Cha Cha

Cha Cha Rojas, bombshell Latino in her late 20’s, bolts from the front door of the El Matador restaurant in Laredo, Texas, followed by other patrons. Cha Cha’s in a full out sprint down the sidewalk while other customers scramble to their cars or pick-ups. Sirens scream in the distance, closing in on the scene.

The interior of the Matador is church quiet. A man lays near the front counter, shot in the shoulder. The owner hides behind the counter. Texas State Trooper Harley Honeywell enters the restaurant gun drawn. The owner pops his head up from his safe haven.

“Over there!” the owner whispers.

A tattooed Mexican is held down by two oil rig workers. Harley takes over and handcuffs the man.

“Poo-ta Policia!” the Mexican spits at Harley.

“What’s this all about, now?” Harley asks.

The owner comes out of hiding now that it’s safe.

“This man grabbed a woman. Tried to take her outside. He shot that man who was trying to stop him,” the owner explained.

Laredo city patrolmen and EMT’s enter the building.

“Where’s the woman?” Harley asks.

“She’s gone, senior’, she ran out,” the owner replied.

Harley notices a particular tattoo on the Mexican.

“Cartel? MS?” Harley asks the Mexican.

The Mexican spits at Harley. The Trooper pulls the Mexican up and pushes him to a Laredo patrolman.

“Attempted murder, deadly weapon assault, kidnapping, obstruction. If you find out his real nombre’ my gut’s telling me there’s other wants for Senior’ Tatuado here,” Harley tells the patrolman.

#

Inside his cruiser, Harley jots notes in his log book. He turns off the flashing lights and glances in the rear-view mirror. Cha Cha is in the backseat.

“What in the hell are you doing in here?” Harley demands.

“I need your help!” Cha Cha replies as her eyes scan the parking lot.

“NO! Get out!” Harley replies.

“They’re after me,” Cha Cha whispers.

“I’m not helping you. Wait, you were in the Matador, weren’t you?” Harley inquires.

“They’re going to kill me.”

“What’d you get yourself into?”

“Please? I don’t know who else to go to.”

“I can’t help you. You’re nothing but trouble for me!” Harley retorts.

“I need to get out of Texas,” Cha Cha says, “I need to get to a safe place, but I have no dinero. I’m in trouble!”

“We split up because you ARE trouble! And drama! You can’t hold your liquor or your tongue,” Harley reminisces.

“Rio is after me,” Cha Cha cried.

“Besides, I told my wife you’re dead,” Harley retorts.

“He wants my head. Wait… what? You told your wife I was dead?”

“It was the only way I could get her to stop talking about you.”

“Really? She talks about me?”

“Nothing you’d want to hear. She’s viciously jealous of you,” Harley reports.

“Awe, that’s sweet.”

“NO IT’S NOT!” Harley yells.

Cha Cha starts to cry.

“Okay, okay. Since you were a victim today, I guess I’ll have to take you in for your statement,” Harley says, “you’ll be safe at the station.”

Harley drives his cruiser from the lot onto the street. Two jacked-up 4x4 pick-ups follow.

“What did you do to Rio?” Harley asks.

“We fought. He storms out. I take his little black book and say ‘Adios Bastardo'.’”

“Little black book, huh. His Norias (Girlfriends)?”

“No. Maps, routes, mules, pay-offs, killings.”

“Shit. You are in trouble," Harley concedes.

Cha Cha climbs into the front seat of the cruiser. Harley stops at a red light. The pick-ups are behind him. Harley’s wife, Buffy, stops her car next to him on his left side. She gives him a beep on her horn.

Harley’s window goes down, “Hi honey!” he yells to her.

“Who’s in your car?” Buffy inquires.

“A … a witness. What are you doing out today?” Harley asks.

Buffy strains her neck to get a better look. Harley matches her motions to block her view and tries to push Cha Cha down in the seat.

“What am I doing? What … NO!” Buffy exclaims when she sees Cha Cha, “You bastard! You lied to me! You said that little Chiquita was dead!”

“Now honey, don’t get all bent outta shape here. It’s not what you think,” Harley explains.

“Hi Mrs. Honeywell!” Cha Cha cheerily yells to Buffy. “Harley’s just helping me!”

“Yeah, that’s right, she was involved in …” Harley tries to explain.

“Oh shove it up your ass, Chicky!” Buffy retorts. “And you Harley…”

The light turns green and Harley seizes the moment to escape.

“Well, gotta go. Be home later!” He screeches away with the pick-up's in hot pursuit.

“She didn’t seem too happy,” Cha Cha observes.

“I told you, she’s viciously jealous,” Harley says.

One of the pick-ups pulls up next to Harley on the left, and one behind him. On the right, a late model black suburban paces Harley as he drives on the highway. Harley flips on his lights and siren, stomps on the accelerator to bypass the aggressors.

“Who are these guys, now?” Harley asks.

“It’s Rio,” cha Cha states, “he’s found me. I’m going to die!”

“Nobody’s going to die,” Harley said.

“You’ve got to lose them,” Cha Cha pleaded.

“We’re in downtown Laredo, where am I going to lose them,” Harley asks.

Harley notices Cartel soldier Juan Diego aiming a shotgun at them. Harley accelerates more, the speedometer reaching 100 mph.

“We need back-up,” Harley explains as he grabs his microphone. “250 to Base.”

“Go ahead 250,” the dispatcher replies.

“I’m 10-78! Southbound San Dario and 35. High speed. Shots fired,” Harley said.

“10-4. All units, trooper need’s assistance. Southbound San Dario and I 35,” the dispatcher relays to other troopers.

Harley exits the highway onto a residential street. Lights flashing and siren wailing, cars move out of his way.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Cha Cha cries.

“Trying NOT to get us killed. If I don’t exit we’ll be in Mexico,” Harley cautions.

“Now you’re going to get all these people killed!” Cha Cha said.

“Hold on,” Harley says as he takes a high speed turn into a park. He stops at one end of a small field. The Mexicans stop 100 feet away. Behind them, Buffy rolls up in her car. Leaving her car she storms to Harley’s cruiser.

Harley sees Buffy walking on a mission towards them.

“Well, crap Cha Cha, I don’t think it’s Rio you should be afraid of,” Harley exclaims.

Buffy storms up to Harley’s door.

“JUST WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” Buffy demands.

“Buffy, get out of here! It’s not safe,” Harley says.

The Mexicans exit their vehicle, guns in hand.

“SOLDADO! GIVE US THE NINA’ NO PROBLEMA,” Juan yells.

“FUCK OFF, JUAN. AND FUCK YOU TOO, RIO,” Cha Cha yells back.

The Mexicans cock their guns, ready for action.

“Dammit, Buffy, at least get in the car,” Harley demands, nodding his head in the direction of the Mexicans.

Buffy sees the Cartel and with wide eyes, enters the backseat of the cruiser.

Rio Rodriguez exits the Suburban. Well dressed, handsome, 40ish, all the part of a drug lord.

“Cha Cha, come on now. We don’t want any more trouble.” Rio pleads as he lights a small cigar.

“I’m done with you, Rio!” Cha Cha retorts.

Harley keeps an eye on the standoff outside his car but now has to contend with another standoff inside his car.

“What are you two doing together?” Buffy demands.

“I told you, he’s helping me,” Cha Cha answers.

Buffy hits Harley on the shoulder.

“You told me she was dead! I ought to cut your dick off,” Buffy cries.

“I said that because you were driving me crazy,” Harley explains.

“Yeah, what’s up with that, Harley?” Cha Cha asks as she hits Harley in the shoulder.

“Good God, this craziness!” Harley exclaims.

“He said I make you jealous,” Cha Cha reports to Buffy.

“Both of you do,” Buffy replies.

“You wouldn’t stop talking about me. How sweet,” Cha Cha said.

“It’s not sweet. You two have a history together,” Buffy snapped.

“But I haven’t done anything!” Harley states.

“Shut up, Harley,” Buffy says.

“Yeah, shut up, Harley,” Cha Cha says.

Harley shakes his head. The standoff continues as Harley keeps an eye on the Mexicans.

“These men tried to kidnap me today and Harley is trying to keep safe,” Cha Cha states.

“Uh-huh,” Buffy replies.

“I haven’t seen him since your wedding,” Cha Cha said.

“Oh, shit. Here it comes,” Harley mutters.

“About the wedding, where do you get off coming to our wedding uninvited and drunk? You jump on him, wrap your legs around him and dry hump him in front of everybody?” Buffy demands.

“I’m sorry,” Cha Cha replies, ”I was in a really bad place.”

“You made his grandmother faint, for Chrissakes!” Buffy said.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. But there’s nothing going on now. I swear,” Cha Cha explains.

“Oh this is BULLSHIT! I’m gonna end this now, before it gets out of hand,” Harley says.

Harley exits his cruiser with a shotgun. Standing tall, donning his hat, all official.

“Get in your trucks and go back across the border!” Harley demands.

Inside the cruiser Buffy and Cha Cha are having it out in a very heated conversation.

“Give me Cha Cha, and we all go home,” Rio states.

“Can’t oblige you on that one amigo,” Harley replies. “She’s in protective custody.”

“So what shall we do with this situation?” Rio responds.

Harley walks around the car to Cha Cha’s window and knocks on the glass. Cha Cha stops her bickering long enough to crack the door.

“WHAT?” Cha Cha demands.

“Give me the book,” Harley says.

“Are you loco?” Cha Cha asks.

“Give. Me. The book.”

“No.”

“That book is proof of his dirty dealings,”

“If he takes the book, he may let you go.”

“Hah, He’ll track me down like a rabid dog.”

“You asked me to help you. This is your best option. There’s going to be a lot of shooting soon and we’re all going to get hurt. We’ll catch him another time. Give it to me.”

“Oh, alright,” Cha Cha hands Harley the book.

“RIO!” Harley yells.

“Si’?” Rio responds.

“She gives you your book, you give her her life and $ 20,000 for a fresh start,” Harley demands.

“How do I know it’s not copied?” Rio asks.

“You don’t,” Harley answers, “and that guarantees Cha Cha’s safety. If something happens to her, it’s bye-bye Rio!”

Rio motions for his men to lower their weapons.

“So you give me my own information for $ 20,000 and I let her go. Free and clear with no repercusiones’?” Rio asks.

“That’s the deal. Take it amigo. The other choice is not pretty. I take you into custody, you go to a Texas prison. The girl still goes free,” Harley replies.

“You? You are going to take me into custody?” Rio laughs.

His men laugh with their boss.

From a distance, sirens come closer.

“Not much time left, Rio,” Harley says, “now or never.”

Rio looks at his men. He motions with his head for them to load up.

“Okay, I’ll take your deal,” Rio says

“Smart man,” Harley states.

Harley and Rio meet in the middle of the field. Rio counts $ 100 bills as he walks to Harley. Rio tosses the money, rubber banded together, to him. Harley tosses the little black book to Rio.

Rio grabs the book, enters the Suburban and the Mexicans leave the park. Harley returns to his cruiser.

“Okay, it’s over,” Harley says to the women.

Buffy and Cha Cha are talking like long-lost friends, oblivious to Harley.

“I SAID IT’S OVER! YOU’RE BOTH SAFE!” Harley exclaims. “Don’t thank me too much! Nobody’s hurt or dead! Plus I got you $ 20,000 for a new start!”

“Shut up Harley,” Buffy says.

“Yeah, shut up, Harley,” Cha Cha retorts.