Morello's Bar

EXT. RESIDENTIAL HOUSE - DUSK

Two men exit through the back door. They check the soles of their shoes and then head down the porch stairs.

They're clothed similar: slicked hair, leather jackets, tailored pants. But that's where the similarities end. The skinnier one, CHRIS, is younger and has more flash to his clothing, alongside plentiful jewelry. The bigger one, DOM, is built and moves like he was a great wrestler...20 years ago.

The men are silent on exit, but begin talking as they hit the alleyway.

CHRIS

Not bad.

DOM

Not bad.

They both look around. Eyes darting forward and back to the house in unison. It's silent as they cross the corner of the block, the house behind, and continue walking. The sign they pass reads 60th street. A siren is heard in the distance.

CHRIS

(looking back)

The hell happened in there?

DOM

(doing the same)

Equipment malfunction. I fell behind. You had it sorted by the time I caught up, anyway.

CHRIS

(cocky)

Well, it's done.

Chris makes a show of sticking his hands out like he's Bruce Lee, a kung fu king. His wrists jangle with jewelry.

DOM

You didn't leave much doubt.

(taps Chris above the belt)

And what's with this...

(slapping his wrists)

...Gianni Versace?

CHRIS

(pulling away)

What? It looks good, right?

(perks up)

I got a date tonight.

DOM

Without a car?

CHRIS

Fucking better not be. Sorry -- They told me it'd be done yesterday. G-Class or not, think I'd have some pull.

DOM

I'm yanking your chain, kid. The walk is fine. Who's this Maria, anyway?

CHRIS

Brittany. Maria is old news.

DOM

So new news? That explains the dress.

CHRIS

What do you mean? I always dress like this?

DOM

I know.

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREETS - DUSK - CONTINUOUS

A dog barks at them as they pass the face of a fenced front yard. Chris is slightly startled, but Dom simply points and they cross the street. He puts up a light hand to stop an oncoming car. He's still looking behind intermittently. Chris is talking.

CHRIS

This one's got expensive taste, you know? Expensive bags, designer this, designer that.

DOM

Sounds like Lucia.

CHRIS

Yeah but this girl lives on her phone, lives. Socials, apps, all that shit. I don't even know when she has the time to shop. It's like I'm on call half the time --

DOM

Sounds like Lucia.

CHRIS

Lucia?

DOM

My girl you moron.

CHRIS

(recovering)

Oh yeah, yeah. Right, right. I know.

Dom sneaks a glance down to his vibrating phone as they cross another street walkway. He quickly hits power to ignore.

CHRIS

Speak of the devil, huh? You sure you don't need to get that?

DOM

She'll be fine when I get home.

(looks at watch)

Just running a little late.

CHRIS

I hear you there.

(BEAT)

You ever think about how connected we are?

DOM

(eyes darting, still on task)

What? No.

CHRIS

(barely waiting for his reply)

How immediate it's supposed to be? I don't answer a call or text, she just keeps calling. Calling and calling. But that's it.

DOM

This girl you just met?

CHRIS

(ignoring)

But where is the follow through? Never actually show up at the door. No actual check in. Just digital.

Another crossing. The light of dusk is now fully gone. Darkness. A beat before Chris continues.

CHRIS

Think about that. Someone, a lonely person, dies in their apartment. Some might call, maybe call a few more out times out of confusion. But, the phone just sits there. Vibrating and vibrating unanswered until it falls to the floor. Eventually runs outta battery and that's it.

More sirens, louder.

DOM

I don't think about that kinda stuff.

CHRIS

Really?

DOM

Really.

(BEAT)

Oh, our resident philosopher amongst the ghouls of this city. Life, pain, family...

CHRIS

(over Dom, sarcastic)

Thanks, Dom.

DOM

...danger.

CHRIS

Oh the things these...

(holds up cell phone)

...have done for that. Good and bad. It's not just, "Don't you go down to 50th past 10. Can't be near Morello's or you'll catch one" anymore.

EXT. DOWNTOWN - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

They're out of the residential area and into something more congested, more night life. They weave in and out of people leaving and entering bars/restaurants. It's quickly gotten louder.

DOM

I think that's still true.

CHRIS

(far away)

Yeah.

DOM

(looking back again)

It's all good, you know? You're good.

CHRIS

But he knows, right? He knows how bad I know I screwed it up. And that I'll do anything --

DOM

(putting a hand up to stop him)

He knows.

CHRIS

I knew it, too. Second we walked in there. Just felt...off. And it happened so fast. We're in, barely talking, guy says "No". You can't say no. Not to G. And then he's just running, gone...

(claps his hands and the top one shoots forward)

I mean this guy is flying, Dom. Fuckin' trackstar. So I pull out the piece. Bang, bang --

DOM

(over the noise)

I know the story.

CHRIS

(ignoring)

And it was so fast, he's going so fast. I was just shooting everywhere. And then it gets quiet. I check with Carlo, he's good. I'm good. And then we start looking around...

Chris stops. A beat as he stands there, people weaving and bumping around him. It takes a second before Dom notices and turns around. A second of pity crosses his eyes. It's still loud, but the silence between them hangs. Kindness flips to agitation and Dom starts walking back to him.

CHRIS

And I swear, Dom, I swear to Christ man. I did not see that kid when we walked in. He wasn't --

DOM

Leave it.

CHRIS

(shouting, pleading)

He wasn't supposed to be there! What the fuck is his kid doing there? He was supposed to be with him, not at the club. Fucking Carlo is no help -- The kid is that young and in the club? In the restaurant, sure, but --

DOM

(stern)

Leave it, Chris.

EXT. DOWNTOWN (53RD AVENUE) - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Chris listens. A few are staring at them, most just getting on with their night. Dom playfully nudges Chris off the busy street and in a new direction. Less congested. Dom looks back as they walk a bit. The noise dwindles until Chris breaks the silence.

CHRIS

Fuck.

DOM

Jesus Christ. You're good. You are good.

CHRIS

I know, but how can I know? How can I know?!

(looking around, fading behind Dom)

Maybe I should just hang back. Let you go and take the temperature of the --

Dom whips and grabs Chris by the jacket, white-knuckle tight. He holds him there, staring him in the eyes while Chris looks away. Some outside the nearby bar start staring. Dom holds Chris long enough for one to step forward and open his mouth. Dom snaps his head to the man before he can even speak. The man retreats. Chris is still looking away. Finally, Dom breaks the tension and sets Chris down.

DOM

(winking at him)

That help? You forgetting about the kid?

CHRIS

Y-Yeah. For sure.

DOM

It's all good. Let's just get back. We'll get you a drink and this'll all fade away.

EXT. CITY OUTSKIRTS - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER

They continue walking. The bar appears to be the last sign of life, as they're now surrounded by scant buildings. They walk for a beat in silence.

CHRIS

You're right. Hey, thanks Dom.

DOM

Don't mention it.

(to wind him back up)

Wait, so what was Carlo's deal?

CHRIS

I don't know. He just stood there. I mean literally just stood there. Did nothing. He was shouting. No clue why. Didn't lift an arm, didn't say a thing on the way back. Nothing. Nada.

DOM

That's going around.

CHRIS

(chipper, laughing)

Yeah, what the hell? Thought they partnered me with the real thing this time.

DOM

(sarcastically shrugs)

CHRIS

Unbelievable. Good help is hard to find.

DOM

Indeed, kid. Indeed.

CHRIS

Fucking Carlo.

DOM

(putting on gloves)

Fuck-ing Carlo.

CHRIS

Idiot will probably die choking on his food.

The block surrounding them is dead quiet. The buildings are stretched from one another here, and there's nothing directly around the two except a random garbage pick-up point ahead.

CHRIS

(looking down)

That dumb bastard. And he just gets outta sorts so fast. Talking like normal people then...

(snaps)

...he turns on you.

DOM

(looking behind)

Ain't it the truth?

CHRIS

(looking back to Dom)

Yeah! You know what? G gets that, right? That son of a bitch was agitating me the whole way over there. On and on he goes about he's gotta do this, he's gotta do that. He's either angry or complaining. Jesus.

DOM

Don't worry about that hothead. Nobody likes him. G understands.

CHRIS

You're right.

DOM

I am. I've known Carlo a long time. In high school they voted him most likely to have an unattended funeral.

Chris hears this and stops in front of the dumpsters, under the only street light for what seems like blocks. He turns to Dom while he stops and grabs cigarettes out of his pocket.

CHRIS

(through the cigarette in his mouth)

Hey...

(lights up)

...that's funny.

Chris laughs to himself, surprised, as he pulls out his phone. He briefly checks his alerts and snorts sarcastically before taking in a big drag and looking around. Finally opening his eyes to where he is. He's confused. Dom smiles at this and steps closer.

DOM

Thanks.

Dom barely finishes the word before he reaches at Chris's belt and grabs his gun. Chris can't even react before Dom raises it up and points it at his head.

CHRIS

Jes --

BANG! Chris falls limp to the ground. Scurrying creatures are heard taking off into the field behind the dumpsters. A flock of birds release from the field and into the air.

Dom looks down at Chris. He's gurgling blood for a few seconds before his body gives up. Dom looks at him, then looks around. BANG! -- for good measure.

He stands above him for a beat, content. Then leans down and grabs the fallen cigarette. He takes a puff before looking up to the street light above and then back down to Chris. Another puff. He reaches to the sky and -- BANG! -- turns out the lights.

Dead silence -- darkness everywhere except the street lights miles away and the glowing ember of the cigarette. The silence is broken by dragging noises and heavy breathing. The WHOOSH...WHOOSH...WHOOSH of dragging continues for a beat.

Dom's face lights up from his cell phone before he lifts it to his ear.

DOM

Hello, is this Morello's Bar?...Yeah, I'd like to speak with the manager...I was in there earlier today and had an issue or two...We were a family of 3, and we came in at 6...We all had to send our food back...It's okay, it was unfortunate. But we also had a very rude waiter. That's unacceptable...

(the faint buzz of a phone vibrating interrupts)

...No, we didn't have to travel far. We're from just outside of town. Out on 53rd Avenue. So we drove the Benz in...It's good now. I might have to talk to my wife when I get home about it, but that's it. I just wanted you to know...Thank you.

Dom's face lights up for a second before he hangs up. The buzzing of Chris's phone starts again, and is loud against the quiet.

A beat before it rings a third time, the ember intensifies and starts floating to the back of the dumpster. A shuffling before Dom walks back out in front, his face now lit up by Chris's phone. He stares and lets out a short laugh before launching it into the field behind. The illuminated phone screen spinning into the abyss.

Darkness again. The cigarette flicks onto the road, and footsteps are heard walking away.