Eyeball is still sitting on the bed. Raven comes out of the bathroom, throws her bag down next to him, and checks her gun as she heads for the door.
Stay here. I have some phone calls
to make. Want anything while I’m
out?
Eyeball shakes his head.
What did you have to eat before we
got to the bar tonight?
EYEBALL
Just a few drinks. I thought I would
need them.
RAVEN
I’ll get you something. I don’t want
you running on nothing but booze.
I’ll be right back.
She winks humorlessly and points her finger at him like a gun. Her thumb comes forward and she “fires”. She blows on her finger as she exits. The door swings closed, but doesn’t quite shut. Eyeball raises his hands to his face, notices they’re shaking. He stares at them as if they’re not his own. After several seconds he reaches for the phone, dialing quickly.
(into phone, more and more agitated)
Big Ed? Thank God… you’ve gotta help
me! No, we’re at her motel! Her husband
ran off with Kara before Jake could
even get there! I don’t know, how
the fuck should I know? You calm down!
You’re the one who wanted a big show-
down! I hear the other line, that’s
probably her! What am I supposed to
do? Fine! Fine! I’ll just play along.
Okay!
(slams down the phone)
Asshole!
In frustration, he punches the pillows he’s been lying on. When he calms down, he takes a second, pulls out his gun and leans back against the headboard, leveling the muzzle at the door, taking deep breaths to steady himself.
EXT. HOTEL LOBBY - PHONE BOOTH - NIGHT
Raven is talking calmly into the phone.
(into phone)
Yeah, it’s sort of bad news. My
husband took off with her. Oh, just
fine, how am I supposed to feel? Yeah,
well, me too. I don’t know where he
thinks he’s going. You might want to
have Jake file a missing person’s
report as soon as possible, make it
look good. Who, The Eyeball Kid? He’s
fine. I honestly don’t think he has
much of a future in this, though.
INT. ROOM 18 - NIGHT
Eyeball is still watching the door, which is still ajar, gun poised. His eye, the gun, and the door all form an EXACT LINE. A few seconds pass.
Come on… come on…
There is a soft knock at the door.
(voice cracking)
Yeah?
The door swings open. Eyeball closes his eyes and turns his head away slightly.
(off-screen)
Room ser—
Eyeball fires. The room service man’s tray flips up in front of him, spilling tuna sandwiches and coffee down the front of his shirt. He stands absolutely still for a moment, long enough for us to see the hole in the tray. Then he falls backward, out onto the sidewalk. Seconds later, Raven comes running up.
What the hell did you do?
Uh… uh… shot him.
Why??
He just barged in and…
I told you I’d get you something.
Dammit! So you shot him?
(starting to babble)
I, uh… just got off the phone with
Big Ed.
Raven steps back onto the sidewalk, to make sure that no one has seen.
You did? I just called him from the
pay phone in the lobby!
Eyeball says nothing, just stares at the TV, where someone has just won fabulous prizes.
I called him from the pay phone so
that there would be no record. Now
the police are gonna check the
records… goddammit, do you realize
how complicated you’re making this?
You don’t call your boss from the
hotel phone!
(shakes her head)
That’s it.
Raven grabs the room service man’s feet and drags him inside. She immediately grabs the ice bucket next to the TV. While Eyeball continues to stare at the body on the floor, she fills the bucket with hot water from the tap. She steps over the body and flings it out onto the sidewalk, washing more of the blood from the sidewalk and into the gutter.
If we do this right, no one will find
him for a few hours. That’ll give us time.
(quietly)
You signed the guest book.
What?
When you and Tom checked in. They’ll
know.
I didn’t use my real name. You don’t
think I’d be that stupid, do you?
Raven grabs Eyeball’s arm and hauls him to his feet.
Come on. We’re leaving.
Eyeball can’t seem to do anything but stare at the man on the floor. Raven grabs his jaw and makes him look into her eyes.
Hey hey hey. Don’t go vegetable on
me here. Don’t look at him. You can’t
help him now.
Eyeball starts to cry.
I didn’t mean to do it…
RAVEN
I know, I know. But we’ve got to
leave. Right now. Go on out to the
car, all right?
She hands him the keys.
Here. Go and wait for me. This’ll just
take a minute.
Eyeball takes them and staggers outside. Raven stands over the body, puts her hands on her hips, and sighs.
EXT. MOTEL PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Eyeball gets in the passenger side of Raven’s car and puts the keys in the ignition. He sits back, puts his seat belt on. Then he breaks down. His face drops into his hands and he begins sobbing and hiccuping uncontrollably. In the confines of the car, the noise is very close and claustrophobic.
We can see into the room as Raven drags the body into the bathroom, hangs the Do Not Disturb sign on the door, and comes out, carrying her bag. She gets into the driver’s seat after throwing her bag in the back.
For a moment she just sits and listens to Eyeball cry and hiccup, and then she draws her gun. Without a glimmer of expression on her face, she holds it to his forehead. His hiccups stop immediately.
Thank you.
She puts the gun away, turns on the ignition.
INT. RAVEN’S CAR - NIGHT
As Raven drives, the two sit in silence. Eyeball just stares out the window, watching the night go by. The landscape is getting more and more barren as they head into the desert.
(softly)
I’m sorry.
RAVEN
It happens. Try to get some sleep.
Eyeball can’t believe that she’s so calm.
I just killed somebody!
RAVEN
Welcome to the present, Kid.
EYEBALL
But I’m no killer.
RAVEN
Well, that guy back there certainly
thinks so.
EYEBALL
No. I mean I’ve never…
RAVEN
…never done it before.
EYEBALL
(crying again)
No… I can’t do this.
RAVEN
What do you mean? Can’t do what?
Eyeball throws back his head.
(sobbing)
I’m just a reporter. I’m undercover
to investigate the Organization.
But now I can’t get out. I thought
you were going to kill me! Or Big
Ed was…
RAVEN
Look, I know you’re upset. Believe
me. But I can’t stop now. Not for
anything. You follow me?
Eyeball nods.
Now, should I worry about you trying
to take me out again?
EYEBALL
No.
RAVEN
Okay. I believe you. And anyway I’ve
got your gun. We can talk about your
choice of careers later. For now,
just consider me your new boss.
Eyeball nods again, and a long pause follows.
Raven?
RAVEN
Yeah?
EYEBALL
Why am I not dead yet?
RAVEN
Because you don’t seem like much of
a threat to me. Besides… you kind
of remind me of someone.
EYEBALL
Who?
Raven doesn’t answer.
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