Handcuffed (Screenplay)

Part 1

EXT. ALLEYWAY – NIGHT

ALBANY waits in the alleyway, sitting against the brick of a building. She is wearing a dirty sweatshirt and ripped jeans. She has pale skin and curly dark hair wrapped in a bun.

Holding a dull pocket knife, she mindlessly chips away at the low corner of one of the bricks.

Cars pass by on both ends of the alley. TERRY walks around the corner and she stands. She slips the small knife in her pocket.

ALBANY:  Took you long enough.

TERRY:  You sure got a nerve to talk to me that way when I'm the one giving you a discount.  

ALBANY:  Come on! This is the first time I needed one. It's not like money is readily available for me.

Terry shakes his head, scoffing. Albany grabs the cash from her pocket before slapping it into his hand.

He leafs through the wad of cash. He sticks the money in his pocket. Then, he pulls out a clear baggie filled with white powder, tossing it to her.     

TERRY:  You know where to find me when you have the right amount of money. I want to talk to you before that though. I'll know what I'm doing soon.

Albany nods. Terry walks away and back around the alley corner. She walks to the other end and onto the sidewalk.

INT. GAS STATION – NIGHT

Albany enters. MARTHA'S aging face from behind the counter doesn't look up from her book.

She grabs a small package of chips and a pop in the empty establishment and goes up to pay.

ALBANY:  Busy night, eh Martha?

Martha scans her items without looking up, smiling.

MARTHA:  Ain't it kind of late for you to be a smartass with me? That will be 4.99.

Albany grabs the rest of her money. There are a few one dollar bills left. She hands five to her.

ALBANY:  Sorry, it's just been a long day. 

MARTHA:  I can believe it. As always, my offer is open if you get tired of the alley.

Albany nods. Martha makes a point to give her back the penny.

INT. APPARTMENT - DAY

Albany walks into Terry's apartment when he opens the door. The place is wide open with no furniture besides folding chairs.

ALBANY:  Impressive man. It's very homey compared to the last time I was here. 

TERRY:  Shut up, you don't even have a place.

ALBANY:  That's fair. So, are the coppers still stalking you?

TERRY:  I think so. I don't want to risk it.  I need to get out of this place. I'm leaving next Thursday.

Albany shakes her head, eyes growing.

ALBANY:  Jesus! You're serious? For as long as I've known you, even with risks, you never ran off!

TERRY:  I was stupid then and won't risk getting caught again. I'm retiring.

Albany groans and throws her hands in the air.

ALBANY:  You are such a coward! What the hell am I supposed to do? Dig cocaine out of my ass? You know I can't live without it! And what's the group going to do? You've always been our supplier! Terry sighs and pulls out a cigarette. He lights it then sits down in one of his few chairs.