FADE IN
INT. THE ROSE
THE PATRIARCH, the bartender at the bar known as THE ROSE, looks about as a few men sit together at a table, looking off put and quite morose as THE PATRIARCH has a sullen look on his face as he cleans a glass.
As he does, the BAR DOORS open, and a SHADOWED FIGURE approaches, THE PATRIARCH looking up as the figure draws nearer, sitting at the BAR as THE PATRIARCH sets the glass down in front of him.
PATRIARCH
Welcome to THE ROSE.
THE STRANGER, A HANDSOME MAN, who carries little scars, but heavier burdens, tips his hat as THE PATRIARCH fills the glass with WHISKEY and sets the bottle down.
PATRIARCH
The drink, and the bottle, on the house.
THE STRANGER
And why would you do that for a stranger like myself?
PATRIARCH
You must not know what THE ROSE is known for around these parts?
THE STRANGER
I hear whispers...
PATRIARCH
Look behind you son...
THE STRANGER downs the shot and turns as he notices an altar in the back, a statue of an angel with an angel and demon wing can be seen as it is COVERED WITH RED ROSES.
PATRIARCH
I've laid a ROSE for every man who ever comes in here.
THE STRANGER
Why's that?
PATRIARCH
Because my son, once they leave this place, they all die.
THE STRANGER
Well that's a fucked up look on life.
PATRIARCH
I have seen every face wind up in the paper, deceased. Other times I hear from others about their untimely demise, the point of the matter is son, that once you leave this place, you meet your maker.
THE STRANGER
Is that so?
PATRIARCH
I'm afraid so. You see them fellas over there? Sitting at that table?
THE STRANGER
The one with the sour look, Yeah I saw them.
PATRIARCH
They're outlaws, heading towards their next town, their next score. They look that way, because they know of this place, they know of its...peculiar nature....
THE STRANGER
Peculiar?
PATRIARCH
My location...was once grounded. But the ground I built this bar on...was both blessed and cursed by both angel and demon...and it's...my...fate was sealed. To usher and prepare the soon to be dead.
THE STRANGER
How many ROSES have you laid out over there?
PATRIARCH
At least 3,000.
THE STRANGER
That's a lot of folks.
PATRIARCH
I have their (nodding towards the men) ROSES waiting, and I reckon I'll have yours waiting one day as well.
THE STRANGER
What if you found out that someone who's been here hasn't died?
PATRIARCH
I plan on laying a WHITE ROSE...I've yet.
THE STRANGER
Well…
THE STRANGER pours himself a shot as he takes it, setting the glass down.
THE STRANGER
I guess it explains why all of sudden this bar appears in the middle of nowhere...guess the world knows something that I do not.
PATRIARCH
I go where the Bar takes me, and yet, I've never really left. So son, are you going to tell me your story, or am I going to have to just assume your path is laid out for a reason laid out by your own misgivings?
THE STRANGER
I wish that was the case.
PATRIARCH
I got all the time in the world, kid.
THE STRANGER
Suppose you do. Grab a glass, I don't tell stories less someone's drinking with me.
The PATRIARCH raises an eyebrow but nod's as he grabs a glass and fills it halfway as THE STRANGER takes another shot.
THE STRANGER
So...where should I start? The beginning? The very beginning...?
PATRIARCH
Wherever you like, son.
THE STRANGER
Yeah, really helpful.
THE STRANGER leans back a bit as he tips his hat up.
THE STRANGER
We all knew things were going to change after...after you know…
PATRIARCH
Of course…
THE STRANGER
For me though...That was just the beginning of a much bigger problem...A few months ago…
End of Part 1