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CROSSING THE DOUBLE YELLOW

An incorrigible loner trucker discovers his load is a nuclear bomb and is mistaken for a terrorist, but with help from a vagabond and a hooker, he must drive the bomb cross-country before it explodes, rescue his family, save humanity, and avoid being killed by foreign and domestic terrorists, police, FBI, and military.

FADE IN:

INT. GRACIE'S TRUCK STOP - BAR - NIGHT

A ham-size fist connects squarely with JEROD JONES'S face, landing him on his back, skidding down the polished floor in front of the bar, PATRON'S FEET hopping out of the way.

• BIG TRUCKER
  You fuckin' rag-head sympathizer!
  Maybe you think those assholes who
  flew our planes into buildings should get frequent flyer miles!

• Without a lick of embarrassment, Jones (late 30's) manages a wry smile as he climbs to his feet, spewing apologies.

• JONES
  Sorry, Sorry. Didn't mean to scuff
  your shoes-Did I tear your nylon,
  dear-Sorry-Nice legs.

• Once standing, he rubs his jaw, then slowly looks up at his attacker. His look, not hostile, but deeply unsettling, causes the much bigger man to flinch.

• JONES (CONT'D)
  It's damn true. I am a son-of-a-
  bitch. Least most see me that way.
  Be that as it may, all I'm sayin'
  is, if someone fucks with someone
  else long enough, there's gonna be a
  reaction. You know, cause-and-effect.
   
• BIG TRUCKER
  Cause they're fuckin' dick-wads, and
  we're the effect of god's hand that's gonna stamp them assholes out.

• Guffaws from some GOOD-OL-BOYS.

• JONES
  Well, ya see Bubba, that's not the
  cause-and-effect I had in mind. I
  was thinkin' a little closer to home. Somethin' like this: I give my
  opinion, which is a cause; then you
  knock me on my ass; that's an effect. Cause and effect.

• More laughs.

• JONES (CONT'D)
  But, stay with me, now, because this
  is where an effect turns into a cause.
   
• BIG TRUCKER
  What the fuck are you talking about?
   
• JONES
  Your effect; knocking me on my ass,
  has become my cause.
   
• BIG TRUCKER
  Cause for what, you babblin' dipshit?
   
• JONES
  Cause for me to help some paramedics
  earn their pay.

• Jones's words are quickly followed with a barrage of punches, arcing the towering trucker onto his back with a heavy thud, jumping the beer bottles on the bar.

While most stare in awe, a FEW TRUCKER FRIENDS start to advance. Jones whisks a beer bottle off the bar-

• JONES (CONT'D)
  Ya know, I like beer. I can drink
  this or bash it across somebody's
  head. What's it gonna be?

• The boys divert to their fallen friend to lend a hand.

• BIG TRUCKER
  Get the fuck off me.

• The big trucker wavers on his feet, glowering at Jones.

• JONES
• (to room)
  Well, I guess a good show like that
  deserves free drinks for everybody!

• Everyone cheers and steps to the bar, filling in the space between combatants. Smiles and pats on the back for Jones.

• JONES (CONT'D)
  All that excitement makes a man want
  to pee. Hold my place, will ya.

• Jones smiles his way out of the bar, past the bathrooms, and into the parking lot.

EXT. GRACIE'S TRUCK STOP - PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Jones scurries to his rig, and is southbound in seconds.

INT. JONES'S SEMI - CAB - NIGHT

Radiant GLOW of the dashboard lights accents Jones's smile.

JONES
Partir, c’est mourir un peu.
To leave is to die a little. Or, in
my case, it's to live a bit longer.

ALL IMAGES AND ITEMS
COPYRIGHT  Stuart Land  1972-2013

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