CROOKED VENGEANCE

Written by

Jake Mason

Original Concept by
Brandon Shears

© Entertain UK February 2018

jakemason0@[Link]
07817 519318
 FADE IN:

1 INT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT 1

EN
We see BERNIE, a young blonde man, lying on his front on a
kitchen floor. We hear echoed shouts and shots of police
uniform.

BERNIE (V.O.)
On this floor tonight, I wonder,
what was I trying to achieve
really? Was it happiness or by my
own nature satisfaction? You might
TE
think they’re the same but to a man
filled with rage; it’s an itch you
have to scratch.
How could I have been so short
sighted?

Why did I not choose what I knew

was more important?
R
Now I am faced with an even harder
decision.
TA
2 INT. HOUSE ROBBERY - NIGHT 2

We see a man lying in bed sleeping, he turns over. As the

narration starts, we see Bernie, a young, blonde man,
levering open a window from the exterior of the house. We cut
to images of valuable jewellery, antiques and cash being
grabbed and bagged in a small sports bag by Bernie.
IN
BERNIE (V.O.)
Thief. Crook. Criminal... That's
what I am. Nothin' more; nothin'
less.
I mean who doesn't take out home
insurance theses days. It's not
like I rob council houses or the
vulnerable.
UK
Why would I nick some old widow's
husband's war medals.
You couldn't even tempt me with a
fucking fat ass TV. How am I
getting away with that?
Just as with any occupation, I
specialise.

Bernie drops an item walking up the stairs, making a loud

sound.
 2.

As the music starts to become more sinister we see the man

start to wake. The man gets out of bed and walks out of his
bedroom. The man turns the landing light on.

We see Bernie sprint down the stairs and out of the front
EN
door, into a getaway vehicle. The car revs loud and speeds
off into the distance. We see the driver, and Bernie in the
front passenger’s seat holding the bag. Focusing on the bag
we cross fade into the next scene...

SLOW CROSS-FADE:

3 EXT. MARK'S HOUSE - DAY 3

TE
We see the bag held by Bernie walking down a street. Bernie
walks up the driveway and to the front door of a quiet,
middle-class home. Bernie knocks on the door and waits until
a tall, brown haired man in his twenties opens the door with
a warm greeting.

MARK
R
(opening the door)
Bernie! Come in!

BERNIE
(stepping in)
TA
Alright, loot as usual.

MARK
(walking)
Yeh, yeh, yeh, its all good boss.

We see Bernie sit down opposite MARK in his kitchen/diner.

IN
MARK (CONT’D)
So, what be in the bag today?

We see Bernie open the small sports bag, take out and open a
box full of gold rings.

MARK (CONT’D)
Ah my favourite!
UK

BERNIE
(Handing the rings over)
I'm curious how'd you value this
shit.

Mark turns around to grab a jeweller's eye piece.

MARK
Depends, nah mean?
 3.

Bernie leans in.

BERNIE
Not quite?
EN
Mark begins and continues to inspect a gold ring.

MARK
Well, the value depends on the
carat and weight.

Mark turns around again to plop the ring on a digital scale

and makes a calculation on his phone.
TE
BERNIE
(begins to stand and move
towards Mark)
Yeah, but what’s my value.

Mark puts the ring on a small piece of paper and notes down
it’s pound value. When he turns around to reply to Bernie he
is already stood right next to Mark's face.
R
MARK
(face to face)
Just below scrap value.
TA
BERNIE
How much below?

Mark moves on to the next ring.

MARK
Ay you never asked before?
IN
BERNIE
Well I'm asking now.

MARK
Thirty percent.

BERNIE
And you sell it scrap value.
UK

MARK
Well yeah boss that's all its good
for init. You get a better rate
than bloody Roger.

BERNIE
Roger!? What are you doing fucking
with that cunt.
 4.

MARK
Money is money. I don’t care where
it comes from.

BERNIE
EN
Listen, that dog needs a beatin’
after what he did.

MARK
What and risk business.

BERNIE
The cunt needs to be put in his
place Mark. You should know that.
TE
MARK
Maybe I’ll help you fuck over Roger
rabbit, if I can profit.

Mark values the last ring and starts to count up a wad of

cash from a red safe.
R
BERNIE
Would make my day mate. Think how
much more money we could make
selling shit privately online.
TA
Mark stops what he's doing, stands up and pushes Bernie.

MARK
Now that's how you get fucking
caught idiot! Advertising stolen
shit online.
(shaking his head)
IN
BERNIE
Alright, alright, fucking just an
idea.

MARK
You just let me do what I do, and
it’s cool. Anything else in that
bag?
UK

BERNIE
Nah, had to get out quick didn't I.
Gezzer woke up and nearly caught
me.

Mark hands over the cash and the two start walking towards
the door.
 5.

MARK
Ah well better than being caught.
Be fucking carful, we got a good
thing going on. Oh. I got your
order.
EN
Mark grabs a paper bag from the kitchen counter.

BERNIE
Thanks buddy, pleasure doing
business.

Bernie starts to turn his back and opens the door.

TE
MARK
Hey! What am I?

BERNIE
A legitimate private jewels dealer!

MARK
Yeh you got that right.
R
The door shuts.

CUT TO:
TA
4 INT. BERNIE’S CAR - DAY 4

We see Bernie driving in his car with the paper bag on the
passenger’s seat.

BERNIE (V.O.)
Mark is a nutter. One you don’t
IN
want to get on the wrong side of.
Used to be a high class thief
robbing banks. But ever since he
was in the slammer he’s been just
dealing. One of my most trusted
allies. Unlike many of the pricks I
seem to come across.
UK
While driving Bernie takes out a black pistol from the brown
paper bag, he holds it up.

BERNIE (V.O.) (CONT’D)

Roger, my first ever running buddy

for four years. We must of robbed
fifty grand in those years. My
brother, the one who’s supposed to
look out for me, and the bastoard
turned on me for greed.
(MORE)
 6.

BERNIE (V.O.) (CONT’D)

Ohh, what I would do if I saw that
rat walking down the street.

Bernie then puts the pistol in the glove box, the music
reverbs and we whip-pan into a flash back.
EN
FLASH BACK:

5 EXT. DRUG DEALERS HOUSE - NIGHT 5

We see Bernie and ROGER walking down a dimly lit street and
turn into a house.
TE
6 INT. DRUG DEALERS HOUSE - NIGHT 6

We see Roger first and then Bernie walk though the slightly
open font door.

BERNIE
R
Ay, this ain’t right, the door’s
open.

ROGER
Ah, we can handle it.
TA
Bernie stares at Roger turning his head making an anxious
annoyed look. They continue into the house.

They enter the living-room which is littered with drug

paraphernalia, drugs and cash. Bernie immediately starts
stuffing bags with cocaine and cash.
IN
Roger stands still and an eerie vibe fills the room when a
large figure slowly walks towards Bernie from behind.

Bernie turns around to find a very tall angry drug dealer,

who immediately punches Bernie in the face and knocks him
again to the ground. Roger then joins in beating and kicking
Bernie, who helplessly tries to stand and fight.
UK
Bernie becomes swollen with bruises and blood pours from his
nose. The two take each end of Bernie’s battered body;
carrying him outside and shoving him into the boot of the
getaway car.

DRIVER
(leaning out of the
drivers window)
Oi! What the fuck’s going on?
 7.

ROGER
(giving the driver £30)
Keep quiet you dick. I’ll be back.

Roger runs back into the house with the drug dealer and
EN
raises a gun to his head. BANG! the dealer is lying on the
floor and Roger proceeds to bag every valuable item in sight,
running back to into the car.

DRIVER
You’re a fucking idiot, scumbag.

ROGER
Do your damn job and drive!
TE
The car speeds off.

We then see Bernie being dragged out of the boot and on to a

street corner.

ROGER (CONT’D)
Sorry mate, I couldn’t resist.
R
Roger walks back round the car.

BERNIE
You better hide you little shit.
TA
Because I’m coming for you.

END OF FLASHBACK

FADE TO BLACK:
IN
7 INT. BERNIE’S FLAT - EVENING 7

We see Bernie get though the front door of his flat. He goes
to his bedroom and hides his cash in a shoebox under his bed.

We see Bernie sit on his sofa and begin to relax watching

television.
UK

Bernie looks depressed and turns the TV off. He goes to his

phone and makes a call.

When the recipient answers the screen splits to reveal a

young lady.

CHARMAIN
(into phone)
Bernie?
 8.

BERNIE
(into phone)
Char, I just wanted to speak.

CHARMAIN
EN
Have you sorted out what I asked.

BERNIE
Well, nah not really ‘cause it’s
hard. I got bills to pay baby.

CHARMAIN
The door is open, you just got to
work to open it. I can’t be
TE
involved in your games.

BERNIE
Yeah, I plan to pack the games up,
be a better man, for you.

CHARMAIN
When’s it going to happen then?
R
I’ve been waiting too long.

BERNIE
I know, I’m sorry. I got to get one
more thing done and I’m out.
TA
CHARMAIN
Why don’t you ever tell me exactly
what you’re trying to do? I know
you can be this man, but your
holding back.

BERNIE
IN
I just got to get even, with a
gezzer.

CHARMAIN
Call me when you’ve sorted your
life out then.

BERNIE
UK
I need company, Charmain.

CHARMAIN
Goodbye, Bernie.

Charmain hangs up her phone. The split screen goes back to

just Bernie and he punches the wall in frustration.
 9.

BERNIE (V.O.)
What I am is not what I want to be.
A man without commitment, a man
with nobody to really turn to. I’m
only just starting to comprehend
EN
life.

FADE TO BLACK:

CUT TO:

8 INT. MARK’S HOUSE - NIGHT 8

TE
We see Mark sat on his sofa waiting, clicking his fingers.
Hearing a knock on the door, Mark gets up and opens the door.

MARK
Come in lads.

ROGER
This is Gerald.
R
Mark closes the door.

GERALD
(raising right hand)
TA
Hey

Mark dismisses GERALD’S attempt to shake his hand. Gerald

looks anxious.

MARK
New partner?
IN
ROGER
Well, I need all the help I can
get.

MARK
Hmm, not going to fuck this one
over then.
UK
ROGER
Nah, I’ve learned.

MARK
Good.

Mark turns his back and starts to walk into the kitchen.
Roger and Gerald follow.

MARK (CONT’D)
Now what you boys trying to sell?
 10.

GERALD
(getting loot out of bag)
Two gold necklaces’ and a laptop.

MARK
EN
Fuck the laptop.

Roger smirks and Gerald passes Mark the gold. Mark sits down
and starts to inspect the two necklaces.

ROGER
We got a big score coming up.

MARK
TE
(using eyepiece)
Ah right. A house?

Mark continues to work out a value.

ROGER
Yeah, we need some help.
R
MARK
Well I can only drive, boys.

ROGER
Mark, this is the owner a big ass
TA
company, there’s going to be a lot
of shit to clear.

Mark stops what he is doing and looks at Roger.

MARK
I don’t care son.
IN
GERALD
If you help clear we can make more
money.

MARK
Just who the fuck do you think you
are, just fucking stay quiet.
UK
Gerald becomes embarrassed and doesn't make any eye contact
with Mark.

ROGER
He didn’t mean to insult you Mark.

MARK
I’m not a front line man Roger, you
know that.
 11.

ROGER
Alright, but this place is on the
market.

Mark weighs up one of the necklaces.

EN
MARK
(jokingly)
So haha. You want me to book a
viewing?

ROGER
Now, we know the owners are away
at the moment. But we think the
TE
daughter is taking viewings.

GERALD
Amazing how useful Instagram can
be.

MARK
Oh so you’re serious, you want me
R
to view the house?

ROGER
Well, that would be helpful.
TA
MARK
Me driving?

ROGER
Yes

Mark starts counting out cash.

IN
MARK
Well, what’s in it for me?

ROGER
Twenty percent.

Mark looks displeased.

UK
ROGER (CONT’D)

Uhh, thirty.

MARK
(cash in hand)
Deal. Well I think this is gunna go
just how I want to it go.

Mark stands up and gives the cash to Roger.

 12.

ROGER
You bet.

MARK
Pleasure doing business boys.
EN
Mark sees Roger and Gerald out.

ROGER
See ya.

GERALD
Yeah safe.
TE
As soon as the door closes Mark goes to the phone and calls
Bernie. When Bernie answers the phone we split screen. We see
Bernie half asleep on his sofa.

BERNIE
(into phone)
Mark, it’s late.
R
MARK
We are on.

BERNIE
For what?
TA
MARK
Fucking over Roger rabbit.

BERNIE
Fantastic, when?

MARK
IN
Come to the pub mate, we need to
talk shit through.

BERNIE
Can’t it wait?

MARK
No, you pleb. You wanted this and
UK
the conditions have arisen.

BERNIE
Fine I’ll be there, Bell?

MARK
Bell it is.

CUT TO:
 13.

9 INT. THE BELL INN - NIGHT 9

We see a montage of signage, pints filling up, being sipped

and lines of cocaine being snorted.
EN
BERNIE
So bunny boy wants to hit a farm
house.

MARK
Yeah, and it’s on the market, so
you need to go for a viewing. Ha.

BERNIE
TE
Aha.

MARK
(on his smart phone)
Better dress smart, your name is
Greg. I’ve booked it for 11am
tomorrow, I’ll send you the address
now, and act sophisticated, we
R
don’t want to fuck this up.

BERNIE
Sound. But how’s the whole thing
happening, you know.
TA
MARK
Well that why we came to the pub,
I’m bunny’s driver. Oh and get this
he’s got a new partner, Gerald.

BERNIE
Now that’s slimy as fuck.
IN
MARK
I’m afraid you’re going to have to
do all the dirty work. I’ll be in
my car waiting for you. Although
Roger thinks I’m driving for him.

BERNIE
UK
Right, so I have to take on two
buggers.

MARK
Well, you got the motivation and
what about that order you got in
the glove box.

The scene pauses for Bernie’s narration.

 14.

BERNIE (V.O.)
Now at this point, I start to
wonder; is it really worth it? I
mean I can’t let Roger get away
with what he did but this is a huge
EN
risk. I’ve known Roger since I was
thirteen, he would always get his
own way. But this could be my last
score, go out on a bang. Then I get
outta the business.

We continue the scene.

BERNIE
TE
Jesus Christ I’m no killer Mark.

MARK
Yeah but it’s quite a bit of
leverage ha.

BERNIE
I suppose they won’t be in one
R
place together when they’re
clearing.

MARK
Exactly, they can do most of the
TA
work and then you take em out one
by one.

BERNIE
What about the daughter?

MARK
Not your problem, that’s for bunny
IN
boy haha.

BERNIE
You know this is gunna be my last
score.

MARK
Charmain huh?
UK

BERNIE
Yeah.

MARK
You know there’s plenty more fish
in the sea, plenty of unlawful
women too. How do you think I met
my wife?
 15.

BERNIE
Ah Angie, bless her. But Mark I’ve
come to realize I don’t want to
live this life. All the paranoia,
lies, unfulfilled desires. It
EN
doesn’t end well, for god sake,
Angie died.

MARK
Now that was my fault. So fuck off.

BERNIE
Stop blaming yourself Mark. It was
the smack.
TE
MARK
(sighs)

BERNIE
I’m sorry. Charmain, won’t just
make me happier she’ll make me a
better man Mark.
R
MARK
(drinking pint)
Hmmm
TA
Mark downs the rest of his pint the two get up and put their
glasses on the bar. As we tilt down from the pub sign we see
them walk out of the pub.

CROSS-FADE:

10 EXT. FARM HOUSE - DAY 10

IN
We see Bernie pull up to a quiet farm house in the
countryside; a for sale sign visible. The sun is shining and
Bernie is smartly dressed in a white shirt. We follow him
through the gates as they open, and up the drive way to meet
a young lady standing just outside the doorway.

MARY
UK
(smiling and presenting
her hand)
Hello, you must be Greg.

BERNIE
Yes, and you?

MARY
Mary.
 16.

BERNIE
Lovely to meet you.

MARY
Come on in.
EN
We see Bernie enter the kitchen with the young lady as she
shows him around.

MARY (CONT’D)
(smiling)
So, this is the kitchen, as you can
see ha.
TE
BERNIE
You don’t say, this is beautiful.
Can I see the garden?

MARY
Of course come through.

Mary walks through the back door and Bernie follows.

R
MARY (CONT’D)
So the house comes with 4 acres of
land.
(pointing)
TA
This field and that field.

We see shots of the house, objects in the house. We see

Bernie pay extra attention to valuable commodities.

We then see Bernie say goodbye and leave in his car.

FADE TO BLACK:
IN
EXT. MARK’S CAR - NIGHT

We see Mark, Roger and Gerald pull up in a car close to the

target house. Roger checks his pistol’s magazine and then he
and Gerald put balaclavas on.
UK
MARK
Now, my intelligence suggests the
highest value loot will be in the
master bedroom. The daughter will
be in the living room most likely.

ROGER
Fucking hell gone all
sophisticated.
Why did you view the target, when
we’re the ones cracking this score?
 17.

MARK
Because I felt you could give the
game away, with your faces and all.
Anyway I sent you the photos.
EN
GERALD
So we are going through the back
door?

ROGER
Yes through the fields and the back
gate.

MARK
TE
Good luck.

ROGER
We’ll see you on the other side.

Gerald and Roger leave the car, discretely hopping the fence
into the field. We see them walk through the field and open
the back gate.
R
EXT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT

Roger peers inside the empty lit kitchen. We see the Woman
TA
watching the television and then Roger and Gerald opening the
back door. The commercial advert break starts and the young
woman stands up from the sofa and walks out of the room
towards the kitchen.

INT. MARK'S CAR - NIGHT

IN
We see mark on the phone.

MARK
(speaking into mobile)
Oi they’ve gone.

We hear Bernie’s response through Mark’s phone.

UK
BERNIE (O.S.)
Alright safe.

A moment later Bernie opens’s the passenger’s door and sits

in the seat. There is a moment of silence before Bernie
speaks.

BERNIE (CONT’D)
So, here we are then.
 18.

MARK
I haven’t felt this thrill in a
while.

BERNIE
EN
Can’t believe things are finally
going my way.

MARK
You derive in mate. I’m sorry I did
business with Rabbit boy behind
your back.

BERNIE
TE
I don’t blame you, he makes a good
turn around. Just happens to be a
cunt.

CUT TO:

INT. FARM HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT

R
We see Mary walk into the kitchen and second she lays eyes on
the men she screams at the top of her lungs in fear. Roger
and Gerald look at each-other for a split second before
sprinting after Mary. Mary runs back the way she came and
TA
then up the first steps of the stairs. Roger chasing after
her, leaps for her ankle, grabbing and bringing the woman to
the floor. The woman continues to scream and curse at the
two.

MARY
(screaming)
Get off me you fucking bastards!
IN
Ahhhhhh!
What are you going to do?!

Gerald proceeds to silence Mary with gaffer tape as she

continues to frantically scream, while Roger tapes up her
legs. Mary is left shaking and humming as loud as she can
trough the tape.
UK
ROGER
Right, into the kitchen.

Mary starts screaming more hysterically as Gerald lifts her

body and Roger starts to lift her legs. The two struggle to
carry Mary as she tries to wriggle out of her capture.

CUT TO:
 19.

INT. MARK'S CAR - NIGHT

We see Bernie and Mark still in his car.

BERNIE
EN
How long do you think I should
wait.

MARK
Hmm, as long as you have the
advantage of surprise and they have
taken care of the girl.

BERNIE
TE
A sign would be good haha.

MARK
I mean you could just wait outside
the back door until it’s clear.

We hear the screams of Mary.

R
MARK (CONT’D)
Fucking hell, they ain’t modest are
they.

BERNIE
TA
I guess I’ll have to go now.

Bernie puts a stocking over his head. We see him check his
gun. Mark then pulls out a bag of coke.

MARK
Gotta have the edge.
IN
BERNIE
Yeah alright

Bernie snorts a line.

MARK
Safe mate.
UK
The two fist bump and Bernie leaves Mark’s car. We see him
jump the fence.

INT. FARM HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT

Roger and Gerald lie Mary on the kitchen floor. Gerald

watches over her when Roger grabs a dinning room chair.

ROGER
Watch her, I’m getting a chair.
 20.

Roger returns with the chair and the two put Mary reluctantly
on the chair and begin to tie her up.

We see from Bernie’s perspective just outside the Kitchen

window.
EN
After they have tied her up they start looking around for
valuable items to bag around the house. Roger goes upstairs
and Gerald searches downstairs.

As soon as Bernie sees that the Kitchen is clear he enters

through the back door. Mary turns her head to Bernie and
screams as she watches him walk towards the hallway door and
get cover gun in hand waiting to strike.
TE
We see Roger in a bed room turning the place upside down. He
finds some cash, a camera and takes a ring. We then see
Gerald in the living room looking for valuables. He steps
back into the hallway and looks up the stairs.

GERALD
(shouting)
R
Roger! What about the TV.

ROGER
(shouting)
Nah fuck it. Keep your voice down.
TA
Gerald then walks towards the kitchen through the door when
he is struck in the neck by Bernie with the pistol. Gerald
falls to the floor chocking, Mary starts crying with hysteria
and Bernie punches Gerald in the face.

We see Roger in the master bedroom looking through draws,

when he heres the commotion he stops.
IN
ROGER (CONT’D)
(shouting)
Oi whats going on?

Roger leaves the room. We see Bernie leave carefully through

the doorway. Gerald still wheezing and rolling on the floor
in pain; blood drips from his nose.
UK

Bernie discreetly moves past the stairs before Roger could

see him and hides in the dinning room. Roger continues into
the kitchen and finds Gerald on the floor.

ROGER (CONT’D)
What the fuck happened?

Mary starts to laugh as Gearld holds his throat with one hand
and points to the hallway with the other he tries to speak.
 21.

GERALD
(in a croaked voice)
Ahh, he went out there.

Roger turns and heads into the hallway with his knife in hand
EN
looking for Bernie. We see Bernie hiding at the side of the
door in the dining room. Roger looks in the living room and
then turns into the dining room. Bernie hits Roger in the
head with his gun.

BERNIE
Hello, old timer.

ROGER
TE
(holding his head)
Fuck you. Bernie, you think you can
fuck me over.

Roger takes a stab at Bernie with his knife, Bernie dodges.

BERNIE
Why’d you do it Roger.
R
Roger tries another stab but Bernie catches his hand in
motion cutting Bernie's hand. The two are struggling for
control of the knife.
TA
ROGER
Why don’t you just shoot me?

BERNIE
I’m not here to kill you.

At this point Bernie kicks Roger’s leg and trips him up. The
two continue to battle for control of the knife on the floor.
IN
ROGER
You haven’t got a choice. It’s you
or me.

BERNIE
No.
UK
Bernie struggles to pull the knife away from both of them.
Roger pushes the Knife towards Bernie.

ROGER
(shouting)
Gerald! Fucking get in here you
stupid pansy.

Bernie starts to make head way pushing the knife to Roger.

 22.

BERNIE
You’re right, I don’t have a
choice.

The knife starts to touch Roger. Bernie pushes his hardest,

EN
slowly penetrating Roger’s abdomen.

Roger screams.

ROGER
(screaming)
ARGHHHHHH

Just as Gerald gets up, Roger lets go and the knife plummets
TE
into his body. Bernie gets up quick but is tackled to the
ground by Gerald and sits on top of him. Gerald starts laying
punch after punch into Bernie’s face. Bernie reaches for his
gun on the floor, Gerald oblivious. Bernie finally gets the
gun and shoots Gerald in his side. Gerald falls.

Bernie lays on the ground breathing heavily gun still in hand

on the floor, taking a moment to reconcile.
R
Almost immediately two we see Police officers burst into the
house, reassure Mary and then burst into the hallway.

POLICE OFFICER ONE

TA
(shouting)
Put the gun down! Now! Put the gun
down.

POLICE OFFICER TWO

(shouting)
Put the gun down! And put your
hands in the air now!
IN
Bernie looks devastated. The scene pauses.

BERNIE
That’s it. No more happiness. I’ve
fucked it. I’ve ruined the score,
brought distraught, and for what.
My own revenge. Well I’ve got it
UK
now, turns out only could only have
one wish. I only have two more
options to be free of everything or
to be bound for longer than I have
lived. I’ve let Mark down, he’ll
have a price on my head. Charmaine
could’t be further from me. I
choose to be at peace.

The scene starts again, Bernie turns the gun to him and
immediately shoots himself in the head.
 23.

The End, Credits roll.

EN
TE
R TA
IN
UK