Scene 5 Palomita

The scene transitions from Dakota’s hand under the running water to Cherry’s running foot under the water. She is seen pulling a piece of rubbish out of her thigh, it’s quite bloody and leaves a sizable gash.

Cherry:
Fucking catastrophe.

Camera cuts to the parking lot of JT’s Bone Shack to see Wray’s “wrecking” truck, an old tow-truck. Wray steps out and walks inside.

Wray:
Hey.

JT:
Hey.

Wray:
How’s it goin’ JT?

JT: (cutting some meat on the counter)
All right

Wray: (sits down at the counter)
Still open, I see.

JT:
Oh, yeah, all night.

Wray:
Cup of coffee and a pack of cigarettes, please.

JT looks back and sees an already open pack of Red Apple cigarettes, he tosses them towards Wray. JT’s dog is also at the counter next to Wray eating a piece of sausage.

JT:
Free of charge. Tonight… Is a special night. (pours cup of coffee)

Wray:
What’s so special about tonight? (camera slowly pans onto Wray’s face for dramatic effect)

JT:
Been open 25 years.

Wray grins and offers up his cup of coffee to toast JT. JT dips a mug into a bucket of barbeque sauce, the two cheers and take their drinks. After JT swallows, he exhales a cloud of cigarette smoke and gives a “not bad” look.

Wray:
You should’ve thrown a party.

JT:
I did, see the balloons. You’re the second person to show up tonight.

Four balloons visible behind Wray.

Wray:
Who’s the first?

JT:
Right there. (nods towards Cherry who’s at a booth)
Must be passin’ through.
Seems only strangers eat here.

Wray:
I still eat here JT. (getting up to go to the booth)

JT:
Oh yeah you sure do. By the way, don’t choke on all that food you’re eatin’.

Wray walks over to the booth that Cherry is sitting in.

Wray:
Hello, Palomita.

Cherry: (looking out a window)
I don’t go by that name anymore.

Wray:
Why not?

Cherry: (turns to face Wray)
‘Cause it’s the name you gave me.

Wray: (takes drag off of his cigarette)
So uh, you ever become that fancy doctor?

Cherry:
Never did.

Wray: (sits down in booth)
I thought for sure you would. Talks about it enough.

Cherry:
That’s the problem with goals, they become the thing you talk about instead of the thing you do.

Wray:
That’s my jacket.

Cherry looks down at her jacket slightly and shrugs

Wray:
I looked for it for two weeks.

Cherry:
Yeah? How long did you look for me, Wray?

Wray:
Yeah, well, the jacket belonged to me. You didn’t.
So um, what are you doing now?

Cherry:
I’m going to be a standup comedian.

Wray: (puzzled look)
Really?

Cherry nods

Wray:
You’re not funny.

Cherry:
That’s what I’ve been trying to tell everybody, but they all say I’m hysterical.

Wray:
But you’re not.

Cherry:
Great. Well that’s just fantastic, because I believed everybody, and I’ve already booked shows in town. Now what am I gonna do?

Wray:
Yeah. Yeah, that--that sucks, really.

Cherry:
There’s a difference between being frank and being dick.

Wray: (getting up from their booth)
Yeah, well… It was really good seeing you again.

Cherry gives Wray the finger while his back is turned from the table

Wray:
Oh. Um… What name do you go by now… In case I want to catch one of your shows?

Cherry:
Cherry. Cherry Darling.

Wray:
Sounds like a stripper.

Cherry:
No, it sounds like a go-go dancer. There’s a difference.

Wray:
Right… Well, you’ll always be Palomita to me.

Cherry has a longing look on her face. Wray puts another cigarette in his mouth and walks back up to the counter where JT and the dog are.

Cherry:
I need a ride.

All three, Wray, JT and the dog individually look over at Cherry. Wray throws a couple dollars down on the counter.

Cherry:
What do you say, El Wray?

Wray: (removes the cigarette from his mouth)
I’ll give you a ride.

Cherry begins getting out of her booth, JT turns around and opens a door, presumably to the back of his restaurant.