A COUNTRY HIGHWAY -- MORNING
A two-lane cut through swamp.
OVER THERE one of those off the highway DINER AND DIESELs, a landing propped on a ziggurat of stone lording over the swamps.
Trucks outback, outfront.
Closer now. Closing in.
All sort of trucks. And one sore thumb: a long black Lincoln Continental.
Scoop the Lincoln up close: A frowy white man by the back seat, hunched over inside the car. Naturally there's A SUITCASE.
In the suitcase. Baggies of pills, baggies of powder. He's thimbling up a nice scoop of raisins to bring with him inside the diner.
Call this DAVEY RAISIN.
FLASH: Davey slinks across the lot, past the gas receptacles, aiming for the diner. Walking through swirling dust.
A Flatbed Truck attempts to pull out, Davey Raisin, slow, in the way.
Truck honk-honks. Davey doubles up middle fingers.
DAVEY RAISIN
Faaack you!!
IN THE DINER
Door pushes open. Bell rings. Three REDNECK TRUCKERS turn from their eggs and beans at the counter to watch Davey Raisin ENTER.
DAVEY RAISIN
'Ello!
British accent? Truckers' cold stares.
Raisins walks directly to the bathroom corridor.
He knocks on the door.
Door opens. Davey waves sweetly at the truckers, then disappears.
IN THE TOILET
The room is tiny. Davey Raisins crowds up against the man who let him in: THE LAWYER is ten years older than Raisins, and nine thousand years squarer.
THE LAWYER
Tell him we need to go.
The two of them lean into the shit stall..
DAVEY RAISIN
He's right, man.
Sitting on the john, blonde streaks in his black hair and worn out snakeskin boots, is a greasy lean rat-faced killer in denim.
His name is DICK SCRIM. Little do the rednecks out front know this man Scrim is on the cusp of becoming the most famous rock and roll guitarist in the world.
Scrim motions for Davey to hand over what he's brought in from the truck.
Pills get passed. Then our Mr. Scrim with pills in one hand from the other produces what appears to be a medieval pepper mill. He grinds the mill then puts the outlet of the mill in his nostril, and TOOTS who knows what into his brain.
He licks a pill out of his own hand like a lizard. And he smiles.
DICK SCRIM
Relax, man. We're in the middle of Tennessee. It's a lovely day.
OUT IN THE DINER
The natives are restless. All watching the bathroom: What are these long hairs doin in the shitter?
MEANWHILE OUTSIDE
An ENRAGED TRUCKER carrying a tire iron marches over to the BLACK LINCOLN. And DOES NOT start smashing the windows in. No, he loosens the lug nuts.
CUT TO:
MEANWHILE, HEAVEN
Fluffy white clouds.
Across the highway from the truck stop. Down the hill on the other side, an old dirt road. Two Cadillacs parked in the shade.
And standing out in the swamp are Red, Kid Jack, and Fat Phil. Bored as all hell. Slapping at mosquitos.
A hundred yards out into the swamp Danny Fisher is looking up like a meteor is falling down the sky. But there's just clouds. Maybe his sunglasses are dirty.
RED
(to Kid Jack)
Run across the road, and get us lunch..
A look out at Danny. Transmogrified, a black-clad golem standing watch over the prehistory of the swamp. It's like a triptych of human progress built onto the side of a stairwell: first there was a swamp, then there was a road, now there is a truck stop.
KID JACK
You got the keys?
RED
Walk.
Kid Jack sighs and walks away.
RED
Tater salad.
As Kid Jack jogs off, and Red slaps mosquitos, back on Danny Fisher.
FAT PHIL
What's he starin at?
RED
A sign.
FAT PHIL
Great.
Danny looks and waits on clouds to make pictures. His eyes are dull.
AND HIS MIND RETURNS TO LAST NIGHT
The upstairs hallway of his house. He's there. The boys are there. All looking up at this treacherous, blasphemous painting of TWIN JESUS BABIES.
DANNY FISHER
Who put this here?
A pause as frightened cronies look at each other. Then Fat Phil steps up and WHISPERS something in Danny's ear.
DANNY FISHER
When?
FAT PHIL
When y'all was away.
DANNY FISHER
I don't want it here.
RED
We'll get rid of it --
DANNY FISHER
Tonight.
(beat)
Right now. I don't like looking at it.
RED
It's half past three in the morning, Danny.
DANNY FISHER
Start the cars.
CUT TO:
THE SWAMP AGAIN BACK TODAY
Danny's sweating a bit. His pretty boots are covered in muck. And the clouds won't give up their magic signs.
BACK INSIDE THE TRUCKSTOP
A full house of truckers have crowded inside the diner. At first glance a very portrait of diner lunch. But the strange has taken hold.
Because the room is SILENT.
Eyes all, eyes on: the bathroom corridor.
A BIG MAN looks away from the bathroom door and around at the rest of the boys. He's had enough and gets out of his booth. Pulls his belt up under his sizable gut and marches down to the bathroom.
Even as he gets there THE LAWYER steps out and intercepts him.
THE LAWYER
Occupied, sir. But it won't be long.
Big Man grabs the Lawyer's throat. Turns him around, and puts the poor lawyer's head against the wall.
Before the Big Man can verbally respond he hears the telltale sound of a pistol cocking behind him.
Glances back without letting go of the Lawyer's throat..
REVEAL: Dick Scrim leaning against the door frame of the bathroom. Holding a .38 at his hip.
DICK SCRIM
Leave my solicitor alone.
Big Man lets go of the Lawyer.
CUT TO:
A COUNTRY HIGHWAY -- MOMENTS LATER
Kid Jack is standing on the other side of the two-lane. BAROOF! BAAROOF! The passing big trucks sound like God's watchdogs.
Then something else. From further up the highway.
Sirens.
CUT TO:
SWAMPS -- ABOUT THE SAME TIME
Danny Fisher looks down from his speed-induced cloud-scrying.
He hears it too. Up above, that's Kid Jack on the highway waving furiously.
Danny walks. To the sounds of the highway. To his just destiny.
IN THE DINER
The Eaters are sitting defensively about the place, but none have left.
As Dick Scrim's Lawyer walks down the hall, even as Dick Scrim's Lawyer comes around the corner into the diner and can see through the windows into the parking lot outside, a dozen TENNESSEE STATE POLICE CRUISERS yard it off the highway and onto the lot. Sirens. Lights.
The Lawyer turns, calmly walks back down the hall, and stops at a pay phone on the wall.
He slots a nickel. Thomas Jefferson somersaults.
Let's SLOWROLL the scene here:
+ Lawyer at payphone.
+ Back in the bathroom Dick Scrim and Davey Raisins are toileting drugs in a hurry. Baggies coming out of every pocket, notch, and crevice.
+ State Troopers marching in the front door. Old ladies waving at them. Hicks pointing out where the bathrooms are. Truckers discreetly making their ways to the exit themselves, what with all the crank they have hidden back in their rollaways.
+ OUT in the YARD. More State Troopers. Snooping around the Lincoln.
+ And LAST, but never LEAST: Danny Fisher crests the hill. On the opposite side of the two lane he, Red, and Fat Phil, join Kid Jack's watch as more and more cops make a pall mall of the truck stop across the road.
THE HIGHWAY
Danny crosses the highway without looking.
A 1964 Plymouth Valiant screeches to a stop to avoid the crazy fool who walked out in front of them. Three hippies think they see Danny Fisher, the King of Rock and Roll, walk by.
Inside the car looks all around. Why not the classic beat where they all look at the joint they are smoking as if it is the cause of this freak vision.
INSIDE THE DINER
Troopers have blocked off the hallway to the toilets. Civilians are herded outside.
The Lawyer is still at the pay phone.
LAWYER (on phone)
Bill? This is Lee Stringer. I'm traveling with Boulder Dash..
(beat)
The music act.
(beat)
We're off 25, we're supposed to be in Knoxville, but there's a problem..
LEAD TROOPER
Sir, I'm gonna need you to put the phone down.
At about this time, unseen by the lot of them, Danny Fisher, (Danny Fisher, with his black pompadour, his solid gold sunglasses, his nine gold rings, his beautiful black custom tailored outfit, and his Danny Fisher face), enters behind the wall of cops.
LEAD TROOPER
Sir.
LAWYER
One moment --
LEAD TROOPER
No, Sir. Not one moment. Not one more moment --
LAWYER
I'm on hold with the Attorney General of of Tennessee. If you don't mind --
LEAD TROOPER
I don't give a shit if you're on the phone with Dwight Eisenhower, put that phone down!
This Trooper loosens the latch on his sidearm holster.
Back behind the Lead Trooper a BADGE is flashed in the face of a ROOKIE STATE TROOPER..
DANNY FISHER
What do we got?
ROOKIE
Some hippies got a pistol in the bathroom. Probably on a trip.
The Rookie turns and sees the new badge is Danny Fisher.
The Lawyer sees Fisher and puts the phone down.
Troopers start seeing who's here. The Lead Trooper turns around. Looks at Danny still holding his badge.
DANNY FISHER
Sir, if you want, let me go in. I'll see what's what.
LEAD TROOPER
(incredulously)
I can't do that.
LAWYER
Wait just a minute.
LEAD TROOPER
(to Lawyer)
Stay out of it, Sir.
LAWYER
I think Mr. Fisher could solve this misunderstanding.
LEAD TROOPER
What now?
LAWYER
My name is Lee Stringer. Among many things, I represent the music act Boulder Dash who are currently on their US tour. In that bathroom is Dick Scrim who while on his way to Little Rock with the rest of the band, had a day off, and against my wishes, came to Memphis on his own to see Danny Fisher. I'm quite sure if Mr. Fisher would come with me --
LEAD TROOPER
-- To where?
LAWYER
-- the toilet, we could conclude this whole affair for everyone. Gentlemen, Dick Scrim isn't here to cause trouble. He is a humble young man with a great deal of respect for the South. It does take him a long time to use the facilities. This his doctors will verify. Mr. Scrim felt, despite his medical condition, this was a pilgrimage his shy bowels must need risk.
A moment of queer silence. Danny Fisher pulls a twenty dollar bill from his money clip. Hands it to the Rookie Trooper.
DANNY FISHER
Boys. Burgers on me.
With that Danny walks out from the crowd, and with the Lawyer walks back to the toilets.
INSIDE THE TOILETS
The Lawyer enters. Dick Scrim and Davey Raisins are staring at him.
And then Danny Fisher pokes in. Lawyer moves out of the way.
DICK SCRIM
Christ.
Dick Scrim gets off the toilet.
DANNY FISHER
Lemme have the keys.
Scrim doesn't question it. Pulls from his pocket the keys to the Lincoln and hands them over.
DANNY FISHER
How heavy is it?
DICK SCRIM
Freighted.
DANNY FISHER
Wash your face. And give me your piece.
IN THE DINER MOMENTS LATER
Here comes Danny Fisher out of the toilet. He has Dick Scrim with him, the Lawyer, and Davey Raisin.
The Troopers are sitting around the diner in much the same formation as the civilians had earlier.
But now they are up and coming. Scrim gets put against a wall and handcuffed.
As the officers feel up Scrim and Raisins for contraband, Danny walks over to Red and slips him the keys to the Lincoln.
DANNY FISHER
Take that black Lincoln across the way. Then take our car and see Stevie and have them bring a cooler truck up here.
As Red leaves, Danny turns back to the Lead Trooper.
Lead Trooper looks into the the eyes behind the sunglasses. Then at the spooky eyes of Mr. Scrim.
DANNY FISHER
Officer.. Tingle, is it? I'd consider it a personal favor if we all just forgot about this.
Danny holds his hand up, not to shake, to show:
DANNY FISHER
See here.
(shows a ring)
These ones we had made in Germany. Were you in the service?
LEAD TROOPER
I was.
DANNY FISHER
I figured.
(back on the ring)
What's your first name, Tingle?
LEAD TROOPER
Robert.
DANNY FISHER
Here.
Danny holds the ring out. The Lead Trooper, this Robert Tingle, takes the ring.
DANNY FISHER
I feel a little responsible on account this kid was here to find me. That he found me in such a way seems more than serendipitous, I feel maybe we should spare him the indignity of it getting in the papers with some arrest his lie-yers is gonna have chucked out anyway.
Officer Robert Tingle looks up and catches the eye of the officer searching Dick Scrim's person; he gets a disappointed nod that Scrim is clean.
OFFICER TINGLE
What's the initials mean?
DANNY FISHER
Takin care of business.
MEANWHILE OUTSIDE
Red walks out through the lot of cruisers to the Lincoln. Takes one look around and hops in.
Starts her up.
Takes the Lincoln across the highway. Down into the swamp. And as he coasts it down to the Cadillacs the wheels fall off.
IN THE DINER
Platters of burgers pushed out of the kitchen.
Beautiful hamburgers.
FADE TO:
THE NIGHT HIGHWAY -- HOURS LATER
A TOUR BUS rolls down an empty highway.
INSIDE
This is the tour bus for Boulder Dash. Full of groupies, roadies, and all the rest.
Of peculiar note is one MICHAEL JONES. While one girl holds him on her lap another paints his face pretty with makeup. The ropey little bugger must be the singer.
MINUTES LATER WHICH IS DUSK
The bus pulls into THE TRUCK STOP we've seen before.
Michael Jones peeks out and sees a dozen or so police cars, and a beer truck.
MICHAEL JONES
What's this? Stephen. What's this?
MORE MINUTES LATER
A caravan of scarf-wearers walk from the bus across the lot.
Michael Jones, at the lead, opens the door to the DINER, and reveals:
Danny Fisher, Dick Scrim, the men that came with each, and twenty Memphis State Police having a grand old time playing guitar, drinking Budweisers, and singing Swing Down Sweet Chariot.
The two dozen or so road savvy Boulder Dashers are, for the first time on this tour, in complete shock.
When the song ends men cheer and clap each other.
DICK SCRIM
Mikey! Come over!
Michael Jones crosses. A bit petulant, completely in the character of a puckish lead singer.
DICK SCRIM
Michael Jones. Danny Fisher.
Michael Jones holds his hand out limply like he's waiting for it to be kissed. Danny shakes it.
MICHAEL JONES
(to Dick Scrim)
Where's the car?
DANNY FISHER
Long gone.
MICHAEL JONES
There's things --
DANNY FISHER
There isn't.
Michael Jones is staring daggers, as they say, at his band mate Dick Scrim.
MICHAEL JONES
You fool.
Dick Scrim lights a cigarette.
DICK SCRIM
Come, Mike -- After this tour they'll never let us back. I couldn't ask for a better visit to Tennessee. Worth every ounce.
DANNY FISHER
Wanna sing the next one?
MICHAEL JONES
No.
DICK SCRIM
Were I a singer I wouldn't want that duet either.
(to Danny)
When I met this one, he had every blues record in the world -- wonders! Would chide me for still listening to you, Daniel, my son. But if I'm honest, I like your Hound Dog much better that Mama Thornton's.
Michael Jones looks around at the Coppers still in attendance, then leans in to Danny and Dick.
MICHAEL JONES
(whispering)
There were seven ounces of pure medical grade cocaine in that car.
BEAT.
DANNY FISHER
Mr. Jones, I do think I got something better.
Danny makes a cool hand motion to Red. Red nods to Kid Jack, and Kid Jack runs out into the parking lot.
A few moments pass. Danny grabs a big fat burger and takes a big fat bite out of it. And chews, chews, chews.
Then Kid Jack comes back. Along with Fat Phil he is carrying a painting.
They display it proudly before Danny, Michael, and Dick.
A painting of twin manger babies surrounded by Jesus's step-dad, his alleged mom, and some other Jews.
MICHAEL JONES
What is it?
DANNY FISHER
Something my mama bought at the fair. The house.. My house..
(beat)
Is outgrown it.
A faraway eyes moment here. Danny getting back to how he was in the swamps.
DICK SCRIM
There's a picture that I carry --
(beat)
One we made some time ago --
On the next line from this George Jones song, Captain Robert Tingle of the Tennessee State Police joins Dick Scrim's wheezing tenor with a deep basso profundo!
DICK SCRIM AND OFFICER TINGLE
If they ask who's in the picture with me --
(beat)
I say, Just a girl I used to know --
Danny takes the chorus: the drawl, the whine, the haunting Ink Spot like croon, stops anyone from daring to join in --
DANNY FISHER
Just a girrrl I yoost to go'round with --
(beat)
Just uh fraind from long agooo --
(beat)
I don't say how lost I am without her --
(beat)
Just a girl I yoost to know.
There's cops about to cry into their beer. Even Michael Jones is softening up. Dick Scrim is smoking his cigarette and nodding his head.
DICK SCRIM
Just a fling that's lost its glow.
Dick Scrim looks at the painting. Closely. The twin babies. The Mary.
The singing ends. The crowd: cops, hippies, cronies, all applaud. Joyous laughter.
DICK SCRIM
Your mum don't want it back?
DANNY FISHER
I ain't figured a way yet to get it to her.
Danny wakes up, motions to his boys. They move out.
DANNY FISHER
(to all)
Been a real pleasure.
(to Michael Jones)
The car ain't coming back.
Danny shakes Dick Scrim's hand.
DANNY FISHER
Get out of Tennessee.
DICK SCRIM
Sure.
And with that Danny walks away. And out into the night.
Kid Jack grabs the painting and hustles.
A moment of odd silence as two natural enemies realize their peace just walked out the door.
The Rookie Cop comes out from the bathroom.
ROOKIE
Where's Danny?
OFFICER TINGLE
He left the building.
OUTSIDE
Danny and the Boys walk back across the highway. Under a full moon the swamp is lit up with the wonder of a summer night.
Down the old path they go. Marching. Not talking.
Beside their two Cadillacs is the black Lincoln on two wheels.
Red has the suitcase open waiting for inspection. Danny Fisher checks: pills he keeps. Bags of powder he chucks out into the swamp.
He holds up a clear bag full of Benzedrine inhalers. He huffs on one.
The boys get in the cars. Back out. Hot rod it up onto the highway.
Off into the night, king and court.
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1 comments:
Dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, parrots - who do you prefer? Or dialect mayhap what that exotic animals - snakes, crocodiles, lizards, monkeys?
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