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The following is an excerpt from the screenplay "Pathos Bill" by Mark W. Gray. Any unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited. ©1998 Mark W. Gray WGA Registered #686823 INT CASINO - DAY Bill walks through the casino, looking for Linda. He studies each pirate waitress he sees in the crowd. Suddenly a cheer erupts from a nearby crap table. Bill turns to look just as the crowd seems to part, revealing LINDA, across the pit, in full pirate queen regalia, circling a blackjack table carrying a tray full of drinks. LINDA Cocktails? ... Cocktails? ... Cocktails? ... Bill stares at her as she cheerfully takes drink orders. As she heads for the end of the row of tables, Bill moves to intercept her. He considers retreating, but instead takes a deep breath and steels himself as she approaches. She looks up and sees him, stopping short. She stares at him, disbelieving. LINDA (cont'd) Bill? BILL Hi. LINDA God, for a second I thought you were a hallucination. BILL Nope. It's me, in living color. LINDA Wow. She takes a shot of whiskey from her tray and belts it down. LINDA (cont'd) It's good to see you. BILL It's good to see you too. She continues on her way. Bill follows along as she delivers drinks. LINDA What are you doing here? I thought you were gonna e-mail me. BILL Look, is there somewhere we can go and talk? LINDA I'm right in the middle of my shift. I've got all these orders. (delivering drinks to AD LIB Thank Yous) Irish Coffee, Screwdriver, Diet Coke... GAMBLER #1 (tipping) Thank you, there. LINDA Thank you. She hustles to the next table, Bill follows. BILL Linda, hang on... LINDA (cont'd) I'm sorry, Bill, I don't have time right now. Cocktails? Scotch & Soda, Here you go. She puts down a drink. GAMBLER #2 Can I get a Heinekin, darlin'? LINDA (writing) Heinekin. Anyone else? BILL Linda. I just... She hustles on, Bill follows. BILL (cont'd) Linda, for God's sake, can you just stop and talk to me?! LINDA Can we please not do this now? (to gamblers at the next table) Orange Juice? GAMBLER #3 I had the juice. Linda puts the juice down. BILL Linda, please... GAMBLER #4 Can I get a margarita? LINDA (writing) Margarita, sure. BILL Linda, I just... GAMBLER #5 I'll have a Corpus Christi. GAMBLER #4 Ooh, me too. Corpus Christi. LINDA (writing) No problem. Linda hurries on. Bill stares dumbfounded for a moment, then follows. BILL Wait! Linda! Jesus Christ, can you stop for two fucking seconds?! I came all the way out here to see you! She finally stops and turns just as FRANCIS, a diligent Pit Boss full of tough-guy bravado, steps up to intercede. LINDA Alright, you have my undivided attention. FRANCIS Linda, is this guy bothering you? BILL Look, (reads name tag) Francis, This doesn't have anything to do with you! FRANCIS Is that right? BILL If you'll excuse us, we're trying to have a conversation! FRANCIS (menacing) Why don't you leave the lady alone, sir BILL Why don't you just fuck off, Francis! LINDA Bill... FRANCIS (into WALKIE-TALKIE) Code 24-255. (to Bill) That's it. Let's go, sir. LINDA Francis, it's alright... Francis grabs Bill by the arm. BILL Hey! Don't fucking touch me! He swings his arm free. Two uniformed SECURITY GUARDS rush up. FRANCIS Whatever you say, sir. Francis clocks Bill with a perfect one-two punch. He drops like a ton of bricks as the Security Guards arrive. BILL (Holding his face in pain) Fucking shit! FRANCIS Please watch your language, sir. (straightening his tie) Put him on ice, boys. The Security Guards hustle the dazed Bill to his feet and escort him away. LINDA Oh, Bill... FRANCIS Don't worry. He won't bother you anymore. LINDA You are such an asshole. She rushes off. FRANCIS What?
©1998 Mark W. Gray WGA Registered #686823