The Big Bounce

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 33 of THE HEISTERS, wheelman Jefty prepares the escape vehicle for after the robbery, but things get tricky ... when he gets a flat tire ...


INT. STADIUM FINANCE OFFICE - DUSK - FLASHBACK
The office gal sits at the table
counting the last of the money
and putting it in the duffle bags.
Kelsey and Ronan stand nearby
in their guard uniforms, watching.

KELSEY (V.O.)
We were almost done.
We had all the money from the gate,
the sun was setting and the concert
was kicking into high gear.
(beat)
I’d normally be interested
in checking out the bands,
but since I was robbing the joint,
that wasn’t an option.

EXT. NEARBY STREET - DUSK - FLASHBACK
A side street near the stadium,
which we can see in the background.

The truck drives up to the curb.
Parks. Jefty gets out.

Walks around to the rear
and opens the back doors.

He climbs inside. Pulls out the
ramp-boards and puts them in place.
Then gets back in.

Moments later the Mercedes
backs out and down the ramp.

THUMP-THUMP-THUMPING on a flat tire.
Jefty gets out. Looks at the flat.

JEFTY
SHIT.

He opens the trunk. Searches it.
But there’s no spare tire.

JEFTY
Fuck --

Jefty looks around. Street’s deserted.
He walks down the sidewalk,
looking at the cars.

Comes across an old, beat-up VW van.
With a spare tire mounted on the back.

JEFTY
Thank you, JESUS.

He pulls a wrench out of his pocket.
Starts taking it off.

DEEP MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Want me to change the tire for ya?

Jefty WHIRLS AROUND.
Sees a FILTHY HOMELESS MAN (30’S)
pushing a shopping cart.
Giving his best toothless smile.

FILTHY HOMELESS MAN
(nods)
I just needs two dollars --

Jefty stares at him.
Freaking out. Pulls out his wallet.

CLOSE ON -
The wallet. In it,
a lonely twenty-dollar bill.

JEFTY
Grimaces. Yanks it out.
Shoves it in Homeless’ face.

JEFTY
Here’s twenty.
You never saw me. Got it?

FILTHY HOMELESS MAN
(SNATCHES it)
Thank you, JESUS.

He scuttles away.
Big, goofy grin.

Jefty watches him.
Shakes his head.
Gets back to work on the tire.