Burn Notice - Reasons - Sample

BURN NOTICE "Reasons" Written by Michael J. Green

CONTACT: Michael J. Green [email protected]

©Copyright

Michael J. Green, 2009. All rights reserved.

WGAw

BURN NOTICE “Reasons” TEASER EXT. ROAD, OUTSIDE MADELINE’S HOUSE - DAY MICHAEL WESTEN stands across the street from the recognizable Westen home. It’s inviting in the Miami sunshine. A black Dodge Charger sits in the driveway. Michael wears green His face is strong, lacks his trademark green duffel bag to

fatigues, black boots and a chiseled jaw. but more youthful than we remember, and confidence and smirk. He holds a full his side.

Swallowing hard, he takes a step into the street. SUAVE MAN (O.S.) First Sergeant Westen? Michael stops and turns to the stranger. The man is classy as hell; clean-shaven, perfect gray streaks in his hair, Armani suit. He even chews gum loudly like the smarmy ass he is. SUAVE MAN (CONT'D) Michael Westen of... well, of across the street? Michael doesn’t give him anything. SUAVE MAN (CONT'D) You’ve served your country well. Not many have what it takes to make special forces. But when you’re done with your... vacation, and itching for some excitement, give me a call. He offers Michael a card. This being anything but a vacation, Michael takes it rather eagerly. SUAVE MAN (CONT'D) They want you. And I can see in your eyes: you want them. FREEZE FRAME AND SUPER: Sixteen years ago. DISSOLVE TO:

2.

EXT. BOARDWALK - PRESENT - DAY Michael as we know him. He strolls down the boardwalk with FIONA, the two in their usual garb. Fiona picks at a stick of cotton candy. FIONA So what’s your plan of attack? MICHAEL Who am I attacking? FIONA You tell me. You’re so insistent on un-burning yourself. MICHAEL That’s right. FIONA After all this time? You still want to make deals with Afghan warlords or wander around some ultradepressing village in Eastern Europe? MICHAEL That doesn’t sound so unappealing. FIONA You’re really not happy here, Michael? MICHAEL That’s not the point, Fi. It’s-FIONA It’s what? The principle? He stops. MICHAEL Are you happy here? Fiona looks at him. FIONA At times. An uncomfortable beat between them.

3.

FIONA (CONT'D) I can understand wanting revenge for what these people did to you. Now that would make me happy. MICHAEL No. Victor tried to take them down, and we know how that turned out. It’s too big for me. FIONA Aww, humility. Michael smiles. FIONA (CONT'D) Not an attractive quality. His smile fades. FIONA (CONT'D) I... it was just a joke, Michael. She realizes that he’s watching something in the distance. She turns around to follow his gaze: the suave man is chatting up a skinny CHINESE STUDENT and the STUDENT’S GIRLFRIEND. FIONA (CONT'D) Who’s that? MICHAEL That’s Frederick Jackson. He’s the man that recruited me to the CIA. BLACK OUT. END OF TEASER

4.

ACT ONE EXT. BOARDWALK - AS BEFORE Michael and Fiona watch FREDERICK. The man hasn’t aged so well. Now sporting a bit of a pot belly, his fake tan screams desperate. He’s a sleazier Sam. FIONA So he’s the reason you’re you? MICHAEL He was my first handler. He introduced me to the world of intelligence gathering. FIONA “The world of intelligence gathering” - was that his hook? Michael’s too nostalgic for jokes. Fiona’s not. FIONA (CONT'D) Maybe he won’t remember you and recruit you again. Michael considers it. He steps forward to confront Frederick when his cell phone RINGS. It’s his mom. He sighs to Fiona before answering. MICHAEL Hi mom. MADELINE (O.S.) (over phone) Michael, I want you to meet me at Sts Peter and Paul. MICHAEL ...You’re at church? MADELINE (O.S.) I have someone I want you to meet. MICHAEL Why are you at church? MADELINE (O.S.) Michael! I think you can help him. MICHAEL I’ll be there in an hour.

5.

MADELINE (O.S.) An hour? What are you doing? MICHAEL Just spending time with some friends. Michael hangs up. FIONA Your mom’s going to church now? MICHAEL Catholic it sounds like. You’d be proud. Michael leaves Fiona and walks to EXT. BEACH FRONT - CONTINUOUS Michael walks intently towards Frederick. MICHAEL (V.O.) The life of a spy isn’t something you just apply for. You have to be recruited; agents especially. Scouts look for the best of the best. Of course, as time goes on, the demand shifts from covert agents to computer analysts and engineers. It’s not as exciting a job, for the recruiter or recruitee, but it has to get done. Frederick is sweet talking the Chinese student, but is equally interested in the bikini-clad girlfriend with him. FREDERICK Come on, if you like computers, the government is the way to go. You get to work with the best technology, the best minds, and we’ll pay you to learn the in-andouts of the latest gadgets. And who knows, if you want the lifestyle, we can even train you to get out of the server room and take up more... exciting tasks. Frederick looks to the girl, hoping to pick her up with war stories older than her. But Michael pops in. MICHAEL Freddy!

6.

Frederick turns to see Michael. He swallows the shock quickly. FREDERICK Michael Westen! Now, Eric, here’s a person I want you to meet! MICHAEL Nice to meet you Eric, I’m Fred’s doctor. A very lucrative and safe career. Frederick bursts out a fake laugh. FREDERICK Ha, this guy’s great! MICHAEL (to Frederick) I just wanted to remind you to tell the girl Sally back at Langley that she needs to get tested for chlamydia right away, even if she’s not showing any symptoms. The girlfriend is repulsed. This is starting to go too far for Frederick. FREDERICK OK, come on. MICHAEL That kind of stuff is common in the agency, considering all the cases I get. The student is really losing interest now. FREDERICK Now, now, he’s just joking around. Michael Westen is a real-life spy. Hey, how’s Mahmoud? He’s the first contact Michael made as an operative. MICHAEL Mahmoud’s dead. Torn to pieces by dogs. That’s enough for Frederick’s target. The two hurry off. Frederick drops the act and faces Michael.

7.

FREDERICK What the hell, Michael? MICHAEL Just wanted to say ‘hello,’ Freddy. FREDERICK Frederick. And that was crossing the line. Especially the chlamydia thing. MICHAEL Seeing you here, I thought I might ask you a favor. FREDERICK Oh, absolutely. I’m clearly in your debt. MICHAEL (serious now) I was a good recruit - I helped you climb the ladder. FREDERICK Hell yeah you did. You were one of the best I’d ever seen. Then you had to get yourself burned. Now I’m here, trying to get Zits McGee to make CIA PowerPoint presentations while his girlfriend thinks I have god damn chlamydia! MICHAEL So it’s in both our interests to clear my name. FREDERICK Please, Michael. You were burned. MICHAEL By people acting outside the government, trying to blackmail me into working for them. FREDERICK That’s a nice story, but-MICHAEL Come on Frederick. Make some calls. See if I have any allies.

8.

FREDERICK You do. The United States did not like losing you. Frederick is still not convinced. MICHAEL Do it for yourself. FREDERICK Well, if it’s for myself... Michael smiles. MICHAEL See me when you have something. He turns and walks off. EXT. OUTSIDE STS PETER AND PAUL CHURCH - DAY A crowd pours out of the traditional Catholic church, a service having just ended. MADELINE WESTEN stands outside, away from the crowd, with HUGO RAMIREZ. Michael walks up to her. MADELINE Michael! Where have you been? MICHAEL I’m sorry, mom. I don’t keep my schedule open in the event that you call me to come to church. MADELINE Excuse me. But not every mother has to deal with her son being constantly hunted down. And let’s not forget what happened to my house! MICHAEL We can’t forget. MADELINE The point is: I need... guidance. MICHAEL They have videos for that. HUGO Please, don’t dismiss the power of Communion.

9.

MICHAEL I’m sorry, who are you? Madeline turns to Hugo. MADELINE This is the person I wanted you to meet. HUGO Hugo Ramirez. Your mother and I have been sharing mass for a couple weeks now, and we started talking. MICHAEL ...Why? MADELINE He’s in trouble with a drug lord. HUGO Yes, Jesus. Jesus Alvarez. He’s a major crack cocaine dealer. MICHAEL And how are you in trouble? Hugo and Madeline hesitate. MADELINE Well... Hugo here sells cocaine. Michael freezes. What the hell? FREEZE FRAME AND SUPER: Hugo Ramirez, Drug Dealer. Michael forces a smile and keeps his eyes on Hugo. MICHAEL (to Madeline) Can I talk to you for a moment? Michael walks his mother away from Hugo. MICHAEL (CONT'D) Are you insane? MADELINE Please, Michael. He wants to walk away from that life. MICHAEL So he walks away from that life.

10.

MADELINE But he can’t leave while this Jesus is still out on the street. His conscience won’t let him. Michael looks at her, disbelieving. MADELINE (CONT'D) If you knew you were helping a monster, could you just walk away from it? This hits Michael. He’s no doubt done that a few times. He looks back to Hugo. FREEZE FRAME AND SUPER: Hugo Ramirez, Reformed Drug Dealer. INT. MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - DAY Michael enters his apartment to find SAM chilling with a beer in the kitchen, Fiona on the bed with a magazine. They both look to him, expecting to be relieved of their boredom. SAM Hey Mikey. So, I heard you bumped into your recruiter. FIONA It looked like an interesting conversation. MICHAEL He’s going to see if there’s any way to clear my name, or at least find people sympathetic to me. SAM Well hey, that’s great Mike. FIONA If anything comes of it. SAM I tell ya Mike, you never should have left the military. You could have coasted through the ranks and never worry about this burn notice stuff. And share your ops with me. FIONA Where’s the fun in that? Besides, if Michael didn’t become a spy, he and I wouldn’t have met.

11.

SAM Another point for my argument. Fiona glares at him. Michael, ignoring their spat, heads to the refrigerator for a yogurt. FIONA So what did your mom want? MICHAEL Oh, you know, she wants me to take down a drug cartel. The two look at Michael, confused. MICHAEL (CONT'D) She met a seller that wants out of the crack game, and aims to take his boss with him. FIONA Who’s the boss? MICHAEL His name’s Jesus, if you can believe that. SAM What, Jesus Alvarez? That’s a bad guy, Mikey. FBI, DEA, everyone’s after him. FIONA Why can’t they catch him? SAM Because they’re the FBI and DEA. The guy leaves a trail of dead bodies, but they can’t connect it to him. MICHAEL Sounds serious. FIONA All the more reason to get involved. SAM No, you do not want to get involved with this guy.

12.

FIONA Come on, Michael. What else are you going to do; sit around and wait for your sleaze ball friend to make some calls? You’re so eager to get back to your exciting life of neutralizing drug lords, why not start here? Sam shakes his head no, but Fiona’s got a point. EXT. OUTSIDE JESUS’ MANSION - DAY Michael and Fiona sit in the front of Michael’s Charger. Hugo’s in the back. They watch Jesus, flanked by several men, walking to his black Hummer. MICHAEL (V.O.) The drug trade is just that: a business. But given the dangers involved, it takes on a military vibe. The general has his captains and lieutenants, who have their own men under them. Very few cartels have uniforms, though. FREEZE FRAME AND SUPER: Jesus Alvarez, Crack General. HUGO 11:15 every day, like clockwork. He goes to have lunch at his restaurant, then checks on his sellers from one to three. MICHAEL Does he just sell? HUGO No. He brings in the cocaine, makes the rock, and distributes it in and out of the city. FIONA So taking him out would be quite a blow to the crack trade. Fiona looks to Michael, smug. MICHAEL I imagine someone will quickly take his place. HUGO ...Sí. It’s the way of the market.

13.

MICHAEL Tell me about distribution. How does he-Michael’s cut short by the activity in front of them: Jesus beats the shit out of a man next to the car. Michael and Fiona watch, concerned. It’s nothing new for Hugo. FIONA I wonder what he did. HUGO I can’t say. But that’s Jesus’ brother. Michael looks to Fiona, as if she dragged him into all of this. She shrugs. BLACK OUT. END OF ACT ONE

14.

ACT TWO EXT. OPEN RESTAURANT - DAY Michael, Fiona, Sam and Hugo sit under a parasol. Sam enjoys a mojito, the others water. Michael and Fiona glare at Hugo, who looks as desperate as ever. SAM Like, to a pulp? FIONA A bloody pulp. HUGO Now you know why I can’t just walk away. He is a dangerous man. MICHAEL I think you should get out while you can, and leave this to the proper authorities. HUGO The proper authorities? Jesus has been dealing and killing for years, and they’ve done nothing. SAM Come on, he’s not exactly a kingpin. HUGO He’s becoming one. He’s taken out several of his competitors in the last two years. SAM Hostile takeovers, right? Hugo rolls his eyes. Michael thinks, then looks to Hugo. MICHAEL You’re serious about this? HUGO Of course. MICHAEL And no more dealing?

15.

HUGO No more. Michael looks to Fi and Sam, then sighs. MICHAEL I need to know everything about Jesus’ operation. INT. MADELINE’S KITCHEN - DAY Madeline smokes a cigarette while frying pancakes on the dirty stovetop. There’s a KNOCK at the door. Confused, she walks to INT. MADELINE’S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS She opens the door. It’s Frederick. FREDERICK Ah, hello. Mrs. Westen, I presume? Madeline’s a bit flustered. Frederick’s quite handsome. MADELINE Miss, yes. FREDERICK Miss. I’m looking for your son Michael, and I thought he’d be here. She takes a step back, suspicious and cautious now. MADELINE What for? FREDERICK I have some information for him. I’m a friend, Mrs. Westen. MADELINE I told you, it’s miss. And Michael’s not here, he’s off helping a friend of mine, I hope. FREDERICK Yeah, I hear that’s what he does nowadays. “Help people.”

16.

MADELINE Half the time. The other half he’s running around, trying not to get killed. It really scares me sometimes. FREDERICK I wouldn’t worry about it. Michael’s talented; he knows how to take care of himself. That raises Madeline’s curiosity. MADELINE How do you know him? FREDERICK I got him out of the military and into his more exciting career. MADELINE You what? FREDERICK I recruited him. Right across the street, as it so happens. MADELINE Across the... when was this? FREDERICK Oh... sixteen years ago. Madeline can’t help but get a little teary eyed. MADELINE He... Did you want something to drink? She steps back to let him in. INT. BUS - DAY Michael steps into the bus. Wearing a grey suit and carrying no bags, he doesn’t really fit in. He walks past the rows of seats, scanning for his mark. MICHAEL (V.O.) Miami is a favorite of drug runners. Not only does it have a large domestic market, it’s the entry point for most of the cocaine on the east coast. (MORE)

17. MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT'D) If you’re stupid enough to smoke it and you’re east of the Mississippi, chances are it came to you courtesy of some desperate Floridian with an overabundance of luggage.

Michael finds his target: a scraggly-looking WHITE KID that’s trying too hard to avoid eye contact. A full duffel bag rests in the seat next to him. Michael stops and considers how to proceed. MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT’D) You always want to avoid targets that have established a defensive position in an enclosed space. One way is to draw them outside, or play the spy and gain their trust. He thinks, then grabs the bag and starts walking to the door. The drug runner springs up, scared out of his mind. WHITE KID Yo, what are you doing!? Michael keeps his easy pace. The kid rushes to him, but is thrown back with an effortless kick from Michael. The other riders react, but are all too dumbstruck to do anything. Michael walks right off the bus, smiling. INT. MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - DAY Michael is back home with Fiona. She playfully explores the duffel bag sitting on the counter. FIONA You just took it? MICHAEL Yep. I don’t think he’s going to report that his three pounds of illicit drugs were stolen. FIONA So Hugo’s information was good, then. MICHAEL It was. We may actually have a shot at this.

18.

FIONA I have to say, this is quite admirable of you. Taking down a drug dealer for a man seeking redemption. MICHAEL It’s like you said: I used to do this kind of stuff all the time. And with real warlords, too. FIONA You made deals with them. I’d always offer to rig their cars to blow, and you’d only take me up thirty percent of the time. Michael takes out his phone and starts dialing. MICHAEL It’s about being smart, Fi. Sometimes a bullet to the head or a bomb wired to an ignition isn’t the best solution. FIONA You have a unique view of the world, Michael. He puts the phone to his ear, waiting for a response. FIONA (CONT'D) Who are you calling? The call connects. MICHAEL Hi Fred. CUT TO: INT. MADELINE’S KITCHEN - DAY Frederick is thrilled to have the phone call serve as a distraction. He’s turned away from Madeline, who’s still smoking and finishing another round of pancakes. FREDERICK Michael, there you are. Madeline turns to Frederick, giddy. MADELINE Hi Michael!

19.

INERCUT: MICHAEL’S APARTMENT / MADELINE’S KITCHEN MICHAEL Why is my mom with you? FREDERICK I’m at her house. You told me to find you when I got some information, and this is the only address I have. MICHAEL Those who can’t do, teach, huh? Frederick accepts the humiliation. MICHAEL (CONT'D) So you have some information for me? FREDERICK (seeing his way out) Uh, yeah. Very sensitive intel. We shouldn’t discuss it over the phone. MADELINE Ooh, tell him to come here. I’m making pancakes, Michael! MICHAEL (bluffing) Pancakes, that sounds like fun. FREDERICK No! I have a meeting downtown, maybe we could do it there. Madeline’s disappointed. Michael, on the other hand, had fun screwing with Frederick. EXT. CITY STREET - DAY Michael and Frederick walk and talk. FREDERICK I can see why you were such an eager candidate. If I knew that was waiting for you across the street, I could’ve totally phoned it in. MICHAEL What do you have for me, Frederick?

20.

FREDERICK I did some digging, Mike. There’s a lot of nasty stuff surrounding your name. Whoever burned you went all the way, compromising every contact you made. MICHAEL I knew that. FREDERICK Yeah, but, even if it were possible for you to get back in, you would have to start all over. You couldn’t work the same regions, you’d have to establish a whole new series of contacts-MICHAEL That was half the fun of the job. Going to new places, making friends. FREDERICK Why don’t you just hunker down here? You get better reception than some African slum, and you can retire all those useless languages. Michael stops their walk. MICHAEL This is not my life, Frederick. FREDERICK (empathizing) I’ll call those I know are interested in you. See what I can do. MICHAEL Thanks. And while you’re at it, could you call any of your friends at the DEA? FREDERICK I wouldn’t say I have any friends. Why? MICHAEL I’m going to need some inside intel. It’s something I’m working on right now.

21.

FREDERICK Sure. I’ll get what I can. Michael starts walking away. MICHAEL I’ll tell my mom you had a good time. EXT. OUTSIDE JESUS’ MANSION - DAY Michael approaches the gates of Jesus’ mansion. The duffel bag is slung around his body. MICHAEL (V.O.) The drug world is highly lucrative and highly dangerous. Any holes in your security don’t just jeopardize your profits, but your very life. Kill or be killed applies. What separates the kingpin from the small time is the ability to distinguish between an enemy and an opportunity. Michael throws the bag to the ground in front of the gate. He speaks to the two guards in a strong, cocky voice. MICHAEL (CONT'D) Hey, I happened upon some of your boss’s produce, thought he might be interested in buying it back. GUARD Please remove yourself and your bag from the property. MICHAEL Oh come on now, I’d say there’s a good three pounds in here. That’s fifty gees, at least; I’m sure no one behind this gate wants to pass up that kind of money. GUARD Sir, drug possession is a serious crime. MICHAEL Almost as serious as selling it. The GUARD pulls back his jacket and rests a hand on his gun.

22.

MICHAEL (CONT'D) You really want to shoot a DEA agent standing outside your gate? At that, Jesus comes walking out the front door. He eyes Michael and yells to him from the safety of his property. He has an obnoxiously strong Hispanic accent. JESUS DEA needs a warrant to be talking to my men. MICHAEL And Jesus Alvarez needs to start addressing the serious gaps in his operation. A white kid on a Greyhound? There’s such a thing as being too clever - at some point it just becomes obvious. And let’s not get started on the five guys you got at the Port of Miami, the seven planes parked at various air strips, the “tourist trips” to the Bahamas-JESUS You’re accusing me of a lot of things, pendejo. If any of it were true, you’d have enough for a warrant. MICHAEL It’s all true, and pretty well known around the office. Jesus lets out a hint of fear. Michael seizes it. MICHAEL (CONT'D) Doesn’t mean all of us are interested in warrants. A federal pension doesn’t get better the more you file. Jesus gets the meaning and starts to consider it. MICHAEL (CONT'D) I’ll leave this with you. Its cash value is a little low for me. If you feel like raising it, my information’s inside.

23.

Michael turns around and walks coolly away, leaving behind a speechless Jesus. BLACK OUT. END OF ACT TWO