INT. OLD-FASHIONED BAR

The bar room is dark, smoky, and quite run-down. The bar runs three quarters of the length of the room. The occasional patron hunches over the bar, nursing a drink. A group of men are shooting pool on a real pool table in one corner. A few tables are scattered about in no particular pattern, groups of two and three sitting around them. The noise level is moderate, each group keeping their dealings quiet.

Slow zoom on man sitting on a stool at the bar. Pan around from his back to his side. He wears a plain brown knee-length coat, the hood pulled over his head. His face remains hidden, only the tip of his nose and chin are visible. He’s leaned over his drink, slowly swishing the nearly empty glass.

The weathered bartender steps up in front of the man, wiping his hands off.

BARTENDER - Care for another, partner?

The man sets his glass down and slides it forward a couple inches. The bartender shrugs, produces a bottle and fills the glass nearly to the brim. The man nods slightly and the barkeep turns away.

A yell arises from the pool table area. All heads turn in that direction except for the Hooded Man. Player One is a large, burly man. Player Two is younger and smaller, almost squirrelly-looking, bad posture and all. Other men near the pool table back away, grinning malevolently.

PLAYER ONE (squaring off with Player Two) - You tryin’ to cheat me, boy?

PLAYER TWO (hands up) - Hey, man. I just came in here to play. (backs away) Ain’t no hijinks afoot...

Player One takes a long wide swing at Player Two. The smaller man ducks away, bumping into a nearby table. The two men occupying the table jerk to their feet, their chairs tipping over behind them. One of the men, Talin, grabs Player Two by his jacket front and shoves him back at Player One.

TALIN - You got a game to finish, boy.

Player One gets a hold of Player Two this time and throws him against the nearest wall. The man bounces off, landing with agility in a crouch, one hand on the floor.

PLAYER ONE