INT. PEARL’S PLACE - AFTERNOON
A few regulars sit at the bar hunched over their shots and
beers.
MICKEY
Barkeep!
Mickey’s arm is thrust overhead to indicate he is in need.
In the background, Katie is leaning over the pool table
sizing up her shot.
KATIE
Hang on.
Katie pushes the blonde locks out of her face and gracefully
kisses the cue ball into the 8 ball. The ball glides into the
side pocket. A YOUNG GUY, 22, places the twenty bucks onto
the rail as she presses her stick into the stand near the
chalkboard.
KATIE (CONT'D)
Pleasure.
She slides the twenty into her back pocket and ducks under
the bar grabbing the empty from in front of the old man.
MICKEY
If I had been choking to death--
KATIE
--oh your resourceful.
She points to the guy next to Mickey.
KATIE (CONT'D)
Eddie here likes to share. Right,
Eddie?
EDDIE
Yeah if you want to draw back a
bloody stump.
Katie places the cold mug in front of Mickey, careful not to
encroach on Eddie’s space.
Mickey leans in over the bar.
MICKEY
See? I would have died.
Katie fashions her hands ala Carol Merrell to illustrate the
full glass of water that has been sitting in front of Mickey
the whole time.
KATIE
This here? Also a liquid to
prevent against choking hazards.
Mickey curls his lip in disgust.
MICKEY
Never touch the stuff.
The jukebox kicks on and the old timers MOAN in general
consensus that it is too loud and perhaps too early in the
day for such a racket.
Without addressing the group, Katie reaches under the bar and
adjusts the volume.
TWENTYSOMETHING WOMAN
Hey!
The entire bar looks to the co-ed standing in the back room
still making her selections at the jukebox. She wears a
sports uniform top similar to the other women in the group in
the back room.
TWENTYSOMETHING WOMAN (CONT'D)
I’d like to hear what I just
bought.
MICKEY
What? Are you deaf?
Katie turns sharply to him.
KATIE
Dad!
(To woman)
Hey- sorry...I’ll split
the difference.
The woman notices Katie behind the bar and takes her in for a
moment before nodding an okay.
Mickey looks down the bar at his compadres.
MICKEY
What is this? American Bandstand or
something? Can’t we drink in peace?
KATIE
I’m sure there is plenty of peace
and quiet at your home.
Mickey waves his hand at her and sips from his mug.
The woman approaches the bar and Mickey says something under
his breath. Katie can see for the first time that this woman
is beautiful; Sports Illustrated material.
TWENTYSOMETHING WOMAN
Can we get a couple pitchers
of beer and some darts?
She holds Katie’s stare a little too long and Katie smiles.
Katie produces an overflowing glass of various darts.
KATIE
I’ll bring the beer back in a sec.
The girl leaves and Mickey watches Katie place a pitcher
under the tap.
MICKEY
Look at you. You actually can move in a
second gear.