Heavy Rotation

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 14 of SPIRAL, Andy and Dex hang out again with porn superstar Savannah in her Hollywood Hill mansion all night partying ... but when she shows them how to freebase cocaine, the party REALLY gets started ...


INT. SHANNON'S ESTATE - MASTER BATHROOM - NIGHT
Shannon and Andy sit on their bar stools
facing the bathroom mirror.

A large mound of coke sits on the
now familiar black lacquered tray.

The trio drink Stoli and O.J.
Over the action, nasty gangsta rap.

SHANNON
The director said I was incredible.
I can't wait to see it on MTV.

ANDY
Do you have the CD? Let's play it.

SHANNON
Yeah, but I don't want to hear it again.
I heard that fucking song a billion times today.

Shannon raises her glass.

SHANNON
To my new career!

Andy raises his. So does Dex.

ANDY
To heavy rotation!

DEX
To inebriation!

They CLINK glasses.

ANDY
You're gonna make it big, Shannon.
I'm so proud of you, so lucky
to have you in my life.

SHANNON
Aw, Andy. I love you.

They get emotional and hug.
Dex looks at the tray. It's empty.

DEX
I don't want to interrupt,
but it's time for a run.
Andy, we can go in my car.

SHANNON
Nobody's going anywhere.
I've got a little surprise
for you boys tonight.

Shannon pulls open a drawer
and pulls out a glass pipe.

SHANNON
It's time to move up to the big leagues.

Shannon pulls a bag from her jeans pocket
and dumps the contents into the tray.

ANDY
What's that?

DEX
It looks like blow.

SHANNON
It was blow, now it's freebase.
This is what separates the men from the boys.
Or, in this case, uh --

ANDY
What separates our legs.

DEX
Our brain cells.

Shannon GIGGLES.

SHANNON
You guys.
(beat)
Okay. Time for your lesson.
Pay attention to the teacher.

Shannon opens the cabinet below the sink
and pulls out a small acetylene torch.

SHANNON
First, you need a little fire power.

ANDY
Fuck.

DEX
Cool.

Andy and Dex are riveted.

Shannon spoons some freebase
into the bowl of the pipe.
She grabs the torch and expertly FIRES it.

SHANNON
First you gotta fry the fucker for a little bit.

Shannon directs the flame at the glass bowl.
Chemistry class.

ANDY
This is so cool.

Dex just nods. He sees Christ.

SHANNON
Just another second. Hold on --

Andy wrinkles his nose at the acrid odor.
They watch intently.

The freebase starts to bubble.
White smoke starts to fill the round bulb.

SHANNON
Okay -- as soon as it fills up --
you suck it in -- like the best fucking cock
you've ever sucked!

Shannon JAMS the pipe in her mouth and SUCKS.
The smoke FLIES up the stem through her lips.

She holds it in.
Her eyes start to BUG.

ANDY
Jesus Christ.

DEX
Shit.

Shannon's face starts turning red.
She's about to ERUPT.

ANDY
Go girl!

Suddenly, she lets the smoke
out with a HACK, then starts CHOKING.
She POUNDS on the counter with her fist.

SHANNON
Akk! Akk! Akk!
HACK, HACK, HACK, HACK, HACK!!!.... FUCK!

ANDY
Shit! Are you okay?

Andy hands Shannon her drink,
which she downs hungrily.

SHANNON
I'm... ah. HACK, HACK! Okay...
(pause)
I'm, HACK, ok-ay... Uh, hem!

She SPITS in the sink.

SHANNON
Whew.

ANDY
Wow.

Shannon closes her eyes,
rushing on the freebase.
She opens her eyes, looking possessed,
exhilarated, orgasmic.

Andy and Dex watch excitedly.
They both can't wait to try it.
Shannon throws her head back.

SHANNON
Fuck me.
(beat)
Lesson number one, boys.
You gotta choke.
It's no fucking good
unless you choke --