Breakdown

EXT. ROAD

Tom’s car creeps down the road and past the sign that reads “Welcome to Bagoda Bay.” Bagoda Bay, a small coastal town, can be seen in the hilly distance.

INT. CAR

Tom drives and talks on his cell phone to Dave.

TOM

(into phone)

I don’t know.  She’s just gone.

INT. DAVE’S LIVING ROOM

Dave talks on the phone to Tom.  The movie, The Gray Rainbow, is playing on his television screen.

DAVE

(into phone)

You’re sure she’s not just in the bathroom?

INT. CAR

Tom drives and talks.

TOM

(into phone)

I checked.

The engine of the car starts to RUMBLE and SPUTTER.

TOM (CONT’D)

(into phone)

Oh shit.

(beat)

Look, I gotta call you back.

He hangs up.  The car continues to make strange noises.  Tom pats the dashboard.

TOM (CONT’D)

Come on, baby.  Don’t fail me now.

The car stalls.

TOM (CONT’D)

Great.  Just great.

He runs his hand through his hair and gets out.

EXT. CAR

He opens the hood.  It HISSES as gray smoke pours out.

INT. TOW TRUCK

LUCKY EDDIE, the two truck driver, portly with a large white beard, talks.  Tom sits in the driver’s seat.

LUCKY EDDIE

Lucky I ran across you.  You don’t want to be stuck out there by the side of the road, nosiree.  They call me Lucky Eddie, not so much because I have good luck, but because I bring it.

There is an awkward silence.  Lucky Eddie has offered his hand, but Tom does not see it for a number of seconds.

TOM

Oh.

He shakes Lucky Eddie’s hand.

TOM (CONT’D)

Tom.

LUCKY EDDIE

Pleased to meet you, Tom.  You’re in luck once again.  I happen to know a good mechanic.

EXT. BAGODA MOTORS

Lucky Eddie’s Tow Truck, with Lucky Eddie Towing painted on the door, pulls into the parking lot.

Lucky Eddie and Tom get out.  Lucky Eddie walks with a pronounced limp, a kind of half-hop.

LUCKY EDDIE

My feet are killing me, I tell you.

He sits on a bench outside Bagoda Motors and unlaces his boot.

Tom enters Bagoda Motors.

INT. BAGODA MOTORS

A grimy garage. It is dark an littered with car parts.  Tom stands at the counter.  No one is inside.

TOM

(calling out)

Hello?

(beat)

Anybody here?

He sees a bell on the countertop and RINGS it.

LUCKY EDDIE (O.S.)

I’m coming, I’m coming.  Hold your horses.

Lucky Eddie enters from another door and appears behind the counter.

LUCKY EDDIE (CONT’D)

Sorry to keep you waiting.  My foot got to itching.  Now how can I help you, young man?

TOM

My car is broken down.

LUCKY EDDIE

What seems to be the problem?

TOM

I don’t know.  It doesn’t run.  I was hoping you could tell me.  You’re the expert, right?

LUCKY EDDIE

I am the mechanic ‘round these here parts, yes.  They call me Lucky Eddie.  Not so much because I have good luck, but I bring it.

(beat)

Are you going to need a tow truck?

TOM
(growing exasperated)
You just towed me here.  Remember?

LUCKY EDDIE

I seem to remember a young fellow ‘bout your general description skipping out on a bill.  I do remember that, yes.

TOM

Skipping out?  I’m standing right here.  My car’s not even off the truck!

LUCKY EDDIE

Now simmer down there, young fellow.  I didn’t mean to offend.

TOM

If you want money, I’ve got money.  How much for the tow?

LUCKY EDDIE

Let’s say . . . five.

TOM

(pleased)

Five?  Five even?  Not five hundred, or five thousand or five-ten, but five even?

LUCKY EDDIE

(chuckling)

Five-hundred.  Heaven’s no.  This is Bagoda Bay, not Beverly Hills.  Five is all I charge.

TOM

Well, okay.

He takes out his wallet.

INSERT - WALLET

Tom extracts a five dollar bill from his wallet.

BACK TO SCENE

TOM (CONT’D)

Five it is.

INSERT - COUNTERTOP

Tom places the five dollar bill on the countertop.

BACK TO SCENE

Lucky Eddie stares blankly at the five dollar bill.

LUCKY EDDIE

What on earth is that?

TOM

A five.  You know, five dollars.

LUCKY EDDIE

Is this some kind of joke?

TOM

You said five even and there it is.

LUCKY EDDIE

(angry)

Five grobliks for a tow!  Where on earth are you from, boy?  Five grobliks!  I don’t take gollars or whatever the hell you call this phony-baloney piece of paper.

TOM

(a bit frightened)

I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to off--

LUCKY EDDIE

(roaring)

Now get the hell out of my shop and don’t come back until you can pay me in honest American grobliks!

Tom exits.

EXT. BAGODA MOTORS

Tom walks away.  Lucky Eddie follows and takes a seat on the bench outside.  He pulls off his boot and begins to scratch his foot.

Tom turns to him.  Lucky Eddie smiles and waves.  We see that the foot he is scratching is not a human foot but a rabbit’s foot.