Post by Hanelle on Dec 16, 2010 8:44:34 GMT -5
ROUTE 66
Starring:
Edward Norton as Percival "Percy" Turner
Jeff Bridges as Winston Tillman
Asia Argento as Gretchen/Clementine
Harry Connick Jr. as Bartender
Edward Norton as Percival "Percy" Turner
Jeff Bridges as Winston Tillman
Asia Argento as Gretchen/Clementine
Harry Connick Jr. as Bartender
FADE IN:
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
EXT. STREETS - EVENING
CLOSE on a pair of shoes. Brown dress shoes, nothing special. They walk, one by one, down the paved sidewalk.
"Happiness is a Warm Gun" by Anders Osborne plays as the FILM is introduced. (1:25 to the end)
Percival "Percy" Turner walks down the busy streets of New Orleans. He passes men and women, some holding hands, some talking away on their cellphones. None important enough for this troubled man to even briefly notice.
Percy is in his early-thirties and is dressed in a cheap suit. Something you'd see a travelling salesman wearing perhaps. As the song comes to a close, Percy reaches a street corner and enters a building through two old-fashioned oak doors.
PAN UP to see the simple sign hanging above the establishment's door. It reads:
"ROUTE 66 TAVERN"
INT. ROUTE 66 TAVERN - EVENING
Percy sits solemnly at the bar. A burly bear of a bartender approaches and Percy nods to him. He pours what could be a second, third or even an eighth scotch. Percy sips on this one. A jukebox in the corner plays some random record, but Percy barely notices. He's lost in his self-loathing. A man sits down next to him and orders a drink for himself.
WINSTON
Where ya' at?
Percy barely looks at him, but gives him a disinterested nod.
WINSTON TILLMAN looks at Percy curiously. He takes another drink and fiddles with his long black winter coat. His black hair rests atop his head in a wild, unkempt bunch. Winston speaks with a calm tone.
WINSTON
Long day, huh?
Percy looks annoyed.
PERCY
Yeah. You could say that.
WINSTON
I can relate. So...
(beat)
Let's hear it.
PERCY
I'm sorry?
WINSTON
Your problem. Spill it.
PERCY
No thanks.
Percy turns slightly, giving Winston a hint of the cold-shoulder. This doesn't seem to deter him.
WINSTON
No better medicine than talkin'. Especially to a friend.
Percy turns his head and looks at him strangely. Winston smiles, big. Eerie. But warmly.
WINSTON
(cont.)
Friend?
Percy gives in, mostly just to appease his new "friend".
PERCY
I got fired today.
WINSTON
Fired? From your job?
Percy chuckles under his breath, takes another drink.
PERCY
That's usually what one would get fired from.
WINSTON
Aren't we in quite a predicament?
Percy gives him a questioning look.
WINSTON (cont.)
We find ourselves, two strangers, alone in a bar with nobody but Mr. Bartender over there...
The Bartender ignores their converstion, his gaze fixed on the television about his head. The Atlanta Braves play on the screen.
WINSTON (cont.)
I'm on a night journey. You just got fired, now you're on your own kind of journey. Who the hell fires someone on a Tuesday afternoon anyway? That seems very odd. What was the job?
Percy starts to answer as Winston extends his hand.
WINSTON (cont.)
I'm Winston, by the way.
They exchange a handshake.
PERCY
Percy. I'm...I WAS...an odor tester.
Winston laughs, looking at him with unbelieving eyes.
WINSTON
A what? What does an "odor tester" do?
PERCY
Tests odors.
Winston nods, accepting the answer.
PERCY (cont.)
Like frangrances, colognes, air-fresheners, anti-perspirants. Those kinds of things. Some poor soul has to be the guinea pig for the scientists to test that shit on, right? Well that was me. At least up until about an hour ago.
WINSTON
Why did they fire you?
PERCY
I dunno'. I mean, I have my suspicions...but I can't prove them.
Winston waits for him to keep going.
PERCY (cont.)
I've went to my supervisor a few times in the recent months. I've been having these..these terrible headaches. Been sick a lot too, had to go to the hospital once. The doc said it's from a high exposure to mercury. I told him that. Two weeks later --
WINSTON
They swiftly brought down the knife.
(Percy nods)
Makes sense. Well you have to look at the positive of the situation. Always look at the positive Percy.
Percy laughs overtly loud now, shaking his head.
PERCY
What positives do you see in this situation..
(trying to remember his name)
Winston?
WINSTON
Please, call me Winst. You got fired today from a job that in the end might just kill you. That's a positive. You being fired brought you into this bar, to this moment. To meet me.
(beat)
I think things will get very interesting for you from now on.
Percy rolls his eyes, beginning to think Winst might be a little nutzo. Winst turns to the bartender.
WINSTON
'Scuse me Mr. Bartender. Can I get another one of these?
(looks at Percy's near-empty glass)
And get another one for him please?
The Bartender scowls at him and brings the drinks.
THE BARTENDER
There you go.
He quickly hurries back to the Braves game.
WINSTON
Now there's somethin' pisses me off. Why does he have to be a dick? Why get into the bartender business if you're gonna' treat your customers like dogs?
PERCY
Looks like he's really enjoying the game.
WINSTON
Yeah, looks like it. It's just that, a game. Big fuckin' deal. They throw a damn ball around and hit it with wooden sticks. That's worth twenty mil a year? Please.
(beat)
And what the fuck is a guy livin' in Naw'lins doing watching the Atlanta Braves anyway? Shit!
Percy instintively puts his hand on the mans shoulder.
PERCY
Take it easy...
Winst smiles at him, friendly.
WINSTON
I apologize. Sometimes my rants go on a little too far. But you can't tell me things like this don't piss you off?
PERCY
No, of course they do. But what can you do, right?
WINSTON
Plenty you can do. Take control back.
PERCY
What're you talkin' about?
WINSTON
I'm talking about showing sons of bitches like Mr. Bartender or sons of bitches like your damn boss that they can't go around doin' whatever they want and treating people like shit. Not without a price.
The bar seems to dim. The darkness coming at a perfect time seeing as the conversation has drastically turned just that. Winst stares at Percy, his eyes lit up in a very creepy fashion in the small tavern.
Long BEAT. After some time the juke box kicks into a new record. "Runaway" by Del Shannon begins to play. Winst smiles nostalgically.
WINSTON
This really takes you back, don't ya' think?
PERCY
Back?
WINSTON
My younger years. Yours too, I imagine. Whenever this song would come on the radio my father would always hum along. As would I. Things were so much more simple then. Just a better time.
PERCY
You could say that.
Winston takes a drink. Upon setting his glass down, Percy notices a ring indent on his finger.
PERCY (cont.)
So Winston, you married?
WINSTON
Married? Nah, not me. Never had the stomach for it. What about you?
PERCY
Divorced. Got a beautiful daughter out of the fuck-up of a marriage though.
WINSTON
How old is she?
Percy pulls a photo from his wallet, showing it to Winston.
CLOSE on the photo. Percy's daughter is a cute little thing, not much older than ten. Her blonde hair is tied back in a ponytail and her dazzling white teeth shine through an exquisite smile.
PERCY
She's nine.
(beat)
Ten. She's ten now.
WINSTON
Lives with her mom?
Percy nods.
PERCY
Back in Pennsylvania. I haven't seen her since she was three.
Winston frowns, finishing his drink. An awkward silence fills the smoky room. The photo of the young girl sits on the bar in front of them.
WINSTON
Life is pain, Percy. Things go awry and everything we dream about as kids slowly fade to black. The good wife, the white picket fence. Sitting around at breakfast with a couple of Cleaver-looking kids. It's all bullshit. We grow up and we look back and think "Why the hell did I want that in the first place?" Man's gotta' have some excitement. More than dinner at seven and perhaps a late night viewing of TV Land reruns. Life is ours to take. We have to go out and find the paradise we all so desire. You know what I'm talking about Percy?
Percy shakes his head "no".
PERCY
Can't say that I do.
WINSTON
Everyone has a paradise somewhere. Some we have to find, but sometimes we have to make it for ourselves. A world where we say fuck the man. Fuck doing what is deemed "appropriate". Your boss. Your wife. This pathetic excuse for a bartender. A paradise where we don't take shit. From anyone.
Percy, a few scotches in, agrees to play along.
PERCY
So how do I find said paradise?
WINSTON
Everyone's path leading to it is different. You can't just do some gris-gris and "poof!", you've magically found your place in life. Shit we both know...if the Saints tried it that shit don't work a lick.
Percy laughs and nods.
WINSTON (cont.)
Sometimes you get so lost...so incredibly confused...that someone has to come into your life and give you a little push.
PERCY
You here to push me Winston?
He smiles and shrugs his shoulders.
WINSTON
Possibly. It all depends, really.
PERCY
On what?
WINSTON
What happens next.
PERCY
Okay, I'm losing you. What is going to happen next?
WINSTON
Next...you either find your paradise.
Winston reaches down below the bar. Tucked into his black leather boot is a 9MM. Small and sleek. He places it onto the counter causing Percy's eyes to bulge nearly from his head.
WINSTON
(cont.)
Or you don't.
Percy leans forward intensely, his voice lowered to a frightened whisper.
PERCY
Are you fucking crazy, man? Put that thing away.
WINSTON
Paradise lies right here in front of you, my friend. You just have to reach out and take it.
Mr. Bartender, without taking his gaze away from the game, scoffs at the two.
BARTENDER
You two mind keeping it down? It's not every day the Braves make a race to the pennant, y'know?
Winston eyes Percy.
PERCY
I'm not touching that damn thing. Put it away before you get us arrested or something.
WINSTON
We're not going to get arrested, Percy.
(he looks into his eyes, placing a hand on his shoulder)
Trust me.
Percy shakes his head, placing a hand to his temple. His migraine returning slowly.
WINSTON (cont.)
Have you ever held a gun before?
PERCY
What? No. Why would I?!?
WINSTON
To feel the power. Such a small little object can make you feel like a God, Percy. It's majestic. Surreal. Just take it, Percy. It's like nothing you've ever felt in your miserable little existance.
PERCY
(leaning forward, whispering)
You're insane!
WINSTON
Maybe, maybe not. What I am is blissful. What I am is a man, who not long ago, was in your position. I was lost and miserable. Wasting away in this tired life. I found a way to turn it around. A way to give meaning to everything. Now I'm trying to show you the same, Percy. Pick it up and just feel the strength it gives you.
(beat)
Trust me.
Percy shakes his head angrily. He gives a long stare into Winston's eyes, who doesn't waiver even slightly. He then steals a glance at Mr. Bartender, still busy with the game.
Slowly he extends his hand toward the gun on the bar. He wraps his fingers around the butt of it, lifting it toward his chest. Suprisingly heavy, he loosely holds it in his palm.
WINSTON (cont.)
Feels good, doesn't it?
Surprisingly...it fucking does. The mild shake in his hand begins to go away and his body relaxes. Comfort washes over him.
Percy even flashes Winston a thin smile.
As the Braves game goes to commercial the bartender approaches the duo. Perfect timing.
The Bartender stops dead in his tracks, staring menacingly at Percy who holds the glock at chest level.
BARTENDER
What the fuck are you doing with that, son?
Percy tries to speak, but the words don't seem to come out. Winston doesn't take his eyes off of Percy.
BARTENDER (cont.)
I suggest you put that away. Y'think you're the first piece of shit to come in here flashin' a piece? No sir.
Winst leans close to Percy.
WINSTON
(whispering in his ear)
Paradise my friend. It's yours.
Percy looks over to Winston who laughs in a surreal manner. Percy shakes his head, trying to make that voice in his ear go away.
It's at that moment the bartender reaches under the bar for the sawed-off shotgun he stashed after being robbed the previous year.
WINSTON
(screaming)
It's yours! TAKE IT!
BOOM!
The gun fires.
Percy stares, eyes wide, as a trail of smoke billows into the air before his eyes. Winst sits next to him, smiling proudly.
Mr. Atlanta Braves stands behind the counter, a single bullet somewhere in his brain. The entry point between his eyes trickles a small line of blood down the bridge of his nose. His body slumps forward knocking glasses off the bar, shattering onto the floor.
After an unusually long hover over the bar, the body falls to the floor with a loud THUMP.
Percy looks over to Winst, gun still at chest level. His face is expressionless now.
WINSTON
There you go.
(beat)
Dead as a fucking dodo.
Now Percy really hits the fucking ceiling.
PERCY
What the hell did you make me do!?! Ah fuck! It was a damn accident, man!
WINSTON
Was it, Percy?
Percy's head snaps to the side, his eyes burning a hole into Winston. He lays the gun on the counter and stands, grabbing Winston by the collar.
PERCY
You maniac! Why did you pull out that gun? You stupid son of a bitch!
Winston remains calm. Cool. Collected. But even then, in his eyes he looks slightly surprised.
WINSTON
You did it Percy. You did the unthinkable. You bucked the system and you've created your own path. A new path.
PERCY
The fuck are you talking about?
WINSTON
Everything. I'm taking about everything! Trust me, things are going to be okay.
Percy laughs hysterically. Like a madman. He releases Winst's collar.
PERCY
Things are going to be okay? THINGS ARE GOING TO BE OKAY? I'm going to fucking jail, man! I'm going to get raped by some fat cajun piece of shit!
Despite his serious tone...and the obviously serious situation, Winston can't help but lightly chuckle.
WINSTON
Percy stop. Take a breath. Things will be okay if...
PERCY
If? If what?
WINSTON
If you just calm down. If you let me help you out of this mess. Think about it. The cops come in here, sure you're gonna' get arrested. You're going to go to prison for a very long time. What about me? You going to tell them I was an innocent bystander?
PERCY
(no hesitation)
Oh for fucks sake!
WINSTON
Figured as much. So, see. We're both in this situation. Like it or not this IS murder. Homicide. Killing. No matter the name, we'll both never see the light of day again.
PERCY
Yeah. So what's your point?
WINSTON
So ask yourself why I'm so damn calm right now?
PERCY
Helluva' question. Why?
WINSTON
Because, Percy. This is my life. And it's a nice fucking life. And if you just calm down and do everything I tell you...we're going to be okay. But you have to do EXACTLY as I say. And you have to trust me.
(beat)
Can you do that?
Percy exhales loudly, rubbing his temples. Winston waits patiently for him to respond.
After a few moments he drops his hands to his side in exhaustion.
PERCY
What do we do?
Winston nods and smiles.
WINSTON
Laissez le bon temp rouler.
Percy stares at him quizzically.
WINSTON (cont.)
(laughing to himself)
Alright, first thing. Go over to the door and flip the open sign to close. We don't need no damn customers wanderin' in looking for a night cap, y'know?
Percy does just that. Winston quickly walks to the other side of the room and finds a door next to the bar. He opens it to find a small janitor closet. Nothing but a broom and other cleaning supplies inside.
WINSTON (cont.)
Alright, we'll put the body in here. It's cramped, so we'll hafta' stand him up.
Percy groans at the thought of touching the corpse.
WINSTON (cont.)
You grab his legs, we'll carry him over here then we'll worry about standin' him. Got it?
Percy nods. They lift him, Percy at his feet, Winston at his head. They lug Mr. Bartender toward the closet.
Percy stumbles backward, taking one of the bodies' shoes with him. As he hits the ground, so does Mr. Bartender. With a loud, squishy THUD.
WINSTON (cont.)
You okay?
PERCY
Fuck. Yeah. Damn shoe slipped off.
Winston lets out a short laugh and nods for them to continue.
They reach the closet and gently lie down the body.
WINSTON
Alright, lets both grab a shoulder and get this Brave to his feet.
They do just that, with quite a bit of effort. Once they get him to his feet, Percy finds himself in front of the body, pushing with all his strength to keep him up right. As he raises his head, Mr. Bartender's lifeless eyes are staring back at him. He yelps, jumping back.
The body tumbles into the closet, knocking over the brooms, his body resting against the back wall of the closet.
WINSTON (cont.)
Not quite standing, but the door'll shut.
He shuts the door and they head back toward the bar. Percy leans against a pool table, waiting on his next instructions.
PERCY
This is so fucked man. We're gonna' get caught, I know it.
Winston gets close to his face, his eyes like wildfire.
WINSTON
We're not going to get caught! Stop fuckin' talkin' like that and get your head outta' your ass, we'll be just fine. Yeah?
Percy looks at the floor as Winston goes back to the bar. He picks up the pistol and...notices the picture of Percy's young daughter. He takes it and slides it into his jacket pocket. Percy's eyes zone in on the pool of blood by the bar.
WINSTON
Alright, I think that wraps it up.
PERCY
(pointing at the blood)
Should we clean that up?
WINSTON
Waste'a time. Damn cops got those infared thermal scanners. They can find a drop of semen in a haystack.
Winston raises the pistol as Percy's eyes slightly widen. He flips it around so the butt of the gun is pointing toward Percy.
WINSTON (cont.)
Take it.
PERCY
What? Why?
WINSTON
I told you "Do what I say".
Percy reluctantly does. He tucks it into the front of his pants awkwardly. The elegant trained assassin he is not.
WINSTON (cont.)
Now why you gotta' go and stuff it down your pants like some blue-gum wannabe' gangster?
(shrugging submissively)
Eh, hell with it. But put the safety on for christ sake.
Percy does as Winston finds a pen behind the bar and snatches up a flimsy "Route 66" homemade napkin. He sets them on the edge of the pool table.
WINSTON (cont.)
You got a cellphone, yeah?
Percy nods.
WINSTON (cont.)
Write down the number. We're gonna' have to meet up in a couple hours.
Percy takes the pen, but looks up at Winst.
PERCY
Why?
WINSTON
(impatiently)
Enough with the damn questions. For one, we gotta' get our stories straight. You know, just in case. We've half-assed covered our tracks here, but we got all night to do that. Hell, even half the day tomorr'ah. Somethin' tells me Mr. Atlanta Braves doesn't have a wife waitin' for him at home.
Percy writes the number down and Winston takes the napkin.
WINSTON (cont.)
Go home. Lay low. I'll call soon. Got it?
PERCY
Yeah I got it.
Percy heads to the door. Doing as he's told. Why not? That's what he's been doing for most of his life.
EXT. ROUTE 66 TAVERN - EVENING
As the two exit they both glance suspiciously at their surroundings. Winst nods for him to go east as he proceeds to head west.
EXT. DARK ALLEY - EVENING
Percy slowly wanders down a dark alley, his head still reeling from the events previous. A quick look at the alley makes its very apparent it's NOT the kind of dark alley a half-drunk man in a cheap suit in the bad part of New Orleans would want to walk down.
No matter what night of the week it is.
Percy digs into his jeans pocket and retrieves a small white bottle. A bottle of pills.
CLOSE on the bottle. It states Percy's name and below in big bold letters:
DRAMAMINE
He pops a couple in his mouth and dry-swallows them. As he returns the bottle to his pocket his eyes suddenly light up in a fusion of panic and fear. He feels his back pocket, but it's empty.
PERCY
Shit! Shit, shit shit! My wallet! Where the hell is my wallet!?!
He digs through his pockets, but to no avail.
PERCY (cont.)
No, no, no. This can't be happening. This can't be fucking happening!
He stands in the middle of the darkened alley. Hesitating. Contemplating.
PERCY (cont.)
The picture. God damnit, the picture.
He sighs, obviously deciding to go back for the evidence. But just as he turns around to do so --
A cop!
A uniformed member of the NOPD is cautiously making his way down the alley in Percy's direction.
BEAT.
In the spur of the moment and probably slightly due to his current state of intoxication, Percy stumbles backward knocking over some aluminum trashcans in the alley.
They CLANK loudly onto the pavement.
Percy begins to retreat. Slowly at first, glancing over his shoulder as he does. He sees the officer increase in speed, not a clear sprint but a pretty damn fast walk.
OFFICER
Sir?
Percy's eyes widen and he breaks into a run. Not looking back.
OFFICER (cont.)
Sir, please stop!
Running as fast as he can, Percy turns his head to see how close the officer is. And he's pretty fucking close. As he turns back to continue chase, he fails to notice the large pipe lying on the ground just a few feet ahead.
Percy trips, soaring a few feet down the alley and coming to a THUD on the hard concrete. The gun flies from his pants and lands just to his left. He groans as he turns over onto his back. Just in time to see the officer bearing down on him.
OFFICER (cont.)
Sir...
The cop is a mere five feet away now, walking slowly to him. He's holding something in his hand. A gun?!?
Percy struggles to reach his glock and pulls it up to eye level, holding on with only one hand. He fires a deafening shot that echoes through the night. The cop clutches his chest with his free hand before falling to his knees and then to his back.
Dead as a dodo.
Percy jumps to his feet in a panic. He clamors to the body, just to check. He sees the object in the young officer's hand...it's not a gun.
PERCY
Shit...
It's his wallet. Percy grabs the wallet from the dead cop's grip and slides it into his pocket. His face is pained and full of shame.
BEAT.
Percy exhales loudly. He surveys the alley and when he's sure he's clear...he runs like the devil himself is in pursuit.
INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT
Percy trudges hastily down a narrow corridor. He passes a room on his left, loud music thumping from inside. Must be a party.
Next to that room is his own. The small brass square on the door reads:
1115
Percy pulls keys from his pocket. It takes him a moment to steady his hand, which is now jingling the keys like it's Christmas time. Finally he gets the key into the hole and opens his door.
"I'm headin' down the Atlanta highway...lookin' for the love getaway"
INT. PERCY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Percy goes to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of beer. He pops the lid and downs it in a mere five or six seconds.
The apartment is small and quaint. Not luxurious by any means, but not a shithole either.
He gets another beer and takes a seat on his sofa, which is seated directly against the wall leading to the party next door. The BOOMING music vibrates the walls and in turn vibrates Percy's massive headache.
CUT TO:
INT. PARTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Inside the upbeat party are about twenty men and women, mostly women. Women with blonde hair and flowery old-fashioned dresses. They dance....strangely. In unison, but very reminiscent of a fifties concert. Their moves are robotic and their faces are all plastered with creepy and overly-large grins.
"I got me a Chrysler, it seats about twenty so hurry up and bring your juke box money!"
CUT TO:
INT. PERCY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Percy still sits on the sofa, rubbing his temples in a dire attempt at comfort and relief.
A CUT SEQUENCE shows a variety of different acts that Percy goes through over the next couple of minutes.
-- He pulls at his hair savagely, desperately seeking escape from the throbbing migraine that has made it's way to the center of his forehead.
-- He downs another beer.
-- He pounds hard against the wall with the back of his hand.
PERCY
Will you turn that damn music down!?!
"Well it's set way back in the middle of a field, just a funky old shack and I gotta get back!"
CUT TO:
INT. PARTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The dancing continues, still very off-putting. A bowl of punch in sits on an elegant silver table in the corner, but nobody drinks. Everyone is to busy dancing to the
Loooove Shaaaaack!
CUT TO:
INT. PERCY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Percy pops another couple of pills, washing them down with the last of a beer. The music continues. The vibration. The pounding.
"Glitter on the mattress, glitter on the highway. Glitter on the front porch, glitter on the hallway."
Percy's face reddens as he stands, flinging his fist hard into the wall. He screeches like a banshee in pain, leaving a blood spot on the wall. The crimson substance pours over his knuckles and drips to the ground. He storms into the bathroom.
Moments later he reemerges, a loosely wrapped bandage hanging from his hand. The red blood is already seeping through the white cotton.
"Everybody's movin', everybody's groovin' baby!"
Percy catches a glimpse of the 9MM sitting on the coffee table. He picks it up, looking at it as if it's some kind of alien object.
BEAT.
Percy exits the room.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Percy stands next to the door, which is visably shaking to the loud music. He looks like a man possessed.
"Bang bang bang...on the door baby! Knock a little louder baby!"
In unison with the song, Percy knocks.
"Bang bang bang...on the door baby! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
Percy knocks again. He pounds, to be exact. With each BANG, Percy's fist BANGS on the door.
"Bang bang! On the door baby! Bang bang! On the door! Bang bang! On the door baby! Bang bang! On the door!"
Finally a woman answers. Percy reels back, possibly due to the awkwardness of the scene inside or possibly due to being drunk.
The woman, blonde hair tied back neatly in a very tight ponytail, smiles. Strangely. It's sort of like looking at a mannequin, the smile looks fake and way to big for a normal person.
Her perfect white dress covered in yellow flowers hangs to her ankles, accentuating her gorgeous green eyes. She cocks her head slightly, not removing the disturbing faux-smile from her face.
"You're what!?! TIN ROOF!"
Percy raises the gun.
"RUSTED!"
BOOM!
One shot from Percy puts a bullet into the retro-woman's face.
"Love Shack! Baby, Love Shack! Love Shack! Baby, Love Shack!"
INT. PARTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Percy steps inside and over the womans bloodied body. He makes his way through the room, shooting every single guest that has plagued him and his headache since he arrived home.
Blood splatters across the white walls, ceiling and floor. The guests, all with unique similarities to a mannequin, open their mouths wide as if they're screaming. But from Percy's perspective, as he puts holes in every one of them, he hears no screams.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
He fires and fires and fires, each time smiling a little wider. In the end, as the song dwindles down to the end, Percy exits the room.
All that's left inside is a chaotic and morbid scene of bodies lying everywhere and blood covering EVERYTHING. All that is left are the remnants of a massacre.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Percy falls backward, his head dizzy. The wall catches him and he slides down it onto his butt. A BUZZ emanates from inside his shirt pocket. He pulls out his phone and puts it to his ear, his gaze remains straight ahead.
PERCY
Yeah.
WINSTON
(O.S.)
It's time, Percy. Can you meet me?
PERCY
Where?
WINSTON
(O.S.)
There's a nightstpot downtown on Andrew Higgins Drive. The Metropolitan. I'll be there in an hour.
Without time for a response, Winston's end of the line is gone. Percy remains seated for a long while. Finally he stands, hesitating on whether to get cleaned up, but ultimately deciding to leave.
INT. METROPOLITAN CLUB - NIGHT
As Percy steps through the double doors of the Metropolitan, he is immediately hit with a wave of music and flickering strobe lights. Blondie's "Call Me" blares from the sound system.
He weaves his way through a crowd as thick as molasses and reaches the bar.
PERCY
A beer. Please.
The bartender smiles at him and quickly hands him a Budweiser.
BARTENDER
Where ya' at?
PERCY
Terrific.
Percy turns around and looks into the crowd for Winston. He leans against the bar and gulps his brew. As he scans the mob of people, his eyes catch someone.
The sight of her takes him aback...causes him to almost forget to breath. She's gorgeous. Exquisite. He looks at her as if, and she just might be, she's the most beautiful creature he has ever seen.
As she dances, quite seductively, she stares directly at him. Her jet black hair is wildly unkempt and it pokes out in every direction, cut just below her ears. She is adorned in a black tank top, sort of like fishnet fabric. Ripped and tight blue jeans accentuate her figure perfectly. Lastly, as if the cherry on top, is a pair of high heels as black as the night sky outside.
He just stares as she approaches the bar. She points one finger toward the bartender, who brings her a drink. She stands next to Percy, only facing toward the bar not away. She smiles brightly, her red lipstick shimmering under the club's flashing lights.
Percy smiles back.
She leans in and whispers into Percy's ear. Blondie's yells drown it out. She takes him by the hand and leads him onto the dance floor.
Once they are at the dead-center of the floor, the two begin to dance casually.
WOMAN
I'm Gretchen.
Percy nods.
PERCY
Percival. Call me Percy.
She chuckles, the reason only known to her. Extends her hand to shake formally and Percy reciprocates.
GRETCHEN
Nice to meet you, Percy. Tell me something.
PERCY
What?
GRETCHEN
Anything!
Percy feels slightly awkward, his mind struggling to come up with something on the fly.
PERCY
I...I hurt my hand.
He holds up his half-red, half-white bandaged hand and shrugs.
GRETCHEN
I see that. Looks bad.
They continue to dance with a short pause in their conversation.
PERCY
Your turn. Tell me something.
Gretchen laughs again, at something funny only to her.
GRETCHEN
I am Marie Lauveau.
Percy begins to slow, trying to figure out if he heard her correctly.
She grins and nods as if to answer that question.
PERCY
You are Marie Lauveau?
(beat)
Well you look good for your age.
Again she laughs. That amazing laugh.
GRETCHEN
She is inside of me. I was once her. I was Marie Lauveau on St. Eve's Day. I was Marie Lauveau when I was beheaded in 1881.
(beat)
I was Marie Lauveau when my heart stopped beating the day before my beheading. Do you understand me?
Long pause. Percy looks at her as if she's insane...and she probably is.
PERCY
You are...Marie Lauveau.
GRETCHEN
I am Marie Lauveau.
PERCY
Who am I?
Gretchen laughs again. Percy smiles at her as she leans her head back and stares at the ceiling.
When it comes upright again, she grins.
GRETCHEN
You are Dante Alighieri and this is your divine comedy.
(beat)
This is your inferno.
PERCY
Is that right?
She nods, still grinning.
GRETCHEN
Purgatory and Paradise await you.
PERCY
Paradise...
BEAT.
Blondie's song ends and another one begins.
PERCY (cont.)
What should I call you?
GRETCHEN
You can call me whatever you want Percy. Gretchen...Marie...
(beat)
You can call me Clementine if you wish!
She bellows more laughter this time. Some inside joke I guess.
PERCY
What's funny?
GRETCHEN
I wouldn't know how to explain and you wouldn't understand if I did.
(beat)
You will not understand in purgatory, I am sorry for that. But when you reach paradise...it will all be clear then.
PERCY
Why do you keep talking about paradise?
Gretchen's hand raises to his face and she caresses his cheek softly.
GRETCHEN
I've dreamt about you. Not just a few nights I've seen you in my sleep and here you are. In the flesh.
Percy thinks she's crazy...but he finds her flattering as well.
She takes his hand.
GRETCHEN
Come.
Gretchen leads him out of the dancing mob and to the bathrooms at the far left of the club. She kicks open the door.
INT. WOMENS BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
As they enter the ladies room, she releases her grip on his hand and walks to the large mirrors set up above the sink.
Percy stands by the door awkwardly. Gretchen moves through a group of a dozen or so other women and gets to the countertop of the sink. The other women don't even take notice of Percy who is obviously where he doesn't belong.
Gretchen takes a small vial from her pocket and dumps some of it's contents onto the sink top. It looks like cocaine. She looks at Percy and raises her eyebrows questioningly. He hesitates, causing her to smile. She snorts and the white powder disappears into her nasal.
As she raises her head, Percy is behind her in the mirror. She laughs and pours out another line.
PERCY
Take a little of the edge off...because this is one fucked up night.
GRETCHEN
Yes. It is.
Percy snorts and holds his nose with the palm of his hand. His vision blurs and his head begins to spin. Feeling as if he's about to pass out, Percy is pushed backward into one of the restroom stalls. Gretchen pushes him against the stalls eggshell colored wall and lowers to her knees, her head right next to...you get the picture.
She unzips his pants and proceeds to give him a blowjob. Through all of this, Percy remembers the gun in the back of his pants and pulls it out. He sets it on top of the porcelain toilet. His head spins again and he feels like he's floating from outside his body. Probably due to the bizareness of the situation.
Of the whole night.
He looks down at her, but can only see the top of her head. He can only see big black locks of hair sticking out in a variety of directions. She stops briefly. Just long enough to pull the vial out and snort some more of the drug from her wrist.
Seconds later, she finishes.
She stands up slowly and is a mere two or three inches from his face. The two stare at each other briefly and she winks at him, exiting the stall and the bathroom itself.
He exhales a loud breath.
Long BEAT.
He returns the gun to his waistline and exits as well.
INT. METROPOLITAN CLUB - NIGHT
As he exits the restroom, his phone vibrates again.
PERCY
Hello?
WINSTON
(O.S.)
I'm outside. Black Ford Taurus.
Hangs up again.
Percy walks toward the entrance, looking around for Gretchen. Or Marie. Or whatever the hell her name is.
Nothing.
EXT. METROPOLITAN - NIGHT
He looks around and finally spots the black taurus. Winston nods from behind the wheel. He climbs into the passenger side and the car speeds away.
INT. TAURUS - NIGHT
The two sit in the car, an awkward silence seems to have washed over them. Winston turns slight left onto a turnpike.
PERCY
What's the plan, Winston?
WINSTON
You're like a broken record, son.
PERCY
There's a lot at fucking stake here! Can't you see that?
Winston eyes him suspiciously. Looking at his blood-shot eyes.
WINSTON
You look stoned as all-get-out.
(laughs)
Of course I can see what's at stake. It's all working according to the plan you asked about.
PERCY
Which is what? What's the plan?
WINSTON
I can't tell you that.
PERCY
What? Why?
WINSTON
Wouldn't be much of a surprise then, now would it?
Percy turns in his seat, glaring at him. A small grin creeps onto Winston's face.
WINSTON (cont.)
The more you know, the more of a chance things will fall apart. Understand?
Percy shakes his head angrily, noticing some pictures on the drivers side sunvisor. Pictures of a family. Man, women, two young boys.
It's not Winston.
But Winston notices that Percy noticed.
WINSTON (cont.)
Looks like a nice family, yeah?
PERCY
Who are they?
Winston chuckles softly.
WINSTON
Beats me. Lifted this heap from outside one of those video arcade places over on second street.
PERCY
Why?
WINSTON
For fun.
Winston grids a nasty grin, but Percy doesn't seem as excited.
WINSTON (cont.)
Percy, my friend. You wouldn't know a good time if it sat on your face.
PERCY
Right...
"Guilty" by Gravitiy Kills begins.
WINSTON (cont.)
You need to trust me, Percy. Do you?
Percy looks through the window, watching the city lights breeze by in a blur.
WINSTON (cont.)
We are in this night together. If you can't trust me, we won't make it.
(beat)
Do you trust me?
After a long pause, Percy nods.
PERCY
Don't have much of a choice.
WINSTON
You always have a choice. You had a choice back at that bar. You had a choice when I called you. Every second of your life is a choice.
(beat)
We are the same person, Percy. Can't you see that?
PERCY
The fuck you talkin' about?
Winston laughs.
WINSTON
You're my reflection and I am yours. I don't know why. But it's what it is. Whatever happens the rest of the night, keep that in your mind. Maybe it'll make sense eventually.
Percy raises his bandaged hand and looks blankly at it.
The car increases in speed.
WINSTON
I'm going to let go of this wheel.
Percy now laughs, almost hysterically.
WINSTON (cont.)
That tickles you, eh? Good.
He lets go of the wheel. It remains, for a moment, and then slides toward the left.
Percy stops laughing now and looks wide-eyed at Winston.
PERCY
Stop fucking around.
He reaches for the wheel and straightens it. Winston looks at him with disappointment.
WINSTON
Just let go, Percy.
PERCY
No. Do you want to die? Is that what all this is about?
Winston doesn't speak. Just stares at him.
PERCY (cont.)
Well I don't. I'm not ready to fucking die!
WINSTON
That place you seek. Your stubborness is what keeps it in the distance and keeps you walking in place.
(beat)
Stop being so stubborn Percy.
PERCY
Here we go again. This paradise you speak of...
Winston nods.
PERCY (cont.)
Maybe it's real. Maybe. But I can say I'm certain it's not off the edge of this highway and in a fucking ditch.
WINSTON
There are always choices. That's what keeps us inside this shithole box. But when you learn to let go...that's when things change. When you abandon all choice and let the cards fall as they may. When you let go of the wheel...we'll get where we need to be.
(beat)
Just let go...
After a long pause, their gaze not breaking from each other, Percy finally gives in. He lets go of the wheel and lets fate take over.
The wheel turns left again, just as before. A few honks come from some other cars on the road. Percy closes his eyes.
WHAM! The car hits the median, sparks flying high into the night air. It then jerks right and ZIPS off the shoulder and into the small ditch next to the road. The nose crunches first and the car remains vertical for an abnormally long amount of time before the back end SLAMS down as well.
Smoke billows from under the hood as the car idles and eventually dies.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Winston and Percy walk aimlessly down the shoulder of the highway. Half a mile behind them you can see the smoke from the stolen car they left behind. Neither man appears to have a scratch...barely short of a miracle.
Winston holds his thumb out as cars pass, their headlights shimmering across the two.
Nobody stops.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBWAY STATION - NIGHT
The dim lights of the station haphazardly flicker. A few people sit around, waiting for the next train.
Sitting on a bench in the center is Winston and Percy. They both look exhausted.
Unfortunately the night is only in mid-stride.
The traincar pulls up and a group of people straggle out. Percy and Winston straggle on.
INT. TRAINCAR - CONTINUOUS
The two move casually to the center of the car and find a seat.
PERCY
So this was all part of our plan, huh?
WINSTON
It is now.
Percy shakes his head impatiently. It becomes increasingly clear he is reaching his breaking point.
Winston lays his head back and closes his eyes.
WINSTON (cont.)
We got a few minutes. I'm gonna' catch some z's.
He opens one eye and squints at Percy.
WINSTON (cont.)
Looks like you could use a power-nap yourself.
Percy doesn't respond.
BEAT.
RASPY VOICE
(O.S.)
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests. And we shall reign on the earth!
Percy looks to his left, where the voice seems to be coming from. Sitting a few seats down on the other side of the aisle is an old woman, dressed nicely in a feather cap. Looks like her Sunday's best.
OLD WOMAN (cont.)
Destruction is coming. And they shall seek peace and there shall be none!
She is looking at Percy as she spits these verses. The lipstick on her lips is caked on far too thick and is enveloping a good inch more than it should on her face. As her lips part, he sees it's also begun to invade her cigarette-smoke stained teeth.
OLD WOMAN (cont.)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life!
At this point Percy sees something. Something even more disquieting than her incoherent and apocolyptic biblical passages.
More disquieting than her odd appearance.
He sees the woman's hands. They hold a small chicken, as if it's a baby. It just stares at Percy blankly. Or, at least in his paranoid state, he THINKS it stares at him.
OLD WOMAN (cont.)
And there shall be no more curse! But the throne of God and the lamb shall be in it. And his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads!
As she continues to babble, Percy can't help but stare at the chicken in her grasp. He stares and stares, for what to him seems like an eternity.
It's as if he's been hypnotized.
Finally the subway screeches, indicating it's coming to a stop very soon. When it does, the doors open and the woman stops ranting.
Long pause as Percy and the chicken continue to stare at each other, similar to young kids enjoying one of those staring games.
Don't blink!
BOCK!
The chicken squawks, startling Percy and causing him to snap back to reality. Winston pats his arm.
WINSTON
Let's go.
He follows him out of the traincar.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
The two walk down a dark New Orleans street. Winston walks carelessly and casually. Percy walks a couple strides ahead, nervously and impatiently.
PERCY
My level of frustration can't get much higher than it is right now, Winston. I need to know what we're gonna' do!
WINSTON
You will.
PERCY
Bullshit! You were supposed to help me. You were supposed to come up with some master plan to take care of this fucked up situation. You were supposed to be in control!
Winston continues to walk and Percy seems desperate.
PERCY (cont.)
You're the thinker. The one who can clean all this up.
(beat)
I need you.
Winston raises his eyebrows arrogantly at Percy as they approach a corner store.
WINSTON
I gotta' run in. Need somethin'?
PERCY
Are you kidding?
He isn't.
Percy shakes his head "no". As he enters the store, Percy leans against the concrete wall next to a coca-cola vending machine.
He watches as a car pulls up to the corner. A few streetwalkers, aka prostitutes, approach the car. They lean into the passenger window and after a few moments of talking, three of the four get inside.
The car pulls away quickly.
BEAT.
The store's door FLIES open and a loud gunblast is heard!
Winston runs out, a slimjim hanging from the corner of his mouth. He laughs hysterically as he passes Percy.
WINSTON
Run!
Percy follows suit and they book it around the corner.
Moments later the cashier exits the store, weilding a double-barrel shotgun.
BOOM!
He fires a shot into the air.
CASHIER
You son of a bitch!
CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
The duo turns down a dark alley and slows to a fast-walk. Percy struggles to breath as he pants like an aged dog.
Winston leans against a brick wall just below a fire escape and inhales some oxygen of his own. He lets out another little laugh, as if this is all just a game.
PERCY
What the hell was that?
WINSTON
(sarcastically)
Just a misunderstanding...
Percy shoves Winston hard into the wall, but the smile doesn't leave his face.
PERCY
You tell me how we're going to fix this! Enough of this crap!
WINSTON
Calm down.
Percy slams him again, this time wrapping his right hand around his throat.
PERCY
I can't calm down! My head is pounding, my hand is throbbing! I killed people tonight! I'm not going to just "calm down"!
WINSTON
(squints intriguingly)
People?
PERCY
Tell me...
WINSTON
Alright Percy, you win. I need to get a few supplies. Meet me at Route 66 in an hour. Can you do that?
After a long pause Percy nods.
A siren BLARES, but only once.
The two look at the end of the alley and see a squad car has stopped, it's lights blinking and creating multi-colored shadows throughout the darkness.
Percy's eyes widen as the car pulls into the alleyway.
WINSTON
Let's go!
The two run hastily in the opposite direction. As they reach the through street, Winston points left.
WINSTON (cont.)
Go left. One hour!
Percy nods again and heads left, running as fast as his legs will allow.
"Brand New Key" by Melanie begins to play.
The sirens BLARE loudly now from behind him, but Percy doesn't look back. He cuts down another sidestreet and jumps a residential wooden fence, hurrying through the damp lawn.
He jumps another fence, into another backyard. He continues to sprint through the darkness toward a block wall at the back of the houses yard.
WHIP!
His head snaps back and his legs shoot out in front of him as if he's been clotheslined by an invisible arm. His vision blurs momentarily as he lies on his back looking at the stars above.
Once he gets his wits, he sits up. He sees the thin wire, probably used for hanging clothes, above his head. He rubs his neck, which is now covered in a reddened welt.
Looking back toward the residence, Percy sees the back sliding glass door. Inside the light is on. What he sees would be unbelievable on any other night.
But this isn't just any other night.
Inside are two figures. One, looks like a man, sits on all fours like a dog. He is clad head-to-toe in black leather. Including a mask with a little zipper over the mouth.
Standing over the dog-man is a woman dressed like a scantily clad bunny rabbit. A leash runs from the dog-man's neck and up into the grip of her left hand.
They both look at Percy, noticing him sitting on their lawn. They stand completely still and watch him as he slowly backpedals toward the block wall.
BEAT.
The woman slowly cocks her head to the left, placing her palm on the door. Similar to the guesture you give your loved one through the glass wall in a prison visitation room.
It's like she's beckoning Percy.
But he doesn't bite. Once he reaches the block wall he leaps it in one jump, leaving the strange couple to finish playing.
EXT. DINER - NIGHT
Percy makes it around a corner, in front of a small clock-shop. On the other side of the street he sees a tiny run-of-the-mill diner. The sirens continue to yell somewhere be hind him so he hurries into the diner before the cops inevitably pass by.
INT. DINER - NIGHT
As he steps inside, the door DINGS. The very bustling and talkative room falls to a dead-silent hush. A few truckers and other stragglers turn around and stare at him interestingly.
The same goes for the older blonde waitress behind the counter and the short-order cook behind the kitchen window.
BEAT.
Percy takes a seat in a booth, one with a direct view of the street outside. The talking begins again and everything returns as they were before he walked in.
WAITRESS
Hi there. What can I get ya'?
PERCY
Just a coffee.
(beat)
Please.
She jots it down and walks away.
Percy stares through the window for a long time, paranoia beginning to slowly fade.
WAITRESS
Here you go.
She sets a cup of coffee in front of him, the steam still rising from the liquid.
PERCY
Thank you. Do you have the time?
She looks at her watch.
WAITRESS
Almost three AM.
He nods and she exits again.
Long BEAT as he sips. Continues to watch the window. Sips.
The door DINGS again. "Dream Lover" by Bobby Darin begins playing softly through the diner's radio.
Percy cranes his neck awkwardly to peer behind at the door.
Can it be???
It's the beautiful and mysterious woman from the club. The wild woman with the silky and short black hair. With the fishnet tank top and tattered blue jeans. Just a coincidence?
Gretchen sees Percy and smiles sharply, walking over to his table.
GRETCHEN
May I sit?
He nods agreeingly as she sits across from him.
They both just stare at each other in a long silence. Finally the waitress breaks the silence as she arrives.
WAITRESS
Can I get you something sweetie?
Gretchen doesn't take her eyes from Percy.
GRETCHEN
I'll have blueberry pancakes and two pieces of toast. Sourdough. A glass of orange juice and a glass of coffee.
(beat)
Thank you.
She writes it down and leaves. Quite the appetite.
More silence. The two stare at each other for what feels like an eternity.
PERCY
What are you doing here?
GRETCHEN
What are YOU doing here?
PERCY
Waiting.
GRETCHEN
For?
PERCY
Just waiting for the right time to take care of something.
GRETCHEN
Ooh, that sounds juicy. What do you need to take care of?
Percy sips his coffee and for the first time he breaks his gaze from her, looking to the window.
GRETCHEN (cont.)
You don't want to say. I understand.
(beat)
But I can see it inside of you Percy. I could see it the first time I saw you at the bar. Why do you think I came over to you?
He looks at her quizzically.
PERCY
You can see what?
GRETCHEN
The darkness. It's inside you. It's radiating from your spores. But it's calming. It feels nice.
He chuckles lightly.
PERCY
Darkness, huh? How do you mean?
GRETCHEN
Esoteric's believe everyone has a certain energy surrounding them. An aura. Just floating inches away from their body.
PERCY
And you can see these surrounding everyone?
GRETCHEN
Some, not all. Actually, not many at all.
(beat)
But I saw yours and it was dark.
Percy shuffles in his seat uncomfortably.
PERCY
So what does that mean?
GRETCHEN
You've been clouded in darkness. Could have been years, months or minutes. I don't know. But I think you do.
PERCY
It's been a long night...
She leans forward, her eyes bright like a child.
GRETCHEN
Isn't it always? You can trust me, Percy.
She places a hand on his and a thin smile appears on his face.
PERCY
I've...I've done some bad things tonight.
Gretchen lowers her head to keep eye contact with him and nods.
PERCY (cont.)
Things that can never be forgiven.
GRETCHEN
What did you do, Percy?
PERCY
I killed a man. I killed more than that.
He runs his hand through his hair and exhales. It feels good to say that out loud.
GRETCHEN
What made you do it?
PERCY
That's the fucked part of this whole thing. Nothing.
(beat)
And that's not the worst part. The worst part is...I wouldn't say I liked it or I feel good about it.
Percy glances to the window again, his mind struggling for the right words.
PERCY (cont.)
But I don't regret it either. I don't feel sorry.
GRETCHEN
I envy you. More than you can know.
He laughs, squinting at her as if he's trying to get a read on whether she's kidding or not.
PERCY
You kidding me?
GRETCHEN
Not at all. I wish I had that strength. That power. But I don't and I could never bring myself to do something so bold. Let me ask you something.
He waits, the hair on his arms standing on end as he looks at this beautiful woman. He has it.
Has it bad.
GRETCHEN (cont.)
Do you like Elvis Costello?
PERCY
huh?
GRETCHEN
The musician. Do you like him?
PERCY
Um..sure. Don't really know his music well though.
GRETCHEN
The song "The Birds Will be Singing". Through the years that song has stuck with me everywhere I go. Do you know that one?
PERCY
Can't say I do. Tell me about it.
GRETCHEN
It's about death. It's about the ridiculous way we mourn the death of our loved ones. How we think their soul or spirit moves on and passes over. Whatever cliche you want to use.
(beat)
When in reality, there is no soul. There is nothing after death. Eternal blackness. Our brains stop functioning and we cease to be. Simple as that. No happily ever after. There are no ghosts watching over us, Percy.
PERCY
That's an interesting, albeit depressing, perspective.
She laughs softly.
GRETCHEN
So now for the million dollar question...Can I see you do it?
PERCY
I'm sorry?
GRETCHEN
Kill.
PERCY
Kill? Kill who?
GRETCHEN
Who? Anyone! I'm not a picky girl, Percy. You fascinate me.
He laughs aloud, surprised as it comes out louder than he had expected.
GRETCHEN (cont.)
(playfully)
You laughing at me Percy?
PERCY
No, no. I'm sorry. So you're asking me to just get up and kill...say...the waitress?
GRETCHEN
Ooh, the waitress huh? Alright Percy. Let's see it!
Percy eyes her for a long time, trying to see if she's joking or if she is indeed serious. Finally he lets out a little nervous laugh.
CUT TO:
INT. DINER - NIGHT
CLOSE on a tray with the large breakfast ordered by Gretchen. The pancakes, the toast, the works. Hands grasp the tray and it is carried away.
The waitress carries the tray to the table and sets it down. Gretchen looks up to her and smiles "thanks".
WAITRESS
Can I get ya'll anything else?
She places a hand on Percy's hand.
WAITRESS (cont.)
Anything at all. Anything. At all.
Percy looks at her hand, touching his. Then to Gretchen, who raises her eyebrows playfully. She leans forward, staring deeply at Percy.
GRETCHEN
Paradise, Percy. It's yours for the taking!
Percy's head begins to spin as Gretchen's voice seems to drift farther and farther away.
GRETCHEN (O.S.)
You are Dante Alighieri! This is your inferno! Paradiso Percy. Reach out and grab it!
The spinning increases, Winston laughs somewhere in the back of his head. A loud, bellowing laugh. The lights in the diner flicker, or at least in Percy's mind they do.
WAITRESS
Anything Percival. Anything at all. Anything at all Percy.
PERCY
What?
Gretchen's hand grasps Percy's leg under the table. Her bare foot, slipped out of her high heel, massages his crotch sensually.
She laughs.
GRETCHEN
Take it Percy! TAKE IT!
Percy stands, pulling the pistol from his waist.
He points it at the waitresses head, who remains frozen. Not in terror, her face is emotionless.
WAITRESS
I said anything Percival. Just ask and I'll make it my top priority. Anything Percy. Anything at --
BOOM!
The gun fires and the waitress flies back, her body nearly horizontal in the air. The smoke rises from the barrel as Gretchen looks on, grinning an enormous grin.
SNAP!
Back to reality. Percy looks through the window at the deserted street outside.
GRETCHEN (O.S.)
Percy? You're not falling asleep on me are you Percy?
He looks over to her and smiles, his eyes DO look very weary.
PERCY
What? Oh, no. Sorry.
GRETCHEN
So...will you show me?
Before he can answer, they are interrupted by the waitress who gives them the check.
WAITRESS
Anything else I can get you two? Anything at all?
Percy shakes his head "no".
WAITRESS (cont.)
Alright then. You two have a good night.
They nod and she walks away.
Gretchen eagerly watches him, waiting for a response to her request. After a BEAT, he notices her staring.
PERCY
You know what?
A lightbulb goes off above his head, so to speak.
PERCY (cont.)
I have an idea. Will you come with me?
She nods affirmatively. They stand up and he helps her with her coat as they exit through the door.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
EXT. STREETS - EVENING
CLOSE on a pair of shoes. Brown dress shoes, nothing special. They walk, one by one, down the paved sidewalk.
"Happiness is a Warm Gun" by Anders Osborne plays as the FILM is introduced. (1:25 to the end)
Percival "Percy" Turner walks down the busy streets of New Orleans. He passes men and women, some holding hands, some talking away on their cellphones. None important enough for this troubled man to even briefly notice.
Percy is in his early-thirties and is dressed in a cheap suit. Something you'd see a travelling salesman wearing perhaps. As the song comes to a close, Percy reaches a street corner and enters a building through two old-fashioned oak doors.
PAN UP to see the simple sign hanging above the establishment's door. It reads:
"ROUTE 66 TAVERN"
INT. ROUTE 66 TAVERN - EVENING
Percy sits solemnly at the bar. A burly bear of a bartender approaches and Percy nods to him. He pours what could be a second, third or even an eighth scotch. Percy sips on this one. A jukebox in the corner plays some random record, but Percy barely notices. He's lost in his self-loathing. A man sits down next to him and orders a drink for himself.
WINSTON
Where ya' at?
Percy barely looks at him, but gives him a disinterested nod.
WINSTON TILLMAN looks at Percy curiously. He takes another drink and fiddles with his long black winter coat. His black hair rests atop his head in a wild, unkempt bunch. Winston speaks with a calm tone.
WINSTON
Long day, huh?
Percy looks annoyed.
PERCY
Yeah. You could say that.
WINSTON
I can relate. So...
(beat)
Let's hear it.
PERCY
I'm sorry?
WINSTON
Your problem. Spill it.
PERCY
No thanks.
Percy turns slightly, giving Winston a hint of the cold-shoulder. This doesn't seem to deter him.
WINSTON
No better medicine than talkin'. Especially to a friend.
Percy turns his head and looks at him strangely. Winston smiles, big. Eerie. But warmly.
WINSTON
(cont.)
Friend?
Percy gives in, mostly just to appease his new "friend".
PERCY
I got fired today.
WINSTON
Fired? From your job?
Percy chuckles under his breath, takes another drink.
PERCY
That's usually what one would get fired from.
WINSTON
Aren't we in quite a predicament?
Percy gives him a questioning look.
WINSTON (cont.)
We find ourselves, two strangers, alone in a bar with nobody but Mr. Bartender over there...
The Bartender ignores their converstion, his gaze fixed on the television about his head. The Atlanta Braves play on the screen.
WINSTON (cont.)
I'm on a night journey. You just got fired, now you're on your own kind of journey. Who the hell fires someone on a Tuesday afternoon anyway? That seems very odd. What was the job?
Percy starts to answer as Winston extends his hand.
WINSTON (cont.)
I'm Winston, by the way.
They exchange a handshake.
PERCY
Percy. I'm...I WAS...an odor tester.
Winston laughs, looking at him with unbelieving eyes.
WINSTON
A what? What does an "odor tester" do?
PERCY
Tests odors.
Winston nods, accepting the answer.
PERCY (cont.)
Like frangrances, colognes, air-fresheners, anti-perspirants. Those kinds of things. Some poor soul has to be the guinea pig for the scientists to test that shit on, right? Well that was me. At least up until about an hour ago.
WINSTON
Why did they fire you?
PERCY
I dunno'. I mean, I have my suspicions...but I can't prove them.
Winston waits for him to keep going.
PERCY (cont.)
I've went to my supervisor a few times in the recent months. I've been having these..these terrible headaches. Been sick a lot too, had to go to the hospital once. The doc said it's from a high exposure to mercury. I told him that. Two weeks later --
WINSTON
They swiftly brought down the knife.
(Percy nods)
Makes sense. Well you have to look at the positive of the situation. Always look at the positive Percy.
Percy laughs overtly loud now, shaking his head.
PERCY
What positives do you see in this situation..
(trying to remember his name)
Winston?
WINSTON
Please, call me Winst. You got fired today from a job that in the end might just kill you. That's a positive. You being fired brought you into this bar, to this moment. To meet me.
(beat)
I think things will get very interesting for you from now on.
Percy rolls his eyes, beginning to think Winst might be a little nutzo. Winst turns to the bartender.
WINSTON
'Scuse me Mr. Bartender. Can I get another one of these?
(looks at Percy's near-empty glass)
And get another one for him please?
The Bartender scowls at him and brings the drinks.
THE BARTENDER
There you go.
He quickly hurries back to the Braves game.
WINSTON
Now there's somethin' pisses me off. Why does he have to be a dick? Why get into the bartender business if you're gonna' treat your customers like dogs?
PERCY
Looks like he's really enjoying the game.
WINSTON
Yeah, looks like it. It's just that, a game. Big fuckin' deal. They throw a damn ball around and hit it with wooden sticks. That's worth twenty mil a year? Please.
(beat)
And what the fuck is a guy livin' in Naw'lins doing watching the Atlanta Braves anyway? Shit!
Percy instintively puts his hand on the mans shoulder.
PERCY
Take it easy...
Winst smiles at him, friendly.
WINSTON
I apologize. Sometimes my rants go on a little too far. But you can't tell me things like this don't piss you off?
PERCY
No, of course they do. But what can you do, right?
WINSTON
Plenty you can do. Take control back.
PERCY
What're you talkin' about?
WINSTON
I'm talking about showing sons of bitches like Mr. Bartender or sons of bitches like your damn boss that they can't go around doin' whatever they want and treating people like shit. Not without a price.
The bar seems to dim. The darkness coming at a perfect time seeing as the conversation has drastically turned just that. Winst stares at Percy, his eyes lit up in a very creepy fashion in the small tavern.
Long BEAT. After some time the juke box kicks into a new record. "Runaway" by Del Shannon begins to play. Winst smiles nostalgically.
WINSTON
This really takes you back, don't ya' think?
PERCY
Back?
WINSTON
My younger years. Yours too, I imagine. Whenever this song would come on the radio my father would always hum along. As would I. Things were so much more simple then. Just a better time.
PERCY
You could say that.
Winston takes a drink. Upon setting his glass down, Percy notices a ring indent on his finger.
PERCY (cont.)
So Winston, you married?
WINSTON
Married? Nah, not me. Never had the stomach for it. What about you?
PERCY
Divorced. Got a beautiful daughter out of the fuck-up of a marriage though.
WINSTON
How old is she?
Percy pulls a photo from his wallet, showing it to Winston.
CLOSE on the photo. Percy's daughter is a cute little thing, not much older than ten. Her blonde hair is tied back in a ponytail and her dazzling white teeth shine through an exquisite smile.
PERCY
She's nine.
(beat)
Ten. She's ten now.
WINSTON
Lives with her mom?
Percy nods.
PERCY
Back in Pennsylvania. I haven't seen her since she was three.
Winston frowns, finishing his drink. An awkward silence fills the smoky room. The photo of the young girl sits on the bar in front of them.
WINSTON
Life is pain, Percy. Things go awry and everything we dream about as kids slowly fade to black. The good wife, the white picket fence. Sitting around at breakfast with a couple of Cleaver-looking kids. It's all bullshit. We grow up and we look back and think "Why the hell did I want that in the first place?" Man's gotta' have some excitement. More than dinner at seven and perhaps a late night viewing of TV Land reruns. Life is ours to take. We have to go out and find the paradise we all so desire. You know what I'm talking about Percy?
Percy shakes his head "no".
PERCY
Can't say that I do.
WINSTON
Everyone has a paradise somewhere. Some we have to find, but sometimes we have to make it for ourselves. A world where we say fuck the man. Fuck doing what is deemed "appropriate". Your boss. Your wife. This pathetic excuse for a bartender. A paradise where we don't take shit. From anyone.
Percy, a few scotches in, agrees to play along.
PERCY
So how do I find said paradise?
WINSTON
Everyone's path leading to it is different. You can't just do some gris-gris and "poof!", you've magically found your place in life. Shit we both know...if the Saints tried it that shit don't work a lick.
Percy laughs and nods.
WINSTON (cont.)
Sometimes you get so lost...so incredibly confused...that someone has to come into your life and give you a little push.
PERCY
You here to push me Winston?
He smiles and shrugs his shoulders.
WINSTON
Possibly. It all depends, really.
PERCY
On what?
WINSTON
What happens next.
PERCY
Okay, I'm losing you. What is going to happen next?
WINSTON
Next...you either find your paradise.
Winston reaches down below the bar. Tucked into his black leather boot is a 9MM. Small and sleek. He places it onto the counter causing Percy's eyes to bulge nearly from his head.
WINSTON
(cont.)
Or you don't.
Percy leans forward intensely, his voice lowered to a frightened whisper.
PERCY
Are you fucking crazy, man? Put that thing away.
WINSTON
Paradise lies right here in front of you, my friend. You just have to reach out and take it.
Mr. Bartender, without taking his gaze away from the game, scoffs at the two.
BARTENDER
You two mind keeping it down? It's not every day the Braves make a race to the pennant, y'know?
Winston eyes Percy.
PERCY
I'm not touching that damn thing. Put it away before you get us arrested or something.
WINSTON
We're not going to get arrested, Percy.
(he looks into his eyes, placing a hand on his shoulder)
Trust me.
Percy shakes his head, placing a hand to his temple. His migraine returning slowly.
WINSTON (cont.)
Have you ever held a gun before?
PERCY
What? No. Why would I?!?
WINSTON
To feel the power. Such a small little object can make you feel like a God, Percy. It's majestic. Surreal. Just take it, Percy. It's like nothing you've ever felt in your miserable little existance.
PERCY
(leaning forward, whispering)
You're insane!
WINSTON
Maybe, maybe not. What I am is blissful. What I am is a man, who not long ago, was in your position. I was lost and miserable. Wasting away in this tired life. I found a way to turn it around. A way to give meaning to everything. Now I'm trying to show you the same, Percy. Pick it up and just feel the strength it gives you.
(beat)
Trust me.
Percy shakes his head angrily. He gives a long stare into Winston's eyes, who doesn't waiver even slightly. He then steals a glance at Mr. Bartender, still busy with the game.
Slowly he extends his hand toward the gun on the bar. He wraps his fingers around the butt of it, lifting it toward his chest. Suprisingly heavy, he loosely holds it in his palm.
WINSTON (cont.)
Feels good, doesn't it?
Surprisingly...it fucking does. The mild shake in his hand begins to go away and his body relaxes. Comfort washes over him.
Percy even flashes Winston a thin smile.
As the Braves game goes to commercial the bartender approaches the duo. Perfect timing.
The Bartender stops dead in his tracks, staring menacingly at Percy who holds the glock at chest level.
BARTENDER
What the fuck are you doing with that, son?
Percy tries to speak, but the words don't seem to come out. Winston doesn't take his eyes off of Percy.
BARTENDER (cont.)
I suggest you put that away. Y'think you're the first piece of shit to come in here flashin' a piece? No sir.
Winst leans close to Percy.
WINSTON
(whispering in his ear)
Paradise my friend. It's yours.
Percy looks over to Winston who laughs in a surreal manner. Percy shakes his head, trying to make that voice in his ear go away.
It's at that moment the bartender reaches under the bar for the sawed-off shotgun he stashed after being robbed the previous year.
WINSTON
(screaming)
It's yours! TAKE IT!
BOOM!
The gun fires.
Percy stares, eyes wide, as a trail of smoke billows into the air before his eyes. Winst sits next to him, smiling proudly.
Mr. Atlanta Braves stands behind the counter, a single bullet somewhere in his brain. The entry point between his eyes trickles a small line of blood down the bridge of his nose. His body slumps forward knocking glasses off the bar, shattering onto the floor.
After an unusually long hover over the bar, the body falls to the floor with a loud THUMP.
Percy looks over to Winst, gun still at chest level. His face is expressionless now.
WINSTON
There you go.
(beat)
Dead as a fucking dodo.
Now Percy really hits the fucking ceiling.
PERCY
What the hell did you make me do!?! Ah fuck! It was a damn accident, man!
WINSTON
Was it, Percy?
Percy's head snaps to the side, his eyes burning a hole into Winston. He lays the gun on the counter and stands, grabbing Winston by the collar.
PERCY
You maniac! Why did you pull out that gun? You stupid son of a bitch!
Winston remains calm. Cool. Collected. But even then, in his eyes he looks slightly surprised.
WINSTON
You did it Percy. You did the unthinkable. You bucked the system and you've created your own path. A new path.
PERCY
The fuck are you talking about?
WINSTON
Everything. I'm taking about everything! Trust me, things are going to be okay.
Percy laughs hysterically. Like a madman. He releases Winst's collar.
PERCY
Things are going to be okay? THINGS ARE GOING TO BE OKAY? I'm going to fucking jail, man! I'm going to get raped by some fat cajun piece of shit!
Despite his serious tone...and the obviously serious situation, Winston can't help but lightly chuckle.
WINSTON
Percy stop. Take a breath. Things will be okay if...
PERCY
If? If what?
WINSTON
If you just calm down. If you let me help you out of this mess. Think about it. The cops come in here, sure you're gonna' get arrested. You're going to go to prison for a very long time. What about me? You going to tell them I was an innocent bystander?
PERCY
(no hesitation)
Oh for fucks sake!
WINSTON
Figured as much. So, see. We're both in this situation. Like it or not this IS murder. Homicide. Killing. No matter the name, we'll both never see the light of day again.
PERCY
Yeah. So what's your point?
WINSTON
So ask yourself why I'm so damn calm right now?
PERCY
Helluva' question. Why?
WINSTON
Because, Percy. This is my life. And it's a nice fucking life. And if you just calm down and do everything I tell you...we're going to be okay. But you have to do EXACTLY as I say. And you have to trust me.
(beat)
Can you do that?
Percy exhales loudly, rubbing his temples. Winston waits patiently for him to respond.
After a few moments he drops his hands to his side in exhaustion.
PERCY
What do we do?
Winston nods and smiles.
WINSTON
Laissez le bon temp rouler.
Percy stares at him quizzically.
WINSTON (cont.)
(laughing to himself)
Alright, first thing. Go over to the door and flip the open sign to close. We don't need no damn customers wanderin' in looking for a night cap, y'know?
Percy does just that. Winston quickly walks to the other side of the room and finds a door next to the bar. He opens it to find a small janitor closet. Nothing but a broom and other cleaning supplies inside.
WINSTON (cont.)
Alright, we'll put the body in here. It's cramped, so we'll hafta' stand him up.
Percy groans at the thought of touching the corpse.
WINSTON (cont.)
You grab his legs, we'll carry him over here then we'll worry about standin' him. Got it?
Percy nods. They lift him, Percy at his feet, Winston at his head. They lug Mr. Bartender toward the closet.
Percy stumbles backward, taking one of the bodies' shoes with him. As he hits the ground, so does Mr. Bartender. With a loud, squishy THUD.
WINSTON (cont.)
You okay?
PERCY
Fuck. Yeah. Damn shoe slipped off.
Winston lets out a short laugh and nods for them to continue.
They reach the closet and gently lie down the body.
WINSTON
Alright, lets both grab a shoulder and get this Brave to his feet.
They do just that, with quite a bit of effort. Once they get him to his feet, Percy finds himself in front of the body, pushing with all his strength to keep him up right. As he raises his head, Mr. Bartender's lifeless eyes are staring back at him. He yelps, jumping back.
The body tumbles into the closet, knocking over the brooms, his body resting against the back wall of the closet.
WINSTON (cont.)
Not quite standing, but the door'll shut.
He shuts the door and they head back toward the bar. Percy leans against a pool table, waiting on his next instructions.
PERCY
This is so fucked man. We're gonna' get caught, I know it.
Winston gets close to his face, his eyes like wildfire.
WINSTON
We're not going to get caught! Stop fuckin' talkin' like that and get your head outta' your ass, we'll be just fine. Yeah?
Percy looks at the floor as Winston goes back to the bar. He picks up the pistol and...notices the picture of Percy's young daughter. He takes it and slides it into his jacket pocket. Percy's eyes zone in on the pool of blood by the bar.
WINSTON
Alright, I think that wraps it up.
PERCY
(pointing at the blood)
Should we clean that up?
WINSTON
Waste'a time. Damn cops got those infared thermal scanners. They can find a drop of semen in a haystack.
Winston raises the pistol as Percy's eyes slightly widen. He flips it around so the butt of the gun is pointing toward Percy.
WINSTON (cont.)
Take it.
PERCY
What? Why?
WINSTON
I told you "Do what I say".
Percy reluctantly does. He tucks it into the front of his pants awkwardly. The elegant trained assassin he is not.
WINSTON (cont.)
Now why you gotta' go and stuff it down your pants like some blue-gum wannabe' gangster?
(shrugging submissively)
Eh, hell with it. But put the safety on for christ sake.
Percy does as Winston finds a pen behind the bar and snatches up a flimsy "Route 66" homemade napkin. He sets them on the edge of the pool table.
WINSTON (cont.)
You got a cellphone, yeah?
Percy nods.
WINSTON (cont.)
Write down the number. We're gonna' have to meet up in a couple hours.
Percy takes the pen, but looks up at Winst.
PERCY
Why?
WINSTON
(impatiently)
Enough with the damn questions. For one, we gotta' get our stories straight. You know, just in case. We've half-assed covered our tracks here, but we got all night to do that. Hell, even half the day tomorr'ah. Somethin' tells me Mr. Atlanta Braves doesn't have a wife waitin' for him at home.
Percy writes the number down and Winston takes the napkin.
WINSTON (cont.)
Go home. Lay low. I'll call soon. Got it?
PERCY
Yeah I got it.
Percy heads to the door. Doing as he's told. Why not? That's what he's been doing for most of his life.
EXT. ROUTE 66 TAVERN - EVENING
As the two exit they both glance suspiciously at their surroundings. Winst nods for him to go east as he proceeds to head west.
EXT. DARK ALLEY - EVENING
Percy slowly wanders down a dark alley, his head still reeling from the events previous. A quick look at the alley makes its very apparent it's NOT the kind of dark alley a half-drunk man in a cheap suit in the bad part of New Orleans would want to walk down.
No matter what night of the week it is.
Percy digs into his jeans pocket and retrieves a small white bottle. A bottle of pills.
CLOSE on the bottle. It states Percy's name and below in big bold letters:
DRAMAMINE
He pops a couple in his mouth and dry-swallows them. As he returns the bottle to his pocket his eyes suddenly light up in a fusion of panic and fear. He feels his back pocket, but it's empty.
PERCY
Shit! Shit, shit shit! My wallet! Where the hell is my wallet!?!
He digs through his pockets, but to no avail.
PERCY (cont.)
No, no, no. This can't be happening. This can't be fucking happening!
He stands in the middle of the darkened alley. Hesitating. Contemplating.
PERCY (cont.)
The picture. God damnit, the picture.
He sighs, obviously deciding to go back for the evidence. But just as he turns around to do so --
A cop!
A uniformed member of the NOPD is cautiously making his way down the alley in Percy's direction.
BEAT.
In the spur of the moment and probably slightly due to his current state of intoxication, Percy stumbles backward knocking over some aluminum trashcans in the alley.
They CLANK loudly onto the pavement.
Percy begins to retreat. Slowly at first, glancing over his shoulder as he does. He sees the officer increase in speed, not a clear sprint but a pretty damn fast walk.
OFFICER
Sir?
Percy's eyes widen and he breaks into a run. Not looking back.
OFFICER (cont.)
Sir, please stop!
Running as fast as he can, Percy turns his head to see how close the officer is. And he's pretty fucking close. As he turns back to continue chase, he fails to notice the large pipe lying on the ground just a few feet ahead.
Percy trips, soaring a few feet down the alley and coming to a THUD on the hard concrete. The gun flies from his pants and lands just to his left. He groans as he turns over onto his back. Just in time to see the officer bearing down on him.
OFFICER (cont.)
Sir...
The cop is a mere five feet away now, walking slowly to him. He's holding something in his hand. A gun?!?
Percy struggles to reach his glock and pulls it up to eye level, holding on with only one hand. He fires a deafening shot that echoes through the night. The cop clutches his chest with his free hand before falling to his knees and then to his back.
Dead as a dodo.
Percy jumps to his feet in a panic. He clamors to the body, just to check. He sees the object in the young officer's hand...it's not a gun.
PERCY
Shit...
It's his wallet. Percy grabs the wallet from the dead cop's grip and slides it into his pocket. His face is pained and full of shame.
BEAT.
Percy exhales loudly. He surveys the alley and when he's sure he's clear...he runs like the devil himself is in pursuit.
INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - NIGHT
Percy trudges hastily down a narrow corridor. He passes a room on his left, loud music thumping from inside. Must be a party.
Next to that room is his own. The small brass square on the door reads:
1115
Percy pulls keys from his pocket. It takes him a moment to steady his hand, which is now jingling the keys like it's Christmas time. Finally he gets the key into the hole and opens his door.
"I'm headin' down the Atlanta highway...lookin' for the love getaway"
INT. PERCY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Percy goes to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of beer. He pops the lid and downs it in a mere five or six seconds.
The apartment is small and quaint. Not luxurious by any means, but not a shithole either.
He gets another beer and takes a seat on his sofa, which is seated directly against the wall leading to the party next door. The BOOMING music vibrates the walls and in turn vibrates Percy's massive headache.
CUT TO:
INT. PARTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Inside the upbeat party are about twenty men and women, mostly women. Women with blonde hair and flowery old-fashioned dresses. They dance....strangely. In unison, but very reminiscent of a fifties concert. Their moves are robotic and their faces are all plastered with creepy and overly-large grins.
"I got me a Chrysler, it seats about twenty so hurry up and bring your juke box money!"
CUT TO:
INT. PERCY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Percy still sits on the sofa, rubbing his temples in a dire attempt at comfort and relief.
A CUT SEQUENCE shows a variety of different acts that Percy goes through over the next couple of minutes.
-- He pulls at his hair savagely, desperately seeking escape from the throbbing migraine that has made it's way to the center of his forehead.
-- He downs another beer.
-- He pounds hard against the wall with the back of his hand.
PERCY
Will you turn that damn music down!?!
"Well it's set way back in the middle of a field, just a funky old shack and I gotta get back!"
CUT TO:
INT. PARTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The dancing continues, still very off-putting. A bowl of punch in sits on an elegant silver table in the corner, but nobody drinks. Everyone is to busy dancing to the
Loooove Shaaaaack!
CUT TO:
INT. PERCY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Percy pops another couple of pills, washing them down with the last of a beer. The music continues. The vibration. The pounding.
"Glitter on the mattress, glitter on the highway. Glitter on the front porch, glitter on the hallway."
Percy's face reddens as he stands, flinging his fist hard into the wall. He screeches like a banshee in pain, leaving a blood spot on the wall. The crimson substance pours over his knuckles and drips to the ground. He storms into the bathroom.
Moments later he reemerges, a loosely wrapped bandage hanging from his hand. The red blood is already seeping through the white cotton.
"Everybody's movin', everybody's groovin' baby!"
Percy catches a glimpse of the 9MM sitting on the coffee table. He picks it up, looking at it as if it's some kind of alien object.
BEAT.
Percy exits the room.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Percy stands next to the door, which is visably shaking to the loud music. He looks like a man possessed.
"Bang bang bang...on the door baby! Knock a little louder baby!"
In unison with the song, Percy knocks.
"Bang bang bang...on the door baby! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
Percy knocks again. He pounds, to be exact. With each BANG, Percy's fist BANGS on the door.
"Bang bang! On the door baby! Bang bang! On the door! Bang bang! On the door baby! Bang bang! On the door!"
Finally a woman answers. Percy reels back, possibly due to the awkwardness of the scene inside or possibly due to being drunk.
The woman, blonde hair tied back neatly in a very tight ponytail, smiles. Strangely. It's sort of like looking at a mannequin, the smile looks fake and way to big for a normal person.
Her perfect white dress covered in yellow flowers hangs to her ankles, accentuating her gorgeous green eyes. She cocks her head slightly, not removing the disturbing faux-smile from her face.
"You're what!?! TIN ROOF!"
Percy raises the gun.
"RUSTED!"
BOOM!
One shot from Percy puts a bullet into the retro-woman's face.
"Love Shack! Baby, Love Shack! Love Shack! Baby, Love Shack!"
INT. PARTY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Percy steps inside and over the womans bloodied body. He makes his way through the room, shooting every single guest that has plagued him and his headache since he arrived home.
Blood splatters across the white walls, ceiling and floor. The guests, all with unique similarities to a mannequin, open their mouths wide as if they're screaming. But from Percy's perspective, as he puts holes in every one of them, he hears no screams.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
He fires and fires and fires, each time smiling a little wider. In the end, as the song dwindles down to the end, Percy exits the room.
All that's left inside is a chaotic and morbid scene of bodies lying everywhere and blood covering EVERYTHING. All that is left are the remnants of a massacre.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Percy falls backward, his head dizzy. The wall catches him and he slides down it onto his butt. A BUZZ emanates from inside his shirt pocket. He pulls out his phone and puts it to his ear, his gaze remains straight ahead.
PERCY
Yeah.
WINSTON
(O.S.)
It's time, Percy. Can you meet me?
PERCY
Where?
WINSTON
(O.S.)
There's a nightstpot downtown on Andrew Higgins Drive. The Metropolitan. I'll be there in an hour.
Without time for a response, Winston's end of the line is gone. Percy remains seated for a long while. Finally he stands, hesitating on whether to get cleaned up, but ultimately deciding to leave.
INT. METROPOLITAN CLUB - NIGHT
As Percy steps through the double doors of the Metropolitan, he is immediately hit with a wave of music and flickering strobe lights. Blondie's "Call Me" blares from the sound system.
He weaves his way through a crowd as thick as molasses and reaches the bar.
PERCY
A beer. Please.
The bartender smiles at him and quickly hands him a Budweiser.
BARTENDER
Where ya' at?
PERCY
Terrific.
Percy turns around and looks into the crowd for Winston. He leans against the bar and gulps his brew. As he scans the mob of people, his eyes catch someone.
The sight of her takes him aback...causes him to almost forget to breath. She's gorgeous. Exquisite. He looks at her as if, and she just might be, she's the most beautiful creature he has ever seen.
As she dances, quite seductively, she stares directly at him. Her jet black hair is wildly unkempt and it pokes out in every direction, cut just below her ears. She is adorned in a black tank top, sort of like fishnet fabric. Ripped and tight blue jeans accentuate her figure perfectly. Lastly, as if the cherry on top, is a pair of high heels as black as the night sky outside.
He just stares as she approaches the bar. She points one finger toward the bartender, who brings her a drink. She stands next to Percy, only facing toward the bar not away. She smiles brightly, her red lipstick shimmering under the club's flashing lights.
Percy smiles back.
She leans in and whispers into Percy's ear. Blondie's yells drown it out. She takes him by the hand and leads him onto the dance floor.
Once they are at the dead-center of the floor, the two begin to dance casually.
WOMAN
I'm Gretchen.
Percy nods.
PERCY
Percival. Call me Percy.
She chuckles, the reason only known to her. Extends her hand to shake formally and Percy reciprocates.
GRETCHEN
Nice to meet you, Percy. Tell me something.
PERCY
What?
GRETCHEN
Anything!
Percy feels slightly awkward, his mind struggling to come up with something on the fly.
PERCY
I...I hurt my hand.
He holds up his half-red, half-white bandaged hand and shrugs.
GRETCHEN
I see that. Looks bad.
They continue to dance with a short pause in their conversation.
PERCY
Your turn. Tell me something.
Gretchen laughs again, at something funny only to her.
GRETCHEN
I am Marie Lauveau.
Percy begins to slow, trying to figure out if he heard her correctly.
She grins and nods as if to answer that question.
PERCY
You are Marie Lauveau?
(beat)
Well you look good for your age.
Again she laughs. That amazing laugh.
GRETCHEN
She is inside of me. I was once her. I was Marie Lauveau on St. Eve's Day. I was Marie Lauveau when I was beheaded in 1881.
(beat)
I was Marie Lauveau when my heart stopped beating the day before my beheading. Do you understand me?
Long pause. Percy looks at her as if she's insane...and she probably is.
PERCY
You are...Marie Lauveau.
GRETCHEN
I am Marie Lauveau.
PERCY
Who am I?
Gretchen laughs again. Percy smiles at her as she leans her head back and stares at the ceiling.
When it comes upright again, she grins.
GRETCHEN
You are Dante Alighieri and this is your divine comedy.
(beat)
This is your inferno.
PERCY
Is that right?
She nods, still grinning.
GRETCHEN
Purgatory and Paradise await you.
PERCY
Paradise...
BEAT.
Blondie's song ends and another one begins.
PERCY (cont.)
What should I call you?
GRETCHEN
You can call me whatever you want Percy. Gretchen...Marie...
(beat)
You can call me Clementine if you wish!
She bellows more laughter this time. Some inside joke I guess.
PERCY
What's funny?
GRETCHEN
I wouldn't know how to explain and you wouldn't understand if I did.
(beat)
You will not understand in purgatory, I am sorry for that. But when you reach paradise...it will all be clear then.
PERCY
Why do you keep talking about paradise?
Gretchen's hand raises to his face and she caresses his cheek softly.
GRETCHEN
I've dreamt about you. Not just a few nights I've seen you in my sleep and here you are. In the flesh.
Percy thinks she's crazy...but he finds her flattering as well.
She takes his hand.
GRETCHEN
Come.
Gretchen leads him out of the dancing mob and to the bathrooms at the far left of the club. She kicks open the door.
INT. WOMENS BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
As they enter the ladies room, she releases her grip on his hand and walks to the large mirrors set up above the sink.
Percy stands by the door awkwardly. Gretchen moves through a group of a dozen or so other women and gets to the countertop of the sink. The other women don't even take notice of Percy who is obviously where he doesn't belong.
Gretchen takes a small vial from her pocket and dumps some of it's contents onto the sink top. It looks like cocaine. She looks at Percy and raises her eyebrows questioningly. He hesitates, causing her to smile. She snorts and the white powder disappears into her nasal.
As she raises her head, Percy is behind her in the mirror. She laughs and pours out another line.
PERCY
Take a little of the edge off...because this is one fucked up night.
GRETCHEN
Yes. It is.
Percy snorts and holds his nose with the palm of his hand. His vision blurs and his head begins to spin. Feeling as if he's about to pass out, Percy is pushed backward into one of the restroom stalls. Gretchen pushes him against the stalls eggshell colored wall and lowers to her knees, her head right next to...you get the picture.
She unzips his pants and proceeds to give him a blowjob. Through all of this, Percy remembers the gun in the back of his pants and pulls it out. He sets it on top of the porcelain toilet. His head spins again and he feels like he's floating from outside his body. Probably due to the bizareness of the situation.
Of the whole night.
He looks down at her, but can only see the top of her head. He can only see big black locks of hair sticking out in a variety of directions. She stops briefly. Just long enough to pull the vial out and snort some more of the drug from her wrist.
Seconds later, she finishes.
She stands up slowly and is a mere two or three inches from his face. The two stare at each other briefly and she winks at him, exiting the stall and the bathroom itself.
He exhales a loud breath.
Long BEAT.
He returns the gun to his waistline and exits as well.
INT. METROPOLITAN CLUB - NIGHT
As he exits the restroom, his phone vibrates again.
PERCY
Hello?
WINSTON
(O.S.)
I'm outside. Black Ford Taurus.
Hangs up again.
Percy walks toward the entrance, looking around for Gretchen. Or Marie. Or whatever the hell her name is.
Nothing.
EXT. METROPOLITAN - NIGHT
He looks around and finally spots the black taurus. Winston nods from behind the wheel. He climbs into the passenger side and the car speeds away.
INT. TAURUS - NIGHT
The two sit in the car, an awkward silence seems to have washed over them. Winston turns slight left onto a turnpike.
PERCY
What's the plan, Winston?
WINSTON
You're like a broken record, son.
PERCY
There's a lot at fucking stake here! Can't you see that?
Winston eyes him suspiciously. Looking at his blood-shot eyes.
WINSTON
You look stoned as all-get-out.
(laughs)
Of course I can see what's at stake. It's all working according to the plan you asked about.
PERCY
Which is what? What's the plan?
WINSTON
I can't tell you that.
PERCY
What? Why?
WINSTON
Wouldn't be much of a surprise then, now would it?
Percy turns in his seat, glaring at him. A small grin creeps onto Winston's face.
WINSTON (cont.)
The more you know, the more of a chance things will fall apart. Understand?
Percy shakes his head angrily, noticing some pictures on the drivers side sunvisor. Pictures of a family. Man, women, two young boys.
It's not Winston.
But Winston notices that Percy noticed.
WINSTON (cont.)
Looks like a nice family, yeah?
PERCY
Who are they?
Winston chuckles softly.
WINSTON
Beats me. Lifted this heap from outside one of those video arcade places over on second street.
PERCY
Why?
WINSTON
For fun.
Winston grids a nasty grin, but Percy doesn't seem as excited.
WINSTON (cont.)
Percy, my friend. You wouldn't know a good time if it sat on your face.
PERCY
Right...
"Guilty" by Gravitiy Kills begins.
WINSTON (cont.)
You need to trust me, Percy. Do you?
Percy looks through the window, watching the city lights breeze by in a blur.
WINSTON (cont.)
We are in this night together. If you can't trust me, we won't make it.
(beat)
Do you trust me?
After a long pause, Percy nods.
PERCY
Don't have much of a choice.
WINSTON
You always have a choice. You had a choice back at that bar. You had a choice when I called you. Every second of your life is a choice.
(beat)
We are the same person, Percy. Can't you see that?
PERCY
The fuck you talkin' about?
Winston laughs.
WINSTON
You're my reflection and I am yours. I don't know why. But it's what it is. Whatever happens the rest of the night, keep that in your mind. Maybe it'll make sense eventually.
Percy raises his bandaged hand and looks blankly at it.
The car increases in speed.
WINSTON
I'm going to let go of this wheel.
Percy now laughs, almost hysterically.
WINSTON (cont.)
That tickles you, eh? Good.
He lets go of the wheel. It remains, for a moment, and then slides toward the left.
Percy stops laughing now and looks wide-eyed at Winston.
PERCY
Stop fucking around.
He reaches for the wheel and straightens it. Winston looks at him with disappointment.
WINSTON
Just let go, Percy.
PERCY
No. Do you want to die? Is that what all this is about?
Winston doesn't speak. Just stares at him.
PERCY (cont.)
Well I don't. I'm not ready to fucking die!
WINSTON
That place you seek. Your stubborness is what keeps it in the distance and keeps you walking in place.
(beat)
Stop being so stubborn Percy.
PERCY
Here we go again. This paradise you speak of...
Winston nods.
PERCY (cont.)
Maybe it's real. Maybe. But I can say I'm certain it's not off the edge of this highway and in a fucking ditch.
WINSTON
There are always choices. That's what keeps us inside this shithole box. But when you learn to let go...that's when things change. When you abandon all choice and let the cards fall as they may. When you let go of the wheel...we'll get where we need to be.
(beat)
Just let go...
After a long pause, their gaze not breaking from each other, Percy finally gives in. He lets go of the wheel and lets fate take over.
The wheel turns left again, just as before. A few honks come from some other cars on the road. Percy closes his eyes.
WHAM! The car hits the median, sparks flying high into the night air. It then jerks right and ZIPS off the shoulder and into the small ditch next to the road. The nose crunches first and the car remains vertical for an abnormally long amount of time before the back end SLAMS down as well.
Smoke billows from under the hood as the car idles and eventually dies.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Winston and Percy walk aimlessly down the shoulder of the highway. Half a mile behind them you can see the smoke from the stolen car they left behind. Neither man appears to have a scratch...barely short of a miracle.
Winston holds his thumb out as cars pass, their headlights shimmering across the two.
Nobody stops.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBWAY STATION - NIGHT
The dim lights of the station haphazardly flicker. A few people sit around, waiting for the next train.
Sitting on a bench in the center is Winston and Percy. They both look exhausted.
Unfortunately the night is only in mid-stride.
The traincar pulls up and a group of people straggle out. Percy and Winston straggle on.
INT. TRAINCAR - CONTINUOUS
The two move casually to the center of the car and find a seat.
PERCY
So this was all part of our plan, huh?
WINSTON
It is now.
Percy shakes his head impatiently. It becomes increasingly clear he is reaching his breaking point.
Winston lays his head back and closes his eyes.
WINSTON (cont.)
We got a few minutes. I'm gonna' catch some z's.
He opens one eye and squints at Percy.
WINSTON (cont.)
Looks like you could use a power-nap yourself.
Percy doesn't respond.
BEAT.
RASPY VOICE
(O.S.)
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests. And we shall reign on the earth!
Percy looks to his left, where the voice seems to be coming from. Sitting a few seats down on the other side of the aisle is an old woman, dressed nicely in a feather cap. Looks like her Sunday's best.
OLD WOMAN (cont.)
Destruction is coming. And they shall seek peace and there shall be none!
She is looking at Percy as she spits these verses. The lipstick on her lips is caked on far too thick and is enveloping a good inch more than it should on her face. As her lips part, he sees it's also begun to invade her cigarette-smoke stained teeth.
OLD WOMAN (cont.)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life!
At this point Percy sees something. Something even more disquieting than her incoherent and apocolyptic biblical passages.
More disquieting than her odd appearance.
He sees the woman's hands. They hold a small chicken, as if it's a baby. It just stares at Percy blankly. Or, at least in his paranoid state, he THINKS it stares at him.
OLD WOMAN (cont.)
And there shall be no more curse! But the throne of God and the lamb shall be in it. And his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads!
As she continues to babble, Percy can't help but stare at the chicken in her grasp. He stares and stares, for what to him seems like an eternity.
It's as if he's been hypnotized.
Finally the subway screeches, indicating it's coming to a stop very soon. When it does, the doors open and the woman stops ranting.
Long pause as Percy and the chicken continue to stare at each other, similar to young kids enjoying one of those staring games.
Don't blink!
BOCK!
The chicken squawks, startling Percy and causing him to snap back to reality. Winston pats his arm.
WINSTON
Let's go.
He follows him out of the traincar.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
The two walk down a dark New Orleans street. Winston walks carelessly and casually. Percy walks a couple strides ahead, nervously and impatiently.
PERCY
My level of frustration can't get much higher than it is right now, Winston. I need to know what we're gonna' do!
WINSTON
You will.
PERCY
Bullshit! You were supposed to help me. You were supposed to come up with some master plan to take care of this fucked up situation. You were supposed to be in control!
Winston continues to walk and Percy seems desperate.
PERCY (cont.)
You're the thinker. The one who can clean all this up.
(beat)
I need you.
Winston raises his eyebrows arrogantly at Percy as they approach a corner store.
WINSTON
I gotta' run in. Need somethin'?
PERCY
Are you kidding?
He isn't.
Percy shakes his head "no". As he enters the store, Percy leans against the concrete wall next to a coca-cola vending machine.
He watches as a car pulls up to the corner. A few streetwalkers, aka prostitutes, approach the car. They lean into the passenger window and after a few moments of talking, three of the four get inside.
The car pulls away quickly.
BEAT.
The store's door FLIES open and a loud gunblast is heard!
Winston runs out, a slimjim hanging from the corner of his mouth. He laughs hysterically as he passes Percy.
WINSTON
Run!
Percy follows suit and they book it around the corner.
Moments later the cashier exits the store, weilding a double-barrel shotgun.
BOOM!
He fires a shot into the air.
CASHIER
You son of a bitch!
CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
The duo turns down a dark alley and slows to a fast-walk. Percy struggles to breath as he pants like an aged dog.
Winston leans against a brick wall just below a fire escape and inhales some oxygen of his own. He lets out another little laugh, as if this is all just a game.
PERCY
What the hell was that?
WINSTON
(sarcastically)
Just a misunderstanding...
Percy shoves Winston hard into the wall, but the smile doesn't leave his face.
PERCY
You tell me how we're going to fix this! Enough of this crap!
WINSTON
Calm down.
Percy slams him again, this time wrapping his right hand around his throat.
PERCY
I can't calm down! My head is pounding, my hand is throbbing! I killed people tonight! I'm not going to just "calm down"!
WINSTON
(squints intriguingly)
People?
PERCY
Tell me...
WINSTON
Alright Percy, you win. I need to get a few supplies. Meet me at Route 66 in an hour. Can you do that?
After a long pause Percy nods.
A siren BLARES, but only once.
The two look at the end of the alley and see a squad car has stopped, it's lights blinking and creating multi-colored shadows throughout the darkness.
Percy's eyes widen as the car pulls into the alleyway.
WINSTON
Let's go!
The two run hastily in the opposite direction. As they reach the through street, Winston points left.
WINSTON (cont.)
Go left. One hour!
Percy nods again and heads left, running as fast as his legs will allow.
"Brand New Key" by Melanie begins to play.
The sirens BLARE loudly now from behind him, but Percy doesn't look back. He cuts down another sidestreet and jumps a residential wooden fence, hurrying through the damp lawn.
He jumps another fence, into another backyard. He continues to sprint through the darkness toward a block wall at the back of the houses yard.
WHIP!
His head snaps back and his legs shoot out in front of him as if he's been clotheslined by an invisible arm. His vision blurs momentarily as he lies on his back looking at the stars above.
Once he gets his wits, he sits up. He sees the thin wire, probably used for hanging clothes, above his head. He rubs his neck, which is now covered in a reddened welt.
Looking back toward the residence, Percy sees the back sliding glass door. Inside the light is on. What he sees would be unbelievable on any other night.
But this isn't just any other night.
Inside are two figures. One, looks like a man, sits on all fours like a dog. He is clad head-to-toe in black leather. Including a mask with a little zipper over the mouth.
Standing over the dog-man is a woman dressed like a scantily clad bunny rabbit. A leash runs from the dog-man's neck and up into the grip of her left hand.
They both look at Percy, noticing him sitting on their lawn. They stand completely still and watch him as he slowly backpedals toward the block wall.
BEAT.
The woman slowly cocks her head to the left, placing her palm on the door. Similar to the guesture you give your loved one through the glass wall in a prison visitation room.
It's like she's beckoning Percy.
But he doesn't bite. Once he reaches the block wall he leaps it in one jump, leaving the strange couple to finish playing.
EXT. DINER - NIGHT
Percy makes it around a corner, in front of a small clock-shop. On the other side of the street he sees a tiny run-of-the-mill diner. The sirens continue to yell somewhere be hind him so he hurries into the diner before the cops inevitably pass by.
INT. DINER - NIGHT
As he steps inside, the door DINGS. The very bustling and talkative room falls to a dead-silent hush. A few truckers and other stragglers turn around and stare at him interestingly.
The same goes for the older blonde waitress behind the counter and the short-order cook behind the kitchen window.
BEAT.
Percy takes a seat in a booth, one with a direct view of the street outside. The talking begins again and everything returns as they were before he walked in.
WAITRESS
Hi there. What can I get ya'?
PERCY
Just a coffee.
(beat)
Please.
She jots it down and walks away.
Percy stares through the window for a long time, paranoia beginning to slowly fade.
WAITRESS
Here you go.
She sets a cup of coffee in front of him, the steam still rising from the liquid.
PERCY
Thank you. Do you have the time?
She looks at her watch.
WAITRESS
Almost three AM.
He nods and she exits again.
Long BEAT as he sips. Continues to watch the window. Sips.
The door DINGS again. "Dream Lover" by Bobby Darin begins playing softly through the diner's radio.
Percy cranes his neck awkwardly to peer behind at the door.
Can it be???
It's the beautiful and mysterious woman from the club. The wild woman with the silky and short black hair. With the fishnet tank top and tattered blue jeans. Just a coincidence?
Gretchen sees Percy and smiles sharply, walking over to his table.
GRETCHEN
May I sit?
He nods agreeingly as she sits across from him.
They both just stare at each other in a long silence. Finally the waitress breaks the silence as she arrives.
WAITRESS
Can I get you something sweetie?
Gretchen doesn't take her eyes from Percy.
GRETCHEN
I'll have blueberry pancakes and two pieces of toast. Sourdough. A glass of orange juice and a glass of coffee.
(beat)
Thank you.
She writes it down and leaves. Quite the appetite.
More silence. The two stare at each other for what feels like an eternity.
PERCY
What are you doing here?
GRETCHEN
What are YOU doing here?
PERCY
Waiting.
GRETCHEN
For?
PERCY
Just waiting for the right time to take care of something.
GRETCHEN
Ooh, that sounds juicy. What do you need to take care of?
Percy sips his coffee and for the first time he breaks his gaze from her, looking to the window.
GRETCHEN (cont.)
You don't want to say. I understand.
(beat)
But I can see it inside of you Percy. I could see it the first time I saw you at the bar. Why do you think I came over to you?
He looks at her quizzically.
PERCY
You can see what?
GRETCHEN
The darkness. It's inside you. It's radiating from your spores. But it's calming. It feels nice.
He chuckles lightly.
PERCY
Darkness, huh? How do you mean?
GRETCHEN
Esoteric's believe everyone has a certain energy surrounding them. An aura. Just floating inches away from their body.
PERCY
And you can see these surrounding everyone?
GRETCHEN
Some, not all. Actually, not many at all.
(beat)
But I saw yours and it was dark.
Percy shuffles in his seat uncomfortably.
PERCY
So what does that mean?
GRETCHEN
You've been clouded in darkness. Could have been years, months or minutes. I don't know. But I think you do.
PERCY
It's been a long night...
She leans forward, her eyes bright like a child.
GRETCHEN
Isn't it always? You can trust me, Percy.
She places a hand on his and a thin smile appears on his face.
PERCY
I've...I've done some bad things tonight.
Gretchen lowers her head to keep eye contact with him and nods.
PERCY (cont.)
Things that can never be forgiven.
GRETCHEN
What did you do, Percy?
PERCY
I killed a man. I killed more than that.
He runs his hand through his hair and exhales. It feels good to say that out loud.
GRETCHEN
What made you do it?
PERCY
That's the fucked part of this whole thing. Nothing.
(beat)
And that's not the worst part. The worst part is...I wouldn't say I liked it or I feel good about it.
Percy glances to the window again, his mind struggling for the right words.
PERCY (cont.)
But I don't regret it either. I don't feel sorry.
GRETCHEN
I envy you. More than you can know.
He laughs, squinting at her as if he's trying to get a read on whether she's kidding or not.
PERCY
You kidding me?
GRETCHEN
Not at all. I wish I had that strength. That power. But I don't and I could never bring myself to do something so bold. Let me ask you something.
He waits, the hair on his arms standing on end as he looks at this beautiful woman. He has it.
Has it bad.
GRETCHEN (cont.)
Do you like Elvis Costello?
PERCY
huh?
GRETCHEN
The musician. Do you like him?
PERCY
Um..sure. Don't really know his music well though.
GRETCHEN
The song "The Birds Will be Singing". Through the years that song has stuck with me everywhere I go. Do you know that one?
PERCY
Can't say I do. Tell me about it.
GRETCHEN
It's about death. It's about the ridiculous way we mourn the death of our loved ones. How we think their soul or spirit moves on and passes over. Whatever cliche you want to use.
(beat)
When in reality, there is no soul. There is nothing after death. Eternal blackness. Our brains stop functioning and we cease to be. Simple as that. No happily ever after. There are no ghosts watching over us, Percy.
PERCY
That's an interesting, albeit depressing, perspective.
She laughs softly.
GRETCHEN
So now for the million dollar question...Can I see you do it?
PERCY
I'm sorry?
GRETCHEN
Kill.
PERCY
Kill? Kill who?
GRETCHEN
Who? Anyone! I'm not a picky girl, Percy. You fascinate me.
He laughs aloud, surprised as it comes out louder than he had expected.
GRETCHEN (cont.)
(playfully)
You laughing at me Percy?
PERCY
No, no. I'm sorry. So you're asking me to just get up and kill...say...the waitress?
GRETCHEN
Ooh, the waitress huh? Alright Percy. Let's see it!
Percy eyes her for a long time, trying to see if she's joking or if she is indeed serious. Finally he lets out a little nervous laugh.
CUT TO:
INT. DINER - NIGHT
CLOSE on a tray with the large breakfast ordered by Gretchen. The pancakes, the toast, the works. Hands grasp the tray and it is carried away.
The waitress carries the tray to the table and sets it down. Gretchen looks up to her and smiles "thanks".
WAITRESS
Can I get ya'll anything else?
She places a hand on Percy's hand.
WAITRESS (cont.)
Anything at all. Anything. At all.
Percy looks at her hand, touching his. Then to Gretchen, who raises her eyebrows playfully. She leans forward, staring deeply at Percy.
GRETCHEN
Paradise, Percy. It's yours for the taking!
Percy's head begins to spin as Gretchen's voice seems to drift farther and farther away.
GRETCHEN (O.S.)
You are Dante Alighieri! This is your inferno! Paradiso Percy. Reach out and grab it!
The spinning increases, Winston laughs somewhere in the back of his head. A loud, bellowing laugh. The lights in the diner flicker, or at least in Percy's mind they do.
WAITRESS
Anything Percival. Anything at all. Anything at all Percy.
PERCY
What?
Gretchen's hand grasps Percy's leg under the table. Her bare foot, slipped out of her high heel, massages his crotch sensually.
She laughs.
GRETCHEN
Take it Percy! TAKE IT!
Percy stands, pulling the pistol from his waist.
He points it at the waitresses head, who remains frozen. Not in terror, her face is emotionless.
WAITRESS
I said anything Percival. Just ask and I'll make it my top priority. Anything Percy. Anything at --
BOOM!
The gun fires and the waitress flies back, her body nearly horizontal in the air. The smoke rises from the barrel as Gretchen looks on, grinning an enormous grin.
SNAP!
Back to reality. Percy looks through the window at the deserted street outside.
GRETCHEN (O.S.)
Percy? You're not falling asleep on me are you Percy?
He looks over to her and smiles, his eyes DO look very weary.
PERCY
What? Oh, no. Sorry.
GRETCHEN
So...will you show me?
Before he can answer, they are interrupted by the waitress who gives them the check.
WAITRESS
Anything else I can get you two? Anything at all?
Percy shakes his head "no".
WAITRESS (cont.)
Alright then. You two have a good night.
They nod and she walks away.
Gretchen eagerly watches him, waiting for a response to her request. After a BEAT, he notices her staring.
PERCY
You know what?
A lightbulb goes off above his head, so to speak.
PERCY (cont.)
I have an idea. Will you come with me?
She nods affirmatively. They stand up and he helps her with her coat as they exit through the door.
