100 Proof 7
Extended w/o illustrations
EXT. DIRTDOBBER RANCH - DAY
Neva’s Cadillac drives through an ornate archway that reads: “Dirtdobber Ranch - The pride of Pine Blossom, Arkansas”
Neva’s car pulls up to the main house.
REESE WEISE, Neva’s manager, meets the caddy at the entryway. He’s accompanied by his assistant Tommy.
Neva and Whiskey get out of the vehicle and stretch. The hungover rodeo clowns (Bobo, Professor and Toby) pile out of the backseat in a stupor.
Reese makes a beeline for Neva and begins talking business.
Reese: What were you thinking? We got a business to run here.
Reese begins a countdown of everyone in his employ.
Reese: Stock contractors, Producers, piss-y ass committees, Secretaries, Stock handlers...
Reese points to Neva with both hands.
Reese: Money burnin’ Judges! (grumbles) You know what I’m talkin’ about.
Neva doesn’t respond. She opens the trunk of her caddy and pulls out suitcases.
Reese (cont.): Pickup men, Chute bosses, Gate men, and medical personnel! (claps hands) Expensive, smart-alecky, know-it-all medical personnel.
Neva gestures for Whiskey to join her.
Neva: Come here, hon.
Reese: Takes a lot to keep this outfit on the trail. And I count on your co-operation. But you - you go running off like you ain’t got a care in the world. Like some bow-legged teenage hair twirler.
Neva answers Reese with a nod.
Reese: Maybe you don’t realize we got us a European tour in 3 weeks.
Neva nods again, lifts her suitcase.
Reese: This ain’t some fly-by-night pleasure cruise of piss poor Oklahoma dirt farms we got goin’ on...
Neva looks over at Whiskey, then points to the house.
Neva (to Whiskey): Pick out any room upstairs, cept the big pink, girly one. That’uns mine. (wink)
Reese: Sure. Go ahead. Ignore me.
Neva sees disappointment on Bobo’s face.
Neva (to Bobo): Didn’t think I was gonna send her to the bunkhouse with the rest o’ you scoundrels, didja?
Whiskey follows Reese and Neva into the house.
Reese: Bet you didn’t know Australia cancelled.
The Professor picks up his suitcase and makes his way toward the out building (bunkhouse) near the barn.
Professor: Home, sweet bunkhouse.
Toby: Clean sheets. Good eats.
Professor notices that Bobo is still lingering by the caddy.
Professor: Bobo, dear boy, are you coming?
Bobo: Yeh, yeh, I’m comin.’
Professor mimes a beating heart.
TOBY (giggles): Yeh, he’s sweet on her. Sure is.
EXT. HORSE PEN - NEXT DAY
Sunrise. The 3 clowns, and Tommy (w/ camera) sit on the fence, watching HIRED HANDS escort a horse (DARLA) from the barn. One of the hands, TIMMY, hands over the reigns to Whiskey.
Neva drags Reese up to the fence.
Reese: I don’t want to waste my time on some goat roper.
Neva: Shut yer yap and just looky there. See her tippin’ Darla’s head inside like a real pro? A perfect pocket. That girl’s had some training.
Neva calls out to Timmy.
Neva: Bring her RUFUS. See how she handles a roughneck.
Timmy: Rufus? You sure, Miss Neva?
Reese squints, nods.
Reese: Do it, boy. Get Rufus.
Rufus, an anxious, snorting bronco, is brought into the pen. And he looks kinda psycho.
Rufus sees Whiskey and goes psycho, rears up like he’s about to attack her. But Whiskey’s not threatened, she keeps her cool.
The moment Rufus lands on his front hooves, Whiskey quickly grabs his bit. She pulls him close and leans in to whisper in his ear while soothing his neck with her other hand.
Rufus allows Whiskey to handle him, but his eyes are still crazy.
CU of Bobo watching Whiskey working her magic.
Bobo (turns to Neva): She’s got a way, don’t she?
Whiskey, now sitting atop Rufus, rides the wild, buckin’ beast like she was born to tame him.
EXT. HORSE PEN - DUSK
Panel 1: Bubba Smiley arrives at the ranch, joins everyone at the fence.
Bubba: What we got here?
Professor: This young lady is a phee-nom. (to Reese) I had a feelin’ about this one. I think we got us a world class cowgirl on our hands.
Whiskey leans down to whisper something in Rufus’ ear before she hops off the horse and hands over the reigns to Timmy.
Neva and the rodeo clowns applaud as Whiskey rushes to join them at the fence.
Whiskey: Miss Neva you may want to find a new feed for Rufus. He washes out too easy.
CU of Neva with her hand to her mouth. Amused and bewildered.
Whiskey (OS): And the saddle pad’s got a sweat edge. S’rubbin’ him raw. It’s no wonder he’s got so much attitude. (beat) Saddle’s nice, though. One I used to have never fit right, put pressure on the withers.
Neva: My word.
INT. STABLE - LATER
Reese enters, joins Whiskey who’s busy brushing out Rufus.
Reese: Miss Dickel I don’t think we were properly introduced.
Reese holds out his hand.
Reese: Reese Weise, Talent agent. Manager/Producer for the International Cowgirls. Chairman, Wild Pink Rodeo and Sideshow, Inc. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
Whiskey stops brushing out the horse to shake Reese’s hand.
Whiskey: Likewise. You must be a very important man, Mr. Weise. A mouthful of titles behind your name and all.
Reese: Oh, that’s right, Miss Dickel. And you know what? I got enough clout to back up those titles.
Neva and Bobo enter, join Reese and Whiskey.
Neva: What’choo up to, Reese?
Reese (ignores Neva): I liked what I saw out there. Little rough, but still, I’m prepared to offer you a...
Neva (interrupting): Woah, nellie! Hold your horses there, buddy boy. She ain’t as green as all that. And she ain’t acceptin’ nothin’ till I see it.
Reese: Neva, this is business and business is business and it’s my business and it’s the little girl’s business and, far as I can tell, it’s none of your damn business.
Neva: You’re givin’ her the business alright. (looks to Whiskey): You go off with Bobo, hon. I got to wrangle a bit with this sidewinder.
Bobo takes Whiskey’s hand.
Bobo: You don’t wanna be here for this. It’s gonna get ugly.
Bobo escorts Whiskey from the stable.
Reese: Dammit, Neva. Why you gotta stick your nose in?
EXT. DIRTDOBBER RANCH - NIGHT
Bobo and Whiskey take a walk around the well lit property.
Whiskey: Toby told me not to get tied to a bedpost. What’s he mean by that?
Bobo: Yeh, ol’ Tobe, he sees things in his mind. But he don’t always know what it is he’s lookin’ at. Some stuff comes true, though. You never know with him.
They continue to walk along a path leading to the main gate. Until Whiskey stops to announce:
Whiskey: You know, I’m about as happy as I’m ever gonna be.
Whiskey stands on tip-toes to give Bobo a quick peck on the cheek.
She smiles at Bobo with clown makeup on her nose.
BOBO shyly smiles back.
They stare at each other in awkward anticipation of a a real kiss. Then Whiskey grabs Bobo’s ears and gives him a big honking smooch on the lips.
Whiskey: I’m sorry. I’m just all excited. I—
Whiskey, her face smeared with clown make-up, notices something out of the corner of her eyes.
Whiskey: That-that’s my daddy’s truck.
Whiskey runs towards the main house leaving Bobo behind.
Bobo: Damn.
MAIN HOUSE
Del, dressed in his Sunday go-to-meeting suit, shakes Reese’s hand.
Whiskey rushes up to her father as he climbs into his old pickup.
Whiskey: Daddy? What are you doin’ here?
Del (leans out window): Get in the truck I need to talk to you.
Whiskey hops in on the passenger side.
Del: Look under the seat.
Whiskey pulls a diary out from under the seat.
Del: That yours?
Whiskey holds the diary in her hands. The lock’s been pried open.
Del gives Whiskey a cockeyed look.
Del: This don’t appear to be no time for runnin’ off, little miss.
Whiskey clutches the diary.
Whiskey: Um.
Del: I may be just a ignorant old so-an-so, but I know what’s right.
Whiskey: But...
Del: That fella in the diary, Bubba is it? He ain’t about t’ do right by you, is he?
Whiskey: I’m 18, Daddy. I’m gonna make my own way.
Del: Oh. You always did. (beat) Ever thought I might just want me some grandkids?
Whiskey: I know Daddy, but...
Del: I guess I won’t beat around the bush no more. We need to get you back home where...
Whiskey (interrupting): Daddy, you don’t understand?
Del: You’re ’bout the oneriest gal. What is it you want? Gonna get rid of the baby, are ya?
Del pulls a bottle of OLD CROW out of the glove compartment.
Del: That ain’t the Christian way.
Whiskey holds his hand, stays the bottle.
Whiskey: Daddy, don’t.
They sit quiet.
Whiskey takes the bottle from Del and places it back in the glove compartment.
Del: The old place is pretty quiet now. Kinda miss all the roughhouse. What do ya think about that?
Silent awkward reflection.
Del stares out the window. Refuses to make eye contact.
Del (mumbles): Whiskey, you know, well, you know I’m proud of you — don’t ya?
Whiskey hops out of the truck, walks around to the driver’s side and sticks her head in the open window.
Whiskey: I love you, Daddy.
Del STILL refuses to make eye contact with Whiskey.
Del: You can always come home. You an’ that young’un. Anytime.
Del puts the truck in gear.
Whiskey clutches the diary, watching Del drive off and away.
INT. MAIN HOUSE - GUEST BEDROOM
Upstairs, Reese is having a little heart-to-heart with Bubba.
Reese: You’re too young to remember Hollywoods glamour years, but let me tell you about it. It was something else.
Bubba: Yuh huh. Got any beer?
Reese: There’s an ice chest by the dresser. Help yourself. But go light. I don’t want to be strapping you in a girdle for every show.
Reese opens a briefcase while Bubba opens the ice chest.
Reese: Thing is see, in the golden age of the cinema - folks like Louis B. Mayer and Sam Goldwyn they knew how to promote their stars.
Bubbapops open a beer, plops down on a dressing chair.
Reese: They protected ‘em. Molded ‘em. Treated ‘em like they were pets. Pampered pets.
Bubba sips beer, appears attentive.
Reese: Those boys knew how to handle things. They kept the press from knowin when “whatza m’dilly” got syphilis or when “Miss Whozit” murdered her lesbo lover.
Reese stares at Bubba.
Reese: Fans only saw what they were supposed to see. Sunshine, beautiful people, fabulous mansions, and fancy cars. Happy-go-lucky Jims and Joans showing off their —
Bubba (interrupts): How can I help you, Mr. Weise?
Reese: You remember when I had yer pearlies capped? Back ‘en, I told you that one day I’d be comin’ to you for a favor? Remember?
Bubba: Yes sir, I always appreciated your help.
Reese: And when that under-age runaway was found in your motel room, “RIPE” written on her naked butt in magic marker, I took care of that. Didn’t I?
Bubba: You’re the best, Mr. Weise.
Reese: Well, payback is Hell. I’m gonna need you to do something for me now.
Bubba: Whatever you say, Mr. Weise. (mutters) I think.
Reese pulls a contract from his briefcase.
Reese: Good boy. (beat) Now, I’m gonna need Miss Dickel’s signature on this here contract. Understand?
Bubba: You want me to pour on the charm, do ya?
Reese: Here’s the thing—I know something you don’t know yet. Something that could change your whole life. You best brace yourself, boy.
Bubba looks confused. A little spooked.
EXT. DIRTDOBBER RANCH - LATER
It’s really late. Everyone else has retired, but Bobo is still hanging onto fence staring off at the moon, lost in thought.
Out-of-nowhere, ominous shadowy figures creep up behind him.
Moonlight reveals those figures to be Wes, Hank, Big Roy and Jimbo.
Jimbo throws a bag over Bobo’s head and Wes smacks him with a tire iron.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
100 Proof (extended script) is based on a story featured in the IMAGE COMICS graphic novel WHISKEY DICKEL, INT’L COWGIRL.
Oh no, poor Bobo! And what on earth made Del think Whisky's pregnant? And what sort of nefarious plot has Reese blackmailed Bubba into? And where oh where is that poor woman's baby?? (unless I somehow missed it?) I know, I know. Tune in next week to find out. 😎
I love how you're expanding on your published work. You've got quite the interesting comic-book-soap-opera going here! I'm very much looking forward to reading the next installment. Hopefully somebody will manage to teach Wes, Hank, Big Roy and Jimbo some manners by then...