100 Proof 2
Young Whiskey Dickel joins the rodeo
EXT. RODEO MAIN STAGE - BACKSTAGE ENTRANCE
Whiskey finds herself in a preparation area far from the concessions and rides. She notices Toby talking with a BOUNCER outside the backstage door.
The Bouncer waves Toby through the door with his clip board.
WHISKEY steps up, but the Bouncer blocks her from entering.
BOUNCER: Name?
WHISKEY: Whiskey.
BOUNCER (annoyed): No bribes.
WHISKEY: Name’s Whiskey. Mr. Smiley said I’d be on your list there.
Bouncer gives her the squinty eye, then runs a pencil along the guest list on his clip board.
BOUNCER: Oh, right. Smiley’s guest list. Here it is.
INSERT: Tight on Mr. Smiley’s guest list as “Strawberry Blonde” is underlined in red ink. Other categories on the list include: “Bleached blonde,” “Doe-eyes,” “Raven hair,” “Legs to the Moon”, and “Big Cha-chas.”
INT. RODEO MAIN STAGE - PERFORMERS PREP STATION - HALLWAY
WHISKEY walks past a hall of closed doors until she reaches a slightly opened door and peeks inside.
NARRATOR (V.O.): She was standing in the great warehouse of rodeo legends...
INSIDE A DRESSING ROOM: ESKIMO FLO is at her vanity. Her pet seal, NUK-NUK, watches television. Nuk-Nuk claps flippers and barks at the screen.
NARRATOR (V.O.): ...cowboy myths, misfits, vintage fashions and lost barroom conversations.
Whiskey continues down the hall.
NARRATOR (V.O.): Once dropped behind the scenes of a genuine World class rodeo. . .
A few doors down, SMILING BUBBA exits his dressing room. He’s followed by TOMMY, a backstage director wearing a headset.
NARRATOR (V.O.): . . .her life would never be the same.
Whiskey attempts to catch her breath.
WHISKEY (to self): Wowee.
Whiskey jumps up on Bubba and gives him a big kiss.
WHISKEY: Surprised to see me?
Bubba releases his trademark smile. He’s a smarmy piece of work, but Whiskey basks in his glow.
BUBBA (faux sincerity): You bet I am. How ya doin’ there, squirt.
Whiskey is in heaven. Her eyes glaze over.
EXT. PALOMINO MOTEL - NIGHT - (FLASHBACK)
A flashing neon sign points to a seedy, small town motel.
BUBBA (O.S.): Well darlin’, you may’ve won yourself that trophy today, but...
INT. PALAMINO MOTEL - RM 6
Whiskey sits on an unmade bed, gobsmacked. There’s a 1st place ribbon pinned to her vest and a big gold trophy between her legs.
BUBBA (O.S.): ...you’re just about fixin’ to win...
Bubba opens a towel to expose himself to Whiskey.
BUBBA: ...the big prize.
FLASHBACK ENDS
BACK TO SCENE
Back in the Rodeo Prep Station Hallway, Bubba continues to flirt with Whiskey, He winks, mimes a pistol shot with his thumb and forefinger.
BUBBA (aside to Tommy): Tommy, git this sweet thang a coke and put her in dressin’ room 32, alrighty?
Tommy whispers in Bubba’s ear.
Bubba flashes that famous smile again.
BUBBA (to Tommy): Make that 38 then, Tommy.
Toby sneaks up behind Bubba.
BUBBA (still flirting): Tonight, when you see me hog-tie a calf, I’ll be thinkin’ of you, little girl.
Toby squeezes the side horn’s rubber bulb --HONK!!-- startling Bubba.
Bubba angrily chases Toby down the hall.
BUBBA: C’mere ya re-tard! I’m ‘bout t’ bust your skull in!
WHISKEY attempts to catch up with TOMMY as she pins a backstage pass to her shirt.
TOMMY: You’re gonna need one of these.
WHISKEY: Hey Tom, what’s the deal with that clown?
TOMMY: Toby? Usta be a bonafide bull fighter before his accident. He’s come to be a mascot, I guess.
TOMMY gets a message on his headpiece.
TOMMY (into headpiece): Yes sir. No rubes, goat ropers, or pole cats. Gotcha.
Tommy covers his headpiece to talk to Whiskey.
TOMMY: This is gonna take a bit. You can hang out in here. The Professor’ll love the company.
TOMMY points his clipboard at the dressing room marked “21”.
WHISKEY: Professor?
Tommy rushes down the hall.
TOMMY (calls back): Nice meetin’ you, Miss.
Whiskey hesitates before opening the door.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
Whiskey Dickel, Int’l Cowgirl © Mark Scott Ricketts and Mike Hawthorne
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