BLIND DECISION

FADE IN:
INT. PLUSH HOTEL ROOM.  NIGHT
An exquisite sitting area and king size bed adorn the
otherwise empty room. The door opens slowly and RICK MORANO,
a short, well muscled 23 year-old Italian looks into the
room.  He steps in and closes the door behind him.  He looks
around.  He hears a noise coming from the bathroom.  The
bathroom door opens and out steps KELLY LEWIS, a stylish
woman of forty, in a Hotel Robe.
KELLY
Is that you, John?
Rick just stands there, twisting and turning a ring on his
finger.
KELLY (CONT'D)
I'm counting to five, and then I'll scream
RICK
It's me. Rick. Rick Morano.
(beat)
He sent me, Ms. Lewis
KELLY
Kelly.
(beat)
You're much too early.
RICK
You got the suitcase?
KELLY
That's why I'm here.
RICK
How did you know I wasn't John?
Kelly walks over to the entry table and picks up a
cigarette.  She puts it in her mouth, expectantly.  Rick
pulls out a lighter and lights it for her.  She takes a
drag.
KELLY
You smell different.
RICK
The boss said you could sense people but I thought he was
joking.
KELLY
(bored)
Why didn't he come?
RICK
He trusts me.
KELLY
With a quarter mil?
RICK
Sure.
(beat)
John in the bathroom?
KELLY
You want something to drink, Rick?
RICK
Just give me the suitcase and I'll be on my way.
KELLY
You won't mind if I have a drink?
Kelly crosses the room and to a small bar.  She opens the
ice bucket and precisely places several ice cubes into a
tumbler, using tongs.  She then takes the bottle on the bar
and pours into the glass.  Rick watches, looking for any
falter -- but there is none.
RICK
You sure you're blind?
Kelly reaches for a second glass.
KELLY
Changed your mind?
RICK
What are you having?
Kelly turns the label toward him. CHIVAS REGAL.
RICK (CONT'D)
(beat)
Yeah. Set me up.
Kelly puts some ice in the glass and fills it with Chivas.
She hands it to Rick then walks over to the couch and sits
down.  Her robe opens a little, revealing her sexy legs.
Rick stares. Kelly closes her robe.
KELLY
The suitcase is under the bed.
Rick sips the whisky then walks over to the bed and bends
down.  He pulls out a small black suitcase.  He tries to
open it but it is locked.
KELLY (CONT'D)
Having a problem?
RICK
It's locked.
KELLY
The key's under the lamp.
(beat)
It's all there.
RICK
So you say.
Kelly laughs.
KELLY
It's not like I'm asking for a fucking receipt.
Rick lifts the lamp and takes the key.  He opens the
suitcase revealing stacks of 20 and 50 dollar packets.
RICK
Why the small bills?
KELLY
What's it to you?
Beat.
RICK
Why does he call you B.B.?
KELLY
Blind Bitch.
Rick dumps the money onto the bed and sits beside the
stack.
KELLY (CONT'D)
What's the time?
RICK
9:05.
KELLY
I have to get dressed.
She gets up and goes into the bathroom, closing the door
behind her.  The phone rings.  Rick gets up and answers it.
RICK
Yeah... Who's it?
Rick looks at the bathroom door.
RICK (CONT'D)
Sure.  I'll tell her.
He hangs up the phone.  Kelly comes out of the bathroom
wearing a black silk slip and high heels.  She walks over to
the radio and turns it on.  Nice Jazz.  She sits down, picks
up a nail buffer and buffs her nails.  She starts to hum
along with the music.
RICK (CONT'D)
Stop that.
KELLY
Sure.
Rick picks up the packets of money and counts them.
Several seconds pass.
KELLY (CONT'D)
I heard the phone.
RICK
The Chase has the Italian Liras you asked for.  They want
you to call back.
KELLY
You finished?
RICK
No.
(beat)
What're you going to do with Liras?
KELLY
(laughs)
Guess.
RICK
You didn't tell the boss?
KELLY
What?
RICK
That you're skipping to Italy.
KELLY
I didn't say I was.
RICK
You and John?
Kelly gets up.  Rick watches her every move. She walks over
to the window as if looking out. Rick closes the suitcase
and stands up.
KELLY
You going to tell him?
RICK
I'm here to pick up a suitcase.
KELLY
Thanks Rick.
Rick opens the door and leaves, suitcase in hand.
The phone rings.  Kelly answers it.
KELLY (CONT'D)
Yeah?
MAN (O.S.)
Did he buy the Italian story?
KELLY
Think so.
MAN (O.S.)
Yes or no?
KELLY
Yes.
MAN (O.S.)
I got the tickets.  You coming down?
KELLY
I'm getting dressed. Give me five.
Kelly hangs up and goes to the closet.  She opens it
revealing a fur coat on one hanger and a Slinky dress on
another.  She gets dressed.
The door opens.  Rick walks back in, still with the
suitcase.
RICK
He'll find you.
KELLY
Maybe.
RICK
(laughs)
You'll be the first woman to walk out on him.
(beat)
Is John really worth it?
KELLY
There's nothing between John and I.
RICK
If you say so.
KELLY
I thought you left.
RICK
Don't do it, Kelly.  You'll be looking over your shoulder
for the rest of your life -- and that may not be too long.
Kelly puts on her coat, grabs her purse and walks to the
door.
KELLY
Don't preach to me.
Rick grabs Kelly by the hands.  She struggles then feels the
ring on his finger.  She feels the shape of it with her
fingers. She gasps.
RICK
They done a good job on your face.
KELLY
Who are you?
RICK
I told you.
Kelly laughs.
RICK (CONT'D)
Laughing won't make him go away. He needs you.
KELLY
You the boyfriend.
(chuckles)
And here I thought it was me.
(shakes her head)
Never met a man who could resist my Josie Natori lingerie.
RICK
He can't sleep at night.
KELLY
The guilt?
RICK
He didn't mean to start the fire.
KELLY
Three factors that never mix - Bed. cigarette and drugs.
Kelly goes for the door.
RICK
Wait.
Rick opens the suitcase, he shoves several packets of money
into Kelly's purse.
RICK (CONT'D)
I'll give you 100 grand.
A KNOCK at the door.
MAN (O.S.)
Kelly. Open up.
KELLY
I'll be out in a minute, John.
MAN (O.S.)
We got a plane to catch.
KELLY
Check us out at the front desk.
Silence.  Rick opens the door slightly and looks out. He
closes the door.
RICK
Is it a deal?
KELLY
Fuck you.
RICK
C'mon. Take it. That's a lot of money just to spend one hour
with your son.
KELLY
You're dead if I take it.
RICK
No.
(beat)
Hit me on the head with the lamp. Then take the money.  Then
take the stairs down until you reach the bottom. The door
opens to the alley. There's a car there.
Peter's waiting.
Kelly considers his offer, then shakes her head.
KELLY
Peter's not worth it.
Rick slaps her across the face. Hard. Tears well up in
Kelly's eyes.  She touches her lips, still smarting.
KELLY (CONT'D)
Lucky for you i didn't see that coming.
RICK
That fire took more than your eyesight.
(beat)
We can make this right.
KELLY
I won't.
(beat)
Peter's lucky to have you.
RICK
A hundred grand. You sure you wanna pass that up?
KELLY
John'll be back in a couple minutes.
RICK
His tough luck.
KELLY
You going to kill him?
RICK
No need to. I know his type. He walks in and sees I'm out
and you're gone. The suitcase on the bed. He'll see it as
his chance to put his hands on a whole lotta money with no
partners. I start to move, he grabs the suitcase and runs.
KELLY
They'll think I was in on it.
RICK
No they won't.
(beat)
I'll tell 'em you gave me the suitcase then left. And that
while I was counting, John jumped me. Peter will be your
alibi.
KELLY
I am tempted to like you, Rick.
Beat.
RICK
Give my love to Peter.
Rick slips the ring off his finger and puts it in her hand.
She clenches it in her fist, then puts it on her index
finger.
KELLY
I'm not good at hitting people or being a mother.
RICK
You never tried.
Rick picks up the lamp from the bedside and places the
suitcase on the bed, open. He takes the lamp to Kelly and
puts it in her hand.
KELLY
It's heavy.
(beat)
I don't want to hurt you too much.
Rick takes her hand with the lamp.
RICK
Relax.  Hold the lamp and I'll hit myself with your hand.
Kelly reaches for his face with her free hand and draws his
cheek to her lips. She kisses him. As she pulls away, Rick
swings her hand holding the lamp against his head.
He falls down. Out cold, head bleeding.  Kelly drops the
lamp then feels for his pulse. Still alive.
The phone Rings.  She does not answer it.  She goes over to
the bed and feels for the suitcase.  She feels the money
left in it.  She stops.  A beat.  She takes the packets of
money out of her purse and drops them into the suitcase.
She closes the suitcase and leaves it on the bed as she
heads to the door, feeling the path with her feet so as not
to trip over Rick.  She opens the door and leaves.
A few seconds pass.  A knock at the door.
MAN (O.S.)
Kelly. Open up.
He tries the door and it starts to open.
CRASH CUT TO:
BLACK
THE END