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INT. NIGHT. A BAR IN THE CITY. ALICE COOPER IS SITTING OVER A BEER; HE IS DRUNK. PICKFORD APPROACHES HIM. COOPER SEES HIM IN THE MIRROR AND GROANS.
Alice
No lives to ruin elsewhere, asshole?
Pickford
I thought you could help me out.
Alice
Sure, which way did you come in?
Pickford
You can't beat the oldies. Did you have any luck finding Bones?
Alice
Yeah! I left him in the car while I have this beer.
Pickford
Are you serious?
Alice
Sure I am. Would I lie to IAD? Maybe I just forgot to lock the car.
Pickford
So nothing to report, then? Do you want a beer?
Alice
What?
Pickford
A beer, do you want one?
Alice
I wouldn't drink with you if you were the last man on earth... get me a Bud. Are you drunk, Pickford?
Pickford
Off my ass! I was celebrating with a friend. He made Sergeant.
Alice
IAD?
Pickford
Yeah.
Alice
How many times do you got to sell your soul to make Sergeant?
Pickford
Why you got to hate me? I'm just doing my job.
Alice
Cause you're trying to put me away.
Pickford
Why did you let that kid go?
Alice
I'm in love with him.
Pickford
What?
Alice
I saw him come out of that building with his hands up, and I just fell in love with him. How's about that beer?
Pickford gestures to the barman.
Pickford
So you did let him out?
Alice
Why do you want to know? I thought we were just having a sociable drink.
Pickford
You're right, I'll drop it. Would you answer some questions for me tomorrow?
Alice
Anything you want. What's your name?
Pickford
Robin.
Alice
Robin Pickford! It's a good name. Not like Alice Cooper. Shitty name that is.
Pickford
Why not just call yourself Al?
Alice
You don't think I try. Even an asshole like you calls me Alice!
The barman puts down the drink.
Pickford
Give him another one. Wait a minute. Do you want a scotch or something?
Alice
Vodka rocks.
Pickford
Double vodka rocks.
The barman goes away.
Pickford
What the hell were your parents thinking?
Alice
Hey! A bit of respect for my parents. My mother was Lithuanian, she thought Alice was a fine name. My Dad was so scared of her he just went along. What the hell, I survived, didn't I? Anyway, Robin's a girl's name.
Pickford
Sometimes, but Alice is always a girl's name.
Alice
Should we have that fight?
Pickford
Nah! So, you like boys, huh?
Alice
What does that mean?
Pickford
Well, you said you fell in love with Bones.
Alice
Not in that way! More like you would feel for a puppy.
Pickford
Is that why you let him out, cause he looked like a puppy?
The barman brings the drink. Alice does it in one swallow.
Pickford
Same again.
Alice
Why ain't you drinking, Robin!
Pickford
I've had enough.
Alice
You can never have enough.
The Barman returns with the drink. Alice necks it in one act.
Pickford
Same again.
Alice
Only if you join me!
Pickford
Two then. So something about Bones made you want to help him?
Alice
Did I say that?
Pickford
You said he was like a puppy dog.
Alice
Just like. Big ears, wet nose.
Pickford
What are you talking about?
Alice
How would I know, I'm supposed to be drunk!
The drinks arrive. Alice necks his. Pickford sips slowly.
Alice
Same again man.
The barman goes.
Alice
What the fuck you doing there, Robin? You're sipping that like a girl. Drink the fucking thing!
Pickford forces a smile and necks the drink.
Alice
Good, huh?
The barman comes back. Alice necks his drink and gestures to Pickford to follow. Reluctantly, he does.
Alice
Same again, barman.
Pickford
No! I've had enough. You have one, Alice.
Alice
Join me in one more double, and I'll tell you what happened with Bones. Fuck it, it's time to confess.
Pickford
Same again then.
The barman leaves.
Alice
Wait until we get our drinks.
Pickford
You're doing the right thing Alice. Clear the decks, and go forward.
Alice
Get on with my life!
Pickford
Right.
Alice
The truth ain't going to hurt me, right?
Pickford
The truth will set you free!
Alice Cooper raises his Bud can.
Alice
Freedom! And all I got to do is tell the truth?
Pickford
That's all you got to do. We can even go back to the House. Write it all down, get it all out in the open.
Alice raises his can again and shouts.
Alice
Out in the open! Gonna get it all out in the open!
Pickford tries to calm him.
Pickford
Easy does it, big feller. Quiet down a bit.
The barman returns with the drinks. Alice necks his, and looks to Pickford who reluctantly downs his.
Alice
Same again barman.
Pickford
No, I've had enough. I'm really starting to feel it.
Alice
Just a second, barman. Listen, Robin, after this you're going to take me downtown. It might be a long time before we share another drink. One more, and I promise that will be it.
Pickford is sweating profusely, and loosens his tie.
Pickford
It's awful damn hot in here. I'm done, Alice.
Alice
One more, my comrade, and then we'll face the truth. Barman, same again.
Pickford
I think...
Alice
Shush. Let's just enjoy this moment of camaraderie. Fuck, I can't believe I managed to say that. Camaraderie! I don't think I'm nearly drunk enough.
Pickford
I am. I can't believe I'm drunk. I think I might throw up.
Alice
No throwing up. No way.
The drinks arrive. Alice proposes a toast.
Alice
To comrades, whatever side they're on! Drink!
Pickford throws the drink down his neck, as Alice watches.
Pickford
I'm going to be sick, Alice.
He rushes past Alice, who puts his foot out. Pickford goes down, and as he tries to stand up heaves all over the leg of a man standing at the bar.
Man at bar
What the fuck?
Pickford stands up and backs away from the man.
Pickford
I am so sorry.
Man at bar
You drunken asshole. I'm going to teach you a lesson.
He advances toward Pickford, who grabs Alice.
Pickford
Alice, help me out, comrade.
Alice points at the man.
Alice
Just one second, brother, please. You wanted the truth, Pickford. Truth is, I can down a bottle of vodka and still walk a straight line. The truth is you tried to play me, and the final truth is this guy's going to rip your lying head off! He's all yours sir. Do to him what he wanted to do to me. Fuck him up!
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