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THE JUDAS GOAT

SCENE TWO

Characters:

Paul

Terri

Winston

(LIGHTS UP)

(The scene is OUTSIDE a dark WAREHOUSE by the oceanfront. It's NIGHT. The stage is empty except for a STREETLIGHT and possibly a sign indicating the warehouse. PAUL, a stooped man in his late thirties, is leaning on the lamp post. TERRI is looking around, impatient and expectant.)

Paul

Who're we meeting again?

Terri

Some guy Winston knows.

Paul

Anyone we've worked with before?

Terri

I don't think so.

Paul

Smaller deal than usual. Only fifteen-hundred.

Terri

Did Winston give you the money?

Paul

Yeah. Earlier today. (beat) Got a cigarette?

Terri

No.

Paul

(checks his WATCH) How late is this guy suppose to be?

Terri

Winston said he'd be here around one. Could be a little later. (pause) Are you going to Ray's tomorrow?

Paul

Yeah. Cindy wants to. She's always wanting to go somewhere. Good thing she doesn't know how much cash I have put away. She'd be begging me to take her on a cruise, or something.

Terri

Bahamas are nice this time of year.

Paul

So's Florida.

Terri

Poor girl's never left the state. You should treat her.

Paul

Should drop her. All she ever wants to do is spend money. Buy dresses, get her hair done.

Terri

A lady likes to look nice.

Paul

She ain't no lady. And I need the money for something else. (beat) Here comes a car…nope.

Terri

It's not even twelve-thirty.

Paul

Winston'll owe me big for this.

Terri

Stories around say you owe him.

Paul

What stories?

Terri

Stories about you losing ten grand in a trade-off.

Paul

(stops leaning on light post) Where'd you hear about that?

Terri

Winston mentioned it over breakfast.

Paul

(curious) You two having breakfast together again?

Terri

(flatly) It was a doughnut.

Paul

(cautious) What'd he sound like when he mentioned it?

Terri

Not happy. What were you thinking?

Paul

Do you think he's on to us?

Terri

Us who? You never mentioned the ten to me.

Paul

It was a spur of the moment sort of thing. I was gonna tell you. Did he seem suspicious?

Terri

(ignoring him) You don't take Winston Fisher for a ten thousand dollar ride.

Paul

(scared) You're saying he is on to us.

Terri

No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying he will be if you don't cool it. He's not stupid.

(Long silence. PAUL FIDGETS and looks nervous. TERRI is still looking around as if she's waiting, not looking at Paul.)

Paul

I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'll get you your share this weekend.

Terri

We had a deal. No secrets. (shakes her head) You never should have taken it in the first place.

Paul

I know. It was stupid. (pause) Are we dropping this job?

Terri

After the ten grand you just pulled?!

Paul

I need to make up some loans I took out. Totals are coming due and I don't even have half.

Terri

We dropped four shipments in the last two months! What have you been doing with all the money?

Paul

I (looks towards SR) Car. I hope that's our guy because I'm

(From OSR a GUN IS FIRED. TERRI SCREAMS in surprise. PAUL FALLS to his knees, shot in the chest. He continues to look off stage in horror as WINSTON ENTERS, holding a HANDGUN. He's wearing clean blue jeans and an ironed button-up shirt.)

Winston

Hi, Paulie.

(PAUL DIES)

Terri

You're here early.

Winston

Got back from dinner sooner than I thought I would.

(WINSTON bends down and feels around Paul's pockets, looking for the MONEY.)

Terri

How was it?

Winston

Not bad. Met up with Amy and we went to the sub bar on West.

Terri

Never been there.

Winston

It'd be worth checking out.

(WINSTON finds the MONEY and stands up, putting it in his pocket.)

Terri

We'll have to go some time.

Winston

(looks down at PAUL. sighs) I've been in this business too long. Things that should bother me just don't any more.

Terri

It happens. You get use to things.

Winston

Just seems like it should be harder to say bye to a good friend.

Terri

(small laugh) You and Paul were hardly good friends.

Winston

Yeah, I know. (points the gun at her)

Terri

What are you doing?

Winston

You don't know what happened to Judas after he sold Jesus to the priests, do you?

Terri

Winston.

Winston

Should've read your Bible when you were a little girl. (shoots her)

(TERRI DIES)

(LIGHTS DOWN. CURTAIN CLOSES)