THE EXPOSURE OF TOM KING
1.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD HILLS - DAY
Looking over downtown L.A. from high up in the Hollywood hills.
2.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD STREET - DAY
BURT WALLACE runs into camera and stares straight ahead at something we can't see.
No! It's failed.
TOM KING runs and stops next to him looking at the same thing.
Nooo!! I'm ruined.
3.
EXT. VISTA THEATRE - NIGHT
CAPTION ON SCREEN: THE NIGHT BEFORE
As the REPORTER speaks, Tom walks down the red carpet as the fenced-off CROWD CHEER.
Hello from Hollywood. It is sheer pandemonium as Tom King, just back from the Dubai premiere, makes his way down the red carpet. Tom can we have a moment? Tom steps to the microphone as he waves to the crowd.
1. We love you Tom!!!!!
2. Tom!!!!
3. Marry me.
REPORTER
Tom, obviously the fans love you, would you care to say anything to them?
TOM KING
Your support is amazing... I love you all... Oh and go see "Out of the Wild".
4.
EXT. TOM KINGS MANSION - DAY
JULIE sits in a car outside of a big mansion. She's agitated - then suddenly alert, she turns and looks out of the window. We cut to Burt's face, huffing and puffing, as he runs towards the car. We hear the DOOR SLAM as he jumps into the passenger seat.
BURT WALLACE
Drive! Drive!
Did you get it?
BURT WALLACE
Yeah, I got a great shot.
JULIE
Where's the camera you idiot?
BURT WALLACE
It's...
Burt feels for the camera in his pocket.
BURT WALLACE(CONT.)
...it's in my pocket.
JULIE
Good work sweetcheeks!
As the car pulls away from the mansion, we see a furious Tom running down his driveway towards the car.
TOM KING
You won't get away with this! You'll see! No one does this to Tom King!...
Tom glances down, and in a cutaway to the floor, we see a receipt from the camera shop. On the bottom is Burt Wallace's signature.
TOM KING (CONT.)
...Burt Wallace?
5.
EXT. MALIBU BEACH - DAY
An aerobics class is in full swing on the beach. The class is stretching their arms over their heads. We focus on one of the students, SIMONE, straining with exertion, doing the stretching with more power than anyone else. A mobile phone RINGS. Simone reaches into her pocket, looks at the screen, and answers it.
Tom, what's the problem?... Fine don't tell me!... Might it turn physical?
Simone smiles to herself.
SIMONE (CONT.)
I'll be with you in ten.
Simone snaps the phone shut and strides away purposefully.
7.
INT. FANTASTIC FOTO - DAY
Burt and Julie stand on one side of a counter. The camera shot changes to show the photo store employee, BRANDON, on the other side.
BRANDON
(with no enthusiasm)
Thank you for using Fantastic Foto.
We cut back to Burt and Julie - Julie is looking at a photo which we can only see the back of.
JULIE
Bingo!
BURT WALLACE
We are going to be so rich!
Brandon looks at them both. Julie looks at Brandon, then back at Burt.
JULIE
(annoyed)
Let's go Burt. You have a call to make.
BRANDON
Have a fantastic day.
8.
EXT. LA BREA HOTEL - POOL - DAY.
Burt is on a mobile phone next to a sparkling blue pool. He is sitting on a lounger, sipping a glass of soda and reading off a sheet of paper. He stumbles over a couple of the longer words.
BURT WALLACE
Mr King? I'm calling on behalf of an interested party regarding a financial arrangement. The price is set at a mere two million dollars. For that, you shall be furnished with all the photographs to dispose of as you...
We hear FOOTSTEPS running towards him. Simone appears out of nowhere and PUNCHES Burt on the nose.
9.
EXT. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY - DAY
CAPTION ON SCREEN : 1 HOUR BEFORE
Simone and Tom are in a car, which Simone is driving very fast. Tom is looking agitated next to her. She looks at her phone and reads a message.
SIMONE
Yes! Got it!
TOM KING
What?
SIMONE
The details on that receipt match to a Mr Burt Wallace who checked into the La Brea Hotel in Hollywood.
TOM KING
Simone, you're a lifesaver.
SIMONE
Not if your name is Wallace.
The car speeds off along the highway.
10.
EXT. LA BREA HOTEL - ENTRANCE - DAY.
Burt exits the hotel and runs off. Tom and Simone chase after him.
11.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD STREETS - DAY.
Tom and Simone chase Burt through the streets. Burt turns a corner quickly and bumps into a coffee shop table, allowing Tom and Simone to catch him up slightly.
12.
EXT. TV SHOP - DAY.
Burt runs into shot and comes to a stop, staring straight ahead at something we can't see.
BURT WALLACE
No! It's failed
TOM KING
Nooo!!! I'm ruined.
SIMONE
You're bald?!
We now see what they were staring at - they are looking at a TV shop display with a picture of Tom King, bald on every Television.
13.
INT. TOM KINGS MANSION - DAY.
Tom is watching Entertainment news on the television. He looks terrible, he's crying, and his hands wander up to his hair in despair. We hear the following, then cut to it to being filmed.
REPORTER
The infamous Tom King blackmail photo has become the most downloaded image on the internet. Our cameras have caught up with Brandon Fieldman who intervened the attempted blackmail by selling the photo on the open market.
14.
INT. FANTASTIC FOTO - DAY
Brandon, the twenty-something slacker is standing in front of the photo counter.
BRANDON
I've always been a big Tom King fan and when I saw the photo I wanted to do the right thing. But... my girlfriend talked me into selling it so we can buy a Porsche.
Brandon turns and looks into the camera.
BRANDON
I love you baby!
15.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD HILLS - DAY
Brandon stands next to a Porsche on a cliff overlooking downtown L.A. Julie runs towards him.
JULIE
I love you too sweetcheeks!
Julie and Brandon lean in for a kiss.
THE END