BLACK

**September 27, 2008**

**5:28 PM - Las Vegas, Nevada**

**Heavy Rain - 77℉**

"Yes. I know. I swear I'll be home. I know it's almost his birthday."

"Yeah. Uh-huh. I'm coming home soon, okay?"

*WINN closes his flip phone, sighing as he puts his feet on the dashboard of the car hes in and lays back in his chair a little, watching little raindrops race on the window.*

*Rubbing his face a little, he pinches his nose and begins contemplating before his chain of thoughts is interrupted by a car horn from the back. Jumping in his seat, he realizes that the stoplight had been green for a good moment now.*

**5:35 PM -** L**as Vegas Valley, Nevada - A random fuckin' seven eleven**

*A baby is crying in the background as generic grocery store music hums in the background. WINN slowly walks through the aisle and picks out some cigarettes and a bottle of scotch.*

*The store bell is heard as he walks outside to his car, getting a little drenched in the process. WINN took his sweet time--walking as if it wasn't raining at all. Once inside, he takes off his gi and scurries around the side compartment for his lighter, finally acquiring it as he uses it to light a cigarette.*

*Using his other hand, WINN reaches out for the dashboard and listens for local news. His face tenses up as he takes a smoke.*

"-Right now! Please do not enter the vicinity anywhere near the strip! The police force has been dispatched and is using every method to ensure that an evacuation goes smoothly! Right now they are shooting upon the-"

*WINN turns off the radio and closes his eyes. He lays back even further in his chair for a moment before starting up the engine.*

**5:48 PM - Las Vegas, Nevada - Sunrise Hospital**

*WINN pulls up to the side, parking his car and running into the hospital through the rain. Moments pass and a doctor escorts him into a room, where Laura was lying on a bed, surrounded by life supporting equipment. He quickly walks to her and gently caresses her, a little shook by her degrading condition.*

WINN: Laura.

Laura: Yes, I'm here, dear.

*The doctor steps besides WINN and pats him on the shoulder, but gives off heeding words.*

Doctor: Please, stay back. We don't know what type of reaction can set off a chain of events. She's very fragile right now.

*WINN looks at the doctor before hesitantly taking a few steps back.*

*Laura moves her head to look at WINN and gently smiles.*

Laura: I've been hearing the news. Don't you have a city to save?

*WINN grits his teeth.*

WINN: I don't give a shit about the city. I just want to save you.

Laura: Silly... Don't worry about me. Go out there and be you. Be the man I fell in love with. We've been through this so many times, you know?

WINN: And I don't want this time to be the last one.

Laura: Please, darling. Stop whoever is terrorizing the strip and go home to BRUT... I'm sure his babysitter must be wondering where you are by now.

*WINN sheds a tear, shook by Laura's will and selflessness.*

WINN: ... I swear... I swear I'll come back for you.

Laura: I know you will.

*WINN opens the window and looks back one final time to see a smiling Laura.*

Doctor: S-sir, what are you-

*WINN flies out the window and into the rain, leaving behind his car and wife. He smiles as he heads straight for the gleaming downtown of Vegas.*