Lucky and Liz:

Lucky and the Hooker

September 8, 1998

(Liz is sitting at the docks flipping through a book as Lucky approaches)

Lucky: "Hi."

Liz: (In an extremely good mood) "Ok, there are two kind of people--people who like Ferris wheels and people who don't. Which one are you?"

Lucky: "You mean the carnival that just opened at the fairgrounds."

Liz: "You want to go? You bought me dinner last night, so your corn dog's on me."

Lucky: "You really reading that big book?"

Liz: "Oh, it's my Uncle Tom's art history book from college. Thought it might give me a few ideas for the boxcar. (Watching her) What?"

Lucky: "Nothing. I mean, maybe a little later because I have to do some stuff."

Liz: "It's no problem. We'll just do your stuff, and then we'll go."

Lucky: "Actually, I have an appointment, and, you know, I can't take anybody with me, so--"

Liz: (Concerned) "Are you sick? Is it your--"

Lucky: "No, no. I told you, that's all healed up."

Liz: "Is it something for Jason?"

Lucky: "Can't really talk about it, so--"

Liz: (Realizing something is not right) "Not even with me? Forget I said that. Ok, we'll just do it another time."

Lucky: "Well, no. I mean, I can meet you back here in a couple hours. Carnivals look better at night, anyway. Ok?"

Liz: "Sure."

Lucky: "Ok." (He leaves and Liz looks disturbed. She opens the book and pulls out the rose from the previous evening)

Lucky: (Knocks on a door and then it opens) "Tammy?"

Tammy: "Do I know you? Do I need to know you?"

Lucky: "I'm the guy who called."

Tammy: (Surprised) "Well, you sounded a lot older on the phone. (Looking around outside) Is this the vice squad's idea of a practical joke?"

Lucky: (Serious) "Do you want to check the birth date on this $100 bill?" (She looks at him and then lets him inside)

Tammy: "What do I call you?"

Lucky: (Looking around) "There's no need to. I'm right here."

Tammy: "Ok. You are young. You're a minor. You're even young for a minor."

Lucky: "If you're going to pick right now to become law-abiding, just say so. Mr. Franklin and I will call somebody else."

Tammy: "You're a good-looking kid."

Lucky: "You're a good-looking woman."

Tammy: "You know, I bet you have to beat the girls off with a stick, huh?"

Lucky: "I don't beat girls." Tammy: "Well, I like that in a man." (She pulls up a chair and sits down in front of him)

Lucky: "So, is my meter running, or do you need the story of my life first?"

Tammy: "Well, you haven't exactly told me what you want."

Lucky: "Well, will this cover the basics?"

Tammy: "Basics. Which to you would include?" (Looking at him questioningly)

Lucky: (Taking a deep breath and sitting down on the bed) "All right, look, I’ll be honest with you. I mean, I guess you figure I've never been in this situation before."

Tammy: "With a call girl."

Lucky: "With anybody. (She leans back in her chair looking at him) What?"

Tammy: "Nothing. It's just that you've been reminding me of someone ever since you walked through that door, and I just figured out who it was. Go ahead."

Lucky: "Who?"

Tammy: "Oh, it's not anyone you'd know. He's a club owner."

Lucky: "A blues club not too far from here?"

Tammy: (Laughing) "You're Luke's kid, right? You got to be."

Lucky: "He's someone that you--you see?"

Tammy: "Oh, no. I mean, he just poured me a couple of drinks one night and talked my ear off. Seriously. No. I would never bring up a client."

Lucky: "It might not be the greatest strategy to bring up a client's father, either." (Getting up and walking around her)

Tammy: "Point taken. (Standing and going to him) Ok. Back to business. Is this an educational outing for research purposes, or would there be someone who's going to test you later? A girlfriend, maybe?"

Lucky: "There's somebody. Somebody who matters a lot. We don't really call each other much of anything. I can't say she's my girlfriend. But she has a lot to do with why I'm here. She was--well, she had a bad experience with sex. Actually, I don't even think you should call it 'sex.' I mean, it was--"

Tammy: "Say no more, ok?"

Lucky: "It has taken her a long time to feel ok about things, you know, ok about herself. So my timing couldn't be worse, you know, for me to be thinking about her the way I do."

Tammy: "She know how you feel?"

Lucky: "No. I mean, I hope not. She feels safe with me. And I want her to. I guess that means making sure she's safe from me, too. So I figured that if I came to you I could somehow get rid of those feelings that I know aren't ok for me to have for her. Or does that not make any sense?"

Tammy: "Are you asking me if this will work? Because what you describe with this girl and what goes on in here are two pretty different things."

Lucky: "See, that's what I want. I want to keep them separate. (He looks at her and then hands her the money) Where do I start?"

Tammy: "Well, you're the boss. That would be up to you to decide." (She goes and sits down on the bed)

Lucky: "Is it ok if I kiss you?"

Tammy: "Yeah." (He slowly walks over to the bed and leans down)

(Moves away from her lips he stops, turns around and walks a little ways away and the turns back to look at her)

Tammy: "It's ok."

Lucky: "You think I'm chickening out?"

Tammy: (Shaking her head she gets to her feet and walks over to him) "No."

Lucky: "You were right. It's not the same. I mean, no offense. You're--you're beautiful. You're great. But she's--I mean, I'm--why did I think I would want to get rid of that? I don't. I want to keep it. Like it was something sacred. I guess it sort of is, right? (Getting a funny look on his face) Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I should shut up. That's--"

Tammy: (Sighing deeply) "Just don't ask me for my car keys or my life savings right now, ok? (She hands him back his money) Buy her something nice." (She kisses his cheek)

Lucky: "I think I already did. (He lays the money down on the table) Thanks." (He stands outside the door for a moment and then leaves)

Liz: (Sitting on the docks, she looks up when she hears Lucky approach) "You're back already."

Lucky: (Sitting down beside her) "I guess I am."

Liz: "So? How'd your appointment go?"

Lucky: "Didn't. See, I got to thinking about the carnival--the lights, goofy music, cheap, meaningless calories, the way everything looks so little at the top of the Ferris wheel. Do you want to go?" (She smiles & nods and they stand. Lucky holds out his hand and then leads her off)