The Bike Thief

Doug is Sprung

EXT. PRISON - DAY

DOUG LeDoux walks out of the gates a free man.  He looks around to find that no one is waiting for him.  Disappointed, he begins to walk.

OUTSIDE PRISON WALL

A lanky figure appears in the distance walking toward Doug.  He waves.  Approaching, Doug recognizes the figure as his old friend, SAL.

DOUG

It’s about time!  I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show.

The men embrace.

SAL

Sorry, Dougie.  My van broke down last week.

DOUG

You mean we gotta walk?

SAL

Afraid so, pal.

They begin the walk toward town.

EXT. ROADSIDE

The men walk.

DOUG

I just did ten years for you and Arnie and you can’t even arrange to get me a ride into town.

SAL

Whoa, whoa!  Is it my fault the van broke down?

Sal produces a pack of cigarettes and puts one in his mouth.  He offers the pack to Doug, who waves it away.

SAL (CONT’D)

Dolly’s been asking about you.

Doug ignores him.

SAL (CONT’D)

Okay, fine.  Be that way.  Maybe you aren’t interested in girls no more.  Hey.  That’s all right.  I don’t judge.

Doug ignores him.

SAL (CONT’D)

Arnie called me this morning.  Seems that there’s going to be a rather large shipment of sweat pants coming in to the harbor at midnight.  You can get your beak wet.

Doug ignores him.

SAL (CONT’D)

These are those really nice sweat pants, Doug.  They’re practically velvet.

DOUG

Not interested.

SAL

(incredulous)

What?

DOUG

I said I’m not interested.

SAL

Doug.  The money!

(beat)

Arnie missed you, Doug.  We all missed you.

DOUG

Isn’t that heartbreaking?

SAL

What’s got into you?  I’m just trying to be helpful.  It’s like you’re not the same person anymore.

Doug stops walking to address Sal.

DOUG

That’s right, Sal.  I ain’t the same person no more.  Another stretch like the one I came off and I don’t know what.  I don’t think I could make it, Sally.  It was hell in there.  It was something worse than hell.

Doug walks off, Sal stands stunned.

SAL

(calling after Doug)

What you going to do now?

DOUG

I’m going to get a job.

SAL

(to himself)

Oh, Christ.  He’s beyond help!