Rush Hour

Everyone's silence answers his question.

PRESIDENT

(continuing; thru video link)

I want an immediate search for all ships within range.

FBI CHIEF

We better inform the other leaders, stall on the Summit –

PRESIDENT

(thru video link)

There's no reason to panic yet – they can't launch until after the family's confirmed dead!

CIA CHIEF

Afraid that's not the case...

The Intelligence Officer illustrates his explanation with FOOTAGE and DIAGRAMS on a nearby COMPUTER SCREEN:

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
The North Korean Premier holds what we call a "Brinksman Switch." He's able to destroy a missile in flight, right up to the moment before it achieves its target.

CIA CHIEF

Our Op says they've timed their retaliation to hit right after 5:00.

FBI CHIEF

And if the family turns up okay, they'll just make it self-destruct.

PRESIDENT

(thru video link)

Shit! I really don't need this today!

VICE PRESIDENT

We're forgetting one thing here: the family. Intelligence is sure the North will abort their attack if Mrs. Han and her kids are safely returned?

CIA CHIEF

Absolutely. Their whole game depends on claiming a legitimate provocation.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

Still, we should let them know there'd be a response... if it comes to it.

PRESIDENT

(thru video link)

I'd like to turn 'em into a radioactive parking lot.

SECRETARY OF STATE

That's the problem: we can't. We're the last superpower. Our hands are tied by politics, alliances, goddamn stacks of treaties... most we could do is give 'em a "measured response" back again, or everyone starts crying that we're the bullies.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

Damn, I miss the Cold War. Russians wouldn't have dreamt of pulling a stunt like this.

PRESIDENT

(thru video link)

Believe me, the North drops one in my fuckin' city, I'm dropping ten in theirs. Get some bombers in the air. And don't tell me any more bad news!

EXT. HOLLYWOOD FREEWAY – DAY

Robbins stands by Javal's van, on the shoulder of the freeway.

ROBBINS

(into radio)

... Phone company decal's a fake. DMV says the van was purchased a week ago from a private party in Santa Monica. I called 'em; they said the guy paid cash, and he fits our boy's description. Signed the name "Douglas McArthur" to the Transfer of Title.

INT. NORTH KOREAN CONSULATE – SURVEILLANCE ROOM – DAY

CARSON

(into radio)

Cute.

(to Miranda)

He signed the name of the Allied Commander during the Korean War. Maybe he was a political.

MIRANDA

No. The phony ice cream truck, the booby-trapped chairs... he could've this was going to be the score of a lifetime... he was showing off.

CARSON

(to Dave)

Who's got those kinds of skills: Electronics, vehicle customizing, computers, explosives?

DAVE

Military. Cop, maybe. Shit, your average high-school student if they're so inclined. My guess is our perp used off-the-shelf equipment for everything except the C-4, and that's only slightly harder to get than crack or heroin, if you know who to ask.

EXT. PARKER CENTER – DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES – DAY

LAPD headquarters.

INT. PARKER CENTER – VARIOUS ANGLES – DAY

Everyone who can be spared, even moth-eaten SUPPORT PERSONNEL, hustle through the maze of hallways and get into waiting cars.

EXT. STREETS OF LOS ANGELES – VARIOUS ANGLES – DAY

From up here, it looks like the city is one big block party. Accordingly, traffic is heavy and unpleasant.

BOBBI (V.O.)

Please, L.A., I know we're about to have quite a party out there, but don't forget the Golden Rule on the roadways... News time is 3:59...

INT. NEWS COPTER – (AERIAL SHOT) – DAY

Bobbi looks into the TV camera, dripping with sincerity.

BOBBI

This is Bobbi Marchfelder, your Eye in the Sky... back to you, Brent...

The red light on the camera goes off. Bobbi turns to the Pilot.

BOBBI

(continuing; furious)

Hey, dickhead... I was backlit that entire segment!

(as if to a child)

Keep... the sun... to my left!!

The Cameraman and the Pilot sigh at each other.

BOBBI

(continuing)

What's new on the kidnapping rumor?

CAMERAMAN

Nada. Total news blackout.

BOBBI

Go back over the hill.

NEWS PILOT

We got the valley traffic report in fifteen –

BOBBI

– "Stalled vehicle! One lane closed! Sig alert..!" I'll improvise!

She takes an industrial-sized bottle of Mylanta out of her purse. It's fitted with a water-bottle DRINKING SPOUT. She takes a huge swig and grimaces.

BOBBI
(continuing; to Cameraman)

What are you lookin' at? I was the morning anchor in Houston! And I'm one break away from getting out of this stupid fuckin' whirlybird!

INT. BACHELOR APARTMENT – LOS ANGELES – DAY

The Han family sits in their booby-trapped chairs. Joy carefully turns to her mother.

JOY

Why us?

MRS. HAN

You heard him – for money.

JOY

What if something goes wrong?

MRS. HAN

(firmly)

It won't.

INT. NORTH KOREAN CONSULATE – SURVEILLANCE ROOM – DAY

Carson grabs his FBI blazer off the back of a chair.

CARSON

I'm going to the kidnapping site.

MIRANDA

I want to talk to the witnesses.

Colonel Lee also heads for the door. Carson looks at him.

CARSON

Great, we'll hire a bus.

They leave. Dave, meanwhile, paces, phone in hand.

DAVE

(into phone)

... I know it's privileged information, goddammit! Lemme talk to a supervisor... You are a supervisor... Lemme talk to your goddamn supervisor... I told you, I'm with the FBI...

(to Sabatini)

Cellular company says he was using a phone with a cloned number.

SABATINI

Big surprise. Have 'em send a list of the numbers called on the account.

DAVE

That's what I'm trying to get. They're saying I need a subpoena.

(into phone)

Don't put me on hold... Don't...

(pulls phone from his ear)

I'm listening to Michael fuckin' Bolton!

SABATINI

Walther! Get on the horn to Justice and deal with this!

EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN – ANGLE ON FISHING TRAWLER – DAY

SUPER: "Pacific Ocean. 500 miles west-northwest of Los Angeles."

We FIND a nondescript commercial fishing vessel. Up top, some Asian "FISHERMEN" crank in and stow their nets.

INT. / EXT. FISHING TRAWLER – DAY

Coming closer, we see it's actually a disguised North Korean SPY VESSEL. Several MEN, working under hanging tarps, secure a 20-foot-long missile launching track to the bow.

Two MISSILE EXPERTS install a green, cone-shaped WARHEAD of high explosives onto the nose of a 23-foot-long, short-winged CRUISE MISSILE. They wait for the CAPTAIN's orders...

EXT. HOLLYWOOD FREEWAY – DAY

Robbins is in Javal's van, examining the innards of the remote-control boxes. He picks up his radio.

ROBBINS

(into radio)

A lot of the components are made by the same manufacturer – a car security company.

CARSON (V.O.)

(thru radio)

Jump a copter to the Consulate. See if the manufacturer sells to the public. Find out what shops use their stuff; put people on the phones with a description of the perp.

EXT. CRENSHAW BLVD – DAY

At the kidnapping site, the intersection is blocked off with yellow police tape. Several LAPD cruisers are parked nearby. Some COPS are interviewing the Carpool Lady.

Despite this, the neighborhood's bazaar – a sidewalk sale with MUSIC, food vendors, etc. – has half-heartedly begun.

The government helicopter HOVERS and Carson helps Miranda climb down a long chain ladder. Colonel Lee follows impatiently.

NEW ANGLE

Carson uncovers the bodies of the Driver and the Motorist, lying on the sidewalk. He grimaces. Colonel Lee does not. Miranda wants to look, but Carson drops the cover. She picks it up, then turns away in horror.

A young BLACK COP crosses to them. He's holding a plastic bag with a spent shotgun shell in it.

YOUNG COP
Inspector! Look at this...

(reads from shell)

"Dragon's Breath...?"

CARSON

Twelve-gauge shell filled with magnesium and ignition powder. Shit's worse than napalm – Geneva Convention outlawed it for warfare.

MIRANDA

Then how did he get it?

CARSON

Easy – you can buy 'em mail order.

(looks around)

Where's the Consulate's car?

YOUNG COP

(beat)

Uh... apparently it was stolen...

COLONEL LEE

Stolen!? What is it with you people –

YOUNG COP

(angry)

– What's this "you people" shit?

CARSON

(to Colonel Lee)

Shut up!

MIRANDA

(aside; to Young Cop)

He means all of us "you people."

CARSON

(to Young Cop)

Find it! How many bulletproof Mercedes could be cruising around Crenshaw?

YOUNG COP

You'd be surprised...

CARSON

I hate this fuckin' town.

INT. / EXT. FISHING TRAWLER – PACIFIC OCEAN – DAY

The North Korean COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER puts down his headphones and hurries on deck to the Captain. It's time.

Suddenly, a BEARDED CREWMAN crosses to the Captain. He calmly SHOOTS him and the FIRST MATE.

The rest of the Crew is shocked. Holding his pistol on the Crew, the Bearded Crewman nods at the Missile Experts. Saluting, they remove the green warhead from the missile.

Two OTHER CONSPIRATORS, carrying a metal locker, appear from below deck. The Crew murmurs nervously as they remove from the locker a red warhead and attach it to the missile.

Finishing, one of the Experts pushes the firing trigger and the missile WHOOSHES from its launching pad.

EXT. NORTH KOREAN CONSULATE – DAY

The government helicopter touches down behind the Consulate.

INT. NORTH KOREAN CONSULATE – SURVEILLANCE ROOM – DAY

Ambassador Han, Walther and Sabatini are looking at a series of high-definition faxes spread out on a table.