Execution chamber. And they enter to find Percy polishing old Sparky's arms.

...and they enter to find Percy polishing Old Sparky's arms.

PERCY

Don't start in on me. It was just

a mouse. Never belonged here in

the first place.

PAUL

The mouse is fine. Just fine.

You're no better at mouse-killing

than anything else around here.

PERCY

You expect me to believe that? I

heard the goddamn thing crunch.

Paul steps closer, angry as we've ever seen him:

PAUL

Aren't you glad Mr. Jingles is

okay? After all our talks about

how we should keep the prisoners

calm? Aren't you relieved?

PERCY

What kind of game is this?

PAUL

No game. See for yourself.

Beat. Percy stalks past them, heads out onto the Mile. Paul

and Brutal just wait, saying nothing. Brutal picks up the rag

left by Percy, resumes polishing chores on Old Sparky. Paul

stretches, cracks his neck. The silence heavy...

...until Percy reappears.

PERCY

You switched them! You switched

them somehow, you bastards!

BRUTAL

I always keep a spare mouse in my

wallet for occasions such as this.

PERCY

You're playing with me, the both

of you! Just who the hell do you

think you are--

Brutal grabs him, slams him bodily into the electric chair.

Paul bends close, gets right in Percy's face.

PAUL

We're the people you work with,

Percy, but not for long. I want

your word.

PERCY

My word?

PAUL

I put you out front for Del, you

put in your transfer to Briar

Ridge the very next day.

PERCY

What if I just call up certain

people and tell them you're

harassing me? Bullying me?

PAUL

Go ahead. I promise you'll leave

your share of blood on the floor.

PERCY

Over a mouse? You think anyone's

gonna give two shits?

PAUL

No. But four men will swear you

stood by while Wild Bill tried to

strangle Dean to death. About that

people will care, Percy. Even your

uncle the governor will care.

BRUTAL

Thing like that goes in your work

record. Work record can follow a

man around a long, long time.

Percy looks from one man to another, knowing he's trapped.

PAUL

I put you out front, you put in

your transfer. That's the deal.

Percy thinks it over, nods. He tries to get up, but Paul keep

him pinned...and pointedly offer his hand.

PAUL

You make a promise to a man, you

shake his hand.

Percy hesitates, shakes Paul's hand...

HIGH WIDE ANGLE OF EXECUTION CHAMBER

...and Paul pulls him out of the electric chair as we

DISSOLVE TO:

SAME ANGLE AS ABOVE - NEXT NIGHT

Witnesses are trickling in, filling the seats. A storm is

brewing, sending FLASHES OF LIGHTNING across the floors.

INT. DEL'S CELL - NIGHT

Del sits with Mr. Jingles in his lap, stroking the mouse

between the ears. Paul, Brutal, and Harry appear at the bars.

DEL

Hey, boys. Say hi, Mr. Jingles.

PAUL

Eduard Delacroix, will you step

forward?

DEL

Boss Edgecomb?

PAUL

Yes, Del?

DEL

Don' let nothin' happen to Mr.

Jingles, okay?

Paul nods--I promise. Del rises, steps to Paul.

DEL

Here, take him.

Del lifts his hand. Mr. Jingles steps off onto Paul's

shoulder with no hesitation. Gently:

PAUL

Del. I can't have a mouse on my

shoulder while...you know.

COFFEY

I'll take him, boss. Jus' for now.

If Del don' mind.

DEL

Yeah, you take 'im, John. Take him

til' dis foolishment done--bien!

(to Paul and Brutal)

After, you take him down to

Florida? To dat Mouseville?

BRUTAL

We'll do it together, most likely.

Maybe take a little vacation time.

Paul moves to Coffey's cell. The mouse skitters off Paul's

shoulder onto Coffey's hand.

DEL

People pay a dime apiece to see

him. Two cents for the kiddies.

Ain't dat right, Boss Howell?

BRUTAL

That's right, Del.

DEL

You a good man, Boss Howell. You

too, Boss Edgecomb. Wish I could'a

met you bot' someplace else.

Del gives Mr. Jingles one last look, starts to cry.

DEL

Au revoir, mon ami. Je t'aime, mon

petit.

And they start to walk the Mile...