A Well-Oiled Machine

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In chapter 6 of THE HEISTERS, we flash forward and return to the aftermath of the bungled robbery, where heister Ronan Kelsey rounds up the drivers used on the job, who are right now holed up in a seedy motel on the wrong end of the hood ...


EXT. THE MATADOR MOTEL - DAY
A seedy ‘sex motel’ on the outskirts of Compton.
Beyond sleazy-looking.

The usual assortment of crack whores, gang-bangers
and assorted street trash loiter outside.

A cab pulls up and parks at the sidewalk.

INT. CAB - DAY
Ronan leans over the divider.
Shows the BORED CABBIE a hundred-dollar bill.
He RIPS it in two. Hands him half.

RONAN
Wait for me and you get the rest.

BORED CABBIE
How long you gonna be?

RONAN
Five minutes, tops.

BORED CABBIE
(looks at the motel)
You’re FAST.

RONAN
It’s business, buster.

BORED CABBIE
Yeah, right. And I’m Donald Trump --

INT. MATADOR MOTEL - SHITTY ROOM - DAY
A ridiculous ‘theme room’ made up to look like
a medieval castle cell. But the ‘stones’ on the wallpaper are peeling.

Two MEN sit on the bed watching TV.
A pizza box lays between them.

They both take swigs from forties of malt liquor.
Take hits from a joint they pass back and forth.

LARGE BLACK GUY
DAMN, that’s some serious SHIT.
Saturday Night Fever blew
the fucking nigger’s BRAINS out --

Meet JEFTY BROWN (28),
massive muscle-for-hire.
Former gang-banger,
now working his way up the ladder.

Precision driver.
Chip on his shoulder the size of a Escalade.

HISPANIC GUY
I can’t believe you never seen this shit, homes --
(passes the joint)
Tarantino is THE MAN.
You ever seen JACKIE BROWN?

Meet KASPER GARZA (25),
former Mexican drug cartel runner.
Decided he liked LA better.

Bulky fireplug. Wannabe boxer.
But partied too much.
Could be Luis Guzman’s little brother.

JEFTY
(takes the joint)
I seen dat. Pam Grier got BACK.

A soft knock-knock-knock at the door.
They both pull out GUNS.

Kasper hops off the bed.
Tip-toes up to the door.

Nods at Jefty,
who’s got his weapon aimed.
He nods.

KASPER
Who’s there?

RONAN (O.C.)
The Good Humor man. Open up.

KASPER
Ronan?

RONAN
Yeah. Open the fucking door.

KASPER
How do I know it’s you?

RONAN
If you don’t open the door,
I’ll break it down and kick your wetback ass
all the way to TIJUANA.

KASPER
(to Jefty, smiles)
It’s him --

He unlocks the door. Opens it.
Ronan comes in. Surveys the scene.
Shakes his head.

RONAN
All that’s missing are the hookers --

JEFTY
(smiles)
They left last night.
Ain’t gonna pay ‘em for sleepin’ --

KASPER
So whassup?
You said some shit went down.

RONAN
The money got jacked.

JEFTY
What THE FUCK?

KASPER
I KNEW we shouldn’ta trusted
that fucking BITCH --

RONAN
Shut up and LET ME TALK!

Silence.

RONAN
Kelsey didn’t do it.
She went out for five minutes
to get supplies at the corner,
and when she got back her boy-toy
was harpooned to the bed,
and the cash was GONE.
She called me right away.

JEFTY
SHIT --

KASPER
FUCK --

RONAN
We think it was non-pro.
The boy-toy’s ex or some shit.
We’re all meeting up to figure out
how to find ‘em,
so pack up your shit and let’s go.
I’ve got a cab waiting outside.

JEFTY
But I thought we were supposed to lay low --

KASPER
Yeah, till the heat was off --

RONAN
Suit yourself.
Stay here and party down.
But when we get the money
you’re on your own.

JEFTY
Shit, hold on. I’m comin,’ I’m comin.’

KASPER
Yo, chill. Let me get my shit.

They both race around the room.
Grabbing their bags,
stuffing their belongings in them.

RONAN
(shakes his head)
I love a well-oiled machine --