Switchback Page #5

'77 Cadillac

Eldorado, white.

We got it.

Put the word out.

That fellow and me,

we went to school together,

went to work together,

he was the best man

at my wedding.

I broke my back 2 years ago.

You want to guess who fed

my kids while I was laid up?

Come on, Shorty. Make me

sound like a saint.

That's broken, Bob.

Could you hand me

one of those spark plugs?

There you go.

Thanks.

What kind of work

did you guys do?

We cleared passes

for the Rio Grande.

You know,

a storm like this

can drop 11/2 to 2 feet

in these passes.

Somebody's got

to clear 'em up

so the freight

can get through.

That was our job.

And when did you

start doing this?

Well, I was in

the service for a while,

I got married,

had a family.

I guess I figured I'd

better not tempt fate.

You're listening

to the Country King.

And now the news.

Amarillo City police

have confirmed...

Hey, Bob,

turn that up, will you?

Suspect in custody

in connection with the shooting

in a local apartment complex

early this morning.

Sources close

to the investigation

say the suspect

may have some connection

with the 2 brutal murders

at a local motel

and a third body discovered

at the apartment complex.

You fellas been following

those murders down in Amarillo?

It's a bad business.

The last 2 days,

I've been carrying this.

You be careful

with that.

Can't be too careful

is what I say.

You goin' somewhere?

Stretch my legs.

How long before we're

outta here, Shorty?

Oh, about 10 minutes,

but you ain't goin'

anywhere.

You're staying

with us tonight.

Next time.

Sweet tooth.

What?

Bob wouldn't tell you,

but he's got

a vicious sweet tooth.

Pretty when it comes

down like that.

Yeah. And if it

gets any prettier,

I'll be spending

the night here.

I just want to pick up

some candy.

Sure.

Pretty quiet.

Quiet isn't the word.

I broke my tail

to get into work today,

nearly ran off the road twice,

and for what?

You're the first person

I've seen today.

What about your boss?

Oh, well, he calls and tells me

he can't make it in.

I told him, even Braddock's

across the street is closed,

but does he tell me to lock up

and go home before I get stuck?

Course not.

What can I get for you?

Candy corn.

Small bag.

Ok.

Why don't you just lock the store up

and not tell him?

Oh... ha!...I would, but he's going

to call and check on me.

Otherwise, believe me,

I'd be out of here.

Hey, listen, I didn't mean

to bend your ear with this.

It's 2.75.

Oh, that's him.

Better tell Bob.

Hey, Shorty.

Hey, John.

How about some gas?

Comin' right up.

Finished for the day?

Just starting.

Whew!

'77 Eldorado. Yours?

No. It's a friend

of mine's.

She's a beaut.

Wait till you see

the interior.

Whoa, baby!

Whoo.

Yeah, that's right, Larry.

Not a soul the entire morning.

Yeah, well, I wish

you were paying me

what you're spending

to heat the place.

Uh-huh.

Yeah.

Yeah.

See you tomorrow.

You didn't

take my money.

Oh, forget it.

If I rang it up, he'd see it

tomorrow and give me hell.

Well, at least let me

buy you a cup of coffee.

Thanks...

but I'd better hit the road

while I got the chance.

Hey, I hate to ask, but I might need

a hand getting my car out.

If you would't mind

helping me, and then...

Maybe.

Maybe?

You wouldn't be

leading me on, would you?

Bob?

Shorty's finished

with the car.

Thanks for coming in

and telling me.

Sorry I can't help you.

Maybe next time.

The wind must have

turned it around.

Sorry if I interrupted

something back there.

You flatter me, Doc.

Something wrong?

Naw.

Nice hat, Doc.

Wish you fellas

would change your mind.

Next time, Shorty.

Hang on, Doc.

I forgot something.

I'll be right back.

Shorty?

Yo! Back here, Bob.

Forget something?

Yeah.

If you're gonna

try to force money on me,

you should know better

'cause I ain't accepting it.

What's the matter, Buddy?

When did he

spot it?

at a gas station in Martinsberg.

The officer did not

know the car was hot.

He's going back right

now to investigate.

Do we have a description

of the driver?

Yes. White male,

early 20s, brown hair.

Matches one of our

unknowns from the motel.

And another thing,

Buck...

they're here for him.

Ok.

Light's changed.

Yeah. I see it.

They're here.

Thank God.

Wait a minute, Frank.

Close the door.

Oh, my God,

they're leavin'.

What's the story,

deputy?

You said he'd be here

Well, you know, Buck's

been having some car trouble.

He's got a bad solenoid

on that starter.

I'll call him.

I'll call him right now.

Buck, what the hell

are you doing?

Don't ask any questions if you

don't want to hear the answer.

Buck, are you

out of your mind?

You're messing with

a federal investigation here.

That's called

obstruction of justice.

I know exactly

what it's called.

Get on the phone

to the airport.

Tell them to have the chopper

standing by in 10 minutes.

A department

helicopter?

And I want a car

waiting for him in Martinsberg.

Buck, McGinnis is going to have

a field day with this.

Even if you do win,

he'll have you impeached.

Well, I guess we can just

consider this my last official act.

Colorado State Patrol says

they've got roadblocks

set up in

a 200-mile radius.

Lot of snow up there

right now. Slow going.

Maybe you'll get lucky.

Thanks.

Buck?

Go find him, Frank.

Time's a wastin'.

Damn.

It's cold.

I know.

Heater ain't working.

Radio, too.

Shorty must have blown

a fuse when he was working.

Where are we?

My shortcut.

We'll skirt

the storm this way.

Cut 2 hours

off our time.

If we get there.

Trust me, Doc.

Trust me.

Doc, while you were sleepin',

I was thinkin'...

and I've decided I have

to ask a great favor of you.

I have a son.

I'm not the best old man

he could have had,

but I do my best.

I have someone

to keep him for me.

Where's his mother?

She's dead.

My sister keeps him.

Why are you

telling me this?

I've been

thinking about

if something

happened to me,

he's got no one

to look up to.

Nothing's

gonna happen to you.

I don't need you

to take care of him.

He needs somebody to sort of be

a godfather to him.

Be an example.

What, me?

You're smart, Doc.

Tough. Responsible.

Hard qualities

to find these days.

If something

did happen to me,

I'd appreciate it

if you'd do that for me.

Sure.

Thank you.

He lives in Oakland.

Down near the bay.

You remember

that address?

Uh, 8899 Todd.

Yeah. Thanks, Doc.

I feel better

already.

Ahh... yeah.

Just in time, huh?

Ha ha ha!

Whoa!

Hold on, Doc!

God damn it,

get out!

Bob?

Bob!

Hey, Bob!

Yeah!

I'm here!

Don't come down here,

Doc!

It's too dangerous!

My God.

Can you get out?

No! It's jammed!

Then I'm coming down!

Stay up there!

One wrong move,

and they'll be digging

both our asses out in July.

Hang on!

Oh.

God damn, you deaf

son of a b*tch,

I said stay up there!

It's a little too late

for that.

If we get out

of this thing,

I'm gonna beat the sh*t

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes