A Delicate Deal

By
John Conaboy

FADE IN:
EXT. CITY - NIGHT
Steam rises from the storm drains and the streets glow from
fresh rain. The air is dead with the exception of a PULSING
LOW FREQUENCY coming from inside the concrete jungle.
CUT TO:
EXT. CLUB - NIGHT
Neon lit windows illuminate a dark wall like a rainbow
piercing a gray sky. The line wraps around the block
tonight, and has for many nights now. THE CROWD IS HIGH
CLASS: professionals old and young, celebrities, athletes,
and plenty of gorgeous women.
CUT TO:
INT. CLUB - NIGHT
A hip-hop song blares as party-goers fill the dance
floor. Walking through the crowd is DOC, a veteran bouncer
and the clubs head of security. He walks to the far end of
the club and takes a seat next to TOMMY SCHWARTZ, the young
and charismatic front man of the club.
DOC
(pours a drink)
You look like hell man.
TOMMY
(smirks)
What makes you say that?
DOC
Your eyes for starters, all red
with fucking bags under them.
Youre pale as shit, and youre
wearing the same suit you had on
yesterday.
TOMMY
(laughs)
I never left.
DOC
I know.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

TOMMY
So who we got tonight?
HEAD OF SECURITY
Only one scheduled, DEA selling
some info to a new crew.
TOMMY
Thats it?
DOC
(stands up)
Thats it, they should be here soon
too, wheres Jimmy?
TOMMY
Hes coming, and doctor...
(BEAT)
Medicine?
Doc rolls his eyes, pulls out a small plastic bag from his
jacket pocket, and throws it to Tommy. He rubs his thumb
over the 2 white pills before popping them both.
CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND CLUB - NIGHT
Doc is talking to a woman outside the back of the club when
JAMES "JIMMY" CARSON, the behind the scenes owner of the
club, pulls up.
WOMAN
So why do they call you Doc?
DOC
Because Im the doctor, I fix
problems for people.
WOMAN
Is that so, well it just so happens
I got a few things that need
fixing.
DOC
Then youre going to have to make
an appointment sweetheart.
WOMAN
You cant make an exception for me
doctor?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

3.
DOC
(sees jimmy approaching)
Get inside and wait for your number
girl.

Doc taps the girl on her ass as she walks inside.

JIMMY
Evening Doc.
DOC
Whats up boss?
tonight?

How are you doing

JIMMY
Cant complain, how are we looking?
DOC
Smooth sailing so far, full house,
no incidents.
JIMMY
Feds here yet?
DOC
Not yet, soon though.
them down.

Ill send

Jimmy gives Doc a nod and enters the club through the back
entrance.
INT. CLUB - NIGHT
The bass thumps and people dance as Jimmy navigates through
the thick crowd. He shakes hands with a few patrons and
eyes a few ladies. He walks up to Tommy.
JIMMY
Whats good bloody?
TOMMY
The prodigal son, (shakes jimmys
hand) hows life?
JIMMY
Great, and look at this club! I
have to hand it to you man, you
really did it. Im impressed.
TOMMY
Couldnt of done it without the
high connections of Jimmy
Carson. Hey come over here.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

Jimmy takes a seat and Tommy throws an arm around him, he

points Jimmys gaze in the direction of two very attractive
women dancing together on the floor.
TOMMY
Thats all us tonight brother,
courtesy of the doctor, speaking of
the doctor...
Doc walks up to the table.
DOC
Theyre here.
JIMMY
All of them?
Doc nods his head.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT
Doc, Jimmy, Tommy, and 2 bouncers
battle. They put on Kevlar vests
themselves with hand guns. The 2
while doc inserts a clip into his

are gearing up for

under their shirts and arm
bouncers load shotguns
MP5.
CUT TO:

INT. OFFICE - NIGHT

8 men stand on the crimson carpet, 4 DEA agents on one side
and 4 criminals on the other. Theyre facing each other. In
between the squads sits Tommy behind a large wooden desk,
Jimmy stands behind him.
One of the DEA agents holds a folder fat with documents. In
the hands of a criminal is a bag of cash. The agent hands
the folder over to the leader of the gang. He inspects it.
The folder is filled with pictures of men, locations, maps,
and other documents. He closes the folder and nods to the
bag man. He hands it over to the agent; the agent peaks in
the bag, smiles and shakes the criminals hand. The gang
leaves the room.
The agent throws a stack of cash on the desk.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

AGENT
(nods his head)
Gentlemen.
TOMMY
Pleasure doing business with you
officer, we look forward to your
next visit. Doc would you see our
guests out.
Doc leaves the room with the agents and 2 bouncers.
takes the cash and runs his fingers through it.

Tommy

TOMMY
Another job well done my friend.
JIMMY
Yeah, you know we dont need to do
this much longer.
TOMMY
Are you kidding me? I have
addictions bro, I need all the cash
I can get.
JIMMY
Well the profits were making off
the door alone are decent and on
top of drinks this place is
booming. Tommy, we own the hottest
club in town.
TOMMY
Fucking A we do, and we also run
the best protection in the city,
and there is no reason to screw up
a good thing.
Jimmy shakes his head, frustrated.
desk and leans toward Tommy.

He puts his hands on the

JIMMY
Look, were good at what we do,
nobody can deny that. But when the
street turns to chaos these animals
will turn on us. They respect us,
but they will never accept us.
Doc enters the room.
DOC
Hey fellas.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.
JIMMY
Not now Doc.
TOMMY
What is it?
DOC
Theres a man here, says he needs
to speak with a James Carson, says
he was an investor in the club.
JIMMY
Whats his name?
DOC
Andrew Abaddon.

Jimmy turns around and faces doc, ALL EMOTION WIPED FROM HIS
FACE. Tommy takes out a huge binder and lays on the desk,
he starts looking through the pages.
TOMMY
Hah! Andrew Abaddon, invested 25
thousand for initial start up and
was paid back...wait. He was never
paid back, Jimmy what the fuck?
JIMMY
Send him in.
DOC
You need me?
JIMMY
No.
Doc leaves the room and in comes a tall, lanky man no
younger than 60. Hes pale and whats left of his hair is
slicked back behind his ears; hes a ghoulish individual.
MR. ABADDON
My apologies gentlemen for the
intrusion, but I have the most
urgent of requests, and I am in
need of your services.
TOMMY
Good evening Mr. Abaddon, anything
we can do to assist you please say
the word, and its us who should
apologize we just realized that you
havent been reimbursed for your
investment.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

7.

MR. ABADDON
Oh no that is quite alright Ive
been repaid quite handsomely for my
donation.
Abaddons eyes turn to Jimmy.
JIMMY
Must of forgot to write it in.
TOMMY
Well okay then, what can we do for
you this evening?
MR. ABADDON
Im purchasing something of great
importance tonight and I need a
safe place to conduct the
transaction.
TOMMY
Easy enough, youre looking for
security during the transaction I
assume.
MR. ABADDON
Not protection so much as privacy,
its a delicate deal and I cant
afford any interruptions.
TOMMY
What exactly are you buying if you
dont mind me asking?
MR. ABADDON
Not at all, Im purchasing a soul.
TOMMY
(A confused smile spreading
across his face)
Excuse me?
MR. ABADDON
Im purchasing a soul this evening
and I need a private place to do
so.
TOMMY
Im sorry whats a soul? Is that
like some sort of new drug? I mean,
what do you mean by soul?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

JIMMY
Tommy stop.
MR. ABADDON
An individual wishes to hand over
his entire existence to me, in
exchange for all his desires. I
provide people with the power to
realize their dreams Mr.
Schwartz. I can fulfill yours
sometime if you wish.
JIMMY
(whispers in Tommys ear)
Hes a nut Tommy just charge him
and get him the fuck out of here.
TOMMY
Whatever man, if you want to use
the room its 5 grand.
MR. ABADDON
A suitable price.
Abaddon takes an envelope out of his jacket pocket and
places it on the desk. A man enters the room, his face
covered by a black hood. He is escorted by a large,
intimidating fellow, Abaddons BODYGUARD.
Abaddon turns his back to Tommy and Jimmy and faces the
hooded man. He places his hands on the black hood and
begins to mutter in an unknown language.
The man begins to tremble, his breathing becoming heavier.
Abaddons gibberish becomes louder, an intensity rises from
the frail man.
As soon as it starts, its over.

Both men exhale heavily.

MR. ABADDON
Reveal yourself my child.
The man removes the black hood, his face is calm,
relieved. Abaddon takes a slip of paper out of his jacket
pocket. His partner takes the paper and grabs the mans
hand. Abaddon brandishes a golden knife, it glistens under
the lone light bulb.
He quickly slices the mans palm, blood spills onto the
contract. The man winces, then smiles.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

MAN
Thank you.
MR. ABADDON
My son, go forth and be. Conquor,
lead, become great. In time I will
call upon you.
Abaddon puts his hand on the mans shoulder, like a father
finally accepting his son as a man. The man leaves the
room, covering his bleeding palm, he is followed by the
bodyguard.
MR. ABADDON
Gentlemen I am most grateful for
your services.
Tommy, eyes wide and mouth open, bursts into laughter as he
swings back in his chair.
TOMMY
What the actual fuck. I mean what
the fuck did I just witness.
JIMMY
(interrupting)
Doesnt matter, its over
now. Were happy to help Mr.
Abaddon. Would you like our
security to see you out?
MR. ABADDON
Thats quite alright James, Ill
see myself out. Enjoy the rest of
your evening gentlemen.
TOMMY
You too buddy!(Abaddon exits the
room.) Where the hell do you find
these people Jimmy? I have sketchy
friends man, but that guy is
something else. I mean what kind
of cult is he running?
JIMMY
If the money is green who cares
where it comes from.
Jimmy leans on the desk, teeth chattering, eyes
darting. SOMETHING IS EATING AT HIM.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.
TOMMY
I understand, but hey, is he going
to come back?

Jimmy stands up and quickly exits the room.

(cont.)
Jimmy? Hey Jimmy! Where are you
going man?
CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND CLUB - NIGHT
A black town car is idling at the end of the murky
alley. Jimmy walks towards it, his steps gaining
speed. Abaddon seems to glide from behind the wall,
confronting Jimmy.
JIMMY
(stumbling backwards)
Jesus!
MR. ABADDON
Quite the opposite.
JIMMY
(gaining his composure)
What are you doing here man?
had an agreement.

We

A smirk appears across Abaddons face

MR. ABADDON
Forgive me James, I like to check
in on my clients from time to
time. You seem to be doing quite
well these days.
Abaddon holds out his hand for a shake, Jimmy reluctantly
removes his hand from his pocket and extends it towards
Abaddon. Across his palm lies a scar, a thin pink line, as
if someone sliced open his hand.
MR. ABADDON
Take care James, Ill be in touch.
Abaddon gets in the passenger seat of the town car.
watches as it drives towards the hellish city.

Jimmy

Jimmy stands alone on the corner, rubbing his palm while he

takes in the night air. He enters the club.
FADE OUT