Homeland Insecurity

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.

Since I'm about to be considered for an open writing job on HOMELAND, I thought it might be fun to revisit my spy thriller NOWHERE GIRL. This is the one I keep trying to get adapted into a graphic novel. I'm on artist number 4 now. Wish me luck.

In Chapter 1, exotic dancer Cherry Nation is having a cocktail (or two) at the airport bar waiting for her flight to Vegas where she's going to 'feature dance,' but when a mysterious stranger sticks a gun in her back, her plans suddenly change ...


INT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - BAR - DUSK
One of those bland watering holes
for travelers who aren’t
picky about ambiance.

Or their cocktails.

A WOMAN (20’s) sits at a table
near the windows,
watching the planes.

Unbelievably hot, with
long, long black hair.
Reckless curves. Sleek. A gazelle.

Meet CHERRY NATION.
Exotic dancer.
Former porn star.

Future entrepreneur.
Single mother of two.

Right now she’s sipping a whiskey sour
and talking on her cell.
Tugs on her miniskirt.

CHERRY
Thanks for watching the kids
for me, Shag. I owe you one.
(listens)
The money is fucking AMAZING.
I’m getting close to having
the amount I need to quit dancing
and open the store.
(listens)
Of course I’m taking my meds.
Mind your own business.
It’s OVER, Shag,
and you have no right to --
(listens)
I’ll call you
when I get to Vegas.

She feels something
in the small of her back.

MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Don't move.
I have a gun pointed
at the base of your spine.

CHERRY
What the fuck?

MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Don't speak.
Just listen.

CHERRY
But --

The gun CLICKS.
Camera PULLS BACK to reveal --

A TALL, UGLY THUG
in shades and a trench coat
seated at the table
behind her back.

He smiles.
Not a pretty sight.

TALL, UGLY THUG
I don’t know what kind of game
you’re playing, girlie,
and I don’t care.
Get off the fucking PHONE.

She clicks it shut.

TALL, UGLY THUG
Good girl.
Now listen carefully.
The briefcase is
next to your chair.

He FLIPS an envelope
on her table.

TALL, UGLY THUG
Take this envelope.
In it, you’ll find an address.
Take the briefcase there.
Got it?

CHERRY
Listen to me,
I think you’ve got the wrong --

TALL, UGLY THUG
If you don't deliver
the package by sunrise,
we’ll kill you.
And your family.
(nudges her with the gun)
GOT it?

She nods.
Frightened to death.

TALL, UGLY THUG
Lower your arm.
Put it near the case.

She does.
We hear a SNAP, CLICK.

TALL, UGLY THUG
Good girl.
Now you’re being smart.
I’m gonna leave now,
and you’re gonna keep
facing the window.
DO NOT MOVE. Understand?

CHERRY
Y-yes.

TALL, UGLY THUG
One last thing.
DO NOT open the briefcase.
If you do, you’ll die.
(beat)
Enjoy your cocktail.

He stands.
And in one fluid movement,
he’s gone.

Cherry vibrates in her chair, shaking.
Blinking back tears.

She raises her hand.
We see she’s
clutching the briefcase.

And that she’s been
handcuffed to it.
She puts it back down.

A good-looking HIPSTER
slides into the chair
next to her.

Studiously messy hair.
Five-hundred dollar torn jeans.

HIPSTER
These airport bars kinda suck,
don’tcha think?