SPECIAL GUEST STAR: ROBERT DENIRO as RONNIE
Written, directed, and produced by David Meadows
(We find THE VILLAIN IN BLACK (TVIB) standing in the wings, watching a band on stage. From the stage, we hear:)
RONNIE SINGING:
She ain't just another rainbow
Silver lining in the sky
She ain't just another rainbow
Not the same as you and I
TVIB (muttering to himself): Rainbow... hmmm...
(ROGER comes up.)
ROGER: Fantastic, aren't they? I'm going to get a record deal for them and produce their debut album. That band's going a long way!
TVIB (muttering to himself): Not ALL the band... muah-hahahahaha
(He turns and stalks off, leaving a puzzled ROGER looking after him.)
(It's a noisy, crowded bar full of roadies and groupies and sundry others in after-gig high spirits. The camera hunts through the crowd and settles on a table with ROGER and BIG IAN. They are both staring in the same direction.)
ROGER: I don't like him with that look.
BIG IAN: I don't like him with ANY look.
(The camera pans across the bar to see the object of their conversation: TVIB is sitting deep in conversation with RONNIE at another table. We can't hear what they are saying, but TVIB is smiling and we know that can't be good.)
(TVIB, IAN and JON are sitting round a tiny table, playing cards. TVIB seems to be winning -- he has a big pile of money in front of him. In the background, BIG IAN and ROGER are sound asleep.)
JON: Your play, Ian.
(Ian peers craftily over his cards. He puts down his hand -- aces and eights!)
IAN: My pot I think, chaps!
TVIB: Not so fast, drummer!
(TVIB puts down his cards... four aces!)
TVIB: Beats your pairs, I think. Muah-hahahaha.
(TVIB scoops in the pot.)
JON: Here, wait a minute...
TVIB (quickly): So what did you all think of Ronnie?
JON: Fine singer!
IAN: Damn fine singer!
TVIB: How would you feel about working with Ronnie?
IAN: Er, but Rich, what about Big Ian?
JON: You mean in some kind of... solo... project... don't you...?
(TVIB gives him *that* look.)
(IAN and JON exchange nervous glances. The camera pans round slowly, onto the sleeping face of BIG IAN. But what's this? As we zoom in, we see his eyes are open just a tiny crack, and he's watching the conversation very intently. The camera stays on his impassive face as we hear:)
JON: Hold on a sec Rich... you're playing with a stacked deck here!
TVIB: Yes. I like to win. Muah-hahahahahahahaha
(And FADE OUT on BIG IAN's face.)