dem_man1x01
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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LOS ANGELES
1996
OPEN ON:
EXT. STREET - DAY
A shop window houses a lot of TV screens, all switched on and
tuned to every single news station that ever was.
A small child standing in front of this watches intently. His
view keeps switching from one to the other.
(NOTE: The following from all from different stations)
ANCHORMAN
- - Today, the widespread chaos and
rioting have - -
NEWSWOMAN
- - Urban Wars continue to rage
throughout the whole city - -
ANCHORWOMAN
- - LAPD Chief Hunningan has said
measures are in place to - -
PANELIST
- - Get rid of Hunnigan! We need
someone with competence to run the
police in this city!
NEWSWOMAN #2
- - Gang Leader Shamar Uder was
responsible for the death of five
children -
(jump)
- who were playing outside.
A much LONGER cut of static when:
An ELDERLY BLACK WOMAN is being interviewed.
WOMAN
(hysterical)
It's not safe! IT'S NOT SAFE! My
husband went out and ain't come
back yet. THREE WEEKS AGO!
(into camera)
I HATE THIS CITY!
Then STATIC BURST TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN LA - EVENING
An on location news report (complete with nervous and shaky
cameraman) with an on-site REPORTER standing on a small road
leading to what looks like a desolate wasteland.
REPORTER
(into camera)
And I'm standing outside the self
imposed border to the "Phoenix Safe
Zone" set by the warlord Simon
Phoenix.
(walks to the left)
No reason was given exactly to why
Phoenix doesn't want anyone to
cross this border, but he has said
that those that disobey will - OH
MY GOD!
The camera TURNS to see a passenger bus ZOOM past them
quickly and DRIVE over the border!
At the speed it was going, the bus quickly goes out of view
into a dark cloudy atmosphere.
REPORTER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Did you get that? Did you -
- an EXPLOSION. The cameraman wobbles and TILTS backwards
then CUT TO:
INT. UNKNOWN ROOM - UNKNOWN
Another handheld camera. But this time it's following several
gagged and tied people. News network graphics spill random
amounts of useless information around the sides of the
screen.
VOICE (O.S.)
Now I thought this city had sense.
The voice that speaks is a high-pitched menacing advert for
instability.
VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
I told no-one to even think about
setting their asses down here.
Various ages and races all sit. Many of them are crying, some
are trying not to.
VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Policemen figured it out. The
postmen figured it out; but the God
damn -
- Camera TURNS SHARPLY to see a BUS DRIVER, dying of a gun
shot wound.
VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
- Bus driver's just wouldn't
listen!
The camera turns again to reveal SIMON PHOENIX. His body
can't be seen, but what can be made out of him is that he's
black, bald and has a dyed blonde goatee on the tuff of his
chin.
As well as an inhumane look in his eyes that does not bode
well with that cheerful smile.
PHOENIX
Now if I'm correct, people refer to
my self-proclaimed land as chaos.
(smiles)
Now that's not entirely true - I
prefer to call it an autocratic
anarchy. Shit, I have no idea what
autocratic means but I'm making it
mean that you do as I say or you
die!
He turns his head - and a GUN SHOT roars, followed by 30
hysterical gagged screams. A dark childlike laughter from
Phoenix rolls over and JUMP CUT TO:
INT. LAPD - DAY
ANGLE ON: A determined face of DETECTIVE JOHN SPARTAN. His
brow narrowing as he hears the laugh echo in his mind.
He stands up, showing a well built police-officer on a
mission; that laugh playing heavily on his mind as it goes
off the TV.
INT. HUNNIGAN'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
The door opens and Spartan BURSTS in, shocking the aging
CHIEF HUNNIGAN by surprise.
HUNNIGAN
So what is it now, John?
SPARTAN
I know where those hostages are,
sir.
Hunnigan leans back and crosses his arms. A smirk creeps on
his face out of habit - and Spartan's expression tells that
this is a habit.
HUNNIGAN
Okay then John, where are the
hostages?
SPARTAN
Phoenix has always kept a major
warehouse as a playground in the
South-Eastern sector of his "Safe
Zone". I can betcha that they're
all holed up in that warehouse.
HUNNIGAN
("year, right")
And this is another one of the
infamous Spartan -
SPARTAN
(on edge)
- It's a hunch, yeah.
Beat.
HUNNIGAN
No.
SPARTAN
What? That's where they'll be! I
know it!
HUNNIGAN
And what makes you think that
they'll be there.
SPARTAN
Because I know how Phoenix thinks,
I know how he works - hell I know
how long he takes for him to piss!
(beat)
Two years of my life I've spent
chasing this guy. Trust me, I know
how he works.
Another beat.
HUNNIGAN
Still no.
A GRUNT of frustration and Spartan PUNCHES the wall. After a
second, he walks away, walking out of the office.
HUNNIGAN (CONT'D)
Do not do anything!
And on that, CUT TO:
EXT. PHOENIX SAFE ZONE - NIGHT
A POLICE HELICOPTER roars in the air, heading towards a HUGE
warehouse that's on fire!
Playful gunshots and explosions are heard beneath.
INT. POLICE HELICOPTER - SAME TIME
The two pilots look at each other. On the right is STEVE
HARLAND, and the left is someone who looks like he's only
just started flying - ZACHARY LAMB.
HARLAND
We're approaching the warehouse
now.
LAMB
Man I've seen some crazy stuff,
hell I've done crazy stuff - but
this has to be the craziest sort of
crazy ever made.
Spartan APPEARS from the mid-section, all kitted out and
wearing a black BERET.
SPARTAN
Well they call me crazy, but
Phoenix is in there, along with the
hostages. And I'm going to get them
out, and drag Phoenix's ass kicking
and screaming like the bitch he is.
Harland pushes a few buttons.
EXT. PHOENIX SAFE ZONE - SAME TIME
The helicopter gets closer.
HARLAND
We should be within proximity of
the rooftop under a minute.
The helicopter continues forward
THEN
A MORTAR MISSILE STRIKES the tail end of the helicopter!
INT. POLICE HELICOPTER - MOMENTS LATER
Immediately, Spartan GRABS onto the doorway to the midsection
as Harland and Lamb STRUGGLE with the controls.
HARLAND
Tail section's been hit! I'm losing
control!
Spartan holds on and looks down to see gun fire AIMING AT
THEM.
SPARTAN
Head for the roof!
HARLAND
I'll try - -
The helicopter DIPS forward, Lamb and Harland PULL UP - but
BULLETS RIP through the front - going through Harland. He's
dead instantly.
LAMB
Oh hell!
SPARTAN
Aim for the rooftop!
LAMB
We're not gonna make it!
SPARTAN
Just do it!
EXT. PHOENIX SAFE ZONE - SAME TIME
The Helicopter manages to rebalance itself and it HURLS
forward, towards the rooftop!
INT. POLICE HELICOPTER - SAME TIME
Spartan CLINGS onto the inside of the doorway for dear life.
EXT. WAREHOUSE ROOFTOP - SAME TIME
Several of Phoenix's men are firing sub-machine guns towards
the helicopter. One of the front men turns and waves for them
to run back.
And the Helicopter CRASHES head first, sliding through the
rooftop, knocking over men and destroying anything that's in
it's way!
Gun fire flails in every direction and the noise is
unbearable - -
- Then it STOPS.
INT. POLICE HELICOPTER - SAME TIME
Barely able to catch a breath, Lamb is suddenly THRUST a gun
in his hand by Spartan - who's shaken off the crash extremely
quickly.
SPARTAN
You see anything not me or a bus
passenger - you shoot it.
LAMB
(looks at gun)
But I ain't shot at anyone before!
SPARTAN
Well you've gotta learn sometime,
kid.
Spartan puts several 9mm guns into holsters around his body.
He then picks up one final gun and looks at it.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
One more for luck.
He turns around, but notices something on the floor - his
beret. He picks it up, taking a long deep breath.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
(to himself)
Send a maniac to catch a maniac.
He checks if the gun is loaded and looks towards Lamb with a
look of anticipation.
EXT. WAREHOUSE ROOFTOP - MOMENTS LATER
The men from earlier start to walk towards the helicopter,
holding their guns out ready
WHEN
Gunfire bellows out towards them, killing several!
Spartan JUMPS out, firing two guns in two hands at some of
the guards opposite, allowing Lamb time to run for cover.
He dives under some rubble and holds his gun tightly,
checking to see where his attackers are.
The attention is broken - he turns to see Spartan RUN towards
them, firing his guns off very quickly - killing them in a
manner of seconds before darting around a corner for cover.
SPARTAN
(waving Lamb forward)
We're clear!
Acknowledging him, Lamb runs up to him, on the verge of shell
shock.
LAMB
H-how do you do that?
SPARTAN
(beginning to walk
forwards)
Do what?
LAMB
(following)
Act like you've got a death wish
when bad men with really big guns
are firing at you.
SPARTAN
When I find out, I'll let you know.
And as he opens up a doorway into the building, Lamb tries to
think of something to say - but he can't, and follows Spartan
into:
INT. WAREHOUSE TOP LEVEL - CONTINUOUS
Spartan goes in and scouts around, and then goes to DART down
the stairs -
BUT is stopped by Lamb.
LAMB
Spartan, are you nuts? You can't
just go head first!
Spartan knocks Lamb's arm away from him, and just gives the
pilot a dark glance.
SPARTAN
We're this close to stopping
Phoenix for good - and I'm not
backing out now.
LAMB
If you say so.
There's an uncomfortable beat as Spartan looks at Lamb. He
then pulls out a small device that makes a few beeps and
starts to flash red dots in a certain area of the screen.
SPARTAN
Thermal Scan's reading a collection
of people a few floors down - I'm
guessing they're the hostages.
He places the Thermal Scan Device and looks up in the
opposite direction.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
You go down and get them out.
(beat)
I need to end this...now.
The thermal scanner BLEEPS at him.
LAMB
Look Spartan, I think we need to
get back-up - -
SPARTAN
No! We're too close!
LAMB
Is this how it happens? Is it?
SPARTAN
When what happens?
LAMB
I was told to take you to an area,
now I'm caught in the middle of a
warzone with The Demolition Man!
Spartan's eye twitches.
SPARTAN
Don't call me that.
LAMB
But that's right, isn't it? You
barge in and then whole buildings
get reduced to rubble?
Lamb sighs, then Spartan suddenly PUNCHES Lamb!
SPARTAN
We haven't got time for this, so
get to the God damn histages!
Lamb goes to say something, but Spartan runs UPWARDS, up a
metal staircase that traverses under the rooftop. Lamb
suddenly turns and finds a ladder, slowly descending it.
INT. METAL WALKWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Spartan RUNS, holding a gun out when he's met with GUNFIRE.
Darting to a nearby collection of crates he ducks as the
machines run at his location.
He waits. Then moves and fires a round forwards - managing to
catch one of the men who loses his balance and TOPPLES off
the walkway.
Spartan turns and fires some more - CLICK.
Out of ammo. He switches to another gun and runs around to
the other side - glancing to see some men switch position.
He fires - catching them. He takes a breath - -
- MACHINE GUNFIRE from BELOW. Two men.
He ROLLS to the side, swinging an arm underneath the walkway
and FIRES IN QUICK SUCCESSION. He catches them both and
dashes upwards - running back towards a small office door.
Another guard jumps out - and Spartan TACKLES him, swinging
his body weight around and THROWING him off the walkway to
the lower levels - landing on some more men.
He quickly FIRES downwards at some of the others
below...CLICK. Out of ammo.
He runs forward, nearing the doorway and MORE gunfire from
behind. He SLIDES to more cover away from the door, finding
another gun - -
He stops. This is the 'Gun for Luck'. He grits his teeth and
places the gun back.
Thinking quickly he PUSHES the crates in front of him - but
there's no real movement.
More gunfire at him. He quickly takes this opportunity to
SPRINT forwards, reaching the door and pulling it open,
entering:
INT. WAREHOUSE SECURITY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
He stops, slightly out of breath as he stops at the sight in
front of him.
A swivel chair has its back to him as someone watches CCTV
camera screens showing different parts of the warehouse,
specifically that of the hostages.
Spartan takes a step forward, his face turning into a sneer.
VOICE (O.S.)
(behind chair)
My, my, my! Don'tcha just feel all
special and tingy in the ball
region when Detective John Spartan
comes crawling into your world?
A cry of frustration and Spartan PULLS out the Lucky Gun and
aims it directly at the chair.
SPARTAN
Phoenix!
PHOENIX (O.S.)
I can't remember for the life of
me, but I remember reading in a
book a guy asked for one last wish
before his dear friend killed him.
(beat)
Wait, I ain't never read no book.
Must've been a movie.
He chuckles. Spartan takes a step forward.
SPARTAN
We're not friends, dipshit.
The chair turns around, revealing Simon Phoenix in all his
physical glory. He's intimidating, matching Spartan in
physical prowess.
He's holding a cigarette in his hand.
PHOENIX
Really? Because I think I've been
more important to you than your own
family. Like your wife, for
example. Like the fact that she's
pregnant with what has to be
another brother's child.
Spartan's hand TIGHTENS around the gun.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
I mean, you've been committing
adultery John. You've been a bad,
bad boy. Instead of fucking your
wife, you've been fucking with my
life.
(smiles)
This affair has to end, man.
SPARTAN
You're a disease. A piece of
nothingness that needs to be wiped
out - removed.
Phoenix looks around, waving his arms.
PHOENIX
Just look around. One flick of my
finger and this place goes up.
Looking around, Spartan notices that the room has FUEL thrown
all around it.
Phoenix takes a long drag from his cigarette.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
This place is rigged to blow, and
those hostages - -
Spartan glances at the screen, seemingly just remembering
they exist.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
- - Well, they are gonna just be
part of the biggest Bar-B-Q of the
century!
(sniffs)
Nothing like a bit of red meat well
done.
Phoenix holds the cigarette loosely. Smiling.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Let's call this break up sex, shall
we? 'Cause I'm gonna fuck up your
life now.
Spartan still holds the gun, but glances at the cigarette, to
the hostages...and then to Phoenix.
INT. LOWER LEVEL - SAME TIME
Lamb SNEAKS past a guard, glancing that one of them is
standing in front of a doorway.
A deep breath he takes a step forward, suddenly knocking a
metal shelving unit and creating a CLANG.
The guard looks up - pointing his gun and runs over.
Lamb swings his body to the right, his adrenaline beginning
to pump as the guard ventures towards the toppled mess.
His breathing become erratic. He looks ahead as the guards
back is facing him. A sudden resolve wipes over his face -
followed by the look of someone as they're about to do
something incredibly stupid.
He JUMPS and wraps an arm around the guards neck!
The guard RECOILS, jumping backwards - trying to ram Lamb off
him, but Lamb hooks in tight.
The guard SWINGS his weapon around, but Lamb quickly moves
away. The guard THROWS his body back - Lamb PULLS and TWISTS -
- CRACK.
Lamb lands on his back. A dead guard with a broken neck on
top of him.
A moment of tranquility passes - then Lamb suddenly PUSHES
the body as the reality of the situation hits him.
He scrambles to his feet, seeing the dead guard stare blankly
into the distance. Still not moving.
Lamb slowly walks backwards to the doorway, eyes not leaving
the body.
He eventually walks into the door, turning around to find a
re-enforced safe-like door with a small window showing thirty
odd hostages cramped in a small place. There's one dead body
in a bus-driver's uniform.
Lamb looks around, unsure what to do.
INT. WAREHOUSE SECURITY ROOM - SAME TIME
The Lucky Gun is still trained on Phoenix.
SPARTAN
You've lost, scumbag.
Phoenix just smiles, beginning to walk around his rival.
Spartan follows, the gun still trailing his every move.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
How many people have died? How many
lives lost? Due to your hand? How
many of your victims haunt you?
(beat)
How can you not feel a thing? How
can you not comprehend the morality
of what you have done?
Phoenix stops. His boots stand in the leaking fuel.
PHOENIX
Guilt is a choice, John. Remorse is
not a luxury but an optional extra
that's given away free when God
made us. I'm just smart enough to
know that while you just haven't
realised that you're stupid enough
to feel guilty.
SPARTAN
Fair enough.
A step closer.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
Now where are the hostages?
There's a CRUEL chuckle from Phoenix.
PHOENIX
Look at you! Look at you! You
finally decide to be a police
officer after years of being a
vigilante! We both know that you
don't give a damn about the
hostages, because this is between
you and it's between me.
Eye twitch from Spartan. THEN:
SPARTAN
You know NOTHING ABOUT - -
The cigarette's dropped!
Before Spartan can react, the room LIGHTS up and Phoenix
JUMPS forward, TACKLING Spartan to the ground!
The Lucky Gun SPINS around, flying across the room.
Spartan ROLLS, attempting to thrown Phoenix over him but he
GRABS a punch to the face instead.
A swift kick to Phoenix later, Spartan manages to get the
advantage and deliver a blow to Phoenix's stomach - then one
to the face.
He rolls away, crouching to catch his breath as Phoenix
recovers.
They stare each other down as the fire surrounds them.
They both RUN at each other AND
PHOENIX delivers a KICK to Spartan's face with a boot that's
ON FIRE.
Spartan falls, rolling through some flames and landing on his
stomach. He looks up - seeing Phoenix LAUGHING.
It's that haunting laugh.
Spartan glances to the side - it's the Lucky Gun.
PHOENIX
Ready for the climax John?
Around them - smoke begins to fill the room.
Phoenix LEAPS forward, jumping OVER the flames
THEN
Spartan GRABS the gun and FIRES!
Phoenix is hit in the side of the stomach and lands on the
ground.
He looks down, seeing the wound and beginning to LAUGH.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Well I'll be damned.
Spartan, beginning to cough due to the smoke, slowly makes
his way to him.
SPARTAN
See you in hell.
A strong PUNCH and Phoenix is knocked out.
Then the roof starts to collapse.
INT. LOWER LEVEL - SAME TIME
The fire's spread down to where the hostages are. And Lamb is
trying to open the door.
A support falls down in front of him, causing him to jump
back.
He looks at the hostages, and a few look back at him,
expressionless.
A mass of guilt hits, but he starts to run backwards as the
fire begins to spread.
LAMB
(quiet)
I'm sorry.
(much louder)
I'm SORRY!
He turns and RUNS.
EXT. WAREHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
The warehouse BURNS behind Spartan as he runs out, Phoenix
wrapped around his back. The warehouse ERUPTS into a mass of
flames and EXPLOSIONS.
The final blast and Spartan and Phoenix FLY forward, landing
on the ground.
Spartan looks up, seeing the warehouse in flames, fear in his
eyes.
He looks around, seeing an INJURED Lamb clutching his right
arm. He looks at Spartan - and lets go on his arm. It's
broken - and there's a huge metal bar through it.
He also shakes his head.
John looks at the warehouse, watching it burn - looking
fearful as the scene FADES TO:
EXT. WAREHOUSE - LATER
And firefighters are trying to control the flames. Police
cars are surrounding the entire place.
Officers are tending to Phoenix, strapping and handcuffing
him to a stretcher.
This is watched by Spartan, sitting on a car bonnet with his
face in his hands.
HUNNIGAN (O.S.)
SPARTAN!
He looks up to see Hunningan looking down at him.
HUNNIGAN (CONT'D)
I told you! I told you! But you
can't go and do all this Demolition
Man bullshit, you hear me?
He looks at the warehouse.
HUNNIGAN (CONT'D)
Where are the hostages?
Spartan does answer him.
PHOENIX (O.S.)
They were in there Chief! I saw
'em!
Spartan looks to Phoenix.
HUNNIGAN
Were they?
SPARTAN
It was a trap! I didn't know he'd
rig the place to - -
HUNNIGAN
You knew they were there? And you
ignored Police Procedure?
SPARTAN
(jumps to his feet; in his
face)
But we got Phoenix!
HUNNIGAN
At the expense of innocent life?
WAM. The reality hits Spartan. He takes a step back, looking
dazed.
HUNNIGAN (CONT'D)
This obsession with Phoenix was
dangerous, John - but I should've
done something sooner.
(pissed)
And now there are thirty dead
bodies.
He turns to an officer.
HUNNIGAN (CONT'D)
Place Detective Spartan under
arrest!
Officer turn and cuff Spartan - but there's no response as
his expression is one of numbness.
He glances around, seeing Phoenix wheeled into a medical
vehicle, looking up and SMILING at Phoenix.
PHOENIX
(shouting)
Well I wasn't gonna blow 'em up
until you came along, ahaa!
As the doors shut, Spartan's numbness turns into a gritty,
hard-nosed anger. On this FADE TO:
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.