Assassins

RATH

(smiles sadly)

No. I just know where you're going.

Bain takes off his sunglasses, looks Rath in the eye. Bain suddenly doesn't look so nervous.

BAIN

I tell you, that night, in the cab, I thought I was lucky to be alive. Now I think different. You were the lucky one.

Rath sits calmly, stares back at him.

RATH

You're right. I am lucky.

BAIN

No more chit chat.

A beat. And then, Bain winks.

Turning, he heads for the exit. As he disappears, Rath reaches into his jacket, sticks his ear-piece back in.

RATH
Electra, where are you?

No answer. Rath frowns.

RATH

Electra?

INT. HOTEL PARAISO – ROOM 302 – DAY

Panic is setting in as Electra struggles in vain to free herself..

INT. BANK – DAY

Rath looks up as the Bank President and guards step over. One carries the briefcase.

PRESIDENT

Everything is in order, Senor.

EXT. PLAZA COLON – DAY

Trying to look three different ways at once, Bain crosses the plaza in long, pounding strides.

INT. HOTEL PARAISO – ROOM 302 – DAY

Slowly, painfully, carefully, Electra eases herself from the hole she's in. Almost out, she slips back.

INT. BANK – $16,000,000 – DAY

In the open briefcase. Held by one of the guards. The Bank President closes it, looks over at Rath.

PRESIDENT

This is awkward, not really my affair. But I was told you would give us something. In return.

The guards look formidable. As Rath's eyes narrow.

EXT. HOTEL PARAISO – DAY

As Bain blasts inside...

INT. HOTEL PARAISO – ROOM 302 – DAY

Almost out, Electra pulls herself free. It hurts. And then, she hears BAIN TEARING UP the hotel STAIRS.

INT. BANK – DAY

As Rath hands the disc over to the almost apologetic Bank President. He sticks it in a scanner similar to the one Bain used. The light flashes green. It checks out. The guard hands Rath the briefcase. The President gestures toward the exit. The clock reads 6:03.

PRESIDENT

(smiling)

And now, we are closed, Senor.

INT. HOTEL PARAISO – ROOM 302 – DAY

Electra reaches to the rafter, but can't quite get the rifle. Bain sounds awfully close. Terrified, she reaches again.

INT. HOTEL PARAISO – 3RD FLOOR HALL – DAY

Here he comes. Like a wild beast. He charges into...

INT. ROOM 302 – DAY

Electra is gone. Bain charges to the spot, on tiptoes, pulls down his rifle and bag. Whipping to the window, he sites through the scope. The stairs are empty.

BAIN

(intense)

Step outside, Rath. Step outside and I'll set you free.

ANGLE BEHIND BURNED MATTRESS-

Here she is. Trembling, Electra peeks out, sees Bain's back. At the window. Fifteen feet away.

INT. BANK – DAY

Rath walks toward the exit, closely followed by the guards and Bank President. One long walk. Like a man being released from prison, or is he on his way to eecution dock? We'll know in a few moments.

INT. ROOM 302 – DAY

Bain's attention is riveted to the hotel steps.

BAIN

Come on. Orgulloso toro. I got the sword right here. There's no shame. I promise you won't feel a thing.

Behind him, behind the mattress, Electra raises Rath's .22, her hand shaking like crazy.

INT. BANK – EXIT – DAY

No flood of light this time. In fact, it looks dark outside. Rath is crowded from behind by the guards.

PRESIDENT

Thank you for your business, Senor.

Practically pushed into taking a step outside, everything is suddenly spinning out of his control. As the big doors shut behind him...

INT. ROOM 302 – DAY

Bain has Rath in the doorway. Not quite a clean shot, but Bain's willing to wait.

BAIN

Take a step. Just one little step.

Electra's knuckles are white around the .22's grip. But she can't pull the trigger. Bain isn't a cowboy and she's not an Indian.

EXT. BANK – DOORWAY – DAY

Rath looks from side to side. There's no car waiting. In fact, the Plaza is nearly deserted.

RATH

Electra? Are you there?

Head down, there's only one way to find out. Rath starts down the stairs.

INT. ROOM 302 – DAY

Bain leans forward, his aim rock steady.

The crosshairs are an "X" on the top of Rath's head.

BAIN
Look up. I want to see your eyes.

Electra better act. Now's not the time to be a voyeur.

EXT. PLAZA COLON – DAY

Rath stops, slowly looks up. He sees the rifle's long silencer jut from the window, Bain's shadow beyond it. He's a dead man, but the worst part is not knowing where Electra is. Was he deserted? Is she in trouble? In another second, it won't matter.

INT. ROOM 302 – DAY

About to pull the trigger, Bain hesitates...

BAIN'S POV – THROUGH RIFLE SCOPE

He sees the mic in Rath's ear, the cord snaking under his shirt.

ROOM 302

Bain frowns, then sniffs the air. There's something strangely familiar in it.

 BAIN

Jasmine.

Bain whips a look back over his shoulder, sees Rath's .22, Electra who practically shrugs in apology.

ELECTRA

Howdy...

The .22 SILENCER kisses the air. Bain's shoulder erupts red.

EXT. PLAZA COLON – DAY

Pigeons take wing as Rath sees the RIFLE twist up, FIRE wildly into the sky. A beat and Rath dashes forward.

INT. ROOM 302 – DAY

The rifle dropped, Bain grabs his bag and charges for the wall. Electra FIRES TWICE more, misses twice as Bain crashes through the lathing into...

ROOM 301

Stumbling blind, he falls. The floor opens beneath him to let him pass.

EXT. PLAZA COLON – CAFE – DAY

Rath races for the hotel. Past a man picking up coffee cups.