7. I Didn't, I Didn't - Eric

• FADE IN:


• INT. BAR - NIGHT


• A plump, middle-aged barkeep is wiping a glass with a rag. Sunday night football is playing on the television. Not much activity is taking place; the bar is almost empty save for a few women and a man. The man is dressed in a olive jacket and fedora. He’s smoking a cigar.


• BARKEEP
• What can I get for you detective?


• CASEY
• I’m NOT a detective!


• The barkeep takes a step back and holds up his hands.


• BARKEEP
• Woah, bud. Take it easy man. Everything all right?


• CASEY
• No, I have a big problem. My wife’s dead.


• The BARKEEP gasps. He stands silent for a few seconds before the color comes back to his skin.


• BARKEEP
• Let me call the police.


• Casey lunges toward the barkeeps arm, his cigar managing to stay in his lips. Before the barkeep can say anything or react Casey speaks.


• CASEY
• Don’t do that please. It won’t be your best move on the chessboard.


• Casey smiles at him, still grasping his arm. He nods down at his belt. The handle of a large handgun is sticking out of a black holster strap. Casey motions for the barkeep to sit down. He does.


• CASEY
• Now, sir. What is your name?


• The barkeep’s face is white. He gulps. His hands begin to shake slightly.


• BARKEEP
• D-d-d-Doug.


• CASEY
• Douglas you mean. Right? Anyway, Doug. I have a problem. My wife is dead. And I need to get rid of the body. I didn’t kill her.


• BARKEEP
• You d-d-didn’t kill her?


• CASEY
• No, I just hit her over the head until she stopped breathing. I checked her pulse. Nothing. She’s already in rigor mortis.


• BARKEEP
• Sir, may I ask why you killed her? I know a good lawyer.


• The other patrons begin to look over, but mostly they seem too drunk to care.


• Casey leans over the table and grabs DOUG.


• CASEY
• I DIDN’T kill her! She found out that I took a lot of money from the bank on 42nd street. I did what I had to.


• The barkeep is losing it. He is shaking more now, and nervously glancing around the room. Then his face softens and he slowly gains composure.


• BARKEEP
• Look man, I’ve knocked over a bank before. I’m not gonna say nuthin’. You can trust me man. I know who can help you get rid of the body.


• CASEY gets an angry look on his face and sighs. He stands up and brandishes his gun. He points it at the barkeep’s FACE. The patrons stare. A woman runs to the back, dropping her pearl purse.


• CASEY
• I didn’t knock over the bank! I didn’t ROB it. I walked in with a mask and a gun and told them to give me all their money.


• The barkeep nods slowly. His eyes are open wide in shock.


• BARKEEP
• W-w-what do you want me to do?


• CASEY
• I need you to help me get rid of the body.


• BARKEEP
• Sure, we can go right now man.


• Casey places his gun back in the holster and walks around the bar. The barkeep and patrons slowly turn their heads, following him around the bar. He makes himself a martini. He drinks it slowly.


• A minute later there are sirens. Police storm the bar, pointing their guns at Casey. They yell for him to get down. The lady who ran in the back slowly peers around the corner. When she sees that he is being handcuffed she walks around the corner.


• BARKEEP
• If you’re wondering asshole, I DIDN’T call the police. I just put my hand on the phone and dialed a number and told the person on the line that there was a crazy man holding up the bar.


• FADE TO BLACK.