A Fine Filly

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Wednesday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 3 of BABY HEISTER, wannabe heister Kelsey Hazard attends her parents' funeral, who were killed trying to rob a bank ... where she meets a mysterious stranger who claims he 'worked' with them ...


EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Very old. Some graves and crypts overrun with vines.
A pair of BLACKBIRDS sit on a tombstone, watching --

A FUNERAL in progress.
A cluster of MOURNERS DRESSED IN BLACK
surround a pair of freshly-dug graves.

Twin high-end CASKETS sit inside them.
Piled with bouquets of flowers.

Jo holds onto Doc, stoic,
both dressed in their Sunday finest.

Kelsey stands next to them.
Looks out of place in black leather,
denim and mirrored shades. Smoking.

The MINISTER (50’a) stands near the casket.
More than a few of the MOURNERS
look a little shady.

That’s because they are,
being Hazard family 'coworkers.'

CAMERA
Finds one of them,
standing off to the side.

Tall and dark. Like Kelsey,
wearing a black motorcycle jacket and shades.

Meet RAY STARK (35).
Think a RESERVOIR DOGS-era Michael Madson.
Tough-looking, with that air of danger.

He lights a cigarette with a
CLICK of his Zippo.
Blows a cloud of smoke.

KELSEY
Turns her head. Looks at him.
Then back at the caskets.

CLOSE ON --
Her face.
A tear slides down her cheek.

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 --