Ripped By mstoll
MAN: Hi. We're welcoming a new member tonight whose name is Van.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Hi. My name is Van.
And I'm an alcoholic.
GROUP: Hello, Van.
BILLIE: This is what we know about that night.
Wisdom Bailey had a party.
The man is a freak of many colors...
... mainly a freak for security.
You walk into his place with a pair of nail clippers...
... you're out the door.
Wisdom Bailey, owner of Wiz Records...
... convicted gangbanger, thug and murderer...
... and currently giving secret testimony to the district attorney's office...
... on a recent spate of gang-related crimes.
The reason security is extra tight is that Wiz is feeling a little paranoid.
According to the surviving witnesses, this girl looked like one of many that night.
She was beautiful, willing and harmless.
Spent most of the night in a corner talking to Wisdom.
We have a statement from one bodyguard.
He said, "They looked like they were having fun.
She seemed like a regular girl looking to hook up. "
Three minutes later...
...after the bodyguard said that to the EMT...
...he died.
[GRUNTS]
BILLIE: She just missed her hit.
Wisdom Bailey is alive, but in deep hiding somewhere.
We think the hit woman was hired by the Eight Trey Crips...
...to kill Wisdom before he could testify.
This is all she left behind.
Something tells me you got more.
A prison snitch for the Eight Trey Crips came forward after the hit.
Says he can ID the doer.
Sophia Jones, former sharpshooter for the Special Forces...
...U.S. Army, honorable discharge in 1998.
Resides in Los Angeles, 27, single.
RHD and Major Crimes have tailed her, talked to her, but couldn't make a dent.
She has no criminal record and has a rock-solid alibi for the Bailey hit.
Maybe the snitch is lying.
Well, that's the question.
RHD needs Wisdom to make their case against the Eight Treys.
I'm gonna help them find him.
Preferably before the shooter does.
You two are gonna find out if Sophia Jones is the girl in the mask.
School, family, hobbies, medical...
...military records and psych profiles.
Everything you need to know to make yourself her type.
If this is her, don't close your eyes and don't turn your back.
Anybody wanna join me for one last drink?
Hi. My name is Van.
And I'm an alcoholic.
GROUP: Hello, Van. - Hi, Van.
- You find Wisdom yet? - I'm working on it.
How's it going with you? What's happening with Sophia?
It's like watching a documentary called...
...Really, Really Slow Man...
... Scared to Push Up on a Really, Really Shy Girl.
And there's no hitting the clicker, yo. It's a one-channel world.
VAN: This girl is Ziplocked and freeze-dried.
As far as I can tell, no friends, no weaknesses...
...and she's got the best crap meter I have ever seen. It's like spider-sense.
VAN: I spend time with her at every meeting.
I've had four long talks with her.
Every time I tell her something fake, it's like she can read it.
She folds up, nods her head and checks out.
I tell her something real, my father's in prison, my childhood...
... she opens up and tells me a little something about herself.
Like the four people she killed in the Army...
... how she started drinking, how it caught up with her...
... how AA saved her life.
As a matter of fact, AA kind of is her life.
Only time we connect is when I'm honest.
I can only be so honest, so I can only get so close.
VAN [O VER RADIO]: You don't believe me. We'll see.
SOPHIA [OVER RADIO]: You'll have to be more convincing.
DEAQ: If your definition of connecting is talking about coffee...
... then you're doing great.
Decaf, espresso blend, the history of the Yemen bean?
It's "Yemen bean," okay?
I happen to know something about the Yemen bean, and she asked me.
Occasionally, Billie, it gets exciting. Someone orders juice.
What, you orange, she grapefruit?
I'm sorry it's not a thrill ride for you, okay?
But all you have to do is sit in the car and listen for the code words.
- Red means? - Danger, Will Robinson.
- Green means? - Kool and the Gang.
- I feel safe now. - And black means Deaqon.
And I'm dying of boredom.
Okay, you know what? Look, the clock, it's still ticking.
Is she or isn't she?
She's hiding something.
We're never gonna find out what if I push too hard and scare her off.
Hey, most perps need something.
This girl, she's like an alien organism:
Self-contained, fully locked down, no hunger.
Well, you still need to hit the accelerator.
Thank you. There is a higher power, Lord.
Hit the gas, Van.
I'm totally open to some female input.
Okay.
Nothing a woman likes more than to fix a broken man.
You guys are like works in progress...
...lumps of clay waiting to be carved into something presentable.
That's why there's no wedding ring on that finger.
[SNIFFS]
Mm.
DEAQ: Your eye itch? What's going on there?
- Did you see that? - You know, I think she's right.
I got an idea.
Phase two.
[PHONE RINGS]
- Hello? - Hey, Sophia, it's Van.
Hey, Van. What's up?
Look, I didn't mean to bother you, I just...
I'm just having a really bad day and the vodka's screaming my name.
Okay, Van, listen to me. Is there alcohol around you now?
Yeah, I've got a bottle right in front of me.
Okay, pour it out.
- You want me to pour it out? - Pour it out while I'm on the phone.
It's $0 a bottle.
Let me hear it.
Okay, I'm gonna pour it out right now.
It's out. Thank you.
Listen, if you have some time, I wouldn't mind an ear to bend.
Well, meet me at 1449 Second Street and we'll talk it out.
Okay. And, Sophia, thanks.
No problem.
You know you ain't right.
I can't believe you poured my milk out, man.
You know what? That's okay.
I'll fix it.
Hey. Here you go.
You tell me to pour out a perfectly good bottle of vodka...
...and then you invite me to a bar.
This is where I work.
You wanted to see me, remember?
I don't know how you do it. You're surrounded by it.
You're walking in it. You've got it all over your hands.
You think that's only gonna happen in a bar?
You gotta live with it, not outrun it.
Look, I'm not preaching. It works for me.
Let's talk about you.
- Karen? - Huh?
SOPHIA: Two. - Hm.
SOPHIA: One with an extra kick.
So, what happened today that almost canceled all my good work?
Ahh, just some drama with my partner at work.
[O VER RADIO] He's got problems.
Deep, emotional stuff.
Highly neurotic, zero patience.
Just wants everything done on his clock.
Are you lying?
I get the feeling there's something else going on here.
Something you're not telling me.
I, uh, lie a lot, actually.
That I believe.
It's hard, isn't it, keeping all your lies straight?
So, uh, you know from personal experience?
I used to.
But I don't have the energy anymore.
So now you just keep to yourself.
- Here you go, guys. - Thanks, Karen.
Okay, now you're really torturing me.
Water, chilled, straight up with an olive.
I call it a Sophia's Choice.
That's cute.
As you can see, mine has two olives. But I don't think you're ready for that yet.
My grandpa's favorite toast:
Here's to swimming with bowlegged women.
[CHUCKLES]
VAN [OVER RADIO]: That's good.
I always hated these little red things in the middle.
I mean, the green part...
Can I help you?
My bad. Ha.
I thought you were somebody I knew.
My mistake.
Sorry, bro.
[VAN SIGHS]
You know, I think he was hitting on you.
I don't think so.
Well, then he's a moron.
That's for saving me from taking a major step backward tonight.
Thank you.
That's what the program is for.
You know, I'm probably totally out of line with this, but...
Only if you're asking me out.
What if I was just asking to get to know you a little better?
As a friend.
Then I'd say I need to get to know you a little better first.
As a friend.
That's fair enough.
Friend?
Friends. Cheers.
So she wants to know you. What are you gonna say?
It's what I'm gonna do.
Uh-oh.
What's with the "uh-oh"? I didn't tell you my idea.
"Uh-oh" means this is a bad time for Billie to be in San Diego looking for Wisdom.
Look, we can totally handle this one on our own.
Let me tell you the play. I'm gonna stay wired.
I'm gonna take her for a hike, you're gonna stay here recording.
What, a hike? And I'm supposed to sit here?
Yeah. We're gonna be in the middle of the woods.
What, are you gonna dress up like Yogi Bear?
And don't worry, I'm gonna be the one pulling the gun. And don't say it.
- I didn't say it. - Yeah, I saw it.
You were gonna do the "uh-oh" face again.
No, okay, that was my "What's up with Van?" face.
My "uh-oh" has a little different thing going on.
It's sort of like a Macaulay Culkin thing:
See that? You feel that? That's different, okay?
My "What's up with Van?" Has a little Rock thing, like:
You see the eyebrow?
That's where it's at. Now what's up with the girl?
She's the hitter. I feel it.
- In your gut? - In my gut.
- Is that all you're feeling? - It's plenty, believe me.
Uh-oh.
What are we doing here?
Hiking.
I said dress sporty. What did you think I meant?
I don't know. Center court, Lakers?
Come on, there's a good view about a mile up.
SOPHIA: How far are we going up? VAN: Not much further.
Just be careful of the snakes. They like redheads.
So the lead on Wisdom Bailey ended up being a bald white guy.
Why are you in my chair?
Van's with Sophia, about to get his NRA on.
Shouldn't you have his back?
I got made.
It was this whole big pimento thing. I'll explain later, okay?
Where to?
Don't turn around.
I said, don't turn around.
- What's he doing? - Trying to get her to open up.
With a gun?
I can't even leave for half a day.
Why?
Tell me why, Van.
Wisdom Bailey.
You tried to kill him, I get paid to make sure that it doesn't happen again.
Now turn around, put your hands on your head and get on your knees.
Whatever you think you need to do...
...do it.
But I'm not gonna help.
You ever let anybody go before?
I haven't.
Not once.
The thought never crossed my mind.
Go. Get out of here.
I'll deal with Wisdom.
I thought it would get us something.
It was a good idea.
At least her name, rank and serial number.
- That got us nothing. - I'm fully aware of that, thank you.
Van was right, this girl just doesn't need anything or anybody.
The Army should be proud.
They stamped out a stone-cold, self-reliant, self-motivated...
[RINGING]
BILLIE: Hmm.
Hello?
Yeah, I'll be there. Okay.
She wants to meet me at a hotel.
My genius never ceases to amaze me.
VAN [OVER RADIO]: All right, I'm heading up the stairs now.
I didn't think you'd wanna see me anymore.
I thought about what you said.
And I got you a present.
VAN [O VER RADIO]: I almost killed you and you got me a present?
That's sweet.
Open it.
Nice touch.
SOPHIE: It's a Remington 700.
Barreled action, pillar bedded.
Wow, it's, uh...
- It's nice. It's a.338. - Yup.
An Al Kevlar composite folding stock...
...a Mark 4 Leupold scope, and a Gemtech silencer.
What do you think?
I think you're psycho.
But nobody's asking me. I'm just sitting here alone talking to myself.
Which means I'm probably psycho too.
I think it's great.
I always wanted one of those. Thank you.
Ahh, what's the occasion?
Let me show you.
Look through the scope.
What am I looking at?
Should be coming out...
...just about...
...now.
Wisdom Bailey.
You said you were gonna deal with him.
Deal.
[OVER RADIO] Let's see it.
Take him, Van.
[GUN COCKS]
The sight's off.
Come on, Van.
Give a brother just one clue.
Tell me where Wisdom's at, baby. Come on.
You're good.
Everybody's looking for him and you find him in a parking lot behind a hotel.
Thank you.
- What are you waiting for? - I'm waiting for a clean shot.
- I only like to take one. - Well, it looks like you got it.
Okay, I'm taking him.
DEAQ: Oh! Damn, partner.
What the hell's going on?
Is that the guy from the bar? What's he doing here?
Screwing up my shot.
Are you trying to kill me?
- We're not gonna get him. - Who is that guy?
I don't know, but we'd better bounce.
Oh! Oh!
Put your hands where I can see them.
And remove yourself from the vehicle slowly.
Right now.
- Yo, fool, don't I know you? - Hell, yeah, you know me.
We had a little pool party at your house a few weeks back.
Yo, Billie, I found your boy Wisdom.
Whoever he is, he's got one of us tagged.
- You think he's a cop? - Not a cop I know.
- Maybe he works for Wisdom. - Maybe.
And you never told Wisdom about me?
If I told Wisdom that I found you and let you go...
...neither one of us would be standing here.
- Drink? - Yeah.
A real drink or?
No, one of yours.
- You don't have to lie to me anymore. - I like yours, Sophia.
That's the truth.
And make it two olives.
I think I'm ready now.
What's wrong with you, man?
Why you doing this to a brother?
You've got some serious problems, Wiz.
Do I know you?
All good when it was a big secret, but as you've discovered...
...it's a lonely world out there for you right now.
You flipped on the Crips.
The Crips gave an order to wet you.
No one wants to help a rat with a price on their head.
So you're gonna walk in here and want me to be real cooperative.
Come on right back to Jesus and all is forgiven.
Well, all is not forgiven.
A woman killed my crew.
A woman walked into my club, and in front of 400 people...
...made me look like a little bitch.
So here's the deal.
I ain't saying nothing until that bitch is off the street.
Are you not saying because you're pissed...
...or because you're scared because she is good?
See, that's the kind of attitude that's gonna make me close me right on down.
Put the cuffs on her.
Or you can make your case without the Wiz, baby.
Feel me?
I feel you.
Wisdom Bailey's in custody.
So the guy following us...
Is a cop.
- You seen him before? - Only when I'm with you.
- You think he's on me? - Think he's on me?
I think out of the two of us, you're the flashy one.
I stay low-profile. You're the one waving flags.
- Flashy, huh? - The cars, the clothes, all the money.
It's a little...
Look at me.
Well, I'm not the one with the museum-quality art collection.
Sorry?
I mean, I like the house. The house is good.
Small, modest.
The kind of thing you can buy with an uncle's inheritance.
But that is a Monet.
That's not a copy.
Although you probably tell people that it is.
Most people don't get invited into my house.
Monet. Degas.
Cézanne and Watteau.
You got a whole French theme going.
Couple of thousand dollars' worth of furniture...
...couple of million dollars' worth of art.
So now you're an art expert.
I grew up around forgers, remember?
My dad knew his art just as well as he knew his C-notes.
Enough for me to tell you that that is a real Cézanne.
Why hide it?
If I had what you had, I'd buy a museum...
...have a couple of art parties, invite some friends.
But that's just me. Mr. Flashy, right?
I like that it's a secret.
I like that almost no one's ever been in this room.
And you're the first one who's really seen it.
I like that you know my secrets.
I wanna see some of yours.
BILLIE: Until we get this girl off the streets...
...Wisdom Bailey's cooperation and testimony go bye-bye.
All because a girl made him look like a big screaming sissy.
- Pfft. Men. DEAQ: Hell, I see his point, all right?
You can't get caught and have the woman that has you on the run out there free.
It's bad enough for a brother's rep she popped his boys.
And it's bad enough he's got a contract on his head.
But for her to be living la vida loca while he's in a cellblock, down? Mm-mm.
Wait, that's it.
What?
Wisdom wants her, bad.
So?
So she wants to know who you are, really bad.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Billie, why is he looking at me like that?
I think you're going to meet Sophia.
Can I have a Sophia's Choice, please?
Oh, forgive me for being rude, Sophia.
We haven't been formally introduced.
My name is cop.
Dirty cop.
Funny name.
Get teased when you were a kid?
The hotel, you and your boyfriend.
I been on you a long time, girl.
Watching, listening.
I know a lot of real spit about you.
Yes, I do.
Can I get you anything else?
Cake. You know, cash.
Or I go to Wisdom Bailey and I say:
"Hey, Wiz, how much would you pay me...
...to know the little redhead that tried to take you out at your party?"
Because you know that Wiz is pissed.
You made him look bad.
People come in here all the time.
Telling me their problems.
What's yours?
Hundred thousand, tomorrow, noon.
Olive and Eleventh Street. Be there.
Or the price tag on your head becomes a toe tag.
You know what I'm saying?
And by the way, this drink? It's the worst drink I ever had in my life.
WOMAN: Honey, be careful.
She bit.
I could see it in her eyes, she wants to ice me real bad.
- Good. - Good?
Yeah, good. It's a one-syllable word. You having trouble getting it?
No.
I was just gearing up to hear about Sophia's sad childhood.
You know, how that poor girl was forced into becoming the hit woman she is today.
No speech.
I want this girl behind bars for life. I don't feel bad about it.
No mixed emotions, no guilt.
I purely want her paying the bill for what she did and who she is.
What? Why are you grinning at me like a Cheshire cat?
- You think that's screwed up? - Hell, no, I've been waiting for this.
You're finally starting to see things my way. I like that.
So you think that it's normal?
Just like me.
Okay, maybe I should rethink this one.
What's wrong with me, Van? You don't like me?
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Hey.
Who are you?
You walk into my life, suddenly I have big flashy problems with the police.
- Tell me why. - Put the gun down and we'll talk.
Answer the question and then I'll put the gun down.
You ever think you have problems because of what you do for a living, Sophia?
You're in the problem business. We both are.
I got a cop shaking me down, threatening to sell me to Wisdom Bailey.
I've had a long, interesting career, but that's a first.
And that's on me how?
Cops don't know me.
They follow me, question me, sweat me, but they don't know me.
Nobody knows me.
Except you.
That seems like kind of a coincidence.
But I don't believe in coincidence.
Neither do I.
Wisdom Bailey hired this guy to roll you, then he's gonna roll me too.
We're on the same side of this thing. Now put the gun down.
We'd better be.
I'd feel better if there was 0 SWAT guys out there...
...to make sure she didn't get a shot off.
This girl's practically SWAT herself. She'd smell those guys coming a mile away.
We're not gonna let her out of our sight. I promise you're gonna be fine.
Oh, you promise. Do you promise too?
I don't make promises.
Well, I feel so much better now.
VAN: Okay, Deaq, she's just leaving the house.
VAN [OVER RADIO]: ETA is 20 minutes. Get ready.
- Are you there yet? - I'm here. Are you guys close?
Because I'm not getting out of this truck unless it's all set up, you hear me?
VAN [O VER RADIO]: Yeah, I hear you loud and clear.
All right.
VAN [OVER RADIO]: She's pulling into the parking structure. We're two cars behind.
- Don't worry, we're on her now. - You'd better be on her.
Come on. We're gonna lose her.
We're not gonna lose her. She can only go up.
Come on. This guy's gotta be kidding me.
- Let's go. - Okay.
- Don't drop it, don't... - I got it.
VAN: Please go a little faster. BILLIE: You always a backseat driver?
Yes, he is.
And please tell me you didn't lose this girl, all right?
We've lost visual contact for the moment.
Okay.
She's in the lot, we'll find her.
Are you serious? I'm getting back in the truck.
Okay, Deaq, we found her.
We found the car, at least.
Are y'all screwing with me or what?
This is not a joke, man.
- All right, you go up. I'm gonna go down. - Look, all right.
[PHONE RINGING]
Not a good time.
Me neither, but I had to talk to you. Where are you?
When I say not a good time, I really mean...
I need to talk to you, Sophia.
- Why? - I can't tell you over the phone.
Believe me, I understand. Can I call you back?
No. No, tell me where you are and I'll come to you.
Well, I can't tell you over the phone.
If there's anybody who'd understand, I think it'd be you.
Good point.
Sounds windy.
It is.
And I really have to go.
- Call you later. - Wait, wait, Sophia.
Damn it. She's on the roof.
VAN: Put down the rifle, Sophia.
I said, put it down!
Put it down or I will shoot you.
BILLIE [OVER RADIO]: Van, I got your back.
[ELEVATOR DINGS]
Children shouldn't grow up without a mother.
So put your gun down and back the hell up.
Step right.
[OVER RADIO] I've got a clean shot.
Step off, Van. I got the shot.
You're not gonna do it.
You didn't kill the hostage Wisdom Bailey grabbed...
...and you're not gonna do this.
You wanna kill somebody, point the gun at me. I'm the one you're pissed at.
Happy?
I got a boss 20 feet back. I move an inch, she's gonna kill you.
Put the gun down. You're caught.
Let it go. It's over.
This is not over.
VAN: Let's go.
DEAQ: All right, why you putting me back so far, huh?
Because you know what's gonna happen.
[DEAQ LAUGHS]
That's three games in a row, partner.
Maybe you lost your game.
At least I got game to lose. Come on.
Maybe you're distracted.
Maybe Sophia got to you a little more than you wanna admit.
Okay, I admit that I can't get her out of my head.
VAN: But not in a sexual way.
In a "I never really got a chance to figure this girl out" kind of way.
All right, is that the same thing? No.
No, this is a whole new totally screwed-up thing.
Look, this girl's a whole another kind of human being.
Not good or bad, just apart from everything.
I'll be honest with you, I don't think this girl's gonna feel much different in prison.
Check it.
- Sophia Jones, she escaped. - What?
She killed two transport guards and is MIA.
All right, you had her in your head? Now she's gonna be on your ass.
And this girl is not gonna forgive, man.
You heard her say it. This isn't over.
Deaq's right. We can't take that chance.
You should stay low and get out of town for a while.
At least until we get her back in custody.
I'm not going anywhere, okay?
I gotta look over my shoulder every day, we all do.
So let's just add her name to the long list...
...and let's move on.
Check it.
All right.
DEAQ: Aw! VAN: Yeah!
[GROANS]
Did I wake you?
I trusted you.
[GUNSHOT]
[PANTING]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Hello? - Yo, what's up, man?
Just, uh, calling to see if you okay.
- I'm fine. - Oh, that's cool.
If you want, I could pop by, bring a few beers.
Maybe we watch Real World: Las Vegas.
What happened to "We can't be friends if we're partners"?
Hey, this has nothing to do with friendship. I just wanna watch MTV.
Look, uh, as tempting as that sounds, I'm gonna get some sleep.
I'm really tired.
Hey, thanks for calling, man. I appreciate it.
All right. Peace.
[PHONE RINGS]
Dude, I'm fine.
SOPHIA [OVER PHONE]: Hello, Van.
Is your name really Van?
I can't tell you over the phone.
Why don't we discuss it over a Sophia's Choice?
Where are you?
SOPHIA [OVER PHONE]: Is that a cop asking or do you want to know?
Well, me and the cop, we're kind of inseparable.
What can I do for you?
SOPHIA [O VER PHONE]: Just wanna talk.
Okay, talk.
SOPHIA [OVER PHONE]: I've been thinking about you.
A lot.
And you know what I realized?
I can tell you everything.
You know me. I know you.
No more secrets.
We're a pair, you and me.
You don't see it?
Weirdly, I kind of do.
SOPHIA [OVER PHONE]: So if I told you I was close, would you be happy?
Or afraid?
Both.
[VAN SIGHS OVER PHONE]
You set me free.
I'm out in the world. I like where I am.
[OVER PHONE] Not knowing where I'll be next or who I'll be next.
Take care of my art collection.
And don't change your phone number.
Never gonna meet a normal girl.
Ripped By mstoll