The Biggest Game IV – a screenplay

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.

Part V