That Killing Feeling: February 2015

Friday, February 27, 2015

Thursday, February 26, 2015

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 49 of FILLMORE, Slim plays a set in a dive bar, and afterwards discovers that the young girl that was trying to get him back into the game is a cop, and that he narrowly escaped going back to prison, but when he sees an old music promoter friend, he realizes he might get a second chance to revitalize his career ...

INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
A tiny, shitty, dark, dank hole-in-the-wall.
Slim stands onstage playing guitar with the house band.

SLIM
(sings)
The things that I used to do Lord, I won't do no more --
The things that I used to do Lord, I won't do no more --

Veronica’s in the audience, watching with rapt attention.

INT. DIVE BAR - LATER
Slim sits at the bar after the show, nursing a cocktail.
Veronica slides onto a stool next to him.

SLIM
Jesus fucking Christ on a motherfucking STICK.
How many times I gotta tell you --

VERONICA
No, it’s not that. I came to apologize.

SLIM
For what. Buggin’ me all the time?

VERONICA
Well, that’s part of it --
(beat)
I won’t bother you again. I promise.
I’m glad you got out of The Game.
Good luck to you. You’ve got a lot of talent.

She gets up and leaves. Slim watches her go.

EXT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Slim comes outside. Lights a smoke. A couple of HOOKERS (20’s)
leaning against the building come over to him.

HISPANIC HOOKER
Hey, Slim.

SLIM
What’s up, Rosa?

ROSA
Just thought you’d wanna know --
that white girl that just left the club?
She’s a cop. Be careful. She’s bad news.

TALL HOOKER
Yeah. She got Jimmy G busted just last week.

SLIM
I get it was that damn Gamble.

ROSA
Gamble? No, Gamble got transferred to
the Chinese Gang Task Force last year.

An undercover police vehicle slowly cruises by.
We see Norm behind the wheel with a NEW PARTNER (20’s)
sitting next him -- and, in the back seat, Veronica.
As they pass, we see her mouth the words 'I’m sorry.'

INT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT
Almost completely deserted at eight-o’clock in the evening.
Rain beats against the windows.

A handful of REGULARS sit at the bar, including Slim,
looking ratty in an old suit that’s
frayed at the lapels and doesn’t look clean.

Staring off into space. In walks a GREG PERLOFF (40’s),
a dark-haired white guy, businesslike
but still rock and roll in a tailored leather jacket.

He’s talking on a giant cell phone
as he walks over to the bar and takes a seat.

GREG
(listens)
Some bar. I couldn’t find a cab.
Gonna have a quick drink, then call one --
(listens)
Okay. See you then.
(hangs up, to the bartender)
Can I get a shot of Jack? Water back?

The BARTENDER (50’S) nods, goes to pour.
Greg nods. Looks around. Sees Slim. His eyes light up.

GREG
Holy shit. Fillmore Slim.

SLIM
(turns his head, smiles weakly)
Greg.

GREG
Been too long.
(examines how he’s dressed)
Can I buy you a drink?

SLIM
Never say no to a free drink --

GREG
(to the Bartender)
Can you get him another beer, on me --
(to Slim)
You wanna shot?
(off his nod)
And a shot for my man --
(looks at him, smiles)
Fillmore Slim. Damn. How long has it been?

SLIM
Been awhile --

The Bartender serves their shots.
They raise them in a toast.

GREG
To the blues.

SLIM
To the blues.

They down them.

SLIM
I heard you’re running The Fillmore now.

GREG
Yeah --

An uncomfortable silence.

GREG
Well, it was great to see you. Take care.

And he gets off his stool and heads for the door.
Slim gets up off his stool and follows him.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Where The Streets Have No Game

Hey there, crime kids. Happy 48. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 48 of FILLMORE, Slim gets out of prison after earning bonus points for being the warden's driver, but it soon looks like he's back to his old ways on the street. Or is he?

EXT. TEXARKANA STREET - DAY
A small town known mostly for the prison.
We see Main Street, a grocery store, post office,
various shops, restaurants and bars.

The warden’s Cadillac Humpback is parked
at the curb in front of a clothing store.

A POLICE CAR pulls up behind.
A COP (30’s) gets out.
Walks over to Slim’s window.

CURIOUS COP
Can I see your driver’s license?
(off his nod)
What are you doing here?

SLIM
(takes it out, hand it to him)
I’m the prison warden’s driver,
taking his wife and kids to run some errands.

The cop looks at the license.
Nods his head reluctantly.

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - DAY
Slim walks down the corridor with another CON.

SLIM
I don’t care what you say, I’m still pimpin.’
I’m drivin’ a Cadillac with a white woman in it.

INT. HALF WAY HOUSE - SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE - DAY
The SUPERVISOR (50’s) a grizzled former con
sits behind his desk, chats with Slim,
seated in a chair in front of him.

SUPERVISOR
So how you doin,’ Slim? You adjusting okay?
You been out four months now.

SLIM
Got no complaints.
I like driving the recycling truck around Oakland.
Nobody in the back seat tellin’ me where to go.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY
A recycling garbage truck is parked in the lot.
Slim stands next to it chatting with a HOT CHICK (19).

She’s holding a wad of money.
Waving it around.
He SNATCHES it from her.

SLIM
GIMME that.
(counts it)
Twenty bucks? That all you GOT?

HOT CHICK
I told you. There no JOHNS round here.

Just then, a POLICE CRUISER passes them, going real slow.
The COP behind the wheel eyes them, but keeps going.

SLIM
I’m tired of your BULLSHIT.
I heard you been tellin’ everyone,
including the police that you’re my girl.
I don’t need that shit.
Get the FUCK outta my face a
nd don’t come near me again, you HEAR me?

He STOMPS off. Gets in the truck.
Hot Chick stares, open-mouthed as he drives off.

INT. PENNY’S COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT
Slim’s hanging out with a bunch
of his old friends, all players.

They’re drinking coffee,
smoking and bullshitting.

SLICK SILKY
They put drugs in the APPLESAUCE?
Damn. That’s some fucked-up shit.
(smiles)
Gotta try that one sometime --

SLIM
Yeah, they got a company called Unicorp
inside that only government officials can buy into.
We was building furniture and shit
they sell to major companies.

GOLDIE (40’s) a good-looking guy
with a big nose laughs.

GOLDIE
Fuck that shit.
I wanna hear more about the warden’s wife.
You get a chance to hit that?

GANGSTER BROWN
Weren’t you listening, Goldie?
The kids were always with her --

SLIM
Yeah, right.
Like I was gonna fuck the warden’s WIFE. Shit.
I don’t hit FAT pussy.
(beat)
Gotta hit the head.

He gets up. Starts walking
the back of the restaurant. VERONICA (20’s),
a gorgeous white woman walks up to him.
Smiles. Hands him a wad of money.

VERONICA
Hi.

SLIM
What’s that for?

VERONICA
What do you think?

SLIM
(gives it back to her)
Sorry. You got the wrong man.

He turns on his heel and walks into the men’s room.
Veronica starts to walk out of the place.

As she heads for the door,
Slim’s friends call out,
try and hit on her.

SLICK SILKY
Hey, momma. Nice legs.
When do they open?

GOLDIE
Yo, baby. Is your name summer?
Cause you’re HOT.

VERONICA
Sorry, boys. Slim’s my man.

And she leaves.

EXT. FILLMORE STREET - DAY
The same pimps, plus a few more
are hanging out in front of a barber shop.
Veronica walks by.

SLICK SILKY
Shit. There she is again.
(calls out)
Hey, baby -- here I am.
What were your two other wishes?

She turns her head. Disgusted. Keeps walking.

CHOCOLATE Z
Momma -- What’s a nice girl like you
doing in a dirty mind like mine?

Slim walks around the corner. Sees her.
Turns his head. Tries to ignore her.
She goes up to him.

VERONICA
Hey, there.

SLIM
How many times I got to TELL you.
I’m not in The Game no more.
I’m a MUSICIAN -

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

The Gangsta Lean

Monday, February 23, 2015

Take No Prisoners

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 46 of FILLMORE, Slim gets extradited to San Francisco, where he gets sentenced in court for his illegal passport application and returns to prison. Meanwhile, fellow pimp Gangster Brown tries to keep an eye on Slim's 'business.'

INT. COURTROOM - DAY
Slim stands at the defendant’s table with Kenneth.
The NASTY WHITE JUDGE (60’s) looks at Slim, face a dark cloud.

NASTY WHITE JUDGE
Clarence Sims, I sentence you to five years
in the federal penitentiary.

EXT. DALY CITY - SLIM’S HOUSE - DAY
Slim’s house is empty. No activity.
We see the grass needs to be cut.
Unread newspapers piled up in the driveway.

INT. PRISON WORK ROOM - DAY
A cavernous room filled with machinery.
Slim and a dozen other PRISONERS
are sewing giant parachutes on big tables.

INT. SLIM’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Beverly sits on the couch watching TV, smoking a joint.
Her SON (3) sits on the floor playing with toys.

INT. PRISON - INSTRUMENT ROOM - DAY
Slim sits at the window of a room full of MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS,
handing them out to PRISONERS standing in line.
He hands a HULKING BRUTE (30’s) a banjo.

SLIM
Here you go, my man. Gonna make beautiful music with that.

HULKING BRUTE
I said I wanted a GUITAR.
What the fuck am I supposed to do with a banjo?

SLIM
Ain’t you seen Deliverance?

INT. SLIM’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
Beverly lies is Slim’s bed making love to a BOY TOY (20’s).
The baby starts CRYING in the next room.

INT. PRISON MUSIC ROOM - NIGHT
A MARIACHI BAND practices. Slim plays guitar with them.

INT. SLIM’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Curtis Mayfield’s DIAMOND IN THE BACK over -- a party goin’ on.
Beverly and a dozen of her FRIENDS dance to the music,
laughing, shouting, carrying on.

INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - DAY
Slim walks down the corridor, shirt-tail untucked.
He passes a PRISON GUARD (20’s).

PRISON GUARD
Hey, boy. Tuck that shirt in.

Slim shoots him a look. Tucks it in as he walks on.

INT. SLIM’S HOUSE - NIGHT
James Brown’s SAY IT LOUD, really LOUD, over -- another party.
But this one is RAGING. The joint PACKED with as many people as can fit.

People are SCREAMING and YELLING. Drinks get spilled. Glass BREAKS.
We see Beverly bumping and grinding with Boy Toy. Suddenly THE MUSIC STOPS.
Gangster Brown stands next to the stereo, which he’s just unplugged.

GANGSTER BROWN
Everybody GET THE FUCK OUT.
(off their stares)
You HEARD ME. Get the FUCK OUT. NOW. ALL of you.
You fuckin’ up Slim’s HOUSE.

INT. PRISON - WOODWORKING SHOP - DAY
A large wood shop where several INMATES are making desks.
Slim has just finished making one. He bends down to pick it up. Lifts it --
and PULLS A MUSCLE in his back. He DROPS the desk, BANG.

Holds the small of his back, wincing in pain. Another prisoner comes over.
Slim moves to a chair. Sits down. Closes his eyes. In pain.

INT. SLIM’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
Curtains drawn. A smoky haze drifts in the air.
Beverly lies on top of the bed, fully-dressed, mouth open, dead to the work.
Full ashtray, empty beer bottles on the night stand.

INT. PRISON RECREATION ROOM - DAY
Several dozen DANGEROUS-LOOKING PRISONERS are watching a movie
projected on a big screen at one end of the room.

On the screen we see a movie where prisoners are rioting,
tearing the joint apart. Setting fires. Running rampant.
In the back of the room, Slim watches, wearing hospital whites.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA - DAY
A giant room packed with PRISONERS eating at long benches.
Off in a corner sits Slim and RENNY (30’s), a timid-looking fellow,
eating by themselves.

SLIM
You only been here?
Damn, I’ve been in four different prisons so far.

He finishes his sandwich. Grabs a spoon.
Starts to eat a portion of applesauce.

RENNY
I wouldn’t eat that if I were you.

SLIM
Why not?

RENNY
They put drugs in it to keep the prisoners in line.

SLIM
(looks at the spoon, puts it down)
What kinda drugs?

RENNY
Thorazine, shit like that. That’s how they control those big,
dangerous guys that should be in maximum security.
Keeps ‘em in line. Didn’t you wonder why they were here?

They turn and look at a long line of prisoners holding trays
pass a BIG, UGLY OLD MAN (50’s) wearing a hair net scooping out
big ladles of applesauce from a vat onto each man’s tray.

RENNY (O.C.)
The government is experimenting on prisoners.
They actually transfer dangerous felons that should be
in maximum security to HERE so they can see if this shit controls them.

Slim stares at Renny. Alarmed.

SLIM
Does it?

RENNY
Far as I can tell.
(shakes his head)
They show ‘em violent movies to get ‘em all riled up,
then feed ‘em drugs to control ‘em, break their will, like in Clockwork Orange.
Where the hell do you think they got the idea for that movie?

SLIM
Do they put it in anything else besides the applesauce?

RENNY
Hell if I know. But you gotta eat something --

SLIM
This is fucked-up.
This is supposed to be a prison hospital for sick and injured cons.

RENNY
Far as the government is concerned,
these guys are sicker than someone with sickle cell.
They think they’re a cancer on society.
The government does what it wants, when it wants,
and to WHO it wants. No bigger pimps in the world.

A pair of vicious-looking GIANT PRISONERS (30’s)
walk by carrying empty trays. They look at Slim, smile.

GIANT GRINNING PRISONER
Enjoy your lunch.

ENORMOUS GRINNING PRISONER
Have a nice day.

Friday, February 20, 2015

The Prodigal Son

Hey there, crime kids. Happy FRIDAY. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 45 of FILLMORE, Slim goes out on the town in Harlem to blow off steam, but gets nabbed by federal marshal who arrests him for skipping bail back in Frisco ...

EXT. HARLEM STREET - NIGHT
Slim’s dressed like Clint Eastwood in denim and
a long, leather duster and cowboy hat.
He moves down the street.

Down the street, Bernie chats with a HOOKER on the corner.
Slim sees him. WHIPS OUT a pair of guns. Takes aim.
Thinks a moment. Puts them back in their holsters.

SLIM
Your lucky day.

INT. HARLEM NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
A LOUD soul-funk groove over a packed joint
stuffed with people having a good time.

SHOUTING and LAUGHING amidst the noise.
Slim sits at the bar with OTHELLA (20’s),
a gorgeous chick with a huge Afro, resplendent in
vinyl hip-huggers and barely-there halter top.

SLIM
Othella Grier. You sure you haven’t done any modeling?

OTHELLA
That line work on all the girls?

SLIM
That ain’t no line, baby. I’m gonna take you to Hollywood.

Bernie walks by, not noticing Slim.

SLIM
BERNIE.

He turns and looks.

SLIM
Saw you on the street, motherfucker.
Gave you a pass. Better watch your back.

Points a finger at him like a gun.
Bernie gives him a look. Disappears into the crowd.

EXT. HARLEM NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
Slim and Othella come outside. He walks her over to his car.
Opens the door for her. Starts to walk around the back of the car --
when he sees a RAGGEDY-LOOKING WHITE GUY (30’s)
in jeans leaning against a tree.

RAGGEDY-LOOKING WHITE GUY
Hey, man. Wanna buy some weed?

SLIM
(stops, looks at him)
Don’t smoke.

He keeps walking around the car to get to the driver’s-side door.
Raggedly-Looking follows him.

RAGGEDY-LOOKING GUY
Sure? I got some primo Thai stick --

SLIM
(opens the door)
Get the fuck out of my face. I said NO.

RAGGEDY-LOOKING GUY
(grabs him, shows his badge)
Federal Marshal. I have a warrant for your arrest
for skipping bail in San Francisco.

He SNAPS cuffs on him. Starts dragging him away from the car.

OTHELLA
HEY. Where you GOING?
(beat)
I knew he was no good. Fast-talkin’ motherfucker.

INT. JAIL CELL - NIGHT
Slim stands in an empty cell, grabbing the bars,
looking at Sergeant Cole on the other side.

SLIM
I tol’ you, I ain’t Clarence Sims.

COLE
Just sit tight while they run your prints and ID.
Then we’re gonna take a little trip.

Cole chuckles. Walks away.

INT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS - OFFICE - NIGHT
A pretty female OFFICE CLERK (20’s) sits a desk chatting with
another FEMALE CLERK (30’s), drinking cups of coffee.

PRETTY OFFICE CLERK
Darryl got tickets to see Curtis Mayfield.

Cole appears in the doorway. Knocks on the door jam.

COLE
Excuse me.

Both clerks turn and look.

PRETTY CLERK
Can I help you?

COLE
(flips his badge)
I’m with the US Marshals. I’d like you to run
someone’s ID and prints if you’ve got a moment.

PRETTY CLERK
Sorry. Computers are down.

COLE
When will they be up?

PRETTY GIRL
Don’t know. Maybe tomorrow --

COLE
Shit.

PRETTY GIRL
Welcome to Harlem.

EXT. SLIM’S JAIL CELL - NIGHT
Cole stands in front of the bars. Pulls out a cigarette.
Offers one to Slim. He takes it. Cole lights them up.

COLE
Computer’s down. Couldn’t run your ID,
so I’m taking you to San Francisco in the morning.
(off his stare)
After we get there, if you can prove you’re not Fillmore Slim,
we’ll give you some dough and spring for a plane ticket back, okay?
(smiles)
No hard feelings?

Slim takes a drag of his cigarette.

INT. SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY
Dick Gamble and Norm wait at the gate.
Cole and NEW YORK COP (30’s) walk out with Slim,
hands cuffed behind him.

Gamble and Norm break into big smiles. GRAB his arms.

DICK
(to Cole)
We’ll take it from here, fellas.
(to Slim)
Welcome home, Slim. Seems like old times, huh?

NORM
The prodigal son returns.

And they WHISK him away, feet barely touching the ground --

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Harlem Nights

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 44 of FILLMORE, now that he's on the run from the law, Slim sets up shop in New York City and gets some new girls working the street for him, but when he criticizes his new roommate Bernie, things get violent ...

INT. HARLEM - BERNIE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
A nice place with tasteful furniture, m
very old-school. Not loud or flashy. East Coast.

Slim talks with Bernie and EDDIE CHIN (30’s)
another pimp, a good-looking guy in a sharp suit.

SLIM
I was here a couple of days,
but I couldn’t get the feel of it,
so I went to DC and stayed with Lucky G.

BERNIE
How he doin?’

SLIM
He’s okay. Kinda dull, though.
Likes to read books and shit.
Wasn’t feelin’ it there, either --
place is dirty and nasty --
so I borrowed his car
and came back up here.
Left mine there.

EDDIE
Why’d you do that?

SLIM
Cause I’m a fugitive, motherfucker.
Car I drove up from Florida
got pulled over down there.
Don’t wanna take no chances.

EDDIE
So you gonna work in Harlem?

BERNIE
Shit. How he gonna work up here?
This is the big city.

SLIM
I can do anything. I’m Fillmore Slim --
(evil smile)
And I got my girls workin’ downtown, motherfucker.

EXT. THE AMERICAN HOTEL - NIGHT
Chrissie and Ronnie walk a pair of JOHNS inside.

INT. BERNIE’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The door bell RINGS. Bernie goes to answer it.
ANNIE (29), a fiery redhead comes in.
Smiles. Hands him a roll.

BERNIE
(takes it)
There she is, my main girl.
(counts it)
One hundred, two hundred --
(counts)
Six hundred. Yeah.
(off her smile)
Well, get back out there and make some more.

ANNIE
It’s late and I’m tired. I just wanna --

BERNIE
(SLAPS her face)
Don’t give any of your LIP, girl.
Get your ass BACK OUT THERE.

ANNIE
Okay. Sorry. I --

And she hurries out.

BERNIE
Pimp hand is STRONG.

SLIM
Can’t let ‘em talk back, yo.

The doorbell RINGS again. Bernie gets it.
In walks Chrissie and Ronnie.
They each hand Slim giant rolls of money.

CHRISSIE
Had a pretty good night.

RONNIE
People here are so friendly.

SLIM
This is the big city.
(counts it)
Eight-thousand dollars, motherfuckers.

Ronnie and Chrissie head for the door.

RONNIE
We’re gonna go back downtown and work
some more of those rich businessmen.

CHRISSIE
We’ll see you later.

SLIM
(watches them leave)
That’s my honey-bunnies --

BERNIE
They must’ve robbed someone.
You’re fucking up The Game, Slim.

SLIM
Fuck you. I train my girls right.
They don’t rob no one.
They make the money
the old-fashioned way.
On their backs.

BERNIE
Fuck that.
They gonna bring the heat down on us.
Y’all gotta go stay somewhere else.

SLIM
I got enough to stay whereever I want.
Fuck this Harlem shit-hole.

Slim grabs his suitcase. Starts packing.

SLIM
You’re an ungrateful ass, you know that?
After all the cars I gave you? Shit. Fuck you.

Bernie watches Slim packing, back turned.
He grabs a GOLF CLUB. Sneaks up behind Slim --

BERNIE
FUCK you.

And WHACKS him on the head with it.
CRACK. Slim buckles.

BERNIE
Who you calling UNGRATEFUL?

He WHIRLS around.
GRABS his head where he was hit.

BERNIE
That’s for disrespecting me
in my HOUSE, motherfucker.
Now get the fuck OUTTA HERE.

Slim pulls his hand away. Sees blood.
Wipes it on the couch.

GRABS his suitcase.
Heads for the door.

INT. HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY ROOM - NIGHT
Slim sits in an examining room getting his forehead
stitched up by a PRETTY ASIAN DOCTOR (30’s).

Slim fidgets while she tries to work.
She finishes. Puts on a gauze pad.

PRETTY WHITE NURSE
I’ll go get your paperwork.
Wait right here. I’ll be right back.

A UNIFORMED COP (40’S) appears in the doorway.

UNIFORMED COP
Samuel T. Brown?
(off his nod, walks in)
Just have some routine questions, if you don’t mind.

SLIM
Routine questions?

UNIFORMED COP
Sorry to inconvenience you.
Whenever somebody has an injury
like yours, they contact us.
May I see your ID, please?

Slim digs out his wallet.
Pulls out his driver’s license.

UNIFORMED COP
(examines it, hands it back)
So what exactly happened.

SLIM
Not much to say.
When I left my building, I got mugged.
Couple of kids with knives.

PLAINCLOTHES COP
But they didn’t get your wallet?

SLIM
I beat the shit out of one of ‘em,
and other one hit me on the head
with something, don’t know what.
(shrugs)
They ran off.

PLAINCLOTHES COP
(smiles)
If only other people would
fight back like you did.
Make our job a lot easier.
Have a good night.

He leaves.

SLIM
Damn. It’s like they following me --

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Miami Blues

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 43 of FILLMORE, Slim heads down to Florida to get some R&R after beating his court case and hooks up with a couple of new girls, but when he gets in trouble with the cops again, they head back to the Big Apple ...

EXT. SLIM’S APARTMENT - FRONT CURB - DAY
Slim puts his suitcase in the trunk.
Gets in the car.

Puts the key in the ignition.
Starts it up and drives off.

EXT. MIAMI BEACH - DAY
Slim drives down the beach boulevard
with a couple of new white girls (20’s),
a BLONDE and a BRUNETTE.

He’s wearing a fancy leather jacket
with a huge American flag on the back.

SLIM
Now this is what I’m talkin’ bout.
Surf, sand and PUSSY.

A siren WHOOP-WHOOPS behind him.
Slim looks in the rearview.

SLIM
Shit, fuck, godammit.
Cops be on my back EVERYWHERE I GO.

He pulls over.

EXT. MIAMI BEACH STREET - DAY
Slim’s Caddy rolls to a stop in the shoulder.
A POLICE CRUISER pulls up behind him.

An ANGRY-LOOKING WHITE COP gets out.
Walks over to the driver’s-side window.

SLIM
Good afternoon, officer.

ANGRY-LOOKING COP
Step out of the car.

Slim gets out.

ANGRY-LOOKING COP
Let me see your license.

Slim fishes it out.
Hands it to him.

The cop looks at it.
Nods. Hands it back.

SLIM
Why did you pull me over?

The cop looks at him, then the girls.
Then sees his jacket.

COP
I pulled you over
because of your jacket.

It’s illegal to have the American flag
on an article of clothing.

SLIM
This is some bull --

He catches himself.
Then takes it off.
Hands it to the cop.

SLIM
Really?
I had no idea, officer.
Please, take it off my hands.
Last thing I wanna do
is break the law.

Angry-Looking is surprised.
Takes it. Feels the soft leather.

ANGRY-LOOKING COP
(nods)
You have a good day now.

He goes back to his car.

SLIM
That does it.
How do you girls feel about
going to New York?

CHRISSIE, the blonde nods excitedly.

CHRISSIE
Yeah. I LOVE New York.

RONNIE, the brunette nods.

RONNIE
Yeah, let’s go.
I’ve never been.

EXT. SLIM’S CADILLAC - MOVING - DAY
Chrissie drives.

Slim lies on the back seat,
hiding under a plush blanket
with a big Cadillac logo on it.

EXT. GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE - NIGHT
The New York City skyline is breathtaking.
As is the famous bridge connecting
Manhattan to the outer boroughs.

CHRISSIE (O.C.)
We’re here.
You can come out now.

INT. SLIM’S CADILLAC - MOVING - NIGHT
Slim pulls back the blanket.
Sits up. Looks at the view.

SLIM
New York, New York,
the city so nice,
it got all the vice.
(looks at the girls)
And you ladies are gonna
bite the Big Apple for me --

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Fifty Shades Of Stay

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 42 of FILLMORE, a mayor's office rep, the DA and the chief of police meet to discuss how to take down Slim's massive street walker business. Meanwhile, Slim appears in court again, and when the case against him gets thrown out, he packs a bag to leave town ...

INT. COURT BUILDING - CORRIDOR - DAY
Kenneth and Slim stand outside the courtroom.

KENNETH
The judge decided he needs more time to consider
whether or not this new evidence is admissable.
He adjourned the trial until a week from today, nine-AM.

INT. FANCY RESTAURANT - DAY
A lux restaurant on the top floor
of a skyscraper overlooking the city.
The District Attorney, a Police Captain
and a rep from the Mayor’s Office sit eating lunch.

MAYOR’S OFFICE REP
So what’s the fucking problem?
The mayor’s been up my ass about this.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
I didn’t anticipate the witness not showing up --
or that slick-ass pimp bringing that recording --
and then the fucking judge is probably going to allow it.
You know that liberal-ass Judge Kramer.

MAYOR’S OFFICE REP
You should have. You knew the stakes going in.
We got developers ready to transform the Tenderloin
like we did with The Fillmore.
(to the Police Captain)
Captain. And what about this Gamble?
I thought you said he could get it done.

POLICE CAPTAIN
We did our job. We’ve busted him several times.
We can’t help it if the DA’s are incompetent.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
You’re the one that’s bringing us drugged-out witnesses.

MAYOR’S OFFICE REP
Hold on. We’re getting away from the point.
The Tenderloin has become as valuable as the Fillmore District.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
In order for us to make money,
we’ve got to push all this scum out of the way.
Fillmore Slim is the biggest pimp in the city;
he’s got over a hundred girls.
I want this sonofabitch out of the way.
Then the other bastards will be easy to get rid of.

MAYOR’S OFFICE REP
Hey. Isn’t Willie Brown his attorney?

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
He was, at one point --

MAYOR’S OFFICE REP
I know he’s got some dirt on Willie.
Cut a deal with Fillmore if he’ll talk.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Yeah. Willie’s stepping way out of his place.
I thought we had him after that Guyana fiasco
and the press got wind that he was one of Jim Jones’ backers,
but that slippery motherfucker wiggled out it.

MAYOR’S OFFICE REP
The city’s image took a hit after that mess.
I want all those jungle bunnies run over to Oakland.
Let ‘em kill each other over there.

POLICE CAPTAIN
Don’t worry. We’ll get it done.

MAYOR’S OFFICE REP
I just got back from New York,
and you should see their long-term plans for Harlem.
Those guys are gonna make a fucking fortune.
Can you imagine how much we’re gonna make?
San Francisco is MUCH more valuable
than the island of Manhattan.
(off their nods)
If you two don’t get this done,
I’ll bring in the big guns.

INT. SLIM’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Slim sits on the couch watching a basketball game on TV.
Chilling with a beer, a joint and a few fat lines.

SLIM
(at the TV)
GO, GO, GO, motherfucker --

Someone POUND-POUND-POUNDS on the door.

ANGRY MALE VOICE (O.C.)
POSTAL INSPECTOR, open up.

SLIM
(looks at the door)
What the fuck?
POUND-POUND-POUND.

ANGRY MALE VOICE (O.C.)
POSTAL INSPECTOR, open the door, NOW.

Slim gets up. Walks to the door.

SLIM
Fuckin’ Nazi motherfuckers --

He opens it.
Dark-haired and Blonde Postal Inspector RUSH into the room.
Dark-Haired GRABS him. Starts cuffing him.

DARK-HAIRED POSTAL INSPECTOR
Clarence Sims, you’re under arrest for passport fraud.

BLONDE POSTAL INSPECTOR
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you may say can and will be
held against you in a court of law --

INT. CRIMINAL COURT BUILDING - JAIL CELL CORRIDOR - DAY
Dark-Haired and Blonde drag Slim down a corridor of jail cells.
Latin Postal Worker watches from a distance.
As they put him in a cell, Blonde looks at her. She nods.

EXT. COURT BUILDING - DAY
Slim stands in the lobby, talks on a pay phone.

SLIM
Hey, baby. It’s me. Can you come pick me up?
(listens)
Lawyer bailed me out.
(listens)
Twenty-K --

INT. JUDGE’S CHAMBERS - DAY
A small office in the bowels of the court building.
Old Fart has taken off his robe, and is finishing
eating a sandwich while having a conference
with Kenneth and the DA,
who both make a face like something stinks.

OLD FART JUDGE
(looks at them, realizes)
Sorry. Pickled herring. One of my guilty pleasures --

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. SLIM’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY
Slim goes into his closet, pulls out a suitcase.
Puts it on the bed. Zips it open.

OLD FART JUDGE
Looks at the DA. Points a finger at him.

OLD FART JUDGE
You don’t have enough evidence for a conviction.
And your witness is a liar.

SLIM
Goes to his closet. Starts taking out suits
and putting them in the suitcase.
Then some shirts. Then some ties.

OLD FART JUDGE
Looks at Kenneth.

OLD FART JUDGE
I shouldn’t allow your evidence,
but I’m going to make an exception.
(to the DA)
I know you’ve been after this character for a long time now,
but you can’t keep bringing him in
with these bullshit charges, understand?

INT. SLIM’S APARTMENT - DAY
Slim finishes packing. Zips up his suitcase. Carries it out.

INT. JUDGE’S CHAMBERS - DAY
They continue their conversation.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
He’s a slippery son of a bitch, your honor.

OLD FART JUDGE
I’m going to dismiss the case --

Monday, February 16, 2015

A Few Good Whores

Hey there, crime kids. Happy President's Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 41 of FILLMORE, Slim gets questioned about the veracity of this fraudulent passport application, then has to appear in court to face charges about the 'kidnapping' of his hooker Angie, who finally shows up to give her testimony ...

INT. SLIM’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Slim sits on the couch, strumming his guitar.

SLIM
(sings)
You ain’t nothin’ but a ho --

The doorbell RINGS. He puts down the guitar.
Gets up. Goes to the door. Opens it.

A pair of WHITE POSTAL INSPECTORS (30’s) stand there.
Very serious. They FLIP open their badges.

BLONDE POSTAL INSPECTOR
Clarence Sims?

SLIM
What do you want?

DARK-HAIRED POSTAL INSPECTOR
We’re postal inspectors.

BLONDE POSTAL INSPECTOR
We’d like to ask you some questions.

DARK-HAIRED HOMICIDE DETECTIVE
Do you mind if we come in?

SLIM
I was just leavin.’ What’s this about?

Blonde Inspector pulls out a piece of paper. Holds it up.
The passport application reads SAMUEL T. BROWN.

Next to it we see Slim’s picture.
Blonde Inspector shoves it in his face.

BLONDE POSTAL INSPECTOR
We have reason to believe that you applied
for a passport with false information.

SLIM
(looks at it)
That’s not me.

DARK-HAIRED HOMICIDE DETECTIVE
It’s a federal crime, Mr. Sims.

BLONDE POSTAL INSPECTOR
With a harsh penalty.

SLIM
You got the wrong man.

DARK-HAIRED HOMICIDE DETECTIVE
The picture does look alot like you --

SLIM
How would you know? You think we all look alike.
(off their stares)
Now get out of my face. I got some shit goin’ on.

He SLAMS the door.

SLIM
How many different kinda cops gonna fuck with me?
Frisco, Fresno, LA, Secret Service --
(beat)
Shit. What’s next, the CIA?

INT. COURTROOM - DAY
A packed courtroom. JURY off to the side.
SPECTATORS sitting in the rear.

We see the BAILIFF and a COURT REPORTER.
Slim sits at the defendant’s table with Kenneth White.

Over at his table, the DISTRICT ATTORNEY (30’s),
a sharp-looking Irish gent in a sharp suit stands.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Your honor, the state would like to request a recess,
as our witness has not arrived.

SLIM
(leans over, whispers to Kenneth)
Maybe she died.

KENNETH
Stranger things have happened.
(stands up, to the judge)
Your honor, it’s been a year.
It’s not our fault their witness did not show.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
I’m sorry, your honor. She promised she’d be here.

OLD FART JUDGE
I’m going to grant your recess.
Court is adjourned until nine-AM tomorrow morning.

INT. COURT ROOM - DAY
The same cast of characters as before.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Your honor, the state calls Angela Jefferson to the stand.

Angie walks into the room. Goes over to the witness stand.
Takes a seat. Looks defiant, and more than a little high.
The BAILIFF (30’s) swears her in, hand on the bible.

SLIM
Damn.

BAILIFF
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?

ANGIE
Right on.

Old Fart shoots her a look.

ANGIE
Yeah. Sure.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
(goes to the witness stand)
Angela Jefferson, would you please tell us in your own words
what happened on June fourteenth, nineteen seventy-five?

ANGIE
Are you kidding? That was over a year ago.

Chuckling from the spectators. The judge BANGS his gavel.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
I’m talking about the kidnapping, Miss Jefferson.

KENNETH
Objection, your honor. Alleged kidnapping.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
The alleged kidnapping --

ANGIE
I told you already.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Would you please tell the court.

ANGIE
Fillmore Slim and Chocolate Z abducted me off the street
and took me to their house in Daly City,
where they raped me and held me against my will --
(trying to cry)
And gave me liquor and drugs --
(bites her lip)
It was awful, just awful. I never been so scared in my life.

SLIM
(low, to Kenneth)
They told her to say that. She don’t talk like that.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Thank you, Miss Jefferson. That will be all.

She smiles. Gets up. Walks back to her seat.
Kenneth White stands up. Address the judge.

KENNETH
Your honor, with your permission, I’d like to introduce
some new evidence that’s just been given to me.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Sidebar, your honor.

OLD FART JUDGE
Please approach the bench.

Kenneth and the DA walk over to the bench.

OLD FART JUDGE
(to Kenneth)
What does this pertain to, counsellor?

KENNETH
It concerns the reliability of the witness, your honor.

OLD FART JUDGE
Given the imperfect attendance of the witness, I’ll allow it.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
But your honor, this goes against the rules of the court.
We haven’t seen --

OLD FART JUDGE
I said I’d allow it.

The DA and Kenneth return to their tables.
Kenneth smiles. Picks up a piece of paper and a tape.

KENNETH
Your honor, please accept the defense’s Exhibit A into evidence --

Walks over to the judge. Hands it to him. Comes back.
Picks up another copy. Hands it to the DA.

KENNETH
This is a photocopy of a money order in the amount of
seven-hundred dollars payable to Angela Jefferson
that the defendant gave to her to ensure she told the truth --
that in fact, Clarence Sims’ arresting officers TOLD her
to make a false kidnapping claim against Mr. Sims --
when in fact she accompanied them to Mr. Sims’ Daly City house
under her own volition.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Your honor, Mr. White is now testifying.
Does he have a question for the witness?

OLD FART JUDGE
Mr. White, do you have a question for the witness?

KENNETH
If it please the court, I would like to first introduce
the defense’s Exhibit B, which is a tape recording
the defendant made asking the witness how much money
she wanted in exchange for telling the truth about what happened.

OLD FART JUDGE
(looks at him, narrows is eyes)
Would counsel please approach the bench?

District Attorney and Kenneth both walk over to the Judge.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
This is most unusual, your honor --

OLD FART JUDGE
(to Kenneth)
Why are you giving me this at such a late date?

KENNETH
The defendant only recently gave the tape to me, your honor --
and with all due respect, this HAS been continued to death.
It’s been over a year since he was charged.

OLD FART JUDGE
(nods)
I’m going to take a recess to consider this new evidence.
I want to see both counsels in my chambers in an hour --

Friday, February 13, 2015

Stand Your Ground

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 40 of FILLMORE, after a night of hard partying, Angie wakes up in Fillmore's apartment, not remembering what happened the night before, so she stumbles outside in her robe 'to get help,' and gets a neighbor to call the cops ...

INT. SLIM’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Slim is passed out on the bed, dead to the world.

INT. SLIM’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Chocolate Z is passed out in a big wing chair,
still holding a bottle of gin.
Angie’s asleep on the couch. Naked.

INT. SLIM’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Sunlight streams in through the windows.
The joint’s littered with empty bottles
and overflowing ashtrays.

Angie stirs. Looks around.
She looks for, finds her pack of Shermans.
It’s empty.

She searches for her clothes,
but all she can find is her blouse.

She puts it on. Tries to button it --
but the buttons are gone.

ANGIE
Shit.

Angie looks at Chocolate Z,
softly snoring in his chair,
holding his bottle like a baby.

Looks around the room,
growing more and more horrified.
Tip-toes to the front door.

EXT. SLIM’S HOUSE - DAY
Sprinklers water the grass. Birds CHIRP.
A WHITE PAPER BOY (13) rides by on his bike,
THROWING newspapers.

A WHITE MILK MAN makes his deliveries.
Angle stumbles out the door,
clutching her blouse closed with one hand.

Looks around. Scared. Starts running next door.
Angie RINGS the bell. Waits a minute.
Shivering in the cold. The door OPENS.

We see a kind-looking WHITE SUBURBAN DAD (40’s)
in his bathrobe.

WHITE SUBURBAN DAD
Young lady, are you okay?

ANGIE
(grabs him, hugs him)
No, I’m NOT. I was kidnapped by PIMPS
who were trying to make me into a PROSTITUTE.

WHITE KID
Come inside. I’ll call the police.

INT. SLIM’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER - DAY
Chocolate Z is still passed out in the chair.
Slim shuffles in. Goes to the fridge.
Grabs a beer. Takes a long drink.

Suddenly the front door BANGS OPEN.
A SWAT TEAM storms in.

IRATE SWAT COMMANDO
YOU. On the floor, NOW.

The rest of the cops race around the room.
Searching for evidence.

Grabbing stuff and taking it away.
Chocolate wakes up. Sees the commotion.

CHOCOLATE Z
What the hell?

Starts to stand up.
A commando CRACKS him on the head
with the butt of his rifle.
He goes down, THWUMP.

RED-FACED SWAT COMMANDO
I said ON THE FLOOR.

IRATE SWAT COMMANDO
You’re both UNDER ARREST.

SLIM
For what. Partying?

IRATE SWAT COMMANDO
KIDNAPPING.

They both look around. Realize Angie’s GONE.

INT. SAN FRANCISCO - COURT BUILDING - DAY
Slim sits at the defendant’s table with KENNETH WHITE (40’s),
his new lawyer, pale, thin, balding.

The JUDGE (50’s), a bloated, pompous
Newt Gingrich look-alike sits at the bench.

BLOATED JUDGE
Bail has been set for ten-thousand dollars.

He BANGS his gavel.

INT. COURT HOUSE - MEETING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER - DAY
Slim meets with Kenneth in a small meeting room.

SLIM
Thanks so much for representing me, Ken.
Willie Brown recommended you highly.

KENNETH
It doesn’t look good, Clarence.
They sent the girl back to Los Angeles,
but they’re going to bring her back to testify.
They really want to nail you with this.

SLIM
But she came of her own free will.
Nobody forced her.

KENNETH
That may be, but you have to
realize what it looked like.
A young black girl in a white suburb,
claiming black men kidnapped her
and kept her prisoner.
They have a tendency not to like
that kind of thing in Daly City.
It's not fair, I know.
But there it is.

SLIM
Maybe there’s something I can do --

EXT. LOS ANGELES - CHEAP MOTEL - DAY
Slim stands outside Angie’s room
at her dive motel.

SLIM
We never hurt you.
You wanted to come with us.
Why you lyin’ about it?

ANGIE
You kidnapped me.

SLIM
(smiles)
How much it take for you
get lost here in LA?

ANGIE
(thinks a moment)
Seven hundred.

SLIM
You wait here, I’ll be right back, okay?

ANGIE
(nod)
I’m sorry.
The cops told me to say all that.

INT. KENNETH WHITE’S OFFICE - DAY
Kenneth sits behind his desk.
Slim sits in a chair in front of him.
Slim turns on a small dictaphone. They listen.

SLIM (O.C.)
(electronic)
How much it take for you
to get lost here in LA?

ANGIE (O.C.)
(electronic)
Seven hundred.

SLIM (O.C.)
You wait here, I’ll be right back, okay?

ANGIE (O.C.)
I’m sorry.
The cops told me to say all that.

SLIM
(PUNCHES it off)
That’ll do it, right?

KENNETH
The witness did give false testimony.
But I’m afraid it might not be admissable.

SLIM
Why not?

KENNETH
Because it was obtained by the defendant.

INT. POST OFFICE - DAY
Slim stands at a window wearing a purple suit
and matching hat, chats up a POSTAL WORKER (40’s)
a bored-looking LATIN CHICK (40’s),
who almost be hot -- if you squint your eyes.

BORED LATIN POSTAL WORKER CHICK
How can I help you today?

SLIM
I need a passport, baby.

She nods. Grabs a form from
a stack of shelves next to her.
Slides it under the window to him.

BORED LATIN POSTAL WORKER CHICK
I need you to fill this out, please.

Slim takes it. Looks at it.
Starts filling it out.

SLIM
In case you didn’t guess, I’m a pimp,
and I’m gonna go to Europe and get more girls.

BORED LATIN POSTAL WORKER CHICK
(amused)
Is that so?

SLIM
I make the money with the honeys, baby.

Play your cards right, you can come with me.
Take you away from all this --

She glares at him. Insulted.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Home On The Range

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 39 of FILLMORE, Slim, Chocolate Z and a trio of new girls make the trek from Vegas to his outpost in Daly City, where he wants to set up a new group of hookers to work, expanding his franchise ...

INT. DUNES MOTEL - SLIM’S ROOM - NIGHT
Slim is there with Chocolate Z.
JOYCE (20’s) one of Slim’s LA stable,
tall, thin and commanding, has brought over a new girl,
ANGIE (20’s), gorgeous but a bit spaced-out.

JOYCE
This is Angie. Our latest catch-of-the-day,
straight off the Santa Monica pier.

SLIM
(to Angie)
Hello, gorgeous.

Angie stares. Eyes glazed over.
Slim looks at her funny.

SLIM
(to the group)
Okay. We’ve got three cars to drive back
to San Francisco after a quick stop in Salinas.
I’ll be in my red Caddy up front,
Chocolate will follow in the green one,
and Joyce will take up the rear in the jitney.

EXT. LOS ANGELES - HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Slim sits in the passenger seat of a red Cadillac
with a huge Rolls Royce grille on it.

Chocolate sits behind the wheel
of a green Caddy behind Slim.

Behind them is the jitney, a giant Checker-cab
looking car with Joyce behind the wheel
and bunch of other girls, including Angie,
who sits in the back.

The jitney starts to lag back a bit,
and a MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE with a bunch of WHITE KIDS (20)
pulls in front of it behind Chocolate Z, radio blasting.

The Mustang pulls in front the jitney,
but Joyce is slow in hitting the brakes
and BANGS into the Mustang’s bumper.

IN THE MUSTANG
The WHITE KID (20) behind the wheel
looks at the jitney in the rear view mirror.

WHITE KID
Shit.

And pulls the car over.

IN THE JITNEY
Joyce pulls over. Looks at the Mustang.

JOYCE
Fuck.

IN SLIM’S CAR
They see the cars pull over.
They stop, pull over, then back up toward them.

IN CHOCOLATE’S CAR
He sees it, too. Pulls over. Also backs up toward them.

IN THE MUSTANG
White Kid gets out. Looks at his rear bumper.
It’s just a small dent. Slim walks over to the jitney.

SLIM
What the fuck’s going on?

WHITE KID
It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.
My fault. Have a nice evening.

He waves at Joyce, gives her a big, fake grin
and gets back in his car and drives away.

Slim looks at Angie in the back seat,
sees how out of it she is. Looks at Joyce.

SLIM
What the hell is wrong with her?

JOYCE
She’s just tired. Don’t worry about it.

Slim nods. Stares at Angie.
Gets in the back seat with her.

EXT. DALY CITY - SLIM’S HOUSE - NIGHT
A nice, mostly white suburban enclave of smallish homes.
White picket fences. Dogs barking.

Kids playing on the street.
Slim, Chocolate Z and Angie walk up the stone path.

ANGIE
Oh, wow. This is pretty --

He opens the door. She walks in.

SLIM
(to Chocolate Z)
I must be crazy letting y’all coming up to my house.
Something ain’t right about that girl.
But you wanted to bring her. So it’s on you.
If that girl steals or fucks up anything, it’s your ass.

CHOCOLATE Z
Since she ain’t chose, I just thought --

SLIM
Well, the bitch better choose before we leave.

INT. SLIM’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Angie sits on the couch, smoking a Sherman’s.
She stares blankly at Chocolate Z, who paces back and forth.

ANGIE
(looking around)
This is really NICE --

CHOCOLATE Z
You know what The Game is, right?

ANGIE
Yeah -- sure.

CHOCOLATE Z
You choose me, you give me the money.
You choose Slim, you give him the money. Understand?

ANGIE
(nods)
Give -- the money.

Chocolate walks up to her.
Takes her necklace off from around her neck.
Shoves it in his pocket.

ANGIE
Hey, that’s MINE --

CHOCOLATE Z
It belongs to me if you choose me.
You know what you’re getting into, right?

ANGIE
I wanna be down.

CHOCOLATE Z
Most girls just do fucking and sucking,
but some’ll take it up the ass if the price is right.
You down with THAT?

ANGIE
Yeah.

Slim comes in the room with a suitcase.

SLIM
Y’all ready to go?

CHOCOLATE Z
Wait a minute. Let’s put on some tunes,
chop up some rocks, fire up a doobie -- let’s PARTY.

Angie takes another lazy hit. Smiles dreamily.

SLIM
What the hell is that shit?

CHOCOLATE Z
It’s just a cigarette. Relax.
C’mon, let’s get down.

She gets up. Walks over.
Starts unbuttoning Slim’s shirt.

ANGIE
Yeah. Let’s get down, baby. I choose you --

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The Quick And The Dead

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 38 of FILLMORE, Slim goes out on the town with a few of girls and gets rousted by the cops, who bust him for coke, but then let him go after getting a bribe. Meanwhile, beat cop Dick Gamble hangs out with a couple of other officers, who complain about how their coworkers are dating white women ...

EXT. SLIM’S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Slim drives down the freeway with
TRICIA (20’s) a new girl.

Very pretty, wearing a giant wig,
and right now extremely fucked-up.
Her head goes down as she starts to nod out.

SLIM
I said, where’s my money, bitch?
(SLAPS her head)
Don’t fucking FALL ASLEEP on me, whore.
Gimme my money.

TRICIA
(wakes up, tries to focus)
Sorry, baby. Hold on.

She reaches up under her wig. Searches for the money,
and a BAGGIE OF PILLS drops out, lands on her lap.

TRICIA
Shit.

SLIM
(looks)
What did I tell you about doin’ those reds?
They fuck you UP.

A PATROL CAR pulls up alongside them.
The WHITE COPS turn and look at Slim.

He sees them. They smile, driver starts
BANGING their car against his,
SCRAPING the paint, denting the metal.

SLIM
My CAR --

The COP (30’s) on the passenger-side, a short guy, YELLS.

SHORT COP
PULL OVER.

Slim brakes, slows down, pulls the car over to the shoulder.
Stops. The cops get out. Walk over to the car.

SHORT COP
(points at his car where it’s scraped)
You see what the fuck you did to our car? Get OUT, now.

Slim sighs. Gets out of the car.
Short Cop proceeds to search him.

His PARTNER (20’s) a young kids sneers at him.
Short Cop pulls a WAD OF MONEY out of one of his pockets.

SHORT COP
Well, look what we have here --
(pulls out a baggie of coke)
And hey, look -- it’s snowing.

SLIM
It’s not mine.

SHORT COP
Well, I might have a solution to our little dilemma.
See, we’ve got a policeman’s ball coming up,
and we’re looking for donations.

Short hands the money back to Slim. Slim eyes him. Thinking.
He peels off a stack of bills. Hands it to Short.

SLIM
I’d like to make a donation, officer.

SHORT COP
(counts it)
Fifteen hundred dollars. Hmmm --
(beat)
It’s kind of a BIG policeman’s ball.

Slim counts out more bills.
Hands it to him. Short counts it.

SHORT COP
Twenty-five hundred bucks.
Why, that’s a very generous donation, boy.
(hands him the coke)
Now you be careful.

INT. SAN FRANCISCO - NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - DAY
Gamble’s hangout. We see alot of the same COPS as before,
but now alot of them are with white women.

Gamble and Norm sit at the bar
nursing beers, deep in conversation.

Prentice walks in with a HOT WHITE CHICK (20’s)
on his arm, a busty blonde.
They take a seat at a table in a dark corner.

NORM
It’s like they’re all tradin’ up or somethin.’
Prentice over there makes Lieutenant,
then dumps his wife of ten years for that white trash.

DICK
You ain’t gonna see me dump
MY wife for some cream of wheat, that’s for sure.
Just because I made sergeant? That’s some bullshit.

NORM
And this is another thing.
Just because the DA’s got a bug up his ass,
we gotta keep bustin’ the same perps
over and over again.
It’s like a revolving door.
Don’t make anything better --

Dick finishes his beer.
Pays his tab. Gets up off his stool.

DICK
Hey. That’s why they call it work --

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Throwing Rocks At The Devil's Door

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 37 of FILLMORE, after doing the night club gig in Alaska, back in San Francisco, Slim parties with a couple of other pimps and his girls, and gets into a fight about who's 'the most successful.'

INT. THE LAST FRONTIER NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
All the booths and tables are filled with
PIPELINE WORKERS of all ages,
a rough-looking group of white guys,
most of whom have beards.

And, at a table off to the side,
a group of stone-faced ESKIMOS
in traditional Inuit garb.

Slim plays onstage at the The Last Frontier
with just the bass and guitar players,
and an Army kid on the snare drum.

They sound good and tight.
Ripping through BIG BRASS MONKEY.

SLIM
(sings)
'All you wanna do is ball and play --
(beat)
You got the balls of a big brass monkey.'

The Eskimos in the front row
GO NUTS with applause.

INT. SLIM’S JOINT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Music is BLARING. It’s a PARTY.

Slim hangs out with GANGSTER BROWN (30’s),
a good-looking pimp -- and BERNIE (20’s)
a big, chubby pimp.

Various HOOKERS lie around.
A group of their KIDS
play on the floor with toys.

Slim wears a white fur coat and matching hat,
holding one of the kids.

PEPPER (20’s) a bit chunky
but still hot points a finger.

PEPPER
I’m gonna be driving
Slim’s Cadillac tomorrow.

CANDY (20’s), tall and foxy,
laughs in her face.

CANDY
Bitch, you don’t even know
how to lean in a Cadillac.

SLIM
This is how it’s done, mother-fuckers.
This be STYLIN.’ Chinchilla --
(points at Gangster Brown)
Not like your threads.
Wouldn’t even let you in
the Playa’s Ball wearin’ that shit.

GANGSTER BROWN
Hey.
I got this from Arthur,
just like you.

SLIM
Well, he must of had an off day
when he made that.

Slim pulls out a joint.
Candy shoots Slim a look.

Nods at the kids.
Slim looks at the guys.
Gestures toward the next room.

SLIM
C’mon.
Don’t wanna pollute
the little one’s lungs.
(puts the kid down)
Don’t take no wooden nickles.

He sees Candy’s purse on the floor.

SLIM
Bitch, I told you not to
put your purse on the floor.
You gonna have your money runnin’ away.

She grabs her purse
as the boys go into the back room.
One of the BOYS (8) follows them.

INT. SLIM’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Gangster and Bernie come in
with their drinks. Sit.

The kid comes in.
Slim looks at him.

SLIM
(laughs)
Oh, so now you’re hangin’
with the big boys?

The kid smiles.
Slim lights up the joint.
Passes it around.

BERNIE
You sure full of yourself tonight, Slim.

SLIM
Full of myself?
What the fuck you talkin’ about?

BERNIE
Hey. All I meant was you wound up
a bit tight, that’s all.

SLIM
Wound up a bit tight?
How do you think I got
all the girls I got, huh?
If you pay more attention
to how I play The Game,
maybe you’d get more than two girls,
you slick motherfucker. Shit.
(to Gangster Brown)
See what I have to put up with?
That’s why I’ve been tryin’
to school you, Brown.
So you don’t make the same mistakes
these stupid motherfuckers make.

GANGSTER BROWN
Right on.

SLIM
(to Bernie)
You wanna talk some more shit?
See if I give you anymore of my old cars.
Big, fat, black ungrateful bitch.

BERNIE
Yo, man. Whoah, it ain’t that serious.
I’m a bit on edge since the cops
started comin’ down on us so hard.
(shakes his head)
I think I’m gonna go to New York,
try my luck there.
I hear there’s a lotta action.

SLIM
Do what you gotta do.

Bernie pulls out a roll of money.
Holds it up.

BERNIE
Still, I ain’t doin’ too bad here --

Slim looks at the sorry-ass roll.
Shakes his head. Laughs.

SLIM
That ain’t NOTHIN,’ motherfucker --

He starts pulling out
BIG, THICK WADS of cash.

THROWS them over the bed.
They SWIRL in the air, FLUTTER down.

SLIM
THAT’S what I’m talkin’ bout.
Live till you live, live till you die.
(a low growl)
Throwin’ rocks at the Devil’s door.

The kid smiles.
JUMPS on the bed.
THROWS money in the air.

Monday, February 9, 2015

The Candy Man

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 36 of FILLMORE, after Fillmore's friend Sammy pulls his impromptu 'concert,' the gang arrives in Alaska, where his posse hits the streets and start doing tricks while he gets ready for his big stage debut ...

INT. SMALL TOWN MEETING HALL - STAGE - NIGHT
Sammy stands onstage in front of the crowd,
stiffly moving his mouth to the words of the song.

SAMMY
Who can take a sunrise --

BACKSTAGE
We see that Slim is actually singing.

SLIM
Sprinkle it with dew --

ONSTAGE
Sammy continues ‘singing.’

SAMMY
Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two --

BACKSTAGE
Slim keeps on singing.

SLIM
The Candy Man, oh the Candy Man can --

ONSTAGE
Sammy continues to lip-synch, now getting into it.

SAMMY
The Candy Man can cause he mixes it with love
and makes the world taste good --

BACKSTAGE
Slim continues belting it out.

SLIM
Who can take a rainbow, wrap it in a sigh --

ONSTAGE
Sammy starts dancing around while he lip-synchs.

SAMMY
Soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie --
(big smile
The Candy Man can --

INT. RECREATIONAL VEHICLE - MOVING - NIGHT
Blues music on the car stereo over --

Sammy, behind the wheel, driving.
Slim sits in the lounge area behind him
partying with the girls.

Doing lines of blow off the table.
Having cocktails.

SLIM
Who can chop a perfect line?

SUZY
Snort it up your nose?

LAURA
Lay up on your back and make a trillion billion bucks?

KELLY
The Candy Man can --

They crack up with laughter.
Slim suddenly turns serious.

SLIM
(to Sammy)
And what the fuck was that Simms shit?
Ordering me around like I was some kind of butler.
You’re lucky I don’t smack you up.

SAMMY
Hey, you put me on the spot.
I was just playin’ the part you gave me.

SLIM
Well, I ain’t NOBODY’S servant, you hear?
You try that shit again,
you’ll get my boot up your ass.

SAMMY
I said I was SORRY. It won’t happen again.

Slim HONKS up a line of blow. Honey hands him a joint.

HONEY
Here, baby. Have some of this. Chill you out.

EXT. FREEWAY - DAY
The RV passes a sign that reads WELCOME TO ALASKA.

EXT. DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE - HOTEL - DAY
The RV pulls into a fairly modern-looking hotel
in downtown Anchorage. Everyone piles out, laughing.

EXT. SNOWY FIELD - DAY
IN A LONG SHOT, we see Slim, Sammy and
the four girls stand in the snow,
looking up at the mountains.

Dwarfed by the great expanse of beauty.
Looking up in wonder.

IN MONTAGE, Slim watches Sammy and the girls RUN
through an open field in the snow, YELLING and LAUGHING.
Throw snowballs at each other.

INT. THE LAST FRONTIER NIGHT CLUB - DAY
Slim meets with CALLIE SMOOMS (40’s) the owner of the club.

A tough-looking but pretty mountain woman.
She and Slim sit at the bar, which is now empty,
except for EMPLOYEES setting up in the background.

CALLIE
I’m glad you could make it.

SLIM
Don’t think nothin’ about it. Thanks for inviting me.

CALLIE
Well, I’m sure the pipeline workers are gonna love you.
(smiles)
And the Eskimos.

SLIM
Eskimos? You mean with igloos and shit?

CALLIE
(smiles)
Well, most of them don’t live in igloos anymore --
(beat)
Oh. One last thing.
I’m sure it’s not going to be a problem,
but I thought you should know --

SLIM
What’s that?

CALLIE
The band is from the local Army base.
(off his look)
But trust me, they can really rock --

INT. THE LAST FRONTIER NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
Slim’s onstage with an ARMY BRASS BAND
a group of men playing wind instruments --
trumpets, saxophones, trombones, etc. -- and a DRUM CORP.

They’re playing BIG BRASS MONKEY, but it sounds more like
half-time at the ball game than the blues.

They struggle to keep time, horns BLARING.
Slim sings his heart but, but makes strange faces,
looking at the band.

SLIM
(trying to keep time with them)
All you want to do is -- ball and play --
(beat)
You got the balls -- of a big brass monkey.

The band reaches a crescendo, and they finish with
the RAT-TAT-TAT of the snare drums. Cymbals CRASH.
The big bass drum BOOMS. Slim takes a bow.

SLIM (CONT'D)
(under his breath)
Semper Fi, motherfuckers.

EXT. DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE - NIGHT
IN MONTAGE, we see snippets of the girls
working the street and Slim playing at the club.

HONEY
Leans into the window of pickup truck
being driven by a PIPELINE WORKER (20’s)
a big bear of a fellow.

HONEY
So I hear you guys lay some mean pipe.

BIG BEAR GUY
I’ll show ya a gusher --

SUSAN
Chats up another PIPELINE WORKER,
a young, eager-looking kid.

EAGER-LOOKING KID
You’re really from Cali-forna? Wow.

SUSAN
Yep. And after I’m done with you,
you’ll wish they all could be California girls --

SLIM
Is back onstage at The Last Frontier.
The band has added guys playing guitar and bass.
It sounds a lot better -- but still isn’t quite there yet.

SLIM
(sings)
Lawdy Miss Clawdy, sure like to ball --

A GROUP OF ESKIMOS
Sit in the empty theater, watching, stone-faced.

KELLY
Stands on the corner, counting a big stack of money.
She smiles, nods. Shoves it in her purse.

A car pulls up to the curb.
A big LOCAL WOODSMAN (30’s) leans out the window.

BIG LOCAL WOODSMAN
Hey, baby. Ever done it with a trapper?

KELLY
Ever had a snapper?

He laughs. Opens the door. She jumps in.

LAURA
Leans into the window of an ANCIENT SEDAN
driven by an ESKIMO, a strapping young guy.

LAURA
I could show you a different kind of Eskimo Pie --

BIG, STRAPPING ESKIMO
I like -- fish --

LAURA
Your igloo, or mine?

Friday, February 6, 2015

The Thriller From Wasilla

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 35 of FILLMORE, Slim gets a singing gig in Alaska, so he persuades his friend Sammy to drive up there with him, but when they arrive there, people mistake his friend for Sammy Davis, Jr., which causes more than a few problems ...

INT. PENNY’S COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Slim sits at the table in the window with Sammy.

SAMMY
You got a gig in ALASKA?
How’d you swing that?

SLIM
Woman that owns the club
called me outta the blue.
Said she wanted me to come up
for a couple weeks and play.
Got lots of paying customers
that want to hear some music.

SAMMY
The pipeline workers.
I hear they fucking clean up.

SLIM
Yeah. And there ain’t women for MILES around.
Must be horny motherfuckers.

SAMMY
Damn. I’d like to go.
Ain’t never been to Alaska.
I hear it’s like the Wild West up there.

SLIM
Well, I need help drivin.’

SAMMY
Drivin’ what?

SLIM
Big-ass recreational vehicle.

EXT. CANADIAN FREEWAY - DAY
A giant RECREATIONAL VEHICLE tools
down the freeway pulling a red Barracuda.
It’s not brand-new, but still very cool.

INT. RECREATIONAL VEHICLE - DAY
Blues music on the deluxe car stereo over --

Sammy, behind the wheel.
Sitting next to him is KELLY (20’S) one of his girls,
a petite white blonde chick with giant boobs.

Sitting behind her is LAURA (20’s),
the red-haired model.

Slim sits behind them in the lounge area
with Honey and SUZY (18) another white girl,
dark-haired in spandex.

Slim lights up a joint.
Takes a big hit. Passes it along.

SLIM
Now this is ridin’ in style.

SAMMY
(over his shoulder)
I’m so high up, it’s like driving a bus.

SLIM
I’m so high up, I’m high.

The bus starts slowing down.
STEAM comes out from the hood.

SLIM (CONT'D)
What’s going on?

SAMMY
Engine overheated or somethin.’

SLIM
(looks out the window)
Pull into that gas station.

EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
The RV pulls into a roadside service station.
Parks in front of the pumps.
Everyone piles out.

Kelly and Laura walk over towards the office.
The OWNER (40’s), a grease-stained white guy
with a big gut comes out.

GREASY GAS STATION OWNER
Afternoon, boys.
(looks at the RV)
Looks like she got overheated.

SLIM
Yes, sir.
We were hoping you could help us out.
We gotta be somewhere soon.

GREASY GAS STATION OWNER
Let’s take a look.

He goes to the hood. Opens it.
Root around inside. Nods.

GREASY GAS STATION OWNER (CONT’D)
(over his shoulder)
Radiator’s cracked. Need a new one.
And maybe a thermostat.

Greasy walks back over to Slim and Sammy.

SLIM
Can you fix it?

GREASY GAS STATION OWNER
Yeah, sure. Just gotta replace it.
Just gotta make a call.
(eyes Sammy)
Can I talk to you for a sec?
(pulls Slim aside)
I know that’s Sammy Davis, Jr.,
and I respect his privacy --
but I was wondering if he’d
take a picture with my family.
We’re all big fans,
and it would mean a lot to me.
And I work a lot faster when I’m happy.
(big smile)
The Candy Man is the wife’s favorite song.

SLIM
I’m sure he’d be delighted.

EXT. SMALL TOWN MEETING HALL - NIGHT
A small building where the
local townsfolk hang out.
Looks kinda like a lodge,
with that log-cabin type feel.

INT. SMALL TOWN MEETING HALL - NIGHT
A big space with folding tables
and a stage at the end.

A long bar is off to the side.
The joint is packed with LOCALS.

Slim and Sammy stand near the stage
with the girls and Greasy.

They all sip drinks in big plastic cups.
People stand in line to meet ‘Sammy Davis, Jr.’

SAMMY
(whispers to Slim)
You said it was just a PICTURE.

A down-home FARMER (40’s) and his
PLUMP WIFE (40’s) come up to Sammy.

Down-home takes Sammy’s hand.
PUMPS it furiously.

DOWN-HOME FARMER
Sammy Davis, Jr., I declare.
Shore is a pleasure to meet ya.
(nods at his wife)
The missus is a big fan.
Well, HA -- so am I.
Shore is great to meet ya.

A photographer moves in.
They pose, Down-Home and Plump grin wildly.

He SNAPS a picture.
Sammy’s eyes glaze over.

SAMMY
(to Slim)
Simms, please get me another cocktail.
I’m quite thirsty, my good man.

Slim shoots him a look.
Shakes his head.

Goes off to get his drink.
Sammy looks at Kelly and Laura.

SAMMY (CONT’D)
Would you ladies go find me
something to nibble on?
I’m quite famished.
(off their look)
Look alive. MOVE it --

They exchange glances.
Make a face. Walk away.

Slim returns with Sammy’s drink.
Hands it to him. Sammy takes it, nods.

SAMMY (CONT’D)
Thank you, Simms.
(to Greasy)
Good help is hard to find.

GREASY GAS STATION OWNER
Found a new radiator --
a couple hundred miles away.
(off their looks)
Friend of mine’s got an RV just like it.
I COULD replace it with his --
(off Slim’s stare)
So I was wondering --
(looks at Sammy)
Would you mind singing us a song?

SLIM
Oh, yeah, sure.
He wouldn’t mind at all.

PUSH IN ON Sammy’s face.
Freaking out.

That Killing Feeling