FADE IN:
The pier in all its glory. The promenade: music, color, people. Traffic on the streets is moderate.
Quiet. A couple of cars pass. Across the street, a Bag Lady pushes a shopping cart ever so slowly along the other side of the street, just an unnoticed part of the urban landscape. In contrast a sharp BMW 535 chirps to a stop in the red zone fronting the bank. It contains TOM and TERI, better known as Ken and Barbie. INSERT - THE BUMPER STICKER next to their USC ALUMNI license plate frame which reads "KEEP HONKING -- I'M RELOADING."
Tom and Teri sit in the front seat.
TOM
I need to get some cash.
Teri looks around at the empty nightscape, doesn't like it.
TERI
You sure that's a good idea?
TOM
If you want to go to Viceroy's, sip
brandy and smoke cigars? Yes, it is.
Not only do they not take American Express,
they don't take Visa or MasterCard either.
Tom reaches for his door handle, but Teri slows him:
TERI
Why don't we go to the branch over on Wilshire?
TOM
(as to a child)
Because it's over on Wilshire.
Tom pats her knees in a condescending manner.
TOM
Besides, if you were an ATM bandit,
would you choose me to pick on?
Teri tries to share his confidence but falls short.
Tom hops from the Beemer, pulling his card from his wallet as he goes to the ATM. He inserts the card, punches in his code. As he hits the enter key, the barrel of a nasty Mossberg 12-guage comes to rest in Tom's ear. It's in the hand of VINCE SIMPSON, built like a real USC linbacker, wearing a ski mask.
VINCE
I'll punch in the amount for you.
Vince's voice is a scary voice: the voice of one who hurts people and enjoys it. Tom stiffens and squares his shoulders as Teri starts to scream from the car.
TERI
Help -- someone help!
VINCE
(ignores her)
What's your maximum?
TOM
Up yours.
VINCE
I like your bumper sticker.
And he sends Tom CRASHING to the pavemant with a vicious blow from the butt of the shotgun. Teri is still screaming, but Vince seems more annoyed than angered by her.
VINCE
You... are one noisy chick.
The screaming Teri.
The very menacing Vince and his Mossberg. As it comes up, she ducks. He pulls the trigger and blasts the passenger side window to powder. The screaming is suddenly silent.
VINCE
There. That's better.
Vince turns calmly and punches in $400.00. A moment, then INSERT - THE SCREEN which reads "YOUR TRANSACTION IS BEING PROCESSED."
VINCE
Gotta love these yuppies.
He removes the cash from the machine and disappears around the corner.
FADE OUT
-- written by
Robert Earll & Richard C Okie