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A few cars on lifts, but the place ain't busy. |
A few "mechanics" play cards in the back corner. |
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Billy walks in the door. Haggard by life.
BILLY (to a mechanic) Fred Gridge? |
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The mechanic gestures towards the corner office. |
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As Billy draws near TIMBO - a wall of humanity - opens the door, stands in Billy's way. He gives pause.
FRED Timbo, play nice.
Fred, slick and every bit the gangster, exits behind him. Offers a plastic smile to Billy.
FRED (CONT'D) (familiar) Billy Speck.
BILLY Mr. Gridge.
They shake hands.
FRED Ready to work?
Billy looks around...
BILLY I don't know much about being a mechanic...
FRED Why would you? You been too busy bein' a ballplayer. Besides, we got some other things, more in line with your aptitudes.
BILLY Throwing fastballs or throwing games?
FRED Good sense of humor. Really, I mean it. But there is a compelling reason for you to be here and make due on your debts.
He says it with transparent menace. |
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GRETA (O.S.) Fred?
Wannabe raven-haired starlet GRETA GLADE walks through the door and Billy is instantly smitten. |
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Fred is equally smitten, but does a slightly better job of hiding it.
FRED The face of Fred's automobile service center! |
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She is - there's a giant billboard on the back wall with her face plastered on it. |
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Fred greets her with a professional hug.
GRETA Thank you for putting these billboards up all over the city!
FRED Your lovely face'll be bringing 'um in. Greta Glade, Billy Speck.
GRETA The pitcher?
BILLY Used to be.
GRETA (charmed) Wonderful to meet you.
Greta wears her crisp glamorous facade with obvious discomfort. She's still a cocktail waitress at heart.
FRED Greta's here to shoot her next advertisement for us -
GRETA The theme is Rosie the Riveter. I'm going to wear a jumpsuit and put a little grease on my face and carry a wrench.
FRED I'd let you work on my axel.
GRETA Fred...
FRED I'm sorry, I go too far.
GRETA Not far enough. (looking at Billy) Can he be in the shoot with me?
FRED Billy's days in front of the camera are behind him, right Billy?
BILLY I'd say.
Fred's cellphone rings.
FRED Excuse me. |
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Fred takes the call. |
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Greta reaches into her bag, takes out a POSTCARD and starts writing on it.
GRETA You want to take a girl out for a cup of coffee?
BILLY Sorry?
GRETA Don't be shy. Meet me at Marlowe's Diner this afternoon, after my shoot.
She holds out the POSTCARD.
GRETA (CONT'D) Take it, I won't bite. Unless you want me to. |
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BILLY (V.O.) When a pretty young thing tells you to buy her a cup of coffee, you do it. Even if it's the dumbest thing you can do. |
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Fred, fresh off the phone. FRED I got a thing for you. Take this Mercedes, get it detailed and bring it up to my house in the Hills. |
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Billy hesitates. |
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FRED (CONT'D) That's the job Billy, if you're working for me. |
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He tosses CAR KEYS to Billy. He catches them. |
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FRED (CONT'D) Good hands. (to Greta) Let's get you ready.
He escorts her towards his office.
GRETA When will I get my check for the billboards?
FRED I'll have it at my house tonight. You can come by and get it. |
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Billy inspects the keys in one hand, the postcard in the other. |
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TIMBO You're Fred's bitch now.
Timbo laughs at the emasculated sports hero and walks away. |
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BILLY (V.O.) Fred is a pretty straightforward guy. Either he owns you, or he don't. I'm used to having people own me, it don't usually bother me. But maybe today's a new day. Maybe today's a day to try something different. |
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Billy unlocks the car; it BEEPS.
BILLY (V.O.) Not today. |
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Greta shrugs it off, sets the postcard on a nearby carhood.
GRETA Suit yourself. |
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Fred, fresh off the phone. FRED I got a thing for you. Take this Mercedes, get it detailed and bring it up to my house in the Hills. |
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Billy hesitates. |
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FRED (CONT'D) That's the job Billy, if you're working for me. |
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He tosses CAR KEYS to Billy. He catches them. |
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FRED (CONT'D) Good hands. (to Greta) Let's get you ready.
He escorts her towards his office.
GRETA When will I get my check for the billboards?
FRED I'll have it at my house tonight. You can come by and get it. |
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Billy inspects the keys in one hand, the postcard in the other. |
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TIMBO You're Fred's bitch now.
Timbo laughs at the emasculated sports hero and walks away. |
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BILLY (V.O.) Fred is a pretty straightforward guy. Either he owns you, or he don't. I'm used to having people own me, it don't usually bother me. But maybe today's a new day. Maybe today's a day to try something different. |
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Billy unlocks the car; it BEEPS.
BILLY (V.O.) Not today. |
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