Friday, December 30, 2011

Is There A Doctor In The House?



Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 19 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, private eye Carrie Love's mother's house is under seige on Christmas Eve in Beverly Hills during a freak snow storm. Upstairs, Carrie and her ex-husband, homicide cop Bernie Keko shoot it out with a pair of goons hiding in Carrie's childhood bedroom. Meanwhile, downstairs, Carrie's mother Margo has another stroke ... and Carrie's stepmother Eva comes up with a most unusual treatment ...


INT. MARGO'S MANSION - UPSTAIRS CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Eva pokes her head out of the door.

EVA
The shooting stopped.

CARRIE
They’ve barricaded themselves IN there.

Go down and tell everyone what’s going on.
Make sure my mom’s okay,
then come back up and join us.
This isn’t over yet.

EVA
Will do.

She dashes toward the stairs.

BERNIE
So what do we do now?

CARRIE
We wait them out. Come up with a plan.
(thinks)
Oh shit, I just remembered.

BERNIE
What?

CARRIE
The connecting bathroom.

BERNIE
Shit, that’s right. Between your room --

CARRIE
And the guest room, yeah.
The scene of our crimes.
Come on, let’s go check it out.

IN THE STUDY
The door opens. Layla SHOOTS in.
Closes it behind her.

SETH
Are you okay?

LAYLA
I stayed in the bathroom.

BLUE
It’s quiet now. Maybe they got them.

SETH
NO --

BLUE
I meant maybe Carrie and Bernie got THEM.

The door OPENS. In comes Eva.

EVA
It’s okay, everyone.
Carrie and Bernie have the bad men trapped in her room.

SETH
She DOES?

BLUE
Holy SHIT.

Margo opens her eyes, groggy. Looks at Eva.

EVA
(brightly)
Margo. How are you feeling?

MARGO
What the fuck are you doing with my rifle?

INT. CARRIE’S BEDROOM - AT THAT MOMENT
Aldo helps Mick tie a tourniquet around his leg. TIGHT.

MICK
So what now.

ALDO
There’s another door. Let’s check it out.

MICK
But boss said to sit tight.

ALDO
And if he told you to jump off a bridge, would you?

MICK
Fuck you. At least we’re warm. I say we stay here.

ALDO
My point IS, dummy -- that if there’s another door,
they could come IN.

MICK
Oh. Right.

SPLIT SCREEN WITH:

IN THE ADJOINING ROOM
Carrie and Bernie walk in.
Tip-toe over to the connecting door
into where Mick and Aldo are. Listen.

IN CARRIE’S ROOM
Mick and Aldo go to the same door. Listen.
Mick looks at Aldo. Shrugs.

Aldo screws his face up.
He’s about to sneeze.

Mick CLAMPS his hand on Aldo’s mouth.
But it’s no good.

He let’s a LOUD ONE RIP --

ALDO
A-CHOOO!

IN THE ADJOINING ROOM
Carrie and Bernie OPEN FIRE.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

IN CARRIE’S ROOM
Aldo gets HIT in the chest.
Falls to the floor, THWUMP.

Mick ROLLS away to the side.
Starts PUMPING SHOTS at the door.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

IN THE ADJOINING ROOM
Carrie and Bernie JUMP on either side of the door.

CARRIE
(whispers)
I got one of ‘em. You hear that ‘thump?’

BERNIE
What about the other one.

CARRIE
Let’s wait and find out.

IN CARRIE’S ROOM
Mick sits on the floor, under the window.
Holds his right hand. It’s bleeding pretty bad.

MICK
God-DAMMit.

He goes to the bed.
Pulls off a pillow case.
RIPS off a strip of fabric.
Starts winding it around his hand.

MICK (CONT’D)
Fucking BITCH is gonna PAY.

IN THE STUDY
Margo is having another seizure.
Layla holds her hand.
Increases the dosage on her drip.

LAYLA
We need a doctor, NOW.
I don’t know what else to do.
(looks at everyone)
I’m just a NURSE.

SETH
(rushes over to her)
Mom, are you okay? Can you hear me?
(to Layla)
You gotta DO something.
Can’t you give her anything?

BLUE
Ohmigod.
She rushes to Seth.
Collapses in his arms.
He comforts her.

SETH
(to Eva)
Can’t YOU do something?
You were a doctor.

EVA
I was a doctor -- back in Germany.
But here in America,
they don’t acknowledge my degree.

She looks off into space. A bitter memory.
Stares at Margo.
Something resembling concern
flashes on her face.

EVA (CONT'D)
(to Layla)
Do you have any morphine?
Something to knock her out?

LAYLA
I have Dilaudid --

EVA
Perfect. Give her 10 cc’s.

LAYLA
But that might -- put her in a coma.

EVA
Not that much.
And it would stop any brain damage.
(smiles)
It’s a European method.
Not used here in the States.
Simple, but effective.
Give her the Dilaudid,
and then a blood thinner.
The combination of the drugs --
something to stop the seizures,
and then something to open up
the artery to the brain -- can work.

SETH
(to Layla)
Go ahead, do it.

Layla crosses herself.
Pulls a small bottle out of her bag --

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Days Of Wine And Roses



Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 18 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, private eye Carrie Love, her ex, homicide dick Bernie Keko and Carrie's stepmother Eva scope out the second floor against the invasion of Tolly Chill's goons. Meanwhile, two of them break into the house ... and go into Carrie's childhood bedroom ...


INT. MANSION - SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY - NIGHT
Carrie, Bernie and Eva walk down the lushly furnished
main hallway upstairs. Guns at their sides.

BERNIE
Looks just the same.
(turns, to Carrie)
You remember that Thanksgiving weekend we stayed here,
and your mother made us sleep in separate rooms?

CARRIE
Well, we weren’t married yet. And you know my mom.

BERNIE
I had to fucking sneak in your room like I was sixteen.

They both smile. Remembering.

EVA
Why couldn’t the two of you work it out?
It seems like there is still chemistry.

CARRIE
I had an itch -- and I scratched it.

BERNIE
An itch? That’s a good one.
(sings)
The Days of Wine and Roses --

Carrie stops. Gives Bernie a look that kills.

CARRIE
I think we should split up.
Check all the windows. They could be --

Glass SHATTERS. A big THUD.
CRASHING noises behind the door they’re standing in front of.

EVA
Oh my GOD.

BERNIE
It’s THEM.

CARRIE
And they’re in MY ROOM.

Carrie CLICKS the safety on her Glock.
Moves to the left of the door. Signals to be quiet.
Bernie SHOVES a clip in his Baretta. Moves to right side.

BERNIE
(whispers to Eva)
Go down the hall, around the corner. Wait for us.

EVA
(CRACKS the rifle bolt)
Screw that. I’ll cover you.

She opens the door across from them. Goes in the room.
Closes it until all we see is the barrel of her rifle.

IN THE STUDY
Seth and Blue pull apart.

BLUE
What the FUCK was that?

SETH
Someone’s trying to get in.

They grab their guns. Seth goes to the door. Listens.

UPSTAIRS
Carrie leans toward the door.

CARRIE
We know you’re IN THERE.
Come out with your HANDS UP and we won’t KILL you.

BERNIE
We’ve got you SURROUNDED.
You’ll never make it out of here ALIVE.

INT. CARRIE’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Still as it was when Carrie was a teenager. Cute. Colorful.

Mick and Aldo stand in the middle of the room.
Guns aimed at the door. They exchange looks.

They start FIRING at the door.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

EXT. MANSION - BACK YARD - CONTINUOUS
Tolly and Porkpie look up at the window. Hear the firing.

PORKPIE
They’re thugs. No finesse -- no stealth. Just go in blasting.

TOLLY
You want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. C’mon.

He starts climbing up the ladder. Porkpie follows him.

IN THE HALLWAY
Carrie and Bernie watch the door get BLOWN TO BITS.

Chunks of wood go FLYING.
They both LEAN IN, start FIRING.

IN THE BEDROOM
Mick gets SHOT in the LEG. SCREAMS in pain.

MICK
MOTHERFUCKERS.

He goes to the bureau. Start SHOVING it toward the doorway.

MICK (CONT’D)
C’mon, HELP ME.

Aldo races over, starts PUSHING it with him.
They wrestle it in front of the doorway.

MICK (CONT'D)
Jesus fucking Christ.
He didn’t say nothing about them having GUNS.

ALDO
The private dick, remember?

MICK
Yeah, but who’s the GUY?

ALDO
Hell if I know.

IN THE HALLWAY
Carrie peers around the doorway.

CARRIE
They’ve blocked it with the dresser.

BERNIE
That’s fucking weird. Normally WE’D be trying
to keep them OUT while they try to come IN.

CARRIE
They didn’t know what they were up against.

BERNIE
Yeah. The dysfunctional family picnic.

OUTSIDE
Tolly stops climbing. Looks down at Porkpie.

TOLLY
Wait a minute.

PORKPIE
What?

TOLLY
Why don’t we leave them up there --
and then you and I go in ANOTHER window?

PORKPIE
That, boss -- is why you’re the boss. Fuckin’ brilliant.

They start climbing back down.
Aldo sticks his head out the window. Sees them.

ALDO
Hey, where are you guys goin’?

TOLLY
(loud whisper)
You guys stay up there, hold ‘em off for a bit.
Make ‘em think you’re trapped in there.
We’re gonna go in through another window.

ALDO
That’s fucking brilliant.

PORKPIE
That’s what I said.

ALDO
Mick got one in the leg,
but it’s only a flesh wound.
We’ll hold ‘em off for a while.

TOLLY
Tell Mick to hang tight.
Reinforcements are coming.

Aldo nods. Goes back in.
Tolly starts climbing back down.

TOLLY (CONT’D)
Gonna get that fucking bitch.
NO ONE gets away with disrespecting Tolly Chill --

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

To Protect And Fuck Yourself



Hey there, crime kids. Happy Wednesday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 17 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, it's Christmas Eve in Beverly Hills during a freak blizzard, and private eye Carrie Love and her family prepare to defend themselves against Tolly Chill and his gang, who are trying to break into the house to nab Carrie's client Blue Wonder. Meanwhile, Carrie's brother Seth and Blue get 'up close and personal' ...


EXT. MARGO'S MANSION - BACK YARD - NIGHT
Aldo and Mick walk over to Tolly and Porkpie.
Freezing cold.

ALDO
Power’s out.

MICK
So’s the phone.

TOLLY
Good work.

PORKPIE
I’m freezing my nuts off, boss.

TOLLY
You think I’M having fun, chuckle-head?
(looks around)
There’s a pool house over there.
Porkpie and I will go and look around
for stuff we can use to get in.
You two go check the garage,
see if there’s a ladder or something.

PORKPIE
Let’s do it.

TOLLY
Meet back here in five minutes. Got it?

They all nod. Cold. Miserable.

TOLLY (CONT'D)
Hey, cheer up. It’s fucking CHRISTMAS.

INT. MARGO’S MANSION - STUDY - AT THAT MOMENT
Carrie hands a rifle to Eva. The other to Blue.

CARRIE
You two take these. They’re easy to shoot.
Just remember to hold it against your shoulder,
it’s got a kick.

Eva and Blue nod.

EVA
I was a marksman in college.
Won the blue ribbon in Berlin Technical Institute.

CARRIE
Excellent.

BLUE
I used to play Charlie’s Angels with my sister.

CARRIE
Good enough.
(to Bernie)
Why don’t you give the Baretta to Seth.

BERNIE
Okay.
(shows him)
This is an automatic weapon.
Has nine rounds in the clip,
one in the chamber. It has a safety --
(slides it)
See?
(slides it back)
It’s off now, so you can’t hurt anyone.
Any shit goes down, slide it back like
I just showed you. Got it?

SETH
(takes it)
Got it.

BERNIE
I don’t have an extra clip for it,
cause it’s my back-up piece.
So use your bullets wisely.

Everyone looks around.
The reality of this is sinking in.

CARRIE
Okay, Bernie and I will patrol upstairs.
The rest of you stay here and sit tight.

SETH
Let me come with you.

EVA
No, you stay here, protect
your mother and the young lady.
I go patrol with them.
(raises the rifle, takes aim)
I can hit a moving target at one hundred yards.

BERNIE
She’s got a point.

CARRIE
Okay. Let’s do it.

EXT. NEARBY SIDE STREET - AT THAT MOMENT
A PRIVATE SECURITY VEHICLE stops in front
of a giant wall of shrubbery hiding a large estate.

INT. PRIVATE SECURITY VEHICLE - CONTINUOUS
Private security guard TIP SNELLING (50)
takes a sip from a flask. Short and squat.

Red-nosed. Grey-haired. No family.
An ordinary Joe drinking his life away in a safe, dull job.

TIP
Merry Christmas, you rich bastards.
(toasts)
To protect and --
(drinks)
Fuck yourself.

He picks up his walkie talkie. CLICKS it on.

TIP (CONT’D)
(into the walkie)
Command to base. You read me?

BORED FEMALE VOICE (O.C.)
Base here. What’s up, Tip?

TIP
Not a hell of a lot. Quiet.

BORED FEMALE VOICE
Of course it’s fucking quiet.
It’s Christmas.

TIP
You gonna go see family tonight?

BORED FEMALE VOICE
Yeah. Leaving in about fifteen minutes.
How about you?

TIP
Nah. Need the overtime.

BORED FEMALE VOICE
Well, stay warm. Radio said this freak storm
is gonna get worse before it gets better.

TIP
Roger and out. Have a holly jolly.

He clicks off the walkie.
Takes another sip from his flask.
Rests his head against the seat.
Closes his eyes.

TIP (CONT’D)
Best time of year, my ass.

EXT. MANSION - BACK YARD - AT THAT MOMENT
A ladder rests against the side of the house.
Reaches up to a second story window.

Tolly and Porkpie stand next to it, looking up.
Mick holds a PICK-AXE. Aldo, an oil lamp.

TOLLY
(to Mick and Aldo)
You go climb up, smash a window.
Go in. We’ll follow you.

MICK
Let’s do it.

ALDO
Yeah. Get inside and warm up.
(laughs)
Then get us some girlie.

TOLLY
There’s been a change of plan.
We’re gonna whack both of ‘em.

MICK
Both of ‘em? The stripper, too?

TOLLY
What, you got snow in your ears?

ALDO
What about the other people in the house?

TOLLY
What do you think.

ALDO
Good thing I brought a couple extra clips.

INT. MANSION - STUDY - AT THAT MOMENT
Seth paces back and forth in front of the fireplace.
Practices clicking the safety on and off.

Blue sits on the couch.
Holds the rifle on her lap.

Margo sleeps peacefully.
Layla stands near the door.

LAYLA
I need to use the ladies room.

SETH
Go down the hall to the foyer.
Second door on your right.

LAYLA
Thanks. I’ll be right back.

SETH
Be careful.

She tiptoes out.

BLUE
Your mother’s -- a character.

SETH
You can say that again.

He looks at her. Comes over to the couch.
Sits next to her.

BLUE
Guess it runs in the family.

SETH
You mean my sister.

BLUE
Yeah. But she’s cool.
She’s helping me even though I can’t afford it.

SETH
Carrie’s cool.
(beat)
She and my Mom have a -- tricky relationship.

Blue puts the gun down next to her.
Scoots a little closer.

BLUE
You know what they say about mothers and daughters.

SETH
(touches her arm)
Kind of like -- 'like father, like son?'

BLUE
(touches his leg)
We shouldn’t be doing this.

SETH
Not at a time like this.

And they kiss --

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Reach Out And Fuck Someone



Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 16 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, private eye Carrie Love reveals to her family that she has accidentally led Tolly Chill and his crew right to their house, and that they have to start getting ready to defend themselves against their attack ...


EXT. MARGO'S MANSION - FRONT STEPS - NIGHT
Tolly and Porkpie stand in front of the door.
Mick and Aldo, behind them. Shivering in the cold.

INSIDE
Seth goes to the door. Puts his hand on the knob.

CARRIE
Wait. Hold on a sec.

She goes to the peephole. Looks.

FISH EYE LENS POV
Tolly’s face. Distorted. Grimacing from the cold.

CARRIE
Leaps back.

CARRIE (CONT’D)
Shit. It’s them.

SETH
Who’s them?

Pause.

CARRIE
We were, uh -- followed.

SETH
Bad guys?

CARRIE
(sheepish)
Sorry.

SETH
Shit, Carrie -- how COULD you?

The doorbell RINGS again.

CARRIE
Look -- I was rescuing Blue, you called,
told me Mom had a stroke,
I needed to meet Bernie somewhere
where he could cut off the cuff --
(beat)
I’m SORRY. I thought the snow would slow them down.

SETH
Do you realize how FUCKED UP this is?

CARRIE
YES. Calm down. Bernie and I here.
It’s gonna be okay. How’s the security system?
Mom still have what Dad installed?

SETH
Yeah. You know how paranoid she is.
It’s like Fort Knox. Ever since the riots --

CARRIE
Hold on a sec. And DON’T open the door.

Carrie races over to the powder room. Goes in.

IN THE POWDER ROOM
She looks out the window. Sees Tolly and the gang.

IN THE FOYER
Carrie walks over to Seth.

CARRIE (CONT’D)
Okay, here’s the plan. You call 911,
I’ll go talk to the others. It’s gonna be okay.
I’m gonna figure something out.

SETH
(scared)
You’re gonna figure something out?

CARRIE
I’ll protect you, I promise.
Go to the rec room, activate the fail safe,
call 911, get mom’s rifles,
then meet me back in the den, okay?

SETH
Okay.

CARRIE
It’s gonna be okay, I promise.
Have I ever steered you wrong?

SETH
You really want me to answer that?

POUNDING on the front door.

TOLLY (O.C.)
Hello! Is anybody HOME?
Our car has BROKEN DOWN. We NEED HELP.

EXT. MANSION - FRONT STOOP - CONTINUOUS
Tolly turns to Porkpie.

TOLLY
They must be onto us.
(to Aldo and Mick)
Go find the phone box. Disable it.
Then get the fusebox. Hurry.

They nod. RACE OFF.
Porkpie pulls a high-tech device out of his pocket.
Looks like a remote.

TOLLY (CONT’D)
What the fuck is THAT?

PORKPIE
Cell phone scrambler.
Got it from that Mossad agent we whacked.
Thought it might come in handy.

TOLLY
Fucking genius.

Porkpie PRESSES a series of buttons.

PORKPIE
Reach out and FUCK someone.

IN THE HOUSE
Seth walks into the rec room.
Punches a number on his cell phone. Listens.

SETH
What the hell?

He walks over to a panel near the light switch.
FLICKS ON a series of buttons.

Enters a code. Goes to a gun rack.
Grabs a pair of RIFLES.
Grabs a couple boxes of ammo. DASHES off.

OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
A series of METAL SHUTTERS CLAMP down
over the first floor windows, one by one,
CLANK. CLANK. CLANK. CLANK. CLANK.

Tolly and Porkpie watch.

TOLLY
SHIT. God-DAMMIT.

PORKPIE
I’ll go make sure they kill the power.

He RUNS off.

INT. STUDY - AT THAT MOMENT
Carrie stands in the doorway.

CARRIE
Everybody, I’ve got something I need to tell you.

BLUE
Hey. He got the cuff off.

CARRIE
That’s -- great.

BERNIE
(reads her expression)
What’s wrong?

CARRIE
I need everyone to remain calm --

MARGO
What the FUCK is going on, Carrie?

Pause.

CARRIE
The people that were following us --
(beat)
Are outside. And they’re trying to get in.

MARGO
How DARE you bring CRIMINALS to my HOME.
What were you THINKING?

CARRIE
SETH called me, said you had a STROKE.
I was THINKING of making sure my MOTHER was OKAY.

The power GOES OUT. Seth rushes in, holding the rifles.

SETH
Not to worry, emergency generator should kick in right away.

LAYLA
(crosses herself)
Dear Jesus, Mother Mary of God --

The lights COME BACK ON.

BERNIE
(to Carrie)
You just HAD to drag me out of the house.

CARRIE
Look, I realize you’re upset.
But if we all remain calm,
everything will be alright.

Seth goes to the phone on the desk.
Picks up the receiver.

SETH
The phone’s dead.
(looks at Carrie)
And my cell isn’t working.

Carrie whips out hers. Punches a number. Listens.

CARRIE
Bastard’s have a scrambler. SHIT.

BLUE
I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.
If I hadn’t asked you to help me --

CARRIE
Enough of that. What’s done is done.
Everybody just relax.
here’s only four of them, and six of us.
(looks at Seth)
We’ve got two rifles --
(pulls out her Glock)
And I’ve got this.

Bernie pulls out his service revolver.
Then another piece from his ankle holster.

BERNIE
And I’ve got these.

CARRIE
Great. So that’s -- five guns.

Margo looks at Carrie. Quizzical.
She’s never seen this side of her daughter.

MARGO
Someone get me my handbag.

Seth does. Hands it to her.
Margo pulls out a STUN GUN.

MARGO (CONT’D)
And I’ve got 5000 volts of
'don’t mess with me, motherfucker.'

CARRIE
I’m not even gonna ask.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Like White On Icicles



Hey there, crime kids. Happy Boxing Day. I don't know about you, but I'm really glad the holidays are almost over. Enough with the emotional baggage -- it's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 15 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, it's Christmas Eve, and private eye Carrie Love arrives at her parent's house with her client Blue Wonder and her ex, homicide dick Bernie Keko, just as the freak snowstorm gets bad ... but little do they know that the bad guys Carrie rescued Blue from are about to coming knocking on the door ...


EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD - NIGHT
Tolly’s SUV travels slowly in the snow.
It’s blinding now.

INT. TOLLY’S SUV - MOVING - CONTINUOUS
The windshield wipers are pumping furiously
as the snow gets heavier.
Tolly strains to see as he’s driving.

TOLLY
I love it. It’s like we’re back in Jersey.

PORKPIE
Oh, yeah? I’m fucking freezing.

TOLLY
So turn up the fucking heat.

A siren WHOOP-WHOOPS behind them.

TOLLY
(looks in the rearview mirror)
Shit, it’s a cop.

He pulls the car over. Stops. Shifts into ‘park.’
The COP appears in the window. Tolly rolls it down.

TOLLY
Can I help you, officer?

ANGRY COP
License, registration, and proof of insurance.
And keep your hands where I can see ‘em.

TOLLY
Sure thing, sure thing.
(leans over to get them)
How about this weather, huh?
(hands them over)
What did I do wrong, officer?

ANGRY COP
(looking at documents)
You left the scene of an accident.
Please step out of the vehicle.

Porkpie pulls out a SIG SAUER and FIRES. BANG. BANG. BANG.
The officer FLIES backwards into a snow bank, THWUMP.

TOLLY
Jesus FUCKING CHRIST.
What the FUCK did you do THAT for?

PORKPIE
I ain’t goin’ to jail on CHRISTMAS.

TOLLY
Goddammit. Now we gotta get rid of the BODY,
and the fuckin’ BIKE. Everybody OUTTA THE CAR.

ALDO
Ah, shit -- it’s snowing.

MICK
Yeah, boss, can’t we just --

TOLLY
I said OUTTA THE FUCKING CAR, NOW.
It’s a winter wonderland. Get used to it.

INT. MARGO’S MANSION - FOYER - AT THAT MOMENT
Carrie, Bernie and Blue stand in the doorway.

SETH
Carrie. Great to see you.

They hug.

CARRIE
Hey there, little brother.
(gestures)
You remember Bernie --

BERNIE
Hey. You sure got tall.

SETH
Nice to see you, too. You look -- the same.

BERNIE
(to Carrie)
He lies as good as you do.

CARRIE
(to Seth)
And is this is Blue. Blue Wonder.

Seth and Blue lock eyes. Instant chemistry.

SETH
H-hi. Nice to -- meet you.

BLUE
Hey.
(staring)
You, too.

Pause.

CARRIE
Earth to Seth, Earth to Seth --

SETH
(staring)
Let’s -- go see Mom.

CARRIE
Cue the warm and fuzzy.

EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD - SUV - AT THAT MOMENT
Tolly watches the boys drag the cop’s body in the woods.
Watches for oncoming traffic. Talks on his cell phone.

TOLLY
Hey, pop. We’re almost there.
(listens)
Because the GPS thing stopped moving.
They’re in one of these big joints on Sunset.
We’re right down the block.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. GERO’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Gero lies in bed watching TV,
eating a bowl of ice cream.

GERO
They’ve arrived at their destination?

TOLLY
No problem. Piece of cake.
I’m on it like white on icicles.

He watches the boys drag the motorcycle into the foliage.

GERO
Well, hurry it up.

TOLLY
No worries. I’ll call you when got her.

GERO
Okay. And just bring the girl.
(whispers)
Whack the detective. She knows too much.

TOLLY
Don’t worry. I’ll deck her fucking halls.

INT. MARGO’S MANSION - STUDY - AT THAT MOMENT
The gang’s all here. Margo lies in her hospital bed
near the fireplace.

Seth and Blue sit on a love seat, making goo-goo eyes.
Carrie, Blue and Bernie sit on the couch.

MARGO
Well, if this isn’t the family reunion from hell.

CARRIE
Nice to see you, too Mom.
I don’t mean to be rude,
but we can only stay for a minute --
it’s kind on an emergency --

MARGO
(nods at Bernie)
Why is HE here?
I thought you gave him the heave-ho.

CARRIE
We’re still friends. He’s -- helping me.

BERNIE
Nice to see you again, Mrs. Love.

MARGO
Call me Margo.
I haven’t been a Mrs. Love in a long time.
(studies him)
Looks like you’ve put on some weight.
(looks at Blue)
Who’s the cupcake?

CARRIE
This is my client, Blue Wonder.

MARGO
'Blue Wonder?' You gotta be fucking kidding me.
Sounds like a stripper.
(studies her)
But she looks -- too innocent.

BLUE
Thanks. I try.

Seth smiles at Blue. She smiles back.

CARRIE
(to Bernie)
You bring your -- cutting thing?

BERNIE
(pulls them out of his pocket)
Tin snips.

MARGO
What the hell are THOSE for?

Blue puts her foot on the coffee table.
Flashes a long, lean leg.
Seth almost has a heart attack.

BLUE
Before Carrie rescued me --
the bad guys put this cuff on me.
Bernie’s gonna cut it off.

MARGO
Well, hurry it up, then.
Then we’ll have some egg nog.

BERNIE
Yes, Ma’am.

CARRIE
(to Margo)
We can’t stay, Mom.

Bernie leans over Blue’s ankle.
Starts cutting off the band around the cuff.
Carefully. Slowly.

BLUE
It -- tickles.

The doorbell RINGS.

MARGO
Who the hell could that be?

SETH
I’ll get it.

He starts for the door. Carrie gets up.

CARRIE
Let me come with you.
(off his look)
Just in case.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Cue The Fuzz



Hey there, crime kids. Happy holly-daze. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 14 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, it's a holly jolly Christmas in Beverly Hills when a freak snow storm hits for the first time ever, just as private eye Carrie Love arrives at her family's home with her client on the run Blue Wonder. Little do they know that strip club owner/white slave trafficker Tolly Chill and his band of goons are on their way to get them ...


EXT. BEVERLY HILLS - SUNSET BOULEVARD - NIGHT
Big, heavy snowflakes start falling.
Making a real mess.

A black SUV travels down the thoroughfare
in heavy traffic.

INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
Tolly drives, while Porkpie watches
the hand-held GPS device in the passenger seat.
In the back sit Aldo and Mick.

PORKPIE
I can’t believe it’s fucking SNOWING.
Weather report said nothing about no SNOW.

TOLLY
Look at these idiots.
No one can drive in this shit.
(beat)
So what’s it say?

PORKPIE
They’re still moving. Going west on --
(squints)
Looks like -- they’re further east on Sunset.

TOLLY
Whaddaya mean looks like?

PORKPIE
Fuckin’ screen is so small.
It’s hard to tell.

TOLLY
(GRABS it)
Gimmee that fuckin’ thing.

He tries to read it as he’s driving.
Doesn’t see --

UP AHEAD
A car SCREECHES to a halt.

THE SUV
CRASHES into it. BANG.

TOLLY
Shit.

PORKPIE
Nice one.

TOLLY
Shut the fuck up.

MICK
This car legal?

TOLLY
Hell, yeah.

ALDO
They gonna find anything
when they run your license?

TOLLY
What the fuck do YOU think?

OUTSIDE THE SUV
A grim-looking SUIT
appears in Tolly’s window.
Knocks on it. Tolly rolls it down.


GRIM-LOOKING SUIT
You hit my car.

TOLLY
What are you gonna do about it?

GRIM-LOOKING SUIT
(holds up his cell phone)
I’ve called the police.
Now we need to exchange
insurance information.

TOLLY
How ‘bout we exchange THIS?

He PUNCHES Grim-Looking in the face.
BANG, he goes down.

Tolly HITS the gas,
and they drive away.

EXT. MARGO’S MANSION - AT THAT MOMENT
The entire estate is now covered
in a blanket of snow.

Carrie pulls her monster Olds convertible
into the driveway.

CARRIE
I’ve never seen -- snow before. Amazing.

BLUE
Reminds me of home.

CARRIE
Looks like you got yourself a
White Christmas.
(beat)
Listen, I gotta warn you.
My family is kinda -- strange.

BLUE
Who’s isn’t?

CARRIE
Point well taken.

They get out of the car.
SLAM the doors.

CARRIE
We’re just gonna stay for a sec.
When Bernie gets here,
we’ll get that cuff off you,
then we can --

BERNIE
Pulls up the driveway.

CARRIE
(sees him)
Cue the fuzz.

Bernie gets out of his car.
Walks over. Huddles in his coat.

BERNIE
You owe me one, BIG TIME.
(looks up)
What’s up with the fucking SNOW?
(looks at Blue)
So this is -- ?

CARRIE
My CLIENT, Bernie.
Blue Wonder, Bernie Keko.
Bernie, Blue.

BERNIE
'Blue Wonder?' Sounds like --

CARRIE
CAN IT, Bernie.

BLUE
My parents were hippies.

CARRIE
And her sister was murdered.
So can we get this over with?
I’m fucking freezing.

BERNIE
Lead on, MacDuff --

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Lady Macbeth



Hey there, crime kids. Happy holi-daze. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 13 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, just as private eye Carrie Love's mother Margo starts recovering from her stroke -- and is enjoying her meds -- her dead husband's second wife Eva arrives on the scene to try and take control, making for quite the tricky Christmas Eve ...


INT. MARGO’S MANSION - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A hospital bed has been set up in a corner of the room.
Margo lies on it with an IV tube in her arm.

The private nurse, LAYLA (25),
a lovely HISPANIC GIRL, adjusts the dosage.

MARGO
Do I really have to wear
this fucking thing in my arm?

LAYLA
It’s a sedative. It’ll calm you down.
Most people like it.

MARGO
What about food? Nutrients?

LAYLA
You’re not a vegetable.
You can still eat.

MARGO
Seth, could you go make me a sandwich?

SETH
Leans against the fireplace.
Wearily looks at his mother.

SETH
When I had dinner an hour ago
you said you weren’t hungry.

MARGO
You know I hate pizza.
I’d like turkey on wheat with mustard.
And bring me a fresh cocktail.

LAYLA
I’m sorry -- no alcohol.

MARGO
Not even a beer?

LAYLA
NO ALCOHOL.
(adjusts the drip)
How about this?

Margo’s eyes glaze over.

MARGO
Oooh. That’s -- nice.

Seth rolls his eyes.
Starts off for the kitchen.

The doorbell RINGS.

MARGO
Shit. It’s Lady Macbeth.
Somebody go get my rifle.

The doorbell RINGS again.

LAYLA
I’ll get it.

MARGO
No. Don’t let her in.

LAYLA
But that’s rude.

MARGO
Now you’re catching on.

Seth comes back in from the kitchen.
Hands Margo a sandwich on a plate
and a glass of milk.

SETH
I’ll get it. Chew slowly, Mom.
(under his breath)
Wouldn’t want you to choke.

MARGO
(to Layla)
I assume MILK is okay?

Seth goes to the door. Opens it.

In walks EVA LOVE (40),
Carrie’s father’s second wife.

Blonde. Blue-eyed. Aryan. Curvy. No-nonsense.
A bit formal in a designer suit.
With a clipped German accent to match.

She rolls in her suitcase.
Rushes to Margo’s bed.

EVA
Margo, how are you feeling?
Are you alright?
Seth called me at the airport.
My heavens, all this tragedy in one family.
Poor Tad. He was such a bright young man.
And on the holidays. Tsk-tsk.

MARGO
Get the fuck out of my face, you witch.
(looks at the bag)
Back from another trip, I see.
Must be nice to travel so much.

EVA
I was closing up my apartment in Berlin.

MARGO
Oh dear, then I guess you had
to let the stormtroopers go.

Pause.

EVA
Seth. It’s so good to see you again.
My, you’re looking more and more
like your father every day.

SETH
Hi, Eva. Thanks for coming.
We’re so glad you could make it.

MARGO
(to Layla)
Everyone says he looks more like me.

An uncomfortable silence.

SETH
So, uh -- Carrie should be here any minute.

EVA
Splendid. It will be nice to see her, too.

MARGO
You talked to CARRIE?
She didn’t return MY call.

SETH
She’s working on a case, Mom.
You can’t exactly check your messages
when you’re rescuing someone from the bad guys.

LAYLA
Is she -- a cop?

SETH
She used to be.
Now she’s a private detective.

MARGO
After she was kicked off the force.

Pause.

EVA
Perhaps I should make some coffee.
How about it? Maybe with some brandy in it?

SETH
Sure. Great.

LAYLA
I’ll come help.

PUSH IN ON Margo.
She raises her arm with the IV drip.

MARGO
I’ll stick with what I’m having --

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Axis Of Evil



Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 12 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, as private eye Carrie Love and her client Blue Wonder make their getaway, Tolly Chill and his goons track where they are from the electronic ankle cuff they put on Blue, so Carrie calls her ex-partner/ex-husband, homicide detective Bernie Keko, who is NOT pleased that she's interrupting his football game ...


INT. GERO’S MANSION - STUDY - NIGHT
Tolly and Gero stand in the studio.
Tolly’s holding a hand-held GPS tracking device.
He looks at it. Squinting.

TOLLY
She hasn’t gotten that far.

GERO
Fucking IDIOT.
How could you let her get away?

TOLLY
She was fucking tied up, Pop.
Bound and gagged, the whole deal.
(beat)
I KNOW how to immobilize a hostage --

A KNOCK at the door.

GERO
Who the FUCK is it?

PORKPIE (O.C.)
It’s me, boss.

GERO
Get your ass IN HERE.

The door opens. In walks Porkpie.

PORKPIE
Still can’t find her, sir.

TOLLY
That fucking detective helped her escape.
I know it. She followed me from the club.
Fucking bitch dissed me. I’ll show her.

GERO
You let a PRIVATE DICK follow you here?
You IDIOT. Get your stupid ass OUTTA HERE
and go GET ‘EM. Take Porkpie,
and bring Aldo and Mick.

TOLLY
I’m on my way.
(to Porkpie)
Come on.

He goes to the door.

GERO
God help me, if you don’t get both of them,
there’s gonna be HELL to pay.

INT. CARRIE’S OLDS - MOVING - AT THAT MOMENT
Carrie drives like a maniac.
She runs a red light. Cars HONK.

BLUE
Do you have to drive so FAST?

CARRIE
I’m sorry, but my brother
was killed in a hit and run,
my mother had a stroke,
and my stepmother is on her way to visit --
and in my family, that’s the Axis of Evil.

BLUE
Holy shit. I’m -- sorry.
(beat)
So we’re -- going over there?

CARRIE
I’m sorry, but I have to. Just for a sec.
We still gotta figure out what to do
about that ankle cuff.
That greasy chucklehead is
gonna be on our tail pretty soon.

BLUE
You don’t know how to get it off?

CARRIE
I wish I did, but I never --
(beat)
WAIT a minute.
(grabs her cell, dials a number)
Bernie. It’s me.

INTERCUT WITH:

EXT. BAY STREET - BUNGALOW - NIGHT
A few blocks from the beach in Santa Monica.
On a leafy street, a Craftsman bungalow
divided into apartments.

INT. BERNIE’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Clean, but spare. A MAN sits watching
a football game on the TV in a tiny living room.

Meet BERNIE KEKO (40’s), Carrie’s ex-partner.
And ex-husband. Rugged good looks.

A bit gone to seed. But still a player.
He cradles the phone under his chin.
Reaches for some popcorn.

BERNIE
I can’t talk right now, Carrie.
I’m watching the game.
(at the TV)
Go, GO, GO!

CARRIE
It’s an emergency.

BERNIE
Did someone DIE?
(at the TV)
C’mon ref, FOUL.

CARRIE
Yeah. My brother died,
my mother had a stroke, and --

BERNIE
I’m really sorry, but what does
that have to do with me?
As you might remember, we’re DIVORCED --
and it’s CHRISTMAS EVE.
(watches the TV)
GODDAMMIT.

CARRIE
Bernie, listen to me --
I wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t an emergency.
I’ve got a client with me that was just KIDNAPPED,
and now that I’ve RESCUED her,
I’d like to take off the
electronic ankle cuff the bad guys put on her.
(beat)
She’s twenty years old, Bernie.
She’s a kid. And she’s scared shitless.
Can you help me or not?
I’ve gotta visit the family,
and I’d rather not have a bunch of
white slave traffickers follow me there.

BERNIE
Never a dull moment when you’re around --
(beat)
What model is it?

CARRIE
Hold on --
(to Blue)
The cuff.
Can you see who the manufacturer is?

Blue puts her foot up on the seat. Looks.

BLUE
It says -- 'Hawk.'

CARRIE
(to Bernie)
It’s a Hawk.
Does the department use that?

BERNIE
Hell if I know.
Just cut the fucker off.
Use some tin snips or something.
(at the TV)
SCORE!

CARRIE
Do you have tin snips?

BERNIE
I do, but --

CARRIE
BERNIE.

BERNIE
Goddamit, Carrie.

CARRIE
I know. I know. I owe you one.

BERNIE
You owe me FIVE.

CARRIE
I’ll never bother you again. Promise.

PUSH IN ON Bernie. Royally pissed. He sighs.

BERNIE
What’s the address?

Monday, December 19, 2011

Lesbo Action



Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 11 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, it's Christmas Eve, and private eye Carrie Love and her client Blue Wonder escape from the Hollywood Hills mansion where Blue was held hostage, but just as they make their getaway, Carrie gets a call from her brother Seth, who tells her their mother Margo just had a stroke ...


EXT. GERO'S MANSION - SIDE YARD - NIGHT
The girls walk toward the front of the house.
Carrie peers around the corner. Sees --

THE LARGE GOONS
Walking right toward her.
She slips back around the corner.
Takes Blue’s hand.

CARRIE
Someone’s coming.
Pretend you’re drunk.

And she GRABS Blue.
Starts making out with her.

BLUE
What are you --

CARRIE
Shhh.

Italian and Irish walk around the corner.

ITALIAN GOON
Fuck you, Mick.
She’s got the hots for me,
and you know it.

MICK
Yeah, right, Aldo.
Keep living in your little dreamworld.
She was makin’ eyes at ME.

They see Carrie and Blue.

MICK
Whoah. Lesbo action.

ALDO
Fucking HOT.

They walk by, eyeing the girls.

MICK
Way to go, LADIES.

ALDO
Can I join in?

Mick and Aldo snicker,
continue down around the house.

Carrie pulls away. Watches them go.
Lets go of Blue.

CARRIE
Sorry about that.
Hope I didn’t scare you.

BLUE
No -- not at all. That was --
(beat)
Kinda -- nice.

CARRIE
Remember, I’m like a sister.
(looks around)
C’mon, let’s blow this
white slavery stand.
Follow me.

EXT. BEVERLY HILLS MANSION - NIGHT - AT THAT MOMENT
A giant Tudor monstrosity on an acre
of land off Sunset Boulevard.

A long driveway behind a gated entrance.
Giant trees in the yard lit with tasteful white lights.

INT. MANSION - STUDY - CONTINUOUS
An ANGRY-LOOKING WOMAN (50’s) paces back and forth
in front a roaring fire.

Pert, classic WASP good looks, very Ralph Lauren.
She clutches a glass of scotch on the rocks.

Meet MARGO LOVE, Carrie’s mother.
Right now she’s three sheets to the wind.
And wracked with pain.

MARGO
(to someone offscreen)
I called her a couple of HOURS ago.
Where the hell IS SHE? It’s CHRISTMAS EVE.

MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Maybe the batteries died on her cell.
She’ll call, don’t worry.

Reveal SETH LOVE (20), Carrie’s sibling.
Last brother standing. Intense good looks.
Tori Amos T-shirt.

Holds a bottle of something imported.
He takes a swig.

MARGO
And that bitch EVA is on her way over.

SETH
She just wants to help, Mom.
It’s the holidays.

MARGO
Yeah, right. She HELPED herself
to half of your father’s money.
(drains her drink)
And what did I GET? A PITTANCE.
A mere PITTANCE.

She THROWS the glass in the fireplace.
It SHATTERS.

SETH
Calm down, Mom.
You know what the doctor said.

MARGO
That quack can go FUCK himself.
And that BITCH isn’t stepping
ONE FOOT in this house.
She’s a conniving SACK OF SHIT.

She clutches her chest.
Her face turns red.

She starts GAGGING. Hits the floor.
THWUMP. Starts having a stroke.

Seth RACES to her aid. Holds her hand.

SETH
Hold on, Mom -- HOLD ON.

He WHIPS OUT his cell phone.
Furiously PUNCHES 911.

INT. CARRIE’S OLDS - MOVING - NIGHT
Carrie drives the car down Laurel Canyon
into Beverly Hills.

CARRIE
I’ve got some -- bad news.

BLUE
What? You found out who --

CARRIE
Yeah.
(beat)
Tolly Chill killed your sister.

BLUE
How do you know THAT?

CARRIE
I overheard him talking
to his father about it --
in the room you were in.
(looks at her)
He recognized you right away.

BLUE
Then why did he take me to a PARTY?

CARRIE
He was planning on --
having some fun with you,
then killing you.

Blue looks out the window.
A tear streams down her cheek.

BLUE
I guess I’m not in Kansas anymore.

CARRIE
(looks in the mirror)
Welcome to the big, bad city.
(beat)
The question is, where do we go?
We can’t go back to my place,
because I gave Goombah Tolly my card.
(looks at her)
Where are you staying?

BLUE
At a motel near the club.
The International.

CARRIE
Scratch that.
They’ll check all the hotels and motels.
DEEP pockets.

Carrie’s phone RINGS.
She answers it.

CARRIE
Love here.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. MANSION - STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Seth paces back and forth.
Watches an EMS team tend to Margo.
A PRIVATE NURSE stands by, watching.

SETH
Carrie, it’s Seth.

CARRIE
Hey, little brother.
Listen, I’m sorry.
I just got Mom’s message --

SETH
Don’t worry about that.
It’s Mom. She had a stroke --

CARRIE
Mom had A STROKE?

SETH
She’s okay. It was a mild one.
EMS is here now.
They say she’s okay.
We’ve got a private nurse,
and they’re gonna set Mom up
here in the den.

CARRIE
She’s not going to the HOSPITAL?

SETH
You know Mom hates hospitals.

CARRIE
Don’t remind me.
I’ll never forget having to
stitch up her forehead that time --

SETH
Can you come over?
I’m a little freaked out.
Eva’s coming over,
and I’m afraid her head
is gonna explode.
You’re the only one that can --
you know, calm her down.

CARRIE
I’m on my way.
(looks at Blue)
I gotta warn you.
I’ve got company.

SETH
Work or play?

CARRIE
Strictly work.

SETH
Cool. Is she hot?

Friday, December 16, 2011

Thinking With Your Dick



Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. Are you ready for the weak-end? Then it's time to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 10 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, private eye Carrie Love finally finds her client, Blue Wonder, tied up and drugged in a private room in Tolly's mansion ... and while the guests are mingling outside on the patio, she revives her so they can make their escape ...


EXT. TOLLY'S MANSION - BACK PATIO - NIGHT
The auction is over. The patio is overflowing
with guests mingling and smoking.

Carrie comes up the steps from the yard.
Stops. Looks around.

Heads toward the entrance into the house.
Two MEN IN DASHIKIS watch her.

AFRICAN PRINCE
Now THAT is a fine specimen.
A meal fit for a king.

AFRICAN DIPLOMAT
'the other white meat.'

They look at each other. Chuckle.
Carrie nears the doorway.
Sees Tolly. Turns her head.

CARRIE
Shit.

And hurries inside.

INT. MANSION - REAR LOUNGE AREA - CONTINUOUS
Carrie walks down the corridor she was chased down earlier.
Gets to the door that Blue ran into. Looks around. Nobody.

She puts her ear against the wood.
listens. Takes out a lock pick. Works it.
The door POPS open. She slips in.

INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
All lights out. Carrie tip-toes in the darkness.
She finds a lamp on the desk. CLICKS it on.
Sees Blue. Passed out in the chair. Head to the side.

CARRIE
BLUE.

She races over. Checks her pulse.

CARRIE
Thank god.

The doorknob CLICKS.

CARRIE
Shit.

She dashes over.
CLICKS off the light.

Hides under the desk.
The door OPENS.

In walks Tolly and Gero.
The light CLICKS on.

TOLLY
See? I told you. She’s safe.

GERO
You fucking idiot.
What the fuck were you thinking,
bringing her HERE? Shit-head.
Always thinking with your dick.
(stares at Blue)
Wait a minute.
She’s the other dame’s sister, ISN’T she?
The one we had to whack.
The one that worked at the club.

TOLLY
Of course not.
You think I’m THAT stupid?

GERO
Yeah, I DO.
What were you planning to do with her?

TOLLY
Uh, I was gonna fuck her -- then whack her.

GERO
Well, there’s nothing wrong with that,
but you brought her HERE, to my HOME.

TOLLY
I didn’t wanna miss the party.
I was gonna do her afterwards --
and then take her somewhere and DO her.

GERO
Jesus fucking Christ on a stick.
(sighs)
Well, what’s done is done.
We’ll keep her here until the party’s over.
And then you whack her WITHOUT fucking her.
Got it?

TOLLY
Got it. I’m sorry, Pop. I fucked up.
Please forgive me.

GERO
Fuck it. It’s Christmas.
Let’s go join our guests.
I could really use a drink.

Tolly shuts off the light. They leave.
The door CLICKS shut.

Carrie emerges from under the desk.
She goes to Blue.

Unties her wrists, her feet.
Sees the ankle cuff.

CARRIE
She’s under house arrest.

Takes off the blindfold.
The gag. Sees she’s out cold.

She SLAPS Blue on the cheek.
Nothing. AGAIN. Still nothing.

CARRIE
Shit.

Carrie looks around the room.
Sees a coffee machine.

She races over. Fills a cup with java.
She forces a cup down Blue’s throat.
Then another. Nothing. Gets an idea.

She goes to the sink.
Fills a pitcher of water.
Carries it over to Blue --

And THROWS it on her face.
DRENCHING her. Blue stirs.

CARRIE
NOW we’re talking.
(SLAPS her)
BLUE. Wake up. It’s ME, Carrie.

Blue opens her eyes. Groggy.

BLUE
Carrie?

CARRIE
C’mon. You gotta get up.
We gotta get you outta here.

BLUE
I’m -- all wet.

CARRIE
Sorry about that.

She LIFTS Blue up onto her feet.

BLUE
There were -- these men. They --

CARRIE
I know. Shhh. Save your strength.

Carrie pulls Blue toward the door.
Leans her up against the wall.
Slowly opens it. Peers out.

IN THE CORRIDOR
We see one of the GOONS standing guard.

IN THE STUDY
Carrie shuts the door.

CARRIE
We’re gonna have to go out the window.

BLUE
You got any coffee?

Carrie pours her another cup.
Blue drinks it.

Carrie goes to the window.
Tries to PUSH it up.
But it won’t budge.

CARRIE
Shit.

BLUE
Maybe it’s locked.
Check the -- doohickey thing on top.

CARRIE
Smart ass.

She CLICKS it open.
Blue drains her cup. Smiles.

BLUE
My sister and I used to
sneak out of the house all the time.
(beat)
Why are you dressed like that?

CARRIE
Long story. Tell you later.
Let’s get the fuck outta here.

Carrie climbs out the window.
Followed by Blue.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Always A Bridesmaid



Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 9 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, white slave trafficker Tolly's goons have captured Blue Wonder, who's now been tied up and sedated. Meanwhile, private eye Carrie Love changes clothes with a passed-out party girl in the pool cabana, and infiltrates the party to try and find Blue ...


EXT. TOLLY'S ESTATE - BACK YARD - NIGHT
A gorgeous, Olympic-sized pool lit from underneath.
Jutting out into the sky.

A row of cabanas sit at one end,
facing the view.

One of them has the curtains drawn.
Light spilling out.

Carrie approaches the cabana.
Carefully peers in.

A GOATEED HIPSTER lies next to a
GORGEOUS STARLET on a chaise.
She’s very drunk. Pushing him away.

GORGEOUS STARLET
I said NO, Josh.
I don’t feel so good.

JOSH
You’ve been coming on
to me all night.
(hands her a cocktail)
C’mon. Have another sip.
You’ll feel better.

GORGEOUS STARLET
NO MORE. I’ve had -- too much.

He smiles. Starts pulling up
the hemline of her minidress.

JOSH
C’mon, you know you want it.

GORGEOUS STARLET
NO, stop it -- I said NO.

CARRIE
The woman said NO.

He turns to look.
Carrie DASHES over.

Grabs him by the arm.
YANKS him off her.
He gets up. Livid. Weaving.

JOSH
Fucking bitch.
Mind your own business.
(assumes fighting stance)
Prepare to DIE.

CARRIE
You wanna fight?

She PUNCHES him the jaw, BANG.
He hits the ground, THWUMP.

CARRIE
Boom, boom, boom --
out go the lights.
(looks at the woman)
You okay?
The woman smiles at him.
Her eyes say ‘thank you.’

She passes out.
Carrie takes off her jacket.

INT. MANSION - STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Blue sits in a chair.
Blindfolded. Gagged.

Wrists and feet tied.
Wearing an electronic ankle cuff.

Porkpie sits in a chair
across the room, smoking.
Watching her.

His cell RINGS.
He answers it.

PORKPIE
Hey, boss. I got the girl.
She’s with me.
(low)
She tried to split.
I had to --

INTERCUT WITH:

TOLLY
Outside on the patio.
Searching for Carrie.

TOLLY
Good. Keep her there.
And don’t tell anyone,
not even my father.

PORKPIE
Okay, but --

TOLLY
Shut up and listen to me.
There was a private detective
at the club tonight,
and she followed us here.
I almost had her,
but she got away.
We gotta find her.
I think she’s onto us.

PORKPIE
You want me to stay here
with the girl?

TOLLY
No, I need you to help me look.
Make sure she’s restrained,
and give her something
to sleep for awhile.
We’ll deal with her later.

PORKPIE
Gotcha.

TOLLY
We’re out here in the back.
I need you and a couple of men
to check out the pool area. Got it?

PORKPIE
I’m on top of it, chief.

He hangs up.
Takes a syringe out of his pocket.

Walks over to Blue.
Looks at her fondly.

PORKPIE
This won’t hurt a bit --

EXT. POOL AREA - CABANA - AT THAT MOMENT
Carrie leaves the cabana,
now dressed in the drunk girl’s minidress.

Her hair is up,
and she’s put on some makeup.

She ‘cleans up’ nicely.
She starts walking toward the party.

CARRIE
Always a bridesmaid --

Porkpie and another GOON walk by.
They give her the eye.

TALL GOON
Check out the gams on that one.

PORKPIE
Down, boy. We gotta filly to find.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Smooth Criminal



Hey there, crime kids. Happy Wednesday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 8 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, Blue Wonder escapes from Tolly's goons, only to be chased by them agaain, captured and knocked out. Meanwhile, private eye Carrie Love, disguised as a caterer, tries to rescue her ...


INT. TOLLY'S MANSION - BALLROOM - NIGHT
Tolly watches the auction.
Looks at his watch.

IN THE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM
Porkpie stands, waiting.
The door OPENS. Out comes Blue.

She sees him. Gets scared.
Starts RUNNING down the hall.
BUMPING into people.

He TAKES OFF after her.

BLUE
Opens a door half-way down the corridor.
DASHES in.

PORKPIE
Follows. SLAMS the door shut.

DOWN THE CORRIDOR
Stands Carrie. Watching.
She RACES toward the door.

SNOOTY CATERER (O.C.)
And where do you think YOU’RE going?

Reveal Snooty. Hands on hips. Livid.

CARRIE
I was -- going to take a break.

SNOOTY CATERER
A break? Who said you could take a BREAK?

INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
A home office. Blinds drawn. Dark and quiet.
Soundproofed. Blue cowers in the corner.
Porkpie locks the door.

BLUE
Please don’t hurt me.

PORKPIE
(walks toward her)
Don’t be silly. Tolly couldn’t find you.
He got worried.
(smiles)
C’mon. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

Blue GRABS a lamp.
Raises it like a club.


BLUE
Stay AWAY from me.

Porkpie GRABS it with a meaty paw.
Shakes his head. Grins.

PORKPIE
Feisty little thing, aren’t you?

She makes a fist. Tries to HIT him.
He GRABS it. SQUEEZES.

BLUE
OW.

He pulls a rag out of his pocket.
SHOVES it in her face.

She goes LIMP. HITS the floor, THUD.
Porkpie shakes his head.

Pulls out his cell phone.
Punches in a number. Listens.

PORKPIE
It’s me, boss.
(beat)
Yeah, I found her.
She was trying to split.
(beat)
In the study.

IN THE CORRIDOR
Snooty gets in Carrie’s face.

SNOOTY CATERER
Oh YEAH?

CARRIE
Yeah, I QUIT. Whaddaya think of that?

SNOOTY CATERER
I think you’re stupid.
If you quit, you won’t get paid.
Now get your ass in the kitchen
and get another plate.

TOLLY

Appears. Walking quickly toward them.
He sees Carrie. Stops.

TOLLY
YOU.

CARRIE
(sees him, to Snooty)
Shove it up your ASS.

And she SPRINTS off
in the opposite direction.

TOLLY
STOP THAT WOMAN.

Carrie gets to the end of the corridor,
DARTS to the left.

TOLLY
Takes off after her.

CARRIE
Gets to a set of double doors,
BANGS through them into --

THE KITCHEN
A madhouse of COOKS, BUTLERS, CATERERS.

Carrie RUNS through.
Everybody JUMPS back.

Tolly BURSTS in.
Looks around. Stops.

FAT COOK
(points)
She went that way.

He NODS, takes off after her.

EXT. MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Carrie SLAMS out the back door.
RACES over to a row of cars
in the staff parking lot.
DIVES behind a old Toyota.

Tolly RACES outside. Stops.
Looks around. WHIPS out his cell.

TOLLY
We’ve had a security breach.
I need every available man in the back.
Subject is female, dark haired,
dressed like a caterer.
(listens)
Tall, big boobs --
(listens)
Just get your asses OUT HERE.

Tolly looks around.
Walks over to the cars.

CARRIE
Hears his footsteps.
Crawls over to the next car over.

TOLLY
DASHES to the end.
TURNS the corner. Looks.

CARRIE
Scuttles across the cement between two cars.
ROLLS under the Toyota. Listens.
Tolly’s footsteps get nearer.

TOLLY (O.C.)
I know you’re out here.
(pulls out his gun)
I’m not gonna hurt you.
I just wanna talk to you.

Carrie takes off a shoe.
WHIPS it to the side.
It HITS a garbage can with a BANG.

TOLLY
Turns at the sound.
RACES over to the trash cans.

TOLLY
Come out, come out,
wherever you are.

TWO GOONS
Come out the back door.
Tolly sees them. They trot over.

ITALIAN GOON
Hey, boss.

IRISH GOON
You find her?

TOLLY
Jesus fucking Christ.
Took you long enough.

He puts a finger to his mouth.
Shhhh. Nods at the cans.

KICKS one over.
LEAPS into the gap. Nothing.

TOLLY
GODDAMMIT.

CARRIE
Rolls out from under the car.
Takes off her other shoe.

WINGS it in the other direction.
It hits a tree with a CRACK.

TOLLY
Hears it.

TOLLY
THIS WAY, c’mon --

And they RACE OFF.

CARRIE
Slowly gets up.
Peers over the roof of the car.
Watches them.

Then starts walking
in the opposite direction.

CARRIE
Smooth Criminal.
(beat)
Not.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Coked To The Gills



Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 7 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, Blue Wonder realizes that the 'charity auction' at the Christmas party in the Hollywood hill is actually a cover for selling girls into slavery. She freaks out, and runs to the ladies' room to hide. Meanwhile, private eye Carrie Love searches for her ...


INT. MANSION - BALLROOM - NIGHT
A MAN IN A TUXEDO stands on a small platform behind a podium.
He leans into the microphone. BANGS a small gavel.

AUCTIONEER
Ladies and gentlemen.
Your attention, please.
It is time for the auction to begin.

TOLLY
Takes Blue’s hand.

TOLLY
Follow me, my love.

He pulls her toward the front.
Gero turns to an ASSOCIATE.

GERO
She looks a lot like that other girl he was dating,
don’tcha think? The one that -- disappeared?

ACROSS THE ROOM
We see Carrie. Dressed as a caterer,
holding a tray of drinks.
She scans the room. Looking for Blue.

ON THE STAGE
The auctioneer addresses the crowd,
now gathered in front of the stage.

A YOUNG GIRL (16) stands next to him,
elegant in Chanel. Simply beautiful.
Coiffed to perfection.

If you look really carefully,
you’ll recognize her as one of the
hostages we saw earlier in the plane.

CLOSE ON
The girl. Her eyes bright with frightened tears.

TUXEDO
Smiles. Takes her hand. Raises her arm.

AUCTIONEER
Ladies and gentlemen, I’m pleased to
introduce you to Elena Markova from Romania.
You will be bidding on having the opportunity
to have dinner with her at Le Cirque,
followed by an evening at the opera.
And please don’t be shy about your bidding --
remember, all proceeds from this auction
are going to charity. So let’s get out
those checkbooks and give, in the holiday spirit.

GERO
Nudges Swarthy. Chuckles.

GERO
Yeah. To me.

BLUE
Watches with Tolly. Curious.
Something’s a little -- off.
Maybe Carrie was right about him.

ELENA
Stands next to the auctioneer.
A tear runs down her cheek.

THE AUCTIONEER
Beams.

AUCTIONEER
The bidding will start at fifty-thousand dollars.
(BANGS the gavel)
Do I hear fifty-thousand dollars?

BLUE
Turns to Tolly.

BLUE
I need to go to the ladies’ room.

TOLLY
Certainly.
(points)
You remember the way we came in?
The ladies is to the left.

BLUE
Okay, thanks.

She hurries off.

CARRIE
Sees her. Starts following, carefully. Slowly.

BLUE
Moves through the crowd.
Makes her way to the front.

Decides to go outside.
Approaches the front door.

TWO MUSCLED GUARDS in uniform
with weapons stand sentry.
Blue smiles. Tries to move past them.

BLUE
Excuse me --

STRANGE-LOOKING MUSCLED GUARD
I’m sorry, Miss. No entrance
or exit until after the auction.

UGLY MUSCLED GUARD
Paparazzi. You know.

Blue stares at them. Startled.
Something is wrong here.

BLUE
Oh. Okay.
(beat)
Where is the -- ladies’ room?

STRANGE-LOOKING MUSCLED GUARD
(points)
Over that way. Second door on the left.

BLUE
Thanks.

She dashes off.
Ugly pulls out a walkie-talkie.

UGLY MUSCLED GUARD
Boss. Your dame.
She’s getting antsy. Tried to split.
(listens)
She went to the head.
(listens)
You got it.

He motions to someone.
Another GOON approaches.

We recognize him from the airport.
It’s Porkpie Hat.

PORKPIE HAT GOON
What’s up.

UGLY MUSCLED GUARD
Porkpie. Boss’ date tried to split.
She’s in the head. Go get her
and bring her back to him.

PORKPIE
Got it.

He moves toward the ladies’ room.

AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE
Carrie searches for Blue. Can’t find her.

IN THE BATHROOM
Blue goes into a stall. Closes the door.

Two EUROTRASH PLAYGIRLS walk in.
Go to the mirror. Start fixing their faces.
Chattering excitedly. Coked to the gills.

BLONDE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
Gero going to clean up tonight.
Four fresh, young virgins?
Right off boat? Hello? Is perfect gift.

BRUNETTE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
I was going to buy one, but Vlad said 'no.'
They might have disease.

She pulls out a coke snifter.
HONKS a bump. Passes it Blonde.

BLONDE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
(takes it, SNORTS)
I told you. Get girl from Thailand.
Much cheaper. And orientals are more -- obedient.

BRUNETTE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
Obedient?

BLONDE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
Three inputs. No waiting.

They look at each other.
Erupt into MAD LAUGHTER.

IN THE STALL
Blue sits. Listening. HORRIFIED.
She stands. Adjusts her top.
PUSHES the door open --

And goes to the sink. Grabs a towel.
Tries to dry her eyes.

BLONDE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
Oh, honey. What is wrong? Husband got outbid?

BLUE
That girl, on the stage -- was being SOLD.

BRUNETTE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
But of course. You not know what party this is?

BLONDE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
Do not feel bad. These girls are orphans.
No one love them. This way,
they get to have nice home. Money.
(gestures)
They will have EVERYTHING.

BLUE
But she wasn’t more than -- sixteen.
She’s a CHILD.

BRUNETTE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
So vat? I didn’t get out of Latvia
until I was twenty. She is LUCKY.

BLUE
You’re CRAZY. You’re -- SICK.
This is DISGUSTING.

Blue LURCHES. Doesn’t feel good.
RETCHES in the sink.
Blonde and Brunette LEAP BACK.

BLONDE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
Disgusting AMERICAN.

BRUNETTE EUROTRASH PLAYGIRL
Cannot hold LIQUOR.

And they dash out. Clucking. Snickering.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Deck The Fucking Halls



Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 6 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, strip club owner Tolly Chill takes Blue Wonder to a swanky Christmas party in the Hollywood filled with celebrities. Meanwhile, private eye Carrie Love goes undercover as a caterer to keep an eye on her ...


EXT. LAUREL CANYON - MANSION - NIGHT
A swingin’ jazz version
of some Christmas tune over --

A futuristic mansion at the top of Laurel Canyon.
A pool to the side of the joint juts
out on stilts into the sky.

The skyline glitters down below.
Clear. Crisp. Gorgeous.

A big party is in full-swing.
The landscape is dotted with
GUESTS milling about.

Music plays on hidden loudspeakers.
Festive holiday decorations abound.
Christmas in Hollywood.

IN THE FRONT
The super-stretch pulls up to the VALETS.

One of them opens the door.
Tolly and Blue step out.

BLUE
This is -- amazing.

TOLLY
Welcome to paradise, baby.
Hot and cold running pleasure.
Deck the fucking halls.
(beat)
Excuse my French --

DOWN THE STREET
Carrie parks the Olds.
Gets out. Starts walking.

INT. MANSION - BALLROOM - NIGHT
A groovy world beat throbs over --

A cavernous space, art-directed to death.
Glossy, outre environs.

The kinda joint you see in coffee table books.
Like the UN of swinging parties.

ROCK MUSICIANS, POLITICIANS, WEALTHY INDUSTRIALISTS,
HEDGE FUND HIPSTERS, PRO ATHLETES, FASHIONISTAS
mingle and chatter with cocktails.

Tolly leads Blue through the crowd, in a daze.
He stops in front of a group of guests in a small cluster.

TOLLY
Everybody, I’d like you to meet Blue.
She’s my honored guest this evening.
Ripe for the picking,
and available to the highest bidder.
Talk about a 'stocking stuffer.'
(off her look)
I’m KIDDING.

A bleached blonde ROCK STAR
looks her over. Smiles.

BLEACHED BLONDE ROCK STAR
Hey, babe. Maybe later on
we can shake our tail feathers.
Find some mistletoe.

BLUE
Ohmigod. I’m a -- big fan.

BLEACHED BLONDE ROCK STAR
That makes two of us.

EXT. MANSION - BACK YARD - AT THAT MOMENT
Carrie makes her way carefully through the foliage.
Emerges in the rear of the back yard.
Scopes out the crowd.

CARRIE
I don’t fit the dress code.
Sore thumb city.

A SNOOTY CATERER walks by
in a black and white uniform.
Carrie follows him. Calls out.

CARRIE
Hey. The boss sent me.
Said you needed more people.

Snooty turns around.
Looks at Carrie. Sniffs.

SNOOTY CATERER
Well, I see someone is getting less picky.

INT. MANSION - BALLROOM - AT THAT MOMENT
Tolly and Blue stand and talk to another group of people.
A great-looking PRO BASEBALL PLAYER flirts with Blue.

PRO BASEBALL PLAYER
Milk-fed -- from the Midwest?

BLUE
Chicago suburbs, yes --
how did you know?

PRO BASEBALL PLAYER
I’m from Milwaukee.
Can spot a free-range filly every time.

MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Even without performance-enhancing supplements?

Reveal GERO CHILLIOCA (60’s),
a short, barrel-chested guy.

Hair in a white pompadour.
Cigar. Suave. Sophisticated.

Criminal mastermind deluxe.
And Tolly’s father.

GERO
Tolly, there you are.
(sees Blue)
And what have we HERE?

TOLLY
I told you, pop.
Heaven sent us an angel.

GERO
(takes Blue’s hand)
Pleased to meet you, Miss Wonder.
Tolly’s told me alot about you.

BLUE
He has? He did? But we -- just met.

GERO
Ah, but great beauty travels fast --

Friday, December 9, 2011

One of The Good Guys



Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. Are you ready for the weak-end? Then it's time to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 5 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, private eye Carrie Love decides to follow strip club owner Tolly Chill, who's taking her new client Blue Wonder to a holiday party in the Hollywood Hills, as something about Tolly seems a bit 'off.' Then her mother calls to tell her know that her brother Tad was just killed in a car accident ...

EXT. FANTASY ISLAND STRIP CLUB - PARKING LOT - NIGHT
A black SUPER-STRETCH LIMO sits idling.

The DRIVER gets out.
Opens the rear door.
Stands at attention.

Nearby, Carrie sits in her
‘68 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 CONVERTIBLE.

Pulls out her cell phone.
Checks her voice mail.

CARRIE’S MOTHER (V.O.)
Carrie, it’s your mother --
(gasps)
Tad -- was in a -- car accident,
a drunk driver hit him -- he, he --
(beat)
He’s dead, Carrie.
Oh, my god -- he’s DEAD. On CHRISTMAS.
You have to come home, NOW.
Call me as soon as you
get this message, okay?
Call me, RIGHT AWAY.

CLICK.

CARRIE
Shit.

TOLLY AND BLUE
Walk toward the limo.
Get in. Driver closes the door.

CARRIE
Turns the key in the ignition.
The V8 engine ROARS.

CARRIE
You can choose your friends --

EXT. 10 FREEWAY - LIMO - MOVING - NIGHT
The super-stretch cruises east in the fast lane.

BEHIND THE LIMO
We see Carrie’s white whale tailing it,
two cars back.

ANGLE ON --
Carrie. Driving.
Cigarette dangling from her lip.

CARRIE (V.O.)
I had a funny feeling about Tolly Chill.
Something just wasn’t right.
So I decided to keep an
eye on Little Girl Blue.
I always feel protective
of youth and innocence.
Part of my code.
(beat)
I hadn’t spoken to my
brother Tad in eight years.
Little fucker was a right-wing,
born-again Christian.
Didn’t approve of my ‘lifestyle.’
That’s a good one, huh?
My YOUNGER BROTHER didn’t approve of --
(beat)
Sanctimonious little shit.
(beat)
My father and I had been
on the outs for a long time.
We finally reconciled --
right before he died.
Told me that while
we were in Splitsville,
he had made a fortune --
and that he was sorry,
but he had given all
his money to his new wife --
and my brothers Tad and Seth.
That it was an irrevocable trust,
and he couldn’t change it.
My mother and I were left out in the cold.
(beat)
I told him it didn’t matter.
It wasn’t about the money.
I was just glad to have him
back in my life.

Carrie FLICKS her cigarette
into the night.

CARRIE (V.O.)
Now, a few years later --
I gotta confess, it eats at me sometimes.
I’ve had to scratch and claw
to survive in the world,
while my brothers have
lived in the lap of luxury.
(beat)
They each got eight million.
My stepmother got fifteen.
And the house on the coast.
And the yacht.
The condo in the Bahamas --
(beat)
I’ll call her tomorrow.
Tell her my battery was dead.
Takes a little time
for me to fake grief.

Carrie pulls out a flask.
Takes a long pull.

CARRIE
What the fuck kinda name
is 'Tolly Chill' anyway?
Sure as hell isn’t
one of the good guys --

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Fast, Cheap And Out Of Control



Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 4 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, Blue reveals to Carrie that she's really at the strip club to investigate the murder of her sister who was a dancer there. Just when Carrie agrees to help her with the case, club manager Tolly Chill invites Blue to a 'special holiday party' in the Hollywood Hills ...


INT. FANTASY ISLAND STRIP CLUB - NIGHT
Blue sits at far end of the bar with Carrie.
She’s now wearing jeans and a belly shirt.
They sip bottles of beer.

BLUE
I’m so embarrassed.

CARRIE
Don’t be. You were great.
(beat)
Minor detail.

BLUE
But I fucking FELL.

CARRIE
Adds to your charm.
They’re gonna offer you a job.
Just you wait.

Pause.

BLUE
So -- you’re a private detective.

CARRIE
I am. But keep it under your hat.
I come here to do a Garbo.
(pulls out her card)
Here. Just in case --

BLUE
(takes it, reads)
'Fast, Cheap & Out of Control?'

CARRIE
Marketing gimmick.
(takes a swig)
And it gives Joe Average a hard-on.

BLUE
How much do you charge?

CARRIE
Too much.
(beat)
Are you in some kind of trouble?

BLUE
It’s -- about my sister.

CARRIE
Is she in trouble?

Pause.

BLUE
She -- died.

CARRIE
I’m sorry. What happened?

Blue looks around.
Makes sure no one is listening.

BLUE
They said she committed suicide.
But that’s not true.
She’d never do that. Never.
Jonna would NEVER do that. No way.
(looks again)
She was a dancer here.
Jonna was trying to make it as an actress,
said this was just temporary,
that the money was great,
the people were nice,
and that she was making
some great contacts.
(sips her beer)
She wrote me once a week.
Then the letters stopped.
My parents were contacted by the police,
they said she’d killed herself.
(angry)
But she DIDN’T. I KNOW she didn’t.
(hisses)
Someone KILLED her.

CARRIE
I’m -- sorry.
(beat)
I was wondering what a nice girl like you
was doing here on Christmas Eve.

BLUE
I’m on break from college.
My parents think I’m on campus studying.
They’re really upset with me.
(eyes tearing up)
I’m gonna find out who KILLED her.

Pause.

Carrie stares at her.

CARRIE
I’ll do it.

BLUE
But you said you were too expense --

CARRIE
I am. But I made a bundle on my last case.
Time for me to pay it forward.
You know, karma.
(smiles)
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap.
(beat)
Ho, ho, ho.

MALE VOICE (O.C.)
There she is. The lovely Miss Blue.

TOLLY CHILL
Appears before them. Suave.
Eyes crinkled with satisfaction.

BLUE
Oh, hi.

TOLLY
I’m Tolly. I run this joint.

BLUE
OH. Nice to meet you.
(beat)
I’m so embarrassed --

He raises her hand to his lips.
Kisses it. Smiles.

TOLLY
Nonsense. You were wonderful.
In fact, I’d like to offer you a job. Dancing.

CARRIE
See? What did I tell you?

TOLLY
(ignores Carrie, to Blue)
I’m going to a little holiday soirée
in the Hollywood Hills tonight --
and I’d love for you to accompany me.

BLUE
A party? In the Hollywood Hills?

TOLLY
Should be fun. Nice mix of people.
Movie stars, pro athletes, rock stars, politicians.
(smiles)
I’d be honored.

BLUE
Sure. I’d be honored.

TOLLY
Terrific. I have to go take care of
some business in the back office.
Stay here, have a drink on me,
and I’ll be back in a few minutes.

BLUE
Okay --

He bows. Turns, walks away. Carrie watches him.

BLUE
Holy SHIT. A party in the Hollywood Hills.

CARRIE
There’s something -- off about him.

BLUE
Don’t be silly. He’s cute.

CARRIE
Just be careful.

BLUE
He seems like a complete gentlemen.

CARRIE
Sure. All guys who run strip clubs
are 'complete gentlemen.'

BLUE
If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re jealous.

Pause.

CARRIE
If you’re going to hire my services,
you’re going to have to trust my judgment.
(off her stare)
Look. I’ve been around the block.
There’s a lot of sharks in this town
that can make a meal out of a gal like you.
Just be careful, okay? Keep your eyes open.

BLUE
Okay.

CARRIE
Okay. And don’t be afraid to call me
if anything gets -- weird.
Any time of the day or night.
Think of me like a big sister.

BLUE
I like that --

TOLLY
Appears. All smiles. Eyes flashing.

TOLLY
Are you ready to go?

BLUE
I need to go to the ladies room.
Be back in a sec.

She slides off her stool.
Grabs her purse. Heads for the loo.
Tolly and Carrie appraise each other.

TOLLY
(watches her)
Gorgeous girl.
(turns, looks at Carrie)
So what’s your story?

CARRIE
(hands him her card)
Carrie Love, PI. A friend.

TOLLY
(reads the card)
It’s nice to see the young lady has --
people watching out for her.
(weird smile)
Can’t be too careful these days.

PUSH IN Carrie. Finishing her drink.

CARRIE
Gotta watch out for those sharks.
(sips her beer)
Especially when you’re living in a fishbowl --

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Cock Of The Walk



Hey there, crime kids. Happy 'hump day.' It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 3 of LITTLE GIRL BLUE, wannabe-dancer Blue Wonder takes to the stage at the 'Christmas Eve amateur night contest' at the strip club. Meanwhile, at a nearby airport, a pair of Croatian thugs accept a 'holiday delivery' ... of underage girls ...


INT. FANTASY ISLAND STRIP CLUB - NIGHT

STANDING IN A DARK CORNER
Is TOLLY CHILL (27), dark-haired,
smouldering good looks.

The manager, and the owner’s son.
Cock of the walk.

TOLLY
(watching the stage)
Fresh off the boat.
(chuckles)
Catch of the day.

MUSIC
EXPLODES. The whip-cream,
pussycat chainsaw-snarl of
Groove Coverage’s 21ST CENTURY DIGITAL GIRL.

ONSTAGE
Blue GRABS the pole.
Wraps a long, lean thigh around it.
Moves to the music. She’s pretty good. Looks awesome.

And scared to death.
She closes her eyes.

The alcohol starts doing its trick.
She relaxes. Starts getting into it.
Starts singing along.

BLUE
'I got breast implants, paid for by my boyfriends --
I got a Botox injection under my skin --
I only play with sex, but I don't let them in --

And suddenly Blue’s ON FIRE. She WORKS it.
Undulates to the edge of the stage.
Dollar bills go FLYING.

A PIG-FACED SALESMAN
Licks his lips. Eyes big as saucers.

PIG-FACED SALESMAN
Yeah, honey -- GIVE IT UP.

BLUE
Twirls around.
Unhooks her halter top.
It FLIES off.

She grabs her breasts in her hands.
Starts flicking the nipples.

CARRIE
Watches from the bar.

CARRIE
She’s a natural.

BLUE
Goes to the pole. LEAPS UP,
GRABS it with her thighs.

Rides it like a horse.
KICKS a leg out --

And she SLIPS, FALLS, and
HITS the floor with a CRACK.

She lies motionless.
Then JUMPS UP and RUNS off the stage.

AT THE BAR
The bartender leans over to Carrie.
Shakes his head.

BARTENDER
Another one bites the dust.

CARRIE
You’re just jealous cause
you can’t have her.

BARTENDER
And you can?

CARRIE
Don’t look now,
but Dr. Phil down there
needs another Harvey Wallbanger.

EXT. SANTA MONICA AIRPORT - AT THAT MOMENT
A small PROPELLER AIRPLANE sits on the runway.
Like something out of an old movie.
Does this thing really FLY?

A van is parked nearby.
Two LARGE GOONS get out.
Walk over to the plane.

The TALLER GOON,
wearing shades and a porkpie hat,
pulls out his cell.
Punches a number.


PORKPIE HAT GOON
We’re here.
(listens)
Asshole. I told you to FEED them.

The airplane door opens.
Porkpie Hat looks at the SHORTER GOON,
who takes a sip from a flask.

PORKPIE HAT GOON
We might have three instead of four.

FLASK GOON
Long flight. No peanuts.

A ramp is lowered from the open doorway.
The goons walk up.

INSIDE THE PLANE
FOUR UNDERAGED ROMANIAN GIRLS (15-16)
sit huddled on the floor in chains.
One of them has vomited all over herself.

A SKINNY CROATIAN MAN (40’s) looks at them.
Shakes his head.

SKINNY CROATIAN MAN
Not my fault.
Boss said 'no more smack.'

PORKPIE HAT GOON
I’ve got a rag in the van.
C’mon, let’s move it.
Gotta big party tonight in the hills.
And Santa’s gotta deliver the presents --