Stephen Metcalfe - Writer & Director

Based on the French film, Les Sauvages, Paradise was written for Paramount Pictures in 1995.

PARADISE
FADE IN ON:
A jumbo jet lands at MAIMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MUSIC AND CREDITS OVER: IN THE TERMINAL
A party disembarks at the gate. Half a dozen Mafia types - muscle in expensive suits, shades; hard faces over spread collars - protectively surround a small, cocky man, FRANK “THE PSYCHO” FERREZUTTI. At Frank’s side is a vision of loveliness dressed from an add in the Sunday New York Times magazine. DANIELLE DOHENY is drop dead gorgeous and, from the coolly aloof look on her face, been bored to tears her entire life.
The entourage moves up the concourse. The point man of the group, a swaggering hulk of a guy, is MICKEY “THE GREASE” DEMATEO.
And now, in their wake -
A man throws down his newspaper and rises from his chair.
Another man hangs up the phone he’s been pretending to talk into -
Another peeks out from the men’s room where’s he’s been hiding -
Another turns from the monitor where he’s been studying flight information -
The four men follow the entourage up the concourse. All these followers look like graduates of a small, strict, Southern Baptist college. FEDS are on the scene.
OUTSIDE THE TERMINAL
Two Mercedes limo’s are waiting. The “muscle” gets into the first, Frank, Danielle and Mickey get into the second one. The limo’s move off, muscle first.
And now out of the terminal scurry The Feds. Two of them keep their eyes on the departing limo’s, the other two wave frantically for transportation.
Two identical, beat up rental sedans, Dodges, driven by other agents, scream to a halt. The Feds quickly leap into the cars. There’s some confusion over who gets the front seat. Off they roar.
THE LIMO’S
make their way out of the airport and turn onto a thoroughfare. A fruit truck goes by. And then the Dodges move out, cutting into oncoming traffic. Horns blare. The Feds are lousy drivers.
THE LIMOS AND CARS,
the truck between them, all parade along the thoroughfare in a single lane.
IN THE SECOND LIMO
Mickey is sitting facing backwards. He glances out the rear window. He nods to Frank to take a look. Frank is opening an expensive bottle of champagne. Danielle is staring out the side window. Frank turns and looks back through the rear window.
A Dodge sedan meanders out from behind the truck as if to take a peek. And then it quickly swerves back.
IN THE LIMO
Frank turns back, laughing.
FRANK
Feds. I dunno what’s worse, their clothes or their cars.
Danielle sighs, looks away; disgusted.
FRANK (cont’d)
Grease?
Mickey looks at his watch.
MICKEY
Any minute, Frank.
IN THE CAB OF THE FRUIT TRUCK
The gum-chewing driver is also looking at his watch. And now he glances in his rear view mirror.
The Dodge sedans are behind him.
The truck driver grins. And then he expertly twists the wheel.
THE TRUCK
goes into a screeching fishtail. It jackknifes, cutting off the road between the limo’s and the Feds.
IN THE FIRST DODGE
All the baby blue eyes go wide with dismay.
DODGE SEDANS
brake with a screech. The first crashes into the truck, the second crashes into the first.
THE LIMO’S
pull to a stop. Traffic in the opposite lane comes to a stop.
IN THE LIMO
Frank and Mickey are looking back, grinning. Danielle doesn’t seem to be paying attention. She reaches for her purse.
THE AGENTS
leap out of their cars, cursing in dismay. The truck driver leaps down, cursing at the agents.
IN THE LIMO
Danielle opens her compact, raises it high to check her make-up... and checks out the scene behind her.
AGENTS
come running helplessly around the stranded fruit truck.
IN THE LIMO
Frank pours champagne.
FRANK
A little Dom, Dee?
She shakes her head curtly. Is that fear in her eyes? She quickly hides it.
DANIELLE
I need some air.
She opens the side window.
In the opposite lane, a beat up old truck is stopped. The driver has gotten out of the car and is looking at the accident up ahead.
The truck’s driver, MARTIN FINNEGAN turns to see Danielle staring at him. He’s late 30’s, bearded, not unattractive in an ill-kept sort of way. They’re eyes lock... and hold.
FRANK
C’mon. Let’s go. Close the window.
The window rises as the limo pulls away. Danielle again raises her compact mirror.
She stares at the reflection of Martin Finnegan who is watching the limo drive away. He recedes in the distance.
Danielle closes the compact with a click.
EXT. SOUTH BEACH - MIAMI - DAY
The limos make their way along a thoroughfare. The ocean gleams in the distance. Sidewalks are filled with beautiful people in various states of undress.
IN THE CAR -
Frank elbows Grease in appreciation. Danielle rolls her eyes.
THE LIMO’S
turn and make their way up a drive towards an expensive beach front hotel. Flamingos graze on green lawns that are as immaculate as a putting green. Statues and flowing fountains are everywhere.
IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL
The limo’s stop. They’re expected. Doormen leap forward to open the limo doors. The hotel concierge comes scrambling down from the hotel entrance. Frank, Mickey and Danielle are just getting out.
CONCIERGE
Mr. Ferrezutti, how wonderful to see you again. And this must be your lovely...
Danielle walks right by him, heading for the entrance.
CONCIERGE (cont’d)
(trailing off)
- wife?
Grease snorts with laughter. The concierge is scared to death. Frank stares, heavy-lidded. He snaps his fingers.
FRANK
Yo, Grease.
Mickey hands Franks a wad of bills. Frank stuffs them into the concierge’s breast pocket.
FRANK (cont’d)
Make sure I get lotsa towels.
He and Mickey move by the speechless concierge. THE SHRIEK of tires. The concierge turns.
Two half-destroyed Dodge sedans screech up the hotel drive and come to a stop. The boys in cheap suits leap out. They rush forward, past the concierge. He turns to watch them hurry up the walk and into the revolving door.
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
Frank is looking furious. Mickey is looking chagrined. Danielle is ignoring them both.
FRANK
I’ll take care of it, Frank. Leave everything to me, Frank.
MICKEY
Frank, it’s not my fault you always stay the same hotel.
FRANK
Shuddup.
DIFFERENT ANGLE ON - They’re standing at the front desk. Behind Danielle, Frank and Mickey are the goons. Behind the goons are the Feds. They’re all checking in.
There’s a small smile in Danielle’s eyes. Relief.
INT. DORAL HOTEL BALLROOM - NIGHT
A tuxedoed singer soulfully sobs out a note a romantic ballad in Italian to a rapt, private audience. The room is decorated like an Italian garden at night. Statues. Tuxedoed waiters stand at attention. Unlike the bodyguards, they’re not wearing sunglasses.
The singer begins to move among the tables, singing soulfully to the seated crowd. Everyone loves him. Especially Mickey and Frank. Danielle DOES NOT love him. When he approaches and bleats at her and her alone, she sits there trying unsuccessfully to hide the fact that she wants this horror show to end. The singer turns and brays out a final quavering note and the song ends. The guests applaud wildly.
FRANK
Now that is music!
A SPOON
is struck against a wine glass. Calls of “Silence, silence!”, and “Don Ferrezutti! Don Ferrezutti!”.
IN A COAT ROOM
The Feds have a sensitive listening device on the wall. The head-Fed, a bald guy with glasses, DANIEL RUNYON, listens attentively.
IN THE BALLROOM
Frank’s cousin NICK, bangs the glass again.
NICK
Attention, can I have your attention! Hey! Shaddup!
The crowd grows respectively attentive. Nick turns to the ancient, shriveled, little man seated beside him.
NICK (cont’d)
Frankie... our beloved grandfather wishes to share his heart with you.
FRANK
You do me great honor, Grandfather.
The little man beams and nods - yes, he does. Nick leans close and the little man whispers in his ear.
NICK
Don Ferrezutti says that his heart is filled with emotion that you should bring to him in his golden years a woman so young, so beautiful and so fortunate...
Danielle feels every eye in the room upon her.
NICK (cont’d)
- as to marry into the bosom of our great family...
Danielle starts; this is news to her.
IN THE COAT ROOM
RUNYON
Jesus!
IN THE BALLROOM
Don Ferrezutti whispers to Nick.
NICK
- where our men love their woman as we love money...
The old man whispers angrily.
NICK (cont’d)
Music! Scuse me - as we love music!
DON FERREZUTTI
(softly, in English)
I praise romance. I praise love. I pray you are soon heavy with many sons.
Danielle cracks her gum.
DON FERREZUTTI (cont’d)
(raising his glass)
To Frankie!
Everyone cheers. The band plays. Frank stands, arms spread like a victorious prizefighter. Men rush up and clap him on the back. Women rush up and kiss him. Danielle - the receptacle of sons - is ignored.
LATER –
People are dancing on the large dance floor. In a corner of the room Frank, Mickey and Danielle sit with Nick, his wife and his lieutenant at a table. Frank and Nick light cigars.
NICK
So how is business?
FRANK
Business is good, Nickie, business is very good.
NICK
Good, that’s good.
FRANK
Good.
NICK
Cause from what I hear, it ain’t so good.
FRANK
It ain’t so good?
NICK
From what I hear your crew’s got a fink feedin’ info to the New York District Attorney’s office.
Danielle doesn’t seem to be paying attention.
FRANK
From who do you hear this unmitigated crap?
NICK
The Don’s got a fink in the D.A.’s office feedin’ info to me.
FRANK
Does your fink know who my fink is?
NICK
He’s workin’ on it.
FRANK
This fink will feed my fish.
A young, handsome guy has approached the table. He politely leans in between Frank and Danielle.
THE GUY
Frank, you mind I ask your lovely fiance to foxtrot?
FRANK
What are you, nuts - get outta here! She don’t dance with no one but me.
The guy quickly retreats. Frank turns on Danielle, jealous.
FRANK (cont’d)
You know that guy?
Danielle speaks. We expect her to sound like Grace Kelly. She doesn’t.
DANIELLE
Him? Oh, yeah. Him I gave a hummer to ten minutes ago in the men’s room.
FRANK
Hey! What kinda talk is that?
DANIELLE
Tsk. I’m gonna get some air.
She rises, moves away. Frank snaps his fingers.
FRANK
Mick.
Mickey rises, follows. Frank turns back to the table.
FRANK (cont’d)
That thing about the, y’know, that was a joke. She don’t do that, not even with me.
INT. HOTEL CONCOURSE - NIGHT
Mickey and Danielle enter the lobby.
DANIELLE
Grease, I’m goin’ to the little girl’s room, you gonna follow me in there?
MICKEY
I’ll wait for you, Dee.
Danielle walks across the concourse towards the ladies room. Mickey moves to a couch, sits.
INT. LADIES ROOM - NIGHT
Danielle enters the ladies room. It is thankfully empty. She sags – and we see for the first time – she is terrified. A toilet flushes behind her. She spins. Federal Agent DANIEL RUNYON pokes his head out of one of the stalls.
RUNYON
Are we alone?
Danielle stares at him.
RUNYON (cont’d)
It’s me. Runyon. Your contact.
DANIELLE
I don’t believe this.
RUNYON
I know, we heard. A wedding. Congratulations, Miss Doheny, this is brilliant, brilliant work.
Danielle
You... you...
RUNYON
Yes?
DANIELLE
You freaking moron!
She bangs the stall door shut on Runyan’s hands.
DANIELLE (cont’d)
They know everything. They have a guy in the District Attorney’s office givin’m information. They know all about me, they just don’t know who I am yet. You gotta get me outta here!
RUNYON
Miss Doheny, please. You marrying Frank “The Psycho” Ferrezutti is the break we’ve been looking for.
DANIELLE
Marry him!? The only reason I agreed to help you guys is you said you’d get me away from him!
RUNYON
Not to worry, we’ll indict him before the wedding. After the trial you’ll disappear into a witness protection program. You’ll never see Frank Ferrezutti again.
DANIELLE
I’m not gonna live to see a trial.
RUNYON
We’ll find the leak. We’ll seal it shut. You’re under constant surveillance. At the first sign of danger, we’ll pull you out.
He hears the outer door open.
RUNYON (cont’d)
Shhh. Someone’s coming. More later. No one will suspect a thing.
A women enters. Runyon politely steps aside to let her pass.
RUNYON (cont’d)
Ma’am.
He exits. The woman looks puzzled.
DANIELLE
I am so very, very dead.