full team working behind
the scenes. You won'’t see them.

But there'’s someone I would
like you to have by your side.

Are we interrupting
band practice?

No. I'’m just putting
this right here.

I didn'’t know you played
guitar. We should jam sometime.

Yeah, well,
I'’m more of a solo act,

- I think.
- What a surprise.

So, what'’s up?

You guys here
to load up on postcards

or is it a professional visit?

Official business.
Ocampo sent us to ask you...

No, absolutely not.
Absolutely not.

But you don'’t even know what
we were going to ask you.

I don'’t care what
you'’re going to ask, okay?

For the first time,
my bills are paid,

and I got nothing to do,
and that'’s what I'm gonna do.

I'’m gonna sit here,
I'’m gonna do nothing.

So, we can'’t say anything

to convince you
to come work with us?

Nope.

- Thank you. Thank you.
- What? What? What was that?

She bet me we were wasting
our time here.

I mean, it'’s fine, Alex.
We don'’t need you on this.

It was Ocampo who wanted you,
but, uh, I knew you'’d say no.

I know, but since it was to
bodyguard a country music star...

Wait, what are you talking
about, country music star?

Not like one of your... are you...
an American country music star?

Yeah. What'’s his name?

Had that hit song,
like, ten years ago.

Something about an animal.
"Lonely Coyote."

Are you talking
about "Lone Wolf"?

Are you talking about
August Crowe?

- The August Crowe?
- Yep, that'’s him.

August Crowe is in
the Philippines?

You guys want me to... you want
me to bodyguard August Crowe?

- Why? You a fan?
- It'’s August Crowe.

- Is he smiling?
- Definitely a smile.

- Teeth and everything.
- I'’ll be damned.

All right.

All right.

Hang on, just...

- Mr. Walker.
- Hi. You can call me Alex.

Shelton Dwaid,
August'’s manager.

Now you guys are acquainted.
I'’ll leave you guys to it.

Appreciate your help,
detectives.

- Come on in.
- Thank you. All right.

August is expecting you,

but I will say he is
in a bit of a mood.

Don'’t anybody in this country

know how to make
a decent cowboy hat?

- August.
- Hi.

This is Alex Walker.
He will be your security detail.

Yeah, it'’s a pleasure. Sir, I
gotta tell you, I'’m a big fan.

That'’s a biscuits and gravy
accent if I ever heard one.

- Oh, well.
- Alex, it'’s a pleasure to meet you.

I want you to know it'’s an
honor to keep you safe, Mr. Crowe.

Oh, hell, man,
you can call me August.

I don'’t trust no one
goes by "mister."

Now, more importantly,
what can I get you to drink?

- I recommend the whiskey.
- Well, honestly, I would love to have one,

but I'’m on duty,
so no thank you.

Hell, ain'’t you a choir boy?
All the more for me, I guess.

Hey, run down, will you, and
get them to restock this bar.

- There'’s only a couple left.
- Sure thing.

Can I ask you a question?
Is that...

- The love of my life?
- That'’s Jezebel!

Yeah, buddy, the one and only.

I gotta tell you, I was...
I saw you on stage, man.

Uh, Oklahoma City.
It was about 15 years ago.

I remember this fan came up
and tried to run off with her.

- It was crazy.
- Yeah, I remember that, man.

That big old roughneck
nearly tore my head off.

Oh, man. Yeah, buddy, we
been together, what, man?

30 years now.

She'’s the only thing
that'’s never let me down.

Well, you got
right back up on stage

and you sang "Lone Wolf."

Did a pretty damn good job
of it, too, if I do say so myself.

Tell me something, man, why'’d
you stop playing that song?

Eh...

hold that thought, choir boy.

Nature'’s calling.

Hey, buddy, these
bottles fell out of your bag.

Oh, yeah.

Those are empty.

You can throw all them away.

Couldn'’t help but notice

these painkillers,
it'’s pretty high dosage.

Yep. Back injury, buddy.

The tolls of being a performer.

Yeah.

That'’s a lot of bottles.

Yeah. I'’ve been on the
road a long time, you know?

Doing appearances.
I always stock up.

I also couldn'’t help but notice there'’s
somebody else's name on the prescription.

Yeah, it'’s an alias.
It'’s a celebrity thing.

I gotta use it so they don'’t
start writing up about me

being all old and crippled.
Yeah.

You worried about me, choir boy?

I'’m just doing my job.

Your job is to keep me
from getting kidnapped,

not to be my nursemaid.

Look, it'’s empty.
Nothing to worry about.

They'’re gonna send up
someone soon to restock it.

All right. Well, hell,
instead of waiting,

I think it'’s high time we find
ourselves a bar. What do you say?

Why don'’t we take it easy
tonight, August?

You know,
jet lag and everything.

Oh, man.

Why don'’t you earn your keep
and nap for both of us then?

Actually, no,
he'’s actually right.

It'’s probably safer to be
in a controllable environment.

Fine. We'’ll go down to the hotel
bar then. How dangerous can it be?

Well, crowds,
multiple exits, alcohol.

All right, well, I'’m lucky
I got you then, aren'’t I?

Come on!
First round'’s on Shelton.

So what do you think?

They'’re different.

In a good way.
Good different.

I got tickets to
the August Crowe concert.

I want to make sure
I look the part.

Okay, so, what do we have
on this crew

who'’s trying
to grab him at the airport?

We ran the plates on their van

and got back a name
and an address.

It was registered
to a Chito Mercato

- over in Banilad.
- Good.

I want you chasing down
every lead on this one.

It is a real opportunity for us.

An opportunity, Chief?

I can see the headlines now.

"Kidnapping Ring Targeting
International Celebrity.

Thwarted By Cebu Detectives."

- Oh.
- It is the kind of case that can make a career.

Just make sure
you don'’t mess it up.

Come on.

This is the exact opposite
of controlled.

Relax, choir boy.
Have a little fun.

- Whoa.
- Oh, hey.

- Hi.
- I think we'’re all right here, okay?

- How you doing?
- It'’s August Crew, right?

- Um, close. Yes.
- Come and join us. It'’s my birthday.

- I'’d love to. It'’s your birthday?
- Yeah.

You might as well
get used to him ignoring you.

Yeah, well, he'’s a tough bull to
corral, isn'’t he? I'’ll give you that.

Oh, there we go.
Thank you, partner.

I'’ve been managing him
for 30 years,

and by managing, I mean letting him
do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

- Because guess what.
- Happy birthday! Wow!

- He'’s gonna do it anyway.
- August: Yeah!

Okay, thank you so much
for your cooperation.

You'’re welcome.

I'’ve confirmed her story.

They reported that the van
was stolen on Saturday morning.

- Well, she was clearly upset.
- Not much to work with.

Hey, maybe we should have double
checked the footage from the airport.

Maybe we missed something.

All: Whoo!

Whoo! Whoo!

Hey, buddy. Don'’t you think
you'’ve had enough, man?

- You ready to call it...
- Aww, man, the party'’s just starting.

Whoo!

Drop the weapon.
Drop the weapon.

It'’s not a weapon.
It'’s a pen.

I just wanted August
to sign my shirt.

I went to that tour.
I'’m sorry, man.

- Yeah, he was great, right?
- He was great.

Hey, where'’s August?
We'’re outta here.

- I think he took off.
- What?

- He took off. He does that sometimes.
- What did he...

Does this have anything
to do with the pills?

- You know about that?
- I know that he has a problem.

If he got out, he could be
anywhere looking for more.

Taxi!

Take your next right.

Stop here.

Hey, you got some money
for the rest of us, cowboy?

Huh? We saw that wad of cash
you were waving around.

How about I cut you open and
see how much money you got, huh?

- No.
- All right, boys.

That'’s enough fun.
Go on home. August?

No, no, no, I don'’t think so.

He run up a big bill.
Maybe you pay his bill, too.

I'’m not gonna pay
his bill, okay?

Just walk it off.
August, get over here.

If I don'’t?

What you gonna do? Huh?

I'’m gonna break your kneecap.

Then I'’m gonna snap
your right wrist.

Then I'’m gonna take
that knife away from you,

and I'’m gonna finish
your boys off with it,

and there ain'’t a damn thing
you can do about it.

You think I'’m scared of you,
AmBoy?

I know you'’re scared of me.

Your forehead'’s sweating,
your fingers are twitching,

you'’re having
trouble swallowing.

You'’re about to crap
your pants and run away

or you'’re about to do
something really stupid.

What'’s it gonna be, Pinoy?

You better hightail...

August?

Doc?

He needs to be in a hospital
under observation.

If the press found out,
he could be ruined.

He has a very wholesome image
I need to protect.

Is he gonna be okay
or is he not gonna be okay?

I think he threw up
most of what was in his system,

so his stomach
doesn'’t need to be pumped.

- All right.
- Thank you. I'’ll look after him.

Dr. Patel,
thank you for coming here.

And for your discretion.

When he wakes up, tell him
to stop living like a rock star

or he'’s going to die like one.

Well, I think it'’s about time
I got off this train.

You need to get him home.
You need to get him cleaned up.

- Wait. You'’re leaving?
- You can'’t help a man

that doesn'’t want to be helped.

Listen, between us,

August has had a rough decade.

His wife left him,

and then his second wife
left him, too, and took his kids.

He doubled down on the
drinking, then he hurt his back

and started in
with the painkillers.

All of which would make
great material for a country song

if he wasn'’t struggling with a
ten-year case of writer'’s block.

He had a relapse.
A lot of recovering addicts do.

But playing a show here gives
him a chance to turn a new leaf.

It'’s his comeback.

We just need to get him on stage

so he can feel that magic
of performing again.

Then it'’ll all turn around.

How do I look, choir boy?

You look good, August.

I wasn'’t asking you.
I was asking him.

You look like hell.

About time someone
was honest with me.

Hey, I like that whole
Billy Jack thing you did

for me back in the alley there.

You gave us a real scare.

Hey, no disrespect,
Shelton, but, uh,

I'’d like a moment alone
with Alex here.

How you feel?

Like I hit rock bottom.

And let me tell you,
it'’s dark and lonely here.

I'’ve been to that place.

How'’d you get out?

I left it all behind.

Escaped to the Philippines.

Got myself a little place
on the beach.

I cannot say I have
found serenity, but...

it helped.

Well, that sounds nice, man.

Sunshine on my face.

Breeze at my back.

Mm.

What do you say
you take me down there?

To the beach? Uh, no.

The doctor says
you need to get some rest.

Hell, takes more than
a near-death experience

to put this old bull down.

No funny business this time, I
promise.

No booze, man. No drugs.

Just you and me
and Jezebel over there.

What do you say, choir boy?

Yeah.

We'’ve watched this
a hundred times.

What are we missing?

Without a witness to the
van theft, we'’re out of luck.

Maybe not.

This kid look like
a country fan to you?

If Ocampo can cram his feet

into a pair of alligator boots,

I wouldn'’t put it past anyone.

I don'’t think this
was about the hat.

They'’re trying to lure August
out into the open.

He was working
with the kidnappers.

The distraction con thieves
pull on tourists all the time.

Take something,
let the person chase you,

somebody else steps in

and steals the luggage
while they'’re gone.

Except they didn'’t want
to steal the luggage.

They wanted
to kidnap a celebrity.

Howdy, cowboy.

Going somewhere?

How does it look?

Ridiculous.

That'’s hurtful.
What do you think, kid?

I think you'’re screwing
with my business.

That the one
where you shine shoes

or steal from tourists?

I don'’t know what
you'’re talking about.

I'’m talking about
how you ended up

with an authentic
Texas-made cowboy hat

with the owner'’s
initials inside.

Well, maybe he gave it to me.

Well, I guess we'’ll just have to

go down to the station
so we can ask him.

Okay, okay.

Fine.

What do you want to know?

We know you took the hat.
We just want to know why.

Oh. My girl thinks
cowboys are hot.

You'’re a funny guy, huh?

- Come on.
- Okay, okay, okay.

One more chance.

Some guy paid me $10

to grab it off
that American'’s head

and run for the exit.

What guy?

I don'’t know.

He has these weird
messed-up ears.

- Messed-up ears?
- You know.

The one where they get
all squashed up.

- Like a boxer.
- Cauliflower ear?

- Sure.
- Huh. Anything else?

That'’s all I know, I swear.

All right.
Stick to shining shoes, kid.

Hey! What about my hat?

See, on me it looks stylish.

Take it easy.

I'’ll lead you down.

Pain medicine wearing off?

I think I would have been
better off dying.

Well, then I apologize
for saving your life.

I could be up in heaven right
now playing with Merle Haggard.

Instead I'’m stuck here
with you.

Well, it ain'’t so bad.

Plus, people would miss you.

Would they?

They'’d miss your songs.

I haven'’t even written
anything new in years.

Yeah, and why not?

I guess I'’m scared.

You'’re scared of what?

I'’m scared I'm no good,
man, that I never was.

You know, back when
I was still undercover,

I did an 18-month operation
in Colombia.

It was a year and a half

of pretending to be
somebody else.

No one to rely on but myself.

And you know
what got me through it?

- What?
- "Lone Wolf."

Man, the whole idea
behind that song is,

you know, "Look at me.
I'’m a badass on the road.

I don'’t need no one,
don'’t need nothing.

I'’m tough as nails.
No one can hurt me."

That'’s exactly why I liked it.

Yeah, but the whole thing
is bull, man.

I just use that
to justify the fact

that I'’ve pushed away everyone
who'’s ever cared about me.

The song was a lie. That'’s
why I don't play it anymore.

You know,
the moments that I felt

truly alone out there,

having that song in my ear was...

It was like somebody
was there with me.

It made me feel like

somebody knew what
I was going through.

Really?

Really.

Unbelievable.
I just sang with August Crowe.

See? It wasn'’t that bad, man.

Well, we oughta be getting back.

You think I could get
a moment out here alone?

You... uh, you know what
the doctor said.

Yeah, yeah, but...

I kind of feel like
writing something new.

All right.

I'’m going to be right
back there if you need me.

August! August!

You were supposed
to protect him.

Yeah. I know.

- And you said he was the best.
- He is.

And yet, at the very
first opportunity,

these kidnappers
managed to outsmart him.

Well, your client didn'’t exactly
make it easy on me.

August is probably gonna end up face down
in the ocean, and you'’re making excuses?

- They'’re not gonna kill him.
- And how would you know that?

Because he'’s worth more
to them alive.

Oh, suddenly
you'’re an expert, huh?

He'’s right. The kidnappers
are only interested in money.

The Soloko gang always call and
demand a ransom within 24 hours.

Forgive me if I don'’t have a
lot of faith in people in this room.

Mr. Dwaid, I assure you, we'’re do
whatever's necessary to get your client back.

He is not just my client.
He'’s my best friend.

And if he dies,
his blood is on your hands.

We have August'’s cell.
This is the number they'’ll call.

- How do you know?
- Because that'’s their M.O.

The Soloko gang always leaves

the victim'’s phone behind
and calls it.

The key is to keep them on
the phone as long as possible.

- That way we can...
- Trace the location, I get it, yeah.

Kai: Right.

You ready?

Shelton: Yeah.

Hello?

- Man: We have your singer.
- What do you want?

- $250,000 U.S.
- I don'’t have that.

We don'’t have
that kind of money.

We'’ll contact you in two
hours with further instructions.

Two hours?
That'’s not enough time.

- Then your friend dies.
- Okay, okay, okay.

Ask for proof of life.

I need to know
that August is still alive.

They hung up.

What have you done?

August?

Two hours or he dies.

But wait...

- Did we get a location?
- No. They used a blocker.

- Damn.
- Can you get that money?

I had to take it from
August'’s personal account.

That'’s everything he has left.

It'’s almost time.

They want me to take a
Jeepney to Maribago Beach,

and they'’ll contact me
on the drive over.

- We'’ll follow. Let's go.
- Not him.

He screwed up once already. I don'’t
want him to be a part of this anymore.

He'’s a professionally trained...

Hey, Kai, it'’s all right.

I understand.

We'’re gonna need you with us.

You'’re gonna be fine.

Besides, I'’m gonna
check out another lead.

I think I may know where
they'’re holding August.

- How.
- Video.

His hands and his wrists, they
were tied with boxing wraps.

The chalk board behind him,
the stool he was sitting on...

That kid at the airport,

he described one of the
kidnappers to have cauliflower ear.

Yeah.

When I first came to this island, I
remember there was a boxing club downtown.

I think it may have been closed
for a few years now,

but I'’m gonna go down and
check it out. You guys make the drop.

I'’m gonna see
if August is there.

- A rescue attempt is risky.
- Yeah, well, it'’s my fault

that he'’s in this position
in the first place.

When the kidnappers
get their ransom,

the victim is freed
90% of the time.

It'’s the safest way
to get August back.

Yeah, and what
about the other 10%?

Look, if you see him,
let us know.

Don'’t go in until we get there,

and don'’t do anything stupid.

Who, me?

What you playing?
Candy Crush?

No talking.

Hell, I gotta do something.

Seeing as how you got me all
tied up, I'’m gonna conversate.

Let me ask you, how'’d
you get into this business?

- What business?
- You know, man, kidnapping.

Come on,
buddy. No judgments.

I ain'’t exactly a saint.

- Gambling debts.
- Mm.

Yeah, I never had much luck
at the poker table either.

Man, this one time, where was I?

- It was Nashville.
- Mm.

Man, I lost my pickup truck
when I was holding a full house.

- Bad bet, huh?
- Tell me about it.

- Hello?
- Man: Do you have the money?

- Shelton: Yes.
- Man: Good.

Hold the money out the window.

What now?

Okay, it'’s done.
Now give me the address.

Hello? Where'’s August?

Tell me!

- They screwed us.
- Follow that bike.

Kai, are you there?

Kind of in the middle
of something.

Well, I got August.

He'’s at the Bosch Boys
Boxing Gym.

And they are gonna kill him.

Sorry, music man.
Orders are orders.

Wait. Wait, wait, wait.

Uh...

before you put me down,

can you let me sing
one last song first?

- All right.
- Okay.

- Nothing sad.
- All right, nothing sad.

Okay, let me think.

Okay, here'’s a new one.

It'’s called, uh,
"Ain'’t No Choir Boy."

Oh.

Let'’s go!

Rusty.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Remember that bank robber
we took down in Mandaue City?

Oh course. Go.

Freeze!

This is the end
of the Soloko gang.

Hired by who?

Man, that felt good.

Why don'’t you say I do another
one? You got any requests?

Sorry, no encores.

Man, I never heard
that song before.

Oh, man, it'’s a new one.

Turns out staring down death
can be pretty inspiring.

Yeah. Is it about
anybody in particular?

Well, now,
don'’t flatter yourself.

You'’re not going anywhere.

Shelton, what the hell
are you doing?

Retiring.

Put the gun down, Shelton.

You don'’t give the orders
anymore, August.

What are you talking about?

I am tired, August.

I am tired of dedicating
my whole life

to an ungrateful junkie

who hasn'’t written
a decent song in ten years.

So you'’re gonna shoot me?

You want to shoot
your oldest friend?

Friend? Please.
You blew that years ago.

Now I'’m just in it
for the money,

and that dried up
years ago, too.

How do you expect to get any
green off of me if I'’m six foot under?

The second
I announce your death,

the value of your musical
catalog is gonna skyrocket.

This was your plan
the whole time.

Schedule a comeback show

where notorious
kidnappings are going on,

hire a few locals to snatch him,

and then make it look like the
ransom exchange went sideways.

When the world hears about
August Crowe'’s tragic death,

they'’re gonna buy his songs
in the millions,

and make me a very rich man.

Man, I own the rights
to my catalog.

I mean, if I die,
everything goes to my ex.

You remember Tennessee?

The night you downed
two bottles of pills?

Remember all that paperwork
I had you sign?

Of course you don'’t, but you
signed everything over to me.

You see, that'’s one of the
benefits of representing an addict.

You'’re extremely easy
to take advantage of.

- Don'’t I get any last words?
- Don'’t worry.

I'’ll come up with something
good for the press release.

Oh!

Damn it!

Shelton: Come on!

It'’s only a matter of time,
August!

Yes.

You might as well
make it dignified.

Yeah. All right.

Take your best shot.

I'’ve always wanted to do that.

Oh.

- Man, I'’m sorry about Jezebel.
- That'’s all right, buddy.

At least she died
doing what she loved.

- What'’s that?
- Kicking ass.

What happened here?

You know, the usual.

You'’re under arrest for
kidnapping and attempted murder.

I'’m sorry, Shelton.

Um, but just so there'’s
no confusion, you'’re fired.

I see you got your hat back.

Yeah, yeah.

Thank your friends for me.

Mm-hmm.

How you doing?

Got just a small case
of what professional musicians

refer to as crippling
stage fright.

I figured that
might be the case,

so I brought you something
to help calm your nerves.

Oh, man, I'’m done drinking.

- It'’s not booze.
- Okay, well, what is it?

- Reef eel soup.
- Did you say eel?

- I did.
- Like the snake of the sea?

Yeah. Just trust me,
it works.

Oh, man. This is only
'’cause you saved my life.

August! August! August!

Well, that ain'’t bad.

Could use a little green chili,
but it ain'’t bad.

Man on PA:
And now returning to the stage

for the first time in ten years,

August Crowe!

Man, I ain'’t never
been good at thank-yous.

Me neither.

Howdy, Cebu.

It'’s been awhile.

Hey, uh, I want to
dedicate this first song

to a friend of mine,

someone who taught me
that a song

can be so much more
than just a song.

This one'’s called "Lone Wolf."