Angel and May
Angel and May are two worn-out private investigators from LA. Events take a turn and they embark on a journey which will take them across time and space to the asteroid colony "New London". They hole up in a dodgy pub run by a crazy drag queen. What could possibly go wrong! They say the skies are the limit, but here they're just the beginning!
Angel and May
G02-E03 - Seven of Cups
Milton's mind is cooking up a scheme. Could these ghastly kitchen Ghosts, be a useful aid?
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THE TAROT INTERVENTION - G02-E03-SEVEN OF CUPS
MILTON COBO pondering what to do to get the Retrograde
Inn out of the hands of the Italian Mafia.
In the Seven of Cups, a man stands before seven cups
filled with various gifts. Some cups bear desirable gifts
such as jewels and a wreath of victory. But others hold
gifts that are not gifts at all; instead, they are
curses, such as the snake or dragon. The clouds and the
cups symbolise the man's wishes and dreams, and the
different gifts inside suggest that you need to be
careful what you wish for as not everything is as it
seems. Choices need to be made, but in doing so, you must
go beyond illusion and allure, and instead focus on
what's right for you.
INT. RETROGRADE SMALL BAR - EMINATIONS
(EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT, GIOVANNI "THE ENFORCER" ROMANO,
SOUS CHEF MIGUEL SANTOS, VINCENT GAMBINO)
This section describes how VINCENT GAMBINO also hears the
sounds and he thinks that it could be the CIS. He
decides to break through and confront the supposed
spooks, catching them red handed at whatever they are
doing illegally behind his casino.
The interior is dimly lit, with warm, amber-hued lighting
casting soft glows on the worn leather booths lining the
walls. The Retrograde's small mahogany bar, scarred by
the passage of time, is the focal point of the room,
where patrons sit on cushioned stools, hushed
conversations flowing like fine whiskey.
The atmosphere is suffused with the faint aroma of cigar
smoke, and vintage spirits. The strains of Sinatra and
other crooners from a vintage jukebox transport you to a
different era, a time when loyalty meant everything.
Behind the bar, the bartender, known simply as "Tony," is
a seasoned professional who pours drinks with the
precision of a surgeon. His eyes hold a steely
determination and a deep understanding of discretion. The
bottles of top-shelf liquor gleam in the low light,
providing liquid courage to those who need it.
VINCENT GAMBINO is sitting at a table sipping soup. The
CHEF timidly enters with his second in command the SOUS
CHEF. They slowly stand in front of VINCENT holding their
hats.
VINCENT GAMBINO
So, you interrupt me, whilst I eat
my food! CHEF you better have a
good reason?
EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT
Listen to zis.
METALLIC SCRAPING NOISES
VINCENT GAMBINO
E adesso? Its just metallic
scraping noises on a recorder.
EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT
It's ze ghosts, MR GAMBINO
VINCENT GAMBINO
Ghosts, ma dai! It's Just a noise,
its always like this. Happens all
the time.
EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT
Not like zis! I tell you Mr
GAMBINO, someone or something, is
behind ze walls, making the noise,
zey can hear us. It reacts!
VINCENT GAMBINO
CHEF, this inn has no ghosts, they
don't exist, idiota! Per favore!
GIOVANNI "THE ENFORCER" ROMANO
(Cough) MR GAMBINO, do you zink it
might be the security services?
VINCENT GAMBINO
Bastardardi, I'm paying for
protection, why would they be
behind the walls?
GIOVANNI "THE ENFORCER" ROMANO
(Cough) Perhaps, zere could be
more zan one faction, we know
zey're out front. It's too much of
a coincidence!
EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT
You think this is the CIS, merde,
I don't want to go to jail?
VINCENT GAMBINO
Don't you worry, it's above your
pay grade! Let me and the boys
deal with this, you stick to your
cooking! GIOVANNI can you make
some enquiries. We've been
ignoring this for too long. If it
is (pause) some rouge faction, we
will need to deal with them.
GIOVANNI "THE ENFORCER" ROMANO
Of course boss.
EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT
Whaz's happening? Will we all be
arrested?
VINCENT GAMBINO
Oh for Maritsuba's sake, worry
about me CHEF, I'm your largest
concern, not the supposed CIS!
GIOVANNI "THE ENFORCER" ROMANO
MR GAMBINO, if we catch them
bugging behind the walls, you can
threaten court action, technically
it's against the DUNROPE accords.
It might put a spanner in their
works!
VINCENT GAMBINO
Thats true, but those bastardo,
make their own rules, so, its a
mute point! I think you're right
though, we should be more
proactive! GIOVANNI get some of
the lad's organised. Try to cut
through behind the bulkhead, at
least find out whats behind that
plate!
GIOVANNI "THE ENFORCER" ROMANO
Yes Mr GAMBINO, even if we don't
get them it'll make them think
twice!
VINCENT GAMBINO
Exactly! We need to cut at
precisely the right point and
break into the correct cavity.
CHEF, these noises, are they
really coming from behind that
grill stand?
EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT
I think so! SOUS, where are the
noises loudest?
SOUS CHEF MIGUEL SANTOS
Behind the grill stands.
EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT
Mr GAMBINO we already pulled them
back can you see the weld marks?
VINCENT GAMBINO
Weld marks, so someone Else has
been in their before? GIOVANNI, I
think that where we go in!
GIOVANNI "THE ENFORCER" ROMANO
It's still thick plate, we'll need
plasma to get through that. I
have a man!
VINCENT GAMBINO
Grande! GIOVANNI get extra guys
and tool them from the armoury.
CHEF you stick with the cooking
and stop panicking, it infectious.
Don't worry we'll will find these
knocking, bastardo, and space
them.
EXECUTIVE CHEF ANDRE DUPONT
Do we need to keep the kitchens
running?
VINCENT GAMBINO
Yeah, we need them to hear the
same noises, we don't want to warn
them and besides we have a casino
to run! We go tomorrow night,
after the kitchen closes, until
then the kitchen runs as normal.
No talking about this, if they can
hear we don't want to tip them
off! No one fucks with the
GAMBINO's not even the CIS!
INT. BLACK BEARS - ROOM 3-15 - NOCTURNAL
DISTURBANCES
(GANDER-DAVID, MILTON COBO, MOMO)
This scene has MILTON COBO tossing and turning in the
bunk bed, as he fails to sleep due to all the idea's he
has about the con. Finally in frustration, he wakes
GANDER-DAVID because he has to speak to someone! He tells
of his idea of using the kitchen ghosts to scare the
GAMBINO family out of their ownership of the inn. Sets
out the basic premise of the caper!
As you enter, room 3-15 feels like a warm embrace, with
weathered wooden walls exuding the comforting scent of
aged timber. The space is barely more than a nook, but
it's thoughtfully designed for efficient use.
A single, small light graces one wall.
The centrepiece of Room 3-15 is the simple double bunk
bed, its frame well-worn from years of use. A patchwork
quilt adorns the bottom bunk, and a neatly folded blanket
rests on the top.
Opposite the bunk bed, a rustic wooden desk serves as a
compact workspace, offering just enough room for a
notebook. The chair is modest, with a well-padded seat
that bears the marks of countless contemplations.
In one corner, a tiny built-in bookshelf showcases a
small collection of well-thumbed books on card play and
strategy.
MILTON COBO and GANDER are sleeping in their bunks.
MILTON COBO is tossing and turning fitfully. Mumbling and
generally annoying GANDER-DAVID
MUMBLING, PERSON TURNING IN BED.
MILTON COBO
DAVID are you awake?
GANDER-DAVID
MILTON, of course I'm awake! If
you don't stop fidgeting, I swear
I'm going to help you to move to
the next life. I believe a pillow
to the face is the normal option!
MILTON COBO
You wouldn't dare.
GANDER-DAVID
Try me!
MILTON COBO
It's you fault, the whole KATERINA
drag thing, has me thinking!
GANDER-DAVID
There's only one cure for that,
and it was invented by a Frenchman
and has a large blade.
MILTON COBO
Ho, ho, very funny!
GANDER-DAVID
Oh my god, your not getting,
THOSE, sort of thoughts are you?
MILTON COBO
No! Of course not! It's purely
business. I'm thinking of the
details of the caper we are going
to pull, to get the Retrograde!
GANDER-DAVID
You've been on that for days!
MILTON COBO
Yes, it's a very complicated
thing, are you sure you're fully
awake.
GANDER-DAVID
Of course I'm awake! Do you think
I have conversations in my sleep?
MILTON COBO
Well, you do mumble a lot!
Sometimes you even cry out! I'm
not sure if I can tell! The other
night you even let out a yelp,
like a dog!
GANDER-DAVID
(Through gritted teeth) Maybe it's
because I'm psychotic due to sleep
deprivation!
MILTON COBO
Really dear boy! Look, I didn't
mean to wake you, but I need
closure on a big issue that's
bugging me!
GANDER-DAVID
MILTON, can't it wait until
morning?
MILTON COBO
No! Sorry! Its driving me crazy,
If I can't figure this out, the
whole con is blown!
GANDER-DAVID
Very well, whats the problem?
MILTON COBO
Its a bit of story.
GANDER-DAVID
Do I look like I'm about to leave!
MILTON COBO
Well, we need to conduct
intelligence on the GAMBINO's,
which means, we need to bug the
place?
GANDER-DAVID
Yes, of course, that's obvious!
MILTON COBO
The problem I have, is that the
CIS is already laying bugs.
They're in behind the inn doing
something in the closed sections.
It ruins our plans.
GANDER-DAVID
Can't we piggyback on their bugs?
MILTON COBO
We can, and if fact, I tried.
GANDER-DAVID
How the hell did you do that?
MILTON COBO
You remember that little squinty
fellow! Asian, really smart?
GANDER-DAVID
What, the one with the really
thick glasses?
MILTON COBO
Yeah, that guy, Dr CHEN!
GANDER-DAVID
So what's the problem, use their
bugs?
MILTON COBO
He cracked the keys on all the CIS
bugs in the area.
GANDER-DAVID
Great, we do a sweep of their
system, job done! Now let me
sleep!
MILTON COBO
That's not the problem.
GANDER-DAVID
Oh, my God, will you get to the
point!
MILTON COBO
Well, don't blame me, I'm
focussing on the con, not
performing on the drag stage.
GANDER-DAVID
You're just envious of my looks!
MILTON COBO
Even if I decided to embrace the
avant-garde, and this disheveled
appearance was really a visage, I
don't think I would want to strut
around in high heels, it ruins
your feet!
GANDER-DAVID
Well it's your loss, now go to
sleep!
MILTON COBO
I can't!
GANDER-DAVID
So whats the problem?
MILTON COBO
The bugs weren't at the
Retrograde!
GANDER-DAVID
What!
MILTON COBO
The bugs were at another place,
two blocks over.
GANDER-DAVID
What, why does that place even
matter?
MILTON COBO
It doesn't, but then who is making
the knocking noises behind the
walls?
GANDER-DAVID
What knocking noises?
MILTON COBO
The knocking noises in the
kitchens. Jeez keep up!
Conversing with you in bed, is
much like teaching a tortoise to
fly a rocket. Its like my ex, you
have to embrace the slow and
steady plod.
GANDER-DAVID
You don't mean that ghastly HESSE
women we saw in the cafe the other
day!
MILTON COBO
She's not ghastly DAVID, just
artistic!
GANDER-DAVID
Yeah! If that women lets her
passions rise, I'm heading up the
nearest tree.
MILTON COBO
What in the Dirkson?
GANDER-DAVID
No, its a metaphor, but she scares
me!
MILTON COBO
Yeah, she scares me too!
GANDER-DAVID
Relax, the noises in the walls of
the inn are explainable, things
like clicks of heating pipes,
noises travelling through the
metal for large distances, distant
construction work. Could be
anything other than CIS!
MILTON COBO
It might be, bit I checked the
logs. There is definitely no
workers in there!
GANDER-DAVID
So its another government team.
You know they have spies on the
spies. Jesus, you better get to
the point soon, because my hands
are starting to grip the pillow!
MILTON COBO
It's a mystery for sure but, it
gave me an idea for a brilliant
twist to our con!
GANDER-DAVID
Oh here it comes. The master plan!
(Dramatic voice) We are such stuff
as dreams are made on!, bla, bla!
MILTON COBO
You can be cruel sometimes DAVID,
its not a good characteristic!
GANDER-DAVID
[Blin] {Dam} MILTON, I'm sorry,
just getting cranky!
MILTON COBO
Lets say they think its the ghosts
of the Maritsuba, or something
like that.
GANDER-DAVID
That old cherry, the Mary Celeste
of the asteroid belt!
MILTON COBO
We're dealing with industrial
space workers, you know how they
are! The point is, its the perfect
setup.
GANDER-DAVID
Really?
MILTON COBO
Yes, we're pushing on an open
door! We major on the Ghost
thing, throw in a few convincers
and it could be enough to get the
GAMBINO's running round like
insects, trying to extract
themselves from a pub casino with
no clients
GANDER-DAVID
So your saying, you think that
ghost's, that don't exist by the
way, will scare the GAMBINO's out
of the pub!
MILTON COBO
Yes! They're Italian and Catholic,
They believe in spirits. If word
gets out the punters will think
its bad luck, and business will
evaporate.
We just help that along. We run a
tarot scam, throw in vengeful
relatives, and dose of malicious
force and bingo, we have them!
GANDER-DAVID
I don't know! These are the
GAMBINO's, the mafia! Your saying
a few noises in the kitchens, will
scare them. MILTON, they kill
people regularly, for fun. I don't
think ghost would concern them at
all.
MILTON COBO
They're bullies, and bullies don't
like to be bullied, especially if
its an existential force! We
create the need, ie. To
communicate with these spirits,
tell the tale, run a set of
convincers, then spin a web of
spiritual pressure to force them
out.
GANDER-DAVID
Sounds expensive!
MILTON COBO
It will be, it'll be big stall,
number of players, complex back
story, create say, a cartomancer
guild, that sort of thing.
Something to really get our teeth
into. We get make up, costumes,
this is going to be fun!
GANDER-DAVID
You've not been nipping at the
hidden bottle under your mattress
again?
MILTON COBO
What do you mean! How did you know
it was there?
GANDER-DAVID
I found it two weeks ago! I'm now
considering dosing it with Ambien!
MILTON COBO
You wouldn't dare!
GANDER-DAVID
Wouldn't I, desperate people, and
all thats. I was hoping it would
reduce your snoring!
MILTON COBO
You bastard, thats why I'm not
sleeping, you've done something to
my booze!
GANDER-DAVID
I'm regretting it now!
MILTON COBO
Well, I stole some of your face
powder the other day, I had a
spot!
GANDER-DAVID
I don't have any face powder?
MILTON COBO
What was I putting on my face
then?
GANDER-DAVID
I don't know. I have some stuff
for my athlete's foot!
MILTON COBO
Oh, my God!
GANDER-DAVID
So how's the face feeling, a
little dry, I haven't seen any
fungus! (Laughter) Look, coming
back on point!
MILTON COBO
Sorry! Half the staff in the
Retro, already think its haunted.
We're pushing at an open door.
The knocking just does our job for
us.
GANDER-DAVID
Could it be another agency,
perhaps it's a rival gang!
MILTON COBO
I don't know, gangs and agencies
are usually not dumb enough to
make noise.
GANDER-DAVID
So whats making the noise then?
Surely you don't believe in
ghosts, do you?
MILTON COBO
No of course not, I think it's
conduction from a distant
construction site.
They are refurbing some of the
locks to spin-ward.
GANDER-DAVID
Can I go back to sleep now!
MILTON COBO
No, of course not, there is
another issue!
GANDER-DAVID
There's always another issue!
MILTON COBO
DAVID, You're going to have to
play inside man on this, that
means dealing with VINCENT GAMBINO
directly. Can do that?
GANDER-DAVID
I don't know! I think I can
control myself, stop myself
strangling him outright.
MILTON COBO
Good, because no one else can do
what I have in mind!
GANDER-DAVID
I have a question?
MILTON COBO
Whats that?
GANDER-DAVID
Well, what if the ghosts are real?
MILTON COBO
You don't believe in ghosts, do
you?
GANDER-DAVID
I don't think so, but when I was
younger, I thought I saw
something.
MILTON COBO
It's your brain playing tricks.
GANDER-DAVID
Perhaps! Studying the art of
illusion showed me how unreliable
perception really is. The point
is, I was scared shitless, and the
fear was real!
MILTON COBO
Thats a good point, and the staff
of the Retrograde are in the same
state of mind. They really think
it's ghosts. It's got so bad that
VINCENT GAMBINO is having to
increase their wages. We can
utilise that psychology.
GANDER-DAVID
MILTON you haven't told me how
these ghosts, get us what we want.
Sure you want to scare the
GAMBINO's with some woo, woo, but
so what!
MILTON COBO
Turn it around DAVID, put yourself
in their shoes! You have a casino,
sort of mediocre, slightly outside
of the normal beat, in a shitty
part of town. Sure, it produces
revenue, but its never going to be
amazing. Then suddenly, you have
staffing issues, no one wants to
work there, you have to increase
wages. Punters start
disappearing. This, so called
'asset' is starting to become a
liability. Perhaps old Gran pappy
GAMBINO thinks his son is starting
to go 'off piste', starting to
screw up! In conclusion, we make
them think the inn is toxic, too
expensive to maintain, a negative
asset, we can then approach them,
do them a favour, take it off
their hands! They think they have
one over on us, the rubes from
Earth, giving good money for a
poisoned asset!
GANDER-DAVID
I don't know, it's the mafia.
They don't scare easily!
MILTON COBO
On the contrary. This is a deeply
religious, secret society, who may
also be involved in the dark arts.
We can leverage that. They fear
the dark side!
GANDER-DAVID
Thats debatable! MILTON, why do
you think I should play the
inside.
MILTON COBO
I need your skill at card
manipulations, don't forget they
don't know you yet.
GANDER-DAVID
They'll find out who I am, I'm
just down the road from them. Are
you saying that I can never leave
BLACK BEARS after this job?
MILTON COBO
No of course not, and this is the
perfect bit! Your doing this in
drag.
GANDER-DAVID
You want me to play inside man,
dressed as a women! They'll see
through it immediately.
MILTON COBO
No they won't it's a matter of the
quality of the disguise and the
set up. You'll see. It's the
perfect con!
GANDER-DAVID
Will you please shut up with all
this and just let me sleep!
MILTON COBO
DAVID, how badly do you want the
inn?
GANDER-DAVID
More than anything?
MILTON COBO
Easy to say, but will you risk
everything! Do you really want to
avenge your father or will you
bugger off back to Earth when the
going gets tough?
GANDER-DAVID
MILTON, I say this with all due
respect, but Yebát' {Fuck}. I'm
not buggering off back to Earth.
MILTON COBO
Good, we will be sailing close to
the wind on this!
GANDER-DAVID
What happens when they catch the
CIS or whom ever, and find out
that ghosts don't really exist?
MILTON COBO
Turn it around! What happens if
after they find the surveillance
gear, the noises start again.
GANDER-DAVID
Then that would be creepy! Good
night MILTON.
MILTON COBO
Goodnight and don't let the
spirits bite!
They both laugh and settle in to sleep.
INT. BLACK BEARS - BREAKFAST ROOM - PETIT DÉJEUNER
(BLACK BEAR, GANDER-DAVID, MILTON COBO)
In this scene BEAR tells a tale of multiple accidents
around the lock area's in the early years, The area has
a reputation for strange goings on. He tells of a
contamination incident, and a lock crew being suffocated.
He also mentions to MILTON that the kitchen staff have
been hearing noises. MILTON tells how they will use the
ghost stories to get the GAMBINO's out of the inn, and
persuades BEAR to play one of the inside men. GANDER
DAVID Discovers that MOMO has his costume and that he
will have JACINTA as a sidekick.
A row of sturdy wooden tables with mismatched chairs
occupies the centre of the small room. The chairs vary in
design, and their worn patina tells stories of countless
occupant's.
Notes from past guests are pinned up haphazardly, forming
a mosaic of gratitude and goodwill.
In the corner, a collection of cereals and granola
awaits, accompanied by jugs of fresh milk and a medley of
dried fruits and nuts.
A self-serve coffee station occupies another corner, with
an array of mugs, teapots, and a variety of caffeinated
and herbal teas. The gentle gurgling of a coffee maker is
a constant background hum, offering an aromatic pick-me
up to those in need.
MILTON COBO and GANDER are tucking in to solid breakfast
in Black Bears small kitchen area. BEAR walks in.
BLACK BEAR
I see you're making good use of
the facilities!
MILTON COBO
Is that a problem BEAR?
BLACK BEAR
No of course not, you're paying
guests after all, but it usually
means something nefarious is
underway!
MILTON COBO
You know me only too well!
BLACK BEAR
Yes, the thing that gives you
away, is the large coffee's.
It always means you're full of
energy!
GANDER-DAVID
It's was just a late, and rather
boring night! MILTON was gushing
about a con!
BLACK BEAR
Oh, god, he does that sometimes!
You have my sympathies DAVID!
MILTON COBO
I do not gush!
BLACK BEAR
Yes you do! Spouting on about this
con, or that con. DAVID, I nearly
strangled him in the cell, but the
thought of that nasty terminal
injection held me back. Although
a few more lines of his awful
prose and I would have snapped,
and he would have got it, needle
or no needle!
GANDER-DAVID
I know exactly how you felt BEAR!
MILTON COBO
You two have no appreciation of
the creative mind, or good English
pose for that matter, you're just
barbarians, both of you!
It weaves tales of magic, with words that sing,
Stories that resonate, like the first breath of spring.
Characters come alive, and emotions run free,
In the creative mind, a world only they can see.
BLACK BEAR
More coffee DAVID?
GANDER-DAVID
Give me that pot!
MILTON COBO
Keep it coming BEAR! The juices
of a brilliant mind are flowing!
GANDER-DAVID
Oh, nano crap, BEAR kill me now
please!
BLACK BEAR
I'm charging extra, for all this
good coffee you're sucking up.
It's not the regular Dirkson dust,
no, its good stuff from Earth,
cost a fortune! Oh, and bye the
way, I want no part in another
con, I still have the bruises from
the working over, those Italian
bastards gave me!
MILTON COBO
BEAR, don't be such a poltroon, I
thought you were made of sterner
stuff! Think of your cut! Really
you disappoint me!
BLACK BEAR
Ask me if I care!
MILTON COBO
You don't care, that hurts me!
BLACK BEAR
If you knew how little I care, you
might be very surprised!
GANDER-DAVID
Children, really! Stop arguing, it
is very boring, especially, since
I know ,you really do care for
each other. This sad show of faux
annoyance, is, well, annoying!
MILTON COBO
Well said DAVID! Sorry BEAR you're
really the brother I never had!
The One that didn't go to
university!
GANDER-DAVID
(Cough)
MILTON COBO
Ah! (Clearing of throat)! Actually
I was just going to ask for some
information! Since you're a long
time local, and you know
everything around here, do you
have plans for the under floor
spaces around the Retrograde.
BLACK BEAR
The hidden zones you mean?
MILTON COBO
Yes, utility access, crawl-ways,
hidden corridors, vent shafts,
that sort of thing?
BLACK BEAR
It's a huge space, MILTON,
especially around the lock area. I
might have some old drawings! The
details don't show on the regular
electronic plans. I think the
GAMBINO's paid someone to blank
those area's. However, there is
something interesting, that you
might not know!
MILTON COBO
Really, do tell!
BLACK BEAR
It happened in forty eight, during
the first build. Obviously the
inn wasn't there then, but the
back corridors were.
MILTON COBO
Wasn't it, an access lock.
GANDER-DAVID
Why would a habitat need such a
large lock?
BLACK BEAR
It's something they used at the
start of construction, they needed
to manoeuvre huge nets of
regolith, mainly rock!
GANDER-DAVID
But if it was being built wouldn't
it be in vacuum, why would they
need a lock?
BLACK BEAR
It was, but there comes a point
where you need some internal
pressure to give the structure
strength, before spin prime. They
use nitrogen as a buffer. So they
needed a lock, a big lock to bring
in the regolith. But they also
needed the chemicals to treat it
and feed the processing plant.
MILTON COBO
And the point is?
BLACK BEAR
There was an nasty accident.
Killed a work crew.
MILTON COBO
Let me guess, it was next to the
lock, in the area which is now
behind the walls of the
Retrograde. Dun, dun, dahhhh!
BLACK BEAR
Exactly!
MILTON COBO
This is perfect BEAR! The ghosts
of a dead work crew, come back to
haunt the inn, woooooh!
BLACK BEAR
What are you on about MILTON! He's
going gah, gah, DAVID, I'm telling
you?
MILTON COBO
BEAR we're planing a tarot scam,
with dead relatives, plus a
booster haunting. The mark is
VINCENT GAMBINO. You just gave us
more ghosts to play with. You're
telling the tale for us!
BLACK BEAR
Well don't get to excited, the
accident was with hexavalent
chromium.
MILTON COBO
Oh shit! What the hell did they
want that for?
BLACK BEAR
Conversion compressors.
MILTON COBO
You saying the inn is contaminated
with that nasty, geno-toxic shit.
BLACK BEAR
Not the inn, it wasn't built then!
But the under-lock spaces were
contaminated. Remediation started
early fifties, that crew also had
an accident, one of them panicked
and depressurised a whole section,
five operatives dead! It was big
news for a day or so, then the
company hushed it up. After that,
no one would touch the place
MILTON COBO
So what, are you saying, we can't
go in their, and it's really
haunted?
BLACK BEAR
Of course not, but, just saying,
be careful, bad things have
happened there! The whole
underside has high strangeness.
GANDER-DAVID
Jeez, you're like two old babuska.
"Oh did you see the ghosts, ohhh"
BLACK BEAR
Well, we are old biddies DAVID,
and you should respect your
elders! With age comes wisdom!
GANDER-DAVID
You must have started very stupid
then!
MILTON COBO
You see, as one matures, the mind
becomes a veritable treasure trove
of experiences. Like a fine wine,
it only gets better with age.
GANDER-DAVID
Not with you two! BEAR can you
hand me that Boule de pain please,
all this mention of wine is making
me want to break bread!
BLACK BEAR
Here you go fresh this morning!
GANDER-DAVID
Thanks BEAR, its smells so good! I
want to try this black stuff!
Looks sort of weird. Never seen it
before!
BLACK BEAR
Oh it is interesting! It comes
from the United Kingdom and
there's a version from Australia I
believe?
GANDER-DAVID
Really! Well, after listening to
you two go on, I feel I need some
'high strangeness' on my bread.
BLACK BEAR
What's it called?
GANDER-DAVID
Marmidnight or something like
that.
BLACK BEAR
Oh that! Yes thats the UK version!
Go ahead, put it on thick, be a
man, it's much better!
GANDER-DAVID slavers a thick wave of black gooey Mar
might on his toast as BEAR watches on! He then crunches
in to the bread!
GANDER-DAVID
Arghhh! Kakovo hrena [What the
hell] BEAR! Its horrible! People
really eat this shit? (Coughing)
BLACK BEAR
(Laughter) Well you wanted high
strangeness, and you got it!
MILTON COBO
(Chuckling) It's always a pleasure
BEAR, always a pleasure. I enjoyed
our breakfast's in the canteen. I
watched your back, you watched
mine! We make a good team! (Pause)
So, back to the job, do you know
how we could get in behind the
walls, without all the cutting
gear, like last time?
BLACK BEAR
Difficult, impossible really! All
sealed off, due to the incident,
thick steel, and the inn is full
of mafia, who won't get fooled
again!
MILTON COBO
Yes, small issues!
BLACK BEAR
Not small issues, big issues!
MILTON COBO
You said it was decontaminated?
BLACK BEAR
Only half decontaminated. After
the accident, they just sealed it
off, solved a problem.
MILTON COBO
We some way to get in, have a good
scout around, we also need to bug
the place, or, alternatively see
if bugs have been placed, any
idea's BEAR?
BLACK BEAR
I think I have some very old
drawings in the office, these
don't have blank area's, hang on,
I have to find the box!
BLACK BEAR wanders off to his rather disorganised office.
MILTON COBO looks at GANDER-DAVID.
MILTON COBO
So, I take it you don't like that
midnight stuff then?
GANDER-DAVID
What do you think!
MILTON COBO
I think its all in the dosage,
like so many things in life!
You're supposed to put in on
really thin, with lots of butter.
Makes all the difference!
BLACK BEAR returns with some paper diagrams.
MILTON COBO
Paper, how charming, I get
nostalgic, reminds me of our safe
cracking and cat bugler period!
BLACK BEAR
Yes, salad days indeed! So lets
have a look! (Paper is spread out
on the table) DAVID can you hand
me the mar-might jar please?
GANDER-DAVID
You're welcome to it!
BLACK BEAR
Right, so, these are the area's
that were blanked on the
electronic versions. Mind you
MILTON, these are very old, no
telling what's really in there!
MILTON COBO
It's all grist to the mill BEAR,
carry on!
BLACK BEAR
Yeah, see this, here and here,
marked out of bounds! Thats the
hexavalent chromium.
MILTON COBO
Is it really that contaminated?
BLACK BEAR
No idea, probably best to wear
disposables and full breathing
gear! You don't want that dust in
your lungs!
MILTON COBO
OK, still, its not a show stopper!
BLACK BEAR
MILTON, I don't know if you have
heard the recent rumours?
MILTON COBO
I might have, but go on!
BLACK BEAR
About the kitchen staff, they
have been hearing strange noises.
MILTON COBO
Oh, yes, that stuff. Its a good
thing BEAR! It just feeds into our
ghost con preparation! It tells
the tale!
BLACK BEAR
Well, it fits with the stories.
MILTON COBO
Well, they are hearing noises, but
it's not going to be ghosts. Who
do you think it is BEAR, smugglers
perhaps?
BLACK BEAR
Could be, probably CIS or another
agency! You know they are out
front, and you know they have an
office down at the local cops, why
wouldn't they do the back as well?
MILTON COBO
I don't know, my hacker came up
blank! We have to get in with our
own eyes and figure this out. It's
essential for this con to work.
BLACK BEAR
Then I'm out of idea's MILTON,
sorry!
MILTON COBO
There is something else you could
help me with BEAR?
BLACK BEAR
I'm not doing the punching bag,
tramp thing again, my liver is
still recovering!
MILTON COBO
Yeah, sorry about that, they
really were class one arseholes. I
was thinking you might want a
part, playing second inside! Run
the second convincer.
BLACK BEAR
MILTON I don't know, I'm getting
old and rusty, like the bulkheads!
MILTON COBO
Come on! It's going to be fun, you
know you love this sort of thing!
We set you up with my nerdy guy,
thick glasses, call you Dr
something or other, make out like
ghostbusters. Wave a few fake
gadgets around, back up the first
convincer team.
BLACK BEAR
Who's playing first?
MILTON COBO
Well, it's not who, he's on second
base! (laughter)
BLACK BEAR
Very funny! You really are old!
GANDER-DAVID
Oh shish, you two! No more puns'
please! It's me BEAR, all dressed
up in drag.
BLACK BEAR
No shit, this I have to see!
MILTON COBO
Yes, well, each player should
concentrate on their own piece of
this jigsaw, not worry about the
others! Can you play a ghost
hunter BEAR?
BLACK BEAR
Sure, its a doddle! I've seen
those ghost shows! They go into a
haunted building and wander around
with camera's and noisy things.
Mutter some believable crap and
take the money. Easy!
MILTON COBO
My thoughts exactly. You'll have
to learn some of the lingo, but my
captive nerd will known all that,
and you can practice with him!
BLACK BEAR
MILTON, you know me, when I'm on
form, I could sell salt to a slug!
But this is the mafia, we got away
once, why tempt fate?
MILTON COBO
It doesn't matter who the target
is, its the planning that matters.
I'm double covering every
eventuality on this one, rest
assured BEAR, there will be no
cutting of any corners!
BLACK BEAR
Well, I might consider it, one
last con, before I get too old!
I would need makeup, I don't want
any blow back, or to be
recognised!
MILTON COBO
Of course, it's a given BEAR!
BLACK BEAR
I don't want to seem overly
mercenary, but whats the payoff?
MILTON COBO
It's not cash BEAR, unfortunately,
but the plan is to nobble the
GAMBINO's, get the Retrograde and
help the neighbourhood! I was
thinking of you as the potential
bar manager. It would diversify
your portfolio.
BLACK BEAR
It's possibility I suppose. Let
me think on it, its a lot to take
in. I trust you'll make me solid!
GANDER-DAVID
BEAR, its more than that. I would
really love you to be involved,
after all, you helped me when I
first arrived! Its also my payback
for my father.
BLACK BEAR
DAVID, I appreciate that! (Pause
then laughter) Shit! Going to have
to play a blinder on this one
MILTON! This is the Mafia, not a
bunch of kids, but I find I have
formed a deep and abiding hatred
of those Italians! They have
ruined my Bencubbin.
MILTON COBO
This will be big stall, multiple
operatives, multiple fronts! The
sort of grifts we used to do. I
have planned all the fall backs,
and thats rule number two of a
solid con DAVID!
BLACK BEAR
Do you trust the crew?
MILTON COBO
With my life, otherwise I would
not be doing this!
GANDER-DAVID
MILTON, I thought you said that
detail was rule number two!
MILTON COBO
No, thats rule number one!
GANDER-DAVID
You said rule number one is, "you
can't cheat an honest man"!
MILTON COBO
Well, in this case rules are made
to be broken!
GANDER-DAVID
You're impossible! You just make
up rules as you go along.
MILTON COBO
See! You're learning! Would
Rembrandt control each brush
stroke? I would surmise that his
thought processes are with the
bigger picture!
It's about the feel, moulding the
pot, so to speak, the skill, and
the execution!
GANDER-DAVID
BEAR, was he always this full of
B.S?
BLACK BEAR
Oh, yes, much worse, even more
faecal matter, coupled with a dose
of incontinence!
MILTON COBO
Now hang on...
GANDER-DAVID
Well then, Mr execution, if you
'feel this all coming together',
why have you avoided telling me
more about my role. After all I am
in the fire-pit playing inside
man.
MILTON COBO
One of the inside men, dear boy!
Let's not get above ourself, shall
we!
MILTON moves his hands apart his eyes shining with
enthusiasm!
MILTON COBO
We are such stuff as dreams are
made on!
GANDER-DAVID
Blin [Oh Shit], here he goes!
MILTON COBO
When Ebenezer Cob Morley in 1870
invented the thirteen rules of the
great game of association
football...
BLACK BEAR
Speech number two, don't bother
MILTON I've heard it! It doesn't
improve with age!
GANDER-DAVID
I really think he could have
started a cult, he's got that
weird, distant, look in his eye!
MILTON COBO
...did he envision that it would
evoke great passion, a great force
for good in the life of the
working man, transforming
communities, and even nations.
GANDER-DAVID
Shut up! Stop trying to avoid
answering my question!
MILTON COBO
Oh bugger, very well!
GANDER-DAVID
What exactly, do you want me to
do!
MILTON COBO
It's a great part DAVID, perfect
for you. In fact only you can do
it. MOMO has all the details and
she also has the costume and
disguise!
GANDER-DAVID
Does she now! Well, if I go over
there and I'm not happy, in any
way, that costume will be stuffed
where the light doesn't shine! I'm
not something to be manipulated,
this involves family and revenge!
MILTON COBO
Of course dear boy, I fully
understand. I would expect nothing
less!
GANDER-DAVID
(Raised voice in frustration) I
need more details MILTON, I can't
play a role without understanding
how the character should react!
MILTON COBO
Don't worry, we are going to run
lines and do situational training.
I fact this very morning you need
scurry off to madam MOMO's for the
disguise fitment.
GANDER-DAVID
Really!
MILTON COBO
Yes, its made of rubber and stuff!
Besides you will also meet your
sidekick. All superheroes have a
sidekick, it's essential.
GANDER-DAVID
I thought this was a lone gig?
MILTON COBO
Lone gig? What ever gave you that
idea, have you eaten the (Play
actors projection voice) "insane
root. That takes the reason
prisoner?"
GANDER-DAVID
Don't you quote the Scottish play
at me! I'm going to put a candle
under your bunk when you're
sleeping, burn your bum a little.
You're really driving me crazy!
BLACK BEAR
Oh my God, what are you two up too
in their! No candles or naked
flame in my rooms, for heavens
sake! You could burn the place
down!
MILTON COBO
It's JACINTA, she's your sidekick!
GANDER-DAVID
Holy crap!
MILTON COBO
She will be, (pause whilst he
tries to find the correct words)
suitably disguised!
GANDER-DAVID
You have, got to be Yebát' {Fuck}
kidding me! Of all the people!
This gig needs finesse, not
shooting and knife throwing.
MILTON COBO
Could be useful, especially if a
session goes pear shaped!
GANDER-DAVID
Chyorta {What the hell)
MILTON COBO
She'll play her part, don't worry
we'll make sure it'll work.
You've several days to get this
all sorted.
GANDER-DAVID
Even a year might not be enough!
MILTON COBO
Stop being so negative. Now don't
forget, once you have your make up
and costume, and before you get
into the role playing, we need
some images for the ad campaign.
GANDER-DAVID
Ad campaign? Wouldn't we want to
keep this secret?
MILTON COBO
No, not at all, in fact we need to
go large on this one. Splash your
face around. We need multiple
auto suggestion points, VINCENT
GAMBINO must approach us, this is
essential. Under no circumstance
must he think we are making the
first move. In fact the first
time he contacts you, you will
have to reject him.
GANDER-DAVID
What!
MILTON COBO
Yes, the more you say no, the more
he will want you! Nothing excites
a predator more than a chase!
