hecklongtree

I added a new scene to my screenplay "Bordertown." This one comes after Eva hires luchador-turned-detective Pocho to investigate her husband's murder and before the Psychic Zorina leads Jon and Pocho on a fool's errand in San Benito Cemetery. Here Jon and Pocho are called to a motel to investigate a tip. On their way, they're chased by some real bad hombres known as "Los Intocables."

POCHOS APARTMENT
Mrs. Diaz and Pocho lie in bed. Even in bed, Pocho, though otherwise nude, wears his mask.
MRS. DIAZ
Dont worry about it, Pocho. It happens to every man at one time or another.
POCHO
Its just that Im a maanero. I like a good tumble in the morning. I swear, its this damn Daylight Savings Time. It throws off my manly clock.
Pocho grabs the remote and switches on the tv.
ON TV
From a courthouse, armed guards escort a man with a crew cut wearing an orange prison jumpsuit.
REPORTER (V.O.)
And so Arbenz, the forty-six year old maquiladora worker, entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment.
Pocho sits up with a start, leaning forward to get a good look at the prisoner on the TV screen. Pocho jumps out of bed and grabs Arbenz' photo off the chest of drawers.
POCHO
Thats not him.
MRS. DIAZ
What do you mean?
POCHO
Thats not the man arrested at the rally. They tried to disguise him by cutting off his hair, but thats not him. Thats some patsy they got to take the fall.
Pocho shows her the picture.
MRS. DIAZ
Who are they?
POCHO
Most likely the same people who hired the real killer. Maybe members of an opposing party. Maybe members of his own party. From what I read in the papers, your husbands campaign wasnt going very well. Maybe the PRI wanted to change candidates.
The phone RINGS and Pocho answers.
POCHO (contd)
Bueno.
MEXICAN WOMAN (O.S.)
Did you see the news?
POCHO
Yeah. Whos this?
MEXICAN WOMAN (O.S.)
Just Listen. The man in custody is different from the one arrested.
POCHO
Yeah, thats what I thought too, but--
MEXICAN WOMAN (O.S.)
Just listen. Meet me in an hour at the El Camino Real Motel, room 101.
POCHO
But why are you so sure the man in custody is different man than the one arrested?
MEXICAN WOMAN (O.S.)
Believe me, Seor Pocho, a mother knows her own childs face. The man in custody is my son.
EXT. MEXICAN STREET - AN HOUR LATER
Pocho and Jon head towards the motel in a 1970s Chevy Impala. As they go over a bump, a plastic Virgin of Guadalupe dangling from the rear view mirror starts to bob. A car darts out in front of them and stops short. Another car pulls up from behind.
INT. POCHOS CAR
Brakes SQUEAL, as Pocho makes a sharp turn and guns the accelerator.
POCHO
Damn, theyre trying to box me in. This happened the last time I was kidnapped.
JON
The last time you were kidnapped? How often does this happen to you?
CHASE SEQUENCE
The Impala speeds down the bumpy, barely paved road, the two cars following in hot pursuit. Pocho turns down a side street, trying in vain to elude them. He turns down another, realizing, only too late, that he is headed the wrong way on a one-way street. He weaves through traffic, narrowly missing several cars, until finally Pocho has to swerve to avoid a head-on collision.
INT. IMPALA
Unable to control the skid, he shrugs in resignation and says...
POCHO
Chingalo. Were going to crash.
Pocho and Jon brace themselves as the Impala crashes into a side rail. They are just breathing a sigh of relief that they werent seriously hurt, when one of the pursuing cars pulls along the driver's side.
POCHO (contd)
Hit the deck!
They duck down, Pocho hitting his head on the Virgin. The shotgun blast shatters the Impalas window glass on both sides. As he pulls away, the GUNMAN shouts...
GUNMAN
Greetings from Los Intocables!
EXT. EL CAMINO REAL MOTEL - LATER
Pocho and Jon pull into the parking lot in the dented but operable Impala. Somewhat shaken, they exit slowly, brushing glass from their clothing as they proceed to room 101. Pocho knocks. No answer. He tries the doorknob. It is unlocked. He moves to the side of the door and gently pushes it open.
POCHO
Jon, Ill let you go in first.
JON
Thanks a lot.
Jon proceeds cautiously as he enters and looks around the room.
JON (contd)
OK, you can come in now.
POCHO
Is my lady caller there?
JON
Oh shes here all right.
As Pocho enters, Jon stands by the bed, looking down.
JON (contd)
Its the old woman who was arrested at the first rally--the one who shouted that the police attacked her first.
POCHO
Well, she isnt shouting now.
She is lying on her back, the telephone cord wrapped tightly around her neck.