Regular Cast	Recurring Cast
FRASER	FRASER SENIOR
RAY
DIEFENBAKER
WELSH
HUEY
GARDINO
ELAINE
Guest Cast
SMITHBAUER	HORTON
HENDERSON	KID 1
CHAREST	KID
DON CHERRY	KID 3
GRETZKY PLAYER	KID 4
MARIO PLAYER	LAST PLAYER
MESSIER PLAYER	LOOUISE
	MASK
ANNOUNCER	REPORTER 1
BRETT	REPORTER
BRODA	REPORTER 3
CARL	REPORTER 4
DIRECTOR	ROBERT HALL
DRYDEN	SAWCHUCK
HALL

EXTERIOR-DAY	INTERIOR-DAY
FRASER’S BUILDING	APARTMENT DOORWAY
ICE RINK	BREWER’S APARTMENT
INNER CITY STREET	CHEAP ACCOUNTING OFFICE
VIDEO STORE	DIRECTOR’S BOOTH
WINNEBAGO	FRASER’S APARTMENT
	POLICE STATION – INTERVIEW ROOM
	PUBLICIST’S OFFICE
	SAWCHUCK APARTMENT
	STAIRWAY IN FRASER’S BUILDING
	VIDEO STORE
	WELSH’S OFFICE
	WINNEBAGO
EXTERIOR-NIGHT	INTERIOR-NIGHT
CITY PARK	APARTMENT HALLWAY
CITY STREETS	CADILLAC
CONCERT HALL	CHICAGO STADIUM
LIQUOR STORE	CHICAGO STADIUM – CONF. ROOM
RAY’S CAR	CHICAGO STADIUM – DRESSING ROOM
STREET	CHICAGO STADIUM - HALLWAY
STREETS NR. FRASER’S APT.	CHICAGO STADIUM – OTHER CORRIDOR
	LIQUOR STORE
	LUXURY CONDOMINIUM - LOBBY
	POLICE BULLPEN
	RAY’S CAR
	SMITHBAUER’S APT.
	SMOKE FILLED ROOM

SCRIPT DAYS
Scenes Day/Night
1-6 DAY ONE
7-10 DAY TWO
11-22 DAY THREE
23-31 NIGHT THREE
32-35 DAY FOUR
36-52 NIGHT FOUR

PROLOGUE
FADE IN:
EXT. RAY'S CAR - DAY
Ray's car cruises through the streets.
FRASER (V.O.): You should be setting an example, Ray. You do stand for the rule of the law in this. . .
Ray makes a screaming left turn without indicating.
INT. RAY'S CAR - DAY
RAY, FRASER AND DIEFENBAKER are inside.
FRASER: There! You did it again.
RAY: What?
FRASER: You know perfectly well what.
RAY: I don't.
FRASER: You made a turn without indicating.
RAY: I wouldn't do that.
FRASER: You just did.
RAY: You're seeing things, Fraser.
FRASER: I am not seeing things, you made a left hand turn at that intersection (as Ray swerves right) and you didn't use your - you just did it again!
RAY: Did what?
FRASER: Perhaps I'm reading too much into matters but it would appear that you're doing this on purpose.
RAY (smiles): It really annoys you, doesn't it?
FRASER: I just think it's not safe. . .
Suddenly, Diefenbaker begins to bark over Ray's shoulder.
RAY: What are you, Safety Dog?
But Dief jumps on Ray's lap and keeps barking at something.
RAY: Hey! I'm trying to drive here!
FRASER (sees what Dief's barking at:) It's not your driving habits. Look.
Fraser points out the window as Dief keeps barking.
RAY: How can I see? I've got a wolf in my lap!
EXT. RAY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Ray brakes hard and squeals to a stop across from a liquor store. A goodlooking man, call him MARK SMITHBAUER, enters.
INT. RAY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Dief keeps barking through this entire scene. Ray fights to get to the radio mic.
RAY: What is it? Crime going down? (grabs for his radio) Dispatch, this is Detective Vecchio. . . (to Fraser) What is it?
FRASER: Mark Smithbauer.
RAY: You want me to report a hockey player??
FRASER (apologizing: re Dief): He's a very big fan.
RAY: What does he want, his autograph??!
FRASER: It'll just take a minute.
Fraser steps out, speaks to Dief:
FRASER: Stay here, I'll get it for you. (to Ray) He'll only embarrass himself.
Fraser closes the door and heads across the street.
RAY: (still has mic in his hand): Just a radio check, Dispatch.
Ray tosses the mike down and exits:
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Ray catches up with Fraser as they head for the store.
RAY: I'm guessing you two don't meet a lotta celebrities.
FRASER: We were inspected by the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the RCMP once.
RAY: Yeah, that woulda been special. Look, I meet celebrities every day, you can't make a big deal of it.
FRASER: Really? Like who?
RAY (put on the spot): Plenty of celebrities. Big celebrities. Lou Ferigno, for one. And I hear my share of stories. The point is, they're just people, like you and me, only richer and nastier and more obnoxious. Not Lou, but the others.
They enter as a Cadillac pulls up to the curb.
INT. LIQUOR STORE - CONTINUOUS
FRASER: People like to talk about famous people, Ray, and it's not always good.
RAY: And it's not always wrong.
Fraser spots Smithbauer near the back walking along the beverage case.
FRASER: I'll just be a minute.
Ray pulls a magazine out of the rack as Fraser takes a few steps away.
ANGLE ON THE FRONT DOOR
A man in a suit and SKI MASK yanks open the door and levels a revolver.
MASK: Everybody down!
Panic, screams.
RAY cautiously lowers the magazine, masking his hand's slow movement toward his gun.
MASK (O.S.): On the floor! Plant it!
FRASER throws a look to Smithbauer, motions for him to stay put. Fraser turns and steps slowly toward the man in the mask.
FRASER (to Mask): This isn't worth it. Before you do this, I want you to consider the consequences.
The Mask suddenly turns and flees out the door. Fraser turns back to Ray.
FRASER: You see, Ray, sometimes -
FRASER's POV
Everybody in the store has a gun aimed at the door (and therefore at Fraser, who stands in the path). In a heartbeat, Ray flies in and tackles Fraser to the floor, just as:
THE PATRONS AND EMPLOYEES open fire, blowing the window & door into billions of shards.
EXT. LIQUOR STORE - CONTINUOUS
As the store window explodes into the street, the MASK leaps into the passenger seat and the driver takes off. Ray comes flying out the door to see it disappear.
INT. LIQUOR STORE CONTINUOUS
Fraser pokes his head around the corner of an aisle, where he last saw Smithbauer.
FRASER: It's alright, Mark, the -
Fraser is greeted by a bottle in the head from Smithbauer. As Fraser hits the tile with a clunk, Smithbauer drops the bottle and runs out the back door. A beat later, Ray finds his friend on the floor, and squats beside him.
RAY: What a jerk. Come on, we'll run him down and bust him.
FRASER: No.
RAY: Cause he's a "hockey star"?
FRASER: Because he was my best friend.
Off Ray's look, we:
FADE OUT
END OF PROLOGUE

ACT ONE
INT. LUXURY CONDOMINIUM LOBBY - DAY
Fraser, Ray and Dief enter the plush lobby, Ray flashing his badge to the doorman. Dief runs ahead of them o.s.
FRASER: He probably assumed that I was an accomplice.
RAY: You're making a lot of excuses for this guy, Benny.
FRASER: I'm just giving him the benefit of the doubt.
They get into the elevator where Dief sits, facing the door. Ray goes to push the button and we see the light is already on. Ray realizes Dief pushed it.
RAY: One thing this guy doesn't need is more "benefits". (re: condo building) You know how much places like this cost? The man makes seven figures a year for playing one of the stupidest sports ever invented-
The elevator door opens. As they get on:
RAY: -and every time he's in the paper he's whining about his knee or complaining about something.
Ray goes to push the button and we see it's already lit. Dief sits below it, and we realize he pushed it.
FRASER: Hockey is a very demanding game, Ray.
RAY: Gimme a break, I thought I was being nice just calling it a sport. It's more like figure skating with clubs.
Dief growls at Ray.
RAY (to Dief): You want an autograph? Then shut your yap.
Dief immediately shuts up. The elevator doors close.
INT. SMITHBAUER'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
The place is palatial, gorgeous view, and everything is in impeccable taste. SMITHBAUER speaks to HUEY and GARDINO. Gardino takes notes. Sitting in a chair is PAUL HENDERSON, Smithbauer's ineffectual personal assistant.
GARDINO (checks his notes): So we have a masked male of indeterminate height and weight, carrying a big gun. Shouldn't be too tough to crack this one.
SMITHBAUER: The guy was trying to kill me!
HUEY: So you said.
SMITHBAUER: I was two blocks from a police station. Are you people so incompetent you can't even police two blocks?
Huey and Louey share a look.
GARDINO: The man called us incompetent, Huey.
HUEY: Yes, he did, Louis.
DAWN CHAREST, Smithbauer's very smooth publicist, enters the apartment and hurries toward Smithbauer as he talks.
SMITHBAUER: You want to know a fact? Every time I take a slap shot, I pump more money into this economy than you'll earn in your lifetimes. You think this City can afford to have anything happen to me? What I think is that you guys should be making sure that this doesn't happen again.
CHAREST (to Huey and Louey): Excuse me.
GARDINO: Who the hell are you?
CHAREST (whisking Smithbauer away to a corner): Dawn Charest, Media Relations for Mr. Smithbauer, I just need to have one word. (to Smithbauer) Shut your mouth.
SMITHBAUER: Someone is trying to kill me and they send these two morons to-
CHAREST: I don't care if they're Chip and Dale, you let me talk to them, that's my job. Or do you want to throw away your career completely?
ANGLE ON THE OPEN DOOR
Fraser, Ray and Dief enter. Huey and Gardino spot them.
RAY: You covering liquor store jobs now, Louey? I thought that would be below you.
GARDINO: There's a lot of things below me, Vecchio. Talking to you is right at the bottom.
HUEY: The man called in attempted murder.
RAY: Then the man has serious ego problems.
GARDINO: This was a liquor store hold up? No one tried to kill this guy?
Charest approaches and intercedes.
CHAREST (charming): Mr. Smithbauer stopped an armed robbery, that's all. He appreciates your concern, but doesn't want to turn this into a media circus.
FRASER: Excuse me.
Fraser heads off to find Smithbauer, who is pouring himself a drink in the corner.
GARDINO: He appreciates our concern?? Does he also appreciate wasting our time?
With Fraser and Smithbauer:
FRASER: Hi.
SMITHBAUER: What happened to you?
Fraser has a cut where Smithbauer hit him with the bottle.
FRASER: Oh this, I, um, I was hit with a bottle.
SMITHBAUER (realizes): I hit a cop?
FRASER: No, actually, I'm not a police officer in this-
SMITHBAUER: You're not a cop? (calling to Charest) This is the problem right here. I've got no security.
WITH CHAREST AND COPS ACROSS THE ROOM
RAY: Also doesn't have a lot of friends, I'll bet.
BACK WITH FRASER AND SMITHBAUER
FRASER: Actually I'm a friend of Detective Vecchio's.
SMITHBAUER Oh. (realizes) Oh, yeah, sure.
Smithbauer reaches for a pile of 8x10 glossies.
INT. LUXURY CONDOMINIUM LOBBY - LATER
Ray and Fraser are on their way out. Dief holds the autographed picture "to Diefenbaker" in his mouth. Fraser may be more upset than he is letting on.
RAY: Nothing like old friends, huh Fraser? It's good to know that no matter how many years you're apart, you can still get an 8 by 10 glossy out of them.
FRASER: It's been a long time, Ray. There was no reason to think he'd remember me.
RAY: More excuses, Fraser?
FRASER: He's my friend, Ray.
And they're out the doors.
INT. WELSH'S OFFICE - DAY
Ray stands across from Welsh, who reads the paper: a headline proclaims "SMITHBAUER CHECKS HOLDUP", with a large picture of Smithbauer in uniform below the headline.
RAY: Yes, Sir, I 'm well aware of what I said to Detectives Huey and Gardino, but. . .
Ray looks out the side window of Welsh's office to where Fraser sits at Ray's desk, in his dress reds, anxiously looking in through the window.
RAY (not entirely convincing): . . .after further consideration, I've changed my mind. I believe Mr. Smithbauer is in need of police protection.
Welsh puts the paper down.
WELSH: Do you really?
Ray looks out the window at Fraser again.
RAY: Yes, Sir.
WELSH (sarcastic): Liquor store. Mask. Gun. You think maybe we're jumping to conclusions, do you?
RAY: Yes, sir, maybe, sir. The gunman's suit, it appeared to be an Italian cotton/silk blend and he drove a Cadillac. (back to being Ray) Kinda expensive stuff for a common thief, don't you think, Sir?
WELSH: Detective, I'm surprised you haven't picked up on this little known fact about thieves: they often don't pay for their things.
Ray looks out the window and Fraser makes a signal to indicate money.When it takes a beat for Ray to pick up on the signal, Welsh also looks out the window.
RAY: Oh, yeah, also, Sir, the register was open but he made no move toward it.
WELSH: That would be the register which had all those well armed people standing around it, would it?
RAY (sheepish): Yes, Sir.
INT. POLICE BULLPEN - MOMENTS LATER
Ray emerges from the office and heads for his desk where Fraser awaits.
FRASER: It's okay, Ray. At least you tried.
Fraser rises, puts on his hat and exits.
RAY: Sorry, Benny.
EXT. INNER CITY STREET - DAY
Near an outdoor rink where some teenage kids are playing hockey, a Winnebago is parked. Fraser, with Diefenbaker in tow, approaches Henderson, who is unloading hockey equipment from the trunk of Smithbauer's car.
FRASER: Excuse me. Could you tell me where we could find Mr. Smithbauer?
HENDERSON: You see a Winnebago around here that looks larger than most single family dwellings?
FRASER: Ah. . .That one?
HENDERSON: Hard to miss, huh?
He slings the large bag of equipment over his shoulders and escorts Fraser to the door. As Henderson opens the door, Fraser turns back to Dief.
FRASER: You wait out here and behave.
Diefenbaker curls up under the Winnie and pouts.
INT. WINNEBAGO - CONTINUOUS
Henderson enters, followed by Fraser. In the rear, Smithbauer, partially dressed for hockey, is testing sticks by leaning his entire weight on each of them in turn. The one he's testing cracks. He tosses it into a pile of broken sticks in a corner.
SMITHBAUER: Didn't you test those sticks?
HENDERSON (he's half his size): Yeah.
Henderson tosses down a bag and exits.
EXT. WINNEBAGO - CONTINUOUS
As Henderson exits, an old hockey Jersey that was on the floor falls out the door and lands on the ground in front of Diefenbaker. Henderson doesn't notice and walks away. Dief looks around to see if anyone is watching.
INT. WINNEBAGO - CONTINUOUS
FRASER: I'm afraid they're not going to offer you police protection.
SMITHBAUER: So what's the deal? The Mounties sent you to guard a national treasure?
FRASER: I'm sorry, no.
SMITHBAUER: Like that somehow surprises me. Anything else?
He starts to put the rest of his equipment on.
FRASER: You don't remember me, do you?
SMITHBAUER: Diefenbaker, right?
FRASER: No. That's my wolf.
SMITHBAUER: Look, I'm sorry, I meet a lot of people.
FRASER: No, I understand.
Fraser starts to leave.
SMITHBAUER: Where'd we meet?
FRASER: Inuvik.
SMITHBAUER: You gotta be wrong, I haven't been there since I was. . .I don't know how old.
FRASER: Thirteen. We used to play hockey on the pond behind your dad's barn.
SMITHBAUER: No kidding.
FRASER: Every day after school. You'd never let anybody leave.
Smithbauer stops lacing for a moment but doesn't look up.
FRASER: When it got dark, you'd pull your dad's tractor up and put the lights on.
Smithbauer returns to his laces, pulls hard. He's very deliberate in doing them up.
FRASER: We'd play till somebody's folks showed up and made them come home to do their homework. (sheepish) Usually my grandmother.
Smithbauer finishes dressing and rises to leave.
SMITHBAUER: Huh. (half smiles) You'd think I'd remember something like that.
We're not sure he remembers or not.
FRASER: You've travelled a long way since then.
SMITHBAUER: Yeah.
Mark is about to step out the door when:
FRASER: Oh, Mark. . . (taking out money) I owe you five dollars.
SMITHBAUER: What?
FRASER: When we were thirteen we made a bet, who would be the first one to have his face on a hockey card. (hands him the five) I've been wanting to give it to you for a long time.
SMITHBAUER (stares at the bill): You know, that's the only dream I ever remember having. When my rookie card came out, I went and bought a dozen. First and last ones I ever owned.
FRASER: Just the rookie card?
SMITHBAUER: Yeah, that's all I needed.
FRASER: I understand those cards are worth a lot of money now.
SMITHBAUER: Yeah, they were. . . (pockets the five) . . .when I sold them.
He turns to leave again, then turns back again.
SMITHBAUER: Look, since you're here, how about doing a little moonlighting?
FRASER: I'm sorry.
SMITHBAUER (heading out): I need a bodyguard, I imagine you can use the money. Let's say twentyfive an hour.
FRASER: I don't think-
SMITHBAUER: Call it thirty.
And he's gone before Fraser can object.
EXT. ICE RINK - MOMENTS LATER
Teenage boys and girls of many different ethnic origins skate around. A banner proclaims: "The Southside Hockey League Welcomes Mark Smithbauer." Mark steps out onto the ice.
SMITHBAUER: Who wants to play some hockey?
The kids scream out their excited approval.
FRASER AND HENDERSON walk toward the rink. Dief runs ahead.
HENDERSON: He wants you to be his body guard, huh?
FRASER: I believe so.
HENDERSON: Take the money. He likes to spend it.
FRASER (gesturing to the rink): Seems he's also generous with his time. This must be quite a thrill for these kids.
They arrive at the rink, where Dief is standing on his hind legs to watch over the boards. From the far end of the rink, cameras start flashing. The press is there in droves. Charest, in the media's midst, smiles with satisfaction.
HENDERSON: Yeah. I'm sure it's just a happy coincidence that every major newspaper in town is covering his altruism.
The teams have split up, and put on different colored tunics. Smithbauer wears blue. One of the kids in red speaks up.
KID #1: We're short a man.
SMITHBAUER: So you are.
He sees Fraser by the boards and skates over.
SMITHBAUER (to Henderson): Get Barney here a pair of skates.
As Henderson heads off to obey.
FRASER: I don't know, I haven't played any hockey since. . .
Smithbauer skates off again.
FRASER: . . .Oh.
EXT. ICE RINK - MINUTES LATER
Fraser, wearing a red hockey tunic, skates onto the ice, stick in hand.
MONTAGE - MUSIC UP --THEME FROM HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
EXT. ICE RINK
Smithbauer does some nifty stick handling around Fraser, dekes the goalie and easily puts the puck into the net. The cameras flash. Dief jumps up and down at the boards and howls his approval like the crazed fan he is. As Smithbauer skates back past Fraser:
SMITHBAUER: You never could handle a deke to the backhand.
EXT. ICE RINK
Fraser carries the puck up the rink, makes a neat little pass and gets hip checked by some SMART ASS KID, cartwheeling over the kid's back and landing flat on his back. The cameras flash. Dief barks furiously at the Smart Ass Kid.
FRASER: Dief! It's okay.
And he's back on his feet.
EXT. ICE RINK
Charest is with the press:
REPORTER #1: Hey Dawn. You think you can get him a little closer?
CHAREST (yelling): Mark!
She motions for him to skate closer. Smithbauer picks up the hint. He stickhandles the puck toward the press people, smiling all the way as the flashes light up the area. Meanwhile, KID #2, little but speedy, swoops in on net. . .
KID #2: Mark! I'm open.
But Mark doesn't see him. He's too busy stick handling in and around the kids to the delight of the press.
KID #2: Mark! I'm open! Pass it!
The kid is now stopped, still wide open by the far post, but getting impatient. Finally, Mark sees him and casually passes as the cameras keep flashing. Just before the pass arrives, a HUGE KID mercilessly decks Kid #2 and the puck slides harmlessly away. The cameras keep flashing on Mark.
EXT. ICE RINK
Smithbauer comes stickhandling toward Fraser, tries the same nifty move, but this time Fraser poke checks him and skates off in the other direction. The Smart Ass Kid comes charging at Fraser, but Fraser stops on a dime and the kid goes flying into the boards.
Fraser moves in on net. He winds up for a slap shot. The goalie moves out to cut down the angle. Fraser fakes the shot and passes the puck past the goalie to a teammate by the far post who has an easy tip in for a goal. No camera flashes. Only Dief howling his approval. As Fraser skates back past Smithbauer:
FRASER: You were confusing me with another boy from Grade Seven - Robbie Murphy.
EXT. ICE RINK
The press have all the shots they need. They pack up their vehicles and head on their way.
REPORTER #2 (yelling back): Thanks Mark.
Mark, apparently too intent on the game to pay much attention, gives a half wave to the guy. The reporter shakes his head in admiration, hops in his Range Rover and is on his way, trailing the rest of the press.
CHAREST (yelling to Smithbauer): That's it, Mark.
END MUSIC- Abruptly. In the middle of a rush, Mark suddenly loses interest and coughs up the puck to the other team, leaving his teammates helpless. As the other team rushes toward his defenseless goalie, Smithbauer heads for the exit.
KID #2: Mark? Where you going?
SMITHBAUER: Game's over, kids.
KID #3: But we're just a goal down.
Too late. Mark skates off the ice as his opponents score. Fraser watches, surprised. But the kids keep playing - their game is bigger than Smithbauer. Fraser heads off for the side of the rink and talks to Mark over the boards as Henderson takes off Mark's skates. The game goes on behind Fraser.
FRASER: We've got quite a game going. Seems a shame to cut it short.
SMITHBAUER: They can play without me.
FRASER: But they're here because of you.
SMITHBAUER: There are thousands of kids playing hockey in this town. These ones have had their thrill. Time to move on. (walking off) Talk to Dawn. She'll see you get paid.
INT. SMITHBAUER'S APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
Fraser sits in the den/office, across a desk from Charest. He leafs through a large file filled with letters. He stops at a child's picture of a hockey player with an "I love [in script, heart substituted for word love] You" at the bottom.
CHAREST: And that's just from today. You're a friend of Mark's, huh?
FRASER: Yes, ma'am.
CHAREST: It simply doesn't make any sense for a person to want to hurt him. He's a hero. One of the few this Country has left. And I work damn hard and get paid damn well to make sure he stays that way. Funny, he never told me about you.
FRASER: Ms. Charest, if nobody's trying to hurt Mark, then I'm just wasting my time.
CHAREST: It's his money to waste.
FRASER: I have no intention of taking his money. But if there is somebody out there who means him harm, then, as you say, we all stand to lose a hero. And I don't think any of us can afford that.
Charest thinks on this for a beat, nods and goes over to a filing cabinet to search for something.
CHAREST: I don't want any police involvement.
FRASER: If there's been a threat to Mark, the appropriate authorities really should be alerted.
She finds what she's looking for but holds it back.
CHAREST: No. If I give this to you, it goes no further. News of one nutcase can cost a guy like Mark millions in endorsements.
Fraser hesitates.
CHAREST: Those are my terms, Constable.
Fraser nods and she hands him the envelopes and letters.
ON THE LETTERS
Typewritten notes; the first letter reads: "YOU HURT MY KID. YOU HURT THE SPORT. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO HURT!" He pushes it aside to look at the second letter. Same format: "WE WERE THERE. WE SAW IT. YOU CAN'T HIDE." It looks like there are several more below this one. Fraser looks up to Charest.
CHAREST: I figured it was just some kook. Nothing dangerous, right?
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. POLICE BULLPEN - NIGHT
Fraser accompanies Ray across the bullpen. Ray is laden with files and the letters.
FRASER: Well, yes, officially this is off the record, but I thought you'd be concerned.
Ray dismissively hands the letters back to Fraser.
RAY: I never get unofficially concerned.
Ray dumps the files on his desk, sits down and buries himself in his work. Fraser sits down opposite him.
FRASER: I was hoping that perhaps your forensics people could have the letters checked out for prints, fibres-
RAY: You've already tasted everything, haven't you?
FRASER: If we knew what upset the writer. . .
RAY: This guy meets a hundred people a day, it could have been anyone, maybe he refused to sign some guy's autograph. . .
FRASER: The writer keeps referring to something that "hurt the sport".
RAY: Look, forensics has a ton of work. I've got a ton of work.
FRASER: I'm sorry, Ray, you're obviously busy. (rises, thinks, sits) These type of letters are invariably solo efforts, but the letters said "we saw it".
RAY: Come on, everybody in Chicago sees every mistake this guy makes. Half his life is televised.
FRASER (realizes): You're right.
Fraser rises to leave. Ray sighs and grabs the letters.
FRASER: Thanks, Ray.
Ray watches Fraser go, then throws the letters down, annoyed at himself because he knows he's going to help him.
INT. APARTMENT IN FRASER'S BUILDING - MORNING
Fraser sits on a couch with CARL BREWER, Dief sits on the rug. All three of them are watching hockey on TV. A pile of VCR boxes sits beside the TV. Hockey widow, MRS. LOUISE BREWER enters the room, carrying a bowl of popcorn.
CARL: Lucky for you I tape all the games, huh?
LOUISE (drops the popcorn in his lap): Yeah, real lucky.
Fraser takes the popcorn, but doesn't look up from the screen. Dief does - he wants some popcorn. There's a KNOCK on the door. Mrs. Brewer opens it to Ray.
RAY: Excuse me, ma'am. I got a note that the Mountie. . . (sees Fraser) Hey Bennie.
CARL (eyes on the screen): C'mon in, Detective.
RAY (to Carl): How ya doin'?
CARL: Shhh.
RAY (sitting down): Even for you, Fraser, 12 straight hours of hockey seems a bit much.
CARL: Fourteen.
RAY: Well, while you have been wasting your time here, I've been down in the forensics lab. . . wasting *my* time.
FRASER: No prints?
RAY: Too many. A dozen or so postal workers, four or five people at Smithbauer's p.r. office.
CARL: Shoot, you jerk!
RAY: The guy can't hear you. The game happened a month ago.
CARL (to Fraser): You're friend know nothing about hockey?
Ray turns and watches the screen.
ON TELEVISION
Smithbauer rushes down the wing, moves in on net, dekes and the goalie makes a save.
CARL (V.O.): Geez. Shoulda shot.
INT. BREWER'S APARTMENT - LATER
More empty VCR boxes and a generally messier condition signal the passage of time. PAN ACROSS Diefenbaker, with a pile of popcorn in front of him as he watches the set, Fraser and Carl, also still firmly engrossed, and Ray, sound asleep.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.): Less than two minutes to play in regulation and Chicago hangs on to a one goal lead.
ON TELEVISION
ANNOUNCER (V.O): Smithbauer takes the pass on the left wing. . . (the crowd boos) He's not having one of his best nights and crowd is making sure he knows it. He cuts over the blue line. He winds up for a drive. Oooo.
The stick shatters on impact with the puck. He throws the butt end of the stick over the glass and into the crowd.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.): Oh, Mark, there's no place for those kinda childish antics in the game.
PAN ACROSS the fans very quickly. One stands and screams holding the stick in the air. Then back to the action.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.): Chicago's defense has been caught off guard. Larionov to Stevens. Back again. He shoots! He scores!! And we're all tied up!
The booing of the crowd is deafening, then FREEZE FRAME.
ON FRASER, sitting up, eyes wide open, holding the remote. He gets up, ejects the tape from the VCR, takes it, pops another one in and heads for the door. Ray groggily wakes.
RAY: Did we solve the case?
FRASER: Maybe. Much thanks, Mr. Brewer.
Carl waves in acknowledgement. He and Dief are already engrossed in another game. Fraser and Ray exit.
INT. STAIRWAY IN FRASER'S BUILDING - MOMENTS LATER
Ray and Fraser head down the stairs, Ray a step ahead.
RAY: Fifteen thousand fans screaming in unified hatred against one man and you think you heard what one of them said?!
FRASER: No. I think I saw what one of them said.
RAY: Like that's easier?
FRASER: I suppose not.
At the second floor landing, Ray keeps heading down the stairs while Fraser heads down a hallway.
RAY: Okay, so here's what we do. We go down to the lab. Those tech nerds can do unbelievable things. You point to a seat, they'll cut out every other voice in the area. (notices he's alone) . . .Fraser?
FRASER (V.O.): Up here, Ray.
He heads back up the stairs, muttering all the way.
INT. APARTMENT DOORWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Ray approaches Fraser at a door as it is answered by a little old lady, MRS. GRACE SAWCHUCK.
FRASER: Afternoon, Mrs. Sawchuck. (indicating tape) I was wondering if you could tell me what someone is saying on this tape.
SAWCHUCK: Sure, C'mon in, I'm just making some coffee.
She shuffles away.
RAY: Thanks anyways, but we really should get this tape down to the police lab.
She keeps walking away from them.
FRASER: She can't hear you, Ray. She's deaf. Reads lips.
RAY: I thought you could read lips.
FRASER: Not like she can.
INT. SAWCHUCK APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
The TV plays the tape. Mrs. Sawchuck watches through a pair of opera glasses. Fraser sips coffee and speaks to Ray.
FRASER: Grace loves the opera but can't afford to sit up front.
RAY (sotto): And she's deaf.
FRASER: That doesn't mean she can't enjoy good music.
RAY: Hmm, I thought it did.
SAWCHUCK: Looks like "You hurt Mike somebody." Tough to make out.
She runs the tape again.
SAWCHUCK: No, no, it's "You hurt my kid."
FRASER: Thanks.
RAY (yelling slowly): Thank you, very much.
She looks at Ray a beat, then uses sign language to tell Fraser something.
FRASER: Not once you get to know him.
EXT. NEAR FRASER'S BUILDING - MOMENTS LATER
Ray's car is parked around the corner. Ray and Fraser are out of sight, around the corner.
RAY (V.O.): So we've got our man. . .
They emerge from around the corner, Ray turning left and heading straight for his car, but Fraser continues on straight across the street.
RAY (V.O.): . . . Now all we have to do is i.d. him. I'll take the video down to the lab, they'll- (realizes he's alone) . . .Fraser?
FRASER (V.O.): This way.
Ray turns back the other direction, muttering again.
INT. VIDEO STORE FRONT DESK
KENNY DRYDEN, the cashier, stands behind the counter, running the last of the tape on some high tech equipment. Ray and Fraser stand on the other side of the counter. Ray browses through various current releases.
DRYDEN: Blowup, 1966, Antonioni.
RAY: Loved that movie. Travolta, right?
DRYDEN (with scorn): That was Blow Out. In Blow Up, a photographer takes a picture of a murder, but doesn't know what he saw. So he keeps blowing up the photo till he can see what's going on. Great movie. I have no idea what the Yard Birds were doing in it.
FRASER: Can you do that for us?
DRYDEN: Sure, but it won't do you any good.
A customer appears at the counter.
DRYDEN: Excuse me a moment.
He goes to the other side of the counter and takes a movie box from a waiting customer.
DRYDEN (to customer): You don't want to rent this. The director didn't even get a cut.
He hands the movie back to the customer, who meekly returns it to the shelf. Dryden rejoins Ray and Fraser.
DRYDEN: Antonioni was dealing with film. You guys are stuck with tape, 720 pixels across. And you've got about 50 people across the screen here which means you've got 14 pixels across each face. Which means about two pixels per nose. No matter how much I blow it up, each nose is still going to be just two dots - tough to distinguish between noses based on two dots.
FRASER: I just need to know how far his seat is from the aisle.
DRYDEN: That I can do.
INT. RAY'S CAR - TRAVELING -- A LITTLE LATER
Ray is on his cellular phone. Fraser looks at an incredibly blurry blow up of the face.
RAY (into phone): Yeah, Elaine: Section C, Row 12, Seat 7. I need to know if it's owned by a seasons ticket holder.

PAGE IS OMITTED

EXT. CONCERT HALL - EVENING
TOM HORTON, scalper, is accosting well dressed people entering the concert hall to see the ballet.
HORTON: Who's got a pair? Who needs a pair? I got two right up front. You can see the seams in their tights.
REVEAL Ray and Fraser approaching.
RAY: Tom Horton?
HORTON: Get lost cop. I ain't done nothin'.
RAY (throws Horton against a wall): You have the right to remain silent-
HORTON: What?!
FRASER (checking grainy photo): He doesn't look like the suspect, Ray.
RAY: Which pixel looks different? (frisking Horton) Should you give up that right-
FRASER: Even at 14 pixels across, you can still make in excess of 5,000 unique faces.
HORTON: What the hell are you guys talking about?
RAY: Hockey tickets. Section C, Row 12, Seat 7. You own them?
HORTON (thinks Ray wants a ticket): Oh, yeah, figures. You cops are always looking for freebies. Front breast pocket.
Ray pulls a huge stack of tickets out of Horton's pocket.
RAY: That's enough for me (cuffs Horton) -anything you say can--
FRASER (indicating the huge stack of tickets): I don't think he uses all of those tickets himself, Ray.
HORTON: No, no, I give them to the needy. You need a pair, Officer? Take what you want.
RAY (to Fraser): He's trying to bribe me.
FRASER: Yes, that would appear to be his intent.
RAY (herding Horton along) -and will be held against you--
HORTON: Whoa, whoa, whoa-you're cops, there's gotta be something you want.
FRASER: We're interested in finding the person to whom you gave that hockey ticket on the night of February 26th.
HORTON: Do I look like I have that kind of power of recall?
RAY (herding again): -in a court of law--
HORTON: Hall, Robert, two tickets, every week same seats, he's in the phone book.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Ray knocks on a door, Fraser beside him. No answer.
RAY (drawing his gun): Police!
He's just about to kick the door down when. . .
BRETT (V.O.): Let's see your badge.
Ray puts his badge up to the peep hole. A moment later, the door is opened by 14 year old BRETT HALL.
BRETT: Hello.
Ray pockets his weapon.
FRASER: Hello, Son. Is your father home?
Brett shakes his head.
RAY: Do you know where he is?
BRETT: He said he had something for Mark.
INT. RAY'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
Ray and Fraser scramble in. Ray grabs the radio.
RAY: Elaine. I need to know where Mark Smithbauer is right now.
INT. CHICAGO MEMORIAL ARENA - RINK -- SAME TIME
The team, including Mark, practices. The stands are empty except high up is ROBERT HALL. He is the deranged fan. Dressed as a janitor, he sweeps up. After a moment, he stops sweeping, fingers something in his refuse bag, possibly a rifle.
EXT. CITY STREETS - MOMENTS LATER
Ray's car speeds through the streets, skidding around corners, siren wailing. Finally, it screeches to a halt at the arena. Ray and Fraser emerge and hurry toward the entrance.
RAY: This building is designed for quality sight lines. 15,000 perfect shots.
FRASER: You get the players out of the line of fire. I'll search the building.
They enter the arena on the fly.

PAGE IS OMITTED

INT. CHICAGO MEMORIAL ARENA - HALLWAY -- MOMENTS LATER
Ray escorts the players down the hallway.
RAY: Sorry for the inconvenience, gentlemen. You'll be back on the ice as soon as we get the necessary security measures in place.
Fraser squeezes by one of the players, going the other direction back to Ray, picture in hand.
FRASER: He's not upstairs. But a security door has been tampered with.
As they file into the dressing room, the players pass Robert Hall, bent over, sweeping up.
Fraser looks down at the picture, looks up again, squints.
FRASER (taking off): The sanitation engineer, Ray.
RAY (following after him): Who?
FRASER: The janitor.
And they charge ahead as Hall removes a broken hockey stick from his bag and strides toward Mark. Fraser and Ray aren't going to make it. At the last second, Hall sees Fraser, drops the stick and runs. Fraser and Ray push through the players and take off after the guy.
INT. CHICAGO MEMORIAL ARENA - RINK -- CONTINUOUS
Hall rounds the corner, Fraser and Ray on his tail. He leaps onto the ice and starts to run across it, followed by Fraser and Ray. Fraser and Ray close the distance, leap through the air and tackle him.
RAY: Stupid move, using a hockey stick to attack a hockey player in full equipment.
HALL: I wasn't attacking him!
RAY: Then I guess I'm not arresting you, either.
Ray slaps the cuffs on and starts yanking him down the hall. Fraser stands and watches them go.
HALL: I just wanted to put it in his face! He can't do that and get away with it!
RAY: Do I look like I'm interested? You have the right to remain silent - use it.
ROBERT HALL: Where's the stick?? See for yourself! It was scored right where it broke - in a straight line! Why'd you think he threw it away?
And they're gone.
INT. FIRST CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
A few of the hockey players hang out, wondering what went down. Fraser turns the corner and approaches, looks around on the floor. Players slowly drift off into the locker room.
SMITHBAUER: You get the guy?
FRASER (preoccupied): Yes. (looks around). The stick he attacked you with. . .?
SMITHBAUER (looks around): It was right here.
LAST PLAYER: . . .Didn't see it.
The last player exits into the locker room. The corridor is empty, the stick is nowhere to be seen.
SMITHBAUER: Maybe somebody picked it up, I'll ask around.
Smithbauer heads into the locker room.
FRASER: His son was struck by a broken stick you threw.
SMITHBAUER: Really? Geez, why didn't he say something?
FRASER: I think he tried to. And he also said you cut your own stick.
SMITHBAUER: Why the hell would I do that?
FRASER: I don't know.
SMITHBAUER: Sticks break every day, and in every way you can imagine. I'm sorry about his kid, if I'd known, I'd have sent him a jersey or something, but the guys a whacko, comes after me with a stick, I'm supposed to take him seriously?
FRASER: Still-
SMITHBAUER: You believe this guy? Is that what you're saying? Listen, you're not being paid to care about nuts, you're supposed to be watching me. Where the hell were you, anyway?
FRASER: I believe you're under a misapprehension. I'm not taking your money, I'm just doing this as a friend.
SMITHBAUER: Friends I have plenty of, I have people who shook hands with me once and think I'm their best buddy. I don't need anymore friends, I need someone I can count on, I need a bodyguard. You gonna do the job, then shut up and do it.
FRASER: . . .I'm afraid I can't.
Fraser turns and walks away.
SMITHBAUER: Yeah, that's what I figured. Thanks "pal".
Fraser turns back.
FRASER: If he was the man you were worried about, then you don't need me, do you?
Fraser turns and exits. Smithbauer watches, and then slams through the locker room door.
EXT. CHICAGO MEMORIAL ARENA - NIGHT
Very few cars are parked on the downtown back street as Smithbauer emerges from the rear of the building in the wee hours of the morning. He heads to his car. The other car is the Cadillac.
Suddenly, the Cadillac screeches to life and heads straight for Mark. With no cover nearby, Mark runs for the side of the road, dives and rolls over a parked car in the nick of time. The Cadillac clips the front end of the car. It's about to circle back when another car enters the street. The Caddie takes off.
Off Mark, breathing heavily, taking cover under the car, we:
FADE OUT
END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. POLICE INTERVIEW ROOM - MORNING
Smithbauer is getting nowhere fast with Detectives Huey and Gardino, who clearly don't like this guy.
SMITHBAUER: You saw what was left of the car! How the hell did that happen?
GARDINO: You want to report an accident? That's downstairs, this is Major Crimes.
SMITHBAUER: He came right at me!
HUEY: We arrested the guy with the stick, his bail hearing isn't till this afternoon.
SMITHBAUER: Then it's obviously somebody else!
GARDINO: Yeah, well if we arrested everybody who didn't like you, we'd pretty much shut down the city.
SMITHBAUER: It's your job to protect me.
GARDINO: Well, we seem to have a difference of opinion here. Now watch this closely. (re: open manilla folder). Case open. (closes it) Case closed. Want to see it again in slowmotion? (opens it) Case open. (closes it) Case closed.
SMITHBAUER: You know, if this was anybody else on that team, you'd be all over me round the clock.
GARDINO: Ironic, isn't it?
Smithbauer stares at them a second - he might even be hurt by this. He exits.
INT. FRASER'S APARTMENT - DAY
Fraser reads from his father's journal. Diefenbaker lies on Smithbauer's hockey jersey, sleeping.
FRASER'S FATHER (V.O.): Three days after the robbery, I had Mewett cornered near the base of Copper Canyon. Mewett wasn't a strong man, but he didn't have to be: he had a gun, and I'd lost mine while falling fifty feet down the canyon wall. To be a free man, Mewett only had to do one thing: kill me. They say that every man has a price at which he'll do anything. I like to think it's the other way around: every man has a line; a line he won't cross over no matter what the cost. The only problem was, I didn't know exactly where Mewett's line was, and neither did he.
Diefenbaker barks.
REVEAL
Smithbauer is standing in the open doorway.
SMITHBAUER: Hello, Ben.
Smithbauer takes in the dumpy apartment.
SMITHBAUER: You live like this?
Fraser has nothing to say. After a beat, Smithbauer looks Fraser in the eye.
SMITHBAUER: Somebody's still after me.
FRASER: So talk to the police.
SMITHBAUER: I did. They're not big fans of mine.
FRASER: You really don't seem to engender friendship.
SMITHBAUER: In my experience, friends stay around just long enough to see you get what they think you deserve.
FRASER: Maybe so.
SMITHBAUER: . . .I need your help.
FRASER: I'm afraid I can't do anything for you.
SMITHBAUER: Looks like I'm not the only one who's changed.
Smithbauer starts to leave.
FRASER: Unless you tell me the truth.
SMITHBAUER: I don't know what's going on. I really don't know.
Fraser just looks at him, waiting.
SMITHBAUER (sighs): It was a couple weeks ago. I was approached by two men who wanted me to throw a game. And they wouldn't take no for an answer. They've been after me ever since.
FRASER: The February 26th game. (off his look) I watched the tape. You had a better shot when you were thirteen.
SMITHBAUER: Well, I'm 34 now, I'm slowing down, the shot's going, I've blown my knee out so many times I can barely walk without my brace. It goes one more time, that's it. Did you watch the end of the tape? Four seconds left in the game, I scored the winner, unassisted. If I was going to throw the game, that wouldn't be a very smart thing to do, would it?
FRASER (nods): . . .You better stay here tonight.
Smithbauer looks around at the dump.
SMITHBAUER: Here?
INT. FRASER'S APARTMENT - LATER
Smithbauer lies in bed. Diefenbaker still sits on the jersey, staring at Smithbauer. As Fraser lies down on his bedroll:
FRASER: So how's your Dad?
SMITHBAUER: Great. Bought him a home in Sylvan Lake. I go up there every Christmas. Unless we have a game.
Fraser is unimpressed.
SMITHBAUER (re. Dief): Can you make him stop staring at me?
FRASER: No.
Smithbauer rolls away from the relentless glare.
SMITHBAUER (beat): Sorry about your father.
FRASER: You heard about that?
SMITHBAUER: My Dad sends me clippings every now and then. He still subscribes to the Inuvik Drum. Gets it a month late, but it's not the kind of news you need to get right on time.
FRASER: No, I guess not.
SMITHBAUER: . . .You know, when you came to see me. . . I remembered you. . . . Sorry, I haven't had a lot of luck with friends. They always seem to want something. Remember Henry Ducatt?
FRASER: Sure.
SMITHBAUER: Dropped in when I first got in town, couldn't wait to talk about old times.
FRASER: I thought I heard he was in prison.
SMITHBAUER: Real estate fraud. I was just one of a long list of friends. (beat) You know what I miss? Trying to find a puck in a snow bank.
FRASER (smiles): You could blast it eight feet in.
SMITHBAUER: And that was packing snow.
FRASER: I used to think you'd miss the net on purpose just to see how deep you could drive it into the bank.
Smithbauer's smile evaporates. They lay in silence.
SMITHBAUER: I can't sleep, Ben.
FRASER: What's wrong?
SMITHBAUER: It's seven p.m. (sits up) You really live like this?
He gets up and starts to dress.
INT. CHICAGO MEMORIAL ARENA - RINK -- NIGHT
Smithbauer slaps pucks hard against the boards and skates wind sprints - we get the feeling he's trying to pound out his frustrations. Gilmour is the only other player on the ice. During the scene we catch glimpses of he and Smithbauer playing some fancy one on one and the like. Fraser sits in the stands watching.
SMITHBAUER (stops and yells up): I brought your skates. You sure you don't want to play?
FRASER: Thanks anyways. I'm still sore from yesterday.
Ray approaches and takes a seat.
RAY: Turk Broda. Big time bookie. Description matches. Same with the car, but. . . You really believe the story?
FRASER (surprised he'd ask): Of course.
RAY: Fraser, something's not right here. When Smithbauer told Broda he wasn't taking their money, he wouldn't have bet on the game. Either it's somebody else who's after him. . .
FRASER: Or?
RAY: Or he took the money.
FRASER: You're wrong,Ray. I know this man.
RAY: You *knew* this man. People change, Fraser.
FRASER: Not who they are, Ray.
RAY: You're wrong. Lotsa things change people. Success, money, the city. . . When did you last see him?
FRASER: We were thirteen.
RAY: Puberty changes people.
FRASER: You don't know this man, Ray. Hockey is all he has. It's all he ever wanted. He couldn't. . .he'd never cross that line.
Smithbauer skates over the blue line and pounds a slap shot. Fraser watches him sadly. Ray watches Fraser sympathetically. After a beat, Ray gets up and leaves. Smithbauer keeps skating. Fraser keeps watching.
INT. SMOKE FILLED ROOM - NIGHT
Several big screen televisions around the room broadcast sporting events. A chalkboard proclaims the latest betting lines. Several men sit around a table playing a high stakes game of poker. The door is guarded by on of Broda's thugs, call him THE DRIVER - with a mask, he'd look like the guy from the liquor store. Suddenly, the door slams open. Ray stands there and a half dozen people pull guns on him.
RAY (flashes his badge): Where's Broda?
The guns stay up.
BRODA (sitting in a corner): Unless you've got a warrant, Detective, which I sincerely doubt, I'd appreciate if you'd leave my establishment. You're scaring the patrons.
RAY (re. guns): They look petrified.
BRODA signals for the Driver to frisk Ray. He finds his gun, Ray grabs it.
RAY: Forget it, smiley.
BRODA: Let him keep it. He ain't gonna make any trouble in here. He wearing a wire?
The Driver shakes his head and Broda signals for the rest of the men to lower their weapons.
BRODA: So talk.
Ray approaches, passing an empty chair at the poker table. He takes a seat beside Broda, also with his back to the wall.
RAY (re. the empty chair): What's the matter? You get cleaned out already?
BRODA: I don't gamble, Detective Vecchio.
Ray is surprised to hear his name.
BRODA: Same reason you know who I am. It pays to keep track of your enemies. Now what can I do for you?
RAY: Mark Smithbauer. Stay away from him.
BRODA: Tell me, Detective. Why do you think I'd be interested in some hockey player?
RAY: You're not going to force him to do anything.
BRODA: Look around here, Detective. You see anybody tied to their chair? Nobody makes anybody do business with me.
RAY: You telling me Smithbauer's in business with you?
BRODA: People play poker in my establishments, I'm not greedy, I just take my share of the pot. Someone bets on the home team, I lay off on the visitors. Why would I do anything else?
RAY: Unless you own the game.
BRODA: Not a smart thing to do, too many things could go wrong. I've found that people can be very unpredictable.
Ray realizes that Smithbauer took the money and reneged.
RAY: I'm giving you fair warning. A Mountie's watching Smithbauer. And I'm watching you.
Broda's cell phone rings.
BRODA: See? Now you're scaring me too. (taking his cell phone) Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.
Ray walks off. Broda answers his phone.
BRODA: Hello.
VOICE (O.S.) (filtered through phone): He's leaving the arena.
BRODA: Thank you. (hangs up. To Driver): You get the car fixed?
The Driver nods.
BRODA: Then go get it.
EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
A miserable winter night and the streets are virtually deserted. Fraser and Smithbauer stroll along leisurely as if they were walking through a park on a sunny summer day. Smithbauer, his equipment bag slung over his shoulder, wears a ball cap and his hockey jersey over his sweat shirt.
SMITHBAUER: Just like old times. Four miles through blizzards to get to the rink, then four miles back home again.
FRASER AND SMITHBAUER (in unison, smiling): Uphill, both ways.
Smithbauer tosses Fraser one of his sticks and they start to playfully pass a tin can back and forth.
EXT. CHICAGO STREETS - MOMENTS LATER
The Cadillac is parked on a side street, Broda in the passenger seat. Henderson, in Smithbauer's car, pulls up beside it. They open their respective windows.
HENDERSON: They're walking home.
BRODA: In this weather?
HENDERSON: They're Canadian.
Broda hands Henderson an envelope. They each roll up their tinted windows and proceed on their way, the Cadillac turning around to proceed after Fraser and Smithbauer.
INT. CADILLAC - CONTINUOUS
The Driver drives. Broda is in the passenger seat. PROBERT, another one of Broda's thugs, is seated behind the Driver.
BRODA: Welcome to Canadian hunting season, gentlemen.
Virtually in unison, Broda and Probert slam fresh clips into their semiautomatic weapons.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
EXT. CITY STREETS NEAR FRASER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The weather has turned colder and Fraser and Smithbauer, acting like kids, run along the empty frozen street and slide as far as they can. Suddenly, car lights appear behind them.
SMITHBAUER: Car.
They turn around, only to be blinded by headlights coming straight at them out of control. They dive out of the way in the nick of time as the car skids past them, fishtailing on a sheet of ice. It's Ray's Riviera. He rolls down the window.
RAY: Controlled skid. You guys need a ride?
FRASER: No thanks, Ray. I think it's safer on foot.
RAY: You gotta minute? There's some business we need to discuss.
SMITHBAUER: I'll be up ahead.
Smithbauer keeps walking.
RAY: I spoke to the Turk.
FRASER: Really.
RAY: He told me. . . (doesn't know how to tell him) I don't think I scared him off.
FRASER: I appreciate the attempt. Though I question the legality of it.
RAY: Look Fraser, remember I told you what this city does to people. . .
FRASER: What is it, Ray?
RAY (changes his mind) . . .It's nothing. I'll just keep an eye on him.
FRASER: Thanks.
Ray rolls up his window as Fraser begins to walk away, Ray stops and rolls the window back down a bit.
RAY: Be careful, Benny.
FRASER: I will.
Ray drives off in the direction he came from.
FRASER AND SMITHBAUER walk along. Smithbauer skids. Fraser no longer seems in the mood.
INT. RAY'S CAR - MAIN UNIT
He passes the Cadillac coming the other way. It takes a few seconds to register.
SECOND UNIT
But the he does a skidding Uturn on the ice and speeds back as fast as he can.
EXT. STREETS - MAIN UNIT
The Cadillac comes straight at Fraser and Smithbauer.
SECOND UNIT
The windows roll down and shots are fired. Fraser and Smithbauer run for it as Probert and Broda keep shooting at them. They miss a couple of times but one shot hits Smithbauer right in the equipment bag on his back. The Caddie is quickly closing the gap. Fraser and Smithbauer run past some garbage cans which are then sent flying like bowling pins by the charging Cadillac.
Fraser and Smithbauer duck down an alley and the Caddie skids slightly past the mouth of it. But our heroes refuge is short lived - a dead end just ahead and a fence with razor wire on top.
MAIN UNIT
Fraser grabs a door and tugs. It's locked. From just outside the alley, the bad guys shoot at Fraser and Smithbauer who have no cover.
SECOND UNIT
But just when all seems lost, Ray's Riviera speeds out of nowhere, skidding sideways into the alley between the Cadillac and its prey. His rear window is blown out by a spray of gunfire.
MAIN UNIT
He throws open the passenger door, away from the shooters, where Fraser and Smithbauer have scrambled for cover.
RAY: Get in!
SECOND UNIT
But Ray's car gets riddled with more bullets. Ray ducks down on the seat as the side and front windows shatter.
MAIN UNIT
A few more bullets in the windshield convince him to crawl out of the passenger door, joining Fraser and Smithbauer.
FRASER: I thought you were going home.
RAY: You're welcome.
SECOND UNIT
The Driver emerges from the Caddie and dashes to take cover at the far side of the mouth of the alley, shooting at the Riviera all the way. Probert and Broda emerge from the other side of the Caddie, also continuing their gunfire. Broda takes cover behind his door while Probert moves around back of the trunk.
MAIN UNIT
Ray returns fire and, as the gun fight wages, Fraser grabs the equipment bag and searches around in it.
FRASER (to Smithbauer): Give me your jersey.
SMITHBAUER (as he takes it off): What's going on?
Fraser finds his skates, puts on Smithbauer's jersey and baseball cap, and starts to put the skates on.
FRASER: They'll assume I'm you.
SMITHBAUER: You can't outskate a car!
BANG. A shot rings over head. Ray ducks down.
RAY: You sure as hell can't outskate a bullet.
Smithbauer grabs his skates and starts pulling them on as fast as he can, trying to catch up to Fraser.
SMITHBAUER: This is my problem. I'm going.
FRASER: Your knee. You're not wearing your brace.
SMITHBAUER: I just wear it to get sympathy.
FRASER: Forget it. I've always been faster than you.
SMITHBAUER: At what??
FRASER: Lacing.
Fraser gets up and skates off. Smithbauer laces furiously.
RAY: Well, I don't skate so I'll stay right here.
And Fraser takes off. Ray jumps up and begins firing his weapon in hopes of giving Fraser's getaway a little cover.
SECOND UNIT
At the mouth of the alley, the criminals fire at Fraser while trying to avoid Ray's shots. They miss the speeding, deking target. To Fraser's right is the Driver. To his left, Broda and Probert are behind the car.
MAIN UNIT
Fraser skates for the Driver, jams his stick between the guy's legs.
SECOND UNIT
Flips him high in the air and keeps skating. The Driver lands hard and his gun goes skidding across the street. He scrambles after it, staying low to avoid the shots of Broda and Probert who keep firing at Fraser as he skates away down the street. Broda aims down the barrel of his gun - Fraser is in his sights, and. . .
MAIN UNIT
POW. Smithbauer to the rescue, body checking the door behind which Broda stands.
SECOND UNIT
The door smashes into Broda and he goes smashing into the side of the car. As Probert spins around to see what's happening Smithbauer brutally cross checks him, sending him flying.
MAIN UNIT
SMITHBAUER (skating after Fraser): Ooo. There's no place for that in the game.
And Smithbauer leaps over the Driver who is still scrambling for his gun.
SECOND UNIT
As Broda, Probert and the Driver struggle back to their feet and try to get back to the car, Fraser and Smithbauer skate away down the frozen street.
MAIN UNIT
Ray fires his last shot at the fleeing villains, climbs into his car and picks up the radio.
RAY: Shots fired. 21st and Wabash. Officer needs assistance.
All the while Ray is attempting to make about an eight point turn in order to extricate his car from its sideways position in the narrow alley.
EXT. CITY STREETS - MOMENTS LATER -- MAIN UNIT
Fraser and Smithbauer skate at break neck speeds down the empty frozen streets, deking in and out of parked cars and jumping man hole covers. Smithbauer glances back to see the Cadillac closing the gap.
SMITHBAUER (to Fraser): It was Robbie Murphy, eh?
Fraser looks to him and smiles - he understands the message.
SECOND UNIT
At the intersection, Smithbauer and Fraser, as one, fake like they're turning left. The Caddie follows, but the skaters suddenly swerve back to the right.
The Caddie can't keep up and goes down the wrong street, finally doing a skidding Uturn to get back in the chase.
INT. RAY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Ray slides along in pursuit, well behind, speaking on the radio.
RAY: Yes! Why is that so hard for you to believe? Officer in pursuit of Black Cadillac in pursuit of two ice skaters on Michigan Avenue. . . Just send someone.
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
Fraser and Smithbauer round a corner into the lot and out of sight of the Cadillac. As they skate through the lot, it looks like they're going to get away. Smithbauer is slightly ahead of Fraser and looks back.
SMITHBAUER: Poor Murph. What do ya think he's up to?
And with that, Smithbauer hits a man hole cover he didn't see coming, and goes flying. Fraser stops.
FRASER: You alright, Mark?
Smithbauer tries to get to his feet and screams in pain.
SMITHBAUER: My knee!
Fraser bends down to pick him up. Smithbauer looks back to see the Caddie turn the corner into the lot some ways away from them, but bearing down, fishtailing all the way.
SMITHBAUER: Get outta here. You can't outskate them carrying me.
FRASER (looking up): You're right.
Fraser skates quickly away from Smithbauer.
SMITHBAUER: What?!
SECOND UNIT
As Fraser skates away, the pursuers see Smithbauer, unprotected and lying on the ground - a sitting duck. They speed toward him through the icy parking lot.
MAIN UNIT
But as they close in, Fraser comes skating out from behind a parked car. He quickly skates up alongside the car and butt ends his stick.
SECOND UNIT
through the driver's window, smashing it and causing the Driver to lose control.
The Caddie spins around, saving Smithbauer but ultimately finding itself aimed directly at Fraser. It accelerates hard. Fraser scrambles to reverse himself, but it doesn't look like he's going to be able to get away this time.
SIRENS approaching. Too late - Fraser's done for. But Smithbauer is on his feet, favoring his good leg, stick in hand. He painfully skates over to a rock on the road, cradles it in the blade of his stick, testing its weight. And then he uncoils, winds up and fires! From 60 feet away, the rock flies through the air, straight at the smashed driver's window of the moving Cadillac. . .
SMACK. The rock goes through the open window and right into the side of the head of the Driver. He is knocked cold and the Cadillac smashes into several parked cars.
MAIN UNIT
Ray finally arrives, followed by several marked police cars.
SECOND UNIT
Ray skids out of control past the Cadillac. The first police car skids right into the rear of the Cadillac. The second skids into the rear of the first.
MAIN UNIT
Fraser skates over to Smithbauer.
FRASER: Nice shot.
SMITHBAUER: Thanks.
Fraser helps him off the street and o.s.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. DIRECTOR'S BOOTH - DAY
Fraser sits in a chair in front of eight television monitors showing different camera angles of the same hockey game. A DIRECTOR sits beside him. We see the scene in which Smithbauer broke his stick.
DIRECTOR:You want me to skip ahead to Mark's goal?
FRASER: No, thanks. Actually, can you back it up a little?
And all the screens rewind simultaneously, until Mark is no longer on the ice.
FRASER: There.
The screens return to normal motion. CLOSE IN on the screen showing Smithbauer's bench. Smithbauer goes to the end of the bench, puts his stick on the rack, picks another, leans on it, and puts it back. Then he reaches for a stick at the end, feels the shaft surreptitiously, takes it without leaning on it and jumps on the ice.
ON FRASER - watching sadly.
INT. FRASER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Fraser enters the apartment, looking very tired. Dief sits happily on the floor, looking away from him.
FRASER: Evening, Diefenbaker.
No response. Fraser follows Dief's gaze to a chair where Mark sits. Mark looks like a beaten man.
SMITHBAUER: He's relentless, isn't he?
FRASER: Unfortunately, yes.
SMITHBAUER (getting up): I just came by to thank a friend.
He extends his hand. They shake. Something says they should hug, but they don't.
FRASER: You're welcome.
Mark stares at Fraser for a long time, almost like he wants him to say something. Finally, he turns to leave.
FRASER: You took the money from Broda, didn't you?
SMITHBAUER: How can you say that? I scored the winner. (another long pause) I needed the cash, badly. I thought it didn't matter to me anymore. I thought nothing mattered. And for 59 minutes I did what they wanted. And then the crowd started counting down the seconds, and I was back on that pond, and nothing in my whole life mattered more than the next nine seconds. (beat) Afterward, I don't think it made too much of a difference when I told them to keep the money.
Fraser nods.
SMITHBAUER: You're not going to turn me in, are you?
FRASER: You didn't break any laws. It's up to you who you think should know.
Off Smithbauer's thoughtful expression, we:
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CHICAGO MEMORIAL ARENA - FOYER -- EVENING
Fraser and Ray stand at the door to an area where a press conference is just ending. The press squeeze out past them.
REPORTER #3: The guy had it all and he flushed it all away. He deserves what he got.
REPORTER #4: A lifetime suspension, you kidding? This is a sport where you only get a coupla games for trying to take a guy's head off.
REPORTER #3: So ya feel bad for the guy, do ya?
REPORTER #4: Na. He's a jerk.
Fraser looks on sadly. Ray notices.
RAY: Forget it, Fraser. People like to talk about celebrities.
FRASER: Yeah. And they're not always wrong.
Fraser enters the room, fighting against the reporters.
INT. DRESSING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Smithbauer is alone, cleaning out his locker for the last time as Fraser enters.
FRASER: Hello, Mark.
SMITHBAUER (looks up): Hi, Ben.
FRASER: I'm sorry it turned out this way.
SMITHBAUER: This is the only way it could turn out.
FRASER: I brought you something.
He hands Mark an envelope. Mark opens it. Inside are twelve different Mark Smithbauer hockey cards. Mark chuckles.
SMITHBAUER: My entire career in cards. This must have set you back a few bucks.
FRASER: Three dollars and fifty cents. Canadian. I bought them as they came out. Seeing your face on a card meant something to me, too. I was proud of you. Every year.
SMITHBAUER: I can't take these.
FRASER (shakes his head): And I'm proud of you today. (smiles) Anyway, I've got another set at home.
Mark smiles back and finally gives Fraser a hug.
SMITHBAUER: Thanks, buddy.
FRASER: So what are you gonna do?
Smithbauer shrugs and walks away.
EXT. CITY PARK - NIGHT
In the dim light, Mark Smithbauer stands on a pond in an urban park and blast slap shots into the snow banks. After a few, a KID skates up to him.
KID #4: If I can find those pucks can I keep half?
SMITHBAUER: You can't find them.
KID #4: Oh sure I can.
SMITHBAUER: No. I'm not going to let you. I'm gonna find each and every one of them. And then you can keep them all.
He takes his last shot and they skate over to the snowbank.
SMITHBAUER: You want me to autograph a few?
KID #4: Are you somebody?
SMITHBAUER (smiles): No.
As he scoops the puck out of the snowbank with his stick:
SMITHBAUER: You wanta play a little?
KID #4: It's getting kinda dark, isn't it?
Smithbauer just smiles enigmatically as Fraser skates over.
FRASER (yelling): Okay, Ray.
Ray is in his car beside the pond. He puts on the lights and the pond is majestically illuminated.
FRASER: Hi, Mark.
SMITHBAUER: Hi, Fraser.
FRASER: You know there are thirtyeight ponds in the downtown Chicago area.
SMITHBAUER: I was wondering what took you. (to kid) Okay, Canadians against Americans.
KID #4: You two Canadian?
SMITHBAUER: Yup.
KID #4: That's not fair.
FRASER: He's right (re. Ray) He's American. You can have him.
Ray sits at the side of the pond lacing up his skates.
KID #4: Okay, but we get two goals.
SMITHBAUER: You can have three.
And they play as we PULL BACK to reveal the incongruous back drop of the urban skyline.
FRASER'S FATHER (V.O.): As I walked him out of the canyon, Mewett hadn't a thing to say. He almost seemed surprised that he hadn't shot me. It's funny. Some men don't know where their line is until they're committed to crossing it. And then it's usually too late.
On the rink, somebody scores and sticks are lifted in excitement.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT FOUR

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