BLACK SUV
by
CJ Walley
cj@cjwalley.com
"Many lick before they bite."
1.
EXT. NEW ORLEANS BACKSTREET - NIGHT
The carouse of nightclubs carries on the breeze. A gleaming
black SUV rocks rhythmically, giving away a sordid clue as
to what may be happening behind its dark tinted glass.
A PARKING METER ATTENDANT moves in for the kill, tapping
away at her PDA as they approach. She snatches the ticket as
it prints and goes to snare her prey but--
ERIS (30''s), a woman in a sharp suit, steps out the shadows.
ERIS
I just can''t stand bullies.
ATTENDANT
Rules are there for a reason, hun.
ERIS
The plate, tell me what it says.
The Attendant checks and rolls her eyes defeated.
ATTENDANT
Government vehicle.
ERIS
You need to see the badge too, hun?
ATTENDANT
Wow, and here''s me thinking I''m the
kinda person nobody can like.
A rear door opens and what''s quite clearly a PROSTITUTE
stumbles out. The Attendant shakes her head and leaves. With
complete indifference, Eris climbs in behind the wheel.
INT. SUV - NIGHT
Sat somewhat formally on the leather rear seat, MR BLACK
(50''s), smartly dressed, and devilishly handsome, couldn''t
look more pleased with himself.
MR BLACK
(to self)
I''ve said it before and I''ll say it
again, a good whore is like a fine
bourbon, therapy without any need
for pesky personal questions.
Eris fires up the SUV.
2.
INT. SUV - NIGHT - MOVING
The engine drones as club frontages stream by.
MR BLACK
Tell me, what would you say it
smells like in here to you?
ERIS
It''s not my job to say.
MR BLACK
It''s your job to obey my orders,
and I''m asking you a question.
ERIS
(long beat)
Sex, it smells like sex.
MR BLACK
Does that make you jealous?
She stays quiet.
MR BLACK
Tell me, honestly, I''ll know if
you''re lying anyway.
ERIS
(long beat)
No.
He chuckles to himself and watches the world go by.
MR BLACK
I told you I''d know.
Mr Black studies Eris driving, watching her focused stare
via the rearview mirror.
MR BLACK
I know it''s our first night out
together but there''s no need to be
quite so uptight, even if Darrow
did get shot.
ERIS
I''ve been shot before, it''s no big
deal.
MR BLACK
Darrow Died.
3.
ERIS
Good for him, it''s a lot less
painful that way.
Mr Black smirks to himself.
MR BLACK
Oh, I''m just yanking your chain. I
know you got shot alright. Straight
through the abdomen I believe. I
read up on anyone they send to
protect me. Does it still hurt?
ERIS
Only when I deadlift.
MR BLACK
Oh I didn''t mean like that. I mean
the fact nobody came to visit you
while you lay there in pain.
She''s a little surprised he knows that.
MR BLACK
I''d be there for you.
She glances at him via the rear view.
ERIS
I appreciate that.
MR BLACK
Purely out of professional
courtesy, of course.
He grins, suggesting a little sarcasm to that claim.
ERIS
Where to now?
He puts his window down and savours the fresh air as he
listens intently.
MR BLACK
Johnson on Dumaine.
They stop at a sat of lights. Mr Black watches a DRUNK sat
dancing by himself and sniggers.
MR BLACK
(calling out window)
Hey you! What you looking for?
4.
DRUNK
What you offering, son?
MR BLACK
The whole world, baby!
Mr Black laughs as they pull away.
MR BLACK
Oh how I love Nawlins, a place so
punished by God people have little
choice but to revel in sin.
EXT. CITY CROSS ROADS - NIGHT
A FIDDLER sits playing badly to an audience of none. The SUV
glides up to the kerb and waits. From his open window, Mr
Black politely gestures for him to come over and get in.
INT. SUV - NIGHT
Mr Black slides across the rear seat behind Eris as the
Fiddler timidly gets in and shuts the door. She eyes him up
and down with one hand ready on her holstered firearm.
MR BLACK
You know who I am, correct?
The Fiddler nods.
MR BLACK
Then say no more, I know the drill
only too well.
To the Fiddler''s surprise, Mr Black takes the fiddle and
adjusts the tuning pegs without any need to try a note. Eris
watches confused via the rear view.
MR BLACK
It may surprise you to the fact I
once tuned the violin for none
other than Nicolo Paganini himself.
It was a long time ago, but I like
to think I never lost my touch.
Mr Black goes to hand back the fiddle but hesitates.
MR BLACK
I assure, you sir, that no bad note
can come from this instrument and,
should that not be the case, I
insist you seek my consultation
5.
with no fear of further charge.
Now, by accepting this fine fiddle
back from me, do we have a deal?
The Fiddler nods. Mr Black smiles contently.
MR BLACK
And, before you leave for the
wonders that await you, may I ask
you a simple question?
The Fiddler thinks for a moment and nods. Mr Black lays his
hand on Eris'' shoulder.
MR BLACK
Could you please face us a moment?
Confused and uncomfortable, but hiding it, Eris does so.
MR BLACK
Now you tell me, is the woman who
sits before you not the most
beautiful specimen a man has ever
laid eyes upon?
Eris averts her eyes as a shyness overcomes her.
The Fiddler nods. Mr Black grins from ear to ear and firmly
shakes the Fiddler''s hand.
MR BLACK
My dear friend, your silence comes
second only to your sincerity.
EXT. CITY CROSS ROADS - NIGHT
The Fiddler exits the SUV, which leaves quickly and roars
away. With a degree of anticipation, he goes to play only to
be startled by the perfection of his very first note.
He fills the streets with a beautifully played tune as he
strolls away, his confidence growing with every step.
INT. SUV - NIGHT - MOVING
As they cruise along, Mr Black remains sat behind Eris and a
little too close for comfort.
MR BLACK
You act like no single person has
ever acknowledged your beauty. Now
why would that be?
6.
She remains apathetic.
MR BLACK
Oh now don''t give me the silent
treatment. There''s nothing wrong
with feeling vulnerable, or angry.
However, to withdraw yourself from
the world, that''s nothing but sure
fire way to punish oneself.
She looks at him via the rear view. They lock eyes.
MR BLACK
STOP!
He glances around alert, as if overcome with a strange
sensation. He opens his door and bolts out.
EXT. NEW ORLEANS BACKSTREET - NIGHT
Eris jumps out the SUV and catches a glimpse of Mr Black
sprinting down an alley. By the time she follows he''s
already nowhere to be seen.
A bloodcurdling scream from a man being chased echoes down
the walls.
She runs toward the call, drawing her firearm ready. Another
petrified scream. She runs round a corner and stops stunned.
Mr Black stands panting, glaring down at the ground with
fury in his eyes. Eris takes a step back.
ERIS
What the hell? How''d you do that to
him?
He takes out a handkerchief and wipes blood from his hands.
ERIS
What''s going on? What did you do?
He continues to ignore her, instead choosing to pick
something up and offer it over. It''s a small black sphere.
MR BLACK
Put this in the trunk.
EXT. NEW ORLEANS BACKSTREET - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
Eris opens the SUV tailgate to find six black bags stored
neatly in order. She unzips one to find it full of black
7.
spheres just like the one she''s been given.
INT. SUV - NIGHT
Mr Black gets in completely unaffected. Eris gets behind the
wheel and sits contemplating what she''s seen.
MR BLACK
I guess you feel entitled to an
explanation but you''ll get no
screed from me, it is what it is.
She stares at the dash thinking.
MR BLACK
Let''s not forget that the duty
assigned to you here is one of
obedience and vigilance. Do we have
an understanding?
She looks back and warily nods. He looks her in the eye.
MR BLACK
Now you say, where to next?
ERIS
(long beat)
Where to next?
MR BLACK
We''re headed outta town, Port
Sulphur or thereabouts. I must
advise however, I have another
score to settle, so you''d better
not be feeling too squeamish.
She goes to start engine and pauses.
MR BLACK
I don''t scare easily, but I think
it''s in both our interest I know
what I''m dealing with.
She looks back. They stare a little too long.
MR BLACK
I''m afraid trying to explain the
point in what I do would be just as
futile an undertaking as trying to
explain the point in love.
8.
EXT. SWAMPLANDS BACKGROUND - DAY BREAK
Beside a long empty road, LIZZY, a dishevelled woman, walks
alone burdened with a backpack. While she moves slow, she is
clearly hurried and looking around for ride.
As she approaches a crossroads, the wind seems to pick up,
whipping around the cattails that reach from the depths of
the swamp. She becomes agitated and looks back to see--
The SUV approaching in the distance. She picks up her pace.
The SUV breezes by and pulls up ahead. Mr Black and Eris get
out. Lizzy gasps and heads the other way.
MR BLACK
Now now Lizzy, where you going?
Don''t you have me chasing you all
over these here swamps, you hear?
We had a deal, signed and sealed!
She falls to her knees distraught and prays.
MR BLACK
(to Eris)
Between you and I, I prefer it when
they run, but then who doesn''t
enjoy embracing a challenge when
you''re secretly guaranteed to win?
Mr Black and Eris stroll over to Lizzy as she sniffs back
tears and mumbles incoherently to herself.
MR BLACK
Lizzy, Lizzy, Lizzy, you know I
should be furious at you for what
you did. You really thought his
judgement would be any less
vengeful than mine? Why, I''m too
offended to even begin processing
my anger. I am truly disappointed.
Mr Black signals Eris to hand over her firearm. She
withdraws the gun and stares back, trying to work him out.
ERIS
I don''t get it. You don''t need
anybody to protect you, or to do
your dirty work.
He looks at her and the gun a little wary.
MR BLACK
You want answers, we''ll get to
9.
those in time, but for now-
ERIS
-No.
He''s a little taken back.
ERIS
I figure you want, what you really
want, is the one thing you can''t
make happen?
He stares deadpan but reveals a little vulnerability.
She offers him the gun, keeping it by her side so he has to
move in close. He goes to take it. She stares seductively,
locking him into her gaze. He weakens a little.
ERIS
I see your purpose.
Their lips draw close.
ERIS
And I''ll do the work.
He stares, lost in her eyes and captivated.
ERIS
But that? That will never, ever,
happen, okay?
She moves back and stares deadly, leaving him with the gun
limp in his hand. He tries to smirk off the emasculation,
part furious and part besotted. He dwells for a moment.
MR BLACK
You know what? You are one cruel
son of a bitch.
With a look of complete torment, he cocks the pistol and
aims for Lizzy''s head.
BANG!
THE END
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ BLACK SUV
I offer my short scripts free to produce, exclusive to the
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into production and not replaced with male characters. We
need more women on screen playing strong female roles.
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