100 Proof 3
Young Whiskey Dickel joins the rodeo
INT. PERFORMERS DRESSING ROOM
From his vanity mirror, PROFESSOR notices Whiskey standing in the doorway. He’s a rodeo clown with a British accent* and a friendly, yet majestic demeanor. A nearby phonograph plays the opera PAGLIACCI really loud.
* He’s the Narrator.
PROFESSOR: Welcome to the bullfighter’s inner sanctum, young lady.
Whiskey enters the room.
WHISKEY: Bullfighters, huh?
Professor rises, swirling the brandy in his snifter.
PROFESSOR: A noble profession, my dear. The bullfighter unselfishly tests his mettle in the arena every night. We are members of a rare breed who smile in the face of death. Am I not correct, Tobias?
Professor pulls away some hanging costumes from a clothes rack to reveal Toby’s hiding place.
PROFESSOR: Is that not correct, Tobias?
TOBY: Our smiles are painted on.
Professor raises his snifter as if to toast.
PROFESSOR: By Jove, Tobias. You’ve captured the spirit of the moment again. Good job, old bean. (sings) Even though your heart is breaking, laugh clown laugh. ( dramatic hand gesture) Or at least a variation on the theme.
Professor bows.
PROFESSOR: Professor. At your service. And you would be...
Professor reaches for Whiskey’s hand.
WHISKEY: Name’s Whiskey. Whiskey Dickel.
PROFESSOR: Intoxicating.
Professor lightly kisses Whiskey’s hand.
PROFESSOR: How can we help you, dear?
Toby points at an armoire.
TOBY: Open that door.
Whiskey jerks her thumb at the hallway.
WHISKEY: Tommy out there, he told me sit here till Mr. Smiley wudn’t so busy.
Toby furiously points at armoire.
TOBY: Open the DOOR!
PROFESSOR: Smiley, eh? The rogue.
Toby pats the door of the armoire.
TOBY: OPEN THE DOOR!!
PROFESSOR: You should open the door, Miss Dickel. Tobias is unrelenting.
WHISKEY (shrugs): O-kay. Heard ya.
Whiskey makes her way to the armoire and opens the door.
Another clown (BOBO) POPS OUT of the cabinet. He tips his bowler hat and hands Whiskey a goofy bouquet of fake flowers.
WHISKEY (accepts bouquet): Buncha wild-haired jokers, aren’t ya?
Toby closes Bobo back up in the armoire again.
TOBY: That was Bobo.
EXT. RODEO ARENA - STANDS - NIGHT
Identical twins w/ slicked back hair, seersucker suits and bow-ties, JIB and GIB (THE PANDY BROTHERS), fawn over a baby in a stroller. The mother is flattered by their attention.
GIB: What a blessing is this beautiful, beautiful child.
The smiling Pandy Brothers leave the Mother and baby to search for their seats.
JIB: Turned out to be a fine day, eh brother?
GIB: A gift from on high.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
Whiskey Dickel, Int’l Cowgirl © Mark Scott Ricketts and Mike Hawthorne
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