Three's Company

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 AFTERHOURS, when the partner of the cop Danny is holding hostage tries to call him on his radio, Danny intercepts the call ... and invites the officer to come in ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING
Danny stands near the door
holding the duffle bag.

Casey, Bettie, Sky and Mia
are right behind him.

DANNY
I’ll go out first, make sure
we can get to Mia’s car. Okay?

CASEY
Be careful.

Biff’s radio CRACKLES.

TIRED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
(electronic)
Finished the other
side of the street.
You almost done?
Wanna go get some coffee?

CASEY
Shit. That must be his partner.

TIRED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Biff, you copy that?
(beat)
Biff?
(beat)
You takin’ a piss or something?

CASEY
He’s gonna start looking for him.

SKY
We still can make it to the car.

BETTIE
Are you crazy?
He’s right nearby.

Danny walks over to the cop.
Grabs his radio.

CASEY
Danny, NO.
What are you doing?
Are you crazy?

He presses a button.
Speaks into it.

DANNY
Okay. Here’s the deal.
I’m the guy you’re looking for,
and I’ve got your partner on ice.
I’ve got two million dollars, give or take.
Half of it is yours if you help me.

TIRED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
What the fuck have you
done with my partner?

DANNY
Relax. He’s just taking a little nap.
And I’ve got five more hostages,
one of ‘em is another cop.
If you don’t help me,
they die, capiche?

TIRED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
You honestly think I’m gonna
help a cop killer?

DANNY
Think about it.
That’s your salary for twenty years.
Tax-free.

Pause.

TIRED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Where are you?

DANNY
Small white building on the corner.
Used to be a bank.
Can’t miss it.

TIRED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
I’m on my way.

Danny shoves the radio in his pocket.

DANNY
Okay, everybody.
We got company.

CASEY
This is fucking crazy.

SKY
No, it’s not.
It’s five against one.

BETTIE
(to Sky)
Yeah, but only you and Danny have guns.

CASEY
(realizes)
The cop’s guns --

She races across the room.
Finds his guns on the floor.
Picks them up.

Walks over to Bettie.
Hands her one.

BETTIE
Fucking COOL.

DANNY
Ever shot a gun before?

BETTIE
Hell, yeah.
Grew up in Texas.

DANNY
(to Casey)
How about you?

CASEY
Only in my dreams.

DANNY
It’s easy.
Just take aim,
take a deep breath
and squeeze the trigger.
Use two hands.
Sucker’s got quite a kick.

CASEY
(nods)
Squeeze the trigger.

DANNY
Okay, then. It’s settled.
We’re all in this together.

The buzzer RINGS.

DANNY
Places, pleasse --

Chunks In Sauce

Hey there, crime kids. TGIF. 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 AFTERHOURS, crazed gunman on the run Danny Peel subdues the cop who strong-armed his way into the club, and gets the hostages to help tie him up, much to the cop's surprise ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
The door starts to push open.
ANGRY COP (30’s) starts coming in.

Meet sergeant BIFF GRIFFIN,
a big beefy fellow.

Danny SHOVES his sawed-off
against the side of his head.

DANNY
Make one move and
you’re chunks in sauce.

Biff freezes.

DANNY
I want you to take three steps,
VERY SLOWLY.

He does. Danny continues to
aim the gun at his head.
Bettie quickly closes the door.

DANNY
Now VERY SLOWLY
unholster your weapon,
drop it on the floor
and kick it across the room.

Biff carefully unsnaps the holster.
Gingerly pulls it out.

DROPS it. KICKS it.
The gun SKITTERS across the floor.

BIFF
You’ll never get away with this.
You realize how many cops
are out there?

DANNY
Shut up.
Now the gun on your ankle.

He sighs. Bends down.
Pulls up a pants leg.

Pulls out a small
snub-nose revolver.
Drops it and kicks it away.

DANNY
Now your pepper spray.

Biff unhooks a cannister
off his belt. TOSSES it.

DANNY
Go sit over there.

He marches defiantly
over to the banquet.
Sits. Glowering.

BIFF
My partner’s gonna
come looking for me.

DANNY
Shut the fuck up.

SKY
You want us to tie him up?

BIFF
(looks at him)
Hey. You’re that actor.

DANNY
I said SHUT THE FUCK UP.
(to Mia)
You got some rope or
something in the office?

MIA
I think we have some twine.

DANNY
Go get it.

Mia dashes off.

CASEY
We should keep him in here.
The other cop in the VIP room
and he could help each other escape.

DANNY
Yeah. Good idea.

BETTIE
(points)
Over there against the wall.

SKY
(points)
Over there in that dark corner’s better.

BIFF
(to Danny)
Wait a minute.
They’re not acting like hostages.
What the fuck’s going on?

Danny marches over.
CRACKS him on the head
with the sawed-off.
Biff slumps over, out cold.

DANNY
What part of ‘shut the fuck up’
didn’t you get?

Bigger Fish To Fry

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 AFTERHOURS, Bettie does all she can to try and prevent an angry cop from coming into the club ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - EARLY MORNING
The buzzer RINGS.

URGENT MALE VOICE (O.C.)
OPEN UP, POLICE.

CASEY
Shit.

BANG-BANG-BANGING on the door.

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
OPEN UP THE DOOR RIGHT NOW.

DANNY
We need a diversion.
CASEY
(to Mia)
Go put some music on.
Make it seem like a private party
or something.

Mia dashes over to the sound system.
Turns it on.

Thievery Corporation bubbles
its world beat on hidden speakers.

BETTIE
Let me try.

DANNY
Yeah, go ahead. Do it.

Bettie nods.
RACES over to the door.
Opens it a crack.

Danny grabs his shotgun.
Follows her.
Stands off to the side.

BETTIE
Sorry, officer. Private party.
Was the music too loud?
Joint’s supposed to be soundproof --
ANGRY COP (O.C.)
I need to come in
and search the place, Miss.
There’s a dangerous felon
on the loose.
(beat)
You’re Bettie Black --

BETTIE
That’s me.

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
I’m afraid I’m still
gonna have to come in.

BETTIE
Do you have to?
Me and my friends
were gonna be leaving soon.
Can you come back a little later?

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
I’m sorry, Ms. Black.

BETTIE
Bettie, please.
Do I looke like a ‘Ms?’

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
I believe you -- Bettie,
but I gotta come in. It’s my job.
We gotta check every building.
Sorry to inconvenience you.

BETTIE
Who you looking for?

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
Are you kidding?
It’s all over the news.

BETTIE
I don’t watch the news.
You said you’re looking
for a dangerous felon?

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
Yeah. Some asshole killed
a cop up in the hills.
We got a city-wide manhunt going on.

BETTIE
Holy shit.

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
I’ll just be a minute.

BETTIE
Well, see -- the thing is,
we’ve been doing some partying.
Smoking some weed,
doing a little blow.
Promise you won’t bust us?

ANGRY COP (O.C.)
Don’t worry about it.
Got bigger fish to fry.
Now if you’ll excuse me --

The door starts to push open.
ANGRY COP (30’s) starts coming in.

Meet sergeant BIFF GRIFFIN,
a big beefy fellow.

Danny SHOVES his sawed-off
against the side of his head.

DANNY
Make one move and you’re
chunks in sauce --

Gravy Train

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 AFTERHOURS, Casey gets Danny to reveal what happened during his bloody home invasion gone wrong, just as a cop starts banging on the front door, demanding to be let in ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - EARLY MORNING
Casey takes Danny’s hand in hers.
Looks in his eyes.

CASEY
So what happened?
Why did you do it?

DANNY
We should get going.

CASEY
In a sec.
I think we all wannna know.
(looks at the group, off their nods)
What happened?

Pause.

DANNY
Rael and I used to be partners.
Started out squeaky clean.
Loved the job.
Both of our fathers were cops,
real heroes, you know?
(beat)
We walked the straight
and narrow for a long time.
But cops don’t make very much money --
and every day you’re out there
busting these assholes
who’ve got a shitload of cash.
You’re driving a Ford
and they’ve got a Porsche.
You wear a Timex, they’ve got a Rolex.
You eat burgers, they have steak.
(beat)
So one day you swipe
a little cash after a bust.
Who’s gonna notice, right?
Bust a guy who’s got a
couple-hundred grand, pocket ten.
Big fucking deal.
Who does it hurt?
(beat)
We started doing it more and more.
Thought of it as a bonus
for doing a good job.
Take down some lowlife
who had a million in coke
and a half-a-million in cash,
you deserve fifty-k
for bringing him down.
(beat)
Problem is, you start getting
used to the finer things in life.
A cabin up in Big Bear.
New clothes for the wife. Nice vacations.
You become addicted to spending it.
Almost like you want to get rid of it,
like you don’t really deserve it.

CASEY
I know what you mean.
I spent so much money
after the movie hit,
my accountant almost
had a heart attack.

DANNY
How did you stop?

CASEY
I didn’t.
Why do you think
I need the next movie?

DANNY
(nods)
So, anyway -- I rip off a dealer
who turns out to be an informer,
get busted for being dirty
and get thrown off the force.
The wife’s not happy.
No more gravy train.

CASEY
Ohimogd. She slept with Rael.

DANNY
Are you fucking pyschic?
How did you know that?

CASEY
Read a lot of books,
watch a lot of movies.
I can predict a plot twist
at twenty paces.

DANNY
No shit.
(sips his coffee)
So -- I did what any broke,
jealous asshole would do.
Robbed the fucking creep
that fucked my wife.
(beat)
Only I didn’t think she’d be
in bed with him when I did it.

SKY
That’s some pretty intense shit.

BETTIE
No shit.

DANNY
I’m afraid I’m not the
savior you think I am.
I’m just your garden variety criminal.

MIA
But you did it for love.
That means something.

DANNY
Love? I dunno.
Jealous rage is more like it.
After I got kicked off the force,
our marriage was never the same.
(beat)
I fucking lived for that job.

CASEY
Well, you got the money.

DANNY
And someone to tell my story.

CASEY
Gonna make a hell of a movie.

DANNY
Whattaya say we get
the fuck outta here?

The buzzer RINGS.

URGENT MALE VOICE (O.C.)
OPEN UP, POLICE.

Leaving Las Vegas

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 AFTERHOURS, Danny and the celebrities regroup in the aftermath of the gunfight that killed Angel and Easy ... and in a surprising turn of events, the hostages suddenly feel empowered ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING
Mia makes coffee, eyes red-rimmed.
Bettie and Casey sit at the bar,
in a daze.

Bettie pours a shot.
Downs it.

Pours another.
Slams it.

Pours another.

CASEY
Still trying to leave Vegas?

BETTIE
Hell, no.
That fucking shit was PUNK ROCK.
I’m sorry Easy and Angel died and shit,
but that lit the fucking spark.
I haven’t felt this alive in YEARS.
Got all kinds of music in my head.

Danny and Sky walk in.
Take seats.

DANNY
The VIP room is starting
to look like a morgue.

SKY
‘Starting to?’

DANNY
(looks at Mia)
I could go for a cup of coffee.

SKY
Make mine Irish.

DANNY
You did good, kid.

SKY
I just got into character --
and did it.

DANNY
(to Casey)
How you holding up?
You okay?

CASEY
Top of the world, Ma.

DANNY
No, seriously.
You looked spooked.

CASEY
I am.
(faint smile)
But it’s a good kinda spooked.

BETTIE
I don’t know about you,
but all this shit gave me
the kick in the ass
I fucking needed.

SKY
I know, right?
Now I don’t give a shit
what anybody thinks.
I fucked up,
so I’ll pay the price.
I’ll get clean, go to rehab.
Big fucking deal.
HIV is no longer
a death sentence, right?
I’ll be fine.
Hollywood loves a big comeback.
(beat)
I can’t believe I was
acting like such a pussy.

DANNY
So the big, bad wolf
ends up helping everybody
get their shit together.
(beat)
Sure could use some
of that myself about now --

Trick Or Treat

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 AFTERHOURS, it's a blood bath of epic proportions when two loan shark goons invade the club and try to collect money from Angel the bartender ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Sky appears out of nowhere.
Holding Vin’s gun, aimed at Pub.

PUB
Who the fuck are --
wait a minute.
(to Ned)
That’s Sky Masters.

NED
Who?

PUB
Sky Masters.
He was in ‘Baby Heister.’
You know.
The wheelman.

NED
Oh, yeah.

SKY
Nice to meet you, fellas.
Now why don’t we all
put our guns down
so my friend can
give you your money.
Whattaya say?

NED
Bullshit.
You’re tryin’ to trick us.

CASEY (O.C.)
Trick or treat!

BETTIE (O.C.)
Trick or treat!

Reveal Casey and Bettie.
Holding bottles of booze.

They both take a swig.
Smile.

BETTIE
C’mon, boys --

CASEY
Let’s get the party STARTED.

NED
Holy SHIT.
That’s Bettie Black.

PUB
(to Casey)
Who are you?
You famous, too?

CASEY
(coy)
Maybe --

Bettie and Casey raise
their bottles with one hand,
PULL UP their tops
with the other.

Pub and Ned
stare at their breasts --
as the girls SMASH
the bottles on their heads.

They both HIT the floor.
THWUMP.

Their shotguns go OFF.
BANG. BANG.

Angel gets HIT in the belly.
FLIES across the room.

MIA
ANGEL, NO.

Easy gets HIT in the crotch,
falls to the floor, THWUMP.

Bettie and Casey SCREAM.

Harry starts having a HEART ATTACK.
CLUTCHES his chest.

Weaves. Falls over.
HITS the floor.

Danny aims his sawed-off.
BLOWS OFF Pub’s head. BANG.

Then Ned’s. BANG.

Danny looks at their bodies.
Then the girls.

DANNY
I need a drink --

Can't We All Just Get Along?

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 AFTERHOURS, after a pair of goons show up to try and get the debt that Angel owes their boss, the hostages take turns trying to fend them off ...

INT. THE EXIT ROOM - EARLY MORNING
Danny LEAPS around, JAMS
his sawed-off against Ned’s cheek.

DANNY
Don’t move.
Drop it.

PUB
(to Danny)
Drop yours, or I blow
da spic’s head off.

DANNY
Drop yours, or I spray the wall
with Jed Clampett’s brains.

NED
(to Pub)
Wait, wait.
If you shoot him, we don’t get no money.
(to Danny)
Who the fuck are you?

DANNY
None of your fucking business.
Who the fuck are YOU?

PUB
He owes our boss money --

NED
And we’re here to collect.

DANNY
How much?

PUB
Two thousand.

ANGEL
TWO thousand?
The weekly vig’s supposed to be one.

NED
It doubles if you’re late.

DANNY
I’ll give it to you
if you put your gun down.

PUB
You’ll give it to me? Right.
You just happen to carry around
that much cash.

DANNY
I’ve got it, okay?
(off his look)
I’m in a similar line of work.

NED
How do I know you’re not
gonna blow my head off?

DANNY
You’re just gonna have to trust me.

PUB
He’s bluffing.

EASY (O.C.)
Gentlemen.
Can’t we all just get along?

Reveal Easy.
Standing nearby,
jacket over his shoulders.

NED
Holy shit. It’s Easy Washington.

PUB
Who gives a shit.
I fookin’ hate baseball.

EASY
(smiles)
And I hate soccer. We’re even.

NED
I just heard on the radio
that you’re a bone-smuggler.

EASY
Well, bisexual is more accurate.

NED
(aims his gun at Easy)
A fag’s a fag, no matter
if he eats pussy.
It’s like being half-black,
yer still black.

SKY (O.C.)
Is that any way to speak
to a sports legend?

Reveal Sky.
Standing a few feet to the side.
Holding Vin’s gun, aimed at Pub.

PUB
Who the fuck are -- wait a minute.
(to Ned)
That’s Sky Masters.

NED
Who?

PUB
Sky Masters.
He was in ‘Baby Heister.’
You know. The wheelman.

NED
Oh, yeah.

SKY
Nice to meet you, fellas.
Now why don’t we all put our guns down
so my friend can give you your money.
Whattaya say?

NED
Bullshit. You’re tryin’ to trick us.

Reveal Casey and Bettie.
Holding bottles of booze.
They both take a swig. Smile.

BETTIE
C’mon, boys --

CASEY
Let’s get the party STARTED.

Jump The Loan Shark

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 24 of AFTERHOURS, just as Danny and his hostages finish working out their escape plan, they get interrupted with pair of shotgun-wielding goons looking for Angel the bouncer ... and the money he owes them ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - EARLY MORNING
Casey turns. Looks at Danny.

CASEY
What about me?

DANNY
You wanna come with?

CASEY
It’s my story, too.

DANNY
(nods)
We’ll hole up in a shitty motel
until the heat dies down.
You can go out and get food and shit.

CASEY
The start of act three.

The buzzer RINGS.

CASEY
Shit.

DANNY
(to Angel)
Go see who it is.
If it’s the loan shark guys,
I’ve got you covered.
(beat)
Everybody else get down behind the bar.

Angel walks over to the door.
Danny follows.

The rest scamble off their stools.
Get down on the floor behind the bar.

Danny takes position to the
side of the door, shotgun ready.

ANGEL
(at the door)
Who’s there?

MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Liquor delivery.

ANGEL
We just had one.
It’s a mistake.
We don’t need anything.

Angel shoots a look at Danny.

MALE VOICE (O.C.)
No mistake.
Owner ordered that
new vodka from Croatia.
Expensive shit.

ANGEL
Really?

MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Yeah. C’mon, can you open the door?
I gotta take a wicked piss.

Danny looks at Angel. Nods.
Angel unlocks, opens the door --
and two HUGE GUYS (20’s)
walk in carrying shotguns.

PUB, a crazy-looking Brit,
and NED, a scary-looking redneck.

PUB
(aims his gun at Angel)
Just the bloke we’re lookin’ for.

NED
(looks around)
Fancy joint ya got here.

Danny LEAPS around, JAMS
his sawed-off against Ned’s cheek.

DANNY
Don’t move. Drop it.

PUB
(to Danny)
Drop yours, or I blow
da spic’s head off.

DANNY
Drop yours, or I spray the wall
with Jed Clampett’s brains.

NED
(to Pub)
Wait, wait.
If you shoot him,
we don’t get no money.
(to Danny)
Who the fuck are you?

DANNY
None of your fucking business.
Who the fuck are YOU?

PUB
He owes our boss money --

NED
And we’re here to collect.

Flight Plan

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 23 of AFTERHOURS, things take a surprising turn when the celebrities being held hostage by gunman Danny Peel come up with a plan to help him escape ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING
Danny and Casey sit together at the bar
next to a bottle in in a bucket of ice.

Sip champagne from flutes.
Danny raises his glass
to the others in a toast.

DANNY
Thanks for not trying anything
while we were --

CASEY
Busy?

They stare at each other. Smile.

EASY
Well, I’m not really
in fighting shape anymore.

DANNY
HEY.
Feeling sorry for yourself
is not allowed, got it?

EASY
That’s easy for you to say.

DANNY
Oh, yeah? Please.
You lost your arm,
but you’ve got millions.
And you’re gonna be
remembered as a hero.
I’m gonna be lucky if I
get out of this alive.
Any minute now the cops
could break down the door.

SKY
So we should come up a plan.

MIA
I told you.
He can take my car.
Angel can drive me home.

ANGEL
Yeah, sure.

CASEY
Wait a minute, I’ve got it.
What if I drive, Easy rides shotgun,
Bettie and Sky sit behind us,
and Danny hides in the back
under a blanket?

DANNY
That’s fucking brilliant.

CASEY
Four celebrities going to breakfast
after a night of partying?
We could get through any roadblock.

DANNY
You guys would do that for me?

SKY
We could say you had a gun on us.

DANNY
(raises his glass)
As an expression of my gratitude,
I’ll give you each a hundred-k,
in cash, tax-free.
I’ll get the fuck outta here,
and you’ll have some mad money.

CASEY
(raises her glass)
To The Gentleman Bandit.
He robs from the rich --
to give to the rich.

SKY
Holy shit.
You mean that?

ANGEL
All of us?

MIA
Ohmigod.

HARRY
Dude. Really?

DANNY
Sure. Why not.
Now that my partner’s gone,
I’ll still have over a million
to head off into the sunset.

CASEY
What about me?

DANNY
You wanna come with?

CASEY
It’s my story, too.

DANNY
(nods)
We’ll hole up in a shitty motel
until the heat dies down.
You can go out and get food and shit.

CASEY
The start of act three --

Gun Play

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 22 of AFTERHOURS, crazed gunman Danny Peel and Oscar-winning screenwriter Casey Montana get up close and personal when she reveals she's been looking for her next true crime story ... and has now found it.


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Casey gets up. Walks over to Danny.

CASEY
You meant that?

DANNY
What?

CASEY
Permission to tell your story.

DANNY
Yeah.

Angel nudges Sky.
Points at Vin’s body.
They nod.

Get up, pick him up
and carry him out of the room.

MIA
(softly)
I’ll go make us some drinks.

Bettie and Easy
follow her to the bar.

Danny watches them
out of the corner of his eye.

CASEY
Wilshire Boulevard’s a true story.

DANNY
No shit?

CASEY
(nods)
I’m Jenny.

DANNY
But you said you
liked to fuck girls.

CASEY
Doesn’t mean I don’t
like to fuck guys.

DANNY
Thank heaven for small miracles.

CASEY
That’s why I haven’t
been able to write.

DANNY
Why don’t you just
find another true story?

CASEY
I tried, but it didn’t work.
The story’s gotta happen to me.
(beat)
Watching my boyfriend kill
my parents and my brother really --
(beat)
So I wrote about it.
It was the only way I could let go.
(whispers)
But I haven’t been able to have sex.

DANNY
Really.

CASEY
Yeah.
(beat)
But now --

DANNY
You’ve been waiting for another
triple homicide to come along?

CASY
More like -- waiting for a muse.

DANNY
I inspire you?

CASEY
Scary, huh?

DANNY
Boo.

CASEY
Gonna huff and puff?

DANNY.
Blow your house down.

They GRAB each other.
Start going at it, hot and heavy.

Angel and Sky come back in,
see what they’re doing.

Go to the bar.
Join the others.
Whisper to each other.

Danny pulls Casey over to
the banquet so they won’t be seen.

Lays her down.
Kisses her neck.

Pulls his sawed-off
out from his waistband.
Points it at her crotch.

DANNY
Ever had both barrels?

CASEY
Go ahead.
(beat)
Fill me with buckshot --

Trigger Happy

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 21 of AFTERHOURS, career criminal Danny Peel and rogue cop Vin Vargas get into an argument about the fucked-pup home invasion they barely escaped from ... with deadly results.


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Danny pulls out his cell phone.
Hands it to her.

Mia takes it, dials a number.
Relieved.

DANNY
Chill out.
Her mother had a stroke.
It’s not her fault you fucked up tonight.

VIN
WHAT?

DANNY
Shut up, Vin.
I wanna listen.

MIA
(into the phone)
UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica?
(listens)
Thanks.
(listens)
Yes, hi.
I’m calling to get some information
on a patient of yours?
(listens)
Lucy Tanaka.
(listens)
Sure, I’ll hold.
(to Danny)
I’m holding --

DANNY
It’s okay.

MIA
(nods)
Yes? She IS? Thank god. Thank you.
(listens)
She’s going home tomorrow?
(listens)
Is my sister there?
Can I talk to her?

DANNY
Time’s up.

MIA
But I want to ask her --

DANNY
(GRABS the phone)
You found out your mother’s okay.
Can’t risk you talking to your sister.
She’ll be able to tell something’s up
by the tone of your voice.

VIN
I can’t believe you
let her fucking do that.
Hostages aren’t allowed
to make phone calls.

DANNY
You really are a pain in the ass,
you know that?

VIN
HEY.
I risked my BADGE for you.
And what’s this bullshit about
‘I fucked up the job?’

DANNY
You DID fuck up the job.

CASEY
Wait a minute.
Vin’s a COP?

DANNY
(nods)
A cop with a gambling problem.

VIN
Why the fuck did you
have to tell her THAT?

DANNY
Cause it’s true?

VIN
I didn’t fuck up the job.
He was going for his piece.

DANNY
No he wasn’t.
He was reaching for his glasses.
He was blind without them.
(to Casey)
They were fucking when we walked in --
(to Vin)
And Dirty Harry here just
HAD to go in, guns blazing.

CASEY
Oh my god.
This WOULD make a great movie.

VIN
A MOVIE?
You can’t make a movie
outta this without our permission.

DANNY
I’m giving her mine.

VIN
WHAT?

DANNY
Gonna do something about it?

VIN
(stands)
Maybe.

DANNY
I wouldn’t do that if I were you.
Be the last mistake you ever made.
(chuckles)
One in a LONG line --
(imitates him)
‘Hello, honey?
I lost our mortgage payment at the track.’

Vin reaches for his gun,
but Danny’s faster --
and SHOOTS him with the sawed-off, BOOM.

He FLIES backwards, HITS the floor, THUD.
Blood starts PUMPING out of his belly.

Casey stares, wide-eyed.
Heart beating a mile a minute.

SKY
Holy shit.

BETTIE
Good riddance.

EASY
Asshole.

ANGEL
I was getting tired of his shit.

MIA
Bye-bye, sucker.

Angel looks at Mia. Smiles.

HARRY
(low)
Remind me not to make him mad --

Code Blue

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 20 of AFTERHOURS, after they subdue the nosy cop that walked in on them, Danny, Vin and the celebrity hostages chow down on the food that Vin went out and got, but when Danny lets Mia use his cell phone to check on her mother in the hospital, Vin blows a gasket ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - EARLY MORNING
A big spread of food is on the table.
Everybody sits on the banquet
eating sandwiches.

Vin’s there, too.
Looks like hell in greasy, filthy clothing.

CASEY
Ohmigod, this is so fucking good.

VIN
Boar’s Head.
I don’t eat that cheap shit.

HARRY
Righteous sandwich.
You know your way around munchies.

VIN
Great fucking weed.
Took the edge right off.

DANNY
(to Vin)
You really paid a homeless guy
to switch clothes with you?

VIN
Yeah. Gave him a hundred bucks.
There were so many cops around,
I had to disguise myself --
(takes a bite)
That’s what took me so long to get back.

DANNY
I gotta say I’m impressed.

VIN
What about the cop?
How long before they start looking for her?

DANNY
(holds up a walkie talkie)
We’ve got some time.
Now that we got her radio
we can listen to what’s going on.

VIN
I can tell you what’s going on.
Full media blitz, cops everywhere,
choppers.

DANNY
We gotta come up with a new plan.
They’re gonna find the stolen car.

VIN
Yeah. We’re gonna need new wheels.

MIA
You can take my car.

DANNY
What kind of car do you have?

MIA
A Honda SUV.
Has tinted windows.

DANNY
I dunno.
There’s gonna be roadblocks.
I gotta think about it.

MIA
(to Danny)
While you think about it,
can I use your phone
to call the hospital?

DANNY
That offer was good
if you kept the cop away.

MIA
I tried, but she saw the blood.
It wasn’t my fault.

VIN
You were gonna let her use your PHONE?

DANNY
(to Mia)
Okay. Make it quick. I’ll be listening.

MIA
Ohmigod, THANK YOU.

VIN
What the fuck?

Danny pulls out his cell phone.
Hands it to her.

Mia takes it, dials a number. Relieved.

DANNY
Chill out. Her mother had a stroke.
It’s not her fault you fucked up tonight.

VIN
WHAT?

DANNY
Shut up, Vin. I wanna listen.

MIA
(into the phone)
UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica?
(listens)
Thanks.
(listens)
Yes, hi. I’m calling to get
some information on a patient of yours?
(listens)
Lucy Tanaka.
(listens)
Sure, I’ll hold.
(to Danny)
I’m holding --

Party Out Of Bounds

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 AFTERHOURS, Danny and his celebrity hostages chill out and get high with help of drug dealer Harry Dill ... until a cop knocks on the door ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - EARLY MORNING
The lush world beat of Thievery Corporation
gently pulses through hidden speakers over --

Everybody sitting on the banquette getting high.
Danny’s at one end with his shotgun on his lap.

Bettie stands in the middle of the room
doing an interpretive dance.

DANNY
(laughs)
I thought I said ‘no dancing.’

BETTIE
I’m not dancing.

DANNY
No shit.

DANNY
(looks at Mia)
So what’s your story?
You an actress-slash-model?

MIA
I guess so.

DANNY
You guess so?
Then why look so sad?
You’re pursuing your dream.
(off her look)
There’s no need to be afraid of me.
I’m not gonna hurt you.

MIA
Right before you -- came,
I got a call from my sister.
My mother had a stroke and
she was being rushed to the hospital.
And I don’t know if she’s okay.

DANNY
Oh, wow. Shit. I’m sorry.

MIA
Can I use your cell phone to call the hospital?

The buzzer RINGS.

FEMALE COP (O.C.)
Open up, it’s the police.

DANNY
(to Mia)
Go answer it.
Shut off the lights
and pretend you’re closing up.
If you can get rid of her,
I’ll let you call your mom, okay?
(to the rest)
Everybody else get behind the bar.

They quickly tip-toe toward the back.
Danny takes position next to the door.

Mia goes to a panel on the wall,
shuts off the lights. Opens the door.

A tough-looking FEMALE UNIFORMED OFFICER
(30’s) appears.

MIA
Hello, officer. I was just closing up.
Can I help you?

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
You’re just closing now?
What kinda place is this?

MIA
After-hours club.
(smiles)
Very exclusive.

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
(sniffs)
I smell marijuana.

MIA
Yeah, I know.
It’s against the rules.
But who’s gonna argue with Easy Washington?

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
Easy Washingon was here? Tonight? Shit.

MIA
Yeah. We had quite the crowd tonight --
Bettie Black, Sky Masters, Casey Montana --

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
Who’s Casey Montana?

MIA
She wrote Wilshire Bouleward?

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
Oh, wow. I loved that movie.
(peers in)
So they’re all gone?

MIA
Yep. Were you looking for somebody?

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
Yeah. Had a home invasion up in the hills.
Cop got killed.

MIA
Oh, no. That’s terrible.

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
Tell me about it.
Got everybody they can on it.
Got me outta bed.

MIA
Wow. That sucks.
(off his look)
Do you mind if I get going?
I’ve got a sick mother at home that needs me.

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
(keeps peering inside)
Yeah, sure.
(sees something)
Wait a minute. Is that blood?

She pulls out her flashlight.
Shines it into the room.

Sees the pool of blood
where Easy’s arm got blown off.

MIA
Oh, they got into a little scuffle.
Cleaning crew will take care of it later.

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
That’s a hell of a lotta blood, miss.
I’m gonna have to go in and take a look.

MIA
You sure? It was just a little fight --

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
Step aside please, Miss.

Mia shrugs. Moves. Tough-Looking walks in.

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
Could you turn the lights on please?

She goes to the panel.
FLICKS them on.

Tough-Looking walks in.
Looks at the blood.

Then at the banquet area and table
where everybody was partying.
Sees the booze, the pot.

TOUGH-LOOKING FEMALE COP
That was some party.
(turns to her)
You just left all that stuff lying around?
Why didn’t you clean it up?

A shotgun appears next to her head.

DANNY (O.C.)
Because the party’s just getting started --

Reveal Danny. Holding it.

The Universal Language Of Stoned

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 17 of AFTERHOURS, Silverlake hipster dealer Mickey Mertz's business partner Harry Dill arrives on the scene looking for Mickey, and is disappointed to find out he's dead ... and that now he's a hostage, too ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING.
Danny unlocks the door. YANKS it open.
Aims his sawed-off at Excited Male Voice.

DANNY
Shut the fuck up
and get your ass in here.

In walks HARRY DILL (60’s), dishevelled,
with shaggy hair and a beard.

Natty in flip flops, board shorts
and a ratty tie-dyed t-shirt
that makes The Dude look sophisticated.

DANNY
Go over there and sit with the others.

HARRY
(stares at the gun)
I can dig it. Tight security.
Chill. I’m cool. I’m cool.
(looks at the others)
Where’s Mickey?
(sees Angel’s stump)
Whoah. Dude’s missing an arm.
Now that’s what I call a fucking party.

DANNY
Sit down and shut the fuck up.

HARRY
So where’s Mickey? In the head?

DANNY
Mickey’s dead. SIT.

HARRY
He’s DEAD? Wh-what h-happened?

Danny PUNCHES him in the stomach.
Harry doubles over.

HARRY
Dude. That fucking HURT.
Why’d you have to do that?

DANNY
Cause I told you to SIT DOWN
and SHUT THE FUCK UP.

Harry nods. Takes a seat.

HARRY
Alright. Jeez.

DANNY
Why did you want to see him?
What the fuck was so important?

HARRY
We got raided by the Feds.
All of our inventory was seized.
I barely escaped and was
coming to warn him.
Didn’t answer his cell
so I knew something was up --
(looks at Danny’s gun)
But not something like this.
Did you rob a bank or something?

DANNY
Why does everybody think
we robbed a fucking BANK?
(beat)
How did you know he was coming here?

HARRY
He told me. We’re business partners.
I procure the inventory
and he distributes it.
Some cat who works here is a customer.
(beat)
Dude. My heart’s beating a mile a minute.
Mind if I smoke out?

DANNY
‘Smoke out?’

HARRY
You know, weed.
You can have some, too.
Chill you right out.

DANNY
That’s actually not a bad idea.

HARRY
Right on.

He pulls a joint out of his pocket.
LIGHTS IT with a click of his Zippo.
Takes a big hit. Hands it to Danny.
He takes a toke. Holds it in. Nods. EXHALES.

DANNY
(hands it back)
That’s good shit.

HARRY
Oh, yeah. OG Kush from Humbolt.
None of that hydroponic bullshit.
I mean, sure it gives you a great high,
but it’s gone an hour later.
This shit’ll give you a body-shizzle
that’ll last all night.
(stares at Bettie)
Sugar Magnolia, blossoms blooming.
I’m in the presence of the Dark Goddess.

BETTIE
(smiles)
That’s me. Can I get a hit?

DANNY
It would be an honor.
Weed is the universal language of stoned.

He passes it to her.
She takes a ginormous hit. Holds it in.

HARRY
(low, to himself)
Mickey’s dead.
Who am I gonna get to move my product?
(looks at Danny)
Can I -- ask what happened?

DANNY
My partner accidentally blew his head off.
Got nervous, thought he was hitting on him.

HARRY
Pulp Fiction, ahoy.
(looks at the group)
Which one is he -- or she?

DANNY
He’s not here. He went out to get some food.

HARRY
A hostage situation with snacks. Far out.
(realizes)
So -- you’re not gonna let me go.

DANNY
Now you’re catching on.

HARRY
Guess it’s safer here than back at my place.
Joint’s crawling with DEA.

DANNY
Sounds like it’s your lucky night.

HARRY
Hey. If you’re given lemons --
(brightens)
Can we have some tunage?

DANNY
You mean -- music?

HARRY
Soothes the savage beast.
This IS a club, daddy-o.

CASEY
(to Danny)
Great idea. We get high, listen to some music,
then have something to eat when Vin gets back.
You’ll be relaxed and refreshed
for when you make your escape.

Pause.

DANNY
Okay. But no dancing --

Behind The Music

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 16 of AFTERHOURS, Danny starts grilling his celebrity hostages about why they're hanging out in an after hours club at five in the morning on a 'Sunday night,' but just as they start revealing their deep, dark secrets, someone starts pounding on the door, demanding to be let in ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Danny looks at Vin.

DANNY
Get a couple loaves of bread,
some cold cuts and chips and shit.

VIN
Okay.

He starts heading for the door.

DANNY
Be careful.

Vin nods.
Unlocks the door.

Slowly opens it.
Peers out.

Then leaves.
Shuts the door behind him.

CASEY
Thanks.

DANNY
Yeah, well --
I figure if things go south,
maybe they’ll go easier on me
if I treat you like human beings.

EASY
Right. Like blowing off my arm?

DANNY
You tried to grab my gun.
That was your fault, not mine.
I was giving you lines of coke, remember?

CASEY
You seem like too nice a guy to be --

DANNY
What. A cold-blooded killer?
You surprise me. As a writer, you
of all people should know
people are complicated.
(beat)
What I want to know
is why you’re all here.
You’ve got great careers,
tons of dough, and yet
you’re hanging out in an
after-hours club on a weeknight
at five in the morning.
What’s up with that?

BETTIE
I was doing an Amy Winehouse
until you interrupted me.

DANNY
Makes sense.
Your last album tanked,
and I saw that video on YouTube.
Ouch. You really clocked that kid.

BETTIE
Label’s gonna drop me.
My band won’t speak to me.
There’s nothing to live for.
Music is my life.

DANNY
Gonna make a hell of a
‘Behind The Music.’
(to Easy)
I think I got you figured out.
The press is going to out you, right?

EASY
He shoots, he scores.

DANNY
Wasn’t a detective for nothing.
(to Sky)
And you, Mr. HIV-positive.
Just found out?

SKY
Yeah.

DANNY
Then why come here?

SKY
Getting married tomorrow.

DANNY
So the wife doesn’t know.

SKY
What do you think?

DANNY
I think they should rename
this place ‘The Hideout.’
(to Casey)
What’s your deal?
Looking for your next story?

CASEY
More like avoiding trying.

DANNY
But you found it, didn’t you.

CASEY
Maybe.

DANNY
If you live through this,
you’re gonna write about it.

CASEY
I’m thinking about it.

DANNY
Maybe Ethan Hawke here can play me.

CASEY
Nah. Too scrawny.
Thinking more of a George Clooney type.

DANNY
I’ll take that as a compliment.

CASEY
So why did you rob the dirty cop?
You know him?

DANNY
Know him?
He was my fucking partner.

CASEY
What did he do to you?

DANNY
If I tell you that,
you could testify against me
in a court of law.

CASEY
C’mon. I’m curious. I wanna know.

DANNY
You know what they say about curiosity --

They stare at each other.
The buzzer RINGS. Everyone looks.

DANNY
Too soon to be Vin --
(to Mia)
Go see who it is.
Tell ‘em we’re closed.
If it’s a cop, stall him.
If it’s the loan shark guys,
tell ‘em Angel’s gone.

Mia nods. Gets up.
Walks over to the door.
Danny follows her.

MIA
Sorry. We’re closed.

EXCITED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
I’m looking for Mickey.
I know he’s here.

Angel breathes a sigh of relief.

MIA
I said WE’RE CLOSED.

EXCITED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
C’mon, man. I know he’s here.
Let me in. It’s an emergency.

MIA
He’s not here. He left.

EXCITED MALE VOICE (O.C.)
Oh, yeah?
Then why’s his car still here?
If you don’t let me in,
I’m gonna call the cops.

DANNY
(to Mia)
Step aside.

She does.
Danny unlocks the door.

YANKS it open.
Aims his sawed-off
at Excited Male Voice.

DANNY
Shut the fuck up
and get your ass in here --

The Gentleman Gunman

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 15 of AFTERHOURS, in the aftermath of the bloody attempted mutiny, hostage-taker Danny Peel surprises the celebrities when he sends rogue cop Vin Vargas out to get food for everybody ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING
Easy sits in the corner
of a banquet, in pain.

Chugs from a bottle of scotch.
We see a big, ugly scar
on his arm socket.

Sky, Angel, Bettie, Casey,
Mia and Angel sit around him.

Danny and Vin sit at the bar,
facing them, guns aimed.

SKY
(whispers to Casey)
Nothing like seeing a guy
getting his arm blown off
to sober you up.

Casey nods, in a daze.

DANNY
Not as much fun as
sitting at the bar, I know.
But your priviledges have been revoked.
(low, to Vin)
What did you do with his arm?

VIN
(whispers)
In the VIP room with the dead guy.

MIA
(to Danny)
Could I get some ice for his shoulder?

DANNY
No. Nobody moves.
Tried being nice and it didn’t work.

SKY
What if we have to go to the bathroom?

DANNY
Then you pee in your pants.

BETTIE
Shit.

DANNY
That, too.

VIN
I’m really hungry, Danny.

DANNY
Then do some more blow.

VIN
Nah. That shit fucked me up.
Stomach’s tied up in knots.
What if I go outside
and see what’s going on?
If the coast is clear
I could go get some food.

DANNY
Are you fucking crazy?
It’s too risky.

MIA
There’s a Twenty-Four-Mart
a couple blocks away.
He could go behind the stores
in the alley.

VIN
Yeah?

DANNY
(looks at his watch)
It’s still dark out --

VIN
C’mon. Let me go take a look.
I’ll creep up the stairs
real careful like.
Nobody will see me.

Pause.

DANNY
Okay. But be careful.
(looks at the group)
I supposed you’re all hungry.

VIN
Are you kidding?
After the shit they pulled?
Let ‘em starve.

CASEY
I don’t see why the rest of us
should be punished for
Tango and Cash’s shenanigans.

Danny looks at her a long beat.
Narrows his eyes.

DANNY
(to Vin)
What the fuck.
Get enough stuff to make
sandwiches for everybody.

SKY
I’m a vegan --

DANNY
You’re lucky you’re fucking ALIVE.
You’ll eat whatever grub you’re given.

VIN
You wanna feed them ALL?

DANNY
Why not.
Good faith gesture.
Maybe the media will call me
‘The Gentleman Gunman’ or some shit.

VIN
You’re fucking crazy.

DANNY
Crazy like a fox.
If their bellies are full,
they might not get so desperate again.
(to the group)
Right?
(off their nods, to Vin)
Get a couple loaves of bread,
some cold cuts and chips and shit.

VIN
Okay.

He starts heading for the door.

DANNY
Be careful.

Vin nods.
Unlocks the door.

Slowly opens it.
Peers out.

Then leaves.
Shuts the door behind him --

Shades of Grey

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 AFTERHOURS, after stopping Sky and Easy's attempt to grab Danny and Vin's guns and blowing off Easy's arm at shoulder, Danny has to deal with stopping the gushing wound ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Casey stares in horror at the blood.
Easy's missing arm on the floor.

CASEY
Holy fucking SHIT.

ANGEL
(to Mia)
TOWELS. GET SOME TOWELS.

MIA
They’re IN THE LAUNDRY.

ANGEL
PAPER TOWELS, NAPKINS -- ANYTHING. HURRY.

Mia reaches under the bar,
grabs a stack of paper towels,
hands them to Angel.

He RACES over to Easy.
SHOVES them on the gushing wound.

Danny gets up.
Thumbs a couple of shells
into the sawed-off.

KA-CHINKS them into the chamber.
Aims it at Easy.

DANNY
And I thought we were
getting along so well.
(aims it at Sky)
And YOU. You’re PATHETIC. Weak.
This isn’t a fucking MOVIE.
(to Vin)
You okay?

VIN
Yeah.

EASY
Joke’s on you.
Movie star’s got HIV.

VIN
Who gives a shit.
So we got another faggot.
Fucking Hollywood --

DANNY
He means the blood on your face.

Vin reaches up. Touches his face.
Looks at his hand. Sees it.

VIN
What the FUCK?

He RUNS toward the men’s room.
Danny aims his gun at Sky.

DANNY
Okay, junkie. Go sit with the others.

Sky slowly gets up.
Trudges over to the bar. Sits.

CASEY
(nods at Easy)
We’re gonna have to cauterize his wound.

DANNY
Or what? He’ll lose his arm?

ANGEL
No, she’s serious.
He’ll lose too much blood.

DANNY
(looks at Easy)
Hope that wasn’t your jerking off hand.

Vin walks back in, wiping
his face with a paper towel.

Walks over to Sky.
JAMS his gun against his head.

VIN
If I get AIDS, I’m gonna fucking
KILL you, fucking FAGGOT.

DANNY
Vin. He’s not gay. He’s a junkie.
(off his look)
Needles?

VIN
Oh.
(beat)
Right.

DANNY
(nods at Easy)
We gotta cauterize the wound.

VIN
Why? Just let him bleed out.
He fucking attacked you for crissakes.

DANNY
(to Mia)
What kinda stove you got in the kitchen,
gas or electric?

MIA
Electric.

DANNY
Perfect.

EASY
Oh, no. You can’t -- do that.

DANNY
Oh yes we can. You wannna live, right?

EASY
Can I get back to you on that?

DANNY
(to Angel)
GQ. Help me bring him into the kitchen.

Angel nods. Walks over.

DANNY
(to Vin)
You keep an eye on the gang from Cheers.

VIN
Okay.

Danny and Angel help Easy up.
Start walking toward the back.

EASY
Why are you helping me?

DANNY
Shades of grey, Mr. Pro Athelete.
Sometimes the bad guy
shows a glimmer of compassion.

VIN
What about his arm?

DANNY
You deal with it.

They leave. Bettie slides out of the booth.
Starts weaving toward the bar.

VIN
(sees her)
And just where the fuck
do you think YOU’RE going?

BETTIE
(sits)
Excuse me, but that was some intense shit.
I need a drink.

CASEY
I don’t think that’s a good idea.

BETTIE
Like I could give a flying fuck
what you think.

MIA
She’s right.
It’s probably not a good idea.
You’ve had a lot --

BETTIE
Pour me a fucking DRINK, barkeep.
I’m a ROCK STAR. It’s what we DO.
(sees the powder on the bar)
You guys were DOING COKE?

She licks her finger,
wipes it through the residue.
Rubs it on her gums.

BETTIE
Now we’re fucking TALKING.
Is there any more?

VIN
(points his gun at her)
Shut the fuck up.
You’re giving me a headache.
(to Mia)
Give her a fucking drink.
Maybe she’ll pass out again.

Mia’s eyes flash angrily.
She grabs a glass.
Starts pouring.

From the kitchen, we hear Easy
CRY OUT IN PAIN.
EASY (O.C.)
AHHHHHH --

Trigger Happy

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 13 of AFTERHOURS, the shit hits the fan when celebrity hostages Easy and Sky try to grab Danny and Vin's guns, which erupts into a bloodbath of epic proportions ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Angel smiles grimly. Leans down.

SNARFS up a line. Then another.
Nods his head. Danny points at Mia.

DANNY
Now it’s your turn.

MIA
No, thanks.

DANNY
Aw, c’mon.
Join the party, doll.

MIA
I -- don’t do drugs.

DANNY
Oh, so you think you’re better than us?

MIA
No. I just --
(looks at Angel)
Don’t do drugs.

DANNY
(aims his gun at her)
Well, now you do.
(hands her the straw)
C’mon. One little toot.
You’d make a dangerous
criminal VERY happy.

MIA
Please.

DANNY
(clicks the hammer)
DO IT. NOW.

Mia stares at him.
Eyes fill with tears.

She leans down.
SNORTS a hit.

Lays down the straw.
Rubs her nose.

DANNY
See?
That wasn’t so bad, was it?

UNDER THE BAR
Easy taps Sky’s leg.
Slips him a folded napkin.

SKY
Looks down.
Carefully opens it.

THE NAPKIN READS
‘I’ll grab Danny’s gun.
You get Vin’s. When I say NOW.’

SKY
Crumples it up.
Looks around nervously.

AT THE BAR
Danny looks at Mia. Smiles.

DANNY
How do you feel?

MIA
(eyes burning)
I don’t like it.
It burns my throat.

He stares at her a long beat.
Then breaks into a big smile.

DANNY
Well, now you can say you’ve tried it.
(big smile)
More for me.

Danny leans down.
SNARFS up the last line.

EASY
NOW.

In rapid-fire succession --

Easy LEAPS off his stool.
GRABS Danny’s sawed-off.

Tries to YANK it away.
Danny tries to YANK it back.

At the same moment,
Sky JUMPS off his stool.

GRABS Vin’s gun.
They WRESTLE for the weapon.

Mia SCREAMS.
Casey and Angel GASP.

Easy and Danny roll around on the floor,
struggling for control of the gun.

Danny JERKS it toward Easy’s face,
but Easy’s STRONG, and starts
JERKING it back toward Danny’s.

Vin YANKS the gun away from Sky,
PISTOL-WHIPS him on the head.

Blood FLIES from the wound,
SPLATTERS Vin’s face.

Sky tries to PUNCH him, but Vin
KNEES him in the groin, HARD.
He goes down, writhing in pain.

Easy and Danny both grip the sawed-off,
KICKING and CLAWING at each other.

Vin aims his gun at Easy --
just as the shotgun FIRES --

BLOWING OFF HIS ARM at the shoulder. BANG.
A GEYSER OF BLOOD SPRAYS IN THE AIR.

IN THE BOOTH
Bettie wakes up.
Sees the mayhem.
Tries to focus.

BETTIE
What’s -- going on?

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 12 of AFTERHOURS, killer on the run Danny Peel parties with his celebrity hostages and starts making them do lines of coke, but things get more than a little tense when bartender Mia Tanaka refuses ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING
Danny finishes chopping up a series
of big, fat lines of coke on the bar.

Holds a rolled-up bill in his hand.
Smiles. Leans over. SNARFS one up.

Then another. HONK.
Hands it to Vin.

DANNY
Breakfast of champions.

VIN
Beam me up, Scotty.
(does a line)
Damn. That’s good shit.

CASEY
(to Danny)
Can I -- ?

DANNY
Hell, yeah.
We should all be
on the same wavelength.

Casey smiles.
Pulls a silver tube out of her bag.

Leans over. SNORTS a line.
Shakes her head.

DANNY
Check out the paraphenalia
on Miss Red Carpet.

CASEY
Present from my director.
(offers it to Sky)
Your turn.

SKY
Sorry. I’m clean and sober.

DANNY
Really? How long?

SKY
Three days.

DANNY
That’s all?
You can make that again
standing on your head.

SKY
I dunno. My sponsor --

DANNY
Tell ‘em you were held hostage
at gunpoint by a crazed gunman
and he made you.

SKY
(big smile)
Fuck, yeah.

He takes the tube from Casey.
Leans down. SNARFS up a line.
Then another.

Dips a finger in his drink.
Wets his nose.

SKY
That’s some righteous booger sugar.
(hands it to Easy)
Seventh Inning Stretch, my man?

EASY
(takes it)
Line drive, brother.
(does a hit, shakes his head)
Pun intended.
(does another)
Home run, bases loaded.

He swings the tube like a little bat.
Angel points at it.

ANGEL
My turn?

DANNY
(hands it to him)
But of course.
The bouncer needs a bounce.

Angel smiles grimly. Leans down.
SNARFS up a line. Then another.
Nods his head. Danny points at Mia.

DANNY
Now it’s your turn.

MIA
No, thanks.

DANNY
Aw, c’mon.
Join the party, doll.

MIA
I -- don’t do drugs.

DANNY
Oh, so you think you’re
better than us?

MIA
No. I just --
(looks at Angel)
Don’t do drugs.

DANNY
(aims his gun at her)
Well, now you do.
(hands her the straw)
C’mon. One little toot.
You’d make a dangerous criminal
VERY happy.

MIA
Please.

DANNY
(clicks the hammer)
DO IT. NOW.

Getaway Plan

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 AFTERHOURS, while bonding with the hostages, Danny Peel discovers that Angel the bouncer owes money to a loan shark, and that he's on his way to collect his debt ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING
Angel sits on a stool
next to Mia behind the bar.

Danny sits near Casey, Easy and Sky.
Vin sits at the other end
with a bottle of scotch,
pants back on.

Everybody is quite buzzed.

CASEY
(to Danny)
You used to be a cop.

DANNY
Is it that obvious?

CASEY
Why did you leave the force?

DANNY
I didn’t leave.
I was shit-canned.

CASEY
What happened?

DANNY
Long story.

CASEY
Do you have a getaway plan?

DANNY
Jesus.
You movie people.
‘Getaway plan.’

CASEY
No, seriously.
Maybe we can help.
You drove to the house, right?
Where’s your car?

DANNY
Parked on one of those narrow,
winding streets up in the hills.
It’s stolen, so I don’t know
how much longer it’ll be there.

EASY
But all you gotta do is wait
until the coast is clear, right?

DANNY
(nods)
Figured I’d walk back up and get it,
then drive down and
pick up Vin and the money.

VIN
(to Danny)
Hey, chief.
Sorry to interrupt
bonding with the hostages,
but is there any way we can
get some fucking food?
I’m starving.
(to the group)
Any twenty-four hour
fast food joints around here?
Hell, I’ll go get it.

DANNY
Too risky.
We don’t know what’s
going on out there.
(thinks)
Wish we had some blow.
Take the edge off.

ANGEL
I’ve got some.

DANNY
You do?

Angel pulls a decent-sized bag
of cocaine out of his pocket.

ANGEL
Little bit.

DANNY
How the fuck does a bouncer
afford that much Toots and the Maytals?

ANGEL
Mickey was giving me some credit.

MIA
Another loan --

ANGEL
Shut up, Mia.

MIA
(to Danny)
He got a lot more with
money from a loan shark,
but it got stolen --
and now he’s late paying them back.
His goons are gonna be here any minute.

ANGEL
Mia --

DANNY
(to Angel)
That true?
You got loan shark thugs on your tail?

ANGEL
(sheepish)
Yeah.

Danny KA-CHINKS the sawed-off.

DANNY
Well, now they’re gonna
haveta fuck with me --