Gone in 60 Seconds

Gone In 60 Seconds - Scott Rosenberg GONE IN 60 SECONDS by Scott Rosenberg 4/6/99 "I wonder," Toad said to himself presently, "I wonder if this sort of car starts easily?" Next moment, hardly knowing how it came about, he found that he had hold of the handle and was turning it. As the familiar sound broke forth, the old passion seized on Toad and completely mastered him, body and soul ... He increased his pace, and as the car devoured the street, he was only conscious that he was Toad once more, Toad at his best and highest. And he sped he knew not whither, fulfilling his instincts, living his hour, reckless of what might come to him... " -- Kenneth Grahame, "THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS" "All the redemption I can offer, girl, is beneath this dirty hood... " -- Bruce Springsteen, "THUNDER ROAD" FADE IN: EXT. LONG BEACH STREET - LOWER GRAND - NIGHT The streets are empty. Low fog skims the sidewalks below a gray stew of a sky. It's slightly fuzzy, slightly surreal.The vast Port of Los Angeles is visible in the b.g... No cars parked here ... No cars except - A '67 SHELBY MUSTANG GT-500 Silver with deep grill, its sculptured side panels ending in air scoops ... All cock and balls, it stands alone in the lonely cool before dawn ... An old-school totem to speed and style... And then SOMEONE approaches... Through the mists of morning ... In leather coat and jack boots ... He's early 30s, with the vaguely whimsical confidence of a shimmer that refuses to fade ...