Post by djblue on Apr 25, 2006 17:42:12 GMT -5
FADE IN
Int: Bar room tavern - Afternoon
In a hunter's oriented bar in Flagstaff, Arizona, next to the campus of Northern Arizona University, a female bartender washes down her bar. There are a few patrons, but no one really in the place, except down at the end of the bar. Sitting in a black leather duster and a black cowboy hat, sipping was looks to be iced tea is Anthony Douglas, watching the Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The bartender, an attractive college student of 22 walks over to Anthony, who ignores her. By the way she's looking at Anthony, it appears Anthony's a regular at the bar.[/i]
Melissa smiles and refills Anthony's glass. She looks at the TV and shakes her head.
Anthony looks at Melissa. She is looking at Anthony in a way he's not used to or comfortable with.
A Coconino County sheriff's officer walks into the bar. He sees Anthony and walks over to him. Anthony looks at the officer. . .sees the name "HALPER" on his uniform. Officer Halper is about two inches taller than Anthony. . .6'4" about 280.
Anthony and Halper sit next to each other and talk. Melissa walks to new customers who've walked into the bar. As Halper drones on, Anthony just watches Melissa. A small, almost peaceful smile crosses his lips. Melissa looks up and winks at him. Anthony nods his head and then continues watching NASCAR on television.
FADE OUT
Int: Bar room tavern - Afternoon
In a hunter's oriented bar in Flagstaff, Arizona, next to the campus of Northern Arizona University, a female bartender washes down her bar. There are a few patrons, but no one really in the place, except down at the end of the bar. Sitting in a black leather duster and a black cowboy hat, sipping was looks to be iced tea is Anthony Douglas, watching the Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The bartender, an attractive college student of 22 walks over to Anthony, who ignores her. By the way she's looking at Anthony, it appears Anthony's a regular at the bar.[/i]
MELISSA
You're awfully quiet there, cowboy! Something bothering you?
ANTHONY
(flat voice)
Nothing at all. Things couldn't be better. I'm here in Flagstaff, I'm sitting back enjoying NASCAR in a bar I come to all the time. What could possible be wrong?
MELISSA
Work got you down? You know, I watched you on the television. Seems like everyone's gunning for you now.
ANTHONY
I don't want to discuss what I do! It's a life I wish on no one.
MELISSA
Look. You come in here to Granny's Attic every Tuesday. You sit down in that exact chair, with that exact look on your face and you drink the same drink all time.
ANTHONY
(annoyed)
You have a point to this, Melissa?
MELISSA
All I'm saying is you've been coming in here as long as I've been working here. You're one of my best customers. I mean, you tip like. . .I wish more people tipped like you. After two years, maybe you and I could talk a little more than the pleasantries.
ANTHONY
(understanding, but not caring)
How's school going?
MELISSA
My sisters in Pi Phi would go nuts if I told them I knew a celebrity.
ANTHONY
(shaking his head)
I'm not a celebrity. I'm an idiot who makes his living beating people up. I just do it in front of people in arenas. I'm nothing to show to your "sisters." Now, how is school going?
You're awfully quiet there, cowboy! Something bothering you?
ANTHONY
(flat voice)
Nothing at all. Things couldn't be better. I'm here in Flagstaff, I'm sitting back enjoying NASCAR in a bar I come to all the time. What could possible be wrong?
MELISSA
Work got you down? You know, I watched you on the television. Seems like everyone's gunning for you now.
ANTHONY
I don't want to discuss what I do! It's a life I wish on no one.
MELISSA
Look. You come in here to Granny's Attic every Tuesday. You sit down in that exact chair, with that exact look on your face and you drink the same drink all time.
ANTHONY
(annoyed)
You have a point to this, Melissa?
MELISSA
All I'm saying is you've been coming in here as long as I've been working here. You're one of my best customers. I mean, you tip like. . .I wish more people tipped like you. After two years, maybe you and I could talk a little more than the pleasantries.
ANTHONY
(understanding, but not caring)
How's school going?
MELISSA
My sisters in Pi Phi would go nuts if I told them I knew a celebrity.
ANTHONY
(shaking his head)
I'm not a celebrity. I'm an idiot who makes his living beating people up. I just do it in front of people in arenas. I'm nothing to show to your "sisters." Now, how is school going?
Melissa smiles and refills Anthony's glass. She looks at the TV and shakes her head.
MELISSA
How's your horse doing?
ANTHONY
Crappy. Earnhardt's looking like sh*t this season. Sickening. I'm feeling he's going to become like that f*ggot Kyle Petty. . .all brand name, no real talent.
MELISSA
He's still young. He'll do fine.
ANTHONY
(frustrated)
How is school going?
MELISSA
It's going good. I'm 6 courses from my degree. I've done my student teaching, All I have left are my electives.
ANTHONY
(laughs)
You know. I give to NAU all the time. My parents got their Masters Degrees and their PhD's from there. My father wanted me to go here, start a SAMmy chapter and live on the family name. I wonder what it would have been like living in Mountain View hall. . .the parties, the sororities, the every. . .I missed out on it all.
MELISSA
(takes Anthony's hand)
You haven't missed out on much, really. I mean, we talk. We have some fun talking and I'm part of that life. Why couldn't you be part of it?
ANTHONY
(down)
I wouldn't fit in. I'm 27 years old. I've a convicted felon.
MELISSA
(genuine)
You're also one of the nicest guys I've ever known.
How's your horse doing?
ANTHONY
Crappy. Earnhardt's looking like sh*t this season. Sickening. I'm feeling he's going to become like that f*ggot Kyle Petty. . .all brand name, no real talent.
MELISSA
He's still young. He'll do fine.
ANTHONY
(frustrated)
How is school going?
MELISSA
It's going good. I'm 6 courses from my degree. I've done my student teaching, All I have left are my electives.
ANTHONY
(laughs)
You know. I give to NAU all the time. My parents got their Masters Degrees and their PhD's from there. My father wanted me to go here, start a SAMmy chapter and live on the family name. I wonder what it would have been like living in Mountain View hall. . .the parties, the sororities, the every. . .I missed out on it all.
MELISSA
(takes Anthony's hand)
You haven't missed out on much, really. I mean, we talk. We have some fun talking and I'm part of that life. Why couldn't you be part of it?
ANTHONY
(down)
I wouldn't fit in. I'm 27 years old. I've a convicted felon.
MELISSA
(genuine)
You're also one of the nicest guys I've ever known.
Anthony looks at Melissa. She is looking at Anthony in a way he's not used to or comfortable with.
ANTHONY
(trying to deflect)
Stop it.
MELISSA
Come on. . .when I brought you in front of those third graders when I was student teaching, you were like a child all over again. I know about your past. . .you've told me so many times. I know people, Anthony! I know you!
ANTHONY
You don't want me. You don't want to be with me. I'm. . .
MELISSA
You're what? Rough, gruff and tough? I grew up the only girl among four children. . .and the youngest at that! I had to know how deal with testosterone or else I wouldn't have survived.
ANTHONY
(Stands up)
Look, you don't want to be with me. Trust me on that.
MELISSA
Okay. . .it'll be on your time.
ANTHONY
You think I could have been a good student here?
MELISSA
I think you could have been one everyone wanted to be like. You would have been remembered. Hell. . .you probably could still do that.
ANTHONY
(smiles)
Sometimes, I've wondered why you take an interest in me, Melissa.
MELISSA
Because it's my nature. Because you've helped me through school and I wanted to know the person who's done that.
(trying to deflect)
Stop it.
MELISSA
Come on. . .when I brought you in front of those third graders when I was student teaching, you were like a child all over again. I know about your past. . .you've told me so many times. I know people, Anthony! I know you!
ANTHONY
You don't want me. You don't want to be with me. I'm. . .
MELISSA
You're what? Rough, gruff and tough? I grew up the only girl among four children. . .and the youngest at that! I had to know how deal with testosterone or else I wouldn't have survived.
ANTHONY
(Stands up)
Look, you don't want to be with me. Trust me on that.
MELISSA
Okay. . .it'll be on your time.
ANTHONY
You think I could have been a good student here?
MELISSA
I think you could have been one everyone wanted to be like. You would have been remembered. Hell. . .you probably could still do that.
ANTHONY
(smiles)
Sometimes, I've wondered why you take an interest in me, Melissa.
MELISSA
Because it's my nature. Because you've helped me through school and I wanted to know the person who's done that.
A Coconino County sheriff's officer walks into the bar. He sees Anthony and walks over to him. Anthony looks at the officer. . .sees the name "HALPER" on his uniform. Officer Halper is about two inches taller than Anthony. . .6'4" about 280.
HALPER
(rude)
How are you doing, knothead?
ANTHONY
(cold)
What do you think, jackass?
HALPER
I think you were about to leave!
MELISSA
Knock it off, Halper.
HALPER
(laughing, extends his hand to Anthony)
Been a long time, Tony.
ANTHONY
knods
Yes it has.
MELISSA
Okay, boys. . .sit down.
(rude)
How are you doing, knothead?
ANTHONY
(cold)
What do you think, jackass?
HALPER
I think you were about to leave!
MELISSA
Knock it off, Halper.
HALPER
(laughing, extends his hand to Anthony)
Been a long time, Tony.
ANTHONY
knods
Yes it has.
MELISSA
Okay, boys. . .sit down.
Anthony and Halper sit next to each other and talk. Melissa walks to new customers who've walked into the bar. As Halper drones on, Anthony just watches Melissa. A small, almost peaceful smile crosses his lips. Melissa looks up and winks at him. Anthony nods his head and then continues watching NASCAR on television.
FADE OUT