Int. Execution chamber - night

THE SPONGE is pulled sopping wet from the bucket of brine,

dripping a trail of water across the floor. Brutal places it

atop Bitterbuck's head. Water courses down the sides of the

condemned man's mask and neck, pooling on the floor.

The cap is lowered, the straps secured. All we hear now is

the sound of Bitterbuck's BREATHING growing louder and faster

under the mask...until, softly:

BRUTAL

Roll on two.

WHAM! The switch is thrown. Bitterbuck surges forward against

the straps, riding the powerful current.

Some witnesses turn away. Paul and Brutal maintain grim eye

contact with each other, waiting.

Behind the partition, Percy watches through the mesh with

gleaming eyes, wishing he could see better.

Van Hay kills the current. Bitterbuck goes limp. A DOCTOR

steps forward, checks for a heartbeat, shakes his head.

BRUTAL

Again.

The switch is thrown a second time. Bitterbuck surges forward

again, riding the current all the way...

CUT TO:

INT. E BLOCK ACCESS TUNNEL - NIGHT

Bitterbuck's dead face stares up at us from a gurney. A hand

reaches down, gives his cheek a squeeze. TILT UP to:

PERCY

Adios, Chief. Drop us a card from

hell, let us know if it's hot

enough.

Brutal knocks Percy's hand away, shoves him aside.

BRUTAL

He's paid what he's owed. He's

square with the house again, so

keep your goddamn hands off him.

He draws the sheet over Bitterbuck's face, wheels the gurney

down the tunnel. Percy throws a look to Paul.

PERCY

What's up his ass?

PAUL

You, Percy. Always you.

Paul brushes past him, but:

PERCY

You gotta hate the new boy? That

the way it is around here?

PAUL

(turns back)

Why not just move on? Go to Briar

Ridge.

(off his look)

Yeah, I know about it. Sounds like

a good job.

PERCY

I might take it, too. Soon as you

put me out front.

Paul cocks his head--excuse me?

PERCY

You heard me. I want Brutal's spot

for the next execution.

PAUL

(beat)

What's with you? Seeing a man die

isn't enough? You gotta be close

enough to smell his nuts cook?

PERCY

I wanna be out front, is all. Just

one time. Then you'll be rid of me.

PAUL

If I say no?

PERCY

I might just stick around for

good, make me a career of this.

Paul just shakes his head in wonder and walks away.

FADE TO:

INT. COFFEY'S CELL - DAY

Coffey's lying on his bunk, weeping quiet tears. He stirs at

the sound of GIGGLING. He sits up, peers curiously through

the bars. Softly:

COFFEY

Del?

AT THE GUARD STATION

Paul glances up from writing in the daily log. Silence now.

He goes back to writing--and the GIGGLING comes again.

PAUL

Delacroix? That you?

No answer. Just more giggling. Paul rises, walks down the

Mile to Delacroix's cell--and stops, staring in through the

bars.

PAUL'S INNER OFFICE

Brutal and Dean are having lunch. Paul pokes his head in.

PAUL

You are not gonna believe this.