Cocaine Cowboys

Happy Thursday, 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 24 of GUN-WILD, bank robbers Cam Clinch and Rod Funk narrowly escape the cops chasing them through the Venice Beach back alleys ... but when robbery-homicide detectives Bobby Teen and Taya Ralls rescue their Asian art vendor hostage in the abandoned RV, he offers to draw their picture ...


EXT. VENICE BEACH - STREET CORNER - DAY
Bobby and Taya RUN down the alley off the boardwalk.
Reach the corner. Stop. Look around.

BOBBY
Shit.

TAYA
Fuck.

BOBBY
Where did they go?

Another POLICE CRUISER
roars up the corner.

BRAKES with a SCREECH of rubber.
They dash over to it.

BEEFY HISPANIC COP
Are you Robbery/Homicide?

BOBBY
(nods)
Detective Teen, this is detective Ralls.

HISPANIC COP
(eyes her)
Hi, there.
(nods at the car)
Jump in.
They’re around her somewhere.
Could use the extra eyes.

They get in.
The cruisers ROARS off down Speedway.

INT. WINNEBAGO - AT THAT MOMENT
Cam’s got the gym bag filled with wet money.
Water drips onto the floor.

Rod finishes tying up
Asian Art Vendor with rope.

SLAPS duct tape over his mouth.
He stares balefully.

CAM
Chink’s got eyes like a puppy dog.

Rod grabs a towel.
Ties it around his head.

ROD
There.

CAM
Maybe we should put him to sleep.

ROD
NO. We’re in enough trouble as it is.

CAM
Jesus Christ, I was JOKING.

ROD
You’re a goddamn laugh-riot.
Now let’s get the fuck out of here.

EXT. WINNEBAGO - CONTINUOUS
Rod and Cam walk down the alley.
Approach an old VW van.

ROD
Perfect.

He goes to the passenger door.
Jimmies it open. They pile in.

INT. VW VAN - CONTINUOUS
Cam shoots Rod a look.

CAM
What is it with you and old cars?

ROD
I told you,
they’re easier to break into --
and there’s usually no alarm.
(looks in the rear view)
Shit, COPS. Duck down --

They crouch down in the seat.

IN THE ALLEY
The police cruiser pulls up
alongside the Winnebago.

Bobby and Taya JUMP out.
RACE over to door.
Pull out their guns.

IN THE VW VAN
Rod and Cam peer over the seat.
Watching.

CAM
I say we drive outta here real slow.
Pretty soon this place is
gonna be crawling with pigs.

ROD
(looks at her)
You watch a lot of old movies,
don’t you?

She shoots him a look.
Raises her gun. Crooked smile.

CAM
(low)
You've got to ask yourself one question, punk.
(CLICKS the safety)
Do I feel lucky?

IN THE WINNEBAGO
Bobby and Taya walk carefully
into the back, weapons drawn.

BOBBY
(nods at the door)
I’m gonna check out the bedroom.
You cover me.

TAYA
Got it.

Bobby KICKS OPEN the door.
BURSTS IN.

IN THE BEDROOM
Bobby sees Asian Art Vendor.
Rushes to him.

Peels off the duct tape.
Starts untying the ropes.

IN THE MAIN ROOM
Taya starts climbing the circular staircase.
Bobby comes into the room with Asian.
Sees Taya.

BOBBY
Look what I found.

Asian stares. Mute. Terrified.

TAYA
A hostage --

BOBBY
And he’s in shock.

TAYA
I’m gonna go upstairs.
You stay with him.
Look for evidence.

BOBBY
Got it.
(beat)
Love it when you take charge.

Taya starts up the stairs.
Bobby motions for Asian
to sit on the couch. He does.
Looks like he’s about to implode.

Bobby goes to the coffee table.
Wets a finger.

Wipes it on the glass.
Tastes it.

BOBBY
Got ourselves some cocaine cowboys.

ASIAN ART VENDOR
Not cowboys -- man and woman.

BOBBY
Did you see their faces?

ASIAN ART VENDOR
Yes. I can draw picture if you like.

BOBBY
I like.