FIGHT CLUB

This is a very good test, Sir. You sound like you mean it.

Jack hangs up the phone and KICKS IT. He flushes red, looks around at

passersby. He lifts the receiver again and punches the next number on

the hotel bill.

SCRATCHY VOICE (from phone)

Mason Industrial Electronics.

JACK

This is Tyler Durden.

SCRATCHY VOICE (harsh whisper)

Are you outta your fucking mind?! What the fuck are you doing, calling

me in the daytime?!

JACK

I ... have some questions about ...

SCRATCHY VOICE

Jesus! I showed your guys how to use it! A four-year-old could take

that shit and break through any security system in the world! If you

can't then fuck you, moron! Now, don't ever call me again!!

Click. Disconnect. Jack looks at the receiver, hangs it up.

PG 116

EXT. LOU'S TAVERN - NIGHT

Jack gets out of the cab, turns to the CABBIE.

JACK

I gotta have you wait again. Leave the meter running.

The Cabbie grins.

CABBIE

There's no charge, Mr. Durden.

Jack gawks at him, backs away.

INT. LOU'S TAVERN - SAME

Jack darts inside and signals to Irvine. Irvine comes out from behind

the bar and he and Jack move to a corner. Other men with BRUISED FACES

turn and watch them.

JACK

Look, I need to know where the nitroglycerin was taken.

Irvine scowls at him a beat, then slowly smiles.

IRVINE

Right, Mr. Durden.

JACK

This isn't a test. There's been a mix-up.

IRVINE

You told me you'd say that.

JACK

Where are all the maintenance departments?!

IRVINE

You told me you'd say that, too.

Jack bristles with rage. He grabs Irvine's shirt collar.

JACK

Did I tell you I'd call you a motherfucking asswipe dickhead?!

IRVINE

Yes, you did.

Marla walks into the tavern, makes a beeline for Jack.

PG 117

JACK

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!

MARLA

You told me to meet you here at ten till.

JACK

WHEN?!

MARLA

Back in my room. When you dropped into the chair.

JACK

SHIT!

Irvine and a couple of the bruised-faced guys grin at Marla and take a

few steps towards her. Jack grabs her and drags her out the door.

EXT. LOU'S TAVERN

Jack ignores the waiting cabbie and heads for the main road. He's

stomping along at a brisk pace. His face hardens into a mask of

psychotic determination. He pulls Marla with him onto a run-down side

street.

He darts into a

INT. PAWN SHOP

He immediately points to something high on a shelf.

JACK

Let me see that trumpet.

The OWNER, a huge, gruff man, pushes a ladder to the spot starts to

climb. Jack throws himself onto the countertop near the register,

looks around, pulls up a HANDGUN.

OWNER

Hey!

Marla GASPS. Jack checks the clip -- it's fully-loaded. He sprints

for the door, dragging Marla.

EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS

Jack steps out into traffic. A LEXUS screeches to a halt. Jack goes

to the DRIVER'S door and whips it open.

JACK

Police emergency.

PG 118

DRIVER

Bullshit!

Jack shoves the gun barrel into the Driver's temple. The Driver gets

out of the car and FLEES. Jack points the gun at Marla and motions her

to get into the car. Overwhelmed by all this, she complies. Jack

leaps behind the wheel and stomps on the gas.

EXT. GREYHOUND BUS STATION - LATER

Jack drags Marla into the passenger loading area. A Greyhound bus is

taking on passengers. Jack sees the DESTINATION -- PHOENIX -- and he

impulsively averts his eyes, but too late.

JACK

SHIT! I can't know where it's going! Come on, let's find another one.

Jack drags her to another loading bus. He keeps his eyes averted from

the DESTINATION sign.

JACK

Get on the bus.

MARLA (reading the destination)

But I don't want to go to --

JACK

SHUT UP! Don't tell me where it's going!

MARLA

But, the people there talk funny and their teeth are rotten.

JACK

Shit! Now, I know it's the rural South!

Jack jams the gun barrel into Marla's ribs.

JACK

Get on that fucking bus right now!

Marla starts for the bus. Jack keeps himself from seeing the

destination sign, but watches Marla get on board. Then, the doors

close. Then, the bus pulls away. Then, the bus gets to the end of the

road and turns a corner.

Jack turns and walks off the passenger platform and out into the

PG 119

EXT. STREET NIGHT

He sees a Space Monkey on the corner, watching him. He looks down and

sees another Monkey in the opposite direction, also watching him.

JACK (V.O.)

They probably had a map of the city with little push pins. I felt like

a migrating goose on "Wild Kingdom. Well, fine. They could watch me

do *this*".

INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT

Jack walks past desks of PLAINCLOTHES DETECTIVES until he sees a

private office. He glances down at a business card, then keeps moving

forward.

INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Jack steps inside the office to see Detective Stern at the desk.

JACK

I want you to arrest me. I'm the leader of a terrorist organization

that's about to set off bombs all over the city.

Detective Stern scowls at Jack.

INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

Jack, handcuffed, is led by Detective Stern. Several other DETECTIVES

follow. A somber mood prevails.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Stern enters and leads Jack to a table. All the other Detectives file

inside. The last one closes the door. Dim light from a single bulb

overhead creates the tone of a torture chamber. Cigarette smoke

becomes thick. Jack sighs with relief. It's finally over. The

Detectives all stare harshly at Jack.

Then, they all BURST into HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER. They slap and punch

Jack's shoulder.

DETECTIVE STERN

Very good, Mr. Durden.

Jack uses all his strength to stifle his utter shock. He forces a thin

smile.

PG 120

DETECTIVE STERN

Operation Domino has everyone a little skittish right now. But it's

all going like clockwork.

Jack, ready to explode, keeps the smile plastered on his face and

forces his hand -- like a palsy victim -- to form the gesture "thumbs

up". The Detectives give him the same gesture in reply.

EXT. BACK OF POLICE STATION - NIGHT

A door opens and Jack is playfully shoved outside. LAUGHTER of

Detectives rings out. Jacks starts to walk away from the police

station.

EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS

Jack steps out into the street. In a state of shock, he lopes forward,

dizzy.

JACK

... Operation Domino ... "fall like dominoes" ... SHIT! ONE, TWO,

THREE! YES!

Passersby look at him as if he were a homeless, insane guy.

JACK

THE BANKS! What was the first one?! Number one, number one ...

*CITIBANK*!

INT. STOLEN LEXUS - MOMENTS LATER

Jack RACES along the streets, swerving and passing cars, HONKING.

After a beat a MOTORCYCLE COP appears behind Jack and turns on his

SIREN and FLASHING LIGHT. Jack reflexively slows down. The motorcycle

moves up beside Jack and the COP SMILES, waving Jack forward. The Cop

provides an ESCORT. The Lexus turns a corner and heads for the

EXT. CITIBANK BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Jack leaps out of the car. He sprints into the

INT. LOBBY - NIGHT

Two Space Monkeys take over the escort and lead Jack toward the

elevators.