Lethal Weapon - Screenplay By Shane Black
FIVE NARCOTICS OFFICERS
come running from their stakeout positions around the lot.
But they stop short when they see that Riggs is being held
with a gun pointed to his head. The Drug Dealer begins to
move with Riggs toward a van parked nearby.
RIGGS
(to officers)
Shoot him! Shoot him!
DRUG DEALER
(to Riggs)
Shut up!
RIGGS
(to Drug Dealer)
Fuck you!
(to officers)
Shoot him! Shoot him!
The narcotics officers don’t know what to do. They are
frustrated. Helpless. Immobilized. Riggs sees the van
looming up. The van means defeat. The van means disgrace.
The van means victory for the bad guys, and we know that
Riggs would rather die than be the instrument of the
Dealer’s escape.
CLOSE ON RIGGS AND DRUG DEALER
The veins are popping out in Riggs’ neck. The Drug Dealer
is getting nervous and panicky. His gun hand is trembling.
The barrel of the gun jiggles against the back of Riggs’
head.
RIGGS
(to Drug Dealer)
Do it, asshole. Pull the trigger. Pull
the trigger.
DRUG DEALER
Shut the fuck up!
They move closer to the van. The narcotics officers have
their guns poised for action, but don’t dare use them.
DRUG DEALER
(to officers)
Guns down! Guns down!
RIGGS
(to officers)
Shoot him! Kill him!
(to Dealer)
Pull the trigger!
(to officers)
Waste him!
(to Dealer)
Shoot me!
(to officers)
Kill him!!
The Dealer is so freaked now that his grip on Riggs slips
momentarily -- and Riggs sees his opening. He spins. Kicks
the Dealer in the groin. Dislocates his arm -- sending the
gun flying. Riggs retrieves his Baretta from the Dealer’s
belt and shoves the barrel into the Dealer’s face. Riggs’
entire body quakes with rage. His finger begins to squeeze
back on the trigger. He wants to kill the guy so bad he can
taste it... and yet, he doesn’t do it. The other officers
arrive and step between Riggs and the Dealer. Riggs turns
away. Breatliing hard. Adrenalin pumping. He tucks the
Baretta into his belt, then notices that his hand is
covered with the spilled blood of one of the Drug Dealers.
It gives Riggs pause. For a moment, he just looks at it.
HOLD ON Riggs. VERY CLOSE. And the look in his eyes.
OMITTED
thru
thru
25
25
INT. METRO SQUAD ROOM - MORNING
Police have seldom looked this busy. Yes, there are RINGING
PHONES. Yes, there are CLATTERING TYPEWRITERS. Yes, it
looks like a circus. And here comes Captain of Detectives
ED MURPHY, moving like an after-breakfast juggernaut.
Behind him, a young woman rushes to keep up. The POLICE
PSYCHOLOGIST, no less.
PSYCHOLOGIST
I want Martin Riggs pulled from duty.
MURPHY
Um... no.
PSYCHOLOGIST
No. No??? Captain, he walked into the
line of fire.
MURPHY
Very brave individual, don’t you
think... ?
PSYCHOLOGIST
This is utter bullshit.
MURPHY
Oh, is it? Forgive me.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Martin Riggs is a cop with a death
wish.
Murphy shoots her an incredulous look.
PSYCHOLOGIST
You can quote me. It happens to be my
professional opinion.
MURPHY
Um... good opinion. See you tomorrow.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Captain...
MURPHY
Look, Doc, you’re way off. Way off.
Know what I think? I think Riggs is
pulling for a psycho pension.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Oh, do you?
MURPHY
Yeah. I am sure you’re aware the
department offers a disability stress
pension --
PSYCHOLOGIST
Yes, I’m aware --
MURPHY
-- Except we don’t offer it to
everybody, only cops who seem to suffer
from
PSYCHOLOGIST
-- From abnormal stress, yes, I know.
Or suicidal tendencies.
MURPHY
Give the lady a cigar.
PSYCHOLOGIST
You think Riggs is playing a game?
MURPHY
Sure. He wants the cash. Seen it a
hundred times. He’ll come around.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Sir, with all due respect ... I think
that’s a dangerous attitude to take.
May I remind you that his wife of
eleven years was recently killed in a
car accident, and
MURPHY
I know all about Riggs, Doc. He’s a
tough bastard.
PSYCHOLOGIST
(intense)
He is on the edge. He may be psychotic.
MURPHY
Bunch of psych bullshit- Look, can I
pee now?
PSYCHOLOGIST
I think you’re making a mistake by
leaving him in the field. He’s
suicidal.
MURPHY
End of discussion. We’re gonna wait.
And then, if he offs himself ... Well,
then we’ll know I was wrong.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Yes, sir. Then we’ll know.
CUT TO:
EXT. SIMI VALLEY - NIGHT
Rain sweeps in off the desert. Cold. Drenching. Riggs walks
slowly toward his trailer home, head down. The RAIN BEATS
on him. He doesn’t notice. Under his arm he carries a large
cardboard box.
INT. RIGGS’ TRAILER - SAME TIME
Riggs enters, soaking wet. Switches on the lamp.
Depressing. Jake appears, tail a-thump. Tongue wagging
doggishly. Riggs reaches atop the refrigerator, grabs a bag
of peanuts. Opens it, tosses it to the dog.
RIGGS
Sam, every day ... in every way ... I’m
getting better and better.
Opens the box and removes its contents. Brand new color
TELEVISION. Plugs it in. Switches it ON. Sits down with a
bottle of whiskey. Drinks. On the screen, the Grinch steals
Christmas from the residents of Whoville.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Riggs opens a drawer beside him, and takes out a bottle of
sleeping pills. Picks it up. As he does -- the sound
of the TELEVISION FADES OUT -- silence, dead silence... As
Riggs rolls the bottle in his fingers. Slowly,
thoughtfully, unscrews the cap ... dumps them on the table.
Runs his fingers through them. CLICK... CLICK... Stares.
Mesmerized. RAIN BEATS on the window.
EXT. TRAILER
The RAIN CONTINUES to hammer the lonely little pit which
Riggs calls home.
CUT TO:
L.A.P.D. - MORNING
A zoo. A sign reads METRO ROBBERY/HOMICIDE. Roger Murtaugh
sits at his desk, lost in thought. Behind him, McCASKEY,
Class Three Detective. He talks to Murtaugh:
MCCASKEY
See, you’re behind the times, Sarge.
Guys in the Eighties aren’t tough.
They’re sensitive people. They show
emotions around women and shit like
that.
(beat)
I think I’m an Eighties man.
MURTAUGH
How you figure?
MCCASKEY
Last night: I cried in bed, so how’s
that?
MURTAUGH
Were you with a woman?
MCCASKEY
No, I was alone, why the fuck you think
I was crying?
MURTAUGH
Sounds like an Eighties man to me.
Another detective enters. Rail-thin, nose like a beak. His
name is BURKE.
Behind him in the door frame we see a fat cop pass by down
the hall, walking backwards; a beat, and then he is
followed by four more cops singing the world’s shittiest
rendition of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” It sounds
like pigs mating. Burke approaches Murtaugh:
BURKE
Got some news on the Lloyd case, Rog.
MURTAUGH
That was quick.
BURKE
So was the autopsy.
(takes a deep breath)
You ready for this? They’re not calling
it suicide.
MURTAUGH
What?
BURKE
Surprise, surprise. First off, coroner
found evidence she took barbiturates.
MURTAUGH
Brilliant. There was an open bottle on
her table.
BURKE
Right, right. That’s not the surprise.
Surprise is someone doctored the pills.
(beat)
Every capsule was loaded with drain
cleaner.
MURTAUGH
Jesus ...
BURKE
If she hadn’t jumped, she woulda been
dead inside fifteen minutes.
MURTAUGH
(sighs)
This case blows.
ANOTHER ANGLE
ACROSS the room, a detective takes off his gun and slings
the holster across his chair. As he EXITS FRAME -- PAN to
reveal: Martin Riggs as he enters the squad room. Shuffles
from foot to foot, looking lost. Lights a smoke.
ACROSS ROOM
Murtaugh slings on a jacket. Turns to go. Notices Riggs.
MURTAUGH’S POV
Riggs resembles a bag person. Unshaven, limp dirty hair,
grimy leather jacket.
BACK TO SCENE
He frowns, says:
MURTAUGH
McCaskey, if my wife calls, tell her
late dinner.
BURKE
Ho, Rog- I’m not through yet. I’m
supposed to tell you two more things.
MURTAUGH
Shoot.
He is still looking at Riggs, who is slowly wandering from
desk to desk, smoking -- Stopping near the desk with the
holstered gun.
BURKE
First, condition of the sheets and
mattress indicate someone was in bed
with Amanda Lloyd just before she died.
That’s A.
MURTAUGH
What’s B?
BURKE
B is, I’m supposed to tell you you’re
breaking in a new partner on this.
Now Murtaugh is eyeballing Riggs. Cautious.
MURTAUGH
(distracted)
I don’t work partners.
BURKE
You do now. C.I.T. transfer, some
burnout they want you to keep on a
leash.
MURTAUGH
Oh, perfect. Can I trade in my life for
a new one?
At which point, across the room, Riggs removes the hol-
stered gun and hefts it, curiously. Suddenly all hell
breaks loose:
MURTAUGH
Gun !!
He bolts like a cheetah. Cops dive for cover, a secretary
shrieks, and Murtaugh goes plowing through the squad room
like an express train, blowing people out of the way --
Cops grabbing for their holsters -- Riggs, meanwhile,
looking around frantically, he’s trying to find the guy
with the gun who is, of course, himself.
Murtaugh takes a flying leap sails across the desk, going
for the glory And Riggs, in the blink of an eye, simply
ducks and flips Murtaugh neatly over one shoulder. There is
a hideous crash of BREAKING GLASS and OVERTURNING
FURNITURE. Ouch... McCaskey, meanwhile, screams to Burke:
MCCASKEY
What the shit is going on?
Burke sighs, shakes his head:
BURKE
Roger just met his new partner.
INT. OFFICE
Darkness. A soft CLICK as a gun is cocked. The barrel
gleams faintly in the dim light. A voice:
MAN (O.S.)
There are three guns on you.
VISITOR
Easy. Take it easy.
(beat)
I’m going to light a match.
He does. Holds it near his face.
MAN (O.S.)
Thank you, Mr. Mendez.
The lights come on. Dazzling. Mendez covers his eyes. Three
men. Seated in chairs. Shirt sleeves and shoulder holsters.
The LEADER speaks.
LEADER
If you’ll follow me, please.
MENDEZ
Who the hell are you?
LEADER
That’s hardly important. If you like,
you may call me Mr. Joshua.
MENDEZ
Swell.
They move toward a door in the rear wall.
JOSHUA (LEADER)
I trust you’re having a pleasant
holiday season?
MENDEZ
(looks at him)
Yeah. It’s a fucking joy, thank you.
INT. BACK OFFICE - SAME TIME
The door opens into a dimly-lit office. Stained carpet.
Rotten wood. A desk. Behind the desk sits a large, rugged
man with eyes like chips of stone. This is the GENERAL.
GENERAL
Yes, Joshua... ? Ah, Mr. Mendez.
Please, have a seat.
Joshua stands off to one side. Mendez sits.
MENDEZ
(under his breath)
Where’d you get him? Psychos ‘R.’ Us?
GENERAL
Hardly.
Points to another merc.
MENDEZ
I like the sunglasses. Very Hollywood.
GENERAL
Mr. Larch is unfortunately missing an
eye. For anonymity’s sake, he chooses
to forego wearing a patch.
MENDEZ
Swell. Blind people with guns. This is
a class act. Maybe we can run over to
the V.A. and pick up a couple amputees.
Bargain rates after six.
GENERAL
I don’t find you funny.
MENDEZ
I don’t find this goddamn setup funny.
(beat)
You’re using mercenaries, for
Chrissake. Tell me I’m wrong.
GENERAL
No. You’re not wrong.
MENDEZ
And I’m supposed to trust these bozos?
GENERAL
My people are loyal, Mr. Mendez. They
are loyal to me.
MENDEZ
Bullshit.
GENERAL
Joshua. Hold out your hand.
Joshua steps up to the General and extends his arm.
GENERAL
Do you smoke, Mr. Mendez?
MENDEZ
Yeah.
GENERAL
Give me your lighter.
Mendez frowns, cautiously hands a silver cigarette lighter
to the General. Who promptly pulls an old G. Gordon Liddy
maneuver: He holds the flame right under Joshua’s hand.
Searing it. Mendez looks on, a trifle pale. As for Joshua,
he makes no sound at all. Simply stands, trance-like.
GENERAL
You wish to do business with us, yes?
MENDEZ
Jesus ...
GENERAL
Mr. Joshua is in a great deal of pain.
You wish to make a purchase, yes?
MENDEZ
I ... yes. Sure. Jesus.
The General nods, hands the lighter back to Mendez.
GENERAL
Filthy habit, smoking.
(beat)
The bulk of the heroin will arrive
Friday night. We will make delivery at
that time. Please have the money ready,
and no tricks. If you try to cross us,
I’ll have Joshua cut out your eyes.
(beat)
Merry Christmas.
OMITTED
38 39 39 38
EXT. UNMARKED POLICE CAR - DAY
Riggs and Murtaugh cruise through downtown Los Angeles.
Riggs drives, while Murtaugh scowls. There is an awk- ward
pause.
MURTAUGH
Turn right.
(beat)
So. They tell me you’re a good cop.
RIGGS
I try.
MURTAUGH
Heard about your little stunt
yesterday. Pretty heroic stuff.
(as Riggs does not reply)
File says you worked for the Phoenix
Project in Vietnam, that right?
RIGGS
Yes.
MURTAUGH
Assassin stuff?
RIGGS
Maybe.
MURTAUGH
And they gave you the Congressional
Medal of Honor.
RIGGS
It was a lean year.
MURTAUGH
It’s over, you know.
RIGGS
What is?
MURTAUGH
The war.
RIGGS
Yes. I know.
MURTAUGH
Just thought I’d remind you.
(beat)
Check out your piece?
He reaches across the get Riggs’ gun. At which point
Riggs’ hand shoots out -- and stops him cold.
RIGGS
Bad manners, man.
Riggs removes the gun himself. Steers with his knees.
Drops the chambered bullet. Slips out the magazine, works
the slide, KA-CHIK
Hands the gun to Murtaugh.
RIGGS
Don’t hurt yourself.
Murtaugh hefts the weapon, turning it over in his hand:
Beretta .9 millimeter. Smooth, well-oiled. Accurized.
Murtaugh frowns.
MURTAUGH
.9 millimeter Beretta. That’s some
serious shit.
RIGGS
Military switched from Colt to Beretta
in 1985. It’s a better piece. Wide
ejection port, no feed jams, no
stovepipes.
MURTAUGH
What’s it take?
RIGGS
Fifteen in the mag, one up the pipe.
You carry a wheelgun?
MURTAUGH
.38 Special.
RIGGS
Lot of old-timers carry that.
Murtaugh shoots him a look. Replaces the gun.
MURTAUGH
File says you’re registered with Newark
P.D. as a lethal weapon.
RIGGS
File don’t lie. Look, friend, let’s cut
the shit. We both know why I was
transferred. Everyone thinks I’m
suicidal, in which case I’m fucked and
no one wants to work with me. Or they
think I’m faking to draw a psycho
pension, in which case I’m fucked and
no one wants to work with me.
Basically, I’m fucked.
MURTAUGH
Guess what?
RIGGS
What?
MURTAUGH
I don’t want to work with you.
RIGGS
Then don’t.
MURTAUGH
Ain’t got no choice. Damn. We’re both
fucked.
RIGGS
Terrific.
As they speak, Riggs has pulled to a stop in front of a
large downtown bank building.
MURTAUGH
(rubs his eyes)
I’m very old ...
(sighs)
... God hates me, that’s what it is.
RIGGS
Hate him back. Works for me.
He lights a cigarette.
CUT TO:
41 INT. BANK BUILDING - DAY 41
Dick Lloyd’s office: everything about it looks starched and
perfect. In the b.g., bank employees shuttle between
desks, building and toppling empires. DICK LLOYD paces
back and forth. He is the man we saw earlier in Amanda’s
photograph, standing next to Murtaugh.
Now he looks like shit. He addresses Riggs and Murtaugh,
who are seated in the office.
LLOYD
Murder ... But I thought ...
MURTAUGH
Poisoned. Even if she hadn’t jumped
... she’d still be dead.
LLOYD
Jesus.
(beat)
Jesus, I can’t take -------.
He sits, staring out the window. A broken man.
MURTAUGH
Dick, why did you call me yesterday?
LLOYD
(very far away)
Called you...? Yeah. That’s right ... I
heard you were working out here ... I
wanted you to find her for me, Roger.
Take her
MURTAUGH
Out of what?
LLOYD
She did movies, Roger ... Naked movies
... Saw one of them...... saw my
little baby ... smiling...... She did
it ... with a woman. She was on top
of a woman, Roger-...!
MURTAUGH
Easy, Dick.
Lloyd turns, facing them. Intense:
LLOYD
I want a promise.
(beat)
You owe me. You know you do.
MURTAUGH
Yes. I know that.
LLOYD
When you find who did it, I want you to
kill them. If it’s more than one, I
want you to kill all of them.
Make them squirm first, take your time
... and fucking kill them.
MURTAUGH
I’m a police officer, Dick.
LLOYD
Forget the law. It’s easy to do. You
owe me.
MURTAUGH
(pause; then)
We have to go now.
Lloyd does not look up. Riggs and Murtaugh head for the
door.
LLOYD
I know you can, Roger. You kill them.
You do that.
The cops exit. The door shuts.
EXT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
Riggs and Murtaugh head ior the car. Riggs takes out a
pack of cigarettes.
MURTAUGH
You gonna smoke in the car?
RIGGS
Thinking about it.
MURTAUGH
Terrific.
He puts the top down. Riggs takes out a cigarette, starts
to put it in his mouth. Stops.
RIGGS
Whoops. Shit.
He replaces it in the pack, takes another. Murtaugh looks
at him.
MURTAUGH
What was wrong with that one?
Riggs points to the tip of the replaced cigarette. We
notice two things: a) It looks like it’s about fifty years
old; and b) There is a tiny red mark, circling the filter.
RIGGS
This one is the last cigarette I’ll
ever smoke. Trick I learned from my
dad. I smoke all I want, but when I
smoke this one ... I’m through.
MURTAUGH
Brilliant. Get in the car.
RIGGS
Want me to drive?
MURTAUGH
You’re suicidal, remember?
RIGGS
Anyone who drives in Los Angeles is
suicidal.
They get in. Murtaugh heaves a sigh, stares bleakly out the
window. A moment, then Riggs says:
RIGGS
He said you owed him. What did he mean?
MURTAUGH
We served together in ‘65. He saved my
life in the La Drang Valley. Took a
bayonet in the lung.
RIGGS
That was nice of him.
MURTAUGH
I thought so.
The RADIO SQUAWKS. Murtaugh TURNS it UP.
DISPATCHER (V.O.)
All units and seven eight twenty-one,
possible jumper at the corner of Santa
Monica and La Cienega, seven eight
twenty-one handle code two.
Murtaugh keys the hand mike.
MURTAUGH
Four King Sixty en route.
RIGGS
This is great. I love this job.
MURTAUGH
Stow it.
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