A long and dusty highway. The clouds are mottled pink and red against a fading lapis lazuli sky, framed by the mountains one imagines exist in Michigan. Hutch and Telly stand aside a Queensland’s Finest rig, black Mustang parked behind it.
HUTCH: So why don’t you tell me, who is the person of interest?
Telly looks up and down the road, and takes a drag off his cigarette, which he does not notice is not lit.
TELLY: It’s someone I work around, at the Detroit Bee Gazette. He writes the op-ed column, housewives and movie star crap mostly. Names Duncan…
HUTCH: A person that close to you, that’s gonna be pricey. Discretion is not enough, one’s got to be certain, nothing comes back to you. You understand this?
TELLY: [too slow to slow down] Of course. Believe me, I don’t want that. I want it to look like a random act. Dunc’s got enemies.
Hutch says nothing.
We see a state police vehicle approaching from the distance. Telly turns to see it from a half mile away.
HUTCH: Well, we best get motoring here, you got my encrypted ID, decide now. I’m thinking you’re looking at about twenty K give or take, and I can tell you later how to make that payment without a paper trail. [pause a couple beats, show the cop car getting closer]. In or out, now or never..
TELLY: I.. uh.. well I’m in. I know I want this done [he is lying]
Hutch gives Telly a firm handshake and steps up into his rig. Well, okay, I’ll see you when I’m back in town, Mr. Keeshan. Thanks for letting me know your pop’s doing okay… Hutch starts the engine.
The cop approaches and slows, says through the passenger window
COP: You fellas alright?
TELLY: Yessir. Just a buddy of mine, heading East. [note: this is really bad writing]
HUTCH: Howdy. I’ve never seen this man before [laughs]. But I best get back on the road, hitting Boston before I can sleep.
COP: Alright, well yeah, keep moving. Can’t be stopping on the shoulder by state law.
HUTCH: No problem officer. Bob, until next time.
TELLY: [smiling] See ya, Fred. Roger that.
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