Requiem For A Robbery

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In Chapter 5 of BABY HEISTER, Kelsey attends the wake for her parents with her grandparents Doc and Jo, but gets distracted by Ray Stark, a dark-haired stranger who says he 'worked' with them ...


EXT. DOC'S FARMHOUSE - BACK YARD - DAY
The joint is filled with
MOURNERS from the funeral.

But now the mood is different.
It’s a traditional wake.
They’re laughing, drinking, reminiscing.

Jo walks around with a tray,
passing out snacks.

Doc stands behind the
bar making drinks.

Ray slides up to the bar.
Lights up a smoke.

Looks at the crowd.
Then at Doc.

RAY
Pretty good turnout.

DOC
I don’t think we’ve met.

RAY
(puts out his hand)
Ray Stark. You must be Doc.

DOC
(takes it, shakes)
What are you having?

RAY
What kinda scotch you got?

DOC
Johnny Walker Blue.

RAY
(nods)
Neat.

Doc nods.
Turns, gets the bottle,
a glass, pours one.

Hands it to him.
Ray takes it.

Takes a sip.
Nods. Winces.

DOC
How did you know
Griff and Chelle?

RAY
Worked together a
couple of times.

DOC
Funny.
Don’t remember ever
hearing your name.

RAY
It was awhile ago --

DOC
I’ve got a pretty good memory.

Kelsey sidles up to the bar
with an empty beer bottle.

KELSEY
Can I get another?

Doc nods. Grabs a bottle.
POPS it open. Hands it to her.

She takes a long slug.
Wipes her mouth with her sleeve.

RAY
You must be Griff
and Chelle’s daughter.

KELSEY
Who wants to know?

DOC
This here’s Ray Stark.
Says he used to work
with your parents.

KELSEY
You’re a HEISTER?

Ray makes a keep it down
motion with his hand.

RAY
Careful.
You don’t know who might
be snooping around.

KELSEY
Sorry.
(low)
What was it like to
work with my parents?

JO (O.C.)
Kelsey?
Could you come help me?
I need to make some more
pigs in a blanket.

Reveal JO.
Standing nearby with an empty tray.
Kelsey sighs. Looks at Ray.
Then Doc, who gives her a look.

KELSEY
Sure thing.

She finishes her beer.
Puts the bottle on the bar.

Follows Jo toward the house.
Ray watches her go.

RAY
That’s quite a fine filly.

DOC
She’s eighteen.

Ray smiles secretively.
Sips his scotch.
Eyes flicker.

RAY
Looks more like her mom
than her dad, don’tcha think?

DOC
You stay away from her.
Hear me?

RAY
Hold on there, cowboy.
If I didn’t know better,
I’d think you were threatening me.

DOC
Now you’re catching on.