REINDEER GAMES
by Ehren Kruger
FADE IN:
A FIGURE IN A SANTA CLAUS SUIT
lies face-down in a nighttime expanse of snow. One of the body's
red-sleeved arms is twisted at a sickening angle. The white snow
beneath the figure is spreading with red.
REVEAL EXT. SNOWY ROAD - NIGHT
The figure in the suit lies motionless. Snowflakes drift.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Dark, rustic wood, an office with broken windows and whistling
winter beyond. A second BODY in a Santa Claus suit lies dead in
the doorway.
It's a man with a large build. The suit is riddled with holes. His
face is missing.
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
More snow falling. A handful of cars in the lot. A third BODY
in the same red-and-white outfit lies atop the hood of an old
Pontiac. His head is not visible, having smashed through the
windshield. His suit is charred and blackened.
A halo of broken glass outlines him. His black boots hang off the
front bumper. The parking lot is silent.
INT. ROOM - NIGHT
A floor scattered with shiny silver quarters. Reflections of neon.
There's a fourth SANTA here, face-down in a red pool. The suit is
far too big for him. Not that it matters now.
EXT. SNOW-FILLED RAVINE - NIGHT
where the fifth and final Santa lies at the edge of a ravine,
which plummets a hundred feet down. The man rests precariously
atop the slope, upside-down, eyes closed.
His burned suit is smoldering. He has a sly but tired face, late-
20's, sandy hair, cold and scarred. This is RUDY DUNCAN.
He opens his eyes.
RUDY (v.o.)
I never was much for the holidays.
CUT TO BLACK.
THE SOUND OF A WINTER WIND
rises, as a TITLE appears: "SEVEN DAYS BEFORE..."
And then, to complete the sentence: "... XMAS."
FADE IN:
EXT. IRON MOUNTAIN STATE PRISON - DAY
Snow drifts down onto the stone walls and wire fences of the Iron
Mountain, Michigan S.I.C. Winter's been here awhile.
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY
Rudy Duncan lies in his top bunk, staring at his ceiling -- where a
handful of paper-cut snowflakes have been pasted.
The sounds of YELLING INMATES and GATES slamming shut echo through
the fortress. Rudy watches a spider scurry across the paper snow.
It's his excitement for the day.
He turns to the wall, where there's a photo of his teenage self
with some co-workers at an auto body shop. And a family photo,
cheery Midwesterners, with Rudy a scowling Artful Dodger.
A WALL CALENDAR
Shows the dates have been crossed off up to December 18th.
December 22nd is circled again and again.
Rudy muses at the calendar, then hops out of his bunk. Drops to
the floor, crosses to a desk, finds a chewed-on pen. Turning back
to the beds we reveal--
THE LOWER BUNK
where Rudy's cellmate, NICK MASON (32), rugged, mustached and
well-built, sleeps soundly. In contrast, his bed-wall is a COLLAGE OF
PHOTOGRAPHS, twenty, maybe thirty of them. Almost a mural.
All of them photos of A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL, mid-twenties,
smiling out from beaches, parties and snowy scenes. Gorgeous brown
hair, heartbreaking smile. Effortlessly sexy.
RUDY
stares at the pictures for a moment, wistful. Nick snores, turns
over. Rudy climbs atop his bunk again, with the pen this time. And
crosses December 18th off the calendar.
CUT TO:
EXT. PRISON YARD - DAY
The two of them, Nick and Rudy, shivering by the fence. Nick -
absently whistles some "Silver Bells," then digs for a smoke.
NICK
What's the first thing, man? What's
the first thing you're gonna do?
RUDY
Haven't thought about it.
NICK
Hell you haven't.
RUDY
Get to thinking about it, it
won't happen.
NICK
We walk outta here, we hit that
road, what's the first thing you're
gonna do.
RUDY
Ain't there yet.
NICK
Three days, man.
RUDY
Not yet.
NICK
Fuckin' Christmas, man. Fuckin,
Christmas on the outs.
Dozens of uniformed INMATES wander the yard, stamping feet, hands
tucked away, breath frosting. Nick tries to light his cig, but the
wind plays havoc. Nick curses, tosses it.
RUDY
Hot chocolate.
NICK
What?
RUDY
Get a hot mug of chocolate.
(nods)
First thing I'm gonna do.
NICK
(smiles)
And a slice of pecan pie, right?
RUDY
And some pecan pie.
Nick laughs, stares through the fence at the gates of the prison's
entrance road. Longingly.
NICK
She's gonna be out there, man.
Right there. Right there waiting.
RUDY
Yeah.
NICK
Gonna walk out of this
shitstorm and right into her
arms.
RUDY
Yeah.
NICK
Got us a motel out Highway 5,
bringing her own damn sheets, you
read that part? Silk damn sheets.
Lock ourselves in the whole week,
drinking wine, taking baths, man,
see if they got those room service
steaks ... anything I want to do.
Remember when she wrote that?
Anything I want ...
RUDY
Yeah. Fuckin' Christmas.
Nick grins. They stand there, shivering. It's freezing, but the
time they get outside is too precious to give up.
RUDY
All those pictures she's sent...
y'know ... you sure they're all
of her, Nick? You hear sometimes
they don't send their real
pictures. Could be her cousin or
something.
Nick studies him.
NICK
Why you gotta say a thing like that.
RUDY
I'm just saying.
NICK
Why you gotta. We were gonna give
you a ride someplace, man. Now I
just don't know.
RUDY
I'm just talking.
NICK
Fuck your hot chocolate, Rudy.
They trail off in silence. Nick looks out at the prison road
again. A snowy wasteland.
NICK
I'm gonna marry this girl.
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY
Rudy lies in his bunk, staring at the same paper snowflakes.
NICK (o.s.)
Hey, hey, listen here. "I've made
my list and I've checked it twice,
and as long as you're naughty, it's
gonna be nice. These cold winter
weeks have been killing me, Nick,
as I lie here alone. It's not
enough to have your warmth in my
heart anymore; I need your warmth
next to me. Work at Penney's has
been busy because it's Christmas
and that's when we do almost half
of our business for the whole year--",
okay, whatever, whatever--
(skipping on)
"--my manager's still mad at me for
asking for the whole week off," whatever,
whatever-(smiles) Here we go. "And all
that gets me through the day is to
close my eyes and imagine holding you,
and kissing you, and touching you,
and tasting you everywhere because I
know at that moment, I'll feel I've
found the reason for my whole entire
life."
Rudy still stares at the stone ceiling.
RUDY
For twenty-five, she sounds pretty mature.
NICK
Yeah. You grow up in Detroit, you get
matured real quick.
Nick's doing pushups on the floor below, smoking a cig, reading
sheets of pink stationery. With a new photo: of the same GIRL, in
a bikini by a lake. Vamping a childish pose.
NICK
Sure as hell don't make me miss Millie
Bobek. Guess I owe Millie, though. If
I hadn't been rollin, her, I woulda
never ended up here. And I woulda
never met Ashley.
(studies photo)
That's the world for ya.
Nick climbs off the floor, paces back to the bunks, marvelling at
the latest letter.
RUDY
What if she sees you, man, sees what
you look like ... and it's not there.
You just don't do it for her.
NICK
Me and her got a connection.
(hands page to him)
Read this part. Read the part
about stuffing her stocking.
Nick drops the page on his stomach. Rudy sighs, picks it up,
brings it to his nose.
RUDY
She's using a new perfume.
NICK
No, I think that's just oranges.
She writes here she's eating
oranges.
RUDY
Oh.
NICK
Shoulda written to that magazine,
Rudy. I'm gonna walk outta here,
walk right into a relationship. Not
some one-nighter, man ... a
relationship. You? You're gonna walk
outta here with bus fare. Searching
for the drunkest skirt in the room.
RUDY
Mornin', gorgeous. More egg nog?
NICK
Shoulda written, Rudy...
Nick drops'back to his bunk, pasting the new lakeside photo among
his collage of pictures. Admiring his pen pal:
NICK
Shoulda got yourself a girl.
Above, Rudy peruses the page Nick gave him. Some lipstick marks
pressed to the paper. He passes it back, closes his eyes.
RUDY
All I want ... is to make it to
Sidnaw, and sit down for Christmas
dinner. Watch some ball with my
old man, sleep in my old bed, and
have leftovers for bout six months.
NICK
Thought you hated Sidnaw.
RUDY
Just taste that Christmas turkey.
NICK
Thought you hate your old man.
RUDY
Five years, Nicky. Five years.
(shrugs)
I just want to go home.
There's the echo of CRASHING metal gates. Prisoners YELLING. Nick
smiles, still staring at his girl.
NICK
Well, man. Me and Ashley. We'll be
thinking about you.
INT. MAIN PRISON FLOOR - DAY
GUARDS monitor PRISONERS as they file out of their cells for the
afternoon meal. Rudy and Nick are motioned out by a MEAN GUARD,
his bitter world etched in his face. They join the line.
RUDY
Shit. Alamo's back.
Across Broadway, a parallel line is forming. A tall, tattooed
Native American, THE ALAMO, steps out of his cell. His hands are
the size of a man's skull.
NICK
Don't look like he missed the
sunlight.
RUDY
Pinscher told me Alamo thinks I'm
the one ratted on him beating up
Cree. Since I was there, I saw it,
he thinks I got him sent to solitary.
NICK
Aw, Rudy.
At that moment, Alamo glances over. Finds Rudy's eyes. Rudy
swiftly looks away--
RUDY
Count me outta mealtime--
He slaps Nick an the back, heads back for their cell--
MEAN GUARD
GET BACK IN LINE!
RUDY
I'm not hungry, I'm gonna--
MEAN GUARD
SHOULDA STAYED IN YOUR HOLE!
GET BACK IN FUCKING LINE!
The mean guard pulls his blackjack. Another guard's ready behind
him. They want Rudy to give them trouble.
Rudy stops. Slides back into the line of prisoners. Looks across
Broadway. The Alamo's walked on up ahead. Rudy swallows, heads
toward the mess hall.
INT. MESS HALL - DAY
A GLOOPY SPOON of CHUNKY RED AND GREEN JELLO gets splooshed on
Rudy's plate. Same with Nick. It's the cafeteria line.
NICK
What the fuck is this?
UGLY STAFFER
Holiday jello.
NICK
What's this shit in it?
UGLY STAFFER
Swallow and see.
The ugly staffer grins from under his plastic hairnet. Nick looks
to Rudy, then turns back to the help:
NICK
Just so you know, this man and
I are outta here in two days. So
while we're inhaling London broil
and lobster bisque, you're gonna
still be standing here smelling up the
mystery creamfuck.
(nods)
Who's in prison now?
The ugly staffer curls his lip. Nick smiles. Rudy moves on,
taking his tray off the rail and turning--
--right into the chest of The Alamo. He looks up--
--into the most scarred and vengeful face a man could ever dread
to see. The Alamo's a lifer. Many times over.
THE ALAMO
When you don't expect it.
RUDY
It wasn't me, Alamo--
THE ALAMO
That's when.
The Alamo strides into the cafeteria line. Rudy finally takes a
breath, as if he's dodged death. Nick's at his shoulder. They
share a grave and worried look. Trying to help:
NICK
Two days.
INT. MESS HALL - TABLES - DAY
Rudy and Nick sit at a cafeteria table. Beside Rudy is a frail,
nervous, fiftyish inmate, ZOOK. Zook sits alone, talks to no one,
always has the shakes.
NICK
So maybe after our week beneath the
sheets, we'll head down to Motor
City for New Year's. She says her
roomnate's skipping town for a few
days, have the place to ourselves.
Remember how her brother's a truck
driver down there? I'm thinking
he might be able to help get me some
work.
RUDY
What, working security?
NICK
No, I'm through with that shit.
Ashley's right. Gotta start doing
something I got a stake in. Get a
business going.
RUDY
I don't know, I've seen the business
world.
NICK
Hotwiring cars, Rudy, does not qualify as
a small business. Chop shop consultant;
doesn't work on a resume. Rudy shrugs. He
checks across the room, on the whereabouts
of The Alamo. The big Indian has his back
turned.
NICK
Ashley's talking about maybe we
can start something up together...
Next to Rudy, Zook has stopped eating. He is still as stone,
staring at his tray.
NICK
Whatsa matter, Zook?
They both watch Zook put down his utensils and reach into his red-
and-green jello with his bare hand.
RUDY
The hell you doing, Zookerman?
Gloppy gelatin drips from his hand, as the frail man lifts a large
black cockroach out. Zook's shaking.
NICK
Just a roach, Zook.
RUDY
Good for you. Protein.
ZOOK
Monsters-in the gelatin...
NICK
It's a roach, guy--
ZOOK
There are monsters ...
(voice rising)
... in the gelatin...
NICK
Oh, man--
Zook stands up, holding jello aloft:
ZOOK
THERE ARE MONSTERS IN THE GELATIN!
NICK
(shakes his head)
Fuckin, Zookerman--
ZOOK
THERE ARE MONSTERS! IN THE GELATIN!
THERE ARE MONSTERS! IN THE GELATIN!
A GRUMBLING MURMUR sweeps through the cafeteria as inmates sift
through their jello, searching for--
DISTANT INMATE
Sonofabitch!
He pulls something bug-like out of his dessert, holds it aloft,
and then HURLS it at the cafeteria line. A STAFFER ducks away. The
inmates LAUGH and suddenly they're all on their feet--
ZOOK
THERE ARE MONSTERS! IN THE GELATIN!
--grabbing handfuls of jello and throwing it at the cafeteria
line. Inmates get errantly SPLASHED, and respond by wheeling on
their fellow inmates -- red and green globs flying to and fro!
GUARDS
SIT DOWN! SIT THE FUCK BACK DOWN!
As GUARDS immediately rush in to restore order--
NICK
Rudy, don't move--
RUDY
Two days, we got two days! Don't
do nothing. Don't touch nothing--
An INMATE at the end of their table picks up their table and
overturns it, sending food flying. Rudy and Nick stand back, hands
raised in surrender. Jello HITS Rudy in the face.
NICK
Don't move, Rudy!
RUDY
Standing right here, man!
Zook is still SHOUTING until a GUARD clubs him senseless with a
blackjack. WHISTLES are blowing. Guards SCREAM for order.
NICK
(as a GUARD eyes them)
Ate the jello, jello was fine!
The guard leaves them alone, runs on. The melee's still out of
control. As Rudy turns--
--and suddenly sees The Alamo charging across the room, with
murderous eyes, a metal shank in his hand! Five feet away!
NICK
RUDY, LOOK OUT!
Nick grabs him, trying to push him out of the way--
--and The Alamo's shank plunges deep into Nick's stompch burying
between his ribs. Blood splashes. Nick slumps.
RUDY
NICK!
The Alamo pulls the blade out with a ferocious YELL, pushes Nick
to the floor and spins on Rudy! Rudy blocks with a chair,
stumbling back, cartwheeling over a table as The Alamo roars over
him for the kill--
--and two GUARDS tackle the big Indian out of nowhere! Knocking
the knife away, hammering him with blackjacks. It takes another
three guards to keep The Alamo down.
Rudy scrambles across the floor. Nick's on his back, blood pumping
freely from his gut-
RUDY
GUARD! GUARD!
NICK
(in shock)
Alamo...
RUDY
GUARD!!!
No one's helping, the guards nearby all subduing The Alamo. Nick
grabs Rudy's shirt, gasping to speak-
NICK
Jesus, Rudy--
RUDY
Take it, man! You're all right!
Hold it in! GUARD!
NICK
Oh, fuck, Rudy ... oh Jesus ...
RUDY
GUARD!!!
NICK
Ash...Ashley...
RUDY
No, man! No, no, no!
NICK
(choking)
Tell her... I'll be there ...
RUDY
You're GONNA be there! We're
getting outta here! TAKE IT!
NICK
Tell Ashley... I...
RUDY
YOU TELL HER!
NICK
... be with her...
Blood spills out Nick's mouth. His eyes go vacant.
RUDY
NO!!!
NICK
... for Christmas...
RUDY
NICK!!!
And Rudy's suddenly hauled backwards. A trio of GUARDS descend,
grabbing Nick's body as his life fades away. Dragging his figure
out of the melee. WHISTLES are blowing.
GUARDS
GET HIM OUT OF HERE! LOCK DOWN!
RUDY
NICK!!!
Rudy struggles, enraged, and gets blackjacked across the skull for
his trouble. He hits the jello-covered floor.
And the world goes dark.
INT. PRISON CELL - NIGHT
Darkness and shadows. Rudy sits in a corner, holding his head. The
cell block silent for the first time.
Bootsteps from down the row. A SHADOW falls across Rudy's somber
figure. It's the Mean Guard. He stares at Rudy with distinct
pleasure.
RUDY
The man had two days ...
MEAN GUARD
Well. Least he won't be coming back.
The guard grins a gold tooth. Rudy looks at him--
--and then springs to his feet, charges the room, grabbing through
the bars. The guard takes a calm step back. Keeps the cruel smile.
MEAN GUARD
You need company tonight, Rudy...
you just give a holler.
He puckers a kiss and walks on. Starts whistling "Are You Lonesome
Tonight?" Several shadowed VOICES request that he shut the fuck
up. The bootsteps and melody drift down the row.
RUDY
turns back, starts toward his bunk. And stops. His eyes on Nick's
empty bed. And the wall behind.
THE PICTURES OF ASHLEY
Smiling, laughing, playing kissy-face. Hearts drawn on the photos.
All colors of stationery taped to the wall.
RUDY
takes a seat on Nick's bed. There's a shoebox at the foot of it.
Rudy opens it. It's filled with Ashley's letters.
He trails a finger along them, must be over a hundred pages. He
selects the one nearest the front. Surveys it.
NICK (v.o.)
Rudy, man, here we go, here, what she
wrote here: "The car's waiting. The
motel's waiting. And I'm waiting.
I've waited for so long. I'm burning
for you, Nick. My whole body. My whole
heart. I'm burning for you..."
Rudy turns to the wall. To the lakeside picture of Ashley, a
swimsuit siren. Rudy stares sadly.
RUDY
He was burning for you too ...
And puts the letter away.
CLOSE ON RUDY'S CALENDAR - NIGHT
As his hand slashes through December 21st. Prison's over.
CUT TO:
EXT. IRON MOUNTAIN PRISON - DAY
Snow swirls. Near blizzard conditions. A heavy steel door BANGS
open, held by an EXIT GUARD. And FIFTEEN CONVICTS, make that EX-
CONVICTS, trudge onto a fenced drive, covered in snow.
EXIT GUARD
Your world and welcome to it, dumbfucks!
Don't be a stranger now! We'll keep the
lights on for ya!
Rudy stumbles out with the group, shivering in a Goodwill handme-
down coat. Thin canvas, wouldn't keep him warm in summer.
Secondhand shoes. No possessions.
He clutches his sides with his hands, hunched over. All fifteen
huddle and herd toward the gate at the end of the fenceway.
BEYOND THE GATE
There are a dozen FRIENDS and RELATIVES waiting. A few MEN,
several WOMEN, a couple KIDS. Bundled in winter coats, hats and
hoods. A prison shuttle bus is parked behind them.
The released cons reach the gate, where a GATE GUARD unlocks the
fence to the outside world. Fifteen men are free.
The ex-cons and relatives scan each other's faces. Wives rush over
to embrace their men. Pals nod to ex-cons and trade slaps on
backs. Reunion time.
The snow batters them, wind whipping. Rudy keeps his head down,
leaning forward, keeps walking. Toward the bus. But he can't help
himself -- he glances up--
TO SEE A YOUNG WOMAN
bundled in a silver ski jacket, pink wool hat with a poof-ball on
top, scarf and mittens. Scanning the released prisoners.
RUDY
drops his head, looks away. Climbs onto the shuttle bus.
INT. BUS - CONTINUOUS
Rudy shakes his arms, basking in the vehicle's warmth. Takes a
seat at the back. A couple other lone ex-cons climb aboard. Then
the cons with relatives start to pile in.
Rudy's window is steamed against the cold. He stares into his lap,
then reaches for his coat pocket. Takes out the picture of Ashley,
in her bikini by the lake. Stares at it.
He rubs his window with his sleeve.
Outside, the woman in the silver coat turns this way and that,
troubled. She's watching the other ex-cons climbing onto the bus
with their loved ones.
The woman looks back to the prison. The guard closing the gate.
The steel door has been shut. No one else is coming.
Rudy watches her sadly.
Aboard the bus, the seats fill up. Ex-cons are feeling up their
wives, kids are climbing on their absent daddies, buddies are
jawing loudly 'bout how the neighborhood's changed.
The woman outside is now alone. Silver coat, pink poofball.
Rudy looks at the bikini picture again.
Then at the shivering bundle.
RUDY
Don't do it, Rudy...
The bus ENGINE starts up. In the seat beside Rudy, an EX-CON makes
out with his WIFE while his bratty KID punches his leg.
Out the window, the young woman is scanning the bus windows. Then
the prison again. She turns in a worried circle. Rudy looks
swiftly away. Closes his eyes.
RUDY
Don't do it ...
The bus door closes. It REVS and starts forward. Rudy sighs with
relief. The photo of Ashley falls to the floor.
EXT. PRISON RELEASE GATE - CONTINUOUS
The young woman watches the bus pull away, down the snowy road.
But it doesn't get fifty feet before it suddenly stops.
The door opens. And Rudy steps out.
The bus REVS up again and GROANS OFF into the winter.
The young woman pushes her poofball hat out of her eyes. We get a
look at her face for the first time. Skin pale, lips turning blue,
but it's the girl from the pictures. It's Ashley.
She watches Rudy's figure trudge back toward her. Snow obscuring
him until he's right in front of her. Both of them shivering. Both
of them standing there.
And finally:
RUDY
You Ashley?
Ashley nods. And Rudy sadly smiles.
RUDY
I'm Nick.
CUT TO:
INT. TRUCK STOP - DAY
Rudy and Ashley sit at a coffee shop booth. Coats still on. Big
rigs bluster by on the highway outside.
Two untouched cups of coffee sit before them.
She's watching him in silence.
RUDY
I like your coat.
Ashley says nothing. Rudy looks at his own:
RUDY
This-this is just something they
gave me at the door. Wasn't snowing
when we signed up, y'know?
Ashley nods.
RUDY
How's your coffee?
Ashley looks at it, like she's just realizing it's there. She
lifts the cup, takes a sip. Puts it down.
ASHLEY
Good.
Rudy nods. Silence again.
RUDY
Gotta be ten degrees out there.
ASHLEY
Radio said negative five.
RUDY
Negative five?
ASHLEY
Yeah.
RUDY
I don't think it's negative five.
ASHLEY
Radio said.
Beat.
RUDY
Wind chill. That's probably
what they meant.
Ashley nods. Rudy bites his lip.
RUDY
I was scared. Scared you were gonna
take one look at me and change your
mind. Scared I was walking into
heartache. All those words ...
you put a picture in your
mind of where they come from and
when you see where maybe it's
not the same as your picture.
He trails off.
ASHLEY
I figured you walked outta there and
saw me and walked right the other
way--
RUDY
No, no--
ASHLEY
Saw my outfit or something, my coat--
RUDY
No, hey, I like your coat--
ASHLEY
Saw me--
RUDY
Ashley, no. That was me, that's what
I was scared of. I mean, be serious ...
I ' ain't exactly looking like Mr.
Universe here.
ASHLEY
You are to me.
Rudy goes silent. Whoa. Ashley considers.
ASHLEY
Thought you wrote you had a mustache.
RUDY
I can get another one going. Y'know,
hey, whatever you want me to--
ASHLEY
No, no, no. Be like you want to be.
Another awkward pause. Rudy picks up a milk dispenser beside the
coffee, puts it to his lips. It gives him a wide white mustache.
He stares straight-faced.
Ashley gives a bashful smile, covers it.
RUDY
Do that again.
ASHLEY
What.
RUDY
Smile.
Ashley smiles again, blushing now.
ASHLEY
No--
RUDY
One more. Smile. One more.
ASHLEY
(trying not to)
No, c'mon--
RUDY
I've been dreaming about that smile,
Ashley Mercer. For a long time.
They stare across the table, drifting into one another's eyes.
ASHLEY
You're better than the picture in my
mind, Nick...
(softly)
You're real.
Outside, another truck rumbles by, whipping up snow.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. INTERSTATE MOTEL ROOM - DAY
And Rudy and Ashley SLAM inside, kissing passionately, limbs
intertwined, pawing at each other's coats. Rudy kicks the door
closed. Mouths devouring, hands lost in snowy hair.
They collide with a side table, knocking over a lamp, tumbling
onto the lumpy bed. Rudy tears at her silver coat and sweater and
turtleneck and capilene and whatever else's she got on, as
Ashley's lips explore his neck and body. Writhing and wrestling
and rolling off the bed. Bang.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - LATER
Rudy and Ashley fuck like lovers in R-rated movies.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY - LATER
The bed sheets'lie tangled on the floor. Rudy and Ashley rest
naked amidst them. Her pretty young head on his chest, all their
inhibitions gone. Rudy strokes her arms.
RUDY
Tell me something. This the first
time you've ever done this?
ASHLEY
Go to hell, Nick Mason, what's that
supposed to mean--
RUDY
No, not that, no...
(laughs, kisses her)
I mean this, the whole thing. Start
writing to a guy, guy in the bricks.
Get a boyfriend like this. Tell me the
truth.
ASHLEY
Well. You're not the first guy
I wrote to. But you're the only
one I kept writing to.
RUDY
Yeah. Me too.
(considers)
Why? I mean I know why for me, why
I paid for the ad. But you ... why
start writing to some guy -- some con --
you don't even know?
Ashley studies his face, smiles in reflection.
ASHLEY
I told you, Nick. Remember?
RUDY
Tell me again.
ASHLEY
All the guys I've ever been with...
they never want to know me. Who I
am on the inside. They just want to qet
inside. When they do, they think
that means they know who I am.
That I trust them. That they know me.
That there's nothing left to learn.
(beat)
A guy like you, Nick -- six months
before you can even touch my face. I
figure a guy in that kind of bind, he's
gonna hafta work to get to know me
some other way.
RUDY
Had some bad relationships, didn't you.
ASHLEY
Not bad. Just regular.
(smiles)
You wrote me wonderful things, Nick.
Personal things.
She turns to him, kisses his chest--
RUDY
Well, wasn't all me, y'know.
ASHLEY
Yes it was all you--
RUDY
Guy I was in with ... he helped sometimes ...
some of the romantic stuff, actually ...
you'd like him--
ASHLEY
I'm talking about the heart, Nick. I'm
not talking about the words.
RUDY
Y'know, some of the heart mighta been
his too...
ASHLEY
Then he shoulda signed his name.
She turns over playfully, eases herself back atop him. Ready to
make up for lost time. With a kiss:
ASHLEY
And he'd be here right now.
INT. SHOPPING MALL - DAY
Ashley runs through an Xmas-decorated megamall, dragging Rudy
behind her. Both of them laughing, as she hauls him over to some
cookie bakery company:
RUDY
Where the hell are you going?
ASHLEY
Provisions! We are not leaving that
motel room again till after New Year's:
we need ten days worth of provisions!
(to cookie matron)
What's good?!
COOKIE MATRON
Oh my, we've got a special on our
chocolate crunchie elves, they're
shaped like little helpers--
ASHLEY
THIS MAN ... has not had a cockie in
two goddamn years! Get him two
of everything!
RUDY
Ashley, Jesus--
ASHLEY
Can't survive on our bodies alone, Nick.
(to cookie matron)
Hurry up!
RUDY
Ash ... didn't you write me that you
don't eat chocolate?
ASHLEY
Yeah, well you wrote me you were
six-foot-four, baby.
(teasing smile)
So don't talk to me about little white
lies.
INT. J.C. PENNEY'S DEPARTMENT STORE - DAY
Teddy bears with nightcaps, green bows, red ribbons. Ashley's
tearing through men's clothing racks, all love and confidence.
Rudy's got a bunch of purchase bags weighing him down:
ASHLEY
You need a COAT!
RUDY
Ash, you've gotten me enough--
ASHLEY
No boyfriend of mine is going to
walk around in negative-five degree
wind chill without a goddamn
good-looking coat!
She pulls out a hellacious black leather fringe number.
RUDY
Baby, c'mon, all this stuff ...
I haven't gotten you anything--
ASHLEY
You got out, Nick. You're here.
You're my Christmas.
She puts the jacket against his chest, smiling. Rudy sighs.
RUDY
It's two hundred dollars, Ash--
She whips a Penney's card from her purse, grins wickedly:
ASHLEY
You forget where I work?
RUDY
(beat)
Beauty and fragrances.
ASHLEY
Fifty percent off, motherfucker.
Ho ho ho.
She runs off with the jacket. Rudy turns to a dressing mirror,
left to stare at his reflection. An ex-con in rags, with a half-
dozen holiday shopping bags. To himself:
RUDY
Just for the holidays, Nick. Then
we'll tell her. We'll let her...
have her holidays ...
Rudy nods till he convinces himself. Can't help but smile.
INT. TOY STORE - DAY
Puzzles, Barbies and dinosaurs. KIDS scurrying, PARENTS chasing.
Rudy and Ashley with a scared TEEN CLERK:
TEEN CLERK
You can't find ... what?
ASHLEY
Toys for adults. Where are your
toys for adults?
TEEN CLERK
Toys for ... adults?
ASHLEY
C'mon. How old are you, sixteen? C'mon.
TEEN CLERK
We sell children's toys--
ASHLEY
(slams money down)
I got fifty dollars to spend in your
store, Jesus of Nazareth. Can you
help me or not?
The clerk glances around, then, low:
TEEN CLERK
Slinky's in aisle five, Twister's in
aisle one, Moon Mud's in aisle four.
ASHLEY
Thank you.
INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY
CLOSE ON CONVEYOR
As bottles of wine, vodka and rum, cartons of egg nog and orange
juice, and countless prepackaged sandwiches come scrolling past.
ASHLEY (o.s.)
You know what I was thinking, after our
holiday hideaway? Instead of going back
to Detroit, maybe we could go gambling.
Y'know? Drive up to that Indian place
you worked at. Wouldn't that be fun? I
haven't gone gambling in forever!
EXT. SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT - DUSK
Light snow falls. Rudy, in his new black fringe eyesore, and
Ashley carry grocery bags across the icy asphalt:
RUDY
Well, I don't know about that--
ASHLEY
Blackjack, Nick, blackjack I am
good at. I mean, they'd give us
some free games or something,
wouldn't they? Since you worked
there?
RUDY
Security, Ash, I just worked security.
They wouldn't be rolling out the red
carpet--
ASHLEY
And the slots, slots I'm good at too.
Wouldn't that be fun?
RUDY
We'll have more fun in Detroit.
ASHLEY
We could live it up and--
RUDY
Ashley. We're not going anywhere I used
to work.
It comes out too harsh. Ashley stops, a little hurt.
ASHLEY
I just ... I thought you'd have friends
there...
Rudy softens, touches her arms:
RUDY
Hey. I been in prison for two years, Ash.
Believe me. Those guys wouldn't want to
see me.
He kisses her. She nods, dismisses it, kisses back.
ASHLEY
Well, they don't know what the
hell they're missing.
EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT
Ashley's Chevy Nova pulls back into the lot of the roadside joint.
There's an artificial (silver) Christmas tree tied to the roof.
She and Rudy climb out; she heads for the office:
ASHLEY
Baby, I'm gonna go tell lem not
to disturb us for the rest of the
year. I get back in that room, you
better be wearing nothing but a
candy cane.
RUDY
I'll see what I can do.
ASHLEY
No, lover. I'll see what you can do.
She smiles, sashays sexily away. Rudy watches her go, admiring his
good fortune. Then pops the trunk, collects some of their shopping
score. Gifts and goodies.
RUDY
(sings, sotto)
I have no gifts to bring,
parum-pum-pum-pum. No treasures for
the king, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum...
Loaded down, he struggles to the motel room, balances bags on his
knee, gets the key in the door, and heads inside.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Pitch dark. Rudy fumbles his way in:
RUDY
... but I got a girl to be with,
rum-pum-pum-pum...
MERLIN (o.s.)
Hi, Nick.
Rudy drops the shopping bags, whirls around, as a stocky black
shadow, MERLIN, all 280 pounds of him, KICKS the door shut--
RUDY
What the fuck-
--and SWINGS a baseball bat toward Rudy's chest. Rudy gets an arm
down to deflect the blow, but it still stings like a mother. Rudy
HOWLS. Merlin comes at him again--
--and this time Rudy slips by. Merlin's bat SHATTERS a dresser.
Rudy grabs him by the neck, kicks out his knees and wrests him to
the ground. Grabs the bat--
--and gets DECKED from behind by another shadow, PUG, a little
white guy with a snarl. They go CRASHING onto the bed, grappling
for leverage, and then to the floor--
--where Rudy grabs a champagne bottle from the groceries and
BASHES it backwards, shattering it over Pug's head!
Pug lets go, as Rudy scrambles up, and Merlin's got him again in a
bear hug. Rudy's struggling, whirling with him, crashing into one
wall, then another, YELLING for help--
RUDY
HEYYY!!! IN HERE!!! HEYYY!!!
--until he hears the PUMP-LOAD SNAP of a shotgun.
Rudy stops still. A lamp clicks on.
Standing in silhouette, a figure in a leather duster holds a
sawed-off on him.
GABRIEL
Welcome home, Nick.
Another lamp comes on. Rudy, still in Merlin's choke-hold, gets a
look at the gunman, GABRIEL. Weathered face, stringy hair, early
301s. Handsome in a scuzzy way. He's seen a lot of road.
Rudy stares, totally thrown. Pug, the little guy, bad teeth, bad
hair, bad skin, gets up spitting blood and champagne.
PUG
I owe ya a drink, ya fuck--
--and slugs Rudy in the gut. Merlin yanks him back up. Merlin's a
black widebody, wears a goatee and brass knuckles. Behind Merlin
stands a fourth intruder, a stone-faced Indian in a Grateful Dead
longsleeve. JUMPY. Guarding the door.
Gabriel's studying Rudy, up and down. Nods. Merlin relaxes his
choke-hold so Rudy can breathe.
RUDY
You...you don't know me--
GABRIEL
Oh, I know you, Nick. I know
you real well.
RUDY
No, you can't--
GABRIEL
The hell I can't.
As the room's door gets kicked open-
ASHLEY
Watch out, baby! I'm bringing in the
fucking tree!
--and the silver fake evergreen fills the doorway, getting forced
through with Ashley's grunts and groans-
RUDY
ASHLEY!
Merlin traps his jaw shut. The tree comes squeezing through,
followed by Ashley, face in branches-
ASHLEY
I'm telling you, we got the best
one in the store... I don't know
why people want their houses
smelling like the stupid woods ...
She's GRABBED from behind by Jumpy. Ashley screams, but he slams
her against the wall. The tree hits the ground.
RUDY
NO!
ASHLEY
NICK!
Rudy fights to help her, but Merlin's got him. Pug locks Ashley's
arms. She fights, muffled cries, but Jumpy and Pug have her held
firmly. Her face to the wall--
GABRIEL
(re: the silver tree)
Hope her taste in men's better than
her taste in Christmas.
Ashley's turned to face him. Her eyes widen. Gabriel nods.
GABRIEL
Hey, sis. Happy holidays.
Rudy's jaw drops. He looks to Ashley. Then to Gabriel.
Ashley YELLS, enraged, kicking and clawing. Jumpy slams her back
against the wall for her trouble--
GABRIEL
Jumpy, don't hurt her, now.
Gabriel steps to Rudy. Studies him.
GABRIEL
So. This is the guy you been
waiting for. Man of your dreams.
ASHLEY
Gabriel--!
GABRIEL
(unimpressed)
Must have a way with stationery.
ASHLEY
Gabriel, what are you doing!
Gabriel raises the sawed-off to Rudy's chest. Rudy flinches, but
Merlin's got him.
ASHLEY
GABRIEL!!!
Gabriel fixes her with a stare. She shuts up. To Rudy:
GABRIEL
You better be here to be good
to her, loverboy. 'Cause she's
been good to you.
ASHLEY
Gabriel, let him go--
GABRIEL
Read a lot about you, Nick.
ASHLEY
What are you doing here?!
GABRIEL
Read you're a man of some knowledge.
ASHLEY
Gabriel!
GABRIEL
A man of some travels.
ASHLEY
GABRIEL, I LOVE HIM!
Rudy's trying to speak, voice CHOKED. Gabriel nods to Merlin, who
again eases his hold. Rudy coughs.
RUDY
I'm...not ... Nick...
Gabriel frowns. Rudy turns to Ashley.
RUDY
I'm not him. I ...
(then to Gabriel)
You want something from Nick,
you got the wrong guy.
ASHLEY
(hurt)
Nick...
Gabriel looks from her to him, then lowers his sawed-off, and
SWINGS it into Rudy's stomach. Rudy buckles. Panicked.
GABRIEL
Who are you now.
RUDY
You got the wrong-guy! She thinks
I'm Nick, I'm not!
GABRIEL
(to Merlin)
Put him in the truck.
RUDY
I was in the joint with him! I
knew about him and her, okay!? I
took his place!
GABRIEL
You what ...
RUDY
Got out, Nick didn't! I pretended
I was him! I knew about her letters!
Jesus Christ, whatever you want from
him -- I'm not Nick!
(to Ashley)
I -- I just wanted to be--
A glance of regret amidst his desperation. Ashley stares back,
confused, searching his eyes.
GABRIEL
You're not Nick Mason...
RUDY
I shared his cell!
GABRIEL
But you were saying you were ...
RUDY
Yes!
GABRIEL
So you could get with my sister.
RUDY
Yes!
GABRIEL
So you could get down her chimney.
RUDY
Yes!
GABRIEL
And you think telling me that's
gonna help your cause.
Gabriel RATCHETS him across the chin with the gun butt. Rudy hits
the floor. Gabriel spins on Ashley, enraged:
GABRIEL
Is this him!?
ASHLEY
(reaches for Rudy)
Don't hurt him...
GABRIEL
Is this the fucker you been writing
all year!?
ASHLEY
(reaches for Rudy)
Please, Gabriel, don't...
Gabriel puts the gun to Rudy's head.
GABRIEL
IS THIS NICK MASON!!??
ASHLEY
YES!!!
Gabriel doesn't shoot. Studies Rudy.
GABRIEL
Well, he's gonna have to learn to
give you some respect.
Gabriil KICKS Rudy in the jaw. Ashley screams. Gabriel motions to
his boys: Jumpy and Pug drag her outside. Gabriel KICKS Rudy
again. Rudy lies there and takes it.
Merlin lights a cig, examines Rudy and Ashley's grocery bags:
MERLIN
Hey. They got a shitload of cookies.
GABRIEL
Take 'em.
MERLIN
How 'bout the tree? You want the
tree?
GABRIEL
Leave the tree.
Merlin nods, tucks the bags under his arms, leaves the room.
Gabriel drops beside Rudy, with a sick smile:
GABRIEL
I've read your letters, motherfucker.
Don't play no reindeer games with me.
EXT. INTERSTATE - NIGHT
As we SWOOP DOWN onto a four-lane stretch of winter highway,
arcing into the blackness.
CLOSING ON an 18-wheel tractor trailer, RUMBLING onward,
emblazoned with "Great Lakes Trucking." There's an airbrush
painting on the door to the cab, of a skeleton looking thru a
flaming radial tire, and the legend "Motor City Monster."
INT. GABRIEL'S RIG - CAB - NIGHT
Gabriel at the wheel, Merlin smoking, Jumpy eating cookies. A
TRUCK passes; Gabriel waves. A moment later, the CB crackles:
PASSING DRIVER (over CB)
Hey there, Monster! What're
you hauling this far north?
GABRIEL
Hell, Bugeye. How you doin'?
Ain't hauling, man, I'm up for the
holidays. Gonna have myself a
holidays...for a goddamn change...
INT. GABRIEL'S RIG - TRAILER - NIGHT
CLOSE ON RUDY
eyes closed, dried blood, head rocking side to side. He winces,
waking, with the headache to end all headaches.
ASHLEY (o.s.)
Shh, Nick, shh. They won't hurt you now.
You're okay...
Her hand strokes his face. Rudy's eyes struggle open.
ON FULL SCENE
They're in the back of the truck. There's some packing mats,
rope, two tall storage lockers, and Ashley's Chevy Nova.
Rudy's head is in her lap. He struggles to sit up, finds his
wrists tied with cord. He looks at Ashley, follows her gaze.
In a corner, Pug sits guard in a beanbag chair. He's dipping
chewing tobacco, reading Road & Track, headphones on. Gives Rudy a
bored glance, then back to his magazine.
ASHLEY
I won't let lem, Nick. They won't
hurt you anymore.
RUDY
Your brother...
Ashley nods. Rudy looks around, remembering.
RUDY
... the truck driver...
ASHLEY
He's not a bad person, Nick...
he's not ...
From the corner, Pug spits some chaw. Ashley wheels.
ASHLEY
You're not gonna hurt him anymore!
Pug doesn't even look up. Still stroking Rudy's face:
ASHLEY
Since Janey moved in...Gabriel...
he's come over more and more. To the
apartment. Janey's the divorced one,
'member, with the tit job--
RUDY
what the fuck is going on.
ASHLEY
He read the letters, Nick. Some
day I wasn't there. He went through
my room. He found your letters.
RUDY
What's coing ON!!!
The truck shakes.
ASHLEY
He knows you worked in that casino.
Rudy stares at her. She's scared
RUDY
You motherfucker.
ASHLEY
Nick, no--
RUDY
You sold him out.
ASHLEY
Nick--
RUDY
When'd you decide to do it, Ash?
After which of his letters, huh?
The fortieth? The fiftieth? The
first?!
ASHLEY
Nick, what are you--
She reaches out for him; Rudy scrambles to his knees, tumbles
against the opposite wall of the trailer.
RUDY
I'M NOT NICK!
(raging)
You thought you'd fuck him over?!
Well he's fucked you! I've never
worked at some casino! I can't
help you! Because he's not me!
ASHLEY
Nick, I love you--
RUDY
JESUS CHRIST!
PUG
Watch your mouth, man. It's Christmas.
RUDY
I'M NOT NICK!
Ashley runs at him, wraps her arms around him tightly. He tries to
fight her off. She won't let go.
RUDY
Get the hell off of me!
ASHLEY
(hard whisper)
Nick, it won't work. It won't work!
Rudy stops fighting. She has a terrified look in her eye. Checks
to Pug: he's watching them now, chewing slower. Ashley turns
them away from the little guy's view
ASHLEY
He'll kill you.
RUDY
You're not hearing me here--
ASHLEY
My brother's killed people, I
know he has. Truckers. If you talk
him into thinking you're not you,
you'll only get yourself dead.
RUDY
He didn't "find" Nick's letters, did he.
ASHLEY
Nick, please, it's me-
RUDY
You told him about Nick's letters.
ASHLEY
No, Nick, no--
RUDY
You're in on this.
ASHLEY
I love you!
Rudy stares at her coldly.
RUDY
Y'know, in a way, I'm glad it's me.
'Cause you woulda broken his heart.
Ashley stares, panicked. Pug's still watching them.
RUDY
Your pen palls dead, lady.
ASHLEY
If you say that, if you keep
saying that, they will kill
you. If they think you're not
you, they will kill you. Don't
you see? I know what you're
doing, but it won't work!
RUDY
Nick died for me....
ASHLEY
I won't let him hurt you! He just
wants what you know!
RUDY
(ruefully)
... maybe I die for Nick...
ASHLEY
Just tell him what you know,
Nick! That's all they want! And
we'll get out of this!
Rudy gives her a stone cold stare. Ashley crumbles, touching his
face, shaking her head, tears. Devastated.
ASHLEY
He found them...I swear, Nick...
(helpless)
... he found them...
The truck shudders through downshifts, to a groaning stop. Ashley
embraces Rudy fiercely, holding on for the last.
The trailer gate RATTLES open into the truck's roof.
Ashley shuts her eyes.
EXT. REST STOP/INT. GABRIEL'S RIG - CONTINUOUS
The rig all alone at a snowy rest area. Gabriel, Merlin and Jumpy
climb inside as silhouette sentries. Gabriel surveys, then lifts a
piece of paper:
GABRIEL
"My sweet, sexy Ashy-lashy, I have been
dreaming of you constantly, and knowing
you are out there makes these walls not
seem so close or so strong or so cold..."
(to Merlin/Jumpy)
Women live for this stuff.
(reads on)
Dreaming 'bout your this, dreaming 'bout
your those, gettin' X-rated on me here,
Nicky ... where are we... oh, right,
other side...
(turns paper over)
"Someday I'm gonna take you up by Lake
S. Before I went in, before goddamn
Millie, 'fore I had my situation, I
used to work up at this casino, working
security. Used to watch for people
stealing chips, counting cards, getting
piss-drunk, that kinda shit. Indian
place, they hired this reject outta
Vegas to run it, got about as much
business sense as a buffalo patty.
Anyways, it's a fun place to run some
numbers and play."
Gabriel puts the letter down.
GABRIEL
You're a good writer, Nick. I give this
writing an A-plus.
RUDY
I never worked at no casino.
ASHLEY
(hopeless)
Nick...
Rudy steps out of her hold and stalks forward:
RUDY
That's the guy I was in with, I did
my last ten months with him. He
rode a two-year bit for manslaughter --
split a guy's skull open at
a bar for harassing his girl. That's
Nick Mason. He worked at that casino.
He's the one who wrote her letters.
Me, I'm a damn mechanic, my last job
was a Quickie Lube, I did five for
lifting cars. I don't know shit about
blackjack, I don't know shit about
Indians. I'm not him.
Gabriel stares at him. Then crumples the letter.
GABRIEL
Bury this guy.
Merlin and Jumpy grab Rudy and THROW him from the truck. He HITS
the snowy parking lot on his side, hands bound.
ASHLEY
Gabriel, you promised!
GABRIEL
I promised that when he helped us,
we'd be gone! When he helped us!
Loverboy don't want to play!
Merlin and Jumpy drop to the snow, picking Rudy up.
ASHLEY
You promised me!
GABRIEL
And you promised me you'd get your
sweetheart to help!
Rudy meets eyes with Ashley. She's caught.
GABRIEL
He'd rather die than be with you,
he'd make a fucked-up boyfriend anyway.
(to Merlin/Jumpy)
Bury him all over the place.
ASHLEY
NO!
She charges at her brother. Gabriel grabs her, spins her into
control and PUNCHES her in the jaw. She goes flying out of the
truck. HITS the ground hard. In shock.
Merlin and Jumpy march Rudy across the lot. A stand of dark and
snowy woods ahead...
MERLIN
Beats prison, I guess.
ASHLEY (o.s.)
NICK!!! NICK!!! NOOOOO!!!
Rudy struggles, desperate but held firm. Jumpy loads a handgun, as
he muses for the very first time:
JUMPY
The problem with prison... is that
it is founded on the fundamentally
flawed perception of rehabilitation
through punishment. A society can't
hope to create a "changed man" by
surrounding him with the worst in his
fellow man; what it "rehabilitates"
is solely a conviction that if he can
survive the inhumanity of prison,
what then, can he not withstand? He
has seen man's darkest soul and kept
his sight: what is left for such a
man? What faith? What fear?
At the woods' edge, Jumpy gives the gun to Merlin--
JUMPY
Don't get no blood on my boots--
The gun goes to Rudy's head. A bullet fills the chamber. Ashley
SCREAMS. Rudy shuts his eyes tight and--
RUDY
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW!
Merlin and Jumpy stop. Ashley stops screaming. Gabriel turns.
RUDY
About the Tomahawk! What the hell do
you want to know!
His guards look to Gabriel. Rudy nods, sweating.
RUDY
I spend six months writing
poetry and my goddamn
pen pal fucks me over. Thanks for
the stamps, Ash. You want me,
you got me. Whaddya want to know.
Ashley gasps relief. Gabriel smiles.
GABRIEL
Every-thing.
Merlin and Jumpy march Rudy back. Still on the ground:
ASHLEY
I love you ... Nick, I love you...
Rudy won't meet her eyes.
GABRIEL
Hey. She says she loves you, Nick.
RUDY
She says a lot of things.
GABRIEL
She's getting you to help us...
'cause she knows if you don't, you're
dead. You just tell us what we need to
know, you two live happily ever after.
My sister loves you, motherfucker,
and I ain't gonna have you break her
heart.
RUDY
Wish I had a brother like you.
GABRIEL
A girl says she loves you, you say
something.
Rudy looks at Ashley. Her eyes plead forgiveness.
RUDY
I had better sex in prison.
GABRIEL
Heyyy. Be nice, convict. We're
gonna be working together here.
(to his boys)
Get him back in the rig.
Merlin and Jumpy wrench Rudy backward. Ashley reaches out to him,
starts to speak. He looks right through her. She goes silent,
casts her eyes to the snow.
PUG (o.s.)
He's not the guy, Monster.
Everyone looks to the truck. Weasel-faced Pug has sidled next to
Gabriel. Spits some chaw.
It hits Merlin's boots. Merlin growls.
PUG
Whole time you were driving, he
was telling her he's not the guy,
he's not the guy. I know why he'd
tell us he's not the guy. why's
he - tellinq her he's not the guy?
What if he's not the guy?
Gabriel considers, jumps off the truck. Walks to Rudy:
GABRIEL
The man who wrote those letters loved
Ashley, boys. He lived for her love.
(nods)
Let's see him live for love.
Gabriel puts a gun under Rudy's chin. Rudy flinches.
GABRIEL
Where's she work?
RUDY
What?
GABRIEL
(forces gun harder)
Wrote you a hundred letters, didn't
she? Where's she work?
RUDY
J.C. Penney. Beauty and fragrances.
GABRIEL
What's her middle name?
RUDY
(thinking hard)
Samantha.
GABRIEL
What'd they call her in high school?
RUDY
Bam Bam.
GABRIEL
What'd they call her in college?
RUDY
What college.
GABRIEL
Where'd she drop her cherry?
ASHLEY
Gabriel!
RUDY
Canada.
GABRIEL
Be more specific.
RUDY
A station wagon in Canada.
GABRIEL
What's her greatest fear?
RUDY
Her brother.
GABRIEL
Wrong, Nick. It's drowning.
RUDY
No. It's her brother.
Rudy stares him down. Gabriel shrugs.
GABRIEL
That's love.
He puts the gun away. Ashley regains her breath.
GABRIEL
Let's get back on the road.
It's time to start talking, Nick.
Time to start telling tales--
RUDY
Nick don't talk till Nick gets something.
Gabriel gives a challenging stare. Rudy stares right back.
It's a showdown.
RUDY
Hot. Chocolate.
The trucker slowly smiles. His crew chuckles.
MERLIN
You want that for here or to go?
RUDY
I been in Iron Mountain for two years,
truckdriver. I do one more crime, I'm
back there for good, so fuck you and
fuck your sister and fuck your trucker
friends. You want to hear about some
goddamn job of mine? I want some
hot-goddamn-chocolate.
They've stopped laughing.
RUDY
And some pecan-fucking-pie.
INT. TRUCK STOP-- NIGHT CLOSE ON HOT CHOCOLATE AND PECAN PIE
The six of them sit in a booth, Ashley leaning on Rudy's shoulder
apologetically. The four truckers watch him scarf his pie. "White
Christmas" plays over the speakers.
GABRIEL
So when you worked there--
Rudy raises a finger sharply. Silence. He continues eating.
Scrapes the last of his pie crumbs.
GABRIEL
You knew the place--
RUDY
Hey.
Rudy stares hard. Gobbles the crumbs, washes it down with his hot
chocolate. Savors it. Sets the mug down.
RUDY
Y'know, I could really go for
some onion rings.
Gabriel nods to Jumpy, who snaps his arm up, SMASHING his knuckles
into Rudy's face.
ASHLEY
Gabriel! You said talk to him.
That's all you ever said...
GABRIEL
We're talking, aren't we?
Rudy holds his nose. Blood trickles.
GABRIEL
How much money's in that casino?
Day-to-day.
RUDY
I don't know.
GABRIEL
The hell you don't.
RUDY
(sighs, a guess)
Five million?
GABRIEL
You wrote Ash that letter, you told
her that story 'bout working
Christmas Eve, bout how they'd send
half the security guys home, nobody
comin, in that night. And the rest
of you got shit-faced drinking hot
buttered rum. That a true story
now?
RUDY
Christmas ... Eve ...
GABRIEL
You know where the guards are. You
know how to get in and out. You know
where the money is.
(nods)
We're taking down that casino,
convict. You're the guy gonna tell
us how.
Rudy turns slightly pale.
RUDY
Hey, it's ... been two years--
GABRIEL
We got faith in you, Nick Mason.
(smiles)
You're our inside man.
INT. TRUCK STOP BATHROOM - NIGHT
Rudy slams in, letting the door smack shut behind him. It's a tiny
windowless closet. Rudy kicks a stall door, pacing.
RUDY
... goddamn it, Rudy ... goddamn it ...
goddamn girl, goddamn Nick ... you're
so smart, so fucking smart ...
He stalks a circle, grabs a sink, and stares at his reflection in
the mirror. He looks a wreck. He settles down.
RUDY
Where's your Christmas dinner now...
INT. TRUCK STOP - MOMENTS LATER
A COUPLE leaves the booth behind Gabriel's crew. Pug and Merlin
reach c-ve-r. steal their leftovers and dig in. Ashley fidgets.
Jumpy regards the garlands painted on the windows beside:
JUMPY
I've read where the retail industry
does fifty percent of its business
between December 1st and December 25th.
Half the year's business, in one
month's time. It seems to me an
intelligent society would legislate
a second such gift-giving holiday,
create, say, a Christmas Two -- late
May, early June -- to further stimulate
growth and prosperity. For who would
protest such a holiday? Taking the
fifty percent model, a Christmas Two
would grow this country's annual per
capita income by close to one-third.
Everyone stares at Jumpy.
GABRIEL
Christmas Two.
The Indian nods. Gabriel shakes his head.
GABRIEL
Ever since you started night school,
you been givin, me headaches, Jumpy.
Headaches.
(to Merlin/Pug)
Go see what's taking him.
INT. BATHROOM - SAME
Rudy crouches behind the door, a piece of iron pipe in his grip,
ready to strike. Listening... listening...
AS the door SLAMS open, swinging fast and BASHING him in the head.
Rudy tags the floor, drops the pipe, knocked out.
Merlin and Pug gaze down on him, shaking their heads. Pug spits
tobacco. Hits Merlin's boots again.
INT. TRUCK STOP - MOMENTS LATER
Rudy's back, with a new facial bruise. Ashley reaches for his
hand; he pulls it away. Gabriel unfolds a piece of paper --
it's a crude map.
GABRIEL
Here ya go, convict. We cased the place
in the fall, got the layout down. What
you're gonna do is show us where each of
these doors go, what the upstairs level
looks like, where they got the alarms,
all of it.
MERLIN
And where the, hide the real money.
Merlin exhales some smoke in Pug's face. Pug hacks, shoves him.
GABRIEL
And Nick? If you even think about
setting us up, giving us some bad
information? We go down ... you go
down...
(lets it settle)
Now. Christmas Eve. How many guards
are there gonna be?
Rudy surveys the table. All five waiting for him. Sighs.
RUDY
Hell. Ten?
GABRIEL
And which of these doors here lead
up to the security level?
Gabriel passes the map across the table. Rudy stares at it.
MERLIN
Start talking, Nick.
Rudy's still staring.
PUG
Start talkin
RUDY
Who the hell made this map.
GABRIEL
What?
RUDY
I said, who the hell made the map?
GABRIEL
I did.
RUDY
This isn't the Tomahawk.
GABRIEL
What the fuck are you talking about.
RUDY
This is the front entrance, right?
You get through the slots, you hit
craps here, not blackjack. Blackjack's
here to here - lined up. What's this,
the cage? Cage is over there, hard to
get to, you got it all mixed around--
PUG
That's what it looks like!
RUDY
Since when? What the hell is this
room?
MERLIN
Buffet. Whaddya think it is?
RUDY
Buffet is by the goddamn bar! What
the hell kind of map is this?!
Gabriel reaches across the booth, grabs Rudy's shirt, pulls his
face to table level:
GABRIEL
We walked the place for a week.
RUDY
And I worked there. For a year.
Neither man blinks.
PUG
Map is kinda dirty, Monster...
RUDY
They changed the layout.
GABRIEL
What?
Rudy nods, pretending to be dawned upon.
RUDY
They changed the layout -- whadda
they call you? Mr. Monster? They remodeled
the place. When I worked there --
listen to me -- guy that managed the
joint, guy who ran it--
ASHLEY
Jack. Jack Bangs.
RUDY
Right, Jack Bangs. Uh ... guy was always
talking bout fixing the place up. Maybe
get a better crowd. Musta gone and
done it while I was in the Mountain.
(pushes map away)
I don't know this map, man. How the hell
am I supposed to tell you what door goes where?
GABRIEL
They wouldn't have changed the
security setup.
RUDY
When I worked there, this was Bangs,
office. Back here. He kept a little safe
in the ... uh, the wall, money held
take for himself, skim from the Indians.
Called it the ... uh...
(stumbling)
... the Powwow Safe.
JUMPY
The Powwow Safe?
RUDY
His personal safe, he gave it a name.
Now you're telling me they've taken
his office, put the buffet there?
Then who knows what else they changed.
Gabriel stares at him, suspicious.
GABRIEL
So what the hell good are you...
RUDY
You'd have to get me inside.
(carefully)
Get inside, watch where the money's
moving, see where the guards are
going. Then I could work with your
map.
GABRIEL
Wrong, convict. You walk in there, they
recognize you.
PUG
So what?
GABRIEL
They recognize him, they'll remember him
after the job goes down.
RUDY
They won't recognize me.
GABRIEL
Why not.
RUDY
Trust me. They won't recognize me.
GABRIEL
We'll trust you when we're rich. Why
not.
RUDY
'Cause you're gonna get me a disguise.
Rudy locks eyes with Gabriel.
RUDY
I give you the wrong information,
you're gonna shoot me. Well, I don't
know your damn map. So you can either
find a way to get me in there ... or
you can shoot me right now.
A WAITRESS comes over, drops their check on the table. It rests
near Rudy. Rudy locks eyes with Gabriel.
And pushes the check his way.
EXT. SNOWY HIGHWAY - NIGHT
The "Motor City Monster" RUMBLES along a two-lane blacktop. Across
barren Michigan tundra. A sign reads "You Are Now Entering
Powahachee Indian Lands. No Littering."
INT. GABRIEL'S RIG - CAB - NIGHT
Gabriel drives, with Ashley beside him. Rudy sits in the sleeper,
Jumpy sitting guard.
OUT THE WINDOW
they pass a brightly neon-lit building, with a parking lot full of
cars. The Tomahawk Casino, with a red neon axe pointing the way.
And a marquee which reads: "10X ODDS ON CRAPS. $5.95 PRIME RIB.
PERFORMING TONIGHT: DAKOTA!"
The truck motors on by. Gabriel nods to Rudy:
GABRIEL
Bring back some memories, Nick?
RUDY
More than you know.
EXT. KNIGHTS INN - NIGHT
A Midwestern castles-and-Camelot-themed chain hotel, amidst an
outcrop of roadside exit civilization: fast food and gas. The
Great Lakes Trucking rig parked in the hotel's lot.
INT. KNIGHTS INN - HALLWAY - NIGHT
Faux stonemasonry and torches. "Regal" purple carpets. Gabriel and
his crew escort Rudy into--
INT. HOTEL ROOM
--his quarters. Jumpy marches Rudy to the bed, snaps a handcuff
around his ankle--
RUDY
What the hell is this? What happened to
working together?
--and snaps the other cuff to the bedframe.
GABRIEL
Rather be back in the Mountain?
RUDY
Might as well be.
GABRIEL
Don't have Weather Channel in the Mountain,
Nick.
Gabriel tosses him a TV remote. Merlin rips the room's phone out
of the wall, takes it. They return to the hallway.
GABRIEL
Sleep good, loverboy. Tomorrow you got
singing for your supper to do.
The truckers leave. Rudy tugs at his ankle cuff, sighs, collapses
back on the bed. Ashley has remained.
Rudy sits up, sees her.
RUDY
Get your own room.
She approaches instead. Sits beside. Gently:
ASHLEY
He said he wanted to talk to you.
When he found the letters ... he said
"when your boyfriend gets out, I wanna
talk to him." I thought he meant back
in Detroit. I thought he
meant--
RUDY
But you knew why. Knew why, didn't ya.
Ashley stands her ground, guilty.
ASHLEY
I thought we'd have a few more days.
RUDY
For what? You to talk me into "helping"?
What, he promise you a share of the
winnings?
ASHLEY
No!
RUDY
Well, shit, Judas, you shoulda at least
gotten that--
ASHLEY
Nick! He wants to know how to rob it,
and he'll leave you alone! That's all
he wants!
(breaking down)
I hate him, Nick ... you know how...
RUDY
So get him outta your life. Get out
of Michigan. They got perfume counters
in Chicago, don't they?
ASHLEY
Not without you.
She reaches to touch him. Rudy turns his back on her.
RUDY
Since when do some trucker pals start
thinking big, anyway?
ASHLEY
They run routes mostly east, retail stuff,
warehouses. But Gabriel knows some guys
in New York, Miami, guys he helps get guns
to Detroit. Hides 'em with his regular
loads.
RUDY
He working for them on this one?
ASHLEY
No. He wants to be working for himself
someday.
RUDY
And I'm his ticket.
(considers)
What's the last place they took down?
ASHLEY
What?
RUDY
Gabriel and his guys. What's the last
place they robbed?
Ashley frowns.
ASHLEY
I don't think they've ever robbed anything
before. I think they've just driven guns.
Rudy looks at her with new interest.
RUDY
They've never done a robbery?
ASHLEY
(shrugs)
They're truck drivers.
For the first time in a long time ... Rudy smiles.
RUDY
Then they do need me, don't they.
They really need me...
ASHLEY
We're gonna get out of here, Nick.
We're gonna get out of this ...
RUDY
We? What "we" ...
Rudy stares at her. The smile gone.
RUDY
Get your own room, Ashley.
ASHLEY
Nick...
RUDY
Get your own room.
Ashley pulls away, walks to the door. Turns back, wanting to say
something, but Rudy's not even looking her way.
ASHLEY
If I'd told you what he wanted, you'd
have been gone. You'd have gotten on
that bus and stayed on it. And if
that's selfish, I am. If that's lying,
I'm a liar. But I been dealing with
fucked-up brother and his fucked-
up friends for a long time, and I
was stronger than him then and I'm
stronger than him now. 'Cause he
showed up for money. I showed up for
love.
(hard)
And if you're so ready to make me your
enemy ... then what did you show up for,
Nick. What did you really want...with
me...
With a fiery look, she strides from the room.
Rudy stands, can't get far cuffed to the bed. Checks the end
table, finds a Bible and a deck of cards.
Out his second-floor window is a view of the rear parking lot.
Rudy watches as a Chevy Blazer parks and two drunk FISHERMEN get
out. The truck's bumper sticker reads "Ice Fishermen Do It All
Year Long."
Rudy watches the good ol' boys stumble toward the hotel. He turns
back, surveys his new prison cell
RUDY
They've never done a robbery...
(nods)
Christmas is looking up.
INT. RUDY'S ROOM - MORNING
The bed has been dragged to the door to the bathroom, the
comforter and pillow are on the floor, "Miracle on 34th St." is on
the TV, and Rudy lies asleep on the ground, ankle still cuffed.
Two SHADOWS fall across him.
INT. HALLWAY - MORNING
Rudy is brusquely dragged out by Jumpy and Merlin, passing Ashley,
who lies asleep in the hall, head on a pillow.
MERLIN
Having romance problems, Romeo?
RUDY
Not with you.
They march him onward. Rudy glances over his shoulder at Ashley.
Who spent the night at his door.
INT. GAME ROOM - MORNING
A wood-panelled room adjacent to a small indoor pool, with arcade
games and a dart board. Gabriel's with Pug, tossing darts, as
Jumpy and a chain-smoking Merlin haul Rudy in.
PUG
Goddamn, Merlin. There any part of
the day you don't smoke?
MERLIN
There anytime you don't got a
mouthful of shit?
PUG
Cancer-sucker.
MERLIN
Acid-chewer.
Gabriel THWAPS a dart into the board, to shut them up.
GABRIEL
Take a look what Pug's bought for ya.
Pug empties a shopping bag on a pinball machine. Cowboy boots,
spurs, a black cowboy hat, a black rhinestone jacket and a
longhaired wig tumbles out.
RUDY
A cowboy. You're going to send me
into an Indian casino disguised as
a cowboy. Have you thought this
entirely through?
GABRIEL
Put it on.
Merlin and Jumpy shove Rudy toward the merchandise. Gabriel slams
another dart into the board, then turns:
GABRIEL
You're a country-western singer up from
Nashville for the the holidays. visiting
your Grandma on the lake, driving into
the Tomahawk for some scotch and slots.
You only play the slots, you got that?
Don't want no dealer friend of yours
recognizing you, you sidle up to shoot
some craps.
RUDY
What kind of half-ass cowboy plays the
slots?
GABRIEL
You do.
RUDY
At least gimme video poker.
GABRIEL
Shut the fuck up. You play what your
girlfriend plays. Ashley's going in
with you. You talk to her, otherwise
you don't talk to nobody. You walk the
room as many times as you want, but
the second you come out, I want to
know the run of the place.
Rudy examines his new hair and cowboy gear.
RUDY
Do I get a country-western name?
GABRIEL
You get recognized, convict, You get
a country-western funeral.
EXT. TOMAHAWK CASINO - DAY
The Chevy Nova crunches into the parking lot in the shadow of the
gaudy neon axe.
INT. NOVA - DAY
Rudy's in "disguise": paste-on goatee, tinted shades and black
cowboy gear. Very Nashville Network.
He's wedged between Jumpy and Merlin, wearing handcuffs. Gabriel,
Ashley and Pug in the back.
RUDY
Y'know what, guys? I woke up this
morning, I got a really lucky feeling
going on. I mean it, I'm feeling that
good. I wouldn't be surprised if I
walk in there, pull a handle and hit
jackpot. Hell, we wouldn't even have
to--
GABRIEL
Get out.
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
Rudy stamps feet, shivering in the cold, as Merlin unlocks his
cuffs. Gabriel reaches to help Ashley out--
ASHLEY
Get your goddamn hands off me--
She edges toward Rudy, then stops. A chill still there.
GABRIEL
You got one hour.
RUDY
I'm gonna need some money.
Gabriel hands a bill.
RUDY
Ten dollars? What do I do with ten
dollars?
GABRIEL
Don't tip.
RUDY
Monster. If we're working together
here, we gotta be working together.
I can't walk in there looking like
the Lone Fucking Ranger with ten
bucks to throw down. You don't want
me getting noticed, right? Not
getting noticed costs a guy at least
a couple hundred.
Gabriel glares, turns to his crew. Mutters, rubs his fingers
together. Merlin, Pug and Jumpy reach for their wallets,
grumbling. Gabriel takes a few twenties from each.
Rudy nods thanks as Gabriel hands him the cash--
GABRIEL
(threateningly)
Don't. Lose.
Rudy pockets the wad, hooks his elbow for Ashley to slip her arm
through. Grins with a drawl:
RUDY
You ready to gamble, darlin'?
She regards him warily, but puts her arm in his.
RUDY
(to the boys)
Y'all take care of my guitar.
He tips his hat, and strides for the casino entrance. Gabriel and
his truckers watch them go.
MERLIN
(grumbles)
Who's robbin' who here, Gabriel ...
GABRIEL
Get in there and watch 'em. Watch their
every fuckin' move.
INT. TOMAHAWK CASINO - DAY
The cascade of JINGLING and JANGLING COINS fills the brightly lit,
horrendously-carpeted space. Wooden-beamed ceilings suggest a
rustic theme, but the neon slots, lush green tables and red
wheels of fortune are pure Midwest Vegas.
The Tomahawk is tiny by Nevada standards, about the size of a
large bingo hall. This morning, about FIFTY GAMBLERS mill about.
Skimpily-dressed COCKTAIL WAITRESSES, most of them Powahachee
Indians, pimp drinks. Bored DEALERS deal.
As the sound of slot machine payoffs suddenly go silent--
INT. JACK BANGS' OFFICE - DAY
CLOSE ON STEREO SYSTEM
And some scattered cassettes, labeled "Big Winners," "Little
Winners," and "Medium Cash." A HAND pops the tape currently in the
system -- "Big, BIG Winners" and flips it over. Presses play. The
sounds of JINGLING and JANGLING return.
ON FULL SCENE
An office overlooking the casino floor through smoked glass. JACK
BANGS, late 50's, silver-hair, capped teeth, shark suit and high
blood pressure, paces his office. He's got the air of a washed-up
gameshow host, Wink Martindale, Peter Tommarkin, one of those
hacks. Right now he's all caffeine.
JACK BANGS
There's an S-word I'd really like to
throw in the discussion here, guys,
cause it's a big part of what's
going on. Big element, 'kay? S-word.
It's a serious issue, serious factor,
so I'm just gonna get it out there,
throw it an out there, so we can know
it, we can talk about it, we can get
things done...
(big pause)
Snow. Are you with me, guys? Snow. Big
time, fucking, grade-A, Godquality,
S-N-O-W-snow.
Two INDIAN GOVERNORS sit before him. Business-dressed, with
overcoats, ponytails. one gray-haired, one jet-black.
JACK BANGS
There's no snow in Vegas, 'kay? They don't
know it, they don't want it, they got
laws against the stuff. They got Egypt
down there, right, they got Monte Carlo,
Hawaii, they got ancient Rome, but where's
the Winter Castle, right? Where's the Swiss
miss Chalet? Where's the Big Fucking Igloo?
YOUNG GOVERNOR
We understand you, Mr. Bangs.
JACK BANGS
Capades? They don't do it.
Mittens? Outlawed. Why?
YOUNG GOVERNOR
We're aware of your position.
JACK BANGS
(picks up a chip)
Because down there this is money.
Up here this is heat.
(pleads)
you wanted Vegas quality, I brought it
to you. You wanted Vegas press, I gave
it to you. But guys, please, guys ... I
can't get you Vegas profits ... till one
of ya does some spirit dance and does
something about this snow.
The tribal governors stare him down.
OLD GOVERNOR
We understand the Paiutes' casino saw a
net profit of twelve million dollars
last year.
JACK BANGS
The Paiutes, they cook their books.
OLD GOVERNOR
The Waitela reservation made seventeen
million.
JACK BANGS
(sobers)
Seventeen?
OLD GOVERNOR
Perhaps you have researched this, Mr.
Bangs. Is the snowfall On our side of
the lake that much greater than the
snowfall on theirs?
Jack Bangs stares at them both. Considers his next move--
JACK BANGS
I'm bringing in this great showroom act
next week; these three Russian girls,
they look like Meryl Streep, they can
juggle anything
YOUNG GOVERNOR
Mr. Bangs.
JACK BANGS
Guys. We're doing it right, here. $5.99
prime rib? Nobody does that in Michigan.
Nobody
YOUNG GOVERNOR
The tribe is concerned that many of
your... new ideas are not resulting
in any new venues.
JACK BANGS
I'm putting liquor in the drinks, I'm
giving 10-times odds on craps, I got
the girls showing sixteen-percent more
skin! Show me another buffet's gonna
offer you Coke and Pepsi! Whaddya want
me to do?!
YOUNG GOVERNOR
We want to see our casino making money
again, Mr. Bangs. Making money for
our community.
OLD GOVERNOR
Like the Paiutes and the Waitela.
The young man stands, stares Jack Bangs in the eye.
YOUNG GOVERNOR
We want you doing the job ... that we
brought you here to do.
INT. TOMAHAWK - DAY
Rudy and Ashley move away from a change booth, with a bucket of
quarters. Rudy messes with his cowboy getup, noting two SECURITY
GUARDS punch a code in a private door, step inside:
ASHLEY
So does it look a lot different?
RUDY
Here and there. Restaurant, uh,
that's the main expansion. Tables've
been moved around; the big man's
office, I dunno, might be upstairs
now.
They settle at a slot machine. Another SECURITY GUARD walks past
them. Rudy turns his back. Ashley notices.
ASHLEY
That guy knows you?
RUDY
Yeah, uh. Mike. That's Mike.
At the door, Merlin and Jumpy enter, wandering through the slots.
Rudy sees them.
RUDY
You start spending your brother's
money. I'm gonna take a circuit
around the joint, check for any
new ins and outs. I'll snag us some
drinks.
As he strides away--
ASHLEY
(sotto)
Be careful, Nick...
MOVING THROUGH THE CASINO
with Rudy, ambling among the tables, making a show of checking out
the layout. In reality, he's surveying the GAMBLERS.
Passing the cage, he walks right by Jack Bangs and the Indian
governors. Jack Bangs is all smiles, while the governors turn
their backs an him and storm out.
ARRIVING AT THE BAR
RUDY
Couple rum and Cokes, please.
INDIAN BARTENDER
You want that rum and Coke or rum and
Pepsi?
Rudy gives him a strange look. The bartender shrugs. Rudy still
scans the tables, settling on--
A BLACKJACK TABLE
where a trio of COLLEGE KIDS are forking over chips. One of them's
dark-haired with a goatee, a sweatshirt and jeans. Rudy studies
this kid for moment.
JACK BANGS (o.s.)
Gimme a goddamn bottle of anything.
BACK AT THE BAR
Jack Bangs sidles up, distraught. The barkeep hands him a bottle.
Bangs takes a swig.
JACK BANGS
I can't go back to Vegas, Bear. They'll
fuckin' kill me, 'kay? I can't go back...
BARTENDER
What does the tribe want?
JACK BANGS
They want gold-paved roads is what they
want. Talking 'bout the fuckin' Paiutes.
Fuckin' Paiutes are on the interstate.
Nothing I can do about that, man, I
didn't pick the spot for your
reservation.
BARTENDER
Neither did we.
JACK BANGS
Yeah, yeah, whatever.
Rudy gets his drinks, as Jack Bangs turns his way:
JACK BANGS
Hey. Hey, cowboy. Jack Bangs, I
run the place. Nice to have you in
the Tomahawk. Tell me something...
Rudy winces, glancing to see Merlin and Jumpy watching him. Frowns
on their faces.
JACK BANGS
... does upstate Michigan need another
roadside casino or does upstate
Michigan need an international gaming
destination?
RUDY
(wants outta here)
Roadside casino?
Jack Bangs, smile falls flat.
JACK BANGS
Well, so how'd you hear about this place,
then. Word-of-mouth? Mass mailings?
Cable TV?
RUDY
Prison.
JACK BANGS
Prison?!
Rudy shrugs, smiles, takes off with his drinks. Bangs |
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