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Life Page #8
SYLVIA:
I've never seen you in here before.
CLAUDE:
(staring at the hand)
That's because I've never been here
before.
SYLVIA:
I'm Sylvia. What's your name?
Against his better judgement, Claude's gaze follows the long,
slender arm up past a bare shoulder and settles on SYLVIA'S
angelic face. He is struck dumb.
SYLVIA:
Can't you remember your own name?
CLAUDE:
I know it begins with a "C"...
SYLVIA:
Well, Mr. "C", how about buying a
girl a drink?
(to the bartender)
Two bourbons.
CLAUDE:
I really shouldn't. I gotta keep an
eye on my friend.
SYLVIA:
He looks like he can take care of
himself.
The drinks arrive. She places a shot glass in Claude's
reluctant hand. She winks provocatively and slowly pours the
whiskey down her throat. Instinctively, Claude tosses back
his shot.
CLAUDE:
Claude. That's my name. Claude. That's
never happened before.
SYLVIA:
You're cute. You have any money,
Claude?
CLAUDE:
Ten dollars. But I need it to get
home.
SYLVIA:
Why would you want to go home? It's
so early.
The bartender refills their glasses.
BACK AT THE POKER TABLE
Winston considers his cards, hardly looking up as a WAITRESS
lays down a cocktail napkin and sets a drink down on top of
it. He glances at Ray, who casually considers his cards.
RAY:
I'll take two.
The dealer tosses Ray a couple of cards.
INSERT -- Ray fans his cards to reveal a full house.
After considering the other players at the table, Ray pushes
what's left of his money into the center of the table. The
three other PLAYERS fold with disgust. Winston squints long
and hard at Ray, then pushes everything he has into the center
of the table.
WINSTON:
I'll see that...
Winston reaches into his jacket and throws down some more
money on the pile.
WINSTON:
And while we're at it, let's sweeten
the pot.
RAY:
Looks like my sugar bowl's empty,
Mr. Hancock.
WINSTON:
(reaching for the pot)
That's just too damn bad, ain't it?
RAY:
Now, hang on, slick. I ain't through
with you yet.
Ray checks his cards again. He looks at the pot, it's a lot
of money. With this hand, there's no way he can lose. He
places his daddy's pocket watch on top of the pile. Winston
checks the time piece.
WINSTON:
That'll cover it.
Ray lays down his hand.
RAY:
Full boat, ladies doing the paddling.
WINSTON:
Four threes.
Ray sits back, stunned. Winston rakes in his winnings. The
game is over for the night. The three other players head to
the bar.
WINSTON:
Don't take it too hard, New York.
Have a round on me.
Winston tosses a silver dollar to Ray, who snatches it out
of the air. Winston drops his hat on his head and moves
through the crowd and out the door.
WAITRESS:
Can I get you something?
Ray shakes his head. Carefully, she begins to clear the table.
Suddenly, he grabs her wrist. Winston's glass tips over. Ray
flips over the cocktail napkin to reveal an extra pile of
cards.
RAY:
Looks like he had a whole lot of
nothing in his hand until you came
along.
WAITRESS:
(wrenching free)
You're hurting my arm.
EXT. JUKE JOINT -- NIGHT
Ray dashes into the street, glancing both ways. No sign of
Winston. Damn.
EXT. BACK ALLEY -- NIGHT
Winston produces Ray's pocket watch and pops it open. A smile
crosses his face as the mechanical tune plays.
A sheriff's sedan rounds a corner, illuminating Winston in
its headlights. The car pulls up and SHERIFF WARREN PIKE
steps out. Distinguished by a casual cruelness, he's a young
white man who loves his uniform.
PIKE:
If it isn't Winston Hancock.
Winston tries to move past Pike, but the sheriff blocks his
path with a night stick. As Winston backs off, another squad
car pulls up behind him. TWO DEPUTIES step from the car,
guns drawn.
PIKE:
I thought we agreed that you were
gonna leave town.
WINSTON:
I tried to leave, Sheriff Pike. But
your wife begged me to stay.
Pike slams Winston with his club, sending the black man to
his knees. As Winston struggles back to his feet, a stiletto
flashes and he lunges for the sheriff, slashing his cheek.
The deputies grab Winston from behind, holding him by both
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"Life" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 23 Feb. 2025. <https://www.scripts.com/script/life_450>.
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