The Corruptor Page #3

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LACKEY:

In the history of the Fifteenth precinct, few officers have

done more to serve and protect the public of this great city

than Lieutenant Nicholas Chen...

In the rear of the room is DANNY WALLACE. He's 24 and has only

four spaces on his face that need shaving. But his eyes are smart

and always moving, except now. They're fixed on Nick Chen like

he was delivering the sermon on the mount.

LACKEY:

...Lieutenant, for bravery in the line of fire and bringing to

justice those responsible for the Chinatown Bombing and

the tragic death of Beth Kadell, the mayor and people of

New York thank you and present you with this commendation.

The Lackey pins another hunk of brass on Chen as the room

erupts in cheers. And no one louder than Danny Wallace,

who whistles as the Lackey and Chen shake for the cameras.

INT:
NICK CHEN'S APARTMENT, KITCHEN, MOTT STREET-NIGHT

The whistle comes from a screaming teapot. Chen, dressed in

a robe, pours the water into a bowl of rice which begins

sizzling like a steak. Unlike his wardrobe, his place is modest.

The lamp from Phan's fits in nicely.

Tired, he stares vacantly at the wallpaper until a gorgeous

Chinese girl, 19, walks in from the bedroom. By the way

she's tying her dress we know she was recently very naked.

He knows her as MAY. Chen slides open a drawer and pulls out

some cash.

MAY:

(Cantonese)

Mr. Lee said no charge.

She bows and walks out the door. Chen watches the young

immigrant leave and can't help feeling like half a dirt-bag.

He throws the cash back into the drawer and shuts it.

Eventually, he gets up and crosses to the window. He eats

his soup in the lifeless apartment, glancing down at the

simple, elegant shrine to his dead father. He turns his

attention out the window looking out on the palpable

energy and vigor of a bustling Chinatown.

EXT:
CHEN'S APARTMENT, MOTT STREET-LATER (NIGHT)

A rush of sound as Chen steps from the building. Activity

swirls around him as he moves south on the narrow street.

His demeanor starts quiet. But as he moves through the

boisterous people, who genuflect like he's an Arab Sheik,

a smile curls his lips and the 200 watt bulbs behind his

eyes flick on. Every man gets a nod and every girl gets

a little bit more. It's his town...and it gives him life.

omitted

INT BLUE EMPRESS CAFE - NIGHT

He moves through the upscale family eatery, picking up

the Bacardi and Coke a BARTENDER fixed the second he

saw Chen step through the door. He strides into the kitCHEN...

INT BLUE EMPRESS KITCHEN - NIGHT

...cuts to the back and approaches a door guarded by a

wannabee SUMO wrestler. The big man lets him through.

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