Fletch - by Phil Alden Robinson from a draft by Andrew Bergman.  May 4, 1986 draft






  
    
May 4, 1986

PRODUCERS:PETER
DOUGLAS
ALAN GREISMAN
DIRECTOR:MICHAEL RITCHIE

 

FLETCH

Final Draft
Screenplay

by

PHIL ALDEN ROBINSON

From a Draft

by

ANDREW BERGMAN

Based on the novel

by

GREGORY MC DONALD

 

FLETCH

FADE IN


    EXT.CALIFORNIA BEACH –
        DAY 1Seagulls
        squawk, and the waves pound, but we’re not talking
        about Malibu Colony, here. This is a fairly rundown beach
        area, catering to lower-echelon surfers, vagrants, and
        strung out druggies of all ages, several of whom stand or
        sit on their haunches by a dilapidated old hamburger
        stand. Over the stand is a faded sign: "FAT
        SAM’S HAMBURGERS".
        A simple but haunting
        electronic melody plays in the b.g.
    
    INT. "FAT
        SAM’S" – DAY 2Seated just inside the stand on a
        folding aluminum chair is a chubby man in his late
        thirties. He’s wearing a stained valor sweat suit
        and a cap. This is Fat Sam. He’s a dealer. Seated on
        the sand next to him is Fletch, a rangy man, early
        thirties, in jeans and a Magic Johnson T-shirt, nodding
        idly on a battered Casio music machine which he treats
        lovingly. This is the source of the title music.
        FLETCH
        So what do
        you figure?
        FAT SAM
        No idea.
        FLETCH
        No idea at
        all?
        FAT SAM
        Okay. Some
        idea.
        FLETCH
        Like when?
        FAT SAM
        Like
        tonight.
        FLETCH
        For sure?
        FAT SAM
        No, not for
        sure. When it comes, it comes. 
        You gonna want some $hit?
        FLETCH
        I think
        I’d rather have drugs.
    
    CONTINUED


FAT SAM

(shakes head and
smiles)

Fletch…

FLETCH

Sorry. I find a
little humor really brightens

things up around
here, don’t you?

A young junkie with a black eye
– Gummy – passes.

GUMMY

Hi Sam. Hi Fletch.

FLETCH

Hi Gummy.
How’s the eye?

GUMMY

It’s okay. The
cops did it.

FLETCH

I know.

GUMMY

They busted me last
week.

FLETCH

They bust you every
week.

GUMMY

I know. I got bad
luck or something.

Gummy exits. Fletch and Fat Sam
watch him go.

FLETCH

That kid spends any
more time in jail

He’ll have to
start paying rent.

WIDER ANGLE THROUGH BINOCULARS

Fat Sam and Fletch conclude their
conversation. Fletch walks back among the drifters, the nervous, expectant junkies. He stops to talk to a young man propped up on his elbows on a towel.    Creasy.

4      CREASY
AND FLETCH   

FLETCH
Maybe tonight?  


CREASY
Whaddyamean 'maybe'?

  FLETCH
That's what he said.

  CREASY
(getting desperate)
He doesn't know? How come he doesn't know?   

FLETCH
I don't know how he doesn't know. He doesn't know.

  CREASY
Sonofabitch.

  FLETCH
Wonder who his supplier is.

  CREASY
I have no idea.

  FLETCH
I wasn't asking.

  CREASY
He never leaves the beach, Fat Sam.    Never
leaves.
Sits in that chair, he's outta junk.    Then he
suddenly
gets up, he's got junk.    So where does it come
from?
Through the sand?

  FLETCH
I think that's highly unlikely, Creasy.

  CREASY
(rolls over)
I ought to get some sleep.

  FLETCH
Creasy, how old are you?

  CREASY
Nineteen.

  FLETCH
(a touch of sadness)
You're not taking real good care of yourself.

5   
    WIDER - BINOCULARS AGAIN          
   

---Fletch takes his Casio and starts
off the beach.    The binocular angle follows 
---him.    A pelican
crosses the water.    The binoculars move off
Fletch and 
---follow the flight of the pelican
as it swoops low over the ocean.   

6   
    BEACH PARKING LOT - DAY             

---Fletch emerges into view, walking
towards camera, when a Man steps into the 
---immediate f.g., the binoculars at
his side large in frame.    Fletch Stops.   

MAN
Excuse me. I have something I'd like to discuss with you.

  FLETCH
What?

7   
    REVERSE

---A trim man of approximately
Fletch's age, wearing a perfectly tailored grey 
---suit, is standing across from
Fletch.    This is Alan Stanwyk.   

STANWYK
We can't talk about it here.

8   
    MASTER   

FLETCH
Why not?

  STANWYK
Because we can't.

FLETCH
Are you on a
scavenger hunt of some kind?

  STANWYK
I want you to come to my house.    Then we'll
talk.


  FLETCH
I think you've got the wrong gal, fella.   

STANWYK
I'll give you a thousand dollars cash just to 
come to my house and listen to the proposition.
    If you reject the proposition, you keep the 
thousand, and your mouth shut.

  FLETCH
Will this proposition entail my dressing up as Tina Turner?

  STANWYK
(unsmiling, all business)
It is nothing of a sexual nature I assure you.
(Takes a thousand in cash from his pocket)
One thousand, just to listen.I don't see 
how you could turn that down Mr...

  FLETCH
Nugent.    Ted Nugent.

  STANWYK
(shakes his hand)
Alan Stanwyk.

  FLETCH
Charmed.

9 EXT.
BERMAN STREET - BEVERLY HILLS - DAY

---A Jaguar XJ sedan goes up Berman
Street, a dead end.  Fletch's
hand reaches out 
---of the passenger window and empties sand
out of a sneaker.

10 INT. JAGURE - DAY

FLETCH
I always liked this part of town.

11 EXT. BERMAN STREET
- DAY

---The Jaguar continues on up Berman Street,
stopping before massive iron gates 
---marked PRIVATE PROPERTY -- NO TRESPASSING
-- STANWYK. The gates open 
---electronically.

12 EXT. STANWYK HOUSE
- DAY

---The jaguar goes up the center of the drive
toward a white-pillared mansion. The 
---lawns and planting are spectacular.

13 INT. JAGUAR - DAY

---Fletch stares out the window.

FLETCH
What a coincidence.

---The car stops before the house.

STANWYK
What?

14 EXT. HOUSE - DAY

---as they get out of the car.

FLETCH
I came this close...
(holds fingers slightly apart)
...to buying this place

---Stanwyk ignores Fletch and starts toward
the house. Fletch follows.

FLETCH
Then I found out Hopalong Cassidy had
shot himself in the game room. That
just blew it for me.

STANWYK
Who?

FLETCH
Hopalong Cassidy. Killed himself here.
Bow and arrow. Strange.

---Stanwyk stops before the front door, stares
at Fletch

STANWYK
What are you, doped up or something?

---Fletch abruptly changes gears, stares at
Stanwyk

FLETCH
I don't work for you yet, assface.
Don't talk to me like that.

STANWYK
(after a beat)
Come inside.

15 INT. HOUSE - DAY

---Stanwyk and Fletch enter. A Mexican Maid
crosses.

STANWYK
Buenas dias.

MAID
Buenas dias.

She disappeared.

FLETCH
I commend you on your Spanish.

---Stanwyk doesn't reply, keeps on walking. He
opens a set of double doors to the
---left of the winding staircase, then stands
to one side, indicating that Fletch
---should enter.

16 INT. LIBRARY - DAY

---Massive fireplace. Everything built in
teak. Fletch enters, and Stanwyk closes
---the door behind them.

FLETCH
Ahh, the library. Masculine but sensitive.

---Stanwyk wordlessly goes behind the desk

FLETCH
Really, I love what you've done with the place.
Must have cost you...hundreds.

---Stanwyk turns, looks out a pair of French
doors behind his desk, then turns 
---back.

STANWYK
Here's my proposition, Mr. Fletcher.

FLETCH
I'm all ears.

STANWYK
I want you to murder me.

17
thru OMITTED
19

20 FLETCH

---Even garrulous Fletch is stopped in his
tracks by this remark, uttered in the ---most business-like manner.

21 STANWYK

STANWYK
Here. On Thursday. I'd like you to shoot me dead.

22 FLETCH

---He just stares, barely breathing.

23 STANWYK

STANWYK
The reason I ask you to do me this service
is that I am facing a long, painful, and most
certain death. You see, I have bone cancer.
I don't know if you know anything about bone cancer.

24 FLETCH

---He shakes his head.

25 STANWYK

STANWYK
It doesn't get any worse than that. Just 
eats you up, bit by bit.

FLETCH

---Finally regains the gift of speech.

FLETCH
You don't look sick, Mr. Stanwyk.

27 MASTER

STANWYK
I don't feel sick. Not yet. They tell me it'll
start getting bad in about a month. After that...
well, I'd rather not be around for it.

FLETCH
Why don't you try suicide?

STANWYK
My company has taken out a very large insurance
policy on me. And I have a wife. Suicide would 
nullify my insurance. Murder does not.

FLETCH
So why pick me?

STANWYK
You're a drifter, a -- pardon the expression --
beach bum. No one would notice if you disappeared. 
I've watched you for a couple weeks.

FLETCH
Maybe I'm just on vacation.

STANWYK
Not with the scum you hang out with. I've watched.
I've thought. Its a perfect scheme. I even have a perfect
escape plan for you.

FLETCH
Did it ever occur to you that I might not want to kill you?

STANWYK
I've got fifty thousand dollars says you will.

28 FLETCH

---He chews his lip.

29 STANWYK

STANWYK
Fifty thousand and a guarantee you won't get caught.

---Stanwyk searches Fletch's face carefully
for a reaction. After several beats....

FLETCH
I'm still here.

STANWYK
(turns and goes to the French doors)
I want it done Thursday evening, around eight PM.
My wife will be off to the club for a committee
meeting. It's the staff's night off.
(pushes doors open)
These will be open.

30 FLETCH

FLETCH
Wouldn't they normally be locked?

31 MASTER

STANWYK
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The staff 
usually forgets.

FLETCH
I have the same problem with my help.

STANWYK
(goes on, unresponsive)
I will be here in the room, waiting for you.
The safe will be open and there will be fifty
thousand dollars in it. You will be wearing
rubber gloves. Do you own rubber gloves?

FLETCH
I rent them. Monthly lease, with an option to buy.

STANWYK
In this drawer....

---He opens the top drawer of his desk

32 INSIDE THE DRAWER

---an enormous .357 Magnum.

33 MASTER

---Stanwyk holds up the gun.

34 FLETCH

FLETCH
A .357.

35 MASTER

STANWYK
Very good. My .357. Use it and no one can
trace it to you. The room will be in some disarray.

FLETCH
So it looks like a burglary attempt. You
catch me. I get the gun, and shoot you.

STANWYK
Precisely. Are you a good shot?

FLETCH
(looking at the huge gun)
What's the difference? The noise'll kill you first.

STANWYK
Get me on the first shot, if you can.

FLETCH
I don't think you'll have to worry about that.

---A beat. Stanwyk stares at Fletch.

STANWYK
Do you have a passport?

FLETCH
Sure, all drifters do.

STANWYK
Fine. After you kill me, take the Jaguar.
The keys will be in the glove compartment.

FLETCH
Take it where?

---Stanwyk starts to write down the
information on a note pad.

STANWYK
LAX. Go to the Pan Am desk. There will 
be a ticket waiting for you.

FLETCH
Where am I going?

STANWYK
(hands Fletch the note)
Rio. Flight 306. Departs at eleven PM.

FLETCH
They serve dinner on the flight?

STANWYK
It'll be a first class-ticket. I'm sure you'll 
enjoy the ride. I would recommend staying down there
at least a year, Mr. Fletcher.

FLETCH
You've certainly thought this out, haven't you?

STANWYK
I am not someone who leaves a great deal
to chance, Mr. Fletcher.

FLETCH
You sure those doors will be open?

STANWYK
Yes. All you provide are the gloves, the passport,
and the aim. I'll take care of everything else.

FLETCH
The gun, the money, the tickets, and the dying.

STANWYK
That's right.

FLETCH
You sure got the hard part.

STANWYK
What do you say, Mr. Fletcher? You'll be doing
me and my family a great service.

36 FLETCH

---thinking it over.

37 STANWYK

STANWYK
Will you kill me?

38 FLETCH

FLETCH
Sure.

39 INT. NEWSPAPER
BUILDING - DAY

Fletch pushes through
the double glass doors, still dresses in a beach mufti -- the
jeans and Magic Johnson shirt, Puma sneakers.

40 INT. L.A. NEWS
OFFICE - DAY

Fletch is greeted
ad-lib by several people as he walks through the cavernous
newspaper City Room.

REPORTER
Whoa, check out the beach boy!

SECOND REPORTER
Looking very good, Fletch.

FLETCH
Thank you so much
(to someone else)
Hey, Larry!

Larry, the young
"morgue" researcher, hurries over and walks with
Fletch. She is fun and flirty, and her feelings for Fletch fall
just short of idolatry.

LARRY
Yo!

FLETCH
Can I steal you for a minute?

LARRY
Only if you promise not to return me.

FLETCH
Deal.

LARRY
(pointing to Fletch's T-shirt)
'Magic' today, huh?

FLETCH
Kareem's in the wash. I need a favor.

LARRY
Shoot.

FLETCH
Don't say shoot, okay.

They pass the office
of the city editor Frank Walker, fiftyish. Hold on Walker's
office. Upon noticing Fletch, he jumps from his seat, edges his
way past the two reporters in his office and runs outside.

WALKER
Fletch. Fletch!

40-A FLETCH AND LARRY

They continue their
walk.

FLETCH
Did you hear something?

LARRY
Not me.

FLETCH
Me neither. See what we've got on a guy
named Alan Stanwyk, okay? I need it right away.

WALKER
(running up to them)
Fletch, I take it by your presence here that
the story is done. Tell me I'm right.

Fletch hold up a
hand.

FLETCH
W-Y-K no 'c.' I'll be down in a minute.

LARRY
No problem, boss.

Larry peels off and
Fletch now talks to Walker without breaking stride for his
office.

WALKER
Fletch.

FLETCH
Frank, you look a little peaked. Wanna vomit?

WALKER
No, I want an answer, Is the story done?

FLETCH
Uh, almost.

WALKER
'Uh, almost' is not an answer. 'Yes Frank, it's all
done': that's an answer.

FLETCH
(as he enters his cubicle)
And a damn fine one, I might add.

41 INT. FLETCH'S
CUBICLE - DAY

A pile of mail is on
his desk. On the walls are a team portrait of the Lakers, plus a
couple of blow-ups of his column. Fletch writes under the name of
Jane Doe. An unused word processor is on his desk, but the
keyboard has been moved aside to make room for an old, much-used
Royal typewriter.

He bounces some waste
paper off the monitor into a strategically placed waste can. (A
lot of crumpled papers lie on the floor all around the can.)

FLETCH
Two....

WALKER
Irwin....

FLETCH
Oh, I hate it when he calls me that.

WALKER
Irwin, professional journalism time, now. Go back to the
goddamn beach and finish the goddamn story!

FLETCH
I will, Frank, I will. Something came up, okay?

WALKER
No it's not okay. You have to have this in by tomorrow.
Did you see the ad we ran Sunday?

FLETCH
I never read the paper.

WALKER
...never reads the paper...

Walker goes through a
pile of unread newspapers on Fletch's desk, finds the Sunday
paper.

FLETCH
What's the spread on the game tonight?

WALKER
I don't know.
(holds up paper)
Look!

FLETCH
Looks great.

42 INSERT - AD

A full-page ad.

NEXT WEEK
A "JANE DOE" SPECIAL REPORT:
DRUGS ON OUR BEACHES -
SHAME OF THE CITY

43 MASTER

FLETCH
'Shame of Our City' is so good.

WALKER
Now, Irwin, try to follow me. You can't run the ad 
and then not run the story.

FLETCH
Why not? Oh $hit...really?

Walker just stares at
him.

FLETCH
Just kidding, Frank. You'll have the story and 
you'll be damn proud of it.

WALKER
You broke it? You know the source?

FLETCH
Practically.

44 WALKER

ready to kill.

WALKER
What's 'practically'? Is it Fat Sam?
You said you had pictures of him....

45 MASTER

FLETCH
I have pictures of him. Dealing....

WALKER
So let's go! We run the pictures.

FLETCH
He's not the story! There's a source behind him.

WALKER
Who?

FLETCH
Well, there we're in a gray area.

WALKER
How gray?

FLETCH
I'd say charcoal.

WALKER
(straining for control)
I'm going to bite out your eyeballs, you know that?

FLETCH
Frank, you animal, I love it. I'll have the story
by Thursday night, I swear to God.
(to himself as he exits)
I hope.

INSERT - NEWSPAPER
CLIPPING

ALAN STANWYK NEW
V/P
BOYD AVIATION

A photograph of
Stanwyk; a head shot. Hands turn the clipping paper. Next
clipping: a social page spread on the wedding of Alan Stanwyk.
("GAIL BOYD WED TO ALAN STANWYK.")

LARRY (V.O.)
Everything's recent.

47 FLETCH AND LARRY

Fletch and Larry
examine the file.

FLETCH
'Mr. Stanwyk, of Provo, Utah, is a 
former commercial pilot.'

LARRY
Married Boyd Aviation. He's no dummy,
that's serious coin.

48 INSERT - CLIPPING
- TIGHTER ANGLE

FLETCH (V.O.)
'Stanwyk's parents, Marvin and Velma Stanwyk, also
of Provo, were unable to attend the wedding.'

49 FLETCH AND LARRY

LARRY
(affected accent)
Not our kind of people, you understand.

FLETCH
(points to his back)
Spot right here.

She scratches.

FLETCH
Thanks.

LARRY
You doing a story on this guy?

FLETCH
Maybe.

He pours over some
more clippings, then stops at one.

50 INSERT CLIPPING

headlined:
"CANCER SOCIETY BENEFIT". A photograph of Alan and Gail
Stanwyk, with a gray haired man and his wife.

FLETCH (V.O.)
'...Stanwyk, blahblahblah, with internist
Doctor Joseph Dolen.

51 FLETCH AND LARRY

FLETCH
I wonder if that's his doctor.

LARRY
Only one way to find out.

52 INT. DOCTOR'S
EXAMINING ROOM - DAY

Fletch, stripped to
the waist. is being examined by Dr. Joseph Dolen, a rather
imperious physician.

DR. DOLEN
So where do you know Alan from?

FLETCH
We play tennis at the club.

DR. DOLEN
Really. The California Racquet Club?

FLETCH
Yes.

DR. DOLEN
That's my club too. I haven't seen you there.

FLETCH
Well, I haven't played in a while because of
these kidney pains.

DR. DOLEN
Right, and how long have you had these
pains, Mr. Barber?

FLETCH
That's Babar.

DR. DOLEN
Two bs?

FLETCH
One. B-a-b-a-r.

DR. DOLEN
That's two.

FLETCH
But not right next to each other. I thought
that's what you meant.

DR. DOLEN
Arnold Babar. Isn't there a children's book about
an elephant named Babar?

FLETCH
I don't know. I don't have any.

DR. DOLEN
No children?

FLETCH
No books. No elephants either. No
really good elephant books.

DR. DOLEN
(eyes Fletch curiously)
Still, it'd an odd name. I don't remember seeing
it on the club registry.

Fletch's eyes drift
to Dolen's side table with its unnerving assortment of medical
paraphernalia.

FLETCH
Oh, I don't belong formally. I've gone with my aunt.

DR. DOLEN
Your aunt?

FLETCH
Mrs. Smith.

DR. DOLEN
Joan or Margaret Smith.

FLETCH
Right.

DR. DOLEN
Well, which one?

FLETCH
Margaret.

DR. DOLEN
Funny old bird.

FLETCH
Is she ever. I've got some stories....

DR. DOLEN
I'll bet. Shame about Ed.

FLETCH
(vamping)
It was. Really a shame. To go so suddenly.

DR. DOLEN
Oh, he was dying for years.

FLETCH
Sure, but the end was so sudden.

DR. DOLEN
He was in intensive care for eight weeks.

FLETCH
Yes, but the very end, when he actually died,
that was extremely sudden.
(quickly)
You know, Alan and I were recently speaking of
dying. Told me Boyd Aviation took out a lot of 
insurance on him. You must have to be in some kind
of perfect health to get that kind of policy.

DR. DOLEN
Bend over and drop your pants, Mr. Babar.

FLETCH
Oh really, there's no need to -- 
we don't want to do that....

DR. DOLEN
Just relax....

FLETCH
Honest, I feel fine. You better be married.

Fletch looks alarmed
as Dolan pushes him into position. Dolan puts on a plastic glove.

53 CLOSE - FLETCH

FLETCH
Did I say 'kidneys'? I meant my ear. Maybe I
should see an ear dahhh --
(as Dolan starts to probe from behind)
Ever serve time?

DR. DOLEN
Breathe easy....

FLETCH
Anyway, I'm surprised Alan got the policy so easily.
I know there's a history of cancer in the family.

DR. DOLEN
(noncommittally)
There is?

FLETCH
Whoa, look out there. You really need the whole fist?

DR. DOLEN
Just relax.

FLETCH
(reacts to a poke)
Gee, Alan's been looking kind of sick lately.
Is he all right?

DR. DOLEN
I can't discuss another patient. You know that.
(rising into frame and washing up)
Well, I can't find anything wrong with you.

FLETCH
I'm sure it's not for a lack of looking. Maybe
I should get a real complete physical. You give
Alan an annual, don't you?

DR. DOLEN
Yeah, we check you into Mt. Hebron for a few days,
run lots of tests, charge a bundle. You can pull 
your pants up now.

FLETCH
I hope they still fit. Do I get to keep the glove?

DR. DOLEN
Tell the nurse when you've got a few free days. She'll
make all the arrangements.

FLETCH
Thanks, Doc. Maybe I'll come back with a date.
Or an elephant.

54 INT. HOSPITAL
RECEPTION AREA - DAY

Fletch is dressed in
shorts, a clean shirt, and is carrying a doctor's bag. He is
wearing a stethoscope around his neck , has a beeper on, a lot of
pencils and other doctor gadgets. He's standing at the directory

55 DIRECTORY

Combing it with his
eyes, he sees the directory:

PATHOLOGY - THIRD
FLOOR
B. ROSENSTIEN, M.D.
H. ROSENBLATT, M.D.
P. ROSENWOHL, M.D.

Fletch goes to a door
marked "Stairs."

56 INT. STAIRWELL -
DAY

Fletch abruptly
empties his doctor's bag and puts on a long green gown, a cap and
a face mask. He plugs the stethoscope in his ears, removes
miscellaneous file folders filled with papers, closes the bag,
and heads for Pathology.

57 INT PATHOLOGY
DEPARTMENT - DAY

It's at the end of a
long hall, and adjacent to the Autopsy Room and the Pathology
Records Room. Over his shoulder we can see into the autopsy room
where a gowned doctor is happily performing an autopsy.

RECORDS NURSE
(to Fletch)
Identification please.

Fletch hastily
fumbles through his wallet, deftly dropping and picking up the
papers he has brought with him.

FLETCH
It's me doctor Rosenpenis. I just have to take
another peek at Alan Stanwyk's file. What have 
they done with this place?

RECORDS NURSE
(confused at all his activity)
Nothing. They're still there.

FLETCH
Right. Fine.

Still dropping and
picking up, shuffling and collating, Fletch starts toward the
Files Room, when the doctor performing the autopsy yells at him.

PATHOLOGIST
Hey you!

Fletch stiffens and
turns around.

PATHOLOGIST
Give me a hand for a second would you doctor?

Fletch hesitates.

PATHOLOGIST
Come on, come on.

Reluctantly, he goes
to the autopsy table, and the cadaver thereon, which is covered
by a sheet, except for the mid-section.

58 TWO SHOT -
FLETCH AND PATHOLOGIST

(Note: from here on
we never see the body.)

PATHOLOGIST
(poking around)
Have you ever see a spleen this large?

FLETCH
(trying not to look)
Not recently.

PATHOLOGIST
Grab this, will you?

FLETCH
Uh, I'm not really prepared. My hands aren't sterilized.

PATHOLOGIST
You're not going to make this guy any sicker.

We hear a squishing
noise as he grabs something large and wet and plops it into
Fletch's hand. Fletch stands there holding something icky out of
frame, looking uncomfortably up at the ceiling, the floor,
anywhere but at the cadaver or at the stuff in his hand.
Meanwhile, we hear sounds of further incisions, and the deflating
of an organ.

PATHOLOGIST
You never really get used to the smell, do you?

Fletch's eyes roll
up, and he falls to the floor in a dead faint.

59 INT. RECORDS
ROOM - DAY - MINUTES LATER

Fletch is on a couch,
beginning to regain consciousness. The Records Nurse hovers over
him.

RECORDS NURSE
Are you all right, Doctor?

FLETCH
Where am I?

RECORDS NURSE
You're in the Records Room.

FLETCH
I'm fine.

RECORDS NURSE
Can I get you something?

FLETCH
Have you got a make-shift plywood pillory? Heh Heh, just kidding.

RECORDS NURSE
Doctor Holmes went to get you some smelling salts. 
He was quite surprised that you fainted.

FLETCH
Well, I didn't want to say anything, but I thought
the dead man was my brother.

RECORDS NURSE
Oh my God!

FLETCH
It's all right. It wasn't him but
that spleen was a splitting image.

He sits up and sees
that just outside the glass is none other that Dr. Joseph Dolen,
talking with the pathologist.

FLETCH
Oh, God, I think I'm about to hyperventilate.
Have you got a paper bag, or something.

RECORDS NURSE
Yes, right away.

She goes to get the
paper bag, and Fletch turns his back on Dr. Dolen to go through
the file cabinet. By the time the Nurse returns, he's got
Stanwyk's file.

RECORDS NURSE
Here you are, Doctor.

FLETCH
Thank you.

He puts the bag over
his mouth and breathes deeply as he continues the conversation
with her. (From time to time, we see Dr. Dolen in the b.g.
looking over, but does not come into the records room or question
what's happening).

RECORDS NURSE
Is there anything particular you're looking for?

FLETCH
My associates did a biopsy on this man recently.
(thumbs through file)
He's supposed to have a melanoma, or a carcinoma,
some kind of noma. Hmmm. I can't seem to find any record
of it.

RECORDS NURSE
(taking the file)
Well, if he had one, it would certainly be in here.
(searches)
Wait. Here it is. Yep. Surgical removal of two moles.
Tissue was benign.

FLETCH
That's it?

RECORDS NURSE
(shows him the file)
That's it.

FLETCH
(reading it)
This was last month. So Alan Stanwyk does not have cancer.

RECORDS NURSE
I guess not.

FLETCH
(very puzzled)
He'll be so relieved.


60 EXT. SANTA MONICA
STREET - LATE AFTERNOON

Fletch pulls up in
front of his building, a 1970's cinderblock apartment complex.
Fletch parks his car halfway up the curb, gets out and spots a
Mercedes coupe. He starts running toward the rear of his
building.

61 EXT. REAR OF THE
BUILDING - DAY

Fletch starts
climbing up the fire escape of his building.

62 FIRE ESCAPE - DAY

Fletch reaches the
second floor. He's huffing and puffing.

FLETCH
Christ.

63 REVERSE

Attorney Charles
Gillett is waiting for him on the second floor fire escape.
Gillett smiles.

GILLETT
Refusal to pay alimony is a jailable offense, Fletch.

64 MASTER

FLETCH
What about breaking and entering?
(points to Gillett's coat)
Are you wearing anything under that?

GILLETT
I did not break nor enter. I simply chose an advisable
location to await my client's delinquent husband.

FLETCH
I hate to conduct business on the lanai. Why don't we step
inside.

Fletch takes out a
credit card and jimmies open the lock on the window.

65 INT. FLETCH'S
APARTMENT - DAY

Fletch climbs in
through the window, followed by Gillett. His small apartment is
just barely furnished. A low basketball hoop is attached to the
wall. Fletch takes a ball, offers it to Gillett.

FLETCH
One on one?

Gillett shakes his
head. Fletch does a reverse shot and misses, sending a plastic
globe lamb crashing to the floor.

FLETCH
And the foul.

Fletch takes a
second, successful shot.

GILLETT
You owe Wendy nine hundred and eighteen dollars.

FLETCH
(still playing b-ball)
She doesn't need the money, for crissakes. 
She's living with Monty. I know it.

GILLETT
I don't know what you're referring to. 
Wendy maintains her own residence.

FLETCH
It stinks. I thought woman were independent now.

GILLETT
Until she remarries, Fletch.

FLETCH
Hey, shut up, okay? I just hate this.

GILLETT
I empathize with your plight, Fletch. However,
you threw her out.

FLETCH
She was sleeping with everybody. The cable TV
guy. You can't get lower than that....

GILLETT
You should have proved that in a court of law.

FLETCH
My lawyer was a bum.

GILLETT
(smiles)
I agree.

Fletch puts down the
basketball, picks up a stack of mail and rifles through it.

FLETCH
I think he was sleeping with Wendy, too.

GILLETT
You may be right.

FLETCH
Are you serious?

GILLETT
(shrugs)
That's history, Fletch. You owe us nine hundred
and eighteen dollars.

FLETCH
Wait a minute! Our problems might be solved.

Fletch holds up an
envelope with Ed McMahon's picture on it.

FLETCH
(continuing)
I think I just won a million dollars!

He opens it and looks
inside, feigning disappointment.

FLETCH
(continuing)
Damn...lost again. Sorry.

GILLETT
This is no joke. If some kind of payment isn't made,
we're going to have to contact the paper and garnish your wages.

Fletch sighs, takes
out the envelope given to him by Stanwyk. He hands a thousand
dollars to Gillett.

GILLETT
Cash. I'm impressed.

FLETCH
Found it in a cab. That's a grand.
Apply the difference to next month.

GILLETT
Till then.

Gillett smiles and
exits.

66 KITCHEN - DAY

Fletch opens the
fridge. Inside are tow six-packs of Coors, a jar of Miracle Whip,
a half a cucumber, and a brown head of lettuce. Fletch takes a
beer and slams the door shut with such force that we hear
breakage inside.

67 MASTER - APARTMENT
- DAY

In a foul mood,
Fletch leaves the kitchen, and wanders into the living room. It
has the personality of an Abbey Rents.

He picks up the TV
remote control. The television clicks on. Chick Hearn is with
Jabbar, during a Laker pregame warmup.

FLETCH
Thank God.

Fletch settles back.

68 TELEVISION

Hearn is gushing over
Jabbar.

69 FLETCH

He watches
contemplatively. He is bone tired.

70 TELIVISION

HEARN
How about Fletch?

JABBAR
Well, Fletch has been great. He's super-strong,
really clogs the middle for us, boxes out, 
gets the bounds....

71 FLETCH

He smiles and nods,
deep in fantasy.

72 TELEVISION

HEARN
Now here's a key play in Tuesday night's game....

Hearn and Jabbar look
down at a television monitor.

73 FLETCH

He's half asleep.

JABBAR (V.O.)
Here I am dishing off to Fletch....

Fletch raises an
eyebrow.

74 TELEVISION

There's Fletch, his
hair in an Afro, dressed in Laker gold. He's on the receiving end
of a Jabbar pass, making an easy layup.

HEARN (V.O.)
Gosh, he makes it look so easy!

75 FLETCH

asleep, smiling.

77 PRICATICE COURT -
DAY

Gail Stanwyk is on
the other side of the net, loading tennis balls into the
automatic serve machine. She is in her late twenties and quite
attractive., but in a much more natural way than other women we
see here. She is good natured and effervescent. Fletch steps up
to the entrance of the court.

FLETCH
Gail Stanwyk!

She looks up. He
enters the court with great delight.

FLETCH
(continuing)
I haven't seen you since the wedding,
Jeez, you look great.

MRS. STANWYK
(genuinely pleased)
I do? Oh, isn't that sweet, thank you. I have to confess
something to you. I must have been pretty plowed at your wedding.
I really don't have the faintest idea who you are.

FLETCH
Huh? No, not my wedding. Yours.

MRS. STANWYK
Oh, mine! Thank God.
(furrows her brow)
Actually, that doesn't make it any better, does it?
Are you a friend of Alan's?

FLETCH
We used to fly together. I'm...John.

MRS. STANWYK
(snaps her fingers in happy recognition)
John! You used to fly together!

Her smile segues
right into an "I'm sorry, bit I give up" expression.

MRS. STANWYK
John who?

FLETCH
John Ultrarelamensky.

MRS. STANWYK
(bursts out in laughter)
Oh, I'm sorry. It's a beautiful name, really.

FLETCH
It's Scotch-Rumanian.

MRS. STANWYK
(still loading tennis balls)
That's a strange combination.

FLETCH
So were my parents.

MRS. STANWYK
Mind if I keep practicing? I need to work
on my ground stroke a little.

FLETCH
Please.

As Mrs. Stanwyk
crosses to the other side of the net, a waiter approaches Fletch.

WAITER
Excuse me sir. Are you a guest of the club?

FLETCH
Yes, I'm with the Underhills.

WAITER
They just left, sir.

FLETCH
They'll be back. He had to go in for a urinalysis.

WAITER
Would you care for a drink while you're waiting?
I can put it on the Underhill bill.

FLETCH
Great. I'll have a Bloody Mary and a steak sandwich.

WAITER
Very good sir.

The Waiter leaves,
and Fletch watches as Mrs. Stanwyk tries to return the serving
machine's serves. She swings so goofily that she can't even get
the racket on the ball. She has clearly never taken a lesson in
her life, and it is doubtful if she will ever make contact with a
tennis ball in this century.

MRS. STANWYK
Damn, I thought I had that one.

FLETCH
You should play with much larger tennis balls. So how's Alan?

MRS. STANWYK
What are you asking me for? He's so busy lately I hardly see him.
And he's been so preoccupied.

FLETCH
Preoccupied with what?

MRS. STANWYK
Oh, personal stuff. Look! I hit one!

Indeed, she has.
Strait up. She and Fletch crane their necks upward to follow it's
flight.

FLETCH
Good. Lobs are a very important part of the game.

She completely misses
the next one.

FLETCH
Why do you keep doing this?

MRS STANWYK
I love the outfits.

The next one she
hits with the handle.

FLETCH
Try stepping into the ball with your left foot.

He demonstrates a
swing. She puts on a determined face, makes an awkward step and
swings at the next ball, missing it completely, and letting the
racket fly.

FLETCH
There, much better.

Mrs. Stanwyk laughs
happily and dodges the machine-served balls to walk over to
Fletch. When she's almost up to him, she turns back to the
serving machine and points a finger at it, as if addressing a pet
dog.

MRS STANWYK
Stay!
(to Fletch)
I must be having an off day. I'm really a fabulous player.

FLETCH
I have this effect on lots of women.

MRS STANWYK
I bet you do.

FLETCH
Say, the reason I asked about Alan is that I bumped into
him this morning and you know what I can't figure out?

MRS STANWYK
(catching him in his lie)
Alan's in Utah.

FLETCH
(after a beat)
I can't figure out why I went to Utah for the morning.

MRS STANWYK
Okay. I'm delighted to have someone to talk to,
and you're very cute, so I'm very flattered, but
I'm also very married so you may as well forget --
You are trying to hit on me, aren't you?

FLETCH
(thinks, then nods)
I'm such a heel. How'd you guess?

MRS STANWYK
If I had a nickel for every one of Alan's flyboy buddies
who tried to pick me up, I'd be a rich woman.

FLETCH
You are a rich woman.

MRS STANWYK
See what I mean?

She trots back to her
ball machine. Fletch calls after her.

FLETCH
What's he doing in Utah?

MRS STANWYK
None of your business, now go away.
You're throwing my game off.

Fletch chuckles -- he
likes this woman -- and exits.

78 BOYD AVIATION -
DAY - ESTABLISHING

A sprawling,
Hughes-like complex.

FLETCH
(O.S.)
...then who walks in but George Bush. 
He took one look around the room...

79 INT. JOHN BOYD'S
OFFICE - DAY

A Secretary is
serving coffee to Fletch (now dressed in a three piece suit) and
John Boyd, Gail Stanwyk's father. At seventy, he is probably
Chairman Emeritus now; no longer running the day-to-day
operations of the company, and thus somewhat grateful from the
company.

FLETCH
(continuing)
...and said 'Sorry Mr. President, I 
thought it was Saturday.'

Boyd Laughs.

FLETCH
I thought I was going to die.

SECRETARY
Sugar, Mr. Poon?

FLETCH
Thank you.

Fletch notices a
framed wedding photograph on the credenza behind Boyd. It is of
Alan and Gail Stanwyk, Alan beaming a $hit-eating grin and
holding a happy thumbs-up.

Fletch waits as the
Secretary leaves the room, then begins speaking confidentially.

FLETCH
Okay.

He opens his attache
case, allowing Boyd to see an airline ticket, a Washington
Post, and a file stenciled "Confidential/S.E.C. Use
only."

FLETCH
First of all, let me just reiterate that this is not a
formal
investigation. I'm not going through formal channels here,
because
if Alan Stanwyk is not involved in any improprieties, then nobody
has to know I was even ---

BOYD
Alan Stanwyk is not involved in improprieties. Where
the hell does the S.E.C. come off ---

Fletch is nodding
sympathetically and holds up a quieting hand. Boyd stops in
mid-tirade, and watches as Fletch reaches into his briefcase and
seemingly turns off a tape recorder.

FLETCH
Look. You know that and I know that, but somebody's bucking 
for a promotion. I think it's that bozo, Hanrahan, I can't be
sure.
Anyway, unless I go back there with something, you and your 
son-in-law are next week's scapegoats.

BOYD
Unbelievable.

FLETCH
I feel like dirt. They even want to know what he's doing in Utah?

BOYD
Utah?
(laughs)
Jesus Christ! First of all, Alan Stanwyk does not own one 
share of stock.The three million dollars for the ranch 
in Provo comes from my daughter who converted some of her 
personal holdings, not company holdings. Now if anybody
in DC wants to make something of that, bring 'em on. 
Until then, get the hell out of my face.

FLETCH
(stands and closes briefcase)
God I admire you.

BOYD
By the way: what kind of name is Poon?

FLETCH
Comanche Indian.

80 ALAN STANWYK'S
OFFICE - DAY

Fletch breezes in,
right up to the Secretary, whose nameplate reads MADELINE TURNER.

FLETCH
(rapidly)
Oh, Margie, sorry, Frieda lost the number
of Alan's realtor in Provo. Can you give it to
me real quick?

MARGIE
Jim Swarthout?

FLETCH
Yeah.

She writes it out
for him.

MARGIE
And, I'm sorry, who are you again?

FLETCH
(grabbing the paper)
Frieda's boss.

MARGIE
(calling after him)
Who's Frieda?

FLETCH
(out the door)
My secretary.


81 EXT. BEACH - DAY

Pan across the
beach....

FLETCH (O.S.)
Larry, it's me....

Fletch is in a phone
booth on the sidewalk next to the beach, keeping an eye on
"Fat Sam's."

FLETCH
See if you've got anything in Stanwyk's background
from when he lived in Utah. Also check on a realtor
in Provo named Swarthout. And tell Frank I'm crazy 
about him and I'd like to discuss his maybe moving
in with me.

We hear police
sirens. Fletch looks O.S.

FLETCH
Later.

He hangs up.

82 FLETCH'S POINT OF
VIEW - FOUR SQUAD CARS

have pulled up to the
beach, lights flashing. The druggies are dispersing. Creasy is
running towards Fletch.

CREASY
Fletch! Take off!

83 FLETCH

He steps out onto the
beach, and starts towards the cops.

84 MASTER

CREASY
What are you doing?

85 MASTER

Everyone is
scattering. The cops run past everyone, and approach Gummey.

86 FLETCH AND CREASY

FLETCH
They're after Gummy again. It's weird.

Fletch keeps moving
toward the police.

CREASY
(out of breath)
Fletch, slow down.

87 GUMMY AND THE COPS

Gummy trips and falls
in the sand. A Cop kicks him in the head.

COP #1
Let's go, Gummy.

88 FLETCH AND CREASY

still running toward
the cops.

FLETCH
Hey, what are you doing?

CREASY
Fletch, this is dumb.

FLETCH
You don't have to run with me, Crease.

89 MASTER

The cops drag Gummy
toward a squad car.

90 ANGLE - "FAT
SAM'S"

Fat Sam peers out,
watching the action.

91 MASTER

Fletch approaches the
cops.

FLETCH
Why are you beating up on that kid?

No responce from the
cops.

FLETCH
He's defenseless, and you kick the crap out of him.
What do you want from ---

One of the cops turns
and, in one smooth motion, kicks Fletch in the balls. Fletch
sinks to the ground.

92 SQUAD CAR

Gummy is packed into
the squad car.

93 FLETCH

He rises slowly from
the sand. He is in great pain. He starts after the cops again.

94 CREASY

CREASY
Fletch!

95 MASTER

FLETCH
What goddamn right do you have to take him?

The cop car starts
off. Fletch picks up a rock, hurls it at the cop car. It smashes
the rear window.

96 CREASY

CREASY
Fletch!!!

97 MASTER

The cop cars go off.
Fletch bends over. He's hurting. Creasy comes over to him.

CREASY
Hey you're really nuts.

FLETCH
(breathless)
They didn't do anything.

CREASY
What? What are you talking about?

FLETCH
I busted their window, they didn't do anything.

CREASY
You're lucky.

FLETCH
Not luck. They don't want me.

98 POLICE CARS

In a caravan, they
head down the highway.

99 FLETCH

He turns and looks
towards "Fat Sam's."

100 "FAT
SAM'S"

Fat Sam watches the
police cars go down the road, then turns and looks towards the
ocean. He pulls his Angels cap down over his head.

101 CLOSE - FLETCH

He is focusing on
something, but has not figured it out yet.

FLETCH
Gummy and two cops....

102
and OMITTED
103

104 INT. FRANK
WALKER'S OFFICE - DAY

FLETCH
Cool your tool, Frank, I need a little
more time. I think I'm really on to something here.

WALKER
Your onto something. That's good. What?

FLETCH
I really don't want to spoil your surprise, Frank.
Why don't you read it tomorrow?

Larry, knocks on the
door.

WALKER
What do you want?

Larry points to
Fletch.

WALKER
Speak, don't point!

LARRY
I need Fletch for a second.

FLETCH
She needs me, Frank.

Fletch turns to
Larry. Push to two shot.

LARRY
Nothing on Gail Stanwyk, nothing on Jim Swarthout.
But I did ---

FLETCH
That's okay, Lar. I gotta put this on the back
burner for a while.

Larry starts to exit.

WALKER
Just give me a hint, all right?

FLETCH
All right. Maybe there are some crooked
cops involved in all this.

LARRY
(stopping in the doorway)
Did you say cops?

FLETCH
Yeah.

LARRY
That's one thing I did find. It's from
Last month, so it was in the unsorted pile.

She hands Fletch a
clipping.

105 INSERT - CLIPPING

It is an article and
photograph of the newly-appointed citizens on the Police Advisory
Board. One of them is Alan Stanwyk.

WALKER
What's that?

106 MASTER

Fletch pockets the
photo.

FLETCH
(puzzled)
More cops.
(then)
I think I gotta go to Utah, Frank.

WALKER
Utah?

FLETCH
Yeah. It's wedged in between Wyoming and Nevada.
I'm sure you've seen pictures.

WALKER
What about finding the source?

FLETCH
I have some ideas.

WALKER
Who? Donnie and Marie?

FLETCH
Very possibly. Come on, say yes. I'll buy
you a shirt.

WALKER
Go to transportation, get a ticket.

LARRY
(to Fletch as he exits)
My hero.

FLETCH
Nothing to it.


107 EXT. PROVO, UTAH
- AIRPORT -DAY

A Western Airlines
flight arrives.

107-A EXT. HIGHWAY -
DUSK

Fletch's rented
Fairmont speeds down the highway.

107-B INT. FAIRMONT -
FLETCH

wearing a polyester
brown suit -- fiddles with the radio. Snatches of programs are
heard: "easy listening" music; country-and-western; a
revival show; a call in show -- "Hi, you're on the
air." "Hello, Bob, I'd like to discuss the death
penalty. As you know, Jesus was in favor of it --" Fletch
whistles and switches the radio off. He turns the car off the
interstate.

108 EXT. TRAVELODGE -
LATE AFTERNOON - ESTABLISHING SHOT

as Fletch drives up.

109 INT. TRAVELODGE
MOTEL ROOM

Fletch dials the
phone in the small, sparsely furnished room.

FLETCH
Hi, Jim Swarthout, please. Oh, hello, my name
is Igor Stravinski and I'm looking for some ranch property.

110 INT. SWARTHOUT
REALTY

Jim Swarthout is a
rugged-looking man in his forties. He sits in the den/office of
his house talking on the phone, surrounded by pine-paneling,
property tract maps and wall-mounted animal heads.

SWARTHOUT
Good, Mr. Starinski, what'd you have in mind?
(pause)
Uh huh. Oh are you a friend of Alan's?

111 INT. FLETCH'S
MOTEL ROOM

FLETCH
No, I just heard some people at the club talking about the
property
you sold him, and the way it was described, three million sounded
like
a pretty good price.
(pause)
What?

Fletch pauses again
to listen, flummoxed over what he has just heard.

FLETCH
Are you sure?
(pause)
Of course. I guess I was misinformed. Listen,
I'd love to come out and see you anyway.
When are you available?

112 INT. SWARTHOUT
REALTY

SWARTHOUT
Well, I'm about to close up shop and go out for the
evening. How about first thing in the AM?
(pause)
Great. See you tomorrow.

113 INT. FLETCH'S
MOTEL ROOM

FLETCH
Tomorrow.

Fletch hangs up, very
interested.

114 OMITTED


115 EXT. SWARTHOUT
REALTY - NIGHT

Fletch stops his car
in front of the ranch-style house. A lighted sign in the yard
indicate that this is indeed Swarthout Realty, but the house is
dark; no one appears to be home. Somewhere in the yard a dog
barks viciously, frantically.

116 DOG

A killer Doberman is
tied up behind a chain link fence. At the sight of the intruding
Fletch, the dog's lip is practically over his nose, his fangs are
poised and gleaming.

117 FLETCH

FLETCH
(getting out of his car)
What's your name fella? Fluff? Pom-pom?

118 DOG

completely bananas.

119 FLETCH

Fletch reaches the
front door and looks around. He rings the bell. The dog yowls
even louder. Fletch waits. And waits. He rings again. Satisfied
that no one is home, he tries the front door. Of course, it is
locked. He takes out a credit card, starts to jimmy the lock, and
actually seems to be making progress when his credit card snaps
in half.

FLETCH
Sh*t.

He pockets the broken
credit card, steps back and looks over the house for another
possible point of entry.

120 FLETCH'S POINT OF
VIEW - AN UPSTAIRS WINDOW

Double-hung. Slightly
warped, so that the upper half does not exactly true with the
lower half.

121 FLETCH

looks around to see
how to climb up to it.

122 MASTER

There's only one way.
Climb up the side of the chain link fence which separates him
from the murderous dog. Fletch approaches it warily. The dog is
practically foaming. Fletch reaches out a hand to get a hold of
the fence, and the dog just about rips the fence apart.

FLETCH
(in his best Barbara Woodhouse)
Sit-tuh!

This has no effect,
so Fletch backs up a few yards, take a deep breath for courage
and makes a headlong running start for the fence, using his
momentum to get to the top before the dog eats him. He grabs hold
and scrambles wildly for the top. He makes it.

FLETCH
Roll over. Play dead. Good boy.

Fletch now grabs hold
of the eave on the side of the house, and very carefully pulls
himself onto it. It's only about ten feet from there to the
vulnerable window, but the angle of the eave is rather steep, and
the going is treacherous. As he makes his way, he keeps a wary
eye on the dog who keeps leaping up, seemingly getting closer and
closer to taking a giant bite out of Fletch's backside.

FLETCH
You any relation to Doctor Dolan?

Now he's at the
window. He tries to open it, but despite it's warped appearance
from the ground, it is locked. Fletch looks at the lock and can't
believe it. He sighs. He shakes his head. He smashes the window
with his elbow.

FLETCH
I hate this.

He climbs into the
darkened house, leaving the enraged dog to run furiously around
the fenced in yard that surrounds the house.

123 INT SWARTHOUT'S
HOUSE - UPSTAIRS - NIGHT

Fletch tiptoes though
the upstairs bedroom and down the stairs. From outside, he can
still hear the dog snarling and barking.

124 INT. SWARTHOUT'S
HOUSE - DOWNSTAIRS - NIGHT

As Fletch passes
through the living room he sees the dog snarling at him through
the living room window.

125 INT. SWARTHOUT'S
DEN - NIGHT

Fletch enters and
looks around.

The dog is now
outside the den window.

FLETCH
Make sure nobody comes in, okay?

He goes to the file
cabinet and opens it.

He flips through the
"S" section. "Stanwyk". He pulls it. He
thumbs through various documents until he finds what he's looking
for. A copy of a deed. He pulls it out.

125-A INSERT - DEED -
CLOSE ON THE PURCHASE PRICE

Three Thousand
Dollars.

FLETCH (O.S.)
So much for your three million dollar ranch.

126 FLETCH

takes out a tiny
document camera -- the kind spies use in the movies -- and loads
it fumblingly. Then he props the deed up on top of the file
cabinet, and moves a lamp into position to light it. Just as he
snaps his first shot, we hear a terrible crashing sound.

127 WINDOW

The murderous
Doberman has made a crashing leap right through the den window,
sending glass flying everywhere, and he streaks across the room
to rip Fletch into bite-sized shreds.

128 MASTER

Fletch bolts and the
dog flies into the file cabinet, knocking it over, scattering all
the files over the floor. Fletch dashes for the nearest door, and
runs through it just as the dog slams into it.

129 INT. KITCHEN

Fletch is now holed
up in the kitchen, panting to catch his breath, feeling the full
course of adrenaline pumping through his terrified veins. He sees
that he can get to his car by climbing through the window. But in
order to get to the window he has to let go of the door, and that
would allow the dog to get in.

Looking around
frantically, holding the door shut against the furious slamming
of the dog, he reaches for and finally grabs a mop which he props
under the door knob, thus keeping the door shut. Letting go of
the door gingerly, he satisfies himself that the dog cannot get
in, and he makes his break for the window.

He vaults up onto the
counter top and is just about to break the window when he sees
that the dog's continued efforts are about to result in opening
the door.

Fletch knows he has
only seconds. Standing on top of the counter, he opens the door
of the restaurant-sized refrigerator next to him, and just as the
snarling dog bursts into the room Fletch starts hurling food at
it. A pot roast, sliced turkey with stuffing, a couple of filet
mignons. The dog is momentarily distracted. Fletch pours a large
bucket of cranberry sauce on the dog.

FLETCH
Suck on this Cujo!

Then he dumps an
equally large bucket of mashed potatoes. With the dog temporarily
vision-impaired, Fletch bolts.

130 EXT. SWARTHOUT
HOUSE - NIGHT

Fletch runs as fast
as humanly possible towards his car, fishing for his keys as he
goes. The dog -- having shaken off the people-food from his
hateful face -- is seconds behind and closing.

Fletch makes it to
his car, hops inside, and slams the door just as the dog leaps
furiously at the windshield.

131 INT. FLETCH'S CAR

Fletch makes it to
his car, huffing and puffing. The dog jumps across the closed
window, snarling and bug-eyed with hatred.

Fletch smiles, waves
at the dog, and starts taking its picture with his little camera.

FLETCH
Gimme a smile! There you go...oh, that's a nice one...
(starting the car)
Everything's fine, now...go take a little nap....

Fletch is ready to
pull out, but the dog is still leaping madly at the window.
Fletch points back to the house.

FLETCH
Look! Defenseless babies!

The dog turns to look
and Fletch guns it.

FLETCH
That dog is such an A**hole.

132 EXT. FLETCH'S
APARTMENT HOUSE - DAY

Fletch parks his car
halfway up on the curb, steps out carrying a small overnight bag.
He is unshaven and looks beat.

133 INT. APARTMENT
HOUSE - CORRIDOR

Fletch comes down the
hall signing "Billie Jean" is an excruciating falsetto.

FLETCH
'Bil-lie, Bil-lie...'

He opens the door to
his apartment and is immediately thrown to the ground.

134 INT. APARTMENT

Fletch is
spread-eagled on the floor. Two huge Cops are over him, one
holding a gun to his head, the other going through his clothes.

COP #1
(feeling the inseam of Fletch's trousers)
Oh, what's this?

FLETCH
If I took that out, you guys couldn't fit in here.

COP #1
Funny boy. Look at this....

He produces a heroin
bag.

COP#2
Looks like heroin, Gene.

FLETCH
You just planted that.

Cop #1 kicks Fletch
in the ribs.

COP#2
What'd you say?

FLETCH
Read me my rights.

COP #1
Okay. You have the right to remain silent. You
have the right to be kicked in the face by me.
You have the rights to have your balls stomped.
You have the ---

FLETCH
Hold it! I'll waive my rights.

135 EXT. PRECINT
HOUSE

Fletch is lead into
the precinct house.

136 INT. PRECINT
HOUSE

The Sergeant at the
desk checks Fletch out.

SERGEANT
Who we booking here, gentlemen?

COP #1
No booking. Chief wants a talk with the boy.

SERGEANT
Oh Yeah?
(smiles at Fletch)
You'll like the Chief. Nice man.

FLETCH
I hear he's mellowed a lot since he came out of the closet.

SERGEANT
I find he gets real mellow after he hits somebody a lot.

137 DOOR TO CHIEF'S
OFFICE - CHIEF'S OFFICE

The cops open the
door, pull Fletch inside. Chief Cummings, looking like a modern
executive, looks up from his paperwork.

COP #1
Here he is Chief.

They roughly throw
Fletch into a chair. The Chief -- seemingly oblivious to this
brutality -- smiles sincerely.

CUMMINGS
Easy fellas.
(To Fletch friendly)
Be with you in just a second.

The two Cops leave.
As Chief Cummings continues with his paperwork Fletch looks
around the office, which is decorated tastefully -- no guns on
the wall, no American flags. On one wall there is a Matisse, and
on another, various photos of the Chief with local celebrities.

FLETCH
You decorate this yourself or did Mrs. Chief of 
Police help you?

CUMMINGS
(laughs)
You should have seen what she wanted to do 
with the place. Mauve.
(shakes his head and pushes his papers aside)
So what's your name?

FLETCH
Fletch.

CUMMINGS
Full name.

FLETCH
Fletch F. Fletch

CUMMINGS
(skeptical but patient)
I see. And what do you do for a living,
Mr. Fletch?

FLETCH
I'm President of the International Fletch Corporation.

Cummings just stares
at Fletch.

CUMMINGS
Why are you doing this Mr. Fletch?

FLETCH
Frankly sir, you look a little like my father. Probaly
explains the curious feeling of love I have for you.

CUMMINGS
For a gentleman who was just found holding a bag
full of heroin....

FLETCH
It was planted on me, sir.

CUMMINGS
We're looking at five years, maybe ten. Is that
what you want...Jane Doe?

He suddenly kicks
Fletch's chair out from under him. Fletch falls to the floor.

CUMMINGS
Your editor called me yesterday to respond to allegations
you're about to print about police involvement in narcotics
dealing.

Fletch starts to get
up, but Cummings plants his foot on Fletch's chest, forces him
back down.

CUMMINGS
I'm about to break that beach wide open, and I don't
need some pennyante Woodward and Bernstein getting in 
the way of my men.

FLETCH
'Your men' might just be involved in all this.

CUMMINGS
You idiot. Off the record, deep background:
I've got that beach crawling with undercover cops.

Cummings picks Fletch
up, and holds him by the lapels.

CUMMINGS
If you keep nosing around, you make the bad guys just 
a little bit more cautious. That makes my job harder.
And if you print your story this week, you might get 
some of my men killed. I can't let that happen, Mr. Fletch.

He throws Fletch
against the wall of celebrity photos, some of which fall to the
floor.

CUMMINGS
You go back to that goddamn beach, I swear to God I'll
make you regret it.

FLETCH
(picks up a picture)
Hey, you and Tommy Lasorda. That's great.

Fletch takes the
picture and hurls it across the room. It smashes into the
opposite wall and shatters.

FLETCH
I don't like Tommy Lasorda.

138
and OMITTED
139

140 JAIL CORRIDOR

Fletch is tossed into
an empty cell by the two Cops who brought him in. Cummings
watches. The two Cops leave, and we see that all the cells in
this corridor are empty.

FLETCH
You can't keep me here.

CUMMINGS
Maybe I'm not going to keep you here.
(takes out a gun)
Maybe I'm gonna blow your brains out.

FLETCH
I'm no lawyer, but I do believe that's a violation of my rights.

The Chief takes a
knife out of his pocket, holding it with a handkerchief.

CUMMINGS
After I shoot you, I stick the knife in my arm, then
place it in your dead hand. Self-defense. We don't do this
very much anymore...but we have. Got rid of a lot of 
minorities that way.

FLETCH
My God, you're serious.

CUMMINGS
Ask anybody.

FLETCH
Can I ask anybody now?

Cummings looks down
the corridor. Deserted.

FLETCH
Can I call my Mom? I'd like to tell here how much
I've always loved her.

CUMMINGS
(cocks the gun)
What'll it be Fletch?

Fletch looks in
Cummings' eyes. They are steely and cold. He is quite serious.

FLETCH
I hate the beach. Wouldn't go there if you paid me.
Besides, I'm way overdue on my story about off-track
betting in the Himalayas. You don't think it's the mafia,
do you?

CUMMINGS
(opening the cell)
Its been very nice meeting you. I enjoy your column.

Fletch walks out of
the cell. Cummings walks with him through the empty corridor to
the exit.

CUMMINGS
(very chummy)
Speaking of which, you're not going to print
anything before my investigation is through, are you?

FLETCH
Not a prayer.

CUMMINGS
That a boy.

The emerge into the
main hallway of the police station, which is filled with officers
and civilians. Cummings makes a show of cordially shaking
Fletch's hand as if they were old friends.

CUMMINGS
Thanks for coming down to see us.

FLETCH
Not at all, Chief. But next time...no tongue, okay?

Exit Fletch.

141
thru OMITTED
147

148 INT. NEWSPAPER
OFFICE

Fletch is railing at
Frank Walker.

FLETCH
How could you call him?

WALKER
It's called journalism, Fletch. It's called getting
both sides of the story. Something you apparently don't
know anything about.

FLETCH
It's also called getting me this close to being murdered.

WALKER
Get out of here.

FLETCH
He threw me in a cell, took a gun and a knife and 
threatened to kill me right there if I didn't 
promise to give up the story.

WALKER
You know, I've had it up to here with your
bullsh*t. I need a story from you by tomorrow.

FLETCH
You'll have it.

WALKER
But not unsubstantiated charges about dope-dealing
cops, and not horse sh*t paranoid fantasies about
homicidal police chiefs.

FLETCH
(exiting)
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Frank.

WALKER
(calling after him)
I want something I can print!

FLETCH
(giving him the finger)
Print this Frank.

Exit Fletch.


149
thru OMITTED
152

153 EXT. RAQUET CLUB

Fletch again appears
in his tennis whites and walks familiarly toward the patio. Rich
people are having lunch. Fletch stops the waiter.

FLETCH
Hi, where's Mrs. Stanwyk?

WAITER
In her cabana, sir.

FLETCH
Oh, that's right. She told me to meet her there.
That's cabana six?

WAITER
Cabana one.

FLETCH
One.

WAITER
Would you be caring for something to eat or drink, sir?

FLETCH
I would, actually.

WAITER
Charged to the Underhills, sir?

FLETCH
Right. Tell you what -- have you caviar?

WAITER
Yes, sir. Beluga. But it is eighty dollars the portion.

FLETCH
(whistles)
I'd better only get two. How about the lobster thermidor?

WAITER
I recommend it.

FLETCH
Fine. And a couple of bottles of Dom Perignon. 
To cabana one.

WAITER
Very good, sir.

The waiter leaves.
Fletch looks around, takes a deep breath.

FLETCH
This is just the nicest place.

154 OMITTED
and
155

156 EXT. CABANA ONE

A little Spanish
bungalow-type affair. Old California money-style elegance. Fletch
rings the bell.

MRS. STANWYK (V.O.)
Who is it?

FLETCH
It's John. John...
(forgets name)
Znhcneelsky.

MRS. STANWYK
John Ultramalensky?

She opens the door,
clad only in a towel. A towel is wrapped around her head. She
seems surprised, but not displeased, to see Fletch. She also
seems a little at a loss for words.

FLETCH
Hi.

MRS. STANWYK
(finally)
Hi.

FLETCH
I was hoping you'd say that.

They have just shaken
hands, and Fletch notices his hand is now sopping wet.

MRS. STANWYK
Uh...I'm just out of the shower.

FLETCH
Can I borrow your towel for a minute?

She laughs a nervous
little laugh. There is a bit of sexual tension here.

MRS. STANWYK
I'm sorry, I'm just surprised to see you. I
didn't think...What do you want?

FLETCH
I ordered lunch.

MRS. STANWYK
You ordered it here?

FLETCH
Well, I knew this is where my mouth would be.

MRS. STANWYK
Down boy.

With a nervous glance
in both directions, she lets him in and closes the door behind
them.

157 INT. CABANA

They stand there for
a few seconds looking at each other.

MRS. STANWYK
I really should change.

FLETCH
No, I think you should stay the same wonderful
person you are today.

MRS. STANWYK
I mean put clothes on.

FLETCH
Here, take mine.

He starts to take off
his shirt. She is amused, and responds playfully, but firmly.

MRS. STANWYK
Stop that!

He does.

MRS. STANWYK
Have you gotten cuter since I last saw you?

FLETCH
Yes.

She stands there,
looking around, trying to act as if her heartbeat weren't
speeding up.

SFX: Knock at door.

FLETCH
Lunch....

MRS. STANWYK
God....

She goes sprinting
into the bathroom.

FLETCH
Come on in.

The door opens. A
second Waiter, Mexican, solemnly wheels in a cart bearing the
goodies ordered by Fletch. The twin bottle of Dom Perignon juts
from a silver ice bucket.

WAITER
You want I set up?

FLETCH
No thanks, I'll do it. Give yourself twenty dollars. Underhill.

WAITER
Muchas gracias.

FLETCH
Sierra del fuego.

The waiter bows,
leaves, shuts the door. Mrs. Stanwyk scampers back in, gazes at
the cart as Fletch takes a bottle of Dom Perignon and pops the
cork.

MRS. STANWYK
All this goes on Underhill's bill?

FLETCH
(offering her a glass)
I saved his life during the war.

MRS. STANWYK
You were in the war?

FLETCH
No. He was. I got him out.

She laughs and sighs,
knowing she's getting into something she probaly shouldn't.

MRS. STANWYK
I can't believe I'm doing this. Well, lets eat.

She tucks a napkin in
her towel like a bib and sits at the table.

158 EXT. RAQUET CLUB
- DAY

The Underhills have
just been handed the bill run up by Fletch.

MR. UNDERHILL
Four hundred bucks for lunch???

WAITER
Your guest, sir.

MR. UNDERHILL
We have no guest here today.
(reading the bill)
Two bottles of Dom Perignon, hundred bucks a pop. 
Jesus H. Christ! Where is he?

WAITER
I believe he's with Mrs. Stanwyk.

MRS. UNDERHILL
Gail Stanwyk. Tom, if he's with Gail Stanwyk ---

MR. UNDERHILL
I don't care who he's with! This is criminal.

MRS. UNDERHILL
Tom....

MR. UNDERHILL
She's where, cabana one?

WAITER
Yes sir.

Mr Underhill stalks
off.

159 INT. CABANA - DAY

Fletch and Mrs.
Stanwyk are having lunch. Fletch sings while he opens the
champagne. She is looking at his back which is turned to her.

FLETCH
'I've been so many places
in my life and times.
I've sung a lot of songs,
I've made some bad rhymes....'

MRS. STANWYK
It's amazing.

FLETCH
'I've acted out my life on stages,
with ten thousand people watching....'

MRS. STANWYK
Your bone structure, shoulders, neck....

FLETCH
'But we're alone now, 
and I'm singing this song for you.'

MRS. STANWYK
Just like Alan. It's freaky.

FLETCH
Can I ask you a question?

MRS. STANWYK
Depends on the question.

FLETCH
Are you still in love with Alan?

MRS. STANWYK
No.
(quickly)
I mean, 'no you can't ask me that.'
I mean, ask me something else.

FLETCH
Why'd you let me in?

MRS. STANWYK
Because I'm bored. Oh, that sounds terrible, doesn't it.
I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better, I also let
you in because I'm hungry.

FLETCH
Thanks, I feel much better. Listen, if you're so bored, 
why didn't you go to Utah with Alan?

MRS. STANWYK
Utah is not exactly a cure for boredom.

FLETCH
Good point.

MRS. STANWYK
Oh, listen to me. I've never even been there and look
what I say about it. Anyway, I know there'd be nothing
for me to do. I don't even know anybody there.

FLETCH
What about his parents?

MRS. STANWYK
He never sees them and I never met them.

FLETCH
How come?

SFX: Insistent knock
at door.

Fletch and Mrs.
Stanwyk freeze.

MRS. STANWYK
Yes?

MR. UNDERHILL
(V.O.)
Mrs. Stanwyk, I hate to disturb you.
Tom Underhill here...I'm a new member.

Fletch rises.

FLETCH
Thanks for the great time.

MRS. STANWYK
(sotto voice)
What is this?

FLETCH
Long story.

MR. UNDERHILL
(V.O.)
Apparently, someone of your acquaintance has
charged the most extraordinary lunch to my bill.

MRS. STANWYK
(hissing)
John!

Fletch starts pushing
the lunch table towards the bathroom.

MRS. STANWYK
You don't know the Underhills?

MR. UNDERHILL
(V.O.)
I'd appreciate an opportunity to discuss
this with you.

MRS. STANWYK
I just stepped out of the shower!
Can you give me a minute?

MR. UNDERHILL
(V.O.)
Of course.

Mrs. Stanwyk follows
Fletch into the bathroom.

160 INT BATHROOM

Fletch jams the cart
into the bathroom.

FLETCH
Take one end.

Mrs. Stanwyk lifts
one side of the cart. They lift it and put it up into the
bathtub. There's a window in the bathroom. Fletch opens it.

FLETCH
I'll be leaving now, Mrs. Stanwyk.

MRS. STANWYK
I think you should call me Gail, now.

FLETCH
Gail. I hope this won't embarrass you in any way. I think
Underhill's a yutz, you won't have any trouble with him.

MRS. STANWYK
Why did you do it?

Fletch shrugs,
smiles.

MRS. STANWYK
A four hundred dollar lunch tab!

FLETCH
Yeah.

MRS. STANWYK
I'll cover it. You have any other surprises?

FLETCH
(after a beat)
Yeah. My name's not John Ultramalensky and
I wasn't at your wedding.

She stares at him.

MRS. STANWYK
Who.

FLETCH
Irwin Fletcher. I write a newspaper column
under the name Jane Doe.

A long beat.

MRS. STANWYK
So?

FLETCH
So, your husband hired me to kill him.
That's the truth.

MRS. STANWYK
What are you talking about?

FLETCH
That's what I want to know.

161 EXT. CABANA

Mr. Underhill knocks
again.

MR. UNDERHILL
Mrs. Stanwyk!

162 INT. BATHROOM

MRS. STANWYK
In a minute!

FLETCH
He told me he was dying of cancer.
Not True. That ranch you thought you
were paying for in Utah? Not true.

MRS. STANWYK
How do you know about that?

FLETCH
He's a bad guy, Mrs. Stanwyk. Gail.
I think he's involved in something
very big and very bad.


MRS. STANWYK
What does all this mean?

FLETCH
Have you ever heard the name Jim Swarthout?

MRS. STANWYK
Swarthout. Yes. He's the man who sold us the ranch in ---

FLETCH
Wrong. He sold you $3,000 worth of scrub brush.

MRS. STANWYK
But I've seen the deed.

FLETCH
You saw a forgery.

He takes out his
photographs.

FLETCH
That's the real deed.

162-A INSERT - PHOTO
OF DEED

It's is so fuzzy,
shaky, and poorly framed that there's no way we can read the
price on it.

FLETCH (O.S.)
Now, if this were at all legible, you'd believe me.

162-B MASTER

Fletch shows her more
of the photos.

FLETCH
Here's this dog that tried to eat me.
Here's my motel. Here's the car I rented....

MRS. STANWYK
Stop it.
(angry and concerned)
Are you saying my husband is defrauding me?

FLETCH
I don't know. All I know is that he told me a lot
of things and so far not one of them has been true.

Mrs. Stanwyk stares
at Fletch. She gets a little teary.

FLETCH
I'm really sorry I have to tell you all this.

MR. UNDERHILL
(O.S.)
Mrs. Stanwyk?

MRS. STANWYK
(really screams)
Just wait, all right?!?
(to Fletch)
I'm going to call my father. He'll know what ---

Fletch stops her.

FLETCH
No. You can't. Look, I know you don't know me from
Adam, but you've got to trust me.

MRS. STANWYK
Trust you? I may seem a little goofy at times, but
I'm not a complete Bozo, you know.

FLETCH
Just give me twenty-four hours. Please. Someone
almost killed me today. People are not being nice
lately, and I don't want you getting hurt. I think you're
terrific. Are you a Laker fan?

Gail is now teary,
confused, and scared.

MRS. STANWYK
No...I've got to go to Mr. Underhill....

FLETCH
I'll take you to a game.

MRS. STANWYK
What are you talking about?

FLETCH
I'm talking about how much I'd like to take you 
to a Laker game.

MRS. STANWYK
Wait a second. What am I supposed to do 
for twenty-four hours?

FLETCH
(climbing out window)
Act natural.

MRS. STANWYK
I was afraid you'd say that.

FLETCH
If you need me, call the paper. Hand
me that extra bottle okay?

163 EXT. CABANA

Gail opens the door
where Mr. Underhill has been waiting.

MRS. STANWYK
Sorry. Here.
(grabs the bill from his hand)
Thanks. Bye.

She closes the door
in his face.

164 OMITTED

165 EXT. BOYD
AVIATION - PARKING LOT

Alan Stanwyk crosses
the parking lot and gets into his Jaguar. He starts the engine,
backs out of his reserved space, and pulls out of the lot.

166 ANOTHER ANGLE -
PARKING LOT

Fletch is reading a
copy of Sports Illustrated. He puts it down, starts his
car, and pulls out of the lot.

167 SANTA MONICA
BOULEVARD

Stanwyk's Jaguar
tools down Santa Monica Boulevard. Fletch's car follows, several
discreet car lengths behind.

168 INT. JAGUAR

Stanwyk checks his
watch, and makes a turn.

169 MASTER

Stanwyk has pulled
into a service station. He gets out of his car and opens the
trunk.

170 FLETCH

He pulls into a
fast-food joint on the west side of the street. He opens the Sports
Illustrated and peers over it.

171 STANWYK

He takes a gas can
from the trunk, goes to the pump, fills it, and pays the
attendant in cash.

172 FLETCH

Curious.

173 STANWYK

He puts the gas can
back in the trunk, gets into the car, and starts off.

174 FLETCH

follows suit.

175 SANTA MONICA
BOULEVARD

We are getting into
the increasingly rundown section of Santa Monica. The Jaguar
turns off. Hold: Several beats later, Fletch turns off.

176 OVERPASS

A freeway overpass.
Stanwyk stops his car.

177 FLETCH'S CAR

He pulls off behind a
liquor store, in view of the overpass. Fletch waits.

178 OVERPASS

A second car pulls up
behind Stanwyk's. A cop steps out and says something to Stanwyk.
Stanwyk gets out of his car and walks over to the unmarked police
car, and gets in.

178-A FLETCH

takes out his
binoculars.

178-B FLETCH'S POINT
OF VIEW

Because he's looking
through the reflection of sunlight on the back window of the
unmarked police car, Fletch's point of view is fuzzy, but we can
just make out the form of someone else in animated conversation
with Stanwyk.

178-C FLETCH

A moment of possible
recognition. He focuses intently.

178-D FLETCH'S POINT
OF VIEW - THE OTHER MAN IN THE CAR

with Stanwyk...is
Police Chief Cummings.

179 FLETCH

FLETCH
Jesus.

He starts up his car
and backs out.

DISSOLVE TO

180 EXT. FLETCH'S
APARTMENT HOUSE

Fletch pulls up to
his house and stops the car.

181 INT. CAR

Fletch looks around.

182 EXT. HOUSE

Fletch doesn't leave
the car.

183 INT. CAR

Fletch sits put,
drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. He just has a
feeling. He starts the car up, and pulls out.

184 EXT. HOUSE

Two cop cars,
concealed in driveways, scream out, heading after Fletch's car.

185 INT. FLETCH'S CAR

Fletch sees them in
the rearview and stomps on the gas.

FLETCH
Should've known. Goddamn it.

186 EXT. STREETS

Fletch floors it.

FLETCH
Great. First I'll get a speeding ticket,
then they'll shoot me. Terrific.

Fletch cuts through
the parking lot of a drug store/dry cleaning complex. The cop
cars follow suit. Shopping wagons are tossed about. He turns a
corner and realizes he has a few seconds before they're on top of
him again. He screeches up next to a teenager in a sports car.

FLETCH
All right, fella, smog check. Move over.

Before the guy can
say "who?", Fletch is in the guy's driver seat and
tears out, hell bent for leather.

187 ENTRANCE TO
FREEWAY

Fletch peels off onto
the Santa Monica Freeway.

188 FREEWAY

Fletch hits about
ninety. So do the cops. Now a motorcycle cop joins the chase.

189 OMITTED

189-A INT. SPORTS CAR

TEENAGER
Holy sh*t!

FLETCH
Sorry, youngster, but we have to see what kind of
fluorocarbons this thing puts out at ninety-five.

TEENAGER
Holy sh*t!

FLETCH
Don't worry about the speed limit. That's
what the police escort's for.

190 EXT. FREEWAY

Indeed, behind them
is a gaggle of speeding cop cars and motorcycles.

TEENAGER (O.S.)
Holy sh*t!

Fletch cuts across
two lanes of traffic and gets off the freeway. He loses the
motorcycle cop who goes past the exit. The squad cars are thrown
behind a bit, but still chase.

191 INT. SQUAD CAR

COP #1
Sh*t! He'll kill us if we lose him.

191-A INT. SPORTS CAR

The teenager is
sweating bullets.

TEENAGER
Okay, okay, just stop, will you. I admit
it. I stole it. I was just taking it for
a little joy ride, that's all....

FLETCH
Holy sh*t.

191-B EXT. CAR

Fletch squeals around
a corner, runs a light, and booms into the parking lot of a large
Holiday Inn. He's a few seconds ahead of the cops.

FLETCH
Okay, kid. Just stand here with your hands
on the car and wait for the cops. I gotta pee.
Here, take my hat.

Fletch pops his hat
on the kid's head, and runs off.


192 EXT. HOLIDAY INN

Fletch runs into the
kitchen entrance of the Holiday Inn.

193 INT. HOLIDAY INN
KITCHEN

Fletch picks up a
case of vegetables and walks through as if he belonged there.

Moments later, two
cops enter.

194 THE COPS

can't see him because
of the crate.

195 INT. HOLIDAY INN
- BANQUET ROOM

A testimonial dinner
is in progress. A sign on the wall reads:

TRB SYSTEMS SALUTES
FRED DORFMAN
40 YEARS OF SERVICE

Thirty tables of
conservatively dressed, older men and women are enjoying lunch.
Fletch enters from the kitchen followed by several waiters and
busboys. He looks over his shoulder.

196 FLETCH'S POINT OF
VIEW - KITCHEN

Two cops are in hot
pursuit.

197 FLETCH

moves into the middle
of the tables as a florid fat Speaker at the dais drones on.

SPEAKER
...and he can truly be called the Father
of Internal Bushings.

A round of applause
which Fletch joins heartily, as he quickly sits in the audience
at an empty seat at a table in the center.

FLETCH
(to his table)
Hello. I'm with the hotel catering. Are you
enjoying your meal? Carrots overcooked?

Fletch looks to the
kitchen entrance and sees two cops scanning the crowd. One
signals to the opposite door.

198 DOOR

Four more cops
converge, looking for Fletch. Distant sirens indicate even more.

199 MASTER

SPEAKER
And now a man who needs no further introduction....

The police spot
Fletch and start moving forward. Fletch stands up. A spotlight
swings onto him.

FLETCH
Thank you, Tony, thank you. As a lifelong
friend of....
(looks at banner)
...Fred Dorfman, I'm thrilled to be here.

200 DIAS

Fred Dorfman turns to
the people on either side of him and whispers, obviously
wondering who the hell this guy is.

201 FLETCH

The cops are hesitant
to move in. They wait for Fletch to finish and get out of the
light.

FLETCH
Many of you are probably not aware of Freddie's
lifelong commitment to honoring a profession that
frequently goes unsung -- the police. Many times Fred
used to forsake a night with his wife and children to
go out an sell tickets for the Policemen's Benevolent
Association.

202 POLICE

look at each other,
sensing a trick, and start to move in.

203 FLETCH

going for broke.

FLETCH
Our men in blue are with us today, and I think we
should all extend a shake of the hand, a slap on 
the back and a 'howdy' to them.

204 POLICE

moving faster, but
impeded by the crowd which rises and follows Fletch's suggestion.

205 FLETCH

out of the crowd,
still encouraging the crowd.

FLETCH
When was the last time you hugged a cop?
Do it for my good friend Tommy Lasorda.
Doesn't it feel good? Don't you wish you'd
done it long ago?

one cop raises his
gun towards Fletch, but the crowd is too close, too busy. Fletch
shakes his hand and slugs him so hard on the back that he falls
over into the crowd.

FLETCH
Let them know how we feel, with a song. For
every cop on every beat in every city of this
great nation.
(singing)
'For he's a jolly good fellow....'
(calls out)
Everybody!
(sings)
'For he's a jolly good fellow....'

The crowd sings along
the rest of the verse. Fletch looks back to the kitchen entrance
at the police who are swallowed in a sea of congratulations and
singing. Fletch takes his time strolling out of the kitchen.

206 INT. LAX - DAY

Fletch is at the Pan
Am counter, talking with a reservation Clerk.

CLERK
Yes sir, you are confirmed on Flight 306 to Rio
tomorrow evening at 11 PM. First Class.

FLETCH
You're kidding.

CLERK
Would you like me to change anything?

FLETCH
(to himself)
So he's going. Uh...are there any other tickets
charged to the same account?

CLERK
We'd have no way of knowing that, sir.

FLETCH
Hmm. It's just that there are some other people
from my office going on this trip and...is there
anyone in the seat next to me?

The clerk checks the
computer.

CLERK
Yes, there is. Cavanaugh.

Fletch shakes his
head. He's never heard of him.

FLETCH
Never heard of him. Thanks anyway.

CLERK
You mean her.

FLETCH
What?

CLERK
Sally Ann Cavanaugh. Oh wait, she couldn't work
in your office, she's not from around here.

FLETCH
Oh, thanks.

Fletch walks off and
we follow him.

CLERK
She's from Utah.

207 EXT. PROVO
AIRPORT - DAY

as Fletch emerges
from the Rent-A-Car office and drives off.

208 EXT. PROVO STREET
- DAY

A lower-middle-class
area, one that seems to be sliding fast -- the plans are
scraggly, the houses need paint.

Fletch's rental pulls
up over the curb onto the sidewalk. Fletch gets out, checks a
piece of paper, and goes up the steps to a dark-shingled
two-story house.

209 TOP OF STEPS

Fletch looks at the
name over the doorbell.

210 CARD

written in smeared
ink: "CAVANAUGH".

211 FLETCH

rings the doorbell.
It sounds like a fire alarm in the quiet. Nobody answers. Fletch
tries the door. It opens. Fletch hums the old "Dragnet"
theme.

212 INT. HOUSE

still humming the
theme.

FLETCH
'Bom-ba-bom-bom...bommmm.'

Fletch enters.

213 FLETCH's POINT OF
VIEW - LIVING ROOM

The shelves are bare.
Furniture is in place.

214 MASTER

Fletch enters the
kitchen, and opens the refrigerator. Inside is a can of coffee,
and some vegetables. Fletch leaves the kitchen and heads for the
bedroom. We follow him as he enters the bedroom.

215 INT. BEDROOM

Fletch opens the
closet. It's bare. He pulls open the drawers. Nothing. Fletch
gets down and looks under the bed.

VOICE
Who the hell are you?

In his surprise,
Fletch bangs his head as he starts up.

216 REVERSE

At the door stands a
gruff-looking Man in a red and black hunter's jacket, overalls,
and a hat with earflaps. He holds a rifle.

MAN
Get up.

217 MASTER

Fletch gets up.

FLETCH
The door was unlocked.

MAN
Lock's busted.

FLETCH
No wonder.

MAN
I work for the landlord. He told
me to watch out for the place.

FLETCH
I commend him on his choice.

MAN
What?

FLETCH
I commend him on his choice

The Man stares at
him, holding the gun. He's not the brightest guy in the world,
and Fletch has already caught on to that.

FLETCH
I was supposed to meet Mrs. Cavanaugh.

MAN
Who are you?

FLETCH
Don Corleone. I'm a cousin of Mrs. Cavanaugh's.

The Man just stares
at Fletch. Fletch starts to move ever so slightly, testing his
freedom of movement.

FLETCH
Where is she?

MAN
Moved out.

FLETCH
She moved out?

The Man nods and
cocks the weapon. Fletch stops his tentative movements and just
looks around the room

FLETCH
I spoke to her last week. She didn't say anything.

MAN
She moved out.

FLETCH
So you're saying she moved out.

MAN
This morning.

FLETCH
This morning? Christ. We had so much to talk about.
Moe Green is out of the Tropicana, and my sons, Michael
and Fredo, are taking over.

The Man continues to
gaze unblinkingly at Fletch, holding the rifle.

MAN
What did you want under the bed?

FLETCH
Mattress police. There are no tags on the mattress.
I'm going to have to take you downtown. Please give
me your weapon.

MAN
I'm calling the cops. This is for the cops.

FLETCH
I'm her cousin.

MAN
Tell the cops.

FLETCH
Go ahead. Call them. Better tie
your shoelaces first.

The man looks down at
his shoelaces. Fletch kicks the gun out of his hand and runs
through the house.

218 EXT. HOUSE

Fletch runs out of
the house and jumps into his car.

219 INT. CAR

Fletch pulls out. The
rear window is suddenly blown away.

FLETCH
I'm getting real tired of all this hostility.


220 EXT. PROVO PIG
FARM

Fletch pulls up, gets
out of the car and addresses the couple sitting on the porch of
the house.

FLETCH
Evening.
(nods toward car)
They oughta recall these things. 
One bump,the whole window goes.

221 PORCH

Sitting on the porch
is a couple in their late sixties, whom we are about to learn are
Alan Stanwyk's parents -- Marvin and Velma.

FLETCH
(approaching the steps)
Are you Mr. Marvin Stanwyk?

Marvin nods

FLETCH
I'm Harry S. Truman from Casewell Insurance Underwriters.

MARVIN
(smiles)
Harry S. Truman?

FLETCH
My parents were great fans of the former President.

MARVIN
Isn't that nice. Good man. Showed the Japs a thing or two.

FLETCH
Sure did. Dropped the big one on them.

MARVIN
Dropped two big ones. Real fighter.
You're in the insurance line, Harry?

FLETCH
Right.

MARVIN
Well, I'm fully covered.

FLETCH
I don't doubt it, Mr. Stanwyk. Actually, my company is the
sub-insurer of the subsidiary carriers of a policy held by
Alan Stanwyk, who I believe is your son.

MARVIN
Yes. Where you from, Harry?

FLETCH
California. San Berdoo. Utah's part of my route.
Can I ask you a few questions?

MARVIN
Come on in.

222 INT. MARVIN AND
VELMA'S LIVING ROOM

Fletch and the
Stanwyks face each other on couches that flank the fireplace.
Fletch has a clipboard on which he will take notes.

FLETCH
First, a couple of routine things:
are you and you wife currently alive?

Marvin just stares at
him.

FLETCH
Regulations, Mr. Stanwyk. And you and your wife, named....

MARVIN
Velma.

Velma smiles.

FLETCH
Velma. You and Velma are the parents of Alan Stanwyk,
Beverly Hills, California, executive vice president
of Boyd Aviation?

MARVIN
Check.

FLETCH
Okay.
(makes notation)
Now, the last time you saw your son was when?

MARVIN
Oh, about ten days ago.

Fletch is taken
aback.

FLETCH
Ten days ago?

MARVIN
That's right. Alan comes by every three weeks or so.

This is all news to
Fletch, but he covers his surprise.

FLETCH
Isn't that nice. Since when?

MARVIN
Since he moved to L.A.

Fletch is very
interested in all this.

FLETCH
Forgive me now for seeming personal, but we understand
that there is a lady friend he sees here in Provo.

MARVIN
What the hell does this have to do with insurance?

FLETCH
Trust me, sir. It's a comprehensive policy.

MARVIN
Well, you can forget about that lady friend business,
Alan's the most loyal husband a girl could have. He
dotes on that bride of his.

VELMA
Cute young thing, too.

FLETCH
I'm sorry?

VELMA
His bride. Cute as a button.

FLETCH
You've met her?

MARVIN
Well, of course we have. He brings her with him.

Fletch is getting
very puzzled and very concerned about all this.

FLETCH
Has Alan ever mentioned the name Sally Ann Cavanaugh?

Marvin and Velma
exchange the oddest of glances between them.

FLETCH
Has he?

MARVIN
Boy, what the hell's the matter with you?

FLETCH
Then he has.

MARVIN
Course he has. That's his wife.

You could knock
Fletch over with a straw. Again, he quickly recovers.

FLETCH
Of course, his wife's name is Sally Ann Cavanaugh?

VELMA
Cute thing.

FLETCH
(starting to sweat a little)
Do you happen to have a picture of Alan and his wife?

VELMA
Oh, we've got lots of pictures. Let me show you some.

Velma rummages
through a family album on a side table as Fletch tried to sort
all this out in his mind. She brings a photo over to him. He
looks at it.

223 INSERT - PHOTO

It's a wedding photo
of Alan and a woman we have not seen. She is brunette and quite
unlike Gail. Alan wears a similar sh*t-eating grin, and makes a
similar thumbs-up gesture to the wedding photo with Gail that
Fletch saw in Boyd's office.

224 FLETCH

He sighs.

FLETCH
And they're still married...Alan and Sally Ann.

MARVIN
Of course they are.

VELMA
She's cute as a button.

FLETCH
How long have they been married?

MARVIN
Lets see, it was before he moved to L.A...four years April.

FLETCH
Mrs. Stanwyk, may I borrow this picture. I promise 
to send it back to you. It's routine, really. 
The actuarial people need to ---

VELMA
Oh, that's all right, I've got lots more. Want to see the
reception?

FLETCH
(rising)
No, thank you.

VELMA
How about Marvin's sixty-fifth birthday party?

Exit Fletch.

225 INT. PROVO MOTEL
ROOM

Fletch is on the
phone.

FLETCH
Frank told you that?

226 INT. NEWSROOM -
MORGUE

Larry is on the
phone.

LARRY
I overheard it. He thinks you're completely out of
control, he said he was gonna can you as soon as he
got the story. If I were you, I'd just chuck it, Fletch.
Screw him. Let him eat three full pages on Sunday.

227 MOTEL ROOM

FLETCH
You kidding? I got an unbelievable story here, Lar.
Un-believable. Jesus. It's the cops, I know it. The 
Chief! And they're all over Frank.

228 MORGUE

LARRY
I just thought...sure.
(takes out pad and starts writing)
Sally Ann Cavanaugh.

229 MOTEL ROOM

FLETCH
Check every hotel in L.A. Start with the ones
near the airport. Yeah. He's about to leave the
country with her. Thanks, Lar.

230 INT. MOTEL
BATHROOM - LATER

Fletch is in the
shower, lipsynching to the radio. Elvis is singing, "All
Shook Up."

FLETCH
'welluh bless my soul whatsuh wrong with me?
I'ma itchin' like a man Inuh fuzzy tree....'

The phone rings.
Fletch gets out, throws on a towel and picks up a phone mounted
over the crapper.

FLETCH
Yeah...No kidding. The Marriott at LAX.
Sonofabitch...Checked in this morning. Great. 
Thanks a million. And call Gail Stanwyk at
the Racquet Club. Tell her I have to meet her
tonight. Eight o'clock at the club. Urgent and
confidential. Thanks.

231 INT. PLANE -
NIGHT

Fletch is sitting in
a semi-deserted flight on his way back home. He is hunched over
an airline meal, eating with his right hand and turning in his
mini recorder with his left.

FLETCH
Question:

But as he pushed the
button down, the tape pops out. He fumbles it back in, and then
pushes another button.

FLETCH
Question....

TAPE RECORDER
(Fletch's voice playing back)
Day three on the beach. Fat Sam still 
hasn't moved, and ---

FLETCH
(stopping the machine)
What's wrong with my life?

He starts it right
this time.

FLETCH
Question: Why does a man marry a millionaire's
daughter in Beverly Hills if he is already married
to a girl who lives in a crappy one bedroom apartment
in Utah? Answer: Three million dollars. Big Question:
What's with Stanwyk and Cummings? I don't know. 
Bigger Question: Why does Stanwyk want me to kill him?

He takes a spoonful
of airline food, chewing meditatively.

FLETCH
(continuing)
Biggest Question: Why do I eat this sh*t?
(to passing stewardess)
Miss, I believe this has already been eaten.

232 EXT. MRS.
STANWYK'S CABANA - NIGHT

Fletch knocks on the
door, and a tensely white-faced Mrs. Stanwyk quickly lets him in
and shuts the door behind him.

MRS. STANWYK
I want you to know that dramatic phone
calls about secret meetings scare the
sh*t out of me.

He can sense she is
unusually upset.

FLETCH
What's wrong, Gail?

MRS. STANWYK
I decided I was going to tell my
husband about you today.

FLETCH
No.

MRS. STANWYK
But first I called the Hall of Records in Provo.
They checked on the deed. You're telling the truth.
A minute later Alan came in the room and asked me
why I was shaking.

Fletch waits
anxiously to hear if she told Alan about him.

MRS. STANWYK
So I told him...I told him I was
just cold or something.

Fletch sighs with
relief.

MRS. STANWYK
I've never lied to him before.
(chokes back a sob)
It's the first time he's ever lied to
me. He was just as convincing as when
he says 'I love you.'

FLETCH
I think you better sit down.

MRS. STANWYK
Oh God, I hate things that start like that....

FLETCH
Gail, please.

She sits in a chair.
he hands her the wedding photo.

FLETCH
I got this from Alan's parents. By
the way, they see him all the time.

First she looks at
Fletch with puzzlement. Then, she looks at the photo and can't
seem to decide what to think of it. But she knows it's bad.

MRS. STANWYK
What is this....

FLETCH
I checked. There was no divorce.

MRS. STANWYK
Are you telling me my husband is a bigamist???

FLETCH
I'm telling you he's not your husband at all.

She is stunned.

FLETCH
And they're leaving the country tomorrow night.

MRS. STANWYK
(rocked)
Bastard.

FLETCH
I don't have all the pieces yet, but
I'm close. I'll know tomorrow.

MRS. STANWYK
I'm calling the police. Right now.

FLETCH
You cant do that.

MRS. STANWYK
Don't tell me I can't ---

FLETCH
They're trying to kill me!

She is taken aback by
that, but there is a determination in her eyes.

MRS. STANWYK
Your twenty-four hours are up, Fletch.

She starts for the
phone, but he stops her.

FLETCH
You're going to have to trust me, Gail.
You have to. Now listen to me: he's expecting
you to go to your meeting tomorrow night. Do it.
Stay out of the house.

There is a long beat.

MRS. STANWYK
I'm terrified.

FLETCH
Come here.

He puts his arms
around her and holds her tight against him. After a few seconds
she raises her head and turns the hug into a kiss. Then the kiss
turns passionate.

DISSOLVE TO

233 FRISBEE

sails across the
surf.


234 EXT. BEACH - DAY
- WIDER

The usual scene-- a
mix of teeny-boppers, junkies and surfers. Into the f.g. step a
couple of "surfers." They're wearing wet suits and
carrying surfboards, but they're obviously cops. They sit down.
Across the beach, a Sufi, dressed in a turban and flowing
garments, crosses the sand.

SURFER COP
A Sufi junkie.

The cops laugh
derisively and turn their attention else-where.

235 CLOSER ON SUFI

It's Fletch. he's got
a beard pasted on, and nervously scans the beach.

236 FLETCH'S POINT OF
VIEW - GUMMY

is seated on a towel.

237 MASTER

Fletch sits near, but
not next to, Gummy.

FLETCH
Gum?

Gummy looks around.

FLETCH
I'm the Sufi.

GUMMY
Fletch?

FLETCH
Don't call me Fletch. Don't look at me.
Lie back down. We'll talk.

GUMMY
What?

FLETCH
Cops are here. I can smell them.
They're after me. Lie down, Gum.

Gummy lies back down.

GUMMY
Why are they after you?

FLETCH
Because I'm a newspaper reporter and I'm nailing
Chief Cummings as the source for drugs on the
beach. You're in big trouble, Gummy.

Gummy sits up.

FLETCH
Sit back down.

Gummy lies down
again.

FLETCH
Fat Sam is turning state's evidence.

GUMMY
What's that?

FLETCH
He wrote me a nice deposition. He says he
just received the drugs. You did the selling.

GUMMY
I didn't sell nothing! I didn't sell nothing!
I just carried the drugs from the Chief to Sam.

FLETCH
Sure you did.

GUMMY
Fletch, I never sold nothing.

FLETCH
Twenty years.

Fletch gets up and
adjusts his flowing robes.

FLETCH
Can't do a thing with this robe. One
more question, Gum...don't look at me.

Gummy lies back
down.

FLETCH
Where does the Chief get the drugs?

GUMMY
I dunno. Somewhere in South America, I forget.

FLETCH
Rio de Janeiro, maybe?

GUMMY
Maybe, Fletch. Is that Brazil?

FLETCH
That's Brazil.

GUMMY
Yeah. Maybe.

FLETCH
Wait here for me, Gummy.

Gummy looks
questioningly at him.

FLETCH
It's the only way you'll be safe. Believe me.

Fletch crosses the
sand, heads for "Fat Sam's".

238 "FAT
SAM'S"

Sam is reading the National
Review. He looks up, sees Fletch approaching, and grins.

FAT SAM
Jesus.

FLETCH
You don't know me.

FAT SAM
(smiling)
My pleasure.

FLETCH
I'm serious, Sam.

FAT SAM
What, the heat here?

FLETCH
Affirmative.

FAT SAM
The two surfer boys?

FLETCH
Affirmative.

FAT SAM
Thought so. What for?

FLETCH
For me. I'm a reporter, Sam. I'm breaking the
drug story and I got the chief red-handed. Gummy
game me a deposition.

FAT SAM
(smiles)
You gonna nail the chief?

FLETCH
I'm gonna nail the chief. And you can help or ---

FAT SAM
Oh, I'll help, Fletch. I'm a slave to that
sonofabitch. He busted me, third offense, gave me
a choice: Work for him or do fifteen long. All I get
out of this is free snort.

FLETCH
You don't have a piece of the action?

FAT SAM
Noooo. Free snort. That's it.

FLETCH
(hands him a card)
Wait five minutes, and go to my office.
You'll get federal protection after that.

FAT SAM
Gonna need it. That boy is dangerous. Fletch?

FLETCH
What?

FAT SAM
You find the source?

FLETCH
Gum thought Brazil.

FAT SAM
Rio. Know how he gets it in the country?
Some big shot airline executive flies it in on
company jets. Very impressive operation, Fletch.
Very impressive.

239
and OMITTED
240

241 INT. NEWSPAPER -
CITY ROOM

Fletch parades
through the city room, still in his Sufi getup. He takes off the
beard and heads for Frank Walker's office. Fat Sam and Gummy,
looking like fish out of water, follow him.

242 WALKER'S OFFICE

Fletch marches in
with Sam and Gummy. Walker gawks at him.

WALKER
Fletch....

Fletch takes off
the turban.

FLETCH
I'm quitting, Frank. As of midnight tonight.

WALKER
What?
(stares at Fat Sam and Gummy)
Who the hell are they?

FLETCH
This is Fat Sam, and this is Gummy.
(hands two sheets of paper to Walker)

WALKER
What....

FLETCH
Their statements, naming Chief Cummings as the numero
uno drug pusher from here to Oxnard. I want them to have
federal protection under the paper's sponsorship.

Walker just stares at
the sheets.

WALKER
Jesus H. Christ.
(smiles)
Fletch, this is the greatest.

FAT SAM
He's some reporter, this guy.

FLETCH
I'm out, Frank. You lost faith in me.

WALKER
Fletch, I got nervous. Please....

FLETCH
Forget it.

Fletch takes off his
robe and drops it to the floor. Beneath the robes he's wearing
cutoffs and a Bob McAdoo t-shirt.

FLETCH
I'm going to write the story. Just hold the last
couple of paragraphs till ten o'clock tonight.

Fletch leaves the
office.

FLETCH
(to Fat Sam and Gummy)
Make yourselves comfortable, guys, but 
don't leave the office.

243 CORRIDOR

Fletch heads for his
office. Walker follows.

WALKER
Fletch!

Fletch doesn't
answer.

244 FLETCH'S OFFICE

Fletch enters the
office and kicks his door closed. Walker opens it.

WALKER
Fletch, you want an apology?

FLETCH
You were going to can me, right?

WALKER
(fumbles)
Not really.

FLETCH
Not really?

WALKER
I was upset.

FLETCH
I'm sick of this place. I'm going to try
out for the Lakers. They need a power forward.

WALKER
Fletch.

Fletch sits down and
turns on his word processor, ignoring Walker.

245 EXT. STANWYK
HOUSE - NIGHT

Fletch parks his Olds
halfway up on the sidewalk, and gets out. He climbs over the
gates of the Stanwyk home, and drops down inside. He lands on the
grass, trots around the shrubbery, heads toward the garage, and
checks his watch.

246 WATCH

It's five minutes
before eight.

247 INT. STANWYK'S
GARAGE

The jaguar is parked
just where it is supposed to be, and the key is in the ignition.
Fletch thinks for a moment and looks around. He sees a pile of
torn rags on the ground. He removes the key from the ignition and
opens the trunk.

248 INT. TRUNK.

Six large gasoline
cans and more rags.

249 FLETCH

Another piece of the
puzzle fits in place.

250 EXT. HOUSE

Fletch reaches the
rear of the house. He peers inside.

251 FLETCH'S POINT OF
VIEW - STANWYK

is in the library,
sitting patiently at his desk.

252 FLETCH

approaches the French
doors and enters.

253
and OMITTED
254

255 INT. LIBRARY

Alan rises from his
desk to greet him. His hair is combed like Fletch's. We can see
that beneath his sports jacket he is wearing a Magic Johnson
t-shirt and jeans.

MR. STANWYK
Good evening.

FLETCH
I like your outfit. You got the fifty
grand and the plane ticket?

MR. STANWYK
Of course.

Stanwyk nods toward a
small briefcase in the corner. Fletch eyes it quickly, and just
as quickly looks back at Stanwyk who just stands there by his
desk.

MR. STANWYK
Why don't you check it out for yourself, Mr. Nugent?

FLETCH
(smiles)
Because I trust you, Alan. By the way,
the name's Fletcher. I.M. Fletcher. I write
a newspaper column under the name Jane Doe.

MR. STANWYK
What?

Fletch holds out an
envelope.

FLETCH
Read this, please.

MR. STANWYK
Wait a second ---

FLETCH
Cut the crap and read it.

Stanwyk unfolds the
paper.

FLETCH
(continuing)
Unless my people hear differently, this
letter goes out at midnight.

256 INSERT LETTER

We see that it is
addressed to:

JOHN BOYD
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
BOYD AVIATION

257 STANWYK

MR. STANYK
(reading)
'Dear Sir: Alan Stanwyk murdered me
tonight. The charred remains found
by the police in the Jaguar are
mine, not his. Mr. Stanwyk, using
my name and passport, boarded Pan Am
Flight 306 for Rio, where he intends
to establish residence with ---'

He stares at Fletch.

258 FLETCH

He is lifting
Stanwyk's two attaché cases.

FLETCH
Pretty hefty. Keep reading.

259 STANWYK

MR. STANWYK
(reading)
'...with his legal wife, the former
Sally Ann Cavanaugh.'

Stanwyk stops. He's
stunned, and not about to read anymore of this.

GAIL'S VOICE (O.S.)
Keep reading, Alan.

Stanwyk spins to the
doorway.

259-A GAIL STANWYK

standing in the
doorway.

MRS. STANWYK
Don't worry, I can take it.

260 MASTER

FLETCH
You shouldn't be here.

MRS. STANWYK
I want to hear this.

Fletch takes the
letter from Alan.

FLETCH
He doesn't read my stuff well.
(reads)
'Sally Ann and Alan were married four years ago
and never divorced, making Stanwyk a bigamist 
even in Utah. Stanwyk is also traveling with 
three million dollars in cash, the result of
Gail Stanwyk's conversion of Boyd Aviation stock.
Mrs. Stanwyk believed the money was to be used to
purchase property in Utah, but it wasn't; a fact
that can be confirmed by realtor James Swarthout
of Provo.'
(aside)
That was stupid, Alan.

MR. STANWYK
I'd have been long gone.

FLETCH
Ahem.
(continues reading)
'Sally Ann can confirm all this when
the police pick her up at the Airport Marriott.'

Mr. Stanwyk
blanches. Fletch continues.

FLETCH
'By the way, Alan is a very big drug smuggler,
but you can read all about that in tomorrow's paper.
Sincerely yours, I.M. Fletcher. P.S. Have a nice day.'

Alan mulls over all
this for a few seconds, then smiles wistfully.

MR. STANWYK
Bravo, Mr. Fletcher.

FLETCH
The thing that really tipped it off for me
was something your wife said to me while we
were in bed together.

Stanwyk shoots a
surprised look at Gail. She returns it with an innocent shrug.

MR. STANWYK
(to Fletch)
And what was that?

FLETCH
How similar in build you and I are.
then I figured it. You bump me off,
throw me in the car, and burn me up.

MRS. STANWYK
My God, Alan, you really are and a**hole, aren't you?

Now it is Alan's turn
to shrug innocently.

MR. STANWYK
Sorry, darling.

MRS. STANWYK
You sonofabitch.

MR. STANWYK
Yes, I suppose I am. But I'm not a stupid sonofabitch.

Mr. Stanwyk reaches
into his desk and pulls out his gun, and levels it at Fletch.

MR. STANWYK
I was already prepared to commit one murder. 
What makes you think I won't commit two?

FLETCH
Whoops.

MRS. STANWYK
(her bravado deflated)
'Whoops?' What do you mean 'whoops?'
Don't say 'whoops.'

MR. STANWYK
I mean, by the time your story gets published, I'll
be on the beach. I understand extradition from Rio is
very complicated. I'll bet for two murders it's even more so.

FLETCH
That is a lighter, isn't it?

Just then, the French
doors swing open, and Chief Cummings enters.

CUMMINGS
Greetings, everyone.

FLETCH
(dryly)
Thank God, the police.


MR. STANWYK
What the hell are you doing here?

CUMMINGS
Put the gun down, Alan. I'll take care of them.

Stanwyk lowers the
gun.

MRS. STANWYK
(to Fletch)
I thought you had this all figured
out. Good going 'Irwin.'

FLETCH
Don't ever call me 'Irwin,' okay?

MRS. STANWYK
(to Cummings)
I've got it all under control, 
Jerry. You can go now.

CUMMINGS
(laughs)
Under control? You idiot. You
didn't know who he was?

During the following
dialogues, Fletch starts nudging the fireplace's gas lighter jet
key with his foot.

CUMMINGS
Fat Sam left the beach today. So did Gummy.
It began to occur to me that some things are
beginning to happen that maybe I should be aware of.

MR. STANWYK
I said I'll take care of it. Now, a man of your position
shouldn't be a part of what's about to go down. So go
home and I'll call you tomorrow.

CUMMINGS
What, 'long distance?' I couldn't help but hear
you say something about Rio, Alan. You're not 
leaving with the eight hundred thousand dollars
I staked you for the next load, are you?

FLETCH
Whoa. Well, you two obviously have a lot to talk
over, so we'll go catch the last ten minutes of Dynasty.

Fletch and Gail
actually start to leave, but Cummings draws his gun and fires
over their heads. They dive for the floor, landing on the side of
the fireplace. Fletch palms a Zippo lighter from his pocket.

MR. STANWYK
Jerry, you're simply going to have to trust me.
I've got a foolproof way to get rid of this guy
and now you're jeopardizing everything.

CUMMINGS
Your 'foolproof' way is going to land my a** on
the front page while you're basking in Rio.

FLETCH
...with your money.

Cummings turns his
head momentarily to consider what Fletch has said, and Stanwyk
takes advantage of the distraction to go for his gun. But he is
too slow. Cummings shoots once, striking Stanwyk in the chest,
killing him instantly.

Gail screams in
horror. Cummings turns to Fletch.

CUMMINGS
This one's going to be even more fun.

FLETCH
(striking the Zippo)
Go ahead. Make my evening.

Fletch hurls the
lighter into the fireplace, causing a great whoosh of flames.
Cummings throws his hands up in front of his face and Fletch
leaps at him, wrestling him to the ground. Cummings is the
stronger of the two, and just as he starts to gain dominance over
Fletch, Gail Stanwyk staggers to her feet, picks up her husband's
tennis racket in it's wooden brace, and slams it against
Cummings' head with all her might.

The Chief is knocked
out.

Fletch lies there,
panting, trying to catch his breath. He looks up at Gail, still
holding the racket, and staring at Alan's body. Fletch hustles
her out of the room.

260-A HALLWAY

FLETCH
I'm calling the police. Then I'm
leaving. You wait here for them.

GAIL
Where are you going?

FLETCH
Away. I think it might take you a while to get 
your life back together. You don't need me around.
(indicates the library)
Don't go back in there.

He starts to leave.
She calls after him.

GAIL
(still holding the racket)
I really creamed the sonofabitch, didn't I?

FLETCH
(smiles)
You sure did.

Fletch exits.

DISSOLVE TO

261 EXT. RIO DE
JANEIRO - DAY

With Sugarloaf
Mountain in the b.g., Fletch lies in a lounge chair, sipping an
exotic drink, watching the cavorting lovelies and playing his
battered Casio. This is obviously at some very expensive beach
club or hotel, as witnessed by the uniformed servant who brings a
telephone.

WAITER
(Brazilian accent)
Your call is come through.

FLETCH
Far out.
(to the phone)
Larry? It's Fletch.
(pause, looks around)
Well, it's not 'Fat Sam's', but...any port in a storm.
(pause)
Oh, tell Frank I need a couple of months.
The fifty grand's lasting longer than I thought.

He pauses again to
listen to Larry, but sees something O.S. that takes over his
attention. he doesn't wait for Larry to finish what she's saying.

FLETCH
I gotta go, Lar.

He hangs up and
stands. We see that Gail has just walked up to him. The way they
look at each other indicates they have not seen each other for
awhile, and her arrival is a surprise to Fletch.

GAIL
John Ultramalensky, right?

FLETCH
Right.

GAIL
God, I haven't seen you since the wedding.

FLETCH
Gee, I must have been sh*t-faced at your wedding, I don't ---

GAIL
Not mine, stupid. Yours.

FLETCH
(big smile)
What are you doing here?

They start walking
down the beach. We stay right with them.

GAIL
I couldn't sit home and play the mournful 
widow anymore, and the police didn't need me,
so I tried watching a Lakers game on TV, 
but the announcer talked to fast and I
couldn't understand a lot of what was 
happening, so I figured if I came
down here maybe you could explain the
rules to me, and besides, I missed you.

FLETCH
No problem.

He puts his arm
around her, as we watch them leave us behind and walk off down
the beach.

FLETCH
Basketball, of course, was invented in France,
and is played with a large ball, two tongue 
depressors and a fish....

Fletch ad-libs just
like Chevy Chase would as they walk further away down the beach
until we....

FADE OUT

THE END