Sam gives notice …
Last call rang a hour ago. Sam goes to get his take from the door after the bar closes. Minnie, a large large large, black woman wearing a green accountant’s visor looks up balefully.
Minnie The Moocher
Sam, perfect timing, I’m counting out.
Hands Sam his stack. Sam ruffles the bills. Pauses.
Problem?
Sam counts the bills.
Sam
Uh, Miss Minnie, I’m not sure I see the full amount here.
Minnie the moocher
Come again, nigger?
sam
Just we had a big night. I’m supposed to get 10% of the door. Seems a little thin’s all.
minnie the moocher
That’s your cut. Get outta here, nigger.
Sam turns around to go back downstairs. Packing up his stuff, Connie comes storming downstairs.
Connie
Sam, what the holy fuck are you up to?
Sam
Boss, what do you mean?
Connie
Minnie just told me what you did.
Sam
Uh, I just asked her about my cut for tonight.
Connie
She says you accused her of shorting you, then threatened her.
Sam
No Boss, I swear I didn’t threaten nobody.
Connie
Good. Then go apologize for a misunderstanding.
Sam
Boss, I ain’t apologizing.
Connie
What the fuck did you just say?
Sam
She must have miscounted.
Connie
Oh no, you miscounted, Sam.
Connie nods to FBI muscle, who rams Sam against the wall. Holds him there. Connie comes over. Brass knuckles Sam. Tooth comes out. Connie bares his teeth, hisses:
Nigger, I can buy and sell you people every hour every day. You ain’t special.
Sam
No suh, I guess i ain’t.
Connie
Goddamn right.
Muscle lets go of Sam. Connie & Muscle leave the room. Sam stands straight.
Rick
Sam, why do you eat shit from Connie?
Sam
I needs the day job, boss.
Rick
Why don’t you play in one of the black clubs, get treated right?
Sam
Boss, it’s worse over there. Getting even. Getting over. At least Connie pays regular, wrong, but regular.
Rick
Sam, that’s just wrong. I know he and Minnie are shorting you.
Sam
Oh well boss.
Rick
There’s gotta be a better place for you, Sam.
Sam
Oh, there is boss.
Rick steps out to front door to smoke.
Sam opens piano lid. Pulls a dime-bag tobacco pouch of weed out. Walks behind the bar grabs 2 bottles of whiskey. Saunters back to piano. Breaks bottle on the piano lid, pours contents in. Fishes through right pocket for the cash Minnie gave him. Drops cash inside the piano. Fishes through left pocket for matches. Strikes, drops match in. Pulls tooth out. Drops it in there, too. Sam walks out front door. Lights up a joint.
Rick
Sam, that viper never does smell any better.
Flames erupt back inside Connie’s. Yelling, cussing.
Sam
Well, I guess I’m out of a job now. Good night, boss.
Nods. Sam walks up the street.
Rick
G’night, Sam.
Rick walks down the stairs to the subway.
Totally kicks ass