step steam
whooshes from the nostrils of the horses.
The first wagon halts as a Praetorian Guard jogs back. He
straightens his tunic and helmet and raps on the wooden
door as the second wagon stops behind. The door swings
aside and another Praetorian Guard leans out.
1ST PRAETORIAN GUARD
Sir, we must be getting near.
INT. FIRST WAGON
LUCIUS AELIUS AURELIUS COMMODUS huddles in the back of the
wago
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
by
Mard Andrus
And
James J. Brooks
Story by
Mark Andrus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FADE IN:
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING (NEW YORK), HALLWAY - NIGHT
ANGLE ON apartment doorway. As it opens and an
enormously SWEET-FACED, ELDER WOMAN steps out, bungled up
against the cold -- turning back to call inside to the
unseen love of
steps and
THE BOY LANDS FACE FIRST IN THE DIRT!
The BOY spits out sand as he gets to his feet.
Now the BOY grows uneasy at the sight of the ram charging up the
rear cliff face, taking the steep grade in leaps and bounds; then
the BOY is alarmed as the animal vanishes from sight behind the
jagged rocks high above.
EXT. HIGH UP ON THE CLIFF - NARROW LEDGE - DAY
The BOY POPS UP from behind the le
steps down rain-washed sidewalks in DREAM
MOTION. The sedan turns past the FIRST VIRGINIA BANK and
into an alley.
??
INT. BLACK SEDAN
TWO MEN and ONE WOMAN in SUSPENDED TIME put on overcoats
and hats. Under their hats strips of Scotch tape stretch
taut from the base of their nose to their forehead,
hideously distorting their features. Makes them look like
human PIGS.
??
EXT. OCEAN
SILVERY in this
steps out and begins a proccession through their
subjects. Tatiana holds out her arm to Anastasia as she
makes it to Tatianas side just in time. Anastasia has
a beautiful but slightly impish face, dominated by
large, blue, mischievous eyes. She an abundance of
energy and confidence for a girl her age.
"THE RULARS OF RUSSIA" (OPENING NUMBER)
The elegant guests sing their admiration as the
beau
step in the development of
chemical weapons by an unfriendly
nation.
(beat)
This is the first act of aggression
against the United States since the
Muslim government was toppled by a
military coup last week.
Back to the News Reader, who smiles.
(CONTINUED)
2.
??
NEWS READER
In religious news, today.....
EXT. WAREHOUSE -- NIGHT
MACK KERRY brings his crucifix to his lips, before taking
his H&K assa
The sun shines brightly on the classic facade of the main library at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. In the adjacent park area, pretty hustlers and drug peddlers go about their business.
FRONT STEPS
A few people lounge on the steps flanked by the familiar stone lions.
INT. MAIN READING ROOM - DAY
People are dotted throughout the room sitting at the long oak tables polished by decades of use. Readin
A Texas Ranger patrol car pulls into the parking lot and a real live Texas Ranger, EARL MCGRAW, steps out. McGraw is in full ranger uniform - button shirt, cowboy hat, boots, mirrored shades, tin star and a colt revolver on his hip.
Its about an hour and a half before sundown and McGraw is off duty for the day.
The only other car in the parking lot is a 1975 Plymouth
(Charley Varricks car).
INT.
length of his face from the corner of his eye to his chin. It bleeds freely. An un-lit cigarette hangs in the corner of his mouth.
In the half-light we can make out that he is on the deck of a large boat. A yacht, perhaps, or a small freighter. He sits with his back against the front bulkhead of the wheel house. His legs are twisted at odd, almost impossible angles. He looks down.
A thin trail of
steps out... Sees the armed men and is frightened.
Breen puts a finger to his lips, smiles and gestures for the
Boy to go back inside. The Boy returns to safety indoors.
Rackin gives final hand signal instructions to the team.
Then they break open the door.
4.
??
INT. TIAJUNA BUILDING -- DAY
The door splinters inwards, and the two GUARDS quickly bring
up their Uzis. Rackin shoots the one of the l