Script for "Roxanne's Game"

Index and Links to all the Beards Stuff

2008-03-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

To quickly scroll thru and examine the contents of my whole website click on:http://indexandlinkstobeardstuff.blogspot.com/

16 famous player interviews,
includes 14 on video.Complete pool movie script for "Roxanne's Game."22 Vintage pool articles from Sports Illustrated.28 miscellaneous vintage pool videos

Five Pool Blogs:
The Beard's Forum, War Stories, The Last Days of Bugs Rucker, Secrets of a Hard Core

Hall of Fame Dinner 2009 part 1 Flyboy

2008-03-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

HOF Dinner 2009 part 2

2008-03-16T10:50:00.000-07:00

Killer One Pocket by Cliff Joyner and Wade Crane

2008-03-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

Complete set, VOLS. 1,2, & 3 $59.95

Clik on link or any image to order

Vol. 1 $29.95
Cliff Joyner, the number 2 One Pocket player in the world, assisted by World’s 9 Ball Champ, Wade Crane, shares many of his secrets in this series of 3 DVDs. He teaches the fundamentals of the game of One Pocket, starting with how to rack, how to break, and how to respond to the break and take that advantage away from your opponent. Plenty of moves and strategies to improve your game. About an hour long.

Vol. 2 $29.95
Cliff gets into high level play, playing with the "ghost" with Wade Crane acting the role of the opponent, but with Cliff shooting both innings. You’ll learn from two different points of view, as Cliff compares his shot selection with Wade’s. There are many different concept to consider for topflight play, and Wade’s insights are also priceless additions for your game. About 40 minutes long.

Vol. 3 $29.95
This is shorter but the entire thing is filled with pure goodness, and is devoted entirely to game winning shots, many never seen before. Each one is a bone-crushing One Pocket escape shot that can turn a losing position into a winning one. Cliff shoots, with Crane commentating, and he shows how you too can execute game breakers. A jam-up video! Use these shots on your opponents before they can use them on you. Turn the tide of the game with one stroke of the cue.

GET ALL 3 CLIFF JOYNER DVDs FOR $59.95 AND SAVE $15!

Http://bankingwiththebeard.com/dvds.html#cliff1

Hall of Fame Dinner 2009 part 3

2008-03-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hall of Fame Dinner 2009 part 4 the closing

2008-03-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Roxanne's Game Script Query

2008-03-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Missing the next shot may cost you a year's earnings -- making it may cost you your life.
The pool hustling world has never seen anyone like Roxanne. She blossoms from a naive, oversexed Jewish-American-Princess-Valley-Brat to become slicker than a roomful of high-stakes gamblers. For 20 years, she craftily navigates her supremely talented pool player/ lover through dangerous murky waters filled with eat-'em-alive pool sharks and merciless parasites.

ROXANNE'S GAME dramatizes the true story of two decades of her survival in an exotic, often hilarious, sub-culture inhabited by a carnival of shrewd, rowdy, and deceitful players who feed, but often dupe, their high-rolling backers. All of them loving the only lifestyle they'd ever want. It's also the story of a maturing teenage girl who learns that affection and love sometimes grow in places where there is no sunlight.

As father and daughter writing partners, we drew upon Fred's action-filled years as one of the most colorful pool hustlers who ever played, and our mutual years of education and experience in dramatic writing.

Sincerely,
Catherine Adami & Fred Bentivegna

Billy Incardona's Instructional OnePocket DVD

2008-03-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Accu-Stats' own Bill Incardona shares with you his common sense approach to successful One-pocket. This shows the most logical way to approach the One-pocket table. Bill discusses, and then demonstrates, each thought process that he deems important. He proves why banking, kicking, and taking intentional scratches are vital. He guides you through seven key thought processes from thinking offensively to destroying your opponent's shot, to the do-or-die scramble. Bill has always been a master of communication whether he's in the commentary booth talking to viewers, or just one on one. So spend some time with Bill Incardona and raise your One-pocket game to new levels.

Pat Fleming

I have spent much time in the Accu-Stat’s broadcast booth with my old pal Bill, and while we may, and often do, disagree on what particular shot to shoot during our analysis, I never disagree on the thought processes he used to arrive at a shot decision. He has always been one of the great thinking players in our game. His DVD will give you a valuable insight into how he was able to successfully handle the high-pressure, big money situtions that he became famous for throughout his career. This DVD is vigorously recommended.
Freddy The Beard Bentivegna
60 minutes $26 plus shipping
http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/dvds.html#billydvd1

Roxanne's Game, the beginning

2008-03-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Original script by Fred Bentivegna and his daughter, Catherine Bentivegna Adami:

FADE IN:

Overhead view of a pool table -- a missed shot.

INT. POOL ROOM

SUPER: GRAND POOLROOM, ST. LOUIS MISSOURI

A bad situation is developing. Some tough-looking SWEATORS
are forming up near the pool table. They begin arguing.

SWEATOR #1
I gave Sonny six hundred on that
cue-stick. That cue is mine!

SWEATOR #2
Yeah, well I loaned Sonny four-fifty
on it. What about me?

SWEATOR #3
That stick is only worth about nine
hundred, and he got seven hundred
from me. If anybody winds up with
it, it's gonna be me!

SWEATOR #4
I don’t care about any of you
motherfuckers, I'm leaving here
with that cue -- Sonny’s ass -- or
somebody’s ass!

ST. LOUIE SONNY is at the table shooting. His eyes blink
rapidly as he listens to the commotion behind him.

CUSTOMER #1
What’s going on, Houseman?

HOUSEMAN
St. Louie Sonny hocked his cue to
four different killers and they’ve
all showed up at the same time.

Sonny is sweating. Keeps stroking and stroking. Then his
face lights up.

He shoots, misses the ball badly, curses profusely, and
smashes the stick to smithereens over the table.

The Sweators all look at each other, stunned, and then they
suddenly start laughing.

SWEATOR #1
That Sonny’s really crazy, ain’t
He?

SWEATOR #2
Ain’t no crazier than we are for
loaning that goofy sumbitch any
Money!

Everybody roars with laughter.

THE BACK OF THE POOL ROOM

A stream of long blonde hair flails back and forth on
ROXANNE; thirty-eight, expensively dressed, bejeweled and
beautiful, even when she is fighting mad.

And she is fighting mad right now.

ROXANNE
(screaming)
That’s just fucking great, Mick!
All your experience -- you still
get the "High Speed Wobbles!"
... Somebody gimme a cigarette!

A large group of spectators surround the pool table. One of
them lifts a pack of cigarettes out of his shirt pocket.

MICK -- bespectacled, sportily dressed, forties, with a
strong resemblance to Clark Kent -- wrings his hands and sips
coffee on a high wooden player’s chair. His legs are crossed
as he lifts and drops his pool cue softly onto the floor.

Roxanne paces back and forth.

ROXANNE
You got a cigarette? Anybody got a
cigarette?
(muttering loudly)
Why do I do this? Why? Why?

Roxanne speed walks up to Mick.

He looks defeated, slumping in the chair. He scratches his
head and looks down and away, staring at the floor.

Roxanne wags her fingers at Mick.

ROXANNE
You’ve lost it, Mick, you’ve
fucking lost it!

A man offers her a cigarette and lights it for her.

ROXANNE
I could have married a doctor...

With that, Mick smirks.

ROXANNE
(to the crowd)
He can’t play anymore. I don’t
know why we bother. He should just
go back home to Pasadena and get a
fuckin’ day job.

Roxanne tries to make eye contact with the various Sweators
in the crowd while she rants.

ROXANNE
Wasted my whole life on this one.
He plays like dog shit.

Mick chalks his cue, laboriously gets out of the chair and
walks over to the pool table to take his shot. Takes a look
at the crowd and leans over the table.

Roxanne shakes her head and tosses her hair. She rolls her
pretty blue eyes like only she can.

ROXANNE (V.O.)
... Wasted my life.

to be continued.....

Pools Greatest Money Player, CornBread Red

2008-03-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

CORNBREAD RED: POOL’S GREATEST MONEY PLAYER
By Bob Henning
This book takes the reader into the life of pool’s legendary money player. It’s action-packed, entertaining, and easy to read. An inside look at the Johnston City tournaments and the world famous big-money poolroom -- the Rack, in Detroit MI. It has received rave reviews from pool publications and other reviewers. $16.95

Excerpt from my book, The GosPool According To The Beard:

"Cornbread Red liked to bet so high it put a "tremble" in his opponents stroke. Red was one of my heroes. Whenever I ran into him, I followed and hung onto him the whole time. He had me totally fascinated. Red was the master at shooting off the game ball. When confronted with a big-cheese-money-ball, Red would derisively snort, "Haw, haw," in his inimitable style, then he would increase his normally long back-stroke about another foot, and slip-stroke the shot in, with dust flying out of the back of the pocket http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/books.html#cornbread1

Grady Mathews One Pocket DVDs series

2008-03-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Grady Mathews is a legendary gambler, professional pool player, and a four-time World One Pocket Champion. In 2004, he was the first player to be inducted into the One Pocket Hall of Fame. He has authored two books, promoted nineteen tournaments and produced eleven instructional videos. He has commentated on ESPN and The Billiard Channel, and has been a contributing writer to Billiards Digest and The National Billiard News. He is also the creator of the Legends of One Pocket tournament series.

The Finer Points Of One Pocket

This "classic" DVD, almost an hour long, is duplicated from the original 1991 master produced by Grady "The Professor" Mathews, one of the most articulate and comprehensive instructors in the game of pool and billiards. In this DVD Grady divulges years of accumulated information. The crucial opening break is discussed in great detail. Getting out of the break is then examined with approximately 15 different scenarios. The last section is devoted to end game situations, turning impossible leaves into game-winning strategies. In typical "Professor" style. Grady also examines the percentages relating to shots, gambling, handicapping and safety play. The Finer Points Of One Pocket may be the most comprehensive one pocket reference guide ever produced. $29.95 plus shipping.

Killer One Pocket

Presented by Grady "The Professor" MathewsA Strategic Instructional Video for One Pocket Pool PlayersThis DVD by, Grady "The Professor" Mathews, contains the 20 most important concepts of One Pocket strategy that all great players must master. Many things are covered in this video that you will not find anywhere else, such as when to play offense vs. defense, and the advantages of being unpredictable. You will learn how to run balls at the other end of the table, and become more adept with end game situations. Grady will teach you when to put your focus on the object ball, the cue ball or both. Killer One Pocket is a comprehensive strategy training guide, which is just what you need to master the highly strategic game of One Pocket.
$29.95 plus shipping

The Finishing TouchPresented by Grady "The Professor" Mathews

A One Pocket Player’s Guide to Strategies for "The End Game"The Finishing Touch is one of the most valuable DVDs you could ever possess for tightening up your One Pocket end game. This premium DVD is 45 minutes long and duplicated from the original 1997 beta master tape filmed at Accu-Stats studio. Grady, one of the most articulate and comprehensive instructors of pool and billiards, offers an outstanding dissertation on this particular facet of the game. Grady uses 52 scenarios to demonstrate natural options that will get you out of tough spots, while setting you up for the kill. Learn how to get your opponent’s ball out of his pocket, kick three or four rails for the hook, and more. The two powerful drills at the end are a sure way to boost your consistency and confidence. $29.95 plus shipping. To order, click on this link:

Http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/grady.html/

Bank Pool Instructional books

2008-03-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

The GosPool of Bank Pool $29.95
Http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/books.html clik to order

Scene ll

2008-03-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

INSERT

The poolroom clock shows six a.m. There is a sound of BALLS BREAKING.

EXT. UPPER MIDDLE-CLASS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOME - DAY

SUPER: “THE VALLEY, TWENTY YEARS EARLIER”

A sports car parked outside the house.

INT. KITCHEN - SAME

Birds chirping outside. Inside the house coffee is poured
into a cup.

EXT. SPORTS CAR (PARKED) - DAY

The car is rocking, long blonde swishes back and forth.

Roxanne, age seventeen, is atop and kissing HIPPIE BOY.

INSERT - THE DASHBOARD CLOCK

Turns to 6:00 a.m.

A half-smoked joint in the ashtray.

DISK JOCKEY (V.O. CAR RADIO)
G-OO-D Morning to ya, Valley Folk.
In Saigon it's nearly dinner
time...

Rock song of 1970 plays.

INT. SCHWARTZ HOUSE - SAME

HERMAN SCHWARTZ, late fifties, short, blank, expressionless
man in a cheap suit and briefcase, approaches the front door
to leave for work where...

MAURA SCHWARTZ, early fifties, in a fluffy pink robe, hair in
curlers, holds coffee and a cigarette.

Maura, hearing the loud music, looks outside and spots
Roxanne in the car.

MAURA SCHWARTZ
(Brooklyn accent)
Roxanne... is that you out there?
My God... is that you!

Herman Schwartz, like a computerized robot, kisses his wife
on the cheek, walks to driveway, gets in car, and pulls out
into the street.

Maura Schwartz, furious, starts to scream and runs across the
lawn to the Hippie Boy’s car.

Roxanne hears her mother and suddenly climbs on top of the
hippie boy, who is startled, turned on, and stoned.

Roxanne starts humping him and moaning, looking straight into
her mother’s face and then to the driveway toward her father,
who looks as if he were a horse with blinders.

Herman drives away.

MAURA SCHWARTZ
Herman! Help me!

Maura, in her slippers and still holding the coffee, walks to
the driver door of the car.

Roxanne is feigning ecstasy.

Maura stops for a moment and stares at the couple, then opens
the car door and throws the hot coffee into the boy’s face,
causing Roxanne to fall out onto the street.

Laura drags a screaming Roxanne by her long blonde hair,
across the lawn and toward the house.

ROXANNE
Ma, Ma! Leave me alone!

Sound of a car door slamming shut. The Hippie Boy burns
rubber and drives off.

Other suburban couples are out on their lawns.

MAURA SCHWARTZ
(to neighbor)
What’re you all looking at? You’ve
never had a teenager? Look at me,
I’m nearly sixty! You think I
planned this one?

The neighbors look away.

Maura pushes Roxanne into the house and slams the door.

INT. SCHWARTZ HOUSE

Roxanne runs upstairs into her messy room, full of Star
magazines, posters and flower-child stuff, and locks the
door.

MAURA (O.S.)
So, I guess you’re going to miss
school again, smart ass! Go right
ahead!

A current rock tune begins to play loudly. Roxanne pulls her
dress over her head and flops down on the messy bed in her
white bra and underwear.

She opens a Hollywood magazine, smiles and giggles to
herself, and slowly falls asleep.

continued soon....

ROAD PLAYER the Danny DiLiberto Story

2008-03-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

ROAD PLAYER: The Danny DiLiberto Story
By Jerry Forsyth
A lifetime of stories from the vibrant memory of Danny DiLiberto, one of Accu-Stats Video’s most popular commentators. DiLiberto was one of the fabled road players, beginning with the Johnston City Hustler’s Tournaments. He excelled in four sports: baseball, bowling, boxing, and pool. Boxing was his first love, but his own hands could not stand the power of his blows. He was forced to quit because he punched so hard that he kept breaking the bones in his hands. Pool gave him the greatest fame and that’s what this book is about. From Las Vegas to Hollywood to the smallest towns on the most distant highways, this is the life of the roadman. A gambler’s tale in his own words. $19.95 http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/books.html#dandbk1

Excerpt from my book, The GosPool According To The Beard:
"Most Talented Pool Player"
Probably Danny Diliberto from Buffalo, NY. Danny could run over 200 balls and was undefeated in 14 pro fights (12-0-2). Diliberto was an AA minor-league baseball player and a 200 average bowler who once bowled a perfect 300 game. Danny had a phenomenal throwing arm. He could throw a golf ball farther than anybody in the world. Danny could make a field goal on a football field with a golf ball by throwing it 100 yards through the goal-post uprights. He won the money doing that at Johnston City, IL. in the '60s. Later, he trapped the late Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle at a Fort Lauderdale bar during Yankee spring training. Danny bet Maris he could throw a golf ball farther than Roger could.
Diliberto won the bet from an amazed Maris by throwing the ball all the way across the waters of the Fort Lauderdale Causeway on Highway A1A. If I remember right, Roger didn't even take his turn and tried to renege and call off the bet. Danny, who had a punch that could down an elephant, stood his ground and finally got paid."
http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/books.html#dandbk1

Scene lll

2008-03-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

EXT./INT. SUBURBAN ETHNIC RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Maura and Roxanne in dresses and jewelry walk up the ramp.

INSIDE

Maura keeps fidgeting with Roxanne’s clothes, long hair and
jewelry.

MAURA
Oy! I wish you would keep your
hair up.

Maura tries to keep her daughter’s hair up with a barrette.

MANNY LOWE, sixtyish, also with a Brooklyn accent, greets
them at the door. He has a shoe salesman air about him.

MANNY LOWE
Hello, hello! You two gorgeous
ladies.

Maura looks delighted to see Manny. Manny hugs and kisses
both Maura and Roxanne. Roxanne gives Manny a big hug.

MANNY
It’s not every day my only niece
turns eighteen! Where’s Herman?

MAURA
Working.

ROXANNE
Big surprise. What else does that
man do?

Roxanne and Maura follow Manny, who leads them to a booth in
the busy restaurant.

MANNY
(sheepishly)
There’s someone here I’d like you
two to meet... Barry Stone’s kid,
Adam -- from the neighborhood in
Brooklyn... Kid’s got an internship
at Paramount this summer... Missed
the draft due to his jaw disease
and all...

ROXANNE
Jaw disease?

The three approach the booth. There is a young man sitting
there.

ADAM STONE, an extremely geeky boy around twenty-one, turns
and smiles, to reveal a mouth full of braces.

Maura, acting like she is in on it, pushes a stunned Roxanne
forward.

Adam stands to shake their hands.

Roxanne gives her mother a sinister look.

MAURA
... So you work at Paramount?
Roxanne just loves movies. Who is
that you like now, dear? Oh,
what’s her name? I think she’s
Jewish...

ROXANNE
Goldie Hawn?

MAURA
Oh, yeah, Goldie Hawn. So skinny,
that Goldie Hawn! Don’t you think
she’s too skinny, Adam? Why can’t
she be nice and healthy... like our
Roxanne here?

ROXANNE
(to Adam)
She means fat.

LATER

Dinner’s ending.

Adam has food stuck in his braces.

Roxanne looks horrified, then laughs.

Roxanne leans her head back and notices a DARK OLDER MAN. He
is standing and drinking a cocktail at the bar, winking at
her.

She takes her long hair out of her barrette and waves it
around. Seductively makes eye contact. Licks her lips.

Dark older man is kind of cool and laughs.

Adam the Geek watches, jaw dropped, and is entranced.

Maura notices what Roxanne is doing from the corner of her
eye and smacks the back of Roxanne’s head.

MAURA
-- and God has chosen to punish me
with this one.

Roxanne laughs.

Adam the Geek snaps out of the trance.

EXT. RESTAURANT - MOMENTS LATER

Roxanne, Maura, Manny, and Adam wait for the valet to bring
their cars.

MAURA
(to Manny)
Thank you for dinner and
introducing Roxanne to your nice
friend Adam. Adam, you must tell
your father Maura Schwartz says hi.

ROXANNE
Yeah, thanks for remembering, Uncle
Manny.

MANNY
Gimmee a hug!

Manny and Roxanne embrace. He pretends to do the Tango with
her.

MANNY
You know what would make me so
happy? If you would have lunch
with Adam at the studio tomorrow.
Come on, do it for your mother...

Manny leans over to Roxanne.

MANNY
(whispers in Roxanne’s ear)
My nagging sister, your mother,
she's so worried about you, thinks
a nice boy is the answer... you get
married... buy a house...

ROXANNE
Look at him.

Both Roxanne and Uncle Manny take a look at Adam.

Manny nods.

MANNY
Okay, he’s no Dean Martin, but he’s
got money and a future.

Uncle Manny’s eyes light up to close the sale.

ROXANNE
I don’t want to live off of his
money.

I want to make my own money. And I
will one day, doing something
myself!

MANNY
(a little pissed)
I can’t say your grades are good
enough to get you there.

Roxanne looks upset.

Uncle Manny pulls out a mezuzah (Jewish religious necklace)
and puts it around Roxanne’s neck, then reaches into his coat
pocket and hands her a twenty dollar bill.

ROXANNE
Oh, thank you, Uncle!

MANNY
(seriously)
Forget school. Strength and beauty
will take you far. That’s your
talent. Use it. Happy Birthday.

Manny then goes in for the kill.

MANNY
Will you go to lunch with Adam
tomorrow? You can take the day off
from school...

ROXANNE
Okay, sure.

to be continued...

Scene lV

2008-03-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

EXT. MOVIE STUDIO - DAY

Roxanne drives through the studio gates on a bright sunny
day. She meets Adam in the parking lot.

Adam is dressed in white shorts with knee socks. Roxanne has
on a sexy hippie dress and sunglasses.

ADAM
(debonair)
... So, if you're lucky I could
introduce you to somebody famous.

Adam smiles his geeky smile.

ADAM
I figure if I work my way up here,
I’ll be running the studio someday.
I just love movies! Do you love movies?
I love all kinds: action, adventure, comedy,
romance...

Adam winks at her and gets shy.

ADAM
God, Roxanne... you are so-o-o
beautiful.

Adam leans in closer to Roxanne, his mouth open, literally
drooling a bit.

Roxanne backs away.

PRODUCER, early thirties, muscular, tanned, in a golf cart,
stops to yell at Adam.

PRODUCER
Hey kid! We need that mud on the
set for the pig sty scene. Now!

Roxanne giggles, eyes Producer...

ADAM
Yes, sir!

Adam turns to Roxanne smiling.

ADAM
A Western.

Producer, while driving the golf cart, turns around and
smiles at Roxanne, who smiles back.

ADAM
Could you wait here for me? I’ll
be back in a jiffy and we’ll go to
the commissary to eat. Lots of
stars there. I think they have
meatloaf today...

Adam pauses.

ADAM
Yeah, it's meatloaf Thursday.

ROXANNE
Sure, just leave me some money for
a soda.

ADAM
Well, I don’t have any change.

Adam takes out his wallet and Roxanne, spotting a twenty
dollar bill, takes it from his hand.

ROXANNE
Don’t worry. I’ll bring you back
the change.

Roxanne smiles at Adam, who is running away, changing his
frown into a big, closed-eye smile.

ADAM
I’ll be back ASAP. Don’t leave!

Adam, still smiling at Roxanne, accidentally runs into
someone, falls and gets up. Roxanne starts to walk backward
while Adam runs around the corner and disappears.

Roxanne smiles till he leaves, then shakes her head and
starts to walk around the studio, checking everybody out.

She lights a cigarette awkwardly -- a novice smoker.

Notices a woman in sunglasses and long blonde hair -- a lookalike
for Goldie Hawn -- and begins to follow her.

She continues to follow her onto the street outside the
studio.

INT. STUDIO SET - DAY

Adam is supervising the moving of loads of mud into the sty
with a bunch of pigs around.

He is trying to finish as quickly as possible.

BACK TO STREET

Roxanne follows Goldie Hawn look-alike to the doorway.

Goldie Hawn look-alike walks through the door.

Roxanne takes a deep breath and follows her in.

INT. STUDIO BAR

A jukebox plays loudly.

The place is very dark, with various colored lights. Has a
Rat Pack feel to it. Old movie star types intermingle with
young, good-looking movie star types. There is an old-fashioned
bartender. Sounds of glasses clinking... the sound
of pool balls clicking on a table in the back.

We hear the shouting of FREDDY -- twenty-eight years old,
bearded, glasses, long-haired, tall, thin, and dressed in
Hippie threads -- a very loud Italian-American with an
ethnic, South Side of Chicago accent.

He keeps moaning and groaning, as he appears to be losing at
Eight-Ball, and biting his fist.

Freddy is playing OLDER ACTOR, late forties, tan, nice hair,
wearing a white leisure suit.

Roxanne becomes focused on Freddy’s table as the Goldie Hawn
look-alike sits down to watch as well.

Freddy kind of bows to the Goldie Hawn look-alike,
acknowledging her, but not going “ga ga,” and she nods back
to him, shaking her hand at Freddy in a “just stop it”
fashion.

Freddy notices Roxanne who almost gets knocked over by
people walking in the aisle.

The game ends. Roxanne, sitting at the bar, sees everyone
being paid a few dollars or so.

FREDDY
(to Older Actor)
You robbed me again!

OLD ACTOR
Don’t sweat it, kid.

FREDDY
That’s three in a row. You beach
boys sure can stroke a cue. Nice
and steady ... not me ... too
nervous! My mother made me a
neurotic mess, I tell you!

OLD ACTOR
Okay, Freddy, how about a few more
games? I'm sure there’s some hope
for you.

FREDDY
(answering quickly)
Really?

With that Freddy starts to rack the balls again.

OLD ACTOR
Sure! Beast, get it going for a
coupla more games...

ANSEL, or the “FILTHY BEAST,” a tall “Outside Man” (someone
who handles the action other than the player) in his late
thirties, in an out-of-style three-piece suit.

He walks around the room collecting bets on a little scratch
pad. Roxanne can see that everyone is betting on Old Actor.

The Beast passes Roxanne, but she grabs him by the arm as he
tries to go to the next person...

ROXANNE
Hey.

ANSEL
Hey yourself, Angel. You in?

ROXANNE
Yeah, give me Freddy for twenty.

ANSEL
Listen, child, I wouldn’t go in on
this game. I wouldn’t want to see
you lose all that money...
especially if you're a struggling
actress or something.

Ansel looks around guiltily. He doesn’t seem to want her to
make the bet.

ROXANNE
I said, Freddy for twenty.

A big, beefy BARTENDER with a straw in his mouth and arms
crossed, intervenes, intimidating Ansel.

BARTENDER
You heard the lady, she wants
Freddy for twenty.

ROXANNE
Yeah, Freddy for twenty.

Ansel gives the bartender a dirty look, moves onto the next
Sweator and the game begins.

EXT. STUDIO LOT - SAME
Adam returns to the corner where he left Roxanne.

ADAM
All done!
Adam stands alone, disappointed.

ADAM
Shit!

Passerby, walking past the dirty Adam, turns his nose up at
him.

continued soon...

Scene V

2008-03-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

INT. STUDIO HANGOUT BAR - SAME

MONTAGE OF POOL ACTION

-- Freddy starts winning, but the crowd still bets on OldActor.

-- Roxanne stares devotedly at the cash floating around the room, and the charismatic Freddy.

INT. STUDIO HANGOUT BAR - NIGHT

INSERT - THE BAR’S CLOCK TURNS TO EIGHT P.M.

BACK TO SCENE

Ansel gives Freddy a look, makes a closed fist and places it in the middle of his chest.

Freddy, surreptitiously responds with an open palm, fingers extended, and places his hand palm down in the middle of his chest.

Freddy then scratches on the eight ball, losing the game. Ansel secretly nods his head in approval.

Freddy unscrews his cue-stick, packs his cue case, and starts to walk out with Ansel. There is a look of elation from the Old Actor.

Roxanne has a look of shock on her face, leaves two dollars on the bar, follows Freddy and Ansel out, and tries to catch up.

Roxanne intercepts Freddy outside.

ROXANNE
Why’d you lose the last game?
I think you lost on purpose!
I bet everything I was winning on you!
Everybody was betting on you!

FREDDY
-- Everybody but the Beast! Sorry
darlin’, but I wasn’t gonna let you
get away with the lion’s share of
my hustle. You had to go down,
just like everybody else.

Freddy takes out a cigarette and offers Roxanne one.

She refuses. He lights the cigarette.

FREDDY
... Plus, I have to be able to play
in there again... Leave my opponent
with a good taste in his mouth...Got
a few more nights left here,you dig?

ROXANNE
(starting to cry)
But that was my birthday money!

Freddy starts to walk away to catch up with Ansel. He turns and says...

FREDDY
You stuck your nose where it didn’t
belong. You were out of your league
in there, kid.

Freddy walks away, with his pool cue over his back.

ROXANNE
(wailing)
My birthday money!

Freddy stops in his tracks.

FREDDY
Beast! Wait in Jesse’s car for me.

An uncomfortable Freddy attempts to mollify Roxanne.

FREDDY
Please, please -- stop crying. I can’t
stand it! Here’s a twenty to shut you up.
“Hippie” Jesse’s gonna beat me for this.
That’s his coupe were using, and I still owe
him from Vegas.

Roxanne is calming down and even smiling a little.

Freddy keeps looking over at Ansel honking the horn.

Roxanne and Freddy start walking to the coupe.

FREDDY
Listen. You hungry? I sure do get hungry playing pool.
If I were home, I could get my mother to fix me something to eat.

Freddy pats his skinny stomach.

FREDDY
You don’t cook, do you? We don’t have a stove
at the motel...

ROXANNE
No.

FREDDY
Then you don’t ever have to worry about me
falling for you. I need me a woman who can
cook. Can’t bring any other kind home to my
family.

ROXANNE
Jewish?

Freddy pulls out a crucifix under his “Indian Style” Hippie threads and shows it to her.

FREDDY
Not hardly.

ROXANNE
Then you have to worry about me falling for you.
I’m not looking to make my parents happy -- There’s
a stove at my house.

Roxanne and Freddy, standing beside the car, both laugh.

FREDDY
(charmingly)
I’m Freddy, but you can call me “The Beard.”

ROXANNE
No, I like Freddy better.

Freddy and Roxanne both smile. Freddy opens the door.

FREDDY
That there’s Ansel, but we all call him
The Filthy Beast, but I’m sure you don’t
like him too much right now... and your
name is...

ROXANNE
Roxanne.

Roxanne climbs in the back of the coupe.

INT. CAR (MOVING) - NIGHT

Ansel points out the window at a group of factory workers leaving a plant.

ANSEL
Take a look at those working stiffs out there
in the “real world,” will ya. That’s where you’re
gonna windup, Beard, if you don’t start shootin
better.

Roxanne notices that the mere thought of a normal job has sent a cold chill through Freddy.

INT. SCHWARTZ HOUSE - KITCHEN

Freddy closes the kitchen cupboard.

He is wearing a “Kosher Only” apron with a joint in his mouth.

Freddy picks up a bag of dust-covered egg noodles.

He blows the dust off the bag and it covers his glasses with dust so he can’t see.

The two of them laugh.

Roxanne sits on a stool laughing, waiting for him to pass her the joint.

Roxanne lights candles and incense while Freddy cooks.

FREDDY
Your mother’s not much of a cook, either, I take it.

ROXANNE
Not if she can help it.

FREDDY
You sure your mother can’t hear us?

ROXANNE
I told you already. My mother takes a pill at nine
and doesn’t wake up till six. She’s been doing
it as far back as I can remember, and my dad
is out of town for work...(quietly) He’s always working.

FREDDY
You got money?

Roxanne stops lighting the candle for a moment. No one has ever asked her this before.

ROXANNE
Money?

FREDDY
It’s a simple question. You just look like you got
a nice thing going on here.

Freddy stirs the noodles in the boiling water.

ROXANNE
(pauses)
Looks can be deceiving. What little they do have
is locked up so tight, I’ll never see any of it
...how ‘bout you?

Freddy dumps the noodles into a colander.

FREDDY
I'm flattered that you ask. I can tell that you
haven’t seen too much outside these walls
have you? How do I know that? Living on the
road has given me a very sharp perspective.

Roxanne focuses in, and gets closer to the bowl of noodles to hear what he is saying.

FREDDY
Whereas you've this nice house --with a pool
-- which you might think is just so-so... My
parents live in a one-bedroom apartment above
my Uncle’s bar on the South Side of Chicago...

ROXANNE
Oh.

Freddy feeds her some noodles, and she smiles like a little child.

FREDDY
Well, lucky for you I'm a Sicilian man and
know how to cook for myself. Egg noodles,
butter and garlic! Mangia! Mangia!

Roxanne and Freddy dive into the bowl.

ROXANNE
So, why do you do it?

FREDDY
Do what?

ROXANNE
Play pool and travel around the country.

FREDDY
Easy to answer, child... See the world, meet
different types of people... A lunch pail and
a thermos ain’t my kinda thing. In my vocation,
us socially unfortunates can thrive. What about
your life?

ROXANNE
Quit school and make money like you.

FREDDY
Like me? You’re crazy! Your mother must
not beat you enough.

Scene Vl

2008-03-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

MINUTES LATER

They leave the kitchen. Suddenly, Roxanne lunges in for a
kiss, expecting that’s what men want. Looking at those pretty
eyes, he strokes her cheek, bends toward her lips -- then
straightens abruptly.

FREDDY
You’re too young for me, honey.

Freddy pauses, and looks up. He points his pool stick up the
stairs, to her mother’s bedroom.

FREDDY
... And I got that thing about
mothers.

EXT./INT. SCHWARTZ GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER

The two walk in and start playing on a cheap pool table with
the garage door open, looking out onto the street.

EXT. SCHWARTZ HOUSE - STREET - SAME

Ansel’s coupe pulls up and Jesse, late thirties, looking
exactly like the Dark Older Man that Roxanne had flirted with
in the restaurant, slams the door and starts to yell, until
he walks up to the garage and sees Roxanne.

HIPPIE JESSE
Where the fuck you been, Beard? I
had to have The Beast take me here
to get you. We're leaving here!
There’s action in ‘Frisco... Big
game with a “Great Man,” if we
leave now we can get in on it
tomorrow.

FREDDY
‘Frisco, already? But I didn’t get
to go to Disneyland yet.

HIPPIE JESSE
Get in the car, kid.

Freddy gets the nod from Jesse and grabs his coat and cue.

HIPPIE JESSE
(to Roxanne lasciviously)
How you doing, Cher’?

ROXANNE
Pretty good.

Jesse pulls out a pack of cigarettes from his dark suit and
Roxanne spots a gun. Her eyes open wide.

Freddy returns with his coat and pool cue.

Jesse and Roxanne stand there sizing each other up. Freddy
sees what is going on and tries to hurry Jesse toward the
car.

FREDDY
Come on Jesse, I’m ready.

Jesse does not answer, just keeps staring at Roxanne in the
doorway.

HIPPIE JESSE
You ever been to ‘Frisco...

ROXANNE
-- Roxanne.

When Jesse pronounces her name he lets it roll slowly off his
tongue.

HIPPIE JESSE
You ever been to ‘Frisco --
Roxanne?

ROXANNE
No, I haven’t.

HIPPIE JESSE
That’s a real shame. Real shame,
Cher’.

ROXANNE
Yeah, real shame.

Freddy gives Jesse another look. Ansel honks the horn.

HIPPIE JESSE
Alright, I’ll see you later
... Roxanne.

Jesse saunters across the lawn toward the car, while Freddy
hurries ahead of him, throws his stuff in the trunk and gets
in. Roxanne just stares at Jesse from the front door stoop.
Jesse slowly opens the car door, puts out a cigarette, smiles
at Roxanne and eases his way in. Suddenly...

ROXANNE
Wait! Wait! I wanna go with you!
Can I go with you?

INT. CAR (PARKED) - SAME

Freddy frowns and bangs his head against the back seat.

FREDDY
(to Ansel)
We got Little Bo Peep on deck here.

Jesse, looking back to Ansel and Freddy in victory, hee-haws.

HIPPIE JESSE
Well, looky here... Alright Cher’,
you got about two minutes.

Jesse looks at his gold watch, very seriously.

FREDDY
(to himself)
No, No, No!

INT. SCHWARTZ HOUSE - SAME

Roxanne runs frantically up the stairs,ripping through the
clothes in her messy room. A driving rock song plays on the
radio.

MAURA’S BEDROOM

Maura rustles in her bed with an eye shade on.

ROXANNE’S BEDROOM

Roxanne grabs her backpack and throws a couple of things
inside: clothing, brush, makeup, a Star magazine, and a
birthday card from her father.

INT. CAR (PARKED) - SAME

ANSEL
You tell her to bring a rope?

HIPPIE JESSE
(yelling out the window)
Bring a long rope, Cher’!

Roxanne walks to window and yells out.

ROXANNE
A rope? Why a rope?

Lights from a few windows on the block of suburban houses
start to flicker on.

FREDDY
Oh, jeez.

HIPPIE JESSE
Don’t ask Cher’, just do... You got
about thirty seconds left!

Roxanne runs down the stairs, knocking stuff over, grabs a
rope from the closet, and starts to head out the door when...

MAURA SCHWARTZ (O.S.)
Roxanne, Roxanne? Is that you,
honey? Are you okay?

HIPPIE JESSE (V.O.)
... nineteen, eighteen...

Roxanne thinks for a second, grabs chalk from the kitchen
chalkboard and writes:
“Mom. Will call. Love R.”

Roxanne runs across the lawn, almost tripping in her bell
bottoms...

HIPPIE JESSE
... three, two...

Roxanne just makes it to the coupe. Jesse pulls his seat
forward and pushes Roxanne’s butt in, shoving her face
forward, into the back seat with Freddy.

HIPPIE JESSE
... one.

Jesse slams the door and Ansel screeches off.

INT. CAR (MOVING) - SAME

Roxanne laughs hysterically, breathing heavily from running,
her face in Freddy’s lap.

FREDDY
(whispers)
I’m getting you on a bus back to
the Valley first thing tomorrow
morning. This ain’t right.

Roxanne sits up and puts her fingers over his mouth to shut
him up, shakes her head no, and smiles.

HIPPIE JESSE
One more thing, Cher’, I don’t like
smart broads. Every night before
we go to bed I'm going to put a
Florida orange and the five-ball on
top of the dresser. If you ever
get to where you can tell the
difference, I'm going to boot you
in the ass and ship you back home
to mommy. Okay, now let’s go take
care of this Great Man.

ROXANNE
(to Freddy)
What’s a Great Man?

FREDDY
A Great Man has nothing to do with
accomplishment. A Great Man is how
we affectionately refer to somebody
who is a tremendous absorber of
punishment... someone who can take
brutal pool beatings and keep
paying off like a slot machine...
an exceptional sucker in other
words.

ROXANNE
(wide-eyed)
Wow!

...to be continued

Scene Vll

2008-03-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

EXT. POOL CLUB IN SAN FRAN TENDERLOIN AREA - DAY

Ansel’s car pulls up in front of club.

FREDDY
I’m starving.

HIPPIE JESSE
You ain’t eating nothin’ ‘til you
beat somebody.

FREDDY
That’s the problem with you
hillbillies... not the most
epicurean of sorts.

HIPPIE JESSE
Epicure your ass right into that
pool room, you owing-me-big-time from-
Vegas, Eye-talian.

FREDDY
See the love?

HIPPIE JESSE
(to Roxanne)
Go get us some coffee.

Jesse hands her two dollars and walks away.

ROXANNE
Why do they call him Hippie Jesse?
He’s a red-neck!

FREDDY
He beat up three Hippies with a
pool cue once.

INT. BAR ROOM POOL TABLE - FLASHBACK

A DOPEY HIPPIE puts his hands up in surrender and giggles to
Jesse that he doesn’t have money to pay for the game he just
lost.

DOPEY HIPPIE
I’m gonna have to owe you for that
game. Better’n cheating ya’.

Jesse’s fille, (pronounced philly, like the city) or the
player he is staking, is a young black man who just stands
calmly next to Jesse with his pool cue over his shoulder,
ready to leave.

Two additional DROOPY EYED, STONED HIPPIES come to their
friends aid and admonish Jesse.

DOPEY HIPPIE
What’s the big deal about money,
man? It’s only good for two things
anyway, buying drugs and beer!
Blow, man, because your kind don’t
belong here anyway!

With that, Jesse turns violent and bashes the first Hippie
with a house cue-stick, then finishes off the other two the
same way, drops the broken cue on the floor, pulls his gun
and backs out, remarking:

HIPPIE JESSE
Money is always a big deal with me,
you fucking freaks!

The three Hippies are shown unconscious, clumped in a pile.

BACK TO PRESENT DAY

MONTAGE OF THE ACTION

-- Lots of games played by the tired and hungry Freddy.
-- Roxanne is tired but enjoying the action.
-- Men eye her hungrily.
-- Jesse gives them a warning nod and a flash of his gun,
indicating to leave her alone.

BACK TO SCENE

ANSEL
(to Roxanne)
That there is One-Pocket, the
world’s hardest pool game.

ROXANNE
How do you play that?

ANSEL
Each player gets an opposite corner
pocket. The first guy to make
eight balls in his own pocket wins.
You don’t have to call your shot,
any way they go in is okay.

ROXANNE
How is it different from Nine-Ball?

ANSEL
Well, it’s like this. If you were
gonna be in a foxhole in war time,
you’d want to be with a Nine-Ball
player. But if you were a
guerilla, operating behind the
lines, you’d want to be with a One-
Pocket player.

MONTAGE OF THE POOL ACTION

-- Freddy - Plays and wins.
-- Roxanne - Watching, has high energy, seeing they've won a
lot of money.
-- Jesse - Stops his card game and goes into a corner to
count Freddy’s winnings.
-- Freddy - Exhausted and starving, crams two hot dogs
that Ansel gives him into his mouth.
-- Enter BUGS - A black man with a voice like Barry White.

BACK TO SCENE

BUGS
(to Freddy)
You is just a slave to that man.

FREDDY
(choking on dogs)
I know it! I know it!

ROXANNE
(after Bugs moves on)
Who’s he?

FREDDY
That’s Bugs, one of the all-timegreats...
from Chicago... one of
the guys who turned me out when I
was a kid.

Jesse approaches Roxanne, flashing her his fat bankroll.

HIPPIE JESSE
How you feeling, Cher’?

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

A seductive song plays. Roxanne and Jesse make love -- it
only lasts a few moments...
Jesse then rolls over and soon starts snoring.

Roxanne sits up, a frustrated questioning look adorns her
face.

Ansel is sacked out on the couch

Freddy sleeps in the bathroom. Towels are his pillow and
blanket, a copy of Machiavelli’s “THE PRINCE” is at his side

INT. NEW POOL ROOM - NIGHT

ROXANNE
(to Freddy)
I’ve only got about two dollars
left, and I'm getting tired of this
waitress shit. When am I going to
get a chance to make my own money?
Jesse’s rolling in it. Can’t you
help me?

FREDDY
Jesse is cheap. He’s a cheap,
stubborn hillbilly and that’s
probably why he’s rolling in it.
Don’t forget, I warned you about
him, didn’t I? Ain’t no lover boy
either -- I guess you found that
out, too...

ROXANNE
-- Yeah.

FREDDY
... Only redeeming quality is he
can find high rollers, and spot
thoroughbred players like no other.
Eventually he leads you somewhere
good... but he could care less
about feeding ya.

Freddy lifts up his shirt to point to a skinny belly.

FREDDY
Look at the bones jutting out!

ROXANNE
Your bones? Look at mine!

Roxanne grabs Freddy’s hands and places them around her waist
-- his hands tremble slightly at her touch. They linger
maybe longer than they should.

ROXANNE
My mother wouldn’t recognize me if
she saw me now!

Freddy, suddenly, and awkwardly, pulls his hands away.

Girlfriends and wives of other pool players who look more put
together and confident, make fun of Roxanne while she
stumbles around the room trying to be functional.

She brings drinks to Jesse’s various charges, who are playing
at different tables.

Jesse puts his arm around Roxanne when he notices the women
knocking her in a lame attempt at reassurance. She pulls
away, pissed.

Roxanne goes to Freddy who is standing next to a wall phone.
Freddy surveys the room and begins pontificating to Roxanne.

FREDDY
Here we are: A jail-bait, flower
child, Jewish princess, an Italian
philosopher from the great South
Side of Chicago, an illiterate
backer from Louisiana, and a
scruffy New York gypsy bookmaker.
-- Hustling pool -- you got all
colors, races, ages, genders. You
get it? Hustling don’t
discriminate.

Freddy grabs a passerby with a pool cue and money in his
hand. Stops him, takes the money, counts it, sees it is a
pittance, frowns, and then gives it back.

FREDDY
No special requirements to be a
hustler. Only thing anybody cares
about in a pool room, is how much
money a guy’s got in his pocket,
and how fast you can beat him out
of it...
...to be continued.

Scene Vlll

2008-03-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

ROXANNE
(picking up the phone)
I gotta call home, let my mom know
I’m okay.

INSERT - ROXANNE ON THE PHONE

INTERCUT CONVERSATION - ROXANNE AND HER MOTHER (MUTE)

Both mother and daughter are yelling hysterically.

FREDDY
(still lecturing Roxanne, who
is trying to listen to her
mother and Freddy at the same
time)
-- Take a stockbroker. Makes big
money, right? But what did he
really have to do to make money? --
Dick! -- a few stinking phone
Calls.

Roxanne nods her head at Freddy while getting blasted by her
mom at full volume.

FREDDY
Know what I have to do to make
money? Go for days without sleep
sometimes, with good old boys with
guns standing around... knowing if
I don’t make the shot I do my
sleeping on a bus station bench.

ROXANNE
(talking into phone)
I’m not leaving till these guys pay
me what they owe me!

FREDDY
(paying no attention to
Roxanne’s argument)
Yeah babe, this road is a hard
road. It’s hard but it’s fair.
It’s all about winning. Keep the
same head playing for two dollars
or two thousand. The importance of
just winning is the same. That’s hustlin’.

Freddy points his finger at Roxanne to imbed the lesson.

FREDDY
(continues to wax
philosophically)
... And don’t ever think we all
wouldn’t rob you blind if we got
half a chance.

Roxanne hangs up the phone violently.

EXT. A NEW SOUTHERN POOL ROOM - NIGHT

Jesse, Roxanne, and Freddy enter pool room.

HIPPIE JESSE
Now this smells like money!

MINUTES LATER

Freddy flips for the first break with his new-found opponent.

SUPER: TWO DAYS LATER

Freddy’s opponent, looking disheveled, is paying him off,
throwing big money on the table.

Roxanne is mesmerized by a shaving kit that is being filled
with money.

EXT. MOTEL - DAY

Dirty and exhausted, Ansel, Freddy, Jesse, and Roxanne head
into the motel.

They walk past the swimming pool where the wives of other
hustlers she had seen in the pool room are sunbathing.
The ladies are painting their toe nails, drinking iced tea
and smoking cigarettes.

Sequential images of them as they snicker and stare at the
tired, unkempt Roxanne.

INT. MOTEL ROOM

The four pool musketeers enter the motel room. Roxanne
immediately lies on the bed, exhausted.

ROXANNE
I’m starving. Let’s go get
Breakfast.

HIPPIE JESSE
Girl, you better get off that bed
and head down to the store --
you're making us breakfast.

Jesse starts to undress and move toward the shower. He
throws a ten dollar bill on the bed and closes the door.

ROXANNE
He’s kidding, right?

ANSEL
No, he ain’t You’d better just do
what he says... or else. Jesse
hasn’t slept in two days... you’re
just lucky Freddy won.

ROXANNE
-- And who stayed up with him?

ANSEL
Go, before he gets out of the
Shower.

Weak, in disarray, and pissed off, Roxanne leaves the hotel
Room.

LATER - IN THE KITCHENETTE

Roxanne does not know how to cook and fumbles in the
kitchenette. She is crying.

Freddy enters and sees what’s going on. While Jesse is on
the bed, Freddy starts making the eggs for her.

Roxanne stops crying. Freddy strokes her hair.

Jesse shakes out of bed and sees that Freddy is helping her.

He goes into the kitchen and slaps her disdainfully, in the
Face.

Freddy glares at Jesse, but does nothing and stays out of it.

ROXANNE
(crying)
Where’s my cut of the money?

HIPPIE JESSE
Oh, your cut of the money?
Jesse, snickering, throws a dollar on the bed.
Roxanne stares at the dollar, wide-eyed and disbelieving,
then she erupts. She lunges at Jesse, and tries to take his
eyes out. He fends her off easily, then he pulls his gun on
her and motions her away -- laughing the whole time.

Freddy and Ansel look on, ashamed to be witnessing this.

EXT. MOTEL ROOM DOORWAY - DAY

Jesse, dressed to the nines, with a suitcase, peeks in.

HIPPIE JESSE
(to Ansel)
... Leaving for a couple of days.
Got to pay some people.

Jesse lights a cigarette.

HIPPIE JESSE
... Few ex-wives. Tell Freddy
we’re even. The broad is yours.
Lose her though, by the next time I
see you.

ANSEL
I hear ya.

HIPPIE JESSE
Oh yeah, you’ll have to take them
in your own car. I got somebody
hauling the Beastmobile down here
for you tomorrow.

Jesse laughs hysterically and exits.

INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Freddy and Roxanne are eating snack foods on the bed.

ROXANNE
Thank God he’s gone!

FREDDY
It’s time you left, too, honey.

ROXANNE
No!

FREDDY
I can’t take care of you. You need
someone to do that for you.

ROXANNE
I’m going to find a way to make my
own money... and I'm not going to
depend on someone like Jesse to do
It.

FREDDY
Are you really committed to being a
Hustler?

Freddy pauses and looks her over. He’s considering the
awesome responsibility of being the one to send her on a
lifetime path.

FREDDY
Maybe I should induct you into our
"Society" and show you some
of the hustler’s secret signs and
Codes.

Roxanne’s face lights up and she becomes immediately
Attentive.

FREDDY
Okay. Lesson One, you got to learn
about "Tom" and "George" "Tom" is
a spoken code, and it always means
something is bad, and "George"
always means something is good.
When you use either of those words
in a sentence it tips off your
fellow hustler if a situation is
either good or bad.

ROXANNE
Okay.

FREDDY
Clear? Tom, bad, George, good.

to be continued...

Scene Vllll

2008-03-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

VALET
You said if I’d drive you to the
spot, I could bet on you, right?

FREDDY
(to Roxanne)
-- Let’s get out of here. Now that
Jesse’s gone maybe I can make both
of us some money. You just keep
the men preoccupied like you do.

ROXANNE
What... Who me?

FREDDY
Yeah, yeah, princess, get your
hustle on. No more kid stuff.
Pool baby, pool. That’ the name
of the game.

They walk downstairs, and then climb into the motel van and
drive off.

INT./EXT. CAR (MOVING) - DAY

The valet drives them into town.

ROXANNE
Hey, where’s The Beast?

FREDDY
Oh, probably blacked out somewhere
on liquor. He doesn’t use money
for anything good. He stays broke
square gambling: horses, dogs,
whatever.

INT. SMALL BAR - NIGHT

Freddy and Roxanne enter.

FREDDY
(to Roxanne)
Don’t talk to me unless I speak to
you first, and never talk to
anybody about anything personal.
Capisce. Learn how to keep people
cool with just a look.

FREDDY
So we don’t have to talk, we’re
gonna use hustler hand signals to
tip each other off.
A closed fist in the middle of your
chest means "Tom" or something’s
wrong.

Freddy demonstrates.

FREDDY
(again demonstrating)
An open hand, fingers extended,
palm down in the middle of your
chest means "George" or that
everything is okay.

Roxanne nods understandingly.

FREDDY
There’s more that I could show you,
but this should be enough to keep
us out of trouble.

ROXANNE
Does Jesse know the signals and
codes, too?

FREDDY
You kidding!? He’s a backer. A
backer to us is only a small step
removed from normal society. We
never wake up backers or square
johns! You gotta stay loyal to the
players. Got me?

ROXANNE
Yeah, I gotcha.

FREDDY
I shouldn’t be showing you all
this, but I'm trying to give you a
fighting chance in this racket.

MONTAGE OF FREDDY PLAYING AND WINNING.

-- Roxanne flirts with the men in the room.
-- Freddy even lets her hold the money and pick it up from
the table which makes her feel good.
-- Roxanne and Freddy leave the bar hand in hand, like
teenagers, laughing.
-- They approach a dead-end looking town street.

BACK TO SCENE

Suddenly, a pick-up truck pulls up. The guy Freddy just beat
jumps out with a gun, runs up to Freddy, and sticks him up.
Roxanne starts screaming and jumping up and down.

ROXANNE
No!

STICK-UP GUY
Just shut her up and give me your
money, asshole.

FREDDY
Pretty low, Bubba.

STICK-UP GUY
Give it up. Now!

FREDDY
... Stealing the money I stole from
you. It’s real easy to rob with a
gun. A lot harder with a pool cue.

Freddy starts to laugh at the portly guy in a Budweiser Tshirt
and hands over a wad of cash from his pocket.

STICK-UP GUY
Shut the fuck up, moron! I said
all the money!

FREDDY
What are you talking about?

STICK-UP GUY
All the money!

Freddy puts his hand in his shirt and gives him another wad
of cash. Roxanne looks confused.

STICK-UP GUY
Yeah, that’s right.

FREDDY
Fuck!

Freddy acts pissed, defeated. Stick-up guy shoots the gun
off up into the air and drives off excited.

ROXANNE
Freddy, are you okay?

FREDDY
(laughing)
Yeah, I’m okay.

Freddy laughs loudly, takes off his shoe and reveals a third
wad of cash.

FREDDY
These are all the big bills! We’re
still ahead! Let’s just get back
to the motel.

The two start walking up a quiet country road when suddenly,
Roxanne hails down a passing squad car.
An excited Roxanne tells the police they were robbed.

Freddy and Roxanne get in the police car with the patrolmen
and drive away.

INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT

POLICE SERGEANT
(to Freddy)
We picked that guy up. Sheriff
questioned him. Got a different
story. Said he stuck you up with a
cue stick! Said he beat you in
pool fair and square, and you’re
just a sore loser.

FREDDY
(to the Sergeant; angry)
I don’t care so much that the guy
robbed me -- because he didn’t get
all the money -- but when he says
he could beat me playing pool,
that’s too much! I shot that guys
nuts off. I murdered him... blood
all over the floor. That guy is a
certified pool sucker!

POLICE SERGEANT
Well now, I don’t know who to
believe... two different stories...

Freddy stands up and indignantly declares...

FREDDY
Okay then, this’ll settle it. What
we can dooo...
is all of us will go to that bar,
and him and I will play a match --
eleven out of twenty-one Nine-Ball -
- and the loser goes to the shithouse!

ROXANNE
Let it go, Freddy, there’s no
justice here. We’re from the pool
world, not the "square" world. Let’s
just scoot before they arrest us!

INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY

Ansel appears in a three-piece suit. He is the perfect look
of decorum. The phone rings, and Ansel answers it.

Roxanne and Freddy are laughing on the bed. Freddy is
tutoring her on odds combinations.

FREDDY
If somebody spots you the eight and
nine in Nine-Ball, that’s the same
as giving you six to five on the
money. Or a hundred and twenty to
a hundred.

ANSEL
(into phone)
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.

Ansel hangs up phone and starts packing his bag.

ANSEL
Gotta go down to Georgia to meet a
new fille of Jesse’s. Room tab is
paid.

FREDDY
Wait, we’ll catch a ride with you.
Let me get my stuff. I bet Cleo is
down there. He’ll stake me.

ANSEL
I can take you, Beard, but you
gotta lose the broad.

FREDDY
She goes where I go. It’s karma.
We gotta make sure this kid’s okay.

ANSEL
Karma?

FREDDY
-- You remember how much I won when
I was down there? The hillbillies
love me! Blacks and Catholics,
we're their favorites. Whatta you
say?

ANSEL
I don’t know. Jesse don’t want to
see this chick no more.

ROXANNE
You talk about me like I’m not even
here!

ANSEL
See. She’s hysterical. Didn’t
anyone ever teach you to just stand
back and shut up?

ROXANNE
Shut up? Why you...

Roxanne lunges toward Ansel. Freddy stops her.

FREDDY
She’ll be quiet, I swear. And I’ll
put her up so Jesse won’t beef.
You know I don’t ask for much, and
I always pay out.

Ansel casts a questioning look at Freddy.

ANSEL
(to Freddy; softly)
Are you hot for this broad?

Freddy glares back menacingly.

ANSEL
Dammit -- Fine -- Sure!

FREDDY
Thanks, Beast.

Roxanne sticks her tongue out behind Ansel’s back.

ANSEL
I saw that. You’re sitting in the
backseat! If I hear one sound out
of you, I’m leaving you on the side
of the road. I have a job to do.
I’m a hustler, not a baby sitter!
end of scene Vllll...

Scene X

2008-03-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

EXT. OUTSIDE THE MOTEL - SAME

Freddy, Roxanne and Ansel stand outside with their luggage.
Freddy looks around for the car.

FREDDY
Where’s the coupe?

ANSEL
Jesse’s got the coupe.

Just then a pickup truck pulls in front. The DRIVER undoes
the hitch and leaves a car in front of the three. The
driver gets back into the truck and waves to Ansel.

DRIVER
Jesse took care of the bill. Woo
Wee! Am I glad to get rid of this!

The three stand staring at a dilapidated car.

FREDDY
The Beastmobile!

ROXANNE
The what?

FREDDY
The Beastmobile. Jesse must be
Pissed.

ROXANNE
Why is it called the Beastmobile?

Ansel walks over and gets into front seat.

ANSEL
Are you gonna get in or just stand
there? I’m on a schedule.

Freddy puts his arm around Roxanne.

ANSEL
... and the broad gets in the back.

Ansel smiles wickedly, as he pushes forward the passenger
seat for her to get in. It's not a seat at all. The seat
has been removed. It's more like a wooden platform. Flies
are everywhere.

Wherever she puts her hand down she lifts it to reveal goo on
it -- gum or a melted chocolate bar.

There is ladies underwear, beer bottles, fast food
containers, Spam, tennis shoes, etc.
Ansel laughs.

ROXANNE
(holding her nose)
The Beastmobile!

Freddy hands her some newspaper to put down. Roxanne has to
sit on her haunches.

INT. BEASTMOBILE (MOVING) - NIGHT

INSERT - SIGN ON A LONELY DIRT ROAD: "ATLANTA 45 MILES"

BACK TO SCENE

A live jumping rock song blares out of the radio. Freddy and
Roxanne sing along. When Ansel chimes in, all three start to
Laugh.

Freddy pops some amphetamines and offers the pills to the
Beast and Roxanne. Only the Beast accepts.

EXT. THE HIGHWAY - NIGHT

Lights from underpasses occasionally shine on the Beastmobile
as they drive.

STATE TROOPER PATROL CAR HIDING IN UNDERPASS

Two troopers drinking coffee, one old, one young.

INSIDE PATROL CAR (PARKED)

OLDER TROOPER
Some more of those Hippie freaks,
looks like... Bringing in drugs
probably. -- Pull ‘em over, let’s
check ‘em out.

Patrol Car lights flash up suddenly.

ANSEL
Freddy! Lose them pills!

Freddy throws them into the back seat behind Roxanne. One
sticks in her hair but she doesn’t know it.

They pull over.

OLDER TROOPER
(shines light into car)
How y’all doing?

FREDDY
Fine, officer.

Older Trooper shines the light in Roxanne’s face.

OLDER TROOPER
What about you, young lady,
everything okay here?

ROXANNE
Yes, officer.

OLDER TROOPER
(to Freddy)
You -- your eyes are funny. Get
out. I’m tired of you people and
your drug shit...

Freddy gets out. Roxanne and Ansel follow.

OLDER TROOPER
(to young trooper)
You -- search the back. I saw him
throw something back there.

OLDER TROOPER
(to Freddy)
What kind of stuff you been doing?

Older trooper searches Freddy.
OLDER TROOPER
You got any heroin?
(pronounced hare-oine, as in
oink)
Or speedy-balls?

FREDDY
Nothing, officer.

OLDER TROOPER
(to younger trooper)
I told you to check that backseat.
I saw this one throw something --
probably pills. Find those pills,
boy.

YOUNGER TROOPER
Yes, sir!

Roxanne leans over the car to try to seduce the younger
trooper, but he is closing his eyes as he sticks his hand
into the backseat.

Ansel elbows Roxanne, then eyes upward, indicating to touch
her hair. She does so, and removes the pill that is stuck in
it and throws it behind her into the woods.

Younger trooper shines flashlight on the backseat. He winces
as he sticks his hand down feeling for pills. He lifts his
arm up to find a dead mouse on his sleeve.

YOUNGER TROOPER
Ahhh!

OLDER TROOPER
What the? I told you to find those
pills, boy.

YOUNGER TROOPER
I know, sir.
He keeps searching.

YOUNGER TROOPER
(not very convincingly,)
No pills.

Older trooper rolls up his sleeves.

OLDER TROOPER
I’ll find them myself.

Older trooper shines his flashlight in the back, starts to
put his hand in, and stops before he touches a pile of
molding garbage.

OLDER TROOPER
Okay kid, no pills.

EXT. RURAL AREA - DUMPY HOTEL - DAY

Filthy Beast pulls up in the Beastmobile. Roxanne and Freddy
jump out and head to the hotel door.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER

ROXANNE
So this is the "Deep South." I
can’t wait to get out of these
filthy clothes and take a shower.

Roxanne, nude, leans into the shower to turn it on and brown,
brackish water spurts in her face.
Freddy knocks on door.

FREDDY
Hey babe, Ansel and I are going to
the poolroom to meet Jesse’s new
fille. Jesse fronted him big money
to drive here from Pasadena.
Supposed to be an up and coming
player. Let me know if my mother
calls. I just left her a message
with this number. My sister is
about to have her baby. Okay?

ROXANNE
Okay!

The shower water finally turns clear and she starts to soap
up her head.

LATER

Roxanne comes out of the shower in bra and underwear. Her
hair is up in a towel. She circles the room impatiently.

ROXANNE
(to herself)
What am I supposed to do? Take a
Nap?

She enters the main room, falls back on the bed. The frame
breaks and Roxanne, on top of the mattress, falls to the
floor. Laugh or cry? She begins laughing.

The phone rings. A hand reaches up from the floor to answer
It.

ROXANNE
Hello.

INT. FREDDY’S MOTHER’S KITCHEN - DAY

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION - ROXANNE AND FREDDY’S MOTHER

FREDDY’S MOTHER, a heavy, older Italian woman speaks on an
old-fashioned wall phone, phone cord extended, so she can
stir her spaghetti sauce.

FREDDY’S MOTHER
(calmly)
Hello honey, is my son there?
Freddy?

ROXANNE
He just left for the pool room.
Any message?

Roxanne, chewing gum, blows a bubble.

FREDDY’S MOTHER
Yeah! Tell him to get his ass home
right now!

Roxanne sits up straight on bed.

FREDDY’S MOTHER
His sister’s in labor and he’s
gonna be the godfather. I don’t
wanna hear no shit. He’s got
twenty-four hours or I kick his ass
-- hear me? And I got neck-bone
sauce on the stove, so I expect him
to come with some bread for dinner
tomorrow. Tell him to go to
Angelo’s for the bread -- No, --
Rudy’s -- Angelo’s wife beat me out
of a hundred last night playing
poker -- Go to Rudy’s -- You
remember all that?

ROXANNE
... Rudy’s for bread -- Neck-bones
-- twenty-four hours -- got it.

FREDDY’S MOTHER
(sweetly)
Oh, and tell me honey, is my Freddy
getting enough to eat?

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Roxanne is holding a makeshift map trying to find the pool
Room.

ROXANNE
(mumbling sarcastically, to
herself)
Turn left at the haystack, right at
the goat carcass...

Roxanne sees what looks like a bar in the woods. She is
sweating and swatting flies. She walks to the front door,
opens it, and TWO BIG GUYS IN OVERALLS AND SHOT GUNS stand on
either side of her.

ROXANNE
Hello, fellas.

BIG GUY #1
Help you, ma'am?

ROXANNE
Here to see The Beast and Freddy.
Important message for Freddy.

The Two Big Guys In Overalls step aside and point to Freddy.

ROXANNE
Thanks, boys.

Roxanne walks in and makes a lot of noise walking over moist
planks, with palmetto bugs crossing her path. The place is a
huge wooden shack. Ansel shakes his head. Freddy is
practicing on the table.

Freddy grabs Roxanne and drags her into a corner.

FREDDY
What are you doing here?

ROXANNE
Your mother called. She said you
have twenty-four hours to get back
to Chicago to bring neck-bones for
Rudy’s bread because she can’t beat
him playing poker. Or something
like that.

FREDDY
What? What the hell are you
talking about?

ROXANNE
Oh... and your sister is in labor.
I thought you might like to know.

FREDDY
Madonna! Angela’s in labor? Shit!
Jesse just called to say he isn’t
getting in ‘til tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, we got a young Pasadena
hot-shot comin’ here tonight.
Ansel and me supposed to coach this
kid through his game... kid ain’t
even here yet and I’ve got to get
to the airport.
(loud, to bartender)
Hey, where’ the nearest airport?

BARTENDER #2
Atlanta -- ‘ thirty miles west
of here.

FREDDY
(to the Beast)
Shit! Listen man, I need you to
drive me to the airport. Gotta go,
my mother called.

ANSEL
Who’s gonna meet the new fille? He
don’t know nothing yet, ‘far as I
heard, but Jesse got a lot of plans
for ‘em.

FREDDY
So this kid’s name is Mick and he
don’t know "dick" Quite a pickle
we're in, my dear. I need your
Help.

ROXANNE
I’ll stay. I mean, I’ll meet Mick.
We can’t get into too much trouble.

ANSEL
You’re kidding, right?

ROXANNE
What do I need to know? I stayed
up enough nights with Freddy and
Jesse to have some idea.

ANSEL
Fine. But I’m not leaving you with
Jesse’s money. Your job is to keep
everything holding ‘til I get back
-- a couple hours. Do not let Mick
start playing. Keep everybody
occupied while I’m gone. I don’t
care if you gotta dance on top of
the bar. Hear me?

ROXANNE
Hear you.

ANSEL
Jesse’s got a big investment in
this kid. Have him just practice
‘til I get back. -- That’s all --
practice. No betting!

Roxanne nods her head affirmatively.

FREDDY AND ANSEL
No betting!

ROXANNE
(swallows)
No betting.

Ansel walks away. Freddy and Roxanne are left standing
outside the door of the bar. Freddy gives her a big hug and
slides a twenty bill in her pocket.
...continued

Scene Xl

2008-03-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

FREDDY
Remember all I told you and you’ll
be okay. When Ansel gets back I
want you to get on a bus and go
back home. Give up on this. You
might learn about human nature
hanging with us freaks, but it’s
not worth it. You deserve better.
Your life is just starting... you
can do anything you want.

ROXANNE
Okay, I’m ready to go home. I’ll
save your butt and then I’m going
back to Maura and Herman. I swear.
I’ve had enough of this life, and
this place stinks!

FREDDY
You got 'til tomorrow morning when
Jesse shows up here. He doesn’t
want to see you, and I won’t be
here to protect you.

Freddy gathers up his cue-stick and starts for the door.

FREDDY
Ask someone from the hotel to give
you a ride to the bus station --
not one of these guys... Okay?

ROXANNE
Thanks, Freddy.

FREDDY
For what? For letting you slum
with us? You are a princess, baby!

ROXANNE
-- Straight from the Valley!
You’re giving me the chance to feel
smart for once.

FREDDY
You are smart, honey. It’s been
three months, and I thought you
wouldn’t last a week.

Roxanne gives him a big kiss.
Freddy sputters self-consciously.

FREDDY
I’ll see you around -- on the road,
that is. Look me up in Chicago if
you ever need anything. "JoJo’s"
is my uncle’s place. Just find
"JoJo’s Bar" and you can find me.

ROXANNE
JoJo’s

FREDDY
(very seriously)
Good luck, kid.

Freddy casts a long lingering glance at Roxanne. Their hands
stay together until the situation becomes uncomfortable.

Finally, Roxanne blinks, breaks the spell and awkwardly pulls
away.

ROXANNE
(her voice breaking slightly)
You too.

Freddy leaves. She notices she is the only girl. She sits
at the bar and waits. A song plays on the jukebox. She
drinks an orange pop in a bottle and shrugs her shoulders
constantly as an expression of boredom. She sits up to
reveal a sweaty seat, her pants are stuck to her bottom.

A few minutes pass and a bespectacled Mick enters -- as green
as grass -- saying hello to everyone and shaking hands as he
walks in. Roxanne walks right up to him.

ROXANNE
Mick, right?

MICK
(blushing)
Yeah, that’s my name. Just in from
Pasadena.

With a bored look on her face, Roxanne takes a stab at
feigning experience to gain control of the situation.

ROXANNE
First of all, don’t ever use your
real name when you’re hustling --
second, you ever hear about
intimidating your players --
psyching them out? You do need
some help!

MICK
Sorry.

ROXANNE
Jesse isn’t coming back until
tomorrow... and Ansel’s out
somewhere. He’ll be back in an
hour or so. In the meantime, just
go ahead and practice.

Mick goes into a corner and starts practicing, smiling the
whole time. Roxanne scowls at him and he reacts by trying to
look mean and intimidating.

EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT

Ansel is on his way back. He pulls over on the side of the
road to get out and take a leak -- does not put the brakes
on, and the Beastmobile rolls into a ditch.

BACK IN THE POOLROOM

RED the player, and his backer RICKY, are running out of
patience. They want to play.

RICKY
Hey honeychile’ it’s been over two
hours and The Beast ain’t back yet.
My boy, Red is ready to play. We
didn’t come all the way down here
for nothin’.

Ricky reveals a wad of cash.

RICKY
I’m looking to double or triple
this. Are we gonna play? It’ now
or never.

ROXANNE
(whispering to Mick)
Are you ready?

MICK
Heck yeah! But Ansel’s not here.

ROXANNE
(lying weakly)
Well, I forgot to tell you he said
I should take charge while he was
gone... You feel good, Mick?

MICK
(shyly)
Yeah, I just...

ROXANNE
-- Then get out there. The Beast
will show up soon. Even if he’s
not here -- every hour -- and every
dollar counts.

RED
-- So what you say? You playin’ or
just stallin’

ROXANNE
(to Red)
Well, let’s play. Beast or Jesse
will make the money good when they
get here.

RED
Jesse’s word is good in these parts
-- lucky for you.

ROXANNE
Alright, then.

RICKY
Just in case, though... We’ll hold
you two hostage till they get back.
Roxanne and Mick look at one another.

RED
Rack ‘em.

BACK ON THE HIGHWAY

Ansel is walking to get help. He hears the sound of a bugle
blowing "Post Time," the theme song of a racetrack. Ansel
has stumbled upon the local DOG TRACK. When he spots the
entrance, a smile crosses his face and he heads inside.

INSIDE THE TRACK - LATER

TRACK ANNOUNCER (V.O. LOUDSPEAKER)

... That ends our racing program
for tonight. Be careful going
home. Good night.

EXT. THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE TRACK

Ansel crosses the street to a gas station.

ANSEL
(to station attendant)
Hey buddy. When could I get a tow?
I broke down a few blocks back.

STATION ATTENDANT
Nothing until five in the morning,
mister. There’s an all-night cafe
a few blocks over, where you can
wait it out.

Ansel shrugs, hands-in-pockets, and starts down the street.

BACK IN THE POOLROOM - SAME

It is apparent Mick is down a few games. He has low energy
and is having trouble staying awake.
Roxanne is wide-eyed and anxious. Squirming in her chair.

RED
You want to quit, boy? You’re down
four games. This is way too easy.
You owe me eight hundred.

Roxanne leaps out of her chair.

ROXANNE
-- Wait! Let me have a talk with
him in the bathroom.

Roxanne walks into a filthy bathroom -- she paces inside.
Mick, apprehensive about facing her, finally walks in.

MICK
(scratching his head and
looking down and away)
I’m sorry, but I drove down here
all by myself -- straight from...
Pasadena, over two days...

ROXANNE
Don’t lose it now, Mick. We’re
doing good. We’re doing good. I
know you’ve been playing with no
sleep. -- Look at me, look at me.

Roxanne grabs Mick by the shoulders and shakes him.

ROXANNE
Jesse isn’t here, he’ll probably
kill us anyway for losing his
money. Those guys will, for
sure kill us if we don’t pay off.

Mick, bleary-eyed, starts nodding his head in agreement.

ROXANNE
You’re going to have to get your
shit together and produce. Produce
like your life depended on it --
It might. I'm going to help you.

Mick’s eyes light up, and he seems to be responding.

ROXANNE
Okay? You can beat this guy.
Yeah, it’s hot here -- and Red is a
hillbilly who can handle it.
You’re going to have to handle it
too. Get us even and we can quit.
We don’t have to win... Just get
that eight hundred back...

MICK
Alright, alright. Let’s give it
another shot.

Roxanne pushes Mick’s head over the sink and splashes water
on his face.

ROXANNE
How does that feel? Red’s a
legend, but Red is not as good as
you are. I wouldn’t be standing in
this out-house, ankle deep in pisswater,
trying to keep you awake if
I didn’t believe that.

Mick wipes his face, and a look of renewed determination
comes over him.

Roxanne finishes patting his face dry.

ROXANNE
Just a few more games, and then you
can sleep for a week if you like.
I’ll drive the whole way to
wherever we head to next. Okay,
Mick?

Mick nods his head in approval.

ROXANNE
How about a fresh cup of coffee?

She grabs his shoulders again.

ROXANNE
Look at me. We're going to do
this. Without Jesse or the Beast.
Just you and me.

Roxanne shoves him out the bathroom door.

ROXANNE
Get back out there and finish the
job. Get the "cheese" and get us
out of here... alive.

Roxanne has psyched Mick up. Mick is ready to play. He goes
back to the table.

ROXANNE
Double the bet? Four hundred a
game?

RED
‘My kinna music. Put a rack on
them balls, son, it’s my break.

Mick racks the balls. Red breaks, and the game starts.
...continued

Scene Xll

2008-03-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

MONTAGE OF SEVERAL ONE-POCKET GAMES

-- Mick starts to play good again. He makes several gamewinning,
One-Pocket trick shots.

-- Roxanne force-feeds him coffee. She appears to be
talking soothingly and encouragingly between shots.

-- He appears to have regained his confidence.

EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT

Jesse is near, stopping to get cigarettes.

BACK IN POOLROOM

Mick shoots in a game-winning bank. He gets up from the
table looking exhausted.

MICK
That’s it, Red. We’re even. I
have to quit. Haven’t slept in a
coupla days.

Mick takes his cue apart and he and Roxanne start to head
out, but the Two Big Guys In Overalls And Shotguns stop them
before they reach the door.

BIG GUY #1
Boss?

RED
Let ‘em go. They’re with Hippie
Jesse. He can quit even.

Two Big Guys let them pass.

EXT. POOLROOM - DAY

Dawn is breaking. Roxanne and Mick get in Mick’s car. It’s
an old "beater" She puts her hand out and Mick gives her
his car keys.

INT. CAR (MOVING)

Roxanne is driving.

ROXANNE
I just have to pick up my stuff at
the hotel.

EXT. HIGHWAY - MOMENTS LATER

On the way down the road, they pass Jesse’s car heading to
the poolroom.

Roxanne spots the car, is startled, but says nothing to Mick.

MICK
I’m exhausted. Can’t believe we
broke even and escaped from that
deathtrap. Whatta night!

Mick falls asleep. Roxanne keeps driving.

INT. POOLROOM - LATER

Jesse confronts the nervous Beast.

HIPPIE JESSE
Well, where is he?

ANSEL
Apparently Mick left with the broad
in his car. Called the hotel.
They’re gone.

HIPPIE JESSE
That bitch! You know what I got
invested in this guy? I had to pay
his mother’s hospital bill and two
months rent before he’d agree to
come here. That’s about eighty-five
hundred bucks I fronted for
that kid, and that Valley, Jap cunt
has snatched him and run off. God
help those two when I find ‘em.

INT. CAR (MOVING) - NIGHT

Roxanne is still driving. Mick wakes up. A road sign shows
they are in a different state.

MICK
Jesse said he was gonna pay for my
room and all expenses... that I’d
be working for him. Where we
going? When’re we gonna meet him?

No answer. Roxanne pulls into a hotel lot.

ROXANNE
Well, we’ll stay here for now.
We’ll see him soon enough. How
long you been on the road, Mick?

MICK
My second trip. They call me
green. I have a lot to learn. If
Jesse’s not around at least you’re
here. I need to be in the hands of
professionals.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Mick lies on the bed, drinking a gallon of milk, and watching
TV. Meanwhile, Roxanne has removed all of her clothing in
the bathroom.

MICK
I’ll just lay down here on the
couch or get a cot. I know this is
just a professional relationship.
You always bunk with the boys,
Roxanne?

Roxanne walks out completely naked in front of TV.

ROXANNE
Professionals, right.

Mick turns around and gasps, he puts the pillow over his
face.

MICK
Ma'am... I mean... where’re your
clothes?... I mean... what’re you
doing?

ROXANNE
(weakly)
I thought we would... celebrate?

MICK
I’m.. I’m sorry Roxanne. I work
for you. We just met. This is no
good. Please, please, cover
yourself.

ROXANNE
Fine!

Roxanne puts her clothes on in the bathroom and starts to
cry.

ROXANNE
(to herself)
What was I supposed to do?

Each bed down separately, Roxanne on the bed and Mick on the
couch, watching TV.

MICK
I feel much better. You?

ROXANNE
Yeah, splendid.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

ROXANNE’S NIGHTMARE

Roxanne is dreaming that Jesse has found them and has taken
his gun out and is coming towards her.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

A frightened Roxanne wakes up. She freaks out and wakes
Mick.

ROXANNE
Mick, Mick, we have to leave.
Right now!

MICK
Okay, okay. What’s the matter?

ROXANNE
Need to get out of here... go to
another spot... Problem is, I have
no money for the room bill. I’m
busted like a rat. We only broke
even yesterday. Lucky we didn’t
get killed.

MICK
No money?

ROXANNE
How much money do you have?

MICK
Not much. Jesse was gonna take
care of me. I can pay the room
tab, but then no gas or food money.

They pack quickly. Roxanne is filling her bag and the last
thing she packs is a rope.

ROXANNE
I'm sick of carrying this rope
around...

MICK
(turning around)
A rope? You got a rope?

Mick hugs a surprised Roxanne.

MICK
You are a professional. I forgot
mine on this trip.

Roxanne fakes her knowledge of what to do with the rope.

ROXANNE
(uncomprehendingly)
Yeah, yeah. I always have one on
hand.

Mick takes the rope and starts to unravel it.

MICK
Sheesh, you think of everything.

INT. HOTEL STAIRWAY - MORNING

Roxanne and Mick walk down the stairs and past the room
clerk. They wave as they walk by. Outside, Roxanne drives
to the side of the hotel. Mick gets out. The luggage is
hanging by a rope outside their fourth-story window. Mick
grabs the luggage and jumps in the car.

They drive off, laughing.
...continued

Scene Xlll

2008-03-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

INSIDE THE CAR

MICK
So, where to next?

Roxanne sees next city mileage sign -- picks one: Nashville

ROXANNE
Nashville.

MICK
To meet Jesse and get straightened
out, right?

ROXANNE
(lying)
Yeah, to meet Jesse.

MONTAGE OF ROXANNE AND MICK AT DIFFERENT POOL ROOMS

-- Roxanne acts like a professional, puts Mick’s cue
together, etc.
-- Roxanne tries to seduce Mick in various, funny ways.
-- She teasingly polishes the shaft of his cue with a
leather buffer, sexually chalks the tip, etc.
-- Mick ignores all her advances.
-- Mick, the perfect gentleman, helps drunk prostitutes get
into cabs, puts money in Salvation Army cans.

Roxanne becomes so engrossed in making games for Mick that
she unconsciously follows a player into the men’s toilet.

UNNAMED URINATOR
Hey babe, you come in to take a
leak?

INT. ROOMING HOUSE - DAY

Roxanne pays the landlady. She appears ready to fold.

ROXANNE
That’s it. That’s the last of it.
We’re broke. I haven’t been
entirely clean with you.

MICK
(solemnly)
We’re not meeting up with Jesse.

ROXANNE
No, we’re not. And I’m not much of
a backer, either. All we’ve done
is break even, enough to eat and
sleep... not make any real money...
If we did I’d give half to you and
just get on a bus home. I think
it's time for me to call it quits.

MICK
What’re you talking about? You’re
the best. You can’t give up on me.
I was born to play pool -- that’s
all I can do... and I know I can
start to win big money. I’m not
cut out for nine-to-five work.
This is it for me.

ROXANNE
Well, maybe... take one more shot.

Roxanne searches her purse for anything of value. Stumped,
Roxanne looks down at her chest at the gold mezuzah she got
for her birthday and walks out the door.

INT. PAWNSHOP - DAY

Roxanne walks up to the counter, removes her necklace and
hands it to PAWNBROKER to examine. He is an older Hasidic
man. He looks up at her and frowns.

PAWNBROKER
My dollink, what are you, a yentl,
doing wearing such a ting? It
should be worn only by a Jewish
man.

ROXANNE
My uncle gave it to me for my
birthday. Said I was blessed with
a woman’s beauty and a man’s
strength.

The pawnbroker scrutinizes the mezuzah with his reading
glasses.

PAWNBROKER
A shame to pawn such a beautiful
ting.

ROXANNE
I know. It’s supposed to protect
me. How much can I get?

PAWN BROKER
I could only give you a hundred
dollars on it.

ROXANNE
Okay, I'm not going to argue.

Pawnbroker hands her $100 and then pushes the necklace back
to her.

ROXANNE
What’s this? What are you doing?

Pawnbroker pats his hand over her hand and the necklace.

PAWN BROKER
You look like somebody could use a
mitzvah. You’ll pay me later.

ROXANNE
(naively)
But I don’t live here. I'm probably
going to leave in a day or two.

Pawnbroker hands her his card with the address on it.

PAWN BROKER
So you’ll send it. Zeit gesunt,
bubbala, and good luck...

ROXANNE
(red-faced, mumbles her
appreciation in Yiddish)
Zeit gesunt.

She takes the money and walks out, curiously observed by a
PAWNBOY who is sweeping the floor.

EXT. CAR - DAY

She drives back to coffee shop.

INT./EXT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

She shows Mick the money and hustles him up and out the door.

OUTSIDE

MICK
Where the hell did you get money?

ROXANNE
Does it make any difference? All
you got to do is make a game, play
and win.

INT. BOWLING ALLEY POOL ROOM - NIGHT

ROXANNE
It’s now or never. If this really
is your life, then I want to see
you play like it is.

The two start to walk to the back when Mick spots an old man
operating on some potential suckers.

MICK
(quietly, to Roxanne)
Well, look who’s here.
Tommy the Greek, and Duke. He’s
from Pasadena too. You’re gonna
get to see something wonderful.

Mick points to an old man and a little dog.

REAR OF POOLROOM

TOMMY THE GREEK, with an audience around him, is entertaining
them with his dog, DUKE. Duke is a small mongrel doing
simple little tricks under Tommy’s direction, while Tommy
takes little swipes out of a liquor flask in his back pocket.

The crowd is ribbing Tommy a little because the tricks are
really mediocre. Finally, Tommy replies.

TOMMY
Listen, all you wise guys, Duke is
the smartest dog in the world! He
does a trick no other dog in the
world can do. He can get up on the
table and pick out any ball you
call!

Tommy looks over the crowd for reactions.

TOMMY
Just call the ball you want, and
he’ll pick it up and put it in his
mouth. What do youse want to do
with that?

A SPORT in the crowd fires back.

SPORT
I believe whatever somebody bets he
can do -- he can do. But in your
case I’m gonna make an exception.
How much do you want to bet, old
man?

TOMMY
Make it easy on yourself, partner.

SPORT
(weakly)
I’ll risk twenty bucks just to see
the show.

TOMMY
Okay, you cheap nit-shits. I’m
gonna show you what Duke can do.

Duke is on the floor totally inattentive, scratching, and
wandering around, while the $20 bet is being put up with the
houseman. Tommy goes to Duke and nudges him to get his
attention.

TOMMY
C’mon Duke, wake up! We’re
betting.

SPORT
Dogs are color blind. Have him get
the four ball.

Tommy picks Duke up, puts him on the table, and holds him
while Duke is looking around and acting nervous. Tommy
orders Duke.

TOMMY
Okay, Duke, go get me the four
ball!

Duke dashes over to a fully racked set of pool balls and
frantically scatters them all over the table. Duke is
jumping up and kicking balls and biting them, all the while
Tommy is screaming.

TOMMY
Stop it Duke! Stop it! Get the
four ball!

By this time the spectators are on the floor rolling in
laughter. Tommy picks up Duke and starts scolding him. Then
he turns embarrassed to the crowd.

TOMMY
You fucking creeps! You "sharked"
him. You got him too nervous.

One of the Sweators in the crowd fires back.

SWEATOR
(laughing)
That mutt couldn’ pick up a T-Bone
steak, let alone a pool ball.

TOMMY
Don’t you talk about my dog like
that, you shit-heel. If you woulda
been quiet he coulda done it.

GIGGLING SWEATOR
(sweetly)
Well, if we promise to be quiet,
how much do you want to bet this
time?

TOMMY
(acting very excited and
angry)
You guys have really got me hot!
You can bet all I got in my pocket.
That’s how much! My whole bankroll --
(he counts his money)
-- six hundred and forty-nine
dollars. Everybody’s got to be
quiet, though. Now we’ll see who’s got gamble.

Tommy spreads his bankroll on the table.
There is a hesitation from the crowd for a moment.
Finally, one guy speaks up.

SWEATOR
You ain’t bluffing nobody off, old
man. A sumbitch dumb as you don’t
deserve to have no money! I’ll
cover three hundred of it! Have
him get the five ball!

With the spell broken there is a rush to cover the whole $649
and the money is put up with the houseman.

Tommy turns his back on the crowd and seemingly confides to
Duke. He puts his right palm over his chest, indicating the
"George" sign.

TOMMY
(deliciously, to himself and
Duke)
... And in the window flew a dove.

Roxanne spots the move and turns excitedly to Mick.

ROXANNE
Am I going crazy, or did I just see
that guy give the "George" sign to
the dog?

Mick just smiles wickedly.

Duke responds to the "George" signal by jumping up on the
pool table and sitting on his haunches. He is alert with his
ears straight up and not moving a muscle. No longer is he
nervous, scratching, or looking around.

A few in the crowd start to get a bad feeling about their
chances.

Tommy, very composed and confident, says very gently to Duke:

TOMMY
Duke, go get me the five ball,
baby.

Duke trots slowly over to a fully racked set of pool balls,
stirs them slightly, picks up the five ball in his mouth,
walks calmly over to Tommy, drops the ball in the pocket,
sits back on his haunches and awaits the next command.

The crowd is dumbfounded. Tommy smiles at Duke, winks and
gives him the "George" sign again, then walks over to the
houseman and takes down the money.
continued...