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Rush Hour 2 (2001)

by Jeff Nathanson.

More info about this movie on IMDb.com


FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY


EXT. HONG KONG SKYLINE - ESTABLISHING

A smoky haze dims the blazing sun.  Skyscrapers sit like
watchtowers over the city, where East meets West for five and
a half million people a day.

EXT. AMERICAN CONSULATE - HONG KONG - DAY

THE AMERICAN EMBASSY - U.S. and Chinese flags side by side.

HU LI, dark glasses, EXITS and slowly moves toward a STREET
VENDOR across the street.

She pays for an order of pork bao; as she takes her first
bite we see:

THE EXPLOSION BEHIND HER

TWO OFFICES ON THE SIXTH FLOOR BLOWN OUT - a huge fireball
erupting over one side of the embassy.

People panic and run.  Hu Li doesn't even flinch.  She takes
a bite of her pork bao as she casually turns to the stunned
street vendor.

			HU LI
		(Chinese, subtitled)
	Someone better call the police.

EXT./INT. LEE'S CAR - CONTINUOUS

The passenger window rolls down and we see Carter, styling in
a Chinese-cut suit.  He's holding a Chinese-English
dictionary, leaning out the window - giving his best "do me"
look to two girls in a convertible.

			CARTER
		(int Chinese)
	Deng wa lu yun cai-shen wu.

The HORRIFIED GIRLS speed off, and Carter turns to Lee, who
is driving and singing to his radio.

			LEE
		(singing)
	...wish they all could be California...
	wish they all could be California
	girls...

Carter ejects the BEACH BOYS CD from the stereo and TOSSES it
out of the SUNROOF.

			CARTER
	I warned you about playing that shit
	when I'm in the car.

			LEE
	That was my CD.  Don't you ever touch a
	Chinese man's CD.

			CARTER
	Did you see the way those girls drove
	off?  I did you a favor.

			LEE
	Those girls drove off because of you.

			CARTER
	All I did was invite them for a drink.

			LEE
	You invited them to get naked and
	sacrifice a small goat.

			CARTER
		(checking Chinese-English
		 dictionary)
	I said that?  Which word was "goat?"

Lee picks up his CD case.

			LEE
	You owe me a copy of the Beach Boys
	Greatest Hits, Volume Two.

			CARTER
	Don't be giving me attitude, Lee.  I've
	been here three days and we haven't done
	shit.  We haven't been to a club,
	haven't even talked to a girl.  I'm on
	vacation, and I want some mu-shu.

			LEE
	Mu-shu?  You're hungry?

			CARTER
	Not Mu-shu.  Mu-shu.  I want to see some
	women.  Now stop playing dumb and show
	me the shu!

Carter flips through the dictionary.  A CALL COMES in over
LEE'S CELL PHONE.

INTERCUT

INT. SUPERINDENDENT CHIN'S OFFICE - NIGHT

The following conversation is in Chinese, English subtitles.

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
	Lee, there was a bombing at the American
	Embassy.  Two American translators were
	killed.

			LEE
	Any leads?

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
		(beat)
	We think it's Ricky Tan.  If you don't
	want to take the case, I'll understand.

			LEE
	It's my responsibility.

Lee hangs up the cell phone.

			CARTER
	What was that?  Did you just pick up a
	case?  Did we just take another damn
	case on my vacation?

Lee smiles at Carter.

			LEE
	Of course not.  My Superindendent
	invited us to a club tonight.  Big
	party.

			CARTER
	Don't be messing with me, Lee.  I will
	kick your ass.  I'll hit you so hard
	you'll end up in the Ming Dynasty.

			LEE
	Carter, would I lie to you?

EXT. RAVEN CLUB - NIGHT

Carter follows Lee out of the car, the two men making their
way to the door of the Raven Club.  Carter is combing his
hair, getting himself ready for a night on the town, stopping
when he spots two hot WOMEN walking into the club.

			CARTER
	That's what I'm talking about.  A real
	Hong Kong night club.  You want an
	Altoid?

			LEE
	No.

			CARTER
	You better take one.  Your breath has
	been a little funky all day.  Let me
	look at you.

Carter looks at Lee.  Fixes his collar.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Just relax and don't worry about a
	thing.  I'll hook you up in there.  You
	got condoms?

			LEE
	No.

			CARTER
	Take this.  It's a Magnum.  You can fold
	it in half.

Carter dances through the door, Lee follows.

INT. RAVEN CLUB - NIGHT

A dark, upscale club that is packed with GANGSTERS, BEAUTIFUL
GIRLS and CIVILIANS.  Lee and Carter walk in.  Lee is trying
to keep a low profile as Carter stares up at the stage, where
a man sings Karaoke -- the most painful rendition of Michael
Jackson's "DON'T STOP 'TILL YOU GET ENOUGH."

			LEE
	I'll meet you at the bar in ten minutes.
	They don't like tourists in here, so try
	to blend in.

			CARTER
	Blend in?  I'm two feet taller than
	everyone here.  Where you going?

			LEE
	Bathroom.

Lee walks off, trying not to be seen as Carter steps up to
the bar, takes a seat next to TWO CHINESE THUGS.

			CARTER
	How you boys doing tonight?

The thugs ignore Carter as he motions to the stage, where the
OLD MAN continues to sing.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	That is the worst singing I've ever
	heard.  That sounds like something you'd
	hear in prison after lights out.

The thugs continue to ignore Carter.

INT. RAVEN CLUB - BACK HALL - NIGHT

Lee makes his way down a hallway -- looks through an open
door - sees a private room.  Several TRIADS are using hi-tech
MACHINES to count stacks of AMERICAN HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS.

			CARTER (V.O.)
	Get closer to my body now.  And just
	love me, till you don't know how...

Lee steps back into shadow -- does a double take as he
realizes he's hearing Carter belting out "DON'T STOP 'TILL
YOU GET ENOUGH."

INT. RAVEN CLUB - CONTINUOUS

A room full of Chinese sitting with their mouths open,
watching Carter on the Karaoke stage doing a dead-on Michael
Jackson, singing his heart out.  Dancing and making eyes at a
few of the smitten women who are watching him.

			LEE
		(whispering from side of stage)
	Carter, get off that stage!

			CARTER
	Are you kidding, they love me.  I'm a
	star, Lee.  A god to these people!

Carter resumes singing, really getting down.  Moonwalking to
the EDGE of the STATE where Lee PULLS HIM OFF.

			LEE
	This is a gangster bar, we're here
	undercover.

			CARTER
	I knew you were lying.

			LEE
	I'm sorry.

			CARTER
	Damn it, why are you ruining my night?
	I'm just starting to have fun.
		(beat)
	Well fine then, go ahead, pull your
	badge and do your thing.

			LEE
	No, we're here for information, to find
	out where a man named Ricky Tan is.  We
	must tread softly and keep our ears
	open.

			CARTER
	Tread softly?  Who taught you how to
	roost a bar?

			LEE
	Carter, you don't understand.  These men
	are Fu-Cang-Long Triads.  Part of the
	most deadly gang in China.

			CARTER
	Man, are you crazy?  You think that
	scares me?  I'm from  L.A.  We invented
	gangs.  We were having gang wars before
	anybody even thought about it.  We get
	royalties from other gangs.  Now gimme
	your badge and gun and I'll show you how
	it's done.

			LEE
	No.  You are a civilian.  In China, I am
	Michael Jackson, and you are Toto.

			CARTER
	You mean Tito.  We had  Toto for dinner
	last night.

Before Lee can react, Carter has lifted Lee's badge and gun.
Carter bounds back on stage, pulls the plug on the music and
fires three SHOTS into the ceiling, silencing the bar.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
		(Chinese)
	Deng wa lu yun, shen wu wattu masu wang
	lui.

Nobody moves.  Strange looks from the crowd.  Carter turns to
Lee.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
		(whispering)
	What'd I say?

			LEE
	You just said you're their worst
	nightmare - and to line their mothers up
	for a milking.

			CARTER
	Shit.  C'mon, get up here and help me
	out.

Reluctantly, Lee gets on stage.  More looks from the Chinese
as Carter speaks, Lee translating.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Okay, all the Triads and ugly women go
	to that side, all fine ass women on this
	side.

Nobody moves.  Carter fires two more shots in the ceiling.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Let's try this again.  Who here knows
	Ricky Tan, raise your hand.

Nobody moves.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Who here is named Lee?  Raise your hand.

Nobody moves.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Now I know you're lying.

The crowd still hasn't moved.  Except in the back, where Lee
spots several GANGSTERS leaving.  As Lee runs off stage --

			CARTER (CONT'D)
		(as they run out)
	I come back and catch y'all singing
	Michael Jackson and you're all going to
	jail.

EXT. RAVEN CLUB - NIGHT

Lee and Carter run into the street, just in time to see HU LI
and several gangsters round a corner.

			CARTER
	Stop!  LAPD!

Lee takes off and chases them on foot.

EXT. HONG KONG STREET - NIGHT

EXT. HONG KONG STREET - NIGHT

The far end of the street is BLOCKED BY MARKET STALLS.  The
GANGSTERS look around frantically.  An apartment building is
under CONSTRUCTION, massive BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING top to bottom.
Their only way out is UP.

Lee and Carter dash around the corner to see the gangsters
SWARMING UP THE SCAFFOLDING.  Lee wastes no time going after
them.  With a running start, he JAMS A FOOT on the wall and
VAULTS to the BOTTOM RUNG, GRABS HOLD AND SWINGS UP.

			CARTER
	Hang on, Lee.  I'm coming.

Carter jumps to grab hold of the scaffolding.  NOT EVEN
CLOSE.  He backs up -- he's gonna take a running start!

ABOVE - LEE REACHES 4 GANGSTERS.  They all tear off the
LENGTHS OF BAMBOO and square off.  The clatter of wood
against wood as they beat at each other.  Wrestling over his
pole, Lee FLINGS TWO of the GANGSTERS over the edge.

BELOW, Carter has hold of the bottom rung, STRAINING MIGHTILY
to pull himself up.  Just as he gets his chin above the
bar... snap!  It BREAKS and he drops.  Then...

WHAM!  WHAM!  The two gangsters CRASH LAND ON EITHER side of
CARTER.  HE takes one look at their pain.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Forget this...

He dashes into the stairwell.  ABOVE, the last two GANGSTERS
come at Lee.  He stomps down, levering up floor boards, which
SEE-SAWS them off-balance.  With the advantage, he BATTERS
them with his bamboo pole and knocks them off.  He climbs
after the GANGSTER LEADER.

ON HU LI and the GANGSTERS

Coming over the crest of the hill, seeing Carter climbing up
the hill.

EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS

Lee pulls himself up onto the roof, takes a few steps when
WHAM!  He is clocked by a 16-foot BAMBOO POLE.  Lee TOPPLES
OVER THE EDGE!  We see his adversary for the first time.

HU LI - AGILE, GORGEOUS...DANGEROUS

As she steps to the edge... BOOM!  The STAIRWELL DOOR FLIES
OPEN and CARTER EMERGES.  Gun low and ready.  Hu Li is gone.

			CARTER
		(out of breath)
	Freeze!  Nobody move!

Carter goes to the edge and sees Lee hanging on a pole below.
Carter is blind-sided by Hu Li.

She takes one sultry step towards him, then twists her heel
and WINDMILLS a HARD KICK that sends Carter FLYING OFF THE
ROOF!

He falls along the side of the building.  He manages to grab
the end of a BAMBOO POLE that juts out from the scaffolding.

LEE IS RIGHT THERE NEXT TO HIM!

They're hanging side-by-side, holding on for their lives.  Hu
Li looks down at them.  She has no weapon to finish them off.
She turns and runs, disappearing in the night.

CARTER AND LEE

holding on with all their strength.  The bamboo is starting
to bend.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	All I wanted was a little mu-shu.

			LEE
	Try to land on your feet.

Carter looks down at a rancid dumpster below them.

			CARTER
	I can't believe I flew ten-thousand
	miles for this shit.

The POLE BREAKS

SUPER THE TITLE:

RUSH HOUR 2: REMEMBER THE DRAGON

INT. LEE'S UNMARKED POLICE CAR - LATER THAT NIGHT

Carter and Lee drive through Hong Kong, the two men riding in
silence, bruised and covered in garbage.

			CARTER
	You lied to me.

			LEE
	I'm sorry.

			CARTER
	You're sorry.  I got somebody's old
	chopsticks stuck in my ass, so don't
	tell me you're sorry.  Just take me
	home.

			LEE
	No time.  There was an explosion at the
	American Embassy today -- two American
	translators were killed.

Carter takes this in.  Can't believe his own bad luck.

			CARTER
	So that Ricky Tan, he's the one who blew
	up the Embassy?

EXT. MONASTERY SCHOOL - EARLY MORNING

Lee and Carter walk into a massive COURTYARD, where thirty 12
year olds are going through their warm up routines.

MASTER FU, 60's, wears a BLACK ROBE as he teaches his kids.

			CARTER
	I'm telling you right now, I'm tired of
	this shit.  There's two billion Chinese -
	let one of them be your partner.

			LEE
	This won't take long.

Master Fu barks out a barrage of SHAOLIN FIGHTING STANCES.

			MASTER FU
	Dragon kick!

Like well-trained army, the students YELL AND KICK HARD.

			MASTER FU (CONT'D)
	Lotus block!

The students YELL and form an "X" with their arms.  Master Fu
notices Carter and Lee watching from the back.

			MASTER FU (CONT'D)
	Twisting Tiger!

No response.  The students exchange baffled looks.

			MASTER FU (CONT'D (CONT'D)
		(staring straight at Lee)
	Twisting Tiger!

Lee may be a big rusty, but he puts on a shit-kicking move
that leaves the students blown away.  Lee smiles, basking in
the glow...

...until he sees Master Fu's disappointment.

			MASTER FU (CONT'D)
	Didn't I teach you to always arch your
	back?

			LEE
		(bowing, humbled)
	Yes, Master.

While Lee follows Master Fu, Carter stands in front of the 12
YEAR OLDS, who sit motionless around a fighting circle.

Carter starts stretching his legs, warming up.

			CARTER
	I was watching you kids.  My name is
	Carter, LAPD, and I'm a third degree
	black belt.  At least that's what I tell
	the girls at the Holiday Health Spa
	where I work out.

Carter throws a series of QUICK PUNCHES, but the kids have no
reaction.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Let me give you kids some tips.  The key
	to Kung Fu is the follow through.  Why
	don't you stand up.

THE KIDS DON'T MOVE, no reaction.  Carter continues to throw
punches.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Go ahead, kick me, hit me.  I'll show
	you how to block.  Come on, stand up,
	give me your best shot -- try to kick
	right to my head.

The kids still don't move.  Carter, working up a sweat from
shadow fighting, takes off his JACKET, DRAPING IT over the
HOLY BUDDHA behind him -- a mistake.  He swings back around
to face the kids and NEVER SEES THE KICK that sends him
flying back onto the mat.  He looks around and sees ALL of
the kids STANDING, in FIGHTING POSITION.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	That's pretty good.  Which one of you
	kids did that?

INT. COURTYARD PATHWAY - CONTINUOUS

Lee and Master Fu walking.

			LEE
	I need your help, Master.  I'm seeking a
	man who used to train with you.  He's
	become a killer - the worst kind of
	animal.

			MASTER FU
	Animals kill only from hunger or fear.
	The man you seek is lower than a
	serpent.
		(faces Lee)
	...he kills for money.

In the b.g., we see the kids leaping acrobatically over
Carter from all sides.  Carter, frustrated, tries to grab the
kids out of the air as they fly by, but they elude him.  They
disappear O.S.

Lee and Master Fu walk another moment, Master Fu lost in
thought.

			MASTER FU (CONT'D)
	He was the best I ever trained, you
	know.

			LEE
	Ricky Tan?

			MASTER FU
	No.  Your father.
		(Lee reacts)
	Your father and Ricky Tan were my
	favorite students... and for such awful
	things to happen as they did --

Lee cuts off Master Fu's reminisces -- he's obviously
uncomfortable.

			LEE
	How do I find Ricky Tan?

AGAIN IN THE B.G., Carter and the flying kids go zipping by
in the other direction, disappear O.S.

Master Fu pats the SOIL around a struggling plant.

			MASTER FU
	A seeding spends its entire life
	reaching towards Heaven.

			LEE
	I know, Master, but...

			MASTER FU
	The answers you seek can be found in
	Heaven on Earth.

			LEE
	Heaven on Earth?  Master, I don't
	understand.
		(working it)
	A temple, where Heaven is on Earth?  A
	mountain, where Earth reaches for the --

			MASTER FU
	It's a massage parlor downtown.  "Heaven
	on Earth."  You will find your answers
	there.

Lee bows to Master Fu, slowly turns to walk back down the
pathway.

			MASTER FU (CONT'D)
	Wait!  Put a c-note in the jar.

Lee puts a few bills in the jar, heads down a pathway.
Master Fu walks over and takes the cash.

			MASTER FU (CONT'D)
	Cheap bastard...

EXT. MONASTERY SCHOOL - CONTINUOUS

Lee emerges from the path, stops when he sees Carter -- two
students headlocked under each arm, another two scissor
locked between his legs, holding another two down with his
hands, and sitting on the last one.

			CARTER
	And that's how you use the LAPD choke
	hold.  Now start practicing and don't
	make me come back here!

			LEE
	Carter...you ready to have some fun!?

EXT. HEAVEN ON EARTH MASSAGE PARLOR - DAY

A neon light hangs above the upscale massage parlor.

			LEE
	Just follow my lead and act like a
	tourist.

			CARTER
	I am a tourist.

INT. HEAVEN ON EARTH MASSAGE PARLOR - CONTINUOUS

Lee and Carter walk into an upscale MASSAGE PARLOR and stand
in a lobby.  SOFT MUSIC is playing.

			HOSTESS
	Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Lee bows, followed by Carter.

			LEE
		(in Chinese)
	Hello.

			CARTER
	How you doin'?

			LEE
	My friend is on vacation, from America.
	I want to show him a good time.

			HOSTESS
	Oh, you American?

			CARTER
	That's right.

			HOSTESS
	You bring American money?

			CARTER
		(holding up a Platinum AmEx)
	Never leave home without it.
		(to Lee)
	Lee, this one's on me.  You save your
	money.

The Hostess takes Carter by the arm, walks over to a HIDDEN
SLIDING DOOR - slides it open to reveal TWENTY BEAUTIFUL
WOMEN.  Carter truly is in Heaven.

			HOSTESS
	You get massage from Chinese girl
	before?

			CARTER
	No.  It's my first time.

			HOSTESS
	You pick any girl for you and your
	friend.

Carter looks like a kid in a candy store.

			CARTER
	Any girl?  Okay.  Let's start with that
	one.

			HOSTESS
	Oh yes, she's very nice.

			CARTER
	She is nice.  But I am very tense.  I'm
	gonna need a lot of massages.  I'll take
	that one, too.  How you doin', baby?
	And...that one in pink.  She can do my
	feet.

Lee elbows Carter.

			LEE
	What are you doing?

			CARTER
	She said I could pick any girl I want.

			LEE
	Well, hurry up.

			CARTER
	Hey!  You don't break in front of a
	black man in a buffet line.

			HOSTESS
		(to Lee)
	Your friend have big appetite.
		(handing ROBES to Lee and
		 Carter)
	Please put these on and wait upstairs in
	the quiet room.

INT. QUIET ROOM MASSAGE PARLOR - DAY

TWENTY MEN in SILK ROBES lie in reclining chairs, women
massaging their feet and hands.  There are BIG SCREEN TV's
showing nature films, relaxation music playing in the
background.

Lee and Carter sit in the quiet room dressed in MATCHING
PURPLE ROBES.  Lee wears SLIPPERS, Carter wears his HIGH
TOPS.  Carter is enjoying a hand and neck massage at the same
time.  A WOMAN walks over and hands them each a drink.

			CARTER
	Now I'm on vacation.  I knew you'd come
	through, Lee.

LEE doesn't respond.  LEE IS STARING AT SOMEONE ON THE FAR
SIDE OF THE ROOM.  A man who radiates a unique blend of
sophistication and brutality.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	What's wrong?

			LEE
	Over there -- that's Ricky Tan.

			CARTER
	That's Ricky Tan?  He's four feet tall.
	I'll go over with you right now, shake
	him down.

			LEE
	This is a very dangerous man.

			CARTER
	I'm a dangerous man.  You're not gonna
	ruin my massage because of some midget
	in a house coat.

			LEE
	I'm calling for back up!

Lee gets up from a chair, hurriedly exits.

Carter looks at RICKY TAN -- sitting quietly in his chair
with his LAPTOP COMPUTER on his knees.  Carter makes a
decision, gets up and walks towards him.

			CARTER
	Ricky Tan, I've been looking all over
	for you.  Get up.

Tan looks up for a moment, a smile.

			RICKY TAN
	I'm busy at the moment.

			CARTER
	I said get on your feet!

			RICKY TAN
	I know you, Detective Carter, right?
	You're Lee's American friend.  Enjoying
	your visit?

			CARTER
	I'm Lee's new muscle, his right arm --
	and don't let the robe fool you.  This
	is the only color they had left.  Now
	get up!

Tan laughs, goes back to his laptop.  CARTER GRABS THE LAPTOP
from Ricky and throws it across the room - SHATTERING IT
against the wall.  Ricky glances at his men who are seated
around the room waiting to move.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	I told you to get on your feet!

Having heard the commotion, Lee arrives by Carter's side,
breathless, as Tan looks up, surprised.

			RICKY TAN
	Lee, I've missed you, brother.
		(getting up, giving Lee a hug)
	I heard about the two Americans, I'm so
	sorry, you must be under great pressure.

			LEE
	You must come with me for questioning.

			CARTER
	Let's go.  I've got girls and chicken
	and hot oil waiting for me.

			RICKY TAN
	I don't think so...

A nod of Ricky Tan's head, and TEN LARGE MEN in robes and
towels spring out of reclining chairs -- menacingly facing
Lee and Carter.  A beat...

			CARTER
	I'd like to pay you for that laptop.

			RICKY TAN
	It's no problem.  But I must excuse
	myself, inspector.

			CARTER
	That's Chief Inspector, he got promoted.

Tan bows to Lee and Carter.

			RICKY TAN
	Congratulations.  And good day.

As Tan starts to exit, Lee and Carter move to intercept him.
But they are blocked by TAN'S MEN.

Lee grabs one of the men's towels and pulls it off.  The man
covers his naked body.  Lee is grabbed by one of the other
henchmen, but he escapes and begins kicking ass, using the
towel and his own robe to block and wrap another man's arms --
blocking, kicking, and punching everything in sight -- all
the while managing to keep his privates covered with a towel,
his robe, or some other found object.

Carter, meanwhile, uses his quick hands to send several men
flying back -- grabbing a towel of one of them.

			CARTER
		(ref: his privates)
	Damn!  No wonder you're pissed off.

Carter uses the towel like Lee did to block and trap one of
the men's punches.

In the middle of fighting, Lee is suddenly exposed -- he
flinches to cover himself and is punched from behind.
Momentarily stunned, he's lifted from behind -- two men
throwing him out the front door.

Carter is also overpowered by two men, who lift him over
their shoulders.

EXT. HONG KONG HIGHWAY - DAY

Ricky Tan's black limo SCREECHES to a stop.  The door flies
open and Lee and Carter are TOSSED out onto the highway.
Both men are completely naked.

EXT. HONG KONG POLICE STATION - DAY

A packed street - Lee and Carter dodging in and out of
people.  The CAMERA PANS and we see Lee and Carter from
behind.

			CARTER
	Goddamn you got a small ass.

			LEE
	Don't look at my ass!

INT. HONG KONG POLICE STATION - BULLPEN - DAY

PANDEMONIUM

The station is packed with Americans -- FBI AGENTS, SECRET
SERVICE... they've set up shop right in the middle of the
bullpen.

SUPERINDENDENT CHIN is arguing with SPECIAL AGENT STERLING, a
50-year old hard ass who is in charge of this circus.

			SPECIAL AGENT STERLING
	Chin, you have been ordered by the
	Ministry of Public Security to assist
	the FBI and Secret Service with our
	investigation, to provide us with
	whatever we need.  If you have
	information, it belongs to us.

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
	This is still Hong Kong.

			SPECIAL AGENT STERLING
	Two Americans have been killed on United
	States Government property -- this is
	our investigation.

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
	Chief Inspector Lee will brief your
	people...

			SPECIAL AGENT STERLING
	No.  He will report to me.  Do we
	understand each other?

SUDDENLY ALL EYES turn as Carter and Lee enter the bullpen.
Out of breath, still robed: Lee covering himself with a trash
can lid, Carter using a red construction cone.

			SPECIAL AGENT STERLING (CONT'D)
	Who the hell is that?

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
		(humiliated)
	That is...Chief Inspector Lee.  The
	detective in charge of our
	investigation.

			SPECIAL AGENT STERLING
	Put a diaper on him, Chin.  I want to
	talk to the great Inspector Lee.

INT. LEE'S OFFICE - DAY

The shades are down as Lee frantically gets dressed, putting
on a suit and fixing his tie.
Carter finishes putting on a BLACK CHINESE STYLE SUIT from
Lee's closet, then moves for the door.

			LEE
	Where are you going?

			CARTER
	Back to Heaven on Earth.  I need my damn
	passport back.  I'm going home.

			LEE
	Fine.  Go home.  Who needs you.

			CARTER
	Why you mad at me?  You needed back-up,
	so I backed you up.  I was about to take
	out Ricky Tan and those bodyguards.

			LEE
	Stop!  I'm sick of your bullshit!

			CARTER
	My bullshit?  I'm not the one who goes
	to a karaoke bar filled with gangsters!
	I'm not the one who goes to massage
	parlors to bust crime lords!

			LEE
	It's my job!

			CARTER
	You're pathetic, man.  When's the last
	time you had some fun?  When's the last
	time you took a night off, had a date?

			LEE
	I have plenty of dates.

			CARTER
	Really?  When's the last time you had
	some Mu-shu  Let's hear it, Lee, when
	was it?  Year of the rat?

			LEE
	You would never understand my life.
	You're not Chinese.

			CARTER
	And you ain't black!

The two men look at each other for a long BEAT.  Lee quickly
walks out, slamming the door behind him, leaving Carter half
dressed.

INT. SUPERINDENDENT CHIN'S OFFICE - DAY

Lee walks in, sees Sterling sitting at Chin's desk.  Chin
stands in the back.

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
	Lee, this is Special Agent Sterling from
	the United States Secret Service.

			LEE
	The Secret Service?  Why?

			STERLING
	What I'm about to tell you cannot leave
	this room.  The men who were killed
	yesterday were not American translators.
	They were undercover U.S. customs agents
	trying to break a Triad smuggling ring.
	We don't know what they're transporting
	out of Hong Kong, but whatever it is, it
	got the agents killed.

			LEE
	How can we help?

			STERLING
	Stay the hell out of our way.

			LEE
	I can get to Ricky Tan.

			STERLING
	We know all about Tan.  That's why we're
	leaving him out there as bait.  We think
	this is a lot bigger than just Ricky Tan
	and his Fu-Cang-Long Triads.

INT. LEE'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Carter is on the phone, his feet on Lee's desk.  As he talks
he opens a drawer, pulls out a wad of cash and pockets it.

			CARTER
	Captain, you're gonna have to speak up.
	I'm on a car phone!

INT. CAPTAIN DIEL'S OFFICE - LAPD HEADQUARTERS - DAY

CAPTAIN DIEL sits behind his desk talking on the phone.

			CAPTAIN DIEL
	Is it true, Carter?  Are you in Hong
	Kong right now?

			CARTER
	Hong Kong?  I'm not in Hong Kong.  I'm
	in Hollywood -- right at Sunset and
	Vine, two minutes from the station.  How
	about I pick you up right now and take
	you to dinner?

			CAPTAIN DIEL
	It's nine-thirty in the morning.

			CARTER
	Did I say dinner?  I meant diner.
	Biscuits and gravy, you love that shit.

			CAPTAIN DIEL
	Do you know what happened yesterday,
	Carter?  I was officially nominated for
	the Commissioner's post for the LAPD.
	There was a dinner last night, two
	hundred LAPD officers were there.

			CARTER
	Two hundred cops?  Was Mario Sanchez
	there?  He owes me money.

			CAPTAIN DIEL
	I've waited my whole life for this job,
	but I don't have a shot in hell of
	getting it.  Do you know why?

			CARTER
	Is it because of the hookers, sir?  You
	tell them there's no crime in being
	lonely.

			CAPTAIN DIEL
	No, Carter.  The reason I'm screwed is
	because the entire department is about
	to find out the stolen credit cards we
	impounded were used to buy two first
	class upgrades to Hong Kong.  And what
	the hell is Heaven on Earth?

			CARTER
	Sir, I'm working on a big case over here
	-- and by the time I get back they're
	gonna make you Governor.  Captain, you
	there?  Hello?  Shit!

As Carter walks out the DOOR, he brushes past HU LI, who is
standing in the hallway disguised as a FED EX DELIVERY
PERSON.  Carter checks her out as he exits.

EXT. STREET - DAY

CARTER starts walking down the street, making his way past an
outdoor BUTCHER MARKET, getting strange looks from locals and
tourists alike.  He motions to an OLD WOMAN who is selling
LIVE DUCKS, PIGEONS AND CHICKENS

			CARTER
	How you doing?  Can you direct me to the
	Heaven on Earth massage parlor?

The OLD WOMAN stares at Carter, starts motioning to her CAGES
filled with birds.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	No, I don't eat live birds.  I like my
	birds dead and deep fried.  You ever
	been to Popeyes?

The Woman takes out a bird, holds up a HATCHET.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	No, don't do that, I had a big lunch.
	I'm warning you, I'm a police officer --
	just put the blade down and let the bird
	go.

INT. HONG KONG POLICE STATION - BULLPEN/LEE'S OFFICE - DAY

Lee walks out of the Captain's office, heads for his own
office - but never gets there.

AN EXPLOSION rips through the second floor of the station.
Lee diving for safety as glass and debris shoot over his
head.  Sheer pandemonium as Lee quickly looks up at his
destroyed office, tries to get to his feet.

STUNNED POLICE OFFICERS and DETECTIVES are crowded around
Lee's office, looking at the rubble.  Lee pushes through the
crowd -- it's all smoke and fire.  Now way anyone held back
by the heat.

			LEE
	Carter!  CARTER!

EXT. HONG KONG STREET - DAY

Carter walks down the street holding a CAGE WITH A LIVE RED
BIRD inside.  He stops a MAN who is sweeping in front of his
store.

			CARTER
	How you doing?  I'm looking for Heaven
	on Earth.

The man stares at Carter, watches as he pulls out his:

ENGLISH/CHINESE DICTIONARY

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Shan-shui cao guo-jiu, pao gai niu tao
	zi.

			MAN
	You wish to spank my sister with a ping
	pong paddle?

			CARTER
	No man, I was just asking...

			MAN
	Wait here.  I'll go see if she's awake.

As the man walks into his store, Carter runs off.

Pause.

Carter strolls back INTO FRAME, peering into the store to see
if it's worth staying...

INT. HONG KONG POLICE STATION - BULL PEN - DAY

Lee sits by himself in shock.  Superindendent Chin
approaches.

			LEE
	All he wanted was some mu-shu.

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
	Are you okay, Lee?

Beat.

			LEE
	I'm sorry, I have to go.

EXT. HEAVEN ON EARTH MASSAGE PARLOR - AFTERNOON

Carter finally makes his way to the massage parlor, moving
for the FRONT DOOR when he sees RICKY TAN EXIT.  Carter ducks
to the side and watches as Ricky climbs into the back of a
waiting Daimler.

The Daimler drives off.  Carter rushes to the middle of the
street with a determined look on his face.

			CARTER
	I'm gonna solve this case myself.  Taxi!

Carter flags down a CAB, jumps in the back seat.

INT. TAXI - EVENING

The CAB DRIVER turns to Carter, who motions to the limo.

			CARTER
		(loud)
	Follow that limo.

The Cab Driver continues to stare at Carter.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	You understand what I'm saying?  Follow
	that car!  Where it goes, you go!  This
	is a chase -- we are chasing that limo!
		(beat)
	We are still parked -- we're not moving!
	This is the opposite of chasing -- drive
	the car or I will kill you!

The driver slowly turns, holding out his hand.  Carter fishes
in his pocket hands the cab driver a wad of cash.

			CAB DRIVER
	Now you speak my language.

INT. LEE'S CAR - DAY

Lee drives, misty-eyed.  RAP MUSIC playing over the stereo.
Lee turns it up, slowly moving his head to the music, in
tribute to Carter.

His CELL PHONE rings, he turns down the music.

INTERCUT --

INT. CHIN'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
	Lee, we just got a call from the harbor
	patrol.  Ricky Tan is throwing a little
	party on his boat tonight.  Victoria
	harbor.  If you don't want to...

			LEE
	Did you tell Sterling?

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
	Let him find out on his own.  I want the
	Hong Kong police handling this.

			LEE
	Thank you.

Lee hangs up.  A look of intensity.  He CRANKS the RAP MUSIC
up, a man on a mission.

EXT. YACHT - HARBOR - NIGHT

A 190-FOOT YACHT is anchored in Victoria Harbor.  Ricky Tan
walks along the top deck with HU LI, disappearing into a
crowd of people who are partying on the ship.

Carter steps out of the cab.

			CARTER
	Stay here.  I'll be right back.  You
	understand?

			CAB DRIVER
	Yes.  I understand.

Carter steps out of the cab, which immediately drives off,
leaving him alone on the docks.

Carter looks around the dock -- a pull up valet station
parking fancy cars, RICH PEOPLE getting on the boat as their
names are checked off a list by two DOORMEN.

INT. YACHT - NIGHT

A huge PARTY, a live band plays for a crowd of business men,
politicians and beautiful women - a who's who of Hong Kong.

CARTER walks up to the front of the boat -- TWO DOORMEN
HOLDING clipboards immediately stop him.

			DOORMAN #1
	Invitation, please.

			CARTER
	I'm with the band.  I'm the lead singer.

			DOORMAN #1
	The band has been playing over an hour.

			CARTER
	I got held up at a wedding in Tai Koo.
	Ricky here yet, I need to get his
	requests.

As Carter walks past the doorman --

			DOORMAN #1
	Wait.

			CARTER
	Last party all he wanted was Sting --
	not one person danced.  Tonight I'm
	doing Superfreak, I don't care what he
	says.  Where is he?

			DOORMAN #1
	Mr. Tan is not to be disturbed by the
	help.

Carter turns back to the doorman, grabs him by the collar.

			CARTER
	Help?  I'm not the help, man -- I'm the
	star.  That's my band up there -- I
	control the mood, the groove, the
	atmosphere.

Carter cuts a smoking DANCE MOVE.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Can you do that?
		(man shakes head "no")
	That's why you're down here and I'm up
	there.  Now this is my party -- don't
	forget it!

Carter walks onto the ship, starts singing to himself.

EXT. YACHT - HARBOR - CONTINUOUS

The SHIP'S HORN SOUNDS, the yacht starts to head out to sea.
Lee steps out of his car, sees the yacht is pulling out of
the slip.  He runs along the side of the boat, has no choice
but to jump from the end of the pier, landing hard on the
side of the ship, somehow holding onto a PORTHOLE WINDOW.  He
clings to the yacht, then throws himself toward a hanging
LIFEBOAT, climbs up the side and jumps toward the TOP RAIL --

EXT. YACHT - CONTINUOUS

As Carter walks through the ship, he grabs a handful of food
from a waiter, his eyes searching the crowd, rounds a corner
- almost stepping right into HU LI, who's approaching STEVEN
REIGN.  Steven Reign is in his 50's -- perfectly groomed,
impeccably dressed - his looks and bearing say one thing --
money.
He's got the big party smile on, but as Hu Li arrives,
Reign's face shifts and his eyes go dead -- the billionaire
as sociopath.

Carter steps back, but sees Reign Whisper to Hu Li.  Carter
hides and turns away as Hu Li instinctively scans the room
for signs of trouble.  He heads into the main party.

Carter stops walking when he comes upon ISABELLA MOLINA, a
stunning brunette, sitting at the bar drinking a glass of
champagne.  Carter lights her cigarette for her.

			CARTER
	How you doing, baby?  My name is Prince
	Mubutu from Nigeria.

			ISABELLA
	Isabella Molina, from San Juan.  That
	seat is taken.

			CARTER
		(in mangled Spanish)
	San Juan!  You must know my good friend
	Pedro Martinez Hernandez Hector
	Elizondo.

			ISABELLA
		(in English)
	I don't think so.

			CARTER
	I'm sorry, you looked like you traveled
	in the best circles.  But hey, I
	understand.  Make yourself at home,
	Isabella.  Champagne, caviar, whatever
	you want.  My ship is your ship.

			ISABELLA
	This is your ship?

			CARTER
	That's right.  I'm the owner, the
	Captain -- you can call me El Capitan.

			ISABELLA
	El Capitan?

			CARTER
	I don't want to play games with you,
	Isabella.  I like you.  I can see myself
	with you -- in one of those bathrooms
	over there in about five minutes.

			ISABELLA
	Well, I'm very tempted.  It's such a
	beautiful yacht.  What's it called?

			CARTER
	Called?  What's my ship called?
		(he has no idea)
	Well...it's called the S.S. Minnow
	Johnson.

			ISABELLA
	The S.S. Minow Johnson.  Funny, the name
	on the back was "Red Dragon."

			CARTER
	Red Dragon?  You sure about that?

			ISABELLA
	I'm sure, because this is my friend's
	yacht.  And it's his party.

			CARTER
	Your friend's ship?
		(looking around)
	Oh, man.  I must've walked onto the
	wrong yacht.  I knew there was a reason
	my keys didn't work.

			STEVEN REIGN
		(taking seat next to Isabella)
	Who's your friend?

			ISABELLA
	Somebody who got on the wrong yacht.

			CARTER
	Wait a second.  You're Steven Reign?
	You're big time.  You own all them big
	hotels.  What are you doing in Hong
	Kong?

			STEVEN REIGN
		(ushering away Isabella)
	I'm just in town for the weekend, taking
	in the sights.

			ISABELLA
	Enjoy the party, Mr. Carter.

Carter nods, waves.  Steven Reign and Isabella walk away.
Carter's watching.

INT. SHIP'S HALLWAY - NIGHT

Lee makes his way toward a STAIRCASE that is blocked by a
BODYGUARD.  He quickly disarms the guard and grabs him by the
throat, pushing him against the wall.

			LEE
	Ricky Tan.  Where is he?

			BODYGUARD #1
	Who's asking?

			LEE
	The Hong Kong Police.  He killed a
	detective today and he's not getting
	away with it.  Now where is he?

			CARTER
	Yeah.  Tell us!  And don't play games or
	we'll kick your lying ass!

Lee slowly turns around and looks at Carter, who is standing
right behind him.

			LEE
	Carter?

			CARTER
	Who died?

			LEE
	You.

			CARTER
	Detective Yu?  Never met him.

			LEE
	Not Yu.  You!

			CARTER
	Who?

			LEE
	Do you understand the words that are
	coming out of my mouth?

			CARTER
	Nobody understands the words that are
	coming out of your mouth.

			BODYGUARD #1
	Get your hands in the air.

Lee and Carter turn to see FOUR BODYGUARDS standing in front
of them with GUNS in hand.

			BODYGUARD #1 (CONT'D)
	Ricky Tan is expecting you.

INT. RICKY TAN'S YACHT - MAIN CABIN - NIGHT

It looks like HUGH HEFNER'S BEDROOM complete with ROUND BED
and SUNKEN BAR.  Ricky Tan sits in front of a big screen
satellite TV screaming at the Lakers.  Hu Li opens the door
and the bodyguards lead Lee into the bedroom.

			RICKY TAN
	Come on, Shaq, hit a damn free-throw!
	You can do it, big guy.

ON TV

We see Shaq miss his free throw.

			RICKY TAN (CONT'D)
	Shit!  He still doesn't follow through.
	I just lost five grand.

Tan turns off the TV, turns to Lee.

			RICKY TAN (CONT'D)
	Why don't we go on the deck, get some
	air...and some privacy.
		(to Hu Li)
	Leave us alone.

Hu Li hesitates, upset at being dismissed.

			RICKY TAN (CONT'D)
		(to Lee)
	Could you have your partner wait for us
	outside?

			CARTER
	I ain't his partner, I'm a tourist.  I
	got proof.  See, I got a mini-bar key.

			LEE
		(to Carter)
	I'll meet you on the main deck in ten
	minutes.

Carter pulls Lee aside.

			CARTER
	What, leave you alone so he can cap you?

			LEE
	I'm okay, you go.

			CARTER
	Why the hell should you believe him?  He
	had us beat up.  Naked.  That's nasty
	shit.

			LEE
	Remember I told you my father was a
	policeman?
		(beat)
	Ricky Tan was his partner for ten years.

			CARTER
		(pause)
	What the hell is going on here?

No answer.  Carter holds Lee's glance for a beat, then turns
and walks the other way.

EXT. RICKY TAN'S YACHT - UPPER DECK - NIGHT

Tan and Lee reach the upper deck, where they are alone.

			RICKY TAN
	Despite what people suspect...what you
	suspect --

			LEE
	Don't.

Ricky Tan hears the steel in Lee's voice, acknowledges it.

			RICKY TAN
	... if your father were alive, I would
	be turning to him now.
		(beat)
	I didn't blow up the American Embassy,
	but I believe some of my people did.  My
	enemies are trying to frame me.
		(beat)
	There is a war going on within the
	Triads -- and I am going to lose.  My
	name has been written into the book of
	death.

			LEE
	The police can protect you.

			RICKY TAN
	Nobody can protect me.  I'll make a deal
	with you, Lee.  But only iff you'll get
	me out of Hong Kong.

			LEE
	Tell me why they killed the customs
	agents.

			RICKY TAN
	There is a ship, in the Hong Kong
	Harbor...

Hu Li BURSTS onto the deck, flanked by FOUR BODYGUARDS.

Ricky Tan screams something at Hu Li in Chinese.  Hu Li
screams back as SHE EMPTIES HER GUN INTO RICKY'S CHEST.  Tan
falls back, over the rail, and into the water.

Lee MOVES TOWARDS HU LI, but the four bodyguards are on Lee,
attacking from all sides.  Hu Li exits as Lee tries to fight
off the bodyguards.

INT. RICKY TAN'S YACHT - MAIN CABIN - NIGHT

Reactions from the crowd as GUNSHOTS echo from the deck
above.

INT. SHIP'S HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Hu Li moves quickly down the hallway, rounding a corner and
suddenly goes FLYING, landing flat on her face.

It's Carter, who ran to the sound of the gunshot, and TRIPPED
Hu Li with his leg.

			CARTER
	All right, get your hands up.

Hu Li backflips up -- kicking Carter in the head.

EXT. UPPER DECK - CONTINUOUS

Lee takes down Bodyguard #1, but is still fighting three on
one.  A furious exchange of acrobatic blows between Lee and
Bodyguard #2.

INT. SHIP'S HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Carter and Hu Li face off.

			CARTER
	You wanna piece of me?  C'mon, I'll give
	you a little LAPD ass kickin'.

Hu Li savages Carter with a series of punishing blows.

INT. UPPER DECK - CONTINUOUS

Lee manages to defeat Bodyguards #3 and #4.  As he catches
his breath the sound of a SPEED BOAT starting its engines.

			LEE
	Hu Li!

Lee runs to the rail -- looks down to see a SPEEDBOAT
starting to pull away from the ship.  Hu Li jumps onboard the
moving boat.

Lee starts to turn for the stairs, running down towards the
stern.

EXT. YACHT - STERN - CONTINUOUS

Lee and Carter run up to the stern at the same time --
watching helplessly as Hu Li gets away in the speed boat.

Carter turns his head, sees --

-- STEVEN REIGN at the other end of the boat, watching Hu Li
escape, not at all behaving like a panicky billionaire should
during a gangland shooting.  Wordlessly, Reign disappears
back into the shadows.

EXT. DOCK - NIGHT

The yacht is anchored.  A few TRIADS led away in handcuffs.
Thrown into PATROL CARS that have surrounded the docks.

Sterling, Chin, Lee and Carter on the dock.

			SPECIAL AGENT STERLING
	Quite a night, Inspector.  Ricky Tan was
	our only bait, and now he's gone.  You
	finally got your revenge - at the
	expense of a U.S. Government
	investigation.

			CARTER
	What "revenge" is he talking about?

			SPECIAL AGENT STERLING
	I don't know if the Fu-Cang-Long paid
	you to get rid of Tan, or whether it was
	a pure vendetta killing -- but you're
	off this case.  I don't ever want to see
	you again, you got that?

			CARTER
	Hey, you, Secret Service Man, what are
	you --

			SPECIAL AGENT STERLING
	Stay out of it, Carter.  You're going
	back to L.A.

			CARTER
	Fine with me.

Sterling walks away disgusted.

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN
	I'm sorry Lee, but my orders are to
	fully cooperate with the Secret Service.

Lee nods a respectful but bitter acknowledgment.  Chin
motions for two uniformed Hong Kong police officers to
approach.

			SUPERINDENDENT CHIN (CONT'D)
		(to police officers)
	Escort Detective Carter to the airport --

			LEE
	I'll take him.

			CARTER
	Hell no.

The Hong Kong police officers produce HANDCUFFS.  Beat.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
		(to Lee)
	Fine.  But don't expect me to talk to
	you.

Carter stalks off.

			LEE
	Don't push me, Carter.  I'm in no mood
	for your bullshit.

Carter gets in Lee's face.  The two men look like they're
about to come to blows.

			CARTER
	What are you gonna do about it,
	grasshopper?

			LEE
	I'll bitch slap you into Bangkok.

			CARTER
	Give me your best shot, you flat assed
	mama's boy.

			LEE
	Don't be talking about my mama.  Or my
	ass!

			CARTER
	I heard your mama pulls a rickshaw.

			LEE
	No.  She's a school teacher.

			CARTER
	You're not very good at this, are you?

			LEE
	Good at what?

			CARTER
	Forget it.

A long beat while Lee considers what to say.

			LEE
	Five years ago, my father was Chief
	Inspector working a big international
	smuggling case.

			CARTER
	Ask me if I give a shit.

Lee waits a beat, then drops the bombshell.

			LEE
	Ricky Tan killed my father.

Carter is suddenly all ears, listening intently now to Lee.

			LEE (CONT'D)
	He found out his partner, Tan, had been
	working for the Triads all along.
		(beat)
	Before my father could prove it, he was
	killed in the line of duty.

			CARTER
	How the hell did Tan get away with it?

			LEE
	All the evidence against him
	disappeared, the smuggling case was
	unsolved.  Tan resigned and went over to
	the Triads openly.

			CARTER
		(pause)
	This is about your Daddy's death?  Hell,
	Lee, you know my father died on the job.
	You could have told me...
		(realizing)
	This is about more than all that, isn't
	it?  This is about your Daddy's last
	case, right?

Lee's caught, fibs badly.

			LEE
	No, no, that would be crazy --

			CARTER
	You thought the "Customs Agents get
	blown up" and "smuggling" and "Ricky
	Tan" and you put it all together and
	came up with a five year old case.
	That's why you didn't tell me what we
	were doing...

			LEE
	I thought you'd think it was crazy.

			CARTER
	IT IS CRAZY!

			LEE
	I know.  I know.  I am sorry.

Lee inclines his head, stiffly, turns and walks toward his
car.  Carter watches him.  Finally he rolls his eyes and
yells.

			CARTER
	So are you getting on the plane or not?!

			LEE
	What?

			CARTER
	Come on, we still got time to order the
	Kosher meal.  Always get the kosher
	meal, they bring it first.

			LEE
	I cannot go to LA...

Carter steps close, and for a second we see the man and the
cop beneath the attitude.

			CARTER
	It sounds impossible --

			LEE
	You said --

			CARTER
	-- but if somebody gave me the chance to
	square up my father's death, I'd go to
	hell to do it.

Carter turns, walks away without looking back.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	You want to figure out why they killed
	your Daddy, get on the plane.

			LEE
	Why LA?

			CARTER
		(still not turning)
	I guess you're going to have to trust me
	on this one.

INT. 747 PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

Carter and Lee are getting comfortable among all the other
passengers, preparing to take off.  Lee has a moment of
doubt.

			LEE
	I should go back.  Ricky Tan mentioned a
	boat in Hong Kong Harbor...

			CARTER
	Lee, let me introduce you to the Carter
	Theory of Criminal Investigation: Follow
	the Rich White Man.

			LEE
	Follow the Rich White Man?

			CARTER
	Almost, but you've got to say "Rich
	White Man" all run together like it's
	one word.

			LEE
	Follow the RichWhiteMan...

			CARTER
	Not bad.  Now every crime, somewhere,
	has a rich white man taking his cut.
	Every single one.  Now in our case, we
	know the rich white man is Steven Reign.

			LEE
	Who?

			CARTER
	Big hotel billionaire.  He was on Ricky
	Tan's boat ordering Hu Li around just
	before Ricky got smoked.

			LEE
	How do you know he's our man?

			CARTER
	Because when the shooting started he was
	way too cool.  See most white people,
	when there's shooting, they either hide
	in a toilet or start screaming high
	pitched like "Aaaahhh!!! Aaaahh!!!!

			LEE
	You sound like that all the time.

			CARTER
	Black people keep their cool when the
	shit goes down.

			LEE
	Maybe.  But not like Asians.  We never
	panic.

			CARTER
	Yeah, what about when Godzilla was
	coming?  You people were screaming your
	asses off.

			LEE
	Just tell me where I can find this
	Steven Reign.

			CARTER
	The same place you find all
	RichWhiteMen.
		(a tray arrives)
	Gefilte Fish.  Lox and bagel.  I love
	this stuff.  Here, try it with a smear.

BINOCULARS P.O.V. THE REIGN TOWERS HOTEL

CUT TO REVEAL --

Carter standing at a window holding high-powered binoculars.

Lee standing next to him.  WE ARE:

INT. CHEAP HOTEL ROOM - DOWNTOWN LA - NIGHT

Cartons of Chinese food are all over the sleazy, run down
hotel room.  The LIGHTS LOW, the curtains open a crack.

BINOCULARS P.O.V. - THE REIGN HOTEL

Traveling up the side of the Reign Hotel.  Stopping at the
penthouse floor - where we see ISABELLA talking with Steven
Reign in a hotel room.  After a BEAT, Reign walks to the
door.

Carter flips the binoculars to Lee, who starts watching.

			CARTER
	Yeah, that's definitely the woman from
	Ricky Tan's boat, and she's staying in
	his suite at his hotel, I told you this
	would work out.  They still just
	talking?

			LEE
	He just left.  Kissed her on the cheek.

			CARTER
	He'll be back soon.

			LEE
	How do you know?

			CARTER
	Look at her.  Now, wake me in an hour,
	I'll take over.

Lee lowers the binoculars, turns to Carter, who is trying to
sleep on the bed.

			LEE
	Carter, there's something I have to tell
	you.  You were right about what you said
	in Hong Kong.  All I do is work.  Never
	take a day off.  It's all I have right
	now.

			CARTER
	Hey, I didn't mean to call you pathetic.

			LEE
	The truth is, I haven't had any mu-shu
	in six months.

			CARTER
	You pull a muscle or something?

			LEE
	My fiancee left me over the summer -- a
	month before our wedding.

			CARTER
	I'm sorry, Lee.  Why did she leave you?

			LEE
	It's a long story.

			CARTER
	Let me guess, she couldn't handle the
	cop thing -- never knowing if you were
	dead or alive.  I've seen it a million
	times.

			LEE
	No.  It was my singing.

			CARTER
	Excuse me?

			LEE
	She hated my voice.  Said it drove her
	crazy.  I sang to her all the time - in
	bed - in the shower - I thought she
	liked it.  She finally told me it was
	driving her crazy.

Carter stares at Lee for a long BEAT.

			CARTER
	Lee, maybe it's best if we don't discuss
	our personal lives.  Let's die curious.

LEE LIFTS THE BINOCULARS - turns back to the building.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	What's she doing?

BINOCULARS P.O.V. - ON ISABELLA

She walks to the bedroom, where we see her through SHEER
CURTAINS.  Slowly taking off her coat.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Lee?  You okay?

Lee's eyes go wide as Isabella drops her coat and starts to
unbutton her blouse.

			LEE
	She's just standing around -- not doing
	much.

			CARTER
	Just don't fall asleep.  Sooner or later
	something's gonna happen.

			LEE
	I'll try to stay awake.  It's so boring.

Isabella starts to remove her blouse.  Lee starting to sweat
as he watches her undress.

			LEE (CONT'D)
	Slow down, baby.

			CARTER
	What did you say?

			LEE
	Nothing.  I said nothing.

Lee lowers his binoculars, steps away from the window.

			LEE (CONT'D)
	Is it hot in here?

			CARTER
	Hot?  I'm freezing my ass off.

			LEE
	I'm gonna go in the hall and get a
	bucket of ice.  You want some ice?

			CARTER
	What's going on?

Lee stares at Carter, looks dazed.

			LEE
	She's getting undressed.

			CARTER
	Gimme the binoculars.

			LEE
	No.  It's not right.

			CARTER
	Gimme the binoculars or I will shoot
	you.

Lee hands Carter the binoculars, then turns his back as
Carter watches to the window.

			LEE
	What's she doing?

			CARTER
	Oh, sweet glory hallelujah...

			LEE
	I don't want to hear this.

			CARTER
	Skirt just came off.  She's in black bra
	and panties -- Victoria Secret Spring
	Catalogue, page 27 -- wait a sec -
	there's a tattoo on her left thigh... it
	looks like Snoopy.

			LEE
	Snoopy?  I love Snoopy.

			CARTER
	She just took her hair down.  Now she's
	going for the bra -- the clasp is in
	front -- she's using both hands.
		(to Lee)
	You better get that ice.

Lee steps in front of Carter, blocking his view.

			LEE
	That's enough.  We shouldn't be doing
	this!

Isabella suddenly drops undressing and walks back to the
living room to pick up the PHONE.  We see her clearly now in
bra and panties.

			CARTER
	This is our job.  We took an oath as
	police officers.  If we don't do this,
	who will?  Firemen?

Lee backs off, and Carter steps back to the window.  He sees
Isabella hang up the phone.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Wait a sec - what the hell is that
	between her legs?

			LEE
	What?

			CARTER
	She's reaching into her panties --
	something is strapped to her leg.  Oh,
	God...please don't let it be a dick.

			LEE
	What is it?

			CARTER
	No, I don't believe this shit -- it's a
	microphone.  Lee, she's wired...

CLOSE ON ISABELLA

As she turns to the window.  A TAPE RECORDER in hand.  She
puts the recording device away, walks back into the bedroom
and puts on a robe.

			LEE
	I don't understand?

			CARTER
	She's walking back towards the door.

BINOCULARS P.O.V.

We see Isabella wearing a robe - standing at the door of her
hotel room talking with someone.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	She opened the door.  Someone is
	delivering a package.

BINOCULARS P.O.V.

Inside the hotel room WE SEE HU LI handing her a package.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Lee...it's the girl who delivered the
	package to your office.  It's a bomb!

Lee and Carter bolt on the move - sprinting out of the room.

INT. REIGN TOWERS HOTEL - PENTHOUSE SUITE - NIGHT

Isabella closes the door.  She BRINGS THE BOMB WITH HER as
she walks into the bedroom --

EXT. REIGN TOWERS HOTEL - CONTINUOUS

Carter and Lee run across the street, heading towards the
entrance of the hotel.

INT. REIGN TOWERS HOTEL - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Lee and Carter sprint out the Penthouse Elevators, running
down the hallway.

INT. REIGN TOWERS HOTEL - PENTHOUSE SUITE - CONTINUOUS

Isabella takes her robe off, glances at the package, picks it
up and starts to open it as Lee and Carter come BURSTING
THROUGH the BEDROOM DOOR.

			LEE/CARTER
	NO!

Carter and Lee stare at Isabella, who stands in bra and
panties.

			CARTER
	Damn girl, you fine.

Lee lowers his eyes as Isabella looks at him, grabbing the
BOMB, Carter following him as they sprint out the bedroom.

INT. REIGN TOWERS HOTEL - CONTINUOUS

Lee and Carter run out the suite - Lee throwing the BOMB
toward the END OF THE HALL as he and Carter dive to the
floor.

Nothing happens.

Lee looks up, SEES a HOTEL EMPLOYEE pushing a room service
CART, about to walk right past the package --

			LEE
	GET DOWN!!

Lee and Carter run back to the bomb.

			CARTER
	Pick it up!

			LEE
	It's your turn!

			CARTER
	I don't need a turn!

Carter picks it up, starts running with it through the hall,
heading for the elevator.

			LEE
	Throw it!

Carter is about to throw it in, when HE SEES AN OLDER COUPLE
STANDING INSIDE.

			HOTEL GUESTS
	Do you want us to hold the elevator?

			CARTER
	Get the hell away from here!

Carter is still holding the bomb, doesn't know what to do
with it --

			LEE
	Stairs!

Carter throws him the bomb, and Lee runs to the stairs --

INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT

Lee is about to throw the bomb down the stairwell -- when he
sees TWO MAIDS WALKING toward him.

			CARTER
	Get out of the building!

Lee looks horrified as he hangs onto the package, has no
choice but to throw it back to Carter.

			LEE
	Roof!

EXT. REIGN TOWERS HOTEL - ROOF - NIGHT

Lee and Carter burst through the roof door - Carter trying to
hold the bomb as far away from himself as possible.
He looks over the side for a place to dump it - the streets
are filled with PEOPLE AND CARS.

			LEE
	Wait!  There's people down there!

			CARTER
	There's people up here!

			LEE
	Get it out of here!

			CARTER
	Take it!

Lee takes the bomb, quickly ROLLS IT across the roof -- Lee
and Carter diving to the ground once again as the bomb slides
to the center of the roof - COMING TO A STOP RIGHT IN FRONT
OF ISABELLA.  She's wearing a bathrobe now, clearly pissed
off as she slowly bends down and picks up the package.

			ISABELLA
	Get on your feet.

Lee and Carter stand and face Isabella - watch as Isabella
begins to open the package.

			CARTER
	I wouldn't do that!!!

			LEE
	It's a bomb.

Isabella opens the package, removing a stack of a HUNDRED
DOLLAR BILLS.

			ISABELLA
	You see, no bomb.  Now stay away before
	I throw you both in jail for
	obstruction.

			CARTER
	Throw us in jail?  I'm about to bust you
	right now.

			ISABELLA
	I'm an undercover agent for the United
	States Secret Service.

			CARTER
	How do we know you're not lying?  Let me
	see your badge.

Isabella opens her bathrobe -- WE SEE a small BADGE pinned to
her bra.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Let me see it again?

			LEE
	We can help you.  I'm a detective in
	Hong Kong.

			ISABELLA
	I know who you are, Inspector Lee.

			LEE
	Then you know I'm not walking away from
	this case.

			CARTER
	Yeah, that's right.

			ISABELLA
	We need to get out of sight.  Come down
	to my suite.

INT. ISABELLA'S SUITE - LATER

			ISABELLA
		(she locks the door)
	Look, I've been working this case for
	months now...

			CARTER
	So what's your story?

			ISABELLA
	They think I'm a crooked customs agent.

Lee examines the stack of HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS from Hu Li's
package.  Carter checks out the suite, pocketing some of the
food from the mini fridge.

			LEE
	Is this a payoff?

			ISABELLA
	No.  It's a sample.  You guys ever heard
	of the Superbill?

			CARTER
	It's a myth.  Some kind of counterfeit.

			ISABELLA
	It's much more than a counterfeit.  14
	out of 15 world banks can't tell the
	difference.  The paper is Crane linen
	blend -- and the bills are printed on
	U.S. Intaglio presses.

			CARTER
	How're they getting into the U.S. Mint
	to use the presses?

			ISABELLA
	In 1959, the United States was very
	friendly with the Shah of Iran.  We
	wanted his oil, so for the Shah's
	birthday, the government gave him a gift
	-- a U.S. Treasury Intaglio press.  The
	only one to ever leave the country.
	Five years ago Ricky Tan bought that
	press on the black market.

			LEE
	Five years ago?!
		(beat)
	That's right before he left the force.

Lee and Carter exchange looks.

			ISABELLA
	It wasn't hard to spot the fakes until
	this past year.  Then Tan got hold of
	one of a kind Swiss made hundred dollar
	plates -- and started making superbills.

			LEE
		(understanding)
	And Hu Li killed him for the plates.

			ISABELLA
	Yes.  They've printed and shipped one
	hundred million dollars, and there's
	only one way to spot a fake.

Isabella lights a HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL on fire, and it burns
RED.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	They use an optical transfer ink from
	India that burns red -- the real ink
	burns black.

			CARTER
	What the hell are they going to do with
	a hundred million dollars in funny
	money?

			ISABELLA
	The real question is, where are the
	plates?  If we can find the plates, we
	can stop the whole operation.

Isabella thinks for a beat.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	Maybe that's where you can help us.
	Carter, this is your city, right?

Carter nods.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	And Lee, you know Hu Li and the Triads?

Lee nods.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	Okay, find out where Hu Li's keeping the
	plates.
		(hands Lee a card with a phone
		 number)
	Welcome aboard, gentlemen.  From this
	moment on, you're working for the United
	States Secret Service.

Isabella opens the door to let Lee and Carter out.  They exit
quickly, trying to hide their excitement.  CAMERA STAYS on
Isabella as she takes out her CELL PHONE, punches in a
number.

			STERLING (O.S.)
	Sterling.

			ISABELLA
	Lee and Carter are officially out of the
	Secret Service's way...

EXT. REIGN TOWERS HOTEL - CONTINUOUS

Lee and Carter, both wearing dark sunglasses, walk through
the street trying their best to look like Secret Service
Agents.  They approach Carter's parked VETTE.

			CARTER
	Secret Service Agent Carter.  This is my
	calling, Lee.
	Give me six months and I'll be in
	Washington protecting a white guy.

			LEE
	We both know you would never take a
	bullet for someone else.

			CARTER
	They don't know that.  What are they
	gonna do, try and shoot the President
	during the interview?  I'll bet Isabella
	can pull some strings.  You saw the way
	she was staring at me.

			LEE
	She never even looked at you.

			CARTER
	You're just jealous 'cos the girl picked
	me.  I'm tall, dark and handsome, you're
	third world ugly.

			LEE
	I am not third world ugly.  Women like
	me, they think I'm cute.  Like Snoopy.

			CARTER
	Snoopy is about six inches taller than
	you.  I'm sorry, Lee, you never had a
	chance.

Carter's had the last word, he gets into the Vette.  Lee
reluctantly gets in, too.

EXT. CRENSHAW KITCHEN - CHINESE SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Carter's Vette pulls up in front of a hole in the wall.

INT. CRENSHAW KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Carter and Lee pass through the restaurant, only two tables
are occupied.

INT. KITCHEN

Carter and Lee enter the busy kitchen where the OWNER, a
BLACK MAN named KENNY, is yelling in Chinese to an over
worked waiter.  Kenny's wife, a spectacular looking Chinese
woman, works the stove.  A couple of cute half-black, half
Asian kids run around the kitchen.

			CARTER
	Kenny!  How you doin'?

Kenny looks up at Carter.  A cool, appraising glance.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	How's the action tonight?  The house
	making out okay?

Kenny follows as Carter opens a door to --

INT. BACK ROOM - CONTINUOUS

MEN seated around several card tables, playing MAH-JONGG for
big money.  Lee and Kenny follow Carter inside.  It's very
smokey and very crowded.

			CARTER
		(to Kenny)
	This is where I say I'm LAPD in a loud
	voice, they all scream and run and shit.
	Watch.  It's real funny.

Kenny grabs Carter's shoulder, pulling him aside.

			KENNY
	Come with me.

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Kenny leads Carter and Lee in, closes the door.

			KENNY
	Hear you got your ass kicked in Hong
	Kong, James.

			CARTER
	What??  Where'd you hear that?

			KENNY
	I got my sources.

			CARTER
	And I got mine, meaning you.  Nice how
	that works out.
		(beat)
	I'm serious this time, I'm closing this
	place down.

			KENNY
	James, you see my kids back there?  You
	know how much I'm paying for private
	school?  How can you come in here with
	this attitude, you being little Chang's
	godfather?

			CARTER
	Little Chang is gonna have to go visit
	his daddy in jail if you don't
	cooperate.

			KENNY
	Jail!?  James, you better back off.
	Badge or no badge, I'll kick your ass.

			CARTER
	I'd like to see you try.

Kenny takes a step back and throws a lightning fast martial
arts move.  Lee gets in front of Carter to protect him --
countering Kenny's move.

			KENNY
		(to Lee)
	We're on, then.

Kenny throws out another precision martial arts sequence --
Lee BLOCKS -- Kenny ends in an advanced fighting stance.

			LEE
		(impressed)
	That's a good Twisting Tiger -- where
	did you learn that?

They switch to Chinese.

			KENNY
	Master Ching taught me.

			LEE
	The Praying Mantis school, in Bejing?

			KENNY
	No.  Freddy Ching's, in Crenshaw.

Lee smiles, Carter looks back and forth from Lee to Kenny.

			KENNY (CONT'D)
	What are you doing hanging out with Baby
	Duck?

			LEE
	Baby Duck?

			KENNY
	That's what we all used to call him when
	he was a kid -- cause he was always
	quacking.  Never shut up.

			CARTER
	I heard that.

Lee and Kenny laugh.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Look, I need some info and I don't have
	time to play around.

			KENNY
	Is this about the funny money?

			CARTER
	How'd you know?

			KENNY
	You've been asking loud questions in all
	the wrong places all morning.  How come
	you always save me for last, James?
	When are you gonna learn.  Shit don't
	happen I don't know about.

			CARTER
	So tell me what you know.

			KENNY
	I know Teddy Wu is cranking out a pretty
	good double sawbuck -- but you knew that
	too, didn't you?

			CARTER
	Yeah.  We already been there.  This is
	big, Kenny.  Benjamins.  Secret Service
	calls 'em superbills.  Banks can't even
	tell the difference.

Kenny considers this for a moment.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	What?

			KENNY
	One of my regulars lost fifty thousand
	dollars at the table here last week.  I
	was about to send my boys down to tune
	his ass up, when the guy comes in and
	pays off the whole thing.  Including the
	vig -- brand new sequential hundred
	dollar bills.  I knew something was
	wrong.  Cause this guy's got a regular
	job, no way he comes up with fifty grand
	in cash.
	But I tested the bills, infrared.  The
	whole thing.  And they checked out.
	100%.

			LEE
	Do you still have the bills?

			KENNY
	I still have my lunch money from third
	grade.

			CARTER
	Lemme see 'em.

Kenny pushes a Chinese painting aside to reveal a WALL SAFE.
He opens the safe and hands Carter a $100 bill.  Carter
checks it out.

			KENNY
	See.  It's perfect.

Carter takes out a LIGHTER and holds the flame to it.

			KENNY (CONT'D)
	Whoa, what are you doing?

Kenny's question is answered as the BILL BURNS BRIGHT RED.

			KENNY (CONT'D)
		(pissed off)
	I knew it.  The guy's name is Zing.  He
	works at the kitchen at Reign Plaza.

			CARTER
	All right, Kenny.  Thanks.  You're off
	the hook.  For now.

Carter and Lee move for the door.

			KENNY
	You sure you guys don't want to stay and
	have a bite?  My wife's got the best mu
	shu this side of Compton.

Carter and Lee exchange a look as we CUT TO:

EXT. REIGN PLAZA - DAY

Establishing.  Carter and Lee park their car and walk inside.

EXT. REIGN SHIPPING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Carter and Lee enter.

			CARTER
		(to a worker)
	We're looking for a guy named Zing.  Is
	he here?

Zing hears Carter, turns and sees them.  Then RUNS.  Carter
and Lee exchange looks and run after him.

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Zing sprints down an employee hallway, through a doorway and
down some stairs.  Carter and Lee in pursuit.

EXT. LOADING DOCK PLATFORM - REIGN PLAZA - CONTINUOUS

Carter and Lee burst out the door at the bottom of the
stairway -- coming almost face to face with --

HU LI

Who has her gun out.  Waiting for them.  ISABELLA is standing
near by, and ZING is visible off to the side.  An 18-WHEELER
in the loading bay is just being shut and locked.  A LIMO is
parked beside it.

Lee and Carter both assume fighting positions.  When most of
the other WORKERS pull guns; other TRIAD SOLDIERS step out,
putting their guns close on Lee and Carter.  They can't blink
without getting mowed down.

			HU LI
		(in Chinese)
	The great Chief Inspector Lee -- I will
	be remembered for ridding the Triads of
	your petulance.

Hu Li savors the moment.

			CARTER
	I hope you just said I have no business
	being here, 'cos I was just leaving.

Carter starts to leave, and Hu Li trains her gun on him,
freezing him in his tracks.  Isabella slowly walks several
feet, ending up behind Lee as she speaks.

			ISABELLA
	Hu Li, I think there's someone who will
	want to talk to them first.

Hu Li looks at Isabella, nods an acknowledgement.  BANG!  Lee
falls.  Isabella's knocked him out from behind with the butt
of her gun.

BANG!  Carter drops to one knee as Hu Li POUNDS him across
the jaw with her fist.

			CARTER
	...oh, that's a filling right there.
	That's gonna cost you.

Hu Li lunges forward and KICKS Carter, sending him backwards.

			HU LI
	Put them in the truck.

The WORKERS pick up Lee, bring him to the back of the truck.

			CARTER
	I should kill you right now, but I'm
	gonna let you live, 'cause you're fine,
	and maybe you can be reformed.

The WORKERS start towards Carter.  He holds up his hands.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	No more hitting.  I'll get in the truck
	myself.

As Carter walks towards the truck by Hu Li, they exchange a
look of sheer hatred.  As soon as he passes by her, Hu Li
COLDCOCKS Carter with her gun.

EXT. LOADING DOCK PLATFORM - DAY

The eighteen wheeler, the limo and the black Lincoln Town car
pull out of the loading dock, headed for the highway.

EXT. EIGHTEEN WHEELER - DAY

The truck pulls onto a HIGHWAY, the LIMO close behind it.

INT. EIGHTEEN WHEELER - TRUCK BED - DAY

LEE and CARTER are in the back with crates filled with MONEY.

They're both in pain, trying to recover from the head blows.
Carter is flexing his battered body.

			LEE
	Are you okay?

			CARTER
	What's the first thing I told you --
	never trust nobody.  How could you fall
	for that shit?  I knew she was dirty.

			LEE
	She saved our lives.

			CARTER
	For how long?  Face it, Lee, she's
	playing both sides.

Lee looks disappointed.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Look, man I'm sorry.  I know you got a
	thing for her.

			LEE
	Shhh, my head hurts.

			CARTER
	I'm about to be killed and you "Shhh"
	me!  This wasn't my case, Lee.  Ricky
	Tan didn't kill my father, the Fu-Cang
	Long are not in South Central.  I didn't
	have to help you.

			LEE
	Why did you help me?

			CARTER
	It doesn't matter.

Lee thinks about this for a BEAT.

			LEE
	I'm not used to having a partner.

			CARTER
	We are not partners.  Between your
	daddy, my daddy, and the beating I just
	took, as far as I can tell all partners
	get you is dead.

			LEE
	Well we're not friends.

			CARTER
	You got that right.  And we ain't
	brothers.  Maybe we should just end this
	right here.

			LEE
	Fine with me.

			CARTER
	I won't talk to you, you don't talk to
	me.  We'll die in peace.

			LEE
	See you in the next world.

A BEAT OF SILENCE

			CARTER
	I don't believe in reincarnation.  So I
	won't see you in the next world.

			LEE
	Fine.

			CARTER
	I believe in heaven.  You people believe
	in heaven?

			LEE
	Yes.  We have heaven.

			CARTER
	Is it the same heaven, or is it a
	Chinese heaven?

			LEE
	What's a Chinese heaven?

			CARTER
	I thought it might be like those five
	foot and under basketball leagues.  They
	don't let everybody in.

			LEE
	I think we should stop talking.

			CARTER
	Fine by me.

ANOTHER BEAT OF SILENCE

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	You thinking about that girl that dumped
	you?

			LEE
	No.

			CARTER
	If she was the right girl, you'd be
	thinking about her.

			LEE
	Mind your own business.

			CARTER
	How was the sex?

			LEE
	There was no sex.  She was very
	traditional.  We were waiting until we
	were married.

			CARTER
	You're kidding.  No sex?  Nothing?  No
	mu-shu?

			LEE
	No mu-shu.

			CARTER
	What about a little king pao chicken?

			LEE
	No kung pao chicken.  Never.

			CARTER
	Steamed dumplings?

			LEE
	Once in a while, steamed dumplings.  But
	only when she was drunk.

			CARTER
	That's rough, man.  If I don't get
	steamed dumplings once a week, I go
	crazy.

			LEE
	Tell me the truth, Carter.  Do you think
	I have a good voice?

			CARTER
	Are you serious?

			LEE
	Forget it.  It doesn't matter.

Lee turns away from Carter.

			CARTER
	As long as you're asking...I think you
	have a pretty good voice.

			LEE
	I knew it.  What does she know.  You
	want me to sing something?

			CARTER
	That depends.  How do the Fu-Cang-Long
	usually kill their victims?

			LEE
	They'll probably torture us first, shock
	our privates, then put two bullets in
	our eyes and one in the back of the
	head.

			CARTER
	Go ahead.  Sing your ass off.

Lee clears his voice.

			LEE
	Did you happen to see the most beautiful
	girl in the world...and if you did, was
	she crying, crying...hey!

EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - DAY

The 18-WHEELER drives by followed by the LIMO.

INT. LIMOUSINE - DAY

Hu Li and Isabella sit in the back of one of the limos that
is driving behind the truck.  Hu Li is on the car phone.

			HU LI
	Don't worry, the plates are safe.  Yes,
	the dragon's been fed.

She HANGS UP and glances at Isabella, who is doing her best
to appear completely uninterested.

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY

The LIMO splits off from the 18-WHEELER.

INT. 18-WHEELER - TRUCK BED - CONTINUOUS

Carter works at opening one of the crates.  Lee steps up,
takes a deep breath, searches the crate looking for the sweet
spot, and PUNCHES a hole in one of the thick boards.  They
start prying the crate open.

			CARTER
	Very nice.

			LEE
	It's focus.  Every opponent has a weak
	spot.  You ignore everything around you,
	and put all your energy into one perfect
	strike.

			CARTER
	I'll remember that next time I'm
	fighting a box.

Carter opens the crate -- it's filled with SUPERBILLS, about
$1,000,000 worth.  He tosses a stack to Lee.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Hello, Benjamin.

			LEE
	Who's Benjamin?

			CARTER
	Benjamin Franklin, he discovered
	electricity.

			LEE
	A Chinese man discovered electricity.

			CARTER
	No Chinese man discovered electricity.

			LEE
	Yes he did.  He also invented the
	bicycle.

			CARTER
	Now that I believe.

Carter pockets two stacks of superbills.  Lee looks at him.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	You never know.  Besides, I always
	wanted to die rich.

The truck lurches.

			LEE
	We're slowing down.  This must be it.

			CARTER
	End of the line.

			LEE
	You've been a good friend, James Carter.

			CARTER
	Oh no you don't.  Don't you be getting
	corny on me, Lee.  I'll kick your ass
	from here to Compton.

			LEE
	You could never kick my ass.  You mama's
	boy.

			CARTER
	Don't you talk about my mama.
		(winks at Lee)
	That's more like it.

EXT. 18-WHEELER - CONTINUOUS

The truck is parked in the underground loading docks.  It's
approached by FOUR TRIAD SOLDIERS.  Soldier #1 opens the
TRUCK'S DOUBLE DOORS to find.

Lee and Carter are gone.  Except for boxes of money, the
truck bed is EMPTY.

Two soldiers enter the truck bed.

ANGLE UP TO REVEAL

Lee and Carter WEDGED up against the CEILING of the truck
bed.  Above the doors and over the soldiers.

Lee and Carter SWING DOWN in unison -- knocking both soldiers
to the ground.  In the next instant:

ON LEE

still holding on to the door frame -- swings and backflips
onto the roof of the truck.

ON CARTER

who swings onto the ground -- grabbing one of the guards to
use a shield as gunfire erupts.

Lee jumps off the truck, knocking the last guard to the
ground.  He then grabs the guard Carter is using as a shield
and together THEY SWING him into the truck -- KNOCKING DOWN
the first two guards.

Carter and Lee slam the back doors SHUT -- bolting them
CLOSED and run like hell - scrambling into what looks like
the closest way out:

A LARGE OPEN PIPE on the side of the tunnel.

INT. SEWER TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS

Lee and Carter run through - it extends out from the
underground loading docks.

			LEE
	This way.  I see some lights.

Lee and Carter spot a tiny sliver of light coming through a
MANHOLE COVER.  They start climbing up the metal stairs that
lead up to the street.

EXT. LAS VEGAS BLVD. - DUSK

The blvd.'s packed with PEOPLE and CARS.

CLOSE ON

Lee and Carter coming up from the manhole -- standing
together in stunned disbelief as they look out at the LAS
VEGAS STRIP.  They cover their eyes, blinded by the greatest
light show in the world.

			LEE
	Vegas...

			CARTER
	Lee.  I just got an idea how someone
	could launder a hundred million dollars
	in cash.

They both turn around and come FACE TO FACE WITH:

A TEN-STORY DRAGON.  Fire shoots from its nostrils every 60
SECONDS.

EXT. RED DRAGON HOTEL AND CASINO - NIGHT

FIRE BALLS BLOW out over the strip as Lee and Carter look up
at the RED DRAGON.  The HUGE NEON SIGN READS: GRAND OPENING -
EVERYBODY'S A WINNER!

Lee and Carter come out of the sewer.

			LEE
	Red Dragon.

			CARTER
	That was the name of Ricky Tan's boat.

Lee and Carter watch as limos pull up to the front of the
hotel -- it's like a HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE.  The richest of the
rich are making their way inside.

			LEE
	Let's go.

			CARTER
	Wait a second.  We can't go in like
	this.  Look at this place, we gotta look
	fly.  We gotta Mac out.

			LEE
	What is Mac out?

			CARTER
	Follow me my Asian brother.

Carter and Lee start to walk away.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Just stay down wind, because I think you
	stepped in some serious rat shit down
	there.

EXT. VERSACE BOUTIQUE - NIGHT

Lee and Carter are walking into the upscale clothing store.

INT. VERSACE BOUTIQUE - CONTINUOUS

As they enter, a SALESMAN approaches them.

			SALESMAN
	May I help you gentlemen?

Carter flashes his biggest smile as he pulls out a stack of
superbills.

			CARTER
	Black.  42-long.  Nothing touches this
	body but pure silk.  And get my partner
	something from the children's
	department.

Carter puts his hand on Lee's shoulder.

			SALESMAN
	Would your partner like silk as well?  I
	personally like it when a couple
	matches.

Carter takes his hand off Lee's shoulder.

			CARTER
	Couple?  No, you got it wrong, there's
	no couple here.  Just two single police
	officers working a very dangerous case.

			LEE
	Yes.  We have lots of big men chasing
	us.

			SALESMAN
	I'm sure all the boys are chasing you
	two.  Don't worry, I'll make you guys
	the bell of the ball.

He WINKS as he walks off, and Carter looks at Lee.

			CARTER
	This is the last time I go shopping with
	you.

EXT. RED DRAGON - NIGHT

Lee and Carter enter frame, dressed to kill - perfectly
tailored couture Versace suits, gold watches, the whole bit.
Le is awkward in "player" guise.

			CARTER
		(whispering)
	Remember, Lee, you're a player now.  You
	own the place.

Carter pulls out his ALTOIDS, and he and Lee each take one as
they walk through the doors.

			LEE
	I own the place.

INT. RED DRAGON - CONTINUOUS

Carter STRUTS through the lobby, Lee doing his best to
imitate Carter's pimp and roll.  THEY WALK PAST THE GIANT
BUDDHA --

			CARTER
	That looks exactly like my Uncle
	Darrell.

			LEE
	Buddha is the symbol of luck and good
	fortune.

			CARTER
	Buddha is the symbol for fat and lazy.
	The man has the biggest tits in Asia.

They are moving through the MAIN ENTRY HALL lined with TERRA
COTTA CHINESE SOLDIERS - posed and dressed for battle.

RICKSHAWS and BICYCLES take people through the hotel.  The
MAIN CASINO is roped off and empty.  People crowded around
the perimeter - a sign reads:

			SIGN
	$50,000 buy in -- EVERYBODY'S A WINNER!

The LIGHTS DIM - a spotlight comes on and finds STEVEN REIGN
on the balcony overlooking the ENTRANCE.

			STEVEN REIGN
	A thousand years ago, a small, wealthy
	village in China hired a young Dragon to
	guard their treasure in a cave, hoping
	to scare off potential bandits.  Their
	plan worked quite well, until the people
	of the village started sneaking the
	Dragon extra food -- hoping to make him
	bigger and stronger.  The Dragon ate so
	much and grew so big -- that he
	eventually got stuck inside the cave --
	and the treasure was stuck behind him
	for all eternity.
		(beat)
	Ladies and gentlemen, I have found that
	lost treasure.  It is here, inside the
	greatest casino in the world!  Welcome
	to the Red Dragon, where everybody is a
	winner!

Reign smiles, flips a switch -- the CASINO COMES TO LIFE.
Fireworks, bright lights, endless rows of tables, dealers
waiting.

A BAND PLAYS on a stage in the casino lounge.

Chinese ACROBATS perform suspended from the ceiling and on
the balconies above.

Applause all around as the FLAME shoots out of the dragon's
nostrils and the acrobats perform.  Carter and Lee walk down
the red carpet.

			CARTER
		(to waitress)
	Bring us some twelve-year old scotch...
		(to a cigarette girl)
	Get us a box of your finest cigars.
		(to a change girl)
	Give me ten dollars in nickels.

INT. CASINO - NIGHT

CLOSE ON

Dice ROLLING on a craps table.

			CRAPS DEALER
	Winner!  Seven!

We see BLACKJACK DEALERS BUSTING - paying out CUSTOMERS.

Hundred dollar slot machines paying out jackpots.

GAMBLERS winning all over the casino.  Then going to the main
cage and exchanging their chips for SUPERBILLS.

			CARTER
	Look at this place, Lee.  The biggest
	front in the world.

As people pour into the casino, Steven Reign is making his
way through the crowd, shaking hands and posing for pictures.

			LEE
	Carter...here comes the rich white man.

			CARTER
	Wait here.  I'll handle this.

As Carter walks off, a WOMAN grabs Lee and pulls him onto the
dance floor.

INT. LOUNGE - CONTINUOUS

The woman spins to face Lee, her face half-hidden under the
dance floor lights.

			ISABELLA
	Put your arms around me.

			LEE
	Excuse me?

Isabella grabs him around the waist, pulls him close.

			ISABELLA
	Hold me close.  There's cameras
	everywhere.

An ASIAN BAND sings STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT as Lee tries his
best to slow dance.  An intimate moment between Isabella and
Lee, her face nestled in the crook of his neck, hiding her
face.

			LEE
	What's going on?

			ISABELLA
	I need your help.

			LEE
	Last time you needed my help I ended up
	in the back of a truck.

			ISABELLA
	I'm undercover.  I had no choice.  You
	have to trust me.

Lee starts to get into the music, moving his hips in a slow,
sensual rhythm.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	You move well.

			LEE
	Just trying to make it look real.

			ISABELLA
	Look over there.  That's the eye in the
	sky room.

Lee looks over her shoulder.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	Behind me is the soft count room.  We're
	pretty sure the plates are back there.

			LEE
	Why don't you go get them?

			ISABELLA
	If I'm wrong then my cover is blown.


INT. CASINO - NIGHT

As Steven Reign makes his way through the casino, Carter
steps right in front of him, giving him a big hug.

			CARTER
	Stevie, how's it going my man?  Somebody
	get a picture, we can use it for a mug
	shot.

			STEVEN REIGN
	Detective Carter, you always seem to
	show up where you don't belong.

			CARTER
	Lemme ask you something, Steven.  And I
	want the truth.  Is there any way I can
	date your daughter?  Just dinner and a
	movie, maybe go listen to some jazz...

			STEVEN REIGN
	Vegas has been my town for 30 years.  I
	crawled out from under the first rock.
	Do you really think you can intimidate
	me here?

			CARTER
	You're right, you're a smart guy.  Most
	counterfeiters only get ten cents on the
	dollar.  But this is an even swap.  Pure
	genius.

			STEVEN REIGN
	You play games with me, Detective, and
	you'll lose every time.  Don't forget.
	The odds are always in favor of the
	house.

Reign walks off with his men.  Carter watches him leave.

INT. DANCE FLOOR - NIGHT

Lee is dancing close with Isabella.

			ISABELLA
	The Secret Service almost busted Reign
	at his casino in Macao, but the place
	burned down before we could move in.

			LEE
	How do I know I can trust you?

			ISABELLA
	Dip me!

Lee dips her, holds her in his arms for a long BEAT.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	I'm asking for real now -- will you help
	the Secret Service?

			LEE
	No.
		(beat)
	But I'll help you.

Lee holds her for a long BEAT, their lips almost touching.
He finally lets her go, and she disappears into the crowd.
Carter walks up, sees Lee standing alone on the dance floor.

			CARTER
	Lee, what the hell are you doing?

			LEE
	Dancing?

			CARTER
	Dancing?  I'm out here trying to strong
	arm Steven Reign, putting my life on the
	line, and you're up here dancing with
	some bimbo.  Did she have a friend?

			LEE
	It was Isabella.  She says the plates
	are in the soft count room.

Lee motions to the room, where WE SEE a SECURITY GUARD
standing in front of a small door.

			CARTER
	Isabella?  Are you crazy, man?  She
	almost got us killed.  She's setting you
	up again!

			LEE
	No.  I'm going to find out.

			CARTER
	Wait a second.  There's guards all over
	the place.  You'll need a distraction.

Carter looks around the casino.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	I'll go to the craps table, make a big
	scene.  When security comes over, you
	make your move.

			LEE
	Try to keep them busy for five minutes.

			CARTER
	I'll give it my best shot.

INT. CASINO - CONTINUOUS

Carter walks up to a CRAPS TABLE, everyone turning to stare.

			CRAPS DEALER
	Sir, you're aware that we require a
	fifty-thousand dollar buy in to gamble
	here this weekend?

Carter throws a HUNDRED THOUSAND in $100 BILLS onto the
table.

			CARTER
	I saw the sign, I can read.  Now gimme a
	hundred-thousand in chips.  And a Diet
	Coke and some wash-n-dries.  Let's move,
	people, I came to play.

The DEALER pushes 100K worth of CHIPS in front of Carter.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	What the hell is that?

			CRAPS DEALER
	Those are five hundred dollar chips.

			CARTER
	Did you give me five-hundred dollar
	chips because I'm black?

			CRAPS DEALER
	No, I just assumed...

			CARTER
	You assumed a brother coming in here can
	only afford five-hundred dollars a roll,
	is that right?  Are you a racist?

			CRAPS DEALER
	No, sir.

			CARTER
		(starting to scream)
	Everyone else at the table has thousand
	dollar chips, but the black man gets the
	nickel, is that it?  Did my people
	survive two-hundred years of slavery so
	you could send us back to the cotton
	fields with five-hundred dollar chips?
	Do I look like Chicken George to you?

The PIT BOSS gets on his walkie-talkie.

			PIT BOSS
	Floor security, we have a problem at
	table nine.

EXT. SOFT COUNT ROOM - NIGHT

The SECURITY GUARD lowers his walkie-talkie, starts moving
towards Carter's table.

INT. CRAPS TABLE - NIGHT

TWO SECURITY GUARDS approach Carter's table.

			CARTER
	Answer me one question.  How come Ben
	Vereen isn't performing here at the
	hotel?  Is Ben Vereen not good enough
	for you people?

			PIT BOSS
	Lionel Ritchie is performing here
	tonight.

			CARTER
	Lionel Ritchie hasn't been black since
	the Commodores.

			PIT BOSS
	Sir, you're going to have to calm down.

Carter watches as Lee moves past the guard and makes his way
into the soft count room.

			CARTER
	I have a dream, where black people and
	white people can gamble together without
	getting different chips!

A BIG CROWD has gathered as the Security Guards try and push
their way through.  The pit boss picks up the phone, calls
upstairs.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Sing with me!  "We shall overcome!"

Carter starts clapping, and the confused crowd joins in as
the Security Guards move in.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Thank you.  Now in the spirit of
	brotherhood, let's play craps!

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

Lee walks into the hallway, moving like a cat as he hugs the
walls and tries to make his way to the soft count room.

He hears noise, TWO SECURITY GUARDS coming behind him through
the casino door.  He has no choice but to crawl over the back
of a money cart and hug the top.  He lies as still as he can,
trying not to be seen -- until he realizes he's staring
directly into the EYE IN THE SKY cameras that are in the
ceiling.

WE SEE LEE'S FACE

as he passes directly under the camera, clearly mouthing the
words "oh shit" as he rolls by.

Lee looks to his left, sees the SOFT COUNT ROOM -- a mountain
of COUNTERFEIT SUPERBILLS that are waiting to be paid out.
On the opposite side, the REAL MONEY is being WHEELED OUT
toward a waiting TRUCK that is parked at the back door.

Lee sees two more cameras in the ceiling, knows his cover is
blown.  He jumps down off the cart, is standing in front of
the locked vault.  There's no way to get the plates.
Isabella has set him up again.

He turns and smiles at the confused SECURITY GUARDS.

			LEE
	Hi.  How's it going?  You guys have
	change for a twenty?

The GUARDS make their move.  And Lee starts to fight them
down the hall, using the cart as a shield as he RAMS into TWO
MORE GUARDS, fights them off as he turns the corner toward
the casino door -- but he gets slammed to the ground by a
right cross.

Hu Li threw the punch, a roll of quarters in her hand as she
stands over him with FIVE TRIAD SOLDIERS.  She holds a knife
to Lee's throat.

			HU LI
		(in Chinese)
	Open your mouth.

She puts the small grenade in Lee's mouth, tapes it shut.
She holds the detonator in her hand.

			HU LI (CONT'D)
		(continuing in Chinese)
	That's a ying-tao grenade, Inspector.
	Please follow me or I'll blow 32 teeth
	into your brain.

INT. CASINO - CONTINUOUS

A crowd has gathered behind Carter who is at the table
rolling dice, a huge stack of chips in front of him.

			CRAPS DEALER
	Winner six!

			CARTER
	How much is that?

			CRAPS DEALER
	Two-hundred thousand!

			CARTER
	Two-hundred thousand dollars?  Who wants
	a hundred dollars?

Carter turns to the MAN next to him, who wears a traditional
AFRICAN ROBE and is standing with a giant blonde escort.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Here, your highness, have a hundred
	dollars.  The Viagra is on me tonight!

			GAMBLER
		(South African accent)
	I am not royalty, sir.

			CARTER
	Don't say that, we're all royalty.  My
	great grandmammy was Queen Nephertit --
	we probably cousins, man.  How much you
	got on the table?

			GAMBLER
	One million.

			CARTER
	Yeah, we definitely cousins now.  Who
	wants to blow on my hand for luck?

Carter turns to a BIG TEXAN who is standing with a GORGEOUS
YOUNG GIRL who is falling out of her dress.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Hey, Marlboro man, you mind if your lady
	blows on my hand for luck?

			TEXAN
		(embarrassed)
	She's not my lady.  She's my niece.

			CARTER
	Can I come over for Thanksgiving?  Come
	on, baby, give me some luck.

The GIRL blows on the dice, and Carter stares down at her.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Nice blowing.  When's your next
	birthday, I'll be the cake.

			TEXAN
	Hey, buddy, watch yourself.

			CARTER
	Don't threaten me.  I got friends in
	this town that will bite off your ears.
	Just sit tight, because I've got the
	dice and I am on fire!

Carter throws the dice.

			CRAPS DEALER
	Winner, seven!

The table erupts as Carter grabs the dice.

			CARTER
	Let it ride!

INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT

The elevator doors OPEN and Lee is led toward the eye in the
sky room by Hu Li and the three Triads.  As they walk into
the room, the Triads remain outside guarding the room.

INT. EYE IN THE SKY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

FORTY VIDEO MONITORS show every inch of the hotel.  A MAN
stands in front of the two-way mirror looking down at the
casino, the reflection off the glass obscuring his features.

Lee has the tape around his mouth and his hands tied behind
his back as he's led into the room by Hu Li.

			RICKY TAN
	Imagine a business where people hand you
	money.  And you hand them back
	absolutely nothing.

Ricky Tan - alive and well, turns around and stares at Lee.
Isabella is standing next to him.  Lee is shocked at the
sight of Ricky Tan alive.

			RICKY TAN (CONT'D)
	Now that's a true American dream.
	Thanks to a few pieces of metal and a
	very greed driven US Customs agent.

Ricky Tan walks toward Lee, starts to smile.

			RICKY TAN (CONT'D)
	Look at you, you're ridiculous.  You
	know it didn't have to be like this.
	But it's too bad!  Like father, like
	son.

Lee stares at Isabella for a BEAT.  Hu Li motions to one of
the monitors.

			HU LI
		(in Chinese)
	He's going for the plates.

Ricky Tan looks at one of the MONITORS, sees Steven Reign
walking down a hallway, about to walk into the PENTHOUSE
SUITE.

			RICKY TAN
	Look at this old fool, what does he
	think he's doing?

Ricky Tan shifts his attention back to Lee.

			RICKY TAN (CONT'D)
	It's almost impossible to find a partner
	that's trustworthy and loyal.  Wouldn't
	you agree, Lee?

ON ANOTHER SCREEN

We see Carter at the craps table having the time of his life.
Ricky Tan turns to walk out of the room, motioning to
Isabella as he goes.

			RICKY TAN (CONT'D)
	Well, at least you will die with honor.
	But choy Gien.

SUBTITLES: "Won't see you again."

INT. CASINO - CONTINUOUS

Carter has two racks of chips in front of him, a huge crowd
surrounding him.

			CRAPS DEALER
	Winner!  Four, winner!

			CARTER
	I'm up a hundred and fifty-grand.
	That's a Ferrari.  Do they sell those
	here in the gift shop?  Somebody cash me
	out!

Several TRIAD SOLDIERS dressed like SECURITY GUARDS approach
Carter's table.

			PIT BOSS
	Sir, we'd like to escort you to the
	cashier.

			CARTER
	That would be great.  Don't want any of
	these rich white people to jump me.

As they walk toward the door marked "VIP ROOM", Carter
glances at the MEN, knows he's in deep shit.

INT. EYE IN THE SKY ROOM - NIGHT

Ricky Tan turns to Hu Li.

			RICKY TAN
	Chai Hu Li.
		("Little Fox")
	Have fun.

Ricky Tan walks out.  Hu Li holds the detonator up to Lee,
plays with the button.

			HU LI
		(in Chinese)
	In a few minutes...you'll beg me to push
	this button.

Hu Li pulls her KNIFE, moves towards Lee.  She holds the
blade to his face.  About to cut him.  When Isabella pulls
her gun.

Isabella walks toward Lee, whose hands are still tied behind
his back.  Hu Li clutches the detonator in one hand, her
knife in the other.  She takes a step toward Isabella.

			ISABELLA
	It's time to end this, Inspector.

Isabella cocks the gun, spins back and kicks the detonator
from Hu Li's hand -- slamming her against the wall and
sticking the gun under her chin.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	Don't move!  United States Secret
	Service.

Hu Li WHIPS her KNIFE around, catches Isabella across the
hand -- the GUN SLIDING across the room near the detonator --
the TWO WOMEN fight around it.

Lee watches them almost step on it - dives to the floor and
rolls toward the detonator.  He's about to grab it when:

THE TRIADS OPEN THE DOOR

They're about to move in.

			HU LI
	Get the detonator!

The Triads go for the detonator -- as Lee gets to his feet,
KICKS Hu Li's legs out from under her.

One of the Triads about to pick up the detonator - but Lee
gets to him first.  He fights with one hand tied behind his
back.

Hu Li and Isabella fight it out in the EYE IN THE SKY ROOM.

Lee gets kicked towards the Eye In The Sky WINDOW.

INT. CASINO - CASHIER

Two security guards lead Carter away from the table when:

CRASH!

An AIRBORNE Lee rockets through the EYE IN THE SKY WINDOW.
In a rain of glass, he lands HARD on the casino floor.

The NOISE grabs everyone's attention, including:

			CARTER
	Lee!!

The guards restrain him.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Lemme ask you something.  Any of you
	ever felt $500,000 before?

He SLAMS THE RACK OF CHIPS ACROSS THEIR FACES -- chips flying
as the GUARDS hit the floor.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Doesn't feel so good, does it?

INT. EYE IN THE SKY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Hu Li picks up the detonator.  WHACK!  A heeled foot kicks it
from her grasp.  Isabella has recovered!  The detonator FLIES
OUT THE BROKEN WINDOW.

INT. CASINO - CONTINUOUS

On his back, Lee watches the detonator SAIL OVER HIS HEAD AND
DISAPPEAR into the crowd.  It lands on a DRINK CART.  Before
Lee can get there, a WAITRESS changes trays and carries the
detonator on her rounds.

Panicked, Lee searches for the detonator.  He JUMPS atop a
BLACKJACK TABLE to get a better vantage.  He can't see it,
but he does see:

ACROSS THE CASINO

Carter on top of a CRAPS TABLE, keeping security guards at
bay with a croupier stick.

			CARTER
	Black man gets on a hot streak and
	you're all trippin'?

Carter and Lee see each other.  They have the same
simultaneous though:

			CARTER (CONT'D)
		(help!)
	Lee!

			LEE
		(help!)
	MMMMMM!!!!

Carter is Lee's only hope to get the bomb out of his mouth.
But from here to there, a MASS OF PEOPLE.  The quickest way
is the HIGH WAY.

Lee leaps from TABLE to TABLE.  Scattering playing cards.
Reaching the carpeted divide...Lee doesn't stop.
He launches off the bent-over back of a high roller --
landing on a RICKSHAW, SURFING IT to the tables on the other
side.

Carter looks around for Lee, catches a glimpse of the Eye in
the Sky Room.  He grins.

			CARTER
	Check it out.  Catfight!

POW!  He socks a GUARD in the face.

INT. EYE IN THE SKY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Isabella and Hu Li are locked in battle.  Rolling to the
floor, they both see the gun.  They scramble over each other
to get to it first.

INT. CASINO - CONTINUOUS

A security guard CLIMBS on the table to level Carter when Lee
arrives.  He kicks the guard off and turns to Carter, his
plea MUFFLED.

			CARTER
	What the HELL are you doing with tape on
	your face?

No time to explain -- two more security guards arrive.  Kicks
and punches fly, but Lee CAN'T GET HIT IN THE MOUTH!  He bobs
and weaves, holding his hands to Carter to untie them in
between swings.  Suddenly:

BLAM!  BLAM!  BLAM!  GUNSHOTS from the Eye In The Sky Room.

Everyone HITS THE DECK.  Carter and Lee dive on to the floor
as panic ripples through the Casino.  People FLEE for the
EXITS.

THE WAITRESS DESERTS HER TRAY.  It gets knocked over and TIPS
on the floor.  The DETONATOR LANDS feet away from Carter.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	This can't be good.

Lee's eyes BUG - he sees it too, feet STAMPEDING past it!  A
high heel misses it by a fraction of an inch.  He LUNGES for
it, manages to CRADLE it in his taped hands when --

WHAM!  He is BUMPED and it FLIES AWAY.  The second it hits
the floor, it is KICKED, skittering down the red carpet.

ABOVE...the victor emerges in the Eye in the Sky Room.  Hu Li
STEPS OUT on the PAGODA ROOF and JUMPS DOWN.

The DETONATOR ROLLS right past Hu Li.  As she bends to PICK
up the detonator, Lee knows he won't get there in time.
Horrified, he SCREAMS at CARTER through the tape.

Hu Li lifts the detonator.

Carter finally pulls the TAPE OFF Lee's face.

Lee SPITS the grenade into the air.

			LEE
		(diving on Carter)
	Bomb!!!

Hu Li HITS the TRIGGER just as it lands on a roulette table.

KABOOM!

The table is BLOWN OFF IT'S FOUNDATION.  Chips and cash
volcano.  Hu Li is blown backwards by the force of the blast.
SHEER PANDEMONIUM grips the casino.

AS THE SMOKE CLEARS

Carter and Lee peer out from behind a row of slot machines.
The place is deserted.

			CARTER
	Why didn't you tell me you had a bomb in
	your mouth?

			LEE
	I did!

			CARTER
	No you didn't!

			LEE
	Yes I did.  I said MMMMMM!

A hand on Carter's arm.  THIS IS SERIOUS.

	 LEE (CONT'D)
	Ricky Tan is alive.

			CARTER
	What?!?!

			LEE
	We have to get to the Penthouse.

Lee jumps up, SPRINTS toward the elevators at the dragon end
of the casino.

			CARTER
	Hold on!

Carter stuffs his pockets with chips, then races after Lee.
But halfway up the carpet.  Carter stops.  Lee turns to see
what is holding him up.

Hu Li SURVIVED the blast and Carter has turned to face her.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	You go after Ricky.  I got this.

			LEE
	Carter...

			CARTER
	Just GO!

Lee turns and runs off past the dragon.  Unfortunately, FIVE
TRIADS block his path.  In a flurry of PUNCHES, Lee makes
short work of them, and races toward the elevators.

DEAD CENTER ON THE RED CARPET - HU LI AND CARTER FACE OFF!

Each readying in their own manner.  Hu Li carefully wraps her
long hair into a bun on top of her head.  Carter stretches,
flexes, ready to sting like a bee.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	I'm not gonna hold you back this time
	just because you're a woman.  I'm gonna
	pretend you're a man.

She pulls off her jacket, prepares to fight him in her
undershirt.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	A very beautiful man with a perfect body
	who I'd like to take to the movies.

She takes a sword from a Terra Cotta statue, SWINGS IT AROUND
like a master.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	I may have been absent the day we went
	over this in karate class.

Quick, Carter reaches for a fighting stick off a Terra Cotta
soldier.  WHOOSH!  She SLICES IT IN HALF.  Carter reaches for
another.  SLICE!  She's toying with him.

INT. ELEVATOR BANK - NIGHT

Lee's in the elevator as the doors close.  SUDDENLY, a HAND
cuts through, parting the doors.

It's ISABELLA!  A wound on her shoulder.

			LEE
	Are you okay?

			ISABELLA
	I'm fine.

She steps in, too weak and starts to fall.  Lee grabs her and
holds her in his arms.  HE gently helps her down.

			LEE
	I didn't know which side you were on.

			ISABELLA
	Now you know.

DING!  The elevator doors open.  Isabella holds up a ROOM KEY
- the key to the SUITE.  Lee takes the key, backs away and
steps into the elevator.

			ISABELLA (CONT'D)
	I'll try to get backup.  Be careful.

The elevator doors close.

INT. PENTHOUSE SUITE - CONTINUOUS

Steven Reign is closing the safe.  There are stacks of
HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS on his desk, which he's putting in a
black bag along with the plates.  As he turns around, he
comes face-to-face with Ricky Tan.

			RICKY TAN
	American's love to gamble.  Don't they,
	Mr. Reign?

			STEVEN REIGN
	I'm cutting our deal short.  I'm
	leaving.

			RICKY TAN
	And my plates?

			STEVEN REIGN
	They stay with me.  I'm sure you won't
	have a problem with that.

Reign shows Tan the gun in his belt.  Grabs the bag and
starts to walk toward the door.

			RICKY TAN
	I enjoyed that little story you told
	about the Dragon and the treasure.  My
	mother used to tell it to me all the
	time.  Do you know the moral of that
	story, Mr. Reign?

			STEVEN REIGN
	Greed will imprison us all.

Tan grabs Reign from behind and stabs him with a knife.

			RICKY TAN
	I hate that fortune cookie shit.

Lee BURSTS through the suite door - watches as Reign falls
dead to the floor.  Ricky takes the black bag off the desk.

			LEE
	Put the plates down.

Ricky Tan looks down at the gun in Reign's belt.

INT. CASINO - NIGHT

WHOOSH!  Another Terra Cotta fighting stick is in half in
Carter's hands.

			CARTER
	Will you STOP?!?!
		(picks up cocktail umbrella)
	What am I supposed to fight you with?

No more toying.  Hu Li CHARGES Carter, who GRABS a ROULETTE
WHEEL as a MAKESHIFT SHIELD.  She SLICES it in HALF!  He's
got nowhere to hide.

She JABS him with the sword.  Carter SCREAMS.  Falls back
against the table, clutching his chest.  Hu Li WINDMILLS,
kicking a Terra Cotta soldier on top of Carter, but --

THWACK!

The DOUBLE-BLADED BAMBOO POLE in its hand ricochets back and
she is PIERCED THROUGH THE SHOULDER with the blade.  Staring
at Carter in stunned disbelief, she drops to her knees.

Carter walks toward her, considers his options, then KICKS
HER IN THE HEAD, knocking her out.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	When are you people gonna learn?  Don't
	mess with the brothas!

WEAK in the KNEES, Carter looks to the SOUND ON HIS CHEST. He
reaches through the slice in his jacket.  Instead of a hand
covered in blood, it comes out with a THICK WAD OF CASH!

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	Thank you, Benjamin!

Carter runs for the elevator.

INT. PENTHOUSE SUITE - CONTINUOUS

Lee is walking toward Ricky Tan, the two men circling Reign's
body.

			RICKY TAN
	You're just like your father, Lee.  All
	these years hiding behind his badge.  I
	wanted to help him, to share with him,
	but he was too afraid of change.  When
	you think about it, I didn't really kill
	him.  I just put him out of his misery.

			LEE
	Put the plates down.  It's over.

			RICKY TAN
	I don't think it's over.  There are
	casinos all over this country.  Let me
	make you a rich man, Lee.  Don't make
	the same mistake he did.

Ricky glances at the gun in Reign's belt.

			LEE
	If you reach for that gun, I'm going to
	kill you.

			RICKY TAN
	Don't you remember?  I'm already dead.

Ricky makes a play for the gun, but Lee is much too fast,
taking the gun and pushing Ricky against the wall just as
Carter bursts in the room.

			CARTER
	Hey, Ricky, how's it going man?  What's
	up, Lee?

Lee has the gun pressed to Tan's head.  We've never seen him
like this before.

			RICKY TAN
	Would you like me to tell you how your
	father died?

			CARTER
	Lee, you okay?

Lee doesn't respond.  He keeps an eye on Ricky.

			RICKY TAN
	He never begged for his life.  Or tried
	to make a deal.  All that he asked me,
	just seconds before I pulled the
	trigger, was that I promise not to kill
	you.

Lee's finger is on the trigger -- he wants to pull the
trigger but can't.

			CARTER
	Lee, wait a second.  It's not worth it,
	man.  He's making you do this.

			LEE
	It's worth it to me.

			RICKY TAN
	Do you have it in you, Lee?  Or are you
	gonna spend the rest of your life hiding
	like your father?

			CARTER
	C'mon, Lee.  He's going to jail.  You
	won, now just put the gun down.

Lee is trying to pull the trigger, but he can't.

			RICKY TAN
	That's what I thought.

Tan takes the black bag and swings it toward Lee -- the
plates hit him across the face and knock him down.

THE GUN IS LOOSE

Tan reaches for it and is about to pull the trigger when:

Lee and Carter come flying at him TOGETHER.  Both KICKING HIM
SQUARE IN THE CHEST.

Tan falls back, SMASHING THROUGH THE WINDOW.  Lee tries to
grab Tan's hand, their fingers touch for a split second.

But Tan pulls his hand away and falls 20 STORIES to the
street below.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

A TAXI is parked out front.  Tan's BODY SLAMS on the roof.
SMASHING THROUGH A SIGN ON TOP THAT READS: "EVERYBODY'S A
WINNER!"

INT. PENTHOUSE SUITE - NIGHT

Lee and Carter are looking down at the street, both relieved
it's finally over.  Carter puts his hand on Lee's shoulder.

			CARTER
	I don't know about you, but I need a
	wine cooler.

As they turn to the door -- Hu Li is walking toward them,
bleeding and half-dead.  She has ANOTHER BOMB IN HER HAND.
This one twice the size of the one from earlier.

			HU LI
		(in Chinese)
	We'll go together, Inspector.

			CARTER
	Please tell me she just asked for a ride
	to the airport.

Hu Li hits the switch - starts to smile.  Lee and Carter turn
and RUN for the OPEN WINDOW.

EXT. BUILDING - NIGHT

Lee and Carter DIVE OUT THE WINDOW, grab a cable just as the
PENTHOUSE BLOWS!

The FIREBALL SHOOTS out as they start to slide down the side
of the hotel.

THEY SCREAM AS THE CABLE BREAKS.

Lee and Carter SWING toward a HUGE "GRAND OPENING" BANNER.
They flip under it, do a loop before they SLAM AGAINST THE
SIGN.

It's KNOCKED LOOSE and they fall with it toward VEGAS BLVD.

Lee and Carter hang on as they drop to the street.  A HUGE
TRUCK speeds toward them as they hold on for their lives.
The entire STRIP SPEEDING toward them.

			LEE
	I can't believe I flew ten-thousand
	miles for this shit!!

They lift their feet just as the TRUCK PASSES.  The sign dips
and they fall straight down into the open sunroof of a LARGE
STRETCH LIMO.

INT. LIMOUSINE - CONTINUOUS

Lee and Carter land in the back.  Slam into their seats and
try to catch their breath.  The TWO MEN STARTING TO LAUGH
when they realize they're alive!

			CARTER
	We made it, man.

			LEE
	No problem.

Lee and Carter look up to see the VERSACE SALESMAN and FOUR
OF HIS FRIENDS sitting in the back of the limo staring at
them.  The BOYS are all drinking champagne and dressed for a
night on the town.

			VERSACE SALESMAN
	Well, there is a God after all.

Lee and Carter exchange looks as the limo stops in front of
the hotel.

			LIMO DRIVER
	Here we are.  The Red Dragon hotel.

In front of the hotel WE SEE FIRE TRUCKS, AMBULANCE, POLICE
CARS and Isabella and Sterling arresting TWENTY TRIADS.

			VERSACE SALESMAN
	We're all going gambling and then to see
	Siegried and Roy.  I hope you two are
	feeling lucky!

INT. LAS VEGAS AIRPORT - NIGHT

Lee is talking with a bandaged Isabella, who is standing with
Sterling and several other SECRET SERVICE AGENTS.  Lee and
Isabella hug goodbye.  As she walks off to board her plane,
Lee slowly walks back to Carter who is smiling.

			CARTER
	I saw that.  She kissed you, didn't she?
	You played it cool, though.  Walking
	away, never looking back.

			LEE
	She's going home to New York.  I need
	some ice.

Lee and Carter watch as she gets on the plane.

			CARTER
	That your gate down there?

			LEE
	Yes.

			CARTER
	I'm this way.  I guess this is goodbye.

			LEE
	I guess so.  Thank you, Carter.

			CARTER
	You take care of yourself, Lee.

Carter steps back, BOWS TO LEE.  Lee SHAKES CARTER'S HAND
like a brother.  The two men smile.  Turn to walk away.

			LEE
	Carter, wait.  There's something I want
	you to have.

Lee pulls a BADGE from his pocket.  Hands it to Carter.

			CARTER
	Your father's badge?  No way, man.  I
	can't take this.

			LEE
	It's okay.  I can finally let it go.

Carter takes the badge.  Smiles.

			CARTER
	In that case, I got something for you.
	I picked it up at the hotel.

Carter pulls out a WAD OF CASH.

			LEE
	What is this?

			CARTER
	About fifty grand.  I won it at the
	tables.

			LEE
	No, Carter.  I can't take this.

			CARTER
	It's okay, I got lots more.

Carter pulls out another wad of cash.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	They owe us, man.  That's the least they
	can do.

			LEE
	This money is evidence.

			CARTER
	Come on, Lee.  Stop being a cop for five
	minutes and live it up.  There must be
	something you want.

Lee looks back toward Isabella.

			LEE
	I always wanted to go to Madison Square
	Garden.  See the Knicks play.

			CARTER
	New York City?

			LEE
	First class.

			CARTER
	The Plaza Hotel?

			LEE
	A little Mu-shu.

			CARTER
	Some Kung-Pao?

They look at each other, smile.

			CARTER (CONT'D)
	I could use a little vacation.

			LEE
	Amen to that, brother.

As Lee and Carter start to walk away together, the MUSIC
SWELLS.  "WAR" starts to PLAY.  They dance their way through
a crowd of people, their arms raised as the two friends make
their way through the airport.

END CREDITS
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