Carole A. Parker

INT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - BAR - DUSK One of those bland watering holes for travelers who aren’t picky about ambiance. Or their cocktails. A WOMAN (20’s) sits at a table near the windows, watching the planes. Unbelievably hot, with long, long black hair. Reckless curves. Sleek. A gazelle. Meet CHERRY NATION. Exotic dancer. Former porn star. Future entrepreneur. Single mother of two. Right now she’s sipping a whiskey sour and talking on her cell. Tugs on her miniskirt. CHERRY Thanks for watching the kids for me, Shag. I owe you one. (listens) The money is fucking AMAZING. I’m getting close to having the amount I need to quit dancing and open the store. (listens) Of course I’m taking my meds. Mind your own business. It’s OVER, Shag, and you have no right to -(listens) I’ll call you when I get to Vegas. She feels something in the small of her back. MALE VOICE (O.C.) Don't move. I have a gun pointed at the base of your spine. CHERRY What the fuck? MALE VOICE (O.C.) Don't speak. Just listen. CHERRY But -The gun CLICKS. Camera PULLS BACK to reveal -A TALL, UGLY THUG in shades and a trench coat seated at the table behind her back. He smiles. Not a pretty sight. TALL, UGLY THUG I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, girlie, and I don’t care. Get off the fucking PHONE. She clicks it shut. (CONTINUED) 2. CONTINUED: TALL, UGLY THUG (CONT’D) Good girl. Now listen carefully. The briefcase is next to your chair. He FLIPS an envelope on her table. TALL, UGLY THUG (CONT’D) Take this envelope. In it, you’ll find an address. Take the briefcase there. Got it? CHERRY Listen to me, I think you’ve got the wrong -TALL, UGLY THUG If you don't deliver the package by sunrise, we’ll kill you. And your family. (nudges her with the gun) GOT it? She nods. Frightened to death. TALL, UGLY THUG (CONT’D) Lower your arm. Put it near the case. She does. We hear a SNAP, CLICK. TALL, UGLY THUG (CONT'D) Good girl. Now you’re being smart. I’m gonna leave now, and you’re gonna keep facing the window. DO NOT MOVE. Understand? CHERRY Y-yes. TALL, UGLY THUG One last thing. DO NOT open the briefcase. If you do, you’ll die. (beat) Enjoy your cocktail. He stands. And in one fluid movement, he’s gone. Cherry vibrates in her chair, shaking. Blinking back tears. She raises her hand. We see she’s clutching the briefcase. And that she’s been handcuffed to it. She puts it back down. A good-looking HIPSTER slides into the chair next to her. Studiously messy hair. Five-hundred dollar torn jeans. HIPSTER These airport bars kinda suck, don’tcha think?