Liquid Lunch

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. Hope it's a 'Good Friday' for you. 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 15 of GUN-WILD, robbery-homicide dicks Bobby Teen and Taya Rolls head over to their favorite dive to drown their sorrows over the death of their fellow officers in the bank robbery ... and get a little 'up close and personal' ...


EXT. CHEZ JAY - LATE AFTERNOON
A small, crusty beach dive
just south of the Santa Monica pier.

We see Bobby and Taya’s sedan
parked in the gravel lot.

INT. CHEZ JAY - CONTINUOUS
Dark, dank. Sawdust on the floor.

The kind of place where
serious drinking gets done.
Food’s not bad, either.

A pair of GRIZZLED REGULARS
sit at the bar living their liquid lives.

A ball game plays softly over the bar.
The jukebox plays some
forgotten, gin-soaked classic.

Bobby and Taya sit at stools at the end.
He drains a bottle of beer.
Points at it, then the empty shot glass.

BOBBY
(to the bartender)
Another round?
(looks at Taya)
You okay?

Taya eyes him warily,
sips her Diet Coke.

TAYA
I’m fine, thanks.

The SMUG BARTENDER (40’s)
brings over another shot and beer.
Places them in front of Bobby.

SMUG BARTENDER
Here you go, officer.

Bobby eyes him coolly.
SLAMS down the shot.
Sips the beer.

BOBBY
Is that a cockroach
over there by the sink?
(shakes his head)
Be a shame to lose
that ‘C’ rating --

SMUG BARTENDER
Tell it to the owner.
I’m just a mixologist.

He turns around
and starts washing glasses.

BOBBY
Three officers
were KILLED today.
And I don’t appreciate
your ATTITUDE, pal.

TAYA
Bobby --

BOBBY
Shut up.
Drink your fucking COKE.

SMUG BARTENDER
(turns, stares)
THREE cops were killed?

BOBBY
Yeah, fucking bank job
right down the street.
Don’t you watch the news?

SMUG BARTENDER
Fuck, no. Too depressing.
I just watch the game.

Pause.

TAYA
There’s another shooting
on the news every day --

BOBBY
Economy’s in the fucking toilet.
Santa Monica used to be SAFE,
and now we’ve got these --
heathens running RIOT
on my home turf.
Fucking cops are DEAD.

Taya looks down.
A tear slides down her cheek.

TAYA
My parents were shot --
(starts to lose it)
Home invasion --

BOBBY
Holy shit.

She looks up.
Eyes glistening.

TAYA
Reason I joined the force.
(half smile)
Quit law school --

BOBBY
(to Smug)
How about a little rum
in the lady’s coke,
my good man.

Smug pulls down a bottle of 151.
Holds it over Taya’s glass
like a question.

She nods. He pours.
Then another shot for Bobby.
One for himself. Raises it.

SMUG BARTENDER
This one’s on the house.

They toast. Drink.
Taya winces.
Hers is STRONG.

BOBBY
(to Taya)
We’re gonna get these fuckers,
if it’s the last thing I do.
You with me?

TAYA
Fuck, yeah.

He leans over.
Kisses her on the cheek.

TAYA
(surprised she likes it)
What was -- that for?

BOBBY
I dunno. Felt like it.
(beat)
You’re kinda cute
when you’re distraught.
(off her stare)
Okay, I’m drunk.

Taya DRAINS her drink.
Wipes her mouth.

SLAMS the glass
down on the bar. CRACK.

TAYA
So let’s get a fucking room.

SMUG BARTENDER
(turns around)
I’m not hearing this --

BOBBY
What the fuck?

TAYA
You wanted to ball me
the first moment you
laid your eyes on me.

BOBBY
(turning red)
You’re crazy.

Taya stands.
Puts her purse
over her shoulder.

TAYA
You coming?