RONIN

                          SAM
               Whatever you hear, whatever happens, when
               your partners come back out, you make
               sure you're here with the motor running.

     And on that note Sam follows after Vincent and Deirdre.
     Larry doesn't notice it, but - THE WATCHER has found them.
     He's a block or so away, wearing a two-day stubble of beard
     and hugging the shadows of back alley.  Cradled in one hand,
     barely visible but ominously present: his knife, which for
     one moment catches a glint of sun that hits our eyes as we -

     CUT TO:

     EXT. INSIDE THE ROMAN THEATER - MEANWHILE

     The Gunmen have reached a point about midway up the coliseum-
     like staircase.  Behind them we can see the Tour Group,
     standing on the stage, being lectured to by the Ancient
     Geezer.  In front of them the Gunmen find -

     AN EXIT which leads to an interior hall.  Inside the exit
     it's dark, while a bright sun falls down on the Gunmen.  They
     look into the dark, unable to see a thing, while a voice
     come at them from out of the dark.

                          GREGOR (V.O.)
               Thank you, gentleman, that will do
               nicely.

     IN THE HALL -

     ON GREGOR.  It's dark in here.  There are no lights, no
     torches.  From the dark in here, he can look out and see -
     THE GUNMEN, who make plain targets, backlit as they are by
     the sun.  Now we CUT BACK AND FORTH between these two ANGLES,
     and it becomes clear that Gregor has chosen wisely -- he can
     see his quarry, but they can't see him.

                          GREGOR
               Edvard, is that you?

     EDVARD, the more dangerous looking of the two Gunmen
     responds.

                          EDVARD
               Yes, Gregor, they sent me.

                          GREGOR
               I'm touched, really, that they'd send
               someone of your caliber.  It's nice to
               know that they didn't make the mistake of
               underestimating me twice.

                          EDVARD
               That was a mistake, trying to kill you.
               Mikhi did it without consulting me, I'd
               have never allowed it.

                          GREGOR
               I'm sure.  But I'm sorry to say that it's
               too late for trust: we have a serious
               problem.

                               EDVARD
               We'll double your price.

                          GREGOR
                   (now that's interesting)
               Really?  Do you have the money with you?

                          EDVARD
               Do you have the material?

                          GREGOR
               You first, Edvard.

                          EDVARD
               Perhaps we could both go at the same
               time...

                          GREGOR
                   (a short laugh)
               I think not.
                   (with a flourish)
               After you...

     A GUN COMES INTO FRAME, trigger cocked, the barrel placed to
     Gregor's temple.

                          SAM (O.S.)
               After you, asshole.

     Gregor stiffens, as we PULL BACK ON Sam, who has snuck up on
     Gregor and gotten the drop on him.

                          SAM
               You might have been one mean technical
               spook, Gregor, but you wouldn't have
               lasted a week in the field.

     CUT TO THE GUNMEN'S POV: Looking into the Tunnel - It's dark,
     they can't see a thing, but they've heard Sam's voice and
     they know something's wrong.

                          EDVARD
               Gregor, are you alright?

                          DEIRDRE (O.S.)
               Gregor's fine...

     CUT AWAY TO REVEAL: Deirdre -

     She's snuck up on the Gunmen, weapon drawn.

                          DEIDRE
                   (continuing)
               ...but I think you're in a bit of
               trouble.

     The Gunmen reach for their pieces and as they do -

                          VINCENT (O.S.)
               Don't even think it.

     CUT AWAY TO REVEAL: Vincent - And his piece is also out --
     the Gunmen are trapped, and they know it.  Now we notice that
     - The Ancient Geezer and his Tour Group are coming towards
     us.  Meanwhile, back in -

     THE TUNNEL -

     Sam is grilling Gregor furiously, his gun still to Gregor's
     head.

                          SAM
               Don't talk to me unless you tell me what
               I want to hear, understand?!?  You have
               no choice in this, don't think about
               winning, think about staying alive.  I
               want the item, and if you don't give it
               to me, I'm gonna kill you.

                          GREGOR
                   (a panicky hiss)
               I don't have it with me...

                          SAM
               Bullshit!

                          GREGOR
               I swear...

                          SAM
               Then where is it?

                          GREGOR
               I sent it to myself in Paris.

                          SAM
               Sent it where?

                          GREGOR
               A post office box.

     Suddenly Gregor runs forward, towards the exit.  Sam runs
     after him, tackling him just as they reach - THE OUTSIDE,
     where the two men roll into plain sight of - The Gunmen, who
     are still covered by Vincent and Deirdre.  Now we notice -
     That the Ancient Geezer and his Tour Group are really close,
     no more than ten yards away, as - Sam has Gregor pinned face
     first on the ancient stone of the theater.  He looks up at
     the others, and that's when it happens - Edvard looks at Sam
     and recognizes him.

                          EDVARD
                   (stunned, announcing to the
                    group)
               Do you know who he is?  He's with
               Interpol, the Internation Police.  He's
               a cop.

     A SLOW MOTION BEAT.

     Vincent and Deirdre don't know what to make of this, their
     heads turn to look at Sam, and in this instant - The Tour
     Group walks into their midst and - The 2nd Gunman reaches for
     his piece and - Sam FIRES his gun at the 2nd Gunman, and with
     the sharp report of the pistol we move back to REAL TIME, as -
     The Crowd panics, screaming, and now Edvard is reaching for
     his weapon, as - Sam shoots again, killing the 2nd Gunman,
     and now - The Crowd is still screaming and running as -
     Gregor shoves through the crowd into the exit, as -

     Deirdre pushes through the crowd, and now she's made it into
     the tunnel.  Now we go -

     OUTSIDE THE THEATER -

     Where Larry has heard the shot -- his piece is drawn, but
     he's been ordered to stay in the car.  In frustration he
     slams on the steering wheel, as we see that - Behind Larry,
     the Watcher is slowly closing in, knife poised to strike as
     we go back -

     INTO THE THEATER -

     Edvard tries to get to the exit, but there are too many
     Tourists in his way, and he proceeds to shoot several of
     them, including the Dad we saw earlier.  Seconds later,
     Edvard has vanished into the tunnels, and now - Vincent and
     Sam meet in the middle of the crowd.  There is time for a
     QUICK BEAT, while Vincent glares at Sam.

                          VINCENT
               You're a cop...you're a fucking cop...I
               should kill you.

                          SAM
               But you can't.

     And now Sam runs into the tunnel, after the others, leaving
     Vincent for a fraction of a second to sigh, and then follow
     Sam into -

     THE TUNNELS -

     It's like being in the tunnels and ramps of a sporting arena.
     Except that everything here is made of stone and the only
     light comes from the sun which streams in through the exit
     openings which are spaced far enough apart that they provide
     just barely enough light for us to see.  Now we do a SERIES
     OF QUICK CUTS - Sam running, followed by - Vincent, while -
     Edvard takes a wrong turn down a dark hall and comes to a
     dead end.  He turns around, looking for a way out as - Gregor
     sees the final exit ahead of him as we go -

     OUT IN THE STREET - Larry is still behind the wheel of the
     Citroen, anxiously looking at the exit, not realizing that -
     The Watches is almost on him, and now we're back -

     IN THE TUNNELS -

     Deirdre comes running around a corner, and now she's almost
     reached the exit as -

     OUT IN THE STREET -

     Gregor hits the street running.  He doesn't notice the
     Citroen parked ahead, because he's never seen it before, but
     as he runs by -

     The car door swings open and Gregor runs straight into it.
     He smashes into the door and falls to the ground, injured.
     Strong Hands reach out of the car and pull him in.  It's the
     Watcher, and let's give him a name now because he needs one:
     SEAMUS REILLY.  Seated in the front seat is - A very dead
     Larry.  Seamus has cut his throat from ear to ear.

                          SEAMUS
                   (to Gregor, with an Irish
                    accent)
               If you want to live you'll do exactly as
               I tell you.

     THROUGH THE BACK WINDOW - Deirdre appears, exiting the
     theater and running towards the Citroen as we go back to -

     INT. THE TUNNELS - SAME TIME

     Vincent, gun drawn, moves warily down one of the tunnels.
     Outside we can hear the dim sound of an approaching siren.
     Vincent turns a corner and - A GUN jams itself into his face.
     It's Edvard.

                          EDVARD
               Where do I know you from?

                          VINCENT
               Vienna.

                          EDVARD
               Of course...I remember.  I quite liked
               you, I'm sorry to have to do this.

     Edvard's finger tightens around the trigger, when -

                          SAM (O.S.)
               Hey...

     Edvard is startled by the sound of Sam's voice.  Even as he
     squeezes off the shot, Edvard turns to look at Sam, and as he
     does so, Vincent strikes out at the gun, sending the shot
     awry, causing it to - RICOCHET wildly, whining around the
     room, until it - Rips through Sam's side, a nasty wound but
     not fatal, as - Edvard tries to fire another shot but it's
     too late, because - Vincent fires a single shot to the head
     that kills Edvard.

     EXT. OUTSIDE THE THEATER - MEANWHILE

     Deirdre has reached the Citroen.  She looks in and sees
     Seamus and Gregor.  Lastly she looks at the dead Larry.  She
     sighs in disgust, but otherwise doesn't react as if
     surprised.

                          DEIRDRE
               Cold cocking the poor son-of-a-bitch
               would have sufficed, Seamus, don't you
               think?

     SCANT SECOND LATER -

     Larry's body hits the street as the Citroen drives off,
     Deirdre behind the wheel just as - Sam and Vincent run out of
     the theater, with Vincent helping a wounded Sam who bleeds
     from the wound in his side.  They arrive at the street only
     to see - Larry, lying dead in the street, even as the Citroen
     speeds away from them, turning the corner before they can
     even think to raise their guns.

                          VINCENT
               That double-crossing bitch.

     Sam isn't even capable of saying that much -- he just stares
     after the departed Citroen with a look on his face unlike any
     we've seen in the film: "how the hell did that happen?"  But
     there's no time to ponder this because they've been joined by
     - A COP.  He's a local guy, he directs traffic and busts
     drunks in the town square -- and he's scared shitless,
     holding his gun in both hands, trying not to tremble, as he
     stares back at - TWO GUNS, Sam's and Vincent's, and they're
     both pointed at the Cop.  LONG BEAT.  In the way off distance,
     another siren can just be heard.  Sam and Vincent glare at
     the Cop, who strains with all his might to control himself,
     but he can't because Sam and Vincent are death waiting to be
     served.  The cop knows he has three seconds to make up his
     mind.  Two.  One.  The Cop puts his gun on the ground and
     steps back, raising his hands in the air.  Now - Sam and
     Vincent stumble into the street, and are instantly almost hit
     by - A CAR speeding around the corner, its Driver oblivious
     to what's going on.  The car screeches to a halt, and the
     Driver curses loudly in French.  And then the next thing the
     Driver knows - A Gun is in his face.  The door is yanked open
     and the Driver is yanked out, as we -

     CUT TO:

     EXT. A BACK ROAD - LATER/EARLY EVENING

     The town of Orange is just visible below us as the
     commandeered Car drives up into the hills.  Vincent is behind
     the wheel, while the wounded Sam sits in the passenger seat.
     Gritting his teeth, Sam peels back his shirt to get a look at
     - THE WOUND, and it's small but bad -- the ricochet ripped a
     small raw hole in Sam's side.  The wound bleeds, but
     moderately so -- no major organs or arteries have been hit.

                          VINCENT
               That makes twice now you've saved my
               life.

                          SAM
               I didn't save your life back there.
               Risked it, maybe -- but I didn't save
               shit.

                          VINCENT
               You see it your way, I'll see it mine.
               You need a doctor.

                          SAM
                   (hopeful)
               You know one around here?  Somebody you
               trust?

                          VINCENT
               No...I thought I'd take you to the
               hospital.

                          SAM
                   (sharply)
               No hospitals.  I'll fix this myself if I
               have to.

                          VINCENT
                   (he can't believe this)
               Fix it yourself?
                   (a thought comes to him)
               Why are we even doing this?  There's no
               need to run, Christ...
                   (he can't disguise his disgust)
               You're a cop.

                          SAM
               Not exactly.

                          VINCENT
               You're with Interpol -- you're a cop.

                          SAM
               If I was a cop, a real cop, I'd have
               busted you a long time ago.  This isn't
               about you, it's about the job I have to
               do.

                          VINCENT
               And what job is that?

                          SAM
               My job, Vincent, a job you don't need to
               know about.  I can't go to the local cops
               -- they'd never be able to get close
               enough at this point.  It's me or nobody,
               and I've been on this job too goddamned
               long not to finish.

     BEAT.  Sam takes out his own pack of cigarettes, offers one
     to Vincent and takes another for himself.  They smoke for a
     second, before Vincent speaks.

                          VINCENT
               It looks to me like we're all that's left
               of our group.

                          SAM
               We?  There is no we in my world now,
               Vincent, just me.

                          VINCENT
               I'm going with you.

                          SAM
               This doesn't involve you, don't you
               understand?  I can't even guarantee you
               any money out of all this.

                          VINCENT
               It isn't about money for me, not
               anymore.

                          SAM
               You don't have to do this.

                          VINCENT
                   (with great finality)
               Yes I do.

     Sam gives Vincent a look and shakes his head in disbelief --
     Vincent's loyalty and sense of honor is something he's never
     seen before, and Sam can only smoke in silence and consider
     this as we -

     CUT TO:

     INT. A CHEAP BACK ROOM - NIGHT

     A PEEPHOLE slides open, and we look through it into -

     INT. AN ADJOINING ROOM

     where Gregor sits, bound and gagged in a chair, his eyes wide
     with fright.  Now - The Peephole snicks shut, and Deirdre
     turns to face Seamus Reilly.

                          DEIRDRE
               When we're done with this, I want to do
               for that one myself.

                          SEAMUS
               Now there's the Deirdre I know.

                          DEIRDRE
               And what's that supposed to mean, Seamus
               Reilly?

                          SEAMUS
               It means I was worried that all the time
               you spent away from the fold might have
               affected you.  You've been living the
               life of the hired gun -- the well paid
               hired gun, I might note.  There's no
               glory to it, but there are those that
               like it.

                          DEIRDRE
               So you thought that maybe I'd grown too
               attached to this charade I've been
               playing, is that it?

                          SEAMUS
               It's been known to happen.

                          DEIRDRE
               Not to me, you know that.

                          SEAMUS
                   (goading her)
               I thought I did.

     Seamus's taunt works: Deirdre whips out her gun and puts it
     to his head.