by bob chartain
work they did on the lower levels.
BRANDT
So you're a miner..? What's all this doctor stuff..? Got to admit... It's a good opening gambit.
SARAH
Gambit!... I got that name at my first residency... Not very feminine is it. I'm a psychiatrist...
BRANDT
Yeah... and the checks in the mail.
SARAH
Honestly... I keep the miners motivated and do a little research of my own... That's the reason I took this job. Besides, it pays well.
BRANDT
Motivational psychology?
SARAH
Dr. Stanley's a pusher. He likes to keep the workers purring... You know this is the only mining operation still going. He's doing it right. The company is all things to everybody... You'll see tomorrow.
BRANDT
God, you sure talk a lot... What makes you think I'll be here tomorrow?
She takes off her welfare glasses.
SARAH
(smiling coyly)
Because you've got nothing better to do. I had a premonition when I first saw you.
BRANDT
I think you've got me all wrong.
Brandt watches Jake, who icily stares him down.
SARAH
(grabs his shoulder)
Come on; try not to make yourself conspicuous.
Brandt shuffles back into the dance.
SARAH (cont'd)
What's your name stranger?
BRANDT
Rembrandt Hill and yours?
SARAH
Sarah Livingston... That's quite a name are you an artist?
BRANDT
No I'm a writer, a journalist in fact,
SARAH
That's different.
BRANDT
My mother pinned it on me for inspiration.
Sarah removes a clip, shakes her head and lets her hair drop. She ties her blouse in a knot, looks up and smiles.
SARAH
There, are you inspired?
Brandt moves back, strokes his chin and smiles an approving grin.
BRANDT
By you. The pain's all gone, Doc.
CUT TO:
ext. THE FRONT OF THE CANTINA - NIGHT
JEZEBEL, the seductress moves gracefully to the group of men surrounding DR STANLEY. The phalanx opens and then closes around them and they confer in hushed WHISPERS with only the name Rembrandt Hill being clearly discernible. Muck BARKS, Joe is spotted and two MEN move ominously toward them.
CUT TO:
THE DANCE FLOOR where Sarah holds Brandt closer.
SARAH
Honestly, It's slim pickings' if you're single. Most guys are married and the ones that aren't couldn't spell romance... They dangle us on their arms then make us fetch their bones. Dr Stanley wants the men to be happy. We're nothing but pets. I guess it comes with working in the mines...after a while they remind you of moles. It's really nice to meet someone new.
BRANDT
So the girls jump on any stranger. It must be nice...
SARAH
Well... just look at them.
A half dozen women jealously watch Sarah as Jezebel moves toward them.
JEZEBEL
(slight accent)
Mind if I cut in... I want to do him.
SARAH
I'm sorry. He's already taken.
Brandt gives Jezebel the once over.
BRANDT
Maybe some other time. I'm a little spent.
Unaccustomed to rejection, she pouts and turns away.
SARAH
You wouldn't. Would you? She's not your type.
Brandt smiles and pulls Sarah in a little closer.
SARAH (CONT'D)
Now I know you're feeling better.
DR. STANLEY MOVES THROUGH THE CROWDS individually thanking the people responsible for getting the project in on time.
BRANDT
Who's that? The emperor?
SARAH
That's Stanley...
CUT TO:
THE EDGE OF THE DANCE FLOOR - STANLEY'S ENTOURAGE
STANLEY
All the systems are up. Testing begins Monday at oh - eight - hundred. Together we are going to change the world and --
ON THE DANCE FLOOR
SARAH
Dr. Stanley's the hardest working and most respected man I know. He gave me an opportunity nobody else would.
BRANDT
He gives me the chills. He reminds me of a mortician.
SARAH
You certainly have a vivid imagination.
Jezebel in the crowd is yanked from view. Stanley and his entourage leave in a whirlwind. Suddenly, Jake's voice booms above the din.
JAKE
She's mine Mick, now leave us alone.
JEZEBEL
I'll do you both.
In the Crowd Jezebel is yanked between the two men. Her body slides across the dance floor, under Brandt who raises his leg, and she is rendered unconscious by the stage. Jake and Mick rush to her side.
JAKE
Now see what you've done. You sawed off little twerp.
With a backhand he sends Mick flying, then lifts Jezebel over his shoulder and moves toward the pool tables, rudely bumping the dancers who include Sarah and Brandt.
BRANDT
Does this happen often?
SARAH
This is exciting... It's usually pretty dull around here...
(to herself)
It serves her right.
BRANDT
What did you say?
Sarah shakes her head as the fighting spreads rapidly. Jake drops Jezebel on a convenient pool table, turns and smashes the first face in sight.
CUT TO:
BRANDT -
raises his leg to let another body slide through --
CUT TO:
THE MUSICIANS -
dodge and duck and use their instruments as shields and the runt BASS PLAYER gets his sombrero pulled down over his ears.
CUT TO:
THE POOL TABLE -
where a MAN is hit and falls face first into a trash bin and BRANDT AND SARAH dance obliviously to the bodies around them.
THE BARTENDER, on top of the bar, waving a shot gun and a
MUSICIAN picks a head out of his guitar and the band plays on without losing a beat.
THE POOL TABLE -
where a match ignites the trash bin and the MAN'S hair and he runs screaming past -
BRANDT AND SARAH who dance on as a --
BAR TRAY flies toward the TRUMPET PLAYER who deflects it with a high note and it --
Hits the Bartender in the Adams apple.
JEZEBEL moves in pain and knocks a -
POOL CRUTCH -
into the flaming trash bin and -
CUT TO:
BRANDT AND SARAH are alone on the dance floor.
SARAH
I'm glad you decided to drop in.
BRANDT
So am I.
In the b.g. the rider less mechanical bronco bucks on. A few stragglers pick themselves up and move toward the door.
JAKE
Leave you bastards. Get out of here.
A PINATA crashes down on Brandt's head. A small antagonist waits for Brandt to topple but Brandt steadies, then heaves him into the remaining musicians.
BRANDT
Boy howdy, now I'm mad.
He turns and walks toward Jake who is standing over Jezebel unbuttoning his shirt.
BRANDT (CONT'D)
Grrrr...
SARAH
Brandt, what are you doing. Jake, you stop that this very minute.
JAKE
Why?
SARAH
Bran..d...t.
Brandt picks up a POOL CUE and slams it into Jakes teeth. Sarah moves between them.
SARAH (CONT'D)
Stop it, this minute. Violence begets violence.
Jakes throw a belt wrapped punch,
Sarah ducts and it slams into Brandt's chin. Jake spits out a few teeth, moves to the pool table and moves the limp Jezebel into a sexual position. Jezebel in one fluid motion coolly pulls the red hot pool crutch from the trash bin and plunges it into Jake's forehead. His flesh SIZZLES, he SCREAMS and stumbles back.
DISSOLVE TO:
THE HILLS OF OPHIR - AT DAWN
THE CAMERA PANS the peaceful and serene valley. The SOUND of INDIAN DRUMS wafts faintly in the distance.
Brandt and Muck wind slowly down a wild flowered hillside. Muck stops and BARKS at the hill and the CAMERA PANS up to Joe Starwind in native costume dancing at a cave entrance high above. Joe stops and waves at Brandt. Muck bolts and runs far ahead, BARKS and waits for Brandt to catch up.
BRANDT
(waves to Joe)
I'm coming. Okay. Okay.
Brandt jogs to Muck and the dog takes off again around some rock outcroppings. Brandt stumbles forward to see Hero's carcass with Muck whining at his side. Muck whines at his side. Brandt rushes to the horse as Muck chases away the buzzards. Hero has been surgically dissected as if by laser.
DISSOLVE TO:
THE BACK PORCH AT SARAH'S HOUSE DAY
Sarah's long blonde hair moves with the noticeable bounce in her walk as she moves past Brandt's belongings, heaped in the corner, toward a computer. She bends to read the screen -
INSERT COMPUTER SCREEN:
GOOD MORNING, COFFEE'S ON. THANKS
- and her short nightie rises to show her shapely legs.
SARAH
Good morning to you.
The screen door slams.
BRANDT
What did you say?
Sarah turns and shakes her head.
BRANDT (CONT'D)
God, you're even better than I remembered.
SARAH
What do you mean by that?
BRANDT
I never trust my feelings -- when I've been drinking.
SARAH
Were you drinking?
BRANDR
(grins)
What's for breakfast?
Muck BARKS.
BRANDT
Sarah this is Muck. Muck meet Sarah.
Muck extends his paw and Sarah bends to accept it.
SARAH
We met last night.
BRANDT
How did you get me home? I don't remember a thing.
SARAH
Wally and Muck helped me.
BRANDT
Wally?
SARAH
My lab assistant.
BRANDT
Can I take a quick shower?
SARAH
(nods)
Sunny side up or scrambled?
DISSOLVE TO:
A TYPICAL WOMAN'S BATHROOM - DAY
where Brandt SINGS away.
BRANDT
Is that you.
SARAH
(entering)
Come and get it.
BRANDT
You come here and get it.
Sarah stares at the translucent shower curtain.
SARAH
Maybe later. If you're good.
Brandt pokes his head out of the curtain.
BRANDT
But I'm always