INT. STAGGER INN - BAR – DAY 46
Tess walks through the foyer. Walls covered with publicity stills; all kinds of bands. All hand-signed with love and affection “TO BETSY & THE STAGGER-INN!!”
The bar is just beyond. Tess walks cautiously toward it. The red sign tints her the color of blood. She takes off her sunglasses, heads into
THE MAIN BAR AREA
Dark. Still. A disco ball sleeps. The stage and dance floor are battered; seen a lot of blues. OVER we HEAR
TESS (V.O.)
... hello?
TESS
Sliced by shadow.
TESS
Hello?
SUDDENLY a woman’s soft voice is behind her.
BETSY NEAL
I’m right here.
Tess whips around
THE TWO
BETSY is 40-ish. Teased black hair, smoke-damage mascara. A woman who’s been around booze and bad amps too long. She blinks like a creature who lives in darkness and her eyes don’t quite match; a Picasso girl.
TESS
... you startled me.
BETSY NEAL
You the PRIUS lady or the Honda
lady?
TESS
PRIUS.
She looks at Tess more closely. Noting the swollen cheek. The bruises concealer can’t mask. Betsy has seen it all, too many times.
Doesn’t press for detail. Reaches under the bar counter, takes out Tess’s purse and license. Looks at Tess.
BETSY NEAL
You match.
She hands it all over to Tess who opens the bigger purse she’s brought, fumbles past the Lemon Squeezer, puts the smaller purse inside. Betsy is straightening the bar as they talk.
BETSY NEAL (CONT’D)
You’re the Willow Grove lady,
right? The knitting chicks.
Tess smiles, gamely. Mouth sore.
TESS
Guilty as charged.
BETSY NEAL
My Gran loves those books.
TESS
Lots of them do. When the affection
finally filters down to the next
generation who don’t have blue hair-
- gonna buy myself a chateau in
France.
Betsy smiles. A transforming effect of stern to sunny. She looks more closely at Tess. Indicates her bruises.
BETSY NEAL
Hey, I hope that didn’t happen
here. People leave their cars here
and accept rides they shouldn’t.
Think they’re in love. Or
something.
Tess says nothing.
BETSY NEAL (CONT’D)
I’m sorry... don’t mean to offend.
But you probably got no business in
a place like this to begin with.
It gets in the papers... well, my
Gran would be disappointed.
Tess gets her meaning.
TESS
Thanks for calling me.
Nothing more to say. Then:
BETSY NEAL
You know, a bad boyfriend is
sharper than a serpent’s tooth.
TESS
The Bible. Or maybe it’s Dr. Phil.
Anyway, we broke up.
BETSY NEAL
Lot of women say that, then go
back. And a guy who does it once...
(beat)
... I lost count.
Tess realizes Betsy has been a victim, too. Notices there’s an old, framed photo of a red headed country singer named “HELENA DOVE” on the wall. Signed to Betsy. “For Betsy... for everything you did. Love, Helena”
TESS
Helena Dove. Great name.
BETSY NEAL
Moved to L.A. Never looked back.
(darkly)
That must be nice.
(withdrawing them from
drawer)
Your keys.
She hands them to Tess. Gets an odd look on her face -- a diffidence.
BETSY NEAL (CONT’D)
Tess... mind signing an autograph
for my Gran?
Tess nods. Betsy turns over a “STAGGER INN” Beer Coaster.
Hands it to Tess.
BETSY NEAL (CONT’D)
Make it “To Mary, a true fan.” Can
you do that?
Tess can.
EXT. STAGGER INN - PARKING LOT - DAY 47
As Betsy walks from the blues cave with Tess. They squint as the sunshine blinds.
TESS
(”casually”)
... a guy helped me when my
boyfriend and I were... you know.
Anyway, if not for him, I might
have been hurt worse. Like to thank
him. But I don’t know his name.
BETSY NEAL
Doubt if I could do you much good
there. Folks come and go.
TESS
I met him at the little convenience
store down the road... it’s where
we got into our fight and he came
along in an old black pickup truck
with a loud exhaust. When he got
outta that truck I remember
thinking he wasn’t driving it, he
was wearing it.
BETSY NEAL
Was he big or was he real big?
TESS
Like... giant.
BETSY NEAL
That’s Big Driver, you’re talking
about. Don’t know where he lives
but it must have high ceilings.
He’s local. I see him around...
Walmart places like that.
Betsy doesn’t realize she’s being reeled in.
TESS
If you happen to see him around, do
me a favor and don’t mention that
you talked to me. Give me a call. I
wanna surprise him. Give him a
little gift or something.