Fargo: The Cat's Meow
FADE IN:
EXT. FROZEN LAKE - DAY
A sprawling frozen lake, surrounded by leafless trees. Bitter winds howl. A car is parked near the lakeshore.
INT. CAR - DAY
SHERIFF LOU SOLVERSON, a middle-aged man wearing a hat, covers his hand on the steering wheel with a gloved one.
LOUDYSTON, a mid-30s schlubby man, sits in passenger seat, breathing heavily.
LOUDYSTON: Ya sure this’s the spot, Lou? I ain’t seen nothin’ yet, don’t cha know?
LOU: Y’know Loudyston, patience is a virtue. We got a tip that somethin’ shady’s goin’ down out here.
EXT. FROZEN LAKE - DAY
Through a slightly fogged car window, we see TWO FIGURES approach another car parked further away. They exchange an object, shaking hands.
INT. CAR - DAY
LOU: Bingo. Let’s see what those fellas are up to.
EXT. FROZEN LAKE - DAY
Lou and Loudyston approach the scene; Lou warily puts his hand on his holster.
LOU: (yelling) Fargo PD! Hands where I can see ‘em!
FIGURE 1, a tall man all in black, raises his hands in a panic, dropping a black duffel bag.
FIGURE 2, a shorter man wearing a trench coat, runs for his car.
LOUDYSTON: I’ll get the runner!
Loudyston sprints towards Figure 2, clumsily producing cuffs.
ANGLE ON CAR
Figure 2 struggles with the door; a black cat scampers out from under the car, followed by a low guttural growl.
FIGURE 2: (terrified) What in the name of --
Hungry wolves leap onto Figure 2, tearing him apart.
LOUDYSTON: (aghast) Holy cats! Lou!
ANGLE ON LOU AND FIGURE 1
Lou already has Figure 1 handcuffed, staring wide-eyed at the carnage.
LOU: Y’know, Loudyston, sometimes nature’s got its own way of dolin’ out justice.
INT. POLICE STATION - LOU'S OFFICE - DAY
Lou is talking to the now-interviewed Figure 1.
LOU: So let’s start at the top. Who else is involved in whatever it is you fellas are doin’?
FIGURE 1: No way I'm talking, prepare yourself for a lawsuit.
LOU: Oh, I’ve been prepared since the day I walked into this station.
Lou opens a drawer containing several cat figurines.
LOU: (smiling) Believe it or not, we all got our little quirks that keep us grounded. Now, you can help me help you, or we can make this situation worse.
FIGURE 1: (reluctantly) Alright … me n' a few other guys been runnin’ weapons in and outta town. The boss, he …
TO BE CONTINUED
Fargo - The Delusional Rat Trap
EXT. SNOWY STREETS OF FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA - DAY
The town of Fargo is covered in a thick layer of snow. Each car that passes leaves a trail through the white substance. Locals, bundled up in heavy winter attire, scurry to the safety of their warm homes.
INT. BURT'S DINER - DAY
A quaint, small-town diner decorated with old oil paintings and retro items. Various locals sit at the counter while MABEL (60s, motherly figure) is busy pouring coffee and taking orders.
BOBBY (35, slim, awkward looking) enters the diner, shaking off the snow from his boots. He sits down at the counter and Mabel greets him with a warm smile.
MABEL
Woo, it's a cold one today! What can I get for you, Bobby?
BOBBY
Hey, Mabel. Just the usual, please.
Mabel nods and walks away. Bobby spies a tall, mysterious stranger, MARTIN (35, rugged), in a corner booth, his face partially hidden behind a newspaper.
LATER
Bobby starts eating his meal while intermittently sneaking glances at Martin. Mabel fills Bobby's coffee cup and leans in.
MABEL (whispering)
Don't look now, but there's something strange about that man. He's been here all morning, nursing that cup of coffee.
BOBBY
He's probably just passing through town.
MABEL
I'll keep an eye on him, just in case...
EXT. BURT'S DINER - DAY
As Martin exits the diner, COOPER (30, suspicious looking) approaches him.
COOPER
Got any news?
MARTIN (whispering)
Keep it down, will ya? I'm looking into a bank heist that went down here six months ago. Word is, the loot was never found.
COOPER
Well, let's find it... and get out of this icebox.
INT. LOCAL POLICE STATION - DAY
Sheriff RONNIE (45, sturdy, no-nonsense) is seated at his desk surrounded by papers, constantly clenching and unclenching his jaw. Deputy RANDY (38, slightly overweight) walks in.
RANDY
Sheriff, we just got a call. A truck driver spotted something strange at the old Anderson farm.
RONNIE
Strange? What kind of strange?
RANDY
Not sure, but we should check it out.
EXT. ANDERSON FARM - DAY
The farm sits in a large, isolated area covered in snow. A dilapidated sign hangs from the side of the house. Sheriff Ronnie and Deputy Randy approach the barn cautiously, the doors creaking as they open.
INT. ANDERSON FARM - BARN - DAY
Inside, they find a dead rat covered in blood, caught in a most peculiar rat trap. Both men look puzzled.
RONNIE
What in the world is this?!
RANDY
It's some sick work of art, I'd say.
Ronnie kneels down and carefully examines the trap. His gaze falls onto an unusual inscription etched on the trap's metal part.
RONNIE
There's more to this than meets the eye...
TO BE CONTINUED
Fargo: A Cold Encounter
EXT. SNOWY MINNESOTA ROAD - DAY
A cold, snowy day in small-town Minnesota. A beat-up pick-up truck speeds along an icy road, cutting through the seemingly endless landscape of snowy fields.
INT. PICK-UP TRUCK - DAY
MARTY, a timid man in his 40s with a scruffy beard, drives the truck nervously. He talks on the phone with his irritated wife, LORETTA.
MARTY
(mumbling)
Yes, Loretta... Yes, I know. I'm almost there now.
LORETTA
(angrily over phone)
You said you'd be home an hour ago! This is the third time this month, Marty.
MARTY
(defeated)
I know, and I'm sorry, Loretta. Work's been... busy.
Just as he hangs up, Marty notices something strange in the snow ahead.
EXT. SNOWY FIELD - DAY
Marty cautiously approaches a large, mysterious wooden crate partially buried in the snow.
INT. GAS STATION - DAY
At a small, worn-out gas station, a GRIZZLED OLD MAN watches from behind the counter as an odd-looking stranger, CLARENCE, enters the store.
CLARENCE
(smiling)
Mornin'... Quite cold out there, huh?
OLD MAN
(gruff)
Been colder.
Clarence walks over to the coffee dispenser and starts filling a cup.
CLARENCE
(chuckling)
Yeah, I reckon so. Hey, you haven't heard anything about a... delivery in these parts, have you?
OLD MAN
(suspicious)
I might've. What's it to ya?
CLARENCE
(grinning)
Oh, just... curious.
EXT. SNOWY FIELD - DAY
Marty, using a crowbar he found in his truck, pries open the mysterious crate. Inside, he finds stacks of hundred-dollar bills, a gun, and a letter.
INT. GAS STATION - DAY
Clarence sips his coffee and offers the old man a 100-dollar bill.
CLARENCE
(leaning in)
Let's say this... convinces you to tell me if you've seen anything strange out there.
OLD MAN
(eyeing the money)
Well, Marty Walters - owns a lil' garage 'round here - was goin' on about somethin' strange he found in the fields today.
CLARENCE
(smiling)
Marty Walters, huh? Funny how things work out, isn't it?
Clarence walks toward the door, leaving the 100-dollar bill on the counter.
CLARENCE (CONT'D)
Thanks for the help, friend. Stay warm.
Clarence exits the store with a sinister grin as the old man looks on, puzzled and suspicious.
TO BE CONTINUED
Fargo: A Bitter Chill
EXT. MINNESOTA WOODS - DAY
A snowy landscape, quiet, serene. The harsh white snow contrasts with the deep greens and browns of the spruce and pine trees.
INT. CABIN - DAY
RICKY, (early 40s), bearded, husky, leans back in a worn recliner, holding a cigarette, seemingly unfazed by the plumes of smoke encircling him. He watches an old television.
ANNOUNCER (ON TV):
And we're expecting another five inches of snowfall tonight. So, make sure to bundle up!
Ricky chuckles.
RICKY:
Ain't that somethin', huh?
BRADLEY, (late 30s), thin, glasses, stands at the small cabin window peering outside, visibly worried.
BRADLEY:
How can you be so calm? We've got 12 inches of snow, and the guy we're waiting for is already two hours late.
Ricky takes a long drag from his cigarette.
RICKY:
Have some faith in people, Bradley. Ol' Joe ain't lettin' us down. Not with the pay cut he's getting.
EXT. MINNESOTA WOODS - DAY
A beat-up truck, driven by JOE (50s), grizzled and rough, makes its way cautiously through the snowy, winding road.
INT. TRUCK CAB - CONTINUOUS
Joe winces, gripping the wheel, squints at the road ahead, clearly frustrated.
JOE (mutters):
Damn snow... I'm gettin' too old for this.
EXT. CABIN DRIVEWAY - DAY
Joe's truck pulls up outside the cabin. He honks the horn twice.
INT. CABIN - DAY
Ricky puts out his cigarette and stands up.
RICKY:
Alright, Bradley, our ride's here. Let's get this show on the road.
Bradley nervously gathers his bag and coat.
EXT. CABIN - DAY
Ricky and Bradley climb out of the cabin to meet Joe as he's getting a snowmobile ready. The tension is palpable.
RICKY:
Got the goods?
JOE:
Always. You guys ready?
BRADLEY:
As we'll ever be...
RICKY:
That's the spirit.
The three men strap multiple bags to the snowmobile, then put on their helmets and mount the vehicle. They trudge into the seemingly endless snow-covered terrain.
EXT. MINNESOTA WOODS - DAY
The snowmobile is driving through a particularly dense part of the forest when suddenly, Bradley loses his grip, and falls off.
EXT. MINNESOTA WOODS - DAY
The snowmobile comes to a stop. Ricky turns and notices Bradley is missing.
RICKY:
Turn around, Joe! We lost Bradley!
Joe sighs, shaking his head, and makes a slow U-turn. They race back to find Bradley lying in the snow, panicked, and on the verge of tears.
BRADLEY:
I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I just... I can't do this anymore!
RICKY (approaching him):
Now, Bradley, deep breaths. You know we need you for this. Stay focused.
As the trio helps Bradley back onto the snowmobile, an ominous aura pierces the air, accentuated by the howling wind and snow.
TO BE CONTINUED
Fargo: The Uncanny Coincidence
EXT. FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA - NIGHT
A snowstorm is raging, covering the streets of Fargo. The neon lights of a diner create a flickering glow in the darkness.
INT. DINER - NIGHT
CHRISTOPHER, a man in his 40s with a scruffy appearance, sits at the counter. He sips coffee, eyeing a newspaper. The WAITRESS refills his cup.
WAITRESS
Careful now, hon. You keep drinkin' like that, you'll be up all night.
CHRISTOPHER
(giving her a tired smile)
I'm afraid I've got a long drive ahead.
WAITRESS
(shaking her head disapprovingly)
In this weather? No sugar, you better find a place to stay for the night.
CHRISTOPHER
(not looking up from the newspaper)
Believe me, I wish I could.
The door swings open, and the piercing wind blows in along with a man, PATRICK, in his late 20s. He rushes to the counter and sits next to Christopher, shivering.
PATRICK
Damn, that wind will cut a man in two!
CHRISTOPHER
You're tellin' me.
PATRICK
(looking at the menu)
Waitress, I'll have whatever meatloaf special you got, please.
WAITRESS
You got it.
Patrick turns his attention to Christopher, glancing at the open newspaper.
PATRICK
Mind if I ask you what's in the news?
CHRISTOPHER
(reluctantly folding the paper)
Bank robbery, just over the border. Happened yesterday. Apparently, one of the robbers was shot, but they got away.
PATRICK
Trouble's always brewing around here, ain't it?
CHRISTOPHER
(agreeing)
Seems so.
EXT. DINER - NIGHT
A car pulls up by the diner, engine still running. Inside, TWO MEN wearing winter masks glance at each other and then towards the entrance.
INT. DINER - NIGHT
Christopher and Patrick are making small talk as the door bursts open. The two masked men storm in. As they brandish their guns, the waitress and customers scream.
MASKED MAN 1
Everybody, hands up!
MASKED MAN 2
Keep quiet, and no one gets hurt!
The terrified customers comply, hands in the air. Christopher looks at Patrick.
PATRICK
(whispering)
What the hell is happening?
CHRISTOPHER
(whispering back)
Bank robbers, I reckon.
As the robbers grab cash from the register and round up customers' wallets, one of them notices Christopher's newspaper.
MASKED MAN 2
(grinning)
Well, look at that. They got our story wrong, didn't they?
Christopher and Patrick exchange looks. The robbers finish collecting their loot.
MASKED MAN 1
Alright, our work here is done. Just remember...
MASKED MAN 2
(interrupting)
...keep your mouths shut, or we'll find ya!
The robbers leave the diner. Christopher looks at the frightened customers and the waitress, who is trembling.
PATRICK
We gotta do somethin' about those two.
CHRISTOPHER
(nodding)
Let's follow 'em.
EXT. DINER - NIGHT
Christopher and Patrick hastily exit the diner, spotting the robbers' car speeding away. Snow continues to fall heavily.
INT. CHRISTOPHER'S CAR - NIGHT
Christopher drives with urgency, following the robbers' tracks in the snow.
PATRICK
You reckon we can catch 'em?
CHRISTOPHER
It's worth a shot.
The snow-covered landscape rushes by as the car gains speed.
TO BE CONTINUED
Fargo: Dead Man's Dice
INT. LESTER NYGAARD’S INSURANCE SHOP - DAY
ESTHER (late 60s, Caucasian) is siting on a chair holding files, waiting impatiently. Lester Nygaard (40s, Caucasian) emerges from behind a stack of papers with a smile.
LESTER:
I found them! Ah, here are your son’s life insurance records, Esther. I apologize for the confusion.
ESTHER:
Well, thank heavens, it's about time! Douglas will be home soon, and I don’t want to hold my grandkids waiting.
LESTER:
Of course, I wouldn’t want to keep them waiting either. Let’s get this sorted out.
EXT. KNUDSONS’ FRONT PORCH - DAY
Molly Solverson (30s, Caucasian) knocks on the door. BILL KNUDSON (50s, Caucasian) answers. He’s taken aback by her appearance.
BILL:
Molly, what’s this about? Need something?
MOLLY:
Hello Bill. Can I have a moment of your time? It's regarding Gus Grimly's recent findings.
BILL:
Alright, come on in.
INT. KNUDSONS’ LIVING ROOM - DAY
Molly follows Bill inside, an intense urgency in her demeanor.
BILL:
So, what is it?
MOLLY:
Bill, you know that recent case we’ve been working on - the one with Elton Umber? We’ve got a lead, a possible connection to the previous cases.
BILL:
Blast it all, Molly! I'm busy today. What makes this man connected to our cases?
MOLLY:
You’ve gotta see these notes. What if we postpone whatever errands you’ve got?
Bill hesitates, pondering his priorities.
BILL (reluctant):
Just for a bit. But we're doing it fast.
Molly nods, and they sit down at the dining table.
INT. DAMIEN JORDAHL’S APARTMENT - EARLY EVENING
DAMIEN JORDAHL (a tall, intimidating man donning a leather jacket, late 50s) watches a cooking show intently, drinking beer. The phone RINGS. He picks it up.
DAMIEN:
Hello, Damien speaking.
CALLER (O.S., low gravelly voice):
Damien, it’s her. She’s onto us. We need to end this.
DAMIEN:
That Solverson woman? What a pain. Alright, fine. Where do you want to meet?
CALLER (O.S., low gravelly voice):
The old Miller farm, at 8.
DAMIEN:
I’ll be there. You bring the stuff?
CALLER (O.S., low gravelly voice):
Yeah. And make sure nobody sees you.
DAMIEN:
Not even God himself can see a shadow.
CALLER (O.S., low gravelly voice):
Don't get reckless, Damien. This is our one shot to settle it.
As Damien hangs up, he takes a long sip of his beer and starts to smirks.
TO BE CONTINUED
