RED ROCK RIVER RUNS RED Written by Corey Salter

ACT ONE EXT. STEAM, CO - DAY Townsfolk are walking by the front of The Pub, Steams one and only town bar. INT. THE PUB - KITCHEN - DAY JOHN WHITELION, 35 and 510. He is a muscular half African/ Half Native American male. His long hair is tied back in a slightly curly braid sailing down his back. He is at the kitchen stoves of The Pub slaving away over several pots of food cooking. He is masterfully moving from one pot to the next adding various ingredients like a painter moves about an exquisite painting. He is humming to himself as HAZEL DOYLE, 27 and The Pubs new proprietor, after inheriting it from her late father, comes into the kitchen from the pubs bar room. Hi, John. HAZEL DOYLE

JOHN WHITELION Hello, Miss Hazel. HAZEL DOYLE Come on, John. Theres no need to be so formal. JOHN WHITELION I know. Its just that ever since you inherited the pub it seems right to call you Miss Hazel. HAZEL DOYLE John, Ive known you since I was knee high to a grasshopperJOHN WHITELION But, Miss HaHAZEL DOYLE And Im telling you not to be so damned formal with me. JOHN WHITELION Alright, alright, you win. No more Miss Hazel.

2. HAZEL DOYLE Okay. Glad we got that covered. Hazel moves over to the stove and wafts the smells up to her nose. HAZEL DOYLE (CONTD) Your normal cooking smells good, but this smells absolutely divine. Did you do something different? JOHN WHITELION I thought Id add a few herbs I picked up from my mother this morning to the dishes. HAZEL DOYLE Well, it smells wonderful so dont let me stop you. Hazel goes to leave the kitchen. John looks puzzled. JOHN WHITELION Uh, Hazel, didnt you come in here for something? HAZEL DOYLE Oh yeah! Wheres my mind? EXT. THE PUB - BACK ALLEYWAY - DAY KEVIN ANDREWS, 25 and medium height. The homeless man that secretly lives in the library searching for the famed Steam Library treasure is sifting through the trash out back of the pub. He continues sifting when he suddenly lifts his head toward the window. He takes a whiff of the kitchen smells. He stands up to get a better view of whats cooking in the kitchen when he sees Hazel and John talking. He ducks down, but begins to listen to their conversation. KEVIN ANDREWS (whispering to himself) I wonder whats going on in there?

3. INT. THE PUB - KITCHEN - DAY Hazel and John are close to each other discussing something. They have serious looks on their faces. JOHN WHITELION So, you think youve found a solution? HAZEL DOYLE Yes! I thought about it all last night and came up with a delicate plan that will keep your homosexuality a secret. EXT. THE PUB - BACK ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS Kevin Andrews hiccups at the word homosexuality and quickly ducks down. KEVIN ANDREWS (whispering to himself) This is an interesting turn of events. He rubs his dirt-covered hands together. KEVIN ANDREWS (CONTD) Sounds like theres money to be made... He begins laughing giddily to himself as he sneaks away from the window. KEVIN ANDREWS (CONTD) ... And where theres money to be made, Kevin Andrews will get paid... INT. THE PUB - KITCHEN - DAY Hazel and John are still talking intently. HAZEL DOYLE Later. Well discuss it later after we close. JOHN WHITELION Alright, alright. Hazel goes to leave again.

4. HAZEL DOYLE Oh, make sure you take out the garbage. You know how I love a tidy kitchen. Hazel exits. John immediately begins to gather the garbage and take it outside.

Act Two EXT. THE PUB - BACK ALLEYWAY - DAY As he opens the back door screen he nearly knocks over Kevin Andrews as hes picking through the garbage. Kevin straightens himself up. JOHN WHITELION Oh... sorry about that, Kevin. KEVIN ANDREWS No worries. No worries, my good man. John continues to put out the trash. He turns to go back inside. KEVIN ANDREWS (CONTD) Uh, John it is, isnt it? I wanted to have a word with you about your dandyism I believe its called. John chokes down his reaction to Kevins words. JOHN WHITELION My what? Kevin, Im no dandy. KEVIN ANDREWS Lets not get into an argument over this. I heard yours and Hazels conversation in the kitchen just a bit ago and it was rather exciting I must admit. JOHN WHITELION (choking back tears and anger) (MORE)

5. JOHN WHITELION (CONT'D) What is it that you want, little man? KEVIN ANDREWS Its simple. You pay me money and food and Ill keep your disgustingly filthy proclivities to my lonesome. John begins to pace back and forth in the alleyway for moments thinking. Beads of sweat begin to appear on his forehead. JOHN WHITELION Kevin, you dont have to do this. KEVIN ANDREWS Dont beg. Its unbecoming. JOHN WHITELION Im not begging. ImKEVIN ANDREWS No! Were doing this my way or this town will roast you and your dandy ass! JOHN WHITELION I can talk to Hazel about offering youKEVIN ANDREWS No handouts! Kevin Andrews earns what he gets. JOHN WHITELION And this is earning what you get? KEVIN ANDREWS Dear dandy, I never said how I earn what I get. Now, youre going to pay me and feed me or else. JOHN WHITELION I know! You said the or else part before. Theres no need to repeat it to me. KEVIN ANDREWS I take it we have an agreement then?

6. JOHN WHITELION Yes, Kevin, we have an agreement. KEVIN ANDREWS Oh this is splendid!! Just splendid. I shall return later for my supper. Fine... JOHN WHITELION

John goes back into the kitchen. Kevin leaves down the back alleyway. He rubs his hands together as if money is filling them. INT. THE PUB - KITCHEN - THE NEXT DAY John is tending to the pots on the stove, tidying up and keeping the kitchen neat like Hazel likes it. Hazel enters and studies John while he is cleaning. HAZEL DOYLE Okay. Whats going on with you? John looks surprised. JOHN WHITELION N-nothing. Im just cleaning up as usual. HAZEL DOYLE No. Usually you hum while cleaning and youre not doing that. You also left in a rush last night after close so I didnt have time to tell you about the plan. What plan? JOHN WHITELION

Hazel motions with her hands emphatically. HAZEL DOYLE You know. The plan. John gets a look of realization on his face. JOHN WHITELION Oh! That plan.

7. HAZEL DOYLE What do you mean by that? JOHN WHITELION Its nothing. Its just that Kevin overheard us talking from the window and hes blackmailing me to pay him in food and money or hell tell the town about me. HAZEL DOYLE Thats ludicrous! Nobody will believe that piece of trash. JOHN WHITELION I dont think they will either, but I cant afford for there to be any doubt in peoples minds about me. Hazel thinks for a moment. HAZEL DOYLE I can see your point, John. For now keep going along with the blackmail. Ill give you money to give Kevin so your pay isnt affected. The Pub is doing well at the moment so we can afford this for a small time. JOHN WHITELION I cant allow you to do that Hazel. HAZEL DOYLE Rubbish! Its my fault youre in this mess in the first place so let me help with things until we can figure out a way to deal with Kevin. JOHN WHITELION Thank you, Hazel. I dont think I could go through this alone. HAZEL DOYLE No problem, John. Well figure this out and get Kevin off your back. Hazel exits. John continues his cleaning. He is less worried and begins to hum slightly to himself.

8. EXT. - RED ROCK RIVER - NIGHT Its late and John is walking to the Steam Resort on his way back to his bungalow for the night. He looks tired from a hard days work at the Pub as usual, but he feels good. As he nears the bridge he sees his friend JOE ROME, 35, muscled, black male crossing the bridge from the other side. He seems weary and is coughing a lot as he crosses the bridge. John begins to walk a little faster to meet Joe. About a third of the way across the bridge John hears a noise sounding like footsteps behind him. He begins to get nervous and turns around to see Kevin Andrews approaching him. JOHN WHITELION What do you want now Kevin? I already gave you money and food for the day. KEVIN ANDREWS I wanted to discuss our arrangement. JOHN WHITELION There is no discussing things unless youre going to stop blackmailing me. KEVIN ANDREWS Now, John, we both know that isnt going to stop. JOHN WHITELION I didnt think so. You have no honor. KEVIN ANDREWS I dont need honor. What I need is a larger slice of the money pie, uh, so to speak. JOHN WHITELION No! There will be no increases here. The arrangement was struck and it stands as is. Kevin takes a step closer to John. They are now a little further than arms distance apart.

9. KEVIN ANDREWS Remember now, John, its your secret that must be kept. JOHN WHITELION Kevin, leave here now before I beat you down like the dog you are. Kevin pulls out a knife and begins shifting it back and forth between his hands. KEVIN ANDREWS That wont be happening tonight. You come any closer to me and Ill cut you. I swear this John Whitelion. JOHN WHITELION Put the knife away, Kevin, before someone gets hurt. The two men square off on the bridge rounding each other. The two continue back and forth pacing and rounding as further footsteps are heard, but neither wants to take his eyes off the other. KEVIN ANDREWS It occurs to me that I dont even know what to call you. Youre not black and youre not exactly an Indian are you John? This further infuriates John as it throws salt in old wounds. John takes a swing at Kevin who dodges it. JOHN WHITELION Call me winner! Kevin swings his knife and catches John on the right side of his rib cage with the knife causing a deep gash to appear as his shirt is ripped open there. John takes another swing at Kevin. The blow lands square on Kevins jaw and sends him reeling in pain as he falls back a couple steps. Kevin raises the knife and begins to charge John when suddenly Joe comes out of nowhere, knocking John to the floor, and tackles Kevin onto the bridge floor.

10. JOE ROME You low-talking piece of shit! The men struggle back and forth. Joe trying to grab the knife and Kevin scrambling out of his way. The men roll back and forth as blows are landed from both sides. John rolls to his side and cups the back of his head. He appears to be in considerable pain. JOHN WHITELION Ow, my head!! John catches the men out the corner of his eye. He hops up, still holding his head with one hand, and starts to rush over to them. John grabs Joe and pulls him off of Kevin who is just laying there. He has the knife sticking out of his chest and he isnt moving at all. Act Three John helps up Joe to his feet. Joe is rubbing his face earnestly. JOE ROME Didnt know he could hit so hard. JOHN WHITELION You alright? Joe coughs. JOE ROME Yeah. Im good. Joe sees John still rubbing his head some. JOE ROME (CONTD) Your head okay? JOHN WHITELION I hit it when I fell, but no worries. The two men look over to Kevin whos still lying on the ground.

11. JOE ROME Get up you lousy piece of shit! Joe kicks Kevin in the foot but there isnt any movement. The men take a closer look and see the knife. JOHN WHITELION Holy shit! I think hes dead! JOE ROME I-I just saw you were fighting and I ran to help. Its not m-my fault! I didnt mean for it to happen! JOHN WHITELION I know. It wasnt anyones fault. It was an accident is all. Joe looks horrified. JOE ROME I cant go to jail for this man! JOHN WHITELION Alright look well take care of it. How? JOE ROME

JOHN WHITELION The river. Well throw him in and hell wash away and we wont speak about it again. Are we clear? Joe thinks it over a minute. JOE ROME That sounds perfect! Nobodyll miss him either so we wont have to worry. Exactly! Joe grabs John. John winces from the cut on his side. JOE ROME Look! You gotta promise me you wont say anything to anyone. JOHN WHITELION

12. JOHN WHITELION Im as much at fault in this as you are so yo have my word. The two men shake on it. They move over Kevin and lift his body up and heave it over the side into the rushing waters of Red Rock River. They look at each other and nod then continue on their separate ways. Kevin stirs as the cool waters of the river rush over him. His breath is coming in shallow bursts as he flows down the river out of Steam.