The Longest Yard

Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 30 Of FILLMORE, Slim adjusts to life in prison, which becomes more than a bit dreary for over a year ... until his family finally comes to visit ...


EXT. JAMESTOWN PRISON - DAY
An imposing fortress of cement walls,
barb wire and ARMED SENTRIES.
Looking even more gray on an overcast day.

INT. JAMESTOWN PRISON - WORK ASSIGNMENT OFFICE - DAY
A small, dimly-lit cluttered office.

Seated behind his desk is JOHNNY DAY (50’s)
tall and thin like Slim with a neatly trimmed beard
and wearing tons of gold jewelry.

JOHNNY
I was a pimp, too.
Worked a track in Reno.
Had me a whole stable of fillies.

Slim eyes him. Knows he’s full of shit, but plays along.
SLIM
You don’t say.

JOHNNY
I’m just bullshitting you.
I just like the high style of the playas.
(big smile)
Now let’s get down to your job assignment.

EXT. PRISON - DAY
A big GARBAGE TRUCK pulls up
to trash cans outside the kitchen.

Slim is behind the wheel.
A MAN on the back JUMPS off.

Goes to the cans.
Starts dumping them into the truck.

IN THE TRUCK
Slim looks out the window at the guard tower.


EXT. PRISON EXERCISE YARD - DAY
Groups of PRISONERS hang out.
Lifting weights. Walking the perimeter.

Slim walks into the yard.
People recognize him, whisper to each other.
Acknowledge him as he walks by.

UGLY BRUISER
Fillmore Slim, my MAN.

A GAY LATINO KID (20) comes up to him.

GAY LATINO KID
Oh, Fillmore. I want to be yours. Take me, poppy.

SLIM
Back up off me. I ain’t into that.
Don’t be playing that shit with me.
It’s cool, but I’m not down with that.

A FIGHT breaks out in the background.
A couple of PRISONS go at it, punching each other.

INT. JAIL CELL - NIGHT
A plain, six-by-eight cell. One tiny, barred window.
Slim lies on his bed listening to the radio.

He stares off into space.
His CELLMATE (30’s) a big black guy takes a piss.

DISC JOCKEY (V.O.)
Remember, folks. Smoke Camels. Every inch a real smoke.
(beat)
Now it’s time for a little Sly and The Family Stone --

We hear the familiar strains of EVERYDAY PEOPLE.
Slim faintly smiles, a bittersweet memory.
He sits up. Starts gently slapping his thighs to the beat.

SLY STONE (V.O.)
Sometimes I'm right, then I can be wrong,
My own beliefs are in my songs --

PUSH IN ON Slim’s face. Finding escape. The toilet FLUSHES.

INT. WORK ASSIGNMENT OFFICE - DAY
Slim sits across from Johnny.

JOHNNY
Sly Stone, huh. What was he like?

SLIM
He’s cool, man. A bit high-strung, but a righteous dude.
(touches his nose)
Likes the snow, you know?

JOHNNY
(nods his head, loving it)
Sly and the Family Stone --
(beat)
So how you liking driving the truck.

SLIM
Well, after a year, I don’t notice the smell so much.
You got anything else available?
(quickly, apologetic)
Don’t get me wrong, you done right by me. Was just curious.

JOHNNY
As a matter of fact, something just opened up --

INT. VISITORS’ MEETING ROOM - DAY
A long, long room with a long, long table down the middle of it.
On one side sit PRISONERS. On the other, their FAMILIES.
A chin-length glass partition runs down the middle of it.

GUARDS stand by, keeping an eye on things.
Off to the side, near the entrance stands
Slim with a POLAROID CAMERA.

A GLUM-LOOKING PRISONER (30’s) stands next to his
WIFE (30’s), DAUGHTER (10) and WIFE’S SISTER (20’s),
all of whom are trying real hard for a happy smile.
Slim points the camera.

GLUM-LOOKING PRISONER
This is my wife, my daughter and my wife’s sister.

Wife’s Sister smiles at Slim suggestively.

SLIM
Say cheese --

And he SNAPS the picture.
The BRIGHT FLASHBULB makes them BLINK.
He RIPS the film out of the camera.

SLIM
Now that was a real Kodak moment.

PUSH IN ON the little girl’s face.
Dying to be anywhere else.

IN MONTAGE:
We see a series of VISITOR’S PHOTOS.
A angry-looking YOUNG KID (20) and his BEAMING MOTHER (40’s).

An OLD INMATE (60’s) with his TWO SONS (40’s),
all staring blankly, stone-faced.

An EFFEMINATE INMATE (20’s) with his ‘friend,’ another queen.
Shyly smiling. Dying to hold hands.

A GOOD-LOOKING INMATE (30’s) with TWO WOMEN (20’s),
eyeing each other suspiciously.

We see the change in seasons
based on what each person is wearing.

Light spring clothes --
then barely-there summer clothes --
which give way to fall sweaters --
which changes to winter jackets and scarves.