Bank Robbery
By
Matthew Simpson
Deanfield Ave, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1UH
EXT. BANK – NIGHT
3 men approach the bank, hiding behind bushes. They are
carrying balaclavas, and crouching as they walk. DAGGER
leads them, watchful and vigilant as he walks, taking
care to check and double check his surroundings.
Following is VIPER, sheathing and unsheathing a knife as
he walks, a malicious look in his eye. Behind them is
CHRIS, who is stumbling around, tripping over roots. He
is clearly nervous, wringing his hands and not trying
quite as hard to conceal himself.
DAGGER
(Stopping behind a bush)
Alright, let’s go over it one more time.
(VIPER crouches, stone faced and attentive. CHRIS comes
to a stop as he bumps into VIPER)
So, Viper you disable the alarms while I take out the
guard. Then-
He is cut off as Chris raises his hand
CHRIS
(Timid and quiet)
Um… Dagger, wha- what am I doing again.
DAGGER
(Disgruntled, gritted teeth)
You Chris, for the hundredth time, are lookout. Just
stand by the door and tell us if you see anything
suspicious. Got it?
CHRIS
(Repeating what DAGGER just said under his breath and
nodding slowly)
Got it
1
DAGGER
Good.
(Turning back to VIPER)
Then, once we’re past the guard, that’s when the fun
begins. You get the cameras while I make my way to the
vaults. Next get to the control room and open vault
number 15. That’s when-
He is cut off again as CHRIS gets his attention
DAGGER
What is it Chris?
CHRIS
Um… what am I doing whilst all this is going on?
DAGGER
You’re still lookout. That hasn’t changed.
CHRIS
(Forlorn, a little hurt and turning away slightly)
Oh… o-ok.
DAGGER
(Turning back to VIPER, exasperated)
Right where was I? Ah, so when you open vault 15 that’s
when I go in and start filling the bags.
(Indicating VIPER)
Viper, you’ll come and join me. We’ll get it done a lot
faster with two people-
He is cut off again as CHRIS get his attention
DAGGER
Oh my god! What is it now Chris?
2
CHRIS
(Nervous – taken aback by DAGGER’S outburst)
Well, um, Dagger, sir, boss uh-
(DAGGER does not look impressed)
Wouldn’t it be even faster with
(Indicating all of them)
Three people!
DAGGER and VIPER exchange a brief, sceptical look
DAGGER
(Carefully and slowly)
Well you see, we just feel that uh…
(Looking at VIPER for assistance, which he does not
receive)
Your talents would be wasted stuffing money into bags. We
thought that if you keep watch then that would be…
VIPER
(Thick Russian accent – unsympathetic and cold – Not
looking directly at CHRIS)
A better use for you.
DAGGER
(Looking thunderously at VIPER)
Besides, you know that the lookout is the best, most
important job in a heist!
(CHRIS looks slightly happier)
That is, if you can handle such an important role?
CHRIS
I can do it sir! You can count on me!
3
DAGGER
Good. So, Viper…
CHRIS
Um sir,
DAGGER
(Almost shouting but still trying to keep his voice down)
What could you possibly have to say Chris!
CHRIS
I was just wondering, how come you guys got cool
nicknames. But I have to use my normal name?
DAGGER
(Annoyed – fed up)
We went over this in the car! You’d get confused if we
used a code name. Remember what happened when we have you
the name Ferret?
CHRIS
Hey! It was an easy mistake to make! The name Ferris is
more popular than you think…
DAGGER
But why would I be shouting Ferris?
CHRIS
(Opens his mouth to retort but stops himself)
Alright fine. I’ll just be Chris.
DAGGER
(Fed up now, trying to rush through plan)
Thank you. So we’ll get the money, get in the car and go
home and have a cup to tea. Happy?
(Without waiting for a response)
4
Good, let’s go.
They get up, stiff from crouching for so long. Pulling on
their balaclavas, they scamper over to the bank, CHRIS a
little way behind. DAGGER crouches by the door, while
viper tampers with a box on the wall nearby. CHRIS darts
between them, not sure where to go. VIPER gives a thumbs
up to DAGGER who then swings the door open.
INT. BANK - NIGHT
They swiftly move into the bank, CHRIS still lagging
behind. A guard sits at a reception desk down a hallway.
DAGGER takes cover to the right of the hallway, while
VIPER and CHRIS take cover on the left. DAGGER signals to
them, using hand gestures CHRIS clearly doesn’t
understand. CHRIS looks perplexed, while VIPER moves
swiftly, keeping low, into the hallway. The guard doesn’t
notice as he darts into a door about half way along.
DAGGER closes his eyes and counts while CHRIS watches him
nervously. As DAGGER reaches 55 he opens his eyes as the
lights go out. The guard looks around, confused, before
standing up slowly. He is overweight, with crumbs on his
cheek and food stains on his untucked shirt. Hoisting up
his trousers he lumbers around the desk, making for the
room VIPER disappeared into. This is when DAGGER strikes.
He moves from his cover, not making a sound, withdrawing
a small piece of cloth from his jacket. CHRIS stays where
he is and watches this unfold. DAGGER creeps up behind
the guard and puts the cloth over his mouth. After as a
few seconds of struggle the guard falls to the floor.
VIPER then emerges from the room. He and DAGGER exchange
a nod then move off further into the bank, going separate
ways at the end of the next corridor. CHRIS tries to
follow, tripping over the guard in the process.
CHRIS
(Looking at Guard, unconscious on floor)
Sorry
He then runs off after his companions. Pausing at the
branch in the hallway, he decides to follow DAGGER. After
running for a few seconds he turns a corner and finds
DAGGER stood by a vault, looking at his watch. There is a
loud clunk and DAGGER looks up at the vault door. He
reaches forward and pulls it open, before rushing inside,
5
producing a bag as he goes. CHRIS edges towards the
vault, peering in to watch DAGGER. After a few moments
VIPER appears, pushing past CHRIS to get to the vault.
DAGGER and VIPER stuff money into bags. CHRIS backs away
slowly
GUARD (O.S)
Oi!
DAGGER, VIPER and CHRIS whip around to see the GUARD
stood, pointing a gun at them.
GUARD
Freeze!
DAGGER and VIPER slowly put their hands up, CHRIS
following their example. Then VIPER’S hand shoot behind
him and he produces a gun. He shoots the GUARD in the
leg, who falls to the ground. DAGGER and VIPER grab two
bags of money each and run back the way they came. CHRIS
is frozen to the spot, wide eyed.
DAGGER
(Slowing down slightly as VIPER continues to run)
Come on Chris!
CHRIS stands for a few moments, before following VIPEER
and DAGGER.
CHRIS
(Looking at guard as he runs past)
I really am sorry about all this.
CHRIS runs back to the lobby, catching up to the others.
DAGGER
(Running and out of breath, looking frantically around –
shouting)
Dammit Chris! You had one job!
They run past the desk. CHRIS comes to a halt and grabs a
doughnut from the guard’s desk.
6
DAGGER
Chris!
CHRIS
Sorry!
CHRIS carries on running, being careful not to drop the
doughnut. They reach the front door and burst out into
the night.
