Wolfs (2024)
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Director: Jon Watts
Writers: Jon Watts
Stars: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams
Plot: In New York City, two rival fixers find themselves forced to collaborate when they are called in to cover up a high-profile official’s mistake. Over the course of one intense night, they must put aside their differences and egos to ensure the job gets done, as the stakes continue to escalate.
* * *
[glass shatters]
[guest screams]
Fuck. Fuck.
[breathing shakily] Fuck. Oh, God.
Okay. Holy shit. [whimpers] No.
[panting, speaks indistinctly]
[panting, whimpering]
[sighs] For Christ’s sake.
[panting]
Hey.
[whimpers]
[sobs]
Holy shit.
[whimpers]
Oh, G…
[strains, panting]
[grunting]
[panting]
[whimpers]
No.
[breathing shakily]
[phone chimes]
[panting]
[feedback tone]
[automated voice] We’re sorry,
you have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service.
Please check the number and try your call again.
[crying]
[phone rings]
[screams, panting]
Hello. [panting]
[caller] How did you get this number?
I was told that if I ever needed help, serious help, to call you.
Let me ask you again. How did you get this number?
He said you’d ask that,
the man who gave it to me, and he said not to say.
That doesn’t make very much sense, does it?
How do I know that I can trust you
if you won’t tell me who gave you this number?
He said to say there’s only one man in the city who can do what you do.
He said, “That man is an expert. That man is a professional.”
And he said you can never predict the future
and that maybe one day, I may need that one man.
And that one man is you.
[caller] Where are you?
And what happened?
Okay. And you’re sure?
All right.
Now, what I need you to do is gonna be difficult, but you can do it, okay?
I need you to activate the do-not-disturb light for your room
and then do absolutely nothing till I get there. You understand?
Good. You’re not to leave the room. You’re not to make any phone calls.
You’re not to touch anything. You’re not to answer the door.
You’re not to pour yourself a drink to steady your nerves.
You understand? Repeat that back to me.
Okay. That’s great. You’re doing great. Yes, I’ll be there as quickly as possible.
How will you know it’s me? This is how you’ll know it’s me.
[knocks on door rhythmically]
Everything’s gonna be fine. I’ll be there before you know it.
[billiards clacking]
[“No Ordinary Love” playing]
[breathing shakily]
[knocks on door rhythmically]
[gasps]
[breathes shakily]
Co-Come in.
Did you talk to anyone?
No.
Call anyone?
No. No one.
Text? Any kind of communication at all?
No. Nothing. I sat there just like you said.
Okay. Good. You can pour yourself that drink now.
Oh. Yeah. A-Any kind?
Strong is probably best.
Okay. [stammers] Do you want something?
Thanks, no.
Does anybody know you’re here?
I don’t think so, no.
You don’t think so?
[stammers] No. No one knows I’m here.
What about the room?
Did anyone recognize you when you checked in?
No. I used an alias. I always do.
I mean, anytime I get a hotel room. Not when I’m…
I understand. That’s good.
I got the room right after I met… [stammers]
I made him wait by the elevator so no one would…
[breathes heavily] I don’t do this.
[sobs] This isn’t something I do.
All right, listen. I want you to look at the time.
Is there anyone that would be concerned that they haven’t heard from you yet?
Oh, God. I don’t kn…
Think.
Uh, n-no. I generally go and do as I please.
Good. I understand.
And you can make all of this go away?
That’s why you called me.
[breathing shakily]
He was jumping on the bed.
Mmm.
And he fell and crashed into the glass.
This would be the end.
Everything I’ve worked so hard to build.
Okay.
And we’re on the verge of doing something truly important.
All right. We don’t have time for that. We don’t have much time at all.
It wasn’t my fault. I didn’t do anything…
None of it matters. It doesn’t matter, okay?
No, no. You listen to me.
You need to know this. I didn’t do anything. We were…
If you weren’t here right now, where would you be?
What? What do you mean?
If this was a normal night,
and you weren’t in a $10,000 penthouse suite
with a dead prostitute face down in a pool of blood and broken glass,
where would you be?
He was not a prostitute.
Home. I would be home working, watching TV with my daughter…
Okay. Good. That’s where I want you to be now.
Okay.
Okay.
You’re home. You’re sitting on the couch. What’s your daughter’s name?
I have two daughters.
[stammers] Julia. That’s who I would…
All right. You’re watching TV with Julia.
Okay.
I will make sure that none of this gets traced back to you in any way.
Like it never happened. Whatever it takes. No matter what.
[sighs] Thank you.
That’s the job.
When I was given your number, I thought it was a joke.
I didn’t know people like you really existed.
They don’t. There’s nobody who can do what I do.
[inhales deeply, sighs]
[grunting, breathing deeply]
[knocks on door]
What was that?
[whispering] Say, “Hello.”
What?
Say, “Hello.”
Hello.
Louder.
Hello?
[stammers] No service, please. Thank you.
[card reader beeps]
[gasps]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[sighs]
[clears throat]
[breathes deeply]
Mmm.
Can I help you?
I don’t think so, no.
[grunts]
Who are you?
I’m here to take care of your problem. Who is he?
I called him.
Ah.
Who called you?
Son of a bitch.
[phone rings]
Hmm.
W-What’s going on?
Yeah.
Got it.
He does. I know. It’s weird. Okay.
What?
Hello? Who is this?
Oh. Oh. Okay.
Okay. Yes.
[guest speaks indistinctly]
[breathes deeply]
[surveillant] Mm-hmm. I completely understand. And I have no doubt
that we can come to some sort of agreement that satisfies us both.
Well, I hardly think you’re in a position to be negotiating anything.
Uh-huh.
Fair point. That is a fair point.
So, tell me, what would you suggest?
…illegal camera up there?
Got a hidden fucking camera. That’s illegal surveillance.
That’s a class D felony in the state of New York. A class D felony.
You’re more than welcome to leave, sir. Your services are no longer required.
Come on.
What’s the play here?
I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir.
What?
You did check to see if…
Okay, you’re on speaker.
[phone chimes]
[surveillant] Hello? Are the men there?
Can you hear me?
Yes, they’re here.
Wonderful.
Now then, we clearly have a situation here, and time’s of the essence.
So, I’m not going to mince words.
My name is Pamela Dowd-Herdry.
This is my hotel. It’s very new.
It’s very expensive, and I have a clear,
vested interest in minimizing any sort of controversy associated with it.
I am very aware of the stigma that can become attached to a building,
and I’m not interested in being the owner of a hotel where a district attorney,
whom I greatly admire and whose work I believe in very much,
was found with a dead prostitute.
He wasn’t…
So that being said, I have brought in someone I know
through a trusted friend to take care of this problem.
He is an expert. He is the very best there is.
There is, quite simply, no one else out there who can do what he does.
Thank you, Pam.
Now, of course, my guest has her own interests at stake as well
and feels the need to make sure those interests are protected,
which is why she has insisted on maintaining her own person…
Mmm.
…to ensure this problem goes away.
And as we have reached an impasse
as to whose man would be better suited to accomplish the task,
we have decided that the only course of action is for you both to work together
to clean up this absolute fucking clusterfuck of a mess.
Hello?
[both] No.
[phone beeps]
Pam, I’d like to have a word.
Please, wait. Please.
No. No.
[guest] Wait a minute.
You’re joking, right? This a joke.
You can’t just leave.
This is not how I work.
How do I know I can trust him? I don’t…
Know this guy.
Well, sure, maybe. Or maybe he’s just some knucklehead.
You don’t know me. How do you know you can trust me?
I don’t, but I trust the man who gave me your number because…
Careful.
Because when he says something, it has value, and he said I could trust you.
Well, Pam, I don’t see how that has anything to do with me, does it?
Are you appealing to my sense of honor? Because that’s not how this works.
This is not how I work.
He said if you take the job, you give your word.
And that word’s the measure of a man.
Not like this.
You’re on those tapes too.
Forget about me.
If you… If you don’t finish the job, she’s got you on camera.
[sighs]
Pa…
I know you can see me.
Fine.
[sighs]
The feeling’s mutual.
[guest breathes deeply] Okay.
[sighs] So, now what?
Well, I need to know…
Well, the first thing I need t…
[sighs]
I-I need to know everything you did tonight.
Starting from when?
Starting from when things went from a normal night to this.
Sit down.
[guest] Oh.
All right.
Uh, I was at an event a few blocks away.
After it was over, I wanted a drink. I like the bar here.
I had just walked in
and was headed for the ladies’ room when this kid started talking to me.
H-He was funny, and he was charming, and he was so out of place.
And I just said, you know, “Do you wanna get a room?”
It was a… sort of a joke, sort of not.
Mmm.
He said, “Sure.”
And you never met him before?
No.
No one saw you together?
No.
And then you came upstairs.
I don’t understand why you need to know all this.
Because I need to know what I need to make disappear.
[Pam’s man] We.
What?
We need to know.
So, you came upstairs.
We were drinking and fooling around…
Excuse me. When exactly did you get the room?
Before I came upstairs.
Before she came upstairs.
Before you met the kid or after you met the kid?
After I met the kid. Before I came upstairs.
O-Okay, thank you. I didn’t know. Proceed.
So, you were drinking and fooling around.
Was there ever a discussion of money?
He’s not a prostitute.
[sighs]
No. Hey! I already… God.
This is already fucking embarrassing and humiliating enough as it is.
I don’t understand why I have to answer everything twice.
You don’t have to answer everything twice.
You might have to answer a few things twice.
Jesus Christ, will you…
Jesus Christ, do I know what the two of you have spoken about?
No, I do not. I am trying to get up to speed.
So you brought this 20-something…
[stammers] …non-prostitute up to your room.
You began drinking, fooling around, and…
He goes into the bathroom, and he comes out,
he starts jumping up on the fucking bed,
and he falls backwards onto the fucking bar cart, and fucking drops dead.
[breathes deeply]
Is there anyone who might be concerned they haven’t heard from you tonight?
[guest’s man] Gonna get cleaned up.
Gonna take your things, and you’re gonna leave.
Uh, I’m covered in blood.
You’re gonna go home, and you’re gonna see your family,
act like nothing ever happened.
What?
Um, did you by chance…
So, you’ll be in touch to coordinate the, uh…
Don’t worry about it. That time will come, but not now.
And what exactly will happen to him?
To who?
Right.
Okay.
[guest] Hey, sweetie, did you eat?
I’m on my way home. I can pick up some food.
[lock clicks]
[can opens]
[Pam’s man sighs]
[slurps]
[sighs]
What are you doing?
Mmm. [sighs]
You know, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt,
letting you clean up unsupervised.
Unsupervised? Wow, that’s an honor.
I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding
of what is happening here.
Do I?
Yes.
I wanna finish the job and go home.
Mmm. And that is where there is a fundamental misunderstanding.
Mmm. Enlighten me.
Well, your job is to make sure that
that mess behind you cannot be traced back to your client,
and to do that, you have to make sure that that mess disappears completely.
As if it never happened. Difficult.
For you, maybe.
Well, that’s irrelevant.
Because my job is to make sure that you do your job
so that that mess cannot be traced back to this hotel.
Less difficult.
So, you’re just gonna sit there and slurp your soda?
I’m going to…
supervise.
[slurping]
Fuck you.
Mmm.
Just don’t touch anything.
[grunting]
You’re gonna get blood on your sweater.
I won’t get blood on my sweater.
[guest’s man sighs]
[grunts]
[sighs]
Thanks.
[guest’s man groaning] Dump the body. Finish the job. Supervise.
[sighs]
[sighs]
[joints cracking]
[groans, sighs]
[toy squeaks]
Oh, shit.
I told you not to touch anything.
[sighs]
Oh, shit.
Mmm.
[sighs]
It’s gonna be a long fucking night.
[phone rings]
[Pam] Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, I don’t understand.
Why can’t you simply dispose of the drugs as well?
Cops find a dead kid in the park…
There’s zero reason why a kid…
…overdosed…
…like that would be walking around…
…they’re asking questions.
…with this much product…
which means it’s probably stolen.
So, whoever it does belong to will be looking for it. In my experience,
it’s not the kind of people you want knocking on the door of your hotel!
[Pam] I have no clue what either one of you just said.
It strikes me that whoever those belong to is going to wonder what happened to them.
I don’t want whoever that is showing up here,
and I certainly don’t want to take responsibility
for throwing their product into the river or turning it over to the police.
So this is what you’ll do.
You’ll find out who those drugs belong to,
and you’ll return them.
[line clicks]
Uh, no…
Look, Pam, it’s not… [sighs]
It’s not that simple. [sighs]
Could’ve been a tracker in there.
Tracker.
You don’t think they’d already be here if there was a…
[breathes deeply]
How the hell are we gonna figure out who this belongs to?
Body first, then the drugs.
Listen, if I were you, I’d…
You’re not.
Hey, I don’t want this to take all night.
It won’t.
Okay then, so…
Oh, now you wanna get involved? Fuck you.
Hey, you wanna help?
Why don’t you call your boss and have her clear out the parking garage?
We can take the body down in the tarp.
You’re joking.
You have to clean the surveillance anyway. No one’s gonna see it.
Oh, I get it.
What?
Nothing.
Just lucky for you, I’m here, otherwise you’re caught.
I get it.
I’m trying to save time.
No, it’s okay. You don’t have to explain.
You can’t do it. I’m gonna help you out.
I can do it.
Really?
Yeah, really.
So do it.
Maybe I don’t want you to see how I do it.
Whatever you say.
Hey… [stammers] …you know what? Don’t call your boss. Don’t call.
Fuck it. Like I need your fucking help.
Okay, I’ll fucking do it.
Well, that’s one way to do it.
Looks like a dead body on a luggage cart.
I’m not finished yet.
Huh.
[guest’s man] Here’s a lesson.
You don’t have to help. I don’t need you to help…
Hmm.
…but if you do, it’ll go faster.
I am enjoying the show.
[grunts]
[sighs]
Thanks.
Happy to help.
Dick.
Putz.
[elevator dings]
Wait.
What?
The parking garage is on a different security system.
You’re an asshole.
I just wanted to see how an old man would do it,
but your secret’s safe with me.
[grunts]
It’s the red one.
[grunts]
[electricity crackles]
[guard] What?
[door opens, closes]
Hmm.
That should buy you an extra five.
[guest’s man] I don’t need an extra fucking five.
I have a fob.
[“Smooth Operator” playing]
[Pam’s man] I have a fob.
[music stops]
Just don’t interfere.
The old cone in the gate?
Another trade secret?
Let’s wipe the tapes and go.
No.
No?
Although I am curious to see
how you would’ve navigated this next situation without me,
I’m afraid I have to do this one alone.
Excuse me?
I will wipe the tapes.
I just can’t let you watch.
Yeah. This is a two-way street.
I was told specifically to make sure you do not see this.
By who? Your boss?
She doesn’t want you back there.
You got hidden cameras in a brand-new, luxury hotel.
What kind of a scam are you running here?
You’re not going back there.
Really? Why?
What are you hiding? Who are you exactly?
Who am I? Fuck you, who am I. Who are you?
Some old bagman? Some old cleaner?
Yeah.
I’m not letting you in there.
That’s some big talk coming from a hotel policeman.
Big talk coming from the A/V club.
I’m on those tapes and I’m not leaving until I’m not.
No one gives a shit if you’re on those tapes.
How do you and I know it’s not some kind of a setup?
Oh, please.
How?
Setup, how?
Maybe your boss brought that kid here on purpose.
Go on.
Yeah.
Maybe she brought him ’cause she knows he’s got drugs.
Or she gave him the drugs, and she’s setting both of them up.
They’re having a good time,
they’re drinking, they’re laughing, all of that.
But she wants him to overdose, and she’s got it on tape.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Then she makes a deal with my boss
to clean the whole thing up like it never happened.
But she keeps the tape.
For what?
For leverage, you dumbass.
Leverage for what, dipshit?
You tell me, asshole.
That makes no fucking sense.
You’ve seen too many movies.
Fucking putz.
Oh, I…
[wheezing]
Shit.
Fuck.
[door opens]
Shit.
Fuck.
[wheezing]
[grunts]
[guard] You okay?
All good.
[Pam’s man] Yep.
[guest’s man chuckles]
That doesn’t make sense, he wasn’t breathing.
[stammers]
You didn’t check his pulse?
Fuck you, I didn’t check his pulse. He didn’t have a fucking pulse.
And yet…
And yet you didn’t check his pulse, you didn’t ask.
It’s the first thing you do.
He didn’t have a fucking pulse.
And yet…
And yet, you didn’t ask.
You didn’t say, “Is he dead?”
I didn’t think I had to.
You think I didn’t check his pulse?
No, I do not. I think you got rattled. I think you forgot.
Bush-league is what you are.
You walk into a situation,
you see two people standing there, one on the floor.
You don’t ask, “Does he have a pulse?”
You don’t ask, “Is he dead?” You check for yourself.
Thank you, sensei.
Yeah.
I mean, maybe it was the drugs. I don’t know.
Oh, that’s just lazy bullshit. It doesn’t work that way.
Well, he’s not dead.
It would appear not.
[breathes deeply]
Just admit you didn’t check.
Oh, just shut up. I’m trying to think.
Oh, it was a magic drug
that makes your heartbeat so slow…
[stammers] Would you shut the fuck up?
It doesn’t matter.
This is a different thing now.
[sighs]
[Pam’s man] Wait, this is great.
Think about it. He’s gotta know.
We need to go. We need to hurry.
It’s not a guarantee.
I know, but we need to go now before his brain turns into applesauce.
Brain probably already is applesauce.
Listen, I don’t wanna have to go door-to-door
like some fucking Jehovah’s Witness
trying to return four fucking bricks of God-knows-what-did-that-to-him, do you?
Was that your plan?
[sighs] I’m trying to make a point.
It is worth a shot.
I agree.
Okay, then. I know someone.
Fuck no.
What? My guy’s good.
Fuck your guy. Some bullet puller.
The only way that’d go is sideways.
Fuck you. We’re using my guy.
It only works with my guy. It’s exclusive.
My car, my guy. Fuck you.
Fucking…
And?
Didn’t pick up. Where we going?
Chinatown.
Take a right out of the exit and that’ll take you…
I know how to get to Chinatown.
Mm-hmm.
[“Smooth Operator” continues playing]
[sighs]
[glove box opens, closes]
[music stops]
The Albanians.
What?
The Albanians had this thing a while back.
Yeah, I know.
Massive shipment of pure, uncut heroin
en route from Europe suddenly just disappears.
I know.
You think those bricks came from their shipment?
You should just take them back yourself.
No.
I’m not interested in being murdered, is what I’m saying.
The Albanians will kill
and have killed anybody they even suspect of stealing that shipment.
So, whoever did it, sends this kid in to be a honeypot
to seduce my client to get some political flex,
to crack down on the Albanians to clear the playing field to sell the drugs.
So, they send in the kid with the backpack.
They want him to take the drugs, they want him to overdose,
and… [sighs]
[stammers]
No, it doesn’t work.
Keep at it. You’ll crack it eventually.
[phone rings]
[sighs]
[phone rings]
Left on Division.
[sighing]
[exclaims] I gotta clear you first.
Okay.
Can’t just waltz up there with a guy…
Okay.
[sighs]
[physician] Nope, not tonight.
It’s not about that.
I’m sure it’s not.
Come on, really. This is real. I need help.
What kind of help?
Well…
[no audible dialogue]
So, um, yeah.
[physician] Hold on, I’m coming down.
[sniffs]
[door buzzes, opens]
What happens to the kid after he talks?
If he talks, my job’s done.
So, this other guy kills him?
[sighs]
[scoffs]
[physician] Do you vouch for him?
He’s been all right.
I’m not gonna vouch for him. I… You know, can’t go that far.
He’s like… You know…
He’s like one of those guys, you know?
No, I-I don’t know. One of what guys?
One of those guys who thinks he’s, like, some genius.
Got it all figured out, you know?
Yeah, I’m familiar with that type.
I don’t wanna fix this kid up just so you can put a bullet in his…
He’s had his moment, you know, where he was the go-to guy,
the hot-shit guy, but that wore off a long time ago,
and no one’s told him yet.
[footsteps approaching]
Probably lives in a single-bedroom apartment,
watching old black-and-white movies till he falls asleep ’cause he’s so lonely.
Hello, June.
[sighs]
Hello.
You didn’t pick up.
I know.
Mmm.
Is there really a kid in your trunk?
How long have you two been…
Not what you think.
You told him it was exclusive.
Oh, are there more?
Is there an OD’ing kid in your trunk? Because if there is, then this…
Was he before me?
Yes.
Yes?
Yes?
No. Yes?
Yes.
Then can we take care of the OD’ing kid first, you fucking lunatics?
[guest’s man] Hmm.
You need to be careful. Both of you need to be.
There are people out there. If they saw you two together, I…
You said it was exclusive.
[groans]
What? You did!
[sighs]
[guest’s man] Shit.
[wheezes]
Come on, bring him in here.
[June] And careful of your back.
[both] Yep.
All right. On three. You ready?
Wait. One, two, three, right? Not one, two, three, go?
Of course not.
Good.
One, two, three.
[grunts]
[wheezing]
Do you know what he took?
No.
I’m not sure.
Well, it must have been some bad combination
or something extremely pure.
God, it’s like he doesn’t even have a heartbeat.
I know a lot of paramedics would have called him.
Oh, really?
We just need him to talk.
Let me get this straight.
You’re saying it’s like he took some kind of a magic drug?
So, how many…
Makes your heartbeat so slow that…
How many clowns you got running through this joint?
[sighs] Now is… It’s really not the time.
Why didn’t you pick up when I called?
Okay, both of you out. Now.
[stammers, sighs]
Out.
[“O Come Let Us Adore Him” playing]
[Pam’s man sighs]
[sighing]
Did you know?
I had my suspicions.
Yeah.
Never saw anyone, never heard anything, so I didn’t ask.
If it makes you feel any better, she is the best.
Sure.
[chuckles]
My first guy, I came in to get a bullet pulled out of my side,
and he wants to put me under.
I said, “Fuck no.”
Come to find out,
he’s taking people’s kidneys without asking them.
People are waking up and thinking,
“Hey, that’s a big scar for getting a bullet pulled.”
She saved my life.
No kidding.
Yeah. Shrapnel, inch away from my spine.
Spent two weeks in the basement recovering.
Back in October?
Maybe. How would you know that?
I was here.
Come on.
I was wondering why she didn’t let me near the cellar.
She is the best.
She is.
I guess I knew it wasn’t exclusive.
What are the odds?
Right?
Both of us sleeping with the same Chinatown doctor.
Oh, were you… you two not…
[door opens]
[screams]
[bottles clattering]
Stop him!
[grunts, exclaiming]
[horn honks]
[grunts]
[brakes squeal]
[sighs]
Go right at the…
[grunting, babbles]
[shouts]
[pants, grunts]
Take the…
I know.
[grunts]
[alarm blaring]
[panting]
[grunts]
[grunts]
[groans, gasps]
[exclaiming]
[pants]
Hello.
Mm-hmm.
[screams]
[exclaiming]
[grunts, groans]
[grunts]
[gasps]
[grunts]
[distorted screaming]
[chuckles]
[pants]
[exclaims]
[Pam’s man groans]
[babbling]
Come back here!
[sighs]
[Pam’s man] Stop running!
[kid panting]
[groans]
[panting, grunts]
[panting]
[horn honking]
[grunts]
[grunts] Ow.
[grunts]
Shit.
[grunts]
[grunts] Ow.
[exclaiming]
[Pam’s man grunts]
[groans, grunts]
[pants]
[grunting]
[groans]
[horns honking]
[grunts]
[grunting]
[panting, grunts]
[grunts] Whoa.
[grunts, panting] Fuck!
[groaning]
[horns honking]
[panting]
Get in the car.
[stammers, grunts, groans]
Fucker.
[driver] Hey, asshole! What are you doing?
Come on.
[grunts]
[kid panting]
Who are you guys?
[intercom buzzes]
[line clicks]
[June] No!
Come on. We just need to… [sighs]
[June] No!
[buzzing continues]
[window opens]
[June] Hey! Dum-dums!
Uh, catch.
Take two of the big ones every couple of hours
and one of the small ones every six. And lots of water.
Also, I’m not sleeping with him. He’s just fucking with you.
Yeah. I was just fucking with you.
[kid panting]
No.
Come on. You got a place.
Maybe I do.
Of course you do.
[thudding]
Knock it off!
You know what you sound like?
What?
You sound like a guy who’s got a place.
[scoffs]
You got a place. Let’s go to your place.
We’re not going to my place.
Why not?
That’s the point of having a place.
Exactly.
[breathes shakily]
[inhales sharply] Okay. [pants]
[car door closes]
What the fuck? [pants]
Get dressed.
Come on.
Come on.
[preacher on TV] So that all those who come to Christ may enter into his kingdom.
Need a room.
Love Nest, Arabian Nights, or Safari?
Excuse me?
Love Nest, Arabian Nights, or Safari?
Love Nest, Arabian Nights are three minimum.
Safari I can do by the hour.
[preacher] Into the family of God and are sanctified.
[sighs] He’s not a prostitute.
[kid groans]
Sit down.
[sighs] So, uh, how do you wanna do this?
‘Cause I’ve never really done it like this be…
I mean, I could start, I guess, and then… [stammers]
Then I just jump in when it feels right.
Yeah. Unless you wanna start and then…
No, you go. You go. You got this. I’ll just, uh, follow your lead.
Mmm.
Okay.
Mm-hmm. [sighs]
Where…
So…
Hmm.
Where’d you get the drugs?
[chuckles] I don’t know what you’re talking about.
[guest’s man] Mm-hmm. Okay.
Where’d you get the drugs?
[chuckles] I don’t know.
I don’t know anything about any drugs.
Where did you get the drugs?
[kid] I don’t…
Talk, asshole.
Show him the rest.
Come on.
[sighs, groans]
[scoffs]
[Pam’s man] Huh?
Now.
[sighs]
Those aren’t mine.
Can I talk to you in the hall, just for a minute?
[grunts, groans]
What the fuck do you think you’re doing?
You asked the same thing three times. I thought this could…
He didn’t know we had the drugs. He was panicked. We had leverage.
He wasn’t panicked. He wasn’t gonna say anything.
You don’t know that.
How many times were you gonna ask?
Ten times? Twenty time… Hey!
You know, there’s an art to this you may not realize.
What, the art of saying the same thing over and over?
Okay. Well, let’s see your technique.
I’m not gonna show you my technique.
Because you don’t have a technique.
No.
No? Then why?
Because you’ll steal it.
I’ll steal it? You think I’ll steal it?
There you go, repeating again.
You don’t have a technique.
I do, and it involves a little bit more
than saying the same thing over and over again.
[sighs]
I showed you my luggage cart trick.
You didn’t show me. I saw it.
Yeah, but you liked it. You’ll use it.
Maybe.
Mmm. Come on. Admit it. It was cool.
Okay, fine. It was very cool.
Yeah, it’s cool.
So, what’s the next move here?
Can’t we just get to it?
What do you mean?
Like, I don’t wanna be here.
[person moaning]
Hmm. You miss your place?
I feel like I’m getting syphilis just standing here. Let’s just get to it.
Really?
Why not?
Hmm. Let’s get to it.
Great.
Where’d you get the fucking drugs?
…the fucking drugs, you asshole?
[screams] Lagrange!
They call him Lagrange!
Lagrange?
What about him?
They’re his… or they were… the drugs.
Bullshit. How?
How? What do you mean? How-How what?
How does someone like you get involved with one of the biggest
drug runners in the city?
Yeah.
Well… So, I’m not a prostitute, okay. That’s n… That’s not what’s happening.
How did you get the drugs?
Fuck you! I’m fucking trying to explain. Just let me explain. Let me explain, okay?
[breathes heavily] Can I get a glass of water?
[sighs]
[kid breathing heavily]
I mean, she did say hydrate.
Yeah, I know. I…
[stammers] Fine. Fine. Fuck it.
Thank you.
Yeah.
[animal sounds playing through speaker]
Ugh.
[sighs]
[animals sounds continue]
[Pam’s man sighs]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[grunting, groans]
Thank you.
[breathes deeply, swallows] Mmm.
[swallows] Mmm.
[swallows] Oh, boy.
[swallows, sighs] Oh, my goodness.
[swallows] Mmm.
[swallows] Mmm.
[swallows, grunts]
[slurps, swallows]
[burps, clears throat] Okay.
[breathes deeply]
So, I wake up…
Jesus Christ, kid. You woke up… You gotta start the story there?
Just let him talk.
I… [stammers] Yeah.
It’s not gonna make sense unless I tell you the whole thing.
So, you think you need to add in the detail
that you woke up in case it wasn’t clear?
Yes, I do. It’s how I started my day.
That’s how everyone starts their day!
What he’s saying is take a minute to think about what’s
the most important part of the story and leave the rest out.
Well, uh, I…
[guest’s man] Hey!
Think about it.
Right. [stammers] Um…
Well, so I’m… I’m-I’m-I’m… I’m getting up
and I’m… I’m getting out of bed and, um… Uh… [exhales sharply]
…you know, my room is a mess and I’m-I’m… I’m not exactly hungover,
but I’m still feeling a little bit… Shit!
Fuck! Sorry, sorry, sorry. Okay. I-I-I… Yes.
Oh, I leave my house and…
No.
All right. Just let him do the whole thing. He can’t do it.
I… No, I can do it.
No, you can’t do it.
Yeah, I can.
[sighs] Just go fast, all right?
Okay. Yes. I, uh…
Now, what the fuck happened?
[kid] Yes. Okay. So, I’m, like…
I wasn’t trying to make any money or anything, like, be a drug dealer.
Like, I-I’ve been taking classes at Pace. I’ve been trying to learn business.
Some… Some business classes ’cause, you know,
people are gonna try and fuck you with, like, law and legal shit unless, you know,
you know how it works. So, I’m taking these classes,
and there’s this dude there and he’s, like, legit.
He is from some real shit but he’s, like, so smart also.
I mean he’s, like, basically a genius smart, and today his fucking mom died.
Like, he got this call in class and his fucking mom was in the hospital,
and she fucking died because they didn’t,
like, give her the right medicine or some shit.
Like, they fucked up.
So I’m just like, “Dude, whatever you need, dude.”
And he, like, trusts me. Like, we hang out and shit.
And I told you he’s legit, like, no fucking around.
So, he’s like… [stammers]
he’s like, “I’m supposed to do this drop for my boss and now I can’t.”
And I was like, “Say no more, I will do it.”
Like, I don’t do this kind of shit.
So he gives me the shit and I’m like, “Fuck, are you fucking serious?”
But his mom just fucking died, so I say, “Okay, dude. I’ll do it.”
So I’m… I’m… I’m killing some time before I get the address for the drop.
And I’ll admit it, I’m feeling pretty fucking cool,
but also it’s scary and shit,
and my heart’s, like, fucking pounding out of my chest.
So I duck into this bar. It’s, like, this hotel bar,
and I’m… I’m… I’m kind of feeling myself ’cause,
like, I’m on some real shit, and it’s, like, people are noticing.
Like, girls are fucking noticing, like,
I’ve got the fucking juice all of a sudden.
And it’s, like… I didn’t even, like, take a shower this morning, you know?
Like… Like I was trying to say before.
And it’s, like, three fucking girls, they just start talking to me, like, hot girls.
Like, I’ve got the fucking juice.
They’re buying me drinks and shit ’cause I’m broke.
[stammers] And then, I’m coming out of the bathroom,
and this older lady, she’s fucking hot too,
is straight up like, “Do you wanna come up to my room?”
And I’m like, “Yes, yes, yes. Of course.” This is my life. Why not live it?
And it’s, like, Diego’s mom just fucking died,
so I’m thinking about my life,
and I’m thinking about how it could just all go away at any time.
And so, we’re partying and I fucking… I fucking…
I just wanted to see what it was like, you know?
It’s like there was magic in there wrapped up in plastic,
like, it was radiating out, and I just wanted to try it.
Just the tiniest amount ’cause it’s, like…
Today was, like, the first day that I ever felt cool.
[sighs] Not that you guys would understand.
You’re, like, the coolest guys I’ve ever seen.
But I was so careful. Like, I was so careful.
You would never know that I tried it, but I did.
I did try it, and it didn’t make me feel cool.
It just… I just… I just… I just, like… [imitates explosion]
[sighs]
[sighs]
Is that it?
I think so, yeah.
Okay, then.
What’s the address for the drop?
[sighs] I don’t know.
Where’s your phone?
Uh, I hid it.
In the hotel?
No, before I left.
Why?
In case something happened. I hid my wallet too, in case I got picked up.
How were you gonna get the address of the drop if you don’t have your phone?
The pager.
Pager?
Where’s your pager?
I don’t have a pager. [chuckles] What’s this, like, the ’90s?
Who has the pager?
No one.
No one has the pager?
No.
Where is it?
Diego left it for me at his work.
Where?
It’s called Club Ice.
Used to be, uh, the something, uh, Palazzo. Uh, I don’t know.
He bartends there sometimes.
This guy, Diego, why would he trust you?
I guess ’cause we’re friends.
Do you guys… You don’t think it’s too late?
Early, late. You took the job, you gave your word.
You’re gonna finish it.
Right.
[rat squealing]
Are you guys seeing that?
How long have you both worked together for?
A long time.
I stopped counting.
[chuckles] Really? Mmm.
Well, yeah, you can tell.
[chuckles]
Is that so?
[kid] Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, you got, like, basically the same clothes,
kinda talk the same, you know.
You’re, like, basically the same guy.
Hey, everything’s gonna be okay, right, after I make the drop?
‘Cause I just… I have a really big exam next week.
I really don’t wanna screw that up.
You won’t have to worry about that.
[people chattering]
I’ll be two seconds.
You’re hilarious.
What? No, no. I wo… I won’t run.
Well, in that case…
No, seriously. I can just go in.
I’ll get the pager. It’ll be fine.
All right? I promise. I’m not gonna… What?
[person singing in Croatian]
[singing continues]
[chattering continues]
Is that…
Croatian.
Why you both looking at each other like that?
You did that thing down in Gowanus, didn’t you?
No. Why would you say that?
I wondered why he didn’t call me. And when I heard
what a shit show that was…
No, that wasn’t a shit show.
So you did do Gowanus?
What is happening?
Not sure what happened to the body though.
You know that explosion at the evidence warehouse in the Bronx?
You’re kidding. That was you?
Yeah.
That was in October.
You were recovering at June’s.
Yeah.
Shit. She tried to warn me tonight.
She said there were people out there who, if they saw us t…
We need to get the pager. Why can’t we just go in and get the pager?
Because we can’t.
Why not?
Is it ’cause of the drugs? In case they’re searching people?
‘Cause one of you guys could just wait in here with the drugs.
I’m not leaving him with all the drugs.
I’m not leaving him.
You don’t trust your own partner?
[sighs]
Where is it?
What?
The pager.
It’s at the…
No. I’m not telling.
No fucking around, kid.
Where is the pager?
Tell me what’s going on.
No. Where’s the pager?
[kid] Why can’t you tell me?
We can’t.
Why not?
[Margaret’s man] Because we can’t.
Why?
Because we…
‘Cause we’re not partners.
[groans]
What?
There is an expectation of discretion in our line of work.
A kind of monasticism.
At least the way I learned it.
Same.
When you hire someone to do what we do,
you want someone who works alone.
No connections. No conflicting loyalties.
It’s the only way you can be trusted, is to trust no one.
But in that building back there is a very scary,
very violent man who, it turns out, we have both worked for in the past.
And if he saw us together…
[sighs] If he even suspected
I knew what he knew…
And I knew what he knew.
Then he would, without hesitation, have us killed immediately.
Or he’d kill us himself.
[sighs]
So you’re secret partners?
We’re not secret partners.
We’re not partners. Jesus Christ.
All right. Here’s what gonna happen.
We keep the drugs with us.
And we all go in.
No one leaves anyone’s sight.
And you get that goddamn pager.
I’m going to pray to Christ that Dimitri doesn’t see you and me together.
Dumbest, most dangerous plan.
Are you really not partners?
[kid] The ladder’s really cold.
[Pam’s man] What?
The ladder’s really cold.
[Pam’s man] Shut up.
[wedding guests chattering, laughing]
[“Mr. Vain” playing]
[music continues]
Um, I’m friends with Diego, and he left something for me.
What?
He left a pager.
Diego, he left a pager for me. It’s a green pager.
Got you, man.
Okay. Thank you.
No, no, no. No, no, no. It’s a pager. It’s right there.
Can you…
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What are you doing behind the bar?
What are you doing behind the bar?
I wasn’t doing anything.
I was just talking to that guy over there. No.
[groaning]
[kid] Okay, okay.
[DJ air horn blares]
[wedding guests cheering]
[traditional Croatian music plays]
[exclaims]
[exclaims]
[dancers chanting] Ooh, ah.
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
[laughs]
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
[wedding guests cheering, whistling]
[chanting continues]
[grunts]
[screaming]
No, boys, no! Everyone, calm down!
[speaks Croatian]
What’s going on here, Dimitri?
Who the fuck is this asshole?
Who the fuck are you?
[Dimitri] Boys, boys, it’s fine.
[speaks Croatian]
Everyone, calm down. Give me those.
Guns are only for the wedding party.
[wedding guests chuckle]
[in Croatian] I’m sorry, baby. Please, I’m sorry…
…I’ll fix it.
[in English] Everyone, it’s okay.
They are friends.
Yeah.
Come here, both of you.
Come here.
Start the music, please.
[“One More Night” playing]
[wedding guests murmuring]
[shushes] Hey.
[whistles]
[grunts]
You crash my daughter’s wedding and then you pull out guns, huh?
I came to pay my respects.
Wait, Dimitri, you know this asshole?
[chuckles] Believe it or not, you two offer not dissimilar services.
With all due respect, Dimitri, I highly doubt that.
And if I ever see you again, bucko…
[grunts]
[grunts]
Oof.
[grunting, groaning]
[guest] Hey!
Let’s go!
Oof.
All right, all right, all right.
[wedding guests gasping, clamoring]
Hey, leave him. Stay. Have a drink.
I got a job to do.
Oh, I see.
The professional.
The lone wolf. Mmm.
[Dimitri chuckles]
Sorry for the disturbance.
Congratulations on your daughter’s wedding.
Sweetie.
Hey, sweetie.
Come here. Hey.
[in Croatian] Buddies…
[wedding guests chattering, laughing]
[in English] Hey!
[exclaiming, grunting]
[kid groans]
[panting]
See?
I told you I wasn’t gonna run.
There’s no address yet.
We still got some time.
[sighs]
I wanna finish the job too.
Come on.
[sirens wailing]
[kid chewing]
Would you shut your mouth when you chew?
[shushes]
[kid] Okay.
Hey, how do you even start doing something like this?
Like what-what… you know, what you guys do.
What is it you think we do?
Well, you fix things, right?
Like, if something’s messed up or, like, if someone, like,
messes up, you, like, make it okay, right?
More or less.
Hmm. Well, um, thank you.
[breathes deeply]
[slurps, swallows]
Mmm.
Too bad you both can’t work together.
Like, what you do must be really lonely.
I’m gonna pee.
So, Lagrange has a mole with Dimitri, or Diego is playing both sides somehow.
You still on this conspiracy thing?
Diego’s dead mom was a bullshit story.
They’re setting the kid up. But why? And how did Lagrange get that shipment?
What does it matter?
You’re not curious?
Doesn’t change the job.
So you’re not curious?
Would be a valuable piece of intel.
We’d have to figure out how to play it. We both can’t know everything.
Okay. Then one of us would make the drop.
Then maybe we figure out what the fuck’s going on.
If we get the address.
If we get the address, one of us makes the drop.
No.
He has to do it.
What? You… No, no, no.
He could run. He could talk. There’s too many variables with that kid.
He has to do it.
I’m not following.
Sometimes the job takes care of itself.
Oh.
So the kid walks in and he gets shot?
Because you don’t wanna do it?
I don’t do anything I don’t have to. Especially not that.
Or you’ve lost your nerve.
Mmm. I mean, this kid doesn’t come home, people are gonna look for him.
This way, they find him.
No, no. I get it.
You could just let him live.
Hmm.
Let’s say you’re wrong.
The kid makes the drop, and he walks out alive.
Then…
You know why they have multiple shooters on a firing squad?
I do.
So…
I’m not asking. I don’t need your help.
I know y…
I’m… I’m offering.
Why? So you can say I lost my edge?
To who?
[sighs]
I’m saying that I unders…
I know what… what that feels… doing that.
So maybe this way it would…
be a little less…
yeah.
[pager buzzes]
You know it?
[grunts]
[toilet flushes]
Did it go off?
[breathes shakily] Oh, thank God.
[breathes deeply] Oh, my God. I thought we were dead.
Oh, my God. Thank you. Thank you. [kisses]
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
[kid groans]
Now what?
Now you go in.
You guys aren’t coming?
You took the job. Now you gotta finish it.
[kid] Right.
Are you guys gonna wait for me?
All right.
I’ll be back.
[door closes]
[clears throat]
[grunts]
[Margaret’s man grunts]
It could take care of itself.
Fuck it.
[vehicles approaching]
Is that the…
The Albanians.
[groaning]
Fuck!
[engine revs]
[tires squeal]
Fuck!
Go, go, go, go, go!
You are not wolves! You are buddies!
[grunting]
[beeps]
Three, two…
[grunts]
[glass shatters]
[Margaret’s man grunts]
[tires deflate]
[Margaret’s man strains]
[grunts]
[gunfire in distance]
[person 1 groans]
[grunts]
[person 2 coughs, grunts]
[gurgling]
Hmm.
[sighs]
[lock clicks]
[panting] Is everybody dead?
[kid panting]
Oh, my God. Jesus Christ. What the fuck?
What happened?
So, I’m walking up to the warehouse, and I’m… I’m thinking to myself,
like, “Oh, this is really scary.”
But I was thinking that I could do it, ’cause you guys
gave me confidence, and I thought that I could do it.
Oh, my God. [stammers] Stop, stop. Stop. Doesn’t matter.
[breathes shakily] Fuck. [pants] Now what?
[kid breathing heavily]
Finish the job.
What?
You came here to drop off the drugs. Do it.
[sighs] How am I supposed to… [stammers] What, I just put ’em anywhere?
What story are you trying to tell?
Uh…
[sighs, breathes shakily]
Um, I’m pretty sure that this guy, uh, over here was in charge of these guys,
um, so maybe he had this one.
Uh… [muttering indistinctly]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. I know. Yeah.
[mutters indistinctly]
[muttering continues]
And, uh, let’s say this guy, maybe he…
[breathes shakily]
[muttering continues]
…trying to get away, you know. He didn’t even wanna be here.
[breathes shakily]
[sighs]
Looks more realistic.
[sighs]
Let’s go. You don’t wanna be here when the sun comes up.
[sighs] Um… [clicks tongue] …could I get a ride home?
Take the subway.
[sighs] Please.
We’re all taking the subway.
[kid sighs]
[yawning]
[clears throat]
[clears throat]
You got blood on your sweater.
Fucker.
[chuckling]
I didn’t care.
[sighs] Hmm.
[kid] Oh. What are we gonna tell my dad?
[Pam’s man] That nothing unusual happened tonight,
and if either of you were to say anything differently,
we’re gonna flip a coin to see who’s gonna kill you
and who’s gonna kill your dad.
Hmm.
[sighs]
Was nice to meet you guys.
You never met us.
Right.
[chuckles]
[doorbell rings]
Um, hey, Dad. These guys need to talk to you about something.
[kid’s dad] So, Frank is doing this movie, Manchurian Candidate.
He’s notorious for just doing one take.
And the director, he says, “That was perfect. Let’s do one more.”
Frank says, “I’ll tell you what,
if it’s so perfect, why don’t you print it twice?”
You like it black?
Black’s fine.
[dog barks]
Yeah.
[kid’s dad] Hey. Get back. Come on.
[dog barks]
Little. Come on.
[dog whines]
So… what’s this all about?
[sighs] Wanna grab some breakfast?
I know a place.
Brighton Beach, across from where they had the…
Exactly. I love that place.
[chuckles]
[Pam’s man] That was a very intimidating performance in there, by the way.
[Margaret’s man] You like that thing with the pliers?
[Pam’s man] Might even steal it.
[Margaret’s man] You like blini?
[Pam’s man] Love a blini.
[Margaret’s man speaks indistinctly]
[Pam’s man] Yeah.
[server] There we go. Thank you.
[chuckles]
A tracker.
In the goddamn drugs.
Should’ve caught that immediately.
So, did Lagrange even steal the drugs, or were… [stammers]
I… [scoffs]
Oh, so now you don’t care who stole the shipment?
I don’t think it matters as long as the kid stays quiet.
[chuckles]
You do realize one of us, most likely, eventually…
Yeah. Probably. Cross that bridge…
If he can be killed. [chuckles]
Yeah. Well…
[Pam’s man] Lucky fucker.
Well, that was a night.
Yeah. [sighs]
Yeah.
All right, then.
[grunts] So, what did she say to you to get you to work with me?
What’d she say? She had all the leverage.
She said that I didn’t have a choice.
All right.
“You take a job, you give your word, and that word’s the measure of the man.”
Who called you?
[Pam’s man] What?
In the car to June’s.
Who called you?
Who called you?
It was your guy.
My guy?
The guy that Pam got your number from. Your guy.
So, she must have called him.
But then why call me?
Who called…
You’re saying the DA got your number…
No.
Yeah.
We have the same guy?
We both have the same guy.
But why does he care? It’s just a cleanup job.
He doesn’t. Unless…
Unless he knew about the drugs.
Kid’s dead, can’t make the drop, so he calls us.
One at a time, but nobody answers.
So, he sent someone else.
Chinatown.
Sees the kid’s alive.
Hard to miss. The plan’s back on track.
Except,
we’re on our way to Dimitri’s…
Who would have killed us, except…
We didn’t fool Dimitri. He was tipped off.
Bodyguard didn’t get the memo.
The Albanians don’t make a move because…
The tracker’s not even on.
Until the page.
It was all a setup.
It looks like Lagrange
is trying to move the stolen drugs.
And the Albanians go to war with Lagrange,
no competition.
The city shuts down.
People get arrested.
I know a DA who’s tough on crime.
…the real thief to clean up.
…who can clean drug money.
Great things to come.
No wonder they wanted the cameras in the room.
He wanted to know who knew.
But the kid turns the ambush into a shoot-out.
We were supposed to take the fall. He didn’t think we’d send the kid in.
[both] We were getting cleaned.
[clattering]
[door opens, closes]
[sighs]
He’s not gonna let us out of here alive.
Nope.
[sighs] They’re really not taking any chances, are they?
No.
You know, I never did catch your name.
I tell you what, we survive this… [groans]
Deal.
Ready?
Yeah.
[“Just the Two of Us” playing]
[sighs]
[both speak indistinctly]
[kid groans, sniffles]
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah. [laughs] Whoo!
Yeah! [groaning] Yeah! Whoo!
Whoo! Whoo.
[laughs] Whoa!
[laughing] I got you.
[laughs]
[grunts]
[Margaret screams]
Fuck. [inhales sharply]
[“Smooth Operator” playing]
