Lethal Weapon - Screenplay By Shane Black
EXT. CITY INTERSECTION - DAY
A building, ten stories high. On the ledge, a lone man
poised high above the street. Beneath him, a crowd has
gathered. A police car. A searchlight. A crowd of office
workers, rubber-necking to beat the band. One or two kids
yell, “Jump, jump.” Murtaugh’s car glides to the curb. The
doors burst open and the two partners emerge. A PATROL COP
approaches.
PATROL COP
Hey, Sarge, you wanna handle this?
MURTAUGH
Where’s the psychologist?
PATROL COP
Sitting in traffic.
MURTAUGH
Swell.
(beat)
Who’s the guy?
PATROL COP
Salesman name of MacCleary. Left the
office party. Went upstairs and walked
out on the ledge.
MURTAUGH
Think he’ll go?
PATROL COP
Seems serious enough. Who knows?
Riggs clears his throat. Murtaugh turns.
RIGGS
I can handle this.
MURTAUGH
You qualified to talk to jumpers?
RIGGS
I’ve done it before.
MURTAUGH
(reluctant; then)
Okay. You’re elected.
(as Riggs) turns to go)
Hey.
(as Riggs stops)
No guns. No kung fu. Just ... bring him
in.
RIGGS
Sure. Bring him in.
MURTAUGH
Right.
Riggs moves off toward the building. Murtaugh looks after
him. Was this a mistake ... ?
EXT. ROOFTOP - DAY
Riggs appears on the roof. There, about five yards away,
stands the JUMPER. Agitated. Breathing hard. Below is ten
stories of open space. The wind blows. Riggs nods to the
Jumper.
MACCLEARY (JUMPER)
Go away.
RIGGS
My name is Riggs.
MACCLEARY
Fuck off.
RIGGS
I can’t do that.
(beat)
What’s your name?
MACCLEARY
Look, I know all the psychology
bullshit, it won’t work.
RIGGS
I’m not a psychologist.
MACCLEARY
Yeah? What are you?
RIGGS
Homicide cop.
MACCLEARY
You’re early. Hang on a couple
minutes, you can go to work.
RIGGS
At least tell me your name. Look, I
gotta fill out the little piece of
paper. Okay?
MACCLEARY
(swallows)
Len. Len MacCleary.
RIGGS
Thanks. ‘Preciate it.
(beat)
That M -- C ... ?
MACCLEARY
M -- A -- C, now get outta here.
Riggs leans out farther, perches on the ledge. Absolutely
calm.
RIGGS
Why are you doing this?
MACCLEARY
None of your goddamn business.
RIGGS
Fair enough.
(pause; then)
I’m coming out. Take it easy.
Riggs stands, steps out onto the narrow ledge. He seems
unconcerned.
MACCLEARY
Don’t come near me!
RIGGS
Ssshhh. Easy. I’m just going to talk.
MACCLEARY
Touch me and I’ll jump.
RIGGS
I understand.
EXT. BUILDING - DAY
On the ground below, Roger Murtaugh reacts with disbelief.
His partner is taking an insane risk. Up above, Riggs
pauses. Around him the WIND BLOWS treacherously.
RIGGS
You’re not the first guy to think of
this, you know. Everyone’s got
problems.
MACCLEARY
You know shit.
RIGGS
Wrong. You’re wrong.
(beat)
I almost tried this once. Seriously.
My wife. Got killed in a car crash.
Only person I ever cared about. I never
had kids.
MacCLEARY
You’re breaking my heart.
Riggs takes out his wallet, flashes it at MacCleary.
RIGGS
This is her picture.
MACCLEARY
Nice. Fuck off.
RIGGS
I’m trying to tell you I understand,
you dope.
He takes a step closer.
MACCLEARY
Don’t touch me. I’m not doing anything
wrong.
RIGGS
I know that. Not like you’re murdering
anyone.
MACCLEARY
Right. Only one hurt is me.
RIGGS
Same way I look at it. I’m gonna stand
beside you, okay?
MACCLEARY
No!
(beat)
Dammit, keep away.
RIGGS
Please. This is scary stuff. Just ...
let me stand next to you.
MACCLEARY
Don’t try nothing.
RIGGS
I try something, we both go.
MACCLEARY
Right.
Riggs slowly steps up to the man. Shudders.
RIGGS
There. Fuckin’ cold,up here.
(beat)
Helluva day for both of us, huh?
(looks around at the sea of
traffic far below)
Here we are.
(beat)
God, this is really scary. I’m scared.
MACCLEARY
Me, too.
RIGGS
You wanna smoke?
(pulls out cigarettes)
Let’s smoke, okay?
MACCLEARY
Sure.
Riggs offers a smoke. MacCleary reaches for it. And Riggs
snaps a handcuff on his wrist. Snaps the other end onto his
own wrist.
MACCLEARY
Hey ...
RIGGS
Sorry.
(beat)
See this key?
He holds up the key to the cuffs. Flings it out into space.
RIGGS
We’re together on this. You can go if
you want. But you take me with you.
Makes you a murderer.
MACCLEARY
You bastard.
RIGGS
You’ll be killing a cop.
Silence.
RIGGS
I’m going inside. What say you come
with me?
He turns, starts to ease along the ledge. MacCleary
swallows hard, says:
MACCLEARY
Fuck you, I’m jumping.
And suddenly Riggs turns on him. Eyes like steel.
RIGGS
You wanna jump ... ? You really want to
... ?
(long pause; then)
Fine. Let’s do it.
He steps to the edge.
MACCLEARY
Hey, what the fuck ...
RIGGS
You asked for it.
MACCLEARY
Hey, wait a minute ... !
Riggs does something very drastic. He jerks them both off
the ledge. Holy shit. The crowd gasps.
RIGGS
Geronimoooooo ...
As down they plunge, all ten stories -- Tumbling and
falling -- MacCleary shrieking like a lunatic ... And
suddenly, BAM -- ! They land in a fireman’s net. Bounce a
few times. Come to rest, safe and unharmed ...
Riggs rolls over with a sour look on his face. Cops
surround them. MacCleary is a trifle upset.
MACCLEARY
Get him away from me!! Cut me loose!!
Crazy fucker tried to kill me!! Did you
see that?? He tried to kill me!!!
And so on, screaming and ranting -- As a uniformed cop
cuts Riggs free with a set of clippers. Riggs stands
shakily. Steps away from the net. And there is Roger
Murtaugh. Visibly upset. Did I say upset? I meant enraged.
He grabs Riggs, slams him against the wall. Tries to grab
his collar. Riggs’ hand shoots out. Lightning fast. Stops
Murtaugh’s hand. Stops it cold. They stare into each
other’s eyes.
RIGGS
Don’t ... touch me.
Murtaugh will not back down.
MURTAUGH
What the fuck did you just do???
RIGGS
I controlled the jump. You wanted him
down. He’s down.
MURTAUGH
C’mere.
He yanks Riggs around the corner, away from the other cops.
MURTAUGH
Okay, turkey, no bullshit. Do you want
to kill yourself?
RIGGS
Aw, for Chrissake ...
MURTAUGH
Shut up. Just yes or no, do you want to
die? Huh? Yes or no?
RIGGS
I got the job done.
MURTAUGH
You’re not answering the question!!!
RIGGS
(angry)
What do you wanna hear, man?
You wanna hear that I got a bottle of
pills in my room? I do. Every day I
wake up, I look for a reason not to
take them. Doing the job, that’s ...
that’s the reason.
Murtaugh looks at him. Nods. A moment, then:
MURTAUGH
You want to die.
RIGGS
I’m not afraid of it.
MURTAUGH
Here.
(unholsters his gun)
Pills are too slow. Use a gun.Use my
gun. Go ahead, pal.
A pause. Riggs looks at the gun.
MURTAUGH
Be my guest.
He offers the gun to Riggs.
MURTAUGH
Go ahead. If you’re serious.
Riggs smiles, takes the gun without missing a beat. Puts it
to his head. CLICK -- ! The hammer is cocked. Murtaugh and
Riggs stare each other down. Tense. Reading each other.
RIGGS
You shouldn’t tempt me, Roger.
MURTAUGH
Put it in your mouth. Bullet goes in
your ear, might not kill you.
Meanwhile, in the b.g., pedestrians are diving for cover.
Murtaugh and Riggs are oblivious. Riggs puts the gun under
his chin.
RIGGS
Under the chin’s just as good.
They stare at each other. Riggs’ finger begins to tighten
on the trigger. Turns white with pressure. It looks like
he’s going to do it. At the last second, Murtaugh jams his
thumb in front of the hammer, and CLICK Jesus ...
The hammer thuds against his thumb. Murtaugh grabs the gun.
Stares at Riggs, wild-eyed.
MURTAUGH
Jesus. You’re not trying to draw a
psycho pension.
(beat)
You’re really crazy ...
RIGGS
(smiles coldly)
So now you know.
MURTAUGH
Yeah. Now I know.
INT. POLICE LINEUP - DAY
The Police Psychologist we met earlier is talking on the
telephone:
PSYCHOLOGIST
You’re asking me if he’s stable and I’m
telling you no. We’re talking about a
man who carves notches in his gun
barrel. One for each kill. He blew a
man to Pieces yesterday. Is this
helping?
INTERCUT:
ROGER MURTAUGH
Standing at a pay phone, listening. He nods:
MURTAUGH
Terrific. So you’re saying I should
worry.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Are you kidding? The guy’s a time
bomb. When he goes... stand back.
MURTAUGH
Thank you, Doctor. You’ve been very
helpful.
He hangs up. Rubs his eyes tiredly and says:
MURTAUGH
I’m too old for this shit.
CUT TO:
INT. MURTAUGH’S CAR - TRAVELING - DAY
Silence. Murtaugh fumes. Riggs keeps his mouth shut.
Murtaugh takes his anger out on the road: SLAMMING the
BRAKES; SQUEALING around corners, etc. But he can’t hold it
in. He explodes:
MURTAUGH
(pounding his fist against the
wheel)
It’s my birthday, damnit! Fifty years
old today! Fifty goddamn years old!
Thirty years on the force! Not a
scratch on me! Not a scar! I got a
wife! Kids! House! Fishing boat! But I
can kiss all that goodbye, ‘cause my
new partner’s got a death wish! My
fuckin’ life is over!
RIGGS
Roger --
MURTAUGH
Shut up! Why you talkin’ to me?! I’m
not here anymore! I’m gone! I’m dead!
You’re gonna see to that! You wanna die
-- and you’re gonna take me with you!
Silence again. Murtaugh gnashes his teeth. Riggs looks at
him with a very serious expression.
RIGGS
I didn’t know that.
MURTAUGH
Know what?!
RIGGS
That today was your birthday.
(beat)
Happy Birthday, Roger. I mean that
sincerely.
Murtaugh looks taken aback by the genuine sound of affec-
tion in Riggs’ voice.
RIGGS
I just hope we stay alive long enough
for me to buy you a present.
Riggs says this with a straight face -- but there is a
playful glint in his eye that Murtaugh doesn’t miss.
And he laughs out loud in spite of himself. It breaks the
tension, and Riggs knows it.
RIGGS
Where we going?
MURTAUGH
Beverly Hills.
(beat)
Got an address on Amanda Hunsecker’s
meal ticket. But remember ... this guy
isn’t a suspect yet. We’re gonna
question him; not damage him.
Riggs raises his hands -- as if to say, I’ll be on my best
behavior. Murtaugh swings the car onto Sunset Blvd.
49 EXT. POSH BEVERLY HILLS HOME - TWILIGHT 49
The kind of house that I’ll buy if this movie is a huge
hit. Chrome. Glass. Carved wood. Plus an outdoor solarium:
A glass structure, like a greenhouse only there’s a big
swimming pool inside. This is a really great place to have
sex.
INT. SOLARIUM
The swimming pool is covered by a vinyl tarpaulin.
Surrounded by a jungle of plants.
AT POOLSIDE TABLE
Sits a very rich person. He is wearing an $800 designer
ensemble. Beside him, an elegantly-appointed shotgun leans
against the table. He is on the phone.
RICH GUY
Listens asshole, you gotta tell me
these things ... Yeah, we got a
problem. My margin is completely fucked
up, and we got athletes snorting the
shit and pitching over dead, how’s that
for a problem... ? Yes, I’m holding
two keys now. Terrific, call me back.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODEN GATE - SAME TIME
Riggs and Murtaugh approach the gate. Riggs tosses out a
cigarette. Suddenly -- There is an ELECTRIC HUM and the
gate glides softly open, admitting a red Honda scooter, a
dashing blonde behind the wheel.
She ROARS off down the street. Riggs and Murtaugh exchange
glances. The GATE CLICKS, starts to glide shut. The cops
enter.
53 EXT. HOUSE WINDOW - SAME TIME 53
Riggs’ face comes INTO FRAME, peering cautiously through a
plate glass window. He whistles softly.
RIGGS
Take a look.
Murtaugh steps to the window, looks in.
MURTAUGH’S POV - THROUGH THE WINDOW
Enough cocaine to service the third tier at Yankee Stadium.
A BLONDE, BIKINI-CLAD WONDER sits on the couch, happily
snorting. She sees Murtaugh and waves hilariously. Makes
come-hither gestures. Murtaugh scowls, turns to Riggs.
RIGGS
I’m thinking probable cause.
MURTAUGH
Jesus. Maybe I should call for backup.
RIGGS
What am I, chopped liver?
Murtaugh looks at him. Sighs.
MURTAUGH
No killing.
RIGGS
No killing.
He grins cheesily-
EXT. SOLARIUM
Riggs and Murtaugh approach the frosted glass door. They
draw their guns.
MURTAUGH
Nice and easy.
RIGGS
Nice and easy.
Murtaugh takes a deep breath. Kicks open the door.
MURTAUGH
Police. Hold it right there.
INT. SOLARIUM
The rich guy does not hold it right there. In fact, he has
already snatched up the SHOTGUN. He triggers a BLAST, BLOWS
OUT GLASS next to Murtaugh. Murtaugh dives, rolls, comes
up in a combat crouch. BAM --- The rich guy takes it in
the shoulder. Spins around. The gun clatters to the ground.
Riggs and Murtaugh approach, guns drawn. The rich guy
writhes on the ground, clutching his shoulder. Murtaugh
says to Riggs:
MURTAUGH
See how easy that was? Boom. Still
alive. Now we take the gun away ...
(he does)
... And we question him. Know why we
can question him? Because I got him in
the shoulder. I didn’t blow him up or
jump off a building with him.
RIGGS
No fair, the building guy lived.
MURTAUGH
Whatever. The point is, no killing.
RIGGS
No killing.
MURTAUGH
Right. Piece of cake. I’m very
happy. Read the man his rights, I’ll
be over here being happy.
Unfortunately ... as Murtaugh speaks, he does not see the
man on the ground has a hideaway gun tucked into his
waistband. As Murtaugh talks, oblivious ... The guy takes
out the gun with his good arm -- and aims dead center-at
Murtaugh’s back. Riggs, however, notices. And springs into
action. Before the rich guy can fire ... Riggs’ foot
flashes out like a pile driver. CRACK! The guy flies
backward. Lands on top of the pool tarpaulin. Oops. It
promptly surrounds him in a sucking, vice-like grip.
Murtaugh dives forward and extends his hand. Too late. The
vinyl surrounds the screaming rich guy, sucks him below the
surface. Smothers him. Drags him to the bottom. Murtaugh
looks on, wild-eyed. On the bottom of the pool is a vinyl
tomb. Murtaugh dives in. Swims to the bottom. Yanks, and
strains, but we all know it’s no fucking use. The vinyl
stops moving. Murtaugh stares... and then he gives up.
Surfaces at the side of the pool, gasping and wheezing.
Riggs kneels down beside him.
RIGGS
Oops.
Murtaugh stares daggers at him.
MURTAUGH
Have you ... ever... met someone you
didn’t kill... ?
RIGGS
Haven’t killed you yet.
MURTAUGH
Terrific, you want a little gold star?
(lie pulls out a soaked pack of
cigarettes)
Shit.
EXT. POSH BEVERLY HILLS HOME - LATER
Behind Riggs and Murtaugh, crime scene cops scurry back and
forth. Flashing lights. Cameras. Murtaugh makes his way to
the car. Riggs beside him. As they reach the car, Murtaugh
stops:
MURTAUGH
Look, I’ m sorry I said that shit back
there.
(beat)
You saved my life. Thank you.
RIGGS
I bet that hurt to say.
MURTAUGH
You have no idea.
INT. MURTAUGH HOME - LATER THAT NIGHT
The two detectives come through the front door, shedding
their jackets. Young Carrie appears, nursing a Popsicle.
CARRIE
Hi, Daddy. Is that a crook?
MURTAUGH
No, honey, this is Martin, my partner.
(scoops her up; hugs her)
Tell Martin what you think of crooks.
CARRIE
Buttheads.
(giggles)
They’re buttheads.
RIGGS
Kid’s no dummy.
CARRIE
Daddy, Mommy says you hate her cooking.
MURTAUGH
Tell Mommy hate is a mild word.
INT. KITCHEN
Trish is cooking as the two cops enter.
MURTAUGH
Hi, honey.
(he looks in the oven)
We’re having something brown... A
largish brown object ...
TRISH
It’s roast.
MURTAUGH
Dammit, I wanted to guess. Honey, this
is Martin, my new partner. He’ll be
joining us tonight, okay?
TRISH
Sure. Roast okay with you, Martin?
RIGGS
Fine.
MURTAUGH
How about brown, roast-like substance?
TRISH
Roger, you’re being an asshole.
(kisses his ear)
Don’t forget to compliment Rianne on
her shoes.
MURTAUGH
Got it. Drink, Martin?
RIGGS
Bourbon, if you have it.
Murtaugh exits. Riggs stands awkwardly as Trish removes the
roast from the oven.
RIGGS
My wife could burn water.
TRISH
You’re married?
RIGGS
I was. She’s dead now.
TRISH
Oh. I’m sorry.
RIGGS
No problem.
He reaches for a stray piece of roast. Trish slaps his
hand.
TRISH
Don’t pick.-
Riggs smiles. A genuine smile, the first we’ve seen.
INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME
Murtaugh is fixing drinks as RIANNE enters. We all heave a
sigh. She is strictly to perish for.
RIANNE
Hello, Father.
MURTAUGH
Hello, daughter. Nice shoes.
RIANNE
Oh, Daddy, aren’t they great?
MURTAUGH
Absolutely. How much they cost?
RIANNE
A hundred and ten dollars. Do you
really like them?
MURTAUGH
A hundred and --
(frowns)
-- They’re shoes.
RIANNE
Right.
MURTAUGH
You wear them on your feet.
RIANNE
Right.
MURTAUGH
And that’s all they do ... ? There’s
not, like a TV inside?
RIANNE
Nope.
MURTAUGH
(shakes his head)
I’m very old.
CUT TO:
[
