The Big Payoff

Happy Friday, 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 20 of A DISH BEST KILLED, Rush tries to blackmail Haven when he reveals that he knows about her plot to kill her husband, but Haven turns the tables when she reveals that she hid dead midget Nola Bliss' body in the trunk of his car ...


INT. JETT’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Jett quietly closes the door.
Tip-toes into her apartment.

The TV is on. Loud.
Machine guns. EXPLOSIONS.

JETT
Rush.

Rush sits on the couch. Turns, looks.

RUSH
Hey, what’s up.

Jett goes to the table.
Grabs the remote. PUNCHES mute.

JETT
I thought you’d sleep -- longer.

RUSH
I can’t crash more than a couple hours.

He leans over, HONKS up a big, fat line.

RUSH (CONT’D)
(offers straw, evil grin)
Wanna bump?

JETT
No, I told you I --

RUSH
That’s an awesome houseboat.
It’s so fucking BIG.

JETT
Houseboat?

RUSH
Yeah, the one your -- friend lives in.
(beat)
Or should I say girlfriend?

JETT
How did you, what did you --

RUSH
I saw her address on the fridge.
Got curious when I saw
it was a boat. Walked over.
(another line)
Man, that was some fight, huh?
Who knew a fucking MIDGET
could be so strong?

JETT
Rush --

RUSH
Now THAT’S what I call dwarf tossing.

He grabs his beer off the table.
Takes a slug. Big grin.

JETT
Now wait a minute --

RUSH
No, YOU wait a minute.
(enjoying his power)
What did you do with the body?

Pause.

JETT
What do you want?
You wanna -- stay here awhile?

RUSH
Hell, no. I figure with my cut
I can get my own pad.

JETT
Your CUT?

RUSH
You killed her husband
for the insurance money, right?
Old fuck’s gotta be loaded.
I saw on the news he was some
famous old-time director or some shit.

JETT
And if I give you a -- cut,
you’ll go away, leave me alone.

RUSH
Yeah.
(stands)
Can I have my keys?

JETT
Where are you going?

RUSH
I gotta go home,
sort out some business,
get some supplies, some clothes.
Don’t worry, I’ll be back right away.
Wanna be here for the big payoff.

Jett TOSSES Rush’s keys.
He CATCHES them.

JETT
How much -- do you want?

RUSH
I’m thinking -- half.

JETT
HALF?

RUSH
You really scared me.
I haven’t see you go off like that
since the thing in Kansas.
(beat)
This time you can bury it yourself.

Rush starts for the door.

JETT
The body’s in the trunk of your car.
So I suggest you drive carefully.

RUSH
(stops, spins around)
What the fuck?

JETT
Hey -- if you’re in this,
you gotta earn your share --