Crazy Like A Fox

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 16 of AFTERHOURS, even though the area is filled with cops looking for him, gunman on the run Danny lets his partner Vin leave to go get food for his hungry celebrity hostages ...


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have been revoked.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

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 15 of AFTERHOURS, in the aftermath of Easy and Sky's attempt to grab Danny and Vin's guns, Danny must now deal with the fact that Easy's arm got blown off, and realizes they must cauterize the wound ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - DAWN
Vin walks back in the main room,
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 --

Gun Crazy

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 14 of AFTERHOURS, pro ball player Easy Washington and indie film hunk Sky Masters try to overpower their captors, with disastrous results ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING

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,
ky 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?

AT THE BAR
Casey stares in horror.

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. --

Breakfast of Champions

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 13 of AFTERHOURS, Angel the bouncer shares his stash of cocaine with the celebrities and their captor Danny Peel to help pass the time while they're being held hostage. Meanwhile, pro ball player Easy Washington hatches a plan to try and take Danny down ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - 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.

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.’

Getaway Plan

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 12 of AFTERHOURS, crooked cop Danny's partner Vin tells him he's hungry, and wants to go outside the club and get some food, but Danny thinks it's too dangerous because the police are looking for them ...


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 --

Risky Business

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 11 of AFTERHOURS, after getting in a fist fight, cop on the run Danny Peel makes his partner Vin Varga apologize to pro ball player Easy Washington ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Vin CHARGES Easy.
Easy PUNCHES him in the head.
Vin HITS the floor, THWUMP.

Danny WHIPS out his gun.
Aims it at Easy.

DANNY
Thanks.
I’ve been dying to
do that all night.

He looks at Vin,
holding his head,
slowly getting up.

DANNY
You okay?

VIN
Yeah.
(looks at Easy)
Asshole.

EASY
Self-defense.
You attacked me.

DANNY
(to Vin)
Apologize to the man.

VIN
What?

DANNY
You heard me.
Apologize.

VIN
For what?
He started it.

DANNY
Vin.
The first rule of
holding people hostage
is to gain their trust.
You lost your temper
and lost their trust.
In order for us to
maintain a sense of order,
they need to trust
we’ll stay cool.

SKY
(to Vin)
Yeah. Like randomly
shooting one of us.
Did wonders for my
confidence in you.

DANNY
You hear the movie star?
Apologize to the man.

VIN
WHAT?

DANNY
You heard me. Apologize.
Unless you want this to
become a Lord Of The Flies situation,
we need to remain civilized.

Vin looks down.
Shakes his head.

VIN
I don’t fucking believe this.

DANNY
Vin.

VIN
Jesus fucking Christ.
(low)
I’m -- sorry.

DANNY
Good boy.
Now take care of your leg
and put your fucking pants on.
This ain’t Risky Business --

If The Shoe Fits

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 10 of AFTERHOURS, pro ball player Easy Washington and Oscar-winning screenwriter Casey Montana give bad cop Vin shit because he shot Mickey because he was gay ...


AT THE BAR

Angel hugs Mia, silently sobbing in his arms.
Casey joins them behind the bar.
Easy looks at Sky.

EASY
(whispers)
We gotta do something.

SKY
(whispers)
You gotta plan?

EASY
I’m thinking, I’m thinking --

NEXT TO MICKEY’S BODY
Danny berates Vin.

DANNY
You fucking idiot.
We were all getting along
and you had to fucking RUIN it.
Now they’re afraid of us.
Now they think they’re gonna die.

VIN
Well, aren’t they?

DANNY
(low)
No. We want them to TRUST us.
This will go ALOT
easier if they cooperate.
Now we have to watch them
in case they try and pull something.

VIN
I don’t see what the big deal is.
Dead fag. So what?

DANNY
That man was a HUMAN BEING, Vin.
And if you weren’t so homophobic,
he’d still be alive -- and your
leg would be taken care of.

VIN
So I’ll splash some booze on it
and tie a tourniquet around it.

DANNY
Suit yourself. But first get him
the fuck out of here before
they freak out any more.

VIN
Alright, alright.

He grabs Mickey’s body by the ankles
and drags him out of the room.
All eyes follow him.

Danny walks back to the bar.
Sticks his gun in his
his waistband. Takes a seat.

DANNY
I’m really sorry.
My associate has an itchy trigger finger.
I promise I’ll keep him under control.

Danny grabs the bottle.
Pours himself another drink.
Takes a big gulp.

Vin comes back in.

VIN
I put him in the VIP room.
(off everyone’s silence)
It was an accident, okay?

EASY
You shot him because he was gay.

VIN
No I didn’t.

EASY
Yes you did.
I heard you call him a ‘faggot.’

SKY
Yeah, I did too.

CASEY
I like to fuck girls.
You gonna shoot me, too?
Danny shoots her a look.

VIN
What the fuck IS this?
(to Danny)
You gonna let them talk to me that way?

DANNY
Well, if the shoe fits.

VIN
What the fuck is THAT supposed to mean?

DANNY
You just fucking shot someone
because they’re gay
right in front of their eyes.
I think they’ve got the right
to give you shit about it.

VIN
Wait a minute.
Whose side are you ON?
It was an accident, okay?
The gun just went off.

EASY
Was it because he was
a little bit effeminate?
What if he was macho like me?

VIN
What?

EASY
If you found out I was gay,
would you shoot me?

VIN
You’re not GAY.
You’re a pro baseball player.

EASY
That’s true. And I’m married.
(smiles)
But I also like to suck cock.

DANNY
Check out Easy Washington
coming out of the closet.
Now that took guts.

VIN
Bullshit.
He’s just fucking with me.

EASY
I’d prove it, but you’re not my type.
Don’t go for the greasy Italian thing.
Hate the taste of pepperoni.
(laughs)
Better check the oil.
Looks like you might be a little low.

VIN
HEY.
Vin CHARGES him.
Easy PUNCHES him in the head, THWUMP.
Vin HITS the floor.

Danny WHIPS out his gun.
Aims it at Easy.

DANNY
Thanks.
I’ve been dying
to do that all night --

Art Imitating Life

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 9 of AFTERHOURS, the celebrities learn why Danny is on the run from the cops ... until Vin accidentally shoots Mickey and blows his head off ...


INT. THE EXIT ROOM - MAIN LOUNGE - EARLY MORNING
Danny sits at the bar
nursing a cocktail.

One of his shirt sleeves
has been cut off.

The gunshot wound on his arm
has been dressed and bandaged.

Vin sits in a booth with his
bloody pants leg sticking out,
pointing his gun at Mickey.

MICKEY
Cutting your jeans would be stupid.

VIN
I’m not taking them off.
You cut Danny’s shirt,
you can cut my pants.

MIKEY
But it’s different.
Danny can put a jacket on,
but it’s gonna look really stupid
with one long leg and one short leg.

VIN
I could give a rat’s ass.
(aims his gun)
Cut the fucking pants. NOW.

MICKEY
Okay, okay.
Stop pointing that thing at me.
VIN
Shut the fuck up and
CUT MY FUCKING PANTS.

MICKEY
Okay. Calm down.
(beat)
Would you mind standing up?
I can’t get to them with you
lying down like that.

VIN
Alright.
But if you touch my junk,
you’re a dead man, got it?

AT THE BAR
Danny sits at the far end.
Looks at Sky, Easy and Angel
at the other end.

Mia looks down.
Like she’s going to cry.

DANNY
(to Mia)
Why so glum, gorgeous?
Play your cards right and
you’ll get out of this alive.

MIA
My mother had a stroke.
I need to go to the
hospital and see her.
If you let me go, I promise
I won’t say anything.

DANNY
Sorry, doll. Ain’t gonna happen.

Casey comes over.
Plops in a stool. Looks at Mia.

CASEY
Can I get a drink?
I’m starting to sober up.

DANNY
How’s she doing?

CASEY
She’s breathing.
But I really think
she should go to the hospital.
She could die.

DANNY
Yeah, but then her record sales
would go through the roof.

Mia hands Casey her drink.
She takes a sip.

CASEY
So what did you guys do?
Rob a bank?

DANNY
Nah. Don’t do banks.
(beat)
Why do you wanna know?
Think it would make a good movie?

CASEY
Maybe.

DANNY
You wrote ‘Wilshire Boulevard.’

CASEY
Guilty as charged.

DANNY
Great fucking movie.

CASEY
Thanks.

DANNY
I love the part where the
intruder rapes the rich bitch,
but turns out to be the guy
she’s having an affair with.

CASEY
She was based on my
boss’s wife at my last job.

DANNY
(smiles)
What’s that expression?
‘Art imitating life?’

CASEY
(smiles)
Ten points.

Pause.

DANNY
It was a home invasion.
We ripped off a dirty cop
up in the hills.
Thought it’d be a cinch,
two against one, but he was
in bed with some slut,
and trigger-happy over there --

BANG.

Everyone JUMPS.
Turns and looks at --

MICKEY
Lying on the floor.
Half his face, gone.

DANNY
RACES over.

DANNY
What the FUCK, Vin?
What the fucking fuck did you DO?

Vin stands next to Mickey’s body
in his tighty-whiteys holding his gun,
lower lip quivering.

VIN
He -- made fun of my underwear.

DANNY
I thought he was gonna
cut your pants.

VINCE
Changed my mind.
Gay guy with scissors
anywhere near my crotch?
No fucking way, Jose.

Good Night, Nurse

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 8 of AFTERHOURS, while Easy, Sky and Casey try to revive an unconscious Bettie, Mia secretly slips a note asking for help outside the bathroom window ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - LADIES’ ROOM - NIGHT

As gorgeous as the rest of the joint.
Mia hurries into a stall.

Grabs a piece of toilet paper.
Takes it to the sink.

Pulls a pen out of her pocket.
Quickly scribbles on it.

Climbs up on the sink.
Reaches up, opens a casement window.
Flings the note outside.

IN THE MAIN ROOM
Bettie lies motionless.
Easy takes her pulse.

EASY
SHIT.

CASEY
What’s wrong?

EASY
She’s got no PULSE.

He starts giving her CPR,
PRESSING his hands on her chest.

Sky and Casey kneel nearby.
Casey grabs her wrist.

SKY
Holy shit.

CASEY
Still nothing.

Easy PUMPS his hands HARDER.

CASEY
Nothing. HARDER.

Easy PUMPS her chest
for all he’s worth.

Bettie JERKS back to life.
COUGHS. Opens her eyes --

BETTIE
Need -- a drink.

And passes out again.
Easy strokes her forehead.

EASY
C’mon, baby.
Stay with us.
(to Sky)
Help me move her over to a booth.
Make her more comfortable.

Easy and Sky pick her up.
Take her over to a booth.

Carefully lie her down.
Casey walks over.

Sits next to her.
Holds her hand.
Studies her face.

CASEY
She doesn’t look good.
We need to get her
to the hospital.

DANNY
You can take her after we leave.

Mia comes back in.
Takes her place behind the bar.
Hands a box of rice cakes to Danny.

MIA
Here you go.

DANNY
(take it, makes a face)
Great.

MIA
They’re blueberry.

DANNY
Yummy.

He takes one out.
CRUNCHES a bite.
Chews. SPITS IT OUT.

DANNY
Tastes like fucking cardboard.

VIN
Maybe we could order a pizza.

DANNY
Are you TRYING to
look like an idiot?
We’ll figure out something later.
The first order of business
is getting ourselves patched up.
(to Angel)
You good with that first aid kit?
Take care of a couple gunshot wounds?

ANGEL
I could try.

MICKEY
I can.
I used to be a nurse.

VIN
Why doesn’t that surprise me?

MICKEY
I was a trauma nurse, asshole.

VIN
Hey.
Who you calling an asshole, FAGGOT?

DANNY
Enough with the name calling.
Let Florence Nightengale
do his thing and shut the fuck up.

VIN
I’m not gonna let him touch me.

DANNY
You want your leg to get infected?
Get gangrene?

VIN
No, of course not.
(beat)
Okay, okay.

MICKEY
I promise I’ll be gentle --

Liquid Lunch

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 7 of AFTERHOURS, Mia the bartender goes to the back kitchen to get her captors a snack, just as faded rock star Bettie Black has one last shot that causes her projectile vomit all over the joint ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Mia starts pouring
shots for everyone.

Vin and Angel return,
Angel carrying a first aid kit.

VIN
(to Danny)
Got quite the set-up back there.
Office. Kitchen. VIP room --

DANNY
Any phones?

VIN
In the office.
Disabled it.
(smiles)
One step ahead of you.

DANNY
Good work.
(to Mia)
You got a kitchen.
I’d fucking kill for
a cheeseburger about now.

MIA
(pouring shots)
Sorry. We don’t serve that.

DANNY
Well, what DO you have?

MIA
Tapas.

DANNY
What the fuck are tapas?

MIA
Spanish appetizers.

DANNY
Then bring me some tapas, barkeep.
I’m positively famished.

VIN
Yeah, I’m starving.

MIA
All we’ve got left
are pickled anchovies.

DANNY
Anchovies?
I fucking HATE anchovies.

CASEY
(smiles)
Why do you think that’s
all that’s left?

DANNY
(to Mia)
You have any crackers
or peanuts, you know,
something edible?

MIA
I think we have some
rice cakes. I can go look.

DANNY
Rice cakes?
(beat)
Alright. Whatever.

VIN
Want me to go with?

DANNY
Nah. There’s no way
for her to get out.

Mia nods.
Heads off to the back.

Bettie watches her go.
Grabs the bottle.
Starts pouring more shots.

BETTIE
This round’s on me.

She DOWNS hers.
Makes a face.

Then PROJECTILE VOMITS an
ARC OF BROWN SPEW into the air.

FALLS off her stool.
HITS the floor, THWUMP.
Starts going into CONVULSIONS.

CASEY
Holy SHIT.

Easy JUMPS off his stool.
RUSHES over to her.
Takes her hand.

EASY
Somebody gimme a spoon
or something, QUICK --

Rear Window

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 6 of AFTERHOURS, rogue cop hostage taker Danny chats up drug dealer Mickey and teases him about his sexuality, then buys the celebrities another round ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Danny drains his glass.
Gestures to Mia for another.

DANNY
You gotta first aid kit in this joint?

ANGEL
In the back office.

DANNY
Is there a back entrance?

ANGEL
No.

DANNY
The only way out is the way we came in?

ANGEL
Yeah.

DANNY
Isn’t that against the fire code?

ANGEL
Owner’s tight with the city.

DANNY
You the bouncer?

ANGEL
Yeah.

DANNY
(to Vin)
Vin, go with him to the office
and get the first aid kit
and scope out the rest of the crib.

VIN
(drains his glass)
You got it.

He gets up. Nods at Angel.
They head off toward the back.

Danny sips his drink.
Looks at Mickey.

DANNY
What’s your story?

MICKEY
I’m a dealer.

DANNY
Check it out.
Not afraid to admit it.
I like that.

MICKEY
Thanks.

DANNY
What do you deal?

MICKEY
You name it.
Weed, X, coke, shrooms, pills --

DANNY
Maybe I’ll hit you up later.
(off his look)
Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it.
I may be a fugitive from the law,
but I don’t steal from other criminals
unless they fuck with me.

MICKEY
That’s -- great.

DANNY
Are you a top or a bottom?

MICKEY
Excuse me?

DANNY
You heard me.
Do you pitch or catch?

MICKEY
I’m -- versatile.

DANNY
I’ll keep that under advisement.

MICKEY
Okay --

DANNY
Relax. Just fucking with you.
(looks around)
C’mon, everybody.
Stop looking like
the dog just died.
Let’s PARTY.
(to Mia)
Barkeep.
Another round for my friends --

Takin' Care Of Business

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 5 of AFTERHOURS, bad cop on the run Danny Peel holds the celebrities hostage at gun point, but then surprises them by buying them a round of drinks and chatting them up like old friends ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Sky, Easy, Angel and Mickey
move to the bar. Take stools.

DANNY
Okay, everybody.
We’re gonna be here
a little while,
so I want you to get
nice and comfortable.
Do exactly what I say
and nobody gets hurt.
(off their terrified looks)
Just because I’m holding a gun
and covered in blood
doesn’t mean I’m not a nice guy --
so, in the interest of
all of us getting along,
the next round’s on me.
(to Vin)
Vin?

VIN
Yeah?

DANNY
Can I get some of that cash?

VIN
Yeah. Sure.

He goes to the duffle,
zips it open.

Grabs a banded wad of cash.
TOSSES it to Danny.

DANNY
Which one of you is the bartender?

MIA
I am.

DANNY
(SLAPS it down on the bar)
What’s the most expensive
scotch you got?

MIA
M-Mcallan’s.

DANNY
I wanna buy a round for the house.

Mia goes behind the bar
to get a bottle and some glasses.

DANNY
(to Sky)
Hey. You’re that movie star.
You’re in all those independent films.

SKY
Guilty as charged.
(weak smile)
With the occasional studio tentpole.

DANNY
Hey. Gotta pay the bills, right?
(nods)
I used to wannabe an actor,
but I really like eating.
(looks around)
Whoah, Nelly.
This is celeb-city.
(to Easy)
Easy Washington. My man.
Was really sorry to
hear about your injury.

EASY
Not as much as I was.

Mia gives Danny his glass.
He takes a sip.

DANNY
Holy shit is that smooth.
(eyes Bettie)
And what do have we here?
Bettie Black. Big fan.
Lost my virginity
to your first album.

BETTIE
Really?

DANNY
Nah. Just fuckin’ with you.
I’m more of a classic rock
kinda guy.
(sings)
Takin’ care of business --
(sips, looks at Casey)
And who is this lovely creature?

Danny and Casey lock eyes.
She blushes.

CASEY
Nobody.
(beat)
I’m a writer.

BETTIE
Shut up.
(to Danny)
She won the Oscar, hello?

DANNY
Oh, yeah.
The media gave you shit
about your tattoos.

CASEY
My agent wanted me to wear
a long-sleeved dress,
but I said ‘fuck that.’

DANNY
Rebel outlaw girl --

Bad Lieutenant

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

In Chapter 4 of AFTERHOURS, it's a clusterfuck of epic proportions when the celebrities' drunken reverie gets interrupted by a pair of cops with guns covered in blood, who take the joint hostage ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
The door buzzer RINGS again.

MIA
Angel, the door.

ANGEL
(over his shoulder)
Tell ‘em we’re closed.

They disappear. Mia shakes her head.
Walks over to the door.

MIA
Sorry. We’re closed.

ANGRY GUY (O.C.)
It’s an emergency. Open up.

MIA
We’re closed.

ANGRY GUY (O.C.)
I need help.
I’m bleeding.

MIA
Then call nine-one-one.

ANGRY GUY (O.C.)
I don’t have a phone.
PLEASE. I need your HELP.

Mia’s cell phone RINGS.
She looks. Answers it.

MIA
Hey, sis. What’s up?
Calling kinda late --

Distracted, she opens
the door, listening.

We hear WILD CHATTER
on her phone.

MIA
Mom had a STROKE?

Two BIG MEN BURST INTO THE ROOM.
The bigger guy holds
a sawed-off shotgun,
the other a chrome handgun
and a giant duffle bag.

Bigger Guy aims the shotgun
at the girls at the bar.

BIGGER GUY
Cell phones ON THE FLOOR, NOW.

Meet DANNY PEEL (40’s).
Would be a dead ringer
for George Clooney,
except you can tell
he parties too much.

Arm a bloody mess.
Eyes wild and desperate.
But still kinda hot.

DANNY
CELL PHONES. NOW.

He aims the shotgun at the ceiling.
FIRES. BANG. Plaster RAINS DOWN.

Mia SCREAMS. Bettie and Casey
TOSS their phones.

Sky and Easy TOSS theirs.
Mia DROPS hers.

ANGEL AND MICKEY
Appear in the doorway.

ANGEL
(low)
Holy shit.

MICKEY
(a whisper)
Ohmigod.

Smaller Guy, bleeding from the leg,
aims his gun at them.

SMALLER GUY
Glad you could join the party.
Toss your phones, NOW.

Meet VIN VARGAS (30’S),
your typical grunt cop
gone to seed.

Paunchy. Dark circles
under his eyes.
Sweating like crazy.

Eyes darting back and forth.
Pumped with adrenaline.

ANGEL
Okay, okay. Don’t shoot.

Angel and Mickey TOSS their phones.

DANNY
Okay. Everybody go sit at the bar.
(to Vin)
Smash ‘em.

VIN
You got it.

He drops the bag.
Starts CRUNCHING them
with his boot.

Sky, Easy, Angel and Mickey
move to the bar. Take stools.

DANNY
Okay, everybody.
We’re gonna be here a little while,
so I want you to get
nice and comfortable.
Do exactly what I say
and nobody gets hurt.
(off their terrified looks)
Just because I’m holding a gun
and covered in blood
doesn’t mean I’m not a nice guy --
so, in the interest of
all of us getting along,
the next round’s on me --

Got Coke?

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

In Chapter 3 of AFTERHOURS, we meet Angel Diaz, the bouncer, who owes his dealer Mickey Mertz money for blow he planned on selling, but then got stolen ... so when Mickey arrives with more product, the thinks he's in the clear ...


INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - EARLY MORNING
Sitting at the far end is ANGEL DIAZ (20’s),
the bouncer, big and burly.

Also great-looking, like a model.
But looks a bit frayed around the edges.
He chats up Mia.

ANGEL
I’m so fucked.
They’re gonna break my knees.
(low, to himself)
Where the fuck IS he?

MIA
Who you waiting for?

ANGEL
Mickey, my dealer.
He’s gonna give me some credit.

MIA
But you already have coke.

ANGEL
I did, but my apartment
got burglarized last night.
Now I need more to sell
so I can make the vig.

MIA
And you wanna sell it here?
Are you crazy?
You’re lucky Klaus
didn’t fire your ass when
you got caught last time.

ANGEL
I got no choice, Mia.
I’m outta options.
I need to make the vig.

MIA
(nods at the customers)
What makes you sure
they’re gonna buy it?

ANGEL
Please. Wasted celebrities
in an after-hours joint?
We should have a fucking vending machine.

MIA
I don’t get why anybody does a drug
that won’t let you get it up. Stupid.

ANGEL
I told you.
That’s never happened before.

MIA
Well, it’s not gonna happen again,
that’s for sure.

The buzzer RINGS.

ANGEL
That’s him.

He RACES to the door. Unlocks it.
MICKEY MERTZ (30’s) walks in.

Tall, blonde and rakish
in the lastest hipster threads.

Boyish looks a bit fuzzy
due to hard-partying.

Eyes burning from the combination
of chemicals dancing in his head.

MICKEY
I made it.

ANGEL
Got here just in time.
We’re closing soon.

MICKEY
You know what they say,
‘better late than never.’

ANGEL
(fake smile)
Yeah, right.

MICKEY
So where we gonna do this?

ANGEL
VIP room.

MICKEY
Lead on, Macduff.

Truth Or Dare

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 2 of AFTERHOURS, we meet Sky Masters, indie movie hunk and Easy Washington, pro ball player, both of whom reveal their deepest, darkest secrets ... over a bottle of really expensive scotch.


IN A NEARBY BOOTH
Sit a pair of GOOD-LOOKING GUYS
drinking glasses of top shelf
single malt scotch,
deep in conversation.

SKY MASTERS (30’s)
indie hipster movie hunk,
smallish, thin, carefully
ratty-looking takes a sip.
Eyes bleary.

SKY
Nah. I was a drama nerd.
Couldn’t play worth shit.

EASY WASHINGTON (30’s),
African-American pro baseball player,
big, even better-looking,
swirls his glass.

EASY
Lucky for you --
(takes a sip)
You get injured,
you can still act.
I get injured,
I get fucking traded.

SKY
There’s other ways you can
fuck up your career.

EASY
Please. You’re the golden boy.
Critics and audiences love you.

SKY
Yeah, well --
(sips)
They don’t know.

EASY
Know what?
(off his stare)
C’mon, man. Out with it.
What’s the big secret?

Sky stares at him.
Raises his glass.
Drains it in one gulp.

SKY
Found out I’m HIV-positive.

EASY
Damn.
(beat)
That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re --
I mean, look at Magic Johnson.

SKY
I didn’t get it from fucking.

EASY
You shooting SMACK?

SKY
You wanna say that a little louder?

EASY
Sorry.

SKY
And you wanna know the REAL clincher?
(pours more)
I’m getting married tomorrow.

EASY
Does she know?

SKY
No.

EASY
(raises his glass)
The truth will set you free.

He downs it.

SKY
Now you know what I’m
doing here at five in the morning
instead of being with my fiance.

EASY
Bet that’s a big load off your mind.
(off his look)
Sharing your deepest, darkest secret.

SKY
I guess.

Easy grabs the bottle.
Pours them another.

EASY
The media’s gonna break a
big story about me today.
Major scandal.

SKY
What. You cheated on your wife?
There’s no way it can be as bad as --

EASY
Wanna bet?
(off his look)
It wasn’t with another woman.

SKY
You’re sleeping with another dude?
Big fucking deal.
Welcome to Hollywood.

EASY
The dude’s another player --

Hot And Cold Running Decadence

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 1 of AFTERHOURS, we meet Oscar-winning screenwritr Casey Montana and goth-rocker Bettie Black, who are drowning their sorrows in a bottle of bourbon at The Exit Room, an after hours joint on the Sunset Strip ...


EXT. THE SUNSET STRIP - NIGHT
A CHYRON reads ‘August 16, 4:47 AM.’

An occasional CAR passes by.
An occasional HOOKER works the stroll.

A trio of WASTED PARTY GIRLS (18)
turn a corner and stagger down
a side street looking for their car.

CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON a
SMALL WHITE BUILDING that was once a bank,
now a high-end designer boutique
at the foot of the Hollywood Hills
in the Sunset Plaza shopping district.

CAMERA GLIDES OVER
to the side of the building,
where we see a STAIRCASE
to the basement.

CAMERA GLIDES DOWN THE STAIRS
and STOPS at the door.

No window. No sign.
Just a small red buzzer.

INT. AFTER HOURS CLUB - NIGHT
Plush and jazzy. Part Art Deco.
Part tiki lounge.

The dim, pin-spot lighting
makes the joint seem to glow.

Welcome to The Exit Room.
Hot and cold running decadence
until dawn.

Standing behind the long,
polished bar is MIA TANAKA (20’s),
mixologist deluxe, shiny black hair
down to her ass.

Looking every bit the
wannabe actress she is.

Right now she’s cutting up
lime wedges and evesdropping on --

A pair of WOMEN doing shots
of top-shelf tequila.

They SLAM them down,
then CRACK their shot glasses
on the bar.

The dark-haired chick
grabs the bottle.
Pours two more.

DARK-HAIRED CHICK
(raises hers)
To the best fucking screenwriter
in HOLLYWOOD.

Meet BETTIE BLACK (40),
fading grungy-goth rock star.

Still good-looking, but now
a bit rough around the edges.

But still sexy in revealing,
ripped black threads.

If you squint your eyes.
She lights a new smoke
off the old one.
A crooked grin.

BLONDE BABE
(raises hers)
To the best poet since PATTI SMITH.
Meet CASEY MONTANA (20’s), white-hot
Oscar-winning screenwriter.

Sexy-dirty, working that
vintage pinup look.

The black and blue streaks
in her hair match her outfit.

BETTIE
Patti Smith? Really?

CASEY
Hey. If you’re gonna compare me
to Quentin Tarantino --

They DOWN them.

BETTIE
Flattery will get your clit sucked.

Bettie pours two more.
They DOWN them.
CRACK their glasses.

CASEY
That’ll grow hair on your tits.

BETTIE
What are you working on now?

CASEY
That bottle. Keep pouring.

BETTIE
Ever seen Leaving Las Vegas?
Wanna write the rock star version?

CASEY
Only if Nic Cage plays you.

BETTIE
Pay him enough, he probably would.

They DOWN them.

BETTIE
Doctor says if I don’t
stop drinking, I’ll die.
(pours more)
Works for me.

CASEY
Hey. Don’t talk like that.

BETTIE
(downs hers)
It’s the end of the road, baby.
My label says if I don’t go
to rehab, they’re dropping me.

CASEY
(downs hers)
But you don’t seriously mean --

BETTIE
(pours more)
You don’t know my pain.

CASEY
Well, if we’re playing
‘to tell the truth,’
I’m in a bit
of a crisis myself.

They raise their shots.
Nod. SLAM them. CRACK.

BETTIE
Oh, yeah? Having a hard time
spending all that money?

CASEY
No, that’s easy. It’s --
(beat)
I can’t come up
with my next story.
I’m blocked.
(off her look)
It took me a year
to write the first one.
I wrote it longhand
during my lunch hour at work,
carefully crafting it.
Now they want another one
right away, and I can’t --
(beat)
Can you imagine the pressure
after winning the Oscar?

BETTIE
Hey.

CASEY
What.

BETTIE
There’s two of you.

CASEY
Two of me --

BETTIE
Got double vision.
See two of you.
(puts hand over one eye)
One --
(takes it off)
Two.

CASEY
I think that calls
for another drink --

Live And Let Die

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 the final chapter of THE INVISIBLE GIRL, Bettie gets her final revenge on the popular kids that bullied her at the prom ... and burns the place down ...


INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT

The windows start SHATTERING. BANG. BANG. BANG.
Kids RUN over to them to try and climb out,
but they’re TOO HIGH.

THE ROOM
Starts filling with ACRID, BLACK SMOKE.

BALLOONS
Start POP-POP-POP-POPPING.

A BIG JOCK
Holds a fire extinguisher.
Aiming the pathetic stream of water
in front of him in a
useless display of bravado.

A GROUP OF KIDS
Hold the base of a smoldering table top.
Try to use it as a battering ram
against the door -- BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

But it won’t budge.

BETTIE
RUNS back up to the stage.
Looks at the carnage.
Smiles with evil delight.

RACES to the back entrance,
RUNS out the door --

BEHIND THE GYM
With superhuman strength, Bettie
pulls the dumpster in front
of the back door, blocking it.

ON THE STAGE
Lane and Hart get to the back door.
Try to open it.

HART
It’s BLOCKED.

LANE
SHIT.

They turn around.
Look at the stage.

The fire surrounding it.
Lane sees something. Points.

LANE
Look. A TRAP DOOR --

They race over to it. Open it. Climb down below.

IN THE BASEMENT
Lane and Hart go down a ladder.
Look around in the darkness.
Search for the exit. Just then --

A BANK OF ELECTRICAL SWITCHES
Start FIZZLING SPARKS. HUMMING.
Curls of SMOKE coming out.

LANE AND HART
See it.

LANE
Ohmigod.

HART
We gotta get OUTTA HERE.

A WATER HEATER IN THE CORNER
Starts RUMBLING. The gage
turns bright red to VERY HOT.

LANE AND HART
Follow the wall with their hands,
moving quickly in the opposite direction.

THE GAS METER
Start SHAKING VIOLENTLY.
Gas starts HISSING out of it.

HART
Searches through the haze, his eyes
now getting adjusted to the darkness.
Then he sees it.

HART
The DOOR --

He GRABS the knob. SHAKES IT.
But it won’t budge. LOCKED.
Lane pulls out her service revolver.

LANE
Stand back.

Hart moves to the side.
Lane SHOOTS the lock, BANG.
The door FLIES OPEN.

HART
Can’t call you a rookie anymore.

She nods, grimly -- and they RUSH up the steps.

IN FRONT AT THE ENTRANCE
Bernard tries to pry the pipe
off the door, but it won’t budge.

Fleming looks off in the distance.
Sees something.

FLEMING
Here comes the cavalry.

We hear the SHRIEKS and WAILS of POLICE
and FIRE TRUCK SIRENS in the distance.
Bernard BANGS on the doors with his fists.

BERNARD
BETTIE. What have you DONE?

BETTIE (O.C.)
It’s called REVENGE, dad.

Reveal BETTIE. Standing off in the shadows.
Soot from the fire now mixed with the blood stains.
A ghostly spectre.

BERNARD
THERE you are. You’re OKAY.

Bernard and Fleming come over to her.

BETTIE
OKAY? Seeing as how I just got even
with the ENTIRE SCHOOL,
I’d say I was doing fucking GREAT.

BERNARD
We’ve found a cure, Bettie.
We can reverse what happened to you
with a blood transfusion.
We have an ambulance ready
to take you to the hospital.

She weaves a little bit.
Unsteady on her feet.

BETTIE
A blood transfusion?
Are you fucking KIDDING me?

A FIRE TRUCK ROARS into the parking lot.
FIREMEN start JUMPING off the truck,
pulling out hoses.

A pair of them RUN to the door.
Start trying to pry the bar off.

BERNARD
No, it can WORK.
But we don’t have much TIME.

BETTIE
I don’t WANT to go back to the way I was.
I like how I am NOW.

BERNARD
Bettie, LISTEN to me.
We have to HURRY.
Otherwise you’re going to DIE --

BETTIE
(quiet, urgent)
Don’t you understand?
There’s nothing to live for.
The world is an awful, nasty place.
People judge you by
what you look like,
how much you weigh,
how many friends you have --
(beat)
And I’ve had enough.
(beat)
I’m done.

EXT. VENISON HIGH GYM - FRONT ENTRANCE - NIGHT
A pair of FIREFIGHTERS work crowbars
on the iron bar across the door.
Straining. PULLING. It FLIES OFF --

The door FLIES OPEN --
Just as the building
EXPLODES IN A MASSIVE FIREBALL,
sending STUDENTS, TEACHERS and
FIREFIGHTERS FLYING INTO THE AIR.

Everyone turns and looks. Horrified.

A trio of SQUAD CARS roar
into the lot behind them.

COPS JUMP OUT of their vehicles,
run up to them. Guns drawn.
Lane and Hart join them.
Also with guns drawn.

HART
You’re under arrest, Bettie.
Don’t move, or we’ll shoot.

LANE
It’ll go much easier on you
if you cooperate, okay?

Smoke starts coming off Bettie’s body.
She looks at her hand.

BETTIE
What’s -- going on?

FLEMING
(to Bernard)
It’s too late. The Duocaine
is starting the decomposition.

BERNARD
I’m so sorry, Bettie. I shouldn’t have
left the formula where you could find it.

The smoke starts getting thicker. Darker.

BETTIE
It’s okay. I got to do something
most people only dream about.
(beat)
Funny thing.
I was filled with all this rage.
And now I feel --
(beat)
Nothing.

She DROPS to her knees. Exhausted.
Spent. Looks up at him.

BETTIE
I had power, Dad.
Power I didn’t think I had.

BERNARD
(eyes tearing up)
B-bettie --

BETTIE
Love you, too.

And she BURSTS INTO A CLOUD OF DUST --
which FLIES in the air,
then gently falls to the ground.

Silence.
Everyone stares, open-mouthed.
The cops holster their weapons.
Lane turns to Hart.

LANE
Let’s give him a moment.

Hart nods. Motions to the cops
to move away. They leave.

BERNARD
Stares at the pile of dust.

BERNARD
I wish I could’ve -- helped her.

FLEMING
My god, man. Don’t you see you DID?

BERNARD
I don’t -- understand.

FLEMING
You gave her the greatest gift of all.

BERNARD
What’s that?

FLEMING
The gift of kicking ass.

FADE TO BLACK

Gone With The Wind

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 40 of THE INVISIBLE GIRL, it's a clusterfuck of epic proportions when Bettie Bee destroys the prom and starts killing her enemies ...

INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT

Bettie JUMPS off the stage and starts SPRAYING
everybody with a TORRENT OF WATER.

KIDS and TEACHERS going FLYING into
tables, chairs, the walls, SCREAMING.

OUTSIDE BY THE AMBULANCE
Bernard and Fleming are deep in conversation.

BERNARD
That may be true, but subatomic
particles can also be --
(hears something)
You hear that?
Sounds like -- screaming.

IN THE GYM
Principal Chubb crawls onto the stage.
Grabs the live microphone.
Ducks behind some decorations.

PRINCIPAL CHUBB (O.C.)
(electronic)
Bettie, PLEASE -- stop this MADNESS.

BETTIE
Sees where he is.
Turns, smiles. Nasty.
Aims the hose at him.

BETTIE
You did NOTHING to help me. NOTHING.

And SPRAYS HIM with a TORRENT OF WATER.
A blue spark CRACKLES, and
his body JERKS like a puppet as
he’s ZAPPED WITH ELECTRICITY
and gets ELECTROCUTED.

Another spark BURSTS INTO FLAMES --
and fire starts SHOOTING UP the
paper streamers toward the rafters above.

OUTSIDE BY THE AMBULANCE
Bernard and Fleming look at
the gym with complete horror,
see the fire in the windows.

BERNARD
My god, man -- the prom is on FIRE.

He starts RUNNING toward the entrance.
Fleming follows after him in
his electric wheelchair,
trying to keep up.

IN THE GYM
It’s complete PANDEMONIUM.

A small group of KIDS cower by
the blocked exit as the fire RAGES
through the gym, engulfing
STUDENTS and TEACHERS who
SCREAM as they BURST INTO FLAMES.

THE CORD HOLDING THE DISCO BALL
CATCHES FIRE. Shoots down to the ball. SNAPS.

It PLUMMETS -- SMASHING a kid on the head.
Then starts BOUNCING into the crowd,
BASHING kids like bowling pins.

EMERALD
RUNS through the gym,
looking for an escape.

EMERALD
Ohmigod, ohmigod --

A FLAMING BEAM
Up above BREAKS OFF.

Starts HURTLING down from the rafters,
CRUSHING her. Killing her instantly. BANG.

TILA AND RONNIE
Stand in a dark corner.
Hugging each other for dear life.
Trapped behind a WALL OF FIRE.

TILA
We’re GONNA DIE.

RONNIE
(strokes her hair)
At least we’re together.

Tila pulls away.
Looks in Ronnie’s eyes. Searching.

TILA
Our love was epic, huh?

RONNIE
Gone With The Wind, baby.

They KISS. Ju
st as they get ENGULFED BY FIRE --