Heat - The Directors Cut - 1996

Heat is a really interesting example to look at how subplots and so-called 'side-bar' characters drive forward the plot and shape the moral argument. 

Around half of the film is made up of scenes about the character's personal lives. Why are they necessary?  Could you have a scenario where the plot was streamlined to merely Vincent chasing Neil, and what would you lose if you did?

Moral Argument: 

It's difficult to pinpoint the moral argument, commonly referred to as the theme, of any story (if there is one), mainly because it's deliberately hidden, so as not to be naff. But it's crying out beneath the surface in almost every scene here. 

What question would unite all of the woes of these characters, whose personal lives are all a mess? It's probably something about sacrifice and excellence:

What are you prepared to sacrifice in the pursuit of excellence?/ Can you have a successful personal life and an successful career?

Then the answer could be: If you want to be the best you have to be prepared to take heavy casualties. 

In one corner you have Vincent, an arch detective who haunts criminals at night, whose marriage is threadbare, and who is failing to be there for his step-daughter. 

In the other corner you have Neil, who is completely alone. He's living the fallout of his own maxim, "Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner," namely, he's completely alone. So it follows that his final choice is between getting away with his crime and escaping to New Zealand with the woman that he loves, and veering off the freeway to kill Waingro. 

It's Neil's tragedy that he can't not scratch that itch. In The Science of Storytelling, author Will Storr calls it the Sacred Flaw: a behaviour pattern that is so ingrained in the character's psyche that they are unaware of it's existence. It has led them to great success - if it were not so it would have been cast off long ago - but is now hurting them. 

In this case, Neil's desire for control and perfection is both a strength and a weakness: it's led him to become the best criminal there is, but he's also incapable of letting go of any loose strings. So he has to attempt to murder (and fail) to kill Waingro when he breaks protocol on the first crime; he has to go after Van Zant when he tries to kill him and he has to kill Waingro when an opportunity presents itself. It's this final action that seals his fate: he has to scratch the itch. 

Certainly their warpaths are very distructive, with collateral damage sustained on both sides. Vincent makes his wife so miserable that she ends up sleeping a guy just to get closure on their marriage. To top things off he's reneged on his home duties

Donald and Lauren:

The tragic subplot of Donald: Donald only has four small scenes in the whole story, he can't be on screen more than two minutes. Why have him at all? You could write around his character very easily. 

Although he isn't given much screen time his scenes are highly charged. In his first scene he is making an honest attempt to go clean, but is humiliated by the crooked manager who takes most of his wages and helps makes him clean the toilets. Humiliating a character is the quickest way of making the audience give a damn about them. 

It follows that there is huge potency when he fails to go straight, against overwhelming odds, and returns to a life of crime, only to become a bit of Neil's collateral damage.That is, ultimately what his function is in the story - to personalise the harm Neil's ruthlessness causes. 

It follows that Lauren, Vincent's step daughter does just the same thing for the detective. Vincent blames Lauren's father for being remiss, but is he any better? It's interesting to note that he is Lauren's step father, not father. This relationship gives Vincent a moral choice: to opt in, or to opt out. It also brings to a head the emotional damage that his actions have caused. 

Waingro:

His bete noir, Waingro, has two major functions for the story. First, he is a device who contextualises the amoral efforts of both Neil and Vincent. 

Context is king: Neil is a cold-blooded bastard, who carries out big heists and kills people when he needs to. But Waingro's a serial killer who kills the lowliest people in society! 

Neil is positively cherubic by comparison. It's significant to note that Neil is only stealing money from rich people who can afford it, so you can empathise with him - more so than if he were robbing houses or jewellery stores. 

Waingro works on Vincent too. It's significant that Vincent is called out to the aftermath of Waingro's murder of the hooker; indeed, you could argue that it's so coincidental as to beggar belief. It's also a little weird that none of his other officers, also at the party with their partners, don't come too. 

But its worth risking a raised eyebrow from the audience because of the function of the scene in which Vincent comforts the victim's mother. He might be the bastard who puts his job ahead of his wife, but he's also the city's guardian angel, protecting those who cannot protect themselves. 

This scene is designed to strip away any concern the audience might have that Vincent is commiting the most subtle - but heinous - of crimes, namely pretending he is taking the hard road by choosing to do something that seems like work to the other person, but is actually his pleasure. This is the crime every man who has ever gone into the shed to avoid a difficult conversation with his partner knows about. 

Besides being the lathe on which both protagonists are emotionally whittled, Waingro works is a pure plot monster: an agent of chaos: a true gremlin. 

Without him, Vincent doesn't have a hope of capturing Neil. Neil is took organised, his crew is too good. You need Waingro because Waingro makes Neil's plan goes wrong. 

During the first robbery, Waingro's aggression causes Michael to say the word "slick". When the lead about the kind of explosive they used comes up blank, "slick" is the only clue Vincent has. His investigation is going nowhere until he half hears this word again from a terrible informant in a loud club! It's a tantalising and delicate piece of plotting, and a massive stroke of luck to boot. 

It's Waingro, via Hugh Benny, that tips Vincent off about the bank robbery and it's Waingro's presence in the Hotel Jamieson that allows Neil and Vincent to have a final face off. 

 

Conclusion:

Ultimately, Heat puts in a lot of screen time in making you care about the characters, particularly the two protagonists. Strip this content away and you have a steady-away macho crime caper. 

In doing so it avoids the common fault of the caper genre, namely a lack of interest in what the characters are doing. Without these scenes it's just a dedicated cop hunting down some robbers who are stealing from some rich anonymous people 

Put together, these components elevate Heat above a cops and robbers story and turns it into one every movie should be, an intricate swiss clock designed to elicit emotion at particular moments, culminating in the final scene to a deeply showdown that is pregnant with emotion. 

Scene List

1. Opening Credits.

Man descends from subway. 

2. Neil steals an ambulance. 

Arrives in hospital dreassed as  paramedic. Moves outside, steals ambulance. 

3. Chris buys some explosive with an ID. 

Jack's demoliton Tucson. 

Shows him an ID. 

4. Vincent makes love to his wife. 

- family is on the brink of being unhappy. 

Man makes love to wife passionately. 

He showers, she smokes. 

Can't go to breakfast, meeting Bosco. 

She takes some pills. 

Daughter freaks out when she can't find her shoes. 

5. Waingro is Picked Up by Michael for the Job. 

A man leaves his house and gets a refill. 

He leaves before refil is ready to get on a truck - "Waingro."

"Michael".

"You guys always work together...tight crew...stop talking slick.

6. Neil's Gang Rob an Armoured Car - with casualties. 

Car - Int - Day. 

Ambulance driver radios hispanic man in car. 

Lorry reverses into shadows. they put on hockey masks. 

Lorry accelerates. 

Armoured car is stopped and then rammed by lorry. 

Guard tries to radio help. 

They blow the back of the car. 

they remove the guards. 

"you had to fuck with me."

Waingrow shoots his man, as a result all the guards are executed. 

Cops arrive, but they've put spikes the road. 

They bomb the ambulance and switch cars, escape. 

7. Neil Meets the Nate The Fence to fence the bonds and get a new job. 

- Fence the bonds. 

- Kick off Van Zant Story Line. 

The bonds belong to Roger Van Zant - involved in offshore drug money. 

Bonds are insured - because he's dodgy he might buy his bonds back. 

Trigger: Nate offers Neil a new score - meet 9am tomorrow. 

15 mins. 

8. Cops Get Clues at Crime Scene.

- Show that Vincent is brilliant. 

- Start Investigation and show that the crooks are brilliant. 

Ambulance dumped. Lorry - stolen out of Fresno. 

He takes the case (because it's big enough basically). 

Very few witnesses. 

Homeless guy overheard him saying, "Slick."

Ballistics - executed. 

1.6 Million in  Bonds. 

Kill two guards, kill the other one, what difference does it make. 

Shape charge - technically proficient. 

1. Start looking for high profile bulgaries. 

2. Check the normal fences. 

3. Get explosive details from bomb squad, it might be exotic and they can trace the sale. 

NB - There are a few leads here, as in a normal police investigation. 

9. Neil's Crew Try to Kill Waingro - but he escapes. 

Cafe - Int Day

Want some pie? Neil  Enters. Hits him. Lets split the money in the car. 

they exit the cafe. hits him again. the other two look out, they're going to kill him. 

Stops, see a cop car. it passes .

Out: Waingro is gone. 

10. Neil returns to Empty Beach House. 

- Show that Neil is lonely, his life lacks meaning. 

Silhouette. comes back. he's alone. stares out to sea. 

11. Chris Returns home and fights with Charlene about his gambling and leaves.  

- Show that Chris is a gambler and has tempestious relationship with wife. 

She calls him a gamber, he threatens her.

Out: He leaves in his fast car. 

12. Vincent learns the explosive Neil's Crew used is too common to be traced. 

Explosive called Diad. Explosive is too common to trace. 

13. Vincent Returns home late and argues with his wife about his hours.

- Show Vincent will sacrifice his wife for his job. 

"where you been?" "Work."

"Lauren's dad didn't turn up...I made dinner...you withdraw...I got three dead bodies on a side walk on venice boulevard, I'm sorry if the chicken is overcooked."

14. Neil meets Eadie. 

- Eadie meets Neil's Internal Need not to be lonely: she is the embodiment of his loneliness. 

Neil- book about metals. stress fractures in titaniun, why you so interested in what I read or what I do...I work in the book store...sorry I bothered you. 

My name's Neil...I'm Eadie.

you go to school for that?

You like it here? not really. 

a little house that I rent, kind of run down. 

30 mins.

15. Neil Kisses Eadie. 

Scot's Irish - 1700s vs. Bay Area. 

My mother died a long time ago. 

City lights...Fiji algae...that's what it looks like out there...going there some day...

Real Lonely. They kiss. 

[Notice the importance of the romantic interest in both cases: other halves can attack you personally and elucidate detail that wouldn't be feasible in a professional ally]. 

16. Neil leaves a Glass of Water by Eadie's Bed as he leaves. 

- Show Neil has a heart and isn't such a bad guy. 

Neil leaves her some water with a napkin wrapped round it.

17. Vincent gets information from Rat. 

- Start investigation that has no need. 

arrive at a run down neighbourhood. dogs barking. 

Albert. this aint disneyland...i do for you, you don't do for me.

Flamingo...cutting it smooth, generating leads. 

metaamphetamine...substance abuse problem 

Give me what you got, give me what you got. 

Brother richard gonna talking to you.

[Notice the importance of an informant on a dead end case]. 

Out: meet on BJ's on Alvarado at 2am. 

18. Neil meets Lead (wheelchair) about Bank Job. 

details of the case. 

night before cut in and trick out the computer. turn off 20 minutes before you go in. 

got the schamatics and the chips. 

Take is 12.2 million. 

Nate phones Van Sant. 100 from insurance. 40 from buying bonds back. 

Van Zant resolves to "Kill the son's of bitches." 

[Nice shot on long lens here, motorway in background]. 

19. Neil returns home to find Chris Sleeping on Floor. 

Neil phones Wife: Charlene: Chris is at my place, what's wrong? sleep it off here. 

Charlene's gonna leave me - not enough steaks in the feezer. Vegas - Superbowl cleaned me out. 

When you gonna get some furniture - when I get round to it. 

When you goinna get an Old lady - when I get round to it. 

she got anything else on the side?

Jimmy McElwain - said if you're going to do moves on the street. no attachments that you cannot walk away from in 40 seconds flat if you smell the heat around the corner. 

For me the sun rises and sets with her. 

Out: Go and get the money from Van Zant. 

20. Donald is humiliated on his first day at work. 

- Begin Subplot. Redemption. 

He leaves enters kitchen...Mop floors...25 per cent of take home comes back to me...

[Unfair Injury]. 

21. Neil calls Roger Van Zant to arrange to pick up Money for Bonds. 

says to call him back on another line. Gets a call to where to meet. 

Outside a motel. Neil sees Chris' wife Charlene with another man.

22. Neil captures Charlene cheating and persuades her to give Chris one last shot. 

Alan Marciano. 

Chris is going to straighten up. 

here's the deal give him the chance, if he fucks up again I will set you up myself. 

45 mins. 

23. Vincent Goes to Club to Meet Rat's Brother to get Lead on the Gang.

- Drive forward A Story. 

- Show Vincent is well connected in the underworld. 

knows the front of house of club. Walks around metal detector. 

Vincent meets brother Richard, the rat.. 

Wants Vincent to get rid of his competition in return for a favour. 

Folsom - 2,3 years. nothing's been going on. cat's got something's going down. pretty fucking great. 

drag me here - waste me time.

Reveal: "Slick." no joke. 

That's what he call people "slick.\2

Tell me about him...jailhouse tats. 

Out: Michael Cherito. 

24. Vincent phones office to get information on Michael Cherito. 

33 busts since 1976. 11 armed robbery. 

I want full surveillance. we never close. pictures of who he moves and sits with. 

[This is a great 

25. Neil tries to get the money from Van Zant, whose men attempt to kill him. He kills them. 

Put your hands where I can see them. Man gets out back of car. throws package in here.

Chris warns him, he reverses. Michael comes out and shoots him with a shot gun. 

Package is full of paper. 

26. Neil phones Van Zant and says he's going to kill him. 

Neil is phoning them from a kitchen. 

forget the money - dead man on the end of this line.

27. Spending time with his crew and loved ones makes him feel lonely so he phones Eadie. 

- Show that Neil lonely

Neil's crew are having a nice time. Neil looks around with almost paternal pride. Neil calls Eadie from Restaurant. Can I see you? Can I fall by?

[Note that Neil needs another trigger here to call her, to override his flaw]. 

28. Outside Vincent and Crew Scope Out Restaurant and ID Neil's Crew - but not Neil.  

they've scoped out platinum respository. 

Who's the loner...don't know. 

when these guys walk out the door, they're gonna have the surprise of a lifetime. 

[Notice the value of having a bit of mystery surrounding Neil here, could easily have just ID'd him almost immediately. There's something cool in the fact that they don't really know who he is, even though he's done time, he's the gray man].  

28. Hooker is killed by Waingrow.

- Show it's all relative. 

You're lying to me, I can always tell. 

monster fuck of my young life. You don't know what this is? Grim Reaper's visiting with you. 

[Waingrow is important to give relativity. Neil might be a cold-blooded bastard, but he's positively cuddly next to Waingro, who is a serial killer with no loyalty to anyone]. 

29. Waingrow asks for work in a bar, gets a name, Hugh Benny. 

Looking for work...call this guy, always putting guys on stuff. 

[It's kept pretty foggy how Waingro is connected to Neil by Hugh Benny, but because the events are so distant from each other it doesn't matter]. 

30. Vincent and crew are in  the bar when Vincent gets a call.

- Demonstrate that Vincent will always sacrifice his personal life for his work.

[notice synergy here with Neil's crew scene above]. 

"I can't keep my hands off you." Gets a beeper, abandons wife for crime. 

31. Vincent finds Waingro's victim and hugs/prevents her relatives from 

- To show that Vincent is a saviour.  

Beat her head in, same as the others. Mother and siblings, someone inside knew the girl and called the family. 

DNA Check on the semen. Your court if it's a serial killer. 

the mother sobs, Vincenet captures her. He holds her again.

[Note that it's pretty random that he is called to this, under the auspice of him working in "Major Crimes", if such a thing exists. It risks being unbelievable - The point of the scene is to show that it's not vanity or ambition that makes him choose his job over his wife. He is the guardian angel for those who can't protect themselves. Further evidence of this is suggested by the fact that none of his allies are called away to the crime - they  

32. Julia attacks Vincent for abandoning her. 

- Show us the collateral damage of his obsession. 

What was it? Tell Me. I don't do that.

You were going to have to share me with all the assholes in the world. you have to be sharing. Fried baby in a microwave because it was crying it...cathartically dispel that pain.

Got to hold my angst, keeps me sharp, on the edge where you need to be. 

You live among the remains of dead people...scent your prey, you hunt them down, that's all your commited to. the rest is the mess you leave when you pass through...I don't understand why I can't cut loose of you.

33. Donald finishes his shift and is comforted by his wife.

Wife urges him to hold on. what you hanging with me for Lily? What the hell you proud of me for?

[Donald's story doesn't need to exist, he's essentially collateral damage, with a short, but powerful story]. 

34. Neil tries to convince Eadie to come away with him. 

Skiing, meet people, try and have a good time. I'm not good at meeting people. 

Come with me to New Zealand. You don't know me - I know enough.

34a. Vincent sees Lauren on her own and picks her up. 

I felt like being alone. 

35.  Neil's Crew break into the Platinum Store, but they're alerted that they might be under surveillance and abandon it. 

The cops are all looking at surveillance. Stay off the air. 

Neil's crew break into a building. 

Michael climbs a telegraph pole. they open the door working in tandem. 

Neil enters. water drops. Neil waits outside in the shadows. 

Inside chris drills. 

a tropper leans back against the door. Neil stairs back at them. 

"we walk right now."

"not carrying anything."

"let them go...breaking and entering."

Vincent gets out, angry.   Back to work.

1'15 .

36. With the stakes raised, Neil and Crew decide that the bank is worth the risk, despite the Heat. 

Where did this Heat come from? Our option is to do the bank or go our separate ways each way. 

Bank is worth the risk - then I'm out. They decide the bank is worth the risk. 

Neil: I would cut loose on this. For me, the action is the juice. 

37. Vincent blackmails Charlene's Lover to work for him. 

Cigarettes, North Carolina, or you work for us. Charles...Who are you a fucking owl? 

Because she got a great...ass. A woman's ass - something comes out of me. Work with Sargeant Drucker. 

38. Neil tricks Vincent into the Open so he can ID him. 

They discuss logistics and leave. 

They were looking back at this direction...what the hell is going on? I got an idea of what they're looking at. Us!

This crew is good. We just got made. 

39. Neil gets information on Vincent from Nate. 

Fence gives details of schematics. They've been losing you at night.

Hanna likes you...prowling around all night. dedicated. 

40. Vincent arrives home to find his personal life is a mess, and then heads straight again after Neil. 

Wife is going out. Kitchen is a mess. He decides to go out again - run from personal problems.

41. Vincent Hunts Down Neil. 

Two units in front, three behind. Pick me up at the vermont on ramp. 

Vincent pulls over Neil offers to buy him a cup of coffee?

1'30. 

42. Neil and Vincent Connect and Say they're going to Kill each other, should the moment arrive. 

7 years in Folsom. Is McNeil as tough as they say?

I am never going back. Then don't take down scores. bbqs and ball games. 

That your life? my life is a disaster zone...because I spend all my life chasing guys like you around the block.

Guy told me - Once heat around the corner you have to drop everything.  If you have to move when I move how you going to keep a wife?

you gonna walk out on this woman? that's the discipline. 

I don't know how to do anything else. Neither do I. 

I don't much want to either. Neither do I.

recurring dream. 

what do they say? no talk?

i have one where I'm drying, i have to wake up or i drown. having enough time...to do what I want to do. 

brother, you are going down.  i will not hesitate. 

43. Vincent Learns that all of Neil's Crew lost their tail at the exact same moment. 

 

Nothing from Charlene. they dumped all our surveillance at 2100.

drives into LAX. he's gone. 

Reveal: they've lost them all!

44. Neil's Crew break into the underground of the bank and use the schematic to secure the alarm.  

Break into somewhere. Use schematic. 

45. Waingro offers to help Van Zant get Neil before he gets to him. 

They've found Waingro somehow. He's very thorough. probably busy right now. He aint gonna forget about you. 

I got some moves I can make. 

[Neil's Immoral Action comes back to haunt him]. 

46. Neil learns that Trejo can't come on the job because he's got a tail. 

recognise the Grill Man from Folsom. Where the hell his he?

Trejo calls - use the landline - call me at xxxx

Cops all over me - I can't dump em. doing parallels. 

47. Neil persuades Dominic to Replace Trejo. 

Looking for a driver - today. 

yes or no right now. 

This is a really powerful emotional revelation to the audience. It's the tragedy of a man who can't escape his flaw. 

48. Neil's Crew Robs Begins to Rob Bank. 

Neil enters cases joint. puts on mask. they take out security guards. think of your families, don't risk your life. 

sick, heart trouble, lean against the wall. 

hits manager, 

Chris enters vault and takes money. cuts open plastic. 

[This scene highlights Neil's professionalism, and compassion - he's morally just robbing very Rich People]. 

49. Vincent Receives An Anonymous Tip that Neil is Robbing a Bank. 

Tip off from Hugh Benny that Neil is Robbing a Bank.  

[How does Waingro know that Neil is Robbing the Bank, or are we to assume that the Hugh Benny has a lot of fingers in pies and just knows??] 

NB - Why would Hugh Benny phone from his own phone, give his own name. 

50. Neil and his Crew Exit the Bank and are Intercepted By Vincent's Crew.  

Cops are en route. Michael exits for car. Chris fires hits ginger cop. Driver is shot. A vicious firefight ensures. 

Michael is split from Chris and Neil. Chris is hit. Neil is forced to take Chris. 

They escape to a car park. 

[Note BBQs! Their criminal world is encroaching into everyday life. They escape. Michael escapes takes a hostage. 

51. Donald's Wife sees the Fallout of the Crime on TV. 

Emotional Beat. 

52. Charlene sees the robbery on TV and phones her lover to come and get her.  

Phones lover, you want me you get me. 

53. While Chris is operated on, Neil goes after Trejo

Surgeon takes off his shirt. My daughter gave it to me for father's day.

 Find out if our out got spilled. Trejo was the one who wasn't there. 

Tell Chris he'll meet him at Nate's. I'm not going without Charlene. 

[Notice the doctor taking his shirt off - more collateral damage] 

54. Neil goes to Trejo's house and reveals that Waingro and Van Zant extorted him. 

Sees his wife is butchered. 

They had Anna. Waingro. Van Zant. 

I don't remember Neil. 

Don't leave me like this.

[this scene explains how Hugh Benny knew where the robbery was going to be. 

55. Neil calls Nate and tells him to give him Van Zant's Address and to find Waingro. 

Gives him Van Zant's address. 

Tells him to find Waingro. 

56. Vincent smashes in the guy's door who gave the tip off about Neil's Bank Job to find out:

- What Neil's escape route is.

- Who told you to rat out Neil to them.  

Try and find out what Neil's Out is. 

Called on the tip of the bank. 

8-10 hours on the bank, after that's he's gone, by by. 

Who told you to rat McCauley to us?

[note it's pretty absurd that Hugh Benny would call from his own phone and give his name]. 

57. Neil kills Van Zant. 

Neil shoots through Glass. Waingrow where is he, how would I know. Kilsl him. 

58. Charlene is persuaded to give up Chris to save Dominic. 

Charlene arrives at safehouse and realises she's been tricked.  

She had a rough ride. 

if you want out this is out. 

you have to betray Chris, victimise DOminic.

59. Vincent lays a trap for Neil. 

High Benny has reformed his wayward life. Neil got sold out by Waingro. 

Money Launderer for Van Sant. Neil is going to go after Waingro. Hotel - Jamieson. 

Tell anyone who will put it on the street. lay a trap for Neil. 

Seven to eight hours max then he's gone. 

60. Neil tries to persuade Eadie to come with him. 

When it rains you get wet. Get packed, let's go. She runs, he stops her. 

61. Eadie's House - day. 

when will you let me leave? There's the door. It will be different - she rejects her. 

62. Vincent returns home to find that Justine is sleeping with Ralph to get back at him. 

Ralph is with wife. I'm very angry - Ralph. 

Bullshit house. I made ralph fuck you - I may be high on grass and prozac, walking though dead. 

63. Nate tells Neil his exit strategy and tells him that Chris is gone. 

Plane CHarter terminal hangar 17. five minutes then splits. 

Chris is gone. Free country brother. Check in with me at 0900. 

64. Neil persuades Eadie to come with him. 

There's no point in going anywhere anymore, if it's alone, without you. They hold each other. 

65. Charlene is asked to ID Chris, but instead she warns him. 

Come on sugar show yourself. One second at the window and it's all over. She warns Chris off her. 

Chris walks away. Pull him over anyway. Check him out. 

Chris escapes. 

Audience revelation here: Cops don't know.

66. Vincent phones up his leads and they're all dead. He admits defeat.  

Waingrow doing nothing. Neil is gone. Apparent Defeat. 

Bon voyage, you were good. I'm going to the hotel to sleep for a month.

Here he kicks his TV out of the car. 

67. Neil finds Lauren in his bath. 

Here has lost everything. His personal and professional life. 

Enters the bathroom Lauren is there - attempted suicide. 

"They can shoot themselves all fucking day, not you baby, not you. "

68. Neil arrives with Lauren at Hospital. 

Trauma and vascular. 

His cop skills saves the ones he loves. 

69. Nate tells Neil he is at the the Hotel Jamieson. 

Plane's in the air. 

Waingro is Hotel Marquis - Jamieson. 

Home free. 

Neil is deciding hr

He turns off to "take care of something."

[This action turns Neil's story into a tragedy here:- precision and professionalism means he can't get not let it go. He abandons his usual caution to seek revenge. Vincent is utterly beaten at this point - it's only Neil's Flaw that actually means he captures himself.] 

70. Neil Enters Hotel to Kill Waingro. 

Mirrors first scene. 

Guile - Enters room service. Jamieson. 1735. 

Cases the gun. man at desk almost sees him. 

Goes up in lift, pulls on fire alarm. 

71. Vincent and Justine decide that it can never work between them. 

She picked your place. Can it work out between us? I wish I could say. All i am is what I'm going after. 

I'm not what you want Justine. No i'll stay. Call me let me know you're okay. 

72. Neil kills Waingro. 

Knocks on door. Security - I can't leave here. 

Kicks down the Door. Look at me. Kills him. 

73. Neil escapes Hotel. 

Knocks out the LA PD cop behind him. 

74. Hotel Helicopter. 

Crew en route to 17th Floor. 

75. Vincent notices a woman waiting in a car, Vincent and Neil see each other and run. 

Audience inference - Vincent spots the anomaly of a woman sitting in a car during a fire alarm - waiting for someone.   

Neil is walking to car and he sees Vincent. He waivers and has to run. 

76. Airfield. 

He chases him into a maze of containers. He runs as plane passes. Runs out of bullets on shotgun. 

Lights come on and illuminate him. Looks like Vincent is going to get shot. Sees his shadow and turns and shoots hits him. 

I told you I wasn't going back. Holds his hand, so at least he doesn't die alone. 

Notes:

- No Dialogue in this scene, all played out as action. 

- Rise and fall of dramatic tension. 

ENDS.