The Frontier Page #4

- Excuse me'?

EDDIE:
That's why you left.

Because your brilliant boyfriend

put a hit out on a studio director

'cause you didn't get a part.

Johnny wasn't my boyfriend.

He was my fianc.

And that's not

the way it happened.

Everyone having coffee'?

LEE:
Yes.

EDDIE:
Not me.

- Keeps me awake.

- (bell jingling)

GLORIA:
So why did you

leave the business?

You know who Jack Warner was?

He was some big-time

studio guy, right'? Yeah.

Some big-time studio guy.

Well, at the time,

I was doing bit parts

in a series of low-budget

costume dramas,

and Jack noticed me.

Called me in for a screen

test for Dark Victory.

That's the movie with Bette Davis.

My mom loved that movie.

Should have been Luanne Brice.

I did all the make-up tests,

the costume fittings.

Oh, you should have seen me.

And then, just days

before shooting,

he calls me in for a meeting.

Tells me the director

wants Davis instead of me

and offers me some second-rate

flop in exchange.

- What'd you do'?

- I told him to go f*** himself.

So, what about that business with

your fianc and the director'?

That might have happened.

But Johnny was just

giving him a scare.

Splashed him and his little

poodle with some gasoline.

That's all.

But I didn't need Hollywood.

I had Johnny.

Johnny was going to produce

a movie showcasing my talents,

show the world what I could do.

He hired a writer,

and we wrote a script.

No Time for Tears.

We were so close to making it.

We were in Vegas,

raising the money, when...

when...

With Johnny gone,

there was no picture.

There was nothing.

So you came here.

Johnny won this place

in a bet years before,

and I thought I'd just

hide out, rest a little.

But it's funny how,

when your heart's been choked,

days turn into weeks,

into months,

into years.

Until...

you wake up one day,

and you don't know who you are.

Well.

I hope I'm not boring you.

Oh. No. I'm...

I'm just sleepy.

Those margaritas.

This Coffee's not doing much for me.

(bell jingles)

(door closes) Sure you

don't want some coffee'?

EDDIE:
Nah.

I think I need some air.

That's pretty good.

(door closes) I should

go check on her.

"The Frontier."

Cowboys and Indians.

Makes you think of the past,

don't it'?

But it's really

about the future.

Okay. Come on.

Let's go sit down.

Think I drank too much.

This never happens with juice.

Oh.

Is Eddie okay'?

Yeah, Eddie's fine.

Are you okay?

Mm-hmm.

That Lee, he hurt you.

I'm gonna be okay.

Eddie's so funny.

I never get to see him anymore.

He's always driving places.

Wait for the wagon

Wait for the wagon

Wait for the wagon

And we'll all take a ride

Please don't let me die.

You're not gonna die.

Good.

I don't wanna die.

Eddie'?

You... You put something

in the coffee.

You put something in that drink.

Didn't you?

Yes.

What do you want?

A thousand bucks?

You can have it.

That's nice, Eddie.

But I don't want

a thousand bucks.

I want it all.

You...

Luanne.

(door closes)

(bell jingles)

Surprised to see you

open so late.

Yeah.

Some of the guests

had a little party here,

and I got stuck

with the cleanup.

Run out of rooms'?

I think he had

a little too much gin.

Luanne said just to leave him.

If my father was here, he would write

that man a ticket for public drunkenness,

then slip it in his wallet

to find when he wakes up.

- Your dad's a cop'?

- Was. County sheriff.

Died a couple of years back.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, he let the job

get the best of him.

Didn't even make it

to retirement.

I imagine it'd be hard not to.

(sighs)

Look, I...

I wanted to apologize

for the way I acted earlier.

It's okay.

No.

I was out of line.

Been under a lot of

stress lately, you know,

with this Flagstaff killing.

Please. I'm sorry.

You were just being friendly,

and I was...

It's just been a while.

I'm terrible at this.

I don't know why,

but sometimes I'm scared

of the very thing I want.

Oh, yeah'?

Got any time off this weekend'?

What do you have in mind'?

Rib eye?

I think I might have Sunday off.

Maybe you'll swing by

and pick me up.

I'll think about it.

Well, can I get you

some coffee before you go'?

Yeah.

Coffee sounds good.

(coffee pouring)

You know, on second thought,

I'll take a Coke.

You sure?

Yep.

But I'll take it to go.

I don't want to keep you.

Need a straw?

Much obliged.

Who do you think did it'?

Excuse me'?

Flagstaff.

See, State thinks

it was someone who knew him,

that it was a calculated hit

covered up to look

like he was killed during a robbery

or some other kind of transaction.

Oh, yeah'?

How I see it, I think

he was killed by a whore.

Hmm.

But what do you think?

You agree with me

or with the State'?

I really have no idea.

Well.

Good thing you're not a cop.

(door closes)

(vehicle pulls away)

(vehicle approaching)

(door opens, closes)

(door closing, engine starts)

(engine starts)

F***!

No, no, no.

(engine cranks)

Come on.

Come on! Come on!

(engine starts)

He took it!

He took the money!

Eddie'? He must have put

something in the coffee.

You made the coffee. He's the

only one who didn't drink it.

- The bastard!

- I tried to stop him, but... (groans)

he knocked me out.

You could do better than that.

I'm still here, aren't I'?

FLYNN:
What happened'?

Did they deliver the money'?

Eddie took it.

- Eddie?

- No. Eddie wouldn't do that!

- Eddie wouldn't do that!

- Then where the hell is he'?

I don't know!

Maybe he took the money, and

he's bringing it somewhere safe.

Somewhere safe'?

Stupid broad!

We're taking your car. Everybody

get in the f***ing car.

Oh, Lee...

Now!

You too, missy.

Nobody leaves my sight.

He could be anywhere by now.

Stop at the first gas station,

see if somebody spotted him.

LUANNE:
How are we

going to find him'?

Gloria?

- I don't know where he is.

- Take a guess.

I don't know!

- Why would he do this'?

- Ask him when we find him.

Right now I just

wanna know where he is,

so think, damn it, think!

What is it'? There's

something up ahead.

- Flynn. Don't let him! Don't let him, Flynn!

- All right.

He left his gun?

Actually, it looks like mine.

Look! There's blood!

There's blood on the road!

Is it Eddie's'?

Does he bleed red'?

Come on, darling. Get in the car.

Just get in the car.

He couldn't have gotten far.

If we find him, will you

let me talk to him'?

- Lee, will you let me talk to him first?

- .Jesus Christ!

Shut the f*** up!

Wait a minute.

What's that?

That's Eddie!

Oh! Eddie!

Oh, my... Oh! Eddie.

Eddie. Eddie.

Eddie! (crying)

Why did you do it'?

Eddie, why did you do it'?

You know I wouldn't.

I was gonna...

I don't care why he did it.

Is it all there?

- (hammer c*cks)

- Lee, don't you do this!

He's hurt! Look at him.

He's hurt!

EDDIE:
The coffee.

- It was in the coffee.

- I know it was the coffee.

No! You're a beast!

I won't let you do it!

If you want to shoot him,

you'll have to go through me.

(hammer c*cks)

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