Side Hustle. RP4 for EOD Round 2

[Bobby Barratt]

We open scene in a prison holding cell. Bobby sits in there with a group of other people. Two or three drug looking types, someone who looks like they've been on the wrong end of a fight and another person, who looks slightly out of place. We only say they look out of place, because it's not blatantly obvious to look at them what might have got them in here. Bobby is sitting in the corner, keeping himself to himself as The guy who had a fight scoots over towards him. Bobby tries to ignore this advance, but the guy butts in to his train of thought. 

Con: So.... What're you in here for?

The scent of alcohol on this guy's breath makes it pretty clear that this was just some drunken brawl that got out of hand. 

Bobby: Dude, I don't mean to be mean here...But I kind of don't want to talk right now and I'm pretty sure you need medical attention.

Con: Can't! 

Bobby: Can't what?

Con: Gotta stay here until I get processed! That's how it works here! 

Bobby: So go and get processed and get out of here!

Con: You've not done this often, right?

Bobby: No, now if I tell you what happened, will you go away and leave me alone?

Con: Sheesh! Someone got out of the wrong side of bed today. But deal. I got time to kill!

Bobby: So it went like this...

---

We see Bobby and Jack walking into a bar. It's early evening time and the sun is setting over the city. Bobby and Jack are suited up as they'd normally be.

Bobby: I'll go grab a table. Get a round of drinks in! Mine's a bourbon!

Jack heads over to the bar and proceeds to pull his usual Jack antics: Buying the whole bar a round in order to not have to wait in the queue. Bobby takes a seat in a corner booth as Jack is already headed back.

Bobby: Shit that was quick! How much did it cost you this time?

Jack: I'll find out later. I told them that the free drinks coming until the Ace has to queue for a drink.

Bobby: Haha the gift that keeps giving. That way, I know you're getting them in all night too!

Jack: Shit, I never thought of that!

Bobby laughs, knowing he can sit back and send Jack to the bar all night, rather than have to risk being caught out, or even having to leave his seat for that matter other than the odd toilet break. 

Bobby: So where's Mav anyway? 

Jack: He said something about preparing for his match at AWF. 

Bobby: So on that note, isn't there somewhere you should be too?

Jack: Yeah I guess....Fuck it. We're here to celebrate!

Bobby: Celebrate what?

Jack: Anything! When you're an Icon, there's always something to celebrate! The Casino! The upcoming successful defence of my X*Crown! You crushing the dreams of that Chronister guy! What's a Chronister anyway? Isn't that a watch?

Bobby: Dude, that's a Chronograph!

Jack: Ah, that's it! Cheers!

Bobby and Jack bash their glasses together. Alcohol spills from the sides of their glasses from the enthusiasm of the situation as they take a sip of what's left in there. 

Bobby: Hey! There's a Pool room here. How about we grab a few games later?

Jack: Yeah why not? I mean I don't play all that often, you know me...I prefer games I know.

Bobby: Hey, it's a few friendly games! What's the issue?

Jack: Yeah, I guess living above the Diamond Lounge, I only play things to win. Let's drink up and go play!

They both finish their drinks and Bobby heads through to the other room. He gets there and Jack is already standing there, having grabbed a pitcher of beer and secured a table.

Bobby: Holy shit! Do you practice the dark arts to get drinks that quick?

Jack: Just the dark art of money talking, my friend.

Bobby sets up the game and Jack breaks. The loud CLACK of pool balls impacting against each other before hitting the cushions. The following game is set over a soundtrack of Cheap Sunglasses by ZZ Top.

The game ends as Bobby sinks the black into a corner pocket, leaving Jack smiling, but you can tell he's not happy with the loss. The competitiveness between these two is what kept them on top of every company they ever worked in for so long.

Jack: Ok, good game. You got me.

Bobby: I used to spend a lot of time around these kind of places when I was a kid. 

Just as Bobby says that, a guy comes walking in with a few friends. He breaks out a custom queue and approaches the table Bobby and Jack are at. 

Guy: Time's up boys. My table.

Bobby: You what? We've been here ages! Go find your own table!

Guy: Nah...that ain't how it works here. See when I play...People come to see. We need space here. This...Is...My...Table.

The guy thumps the table with the palm of his hand to emphasize his words and Bobby doesn't look happy. Bobby sets down his queue and squares up to the guy, who stands a little taller and is more heavy set than he is. 

Jack: Alright boys, let's reel this in a little. How about we settle this with a game? We're all here to have a good time, right?

Bobby and this guy don't even break stare.

Guy: This guy can't even stand to me, I guarantee it!

Bobby: Get fucked mate. Rack em up!

Guy: Nah, it aint worth my time! I don't play for less than 3 G's a game! 

Bobby: Three grand? You got that to lose?

Jack: Ok, fine! I'll stump up! 

Jack pulls out a wedge of bills, tossing them onto the table.

Jack: There's Five K there. Settle this like men! 

Guy: I want HIS money!

Bobby: Ok...I'll stump up. What you want to wager?

Guy: Match his money.

Bobby contemplates it. He knows he doesn't even have that kind of money to bet....but he's also Bobby.

Bobby: Fuck it. Let's do it. Five grand apiece aswell as Jack's money. Fifteen Thousand Dollars on the table for a game.

Guy: Rack em up!

The track starts again as the guy insists on breaking. He pockets a ball right off and proceeds to take his next shot. Again, the game gets sped up until Bobby has one ball on the table and the guy has only the black left to sink. The pitcher of beer is now empty and this guy hasn't even removed his shades! Bobby takes a shot, leaving his ball between the black and the cue ball. 

Guy: We're playing like that, huh? Ok, Ok...Watch this! 

Bobby stands behind the guy as he sets up. As he pushes the cue forward to strike the ball, Bobby lets out a loud and deliberate cough, causing him to miscue the ball. It leaves Bobby two easy shots to clear up the table, winning the game.

Guy: Yo, what the hell man?

Bobby: I coughed dude, get over it. 

Guy: You know for sure you did that on purpose.

Bobby: See this game? 

Bobby starts theatrically picking up the money on the table. 

Bobby: It's all about...

Bobby gestures for the guy to pay up. He reluctantly hands over a brick of cash.

Bobby: Focus. Next time you'll keep your eye on the prize. Know what? Keep the table. We're done here!

Bobby and Jack push past this guy, who instantly shoves Bobby against the wall by his throat. Jack jumps him and all of a sudden, there's a free for all going on! Cues are getting snapped, chairs are getting smashed and people are being thrown all over the place. After a few minutes of brawling and shenanigans, the Police come running in, breaking up the situation. Bobby manages to stuff the cash inside his jacket, concealing the illegal gambling that just occurred. 

---

Con: So that's it? You played pool for money and got in a fight?

Bobby: Well things got out of hand. The fight got messy, but you should see the other guy! 

Con: Yeah, yeah we all hear that one. 

With that, the doors open and Bobby is called by the Guard. Bobby follows the Guard through to see Jack standing at the desk, smiling. 

Bobby: What the fuck? 

Jack: I did what you should have done and got out of Dodge before I got arrested. So thought I better drop by and help you make bail! Cost 10k, so you're still up on the night.

Bobby sighs. Jack doesn't know that he could have really done with that money. Reluctantly, he pays up as the eyes of the Guard on the desk widen at him paying Ten Thousand Dollars in cash. He fills out the paperwork and they are free men once again. They walk into the street and start headed down the street, looking for somewhere to get picked up.

Jack: Nice win there. I didn't know you had it in you.

Bobby: I didn't. If I hadn't pulled that shit on his last shot, I'd lost the game. That's a bread and butter shot to make. 

Jack: Over the top?

Bobby: That's a foul shot, fool. Nah, it's just an easy shot to make if there isn't an arsehole coughing in your ear. 

Jack: Hey look up there!

Bobby looks up the street and sees a homeless man curled up in a doorway. A dog lays next to him and it looks as if they've settled for the night. 

Jack: Know what would be fun?

Bobby knows what Jack is referring to. It's definitely not something he wants to do.

Bobby: Dude, we got in tons of troubles for that last time! It almost went viral!

Jack: With the #FuckMoney movement in full swing. This time it will!

Bobby sighs to himself. He really can't afford to do this. They arrive at where the man is layed out, trying to sleep. Jack starts recording Bobby.

Jack: Hey buddy!

The man stirs and sits up. He's expecting these to be two Police Officers.

Bobby: So you're a little broke, huh?

The man nods in his drunken stupor. 

Bobby: We're going to give you a chance to make some!

The man's eyes widen. He has a chance to eat! Bobby pulls out the remaining Five Thousand Dollars he was carrying on him. The man stands right up, wondering what he has to do.

Bobby: Check this!

With that. Bobby pulls out a lighter. Every fibre of his body doesn't want to do this, but it's either do it, or rumble himself. He lights the cash, letting it really start burning and casually tosses it at the feet of the homeless man.

Bobby: There! Make some money, bitch!

They walk away as the man frantically tries to put out the fire, trying to salvage some of the money as he also tries to stop from burning his hands. Jack finally stops recording.

Jack: That gag never fails to get a laugh out of me! 

Bobby: Yeah... Sure. We just went through all that shit and ended up DOWN for the night. 

Jack: Well you know the saying.

Bobby: Yeah I guess....Fuck money, right? Onto End of Days. Onto bigger better things, more Championships and finally running the whole table for the XHF Network! Let's do this! 

Bobby and Jack walk off shot, as we see the man in the background still trying to put out the fire.