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Are We Free to Go?

By Andrew Koltsoon

Andrew Koltsoon Akolts@pointpark.edu

FADE IN: EXT. HOUSE PARTY - NIGHT FRANK (19) stands beside his car as BRANDON (20) stumbles out of the house. He helps him walk to the car. FRANK I take it you had a good time? BRANDON Dude those Russians know how to party. FRANK Theyre not- just get in the car. Brandon opens his door, and falls into his seat. BRANDON Wait, dude can you give a ride to Jennifer? Shes this chick I met, super hot. FRANK Come on dude, Im here to take you home. BRANDON Dont make me a liar man, I promised her. Plus you remember last summerFRANK All right fine. She better be worth your time. As he tries to get up, Brandon waves to JENNIFER (20), who is by the front door. She walks over, and gets in the back seat. They drive off. EXT./INT. FRANKS CAR - NIGHT Brandon and Jennifer flirt, while Frank looks for her house. FRANK Which street did you say you lived on?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: JENNIFER Its the left turn coming up, or maybe the one after. Which one did we just pass? FRANK We just passed Milltown Road. JENNIFER (to Brandon) We should totally get lunch later. Frank slams on his brakes. FRANK Was that it? JENNIFER What? No, I said its further down.

2.

Annoyed, Frank cranks the volume on his music. He jams out while the other two continue to tease each other. INT. POLICE CRUISER - NIGHT OFFICER NELSON (32) turns up the volume on the police radio. He hears some banter, but nothing catches his attention. He pulls out his radar gun, and adjusts the settings. EXT./INT. FRANKS CAR - NIGHT They approach an intersection in the road. JENNIFER Here, turn here! He turns on his blinker, and begins his turn. JENNIFER No! I meant the next street. Swerving back into his lane Frank does not notice the cop hiding ahead. As the music is blaring, he quickly makes the next left, without using his signal. Officer Nelson turns on his sirens and pulls Frank over. He turns the music down. FRANK Shit. Okay guys, be quiet, let me do all the talking. He turns off the car, switches on the light inside his car, and puts both hands on the steering wheel.

3. INT./EXT. POLICE CRUISER - NIGHT Inside his cruiser, Officer Nelson turns his spotlight towards Franks car. He steps out, puts his cap on, and walks up to Franks window. Frank lowers his window slightly. FRANK Hello officer. OFFICER NELSON I pulled you over because you were swerving back there. Can I see your license, registration, and insurance please? Reaching into his pocket, Frank pulls out his wallet and hands the officer his license. FRANK My registration and insurance are in there. As the officer shines his flashlight on the glove box, Frank searches for his documents. Brandon and Jennifer glance at each other as fear creeps onto their faces. OFFICER NELSON Well? Mister....Neuer? Frantically searching in the glove box, he cant find it. He flips through some papers, and finds an envelope. Opening it, Frank spots the documents he needs. FRANK Sorry, here you go. Officer Nelson takes the items and heads back to his car. BRANDON Dude, hes gonna arrest me. Fuck man, Im going to jail. FRANK Calm down man, no one is going to jail. Just dont tell him you are underage. Dont even talk to him. BRANDON Arent you scared man? Jennifer reaches into her purse and searches for something.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

FRANK Of course. My parents will stop paying for school if I fuck up one more time. BRANDON Then how can you be so calm? She pulls some weed out from her purse and stealthily hides it under the passenger seat. FRANK Because I need to be. Shut up, hes coming back. OFFICER NELSON Well there arent any warrants out for you Frank. You mind telling me what happened back there? Frank remains silent. OFFICER NELSON I asked you a question kid. FRANK How can I help? OFFICER NELSON You can help by answering my damn questions. You been drinking tonight? FRANK No officer, I am the designated driver for my friends here. They drank a little to much, and I offered them a ride home. Officer Nelson shines his flashlight into the backseat scanning the seat. He shines the light into Jennifers face, she squints and looks away. He does the same to Brandon, who freezes up, and stares at the cop. OFFICER NELSON They look pretty banged up. (to Brandon) Hey passenger, how much did you drink tonight? Frank turns and looks at Brandon, who meets his gaze. He shakes his head. His eyes shift towards the cop.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

BRANDON Umm... Brandon looks to Frank in fear. The cop notices their communication. OFFICER NELSON Frank, can you step out of the car. FRANK Why officer? OFFICER NELSON Get out of the vehicle now! Frank steps out of the car, rolls up the window, and locks the door behind him. EXT. SIDE OF ROAD - NIGHT The officer leads Frank back to his cruiser. FRANK Officer am I being detained or am I free to go? OFFICER NELSON (to his radio) I got a possible 10-55, requesting backup. Now Frank, Im going to have you perform a few simple sobriety tests. Stand over here, feet shoulder length apart, hands at your sides. Unwillingly, Frank walks over and stands in the position. OFFICER NELSON Now Im going to ask you to touch your index finger to your nose. Hold you arms out to the side now. FRANK Wait officer, can you be more specific? Do I have to touch the pad of my finger to the tip of my nose? The officer, annoyed with Franks questions, raises his voice.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.

OFFICER NELSON Yes, touch the pad of your finger to the tip of your nose. Start with your right hand. Frank performs the task without any errors. He then does the other hand, flawlessly as well. Another cop, OFFICER BRADLEY (28), arrives at the scene. Officer Nelson walks up to him and they whisper to each other. OFFICER NELSON Okay Frank, now youre going to have to follow this pen with your eyes. Officer Bradley draws his flashlight and makes his way to the passenger side of Franks car. INT./EXT. FRANKS CAR - NIGHT He peeks into the backseat, and scans it with his light. JENNIFER (under her breath) Shit! She crosses her legs, and purposely blocks the officers view under the seat. He notices this. OFFICER BRADLEY Miss, can you please move your feet? JENNIFER What? She rolls down her window to hear the cop. OFFICER BRADLEY I want to take a look around, would you mind moving you legs please? JENNIFER Umm...sure. Reluctantly, Jennifer slowly moves her legs out of the way. The cop shines his light down at the floor. He scans it briefly, notices nothing, and moves on. He walks up to Brandon, and asks him questions.

7. EXT. SIDE OF ROAD - NIGHT Frank starts the next field sobriety test. OFFICER NELSON Put you right foot in front of your left, heel to toe. Walk ten paces, turn and come back. Frank puts his right heel in front of his left toe. FRANK Does this here count as the first step? Aggravated, Officer Nelson secretly reaches for his cuffs. OFFICER NELSON Yes, yes it does. Frank focuses on his steps, and counts to himself under his breath. Officer Nelson takes out his cuffs and waits. Frank turns, and heads back. Officer Nelson returns the cuffs to their clip. OFFICER NELSON Very good Frank. The second cop returns and they head to the cruiser to talk. They call Frank over to his car. OFFICER NELSON Who has drugs in your car Frank? Caught off guard, Frank is defensive. FRANK Drugs? No one has drugs officer. OFFICER NELSON Im going to need everyone to step out please. Frank motions to his friends to exit the car. They close the doors behind them, and Frank closes and locks the doors. OFFICER NELSON My partner here spoke to both passengers. Not only were they intoxicated, but the female in the back seemed to be hiding something. Frank is silent. The officer grows angry.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

OFFICER NELSON All right Frank, can you open your car please? We need to take a look to make sure you dont have any contraband. Youre not hiding anything are you? FRANK No sir. I dont consent to any searches officer. OFFICER NELSON Listen mister lawyer boy, you have two choices. If you cooperate, I can help you. If you choose to not cooperate, I cant help you. Youll have to wait for the K-9 units to show up and rip up your car. If they find anything youre not supposed to have, your ass is going to jail, along with your two buddies. They stare intensely eye to eye. FRANK Sir, men and women have died fighting to keep this country safe and free. They gave their lives to protect everyones rights, and I refuse to let their sacrifices go to waste. You will not search my vehicle. OFFICER NELSON Alright Mr. Neuer, it seems youve made your choice. Wait here. Both officers return to the police cruiser. Brandon sighs lightly and turns to Frank. Jennifer, almost in tears, shakes slightly. Brandon walks up and give Jennifer his coat. He wraps his arms around her. BRANDON Dude! What the fuck is happening. Im gonna end up in jail man! FRANK Look guys calm down. Trust me, I got a lot riding on this as well. But dont worry, there arent any drugs in there. Even if the dogs do come, there is nothing to find. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

In his pocket, Franks phone goes off. He pulls it out, and notices its his mother. He panics, but then puts it away. JENNIFER Umm guys... Franks eyes dart to Jennifer. Brandon lets go and stares at her. She picks her head up slightly. Officer Nelson grabs his radio and speaks into it. JENNIFER I may have hid my weed under the front seat. BRANDON Shit! Are you serious! Dude, we are screwed. FRANK Guys calm down. Remember theyre watching us. INT. POLICE CRUISER - NIGHT Officer Bradley looks at the group of friends as they talk nervously. EXT. SIDE OF ROAD - NIGHT The friends try not to appear suspicious as they converse. FRANK Listen, he doesnt have probable cause to search the car. He is just suspicious. Jennifer, did he see the weed under the seat? JENNIFER I..I dont know. I mean I had my feet covering it. He looked with the flashlight, but didnt say anything. Im so sorry! Frank paces a little. FRANK Okay, soHe is cut off by the door of the police cruiser slamming. Both officers approach the group. They scan the group before turning their attention to Frank.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.

OFFICER NELSON Frank, you better watch your attitude in the face of the law. Who are you to tell me where I can and cant look? Frank looks at Officer Nelson. He says nothing. OFFICER NELSON Heres a ticket for careless driving, and failure to signal lane change. Do not let me catch you again. Drive safe. FRANK Thank you officer, you have a great night. Frank smirks slightly, but quickly turns and walks back to his car. They get in and buckle up. FRANK Dont say a word until we are out of here. He pulls out onto the road, and drives safely down the road, taking the first left. The cops behind him turn on their sirens. The friends are all shocked. The police cars pull a u-turn, and head in the opposite direction. FRANK Who else needs a drink? Everyone lets out a laugh of relief. BRANDON Jen, please never pull that shit again. JENNIFER Trust me I wont. In fact Im gonna throw it out now. She reaches under the seat, then opens her window. FRANK AND BRANDON NO! FADE OUT.

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