A Life Of Crime

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In Chapter 12 of RIDGEWAY, Kayla freaks out after her hours get cut at work because she can't pay her bills, but when Cate watches Walter White on Breaking Bad, she gets an idea ...


INT. KAYLA’S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DUSK
Cate stands at the stove, cooking.
Kayla walks in, exhausted.

CATE
Honey, I’m home.
(off her look)
What’s wrong?

Kayla sets down her bag.
Pulls out her smokes. Lights one.

KAYLA
Vivi cut my hours.``

CATE
What the fuck? Why?

KAYLA
Said business was bad, said she
had to cut back everybody’s hours.

CATE
That’s really fucked up.

KAYLA
Next week I only work twenty-eight hours.
I don’t know how I’m gonna make the rent,
and I’m late with the electric and the water --
and now she won’t pay the internet bill.
(eyes fill with tears)
I don’t know what we’re gonna do.

CATE
Oh, baby --

She takes Kayla in her arms.
Kayla starts silently sobbing.

CATE
Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.

INT. KAYLA’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Kayla and Cate sit on the couch
watching TV, eyes glued to the screen,
high as a pair of kites,
a cat on either side
of them like bookends.
Bobby dozes at their feet.

Kayla sips her cocktail.
Loads the bong. Does a hit.
Holds it in.

Cate downs a shot of whiskey.
Sips her beer. Kayla exhales.

Passes it to Cate.
She takes a big hit.

ON THE FLAT SCREEN
We see they’re watching BREAKING BAD.
WALTER WHITE glowers at his wife SKYLER,
who looks terrified.

WALTER WHITE
(electronic)
You clearly don't know who
you're talking to,
so let me clue you in.
I’m not IN danger, Skyler.
I’M the danger.

CATE
Nudges Kayla.

CATE
Maybe I should start living a
life of crime like Walter White.
Make some real money.

KAYLA
(eyes on the screen)
You could ask Big Boy for a job.

Cate looks at her.
Then back at the TV.
Wheels turning.