INT. LIVINGROOM OF SMALL HOUSE-NIGHT

A YOUNG MAN in a T-shirt and jeans lies with his shoes off on the couch. He sips a beer, while watching an old, black & white, film noir, gangster movie on the TV, which lights the room. The room is small, cluttered, and cheaply furnished. His running shoes are under the coffee table and a DOG lies on the floor in the corner. Both are about to doze off, when OFF-CAMERA, a woman screams. At first, the Young Man isn't sure if her scream came from the TV. But when there is another OFF-CAMERA scream, the Dog barks and rushes to the front door.

What the . . .?

The Young Man claps his hands twice and a lamp switches ON. He gets up, crosses the room in his stockinged feet, opens the door, and looks outside.

EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF YOUNG MAN'S HOUSE-NIGHT

Street lights and front porch lights illuminate the small houses, apartments, and cars parked at the curb. An attractive, young CO-ED with an armload of books screams again as she chases a large PURSE THIEF, who runs on the sidewalk with her purse clutched in his hand.

EXT. FRONT PORCH OF YOUNG MAN'S HOUSE-NIGHT

The Young Man and his Dog STEP ONTO the porch to get a better look.

Hey!

In his socks, he runs off the porch to join the chase. The Dog barks, but stays on the porch, watching the chase.

EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF YOUNG MAN'S HOUSE-NIGHT

The Young Man runs past the Co-Ed, who calls after him:

Stop him! He's got my purse!

CONTINUED



She slows down, stops. A front porch light goes on and SOMEONE looks out. The Co-Ed watches the Young Man chase after the Purse thief, who turns OUT OF FRAME at the corner. The Young Man FOLLOWS, also DISAPPEARING OUT OF FRAME.

EXT. FRONT OF COMMERCIAL BUILDING-NIGHT

The Purse Thief--tatooed, burly, and already winded--pauses, then runs OUT OF FRAME behind the building. Seconds later, the Young Man runs INTO FRAME and stops. Having lost sight of the thief, he looks around. Moments later, also having joined the chase, a COLLEGE GUY with a backpack slung over one shoulder, runs INTO FRAME. He stops next to the Young Man, who puts his hand up to his mouth to signify quiet.

I think he's behind the building.

The College Guy nods. The Young Man points, whispers:

You go around that way.
I'll go this way.

The College Guy raises his eyebrows in disbelief and doesn't move. He watches as the Young Man starts down the side of the building alone, walking slowly, quietly, in search of the thief.

EXT. BACK OF COMMERCIAL BUILDING-NIGHT

The Purse Thief rummages through the pilfered purse, putting the money in his pocket. Hearing someone OFF-CAMERA, he stops, drops the purse, and removes a closed switchblade from his back pocket. ECU-his finger pushes the button on the handle and the blade pops out. The Purse Thief moves slowly towards the corner of the building.

EXT. SIDE OF COMMERCIAL BUILDING-NIGHT

The Young Man moves towards the back corner of the building. He stops, looks back, but the College Guy is no longer in sight. He continues slowly, quietly towards the back corner, where he stops. He peeks around the building, only to have the Purse Thief suddenly STEP OUT from behind the building, startling him.

End pg. 2