The A Team

Happy Tuesday, 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 23 of FILLMORE, Fillmore gets into a beef of epic proportions with rival pimp International G when he starts stealing his girls ...


EXT. LOS ANGELES - THE SUNSET STRIP - NIGHT
The pounding beat of LAWDY MISS CLAWDY over --

The Sunset Strip. Sidewalks PACKED with
party people on a Saturday night tear.

An endless stream of CARS cruise past
the endless stream of clubs, bars and hot spots.

The night is pulsing with the energy
of people on the prowl.

EXT. PIONEER CHICKEN - NIGHT
Slim and Brenda bop down the sidewalk.

A SCUZZY ROCK MUSICIAN (20’s) passes them,
looks at Slim’s zebra-striped suit.
Gives him the thumbs up.

SCUZZY ROCK MUSICIAN
Cool threads, man. Where’d you get ‘em?

SLIM
(over his shoulder)
My tailor, motherfucker --

He laughs. Keeps walking.

BRENDA
(sees the restaurant)
Ooh, could we get some chicken? I’m starving.

SLIM
Ask, and ye shall receive.

Brenda opens the door for him,
he goes in, and she follows.

INT. PIONEER CHICKEN - NIGHT
Slim and Brenda sit at a table eating.
SANDY (20’s) a cute flower girl walks in,
comes up to the table.

SLIM
I know that look. Somethin’s goin’ on.

SANDY
Don’t freak out, but --
(low)
International G knocked five of your girls.

SLIM
He WHAT?

SANDY
I know I’m supposed to be in charge of the LA team,
but there was nothin’ I could do about it.
Pimps told ‘em how could you protect ‘em
if you weren’t here?

SLIM
I’ll show that fat bastard.
You two hit the street.

EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD - NIGHT
INTERNATIONAL G (30’s) stands on a corner
with a couple other PIMPS (30’s).

A mountain of a man wearing tons of flashy jewelry.
He and his friends are shooting the shit.
Slim walks up behind him.

SLIM
I smell PORK.

International G turns, sees Slim.
Smiles a toothy grin.

INTERNATIONAL G
There he is. The blues man from Frisco.
Havin’ a hard time keepin’ track of your hos
when you’re outta town?

He ROARS with laughter.

SLIM
You listen to me, International House of Fat --
your days of knockin’ my girls are OVER, you hear?

INTERNATIONAL G
Oh, they are, are they?
And just what do you plan on doin’ about it?

SLIM
You think that’s all I got, motherfucker?
I’m giving you a warnin.’
Watch your back, two tons of fun.

EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD - NIGHT
Slim stands in a phone booth, talking into the receiver.

SLIM
Cricket, send me the A-Team.

He BANGS down the phone.

SLIM
Time to fight a pussy with pussy.

EXT. SUNSET STRIP - NIGHT
IN SLOW MOTION, we see Slim,
followed by eight of the hottest WOMEN
you’ve ever seen marching down the sidewalk.

We’re taking Playboy centerfold material.
All stripes and sizes. They stop.
Slim CLAPS his hands three times.

SLIM
Alright. Get to WORK.

The girls spread out. Move to the curb.
Cars SCREECH to a halt. One of them HITS a lamp post.

They go up to the cars. Lean in the windows.
Start closing deals with eager, excited JOHNS.
Slim watches. Nods to himself. Then heads off.


INT. PIONEER CHICKEN - NIGHT
International G meets with a group of other pimps.

INTERNATIONAL G
Fillmore Slim has taken over the strip.
We gotta figure out how to stop him.

FAST BLUE
There’s no way.
He’s got the hottest fucking girls, fresh off the boat.

FRANKIE
Yeah. They came from Frisco.
(shakes his head)
I’m gonna stick to my territory down on Santa Monica.
He knocked one of my girls already.

FAST BLUE
He knocked two of my girls -- AND got two of his girls BACK.
I’m heading down to Wilshire, work that track.
Gettin’ too hot around here.

INT. SUNSET BOULEVARD STRIP CLUB - NIGHT
A small, dark, strip club.
Slim and his girls have taken over the joint.

There’s at least a couple dozen beauties
sitting in booths and at tables.

Slim stands in the middle of the joint
holding a bottle of champagne,
surrounded by a group of girls holding glasses.
He raises the bottle in victory.

SLIM
Ladies, the Strip is OURS.

Everyone starts CLAPPING.

SLIM
I’d like to propose a toast --
(beat)
To the power of pussy.

He pours himself a glass. Goes to Brenda.

SLIM
I’m going back to San Francisco.
I need you to go to Fresno and check on my girls there.

BRENDA
Okay, Daddy.