Mexico City Confidential (5)
PACO finds the poison and raises the bottle to his friend. PACO Here’s looking at you although I’d rather not… He drinks deeply and ANGEL regards him a moment. ANGEL You plan on telling me what new tragedy has befallen you or am I supposed to guess? PACO Same shit different day just the shit seems to keep getting deeper… ANGEL Hmm, I think this calls for drastic measures… He suddenly turns off the main road PACO nearly falling on top of him. EXT/NIGHT, RIVERBANK The car pulls up and the two men get out PACO lugging his bag as always. PACO looks around him and laughs. ANGEL So you do remember this place! PACO Still got those Playboys hidden in the bushes? ANGEL Nah the flood of 92 got em’, I checked… pity too they must have been collector’s items. 62 PACO goes to take a drink but the bottle is empty. He tosses the bottle into the dark turbid water of the river below. ANGEL opens the trunk and tosses another bottle to PACO. PACO You always were fucking psychic or something… ANGEL No, just practical. PACO hands ANGEL the bottle and he takes a swig before settling down on the bank to gaze at the stars. ANGEL So what’s the deep shit? PACO I decided I’m going to leave my job. ANGEL (looks at PACO surprised and offers the bottle) What brought this on? PACO The bastard has got all this money in good part thanks to me… from the looks of things he may very well have my fiancée too… I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let him take my pride as well. I don’t know why he is so determined to bust my balls in every possible way I’ve never done a fuckin thing to this guy… maybe that’s it… All this time I’ve been an easy target. (drinks) One thing is certain though, I’ve got to find some way to stick it to him and I mean good! No Vaseline for this SOB! (ANGEL laughs) I’m serious… PACO goes to light a cigarette but his pack is empty. He tosses away the pack and digs in his bag for a fresh one. ANGEL sits up regarding him. ANGEL Don’t you ever go anywhere without that fucking bag? I get tired just watching you carry it… PACO (Holding it up with both hands) 63 Right about now I’d love to throw it in the God damned river! ANGEL So why don’t you? PACO considers the possibility a moment but thinks better of it. He tosses it to one side and lights his cigarette. PACO I can’t. Not yet… (ANGEL looks at him with reproach) The racing season ends this week, it would be stupid to quit before then. Besides I still have to figure out how I’m gonna quit. ANGEL What do you mean how! There is only one way I know of buddy. PACO Well the other day old HANNIBAL made a little joke that wasn’t too fuckin funny… It seems the idea of takin’ me out has already crossed his mind. That’s why I have to find a way to take his whole fucking empire down… It’s the only way I’ll be able to live let alone live with myself. ANGEL How do you propose to do that? PACO (bitter laugh) Good question… Come on let’s get out of here the damned humidity is killing me. Can you hand me my… PACO stops mid sentence his eyes light up. He stands and laughs. ANGEL looks at him warily. ANGEL Buddy is there a possibility that you may be losing it? PACO It’s in the bag Angel! That God damned sack of cowhide! (He picks it up and kisses it, ANGEL shakes his head) I’ve been lugging the answer to all my problems around this fucking city for years now and I never realized 64 it until just this moment! God this is great! I could kiss you… ANGEL Couldn't we just shake hands. PACO Come on I’ll tell you what I’m thinking on the way into town. (stops putting his hands on ANGEL’S shoulders) If I can work the details out right my friend by the last day of the season you and I are gonna be two rich bastards and Hannibal is gonna be one sorry son of a bitch… ANGEL You aren’t gonna kiss me are you? PACO laughs and heads for the car ANGEL following behind. INT, AM, ELECTRIC CITY ANITA is on the phone when CARMELA enters obviously pissed off. She mutters under her breath waiting impatiently for ANITA to get off the phone. As soon as ANITA hangs up CARMELA speaks to her in earnest. CARMELA Are you doing anything tonight after work? ANITA I never do anything dear, why do you ask? CARMELA I thought we could have an early dinner together… I really need some advice. ANITA What about? I mean I’m happy to lend an ear, I just don’t know if it will do you any good… CARMELA (glancing around her) I can’t talk about it here… too many eyes and ears. I know a little place that makes great Mai Tai, it will be my treat. 65 ANITA All right then I’m all yours. CARMELA (kisses her on the cheek) Thanks. ANITA gazes at her with mixed emotions. At that moment PACO emerges from the employee’s elevator. As he walks past he smiles and greets the two women in his usual polite manner. His eyes linger a moment on CARMELA who smiles. As he exits a sigh escapes CARMELA’S lips and she appears melancholic. For some reason ANITA is no longer enjoying her own little part in the plot. ANITA I have some paperwork, if you need me I’ll be in my office. CARMELA Not to worry I can handle it now. INT/DAY, ANITA’S OFFICE ANITA is obviously upset with herself pacing about in her tiny office. ANITA Well done… My unhappiness just wasn’t enough I had to go and spread it around… (looks at herself in the mirror, bitter laugh) Way back when he wanted you you wanted the boss! Bigger and better things… Just look at you now: alone, bitter, afraid… (close to tears) afraid people will treat me like I’ve treated them. Well done Anita, bloody well done. EXT/AM, GARAGE/WRECKING YARD PACO walks with the MECHANIC away from his how “healthy” Yugo towards the garage and offices. MECHANIC Oh she’ll run for a while but I’m telling you, from the looks of things she’ll bleed you dry if you hang on to her much longer. PACO That bad? 66 MECHANIC It’s old age, happens to all of us sooner or later. I just can’t find the parts any more. They enter the garage and behind them we see the two goons waiting just beyond the gate. INT/AM, GARAGE PACO hands the MECHANIC some money and he heads for the office. We see 7-8 men of various ages and descriptions working at different tasks in the large hangar like space. PACO Is this an OK time to talk to the guys? MECHANIC No problem. Hey! My man here wants a word you lot. As the MECHANIC goes to cut the receipt the other men leave their tasks and huddle around PACO. INT/AM, HANNIBAL’S OFFICE HANNIBAL sits smugly observing CARMELA on the monitor. He opens two velvet boxes: the earrings and bracelet that match CARMELA’S necklace. HANNIBAL You may have plans tonight my precious but sooner than later you will be mine… He snaps the boxes shut just as ANITA enters his office. He is obviously annoyed by her intrusion. HANNIBAL Have you forgotten that in most cases we knock on closed doors? ANITA I just passed by to see how the hunt is going? HANNIBAL Do I sense some personal motive behind your interest? ANITA You know what an altruist I am, always ready to assist a worthy cause. 67 Her eagle eye catches his subtle movement to conceal the velvet boxes in a desk drawer. HANNIBAL Are the two of you close? ANITA Let’s say I have befriended her… and it has been some time since I’ve had a bonus… HANNIBAL Anita, it is such a pity you were born female, were you a man we could have become splendid friends. ANITA I doubt that. HANNIBAL Has she mentioned me? ANITA (laying it on) Not by name… But she is obviously facing quite a dilemma. HANNIBAL I knew it! It is just a matter of time… ANITA You mean to say the suite didn’t wow her? HANNIBAL (not amused he rushes to cover his embarrassment) This is a rare quarry not like more common fowl that fall easily into a simple snare. After all that is what makes the hunt so exciting… ANITA brushes off his dig it merely reinforces her sense of purpose. ANITA In that case you clearly have no need of my assistance… She turns to leave but HANNIBAL stops her. HANNIBAL Wait, we both know how valuable accurate information is… and how appreciated. 68 ANITA You’ll have my report in the morning sir. HANNIBAL That’s my girl! EXT/DAY, MEXICO CITY STREETS PACO on rounds as usual, in and out of various businesses. At one point he passes a cosmetics department store. He stops turns and after pausing a moment enters. The two GOONS exchange looks. GOON 1 This joint’s not on the list, maybe we should follow him? GOON 2 (lights a cigarette) What for to watch him buy tampons for his girlfriend? This job is starting to make you paranoid! GOON 1 There’s always a first time… GOON 2 Bullshit! People don’t change, if this guy was smart he’d be doin’ what we do right? GOON 1 You got a point there… The GOONS philosophize as PACO emerges from the store loaded down with shopping bags. GOON 1 Damn… either this guy’s a fag or his girlfriend is one demanding broad! GOON 2 What I tell ya? Would you want to follow his ass all through the God damned store? EXT/DAY, PACO’S APT. The Yugo pulls up outside the rundown building. PACO emerges with his shopping bags whistling as he trots up the steps. The GOONS pull up on the motorcycle across the street. 69 INT/DAY, PACO’S APT. PACO deposits the bags in his bedroom then settles down picking up the phone. INT/DAY, ANGEL’S HOUSE ANGEL lives quite well for a man having abandoned “professional” life. Various beautiful women are gathered in his living room, among them the BLONDE from HANNIBAL’S night at the opera she seems annoyed. ANGEL Honey, the prices are standard you know that. If you expect extras it’s up to you to earn them. (hands her a slip of paper) Here’s your rendezvous for tonight… try to be pleasant. BLONDE (snapping) I’m always pleasant! The phone rings and ANGEL picks up. ANGEL Hello… Well well so you were serious! I’m glad to hear it… (gazes at his watch) Yeah I can be finished up by then… I can’t wait to hear your plan… Yes yes OUR plan… Meet you there. hangs up) OK ladies I’d love to sit around with you all day but have places to go people to see. Get a move on now my lovelies… INT/DAY, PACO’S APT. PACO sits on his sofa. His assignment sheets are spread out on the coffee table in front of him. He singles out the sheet for the last day of the season then digs his little notepad out of his bag. Scanning the assignment list he glances back and forth to his note pad comparing the client codes to the “high rollers” he had jotted down two nights before. He finds three on his final day’s list and circles them then picks up the phone. EXT/DAY, PACO’S APT. 70 The two GOONS wait impatiently in the hot sun. GOON 1 What do you think he’s doing up there? GOON 2 Probably taking a shit… How do I know! It’s his apartment! INT/DAY, PACO’S APT. PACO Thank you, have a nice day. He hangs up the phone and crosses off the second circled client with an air of resignation. He redials blase. PACO Good afternoon may I have Mr. Modero’s secretary please… Yes hello I wanted to see if it were possible to make an appointment with Mr. Modero day after tomorrow?… (PACO’S eyes suddenly light up) You don’t say!… And he will be returning when?… Thank you I have noted that… (he hangs up) YES! (he underlines the name three times then gathers the papers back into his bag laughing, looks up) Thank you God! EXT/DAY, PACO’S APT. PACO emerges from the building with a spring in his step. He gets in his Yugo and pulls away the GOONS following after. INT/EVE, POLYNESIAN RESTAURANT It is a small dark joint, the kind of place where middle-class married businessmen meet their illicit lovers. Kitsch décor, ukuleles twanging softly in the back ground. As CARMELA and ANITA enter ANITA can’t help but chuckle. ANITA I won’t ask how you discovered this place… 71 CARMELA (sly smile) I appreciate that. A tiny little man of undiscernibly Asian decent rushes to greet them in a hushed voice… MAITRE Miss Carmela! It is always pleasure! (he smiles and bows to ANITA) Right this way, ladies. He leads them to a corner table and respectfully pulls out their chairs. MAITRE You be having usual? CARMELA Times two Lim,, thank you, it would be appreciated if you could rush the “appetizer”. MAITRE Two double Mai Tai with extra pineapple slice post haste. He bows low and scurries away into the darkness. ANITA chuckles again. ANITA I must admit I love it! The food any good? CARMELA Who knows? After a couple of Mai Tai anything tastes good! Thanks for coming. ANITA So what is this “situation” you couldn’t talk about at work? CARMELA digs in her bag and sets the velvet box in front of ANITA. She recognizes it immediately and opens it with curiosity. A whistle escapes her lips… ANITA I wish I had this kind of problem… She closes the box and hands it back to CARMELA whose expression has hardened. 72 CARMELA There is no question of my keeping it however, due to recent developments lets say I want to find a most “impressive” means of returning it. They pause as a waiter appears out of the smoky darkness with two enormous cocktail glasses. The waiter sets them in front of the two women and disappears again without a sound. ANITA takes a sip and her eyes pop open. ANITA Wow! I must say you have got my curiosity doing handsprings. You had better start from the beginning so I can fully appreciate your intentions... INT/NIGHT, STRIPJOINT Gathered around the tables surrounding the stage we see all of HANNIBAL’S GOONS. They howl and applaud as HANNIBAL steps on to the stage. HANNIBAL Good evening gentlemen! I’m sure you are all aware that a few nights ago I held the annual company party. I regret that I could not invite you as well but as you know it wouldn’t do for them to learn who you are! So to make amends this evening is exclusively yours… (wicked grin) I think you will enjoy yourselves! They cheer as HANNIBAL steps down. He heads for the door followed by MUNGO. The SECURITY CHIEF stops him. SECURITY CHIEF Mr. Huerta! Won’t you stay and have a drink with us? HANNIBAL That’s is most kind but I am a married man. SECURITY CHIEF (winks) So am I… As HANNIBAL laughs the first girl emerges on stage, a long legged blonde. HANNIBAL glances at MUNGO then relents. HANNIBAL Well I suppose one drink can’t hurt… 73 INT/EVE, TAVERN This is the kind of place where middle-class married businessmen go to meet their bookies. PACO and ANGEL sit at a booth huddled over their plates. ANGEL 1.5 mil is not a number I hear everyday buddy. How can you be so sure? PACO It is simple arithmetic. We don’t have to concern ourselves with the odds because we will know the winners anyway. All my calculations are based on the favorites coming in on each race. If even one long shot comes in so much the better! ANGEL So what is my angle? PACO All you need to do is a little play-acting. One day’s work for 15% of whatever the take is, you’ll know that before I do. ANGEL How do you know I won’t rip you off? PACO I don’t… but I figure if I can’t trust a guy after 30 years of friendship then it’s probably better for me if Hannibal takes me out anyway. ANGEL The part I don’t get is how are you gonna know the winners? Don’t you guys turn all that shit in each day? PACO I’ve got all that worked out buddy. It’s fail safe. Your role comes in after the fact: if you pick up the signal that means everything is go, otherwise we scrap the whole works and it’s business as usual. Anyway it’s better for you not to know all the details, just in case. ANGEL So you’ve got the capital? PACO’S face suddenly clouds. He pushes his plate away sitting back in frustration. 74 PACO That is the only detail I haven’t worked out. I thought about grifting it from the incoming bets but most of the players give post-dated checks as guarantee, it is just to risky. My “pension” account is down to $1,500.00… I asked the bank manager about a loan told him I want to buy a house for Carmela and me… Even if they approve my application the processing takes a month! I’ve only got two days… ANGEL How much we talking about? PACO To cover the bets and organize my little “helpers”… at least fifty grand. Silence falls over the table. PACO looks devastated. ANGEL does some figuring in his head. ANGEL I can cover it. PACO suddenly looks up in amazement but then grows skeptical. PACO You aren’t shitting me? ANGEL Listen my folks are dead and all my “girlfriends” work for me, my pension account is in considerably better shape than yours... But it is understood that if I put up the capital we aren’t talking about 15%… Don’t get me wrong two hundred grand is not bad for a simple day’s work but for a straight capital investment… PACO Hey, you kidding? If you’ve got the cash it’s 50/50! ANGEL Then consider it all systems go my friend. PACO One o’clock tomorrow at the park. I’ll bring everything you need to play your role you bring the cash. Don’t know if there’s a God but I’m starting to feel religious! 75 ANGEL Save it, prayers of thanks are always more welcome than prayers of entreaty. INT/NIGHT, POLYNESIAN RESTAURANT CARMELA and ANITA are already on their third round of Mai Tai. A couple of plates with unidentified foods sit between them on the table. ANITA laughs out loud. ANITA A widower! His wife would sure get a kick out of that!
Copyright © 2000 Victoria King |