THE PUNISHER SERIES
Written By: Brandon Noel Keith
SEASON ONE / EPISODE EIGHT: TAXI MISSION
SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2009
WE OPEN ON: TIMES SQUARE- Late Afternoon
Cars and pedestrians are passing each other by. We close in on a man in a blue jumpsuit, waving his left arm at a yellow cabbie riding along. It stops and this man uses his left hand to open the door, keeping his right arm against his right side. He gets in and slams the door behind him. The taxi takes off.
INT. TAXI
The semi-hefty Mexican presses the counter button.
TAXI DRIVER
Where to, sir?
JUMPSUIT PASSENGER
The Auto Yard.
The latino driver nods once.
INT. TIMES SQUARE
We follow this taxi turn out of Times Square.
CUT TO: CEMETERY- Before Sunset
EXT. TOMBSTONE HILL
Upon a tombstone reading the name ‘Joan McMahon’. A man in a tied-up black trench coat steps up to it. Pan up to the Punisher staring down. Now he kneels and caresses the engraved name. An emotionless look is upon his face. A moment later and he rises off his knees.
FLASH TO- Tombstone II
The Punisher now walks up to another grave across the way. This name engraved reads ‘Maria Castle’. The Punisher takes a deep breath and sighs. Suddenly someone creeps up behind him.
PUNISHER
(spinning around)
Soap.
MARTIN
Mister Castle. I’m not late, am I?
PUNISHER
(facing away)
No.
MARTIN
I’m really sorry about Joan. She was a good woman.
(arching head back)
Three months ago, right?
PUNISHER
I know.
MARTIN
I noticed you haven’t been getting into as much trouble lately. Laying low, I take it.
PUNISHER
Exactly. But what do you have for me?
MARTIN
(pulling out a picture)
I wonder if you know this guy.
(Punisher takes the picture)
He’s got a wrench for a right hand.
PUNISHER
Mister Badwrench. I’ve only heard of him.
MARTIN
Then you know he’s bad news. What we don’t know is who he’s working for. Or maybe he works alone, but what we know for sure is he’s a serial killer.
PUNISHER
He works for the blob who calls himself the Medallion.
MARTIN
Blob?
PUNISHER
Overweight bastard.
MARTIN
And does this have something to do with taxis?
PUNISHER
(walking away- Martin follows)
It began last year. Badwrench would catch a ride, lead the driver to a far away place… and murder the driver. He would keep the cab, and give the driver’s medallion to fat ass who would keep it as a trophy. Then Badwrench would lure unsuspecting customers to that far away place, kill them and rob them.
MARTIN
If we just knew where he was taking them.
PUNISHER
I’ll figure it out.
MARTIN
Good luck.
CUT TO: AUTO YARD- Nightfall
EXT. STONE DRIVE
The taxi arrives at a slow pace down this stone road. Now it stops between the auto junk yard on one side, and a small auto repair shop on the other side. Close in on the windshield as the hefty latino driver is seen hitting the counter button again.
INT. TAXI
The taxi driver turns round to face his customer in the jumpsuit.
TAXI DRIVER
That’ll be twenty-five, fifty, sir.
A wrench is KNOCKED up against the right side of the taxi driver’s head! Blood from the caved in side, as the left is SMASHED against the driver’s side window, shattering it! The right wrench hand reaches for the medallion hung on the rear view mirror.
EXT. STONE DRIVE
The back left door opens. We see the jumpsuit customer’s feet hit the ground. He starts walking around the back, leaving the door wide open. He walks around this car and finally reaches for the driver’s side door handle. The door is opened and the half-dead taxi driver drops out!
This fall awakens him, but he’s too weak to do much. He looks up to MISTER BADWRENCH who’s dragging him towards the repair shop entrance. Badwrench uses all his left arm might.
INT. MEDALLION’S AUTO SHOP
Down this dark hallway, Mister Badwrench drags the half-dead taxi driver to a chair with white flab hanging down each side. Now Badwrench turns and SMASHES the latino’s head in with the wrench! Again and again, and the driver’s head is caved in completely! Blood out his mouth.
FLASH TO-
Mister Badwrench holds out the dead driver’s medallion… with his right wrench hand.
MEDALLION
Well done. Mister Badwrench.
(spinning around)
Well done!
The overweight Medallion takes the medallion from his one and only henchman.
MISTER BADWRENCH
Fifty, fifty. Just like last time.
MEDALLION
Seventy-five, twenty-five… this time!
Mister Badwrench growls as the Medallion looks over his trophy with a smile. Then he laughs!
MISTER BADWRENCH
And why should I agree?
MEDALLION
It is I who gave you that arm, after the attack dog took the original!
MISTER BADWRENCH
And it was I that bashed him brutally!
MEDALLION
And it was WE who feasted upon him the very next night!
The two psychotics laugh it up! Then Medallion nods, and Badwrench nods back.
MISTER BADWRENCH
Sorry for questioning you, Medallion.
MEDALLION
You are forgiven. But I need you out there once more tonight. Phase two, you know?
Mister Badwrench nods once more… then departs from his master’s presence. The Medallion holds up his newest medallion trophy with a smile. Then he scratches his bare blob belly. Out of this darkness… he wears only extra size underwear. Too big for any other clothing. A nasty sight.
EXT. CAR YARD- Later That Evening
A giant magnet picks the taxi driver’s car up. This magnet is attached to a crane arm via thick chain. Badwrench is at the controls above, as the car is moved over to a car crusher machine. It’s dropped and smashed flat.
CUT TO: TIMES SQUARE- 11:59 PM
INT. PUNISHER’S CAR
Away from the radio reading the night’s time. To the Punisher scanning the pedestrians in this drive among many other vehicles. Suddenly the sound of static on the radio.
MARTIN
(V/O- through radio)
Come in, Punisher! Come in!
PUNISHER
(pressing button on radio)
No luck yet.
The Punisher eyes a taxi passing him by to the left.
CUT TO: POLICE STATION
INT. MEN’S BATHROOM
Martin Soap has locked himself in one of the stalls. He’s sitting on the toilet, but not using it.
MARTIN
(into phone)
Just keep looking. And remember to trail first, it’s important we find their base of operations.
(standing up)
Play it right, and we can bring those two down… but don’t kill them!
PUNISHER
(V/O)
I may have to, Martin. Sorry.
MARTIN
(sighing)
Try not to. That’s all I ask. Now I’m going back to see if I can’t get the heat off you.
PUNISHER
(V/O)
Thanks.
MARTIN
You’re welcome.
Detective Soap hangs up his phone. Now he leaves the stall and heads to the door.
INT. BOARD ROOM
Martin Soap enters to a group of four cops. One of which he’s surprise to see… a black man.
MARTIN
Uh, what are you doing here?
BLACK COP
The name’s Jake Berkowitz. You got a problem detective Soap?
MARTIN
I was just wondering what you were up to?
JAKE
I get the feeling you don’t like me… because I’m black!
MARTIN
That’s bullshit.
JAKE
Is it? Well, I was just checking
MARTIN
(heading for seat)
You’re not taking me off the case, are you Jake?
JAKE
(as Martin sits down)
You were brought in to guide these men into finding out just what the Punisher’s been up to. You know we can’t even find the bastard.
MARTIN
Guess we’re not looking hard enough.
JAKE
(having a seat)
You’ve had several months. Now what have you come up with?
MARTIN
We always arrive too late. We find a bunch of bullets and death. We know when it’s him, every time. But… we’re just not fast enough, I guess.
JAKE
And what are you planning to do about it? Sit around with your thumbs up your asses?!
MARTIN
Hey, man! These are good men! Just give us more time!
JAKE
I have to. But let me just warn you! If you’re no closer to finding him by the end of the year… and we can’t bring him in… then you’re out, Soap!
MARTIN
I fail to see what’s so bad about him.
JAKE
What?! Are you serious?
MARTIN
I mean, he’s killing scumbags. He’s protecting the better of us at the same time.
JAKE
Scumbags deserve justice. And not the kind FRANK CASTLE is out their dealing! Don’t think I didn’t know who he was.
(Martin belches- Jake jumps up)
Let’s go talk about your attitude. See if we can’t straighten it out.
MARTIN
(jumping up- following him outside the room)
Shit.
The other three cops look around. Clearly they are embarrassed.
CUT TO: TIMES SQUARE- After Midnight
INT. PUNISHER’S CAR
This car is parked. The Punisher watches a woman wave at a taxi cab. It stops and she gets in. the Punisher starts his car up and slowly follows as the cab drives off.
INT. BADWRENCH’S TAXI
A smaller cab, with the Medallion’s henchman behind the wheel.
YOUNG BUSINESS WOMAN
The airport. And let’s hurry it up, right?
MISTER BADWRENCH
As you wish, my lady.
Badwrench punches the counter meter with his right wrench hand.
EXT. TIMES SQUARE
The Punisher’s car follows Badwrench’s cab. Pan up and away from this busy city area.
CUT TO: POLICE STATION
INT. BERKOWITZ OFFICE
Jake closes the door and approaches Martin who’s all ready had a seat before his desk. Martin twiddles his thumbs as Jake walks around and has a seat before him. Behind his desk, the two lock eyes. Jake raises his eyebrows and gives the detective a frown.
JAKE
You say you want to be a lutinent?
MARTIN
That’s right, Lutinent Berkowitz.
JAKE
Then I’ll make you a deal. If you bring in the Punisher, you’ll make it. You have my word.
MARTIN
Thank you, sir.
JAKE
Now let’s concern ourselves with…
(looking at file before him)
What is this anyway?
MARTIN
The Medallion mastermind. I… have an officer working on the case.
JAKE
When’s the last time you talked to this… officer?
MARTIN
In the bathroom.
Jake thins his eyes. Martin just smirks at him.
CUT TO: AUTO YARD- Starry Night
EXT. STONE DRIVE
The taxi cab arrives and halts between the shop and the car yard.
INT. BADWRENCH’S TAXI
Badwrench turns to the lady awakening.
YOUNG BUSINESS WOMAN
Did I fall asleep? What… what are we doing here?!
Badwrench SMACKS the business woman in the mouth with his wrench hand! She spits teeth… and blood! A prolonged whine as she stares into the fiend’s eyes from under the bill of his hat!
BADWRENCH
Hope you’re rich, bitch.
Badwrench takes the woman’s purse, just as the driver’s side door is opened!
EXT. STONE DRIVE
The Punisher now holds Mister Badwrench by the neck. And when the wrench hand comes swinging his way, Punisher BACKHANDS Badwrench across the face… before THROWING him over the top of the cab! A grunt as Badwrench hits the ground on the opposite side!
Now the Punisher pulls up an AK-47, opening the passenger’s door. Inside, the woman is crawling out to the white skull on this man in black’s chest. The Punisher sets her on her feet. They look into each other’s eyes and he thins his at the sight of her busted mouth.
PUNISHER
Get out of here.
The woman runs off and the Punisher walks around the taxi cab. He OPENS FIRE at the sight of the jumpsuit henchman entering two steel gates! But the ammunition SPARKS against the metal! A near miss… but now this vigilante runs for those doors.
EXT. CAR YARD
We follow Mister Badwrench as he runs past the high stacks of smashed vehicles. He then makes a turn to the tall crane, where he heads quickly up a ladder! Back to the Punisher walking between the smashed vehicle stacks. He’s holding the AK-47 with both hands.
INT. CRANE CONTROL ROOM
A small place where Badwrench flips the ON switch. The control panel lights up!
EXT. CAR YARD
Punisher is now walking around this corner. He looks up to the crane arm hovering over him!
MISTER BADWRENCH
So, you followed me?! You’ve got it ALL figured out!
(the big magnet descends rapidly)
Well, FUCK you!
The Punisher ROLLS out of the way as the big magnet SLAMS down into the dusty ground! Now Punisher opens fire at the control room!
INT. CRANE CONTROL ROOM
Sparks are flying in Badwrench’s face! And this jumpsuit henchman loses his balance! He falls out of this tiny room… gasping!
EXT. CAR YARD
Badwrench waves his wrench hand… falling into the car crushing machine! We now watch as Punisher walks towards the control panel on the side.
PUNISHER
Scream when it hurts, Badwrench.
MISTER BADWRENCH
NOOOOooooo!!!
The walls are closing in! We see Badwrench being CRUSHED between them! Punisher now looks up to see the bloody wrench hand sticking out of the machine! He TEARS it out of the flesh! He holds up his assault rifle… and walks away. Past the dropped magnet, and towards the exit.
INT. MEDALLION’S AUTO SHOP
The Punisher kicks down the door! He aims the AK-47 from one end to the other.
PUNISHER
Quit hiding, Medallion… and maybe I’ll let you live.
The Punisher steps out and scans the room from one end to the other again. He now heads for the repair half of the shop.