The Frontier

1

(breathing heavily)

(buttons pressing)

( POP ballad)

MAN:
I can't believe you

looked me in the face

Can't believe you would go

(lighter closes, hits table)

All my tears keep on saying

I love you so

I'm sorry for all the

times I hurt you

(fades) Sorry for

all the times

(soft breathing)

(gasps)

You been out here all night?

You're blocking the driveway.

(engine starts)

(water dripping, splashing)

Are you here by yourself'?

Mostly.

More coffee?

Please.

No milk.

Headed out west'?

East.

Away from...

Yeah.

He's probably reading

my note about now.

"By the time I get to Phoenix"?

More or less.

Nice place you got.

You're kidding, right'?

Oh, no, no.

First one's on me.

Thanks.

You okay?

I could really use a shower.

I'd rather not use one

of the rooms right now, but...

(door opens)

(bell jingles)

Good morning.

(door closes)

MAN:
Good morning.

Sleep okay?

I slept fine.

Eggs?

You know, why don't you

use my shower.

Soap's nicer than in the rooms.

Make your skin pretty.

Prettier.

(shower running)

This your car?

Can't drive like that.

Tire's flat.

It was driving fine last night.

Well, probably was a slow leak.

Got a spare'?

That was my spare.

Well, miss, lucky I'm here.

Where you headed'?

Twin Cities.

Taking the back roads, huh?

Yeah.

I always feel like the semis are

gonna drive me off the freeway.

You spend any time in Flagstaff?

Passed through.

Seems like a nice town.

On the surface maybe.

Most towns seem nice

on the surface.

In the day, on Main Street.

But at night,

in the bars, motel rooms,

it's a whole nother story.

Yeah.

The nicer the town,

the dirtier the crime.

Spousal abuse.

Molestation.

Drugs. Prostitution. Murder.

Every town's got 'em.

Everyone's guilty of something.

(chuckles)

Not a nail after all.

Looks like

your tire got screwed.

(door opens)

(bell jingles)

Surprised to see you here.

On my way home from Flagstaff.

Long night.

Flagstaff?

Yeah, they wanted

all hands on deck.

Gruesome scene.

You'll hear about it on the

evening news, I'm sure. Mm-hmm.

You mind fetching

Officer Gault some coffee?

Sure. To-go cups

are in the back.

Well, that's my name, Miss...

Laine.

Laine. I'd like it

light and sweet.

You find everything

you're looking for'?

Yeah, I think so.

This place is a dive.

There's plenty of nicer

motels off the freeway.

Maybe I don't like the freeway.

Here you go.

Thanks.

Sweet, but not too sweet.

Just the way I like it.

This one's a keeper.

WOMAN (on police radio): Officer Gault.

Are you there'? Hold on a minute.

How about it'?

How about what'?

Hey, gotta run.

Just need to finish the air.

But it should hold up till

you get where you're going.

Thank you.

My pleasure.

How about staying on?

This place could use

a fresh face.

Free room and board.

I would, um, but my mother's

expecting me up in Minneapolis.

(engine starts)

Suit yourself.

Luanne.

I sure would appreciate

a room though.

- Just for the night?

- You can have 3.

But if I get any paying customers,

you're gonna need to clear out.

Okay.

( up-tempo)

(car door slams)

WOMAN:
Flynn, baby, you better be waiting

for me. MAN:
Indeed I am, my darling.

I just thought my momentum might

help get you out the door.

Christ.

(door closes)

(footsteps)

This dump is deserted.

What did I tell you'?

But I love my diamonds.

You need to wear them

while eating a cheeseburger'?

They don't have steak'?

Gloria, please.

Kidding.

Okay, okay.

Ooh, Jesus Christ.

(door closes)

(doorknob rattles)

(light switch clicking)

Piece of junk!

(knocking)

FLYNN:
Gloria, open the door.

Will you take that out

to the car for me'?

Gloria, you're not leaving.

The hell I'm not!

- And where will you go'?

- The closest hotel.

Don't be unreasonable.

Did you hear the way

she was talking to me'?

And that place.

Ten minutes in there, and I feel

like there's grease all over me.

And what about your brother?

Eddie can visit me at the hotel.

(exhales)

Where's my jacket'?

Gloria, please.

Have you forgotten the

reason as to why we are here'?

GLORIA:
I have not.

Then for God's sake,

will you please try

and be sensible?

Look, after tomorrow night,

we're not going to have to worry

about money for a very long time.

Gloria, Mr. Dunbar

was good to us.

Two big ones.

So tomorrow night we leave'?

Yes.

After they make

the drop-off.

Okay?

Oh, come on.

Darling, why don't you take

one of your little pills

and get ready for bed?

Where are your pills?

Should be in there.

FLYNN:
Well,

I don't see them.

There's a new bottle

in the bathroom.

Here, darling.

I never wanna come back

to this rotten place.

Of course not.

Will you come with me,

my Phyllis dear

To yon blue

mountain high'?

Where the blossoms

smell the sweetest

Please come

with me tonight

Wait for the wagon

Wait for the wagon

Wait for the wagon

And we'll all

take a ride

(door opens, closes)

(tires screech)

(inhales)

(exhales)

(bird cawing)

Good morning.

LUANNE:
Morning.

I slept very well last night.

Happy to hear.

- I woke up this morning, and I was thinking...

- It's too late.

I've changed my mind.

I don't need you anymore.

I really do need a job.

Then why did you turn it down'?

See, that's why

you sleep in a car.

Are you going

to order something?

Because if you're not, we do

reserve the stools for customers.

Well'?

I'm sorry, Luanne.

I was wrong.

I was hurting

and... and tired.

I couldn't think past

getting some rest.

It was very kind of you to

make the offer. I'll say.

Please.

I'm afraid if I don't have

something to cling to right now,

I'll run back to him

all over again.

You're not missing him,

are you'?

It's a vicious cycle.

What about your mother

in Minneapolis?

To be honest,

she doesn't have much.

She drinks.

I suppose I'll just be a burden.

You sure have an odd way

of showing gratitude.

Is that the blouse

you wore yesterday'?

Yeah. I washed it

in the sink.

Well, we'll have to do

something about that.

Where should I start'?

Well...

(mug thuds)

Who put the noose

around your neck'?

Hey, goddamn it, Lee!

Leave her alone.

She's a good kid.

(door opens)

Good morning.

LUANNE:
Morning.

(door closes)

Hi. Would you like

some coffee?

If you're pouring, I shall

drink whatever you've got.

Good morning.

Morning.

On vacation'?

Headed for Palm Springs.

My wife likes to think

that she can golf.

Can't she'?

She can swing.

Can't hit the ball,

but she can swing.

LUANNE:
Put on a fresh pot,

will ya, doll'?

Oh. I should probably get one

of those to go, for the wife.

She has a tough time

falling asleep,

but once she goes down,

a cadaver is easier to wake up.

And how long will you

stay in Palm Springs?

Shouldn't you be scrubbing

a toilet or something'?

(door opens, closes)

- Well, look who stayed.

- Good morning.

I was driving by and saw that Nova

still out there. I had a hunch.

Well, I best check on the wife.

Oh, hey, mister,

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