The Things We Protect INT. MICK'S BAR - DAY The bar is almost empty with a couple of people inside. KELLY, (mid-60s) stands behind the counter and wipes off the counter in front of him. KELLY What can I get you, son? In front of him, SARAH FLYNN, (late-20s) sits there and smokes a cigarette. She puts her lit cigarette into an ashtray and looks at Don. Sarah shoots Don a grin. FLYNN I knew you were in town. DON I was just leaving actually. Don's eyes widen as he looks at her. He does an about face and turns around, only for the door to open. James walks through the door. James looks at Don. His face brightens. JAMES Doc, holy fuck! James hugs Don as Don holds his arms out. Don pats him on the back and shoots a nervous grin. He tries to turn and position himself in front of the door. Sarah grins at the bartender and puts up two fingers, then shoots another glance back at Don. James lets go. JAMES (CONT’D) Where the hell have you been man? I know you gave me the number and all, and I heard you were in town, but- Don motions for him to simmer down. DON Easy now. Yeah, I work out here now. JAMES Come on, let me buy you a damn drink. DON I think the nice lady over there beat you to it. James glares at Sarah. JAMES (muttering) Thot. DON Be nice. Don walks over to a bar stool and sits between Sarah and James. KELLY What'll it be? DON Shot of Jay-mo. He looks over at Sarah. DON (CONT’D) Funny how things go. One second your ex-wife has you working as her undercover pet, and the chick you banged two weeks before your divorce who also almost carried out a hit on you just happens to be in town. With his right hand, Don reaches into his waistband for his Colt Defender and places his hand on it. DON (CONT’D) Funny how the world works isn't it? Kelly slides a shot glass in front of him. SARAH For all intents and purposes, you're already dead you cunt. DON That a threat? Don's eyes widen as he takes the Defender out of its holster. James reaches for Don's right hand. Sarah just rolls her eyes at this. SARAH Really now? Is this amateur hour to you? Don lets his sidearm go and takes a sigh, then pushes James's hand away. Don looks over at James. DON It's fine, don't fucking worry about it. SARAH (CONT’D) You've been on a few adventures, haven't you now lad? Jumpier than usual now. Don downs the shot of whiskey in front of him. DON (CONT’D) You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Don sighs. Sarah puts her hand on his back which causes Don to flinch and look at her with fear in his eyes. SARAH Whatever it is, I've probably heard worse. Don gives a glance to James. DON Miller's involved too you know. It damns both of us. Don downs another shot. JAMES How long you been sober for? DON Three years. SARAH Sobriety, is it that thing men lie about when they want to feel better about themselves rather than having the self-control to stop themselves? James scratches his head and shakes it. Don looks over at Sarah and shoots her a glare. JAMES Fucking CIA niggers, how far deep did they get you? DON My daughter's trying to piece it together. Worst case scenario, she ends up dead. Best case, we both do. The less she knows the better. James nods at this. SARAH You sound like my father you dumb cunt. Then he had the courage to throw a bomb at the fucking British when I was only a wee lass. Didn't tell no one and died without a proper burial. She downs a pint of Guinness. DON What's that gotta do with this? SARAH Tell that girl what's going on or she'll do nuthin' but resent you for the rest of her poor life. DON Wonderful, I'm getting advice from a serial killer now too, in that case. Don slides the shot glass over to Kelly. SARAH You're no different than I am, only difference between you and I are what side of the law we're on. The shot glass comes back to Don. DON Really? Because- SARAH Your people say it's okay to do it and so do mine, Donovan. Don sits there, whiskey in hand. DON So why am I still in your presence and breathing? SARAH Because my boss and I had a falling out over your sorry arse. Don just shrugs. DON You should've just let him whack me, maybe then my wife- SARAH Ex. Don rolls his eyes. DON -Ex-wife would've been a shit ton richer. He downs another shot of whiskey. SARAH With that girl havin' some scumbag for a father? Some kid out of college? Is that what yer lookin for? DON It'd be a better fucking father than me! Y'know? All I know how to fucking do is- Don massages his eyes and pushes his glass forward. DON (CONT’D) Then I got Dutch fuckin' Van Der Linde, the man with the plan right? I'm supposed to somehow believe that if I follow his guide that we'll both be absolved of our fucking sins. Conrad walks through the door. Don glances over. DON (CONT’D) Howdy Dutch, what plan do you have now? Conrad looks over at Don. He walks over and smacks him upside the head. CONRAD Really? After four fucking years this is what you're down to? Drinking your sorrows away with your retarded friend and a... He looks over at Sarah. She shoots him a wink. CONRAD (CONT’D) ...Irish chick that I'm definitely fucking later tonight... Sarah grabs Don by the crotch. Don's eyes widen and a grin shows on his face as he spills some of his whiskey on himself. SARAH Sorry, not too big a fan of greasy men. James looks away from this with a pained groan. Conrad gives a pained look as well. He puts his hands up. CONRAD Crazy bitch is all yours, Paulsen. Sarah lets go of Don's crotch and looks at him. SARAH And who might you be? CONRAD This retard's co worker. Conrad. She nods at this. SARAH Donny boy said you had a plan. CONRAD Well, we did however... Conrad shrugs and takes a seat. CONRAD (CONT’D) We have a bit of an overbearing boss. SARAH Need me to take care of him? Conrad shakes his head. CONRAD Doubt you'd be able to even if you wanted to. Don looks over at Conrad. DON She could pull it off, though we'd have the heat on us in no time. CONRAD Cho tried. Pointed a nine milimeter at his skull while he was looking away. Conrad sticks up one finger to the bartender. CONRAD (CONT’D) I'll take what Paulsen here's having. He motions to Don. CONRAD (CONT’D) Anyway right? He puts his fingers in the shape of a pistol. CONRAD (CONT’D) Fired a volley right into his back from his wheelchair. Pulled a Beretta from under his desk, fired. Should've hit his spine. I'm sitting right there. Next thing you know- He shakes his head and looks down. CONRAD (CONT’D) His back literally closes itself back up like it didn't even happen. Now, the holes in his clothes from the rounds are still there but Cho? He fired about some... Fuck, he dumped a whole mag into the dude's back from a sitting position at five feet. Conrad downs a shot of whiskey. CONRAD (CONT’D) Matthews, the motherfucker. He turns around, pulls Cho out of his wheelchair and just chokes the fucking life outta him, gives him this cold glare and I swear I heard him say, "I gave you your chance." JAMES An entire mag of nine? Well maybe if he used .45- DON Shut up, James. SARAH Sounds like a load of shite if you ask me. She puts another cigarette in an ash tray. SARAH (CONT’D) And you're telling me he wasn't choking blood or nothin' like that? Conrad nods. The group sits there in silence. Don downs one more shot. He reaches into Sarah grabs his leg. SARAH (CONT’D) Yer not gonna just leave a girl like this are you? DON I got a fuckin' kid to take care of, Flynn. Sarah gives Don a grin. SARAH You'll come around. Don steps back and looks at her. He shakes his head. DON No, I won't Sarah. That was a one time thing. SARAH Doesn't have to be. Don takes out his wallet and passes the bartender some cash. DON I'd rather it be.