Thursday, April 30, 2015

Things That Go Bump In The Night


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 44 of SPIRAL, Andy, still haunted by the death of Savannah, sees her ghost late one night. Meanwhile, Cathy, his old friend from Playboy, is now a film producer, and is planning to make a movie about what happened ...


INT. ANDY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The digital clock on the nightstand reads "3:39."
Andy is fast asleep, dead to the world.

INT. ANDY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The lights are out.
A street lamp outside dimly
illuminates the room, casting long shadows.

Andy sits on the couch.
A wing chair across from him
faces the window.

In it, Shannon's blonde hair
in three-quarter profile.

ANDY
I wanna see you,
can't you turn around?

SHANNON
No, I don't look the same.
You won't recognize me.
I'm not so pretty anymore.

It sinks in. Andy is horrified.

ANDY
What, your face? The accident?
The-the gunshot wound?

SHANNON
You don't want to see me now.

ANDY
I do, Shannon, I wanna see you.
I don't care what you look like.
I love you, I miss you... I...

SHANNON
You sure had a funny way of showing it.

ANDY
That morning, I just thought
I was gonna die... I...

SHANNON
...You didn't have to.
I did it for you.

Andy JUMPS off the couch.

ANDY
What do you want from me?
I'm trying to say I'm sorry!
I never stopped loving you...
And now, every night I go to bed expecting...
this.
(pause)
Shit.

He COLLAPSES on the couch.

SHANNON
You think you can just apologize,
wave your magic fucking wand
and we're friends again?

ANDY
I don't know what else to do.

SHANNON
There IS something you can do.

INT. ANDY'S BEDROOM - DAWN
An alarm clock RINGS.
Andy BOLTS upright in bed.

CLOSE UP OF BOOK - DAY
A book cover that reads
"Screenwriting: The Writer's Journey."

The CAMERA pulls back to reveal
Cathy reading the book.

She's lying in the sun on her patio
wearing a bikini and shades,
stacks of reading material around her.

ANDY (V.O.)
Cathy had left Playboy
shortly after Shannon died.
She'd gotten sick of the politcs,
not to mention having to
watch all that porno.

She puts the book down,
gets up and walks toward the house.

INT. CATHY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
She walks over to a windowed alcove
overlooking the ocean.

A large table with a computer beckons.
Cathy sits and CLACKS away on the keyboard.

ANDY (V.O.)
She had lept into the void,
jumped into the abyss.
She was on a mission,
never looking back.
No more weekly paycheck,
no more security.
What courage, what strength.

The phone RINGS.

PAUL
She was producing her first film.

INT. BAR - DAY
On the bar that divides the kitchen
from the living room is the phone.

Next to it is a Barbie doll.
She's wearing an orange jumpsuit
and is strapped into
a little electric chair.

CLOSE UP OF BARBIE DOLL
Barbie's grinning, head cocked.
A sign next to her says "Dead Barbie Walking."

The doorbell RINGS.

INT. BAR - DAY
Cathy GRABS the phone and walks to the door.

CATHY
(into the phone)
Klaus, hey.
(pause)
What do you mean you lost the location?

A beat. She listens, then opens the door.

INT. DOORWAY - DAY
Andy stands in the doorway
in shorts and t-shirt, grinning.
He holds up a paper bag.

Cathy motions Andy to come in, excited.
Silently mouths "I'm sorry,"
then holds up her index finger.

CATHY
(into the phone)
That fat fuck.
Like the bar is packed
at midnight on a Monday.

A beat. She listens.
Andy walks over to the bar
and takes a bottle of
mimosas out of the bag.

Cathy's eyes light up.
She gives Andy the "okay" sign.
Andy expertly opens the bottle with a POP.

CATHY (cont'd)
(into the phone)
Yeah, good idea, take the crew to IHOP.
Listen, Andy just got here.
I'll call you on the cell when I'm done.

A beat. She LAUGHS.

CATHY (cont'd)
Welcome to no-budget independent filmmaking.
Drive-thru craft services.

She walks over to the bar
and HANGS UP the phone.

CATHY (cont'd)
I'm sorry.

Andy pours two champagne glasses.
He hands one to Cathy.

ANDY
Don't worry your pretty little head.

CATHY
I never do.

They CLINK glasses and sip.

CATHY (cont'd)
Mmm. A three dollar bottle
of mimosas on Sunday afternoon.
I knew there was a reason
I loved you so much.

ANDY
Only the best for a former colleague.
(pause)
And future partner.

They CLINK again.

They take another sip and smile
at each other like kids on Christmas morning.

ANDY (CONT'D)
So. Are you ready to make a movie?

CATHY
A real movie? With a budget?

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Fly The Friendly Skies


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 43 of SPIRAL, adult film star Savannah's former stylist Dex, now cut loose and adrift, has a complete nervous breakdown and is left a shadow of his former self ...


INT. BANK OF AMERICA - DAY
Over the action,
spooky 80's "new wave" music,
something like Soft Cell
or Depeche Mode.

The action is wordless,
like a silent movie.

It's noon.
The bank is swamped
with people on their lunch break.
Long lines at every window.

A disheveled-looking Dex
stands near the head of the line
waiting for a teller.

He holds a scrap of paper
in his hand and
MUMBLES under his breath.

A YOUNG MAN standing behind him
in line stares at Dex
and says something to him.

Dex turns around and YELLS,
then PUSHES him.

People STARE.
Dex approaches the TELLER
and hands her his note.

The teller reads it,
then shakes her head
"I'm sorry."

Dex just smiles and nods.
The teller repeats her question.

Dex SHOUTS no!
He BANGS on the plastic
booth protector.

The Teller beckons to someone.

CLOSEUP OF SECURITY GUARD
A large, beefy security guard NODS.
The CAMERA follows him across
the floor as another GUARD joins him.

They RUN over to Dex,
who is now BANGING his head
on the plastic window,
now smeared with blood.

INT. AMBULANCE - DAY
Dex lies in a straightjacket,
restrained on a gurney.

Two stone-faced EMS TECHNICIANS
sit on either side.

INT. ANDY'S CAR - DAY
SUPER - One Month Later

Andy drives down the freeway.
Dex is lost in space
staring out the window.

The car stereo plays prettyeuro-pop
like Erasure or the Pet Shop Boys.

ANDY
What time's your flight?

DEX
It's okay, we've got time.

ANDY
What airline you on?

Dex pulls a weather-beaten
ticket out of his pocket.
Examines it.

DEX
Pan Am.

ANDY
Pan Am?
They've been out of business
for years. Let me see it.

Dex hands it over.
Andy looks at it.

DEX
I ordered the vegetarian meal.

Andy looks at the ticket,
then at Dex, who smiles.

ANDY
You're right,
we've got plenty of time --


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The Happiest Place On Earth


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 42 of SPIRAL, Andy starts rebuilding his life after being haunted by the death of Savannah and moves in with a new roommate, but after going to bed, he hears a strange noise in the bathroom ...


EXT. MANSION BACK YARD - DUSK
Andy sits on the lawn
at the base of a tree
near the cliff overlooking
Beverly Hills below.

The CAMERA pans up the trunk
and fades into-

EXT. DUMPSTER / TREE - DAY
Behind a dumpster, two ACTORS
take a break sitting under a tree.

SNOW WHITE tokes on a joint,
hands it to GOOFY,
who holds his character head
in his lap.

EXT. DISNEYLAND / MAIN STREET - DAY
A bright, sunny day at
the "happiest place on earth."

Cheerful Disney-like music
plays in the background.

Andy walks down Main Street
with Phillip, his new roommate.

MICKEY MOUSE walks by
and WAVES frantically.

PHILLIP
It's insane.
Did you know that the actors
in those costumes get fired
if they say anything?
Or if they take off
the head in public?
I heard about this guy
who had to throw up,
so he took off his Goofy head,
and got fired.

ANDY
No shit.

PHILLIP
Yeah.
Disney claimed it could cause
irreparable harm to children
seeing a character
with a human head.

ANDY
That's why they call it
"Mouseschwitz."

PHILLIP
I know.
What do they want,
kids to see Goofy
puking his guts out?

Silence.

PHILLIP
The change is gonna be
good for you, you'll see.
That mansion was fucking creepy.

ANDY
Yeah.
It's nice to have someone
in the next room.

Andy smiles.

PHILLIP
Okay, so this was your idea.
Where do you want to go next?

ANDY
I dunno.

PHILLIP
How about Tomorrow Land?

INT. ANDY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Andy's new apartment.
It's nicely furnished, lots of room.
Homey. Warm. A home.

He lies on his bed
looking at a videotape.

CLOSE UP OF VIDEOTAPE
The oversized box cover:
"Savannah - Hustlers."

In gorgeous color, Shannon
leans across a pool table,
in hand, cigarette dangling,
fishnets flashing.

INT. ANDY'S BEDROOM - SAME
He reaches over and
turns off the light,
gets under the covers
and closes his eyes.

A door CREAKS in the distance.
Andy WHIPS off the covers,
gets out of bed.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Andy's SPOOKED.

He slowly, gingerly,
opens the shower curtain
and looks in --
to find nothing.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Bullet Time


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 41 of SPIRAL, after breaking her nose in a horrific drunk-driving accident, adult film star Savannah is found dead in her garage, a single gunshot to the head. The media goes into a frenzy, as does her surviving friends Andy and Dex ...


EXT. SHANNON'S HOUSE/AERIAL VIEW - NIGHT
A half-dozen police cars SWARM
the house, sirens WAILING.

A helicopter THUNDERS across the roof,
it's spotlight SWEEPING across the road
over to the fence, then back to the house.
An ambulance opens its doors.

INT. GARAGE - NIGHT
A group of EMS TECHNICIANS
descend on Shannon's lifeless body sprawled
on the cement floor next to the Corvette.

All we can see is a pair of beautiful legs
wearing white vinyl ankle boots.

MONTAGE -- NATIONAL TELEVISION COVERAGE
"Inside Edition:"

MALE ANCHOR
Last night in Hollywood,
world-famous adult film star
Savannah's lifeless body was found
in her garage at 2:30 AM,
a single gunshot wound to the head...

"Hard Copy:"

FEMALE ANCHOR
...Savannah, whose legal name was Shannon Wilsey,
died at 11:06 the following morning.
Life support was terminated after
it was determined that her
brain had ceased activity.
She was twenty four years old...

"American Journal"

MALE ANCHOR NO. 2
...She had been linked romantically
with a veritable who's who of the music world,
including Slash of Guns N' Roses.

CLOSE UP OF SHANNON WITH SLASH

MALE ANCHOR NO. 2
...Rapper and Calvin Klein
underwear model Marky Mark...

BRIEF FILM CLIP OF SHANNON WITH MARKY MARK
WAVING TO THE CROWD AT THE GRAMMIES.

"Entertainment Tonight:"

MARY HART
...But perhaps the love
of her life was Paulie Shore.
ET has an exclusive interview
with Paulie, who...

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - MORNING
Super: 11:06 AM.

Shannon's lifeless body
lays on a hospital bed
connected to a life support system.

A monitor chirps a slow,
steady BEEP, BEEP, BEEP...

Two NURSES set about unplugging
the various machinery.

One of them FLIPS a switch.
The BEEPING stops.

The wavy line on a monitor
FLIPS to a thin, flat horizon.

NURSE NO. 1
She was so young. So young.

NURSE NO. 2
She was so pretty.
You say she was an actress?

CLOSE UP OF SAVANNAH POSTER
"Savannah" wears a white swim suit and large,
white angel's wings.

The camera pulls back to reveal -

INT. OFFICE - DAY
The poster is tacked up
in Andy's cubicle at work.

Super: 9:30 AM.
Andy is talking on the phone.

ANDY
What?

A beat. He listens.
Static SHOUTING is heard on the phone.

ANDY
Calm down, calm down, calm down...

SPLIT SCREEN OF ANDY AND DEX
Dex sits on the floor of his bedroom,
huddled in a blanket,
a cocktail next to him on the floor.
He looks ghostly, haunted.

DEX
She's dead, Andy, she's dead.

ANDY
What?

DEX
She shot her self in the head,
in the fucking head!

Dex takes a bullet out of his pocket
and SNORTS a couple of hits.

DEX
I gotta see you, can you come over?

Andy looks at his watch, then his desk.

ANDY
Fuck.
(pause)
I can't. I gotta shitload of work.
I'm on warning, it's a long story,
I just haveta get this done.

DEX
But I gotta see you.

Andy's in shock, confused, horrified.
He shifts into autopilot.
Tears momentarily frozen.

ANDY
I gotta go Dex. Calm down. Have a drink.

DEX
But --

ANDY
DEX. I'll call you the second I get home --

Friday, April 24, 2015

Leave The Driving To Us


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 40 of SPIRAL, in the aftermath of the drunken car crash, Shannon forces the car up the Hollywood Hills road to her private driveway, but when she sees she's broken her nose, she starts freaking out ...


INT. CAR - SAME
In slow motion, Shannon's
body is FLUNG FORWARD.

French fries, napkins, the coke,
the shake, go FLYING into the air.

Her face SMACKS into the windshield.

SHANNON
Uhh...

Her body stops in mid-air, then SNAPS
back into the seat like a rag doll.

INT. CAR - NIGHT
In real time -

SHANNON
(groggy)
Uh...

JASON
Are you okay?

Like an animal in danger,
with pure survival adrenaline,
Shannon FLIPS the key and
PUNCHES the gas.

The engine COUGHS and SPUTTERS
with a sickly WHINE.

JASON
The engine's fucked, Shannon.

SHANNON
We're almost there...

Shannon SLAMS the car into gear.
The car SHAKES and slowly, painfully
SCREECHES apart from the fence.

SHANNON
And I'm not gonna get busted...

With sheer will, Shannon forces
the ruined car, which SHRIEKS
like a dying animal, the final
fifty feet to her private road
up to her garage door.

Shannon GRABS the remote
from under the visor and
PUNCHES the button

SHANNON
My head, my fucking head...

The car WHIMPERS into the garage
and GASPS as the engine COUGHS,
then dies.

They get out of the car.
Shannon's face is bleeding,
her nose starting to swell.

She wipes her hand on her nose,
then sees her crimson wrist.

SHANNON
Oh my god, I broke my nose!

JASON
It's okay, it doesn't look that bad.
I'll go call the paramedics.

SHANNON
(shrieking)
No fucking doctors!
I gotta call my manager,
I broke my nose!

Shannon starts SOBBING.

SHANNON
I fucked up my face...
I fucked up my face...
I fucked up my FACE!

A beat. The horror.

SHANNON
Oh my god!
I'm supposed to fly
to New York tomorrow.
How am I gonna dance?

She breaks down and SOBS, losing it,
collapsing to the ground.

Jason puts his arms around her
and comforts her.

JASON
It's gonna be okay...
(pause)
How about I make a
nice Jacuzzi for you inside?
We can figure out
what we're gonna do.

A beat.
The tears suddenly stop.

A strange, empty look
settles on her face.

SHANNON
Shit, I just remembered.
Daisy needs to go out.
Would you take her for a walk?

JASON
You sure?

SHANNON
Yeah, I'm fine.
I'll go do the bath.

EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
The CAMERA follows Jason walking
Daisy down the private road.

They approach the fence,
a splintered ruined mess.

JASON
Shit.

A loud POP rings out.
Daisy BARKS.

JASON
SHANNON!

Jason RUNS up the road --

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Road Rage


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 39 of SPIRAL, adult film star Savannah and rock star house sitter Jason Swing,, completely wasted, grab some fast food after a night of hard partying and head off onto the freeway, where they start going on a joy ride from hell ...


INT. CAR - NIGHT
Shannon's Corvette is parked
at a fast-food drive-thru lane.
She looks at the menu.

Nasty rap music THUMPS
on the car stereo.

SHANNON
(into the speaker)
I'll have a chocolate shake
and a chocolate sundae, please.
(pause)
Oh, and hold the nuts.

Jason leans over.

JASON
I'll have a Sourdough Jack
and Chili Cheese Curly Fries, please.
And a coke.

He grins, GRABS his crotch.

JASON
Oh yeah, and hold my nuts!

They BURST into gales of laughter.

EXT. JACK IN THE BOX RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Shannon's Corvette ZOOMS
out the drive-thru exit,
waits for traffic,
then PEELS RUBBER with a SCREECH.

INT. CAR - NIGHT
Shannon holds the wheel
with one hand,
sundae in the other.

She LICKS the chocolate syrup,
getting it all over her mouth.

The car stereo BLARES.

SHANNON
I can't believe
you're eating that,
do you know how much
fat is in that?

Jason SHOVES a forkful of messy,
gooey fries in his mouth.

JASON
Chili cheese fries rule, babe.
Almost as good as sex.

Shannon rubs her finger on her chin,
wipes off the syrup,
sticks her finger in her mouth.

SHANNON
No way.
It's all about chocolate.

EXT. 101 FREEWAY - AERIAL SHOT - NIGHT
Shannon's white Corvette
ZOOMS down the freeway,
SWERVING through traffic.

Cars HONK. Tires SQUEAL.

INT. SHANNON'S CAR - SAME
Shannon FLINGS her sundae
Out the window.

EXT. NEARBY CAR - NIGHT
The desert SMACKS onto the windshield
the car beside her.

INT. SHANNON'S CAR - NIGHT

SHANNON
Bull's-eye!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

EXT. NEARBY CAR - NIGHT
The driver HONKS furiously,
ROLLS down his window, YELLS.

DRIVER
Fucking bitch!
What the fuck do
you think you're...

INT. SHANNON'S CAR - NIGHT
Shannon CRANKS up the stereo
to a DEAFENING volume,
then PUNCHES the gas.

EXT. 101 FREEWAY - SAME
The car SHOOTS like a rocket
east towards Hollywood.

EXT. PRIVATE ROAD - NIGHT
The car BARRELS up a steep,
winding road up into
the North Hollywood Hills,
tires SCREECHING, loud rap music
THUMPING on the car stereo.

The Corvette ES into a mailbox.
It SCRAPES across the side of the car.

INT. SHANNON'S CAR - NIGHT

SHANNON
Fuck!

JASON
Slow down!

EXT. PRIVATE ROAD - NIGHT
The car SLIDES into the gravel
on the shoulder.

Shannon YELLS.

SHANNON
No!

INT. SHANNON'S CAR - NIGHT
Jason GRABS the door handle.

JASON
LOOK OUT FOR THAT...
Shannon's convertible SLAMS
into the fence on
the side of the road.

The night is pierced
with the horrible SHRIEK
of metal RIPPING APART,
the CRUNCH of wood SPLINTERING.

INT. CAR - SAME
In slow motion, Shannon's
body is FLUNG FORWARD.

French fries, napkins, the coke,
the shake, go FLYING into the air.

Her face SMACKS
into the windshield.

SHANNON
Uhh...

Her body stops in mid-air,
then SNAPS back into
the seat like a rag doll --

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Party Out Of Bounds


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 38 of SPIRAL, adult film star Savannah shows up at her sometimes boyfriend Danny Boy's estate unannounced, and discovers that he's out of town ... and ends up partying with his house sitter Jason ...


INT. SHANNON'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Shannon lies on her bed holding a Stoli
and orange juice, talking on the phone.

SHANNON
Stupid fucking machine.
(pause)
Andy, it's me, Shannon. Where are you?
Why don't you call me back?

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Andy sits on his bed drinking a beer.
He looks at the answering machine.
He reaches over to grab the phone, then stops.

SHANNON (O.S.)
(on the machine)
Are you mad at me? What did I do?
I want to talk to you, I miss you.

Andy's heart is breaking, but he doesn't move.
A tear trickles down his cheek.

EXT. DANNY'S HOUSE/WOODLAND HILLS - NIGHT
SUPER - July 11, 1994
A faux Tudor-style monstrosity high up in the hills.

Shannon stands at the front door in a little dress.
She grips a large, overstuffed shopping bag.
Music faintly THUMPS from within.

The amber-colored lamps above the door
shine off her blonde hair,
she glows in the darkness of the night.

She RINGS the bell.
The music goes down a notch.
The door opens.

JASON SWING, Shannon's passenger at the
beginning of the story, stands in the doorway.

He's relaxed, blase'.
Girls like this are frequent visitors.

SHANNON
Hi, it's me, Shannon, I'm here to see Danny.

JASON
Hi, Shannon.
(polite, gentle)
I'm sorry, he's not here.

SHANNON
Oh. Where is he, is he out somewhere?

JASON
He's uh, he's on tour.
He'll be back in a couple of months.

SHANNON
Oh.

An awkward silence. She covers her embarrassment.

SHANNON
And who are you?

JASON
I'm Jason. I watch his house and shit while he's away.

He looks at the bag.

JASON
Well, since you're here, come on in.

Shannon goes into the house.

INT. FOYER - NIGHT
Shannon and Jason stand in the large foyer.
Shannon hands Jason the shopping bag.

SHANNON
I brought Danny some videos and T-shirts and stuff.

JASON
Cool.

Shannon gives him the once-over and decides he's cute.

SHANNON
But you can have it.
I'll bring some more for Danny another time.

Jason puts the bag on a side table.

JASON
Cool, thanks.

They look at each other.

JASON
So you want to hang out? Have a beer, do some blow?

INT. DANNY'S DEN - NIGHT
A manly den, very GQ, by way of the hood.
A big pool table, juke box, animal prints,
neon beer signs, sports paraphernalia.

Gold records are lit by pin spots above the bar.
Smooth, sexy rap plays on the high-tech sound system.

Shannon and Jason sit on the sofa with beers.
Jason does a line of coke off a tray on the coffee table.

JASON
You were really good in the video.

Jason hands a silver straw to Shannon.

SHANNON
You think so? Thanks.

Shannon SNORTS a line.

JASON
Yeah, really.

SHANNON
That was just the start. Did Danny tell you I'm gonna be a singer?

JASON
No, cool.

SHANNON
Yeah. No more porno!

She SNORTS another, hands the straw to him.

SHANNON
So are you doing anything tonight?

Careful. This is one of his boss' girlfriends.

JASON
I dunno, I was thinking about checking out Renaissance.

SHANNON
Renaissance, yeah, I heard it's twitchin',
in Santa Monica, right?

INT. RENAISSANCE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
The dark exclusive club PULSES, dance music at 100 BPM.
It's hot, sweaty, and packed to the gills.

INT. DANCE FLOOR - SAME
Shannon and Jason RAGE on the dance floor.
Jason's cool, Shannon's giving a performance.

JASON
(shouts)
Wanna another drink?

SHANNON
(shouts)
Yeah! I gotta go to the ladies' room!

JASON
Meet you at the bar!

Shannon and Jason each start their slow trek
through the mob, in opposite directions.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
A crowd of young, hot girls in club gear
fight for a piece of the mirrors,
fixing their makeup.

INT. BATHROOM STALL - SAME
Shannon sits on the toilet peeing.
She pulls out a pill vial and swallows a few,
then holds up a syringe.

INT. BAR - NIGHT
Jason PUSHES through the throng at the bar,
money and YELLS at the bartender.

EXT. RENAISSANCE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
Shannon and Jason stagger out of the club
completely, totally, trashed.

A VALET approaches. Shannon fumbles in her purse for her ticket.
She DROPS it on the ground, bends down on the sidewalk
and rummages through her things. Jason helps her.

He picks up the syringe.

JASON
You a diabetic?

SHANNON
No, I'm just fucking sweet.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Let The Games Begin


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 Chaper 37 of SPIRAL, now that Andy is out of the picture, Savannah and Dex are left to their own devices, which involves nude mud wrestling for Savannah, and rough trade in a trashy gay bar for Dex ...


INT. TROPICANA STRIP CLUB - NIGHT
A swarm of MALE CUSTOMERS
surround a stage with a boxing ring.

Four WOMEN, one of them Shannon,
stand in the ring wearing string bikinis.

Mudwrestling time.

A RING ANNOUNCER's voice BOOMS over the P.A.

ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Ladies and gentlemen,
tonight the Tropicana Club
is pleased to present
celebrity tag-team mud wrestling!

The crowd HOOTS and HOLLERS.

ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
In this corner, the champions,
defending their title,
Livid Video superstars
P.J. Hooker and Topanga Canyon!

The crowd ROARS. The girls take a bow,
then raise their fists in the air,
Rocky-like.

ANNOUNCER
And in this corner, our challengers,
adult film superstars
Chayse Manhattan and Savannah!

The crowd ROARS again.
CHAYSE MANHATTAN and Shannon
raise their fists in the air.

ANNOUNCER
Alright, ladies!
On the count of three,
let the games begin!
(pause)
One!
(pause)
Two!
(pause)
THREE!

The four women TEAR into each other
Mud goes FLYING, oiled flesh gets SPLATTERED.
Shannon SLIPS and FALLS on her ass.

CLOSE UP OF TWO PATRONS AT BAR
Two MEN watch the match
on a video monitor at the bar.

MAN NO. 1
I can't decide if that's totally disgusting...
or a complete turn on.

MAN NO. 2
I guess it's a little of both.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Shannon sits in a bathroom stall,
bleary-eyed and muddy.

Her top is open to the waist,
breasts exposed.

A length of rubber tubing
is tied around her upper arm.

She makes a fist, JABS a syringe
a vein, then slowly PUSHES the plunger in.
Her head leans back, eyes closing, in ecstasy.

INT. BAR - NIGHT
The Revolver gay bar
in West Hollywood is quiet.
It's a weeknight, late.

Classic 70's disco blares on the jukebox.
Donna Summer?

A BARTENDER cleans glasses.
Dex sits at the bar nursing a beer,
completely toasted.

A couple of GAY MEN sit at the other end
of the bar talking quietly.

DEX
Hey, I said I'd like another shot.

The bartender ignores Dex
and continues washing glasses.

DEX
I said, I need another shot!

BARTENDER
I told you I'm not gonna
serve you anymore.

DEX
Oh yeah?
Well you can just SUCK MY DICK!

The two men at the end of the bar
look at Dex.

BARTENDER
I'm afraid I'm gonna have
to ask you to leave.
You can suck your own dick. Peter?

One of the men stands up.
PETER is big and buff. The bouncer.

BARTENDER
Would you please take out the trash?

Peter ambles over to Dex.

DEX
Well, hello, miss thing.
A bet you're hung like a Hebrew National.
Are you a top or a bottom?

PETER
Just call me your worst nightmare.

Peter GRABS Dex by his collar
and YANKS him off his stool.

PETER
And it's time for beddy-bye --

Monday, April 20, 2015

Home Fires


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 36 of SPIRAL, Andy's friends from Playboy throw him a goodbye party where he's been house sitting in Bel Air, but he's still haunted by the memory of his former friend, porn star Savannah. Meanwhile, Savannah calls her actress 'friends' in the adult film industry to see if they want to hang out, and gets the cold shoulder ...


EXT. ANDY'S HOUSE - BACKYARD - DAY
Andy's having a barbecue. Tons of GUESTS
are enjoying the food, the drink, the music.

A large banner strung along the side
of the mansion reads "Goodbye, Bel Air!"

A group of Playboy employees
pose for a group photo.

PHILLIP, late 20's, thin, good-looking,
holds a tiny dog in his arms.

PHILLIP
Where's Andy?
He's missing the picture.

The dog SQUEALS.

PHILLIP
It's okay, Mary, it's okay.

VOICE (O.S.)
Okay, everybody, gimmee a smile
like you just got laid!

The group freezes, grinning wildly.
A flashbulb POPS.

ANGLE ON:
Phillip's shirt.
A round wet stain slowly expands.
The dog is PEEING.

PHILLIP
Jesus Christ, Mary, you fucking bitch!

INT. ANDY'S BATHROOM - DAY
The shower is on. A murky figure
stands behind the rippled glass.

Phillip comes into the bathroom.
He's surprised.

PHILLIP
Andy?

ANDY
Yeah?

The door opens a crack,
Andy sticks his head out.

ANDY
Hey.

PHILLIP
Why are you taking a shower?

ANDY
What's that on your shirt?

PHILLIP
Mary peed on me again. Fucking bitch.

Phillip grabs a towel,
it in the sink, dabs his shirt.

ANDY
I told you not to go to the pound.

PHILLIP
What are you doing in here?
You're missing your own party.

ANDY
All those people...
in the jacuzzi... you know...

PHILLIP
Well, get your ass out of there
and come join the party.
Everybody's wondering where you are.

Andy smiles.

ANDY
Okay.

PHILLIP
I'll go fix you a plate.

Phillip leaves.

The water stops. Andy grabs a towel,
wraps it around his waist and steps out.
A beat. He looks in the mirror.

ANDY (V.O.)
I couldn't stop thinking about her.
Sometimes I felt she was
in the bathroom with me.
I kept wondering how she was doing,
if she was okay.

INT. BEDROOM - DUSK
Shannon lies on her bed wrapped
in a towel talking on the phone.

She sips a beer and pets Daisy,
who's sleeping nearby on the bed.

INT. BATHROOM - DUSK
MINA FOXX, young, gorgeous, and brunette,
stands naked in her bathroom talking on the phone,
a single fake eyelash just applied.

MINA
Oh, sorry, Shannon. I can't.
I gotta work late tonight.
Two girls called in sick.
I gotta do a couple extra shows.

SPLIT SCREEN OF SHANNON AND MINA

SHANNON
Oh. Okay. Call me tomorrow?

MINA
Sure thing.

Mina hangs up the phone.
Shannon dials another number

MINA
Yeah, right.

INT. BEDROOM - SAME
Shannon dials another number.
Takes a swig of her beer.

SHANNON
Hello, Leena?
(pause)
Hey, howya doin'?

SPLIT SCREEN OF SHANNON AND LEENA
LEENA, young, blonde, curvy, stands in a bathrobe
rummaging through her costume-clogged closet
talking on the phone.

LEENA
I've been better. Wha's up?

SHANNON
I was wondering if you
wanna hang out tonight. You busy?

LEENA
Yeah, I got an outcall.
(pause)
And I've got nothing to wear.

SHANNON
Okay, have fun. See ya.

LEENA
Later.

The both BANG down their phones.

SHANNON
Much later.

LEENA
As if.

Shannon sips her beer and pets Daisy.

SHANNON
Fucking bimbo. 'Nothing to wear.'
She's just gonna take it off anyway --

Friday, April 17, 2015

The Silence Of The Clams


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 35 of SPIRAL, notorious adult film star Savannah shows up again at the annual AVN Awards -- the porn world's Oscars -- and is horrified to discover she's now persona non grata --


INT. HOTEL BANQUET TABLE - NIGHT
A banquet table STUFFED with food -
chicken, turkey, beef, salads, deserts,
coffee, cocktails - the works.

A smiling FEMALE SERVER
stands behind the table
wearing a bikini, high heels,
and a banner across her chest
which reads "Welcome AVN AWARDS!

INT. HOTEL BALLROOM - NIGHT
Another year, another AVN awards show.

Tuxedoed and gowned PORN STARS and
EXECUTIVES mingle and sit at
tables eating dinner.

Cheesy heavy metal BOOMS over the P.A.

INT. BALLROOM STAGE - NIGHT
The same band as last year plays,
this time with a very hot, scantilly-clad
BLONDE VIXEN WAILING on the mike.

INT. BALLROOM AISLE - NIGHT
Shannon STAGGERS through the crowd
in jeans and t-shirt,
wearing dark shades.

She's wasted.
She CHUGS champaign from
a bottle she clutches.
No one says hello to her.

SHANNON
Where's my table?
Where's my motherfuckin' table?

Shannon takes a program
off a table and examines it.

SHANNON
Topanga Canyon! Fuck her.
Barbie Dahl? Fucking cunt.
(pause)
I'm not even fucking nominated?

Shannon bumps into a grinning STARLET.

SHANNON
Watch where you're going, bitch!

STARLET
You bumped into me.

SHANNON
Oh yeah? Well go fuck yourself!

STARLET
No. You go fuck yourself!

SHANNON
Bitch!

STARLET
Over the hill whore!

SHANNON
Cunt!

Shannon LUNGES at
the starlet's throat.

The women VIOLENTLY CLAW
at each other.

INT. BALLY'S HOTEL LOBBY - NIGHT
Two burly uniformed SECURITY GUARDS
escort the unruly Shannon
through the lobby.

HOTEL GUESTS and a clean-cut
FAMILY look on in horror.

Shannon STRUGGLES against
the guards firm grip.

SHANNON
I said I was leaving!
This place is for losers!

EXT. BALLY'S HOTEL ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Shannon is SHOVED onto
the sidewalk by the guards.

A beat. She looks around,
feet unsteady.

A pair of RUSSIAN TOURISTS
gesture excitedly.

The HUSBAND points his camera
and starts CLICKING away.
Shannon BEAMS and poses.

RUSSIAN WIFE
(urgent, broken English)
Excuse me, younger lady,
you mind to please move a bit?

Shannon is confused.
The woman points to Shannon's left.
Shannon turns around.

ANGLE ON:
MORGAN FAIRCHILD stands on the red carpet
holding a small dog in her arms.

A pair of loudly dressed
VEGAS TOURISTS get her autograph.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Trouble In Paradise


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 34 of SPIRAL, things start going to hell after Andy leaves his friends due to their hard-partying ways ... when porn star Savannah fires her stylist Dex for stealing money from her, and then starts doing heroin again ...


INT. SHANNON'S DRIVEWAY / GARAGE - DAY
Super - One week later

The Corvette is parked in front of the open garage.
Shannon washes the car and drinks a beer,
water and suds everywhere.

Dex and Daisy watch.
A boom box BLASTS top 40 dance music.

ANDY (V.O)
Things deteriorated pretty quickly
after I left the party.

Faster than you can say "trouble in paradise,"
Shannon and Dex were at each other's throats.

SHANNON
You took it.

DEX
I didn't take it.

SHANNON
You thought I'd miss a hundred, huh?
Just admit it, you little fuck!

DEX
Savannah...

SHANNON
...Stop fucking calling me SAVANNAH!
My name is SHANNON!

She SPRAYS Dex with the hose.
Dex JUMPS back, startled.

DEX
Hey!

Shannon continues SPRAYING him.

SHANNON
I'm sick of you, you're fired!
Get the fuck out of here!
I never want to see your fucking
faggot ass again!

Dex RUNS down the driveway.

DEX
(yelling, over his shoulder)
Bitch! Cunt!

SHANNON
Motherfucker!

Shannon THROWS down the hose. Daisy WHINES.
She walks over to Daisy, kneels, rubs her head.

SHANNON
That's it for the boys, Daisy.
No more boys.

INT. DEX'S JEEP - DAY
The car stereo plays cheerful, peppy pop music.

Dex drives down the hill in tears.
He pulls out a bottle of Jaegermeister
and takes a swig. Then another.

He continues driving, bottle in hand.

DEX
A hundred dollars --

INT. SHANNON'S KITCHEN - DAY
Shannon sits at the bar talking on the phone.

ANDY (V.O.)
It was just a matter of time until Shannon
started slipping back into her old habits.

She CRACKS open a beer and takes a sip, exasperated.

SHANNON
I know, Nickie. I know.
(listens)
It's for a friend.

NICKIE (O.S.)
(loud)
Some friend, yeah right.
It's your fucking veins, not mine.
I just got some China white...
fucking William S. Bouroughs heaven.

SHANNON
Who the fuck is William Bouroughs?

INT. NICKIE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
A seedy, dumpy living room.
Seen from behind, Nickie sits
on the couch talking on the phone.

The TV is on with sound off.
Beavis PUNCHES Butthead.

NICKIE
You don't know who the fuck
William S. Boroughs is?
Jesus Christ! He's a writer,
Naked Lunch, hello?
He's only the most famous
junkie on the planet.
Don't you read?
(listens)
Twenty five.
(listens)
Two hundred?
(listens)
Come over around six.
And don't be early, okay?
got shit going on.

He BANGS down the phone.

INT. NICKIE'S LIVING ROOM - SAME
Dex walks in from the kitchen
eating a sandwich.

He PLOPS down on the couch next to Nickie.
Nickie puts his hand on Dex's leg.

NICKIE
That was your former employer.
Just ordered a shitload of smack.

DEX
She's a fucking cunt.

NICKIE
Business is business.

DEX
Tell me about it.

A beat.

NICKIE
She's a piece of ass, you gotta admit it.
Got real nice tits.

His hand casually wanders up Dex's thigh.
Dex's more interested in his sandwich.

NICKIE
Uh, speaking of business... you uh...
want to do another one of those uh,
you know, uh, trade things?

Dex gives a sickly smile.

DEX
I'm not here for the buffet --

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The Morning After


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 33 of SPIRAL, Andy wakes up on the floor of porn star Savannah's floor after a three-day drug and booze binge wracked with pain and has a spiritual awakening: he realizes if he keeps doing his, he's gonna die ...


INT. LIVING ROOM - DAWN
Andy sits in the dimly lit living room
on the floor against the couch,
his legs under the coffee table.

The pill bottle stands on
the table with the cap open.
He drains his drink.

ANDY (V.O.)
I couldn't crash.
I took three tuinals and slept for an hour.
Then I threw them up.
I didn't want to take any more,
I didn't want to O.D.
My puke was a color I'd never seen before.
bone in my body was just fucking aching
to lie down and shut off,
but it just fucking wouldn't.

Andy closes his eyes and rubs his temples.

ANDY (V.O.) (cont'd)
My brain was doing cartwheels,
I hallucinated about how nice it would be
to lie on a cold, metal slab.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Bright sunlight streams through the windows.
Birds chirp outside. A car horn HONKS.

Andy is fast asleep on the floor
under the coffee table.

A FEMALE VOICE is heard
outside the window.

FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)
Hurry up, honey!
be late for school!

YOUNG GIRL (O.S.)
(shouts)
Okay, Mom!

He stirs. His eyes open.
He looks at his watch,
gingerly stands up.

His body is wracked with pain.
After three days of chemical intake,
he's completely, utterly toxic.
Head pounding. Dry mouth.

He tries to walk.

ANDY
Fuck.

INT. SHANNON'S BEDROOM - DAY
Andy regards the aftermath.
Shannon is sprawled on top of the bed,
still fully clothed,
mouth open, out cold.

Dex is on the floor, a wet spot
around his lifeless body. Urine.

Music thumps softly on the stereo.

ANDY (V.O.)
They call it a spiritual awakening.
moment of clarity. A wake-up call.

INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Andy opens the medicine cabinet
and takes out a bottle of aspirin.

He SHAKES out three and downs them.
Turns on the faucet, drinks from it,
SPLASHES his face with water.

ANDY
I knew there and then that if
I continued doing this,
I was gonna die.

INT. SHANNON'S BEDROOM - DAY
Andy stands looking at Shannon
sprawled on the bed.
He turns his head, looks at Dex.

ANDY (V.O.)
They were the only friends
I had in the world,
but I wanted to live.
(whispers)
Goodbye, you guys. I'm sorry.

EXT. ANDY'S MANSION / DRIVEWAY - DAY
Andy gets out of his car and
squints in the bright sunshine.
He goes into the house.

INT. ANDY'S MANSION FOYER - DAY
It's dark in the huge, lobby-like foyer.

Andy closes the huge wooden front doors
behind him and sinks
to the floor in a heap.

Fights back tears.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Dark Passage


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 32 of SPIRAL, as porn star Savannah, her stylist Dex and his best friend Andy lurch into day three of their booze and drug binge, secrets are revealed, which makes them think they're 'getting closer' ...


INT. SHANNON'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Super: "3:13 AM"

The trio sits in the dim candlelight
looking at themselves in the mirror.

They're sleepy, drunken, punchy.
Spacy trip-hop music plays on the stereo.

SHANNON
We're based out, boys.

ANDY
Bases out.

Andy laughs a strange laugh.

DEX
We could try smoking the crystal.

SHANNON
Smoke the crystal? Can you smoke crystal?

ANDY
I dunno, it's worth a try.

SHANNON
You go first, it was your idea.

DEX
I don't see why you can't.

Dex spoons some speed into the pipe, then FIRES up the torch.
He aims the torch at the bowl. It starts COOKING.

SHANNON
I've never heard of anyone smoking crystal.

CLOSE UP OF PIPE
The white powder takes a few moments to start BURNING.
It starts to BUBBLE.

Black smoke fills the bowl, rests there a moment,
then SHOOTS up the glass tube into Dex's mouth.

INT. BATHROOM - SAME
Eyes closed, Dex SUCKS in the smoke

His cheeks BULGE. He holds it in. Shannon and Andy watch.

SHANNON
He looks like he's gonna explode.

ANDY
He looks like Kenny G.

Suddenly Dex COUGHS violently, RETCHING, HACKING. He stands up.

DEX
Owh...I'm gonna be sick.

He LURCHES forward, white knuckles GRIP the edge of the counter.

SHANNON
Not here, go to the toilet!

Dex THROWS UP all over the sink, the counter,
the drugs, the drinks, everything.

SHANNON
You fuckhead, you puked all over the stuff!

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Andy and Shannon sit on the bed holding drinks.
Shannon is crying. Andy holds her hand.

An acoustic "unplugged" Nirvana song plays softly on the stereo.

SHANNON
He just stuck a gun in his mouth and fucking shot himself,
did have to do that?

ANDY
I guess he couldn't take the pressure.

SHANNON
Kurt said that if hadn't met Courtney, he would have been with me.

ANDY
It's okay, Shannon, it's okay. Just let it out.

Shannon starts SOBBING. It subsides...

SHANNON
He was so sweet, he was my friend.

A beat.

SHANNON
He was writing a song for me, you know.

Shannon pulls away, looks at Andy wide-eyed.

SHANNON
Now I'll never get to hear it.

They sit in silence for a moment.

ANDY
Maybe we should crash.
You'll feel better after you get some sleep.

SHANNON
I don't want to crash yet.

ANDY
But you can barely keep your eyes open.

A beat. Shannon's lip trembles.

SHANNON
I'm afraid.

ANDY
Afraid? What are you afraid of?

SHANNON
Promise not to make fun of me.

ANDY
I'd never make fun of you, you know that.

He reaches over and sweetly touches her cheek.

ANDY
Okay? You can tell me.

SHANNON
I'm afraid of the dark.

ANDY
You don't have to be afraid, I'm here.

SHANNON
I always have bad dreams, really bad dreams.

She breaks down, SOBBING.

SHANNON
I've never told anyone, please don't tell anyone.

Andy GRABS her in his arms and holds her.

ANDY
I won't tell a soul, I promise.

He strokes her hair.

ANDY
(whispers)
Do you know how much I love you?
It's gonna be okay, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here --

Monday, April 13, 2015

Melts In Your Mouth, Not In Your Hand


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 31 of SPIRAL, porn star Savannah, her sylist Dex and his best friend Andy reach day three of their drug and booze binge, and barely make it to the finish line ...


INT. SAVANNAH'S BATHROOM - SAME
Super: "2:54 AM"

Over the action, cheerful female pop,
like early Madonna.

Andy, Shannon and Dex sit on their bar stools.
Shannon sits in the middle, topless.

Andy and Dex each cup one of her breasts
lightly with one hand.

Shannon looks at her reflection.

SHANNON
I thought they were gonna burst.

DEX
It's warm. I'm gonna throw up.

ANDY
Melts in your mouth, not in your hand.

SHANNON
C'mon, you guys. Get serious.

Andy lightly JIGGLES it.

ANDY
What are we checking for? I'm no doctor.

DEX
Don't look at me, I'm allergic.

INT. BATHROOM - SAME
Super: "3:39 AM"

Andy and Dex sit on their bar stools.
Grinding, nasty industrial music SCREECHES.

Shannon BURSTS out of the closet.
She wears a black vinyl dominatrix outfit,
complete with Gestapo hat and riding crop.
She's completely fucked up.

Andy is taken aback.
He's never seen Shannon in costume.
He tries to hide his shock.

ANDY
Ilsa, She-Wolf of the SS...

Shannon SMACKS the crop on the toilet seat
with a CRACK. Dex giggles.

SHANNON
No laughing! Did I give you permission to laugh,
you little piece of SHIT!?

DEX
Please Mistress, don't hurt me!

SHANNON
That's for me to decide.
Your mistress thinks you've been VERY
bad little boys, doing drugs, staying up all night.

ANDY
But I...

SHANNON
Shut UP!

She CRACKS the riding crop again.

SHANNON (cont'd)
Don't speak until you're spoken to,
you snivelling little faggot!

Shannon goes to the counter, does a line.
Andy is blown away. Even Dex is a little scared.
She takes a sip of her drink, points to the floor.

SHANNON (cont'd)
(ominously)
Alright you two, get up and bend over,
it's time for your punishment!

INT. BEDROOM - MAGIC
SUPER - Day Three. 5 PM.

It's Sunday, dusk. Shannon, Andy and Dex
sit on the bed in a little circle, drinks in hand.
Shannon chews the ends of her hair.

They've just awakened from four hours
of zombie-like, pill-induced sleep.
Speed stays in the bloodstream for days and days.

Over the action, a female driven power ballad
plays softly on the stereo.

Shannon is crying, a box of tissues in hand.

SHANNON
I mean, who would want me?
These huge fucking tits...I fuck for a living...
I'm practically a whore...any loser can buy a
five dollar tape and watch me fucking.

She blows her nose with a HONK.

SHANNON (cont'd)
I'm not the kind of girl you
can take home to meet your parents.

Andy does a line, hands the mirror to Shannon.

ANDY
Lots of people love you,
Shannon, Slash, Marky, Andyey, Jason.

Shannon does a line. Takes a sip of her drink.

SHANNON
None of them really loved me,
they all just wanted to fuck me.

Dex takes the mirror, does a line.

ANDY
I love you, you know I love you.

DEX
You know we love you.

SHANNON
I know, but I want, I want more.
(pause)
All I ever wanted when I was a little girl
was a nice little house with a white picket fence,
a nice husband, a couple of kids.
I'll never have that now --

Friday, April 10, 2015

From Brassiere To Eternity


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 30 of SPIRAL, things get even more intense during their three-day drug and booze-filled binge when Andy thinks he's falling in love with porn star Savannah and Dex starts to get jealous, causing a love triangle of epic proportions ...


INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Shannon and Andy are locked in an embrace,
shuffling a slow dance, a million miles away.

Dex walks in the room. He's wired.

DEX
You guys wanna do a hit?

No response. They don't hear.

DEX (CONT'D)
(louder)
Andy, Savannah! You wanna do a hit?

They continue dancing, lost in a world of their own.
Dex walks over and TAPS Andy on the shoulder.

He JUMPS, stops dancing.
Shannon turns her head at the interruption.

DEX (cont'd)
May I cut in?

SHANNON
I want to keep dancing with Andy.

Dex GRABS Andy by the waist, holds him in a waltz position.

ANDY
What are you doing?

DEX
I'm cutting in. I don't want to lose you to the other side.
Shannon sobers a little. She's confused.

SHANNON
What's going on?

Dex tries to dance with Andy, leads with a waltz,
but Andy doesn't budge.

ANDY
Cut it out!

Andy PUSHES Dex's arms away.

DEX
What's wrong, lover boy, lost your hard on?

ANDY
What?

DEX
You heard me. Your Savannah hard on?

Shannon turns red. She doesn't like that name.

ANDY
I don't know what you're talking about.

SHANNON
Don't call me Savannah!
I told you not to call me Savannah!

DEX
Sorry Savannah, won't happen again.
, by the way, you did feel his big thick cock
nice and hard against your crotch, didn't you?

SHANNON
WHAT?

ANDY
Dex...

DEX
...Your little mascot here confessed to me
that you make him rock hard!
He's dying to fuck you!

ANDY
You little faggot!

Andy THROWS himself against Dex.

DEX
Ooh! Rough trade!

Andy SHAKES Dex like a sack of potatoes.

ANDY
Shut your fucking mouth!

SHANNON
You fucking liar! I'm gonna castrate you!

Shannon JUMPS on top of Andy and POUNDS her fists on his back.
The three FALL to the floor, KICKING and SCREAMING.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Super: "11:57 PM"

Andy sits at the bar with a fresh drink.
His lip is swollen and bleeding.

He takes a sip of his drink and WINCES.
He picks up the phone and dials the intercom.

ANDY
Don't hang up!

SPLIT SCREEN OF KITCHEN AND SHANNON'S BATHROOM - SAME
Shannon and Dex sit on their bar stools.
Dex is doing a hit of freebase.

SHANNON
Fuck you!

She SLAMS down the phone. Leans over and does a line of coke.
Andy PUNCHES the intercom button again. The bathroom phone RINGS.

ANDY
Shannon, you gotta let me explain!...

SHANNON
...Leave me alone!

She SLAMS down the phone again.
Then RIPS the cord out of the wall.

SHANNON (cont'd)
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you...

INT. SHANNON'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Andy sees the door to the bathroom is closed.
He gets an idea, goes to Shannon's dresser and opens a drawer.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Super: "12:03 AM"

Dex hands the pipe to Shannon, fires up the torch.

DEX
We don't need him. He's not one of us.

Shannon holds the pipe in her mouth and nods her head.
Suddenly, a loud KNOCK at the door.

ANDY (O.S.)
(in falsetto)
Candygram for Ms. Wilsey and Mr. Gordon!

DEX
Who's that?

Shannon RUSHES on the base. Dex gets up and opens the door.

DEX (cont'd)
Jesus Mary!

Dex LOSES IT and LAUGHS manically.

INT. BATHROOM DOORWAY - NIGHT
Andy stands in the doorway wearing a bra, panties and high heels.
He holds a silver tray coquettishly like a parlormaid.
On it are three fresh cocktails.

ANDY
Did somebody order room service?

Shannon sees this, CHOKES on the smoke,
and BURSTS into insane laughter.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Freebase City


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 29 of SPIRAL, Savannah, Andy and Dex's weekend booze and drug binge enters the third day ... and while Dex goes out to get more blow, Savannah and Andy start to bond on a deeper level ...


INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT / MIRROR P.O.V.
Super: "9:44 PM"

Andy and Shannon sit on their bar stools.
Without coke, they've gotten completely, utterly drunk.

Shannon holds her photo album on her lap.
She points to a page.

ANDY (V.O.)
I knew about her famous boyfriends, Dex had told me,
but she never talked about them until that night
we got really drunk waiting for Dex to come back.
It turned out the fast lane had soft shoulders.
Greg Allman, Slash, Billy Idol, David Lee Roth,
Marky Mark, even the singer from Mr. Big,
what's his name, they'd all dumped her.
Every single last one.
And here I was, the perfect guy for her.
And I couldn't do a thing about it.

Shannon turns the page.
Cheerful pop music plays on the stereo.

SHANNON
And here's me back in Texas washing the dishes.
I was about fourteen.

ANDY
So cute. You look happy.

Shannon studies the picture.

SHANNON
I had to do the dishes every night.

ANDY
I had to take out the trash.

She turns the page. Scowls.

SHANNON
Here's me with Mr. White Trash Junkie Pedophile.

ANDY
He looks like one of the Allman Brothers.

SHANNON
That's maybe because he fucking is.

She GRABS her drink and takes a big sip.
Andy can see she's upset. He points to a picture.

ANDY
Hey. Isn't that Paulie Shore?

SHANNON
Yeah.

She smiles.

ANDY
He's got a big cock for such a little guy.

Andy GIGGLES.
Shannon SLAPS Andy on the cheek.

SHANNON
Don't you make fun of my Paulie! He's my friend!

He puts his hand to his cheek.

ANDY
What'd you do that for? I wasn't making fun of him.

SHANNON
You said...

ANDY
...I said he had a big cock. I didn't mean to hurt you.

Shannon finishes her cocktail.

SHANNON
Well you did. You said he was little.

ANDY
He is little. I'm little. It's funny.

She's still stone faced.

ANDY (cont'd)
It's a funny picture. He's wasted, he's staring at it.

Andy takes the picture out and holds up.

ANDY (cont'd)
The caption should read "stoner boner."

Shannon tries with all her might not to laugh.

A beat. A faint flicker of a smile.

ANDY (cont'd)
Gnarly, dude. Let's bone.

Shannon BURSTS OUT laughing.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Super: "9:52 PM"

Over the action, DEAFENING, POUNDING
rap music plays on the stereo.

Shannon and Andy dance hot and sweaty, eyes closed.
They're even drunker.
Dex walks in the room, unnoticed.

DEX
Hey, guys. I'm back.
They don't hear him.

Dex strides over to the stereo and turns it down.
Shannon and Andy are shaken out of their reverie.

ANDY
Hey Dex.

SHANNON
Why'd ya turn it down?

Shannon turns the volume back up and continues dancing.

DEX
I'm back. I got the base.

ANDY
Great.

Dex watches Shannon dance like a madwoman.
She's lost in the music.
Andy is lost in her movements.

ANDY (cont'd)
...We were just dancing.

DEX
Wanna go do some?

ANDY
Yeah, in a minute.
(pause)
I love this song.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT / MIRROR P.O.V.
A lone candle flickers. Dex sits on the middle bar stool
and methodically starts the freebase ritual.

ANGLE ON BATHROOM COUNTER
Dex's hands dump the baggie's contents onto the tray.
The white powder forms a little mound.
He spoons some into the bowl of the pipe.

CLOSE UP OF TORCH
The music POUNDS from out in the living room.

An acetylene torch BURSTS into bluish flame.
The glass pipe enters the frame, the bowl resting against the fire.
White smoke starts to curl in the glass bulb, slowly filling it.

INT. BATHROOM - SAME
Dex INHALES the smoke. He closes his eyes, holds it in a beat.

The music stops.

He lets the smoke out with a WHOOSH.
It FLIES into the mirror and dissipates.

He THROWS his bead back, rushing on the freebase,
his eyes wide with ecstasy.

DEX
Fuck.

Another song starts. A sexy, slow Sade-like groove...

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap


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 28 of SPIRAL, when porn star Savannah, her stylist Dex and his best friend Andy run out coke during their two-day binge, Dex pays a visit to his dealer Nickie Vega and works out a 'trade' for some blow ...


INT. NICKIE'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
Super: "9:18PM"

Over the action,
a cheesy vintage ballad,
like "Love is a Many Splendored Thing."

Nickie Vega stands with
his ass up against the sink,
his belt unbuckled,
pants slung low on his hips.

His eyes are closed.
He's about to climax.

Off screen, a male voice
makes GAGGING, throaty sounds.

MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Guhng, gulg, gulp, gurp...

NICKIE
(mumbling, urgent)
Yes, yes, that's it, that's it,
oh god, oh god, yeah, yeah...

Suddenly, Nickie's body SPASMS,
he JERKS his head back,
it HITS a hanging plant.

NICKIE
Urgh... ahh... hah... gah...

His body SHUDDERS, then collapses
against the edge of the sink.

NICKIE
(throaty)
Fuck me Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Nickie pulls his pants up,
zips, buckles his belt, as...

The CAMERA pulls back to reveal
Dex on all fours, head down,
looking at the floor.

NICKIE
You look like you're
fucking praying.

INT. NICKIE'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Dex splashes water on his face,
drinks from the spigot,
gargles, rinses his mouth.

He stares at his reflection
in the mirror.

CLOSE UP OF TELEVISION SCREEN
A cartoon. "Josie & The Pussycats"
rock out on bass, guitar and drums.

THE BAND
(in unison)
"Josie, and the Pussycats,
long hair, and ears that match..."

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Nickie sits on the couch
watching the T.V.

He leans over the coffee table
and SNORTS a line.

Dex walks into the room.

DEX
So you said you had a quarter?

Nickie's eyes are
glued to the screen.

NICKIE
Is that a fuckin'
piece of ass or what?
Look at that fucking Josie.
I'd love to bang her ass.
I know it's a fucking cartoon,
but shit, look at those tits.

Dex sits down next to Nickie.

DEX
I always preferred the Archies.

He does a line.
Nickie looks at Dex.

NICKIE
Yeah. But I could never choose
between Betty and Veronica. HAH.
Which one do you...

Nickie realizes what Dex likes.
Silence. An awkward moment.

DEX
I hate to eat and run,
but Savannah's waiting.

NICKIE
All I got's an eighth.

He pulls a baggie out of
a box on the coffee table
and hands it to Dex,
who smiles weakly and stands up.

NICKIE
You sure you can't
stay for breakfast?
I can make us some eggs.
Scooby Doo's on next --

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Breakfast Of Champions


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 27 of SPIRAL, porn star Savannah, her stylist Dex and his best friend Andy continue their drug and booze binge at Savannah's Hollywood Hills home, but when the party goes into the second day, things start to get nasty ...


INT. BEDROOM - DAWN.
The three sit on Shannon's bed.
Shannon holds a big notebook on her lap.
The stereo thumps soft trip-hop, like PM Dawn.

ANDY
I didn't know you wrote poetry. That was really good.

SHANNON
I don't let anybody see it. They'd laugh at me.

ANDY
I'm not laughing. Read some more.

Dex smiles, closes his eyes, and rolls into
the fetal position at the end of the bed.

DEX
That was pretty.

ANDY
Dex? Are you okay?
(to Shannon)
He doesn't look so hot, maybe he has a concussion.

SHANNON
I'm tired, are you tired? You wanna crash for awhile?

ANDY
Yeah.

A beat. They smile.

ANDY (cont'd)
You wanna split one?

INT. SHANNON'S BEDROOM - DAY
ANGLE ON:
Shannon's nightstand. A prescription bottle
lies next to a package of doggie treats.

CLOSEUP OF LABEL
The typewritten label reads "Tuinal.
One every four hours for pain.
DANGER: May cause drowsiness.
Do not mix with alcohol or attempt
to operate heavy machinery.
0 refills."

INT. SHANNON'S BEDROOM - DAY
Sunlight beams into the room from the outside.
A tree rustles in the breeze. Birds chirp.

Shannon is passed out face down on the bed,
naked, lightly snoring.

Andy sleeps peacefully next to her,
partially under the covers, fully clothed.

Dex lies on his side on the floor, shirtless, mouth open.
His shirt crumpled up for a pillow.

The stereo softly plays the trip-hop music heard earlier.

INT. BEDROOM - MAGIC
SUPER - Day Two.

Shannon and Andy are still asleep. Dex is gone.
Silence. A toilet FLUSHES in the next room. A COUGH.

Suddenly, a long, loud SCREECH of SQUEALING tires,
then a yelp of pain.

Shannon BOLTS UPRIGHT in bed, instantly awake.

SHANNON
DAISY!

She LEAPS Out of bed and RUNS out of the room.
Andy stirs slightly. He slowly, groggily opens his eyes.
Sees Shannon's gone.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Super: "8:32 PM"

Andy and Dex sit at the bar sipping beers.
Shannon sits on the floor petting Daisy,
her wound dressed with a makeshift assortment of towels.
Eyes closed, Daisy PURRS loudly.

SHANNON
How's my baby girl, Mommie's gonna take care of you,
my little Daisy, dee dee dee dee dee.

ANDY
She's purring like a cat.

SHANNON
Some help you were, Dex.

ANDY
He was...

DEX
...Pardon me for taking a shit.

A beat. Silence.

SHANNON
Well then I guess it's time for breakfast.

ANGLE ON:
Three large TUMBLERS filled with ice sit on the bar.
Red fingernailed hands pour orange juice
from a carton into each glass, filling them half way.
The hands and carton leave the frame.

Bright, cheerful pop music like early Madonna
plays over the action.

The hands return, this time with a gallon bottle
of Stolichnaya vodka, which is poured over the o.j.

The hands and bottle leave the frame,
then quickly come back and top off one of the glasses.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
The three sit on bar stools with their screwdrivers.
The dull thump of gangsta rap wafts in from the bedroom.

SHANNON
Time for a little eye-opener...

She grips the glass pipe in one hand,
reaches over to the drug tray with the other.

SHANNON (CONT'D)
Where's the base? The fucking base is gone!
Where's the fucking base? We had almost a half left.

ANDY
It's all gone?

Dex stares into his drink. He couldn't look more guilty.

DEX
You sure?

ANDY
Maybe we were robbed, maybe somebody broke in last night.

Shannon GLARES at Dex.

SHANNON
Yeah, right, and all they took was drugs? I don't think so.

Shannon PUNCHES Dex in the shoulder.

SHANNON (cont'd)
Fess up, motherfucker!

DEX
Ow! What?

SHANNON
You did all the base, didn't you? Huh?
While we were asleep, you did all the base!

Shannon SHAKES Dex by the shoulders and YELLS.

SHANNON (cont'd)
You greedy little...

Dex SNAPS TO, and PUSHES back.

DEX
What was I supposed to do, I couldn't sleep!
I was gonna get some more...

SHANNON
Motherfucker!

DEX
Bitch! Cunt!

Andy JUMPS off his stool and PRIES them apart,
struggling with their slapping, punching hands and fists.

He EXPLODES.

ANDY
(yelling)
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!

They stop. Silence.

Shannon and Dex are in shock. Andy's never raised his voice before.

ANDY (cont'd)
Look at you two. It's only drugs. We don't need drugs!

Shannon looks like she's about to cry. Dex is confused.

SHANNON
(softly)
Speak for yourself.

Silence. Andy grabs his drink.

ANDY
Now I've got a headache.

SHANNON
But Dex...

DEX
(quietly)
...Okay! It's my fault, okay?
I'm a pig, okay? I'm a fucking Hoover.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Mirror Moves


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 26 of SPIRAL, safely back in Los Angeles after their visit to the dark side of New Orleans strip clubs, porn star Savannah and her stylist Dex hang out again with their friend Andy, and embark on another all-night drug binge ...


EXT. CLUB - NIGHT
Dex hails a cab and gets in.

INT. THE CLUB - NIGHT
Shannon is onstage again, dressed
like a white vinyl cowgirl.

She gamely grinds against the pole,
briefly turns her head upstage and COUGHS.

EXT. BAR - SAME
Dex walks out of a
nasty looking bar, dejected.

He gets into the waiting cab,
which speeds off.

INT. CLUB - SAME
Shannon onstage again,
dancing like death warmed over
to scraping, vicious
Nine Inch Nails-like industrial music.

BLOOD drips out of her nose.
She touches it, sees the blood
on her fingertips,
and RUNS off the stage.

INT. DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT
Shannon RACES to her makeup table,
GRABS a Kleenex and puts it to her nose.

SHANNON
Shit, shit, shit...

JIMMY, a large, beefy bouncer walks in.

JIMMY
You okay, honey?
You ran back here like a jackrabbit.

SHANNON
No, I'm not okay.
My stylist was supposed to be
back here with, uh, my medicine,
and the little shit has been
gone for two hours.

JIMMY
'Medicine?'

The bouncer sees the Kleenex.
Then the cocaine fixings on the table.
Puts two and two together.

JIMMY
Oh, shit, honey.
Why didn't you say so?
I know where you can get
the best blow in the Quarter.

SHANNON
You do?

JIMMY
(flirts)
I sure do.
I'll tell you what,
why don't we go out for a drink
after the show and I'll
fix up you real good.

Shannon brightens.
Gives him her hundred watt smile.

SHANNON
You got it, sugar.
But first I need to ask you a favor.

EXT. BACKSTAGE DOOR/ALLEY - NIGHT
Dex approaches the rear
of the club through the alley.

Scared because he couldn't
find any coke,
he hesitates at the door.

The door suddenly FLIES open.
Jimmy walks out holding a
baseball bat in his hand.

JIMMY
(friendly, scary)
Well, there he is.
I've been waiting for you,
little fella.

DEX
Hey, wait a minute,
you've got the wrong person!

Jimmy GRABS Dex by the collar
and drags him away.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
SUPER - Day One.

Shannon, Andy and Dex sit on their
bar stools in front of the mirror.

Dex is bruised and bandaged,
He's a mess.

Top forty dance music
plays on the stereo.

Shannon is in the middle of doing
a large pipeload of freebase.

She BELLOWS out the smoke, leans back,
closes her eyes enjoying the rush.

DEX
I said I'm sorry.
I fucked up, okay?
I looked and looked and looked.
But I should have come back sooner.

SHANNON
I was so fucking mad at you.

DEX
I fucked up. I'm sorry.

ANDY
He really tried, Shannon.
I probably couldn't have done any better.

Silence. She takes a swig of her drink.
This arguing is messing up her high.

SHANNON
Alright, everybody shut up.
You're gonna ruin my little surprise.

ANDY
Surprise?

DEX
What surprise?

Silence. She's back in control.

She dramatically pulls out
a little white envelope, slowly,
painstakingly opens it,
and dumps a small mound
of white powder in the tray.

ANDY
It looks like coke.

DEX
Not smack.

SHANNON
Crystal meth. Crank.
Uncut, straight from the fucking Bayou.
(pause)
Fucking dancing life-support.

Friday, April 3, 2015

A Slight Problem


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 25 of SPIRAL, porn star Savannah's stylist Dex gets ripped off by a trick he picked up while they're 'on tour' in New Orleans ... and things turn ugly when she asks him to score the coke she needs to do her act at a strip club and confesses he's broke ...


INT. DEX'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
A young, good-looking CAJUN HUSTLER
lies on the bed wearing shorts.

He smokes a cigarette
and counts his cash.

Dex can be seen standing
in the bathroom taking a leak.
He's naked and perspiring.

CAJUN HUSTLER
It's not this hot all year, though.
It cools off in time for
the Jazz Festival in the fall.

Dex FLUSHES the toilet.
He goes to the sink.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Dex reaches into the medicine cabinet
and takes out his cocaine bumper
and does a hit.

CLOSE UP OF DEX'S FACE IN MIRROR
He looks like shit.
Pale, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils.

CAJUN HUSTLER (O.S.)
You okay in there?
I thought you were going to
burst a fuckin' blood vessel,
Jesus Mary, you really get into it.

INT. DEX'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
The hustler is dressed.
He opens Dex's suitcase.

DEX (O.S.)
I'm gonna take a shower
and cool off a bit.
You wanna go again?

INT. LES GIRLS NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
The club is dark, raunchy, rowdy.
Grinning, leering LOCALS
shout out catcalls.

This is not a tourist spot.

A disco ball with a
few missing mirrors slowly spins,
the light reflected making
the place look like
a scary carnival.

Shannon bumps and grinds
on a tiny stage to
cheesy 80's disco music.

She seems vacant, empty,
her normal 78 RPM down to 33 1/3.

Even wearing the biker outfit,
she looks small, fragile.

TOURIST
Shake it, honey, take it off!

Shannon is oblivious,
off in her own world.

INT. DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT
Dex sits the dressing room
chatting with a STRIPPER,
whose barely 18.

A mirror is laid out
with coke on it.
The stripper does a line.

STRIPPER NO. 1
I'm really an actress...
I'm gonna go to Hollywood
when I've got enough money....
I was on "Cops."
Did you see the one
where they bust the...

Shannon BURSTS into the room,
SLAMMING the door.

STRIPPER NO. 1
See ya.

The stripper leaves for the stage.

SHANNON
Fucking horny deadbeat LOSERS!

Shannon goes to her makeup station,
GRABS her drink, and hungrily DOWNS it.

SHANNON
Two more shows...

She takes out a baggie
and dumps a pile of coke
on the mirror.
Starts savagely CHOPPING it up.

SHANNON
...This shit has been cut
so many times it's SHIT!
We're gonna have to
score some more...

Shannon SNORTS a big fat line.
Then another.

SHANNON
...and don't go back to that
asshole at the hotel.
Find some good stuff, I mean,
this is fucking New Orleans,
for Crissakes.

DEX
Okay.

Dex looks scared, confused.

SHANNON
What are you waiting for?
I gotta go back on soon.
Don't worry, I'll reimburse you.

DEX
There's a, uh, a slight problem.

Shannon lights a cigarette
and regards Dex coolly.

SHANNON
A slight problem?!
What kind of slight
fucking problem.

DEX
I'm kinda, uh...I'm sorta,
uh, kinda tapped out.

SHANNON
You spent all your money? Already?!
We just fucking got here!

DEX
Well, I uh...

SHANNON
Don't tell me!
Another fucking trick! Huh, huh?
That's it, isn't it?

DEX
He uh... stole my wallet.

SHANNON
Fucking loser!
Jesus fucking Christ!

Shannon GRABS her purse and
pulls out a wad of bills,
counts off a couple hundred,
and SHOVES them in Dex's face.

SHANNON
Here, take it, go!
And you better get your ass
back here quick,
or there'll be hell to pay.
(pause)
I need my dancing medicine --

Thursday, April 2, 2015

The Big Easy


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 24 of SPIRAL, adult film star Savannah and her stylist Dex travel to New Orleans, where she's scheduled to 'feature dance' at a strip club. Meanwhile, back in LA, Andy has a hard time dealing with their absence ...


EXT. CHURCH / NEW ORLEANS - DAY
A lovely old Catholic church
on Bourbon street.

It's hot and muggy.
Heat rises off the pavement.

A WHITE LIMOUSINE is parked in front.
It's decorated with colorful ribbons,
balloons, and a big sign on the tail
which reads "Forever and Ever."

The church doors FLY OPEN,
and a happy pair of NEWLYWEDS
down the steps.

MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING PARTY
flow out of the church, smiling,
waving, laughing, throwing rice.

The newlyweds JUMP into the limo,
which SPEEDS OFF amidst much
CHEERING and celebration.

EXT. HOTEL ENTRANCE - DAY
Across the street, a
BLACK SUPER-STRETCH LIMOUSINE
pulls up and stops in front of
an older, slightly seedy hotel.

Shannon and Dex pile out of the limo.
Shannon looks extremely out of place
in her white fur coat.

She lights a cigarette,
takes a deep drag.

SHANNON
Fucking non-smoking limo.

DEX
God is it fucking hot.

Shannon and Dex walk into the hotel.

INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
They walk through the quiet lobby,
footsteps echoing on the marble floor.

SHANNON
I need room service.

DEX
I need to get laid.

INT. KITCHEN - MAGIC
Andy sits on the gourmet island.
He hangs up the phone.

ANDY
They're probably at fucking church.

He angrily SNORTS a bump of coke,
then hops off the island
and walks out of the kitchen.

EXT. TERRACE - MAGIC
He stands on the terrace with a beer,
looks at the twinkling lights
of the cars and houses far below.

He SNORTS another bump.

ANDY (V.O.)
It got harder and harder for me
when they were out of town.
It seemed like hanging out
with Shannon and Dex was my whole life.
Hell, it was my whole life.
I was bored out of my skull
in the fucking mansion, work was shit,
and everybody else seemed like,
they were fucking boring,
ordinary, stupid.
(beat)
Of course I was doing enough cocaine
to kick-start Godzilla.
And who's gonna party with Godzilla
when the Fifty Foot Woman
and King Kong're out of town?

EXT. HOTEL ROOM BALCONY - NIGHT
Shannon sits out on the wrought iron
balcony outside her hotel room.

She watches the street traffic.
On a table lie an empty mirror
with a straw and a glass of water.

A jazz band faintly plays
in the distance.

A car HONKS.

Shannon wipes her forehead
with her sleeve.

A nearby door SLAMS.
Raised voices in the distance,
an argument.

She reaches over and dips her finger
in a glass of water and
brings it to her nose.

She INHALES the water in one nostril.
Then the other.

She leans back, closes her eyes.
Rubs her finger over her gums.

SHANNON
Doesn't this town
ever fucking cool down?