Continuation – Part III
Ext. HOSPITAL PARKING LOT – A FEW HOURS LATER
Solitaire leaves the building and passes Diamond.
Diamond
I just got the message…
SOLITAIRE
Sure you did. You were busy burning an orphanage or stealing change from a blind man’s cup…let’s see…maybe it was Dave…maybe you were wrapped up in his case.
Solitaire stomps to her car. Diamond stares after Solitaire.
DIAMOND
(mumbles)
Maybe. Maybe you’re smarter than I thought.
INT. HOSPITAL – TREYANNE’S ROOM – A FEW MINUTES LATER
Diamond stands by the bed.
DIAMOND
What happened? You’re going to be alright, aren’t you?
Treyanne is stiff with Diamond.
TREYANNE
I’m just tired. I’ll be fine.
DIAMOND
I just got the message an hour ago that you were here.
Treyanne turns away.
DIAMOND
I didn’t mean for this to happen. I was thinking of what would be best for you.
TREYANNE
I should be the judge of what’s best for me. It’s you I wonder about.
(stare on Diamond)
What happened to that little girl that grew up with me?
Treyanne tries to sit up and the IV tube catches on a blanket.
TrEYANNE
Ouch! Damn it!
Diamond looks at Treyanne and everything attached to her and starts to wilt.
DIAMOND
Mom…I…
TREYANNE
Was I supposed to slip quietly into a nursing home and die in another twenty years or so…
Tears start in Diamond’s eyes.
DIAMOND
I just didn’t…
TREYANNE
Think it would happen to me? You’d file me away like another lawsuit you won? And then what?
DIAMOND
I don’t know.
TREYANNE
I know I’m not going into a nursing home. Plain and simple, straight to the point, you either cancel that petition or I’ll make arrangements that you have no control over.
DIAMOND
That statement just proves my point. You need to be in a nursing home.
TREYANNE
It’s your move.
INT. OXFORD – POKER ROOM – THAT NIGHT
Gloria deals to the PLAYERS. Solitaire takes an empty seat.
GLORIA
Wow! You’re in late.
SOLITAIRE
Yes, it’s almost 11 p.m. “Dealer’s do you know where your players are?” And is it your turn to watch me?
GLORIA
Geeze…I didn’t mean anything by it.
Dave walks through the door and takes the empty seat by Solitaire.
GLORIA
Well…there you have it!
SOLITAIRE
Jesus H. Christ, Gloria! Just shut up and deal the damn cards.
Dave surveys them both.
DAVE
Well, Ladies, what did I miss?
Solitaire does finger quotes on each side of her face.
SOLITAIRE
“As the World Turns” by Gloria.
Dave teases Solitaire.
DAVE
Hey, Buddy, your poker face has a leak in it. What’s going on?
SOLITAIRE
Where should I start?
Dave leans close to Solitaire.
SOLITAIRE
There’s a lot of pain in life, Dave. Maybe you just haven’t bumped into it yet.
Solitaire grabs a rack and loads her chips into it. Dave grabs her arm.
DAVE
Hey…sorry. Don’t leave over something I said.
SOLITAIRE
It’s just me. I’ll get over it.
Solitaire wheels off to the Cashier. Dave grabs his chips and follows.
GLORIA
See…I knew there was something going on.
Gary
Solitaire was right, Gloria. Just shut up and deal!
Dave sets his chips down by Solitaire’s chips at the Cashier.
DAVE
This isn’t like you. Let’s have a drink. It’s my last night in town.
SOLITAIRE
What do we have to talk about?
DAVE
Come on…we’ve been friends a long time. We both know poker. We’re both going to Vegas.
SOLITAIRE
How about this one? Dave leaves for a year, returns to ruin the only good game we’ve had in a month, follows the Queen out into the night…and those are the high spots.
DAVE
You can’t be serious!
Cash in hand, Solitaire retorts over her shoulder.
SOLITAIRE
Catch me in Vegas.
Dave grabs his cash and runs after Solitaire.
EXT. PARKING LOT – A MINUTE LATER
Dave catches Solitaire at her car. He steps in close and puts his hand on her arm.
DAVE
And we’re both attractive and intelligent people of the opposite sex.
SOLITAIRE
Attractive and intelligent is definitely true about me.
DAVE
Come on…just one drink for all the pain in the world.
Solitaire hesitates and stares at Dave’s hand on her arm.
SOLITAIRE
Just one drink. But don’t think there’s more to it than a drink.
DAVE
No…absolutely nothing more. Where?
SOLITAIRE
It has to be at my house. I may get a phone call anytime.
DAVE
I’ll follow you. Don’t try to lose me now that I’ve got you where I wanted you all this time.
SOLITAIRE
DAVE!
DAVE
Just kidding…I’ll behave.
Ext. DEBOARDE HOME – A SHORT TIME LATER
Solitaire leads Dave up the steps.
DAVE
What about your mom, is she asleep?
SOLITAIRE
She’s in the hospital.
DAVE
Ooooh! All alone with Big Bad Dave.
SOLITAIRE
Yes…you are! It’s pretty lonely in there, isn’t it?
INT. DEBOARDE HOME – LIVING ROOM – A MINUTE LATER
Solitaire steps into the room and mumbles.
SOLITAIRE
This was probably a mistake.
DAVE
What?
Solitaire turns on a lamp and motions to the couch.
SOLITAIRE
What would you like to drink? I’m having wine.
DAVE
That works for me.
Solitaire leaves. Dave settles on the couch. Solitaire returns with a bottle of wine and glasses.
DAVE
Sorry about your mom…guess I came across as being cold.
Solitaire pours the wine and leans back into the couch.
SOLITAIRE
A toast then…
They raise their glasses.
SOLITAIRE
May the pain of life always flow gently past the small island you live on.
Their glasses clink as the clock on the wall strikes 12 a.m.
DAVE
I think I just got slammed but I accept.
FADE TO:
Wine bottles lie strewn around the floor and table. Their body language and closeness opens the door.
DAVE
I know…let’s toast because it’s Tuesday.
SOLITAIRE
That’s really original
(snorts)
…but why not.
Their glasses clink as the clock strikes 2 a.m.
SOLITAIRE
You’re leaving today? Lucky guy.
DAVE
You’re going soon, right?
SOLITAIRE
Yes…I’m struggling with leaving Mom…
DAVE
What about Diamond?
SOLITAIRE
What about her? Why would you care? And what the hell happened the other night when you followed her out of the room?
DAVE
Nothing…nothing happened. I went for a walk.
Solitaire slaps at Dave’s face.
SOLITAIRE
Liar! Your poker face is cracking.
Dave grabs her arm and pulls her up against him.
DAVE
This is what you wanted all along…isn’t it?
Their faces are inches apart for a moment.
Dave kisses her.
Solitaire struggles briefly and then devours his lips.
The kiss becomes a passionate dance of body motion and sex that begins on the couch and moves onto the coffee table and floor.
FADE TO:
INT. DEBOARDE HOME – SOLITAIRE’S BEDROOM – DAYLIGHT
Dave grabs a tube of lipstick and writes on the mirror: “SEE YOU IN VEGAS”. He turns for a long look at Solitaire’s sleeping form.
EXT. DEBOARDE HOME – A FEW MINUTES LATER
Dave leaves the house.
Diamond parks her car.
Dave spots Diamond and races to his car. He jumps in and speeds away.
Diamond’s Poker Face is flawless as she watches Dave’s escape.
INT. DEBOARDE HOME – LIVING ROOM – A FEW MINUTES LATER
Diamond surveys the wine glasses and bottles, Solitaire’s clothing, and the contents of the coffee table littered over the floor and couch.
DIAMOND
You’re messing with my horse, Sister.
INT. DEBOARDE HOME – SOLITAIRE’S BEDROOM – A MINUTE LATER
DIAMOND
What happened? What are you doing?
Solitaire shakes off sleep.
SOLITAIRE
What am I supposed to be doing? It’s…it’s 7 a.m.
Solitaire sits up and reads the writing on the mirror.
SOLITAIRE
“See you in Vegas.”
(chuckles)
DIAMOND
Like hell you will!
SOLITAIRE
(to Diamond)
What are you doing here anyway?
DIAMOND
YOU have to help me convince Mom what’s best for her.
SOLITAIRE
Go to hell! You’re the reason she’s in the hospital!
Diamond spots the writing on the mirror, reads.
DIAMOND
“See you in Vegas.”
(to Solitaire)
You weren’t talking to me.
SOLITAIRE
Damn right I wasn’t. I hope I never see you again…anywhere.
DIAMOND
Don’t think that’s a one way street. Multiply that by 1,000 and jam it down your throat.
(kicks the bed)
Solitaire belly laughs.
SOLITAIRE
You’re losing it!
Diamond throws a jewelry box at the mirror. The mirror explodes.
DIAMOND
Fuck you, you little bitch!
SOLITAIRE
It ain’t no fun when the rabbit’s got the gun.
Diamond slams the door on her way out.
Solitaire licks her index finger and smoothes each eyebrow and smiles.
SOLITAIRE
All the Queen’s horses and all the Queen’s men, couldn’t put the Queen back together again!
She laughs long and hard.
INT. HOSPITAL – TREYANNE’S ROOM – NEXT DAY
Solitaire sits on the edge of the bed and strokes Treyanne’s hand.
SOLITAIRE
Mommy, King called today to see how you were doing.
Treyanne’s features are drawn, her voice is weak.
TREYANNE
I’ll call him later. He’ll be back in a few days anyway.
SOLITAIRE
I’m leaving in a few hours for Vegas.
TREYANNE
It’s ok, honey.
Treyanne grips Solitaire’s hand.
SOLITAIRE
I can’t stand the thought of leaving you like this…
TREYANNE
I’ll wait to hear from you in Vegas.
SOLITAIRE
Be ready to go home as soon as I get back.
The sun drifts behind a dark cloud. The room dims.
TREYANNE
Soon. I’ll be going home soon.
They hold each other.
INT. KING’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Nothing is out of place. Stainless steel and white tile scream the need for cleanliness and order.
King and Solitaire sit at the table with coffee.
KING
Meredith will be out of the shower in a minute. You’d better hit the bathroom and get ready…it’s almost “Show Time”!
MEREDITH ‘STING’ GREY saunters through the door, shaking out wet, long, dyed ‘brilliant red’ hair. Her exceptionally great shaped, 40ish body sports a lower back tattoo and is clad in a thong and halter top.
SOLITAIRE
Working tonight Mere?
MEREDITH
As soon as you pass the audition, I thought we’d celebrate with dinner and drinks.
(chuckles)
The boys at the club can make it without me tonight.
Solitaire leaves. King and Meredith visit over coffee. The phone rings.
MEREDITH
Yes. I’ll let you talk to King.
King
Calm down, Diamond. When?
(listens)
King scribbles a number.
King
We’ll get back to you.
King slips the paper under his coffee cup as Solitaire races in clad in a towel.
MEREDITH
Careful girl, I’ll think you’re going to audition where I work.
Solitaire laughs and refills her cup.
SOLITAIRE
Yeah…right! If I looked as good as you do, I still couldn’t do it.
King stares across the room at the wall.
SOLITAIRE
Everything ok?
KING
What? Oh…yeah. Just took a trip and didn’t even leave the kitchen. Sorry.