Lion and Gorilla In the West Written By Kevin Lyons Otis ... · EXT. GAS STATION – DAY Small gas station ten miles outside of Las Vegas. The gas station looks overlooked, a victim

Lion and Gorilla In the West

Written By

Kevin LyonsOtis ChamblissWesley AdamsonSean Talley

Pilot "Welcome to the Jungle"Final Draft 5/6/20

Lion and Gorilla, LLC818-802-2703Lionandgorilla.com

TEASER

EXT. GAS STATION – DAY

Small gas station ten miles outside of Las Vegas. The gas station looks overlooked, a victim of being in the middle of being too close to Vegas, but not far enough away.

ABE ARMSTRONG, 25, a gorilla with broad shoulders, muscular frame, and handsome face, pumps gas into a light metallic blue 1964, Cadillac Coupe De Villa, convertible.

LEO LANGSTON, 25, a lion with a full mane of long bronze hair, close shaved beard, and athletic frame, hops out the passenger’s side (landing on his feet at the rear of the car).

LEO Yo, I’m going to grab something to eat, I’m starving.

ABE Sure, but hurry up.

Leo snickers and rushes toward the gas station store.

Abe’s watch CHIMES, he answers, an augmented display appears.

ABE (CONT'D)(speaks to a hologram)

Hey what up.

INT. GAS STATION STORE - DAY

Leo grabs another bag of chips and stacks it on the pile of bags of chips; he par carelessly juggles in his arm.

As Leo’s making his way down the aisle, a magazine catches his eye. On the cover is a strikingly beautiful peacock. The cover reads “Vegas’ Hottest Chick.”

Leo stares at the magazine for moment then grabs it.

A KOALA, wearing black-rimmed glasses, stands behind the counter, arms crossed, watching a flat screen television at the far end of the counter.

Leo comes up and plops all of his stuff on the counter. The Koala doesn’t pay attention to Leo at first.

2.

LEO What’s up dude, where’s the restroom?

The Koala peels his eyes away from the tv and sighs.

KOALA (pointing)

Back around the corner.

Leo nods and steps away. The Koala glances at the magazine Leo picked and smirks.


Abe still converses with the hologram of a older gorilla.

ABEIt’s fine, it’s fine, we got this.

(beat)Yeah he drove a little bit, but I drove most of the way cause you know he lazy as hell.

Another car speeds into the gas station. It’s a brand new black on black BMW 650i.

The driver’s door opens and out steps a muscular JAGUAR, wearing a tailor made suit.

ABE (CONT'D)Alright ma, I’ll call you later, I gotta go.

The Jaguar adjusts his suit coat and nods at Abe as he heads toward the gas station store. Abe nods back as he pulls the gas pump out of the caddy.

INT. GAS STATION STORE BATHROOM – DAY

Leo sits on the toilet enjoying a joint, he takes a toke, holds it up and inspects it then nods.

Suddenly, there are several heavy knocks on the restroom door.

JAGUAR (O.S.) Hurry up! I got places to be!

There are several more bangs on the restroom door. Leo sighs and finishes another draw on the joint.

2.

3.

LEO (holding in smoke)

So do I.

JAGUAR (O.S.) What? You better hurry up in there.

LEO (exhaling)

Yeah, yeah.

Leo sighs and puts out the joint, flushes the toilet, and gets up to was his hands. He carefully washes his hands and carefully wipes down the toilet and the sink (it’s the feline in him that makes him clean up as if the restroom was a litter box). Leo quickly checks himself out in the mirror.

INT. GAS STATION STORE - CONTINUOUS

Leo opens the door and steps out of the restroom.

The Jaguar and Leo make eye contact. They hiss at each other as cats do.


Abe (wearing an inpatient look on his face) sits in the convertible caddy. He’s scrolling through his social media.

A thump sound.

Abe looks around and stops on the BMW. Thump sound again.

INT. GAS STATION STORE – DAY

Leo steps back up to the counter. The Koala looks at him. Leo grins.

KOALA I once dated a feline, she was OCD when it came to the restroom, I hope you’re the same. I don’t want to clean up your mess.

LEO Really?

Leo sighs and stares at the magazine.

LEO (CONT'D)Man, this chick is beautiful.

3.

4.

KOALA (grinning)

Yeah, she is. But that mammal she’s dating is a piece of shit, if you ask me.

JAGUAR (O.S.) But no one asked you, chump. And you’ve got a big mouth for a lil’ bitch ass bear.

The Koala surprised locks eyes with the Jaguar. Nervous, he palms a concealed revolver under the counter.

KOALA(stuttering)

Mr. Johnson...I ain’t said shit.

Leo steps back out of caution.

JAGUARYou said enough to get me here.

The Koala goes to pull the revolver.

The Jaguar fires a futuristic pistol. Leo hinges up.

EXT. GAS STATION – CONTINUOUS

Abe’s standing with his arms crossed inspecting the trunk of the BMW. Another thump sound.

A crackling PEW sound!


The Jaguars face is seen through the smoking hole in the Koala’s head.

JAGUARClean this mess up mammal.

He chuckles and then flees the store.


Abe crosses paths as the Jaguar exits the store.

4.

5.


Leo and Abe stand unnerved as they survey the dead Koala. Leo throws down some cash on the counter for his snacks and a drink.

LEODamn, that escalated quick.

ABELet’s get the fuck outta here!

Leo exits first, Abe glances at the camera.

DISSOLVE:

INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

A surveillance monitor shows a frame within a frame as Abe mouths a curse word and then leaves the store.

Three silhouetted figures; a pig, a ram, and a rabbit sit in front of a mass of surveillance monitors.

CUT TO BLACK

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

ACT ONE

EXT. LAS VEGAS – NIGHT

Unlike our world, in the world of Lion & Gorilla, all the hotels of the past are still around along with the current hotels because space has been made for all of them.

The Stardust hotel still exists and it is the largest hotel on the Vegas Strip.

INT. STARDUST CASINO/HOTEL - NIGHT

Slot-machines are buzzing as different types of animals sit at the machines dropping coins and hoping for the jackpot.

Weaving through the endless slot machines and their occupants is PAC RAT, 35, a massive muscular rat, dressed in an expensive looking tailored suit.

5.

6.

An orca throws dice at a craps table. An elderly orangutan yanks a handle of a slot-machine. A crocodile places chips on a roulette table.

At the center of the gambling frenzy are many high stakes poker tables.

An OCTOPUS deals Blackjack to one table using four of his tentacles, with his other four tentacles he shuffles cards for a second table, high stake Texas hold’m.

Over his shoulder, Pac Rat makes his way to an elevator held open by a large pit-bull. As he enters, he looks at his watch, CLOSEUP: a logo on his cufflink, the same logo is on the elevator doors as they close revealing this is his casino.

The Octopus deals the flop.

OCTOPUS(gargled)

Place your bets. Good luck.

Sitting at the table receiving cards is Leo and Abe.

ABEDude you know we were on camera right.

LEOSo, we didn't shoot’m.

ABEWe were supposed to come here without any wrinkles and now this shit.

LEODude, stop worrying all the time, we got this.

ABEWe don’t have time, pops needs us back in one week, otherwise, we lose everything.

Abe slides a stack of chips into the pot.

Leo surveys his cards and over the horizon of the cards he see a female peacock strolling by with bodyguards, one is a moose and the other a DUCK.

SAVANNAH SWANSON, 26, tall, voluptuous peacock dressed in performance attire glances at Leo and keeps walking.

6.

7.

LEOHoly shit, that’s the bird from the magazine.

ABEWhat?

Leo lays his cards down on the table and pounces out of his seat hot in pursuit.

ABE (CONT'D)(reaching out)

Stop toying around. You’re going to mess around and lose.

The Octopus collects Leo’s cards and chips.

OCTOPUSPlayer folds.

Abe shakes his head.

Abe sneers at several towering stacks of chips in front of him on the table. The other poker players – a rhino, a giraffe (his head isn’t visible in the frame), a bulldog, a CHEETAH, and an eagle. All look as if poker is their life. But they are all visibly nervous, their piles of chips are much smaller than Abe’s.

OCTOPUS (CONT'D)Last chance to bet.

Abe goes all in with his chips on the final bet.

INT. STARDUST AMPHITHEATER - NIGHT

Savannah flanked by the Duck.

DUCKDon’t forget the photo shoot is at 3 o’clock.

SAVANNAHDon’t get your feathers ruffled.

The Duck moves to the stage.

Savannah walks into a green room behind the stage, Leo slips in unnoticed after her.

7.

8.

INT. GREEN ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Savannah stands in front of a vanity. She studies a necklace and then puts it around her neck.

LEO (O.S.)That suits you.

She continues to face the mirror and puts on lipstick.

SAVANNAHAre you lost?

LEOI’m right where I need to be.

Savannah grins and turns.

SAVANNAHYou sure about that.

Leo tries to walk toward her and is quickly intercepted by SONNIE SUNSHINE, age unknown, a fox in a velvet athletic suit and GORDON GASTON, 30, a large grizzly bear dressed in a tailored suit.

SONNIEYo, what the fuck you doing back here alley cat!

GASTONSorry miss Savannah, we’ll take this trash out for you.

LEOWhat the...

SAVANNAHIt’s ok boys, Sonnie he’s lost, Gaston help him back to the casino.

Sonnie and Gaston escort Leo out of the greenroom.


Leo breaks loose and in doing so scratches Gaston in the face.

LEOGet your paws off me.

SONNIEWho you talking to pussy cat?

8.

9.

LEOWhat did you just call me?

Leo steps forward and Gaston raises up and the two stand chest to waistline.

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

BEGIN FLASHBACK

EXT. PLAYGROUND IN ST. LOUIS – DAY

A dilapidated playground littered with trash, drug paraphernalia and broken down play sets.

Calves, cubs, kittens, colts, pups, hatchlings, and chicks run about the playground that has a jungle motif. There are young animals playing on jungle gyms, monkey bars, and swings.

Young Abe sits on a log nervously clutching a lunchbox, on the cover a tiger wearing a cape. Abe’s eyes are wondering; daydreaming. Abe doesn’t notice as a big OX CALF walks over to him.

The Ox looms over Abe.

Abe looks up at the Ox, his large frame now silhouetted and blocking the sun, his white teeth visible.

The Ox snatches Abe’s lunchbox with one hand and with the other hand punches Abe in face. Abe tumbles off the log. The Ox starts to open Abe’s lunchbox.

OX CALF (snickering)

Anything good in here?

Across the way a lion cub, Leo, playing tag with a mustang colt and wolf pup, sees Abe getting punched. He frowns and runs in Abe’s direction leaving the game of tag.

Leo rushes up and pounces on the Ox. They tumble across the asphalt. Leo is first on his feet. He snatches up Abe’s lunchbox and lands a powerful kick on the Ox.

The Ox stumbles to his feet and lunges at Leo. Leo thrusts his paw out toward the Ox and bares his claws.

9.

10.

LEO Just step away.

The Ox glances at the claws on Leo’s paw, that are big in proportion to his body, and backs away.

Abe holding his swollen eye is sobbing as he crawls back onto the log. Leo walks over to Abe’s sits next to him, handing Abe his lunchbox.

LEO (CONT'D)Hey, my name is Leo, are you okay?

Abe takes his lunchbox and cradles it, taking his hand off of his eye; exposing the “shiner” the ox calf gave him.

ABE I think so. My name is Abe. Thanks.

LEO Well Abe, you can come play with us, if you want too. I’m really good at games, so we won’t lose.

Abe smiles and so does Leo.

END FLASHBACK

INT. STARDUST CASINO - NIGHT

Abe waits for the river card.

The Octopus surveys all the players.

The rhino sweats perversely. The giraffe fidgets with his chips(his head still not visible in the frame, a gulp travels down his long neck). The bulldog mad dogs Abe. The cheetah sits cool, calm and collected. The eagle eyes all of them.

The Octopus reveals the river card. Abe displays his hand, a royal flush and pounds his chest.

The rhino slams his head down. The giraffe stands up and walks off. The bulldog growls.

CHEETAHWell played. Gotta run.

Cheetah moves in a blur away from the table. The eagle stays at the table and throws in a chip for another hand.

Abe collects his chips and proceeds to find Leo.

10.

11.


Leo facing off with Gaston.

SONNIEI don’t give a damn who or what you are bitch!

LEOI’ll snack on you after I finish up with this piece of meat.

GASTONI don’t really want to fight you but if I have to I’ll punch right through your chest.

Leo winds back and before he can swing Abe jumps in between them.

ABEWhoah there big fella, we’ll be on our way.

SONNIEWho you?

Abe glares at Sonnie. Gaston takes a step back.

LEOWe got this now, les do this.

Abe turns and glares at Leo.

ABECalm down dude, we have business to take care of, don’t ruin this.

SONNIEIt’s cool we’ll catch you all later.

ABELet’s go.

Abe and Leo leave.

GASTONI didn’t really want to fight anyways.

Sonnie shrugs his shoulders and the two walk off toward stage.

11.

12.

INT. STARDUST CASINO/HOTEL PRIVATE OFFICE – NIGHT

Pac Rat enters lush office with a view overlooking the strip. A wolf, RAUL RIGGS, dressed sharp sits across from Pac Rat’s oversized office desk. The wolf stands, opens a silver briefcase and presents it the Pac Rat.

RAUL(cuban accent)

The newest model rifle, just as you requested.

Pac Rat grabs the rifle and inspects the goods.

RAUL (CONT'D)State of the art lightweight platform with forged receivers and a host of desirable components like a full-mass bolt-carrier group, M-Lok handguard and a billet trigger guard with maximum charging capacity.

After careful inspection, Pac Rat suddenly shoulders the rifle and aims it at Raul with posture of a steady sniper.

RAUL (CONT'D)Woah...take it easy.

Pac Rat lowers the rifle, places it back in the briefcase and walks around the desk and sits in his chair.

Raul grabs the briefcase and sits back down.

RAUL (CONT'D)So what’s next.

Pac Rat pulls a fresh cuban cigar from a drawer and lights it up. Blows smoke in Raul’s face. The wolf barks a cough.

PAC RATWhy did you bring an illegal weapon into my house?

RAULExcuse me, all your men throughout this place are armed, what’s the difference?

PAC RATThis is my casino and it’s a legitimate business. Now answer my question?

12.

13.

RAULBecause this is what I do, you need to see what you’re buying. Also, really Pac Rat, what are you going to do about it? I’m not part of any faction, I’m a neutral supplier.

Pac Rat takes another large puff. Gently lies the cigar in an ashtray. Stands up from his chair, fixes his blazer. Walks over to Raul.

THWACK. Throttles Raul breaking his jaw with a backhand.

Raul crashes to the ground, blood gushes from his mouth. He’s disoriented.

PAC RATFuck factions.

Raul’s POV, Pac Rat’s large hand muzzles Raul suffocating the bloody dog.

CUT TO BLACK.END ACT TWO

ACT THREE

INT. CASINO BAR - NIGHT

Leo takes a Fireball shot. Leo slams the glass down, his posture despondent.

ABEGet another one.

Abe puts all the winning chips on the table.

ABE (CONT'D)Check it out, look how much we won.

Leo not enthused, the second shot arrives, he throws it back.

LEOI knew you’d win.

ABECmon man. Snap out of it. Lets cash and go.

SAVANNAH (O.S.)Won big huh, you must be good.

13.

14.

Leo doesn’t respond, he doesn’t realize Savannah is talking to him standing next to Abe stirring her martini, with an olive on a toothpick. Savannah sighs.

SAVANNAH (CONT'D)If I were to say cat got your tongue, that might be too on the nose.

Abe nudges Leo. Leo turns and sees Savannah.

LEO(perky)

Hey!

SAVANNAHHi, what’s your name kitty?

Leo’s at a loss for words.

ABEHe’s Leo, I’m Abe.

SAVANNAHSavannah, does Abe always speak for you Leo?

LEOUh...nah. You just took my breathe away.

SAVANNAHYou’re too much, I have to say I was impressed with your pursuit. Not many would put their life at risk for little ‘ole me.

ABELife at risk?

Leo and Savannah eyes locked on each other ignoring Abe’s query.

LEOWhen I see something I want, I go for it.

ABEWait a minute, what do you mean?

Savannah spots Pac Rat out of the corner of her eye approaching.

14.

15.

SAVANNAH(administrative)

Um...I just wanted to congratulate you on your winnings.

Savannah turns and smiles at Pac Rat, walks up to him, wraps her arm around his neck. He puts a hand on her waist, she pecks him on the cheek. Next to him, Jackie and Gaston.

Leo huffs and his tail twitches.

Abe takes notice.

Pac Rat facing Abe.

PAC RAT So I guess we’ve got to pay you out. You’re a hell of a player, cleaned out some of the best players I know.

LEO(interjects)

My boy can clean up every table in this place, even you big man.

Pac Rat steps to Leo and towers over him.

PAC RATWatch yourself, you’re in my casino. Nobody cleans me out. But, I’m fine with you being a player as long...

He glances at Savannah then back at Leo.

PAC RAT (CONT'D)...as it’s just cards.

ABEHey you got a great place here sir...

PAC RATThe name is Pac Rat, I own this fine establishment, I own ten others just like it, some might say I own this fucking city.

Pac Rat still towering over Leo, leans in and Leo’s tail stops twitching.

Jackie and Gaston chuckle.

15.

16.

SAVANNAHAlright boys lets not bare claws, these boys have reason to celebrate let them go have their fun.

Leo’s temper diffuses.

ABEThat’s right we just want to cash out and paint the town.

PAC RATYou’re in my cat box now, just remember that.

Abe slides in front of Leo. Jackie and Gaston step in front of Pac Rat.

Pac Rat laughs loud. Jackie and Gaston look at Pac Rat’s abnormal response. Jackie steps forward and lights the fuse.

JACKIEWhat’s it gonna be?

LEOIt’s gonna be your ass motherfucker!

Leo steps forward and faces off with Jackie.

CUT TO BLACK.

END ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

Abe nudges Leo back and away from Jackie, because he recognizes Jackie from the gas station.

ABEWe don’t want no trouble.

Leo yowls under his breath. Jackie hisses at him.

SAVANNAHBoys boys, all this noise, calm down, this can’t go down here.

PAC RATThis is true, this isn’t the place for this kind of conflict.

16.

17.

GASTONHey boss, why don’t you put these guys in the cage?

Pac Rat grins ear to ear.

SAVANNAH(directed at Pac Rat)

You think a jaguar can beat a lion.

JACKIEWhat’d you say? Why don’t you stay in your lane bird.

PAC RATCareful you two, I make the decisions. I’d like to see what this cat is made of.

LEOI don’t care who you put me in the ring with, I always win.

ABELeo!

PAC RATI’ll double your winnings.

LEODone.

ABEWhat the hell?

LEODude, we do this we go back home.

A vulture swings around on a stool at the bar.

CHAPPYThe lion seems tough, but does he have representation.

ABEWho the fuck are you?

CHAPPY, 54, rough around the edges, a rotten egg, squawks in a raspy voice.

CHAPPYChaplain Sullivan, but people call me Chappy, at your service.

17.

18.

JACKIEOh hell no, not you.

ABEYeah, get lost.

Leo still ready to pounce, growling under his breathe. Chappy walks to him places his hand on his shoulder. Leo hisses at him.

CHAPPYWhoah there good kitty, I’m on your side. You can’t take this fight without negotiating a proper purse.

SAVANNAHGet lost Chappy, you don’t need to get involved. Go get your scraps on the strip buzzard.

Pac Rat visibly amused.

Gaston gets a call and answers.

GASTON (O.C.)Hello.

PAC RAT Name your conditions Sullivan.

CHAPPYWell these boys just won big, we can start there.

LEOYeah go all in!

ABELeo stop, what the fuck!

SAVANNAH(annoyed)

This is crazy.

Pac Rat turns to Gaston.

PAC RATMake it happen.

GASTONI’m on it boss. By the way Sonnie has something you need to see.

Pac Rat nods.

18.

19.

Leo and Jackie still face off.

LEOI’m gonna have fun ripping your throat out.

JACKIEYou won’t even see me coming.

PAC RATGet with my bear Sullivan he’ll lock it up. Nice doing business.

Pac Rat walks off with his entourage, Jackie follows. Leo stands still ready to fight, Abe holding him back.

Savannah subtly studies Leo as she walks away.

Abe walks Leo to the bar and orders him another drink.

ABEGet me another shot and two beers. Cool your jets bro. We need to figure this out.

Chappy taps Abe on the shoulder.

CHAPPYLet me talk to you for a minute.

Leo drowns his sorrow at the bar and rolls a joint.

Chappy leads Abe to the side.

ABEWhat do you want?

CHAPPYI want to help you fellas with yo situation, make you some money son.

ABEI’m not going through with this, we have money.

CHAPPYWell, that’s not going to far in this town, that’s chump change compared to your return on your investment in a prize fight.

19.

20.

ABELeo’s not fighting, I’m not fighting, we’re not fighting anybody, we didn't come here to fight!

CHAPPYShit, you should fight. You go all in on the fight you could make us enough money to start your own faction.

ABEWhat are you talking about?

CHAPPYYou here on vacation or here to stay.

Leo puffs the joint and interjects.

LEO(blowing out smoke)

I ain’t fightin’ for the money, I’ll fight for free. I’ll slice that jag to pieces...shit.

Leo takes another hit.

CHAPPY(elated)

Ah yeah, that’s what I’m talking about, but not for free hell no, you can make m-o-n-e-y!

ABEWhat’s in it for you? Why are you doing this?

Chappy strokes his beak in deep thought.

LEOIf we got that money, we can help pops and then some.

ABENot that way.

LEOWhat way then man, this is what I do, I fight, ain't nothing new.

20.

21.

ABEThat’s why we left, we trying to get away from that.

Chappy observes the back and forth.

Leo throws back another shot and slams a shot glass down.

LEODammit Abe! When did you stop believing in me.

ABEWhat the hell are you talking about? I always believe in you.

LEO(shouts)

Then let me do what I do!

Leo’s outbursts attracts the attention of an iguana, a panda and a hawk sitting in booth in the bar. The hawk eyes him.

ABEDo you even realize who you’re fighting, that’s the guy from the gas station.

LEOSo.

ABESo! These animals are dangerous man, why you always gotta be so curious, you gonna get yourself killed.

Chappy jumps in spreads his wings around both their shoulders.

CHAPPYFellas, fellas this is a sanctioned fight, ain’t nobody dying here.

Abe swats Chappy’s wing off of him.

ABEGet your damn feathers off me.

LEOAbe, come on man lets do this. Just one fight man, then we can look for other ways to make money.

21.

22.

Abe looks at Leo then at Chappy, takes a big swig from his drink.

ABE(sigh)

Just one.

LEOYeah man just one, then you call the shots.

CHAPPYSo lets make this happen.

ABEI need more details though.

LEOYou guys figure this out I gotta take a piss.

Leo trots away. Chappy takes a seat next to Abe.


Sonnie sits where Raul sat before. Pac Rat, Gaston and Jackie enter.

JACKIEWhat’d you do now you dumb fox?

SONNIEFuck you Jackie.

PAC RAT Shut up! Both of you. Whatcha got for me Sonnie?

Sonnie adjusts his herringbone gold chain.

SONNIEI took care of that thing you asked me to do, it’s downstairs.

JACKIEDownstairs? Downstairs where?

SONNIEIn the trunk where else?

JACKIEYou dumb motherf...

22.

23.

PAC RATShow me.

INT. NEAR STARDUST AMPHITHEATER - NIGHT

Leo sniffs around trying to pick up Savannah’s scent as he walks toward the amphitheater, he passes the high limit salon.

Door chimes, out comes Savannah from the high limit salon.

With his back turned to her, he catches a whiff of her scent. She spots him.

SAVANNAHOn the prowl again I see.

Leo turns.

LEOWho me, I was looking for the box.

SAVANNAHSure.

Leo strolls toward her.

LEOWell now that I found you.

SAVANNAHSo you were looking for me.

LEOYeah I was.

Savannah moves toward Leo.

SAVANNAHWell, I’m glad you did.

LEOSo what do we do now?

Savannah smiles, Leo smiles, she takes his hand and they walk off.

EXT. STARDUST CASINO/LOADING DOCK - NIGHT

Pac Rat leads his pack out of the elevator and onto the loading dock. They walk to the back of an ‘89 Oldsmobile dropped on Dayton’s.

23.

24.

Sonnie fumbles with his set of endless keys.

PAC RATToday Sonnie.

SONNIEI got you boss.

JACKIEDamn man why you have all them keys, you know that shit bad for your ignition.

SONNIEFuck you Jackie!

Gaston grabs and forces the trunk open.

SONNIE (CONT'D)Damn man, what the hell you always breaking my shit.

GASTONYou took too long.

From inside the trunk we see the four hover over.

JACKIEIs that...

GASTON(shakes his head)

Jesus Sonnie.

SONNIEBoss I thought you said you wanted...

PAC RATIt’s fine Sonnie, we can make this work. It actually might be even better.

Slams the trunk.

END ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

24.

25.

INT. NEAR STARDUST AMPHITHEATER - NIGHT

Leo steps off an elevator and struts light-footed through the casino and puffs on a blunt. He has some scratches on his face, a patch of his mane looks ripped from his neck.

Gaston bears hugs Leo from behind. Leo feels the air leave his chest. Sonnie and Jackie come into his POV.

JackieLook what the cat dragged in.

SONNIEGotcha bitch.

Leo’s POV blinks a few times and passes out.

FADE TO BLACK.

FADE IN:


Leo’s POV eyes open slow. Pac Rat sits at his desk with his back to Leo.

Leo tied to a chair, both arms and legs bound. Gaston stands behind him, Jackie and Sonnie off to the side.

LEOWhat the fuck is this shit!

PAC RATCuriosity can do more things than kill a cat, and if emotions, well recognized as feminine, are inimical to feline life, then jealousy would soon leave the whole world catless. How does that make you feel Leo?

LEOWhat the hell are you talking about?

PAC RATWhen you’re curious about what’s mine it puts you in a dangerous position Leo, there’s only two ways out.

Jackie and Sonnie snarling and snickering.

25.

26.

PAC RAT (CONT'D)We’ll see how good a friend Abe is, since he will be taking your place in the fight. I hope he has half the balls you have or you both won’t make it out of this.

LEOWhat’s the second way?

PAC RATI’ll leave it to your imagination.

Jackie interjects.

JACKIEI’ll tell you the second way, we waste this fool now, he saw me kill that snitch.

PAC RATYou’re not afraid are you Jackie, this is business.

Jackie bares and inspects his claws.

JACKIEShit, no...nothing scares me.

INT. CASINO BAR - LATER

Abe sips on a beer still waits for Leo.

ABE(under his breath)

Where is this motherfucker, probably gettin high.

Watch CHIMES. Another hologram.

ABE (CONT'D)(perplexed)

Uh, Hello.

Leo seen on the other end in distress.

ABE (CONT'D)Why you calling me, where you at, been sitting here waitin’ on your ass fool.

26.

27.

LEO(flustered)

Yo man don’t listen to these assholes just go home, don’t worry about me...leave now...

Leo is snatched out of frame.

PAC RAT So we have a situation Mr. Armstrong.

ABEHow the hell you know my last name?

PAC RATI make it a point to know everyone who comes into my casino, especially the high rollers.

ABEYou better let my boy go or we going to have a situation.

PAC RATHa. You seem a lot smarter than your friend Leo so this is what you’re going to do. You will fight in his place.

ABEWait a minute, there’s gotta be another way, take our money its all yours.

PAC RATThat’s not an option, you’re getting in the cage like it or not.

LEO (O.S.)Fuck these motherfuckers leave!

Sounds of Sonnie and Jackie beating Leo.

PAC RATWe’ll be in touch.

Hologram ends.

Abe sits shocked.

GASTON (O.C.)If you care about your friend, come with me.

27.

28.

Abe turns around and faces off with Gaston who stands posed with his arms crossed.

GASTON (CONT'D)Is that going to be a problem?

Gaston leans in and towers over Abe. Abe doesn’t flinch.

ABELes do this, I always win.

CUT TO BLACK.

END ACT FIVE

28.

Documents

Lion and Gorilla In the West Written By Kevin Lyons Otis ... · EXT. GAS STATION – DAY Small gas station ten miles outside of Las Vegas. The gas station looks overlooked, a victim