Premium Rush

Wilee.

Shit.

I can't work in an office. I don't like wearing suits.

I like to ride.

Fixed gear, steel frame, no brakes.

The bike cannot coast.

The pedals never stop turning.

Can't stop.

Don't want to either.

There are 1,500 bike messengers on the street in New York City.

You can e-mail it, FedEx it, fax it, scan it,

but when none of that shit works

and this thing has to be at that place by this time,

you need us.

Some of us get killed out here.

Pedestrians are a menace.

Cabs are killers.

One time or another we all get hit.

Sometimes we got to hit back.

If you're not going to use it,

I guess you don't need it.

My mirror.

And we stick together, because most people just wish we'd get off the street.

"Go get a haircut. Take a shower. Get out of the way."

Stop.

Pay heed.

They have no idea why anyone would risk their lives in a death maze

for 80 bucks on a good day.

But if you're out here thinking about the money,

you're not going to be around to spend it.

Hey.

Hey, it's Vanessa. Leave me a message and I will call you back.

'Kay, I am actually leaving a voice mail now. This is demeaning. Why won't you call me?

Hey.

- Samantha Harris, TVM? - Yep.

And sign here, please.

You need a number, too?

- You got a pickup for me? - You already got it.

Positive I did not.

No, someone from your company.

What'd he look like?

He was prettier than me.

Hey, watch your back.

Manny's office, this is Manny.

Dude, you jumped my route?

I had a drop-off. It was sitting right there, man.

Dude, but that's my tag.

Then how come it's in my bag?

I am coming to get it.

Wasting your time, man. I am almost there already.

Well, I am right behind you.

Yo, it isn't yours, it's mine now. Like your girlfriend.

Oh, I am getting worried, dude. Real concerned.

It's been a couple of days. Manny's a gentleman,

but Manny's got appetites. Click.

Asshole.

No, no, no, sweetheart. Think Gandhi, not Sitting Bull. Boom.

Yes, I am already on it.

Sweetheart, I got to go.

Security Courier.

- Get line two a 20 on Squid. - Got it.

I am right here. Goddamn radio got run over.

Raj. What the hell, man. Manny jumped my route?

Is it so?

Yes, it's so. You shouldn't try to be Zen, dude. You're wearing a gold chain.

Tito, my midtown monster, slow and steady comes in last.

You get passed by a hot dog cart today?

The pedals turn, Raj. Not just the left one, but the right one, too.

I have no idea what he's talking about.

The words he says, they don't go together to create meaning in a traditional sense,

but I believe it is profound.

Hey, I am light. You got anything else today?

I need another job. The pedals turn, my friend, the pedals turn.

- That doesn't mean anything. - Well, Tito said it, not me.

No hello?

Hey, Vanessa, I hope you're going to fix that wheel and get back out there.

Yep.

Why didn't you call me back?

I don't have anything else to say.

Okay, I know you're not about to kiss me right now.

Why? You don't want me to?

My hand to God, I don't.

Then why did your back just arch?

- It did not. - Yes, it did.

- Nope. - Like it always does.

- See, you did it again. - Stop.

- Really? Come on. - No.

Okay. Ride safe.

Security Courier.

Yo, Nima, what's up?

Yeah, he's here. Where we going?

Okay.

Okay. All right. Great. Got it.

Wilee, you're in luck. Your alma mater summons.

116th Street entrance, law school main office, drop is in Chinatown.

I need you south of Pell in 90 minutes. Let's go.

You're getting 50 for that run at least. Give me 40.

Forget it. Tito.

Never mind.

Marco. Polo. I got a nice long run for you guys.

- Can't do it. - Why not?

- Got to get hammered. - Fair enough.

Come on, man. I am tired, I am hungry, my day is taking a turn for the shitty, give me the 40.

I will give you 30. Don't screw it up. It's premium rush.

Hey, Wilee.

You and me, man. Central Park. Just one lap.

Straight up bicycle race.

No whale riding, no bumper surfing, none-a your alley cat bullshit.

I will kick your ass, man. Have you seen my thighs?

Have you seen my thighs?

What do you want?

So you into Spandex now?

On your right.

God, can you forget about Manny? He's just helping me move.

Move? What, you guys are moving?

- No, I am moving, she's staying. - Why?

I don't want to talk about it. She wants me out by the end of the day.

What, did you get into a fight with her, too?

I will call you back.

Shit.

Hey, walk that thing.

Wilee? It is you.

Hey, man.

Hey, what you been up to, man?

You know, running reds, killing peds.

I heard you never took the bar.

It's on my list.

Don't stress about it.

Hey, they say if you snort some Ritalin, it's a cakewalk.

Sage advice, Mr. Hand.

Hey, Nima. They didn't tell me it was you who called. That it?

It must be there by 7:00. Deliver only to Sister Chen.

Where am I going?

Chinatown. 147, Doyers. Is that going to be difficult?

Would be for some.

It's a tiny street, very hard to see... I will find it. Time is now 5:33.

Sign here and print your name under it, please.

You okay?

I heard you got roommate troubles. I feel bad, I kind of hooked you guys up.

Deliver only to Sister Chen. It must be there by 7:00.

It's extremely important.

Always is.

Going to need the envelope.

Thanks. Have a nice day.

Hey.

Hey, there you are.

Hey.

Hey, excuse me, messenger guy.

That envelope you picked up, I got to ask for it back.

- Who are you? - Forrest J. Ackerman.

Head of campus security. The woman who gave you the envelope,

she's not authorized to use the school account.

It's an internal matter I have been investigating. Not your problem.

Can I have the envelope, please?

Yeah, the thing is, once it goes in the bag, it's got to stay in the bag

unless I hear from a dispatcher.

Fine. Call him. I will talk to him. I got the receipt right here.

- Nima gave that to you? - Who?

Nima.

You don't know the name of the woman you're investigating?

Yeah. Nima, right. I am sorry, I couldn't hear you. Your mouth was full.

Thing is, man, company I work for, it's called "Security Courier."

The "Security" part means that once people give us their shit,

we don't just hand it out to random strangers on the street, so...

Listen, I just spent $7 on this delicious urban food log,

so if you'd step aside and let me eat, that'd be great.

What's your name?

- Wilee. - Wilee.

Wile E? Like the coyote?

- That's cute. - Thanks.

You got a real name? A girlfriend?

Family? People who give a shit if they see you again?

Who are you, man?

I am the guy you don't fuck with.

Hold my log.

Hey.

Have a nice day, douche bag.

Okay.

I just wanted to say I was sorry.

That thing was important to me. Maybe that doesn't mean shit to you...

No, it means something to me. I just forgot, that's all.

Okay, I get it.

Look, this is three sorrys now.

It's actually only two.

Well, you hung up on one of them, so that's on you.

I don't get it. Honestly? Watch it.

Excuse me.

I just don't get it.

I mean, you have opportunity and all that brain and you throw it away.

Look, why are we having this conversation? You get it. You ride like I do.

No, I ride, but not like you, Wilee. I put a brake on my bike and I use it.

Yeah, and that brake's going to get you killed. You should get rid of that.

The worst shit that ever happened to me happened when I had a brake.

Brakes are death.

You know what? That thing you say, it's not as cute any more.

You could have any job you want.

When I see a guy in a grey business suit, my age,

makes my balls shrivel up into my abdomen.

Whatever.

Hi, Alonzo.