Rail Birds

By James Paul Nelson

Colin is a cash game poker pro, so is Jordan, but Jordan has something that Colin does not. A beautiful girlfriend named Isabelle. What happens when sex, money and deceit fill the air between them? This story is a original screenplay written by James Paul Nelson. In this story, James writes about themes he knows quite well. Gambling, drugs, sex, and fast money. Characters are forced to look at themselves and their situations and deal with the consequences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Paul Nelson
• Release date: Jan 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224807765

James Paul Nelson

Born in the Philippines, raised in Sacramento, taught by all the greats that have come before. Just another artist seeking to express his love for art in multiple forms and disciplines. Trying to be the most well rounded artist he could possibly be.

Book preview

FADE IN

Title Card: Rail Birds

COLIN - V.O.

I'm not good with introductions, so I'll try to speed you through this and get all the necessary info out the way and somehow keep you interested. I was born in Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, CA on the corner of MacArthur and Broadway. I don't remember too much of Oakland because my family moved to Sacramento just after I was born. You see I had one simple dream ever since I can remember. I wanted to be that guy who always had the hottest girls around him; even if I wasn't fucking any of them at the time. I figured, given time with my wit, charm and overall cuteness, I could snake a few blow jobs and itch fucks and still keep them as friends. See the girls I'm attracted to are the BAD ONES who will do all the nasty things my demented little mind can conjure up and bring a friend along. I realize I didn't hit the genetic lottery built like a T.O. or Lebron. I'm only five foot five inches of twisted steel and sex appeal ... these ladies just don't see it yet. But I know the perfect bait to snag me the type of hottie I need...MONEY. So I got to thinking, What the fuck can I do to stack Godzilla rolls of paper and flash it so smoothly that video vixens creme their panties? My name is Colin Jeffrey and this is my story.

INT. CONDO - EVENING

The plasma TV emits random chatter of the days sports highlights. The room is slowly revealed until we gaze upon a YOUNG MAN in front of his laptop. His focus is completely glued to the monitor as he adjusts the volume of the headphones he is listening to.

Colin's POV - Two computer monitors with multiple tables of poker being played at once.

The cell phone next to the laptop begins to ring. Colin takes off the headphones and checks the caller id and it reads Norman.

COLIN

Hello?

NORMAN - O.S.

Hey man. I know I still owe you for the money you lent me.

COLIN

So your calling to finally pay me back.

NORMAN - O.S.

Well not exactly. You see, I'm calling to work out a deal that settles my debt indirectly.

Colin continues to manage the games he's playing on-line with one hand on the mouse as he continues to speak on the phone.

COLIN

What do you mean indirectly pay up? You're either paying or not paying your debt.

NORMAN - O.S.

Well, I came across some timely information that is almost guaranteed to put a nice chunk of change in your pocket.

COLIN

I'm listening.

NORMAN

Supposedly, there's a juicy game going on right now at Casino Royal.

COLIN

How juicy?

NORMAN - O.S.

Mike West came in earlier today and started what looked like the best session he's ever had. He bought in for five hundred and quickly turned that into twelve pushing the table around. Suddenly, in walks Henry Chang buying into the game for five hundred. Henry gobbled up a bunch of pots to raise his stack to fifteen hundred. Just as those two guys seemed to take whatever they wanted from the other players, Stanley Chase buys in for the max. As we speak, the game has been going for seven hours and there's over forty grand on the table. These guys have been buying shots for over five hours now. I know I owe you a little over four grand, but I figure if I spot you three grand and you front another two grand to buy in this game, you could easily take fifteen to twenty grand from these drunks given their current condition and we call it even.

COLIN

Sounds interesting, but you're telling me to stop my current session now and risk two grand just to help you clear up your debt with me.

NORMAN - O.S.

You know you'll take these guys for a hell of a lot more than what I owe you if you come tonight.

COLIN

Appealing to my ego huh?

NORMAN - O.S.

Is it working?

Colin takes a moment to think.

COLIN

I'm on my way.

EXT. CONDO - EVENING

A silver BMW M3 sits on the small driveway in this quiet suburban neighborhood. The garage door opens and COLIN makes his way into the BMW.

COLIN - V.O.

See the trick to successful cash game play is to find games that Norman just described. Games that have players who have a lot of chips in front of them, but no self control to know when to stand up and leave. They get carried away on a buzz from winning a lot of money and they don't want it to end. They'll play from sun up to sun down just to set a new personal best at the game and party while doing it. I learned to make a living off of guys like this. I wait for mistakes, and they come more often as new shots arrive. Its only a matter of time.

The BMW backs out of the driveway and slowly rolls away.

Music Note - The Game's, Dope Boys begins to play.

Series of Shots

1. Colin POV driving towards the card room.

2. Wide Angle Shot of the BMW cruising by.

3. Passenger seat close up of Colin's face.

4. Slow motion sequence of the vehicle pulling into the card room entrance.

EXT. CARD ROOM VALET STAND - NIGHT

A young VALET ATTENDANT slowly makes his way to the BMW with overly blaring hip hop music blasting through the speakers.

Instinctively he throws a nod to the driver. Colin lowers the music as he slows the ride to a halt, stopping right in front of the valet attendant. The valet attendant reaches out to shake his hand.

VALET ATTENDANT

CJ, what's good with ya?

COLIN

I heard there's a game worth logging off for tonight.

VALET ATTENDANT

I just got here, but word.

The valet attendant gently opens the car door.

COLIN

If I crack it tonight, expect a tip to take your girl out and get her to fuck you all kinds of ways.

The valet attendant smiles.

VALET ATTENDANT

I'll hold you to that.

Colin takes the valet ticket and begins towards the card room entrance.

INT. CARD ROOM - NIGHT

The entrance door slowly swings open as the young shark strolls in and begin to case his surroundings. A familiar face motions for Colin's attention. Colin makes his way over slowly, making eye contact with a few of the seated card players. He exchanges a slight nod with those that seem familiar and they return the gesture. He approaches the man who motioned for him and extends out his hand.

COLIN

Charlie, how's life treating you these days?

CHARLIE places his hand on his stomach.

CHARLIE

Still carrying around this gut on a bum knee and a bad foot.

COLIN

So not much has changed since the last time I broke your heart spiking a set