Us Lucky Few FADE IN: EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT An empty stretch of highway. A lone police cruiser sits in front of a convenience store, the lights flash. OFFICER DAVID PARKS, (25) steps out of his cruiser then presses the mic to his radio. PARKS (into radio) 1532, dispatch we're 97, code two. 'DISPATCH 10-4, 1532. OFFICER LANCE HAWKINS, (21) is next to him. Parks turns to Hawkins and points at him. PARKS Watch. Let me do the talking. Anything looks weird, call it. HAWKINS 10-4 sir. INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT The two walk in and immediately sees two people. The older one, JOHN STEVENS, (late-40s) wears a confederate flag hat with a jacket and jeans. JOHN Look pal, see- He pulls out a Triple-A card. JOHN (CONT’D) I just gotta get me a tow truck so I can bring my truck to the shop. Please, I gotta just borrow your phone. The Arabic STOREKEEPER, (late-50s) points toward the door. STOREKEEPER No, you leave! The younger one, JACK STEVENS, (early-20s) wears a jacket and jeans and has long hair. JACK Dad, let's just go outside, we'll- The two officers watch this for a moment. The door closes behind them and a "DING" can be heard. Hawkins points at the door. HAWKINS That sensor's a little late. He chuckles and grins. Parks glares at him, then looks at the two. The storekeeper looks at Hawkins and points. STOREKEEPER These men, right here sir! I do not allow racists in my store! JOHN Look pal, we were just looking to borrow a phone. No trouble here. John's hands are in his pockets. PARKS Step back from the counter sir, keep your hands out your pockets. Parks looks over at John and motions toward him. John takes his hand out of his pockets then cocks his head in confusion at Parks. PARKS (CONT’D) John, was it? JOHN Yeah. PARKS How about you and your son step outside and talk with me? Hawkins, check the security footage. Hawkins nods. EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT John takes a sigh. PARKS You alright? John massages his eyes. JOHN Just needed to borrow a phone man, the battery in my truck died. He just went on spouting about how I was racist. Christ, people these days gettin' butthurt over lil' symbols like these. He takes off his hat. JOHN (CONT’D) Long night. We were trying to make it to New Mexico when the truck broke down. PARKS I see. Sorry to even ask, but you guys got weapons on you? John motions over to the shotgun mounted on the truck. JOHN And then mine and my son's carry pieces. PARKS Alright, thanks. Let's just get you guys outta here as soon as we can. Hawkins steps back out. HAWKINS Yeah, he apparently called the cops and freaked out seeing the hat. With a sigh, he massages his eyes, then thumbs his radio. PARKS (into radio) 1532, dispatch. DISPATCH (from radio) Go ahead 1532. PARKS (into radio) Requesting a tow truck at the Chevron on Dillon and third. We're gonna be code four here. He glances at Hawkins and motions for him to follow him. PARKS (CONT’D) Alright sir, we're gonna be across the street doing traffic if you need us, just wait out here for the truck. Anything happens, just give us a holler or call. JACK Thanks, officer. Parks and Hawkins get back into their cruiser. INT. POLICE CRUISER - NIGHT The two wait across the street from the gas station and clock traffic. HAWKINS So, how'd I do? Parks jots something down on a paper and stares at the passing vehicles. PARKS That's a three. HAWKINS Come on, just a three? PARKS You should've handled that faster, jumped in. HAWKINS Why didn't you? PARKS Wanted to see what you'd do. HAWKINS Right. Well it's not another two which is good. Hawkins clocks traffic with a radar gun. HAWKINS (CONT’D) You were military though? A few of the guys at the station said you were in Afghanistan a few years. David glances over at the radar gun. He takes a deep breath. PARKS Yeah, still kind of am. HAWKINS That's really cool! You know I was gonna join, but then they wouldn't take me because- Parks takes a sigh, then massages his eyes. PARKS Fuck, kid- You gave 'em a reason not to. Parks takes out his phone, checks it, then puts it back in his pocket. HAWKINS (voice trails off) ...Of a surgery when I was nine. David continues to watch cars pass. He massages his eyes as Hawkins continues to take radar. HAWKINS (CONT’D) Pretty quiet today, huh? Parks slowly moves his head and glares at Hawkins. PARKS I'm gonna make you eat those fucking words. A car screams past the two- HAWKINS Holy shit! Did you see that?! Parks picks up the car's radio. PARKS You called it, not me. Light 'em up. Hawkins floors the accelerator and speeds up behind the other car. Hawkins turns on the siren and Parks grabs the radio. The siren blares as the car begins to pull over. PARKS (CONT’D) 1315, dispatch, be advised performing TC on reckless driver- Highway 10, past Marker 13. DISPATCH (over radio) 10-4. Hawkins and Parks prepare to exit the car. HAWKINS Cover. PARKS Contact. EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - NIGHT The two get out and approach. Hawkins crosses toward the passenger's side. Parks crosses toward the driver's. Both place their fingertips on the tail lights of the car. The passenger's side door opens before they can even reach the car. A man bursts out of the car and runs toward Hawkins. IND MAN 1 He's got a gun to my head! Parks draws his weapon. Two gunshots ring out by the time Hawkins gets his as the man in front of him drops dead. PARKS Hawkins, behind the cruiser! Parks fires into the driver's side door and is met with multiple muzzle flashes. Hawkins runs behind the car of the cruiser and fires into the back window. Parks continues to fire and with his free hand keys his radio. PARKS (CONT’D) (into radio) 1532, DISPATCH! SHOTS FIRED AT OUR LOCATION! ROLL BODYCAM! Hawkins now holds the patrol rifle and continues to lay down fire into the vehicle. DISPATCH (from radio) 10-4, 1532, any available units 1532 is requesting assistance on Highway 10 past marker 13. Parks watches a figure run out and fires two rounds before his gun goes dry. PARKS Hawkins, cover fire! Hawkins continues to fire at the car in front of him. Parks takes a knee and reloads his handgun. A cylinder rolls in front of Parks. PARKS (CONT’D) Hawkins get back! Parks kicks it back at the car. It rolls under the other vehicle and goes off. Silence. Hawkins looks up his gun pointing forward. A silhouette pops up. Parks sees it, then looks back at Hawkins. Hawkins drops, a spatter of blood exiting the other side of his skull. Parks reaches into the car and takes his Mossberg 590A1 out. Rounds fly into the windshield, which causes him to duck further. He thumbs his radio again. PARKS (CONT’D) (into radio) OFFICER DOWN, WE HAVE AN OFFICER DOWN! SUSPECT JUST THREW A GRENADE! IND VOICE 1 FUCK YOU WEY! The fire continues as Parks watches one charge him with a knife. Parks fires a round into his chest and just watches him come at him. He backs up and racks another round. The man's guts are hanging out. PARKS What the fuck?! He trains his weapon once more as the man stabs Parks in the shoulder. IND VOICE 1 FUCK...! He pulls the knife out and makes another swing. Parks shoves him with his shotgun and backs up. His shoulder bleeds. Another bullet flies out the back of his shoulder. Parks falls down. IND VOICE 1 (CONT’D) Oh shit! The man looks up. Gunshots ring out as the rounds land in the back of their car. IND VOICE 2 Let's go, let's go man! Parks looks looks over his side. John is with his son and holds a shotgun. He takes another shot at the car as it drives off. Parks holds his shoulder as he feels himself fade in and out of consciousness. He grabs the IFAK off his belt and tries to wrap the wounds on Parks's shoulders. JOHN Shit, shit shit! John reaches into Parks's pocket and pulls out his phone. JOHN (CONT’D) Hey, Parks stay with me now man! Don't you go dying on me! The police lights begin to show themselves on John's face. JOHN (CONT’D) They're just right here, they're right here officer! HEY! The lights flash across his face as John waves first responders over. Parks blacks out and goes in and out of consciousness. INT. AMBULANCE - NIGHT He sees EMTs work on him when he blacks out again. INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - NIGHT Parks is wheeled into the emergency room. IND NURSE 1 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY DAVID PARKS, (late-20s) sits on a hospital bed and clutches his arm. His face carries a pained expression. ELENA SAINTCLAIRE, (26) places her hand on Parks's shoulder. PARKS I need to find Lance. ELENA Dave, I know this is a lot to take in- Parks chuckles. PARKS You're a lot to take in. The room goes silent. JACK NELSON (mid-40s) holds a briefcase and walks through the door. PARKS (CONT’D) You know, sweetheart. I'm not really in the mood for pranks, you get that right? Nelson reaches for the TV remote next to Parks and turns it on. JONATHAN STANTON, (mid-50s) approaches a podium. LIEUTENANT STANTON Thank you all for coming out this morning. I am Lieutenant Jonathan Stanton with the Phoenix Police Department. IND REPORTER 1 (O.S.) Is this an act of terrorism? IND REPORTER 2 (O.S.) Were these two officers specifically targeted? IND REPORTER 3 (O.S.) Do we have any idea at this time who did this? LIEUTENANT STANTON (on TV) At this time I will not be taking questions. The reporters hush. Stanton takes out a paper and glances down at it with an anxious sigh. LIEUTENANT STANTON (CONT’D) It is with a heavy heart that I announce that we lost one of our own tonight. Officer Lance Hawkins was pronounced dead on scene... His field training officer, Officer Parks had been struck by four rounds, two hitting his vest. Parks buries his head in his hands. Tears run down his eyes. LIEUTENANT STANTON (CONT’D) (on tv) ...It is thanks to two armed bystanders that Officer Parks can live to fight another day- PARKS He- He's joking. That's bullshit. He's gotta be joking, this is a sick god damn joke and everyone's laughing at me! A moment of silence between all three. NELSON Officer Parks, I'm sorry to tell you. Elena has a look of concern as she places her hand on Parks's back. PARKS Did he... Feel any of it? Nelson shakes his head. PARKS (CONT’D) What about his wife? Who- Who's gonna take care of her? His kid, come on am I not being fucking understood here?! NELSON His daughter will receive a pension, however it will be up to you whether you'd like to speak to his wife. He wipes off another tear and tries to mouth something, then stops and takes a deep breath. PARKS He's dead because of me, I should've been the contact- He knocks over the table next to him and begins to sob. PARKS (CONT’D) FUCK! NELSON There's nothing you could've done about it, the reason you're alive is because two people happened to see what was going on and stopped it. Parks reaches for the trash can next to him and vomits into it. PARKS God damn it. I could've done more. I could've done more. I should've done more. He stops for a moment as a group of shadows form behind the covered observation room. The door opens as SERGEANT STEELE, (mid-30s) comes in. He wears an "Internal Affairs" badge. Parks spits into the trash can. STEELE Run me through it again, Parks. Piece by piece. He throws a file folder at his feet. Parks stands up. PARKS Fu- Nelson stands up and almost blocks Steele. He looks back at Parks. NELSON Not a word. Get it together. He glares at Steele. NELSON (CONT’D) NELSON (CONT’D) Sergeant, you make another move like that again, I will make your life hell. Parks nods. PARKS I want to go home. He reaches for the change of clothes with his badge and gun still on them. FADE OUT. INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY JAMES O'REILLY, (28) argues with two police officers. JAMES He knows me. Look, I served with him. Can I have a reason for being kicked out? IND POLICE OFFICER 1 Security reasons, never said anything about you. JAMES Look, ask him yoursel- Parks bursts out the door, a cast in his left arm. Next to him is Elena. ELENA David, you've just been shot, let's just go home first... Parks just looks at the scene in front of him. PARKS James? Both of the officers take a step back and look at James. JAMES Dave? PARKS Should've probably told them you were coming. Sorry 'bout that. Dave just nods at the officers and waves them off. They nod. JAMES Grab a drink then? Do some catching up? Dave nods. PARKS Haven't seen you since... JAMES ...Convoy. PARKS Time flies, fuck. James's eyes widen as he takes a sigh. JAMES Yeah, it does. You okay man? Parks takes a sigh and looks at James. He opens his mouth to something, but nothing manages to come out. His phone vibrates. A text appears. The contact reads, "Interested Party". A photo of him with James and Elena coming through the doors with James talking to the police. INTERESTED PARTY (TEXT) Officer Parks, we have a proposition for you. Please meet us on the third floor of the parking garage. Come alone. Parks glances at Elena. PARKS Hey sweetheart, this is James. You guys get to know each other, I'm gonna go for a walk- ELENA Didn't you say you wanted to go home? PARKS Lemme get some air first. James cocks an eyebrow at this. Parks walks off, INT. ELEVATOR - DAY Parks checks takes his Glock 19 out of his right hand inner waistband holster and does a one handed press check using his belt to check for a round. A round is chambered. He takes a deep breath as he looks at the floors. "1" "2" He takes a breath. "3" The doors open as Parks inches out, gun in his hand. EXT. GARAGE - DAY He checks the outside. Nothing. The ramp going to the third floor materializes as he peers over. He makes his way over. A group of black suburbans are parked there. In the middle of it, a group of men in suits. The one in the middle JASON WHITE, (43) rolls his eyes. WHITE Come on now Officer, there were other ways we could've dealt with you. At least listen to us before you start shooting. Those around him reach for their weapons. WHITE (CONT’D) Gentlemen, he has one arm and there's six of you. It wouldn't be a fair fight now would it? Parks lowers his weapon. PARKS What? The fuck you want? You feds? He's clearly nervous. WHITE Officer- Or do you want it to be Detective, Parks? PARKS Cut the shit. He looks behind him at another individual in a suit. He beckons over ANTHONY, (mid-20s) WHITE Anthony, get my case please. ANTHONY Yes sir. Anthony walks to the back of a suburban and comes back. He carries a briefcase. WHITE Price of admission is ignorance. That man was on bath salts and some modified form of PCP. White opens the briefcase. WHITE (CONT’D) He's being healed up in a known Sinaloa Cartel safehouse. Do we have a deal? Parks just slowly nods. He closes the briefcase and passes it to Parks. PARKS Deal. White's side packs up and leaves Parks alone with a metallic briefcase. Parks stands there, briefcase in hand. FADE TO BLACK. EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY Parks walks back with a briefcase. James cocks an eyebrow. JAMES The fuck is that? Parks shrugs. JAMES (CONT’D) The feds give you that? Parks shrugs. PARKS It's information for a case. That's all I know. JAMES If it's on me, I don't have any god damn dogs. Parks rolls his eyes. PARKS If it was on you, I'd have thrown you in cuffs. JAMES Not if there was already an IED planted on your car. PARKS James... James smiles, though it looks nervous. JAMES I'm just joking. I swear. Parks nods. PARKS Right... Follow us, we're headed home. I got a small cabinet there. INT. PARKS'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON The briefcase sits on Parks's wooden kitchen table. James pokes the case with a screwdriver. Elena crouches behind a couch. ELENA Why did you want me back here again? And why didn't you call the bomb squad? PARKS So if it goes off, there's not pieces of me inside of you. Plus, they're not gonna come out here because someone gave me a briefcase. ELENA But I already get pieces of you inside me. PARKS Fuck, walked int- James slams his hand against the top of the case. PARKS (CONT’D) ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US ALL?! JAMES Well we know it's not pressure activated if it is a bomb. PARKS YOU FUCKING IDIOT! ELENA You just gave me a fucking heart attack! James just shrugs. Parks and Elena takes a deep breath. PARKS (CONT’D) You were EOD right? JAMES I was half the reason EOD came to talk to us back then, yeah. Parks unlatches the case and takes out a flashlight. PARKS How'd they set these things up? JAMES Damn things were rigged for a few inches, you pulled up and boom. Just look under it for wires. Parks glances under it, opening the case just a crack. He shines the light around inside of it. JAMES (CONT’D) Anything? PARKS Negative, any clear string would've made a shadow too. Fuck it, I'm going for it. He opens the case all the way. The files are stacked neatly. Elena emerges from behind Parks's couch. ELENA What is it? Anything solid on Lance? Parks takes the case, turns it upside down, and dumps its contents on the table. He starts to spread its contents, across the table. PARKS Help me out with this you two. Elena makes her way over and the three start placing folders right side up. David opens a file, on its cover reads, "DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY". PARKS (CONT’D) Holy fuck. He flips through it. A few clusters of mugshots here and there, a few assorted file- PARKS (CONT’D) I found him. The fucker who stabbed me. He pulls a file out. The top of the dossier reads "Enrique Torrez". Gang Affiliation: "The Sentinel Cartel". Parks's expression changes to that of anger. PARKS (CONT’D) I have to make some phone calls. EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT Four police cruisers and a SWAT van pull up to a warehouse. The streetlights illuminate the grungy grafiti covered area. Gang logos cover some houses, a few dumpsters are knocked over, some of the trash flying around. Outside, the small amount passerbys, whisper to each other as the cruisers pull up with the team. Two cruisers peel off and start cordoning off the area from the front of the warehouse. A perimeter is set up, the area is cleared of any passerbys. INT. POLICE CRUISER - NIGHT Parks sits there and watches all of this. Stanton drives. LIEUTENANT STANTON Four days. Someone tipped us off too when you put the pieces together. Parks just looks out the window. He's got a leather jacket on. Stanton looks over at Parks. LIEUTENANT STANTON (CONT’D) Should feel good though if you are right. Even if you're not it's a dent in the fuck up that was the ATF's schtick. Parks continues to watch as police MRAP stops. PARKS Won't do anything for Lance. LIEUTENANT STANTON We're gonna get these guys, kid. He steps out of the cruiser. Parks opens the door and watches as SWAT stacks on the door. EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT One of the cruisers pulls behind the building, two others set up a perimeter and block the street. From inside the cruiser, Parks turns the police radio up. Stanton lights up a cigarette. The radio comes to life. IND SWAT OFFICER 1 (O.S.) Team one, team two, prepare to breach. IND SWAT OFFICER 2 (O.S.) Team one, ready. IND SWAT OFFICER 1 (O.S.) Team two, ready. On my mark. Parks watches this. IND SWAT OFFICER 1 (O.S.) (CONT’D) Mark. The SWAT team busts the door down. An officer throws in a flashbang. Parks places his hand on his holster. More gunfire rings out from the inside of the warehouse. PARKS That doesn't sound good. IND SWAT OFFICER 2 (O.S.) Team two, one suspect down. IND OFFICER 2 (O.S.) Team two has an officer down! Fucker used a table leg! The radio goes silent for a moment. IND SWAT OFFICER 2 Stay the fuck down! Stanton takes a sigh, throws his cigarette on the ground, and gets on his radio. STANTON 1015, requesting additional units and a bus to the warehouse on 19th and McDowell, code three, one officer down. DISPATCHER (O.S.) 10-4, 1015. Any available units, 1015 requesting assistance at 19th and McDowell, multiple officers down. The sound of sirens in the distance. More gunfire breaks out. IND SWAT OFFICER 2 Multiple assailants with ARs, requesting additional! Fuck! IND SWAT OFFICER 1 Hey we got a suspect- ENRIQUE TORRES, (30) jumps out of a window, rolls, and runs toward Stanton and Parks. He's covered in gang tattoos. Torres just keeps moving, his arms are covered in tempered glass. He charges forward toward Stanton. PARKS Holy fuck. Stanton draws his tazer and fires into Torres. The barbs connect and Torres is unfazed as he charges forward and pushes Stanton aside. Parks tries to draw down, only get pushed aside by a sprinting Torres. STANTON Parks! Parks keeps his weapon pointed downward as he runs after Torres. He struggles to keep up. Torres glances back, sees Parks, and makes a turn. Parks runs forward and tries to turn the corner. Two bullets pass his face. PARKS Fucker! Parks peers out of cover and takes two shots into Torres's back. He just keeps running. PARKS (CONT’D) WHAT THE FUCK?! Parks continues to run forward, chasing him into an intersection. Torres stops to assess the area and glances back seeing Parks. Before anything else, a hatchback runs over Torres, knocking him to the ground. Parks sees this and clutches his arm. He keeps his gun out and sprints to the scene. James gets out of the car. PARKS (CONT’D) What the fuck... Torres isn't getting back up, but he's still breathing. James is pointing wildly at Torres. TORRES Fuck... JAMES He knows where they are! Parks holsters his weapon and takes out his hand cuffs. He presses his knee against his ass. PARKS Grab his other arm. James helps him out and he manages to get them on him. TORRES You... JAMES WHERE ARE THEY?! He flips Torres on his back. PARKS You fucking recognize me? TORRES Yeah, you should be dead. JAMES You'll be fucking dead if you don't tell me where they keep the cat girls! Parks watches a cruiser a few blocks away close in. PARKS Back off, James! Parks glares at him. PARKS (CONT’D) I want answers. Where's your partner? He takes out his badge and keeps it in the direction of the approaching cruiser. TORRES Fuck you cabron, I don't need to tell you shit. Besides, my ride's on its way here. A cruiser pulls up with two officers. They get out of their cruiser. One runs over to James. IND OFFICER 3 Sir, step back. James goes to his car and watches this. JAMES He knows where the cat girls are, don't let him get away with that knowledge! IND OFFICER 1 We won't sir, just stand back. A small army of cruisers shows up behind them. TORRES Don't leave me down here, I can fucking stand, if I didn't have these cuffs I could probably beat the shit out of you, wey! Parks just watches this. PARKS You never answered my question. TORRES My answer is, "Fuck you." Parks rolls his eyes. His hands shake in anger. Another cruiser rolls up with Stanton in it. STANTON You good, Parks? He gives an "okay" hand symbol. STANTON (CONT’D) The hell happened? Parks points at James. JAMES Army buddy happened to be driving through- Retard ran into traffic, got hit. Stanton nods. STANTON Better hope he doesn't sue. James just stands there with the officer. Stanton thumbs his radio. STANTON (CONT’D) (into radio) Dispatch, requesting an additional ambulance to 23rd and McDowell. Parks watches as three suburbans with lights and sirens start advancing on their location. PARKS Who the hell are these guys? Stanton steps in front of Parks and watches all of this. The three suburbans stop and surround the officers. One man in particular, SMITH, (late-30s) steps out holding out a badge. Their uniforms read, "DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY". STANTON Who might you folks be? You weren't on our channels. SMITH Just call me Smith. This individual is of importance to national security, you see. Stanton adjusts his glasses. STANTON He shot one of my men. SMITH I'm sorry to hear that- STANTON I'm sorry ain't exactly going to cut it. Smith glances at Parks. SMITH How's the arm doing? My associate White was asking earlier. Two of the agents walk over to where Torres is detained. Stanton takes out his phone. Smith just patiently waits for him. STANTON (into phone) Colin? Yeah, waiting out here with one of your guys- Agent Smith? Stanton eyes's widen. He motions toward the officer to move away from Torres. SMITH Thank you for your cooperation, Lieutenant. We'll take it from here. Two agents pick up Torres. He spits in the direction of Parks and glares at Stanton. PARKS I'LL FUCK YOU UP! Stanton grabs Parks. STANTON Don't do this, not here. Smith looks back at him. SMITH These feelings are normal, officer. Anger is a normal emotion in the grieving process. Parks watches as the agents get into their vehicles and drive off. A few tears roll down his eyes. PARKS I was so close, I was this close and the feds fucked it up, like they do everything fucking else! Fuck! Parks kicks a can next to him in anger. STANTON PARKS! He pulls Parks aside. STANTON (CONT’D) Look, I get it. This ain't easy by any stretch, but you gotta keep your shit together. At least until that arm of yours heals. I'm recommending for a promotion. Parks puts his head down. STANTON (CONT’D) Just keep it together until you get put on desk duty for that. A tear rolls down his eye. James sees this and looks down. Another car pulls up. Someone jumps out of the driver's seat. NELSON WHAT THE FUCK, PARKS?! PARKS My arm's feeling better! His eyes widened. NELSON Are you looking for IA to fire you? Hell, worse they get you for faking your injuries. PARKS But- Nelson massages his eyes. NELSON Please get better Parks. Go home. PARKS Fine. INT. CAR - NIGHT PARKS James. James watches the road in silence. PARKS (CONT’D) What the fuck is wrong with you? Parks looks at the police scanner in the backseat of his car. JAMES I need to know, Dave. PARKS About shit that exists in Japanese cartoons? If it's fucking real? JAMES You don't get it, but these guys, they're fucking connected! Parks glares at James. PARKS You stupid fuck! My partner's dead and you're looking for fantasy characters?! Tell me when you find elves with thick fookin' oirish accents, boyo. JAMES I have some proof that they're real, Dave! You just have to believe- PARKS (mockingly) Believe me Dave, they're real! Parks rolls his eyes. James slicks his hair back. JAMES It sounds fucking nuts, okay? Just stick with it. I'll tell you if I'm wrong. PARKS IT DOES. Parks pats his shoulder and his face grows to that of discomfort. PARKS (CONT’D) Shit. Hey James... He starts to feel light headed. His vision goes in and out. JAMES Dave?! Parks's eyes widen as a massive pain enters his shoulder. PARKS TAKE THE FUCKING CAST OFF ME! JAMES Oh shit. James pulls over and turns on his hazard lights. He takes off his seatbelt and takes out his knife. Parks begins to scream in agony as he tries to take his cast off with one hand. James is hesitant as he stares at Parks, completely unsure of what to do. JAMES (CONT’D) I don't need you bleeding to death in my- PARKS GET IT OFF! JAMES Shit! You coked up- He cuts Parks's cast. PARKS DAMN IT! James freezes up out of sheer confusion. PARKS (CONT’D) KEEP GOING! Parks starts to try and get the cast off of himself by prying at it with his hand. James takes his knife and starts to cut his cast out. Parks takes his jacket off. The cast comes free. Parks's takes off his shirt. PARKS (CONT’D) So fucking hot in here, jesus christ. Bandages are wrapped around where he was shot. JAMES You think I should call Doc? Parks shakes his head and starts to take the bandages off of his shoulder, finding it... ...As if it were unscathed by the round that had struck him. All that's left is a scar. Parks takes a deep breath. PARKS What the fuck was that man? James just shrugs, his eyes widened. Parks puts his shirt back on. PARKS (CONT’D) Get me home. EXT. PARKS'S HOUSE - NIGHT Parks holds his kevlar vest and jacket in his arms as he steps out of James's car. JAMES You gonna be good man? Parks stretches out his left arm. A loud "pop" comes out of it as he straightens it out. PARKS Your guess is as good as mine. James just looks at this, completely astounded. JAMES You are one lucky son of a bitch, Davey. If only the guys back then had the luck you do. PARKS It doesn't change anything. INT. PARKS'S HOUSE - NIGHT The lights are still on when Parks comes back inside. PARKS Elena? ELENA I'm in the kitchen! PARKS ...I need to show you something. Elena walks through the kitchen. Parks turns on the light. Elena's jaw drops as she looks at his arm. ELENA Your arm... Parks stretches out his formerly damaged left arm. PARKS I don't know. She walks over to Parks and holds him. ELENA They said you weren't going to make it, Dave. Parks closes his eyes and holds her. He kisses her on the forehead and holds her tight. ELENA (CONT’D) Lance's funeral's tomorrow. I got your dress uniform dry cleaned. With a sigh, Parks's hands hold her tighter as he leans into her neck. He sits there in silence as he holds her. PARKS You know I gotta talk to his wife... It should have been me, Elena. ELENA Dave. You made it. Parks sobs as he holds her. FADE TO BLACK. INT. PARKS'S HOUSE - DAY Parks puts on his dress uniform. His face looks weary as the world around him seems to move at a different pace than he is. He sits and eats his breakfast. His eyes look haggard. Elena appears behind him and kisses him on the cheek. ELENA I'll drive. Parks swallows his food. PARKS Sure, I guess. INT. CHURCH - DAY PASTOR HILL, (mid-50s) stands behind a podium. HILL On behalf of the family, I would like to thank you... Parks sits there in his dress uniform. He's spaced out. The words from the pastor drift away. The world seems to go away as he looks out a window next to him. BACK TO: EXT. DESERT - DAY Parks lays against some dirt. He's in full BDUs and looks to the right side of him into the face of a dead soldier. The world around him is silent. Parks takes a glance to the left. He sees DONOVAN "DON" PAULSEN, (30) carries a wounded soldier and sets him down behind an MRAP. Don runs over to him. He mouths something in silence then- DON GET UP! YOU NEED TO GET UP! ELENA (faded) Dave. Dave- Dave! INT. CHURCH - DAY ELENA Dave? Parks takes a deep breath and snaps out of his trance. ELENA (CONT’D) They want you to say a few words. Parks nods. PARKS Yeah, uh... Yeah, I'll do that. Sorry. The eyes of the congregation fix themselves onto Parks. Parks makes his way up to the podium. He takes out a set of notecards. His hands shake as he looks up at the crowd. PARKS (CONT’D) (into mic) You guys can hear me alright? He looks at the front row of pews which give him a thumbs up and a smile. PARKS (CONT’D) Roger that... He starts to rearrange his notecards. PARKS (CONT’D) Lance Hawkins was 21 when he taken away from us. To me, he seemed a lot older than that. He tries to force a smile as he looks back down at his cards, then back at the audience. Parks sighs. PARKS (CONT’D) He was however, young, inexperienced, and struggled. He was stupid. A gasp from the audience as they begin to murmur amongst themselves. Sergeant Steele and Nelson are in the audience. Nelson's eyes widen and he massages his eyes. Steele jots down some more notes. PARKS (CONT’D) He'd made mistakes. I was hard on him and so were all the others who worked with him during his field training period. Parks takes another breath. His hands almost freeze up and he has to move the cards that he just spoke aside. PARKS (CONT’D) However, and Mrs. Hawkins please correct me if I'm wrong- He was often times trying to correct himself in his mistakes. He'd go through notepads, and I noticed that at the end of them he'd have a set of goals. The audience goes silent. PARKS (CONT’D) He'd ask me what he missed out on. How he could do his job better, how he could himself and me safe. Parks chuckles. PARKS (CONT’D) He was obsessive with his notes and trying to better himself as an officer. Even in his final moments, he was listening to me, using everything he learned... Parks looks down and sets his notecards aside. PARKS (CONT’D) In all, we lost him. He was good. He steps off the podium and walks back to his seat. He spots MARK DIAZ, (late-20s) sitting in the back of the room. PARKS (CONT’D) Reporter? Parks sits back down. HILL At this time, I will be speaking with Mrs. Hawkins. Refreshments will be served in the room to my right. People around Parks begin to stand up and converse amongst themselves. Parks makes his way over to Mark. He continues to move over to where Mark is. Mark jots something down "unaware" in his phone next to Parks's name. PARKS You better have a good reason to be here. Mark stands up and smiles at Parks. MARK Step outside with me, I need a few words with you. PARKS Like hell you do! People glance over at him. PARKS (CONT’D) (hushed) Like hell you do. MARK See what I mean? Mark puts his phone in his pocket. He stands up and walks with Parks. Mark looks forward. MARK (CONT’D) (whispering) Look, more people who have no idea what you've actually just uncovered. LAYLA HAWKINS, (22) suddenly holds Parks, sobbing. LAYLA He's never coming back! He's never coming back. Parks's eyes widen as he holds her. A look of shock in Parks's eyes. Mark walks up behind her and taps her on the shoulder. She turns around. He pulls out a handkerchief and passes it to her. MARK Mrs. Hawkins, your husband was a hero who handled the situation as best he could. Layla takes the handkerchief and sobs into it. LAYLA He was going to be a dad, Officer Parks. PARKS Dave. Just, Dave. She sits in the pews and struggles to regain her composure. Layla struggles to say anything. Her phone rings. LAYLA Hold on, I have to take this. She sniffles. PARKS If you need anything, just ask. LAYLA Thank you, Dave. EXT. CHURCH - DAY The rain comes down. Mark leans against the wall with a cigarette in his mouth. MARK I'm surprised, newly promoted detective. You don't realize the shit you've just stepped in, do you? PARKS Cut the shit, what do you know? MARK Well Torres is dead. Someone did you a favor, my man. Seems like the responding officers can't seem to get their radios working, so they had to use their personal phones to call up the coroner. Better meet 'em there. Parks's eyes widen. PARKS The feds got him last night. MARK (mocking) But the feds! He laughs at this. MARK (CONT’D) Oh, the guys in suits! Right! Parks's eyes widen in anger as he walks over to Mark. PARKS What the fuck are you not telling me or anyone on this investigation? There's a dead cop and you want to play Frank fucking West? MARK I actually look up to the guy myself, but- Parks gives him a death glare and gets ready to raise his arm as if to strangle him. MARK (CONT’D) Okay, okay, look. I'm just on the side looking to tell the truth, the facts of the matter, you don't see that shit anymore. Parks motions for him to go on. MARK (CONT’D) The truth is, there's some kind of war breaking out. You happened to be a roadblock in the middle of it. The dead guy? Guy who got his brains blown out and caused you guys to go light up that car? Step away while you can, Dave. He shows a scar on his neck. MARK (CONT’D) Because I ain't built for the world you are. Parks nods. PARKS That's all I need. INT. CHURCH - DAY Parks walks over to Elena. PARKS I need to go. ELENA Dave, his wife... Layla is in line to look into Lance's grave. Parks takes a moment to glance at her, then glances at his phone. He turns away and walks out of the church. EXT. CHURCH - DAY Nelson walks up next to Parks as he steps out. NELSON Parks, I advise you be careful when you do things like that. IA's been up and down your case all day, there's a chance they found something. PARKS There's always a chance. Parks stretches out his arm and walks over to his car. NELSON What happened to your cast? PARKS I was just lucky, I guess. Nelson just shrugs. NELSON Alright then. He walks out and gets into his car. INT. MORGUE - DAY Stanton waits for him in there. Parks reads off the case file then looks down at the body. Two gunshots to the chest and one to the head. STANTON You weren't wrong. PARKS About what? STANTON Whatever these guys are, they got something going with 'em. Parks looks down at the body. PARKS What do we got here, Vincent from Collateral coming to take what's his? STANTON Something like that. He points to the glass. Three rounds sit in the clear sample glass. Parks takes a pair of forceps and looks at them. PARKS That's not a handgun round. STANTON Not at all, we're gonna send it up to the ME, but from the looks of it, it's probably .308. THOMAS SCOTT, (mid-50s) runs his scalpel down the man's chest. The three watch as the incision sows itself back up slowly. SCOTT As you can see here, Mr. Torres has some kind of regenerative healing ability. STANTON The hell kind of freaks are we dealing with? Parks watches as the incision closes itself. SCOTT It's nothing I've ever seen before. PARKS Christ. SCOTT (CONT’D) The skull is interesting however. He takes out an autopsy saw. Stanton taps him on the shoulder and makes a motion for him to put on his glasses. He turns on his saw and sparks begin to fly out. PARKS (over saw) IS THAT NORMAL?! Scott turns off the saw and sets it down next to his other tools. SCOTT That's some kind of metal. I sent a sample up to forensics for examination, but other than tha- The door opens and slams shut behind them. A man MARCUS, (late-20s) and a woman, DAWN PAULSEN (early- 30s) walk into the room. PARKS Who the hell are you? Marcus has an obvious grin on his face. MARCUS Agents Marcus Krow and Dawn Paulsen, Department of Homeland Security, about to secure this body. PARKS This body's in our custody actually. He bites his lip and looks over at Dawn. MARCUS Oooohhh, well- Stanton watches this in confusion. Dawn passes a paper to Stanton. Stanton watches this puzzled. He takes a look at her for a moment and just continues to watch her as he takes the paper. STANTON (reading) By order of the Department of Homeland security, you are to give any details of the murder of Officer Lance Hawkins... His expression changes to that of anger. Stanton looks up and passes the paper back to Dawn. Parks's eyes widen. STANTON (CONT’D) All yours then. PARKS Wait, what? Parks stands in front of the body. PARKS (CONT’D) Abso fucking lutely not. MARCUS You're really going to impede a federal investigation, Officer? STANTON It's detective now, actually. MARCUS Well, detective! Marcus glances at Parks. MARCUS (CONT’D) I'm ordered to secure any and all evidence by any means necessary. Even if it means Miss Dawn here knocking you out and dumping you in the desert. PARKS Fuck you. MARCUS That's no way to speak to a federal officer, detective. Parks glares at Marcus, then walks out of the door in anger. EXT. MORGUE - DAY Parks bursts out of the morgue with a pack of cigarettes. PARKS FUCK! He lights one and puffs on it in anger. Diaz appears behind him. He steps on a leaf. The sound causes Parks to reach for his weapon. With a glare, he looks at Diaz. PARKS (CONT’D) I take you had something to do with evidence being removed from our jurisdiction? Diaz goes wide eyed. DIAZ Wait. Who? PARKS Homeland came in with some familiar name... He drops his cigarette. PARKS (CONT’D) Dawn... Don... Paulsen. DIAZ Doc had something to do with this? PARKS That's where I've heard that fucking name. Parks takes out his phone and thumbs through the contacts. DIAZ Hey, whatever you're doing, I want in on too. PARKS No, you don't. DIAZ Even if I have information relating to his death that you may very well need? Parks stops his thumb on James's contact. DIAZ (CONT’D) This goes both ways you know. Parks just looks at Diaz dead in the eyes. DIAZ (CONT’D) Give me your contact card. Parks puts his phone in his pocket. He takes out his wallet and passes him his contact card. PARKS Email me everything you have. Until then, I have to make a phone call to a friend. Diaz nods. A van pulls out of a gate at the morgue. Marcus sits in the driver's seat, Dawn right next to him. Parks goes back inside INT. MORGUE - DAY Stanton stands there and massages his eyes. STANTON Go home Parks, we'll figure this out next week. Rest up, get someone to take a look at you, because you're not looking too good. Parks just nods. PARKS Yes, sir. Parks takes another sigh as he takes out his phone. He thumbs James's contact and calls him. PARKS (CONT’D) (into phone) Yo James. JAMES (O.S.) What's up? EXT. MORGUE PARKING LOT - DAY He walks out the doors of the morgue. PARKS (into phone) You still talking to Doc these days? He unlocks his car. JAMES (O.S.) Yeah, kind of broke contact after the whole convoy incident though. We talk here and there. PARKS (into phone) Did he ever talk about having a sister? JAMES (O.S.) Nah, he was a closed box when it came to family shit. Never even talked about LA. Parks gets into his car. INT. PARKS'S CAR - NIGHT Parks starts his car, his phone still up to his ear. PARKS (into phone) Just call him for me, please. I really need this info in particular. JAMES (O.S.) Look, I know I barely stand you when it comes to cops, but doc is a different animal entirely. Worked with him or not, he's not going to be thrilled you're calling him that capacity. PARKS (into phone) Are you okay? JAMES (O.S.) What? PARKS (into phone) You actually said something sane, you're right. Fuck. JAMES (O.S.) I'm still looking for cat girls. PARKS (into phone) Alright then, talk to you later. JAMES (O.S.) Wait, Dave- Parks hangs up the phone, puts his car in gear, and heads home.