Before I Disappear Page #5

- Come on.

- I don't dance.

- What happened?

- Nothing. Nothing. It's just...

It was an accident.

I think you need stitches.

You're the public defender?

No, I am not.

My name is Bruce Warham.

- I work for Gideon Young.

- Who?

Mr. Young has asked

me to represent you

- as a favor to your brother.

- My brother?

From what I understand,

the gentleman who assaulted you

- has filed a cross complaint, right?

- My brother?

I want you to

know something. I...

I'm really glad that I met you.

- Richie, are you alright?

- Yeah.

- You okay?

- I'm fine.

I'm sorry, Miss Hill,

I don't have a lot of time.

Are you aware of the cross complaint?

Yes.

You should know that

even though you're the one with

the shiner, he also has grounds.

Grounds? Grounds to what?

Oh, my God. You're bleeding a lot.

- There's a pharmacy there.

- No, no, no.

I'm gonna go there.

I promise, I'll be right back.

Well, he could sue you, for one.

He could press charges, although I

don't think that's very likely, but...

they could try and frame it that way.

You should know that.

Excuse me.

This man hit me, he assaulted me.

- I understand.

- So why am in a holding cell?

How can he sue me if I'm the victim?

This man punched a wall

and then he punched me.

But you were sleeping

with this man, right?

This man is married, right?

This man has children,

this man has a lawyer who can frame

this any which way he wants.

But I didn't know he was married.

I understand that, but do

you see where I'm going?

You're the mistress.

I'm what?

You're the other woman.

I'm the other woman.

It won't hold water.

I'll take care of it.

We'll get you out of

here in a few hours.

Miss Hill, it'll be fine.

Hey, Richie.

This might sting a little.

- Jesus Christ!

- I'm sorry.

It'll be over in a second. Breathe.

- Breathe, Richie.

- I'm fine.

Then count to 3, then breathe out.

This is a temporary fix.

We need to get you to a hospital.

- No, no hospitals.

- Go to a doctor.

I ain't goin' to a doctor.

If you won't do it

for you, do it for me.

Look, I just wanna get

you back home safe.

I just wanna do one

thing right, okay?

Then what? I'll have

to worry about you?

That I'll never see you again?

That you'll be gone forever?

Instead of thinking about yourself,

think about me.

How's Sophia supposed to go on more

adventures if you're not around?

Sophia's gonna have a lot

of adventures, no matter what.

I know you're down

on yourself, Richard

but there are much worse

people out there, alright?

Look, your mother doesn't want

me around you for a reason

- and they have good reasons.

- You're better than a lot of people.

At least you wouldn't say

that I shouldn't exist.

Huh? Who... who says

you shouldn't exist?

- Dad.

- Dad? Darren?

Yeah, he's a jerk.

- When does he say that?

- All the time.

His life would've been better.

I see him on the weekends.

Life would be better?

What does your mom say about this?

I don't bother mom with it.

It's just noise.

He called me a failed abortion

in front of his friends.

- Failed abortion?

- It's just his idea of humor.

It's just the way he is.

Just the way he is?

Just the way he is.

Does he still work at that,

the store down the street?

That music store?

Does he work there on Wednesdays?

- We're closing in a few minutes.

- Darren working here? Darren here?

- He's in the workshop.

- The workshop.

Give me one minute. One minute.

Stay there for one minute.

- What the f... Richie?

- Failed abortion?

- What the f*** are you...

- A failed abortion?

I don't know what the f***

you're talking about!

Richie, what the f***?

Get the f*** off!

F***.

What the f***, Richie! What the...

I don't know what there is to live for

anymore, Darren but I swear to God...

I swear to God...

if you say any more f***ed-up things

to my sister or her kid again

I will stay alive.

I will stay alive to make sure

your life is a living hell.

What the f***, man?

- Have a seat, Richie.

- No, that's okay.

We're not stickin' around.

I gotta get her home.

- I'm hungry.

- No, you're not.

Sure I am.

Howdy, folks.

I'll have some of those ribs, please.

- With some vegetables.

- I don't want vegetables.

Put some vegetables in there.

- These are vegetables.

- Those don't have vegetables.

Please put some green things in there.

Green vegetables.

- Got it. Greenish vegetables.

- Thank you.

Guys.

So who is this fine

young lady, Richie?

My niece, Sophia.

Hello, Miss Sophia.

Delightful to meet you.

Precious.

You never told me you had family.

You never told me you were

friends with Gideon either.

I'm not friends with Gideon. I work

for him the same as I work for you.

Is that all I am, Richie?

Just the boss man?

Did you make that date

with Flora last night?

No. That stuff will kill you.

Is that what you think

I was trying to do?

Is that why you think

I gave it to you?

- Gave what?

- 8 years.

8 years you worked for me.

I never asked you for nothin'.

I treated you great,

even when you went across

the street to work for that kid.

Never yelled at you,

never made you feel small

never asked what was bothering you.

- Never cared.

- I cared enough to leave you alone!

I respected that your business

was your own business!

Even when it cost me money!

Even when you couldn't afford to live

in the city no more, I lent you money!

Pretended like you had a home.

Like you had a life.

- Like we were equals.

- I guess we're not equals.

I was in a tough spot, Richie!

They see what happened here,

they're gonna shut me down!

That's it! Over!

You'd be out of a job.

We all would.

The dream would be done.

That stupid... stupid girl.

The difference between 20 jobs and a

rock club that's been lodged on Ludlow

since before Joey Ramone

was taking the 7 train!

It's either that or the wrecking

ball wipes out this entire block

and replaces it all

with f***ing condos!

Sorry.

I'm under a lot of stress.

This MSG will do it to you.

I'm not usually this direct.

I've never been in a

situation like this before.

I'm not the best at handlin'

situations like this.

I just wanted to let you

know where I'm coming from.

I like to talk about

other things. Your niece.

World affairs.

These f***in' ribs aren't

doing it for me today.

You're gonna have to eat

more than that, darlin'.

- No I shouldn't.

- You asked for it.

I just said that to get back

at someone. I didn't mean it.

Come on. It's on me.

You can't quit all at once.

You gotta wean yourself slow.

Well, this will make

you feel real good.

Trust me.

I'm gonna go to the bathroom.

Alright, well just make sure you bring

that cute little ass back here, okay?

I have a man now.

You got a boy, darlin'. You want a man?

You know where to find me.

You're a repulsive, pathetic old man.

We're finished here.

Come on, finish that up. We gotta go.

There's nothing good here.

Nothing good.

- You alright, Richie?

- Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine.

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