The Thirteenth Floor

---

INT. HOTEL ROOM-MIGHT 1930 L.A. Fuller writes a letter

FULLER:

They say, "Ignorance is bliss." For the first time in my life, I

agree. I wish I had never uncovered the awful truth. I know now.

once they find out, they will try to silence me. That is why I've

written this all down for you in this letter. You*re the only

one whom I can tell this to. The only one who could possibly

understand. Good luck, my friend.

INT. HOTEL-NIGHT

CLARK:

I hope you enjoyed your stay with us.

GENE:

Mr. Fuller, nice having you here tonight. Your usual table?

FULLER:

No thanks. Gene.

ASHTON:

Her name's Erika. She's from Toledo.

FULLER:

Ashton, would you do me a favor?

ASHTON:

You'd like to meet her?

FULLER:

I want you to keep this letter. Somebody will ask for it. A man

named Douglas Hall. Remember, it's crucial that he receives it.

ASHTON:

It's a walk in the park.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE HOTEL-NIGHT

DRIVER:

Going home, Mr. Fuller?

FULLER:

Yes, Charlie.

INT HOME BEDROOM- NIGHT

WOMAN:

We're out of cat food.

FULLER:

Yes, I'll buy some in the morning.

WOMAN:

You've been smoking again.

INT. COMPUTER ROOM -NIGHT 2000

COMPUTER:

Download complete. Link to simulation terminated.

INT. BAR- NIGHT

BARTENDER:

One martini.

FULLER:

You forgot the olive.

BARTENDER:

We're out of olives. How about some pretzels?

FULLER:

No thank you.

PHONE:

Please leave a message at the tone.

FULLER:

Douglas, it's me. Listen, I've stumbled onto something

incredible. This changes everything.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE BAR -NIGHT

FULLER:

I don't know. I don't even know how to begin. What are you doing?

INT. DOUGLAS'S HOUSE- MORNING

PHONE:

You have new messages. You have 3 new messages.

PHONE:

First new message

Five twenty-five a.m.

HILLARY:

Douglas, it's Hilary. Don't forget to call Marshall. Legal is

screaming for the contract. I'll have a notary come to the

office at lunch.

PHONE:

Next new message

Five forty-eight a.m.

HILLARY:

It's me again. Please call me as soon as you get up.

PHONE:

Next new message

Six thirteen a.m.

McBAIN

Mr. Douglas Hall, this is Detective McBain, LAPD. I'd appreciate

a callback, please. My phone number is 555-7876.

INT.POLICE OFFICE - MORNING

BERNTEIN:

I'm Detective Zev Bernstein. Sorry to drag you out of bed so

early. This is Detective McBain.

McBAIN

Mr. Hall? Thanks for coming down.

DOUGLAS:

Where is he?

McBAIN

Can I get you some coffee?

DOUGLAS:

No.

McBAIN

We found him in an alley at Spring and Grand. Looks like he ran

into some guy who wasn't just asking for a quarter. Carved him up

like a ham. Took everything

Wallet, credit cards. Got a real kick out of it. What's your

connection to the old man?

DOUGLAS:

I worked with him for 6 years. He was may boss. My friend.

McBAIN

Hey, cigarette?

DOUGLAS:

I don't smoke.

McBAIN

We found these on him. Traced the prescription. According to his

doctor. Fuller listed you to call in case of medical

emergencies. He had no next of kin?

DOUGLAS:

No he didn't.

McBAIN

Sure?

DOUGLAS:

I think he would've told me.

McBAIN

Have any idea who killed him?

DOUGLAS:

Everybody liked him.

McBAIN

Mind if I tag along? Or we can continue in my office, if that's

more convenient.

DOUGLAS:

That's fine.

McBain, What do you do for a paycheck, anyway?

DOUGLAS:

Computer software. Would you mind taking care of the car this

morning?

McBAIN

Must make some decent bucks, huh?

DOUGLAS:

I make a living.

INT. FULLER'S OFFICE -MORNING

DOUGLAS:

This was his apartment.

McBAIN

You could be home already.

DOUGLAS:

What?

McBAIN

I see these signs every time I leave work - " You could be home

already. Apartment living in downtown." Never expected it could

look anything like this.

DOUGLAS:

This company was Fuller's life. He worked and lived here.

McBAIN

So what exactly do your people do here?

DOUGLAS:

I don't think you wouldn't be interested.

McBAIN

I'm paid to be interested.

DOUGLAS:

Computer research. Fuller was onto a whole new frontier. Very

sensitive material. Not at liberty to discuss it.

McBAIN

A lot of money involved. This apartment must be worth a few

million dollars.

DOUGLAS:

One of the perks of the job.

McBAIN

This job has a whole lot of perks.

(A woman comes in)

DOUGLAS:

Can I help you?

JANE:

I just talked to him 2 days ago. I can't believe he' gone. My

name is Jane Fuller. Hannon was my father.

DOUGLAS:

I'm sorry. I'm Douglas Hall.

JANE:

You are the one he always wanted me to meet.

DOUGLAS:

Really? He never mentioned to me that he had a daughter.

JANE:

he didn't? I just arrived from Paris this morning. I was supposed

to meet him. But then I heard.

McBAIN

My condolences, Miss Fuller. I'm Detective McBain, LAPD. I have

to ask you some questions.

JANE:

of course.

McBAIN

Would you excuse us, Mr. Hall?

DOUGLAS:

Sure. Have we ever met before?

JANE:

No, that's not possible.

DOUGLAS:

You look very familiar. Nice to meet you, Miss Fuller.

INT. THE 13TH FLOOR

DOUGLAS:

Hey, Whitney. How you doing?

WHITNEY:

Sliced him up like an animal. And for what? He was the Einstein

of our generation. It's a waste.

DOUGLAS:

What the hell happened while I was away?

WHITNEY:

He was jacking into the system a lot.

DOUGLAS:

What?

WHITNEY:

I thought you knew. You didn't know?

DOUGLAS:

No, I thought we were months away from the first trial run.

WHITNEY:

We are. But you know, he was taking a big chance. What was I

supposed to do? You know how he is.

DOUGLAS:

Any complications?

WHITNEY:

None that I know of yet.

Rate this script:2.0 / 1 vote