Post by renonevada on May 18, 2021 21:04:02 GMT -5
BLACK SCREEN.
(O.S.) “ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA” PLAYS
INT. HARD ROCK CAFE — MAIN STAGE — ELDORADO CASINO
LIGHTS shine down on a stage. A full piece band and orchestra is stretched from end to end. They’re playing the familiar theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey as the crowd cheers on. The dimly lit audience claps and cheers as the music builds to the crescendo, when every instrument climbs from the sixth to the seventh, then finally lands and holds the last note at the top of the scale, stretching it out for several seconds, until—
THE BAND PLAYS “SEE SEE RIDER”
Raucous drums count off the beginning of the uptempo rockabilly song. Horn section wails. The rhythm charges forward at breakneck pace.
ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Ladies and gentlemen, Shawn Kush!
From stage right the world’s preeminent Elvis Impersonator walks out dressed in a bedazzled peacock jumpsuit. His jet black hair is styled in a perfectly coiffed pompadour. He moves like Elvis, utilizing quick, hip bucking movements with karate-like strikes through the air. A stagehand offers him a blue acoustic guitar and helps sling over his shoulder. Kush strolls up to the microphone and pulls the vintage condenser close to his lips and begins singing the first verse.
INT. THE ELVIS ROOM.
FOCUS ON: An ultra wide LED screen flashes the name ELVIS and beneath it, in script, PRESLEY. Below the screen is the entrance to the Elvis Room, a section of the Hard Rock Cafe devoted exclusively to the King of Rock n’ Roll. People are coming and going, most of whom are dressed as Elvis. Their costumes range from Party City quality to full restorations of the King’s different looks throughout his career.
We follow one of the impersonators inside. Around the man’s shoulders we see a long bar stretching around the right wall. It’s curved inward, giving the impression the entire room is a large circle. Television screens and in-ceiling speakers are streaming the performance from the main stage. Everywhere you look there’s memorabilia, from signed photographs to guitars and even complete outfits encased in glass.
The patron we’re following ducks left to take a seat at an eight top table full of Elvis’s but the steadicam continues forward, deftly cutting through the traffic of waiters and diners as they move to and from tables. Ahead, a man stands in front of a ten foot tall display case. Inside, a mannequin is dressed in a magnificent costume known as the Sundial Jumpsuit, the last outfit Elvis wore on his final tour from ‘76 to ‘77.
This man is wearing a ridiculously large stetson cowboy hat. In his hand he’s holding a Hurricane, the signature Hard Rock cocktail. The steadicam moves around to FOCUS ON the tall, curved glass and then up to the straw, past the white t-shirt which reads Party Animal around a surfing polar bear, and all the way to the man’s lips. He sucks down half the drink in a few gulps. The man is RENO NEVADA.
The camera rotates around to face him and we enter SUPER SLOW MOTION. The background is replaced with swirls of neon purple and green. Fireworks explode around him as his lips pull back into a cocky smile and his hand slides the sunglasses down his nose, revealing hazel eyes that look almost black in the light.
SUPERIMPOSE:
NAME: RENO NEVADA.
AGE: TOO FUCKING OLD.
HOMETOWN: BOSTON FUCKING MASS.
OCCUPATION: FACE PUNCHER.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: SHORT.
BACK TO NORMAL, Reno drinks the last of the Hurricane, sucking through the straw until nothing but air runs up the plastic cylinder, after which he snaps his lips and lets out a long, drawn out ahhhhhhhhhh. He turns away from the display case to search for a waiter but they are all preoccupied with their tables. All hope seems lost for a refill, that is until another man approaches him from his flank.
Reno jumps and turns toward the other fella, raising his hand like a karate chop about to strike. The man takes a step back and holds his hands up nervously. He’s wearing a white dress shirt and black tie with matching slacks and a pair of black-framed glasses are resting on the bridge of his nose. A golden Hard Rock name badge is clipped to his left breast pocket. He’s in his late sixties, clean shaved, with thinning, reddish hair and is at least a half foot shorter than Reno.
After assessing the man as not a danger, Reno drops his hand.
RENO NEVADA
Sorry there, chief. You caught me off guard.
GORDON MILTON
(nervous laugh)
It’s quite alright, sir. I’m Gordon Milton, manager of the Hard Rock Cafe Reno. I noticed you have been standing at the display case for going on an hour now. I just wanted to see if there’s anything I can do to help you. I see your drink could use a refill. Let’s move to the bar and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
RENO NEVADA
Are you tryin’ to get rid of me?
GORDON MILTON
Oh no, sir. Not at all. It’s just that a few other people tried to view the Sundial suit but they say you made them feel uncomfortable.
RENO NEVADA
Uncomfortable? They said that?
GORDON MILTON
Yessir, they did.
RENO NEVADA
That wasn’t my intention.
GORDON MILTON
Then what was your intention, if you don’t mind me asking, sir?
RENO NEVADA
It’s just that, this jumpsuit, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I’m infatuated with it. Like, it’s speaking to me in some language I cannot understand but I must figure out a way to translate it or it’ll drive me bonkers, ya know?
GORDON MILTON
(nervously)
I, uh, don’t, actually.
RENO NEVADA
Ah, sure, you just need to listen closely.
GORDON MILTON
I, uh…
RENO NEVADA
Shhhhhh.
Reno places his index finger against Gordon’s lips. The manager’s eyes go wide at the intrusion of his personal space but he doesn’t voice his objection. Both men stand there without a word. Reno’s eyes flutter close and he takes in a long, deep breath. The live music breaks briefly, allowing a chorus of applause to fill the room until the next song kicks in.
(O.S.) SHAWN KUSH SINGS “BURNING LOVE”
Reno smiles as he drops his finger from Gordon’s mouth. His eyes open and he looks up at the suit in the case.
RENO NEVADA
There it is. I knew you were talkin’ to me, baby.
GORDON MILTON
(clears his throat)
Um, sir, I have to ask—
RENO NEVADA
Mosh.
GORDON MILTON
Excuse me?
RENO NEVADA
The name’s Mosh. Chris Mosh.
Reno reaches inside his jeans pocket and pulls out a slightly bent business card. He hands it over. Gordon takes it and holds it up to read the letters.
FOCUS ON the card. White stock. Bold, back sans-serif font which reads:
C H R I S M O S H
VERY IMPORTANT PERSON
WORLD’S BIGGEST DOUCHEBAG
(775) 799-2190
VERY IMPORTANT PERSON
WORLD’S BIGGEST DOUCHEBAG
(775) 799-2190
Gordon adjusts his glasses as he looks around for something to do with the card. Failing to see a trash can he slides it into his pocket as his attention lifts back to Reno.
GORDON MILTON
Well, Mr. Mosh, if you’d like to accompany me to the bar…
RENO NEVADA
Wait. You haven’t heard of me?
GORDON MILTON
No, I can’t say I have.
RENO NEVADA
Say that again.
GORDON MILTON
I’ve never heard of you, sir. Should I have?
RENO NEVADA
(trying not to laugh)
No, prolly not. I’m a wrestler. I work for UPRISING.
GORDON MILTON
I think I’ve heard of it. It’s that wrestling show that films in the Silver State Ballroom on the weekends, right?
RENO NEVADA
That’s the ticket. So seeing as we both work here at the casino, maybe you could do me a solid.
GORDON MILTON
Oh, god, um, what?
RENO NEVADA
What’s a fella gotta do to borrow this? I’d love to wrestle a match in it.
Gordon looks from Reno to the display case and back. He almost chokes on the question while trying to formulate a response to such a ridiculous request.
GORDON MILTON
Mr. Mosh…
RENO NEVADA
Please, call me Chris. Mr. Mosh is my father. He’s a used car salesman in San Antonio. Hence the cowboy hat.
GORDON MILTON
Right. Well, Mr. Mosh, the sundial jumpsuit is valued at over 1.5 million dollars. There’s absolutely no way in hell you or anyone else would be allowed to take it out of the case.
RENO NEVADA
I see…and there’s no wiggle room on that?
GORDON MILTON
(forced smile)
Absolutely not.
RENO NEVADA
Alright, Gordo. I tell you what, you have my number. Call me if you change your mind. Meanwhile, I’ll mosey back over to the bar and order another one of these delicious cocktails.
GORDON MILTON
Very well, sir. Have a pleasant night.
(O.S.) SHAWN KUSH SINGS “SUSPICIOUS MINDS”
Reno turns around on his heels and strolls toward the busy bar. He finds an empty stool and climbs over it like a saddle. He suddenly wishes they made spurs to fit his Chuck Taylor’s. The empty glass hits the wood of the counter and he slides it forward. A moment later one of the bartenders walks over and asks if he wants another. Before Reno can answer, the man sitting next to him speaks up.
RODNEY PRINCE
Yes he will. Put it on my tab.
Reno looks over as the bartender takes the glass away. He reaches up and pats Rodney on the shoulder.
RENO NEVADA
Thanks, Rodney. You ain’t half bad. ‘Side from all the blackmail and danger you put me through.
RODNEY PRINCE
Don’t mention it. What do you think about the jumpsuit?
RENO NEVADA
Little too flashy for me but hey, to each their own. The manager seems very protective over it. Did you know it’s worth over a million?
RODNEY PRINCE
At least. Besides the nosey manager, what’s your take on the security?
The bartender delivers another Hurricane. Reno pulls it toward him on the little napkin serving as a coaster and uses his mouth to find the straw sticking out of the orange-colored cocktail. He takes several long drinks, each one causing his cheeks to suck into his mouth.
RODNEY PRINCE
How many of those have you had?
RENO NEVADA
(smacks his lips)
Counting this one?
RODNEY PRINCE
Yeah.
RENO NEVADA
Six. No, seven.
RODNEY PRINCE
How the hell are you still vertical?
RENO NEVADA
Practice. Anyway, as far as security goes, the glass is two inches thick. There’s no security guard but the casino gestapo could be here in under a minute if there’s a commotion. I did notice an air duct not far away that looks big enough for me to crawl through. Not that I’m looking forward to doing that again.
RODNEY PRINCE
There’s also the laser grid.
RENO NEVADA
(chokes on the booze)
The what?
RODNEY PRINCE
After the restaurant closes at 1 a.m. a laser grid protects the jumpsuit’s case from intruders. If you trip that alarm, it will be more than casino security coming after you. Reno police will respond and you don’t even want to fuck with those mac daddies.
RENO NEVADA
(stops to think)
What’s that line from?
RODNEY PRINCE
Final Destination. 2000.
RENO NEVADA
So basically you’re saying it’s impossible.
Rodney laughs as he reaches for his glass which is half-filled with a whiskey, neat, and a toothpick speared cherry. He shakes his head at Reno before letting the liquor slip past his lips and down to his stomach where it burns like a furnace. Reno takes the chance to suck down another few mouthfuls of the Hurricane.
Rodney sets his glass down as he stands from his seat and fishes out a wad of bills. He unrolls two twenties and places them down for the bartender to collect before turning to Reno.
RODNEY PRINCE
(setting his glass down)
Impossible? Maybe for a mere mortal like me but for Reno Nevada? Ultimate Badass? It’ll be a walk in the park.
RENO NEVADA
Ultimate badass. I like the sound of that. Unfortunately I’m allergic to things like lasers and getting arrested by the five-o for grand larceny.
RODNEY PRINCE
You’ll figure it out. By the way, nice hat.
Reno turns to look over his shoulder as Rodney disappears into the crowd. He tips the brim of his stolen stetson before righting himself forward and grabbing his glass.
RENO NEVADA
You’ll figure it out, he says. Why’s it always up to me to figure it out?
The bartender walks over to collect the two twenties Rodney left. As he’s stuffing them into his apron Reno gives the universal air check sign to close his tab. The bartender disappears for a minute, giving Reno time to suck down the last of his cocktail. When the bartender returns, he’s holding a debit card with a mean look on his face.
BARTENDER
Sir, your card was declined.
RENO NEVADA
Declined? My friend Rodney was supposed to cover my drinks.
BARTENDER
(points at the empty glass in front of Reno)
He paid for that one. Not the six others.
RENO NEVADA
Shit. Well, here’s the problem. I got a new job but my first check hasn’t cleared yet. I blew all my savings just getting a goddamn flight out here. Couldn’t even get on a real airplane. Had to ride one of those Frontier planes that are basically coca-cola cans with wings.
BARTENDER
Not my problem.
RENO NEVADA
How much do I owe ya?
BARTENDER
$100.41
RENO NEVADA
WHAT?!
BARTENDER
They’re sixteen bucks a piece plus tax.
RENO NEVADA
Sweet feathery Jesus.
BARTENDER
You do get to keep the glass.
RENO NEVADA
(under his breath)
Oh, lucky me.
Reno reaches for his back pocket and takes out his wallet. With a sigh he opens it up. A moth might as well have flown out. He thumbs through the bills, which are mostly ones.
RENO NEVADA
I got thirty one bucks.
The bartender raises his hand to wave someone over. Reno turns to see the manager, Gordon Milton, walking to the bar. When he sees it’s Reno causing the bartender grief he glares angrily and speeds up his stride. Reno turns forward and stares down the barrel of his empty cocktail glass. He gives a long sigh.
Milton comes to stand next to Reno and speaks like a teacher about to send the student to get his ass paddled.
GORDON MILTON
Well, well, well, Mr. Mosh. What trouble are you stirring up now?
BARTENDER
He can’t pay his tab.
GORDON MILTON
(feigns shock)
Really now. Well, what are we going to do to fix this, Mr. Mosh?
RENO NEVADA
I don’t know, sir. I thought my buddy was paying my tab, is all. He just left.
Gordon looks at the bartender who just throws his hands up before looking back to Reno. He scratches his chin in thought as an awkward silence falls between them.
(O.S.) SHAWN KUSH SINGS “MY WAY”
Finally, the manager’s disposition lightens up as a coy smile spreads across his face. He pats Reno lightly on the back several times as he makes his pitch.
GORDON MILTON
I tell you what, Mr. Mosh, if you’re willing to work off your bill, I’m sure we can find you something for you to do to cover the outstanding balance.
Reno considers briefly the option of just high-tailing it out of there. The thought of Chris Mosh getting banned from the Eldorado for skipping out on his bill makes him chuckle in the back of his mind but he can’t risk the attention. Eventually they’d figure out his real name and that’d cost him all sorts of issues, both with UPRISING and Nic Cage, two bridges he can’t afford to burn right now.
Reluctantly he looks over at Gordon and, with a groan, he takes the offer.
RENO NEVADA
What do I gotta do?
GORDON MILTON
Don’t you worry, Mr. Mosh. I’ve got just the thing for a man of your limited funds.
FOCUS ON Gordon’s face as “MY WAY” continues to play, louder now.
CUT TO BLACK. ROLL CREDITS.
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
MIKE TOMES
PRODUCER
Barry Stollman
Associate Producers
KEVIN MURPHY
SARA VENNETI
EDITOR
STEPHANIE LAWSON
EDITORS
Barry Stephenson
Matt Staller
Ryan Holder
MUSIC BY
Franz Saporta
CAST
RENO NEVADA
JOSEPH GILGUN
RODNEY PRINCE
RZA
GORDON MILTON
STEPHEN ROOT
SHAWN KUSH
HIMSELF
BARTENDER
CALEB LANDRY JONES
FADE OUT MUSIC.
CREDIT BREAK — INT. HARD ROCK CAFE — BACK OFFICE.
GORDON is sitting in a club chair in a small office. There’s a desk next to him piled high with paperwork and receipts and at the end an old computer monitor. A cork board is mounted on the white, concrete wall over his shoulder. Various work-place information printouts are pinned to the board, including a schedule and OSHA information.
His head rolls around his neck as a look of total relaxation fills his face. We PAN DOWN his body, past the dress shirt, tie and belt buckle, and down his legs which are propped up on an otomon; then at the end of his pants legs his bare feet are sticking out. They’re hairy, with yellowed toenails and dry, flakey skin on their bottoms.
A pair of hands are working the left foot, massaging it with firm fingers that move in small circles around its most tender areas. We continue to PULL BACK until the camera rests just over the shoulder of the masseuse, revealing him to be Reno Nevada.
GORDON MILTON
Oh, Mr. Mosh, I have to tell you, your hands are like magic.
Reno looks like he might throw up at any moment. FOCUS ON Gordon’s foot. Scummy fungus is growing out from under the toes, turning the skin around it a nasty green. They must smell something awful.
RENO NEVADA
How much longer, Gordo?
The manager holds his wrist up to check his watch.
GORDON MILTON
Oh, I say another forty five minutes will do it.
Reno forces a smile before looking back down at the horrible, vomit-inducing foot. After a minute, he switches over to the right, which is just as repugnant as the other.
GORDON MILTON
God, that feels so good. I might have to go into the group chat and tell all the restaurant managers here at the Eldorado just how amazing Chris Mosh’s hands are. I’m sure you can get more than a few free meals if you’re willing to do this for the others. What do you say, Mr. Mosh?
Reno, nearly busting through the seams with laughter, does his best to cover it up by clearing his throat. After taking a second to right himself, he looks up Gordon’s short legs and says in the most humble voice he can muster.
RENO NEVADA
Gee, sir, that would be wonderful. Tell them. Tell all of them.
GORDON MILTON
Very well, Mr. Magic Hands. Now, move a little further down. Just under the arch. Ahh, there we go.
(O.S.) “DESIRE” BY COLLEGE PLAYS
CUT TO BLACK. CONTINUE CREDITS.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Tom Gillogley
LIGHTING DIRECTOR
Nathan Koepke
POST SUPERVISOR
Tim Gunderson
AUDIO SUPERVISOR
Frank Ali
FIELD PRODUCER
Kevin Ruback
MAKEUP DEPARTMENT HEAD
Elle Favorule
AUDIENCE PRODUCER
Amanda Geer
HISTORICAL CONSULTANT
Karl Dozier
CAMERA OPERATORS
Laurence Velasquez
Ken Parrish
Phil Ramos
AUDIO MIXER
Stan Hoyte
SUPERVISING SOUND EDITOR AND RE-RECORDING MIXER
Jamie Levine
COLOR CORRECTION BY
Creative Cow
CAMERA UTILITY
Dan Chambers
Jeremy Cruz
Barbara Lowery
Paul Church
PROP MASTER
Maurice Cherry
SET DRESSERS
Vira McConnell
Otto King
Emiliano Rasmussen
KEY MAKEUP ARTIST
Victoria Burton
COSTUME SUPERVISOR
Azby Grimes
COSTUME DESIGNER
Grace Nazarian
SET COSTUMERS
Susana Padilla
Michelle Phelps
COSTUME MAKER
Stephanie Brady
POST COORDINATOR
Francisco Morris
ASSISTANT POST COORDINATOR
Cori Gibbs
MUSIC PRODUCER
Stephen Moon
GAFFER
Adan Sharp
KEY GRIP
Daniel Carrillo
BEST BOY GRIP
Colin Hood
BEST BOY ELECTRIC
Brian Kennedy
GRIPS
Brendan Beasley
Clayton Serrano
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Daryl Stewart
Sammi Stewart
Sean Dalton
Jesse Marks
Justin Todd
Nina Gay
Robby Cole
Allyssa Lewis
Grant Golden
Jonathan Duncan
Diego Sanchez
Robin Christian
“ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA”
WRITTEN BY RICHARD STRAUSS
PERFORMED BY SHAWN KUSH
“SEE SEE RIDER”
WRITTEN BY MA RAINEY & LENA ARANT
PERFORMED BY SHAWN KUSH
COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT
BURNING LOVE”
WRITTEN BY DENNIS LINDE
PERFORMED BY SHAWN KUSH
COURTESY OF RCA RECORDS
“SUSPICIOUS MINDS”
WRITTEN BY MARK JAMES
PERFORMED BY SHAWN KUSH
COURTESY OF SCEPTER
“MY WAY”
WRITTEN BY CLAUDE FRANÇOIS, JACQUES REVAUX & PAUL ANKA
PERFORMED BY SHAWN KUSH
COURTESY OF REPRISE
“DESIRE”
WRITTEN BY DAVID GRELLIER, AUSTIN GARRICK & BRONWYN GRIFFIN
PERFORMED BY COLLEGE
COURTESY OF FVTVR
PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION FURNISHED BY
THE PERSONS AND EVENTS IN THIS SERIES ARE FICTITIOUS.
ANY SIMILARITY TO ACTUAL PERSONS OR EVENTS IS UNINTENTIONAL.
COPYRIGHT ©2021 aMeriKanULTRA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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