Malcolm X Page #11

Malcolm acknowledges the greetings, strolls down in the bar.

It's immediately clear that a subtle change has come over

him. He is no longer the neophyte but a well-groomed, smooth,

fully polished hustler.

ANGLE - BOOTH

Malcolm sits into the booth and motions for the waitress.

ANGLE - HONEY

A fine copper tan waitress comes to him.

HONEY:

I thought you said we were going to

the movies last night.

MALCOLM:

I say a lot of things.

HONEY:

And like a fool I believe it.

MALCOLM:

Do your job, Get me a bourbon on the

rocks and a pack of Lucky's.

Honey stares at him.

MALCOLM:

I said now.

She leaves. He leans his head back against the booth --

A FEMALE VOICE:

Daniel come in yet, Honey?

Malcolm turns his head sharply at the sound of the voice.

It's familiar, a sound from the seemingly distant past. He

looks toward the bar and sees the women who asked the

question.

LAURA - MALCOLM'S POV

It's Laura, but not the Laura we last saw. She is still young,

still vulnerable, but she is bolder, more self-assured, more

vividly dressed.

She is unaware of Malcolm.

HONEY:

Ain't that him now?

ANGLE FAVORING DANIEL. He is a young, cocky, nervous,

gingerbread colored boy who comes over to her quickly. He

goes to the corner of the bar and quickly grabs Laura's neck

and kisses her hungrily.

DANIEL:

Hey, gorgeous, how you been? Waiting

long? Lemme see you. Wow!

It's obvious he's a junkie. And in need of a fix. QUICK!

SHOT - MALCOLM

Honey places his drink and cigarettes before him. He's

watching, taking it all in immediately. Laura is clearly

crazy about Daniel.

CLOSE - MALCOLM

He looks, then belts down his drink.

CLOSER - LAURA AND DANIEL

Daniel motions to her pocketbook and she takes out a five-

dollar bill.

He grabs it, and bolts for the door.

WITH MALCOLM AND HONEY

She has been watching Malcolm.

HONEY:

You know that gal?

MALCOLM:

Mind your own goddamn business...

She comes in a lot?

HONEY:

'Bout every other night, Red.

MALCOLM:

With him?

Honey nods.

MALCOLM:

She know?

HONEY:

If she got eyes, she do.

ANGLE - LAURA

Walking toward the door, looking for Daniel. She leaves the

bar.

CLOSE - MALCOLM AND HONEY

MALCOLM:

Is she hooking?

HONEY:

Not yet. But the way things going,

that boy gonna turn her out any day.

Malcolm smacks the table in frustration.

HONEY:

You stuck on her?

CLOSE - GLASS

Malcolm's glass on the table is trembling.

MALCOLM:

Shut up, b*tch.

He raises his arm to hit her and it is held back before it

can find its mark.

ARCHIE:

Don't do that.

Archie is standing above him. Malcolm nods, and Archie lets

his arm go; standing next to him is Sophia.

ARCHIE:

Honey, he didn't mean it.

Archie wiggles his fingers and Honey goes, but not before

throwing daggers at Malcolm and Sophia. Archie sits down,

takes out a cigar. For a good beat there is a coolness between

them. Then Malcolm reaches over and lights Archie's cigar.

Sophia stares at her man, he then motions for her to sit

down beside him.

ARCHIE:

Thanks. You got it. Who's beating on

you, Red? You looking a little up

tight.

The father-son thing is back, but Malcolm will never again

be the student.

MALCOLM:

Daddy, where's my money?

ARCHIE:

What you talking?

MALCOLM:

You owe me six big ones.

Archie looks at him, non-comprehending.

MALCOLM:

1, 2, 8 hit, didn't it?

ARCHIE:

You din't have no 1, 2, 8.

MALCOLM:

Was you that high? Old man, I threw

the slats at you. I said to combinate

me.

ARCHIE:

You never had it.

MALCOLM:

The b*tch was there.

Archie doesn't even look at Sophia.

ARCHIE:

Sh*t, what else she gonna say?

MALCOLM:

Then skip it, man. But you slipping,

baby. You done slipped.

Archie is controlling himself. Everyone in Small's is all

ears, a falling out between Malcolm and Archie -- their reps

are at stake.

ANGLE. Archie looks at Sammy. Sammy is neutral. Archie digs

in his pockets, comes up with a roll. He peels off six $100

bills and throws them on the table in front of himself, as

he gets up.

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