[Izzy and Mako] (cop-buddy, action, comedic elements), FIRST 20 PAGES POSTED HERE

8/13/2019 [Izzy and Mako] (cop-buddy, action, comedic elements), FIRST 20 PAGES POSTED HERE.

1/21

IZZY AND MAKO

Written by

John Hunter

[email protected]


2/21

FADE IN:

EXT. THE CITY - DAY

Brick buildings with faded advertising in storefront windows,

trash cans on the sidewalks are overflowing, faceless peoplemoving along without acknowledging each other. Trucks andcars honk their horns as they roll along the narrow, crowdedstreets.

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

Shafts of light from dirty windows penetrate a dimly litroom. Seated on a wooden chair is Johnny MAKO, late fifties,but looks older. His suit and his shirt are wrinkled. Acrossfrom Mako are three men dressed in cheap suits seated behinda plain wooden table. There are papers on the table.

FIRST MAN AT TABLEOfficer Mako, do you know why youare here today?

Mako addresses the men at the table.

MAKOMy many years of service and tryingto bring justice to the city?

Second man at table grimaces and is obviously displeased withMakos answer.

SECOND MAN AT TABLEWe are here today to talk about howyou try to bring justice to thecity -- Your shoot first and askquestions later approach to lawenforcement.

THIRD MAN AT TABLEMako, were here today to reviewyour most recent shooting incident -Your most recent fatal shooting

incident...The men seated at the table avoid looking directly at JohnnyMako.

SECOND MAN AT TABLEThis is not the sort of thing welike to see in the papers or on TV.

(small beat)(MORE)


3/21

Just imagine the headlines --TRIGGER-HAPPY COP, BODY BAG MAKO,STRIKES AGAIN...

(small beat)What is this? Your third or fourthshooting?

MAKOActually, its my fifth...

THIRD MAN AT TABLEAll fatal?

MAKOThree fatal, the other two livedand served time. One was robbing aliquor store...

The third man interrupts Mako.

THIRD MAN AT TABLEYes, yes, we know no one you shotwas on their way to church. Thepoint which concerns us is you seenothing wrong with this violentpattern of behavior -- This use ofdeadly force.

MAKOWhen they shoot at me, I shootback.

THIRD MAN AT TABLEYou couldnt talk your way out ofany of these shootings? Did you tryto reason with any of these peoplebefore you shot them?

MAKOWith all due respect, it neveroccurred to me to make nice withthese people after they opened fireon me -- They shot, I shot back.

(small beat)

Guess I was just a better shot thanthey were...

THIRD MAN AT TABLEThis is exactly the sort of talkthat creates a public relationsnightmare for this policedepartment. Imagine if somepolitically correct reporteroverheard you right now...

2.

SECOND MAN AT TABLE (CONT'D)


4/21

Mako interjects.

MAKOAgain with all due respect, whenand if some namby-pamby politicallycorrect panty waste gets shot at,

theyll be praying they had a gunand knew how to use it.

The men at the table turn and look at each other.

THIRD MAN AT TABLEAnyone else care to say anythingbefore we conclude this hearing?

The other two men at the table are silent and look awaynervously.

THIRD MAN AT TABLE (CONTD)

Detective Johnny Mako, it is thefinding of this review board, youare a public relations nightmareand a danger to the community. Youare hereby relieved of yourHomicide investigation duties,reduced one pay grade and placed onadministrative probation untilfurther notice.

(small beat)In acknowledgement of your manyyears of faithful public serviceand to satisfy the demands of the

Police Union, we are authorized tooffer you three options...

Johnny Mako sits silently. He stares at the three men sittingat the table.

THIRD MAN AT TABLE (CONTD)You can sit at a desk filling outmind numbing paper work until yourretirement date, you can hand outparking tickets OR you can transferto the Petty Crimes Unit where we

feel you can be of little danger toyourself, the Department or thepublic.

MAKOThats it?

THIRD MAN AT TABLEWell, there is one other option --You can turn in your badge.

3.


5/21

Mako twists a little in his chair as he weighs his options.

MAKONo way I can get back to Homicide?

THIRD MAN AT TABLE

Not in the foreseeable future.(small beat)Whatll it be Mako? Sit at a desk,give out parking tickets or PettyCrimes?

MAKOYou make all of my options sound sovery appealing, but I guess Illtake Petty Crimes.

THIRD MAN AT TABLEGood choice. I understand they

serve an excellent selection ofhomemade treats down there as wellas fresh donuts daily -- plain,frosted and jelly filled.

The men at table make notes on the papers in front of them.

THIRD MAN AT TABLE (CONTD)Report to the Captain of PettyCrimes on Monday.

All four men rise and leave the room.

EXT. THE CITY - DAY

Mako leaves the Police Station on foot, walks six blocks andenters a convenience store owned and operated by RAJESHPunjab, 65, native of India.

INT. RAJESH CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY

Mako enters the crowded interior of the convenience store andis greeted by the owner.

RAJESHOfficer Mako. How are we doingtoday?

MAKOPeachy...

RAJESHWhat is this peachy?

4.


6/21

MAKOIve been demoted to Petty Crimes,put on probation and given a cut inpay.

RAJESH

This peachy does not sound like agood thing. Does this peachyinterfere with our arrangement?

MAKONah, Ill still be living upstairsat a greatly reduced rate inexchange for my on-site securityservices.

RAJESHGreatly reduced rate? You paynothing and you shoplift milk and

canned tuna for those diseasedanimals you feed -- The ones thatlive in the alley and who should beeating rats the way the godsintended, but oh no, you give themmy milk and my canned tuna stolenfrom my shelves. You are taking thefood from the mouths of mychildren...

Mako ignores Rajesh. As he walks down the aisles of theconvenience store, he slips a can of tuna into his coatpocket and picks up a small carton of milk. He passes thru a

door at the back of the store.

INT. BACK OF CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY

Thru the door at the back of the convenience store is a smallhallway. The hallway is stacked high with cases of soda andbeer. Mako moves thru the hallway and up the stairs to thesecond floor. He opens the door of his apartment.

INT. APARTMENT OVER CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY

Mako enters his one room apartment. On one side of the roomis a dirty sink with a dripping faucet, a discolored stoveand a refrigerator. In the center of the room is a smallformica table with two chairs. On the other side of the roomis an unmade bed.

MAKO (V.O.)Home, sweet home.

5.


7/21


8/21

MAKO (CONTD)Heck of day, Tommy boy.

Mako sits on his unmade bed, kicks off his shoes and liesback on the pillows. His big toe pokes out of a hole in hissock. He closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep.

As the sun goes down, the lights of the city come up creatinga pulsing pinkish glow on the brick alley wall outside hisapartment window.

Tom the cat jumps up on the bed, curls up and goes to sleepnext to Mako.

INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT

Mako enters the convenience store thru the rear door wearingthe same clothes he dozed off in several hours earlier.

He waves at the young Indian girl at the register. This isMANJULA, 26, daughter of the shop owner.

MANJULAHey, Mako. Come down for yoursupper?

MAKOYes. Im a little peckish.

(small beat)Should I have the microwavedburritos or the Polish sausage?

MANJULABoth are equally bad and both arebad for you. You should take bettercare of yourself -- Or better yet,find a nice woman to take care ofyou.

Mako waves her off and pulls a package of Authentic MexicanBurritos with HOT Chiles from the cooler. He tosses theburritos into the microwave. He shouts to Manjula.

MAKORemember, Im just upstairs iftheres any trouble. If someonecomes in to rob the place, just doas they ask, give them the moneyand press the button on thefloor...

The microwave signals the burritos are ready.

7.


9/21

MAKO (CONTD)Ill be right down, guns a-blazing.

Manjula smiles and waves to him from the front of the store.Mako takes the burritos from the microwave and eats themhurriedly. He wipes his hands and mouth with a paper napkin

and throws it in a trash can.

MANJULAMako, Im so very, very happy tohave you nearby. It gives me greatpeace of mind. Good night.

Mako waves back to Manjula over his shoulder as he turns andgoes back upstairs.

MAKO(mumbles)

Bon appetite and good night.

INT. PETTY CRIMES SQUAD ROOM - DAY

Mako enters the windowless Petty Crimes squad room. It isfilled with desks, people mill about, fluorescent lights onthe ceiling buzz and flicker. Mako addresses the man seatednearest to him.

MAKOWheres your Captain?

Man looks up and points to the other end of the squad room.

MAKO (CONTD)Thanks.

The nameless man does not respond and returns to hispaperwork. Mako approaches a frosted glass door. On the doorin bold letters it reads, CAPTAIN HOWARD, Petty Crimes.

Mako knocks on the door. From inside the room CAPT. HOWARD, alarge black man in his early sixties answers.

CAPT. HOWARD (V.O.)

Come.Mako enters the room.

INT. CAPT. HOWARDS OFFICE - DAY

Capt Howards office is small and cramped. There are piles ofpapers, filing cabinets and a cluttered desk with two chairsin front of it. Capt. Howard looks up and acknowledges Mako.

8.


10/21

CAPT. HOWARDYou must be Mako -- Johnny BodyBag Mako.

Mako, still standing.

MAKOOnly my friends call be Body Bag.

CAPT. HOWARDWell, Im not your friend, so Illjust call you Mako.

Capt. Howard stands, extends his hand to Mako and they shake.

CAPT. HOWARD (CONTD)Sit.

Mako takes a seat.

CAPT. HOWARD (CONTD)I can imagine you are not happy tobe here in the basement with uschasing down stolen TVs, lost catsand missing toasters.

MAKOActually, I like cats...

CAPT. HOWARDGood. Well try to make your fallfrom grace as painless as possible.

(small beat)Im going to put you with OfficerElizabeth IZZY Allison. She justpassed her detectives test on herthird try. You and she should getalong just fine. In fact, youreboth a lot alike...

(small beat)Her personal life is a mystery. Shecomes to work on time, packs herown lunch, does her job and doesnot try to make friends. She may

have a sense of humor, but nobodyreally knows because everyone triesto avoid her.

Mako interrupts. Capt. Howard frowns.

MAKOHow so? How are we alike?

9.


11/21

CAPT. HOWARDNobody wants to work with eitherone of you.

Capt. Howard picks up the phone and dials.

CAPT. HOWARD (CONTD)Izzy -- This is Capt. Howard. Comeinto my office.

Capt. Howard hangs up. There is an awkward silence as theywait for Izzys arrival.

There is a knock at the frosted glass door.

CAPT. HOWARD (CONTD)Come.

In the doorway stands Officer Elizabeth IZZY Allison, an

attractive, diminutive young female dressed from head to toein matching electric blue - blue shoes, blue pants, blueblouse, blue belt and blue jacket.

Her short dark hair is heavy with styling gel and pushedstraight up. She has multiple studs in her ears and just ahint of a tribal tattoo can be seen above the collar of herbuttoned all-the-way to the top blouse.

Mako turns and looks at her in horror.

CAPT. HOWARD (CONTD)Izzy, this is Mako -- Mako, this is

Izzy.

MAKOGreat goobly-gook -- What are you?A Smurf?

Izzy looks at the aging, rumpled Mako up and down.

IZZYAnd I guess you are a highlyevolved Renaissance man?

Capt. Howard is smiling broadly. He can not contain his selfsatisfaction.

CAPT. HOWARDWonderful...

(small beat)Im never wrong about these things.You two kids are going to make oneheck of a team.

(small beat)

10.

(MORE)


12/21

Mako, welcome to Petty Crimes.(small beat)

Donuts and coffee are in the back.Izzy will show you how we work andhelp get you off to a good start.

Izzy and Mako start to leave Capt. Howards office.

CAPT. HOWARD (CONTD)Wait! Ive got your first caseright here on my desk. A purloinedpoodle -- A miniature poodle whoanswers to the name of Bridgette.

Capt. Howard hands the case file to Mako.

MAKOA what?

CAPT. HOWARDA stolen and/or missing dog namedBridgette.

Mako takes the file and rolls his eyes.

MAKO(mumbles)

Maybe handing out parking ticketswas the way to go?

IZZYDid you say something Mako?

MAKONah, just talking to myself.

(small beat)Lead the way to the donuts.

INT. PETTY CRIMES SQUAD ROOM - DAY

Izzy and Mako leave Capt. Howards office.

Izzy leads the way and Mako follows. The rumpled Mako towers

over the diminutive Izzy as they head for the coffee anddonut table.

As they reach the table, Mako tries for a fresh start.

MAKOSorry if I seemed rude in Capt.Howards office.

11.

CAPT. HOWARD (CONT'D)

(MORE)


13/21

Its just -- Its just the wayyoure dressed and your size. Itsa lot to take in all at once.

IZZYNo harm, no foul. And for the

record, youre an eyeful too. Doyou sleep in your clothes?

MAKOMy suit has a natural drape whichdry cleaning would destroy...

IZZYGood to know.

MAKOCapt. Howard told me you justpassed your Detectives test,

right?

IZZYCorrect.

MAKOWhere do you want to be in twoyears? Petty Crimes?

IZZYI want to see some action...

MAKO

Can you shoot?

IZZYIm learning.

Mako looks again at her small stature.

MAKOCan you defend yourself?

IZZYId like to learn...

Mako picks up and then throws away a powdered donut.

MAKOLets go to the range and see whatyou can do.

IZZYLet me get my gun. Its in mydesk...

12.

MAKO (CONT'D)


14/21

Mako rolls is eyes.

MAKOYou dont carry your gun?

IZZY

Not always...

Izzy goes to her desk, opens a drawer and takes out a fiveshot, snub nosed Smith & Wesson, 38 caliber police special.

She returns to where Mako is standing and they head for thepistol range inside the police station.

INT. INDOOR POLICE PISTOL RANGE - DAY

Izzy reels out a paper target, puts on ear protection andloads her weapon. Mako puts on ear protection and stands

behind her. Izzy fires.

Izzy reels in the target. There are only two holes and bothare wide of the center.

Mako reels the same target back out, pulls out his vintage 45automatic and gets off three quick shots.

He reels in the target which now has three large overlappingholes in the center. Mako holsters his weapon.

MAKOMay I see your weapon?

Izzy unloads and hands her weapon to Mako.

MAKO (CONTD)Heres your problem...

IZZYThat Im a woman?

MAKONah, your barrel is too short andyour grips are all wrong for a

person with small hands -- You needa longer barrel and proper grips.

Izzy dismisses his suggestions.

IZZYLonger barrel? I got all the barrelI need and my hands are just fine.

(small beat)

13.

(MORE)


15/21

We better check out a car andfollow up on that lost dog or Capt.Howard will cut off our donuts.

MAKOI need my donuts.

Izzy and Mako leave the pistol range and head for the motorpool.

INT. POLICE MOTOR POOL- DAY

Underground parking lot with marked and unmarked cars. Tiressqueal as Izzy and Mako approach the kiosk office of theofficer in charge, SAM, forties, dressed in a police uniform.

IZZYHey, Sam. Wed like something

unmarked, fast, powerful and readyto go...

The motor pool officer recognizes both Izzy and Mako.

SAMHi, Izzy. Hi Mako -- How the mightyhave fallen...

(small beat)Petty Crimes?

(small beat)Be careful not to shoot any dognappers or paperboys who didnt

deliver on time.(small beat)

Dont want to give the department abad name.

(small beat)Hmm -- Unmarked, powerful and readyto go. Let me see?

Sam looks at his clip board, turns around in his chair andtakes a set of keys from the pegboard behind him. He throwsthe keys on the counter. He points.

SAM (CONTD)The dirty blue one over there.

Sam puts his clipboard on the counter.

SAM (CONTD)OK Izzy, sign here, here and here.

Sam points with his finger.

14.

IZZY (CONT'D)


16/21

SAM (CONTD)And initial there...

Mako reaches for the keys, but Izzy stops him.

IZZY

Not so fast hot shot. Ill drive.

SAMLets not fight. Be professional...

MAKOOK, lets do rock-paper-scissors.

Izzy and Mako face each other while Sam referees.

IZZY AND MAKOOne, two, three.

Both show scissors.

IZZY AND MAKO (CONTD)One, two, three.

Both show rocks.

IZZY AND MAKO (CONTD)One, two, three.

Izzy shows paper, Mako shows rock. Izzy takes the keys, Makopouts. Izzy smiles.

MAKO(mumbles)

Next time, I get to drive.

INT. UNMARKED CAR - DAY

They get into the dirty blue unmarked car and Izzy adjustsher seat all the way forward.

IZZYAre you comfortable? And please

dont pout -- Its veryunprofessional.

MAKO(mumbles)

Im not pouting. I just like todrive.

15.


17/21

IZZYYou mean, you like being incontrol.

MAKOYah, that too.

With Izzy at the wheel, they leave the subterranean car pooland roll into the city streets.

IZZYWhere to?

Mako opens the case folder.

MAKOFemale, miniature poodle, six yearsold, answers to the name ofBridgette. 1233 Maple.

IZZYShould we run with lights and sirenon?

Mako looks in Izzys direction.

MAKONo. Not this time.

Mako picks up the microphone of the police radio mounted onthe dashboard of the car.

MAKO (CONTD)Ill call Central and tellem wererolling...

As he lifts the microphone, the cord comes loose from theradio.

MAKO (CONTD)(sigh)

Ill call them later.

EXT. THE CITY - DAYIzzy and Mako roll down city streets. They hit a pot hole, ahub cap comes off their car, they do not notice and keep onrolling. They continue driving and enter the suburbs.

16.


18/21

EXT. 1233 MAPLE STREET - DAY

A single family house in a modest neighborhood. The lawnneeds mowing. There is a small Honda sedan and a Harleymotorcycle parked in the driveway.

Izzy and Mako get out of their car and approach the frontdoor. They knock. GLENDA VARNEY, late twenties or earlythirties answers the door.

GLENDA VARNEYHello, who is it.

IZZYIts the police. Were here tofollow up on your missing dogreport -- Bridgette.

Glenda opens the door slightly. She is dressed in a house

coat and barefooted.

IZZY (CONTD)Can you open the door a littlewider, Ms. Varney? Wed like tofollow up on your reported missingdog.

Glenda Varney removes the safety latch and opens the door.She squints as the sunlight hits her face. She is pale, thinand has needle tracks on both arms. Mako and Izzy both noticethe tracks, but say nothing.

IZZY (CONTD)Is everything OK Ms. Varney? Areyou in any distress or danger?

Glenda Varney looks nervous. The angry voice of herboyfriend, BRUCE, 250 pounds of drugged up stupid and muscleis heard yelling in the background.

BRUCE (V.O.)Who are you talking to? I told younot to open the door for anyone.

(small beat)

Im busy in here...GLENDA VARNEY

Oh honey, its just the po-po.Theyre here asking aboutBridgette.

BRUCE (V.O.)That sorry dog of yours that ranoff?

17.


19/21

GLENDA VARNEYYes, that precious little angel.

With the front door partially open, Izzy and Mako are able tosee a table with white power on a mirror and a scale.

INT. 1233 MAPLE STREET - DAY

Bruce comes to the door, pushes Glenda Varney to the floorand slams the door shut.

BRUCEDamn it, Glenda. I told you not toopen the door -- Are you crazy orjust stoned? You asked the policeto come here?

EXT. 1233 MAPLE STREET

Izzy and Mako hear sounds of a struggle and a woman screamingMako looks at Izzy.

MAKOWe have probable cause to enter.Are you ready for this?

Mako does not wait for Izzys response. He backs up and takesa running jump at the door. He slams his shoulder into thedoor, but it does not open. He bounces back in pain holdinghis shoulder.

IZZYMaybe its unlocked?

Izzy turns the door knob and opens the door. Bruce has hisback turned to Izzy and Mako. Bruce does not immediatelynotice Izzy and Mako entering the room.

INT. 1233 MAPLE STREET - DAY

Izzy and Mako are standing in the open doorway.

MAKORush him...

Glenda is on the floor and Bruce is kicking her. Mako reachesBruce first, Bruce spins and grabs Mako.

BRUCE(with delight)

Show time!

18.


20/21

Bruce flings Mako across the room and into a wall. The forceof hitting the wall knocks the wind out of Mako.

BRUCE (CONTD)Theres nothing like the smell ofpo-po in the morning.

Makos knees buckle and he slides down the wall until he issitting on the floor with his feet out in front of him.

BRUCE (CONTD)Come on, old man. Get up and showme what you got.

Bruce glances in Glendas direction.

BRUCE (CONTD)Glenda, you stay right there --Ill get back to you in a minute.

Bruce turns his attention back to the semi-conscious Makositting on the floor. Bruce has his back to Izzy. Izzy creepsup behind Bruce with her revolver held in both hands. Shecrouches over with her knees bent making herself evensmaller.

IZZY(timidly)

Mister, Im not the greatest shotin the world, but from this rangeIm pretty sure I cant miss.

(small beat)

Stop beating my partner or Illshoot -- I mean it, you mountainsized dirt bag.

Bruce stops and turns quickly in the direction of Izzysvoice.

BRUCEDo what you gotta do...

As he turns, he throws a round house punch with his wellmuscled and tattooed arm fully extended. Izzy ducks and

squeezes off a single shot. Bruce grabs his side.BRUCE (CONTD)

You bitch, you shot me!

IZZYAnd if you so much as twitch, Illshoot you again. Down on your knees-- NOW!

19.


21/21

Bruce complies and gets on his knees. Mako slowly recovers,gets to his feet and approaches Bruce.

MAKOJeez, youre a big one...

BRUCEBig enough to stomp your ass,grandpa. Youd be eating my bootright now if your little friendhere hadnt shot me.

Mako comes closer to Bruce who is kneeling on the floor.

MAKOYoure lucky shes not a bettershot. She just winged you.

With one fluid motion, Mako pulls out his heavy nineteen

eleven automatic from his holster and slaps it across theside of Bruces head. Bruce makes a little sound and flopsface first to the floor.

MAKO (CONTD)Izzy, read this citizen hisrights...

Izzy looks at Mako. She is horrified.

IZZYWhy did you hit him? I had himcovered.

MAKOYou had him covered, but notsubdued. Besides, he slammed meinto a wall.

(small beat)He was obviously resisting arrest.

(small beat)Simple old school procedure, removeall danger before it removes you.

IZZY

Good to know -- Thanks for thelesson.

MAKOThank you for getting him off ofme. He caught me by surprise.

(small beat)In the future, you might considerusing less force.

20.

Documents

[Izzy and Mako] (cop-buddy, action, comedic elements), FIRST 20 PAGES POSTED HERE